IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DISINFECTING RAGS AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Illingworth of Whitelee, Batley in the County
of York, Flock Manufacturer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Illingworth at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th May 1883. ...
"
JOHN ILLINGWORTH of Whitelee, Batley in the County of York, Flock
Manufacturer, IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR
DISINFECTING RAGS AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES "**
L
+
JJ SI
This Invention has reference to the method. and means to be employed in
disinfecting rags and other fibrous materials.
As is well known by. flock manufacturers that rags are sought and obtained
from all manner of places for the purpose of being made into flocks, and that
diseases and filth has been spread from place to place; by the undisinfected rags
The object of my Invention is to provide easy and simple means for disinfecting
rags and other fibrous material whereby the spread of disease is avoided
The form and construction of apparatus I employ for this purpose: consists of
a tubular or other form of boiler capable of holding steam at a considerable
pressure
" d
1129
Within the flue of this boiler which is kept at a suitable temperature by steam,
is placed a cage mounted in suitable bearings and caused to revolve by suitable
gearing so as to carry the rags or other materials around the heated chamber:
A box or pan for containing sulphur is placed in close proximity. to, and 'in
connection with the flue of the boiler and when each end of the flue has been
closed up, the rotary cage is set in motion, and by the combined means of heat
and sulphur, the rags are disinfected
11

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Illingworth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th November 1883.
{.!
JOHN ILLINGWORTH, of Whitelee, Batley, in the County of York, Flock
Manufacturer " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR
DISINFECTING RAGS AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
This Invention has reference to the method and means to be employed in
disinfecting rags, hair, wool, and other fibrous materials.
As is well known by flock manufacturers that rags are sought and obtained
from all manner of places for the purpose of being made into flocks, and that
diseases and filth have been spred from place to place by infected rags and
cloths.
The object of my Invention is to provide easy and simple means for disinfecting
rags and other fibrous materials whereby the spred of disease in the manner
mentioned is avoided.
The form and construction of apparatus I employ for this purpose consists
of a tubular or other form of boiler capable of holding steam at a considerable
pressure.
Within the flue of this boiler which is kept at a suitable temperature. by
steam, is placed a cage mounted in suitable bearings and caused to revolve by
suitable gearing so as to carry the rags or other materials around the heated
chamber.
:
A box or pan for containing sulphur or other suitable gas is placed in close
proximity to, and in connection with the flue of the boiler and when each end
of the flue has been closed up, the rotary cage is set in motion and by the
combined means of heat and sulphur the rags, hair, wool, or other' fibre are
disinfected.
In order that my Invention may be better understood, reference is given to the
accompanying sheets of Drawings wherein Fig 1 is longitudinal section of machine
shewing interior thereof, and Fig 2 is cross section of same. A is a boiler or double
shelled cylinder capable of holding steam at a high pressure. Within the inner
cylinder or chamber is mounted a cage or perforated cylinder B having rotary
motion imparted to it from strap C and bevil gearing D.
Steam is introduced into the boiler down the pipe E whilst F shews the outlet
for steam and condensed water. The boiler is provided with a safety valve G and
also with a steam pressure gauge. Entrance is effected into the cylindrical space
or chamber by door H, and into the perforated cage B by door I.
By placing a door at the end of the cage, it is practically impossible to employ
a shaft for supporting it; rollers or pulleys L are therefore employed upon which
the cage rests and rotates.
The action of the machine is as follows.
The boiler is supplied with steam and when at a suitable heat say 280° Fah :
a quantity of rags or flocks which require disinfecting are placed within the rotary.
cage, when the doors of both cage, and cylindrical chamber are closed and sealed
up. A quantity of sulphuric vapour, or other suitable gas from the retort J is
then admitted into the cylindrical chamber and rotary motion given to the cage
whereby the rags or flocks are carried around and kept in a constant state of
agitation, the projecting prongs K materially assisting in this process as they
prevent the materials from gathering in one particular part of the cage by the
centrifugal force thereof.

page_text: Rags, flocks, bedding, clothing, wool, hair, or other fibre or fibrous materials
treated in this manner herein described are thoroughly disinfected and made fit
for use either for beds, furniture or other kinds of upholstary.
Having now shewn and described my Invention and the best means I am
acquainted with for carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the exact details herein shewn and described, nor
to any particular kind of disinfecting vapour, as these matters may be varied
without departing from the pecular character thereof, what therefore-I claim as
my Invention is--
The use and employment of a rotary cage working within a heated chamber
supplied with a disinfectant in manner and for purposes substantially as herein
shewn and described.
In witness whereof I the said John Illingworth have hereunto set my hand
and seal this nineth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.