Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Washing Fibrous Materials.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Washing Fibrous
Materials.
We, JOHN REDDIHOUGH, of Horton Lane, Bradford, in the County of York,
Top Maker, and JAMES WILLIAM CLOUGH, of Marshalls Mills, Bradford,
aforesaid, Combing Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for washing wool and
other fibrous materials, and has for its object, the mounting and operation of the
pressers in such a manner that, the fibre is assisted in its passage through the
machine, so that any stoppage or choking of the fibre in the washing trough is
obviated, and by these means to be enabled to more effectually wash the fibre and
to pass a greater weight through the machine in a given time.
We accomplish our object in the following manner :-Above the sud tank is fixed
a washing trough placed at a slight inclination towards the outlet, to assist the flow
of the washing liquid and fibre through the same, the liquid being pumped and the
fibre fed into the trough as hitherto.
In the trough are a number of pressers for squeezing the fibre and assisting it in
its passage through the trough, these pressers are each connected by a rod to a
crank or eccentric, the rod being provided with a spiral spring which allows the
presser to yield when squeezing the wool or other fibre.
By coupling the presser connecting rods to cranks or eccentrics, a compound
motion is given to the pressers which, in addition to squeezing the fibre at each
revolution, causes it to travel forward in the direction of the flow of the washing
liquid, thus by these means the fibre is kept in motion and assisted through the
washing trough to the outlet end where it is delivered to squeezing rollers in the
manner as hitherto.
Dated this 18th day of Mar 1809
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Washing. Fibrous
Materials.
We, JOHN REddihough, of Horton Lane, Bradford, in the County of York,
Top Maker, and JAMES WILLIAM CLOUGH, of Marshall's Mill, Bradford,
aforesaid, Combing Manager do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for washing wool and
other fibrous materials, and has for its object the mounting and operating of the
pressers with the following advantages-
First. The pressure upon the wool is suited to the varying thickness of the wool
passing under the pressers.
Second. The fibre is constantly assisted in its passage through the trough by.
means of the pressers, thus avoiding the liability to choking of the fibre and stoppage
of the machine as hitherto.
Third. The wool is better washed and a greater quantity can be passed through
the machine in a given time than hitherto.

page_text: In describing our invention in detail reference is made to the accompanying sheet
of drawings in which
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation partly in section of so much of a washing
machine as is required to describe our invention which is added thereto.
Fig. 2. is a plan of the same, and
Fig. 3. a detached detail of a presser in section with the connecting rod J and
spiral spring S in connection therewith.
At the base of the machine is an ordinary sud tank A. above which is fixed a
washing trough B. placed at a slight inclination towards the outlet at C. for the
purpose of assisting the flow of the washing liquid and fibre through the said trough.
The washing liquid is pumped or otherwise raised from the sud tank A and delivered
by pipe D. into the cistern E. the bottom of which is perforated in order to allow
the liquid to fall on the fibre F as it is delivered to the washing trough B. by the
apron H. operated in the usual manner.
In the trough B are a number of pressers G. for squeezing the fibre and assisting
it in its passage through the said trough. The pressers are coupled by a connecting
rod J to a rotating crank K or eccentric ou shafts at right angles to the length of
the trough and operated in any convenient manner in the drawing cranks are
shown, the necessary motion being obtained from the pulley L through the pinion M
and spur wheels N.
Each connecting rod J is attached to a presser G in such a manner as to give a
yielding pressure to the wool in case an accumulation of the same immediately under
the presser when descending. This is accomplished by the spiral spring S
surrounding the connecting rod J. When the wool is of ordinary quantity under
the presser this spring is of sufficient strength to give the weight of the presser
upon the wool, when it is more than ordinary, the spring yields in that proportion,
thus equalizing the pressure upon the wool.
By coupling the connecting rods J to cranks in the manner described, a compound
motion is given to the pressers G, which rise and fall and take a backward and
forward motion in the washing trough B. On each presser G arriving near the
bottom of its downward movement, the fibre F under same is carried forward in the
trough B some distance in the direction of the arrow towards the outlet C. The rods J
are of such length as will allow of the underside of the pressers G resting upon the
bottom of the washing trough B, when at the bottom of the stroke the fibre under
same is then squeezed and by the rod J sliding into the presser G when at the
bottom of the stroke, the spiral spring S surrounding the rod J. is further com-
pressed, thus squeezing the fibre each time a presser G arrives at the bottom of the
stroke, some of the washing liquid passing through perforations in the bottom plate
of the presser, which again descends upon the fibre on the upward movement of the
pressers.
Choking of the fibre in the washing trough B is prevented, as the fibre is
assisted in its passage through the said trough by the forward movement of the
pressers G, and is delivered at the end C of trough to the squeezing rollers R.
in the ordinary manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is.
The combination with a washing trough B. of a presser G having a connecting
rod J passing freely through top of presser and a spiral spring S surrounding said
rod actuated and arranged substantially in the manner as shown and for the purpose
as herein before described.
Dahi 101.
1000
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.