IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS BAD RENOVING VEGETABLE FIRRE FROM WOOLLEN FARRICC
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Hacking Riley, of Bury, in the County of
Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
BAD RENOVING VEGETABLE FIRRE FROM WOOLLEN FARRICC”
5
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Hacking Riley at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th April 1881.
JOSEPH HACKING RILEY, of Bury, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR REMOVING VEGETABLE FIBRE FROM
WOOLLEN FABRICS."
My said Invention relates to an improved method of treating fabrics containing
worsted or other animal materials, with a view to the removable of the vegetable
matters which may be incorporated therewith, and consist in a novel arrangement
of mechanism whereby the material is more effectually and expeditiously treated
than heretofore. The usual mode of treatment is to soak the fabric in a tank or
vat containing a decomposing agent, and afterwards to pass the said fabric in a
rope like form between the pressing rollers of a squeezer, in order to partly expel
the mixture, the fabric being subsequently dried. According to my improved
process I arrange three or any greater or less number of rollers in connection with
à decomposing tank or vat, and I pass the fabric in a perfectly flat state through
the tank, and between or over the said rollers. I also arrange a squeezer or mangle
in line with the said tank, and pass the dipped fabric in its flat or open condition
between the pressing rollers, so as partially to expel the moisture. The fabric is
then led from the rollers and passed round any suitable number of heated drying
cylinders, or through a tentering machine; or is dried by any other suitable means.
whereby it will be thoroughly parched or dried. The decomposed vegetable fibre
is subsequently eliminated in the ordinary or in a suitable manner. By means of
the hereinbefore described arrangement the fabric is dipped, pressed, and dried in
one continuous and uninterrupted operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph Hacking Riley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th October 1881.
JOSEPH HACKING RILEY, of Bury, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVE
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR REMOVING VEGETABLE FIBRES FROM
WOOLLEN FABRICS."
My said Invention relates to an improved method of treating fabrics containing
wool, worsted, or other animal materials, with a view to the removal of the vegetable
matters which may be incorporated therewith, and consists in a novel arrangement
of mechanism whereby the material is more effectually and expeditiously treated
than heretofore. The usual mode of treatment is to soak the fabric in a tank or
vat containing a decomposing agent, and afterwards to pass the said fabric in a
rope like form between the pressing rollers of a "squeezer," in order to partially
expel the moisture, the fabric being subsequently dried. According to my improved
process I employ a number of sets of rollers in connection with a decomposing
tank or vat, and I pass the fabric in a flat state through the tank, and between or
over the said rollers. I also arrange a squeezer or mangle in line with the said
tank, and pass the dipped fabric in its flat or open condition between the pressing
rollers, so as to expel the moisture. The fabric is then led from the rollers, and
passed round any suitable number of heated drying cylinders, or through a tentering
machine; or is dried by any other suitable means whereby it will be thoroughly
parched or dried.
In order that the manner in which I carry my Invention into effect may be fully
understood I have attached hereunto a Drawing illustrative of the apparatus,
which I have designed to be used for the purposes of my Invention. Referring to
the said Drawing, which represents a vertical longitudinal section of the apparatus,
a is a tank or cistern, which is divided into compartments by means of partitions a², a²,
which extend nearly to the bottom of the tank. In suitable standards b, b, are
mounted pairs of squeezing rollers c, c. Upon the axle of the lower roller in each
pair is fixed a wheel, which is adapted to gear with an endless pitch chain d, which
gears with all the wheels on the lower roller axles in the series. A second chain e
connects the axle of the end roller in the series with the axle of the central roller f
of a mangle or set of three squeezing rollers f, f¹, f2. When the said central
roller is caused to revolve the pitch chain d causes all the lower rollers c to revolve
in unison, and in the same direction. In lieu of the use of the said pitch chain the
rollers c, c, may be driven by means of a side-shaft and bevel gearing, or of worms
and worm-wheels, or by any other suitable means. The upper rollers are or may
be weighted or pressed towards the lower rollers by any ordinary or suitable means.
The pieces of cloth sewn or attached end to end are represented by the line g, which
indicates the course of the fabric through the apparatus. The fabric passes to the
first set of rollers through or between a pair of tension bars h, and is delivered by
the rollers downwards into a compartment of the tank, from which compartment it
passes below the partition a² in an upward direction to the second set of rollers.
On its way to the second set of rollers the fabric passes between two bars i, which
are connected together at the ends by means of cross pieces, which are provided
with trunnions, which rest in bearings in standards k. It will be seen that the
tension can be increased or decreased by rotating the combination in one direction
or the other, a thumb screw serving to retain the bars in the adjusted position.
Each succeeding pair of rollers in the series is provided with a corresponding tension
apparatus, but any other suitable tension apparatus may be substituted for those
indicated in the Drawing. When the end of the fabric has been brought through

page_text: the first pair of rollers the fabric is allowed to accumulate in the compartment or
tank before the said end is passed between the second pair of rollers, the fabric
being also allowed to accumulate in the same manner in the compartment into
which it is delivered by the succeeding rollers in the series. The fabric is thus
exposed to the action of the decomposing liquid for a comparatively long time, and
it will be seen that the action of the said liquid can be regulated by increasing or
decreasing the accumulations of fabric in the compartments, and also by varying
the speed of the rollers. As the fabric passes from one compartment to another the
rollers squeeze out the bulk of the liquid, and the fabric re-absorbs liquid on its
return to the tank, whereby the action of the liquid is repeated. The number,
proportions, and arrangements of the squeezing rollers may be varied. The fabric
passes from the squeezing rollers to a set of drying cylinders which dry the
fabric, which is subsequently treated to eliminate the decomposed vegetable fibre,
as herein before mentioned.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which I carry or propose to carry the same into practical effect, I
would have it to be understood that I claim,―
First. The apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and indicated
hereinbefore, and in and by the accompanying Drawing.
Secondly. The employment of a number of sets of squeezing rollers in connection
with a tank containing decomposing liquor, the fabric being withdrawn and
squeezed, and returned to the said liquid several times, and finally delivered to
drying apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and indicated.
And, Lastly. The tank a, the rollers c, the mangle f, and the drying apparatus 7,
forming an apparatus which is continuous in its operation, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Hacking Riley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of October, One thousand eight hundred and
eighty-one.
JOSEPH HACKING RILEY. (L.s.)