Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Washing Wool and other Fibres.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 28th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Washing Wool
and other Fibres.
I, PATRICK KELLY, of Sutton Mill, Cross Hills, near Keighley, in the County
of York, Combing Overlooker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:—
This invention has for its object, the construction of an apparatus for the
washing of fibres by arranging the apparatus in such a manner that, what is known
as "milling" of the fibre during the operation of washing, is to a great extent if
not entirely obviated, also to be enabled to remove the major portion of the dirt
and other foreign matter therefrom with less expenditure of water and soap or
other cleansing agent held in suspension therewith, than is the caso when the fibre
is washed in machines as hitherto constructed, and by my improved method of
washing, to be enabled to reduce the number of pressure rollers and thereby reduce
the cost of the fibrous lapping on same.
I accomplish my object in the following manner. The water or other washing
liquid is stored in suitable cisterns provided with perforated plates fitted in the
interior at some distance from the bottom, and each cistern is provided with a
suitable outlet drain pipe.
In conjunction with the before mentioned storage cisterns, is another cistern
suitably connected thereto by pipes and taps for the regulation of the flow of the
liquid, and within the last mentioned cistern, is or are secured one or more cisterns
perforated at the sides and bottom, and of such dimensions as leave a clear space
all around and under the bottom of same.
Into the perforated oisterns the fibre to be washed is placed, and the washing
liquid admitted into the space between the cisterns which passes through the
perforations and saturates the fibre within. Pressure is then applied to the top of
the fibre by a plate perforated or otherwise, and caused to reciprocate so that on the
downward movement, the fibre is squeezed and the water or washing liquid forced
therefrom; and on the return movement, the washing liquid again flows through
the perforations to the fibre.
The washing liquid is removed at intervals from the outer space to one of the
atorage cisterns for reusage after settlement or when required.
The hereinbefore described operation is repeated as often as desired, when the
fibre may be removed to an ordinary bowl for the final washing and drying by
squeezing rollers.
Dated this 27th day of January 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Washing Wool
and other Fibres.
J, PATRICK KELLY, of Sutton Mill, Cross Hills, near Keighley, in the County
of York, Combing Overlooker 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 has for its object the construction of an apparatus for the washing
of fibres in such a manner that, what is known as "milling" or
66 matting" of the

page_text: fibre during washing is to a great extent, if not entirely obviated, and by my
improved method, to remove the major portion of the dirt, sand and other foreign
matter from the fibre with less expenditure of water and soap or other cleansing
agent held in suspension therowith, than is the case when the fibre is washed in
machines as hitherto constructed; and thereby to be enabled to reduce the number
of pressure rollers and the cost of fibrous lapping of same.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 represents a front elevation of my apparatus showing the washing and
storage cisterns in section through line a. b. and the reversing motion removed.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same showing the reversing motion in position, and
Fig. 3 an enlarged detailed elevation of the reversing motion.
Like parts are indicated by similar letters where they appear.
The water or other washing liquid is stored in suitable settling tanks such as A
and B. each respectively provided with a perforated plate A' and B' fitted at some
distance from the bottom, and each tank is provided with an outlet drain pipe and
valve.
In conjunction with the tanks A and B. or a series of them, is a cistern C
connected therewith by pipes and valves in any suitable manuer, for the regulation
of the flow of water or other cleansing liquid from the respective tanks A and B or
like tanks to cistern C, within which is secured another cistern D perforated at the
sides and bottom, and of such dimensions as leaves a clear space E all round and
under the bottom of same.
Into the perforated cistern D. the fibre to be washed is placed, and water or
other cleansing liquid admitted into the space E, between the cisterns, the water
or the like passing through the perforations and soaking the fibre within tho
cistern D.
Pressure is then applied to the top of the fibre by a plate F caused to reciprocate
within the cistern D by the sorew S. operated in the manner as hereinafter
described. By the downward movement of the plate F. the fibre is squeezed in
cistern D. forcing the water or washing liquid therefrom, which, on the return
movement of plate F. again flows through the perforations and soaks the fibre
within cistern D, without rolling or disturbing the fibre to such an extent so as to
cause "milling" or "matting" as is the case with machines as hitherto constructed.
The reciprocation of the plate F is accomplished by reversing the rotation of the
bovel wheel G secured on a socket H. mounted in plate H' of the apparatus, the
socket engaging with the thread of screw S. Gearing with the bevel wheel Ġ. is
a bevel pinion G' secured on shaft J. on which are mounted three pullies, the centre
pulley K being fast on the shaft, the others K and K are loose and respectively
driven by an open and crossed belt, so that, one revolves in the opposite direction
to the other.
To the plate F is secured an upright bar L. upon which are attached two adjust-
able stops M and N. between which is one end of a lever O. supported by a fulcrum
pin O', the opposite end of the lever engaging with a rod P coupled to one arm of
a bell crank lever Q, secured on a short rock shaft, to which is also secured a
lever R, connected by rod T to the belt guide bar U provided with forks V of the
ordinary construction.
By the movement of the plate in one direction or the other, the stops M or N
operate the lever O. and through rod P and intermediary connections, the belt
guide rod U is operated such a distance that, one belt or the other is placed upon
the centre pulley K. thus driving the bevel wheel G around the screw § în a
corresponding direction.
The water or washing liquid is removed at intervals by an injector of the ordinary
construction from the cisterns C and D. into a storage settling tank, as for example
Bay B. for allowing the dirt, sand and foreign matter to settle through the per-
forated plate B' to the space B', after which the cleared water or washing liquid may
be again admitted to the space E. between the cisterns for washing the fibre in
cistern D.
"

page_text: The hereinbefore described method of squeezing the fibre in cistern D. is continued
so long as to remove the major portion of the sand and the like from the fibro;
when the adjustable stops M and N are liberated, thus allowing the plate F to be
raised clear of the cistern D. when the perforated false bottom W and the fibre in
cistern' D are raised by the plate F and rods Y. thereby facilitating the removal of
the fibre, which may then be placed comparatively free from sand, dirt and the
like, and in an unmatted or "milled" state, into an ordinary washing bowl for
final washing and squeezing by 'rollers, the lapping of which is preserved by the
removal of the sand and the like from the fibre, before putting it into the washing
bowl.
"
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The method of washing fibres by the alternate application and releasing of
pressure on the fibre in a perforated cistern in a mannor that, water or other
washing liquid is allowed to mix with and soak the fibre and then forced therofrom
substantially in the manner as hereinbefore set forth.
2. The combination of one or more tanks A and B with cisterns Û and D. the
latter oistern having a plate F reciprocating therein arranged and operated
substantially in the manner and for the purpose as heroinbefore sot forth.
Dated this 07th der of Datahou 1909
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.