Improved Process and Apparatus for the Treatment of Animal or Vegetable Fibre.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improved Process and Apparatus for the Treatment of Animal or
Vegetable Fibre.
We, THE INTERNATIONAL FIBRE SYNDICATE, LIMITED, of 22, Nassau Street,
Dublin, Ireland, and ARTHUR GASTRELL DEAR, Gentleman, of 77, Cornhill,. in.
the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to an improved process for the removal of grease, gum
and other impurities from animal and vegetable fibre and for subsequently
softening and drying the same, and apparatus therefor.
According to this invention we construct a tank of suitable dimensions, out-
side which and at each end thereof is situated a coned flanged roller, that is to
say a roller of which the centre is of greater circumference than the ends and
which has its ends flanged. These rollers are preferably of the same width as
the inside of the tank and have their ends journalled in adjustable bearings:
carried by the tank. Situated inside the tank, one at each end thereof, are two
similar rollers parallel to the first mentioned rollers and also supported in adjust-
able bearings carried by the tank. These rollers both inside and outside are
respectively connected by endless wire bands or matresses of special construction.
hereinafter referred to, which serve as carrying bands for the fibre to be treated,
and also as driving bands. The band connecting the outside rollers is conducted
by suitably placed guide rollers into the tank and under the band connecting
the inside rollers; the adjustability of the bearings carrying the coned rollers.
enabling the tension of these bands to be regulated according to the nature of
the fibre to be treated.
The tank is fitted internally with a steam pipe or pipes preferably situated'
close to the aforesaid bands, and leading from a suitable source of supply, for the
purpose of heating the contents of the tank. Within the tank, immediately
beneath the travelling bands, and running the entire length thereof, is a per-
forated tube or equivalent device, which sprays the chemical degreasing or de-
gumming solution upon the fibre; this solution being supplied to the said tube
from a suitable tank or receptacle, under pressure produced by a pump, steam,
gravity or other means, and fed thereto automatically in such quantity as to
maintain the strength of the said solution during the process of cleansing the
fibre. Or the said solution may be fed to the tank by means of buckets or in.
other suitable manner.
Removable guides may be placed at either side of the travelling bands to retain
the fibre in position, and appropriate means are provided for emptying and clean-
ing the tank.
The fibre to be treated is placed upon the travelling band connecting the outside
rollers and fed between the inside and outside rollers at one end of the tank
through which latter it is carried between the travelling bands and delivered

page_text: between the inside and outside rollers at the opposite or deliverey end of the
tank.
At the delivery end of the tank I preferably place a cylindrical brush or roller
which revolves in the opposite direction to the lower travelling band and is so
placed as to prevent the fibre wrapping round the band rollers.
The fibre is next conducted on another endless band, of similar construction to
those referred to above, beneath a series of perforated pipes where it is sprayed
with hot or cold water or with a chemical solution, or it may in addition be passed
through a tank with a travelling flow of water or solution, and thus further
cleansed and freed from particles of dirt and of the first solution.
The fibre may then either be first conducted by a similar endless band through
a second tank corresponding to that described above; or it may be passed directly
by means of a carrier band of any suitable material between two rotary flanged
squeezing rollers covered with thick felt, rubber or other suitable material and
having their tension regulated by weights, springs or other methods. These
squeezing rollers remove excess of water or chemical solution from the fibre
which then passes to a roller, (preferably of tin but which may be of other sub-
stance and has a series of projections upon its periphery), which feeds the fibre
to the oiling rollers, or the oiling apparatus may be preferably applied at a sub-
sequent stage.
The softening solution or oil is supplied to the fibre from a superposed tank.
From this tank the oil is fed through a tube to a steam heated trough, in which a
plain roller revolves. Touching this roller are a series of hinged fingers or
troughs set at such an angle that they conduct the solution they collect from the
roller to the fibre below. Any required number of these fingers can be thrown
into or out of gear and the supply of softening solution to the fibre thus regulated
to suit the varying quantity of fibre in progress at the time. The tube connecting
the tank with the trough is controlled by, stop cocks one of which is actuated by
an arrangement of levers and a float in order to keep the oil in the trough at a
constant level.
The fibre then passes between a second pair of rotary squeezing rollers, the ten-
sion of which can be regulated and the lower member of which is partially im-
mersed in the softening solution. These rollers force the softening solution into
the cells of the fibre.
As a softening solution I prefer to employ fish oils alone, although animal or
vegetable oil, soft soap, olive oil soap, yellow soap or any mixture of these may
be used.
The fibre is now passed through a drying apparatus consisting of a chamber
which is closed with the exception of the top thereof, and provided with observa-
tion slides or their equivalent. At either end of this chamber are situated rollers
carrying two or more endless bands either of the special construction hereinafter
referred to or composed of slats and chains or of other convenient construction.
Around these bands is placed such number of coils or lines of steam pipes, ex-
tending for the entire length and breadth of the chamber, as may be deemed
necessary. The lower part of the chamber communicates by means of a suitable
pipe or conduit with a conveniently placed exhaust fan. This fan is rotated at
high speed as the fibre is passed through the chamber by the endless bands, and
the air thus drawn through the heated steam pipes or coils and through the mass,
dries the fibre without bringing it into contact with the heated surface. The fibre
may then be baled or otherwise treated as required.
The various other parts of the apparatus are suitably operated in unison either
by hand or power actuated mechanism.
The material of which the aforesaid travelling bands are composed consists of
suitable metal wires bent into a rectangular form or half mesh of any suitable
size according to requirements of the fibre to be treated, the angles
of one wire interlacing into those of the next but not locking as is usually the
case in ordinary wire netting. This angle or elbow in each wire, not being locked,

page_text: allows of any number of these being put together, and as the wires are not rigidly
laced the travelling band has a degree of flexibility not hitherto obtained, while
in operation or when stretched to its full tension it gives the firmness of a fixed
or locked mesh or belt. The edges of the band are bound with canvas, wire, or
other suitable material, and the edges of the wire at the sides of the band may be
clinched or turned one over the other, and the said mesh may be made of desir-
able size.
A band constructed in this manner grips the coned rollers so as to necessitate
their being driven from one end only, although the said rollers may if preferred
be driven from both ends.
Dated this 13th day of February 1899.
Improved Process and Apparatus for the Treatment of Animal or
Vegetable Fibre.
We, THE INTERNATIONAL FIBRE SYNDICATE, LIMITED, of 22, Nassau Street,
Dublin, Ireland, and ARTHUR GASTRELL DEAR, Gentleman, of 77, Cornhill, in
the County of London, 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 an improved process and apparatus for the removal of
grease, gum and other impurities from animal and vegetable fibre and for subse-
quently drying the same.
According to our invention the fibre to be treated is first passed through a tank
containing a suitable chemical solution for the removal of the grease, gum or
other impurities,, and is then sprayed and washed with chemical solution or water
in a shallow tank or tray open at one end, through which a flow of liquid passes
in imitation of a running, stream. After this the fibre may or may not be passed
through a second washing tank and rinser, and it is then squeezed or pressed to
remove excess of water or chemical solution. The fibre is then loosened or opened
out by being passed over a rapidly rotating roller or beating drum. The fibre is
then bleached and dried by being passed by means of endless bands through a
chamber in which it is subjected to the action of heated air or bleaching gas.
The air is exhausted from this bleaching and drying chamber on the opposite side
of the fibre to that at which the heated air or bleaching gas is admitted, and the
said chamber is provided with suitable means for heating the air or bleaching.
gas before it comes into contact with the fibre.
The endless bands by which the fibre is conveyed through the apparatus, are
composed of suitable metal wires bent into a rectangular form or half mesh,
the angles of one wire interlacing but not locking with angles of the adjacent
wire on either side. The ends of the wires at the edges of the band are turned
over or clinched, and the sides of the band may be bound with canvas or other
suitable material. These bands afford the firmness of a fixed or locked mesh
combined with a suitable degree of elasticity, and may be employed both to carry
the fibre and as driving bands.

page_text: The rollers or drums carrying the aforesaid endless bands, have their contres
of greater circumference than their ends and have their ends flanged.
The beating drum is provided. with projections on its periphery, which pro-
jections serve to loosen the fibre and feed it forward.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into effect we will proceed to describe the same more fully with reference to
the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation. and Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus for de-
greasing or degumming, spraying, washing and squeezing the fibre.
Figure 3 is a cross section on line AA Figure 1. .
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section and Figure 5 is a cross section to a larger
scale, of one of the endless band rollers.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the drying and bleaching apparatus, with part
of the casing removed.
Figure 7 shows part of the endless band to a larger scale.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3. a is the tank containing the chemical degreas-
ing or degumming solution. b is a hot water or steam coil for heating the con-
tents of said tank a. c is an outlet for emptying the tank a.
d and e are flanged
rollers or drums supported in bearings carried by the tank a. The bearings of
the roller e are capable of being adjusted horizontally by means of screws f f.
g is an endless band of wire carried by the rollers d and e. h is a rotary brush
which is journalled in suitable bearings carried by the tank a, and is caused to
rotate, by means of toothed gearing, in the opposite direction to the drum or
roller e.
i is a shallow tank above which are situated a series of spraying pipes. j.
kis a flanged roller or drum journalled in bearings supported by standards
carried by a tank u situated beneath the shallow tank i. is the outlet from
the tank u. The tank u receives the overflow from the tank i. o is an endless
band of wire which passes round the roller or drum k, then passes into the
tank a beneath the rollers or drums d and e, and then through the shallow
tank and beneath the spraying pipes j, and then returns round the roller or
drum m and beneath the tanks and a to the drum k. PP are suitable guide
rollers for the band o, and q is a guide roller for the band g.
Each of the drums or rollers d, e, k, m, comprises two flanged end discs or
wheels r, r, between which a number of bars or slats ss composed of metal covered
with wood vulcanite or other suitable material, extend. These bars or slats s
have their outer surfaces curved so that the diameter of the drum is greater
at the centre than at the ends, as shown clearly in Figures 4 and 5.
t, t are tooth wheels which are mounted respectively on the axles of the drums d
and k, and which gear with one another. These drums are driven from any con-
venient source of power by means of suitable gear such for instance as the worm n
which is carried by a vertical pulley shaft n¹ and engages with a worm wheel na
on the drum k
It is obvious that instead of continuing the band o through the tank i, the
said tank may be provided with a seperate endless band carried by suitable
rollers or drums.
z is a
is an endless travelling band carried by rollers w w and leading from the
band o to the squeezing or pressing rollers xx. These rollers a, a are preferably
covered with felt, rubber or other suitable material, and have their pressure
u² is a
regulated by means of weight and lever devices y or equivalent means.
trough for returning the liquid expressed from the fibre to the tank u.
roller or beating drum provided with transverse projections on its periphery.
This roller z rotates at a more rapid rate than the squeezing rollers a , and serves
to feed the fibre forward and also to beat and so loosen or open out the fibre
after it has been compressed in the said squeezing rollers.
Referring to Figure 6. 1 is a closed chamber the top of which is open or
partly open for the admission of air or bleaching gas. 3 is an exhaust fan

page_text: situated at or near the bottom of the chamber 1. Any required number of such
exhaust fans may be employed. 4 and 5 are rollers or drums situated within
the chamber 1 and journalled in suitable bearings carried by the casing. The
bearings of the roller or drum 5 may be adjusted horizontally by screws 6. 7 is
an endless travelling band passing round the rollers 4 and 5. 8 and 9 are other
rollers or drums situated at the ends of the chamber 1 and journalled in suit-
able bearings. The bearings of the drum or roller 9 may be adjusted horizontally
by means of screws 10. 11 is an endless travelling band which passes round
the rollers or drums 8 and 9, over guide rolls 12, 12, and under the rollers or
drums 4 and 5. 13, 13, are steam coils for heating the air or bleaching gas
before it reaches the fibre. The drums or rollers 4, 5, 8 and 9, are preferably
constructed as previously described with reference to the foregoing figures.
Referring to Figure 7. 14, 14, are the wires constituting the aforesaid end-
less bands. These wires are bent into a rectangular form, the alternate angles
of each wire interlacing but not locking with angles of the adjacent wire on
either side. The ends of the wires at the edges of the band are turned over or
clinched as shown at 15. 16 is canvas or similar suitable material with which
the edges of the wire bands may be bound.
The various parts of the aforesaid apparatus are operated in unison by any
suitable form of gear from a convenient source of power, and the various drums
or rollers and travelling bands move in the direction indicated by the arrows;
the fibre passing continuously through the various parts of the apparatus.
The fibre to be treated is fed onto the travelling band o and between the
drums or rollers k and d, it is then carried between the bands o and g through
the tank where it is subjected to the action of the chemical degreasing or
degumming solution. Upon leaving the tank a the fibre is prevented from
wrapping round the drum e by the rotary brush h, and is carried by the band o
through the shallow tank i and beneath the spraying pipes where it is sprayed
with chemical solution or with water. The fibre may then either be first
passed through another washing tank, or it may be fed directly to the squeezing
rollers by the band v. These squeezing rollers express excess of water and
chemical solution and also compress the fibre. The compressed fibre then passes
over the rapidly rotating drum z where it is loosened or opened out. The fibre
may then either be first softened with a suitable softening solution or may be
passed directly onto the band 11 and be thereby conveyed into the drying and
bleaching chamber 1, through which chamber the said fibre is carried between
the bands 7 and 11. In this drying and bleaching chamber a current of heated
air or bleaching gas, such as ozone, is drawn through the fibre and the latter
is thereby bleached and dried without being brought into actual contact with
the heating coils.
The fibre may then be baled or otherwise treated as required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is;
1. A process for the treatment of fibre which consists in first passing the fibre
through a tank containing chemical solution, then subjecting it to a spray and
running stream of chemical solution or water, after which the fibre may or may
not be passed through a washing tank through which water flows, then squeezing
the fibre, then loosening or opening it and finally drying and bleaching it, sub-
stantially as described.
2. In the treatment of fibre a drying and bleaching chamber through which
the fibre passes while a current of heated air or bleaching gas is passing through
it, substantially as described.
3. In apparatus for the treatment of fibre an endless travelling band com-
posed of loosely interlaced wires substantially as and for the purposes specified.
4. In apparatus for the treatment of fibre a skeleton drum or roller which has

page_text: flanged ends and is of greater circumference at its middle than at its ends, sub-
stantially as described.
5. The apparatus constructed arranged and operating substantially as described
with reference to the accompanying drawings for the purpose specified.
Dated this 12th day of December 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.