Improved Means applicable for Use in the Removal of Dark Spots. from Scoured Wool, or from Worsted or Woollen Goods.
Year: 1895

page_text: France),
Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 10th June, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 10th June, 1895-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1895
Improved Means applicable for Use in the Removal of Dark Spots.
from Scoured Wool, or from Worsted or Woollen Goods.
I, LOUIS ROUSSEAU, of 57, Rue d'Hauteville, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Analytical Chemist, 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:-
The process forming the subject of this invention enables black spots, or marks,
of the peculiar kind commonly noticeable in certain species of wool (and particularly
in Australian wool) after scouring, to be entirely removed. These spots are not
unlike scales in appearance, are irregular in shape, and firmly adhere to the
individual hairs of the wool; and, according to their greater or less thickness, they
appear to the observer as being either deep black, or black with a greenish shade
or, shimmer. None of the usual wool scouring operations, preparatory or otherwise,
bave heretofore enabled these spots to be got rid of. Although the inconvenience
entailed is not serious where the goods, when manufactured, are to be black or
dark-coloured, it becomes very serious in other cases, as, for example, in the
manufacture of light-coloured felt for hats.
The improved process hereinafter described may be performed with or without
the aid of heat; but, in all cases, it is essential that the water employed be neither
of a calcareous nor of a ferruginous nature. If the water available does not
happen to be of this character, it must be treated by one of the processes (whereof
several are well-known) for rendering it suitable for the purposes of this invention.
When carrying out my treatment by the 'cold' process, the coarse scoured
wool is immersed for from 5 to 6 hours in a weak alkaline lye, prepared by
dissolving two parts by weight of caustic soda (NaO) in one thousand parts by
weight of water. Instead of caustic soda, the equivalent quantity by weight of
carbonate of soda (NaO, CO²) may be employed.
When treated by the 'hot' process, the coarse scoured wool is immersed for
about 1 hour in a weak alkaline lye heated to a temperature of from 35°
to 40° Centigrade, and prepared by dissolving one part by weight of caustic
soda (NaO) [or the equivalent quantity by weight of carbonate of soda (Na, CO³)]
in one thousand parts by weight of water.
It will be understood that the proportions of the ingredients above set forth, as
also the duration of the immersion, may be varied within moderate limits; but no.
difficulty will be found in regulating the process in these respects, it being sufficient,
by simply rubbing with the hand, to ascertain whether the dark spots have become
emulsive,' i.e., converted into a greenish oily mass or 'magma."
When this is

page_text: found to be the case, the immersed wool, without removal from the lye, is rubbed
methodically at the parts presenting spots of the class referred to; the friction
being constantly performed in the same direction (so as to avoid felting), either by
hand (which should preferably be protected by a caoutchouc or india-rubber glove)
or by mechanical means of well-known 'character. This results in the speedy
dispersion of the discolouring matter, and eventually in the total disappearance of
the spots. The wool, having been treated in a hydro-extractor, is then immersed
in either cold or tepid clean water for about half an hour. Finally, the wool is
washed in running water and dried in the ordinary way.
Where the wool has been worked-woven or felted, for example-the preceding
directions for the treatment of coarse scoured wool may be adhered to in every
particular; it being merely borne in mind, that it will generally be found preferable
to employ the cold process for woven fabrics, when felting is to. be avoided, and
the hot process for felt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
F
1. The herein described process for the removal of dark spots, or marks, from
scoured wool, or from worsted or woollen goods, consisting in immersing the
material, either in the crude or in the worked state, in a weak soda lye prepared
with water which is neither calcareous nor ferruginous, and then rubbing the
spotted portions of the wool, while still immersed in the lye, either by hand or by
suitable mechanical means, until the spots have. entirely disappeared.
2. The manufacture of scoured wool, or of worsted or woollen goods, from which
the dark spots, or marks, of the kind herein referred to have been removed,
substantially in the manner set forth.