Improvements in or Applicable to Machinery for Scouring and Washing Wool and other Fibrous Materials i
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 9th Feb., 1895
Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 9th Feb., 1895
Improvements in or Applicable to Machinery for Scouring and
Washing Wool and other Fibrous Materials
i
I, WILLIAM MCNAUGHT, of the Firm of John & William McNaught, of St. Georges
Foundry, Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers and Machinists, do hereby.
declare the nature of the said invention, to be as follows.
My invention relates to improved combinations and arrangements of mechanism for
scouring and washing wool and other, fibrous materials.
The liquor used in washing according to my invention is contained in a wide trough*
having two separate divisions one for liquor in which the material is immersed while
being scoured or washed which I will term the washing tank, and the other for the
liquor which has been discharged at the end of the washing tank, and this latter
division of the trough forms and will be hereinafter referred to as the settling tank
forming also a reservoir for the liquor from which it is pumped back into the feeding
end of the washing tank as fast as required.
That division of the washing tank.in which the washing or scouring of the fibrous
material is effected is partitioned off (if desired by a perforated partition) on one side
by preference from the other part of the washing tank and has a perforated or false
bottom; by this means the fibrous material to be treated is confined to this portion of
the washing tank which I will term the "washing trough," but there is free communi-
cation between the liquor in the washing trough and that in the washing tank and the
level of the liquor in both remains the same when the liquor is stationary.
The washing tank has an inclined bottom, the incline commencing at its highest end'
on one side of it below the perforated or false bottom of the washing trough, and
extends nearly to the other side of the washing tank, so that sediment passing through
the false or perforated bottom of the washing trough falls upon the inclined bottom
the washing tank and by slight agitation of the liquor readily slides or falls down
inclined bottom of the washing tank to that side of it where there is a clear and c
space in the washing tank from end to end for agitating the liquor and washin
the bottom of the washing tank. The bottom of the washing tauk near one siċ
be inclined inore or less in the lengthway of the washing tank so that all th
may be drawn off at one end, or. it may be drawn off in the middle if the h
the side of the washing tank is inclined towards the middle from both ends
The perforated bottom of the washing trough is below the delivery end
material is partly pushed and floated over the end of the washing trough t
ing rollers. The liquor passing along with the material being tre
expressed by the squeezers is received into a trough below, connect

page_text: trough with that end of the settling tank, from the other end of which it is pumped
by a centrifugal or other pump into the feeding end of the washing trough.
The water going to the washing trough passes through a suitable cock or valve so
that the quantity may be regulated and is heated by a steam jet in passing.
The mechanism for propelling and acting upon the material being treated in the
washing trough may be similar to that described in the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to John McNaught and myself No. 983 of 1882 and may be actuated in like
manner.
Or it may consist of a series of detached perforated immersers having teeth or prongs
on their lower sides, these immersers forcing the material down in the liquor being
attached at intervals to a frame extending in the lengthway of the washing trough, this
frame having movements imparted it to cause it to ascend and descend vertically and
move to and fro in the lengthway of the trough horizontally.
The propelling frame is carried on two shafts in bearings on standards from the
washing tank and these shafts have each arms connected to the frame by rods and the
two shafts are connected by a rod to make them move together and the shafts have
arms for weights to counter-balance the weight of the frame, or the frames may be
made in two sets so as to balance each other.
The vertical movement of the propelling frame is imparted by a cam and lever and
connecting rod and the horizontal movement is given by a crank, the bowl of the pin
of which works in a slot in a 'lever jointed on the framing which lever is connected with
the propelling frame by a rod.
Or modifications of the above described mechanism for actuating the propelling
frame may be used.
Instead of a settling ank there may be a small tank for an elevator wheel to work in,
or a centrifugal or other pump may be used in connection with the small tank.
The said washing tank may have the washing trough in its middle with a space on
each side for washing out the bottom of the washing tank in such case being highest
in the middle and inclined both ways from the middle to the two sides of the washing
trough.
Dated this Ninth day of April 1894.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.
Improvements in or Applicable to Machinery for Scouring and
Washing Wool and other Fibrous Materials.
I, WILLIAM MCNAUGHT, of the Firm of John and William McNaught, of St.
Georges Foundry, Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers and Machinists,
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
atement:
Ly invention relates to improved combinations and arrangements of inechanisın
couring and washing wool and other fibrous materials.
> liquor used in washing according to my invention, is contained in a wide trough
two separate divisions, one for liquor in which the material is immersed while
oured or washed, which I will termn the washing tank, and the other for the
ch has been discharged at the end of the washing tank, and this latter
'he trough forms and will be hereinafter referred to as the settling tank,
a reservoir for the liquor from which it is pumped back into the feeding
hing tank, as fast as required.
of the washing tank in which the washing or scouring of the fibrous

page_text: material is effected is partitioned off [if desired, by a perforated partition] on one side
by preference, from the other part of the washing tank, and has a perforated or false
bottom, by this means the fibrous material to be treated is confined to this portion of
the washing tank, which I will term the "washing trough," but there is free com-
inunication between the liquor in the washing trough and that in the washing tank,
and the level of the liquor in both remains the same when the liquor is stationary.
The washing tank has an inclined bottom, the incline commencing at its highest
end on one side of it, below the perforated or false bottom of the washing trough, and
extends nearly to the other side of the washing tank, so that sediment passing through
the false or perforated bottom of the washing trough falls upon the inclined bottom
of the washing tank and by slight agitation of the liquor readily slides or falls down
the inclined bottom of the washing tank, to that side of it where there is a clear and
open space in the washing tank from end to end for agitating the liquor and washing
out the bottom of the washing tank.
The bottom of the washing tank near one side may be inclined more or less in the
lengthway of the washing tank, so that all the liquor may be drawn off at one end,
or it may be drawn off in the middle, if the bottom of the side of the washing tank is
inclined towards the middle from both ends.
The perforated bottom of the washing trough is below the delivery end so that the material
is partly pushed and floated over the end of the washing trough to the squeezing
rollers. The liquor passing along with the material being treated and that expressed
by the squeezers is received into a trough below, connected by a pipe or trough with
that end of the settling tank, from the other end of which it is pumped by a centri-
fugal or other pump into the feeding end of the washing trough.
The water going to the washing trough passes through a suitable cock or valve so
that the quantity may be regulated and is heated by a steam jet in passing.
The mechanism for propelling and acting upon the material being treated in the
washing trough may be similar to that described in the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to John McNaught and myself No. 983 of 1882, and may be actuated in like
manner.
Or it may consist of a series of detached perforated immersers having teeth or
prongs on their lower sides, these immersers, forcing the material down in the liquor
being attached at intervals to a frame extending in the lengthway of the washing
trough, this frame having movements imparted to it to cause it to ascend and
descend vertically and move to and fro in the lengthway of the trough horizontally.
The propelling frame is carried on two shafts in bearings on standards from the
washing tank, and these shafts have each arms connected to the frame by rods, and
the two shafts are connected by a red to make them move together and the shafts
have arms for weights to counter-balance the weight of the frame, or the frames may
be made in two sets so as to balance each other.
The vertical movement of the propelling frame is imparted by a cam and lever and
connecting rod and the horizontal movement is given by a crank, or by a crank the
bowl of the pin of which works in a slot in a lever jointed on the framing which lever
is connected with the propelling frame by a rod.
Or modifications of the above described mechanism for actuating the propelling
frame may be used.
Instead of a settling tank there may be a small tank for an elevator wheel to work
in, or a centrifugal or other pump may be used in connection with the small
tank.
The said washing tank may have the washing trough in its middle with a space on
each side for washing out; the bottom of the washing tank in such case being highest
in the middle and inclined both ways from the middle to the two sides of the washing
trough, or the bottoms may be inclined from the sides to the middle of the washing
tank or curved in the widthway of the washing tank.
Fig. 1, is a side elevation with the part of one side of the washing tank supposed
broken away to show the washing trough in section and a view in full line of other

page_text: parts, the propelling frame being arranged and worked as described in the Specifica-
tion of the aforesaid Patent No. 983 of 1882.
Fig. 2, is a cross sectional elevation about the middle of the lengthway of the
washing tank, at that part where the elevator wheel is placed, this view shows the
washing tank" "washing trough" and the end view of a sinall "settling tank
and the elevator wheel, but the propelling frame and its mechanism is omitted.
66
"
Fig. 3, shows a cross sectional elevation of a modification of my invention with a
washing tank, having the washing trough in the middle, and a settling tank on one
side.
Fig. 4, is a side elevation with a part of the side of the washing tank supposed
broken away and with a different arrangement of propeller and mechanism, and
mechanism for actuating the same.
Fig. 4a, is a cross sectional elevation of my improved trough under the lower
squeezing roller.
Fig. 5, is a plan view of the washing tank, washing trough, settling tank, and other
parts of the machine shown by Fig. 4, the propelling mechanism and other parts being
omitted.
Fig. 6, is a side elevation similar to Fig. 4, but with a different propelling
frame.
.
Fig. 7, is a cross section of the machines illustrated by Figs. 4 and 6, showing the
tanks but omitting other parts.
Figs. 8 to 14 17 inclusive, are cross sectional elevations of washing tanks, having
bottoms inclined or curved in the widthway of the tanks and showing arrangements or
means for agitating the liquid therein when being cleaned out.
In the machine shown by Figs. 1 and 2- a, is the washing tank; b, the washing
trough; c, a small settling tank, supported on a frame; b, is the perforated bottom
of the washing trough. The wool or material to be treated is fed by the ordinary
endless lattice or apron d, to the end of the washing trough b. It is immersed in
the liquor in the washing trough and propelled along it to the delivery end of the
machine from which it is pushed by the propeller frame, up the incline from the
bottom of the washing trough over the delivery end of the washing trough, the height
of which is shown by the line 62, and down or along a surface 63, with some of the
liquor to the squeezing rollers and e¹, and this liquor and that expressed by the
ordinary squeezing rollers e and e¹, is received in a trough e², under the lower roller
e¹, hereinafter more particularly described, and flows by pipes e³, to the small settling
'tank or cistern c.
Before passing from the pipes, to the settling tank c, it may pass through a
vessel f, of well known arrangement, into which steam is blown to heat the passing
liquor.
From the small cistern or settling tank c, the liquor is elevated by the bucket
wheel g,
back into the washing trough b. The liquor in the washing tank and trough
is at about the same level.
The mechanism d, for feeding the wool or material, the pronged propelling frame
h, the mechanism for suspending and actuating it, the squeezing rollers e and e', and
the elevator wheel g, are all well known parts, and are fully described in the Specifica-
tions of Letters Patent granted to John and William McNaught.
It will be seen from Fig. 2, that the bottom a¹, of the washing tank a, is inclined
in the width way of the tank from one side to nearly the other side of the tank, and
the dirt passing through the perforated bottom b¹, of the washing trough b, can fall
upon the inclined bottom a¹, which extends or may extend or nearly so from end to
end of the washing tank a. It will be seen that there is space on one side of the
washing trough b, between the middle partition 64, forming the inside of that trough
and one side of the washing tank a, that gives access for stirring up the liquor when
washing out the washing tank.
The liquor from the washing tank when allowed to escape from it may pass through
one or more holes a³, at the lowest part of the bottom of the tank a, which holes are

page_text: opened and closed by cocks, valves or plugs. One or more holes c², are used for
emptying the settling tank or cistern c.
If or when desired a pipe i, is or may be placed at one side of the washing tank a,
ou and near to the highest side of the inclined bottom a¹, and this pipe i, has or may
have sinall holes at intervals go that water may pass from this pipe and through the
small holes on to the upper end of the inclined bottom a', to wash away from it any
sediment that may remain upon it.
Fig. 3, shows a washing tank with the washing trough with its perforated bottom
61, in about the middle, leaving a space on each side of the washing trough for wash-
ing out the tank a. The bottom a¹, of this tank is inclined in both directions in the
widthway of the tank from the middle, and the settling tank c, along one side of the
washing tank a, is also made with a bottom c¹, inclined in its widthway from one side
to the other, these inclines a¹ and c', extending in each case from end to end or nearly
so of the machine.
A pipe i, is or may also be used in machines having tanks as shown in Fig. 3, for
washing the inclined bottoms a¹, the pipe having a series of small holes in it at
intervals for each inclined bottom a'.
Figs. 4 and 5, show a machine with a washing tank a, and washing trough b, with a
perforated bottom 6', nearly the same length and a settling tank or cistern c, shorter
than the washing tank a.
Fig. 7, shows the cross section of the tanks, fig. 7, being similar to Fig. 2, except in
respect to the settling tank c.
From these figures and the previous description, the arrangement of the tanks will
be clearly and readily understood.
There is a pipe e, in Figs. 4, 4a and 5, from the trough e, under the lower squeezing
roller c that takes the liquor into one end of the settling tank or cistern c, and there
is a centrifugal pump j [see Fig. 5] with its driving shaft j', horizontal, of ordinary
construction, driven by a belt working on pulleys from the motor, which pump
draws liquid by a pipe, from the end of the settling tank c, and passes it by pipes
j, to the feeding end of the washing trough b. There is a cock or valve j', on this
pipe j, so that the quantity of liquor passing to the trough b, may be regulated; the
liquor in going to the trough b, may pass through a steam heater f, of ordinary
arrangement.
The improved trough under the lower squeezing roller e¹, is formed as shown best
in Figs. 4, 4 and 5.
It is a vessel e², having a perforated bottom et, and with three sides inclined inwards
from two of its opposite sides and from one end and with an inclined bottom so as to
conduct all fluid and sediment after passing through the perforated bottom e¹, to its
outlet end where the pipe e³, is connected with it to convey the liquid to the
cistern c.
The propelling frame /, has or may have a series of immersers h¹, with prongs similar
to those described in the Complete Specification of Letters Patent granted to Wm.
McNaught No. 15,082 of 1893.
The propeller frame h, is formed by two parallel tubular bars one on each side in the
lengthway to which cross bars are secured carrying the teeth or prongs.
This frame h, is suspended upon two pairs of rods h, which are jointed to the frame
at their lower ends and to the ends of levers or arms ³, on two cross shafts *, [two
arms, on each shaft] having their bearings in standards a³, from the sides of the
washing tank a, and the side of the washing trough b*.
One lever, of the two on each shaft h, is a two, and the other lever a three armed
lever, one arm of each lever h³, having a counter-balance weight hx, upon it, the third
arm ho, cf the three-armed lever on one shaft is connected by a rod ho, to the other
arm h5, so that both shafts *, are thus made to oscillate together.
The lifting movement of the frame h, is obtained from a cam of suitable shape on a
cross shaft k, placed in suitable bearings on the tank framing, and this cam acts upon
a bowl in a lever k¹, having its fulcrum on the framing at k², the free end of this lever'k',

page_text: sjointed to the lower end of a rod, the upper end of which is jointed to one of
the arms, above it to which one of the suspending rods ², is jointed.
13, is the first motion shaft ; 14, driving pulleys.
The to and fro horizontal movement of the propelling frame h, is or may be given
by a crank, on the cam shaft k, to which one end of.a connecting rod 12, is jointed, the
other end of which is jointed to the propelling frame h, midway between the two
longitudinal side bars.
Instead of the rod 12, being jointed directly with the crank pin the crank pin [as
shown in Fig. 4] may have a bowl upon it that works in a slot in the lengthway of a
lever, one end of which is upon a fulcrnm ", on the framing, the end of the rod ²,
being jointed to the other end of the slotted lever 1, by which means a slow forward
and quick backward horizontal movement is given to the frame h.
The modification illustrated by Figs. 6 and 7, will be readily understood from the
explanation of the machine shown by Figs. 4 and 5, as it only differs in respect of the
propeller frame h, the immersers h', [except that at the feeding end] being omitted.
Fig. 8, shows the cross section of a washing tank at, and trough b, with an inclined
bottom a¹, similar to that illustrated by Fig. 2.
Fig. 14, shows-the-cross-section-of-a-washing tank-a, in which the washing-trough
b, occupies-the-full-width-of-the-washing-tank--a,-and-with an inclined bottom-a', as
in Figs 2-and-8.
Fig. 9, shows the cross section of a washing tank a, and washing trough b, with
inclined bottoms a', similar to Fig. 3.
Fig. 12, shows a cross section of a washing tank a, and washing trough b, in the
middle, similar to Fig. 3, but with the bottom a', inclined in one direction only.
Fig. 10, shows the cross section of a washing tank a, and washing trough b, similar
to Figs. 2 and 8 but with the bottom a', sloping from each side to the middle instead
of one side only.
Fig. 11, shows the cross section of a washing tank a, and washing trough b, similar
to Figs. 3 and 9, but with the bottom a', sloping from each side towards the middle
instead of from the middle to the sides of the washing trough.
Fig-13,-shows-a-cross-section-of-a-washing tank-a,-and-washing trough-b, similar
to Fig 14,-but-with-the-bottom-a';-sloping-from-each-side-to-the-middle, instead of
from one side-only.
Fig. 13 10, shows the cross section of a washing tank a, and washing trough b,
somewhat similar to Fig. 3, but with a double curved bottom a¹, in the widthway of
the tank.
Fig. 14 16, shows a cross section of a washing tank a, and washing trough b, similar
to that shown by Fig. 13 10, but with a single curved bottom a¹, descending from each
side to the middle of the tank.
Fig. 17, shows à cross section of a-washing-tank-a,- and washing trough-b-similar
to that shown by Fig--13, but-with-a-single-curved-bottom-similar-to that shown in
Fig-10.
In washing tanks a, and washing troughs b, having inclined or curved bottoms a¹,
in the width way of the washing tanks a, as shown in Figs. 8 to 14* 17 inclusive, the
bottoms a¹, may be washed by pipes i, placed at the highest sides of the inclined or
curved bottoms a¹, as described in reference to Figs. 2 and 3. But mechanical
agitators are or may be used in each case set in motion by preference just before the
liquid below the perforated bottom is drawn off, and kept in motion while it is being
drawn off by being worked by cranks or other means in the case of oscillating
agitators, or by rotary movement in case of rotary agitators, such mechanism for
driving the agitators is or may be geared with the first motion shaft or the loose pulley
for the belt driving the machine, or driven from the motor or power shaft separately
or by hand.
In Fig. 8, a mechanical oscillating agitator is shown formed by a horizonta! shaft m,
passing from end to end of the washing tank a, in suitable bearings on the side of the
tonle

page_text: This shaft m, at one end may pass through a stuffing box at the end of the tank a,
and have an arın m³, secured to its outer end to which one end of a rod m², is jointed,
the other end being connected with a crank pin on a shaft on the framing, having
rotary motion imparted to it if required, from the machine or from the motor or by
manual power, when the agitator is to work.
The shaft m, within the tank a, has arms m³, from it at intervals to which a board
of wood or other material m³, is secured passing in the lengthway of the tank.
This agitator will cause the liquid to be driven in waves up the incline or curved
bottom a¹, so as to wash the sediment from it to pass to the lowest part of the tank
and to the outlet for waste and dirty liquid,
Such agitators on one or two shafts m, may be applied to tanks with inclined or
curved bottoms a¹, as shown in the other Figures 9 to 14, 17 inclusive, where rotary
paddles are shown and supposed to be used.
In these last named figures there are one or two shafts n, in suitable bearings,
passing from end to end of the tank, the shaft or shafts n, at one end of the washing
tank a, passing through a stuffing box, so that a pulley or wheel may be secured to it
to give it rotation from a belt or gearing from the first motion or other rotary shafts
of the machine or the driving motor or manual power.
These rotary shafts n, have arms n¹, at intervals to which boards n², of more or less
length are secured so as to produce agitation in the liquid when rotated to cause it to
pass up and down the inclines or curves a¹.
Other mechanical agitators may be used in place of those above described, if
desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I desire it to be understood
that the tanks referred to in each of the following claims are to be limited to those in
which there is a clear and open side space as above described, and I declare that what
I claim is.
1. The combination of washing troughs and washing tanks, having the bottom of
the washing tank inclined or curved in the width way of the washing tank, substan-
tially as and for the purpose herein before described.
2. The combination of washing troughs and washing tanks, having the bottom of
the washing tank inclined or curved in the widthway of the tank with a settling tank
or cistern, with or without an inclined bottom in the width way of the settling tank,
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated by the
drawings.
3. The combination with washing tanks having inclined or curved bottoms, in the
width way of the washing tank, of a pipe having perforations or holes in its side passing
from end to end of the highest part of the inclined or curved bottom of the washing
tank, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated by
Figs. 2, 3 and 7 of the drawings.
4. The combination of washing tanks and washing troughs, the washing tanks
having inclined or curved bottoms in the width way of the tanks with mechanical
agitators, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated
by Figs. 8 to 14 17 inclusive of the drawings.
5. The combination and arrangement of washing troughs, washing tanks having
inclined or curved bottoms in the widthway of the tanks, and settling tanks with
pumps or elevators, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and
illustrated by the drawings.
6. The combination and arrangement of washing tanks and washing troughs, having
a trough under the lower squeezing roller with an inclined bottom substantially as
herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 4, 4 and 5 of the drawings.
7. The combination of washing troughs with washing tanks having inclined or
curved bottoms in the widthway of the washing tank and with a toothed propelling

page_text: frame, arranged and worked, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the drawings.
* ונית
י
11
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.