IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR CLEANSING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS"
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Petrie, junior, of Rochdale, in the County of
Lancaster, Machine Maker, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR CLEANSING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS
MATERIALS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Petrie, junior, at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st June 1881.
JOHN PETRIE, junior, of Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, Machine Maker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR CLEANSING
WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
My Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for washing or cleansing wool
and other fibrous materials, and consists in the use of a trough or tank capable of
containing the liquid by which the wool or other fibrous material is to be washed
or cleansed. Within the aforesaid trough or tank I place a number of stationary
bars or ribs extending in the direction of its length, upon which the wool or other
fibrous material to be operated upon rests. Between the bars aforesaid are placed
other bars or ribs mounted so as to be capable of being raised, and at the sanio
time advanced in the direction of their length, and then lowered beneath the
surface of the beforo named fixed bars, after which they are returned to their first
position, and so on, such motion being imparted by means of a crank for giving the
longitudinal motion, and a cam or equivalent means for raising and lowering the
said bars or ribs.
By the longitudinal motion of the aforesaid moveable bars or ribs, the wool or
other fibrous material is traversed from the feed end to the exit end of the machine,
and is then passed to squeezing rollers or other suitable receptacle by the conveying
bars or ribs being placed in an inclined position, or by any other suitable apparatus.
In place of the aforesaid bars or ribs being part stationary and part moveable, as
previously described, they may all be moveable and arranged to travel alternately
or in groups.
Above the before named ribs or bars I provide one or more plungers, capable
of being alternately raised and lowered by means of cranks or other suitable

page_text: mechanism. As such plungers descend they act upon the wool or other fibrous
material supported by the above described ribs or bars, so as to squeeze out the
dirt or extraneous matter. The aforesaid plunger or plungers may be formed
hollow to contain air, a portion of which will on their descent be forced through
the wool or other fibrous material being operated upon, thereby assisting the
cleansing thereof.
In place of the aforesaid plungers I provide a water supply pipe, extending
lengthwise of the previously mentioned trough, with suitable arrangements by
which streams of water may descend and shower upon the material supported
upon the above named ribs or bars. I also propose in some cases to use the above
named shower pipe in combination with the previously described plunger or
plungers.
Or in combination with the abovo named shower pipe I place beneath the
moveable bars or ribs previously described a pipe or pipes provided with per-
forations, through which I force air, which in its passage through the wool or
other fibrous material tends to separate and open it, thereby. assisting the cleansing.
Instead of using a stationary trough or tank as previously described, I propose
in some cases to use an annular trough capable of containing water or other liquid
mounted upon suitable rollers or bearings, so as to be capable of rotating thereon,
and provided with gearing by which it may be driven. The aforesaid annular
tank or trough I provide with a perforated false bottom or grid, upon which the
wool or other fibrous material to be operated upon is placed within the aforesaid
annular tank or trough. As the aforesaid annular tank or trough rotates, the
wool or other fibrous material becomes washed or cleansed by the action of the
previously described plunger or plungers, such plunger or plungers being alternately
raised and lowered by any suitablo incans. I also propose in some cases to use a
stationary annular trough or tank, and impart to the plunger or plungers a rotatory
as well as an upward and downward motion.
After the wool or other fibrous material has been sufficiently cleansed it may be
removed from the trough or tank either by hand or by suitably adapted lifting
apparatus, so that when it is desired to remove the material from the tank or
trough, the said lifting apparatus may be placed into the tank or trough, but
during the washing or cleansing process it may be removed therefrom.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Petrie, junior, in the Great Seal Patent Office on tho
21st December 1881.
JOIN PETRIE, junior, of Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, Machine Maker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WASHING OR CLEANSING
WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
My Invention relates to machinery and apparatus for washing or cleansing wool
and other fibrous materials, and consists in the use of a trough or tank capable of
containing the liquid by which the wool or other fibrous material is to be washed
or cleansed. Within the aforesaid trough or tank I place a number of stationary bars
or ribs, extending in the direction of its length, upon which the wool or other fibrous
material to be operated upon rests. Between the bars aforesaid are placed other
bars or ribs mounted so as to be capable of being raised, and at the same time
advanced in the direction of their length and then lowered beneath the surface of
the before named fixed bars, after which they are returned to their first position,
and so on, such motion being imparted by incans of a crank for giving the
longitudinal motion, and a cam or equivalent means for raising and lowering the
said bars or ribs. By the longitudinal motion of the aforesaid moveable bars or
ribs the wool or other fibrous material is traversed from the feed end to the exit
end of the machine, and is then passed to squeezing rollers or other suitablo
receptacle by the conveying bars or ribs being placed in an inclined position, or by
any other suitable apparatus. In place of the aforesaid bars or ribs boing pa
stationary and part movable as previously described, they may all be movable and
arranged to travel alternately or in groups. Above the before named ribs or bars
I provide one or more plungers capable of being alternately raised and lowered
by means of cranks or other suitable mechanism. As such plungers descend they
act upon the wool or other fibrous material supported by the above described ribs
or bars, so as to squeeze out the dirt or extraneous matter. The aforesaid plunger
or plungers may be formed hollow to contain air, a portion of which will, on their
descent, be forced through the wool or other fibrous material being operated upon,
thereby assisting the cleansing thereof. In place of the aforesaid plungers I provide
a water supply pipe extending lengthwise of the previously mentioned trough with
suitable arrangements by which streams of water may descend and shower upon
the material supported upon the above named ribs or bars. I also propose in some
cases to use the above named shower pipe in combination with the previously
described plunger or plungers; or in combination with the above named shower
pipe I place beneath the moveable bars or ribs previously described a pipe or
pipes provided with perforations through which I force air, which in its passage
through the wool or other fibrous material tends to separate and open it, thereby
assisting the cleansing. Instead of using a stationary trough or tank as previously
described, I propose in some cases to use an annular trough, capable of containing
water or other liquid, mounted upon suitable rollers or bearings so as to be capable
of rotating thereon, and provided with gearing by which it may be driven. The
aforesaid annular tank or trough I provide with a perforated false bottom or grid,
upon which the wool or other fibrous materials to be operated upon is placed
within the aforesaid annular tank or trough. As the aforesaid annular tank or
trough rotates, the wool or other fibrous material becomes washed or cleansed by the
action of the previously described plunger or plungers, such plunger or plungers being
alternately raised and lowered by any suitable means. I also propose in some cases to
use a stationary annular trough or tank and impart to the plunger or plungers a
rotatory as well as an upward and downward motion. After the wool or other

page_text: fibrous material has been sufficiently cleansed it may be removed from the trough
or tank either by hand or by suitably adapted lifting apparatus, so that when it is
desired to remove the material from the tank or trough the said lifting apparatus
may be placed into the tank or trough, but during the washing or cleansing process
it may be removed therefrom. And in order that my Invention may be more
thoroughly understood and more readily carried into practical effect, I hereunto
annex Drawings and will now proceed to describe the same. Figures 1, 2, and 3,
of Sheet 1, are views of my improved machinery or apparatus for the treatment of
wool and other fibrous material containing dirt and other foreign matter, so as to
require it to pass through a process of soaking, steeping, or cleansing, by which it
may be made more suitable for succeeding treatment. Fig. 1 is a vertical side view
of a wool washing or cleansing machine, a portion thereof being shown in section
for the convenience of illustration. Fig. 2 is a plan, and Fig. 3 is a vertical cross
section taken on the line A, B, of Fig. 1, but certain parts are omitted to avoid
confusion, similar letters of reference being placed upon corresponding parts in all
the views, and in cases where the parts are repeated on each side of the machine to
those at the opposite side to that described, I affix the same letters of reference
with the addition of an asterisk (*). At 1, 1, are legs or feet supporting a trough
or tank formed by side plates 2 and end pieces 3, 4, and closed at the bottom by
plates 5, such trough or tank being capable of containing the liquid in which the
wool or other fibrous material is to be steeped, soaked, or washed. Carried by the
end plate 3 of the trough or tank is a feed lattice or apron 6 upon which the wool
or other fibrous material to be steeped, soaked, or washed is placed to be fed to the
machine by the movement of the lattice. At 7 is the usual roller for submerging
the wool or other fibrous material fed to the machine by the lattice 6 in the liquid
contained within the trough, the surface of which is indicated by the dotted
line C, D. Within the trough or tank and extending longitudinally therein aro
plates 8. Between the plates 8, 8*, and parallel therewith are ribs or bars 9, these
bars being attached at one end to the end plate 3 of the tank or trough, the other
ends being secured to a cross rail 10 bolted at each end to the side plates 2.
Between the bars or ribs 9 and alternately therewith I place other bars or ribs 11,
the upper surface of these bars or ribs I cause to be raised above the top of tho
bars 9, then to move forward in the direction of the arrow E, after which their
upper surfaces pass down below the top of the bars or ribs 9, then passing in a
direction opposite to that of the arrow E, after which they will again perform
the above described motion. The above described motion of the bars I produce
in the following manner :-At 12 is a shaft provided with fast and loose
pullies 13, 14, from the former of which it receives rotatory motion from any
source of power. The shaft 12 is supported in bearings 15, 16, carried by the
side frame of the trough or tank. Upon the shaft 12 is a pinion 17 gearing into a
wheel 18 mounted fast upon one end of a shaft 19 extending across the trough or
tank. Upon the shaft 19 are formed two cranks 20, 20*, which are provided with
connecting rods 21, 21*, the ends 22, 22*, of which embrace the ends of a bar 23
extending across and beneath the ribs or bars 9, 11. The bar 23 passes through
loops or eyes 24, such loops or eyes being secured to the ribs or bars 11, as shewn
in the detached views, Figs. 4 and 5, which show one of the bars or ribs. The
loop or eye 24 is provided with a shank 25 passing through the rib or bar 11, and
secured thereto by a screwed nut 26. As the crank shaft 19 rotates the cranks
20, 20*, through the connecting rods 21, 21*, will cause the bars or ribs 11 to be
traversed to and fro in the direction of their length. The rising and falling action
of the bars or ribs 11 I produce as follows:-At 27 is a shaft extending across
the trough or tank capable of being rotated in brackets 28, 28*, secured to the side of
the trough or tank; fast upon the shaft 27 is a wheel 29 gearing into another wheel 30
fast upon the shaft 19, from which the shaft 27 receives rotatory motion. Mounted
fast upon the shaft 27 are cams 31, 31*, the circumferences thereof acting upon
bowls or rollers 32, 33, 32, 33*, carried upon connecting rods 34, 34*. The rods
34, 34, are provided with slots embracing the shaft 27 and constituting guides for

page_text: the said rods 34, 34*, such_rods being retained in position sideways by the cams
31, 31, and collars 35, 35*, secured to the shaft 27. The connecting rods 34,34*,
are at one end jointed to rods 36, 36, extending lengthwise within the trough or
tank. To the rods 36, 30*, are jointed one of the ends of a series of bell-crank-
levers, but for convenience of description I will confine my description to one set
only of such levers, and as the same system of levers is repeated, I shall distinguish
them by the addition of the letters G, H, J, in the Drawing. At 37, 38, 37*, 38*,
are studs carrying levers 39, 40, 39, 40*, the outer ends of which are jointed to
the bar 36. To the levers 39, 40, 39*, 40*, are attached other levers 41, 42, 41*, 42*,
their outer ends being jointed to the ends of a link 43, 43, such link having a slot
44 formed therein. Within the link 43, 43*, and capable of sliding therein, is a
bowl 45 mounted upon the end of a rod 46 extending across and underneath the
bars 9, 11. The rod 46 passes through eyes secured to the sliding bars 11, as
previously described in reference to the bar 23. As the shaft 27 rotates the cam 31
acting upon the bowls 32, 33, attached to the rod 34 will impart to the bar 36 a
to and fro motion in the direction of its length. Such to and fro motion will cause
the levers 39, 40, to vibrate upon the studs 37, 38, and carrying with them the
levers 41, 42, jointed to the link 43, will cause the said link to be raised and lowered,
such raising and lowering of the link acting through the medium of the bowl 45 and
rod 46 will cause the bars or ribs 11 to be also raised and lowered. I cause the
raising of the bars or ribs 11 to take place when the said bars or ribs are being
traversed in the direction of the arrow E, such moving forward of the bars or ribs
11 will cause the wool or other fibrous material resting upon the surface of such
bars to be carried forward from the lattice or feed end of the trough or tank to the
exit end thereof, where the wool or other fibrous material after being soaked,
washed, or cleansed, is delivered by the reciprocating bars 11 to any suitable lifting
apparatus, which in this instance is a series of sliding bars or ribs 47 which deliver
the wool or other fibrous material to the usual squeezing rollers 48, 49, to be
afterwards treated in any desired manner.
To further assist in soaking, washing, or cleansing the wool or other fibrous
material in its passage along the trough or tank, I subject it to the action of a
series of plungers 50, 51, 52, 53, which I cause to press upon the wool or other
fibrous material in the following manner :-
Upon the shaft 12 and fast therewith is a bevil pinion 54 gearing into another
bevil wheel 55 fast upon one end of a shaft 56, such shaft turning in bearings 57
carried by the frame-work 58, such frame work being supported by the brackets or
pillars 59 carried by and affixed to the trough or tank.
Upon the shaft 56 are bevel pinions 60, 61, 62, 63, gearing into bevil wheels
64, 65, 66, 67, fast upon the ends of shafts 68, 69, 70, 71, respectively, such shafts
being curved on bearings 72 secured to the frame work 58; fast upon the other
ends of the shafts 68, 69, 70, 71, are mounted cranks 73 provided with crank
pins 74, such cranks being provided with straps or links 75 from which depend
chains 76 secured to the upper part of the plungers 50, 51, 52, 53. As the shaft 12
rotates rotatory motion is imparted to the shaft 56, which through the medium of
the bevil pinions 60, 61, 62, 63, imparts rotatory motion to the bevil wheels 64,
65, 66, 67, shafts 68, 69, 70, 71, and cranks 73, which as they revolve will by
means of the chains 76 cause the plungers 50, 51, 52, 53, to be alternately raised
and lowered so as to be raised clear from the wool or other fibrous material resting
upon the bars or ribs 9, 11, and then allowed to press thereon, and thereby to
assist in soaking, steeping, washing, or cleansing the wool or other fibrous material.
When the plungers by the rotation of the cranks are allowed to descend upon the
wool or other fibrous material, a further movement of the cranks will cause the
chains to become slackened, the plungers are then at liberty to be carried forward
by the motion of the bars or ribs 11 until the said plungers are again raised by
further rotation of the cranks, thereby preventing the wool or other fibrous
material from becoming entangled or felted, which would take place if the plungers
were not allowed to be carried forward by the bars or ribs 11.

page_text: The plungers 50, 51, 52, 53, I form as boxes or frames, provided with a bottom
upon which weights may be placed if requisite to cause the said plunger to sink in
the liquid contained within the tank or trough and give the requisite pressure upon
the wool or other fibrous material. Around the under surface of the plungers 50,
51, 52, 53, I form a projecting flange or rib 77, such flange or rib enclosing a
cavity 78, which upon the plunger being raised above the surface of the liquid
contained in the trough or tank becomes filled with air, and upon the said plunger
descending upon the wool or other fibrous material resting upon the bars or ribs
9, 11, a portion of the aforesaid air becomes forced through the wool or other
fibrous material, and thereby assists the cleansing thereof. The tank I provide
with pipes 79 for the purpose of cleansing the same, as is usual in wool washing
machines.
Figures 6, 7, Sheet 2, shew a further part of my Invention, but as parts thereof
are similar in construction and action to those already described in Figs. 1, 2, I
shall affix thereto similar letters of reference and refer to them in a general
manner.
Figure 6 is a side elevation partly in section, and Fig. 7 a cross section of my
improved washing machine taken on the line K, L, of Fig. 6. At 1 are legs or
feet supporting a trough or tank formed by sideplates 2 and end pieces 3, 4, such
trough or tank being capable of containing the liquid in which the wool or other
fibrous material is to be steeped, soaked, or washed; carried by the trough or tank
is a feed lattice 6 and roller 7 for submerging the wool or other fibrous material
in the liquid contained in the tank; the upper snrface of such liquid is indicated
by the dotted line M, N. Within the trough or tank and extending longitudinally
therein are plates 8, 8*. Between the plates 8, 8*, and parallel therewith are bars or
ribs 9 carried at one end by the end piece 3 of the tank, the other ends thereof
being fixed to a cross bar 80 extending across and secured to the plates 8, 8*.
Between the bars 9 I place other bars or ribs 11, the upper edge of the bars or
ribs 11 I cause to be periodically raised above the upper edge of the bars 9, while
at the same time they are carried forward in the direction of the arrow E, after
which they fall down so that their upper edge falls beneath the upper edge of the
fixed bars 9; they then move in a direction opposite to that of the arrow E until
their upper edge is again raised above that of the ribs or bars 9, the longitudinal
motion being effected by the cranks 20, 20*, acting through the connecting rod
21, 21, and others parts, as described in reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3. The raising and
lowering of the bars is effected by means of cams 31, 31*, connecting rod 34, 34*,
and other parts, as described in reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3.
The wool to be operated upon is fed by the feed lattice 6 to the submerging
roller or drum 7, after which it is carried forward from the feed to the exit end of
the trough by the longitudinal motion of the bars 11, but in this instance I elevate
the ends 0 of the traversing bars 9, 11, so that they will deliver the material being
operated upon direct to the squeezing rollers 48, 49. Above the bars or ribs 9, 11,
I provide plungers 81, 82, raised and lowered by the cranks 73, as described in
reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
At 83 is a pipe supplying the interior of boxes 84, 85, with water. Tho
boxes 84, 85, are carried by the frame work 58, and secured thereto by means of
bolts 86. The under surface of the boxes 84, 85, I provide with jets or nozzles 87,
from which the water supplied by the pipe 83 may issue in the form of a shower,
and fall upon the wool or other fibrous material as it is traversed along and
beneath such shower of water by the action of the bars 11. The wool or other
fibrous material being compressed by the action of the plungers 81, 82, and then
being acted upon by the shower of water, becomes opened and freed from dirt and
other foreign matter, after which it passes to the squeezing roller 48, 49, and is
then ready for subsequent treatment. Although 1 have above referred to the
shower of water as used in combination with the plungers 81, 83, I do not confino
myself to that arrangement, as I also propose to use the shower of water from tho
jets or nozzles 87 without the assistance of the plungers.

page_text: In some cases I also propose to place pipes 88, 89, provided with perforations
beneath the bars or ribs 9, 11, through which pipes I force air; such air in its
passage through the wool or other fibrous material resting upon the bars or ribs
will tend to render it more open, and will thereby assist in the cleansing
thereof.
A further part of my Invention is shown by Figs. 8, 9, Sheet 3, of the accom-
panying Drawings. Fig. 9 is a front elevation and Fig. 8 a side elevation at right
angles to Fig. 9, a portion thereof being shown in section for convenience of
illustration. At 90 is a circular tank, the bottom thereof being closed by plates 91.
To the outside of the tank are affixed studs 92, upon which are mounted wheels or
pulleys 93 capable of being rolled along a circular rail 94, upon which rail 94 the
wheels or pulleys 93 and tank 90 are capable of being rotated, as I will hereafter
describe. At 95 are pillars connected together by the cross frame 96 secured at
the ends to the pillars 95. Upon the top of the pillars 95 are mounted brackets
or bearings 97 supporting a shaft 98 capable of rotating within the said brackets.
Upon the end of the shaft 98 are mounted fast and loose pullies 99, 100, by the
former of which rotatory motion may be imparted to the shaft from any convenient
source of power. Fast upon the shaft 98 is mounted a pulley 101 for transmitting
rotatory motion to the pulley 102 by means of an endless belt or band 103. The
pulley 102 is mounted fast upon the end of a shaft 104 carried within a bracket 105
secured to the pillars 95. Upon the shaft 104, and fast thereon, is mounted a
bevil pinion 106 gearing into an annular wheel 107 secured to the outside of the
tank 90. Within the tank 90 I fix an annular plate 108 secured at its lower
edge to a plate 109 supported upon the bottom 91 of the tank 90 by wing
pieces 110. Upon the plate 1091 mount a pipe 111 extending upward to the
level of the top of the tank 90; within the annular space enclosed by the outside of
the tank 90 and plate 108, I place a perforated false bottom 112 carried upon
projecting ledges formed upon the outer frame of the tank 90 and plate 109.
The annular space P communicates with the pipe 111 through the space q, for the
purpose to be hereafter described. Secured upon the underside of the cross framo
are brackets 113 supporting a shaft 114 capable of being rotated therein. Upon
the shaft 98, and fast thercon, is a wheel 115 gearing into another wheel 116 fast
upon the shaft 114. The ends of the shaft 114 are provided with cranks 117,
having crank pins 118, to which are jointed connecting chains 119, the lower ends
of which carry plungers or pressers 120, which as the shaft 114 revolves will be
alternately raised and lowered.
The liquid in which the wool or other fibrous material is to be soaked, steeped,
or washed is run in by reason of the pipe 121 into the interior of the pipo or
tube 111, and flows past the wings 110 until the annular space P becomes filled to
the level indicated by the broken lines R. The wool or other fibrous material is
then placed upon the false bottom 112. Rotatory motion having been imparted
to the shaft 98, the tank 90 will be caused also to rotate by means of the pulley 101,
strap 103, pulley 102, bevil pinion 106, and anuular bevil wheel 107. The
shaft 114 also receiving rotatory motion by means of the wheels 115, 116, from
the shaft 98, the cranks 117 thereon will cause the plungers or pressers to be raised
and lowered, and thereby to act upon and cleanse the wool or other fibrous material
placed upon the false bottom 112. When the wool or other fibrous material has
been sufficiently operated upon it may either be removed by hand from the annular
tank 90, or any suitable lifting apparatus may be mounted, so as to be placed in
position for removing the material. The pipe 122 is for supplying steam for the
purpose of heating the Buid in the tank 90.
To any convenient part of the bottom of the tank 90 I fix a suitable valve by
which the liquid may be emptied from the said tank when desirable.
Instead of causing the tank to rotate as above described, the tank may remain
stationary, and the plungers or pressers be caused to revolve.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same may be performed, I desire it to be understood that I

page_text: claim to me as secured under the above in part recited Letters Patent, and for the
purposes above set forth,-
Firstly. The use of rising and falling reciprocating bars or ribs for opening,
cleansing, or washing and conveying the wool or other fibrous material from the
feed to the exit end of the trough or tank of such machines, substantially as above
described in reference to Figures 1, 2, 3.
Secondly. The use of pressers or plungers in combination with rising and falling
reciprocating bars or ribs for opening, cleansing, or washing and conveying the wool
or other fibrous material from the feed to the exit end of the trough or tank of
such machines aforesaid, substantially as described in reference to Figures 1, 2,
and 3.
Thirdly. The use of reciprocating bars for opening, cleansing, or washing and
convoying the wool or other fibrous material from the feed to the exit end of the
trough or tank used in combination with jets or showers of water, with or without
the combined use of pressers or plungers, as shown, and substantially described in
reference to Figs. 6 and 7, Sheet II.
Fourthly. Placing the reciprocating and fixed bars or ribs 9, 11, at an anglo for
conveying the wool or other fibrous material after being soaked, stooped, washed,
or cleansed to the squeezing rollers, substantially as described in reference to
Figs. 1, 2, 3, Sheet I., and 6 and 7, Sheet II.
Fifthly. The introduction of air underneath the wool or other fibrous material
for assisting in the cleansing thereof, as substantially set forth and described in
reference to Figs. 6 and 7.
Sixthly. The use of an annular revolving or stationary tank or trough provided
with plungers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and described in
reference to Figs. 8 and 9.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Petric, junior, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of December, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty one.
JOHN PETRIE, JR. (L.S.)
30