Year: 1886

page_text: We, RICHARD HENRY AINSWORTH, Bleacher and Dyer, and EARDLEY BLOIS
MANBY Manager, both of Halliwell Bleach Works, Halliwell near Bolton in the
County of Lancaster do hereby declare the nature of our said invention to be
as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in machinery to be used in bleaching
quilts and other heavy and light fabrics, linen, yarns, rags, wood-pulp, jute-fibre,
ramia-rhea or china grass, or materials made therefrom by what is known as the
Thompson" process and other analogous processes.
"
In Thompson's" Patent N° 595 February 3rd 1883 the apparatus consists of
upper and lower tanks for the bleaching liquor both being connected by pipes with
a bleaching vessel connected to a gas-holder by a suitable pipe. The fabric is
deposited in the bleaching Vessel and sealed by a cover, after which it is filled with
bleaching liquor from the upper tank when the air-tap is closed, the gas turned on,
and the flow of bleaching liquor from the upper tank stopped, when almost all the
bleaching liquor in the vessel is allowed to flow into the lower tank from whence
it is pumped into the upper tank-After the fabric has been stationary in the gas
a sufficient time the bleaching liquor from the upper tank is allowed to flow into
the bleaching vessel again, by which the gas is forced back into the gas-holder
until the bleaching Vessel is full, when the operation before described is repeated
as often as requisite. In William Mather's Patent N° 16663 December 19th 1884,
the apparatus consists of a cylindrical vessel or kier provided with a false bottom,
and a lid or cover with a projecting flange dipping into water or other liquids in
an annular chamber round the kier to seal the kier and make it air-tight. In the
kier is fixed a "puffer pipe" connecting to a pump which forces the bleaching
liquor up the same and throws it over the fabric, yarn, or other material as it is

page_text: deposited on the false bottom of the kier, which liquor returns to the bottom of
the kier passing again through the openings and up the "puffer pipe." When
sufficient fabric, yarn, or other material has been put in the kier the lid or cover is
lowered and secured, after which the bleaching liquor is drawn by the pump from
the liquor tank and forced up the "puffer pipe" into the kier. When the kier is
filled with bleaching liquor so as to expel all the air and thoroughly saturate the
material under treatment the air-valve is closed and the pump stopped, carbonic
acid gas
admitted to the kier while the bleaching liquor is flowing back into the
tank, leaving only sufficient to fill the well under the false bottom. The outlet
valve is then closed and the pump re-started so as to cause the retained liquor to
be circulated continuously through the material without being exposed to the
atmosphere. Previous to opening the kier it is pumped full of liquor to drive the
gas back into the gas-holder, the air and outlet valves are then opened to admit air
and allow the liquor to flow back to its tank, when the bleached material may be
removed.
Our invention is intended to enhance the value of the "Thompson" and other
analogous processes in bleaching quilts, and linen, also other heavy and light
textile fabrics, yarns, rags, wood-pulp, jute-fibre, ramia-rhea or china grass, or
materials made therefrom, by facilitating the action of the gases, vapours, or
solutions employed upon the material to be bleached by the manner in which we
present the goods under operation to the same, thereby obtaining the most rapid
and effective results which are not so efficiently acquired by either of the Patents
referred to, viz, that of Jacob Baynes Thompson N° 595 of 1883, or that of
William Mather N° 16663 of 1884, inasmuch as the material under treatment by
their processes is not subjected to the action of the various chemicals under such
advantageous circumstances or conditions as by our method.
و"
"
"
Our improvements consist in dispensing with the stationary bleaching kiers
employed in the aforesaid processes and substituting therefor the ordinary revolving
"dash "
or wash wheel at present employed in what is known as hand-crofting
with the following additions and improvements:-The apertures; through which
the goods or material, are admitted and removed, of each compartment of the
" dash
or wash wheel are each provided with a metallic ring in which is a notched
or lipped cavity or recess to admit a ring or its equivalent to form an air-tight
joint when the swivelling cover or lid is placed over it. The swivelling cover or
lid of each aperture is secured by a pin or centre to the metallic ring or other
convenient part having an L or angular or other projection which slides and fits
the said metallic ring or its equivalent; by which the cap or lid is held firmly in its
place when shut..
The centre on which the "dash" or wash wheel revolves is made hollow of any
suitable materials; the part inside the wheel being perforated, or if not perforated
to have an opening at any suitable point of the said centre, and one of the ends is
provided with a centre passage to admit the end of a pipe for charging carbonic
acid gas or other gases, bleaching liquor or other solutions, being coupled by means
of a stuffing box and gland. The hollow shaft or centre is provided with the
necessary journals which revolve in pedestals, mounted on suitable fixings and
or wash wheels.
driven by the means at present employed for driving "dash"
The wheel is provided with air taps by which a vent is obtained for introducing
the bleach or other solutions, also to enable the Carbonic acid gas or other gases to
displace the air if so desired.
Air may be pumped into the wheel at any convenient point to expel or force out
the liquors employed, or for other purposes.
The "dash or wash wheel may be turned or revolved at various speeds, and the
motion reversed if necessary by the usual appliances.
The bleaching liquor is stored in a cistern or tank fixed in any suitable position,
being connected to the pipe attached to the revolving centre and provided with
a valve or tap to regulate the flow or otherwise. Other cisterns containing hot

page_text: caustic soda, hot and cold water or other liquids may be connected by any suitable
means to the hollow centre of the "dash" wheel. Carbonic acid gas or other gases
can be passed direct from the generator, or stored under pressure, being conducted
to the revolving centre by suitable pipes and valves.
The fabric, yarn, or material to be bleached is placed in the "dash" wheel and
the apertures closed by their respective covers or lids, then the tap or valve
connected with the bleaching liquor or other liquor cistern or tank is opened and
the bleaching liquor or other solution flows into the hollow centre and through the
opening or perforations into and amongst the materials under operation, which, by
the revolving action of the "dash" wheel, are continually changing their position,
thereby beating and subjecting every part to the action of the liquor admitted.
After this operation has gone on for a sufficient length of time the "dash" wheel
is allowed to stand a few minutes, during which the surplus liquor falls to the
lowest part of the dash" wheel, from whence it is pumped or forced through a
pipe attached to the hollow centre in the said wheel, which extends to a point in
close proximity to the inner periphery of the dash" wheel. The outlet is
through a pipe attached to the end of the hollow centre by means of a stuffing box
and gland, and is connected to a pump which forces any excess of bleach solution
back to its tank or cistern. To protect the material from the suction pipe a
perforated chamber or cavity is provided in the "dash" wheel to admit the same,
the inlet being on the periphery end. Other methods of emptying the excess
liquor may be adopted if desired.
"
"
After the excess of bleaching liquor or other solution has been removed the
wheel is re-started, then the gas valve is opened and the material is subjected to
an atmosphere of carbonic acid gas, Chlorine, or other gases or solutions of gases
or solutions of chemicals, or mixture of gases and air during the rotation of the
wheel. The constant turning over presents every part of the goods or materials
under operation to the action of the gas thereby producing a perfectly uniform
result. Previous to the removal of the material or goods from the dush" wheel
the carbonic acid gas or bleaching gases liberated thereby may be pumped back.
into the gas holder, through suitable pipes and valves if desired.
Other constructions of "dash" wheels may be employed such as, cased wheels or
cylinders provided with buckets or their equivalents, to which are attached suitable
connections for conveying the liquids from the inner peripheries and buckets to
the hollow centre, from which they can be pumped as previously stated, or returned
to the perforated hollow centre and onto the material under operation as often as
desirable.
65
"
For the purpose of protecting the inside of the dash or wash wheels from
corrosive action, they are lined with sheet copper or other suitable lining materials.
Iron "dash" or wash wheels can be employed if sufficiently protected by suitable
lining materials or coating to prevent the corrosive action of Chemicals employed.
By the application of our invention to the "Thompson process" quilts and linen,
also other heavy or light fabrics or textiles of whatever description and other
materials can be operated upon and thoroughly bleached. The beating of the
materials or goods under treatment in the "dash" wheel ensures uniform saturation
of all the parts, and the amount of wetness by the bleach or other solutions can be
regulated to a point at which the maximum effect is obtained upon the introduction
of the gas gases, or solutions to the "dash" wheel by drawing off the excess of
liquor by pump or otherwise. After once placing the goods in the wheel it is
unnecessary to remove them until they are thoroughly bleached thus saving much
handling and loss of time.
The goods or materials can be treated with weak caustic soda solution, soda, hot
or cold water, and other liquids, at any period during which they are under
operation, or by steam alone if required, and washed thoroughly before removal.
This invention is applicable to what is known as the "Lunge process" for
which Letters Patent were granted to George Lunge on August 16th 1884 Nº 11333,

page_text: also to what is known as "Cross and Rickman's Process" for which Letters patent
were granted to Charles Frederick Cross and James Pellatt Rickman, on October 16th
1884, N° 13678, wherein the latter the bleaching agent is composed of Chlorine
gas or a solution of Chlorine and water in conjunction with Caustic Soda or
Carbonate of Soda.
In adapting our invention to dyeing the "dash" or wash wheel and other
appendages are precisely similar to those described above, the dye-liquor being
conveyed from the dye cisterns to the hollow centre or revolving shaft in any
convenient manner by pipes, which, if desired, can be pumped back.
Dated the 11th February 1886
EDMUND CHADWICK, C.E.,
Agent for Applicants.

page_text: «
and other Analogous Processes, which are also Applicable
for Dyeing Purposes.
We, RICHARD HENRY AINSWORTH, Bleacher and Dyer, and EARDLEY BLOIS
MANBY, Manager, both of Halliwell Bleach Works, Halliwell near Bolton in the
County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BLEACHING LIGHT AND HEAVY TEXTILE
FABRICS AND OTHER MATERIALS BY THE "THOMPSON " AND OTHER ANALOGOUS
PROCESSES, WHICH ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR DYEING PURPOSES," and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
"
Our invention relates to improvements in machinery to be used in bleaching
quilts and other heavy and light fabrics, linen, yarns, rags, wood-pulp, jute-fibre,
ramia-rhea or china grass, or materials made therefrom by what is known as the
Thompson" process and other analogous processes, such as, "Lunge," and "Cross
and Rickman's," and is intended to enhance the value of these processes by
facilitating the action of gases, vapours, and solutions employed upon the material
to be bleached by the manner in which we present the various kinds of goods
under operation to the same, thereby obtaining the most rapid and effective
results.
Fig. 1, sheet 1, of the accompanying drawings is a sectional elevation of so much
of a
"dash" wheel employed in "hand crofting" as is necessary to illustrate our
present invention with our improvements applied thereto-Fig. 2 is a part front
elevation of Fig. 1 shewing the divisions and apertures closed when bleaching,
washing, and dyeing is being performed-Fig. 3 is a part sectional plan through
line A. B. in Fig. 1—Fig. 5, sheet 2, is an elevation shewing an arrangement of
"dash" wheels connected to a generator and cisterns, and Fig. 6 is a plan of
Fig. 5-Fig. 10, sheet 3, is a sectional elevation of another modification of our
improvements and Fig. 11 is a section through line A¹ B¹ in Fig. 10.
In all the figures the same letters and numerals are used to indicate corresponding
parts.
C is the casing of the "dash" wheel divided into four divisions or compartments
by the partitions D. The front side of the "dash" wheel is provided with the
apertures E through which the goods or materials are admitted to and removed
from each compartment. Each aperture is provided with the metallic ring 2 with
a notched or lipped cavity or recess to receive the india-rubber or other suitable
ring 3 to form an air-tight joint when the swivelling cover or lid 4 is placed over
it. The cover or lid 4 is secured to the metallic ring 2 by the pin or centre 5.
One half of the ring 2 is provided with the L or angular or other projection 6, by
which the cover or lid 4 is held firmly in its place when shut. The cover or lid 4
is provided with the handle 8, under which is disposed the pin 9 to lock it into
position with the spring catch 10 secured to the ring 2, thus preventing the cover

page_text: "
or lid flying open by the centrifugal force of the "dash" wheel when revolving.
When filling or emptying the goods or material from the "dash" wheel it is
necessary the covers or lids 4 be held in such a position to allow of the full opening
of the apertures, which is accomplished by swivelling or throwing them back until
the holes 12 in each cover or lid handle is opposite the fixings 13 secured to the
front casing of the "dash" wheel, when they can be secured by the pin 14 secured
thereto by the chain 15. When the apertures are closed by the covers or lids 4
the pressure admitted into the "dash "wheel forces the lip or projection 16 of the
india-rubber or other suitable ring against the same and forms an air-tight joint.
The centre H on which the "dash" wheel revolves is made with the hollow
chamber J as shewn and of any suitable metallic materials; the part inside the
"dash
wheel being provided with the perforations 17. The driving end of the
centre His provided with the stuffing box 18 in which is disposed the stationary
pipe 19 employed for charging carbonic acid gas or other gases, bleaching liquor or
other solutions to the inside of the "dash" wheel. The stuffing box 18 is packed
in the usual manner and secured by the gland 20 and usual studs. The centre H
is provided with the journals 21 and revolves in the pedestals K mounted on the
fixings M. On the centre J is mounted the bevel wheel N driven by the bevel
wheel O from the shaft P in the usual manner. The bevel wheel O on the shaft P
is provided with the friction clutch R as usual to enable the
" dash" wheel to be
stopped or started at will. If desired to drive the "dash wheel in either direction
the bevel wheel and friction clutch S, shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 6, are mounted
on the shaft P, gearing into the opposite side of the bevel wheel Ň.
Bleaching liquor, hot caustic soda, hot and cold water, diluted acids or other
liquids may be stored in the cisterns or tanks T, which may be fixed in any other
convenient position to that shown on the drawings in Figs. and 6, sheet 2, being
connected to the stationary pipe 19 by the pipes 24, the latter being provided with
the valves or taps 23. Carbonic Acid gas or other gases can be passed direct from
the generator V to the hollow centre of the "dash" wheel, being connected to the
charging pipes 19 and 24 by the pipes 25 and valve or tap 26. If desired the said
gas or gases can be stored under pressure in any suitable vessel or gas-holder; the
outlet being connected to the pipes 19 in any convenient manner. The "dash
wheel is provided with the back-pressure valve t.
"
»
The operation of this apparatus is as follows:-When the fabric, yarn, or
material to be bleached is placed in the dash" wheel C and the apertures E are
closed bleaching liquor or other solution is admitted, by opening one or other of
the valves or taps 26, to the chamber J in the hollow centre shaft H, from whence
it flows through the perforations 17 into and amongst the materials under
operation, which, by the revolving action of the "dash" wheel, are continually
changing their position, thereby beating and subjecting every part to the action of
the liquor admitted. After this operation has gone on for a sufficient length of
time the open tap 26 is closed and the "dash" wheel is allowed to stand a short
time to allow the surplus liquor to fall or drain to the lowest part, from whence it
is pumped through the pipe 30 attached to the hollow centre shaft H in the
"dash" wheel. The pipe 30 is enclosed in the casing or cavity 36 to protect or
guard it from the material under operation as shown in Fig. 3, sheet 1. To ensure
the correct position of the pipe 30 being attained for emptying the surplus liquor
when the "dash" wheel is closed its position is indicated by the arrow 50 as in
Fig. 2. The pipe 30 communicates with the chamber W and the stationary
pipe 31. The latter is secured to the hollow centre H by the stuffing box 32 and
gland 33, being packed in the usual manner. The pipe 31 is provided with the
valve or tap 34 and connected as shewn, or in any convenient manner, to the
pipes 35 leading to the pump Z; the latter being driven in any known manner,
thus forcing or drawing any excess of liquor or bleach solution through the
pipes 56 into the pipes 25 back into their respective tanks or cisterns, or elsewhere
as desired. Other known methods of emptying the surplus liquor may be adopted
if desired.

page_text: "
After the surplus bleaching liquor or other solution has been removed and the
taps 34 closed the "dash wheel is re-started, then the gas valve or tap 23 and
the valve or tap 52 are opened by which the material is subjected to an atmosphere
of carbonic acid gas from the generator V, or if desired, Chlorine, or other gases,
or solutions of gases, or solutions of chemicals, or mixture of gases and air can be
supplied from any convenient source during the rotation of the "dash" wheel.
The constant turning over presents every part of the goods or material under
operation to the action of the gas, gases, or solutions, thereby producing a perfectly
uniform result.
Previous to the removal of the goods or material from the "dash" wheel the
carbonic acid gas or other bleaching gases liberated thereby may be pumped back
into a gas-holder, or into the generator through the pipes 51 if desired.
The "dash" wheel is provided with one or more air taps 41 for the purpose of
obtaining a vent to facilitate the introduction of bleach or other solutions, also to
enable carbonic acid gas or other gases to displace atmospheric air if so desired.
Air may be pumped into the "dash" wheel by connecting the flexible tube 53
to the tap 41 when in the bottom position shewn in Fig. 1, for the purpose of
expelling the liquors employed or for other purposes. The pipes 42 are connected
to an air pump in any convenient manner.
"
If desired the hollow shaft. H and journals 21 can be constructed as shewn in
Fig. 4, sheet 1, by which the pipe 30 remains in a hanging or vertical position,
consequently in a position to empty the surplus liquor irrespective of the position
of the "dash wheel. The "dash" wheel is provided with the extra casing or
partition 57 to protect the pipe 30 from contact with the goods or material under
operation. The outer end of the hollow shaft H is constructed with the long
journal 21 mounted in the bush or bearing 58 secured to the fixing M. To make
the same air-tight the stuffing box 59 and gland 60 are provided.
"
When emptying surplus liquor it is drawn by a pump up the pipe 30 into the
annular space 61 and through the holes 62 into the cavity or chamber W in the
"dash
wheel centre H, and out through the holes 63 into the annular space 61
and down the pipe 31 to the pump. In this case the apertures E are similar to
those shewn in Figs. 1 and 2; the partition 57 being provided with corresponding
openings.
Other constructions of dash wheels may be employed, such as, cased wheels or
cylinders C, as in Figa. 7 and 8, provided with the buckets X or their equivalents,
to which are connected the pipes 64 for conveying the liquid from the inner
peripheries and buckets to the hollow centre H as the wheel revolves and onto
the material as often as desired, or through the pipes 30 to the chamber W from
whence they can be pumped away as previously stated. The inner casing C¹ is
perforated as shewn to allow the liquid to fall into the bucket chamber Y. The
buckets X are inclined as shewn in Fig. 9 to ensure the liquid running towards
the outlet pipes 30, thereby ensuring the emptying of the surplus liquor when
desired. "Dash" wheels made on this principle revolve in the direction indicated
by the arrow to ensure the buckets collecting the surplus liquor as it finds its way
through the perforations.
In another modification we form the cavity 36 on the inner periphery of the
"dash" wheel as in Figs. 10 and 11, wherein the pipe 30 is placed, being fixed to
the side of the "dash" wheel by the flange 65. The pipe 30 is connected to the
hollow centre H by the pipe 30*. In this case the bleaching liquor or other
solution is admitted as before described into the chamber J in the hollow centre
shaft H, from whence it flows through the pipes 30* and 30 and perforations 17
into the cavity or chamber 36, through the perforations 66 into and amongst the
materials under operation.
">
This arrangement also allows of the liquids or gases being pumped back to the
cisterns or gas-holder from whence they came or elsewhere. When the "dash
wheel is charged with liquid only it can be forced back to the respective tanks
or cisterns by forcing air through the pipes 31, chamber W and orifice W5 in the

page_text: 6
hollow centre shaft H. If desired the gas or gases can be emptied through the
orifice W, chamber W and pipes 31 to the generator or elsewhere.
The perforated pipe 30 is enclosed in the perforated casing 67 to guard or protect
it from the material under operation. The "dash" wheel is provided with the
back-pressure safety valve t by which the amount of pressure can be regulated at
will. To facilitate cleaning the pipe 30 its outer end is provided with the blank
flange 68.
For the purpose of protecting the inside of "dash" wheels from corrosive or
other actions they are lined with sheet copper or other suitable lining materials as
shewn in Figs. 1 and 3.
"
By the application of this invention to the "Thompson" process, quilts and
linen, also other heavy or light fabrics or textiles of whatever description and
other materials can be operated upon and thoroughly bleached. The beating of
the materials or goods under treatment in the "dash wheel ensures uniform
saturation of all the parts, and the amount of wetness by the bleach or other
solutions can be regulated to a point at which the maximum effect is obtained upon
the introduction of the gas, gases, or solutions of gases to the "dash" wheel by
drawing off the excess of liquor by pump or otherwise. After once placing the
goods in the wheel it is unnecessary to remove them until they are thoroughly
bleached thus saving much handling and loss of time.
The goods or material can be treated with weak caustic soda solution, soda,
diluted acids, hot or cold water, and other liquids at any period during which they
are under operation, or by steam alone if required, and washed thoroughly before
removal, which is effected by conducting them to the inlet pipe.
It is obvious that this invention is equally applicable to what is known as the
Lunge" and Cross and Rickman's processes, wherein in the latter the bleaching
agent is composed of Chlorine gas or a solution of Chlorine and Water in conjunction
with Caustic Soda, or Carbonate of Soda.
It will be readily seen that this invention is also applicable for dyeing purposes
the dye-liquor being conveyed in precisely the same manner to the inlet pipe 19
attached to the hollow centre shaft H in any convenient manner, and can be
pumped back or otherwise as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
For bleaching and washing quilts, and other heavy and light textile fabrics,
linen, yarns, rags, wood-pulp, jute-fibre, ramia-rhea or china grass or materials
made therefrom by that part of the "Thompson," "Lunge," and Cross and Rick-
man's or other analogous bleaching processes, and for dyeing the same, by subjecting
them to the action of liquids, steam, or gases, the construction and arrangement of
apparatus consisting of a "dash" wheel, with the swivelling or removable covers
or lids, hollow centre, perforated or otherwise, and its supply and discharge pipes,
substantially as herein described and illustrated by the drawings.
EDMUND CHADWICK, C.E.,
Agent for Applicants.