US1789272A - Method of preventing tangling - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 13, 1931. CQWLES 1,789,272

METHOD OF PREVEILITING TANGLING Filed Oct. 14, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE EDWIN COWLES, OF SHORT HILLS, JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T COWLES ENGINEERING CORPORATION, OF SEWAREN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY METHOD OF PREVENTING TANGLING Application filed October 14, 1927i Serial No. 226,094.

This invention relates to methods of agitating liquidsin which are suspended fabrics or other solid bodies or articles which are susceptible of tangling while in suspension.

In my previousPatent No. 1,545,082 issued July 7, 1925, I have described and claimed a method of agitating in which a jet of liquid is introduced into a chamber at relatively high velocity in order to cause the liquid and the fabrics suspended therein to circulate about the chamber, and in order to cause circulation of me liquid about and through all parts of the fabrics held in suspension Such mechanisms as are illustrated in the aforementioned patent may be employed to secure agitation herein, although, as will appear hereinafter, this invention is not limited to the use of such means but is applicablejo suspension circulate about a central point as an axis, a tendency is sometimes observed for the fabrics to roll up into a wad or ball in such manner that eventually the separate pieces become tangled and snarled together. 5 lVhen this condition develops the fabrics do not circulate properly and the waslung action does not proceed as rapidly as would other wise be the ease, for the liquid fails to circulate through the fabrics in the interior of the to wad. i

In order to overcome this difficulty, I propose to cause the liquid to circulate in the container in such manner'that at some place therein an area will be provided in which the liquid is substantially stationary, and in which the liquid on either side of said area iscaused to move in opposite directions along substantially parallel lines.

- \Vhen circulated in this manner it is found that parts of the fabrics project into the stationary area and even across the stationary area into the liquid which is moving in the opposite direction with the result that there is a constant tendency to pull the separate pieces apart instead of to roll them together.

A preferred embodiment of apparatus suitable for accomplishing this result is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a top plan view, with arrows to indicate the approximate path of the liquid.

Figure 2 is a side elevation.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of amodified form, and

Figure 4. is a side elevation of the form shown in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, the tub or container 1 is preferably of elongated rectangular shape for by using such shape I am may be driven by anysuitable source of able to effectively secure the desired results i power, as for example, an electricmotor 2.

The liquid in theitub circulates about the tub in'the general direction indicated by the arrows, thus forming an area 3 in the center of the tub where the liquid is substantially stationary. area the liquid is movingin one direction while on the other side of the said area the liquid is moving in an opposite direction,

On one side of this stationary the result being that whenever the fabrics in suspension move into 0' across the stationary area, the motion of the liquid tends to stretch out the separate pieces of fabric thus separating them and preventing tansuspended in liquid moving in an opposite direction. As a result of the pull in opposite directions the piece will eventually be drawn out to a shape similar to the piece 5. As will be apparent, if two or more pieces are tangled together when inserted in the tub the action just described will eventually separate them and cause them to circulate separately.

'lhis eparating or untangling action is aided also by the'fact that the liquid along the outer sides of the tub is moving more 'a'pidly than the liquid in the interior of the tub. This difference in speed results in a tendency to stretch out ,or pull apart fabrics which may be wadded or tangled, so

that the individual pieces may circulate separately.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a modified form of the. apparatus in which the tub, instead such that a substantially stationary area 'is provided along which the liquid moves in opposite directions.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification this tenth day of October, 1927.

EDWIN CQIVLES.

of being wide and relatively shallow as in Figures 1 and 2. is narrow and deep. In this form the liquid circulates in a vertical plane and astationary area 3 is formed which serves tof assist in untangling the pieces of fabric in the manner previously descrihed.

It will be understood that the invention maybe variously modified and embodied within the scope of the subjoincd claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The method ofpreventing tangling of solids ghilc"suspended in liquid which comprises directingva su-lnnerged jet of liquid in a. rontainer in a direction substantially parallelto the surface of the liquid in such manner as to cause the solids and liquid to circulate in an elongated path such that a substantially stationary area is provided along which the liquid moves in opposite d l reetions.

E2. The, method of preventing tangling of solids while, suspended in liquid which con)- prisescausing the said solids and liquid to circulate Within an elongated container by means of a submerged Jet of liquid directed substantiallyparallel to one side thereof and substantially parallel to the surface of the liquid whereby the liquid and solids on one side of the container have translatory motion With respect to the liquid and solids on the opposite side of the container.

3. The method of preventing, ta'nglin'g of solids while suspended in liquid which com-

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