US1807600A - pearce - Google Patents

Description

E. s. PEARCE 1,807,600

Filed June 16, 1927 l 2 sheets-sheet 1 June 2, 1931.4

APPARATUS FOR IMPHEGNATING FIBRQUS MATERIL WITH LIQUIDS 1 l gz- /NVETO/e A TTORNE Y I June 2, 1931. E. s. PEARCE 1,807,600

APPARATUS FOR IMPREGNATING FIBROUS MATERIAL WITH LIQUIDS Filed June 16, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A www.

A TTORNEY Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN S. PEARCE, F INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA* Application led June 16,

My invention relates to apparatus for impreo'nating fibrous materials with liquids.

he apparatus embodying the invention is particularly adapted for employment in the impregnation of fibrous waste material with oil or other liquid lubricant for use as journal box packing, but it also is of great value and utility 1n the impregnation of fibrous materials of various kinds with liquids. For example, it may be used to great advantage in the impregnation of cotton, wool and silk fibres with liquid dyes in the operation of dyeing the same. Other uses and purposes of the invention will suggest themselves as the description proceeds.

The invention will be described with rela-l tion to its use for effectin the impregnation of fibrous waste with oil or use as a ]ournal box packing, it being understood that the principle of operation enunciated is the same whether the apparatus be employed for that purpose or for other purposes to and for which the invention may be adapted.

The invention is adapted for use in the .25 treatment either of new waste fibrous material, of fibrous material which previously has been used as journal box packin -but which has been cleaned, or a mixture o previously used cleaned fibrous material and new material.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus by the employment of which the fibrous material may be more completely and uniformly impregnated with a liquid, such as oil, than heretofore has been practicable; and to effect such impregnation most economicall It also is an object of t e invention to provide an apparatus of novel construction lncluding means whereby the immersion of the fibrous material within the impregnating liquid, such as oil or other liquid lubricant, liqlillid dyes, or other liquids is effected grad.- ua y and in proportion to the normal release and escape of air from within the body of fibrous mass.

l Another .object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of novel construction comlpris'ing an `impregnating tank orlreceptacle aving a piston which is adapted to operate 1927. Serial No. 199,229.

therein which is provided with novel means for retarding the descending movement of the piston into the said tank or receptacle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an` apparatus comprising a plurality of impregnating means arranged in juxta-relation to each other which are adapted tobe employed alternately to effect impregnation of brous materials whereby the operations are facilitated and economy therein effected.-

The foregoing are some of the objects of the invention but it will be understood that there are many other objects and advantages incident to the invention which will be int. ed out in the detailed description tligreof which follows or will become apparent from such description.

In order that the invention may be easily understood and its practical advantages fully appreciated reference may be had tothe accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated one practical form of embodiment of app-aratus provided with the invention. However, it will be understood that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in other forms of apparatus than that illustrated in the drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in verticalsection of an apparatus embodying the invention and by which the method invented by me may be practised;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in top plan of a portion of the structure shown in igs. 1 and -2 and in which certain details of construction are more clearly shown;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 3 but with certain parts in different poslitionzsa from those in which they are shown 1n 1g.

Fig. 5 isa vertical sectional view showing a fragmentary portion of the structure, said view ieing taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3; an

Fig. 6 is a similar view taken on the line 6-6 of. Fig. 4.

In the drawings I have shown a. couple of impregnation tanks 1 and 2 supported upon lli beams 3, the supports for which are omitted. However, they may be supported in any suitable manner and by any suitable means. I have shown in both tanks 1 and 2 a mass of liquid 4. If the apparatus is being employed for impregnating Waste fibrous material for use as journal box packing then the liquid 4 will consist of a suitable lubricant such as oil or grease. If, however, the apparatus is being employed for other purposes the character or kind of liquid within the tanks or receptacles 1 and 2 will be changed or varied accordingly. For example, if the apparatus is being employed for dyeing yarns or fabrics the liquid 4 would consist of a liquid dye of the desired color. It will be assumed that the liquid 4 within the tanks or receptacles 1 and 2 is oil and that the apparatus is bein' employed for the impregnation of Waste brous material for use as journal box packing. The mass-of fibrous material 5 is shown in the tank 1 above the oil 4 therein.

The oil is adapted to be supplied to the tanks 1 and 2 through valve controlled spigots or nozzles 6 and 7 located above the respective tanks 1 and 2. These nozzles are in communication with a cross pipe 8 to which the oil is supplied through a pipe 9 from a source of supply not shown.

For the purpose of causing or effecting immersion of the fibrous material 5 in the impregnating oil 4 I have provided a piston comprising a reticulated bottom 15 having at its outer peripheral edge an upwardly extending fiange 16 having ancinward extension 17, the presence of which produces a relatively wide upper edge, as is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. A plate 18 is secured to the upper edge of the fiange 16 by means of a series of screw bolts 2() annularly arranged. For the purpose of rendering the joint between the plate 18 and the upper ed e of the flange 16 air-tight a packing or was er ring 21 of suitable material is provided the outer edge portion of which is bent and extended upwardly as indicated at 22 and bears against the adjoining opposing side of the tank in which the piston may be located as shown in the drawings. Screw bolts 2O are provided with nuts 23 by means of which the plate 18 is clamped against the packing or washer ring 21. Clips 25 are mounted upon the upper ends of the screw bolts 20, bein held thereon by means of nuts 26 and 27. he said clips 25 are in parallel spaced relation to the plate 18 and project outwardly from the screw bolts 20. An expansible annular member 34 is mounted within the space between the clips 25 and the opposingI edge portion of the plate 18. The said member 30 extends around and incloses the annular series of screw bolts 20. Its opposite ends normally occupy positions in contiguous relation to each other as shown at 31 in Fig'. 3 of the drawings. The said member 30 is provided near or in adjoining relation to its opposite ends with opposing shoulders 32 and 33 between which is located a rotatable cam block 34 which is mounted upon and rigidly connected with a vertical rod 35 rotatably secured in the top plate 18. The upper end of the rod 35 is bent laterally as indicated at 36 to form a' handle by means of which rotation of the' said rod 35 and of the cam block 34 may be effected. The cam block 34 is of rectangular shape, as shown in Fig. 3 of the' drawings, so that when it occupies a position with its major axis extending radially of the expansible member 30 the ends of the latter are permitted to occupy positions contiguous to each other, as shown in the said Fig. When it is desired to effect movement of the ends of the member 30 away from each other to the positions shown in Fig. 4 the cam block 34 may be turned into a position at right angles to that in which it is shown in Fig. 3. The opposite ends of the said block contact with and act against the shoulders 32 and 33 to effect movement of the ends of the said member away from each other thereb effecting a separating action thereof to etlect expansion of the said melnber and compress and slightly flatten the tubular endless hose member 40 into oblong shape in cross. section as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

The expansible member 30 is provided upon its lower edge with an outwardly extending lange 41 upon which the endless hose member 40` rests. The said member 4() is retained in placeby the clips 25 to which previous reference has been made. The outer side of the compressible hose 4() is located in contact with the outer up-turned edge 22 of the packing or washer ring 21 previously referred to and when the member 30 is expanded as shown in Fi 4 of the drawings the hose 40 is compresse and exerts considerable pressure against the upwardly extending portion 22 of the packing ring 2l to hold it rmly and with considerable force against the opposing side of the tank 1 or 2 within which the piston may be located.

The cover plate 18 constituting a part of the piston structure is provided at its center with an upwardly extending hollow projection 50 provided upon its upper end with a hook or eye 51 which is connected to the lower end of a chain 5,2 supported upon a pulley 53 which in turn is suspended from and supported upon a carriage 54 which is adapted to travel back and forth upon the beam 55 supported at its opposite ends upon uprights or standards 56 which rise from the beams 3, as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. It will be apparent that when it is desired to shift the piston from' one to the other of the tanks 1 vand 2 such shifting may be effected by operating the chain 52. to elevate the piston into position above the tolps of the said tanks or receptacles after W ich the carriage 54 may be caused to travel along the bar 55 into proper position over the other of the tanks;

For the purpose of removing air and other gases from the tanks l and 2 I have provided exhausting means comprising pipes and 6l which project from the centers of the bottoms of the tanks 1 and 2 upwardly therein. Each of the said pipes 60 and 61 is in alinement with the opening in the projection 50 when the piston is in position within the tank within which said pipe may be located and they are also in alinement with an opening 62 in the reticulated bottom 15 of the piston. It may be noted here that the bottom 15 is strengthened against distortion due to pressure or other causes by means of a plate 63 seated against the upper side of the central portion thereof. Braces 64 extend between said plateand the outer portion of the piston structure as shown. The plate 63 is provided with a central opening 65 in registry with the opening 62 in the bottom 15 of the piston structure. The pipes 60 and 61 are in communication at their lower ends with ends of branch pipes 67 and 68 the opposit-e ends of which are connected with the opposite ends of a short pipe 70 to the center of which a pipe 71 is connected the outer end of which is in communication with a vacuum pump, a portion of which is shown at 72 in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Valves are provided at 73 and 74 in the pipe 70 on opposite sides of the point of connection of the pipe 71 thereto so that when the impregnation process is being carried out in one of the tanks 1 or 2 the ipe leading to the other tank may be closed. l' In other words, in the operation of the apparatus as illustrated the valves at 73 and l74 would be alternately opened and closed.

' Valves are provided at 75 which areadapted to be opened and closed to control communication between the interior of a tank and the atmosphere when a piston is in place in the said tank. For instance, after the completion of an`impregnation operation and it is desired to remove or withdraw the piston from a tank, it is desirable not only that the valves at 75 be opened but also that the cam block 34 be turned into the position as shown in Fig. 3 in order that the pressure of the upwardly extending portion 22 of the packing' ring 21 against the adjoining opposing side of the tank be -reduced as much as may be possible. Such reduction in pressure will permit the ready removal of the piston from a tank to permit its transfer into operative relation to the adjoining tank.

A gage, as indicated at 80, is provided in order that the amount of air or other gas pressure within the tank in which the impregnation process is being carried out may be ascertained. Such pressure in the operation of the apparatus in the carryin out of the process would be less than atmosperic pressure.

It will be noted that the nozzles or spigots 6 and 7 are located in positions abovethe respective tanks 1 and 2 so that the oil '(or other liquid) may be readily discharged thereinto as ma be desired.

In the operatlon of the apparatus a quan tity of oil or other liquid lubricant necessary for the requisite or required extent of impregnation of a given quantity of waste fibrous material which is to be impregnated thereby is placed in a tank or receptacle, for example, the tank or receptacle 1 of the drawings. The fibrous material is then placed in the tank on top of the oil as shown in Fig. 1. Thereafter the piston is moved into position over the said tank and lowered thereinto. The valves vat 75 may be retained in open position until the reticulated bottom 15 of the piston contacts'with the fibrous material 5 superposed upon the liquid 4 in the tank or rece tacle, whereupon they should be closed. evacuating the air and other gases', 1f any be present, from the tank or receptacle, through the pipe 60 by the operation of the vacuum pump 72 is thene begun.

It will be understood that the cam block 34 has in the meantime been turned into the position shown in Fig. 4 whereby the hose or other equivalent member 40 is pressed against the upwardly extending portion 22 o the packing ring or washer 21, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Upon withdrawal of the air and other gases from the tank so that the pressure thereof in the said tank is less than atmospheric the tendency. of the piston is to descend, but such tendency is opposed by the retarding action of the frict1on between the upwardly extending portion 22 and the side of the ltank 1 against which it contacts. Furthermore, the air and other gases first removed from the tank may be regarded as free air or gas and may be replaced or partially replaced by air and gas (if any be present) released not only from the waste material 5 but also from the oil 4. However, as the evacuation process continues the piston descends. The rate at which the air and other gases are withdrawn or evacuated from the tank should be such as to cause the piston to descend at a rate pro-V portional to the normal release and escape of air and other gases from the fibrous material 5. The ideal condition in operation would be that in which as the waste material descends in the oil all of the air and gas in said material is displaced so that only that portion of the material above 'the level of the oil would contain any air or gas. If the batch of fibrous material were caused to descend too rapidly through the oil it mightv e operation of removing or' present therein bubbles or globules of air which thereafter might not be released at all or the release and escape thereof might take place very slowly, thereby necessitating a longer period for the treatment of a given quantity of material.

It may be noted that the pressure of the part 22 against the wall of the tank 1 increases as the pressure of the air and other gases within the said tank decreases. In other words, as the difference between the pressure of the air and gas in the tank 1 and external atmospheric pressure increases the pressure exerted by the portion 22 against the inner surface of the wall of the tank 1 increases.

By causing the immersion of the waste material in the oil (or other impregnation li uid) at a rate proportional to the normal re ease and escape of the bubbles or globules of air (or other gas if any be present) from the mass of waste material, a more complete removal of the air and other gas from the said mass is brought about and a more complete impregnation thereof with the oil or other liquid 1s effected. It is important to avoid the entrapment and entraining of bubbles or globules of air within the mass of waste material as it descends into the impregnating liquid, such as oil.

Durlng the period that a body r mass of material is being impregnated in one tank the other tank can be supplied with the requisite uantity of oil (or other li uid) and waste brous or other material. pon completion of the impregnation in one tank the valves thereof at 75 are opened and thereupon the chain 52 is operated to remove the lston from said tank, whereupon it may e transferred into position over the other tank and permitted to descend thereinto and the operation therein carried out as in the previous or first named tank. The o erations in the tanks are or may be carrie out alternately in the manner as hereinbefore indicated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, the comblnation of a receptacle adapted to receive a liquid and fibrous material to be impregnated by the said liquid, a piston which is adapted to operate in the said receptacle, which piston is provided at its outer upper edge with an upwardly extending flexible fiange-like portion, means for exerting lateral outward pressure against the said upwardly extending portion to increase the friction of the same against the inner surface of the side wall of said receptacle, means for releasing said pressure, and means for effccting evacuation of air from said receptac e.

2. In apparatus of the character described,

the combination of a receptacle within which fibrousmaterial is adapted to be impregnated with a liquid, a piston for said receptacle, which piston isprovided at its outer edge with an upwardly extending flexible portion which contacts with the inner surface of the side wall of the said receptacle, a flexible member supported upon said piston inwardly of and in contiguous relation to the said upwardly extendlng portion, and means also carried by said piston and adapted to exert outward pressure against the said flexible member to force the same against the said upwardly extending portion.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the combmation of a receptacle within which a fibrous mass is adapted to be impregnated with a liquid, a piston for the said receptacle, which piston is provided at its peripheral edge lwith an upwardly extending flexible portion which .contacts with the inner surface of the Wall of the said receptacle, a flexible hose supported in contiguous relation to the inner surface of the said portion, and expansible means mounted upon the said piston and adapted to effect pressure against the said flexible hose to force it against the said upwardly extending portion.

4. Apparatus for impregnating fibrous material with a liquid comprising a receptacle having an open top into which the fibrous material is adapted to be placed for impregnation, a piston, means adapted to effect movement of the said piston into and from position in the open top of said receptacle and to release the same to permit downward movement thereof in said receptacle under the influence thereon of gravity and external atmospheric pressure, and means for retarding the downward movement of the said piston in the said receptacle.

5. Apparatus for impregnating fibrous material with a liquid comprisingla rece tacle having an open top through whic the fibrous material may be inserted, means for delivering liquid into the said receptacle for the impregnation of said fibrous material, a piston, and means for moving said piston into and from position in the open top of said receptacle and for releasing the same therein, the said piston being adapted to move downwardly in said receptacle under the infiuence of gravity and external atmospheric pressure.

6. Apparatus for impregnating fibrous material with a liquid comprising a receptacle having an open top through which the fibrous materlal to be impregnated is inserted, means for delivering liquid to the said receptacle for the impregnation of said fibrous material, a piston, means adapted to move said piston into and from the open top of said receptacle and to release the same therein to permit downward movement thereof in the said receptacle under the influence of gravity and external atmospheric pressure, and means for l withdrawing air from the said receptacle to facilitate downward movement of sald piston t and the impregnation of the brous material with the liquid.

7. Apparatus for impregnating fibrous material wlth a liquid comprising a receptacle having an opening through which the fibrous material to be impregnated may be inserted into the said'receptacle, means for ,delivering a liquid into the said receptacle for impregnating the said brous material, a piston, means adapted' to move the said' piston into and from the opening in said receptacle and for releasing the same therein to permit downward movement thereof in sa1d receptacle under the influence of gravity and external atmospheric pressure, means for withdrawing gases from the said receptacle, and means for retarding the downward movementv of said piston in the said receptacle.

8. .Apparatus for 'impregnating fibrous material with a liquid comprising a receptacle having an open top through which the fibrous material may be inserted, means for delivering liquid into the said receptacle for the impregnation of said fibrous material, a piston, means for moving said piston into and from position in the open top of said receptacle and for releasing the same therein, the said piston being adapted to move downwardly in said receptacle under the iniiuence of gravity and external atmospheric pressure, and means for retarding the downward movement of said piston. v

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto signed my name this 11th day of June, 1927.

EDWIN S. PEARCE.

Images