US2810625A

US2810625A - Method of fibre scouring and washing

Info

Publication number: US2810625A
Application number: US418722A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Edward H Brooks
Original assignee: ELTON H THOMPSON
Current assignee: ELTON H THOMPSON
Priority date: 1948-06-01
Filing date: 1954-03-25
Publication date: 1957-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1974-10-22

Description

Oct. 22, 1957 E. H. BROOKS, JR

METHOD OF FIBRE SCOURING AND WASHING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 1, 1948 5 m kE 0W m w B M H by .2 w M d Oct. 22, 1957 E. H. BROOKS, JR 2,810,625

METHOD OF FIBRE scoummc AND WASHING Original Filed June 1, 1948 2 Sheets$heet 2 Edward H. Brdo/rgdr.

INVENTOR.

BY EM nited States PatentOfiiice ,7 2,810,625 Patented Oct. 22, 1957 METHOD OF FIBRE SCOURING AND WASHING Edward H. Brooks, Jr., Portland, Maine, assignor of onehalf to Elton H. Thompson, Portland, Maine Original application June 1, 1948, Serial No. 30,315, now Patent No. 2,683,365, dated July 13, 1954. Divided and this appiication March 25, 1954, Serial No. 418,722

4 Claims. (Cl. 8156) This invention relates to novel and useful improvements and methods of fibre scouring and washing and more specifically is a division of patent application Serial No. 30,315, filed June 1, 1948, now Patent No. 2,683,365.

The primary object of this invention is to convey fibre Within an improved tank, convey the fibre over the top of a substantially flat top baffle plate or platform positioned in the tank, and the underportion or surface of said platform being concave, creating an air chamber and to circulate liquid within the tank continually above and below the battle plate or platform.

Another object of this invention is to supply a plurality of hoppers at the lower portion of said tank or container and pivotally mount a plurality of bafile plates on the hoppers whereby the clearances or distance between the upper end of the baffie plates and the lower surface of the platform may be selectively regulated in order to control the fluid flow characteristics within the tank.

A further object of this invention is to regulate the flow of fiuid within the tank and accelerate the settling of refuse within the hoppers.

A still further object of this invention is to maintain a predetermined fluid level within the container and to relieve the accumulated refuse from the upper portions of the hoppers.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide, openings in the container or tank wherever it is desirable and to attach a manifold to the openings whereby liquid may be withdrawn and if advisable, clarified or wasted.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method for treating stock which includes introducing fibre stock into the upper portion of the liquid cleansing agent container and on the upper surface thereof, conveying the liquid and the major portion of the stock in order that the major portion of the stock may be removed from the upper surface of the liquid and then conveying the minor portion of the stock beneath the surface of a platform which defines a submerged air zone, withdrawing buoyant waste material from this zone and adjacent this zone and then conveying the minor portion of the stock to the surface of the liquid to again be processed.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the preferred form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan sectional view of the invention taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the tank showing the 'bafile therein and the valve in one wall of the tank;

Figure 4 is a detailed section showing one of the liquid level control valves;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along section line 5-5 of Figure 1 showing the construction of the liquid level control valve; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the manifold associated with the outlets in the tank.

Various methods and means for treating fibre, such as scouring, cleaning and the like are well known in the art. Therefore, it is one of the primary purposes of the invention to supply an improved tank with various appurtenances contiguous to the tank for rendering the treating process economical and satisfactory. The apparatus utilized in carrying out the method of the present invention is fully disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 30,315, filed June 1, 1948.

In the treatment of fibre of various types it is necessary if not most desirable, to utilize the usual liquid cleansing material at a temperature ranging from 70 F. to F. depending on the type of material being treated. Accordingly, it is one of the purposes of the present invention to render the treating operation of fibre more economical by means of maintaining some of the heat of the liquid within that liquid through the utility of a closure 8 shown in Figure 3. This closure rests on and may be secured to the tank or cleansing liquid container 10, covering the rollers '7 and 9 which are suitably mounted in juxtaposition relative to the tank. These rollers are identical to those shown and disclosed in Patent No. 2,5 33,218, issued December 12, 1950.

A pick up roller and other mechanism (not shown) is supplied at the outlet portion of the tank or container 10 and is generally indicated at 5. This functions to pick up and discharge fibre from the top surface of the liquid within the container or tank.

The tank which is generally indicated at 10 is used to maintain a fluid therein of any type, such as water, water mixed with a cleanser or the like. Said tank 10 has side walls 12 and 14 respectively with ends or

end walls

16 and 18 connected therewith. The lower portion of the tank 10 is formed of a plurality of successive hoppers indicated at 20 which extend the entire width of the tank. If it is found desirable the said hoppers may taper to a substantially circular or rectangular opening of a Width smaller than that of the tank. This of course is a matter of choice.

A plurality of such hoppers are supplied and at one end of the tank It) there is an enlarged hopper 22. It is within the enlarged hopper that the pick up unit described in certain of the prior art patents, is applied at the top portion thereof.

Identical level stacks or

valve cages

26 and 28 respectively are provided in the

end walls

16 and 18. These valve cages communicate with the interior of the tank and a small tongue 30 extends angularly toward the interior of the tank partially covering screen openings 32 and 34, respectively. Stationary valveplates 36 and 38, respectively, are attached to the floor or bottom of the

cages

26 and 28 for cooperation with movable valve plates 40 and 42. The movable valve plates 40 and 42 have screws 44 and 46 secured thereto by any suitable conventional swivel connection and threaded portions or shanks of the screws are received in threaded apertures in the cages 26 and 23. This construction renders the valve plates 40 and 42 adjustable relative to the stationary plates.

Through the utility of the above described valve means a predetermined level of fluid may be maintained in the tank. Of course, outlets 43 and 50 are provided in the respective cages for overflowing purposes and angularly extending plates 31 may be positioned over the openings 48 and 50, as seen best in Figure 1.

A substantially fiat top baffle plate or platform 52 extends longitudinally within the tank and has planar upper and lower surfaces substantially normal to the sides 12 and 14 thereof and is sealed to the sides 12 and 14. Any suitable means may be used for attachment for this platform 52 to the sides of the fluid container. It is within the purview of the present invention to adjustably mount the battle 52 within the tank so that it may be selectively positioned relative to the vertical height of said fluid container or tank 10. Conventional means may be used in this connection.

The platform or baffle 52 has angularly

inclined extensions

54 and 56 extending therefrom which project toward the-said hoppers and the said

extension

54 and 56 which are sealed to the sides 12 and 14 thereof, to form a concave section in the upper portion of the bottom of the platform 52. This concave section defines an air zone or chamber which is submerged within the liquid cleanser in the container 10. The upper surface of the liquid in the container is a distance above the upper surface of the baffle or platform 52. Further, the air zone or chamber is beneath the battle or platform 52.

As is seen in Figure 1, the hoppers and 22 actually form the bottom portion of the tank 10 and the walls defining the hoppers have apexes on which a baffle plate 62 is pivotally mounted through a conventional pivot pin. A similar construction is provided at each apex forming a bank of battle plates 62. Each baffle plate 62 (see Figure 3) has opposed

perches

64 and 65 thereon with suitable pins or stub shafts 66 extending therethrough. Attached to each of the

perches

64 and 65 is a pitman rod or link 68 which connects to the next adjacent baffle plate thereby forming a continuous linkage. Thus, by revolving a crank 72 which is attached to one of the hinged pins 76 (mounting the battle 62) the entire bank of baffle plates 62 may be selectively regulated. The said shaft or hinge pin 76 may be any one of the hinge pins which attach the baflle plates to the apexes of the hopper walls. However, the shaft chosen must be attached firmly to the pertinent bafile plate 62 in order that the rotating movement of the crank 72 may be transmitted to pivotal movement of the baffle plate 62 associated therewith. It is necessary that the bafile plate 62 shall wipe the walls 12 and 14 in order to provide an eifective seal. Thus, sealing members which are preferably resilient are attached to close marginal edges of each baffle plate 62. The sealing member may be in the form of resilient shoes 79 and may attach in any suitable conventional manner.

By pivotal actuation of the bank or batfle plate 62 the distance between the upper portion of the baffle plate 62 and the lower surface of the platform 52 may be selectively regulated. Thus, fluid flowing in the zone between the undersurface of the platform 52 and the upperend portions of the bank or baflle plate 62 may be regulated as to velocity and volume by increasing and decreasing the above-mentioned distance.

A plurality of elongated openings 78 are supplied in the wall 14 and a screen or other foraminous member 80 may be attached over these openings. It is seen by inspection of Figure 1 that the said openings 78 are positioned beneath said baffle 52 but above the upper ends of the baflie plate 62. This construction is supplied to drain a portion of the fluid within the tank 10 and to take the portion of fluid for removal from the vicinity of the fluid upper level but not at the upper level thereby creating and retaining the air zone below the baflle 52 due to the general concavity thereof. The more buoyant waste products rise in and adjacent the air chamber or zone defined by the platform 52 and it is this portion of fluid which should be drained in order that this particular type of refuse may be removed. With respect to the products carried by the sub-surface of fluid (submerged beneath the main upper surface of the liquid) they may be reclaimed and processed further. For example, in using wool, wax and certain types of oils are obtained as by-products.

A plurality of spaced plates 77 are defined by the spaced elongated opening 78 and the heads 84 (Figure 6) are fitted inthe elongated openings between the spaced plates.

These heads form a portion of a manifold system for conducting fluid to a drain, sump or to a reclaiming apparatus, as desired. Branch conduits 86 connect the heads 84 with the main manifold pipe 88 and valve generally indicated at 90 are supplied in the branch conduits. A manually operative-type valve is shown. However, it is apparent that all of the valves may be regulated by hydraulic, electrical or other means in order that each may be opened the same amount simultaneously. It will be noted at this point that the crank 72 may be removed in favor of an electrical or hydraulic type of actuation mechanism in order to control the bank of baffles, each of which is designated at 62.

Each of the

hoppers

20 and 22 are supplied with valves at the egress portion thereof in order to relieve accumulated waste material. The valve construction may be conventional if it is found desirable and it is preferable that a slider type valve be supplied since this type has been found economical and eflicient. It is essential that these valves 92 may be actuated rapidly in order that the refuse be discharged quickly. Of course, suitable grooves may be supplied in the lower portion of each hopper in order to accommodate the slider valves 92.

The operation of the present invention is as follows: Fibre stock of any description, depending on the desire of the user of the invention, is introduced by any suitable means, such as through the conduit or duct at one end of the tank or fluid container. The fibre is conveyed along with the upper portion of the liquid across the top of the tank by surface contact of the rotating rollers 7 and 9, mentioned above. Spacer plates 97 are attached to the sides 12 and 14 of the tank 10 in order to keep the revolving members independent of each other in operation. These plates 97 serve as splash guards and the upper surface of the liquid and the fibre is conveyed in this manner.

Due to the buoyancy of the fibre it floats on the upper surface of the liquid within the container and is constantly urged above the platform 52. The pick up roller or mechanism generally indicated at 5 removes the major portion of the fibre for further treatment. This further treatment may be the introduction into a second identical mechanism including a tank and all pertinent parts for further cleansing operations, if it is found desirable. The minor portion of the fibre due to the action of the drain manifold as well as the density of the fibre stock settles with refuse slightly below the upper surface in the container. There are two types of refuse which i are present in the majority of fibre cleansing treatment operations. The first type has a density greater than one and falls to some of the various hoppers described above to be removed through the actuation of the slider valve 92. The second type of refuse has a density slightly less than one and is carried along with the circuitous travel of liquid to the air zone or chamber beneath the platform 52. The action of the rollers 7 and 9 constantly maintains the circuitous flow of fluid in the tank, extending both above and below the platform 52. The refuse which has a density slightly below one is positioned adjacent the space from the under surface of the platform 52. to be drained or withdrawn through the medium of the valve manifold construction herein described.

It is intended that all of the fibre be conducted from the tank in the initial pick up operation. However, there is always a small or minor amount which is carried with the flow of fluid adjacent the undersurface of the platform 52. This minor amount must be reclaimed or recirculated in order that practical efficiency in the operation of the invention be realized. Thus, it travels with the fluid and lighter refuse beneath the baffle or platform 52 to be again introduced as a portion of the upper surface material due to the flow of fluid within the tank, created by the revolving members 7 and 9.

By regulation of the bank or baffle plates, each of which isindicated at'62, the volumetric flow beneath the platform 52 and the upper surfaces of edges of the bathe plate 62 is regulated. Thus, by changing the area inlet of the travelling or circulating liquid between the initial baflle 62 and the bend 54 the Volume of fluid per unit time may be regulated. Thus, the speed is selectively regulated. Different types of material require difierent settings of the bank or bafile 62 and this bank or baflie must be regulated in order to utilize maximum eificiency in the invention.

Since the fibre is transferred or conveyed across the top portion of the liquid within the container entirely by means of the rollers there is no occasion to objectionably twist or distort the individual fibres thus fouling the stock. Pilling is materially reduced and for all practical purposes is obviated by such treatment of the fibre.

In this single cycle of operation it is noted that there are two surfaces of liquid in the tank 10. The main or upper surface first carries all of the stock and the major portion thereof is picked up. The second surface is beneath the platform 52 and carries only a small 'but important portion of the stock which is reintroduced for recirculation to the upper liquid level or surface.

The operation of the device is extremely rapid in comparison to conventional cleansing operation of fibre. Therefore, it has been found by experimentation that efiiciency is materially enhanced by introducing presoaked fibre at the ingress portion of the tank. In prewetting or soaking the fibre it is essential to the final product that agitation of the fibre is maintained at a minimum. The natural contour and curvature as well as the condition of each strand of fibre is maintained as unefiected as possible. Thus, the wetted or soaked fibre is conveyed and treated as described above.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 'be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. The process of treating fibre stock having waste material comprising the steps of introducing the stock to Cir the surface of a liquid, circulating the surface liquid and the fibre stock to a position in remote relation to the point of introduction, removing a major portion of the fibre thereby leaving a minor portion of the fibre stock mixed with the surface liquid, circulating the surface liquid and minor portion of the fibre and buoyant waste material in circuitous path, the circuitous movement introducing the minor portion of the fibre and buoyant waste products into an air zone beneath the surface of the liquid thereby disposing the buoyant waste material on the surface of the air zone, and returning the minor portion of the fibre to the surface of the liquid adjacent the point of introduction for recirculation thereby completing the circuitous path.

2. The process of claim 1 including the step of removing a portion of the surface liquid and the buoyant waste products from the surface of the air zone.

3. In the cleaning of waste bearing fibre stock, the process comprising the steps of introducing buoyant fibre stock to the generally horizontal upper surface of a confined cleaning liquid, conveying the surface liquid in a circuitous path, conveying the fibre stock with the surface liquid along the surface of the liquid to a point in remote relation to the point of introduction of the fibre stock, removing a major portion of the fibre stock from the upper surface of the liquid at the remote point thereby leaving a minor portion of the fibre stock and Waste products, the circuitous path of the surface liquid conveying the minor portion of the fibre stock and waste products beneath the upper surface of the liquid, introducing the submersed minor portion of the fibre stock and waste material into an air zone disposed beneath the upper surface of the liquid, and withdrawing the buoyant waste material from the air zone, the surface liquid conveying the minor portion of the fibre stock to the upper surface of the liquid :at a point adjacent the point of introduction of the fibre stock for recirculation with the surface liquid.

. 4. The process of claim 3 wherein said process includes the controlling of the rate of flow of the surface liquid in the circuitous path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims

3. IN THE CLEANING OF WASTE BEARING FIBRE STOCK, THE PROCESS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF INTRODUCING BUOYANT FIBRE STOCK TO THE GENERALLY HORIZONTAL UPPER SURFACE OF A CONFINED CLEANING LIQUID, CONVEYING THE SURFACE LIQUID IN A CIRCUITOUS PATH, CONVEYING THE FIBRE STOCK WITH THE SURFACE LIQUID ALONG THE SURFACE OF THE LIQUID TO A POINT IN REMOTE RELATION TO THE POINT OF INTRODUCTION OF THE FIBRE STOCK, REMOVING A MAJOR PORTION OF THE FIBRE STOCK FROM THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE LIQUID AT THE REMOTE POINT THEREBY LEAVING A MINOR PORTION OF THE FIBRE STOCK AND WASTE PRODUCTS, THE CIRCUITOUS PATH OF THE SURFACE LIQUID CONVEYING THE MINOR PORTION OF THE FIBRE STOCK AND WASTE