Fig. 34 shows a washing machine very largely used in the wool-dyeing trade. The principal portion of this machine is of wood.
The internal parts consist of a large wooden bowl, or oftener, as in the machine under notice, of a pair of wooden bowls which are pressed together by springs with some small degree of force. Between these bowls the cloth is placed, more or less loosely twisted up in a rope form, and the machines are made to take four, six or eight pieces, or lengths of pieces, at one time, the ends of the pieces being stitched together. A pipe running along the front of the machine conveys a constant current of clean water which is caused to impinge in the form of jets on the pieces of cloth as they run through the machine, while an overflow carries away the used water. The goods are run in this machine until they are considered to be sufficiently washed, which may take half to one and a half hours.
In Fig. 35 is shown a machine designed to wash pieces in the broad or open state. The machine contains a large number of guide rollers, built more or less open, round which
the pieces are guided—the ends of the pieces being stitched together. Pipes carrying water are so arranged that jets of clean water impinge on and thoroughly wash the cloth as it passes through—the construction of the guide rollers facilitating the efficient washing of the goods.
FIG. 35.—Cloth-washing Machine.
Soaping.—- Sometimes yarns or cloths have to be passed through a soap bath after being dyed in order to brighten up the colours or develop them in some way. In the case of yarns this can be done on the reel washing machine such as is shown in Fig. 32. In the case of piece goods, a continuous machine, in which the washing, soaping, etc., can be carried on simultaneously, is often employed. Such a machine is shown in Fig. 36. It consists of a number of compartments fitted with guide rollers so that the cloth passes up and down several times through the liquors in the
compartments. Between one compartment and another is placed a pair of squeezing rollers. The cloth is threaded in a continuous manner, well shown in the drawing, through the machine. In one compartment it is treated with water, in another soap liquor, in another water, and so on; and these machines may be made with two, three or more compartments as may be necessary for the particular work in hand. As seen in the drawing, the cloth passes in at one end and out at the other finished. It is usually arranged that a continuous current of the various liquors used flows through the various compartments, thus ensuring the most perfect treatment of the cloths.
FIG. 36.—Washing and Soaping Vats.