Fibre and particulate processing

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for processing of fibres and particulates such as wool, wherein material is placed within a receptacle configured to allow the ingress and egress of treatment fluid, conveyed to a treatment fluid application area, treated with a treatment fluid, and conveyed from the treatment fluid application area.

1 . A method of material treatment, including the steps of:
 a) placing the material within a receptacle configured to allow the ingress and egress of treatment fluid;   b) conveying the receptacle to a treatment fluid application area;   c) treating the material with a treatment fluid; and   d) conveying the receptacle from the treatment fluid application area.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein treating the material with the treatment fluid includes the step of lowering the receptacle into at least one container containing the treatment fluid. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , including the further step of agitating the material by compressing and releasing the material with a plunger. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , including the further step of raising the receptacle above the container containing the treatment fluid and expressing treatment fluid from the material by compressing and releasing the material with the plunger. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein treating the material includes conveying the receptacle to a container containing fresh treatment fluid. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in any one of  claim 1  to  5 , including expressing treatment fluid from the material by positioning the receptacle against a drain plate and compressing the material with a high pressure plunger. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  6 , including drying the material by conveying the receptacle to a drying area and exposing the material to hot air. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the receptacle is an open topped container with at least one mesh side. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the material to be treated is wool. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the treatment fluid is a lye solution. 
     
     
         11 . A material treatment apparatus, including:
 a receptacle configured to contain material to be treated, and allow the ingress and egress of treatment fluid; and   a conveyor configured to   a) convey the receptacle to a treatment fluid application area, and   b) hold the receptacle in position while the material is treated by a treatment fluid, and   c) convey the receptacle from the treatment fluid application area.   
     
     
         12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the conveyor includes a lifting cradle configured to adjust elevation of the receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the treatment fluid application area includes a container containing the treatment fluid, and the lifting cradle is configured to lower the receptacle into the container. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the apparatus includes a plunger configured to extend into the receptacle. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the plunger is configured to agitate the material by compressing and releasing the material. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as claimed in either  claim 14  or  claim 15 , wherein the lifting cradle is configured to raise the receptacle above the container containing the treatment fluid, and the plunger is configured to express treatment fluid from the material by compressing and releasing the material. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 11  to  16 , wherein the treatment fluid application area includes a plurality of containers, and the conveyor is configured to convey the receptacle between the containers. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 11  to  17 , wherein the receptacle is an open topped container with at least one mesh side. 
     
     
         19 . A method of material treatment substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the drawings and accompanying description. 
     
     
         20 . A material treatment apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the drawings and accompanying description.