GB465180A - An improved method of and means for softening, scutching and separating vegetable and other fibres - Google Patents

Abstract

465,180. Softening and scutching fibres. GRATZE, E. V. HAYES-. Nov. 6, 1935, No. 30662. [Class 120 (i)] A machine for softening, scutching and separating vegetable and other fibres, comprises one or more drums adapted to be rotatably driven in a fixed frame, a plurality of longitudinal rods or their equivalent, carried on the periphery of each drum, each rod or its equivalent having grooves or tooth so arranged or oscillated as to cause fibres fed under tension over a single drum or between one or more pairs of drums to be corrugated transversely and simultaneously given a lateral rubbing motion. A pair of adjustably intermeshing drums or rollers 2, 3 are mounted in a frame 1, each drum comprising peripherally arranged longitudinal rods 4 carried between a pair of end frames or spiders 5 fixed on axles 6, 7 geared together by wheels 8, 9 and adapted to be rotated by a pulley 10. The fibres 11 are corrugated transversely as they pass between the drums, and to give them a lateral rubbing or oscillatory motion, the rods have screw-threads 4a on their surfaces.. those of one roller being of opposite pitch to those of the other. Each rod 4 may be free to revolve on its own axis and may be of rectangular, grooved, fluted or other cross-section. The rods on one drum may reciprocate in the direction of their length with respect to those of the other drum. In place of rods, a drum may have a plurality of spaced parallel serrated combs 12, Figs. 3, 5, between which are other combs 13 carried by an interior drum 14. The combs 13 may be reciprocated with respect to the others. The combs 13 may withdraw between the combs 12 at any convenient portion of the drum's rotation. This facilitates cleaning. When a single drum is being employed the central comb provides the lateral oscillating motion, while the weight of the fibres themselves causes the corrugating action. The fibres are fed by rollers 16, 17 geared together and rotated from a pinion 18 meshing with a toothed quadrant 19 pivoted at 20 and operated by a hand lever 21. In an alternative feeding arrangement, Fig. 7, the ends of the fibre are gripped in a clamp 22 fixed on a belt 23 passing over pulleys 24. One end of the belt is fixed to a hand lever 21a and the other to a weight 25 or a spring unless the belt be endless as shown in dotted lines. The fibres may be fed automatically, one side of the drums being reduced or tapered for this purpose and the rods or their equivalent being arranged to feed the fibres laterally during their passage through the drums until they reach a reduced portion on the other side, whereupon they may be automatically reversed and their untreated ends reintroduced between the drums. Guards or casings 26, 27 may be provided, the guard 27 forming a casing for a suction fan 28 to draw off dust and waste matter. Guides 29 support the fibres on entry and emergence. A pair of rotating brushes 30, Fig. 7, may act on the fibres emerging from the drums to brush and clean them. According to the Provisional Specification, the rods may be mounted on pairs of endless belts or chains carried on rollers.