Patent GB-193202-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to machines for decorticating fibrous materials
IPC: D01B1/14
Filed: 1921-12-19
Abstract: 193,202. Freuler, H. F., and Morrill, C. L. Dec. 19, 1921. Breaking and scutching apparatus.-In a machine for decorticating fibrous materials such as banana-stalks, manila, hemp, &c., the material is first passed through a pulp-stripping device and then, whilst held by crushing-rollers, is acted upon by scraping blades on an endless chain co-operating with a straight spring-supported presser-plate, to remove the outside skin. The material is gripped by a second pair of rollers and, when the tail end is freed by the first pair, it is carried round by the scrapers and the inside skin is removed from it by the scrapers acting in conjunction with a second presser-plate. The second pair of rollers pass the material to a second scraping device comprising a rotary series of knives cooperating with spring-supported concaves, to remove the inside skin from the main portion and then the outside skin from the tail end. A third pair of feed rollers assists in this operation and delivers the treated material from the machine. The pulp-stripping mechanism, which is detachable from the machine, comprises a pair of feed rollers 30, 31, Figs. 1 and 3, spring-controlled guide-plates 47, a stripping knife 65, and rollers 90, 91. The spring guides 47 are pivoted side by side in an adjustable channel iron 41, which also carries a series of splitting knives 60, which cut the stripped pulp and pass it down to rollers 80, 81, which deliver it from the machine down a shoot 108. The stripping knife 65 is carried by a vertically adjustable bracket 69. The rollers 30, 31, the guides 47, the knife 65, and the rollers 80, 81 are carried in a detachable frame which can be secured to and supported by the main frame. The material with the pulp removed is then passed between a series of scraping knives 136, Fig. 1, and a spring-supported presser-plate 170. The knives are mounted in the links 133, Fig. 10, of endless chains 130 passing over sprocket wheels 120, 121, 122, the first of which is adjustably mounted. The knives slide in guides in the links, and are pressed forward by springs 143, Fig. 11, a plate 141 across the end of the link engaging a notch in the knife to limit the forward movement. Engaging lugs 135<1> on the links 133 maintain the scrapers at right-angles to the material. The presser-plates 170, Fig. 1, are mounted, side by side, to slide horizontally on a guide carried by a bracket 5, and are pressed forward by springs 180, 181. A second series of presser-plates 202 is mounted opposite the stretch of the chains 130 between the sprockets 122 and 121, whereby the reverse side of the tail end of the material can be treated when it is freed from the rollers 90, 91 and whilst it is being drawn forward by the rollers 194, 195. The second series of scraper blades 231, Figs. 1 and 20, are carried by a drum 215 mounted eccentrically on a shaft 214. The drum consists of two heads 216, which are connected by slats 219, and are provided with slots 234 engaging lugs on the.blades 231. The blades rest in grooves 230 in an enlarged portion 229 of the shaft 214, and flanges 228 on sleeves 222 on the shaft engage lugs 233 on the blades to maintain them in position. The sleeves 222 have diametrically-opposed dogs engaging lugs on the drum-heads whereby the drum is driven. The knives slide in and out of the guides 234 as the drum rotates. Concave presser-plates 240 co-operate with the drum to remove the inside skin from the main portion of the material. These plates are carried side by side on a bracket 6, and are pressed forward along guide-lugs 243, 244 by springs 247, 248, one of which acts in a direction radial to the drum, and the other in a tangential direction. The material is withdrawn by rollers 263, 264, and when the tail end is released by the rollers 194, 195 it is carried round by the drum, and the outside of the tail end is acted on by the drum co-operating with a second presser-device 274 supported by springs 288. The outermost presser-plates are provided with flanges, and springs are provided to hold the plates one against the other. The various pairs of feeding rollers are all driven at the same speed, and are provided with scrapers to keep them clean. The various parts are driven by chain and spur gearing from the main shaft 300. Lubricating means are provided for the chains 130, the guides for the scraper knives 136, and the drum 215 and its associated parts. The pulp is cleaned from the knives 136 by blades 385, Fig. 1, on an endless chain 384, which are arranged to be pushed along by the knives and to be moved relatively to them. The machine is mounted on runners 7 so that it can be drawn from place to place.