Patent GB-327972-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to flax breaking and dressing machines
IPC: D01B1/34
Filed: 1929-01-14
Abstract: 327,972. Grigg, N. C. Jan. 14, 1929. Breaking and scutching apparatus; holders for flax &c.-In the treatment of flax &c. the material is fed mechanically towards and away from a series of decorticating, retting, drying and scutching devices so that it is acted upon by each in turn and so that the position of the flax on the feeding means can be varied automatically whilst it is in motion, to enable both ends to be treated, and the finished material to be delivered continuously. The machine comprises a series of pairs of fluted crushing rollers 3, Fig. 1; tanks 45 containing retting liquid, into which the flax &c. is dipped by rollers 50, which rollers also operate to squeeze the material as it is withdrawn; a series of heated drying rollers 55; and a series of combs 48 disposed beneath the drying rollers, and, if desired, the crushing rollers. The material in the form of stricks or sheaves 29 is secured in holders 30 attached to endless chains or bands 24 driven by sprockets 26, and passing over a series. of upper and lower guide sprockets 27, 28. By these means the material is lowered successively to the various pairs of rollers arranged in sequence and then withdrawn upwardly. The holders 30, Fig. 7, comprise side frames 34, supporting a pair of spring-pressed gripping rollers 31 which are geared together, one gear meshing also with a gear 39 adapted to engage with a series of racks 41, 42, 43, arranged in the machine, so as to rotate the rollers 31 and shift the grip on the flax &c. at appropriate times. The racks 42, 43 operate to grip the flax &c. as it is fed to the machine, and to deliver the treated material. The carrier 34 is provided with side extensions 44 to engage guides 47 and so swing the holders about their pivots 36 to keep them in the correct positions. The crushing- rollers 3 are pressed together by springs and are rotated alternately in opposite directions as the material is lowered between them, or drawn up through them. This movement is obtained from a driven wheel operating a larger wheel through an adjustable crank arm such wheel being geared to a shaft operating the various pairs of rollers. A series of pairs of rollers with graduated flutings are provided. The rollers 50, . which may be smooth, above the retting tanks rotate to lower the material into the tank and are then reversed as the material is drawn upwards to squeeze out the surplus liquid. The drying rollers 55 are pressed together and are internally heated by gas, steam, &c. The combs 48 are mounted in guides 51 and are moved forward into operative position as the material begins to move upwards. Alternate combs may point in opposite directions, and the combs may be replaced by bladed scutching rollers. The teeth may pass through perforated stripping plates. The combs may all be operated in unison by a sliding rod which is reciprocated from the main gearing. The sheaf of flax &c. may be directed to the nip of the first pair of rollers by a pair of directors 61, 64, Fig. 11, the former being pivoted and spring controlled, and the latter curved and moved automatically into the desired position. The rotation of the rollers and the movement of the conveyer 24 are synchronized by a gear arrangement connecting the reversing drive shaft for the rollers to the shaft 79, Fig. 12, driving the conveyer. The shaft 4<a> of one of the rollers carries two driving wheels 76, 77, one gearing directly, and the other through an intermediate gear with free wheels 78, 82 on the shaft 79. The free wheels carry pawls 83, 84 engaging a gear 88 fixed on the shaft 79. A compensating device to counteract any lag in the conveyer due to stretching comprises a disc 88<1>, Fig. 6, mounted on the shaft of one of the driving sprockets, and provided with spaced teeth 89 engaged by a pawl 91 on an arm 92 operated by a rod 93 moved by a rocker arm on the main driving wheel. An alternative form of holder, in which the flax always hangs centrally from between the rollers, comprises end plates 97, Fig. 14, and cross-bars 98, and is provided with balancing arms 94, 95 slotted to receive the pivot pins 36 attached to the conveyer chains. The rollers 31 are mounted in detachable bearings, are geared together and are provided with a gear 39 to engage suitably placed racks. The arms 94, 95 tend to keep the holder in a normal or a reversed position. In moving upwards the holder engages a guide which tilts it so that on passing over a guide sprocket it assumes a horizontal position, and the pin 36 moves to the opposite end of its slot. In passing over the next sprocket to move down again the longer arm overbalances the holder and causes it to reverse its position.