Patent GB-394698-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines for breaking flax and the like
IPC: D01B1/22
Filed: 1931-11-02
Abstract: 394,698. Flax-breaking machines. GRIGG, N. C., Drysdale, Victoria, Australia. Nov. 2, 1931, No. 30279. [Class 120 (i).] In a machine for breaking flax or the like of the type comprising a series of sets of crushing rollers and an endless conveyer for moving a series of flax holders carrying stricks of flax towards and away from the respective sets of crushing rollers, each set of crushing rollers includes a major or intermediate crushing roller 3, Figs. 1 and 2, and one or more minor or outer crushing rollers 4 arranged vertically with the rollers 4 disposed at opposite sides of the roller 3, the flax being carried by the conveyer between the rollers 3, 4 and subjected to the crushing action thereof whilst being carried in a forward and return direction through the machine by the conveyer. Automatic reversing gear is arranged at the end of the machine remote from the feeding and discharge station so that for the return the strick is gripped by that part which is crushed during the forward travel, the previously gripped end then being crushed. The rollers 4 are pressed by springs towards the roller 3 while a longitudinal supporting rail 28 is disposed adjacent the inside of the conveyer chain 24. The flax holders 31, Fig. 5, comprise clamping plates 39 secured by a bolt 36 to a supporting plate 32 which is formed with an extension 33 overhanging the rail 28 and secured to the chain 24 by the link pin 34. The plates 39 are formed with interengaging fingers 42 and are opened automatically to receive or discharge a strick by the engagement of an extension 46 with the inclined wall 51 of a channel member 48, Fig. 8. V-shaped guide fingers 53 to direct the flax between the crushing rollers are mounted on cross-bars 54, Fig. 1, and also serve to rub the crushed pith from the fibres. The pith is removed on a conveyer 57 while the crushed stricks are delivered on a second conveyer 59. Displaceable arms 61, Figs. 11 and 12, are provided in front of the rollers 3, 4 and are adapted on contact with an oncoming flax holder 31 to move downwardly and guide the flax between the rollers 3, 4. On completion of the outward travel the flax is reversed in the holder to treat the previously gripped end. A support on which the stricks are deposited is formed by bars 67, Figs. 9 and 10, the empty holder engaging a lever arm 68 and moving a transfer plate 69 which pushes the flax across the bars 67 against a plate 72, the flax being there retained by angular fingers 74 moved into position by engagement with a trip lever 76 and released by engagement of an abutment 78. The end of the flax is raised by a pivoted ramp member 82 ready for gripping by the flax holder, one of the bars 67a being inclined so as to direct the flax therein. In a modification, each flax holder 31b, Figs. 13 and 14, is formed of spring steel bent to form jaws 121, 121a, arranged vertically and united by an intermediate bend 122, the position of each strick in the holder being reversed by a gripper 131, Fig. 18, moved forwardly to grip the flax against the rail 28 when a lever arm 68 is engaged by the holder, the strick being drawn through the holder as the latter continues to move. Specification 327,972, [Class 120 (i), Spinning, Preparation &c. for], is referred to. The Provisional Specification also describes an arrangement wherein the crushing rollers are mounted horizontally, pairs of minor crushing rollers being carried in pivoted arms above and below the main roller. One roller of each pair is normally engaged with the main roller and the arms are turned through half a revolution to permit the passage of each flax holder, the trailing flax being crushed between the main roller and the minor roller then in engagement therewith.