Patent GB-171111-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to scutching machines for flax or other plants
IPC: D01B1/28
Filed: 1921-11-04
Abstract: 171,111. DecuypÞre, C., and Dujardin, M. G. Nov. 4, 1921. Scutching - apparatus; heckling - machines; holders for flax &c.-Flax &c. is spread in nips I comprising two thin metal strips doubly hinged at one end and provided with a catch at the other, and the nip is placed on a stand A'. Holders B attached to vertical endless chains E are arranged to pick up the flax in the nip and carry it between a number of pairs of scutching devices which open to let the holders pass and then close to operate as desired upon the material. At the beginning of the descent the holder is opened, the flax is drawn partly through and the nip removed. The flax is then treated by a second series of devices. At the bottom of the descent the holder is opened and the flax is withdrawn. The number of scutching devices may be varied and three only mav be used, the one in the middle being fixed and the two outer ones being moved towards and from it as necessary. The holders B comprise plates B<2>, B<3>, Fig. 6, the former being slotted and the latter having rubber projections to enter the slots. They are pressed together by crossed links B<4> connected by springs B<7>, the pivot B<5> sliding in a cross guide B<6>. The holder frame carries slides B<8> adapted to engage by their inner surfaces with guide rails F which at appropriate places have raised portions F<2>, F<3>, F<4>, to effect the opening of the holders. The holders are provided with pins B<1> adapted at the commencement of the upward journey to engage sliding members A<2> and carry them upward. A cord A<4> attached to the floor A<5> and to the sliding support A<1> for the nip holding the flax passes over a pulley A<7> at the bottom of the member A<2>, thus communicating motion to the support A<1> at double the speed of the member A<2>. The nip therefore passes through the open holder and when the pin B<1> escapes from the member A<2> and the holder closes, the flax is gripped therein. The nip rests on pivoted spring catches B<9> on the top of the holder. The scutching devices C<5>, C<7>, Fig. 4, comprise co-operating rotating blades C<15> with undulating edges. The devices C' are in fixed bearings, and the devices C<5> in bearings C<4> moving in slides C<3>. The devices C<5> are moved by weighted levers D', Fig. 1, from levers D<6> controlled by cams D<5> driven from the main shaft D<1>. The chains E carrying the holders pass round octagonal wheels E'. The device for pulling off the nip and pulling through the flax at the top of the downward journey comprises a notched piece G<1>, Fig. 13, sliding in a piece G<5> and moved by a spring arm G<8> moved by an arm G<10> operated by the passing holder plate B<3>. A spring G" keeps the piece G<1> in its normal position. The plate B<3> moves the piece G<1> forward, and after the plate has passed the piece slips between the holder and the nip and holds the flax, causing the holder to shift its position relatively to the flax. When the holder closes on the flax it draws it through the nip and leaves the nip behind against the projection G<12>. During the loading of the holders a shield prevents the flax becoming entangled with the wheels. The holder is opened at F<4> and the finished flax removed by hand. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) comprises also the substitution of heckling-devices for the scutching-devices. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.