Improvements in the Treatment of Parts of Fibrous Plants for the Purpose of Obtaining Fibres therefrom, and in the Means or Apparatus employed therein.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st Dec., 1893-Accepted, 21st Mar., 1894
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Treatment of Parts of Fibrous Plants for the
Purpose of Obtaining Fibres therefrom, and in the Means or
Apparatus employed therein.
We ANTONIO EDWARD NEW MAN, RUDOLF ELIAS NEWMAN and JULIUS
NEWMAN, all of La Tejedora, San Fernando in the Province of Buenos Ayres
in the Argentine Republic, South America, at present residing temporarily at
21 Bedford Place, Russell Square, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturers
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
These improvements relate to the extraction of fibres out of leaves and like
parts of fibrous plants such as are found growing wild in tropical zones,
The process is applicable to the treatment of a large class of such plants some
of which have not so far as we are aware been described in technical works whilst
others are mentioned in known botanical or industrial works.
For instance the ibira, or ibiris, (bromelia longifolia): chaguar, throneia serray;
are known generally by those names in the Argentina and throughout South
America; also caraguata, pita, (agare Americana); yueca, istle, sacci, (agare
thama); tuna, caja or cajun, and all kinds of agaves and bromelias; it must be
understood, that the improved machinery is adapted to work these leaves in the
green state; for which purpose the machine can be removed to the field or place
where the plants grow.
"
"
Among works of reference treating upon such fibres are "Encyclope lia
Britannica 1879, vol. IX: "Spon's Encyclopedia of Industrial Arts"; "The
Uses of Plants" by Boulger, G. S. Select 'Extra Tropical Plants" by Van
Moeller; "Natural Richness of the Argentine Republic" by Gustav Niederlein,
Buenos Ayres 1892; Tropical Agriculture and Vegetation" Berlin, 1857.
The plants may be cut in the field and the leaves separated from the stems
and brought to the machine, where they may be put on the feeding table which
is capable of moving and this table takes the leaves to fluted rollers, which
consist of one tambor or main or large roller and two workers or lesser rollers:
these rollers are made preferably of cast bronze and are the first breakers and
crushers of the pulp or bark of the leaves; these rollers are pressed together
by means of steel or other suitable springs which must have a strong pressure
and preferably act on the tops of the rollers.
After passage through these rollers the leaves pass through other and somewhat
differently shaped rollers which act as peelers, of the fleshy surfaces of the leaves
which may consist of one tambor or larger roller and three workers or working
rollers; these peelers are peculiarly fluted preferably the ridges or flutes have
nclined sides and triple teeth to each projection and are made of cast steel or other
uitably hard durable metal: after passing the first breakers or crushers, these
peelers receive the leaves and peel off the pulp on both sides and deliver the fibre
free or substantially free from pulp and ready to be dried and combed.
These peelers have a spring pressure applied preferably downwards and the
springs may be made resembling carriage springs and need less pressure than the
crushers. All these rollers are set in motion, by tooth-wheels or suitable driving
gear running preferably one with each other; the machine has a main or driving
Shaft which netuates the others. The machine is protected by a cover which may
be made of thin iron plates; or otherwise constructed avoiding material that might
retain thorus or spikes by their sticking thereinto; under this cover is located a
kind of douche or sprinkler or sprayer which sprinkles water continuously over the

page_text: rollers and fibres aiding the operation and facilitating the cleaning of them from
the pulp peeled off the leaves obviating the necessity of washing the fibre after its
coming out of the machine and at the same time the latter is kept clean.
Amongst other advantages of this machine are:-
The rapid and complete crushing and peeling of the leaves effected by the
peculiar construction and arrangement of the flutings or projections of the rollers;
the douche or moisture applier which washes the machine and the fibres. The
simplicity of the whole procedure.
Dated the 21st day of March 1893.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Treatment of Parts of Fibrous Plants for the
Purpose of Obtaining Fibres therefrom, and in the Means or
Apparatus employed therein.
We ANTONIO EDWARD NEWMAN, RUDOLF ELIAS NEWMAN and JULIUS
NEWMAN all of La Tejedora, San Fernando in the Province of Buenos Ayres,
in the Argentine Republic, South America, at present residing temporarily at
21 Bedford Place, Russell Square in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturers
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
These improvements relate to the extraction of fibres out of leaves and like
parts of fibrous plants such as are found growing wild in tropical zones.
The process is applicable to the treatment of a large class of such plants some
of which have not so far as we are aware been described in technical works whilst
others are mentioned in known botanical or industrial works.
For instance the ibira or ibiris (bromelia longifolio); chaguar (bromelia serra);
are known generally by those names in the Argentina and throughout South
America; also caraguatà, pita, (agare Americana), yucca, ixtle, sacci, (agare
sisulana); tuna, caja or cajun and all kinds of agaves and bromelias; it must be
understood, that the improved machinery is adapted to work these leaves in the
green state, for which purpose the machine can be removed to the field or place
where the plants grow.
"
66
"
The
Among works of reference treating upon such fibres are Encyclopædia
Britannica 1879 vol. IX; "Spon's Encyclopædia of Industrial Arts'
Uses of Plants" by Boulger G. S. "Select Extra Tropical Plants" by Van
Moeller "Natural Richness of the Argentine Republic" by Gustav Niederlein
Buenos Ayres 1892 "Tropical Agriculture and Vegetation," Berlin 1885.
The plants may be cut in the field and the leaves separated from the stems, and
brought to the machine, where they may be put on the feeding table which is
capable of moving and this table takes the leaves to fluted rollers, which consist
of one tambor or main or large roller and two workers or lesser rollers; these
rollers are made preferably cast of that description of bronze known as gun metal
and are the first breakers and crushers of the pulp or bark of the leaves; these
rollers are pressed together by means of steel or other suitable springs which
must have a strong pressure and preferably act on the tops of the rollers.
After passage through these rollers the leaves pass through other and somewhat
differently shaped rollers which act as peelers. of the fleshy surfaces of the leaves
which may consist of one tambor or larger roller and three workers or working
rollers; these peelers or strippers are formed with flutings or corrugations
suitably rounded as is more fully explained and illustrated hereinafter ; after
passing the first breakers or crushers, these peelers receive the leaves and peel off*

page_text: the pulp on both sides and deliver the fibre free or substantially free from pulp and
ready to be dried and combed.
These peclers have a spring pressure applied preferably downwards and the
springs may be made resembling carriage springs and need less pressure than the
crushers. All these rollers are set in motion, by tooth-wheels or suitable driving
gear running preferably one with each other; the machine has a main or driving
shaft which actuates the others.
The machine is protected by a cover which may be made of thin iron plate; or
otherwise constructed avoiding material that might retain thorns or spikes by their
sticking thereinto; under this cover is located a kind of douche or sprinkler or
sprayer which sprinkles water continuously over the rollers and fibres Riding the
operation and facilitating the cleaning of them from the pulp peeled off the leaves
obviating the necessity of washing the fibre after its coming out of the machine
and at the same time the latter is keep clean.
Fig. 2 is a diagram indicating the relative proportions ami arrangement of the
fluted rollers for acting on the fibres.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is an end view of
the same.
Fig. 3 is a detail shewing construction of the journal parts of these rollers.
Fig. 6 shows the form of the corrugations of the rollers B, C, D and E.
Fig. 7 shews the form of the corrugations of the rollers A and A'.
Fig. 8 shows a detail; being one of the spring frames d.
a, indicates the main framing of the machine carrying the lower and upper
half bearings of the spindles (preferably of gun metal the spaces between being
filled with wood in onfer to keep out the dirt if desired.
The upper rollers B, C, D are pressed down upon the lower roller E by means
of the check nuts acting to bring the pressure of the strong carriage springs c, e
carried by the spring frame of bolted to the under sides of the frames a to hear on
the rods or straps e, e; which straps are connected to the upper half bearings and
saddles of the top rollers. Gis a wooden clearing roller adapted to clear the fibres
from the last fluted roller.
Supposing the roller E to be of 11 inches diameter provided with 60 grooves
then a convenient proportionate size for the roller A would be 5 inches diameter
with 60 grooves; for the roller B 43 inches and for this roller to be formed with
60 teeth or corrugations; for the roller C 5" diameter and 70 corrugations, and
for the roller D 5" diameter and 60 corrugations or grooves; whilst the two smaller
fluted rollers F, F may have 70 grooves or corrugations each.
These gun metal corrugated rollers are preferably constructed, as more clearly
indicated by detail view Fig. 5, with a wrought iron or mild steel turned spindle
keyed to the gun metal roll, as B, the pinions for driving these rolls being mounted
on these spindles /
may have
The toothed pinions for the spindles of the corrugated rollers
respectively pinion on spindle B 18 teeth; on spindle (19 teeth; on spindle D
19 teeth, and on spindle E 21 teeth (i*).
,, are the fast and loose driving pullies. is the driving band from a suitable
driving means (not shown). i the main axis on which is mounted a gear wheel
which gears with a larger gear wheel on the axis of the roller E on which is
mounted another gear wheel which engages and gives motion to other gear
wheels, respectively mounted on each of the spindles of the rollers B, C, D.
On the opposite end of the spindle of roller B is a gear wheel " which engages
a like wheel on the spindle of roller A and drives it whilst upon the said spindle
of roller A are two chain wheels ♬ and ¿" which by chains and "respectively
i'

page_text: drive the carrier roller A' and feed roller A' by means of the chain wheel mounted
on each roller A', A'. The roller A' may be of wood, for the purpose of carrying
the fibrous matters from A to B, E. j is the table on which the fibrous matters are
placed and from which they are fed to between the rolls. is the delivery
incline for the treated fibres. is a copper or other suitable water spray for the
distribution of water or a suitable solution onto the fibrous material during
treatment.
Amongst other advantages of this machine are:-
The rapid and complete crushing and peeling of the leaves effected by the
peculiar construction and arrangement of the flutings or projections of the rollers,
the douche or moisture supplied which washes the machine and the fibres free of
the fleshy mattera of the plants treated; and the simplicity of the whole
procedure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. The construction, arrangement and use for the treatment of parts of fibrous
plants for the purpose of obtaining fibres therefrom of grooved or fluted rollers, of
gun metal thereby to prevent corrosion or rusting and obtain increased durability
ns set forth.
2. The combination or arrangement and use for the purpose set forth of a major
or tambour roller, as E, co-operating with a number of working or minor rollers
having each corrugated or fluted surfaces graded in suitable relation so as to effect
the desired operation on the fibrous plants directly in the green state without
previous preparation or retting being necessary, substantially as set forth.
3. The method of operating on green or unprepared fibrous plants in order to
separate the fibres and the fleshy parts thereof by means of grooved rollers arranged
and constructed as set forth and co-operating together and with a spray or supply
of liquid as set forth.
4. The combination and arrangement and use of parts of mechanism for treating
parts of fibrous plants in their green state or without previous preparation in order
to obtain fibres therefrom consisting of a series of co-operating graded fluted rollers
and means for supporting the same and for effecting the required pressure of the
said rollers into effective contact with each other and the fibre between them to
insure separation of the fibrous from the other matters with the aid of liquid
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. The method of and means or apparatus for effecting the cleansing aud
separation of the fibrous from the fleshy and other matters in parts of fibrous plants
whilst in a green or other unprepared state directly substantially as set forth.
Dated the 20th day of December 1893.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicants.