Improvements in Machinery for Decorticating Fibrous Grasses and such like Substances.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 18th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 19th Jan., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Decorticating Fibrous Grasses
and such like Substances.
I, HENRY HUNGERFORD BOYLE, of 70, High Street, Lambeth, Surrey,
Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention is primarily intended for decorticating rhea grass, but may be
used for other like substances.
According to this invention the grass is passed through several sets of rollers.
The circumference of the first set of rolls is fluted or teethed, to draw in and crack
the bark; from these rolls the grass passes between two smoothed faced rolls to
squeeze it; from these latter rolls it passes between a third set, circumferentially
formed with wide set rough round pointed teeth, which engage each other and
press the grass in between them and so break the bark at short distances; from
these rolls the grass passes between another set of squeezing rolls and is carried by
endless bands through an opening across which revolves beaters to knock off the
broken and crushed bark. The grass then falls on to an endless travelling band
which conveys it through another opening when it is is again met by revolving
beaters. After these operations it is suitable to be treated by the apparatus and
process described in my previous Provisional Specification No. 21,313-1893.
The first, third and fourth sets of rolls are driven by worm gearing; the second
set by bevel gearing to run quicker than the other sets, to pull out the grass while
held by the first set; and the beaters by endless band and pulleys, or by other
known means.
Dated this 18th day of January 1894.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Decorticating Fibrous Grasses
and such like Substances.
1, HENRY HUNGERFORD BOYLE, now of 2 Victoria Mansions, Victoria Street,
London, late of 70 High Street, Chemist, 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 :-
This invention is primarily intended for use in the treatment of rhea grass,
but may be used for other like substances. The invention will be best understood
by describing the same with aid of the accompanying drawings Figure 1 being a
side elevation and Figure 2 a section through centre of Fig. 1.
1, the main frame arranged on each side with suitable bearings 2, to receive and
support the journal ends of spindles of four sets of rollers 3, 4, 5, 6. These rollers
are revolved by worm and bevel gearing on the outside of frame as follows:-
Passing along the frame is a shaft 7, driven by power in any suitable manner,
preferably by belt and pulley 8: On this shaft are three sets of worms 9, 10, 11,
and one bevel wheel 12. The outside of the spindles of bottom rollers 3, 5, 6,

page_text: have worm wheels 13, 14, 15, keyed on to engage to worms 9, 10, 11: Supported
on a stud is a gear wheel 16, carrying a bevel wheel 17, which engages with the
bevel wheel 12: gear wheel 16 engages another gear wheel 18, keyed on outside of
spindle of bottom roller 4. The top rollers of each set being revolved by frictional
contact with the lower ones. The raw material to be treated is fed in between the
first set of rollers 3: these are circumferentially formed with fluted teeth to seize and
draw in the grass and at the same time split the bark. From these rollers the
grass passes between the second set 4, the surface of which is rough to scratch
tear or clean the surface of the grass and as these rollers travel at a higher surface
speed than the first set, they draw the grass out straight. From these rolls the
grass passes between the third set of rollers 5. These are circumferentially formed
with large blunt-ended teeth, which engage each other and press the grass in
between them, and so break the bark at short distances. From these rollers the
grass passes between the fourth set 6, which further press and squeeze it loosening
more or less the cracked and broken bark on the fibres. These rollers 6 carry
endless bands 19, held on rollers 20; these bands carry the grass through a
mouth 21, of a curved frame or guide 22, within which revolve beaters 23, which
meet the grass as it comes through the mouth 21, and knock off the pieces of
broken bark. The grass then falls on to a travelling band 24, which by aid of
another band 25, carry it through another mouth 26, formed on a curved frame or
guide 27, and is again met by beaters 28 to further knock off any remaining pieces
of bark. The grass is then ready for suitable treatment, to separate the fibres,
such as is described in my Complete Specification No. 21313 of 1893. The
beaters 23, may be carried on a cylinder 23, supported on a spindle 23b, and
driven by belt and pulleys 23°, from main shaft 7, and cylinder 28" carrying the
beaters 28, by gearing from the end of main shaft 7, as shown at 29. The endless
bands 24 are driven from shaft 7 by pulleys and band 30; and endless band 25,
by pulleys and band 31.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
"In machinery for the purposes herein before described."
1. The arrangement of several sets of rollers constructed and operating as
bereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. In the arrangement of rollers according to the preceding claim, a set of
rollers arranged to run at a higher surface speed than the preceding set.
3. The combination with a series of rollers of the curved frame or guide 22,
having a narrow mouth 21, and revolving beaters 23, with means for revolving the
same, substantially as and for the purposes described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
4. The combination with the arrangement of the preceding claim of the endless
bands 24, 25; mouth 26, formed in frame 27; and beaters 28, and suitable means
for operating the movable parts, substantially as described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of October 1804
FREDERIC PRINCE,
Agent for Applicant.