IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SOFTENING OR TREATING JUTE, HEMP. FLAX, OR OTHER SIMILAR FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Malcolm, of the Firm of Malcolm, Ogilive,
and Coy., of Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain, Manu-
facturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR SOFTENING OR TREATING JUTE, HEMP. FLAX, OR OTHER SIMILAR FIBROUS
SUBSTANCES,"
Sealed the 7th March 1862, and dated the 9th September 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Malcolm a
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
9th September 1861.
1, GEORGE MALCOLM, of the Firm of Malcolm, Ogilive, and Coy., of
Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS FOR SOFTENING OR TREATING JUTE. HEMP. FLAX, OR OTHER SIMILAR
FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of machinery or
apparatus suitable for operating upon jute, hemp, flax, or other vegetable
substances of a generally similar kind, which require to be subjected to a
frictional action so as to soften the fibre and render it in a state suitable for
spinning.
Under one modification the machine consists of two end standards united
by longitudinal rails. On the upper part of these standards are fitted the

page_text: bearings of the main or driving shaft, on one extremity of which is fitted a fast
and loose pulley, and on the other a fly wheel. A pinion on the driving shaft
gives motion to a train of gearing, one part of which drives the rollers of an
endless apron, on which the material to be softened is placed. From the
endless apron the juteor other material passes between a pair of rollers which
are driven from the end gearing; these rollers are arranged one above another.
and they serve to carrythe jute through a horizontalslot or opening formed in
each of a series of vertical rubbers. There are a number of these rubbing
surfaces arranged end to end in the longitudinal direction of the machine,
and there is a secoud series arranged parallel to these ashort distance asunder.
These rubbers are arranged upon adjustable frames. which are connected by
means of springs to admit of the adjustment of the rubbers and the regulation
of the frictional force exercised upon rubbing plates which move upand down
between the two series of rubbers. The main overhead shaft has formed in it
a series of cranks, and these are fitted with rods, the lower ends of which are
connected to the moveable rubbing plates. The rotatory motion of the shaft
causes these plates to move up and down between the stationary rubbers. The
rubbing plates are made with slots in them corresponding to those in the
stationary rubbers. The jute or other material to be softened is fed into the
machine in separate parcels or continuous stricks corresponding to the number
of apertures in the rubbers. As the material passes through the openings in
the rubbers it is subjected to a rapid frictional movement arising from the
reciprocatory motion of the central rubbers. The material passesoutthrough
the second series of stationary rubbers, and is carried forward by a pair of
fluted rollers on to an endless delivery apron. To avoid the inconveniences
and wasteattending the presont system of oiling jute or other generally similar
material, it is preferred to effect this operation whilst the material under
operation is passing through the machine. The oil or a mixture of oil and
water caused to blend by the addition of an alkali, is placed in a trough or
other receptacle arranged at the end or in convenient proximity to the
machine. From this receptacle the oily fluid is pumped or otherwise elevated
to the upper part of the machine, where it is allowed to flow into troughs fitted
with ducts, which convey the fluid down and distribute it over each portion of
jute as it passes between the rubbing surfaces. In this manner waste of oil is
avoided, the fluid is uniformly distributed, and the operation is effected in a
manner far superior to the ordinary mode.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Malcolm in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th March 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1, GEORGE
MALCOLM, of the Firm of Malcolm, Ogilive, and Company, of Dundee, in the
County of Forfar, North Britain, Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reigu, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said George Malcolin, Her special license that I, the said George Malcolm.
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George
Malcolm, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MANCHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SOFTENING OR TREATING JUTE,
HEMP. FLAX, OR OTHER SIMILAR FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said George Malcolm, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, or under
the hand and seal of one of them, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Malcolm, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of machinery
or apparatus suitable for operating upon jute, hemp, flax, or other vegetable
substances of a generally similar kind, which require to be subjected to a
frictional action so as to soften the fibre, and render it in a state suitable for
spinning.
Under one modification the machine consists of two end standards united by
longitudinal rails. On the upper part of these standards are fitted the bearings

page_text: of the main or driving shaft, on one extremity of which is fitted a fast and
loose pulley, and on the other a fly wheel. A pinion on the driving shaft.
gives motion to a train of gearing, one part of which drives the rollers of an
endless apron, on which the material to be softened is placed. From the
endless apron the jute or other material passes between a pair of rollers.
which are driven from the end gearing: these rollers are arranged one above
another, and they serve to carry the jute through a horizontal slot or opening
formed in each of a series of vertical rubbers. There are a number of these
rubbing surfaces arranged end to end in the longitudinal direction of the
machine, and there is a second series arranged parallel to these a short
distance asunder. These rubbers are arranged upon adjustable frames, which
are connected by means of springs to admit of the adjustment of the rubbers
and the regulation of the frictional force exercised upon the rubbing plates.
which inove up and down between the two series of rubbers. The main overhead
shaft has formed in it a series of crunks and these are fitted with rods, the
lower ends of which are connected to the moveable rubbing plates. The
rotatory motion of the shaft causes these plates to move up and down between
the stationary rubbers. The rubbing plates are made with slots in them
corresponding to those in the stationary rubbers. The jute or other material
to be softened is fed into the machine in separate parcels or continuousstricks,
corresponding to the number of apertures in the rubbers. As the material
passes through the openings in the rubbers, it is subjected to a rapid frictional
movement, arising from the reciprocatory motion of the central rubbers. The
material passes out through the second series of stationary rubbers, and is
carried forward by a pair of fluted rollers on to an endless delivery apron. To
avoid the inconveniences and waste attending the present system of oiling jute
or other generally similar material, it is preferred to effect this operation whilst
the material under operation is passing through the machine. The oil or a
mixture of oil and water caused to blend by the addition of an alkali, is placed
in a trough or other receptacle arranged at the end or in convenient proximity
to the machine. From this receptacle the oily fluid is pumped or otherwise
elevated to the upper part of the machine, where it is allowed to flow into
troughs fitted with ducts, which convey the fluid down and distribute it over
each portion of jute as it passes between the rubbing surfaces. In this manner
waste of oil is avoided, the fluid is uniformly distributed, and the operation is
effected in a manner far superior to the ordinary mode.
And in order that my said Invention of "Improvements in Machinery or
Apparatus for Softening or Treating Jute, Hemp, Flax, or other similar
Fibrous Substances" may be properly understood, I shall now proceed to

page_text: describe the several Figures on the two explanatory Sheets of Drawings which
I have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing certain modifica-
tions under which my improvements may be judiciously carried out in
practice, that is to say-
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings is an end elevation of one
modification of my improved machine for softening fibrous materials; Figure 2
is a corresponding elevation partly in section; Figure 3 is an end view of one
of the moveable rubbers; and Figure 4 is a front elevation of the same.
Figure 5 on Sheet 2 is a front view or longitudinal elevation of the machine
partly in section; and Figure 6 is a corresponding transverse section. The
framing A consists of two open pannelled end standards connected by cor-
responding longitudinal frames and duplex rails at the upper part of the
machine. An endless belt driven by a steam engine or other suitable prime
mover, gives motion to the fast and loose pulley B, which is carried on the
crank shaft C. This shaft extends longitudinally across the upper part of the
machine, and at the extremity opposite to the driving pulley is keyed the fly
wheel D. Inside this wheel is a pinion E, which gives motion to the wheel F,
that is carried on a stud fixed in the framing. The wheel F drives the wheel G,
on the stud of which is a pinion, which drives the wheel H. In the accom-
panying Drawings this wheel is shown arranged as a friction wheel which is
tempered by means of the screws I, but if preferred the wheel may be keyed
on the shaft J. This shaft extends across the machine, aud carries the lower
Hluted discharging rollers K, the upper rollers L being driven by frictional
contact with the material passing through the machine. On the end of the
shaft J is a wheel M, which gives motion to the intermediate wheel N, and
this drives the wheel O on the shaft P of the intake rollers Q. These rollers
arearranged with corresponding rollers Rabove them, and driven by frictional
contact. The wheel O gives motion to the wheel S on a shaft carrying the
rollers T, parallel to which are arranged the rollers U, which serve to distend
the endless aprons V. The upper intake and delivery rollers L and R, are
carried in bearings suspended from the overhanging bracket pieces W, and the
pressure of the rollers on the fibrous materials is regulated by the rods X, which
connect them to the weighted levers Y. The fibrous materials to be operated
upon are spread on the endlessaprons V, the motion of which carry them for-
ward to the intake rollers Q and R. The fibrous materials are supplied in
stricks," or separate continuous lengths, so as to pass through the openings
formed in the rubbing plates Z. In this modification, the fibrous materials
are rubbed between two vertical rubbing surfaces, and a central moveable one.
The vertical rubbers Z are arranged parallel to one another, the opposite

page_text: surfaces may be plain or grooved according to the nature or strength of
the fibre to be operated upon. These rubbers are arranged to slide to and
fro in guides as shown in Figures 2 and 5, and the back of each rubber
forms a long arm or prolongation, extending towards the longitudinal frames
of the machine. The extremities of these arms pass through the guides a,
which are belted to the framing A, ench arm is also cast with a pendent to
admit of its being connected by a helical spring 6 to the pendent of the oppo-
site rubber Z. The fibrous materials are carried by the action of the rollers
Rand Q, through the slots c in the rubbers Z, and through corresponding
apertures in the central rubbers d. These rubbers each consist of a rectan-
gular plate as shown separately in Figure 4, with the apertures e arranged
equidistantly, each rubber is formed with bevelled ends, which traverse upand
down in guides formed on the framing or attached thereto. Each of the
rubbers d has jointed to it two connecting rods, which are connected to the
crank shaft C. As the fibrous materials are carried onwards by the motion
of the intake rollers, they pass in between the surfaces of the rubbers Z and d.
and by the vertical reciprocatory movement of the rubber, they are subjected
to a very effective rubbing action, which closely resembles the action of rub-
bing the fibres between the hands. The several "stricks" of fibre after passing
through the openings in the second rubber Z, are caught by the fluted rollers
Kaud L, which convey them to the endless delivery aprons 9, which pass
round the rollers h and i. The aprons g, derive their motion from a wheel j,
on the shaft of the rollers h, the wheel being driven by the wheel M on the
shaft J on the lower delivery roller K. As the fibrous materials after being
subjected to the softening action of the rubbers travel over the aprons g, they
are removed by the machine attendant, or allowed to fall into a suitable recep-
tacle. By adjusting the gearing so as to regulate the speed of the intake and
delivery rollers, the fibre may be kept for a shorter or greater length of time
under the action of the rubbers according to the quality or purpose for which
the fibre is intended. The rubbing force may also be increased or lessened as
required by tightening or slackening the springs b, so as to regulate the dis-
tance between the rubbers Z and the central rubber d, and thus suit the
rubbing action to the quality of the fibre under operation. In this way the
various fibrous materials used in the manufacture of textile fabrics, and which
require a preliminary operation to soften them, may by means of the machine
herein-before described, be rendered fit for use, with great rapidity and economy
of labour.
Although I have described my improved fibre-softening machine as being
arranged and actuated in a particular manner, I do not intend it to be under-

page_text: stood that I confine myself strictly thereon, as the arrangement of the mecha-
nical details, as well as the mode of actuating the moveable parts, may be
modified in various ways without departing from the principle, or essential
features of the machine.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that what I consider novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction, and combination of parts
forming the machinery or apparatus for softening or treating fibrous sub-
stances, as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the system or mode of softening or treating fibrous substances, by
means of rubbing surfaces arranged to operate in the manner herein-before
described, or any mere equivalent therefor.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Malcolm, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of March, One thousand eight hun-
dred and sixty-two.
GEORGE MALCOLM. (L.B.)