IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF VEGETABLE FIBRE FOR THE EXTRACTION OF THE EXTRANEOUS MATTERS THEREFROM
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, JONATHAN SMITH, of the Island of Jersey, Merchant, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF
VEGETABLE FIBRE FOR THE EXTRACTION OF THE EXTRANEOUS MATTERS
THEREFROM," and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This Invention has for its object an improved means for the treatment of
vegetable fibres, whereby the gums or other resinous substances are dispelled,
constituting what is known as a chemical retting process.
In all vegetable fibres, these gums or resinous matters cause the fibres to adhere
to the woody parts of the plants which produce them, and also cause the fibres to
adhere to one another. In order to overcome this difficulty I take the fibrous
stalks, rinds, leaves, or roots, and boil them in a solution of carbonate of soda-
for example the ordinary washing soda of commerce either under pressure, or at
the ordinary temperature of boiling water, as may be found necessary.
The boiling is continued for from three to four hours, or for a longer or shorter
period, as the particular nature of the fibre may require. It is then taken out of
the solution, which latter is extracted, by wringing it out with the hands, or by
passing the fibre between rollers, or by such other means, as subjecting it to
pressure, as may be advantageous for the effective removal of the soda solution or
moisture in which is contained the gummy or resinous matters that have been
dissolved therein.
When the gums are sufficiently dissolved to allow the fibre to be removed, this
is effected by subjecting the stalks, etc., to the action of cylindrical revolving
brushes which strip the fibre therefrom, without beating, entangling or otherwise
damaging it. In the ordinary process of scutching, the woody portion has to be
broken up and beaten out of the fibre.
It has been found by experience, that in most cases one boiling in the soda
solution will suffice, but, in the case of more obstinate plants, a second treatment
can advantageously be performed. The fibre after having been deprived of the
moisture, is carefully washed by immersion in clean water, for example, in rain
water or the purest obtainable, to remove all extraneous matters therefrom, after
which it is dried.

page_text: I have also found that a better result is, in many cases, obtained by using borax,
or other salt of boracic acid, either in place of the carbonate of soda, or in addition
thereto, in the above process. The salts of boracic acid have this further advantage
that the same results may be obtained by simply macerating the stalks, rinds,
tows, etc., in a cold saturated solution of borax, or tincal or other salt of boracic
acid.
I have also found that acetic acid, acetate of soda, or some of the other alkaline
acetates may advantageously be used in the place of carbonate of soda or the salts
of boracic acid, for the purpose of my Invention, and in either bot or cold solution.
The proportion of any of the above named substances to the water in which
they are dissolved is as two to one hundred, or, say two pounds of the chemical to
ten gallons of water, but I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to
the above proportions, as they necessarily vary according to circumstances.
This process is applicable to the treatment of all vegetable fibres, for example,
flax, hemp, manilla, china grass, New Zealand flax, etc. The treatment hereinbefore
described may be applied either to the green plant when mown or cut down, or
when dried; or it may be at any other stage, either to the tow or roughly removed
fibre, to the yarn, woven fabric, or to the waste material.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is advantageously carried into effect, I would have it understood that what
I claim is,
First. The method and means herein described of subjecting vegetable fibres
(whether in their natural state, or in the form of tow, or of other manu-
factured or waste products) to the action of boracic acid or of any of its
compounds, or to the action of acetic acid, of acetate of soda, or of any of
the other alkaline acetates; or of any mixtures of the foregoing; in hot or
cold solution, and at atmospheric or other pressure, for the purpose of
dissolving out the gums, gum resins, and other like, substances; and
subsequently removing all such extraneous matter from the fibre, by suitable
pressure, previously to washing and drying; in the manner herein described.
Second. The method herein described of removing the fibres from the stalks,
rinds, etc., by means of revolving brushes or similar equivalent mechanical
device.
Dated this 5th day of June 1901