IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF WOOD FOR OBTAINING FIBRE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER AND CORDAGE, ALSO FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ACID, SPIRIT, ETHER, ROSIN, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES OR LIQUIDS FROM WOOD, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Fry, of Ethelburga House, Bishopsgate
Street Within, in the County of Middlesex, Timber Merchant, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF WOOD FOR
OBTAINING FIBRE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER AND CORDAGE, ALSO FOR
THE PRODUCTION OF ACID, SPIRIT, ETHER, ROSIN, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES OR
LIQUIDS FROM WOOD, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR."
Sealed the 24th August 1869, and dated the 10th June 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Fry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th June 1869.
I, GEORGE FRY, of Ethelburga House, Bishopsgate Street Within, in
5 the County of Middlesex, Timber Merchant, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF WOOD FOR
OBTAINING FIBRE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER AND CORDAGE, ALSO FOR THE
I, GEORGE FRY, of Ethelburga House, Bishopsgate Street Within, in
5 the County of Middlesex, Timber Merchant, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF WOOD FOR
OBTAINING FIBRE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER AND CORDAGE, ALSO FOR THE

page_text: PRODUCTION OF ACID, SPIRIT, ETHER, ROSIN, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES OR LIQUIDS
FROM WOOD, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOB," to be as follows: -
My Invention has for its object the extraction of the component
elements of wood, without the destruction or waste of some of such
elements as in the ordinary processes of treating wood. For example,
in obtaining fibre for the manufacture of paper by the ordinary processes
the acid and other elements contained in wood are virtually destroyed,
and in obtaining acid and other products from wood the fibre is impaired
or destroyed.
Under my Invention the process of extracting fibre is carried on
without the use of any chemical agent besides water and heat, and the
acid and other products from wood are obtained without subjecting it to.
the process of destructive distillation.
In reducing wood to fibre it is first cut into suitable pieces by means
of a machine, the main parts of which are a vertically reciprocating frame
and two sets of knives arranged in two diagonal lines, so that the knives.
may be caused to act in succession on the wood to. be cut, beginning at
the outer sides and ending in the middle. The knives are so formed that
on the descent of one knife a cut is made across the grain of the wood,
and by the action of the next knife in succession a piece of corres-
ponding width is split out from the block. This machine is employed
for the purpose by preference, but the wood may be cut into the required
pieces by other convenient means. The pieces of wood are next placed
in a boiler and boiled with water for several hours at a heat ex-
ceeding 212 degrees Fahrenheit, and consequently under pressure. The
wood so boiled is then subjected to heavy pressure between rollers or
otherwise, in order to remove from it as much as possible of the liquid
which it contains. The wood thus reduced to fibre resembling flax and
hemp may çither be employed, as such fibres are employed, for cordage
and other uses, or it may be further reduced to pulp for making paper
by the usual means of preparing pulp and it can be bleached as required.
In order, however, to utilize the other component parts of the wood the
liquid pressed from it, together with that in which it has been boiled,
is passed into a retort, and being distilled the solid matters are separated
from the liquid. The distillate (or liquid part) contains a large pro-
portion of acetic acid and wood spirit besides the water, and the

page_text: residuum (or solid part) contains resin or rosin, a compound of iodine,
and other matters or substances in small quantities. The separation of
the fluids is or may be effected by the ordinary processes known to
chemists, and used in purifying the products of the. dry distillation of
wood. On washing the residuum crystals of resin or rosin are pre-
cipitated, and may be obtained pure in the usual way.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Fry in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 10th December 1869,
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
FRY, of Ethelburga House, Bishopsgate Street Within, in the County of
Middlosex, Timber Merchant, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-second
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said George Fry, Her special licence that I,
the said George Fry, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said George Fry, my executors, adminis-
trators, and 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 THE TREATMENT
OF WOOD FOR OBTAINING FIBRE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER AND CORDAGE,
ALSO FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ACID, SPIRIT, ETHER, ROSIN, AND OTHER SUB-
STANCES OR LIQUIDS, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS, THEREPOR," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Fry, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Fry, 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 Drawings hereunto
annexed and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say) :-
:-
"
My Invention of Improvements in the Treatment of Wood for
Obtaining Fibre for the Manufacture of Paper and Cordage, also for
the Production of Acid, Spirit, Ether, Rosin, and other Substances. or
Liquids, and in Machinery or Apparatus therefor," has for its object the
extraction of the component elements of wood without the destruction
or waste of some of such elements as in the ordinary processes of treating
wood. For example, in obtaining fibre for the manufacture of paper by
the ordinary processes the acid and other elements contained in wood are
virtually destroyed, and in obtaining acid and other products. from wood
the fibre is impaired or destroyed..
Under my Invention the process of extracting fibre is carried on
without the use of any chemical agent besides water and heat, and the
acid and other products from wood are obtained without subjecting it to
the process of destructive distillation.
In reducing wood to fibre it is first cut into suitable pieces by means
of a machine, the main parts of which are a vertically reciprocating frame
and two sets of knives arranged in two diagonal lines, so that the knives.
may be caused to act in succession on the wood to be cut, beginning at
the outer sides and ending in the middle. The knives are so formed that
on the descent of one knife a cut is made across the grain of the wood,
and by the action of the next knife in succession a piece of corresponding
width is split out from the block. This machine is employed for the pur-
pose by preference, but the wood may be cut into the required pieces by
other convenient means. The pieces of wood are next placed in a boiler
and boiled with water for several hours at a heat exceeding two hundred
and twelve degrees Fahrenheit, and consequently under pressure. The
wood so boiled is then subjected to heavy pressure between rollers or
otherwise, in order to remove from it as much as possible of the liquid
which it contains. The wood thus reduced to fibre resembling flax and
hemp may either be employed, as such fibres are applied, for cordage
and other uses, or it may be further reduced to pulp for making paper by

page_text: the usual means of preparing pulp, and it can be bleached as required.
In order, however, to utilize the other component parts of the wood the
liquid pressed from it, together with that in which it has been boiled, is
passed into a retort, and being distilled the solid matters are separated
from the liquid. The distillate (or liquid part) contains a large pro-
portion of acetic acid and wood spirit besides the water, and the residuum
(or solid part) contains resin or rosin, a compound of iodine, and other
matters or substances in small quantities. The separation of the fluids
is or may be effected by the ordinary processes known to chemists, and
used in purifying the products of the dry distillation of wood. On
washing the residuum crystals of resin or rosin are precipitated and may
be obtained pure in the usual way.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will pro-
ceed to describe more particularly in what manner the same is to be
performed by the aid of the accompanying Drawings, in which is repre-
sented machinery or apparatus adapted for carrying into effect the
processes of cutting, boiling, and pressing the wood referred to.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
In Sheet I., Fig. 1 is an end elevation, and Fig. 2 a side elevation
of a machine for cutting the wood into suitable pieces in preparation
for the subsequent operations thereon; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section,
and Fig. 4, a longitudinal section of parts of the said machine.
In Sheet II., Fig. 5 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the re-
ciprocating frame which carries the knives or cutters; Fig. 6 is a vertical
section of the same in the line g, h, of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a similar section
in the line e, f; Fig. 8 is an edge view of the frame; Fig. 9 is a plan
or horizontal view; Fig. 10 is a horizontal section in the line a, b, of
Fig. 5; Figures 11 and 12 are similar sections in the lines c, d, and i, k,
respectively; Fig. 13 shews the details of the chisels; and Fig. 14, the
same of the washers.
The foregoing Figures relate to the said machine for cutting wood
as required, which I will now proceed to describe. A, A, is a recipro-
cating. frame, similar to those in use for sawing wood, to which frame
two pieces of iron B, B, are bolted diagonally, in order to serve as
frames to support a series of chisels C, C. To the junction of these

page_text: two diagonal pieces B, B, is fixed a piece of brass (V-shaped on one
side) D, D. In each of the diagonal pieces B, B, a slot E is made to
serve as a guide for the slide blocks F, F. Through these slide blocks
is passed a long wrought-iron bolt G, the other end of which passes
through the V-shaped piece of brass D. H, H, are brass washers placed
between the steel chisels C, C. An elliptical hole is made in each
washer H, and a slot in each chisel C to allow of the bolt G passing
through them. One of the narrow sides of each chisel is pressed
against the planed sides of the pieces B, B; the other narrow side of
the same is bounded by the saw blades J, J. One end of the saw blades
is held by the piece of brass D, and the other end is strained to the
cross piece of the reciprocating frame A by the key and cotter K, K.
The chisels C are sharpened like ordinary bench chisels, the bevil of
the chisel being parallel to the side of the reciprocating frame A. The
saw blades are first cut in a zig-zag manner on the edge (as shewn in
the Drawing) and then sharpened from the side facing the other chisels.
L is a fluted or roughened feed roller on the same axis with the ratchet
wheel M, to which the feed motion is communicated by means of the
lever N; O is a pressure roller with a lever and weight for the purpose
of pressing the piece of wood under operation firmly against the feed
roller L; P is a cramp to hold the piece of wood firmly while it is being
cut, the required pressure being supplied by the dead weight Q; R is
the shaft and crank for giving motion to the reciprocating frame A
through the connecting rods S; T, T, are india-rubber buffers; V is a
flat bench, on which the piece of wood W under operation lies; X, X, arc
guide rods.
In Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet I.) the reciprocating frame A is shewn
at its highest point, and the crank R is on the top centre. Supposing
the shaft R to be now set in motion, the frame A will be brought
down and will cause the lever N to fall at the point where it rests
on the buffer T, a distance of two inches (when it will be caught
by a stop) allowing the pawl to fall back over the ratchet wheel M
about four inches. Then the cramp P by the descent of the buffer T
on which it rested will be brought down on to the piece of wood W,
close to the point where the blades J, J, are about to act upon it. By
this means the piece of wood is held firmly between the cramp P and
the bench V.

page_text: Immediately after the descent of the cramp P the cutting of the wood
begins. As shewn in Fig. 1, the end of the piece of wood W projects
about an inch beyond the edge of the saw blades J, J. On the further
descent of the frame A, after the fall of the cramp P, the first knife on
the edge of the saw blade makes a small incision down the side of
the piece of wood W about one inch from the end and about one-fifth of
an inch deep; then the chisel C which immediately follows the said
knife, splits a piece of wood (corresponding in thickness to the depth of
the said incision) out of the side of the block. A second knife and
chisel repeat the incision and splitting as they follow the first. A
similar operation has begun simultaneously on the other side of the
piece of wood, so that by the time the frame has reached its lowest point
the whole inch, which in the first instance projected beyond the blade J
when the frame A was at its highest point, has been removed. After
this the frame is caused to ascend, and as soon as the opening between
the blades J, J, is sufficiently wide to admit the piece of wood W, the
buffer T fixed on the top of the frame A, A, strikes the shoulder Y and
raises the cramp P. The next moment the buffer T strikes the
shoulder Z and raises the lever N. This movement is communicated
by the pawl on this lever to the ratchet wheel M, which is thereby
turned round about four inches of its circumference. By this means the
feed roller L on the same axis with the wheel M is caused to advance
the piece of wood W the distance of one inch ready for the successive
action of the knives and chisels during the descent of the frame.
A machine arranged as shewn in the Drawings, would cut strips of
the depth of the wood W, the two other dimensions of each strip being
respectively one inch and one-fifth of an inch, but it is evident that the
same machine may be arranged to cut strips of other dimensions.
I now proceed to describe the Drawing relating to the boiling process:
-In the Diagrams Figures 15 and 16, A represents any suitable boiler
for generating high-pressure steam; B is a boiler with a steam jacket,
that is to say, it is composed of two cylinders of wrought iron rivetted
together at a, a; C is a moveable cover (to allow of the introduction and
withdrawal of a cage containing wood) fastened to the flanged end of
the boiler by means of stout bolts and nuts; S is a pipe for conveying
steam from the steam chest of the generating boiler A to the space
between the two cylinders of B; V is a valve which can be opened and

page_text: shut at pleasure; W is a pipe dipping into the water of the boiler A,
down which the condensed steam returns from the steam jacket of B
into A; V is a valve so constructed that it is closed by pressure from
A to B, but opened by pressure from B to A, by which means water can
pass from B to A but not from A to B. The cage or cages containing
strips of wood being placed in the inner chamber of B, the cover C is
bolted on and water is pumped into this chamber. The valve V is then
opened. As soon as the pressure in the steam jacket of B approaches
that in the generating boiler A, the condensed steam (now water)
passes freely from B back into A, and the contents of the inner
chamber of B become rapidly heated by the steam supplied by the
pipe S to the jacket.
I now proceed to describe the Drawings relating to the process of
pressing. In Figures 17 and 18 are represented two pairs of pressing
rollers A, A, and A', A', such as are in use for wet rolling flax, the top
rollers being pressed upon strongly by the volute springs B, B; C, is a
hopper, to the bottom of which a shaking motion is imparted by the
apparatus shewn at D. The aperture in the hopper for the egress of its
contents, is capable of minute adjustment by means of the cog wheel and
rack shown at E. F, F, are two flat steel scrapers for the purpose of
preventing the fibre from adhering to the rollers. The fibre previously
boiled is thrown into the hopper C from above, whence it passes first
between the rollers A, A, and then between A', A', being delivered after
pressure at G. The expressed liquid falls into the spout H, and is
collected in a trough or channel at J.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL CONSECUTIVE PROCESSES.
The first process is the cutting of the wood into strips or small pieces
by means of machinery or apparatus such as that herein-before described,
or by other suitable means. The machine described is especially adapted
for cutting up waste slabs or pieces of wood which are the refuse of saw
mills. The sizes of the slips into which it is preferable to cut the wood
intended for paper making are from half an inch to an inch and a half
in length and from one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch in thickness.
If the slips are less than half an inch in length the fibre is liable to be
too much cut and too short, and if they are more than an inch and a
half in length, the boiling must be continued for a longer time, as the

page_text: saturation of the wood takes place principally in the direction of the
grain so that the shorter the fibre the more perfect the saturation. On
the other hand it is found that a thickness of from one-eighth to a
quarter of an inch is the most convenient size for the subsequent process
of rolling and pressing. It is especially desirable that all the pieces of
wood operated upon at one time should be of one uniform length and
thickness, in order that the saturation of and pressure on all the fibre
thereof may be equal. The wood after being cut into suitable pieces is
placed in cages (made of perforated zinc or copper wire) that exactly fill
the inside of the inner cylinder of the boiler B (see Figures 15 and 16).
These cages are then placed in the said boiler, the cover C is put on, and
water is pumped into the boiler so as to fill it, with the exception of a
small space left for expansion. By means of the steam jacket described
the boiler is then heated to above boiling point. The degree of heat
that has been found most effectual for the purpose is that producing from
seventy to one hundred pounds pressure to the square inch, or equal to
about from three hundred to three hundred and thirty degrees of Fahrer-
heit. This heat must be continued for several hours, according to the
nature of the wood and the size of the slips or pieces thereof. The
time that has been found sufficient is from three to five hours. The heat
employed may be greater, but that above indicated is preferred, if
greater the time of the boiling will be proportionately less.
The object of the peculiar arrangement of boiler referred to is to
prevent the burning or charring of either the fibre or the liquid to which
ordinary boilers would be liable. When the wood has been sufficiently
boiled the steam is shut off from the jacket of the boiler, and a valve
opened in the pipe, through which liquid is conveyed to and from the
inner chamber of the boiler, thereby passing the liquid in which the
wood has been boiled, first through a coil of copper pipe placed in a
cistern of cold water (renewed constantly during the passage of the
liquid), and then through a box strainer of fine wire gauze into a still
or retort. This still is heated in the usual manner by means of high
pressure steam, and the liquid in which the wood has been boiled is
distilled. The first part of the distillate consists of dilute spirit (wood
spirit, oil of turpentine, or other spirit, according to the kind of wood
operated upon) and the latter part of dilute acetic acid. The spirituous
liquid is rectified in the usual way by which the greater part of the

page_text: water is separated from the spirit. The acid liquid is run into an evapo-
rating pan where it is neutralized by an alkali, and then after evaporating
the water by a gentle heat the acetate of the base remains. In order
to obtain the almost anhydrous acid it is only necessary to mix gradually
a strong acid (such as hydrochloric. or sulphuric acid) with the acetate
in sufficient quantity to take up the said base, and to pour or distil off
the acetic acid thus set free. The residuum (or solid matter left in the
still) consists of rosin or resin, sugar, and a compound of iodine, the
only part of which at present utilized is the resin. This is isolated by
washing the residuum with water on a filter, and the resin being.
insoluble in this liquid is precipitated in small crystals from which the
other matters being soluble are washed. As soon as pressure in the
boiler has ceased by allowing the liquid to escape as above described, the
cover C is removed, the cages are drawn out, and the wood fibre is
thrown into the hopper of the pressure rollers (see Fig. 17) whence it
passes through the rollers. Instead of the rollers shewn a single pair or
a hydraulic press might be used. The expressed liquid is passed into
the still with the liquid obtained from the boiler. For the manufacture
paper the fibre is thrown into a washing or rag machine and reduced
to pulp. After washing it may be bleached as occasion may require by
the usual process, viz., the action of chlorine, either alone. or aided by an
alkali or an acid. If the fibre is to be used for cordage the wood must
be cut into strips of greater length, the boiling must be continued longer,
and after rolling and pressing the fibre. must be carefully washed.
of
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I do not
claim as of my Invention any of the mechanism or processes herein-
before described, except as herein-after stated; but what I do claim as
of my Invention is,-
First. The production of spirit acid and resin from wood by the means a
described without destructive distillation as usual in the ordinary pro-
cesses for extracting those materials therefrom.
Secondly. The production of fibre suitable for paper making and
other purposes by the use of water and heat, and the mechanical
appliances described, without the use of any other chemical agent.
Thirdly. The machinery or apparatus for cutting wood into slips, as
herein-before described.
3

page_text: And, lastly. The steam jacketed boiler of the construction and for
the purpose herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Fry, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Ninth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane.
GLO. FRI. (L.S.)