Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Sept., 1886.
Complete Left, 17th June, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 5th Aug., 1887.
I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of 67 Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention comprises a new or improved machine for decorticating and combing
hemp and flax, with the use of which a larger quantity is obtained from the raw
material, than in those employed heretofore. It is so arranged, that the fibres are not
subjected to tension, which impairs the quality of the hemp or flax and causes con-
siderable waste; the filaments are left unimpaired, the refuse being efficiently and
rapidly extracted.
The improved machine consists substantially of a pair of horizontally journalled
shafts carrying at intervals along their length sets of crushing and combing apparatus.
A holder is arranged centrally above the shafts, in which the presses containing the
ends of the stalks of flax can be shifted along. The holder is vertically moved, so as
to feed the flax between the shafts. In each set, the crushers and combs are arranged
alternately so that the flax is alternately compressed between the crushers and combed
by the combs as the shafts revolve.
The crushers consist of flat plates having corrugated or wave-like edges. These
cross each other and break the covering of the flax, when they come in contact with
each other. The flax hanging between the plates assumes the position of a broken
line; the friction which it receives, detaches the straw from the fibres without the
latter being injured.
Alternately with the operation of the crushers, the flax is divided and combed by
vertically set plates. These plates divide the hank of flax so that it hangs evenly.

page_text: The crushers are movable; they can be approached to or removed from each other
at pleasure, whereby the flax can be given a pressure corresponding to its strength.
The flax is held firmly by the ends in a press, which is introduced into the holder;
the holder now descends (it being supported by chains passing over pulleys and
provided with counter weights) and the ends of the flax stalks arrive between the first
set of crushers and combers on the shafts, which gradually comb and crush it during
its whole length. When the holder again ascends, the press is shifted along it and
the flax crushed etc. in the next set and so on throughout the series.
The crushers are arranged nearer in each set, so that the flax, which has been
diminished in volume by removing the refuse, is still subjected to the friction of the
crushers in all the sets, always at the same pressure.
The plates of the combs are fixed at variable distances. The first ones are more
distant from each other than the latter ones. This arrangement has for its purpose to
remove the particles of refuse etc., which have escaped from the other parts and are
left in the interior of the flax, and to comb the filaments.
1
10
1
2
'
1000
H. J. HADDAN.
Pp. Herbert & Co.,
67, Strand, W.C.,
Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Machine for Decorticating and Combing Hemp
and Flax.
I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the firm of Herbert & Co. Patent Agents, of
67 Strand, London, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, a communication to me from abroad by Henri Raynal
of Lille, in the Republic of France, Mechanical Engineer, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention comprises a new or improved machine for decorticating and combing
hemp and flax, with the use of which a larger quantity is obtained from the raw
material than in those employed heretofore. It is so arranged, that the fibres are not
subjected to tension, which impairs the quality of the hemp or flax and causes con-
siderable waste; the filaments are left unimpaired, the refuse being efficiently and
rapidly extracted.
The improved machine consists substantially of a pair of horizontally journalled
shafts carrying at intervals along their length sets of crushing and combing apparatus.
A holder is arranged centrally above the shafts in which the presses containing the
ends of the stalks of flax can be shifted along. The holder is vertically moved so as
to feed the flax between the shafts.-In each set, the crushers and combs are arranged
alternately so that the flax is alternately compressed between the crushers and combed
by the combs as the shafts revolve.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is an end elevation on an enlarged scale of the crushers and combers.
Fig. 2 is a side view thereof.
Fig. 3 illustrates the operation of the two sets of combers and crushers.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the machine.
Figs. 5 and 6 are end elevations thereof.
The remaining illustrations show details of parts of Figs. 1 and 2. Two collars a
are fixed upon the shaft, and to these are attached the four collars 6 6¹ by bolts d
passing through the slots c. The crushers Care bolted to the collars a, and the
Crushers C to the collars 6 61. Each pair of crushers C¹ is therefore capable of
being approached. The combs D are bolted to the curved portions of the collars a.
The crushers and combs may also be replaced by plate h and ƒ mounted as
illustrated on sheet I.
The crushers C C¹ break the covering of the flax, when they come in contact with
the same.
The flax hanging between the plates assumes the position of a broken line,
and the friction which it receives detaches the straw from the fibres without the latter
being injured.
Alternately with the operation of the crushers, the flax is divided and combed by
vertically set plates of the combs D. These plates divide the hank of flax so that it
hangs evenly.

page_text: The flax is held firmly by the ends in the press, which is introduced into the
holder E; the holder now descends (it being supported by chains U U₁ passing over
pulleys T T and provided with counter-weight F), and the ends of the flax-stalks
arrive between the first set of crushers and combers A on the shafts M M¹ which
gradually comb and crush it during its whole length.-When the holder E again
ascends, the press is shifted along the track G, and the flax crushed etc. in the next set
of crushers and combers A¹ and so on throughout the series.
The crushers are arranged nearer in each set, so that the flax, which has been
diminished in volume by removing the refuse is still subjected to the friction of the
crushers in all the sets always at the same pressure.
The plates of the combs may be fixed at variable distances. The first ones are more
distant from each other than the latter ones. This arrangement has for its purpose to
remove the particles of refuse etc., which have escaped from the other parts and are
left in the interior of the flax, and to comb the filaments.
The improved machine is moved by means of a strap which actuates a pulley I fixed
on the shaft J, on which is fixed a toothed wheel K gearing with a pinion L fixed on
the shaft M. At the other extremity of the beam M is fixed a pinion L' gearing with
a similar pinion on the second shaft M'. On these shafts M M' are fixed the sets of
crushers and combs A A¹ etc. At the other extremity of the shaft J is fixed a
pinion N actuating the toothed wheel O carrying the rod P, which imparts an up-and-
down or reciprocating motion to the gear Q, actuating the pinion R fixed on shaft. S.
On this shaft are fixed the two toothed wheels T T gearing into the two chains U U¹
the extremities of which are connected with the slide on which is fixed the movable
bar V which advances the presses. At the extremity of the shaft Z is fixed a cam W
operating the transverse action of the beam Y by means of lever X, the said beam Y
causing the presses to move forward by means of the drivers i (Fig. 4).
Having now particularly described and illustrated the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is
The machine and parts substantially as illustrated and described and for the
purposes set forth.