Improvements in Machines for Cleaning Leaves Containing Fibre.
Year: 1887

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Cleaning Leaves Containing Fibre.
1 JOHN GARRETT TONGUE of 34 Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents (a communication from
"The Hemphill Fibre Machine Company" of the City County and State of New York
United States of America a Corporation organized under the laws of the State of New
York) 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 relates to that class of machines for extracting the fibre contained
in the leaves of the Maguey, Heneguin, Palma, Lechguilla, and all other leaves
containing fibre.
The object of this is to provide a new and improved machine which thoroughly
removes the codiment from the fibre said leaves being previously crushed before
being passed through this machine.
The invention consists in the combination with a series of drums having holders for
clamps in which the leaves are held and spring scrapers over the ends of which the
leaves are drawn by the drums. The invention also consists in the construction and
combination of parts and details which will be fully described and set forth herein-
after and finally pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved fibre-
cleaning machine.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.
Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional elevation of two drums and the
spring scrapers for the same.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through one of the drums and of the scrapers
below the same, parts being broken out.

page_text: Figure 5 is an enlarged detail cross sectional view of three drums.
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of one of. the clamps of a certain construction.
Figure 7 is a side view of the same.
Figure 8 is a plan view of the machine.
Figure 9 is a side view of a modified construction of the machine parts being
broken out.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the construction shown in Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a side view of a different construction of the clamps.
Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of the same closed.
Figure 13 is a cross sectional view of the same open.
Figure 14 is a cross sectional view of the same showing the segmental cogs.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
The main frame A of the machine is made of cast or wrought iron and serves to
support the entire mechanism. In suitable bearings of the main frame the shafts B
and C are journaled transversely to the axis of the frame and on a bracket arm D² of
the frame at one end a shaft D is journaled which is parallel with the shafts B C. On
one end of the shaft B the cog-wheel B' is mounted which engages with a cog-
wheel E¹ on the shaft E carrying the driving pulley E'; and the cog-wheel B¹ also
engages with the cog-wheel (" mounted on the shaft C, and having one-half the
diameter of the wheel B'.
On that end of the shaft C opposite the one carrying the cog-wheel C is mounted
the cog-wheel C³ engaging with the cog-wheel F which in turn is engaged with the
cog-wheel D¹ on one end of the shaft D. On that end of the shaft B opposite the one
carrying the cog-wheel B' is mounted the cog-wheel B engaged with the cog-
wheel G mounted on one end of the shaft G carrying a roller G³ over which the
endless belt H passes, said belt also passing over a loose rollor H' mounted in an
upright frame H2 located some distance from the end of the frame A and connected
with the same by suitable rods.
At suitable intervals hooks H³ are fastened on the outer surface of the belt H at
the edges and at opposite points. Drums J and K are rigidly mounted on the
shafts B and C respectively each of said drums being provided in its rim with a
longitudinal groove J' and K¹ respectively said grooves serving to receive the
clamps M shown in Figure 6 which clamps consist of two segmental plates M' having
lugs on their inner side which are mounted to turn on a longitudinal shaft M*
projecting from the ends of the clamps, said plates being provided with jaws or
offsets N on the inner surface at one edge, and at the opposite edge one plate is
provided with pins N¹ projecting from the inner surface of one plate into sockets N
on the inner surface of the other plate, the pins N¹ being surrounded by spiral
springs N³ which serve to press the jaws N of the clamp M toward each other. At
the ends of one plate of the clamp downwardly inwardly projecting lugs
provided, in which a shaft O' is held, the ends of which project a short distance beyond
the ends of the shaft M' as shown in Figure 7. In most cases it will be found that
two springs N³ are sufficient for each clamp, but more or less can be provided. As
the faces of the said clamps are curved segmentally the bottoms of the grooves in the
drums must be curved correspondingly.
are
A short distance from one edge of the groove J¹ of the cylinder J a rocking shaft P
is mounted in the drum a short distance from the shell said shaft being provided at
each end of the cylinder with a hook-arm P' adapted to engage the projecting ends of
the shaft O, said arms being outside of the end of the drum. The rocking shaft P is
also provided with two or more arms P2 through which pins P3 projecting from the
inside of the drum pass, said pins being surrounded by spiral springs P between said
arms P' and the inside of the drum. At one end the rocking shaft P is provided
with an arm Q outside of the end of the drum upon which a cam piece Q¹ can act
which is held vertically adjustable on the standard Q2 on the machine frame at one
end of the drum J.
The drum K is provided with a groove K¹, as stated, and adjacent to said groove
the rocking shaft R is mounted in the drum which has hook-arms R¹ at the ends of

page_text: the drum and plates and springs which act on said shaft in the same manner as those
previously described in relation to the drum J. One of the hook-arms R¹ is provided
with a cam-projection R upon which a curved block S can act, which is formed on a
plate S connected with the plate S² of a slotted frame S³ mounted to slide on pins S
passed through a slot of the frame S³ and fixed in a suitable standard S³ at one end of
the drum K. Suitable buffer-springs S are interposed between the plates S¹ and S'
and prevent undue shocks or jars. A downwardly-projecting lug or arm on the
slide S³ is connected by a connecting rod T with a ring of the eccentric T on one end
of the shaft B of the drum J, so that the slide S³ is operated from the shaft B.
The third drum L has the longitudinal groove I arranged in the manner previously
described, and adjacent to said groove the shaft V is mounted in the drum on the ends
of which the hook-arms V2 are provided, said shaft V being provided with arms and
springs for pressing the hook-arms inward in the same manner as on the drums J
and K. An arm V³ on one end of the rocking shaft V is acted upon by the edge of
a cam-piece V at the end of the drum L.
At each end of each groove J, K, L, of the drums J, K, and L, respectively, a
U-shaped spring clamp A projects from the bottom of the groove midway between
the sides, said spring clamp serving to receive the projecting ends of the shafts M² of
the clamps M.
Below the cylinders J and K two segmental frames 6 are held at each end, said
united segmental frame having about the shape shown in Figure 3. Transverse
shafts & parallel with the axis of the cylinders J, K, are mounted to rock in the two
frames b, and to said rocking shafts steel scrapers or blades e are secured each having
one end rested against the rim of one of the cylinders J and K, and the other rested
against a spiral spring g surrounding a pin projecting from a lugh fastened on a
bars between the frames b, said springs serving to press the fixed ends of the blades
or scrapers e against the faces of the drums. Some of the scrapers may be replaced
by brushes. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 the scrapers or blades are arranged
approximately tangentially to the drums, and the scrapers below the drum J project
in the reverse direction to those below the drum K.
The shaft G on which the roller G2 and cog-wheel G₁ (previously mentioned) are
mounted is journaled in the forked ends of the said frames Figure 3. In the
opposite ends of said frames a roller k (see Figure 2) is journaled, which is between
the drums K and L.
A brush is journaled above the top of the drum L, parallel with the same, and at
one side of said brush a plate or scraper m is pivoted in a suitable frame on the
bracket-arm D. A spring acting on one end of said scraper end presses the other
end upon the rim of the drum L. A table n is arranged for receiving the cleaned
fibre.
The leaves are crushed in any suitable crusher for the purpose of breaking, crushing
and disintegrating the cuticle or epidermis. Those parts of a clamp M opposite the
jaws N are pressed together for the purpose of separating the jaws and the butt ends
of a number of leaves are inserted between the jaws N, when the opposite side of the
clamp is released the springs N³ expanding press the jaws firmly upon the butt-ends
of the leaves which are thus held securely.
A number of clamps are filled by an attendant in this manner, and then placed upon
the endless belt H at the end farthest from the machine said belt travelling in the
direction of its arrow Figure 1. The hooks H on the belt catch on the projecting
ends of the shaft M² and thus carry the clamp and the leaves in the direction of the
arrow above the belt Figure 1, and down over the roller G at the side of the drum J.
When the clamp arrives at the roller G the drum J is in such a position that its
groove J faces the said roller G as shown in Figures 1 and 2, so that the clamp can
pass into said groove, the projecting ends of the shaft M passing into the forked
spring clamps A at the ends of the groove. The edge of the cam-piece Q¹ now acts
on the end of the arm Q whereby the hooks on the ends of the arms P₁ are swung
down upon the ends of the shaft O' engage the same and pull the clamp into the

page_text: groove of the drum J. The outside of the clamp is now in line with the
circumference of the drum as shown in Figure 2.
The drum revolves in the direction of its arrow, Figure 2, and the leaves are drawn
over the spring scrapers e as shown in Figure 3. The spring scrapers e give slightly,
so as not to destroy the fibres, and only scrape off the crushed outer coating or
epidermis.
After about one third of a revolution of the drum J the end of the arm Q slides off
the end of the cam piece Q When the drum J has made about one half of a
revolution the drums J and K are in the relative position shown in Figure 3, and
their grooves almost face each other. By this time the slide S³ has been moved into
the position shown in Figure 3 by the action of the eccentric T. The projection S on
the end of the slide S³ having acted upon the cam-projection R2 of one hook R¹ on
the shaft R in the cylinder K said hooks are thrown outward, that is, toward the
cylinder J, and their prongs engage with the projecting ends of the shaft O¹ of the
clamp held in the drum J, as shown in Figure 3. The hooks P¹ of the drum Jare
thrown inward by this time, owing to the action of the springs P. As the clamp is
now connected with and held by the hooks of the drum K and said drum K revolves
in the direction of its arrow, Figure 3, the clamp is withdrawn from the groove in the
drum J and drawn into the groove K', the clamp being again held by the engagement
of the ends of the shaft M² with the forked spring clamps A2.
Immediately after the parts are in the position shown in Figure 3 the slide S³ is
withdrawn to permit the spring acting on the shaft in the drum K to throw the
arms inward, as otherwise the clamp could not pass into the groove of the
drum K.
The drum K makes two revolutions for each revolution of the drum J and during
the first revolution the leaves are drawn over the scrapers below the drum K. During
the time the said drum K has made its first revolution the drum J completes its
revolution and is in position for receiving a fresh clamp. When the drum K has
completed about one third of its second revolution the drums K and L are in the
relative position shown in Figure 5, the drum L revolving in the direction of its
arrow. Just before the drum L is in the position shown in Figure 5 the cam
projection V₁ acts on the end of the arm V3 and thereby the ends of the hook-arms V2
on the shaft V are thrown outward so as to engage with the projecting ends of the
shaft of the clamp, thereby withdrawing said clamp from the groove K¹ of the
cylinder K and as the said drum L continues to revolve the clamp swings into
the groove L of the said drum L and is held in the same by the forked clamps A² in
the manner previously described. The drum K completes the last two thirds of its
second revolution empty. The leaves are drawn under the spring scraper m and the
brush, which brush removes the fine powdered material, &c. The ends of the
shaft 0 of the clamp then strike the inclined arms n¹ of the table n, which throws
the clamps out of the groove in the drum L. The cleaned fibre is then taken out of
the clamp, and the clamp returned to the other end of the machine to be again filled.
The U-shaped spring clamps A serve mainly for holding the clamps in place, but
are assisted by the hook-arms of the rock shaft, the main functions of said look arms
however being to draw the clamps from the groove of one cylinder into the groove of
another cylinder, and for this reason the hook-arms are so arranged as to release the
clamps a short time before they are withdrawn from the groove of one cylinder by
the hook-arms of the adjacent cylinder.
In the modified construction shown in Figures 9 and 10 the drum L has been
omitted; that is, only the drums J and K are used and are geared by the wheels B¹
and C respectively in such a manner that the drum K makes two revolutions for
each revolution of the drum J, as previously described. On the shaft of the drum K
the cog-whee! D' is mounted which latter is engaged with the cog wheel E' provided
with a slotted arm F into the slot of which a pin on the end of the connecting rod G
projects, which connecting rod is connected with the cross-piece H³ sliding between
the inclined guides I', said cross piece being provided at each end with a hook .J'

page_text: projecting toward the drum K. At the front end of the machine the endless belt is
dispensed with and on an inclined frame M³ a series of rollers M° are arranged and at
that end of the said frame nearest the drum J a larger roller M is mounted on the
shaft upon which is mounted the cog wheel N which engages with the cog-wheel Bª
on the shaft B of the drum J.
The scrapers are arranged in the manner previously described, but below the centre
of each drum a series of scrapers are omitted and are replaced by a brush O' parallel
with the axis of the drum, which brushes can be driven by belt and pulleys, chains,
gearing, or other suitable driving devices. The longitudinal grooves J¹ and K'
shown in the construction shown in Figures 1 to 8 are replaced by the semicircular
longitudinal grooves P5 at the ends of which the spring clamps A² are provided the
same as in the construction shown in Figures 1 to $. All the other mechanism for
shifting the clamps from one drum or another is the same as that shown in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The leaf-clamps Q³ (Figure 11) which are used in the
construction shown in Figures 9 and 10, are approximately cylindrical and consist of
two circular end disks R each provided on the outer surface with a central pivot R°
by which said clamp is held and on which the hooks etcetera for shifting the clamp
can catch. The said disks are connected with each other by a rod or bar R.
Between the two end disks R³ two cylinders S6 are pivoted eccentrically said
cylinders being thus mounted to swing toward and from each other and those parts of
the said eccentrically pivoted cylinders which face each other are toothed
longitudinally as shown so as to firmly grip the leaves.
Adjacent to the inner surface of one end disk R³ a wing T is firmly secured to the
end of each cylinder S and said wings are provided with the segmental racks T
which engage with each other as shown so as to cause the two cylinders to turn or
swing on their pivots at the same time. One of the longitudinally toothed cylinders S
is provided with apertures W5 for inserting a rod or lever by means of which said
cylinders can be turned as indicated by the arrow in Figure 12 whereby the two
cylinders are separated and brought into the position shown in Figure 13. The ends
of the leaves are then passed in between the said cylinders and said cylinders then
swing toward each other whereby the ends of the leaves are gripped and held very
firmly and securely. A clamp Q5 with the leaves held in it in the manner described
is passed over the rollers M on the frame M5 and is then drawn by suitable devices
in the longitudinal groove P5 of the roller J and carried around half a revolution by
said roller and the leaves scraped on one side. Then the clamp Q5 is transferred to
the roller K carried around twice, and is then seized by the hooks J' which withdraw
it from the longitudinal groove P in the roller K and draw it down the inclined
guides I. The clamp is then opened and the fibre removed.
The construction shown in Figures 9 to 14 is only a slight modification of the
construction shown in Figures 1 to 9, and differs mainly in the construction of
the clamps.
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
1. A machine, for cleaning leaves containing fibre, constructed with a revolving
drum and a series of spring scrapers bearing or resting against the drum substantially
as shown and described.
2. A machine, for cleaning leaves containing fibre, constructed with a revolving
drum having a recess for receiving a leaf-clamp and with scrapers substantially as
shown and described.
3. A machine, for cleaning leaves containing fibre, constructed with two revolving
drums for holding leaf clamps and mechanism on said drums for transferring the
clamps or leaf-holders from one drum to the other substantially as shown and
described.
4. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre the combination with two
drums of scrapers resting against the rims of the same, leaf clamps or holders which

page_text: can be held on the drums and a conveyer for conveying the clamps or holders to the
drums substantially as shown and described.
5. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre the combination with a drum
having a groove for receiving a leaf-holder or clamp of a rocking shaft in said drum
hook-arms in the end of the rocking shaft a cam for swinging the shaft carrying the
hook-arms and scrapers substantially as shown and described.
6. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre the combination with a drum
having a groove for receiving the leaf-clamp or holder, of a rocking shaft, hook-arms
on the ends of the same, springs acting on the rocking shaft and throwing the hook-
arms inward, and a cam for throwing the hook-arms outward substantially as shown
and described.
7. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre a drum having a longitudinal
groove for receiving the leaf-clamp or holder and catches in said groove for holding
the clamp substantially as shown and described.
8. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre, a drum provided with a
longitudinal groove for receiving a leaf clamp or holder and a U-shaped spring clamp
at each end of the groove substantially as shown and described.
9. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre the combination with two
drums each having a longitudinal groove for receiving a leaf-clamp or holder, of a
rocking shaft in each drum each shaft having hook-arms at the ends a sliding frame
for operating the hook-arms in one drum which sliding frame is operated from the
shaft of the other drum substantially as shown and described.
10. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre the combination with two
drums each having a longitudinal groove for receiving a leaf-clamp or holder of a
rocking-shaft in each drum hook-arms on the ends of the rocking shaft a sliding frame
at the end of one drum for operating the hook-arms of said drum an eccentric on the
shaft of the other drum and a rod connecting the eccentric with the sliding frame
substantially as shown and described.
11. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre, the combination with two
drums cach having a longitudinal groove for receiving a leaf-clamp or holder a
rocking shaft in each drum hook-arms on the ends of the shafts a cam-piece at one
end of one drum for operating its hook-arms a sliding frame at the end of the other
drum for operating the hook-arms of the said drum an eccentric on the shaft of that
drum at the end of which the cam-piece is provided and a rod connecting said
eccentric with the slide at the end of the other drum substantially as shown and
described.
12. In a machine for cleaning leaves containg fibre the combination with a drum
of curved frames at the side of and below the drum rocking shafts mounted on said
frames scrapers on the rocking shafts each scraper having one end rested against a
drum and of springs acting on the opposite ends of the scrapers substantially as
shown and described.
13. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre a clamp constructed of two
pivoted plates having jaws springs for pressing the jaws together and two projections
on each end the clamp substantially as shown and described.
14. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre a clamp for holding leaves
constructed of two pivoted plates having jaws springs for pressing the jaws together
and projections on the ends of the clamps for engagement with hooks substantially as
shown and described.
15. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre constructed with two cylinders
constructed to hold leaf-clamps, and scrapers rested against the rims of the druins one
drum being geared to revolve twice as fast as the other and the drums revolving in
opposite direction substantially as shown and described.
16. A machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre having two drums the drums
being geared to revolve in opposite directions and with two sets of scrapers one set
resting against the rim of each drum and the scrapers of the two drums extending in
opposite directions substantially as shown and described.
17. A machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre constructed with drums and

page_text: scrapers resting tangentially on the rims of the drums substantially as shown and
described.
18. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre constructed with drums
scrapers resting against the drums and a rotary brush resting against the drums
among the scrapers substantially as shown and described.
19. In a machine for cleaning leaves containing fibre a clamp consisting of end-
disks longitudinally toothed cylinders pivoted eccentrically between said disks and a
short distance from each other and segmental racks secured on the ends of the pivoted
cylinders at one of the end disks said segmental racks being engaged with each other
substantially as shown and described.
….יב
371 1
1
1007
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.