IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR TREATING FLAX, HEMP, NEW ZEALAND FLAX, SPANISH
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Brasier, of Victoria Road, Deptford, in the
County of Kent, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR TREATING FLAX, HEMP, NEW ZEALAND FLAX, SPANISH OR
Sealed the 22nd August 1861, and dated the 28th February 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Brasier at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th
February 1861.
I, EDWARD BRASIER, of Victoria. Road, Deptford, in the County of Kent,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR TREATING FLAX, HEMP, NEW ZEALAND FLAX, SPANISH OR
CHINA GRASS, AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRES," to be as follows:-
My Invention of improvements in machinery for treating flax, hemp, New
Zealand flax, Spanish or China grass, and other vegetable fibres, has for its
object the construction of a machine in which the several processes of break-
ing, washing, beating, heckling, combing, brushing, and devilling the fibres
may be effected. In carrying out my Invention the flax or other fibrous
material to be operated upon is first passed between two revolving rollers of
different diameters, the circumferences of which are fluted or corrugated in
the direction of their length in such a manner that the two rollers will gear the
one with the other. These two rollers are made to revolve alternately back-

page_text: wards and forwards in each direction through a certain space, the length of
which may be regulated at pleasure according to the length of the fibre to be
operated upon. This reciprocating revolution of the rollers is effected by
placing on the axis of the larger roller a pinion gearing into a toothed sector
or quadrant, which receives a reciprocating motion through a connecting rod
from a crank placed on the main shaft of the machine, the throw of which
crank may be increased or diminished for the purpose of regulating the action
of the rollers as before mentioned. One extremity of the flax is inserted
between the rollers, and it is allowed to be drawn through them until its other
extremity is brought into contact when them, when the revolution of the
rollers being reversed, the fibre is repassed between the same pair of rollers.
This operation may be repeated at pleasure according to the peculiar nature
of the fibre that is being operated upon. The fibre is then withdrawn from
the rollers, and re-inserted between them after being reversed end for end, in
order that both extremities may be acted upon by the heckling or combing
In order that the contact between the
process hereafter to be described.
two rollers, and thereby the pressure on the fibre may be properly regulated
according to the texture of the fibre, the bearings of the smaller roller are
fitted in horizontal slides, and their position therein is adjusted by means of
springs, weights, or any other suitable contrivance. In order to facilitate
the withdrawal of the fibre from between the rollers, the smaller one may be
acted upon by two excentrics keyed on a transverse shaft, so that on being
turned round these excentrics will relieve the bearings from the action of the
springs, and thereby cause the instantaneous release of the fibre. Immediately
beneath the rollers is placed a bar or frame, the ends of which work in suitable
guides or slides so arranged that the bar or frame is capable of sliding back-
wards and forwards horizontally in a direction at right angles to that of the axes
of the rollers. This frame receives motion through a lever and connecting rod
from a cam placed on the motion shaft, the contact between the lever and the
cam being maintained by means of a suitable spring or weight. On this frame
are mounted the heckles, combs, or brushes, and where the former are
employed they are caused to protrude through a stripping plate which is per-
forated to admit of the heckle pins sliding therein. By this arrangement
they are cleared of the tow and other extraneous matters which have been
removed from the fibre. A fixed board is mounted directly in front of the
sliding frame for the purpose of preventing the escape of the fibre from the
heckles or combs. When the fibre has by means of the rollers been carried
downwards to the extremity of their course, the heckles or combs will be
pushed forward into the midst of the fibre, and the revolution of the rollers

page_text: being reversed the fibre will be drawn through, thereby causing the sepa-
ration of the tow and other matters therefrom, and this process will be
repeated as often as the mass of fibre is passed through the rollers. In
place of the heckles, combs, or brushes, I propose in some cases to employ
a simple flat bar or scraper, which où being pressed against the fibre will
remove any substance of a pulpy nature which may be adhering thereto. In
other cases I cause the fibre to be drawn through two bars or plates, one..
of which is fixed.while the other is attached to the sliding frame. These
plates have their surfaces formed into one or more flutes or grooves. Or.
the fibre may be drawn between two or more fluted rollers revolving on their
axes, the bearings of one being attached to the sliding frame whereby at the
proper time it will be pushed into contact with the one opposite.. The tow
which escapes from the heckles, combs, or brushes, is allowed to fall down
a suitable shoot, at the bottom of which is placed a devil also driven from
the motion shaft of the same machine. This devil is made to revolve at a
great speed, and having spikes or knives arranged over its circumference,
and alternating with corresponding spikes or knives fixed on the interior of
the case in which the devil is enclosed, the tow will be thereby torn and
reduced to a proper degree of fineness. In operating upon certain peculiar.
descriptions of fibre, I immerse or partly immerse the pair of reciprocating
rollers in a trough of water placed beneath them, and in the same trough
are placed two or or more other rollers composed of wood or any other
suitable material, one or more of which according to the total number em-
ployed shall be attached to the sliding frame of the machine, so that the
pair or pairs of rollers be held in contact and withdrawn therefrom at the
proper times. By these means the fibre will be efficiently washed or cleaned
at the time of its being broken by the first pair of rollers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Brasier in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th August 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
BRASIER, of Victoria Road, Deptford, in the County of Kent, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of February, in the year
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year of

page_text: Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Edward Brasier, Her special license that I, the said Edward Brasier,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Edward Brasier,my executors, administrators, 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
MACHINERY FOR TREATING FLAX, HEMP, NEW ZEALAND FLAX, SPANISH OR CHINA
GRASS, AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Edward Brasier, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Brasier, 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 fol-
lowing statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say): -
My Invention of "Improvements in Machinery for Treating Flax,
Hemp, New Zealand Flax, Spanish or China Grass, and other Vegetable
Fibres," has for its object the construction of a machine in which the
several processes of breaking, washing, beating, heckling, combing, brush-
ing, and deviling the fibres may be effected.
In carrying out my Invention the flax or other fibrous material to be
operated upon isfirst passed betweentworevolvingrollers of differentdiameters,
the circumferences of which are fluted or corrugated in the direction of their
length in such a manner that the two rollers will gear the one with the other;
these two rollers are made to revolve alternately backwards and forward in
each direction through a certain space, the length of which may be regulated
at pleasure according to the length of the fibre to be operated upon. This
reciprocatory revolution of the rollers is effected by placing on the axis of the
larger roller a pinion gearing into a toothed sector or quadrant, which receives
a reciprocating motion through a connecting rod from a crank placed on the
main shaft of the machine, the throw of which crank may be increased or
diminished for the purpose of regulating the action of the rollers as before
mentioned. One extremity of the flax is inserted between the rollers, and it
is allowed to be drawn through them until its other extremity is brought into

page_text: contact with them, when the revolution of the rollers being reversed, the fibre
is repassed between the same pair of rollers. This operation may be repeated
at pleasure, according to the peculiar nature of the fibre that is being operated
upon. The fibre is then withdrawn from the rollers and reinserted between
them after being reversed end for end, in order that both extremities may be
acted upon by the heckling or combing process hereafter to be described. In
order that the contact between the two rollers, and therebythe pressure on the
fibre may be properly regulated according to the texture of the fibre, the
bearings of the smaller roller are fitted in horizontal slides, and their position
therein is adjusted by means of springs,weights, or anyother suitable contrivance
In order to facilitate the withdrawal of the fibre from between the rollers, the
smaller one may be acted upon by two excentrics keyed on a transverse shaft,
so that on being turned round, these excentrics will relieve the bearings from
the action of the springs and thereby cause the instantaneous release of the
fibre. Immediately beneath the rollers is placed a bar or frame, the ends of
which work in suitable guides or slides so arranged that the bar or frame is
capable of sliding backwards and forwards horizontally in a direction at right
angles to that of the axes of the rollers; this frame receives motion through a
lever and connecting rod from a cam placed on the motion shaft, the contact
between the lever and the cam being maintained by means of a suitable spring
or weight. On this frame are mounted the heckles, combs, or brushes, and
where the former are employed they are caused to protrude through a stripping
plate which is perforated to admit of the heckle pins sliding therein. By this.
arrangement they are cleared of the tow and other extraneous matters which
have been removed from the fibre. A fixed board is mounted directly in front
of the sliding frame for the purpose of preventing the escape of the fibre from
the heckles or combs. When the fibre has by means of the rollers been carried
downwards to the extremity of their course, the heckles or combswill bepushed
forward into the midst of the fibre, and the revolution of the rollers being
reversed the fibre will be drawn through, thereby causing the separation of the
tow and other matters therefrom,and this process will be repeated as often as
the mass of fibre is passed through the rollers.
In place of the heckles, combs, or brushes, I propose in some cases to
employ a simple flat bar or scraper, which on being pressed against the fibre
will remove any substance of a pulpy nature which may be adhering thereto.
In other cases I cause the fibre to be drawn between two bars or plates, one
of which is fixed while the other is attached to the sliding frame; these plates
have their surfaces formed into one or more flutes or grooves. Or the fibre
may be drawn between two or more fluted rollers revolving on their axes, the

page_text: bearings of one being attached to the sliding frame, whereby at the proper
time it will be pushed into contact with the end opposite. The tow which
escapes from the heckles, combs, or brushes,is allowed to fall down a suitable
shoot, at the bottom of which is placed a devil, also driven from the motion
shaft of the same machine. This devil is made to revolve at a great speed,
and having spikes or knives arranged over its circumference and alternating
with corresponding spikes or knives fixed on the interior of the case, in which
the devil is enclosed, the tow will be thereby torn and reduced to a proper
degree of fineness. In operating upon certain peculiar descriptions of fibre, I
immerse or partlyimmerse the pair of reciprocating rollers in a trough ofwater
placed beneath them, and in the same trough are placed two or more other
rollers composed of wood or any other suitable material, one or moreof which,
according to the total number employed, shall be attached to the sliding frame
of the machine, so that the pair or pairs of rollers be held in contact and with-
drawn therefrom at the proper times. By these means the fibre will be effi-
ciently washed or cleaned at the time ofits being broken by the first pair of
rollers,
In the accompanying Drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2, a plan;
and Fig. 3 an end elevation of myimproved arrangement for combining in one
machine the several processes of breaking,beating, heckling, combing, brush-
ing,and deviling; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of some of the working parts
drawn upon an enlarged scale.
A and A¹are two rollers fluted or corrugated in the direction oftheir length.
The journals a of one of these revolve in bearings which slide horizontally in
slots or recesses a¹ (see Fig. 1). The requisite contact between these two
rollers A and A'is maintained by means of the springs a², the pressure ofwhich
may be regulated by the set screws a³. On the axis of the rollerA¹ is keyed the
spur wheel B, which gears into the toothed quadrant B'mounted onthe axis b.
This quadrant receives a reciprocating motion through the connecting rod b
from the crank C on the shaftC,which is put in motion by the counter shaft o
through the pinion cl,and spur wheel c². On the shaft c are mounted the fly
wheel D to regulate the motion,and the fast and loose pulleys d and d', which
are actuated by a band coming from any prime mover. It will be seen that
the revolution of the crank Cimparts a reciprocating motion to the quadrant B
and will cause the rollers A, A, to rotate backwards and forwards in opposite
directions. The space through which they travel or rotate is regulated to sui
the length of the fibre by increasing or decreasing the throw of the crank C
the pin of which E is adjustable in the slot e, also by adjusting the stud e¹ in
the slotted arme of the quadrant B¹. On the fibre being placed between the

page_text: rollers A and A¹, it will be carried up and down or backwards and forwards
in the direction of its length, and this operation may be repeated until the
fibres shall have become sufficiently broken. The horizontal movement of the
roller A, which is necessary for the admission to and withdrawal of the fibre
from between the rollers is effected by means of the treadle F (Fig. 1), which
being depressed by the foot of the attendant will cause the cams t to press on
the levers t¹, which act on each end of the shaft a, and force the roller A
backwards.
Beneath the rollers A and A', are placed two bars or frames G, G, (see
Fig. 4). One of these bars is shewn in the plan, Fig. 2. The two bars or
frames G, G¹, are mounted on suitable bearings on the side frames of the
machine so as to be capable of sliding horizontally in a directionatright angles
to the axes of the rollers A,'A', the necessary motion being given through the
levers g, gl, g², and g³, acted upon by the cam H on the shaft C¹. The two
levers g, g³, vibrate on the centres h,h', and the lever g is kept in contact with
the cam H by means of the spring z. The action of the cam H is so arranged
that when the fibres have been drawn downwards by the rollers A, A¹, to the
extent of their traverse, the frames Gland G will be pushed towards each
other. To the front of the frames G, G', are attached the heckle pins I, I'
and it will be obvious that on the motion of the rollers A, A¹, being reversed
the fibre will be drawn upwards through the heckle pins which operation
will be repeated as often as the fibres are passed between the rollers. In order
that the heckle pins of the frames G and G¹, may be cleared of the tow and
other substance that have been separated from the fibre I employ two
stripping plates i, i, a front view of which is shewn in Fig. 5, and consists of
a series of thin plates or strips of iron or steel arranged at such a distance from
each other as to admit of the heckle pins passing between each as shewn by
the dotted lines in Fig. 4. The stripping plates i, ¹, are maintained in a
position level with the points of the heckles by the springs J, J', (Fig. 4) but
when the heckles are pushed forward into the mass of fibres the stripping
plates will be detained by the stopsj,,,j³, so that when the heckle pins are
withdrawn they will be drawn through the stripping plates, and thereby be
cleared of the tow and other extraneous matters. Some fibres,such forinstance
as those obtained from New Zealand flax, the pineapple, the aloe, and other
fleshy plants are embedded in orsurrounded withanou-fibrouspulpymasswhich
it is necessary to remove before the useful fibres can be obtained, to which end
I propose to scrape the plant either by means of a comb, a flat bar or scraper,
or a brush, which instrument will scrape off or remove a large portion of the
glutinous pulpy mass from the fibres. The instruments I propose to use fur

page_text: this purpose are shewn in Figures 6, 7 and 8, and are to be adapted to the
frames G and G¹. Instead of the flat scraper as at Fig 7, bars or breakers
may be used, having their surfaces grooved or fluted as shewn in Figures 9
and 10. The bar or breaker K, in Fig. 10, may in some cases be superseded
by a fluted roller attached to the frame G. This scraping operation should be
carried on in combination with a washing process as the fibres before scraping
should be dipped in water, for which purpose a trough containing watershould
be placed beneath the scrapers so that the fibres may be dipped therein
every time they descend.
The tow and other matters separated from the useful fibres by the machine,
shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3, are passed down the shoot or hopper K
(Fig. 4) to the devil K2, certain parts of which I propose to construct in a
peculiar manner. Between each row of heckle pins or serrated bars which are
arranged in the ordinarymanner on the periphery of the drum K2,atransverse
spring plate k, is mounted on pins, which slide in suitable bearings formed
on the face of the drum in a direction parallel with its radius. These plates k
aremaintained in a position levelwith the points of the heckle pins or serrated
bars or nearly so by the springs, but in order that they may be prevented
from coming in contact with the fixed pins L,which alternate with thoseonthe
surface of the drum, I place on each side of the drum two or more friction
rollers, the circumferences of which extend just above the points of the
pins L, so that as the drum K' revolves, the plates / will be depressed on
coming in contact with the rollers l, until they are carried beyond the pins L,
when they will be forced forward by the springs k², and in so doing will strip
off the tow and other extraneous matters which adheretothepins wherebytheir
liability to become clogged or choked is obviated. This form of deviling drum
is peculiarlyadapted for the preparation of fibres or half-stuff for themanufac-
ture of paper and it may, if required, be im mersed orpartially immersed in water.
Although I have described all the working parts of my improved machinery
as being actuated by mechanical means it will be obvious that a reciprocating
rotary motion may be communicated to the rollers A and A', by means of a
winch turned by the hand of the attendant. Other of the working parts
may also be actuated by hand in a similar manner.
In Figures 11 and 12, I have shewn an arrangement of parts whereby
the required motions of the several parts may be obtained by hand labour.
The same letters refer to similar parts previously described. The fluted
rollers A, A¹, are caused to rotate alternately in each direction by means of
the handle M, which gives motion to the pinion m and wheel m', the wheel m³,
being keyed on the shaft of the roller .A. Beneath the fluted rollers A

page_text: and A', are placed two sets of beaters or scutching blades N, shewn detached
at Fig. 13, and by dots in Fig. 11, and are mounted in suitable bearings
which are capable of sliding horizontally in such a manner that the lap of
the blades may be increased or decreased at pleasure by adjusting the
screws n (Fig. 11). These blades may be driven by a treadle or by any other
suitable contrivance, a pulley n¹ (Fig. 12) being attached for that purpose.
Fig. 13 is a separate view of the scutching blades shewing their action
upon the fibre.
Fig. 14, illustrates the mode in which I propose in some
instances to immerse or partially immerse the breaking rollers A, A', in
water, at the same time retaining the frames G with any suitable contri-
vance previously described attached thereto.
Having now described my Invention of "Improvements in Machinery
for Treating Flax, Hemp, New Zealand Flax, Spanish and China Grass and
other Vegetable Fibres," and having explained the manner of carrying the
same into effect.
I claim as the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid,
the mode of or apparatus herein set forth for treating flax, hemp, New
Zealand flax, Spanish and China grass, and other vegetable fibres for the
purpose of removing from the useful fibres the tow and other extraneous
matters adhering thereto.
I claim the combination of reciprocating rotary holding or breaking
rollers with heckles or other equivalent contrivances for removing the loose
boon, tow, and other extraneous matters from the useful fibres.
I also claim the mode herein shewn of constructing the working cylinder
of the devil.
I further claim the use of scrapers or other equivalent contrivances in
combination with a washing process for the purpose of removing the pulpy
glutinous or non-fibrous matter from the useful fibres of New Zealand flax,
the pine apple plant, the aloe, and other fleshy plants.
In witness whereof I, the said Edward Brasier, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
EDWARD BRASIER. (L.S.)