Improved Process and Apparatus for the Treatment of Rhea Grass and similar Fibres for Commercial Purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 9th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process and Apparatus for the Treatment of Rhea Grass
and similar Fibres for Commercial Purposes.
From
I, HENRY HUNGERFord Boyle, of 70, High Street, Lambeth, in the County of
Surrey, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the treatment of rhea grass and similar fibres for the
purposes of obtaining the fibre of same for commercial purposes. According to this
invention this grass is subjected to the following operations: Firstly, it is boiled in
a special solution and acted upon by steam after which it passes through sets of
rollers. The first set squeeze it to break and loosen the bark from this set it
passes to another set which travel at a higher surface speed than the first set; this
operation further loosens and breaks the bark, and somewhat separates the fibres..
and as this set of rollers travels faster than the first set, they pull out the grass as
it is held by the first set. The grass then passes between a third set which again
acts upon the bark and fibres to loosen the same, and to pull out the grass.
these last rollers the grass passes through an acid solution to further assist the
loosening and separation of the fibres. From the tank holding this acid solution.
the grass passes again into a second boiling tank, from whence it passes between
squeezing rollers and then into another tank containing a special solution: from
this tank it again passes between squeezing rollers and into another tank with a
special solution. From this tank it again passes into another solution, from whence
it passes through rollers to squeeze it; from these rollers it passes into another tank
with solution, and from this tank to a rinsing bath to get rid of the pieces of
separated bark and other impurities which are floated over the edge by a douche.
From this bath it passes into another tank containing a softening solution: from
whence it passes between several sets of rollers to further squeeze and pull it out
straight. The fibre is now separated, or capable of being separated by combing
after drying. The whole of these operations are continuous. The raw material
being fed at the beginning of the machine through which it travels, meeting with
the various operations described in its course. The arrangement of machinery for
this purpose and the special solutions used, are as follows:
:-
This
Where
Tank No. 1, is fitted inside with a number of horizontally held cross shafts
arranged to be revolved, carrying sprocket wheels to enable a double endless
travelling chain arrangement to pass through the tank in serpentine manner.
chain is composed of flat hook links carrying a socket to hold a cross rod.
the grass is fed in, the chains are apart, the grass being carried between the rods
slowly through the solution in tank in several paths, the chains mount up at the
back of tank, carrying the grass between them. At the top of the tank they pass
over and around two rollers; and so open and deliver the grass to the first set of
rollers, one chain passing back over the top of tank and round the top inlet spur-
wheel or roller, and the other chain down the outside of back of tank, along under
same, up the front and over the lower inlet roller or wheel, and so meet the other
part of chain and carry in the grass. The solution in No. 1 tank is a weak one
of caustic soda or its equivalent. Arranged between each line of chains is a
perforated steam pipe or pipes for the purpose of introducing steam into the solution
to boil the same, and to enable the steam to act upon the thin layers of grass while
it is being carried through the solution. After passing through squeezing and
pulling rollers as described, the grass passes again between travelling double chairs
through tank No. 2, in this tank the chains are preferred to travel vertically. The

page_text: :
solution in this tank is a weak one of hydrochloric acid. The effect of this solution
upon the fibre is, owing to the previous alkaline soaking, to set up an internal
fermentation within the body of the fibre, and so assist the loosening of same.
From this tank the grass is delivered between squeezing rollers, and again passes
into a second boiling tank No. 3, constructed similarly to No. 1, and having the
same solution. From this tank the grass again passes between squeezing rolls
into another tank No. 4, travelling vertically through as before, the solution in this
tank being a solution of permanganate of potash. From this tank the grass passes
between squeezing rolls and into tank No. 5, travelling vertically. In this tank is
a solution of hypo-sulphite of soda and hydrochloric acid. From this tank the grass
passes into tank No. 6, again travelling through same vertically in this tank is a
solution of hyposulphite of soda. From this tank the grass passes into tank No. 7,
travelling through vertically as before. In this tank is a weak solution of hydro-
chloric acid. The grass is then delivered between squeezing rollers from whence it
passes into a douche bath fitted with carrying rollers to remove any pieces of broken
bark, and other impurities loosened by the previous operations. The bottom of this
bath is perforated with numerous holes to allow of the rapid exit of the rinsing
water. From this rinser the grass passes to tank No. 8, again travelling vertically
through same. In this tank is a softening solution of a saponaceous character. From
this bath the grass travels to squeezing and pulling rollers which completes the
process and operations. From the last rollers the grass is delivered on to a table
from whence it is removed to drying places after which it is ready for combing or
other treatment. The before mentioned solutions have been found to give good
results but they may be varied more or less according to the raw material to be
treated. It will be readily understood that the various revolving parts of the
apparatus, is driven by power and gearing in any suitable and known manner.
Dated this 9th day of November 1893.
Improved Process and Apparatus for the Treatment of Rhea Grass
and similar Fibres for Commercial Purposes.
I, HENRY HUNGERFORD BOYLE late of 70 High Street, Lambeth now of
2 Victoria Mansions, Victoria Street, London, Chemist, 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 the treatment of rhea grass and similar raw fibres
for the purposes of obtaining the fibre of same for commercial purposes.
To enable this invention to be fully understood I will proceed to describe the
same with aid of the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1. is a diagrammatic view in elevation, of the complete apparatus.
Figure 2. represents a side elevation on an enlarged scale of one of the tanks in
the apparatus, and the attachments thereto: and represents especially the first tank
to which the third tank is generally similar.
Figure 3. represents a sectional side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 2.
Figure 4. represents a plan view of the device shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
Figure 5. represents a sectional side elevation of the last tank in the apparatus,
which is substantially similar to all the other tanks except the first and third.
Figure 6. represents an outside elevation of two of the tanks in the apparatus,
and shows the means for driving the intermediate rollers and the inside travelling
chains carrying the cross rods.
Figure 7. is a partial detached front view of rollers and carrying band embodied
in Fig. 6.

page_text: Figure 8. represents a transverse section of the device shown in Fig.
Figures 9 and 10. are side and sectional-side elevations respectively, of the
rinsing bath apparatus.
Figure 11. represents a plan of the device shown in Fig. 10.
Figures 12 and 13. are detail views on an enlarged scale showing the construction
of the endless apron shown in Figs. 9 to 11.
Figure 14. represents an outside elevation of tank No. 9.
Figures 15 and 16. are detail views on an enlarged scale of the mode of securing
steam pipes to side of tank.
Figure 17. represents a side elevation of a set of squeezing and pulling rollers.
Figure 18. represents a sectional elevation of the rollers shown in Fig. 17.
Figure 19. is a detail front view of one end of one set of rollers and carrying
bands.
Figure 20. represents a plan view of the end of one of the roller shafts, showing
the sprocket wheels inside and outside of the tank.
Figure 21. is a view of the end of the shaft and sprocket wheel outside of the
tank.
Figure 22. represents a horizontal sectional view of the first and guide for the
chains.
Figure 23. is an elevation of one of the guides for the rods, and
Figure 24. is a similar view of one of the angle iron supports for holding the
guides.
Figure 25. is a detail view of one end of the guides as used in the vertical position
as shown in Fig. 5.
Figure 26. is a side and end view of one end of one of the roller shafts showing
the roller and sprocket wheel inside of the tank.
Figure 27. is a sectional view of the packing box for one end of the roller shaft
where it passes through the side of the tank, and
Figure 28. is a similar view of the socket in the side of the tank for the other
end of the roller shaft.
Figure 29. is a plan view of a portion of the chain for carrying the travelling
rods; and
Figure 30. is a side view of the chain shown in Fig. 29.
Figure 31. is a sectional view of the first three tanks and the squeezing and
pulling rollers situated between them, showing how the rhea grass is carried from
one part of the machine to the other.
Figure 32. is an elevation of one of the semicircular guides for the sprocket
chains and rods at the end of the tanks; and
Figure 33. is a sectional view of the same on the line of Fig. 32.
The apparatus consists of a number of tanks numbered for convenience of
reference 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9; and a rinser 8, and various parts connected to the
different tanks as will be hereinafter explained.
:-
According to this invention the grass is subjected to the following operations :-
Firstly, it is boiled in a tank (No. 1) in a special solution and acted upon by steam
after which it passes between sets of rollers. The first set squeeze it to break and
loosen the bark which has become softened by the boiling, and action of the steam;
from this set it passes between another set which travel at a higher surface speed
than the first set; this operation further loosens and breaks the bark, and somewhat
separates the fibres, and as this second set of rollers travel at a higher surface speed
than the first set, they pull out the grass while it is held by the first set. The grass
then passes from the second set of rollers to a third set of rollers, which further
squeeze and pull out the grass. From these last rollers the grass passes through
an acid solution in tank No. 2, which solution acts upon the fibres to further
loosen and separate them. From this tank the grass passes between squeezing
rollers and from these rollers into a tank No. 3, similar to tank No. 1, and is again
boiled in the same way. From this tank the grass passes between squeezing rollers,
and into another tank No. 4, containing a special solution. From this tank the

page_text: grass passes between squeezing rollers and into another tank No. 5, containing a
special solution. From this tank the grass passes into another tank No. 6, con-
taining a special solution. From this tank the grass passes into another tank No. 7,
containing a special solution: from which it passes between squeezing rollers,
from these rollers it is delivered into a rinsing bath No. 8, to get rid of the pieces
of separated fibre and other impurities, which are washed away by a douche.
From this bath the grass passes between squeezing rollers and into another
tank No. 9, containing a softening solution of a saponaceous character. From
this solution the grass passes between three sets of rollers to squeeze and pull
out the grass; when it is delivered on to a table, and after drying, the fibres are
sufficiently loose to be capable of being fully separated by combing in the usual
way. The whole of these operations are continuous, the raw material being fed in
at the beginning of the apparatus through which it travels meeting with the various
operations described in its course. The grass is carried through the whole of the
tanks between two rows of rods attached to endless chains arranged to travel
through the tanks preferably in a serpentine course.
The
Referring to Figs. and 3: A illustrates the metal shell of the tank No. 1,
which is fitted at top with brackets B and B¹, and at bottom with feet. B².
brackets B carry the rollers C, C' and C³, and brackets B', the rollers C³ and C+
The journal ends of the spindles of the rollers C and C are held in the slots D
and D', to enable such rollers to lift when required as hereinafter explained. The
sprocket guide wheels or other rollers, for the chains are marked C; all the
spindles of the sprocket wheels are marked F. The interior of the tank is fitted
with bent-round guides E, E, E³, E³, E', E', E6, E7, E: having their ends inclined
off towards side of tank, (see Figs. 22, 32 and 33). Passing across the inside of the
tank and coming within the guides are the spindles F, one end of these spindles is
held in a socket a inside of the tank, (see Fig. 28) and the other end of the spindle
passes through the side of the tank and is made watertight by a stuffing box (see y
Fig. 27). These spindles are fitted within the tank near each side with sprocket
wheels to engage a travelling endless chain; each spindle F, has a roller upon
it as a guide for the endless chain as hereinafter explained. These chain rollers
are marked F, F³, F1, F2, F, F, F; the object of them being clearest shown in
Figs. 3 and 5.
G designates an endless chain passing in a double layer in a serpentine course
through the tank, one layer on each side of the tank. The chains enter over
rollers C and C¹, the top layers of chains passing round roller C and under roller C³,
across the tank, round guide E', back to roller F, back to guide E³, back to
roller F, back to guide E', back to roller F, back to guide E', back to roller F,
back to roller F, up the tank at the back, round the roller C, back over the top of
the tank, round the roller C, and again into the tank. The other layers of chains
enter over the roller C', passing under guide E, back to roller F1, back to
guide E', back to roller F³, back to guide E, back to roller F, back to guide E',
back to roller E' back to guide F, back to roller F, up the back of tank round
roller C, down the back of outside of tank, round roller F10, along under the
bottom of the tank under roller F", up round roller F, and again enters tank over
oller C. By following these movements of the two layers of the chains through
the tank, it will be observed that the two layers enter the tank together, then
separate the distance between the rollers and guides in travelling through the tank,
then come together again when passing round roller F, travel together up the
back of inside of tank and separate again at the outside of rollers C³, C. The chains
are formed of links G', (Figs. 29 and 30), fitted with lateral sockets G³, to carry
rods G³, which extend across the tank; between these two layers of rods the grass
is carried through the tank. By feeding the grass or other raw material upon
the rods and chains at the entrance of the rollers C, C', (see Fig. 31) the closing
together of the rods and chains draws, the material in, and so carries it through
the tank in the serpentine course of the chains, and on the chaius opening in coming
out of the tank, while passing round rollers C3, C4, the material is released. To

page_text: meet any block of grass, the axles of the rollers C and C³ are carried in
slots D, D', which allows the rollers to lift. The same slot bearings are used for
the bearing ends of the axles of the corresponding rollers in the different tanks.
To prevent the weight of the rods sagging the chains while passing through the
tank, a number of guide supports H are secured longitudinally in the tank for
the rods to bear upon. The supports are preferably formed of T iron, and supported
by cross stays I of angle iron.
In Fig. 5, they act as vertical guides and have their ends turned inwardly as
at H', Fig. 25. Arranged to come under each layer of chain rods is a perforated
steain pipe J, with lateral branches J I, for the double purpose of boiling the
solution in the tank, and to enable the steam to act upon the grass while being
carried through the solution. The portion of the spindles of the rollers C³, F³, F
F, F, which projects through the side of tank are geared together as at K,
(Fig. 2) and are driven by power through the worm gearing K', from the
shaft K. The construction and fittings of tanks No. 1 and No. 3 are the same.
The solution used in each of these tanks is a weak one of caustic soda, or its
chemical equivalent.
When the grass is delivered from the travelling rods at the outside of
rollers C3, C4, it is caught by fluted rollers N, (Figs. 17 and 18) to crush the bark
and partly open the fibres; from these rolls the grass is received on to a guide N',
which conducts it to a second pair of rolls N2, which travel at a higher surface
speed than the first set N. These second rolls N2, further break up, the bark and
further loosen the fibres, and pull the same out straight owing to it being held
by the first rolls. From the second rolls the grass is delivered on to the guide N³,
which conducts it to a third set of rolls N', which squeeze and loosen the fibres.
These rolls are preferred to travel at the same surface speed as rolls N³. Fitted
over this set of rolls, is a douche R*.
Passing round rolls N*, are india rubber bands N5, which also pass round smaller
rollers N°. These bands carry the grass from the rolls N, and deliver it between
travelling rods and chains as before described, of the next tank No. 2, Fig. 5.
These chains and rods travel through this tank in serpentine course as in tanks
No. 1 and No. 3, but with the difference of travelling vertically instead of hori-
zontally, the internal fittings being arranged vertically. In this arrangement no
circular guide is required at bottom of tank for the outer layer of the rods and
chains G. The solution used in this tank is a weak one of hydrochloric acid.
From this tank (No. 2) the grass is delivered from the chains and rods between
another set of squeezing rolls Ŏ, (Figs. 8 and 31) which pass it to be caught in the
travelling chains and rods of tank No. 3, through which it is carried as described
for tank No. 1. From tank No. 3, the grass is delivered into the squeezing rolls P,
Fig. 1, between tanks 3 and 4. From these rolls it passes between the vertically
travelling chains and rods through tank No. 4.
In this tank the solution is a weak one of permanganate of potash. From this
tank the grass is delivered from the travelling chains and rods between another set
of squeezing rolls Q, which deliver it into the chains and rods of tank No. 5,
through which it is carried as before described. The solution in this tank is a
weak solution of hypesulphite of soda and hydrochloric acid. From the chains and
rods of this tank the grass is delivered to the chains and rods of the next one
(No. 6) through which it is carried as before. In this tank is a solution of hydro-
chloric acid. From this tank the grass is delivered to the chains and rods of the
next tank (No. 7) through which it is carried as before. In this tank is a solution
of hyposulphite of soda. From this tank the grass is delivered on to an endless
apron consisting of travelling bands R, moving on drums R', with cross laths R',
arranged over which is a douche R³, (Figs. 9, 10 11) for washing the grass of
impurities. From this washing band or rinser (Fig. 9) the grass is passed between
squeezing rollers S, from whence it passes to the travelling chains and rods of the
ank No. 9, through which it is carried as before. In this tank is a softening
solution of a saponacecus character. The grass on delivery from this tank passes

page_text: between a second set N8, of three rollers similar to that shown in Figs. 17 and 18,
acting as before described. From these rollers the grass is delivered on to a table
and after drying is ready for combing or other treatment to fit it for commercial
purposes. The revolving parts connected to the various tanks other than tank No. I,
are driven from shaft T, revolving shaft T', by bevel gearing T2. Upon this
shaft T, is a pulley wheel U, to engage by endless chains, the wheels U1, U³, U³,
U', U³, U, U', U³, U“, U¹³¸Ù³, Û, of the axles of the sprocket wheels of the
different tanks to operate the travelling chains. Behind wheels U, U, U", are
corresponding wheels. Referring to Figures 9, 10, and 11, the ends of the cross
laths R2, work in a guide R+, consisting of a groove or channel arranged on the
outside. When treating green or tender fibres, the tanks No. 2 and No. 3, and also
the set of rollers between tanks No. 1 and No. 2, can be dispensed with, so that the
raw material passes from tank No. 1 to the rolls P to tank No. 4 direct.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed; I declare that what I
claim is :-
66
:-
In the treatment of rhea grass and similar fibres to render the same fit for
commercial purposes."
1. The herein described process for the treatment of rhea grass, which consists
in saturating the grass in an alkaline solution, in crushing and partly drying the
wet grass and loosening the fibres, in saturating the treated material in a weak
solution of hydrochloric acid, partly drying the same, then passing it again through
an alkaline solution, then partly drying it and passing it through a weak solution
of permanganate of potash; again partly drying the same, and then saturating it
in a weak solution of hyposulphite of soda and hydrochloric acid; again partly
drying the same, and then saturating it in a weak solution of hydrochloric acid;
again partly drying the material and saturating it in hyposulphite of soda; then
washing the treated material and saturating the same in a saponaceous solution,
and finally drying the same for the subsequent mechanical treatment.
2. The combination of a series of tanks, and a double set of endless travelling
chains carrying cross rods travelling in the different tanks round guides to carry
the raw material through tank under the solution; the chains of the one tank being
arranged to separate at the top of tank to deliver the grass between intermediate
rollers or into the chains of the next tank, substantially as described and illustrated
by the accompanying drawings.
3. In a tank the combination with travelling chains carrying supporting cross
rods for the grass, of a series of steam pipes to boil the solution and steam the
grass while being carried through the tanks, substantially as described and set forth.
4. The combination of a series of tanks, a double set of endless travelling chains
carrying cross rods a series of rollers with conducting guides between each set of
rollers, the first set of rollers travelling at a slower surface speed than the other
sets so that the grass passing through may be held by the first set and pulled out
and rubbed by the following sets substantially as described and illustrated by 'the
accompanying drawings at Figures 17 and 18.
5. The combined use of the different solutions or their equivalents in the different
tanks as described.
6. The use in one tank, of a solution of hyposulphate of soda and hydrochloric
acid to steep the raw material in.
Dated shin 0th day of dumant 100.1
FREDERIC PRINCE,
37, Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for Applicant.