Improvements in or relating to the Preparation of Banana Fibre.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 6th May, 1899-Accepted, 24th June,
1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Preparation of Banana Fibre.
I, Dr. FRANZ SZYMANSKI, of No. 78, Langestrasse, Berlin, in the German
Empire, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to a method for dividing unprepared or partially
prepared banana fibres, which material is brought into cominerce under the
designation "Manilla hemp," into a larger number of textile fibres. This sub-
division is effected by the application of two systems of bars placed opposite
one to the other, between which bars the banana fibres are always held fast by
means of each pair of bars of each system at short distances apart, and after the
pressing together of the two systems of bars, the said fibre is subjected to friction
under requisite pressure. In consequence of this friction the fibre is divided
into such fine strands that it can be spun. From time to time the bars are opened
and the fibre is drawn out or pushed out so that the dividing thereof is effected
over its whole length.
The operation is carried on substantially as follows:-
The bars which are placed close together and in two sets, the one superposed
upon the other, are drawn together tightly by means of screws and nuts after
insertion of the fibre to be operated upon. The material is so placed that all the
fibres are held fast at each end at intervals of from ten to fifteen millimetres. The
two sets of frames thus prepared are then caused to approach and are rubbed the
one against the other at the requisite pressure. It is preferable to place between
the two frames rods of about one millimetre in thickness in order to prevent
any danger of destroying the fibres.
In order to be able to make use of these rods, to maintain the distance of the
frame bars when the banana fibres are being inserted in them, they are made
preferably as wide as the required distance between the two sets.
It is then
easy to adjust the distance between the two frames by placing the said rods either
upright or flat. As soon as the parts of the fibre which are between the two
bars of the frame, have been sufficiently treated, the screw nuts are turned and the
fibres are drawn or pushed the requisite amount further, and the frame again
tightened up; the rubbing process is then repeated until the fibres have been
treated over their whole length.
Improvements in or relating to the Preparation of Banana Fibre.
I, Dr. FRANZ SZYMANSKI, of No. 78, Langestrasse, Berlin, in the German
Empire, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
Price 8d.1

page_text: manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
The present invention relates to a method of dividing raw or partially pre-
pared banana fibre which is known to the trade as manila hemp or the like, into
a considerable number of threads which can be spun. This dividing process is
effected by employing two sets of bars placed opposite to each other, between
which the fibre is firmly fixed always by two bars of each set at a short distance
apart, and when the two sets of bars are brought close to each other, is subjected
to friction under suitable pressure. In consequence of this friction the fibre is
divided up into such fine filaments that it can be spun. From time to time the
bars are opened and the fibre drawn or pushed out, so that the whole length
of the fibre is operated on.
The process is illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 shews seven bars arranged side by side with six sets of single pieces
of fibre firmly stretched between.
Figures 2 and 3 shew the bars arranged in two sets of seven after the fibre
has been stretched and before the friction has commenced.
Figures 4 and 5 represent the bars after they have been placed close to each
other for the purpose of rubbing the fibre.
The bars a arranged next each other and in two superposed sets are clamped
tightly together by means of screws with nuts e, after the fibre has been
placed between them in such a manner that all the fibres are held at a distance
of between 10 to 15 m.m. and immovably fixed at two points. (Figures 2 and 3).
The two sets of bars are then pushed close to each other and they are rubbed
together under suitable pressure. It is advisable to place between the two sets
of bars rods e of about 1 millimetre thick in order to prevent destruction of the
fibre. In order to utilise these rods e to determine the distance apart of the bars a
also when inserting the banana-fibre, they are made the same width as the
required distance of the two sets of bars. The required distance can then
be adjusted by placing the rods upright or laying them flat.
As soon as the fibre between the two sets of bars has been sufficiently treated,
the nuts are loosened and the fibre is drawn or pushed a suitable length further
after which the process is repeated until the whole length of the fibre has been
treated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
The improved process for dividing banana and the like fibre into a considerable
number of separate filaments, capable of being spun or woven, consisting essentially
in clamping the fibre between two or more pairs of bars, in moving each pair of
bars near to the next pair, and rubbing the material between the pairs of bars
until by friction and pressure the filaments are sufficiently separated, and finally
releasing the portions treated from the clamping bars, substantially as described.
Dated the 6th day of May 1899.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.