Improvements in the Treatment of Vegetable Fibrous Material to obtain Fibre therefrom, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug.. 1889
Complete Specification Left, 10th June, 1890-Accepted. 19th July, 1890
Improvements in the Treatment of Vegetable Fibrous Material to
obtain Fibre therefrom, and in Apparatus therefor.
We, GEORGE WASHINGTON ROBERTSON presently of 62 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
in the County of Lanurk, Engineer, DAVID BLACK, of Boghead, Lenzie, in the
County of Dumbarton, Merchant, and Joux MCGLASHAN of 30 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh, in the County of Midlothian, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in treating the bark or other fibre yielding
parts of plants of the natural order Urticacete i.c. Rheea, Ramie, China Grass and
such like plants to obtain fibre therefrom suitable for employment in textile
industries, the treatment being commenced on the bark of commerce, i.e. as
stripped from the plant, dried and packed in bales and technically known as rib-
bons, or the treatment may be carried out upon raw or green bark. In practising
the invention upon ribbons the bark or other fibre yielding part of the plant is
submitted to the action of a preparing machine, consisting of one or more pairs of
rollers between which the ribbons are passed and by whose action in breaking the
outer skin or husk, the fibres or strands are partially exposed whilst at the same
time a straightening effect (and which is of importance) in subsequent operations
is produced.
The rollers of each are or may be geared together in such wise as to cause one
roller to travel faster than the other and produce a slight draft upon the ribbons as
they pass through.
After being so treated the ribbons are soaked in a bath of cold or heated water,
or a solution of caustic soda or other alkali for the purpose of softening the fibres
and of assisting in the removal of impurities therefrom, after which the ribbons
are again passed through between the rollers by the pressure of which upon them
further proportions of impurities are removed or expressed.
The ribbons are next wound upon bobbins or reels in such a manner that free
space is left between each successive layer. This is or may be effected in a
machine having an upper and lower reel containing webs or lengths of wire cord
or other netting or equivalent meshed or open work material. The lower web is
led over a table at the front of the machine from whence it passes between two
rollers, its end being attached to or wound on the bobbin or beam, which is carried
on a spindle, whereto rotative movement is communicated by a belt, gearing or
ike means.
The partially treated ribbons are laid lengthwise on the said under
reb and they are maintained in position by the upper web which also passes
between the rollers and is attached to or wound on the bobbin or beam and by
his mode of winding free space from the circumference to the core of the material
s obtained.
When a sufficient number of bobbins or beams have been prepared they are put
nto a kier or boiler preferably steam tight and containing a solution of caustic
oda or other alkali the strength of which varies according to the nature and
uality of the fibre but is ordinarily from 20 to 4° Twaddel. In the said kier the
obbins or beams are subjected to boiling under steam pressure, which boiling is
ontinued for a length of time also determined by the nature and quality of the

page_text: fibre and strength of the alkaline solution. On an average twelve hours are
sufficient.
The bobbins are mounted upon spindles which have their bearings in or out-
side of the kier, and a rotative motion is given to the said bobbins or beams by
gearing applied to the said spindles.
The cores of the bobbins or beams are larger in diameter than the spindles upon
which they are mounted, and they are perforated to permit of the free passage of
When the
the alkaline solution through them so as to have access to every fibre.
boiling has been completed the alkaline solution is run off from the kier and it is
or may be treated for the recovery of the alkali therefrom. Prior to such treat-
ment the said solution is or may be used as the alkaline bath heretofore referred to
as in some cases given to the ribbons prior to winding them on the bobbins or
beams. When the solution has been drawn off from the kier the fibres are, prior
to removal, subjected to one or a succession of cold or hot water washings or baths
during which time the bobbins or beams are preferably also rotated.
The bobbins or beams with the fibre are then taken out of the kier, and after
removing one of the flanges or ends of each bobbin the core is withdrawn leaving
the coil of fibre between the two layers of meshed fabric.
The said coils may then be plunged into a bath consisting of a weak solution of
chloride of lime in which they are allowed to remain for from three hours upwards
according to the strength of the solution, a longer bath being given as the solution
is diminished in strength.
We have found a solution of from one to one and a half degrees Twaddell and a
duration of twelve hours to give satisfactory results, when this bath is employed
When the said bath is used
but the said bath may be altogether dispensed with.
the fibres are after it again thoroughly washed in cold or hot water one or more
times after which the fibres are or may be submitted to a bath consisting of a
We have found from one
weak solution of sulphuric, hydrochloric or other acid.
to two degrees Twaddell a suitable strength and from one to three hours a suffi-
cient duration. The fibres are after this bath washed one or more times with
cold or hot water after which the coils are unwound and the fibres are passed
lengthwise through between the pair in series of pairs of rollers first referred to
or between like rollers. They are then stored or dried and they may be again
passed between the said rollers after or without which passage they are conducted
through a series of heckling machines of any ordinary and suitable construction
and having faller bars of successively increasing degrees of fineness.
The fibres are then in a condition to be corded, "combed or otherwise treated
preparatory to spinning. In practising the invention upon raw or green bark the
soaking herein before referred to as given after the first passage through the rollers
is or may be dispensed with.
Dated this Ninth day of August. 1889.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.
Improvements in the Treatment of Vegetable Fibrous Material to
obtain Fibre therefrom, and in Apparatus therefor.
We. GEORGE WASHINGTON ROBERTSON presently of 62 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
in the County of Lanark, Engineer, DaviD BLACK of Boghead, Lenzie, in the
County of Dumbarton, Merchant, and JOHN MCGLASHAN of 30 Hanover Street.
Edinburgh, in the County of Midlothian, Gentleman, do hereby declare the

page_text: 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 improvements in treating the bark or fibre yielding
parts of the natural order Uticucete i.c. Rheen, Ramie, China Grass and such
like plants to obtain fibre therefrom suitable for employment in textile industries
the treatment being commenced on the bark of commerce as stripped from the
plant dried, and packed in bales, and technically known as ribbons," or the
treatment may be carried out upon raw or green bark. In practising the Inven-
tion upon ribbons, the bark or fibre yielding part of the plant is first steeped in
a bath of cold or heated water or in a solution of caustic soda or other alkali the
strength of which may be from 50 to 2 degrees Twaddle until thoroughly
softened for which operation a period of from six to twelve hours may be required
after which the bark is passed through the machine illustrated in longitudinal
vertical section at figure 1 and in plan at figure sheet 1 of the accompanying
drawings and which machine consists of two side frames A, carrying between
them at the left hand end a table B, over which there passes an endless travelling
band C, supported on rollers I), or the band may if desired be dispensed with
At the inner end of the table B, two heavy iron rollers E, are carried in bear-
ings in the side frames the bearings of the upper roller having springs applied
to them in order that it may yield upwards when necessary. The bark after
having been steeped to soften and loosen its fibres is spread over the travelling
band C, or over the table B, care being taken that the ribbons are not too thickly
spread and that the length of each of them is as nearly as possible at right angles
to the axes of the rollers E, between which when the machine is set in motion
the ribbons are passed and by whose action in breaking the outer skin or husk, the
fibres or strands are partially exposed and parts of the impurities are expressed
with the bathing liquid and pass into the tank F, from which they flow off
through the pipe G, whilst at the same time a straightening effect (and which is
of importance in subsequent operations) is produced.
The upper roller is geared with the under one in such wise as to cause one
roller to travel faster than the other and produce a slight draft upon the ribbons
as they pass through. To prevent the ribbons from being carried round by the
top roller E, a slicer H, carried in brackets on the side frames is provided the said
slicer being brought close up to the circumference of the roller by adjustment
of its bearings. From the rollers E, the ribbons pass over the table I, on to the
travelling web J, then through between drawing rollers L, to a bobbin or reel M,
on which they are wound another web N, being laid on top prior to passing
through between the rollers L. The webs J. and N, consist of open meshed net-
ting composed of wire or equivalent material and prior to commencing operations
each of them is wound upon a reel or bobbin 0, 0, these having bearings which
are carried in slotted brackets made in the side frames. The bearings for the
upper reel 0 being situated above the upper roller L, the weight of the reel
maintains it in frictional contact with the roller whilst the lower reel is main-
tained in like contact by a weighted lever or levers P, centred on the framing A,
at P. From the reel O, the lower web J passes round a roller Q, where it
receives the ribbons from the table I, or from the rollers E, the rotative action
of the rollers L, drawing the web J, toward and through between them and lay-
ing the web N, unwound from the reel 0, on top of the ribbons. The rollers L.
are geared together by spur wheels R, and they are rotated by a belt passed round
the pulley R, keyed on the axis of the lower roller and on which an idle or loose
pulley R, and another fast pulley R, are also situated. Another fast pulley S,
on the said axis, drives through the medium of a pitch chain St, or of a belt the
lower roll E, and the spur wheel R on the axis of the under drawing roll L, is
also geared with a spur wheel T, on the axis of a roller T, which through frictional
contact drives the reel or bobbin M, whereon the ribbons are wound as they
pass between the rollers L.

page_text: The reel or bobbin M consists, as seen at figures 3 and 4, sheet 1, of two end
flanges a secured on a central tube or core b preferably. freely perforated with holes
both in the body and at the ends the tube having at its extremities necks c, which
are inserted in slots in the framing A; before the winding commences, the necks
rising in the slots as the diameter of the bobbin increases. To facilitate the 5
removal of the bobbins the front of each slot may consist of a plate d, hinged at
its lower end and held vertically by a clamp e. By this method of winding the
various layers of ribbon on each bobbin have free space left between them and
when a sufficient number of bobbins have been prepared they are put into a kier
or boiler containing a solution of caustic soda or other alkali the strength of which
varies according to the nature and quality of the fibre but is ordinarily from
2° to 4° Twaddle. In the said kier the bobbins or beams are subjected to boil-
ing under steam pressure, which boiling is continued for a length of time also
determined by the nature and quality of the fibre and strength of the alkaline
solution. On an average twelve hours are sufficient.
Figure 1, sheet 2, illustrates in vertical section, figure 2 in side elevation and
figure 3 in plan, with the lid removed, a kier suitable for employment in this
operation and as shewn thereby the kier consists of a cylindrical vessel U, having
a closed bottom U¹, and a removable cover U2, which may be hoisted from and
lowered to its position by a crane or any other suitable tackle. Near the bottom
vomiting" tube V³,
a perforated plate V, is situated and on it at the centre a
is removably carried as is well understood. Through the bottom of the kier
pass
and also through the perforated plate V, a number of short spindles f
vertically these being packed steam and water tight by stuffing glands g, and on
the lower end of each spindle a spur wheel, is keyed the various wheels in the
series being geared together and one of them being also geared with a spur
wheel, keyed on a vertical shaft y, to which rotatory motion is given in any
convenient manner.
The bobbins, as seen by figure sheet 1, are mounted upon square spindles k,
which have their lower bearings in cups or sockets at the upper ends of the
spindles by which they are driven or the said square spindles may be continua-
tions of the spindles of the upper ends of the parts in any case being held in
clamps hinged at m and capable of being folded up when placing the reels or
bobbins in or withdrawing them from the kier.
The cores of the bobbins or reels M, are larger in diameter than the spindles k,
upon which they are mounted and the perforations permit of the free passage of
When the boiling has been com-
the alkaline solution to every fibre on the bobbin.
pleted the alkaline solution is run off from the kier through the pipe W, and may
be used for the preparatory steeping or bathing of the bark or ribbons as herein before
referred to. When the alkaline solution has been drawn off from the kier the
fibres are subjected to one or a succession of cold or hot water washings or baths
during which time the bobbins or beams M. are preferably also rotated.
After the final washing the lid of the kier is unfastened and lifted up, the
clamps are raised and the reels or bobbins M, either with or without their
spindles, are withdrawn and successively again placed in position in the machine
illustrated on sheet 1 and herein before described. The machine is started to
rotate in a direction opposite to that before mentioned whereby the webs J and
N are rewound on their reels 0, 0¹ and the fibre is conducted back through
between the heavy rollers E and delivered from the machine by the web C, or
table B. after which it is stoved or dried and conducted through a series of heck-
ling machines of any ordinary and suitable construction and having faller bars
of successively increasing degrees of fineness.
The fibres are then in a condition to be carded, combed or otherwise treated
preparatory to spinning.
The machine figures 1 and 2 sheet 1 may be of a sufficient breadth to take in
and wind or unwind two or more bobbins or beams M at one time in which case
the bobbins are carried by a spindle and the kier described, (the top of which

page_text: is preferably at or about the floor level) may be of sufficient depth to have three
or more bobbins superposed on each spindle k and it may further have an inner
ring or series of spindles with gearing to carry and rotate additional bobbins
or beams.
The treatment hereinbefore described besides being carried out
may be practised with raw or green bark.
on ribbons
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In the treatment of vegetable fibrous material to obtain fibre therefrom the
process or combination of processes commencing with steeping the raw material
and ending with stoving or drying the prepared fibre substantially as described.
2. Treating vegetable fibrous matter for the purpose set forth by winding the
same upon a bobbin or reel with suitable readily permeable material interposed
between the convolutions and subjecting the said fibrous matter whilst so held
to the action of an alkaline lye or other liquid which liquid is thus enabled to
penetrate freely to and act equally on every portion of the fibrous matter with the
result that the fibres are loosened and impurities are removed whilst at the same
time the fibres are effectually prevented from becoming matted or entangled.
3. In the treatment of vegetable fibrous material for the purpose set forth the
method of presenting the material to the boiling and subsequent liquid operations
and consisting in winding the material between two meshed fabrics on a bobbin
or reel whose core is perforated and so that the liquid has free access to all the
ribbons substantially as described.
4. In the manufacture set forth a winding machine constructed substantially
as described with reference to sheet of the drawings annexed.
5. In the manufacture set forth the combination of a series of rotating hobbins
with a kier arranged as described with reference to sheet 2 of the appended
drawings.
Dated this Ninth day of June 1890
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.