Improvements in Machines for Decorticating Ramie and other Plants.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 12th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Decorticating Ramie and
other Plants.
1 ALFRED DIEUDONNÉ ESTIENNE, Chief Engineer, of The Messageries
Maritimes de France, of 79 Rue de l'Olivier, Marseilles, France do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved machine for decorticating ramie and other
plants, leaves, and textile materials.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this
Specification, in which
Figure 1 represents a side elevation, Figure 2 a plan, and Figure 3 a front view,
of the machine.
Figure 3 are detail views of a device situated at the rear end of the feed
table.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the machine.
Figure 5 is a section of the main operating parts, drawn to a larger scale.
The machine is on wheels and may be transported by manual, animal, or other
power, so that it can follow up the operation of cutting the crop of stalks or leaves
which may be decorticated as soon as cut. It may be operated by hand, as shewn,
or by a suitable motor.
The apparatus essentially comprises, as shewn in Figure 5:
(1) A beating or scutching drum U of metal, mounted on a shaft A. turning in
bearings and provided with beaters U' also of metal, having blunt edges so as to
avoid cutting the textile material;
(2) A plain roller B mounted in bearings and encased in india-rubber B¹, around
which passes an endless apron B³ made of india-rubber fabric, metal, or other
material;
(3) A ribbed roller C whose ribs or teeth are blunted, said roller being mounted
in bearings upon a pivoted frame D;
(4) A bed or bar E, which I term an anvil, made of triangular or other suitable
form in cross-section, which is held in tension by means of two nuts or fixed in other
suitable manner;
(5) A feed table T divided into several compartments to receive the stalks which
are to be passed between the two feed rollers.
The beater drum U is operated by winch handles L on shaft Z through gear-
wheel K in gear with a pinion J in one with a wheel I and both loose on the fixed
shaft I. The wheel I gears with a pinion H keyed on shaft A and transmits rotary
motion to beater U. Upon shaft A is also mounted a wheel G in gear with a
pinion F on the axis of roller B. This roller B, termed the feed and contact roller,
thus receives rotary motion, the diameter of the gear being such that the bars of
beater U and the endless apron upon roller B have the same surface speed at the
point of contact, the rollers U and B, which are both mounted directly upon the
framing S, revolving in opposite directions. The framing S is mounted upon an
open framework R bolted to the base frame N supported by the axle of wheels M.
To the base frame N are bolted the brackets O in which are screwed stanchions P
whereby the machine is anchored in the ground when in use. Qare horse-shafts,
for enabling the machine to be moved from place to place. Upon the opposite end
of shaft A is keyed a pinion Y in gear with an intermediate wheel X, loose upon
ts shaft, which gears in turn with a wheel V keyed on roller C, the proportions of
the gear being such that the surface speed of the roller C is less than that of

page_text: rollers U and B. The roller C revolves in the same direction as beater U and
therefore in the reverse direction to the rubber-covered roller B carrying the
endless apron. The anvil E is placed above the roller B with the necessary play,
to avoid friction and so that the circle described by the extremities of the blades Ŭí
of beater U in rotating shall pass close to the anvil E.
The stalks to be decorticated are conducted automatically into the compartments
of the feed table T by the following means: At the rear of the table T opposite
each compartment is a small horizontal fingers projecting from a vertical shank ¹
capable of rotating upon its axis to the lower end of which is fixed a crank arm s³,
all these crank arms being coupled to a bar which is reciprocated by an inclined
cam rods. The stalks are directed into their respective compartments by corre-
sponding grooves in guide bar t, supported at each end by a frame pivoted upon a
centre and provided with a handle t. A bracket arm t' fixed to the side of the
frame is connected by a link to to a levert pivoted at t and connected by a
link with the inclined cam rod s which thus receives reciprocating motion in its
guides. The lever t is also connected by a link to to the lever arm to, fixed upon a
cross-shaft " to which is fixed a frame provided with upwardly-projecting arms
carrying two or more cross-bars t¹³, the frame being balanced by a weight t
u is
an endless apron passing round two rollers u' u by which the stalks are fed forward.
The roller carries a pulley us around which passes a belt from a pulley u* upon
the winch handle shaft Z.
The parts being in the position represented in Figures 1 and 3 the fingers s
close the compartments of the table T and while the stalks already contained are
being decorticated, more stalks are placed with their smaller ends resting upon
fingers s and the other or larger ends supported according to their length by one or
other of the cross bars t¹ of the frame t", or the larger end may, if desired, be
first inserted. In order that these stalks may follow those which are being
decorticated, the frame t' is rocked on its axis t by the handle t so as to bring the
guide immediately over the entrance to each compartment of table T at same
time that the lever t is oscillated upon its centre which operates the cam s
through the link to. The cam by reason of its inclination moves the bar s
backward whereby the stems are rotated and the fingers s turned in a fore and aft
direction, so that the forward ends of the stalks enter the compartments of table T.
The lever to at same time oscillates the frame 12 so as to lower the cross-bars ¿¹
and allow the ramie or other stalks to fall on to the apron by which they are carried
forward on to the table T at a velocity greater than that of the upper feed roller C.
Ou releasing the handle all the parts are returned to position by the balance
weight t, the compartments of table T being again closed by the fingers s,
returning to their transverse position ready to receive fresh stalks, which are
supplied from the rack t within reach of the attendant. The fluted roller C is
mounted in a pivoted frame D and can approach or recede from the roller B
towards which it is pressed by springs c. It acts so as, whilst slightly compressing
them, to allow stalks of different diameters to pass. The stalks fed by the
oppositely rotating rollers BC pass over the anvil E and the whole of the stalk
which projects beyond or overhangs the same is broken by the impact of the
blades of beater U, the woody portion or pith being thrown out without injury
to the filaments for the free passage of which sufficient play is allowed between the
blades and the anvil. During this operation the roller B, turning at a greater
velocity than the roller C above, removes a portion of the skin from the underside
of the stalks as it cannot impart its velocity to the stalks in which the ribs of
roller C are embedded. The roller C feeds the stalks at a rate corresponding to
that of its surface speed, but prevents their being drawn in at a greater velocity,
by the friction of the beater U and roller B. The blades U' may be formed on
or attached to the beater drum U. Their action after having freed the stalks of
the woody portion or pith is to seize the filaments, draw them out, and force them
to pass between the edges of the blades and the endless apron B2 into which they
are forcibly pressed.

page_text: Since, as before mentioned, the rollers U and B have the same surface speed,
greater than that of the roller C and consequently greater than that of the stalks,
a continuous rubbing action is thus produced whereby any pellicle still remaining
to the filaments is removed. The filaments thus cleaned being guided by the
endless apron B fall freely by their own gravity across a counterbalanced bar n'.
The apron B' after passing around the rubber case B B₁ passes around the wood
roller n mounted on a shaft o journalled in the ends of a pair of lever arms keyed
on a shaft pl mounted in bearings, the arms carrying the round bar n² above
mentioned upon which the filaments are received, which serves as a weight to keep
the endless apron in tension.
In order to ensure a continuous efficient action of the machine it is indispensable
that the main parts should be kept perfectly clean. For this purpose a revolving
brush is placed below and towards one side of the beater cylinder U, said brush
being mounted in bearings on the ends of a pair of lever arms h h¹ on a shaft g¹
supported in bearings carried by the frame k¹. The distance between the cleaning
brush and the beater roller may be regulated by means of a hand wheel a³
operating a worm a in gear with a segment 6' on the end of shaft. g¹, whereby the
brush is moved towards or away from roller U, the action being the greater the
closer the brush is brought to the roller. The discs of horsehair of which
the brush is composed are placed at suitable distances apart to allow of the
waste falling through, the brush being rotated by contact with the beater U and
the brush spindle being free to turn in its bearings. The frame k¹ receives longi-
tudinal to and fro motion from the winch handle shaft Z through a bevel pinion f
gearing with a bevel pinion e keyed upon a crank shaft e¹ coupled by a connecting
rod jointed at k to the frame k¹. The frame ¹ is guided by the tie rods jj', the
rod being interrupted for a portion of its length so as not to obstruct the full
breadth of the endless aprou. The brush thus receives a rotary motion by
contact with the beater and a bodily to and fro movement in the direction of its
length, so that the points in contact with the brush describe a double helicoidal
line. The result of these combined movements is that the brush is subjected to
little wear, and is self-cleaning, as it may be considered as brushing parts at rest
inasmuch as it rotates at the same speed as those parts. is a stationary horse-
hair brush supported by the levers p carrying the bearings of the lower roller n
of the endless apron B2, against which said brush is constantly pressed by the
coiled springs 1.
Dated this 12th das T1001
A. D. ESTIENNE,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Decorticating Ramie and
other Plants.
1, ALFRED DIEUDONNÉ ESTIENNE, of 79, Rue de l'Olivier, Marseilles,
France, Chief Engineer of The Messageries Maritimes de France, 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:-
•
The
This invention relates to an improved machine for decorticating ramie and other
plants, leaves, and textile materials, wherein the various operative parts are so
arranged and combined as to be easily dismounted, and in which the parts moving
in contact always receive the same surface speed, so as to reduce the wear.
machine may be driven by hand or power, and is carried on wheels for transport by
manual, or other power, so that it may follow up the cutting of the crop of stalks
or leaves, and decorticate the same immediately.

page_text: The apparatus essentially comprises:
(1) A revolving scutching drum preferably of metal provided with removable
metal blades having blunt edges to avoid cutting the textile material and preferably
of such thickness and radial length as to be flexible, so as to facilitate the
decortication and separation of the filaments;
(2) A pair of feeding and retaining rollers, of which the one is bluntly fluted
and the other immediately above it is plain and covered with indiarubber. These
rollers revolve in opposite directions to feed the stalks to the beater, the upper
roller being journalled in a frame pivoted so as to allow the roller to approach or
recede from the other roller towards which it is pressed by springs so as to enable
the rollers to feed and slightly compress stalks of different diameters;
(3) A breaker bar or anvil of suitable section upon which the overhanging
portions of the stalks are broken by the beater blades;
(4) A revolving bed between which and the edges of the beater blades the stalks
are nipped and scraped, the bed having the same speed as the blades, so that the
blades and bed conjointly rub and scrape the stalks. This bed, in the first examples
illustrated, is formed by an endless apron of rubber passing over a rubber-covered
roller and also around a drum journalled in bearings adjustable upon the frame to
enable the apron to be put in proper tension;
(5) A feed table adapted to allow only a single layer of stalke to pass at a time
between the feed rollers;
(6) A collecting and delivering device for the decorticated stalks.
The invention is illustrated in the drawings left with my Provisional Specification,
and also in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this Specification, in
which
Figure 1 represents a side elevation, Figure 2 a plan, and Figure 3 a front view,
of the machine.
Figure 3 shows detail views of a device situated at the rear end of the feed
table.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the machine.
Figure 5 is a section of the main operating parts, drawn to a larger scale.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 1 to 5.
Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the beater or scutcher drum U is operated by winch
handles L on shaft Z through gear wheel K in gear with a pinion J in one with a
wheel I and both loose on the fixed shaft I. The wheel I gears with a pinion H
keyed on shaft A and transmits rotary motion to beater U. Upon shaft A is also
mounted a wheel G in gear with a pinion F on the axis of roller B. This roller B
is cased in rubber B' and upon it runs the endless apron B2 of rubber fabric which
also runs on roller n. The gear is so proportioned that the blades U¹ of beater U
and the endless apron B' have the same surface speed at the point of contact, the
beater U and roller B which are both mounted directly upon the framing S
revolving in opposite directions. The framing S is mounted upon an open
framework R bolted to the base frame N supported by the axle of wheels M. To
the base frame N are bolted brackets O in which work screw stanchions P whereby
the machine is steadied on the ground when at work. Q are draught horse shafts.
Upon the opposite end of shaft A is keyed a pinion Y in gear with an intermediate
wheel X loose upon its shaft, which gears with a wheel V keyed on the fluted feed
roller C which revolves in the reverse direction to the roller B, the proportions of the
gear being such that the surface speed of the roller C is less than that of U and B.
The anvil E is placed above the roller B with the necessary clearance and in such
position that the extremities of the blades U₁ of beater U in rotating shall pass
close to it. The feed table T is divided in the direction of its width by longitudinal
partitions into a number of channels leading to the feed rollers at the entry to
which the partitions are formed by springs curved so as to contract the channels s0
that each will only give passage to one stalk at a time.
The stalks to be decorticated may be conducted automatically into the com-
partments of the feed table T by the following means:-At the rear of the table T

page_text: opposite each channel is a small horizontal fingers projecting from a vertical
shanks capable of rotating upon its axis to the lower end of which is fixed a crank
arm s, all these crank arms being coupled to a bar which is reciprocated by an
inclined cam rods. The stalks are directed into their respective compartments by
corresponding grooves in guide bar t, supported at each end by a frame t¹ pivoted
upon a centre t and provided with a handle . A bracket arm t fixed to the side
of the frame t' is connected by a link to to a lever to pivoted at t and connected by
a link with the inclined cam rod, which thus receives reciprocating motion in
its guides. The lever t is also connected by a link to the lever arm to, fixed
upon a cross-shaft t" to which is fixed a frame t" provided with upwardly projecting
arms carrying two or more cross bars t¹³, the frame being balanced by a weight t
is an endless apron passing round two rullers ', ³, by which the stalks are fed
forward. The roller u' carries a pulley u³ around which passes a belt from a
pulley upon the winch handle shaft Z."
The parts being in the position represented in Figures 1 and 34 the fingers s
close the entry to the channels of the table T and while the stalks already contained
are being decorticated more stalks are placed with their smaller ends resting upon
fingers s and the other or larger ends supported according to their length by one
or other of the cross- bars 13 of the frame " or the larger end may if desired be
first inserted. In order that these stalks may follow those which are being
decorticated, the frame t' is rocked on its axis t by the handle t so as to bring the
guide immediately over the entrance to each compartment of table T at same
time that the lever tis oscillated upon its centre t' which operates the cam s
through the link 8. The cam by reason of its inclination moves the bar s³
backward whereby the stems s¹ are rotated and the fingers s turned in a fore and
aft direction, so that the forward ends of the stalks enter the channels of table T.
The lever to at same time oscillates the frame t so as to lower the cross bars t¹
and allow the ramie or other stalks to fall on to the apron by which they are
carried forward on to the table T at a velocity greater than that of the feed
roller C. On releasing the handle to all the parts are returned to position by the
balance weight, the channels of table T being again closed by the fingers s
returning to their transverse position ready to receive fresh stalks which are
supplied from the rack t¹ within reach of the attendant. The fluted roller C is
mounted in a pivoted frame D and can approach or recede from the roller B
towards which it is pressed by springs c. It acts so as, whilst slightly compressing
them, to allow stalks of different diameters to pass. The stalks fed by the
oppositely rotating rollers B, C, pass over the breaker bar or anvil E and the
whole of the stalk which projects beyond or overhangs the same is broken by
the impact of the beater blades U¹ the woody portion or pith being thrown out
whilst the filaments are uninjured, sufficient clearance being allowed for them to
pass between the beater blades and the breaker bar. The roller C feeds the stalks
at a rate corresponding to that of its surface speed but by its nip retains them and
prevents their being drawn in by the friction of the beater blades U¹ and apron B²
which have a higher surface speed so that the filaments are scraped and rubbed
between the edges of the blades and the endless apron B³ into which they are
forcibly pressed. By the continuous rubbing action thus produced any pellicle
still adhering to the filaments is removed. The filaments thus cleaned being
guided by the endless apron B2 fall freely across a counterbalanced bar n'.
The wood roller n around which the apron B' passes is mounted on a shaft o
journalled in the ends of a pair of lever arms p keyed on a shaft p' mounted in
bearings, the arms carrying the round bar above mentioned upon which the
filaments are received, which serves as a weight to keep the endless apron in
tension. is a stationary horsehair brush supported by the arms p and constantly
pressed against the apron B' by coiled springs . The beater drum may be
cleaned by a revolving brush placed below it and mounted to turn in bearings on
the ends of a pair of lever arms, h², on a shaft y¹ supported in bearings carried by
the frame. The distance between the cleaning brush / and the beater drum may

page_text: be regulated by means of a hand wheel a³ operating a worm a¹ in gear with a
segment on the end of shaft g', whereby the brush is moved towards or away
from the beater drum U. The brush is rotated by contact with the beater
drum U whilst the frame ¹ receives longitudinal to and fro motion from the
shaft Z through a bevel pinion gearing with a bevel pinion e keyed upon a crank
shafte coupled by a connecting rod d' jointed at k to the frame k¹. The frame k¹
is guided by the tie rods j, j¹, the rod j¹ being interrupted for a portion of its length
so as not to obstruct the full breadth of the endless apron. The brush thus
receives a rotary motion by contact with the beater drum and, a to and fro
movement in the direction of its length, to produce the brushing action. The discs
of horsehair of which the brush is composed are placed at suitable distances apart
to allow of the waste falling through. The result of these combined movements is
that the brush is subjected to little wear and is self-cleaning, as it may be
considered as brushing parts at rest inasmuch as it rotates at the same speed as
those parts.
Figure 6 represents a side elevation, Figure 7 a longitudinal section, and
Figure 8 a plan, of a modified arrangement of the machine.
Figure 9 is an elevation of the feed end.
Figure 10 is a section, on a larger scale, of the principal operative parts, and
Figure 11 shews a further modification, of the same.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 6 to 11.
Referring now to Figures 6 to 11, the beater or scutcher a is carried by shaft b
actuated from shaft m through speed gear, such as a wheel n in gear with pinion o
in one with wheel p in gear with pinion g on the beater shaft b. A pinion r, fast
on the other end of shaft & drives, through the gear wheels s and t, the roller e
which is geared in turn with roller d by wheels u, v. The roller is also driven
from shaft b by a belt running on pulleys x and y for driving the endless apron j.
The diameters and number of teeth of the gear wheels are so calculated that the
parts in contact shall have the same surface speed. The feed rollers d and e have
the same surface speed and revolve in opposite directions, so as to feed the stalks
presented to them and in like manner the beater a and endless apronj in which the
edges of the blades bed, have the same surface speed greater than that of rollers d
and e and revolve in opposite directions so as to continually scrape the upper and
under surfaces of the stalks which have been broken by the blows of the beater
blades. In order that the pressure with which the blades bed themselves upon the
endless apron may be regulated, the roller i is journalled in bearings 1 which are
adjustable by means of keys and nuts 2.
C
The breaker bar h is placed above cylinder i and at the side of roller d with the
necessary clearance and so that the circle described by the edges of the beater
blades c shall pass close to the upper edge of the bar h, the distance being variable
according to the condition to which the product is to be brought. The frame 3 on
which the operative parts are mounted is supported by a metal frame 4 on the base
frame 5, supported by the axle of wheels 6 and provided with hangers 7 in which
work screw legs 8 for steadying the machine on the ground when at work. 9 are
the shafts for draught purposes and 1 is a feed table upon which the stalks to be
decorticated are placed. This table has side cheeks 10 and is divided just in front
of the roilers by spring partitions 11 into a number of narrow channels each giving
passage to only a single stalk at a time.
When the stalks have been subjected to the combined action of the feed rollers,
beater drum, and endless apron, the filaments are deprived of all pellicle and fall
on to a pair of curved angle iron bars 12 situated directly below the endless apron
and supported at one end by a bracket 13 fixed to the side frame, the bars
terminating at the opposite end in bent portions 14, 15, fixed to the front of the
frame. The bars are curved to a semicircle about a shaft 17 and are separated by
a space in which moves a finger 16 that projects up between the two bars and is
carried by an arm 20 fixed to the rotating shaft 17. This finger collects the
decorticated stalks at the front of the machine. For this purpose the outer curved

page_text: bar 12 carries by a hanger 18 an inclined trough 19 in which the decorticated
stalks are laid by the finger 16 which is made of such form, best shewn in Figure 9,
as to carry the filaments along before the arm 20 can reach the stalks and become
entangled in the filaments. The collecting finger is operated by a worm gear 21
on shaft m in gear with a worm wheel 22 upon the shaft 17.
The endless apron must be kept perfectly clean for which purpose a brush 23 is
placed towards the underside of the roller k and is pressed against the endless
apron by spiral springs 24 the brush being supported in a pair of lever arms 25
carried by a rock shaft 26 operated by a hand lever 27 which is secured by a
locking bolt 28 pressed up by a spring 29 to hold the brush in proper position.
The action is as follows:-The stalks placed on the feed table 1 are pushed by
hand through the channels 11 and pass in a single row or layer between the rollers d
and e.
The stalks are carried by the feed rollers d, e, over the breaker bar h and
each successive portion as it projects beyond the bar becomes broken by the impact
of the beater blades the woody portion or pith being thrown out while the
filaments pass uninjured between the blades and the bar. The stalks thus
converted into stricks are then nipped between the beaters and the endless apron j
by which they are freed from the pellicle. As the beater and endless apron have
a greater volocity than the rollers d and e by which the stalks are retained a
continuous rubbing or scraping action is produced by which all the pellicle still
adhering is removed while the filaments are thrown by the movement of the endless
apron on to the curved bars 12, as shewn in Figure 7. The collector 16 in
revolving about the axis 17 and between the two bars 12 pushes the stalks along,
accumulates them in bundles, and finally discharges them into the gutter 19.
As shewn in Figure 12, the endless apron and roller i may be replaced by a
roller having longitudinal grooves corresponding to the blades of the beater and
which may be lined with strips of india-rubber, the grooves being so spaced that
each beater blade c shall bed itself in a corresponding groove. The roller is
driven from, and at the same surface speed as, the beater by a wheel A keyed on
shaft b gearing with a pinion B keyed on the roller shaft. The filaments bent
around the edge of the beater blade, when bedded in the groove ³, are thus
subjected to continuous rubbing and scraping on both upper and under surfaces.
The form and dimensions of the blade bed grooves may be varied to suit the kind
of material operated on.
It will be evident that the machine may be constructed of various dimensions
and that the details of construction may be varied to suit the work, without in any
way affecting the principle of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. In a machine for decorticating ramie and other plants, leaves, and textile
matters, the combination, with a revolving beater cylinder, of a revolving bed
formed by a rubber apron moving at the same circular velocity as, and acting in
conjunction with, the beater blades to nip and rub or scrape the stalks and of feed
rollers driven at a common surface speed lower than that of the beater for the
purpose of retaining the stalks while being subjected to the action of the beater
blades and their bed, as specified.
2nd. The combination, with the revolving beater drum, of the breaker bar or
anvil whereon the overhanging ends of the stalks are broken by the blades, as
described.
3rd. The combination, with the beater cylinder, of a brush having a rotary
motion by contact therewith and a reciprocating motion in the direction of its
length, as described.
4th. The bed surface formed by the endless apron made adjustable to regulate
the pressure of the blades by shifting the bearings of the roller shaft around which
said apron passes, by means of adjusting screws and nuts as specified.

page_text: 5th. The combination, with the feed table and feed rollers, of partitions dividing
the width of the table into narrow channels, each allowing of the passage of a
single stalk, as described.
6th. The combination, with the feed table divided into compartments, of the
mechanism for supplying the stalks thereto, consisting of the oscillating frame
whereby the stalks are deposited upon an endless apron, in combination with the
grooved guide bar for the ends of the stalks and the horizontal fingers pivoting
upon vertical axes, all as hereinbefore described.
7th. The receiving and collecting device for the decorticated stalks, formed of a
pair of concentric curved bars upon which the filaments fall, in combination with a
Buger carried by a revolving shaft and travelling between the curved bars for
collecting the filaments and conducting them to the front of the machine, as
described.
8th. The improved decorticating machines combined and arranged substantially
as herein before described and illustrated in the drawings for the purpose specified.
Dated this 12th day of October 1894.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.