CERTAIN IMPLEMENTS OR, MACHINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF HEMP OR FLAX, AND OTHER FIBROUS VEGETABLE SUB- STANCES
Year: 1819

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
LOWDER, of the Parish of. Walcot, in the County of Somerset, Architect, send
greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent. Majesty King. George, the Third did, by
His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eleventh day of May,
in the fifty-ninth year of His reign, give and grant unto me, the said John
Lowder, my exors, admors, and assigns, His especial; licence, full power, sole
privilege and authority, that I; the said John Lowder, my exors, adñiors, and
assigns, during the term of years therein mentioned; should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPLEMENTS OR, MACHINES
FOR THE PREPARATION OF HEMP OR FLAX, AND OTHER FIBROUS VEGETABLE SUB-
STANCES;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso that if I,
the said John Lowder, shall not. particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and in what, manner the same is to be performed,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and cause the same
to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within two calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent, that
then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and advantages whatsoever
thereby granted, shall utterly cease, determine, and become void, as in and by
the same, relation being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear..

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Lowder, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention and
improvements aforesaid are herein-after fully described and set forth, as well
as the manner of constructing and using or carrying the same into effect; but
to render such description more plain and obvious, I shall preface it with a
few preliminary observations, viz:-
The stalks of the plant called flax are separable into two principal compo-
nent parts or substances after they have been pulled and dried, namely, an in-
ternal pith, and an external fibrous covering which surrounds and incloses such
pith. When a stem of flax matured in growth has been desiccated, the former
of these substances, namely, the pith, is characterised by its brittleness; the
latter, by its flexibility. The pith or brittle matter is technically called boon;
and the latter portion, namely, the fibrous covering, is called harle or fibre;
and the operation usually termed "breaking of flax," consists in detaching
the boon from the fibre.
The implement or machine which I am now about to describe in the first
place, and which forms one of the objects for which the said recited Letters
Patent have been granted to me, furnishes by its use the means of performing
this operation, and I denominate such implement or machine a Decorticator.
The fibrous portions of flax stem, after being freed from the boon, is usually
split or divided into small filaments previous to its conversion into yarn; and
the implement or machine which I am about to describe in the second place,
and which forms another object for which the said recited Letters Patent have
'been granted to me, furnishes, by its use, the means of so dividing the fibre into
such small filaments; and this implement or machine I denominate a Finisher.
Previous to my entering into an explanation of the nature of my said
Invention, and into the mode by which the same may be ascertained, I think
it needful to state certain particulars in relation thereto, which I do as
follow, viz:-
In the first place, let a dried stem of flax, which has been harvested at a
mature growth, be placed across a smooth edge or aris formed on any hard
substance; and for the better apprehension of my meaning, let it be under-
stood that such edge or aris be represented by the edge of a knife, having its
cutting property so far abated by rounding off as to render such knife inca-
pable of cutting a piece of yarn thread without forcible laceration or tearing.
Let such a stem of flax, I say, be placed across such a smooth edge; let such
stem so placed be pressed upon and be bent over such edge; let such stem,
"whilst so pressed and bent, be made to pass across such edge from one side
to the other alternately, care being had that no such violence be used thereon

page_text: as may destroy the continuity of such stem by tearing it asunder. It will be.
found. by this process that the boon contained in the portion of stem so.
treated. will be loosened or detached from the fibre which enveloped it..
Secondly, let both.extremities of such a piece of stem be held in such wise.
that the portion intermediate between such extremities may be. readily bent
or doubled together. Whilst such stem is so retained let the edge before
described be pressed across such intermediate portion so that such intermediate.
portion shall thereby be bent. The said portion of stem and such edge being
thus opposed one to the other, let such edge be made to pass over such inter-
mediate portion of stem reciprocating between such extremities, care been
taken that such stem be not hereby broken asunder by violent tension. It.
will be found that the boon contained in the portion of stem subjected to such
operation will be loosened or detached from the fibre which envelopes it.
I have now stated two methods whereby the application of an edge against
a ripened and dried flax stem is made to loosen or detach the boon from
the surrounding cortext or fibre without the previous intervention or use of
any other implement.. Whether a motive force be applied to the stem,
according to the first of the two methods herein stated, or whether such motive
force be applied to the edge according to the second of these methods, it is to
be observed; that the essential principles upon which the effect above recorded.
depends are, first, the. friction created by the pressure of an edge upon. the
stem which is bent over it; secondly, the breaking successively each particle of.
the pith contained in such stem by the progressive movement either of the
edge or of the stem. Now I aver that the same result, to wit, the looseing or
detaching of the boon from the fibre, will ensue if. such corelation as I have
supposed to exist in my previous statement between the edge as the operative
instrument and the stem as the subject to be operated upon be established.
during the simultaneous progression both of the instrument or of the subject,
provided that during such combined progressive movement there be created an
adequate degree of friction of. the edge against the stem. Here then is a
third method whereby the mutual attrition of the edge and of the bended stem,.
caused by the joint movement in such direction and under such circumstances.
as have been before severally pointed out, is made subservient to the separation.
or loossening of the boon from the fibre contained in such flax stem. Now, in
order to avoid all misapprehension as to my meaning in my foregoing explication.
of the three methods or processes whereby the operative effect which I have.
recorded is produced on the flax stem, I further state that the said effect is no
wise dependent upon any contact which may ensue during the said treatment of.
the stem against the side or sides of the instrument whereupon the edge is formed,..

page_text: and that I have not contemplated in my preceeding statement any application of
the said stem against any surface extending beyond such edge of such instru-
ment; and that I hold it to be actually indifferent touching the efficiency of
the operation of the edge upon the stem to the consequential result depending
thereon, whether during the stated progression the stem do or do not rub
against or even touch any side or surface forming part of such instrument
contiguous to such edge, and that I do rest the lossening or detaching of the
boon from the fibre, during the aforesaid operations, altogether upon the effi-
ciency of the edge alone, notwithstanding any casual contact that may arise
during the said operations between the said fibre, or the said stem, and the
adjoining surfaces of the instrument bearing such edge. I have entered into
the foregoing statements for the purpose of shewing; in a general view, the
basis upon which my said Invention is founded, and more especially for the
purpose of pointing out a certain method of separating or detaching the boon
from the fibre of the flax stem, in contradistinction to other methods of per-
forming the said operation by the use of such cylindins as come under the
denomination of crimping cylinders, in what way soever such cylinders may be
applied to such a purpose. In contradistinction likewise to such other methods
of performing such operation by means of instruments of percussion, in what
way soever such instruments may be applied to such a purpose. Likewise in
contradistinction to other methods of performing such operation by means of
instruments which subject the flax stem to the action of two or more plain or
rubbing surfaces, in what way soever such surfaces may be applied to such
purpose, provided such surfaces do expose a greater extent of superficies than'
that which in ordinary language is understood to an edge or aris.
I now proceed to specify distinctly the nature of that part of my
said Invention which is comprised in the implement or machine which
I call a Decorticator, in doing which I refer to the representations of
such implement or machine shewn in the Drawings annexed to these
Presents, and to the several letters and references belonging thereto; pre-
mising that such Drawings do exhibit only such parts of my said implement
or machine as are peculiarly characteristic of my said Invention, uncon-
nected with, and distinct from, all appendages whereon or wherewith the
same may be united, supported, or fixed, or whereby the respective parts of
such implement or machine are connected one with the other, which said ap-
pendages or modes of connection may be formed or constructed in any way
which the maker of my said implements or machines may find convenient.
And I declare that in omitting the delineation or description of such ap-
pendages or modes of connection, I am no wise influenced by a desire to

page_text: may not
withold any explanation which is essential to enable others to execute or make
my said implements or machines in as perfect and complete a manner as I do
myself practice; and that my sole reason for such omission is, that I
appear to arrogate to myself the Invention or exclusive exercise of such me-
chanical contrivances as are in common use amongst mechanists in general,
and that I may stand completely exculpated from all charge of secrecy or
concealment by reason of such omissions. I do distinctly declare that the
said Drawings,, together with the descriptions which I am about to give,
do comprise and set forth the whole, of the contrivance of which I claim
the exclusive use or advantage under the Letters Patent aforesaid granted
to me. And I further declare that I make use of no peculiar means
of giving motion to my said implements or machines, but that I adopt
such means as are in common use amongst, mechanists, since it no wise
enters into the scope or compass of my said Invention to set forth any new
method of producing the first motion required to work my said implements or
machines, such motion, as well as the secondary causes or contrivances whereby
the several parts of my said implements or machines are made to partake of
such motion; being mere accessories to the use of my said Invention, and no
wise belonging to the Invention itself.
And I further premise that in each and all of the said Drawings respectively
herein-after referred to, and marked with the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, those
parts to which the letters a is affixed point out such part or parts of my said
implements or machines to which I give the name of edge or aris, and those
parts of the said Drawing or delineations to which the letter 6 is affixed are
intended to, represent a portion of continuous flax stem, placed in such wise as
to shew the relative position which such stem is intended to, occupy when
about to be acted upon by the several forms or modifications of the implement
or machine which I denominate a Decorticator, and to which several forms or
modifications, of such implement or machine the numericals one, two, three, and
four, are affixed for the better apprehension or understanding of the aforesaid
several Drawings. I here state that they are all transverse sections of the
objects, they are meant to represent.
The Drawing numbered 1 shews a stem of flax placed transversely across
and between the pairs of edges. This assemblage of edges constitutes what I
call a Decorticator. I use this implement or machine to detach or separate
the boon from the fibre of the said stem in the manner following; that is to
say,.
I cause the two outward pairs of edges to be retained in the position in
which they are represented in the Drawing, while I cause the intermediate
pair of edges.C, D, to move conjointly, with a reciprocating motion, alternately

page_text: towards the letters C and D. These intermediate edges carry along with them
the portion of stem which they include, and during such reciprocating motion
I cause the stem to be pulled lengthwise, making it to move progressively
across the several edges until the entire length of the said stem has been pulled
out from between them; such progressive motion of the stem may be made in
either direction, but as the edges are formed in this Drawing, a direction from
'K towards L will be found to answer best. By the aforesaid simultaneous
reciprocating and progressive motions I detach the boon from the fibrous part
of the stem subjected to the operation of my aforesaid implement or machine;
and as its effect is owing to the great brittleness of one of the component parts
of the flax stem, and the extreme flexibility of the other component parts, the
extent of the reciprocating action of the associated intermediate edges of my
machine will admit of considerable variation. The only rule to be observed in
apportioning the length of stroke made by such action is that it be not so great
as to rupture the stem. I find by experience that a short and quick stroke is
most effectual. The position of each edge, in relation to that of the other
wherewith it is coupled, admits likewise of considerable variation; the only
rule to be attended to in this point of construction is, that each pair of edges be
sufficiently proximate to cause a moderate compression of the stem which is
included between them. The distance which separates each respective pair of
edges admits likewise of considerable variation. I determine this distance, as
well as all other points relating to proportion in this particular, whether they
concern the distance between each pair of edges or the distance between each
edge respectively, by actual experiment made in coupling or connecting such
edges together. Nevertheless, least any ambiguity should seem to attach to
this my explanation, I hereby declare that in the Drawing here referred to, I
have shewed such a relative position of each and every edge constituting my
said machine, and have thereby assigned to each part such magnitude and
relative position, as I have found in practice to answer well the object for
which such machine is intended, when the said parts are formed of iron. The
mode of introducing the stem intended to be operated upon between the edges
of this my machine, as well as that of moving it and drawing it out again, is
so simple and obvious that I leave these points to the direction of any intelli-
gent mechanist, since it is no wise essential to the due performance or working
of my said machine that any precise mode of effecting the same should be
observed.
The Drawing numbered 2 represents a transverse section of another form
which I give to the machine called by me a Decorticator. In using this
machine, I cause a flax stem to be placed transversely across the edges of the

page_text: outer cheeks marked G, H, and at the same time to pass under the middlé
piece, marked in the said Drawing. I then cause the said middle piece to
move with a reciprocating motion intermediately from one cheek towards the
other, sucb cheeks being stationary; or otherwise I cause the middle piece to be
stationary, and I then give a similar motion to the said outer cheeks, causing
them to move together, so that they alternately move from and towards the
middle piece. During such reciprocation, either of the middle piece, according
to my first statement, or of the outward cheeks, according to my second state-
ment, I cause the stem to move in one continued progressive direction, such
direction being longitudinal in relation to the position of the stem. By such
reciprocation and simultaneous progression I effect a separation of the 'boon
from the fibre contained in such stem. Now in order that I may avoid
a needless repetition of what I have already set forth in my description of that
form of my machine exhibited in the Drawing numbered 1, I declare that all
the remarks which I have therein made in relation to the said Drawing apper-
taining to the magnitude of the component parts of the machine there
'delineated, and to the relative distance between such parts, and likewise in the
connection of one part with the other, and the method of giving motion to
such machine, or directing the movement consequent thereon, I declare that
all the several particulars which I have stated on these points in relation to
the said Drawing are equally applicable to and are as conclusively descriptive
of that form of the Decorticator numbered 2. I therefore refer to my former
statement for information as all points of construction not here specifically
described in relation to such form.
The Drawing numbered 3 shews the machine which I call a Decorticator
under another form; but since there is no difference whatever in the using or
working this form and that last described by the Drawing numbered 2, and
since there is no essential difference between the form so numbered and the
present, numbered 3, save only in the shape of the parts comprized in such
delineation, it is needless for me to enter into a description of this latter
Drawing, further than to state that the letters of reference wherewith the
several parts are therein marked are the same in this as in the Drawing
numbered 2, in such wise that all the particulars which I have stated in the
description thereof are difinitively and conclusively applicable to the form of
the said machine exhibited in the Drawing numbered 3.
'The Drawing numbered 4 is a delineation of another form which I gave to
the machine which I call a Decorticator. In using this machine I place
a stem of flax, as shewn in the said Drawing transversly across the outer,
piece marked Z, Z. I likewise make it to pass transversely under the middlo

page_text: piece, marked N.. I cause this middle piece to be stationary, and 1 suspend
the outer piece upon a center, at the point marked O, and I cause it to vibrate
upon such center so that the outer edges over which the flax stem passes are
made. to move in a reciprocating and curvilinear direction, each edge of such
outer piece moving, alternately towards and from the middle piece marked N.
At the same time, I give such progressive motion to the flax stem, as I have
described in explaining the use of this my machine under the different forms
I have already set forth. As to the magnitude of the parts whereof the
machine I have just described is composed, and as to the several proportions
and positions of such parts, I refer, to what I have previously stated under
these heads in,my description, of the machine or machines to which I have
given the name of Decorticator; and having stated in the preceding part of this
my, Specification, that each of the Drawings before referred to is a representa-
tion of a transverse section of my said machine, it is further necessary that
I should state, that each such section is supposed to be made respectively at
right angles to, the length of such machine,, and that the longitudinal
construction or formation of, my machine, under whichever of its forms the
said machine is made, is such that all parallel sections thereof, as far as regards
that part of my machine which is immediately instrumental in detaching the
boon; from the fibre, would be alike, and as to all other parts which are
merely, accessary thereto, I have already disclaimed any exclusive method
practised by me in constructing such accessary parts or appendages. And
I further state, that although I have, for the sake of simplifying the aforesaid
delineations of my machine, represented but one stem of flax in each of them.
it is not to be inferred from this, or from any explanation I have given of the
mode of using or working my said, machine, that I limit its operation to
one stem only at a time, for it must be distinctly understood, that my
machine is intended to act upon a plurality of stems simultaneously, without
reference to any definite number, thereof. And I declare that I regulate the
length, of, my machine according to the number of stems which I see fit to
cause to be simultaneously acted upon. as well as according to the strength
of the materials wherewith such machine is composed. And, moreover, that
I exercise such discretion herein as the nature of the operation itself, and the
stress to be sustained by the machine, may require. Nevertheless, I think it
right to state, that I rarely make such machine less than six or more than
twenty-four inches in length; and further, to remove all doubt as to the sense
in which I have used the words edge and aris, I state, that I have not always
limited my meaning to a particular formation wrought upon parts of my
machine, but that I have sometimes used the said words to express in an

page_text: abbreviated manner the entire piece itself, upon which such edge or aris is
formed. I must likewise state, that although I have hitherto mentioned
flax alone as the vegetable substance to be operated upon by my said
machine that I also use it to effect a separation of the fibrous part from
the pith of other vegetable substances, comprizing all such as infa dried state
are like the dried flax stem;; composed of a brittle substance united to one
which is eminently flexible; and that I use my said machine:.to operate upon
such other fibrous vegetable substances in the same way: that I use it.to
operate upon the stems of the flax plant. It remains for me to state, that my
aforesaid machine may be formed either of wood; ivory, bone, horn; or of.any.
hard tenaceous metal, but that I prefer iron or steel for its construction;
particularly in those parts which are to act upon the vegetable stem
"
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention; as
far as such Invention relates to the implement or machine which I call
a Decorticator, I shall proceed; in the second place; to ascertain the nature of
that part of my Invention which I call a Finisher. The Finisher: consists in
part of a wheel, drum; or cylinder, around the outward superficers constituting
the periphery of which I attach tufts of hair, bristles; or of such other
materials as hard brushes are usually made with. And I use: this: machine to
split or divide the fibrous vegetable substances into filaments after the following
manner (that is to say):-I take an indefinite number of stems of flax, or
of such other vegetables as are adapted to the purpose to which It apply the
machine called a Decorticator; such stems having: previously undergone! the
operation technically called breaking; whether such operation may have been
performed by my aforesaid machine or by any other implement or machine;
and I place the fibrous part of such stems in contact with the said tufts, placed
as aforesaid around the periphery of such wheel, drum, or cylinder; which :I
cause to revolve upon its axis, and I continue such revolution of the said wheel,
drum, or cylinder until the said fibre is split or divided into filaments.. It is not,
however, this part and operation of the aforesaid machine which I callia Finisher
for which I claim the exclusive beneficial use; but I claim the: exclusive bene:
ficial use of a certain contrivance, which I use conjointly with the said tufted
wheel, drum, or. cylinder, of which contrivance I am the Inventor. This
appended contrivance consists of a support or back which I call a cradle, and
which is formed like a rack or like a step ladder, and is bent in such wise that
the butt ends of the pieces or parts thereof, analagous to or resembling what are
called the staves of a rack or the rounds of a ladder, are placed and fixed in a
circular line parallel to and coinciding or nearly coinciding with the curvili-
near sweep described by the points or extremities of the said tufts placed

page_text: upon such wheel, drum, or cylinder during its revolution. Now, I place the
cradle so formed in such a way that the said pieces resembling the said staves
or rounds are parallel, or nearly so, to the axis whereupon such wheel, drum,
or cylinder is made to revolve, such staves or rounds being one, two, or more
inches asunder, according to the nature of the vegetable I am about to
prepare; and I place the fibre which I intend. to split or divide in the cavity
of this cradle longitudinally across the, said stave-like pieces, and. between
them and the points of the tufts, and I press the concave side of such cradle
against the revolving tufts in such wise that the said tufts, encountering the
staves across which the said fibre is lain, are thereby bent and expanded so
that the fibre is forceably brushed by the points of the bristles, hair, or other
matter of which the said tufts are composed, and the said fibre is thereby split
or divided into filaments. During this operation I take especial care that the
said fibre be witheld from escaping or being pulled away by the said revolving
tufts, for if such tufts be made to press too strongly upon the said fibre
the filaments into which it will be so divided are liable to be torn away. To
prevent this as much as possible, I regulate the pressure of the cradle against
the said cylinder or drum of tufts, either by means of screws, springs, wedges,
or weights, so as to act against or upon the said cradle by way of adjustment,
and in. this way experience will soon shew the degree of pressure which
is most effectual..
:
From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the implement or
machine which I call a Finisher consists of a cradle to be used in conjunction
with a revolving brush or brushes, and that it is the united use of such cradle
and of such revolving brush or brushes for which I claim the exclusive privilege.
And I do not bind myself to any specific diameter or width for such revolving
brush; but for portable machines I find from twelve to eighteen inches diameter,
and from four to six inches wide, are convenient dimensions.
Finally, I declare that I construct such last-mentioned machine of wood
and such metals and materials as are most convenient, and as I have already
mentioned in reference to the making of my other machine called a Decor-
ticator.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Lowder, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and nineteen.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eighth day of July, in the
year of our Lord 1819, the aforesaid John Lowder came before our said
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statutes made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and nineteen.