IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND MACHINERY FOR PREPARING, DRESSING, AND SEPARATING THE FIBRE OF BÖHMERIA NIVEA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS RHEEA, RAMIE, AND CHINA GRASS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO PREPARING AND DRESSING OTHER FIBRES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Atherton, of 15, Water Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
METHOD OF AND MACHINERY FOR PREPARING, DRESSING, AND SEPARATING
THE FIBRE OF BÖHMERIA NIVEA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS RHEEA, RAMIE, AND
CHINA GRASS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO PREPARING AND DRESSING OTHER FIBRES."
Sealed the 25th June 1878, and dated the 2nd January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Atherton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd January 1878.
JAMES ATHERTON, of 15, Water Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND MACHINERY FOR PREPARING,
DRESSING, AND SEPARATING THE FIBRE OF BÖHMERIA NIVEA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS
RHEEA, RAMIE, AND CHINA GRASS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO PREPARING AND DRESSING
OTHER FIBRES.”
My Invention relates to certain improvements in the method of and machinery for
preparing, dressing, and separating the fibres of various fibrous plants in their green
or dry state.
The fibre, to the treatment of which my Invention is more especially applicable,
is that of the böhmeria nivea, commonly known as rheea, but my Invention is also
applicable to other fibrous materials requiring similar treatment.
In carrying out my Invention the machine I use consists of a pair of rollers
running parallel to each other, having their peripheries either plain, or fluted, or
corrugated. These rollers receive the fibre to be treated and deliver it to a pair of
plates placed in a suitable position, by preference underneath the rollers. These
plates have a reciprocating motion imparted to them by suitable gearing, and the
faces of the plates are either plane, serrated, or roughed. Provision is made in the
plates whereby steam, hot water, or an alkaline solution may be injected at suitable
intervals into the fibre or material being operated upon. The plates are adjustable
in their position, and one or both of them rendered sensitive to irregularities in the
Price 8dI

page_text: fibre or material being acted upon by means of bolts and set screws acting against a
spring or springs.
A scraper or brush is attached to the plates, having a reciprocating motion in
common therewith, which serves to cleanse the rollers from any foreign matter, and
also to guide the material under treatment into or between the rubbing plates.
Below the plates or following the plates there are a pair of plain rollers, having
their axis, either inclined or horizontal, placed in a suitable position under the
plates. These rollers are steam filled by means of pipes passing into their axles,
which are rendered tight by stuffing glands or other appliances, provision being
made whereby the condensed steam is removed and discharged together with the
steam through orifices or provisions in the plates, as before described, and which may
be further assisted by the addition of water, acid, alkali, or any suitable liquid from
a pipe or tank conveniently placed.
All the rollers are rendered sensitive to irregularities in the material under treat-
inent by means of springs, weights, or other suitable appliances.
A modification of the rubbing plates consists in using flat surfaces formed upon
the peripheries of rollers, to which a reciprocating as well as a rotating motion is
imparted. The reciprocating motion, either in the case of the plates or rollers, may
be imparted to one or both of the plates or rollers. In the case of both moving, the
reciprocating motion is reversed, so as to produce a rubbing action.
The method and operation of my Invention is as follows:-The rheea fibre or
other material to be treated is fed between the rollers first mentioned by means of
an endless platform or other suitable appliance placed at a convenient angle. The
stems or woody parts of the plant are thus broken or crushed. The material then
passes between the rubbing plates or surfaces, whose reciprocating action is greatly
in excess of the crushing rollers. The material is subjected to a violent rubbing
motion transversely to its length, whereby the bark and fibre and woody portion of
the stem are separated from each other. The material then passes through the
second or steam filled rollers. The operation is assisted by the jets of steam or
water, acid or alkaline, or other solution passing on to the fibre through the rubbing
plates in the manner before described. The gummy matter or mucilage is thus
softened or dissolved, and washed out.
By the passage of the material through the second or steam filled rollers it is
squeezed and dried, the moisture or liquor being led away from the end of the rollers,
and collected or run to waste as required.
The material may be passed through one or more series of steam filled rollers, and
when sufficiently dry it is submitted to the usual process of dressing by beaters,
scrapers, or heckles.
The rollers and plates are mounted on a suitable framework driven by suitable
gear, and they may be applied either singly or in multiple, as found desirable; also,
the speeds of the various parts may be regulated as required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Atherton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
July 1878.
JAMES ATHERTON, of 15, Water Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND MACHINERY FOR PREPARING,
DRESSING, AND SEPARATING THE FIBRE OF BÖHMERIA NIVEA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS
RHEEA, RAMIE, AND CHINA GRASS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO PREPARING AND DRESSING
OTHER FIBRES."
My Invention relates to certain improvements in the method of and machinery
for preparing, dressing, and separating the fibres of various fibrous plants in their
green or dry state.
The fibre, to the treatment of which my Invention is more especially applicable,
is that of the böhmeria nivea, commonly known as rheea, but my Invention is also
applicable to other fibrous materials requiring similar treatment.
In carrying out my Invention the machine I use consists of a pair of rollers
running parallel to each other, having their peripheries either plain, or fluted, or
corrugated. These rollers receive the fibre to be treated and deliver it to a pair of
plates, or their equivalent, placed in a suitable position, by preference underneath the
rollers. These plates have a reciprocating motion imparted to thein by suitable
gearing, and the faces of the plates are either plain, serrated, or roughed. Provision
is made in or in connection with the plates whereby steam, hot water, or an alkaline
solution may be injected at suitable intervals into the fibre or material being
operated upon. The plates or their equivalent are adjustable in their position, and
one or both of them rendered sensitive to irregularities in the fibre or material
being acted upon by means of bolts and set screws acting against a spring or
springs.
A scraper or brush suitably placed serves to cleanse the rollers from any foreign
matter, and also to guide the material under treatment into or between the rubbing
plates.
Below the plates or following the plates there are a pair of plain rollers, having
their axis parallel to each other, and either inclined or horizontal, placed in a suitable
position under the plates. These rollers are steam filled by means of pipes passing
into their axles, which are rendered tight by stuffing glands or other appliances, pro-
vision being made whereby the condensed steam is removed and discharged together
with the steam from the orifices, or provisions in or in connection with the plates,
as before described, and which may be further assisted by the addition of water,
acid, alkali, or any suitable liquid from a pipe or tank conveniently placed.
All the rollers, as also the rubbing plates or their equivalent, are in all cases ren-
dered sensitive to irregularities in the material under treatment by means of springs,
weights, or other suitable appliances.
That my Invention may be clearly understood I have hereunto annexed four
Sheets of Drawings illustrative thereof, marked with letters and figures of reference
corresponding with those in the following explanation :-
In all the Figures the same letters of reference where they occur indicate the same
or corresponding parts.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of one form of apparatus constructed according
to my Invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the gear for working the apparatus according to
my Invention, as shown at Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an elevation of feeding gear for an apparatus constructed according to
my Invention.
Figure 5 is a sectional plan of Figures 1 and 3 through the line A, B.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of a modification of my Invention.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of a second modification of my Invention,

page_text: Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of a third modification of my Invention.
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of a fourth modification of my Invention.
Upon reference to the Drawings it will be seen that in carrying out my Invention
I use a pair of rollers A, A, running parallel to each other, as shown at Figure 1,
having their peripheries plain, or, as shown at Figure 1a, having their peripheries
corrugated or fluted. The rollers A receive the fibre to be treated preferably by
means of a duplex feed arrangement, as shown at Figures 4, 4ª, and 4b, and as
herein-after described. From the rollers A the fibre is delivered to a pair of plates
B, B', or their equivalent, placed by preference under the rollers A. The plates B, B¹,
have a reciprocating motion imparted to them by suitable gearing, such as herein-
after described in detail. The faces of the plates B, B', are either plain, or serrated,
or roughed. In connection with the plates B, B¹, or their equivalent, or above them,
I place the pipes C, through which steam, hot water, or alkaline or other solution
may be injected or play upon the fibre or material under treatment. After passing
through the plates B, B₁, the fibre under treatment passes between the heated
squeezing rollers D. These rollers are steam filled by means of the pipes D' in con-
nection with the pipe C. Condensed and other steam is removed from the rollers D
through a second pipe passing through the other side of the axles of the rollers (see
D², Figure 2).
The condensed steam, water, or solution squeezed from the fibre by the rollers D
is received and discharged at one or both ends of the rollers by the rollers being
placed either parallel, or on a slight incline, or by means of suitable gutters.
After passing through the rollers D, D, the fibre is treated by any suitable system
of dressing by heckles, beaters, or knives and beaters combined, or by a devil."
The reciprocating motion is imparted to the plates B, B¹, by means of the cams or
eccentrics E, E', and the C springs E2, Es, which receive motion from the vertical
shaft F, which also imparts motion to the rollers A by means of the worm and
wheel gear G, and to the rollers D by means of the worm and wheel gear H (see
Figures 2 and 3, also Figure 5).
Upon reference to Figure 5 it will be seen that the plates B, B¹, may be serrated
or roughed, as at B. The plates B, B', are also made self-adjusting by means of the
springs B³. The plates B, B₁, can also be easily removed for cleaning or re-
adjusting, and are capable of being hinged down by removing the caps B* (see
Figures 1 and 3).
The duplex feeding arrangement shown at Figures 4, 4ª, and 4b consists of two
travelling bands A1, A2, and a guide roller A³. The travelling bands are both
arranged as shown at Figure 4b, and are kept in tension by the telescopic rods a, a,
and the pendant weights b, b. The angle of the travelling band A³ is adjustable by
the lengthening or shortening of the rods a, a The duplex feed gear is worked by
the rocking lever d, which carries friction wheels e, e', as shown at Figure 4. These
friction wheels e, e¹, respectively communicate motion from the friction wheels h, h¹,
in connection with the rollers A, to the friction wheels K, K¹, in connection with the
travelling bands A', A2, according to the position of the rocking lever d.
Upon reference to Figure 6 it will be seen that the modification represented con-
sists of substituting a roller B¹ for the reciprocating plate B¹, shown at Figure 1,
and a concave plate B for the reciprocating plate B, shown at Figure 1. In this
modification the roller B¹ and the concave B may have opposite reciprocating move-
ment imparted to them, or the roller may have reciprocating movement and the
concave be stationary, or the concave may have reciprocating movement and the
roller be stationary.
Figures 6 and 6b illustrate a modification of a reciprocating movement for
actuating the rubbing plates or their equivalent according to my Invention.
Upon reference it will be seen that the rubbing plates or their equivalent are
mounted on the sliding shafts or spindles B5, B6, which receive their reciprocating
motion by means of the duplex rocking lever arrangement I, J. The wear on all the
working parts in connection therewith can be instantly taken up by means of the cotter
S, the action of which may, if required, be rendered automatic by means of a spring or

page_text: weight. Motion is imparted by the eccentrics E, F, on the shaft F, the return
motion being given by the rocking lever J, the rotary motion being imparted by the
worm gearing T.
In the modification shown at Figure 7 it will be seen that the rollers B, B¹, are
made with fluted or corrugated peripheries, which are also serrated or roughed. By
this arrangement the reciprocating and rubbing action in combination with a rotary
and discharging motion is obtained.
The modification shown at Figure 8 illustrates an endless chain arrangement, to
which the rubbing plates B, B1, are attached. By this arrangement the rubbing
plates B, B', have a downward and charging movement as well as a reciprocating
and rubbing action imparted to them.
The modification shown at Figure 9 illustrates an arrangement of rotating rubbing
plates B, B¹, which are kept in a vertical position by the weights L. By this
arrangement the rubbing plates B, B¹, have a downward and discharging movement
imparted to them simultaneously to the reciprocating and rubbing movement.
Figure 9 is a modification of rubbing plate B, Figure 9.
Figure 9 is a second modification of rubbing plate B, Figure 9.
The method and operation of my Invention is as follows:-The rheea grass or
other material to be treated is laid out on the endless bands A1, A2, which are
arranged to alternately feed the rollers A, A. After passing through the rollers
A, A, which break or crush the material, it passes between the rubbing plates or
their equivalent B, B¹, whose reciprocating action is in excess of the speed of the
crushing rollers. The material during its passage through the rubbing plates or
their equivalent B, B1, is subjected to saturation by steam, hot or cold water, or an
alkaline or other solution through the pipes C, and it is subjected to a rubbing
motion transversely to its length, whereby the bark and fibre and woody portion of
the stem are separated from each other, and the gummy matter or mucilage softened,
dissolved, and washed out. The material then passes through the steam filled rollers
D, D, and is squeezed and dried, the moisture or liquor being led away or run to
waste, as required.
The material may be passed through one or more series of steam filled rollers D, D,
and when sufficiently dry it is submitted to the usual process of dressing by beaters,
scrapers, heckles, or devils.
Having now described and ascertained the nature, object, and purposes of this my
Invention, and shown the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the same
into practical effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
exact details or dimensions of the apparatus as shown in the Drawings, but what
I claim as my Invention and secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid is,―
Firstly. The arranging or combining together of the feed and crushing rollers, such
as A, A, with the reciprocating plates or their equivalent, such as B, B¹, and the
steam, water, or solution pipes, such as C, and the steam or hot water drying rollers,
such as D, in manner such as herein described or set forth in the Drawings hereto
annexed, or any modification thereof.
Secondly. The method of treating rheea and other fibres by the application of
steam, water, or solution whilst the fibre is being subjected to a rubbing operation
by reciprocating plates or their equivalent, and afterwards drying the fibre by
passing the same through or between steam filled squeezing rollers.
Thirdly. The reciprocating gear for imparting motion to the rubbing plates or
their equivalent, substantially as herein described, set forth, and shown in Figures 2,
3, and 5 of the Drawings hereto annexed, or any modification thereof.
Fourthly. The feeding gear, substantially as herein described, set forth, and
shown in Figures 4, 4*, and 4° of the Drawings hereto annexed, or any modification
thereof.
Fifthly. The apparatus, substantially as herein described, set forth, and shown at
Figure 6 of the Drawings hereto annexed, or any modification thereof.
Sixthly. The reciprocating gear for imparting motion to the rubbing plates or

page_text: their equivalent, substantially as herein described, set forth and shown at Figures 6ª
and 6 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Seventhly. The apparatus, substantially as herein described, set forth, and shown
at Figure 7 of the Drawings hereto annexed, or any modification thereof.
Eighthly. The apparatus, substantially as herein described, set forth, and shown at
Figure 8 of the Drawings hereto annexed, or any modification thereof.
Ninthly. The apparatus, substantially as herein described, set forth, and shown at
Figure 9 of the Drawings hereto annexed, or any modification thereof
Tenthly. The method of and machinery for preparing dressing, and separating
the fibre of böhmeria nivea, commonly known as rheea, ramie, and China grass,
applicable also to preparing and dressing other fibres, substantially as herein
described or set forth, and shown in the Drawings hereto annexed, or any modification
thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Atherton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JAMES (LS.) ATHERTON.