CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND DRESSING FLAX, HEMP, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1833

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING.
I, THOMAS MOORE EVANS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth, by
His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Tenth day of January, One thousand eight hundred and
thirty-three, and in the third year of His reign, did give and grant unto me,
the said Thomas Moore Evans, my executors, administrators, and assigns, His
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Tho-
mas Moore Evans, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and such others
as I, the said Thomas Moore Evans, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times hereafter during the term of years therein mentioned, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend my said Invention, within Eng-
land, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND DRESSING FLAX,
HEMP, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS;" in which said Letters Patent there is
contained a proviso that I, the said Thomas Moore Evans, shall cause a par-
ticular description of 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, to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next immediately after the date of the said in part recited
Letters Patent, reference being thereunto had, may more fully and at large
appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Moore Evans, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, refe-
rence being-had-to-the-Drawings-hereunto annexed, and to the figures and
letters marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Improvements in Machinery for Preparing and Dressing Flax, Hemp,
and other Fibrous Materials, apply to two distinct parts of the process of pre-
paring and dressing such materials, namely, first to the operation of scutching
or swingling or beating away the boom or woody particles of the rind which
covers the flax or hemp in its rough state, and, secondly, to the subsequent
operation of heckling, combing, or- opening of the fibres of the material, pre-
paratory to spinning it into yarns, the particulars of which are exhibited in the
accompanying Drawings, and will be fully understood by reference thereto, and
the following description thereof, that is to say:-
Sheet 1 represents the scutching or swingling machine in different positions.
Figure 1 is an end view of the machine in operation; Figure 2 is a front
view of the same. The essential parts of the machine, and that in which the
invention especially consist, are two pairs of revolving beaters or scutchers,
each formed by long ribs or blades, mounted upon arms..
Figures 3, 4, and 5 represent. in different positions one of the pairs of
beaters or scutchers detached from the machine. The blades of the beaters
a, a, may be made of ribs of hard wood or other suitable material; broad but
thin; and slightly rounded on their edges, to prevent their cutting the fibres of
the flax or hemp when they strike it. The two .blades are placed parallel to
each other, and mounted-upon a hexagonal frame, best seen at Figure 3, the
arms b, b, inclining or forming obtuse angles with the blades, and from the
middle of the arms short. axles c, c, extend, upon which the beaters revolve.
The axles of both pair of beaters are mounted in plummer-boxes, bearing upon
horizontal rails at the ends of the machine, as shewn in Figure 1, and are at
such distances apart as will allow of the arms and the beaters of each pair
passing alternately within those of the other- pair as they revolve in opposite
directions, which they are enabled to do without coming in contact, in con-
sequence of the inclination of the arms. On the axle at one end of each pair
of beaters a toothed wheel is affixed, and 'these wheels, being of similar dia-
meters, and taking into each other, cause the beaters to revolve with similar
speed in opposite directions, rotary: motion being given to them by a band and
riggen d fixed on-one of the axles; and in order that the beaters in revolving
may not come in contact as they pass, the positions of the two pairs are so

page_text: arranged that the blades of one shall be in a perpendicular situation, while
those of the other are horizontal. The rind of the flax or hemp having been
previously broken by any of the ordinary modes of performing that opera-
tion, small bunches or streeks of the material are spread out, and their ends
confined between the jaws of clamps or holders. These clamps or holders
differ considerably from clamps which are commonly used. I shall therefore
particularly describe: their construction before shewing them in operation.
:
Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 are views of the clamp in different positions. a and
bare two boards united together by a-hinge cat top, which of course allows
them to shut and open, as in Figures 7 and 9:; the lower parts forming the
jaws of the clamps are made with teeth or indentations, between which parts
the ends of the flax or hemp: are securely held when the clamps are brought
together. d, d, are two pieces projecting from the board a, at the end of each
of which is an eye, shewn by dots; and at the back of the board b, see Figure 6,
there is a double armed lever:e, turning upon a fixed pin f, which lever carries
two circular wedges g, g...These wedges.pass into the eyes of the pieces 'd, d,
when the clamps are closed, and hold them. fast. There is a segment ratchet
h at the upper part of the board b, which turns upon a stud i, and is pressed
downwards by a spring k: This ratchet receives. the end of the lever e, and
consequently keeps the circular wedges firm in the eyes which hold the clamps
securely together, and prevents their: opening by. the shaking of the scutching
machine. When it is required to open the clamps the ratchet / must be
raised, and the lever e pushed aside by its handle /, which, draws the circular
wedges f, f, from the eyes of the pieces d, d, and the boards of the clamps
immediately separate.. For the convenience of suspending the holders in the
machines, a piece of sheet iron mi is bent at right angles; and fastened to the
back of the board a, as seen in Figures. 7, 8, and 9, forming a groove by
means of which the holders are enabled to slide into the machine and hang
there. These clamps or holders are, when charged with the material, placed
in the scutching machine, as shewn at e, e, e, in Figures 1 and 2, bearing upon
the edge rail or bar f. The beaters are now made to revolve in the manner
already described, by which the edges of the blades will strike against the
pendant streeks of flax or hemp alternately on each side; and beat off, scutch,
or swingle the boom from the material, and render it fit for the operation of
heckling, which is to follow." The whole machine is encased with boards to
prevent the inconvenience arising from dust, and an apparatus might be adapted
with a blower to conduct the dust created by the machine, and to discharge it
out of the building. In introducing these streeks of flax or hemp into the machine
the holder is placed upon the projecting end of the bar or edge railf, and is

page_text: thence sliden into the machine; and after the material has been sufficiently
scotched or swingled, the holders with the streeks are removed through the top
of the machine, and others successively introduced at the end and pushed
along the rail. If, however, it should be thought desirable, the streeks may
be progressively carried through the scutching machine, and delivered on to a
similar edge rail in the heckling, there to be operated upon in the way about
to be described, by which means the whole process of scutching and heckling
may go on without interruption.
Sheet 2 represents the heckling or combing machine by which the fibres of
the material are to be opened and the tow removed. Figure 1 is an end view
of the machine; Figure 2 a front view of the same; and Figure 3 a transverse
section taken nearly through the middle in a vertical direction; perpendicular
standards form the ends of the machine, which are connected together by
longitudinal rods or bars secured by nuts; the heckle points intended to act
upon the flax are mounted upon the frames a, b, and c, d, and the streeks of
flax held in the clamps e, e, e, as described, are suspended from the bar or edge
rail f, f, extending through the machine.
In order to render the principles of this machine and its mode of
working evident, it may be desirable to shew in an abstract form the
manner in which the heckles are brought into operation upon the flax,
and for this purpose a series of diagrams are delivered in Sheet 3. Suppose
two sets of combs or heckle points be mounted upon frames a and b, as
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, each frame being moveable by means of cranks
c, c, and d, d, connected in such manner that they both turn with the same
speed in opposite directions, it is evident that every part of the frames and
combs will move in circles corresponding to those described by the cranks, the
points of the combs travelling in the directions of the arrows in circles repre-
sented by dots in Figure 2. During this movement whilst performing the
first descending quarter of the circle the cranks bring the frames together as
in Figure 3. They begin after this to separate in describing the second
descending quarter, and come to the position, Figure Four; when, continuing to
revolve, they move further from each other in describing the first ascending
quarter of the circle, and arrive at the position, Figure 5, where the distance
is the greatest; and lastly, they describe the second ascending quarter
returning to the position Figure 2. If, therefore, a streck of flax be suspended
between the two sets of combs, as in Figures 3 and 4, and the rotary motion
be continued for a sufficient length of time, the flax will be combed in the
whole length which is submitted to the action of the combs, although the
points severally have only operated in a very small space. Such a system o

page_text: of Rockies would make a very good and simple heckling engine if it
were not for the inconvenience experienced by the points dragging some of the
fibres with them when withdrawing from the flax, as shewn in the Drawings
in Figure 5, which would produce a great waste of material; and to obviate
this it would be necessary to introduce some contrivance for clearing the points;
which must be attended with considerable complication. The plan, however, of
my present improved engine affords the means of producing the same effect by
more simple and efficient means. The principles of the improved engine are
shewn in the several Figures 6 to 13. There are two series of combs attached
to two moveable frames represented separately at a and b, Figures 8 and 9.
Each frame is formed by a vertical bar with lateral branches or arms which
carry the heckle points. The branches or arms are parallel and at equal
distances apart, but fixed in such positions in each frame that they may
occupy the intervening spaces. When the frames are brought together as
Figure 6, the frames are put in motion by means of revolving cranks to which
they are attached, as shewn in Figure 6; and when the cranks turn upon their
axes, the branches of our frame pass between those of the other without
touching. This forms what I call a set of combs, but one of my improved
machines contains two such sets, the points of the combs of one set being
opposed to the points of the combs in the other set. The way in which the
series of combs which compose one set act upon the flax is shewn in the side
views, Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13. In Figure 10 the cranks being nearly
vertical, the points of both frames are away from the flax; but as the cranks
move round in the direction of the arrows, the frames come into the position
of Figure 11, and it is then that the points or heckles of one of the frames a
begin to penetrate the flax, and, descending into the position shewn at
Figure 12, they comb or divide its fibres; the rotation of the cranks con-
tinuing, the two frames a and b come into the position shewn at Figure 13,
the point of the frame a withdrawing from the flax, and those at the frame b
approaching and pushing the fibres off the formed, which are now combed by
the descending stroke of the points. It will hence be perceived tbat as the
combs of the frames a and b respectively advance they will push forward the
whole of the streek of flax, and render it impossible for the fibres to be raised
and entangled, as each frame in advancing clears the fibres from the points
which preceded it. A single set, however, of such combs or heckles, acting
only on one side of the flax, would but imperfectly perform the operation of
opening its fibres; it is therefore necessary, in order to accomplish the desired
object in the most effectual way, that two such sets of combs or heckles should
be brought to act on opposite sides of the streek of flax, which
may be done

page_text: in the manner shewn in the Figures 14 to 18. The cranks of the two
opposite sets of combs, frames, or heckles a, b, and c, d, are connected by a
pair of toothed wheels e, f, as Figure 14, or by four toothed wheels, as
Figure 15, by which the heckles are all actuated at once, the two sets moving
in opposite directions but with similar speeds, and the combing or heckling of
the material will go on in the way shewn in the five last-named Figures.
Thus far I have only considered two frames of combs or heckles constituting
a set as acting on each side of the streek of flax; but in order to perform a
greater quantity of work, several sets may be mounted in one machine working
alongside of each other, extending along the breath of the machine. A mode
of associating four sets of combs or heckles on one side of a machine is shewn
in Figure 19. The combs are here supported on three frames, of which the
middle one has branches or arms extending on both sides, and the other two
frames branches extending inward only. To drive the frames so arranged
they must be connected to treble cranks, as shewn in the last-mentioned
Figure.
a, b, are the
Such is the principal of the improved machine for combing or heckling exhi-
bited Sheet 2, of which I now proceed to describe the particular construction.
This machine or engine has four sets of combs, constructed on the plan of
Figure 19, acting both at the back and front of the flax.
e, e, e, are the
front set of combs, and c, d, the back set of combs.
clamps holding the streeks of flax previously scutched, with clamps hang
upon the edge rail f. The comb frames are attached at top and bottom to the
cranks g, g, which are all connected by toothed gear, as shewn in the Figures
1 and 2, and driven by a band or rigger h. As the form and construction of
the frames or heckles may not appear sufficiently evident in the representation
of the entire machine, I have given distinct Figures of them detached and in
different positions in Sheet 4, .upon a larger scale at Figures 1 to 5. The
combs or heckles, being put in motion in the way described, act upon the sus-
pended streeks of flax, and open their fibres as explained, which streeks are
progressively conducted through the machine by their clamps, sliding upon the
edge rail f, through the agency of an endless chain i, i, to which the clamps
are severally attached by a hook falling into one of the links. The chain i, i,
is driven by a spur wheel upon the axle of the bevel wheel k, which receives a
slow rotary motion through a bevel pinion of a similar wheel 1, actuated by
another pinion on the end of the upper crank axle at m. By these means
clamps, with the streeks of flax placed on the edge rail, are slowly carried
through the machine, when the flax will be gradually acted upon, first, by
heckle points of a course kind set wide apart, and ultimately by finer points

page_text: .
set near together, after which the clamp. with the streek, of flax is discharged
from the machine at the reverse end of the edge rail. But should the work-
man neglect to remove the holder or change when it arrives at the end of the
rail, the machine would be stopt by means of a jointed lever n, o, Figure 2,
leading a fork at its end, which pushes the band from the fast rigger on to the
loose end, and throws off the driving: power. As the combs or heckles, in
acting upon the flax to divide its fibres, tear parts of the fibres and reduce them
into tow, the downward motion of the heckles brings the tow with them out of
the flax, which is deposited between two fluted rollers p, p, and is by them
conducted down to the large drum q, where it becomes laped in two endless
sheets round the periphery of the drum, the one of course tow, the other of
fine, the adhesion being assisted by a pressing roller r; and when a quantity of
the tow has been thus accumulated round the periphery of the drum, it may
be removed thence by cutting it off in a sheet. The fluted rollers, and also
the large drum, are driven by gear and bands in the way shewn in Figures 1
and 2. After the streek of flax has been thus carried once through the
scutching machine or the heckling machine, the jaws of the clamps are to be
opened, and the ends of the flax reversed, and the streek again confined in the
clamps, so that the other end of the streek may be operated upon in a similar
way. In order to prevent any part of the flax from attaching itself to the
branches of the moveable frames, each frame is furnished with a shield or
guard of polished iron or brass plate which covers a part of the combs, and the
heads of the screws by which they are fixed to the branches. These cases are
represented in Sheet 4 in different views at Figures 6, 7, and 8. When the
plate metal is bent into the form of the shield shewn at Figure 7, it is
sliped on to the branches of the heckle frames, and is sufficiently elastic to
hold fast on as at Figure 8, which Figure shews how the shield covers the
combs. But it is to be observed that the edges of the shields are to vary in
the extent of their projection according to the situation in which they are to be
placed; those which are to shield the upper branches of heckles are to project
but little, so as to leave the points uncovered and free to enter the streek of flax,
but the shield of the lower heckles are to project considerably over the points
to prevent them from penetrating too far into the fibres, which is so contrived
or the purpose of facillitating the falling of the tow, which would otherwise be
with difficulty removed from the lower combs if it were thrust upon the whole
ength of the points. It being advantageous that each streek of flax should
be combed near the lower extremities before the middle is acted upon, it is
ecessary, in order to obtain this effect, to remove some of the points of the
ombs in the upper branches, as shewn in the detached Figures 2, 3, and 4 of

page_text: Third.
Inrolled the Tenth day of July One thousand eight hundred and
thirty-three.