Improved Machinery for the Preparation of Textile Fibres.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 13th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 13th Feb. 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Machinery for the Preparation of Textile Fibres.
I ROBERT JAMES EKE of 9 Buxton Street, Goswell Road, in the County of
London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improved machinery for the preparation of textile
fibres.
According to this invention, in order to prepare textile vegetable fibres in the
green state, I employ a machine constructed substantially as follows:-
In a suitable framing I mount rollers, carrying an endless band, which is
perforated or composed of network (preferably wire netting) to allow dirt,
stones &c. to fall through. And in suitable bearings, I mount loosely two or more
rollers, corrugated longitudinally on their surfaces. These rollers may be mounted
so as to be capable of adjustment, and are so formed and mounted that they engage
with another similarly corrugated roller (keyed on to the driving shaft) in such a
manner that only one tooth is engaged at a time, with each of the aforesaid loose
rollers in order that the fibre may not be broken, by one tooth of a roller being
engaged between two teeth of another roller, in the same way as is the case with
ordinary gearing. As this method of engaging is an important feature in my
invention, I accompany this specification with a diagram to illustrate it. On this
diagram a a shew the loose rollers, the driving roller, and c a piece of stalk,
representing how it would pass between the rollers thus engaging. Near to the
driving roller and one of the aforesaid loose rollers, I mount two drums (to be
driven at a high speed by suitable means), such drums are provided with beaters,
and at this end of the machine, I mount on suitable rollers two endless bands,
preferably composed of wire netting, between which I mount a pair of rollers,
having a longitudinal, as well as a rotary motion. I mount in suitable bearings a
crank shaft running across the machine, on the crank of which I fix loosely one
end of a link, the other end being fixed loosely to the shaft, which carries one
of the aforesaid rollers round which one of the two last mentioned endless bands
works. Thus upon working the crank shaft aforesaid, the endless band has, during
its travel, a rapid up and down (i.e. shaking) action, in order to shake out the
particles separated from the fibre. Each successive band travels faster than the
preceding one. One of the last mentioned two endless bands is inclined towards
the aforesaid corrugated rollers.
After having prepared the fibres in the above described machine, I continue
their preparation, by first drying them, by any suitable means, after which, if
necessary, I continue the preparation of such fibres, by passing them through a
machine constructed substantially as follows:-
In a suitable framing I mount two rollers, corrugated on their surfaces, such
corrugations being at a suitable angle to the axis of the roller, or the rollers may be
spirally cerrugated. The said rollers are so made and mounted that the corru-
gations run in opposite directions. I provide suitable mechanism, so that the said
rollers shall have a longitudinal motion, in opposite directions to one another (in
addition to their rotary motion) so as to produce a rubbing action upon the fibre,
during its passage between the rollers. One way of producing the longitudinal
motion is as follows:-I fix a bracket on to the frame of the machine, on which
is fixed a plumber-block, wherein a shaft works, having a disc keyed thereon,

page_text: provided with an excentric pin and a friction roller, which work in a link. This link
has an extended arm, pivotted to the frame of the machine. This arm has two
links, one on each side of the aforesaid pivot, the opposite ends of said links are
fastened to a band made in two halves such bands being on one end of each of the
shafts of the corrugated rollers, and provided with anti-friction. rollers. Thus
upon the aforesaid disc rotating, it will cause the said arm to oscillate, and thus
pull and push the corrugated rollers backwards and forwards in opposite directions,
the shafts of the said rollers being channelled out, so as to admit of balls. The
aforesaid rollers are mounted so as to be adjustable, in order to put more or less
pressure upon the fibre passing between them.
Instead of causing both the corrugated rollers to travel longitudinally, as afore-
said, I may have only one to move longitudinally, but in this case I may find it
necessary to have two sets of such rollers, so arranged that, if for example, the
top roller of one set is caused to move longitudinally, the bottom roller of the
other set shall thus move, so that the fibre may be rubbed on both sides.
The last described machine may be used for decorticating vegetable fibres
in the dry state, also for wool-breaking, and for the preparation of other animal
fibres.
In order to wash the fibre after preparation, I employ a machine constructed
substantially as follows:-
In a tank, having a space or jacket in same, I mount a shaft carrying say four
arms, on the outer ends of each of which I fix a cage, made of metal or other
suitable material. In each of the said cages I place a number of shallow per-
forated trays, kept at a certain distance apart by suitable means. Between
each of the trays, I place a grating, provided with pins or pegs, for keeping
the fibre straight.
Near the bottom of the aforesaid tank, I have an inlet for water, or solution,
and in connection with the said apparatus I have a pump, to force the dirty liquid
up into an elevated tank, where it is strained, and allowed to re-enter the first
mentioned tank, so as to keep a continuous supply of clean liquid for the aforesaid
cages to work in, as the shalt to which they are fixed rotates.
Tpieces coming from the fibre, during the washing, float over into the
afo said space or jacket, the partition forming this only coming partly up the
sai tank.
When the fibre is sufficiently washed, the water or solution is pumped or
otherwise removed from the tank, and the shaft carrying the aforesaid cages is
caused to rotate at a high speed, which will have the effect of removing the
moisture from the fibre.
Dated the Thirteenth day of February One thousand eight hundred and
I ROBERT JAMES EKE of 9 Buxton Street, Goswell Road, in the County of
London, Engineer, 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:-
This invention relates to improved machinery for the preparation of textile
fibres.
According to this invention, in order to prepare textile vegetable fibres in the 5
green state, employ a machine constructed substantially as follows:-
In a suitable framing I mount rollers, carrying an endless band, which is

page_text: perforated or composed of network (preferably wire netting) to allow dirt,
stones &c. to fall through. And in suitable bearings, I mount loosely two or more
rollers corrugated longitudinally on their surfaces. These rollers may be mounted
so as to be capable of adjustment, and are so formed and mounted that they
engage with another similarly corrugated roller (keyed on to the driving shaft) in
such a manner that only one tooth is engaged at a time, with each of the aforesaid
loose rollers: in order that the fibre may not be broken, by one tooth of a roller
being engaged between two teeth of another roller, in the same way as is the case
with ordinary gearing. Near to the driving roller and one of the aforesaid loose
rollers, I mount two drums (to be driven at a high speed by suitable means,) such
drums are provided with beaters, and at this end of the machine, I mount on
suitable rollers two endless bands, preferably composed of wire netting, between
which I mount a pair of rollers, having a longitudinal, as well as rotary motion.
I mount in suitable bearings a crank shaft running across the machine, on the
crank of which I fix loosely one end of a link, the other end being fixed loosely to
the shaft, which carries one of the aforesaid rollers round which one of the two last
mentioned endless bands works. Thus upon working the crank shaft aforesaid, the
endless band has, during its travel, a rapid up and down (i.e. shaking) action, in
order to shake out the particles separated from the fibre.
Each successive band travels faster than the preceding one.
One of the last mentioned two endless bands is inclined towards the aforesaid
corrugated rollers.
After having prepared the fibres in the above described machine, I continue their
preparation, by first drying them, by any suitable means, after which, if necessary,
I continue the preparation of such fibres, by passing them through a machine
constructed substantially as follows:-
In a suitable framing I mount two rollers, corrugated on their surfaces, such
corrugations being at a suitable angle to the axis of the roller, or the rollers may
be spirally corrugated. The said rollers are so made and mounted that the
corrugatious run in opposite directions. I provide suitable mechanism, so that
the said rollers shall have a longitudinal motion, in opposite directions to one
another (in addition to their rotary motion) so as to produce a rubbing action upon
the fibre, during its passage between the rollers. One way of producing the
longitudinal motion is as follows:-I fix a bracket on to the frame of the machine,
on which is fixed a plumber-block, wherein a shaft works, having a disc keyed
thereon, provided with an excentric pin and a friction roller, which work in a link.
This link has an extended arm pivotted to the frame of the machine. This arm
has two links, one on each side of the aforesaid pivot, the opposite ends of said
links are fastened to a band made in two halves such bands being on one end of
each of the shafts of the corrugated rollers, and provided with anti-friction rollers.
Thus upon the aforesaid disc rotating, it will cause the said arm to oscillate, and
thus pull and push the corrugated rollers backwards and forwards in opposite
directions, the shafts of the said rollers being channelled out, so as to admit of balls.
The aforesaid rollers are mounted so as to be adjustable in order to put more or
less pressure upon the fibre passing between them."
Instead of causing both the corrugated rollers to travel longitudinally, as
aforesaid, I may have only one to move longitudinally, but in this case I may find
it necessary to have two sets of such rollers, so arranged that, if for example, the
top roller of one is set is caused to move longitudinally, the bottom roller of the
other set shall thus move, so that the fibre may be rubbed on both sides.
The last described machine may be used for decorticating vegetable fibres in the
dry state, also for wool breaking and for the preparation of other animal fibres.
In order to wash the fibre after preparation, I employ a machine constructed
substantially as follows:-
In a tank having a space or jacket in same, I mount a shaft carrying say four
arms, on the outer ends of each of which I fix a cage, made of metal or other
suitable material.

page_text: In each of the said cages I place a number of shallow perforated trays, kept at a
certain distance apart by suitable means. Between each of the trays, I place
a grating, provided with pins or pegs, for keeping the fibre straight.
Near the bottom of the aforesaid tank I have an inlet for water, or other
solution, and in connection with the said apparatus I have a pump, to force the
dirty liquid up into an elevated tank, where it is strained, and allowed to re-enter
the first mentioned tank, so as to keep a continuous supply of clean liquid for the
aforesaid cages to work in, as the shaft to which they are affixed rotates.
The pieces coming from the fibre, during the washing, float over into the aforesaid
jacket, the partition forming this only coming partly up the said tank.
When the fibre is sufficiently washed, the water or solution is pumped or
otherwise removed from the tank, and the shaft carrying the aforesaid cages is
caused to rotate at a high speed, which will have the effect of removing the
moisture from the fibre.
And in order that my said invention may be better understood I will now
proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawings accompanying this
specification in which Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of first part of the machinery
Figs. 2 and 3 details hereafter referred to.
The same letters denote the same parts in all the views.
a is the framing of the machinery 6 is driving shaft. c pinion engaging with
spur wheel d keyed on shaft e on which latter shaft the corrugated roller is also
keyed, this latter roller engages with the rollers g and h in the manner shewn in
the diagram to an enlarged scale at Fig. 3. The rollers y and h work in adjustable
bearings ii. k shews a travelling endless band worked by the rollers Im n. This
band prefer to make of wire netting or perforated so that the dust and dirt may
pass through. o is a bracket on the frame carrying the bearing p in which the
crank shaft g works, r is a link connected to erank of crank shaft q and also to the
shafts that carries the roller t round which latter an endless band u passes, this
band also passes round roller or pulley v. This band I also prefer to make of
wire netting or perforated. ww are two tension rollers mounted so as to have a
longitudinal motion as well as a rotary motion. Fig. 2 shews front elevation of
these rollers detached shewing how their longitudinal motion is produced as
follows:-
is a bar fixed across the machine and having a dovetail slot x' cut therein, y is
a frame the bottom of which is of dovetail form in cross section so as to slide in
the slot al, z is a link connected to a crank pin the shaft of which works in
bearings y¹. It will thus be seen that as the shaft rotates it draws the frame y
backwards the sleeves e' working on the shafts and the rollers being keyed on to
their respective shafts by any known means in order that they may rotate at the
same time.
w is another endless band to carry the fibre after it is treated, s', s' are beaters
between which the fibre passes after leaving the rollers/gh.
The whole machinery is worked by bands and suitable pulleys on their respective
shafts the pulleys being of such diameter that each successive band travels faster
than the preceding one (by preference).
The action is as follows:-
The stalks are laid on the travelling band by which they are carried through
the corrugated rollers f g h by which the stalks are broken up and some of the
resinous matter is removed, after which it passes through the beaters s¹s on to the
travelling band u which latter has an up and down i.e. shaking action so as to shake
out the woody portions and extraneous matter, from this band the fibres pass
between the tension rolls w w which latter have a longitudinal motion as well as a
rotary motion as before described and thus free the fibres further from superfluous
matter, the fibres are then carried away by the band to and may then if desired be
further treated in a machine constructed substantially as follows:-
First dry the fibres if required. A Fig. 4 shews frame of the machine in which
are mounted the shafts BB. These shafts have channels C cut therein which

page_text: carry balls D. EE are sleeves working on the shafts BB'. To these sleeves are
fixed rollers FF corrugated on their surfaces in opposite directions as shown.
G is a bracket piece to which is pivoted the arm H to which latter is connected
one end of a link I the other end being connected to the arm K which latter is.
pivoted to a bracket L at M the arm K having pins N N fixed therein which work.
between the plates OO. P is a bracket on which is fixed the plummer block Q in.
which works the shaft R carrying a disc S provided with an eccentric pin T.
This pin works in a link U cast with the arm H. V V are screws to adjust the
bearings of the shafts B B' so as to put more or less pressure on the fibre as it
passes between the rollers F F. W shews gearing to actuate the rollers F F.
The action of the machine constructed as above is as follows:-
The shaft B1 is driven by suitable means so as to produce rotary motion of the
rollers FF by keying the sleeves EE on to the shafts B B' by any known means.
In order to produce the longitudinal motion of the rollers FF in opposite
directions, the shaft R is rotated at any suitable speed by suitable means; this will
have the effect of rocking the arm H by means of the eccentric pin T, thus driving
the sleeves EE backwards and forwards on the shafts B B as will be clearly seen.
on reference to the drawing, the balls D act as antifriction balls.
I may if desired have more than one set of these rollers and this machine may be
provided with tension rollers either at the back or front, or both so as to hold the
fibre whilst it is being rubbed by the longitudinal action of the aforesaid rollers in
opposite directions. The dotted lines shew a case for catching any further-
extraneous matter falling from the fibre during treatment.
I may wash the fibre in a machine constructed substantially as follows:-
1 Fig. 5 is a tank having a jacket 2. 3 is a shaft mounted in bearings 4 in the
tank. The shaft 3 carries arms 5 on the ends of each of which I fix a rectangular
cage 6. These cages are suspended so as to swing on the shaft or they may be
rigidly fixed thereon if found desirable. 7 shews perforated trays placed in each
of the cages 6. The upper portion of one of these cages is represented as broken
away in order that the trays may be seen. These trays are kept apart by means
of the ledges 10, fixed to the sides of the cages 6. One end of each cage is made
removeable so that when the trays are charged with fibre they may be slid in, like
drawers. Pins or pegs 7 are fixed in the trays to keep the fibre straight. I may
place on the top of each tray a grating 8, which I prefer to form double, leaving a
slight space in between, as shewn on the drawing. This, in addition to the spaces
left between the bottom of one tray 7 and the top of the next, will allow the water
or solution to circulate freely through the hole. 9 shews an inlet for water or
solution. I may employ a pump to force the dirty liquid up into an elevated tank.
where it would be strained and pass down to tank 1 in order to keep a continuous
supply of clean liquid in this tank for the aforesaid cages to work in.
The action is as follows:-
Upon rotating the shaft 3, the cages are drawn through the water or solution in.
tank 1 thus washing the fibre which is at the same time kept straight by means of
the pegs as aforesaid. The pieces coming from the fibre during washing, float over
into the jacket 2.
When the fibre is sufficiently washed, the water or solution is removed from the
tank and the shaft carrying the aforesaid cages may then be rotated at a high.
speed which will have the effect of removing the moisture from the fibre.
I may use the whole of the machinery combined as above described or any
portion of the same separately.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-.
1. In machinery for the preparation of textile fibres, the employment of
rollers jgh in combination with beaters and shaking bands or tables, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: 2. In machinery for the preparation of textile fibres, the employment of
corrugated rollers having a longitudinal as well as a rotary motion, such rollers
being arranged and operated substantially as herein before set forth.
3. In machinery for the preparation of textile fibres the employment of cages
mounted on a shaft rotating in a tank in such a manner that the said cages are
drawn through the water or solution so as to wash the fibres.
4. The employment of perforated trays in the cages claimed in the previous
claim, substantially as set forth.
5. Machinery for the preparation of textile fibres substantially as set forth.
Dated this 13th dox of Narambor 1806
BROWNE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.