IM- PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SCUTCHING FLAX, HEMP, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Charles Wilson, of Redford Flax
Factory, Thornton, Kirkaldy, N.B., for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SCUTCHING FLAX, HEMP, AND OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS."
Sealed the 27th January 1854, and dated the 2nd December 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Charles.
Wilson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 2nd December 1853.
I, JOHN CHARLES WILSON, of Redford Flax Factory, Thornton,
Kircaldy, N.B., do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SCUTCHING FLAX, HEMP, AND OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery described
in the Specification of my former Patent, wherein the knives or beaters
are parallel with the axis, by which they each come into action from
end to end at-the same time. One part of my present improvements
consists of placing the knives or beaters of such machinery at alternate

page_text: angles or inclined to the axis, by which each knife or beater will come
into action gradually, and the succeeding beater or knife will commence
at opposite ends of the cylinder. Another improvement consists of
indenting the edges of such knives or beaters so that they may penetrate
amongst the fibres. And another improvement consists in making the
rest or resist plate moveable and adjustable, and mounting several
machines upon a common shaft and using such improvements with the
common holding rollers and clamp holders.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Charles Wilson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 2nd June 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN CHARLES WILSON, of Redford Flax Factory, Thornton, Kircaldy,
N.B., send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of December, in the, year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the seven-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Charles Wilson, Her special
licence that I, the said John Charles Wilson, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Charles Wilson,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SCUTCHING FLAX, HEMP, AND OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said John Charles Wilson by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within

page_text: six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Charles Wilson, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof (that is to say):-
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery described
in the Specification of my former Patent, wherein the knives or beaters
are parallel with the axis, by which they each come into action from
end to end at the same time. One part of my present improvements
consists of placing the knives or beaters of such machinery at alternate
angles or inclined to the axis, by which each knife or beater will come
into action gradually, and the succeeding beater or knife will commence
at opposite ends of the cylinders. Another improvement consists of
indenting the edges of such knives or beaters so that they may penetratǝ
amongst the fibres. And another improvement consists in making the
rest or resist plate moveable and adjustable, and mounting several
machines upon a common shaft, and using such improvements with
the common holding rollers and clamp holders.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, I will now proceed
to describe the manner of performing the same.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING.
The machine is shewn at N° 1, in section with the table and holder
attached. a, is a holder (on table) filled with straw. g, is a holder
in the position the holders assume when passing along the slide c.
h, is a holder in the position they assume when the material is under
treatment, and which is shewn at fo. d, is the filling table, and 6, the
standard for supporting the same. a, v, an air stop designed to produce
suction with the plate in conjunction, at the place where the material
under process is introduced into the machine; (o is the resisting plate,
which is made either to be moveable or fixed. It is shewn to move
on a hinge, but it may be constructed to slide. t, t, is the sheet iron
covering or lining to the machine, which may, however, be made of
wood. m, is the drum fixed to the shaft s, and revolving with it in

page_text: the direction shown. The knives, blades, scrapers, or beaters k, are
attached to the drum by bolts through the projecting lugs L. These
knives, blades, scrapers, or beaters may be made serrated on the edge
or face, see N° 5, and the resisting plate o may also be serrated. The
knives or beaters are fixed on the drum to the main shaft s, at an
angle which I prefer to be 45 degrees; but this may be varied, see
No 3 and 4.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the
manner of performing the same, I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the size of the machine or detail shewn, as these
may be varied, while the general principle and action remains the
And although only one machine is shewn, it will be evident
that several may be applied to the same shaft or axis. What I claim
is, the combination herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Charles Wilson, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of May, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
HENRY WILSON,
Clerk,
Prinlaws.
JOHN CHARLES WILSON. (L.S.)