Improvements in the Extraction and Preparation of the Fibres of Rhea and other Grasses and Fibrous Vegetables.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 27th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Extraction and Preparation of the Fibres of
Rhea and other Grasses and Fibrous Vegetables.
We, HENRY CECIL FELLOWES, of Leadenhall Buildings 1 Leadenhall Street,
in the City of London, Merchant, WILLIAM ROBERT CROZIER, also of Leadenhall
Buildings, 1 Leadenhall Street, in the City of London, Merchant, and HENRY
FERGUSON, Engineer, of 10 Cleveland Terrace, Ranelagh Road, Leytonstone in
the County of Essex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows: :-
This invention relates to improvements in the treatment of rhea, China, and other
grasses and fibrous vegetable substances for commercial purposes, so as to obtain
from them the greatest quantity of fibre it is possible to obtain and to prepare
the same for the subsequent operations that may be required, such as spinning,
weaving, etc.
The fibres produced by our process are of good staple, being in a strong, cleansed
and separated condition, the bark or gummy or like matter being effectually
removed therefrom without injury to the fibres.
The quantity of fibre obtained depends of course upon the nature of the grass
employed, as the proportion of fibre to bark or gummy matter varies with
different varieties of grasses, and even in different samples of the same variety.
Practically the whole of the useful fibre may be obtained from sound grass by this
process.
In our experiments we have obtained an average yield of from 60 to 70 per cent.
of the weight of what are commonly called the "ribbons" of rhea treated.
This
The "ribbons" stripped from the grasses or other fibrous vegetables being taken
in their raw state we sort them and lay them by hand in a wirework or other
suitable openwork receptacle which holds them efficiently and prevents them from
becoming matted or entangled during their treatment by our process.
receptacle is with advantage made in the form of a shallow tray divided by a
number of parallel ridges or divisions into a series of channels and provided with a
suitable openwork lid or cover which shuts down upon these divisions and holds the
fibrous materials in place. A suitable quantity of the "ribbons" should be laid
evenly and lengthwise in each of these divisions and the lid or cover should then be
closed down upon them all and suitably fastened. These receptacles if desired need
not be opened for the removal of the contents until after the final stage of the
process about to be described has been completed and it will then be found that the
fibres are left in a cleansed and separated condition the bark and other extraueous
matters having been thoroughly removed. In order that the receptacles may be
suitably supported in the various baths and appliances employed for treating the
grass they are provided with suitable lugs or other devices for the purpose.
The grasses or other raw fibrous materials having been placed in receptacles such
as those already described are immersed in a suitable boiler containing an aqueous
alkaline solution such as hydrate of sodium in the proportion of from 90 to 168 lbs.
of hydrate of sodium to 500 galls. of water. This solution is maintained at boiling
point for a period of about three hours varying with the condition and character of
the grasses under treatment and the strength of the alkaline solution.
The "ribbons," still in the openwork receptacle are removed from the boiler and
immersed in a tank containing warm water at a temperature of about 160 degrees F.
Here it remains for a period of from 2 to 6 hours. The effect of this steeping in
warm water is to separate the extraneous coating from the "ribbons."

page_text: "
In some cases it may be advisable to submit the "ribbons on their removal
from the boiler to the action of a gentle spray or shower of warm water at about
the same temperature as that of the bath last mentioned, which is dispensed with
when the spray is used.
The receptacles containing the " ribbons" are removed from the warm water tank
and moved about in cold water or allowed to remain stationary in a stream of
running water for the purpose of rinsing the contents. This rinsing operation may
be effected in any way found to be advantageous such as by inserting the openwork
frames in radial grooves formed on the inner surface of two discs mounted upon a
spindle supported within the tank containing the rinsing water.
The receptacles are secured by means of suitable bolts or latches within the said
grooves and the discs are made to rotate so as to splash against the water.
After this rinsing operation has been completed it will be found that the fibres
are thoroughly prepared so far as relates to the complete removal of extraneous
matters such as bark or scale or gummy coatings.
To still more effectually prepare the fibres for the use of the spinner and weaver
by giving them an improved appearance and suppleness of character we immerse
them for a short time in a cold composition of vegetable oils, with alkalies and
water.
In our experiments we have found a mixture of palm oil, cocoanut oil, linseed oil,
alkalies and water to be well suited to the purpose.
This steeping operation may be performed with advantage in the same manner
as the rinsing was effected, namely, by means of the rotating wheels carrying the
receptacles containing the fibre. For this purpose the wheel may be lifted by
suitable tackle from its bearings and transferred to other bearings placed in the
tank containing the last named composition.
On removal from this composition the fibre is taken from the receptacles and hung
up to dry.
D
Mach 1002
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Extraction and Preparation of the Fibres of
Rhea and other Grasses and Fibrous Vegetables.
We, HENRY CECIL FELLOWES, of Leadenhall Buildings, 1 Leadenhall Street,
in the City of London, Merchant, and WILLIAM ROBERT CROZIER, also of
Leadenhall Buildings, 1 Leadenhall Street, in the City of London, Merchant, and
HENRY FERGUSON, of 60 Ranelagh Road, Leytonstone, late of 10 Cleveland
Terrace, Ranelagh Road Leytonstone, in the County of Essex, 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 improvements in the treatment of rhea, China, and other
grasses and fibrous vegetable substances for commercial purposes, so as to obtain
from them the greatest quantity of fibres it is possible to obtain, and to prepare the
same for the subsequent operations that may be required, such as spinning,
weaving, &c.
The fibres produced by our process are of good staple, being in a strong, cleansed
and separated condition, the bark or gummy or like matter being efficiently removed
therefrom without injury to the fibres.

page_text: The quantity of fibre obtained depends, of course, upon the nature of the grass
employed, as the proportion of fibre to bark, or gummy matter varies with
different varieties of grasses, and even in different samples of the same variety.
Practically the whole of the useful fibre may be obtained from sound grass by this
process.
"
In working our invention we found that we obtained an average yield of from
60 to 70 per cent. of the weight of what are commonly called the "ribbons of
rhea treated.
The "ribbons" stripped from the grasses or other fibrous vegetables being taken
in their raw state, we sort them and lay then by hand in a wire-work or other
suitable open-work receptacle, which holds them efficiently and prevents them from
becoming matted or entangled during their treatment by our process. This receptacle:
is with advantage made in the form of a shallow tray divided by a number of parallel
ridges or divisions into a series of channels and provided with a suitable open-work
lid or cover which shuts down upon these divisions and holds the fibrous materials
in place. A suitable quantity of the "ribbons" should be laid evenly and length-
wise in each of these divisions and the lid or cover should then be closed down
upon them all and suitably fastened. These receptacles, if desired, need not be
opened for the removal of the contents until after the final stage of the process
about to be described has been completed and it will then be found that the fibres
are left in a cleansed and separated condition and that the bark and other extraneous
matters will have been thoroughly removed. In order that the receptacles may be
suitably supported in the various baths and appliances employed for treating the
grass they are provided with suitable lugs, or other devices for the purpose.
The grasses or other raw fibrous materials having been placed in receptacles,
such as those already described, are immersed in a suitable boiler containing an
aqueous alkaline solution, such as hydrate of sodium, in the proportion of from 90 to
168 lbs. of hydrate of sodium to 5,000 gallons of water. This solution is maintained
at boiling point for a period of about three hours, the duration varying with the
condition and character of the grasses under treatment and the strength of the
alkaline solution. The operation should be continued up to, but not beyond,
the point at which it will be found in practice that the extraneous matters and
impurities are properly loosened.
The "ribbons," still in the open-work receptacles, are directly removed from the
oler and immediately immersed in a tank containing warm water at a temperature
of about 160 degrees F. Here they remain for a period of from two to six hours.
The effect of this steeping in warm water is to successfully separate the extraneous
coating and other impurities from the "ribbons." We find in practice, and it is an
important feature in our invention, that in the boiling process we prepare the fibres
for the further operation of separating from them their extraneous coatings.
This separation, we find, can be effected with complete success by transferring the
fibres, when properly prepared by a sufficient treatment in the boiling vessel,
forthwith to a warm water tank as above directed, according to our new system of
working. The extraneous coatings and other impurities are there readily separated
from the fibres, which are left clean sound and having the desired character. The
attempts which have hitherto been made in some cases to effect the removal of the
extraneous coatings during the boiling process have been one of the main reasons
why such attempts to deal with rhea and like grasses bave been unsuccessful. This
difficulty we have overcome by our new system of working.
In some cases it may be advisable to submit the "ribbons," on their removal
from the boiler, to the action of a gentle spray or shower of warm water at about
the same temperature as that of the bath last mentioned, which is dispensed with
when the spray is used.
The receptacles containing the "ribbons" are removed from the warm water tank
and moved about in cold water, or allowed to remain stationary in a stream of
running water, for the purpose of rinsing the contents. This rinsing operation
may be effected in any way found to be advantageous, such as by inserting the

page_text: open-work frames in radial grooves, formed on the inner surfaces of two discs
mounted upon a spindle supported within the tank containing the rinsing water.
The receptacles are secured by means of suitable bolts or latches within
the said grooves, and the discs are made to rotate so as to splash against the
water.
After this rinsing operation has been completed, it will be found that the fibres
are thoroughly prepared so far as relates to the complete removal of extraneous
matters, such as bark, or scale, or gummy coatings.
In order to still more effectually prepare the fibres for the use of the spinner
and weaver, by giving them an improved appearance and suppleness of character,
we immerse them for a short time in a cold composition of vegetable oils with
alkalies and water.
In our experiments we have found a mixture of palm oil, cocoanut oil, linseed oil,
alkalies and water to be well suited to the purpose.
This steeping operation may be performed with advantage in the same manner
as the rinsing was effected, namely, by means of the rotating wheels carrying the
receptacles containing the fibre. For this purpose the wheel may be lifted by
suitable tackle from its bearings and transferred to other bearings placed in the tank
containing the last-named composition.
On removal from this composition the fibre is taken from the receptacles and
hung up to dry.
And in order that our invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice, we will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom-
panying drawings, of which
Fig. 1 is a front elevation; Fig. 2 an end elevation; Fig. 3 a plan; and Fig. 4
an enlarged portion of the open-work receptacle, in which the grass or other fibrous
material is held whilst under treatment by our process;
Fig. 5 is a plan; Fig. 6 a side sectional elevation; Fig. 7 an end sectional elevation
of a boiler or bath, illustrating the method of securing the open-work receptacle
therein; and
Figs. 8 and 9 respectively a side and end sectional elevation of a bath with discs
mounted to revolve therein and carry the open-work receptacles.
Each of the receptacles a is provided with a hinged lid or cover b secured, when
closed, by hooks c and eyes c, and has its interior divided into a number of
compartments by parallel ridges or divisions d.
In each of these compartments a suitable quantity of grass or other raw fibrous
material to be treated is laid evenly lengthwise and the lid closed and secured.
When so secured, the grass or other fibrous material is efficiently held and prevented
from becoming matted or entangled, and may undergo treatment in the various
stages of our process without being removed.
When a sufficient quantity of the grass or other raw fibrous material has been so
secured in a number of these open-work receptacles a, these latter are placed in a
boiler e (Figs. 6 and 7) and held in a vertical position therein by. lugs f projecting
from each end of the top of said frames and resting on projecting ledges g in said
boiler e. This boiler e contains an aqueous alkaline solution, such as hydrate of sodium,
in the proportion of 90 to 168 lbs. of hydrate of sodium to 5,000 gallons of water,
wnich solution is maintained at boiling point, after the receptacles containing the
fibrous material have been placed therein for a period of about three hours, varying
with the condition and character of the grass or other fibrous material under
treatment, and the strength of the solution. Care should be taken in the treatment
of the fibres in the boiling vessel that it is carried on sufficiently to properly loosen
the extraneous matters and other impurities; but that it be not carried beyond that
point to excess. We find in practice that experience will readily enable a
competent person to judge when the fibres are sufficiently treated, so as to enable
them, almost automatically, to separate from the extraneous coatings and
impurities in the following operation, when they are steeped in the warm water
bath.

page_text: -
The grass or other fibrous material, when it has been sufficiently treated in the
aqueous alkaline solution is removed in its receptacles a by the aid of loops h
projecting from the top thereof, and suitable tackle, and placed in a bath, preferably
of similar construction to the boiler e, but containing water at a temperature of
about 160 deg. F. In this the grass or fibrous material is allowed to remain for a
period of from two to six hours, the effect of such steeping will be found to be that
the extraneous coating of the grass or fibrous material, after having been properly
treated as above directed, is separated therefrom, and in effect readily comes away
into the warm water bath.
In some cases it will, however, be found that this extraneous coating may be
advantageously loosened and removed by submitting the grass or fibrous material,
after it has been removed from the boiler e, and whilst still held in the open-work
receptacles a, to a gentle spray or shower of warm water at a temperature of
about 160 deg. Fal., in which case the above described bath will not be
necessary.
After divesting the grass or fibrous material of its extraneous coating, we then
rinse it in cold water. For this purpose the receptacles a, in which it is still held,
are placed between the inner faces of two discs k, Figs. 8 and 9, so that their ends
project into radial slots or grooves in said discs.
These discs are mounted on a spindle revolving in bearing m on each side of the
tank n, which is provided with a constant supply of water from pipe o and revolved
by gear wheels p p¹ from the countershaft
The receptacles a are secured in the radial grooves in the discs by bolts or
latches, and owing to said discs being mounted to revolve and be partially
immersed in the water tank n, the contents of said receptacles a receive a thorough
rinsing.
After being thoroughly rinsed, it will be found that the fibres are thoroughly
prepared so far as relates to the complete removal of extraneous matter, but, in
order that its appearance and suppleness of character may be improved, we immerse
it for a short period in a cold composition of vegetable oils with alkalies and
water.
In our experience we have found a mixture of palm oil, cocoanut oil, linseed oil,
alkalies and water, to be well suited to the purpose, especially in the following
But it may be found necessary to modify both the proportions and the ingredients
of this composition, to better suit the nature of the grass or fibrous material under
treatment.
This steeping operation may be effected with advantage in the same manner as
the rinsing is, and for this purpose the shaft l, discs k, and receptacles a secured
between them, may be removed bodily when the rinsing operation has been
completed and placed in bearings on each side of a similar tank, but containing the
solution of oil, alkalies and water.
On removal from this composition the fibre is taken from the receptacles a and
dried, when it will be ready for use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. Our improved process of treating rhea and other grasses and fibrous
vegetables, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.

page_text: 2. The treatment of vegetable fibre after having been cleansed of all foreign
matter with a composition of oil, alkalies and water, substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described.
3. The manufacture from rhea and like grasses of prepared cleansed fibres of a
new and improved character substantially as herein described.
Dated this 27th day of January 1894.
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.