Improvements relating to the Decortication of Broom and similar Plants, and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 5th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 6th Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by JEAN JOSEPH GIRARD, of Lyon, in the Republic
of France, Manufacturer.]
Improvements relating to the Decortication of Broom and similar
Plants, and to Apparatus therefor.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do bereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:―
My invention relates to decortication of broom and similar plants, and to
apparatus therefor.
Numerous experiments have shown that the ligneous stems of such plants, having
reached their state of maturity produce a very strong and fine harl possessing the
qualities of hemp and flax and also their commercial value.
With the object of removing industrially the harl from these plants I have
constructed the improved apparatus constituting part of my said invention. This
apparatus comprises
(1) An endless apron upon which the stems are spread, either directly after
being cut, or, according to the plants treated in the green state, their edge their
strength of vegetation, the epoch in which they are cut and the like, after having
been subjected, as is generally the case, to a boiling operation for some hours in a
bath to which crystals of potash or soda are preferably added.
(2) Two series of fluted crushing and transmitting rollers between which pass
the stems spread upon the said apron.
(3) A pair of pin rollers arranged behind the first pair of the crushing rollers.
The upper of these rollers is provided with pins arranged perpendicularly to its
periphery, whilst the lower roller has pins inclined say to the right.
(4) Another pair of pin rollers, to which a rotary movement is imparted in the
opposite direction to that of the first pair of pin rollers. These rollers are provided
each with pins in a contrary manner to the first pair of rollers, the upper roller
being provided with pins inclined to the left, while the lower roller has pins arranged
perpendicularly to its periphery.
(5) A pair of small fluted transmitting rollers arranged as near as possible to
the second pair of pin rollers in order to seize the wood as it leaves these rollers
and to convey it to the rear.
(6) A semicircular fixed segment provided with a slot which is likewise semi-
circular.
(7) A pivoted fork upon which bears, at the extremity of the lower branch, a
jaw forming with this extremity, pincers between which the front extremity of the
stems will be conveyed and clamped as hereinafter set forth.
(8) A pair of pin drums mounted upon movable axes. The upper of these drums
is provided with pins inclined say to the right while the lower drum has pins
extending in the opposite direction, that is to say, to the left. It should be observed
that these rollers turn each in the direction of their pins.
(9) A pair of collecting pin rollers, the first of which has pins extending to the
right while the second has pins extending to the left. The upper roller is provided
with pins and turns in the opposite direction to the upper pin drum against which

page_text: it works. The same is the case with the lower roller which is provided with pins
and turns in the opposite direction to that of the lower pin drum against which it
also works.
(10) Two combs to which an oscillating movement is imparted about their
respective axes. These combs which work in the direction of the pins of the rollers
upon which they operate have for their object to detach the harl which has been
gathered by the before-mentioned collecting rollers.
(11) Two endless aprons which, being arranged below the collecting rollers and
the combs have for their object to collect the harl detached by these combs and to
carry it away to the outside where it is removed either by hand or falls into shoots
provided for this purpose.
(12) A bevelled rule having for its object to throw to the outside of the machine
the wood of the broom which has been freed from its harl.
"
The aforesaid semicircular segment provided with its slot likewise made semi-
circular may if desired be replaced by a straight part having a rectilineal slot or
guide. In this case the fork is displaced in this slot or guide after the manner of a
truck and the several drums, rollers and combs working in combination with this
slot or guide are then arranged in a suitable manner above and below it without
any change in the general operation of the apparatus.
This operation is as follows: that is to say, the plants in the green state being
spread. according to the circumstances set forth, either directly after being cut in a
row upon the endless apron, or after having just been subjected to a boiling operation
for some hours, which is generally the case, these plants are presented by the
endless apron, thus spread out, to the first pair of crushing rollers and are thus
crushed in their passage between these rollers.
Being carried between the first pair of pin rollers the' lower one of which forms
alone the bearing point and serves as a transmitting roller, the epidermis from the
extremity of these plants is partly raised and carried to the rear by the upper of
these pin rollers which performs the part of a brush, this laying bare the upper
part of the wood which will ultimately be seized by the pincers hereinbefore
referred to.
The same operation of removing the epidermis ou the underside from the same
part of the wood is effected by the aid of the second pair of pin rollers the
upper roller of which serves alone as a point of support and as a transmitting
roller.
The stems being thus successively laid bare on their two sides, their front
extremities is carried above the lower branch of the said fork, whereupon the jaw,
being lowered directly by an automatic disengaging movement, will energetically
clamp the extremities of these rods.
As soon as this clamping is effected, the fork, being automatically moved to the
rear, describes half a revolution in the slot carrying away in its partial rotation
the stems seized at one extremity by its pincers. In this turning movement the
plants pass between the two pin drums turning at a great velocity in the opposite
direction to that in which the stems are carried away so that these drums will
detach the barl from the wood. This barl being gathered by the two collecting
rollers is finally moved by the combs which in their oscillating movement detach it
from the said rollers and cause it to fall upon the endless aprons whence it is
collected in the manner set forth. In this state it is ready to undergo the ordinary
ungumming and bleaching operations.
At the end of the half revolution of the fork, the jaw falls back of itself by
reason of its weight and the wood, which has been freed from its harl and is
abandoned to itself by the automatic separation of the branches or jaws of the
pincers, is caused by the aforesaid rule to pass to the outside of the apparatus.
When this has been effected the fork is at once automatically moved back to its
first position carrying the said jaw with it.
The decortication of the first row of stems having taken place in the described
manner, a second row is spread out upon the endless apron which the fork moves

page_text: backwards. In this manner the phases of the decortication succeed each other
almost without interruption and without any loss of time.
It will be readily understood that advantage may be gained from the industrial
employment of the harl of these long-lived plants which accommodate themselves
to all soils and grow abundantly in the wild state in various regions. Owing to
their utilization they may therefore be advantageously cultivated in dry and arid
ground and also in mountainous regions where any other cultivation is impossible.
Dated this 6th day of March 1894.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements relating to the Decortication of Broom and similar
Plants, and to Apparatus therefor.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
leclare 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:-
My invention relates to decortication of broom and similar plants, and to
apparatus therefor.
Numerous experiments have shown that the ligneous stems of such plants, having
reached their state of maturity produce a very strong and fine harl possessing the
qualities of hemp and flax and also their commercial value.
With the object of removing industrially the harl from these plants I have
constructed the improved apparatus constituting part of my said invention.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a machine constructed according to my said
invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the said machine and
Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation showing a modified form of the machine.
This apparatus, which is represented in diagram in elevation and in plan by
Figures 1 and 2 in the accompanying drawing comprises :-
(1) An endless apron T upon which the stems are spread, either directly after
being cut, or, according to the plants treated in the green state, their age, their
strength of vegetation, the epoch in which they are cut and the like, after having
been subjected, as is generally the case, to a boiling operation for some hours in a
bath to which crystals of potash or soda are preferably added or also an acid.
(2) Two series of fluted crushing and transmitting rollers B between which pass
the stems spread upon the said apron T.
(3) A pair of pin rollers C C arranged behind the first pair of the crushing
rollers B. The upper roller C is provided with pins arranged perpendicularly to
its periphery, whilst the lower roller C¹ has pins inclined to the right in the
direction indicated.
(4) Another pair of pin rollers D D', to which a rotary movement is imparted
in the opposite direction to that of the first pair of pin rollers CC. These
rollers D D are each provided with pins arranged in a contrary manner to those in
the rollers CC, the pins in the upper roller D being inclined to the left, while
those in the lower roller D' are straight, that is to say arranged perpendicularly to
its periphery.
(5) A pair of small fluted transmitting rollers E arranged as near as possible to
the pin rollers D D' in order to seize the wood as it leaves these rollers and to
convey it to the rear.

page_text: (6) A semicircular fixed segment F provided with a slot which is likewise
semicircular.
(7) A fork G pivoted at H upon which bears, at the extremity of the lower
branch, a piece J forming with this extremity pincers between which the front
extremity of the stems will be conveyed and clamped as hereinafter set forth.
(8) A pair of pin drums L L¹ mounted upon movable axes. The upper drum L
is provided with pins inclined to the right while the lower drum L has pins
extending in the opposite direction, that is to say to the left. It should be observed
that these rollers turn each in the direction of their pins, as indicated by the
arrows.
(9) A pair of collecting pin rollers M M¹ the first of which has pins extending
to the right, while the second has pins extending to the left. As shown the
roller M is provided with pins and turns in the opposite direction to the pin drum L
against which it works. The same is the case with the roller M' which is provided
with pins and turns in the opposite direction to that of the pin drum L' against
which it also works.
(10) Two combs N N₁ to which an oscillating movement is imparted about their
respective axes n n¹. These combs, which work in the direction of the pins of the
rollers upon which they operate, have for their object to detach the harl which
has been gathered by the collecting rollers M and M².
(11) Two endless aprons P P which, being arranged below the collecting
rollers M M and the combs N'N' have for their object to collect the harl detached
by these combs and to carry it away to the outside where it is removed either by
hand or falls into chutes provided for this purpose.
(12) A bevelled rule R having for its object to throw to the outside of the
machine the wood of the broom which has been freed from its harl.
The clamp which seizes the extremities of the stems fed by the rollers situated
in front of it is formed of two narrow strips which, extending over the width of
the machine, are fixed at their extremities, the upper strip J¹ to the part J and the
lower strip G¹ to the lower branch of the fork G. As will be understood between
these two transverse strips the stems are seized after the manner of a clamp
immediately before they have to undergo the action of the rollers L L'.
These transverse strips are operated by means of a suitable automatic connection
which causes them to move asunder, then towards each other to seize and press the
extremities of the stems, in order to move them between the said rollers L L¹,
which rollers move slightly and automatically apart, exactly and only at the
moment when the transverse strips pass between them, this receding movement of
the rollers L, L' from each other which is effected in any suitable manner, being
precisely that necessary for allowing the passage of this clamp between them.
as the transverse strips have effected their half revolution, the
automatic connection which previously pressed them together will on the contrary
just at this moment cause them to recede from each other, which enables the
stems which have thus become free to be thrown by the rule R to the outside of
the machine.
As soon
The semicircular segment F provided with its slot may if desired be replaced
by a straight part having a rectilineal slot or guide. In this case the fork G is
displaced in this slot or guide after the manner of a truck and the several drums,
rollers and combs working in combination with this slot or guide are then arranged
in a suitable manner above and below it without any change in the general
operation of the apparatus.
This operation is as follows, that is to say the plants in the green state are
spread, according to the circumstances set forth, either directly after they have
been cut, in a row upon the endless apron T, or after they have been subjected to
a boiling operation for some hours, which is generally the case; the plants thus
spread out are presented by the endless apron, to the first pair of crushing rollers B
and are crushed in their passage between these rollers. Being carried between
the pin rollers CC' the lower one C¹ of which forms alone the bearing point and

page_text: serves as a transmitting roller, the epidermis from the extremity of these plants is
partly raised and carried to the rear by the pin roller C which performs the part
of a brush, thus laying bare the upper part of the wood which will ultimately be
seized by the pincers J G.
The same operation of removing the epidermis on the under side from the same.
part of the wood is effected by the aid of the pin roller D', the upper roller D.
serving alone as a point of support and as a transmitting roller.
The stems being thus sucessively laid bare on their two sides, their front
extremities are carried above the lower branch of the fork G, whereupon the
piece J being lowered directly by any suitable disengaging movement, will.
energetically clamp the extremities of these rods.
As soon as this clamping is effected, the fork, G is moved in any suitable manner.
to the position indicated in dotted lines and describes half a revolution in the slot f,.
carrying with it in its partial rotation the stems seized at one extremity by its
pincers. In this turning movement the plants pass between the two pin drums L L'
turning at a great velocity in the opposite direction to that in which the stems are
moved so that these drums will detach the harl from the wood. This harl being
gathered by the two rollers M. M' is finally removed by the combs N N' which in
their oscillating movement detach it from the said rollers and cause it to fall upon
the endless aprons P P whence it is collected in the manner set forth. In this.
state it is ready to undergo the ordinary ungumming and bleaching operations.
At the end of the half revolution of the fork G (position indicated in dotted
lines) the piece J falls by gravity and the wood, which has been freed from its harl
and is thus released by the automatic separation of the branches or jaws of the
pincers, is caused by the aforesaid rule R to pass to the outside of the apparatus.
When this has been effected the fork is at once automatically moved back to its
first position carrying the piece .J with it.
The decortication of the first row of stenis having taken place in the described
manner, a second row is spread out upon the endless apron T while the fork G
moves backwards. In this manner the phases of the decortication succeed each
other almost without interruption and without loss of time.
In the modification shown diagrammatically in Figure 3 the decortication,
instead of taking place in the dry state, is effected here in a vessel of water heated
or not, and to which may or may not be added a small proportion of crystals of
potash or soda or an acid.
In like manner as previously the stems are placed upon an endless apron T and
brought to butt against a vertical spring plate 10. An arm 1 pivoted at 1' carries
on one end a clamp 3 and at the other end a comb 4 designed to collect the harl.
This arm receiving a constant movement of rotation causes in each complete
revolution the plate 10 to be lowered, and seizes by its clamp 3, which is closed
just at this moment, the thick end of the stems presented by the movement of the
apron T.
The stems thus seized are carried away by the arm 1 and will pass successively
between two pairs of brushes 2, 21 and 2, 2 which are automatically separated in
any suitable manner in order to allow the clamp 3 to pass between them and
approach each other directly afterwards and effect by their successive friction
round the stems the complete removal of the harl.
The harl being thus torn away and remaining upon the said brushes, is removed
in the other part of the revolution of the arm 1 by its comb 4 fixed to the other
extremity of this arm and is then detached from this comb by the counter-combs 8
and 8. Having thus become free this harl then falls into the vessel 9 and passes
out with the current of water into a vessel 6 where it collects, but from which
the water flows off through small holes provided in the bottom of this vessel.
As regards the wood of the steins which have been freed from their harl it is
conveyed to the outside of the machine by means of the rotary beater 7 as soon as
the arm 1 has arrived in the position 11 indicated in dotted lines. At this point of
the rotation of the arm 1 its clamp 3 being automatically opened in any suitable

page_text: manner releases the wood from the stems which are immediately thrown outwards
in the rotary movement of the beater 7.
As will be understood, in each turn of the arm 1 a series of stems is thus seized
by the clamp 3, carried away between the first series of brushes 2, 21, where the
major part of the harl is removed, then passes between the second series of similar
brushes 2, 21, whence the remainder of the harl is detached, next the harl is
collected successively from the two pairs of brushes 2, 21 and 211, 211 by the comb 4,
and is finally detached from this comb by counter-combs 8 and 8'; the wood from
these stems thus freed from their harl being then thrown to the outside.
It will be readily understood what advantage may be gained from the industrial
employment of the harl of these long-lived plants which accommodate themselves
to all soils and grow abundantly in the wild state in various regions. Owing to
their utilization they may therefore be advantageously cultivated in dry and
aired ground and also in mountainous regions where any other cultivation is
impossible. The harl may be employed for the manufacture of thread, fabric and
the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The decortication of broom and similar plants, and the employment of
the harl which is thus obtained for the manufacture of thread, fabric and the like,
substantially as herein set forth.
Second. In apparatus for decorticating broom and similar plants the arrange-
ment of an endless apron T and crushing rollers B in combination with pin
rollers CC and D D³ constructed and operating substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Third. In apparatus for decorticating broom and similar plants the arrangement
of an endless apron T crushing rollers B B and pin rollers CC, D D', in
combination with guide rollers E, a slotted segment F and a fork G forming
pincers with the part J, constructed and operating substantially in the manner set
forth with reference to the drawing.
Fourth. In apparatus for decorticating broom and similar plants the combination,
with the slotted segment F and the pincers formed by JG, of pin drums L Li
adapted to turn in the opposite direction to the movement of the stems, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth with reference to the drawing.
Fifth. In apparatus for decorticating broom and similar plants the combination,
with the pin drums L L', of collecting rollers M M' and combs N N' designed for
throwing upon the endless aprons P P the harl collected, the wood being conveyed
to the outside of the apparatus by means of a rule R, substantially as set forth with
reference to the drawing.
Sixth. The modification of the above described arrangement shown in Figure 3,
consisting in the removal of the harl by means of an arm 1, having at one end a
clamp 3 and at the other end a comb 4, said arm turning in a vessel and causing in
its rotary movement the stems to pass between the pairs of brushes 2, 2' and 211, 2111
by which the harl is removed, the said harl being then detached from these brushes
by the comb 4, and next removed from this comb by counter combs 8, 8', the wood
being finally conveyed to the outside of the machine by the rotary beater 7
substantially as described and shown in the drawing.
Deted this 5th day of December 1904
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.