IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR BREAKING, SCUTCHING, AND HACKLING FLAX AND communication from abroad by the AMEMONT
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR BREAKING, SCUTCHING, AND HACKLING FLAX AND
communication from abroad by the
AMELY
DAN MAMONTATO " A
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 30th May 1874.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR BREAKING, SCOTCHING,
AND HACKLING FLAX AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in the treatment or preparation
of flax, hemp, or other textile matters, and to apparatus to be employed
for this purpose. The treatment mainly consists in cleaning, softening,
and separating the fibres by the processes of breaking, scutching, an

page_text: hackling. These several operations are performed by machines working
automatically, either simultaneously or successively, according to the
result desired.
This Invention relates, first, to an improved breaking machine having
alternate motion and is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in
which Figures 1, 2, and 3, show respectively a side and front view of the
machine; Figure 3 shows a detail drawn full size.
The machine consists principally of an endless gridiron-like apron or
grating A passing round drums B, B¹, the latter of which imparts a con-
tinuous rectilinear movement to the material placed on the apron A.
This apron A is sustained by a metallic table C which is also in the
form of a grating, the bars extending lengthwise of the table. D is a
fluted roller to which alternate motion to and fro along the table is
imparted by the connecting rods G; this alternate movement breaks the
straw and softens the textile material. The roller D has also a con-
tinuous circular motion for carrying forward the material imparted by
toothed wheels H gearing with the ends of the bars which form the
apron A. E are rollers also fluted, meshing in A, and serving to spread
the textile matters lengthwise thereon. These rollers by the clastic
pressure of springs I break the harder portions and soften the material at
same time that they keep the straw parallel. This is the great feature of
improvement in the machine, as in others of the kind having alternate
motion the material is allowed to become intermingled and is not kept
parallel. This improvement is of especial advantage in the case of flax.
P, driving pulleys; L, levers oscillating on pivots K; R, spur wheels.
Figure 4 and 5 show side and front views of another arrangement of
breaking machine having reciprocating motion. In this machine the
travelling apron A is replaced by a fluted drum A, all the other parts
being the same and performing the same functions as in the machine
previously described, the same parts being indicated by the same
reference letters as before.
:
Figures 6 and 7 are side views of another arrangement of the same
machine shown in Figures 4 and 5, the difference consisting in the
rollers E, E', which feed and deliver the material. These rollers, instead
of working on the table or drum A, are made in two pairs independant
thereof and may in this case be differently fluted the better to disintegrade
the fibres.

page_text: Figures 8 and 9 show a longitudinal section and part plan of a
machine for simultaneously breaking and scutching flax and other
textile material. A, A¹, pairs of fluted cylinders having alternate
circular motion and pressed together by springs as in the three preceding
arrangements. B, scutching drum provided with blades O, whose edges
are more or less sharpened for striking the material as it is presented
thereto by the feeding rollers A¹. This action of the blades softens and
cleans the material, the shives falling through the grating K, the distance
between which and the drum is regulated to suit the kind of material
under treatment. The alternate circular movement is produced by
lever O, connecting rod P, and crank Q. The wheel D has an alternate
circular motion on boss H, forming part of toothed wheel L, receiving
this latter motion through wheels R from driving shaft M. The
action of the machine will be readily understood on examining the
Drawings.
The material fed between the fluted cylinders A, A', by the endless
travelling web S is broken and softened, while the scutching action of
the ribs C of drum B separates the shives and woody matter which the
material may contain.
The blades C may be fixed, movable, or supported on springs so as to
give them a certain clasticity of action. Moreover the blades C may
also be placed obliquely or spirally on the drum B.
Figures 10 and 11 show a front view and section of another arrange-
ment of machine for performing the same operations as the one last
described. In this arrangement the alternate circular motion is imparted
in a simpler manner than the foregoing, although there is greater
liability of damage to the gearing through the continual concussions
which it is impossible to entirely avoid in any scutching machine. The
same reference letters serve for the same working parts as in Figures 8
and 9.
Figure 12 shows a section; Figure 13, a face view; and Figure 14, a
plan of a machine for scutching long flax in handfuls; Figure 15
showing the flax holders. A, frame; B, drum; C, blades or beaters for
scutching; D, rollers for feeding the material to be scutched; E, grating;
F, fan blower for projecting the material against the beaters; G, bearing
of upper feed roller D; H, foot lever; and I rod for raising roller D;
K, endless web by which the material is supplied; M, driving pulley;
A 2

page_text: R, gearing. As the material to be scutched should be delivered with
the fibres parallel, it is first fixed by one end in a clasp of metal or wood
shown in Figure 15, and the free end is then placed on the endless web
and presented by the feed rollers D to the beaters C of drum B to be
scutched. When sufficiently scutched the upper feed roller is raised by
pedal H and the material removed, and the cleaned end inserted in the
clasp and the other end presented to the beaters C as before. The fan
blower F assists in separating the flax and keeps it constantly against
the scutcher drum. The action of the machine will be readily under-
stood with the aid of the Drawing.
Figure 16 shows a section of another arrangement of machine for
scutching long flax placed by handfuls in clasps simply laid on the
endless web K; Figure 17 is a front view, and Figure 18 a plan of the
machine, while Figures 19 and 20 show details.
In this machine instead of raising the upper feed roller D to remove
the scutched flax as before a reverse motion is imparted to these rollers
by disconnecting by a pressure of the knee at z the coupling Z which
acts on toothed wheels a in order to introduce the flax to be scutched,
and on wheels 6 when the scutched flax is to be withdrawn. This
operation may also be effected either by the aid of bevil gearing, as
shown in Figure 19, or by an arrangement of three pulleys a', o, b¹,
Figure 20. By placing the band d on one or other pulley a¹ or b¹ motion
is imparted by means of the toothed gearing a, b, to the feed rollers D
in one or other direction. The endless web K on which the flax to be
scutched is placed is furnished with a tappet V which strikes a lever for
shifting the belt D, thus automatically ensuring the backward movement
of the flax after it has been scutched.
Figure 21 shows a section of another arrangement of machine for
scutching flax; Figure 22 is a view of the machine on the side at which
the material is introduced; Figure 23 is a plan of the machine; Figure 24
an end view; and Figure 25 a section of the flax holder drum.
The mode of scutching the flax is the same as in the preceding
machines, the chief feature of difference consisting in the mode of
holding the material to be scutched, as in this case the flax holders and
travelling web are replaced by the drum T, Figures 21, 22, and 23, and
shown on a larger scale in Figures 24 and 25.

page_text: A, shaft of flax holding drum constructed of discs B carrying grippers C
covered with fluted india-rubber. D round bars serving to hold the flax in
holders D, said bars also being covered with ribbed india-rubber; E, hooks
for holding the bars D against grippers C; F, hoops slightly eccentric to
the drum, which causes the holders to grip the flax as firmly as required
at the moment it suffers the greatest strain in scutching, as in the
position shown at H, Figure 21. G, G, shows the position of the flax
which has been scutched at one end, the bar E¹ being then applied
thereon so as to hold the same and prevent it becoming disarranged.
The bar E is now raised to free the end of the flax which has yet to be
scutched, and the operation is terminated without disarranging or
handling any of the fibres.
The other details of the machine are clearly shown in the Drawing
and require no further description.
Figure 26 shows another arrangement of this machine in which the
grating is replaced by a second scutching drum B¹ provided with blades
or beaters similar to those of drum B. From this it will be evident that
both sides may be scutched at one time in the same class of machine,
the flax being held in the same kind of drum T as in the machine last
described.
Figure 27 shows a combination of two drums with a grating; while
Figure 28 shows another arrangement of the same parts, as in Figures 21
to 25.
Figure 29 shows a plan of another machine for scutching flax which
is placed in clasps; Figure 30 is a transverse section; and Figure 31 a
side elevation of the same. A, conical drum with beaters a; B, table;
C, clasps for holding the flax to be scutched; D, finger bars fixed upon
band E at a right angle thereto, the band passing around drums F;
I, pins fixed to clasps C.
The action of the machine will be readily understood:-The flax to be
scutched is fixed in the clasps C and placed on table B¹ which is grooved
at O, O¹, obliquely to the axis of the drum. The pins I travel in this
groove, passing through to the under side of the table, where they are met
by the fingers D which carry along the clasps in the direction B¹ to O¹
at the same time that they are gradually advanced towards the drum.
Figure 32 shows a plan of another arrangement for scutching long
flax which is held in clasps or holders; Figure 33 shows a side view of

page_text: Figure 41 shows a plan of a machine for scutching flax, having a
conical drum, as in the machines represented in Figures 29 to 40;
while
Figure 42 is a view on the side at which the flax is operated on,
Figure 43 is a transverse section of the machine.
The distinction between this and preceding machines is that the flax
is no longer held by clasps or holders, but simply spread on an endless
band D and held between it and another endless rubber covered band by
a fixed elastic slide K on band D. C, guide pullies of endless bands.
Figure 44 shows a side view of the machine for scutching long flax
on both sides at one time; Figure 45 is a view of the machine at tho
side where the flax is introduced; Figure 46, a view at the opposite side.
A, frame of the machine; B, endless bands of leather or other flexible
material provided with blades or beaters C for scutching the materials;
D, clasps for holding the same; E, trough; F, band gearing for working
the holders in trough E; G, brushes for cleaning the beaters; H, doffers
for cleaning the brushes as in hackling machines.
The distinction between this and the other machines consists in sub-
stituting an endless sheet of blades travelling round rollers I and i.
The flax is introduced at the highest part of trough E, the ends being
first scutched, the flax gradually entering more and more between the
blades.
The endless sheets may be divided into two parts where the machine
is of considerable length, driven at different speeds by increasing the
diameter of the drums K, K', Figure 46, by which the sheets are
operated.
Figure 47 shows a face view of a machine for scutching long flax, more
particularly fine flax; Figure 48 shows the end of the machine at which
This machine
the flax is introduced; and Figure 49, the opposite end.
is chiefly intended for treating flax after it has been coarsely scutched in
the machines having holder drums, the holders of which are transferred
without handling the flax into this machine, where it is scutched on
both faces at one time, and also rubbed or polished to any extent desired.
The sheets a¹, b', have blades for acting on each side of the flax, and
some of these blades may have teeth. The sheets C have blades acting
on one side of the flax, the opposite sheet consisting of a smooth leather
surface, as shown at P, Q, Figure 49. This leather sheet having a much
slower motion than the blades C, the flax is thus rubbed and polished,

page_text: as when finished by hand, both sides being operated on in succession as
the flax passes from 'C' towards d'.
Figure 50 represents diagrammatically a face view of a machine on the
same principle as the two last described; Figure 51 is a view of the end
at which the flax is introduced; and Figure 52, a view of the opposite end.
By placing hackle teeth in the two last portions c³, d¹, of the sheets, as
seen in Figure 52, the machine may be made to hackle the flax at same
time that it is scutched, which is of advantage when the flax is difficult
of treatment. The action of this machine, being the same as those above
described, will not require any further description.
Figures 53 and 54 show an elevation and plan of a double scutching
machine with revolving table. A, scutching drums; B, revolving table
carrying the flax holders; C, position of attendent on commencing the
operation; D, position for turning the flax after it has been scutched a
first time.
The Drawing clearly shows the arrangement of this machine, which is
the same as those previously described, with duplicate parts.
Figure 55 shown an elevation of a double scutching machine with
revolving table; Figure 56 is a plan; and Figure 57 an elevation taken
at right angles to Figure 55. This machine is the same as the one last
described, except that the scutching drums A are replaced by revolving
arms or pallets A¹, known as Irish mills.
The details of the machine require no further description.
Figure 58 shows a plan of another machine for scutching long flax;
Figure 59 is a front elevation; and Figure 60, an end view of the
machine; while Figure 61 is a transverse section of the drums.
A, framing; B, drums; C, flax holders; D, screw carrier; E, helical
blades around the drums, their pitch gradually decreasing towards the
right-hand end.
Figure 61 shows how the pallets on the blades of the one drum come
opposite plain parts of the blades on the other drum, and vice versa.
The flax enters at point O, and owing to the helical arrangement of the
pallets and blades is caused to travel longitudinally along the drums.
The holders O are suspended from one or more screws S of small diameter
and corresponding in pitch to the spirals of the drum, by which means
the clasps are carried along at the rate required. The flax is successively

page_text: batted on each face as it is carried through the machine, it being acted
on with increasing power as the pitch of the screw pallets decreases.
Points are provided on the pallets at suitable distances apart for the
purpose of opening the fibres of the flax, and thus assisting the scutching
operation.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th November 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS. SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Melville
Clark, 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
"IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR BREAKING, SCUTCHING, AND HACKLING FLAX AND
OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," a communication to me from abroad by the
Firm of Hartog and Company, of Paris, France, upon the condition.
(amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is

page_text: to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
six Sheets of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon
(that is to say) :—
This Invention relates to improvements in the treatment or pre-
paration of flax, hemp, or other textiles matters, and to apparatus to bo
employed for this purpose. The Invention mainly consists in cleaning,
softening, and separating the fibres by the processes of breaking,
scutching, and hackling. These several operations are performed by
machines working automatically, either simultaneously or successively,
according to the results desired.
The Invention relates, first, to an improved breaking machine having
alternate motion and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which
Figures 1 and 2, show respectively a side and front view of the machine;
Figure 3 shows a detail drawn full size.
The machine consists principally of an endless gridiron-like apron or
grating A passing around drums B, B¹, the latter of which imparts a
continuous rectilinear movement to the material placed on the apron A.
This apron A is sustained by a metallic table C, which is also in the
form of a grating, the bars extending lengthwise of the table; D is a
fluted roller to which alternate motion to and fro along the table is
imparted by the connecting rods G. This alternate movement breaks
the straw and softens the textile material. The roller D has also a con-
tinuous circular motion for carrying forward the material imparted by
toothed wheels H gearing with the ends of the bars which form the
apron A; E are rollers, also fluted, meshing in A and serving to spread
the textile matters lengthwise thereon. These rollers by the elastic
pressure of springs I break the harder portions and soften the material, at
same time that they keep the straw parallel. This is the great feature of
improvement in the machine, as in others of the kind having alternate
motion the material is allowed to become intermingled and is not kept
parallel. This improvement is of especial advantage in the case of flax.
P, driving pulleys; L, levers oscillating on pivots K; R, spur wheels.
Figures 4 and 5 show side views of another arrangement of breaking
machine having reciprocating motion. In this machine the travelling
apron A is replaced by a fluted drum A, all the other parts being the
same and performing the same functions as in the machine previously

page_text: described, the same parts being indicated by the same reference
letters.
Figures 6 and 7 are side and front views of another arrangement of
the machine, shown in Figures 4 and 5, the difference consisting in the
rollers E, E¹, which feed and deliver the material. These rollers, instead
of working on the table or drum A, are made in two pairs independent
thereof, and may in this case be differently fluted, the better to disin-
tegrade the fibres.
Figures 8 and 9 show a longitudinal section and part plan of a
machine for simultaneously breaking and scutching flax and other textile
materials. A, A', pairs of fluted cylinders having alternate circular
motion and pressed together by springs, as in the three preceding arrange-
ments; B, scutching drum provided with blades C, whose edge is more
or less sharpened for striking the material as it is presented thereto by
the feeding rollers A¹. This action of the blade softens and clcans the
material, the shive falling through the grating K, the distance between
which and the drum is regulated to suit the kind of material under
treatment. The alternate circular movement is produced by lever O,
connecting rod P, and crank Q. The wheel D has an alternate circular
motion on boss H, forming part of toothed wheel L, receiving this
latter motion through wheels R from driving shaft M. The action of
the machine will be readily understood on examining the Drawing.
The material fed between the fluted cylinders A, A¹, by the endless
travelling web S is broken and softened, while the scutching action of
the ribs C of drum B, separates the shives and woody matters which
the material may contain.
The blades C may be fixed, movable, or supported on springs, so as
to give them a certain elasticity of action. Moreover the blades C may
also be placed obliquely or spirally on the drum B.
Figures 10 and 11 show a front view and section of another arrange-
ment of machine for performing the same operations as in the one last
described. In this arrangement the alternate circular motion is imparted
in a simpler manner than the foregoing, although there is a greater
liability of damage to the gearing through the continual concussions which
it is impossible to entirely avoid in any scutching machine. The same
reference letters serve for the same working parts as in Figures 8 and 9.

page_text: Figure 12 shows a section; Figure 13, a face view; and Figure 14,
a plan of a machine for scutching long flax in handfuls; Figure 15
showing the flax holders. A, frame; B, drum; C, blades or beaters
for scutching; D, rollers for feeding the material to be scutched;
E, grating; F, fan blower for projecting the material against the
beaters; G, bearing of upper feed roller D; H, foot lever; and I, rod
for raising roller D; K, endless web by which the material is supplied;
M, driving pulley; R, gearing. As the material to be scutched should
be delivered with the fibres parallel, it is first fixed by one end in a
clasp of metal or wood, shown in Figure 15, and the free end is then 1
placed on the endless web and presented by the feed rollers D to the
beaters C of drum B to be scutched. When sufficiently scutched the
upper feed roller is raised by pedal H and the material removed and
the cleaned end inserted in the clasp, and the other end presented to
the beater C as before. The fan blower F assists in separating the flax 1
and keeps it constantly against scutcher drum. The action of the
machine will be readily understood with the aid of the Drawing.
Figure 16 shows a section of another arrangement of machine for
scutching long flax placed by handfuls in clasps simply laid on the
endless web K; Figure 17 is a front view, and Figure 18 a plan of the 2
machine, while Figures 19 and 20 show details.
In this machine instead of raising the upper feed roller D to remove
the scutched flax as before, a reverse motion is imparted to these rolls by
disconnecting the coupling c by a pressure of the knee at Z which acts
on toothed wheels a in order to introduce the flax to be scutched, and 2
on wheels 6 when the scutched flax is to be withdrawn, This operation
may also be effected either by the aid of bevel gearing, as shown in
Figure 19, or by an arrangement of three pulleys a', o, b', Figure 20.
By placing the band d on one or other pulley a¹ or b¹, motion is imparted
by means of the toothed gearing a, b, to the feed rollers D in one or 3
other direction. The endless web K on which the flax to be scutched
is placed is furnished with a tappet V which strikes a lever for shifting
the belt d, thus automatically ensuring the backward movement of the
flax after it has been scutched.
Figure 21 shows a section of another arrangement of machine for a
santalina
flox. Ticure 02

page_text: Figure 24 an end view, and Figure 25 a section of the flax holder
drum.
The mode of scutching the flax is the same as in the preceding
machines, the chief feature of difference consisting in the mode of
holding the material to be scutched, as in this case the flax holders and
travelling web are replaced by the drum T, Figures 21, 22, and 23, and
shown on a larger scale in Figures 24 and 25.
A, shaft of flax holding drum constructed of discs B carrying
grippers C covered with fluted india-rubber; D, round bars serving to
hold the flax in holders O, said bars also being covered with ribbed
india-rubber; E, hooks for holding the bars D against grippers O;
F, hoops slightly eccentric to the drum, which causes the holders to grip
the flax as firmly as required at the moment it suffers the greatest
strain in scutching, as in the position shown at H, Figure 21; G, G,
shows the position of the flax which has been scutched at one end, the
bar E¹ being then applied thereon so as to hold the same and prevent it
becoming disarranged. The bar E is now raised to free the end of the
flax which has yet to be scutched, and the operation is terminated
without disarranging or handling any of the fibres.
The other details of the machine are clearly shown in the Drawing,
and require no further description.
Figure 26 shows another arrangement of this machine, in which the
grating is replaced by a second scutching drum B¹ provided with blades
or beaters similar to those of drum B. From this it will be evident that
both sides may be scutched at one time in the same class of machine,
the flax being held in the same kind of drum T as in the machine last
described.
Figure 27 shows a combination of two drums with a grating, while
Figure 28 shows another arrangement of the same parts, as in Figures
21 to 25.
Figure 29 shows a plan of another machine for scutching flax which
is placed in clasps by handfuls; Figure 30 is a transverse section, and
Figure 31 a side elevation of the same. A, conical drum with
beaters a; B, table; C, clasps for holding the flax to be scutched;
D, finger bars fixed upon band E, at a right angle thereto, the band
passing around drums F; I, pins fixed to clasps C.

page_text: The action of the machine will be readily understood:-The flax to
be scutched is fixed in the clasps C and placed on table B', which is
grooved at O, O¹, obliquely to the axis of the drum. The pins I travel
in this groove passing through to the under side of the table where they
are met by the fingers D which carry along the clasps in the direction
B' to O¹ at the same that they are gradually advanced towards the
drum.
Figures 32 shows a plan of another arrangement for scutching long
flax, which is held in clasps or holders; Figure 33 shows a side view of
same; Figure 34 is a side view showing the driving pulleys; and
Figure 35, a section of the scutching drums. A, framing; B, scutching
drums; and C, holder trough; D, clasps holding the flax to be scutched;
E, eccentric for regulating the position of trough C, which is caused to
risc as the holder advances from a towards b. This movement of the
holders is effected mechanically as in machines for hackling flax. F,
conical or cylindrical pulleys for varying the speed of the scutching
drums if desired in order to regulate the action of the machine according
to the kind of flax and the amount of scutching it requires. The
scutching drums B are composed of a series of small V shaped drums,
and provided with triangular beaters working in plain grooves of the
same form, as shown in Figure 35.
By varying the size of the small drums and the distance between them
the scutching may be gradually increased as the flax advances from a
towards b. The drums are provided near the end P with large hackle
teeth for acting on the ends of the flax. Points ", ", are placed at 1
different parts of the machine, serving to occasionally separate the fibres
of the flax, and in this manner imitate hand scutching.
The arrangement and operation of all the parts of the machine is
clearly shown in the Drawing.
Figure 36 shows a plan of a machine in which the flax to be scutched a
is held by means of an endless chain of clasps or holders, which become
T

page_text: noider striking against studs, as shown in Figure of, which is a view OL
the holders at the side next the plates Q, Figure 38.
Figure 40 shows details of the holders for holding the flax. A, conical
scutching drum; B, endless chain of flax holders passing round drum C.
The flax enters at Z and passes out at X. The action will be clearly
understood with the assistance of the Drawing, the machine being the
same as that shown in Figures 29, 30, and 31, except that the holders aro
made to turn on their axes while passing from Z towards X. R, toothed
gear for driving pulleys C operating the holders.
Figure 41 shows a plan of a machine for scutching flax, having a
conical drum as in the machines represented in Figures 29 to 40;
Figure 42 is a view on the side at which the flax is operated on, while
Figure 43 is a transverse section of the machine.
The distinction between this and preceding machines is that the flax
is no longer held by clasps or holders, but simply spread on an endless
band D, and held between it and another endless rubber covered band
by a fixed elastic slide K on band D; C, guide pulleys of endless
bands.
Figure 44 shows a side view of the machine for scutching long flax on
both sides at one time; Figure 45 is a view of the machine at the side
where the flax is introduced; Figure 46, a view at the opposite side.
A, frame of the machine; B, endless bands of leather or other flexible
material provided with blades or beaters C for scutching the materials;
D, clasps for holding the same; E, trough; F, band gearing for working
the holders in trough E; G, brushes for cleaning the beaters; H, doffers
for cleaning the brushes, as in hackling machines.
The distinction between this and the other machines consists in substi-
tuting an endless sheet of blades travelling around rollers I and i. The
flax is introdueed at the highest part of trough E, the ends being first
scutched, the flax gradually entering more and more between the
blades.
The endless sheet may be divided into two parts where the machine is
of considerable length, driven at different speeds by increasing the
diameter of the drums K, K', Figure 46, by which the sheets are
operated.

page_text: Figure 47 shows a face view of a machine for scutching long flax,
more particularly fine flax. Figure 48 shows the end of the machine at
which the flax is introduced, and Figure 49 the opposite end. This
machine is chiefly intended for treating flax after it has been coarsely
scutched in the machine, having holder drums, the holders of which
are transferred without handling the flax into this machine, where it is
scutched on both faces at one time, and also rubbed or polished to any
extent desired. The sheets a¹, b¹, have blades for acting on each side of
the flax, and some of these blades may have teeth. The sheets c have
blades acting on one side of the flax, the opposite sheet consisting of a 1
smooth leather surface, as shown at P, Q, Figure 49. This leather sheet
having a much slower motion than the blades C, the flax in then rubbed
and polished as when finished by hand, both sides being operated on in
succession as the flax passes from c¹ towards d².
Figure 50 represents diagramatically a face view of a machine on the
same principle as the two last described; Figure 51 is a view of the end
at which the flax is introduced; and Figure 52, a view of the opposite
end. By placing the hackle teeth on the two last portions c¹, d', of the
sheets, as seen in Figure 52, the machine may be made to hackle the
flax at same time that it is scutched, which is of advantage when
the flax is difficult of treatment. The action of this machine, being the
same as those above described, will not require any further descriptlon.
Figures 53 and 54 show an elevation and plan of a double scutching
machine with revolving table. A, scutching drums; B, revolving table
carrying the flax holders; C, position of attendant on commencing
operation; D, position for turning the flax after it has been scutched a
first time.
The Drawing clearly shows the arrangement of this machine, which
is the same as those previously described, with duplicate parts.
Figure 53 shows an elevation of a double scutching machine with
revolving table; Figure 56 is a plan; and Figure 57 an elevation taken
at right angles to Figure 55. This machine is the same as the one last
described, except that the scutching drums A are replaced by revolving
arms or pallets A¹ known as Irish mills.
The details of the machine requires no further description.
Figure 58 shows a plan of another machine for scutching long flax.
Figure 59 is a front elevation; and Figure 60 an end view of the

page_text: machine; while Figure 61 is a transverse section of the drums. A,
framing; B, drums; C, flax holders; D, screw carrier; E, helical blades
around the drums, their pitch gradually decreasing towards the right-
hand end.
Figure 61 shows how the pallets on the blades of the one drum come
opposite plain parts of the blades on the other drum, and vice versa.
The flax enters at point o, and owing to the helical arrangement
of the pallets and blades is caused to travel longitudinally along the
drums. The holders C are suspended from one or more screws S of
small diameter, and corresponding in pitch to the spirals of the drum,
by which means the clasps are carried along at the rate required. The
flax is successively batted on each face as it is carried through the
machine, it being acted on with increasing power as the pitch of
the screw pallets decreases. Points are provided on the pallets at
suitable distances apart for the purpose of opening the fibres of the flax,
and thus assist the scutching operation.
Figures 62, 63, and 64 represent another arrangement of combined
breaking and scutching machine on the principle of those shown in
Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20; Figure 62 being a side
elevation; Figure 63, a front elevation; and Figure 64, a plan of the
same. A, A, are the side frames of the machine; B, B¹, cross bars;
C, sheet metal drum having blades d, and mounted on axis C¹; D, D',
fluted rollers, to which a double reciprocating motion is imparted, said
rollers being adjustable relatively to the scutching drum while in
operation; E, wheel, having an internal ring of teeth for driving the
pinions g of fluted rolls D. This wheel also carries on its opposite side
another internal toothed ring F gearing with a toothed wheel F, which
turns eccentrically to shaft s on a stud on wheel R; G, lever arm
attached to wheel F; H, connecting rod imparting motion from crank
pin I¹ to lever arm G; T, disc, having four holes at different distances
from the centre, in either one of which crank pin I' may be fixed;
K, pulley fast on the shaft K² of disc T; L, driving pulley fast on
shaft C of the breaking drum; M, pulley fast on opposite end of
shaft C, by which the mechanism for feeding and withdrawing the
scutched material is operated; N, pulley fast on hollow shaft O, on
which are mounted bevel pinions V, and geared by a clutch X in such
manner as to rotate pinion Q in one or other direction, according as the
clutch gears with pinion V or V¹; P, main driving pulley; Q, Q¹ R, R¹,

page_text: spur wheels; R¹, change pinion by which to regulate the scutching
operation; T, table whereon the material to be scutched is spread;
U, sleeve turning eccentrically on shaft S. On this sleeve a wheel E' is
mounted loosely, which by the rotation of the said sleeve is caused to
displace wheel E. V, V, V, bevel pinions. Pinion V" is fixed on its
shaft, which also carries a wheel V by which to regulate any irregularity
in the working of the machine. W, bar to which longitudinal motion
is imparted by a cam Z, the latter serving to control the working of the
whole of the working parts of the machine through the agency of
levers l, m, n, rods r, p, q, and parts e, e", attached to bar W, the
inclined surfaces α, B, of cam Z serving to regulate by their position the
time at which the material to be scutched is to be introduced, retained,
and discharged from the machine, according to the mode of treatment.
desired; Y, Y', belts of pulleys K, N; a, rod of clutch X provided with
two collars a', operating on lever n through part a¹¹; b, b, c, c², spur
gearing for driving cam Z, pinion o¹ being exchangeable for another to
suit the length of the material to be scutched; d, blades fixed on the
scutching drum by their edges d¹. The said blades are made flexible,
and the portion from ₫ to d¹ may be removable in order to regulate the
scutching of the ends of the fibres. e, e', e", mechanism for shifting
bar W by hand, for instantly throwing clutch X out of gear when
desired; h, grating, by whose position in relation with that of the the
drum the scutching is regulated; i, i, arms fixed on bar W for shifting
belt Y, whereby the breaking operation may be performed as the material
enters the machine, but suspended on passing out; 1, lever carrying a
friction roller 8, and operated by cam Z; p, rod connecting lever m to
bar W; q, rod connecting lever 7 to lever m; t, spring of steel or rubber
compressed by screw v.
-
The work of the machine consists of two distinct operations, breaking
and scutching.
The breaking of the straw is effected by passing through the fluted
rolls D, D¹, which receive an alternate circular motion, the rolls being
coarsely fluted and meshing but slightly one in the other, whereby the
material is subjected to a succession of blows which breaks the boon
adhering thereto. This alternate circular motion is obtained through
the belt Y, shaft K", and disc T, crank pin I', and connecting rod H,
which imparts an alternate motion through lever G to wheel F¹, and
thence to pinions 9 by wheel E. The crank pin I¹ being adjustable at

page_text: different radii enables the extent of the alternate breaking motion to be
regulated as desired. The same differential motion may also be obtained
by varying the length of lever G.
The material to be scutched is fed to and removed from the machine
by means of mechanism operated through the belt Y¹, pulley N, shaft O,
bevel wheels V, V", spur wheels Q, Q, R, R', and wheel E gearing with
pinions mounted on fluted rolls D, D¹. The clutch X when connected
with wheel V imparts motion for feeding the material to be scutched,
and when connected with wheel V₁ the said clutch serves to operate the
withdrawal of the scutched material. The size of pinion R is regulated
according to the rate of feed of the material, and the extent to which it
is to be scutched. The speed of eccentric Z regulates the time during
which the material is under treatment. The change pinion e enables
this movement to be regulated according to the length of the material.
The scutching drum is composed of two rings of cast metal covered
with slicet metal, on the circumference of which are attached 8, 12, 16,
or even a larger number of blades, if desired. These blades beat the
material as it is delivered from the fluted rollers D, D¹. The material is
beaten by the blades upon the slats / forming a cage or grated surface,
answering the purpose of the table on which the scutcher places the
material to be scutched. The rounded form given to the bars & conducts
the air current created by the motion of the drum in such a way as to
entrain the material to be scutched, as also to carry off the dust produced
in the operation. Owing to this rounded form also the bars & have a
softening action on the fibres. The blades may be made of any material
to suit the textile matters under treatment, and may be either fixed or
rendered flexible by means of springs. They may be also undulated or
toothed and intermixed with a few hackle teeth and hard brushes.
The blades may be made of any width by leaving a space between
them and the surface of the drum, the extent of this opening and the
degree of inclination of the blades regulating the degree to which the
end of the material under treatment is scutched.
By placing the blades upon a cylindrical surface concentric with the
drum they may be brought as close together as may be necessary to
avoid injuring the weak flax by cutting off the ends. The slats or bars /
may also be replaced by bars of polished iron, either plain, undulated, or

page_text: ann place by springs to moany the force of the SUTORES
of the blades.
The first pair of fluted rolls D, D', should be more coarsely fluted
than the other pair next the drum, scutching the former, acting as
breakers, while the latter serve rather to hold the material while being
scutched.
The breaking rolls should mesh but slightly together, as they are
required to break the material by the alternate motion imparted to
them.
The holding rolls are made with finer grooves for separating the
greater portions of the "boon" after it has been broken. They should
mesh together so as to hold the material while scutching. The upper
roll D¹ may be covered with india-rubber if desired. A longitudinal
motion may also be imparted to the rolls for the purpose of continually
shifting the fibres so as to be more uniformly presented to the action of
the scutching blades. For short staple fibres one pair of fluted rolls are
used upon the lower one D, of which for breaking is another for holding
of smaller diameter D¹, which is covered with india-rubber. The bearings
of the fluted rolls are moved horizontally away from the drum when the
material is first introduced, and are gradually moved back again towards
the drum as the material is fed in. This movement is obtained by means
of an eccentric groove made on the opposite side of cam Z. A similar
movement may also be imparted to cage h.
Instead of a cage / with fixed bars as described a series of polished
metal cylinders may be used having spiral grooves running in opposite
directions and intersecting each other, the said cylinders turning eccen-
trically to vary the intensity of the blows during the scutching operation.
I may also with advantage employ flat metal bars rounded and undulated,
and pivoted at their upper edge and held in position by springs.
By placing hackle teeth on a portion of the surface of the drum the
cleaning is better effected, while the material is also to a certain extent
hackled.
As the ends of the material being cleaned or scutched are first treated
it will be evident that the portions separated from the material by the
scutching will be scutched also. The products obtained will thus
consist of long staple material more or less perfectly scutched, as well.as

page_text: a long tow, which is also scutched. In this manner great advantages are
obtained over those systems now in use.
The scutching of textile matters may be operated in this machine by
inexperienced hands, or by women or boys, which is also a great advan-
tage in places where skilled labor is scarce, and growers are prevented
from raising such large quantities of flax as they otherwise would.
This improved machine is therefore calculated to give increased
impetus to the culture of flax, which will lead to cheapness of the raw
material with increased profit not only to the grower but also to the
manufacturer, as the cost of breaking and scutching on this improved
system will be about one-third less than ordinary. The action of this
improved scutcher is such that the ends of the straw are first operated
on, and so on to the middle of its length, whereby a better and larger
product of long stapled scutched fibres is obtained, while the value of the
tow obtained is more than double that produced in scutching generally.
All these combined advantages should unite in producing an important
reduction in the price of all scutched materials, and more especially in
linen goods generally.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. The several breaking machines herein described and illustrated
in Figures 1 to 7, constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as
set forth.
2ndly. The combined breakers and scutchers constructed, arranged,
and operating substantially as herein described and illustrated in Figures
8 to 11.
3rdly. The improvements in scutching machines herein described and
illustrated in Figures 12 to 61, constructed, arranged, and operating sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4thly. The herein described combination whereby the material to bo
scutched is subjected to a double alternate differental motion, distinct
the one from the other, although acting simultaneously on the same
fluted rolls, the extent of each of said alternate motions being variable
as required, substantially as specified and shown in Figures 62, 63,
and 64.