Improvements in or in connection with Retting Flax, Jute, or other similar Fibrous Materials, and Eliminating the Gummy or other Matter therefrom.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 27th May, 1895-Accepted, 6th July, 1895
Improvements in or in connection with Retting Flax, Jute, or other
similar Fibrous Materials, and Eliminating the Gummy or other
Matter therefrom.
We, HENRY SPENCELEY CLOSE of Hillam Hall, South. Milford, Yorkshire,
Manufacturing Chemist, and WALTER OLIVER ROFF of Josse Road, Newfound-
pool, Leicester, Worsted Spinner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
:-
•
This invention relates to the retting or macerating de-gumming etc. of fibrous
stems or straws such as flax (or other fibrous plants stems straws or material to
which same may be applicable) for the purpose of decorticating or stripping off
the bark or outer and inner skins of such material and separating the fibre there-
from (ready for subsequent mechanical treatment of scutching opening heckling etc.
etc.) and at the same time to eliminating from such fibrous material oily gummy or
resinous matter etc.
If desired the residuals (resulting from the treatment of such fibrous materials―
according to this invention) may be collected and utilised for any trade or other
purposes to which same may be applicable.
Hitherto the retting or the like process-especially with flax-has usually only
been carried on in fine summer weather whereas according to this present invention
the process of retting flax etc. can be carried on either immediately same is
harvested wet or dry or all the year round (independently of the weather) and
furthermore has for its object to produce a much quicker and cheaper treatment a
good colour and quality and above all enables the fibre to take a "bleach" colour
equal to Irish and foreign flax (at much less cost) which hitherto has been an
impossibility with English flax however "retted" under the old style and further-
more in the subsequent treatments of scutching heckling spinning etc. the resulting
tow or waste is materially reduced and consequently a larger percentage of fibre is
produced and finally to eliminate from the fibrous material the gummy or other
matters which require removal therefrom. Instead of allowing such residuals to
be wasted or lost as heretofore we may collect or recover same for utilisation for
any purposes for which such residual or residuals may be applicable.
We will now proceed to describe this invention as carried into practice in the
case of flax it being clearly understood that any other suitable fibrous material-
for which said invention may be applicable-may be substituted in place of flax.
Also in defining the chemicals used in the process we wish it to be understood
that any other chemical or chemicals producing the same or equivalent results-as
and for the purposes herein specified-may be used without departing from the
nature of this invention.
Also it will be obvious that we may use any well known or suitable meaus of
heating the vessels or liquids or drying chambers or propelling air etc. used in the
process.
We will now proceed to describe our invention (as applied to retting etc. of flax
straw) which is as follows:-
To facilitate the process and for convenience of handling the flax straws or
stems are first placed in wire or openwork crates or receptacles having a series of
.:
.

page_text: shelves or trays about four inches apart or more or less and then steeped in cold or
warm water in a suitable vat tank cistern vessel or other holder (without the
addition of any chemicals therein) from 30 to 60 minutes or thereabouts or this
preliminary cold water bath may be dispensed with.
"
For the sake of brevity we will hereinafter use the term
< vat to mean and
include any suitable tank, vat, cistern, vessel or receptacle (for holding liquid cto.)
used in the course of the process.
The flax straws arranged on the shelves or trays of said wire work crates (or
otherwise as desired) are then placed in a vat of water which is heated up by coils
of steam piping or other suitable means to a temperature of from 180° to 212° F.
more or less and into which (depending on the quality of the flax) is added liquid
ammonia of a suitable specific gravity for instance from 928 to 940 or if desired
880 (or of ammoniacal salts of equal strength) for instance we have found an
ounce to each 1 lb. weight of straw to give very good results and the flax is
allowed to remain steeped in such vat from one to three hours or thereabouts.
From this vat the flax is removed and-may be passed through a wringing
machine or squeezing rollers and then re-placed in the crates-is then placed in a
vat of soft water (either with or without the addition of a proportion of acetic
acid therein) heated up to a temperature of from 180° to 212° F. and in which it
remains steeped from one to two hours or thereabouts.
The flax is then removed from the vat just described and (either with or without
again passing through a wringing machine) is then placed into one of heated
water same temperature as above mentioned or thereabouts and into which a
suitable quantity of softening soap cotton seed oil or other oily matter is placed
(for instance about to 1 lb. per stone of straw) and remains steeped in this vat
from 1 to 4 hours more or less as may be deemed needful.
Next the flax is taken out of the crates and passed through a wringing machine
or a series of rollers or a hydro-extractor or other suitable means may be used to
extract moisture.
"
<<
"
From the wringing machine or hydro-extractor etc. the flax is conveyed into a
drying or "tempering' room shed or chamber and either replaced in crates or
placed in loose open stoops" or other open order and dried by passing air
(advantageously of a cold temperature) in any suitable manner for instance from
an air fan or blowing engine etc.
After drying--if desired the flax is placed in a cool open-ended shed or other
suitable place from 24 to 48 hours more or less and it will then be ready for
"scutching" or other treatment.
To temper the flax (either before or after scutching) same may be allowed to
remain in the cooling place or any other suitable place so that the air can thoroughly
reach same all through any number of days necessary.
Or if tempered after scutching it may be placed in a cool moist place (moistened
artificially if required) before using for heckling spinning etc.
If advisable we may use a system of piping for conducting either steam hot or
cold air or water-to all or any of the vats-by means of a force pump or pumps
for the purpose of injecting under strong pressure air steam or water into the vats
during treatment of the flax.
The linseed or other oil gum or other residuals extracted during the process may
if desired be collected in any suitable manner and refined or otherwise treated as
desired and sold or utilised for any trade or other purpose for which same may be
applicable.
We would here remark that we do not wish to confine ourselves to use only as
a whole the entire process herein before described as we can obtain very good
results without necessarily using all of the said process as set forth i.e. by omitting
any or all of what we may term-the non essential parts of such process.
"
In order to obtain "light" or "dark" coloured flax the vats may be "stepped'
in successive heights or otherwise suitably arranged so that the vats can be
emptied from one into the other as desired-the light colour being obtained
J

page_text: from the first vat or vats in which fresh clean water is used and that in only
one steeping-the darker colours by steeping in the next vats in which water
remains unchanged for some time and the flax straw remains 1 to 2 hours longer
than in first vat.
Also if desired in the treatment of some fibrous materials according to our
present invention before the immersion in the aforesaid ammonia bath we may
immerse same in a bath (of warm water of about similar heat to the ammonia
bath) in which is added caustic potash or petroleum (paraffin) or both in suitable
proportions-but we may here state that in the process of retting flax we have
found this bath can be dispensed with.
Dated this 26th day of July 1894.
"
Improvements in or in connection with Retting Flax, Jute, or other
similar Fibrous Materials, and Eliminating the Gummy or other
Matter therefrom.
We, HENRY SPENCELEY CLOSE of Hillam Hall, South Millford, Yorkshire,
Manufacturing Chemist, and WALTER OLIVER ROFF, of Josse Road, Newfound-
pool, Leicester, Worsted Spinner, 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 the retting or macerating de-gumming etc. of fibrous
stems or straws such as flax (or other fibrous plants stems straws or material to
which our process may be applicable) for the purpose of decorticating or stripping
off the bark or outer and inner skins of such materials and separating the fibre
therefrom (ready for the subsequent mechanical treatment of scutching opening
heckling etc., etc.) and at the same time eliminating from such fibrous material oily
gummy or resinous matter etc.
If desired the residuals (resulting from the treatment of such fibrous materials—
according to this invention) may be collected and utilized for any trade or other
purposes to which same may be applicable.
Hitberto the retting or the like process-especially with flax-has usually only
been carried on in fine summer weather whereas according to this present invention
the process of retting flax etc. can be carried on either immediately same is
harvested wet or dry or all the year round (independently of the weather) and
furthermore has for its object a much quicker and cheaper treatment to produce a
good colour and quality to eliminate from the fibrous material the gummy or other
matters which require removal therefrom and above all enables the fibre extracted
according to our present process to take a "bleach" colour equal to Irish and
foreign flax (at much less cost) which hitherto has been (so far as we are aware)
an impossibility with English flax however "retted" under the old style and
furthermore in the subsequent treatment of scutching heckling spinning etc. the
resulting tow or waste is materially reduced and consequently a larger percentage
of fibre is produced.
Instead of allowing the residuals to be wasted or lost as heretofore we may
collect or recover same for utilisation for any purposes for which such residual or
residuals may be applicable.
For the sake of example we will describe this invention as carried into practice
in the case of flax it being clearly understood that any other suitable fibrous

page_text: of flax..
Also it will be obvious that we may use any well known or suitable means of
heating the vessels or liquids or drying chambers or heating or cooling or propelling
air etc. used in the process.
We will now proceed to describe our invention (as applied to retting etc. of flax
straw) which is as follows:
To facilitate the process and for convenience of handling the flax straws or stems
are first placed in wire or openwork crates or receptacles (of a suitable size con-
venient for handling) having a series of shelves or trays about four inches apart or
more or less and then steeped in cold or warm water in a suitable vat tank cistern
vessel or other holder (without the addition of any chemicals therein) from 60 to
120 minutes or thereabouts or this preliminary cold water bath may be dispensed
with.
'
65
"
For the sake of brevity we will hereinafter use the term vat to mean and
include any suitable tank, vat, cistern, vessel or receptacle (for holding liquid etc.)
used in the course of the process.
The flax straws arranged ou the shelves or trays of said wire-work crates (or
otherwise as desired) are then placed in a vat of water which is heated up by coils
of steam piping or other suitable means to a temperature of from 180° to 212° F. or
more or less and into which (depending on the quality of the flax) is added liquid
ammonia of a suitable specific gravity for instance 928 to 940 or 880 for instance
we have found from to an ounce of such chemical to each 11b. weight of flax
straw to give very good results (or instead of liquid ammonia we may use ammo-
niacal salts of equal strength) and the flax is allowed to remain steeped in such vat
from one to three hours or thereabouts.
From this vat the flax is removed and-after being passed through a wringing
machine or squeezing rollers if desired and re-placed in the crates-is then placed
in a vat of soft water heated up to a temperature of from 180° to 212° F. and in
which it remains steeped from one to two hours or thereabouts or this water bath
may be dispensed with.
The flax (either with or without passing through a wringing machine) is then
placed into a vat of heated water same temperature as above mentioned or there-
abouts and into which a suitable quantity of soft soap cotton seed oil or olive oil
or other equivalent is placed (for instance about 1 to 2 ounces thereof to each stone
(14 lbs.) weight of straw) and remaius steeped in this vat from 1 to 4 hours more
or less as may be deemed needful.
Next the flax is taken out of the crates and the moisture expressed or extracted
by any suitable means for instance it may be passed through a wringing machine
or a series of rollers or a hydro-extractor or other similar machine for extracting
moisture.
"
From the wringing machine hydro-extractor etc. the flax is conveyed into any
suitable drying room shed or chamber (advantageously an air-tight chamber) and
either replaced in crates or placed in loose open
68 stoops or other open order in
such chamber and dried by passing air (of a cold temperature) through such
chamber advantageously by means of a fan at one end forcing air through, another
fan at the other end drawing it out (i.e. exhausting such air) or by fans at cross
corners forcing air in ordinary outlets being provided at the opposite and farther
corners of such chamber.
After drying-the flax is placed in an open-ended shed or other suitable place
from 24 to 48 hours or more (say, up to 7 days) or less to "temper" (the surplus
cold air being utilised for tempering the flax if desired) and it will then be ready
for "scutching" or other treatment.
If desired- -we may use a system of piping for conducting either steam hot or
cold air or water-to all or any of the vats-by means of a force pump or pumps
for the purpose of injecting under strong pressure air steam or water into the vats
during treatment of the flax.

page_text: The linseed or other oil gum or other residuals extracted during the process may
if desired be collected in any suitable manner and refined or otherwise treated as
desired and sold or utilized for any trade or other purposes for which same may
be applicable.
""
In order to obtain "light" or "dark" coloured flax the vats may be "stepped"
in successive heights or otherwise suitably arranged so that the vats can be emptied
from one into the other as desired-the light colour being obtained from the first
vat or vats in which fresh clear water is used and that in only one steeping, the
darker colours by steeping in the next rats in which the water remains unchanged
for some time and the flax straw remains any suitable time (for instance 8 to
12 hours) longer than in first vat according to depth of colour required.
We wish it to be specially noted that the mode of drying by cold air (after the
aforesaid immersion) of the flax as herein set forth forms a very important and
essential part of our present invention.
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. The herein-described process and treatment of flax consisting essentially of
placing the flax straw from 1 to 3 hours in hot water to which is added liquid
ammonia of suitable specific gravity such as 928 to '940 or 880 in the proportion
of about to an ounce to each 1 lb. weight of straw or animoniacal salts of equal
strength then immersing the fibre from 1 to 4 hours in hot water to which is added
soft soap or cotton seed oil or olive oil or equivalent in the proportion of about
1 to 2 ounces to each stone (14 lbs.) weight of straw next removing the moisture
from the fibrous material by squeezing rollers or hydro-extractor etc. and then
placing same iu loose open order in a drying room shed or chamber in which air is
caused to rapidly circulate amongst the flax and after drying the latter is then
finally placed in any suitable place under cover with free access of air to all parts
of same to temper substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore
set forth.
2. The herein-described process and treatment of flax consisting essentially of
placing the flax straw from 1 to 3 hours in hot water to which is added liquid
ammonia of suitable specific gravity such as 928 to 1940 or 880 in the proportion
of about to an ounce to each 1 lb. weight of straw or ammoniacal salts of equal
strength then immersing the flax straw in hot soft water then final immersion from
1 to 4 hours in hot water to which is added soft soap or cotton seed oil or olive oil
or equivalent in the proportion of about 1 to 2 ounces to each stone (14 lbs.) weight
of straw next removing the moisture from the fibrous material by squeezing rollers
or hydro-extractor etc. and then placing same in loose open order in a drying room
shed or chamber in which air is caused to rapidly circulate amongst the flax and
after drying the latter is then finally placed in any suitable place under cover with
free access of air to all parts of same to temper substantially in the manner and
for the purposes herein before set forth.
3. The herein-described process aud treatment of flax consisting essentially of
placing the flax straw from 1 to 3 hours in hot water to which is added liquid
ammonia of suitable specific gravity such as 928 to 940 or 880 in the proportion
of about to an ounce to each 1 lb. weight of straw or ammoniacal salts of equal
strength then after passing it through a wringing machine or compressing rollers
immersing the flax straw in hot soft water then final immersion from 1 to 4 hours
in hot water to which is added soft soap or cotton seed oil or olive oil or equivalent
in the proportion of about 1 to 2 ounces to each stone (14 lbs.) weight of straw
next removing moisture from the fibrous material by squeezing rollers or hydro-
extractor etc. and then placing same in loose open order in a drying room shed or
chamber in which air is caused to rapidly circulate amongst the flax and after
drying the latter is then finally placed in any suitable place under cover with free

page_text: access of air to all parts of same to temper substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein before set forth. :
:
4. The herein-described process and treatment of flax consisting in placing the
flax straw in openwork crates or receptacles then immersing same from 1 to 3 hours
in hot water to wbich is added liquid ammonia of suitable specific gravity in the
proportion of about to an ounce to each 1 lb. of straw or ammoniacal salts of
equal strength then wringing out the flax or compressing same between rollers
then finally immersing for about 1 to 4 hours in hot water to which is added soft
soap cotton seed oil or olive oil or equivalent in the proportion or thereabouts of
1 to 2 ounces to each stone (14 lbs.) of straw next extracting the moisture by
squeezing rollers or hydro-extractor etc. next placing the flax in loose open order
in a drying room shed or chamber in which air is caused to rapidly circulate
amongst the flax and then finally placing same in a cool open-ended shed so that
the air can thoroughly reach same to temper it substantially in the manner and for
the purposes herein before set forth.
5. The herein described process and treatment of flax consisting in placing the
flax straw in openwork crates or receptacles then immersing said fibrous materials
in a preliminary bath of water from 1 to 2 hours next immersing same from 1 to
3 hours in hot water to which is added liquid ammonia of suitable specific gravity
such as 928 to 940 or 880 in the proportion of about to an ounce to each
1lb. weight of straw or ammoniacal salts of equal strength then wringing out the
flax or compressing same between rollers then finally immersing for about 1 to
4 hours in hot water to which is added soft soap cotton seed oil or olive oil or
equivalent in the proportion or thereabouts of 1 to 2 ounces to each stone (14 lbs.)
of straw finally extracting the moisture by squeezing rollers or hydro-extractor etc.
next placing the flax in loose open order in a drying room shed or chamber in which
air is caused to rapidly circulate amongst the flax and then placed in a cool open-
ended shed so that the air can thoroughly reach same to temper it substantially in
the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
6. The herein-described process and treatment for retting flax or other fibrous
stems straws or material to which same may be applicable and eliminating the oily
gummy or resinous matter therefrom consisting in placing such stems or straws
(either with or without a preliminary immersion in cold or hot water) from 1 to
3 hours in hot water to which is added liquid ammonia of suitable specific gravity
such as 928 to 1940 or 880 in the proportion of about to ½ an ounce to each
1 lb. weight of the fibrous material or ammoniacal salts of equal strength next the
fibre (either with or without being passed through squeezing rollers) is placed in a
hot bath of soft water next the fibrous material (either with or without being
passed between squeezing rollers) is finally immersed for about 1 to 4 hours in hot
water to which is added soft soap cotton seed oil or olive oil or equivalent in the
proportion of about 1 to 2 ounces thereof to each stone (14 lbs.) weight of fibrous
material next extracting the moisture from the fibrous material by squeezing rollers
or hydro-extractor etc. and then placing same in loose open order in a drying room
shed or chamber in which air is caused to freely circulate amongst said fibrous
material and finally placing the latter under cover to temper substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein before set forth.
Dated this 27th day of May 1805
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.