Improved Means applicable for use in the Treatment of China; grass and other Plants adapted for employment in the Textile Industry.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means applicable for use in the Treatment of China;
grass and other Plants adapted for employment in the Textile
Industry.
I, LOUIS EMILE VIAL, of 45, Rue Paradis, Paris, in the Republic of France;
Director of La Société Française de la Ramie et Produits Textiles, 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 an improved method of treating china-grass or ramie
and other textile plants whereby their fibres may be separated from each other and
prepared for subsequent use for purposes of manufacture.
The fibres of china-grass or ramie similarly to those of flax, hemp and likė
plants are in their natural condition firmly held together by more or less agglutinating
substances which must be removed before the fibres can be utilized.
.
Amongst these substances, the following are the most important
(1) A number of substances soluble in warm or hot water;
(2) A substance of a gummy appearance insoluble in pure water, but readily
soluble in a weak solution of either an alkali or one of the alkaline carbonates;
(3) A substance of the nature of rosin, which does not as a rule exist in the
plant originally, but forms, frequently in excessive proportions, during the
treatment of the same. To avoid this, the greater part of the elements generating
the substance in question must either be got rid of or their condition essentially
changed;
(4) The external film or envelope of the plant, which, being insoluble in
the various solvents available in industry, has to be removed by mechanical
appliances.
Consequently the loosening of the fibrous portion of the plant may only be
carried out by a series of operations necessitating a judicious combination of means
both chemical and mechanical; and which, unless so well regulated as to work
together in perfect. harmony, might render the whole of the treatment futile and
spoil its result.
This improved method therefore comprises the following operations:
-
(1) The disintegration of the agglutinants; that is to say, the disjunction of the
fibres forming the texture of the plant and the removal of the whole or part of
the soluble agglutinants by treating the plants in a series of dissolving and reaction
baths;
(2) Lixiviation; that is to say, the mechanical disintegration of the fibres, the
removal of the external film, and the cleansing of the product by the employment
of a succession of special solutions or lyes;
(3) The dessication of the fibre, in which stage of the process the fibre is not
only dried but converted into a marketable article, having been softened, made
flexible, combed or straightened, and freed from ligneous particles or any fragments
of the husk or film.
I shall now proceed to describe these various stages of my process of treatment
of the stalks of china-grass and other textile plants, as also the apparatus to be
employed in carrying it out, the latter being illustrated by the accompanying
drawings, whereof Sheet 1 represents the maceration vats or tanks, Sheet 2 the
immersing baskets, Sheet 3 a special apparatus hereinafter termed the "lixiviator,"
and Sheet 4 the dessicating and combing drum.

page_text: DISINTEGRATION OF AGGLUTINANT.
The agglutinant is easily disintegrated by macerating the raw material (more or
less completely freed from wood) in open vessels or pans in which the fibre is
successively submitted to the action of :-
(1) An ordinary water bath, the water being heated more or less. This dissolves
much of the agglutinative element; but the chief object of this treatment is to fill
the interior of the hollow fibres and thus to leave no room within the same for the
admission of any of the liquid used in the bath next following;
(2) A. bath of liquid or liquefied fatty bodies or hydrocarbons, such as oil, fat,
grease, petroleum, paraffin, turpentine or the like, used singly or mixed together.
As will be explained hereafter, this bath may or may not be necessary,
according to the nature of the product to be obtained. In preparing this bath,
I prefer to employ fatty, fluid, non-siccative oil, such as sesame, colza or ground
nut oil or the like.
(3) A very weak alkaline bath, containing at most either 2 parts (by weight) of
anhydrous carbonate of soda or about 5 parts of hydrated carbonate of soda to
every 100 parts (by weight) of water, or a chemically equivalent proportion of any
other caustic or carbonated alkali may be used.
The maximum proportions just stated are more particularly applicable in the
preparation of the finer article specially intended for spinning factories. For
coarser goods, such as are required for rope-making, the proportions indicated
represent the minimum instead of the maximum. In other words, according to the
greater or less degree of fineness desired where rope-making is the ultimate object,
the alkaline bath should contain either from 2 to 10 parts of anhydrous carbonate
of soda, or from 5 to 25 parts of hydrated carbonate of soda, or a chemically
equivalent proportion of any other caustic or carbonated alkali.
The reason of these variations is that the "gummy" matter which is insoluble
in ordinary water will very readily dissolve in the weak alkaline bath above
described, but very imperfectly in stronger solutions; in fact, its dissolution will
become the slower as the proportion of carbonate of soda or other alkali is
increased. This peculiarity, to which attention has never hitherto, so far as I am
aware, been called, acquires exceptional importance owing to the manner in which
it is in the present process taken advantage of for varying the standard of the goods
produced, as will be more fully explained hereafter.
It should further be observed that the order of succession of the different baths
in no way influences the final result of the operations so long as the material is in
the first instance sufficiently soaked with water (either pure or mixed with an alkali)
to prevent the fatty body or hydrocarbon-when used-penetrating the hollow
fibres; for were the material to absorb oil, fat, petroleum, paraffin or the like in
this way, it would become impossible to subsequently free it from these substances,
except by saponification or other extremely tedious or expensive operations with
which the present process has no connection. It is therefore of the utmost
importance that the fibre which it is desired to cleanse externally by means of a
suitable solvent (itself insoluble in water), should, in the first place, be made to
absorb a quantity of water sufficient to thoroughly fill and occupy all hollow spaces
and interstices contained in the fibre. Save for this condition, the fulfilment of
which constitutes one of the essential features of this mode of treatment of fibrous
materials, the order of succession of the various macerating operations may, as
before stated, be reversed or altered at will.
The following are the means employed in conducting the process of
maceration:―

page_text: or four hours (according to the species, degree of freshness and composition of the
material to be treated), I regard it as a cardinal principle that the maceration in
the alkaline bath should last thrice as long as the naceration in the fatty or
hydrocarbon bath. This being so, it becomes necessary, in order to secure
uniformity in the various stages of maceration and to provide for the methodical
renewal of the alkaline bath by instalments, for this bath to be divided into three
sections, each forming a separate bath. These are arranged side by side, and are
supplemented by a fourth vat; the function of the latter being to feed the other
three.
These three vats are connected with each other by gates, and in front of them,
at the lower parts of the partitions between them, are placed side by side, in the
proper order of succession, two vats to serve as fatty or hydrocarbon baths, and
two others as water baths; each pair consisting of one maceration vat proper and
one supply vat.
The general arrangement of the maceration vats is illustrated on Sheet 1 of the
accompanying drawings; Fig. 1 being a plan, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section and
Fig. 3 a cross section."
The several vats are formed by simply partitioning the interior of a sheet metal
This
case or chamber about 40 feet long, 10 feet wide and 3 feet deep.
chamber is raised above the ground and is usually enclosed on all sides by
brickwork.
All the vats are provided near the lower part on the same side of the chamber
with sluices for enabling the contents of each to be discharged, when required, into
a collecting channel or main common to all.
Vat 1 contains the hot water bath and is supplied from vat A.
Vat 2 contains the oil bath and is supplied from vat B.
Vats 3, 4 and 5 contain the alkaline bath and are supplied from vat C.
All these vats are heated by means of coils (Figs. 1 and 2) receiving steam
through the pipe D (Fig. 1). Each coil is controlled by means of a cock r
(Fig. 1).
The surplus steam, together with the water of condensation from the coils, is
conducted through the pipe E to a closed receiver F (Fig. 1) placed on the ground.
This receiver is internally provided with a plunger-pipe opening both near the
bottom and at the upper part of the vat A; the pressure of the surplus
steam constantly forcing into the vat A the condensation water flowing into the
receiver.
These vats may also be heated by a flame circulating between their walls and
the brickwork.
The five maceration vats 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, are each provided with two lids
arranged to move on rails and adapted for permitting the attendants to walk upon
them.
The three supply reservoirs A, B and C are covered over with a strong grate HH
lined with sheet metal upon which the liquid from the baskets, as they are removed
in succession from the preceding maceration vat, is allowed to drip. This draining
operation is not absolutely necessary though highly advantageous in practice, as
it considerably reduces the quantity of liquid withdrawn from the vats at each
stage of the process of maceration.
Grates I (Figs. 1 and 2) are arranged at the bottoms of all the maceration vats,
so as to prevent the pans immersed therein pressing upon the coils.
The macerating plant above described offers still another noteworthy peculiarity
in respect of the partitions between the compartments or vats gradually diminishing
in height as they are situated nearer to the vat 2 containing the oil bath. This
arrangement, illustrated by Fig. 2, has been devised for the purpose of carrying
back to its original position by superficial decantation any fatty substance or
hydrocarbon which may have been carried off to the other vats.
The same result
may
be attained that is to
the
say; upper layers of each bath

page_text: may be displaced in succession by overflow from any vat into the next preceding
one until the eighth is reached-by providing upon the upper part of the brickwork
with which both sides of the sheet metal chamber are covered, a. double common
channel all along the four last vats, the sides of the chamber being in this case
made gradually lower in the same proportion as the partitions decrease in height.
Under such circumstances, it is sufficient if alternate sluice-gates be suitably.
arranged in each channel to cause the overflow of the preceding tank to displace
in its serpentine course from one tank or vat to the other all the upper layers
of the four baths, so that they may eventually collect in a fourth or discharge
tank.
IMMERSING BASKETS.
The maceration of herbaceous fibrous materials in large vats or tanks is attended.
by considerable difficulties, which can only be overcome by the employment of
special apparatus known as "immersing baskets."
The type of immersing basket employed in the present instance is made
entirely of iron and is rectangular in shape, as shown in Figs. 4 to 14,. Sheet 2.
It consists in the main of two separate parts so fitted together as to form a closed
cage with longitudinal bars, and may measure. 6 feet 6 inches in depth and. 4 feet
in width.
One of the two parts is formed of four standards I (Figs. 9, 10 and 11) made of
iron bars of square section identical in size and shape and arranged. parallel to each
other. Their upper ends are secured to the four arms of a. cross-piece J (Figs. 4,
5, 9 and 10), and their lower ends to the four angles of a rigid frame K (Figs. 5, 6,
9 and 14) in which is fitted a sheet of metal or a grate adapted to form the bottom
of the basket. This frame is provided near its edges with a series of openings of
equal size very evenly and symmetrically arranged around the rectangular space
along lines extending direct from standard to standard.
1. A
The other part of the basket consists of a second frame L (Figs. 7, 8, 9, 13
and 14) of the same size as the first-mentioned frame, but unprovided with any
sheet metal or other lining; the same being adapted to serve as a support and
means of attachment for a number of thin straight round rods N (Figs. 7, 9, 11, 13.
and 14). These rods are arranged vertically at equal distances apart upon the
four sides of the frame. There being as many rods rivetted to this second frame
as there are openings along the edges of the first, and. the position of each..
corresponding to that of the other, the rods of the frame L will easily fit the
openings of the frame K when it is desired to connect the two. frames; and the
connection will be such that this frame, under the action of the four standards and.
the upper cross-piece, may freely slide along the said rods, as shown in Fig. 9.
To prevent such displacement, however, it is sufficient to apply against-the two
frames four pivoted shoes M (Figs. 5, 6, 10, 13 and 14) arranged side by side.;.
each of the shoes being secured by means of a. lug to the upper surface of the
frame K. These hinged shoes when turned down grasp the two pieces and lock
them together so as to form one single apparatus (Figs. 10 and 13); the same.
being readily portable by. means of a hook. with which the top cross-piece is
provided.
The external surfaces of the four standards I (Figs. 5, 9, 10 and 11) are provided
at suitable intervals with flat hooks O (Fig. 11) rivetted in place and turned
upwards so as to form supports for transverse forks P (Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12);
the flattened ends of the latter resting upon their upper arms perforated at Q
the free parts of the hooks. These
forks are formed from angle-iron and
(Figs. 11 and 12). The rods appertaining to the frame L. traverse these
perforations with the result that the forks, having no support other than the hooks
of the four standards of the frame.K, cannot impede the longitudinal displacement
of this frame upon the rods of L. The forks P are intended to serve either as
Interal supports within the immersing basket for the purpose of holding the grates
1

page_text: or frames whereon it may be necessary to spread exceptionally fine or hard
materials or for keeping apart and raising the envelope or "bark" of the china-
grass or other stalks during maceration. The immersing basket is lined internally.
with the bark; the bundles being introduced in such a manner as to be folded
round the free ends of the rods after the bottom-piece of the basket has been raised
to about 8 inches from the upper edge of the same. When the ends of the rods;
projecting beyond the openings of the frame K have been wholly, occupied by.
closely-set bundles of fibre, the bottom-piece is caused to descend along with all
the bundles, thus affording room for the next batch. In this manner, the basket.
is filled up by gradually lowering the bottom-piece; care being taken to properly
adjust the fork-shaped supports between the bundles.
F
When the bundles of material; after having been properly folded and attached to,
the rods, prove insufficient to fill the centre of the basket, iron racks are so arranged
within the latter that their ends rest upon the forks; while their teeth are of
sufficient.length to be in juxtaposition vertically. The teeth of these inner racks:
receive packets of material and are treated similarly to the projecting ends of the
basket-rods.
1.
When the bottom-piece has reached the extreme limit of its downward move-
ment,, so that the rods are charged with fibrous material throughout, the basket is.
closed at the top by means of four triangular grates which fit into the four angles
formed by the top cross-piece, whereupon it only remains to hinge together the two
parts of the apparatus by means of the four coupling shoes which grasp the two:
frames as hereinbefore described.
Before concluding the description of this part of my invention, mention may be
made of a device in the nature of a shelf for use in treating fibrous materials.
When employing this, the lower part of the basket is removed along with the rods,.
which in this case are replaced by movable (grated) frames' externally applied to.
the forks on the four sides of the basket after the material has been methodically
spread on the shelves..
The immersing baskets, necessarily very numerous in large works, are conveyed
from place to place on carriages running on. rails. The capacity of each vat or
tank is so proportioned as to contain two baskets coupled together, which, at
intervals of two, three or four hours, according to the nature of the material
treated, are caused by means of a winch to travel from one vat to. the other; the
operation being thus continued without interruption night and day, and there being
at all times in each battery of. tanks, both in the respective baths and upon the
grates, eight pairs of baskets advancing at a regular rate; that is to say, entering
vat 1, each in turn, and issuing in succession from vat C..
MACERATION.
11
.!
The first stage of maceration in the hot water contained in vat 1 is chiefly:
intended to fill the hollow fibres with water, so as, to prevent the fatty substance
or hydrocarbon, which may if necessary be subsequently employed, entering them.
When this initial steeping has lasted three hours (on an average), the coupled
baskets are placed for the same space of time upon the grate Hof, the tank A,
(Fig. 1) for draining, unless it be preferred to submit them directly to a second
maceration; for the draining may be effected just as easily in the oil-bath, owing.
to the greater density of the water. A glass-tube fitted externally to vat 2, and
serving as a water-gauge, enables the level of the water as it drips from the basket
to be at any time ascertained; whereupon it may be discharged by means of a cock
provided for the purpose...
The second maceration stage in the oil bath being after three hours concluded,
the baskets are again left to drain for three hours upon the grate H of the tank B:
They are then submitted to three successive macerations, each lasting three hours,,
in the alkaline baths contained in the vats or tanks 3, 4 and 5; and the whole
operation is concluded. by a final period of rest upon the grate H of the tank C,
where the material-is given time to cool and drain.

page_text: It will be understood that the material after having remained in the oil tank
will, however well drained, still carry along with it into the succeeding tanks a
certain amount of fatty matter, which, at each stage, will form a fatty layer on the
surface of the bath. To remove this layer and convey it back into the tank B, it
will be sufficient to admit a fresh supply of liquid into the tank C, so as to cause
the alkaline feed solution to flow slowly over the partition between that tank and
the maceration vat 5. The partitions being lower the nearer they are to the oil
bath, the fatty maiter overflows, and, being lighter than the liquid in the vats, is
driven from one vat to the other over the successive partitions, and is finally
collected in the tank B along with a small part of the alkaline solution; and this,
collecting beneath the fatty matter, the latter may be readily discharged into the
channel or drain. It is also by the overflow of the oil contained in the supply
vat B that the maceration vat 2 is fed.
It will, on the other hand, be understood that the alkaline baths which
become more and more charged with gummy material cannot be used indefinitely.
The liquid from vat 3 must therefore be discharged at frequent intervals (generally.
once a day); this liquid having been previously used in the vats 4 and 5. The
contents of these vats are in turn similarly removed from each vat to the next in
order, this operation being performed by opening successively the gates in the
partitions between the vats. After 'the liquid has risen to the required level, the
gates are left open, and a liberal supply of the solution contained in vat C is allowed
to overflow into vat 5. The three vats 3, 4 and 5 are then very rapidly filled
again, and the operation of removing the gummy matter from the fibre may
continue as before.
...
;
Although the alkaline bath contains too small a quantity of salt to give rise to
an appreciable saponification by its contact with the fatty substance employed, it
may nevertheless be desirable to avoid a mixture of the alkaline bath with the
fatty one. To attain this result, the order in which the different maceration stages
are performed may be reversed; that is to say, the alkaline bath may be so
arranged as to be employed before the oil bath, the treatment with ordinary or
alkalised water being left to the final stage. For this it will suffice to modify
certain details in arranging the plant. For instance, the grates may be removed
from the tanks B and C, which, in this case, become maceration vats, and may be
introduced into the tanks 2 and 3 instead, to adapt them for feeding.
The two methods above set forth are particularly appropriate for use in the
preparation of first-class spinning material; the action of the fatty substance or
hydrocarbon employed imparting thereto a superior degree of fineness and purity.
But in order to render the treatment suitable not only for the preparation of
superior goods but also of those of commoner quality-ae, for example, such as
are usually employed in the rope-manufacturing industry-the operation is so 4
modified as to leave a greater or less proportion of insoluble and resinous elements
in the fibre. In the case of common material intended to be spun into yarn, this is
accomplished by omitting the fatty or hydrocarbon bath; and in the case of goods
intended for rope-making, alkaline baths should be used which are sufficiently
concentrated to prevent the dissolution of the gummy matter (pectose) whilst the
fibre is steeped in these baths. Thus instead of only using from 4 to 5% of
crystallized soda in the alkaline bath, the percentage of soda may be raised to 10,
15, 20 or 25%, as the case may be; care being taken in this case to subject the
material, after the alkaline maceration, to treatment in a water bath, so as to
cleanse it; it being kept in this bath for the saine space of time as in the alkaline
baths. It will be understood that the proportion of the ingredients of the alkaline
bath, and the number and duration of the different stages of maceration and
cleansing or washing, may be varied according to requirements; the temperature
of the solvent employed being raised more or less, and the fatty or hydrocarbon
bath being employed or not, according to the object in view. By these variations, 5
a great variety of spinning material, from the finest to the coarsest qualities, may
be obtained from the same raw material; an essential condition being that the

page_text: suggested, should be accompanied or supplemented by other operations hereinafter
to be described; the same forming an inseparable part of my general method of
treating textile fibre.
LIXIVIATION.
The disintegration of the texture of the plant and the cleansing of the fibre by.
moisture are far from completed when the various stages of maceration above
described have been carried out. Indeed, upon leaving the maceration baths, the
fibres will be found to retain, both internally and externally, certain bodies which
it is important to eliminate, reduce or convert. These bodies are principally the
following
:-
(1) The external envelope or film of the stalk, which should be disintegrated and
entirely removed by machinery;
1 7
(2) A gummy coating found underneath the said external film and composed of
various elements insoluble in the process of maceration;
(3) A certain amount of fatty matter adhering to and carried away with the
fibre ;
(4) Alkaline liquid retained within the fibres and which a rapid washing with
water does not suffice to expel, but which it is generally advantageous to utilize by
chemical reaction; and
(5) A species of gummy or resinous varnish insoluble in water, but which may
be softened by the exudation of the alkaline liquid and which then serves to make
the greater part of the fibres adhere to each other. This varnish, which imparts
brilliancy and toughness to the fibres, should not be entirely eliminated, but only
modified and, as it were, vitrified by the action of a chemical.
It will be understood that this general and practically simultaneous purifying
operation, comprising washing with water, disintegration by machinery, chemical
neutralization and oxidation, may only be carried out in practice on a somewhat
large scale by means of special arrangements forming part of the plant used in
carrying out this invention.
"
:
The combined apparatus employed for this purpose, and herein referred to by
the general term of "lixiviator," is represented on Sheet III, Figs. 15 to 19, of
the accompanying drawings. It mainly consists of an endless baud or apron Q
circulating between pairs of rollers symmetrically arranged in the same horizontal
plane (Figs. 15, 16 and 17). These rollers continually and uniformly keep the
said apron in motion without pressure as they rotate together. The preferred
number of pairs of rollers is 36, although a larger or smaller number may be
employed if necessary. The average dimensions of the rollers are 6 inches in
diameter and 2 feet 6 inches in length. All the rollers Q'Q" arranged above the
apron have a smooth and polished surface; whereas the lower rollers R₁ R", over
which the apron travels, are generally provided with spiral grooves, the direction
of the convolutions being alternately reversed; that is to say, from right to left on
one roller (Fig. 18), and from left to right on the next roller (Fig. 19). The 6th,
12th, 18th, 24th, 30th and 36th pairs of rollers are in most cases exceptions in so
far that both have smooth surfaces; these pairs serving simply to compress the
fibres and to expel the liquid contained therein.
All the lower rollers of the lixiviator are uniformly rotated by means of similar
gearing S (Figs. 16, 18 and 19) respectively secured to the ends of the roller-
shafts and operated simultaneously either by means of pitch-chains or preferably
by a main lateral shaft T (Figs. 15, 16, 18 and 19) extending horizontally along
the apparatus and receiving motion through suitable straps or the like. Each of
the lower rollers communicates its motion to its upper companion through the
medium of two gear-wheels U U₁ (Figs. 16, 18 and 19); so that, when the main
shaft is in motion, all the rollers of the lixiviator are caused. to revolve uniformly
in the direction of motion of the endless band. The rollers are supported in the
horizontal position in suitable bearings mounted in the frame;, these bearings being

page_text: provided with movable caps which permit the rollers freely to rise to a 'limited'
extent.
On the front side of the upper roller of each pair (that is, on the side turned
towards the head of the apparatus) is arranged a channel or drain V (Figs. 15 to
19) lined with leather or felt-cloth at the part which is in frictional contact with
the roller throughout its length; the same serving to wipe away any impurities
adhering to the roller and to collect them.
On the opposite side of each smooth roller, parallel thereto and at a short
distance from its surface, is arranged a long horizontal tube X (Figs. 15, 16 and 17)
provided with a great number of perforations all directed towards the roller and
intended to allow the escape of jets of liquid. All these tubes are for this purpose
connected at their ends with two large parallel pipes a a', b b', c c'; and d d¹
(Figs. 15, 16 and 17), which supply the said tubes from both sides of the apparatus
with suitable liquids adapted to moisten or besprinkle the smooth rollers. These
liquids, supplied from reservoirs arranged on a suitable level, are ejected upon the
rollers and upon the material to be purified under a pressure controllable by means
of cocks fitted in the supply or priming pipes.
At the front end of the arrangement, the endless band, raised by a roller Y
(Figs. 15 and 16) and stretched by its own weight, forms an incline upon which are
laid out, in one or two rows, the bundles of material to be purified; care being
taken that the adjacent bundles overlap. The material, being thus arranged in
continuous lines, is carried by the band or apron over the whole series of grooved
rollers, the rounded ribs of which crush it in all parts and directions against the
surfaces of the respectively. adjacent smooth rollers; while it is prevented from
adhering to the surface of the roller by the spray constantly supplied from the
perforated tubes. Under this repeated mechanical action, the external film, having
no consistency, is disintegrated and divided into small fragments throughout the
depth of the compressed bundles of material; while all fatty and gummy substances,
being thus laid bare, are washed away by the water with which the band or apron
is flushed.
:
To increase the effect of this washing, the endless band is caused to pass over
supporting plates or basins Z (Figs. 16 and 17) arranged in the intermediate spaces
of the framework. In these low-flanged basins the water, directed in a spray against
the rollers, constantly tends to collect. The volume of water thereby yielded and
constantly renewed in the said basins, is sufficient to swell the bundles of fibre again
after they have been compressed and freed from the water which had previously
entered them. The water used for washing, after descending into the said plates,
flows along a gentle incline forming a guard-plate or tray e (Figs. 15, 17, 18 and 19)
jointly supported by the cross-pieces of all the frames within which it extends
over the whole width and length of the framework; the portion of the endless band
moving backward underneath the said tray upon a series of movable rollers g
(Figs. 15, 17, 18 and 19) being thus guarded from the water.
This lixiviator, which, owing to the symmetrical arrangement of the rollers,
would at first sight appear to be one continuous machine, is in reality made up of
four sections receiving motion from one common source and jointly carrying the
same feed-band.
The first section, comprising 18 pairs of rollers, is moistened with pure water
which displaces and carries away the fragments of external films and performs a
superficial washing of the disintegrated fibres, without having sufficient time to
remove the alkaline element from the interior. Indeed this objectionable element
can only be got rid of instantaneously by chemical reaction as the bundles pass
between the 6 pairs of rollers constituting the second section. The choice of the
reagent to be employed for this purpose is not by any means immaterial; since
upon it depends the colouring, brilliancy, fineness and comparative tenacity of
the resultant product. The reagent should be selected from bodies capable on
the one hand of neutralising the alkali contained in the material treated without
acidifying the latter, and on the other hand of modifying by oxidation the

page_text: gummy or resinous "varnish" mentioned above. The 6 pairs of rollers of the
next section should therefore be sprinkled with water containing (according to
circumstances) one to twenty thousandths of chlorine or sulphurous gas, or hypo-
chlorites, or alkaline or alkaline-earthy bi-sulphites. Where the employment of
any of these bodies is undesirable, the difficulty is obviated by using in succession
two kinds of reagents which will produce a mutually neutralizing action. To meet
this exceptional case, the lixiviator is divided into four sections instead of three,
and the proper method of operation is first to sprinkle the second section with very
slightly acidulated water (say five, ten, fifteen or twenty parts of acid to one
thousand of water), which will neutralize the free alkali. In the third section, a
reaction is then caused to take place by means of a neutral oxidizing and saturating
liquid, which is simply water with an addition of about 10% of hyposulphite or
sulphite of soda, potash, ammonia, magnesium or calcium, as the case may be; that
is to say, according to whether it is desired to obtain more or less deeply colored
and more or less brilliant material. After this treatment, the material passes
between the 6 pairs of rollers of the 4th section, where it undergoes another stage
of washing with pure water. The feed-band then deposits the material upon the
felt apron of the end frame h (Figs. 15 and 16), the 4 rollers ll' and m m' of which,
made of flexible rubber, uniformly compress the bundles of fibre so as to wring all
the superfluous water out of them.
As will be seen from Figs. 15 and 16, each section of the lixiviator is provided
with a separate set of pipes a b c d, whereby it is supplied with the proper liquid.
Owing to the divisions provided upon the inclined tray e, the liquid is collected in
special reservoirs to which it is conducted by discharge pipes n with a view to utiliza-
tion in subsequent operations; the water being used for. washing and for preparing
the alkaline baths; the solutions containing chlorine, sulphites, acids or the like
serving for bleaching.
The apparatus, although arranged for joint operation, enables the four sections to
be distinguished at first sight; as in the first place, at the point where two sections
join, the last pair of rollers of each section formed of two smooth rollers receive no
liquid at all; and in the second place, the endless band, instead of being supported
by a basin, is, at the junction of two adjacent sections, made to pass over a single
roller P, Figs. 15 and 16, which raises it sufficiently to prevent the different liquids
from the two sections becoming mixed.
The hemp or spinning material thus
flexible and combed, to be ready for use.
is adapted to perform these operations.
obtained only requires to be dried, made
The dessicating drum now to be described
The arrangement is represented on Sheet 4 (Figs. 20 and 21) of the accom-
panying drawings, and consists in the main of:-
(1) A large horizontal drum A', usually about 11 feet long and 4 feet wide,
adapted to revolve in either direction on its shaft, the two ends of the latter being
supported about 4 feet above the ground on two frames B' B. The drum is
rotated in one or the other direction at a rate of speed controllable at will by
means of two straps C C₁, one of which is crossed. These straps can be shifted,
each in turn, upon a set of conical pulleys D' by the alternate movement of two
screws El and two nuts F¹, each provided with a fork or strap guide. Fig. 20
represents this arrangement of mechanism, which is alike on both sides of the
apparatus. When, as shown in the drawing, the two straps are passed to the loose
pulleys, the drum can be revolved by hand for the purpose of receiving the charge
of material to be treated. This is accomplished by means of a large toothed
wheel G! secured upon the drum-shaft, and of a small pinion H' actuated by a
movable shaft I', which causes the pinion to engage with the toothed wheel G¹
and in so doing arrests the hand-wheel J' of the screw by bringing the lever K¹
.
B

page_text: into an inclined position and causing the end of this lever or pawl to catch in a
notch of the said screw-wheel.
(2) A large tightly-closed copper receiver L', horizontally arranged underneath
the drum an inch or two from its surface. This vessel, which receives steam from
the pipe M', is the drying chamber proper; its shape being varied to suit the taste
or convenience of the manufacturer. It may be either stationary or rotary, and
of cylindrical, elliptical, polygonal, or other form; or it may consist of a com-
bination of tubes variously arranged. None of these variations make any difference
in the final result of the operation so long as the wall of the drying chamber,
whether plane or curved, is situated sufficiently near to the drum to present to the
bundles of moist hemp attached thereto a large contact and friction surface.
This drying apparatus is arranged in the centre of a large rectangular pit-shaped
space N' about 11 feet 6 inches long and 16 inches deep. This pit may be closed
by means of movable traps O' while the drum is being supplied with material or
while a batch of treated material is being taken off ; the traps, when closed, forming
a continuous floor.
(3) A double normally-horizontal comb P₁ P" arranged to swing like a pendulum
above the drum, so that, when inclined, one side thereof may approach the material
and act upon it laterally; the side which forms the acting side depending upon the
direction of rotation. This double comb comprises a double set of rigid bars Q
provided with a great number of flat tapering teeth R' projecting transversely,
and with a double copper wire spiral S' S", which opens up the fibres to prepare
them for combing. Each rigid spiral measures about 9 inches: in diameter; its
convolutions being kept about an inch apart by an inner frame T suspended at the
ends of levers U₁ U situated at the extremities of the comb. The opposite end
of each lever is linked to movable rods: XX", which force the spiral towards the
drum, and cause it to act upon the fibre as an "opener," previous to and during the
operation of the comb; on that side towards which the comb P P is inclined
during the revolution of the drum.
This
The frame YY", which supports the double comb, may be readily. inclined in
one or the other direction by two vertical screws. Z Zadapted to move up
and down (the one rising. as the other descends, and conversely) according to the
respective movements of two bevel-pinions forming nuts. and of a double set
of small bevel-pinions operated by the rotation of the hand-wheel: t.
arrangement is the same in each frame. The motion imparted by hand to the
hand-wheel is communicated to the mechanism at the other end of the drum
through a double set of toothed wheels and pitch-chains u' connected to the two
ends of a horizontal shaft turning in bearings below the drying chamber.
(4) A series of rigid bars of square section', preferably 11 feet 9 inches. long
and three quarters of an inch deep, terminating at their ends in discs or balls.
These bars, upon which are placed the bundles of moist hemp; are symmetrically
arranged all round the circumference of the drum, whereon: they are rigidly
attached by means of pivoted brackets y! provided with set-screws and adapted
to be turned down upon the projecting portions or heads of the ends of the bars,
the bars having beeu previously placed in corresponding recesses in two angle-
irons q'. The number of these bars is usually about 40, of which 20 turn with the
drum, while the remaining 20 are being charged with bundles of hemp upon the
side-frames W
From the foregoing description, it will be readily understood how the bundles
of spinning material tightly compressed between the bars and the circumference
of the rotating drum will rapidly dry, stretch and become clean, flexible and loose
(ie., fit for combing or heckling) by simply passing and re-passing over the surface
of the drying apparatus while at the same time they progressively undergo the
double action cf the opening or loosening spiral and the teeth of the comb:
A mode of treatment such as the one described above williproducer on a large
scale from fibres of china-grass and textile: plants generally. marketable spinning

page_text: material in a more or less completely purified condition (accordingly as it is intended
for spinning or rope-twisting).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved process for the treatment of china-grass or ramie and similar
plants, the fibres of which are used in the textile industry, substantially as herein
described.
2. For.employment in the treatment of china-grass or ramie and similar plants,
the fibres of which are used in the textile industry, the improved apparatus
arranged or operating substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 14 of
the accompanying drawings.
3. In the treatment of china-grass or ramie and similar plauts, the fibres of
which are used in the textile industry, the employment of a fatty or hydrocarbon
bath, preceded and followed by. water baths, at least one of which is rendered
alkaline by the addition of a caustic or carbonated alkali.
4. In the treatment. of china-grass or ramie and similar plants, the fibres of
which are used in the textile industry, the employinent of an alkaline bath divided
into several parts communicating with one another, whereby provision. is made
for the partial renewal of the bath and the successive displacement of each
part of it.
5. In the treatment of china-grass or ramie and similar plants, the fibres of
which are used in the textile industry, the employment of a series of macerating
vats, one of which contains a fatty substance or hydrocarbon, the whole series
being arranged in such a manner that the levels of the liquids. in the successive
vats become higher and higher as they become more and more remote from the
fatty or hydrocarbon vat, whereby any fatty substance or hydrocarbon carried
from its vat into the other vats returns with the overflow to that vat, substantially
as herein described..
6. For use in the treatment of china-grass or ramie and similar plants, the
fibres of which are employed in the textile industry, an immersing basket
constructed substantially as described with reference to Figs. 4 to 14 of the
accompanying drawings; such basket comprising a frame furnished at the sides
with removable bars having perforations through which vertical rods attached
to a bottom-piece can be caused to slide, the material under treatment being hung
on the rods between the bars..
7. In an immersing basket for use in the treatment of china-grass or ramie and
similar plants, the fibres of which are employed in the textile industry, the
combination, with vertical rods attached to the bottom-piece, of transverse bars
having perforations through which the rods pass, the bars being supported by
open hooks secured to the frame of the basket, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
8. In the treatment of china-grass or ramie and similar textile fibres, the
employment of apparatus constructed and operating substantially as described
with reference to Figs. 15 to 19 of the accompanying drawings.
9. In the treatment of china-grass or ramie and similar textile fibres, the
employment, substantially as and for the purposes set forth, of apparatus com-
prising a series of smooth rollers placed over a series of grooved rollers, the
rollers being arranged in pairs in a horizontal plane and operating as herein
described.
10. In apparatus for use in the treatment of partially-prepared textile fibres of
the kind herein referred to, the combination, with a series of pairs of smooth and
grooved rollers arranged in a horizontal plane, of an endless band or apron
circulating between and put in motion by the rollers, which are caused to rotate
from any suitable source of motive power, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
11. In apparatus for use in the treatment of partially-prepared textile fibres of

page_text: ;
the kind herein referred to, the combination, with a series of pairs of rollers
arranged in a horizontal plane and an endless band or apron circulating. between
them, of a set of parallel pipes having lateral openings by which the upper rollers
and the band or apron while in motion are sprinkled with a suitable liquid or
liquids, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
12. In apparatus for use in the treatment of partially-prepared textile fibres of
the kind herein referred to, the combination, with a series of rollers arranged in
a horizontal plane and an endless band or apron circulating between them, of a set
of parallel channels or drains arranged so as to be in frictional contact with the
upper or smooth rollers, in order to wipe away and collect any impurities adhering
to such rollers, substantially as set forth.
13. In the treatment of china-grass or ramie and similar textile fibres, the
employment of apparatus constructed, arranged or operating substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 20 to 24 of the accompanying drawings.
14. In apparatus for use in the treatment of partially-prepared textile fibres of
the kind herein referred to, the combination, with a horizontal drum capable of
revolving on its shaft in either direction, of a series of removable bars arranged
symmetrically about the periphery of the drum, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
15. In apparatus for use in the treatment of partially-prepared textile fibres of
the kind herein referred to, the combination, with a horizontal drum capable of
revolving in either direction and to the circumference of which the material under
treatment is attached, of a receiver heated internally and placed. so as to assist
in drying the material revolving with the drum, substantially as set forth.
16. In apparatus for use in the treatment of partially-prepared textile fibres of
the kind herein referred to, the combination, with a horizontal drum capable of
revolving in either direction and to the circumference of which the material under
treatment is attached, of a normally-horizontal double comb arranged to swing
above the drum, substantially as and for the purposes set forth..
17. In apparatus for use in the treatment of partially-prepared textile fibres of
the kind herein referred to, the combination, with the double normally-horizontal
comb arranged to swing above the drum, of. two spirals, one being suspended from
each side of the comb, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
18. In apparatus for use in the treatment of partially-prepared textile fibres
of the kind herein referred to, the combination, with the horizontal drum and the
normally-horizontal double comb furnished on each side with a spiral, of an
internally-heated receiver placed so as to assist in drying the material revolving
with the drum, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated the 5th day of November 1891
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agent.