GB307999A - Improvements in and relating to apparatus for separating fibres from bast plants andother adhering fibres - Google Patents

Abstract

307,999. Pritchard, R. L. Jan. 4, 1928. Breaking and scutching apparatus; rippling-apparatus.-In a machine for separating fibres from bast plants in the manner described in Specification 105,094 the material is arranged on an intermittently moved belt 2, and passed to rollers 12, 13, which break the seed bolls, the upper one being free to move vertically and heavier than the lower one. A bar 14, carried by levers 19 and. capable of being raised in guides 16, is provided with pins 15 which when lifted penetrate between the stalks. The material is gripped by groups A, A<1> of pairs of finely fluted rollers, the upper ones being fixed, and the lower ones in resiliently supported bearings. These rollers draw the material through the pins 15 to remove the seeds and align the stalks. The material is then passed to zones B - - E of rollers, each comprising a pair of smooth rollers, of which the upper one is resiliently mounted, and a number of rollers 22 provided with ribs and channels as described in Specification 105,094. These rollers are mounted in fixed bearings and are arranged in staggered formation, each.lower roller meshing with two upper rollers. Rollers 23 are mounted in front of and behind the first and the last lower rollers to prevent sagging of the material. In order to remove the remaining woody material the stalks are passed to a pair of smooth rollers d, d<1>, the upper one of which is resiliently mounted, and to pairs of rollers a, b, the lower ones being smooth and the upper ones having lines of pins 25. The material passes finally to pairs of finely fluted rollers 26, the lower ones being resiliently mounted, and to delivery rollers 28. When the stalks are gripped by the rollers 26 the direction of rotation of the rollers a, b is reversed. The lower rollers a may also carry pins. When the material treated has been previously threshed, it is necessary to provide means to align the stalks, and the feed belt 2, Fig. 8, may move continuously. The means for aligning the stalks comprises a series of pairs of rollers 30 carrying lines of pins 31, the pins on one roller being interspaced as regards the pins on adjacent rollers. The pairs of rollers move at progressively increasing speeds. The rollers 13 and the groups A, A<1> are driven by a chain from the roller 4 carrying the feed belt. The same chain also drives the first of the fluted rollers in the zone B, the remaining rollers in the zones being driven by a train of gears from this roller. The upper rollers d, 28 are carried by spring controlled levers, the frame being slotted to allow the necessary movement. The reversal of the rotation of the rollers a, b is secured by a lever carrying a group of gears, which can be moved to drive either direct or by interposing an idle gear.