GB342298A - Improvements in or relating to the mechanical treatment of leaf fibre whilst immersed in a solvent or washing or other fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

Leaf fibre of caroa, sisal, palma blanca and the like preferably matted under pressure into parallel bands is mechanically pressed and wiped, whilst immersed in a solvent or washing or other fluid, by resilient devices such as flexible suction cups which are moved to and from the fibre being fed through the machine thus thoroughly washing the fibre, after a prior treatment in a boiling kier, without damage to or disturbance of the fibres. The appliance may also be used for ensuring the thorough impregnation of fibre with dyes, or with preserving, stiffening, fire resisting, or other liquids. The fibre is conveyed by creeper rolls A in a feed table a and through a series of tanks D, D1, D2, &c. interspaced between adjustable pressure or mangling rollers, B, G, I, K, M. The tank D containing water, or other suitable solvent, has fluted rollers C, which feed the fibre between vertically reciprocating resilient cups F preferably of leather, and machined or polished, perforated supports E interspaced by feeding rollers E1. The fibre passes through a <PICT:0342298/IV/1> second set of fluted rollers C1 in a tank D1 to grooved rollers H which are rotated and are reciprocated axially over grooved or corrugated, and perforated washboards or supports H1 which are preferably resiliently mounted and may have intermediate feeding rollers h. The tank D1 may be duplicated as at D2 from which the fibre passes to faller gills L which open it up for final liquid drenching or pressure spraying. It may then pass through the adjustable pressure rollers M before being dried. The machine may comprise any number of units arranged in any desirable order.