GB416045A - Improved method of and apparatus for the deoorticating, hackling, combing, splitting, or the like of sisal and like fibrous leaves, stalks and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

416,045. Decorticating sisal and like fibrous leaves. HOLLIER, W. J., 2, Sydney Street, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. March 6, 1933, No. 6809. [Class 120 (i).] A process for decorticating fibrous leaves by splitting the leaves into strips and then splitting the strips to free the fibres is characterized in that in one continuous operation the leaves are split for nearly their entire length and immediately thereafter the strips are split while still containing their native moisture so as to produce fine fibres free from any adherent matter. The leaves f are fed by a conveyer e, Fig. 1, past slow moving drums c, c<1> having relatively few pins for splitting the leaves into strips and then past faster moving drums d, d<1> having a larger number of pins thereon for hackling or combing the fibres in the strips. The leaves are gripped at or about their middle point and conveyed through the machine by chains g, the two free portions of each leaf being raised to an inclined or substantially vertically position by guide plates h, Figs. 3 and 4. The pins k on the drums d, d<1> are carried by bars i arranged in slots in the drum surface and are graduated as to fineness and spacing. The pins l on the drums c, c<1> project at 60‹ to the surface and may also be variably spaced. To clear the pins automatically of any waste matter, each comb bar may be carried on a bell crank element m, Fig. 9, controlled by a spring m<1> and adapted to be operated by a cam m<3> so that the pins are drawn inwardly through the drum slot. The drum d<1> extends beyond the drum d and is adapted to treat the part originally gripped between the chains or belts g, the leaf being transferred for this purpose to an inclined end conveyer g<1>. The grip chains n are preferably provided with intermeshing corrugated rubber faces n<1>, Fig. 5, and are kept in place by steel runways n<3>. In a modification, the machine may consist of one set of drums only, the leaves being gripped at the extreme butt end and bent perpendicular by a guide bar until brought into contact with the drums. The butt ends may then be cut off, or, in another machine, combed by an auxiliary drum.