GB479626A - Improvements in machines for decorticating fibrous vegetable material - Google Patents

Abstract

479,626. Decorticating sisal leaves &c. GOWANS, C. H. K. Oct. 27, 1936, No. 29129. [Class 120 (i)] In a machine for decorticating sisal leaves and other fibrous material, of the type in which the material is gripped at one end and is traversed laterally with the free end or ends in contact with a drum or drums having radial pins or other scraping devices, an intermediate drum 11, Fig. 1, driven at an intermediate speed is arranged between the slow running and fast running drums 10, 12. The material fed horizontally to the first drum is turned to a position to engage the drum surface by a share or like appliance 42 and is weakened at the place where it is bent by two wheels or discs 43, 44, Fig. 3, placed opposite each other and in a longitudinal plane one above and one below the material which engage and weaken the material but do not damage the fibres. The drums 11, 12 are provided with plates 9 to receive the material from the preceding drum and hold it temporarily to prevent too violent an action where the drum speed changes. The drum 11 is keyed on a central shaft 14, Fig. 7, driven from a countershaft 18 by a chain 16. The drum 10 is carried on a spider journalled on the shaft 14 and is driven through gearing 27 .. 30 therefrom while the drum 12 is secured on a sleeve 21 and is driven by a chain 23 from the shaft 18. The drums 11, 12 each rotate about three times as fast as the drums 10, 11. The material is fed to the machine on a conveyer 31 and is carried therethrough between endless chains 32, 33, Fig. 4, driven by gearing from the shaft 18 and provided with longitudinal guides 40, 41, the material being weakened by the wheels 43, 44 and bent upwardly by the share 42. The shaft 14 and the sleeves 21, 47 are preferably provided with ball bearings. The pins are retracted once per revolution while remote from their operative position to clear them of waste material. They are mounted on slats 48 carried by arms 49, 51 having a roller 53 which engages in an eccentric track 54 and serves to rock the arms 49, 51 so as to draw the pins inwards. Specification 416,045 is referred to.