US1486750A - Hemp scutcher - Google Patents

Description

1919 5 sheets-sheet 1 L.. HOLLAND-LETZ HEMP scUTcHERl vFiled Dec. 1,

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@15u EN March'I 11 1924;

L. HOLLAND-LETZ HEMP scUTcHER Filed DeC. l, 1919 March 1 1 ,01924; V1,486,750

- L. HOLLAND-LETZ HEMP S CUTQHER Filed Dec. l, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 7/ r V wf/"l 151 ZC/negli. m7 t l i 13.9 ZZ L 12m f5.5

155 106 jle? faen/or March 11, 1924.

L. HOLLAND-LETZ HEMP SCUTCHER Filled bec. l

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l 1?' l nl mjrL-T i l lllll ll Patented Mar. ll, 1924i.

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LUD. HOLLAND-LET@ Ol? @AK PARK, ILLENIS, ASSIGNOR T0 ren het ,75d

INTERNATIONAL HAR- VESTER COMPANY, A. CORPRATION OF NEW JERSEY.

nniar scorcntrin.

Application led. December 1, 1819. Serial D To. 341,756.

. exact specification.

rlhis invention relates to hemp cleaning mechanism, or to scutching mechanism.

It is well known that after the hemp or other fiber, such as flax, has been passed through a brake and the liber has-thereby been treated in such manner as to brake the woody material on the interior of the stalk, this woody material must be combed out of the fiber and the fiber must be cleaned before it can be used in spinning machines. In certain machines now in use, the hemp or fiber is fed in a direction transverse' to its length, and the combing elements operate on' the fiber to combout the hurds, but these machines have the disadvantage that they do not comb the entire length'of the fiber since a portion of the fiber engaged by the feeding mechanism is not combed out.

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine which will eifectively clean the fiber or comb thehurds from the fiber, and moreover, will clean the fiber throughout its full length.

ln carrying out the object of t-he invention just stated, l have `provided a construction embodying a rotary drum having scutching elements on its outer surface, and have also provided means for feeding the hemp in a direction transverse to its length. Variousadjustments have been provided for, whereby the hemp engaging elements of the feeding mechanism may beaccurately positioned to perform their functions, and also whereby the scutching elements and the shell which surrounds the scutching cylinder may be adjusted relatively. In order to effectively clean the hemp throughout its length,

a pair of drums or scutching cylinders has been provided, Vand two setsof independent feeding mechanisms have also been provided. These sets -of feeding mechanisms are arranged in offset relation with respect. to each other, and the fiber is first engaged by one set, and when being held thereby, is cleaned by one scutching cylinder and then is transferred to the other set of feedingvmechanism, and when being held and fed thereby is cleaned by the second cylinder.

One embodiment' of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and in these drawings- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing my improved scutcher;

Fig is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially on line 2`-2 of'Fig.' l;

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section, illustrating the construction ofthe cleaning cylinders and the driving connections therefor;

Fig. Ll 1s an enlarged vertical sectional view, similarl to Fig. 2, but showing particularly the driving connections for the cleaning cylinders and the central supports for the supporting rails on which the feed chain is mounted;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged views showing in top plan and vertical section one of the longitudinal bars and the mountingr for the cleaning or scutching elements carried thereby;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view showing the supporting track for the sprocket chains which carry the `feed chains which in turn support the hempfrom below;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view showing in top plan the mounting for the sprockets which carry the upper feed chain.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail'sectional view, showing in side elevation the mounting for theupper feed chains; -1

Fig. l0 `is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the driving gearing for 'the feed chains;

`Figs. 11, l2 and 13 show in top plan section and side elevation, the construction of one of the links of one of the hemp toed chains;

Figs. 14, l5 and y16 are enlarged detail views showingl in top plan,.side elevation and vertical section-one of the links of one of the upper feed chains;

l? and 18 illustrate in side elevation and bottom plan, the construction of one of the adjusting levers which controls the engagement of the links of the upper feed. chains with links of the lower feed chains; and

Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional view showing the liber clamped between the links of the upper and lower feed chains.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the frame of the scutcher is substantially rectangular, and comprises a pair of `longitudinal frame members 2O which are supported on bolsters 21 mounted in this instance on wheeled trucks 22. The members have, secured thereto a plurality of vertical frame members 23, the central vertical frame member 23 being braced with respect to the end frame members by diagonal bracing members 24. Longitudinal straps or bars 2F are also secured to the vertical frame members and add to the rigidity of the construction. Each of the vertical frame members has secured thereto adjacent its upper end a transverse horizontal frame member 26, these frame members being securely braced by brackets 27 and forming the main supports for the hemp feeding mechanism. A s shown in F ig. 1 the left hand end of the scutcher has secured thereto a supporting member 28 along the upper surface of which travels a feed chain 29 which receives the hemp after it has passed through the brake and feeds it in a direction transverse to its length to the scutcher feeding mechanism. A. bracket 30 braced by a member 31 is carried at the delivery end of the scutcher and receives the hemp after it has been cleaned, and is discharged by the scutcher feeding mechanism.

The cleaning' cylinders or scutching cylinders and the driving connections therefor will be next describe These cylinders are arranged end to end, as shown in Fig. 3 and are mounted on axles 32-33, these axles being carried at their outel` ends in journals 34 formed on bracket members 35vwhich are carried by the frame of the machine, and the axles are supported at their inner ends in journals 36 carried by a casing 37 which has secured thereto or has formed integral therewith a downwardly extending bracket or casing 38 which is rigidly mounted at its lowerend on a. central transverse frame member 39.

The driving connections for the axles 32. 33 will next be described, after which the construction of the cleaning cylinders will be explained.

Referring` to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the inner ends of the axles 32, 33 have secured thereto, respectively, bevel gears 4.0. 41 which meshl with a central bevel gear 4.2 carried by a vertical shaft 43. The shaft 43 is journaled in the casing 38 and carries at its lower end a bevel gear 44C which meshes with a bevel gear 45 mounted on a shaft 4:6 journaled in a portion of the casing 33 and at its outer end in suitable bearings 17 carried by the central vertical frame member 23. A. bearing box t8 encloses the outer end of the shaft 46 and also a bevel gear 4:9 carried by said shaft, the gear 49 meshing with a bevel gear 50, also enclosed in the bearing box and secured tothe rear end of a shaft 51 which is journaled at its opposite end in the bearing 52 carried by the front vertical frame member 23. Shaft 51 has secured to its front end a pulley which may be connected by a belt to any suitable source of power. ln view of the fact that the bevel gears 40-41 which are carried by the axles 32-33 of the cleaning cylinders, mesh with a common bevel 42, it will be evident that these cleaning cylinders will be rotated in opposite directions.

rllhe cleaning cylinders are carried by a plurality of central hub members 5e Vwhich are mounted on the axles of the cylinders and are provided with radially Vextending arms 55. VThe outer ends of the arms 55 are connected by brace members 56, thereby forming the skeleton of a cylinder, and Y these members 56 are connected toV each other by longitudinally extending members which are preferably formed of sheet metal. The members 56 have secured thereto adjacent the radially. extending arms a plurality of longitudinal barsV or straps 58 (see Figs. 5 and 6) and the cleaning elements 59 are bolted to the bars 58. The cleaning elements are substantiallyT triangular in outline, having an inclined surface 60 at one side thereof and a surface 61 formed on a steeper incline at the other side thereof. Each of the bars 58 is provided adjacent one longitudinal edge thereof with an upwardly extending iiange, 62 which is adapted to engage the lower por-- tions of the surfaces 60 of the members 59 thereby increasing the rigidity of the construction.A As illustrated in 'Figs 5 and 6. a plurality of apertures 63 is formed in each of the members 58, the central aperture being adapte-fl to receive a securing bolt Gat for the cleaning members 59, andthe other apertures being adapted to receive downwardly extending lugs 65 formed on the lower surfaces of the members 59. lt will be evident that themounting just cescribed will result in a rigid construction. and that the members 59 may be easilyattached to and detached from the bars 58 as desired. (lt should be'noted that the outer apertures are equally spaced from the central aperture and therefore the elements 59 may be reversed to present surface 60 or surface 61 to the fiber.) The bars 58 have the apertures 63 along their entire length, therefore the distance between the adjacent cleaning elements 59 may be regulated and more or less of these elements may be utilized as desired. Y

.lt has been found desirable with some grades of fiber to Vbe cleaned to mount beater bars in the rear of the cleaning elements,

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and in Fig. 2 a plurality of these bars 64 are illustrated, these bars being secured to upwardly extending flanges formed on strap members 1n Fig. 2 these beater bars have been shown on alternate sets of scutching elements.

ln cleaning liber by the use ot my improved construction, the liber is grasped by the teeding mechanism intermediate its ends and (see Fig. 2) the portion of the ber disposed at one side of the feeding mechanism is first cleaned, that fiber disposed at the left of the ligure being cleaned by the scutching cylinder illustrated in said figure. 1While this portion ot the fiber is being cleaned, the other portion of the fiber is supported by what may be termed a scutcher shell in position out of the path of movement of the scutching elements as they rotate around the portions located at the-right of Fig. 2. rlhis scutching shell comprises a longitudinally disposed member 66 preterably formed ot sheet metal and conforming substantially in shape to the shape ot the cylinder. but being positioned out ot the path of rotation ot the cleaning elements. It will be evident from the above4 description that the scutching shell tor one cylinder will be disposed on the opposite side or' the machine from the scutching shell for the other cylinder. The mounting for the scutching shells is illustrated in Fig. 2, these members being supported by brace members 67 connected at their inner ends to the casings 37 and at their outer ends to the inner surface ot the shells. The shells are supported at their upper ends on brackets 68 which are carried by a supporting member 69, hereinafter described. Each ot the cylinders is provided on the side opposite the scutching shell which supports the portion of the fiber not being cleaned, with a scut-cher shield 70, this shield being adj-ustably supported along its upper edge by bracket members 7l secured to the frame of the scutchen A bracket 72 is mounted on a stationary bracket 7 3 and is adjustable relatively thereto. The bracket 7 3 is rigidly secured to one ot the transverse trame members 26. As shown in Fig. l, a plurality ot brackets 72 is provided. these brackets forming the main supports tor the tced chains and for the driving connections tor the feeding mechanism. Diagonal brace members 74, 75 are se- 'cured to the ve tical frame members23 and to the transverse trame members 26, the braces 75 also assistingr in securing the stationary brackets 73 to the members 26. A bolt 76 also assists in securing the stationary brackets 7 3 to the transverse frame members 26, each ofthe brackets 72 being provided withan enlarged.apertureV 7 7 through which thisbolt passes. Each ot the brackets 72 is rovidedwith a plurality of securing means 8 for securing thebrackets 7 2 with the brackets 73, each of the securing means 78 passing through a slotted opening 79 formed in the brackets 72. Adjustable nuts 8O are also carried by the brackets 72 and engage a portion ot the stationary brackets 7 3, whereby the vertical position of the brackets 72 may be determined. Each ot the brackets 73 is also provided with a pair of outwardly eX- tending screw-threaded lugs 81 adapted to receive longitudinally adjustable members 82 by means of which theA lateral position of the bracket 73 may be determined. The adjustments just described are very essential to the successful operation ot the machine, since the vertical and transverse positions ot' the feeding members must be accurately determined before the machine can opcrate successfully. The scutcher shields 70 are provided adjacent their lower edges with means whereby they may be adjusted toward and from the scutching cylinders, this adjusting mechanism being illustrated in Fig. 2. The adjusting mechanism for the shields comprises a. plurality of outwardly extending bracket members 83, each ot these bracket members being` 'secured to the shield. The members 83 are pivotally connected. as shown at 84, to a lever 85, the lever being provided adjacent its upper end with a longitudinal slot 86 through which extends a bolt 87 which is carried at the lower loop end of a vertically adjustable bolt 88 and extends through one of the vertical trame members 23. The bolt 88 is carried in an outwardly extending `Flange 89 formed on the upper end of the lever 85. As the ettective length of the bolt 88 is lengthen-ed or shortened, the lever will be vertically adjusted with respect to the vertical trame member 23. Each ot the members 83 is also extended. downwardly at its outer end. as shown at 90, the downwardly extending outer end being adjustably connected by a bolt- 91 to a bolt 92 carried by the lower end of the lever 85. 0n the other side ot the lever 85 is another bolt 91 pivoted at one end to the bolt 92 and its opposite end adjustably secured to a bracket 92 secured to the frame member 23` as shown in Fig. l. It will thus be seen that l have provided for a vertical adjustment ot the lever 85 and also for a lateral adjustment by bolts 9i.. 91') of the lower end oic the scutchcr shield 70. From the showing in Fig. l. it will be seen that the scutcher shell 66 which surrounds one side of the front cylinder is extended to a position inside of the front end of the scutcher shield 70 which is disposed on the corresponding side olli the rear cylinder. 1n Fig. 1V the rearfend ot the shell 66 is illustrate'd at- 93 and the front end ot the shield 70 is shown at 94. The purpose ofthe shields 7 0 is to prevent the hemp from being blown outwardly awaytrom the cleaning' elements and' to retainv it in a position in which effective engagement by these cleaning elements may be had. Each of the cleaning cylinders has secured thereto adjacent its delivery end a deflecting member 95 which is adapted to support the hemp at the delivery end of the cylinder, and after it has been acted upon by the cleaning elements. These deflectors are substantially cylindrical in outline and are connected to the ends of the cylinders in any suitable inanner as by braces 90. An inclined ledge or shelf 97 is provided beneath the cleaning cylinders and below the effective portions of the cylinder, .in order to convey or deflect downwardly the hurds which have been combed out of the fiber. An additional deilector or ledge 98 is provided below the opposite portion of the cleaning cylinder for the purpose of drawing downwardly the hurds blown or tanned away from the member 97.

Having described the cleaning mechanism and the driving connection therefor, l will next describe the mechanism for feeding or conveying the hemp through the scutcher as it is being cleaned.

This feeding mechanism comprises two sets of chains, each set comprising an upper and lower chain. A set of two chains is used for each cylinder, and as these sets are exactly alike, the description will be limited to a single set after the driving connections for the two sets have been described rlhe supporting structure and `driving mechanism for the lower chains will be first described, and attention is directed particularly to Figs. 2, 4 and 9. As illustrated in Fig'. 4., the casing 37 has secured thereto an upwardly extending support 99 on the upper ends of which is mounted the supporting member (i9 heretofore mentioned including a bracket 100. This bracket is provided with a downwardly extending bearing 101, 102 in which are journaled stub shafts 103, 104. rlhese shafts have secured thereto respectively sprocket wheels 105, 106, around which extend the upper laps of the lower feed chains 107 108. The shafts 103, 104, as illustrated in Fig. 1, are disposed one in front of the other, and the feed chain 107 for the front cleaning cylinder passes around the sprocket wheel 105, whereas the front end of the feed chain 108 passes around the sprocket wl'ieel 10G. Frein this description and from the showing in Figs. 1 and 7, it will be seen at the fiber eng ging portions of these chains overlap and the rear chain 108 will engage' the fiber before it has been released by the front chain 107. Both chains travel at the same speed, and therefore the engagement of the fiber by both chains does no injure the fiber. The lower laps of the chains 107 108 pass around sprockets 109 which. are mounted on a common shaft 110 supported in jiournai its lil carried by the frame of the machine and in a central bracket 111 secured to the central transverse frame member 39. The shaft 110 is provided at one end with a sprocket wheel 112 which is connected by a chain 113 to a sprocket wheel 114 carried by the sha-ft 46 before described, and in this manner the shaft 110 is positively driven and drives the chain 107 and 108. In Fig. 1, it will be seen that the front end portion of the chain 108 passes around the front of one of the sprockets 109 and the rear end portion of the chain 107 passes around the rear of the other sprocket 109. The chain 107 is supported at its front end by idler sprockets 115, which are suitably carried by the machine frame, and the rear end portion of the chain 108 is supported by idler sprockets 116, which are also suitably mounted on the scutcher frame. A casing 117 encloses the lower portions of the chains 107, 108 and protects them from the hurds and tow which are combed out of the hemp. The upper laps or effective laps of the chains 107, 108 are supported on a pair of longitudinal tracks 118 which are rigidly mounted on the bracket 100 and also mounted at their ends on the frame of the scutcher.

The particular construction of the links of the lower chains 107, 108 is illustrated in Figs. 11 to 13. From these figures it will be seen that each of the links is provided with a substantially U-shaped central. portion 120 and with a pair of outwardly extending flanges 121, the flanges 121 being adapted to travel on the tracks 118 just described. The ltshaped central portion is provided at one end thereof with a pair of lugs 122 which are apertured as shown at 123, these apertures being disposed in longitudinal alignment with each other. The portion 120 of the link is also provided at its opposite end with an outwardly extending portion 124 having a transverse aperture 125 formed therein. The vertical walls of the intermediate portion of the link are extended upwardly beyond the central portion 120, as shown at 126, theseiportions being adapted to coact with corresponding downwardly extending portions of the links of the upper feed chain. Vllhen the links are assembled to form the chain, the outwardly extending portion 124 of one link will be positioned between the lugs 122 of the adjacent link and a pin will be passed through the apertures 123, 125, thereby securing the links together. As the links pass around the sprockets, the teeth of the sprockets will extend into the upwardly extending recess formed by the central portion 120.

Having described the construction of the lower chains and the driving chains therefor, l will next describe the construction yof the upper feed chains, the supporting element tlierefer and. the driving coni tiene for these chains and attention is particularly directed to Figs. 2, 4, 8 and 9.

The construction of the brackets 72 and the adjustable mounting therefor have already been described, and these brackets are provided at their lower ends with journals 127 for the shafts 128, 129 on which are mounted the sprockets 130, 131 which support, respectively, the front end of the rear feed chain 130 and the rear end of the front feed chain 131. By the adjustments hereinbefore described for the brackets 72, the vertical and transverse positions of the shafts 128, 129 can be accurately determined. A pair of rails or tracks 132, 133 is provided for each of the upper feed chains, thesetracks being supported on the brackets 72 and suitable adjustments being provided for the lower track 133 of each upper conveying chain. Referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen that the lower track 133 is carried at the lower end of a longitudinally adjustable bar 134, this `bar being adjustably connected by a bolt 135, a slot 136, connected to a portion 137 of the bracket 72 and the upper end of the member 134 being` screw-threaded, as shown at 138, a nut 139 being mounted on the end 138 and adjustably securing the member 134 to a flange 14'() formed on the bracket 72.

It will be understood that each end of each of the lower tracks is adjustably connected in a manner just described with its corresponding bracket 72, and for thisreason a detailed description of the adjustable mounting for the other ends of the tracks 133 is not deemed necessary.

From the showings in Figs. 1, 3 and 9 and from the description above, it will be understood that the rear shaft for the upper feed chain of the front cleaning drum is mounted in advance of the front shaft for the upper feed chain of the rear feeding drum, and therefore the upperfeeding chain for the rear drum engages the fiber before it is released by the feeding mechanism-for the other cleaning drum. This of course corresponds to the mounting and arrangement of the lower feed chains for the rear and front cleaning cylinders. An idler sprocket 141 is suitably carried by the bracket 72 disposed at the front end of the scutcher', and carries the front end of the upper feed chain for the first cleaning cylinder, and a sprocket 142 is correspondingly carried in the bracket 72 disposed at the rear end of the scutcher and forms the support for the rear end `of the upper feedl chain for the second cleaning cylinder.

The particular construction of the links for the upper feed chains will next be described, and attention is directed to Figs. 14, to 18, inclusive. Each of the links 143 of the upper feed chain is formed substantially U-shaped in transverse section, as

shown in Fig. 16, and the vertical portions 144 are spaced apart a greater distance than the vertical portionsof the links 120 of the lower feed chains. y The object of thus spacing the portions 144 is to permit the central portion of the link 120 to extend upwardly between 4the portions4 144. The under surface of the central portion 145 of. each of the links 143 is provided with a downwardly extending longitudinal rib 146, this rib being bifurcated at one end, as shown at4147. The rib` 1-46 and the 'bifurcated ends 147 are adapted to be positioned between the upwardly` extending portions126 of the vertical rib portions ofthe links 120. Each of the links 143 is provided with a pair `.of upwardly extending oppositely disposed lugs 148 which in turn are apertured, as shown at 149, the apertures in the respective lugs being disposed in longitudinal alignment. The links 143 arealso provided with an oppositely extending portion 150 which is longitudinally apertured as shown at 151. Nhen the links are` assembled, the portion 150 of one of the links vis positioned between the lugs v148 of the adjacent link, and a pin is passed between these portions and through the apertures 149, 151, thereby securing the links together. `Outwardly extending flanges 152 are formed at the lower ends of the vertical web portions 144, these flanges being adapted to engage the fiber positioned above the flanges 121 formed on the links 120. Means is provided ,for resiliently forcing the links 143 of the upper feed chains toward the links 120 of the lower feed chains, therebyV retaining the fiber firmly gripped between `these chains, and this means is illustrated in Figs. 9, 17 and 18, and comprises Va plurality of levers 153. Each link of the upper chain has a pair Vof these levers 153 `pivotally connected thereto, the levers` being pivoted to the links by the chain pins which connect the links together. These pins pass through transverse apertures 154 formed at one of the ends of the levers, and the levers are positioned on the outside of the outwardly projecting lugs 148. Each'of-the vlevers is provided at its end opposite the apertures 154 with a roller 155 which 'is mounted for free rotation on the lever and is carried by the bearings 156 formed in bifurcated ends 157 of the lever. Intermediate the rollers 155 and the apertures 154 each of the levers is provided with a pocket or recess 158 which is adapted to receive one end of a spring 159, the opposite end of this spring engaging a stud 160 formed on .the links 143. Each of thelinks 143 is provided adjacent its front end-with a pair of upwardly extending webs 161 which are adapted to [form stops for the front ends 160 of the levers 153, thereby V,limiting the movement of the levers about their pivots.

When the machine is in operation and the chains are mounted in the tracks, the rollers 155 engage the horizontal portion of the tracks 133 and thereby are forced downwardly, these levers in turn forcing links 143 toward the links 120. The springs 159 tend to resist any upward movement of the links 14:3 thereby forcing these links in a direction toward the lower links and retaining the ber :[irmly pressed between the links. By means of the adjustable mounting for the tracks 133 the vertical position of the tracks may be varied, thereby varying the amount of pressure placed upon the links of the upper chain.

The driving connections `for the shafts 128, 129 will now be described, and attention is particularly directed to Figs 2 and 10.

As shown in Fig. 2, the shaft L16 is provided with a sprocket wheel 162 which is connected by a chain 163, with a sprocket 164 carried at the outer end of a shaft 165 journaled in suitable bearings carried by one of the frame members 23. The shaft 165 has secured to its opposite endla spur gear 166, the shaft 165 being mounted in a bracket 167 carried by the frame member 23. Spur gear 166 meshes with a pair of gears 168 carried by the shafts 123 and 129 journaled in the bracket 167 and also in the brackets 72, these latter gears being driven in the same direction of rotation.

As illustrated in Fig. 1 the outer ends of the upper and lower feed chains are enclosed in casings, the chains 107, 103 being enclosed, respectively, in casings 169 and 170.

Having described the construction and arrangement of the various elements of the machine and the adjustments for the operating mechanism, I will now outline the operation of the improved cleaning n'iechanism.

The liber is first positioned over the support 28 and is fed into the scutcher proper by the feeding chain 29. lt is rst grasped in the scutcher by the upper feed chain 131 and lower feed chain 107, being securely clamped between these chains by means of the resiliently actuated levers 153. The liber is thus positioned over the links of the lower feed chain and beneath the link 1413 of the upper feed chain, the downwardly projecting portions 146, 147 of the links 143 firmly grip the fiber between the upwardly projecting portions 126 of the links 120, and prevent it from being pulled out by the cleaning cylinder and wasted. ln Fig. 19 is illustrated the manner in which the liber is held loose between the two gripping points, thereby preventing same from being broken. When the liber is being fed by the feed chains 131', 107, one portion of the liber (in Fig. 1 that nearest the observer) will be cleaned by means of the rotating combing or soutching elements 59, the liber being cleaned being enclosed in the scutching shield 70. rl`he portion of the liber on the opposite side of the feeding means will be supported on the scutcher shell 66 opposite the shield 7 0 out of the path of rotation of the cleaning elements. lilhen the fiber has been fed to a position substantially at the longitudinal center of the machine, it will be automatically transferred from the set of feeding element-s 131', 107 to the rear set 108, these feeding elements overlapping, thereby preventing any gap between the release from the first feeding elements and the gripping by the second. rlhe scutcher shell 66 and the shield 70 'are also so formed that they overlap, thereby insuring the transfer of the fiber from one of the elements to the other at the center of the machine. By reason of the fact that the feeding elements 130', 108 for the rear cleaning mechanism are offset laterally with respect te the feeding elements 131", 107 of the front feeding elements, the fiber will be gripped by the rear feeding elements at a different point in its length from the point at which the liber is grasped by the front feeding' elements. rllliis Yconstruction therefore insures the cleaning of the fiber throughout its entire length. liVhen the ber has been delivered by the feeding chains 130', 108 it is received by the inclined supporting member 30 and travels downwardly by gravity thereon, and is taken from this member by an operator. By providing accurate adjustments for the vertical and lateral positioning of the upper feed chains, efficient and positive functioning of these elements is assured. IThe adjustment for the scutcher shield also insures the proper cleaning of the liber by the rotating cleaning elements. rlhe mounting for the cleaning elements 59 on the longitudinal bars 53 has also been worked out in such a manner that these elements may be easily attached to and detached from the bars and the number of these elements may be varied as desired. llhe driving connections for the various elements of the scutcherhave'been made simple and positive and have been constructed in such a manner that there is little liability of their breaking or becoming loose.

`While l have in the above specification described one practical embodiment of my improved fiber treating mechanism, it should be understood that the invention is capable of various modifications, and that modilications and changes in the construction and in the arrangement of the operative elements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as ef;- pressed in the following claims:

1. A scutching machine, including in combination, a plurality of rotatableV cleaning members positioned end to end and in close proximity with respectto eachother, means for rotating said members "in opposite directions, means disposed adjacent one side of each of said cleaning members for retaining the fiber in la 'position to be engaged thereby, 'and means disposed adjacent the opposite ends of each of said cleaning members for adjustably retaining the fiber in the path of movement of said members, the liber retaining and fiber supporting means 'of the successive cleaning members being disposed on opposite sides of said members vfrom the preceding members.

A scutching machine, including in combination, a pair of oppositely rotating' ,liber cleaning members, veach of said members having liber retaining means disposed 'adj acent one portion thereofand fiber supporting means disposed adjacent the opposite portion thereof, the fiber retaining means of one setrof cleaning members being disposed on the same side of the machine as the fiber supporting means of the other of said cleaning members, the fiber retaining means of one of said cleaning members overlapping the fiber supporting means of the other of said cleaning members.

3. A scutching machine including in combination a plurality of rotatable cleaning members arranged on a common axial line, feeding mechanisms for each of said cleaning members, said feeding members being disposed out of alignment with each other,

the feeding mechanism for one of said cleaning members overlapping the feeding mechanism for the other of said cleaning members and said first mentioned cleaning member, and defiecting means carried by said cleaning member.

4. A scutching machine, including in combination a cleaning member, fiber feeding mechanism adapted to feed the fiber in a direction transverse to its length and longitudinally of said cleaning member, said feeding mechanism comprising a pair of endless conveyors, the feeding laps of said conveyors being located in a position entirely above said cleaning member, and means positioned on the delivery end of said member for deflecting said fiber outwardly from the periphery of the cleaning member.

5. A scutching machine, including in combination, a plurality of cleaningV members and feeding mechanisms, including a pair of endless conveyors, one of said conveyors being disposed longitudinally with respect to the axis of one of said cleaning members and travelling entirely around said cleaningV member, with one lap located in close proximity with the other member, and another of said conveyors traveling entlrely around the last mentioned member with one of its laps located in close proximity to the first mentioned member, and vthe other of said conveyors being positioned above said firstnamed conveyor and being adapted to cooperate with said conveyor in gripping the fiber between said conveyors.

6. In a scutching machine, feeding mechanism comprising a pair of coacting endless chains, means for supporting said chains in a position in which Vone portion of each chain will be disposed adjacent a port-ion of the other chain, one ofsaid chains have a longitudinal recess therein, and the other of Vsaid 'chains having a longitudinal projecting portion adapted to engage the fiber positioned between the chains and spring pressed means carried by said first mentioned chain for clamping the fiber in the recess of the other chain. i

.7. In a scutching machine, feeding mechanism, comprising a pair of feeding chains .means for positively driving each of said chains, a track supported adjacent one of said chains, and means carried by said lastnamed chain and adapted to engage said track for forcing said chain in a direction toward the other chain.

10. In a scutching machine, feeding mechanism, including in combination, a pair of chains, the links of each of said chains being substantially U-shaped in cross section, each of the links of one set having springs mounted thereon and being resiliently pressed and positioned above and to coact with the links of the other set of said chains.

11. In a scutching machine, cleaning mechanism comprising a drum having a plurality of longitudinally disposed bars on its periphery, said bars provided with a series of apertures and a plurality of detachable cleaning elements provided with a plurality of projections for securing said elements to each of said bars.

12. In a scutching machine, cleaning mechanism comprising a drum having a plurality of longitudinally disposed bars on its periphery, each of said bars having a plurality of 'sets of aligned apertures therein, a plurality of cleaning elements having means forming a part of said element for engaging certain of said Vapertures to position said elements on said bars, and means for detachably securing said elements to said bars.

13. In a scutching machine, cleaning mechanism, comprising in combination a drum having a plurality of sets of cleaning elements mounted on its periphery, beater bars secured to said drum and disposed adjacent and fixed to certain of said sets of cleaning elements, and a deflecting member carried by said drum and encircling said bars. Y

14. in a scutching machine, feeding mechanism comprising a pair of oppositely disposed endless feeding elements located one above the other, means for supporting the upper lap of the lower feeding element, a rail disposed above said supporting means and spaced therefrom, and means carried by the upper feeding member and adapted to engage said rail for forcing the lower lap of the upper feeding member in a direction toward the upper lap of the lower feeding member.

15.A scutching machine, including in combination a pair of oppositely rotating liber cleaning members of equal diameter, each of said members having liber retaining means disposed adjacent one portion thereof, and liber supporting means disposed adjacent the opposite portion thereof, the fiber retaining means of one set of cleaning members being disposed on the same side of the machine as the fiber-supporting` means of the other of saidcleaning members, a portion of the iiber retaining means of one of said cleaning members overlapping a portion of the fiber supporting means of the other of said cleaning members.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.v

LUD. HOLLAND-Lem.

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