POTTER'S FLAX MUCILAGE DISSOCIATOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 17 January 1890, Page 2

POTTER'S FLAX MUCILAGE DISSOCIATOR.

A few weeks ago we drew attteution to a new method of treating flux which had been patented "by Mr Albert Potter, a former resident of Hamilton, and drew attention to a sample of flax prepared under this process. In the Herald of Dec. 10th, the machinery is thus referred to : — Those who are interested in flax would do well to pay a visit to Mr Cairn's flax mill, in Custom-street West, where Mr Potter's flax-clean ing machine is in operation. Mr Potter is always willing- to show his machine ti visitors, and they will there see a process which turns flax I out in an admirably white and silky . condition. The principle of the * machine is to take the flax immediately it leaves the shippers, and pass > it under a paiv of wooden stampers, > "while water is being sprayed on it. The machiue is of » strong and [ powerful construction, made in two i bays or sections, running parallel* ; to work separately or conjointly, ■ thereby passiug fibre through from i either one or two strippers, as fast as it can be stripped xt is of a | novel and simp'e construction, its principle object being to manufacture the fibre soft, white, and flexible. This is accomplished by a main shaft driven in the usual manner witk Biugle belt and pulley, two cams, eacli acting twice every revolution upon revolving discs that lift coupled stamper-rods, to which are attaohed specially-constructed ataapers. U]> on the stamper rods are tappits, which set(in inotiou levers and connections that cause an endless band to bring continuously under the stampers the fibre, which receives successive blows, causing it to open longitudinally, thus setting free and disuniting the sap and other substances held in tho fibre after being stripped. To prevent the deleterious matters from settling and discolouring the fibre Jwhen und; ; r operation, small jets of water constantly play in. the troughs. The fibre is then rinsed in water, and hung up to dry under corer from the sun's rayp, a«)d the usual bleaching ia dispensed with, there being only the pure fibra to dry, and five or six days completes the whole op-ratiou. Fib-e in all stag -s may be Been at the worlra, aud iv a few days » bale will he pnt in a public -p'.iice for inspection -Waikato News.