Abstract: The present invention provides improved hemp decortication systems and methods, and include multi stage segmenting, cleaning, and combing methods and apparatus for separating fibrous plant stalk, and particularly for separating hemp bast fiber from hemp hurd.

Abstract: A fiber opening and cleaning machine includes an opening roll provided with inclined beater elements. Such beater elements have a wave shaped design and are considerably less in diameter than the relatively larger diameter beater rods customarily used in such machines. The advantage of the wave shaped beater elements lies in the grasping and spiral conveying of the fiber flocks fed into the machine.

Abstract: A method of securing a plurality o048268999 f replaceable segments to a base wherein a plurality of deformable supporting members are releasably fastened to the base and wherein co-operating means are provided on a rear face of the segments and on the supporting members, the arrangement being such that the means connecting the supporting members to the base are also used to cause the means on the supporting members to engage with the co-operating means on the rear of the segments.While it is envisaged the invention could be used for securing any working surface to a base member, the invention is particularly suited to securing replaceable segments on a rotary work member and also has particular utility in the textile field for connecting staves to a bas roller or the like.

Abstract: A lag or stave assembly for a Kirschner beater which replaces the traditional one-piece wooden lags and is preferably formed from extruded aluminium. The lag assembly is formed in two parts with a first support part which is preferably channel-shaped and can be secured to the free end of an arm or spider of the beater, and a second pinned working part removably secured along its leading and trailing edges to the upper ends of the arms of the support part, one edge, preferably the leading edge, of the working part being secured to the support part removably and hingedly, e.g. by a hook-shaped tongue engaging in a mating groove, and the other edge being fixedly secured to the other arm of the support part, e.g. by means of screws and/or any type of snap-fit or interlock. The arrangement preferably ensures that one of the parts is loaded in tension or compression when the two parts are secured together to prevent rattling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing multilayer fibrous mats is provided which can form alternate short and long fiber layers continuously on a single forming endless wire cloth. The layers are brought together under the influence of suction air and are held together by interfiber bonds at their interfaces. The apparatus is composed of long fiber defibrators and a short fiber disperser unit placed above the forming endless wire cloth. First, a thin web of long fibers is formed on the forming wire cloth and then a short fiber mat is formed on top of the said long fiber web. At this point, the short fibers to a certain extent are pulled into and among the long fibers of the thin long fiber web by the use of suction air thus forming a long fiber layer, long-short fiber interface layer and a short fiber layer mat construction.