IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FELT
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bristow Hunt, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF FELT." A communication from abroad by Alfred
Simon Hubert Toussaint Sommer, of Paris, France, Dyer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Bristow Hunt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd April 1880.
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
A communica-
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FELT."
tion from abroad by Alfred Simon Hubert Toussaint Sommer, of Paris, France,
Dyer.
In the Complete Specification of a Patent for "Improvements in the Manufacture
of Felt," which was applied for by Herbert John Haddan as a communication to him
from the aforesaid A. S. H. T. Sommer, and was lodged on the 9th day of January
1880, No. 96, the use was claimed of a new process of manufacturing felt, consisting
in the introduction between the sheets or slivers constituting the felt of a netting
which serves as a core to the fabric; this netting with knotted meshes being
formed of threads of hemp, flax, jute, silk, horse or other hair, wool, or cotton, and
the meshes might be of variable dimensions and arrangements.
This process may be applied not only as stated in the abovo Specification, but
also in various other manners which constitute very remarkable improvements in
the manufacture of felt.
These are the improvements which form the subject of the present Invention, and
they consist :-
First. In felting short or other wools and waste woollen fibres between two
nettings of knotted meshes, and in using for that purpose felting and fulling machines
of any known construction. The felting of the carded sheet or sliver takes place
between the two nettings, one placed beneath and the other above, and when the
operation is completed the nettings are withdrawn and may be used over again.
By these means two distinct felts may be obtained by placing between two sheets
or slivers a third netting which may be removed either after fulling or after
felting

page_text: Secondly. In the use in the same manner as and instead of tho netting with
knotted meshes of hemp, wool, or other threads, of a kind of metallic wire cloth
which may be of various thicknesses, patterns, and dimensions, and either bare or
covered with any material to prevent its oxydation, and may be either introduced
within or over or under the sheets or slivers, so as to allow of the felting of woollen
waste of all qualities and colors.
Thirdly. In a method of giving to all kinds of felting machines (either with or
without the nettings of knotted meshes) the same felting properties for short wools
and for woollen waste. In fact the employment of netting with knotted meshes is
not an arbitrary process, it is based upon the division of the felting surface, or
rather the localisation, in a confined space of the short or waste filaments,
submitted to the action of the felting apparatus, and which become imprisoned
and retained in the spaces formed between the knotted meshes of the netting or
wire cloth.
In order that the felting machines may possess this quality, whether they bo
made on the table or roller system, 1 cast or form on the rollers or the table surfaces
in relief forming a border and divisions, in imitation of network, or I obtain the
same result by engraving or by means of stamped or embossed plates, or by the
application of metallic wire or otherwise so as to form a cellular surface.
These different means concurring to the same end and based on the same
principle, which is to render possible the use of short or waste wools by
imprisoning or confining them in cells of various forms during the operation
of felting.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the. Letters Patent filed
by the said Bristow Hunt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd.
October 1880.
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serlo Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FELT." (A communica-
tion from abroad by Alfred Simon Hubert Toussaint Sommer, of Paris, France,
Dyer.
In the Complete Specification of a Patent for "Improvements in the Manufacture
of Felt," lodged on the 9th day of January 1880, No. 96, the use was claimed of a
new process of manufacturing felt consisting in the introduction between the sheets
or slivers constituting the felt, of a netting which serves as a core to the fabric;
this netting with knotted meshes being formed of threads of hemp, flax, jute, silk,
horse or other hair, wool, or cotton, and the meshes might be of variable dimensions
and arrangement.
This process may be applied not only as stated in the above Specification, but
also in various other manners which constitute very remarkable improvements in
the manufacture of felt.
These are the improvements which form the subject of the present Invention, and
they consist:-
=
First. In felting short or other wools and waste woollen fibres between two
nettings of knotted meshes, and in using for that purpose felting and felting
machines of any known construction. The felting of the carded sheet or sliver
takes place between the two nettings, one placed beneath and the other above, and
when the operation is completed the nettings are withdrawn and may be used over
again. By these means two distinct felts may be obtained by placing between two
sheets or slivers a third netting, which may be removed either after fulling or after
felting.
Secondly. In the use in the same manner as and instead of the netting with
knotted meshes of hemp, wool, or other threads, of a kind of metallic wire cloth
which may be of various thicknesses, patterns, and dimensions, and either bare or
covered with any material to prevent its oxydation, and may be either introduced
within or over or under the sheets or slivers, so as to allow of the felting of woollen
waste of all qualities and colors.
Thirdly. In a method of giving to all kinds of felting machines (either with or
without the nettings of knotted meshes) the same felting properties for short wools
and for woollen waste. In fact the employment of netting with knotted meshes
is not an arbitrary process; it is based upon the division of the felting surface,
or rather the localization in a confined space of the short or waste filaments
submitted to the action of the felting apparatus, and which become imprisoned
and retained in the spaces formed between the knotted meshes of the netting or
wire cloth.
In order that the felting machines may possess this quality, whether they
be made on the table or roller system, I cast or form on the rollers or the table
surfaces in relief forming a border and divisions in imitation of net work, or
I obtain the same result by engraving or by means of stamped or embossed
plates, or by the application of metallic wire or otherwise so as to form a cellular
surface.
The different mechanical means which are intended to be employed in carrying
the present Invention into practical effect are represented on the annexed Sheet of
Drawings.
In felting between two nettings of knotted meshes one of which is placed

page_text: above the material and the other beneath, the arrangement illustrated by Fig. 1 is
to be used.
Over the table of a flat felting machine heated by the steam chest A, over which
the endless cloth a is passed, a netting b of knotted meshes is placed which is
guided by the rollers B. Above this table is suspended the plate P to which is
imparted a horizontal to and fro motion in both directions simultaneously or
alternately, and beneath this plate is passed a cloth c, and finally beneath the latter
a second netting b' of knotted meshes. Between these two nettings of knotted
meshes band b¹ is placed the waste wool, cotton, and other fibres which are to be
felted, and which on entering the spaces between the meshes are imprisoned or
confined therein during the process of felting, which is effected by the mechanical
action of the plate P. Under the same conditions the nettings of knotted meshes
may be replaced by metallic wire cloths and these latter may be permanently
attached to the table or fixed plate and to the movable plate.
"
In felting without netting and without metallic wire-cloth these two plates
should be furnished with partitions, representing in relief the divisions formed
approximately by the meshes, and by these means not only "bats of wool
and waste fibre can be felted, but they can also be fulled simultaneously by the help
of the usual ingredients.
If the plates are made of lead, acids may be employed in the fulling process; if
they are made of wood, cast iron or any other material may be employed, or the
fulling may bo carried on with alkalis only.
By thus simultaneously felting, fulling, and rinsing, felts can be manufactured
with designs in relief or sunk.
If the felts obtained by the cellular plates are fulled by the ordinary process
they are simply plain.
Figures 2 to 8 shew the arrangements of the cells which may be made in the
plates, whatever the shape or sizo of them may be.
Figure 2 shows a fixed plate with its framing A and straight divisions a running
parallel with one of its sides.
Figure 3 shews a corresponding movable plate with a framing A', and also
parallel divisions a¹, but arranged perpendicularly to the former divisions, so that
when the two plates are placed one above the other uniform square spaces are
formed to confine the waste fibres during the process of felting when the
movable plate has a to and fro motion imparted to it in either one or both
directions.
Figure 4 shews another modification of the fixed plate, and Figure 5 of the movable
plate, in which the divisions are arranged obliquely, but which, as in the preceding
case when placed one above the other form uniform cells or spaces to imprison the
waste fibres.
The cells may be formed of any suitable shape, and may either be cast in relief
with the plates or engraved therein, or they may be formed by metal wires; and
these plates or felting surfaces may be made of lead or other metal.
By simply felting by means of these plates (or similarly furnished cylinders)
and fulling in the ordinary machines a plain felt is obtained.
By felting and fulling in the same machine regular designs in relief are
obtained, and, if desired, the nettings with knotted meshes may be used at the
same time.
The entire felting machine is illustrated by the longitudinal and transverse
sectional views Figs. 9 and 10. It will be seen that the steam chest A is beneath
the fixed plate A' cast with the grooves a (as specially shewn in Figs. 11 and 12,
which illustrate tho essential features on a larger scale). The upper plate P is of
cast iron, and is suspended by chains passing over pulleys, which allow it to be
lifted, as also the plate P¹, which is intended to load or weight it when necessary
during the operation of felting.
The to and fro motion is communicated to the said plate P in the longitudinal

page_text: and transverse directions at will, by means of the shafts D, D¹, and E, E¹, which
are provided with the driving pulleys and p', sliding clutches m, m', bevil
wheels and r', and crank plates n, n', and o, o¹; these latter actuate the
connecting rods N, N¹, and O, O', which rock on their centres x, and as they are
held at their upper ends in the forks q they draw the plate with them.
The following is the manner in which the operation may be carried on by means
of this machine:-The plates are perforated at intervals with small holes, which
allow of the introduction of the soap necessary for the fulling process.
When the
soap has been introduced these holes are closed up by means of valves formed by
the slides e, which fit between the projecting ribs a (Figs. 11 and 12).
The "batt" being in the fixed plate A' the movable plate P, which comes down
to cover it again, admits the necessary quantity of soap thereto by means of a
reservoir formed by furnishing the movable plates with an edging or border for
this purpose.
In order not to lose the soap used the valves in the lower plates are opened, and
small pipes placed below the holes d allow the soap to run off and be collected in
the tauk R tixed below the steam chest of the machine.
Thus there is no loss of soap, and this soap may be used over again. In the
same manner the felting and fulling with acid is proceeded with.
After this simultaneous felting and fulling, the felt still held in the machine is
also puritied or cleansed from the soap or acid by means of the same reservoir
which furnished the soap or acid, and which now admits the water necessary for
the direct rinsing of the felt obtained.
The rinsing being effected the felt is withdrawn, a new "batt” introduced, the
valves of the plates are replaced, and the process is recominenced.
Further, it is possible to felt and full a carded "batt" in the ordinary way, and
then introduce the felt obtained into this designing machine, full it again to
produce the pattern, and rinse it.
The plates made of wood have this advantage, that they can bo adapted to
existing machines; Fig. 6 represents one of these wooden plates with projections a
held in the frame of a fixed plate A, and Fig. 7 shews a similar plato with
projections a' held in the frame of a movable plate A'. The projections are so
arranged that they fit between and perpendicularly to each other.
Another modification of this system is shewn at Fig. S, which represents in front
view and section a sheet of metal, such as zinc, lead, copper, tiu, or the like, in
which suitable designs have been punched. These sheets are applied on to the
felting machines, or they may be placed either between, upon, or under the "batts
to be felted. In order to obtain one or more felts it is only requisite to place these
sheets between the several "batts."
37
Two sheets may also be used, the one below the " batt," and the other above,
and a netting with knotted meshes may be introduced between the two "batts,"
which netting may remain there or be utilized either after felting or after
fulling.
Having now described the nature and object of the said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to bo or may be performed or carried
into practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as the Invention
communicated to me by the above named Alfred Simon Hubert Toussaint
Sommer,―
First. The nettings with knotted meshes placed above and beneath the "batts"
during the operation of felting or fulling.
Second. The metallic wire cloth or gauze by which similar manufactures may be
obtained.
Third. The cylinders and plates cast with patterns in relief or engraved with
certain designs, which may also be produced by means of metal wires.
Fourth. The punched sheets, which may be applied to the plates or cylinders of
felting machines.

page_text: All substantially as described and as illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
These different means concurring to the same end and based on the same
principle, which is to render possible the use of short or waste wools by
imprisoning or confining them in cells of various forms during the operation of
felting.
•
In witness whereof, I, the said Bristow Hunt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-third day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.