IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FRINGES, AND THE METHOD OF THEIR MANUFACTURE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nehemiah Vinall and George Twentyman, both of
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND RELATING TO FRINGES, AND THE METHOD OF THEIR MANUFACTURE.”
"
Sealed the 12th September 1879, and dated the 2nd April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Nehemiah Vinall and George
Twentyman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd April
1879.
NEHEMIAH VINALL and GEORGE TWENTYMAN, both of Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FRINGES, AND THE METHOD
OF THEIR MANUFACTURE."
Our Invention relates to certain improvements in fringes, such as those known
as valence fringes used for upholstery and decorative purposes, and consists,-
Firstly. In a new and improved method of manufacturing ball fringe, whereby
a novel and rich effect is produced. We manufacture fringe according to our
Invention by taking a number of strands of the material to be used, such as
worsted, and tieing or binding such strands together very tightly with thread or
wire at short intervals, which intervals will vary with the number of strands used.
After the whole length has been tied as aforesaid, the strands between each tieing
are severed by a scissors or shears to the extent requisite, so that when "fuzzed"
out or "puffed," a series of connected "puffed" balls are formed of the tied strands.
The "puffing" or "fuzzing" is effected by subjecting the tied and severed strands
to the action of steam. By so manufacturing ball fringe, we produce a ball fringe
at one process. It will be understood that the strings of balls so manufactured
are fastened to and pendant from a suitable heading, and can be manufactured of
various plain or mixed colours and materials.
Secondly. Our Invention consists in producing a ball fringe by first manufacturing
the balls separately, and then stringing or threading them on a suitable cord or
wire. The only part of this portion of our Invention which is novel is, that we

page_text: string the puffed balls close together so that they touch each other, and by so
touching each other, produce an effect quite distinct from ball fringes as at present
known.
We are aware that puffed ball fringes have been used prior to this our Invention,
but such to the best of our knowledge have only been manufactured by stringing
puffed balls on cord, and spacing them considerable distances apart, the effect
produced being totally different from our Invention, and the method of manufacture
distinct from that described as our Invention.
That our Invention may be distinguished from other fringes in the market, we
have given to it the name of the Circean valence fringe.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Nehemiah Vinall and George Twentyman in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 1st October 1879.
NEHEMIAH VINALL and GEORGE TWENTYMAN, both of Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster. ."IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FRINGES, AND THE METHOD
OF THEIR MANUFACTURE."
Our Invention relates to certain improvements in fringes, such as those known as
valence fringes used for upholstery and decorative purposes, and consists,-
Firstly. In a new and improved method of manufacturing ball fringe, whereby a
novel and rich effect is produced. We manufacture fringe according to our
Invention by taking a number of strands of the material to be used, such as
worsted, and tieing or binding such strands together very tightly with thread or
wire at short intervals, which intervals will vary with the number of strands used,
and the size of ball required. After the whole length has been tied as aforesaid,
the strands between each tieing are severed by a scissors or shears to the extent
requisite, so that when "fuzzed out" or "puffed," a series of connected puffed
balls are formed of the tied strands. The "puffing" or "fuzzing" is effected by
subjecting the tied and severed strands to the action of steam. By so manufacturing
ball fringe, we produce a ball fringe at one process. It will be understood that the
strings of balls so manufactured are fastened to and pendant from a suitable
heading, and can be manufactured of various plain or mixed colours and materials.
Secondly. Our Invention consists in producing a ball fringe by first manufac-
turing the balls separately, and then stringing or threading them on a suitable
cord or wire. The only part of this portion of our Invention which is novel is,
that we string the puffed balls close together so that they touch each other, and by
so touching each other, produce an effect quite distinct from ball fringes as at
present known..
We are aware that puffed ball fringes have been used prior to this our Invention,
but such to the best of our knowledge have only been manufactured by stringing
puffed balls on cord, and spacing them considerable distances apart, the effect
produced being totally different from our Invention, and the method of manufacture
distinct from that described as our Invention.
That our Invention may be distinguished from the other fringes in the market,
we have given to it the name of the Circean valence fringe.
In order that our Invention may be more clearly understood, we have hereunto
attached a Sheet of Drawings illustrative of our method of manufacturing ball
fringe. Like letters denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the various
views.
Figure 1 is an elevation showing the first process in the manufacture.
Figure 2 is an elevation showing the second process in the manufacture.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation showing the third process in the manufacture.
Figure 4 is a side elevation illustrative of a completed fringe.
Figure 5 is a modification of Figure 4.
In the manufacture of fringe according to our Invention, we take a number of
strands of the wool, worsted, or other material of which the fringe is to be composed,
and place them longitudinally together as shown at A, Figure 1. We then bind or
tie them very tightly together at suitable given distances, as at B, Figure 1. When
bound together, they assume the form shown at Figure 2. We then subject the
bound strands to the cutting action of a sharp rotary cutter or shears, and cut each
link round its circumference at the point C, Figure 1, cutting alternately rather
deeper on one side than on the other, as indicated by C and D, Figure 1. After
the links are all cut to the required depth, the fringe is subjected to the operation
of steam, the result of which is to turn all the cut strands out into a ball form, as

page_text: shown at E, Figure 3, the uncut strands forming the stem F of the fringe. By
cutting the strands unequally round the circumference as at C, D, the completed
balls are bound on and cannot draw off the stem F. The finished fringe is con-
structed of a number of pendants, being rows of balls manufactured as before
described and indicated by E, Figure 4, fastened to a suitable heading H, Figure 4.
A fringe according to our Invention is capable of a variety of modifications.
Firstly, in design and effect of the balls which may be composed of any number of
colours and blended together. This is effected by using different coloured strands of
wool or worsted in the manufacture. Again, the fringe may be straight, vandyked,
scolloped, or of various other designs. The balls may be of uniform size, or by
varying the points of cutting, may be of different sizes to suit such design, or the
balls may be arranged and cut so as to alternate with tassels, as shown at Figure 5.
This is effected by missing one cut, the extra length forming the tassel.
Having now described our Invention, and shown the system, mode, or manner
in or under which the same is or may be carried out into practical effect, what we
claim as our Invention and secured to us by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
First. The method of manufacturing ball fringe by tieing a number of strands of
suitable material tightly together, and then partially severing such strands round
the circumference at given points, as herein described and substantially as illustrated
in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. A fringe constructed of balls manufactured as herein before described,
formed in one piece together, so as to produce the effects as set forth and as illus-
trated in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Nehemiah Vinall and George Twentyman,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty seventh day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy
nine.