CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMBING WOOL, COTTON, SILK, FLAX, AND OTHER SUITABLE FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jesse Ross, of 7, Victoria Terrace, Keighley,
in the County of York, Gentleman, and Thomas Robert Hafford
Ross, of 73, New Walk, Leicester, in the County of Leicester,
Fancy Hosier, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMBING WOOL, COTTON, SILK, FLAX,
AND OTHER SUITABLE FIBROUS MATERIALS."
Sealed the 27th May 1853, and dated the 4th April 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jesse Ross and
Thomas Robert Hafford Ross at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th April 1853.
We, JESSE Ross, of 7, Victoria Terrace, Keighley, and THOMAS
ROBERT HAFFORD Ross, of 73, New Walk, Leicester, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS.
IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMBING WOOL, COTTON, SILK, FLAX, AND.
OTHER SUITABLE FIBROUS MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
Sheet 1, of the accompanying drawings is a plan of one of our im-
proved machines, constructed with a revolving table or circular comb, A.-
Other moveable combs may be used instead of circular ones.

page_text: Sheet 2, is an elevation of the same, partly in section, shewing the
lashing or filling apparatus.
Sheet 8, is another elevation of the same, partly in section, shewing
the combing or cleaning apparatus, and the drawing rollers for taking
off the sliver.
A, is the circular comb. L, L, L, in Sheet 1, shew the positions
of the lashing apparatus, six of which are employed, and they
are driven by gearing carried round the machine. The number of
lashing apparatus may be varied, but I prefer to employ at least three
of them. The lashing apparatus consists of a roller with fine teeth or
cards in rows M, in Sheet 2, and a fluted roller N, mounted on a
frame or arm 0, which receives an oval motion from two cranks
D, and E, attached to two equal wheels F, and G, geared together, or
is driven in any other suitable manner. On the pin of one of the
cranks is a worm which takes into a worm wheel mounted on the
frame O, and communicates a slow motion to the rollers M, and N,
through suitable intermediate gearing. A brush P, with a spring, is
arranged above the roller M. One or more slivers Q, of the fibrous
material are introduced between the rollers M, and N, and are lashed
on to the circular comb A, by the motion of the lashing apparatus.
The slivers may be damped by passing them through a steam box,
shewn at R, Sheet 4, and winding them into balls S, before they enter
the machine. The comb A, may also be heated by steam or gas. As
the comb A, revolves, it receives fibrous material from each of the
lashers, and it then passes the revolving card, or fine teeth comb, B,
Sheet 1, which revolves in the direction of the arrow, but which is
mounted on a frame, supported on a crank a, a, Sheet 3, which
revolves in the contrary direction to the card B. The frame which
carries the revolving card B, is guided at the back by a rod T, sliding
in a socket U, or in any other convenient manner. The fibrous mate-
rial on the comb A, is thus combed out, and the portion which is
removed by the card B, is delivered to the rollers C, C, and thence to
the rollers H, H, through which it passes away.
On the crank pin a,
is a worm, which drives a worm wheel mounted on the frame which
carries the revolving card B, and communicates motion to the card B,

page_text: through intermediate gearing. One, two, or more of these combing or
cleaning apparatus may be employed. The cleaned fibrous material on
the comb A, then passes on till it reaches the drawing rollers I, I, by
which it is removed from the machine in the form of a sliver.
The
"noil," or shorter portions which remain in the teeth of the comb A,
are removed by an inclined piece or plough K. The comb A, then
again receives fibrous material from the lashing apparatus, and the
whole operation proceeds continuously.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Jesse Ross and Thomas Robert Hafford Ross in
the Great Seal Patent Office, on the 3rd October 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we,
JESSE Ross, of 7, Victoria Terrace, Keighley, in the County of York,
Gentleman, and THOMAS ROBERT HAFFORD Ross, of 73, New Walk,
Leicester, in the County of Leicester, Fancy Hosier, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the sixteenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto us, the said Jesse Ross and Thomas Robert Hafford Ross, Her
special licence that we, the said Jesse Ross and Thomas Robert
Hafford Ross, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as we, the said Jesse Ross and Thomas Robert Hafford Ross,
our executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMBING WOOL, COTTON,
SILE, FLAX, AND OTHER SUITABLE FIBROUS MATERIALS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said Jesse Ross and Thomas Robert
Hafford Ross, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals,
.

page_text: or under the hand and seal of one of us, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Jesse Ross and Thomas Robert
Hafford Ross, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had
to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say:
Our said Invention relates to various arrangements of machinery,
apparatus, or means to be used for combing and otherwise preparing
textile fibres, so that the valuable long-stapled portions may be ef-
fectually separated from the shorter fibres and waste.
Figure 1, on Sheet 1, of our drawings, is a partially sectioned elevation
of one of the improved machines as constructed with a rotatory table or
circular comb in working order. Figure 2, is a sectional plan of the
same machine, showing the lower driving gearing. Figure 3, is a back
elevation of the lashing on or feeding frame detached. Figure 4, is
a side view of the crank stripping or clearing movement, for primarily
taking off the loose fibres and "nip" from the circular comb apparatus.
Figure 5, is a front view of a portion of the machine, showing the
apparatus for delivering the cleansed and finished long-staple fibres, as
well as the short waste, by a separate delivery. Figure 6, is a corre-
sponding partially sectional plan of the machine, shewing the delivering
apparatus and the crank stripping mechanism.
Figure 1, on Sheet 2, of our drawings, is a partial sectional plan of
the machine as fitted up with three crank stripping movements, and
more especially suited for manufacturing wool. Figure 2, is a trans-
verse sectional detail of a preparing machine as modified from the
original contrivance, for which Letters Patent were granted to Mr. Jesse
Ross in the year 1851. Figure 3, is a detail of an arrangement for
treating wool with steam preparatory to combing and preparing the
same to be spun.

page_text: The vertical hollow spindle A, in the centre of the machine rests at
its lower end upon a set of supporting pulleys B, running loose on
studs in the bottom stationary collar piece C, held by the lower cross
framing of the machine; whilst the upper part of the spindle is retained
by the collar bearing D. Upon the top of this main spindle is fitted a
deep collar piece E, carrying a horizontal toothed wheel F. Above
this wheel an annular casting G, is held down by suitable lugs and
bolts; and this casting carries a set of bracket arms to support and
carry round the annular piece H, on the surface of which is a thin
metal ring holding three distinct rows of vertical comb teeth I. A
horizontal disc plate J, covers up all these details, with the exception of
the comb teeth, within the circle of which the disc just fits clear. This
dise is held stationary by the stay rods and nuts K, which pass through
the disc, and thence through the conical plug L, fitted into the top of
the shaft A, and finally through the hollow of this shaft, being secured
at the bottom to the cross framing by the nuts at M. Between the
disc J, and the revolving ring beneath, a small annular steam pipe N,
is placed so as to communicate a slight amount of heat to the comb
teeth and their holder, and thus keep these parts in efficient working
order by the removal of all tendency to moisture, so injurious in working
On the top of the disc are also placed a set of guards O, for
the purpose of governing the descending action of the feeding-in brushes;
and at P, on the disc, are also disposed, at proper intervals, the holding
plates, carrying vertical edge pieces, descending into the space between
the two outer rows of comb teeth, to keep down the cotton as fed in;
and at Q, is a similar holder or guide piece, the vertical edge of which
descends into the space between the two outer rows of comb teeth, to
disengage and direct outwards the treated cotton as it approaches the
point of discharge. The machine is entirely actuated by the fast and
loose pulleys R, on the end of the horizontal shaft S; and this shaft,
by means of the pair of bevil pinions T, actuates the short horizontal
shaft U, carrying a worm V, gearing with a worm wheel W. The
shaft of the wheel W, carries a spur pinion X, gearing with the main
spur wheel F, already described. In this way the three comb rings
receive a slow uniform rotatory movement, and whilst so revolving they
cotton.

page_text: periodically receive minute feed deposits of cotton from the traversing
lashers or feeders Y; the first loose fibres of the cotton so supplied they
give off to the crank stripper Z; the finished cotton they discharge at
the delivery apparatus a; and finally they discharge the short waste
and knots by the clearing deliverer b. The cotton to be treated by
this machine is brought from the lap machine, or other primary
preparer, in the state of a broad heavy sliver, being supplied from cans
or holders ranged round the machine, one at each feeder Y. The
feeder consists, in each case, of a light metal frame C, standing up
from, the foundation, there being six such feeders fitted upon the
machine shewn in our drawings. All these feeders are driven from
the first motion shaft S, through the pair of bevil wheels d, which drive
the whole of the separate shafts e, by means of their respective inter-
mediate trains of bevil gearing f. The whole of these shafts are
carried in end bearings g, in the stationary framing of the machine.
Each shaft carries a spur pinion h, in gear with a spur wheel i, which
wheel i, again actuates a similar wheel j, above it. Both these wheels
i, j, are set on short cranked shafts k, running in end bearings in the
frame pieces C. The lower crank shaft k, has its pin entered into a
slot in the lower end of each of the side pieces 1, forming the vibrating
feed frame, the two pieces 1, being bound together by cross stays to
form one frame. The upper crank pin k, is is similarly entered through
plain eyes in the frame l, above; and the two cranks being relatively
disposed as represented in the drawings, that is, both horizontal, but on
opposite sides at the same time, their revolution gives a peculiar differ-
ential traverse to the feed frame, as required for laying on the cotton
in small periodical supplies. The upper crank shaft pin k, carries a
small worm m, gearing with a worm wheel n, fast on the lower end of
the short shaft o, working in bearings carried by the upper straight
portion of the vibrating frame 1. The upper end of this shaft o, again
carries a worm p, gearing with a worm wheel q, fast on the projecting
end of the lower feed roller 7. This roller, as well as the upper corre-
sponding roller s, is of fluted metal, and they both work in end bearings
in slots in the frame 7, the upper one being held down into working
contact with its neighbour by a spring and cross head t. Instead of

page_text: using two fluted rollers for this purpose, the fibres may be laid on by a
combination of a fine card or gill cylinder, and a fluted roller working
in combination. The top of the frame 1, is formed with T pieces to
carry studs u, for carrying the adjustable screwed spindles of the laying-
on brush v; and the same T heads also serve to carry the bent standards
w, for the blade spring stays a, bearing against the back of the brush..
The action of all the feeders Y, is precisely the same. As the operation.
proceeds, the simultaneous révolution of the two crank shafts kc, com-
municates a species of oval differential traverse to the supplying rollers
through their frame l, and at the same time causing the slow continuous
revolution of the supplying rollers by the gearing already described.
This traverse action is so contrived that the sliver, as fed up and passed
between the rollers », s, is continually lashed on to the passing circular
comb teeth I, which teeth thus receive a regular even supply of cotton
or other material as they pass round, each deposit of the fibres being
lashed down well into the teeth, the fibres being backed up behind by
the action of the overhead elasticated brush v. In this way the cotton
or other material receives its primary combing; and, as each feeder lays
on the same amount of fibre, a continuous even stream of the material
is carried round on the comb teeth to the first cleansing action at Z; the.
carried fibres being deposited on the teeth in such manner as to project
more or less in a parallel horizontal direction from the teeth. The
crank cleansing action is driven from the first motion shaft by the pair
of bevil wheels y, actuating the vertical crank shaft z, carried in upper,
lower, and intermediate bearings at 1, in the stationary framing. On.
the crank pin 2, of the shaft z, is a small card or fine toothed cylinder
3, loose upon
the pin as a centre; and as the crank comes round at each
revolution, this card cylinder is brought in contact with the passing fringe
of cotton fibres on the annular comb I, and the cotton is thus combed out
further at each rotating stroke; the acting card surface 3, removing each
time a portion of the loose fibres and "nip." The crank pin 2, also
carries a box frame piece 4, containing the necessary differential gearing
for the other movements of the card cylinder 3, the crank pin being
passed through suitable carrying eyes in the box piece, whilst the latter
has a horizontal tail spindle 5, entered through à guide eye 6, in the

page_text: upper end of a loose socket spindle 7, supported in the fixed bracket 8.
In this way the box of mechanism partakes of the entire movement of
the crank pin 2, the spindle 5, traversing back and forwards in its
oscillating spindle eye 6, whilst the helical springs 9, prevent undue
concessions. On the crank pin 2, is a worm 10, in gear with a worm
wheel 11; the short horizontal shaft 12, of which carries at its opposite
end a bevil pinion 13, gearing with a bevil wheel 14, fast on the lower
end of the vertical shaft 15. At the upper end of this shaft, which,
together with the shaft 12, has its bearings in the box framing 4, is
another bevil wheel 16, gearing with a short horizontal shaft 17, the
opposite end of which carries a bevil pinion 18, driving a bevil wheel 19,
on the boss of the revolving crank card cylinder 3. On the crank pin 2,
as a centre, is also placed a spur wheel 20, gearing with a spur pinion 21,
fast on a vertical spindle, carrying a grooved carrying roller 22. Along-
side, and parallel with this roller spindle, is a second spindle carrying a
corresponding grooved roller 23, driven by contact with the roller 22.
The short vertical shaft carrying the bevil wheel 16, also carries an
intermediate bevil wheel 24, in gear with a bevil pinion on the spindle
of the lower delivering roller 25; the upper roller 26, being set in a
vertical guide frame, with its surface resting on the lower roller. Thus,
as the combing cylinder 3, makes its periodical strokes, and combs out
the fibres ranged round the central carrying comb I, a fresh surface of
the cylinder 3, is at each movement presented to the treated cotton
by the agency of the gearing, as already described, in slowly turning
the cylinder upon its axis. This axial rotation thus constantly presents
in a similar way a new surface of the cylinder 3, as charged with loose
fibres, to the constant stripping and carrying action of the pair of
rollers 22, 23; and the fibres thus conveyed are in turn carried off and
and discharged by the pair of delivering rollers 25, 26. The cotton thus
delivered passes downwards in a stream, as at 27, through the loosely
jointed or connected tubular guide 28, as suspended in horizontal brackets
29; the upper bracket being carried on the moving box of mechanism 4,
and the lower one being on the fixed frame. It is to allow of the free
movement of the several details that the tubular guide 28, is in loose
sectional pieces the cotton thus descends freely through at 30, whence

page_text: it passes into a can for conveyance back to the preparing mechanism for
subsequent treatment. After passing beyond the range of the crank
stripping or clearing mechanism, the combed cotton on the annular
combs I, passes onwards in the state of a straightened fringe projecting
at right angles from the combed teeth, until it reaches the delivery
arrangement. This deliveriy mechanism is actuated from the first
motion shaft by the spur wheel 31, gearing with a second spur wheel
32, fast on the end of the short horizontal shaft 33, which by means of
the pair of bevil pinions 34, actuates the vertical spindle 35. The
upper end of this spindle is retained by a collar bearing 36, and it
carries a small fluted nipping roller 37, over which is passed an endless
band of leather 38, which is also passed round a stationary guide
retaining roller 39. This roller 37, works in contact and connection
with a corresponding roller 40, fitted with an endless band passed on
that side to a retaining roller, as before. In this way, as the combed
and cleansed cotton comes round upon its circular comb teeth, the
projecting fibres are scized by the rollers 37, 40, being held through
the intervention of the two endless leather bands between the fluted
roller surfaces.
The combed cotton is thus drawn right off the circular comb teeth,
the bending of which from this drawing action is prevented by the
action of a retaining edge piece of metal held by the plate 41, set on
the top of the stationary disc J; this edge piece being just outside and
clear of the comb teeth, so as to resist any tendency which they may
have to bend forward. The nipping roller 40, at each end of its
spindle is borne up into working contact with its neighbour by the
lateral pressure of the lever 42, turning on an end centre 43, in a
bracket piece on the stationary frame. The opposite free end of this
lever is jointed to an adjustable spring link piece 44, working through
the stationary bracket 45, so that the two rollers are thus kept well up
into working contact. The cotton is removed from these disengaging
rollers by the pair of delivery rollers 46, the spindle of the lower one of
which carries a bevil wheel 47, in gear with a pinion 48, fast on the
top of the vertical spindle 49; the lower end of this spindle being driven
from the main first motion shaft through the pair of bevil wheels 50.

page_text: This arrangement draws out and delivers the finished cotton in the sliver
state into a can whence it is conveyed for subsequent use. The last move-
ment, effecting the final cleansing of the circular comb teeth of all the
short fibres, lumps, and waste, is driven by the bevil wheel and pinion 51,
actuating the inclined shaft 52, set in bracket bearings on the fixed
framing, and carrying at its upper end a worm 53, gearing with a worm
wheel 54. The spindle of this wheel 54, has fast upon it a roughened
or flannel covered conical roller 55, carried in bearings supported by
the bracket framing 56. The stationary plate Q, carries an inclined
plough piece, as already referred to; and as the circular comb comes
round holding the waste in its teeth, this plough piece clears out and
elevates the waste, which is then directed up an inclined or twisted guide
until it reaches the rough roller 55. This roller carries forward the
waste clear of the comb teeth, and it is then further conveyed forward
by the action of the wheel 54, which gears with one of the two pinions
57; and these pinions being geared together, the two rollers 58, are
thus simultaneously driven so as to carry off and deliver the waste to its
appropriate can. This completes the process as effected by this machine,
and the cotton so treated is thus divided into clean parallel combed
fibres, loose and partially waste uncombed fibres and nip, and short
waste and knots.
Although in our drawings we have represented the combing apparatus
as being heated entirely by steam, we wish it to be duly understood
that gas jets
or flames may be used for a similar purpose, either alone
or in combination with steam; more especially in the manufacture of
wool, where excessive heat is required. In such application of gas the
flames act beneath the ring of comb teeth.
The detail Figure 1, on Sheet 2, of our drawings, represents our im-
proved combing machine as fitted with three separate and distinct crank
stripping movement, suiting it more particularly for preparing wool. In
this arrangement A, is the main annular combing contrivance, carrying
three rows or rings of comb teeth, as already described; and B, C, D,
are the three combing and stripping cylinders, all actuated from the
prime moving shaft E, driven by the fast and loose pulleys F. The
three crank stripping cylinders are geared together to act in concert

page_text: upon the wool as carried round within their sphere of action upon the
annular comb teeth, each cylinder coming into actual operation upon
the fibres in regular and equal alternations, the train being pri-
marily connected with the driving shaft by the bevil wheels G. The
first cylinder B, of the series is covered with combs in rows or gills,
to give the earliest breaking stripping action, the loose fibres taken up
by the cylinder being doffed from its periphery as it comes round, in
the manner already described in reference to Sheet 1, of the drawings.
Then as the wool, thus partially combed and cleansed, passes onwards
on the annular comb teeth, the second or intermediate cylinder C,
comes into operation in a similar manner; and as this cylinder is
covered with finer teeth, it acts upon the fibres with a correspondingly
different and more delicate effect. Lastly, the third cylinder D, carrying
the finest teeth, completes this part of the process by its still more
delicate combing; after which the cleansed and combed wool is stripped
from the annular comb teeth, and the waste is carried off in the
manner previously referred to; or the long fibres may be carried off by
the horizontal pair of rollers H.
In the detached view, Figure 2, of the modified preparing machine
for the preparation of wool, the cylinder A, is the main preparing drum,
carried upon the horizontal centre or shaft B, this arrangement being
adopted for wool when carding is not required. It is studded with rows
of combs, or "porcupine" teeth, C, arranged and fitted in the ordinary
manner, to suit the special work to be accomplished by it. On each
side of this main cylinder is a horizontal endless feed belt D, car-
ried upon suitable end rollers, for feeding in the wool E, in opposite
directions to each side of the cylinder. The wool thus fed into the
machine is carried forward in each case through or between the two
pairs of fluted feed rollers F, so as to be supplied to the cylinder teeth
in two distinct layers or streams.
At the three several points G, are
disposed a set of bladed, or coarse and deeply grooved rollers, geared
to work in concert with the main cylinder in such manner that each
blade or projection of the rollers may fit into and gear with the rows of
the teeth on the main cylinder. It is by means of these rollers G, that

page_text: the wool is passed well into or upon the acting teeth of the main
cylinder; and the fibres, so combed by the teeth of the main drum, are
finally conducted off the drum by the pair of fluted delivery rollers F, I.
The upper smaller roller H, has passed over it an endless leather belt
J, driven from the prime moving drum K, so that the discharged wool
is pressed between the outside surface of this belt and the naked surface
of the lower roller I, the wool being finally delivered into the can L,
in its finished condition. To keep the main cylinder teeth free and
clean, a rotatory brush M, is fitted up to work against the lower side of
the cylinder.
In the detail Figure 3, the wool to be steamed or damped previous
to being combed is placed in the cans A, and the slivers thence pass
up, as at B, into the steaming chamber C, which has a front open
trumpet mouth for the purpose. The steam is supplied by the vertical
pipe D, fitted with a governing stop cock to regulate the steam action
in the chamber C. As the wool is steamed in this way it passes out
from the chamber by a tubular discharge aperture at E, and is finally
wound up as at F, the mass being carried upon the supporting
rollers G.
And we would here remark, that all or most of the apparatus which
we have had occasion to describe herein is applicable with good effect
in the treatment or manufacture of all kinds of fibrous materials, under
the general minor modifications which are well understood by the
practical manufacturer; and it is to be understood that we should adopt
two or more card cylinders to work in connection with the circular or
passing combs, as well for cotton and other fibrous substances as for
wool, although we have only represented one card cylinder in the cotton
combing machine delineated in our drawings.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into effect, we may observe, in conclusion, that we do not
confine or restrict ourselves to the precise details or arrangements which
we have had occasion to describe or refer to, as many variations may
be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main

page_text: features of our Invention. But what we consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general arrangements and construction of machinery,
apparatus, or means for combing and otherwise preparing and treating
fibrous materials, as herein-before described.
Second, the combing of fibrous materials with card or fine toothed
rollers or cylinders, arranged to present fresh clean surfaces as they
come up to the circular or other shaped passing comb.
Third, the system or mode of gearing together or connecting the
lashing, filling, and combing apparatus by means of polyonally arranged
shafts connected together to work in concert.
In witness whercof, I, the said Jesse Ross, on behalf of myself
and of the said Thomas Robert Hafford Ross, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this First day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
JESSE ROSS. (L.B.)