IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND COMBING WOOL, FLAX, HAIR, COTTON, SILK, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS." PROAL SPFIC
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nicholas Nussey, of Holbeck, near Leeds, in the
County of York, Mechanic, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND COMBING WOOL, FLAX, HAIR,
COTTON, SILK, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Nicholas Nussey at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th
April 1862.
I, NICHOLAS NUSSEY, of Holbeck, near Leeds, in the County of York,
Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND COMBING WOOL, FLAX,
HAIR, COTTON, SILK, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
Firstly, I employ an oscillating "feeding head" in connection with a
circular or other suitable "passing comb," such oscillating head being pro-
vided with two or more nippers, or two or more pairs of rollers or other
suitable holders, which are so arranged as that each nipper or other holder
may be pressed upon by a separate spring or springs (or they may be pressed
upon jointly). The nippers or holders are so constructed and arranged that
they can pass over the "passing comb" and deliver the cleaned end of the
fibres beyond the same, and as they recede leave the uncleaned ends and

page_text: noil" in the passing comb at each successive stroke of the oscillating head,
the latter having a rising and falling motion as well as a forward and backward
motion imparted to it by suitable mechanical means.
Secondly, I employ on the other side of the "passing comb," or that furthest
from the oscillating head," a comb or combs to receive the cleaned ends of
the fibres which project beyond the "passing comb" straight and full length
into the pins or teeth of the said comb or combs, such comb or combs having
a rising and falling motion imparted thereto, the teeth or pins passing through
a plate perforated with holes to suit (or thin bars or blades may be passed
between the teeth) in such a manner that when the comb or combs fall down,
the pins or teeth fall out of the fibres and allow the latter to be carried
forward by the "passing comb," when the comb or combs again rise up to
receive the cleaned ends of the succeeding fibres, as before described. The
comb or combs may also be allowed to travel a short way with the "passing
comb" before falling down out of the fibres, and to return to the original
position before rising. Or, instead of a rising and falling comb, an endless
sheet or chain comb may be employed, having bars or strips of steel between
each row of teeth.
I would here remark that this Invention may be applied to any kind of
passing comb ".or combs (circular or otherwise), and the "oscillating head"
may be placed either outside or inside of such circular or other passing comb,
as may be found most convenient in practice.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed.
by the said Nicholas Nussey in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th October 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, NICHOLAS
NUSSEY, of Holbeck, near Leeds, in the County of York, Mechanic, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Nicholas Nussey, Her special licence that I, the said Nicholas Nussey,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Nicholas
Nussey, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during

page_text: 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND COMBING WOOL, FLAX, HAIR,
5 COTTON, SILK, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," upon the condition, amongst
others, that I, the said Nicholas Nussey, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, 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 Scal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Nicholas Nussey, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, and on reference to the accompanying Drawings, that is
to say:-
Firstly, employ an oscillating "feeding head" in connection with a
circular or other suitable "passing comb," such oscillating head being provided
with two or more nippers, or two or more pairs of rollers or other suitable
holders, which are so arranged as that each nipper or other holder may be
pressed upon by a separate spring or springs (or they may be pressed upon
jointly). The nippers or holders are so constructed and arranged that they
can pass over the "passing comb" and deliver the cleaned end of the fibres
beyond the same, and as they recede leave the uncleaned ends and "noil" in
the passing comb at each successive stroke of the oscillating head, the latter
having a rising and falling motion as well as a forward and backward motion,
imparted to it by suitable mechanical means.
Secondly, I employ on the other side of the "passing comb," or that
furthest from the "oscillating head," a comb or combs to receive the cleaned
ends of the fibres which project beyond the "passing comb" straight and full
length into the pins or teeth of the said comb or combs, such comb or combs
baving a rising and falling motion imparted thereto, the teeth or pins passing
through a plate perforated with holes to suit (or thin bars or blades may be
passed between the teeth) in such a manner that when the comb or combs
fall down, the pins or teeth fall out of the fibres, and allow the latter to be
carried forward by the "passing comb," when the comb or combs again rise
up to receive the cleaned ends of the succeeding fibres, as before described.
The comb or combs may also be allowed to travel a short way with the
"passing comb" before falling down out of the fibres, and to return to the

page_text: original position before rising. Or, instead of a rising and falling comb, an
endless sheet or chain comb may be employed, having bars or strips of steel
between each row of teeth.
$5
i
I would here remark that this Invention may be applied to any kind of
'passing comb
"
or combs (circular or otherwise) and the "oscillating head"
may be placed either outside or inside of such circular or other passing comb,
as may be found most convenient in practice.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-The wool or other fibrous
material being formed into sheets, slivers, or ribbons is then passed through
the nippers or other holders in the oscillating head; the holders are then.
closed, and the head descending presses the fibres into the pins or teeth of
the passing comb; the oscillating head then recedes, drawing the ends of the
fibres through the teeth of the combs, thus cleaning the ends of the fibres
protruding from the holders. The head. then again approaches the passing
comb, the head having been in the meantime raised up, so as to pass as far
over the passing comb as to deliver the quantity of fibres required to be
operated upon at each successive stroke, the head slightly descending for that
purpose, and at the same time a brush or other suitable apparatus descending
presses the cleaned fibres into the comb or combs on the other side of the
passing comb. The nippers or other holders are now open, and the head
recedes until it clears the side of the passing comb, and by this motion a
small portion of the uncleaned fibres is thus drawn through the holders, which
holders are then closed, and the head descending presses the unclean portion
of the fibres drawn through the holders into the passing comb; the head then
receding draws the fibres, which are held fast by the bolders through the pins
or teeth in the combs, thus cleaning and straightening the fibres, and leaving
the fibres which are loose from the holders in the combs before described, the
cleaned portion of the fibres being laid straight and full length into the pins
or teeth of the comb or conibs on the other side of the passing comb, the
"noil" and uncleaned end being laid into the pins or teeth of the passing
comb. The comb or combs on the other side of the passing comb then pass
out of the fibres to allow the cleaned fringe of the fibres to pass forwards to
suitable drawing-off rollers, whereby the fibres are drawn off in an endless
clean sliver, as will be well understood by persons conversant with such
machinery, leaving the "noil" in the passing comb, whence it is taken out
by suitable mechanical arrangements.
Having thus stated the nature and object of my said Invention for
improvements in machinery or apparatus for preparing and combing wool,
flax, hair, cotton, silk, and other fibrous materials, I will now proceed to

page_text: describe the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried practically into effect, and in order that the same may be more
readily understood, I have annexed hereunto four Sheets of Drawings
illustrative thereof, the same being marked with figures and letters of refer-
ence to correspond with those in the following description thereof.
The
Drawings are made to a geometrical scale, and similar letters and figures refer
to corresponding parts in all the Drawings.
In Sheet 1 of the Drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan view; and in
Sheet 2, Figure 2 is a side elevation; in Sheet 3, Figure 3 is a cross section;
and in Sheet 4, Figure 4 is a front elevation of one arrangement for carrying
out my Invention.
A, the main frame; B, the bars for bolting the main frame together; the
feeding head C represents the combined mechanical parts for feeding the
wool or other fibres on to a passing or travelling comb or combs a; a¹ is a
comb or combs on the other side of the travelling or passing comb or combs
to receive the cleaned ends of the fibres, as before described; a², the top bar,
secured to the slide rods a³ by the two nuts a', so as to allow the bar to be
regulated at pleasure; this bar is provided with suitable slots for the top nippers
1, 1, 1, to pass through, which nippers are made to a proper curve to suit the
circle; 2, 2, are pillars, made fast at the lower end in the top bar a, the
upper end of the pillars is provided with a screw thread and two nuts; 3 is
the pressure bar; 4, 4, 4, are spiral springs, which slip loose on to pins,
which are made fast in the top nippers, and pass through corresponding holes
in the pressure bar 3, in such a manner that when the bar 3 is screwed down
by the nuts on the pillars 2, 2, a pressure is given to the top nippers, so as
to hold the wool or other fibres whilst being drawn through the teeth of the
combs; 5 is the bottom nipper bar, provided with suitable grooves to cor-
respond with the top nippers, and bolted fast to the slides a³, which slide
upon the rods a. The lever a' is provided with suitable bearings at one end
for the shaft to run in, and connect the lever a and the slide rod a³
together. The other end of the lever a is allowed to work loose on the
shaft b, which has bearings in the frame side A; the lever a has a counter-
weight w at the end to counteract the weight of the head C, and also a slot
in the centre for the stud 63 to be fixed into; the stud is provided with a
runner or bowl 63, which runs inside the internal cam a', keyed fast on the
cam shaft, which rises and lowers the head, so as to lay the wool or other
fibres straight and full length into the combs a and a'; D are the bearings,
bolted to the main frame for the shaft to run in; the screws x, x, are
adjusting screws for regulating the head to its proper height, as required, and

page_text: preventing the bearings D from slipping down. The two cams as are keyed
fast on the shaft b, and revolve against the runners or bowls a', in such a
manner that when the runner arrives at the hollow place in the cam it allows
the nippers to open at the proper time to allow the wool or other fibres to
be drawn forward. The runner a' runs loose on the round bar 65, which is
fixed in the slots at the bottom end of the slides a' by nuts and collars, as
shown in the Drawing; 6 is a round bar, which passes through suitable
bearings in the slide a. The connecting arms a work with one end loose
on the shaft 6, and are kept in their place by the nut 6 at each end of the
bar; the other end of the arms is connected to the wheel c on one side, and
to the crank c¹ on the other side by the studs b' fixed in the slots provided for
them in the wheel and crank. The wheel c and crank c¹ are keyed fast on
the shaft 6s, which runs loose in the bearing a", secured at the bottom end
to the bar B, and at the top end to the steam circle; 7 is a guide plate for
the sliver to pass through, or for some fibres rollers will be required instead
of the plate here described; u, u, u, are conductor bars for the slivers to pass
through, and are fixed to the slides a". Motion is given to the oscillating
head in the following manner :-H are the driving pulleys keyed fast on the
shaft, which receive motion from a steam engine or otherwise. The
pinion c, keyed fast on the shaft inside the frame, gears with the wheel c
and gives a backward and forward motion to the bead C; c is a pinion keyed
fast on the shaft 0°, and gearing with the wheel c, keyed fast on the cam
shaft b, and giving motion to the cams a', raises and lowers the head C. The
wheel c inside the frame keyed fast on the cam shaft b', and gearing with
the stud wheel c, carried by the compass levers a¹² (supported at one end on
the shaft b, and the other end on the shaft 6), drives the wheel c', keyed fast
on the shaft b, and gives motion to the cams a³, which open and close the
.nippers at the proper time; a¹³ is a piece of steel of proper shape to give
the motion required, whilst the nippers or other holders pass over the comb a,
and is fixed inside the internal cam a' by two screws, so as to be easily
changed for different lengths of stroke of the head to suit different lengths of
fibres to be operated upon.
Another part of my Invention consists of an arrangement of mechanism
for the raising and lowering, and moving forward and backward of the comb a',
to receive the cleaned ends of the fibres as above described; i, i, i, are a series
of bars which pass betwixt the pins or teeth of the comb a¹ to keep up the
fibres whilst the comb teeth fall out of the fibres, so as to allow the fibres to
pass forward with the comb a, (or instead of the bars i, i, i, a perforated plate
may be employed for the pins to pass through, or any other similar device;

page_text: d is the plate for the comb a¹ to slide on, this plate has a slot made in the
centre to allow the casting d¹ to pass through; this casting has a flange on the
under side, so that when the casting is screwed fast to the under side of the
comb a', the comb is allowed to slide freely upon the plate so as to move
forward with the passing comb or combs; whilst the comb a' is in the fibres,
the plate dis mounted at each end on the slide rods d, which slide freely in
the sockets d³ fixed to the bar B; the bar d' has two runners or bowls d³
mounted one at each end of the bar, and the bar is fixed at the bottom end of
the slide rods by suitable nuts e, e; the runners or bowls d³, rest on the
cams de fixed on the shaft e', and made of a suitable shape to raise and lower
the comb at the proper time; a is a side cam or tappet also mounted on the
shaft e', and gives motion to the lever d³, which is fitted with a runner or
bowl at the bottom end, running against the tappet or side cam and held to
the face by the spiral spring e³ (or instead of the spring the cam may have a
groove cut in the edge of proper shape to move the comb both ways as
required). The lever d³ is provided with a slot in the centre for the socket e*
to fix into, which socket is fitted on the stud e. This stud is fixed into the
slot in the bar B, which bolts the main frame A together; the slots in the bar
and lever are parallel with each other, so that the traverse of the comb a¹ can
be altered at pleasure to suit the speed of the passing comb. The top end of
the lever is fitted with a stud and bush to slide freely in the slot e', formed
on the under side of the casting d¹ for the purpose; the inclined plane d' and
cam eo are mounted on the shaft e¹ so as to be easily regulated in the following
manner-The plate is keyed fast on the shaft and is provided with circular or
curved slots in such a manner that when the cam and inclined plane are bored
out to fit the shaft they are bolted one on each side of the plate * in order
that they can be regulated at pleasure; d' is a brush and do a bar to fix the
brush on to and provided with a slot and spring as shown in Figure 1 to allow
the brush to move with the comb a'. The bar d10 is fitted and made fast at the
top end of the slide d¹ so as to be regulated when required, the slide d¹¹ slides
freely through the bearings d" fixed to the bar B; the bottom end of the slide
is connected to the lever dus by the connecting rod e', as shown in Figures 2
and 3; the other end of the lever is supported on the shaft es, which has its
bearings in the main frame A; e is a runner or bowl fitted with a stud and
fixed in a slot in the centre of the lever and running inside the internal came¹
fixed on the shaft e', which acting on the runner causes the brush to rise and
fall at the proper time. Motion is given to the comb a', and the brush by
the cam shaft and the
the stud wheel c³ gearing with the wheel c on
wheel c keyed fast on the other cam shaft e¹, regulated so as to raise

page_text: and lower the comb and brush at the time required, to receive the cleaned
ends of the fibres, when the feeding head is close to the comb a; f is a light bar
fixed at the top ends of the levers: f', f', at each end of the comb a', these
levers are keyed fast on the shaft f, and supported by the brackets f³, fixed to
the main frame A; f is a rod fitted on the stud in the slot in the lever f¹,
Figure 3. The The other end of the rod passes through a hole in the slide a³,
the rod f being provided with two collars f³, f, which are held in their places.
by small set screws, and are so arranged that when the head recedes it takes
the bar fover the passing comb, where it remains stationary for. a short.time
until the head approaches the comb a, and the ends of the wool or other fibres
are carried over the bar f, when the slides a coming in contact with the other
collar push the bar back out of the way, the bar taking the ends of the fibres
straight over the combs a and a', (or instead of the rod and collars herein
described, the lower end of the lever f' may be provided with a stud and runner
or bowl n, Figure 5, Sheet 2, running against the cam n', held to its place by
the spiral spring n³, the cam being made to a proper shape and keyed fast on
the shaft e¹ moves the bar backward and forward at the proper time); g is the
steam circle, and g' the "rack circle" which has a. ledge turned on the inner
edge and a deep groove turned in the centre to receive the ring on the under
side of the comb a, as shown in the Drawing, Figure 3. Holes are drilled
through the rack circle, and through the brass ring and steel pins put through,.
in order that the comb a may be firmly held in its place; h is the "noil" roller
and h¹ the backing rollers (if it is found necessary in practise to use them,) N
is the drawing off head where the cleaned or combed wool or other fibres are.
drawn off in an endless sliver, as is well understood by persons conversant with
such machinery; h² is a metal plate to prevent the wool or other fibres from
being entangled in the comb a or other parts of the machinery whilst being
operated upon. I may here remark that although I have shown in the
Drawings a complete machine, and have described minutely the parts in which
my improvements are contained, I think it unnecessary to describe the other
parts of the machine, as such parts are so well understood by ordinary
mechanics.
Figure 6, Sheet 2, represents a plan view of another mode of applying my
Invention, by reversing the operation, that is, by placing the feeding head C,
outside of the circular comb a, and the comb a' on the inside of the circular
comb a, and drawing off the clean sliver from the inside of the circular comb.
And I would here observe that the combs a and a', may also be either
inverted with the pins downwards or set vertically with the pins projecting
from the side, or in many other ways, without departing from my Invention.

page_text: Figure 7, Sheet 3, represents another mode of applying my Invention, in
which chain combs are used. The feeding head is provided with suitable
nippers, rollers, or other holders, and is placed on one side of the comb a, and
the comb a¹, on the other side thereof, to receive the wool or other fibres, as
before described, but when chain combs, or combs made in segments, are
used, I construct the chain and combs as shewn at Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 3.
I make the combs to intersect each other at the joints, the form of which
intersections may be greatly varied from the modes herein shown without
departing from my Invention. By this method of jointed combs a greater
firmness of the combs, and a greater regularity of the pins is obtained than
by the method hitherto adopted, which has always been a great objection to
jointed combs. This I consider a highly important part of my Invention.
Figure 10, Sheet 4, represents another feeding head, in which rollers are
used instead of nippers. h, h, are a pair of small rollers, fluted or otherwise,
and mounted so as to pass over the comb a to deliver the quantity of wool
or other fibres, as before described; h', h', are a pair of larger rollers, to
assist in holding the wool or other fibres whilst being drawn through the
comb; more than 2 pairs of rollers may be used if found better in practice.
Figure 11, Sheet 4, represents other mechanical means (which is another
part of my Invention), whereby the feeding head or "feed heads" may be
moved backward and forward; and raised and lowered, as before described.
p, is the crank shaft; p', the cranks, one on each side of the machine; p²,
studs fitted into the slots in the cranks p', and provided with a runner or bowl
p3, which runs in the slot in the lever p', in such a manner that when the
runner arrives at the hollow place in the lever it causes the head to dwell a
little until the feeding comb descends close to the passing comb a; the lower
end of the lever works loose on the shaft ps, which has its bearings in the
main frame A. The top end of the lever is provided with a slot for the
bush po to slide in; the bush is fitted with a stud p', which fixes into the slot
in the slide ps, which latter slides freely on the main frame A, in such a manner
that when the shaft p revolves the cranks give a backward and forward
motion to the head, and the cams p³, on the shaft p, acting on the slides p",
give a rising and falling motion to the head.
Figures 12 and 12*, Sheet 1, illustrate another part of my Invention, and
represent a chain comb which may be employed instead of the comb a¹. It
will be seen that in this arrangement the sections of the chain comb are made
wider on the outer than they are on the inner side, to enable them to pass
round the curve without a break, and the rollers over which the chain passes
are made conical for the same purpose.

page_text: Figure 13, Sheet 4, is a sheet comb for the same purpose; when these
combs are used thin strips of steel are employed between the rows of pins to
keep up the wool or other fibres, while the pins pass out of the fibres.
Figure 14, Sheet 3, represents another mode of applying my Invention,
where the slivers or ribbons of wool or other fibres are passed through the
double conducting bars y, the nippers or other holders being on the other side
of the comb a; the comb a¹ is raised higher than the passing comb or
combs a, and has a backward and forward motion given to it, as before
described, and when the comb a¹ approaches the travelling comb or combs, it
presents the wool or other fibres which protrude from the comb to the nippers
or other holders, the nippers or other holders being open to receive them; the
nippers or other holders having received the fibres are then closed, and the
comb a¹, and the conductor bars y, receding together, the wool or other fibres
are drawn through the comb, the nippers or other holders at the same time
receding so as to clear the side of the passing or travelling combs, and then
descending, and at the same time a brush or other suitable apparatus descend-
ing presses the wool or other fibres into the pins or teeth of the passing or
travelling comb a, the wool or other fibres is lifted out of the pins or teeth
of the comb a¹ by the double conducting bars, the conductor is caused to
move forward to deliver the requisite quantity of wool or other fibres required
to be operated upon at each successive stroke; the conductor now descends
and presses the wool or other fibres into the pins or teeth of the comb a¹; by
this operation a fresh portion of wool or other fibres is caused to protrude
from the comb a¹, to be taken hold of by the nippers or other holders, as
before described; when the comb a' approaches the passing or travelling comb
or combs the conductor bars are moved back while the wool or other fibres
are in the comb teeth, so as to be ready to bring the wool or other fibres
forward when lifted out of the comb teeth a', and I would here remark that
"screw gill" combs may be employed in this mode of operation instead of the
comb a¹ and the conductor bars y with great advantage, but any other kind of
combs may also be employed, provided that they present the ends of the wool or
other fibres to the nippers, rollers, or other holders over the passing or travelling
comb or combs to be taken hold of before being pressed into the pins or teeth
of the passing or travelling comb or combs, without departing from my In-
vention; and further, instead of the nippers or other holders passing over the
passing or travelling comb or combs a, the comb a¹ may be allowed to pass over
the passing or travelling combs a to meet the nippers or other holders, as before
described, without departing from my Invention, such and similar arrangements
being obvious modifications and producing substantially the same result.

page_text: The operation of this arrangement of the machine is as follows:-The wool
or other fibres is fed into the machine from balls or cans in the form of ribbons
or slivers (as are most convenient) placed outside of the machine. The slivers
or ribbons (which must have been previously carded or prepared) are then
passed through the guide plate fixed on the metal plate h; they are then
passed between the conducting bars and through the nippers, rollers, or other
bollers, the "head" being raised up and thus supplied with wool or other
fibres, passes so far over the passing or travelling comb or combs as the
feeding operation requires; the head now partially descends, so as to keep
clear of the passing or travelling comb or combs, and at the same time the
brush descending presses the wool or other fibres into the comb teeth a¹; the
nippers are now open, and the head then recedes, and drawing the fibres
through the nippers, rollers, or other holders, until the nippers, rollers, or other
holders clear the side of the passing or travelling comb or combs; the nippers
or other holders are now closed, and the head descending, further places the
wool or other fibres into the pins of the passing or travelling comb or combs ;
the head still receding draws the fibres, which are held fast by the nippers or
other holders through the comb teeth, thus straightening and cleaning the
fibres, and the ends of the fibres which protrude from the nippers or other
holders will thus be cleaned; the head is now being raised up and at the same
time approaches the passing or travelling comb or combs, the head and brush
descending as before described, and at the same time the comb a' rising up
the wool or other fibres is pressed into the pins or teeth of the comb or combs.
The comb now traverses forwards with the passing or travelling comb or combs,
the nippers being open as before stated, and the head recedes to clear the
passing comb as before described, and in thus receding draws the quantity of
wool or other fibres through the nippers or other holders required to be
operated upon; the nippers or other holders are now closed, and the head
further descending places the uncleaned portion of fibres into the pins or teeth
of the passing or travelling comb or combs, the head still receding and at the
same time slightly rising up, so as to recede in a straight line, or nearly so;
thus drawing the fibres which are fast with the bead through the pins or teeth
of the combs, leaving the fibres which are loose in the combs, the cleaned
portion in the comb a¹, and the noil and uncleaned end in the passing or
travelling comb or combs a.
(I would here remark, that this mode of feeding may be applied to the
machine described in the Specification of a Patent for improvements in
machinery for preparing and combing wool, silk, cotton, flax, or other fibrous
substances, granted to me February the Sixteenth, One thousand eight hundred

page_text: and sixty-one, No. 395, in which screw gill combs are used, and the cleaned
fibres laid over the "noil" and uncleaned end of the fibres previously laid), and
this part of the Invention is also applicable to machines for preparing fibrous
materials for combing. When the feeding head has receded so as to draw the
fibres through the pins, the comb a' falls down out of the fibres, and returns back
to its former position to be lifted up, as before described; but in the meantime
the wool or other fibres are taken forward with the passing or travelling comb or
combs, when the feeding head again approaches the passing or travelling comb
or combs, and the comb a' being raised up to receive the clean fringe as before
described; and this operation continued brings the cleaned fringe of wool or
other fibres which protrude from the comb a to the drawing-off roller to be
drawn off in an endless sliver, leaving the "noil" and refuse in the passing or
travelling comb or combs, which is taken out in the usual way, as is well
understood; but if it be required I fix a pair of backing rollers on the other
side of the comb. After the drawing-off rollers have drawn off the fibres in
the form of an endless sliver, and they are either wound into balls or run into
cans, as is most convenient, the backing rollers will take away any long fibres
that may be left in the passing or travelling comb or combs previous to the
"noil" being taken off.
V.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, and the
manner of carrying the same into practical effect, I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the details herein described, or to any mere
modification thereof; but what I do claim is,-
Firstly, the general novel construction and arrangement of the machine as
shown in the Drawings and above particularly described, whereby the wool or
other material is laid full length of the fibre into the pins or teeth of combs a
and a', the cleaned end being delivered into the comb a', and the "noil" and
uncleaned end being laid into the passing comb a.
Secondly, causing the "feeding head" to pass over the passing or travelling
combs, and after placing the fibres thereon to recede, so as to draw the requi-
site quantity of wool or other fibres forward to be operated on at each successive
stroke of the "head," the said " feeding head" being composed of nippers,
rollers, or other suitable holding apparatus.
Thirdly, constructing the "feeding heads" of such machines with two or
more pairs of nippers or other holding apparatus not being rollers, each pair
being pressed upon separately by springs or other means.
Fourthly, the mechanical means shown and described for raising and lowering
and advancing and withdrawing the comb a' or its equivalent.
Fifthly, the method of joining chain combs (or combs made in sections)

page_text: together, so that their ends intersect, as above described and shown at
Figures 8 and 9.
Sixthly, the arrangement of mechanism as shewn at Figure 11 and herein
described for advancing and withdrawing the "feeding head."
Seventhly, I claim the combining of the "nipping head" and the feeding
comb or combs of such machines together, in such a manner that the wool or
other fibrous material is taken hold of by the nippers or other holders from the
feeding comb, and fed into the passing or travelling comb directly without any
intervening or transferring apparatus.
And, eighthly, I claim constructing a chain comb, so as to pass round a
curve, as shewn in Figures 12 and 12*, and above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Nicholas Nussey, have hereunto set my
band and seal, this Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
NICHOLAS NUSSEY. (L.S.)