CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING COTTON, WOOL, SILK WASTE, FLAX, TOW, AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1853

page_text: TTERS PATENT to John Hetherington, of the City of Manches-
ter, in the County of, Lancaster, Machine Maker, for the Inven-
tion of CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING COTTON,
WOOL, SILK WASTE, FLAX, TOW, AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
"
Sealed the 8th July 1853, and dated the 28th April 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hetherington
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition;
on the 28th April 1853..
I, JOHN HETHERINGTON,, of the City of Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, Machine Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN
FOR
MACHINERY
COMBING
COTTON, WOOL, SILK WASTE, FLAX, Tow, AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES,"
to be as follows :-
My improvements are in and applicable to the machine known as
Heilman's Combing Machine, and other machines of that class, and
consists, firstly, in the application of internal gearing for driving the
fluted detaching or nipping roller, and 'the' calender or delivering
D

page_text: roller, which internal gearing consists of a disc carrying two rings or
cylinders, in the concave side of which rings or cylinders, teeth or cogs
are formed which take into pinions upon the fluted detaching or
nipping roller, and calender or delivering roller, by which means I dis-
pense with intermediate gear hitherto used.
Secondly, in the arrangement for holding and working the top de-
taching or nipping rollers. Hitherto it has been usual to have holders
or levers, & separate connecting rods to actuate them, at each end of
the roller. My improvement consists in arranging the holders on a
shaft, & in actuating the shaft (which answers to the fulcrum of the
levers originally used) by one connecting rod.
Thirdly, in making the bearings or journals of the fluted detaching
or nipping rollers, and the fluted feed roller of the same size as the
plain part, so as to avoid turning recesses into them; and by this
arrangement I obtain additional strength, whereby I am enabled to
work machines having more than four heads in length.
And, fourthly, an improved method of working the doffing comb
or knife, and the doffing cylinder; also the mode of driving the brush
and combing cylinder shafts, "namely," working the doffing comb knife
direct from the end of the comb drum shaft by a crank & connecting
rod, giving motion to the doffer from the same by bevel, gear, shaft, &
worm & wheel; & to the brush & comb drum shaft direct from the
first or main shaft.
The whole object of my Invention is to simplify the mechanism, re-
duce th
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Hetherington in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 28th October 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS
SHALL COME, I,
JOHN HETHERINGTON, of the City of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Machine Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of April, in the

page_text: year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
sors, give and grant unto me, the said John Hetherington, Her especial
license that I, the said John Hetherington, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Hetherington, my
executors, administrators, and 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 FOR COMBING COTTON, WOOL,
SILK WASTE, FLAX, TOW, AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said John Hetherington, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 I, the said John Hetherington, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to, be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement (that is to say):
The improvements to which my Invention relates are made upon the
machine known as Heilman's Combing Machine, as imported in this
country, and have more especial reference to machines to be used for
combing cotton, and consist principally in improved arrangements of
mechanism for actuating the operating parts, which are retained
generally in their original form and arrangement.
In this explanation I shall refer to the Drawings annexed. bereto.
Sheet 1, Fig. 1, being a sectional elevation of the operating parts of a
machine for combing cotton, showing framing and other parts. Sheet 2,
Fig. 2, end view of the headstock end, according to one arrangement.
Fig. 3, plan view of the same. Sheet 3, Fig, 4, end view of headstock
end, according to another arrangement. Fig. 5, front elevation of
Fig. 4, together with half a head of the operating parts, the line X, Y,

page_text: being the centre line. Fig. 6, detached view of internal wheel, having
segments of tooth work for driving the nipping roller. Sheet 4,
Fig. 7, view of the end opposite the headstock. Fig. 8, elevation of
Fig. 9, plan, and Fig. 10, end sectional view, shewing
nipping rollers and holders for working the covered or top nipping
rollers. The same letters and figures in each Figure denote the same
or similar parts.
the same.
Before entering into a description of my improvements, I shall
be better understood if I name the operating parts of the machine,
and the motions they require, which are shewn in section at Fig. 1.
1, is the lap or sliver of cotton or other material to be combed,.
which rests on two rollers on shafts 2, 2, which unroll the lap
as required; 3, is a conductor for the sliver; 4", top, and 4, bottom
feed rollers; 5, the upper, and 5, the lower or covered nipper jaw,
which hold the fleece, while it is combed at the front end by the
teeth on the combing drum 6, fixed on the shaft 6; 7, is the top
or detaching comb, which penetrates the combed part of the fleece;
and through which the tail end of the fibres are drawn by the upper
nipping or detaching roller 8, when acting in contact with the fluted
part of the combing drum 6", passing between the nipping roller 8,
and the fluted under nipping roller 8, (which imparts to the roller 8*,
rotatory motion by contact,) and from the nipping rollers to the
delivery rollers 9, and 9, where the slivers from the respective heads of
the machine are collected together. The short fibres, burs, and other
extraneous matters which are combed from the front of the fleece
while held by the nippers, by the teeth of the combing drum 6°, are re-
moved from them by the revolving brush 10, fixed on the shaft 10,
that brushes them on to a doffer roller or sheet 11", which is an end-
less belt of cards, or, in some instances, a roller covered with cards.
This sheet passes round rollers on shafts 11, and 11b; it is finally
stripped from this card sheet by a doffing comb or knife fixed on arm
12, which has its centre on a shaft 12, from which it falls into a can
or other receptacle.
Having now traced the material through the operating parts, I will
further add a description of the motions which the operating parts

page_text: require. The lap and feed rollers require to move once, and then
stop, each revolution of the combing drum, so as to deliver a fresh
length of sliver to be operated upon, that is, they require an inter-
mittent motion. The arms 4×, centred ou framing at 4m, are for
the purpose of holding the top feed roller 4ª, in its proper position,
and for effecting the necessary pressure between the feed rollers, which
is put upon them by a spring at 5d, connected with the arm, and a
fixed part from the framing. The nippers require a motion which will
shut, depress, elevate, and then open them; this is performed by one
cam 13, which acts through the lever 13, the shaft 13b, arm 13, and
rod 13d. The lower jaw of the nippers has its centre on the framing.at
5b; the upper jaw has its centre upon the end part of the lower jaw
at 5. The springs at 5d, attached to an arm radiating from the centre
(5b) serves to keep the lower jaw against the upper, to accomplish the
nip, giving way to the depressing action of the cam (13, upon the
arm 5,) and also to raise the lower jaw to a stop (5') which prevents
the lower jaw from following the other further in that direction; thus
opening the nippers. The top or detaching comb (7) requires to drop
in the fleece, when the roller 8ª, commences detaching, and to be with-
drawn from the fleece. When the detaching is finished, it receives
action from a cam 7d, on the combing shaft, through an arm 7, on the
shaft 7, and from the shaft by arms 7, upon which it is fixed. The
upper nipping roller (8) requires a motion, each revolution of the
combing drum upon an arc of the fluted roller 8, to pinch the fibres
against the fluted part of the combing drum, which it receives from a
cam 14, the action from which is transmitted by the arm 14ª, to the
shaft 14, and by the arm 14%, through other rods of levers, to the
ends of the rollers. The upper roller 8ª, is pressed against the fluted
roller 8, and, when detaching, it is pressed against the fluted part of the
combing drum 6, by the weight 14x, acting through the rod and
hook 14*. The fluted roller 8, passes from end to end of the machine.
It requires a motion that will put back and advance the combed sliver
each revolution of the combing drum; the back motion is to effect the
"over "lap" between the tail and head end of the fibres; the forward
.surface motion of the fluted roller must be uniform with that of the

page_text: fluted part of the drum; the delivery balls or rollers 9, and 9, may
have a surface motion reverse and forward, corresponding with that of
the rollers 8, and 82, as shewn in Sheet 2, or an uniform delivery, as
most preferred. The combing drum 6, brush 10°, and rollers 11,
require an uniform revolving motion, and the doffer knife the usual
vibrating motion.
I have now given a general description of the operating parts
of the machine and their mode of action, and will proceed to de-
scribe the improved mechanism in which my Invention consists for
giving the motions required to some of the parts. First, in the ap-
plication of internal gear for giving motion to the fluted detaching or
nipping roller, and the calendar or delivery roller; this will be ex-
plained by reference to Figs. 2, and 3. Till recently the forward and
reverse motion for driving the fluted detaching roller has been obtained
from reciprocating cam action, that is, by an apparatus similar to that
shewn in the drawings, which consists of a cam 15", on the end of the
cam shaft 15, having a path of the form shewn in dotted lines in
Fig. 2, which acted against a bowl on the double lever 15b, centered on
the shaft 16 this lever, by means of a catch 16b, gives the backward
and forward motion to the notched disc 16", a fresh notch being taken
each revolution of the combing cylinder by means of a cam plate 15°,
(screwed upon the cam 15ª,) which, acting upon a bowl on the arm 16ª,
secured to the same axis with the catch, caused the catch to be lifted
out of the notch at the end of the vibration of the lever, which would
slide in its back vibration on the periphery of the disc till it arrived at
the next notch, which the spring 16, would cause it to enter, after which
the disc would partake of all the motions of the lever till released at the
point before mentioned. The motion obtained as above was transmitted
by trams of wheels to the under nipping or detaching roller, and to the
calender or delivering rollers in such machines where the calender
rollers had motions corresponding to those of the nipping rollers.
This part of my Invention consists in a re-arrangement of the parts,
and the introduction of a wheel 16, having two rims of internal
geer, the outer rim taking into the pinion (8b) on the end of
the under detaching roller, and the inner one into a pinion (9b) on the

page_text: end of the calender or delivery roller shaft. If an uniform revolving
motion is preferred for the delivery or calender rollers, they are driven
by a wheel 15°, on the cam shaft, working directly into another on the.
delivery or calender roller shaft. When the motion for driving the
nipping roller is obtained from the alternate action of segments of tooth
work, I then use a wheel having upon the same disc and axis
segments of internal and external tooth work, as shewn detached at.
Fig. 6, which is fixed on the combing shaft (see Figs. 5, and 6, 8,
representing the pinion of the nipping roller), the outer segment of
teeth acting on one side, and the inner segment on the other side of
the pinion, by which the pinion will be alternately moved back, and
then forward, the extent of such motions being determined by the
number of teeth in the segments. As a provision against the shock
upon the teeth on entering into geer, I would recommend that the
wheels be made of malleable metal, say, the segmental wheel of brass,.
and the pinion of wrought iron.
Second, in the arrangement for holding and working the top detach-
ing or nipping roller. Instead of a separate arm 14°, rod 8°, and,
lever 8, 8, having its fulcrum at 8°, for the end of each top roller, I
fix two sets of holders 8', on a shaft 8°, (as shewn detached at Figs. 9,.
and 10,) which I place in bearings ou the framing at 8°, (Fig. 1,) and
actuate the arm of the holder 8d, by a rod 8°.
Thirdly, in making the journals of the fluted detaching roller nearly
of the same thickness as the fluted parts (as shewn in full lines), instead
of recessing them, as shewn in dotted lines 8 x, Fig. 9, as collars or
shoulders at the ends, will be found sufficient to prevent end motion.
This improvement gives additional strength to the roller, without in-
creasing its diameter, which permits the extension of the machine
beyond four heads.
Fourthly, in an improved mode of working the doffing comb or knife,
and doffing cylinder, and in driving the brush and combing cylinder.
This part of my Invention consists in a more judicious arrangement for
driving the parts referred to, by more direct and simple mechanism than
has been hitherto employed, by which the wear and tear of the mecha-.
nism is diminished, a more steady and uniform motion obtained, and some

page_text: power economised. This is shewn in Figs. 7, and 8, as relates to the
doffing roller and the doffing comb. 6b, is a bevel wheel on the end of
the comb drum-shaft, working into another 6°, upon a shaft 6d, fixed
in bearings on the piece 6%, secured to the framing. On the other end
of the shaft a worm 6', is fixed, taking into a worm-wheel 6%, on the
end of the doffing cylinder or roller 11. The doffing knife receives
motion from a crank pin in a plate 6", keyed on the end of the combing
shaft, through a rod 6', slotted at the end for adjustment, and an arm
12, fixed by a set screw on the shaft 12. From this end of the
machine, the lap rollers also receive motion from a bevel wheel 4, on
the end of the feed roller 4, taking into another 4°, on the shaft 4°,
working in a bearing 4d, at one end secured to the framing, and at the
upper end in a socket 4', screwed on to the end of the rod 2. The boss
of the first bevel wheel 4°, on this shaft on one side, and a collar on
the other, work against the bearing 4d, by which means it is kept from
end motion. A bevel wheel 4', on the end of this shaft, works in
another 2, on the end of the rod 2b, upon the boss of which is a spur
wheel, which takes into both the spur wheels on the lap rollers 2, and 2ª.
The sheets 2, and 3, Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, exhibit the mode of driving
the other parts by the two arrangements shewn. A, is the main or
first motion shaft; A¹, being the steam pulleys; A'x, fly wheel (to
render the motion of the machine steady and uniform); A2, a
pinion on this shaft, which drives the wheel A³, on the combing
drum shaft, which forms a carrier to drive the wheel 15d, on the cam
shaft 15. A pin in a plate 4*, on the comb shaft, gives intermittent
motion to the star wheel 4", from which it is conveyed by a short shaft
(working in a bearing 4", secured to the framing.) to a pinion 4', fixed
on the end of it, which works into a wheel 4b, on the feed roller 4. This
apparatus is common to machines hitherto used, but I also employ in
its place (see Figs. 4, and 5,) a pinion 4, having a segment of teeth
which is fixed on the combing shaft, and takes into and gives inter-
mittent motion to a carrier wheel 4', that transmits it to the pinion
on feed rollers shaft 4b. The brush is driven by a wheel A5, on the
first shaft A, and the wheels A6, and 10 b; the intermediate A6, is carried
on an arm A 7, (which also carries the intermediate for the feed,)

page_text: centered on the bearing of the first shaft A, and adjustable by a con-
centric slot A8. Pins projecting from the lower jaw of the nippers into
holes in the upper jaw have been hitherto used for the purpose of
retaining the fleece in the middle of the operating parts, to which
portions of the fleece are liable to adhere, whereby the pincing action
of the nippers is rendered imperfect. To remedy this defect, I fix pins
or small pieces of sheet metal on the lower jaw 5%, so as to be clear
of the point of nipping, by which arrangement the nippers will be
unimpeded by any accumulation of fibres on the guides.
Having now particularly described the nature of my Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be carried into effect, I wish it
to be understood that I claim the improvements herein described,
separately or combined, and the general arrangement of the mechanism
as a whole, for giving proper motion to the operating parts of the
machine, as shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hetherington, have here.
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of October,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Signed, sealed, and delivered)
(being duly stamped) by
the within-named John
Hetherington, in the pre-)
sence of
PETER J. LIVSEY,
of Manchester.
JOHN
THERINGTON. (L.S.)