Improved Apparatus for Clearing or Removing Inequalities and Entangled Impurities from Thread or Yarn.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th July, 1892-Accepted, 20th Aug., 1892
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES LESLIE TRAVIS, 404, Century Buildings,
Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, U.S.A., Manufacturer.]
Improved Apparatus for Clearing or Removing Inequalities and
Entangled Impurities from Thread or Yarn.
I, JOHN EDWARD EVANS-JACKSON of 45 Holborn Viaduct London in the
County of London, Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
In the manufacture of crash and twine it is customary to use thread that is spun
from what is generally known as "tow" stock. This stock contains more or less
"shive" or woody fibre, considerable portions of which are inevitably spun into the
thread. There are also on the thread lumps of short fibre forming bunches thereon,
and many of these lumps are in the form of rings extending around the thread and
forming what are known as "spins."
"
Preparatory to using this thread for the manufacture of crash or twine or for
other purposes it has heretofore been customary to subject it to a brushing action
which is designed to remove the adhering lumps or bunches and the "shive" or
woody fibre, and afterwards to starch the thread for the purpose of starching down
any of such lumps that may remain and causing them to be closely compact against
the body of the thread. This process does not, however, remove any of the "spins" or
lumps and but a small portion of the "shives or woody fibre, and many of the
adhering lumps and portions of the ",
"shives or woody fibre, are not compact closely
enough against the body of the thread to cause them to pass through the harness and
reeds of the loom in weaving. When one of these lumps on the thread catches in passing
through the loom it often causes the thread to break, necessitating the stoppage of
the loom and the tying of a knot in the thread. If the lump on the thread and the
projecting portions of "shive or woody fibre pass through the loom without
causing a breakage in the thread they are still plainly to be seen in the finished
fabric when calendered causing it to be of an inferior quality. If the thread is
used for the manufacture of twine, which usually consists of several threads twisted
together, the lumps and projecting "shives" or woody fibre are equally objection-
able, especially as it often occurs that several lumps in the different threads will
come opposite each other at the same place, thus forming a large lump in the twine.
The brushing process fails to remove all of the "shives" or woody fibre and
practically does not remove any of the "spins" or lumps that are formed in the
shape of rings extending around the thread, as these rings, when the thread is
subjected to a brushing process, will simply slide along on the thread without being
removed therefrom.
37
It also frequently occurs in spinning thread from this stock that the feed rolls
will at times feed through toc much stock. This will make a place in thread of
larger diameter than the main body of the thread and when this occurs the parts of
the thread for a short distance on each side of these portions of larger diameter will
be twisted harder or more closely than the main portions of the thread while
these larger portions will not be twisted as closely as the main portions of the
thread. This leaves places in the thread that are of larger diameter than the
average and of a looser twist. These larger and more loosely twisted parts of
the thread are apparent in the woven fabric forming what are termed "swells"
and causing the fabric to have an uneven and defective appearance.
One object of the invention is to remove these lumps of fibre and also the
"shives
or woody fibre from the thread, thus leaving the thread fibre perfectly
22

page_text: clean and smooth, capable of being passed through the loom without catching, and
forming a fabric when woven that is entirely free from lumps and bunches and from
"shives" or woody fibre.
•
Another object of my invention is to trim or dress down the larger and more
loosely twisted portions of the thread. I find by actual experience that when these
more loosely twisted parts of the thread are reduced to the same diameter as the
other parts of the thread, the twists in the more closely twisted portions on each
side of these loosely twisted portions will distribute themselves across the loosely
twisted places thus making the parts that were before twisted closer than the
average and those that were twisted less closely than the average, all of the average
twist.
ני
To these ends my invention consists in subjecting the thread to the action of
knives or cutters that cut longitudinally of the thread, thereby splitting or opening
the "spins
on the outside of the thread fibre and also removing any material that
adheres to the outside of the thread and the projecting "shives" or woody fibre
without injuring the body of the thread or cutting any of the fibres forming the
thread, and also reducing the larger and loosely twisted portions so as to make
them of the same size as the main portions of the thread, brushing the thread after
it is subjected to the cutters for the purpose of removing the "shives" and portions
of fibre that have been cut loose by the cutters but which may still be clinging to
the thread.
My invention further consists in giving to the thread a rolling motion while
it is being subjected to the action of the brushes, thereby causing the loose
material to be brushed off from the thread instead of being brushed along on the
thread.
My invention further consists in the construction and combination thereinafter
described and particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this Specification
Fig. 1 is an end elevation of one form of mechanism that I have designed for
carrying out my improved process.
Fig. 2 is a detail plan of the cutters shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on line x-r of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a plan of a portion of a machine shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a detail end elevation, and
Fig. 6 is a detail section of another mechanism for carrying out the same
process.
Fig. 7 is a detail end elevation, and
Fig. 8 is a detail section showing a modified arrangement of the cutters and
modified construction of cutters.
Figs. 9 and 10 are details showing another construction and arrangement of
cutters.
Figs. 11 and 12 are details of another form of cutters.
In the drawings, 2 represents the frame of the machine which may be of any
suitable form and construction. In the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 1-4 I
have shown a pair of rotating cutters arranged to act on each thread. These
cutters are mounted on a shaft 3 that is mounted in suitable bearings in the frame
of the machine and is driven by any suitable means. I preferably arrange a series
of pairs of cutters in each machine and drive all of the shafts 3 from a common
counter shaft 5 that is mounted in the frame 2 and provided with a series of pulleys 7
from which belts or bands extend to pulleys 11 on the shafts 3. The cutters 4
and 5 are mounted on the shaft 3. The cutter 4 is preferably fixed on the shaft by
any suitable means as the set screw while the cutter is fixed to turn with the
shaft but is free to slide thereon. This cutter is preferably provided with a
groove 10 and a pin 12 on the shaft projects into this groove. A spring 14
engages a fixed collar 16 on the shaft and bears on the top of the cutter 6 and
presses it towards the cutter 4. A guide and gauge plate or disc 13 is arranged to
project for a short distance between the cutters. This plate is preferably made in

page_text: the shape of a disc having a groove 15 in its edge and may be mounted loosely on a
stud 17 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 so as to be capable of turning freely thereon.
This plate may, however, be stationary and the groove be formed only in the edge
of the portion that projects between the cutters. The machine may be provided
with any suitable means for holding the spools of thread and moving the thread
past the cutters. I have shown the machine provided with spool supports 19 upon
which the spools of thread to be treated are placed. A suitable friction device 21
prevents the spool from turning too fast. After the thread passes the cutters it is
wound upon a suitable spool 23, and this spool may be the means of drawing the
As here
thread from the other spool and causing it to travel past the cutters.
shown the spool 23 is mounted on a shaft 25 that is driven by a belt 27 from the
shaft 3. Any suitable device may be used to properly distribute the thread over
the spools.. A brush 29 is preferably mounted on a shaft 31 and located in the path
of the thread after it passes the cutters. The brush is preferably driven by any
suitable means. I have here shown it driven by a belt 33 from the shaft 3.
Suitable guides 35 are also arranged so as to properly guide the thread to the
cutters and to the brush. The thread is preferably guided so as to pass at an angle
across the edge of the brush as shown in Fig. 1, thereby giving to the thread a
rolling or twisting notion while it is being subjected to the action of the brush.
Instead of using the disc shaped cutters I may use cutters of other forms. In
Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown vibrating cutters 4 and 6 secured upon a lever 30 and
arranged to be operated by an eccentric 32 and link 34. In Figs. 7 and 8 I have
shown rotating cutters 4 and 6 each provided with a series of radial cutting
blades 36. In Figs. 9 and 10 I have shown reciprocating cutters 4 and 6 having
their ends connected to links 37 and operated by an eccentric 39 and connecting
rod 41. In Figs. 11 and 12 I have shown rotary cutters having inclined cutting
teeth 45 on their edges.
In connection with the cutters shown in Figs. 5 to 12 I prefer to use a
stationary guide plate 13 having a groove 15 in its upper edge along which the
thread passes.
While I have shown these various forms of cutters I do not wish to be under-
stood as limiting myself to the use of the forms shown as it will be obvious that
many other forms of cutters may be used to secure the same result.
In all instances the cutters are preferably bevelled on the outside so that their
cutting edges are close to the sides of the guide and gauge plate and they therefore
cut close to this plate on each side. In carrying out my invention I pass the thread
over the guide 13, which as before stated is preferably grooved, and between the
cutters. As the thread advances the cutters shear close to the gauge plate and
open all the "spins" or rings of fibre surrounding the thread. They also cut off
all the projecting "shives or pieces of woody fibre and they reduce the thread to.
a uniform diameter.
27
In case the main portion of any lump or projection is in a position where it
would naturally pass between the cutters is found that there will always be some
small projecting fibres that will come into the plane of one or the other of the
cutters and the thread will invariably turn towards this cutter thereby bringing the
Most of the lumps on
entire lump into position to be sheared off by the cutter.
the thread, however, are in the form of rings of fibre extending around the thread
and it is only necessary to cut open these rings for them to be afterwards completely
removed. The cutters also reduce the swells" or loosely twisted and larger
portions of the thread to a uniform diameter with the other portions and as these
loosely twisted" portions usually alternate with portions that are-twisted more
closely than the average, as soon as they are reduced by the cutters to the average
diameter of the thread the twists distribute themselves across the loosely twisted
portions making both parts of the average twist.
After the thread leaves the cutters it is brought, preferably in an inclined
direction, across one edge of the brush. This brush thus strikes the thread at
an angle and gives it a slight rolling motion, thus enabling the brush to

page_text: completely remove any of the particles of material that have been loosened by the
cutters.
While I have described my invention as particularly applicable to linen thread
made from "tow "-stock it will be understood that it may be used to advantage
where there is occasion for the removal of superfluous material from any kind of
thread.
It will be seen that the cutter 6 as shown in Fig. 1 may be readily removed, and
where it is desired to operate upon a thread of different size it is only necessary
to remove one of the cutters and replace the guide disc or plate 13 by a similar
plate of different thickness. Then the removable cutter being put back in place
will automatically adjust itself to the plate and the machine be again in condition
for operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination with the grooved guide and gauge plate, of the cutters
arranged upon opposite sides thereof, and means for moving the thread or fibre
along said grooved plate and between said cutters.
2. The combination with means for moving the thread of the gauge and guide
plate, and the cutters arranged to cut close to said guide plate on oposite sides
thereof.
3. The combination with means for moving the thread, of the circular cutters,
and the grooved plate projecting between said cutters.
4. The combination with means for moving the thread, of the circular cutters,
means for rotating said cutters, and the grooved disc projecting between said
cutters.
5. The combination with the gauge and guide plate, of the cutters and a
spring tension device for holding one of said cutters substantially as described.
6. The combination with the removable gauge and guide plate 13, of the cutter 4,
the removable cutter 6, said cutters being arranged on opposite sides of said guide
plate, and a tension device for holding said cutter 6 in contact with said guide plate,
substantially as described.
7. The combination with the guide and gauge plate, of the cutters arranged on
opposite sides thereof, means for moving the thread or fibre over said guide and
between said cutters, and means for giving a rolling or turning motion to said
thread or fibre.
8. The combination with the guide and gauge plate, of the cutters arranged
on opposite sides thereof, means for moving the thread or fibre over said guide
and between said cutters and the brush for engaging said thread after it leaves said
cutters.
9. The combination with the guide and gauge plate, of the cutters arranged on
opposite sides thereof, means for moving the thread or fibre over said guide
and between said cutters, a rotating brush, and means for bringing the thread or
fibre after it leaves the cutters in an inclined direction across the edge of said
brush.
Dated in 19th dow of I..1.. 1000
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & Co.,
Applicant's Agents.