IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF- ACTING CLEANSING MECHANISM FOR THE CYLINDERS, DOFFERS, AND WORKERS OF CARDING ENGINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jonathan Holden and John Edward Holden, both of
Rheims, France, Manufacturers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-
ACTING CLEANSING MECHANISM FOR THE CYLINDERS, DOFFERS, AND WORKERS
OF CARDING ENGINES."
Scaled the 20th September 1878, and dated the 20th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jonathan Holden and John
Edward Holden at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th
April 1878.
JONOTHAN HOLDEN and JOHN EDWARD HOLDEN, both of Reims, France, Manu-
facturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-ACTING CLEANSING MECHANISM FOR THE
CYLINDERS, DOFFERS, AND WORKERS OF CARDING ENGINES."
In all carding machines, and more particularly those employed for wool, after
working a certain amount of time the fibres and impurities contained in the textile
material stop or clog up the points or hooks with which the cylinders are clothed,
so as to materially effect their proper action, and to necessitate their cleansing.
Hitherto this operation has been effected by hand, and the card has to be stopped
during the whole time of this cleansing operation.
To overcome these difficulties we have invented a self-cleansing mechanism
which we attach to cards in general, and which consists in a cleansing cylinder
or cylinders which are brought in circumferential contact with the cylinders,
doffers, and workers to be cleansed, and when in this position rotated at a
higher circumferential speed than the circumferential speed of such cylinder,
doffer, or worker, and maintained in such contact until such parts are cleansed
of their impurities, after which it is separated therefrom a sufficient distance,
and when in this relatively distant position rotated at a slower speed for the purpose
of preventing the accumulation on these cylinders, doffers, and workers of fibres and
impurities which escape during the working of the card.

page_text: The requisite displacement of these cleansing cylinders is effected by means of an
upright lever and horizontal rods by means of which the bearings of these parts on
either side of the framing are slid the requisite distance.
For the purpose of imparting rotary motion to the cleansing cylinders at the two
different speeds mentioned, we make use of a counter-shaft which is driven at either
of these two speeds by means of one or the other of two straps passed over pulleys
attached to any convenient part of the card running at such speed as to produce the
required effect; whilst the cleansing cylinder is driven by a permanent strap from
this said counter-shaft.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Jonathan Holden and John Edward Holden in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 17th October 1878.
JONATHAN HOLDEN and JOHN EDWARD HOLDEN, both of Reims, France, Manu-
facturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-ACTING CLEANSING MECHANISM FOR THE
CYLINDERS, DOFFERS, AND WORKERS OF CARDING ENGINES."
In all carding machines, and more particularly those employed for wool, after
working a certain amount of time the fibres and impurities contained in the textile
material stop or clog up the points or hooks with which the cylinders are clothed, so
as to materially affect their proper action and to necessitate their cleansing. Hitherto
this operation has been effected by hand, and the card has to be stopped during the
whole time of this cleansing operation.
This operation is attended with the following inconveniences,―
1st. It requires a considerable amount of hand labor.
2nd. It entails frequent and relatively long stoppages..
3rd. It as a consequence gives rise to a large proportion of waste, since each
time all the wool or other inaterial contained within the card has to be removed.
To remedy these difficulties we have invented a self-cleansing mechanism, by means
of which it is possible, in a very short time, to clean the large drums and cylinders
of carding engines without stopping the engine, and with less waste, by cleansing
that part only of the card clothing which is in operation, and leaving the remainder
clogged up once for all.
In order that our Invention be clearly understood, we will describe it conjointly
with the annexed Drawing, which represents a longitudinal partial elevation of a
double carding engine.
A, A', are the two drums, and B, B¹, the two combing cylinders; C, C¹, are the
new cleansing cylinders, each of which is placed between one drum and one cylinder,
so as to act successively upon the surface of one and the other. They consist of
ordinary carding cylinders covered with a card clothing suitable to the peculiar work.

page_text: it is called upon to execute. Their shaft is supported at each extremity by a
plumber block, the sole D of which engages into slide pieces fixed on each side upon
the frame E of the carding engine. The purpose of this arrangement is to provide
for the horizontal displacement of the cylinders C, C', which removal is effected by
means of the lever F which oscillates upon the axis G, and draws along whilst in
motion, a rod H which is jointed thereto, and connects the ends of the shafts of
both cleansing cylinders, thereby allowing these latter to be acted upon simul-
taneously.
The rod H exists at each side of the carding engine, so as to ensure a perfect
parallel motion to the cylinders C, C₁; sleeves I with right and left handed screws
unite the different sections of this rod, and serve also to regulate its length as
required.
Whilst at rest, that is to say, when the cleansing cylinders are not at work, the
lever F occupies the central upright position 1, and in this position there exists
sufficient space between the surface of the cleansing cylinders and that of the drums
of the combing cylinders. In this state very slow rotary motion is imparted to the
cylinders C, C, by means of the pulley J fixed upon the shaft of the combing
cylinder B, which by means of a belt N drives the pulley K of an intermediate
shaft L, which in its turn imparts the motion to the cleansing cylinders by means of
the pulley M. fixed upon the intermediate shaft L of the belt M', and of the pulley M²
mounted upon the shaft of the cleansing cylinder. This rotary motion combined
with the short distance between the cleansing cylinders, and the drums prevents
the quantity of waste, fibrous material, or impurities which escape during the motion
from accumulating upon the surface of the said cleansing cylinders.
When it is required to work the cylinders B, B', the belt N is stopped, and
the bolt is put in gear, which belt gives a much greater speed, which is
calculated so as to be greater at the circumference of the cleansing cylinders
than at that of the drunis. The lever is then brought into the position 2; tho
cylinders B, B', follow the motion of the lever, and come in contact with the surfaco
of the doffers A, A¹, which they cleanse, thanks to their superior speed, removing
the material which clogs the hooks of the clothing, and which then falls under
the carding engine.
As soon as the drums have been cleansed, the same operation is performed
upon the combing cylinders by advancing the lever into the position 3. The cleansing
cylinders are then brought back to their central position, and the belt is thrown
off, and the belt N which gives the slow motion, is replaced. The cleansing cylinders
are brought a little nearer to the drums, which revolving much more rapidly remove
in their turn from their surface the wool which may have remained attached thereto.
The lever is then brought back in the position 1 until the next cleansing operation
is to be performed.
The lever F is kept in its three main positions by means of nicks cut out upon an
arch or bow P fixed to the frame, and into which nicks a pawl Q enters at every
change of position of said lever.
In conclusion we remark that these various operations may be effected in a very
short time, and that one single workman used to that kind of work is able to clean
a large number of machines in one hour.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, we would have it understood that
what we claim is,-
Firstly. The arrangement and use of cleansing cylinders, which effect automati-
cally, when needed, the cleansing of either the combing cylinders or of the
drums of engines for carding fibrous materials, without stopping the card as well
as means for making these cleansing cylinders assume an intermediate position
with diminished speed, when such cleansing or cleansings have been effected as
above specified, and shown in the accompanying Drawing.
Secondly. The special construction and arrangement of the mechanical agents or

page_text: parts for achieving the above-described operations, as well as the displacement of
the cleansing cylinders, as above specified, and shown in the accompanying Drawing
"
In witness whereof, we, the said Jonathan Holden and John Edward
Holden, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fourteenth day of
October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
eight
JONATHAN HOLDEN.
(L.S.)
Witnesses,
R. H. BRANDON,
H. MÉA.
JOHN EDWARD HOLDEN. (LS.)