Improvements in Machines for Combing or Cleaning Cotton, Wool, Silk, Flax, and other Fibrous Materials.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Combing or Cleaning Cotton, Wool,
Silk, Flax, and other Fibrous Materials.
I, LOUIS VICTOR RENÉ FEROUELLE, of Mulhouse, Alsace-Lorain, Germany,
Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in machines for combing cotton, wool,
silk, flax and other fibrous materials particularly applicable to the "Hubner
combing machine with the object of increasing its work, of giving a more finished
and better worked product, and also of facilitating the regulating of the various parts.
These improvements are more particularly directed to the circular nipper, the
clearing comb, ("peigne nacteur") the gill, porcupine, or carding comb, ("peigne
herisson") the brush and the doffer. In their combination they co-operate in
producing the aforesaid results.
To leave no doubt as regards them and in order that their mode of action may
be well understood I will describe them in detail by reference to the accompanying
drawings upon which :-
Figure 1 represents in vertical section a "Hubner" combing machine improved
according to my invention.
Figure 2 shows, separately, the metal nipper of this improved combing machine.
Figure 3 represents the arrangement of the clearing comb of this improved
combing machine.
Figure 4 gives a general plan view of the combing machine.
Figures 5 and 6 relate to the construction of its carding comb.
As may be seen at Figures and 4, the combing machine always comprises a
circular nipper A resting upon a frame or trough B, a clearing comb N, a carding
comb C, a brush D and a doffer E. The whole mounted upon a frame of suitable
shape and dimensions.
The circular nipper A does not rest flatwise upon the frame or trough B,
inasmuch that it is slightly beveled and that its outer end a alone rests upon the
horizontal plane of the frame B.
Behind its part a it has a band or strip of leather b (or of any other adhesive or
slightly rugous or rough material) let in and necessary to obtain by the circular
nipper, a regular traction of the filaments upon the polished surface of the frame B.
The edge of this latter, upon which the nipping of the filaments is operated, by
the simple effect of the weight of the nipper A, is horizontal, and possesses, from
c to c (Figures 4 and 5) facing the comb C, a small flange », or nipping shelf.
This flange is intended to ensure the nipping, at the end of the circular nipper, in
the case when, from a defect in construction, this latter should turn out of centre.
Behind this horizontal flange are two grooves v, v¹ beyond which the frame slightly
rises. On this raised part a few grooves may also be made, but this is optional
and depends upon the requirements of different kinds of filaments to be worked.
In this way the nipping of the filaments is progressive from the interior towards
the extremity of the circular nipper which then acts on the plane and horizontal
part of the frame like a knife and at the extremity of which the nipping of the
filaments is absolutely maximum and invariable.
A dead eccentric, not shown on the drawing, is situated beneath the circular
nipper or acts upon its axle, so as to slightly uplift this nipper to prevent its
gripping whenever it becomes necessary to remove filaments.
The clearing comb N, situated above this metal nipper has for peculiarity
(Figure 3) that its teeth or needles are planted inside in an inner flange of the comb

page_text: (the reverse of the ordinary arrangement) which produces an inclination the
reverse of the old one.
The teeth thus mounted are directed from the interior to the exterior; in other
words the butt-end of the teeth is to the right of the vertical passing through their
point. This particular inclination facilitates, to a somewhat considerable extent,
the stripping or tearing of the filaments through the comb; further it permits.
bringing the stripping cylinders F F nearer the frame B, which to a certain
extent lessens the waste.
The clearing comb N is fixed on the external part of the cross bar H, which if
required, permits, making the comb in several pieces or segments which may then
be changed individually without taking the machine to pieces.
The guard G of the clearing comb (Figure 3) has no internal flange, as in the
old arrangement, but it is combined with a piece e forming with the section of the
nipper A a sort of funnel.
In consequence of this form the filaments engage in the opening d, compressing
by degrees and in a symmetrical way, which prevents the formation of a knot at
their end and at the same time compels the fibres to undergo, all without exception,
during their stripping or tearing, the action of the clearing comb.
The piece e exists only in the arc embraced by the stripping cylinders and may
very well be cast either with the guard G or the frame or trough B or fitted.
thereon by any suitable means.
With this arrangement of the clearing comb, the stripping or drawing takes
place nearer to the frame B and it becomes necessary to use a feeding roller
different from that employed hitherto.
The roller X which I use (see Figure 4) is fluted perpendicularly to its plane of
rotation. Upon its edge a is a groove into which penetrates from below the wire
which is to nip the filaments against the roller and cause them to feed. This
groove and these flutings form on the thin flange of and throughout the roller a fine
toothing serving to well carry along the slivers of filaments.
The carding comb C situated facing the circular nipper A and the frame B
differs from those hitherto conceived by the nature and the stocking or arrange-
ment of the teeth or needles with which it is provided. This carding comb
(Figure 5) is subdivided, in principle, into a certain number of equal parts (9 for
example) which I indicate by the ciphers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8 and 9, and which in
reality must be considered as each comprising a small special carding comb.
These several parts are united by any suitable means, or even cast in a single
and same piece so as to form a single piece concentric with the frame B, or it may
be eccentric, according to circumstances, as are most of the carding combs applied
to the "Hubner" combing machine.
These small carding combs are distributed as follows, in the subdivision taken as
example.
Two carding combs, 1 and 2 for the double division I ;
Two
Two
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3 and 4
5 and 6
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23
"
II;
III;
One carding roller 7 for the following simple division
One
One
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8 for the next
9 for the next
22
"
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"
I must at once state that the carding combs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 perform a work
different and absolutely distinct from that effected by the carding combs 7, 8 and 9.
The function of the first is to open the fibres to thoroughly prepare them for the
combing, whereas the second operate the thorough combing of the filaments
previously opened.
Upon the carding combs 1, 3 and 5 the teeth or needles are of progressive length
(Figure 6) so as to open the fibres methodically and progressively as fast as these

page_text: are, on the contrary of uniform length. The result is that the point of these teeth
or needles do not present themselves, as in the "Hubner "carding comb in the
form of a continuous curve, but they constitute in their entirety a broken
line m, n, o, m³, n',
(Figure 6).
As to the teeth or needles of the carding combs 7, 8 and 9 their length is such
that they produce a curve concentric to the frame B.
As regards the stocking or multiplication of the teeth or needles on each carding
comb, it should be observed that this stocking has nothing in common with that of
the "Hubner" carding comb. Each carding comb of my composite comb, has its
proper arrangement, either in number of rows of teeth or needles, or a number of
teeth upon each row, while in the ordinary carding combs, the stocking is equal and
continuous around the comb, from one end to the other of the comb. In other
words, my carding combs have, in principle, a different number of rows of needles
and for each row a different number of needles. The progression of the rows and
of the needles is established according to a fixed and perfectly defined rule as may
be seen at Figure 6.
To facilitate the construction (for they are not strictly indispensable) I have
fixed a pair of rows of generative teeth y, z, serving as starting point for the entire
system. This generative row serves absolutely only as a mark.
As regards the number of teeth or needles upon each row of the carding comb,
it will be seen that it is determined in the following manner for the carding
combs, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The coding nomb 1 hoo
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needles.
For the carding combs 7, 8 and 9 the number of teeth or needles varies from one
pair of rows of needles to the next all round the circumferential surface of the
same carding comb as is hereinafter indicated for the carding comb 7.
The 1st pair of rows of needles, at y z, has on each row, y needles to the centimeter;
TIL

page_text: The teeth or needles thus stocked upon my carding comb are set in holes in the
metal, soldered upon bars or imprisoned in the metal by casting in a mould. Their
inclination varies from one carding comb to the next.
Facing the comb C is a guard f (Figures 1 and 2) intended to compel the
filaments to enter into the teeth. This guard takes the exact form of the comb, it
is in broken line facing the parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this latter and circular in
relation to the parts 7, 8 and 9. Bolts (Figure 5) fix its ends to the frame of the
combing machine.
The brushing of the comb C is effected by the aid of the brush D capable of
automatically approaching nearer to it proportionally to the wear, so as always to
be in gear with the needles or teeth. The brush is brought nearer to the comb
insensibly until completely worn out. At this moment a suitable mechanism acts
upon the stop of the guide strap of the machine and arrests it. The doffer E
placed following the brush participates in the same automatic movements but with
double speed. This automatic displacement is obtained in the following manner.
The bearings of the brush and t of the doffer instead of being fixed upon simple
slide bars with fixed standards, after each regulation, are respectively fixed upon
movable carriages p and q (Figure 1) imprisoned and guided in slides or slots
each side of the combing pieces.
g on
A screw u, u', with different screw threads and placed within these slots or
slides 9, passes through the carriages P and g. The thread of the part u of the
screw is nearly double the thread of the part u. In this way the rotation of the
screw u, u determines the displacement of the brush and of the doffer in a relation
as regards speed of one unit for the brush and of two units for the doffer.
h
The screws u, u are actuated by a single piece not shown on the drawing and
acting on the pinion which terminates them. This pinion permits regulating
the speed of the travel of the brush and of the doffer towards the comb. For this
purpose it is only necessary to have a certain number of spare pinions.
By reason of this automatic closing up movement of the brush and the doffer,
this latter must be driven by the brush and not by the carding comb as is usually
the case.
For this purpose the axle of the brush carries an endless screw i, in gear with a
helicoidal wheelj keyed on the shaft k the support of which is fixed by a cramp!
to a bearing lugt of the doffer, so that this axle follows the nearing movement of
the doffer.
This axle drives the doffer by an endless screw and a helicoidal wheel j¹.
Further, it carries an eccentric s which by means of a universal joint drives the
small stripping comb p' of the doffer which is below this latter and which is set on
the axle q¹.
In this way, the mechanism of the brush and of the doffer with its driving
gear follow the automatic nearing given by the screws u, u', and the movable
carriages s and t. The helicoidal wheel; is supported by a fork fixed to the
bearing of the brush, in such way that the brush k, actuated by the doffer slides
easily thereupon. A long key makes this wheel one with the shaft whatever
position it may occupy thereupon.
When the brush is used a disconnection acts on the detent of the belt guide of
the machine and causes it to stop.
The combing machine is completed by the back drivers P, P1 placed in the
down box beneath the combing parts. These back drivers or metal plates are
shown respectively on two axles a', a', having an alternate rotary movement and
occupying nearly the entire breadth of the box in question. They describe from
right to left and from left to right, that is to say alternately, a semi-circle and
have for object to drive the down to the bottom of the box and prevent its rising
to the comb, and may be operated by eccentrics or in any suitable manner.
In conclusion I would observe that the various arrangements of the improved
combing machine above described may be applied together or separately, to any

page_text: kind of combing machine to whatsoever system it may belong, or further to any
other machine intended to clean filamentous materials of whatsoever kind.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In the “Hubner" or other combing machine, for the purpose of producing a
progressive and absolutely invariable nipping of the filaments, the arrangement of
a circular nipper A having an inside bevel, so as to act only by its edge a on the
plane and horizontal part ŕ of the frame or trough B. The said nipper having a
rugous or roughened packing b, and the frame behind the part flutings or
groovings, l, as hereinbefore described by reference to Figure 2 of the
accompanying drawings.
2. In the "Hubner" or other combing machine, the arrangement of the clearing
comb N fixed to the exterior of the cross-bar H and the teeth or needles of which,
arranged in the interior are directed from the inside to the outside; the said comb
acting in combination with the guard G fixed on the frame B the upper edge of
which facing the drawing or stripping cylinders F and F form with the part cut
to bevel of the nipper A a sort of funnel d facilitating the passage of the filaments
and permitting the comb N to act under better conditions. The clearing comb,
thus arranged, acts nearer the frame or trough, gives less waste and its taking to
pieces for repairs are more easily effected, as hereinbefore explained with reference
o Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In the "Hubner or other combing machine, in combination with the clearing
comb N having its teeth or needles inside and directed from the interior to the
exterior, the arrangement of the feeding roller, fluted or grooved perpendicularly
to its plane and provided very near its edge with a circular groove, so as to
constitute a sort of fine toothing which, with the ordinary wire, forcibly nips the
filaments and causes them to feed under better conditions, as herein before described
with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In the "Hubner" or other combing machine, the arrangement of the carding
comb C, formed of a series of small carding combs 1, 2, 3 .. juxtaposed and
provided with teeth or needles of different length and differently stocked for each
of them, with the object of opening the filaments and combing them throughout
in a methodical and progressive manner. The carding combs of the kind of those
marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 travel by pairs and each pair comprises a number of
rows of needles or teeth increasing progressively in size and from one to the other
the rows possess a number of needles also increasing in size; they also form, by the
different length of their needles, indentations and have for object to progressively
open the filaments. The carding combs of the kind marked 7, 8 and 9 comprise a
number of rows of needles larger and larger and in each carding comb the number
of needles per row varies from one row to the other; the needles are here of the
same length and these carding combs_open the filaments throughout. I therefore
claim this comb in its entirety as I have above described it by reference to
Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In the "Hubner or other combing machine, the arrangement of the brush D
and of the doffer E mounted on movable bearings s and t, in combination with a
screw with differential thread u, u', passing through the said bearings, with the
object of producing automatically the bringing together of these two parts in a
relation determined and regulated by the wear of the brush D, as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figures 1 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In the "Hubner" or other combing machine, the arrangement of the brush D
and of the doffer E, set upon movable bearings sandt and brought together
automatically by a screw u u', with differential thread, in combination, with a
transmission or gearing passing from the brush to the doffer, so that the rotary
movement of the one depends upon that of the other and that the movement of the

page_text: stripping comb pl is also taken from the brush, as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures 1 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Seventh day of November 1891.
or the Applicant,
W. E. GEDGE,
Agent.