Improvements in a Method and Mechanism for the Manufacture of Worsted Yarns.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd June, 1895-Accepted, 9th Nov., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in a Method and Mechanism for the Manufacture of
Worsted Yarns.
We, EVAN ARTHUR LEIGH, of 70 Kilby Street, Engineer, and ROBERT HOLT
of 742 East Fifth Street, Agent, both of the City of Boston, County of Suffolk,
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, 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 a method and mechanism for the preparation and
spinning of worsted yarns, whereby an even single yarn is produced and the
processes of mule spinning and doubling are dispensed with.
This invention is more particularly applicable to the production of coarse yarns
or low numbered soft twisted single yarns which cannot be spun upon mules.
In brief, our invention consists in passing the roving through drawing frames
in which the fibres are subjected to a pull in a longitudinal direction and co-
sequently said fibres assume a parallel position. In the production of roving
subjected to treatment through a succession of drawing frames particularly such as
einbody the French system, so termed, the fibres are in parallelism and there is no
twist, since the roving just before emerging passes through a comb or toothed
roll termed the porcupine.
In this condition we propose to pass it directly to spinning mechanism which is
adapted to spin high or low numbers of yarn, and with any degree of twist. This
spinning mechanism comprises a cotton roving frame, preferably with flyers and
pressers. By such a method of treatment low counts of even single yarn can be
produced which hitherto have been successfully made only by spinning a fine yarn
on a mule and then completed by doubling or making a yarn of multiple fold.
Other peculiar features, characteristics and advantages will be hereinafter set
forth and explained.
The drawings accompanying this Specification represent in Fig. 1 an end
elevation of the mechanism as a whole, designed for the production of yarn under
our invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section in part through the head of a
drawing frame under our invention. Fig. 3 is a plan in part of the same.
In the accompanying drawings we have shown machinery for the preparation.
and spinning of soft twisted single yarn not hitherto employed to our knowledge
and by means of which any count of yarn can be produced more especially the
coarser numbers, at less expense and of a better quality than hitherto produced.
In said drawings, 2 represents the framework or standard adapted to support the
various co-operating elements. The bobbin creel is indicated at 3 for holding the
drawing bobbins 4 while the roller beam is at 5. On this latter element are
mounted three pairs of rollers respectively 6. 61 drawing rollers; 7. 7¹ carrier
rollers and 8. 8¹ front rollers. It is to be understood that the stands and slides for
the rollers are to be adjustable to suit the various lengths of fibre while the gearing
for driving rollers are to be arranged to give the usual range of drafts.
The roving as it is successively subjected to treatment in the drawing frames,
especially such as are operated under the French system, in order to reduce it to
the desired fineness, has no twist imparted to it since by preference a porcupine
roller 9 is introduced to maintain the fibres in parallelism and remove any twist,
it such should by accident occur. Hence a roving without twist is finally produced
in readiness to be spun into yarn.

page_text: To carry out and fully complete the object and accomplish the purpose of our
invention we have equipped the main standard 2 with the primary elements which
comprise a cotton roving machine. These machines have a dual action-twisting
and drawing but under their construction said machines are capable of spinning
any size or count of yarn and with any predetermined twist. Therefore we propose
to deliver the roving without any twist to this mechanism which is employed to
co-operate in the carrying out of our invention and thus accurately determine the
amount of twist to be imparted.
In said drawings only the end of a cotton roving frame showing the elementary
parts is illustrated since the construction of such machines is well understood by
those versed in the art. The spindles are indicated at 12 equipped with flyers and
pressers 13, the latter either single or double. The bobbins are at 14 with yarn
upon them. The driving gearing for the bobbins is at 15, while similar gearing 16
is provided for the spindles. The top cone is at 17, the bottom cone at 18 and the
twist wheel at 20. The weight which acts as a counterpoise or balance for the
bobbin rail is at 21. The bobbin and spindle rails respectively 23. 24 serve to
carry the shafting and gearing requisite for driving the spindles and bobbins.
Thus in the process of converting the roving into yarn, the roving after passing
between the front rollers 8. 8' is delivered to the spindles of the cotton roving
frame. But in the act of spinning which now occurs the porcupine roll 9 or its
equivalent performs an important duty in addition to its primary function that of
removing twist and maintaining the fibres in parallelism. This second duty is to
hold the roving while the act of twisting occurs. This is of especial importance
since in introducing twist into any strand or sliver, it is necessary that one end of
it should be held while the other is also held and turned. But in as much as the
sliver under our invention has no twist and hence passes between the front rollers
in a flat condition in lieu of a round twisted strand, as usually occurs, the nip of
said rollers is not positive and hence the introduction of the porcupine roll as stated
in order to produce even single yarn.
As before premised, our invention is especially adapted to the production of low
numbered, soft twisted single yarn. By means of our improved mechanism we are
enabled to make a single yarn. Heretofore low numbered yarn has been produced
on mules only by spinning a fine yarn and then making it double fold, treble fold
or other multiple fold in order to obtain yarn of the desired low count. Under
our method much time is saved and manipulation of the roving is avoided with a
consequent better product, since the roving is now merely reduced to the proper
fineness and then converted into yarn.of the requisite count, making a single yarn
with the desired. twist, this latter feature being now accurately determined since the
roving, as it is delivered to the roving frame, has no twist while the twisting, action
of said frame is predetermined for the particular yarn in process, and accurately
controlled.
A further advantage in our method consists in the winding of the yarn on
bobbins in which pressers are employed; hence, as said elements come in contact
with the yarn just prior to the delivery of said yarn upon the bobbins, the tendency
to make the fibre ends stick out due to the centrifugal motion or otherwise is
avoided and the yarn is laid on the bobbin in a smooth condition. Hence fuzzy
bobbins are obviated. This class of single loose twisted yarn is especially desired
and particularly applicable for the wearing of certain descriptions of worsted
goods. Our method is equally adapted for the production of hosiery yarns and
not only materially lessens the expense of making the yarn but the feel of the
goods is much improved, over and above a multiple fold of the same number.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The improvement in the preparation and spinning of yarns consisting in
treating the roving in a drawing frame, passing the roving through a comb or

page_text: toothed roll, and delivering the same without twist to the spindle apparatus of a
cotton roving frame, whereby a single low count yarn of predetermined twist
may be produced, substantially as described.
2. The combination with the drawing rolls and other elementary features
comprising a drawing frame, of the spindle apparatus of a cotton roving frame
adapted to spin the roving, and a revolving porcupine roll arranged to receive the
roving and deliver it without twist to the cotton roving frame, substantially as
described.
3. The improvement in the preparation and spinning of yarn consisting in
treating the roving in a drawing frame, or drawing frames until the requisite size
of roving is produced, then submitting it to a porcupine roll or revoluble comb, and
finally delivering it to the spindle apparatus of a roving frame, whereby a single
yarn with a predetermined twist and of any count may be produced, substantially
as specified.
4. The combination with a drawing frame, and a porcupine roll therein, of the
spindle apparatus of a cotton roving frame, having spindles, flyers and pressers,
said roll serving to ensure the delivery of the roving at a definite uniform rate in
the act of spinning, substantially as explained.
Dated this Twenty-ninth day of May 1895.
EVAN ARTHUR LEIGH.
ROBERT HOLT.