IMPROVEMENTS IN' AND RELATING TO MACHINES FOR PICKING AND BURRING WOOL AND OTHER FIBRES
Year: 1877

page_text: ...
LETTERS PATENT to William Phillips Thompson, of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster, British and International Patent Agent and
Consulting Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN' AND RELATING
TO MACHINES FOR PICKING AND BURRING WOOL AND OTHER FIBRES."
A communication from abroad by Charles G. Sargent and Frederick G. Sargent,
both of Westford, in the State of Massachusetts.
Sealed the 29th April 1878, and dated the 31st October 1877..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Phillips Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st October 1877.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, British and International Patent Agent and Consulting Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO MACHINES FOR PICKING AND BURRING
WOOL AND OTHER FIBRES." A communication from abroad by Charles G. Sargent
and Frederick G. Sargent, both of Westford, in the State of Massachusetts.
My Invention consists in the use of a picker roll arranged to open such locks of
fiber as may chance to pass the feed rolls; in the combination of brush and tooth
lays on the picker cylinder with toothed feed rolls and a burring cylinder; in
improved detachable teeth and brushes for the picker cylinder; and in the con-
struction and combination of various other parts herein-after described.
-
#
I am aware that it is common to use card rolls and toothed rolls in picking
machines to strip the adhering fiber from the second, feed roll, the teeth of such
stripping roll being arranged to enter between those of the feed roll; and being
pointed in the direction in which the picker cylinder revolves, in order that they
inay release the fiber readily, and without retarding or detaining. In my machine,
on the contrary, I employ my third roll for the express purpose of picking and
opening the fiber, and to this end I arrange its teeth to point in the opposite
direction to that in which the picking cylinder revolves, instead of in the same
direction, and also arr them to act against instead of between the teeth of the
feed roll.

page_text: When the parts are thus arranged, the unopened locks of wool which may chance
to pass the feed rolls are caught and held by the teeth of the third roll until
thoroughly opened and disentangled, the clogging of the third roll being prevented
by the second feed roll, which strips the loose fiber from the teeth of the third roll,
and carries it back again into the macliine. The picking and loosening action of
the third roll is assisted very materially by the lower or second feed roll, which
performs the double duty of drawing the fiber inward, and at the same time picking
and loosening it, so as to release the impurities, and admit of its being readily
straightened out. The first horizontal picker cylinder inclosed in the middle of the
machine is provided with curved gratings or perforated sheets of metal and arranged,
the one set closely above and the other closely below.it. The body of the machine
is provided on top with an exhaust fan, and is closed up around the cylinder and
other parts in such manner that the air can only enter at the front and rear ends,
through the bottom grating and through openings made for the purpose in the top
and end respectively.
The first burring cylinder is located behind the picker cylinder in such position
as to receive the fiber therefrom, and a guard cylinder acts in conjunction
with the first burring cylinder to knock burrs and other foreign matters from
the fiber.
A second burring cylinder arranged above .and parallel with the first burring
cylinder, and operating in connection with a second guard cylinder, which is arranged
in front of the said second burring cylinder below the top air inlet.
The 1st brush cylinder is arranged between the two burring cylinders for the
purpose of transferring the fiber from the lower to the upper one, and in so doing
taking out the loose dirt and turning the fiber over the other side outward.
The 2nd brush cylinder arranged above the upper burring cylinder removes the
fiber therefrom, and discharges it from the machine. Suitable belts and pulleys,
gearing, or other devices are arranged to give the various parts motion.
The fan exhausting the air from the interior of the machine causes a strong
draft inward through the lower grating and air openings, and past 'the feed
rollers and burring cylinders around the picker cylinder, and thence out through
the upper grating.
The fiber, being placed on the endless apron, is taken therefrom by the feed rolls
and carried inward, and by means of the second feed roll and picker roll loosened
and opened in such a manner as to set free much of the dirt and foreign matter, the
fine light portions of which are drawn off through the fan, while the heavier portions
are carried inward and discharged through the bottom grate.
The current of air rushing inward past the feed and picker rolls also serves to
lighten and draw inward the fiber in such manner that it is prevented from winding
on the rolls, as it would otherwise have a tendency to do.
From the rolls the fiber is taken by the first picker cylinder, and being first acted
upon, thereby is delivered to the first burring cylinder, and thence passed by the
brush to the second burring cylinder, and, finally, delivered by the brush "cylinder
from the machine through a spout. A guard cylinder reinoves from the fiber 'while
it is on the lower burring cylinder, all adhering burrs, straws, sticks, and similar
matters, and discharges the same from the machine. Any fiber which may be
removed by either guard cylinder will be drawn back by the air current into "the
machine, where it will meet the main body of fiber and pass through therewith.
In order that the air current may be nicely regulated as required, so that it will
have sufficient strength to return the loose fiber from the guard cylinder to the
machine, but not strength enough to draw in the burrs and other heavy matters, an
adjustable slide or gate is arranged over the air inlet, so that more or less air may
be admitted at the front end of the machine, and thereby the draft at the rear end
varied as required.
A brush cylinder, by which the fiber is transferred from the first to the second
burring cylinder, removes a considerable amount of dust and dirt, the fine portions
of which are drawn off through the fan, while the heavy portions fall through per-

page_text: forations in the bottom of the case by which the brush is surrounded, to prevent
the rush of air into the machine. The opening admitting an inward current of air
past the upper guard cylinder prevents the same from carrying any burrs over
inward, as it might in some instances otherwise do.
In order to direct the current of air entering at the top opening in the proper
direction, there is arranged between the opening and the guard] cylinder a plate
which may be made adjustable to and from said cylinder.
For the purpose of controlling the inward draft through the top opening, another
plate is arranged adjustably on a cross plate, which latter extends across the upper
rear part of the interior of the machine, in front of the opening, so as to prevent the
entrance of air, except in close proximity to the burring cylinder.
The picker roll ("third roll" first mentioned) arranged in the front of the machine
consists of a shaft or roll provided with longitudinal dovetail grooves, a series of
separate teeth, having tongues which fit the grooves of the shaft, and a series of
rings slipped upon the shaft between the rows or lines of teeth to hold them in
position, and keep them the proper distance apart.
The required number of teeth to form a row or line around the shaft, one in each
groove, are inserted in place, and a ring slipped up against them, and then another
line of teeth inserted, and so on, repeatedly, until the roll is filled, when a nut is
screwed upon the end of the shaft to crowd and hold the parts all firmly together;
or instead of the nut, a washer and key or other device used for the same
purpose.
By applying the teeth in the above manner, the roll is rendered cheap,
and strong in construction, and the insertion of new teeth rendered a simple and
easy matter.
The picker cylinder is provided with lags having teeth of different sizes or degrees
of fineness, the teeth of one being fine, and the teeth of another coarse, whereby the
action of the machine in opening and spreading the fiber is greatly improved over
those in which the teeth of the cylinder are all of one size.
The picker cylinder is also provided, in addition to the toothed lags, with other
lags armed with bristles, or a steel wire brush, or card clothing.
By the combination of the teeth and the brushes on one cylinder, so that they act
alternately upon the fiber, the latter is spread and straightened with rapidity and
evenness, the toothed lags serving to comb out and open all the hard masses of fiber,
and the brushes following after to remove the loose dirt and impure matter which
the teeth would allow to remain.
When carding wool or worsted, waste, rags, &c., the toothed or comb lags are used
in combination with the steel wire brushes, the wire used in the brushes for carding
being stiffer than that used for picking and cleaning simply.
The toothed lags used in combination with the brushes may be of any suitable
construction, but I prefer that in which each lag consists of two longitudinal bars,
arranged side by side, and provided in their contiguous edges with recesses to receive
shouldered necks formed on the back of teeth which are made separately, and
inserted between the two bars before the latter are secured together. By thus
constructing and securing the teeth they are held firmly in place, and at the same
time their ready removal permitted, independently of each other.
The brushes used with the toothed lags may also be constructed in any
suitable manner, but it is preferred to make them in another manner, in which the
bunches or clusters of wire or bristles are mounted in blocks or pockets seated in
the lags in such manner that they may be adjusted and removed independently of
each other.
The blocks or pockets are simply small pieces of metal, each having a central hole
or cavity to receive the wire or bristles, the cavity having an internal enlargement
forming a space around the bristles or wires to receive solder, glue, or other equiva-
lent material to retain the same in place.
The pockets may be provided at the rear end with an outside shoulder or flange,
in which case they will be inserted through the lags of the cylinder from the inner

page_text: or back side and secured by screws passing into the lags and forcing the shoulders
up against the same.
:
In order to admit of the brushes being moved outward to compensate for the
shortening of the wire or bristles by wear, a series of thin washers may be placed
under the shoulders of the pockets, and the wire or bristles made of increased length,
so that by removing the washers one after another, the pockets will be permitted
to move outward.
Another manner of securing and adjusting the pockets is to make them of a
cylindrical form, provide them with a screw thread on the exterior, and screw them
into the lags, securing them from turning when in action by screws.
The essential feature of my brush is the use of the detachable independent
pockets, the form and manner of securing the same being subject to modi-
fication:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Phillips Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th April 1878.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, British and International Patent Agent and Consulting Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN. AND RELATING TO MACHINES FOR PICKING AND BURRING
WOOL AND OTHER FIBRES." A communication from abroad by Charles G. Sargent
and Frederick G. Sargent, both of Westford, in the State of Massachusetts.
My Invention consists in the use of a picker roll, arranged 'to 'open such locks of
fibre as may chance to pass the feed rolls; in the combination of brush and tooth
lags on the picker cylinder with toothed feed rolls and a burring cylinder; in
improved detachable teeth, and brushes for the picker cylinder; and in the con-
struction and combination of various other parts herein-after described..
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section through the centre of the
machine.
Figure 2, a side view of the working roll for opening and picking the fibre as
it passes from the feed rolls to the picker cylinder; Figure 3, a cross section of
the same.
Figure 4, views showing the form of the teeth of the picker roll.
Figure 5, a sectional view, illustrating the different modifications of the brushes
of the picker cylinder.
Figure 6, an inside or back view, illustrating the brushes of a circular form
seated in place.
Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, views illustrating a square form of brush for the picker.
cylinder.
Figures 11 and 12, respectively, a cross section and a face view of one of the
toothed lags of the picker cylinder.
I
:i
In the Drawings, A represents the frame of the machine, and B the endless feed

page_text: apron, by which the fibre is delivered between the two horizontal toothed feed rolls
C and D, located in the forward end of the frame'; E represents a roller with curved
teeth; mounted below and parallel with the feed rolls, for the purpose of picking and
opening the fibre as it passes from the feed rolls.
".
I am aware that it is common to use card rolls and toothed rolls in picking
machines to strip the adhering fibre from the second feed roll, the teeth of such
stripping roll being arranged to enter between those of the feed roll, and being
pointed in the direction in which the picker cylinder revolves, in order that they
In my
may release the fibre readily, and without retarding or detaining it:
machine; on the contrary, I employ my third roll E for the express purpose of
picking and opening the fibre, and to this end I arrange its teeth to point in the
opposite direction to that in which the picking cylinder revolves, instead of in the
same direction, and also arrange them to act against instead of between the teeth
of the feed roll; as clearly shown in the Drawings.
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When the parts are thus arranged the unopened locks of wool which may chance
to pass the feed rolls are caught and held by the teeth of the roll E until thoroughly
opened and disentangled, the clogging of the roll E being prevented by the second
feed roll D, which strips the loose fibre from the teeth of roll E, and carries it
back again into the machine. The picking and loosening action of the roll E is
assisted very materially by the lower feed roll D, which performs the double duty
of drawing the fibre inward, and at the same time picking and loosening it, so as to
release the impurities and admit of its being readily straightened out.
F represents the horizontal picker-cylinder, inclosed in the middle of the machine
with curved gratings or perforated sheets of metal G and H arranged, the former
closely above and the latter closely below it, as shown. The body of the machine
is provided on top with an exhaust fan I, and is closed up around the cylinder and
other parts in such manner that the air can only enter at the front and rear ends
through the bottom grating H; and through openings a and b, made for the purpose
in the top and end respectively, as shown.
J represents a burring cylinder located behind the picker cylinder F, in such
position as to receive the fibre therefrom; and K represents a guard cylinder, acting
in conjunction with the burring cylinder J, to knock burrs and other foreign matters
from 'the fibre.
↓
L represents a second burring cylinder, arranged above and parallel with the
cylinder J, and operating in connection with a second guard cylinder M, which is
arranged in front of the said cylinder L, below the air inlet a, as shown.
N represents a brush cylinder, arranged between the two burring cylinders for
the purpose of transferring 'the fibre from the lower to the upper one, and in so
doing taking out the loose dirt and turning the fibre over the other side outward.
O represents a brusli cylinder, arranged above the upper burring cylinder to
reinove the fibre therefrom and discharge it from the machine.
Suitable belts and pulleys, gearing, or other devices (not shown in the Drawing)
are arranged to give the various parts motion in the direction indicated in the
Drawings.
.
The fan exhausting the air from the interior of the machine causes a strong
draft inward through the lower grating and the openings a, b, and past the feed
rolls and burring cylinders, around the picker cylinder, and thence out through the
upper grating G, as indicated by the arrows.
The fibre being placed on the endless apron is taken therefrom by the feed rolls
C and D, and carried inward, and by means of the feed roll D and picker roll E,
loosened and opened in such a manner as to set free much of the dirt and foreign
matter, the fine light portions of which are drawn off through the fan I,
while the heavier portions are carried inward and discharged through the bottom
grate H.
...!
The current of air rushing inward past the feed and the picker rolls also
serves to lighten and to draw inward the fibre in such manner that it is prevented
from winding on the rolls, as it would otherwise have a tendency to do,

page_text: '
From the rolls the fibre is taken by the picker cylinder F, and, being first acted
upon thereby, is delivered to the first burring cylinder, and; thence passed to the
brush N to the second burring cylinder, and finally delivered by the brush cylinder
O from the machine through a spout P (shown in the Drawing). The guard
cylinder K removes from the fibre while it is on the lower burring cylinder J, all
adhering burrs, straws, sticks, and similar matters, and discharges the same from the
machine. Any fibre which may be removed by either guard cylinder will be drawn
back by the air current into the machine, where it will meet the main body of fibre
and pass through therewith.
In order that the air current may be nicely regulated as required, so that it will
have sufficient strength to return the loose; fibre from the guard cylinder to the
machine, but not strength enough to draw in the burrs and other heavy matters,
an adjustable slide or gate c is arranged over the air inlet b, as shown, so that more
or less air may be admitted at the front end of the machine, and thereby the draft
at the rear end varied as required.
The brush cylinder N, by which the fibre is transferred from the first to the
second burring cylinder, removes a considerable amount of dust and dirt, the fine
portions of which are drawn off through the fan; while the heavy portions fall
through perforations in the bottom of the case by which the brush is surrounded,
to prevent the rush of air into the machine. The opening a, admitting an inward
current of air, past the upper guard cylinder, prevents the same from carrying any
burrs over inward, as it might in some instances otherwise do.
In order to direct the current of air entering at a in the proper direction, there
is arranged between the opening and the guard cylinder M a plate d, which may be
made adjustable to and from said cylinder.
Just before putting in this Final Specification, Messrs. Sargent have forwarded to
me an alternative plan which they prefer. It is set forth in Figure 13. Like letters
relate to like parts, and the meaning is so, obvious, taken in conjunction with the
foregoing, that no further description is necessary.
For the purpose of controlling the inward draught through the opening a, a plate
c is arranged adjustably on a cross plate f, which latter extends across the upper
rear part of the interior of the machine in front of the opening a, as shown,
so as to prevent the entrance of air except in close proximity to the burring
cylinder.
The picker roll E, arranged in the front of the machine consists, as shown in
Figures 2, 3, and 4, of a shaft or roll g, provided with longitudinal dovetail grooves,
a series of separate teeth h having tongues which fit the grooves of the shaft, and a
series of rings i, slipped upon the shaft between the rows or lines of teeth to hold
them in position, and keep them the proper distances apart.
The required number of teeth to forin a row or line around the shaft, one in each
groove, are inserted in place, and a ring slipped up against them, and then another
line of teeth inserted, and so on repeatedly until the roll is filled, when a nut
is screwed upon the end of the shaft to crowd and hold the parts all firmly
together; or, instead of the nut a washer and key or other device used for the same
purpose.
By applying the teeth in the above manner the roll is rendered cheap and
strong in construction, and the insertion of new teeth rendered a simple and easy
matter.
The picker cylinder F is provided with lags R, having teeth of different sizes or
degrees of fineness, the teeth of one being fine, and the teeth of another coarse,
whereby the action of the machine in opening and spreading the fibre is greatly
improved over those in which the teeth of the cylinder are all of one size.
The cylinder F is also provided, is addition to the toothed lags R, with lags S
armed with bristles, or a steel wire brush, or card clothing.
By the combination of the teeth and the brushes on one cylinder, so that they act
alternately upon the fibre, the latter is spread and straightened with rapidity and
evenness, the toothed lags serving to comb out and open all the hard masses of fibre,

page_text: and the brushes following after to remove the loose dirt and impure matter which
the teeth would allow to remain.
When carding wool or worsted, waste, rags, et cetera, the toothed or comb lags are
used in combination with the steel wire brushes, the wire used in the brushes for
carding being stiffer than that used for picking and cleaning simply.
The toothed lags used in combination with the brushes may be of any suitable
construction, but I prefer the construction represented in Figures 11 and 12, in
which each lag.consists of two longitudinal bars k, arranged side by side, and pro-
vided in their contiguous edges with recesses to receive shouldered necks formed on
the back of teeth 1, which are made separately, and inserted between the two bars
before the latter are secured together. By thus constructing and securing the teeth
they are held firmly in place, and at the same time their ready removal permitted
independently of each other.
The brushes used with the toothed lags may also be constructed in any suitable
manner, but it is preferred to make them in the manner shown in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, and 10, in which the bunches or clusters of wire or bristles m are mounted in
blocks or pockets n, seated in the 'lags in such manner that they may be adjusted
and removed independently of each other.
The blocks or pockets n are simply small pieces of metal, each having a central
hole or cavity to receive the wire or bristles m, the cavity having an internal enlarge-
ment forming a space around the bristles or wires to receive solder, glue, or other
equivalent material p, to retain the same in place.
The pockets may be provided at the rear end with an outside shoulder or flange r,
in which case they will be inserted through the lags of the cylinder from the inner
or back side, and secured by screws & passing into the lags and forcing the shoulders
up against the same.
In order to admit of the brushes being moved outward to compensate for the
shortening of the wire or bristles by wear, a series of thin washers t may be
placed under the shoulders of the pockets n, and the wire or bristles made of increased
length, as shown in Figure 5, so that, by removing the washers one after another,
the pockets will be permitted to move outward.
Another manner of securing and adjusting the pockets is to make them of a
cylindrical form, provide them with a screw thread on the exterior, and screw
them into the lags, securing them from turning when is action by the screws 8, as
shown on the right-hand side in Figure 5.
The essential feature of my brush is 'the 'use of the detachable independent
pockets, the form and manner of securing the same being subject 'to modifi-
cation.
I am aware that the combination of the two burring cylinders with the inter-
mediate card cylinder, in the manner shown, is not original with Messrs. Sargent,
and I therefore lay no claim thereto, except when combined and arranged in con-
nection with the other parts in the special manner shown.
I am also aware that a lag provided with card teeth, and capable of bodily
adjustment radially, is not new, and I make no claim thereto, my improvement
consisting in a lag having a series of brush sections, each of which is adjustable and
detachable independently of the others, and without moving the lag.
I am also aware that a cylinder has been used having brushes and intermediate
sheet cards, the latter serving only to keep the fibres parallel to themselves until
taken off by the doffers, and, therefore, I make no claim to said arrangement, nor,
broadly, to a cylinder having both brush and tooth lags, my Invention being
limited in this regard to the combination of such cylinder with the toothed
feed rolls on one side and the burring cylinder on the other, whereby the fibre is
opened, straightened, and transferred in its straightened condition directly to the
burring cylinder.
all
Having thus described my Invention, what I claim is,-
1. The combination of the picker cylinder F and feed rolls C, D, with a picker
arranged substantially as shown. with its teeth pointed in the opposite

page_text: direction from that in which the picker cylinder rotates, for the purpose of catching
and detaining the unopened locks of wool.
2. In a picking and burring machine, the combination of a' picker cylinder F; two
burring cylinders J and L, and a rotary transfer brush, arranged substantially as
shown, in such relation to each other that the fibre is all delivered' from the picker
cylinder directly to the first burring cylinder, and thence by the brush to the
second burring cylinder.
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1314
..
3. The combination of the picking cylinder F, the burring cylinders J, L, guard
cylinders K, M, transfer brush N, the fan I, and the body or casing inclosing said
parts, substantially as shown, whereby the fibre is passed automatically from the
picking cylinder to the two burring cylinders in succession, and at the same time
subjected to the incoming currents of air.
:
1.
4. In combination with the two burring cylinders J; L, and the intermediate
transfer brush N, a fan I, arranged to produce a current of air past the brush 'and
between the cylinders, substantially as shown, or the alternative plan sketched forth
in Figure 13.
5. In combination with the
its guard cylinder M mounted
and a deflector d, located as
forth..
"
I.
L'
.
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1,
outside casing and the burring cylinder L and
therein, substantially as shown, an air inlet a
shown and described, and for the purpose 'set
*
11.
11...
10
1) L.
6. In a picking and burring machine, the combination of two toothed feed rolls,
a rotary cylinder, provided with both toothed and brush lags and burring
cylinder, said parts being arranged substantially as shown, so that the fibre is
taken from the feed rolls, opened and straightened, and delivered directly to the
burring cylinder..
J
7. In a toothed lag for a picker cylinder the combination of the parallel bars %,
notched as shown, and the series of necked and shouldered teeth seated in and
between said bars, as shown.
11..
い
...]
.
1.21.
8. A lag for a picker cylinder, provided with a series of small brushes' detacli'-
able and adjustable, radially independent of each other, substantially as shown and
described.
.1
9. In combination with a lag $'a cylindrical' pocket n, provided with "an
exterior screw thread, and with a central cluster of wires or bristles, substantially
as shown.
1
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171 L.
8.
1.
1
In witness whereof, I, the said William Phillips Thompson, have hereunto
set my.. hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
י.
1