IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING WOOL FOR COMBING
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Perry, of Hunslet Old Mill, near Leeds, in the
County of York, Wool Comb Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PREPARING WOOL FOR COMBING."
Sealed the 3rd April 1855, and dated the 4th October 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Perry at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th October
1854.
I, JOHN PERRY, of Hunslet Old Mill, near Leeds, in the County of York,
Wool Comb Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING WOOL FOR COMBING," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, firstly, in a novel mode of constructing the upper
feed rollers of preparing machines, by covering the same with vulcanized
india-rubber.
And, secondly, in imparting a rocking movement to such said covered
rollers in any available manner, for the purpose of bringing the fibres of the
wool into proper position for being doffed by the knives employed for that
purpose..
And I would remark that this Invention is more particularly applicable to
preparing machines. constructed according to the Invention of William Brown,

page_text: as secured to him by Her Majesty's Royal Letters Patent, bearing date the
18th day of October 1852, and intituled "Certain Improvements in Machinery
and Apparatus for Preparing and Spinning Wool, Hair, Silk, Flax, and other
Fibrous Materials."
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Perry in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th April
1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
PERRY, of Hunslet Old Mill, near Leeds, in the County of York, Wool Comb
Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Perry, Her special licence that I, the said John Perry,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
John Perry, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PREPARING WOOL FOR COMBING," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said John Perry, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Perry, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly, described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof (that is to say):
:-
My Invention of Improvements in Preparing Wool for Combing apply more
particularly to preparing machines constructed according to the Invention of
William Brown, as secured to him by Her Majesty's Royal Letters Patent,

page_text: bearing date the Eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, and in the sixteenth year of the reign
of Her said Majesty, the Specification of which was duly inrolled.
My improvements consist, firstly, in coating or covering the upper feed
roller of such said machines with vulcanized india-rubber, or other suitable
elastic surface; and, secondly, in imparting thereto (or to the porcupine feed
roller upon which it rests, or to both,) a traversing motion to and fro across
the machine, by which means a better action upon the wool under operation
is obtained.
The nature of my Invention, and the manner of carrying the same into
practical effect will, however, be better understood upon referring to the
Drawing hereto annexed, and to the following explanation thereof :-
In the said Drawing, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of the
working parts of a wool-preparing machine, of the construction above men-
tioned, and with my Invention applied thereto. A, A, represents the ordinary
feed sheet and rollers; B is the porcupine roller, the pins of which I prefer to
be set or inclined at an angle laterally, either to the right or left, as repre-
sented in Figure 2. C is the holding roller, which is covered with vulcanized
india-rubber, or other suitable elastic material, and rests upon the pins of the
roller B; D is the porcupine cylinder; E, the clearing plate; and F, F, the
drawing rollers, over one of which the drawing leather K passes; G is the
revolving trumpet; and H is the roller upon which the prepared wool is wound.
I prefer the holding roller C not to move in a lateral direction, but recipro-
cating or traversing motion (to and fro across the machine) to be given to the
porcupine roller B, by means of an excentric or other suitable mechanical
arrangement; but (if preferred) the porcupine roller may be stationary, and
the motion may be given to the roller C; or a slight motion in reverse
directions may be given to both of the said rollers at the same time. The
object of giving this motion to the feeding rollers is to give more tenacity
to the wool, and to bring the fibres thereof into a better condition for being
operated upon.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention of
"Improvements in Preparing Wool for Combing," together with the best
means I am acquainted with for carrying the same into practical effect, I
would remark, in conclusion, that I claim as my Invention,-
Firstly, coating or covering the upper feed roller or holding roller with
vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable elastic material.
And, secondly, imparting to the porcupine feed roller, or to the holding

page_text: roller, or both, a reciprocating or traversing motion to and fro across the
machine, as above described and represented in the annexed Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Perry, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Witness,
JOHN BROWN,
Hunslet, n' Leeds.
JOHN PERRY. (L.S.)