AN IMPROVED CLEANER FOR TOBACCO PIPES
Year: 1886

page_text: I, JOHN FREDERICK FORTH, of 24. Alfred Street Mills, Nottingham, in the
county of Nottingham, Lace Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for AN IMPROVED CLEANER FOR TOBACCO PIPES to be as follows:-
I supply a twisting, plaiting, or braiding machine with a central core of thin
brass iron or copper wire, and either twist, plait, or braid three or more strands of
cotton firmly round the wire core for a length of six or more inches according to
the length of the stem of the pipe to be cleaned, I then stop the machine and draw
the wire core and the strands of cotton through the twisting, plaiting or braiding
machine for a length of three inches, more or less and again start the machine so
as to twist plait or braid the strands of cotton firmly round the wire core for
another length of six or more inches and repeat such movements for any length
required which when cut through close to the commencement of the twisting,
plaiting, or braiding forms lengths of pipe cleaners each having a firm but pliant
stem terminating with a three or more inches length of open, soft, straight, cotton
strands which following the stem as it is drawn through the pipe to be cleaned
absorbs any nicotine which may be in the stem of the pipe and effectually removes
any foulness.
Each strand of cotton employed consists of three or more threads of cotton laid
side by side, the number and thickness of each thread will depend upon the
diameter of the stem of cleaner required.
The wire core I twist round the outside of the strands of cotton at the end of
the twisted, plaited, or braided length farthest from the loose straight strands of
cotton, at the opposite end, such twisting holds the core in position and binds the
strands to it.

page_text: Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of one of my improved cleaners connected-to
the lower end of the cleaner previously formed.
Figure 2 shows the upper end of a cleaner protected by a wire hereafter
referred to.
I construct my improved cleaners by supplying a twisting plaiting or braiding
machine, with a central core A A see Figure 1 of thin brass or copper wire, and
either twist, plait or braid three or more strands of cotton B firmly round the wire
core for a length of six or more inches, according to the length of the stem of the
pipe to be cleaned, the machine is then stopped, and the wire core and strands of
cotton are drawn through the machine for a length of three inches more or less
without the strands of cotton being twisted, plaited, or braided, the machine is
again started so as to twist, plait or braid the strands of cotton firmly round the
wire core for another length, and repeat such movements for any length required.
Then at the lower end of each short length B of the twisting, plaiting, or
braiding, the wire core alone is cut through at B2 and turned outwards then
twisted firmly several times round the cotton strands and itself at B³, and the
remainder cut off, such twisting holds the core in position and binds the strands of
cotton to it, and also slightly reduces the diameter of the cleaner at the entering
end as shown at B, Figure 2, the cotton strands are then cut through close to the
twisted wire core, thereby leaving three inches or other length of open cotton
strands at the lower end of each cleaner as shown at the left end of Figure 1, but
without the wire core at that end. By preference a plaiting or braiding machine
may be employed in making the cleaners as the strands of cotton can be laid closer
and tighter upon the wire core than by a twisting machine.
Each strand of cotton employed consists of three or more threads laid side by
side, the number and thickness of each thread will depend upon the diameter of
the stem of the cleaner required.
By employing a wire core covered with strands of cotton plaited or braided
upon it, a stem is formed of equal thickness throughout which may be coiled in a
small compass, and when uncoiled still retains its rigidity for use.
The plaiting or braiding of the strands upon the core obviates the necessity of
employing a cement to keep the strands from untwisting, and making the stem
sufficiently rigid.

page_text: 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
The construction and employment of the improved cleaners for tobacco pipes,
substantially as described and illustrated in the Drawings annexed.
H. W. GOUGH, C.E.,
Agent.