IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOTH AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFAC- TURING THE SAME
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Clapham, of Leeds, in the County of York, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOTH AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFAC-
TURING THE SAME"
Sealed the 25th November 1879, and dated the 31st May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Clapham at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st May 1879.
JOHN CLAPHAM, of Leeds, in the County of York.
AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOTH
My improvements are especially applicable to the low kinds of cloth, abolishing
the labour of filling the scribbler (as is customary) in the usual way, and saves a
great amount of labour in the " willeying" or mixing room.
By my method I abolish the labour of "willeying" and teasing the "mungo,”
and in order to thoroughly mix the "shoddy," "mungo," or other fibrous substances
with the wool I proceed as follows:-
I commence my operation at the "rag machine," and after oiling the rags as
required, and placing the proper amount thereof in one heap to the required size of
blend, I then weigh and place the rags upon the "rag machine" creeper or server to a
given or gauged length thereof, after the manner in which wool is now weighed
upon the server of the scribbler. I then place what is known as a Blamire's feed
to the "
rag machine," and cause the fibres of the rags to fall as they are thrown
from the "rag machine swift" onto a stationary surface, or are caused to fall upon
the surfaces of two revolving drums, which fibres when pressed between the two
drums drop upon a travelling canvas sheet which I add to Blamire's feed. After
this the fibres of the "mungo" or "shoddy "are rolled up to any required size.
Further, I place one or any required number of the aforesaid rolls upon the servers
of the scribbler, and in order to mix the wool in such: "mungo" rolls I employ an
additional server to the scribbler to receive the wool. By preference the wool is
previously scribbled and placed thereon in the ordinary roll from Blamire's feed, but
to make the blending as perfect as possible, which is of the utmost value in the
blending of cloth, I apply any given or required number of feeders or servers of
variable lengths to the scribbler or carder, and by adding several such servers or
feeders to carders or scribblers I am enabled to feed the scribbling machines with a

page_text: number of rolls of "mungo" simultaneously, thereby mixing or blending fibres
from several rolls of " mungo" at the same time.
"
rag
By the above method sheeted "mungo " in large sizes or sheets may be dispensed
with; also, it is less liable to fire, the " mungo being taken from the "
machines" in rolls in lieu of being packed in enormous sheets.
The above described method also prevents to a great extent the oil from drying
in, to which it is exposed by the old process.
"
t
To further prevent what is called in the trade "rawky," puckering," and
flecked" pieces, I put several servers or feeders of variable lengths to the carders
as well as to the scribblers, whereby I obtain a greater evenness of colour and
blending, and also with proper care very evenly made cloth can be manufactured,
and free from flecked" places so much dreaded by all cloth manufacturers.
68
"
As this method of manufacture is chiefly adapted for " mungo" and "shoddy
mixed goods, I wish it to be understood that it may be applied for the saving of
much labour in the filling of the scribblers by placing a Blamire's feed to the
" devil" or
teaser" where wool mixed goods are manufactured, and by the addi-
tional servers or feeders (these being of variable lengths), as above named, being
placed upon the scribblers. By this method a scribbler can be arranged to run a
whole day or longer with once attending to.
Though I have named a Blamire's feed as being the best adapted for producing
even cloth according to my Invention, yet by the method of feeding direct from
the " rag machine" a roll of fibres may be made at the end of such "rag machine"
by being wrapped longitudinally to any desired size upon a horizontally placed
canvas bed or sheet, and then taken direct to the scribbler, thereby avoiding the
necessity of being "teased" or " willcyed."

page_text: "
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said John Clapham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th November
1879.
JOHN CLAPHAM, of Leeds, in the County of York.
AND IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOTH
My improvements are especially applicable to the low kinds of cloth, abolishing
the labour of filling the scribbler (as is customary) in the usual way, and saves a
great amount of labour in the "willeying" or "mixing room."
inungo,"
By my method I abolish the labour of "willeying" and teasing the "
and in order to thoroughly mix the "shoddy," "mungo," or other fibrous substances
with the wool I proceed as follows:-
"
I cominence my operation at the "rag nachine" after oiling the rags as required,
and placing the proper amount thereof in one heap to the required size of blend.
I then weigh and place the rags upon the " rag machine" creeper or server to a
given or gauged length, after the manner in which wool is now weighed upon the
server of the "scribbler." I then place what is known as a " Blamire's feed " to
the "rag machine," and cause the fibres of the rags to fall as they are thrown from
the "rag machine" swift onto a stationary surface, or are caused to fall upon the
surfaces of two revolving drums, which fibres when pressed between the two drums
drop upon a travelling canvas sheet, which I add to " Blamire's feed." After this
the fibres of the " mungo or "shoddy" are rolled up to any required size.
Further, I place one or any required number of the aforesaid rolls upon the servers
of the scribbler, and in order to mix the wool in such " mungo" rolls I employ an
additional server to the scribbler to receive the wool. By preference the wool is pre-
viously scribbled and placed placed thereon in the ordinary roll from "Blamire's feed,"
but to make the blending as perfect as possible, which is of the utmost value in the
blending of cloth, I apply any given or required number of feeders or servers of
variable lengths to the scribbler or carder, and by adding several such servers or
feeders to carders or scribblers I am enabled to feed the scribbling machines with
a number of rolls of "mungo" simultaneously, thereby mixing or blending fibres
from several rolls of "mungo" at the same time.
By the above method sheeted "mungo" in large sizes or sheets may be dispensed
with; also, it is less liable to fire, the "mungo" being taken from the "rag
machines" in rolls in lieu of being packed in enormous sheets.
The above described method also prevents to a great extent the oil from drying
in, to which it is exposed by the old process.
To further prevent what is called in the trade " 'rawky," "puckering," and
"flecked" picces, I put several servers or feeders of variable lengths to the carders
as well as to the scribblers, whereby I obtain a greater evenness of colour and
blending, and also with proper care very evenly made cloth can be manufactured,
and free from flecked places so much dreaded by all cloth manufacturers.
As this method of manufacture is chiefly adapted for "mungo" and "shoddy"
mixed goods, I wish it to be understood that it may be applied for the saving of
much labour in the filling of the scribblers by placing a Blamire's feed to the " devil "
or " tcaser "where wool mixed goods are manufactured, and by the additional
servers or feeders (these being of variable lengths), as above named, being placed
upon the scribblers. By this method a scribbler can be arranged to run a whole
day or longer with once attending to.
"
Though I have named a "Blamire's feed as being the best adapted for
producing even cloth according to my Invention, yet by the method of feeding
direct from the " rag machine a roll of fibres may be made at the end of such
rag machine" by being wrapped longitudinally to any desired size upon a
horizontally placed canvas bed or sheet, and then taken direct to the scribbler,
thereby avoiding the necessity of being "teased " or " willeyed."

page_text: And in order that my Invention may be completely understood reference is given
to the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings and to the letters and marks theroon.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a side clevation of one arrangement of machine; Fig. 2, a plan looking
at the top of the same, constructed in accordance with my Invention; Fig. 3, u
detail representing side elevation of a modification of feed arrangement applicable
to Figs. 1 and 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a plan and side elevation of further
modifications of my Invention; Fig. 6 shews apparatus attached to rag machine
for producing the material to be operated upon; Fig. 7 is a modification of feed
arrangement applicable to Figs. 4 and 5.
I commence my operations at the rag machine after oiling the rags as required,
and placing the amount thereof in one heap to the required size of blend. I then
weigh the rags and place them upon the rag machine server or creeper to a given
or gauged length after the manner in which wool is now weighed upon the server
of the scribbler.
The proper proportions of the wool and mungo is of the highest importance in
the manufacture of the goods, as above specified; to accomplish this let one square
foot of "mungo bed" weigh, say, four ounces from the rag machine, and by having,
say, three feeds for mungo on the scribbler and one for wool, would give three
of mungo to one of wool, the wool bed being the same weight per square foot;
or by allowing one square foot of wool to weigh, say, one ounce on the above scale,
would give twelve of inungo to one of wool, which is generally blended about
that proportion for mungo goods. Any proportions can be accomplished by
making the calculation as above.
I provide what is known as a "Blamire's feed" to the rag machine, and cause
the fibres to be thrown from the "rag machine swift" onto a travelling surface, or
are caused to fall upon the surfaces to two revolving drums, between which the
fibres are pressed together to the required thickness, and passed from thence
to Blamire's feed," and formed into rolls; or instead of "Blamire's feed " I
attach the apparatus shewn at Fig. 6, in which a is the tube or pipe in
communication with the rag machine; the material is blown up this tube
onto a travelling sheet b, and on this travelling sheet bit is passed between
pressing rollers c and d, the upper roller & of which is mounted in adjustable
bearings, and may be fluted. It then continues its course between one or more
pairs of rollers e and f; from thence it passes forward on the travelling sheet, and
is coiled in a roll g of suitable diameter; it is then ready for the next operation.
The herein before mentioned pressing rollers and rollers / for carrying the sheet
are mounted on suitable framework i, and attached to the tube or rag machine
pipe. A loose cover is provided at j that can be taken off at pleasure when
required. In all cases the belt that gives motion to the first feed of the rag machine
must be employed for driving "Blamire's " or other feed, or they must be so driven
that they work together, and that their movement be simultaneous. When the
material is of such a nature that the fibres when being unrolled have a tendency to
adhere to each other I pass in between the coils a sheet for the purpose of pre-
serving the coils separate from each other, but in all other cases this sheet may be
dispensed with.
Any required number of these rolls 9 are then taken and operated upon on
machine shewn at Figs. 1 and 2. In this machine between suitable framework 1,
2, 3, 4, and 5, 1 carry the rolls g that have been passed direct from the "rag
machine" onto "Blamire's" or other feed, shown at Fig. 6. Between each of these
frames is carried on suitable rollers 6 a creeper or feed sheet 7 or feed roller 8. The
movement of these sheets 7 or feed rollers 8 have, by their friction on the rolls g, the
effect of uncoiling it and feeding it to the machine hereafter described. The material
is carried forward from the feed sheets 7 or feed rollers 8 by means of drawing
rollers 9 or their equivalents, which are mounțe in the upright framework 10, and

page_text: from thence taken onto a carded sheet 11, which is kept at the required degree of
tension and rigidity by means of the rollers 12 and driving roller 13; from this it
is caught up from an adjustable carded roller 14, and thence taken onto the breast
cylinder 144 of the scribbler, after which it passes through the scribbling process in
the ordinary way. I impart the required motion to the feed sheets 7 by means of
the worms 15 and worm wheels 16, also in the same manner when the feed rollers 8
are employed. Motion is transmitted thereto through pulleys 17 and 18 from the
breast cylinder shaft 19. Motion is also imparted to the carded sheet 11 through
pulleys 20 and 21 from breast cylinder shaft 19. Motion is imparted to the
intermediate carded roller 14 through pulleys 22 and 23 from the breast cylinder
shaft 19. When preferred and convenient the various motions may be obtained
from parts other than the breast cylinder shaft. Other parts of the scribbler not
described and shewn are of ordinary construction.
On Figs. 4 and 5, 24 shews part of the framework of a scribbler; 25 is the
breast cylinder of ordinary construction; 26, 27, and 28 represent extensions of the
framework, on which are mounted the creeper or feed sheets 29, the rollers 30
for carrying these being fitted in suitable bearings; 31 are rolls of material from the
rag machine, which are caused to revolve and pay out the material direct to the
breast cylinder, it being conducted thereto between the rollers 32 and 33. Motion
is imparted to the creeper sheets 29 through worms 34 and 35 and worm wheels
36 and 37, being transmitted thereto through pulleys 38 and 39 from breast
cylinder shaft 40 or other convenient source. Motion is transmitted from the worm
wheel 36 to the various creeper sheets or rollers 29 by pitch chains 41 or other
equivalent means.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and described with the
aid of Drawings how the saine may be carried into practice, I would have it under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the exact details or configuration of the parts
have expressed and shewn, as the same may be varied or modified without departing
from the nature of my said Invention, but what I do claim and desire to be secured
to me by Letters Patent is,-
First. The application of "Blamire's" feed to rag machines for producing rolls of
mungo direct therefrom, substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
Second. The arrangement, construction, and application of feed, shewn at Fig. 6,
for producing rolls of mungo direct from the rag machine, substantially as and for
purposes herein set forth.
Third. The arrangement, construction, and application of apparatus for feeding
scribblers and carders with material from the above mentioned rolls, substantially
as shewn and described for Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Fourth. The combination of the feeds with scribblers or carders for the purpose
of blending various colours of material, and fed simultaneously onto the scribbler or
carder, substantially as herein set forth.
Fifth. The means for regulating the evenness of weight of the mungo rag bed,
substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Clapham, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty eighth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
JOHN CLAPHAM. (L.S.)