IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF MACHINERY OR APPARATUS USED IN PREPARING COTTON, WOOL, OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS TO BE SPUN
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Moorhouse, of Denton, in the County of
Lancaster, Tailor, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN PARTS
OF MACHINERY OR APPARATUS USED IN PREPARING COTTON, WOOL, OR OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS TO BE SPUN."
Sealed the 6th February 1855, and dated the 8th August 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Moorhouse at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th August 1854.
I, HENRY MOORHOUSE, of Denton, in the County of Lancaster, Tailor, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN
PARTS OF MACHINERY OR APPARATUS USED IN PREPARING COTTON, WOOL, OR OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS TO BE SPUN," to be as follows:-
I intend this my improved machine or apparatus as a substitute for the
apparatus generally known as the coiler and plunger, which are used to receive
and compress the slivers into cans or vessels as they are received from the
drawing or similar frames.
Instead of feeding the cans with the slivers from the top, and pressing them
down at fixed periods by a weight rising and falling alternately, as is done..by

page_text: the plunger, I propose to convey the slivers from the rollers to the top of the
can, and guide them down to the bottom of it by means of an angular or other
shaped guide, which is fixed or attached to a presser of peculiar shape or con-
figuration, so that as the can revolves the slivers are placed under the said
presser, and raise it up by their own power or substance as the can fills. I
balance the said presser by a pully and weight, or spring, or other similar
contrivance, to prevent an undue or unnecessary weight to be lifted by the
slivers, but which may be regulated as required. By means of this presser
being continually kept on the slivers, I am enabled to put a considerably
greater quantity in each can than has been hitherto accomplished, and the
machinery employed is more simple, creating less friction, and thereby causing
a saving in labour and lubricating matter. The accompanying outline
Drawing shews an elevation and plan of my improved apparatus, and also
two views of the presser, which, however, may be modified in shape to answer
the same purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Moorhouse in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th February 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
MOORHOUSE, of Denton, in the County of Lancaster, Tailor, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, hearing date the Eighth day of August, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her reign, did, for Ierself, Her
heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Henry Moorhouse,
Her special licence that I, the said Henry Moorhouse, my executors,
.administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry Moorhouse,
my exccutors, administrators, or 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 CERTAIN PARTS
OF MACHINERY OR APPARATUS USED IN PREPARING COTTON, WOOL, OR OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS TO BE SPUN," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Henry Moorhouse, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-

page_text: tion, 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 Henry Moorhouse, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment (that is to say):-
These improvements are intended to facilitate the processes of preparation
at those stages wherein a continuous web or sliver of. cotton or other fibrous
material is produced, which requires to be collected and transferred to another
place or machine, as is the case with the products of the carding engine and
drawing frame. The material as it leaves the last-mentioned machines is
usually received in tall cylindrical cans. Its open and fleccy texture causes it
to occupy considerable space, and the capacity of the cans being limited, while
the operations of the machines proceed with great rapidity, frequent removal of
the cans is necessary, to prevent the overflow of the material and consequent
waste. Such frequent removals entail a large amount, of labor, and render
necessary more frequent piecings than are desirable. It is, therefore, of
importance that the receptacles of the carding ends or slivers should be made
to contain the greatest quantity possible without detriment to the material, and
various mechanical contrivances have from time to time been devised for
compressing the slivers or carding ends into the cans in as compact a form and
as close a body as the nature of their substances will allow.
Amongst others, Her Majesty's Royal Letters Patent, bearing date the
Twenty-ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-three, were granted to me for an Invention of a method of
effecting this purpose, whereby the slivers were disposed in straight horizontal
layers, by means of a traversing motion imparted by an eccentric cam, such
slivers being drawn in by the action of conical rollers.
My present Invention consists in a novel and improved arrangement and
combination of mechanism or apparatus for effecting the same purpose, by
depositing the carding ends, webs, or slivers in compact coils or convolutions in
the cans as they proceed, from the carding engine, drawing frame, or other
preparing machine, subjecting them at the same time to compression by a block
or presser, which compression commences from the bottom of the can, and
continues as the coiling proceeds progressively upwards until the can is filled.
By this improved apparatus, the carding end, sliver, or web is deposited in
circular layers or coils by the rotation of the can round its own axis, and such
coiling takes place under the pressure exerted by the weight of a block or

page_text: presser constantly resting upon the material, and moveable in a vertical
direction only. This block or presser is gradually elevated by the accumulation
beneath it of the successive layers or coils of material as they become.sufli-
ciently condensed or hardened by the action of such presser to enable them to
.overcome its gravitating force. The ends or slivers, falling into the can from
above, enter the space beneath the presser, through an opening in the latter,
and the part deposited, partaking the rotary motion of the can, exerts upon the
following portion a draught or tractive force sufficient to draw that also beneath
the presser, and thus the deposition of successive layers is continued until the
can is filled. In applying the apparatus I employ cans of the size and
'form of those in ordinary use. Each can when placed in readiness to receive
the carding end or sliver stands on a circular,horizontal plate, which rotates on
a central stud, and receives its motion, from such of the moving parts of the
engine or frame as may be most eligible for the purpose.. The block or presser
has a vertical guide rod or stem, rising perpendicularly from its upper side, and
sliding through eyes or holes in arms or brackets overhanging the can, which
allow it free motion in a vertical direction, but restrain it from lateral deviation,
and cause the centre of the presser always to coincide with the axial line of the
can. The presser may be of greater weight than is required for the compression
of the material in the can, and the superfluous weight neutralised by moveable
counterweights, depending from a chain or cord carried over a balance wheel,
and attached, by its contrary end to the top of the guide rod; or it may be con-
structed of such a weight as may be deemed equivalent to the minimum degree
of pressure likely to be required, and the pressure increased, if necessary, by
attaching to the presser or guide rod small removeable weights, the balance
wheel and chain with their appendages being thus dispensed with. If the
sliver is to be passed through an opening in the body of the presser between
its centre and outer edge, it will be requisite to attach an upright V shaped or
semi-cylindrical guide or conductor, with its open side presented towards the
frame or engine, for the purpose of conducting the sliver to the oponing. But
if the passage is formed by the removal of part of the side of the presser, in
the manner represented at Figures 3 and 4 in the first Sheet of the accom-
panying Drawings, the guide will be unnecessary, as the sliver in its descent
will follow. tlie side of the can, and fall spontaneously into the hollow channel
prepared for it. I prefer the latter form, as being more simple in construction
and more convenient for the attendant.
For transmitting rotatory motion from the engine or frame to the can,
different arrangements of mecharism are applicable, according to the con-
struction of the particular machine to.which the apparatus is to be applied.

page_text: The arrangement best adapted to each case will readily suggest itself, to the
machinist.
I have annexed to these presents two Sheets of illustrative Drawings, by
the aid of which I propose to explain more particularly the nature and action
of my improved apparatus, together with a mode of applying it to an ordinary
carding engine, by way of example, considering it superfluous to enter at
greater length into such of the details of construction as do not form an
essential part of the Invention, and are subject to variations to suit the
exigencies of particular cases.
In Sheet 1, Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus, shewing the can and
the apparatus which carries it (or can motion) in section; Figure 2 is a plan
view of the can motion; Figures 3 and 4 represent respectively the upper and
lower sides of the presser.
In Sheet 2, Figures 5 and 6 shew the apparatus applied in its working
position at the head of a carding engine; Figure 5- being a-front, and Figure 6,
a side view. The same parts are indicated in different Figures by the same
numerical characters.
In Figure 1, Sheet 1, a can of the ordinary description is represented. in
section at.1; 2 is the block or presser, moving freely in a vertical direction, but
retained in its perpendicular path by the guide rod 3, which slides through eyes
or slots in stationary arms or brackets overhanging the can. The block or
presser 2 may be of wood, metal, or any other suitable material. In the present
case it is supposed to be of wood, and is represented in Figures 3 and 4, the
former shewing its upper, the latter its lower.surface. 4 is the opening in the
side of and through the presser, by which the sliver passes into the subjacent
part of the can. It leads into a groove 5 in the under side of the presser,
which follows the course shewn in the Drawing, its depth gradually diminishing
until it merges in the under surface of the presser. This groove receives and
conducts the sliver to the place where it is to be deposited. The can 1 stands
in a shallow circular recess or cavity in the upper side of the can plate 6, the
central boss of which is bored to receive the stud 7 fixed in the foot plate 8.
The can is made to revolve on the stud by means hereafter adverted to. 9 is
the 'web, carding end, or sliver of fibrous material, falling into the can from the
machine in which it is produced; and 10, a quantity of the same already
deposited under the presser. The dotted line A, B, in the plan view, Figure 2,
is the line of the axes of the calender rollers of the engine, and it is inserted for
the purpose of shewing the position in which the apparatus is intended to stand
relatively to the engine head. Supposing the can to be now in motion round
its own axis in a direction from left to right, the mass. 10 of fibrous material

page_text: already occupying the lower portion of the can will partake of its motion, the
smooth surface of the presser offering little or no resistance. The gyrations of
the mass 10 exert a draught on the succeeding portions of the sliver con-
tinuously supplied from above, which are thereby drawn through the opening
in the presser, and disposed beneath it in the form of coils or convolutions over
the previously deposited mass, a fresh coil or layer being added by each revo-
lution of the can. The texture of the sliver or end is condensed or compressed
at the same time by the superincumbent presser to a degree of compactness
proportioned to the weight of the latter, the accumulation of the coils or layers
at the same time gradually elevating the presser, and thus the process con-
tinues until the can is filled. It will be seen that no positive mechanical motion
is required, except that of the can, which is effected by the means represented
in Figures 5 and 6 (Sheet 2). The can plate 6, as before mentioned, revolves
on a stud in the foot plate 8. Its under sido is furnished with a flanch 11.
(see Figure 1), which forms a pulley for the reception of the strap 12. This
strap also embraces another pulley 13, fixed on the upright shaft 14, which last
carries on its upper extremity a bevil wheel 15. 16 is another bevil wheel,
carried by the shaft or spindle of the lower calender roller 17, and gearing
with the wheel 15. 18 is the upper calender roller; 19, tho doffing cylinder;
20, the shaft; and 21, 22, the wheels which drive the lower calender roller;
23 and 24 are arms projecting from the upright pillar or stem 25, in the ex-
tremities of which are the holes or slots through which the guide rod 3 works.
The upright 25 is here conveniently affixed to the front of the standards
which carry the calcuder rollers. 26 is a small spring pressing against the
guide rod 3, and acting as a break or drag, to prevent it descending too
suddenly after being clevated for the purpose of changing the can; 27 is an
eye in the top of the guide rod, to which a chain may be attached for the
purpose of carrying the counterweights before mentioned, if it is preferred to
use them. The communication of motion from the shaft of the calender
roller 17 through the upright shaft 14, pulley 13, and strap 12, to the can
plate may be easily traced. The ratio of the magnitudes of the bevil wheels
16 and 15 will determine the velocity of the can plate relatively to that of
the calender rollers; and it is evident that the speed of the former must be
so regulated, that the length of sliver contained in each turn of the coil
shall be equal to the quantity delivered from the latter during one revolution
of the can.
I would here mention, that although I have assigned a special form or
configuration to the block or presser in Figures 3 and 4, yet I do not wish
it to be understood that such form or configuration is by any means an

page_text: essential part of the arrangement which constitutes my Invention; the
result of my experience on this head is that the shape of the presser may
be varied or modified to a considerable extent, without materially changing
its effect. The form I have herein represented and described possesses,
however, the recommendations of being simple and easy of construction, and
I have found it quite as efficient as any.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be carried into effect, I wish it
to be further understood that I am fully aware that the compression of slivers
or webs of fibrous material into cans, by means of a moveable block or presser
through the body of which the sliver is made to pass, has been heretofore
practised and described; but the compression in such cases has not been
effected by the gravitating force of the presser, but by means of external
power or mechanical force applied to the apparatus, in such manner as to make
the bottom of the can and the pressing block approach each other from time to
time, thereby squeezing the material previously introduced between them. I
am also aware that the block or presser has been elevated in part by the
accumulation of the mass of sliver beneath it; but such elevation has also been
in part due to the agency of mechanical force or power applied to the apparatus,
and the pressure of the block has not been maintained equably upon the sub-
jected material, nor its elevation effected gradually and progressively and wholly
by the accumulation of such material beneath it, as in my arrangement. I am
also aware that the indraught of the sliver through the presser has been effected
by the revolving motion of the can. I therefore do not claim as new, or as
part of this my Invention, the mere compression of the fibrous material by the
aid of a block or presser, unless such compression is due solely to the gravity
of such block or presser; neither do I claim the arrangement set forth herein
so far as it applies to the elevation of the block or presser to make room for
additional material in the can, save and except as to that part of the same
whereby such clevation is effected solely in consequence of the accumulation
of material under the presser, and in a gradual and progressive manner, corre-
sponding to such accumulation, so as to maintain an equable and uniform
pressure upon the material throughout; neither do I make any exclusive
claim to the mechanism for turning the can, and thereby effecting the
indraught of the sliver, provided the same is not applied in combination with
some other part or parts of my improved arrangement; but the parts of such
arrangement which I do claim as novel and of my Invention arc,-
Firstly, the employment of a block or presser for effecting the compression
of the web, sliver, or carding end, by the downward pressure or force resulting

page_text: from the gravity of such block or presser, and independently of any approxi-
mation of the presser and bottom of the can by mechanical means applied
directly for that purpose.
Secondly, the construction and arrangement of the presser and its guide
rod; in the manner herein-before described, in so far as the said presser is
thereby adapted to exert an equable and uniform pressure on the material in
the can throughout the process of filling such can, such presser being moreover
gradually raised by the accumulation of the condensed material beneath it
without any mechanism applied directly for that purpose.
Thirdly, the combination of the use of the before-described block or presser
for the purpose of compressing the fibrous material, by its gravitating force
with that of a can movement for effecting the indraught of the web or sliver,
and the disposition thereof in coils or circular layers by the revolving motion
of such can or vessel, as herein-before explained.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Moorhouse, have hereunto set my.
hand and seal, this Seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
HENRY (L.S.) MOORHOUSE.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the herein-named
Henry Moorhouse, in the presence of
J. TAYLER,
Patent Agent,
Manchester.