Improvements in Machinery for Dressing and Preparing for Spinning Long Fibres.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left. 19th Jan.. 1893-Accepted, 25th Feb., 1893
་་
PROVISIONAL. SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Dressing and Preparing for
Spinning Long Fibres.
I, CHARLES DE BAILLIENCOURT, in care of Messrs. E. Bede & Cie., Rue
Philippe-le-Bon 37 Brussels in the Kingdom of Belgium Manufacturer, do hereby
leclare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of carding or combing machines for treating
long stapled textile materials, in which these materials hereinafter termed fibres
are suspended in or by clamping holders or presses carried by or upon a carrying
beam to which a reciprocating motion in a vertical plane is imparted for the
purpose of dressing the fibres between cards fixed upon endless revolving aprons or
otherwise, and in which these clamps or presses being placed on the carrying beam
at or near one end thereof, are during the action of the machine from time to time
shifted along the said beam towards the other end thereof whereby the fibres are
brought under the successive action of cards of increasing fineness, until eventually
reaching the opposite end of the carrying beam they are within the field of action
of the finest cards used in the machine and the combing is thereupon finished.
In former machines of this class, the fibres suspended from the presses have
either been simultaneously acted upon along their whole length by which great
waste resulted, or else by allowing the fibres to gradually descend between the
combs up to their full extent, their extremities were unduly subjected to a too
prolonged dressing by each set of combs. To obviate this the carrying beams have
been arranged on an incline so that as the presses move successively along the
beam from the higher to the lower end the fibres are gradually and successively
lowered so, that a longer length is brought under the action of each successive set
of combs. Such beams were however set at a permanent incline so that the tension
of the combing was not perpendicular to the presses, and in each press a certain
triangular shaped portion of the fibres was left uncombed.
The object of this invention is to obviate these inconveniences and to that end,
it consists principally in giving to the beam a combined movement; being a recipro-
cating vertical movement with a movement of progressive inclination so as to effect
a combing tangential to the helicoidal arrangement of the teeth of the cards,
secondly, in so arranging or constructing the clamping frames or presses that they
preserve their horizontality whether the beam carrying them be horizontal or
inclined, so that the broadest surface of fibre is exposed to the cards and the action
of combing is more free; thirdly, in dividing the combing into different stages,
each being a complete combing operated in gradual and progressive action on
different portions of the fibre until the whole has been subjected to the
respective stage of combing; fourth in dividing the machine as regards the
carrying beam into two or more parts each strictly confined to the amount
necessary to complete the combing of one of the successive stages before
mentioned and operating as a separate beam with or without an inclined move-
ment as described in the first improvement; fifth in the spacing of the teeth
of the cards so that for each stage of the combing, teeth at uniform distances apart
are arranged on the cards, those for the first stage being widest apart, those for
the last stage nearest together of the grades employed for the cards of the successive
stages.
As regards the first improvement, the beam is not caused to remain horizontal
throughout its whole length of travel but is given an angular movement preferably
by arresting one end of the beam after it has descended to the desired distance for

page_text: that end and allowing the other end to further descend; afterwards drawing up
the lower end prior to commencing to draw up the arrested end. The beam will
thus have a horizontal travel during a certain time and during the remainder an
angular travel.
In certain instance the horizontal travel may be reduced, to zero by arresting
one end altogether, or by moving the two ends with different speeds; similarly
when desired, by arresting the other end of the beam-also, sooner or later after the
first end has been arrested, or by bring the different speeds into nearer conformity
the angular movement may be adjusted or if desired totally extinguished.
It may here be mentioned that when the machine is divided as in the fourth.
improvement, the angular movement of the several beams may be dispensed with
for instance by causing them to descend "in echelon," that is to say to successive
depths, the second further than the first, the third further than the second and so
on, always maintaining their horizontality.
In fact, owing to the second improvement, the angular position of the beam is
reduced to a movement in echelon of the presses thereon, for these presses being
pivoted or running on rockers trimnions or equivalents on the beam always assume
a horizontal position and thus on an inclined beam place themselves step fashion or
in echelon.
In arranging for the third, fourth and fifth improvements, the successive stages
of combing may be done on successive machines, each with a single continuous
beam either angularly moved so that the gradation of combing is from one machine
to the other; or kept horizontal in which case it is the length of material combed
which varies and increases from one machine to the other and the graduation of the
combs occurs repeatedly once in each machine.
But when one machine is divided by making the beam as two or more beams
these operate as separate machines each in connection with its set of appropriate
cards substantially as just described.
Where each beam operates for a complete stage of combing in which the whole
of the fibre is combed before being passed to the next stage to be there similarly
treated with finer combs, each set of combs is uniform as regards distance of the
teeth therein, but the first set is coarser than the second and the second coarser
than the third and so on through as many sets as there may be, as regards this
distance between the teeth.
Suitable hooks or pawls pivoted on a longitudinal reciprocating bar are arranged
to move the presses on the beams and to prevent the latter moving out of place or
sliding off the beam when the latter is inclined, a detent pawl is arranged on the
said bar which abuts against a stop and arrests the foremost press on the beam
when the presses are at rest on the beam and releases the said press when the bar
is drawn back to again propel the presses forward.
Dated this 19th day of April 1892.
HERBERT & Co.,
Agents to Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Dressing and Preparing for
Spinning Long Fibres.
CHARLES DE BAILLIENCOURT in care of Messieurs E. Bede & Cie. of
37 Rue Philippe le Bon, Brussels in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in which manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to that class of carding or combing machines for treating
long stapled textile materials in which these materials, hereinafter termed fibres, are
suspended in or by clamping holders or presses carried by or upon a carrying beam

page_text: to which a reciprocating motion in a vertical plane is imparted for the purpose of
dressing the fibres between cards fixed upon endless revolving aprons or otherwise,
and in which these clamps or presses being placed on the carrying beam at or near
one end thereof are during the action of the machine from time to time shifted
along the said beam towards the other end thereof whereby the fibres are brought
under the successive action of cards ofi ncreasing fineness, until eventually reaching
the opposite end of the carrying beam they are within the field of action of the
finest cards used in the machine and the combing is thereupon finished.
In former machines of this class the fibres suspended from the presses have
either been simultaneously acted upon along their whole length, by which great
waste resulted, or else by allowing the fibres to gradually descend between the
combs up to their full extent, their extremities were unduly subjected to a too pro-
longed dressing by each set of combs. To obviate this the carrying beams have
been arranged on an incline so that as the presses move successively along the beam
from the higher to the lower end, the fibres are gradually and successively lowered
so that a longer length is brought under the action of each successive set of combs.
Such beams were however set at a permanent incline so that the tension of the
combing was not perpendicular to the presses and in each press a certain triangular
shaped portion of the fibres was left uncombed.
The object of this invention is to obviate these inconveniences and to that end it
consists principally in giving to the beam a combined movement, being a recipro-
cating vertical movement with a movement of progressive inclination so as to effect
a combing tangential to the helicoidal arrangement of the teeth of the cards,
secondly in so arranging or constructing the clamping frames or presses that their
horizontality when at the lowest point of their stroke is preserved not only when the
beam carrying them is horizontal as in one form of the machine, but when it is
inclined, so that the broadest surface of fibre is exposed to the cards, the action of
combing is more free and there are no triangular spaces left uncombed, thirdly in
dividing the combing into different stages each being a complete combing operated
in gradual and progressive action on different portions of the fibre until the whole
has been subjected to the respective stage of combing, fourth in dividing the
machine as regards the carrying beam, into two or more parts, each strictly confined
to the amount necessary to complete the combing of one of the successive stages
before mentioned and operating as a separate beam with or without an inclined
movement as described in the first improvement, fifth in the spacing of the teeth
of the cards so that for each stage of the combing teeth at uniform distances apart
are arranged on the cards those for the first stage being widest apart, those for the
last stage nearest together the grades employed for the cards of the successive
stages.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the improvements as applied to a machine
of the class previously described-
Fig. 1 is an end elevation thereof.
Fig. 2 a detail view of the upper part of Fig. 1 showing the parts in a different
position and illustrating a convenient method of supporting the end of the beam
upon or by a flexible strap.
Fig. 3 a front elevation of the machine divided as respects its beam into two
divisions showing in full lines the oblique position and in dotted lines the horizontal
position of the beams.
Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the gradually decreasing space between the teeth
of the aprons of the old system.
Fig. 5 detail views of a press or clamp of the old system with gudgeons i at
equal heights.
Fig. 6 similar views of a clamp or press of my improved system with gudgeons ¿¿¹
at different heights.
Fig. 7a press of the old system filled with fibre showing at æx¹¹ the triangular
space left uncombed.
Fig. 8 a diagram showing the tangential action of the angular movement of the

page_text: beam obtained by the present invention, in relation to the helicoidal arrangement
of the teeth of the aprons.
... Fig. 8 is a detail view in elevation showing the mechanism for moving the presses
or clamp.
Fig. 9 and 10 are diagrams intended to illustrate the analogy between an angulary
moved beam and one divided the divisions being moved separately in "echelon."
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal elevation showing the arrangement of angularly moved
sections of the beam with the operating mechanism connected with the movement
of the clamps hereinafter explained. This figure-shows-the initial and final positions
_of-the-sections of the beam.
Fig. 12 shows the initial and final positions of the section of a beam moving in
"echelon" with the apparatus connected with the shifting of the clamps.
The above figures represent a machine with two beams or in other words a beam
in two sections but any number of sections may be employed.
Considering each section as in fact a separate machine, each machine carries only-
a single continuous beam, whether with angular movement (the gradations of
combing occurring from each machine to the next) or rectilinear movement main-
taining its horizontality (the progress of combing at different heights successively
increasing from each machine to the next). In this latter case the beam descends
further in the second machine than in the first, in the third further than in the
second and so on up to the last of any number of machines.
I lay no claim to the mechanism for operating the various parts of the improved
machines as this does not differ from that of similar machines in use and need not
therefore be described nor is there any novelty in the construction of the several
parts except that
1) The travelling course of the beams whether for angular or
movement
"7
2) The construction and movement of the clamps and
"echelon
3) The spacing of the teeth of the carding aprons are modified with a view to
arrest the beam at the places desired and to operate the improved scheme of
gradation of the combing.
111
Referring to Fig. 3, A and B are the two beains carrying the clamps mm² m
etc. containing the fibres to be combed. A central upright framing D separates
these two beams which are shung on straps f¹ fixed on the rims of
sectors gggg on the shaft N. This shaft is given a reciprocating rotary
movement through intermediation of the outermost sectors G G which carry
counterweights P P to balance the weight of the beams and their contents.
sectors GG are moved by the rod d operated by any suitable gear in the base of
the machine.
The
The sections or beams A, B starting from their uppermost horizontal positions as
shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, fall, suspended by the straps ffff main-
taining their horizontality through the first portion of their descending course until
they arrive in the intermediate position indicated by the letters AB. At this
point the entering ends of the beams arrive upon the stops cc and are prevented
from falling further while the leaving ends of the beams descend further in the
position shown at A" B. The beams thus swing upon the detents ce as upon
pivots. In the highest position of the beams the fibres in the clamps thereon are
out of reach of the revolving aprons on the drums K L Fig. 1 but as the beams
descend to the position A¹ B at which they commence their angular movement the
fibres come with their lower extremities under action of the combs and as the beain
descends throughout its angular travel the length of fibre acted upon is increased
in proportion to the distance of the clamp from the pivot of the beam. As the
beams are raised by the reversed movement of the sectors g gg" g" they are first
lifted by the extended straps until they become horizontal when the
loosened straps ff" will become taut and the beams will be drawn up equally at
both ends.
a
:
An inspection of the diagram Fig. 8 will show that by giving this angular move-

page_text: ment to the beams they cause the fibres to describe an arc practically tangent to
the helicoidal lines of teeth in the aprons and that the fibres are combed in this
direction.
In order that the fibres may be completely operated upon by the combs without
leaving triangular spaces in each bunch as in Fig. 7, the clamps whether on a
horizontal (échelon) or on an inclined beam when in the lowest position of the
beam must present horizontal edges to the combs. For this purpose where the
inclined beam is used instead of fixing the suspending pins of the clamps in a
line parallel to the edge of the clamp as in Fig. 5 they must be fixed the one with
regard to the other on an oblique line corresponding with the maximum obliquity
of the beam when in its lowest angular position. Each clamp thus becomes
horizontal when the beam is oblique and lies obliquely on the beam when the latter
is horizontal.
When the beams arrive at the highest part of their course they lie end to end in
a straight line, the clamps are then pushed along by the means hereinafter described
so that when the beams next descend the fibres are subjected to a more extended
combing. The nearest clamp to the entering end of the first beam gives place for
a fresli one to be inserted and the last clamp on that beam is pushed into the
entering end of the second beam whose clamps are also shifted along the last of
them being similarly transferred to a third beam, if there be one, or if not then
ejected from the machine to a suitable receiver.
I may remark that in the old system the advancement of the clamps was to bring
the fibres under the action of finer combs but my improved system contemplates
advancement for the purpose of bringing a longer portion reckoned from the end of
the fibre under combs of the same grade as that which has just combed the shorter
length.
Above the clamps is a longitudinally reciprocating bar H provided with pawls S
pivoted thereto, one for each clamp. The bar H is moved by the bar Z con-
necting it to a rocking lever moved by suitable gear, and when so moved towards
the entering end of the machine, the pawls S move idly back; but when the bar H
is drawn back towards the leaving end, the pawls S engage with and push the clamps
in the same direction.
Where there are more than one beam or section of beams the rod H on the last
beam or section is moved directly by the rod Z and moves the next rod H by means
of a lug H which engages over an upwardly extended pin H2 on the latter rod
when the rods H are brought into allignment, a similar construction connects each of
the rods to the next so that all the rods H. are moved simultaneously. As the
beams or sections fall into their inclined position the pins I leave the lugs and
permit thus of the disconnection of the rods H H.
.
To prevent the clamps when moved forward by the pawls S on the rods H from
being pushed too far, or moving under the impetus given them so far that others
besides the last clamp on each beam or section are pushed onto the next beam or
section, or the clamp next succeeding the clamp to be so transferred from beam to
beam is pushed beyond the extremity of the beam on which the said clamp lies; a
locking device is employed consisting of the pawl t pivoted at a suitable place on
the bar H of each beam and acting as a detent in conjunction with a fixed cross
pin u on the beam. As the bar His pushed forward and approaches the foremost
limit of its travel this locking pawl t meets the pin u and the latter prevents the
pawlt from being lifted. In this position the said pawl lies in the path of the
clamps, preferably in the path of the rearmost of the two pins by which the clamp
is supported on the beam, so as to form a stop against which the clamp, next to that
which has just been protruded onto the beam next in front, arrives. This detent
prevents any further movement of the clamp so retained and consequently of all the
following clamps on the beam or section. As the bar H is drawn back the pawl t
moves with it and riding easily over the pins of the clamps in its path, is, at its
rearward point supported upon the pin was shown at t Figs. 11 and 12 out of the
path of the pins of the clamps.

page_text: To prevent the clamps on the beam from sliding off when the beam is inclined,
there is provided the end of each beam a socket in which slides a bolt R protruded
upwardly by a spring or equivalent operating device such as a weight and adapted
when so protruded to lie in the path of the last clamp and so prevent its sliding off
the beam. When the beam is in its horizontal position and alligned with the next
beam this bolt is depressed and so rendered inoperative for its previously stated
purpose by the next beam against the under face of which the upper end of the
bolt R arrives and presses.
-As-before-mentioned-there is-identity-in-principle-between-the-dividing-of-the-
beams into angularly movable sections and their division into sections moveable in
." echelon."
As inspection of Fig. 9 will show each clamp after rising and falling
will pass to the succeeding place m to m', m' to m² etc. to m², thus following inter-
mittently the oblique line m m³ and that this course is retraversed by cach clamp
on its passing along each succeeding section or beam. Referring now to Fig. 10
which represents the beams moving in "echelon" and considering each clamp
separately from its point of departure on one beam to its point of departure on the
next it follows an oblique line m" m³ and similarly from the second beam to the
third and so on, so that its course is substantially similar to that in Fig. 9 and in
principle is the same, only that in Fig. 9 the travel is reduced that is to say from one
clamp to the next, while in Fig. 10 it is amplified being from one beam to the
next.
To provide for the descent of the beams in échelon it is necessary only to provide
two arresting pins for each beam one for each end and the desired height and on
the same level, those for the first beam being above those for the second and so on,
the last beam being allowed to fall to the lowest level. As the beams successively
reach their lowest levels allowed them their suspending straps bag loosely under
the continued movement of the sectors on which they are fixed so that this move-
ment of the beams in "échelon " in no way requires any alteration of action or
structure of the operating gear.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that this invention provides for a rational
and progressive combing of long stapled fibres in which parallelism of the fibres is
preserved without any lateral tension or distortion in combing in which the longer
fibres are not so liable to be torn out and the yield is consequently greater and more
valuable.
I prefer however to yet further modify the arrangement of teeth on the combs
to more fully attain the purposes in view and so that fibres may be worked to any
degree of fineness; for this purpose the combs for the contents of each section or
beam are made so that the distance between the teeth are equal throughout, while
the combs for the second beam or section are finer than those for the first and
those for the third beam or section finer than for the second and so on the last
beam or section having the finest combs.
Thus in comparison to the former system in which the fineness of the combs
increased for the successive positions of each clamp and the combing for each
grade was therefore insufficient, the improved system renders the fiueness of the
combs progressive only with the divisions of the beam so that each set of fibres
passes through a complete combing-by-cach grade of comb before being subjected
to a finer grade.
As the division of the beams may be multiplied to any extent according to
the nature and requirements of the material to be combed, the improved system
permits of installations of machinery which will comb to any degree of fineness
and thus gives also to the manufacturer. the opportunity of utilizing the whole of
such machinery or only part according to the grade of fineness he desires to give
to the finished product.
The advantages produced by employment of the improved system of combing
before described are briefly as follows;-
i) The preservation in its entirety of the fibre combed by the prevention of
tangles and breaking of fibres.

page_text: 2) A greater quantity of combed product especially of the longer fibres.
3) Greater regularity in the bunches issuing from the machine the bunch in:
cach clamp issuing substantially with the same length as when it was inserted in.
the machine.
4 Equal combing of the body and extremities of the filve
2) A greater quantity of combed product especially of the longer fibres.
3) Greater regularity in the bunches issuing from the machine the bunch in
cach clamp issuing substantially with the same length as when it was inserted in.
the machine.
4) Equal combing of the body and extremities of the fibro
5) Less refuse.
6) Greater opportunity for reducing or extending the amount of combing.
7) Longer life for the combs.
These advantages are principally derived from 1) the reciprocal angular move-
ment of the beam producing a combing tangential to the teeth of the combs
2) the progressive nature of the combing due to the obliquely lying beam or
beam in echelons 3) the equal spacing of the teeth for each beam.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is;-
In machinery for dressing and preparing for spinning long fibres,
1) A beam to which an angular movement combined with an up and down move-
ment may be given by suitable mechanism for the purpose and in the manner
substantially as set forth.
2) Clamps or presses having their supporting runners set so that the said clamps.
are horizontal when the beam in which they are placed is in an oblique position.
for the purpose of combing without leaving uncombed spaces in the manner
described.
3) The graduation of the combs in relation to each beam or separately movable
beam section substantially as described whereby each section provides for a complete.
combing to a specific grade and means are afforded for arresting combing at different.
grades.
4) The combination with each beam or separately movable beam section of a
comb or combs having equidistant teeth for the purpose set forth.
5) A beam consisting of two or more separately movable beam sectious to which
angular movement may be given for the completion on each section of a complete
combing to a definite grade, the grades increasing in fineness fon cach section.
6) A beam consisting of two or more separately movable beam sections adapted
to be moved in "échelon" for the completion of combing to the finest desired grade.
of the extremities of the fibres prior to similar combing or higher succeeding
portions.
7) The combination with the beams clamps thereon and bars H of the locking
detent thereon substantially as described for limiting the movement of the clamps.
8) The combination with an angularly movable beam and clamps thereon of a.
spring or equivalently controlled locking bolt R for the purpose of retaining the
clamps on the beam during angular position thereof.
9) The mechanical parts for the production of the above described effects substan--
tially as herein described and illustrated.
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.