An Improved Manufacture of Twine, Specially Adapted for Use with Grain-binding Machinery.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 29th May, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 16th Mar., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Manufacture of Twine, Specially Adapted for Use with
Grain-binding Machinery.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELHUISH HARDINGHAM, of 191, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention (a communication to me from abroad by The McCormick Harvesting
Machine Company, of Chicago, in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, one of
the United States of America, Agricultural Implement Manufacturers), to be as
follows:-
In the manufacture of twine or cord for use upon the modern grain-binder, certain
essentials are needed in the article produced in order to bring it up to the standard
of excellence required to answer all the conditions of an efficient band for bundles
of grain. It should have an uniform tensile strength; it should be of substantially the
same thickness throughout its length, and free from lumps or accumulations of fibres ;
and finally, it should have a smooth hard surface, and the material should be of a
quality not liable to become injuriously affected by exposure to moisture.
Tensile strength is needed that it may resist the strain incidental to the expansion
of the bundle when relieved from the compression given it by the binder-arm or
needle and the compressing fingers; also to enable it to withstand the tension put
upon it while the knot is being tied. Uniform evenness must be had to insure the
proper operation of the different parts of the tying mechanism, while doing their
duty of holding, cutting and uniting the ends of the bands. These parts of a grain-
binder are necessarily somewhat complicated, and require great nicety of adjustment
and accuracy of movement. If the twine be lumpy in places, it will not pass freely
through the eye of the needle and a breakage is apt to occur. If it be thinner in
some parts than in others, it is not only weaker there, but will slip through the
clamps of the holder and necessitate the re-threading the needle. Smoothness and
hardness are required in order that the loop, when formed over the jaws of the knotter,
may be readily stripped off; and also that the operation of the knotter and holder
may not be interfered with by reason of the material becoming fluffy or towy and
fuzzing off into their operating parts.

page_text: These various requirements have heretofore chiefly limited the employment for
making binding twine to two kinds of fibres, known to the trade as manila and sisal.
No other fibres when used alone have been found so well adapted to answer the con-
ditions in all climates, or in all states of the weather, or under all degrees of dampness
in the grain being harvested.
It is for these reasons, therefore, that manila and sisal have heretofore monopolized
the trade in this direction. But while twines made therefrom have been found the
best, they are by no means free from imperfections. So far as regards hardness and
smoothness, and so far also as regards their capacity to withstand moisture, they will
probably always be looked upon as the best; but, notwithstanding the ingenuity that
has been bestowed upon mechanical contrivances to produce them of uniform evenness
throughout their length and to free them from lumps or accumulations of fibres in
places, these objects have not been satisfactorily accomplished.
Now it has been discovered that by running a strand of jute yarn into the untwisted
slivers of manila or sisal as the latter are being conveyed into the spinner, a twine of
almost perfect uniformity as to thickness and strength is obtained.
No special form of nipper or twister need be employed. The process may be
carried on with any well-known make of twine-spinning machinery-the invention
consisting, not in novelty of machinery, but simply in the introduction of jute varn
into the untwisted slivers of manila or sisal, as stated. In the accompanying drawings,
however, is shewn a portion of a well-known type of twine-spinner to more clearly
explain the process to those skilled in the art; Figure 1 being a plan showing the
nipper and a portion of the chain-feed; Figure 2 a side elevation of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 a perspective view of the twine itself, one end of which has the outside
wrapping removed to show the position of the jute yarn, the other end being in course
of completion.
The manila or sisal slivers A are conveyed by the chains B from the source of
supply to the nippers C, in the manner common to this style of machine, and from
thence to the twister, not shewn in the drawing. The nippers are mounted upon the
pivotted arm D, which with its auxiliaries constitutes a well-known form of regulator
for varying the speed with which the chain feeds the slivers to the nippers. Suitably
supported above the chains B is a bobbin or reel E carrying a supply of jute yarn F,
which runs from its bobbin down into the nippers C. As the speed of the chains B
is irregular, according as more or less fibres are to be fed to the nippers, and it
being essential that the yarn should have uniformity of speed, the bobbin E should be
elevated a sufficient distance above the chains to insure the jute running directly to
the nippers without danger of its sagging and thereby mingling with the slivers while
they are yet upon the chains.
Whilst the untwisted slivers of manila or sisal enter the nippers, they lie out flat,
side by side; and as the jute yarn is small and round, they naturally wrap themselves
about it, as they are drawn through by the action of the flyer or twister. Moreover,
as there are many of these fibres to the single yarn, and they are as yet separate and
distinct, the yarn serves as a former or core about which the fibres twist as they get
under the action of the twister. Now, as the jute yarn is small and round, as just
stated, and as it is free from irregularities in size, its excellent function as a former
will be readily perceived. Again, as it is running into the nipper at an uniform
speed, no matter whether the feeding chain be travelling faster or slower, its action
upon the supply of slivers is such that almost perfect evenness in size of the twine
produced is obtained.
The result of this process is a twine of increased strength due to the double twist
imparted to it; namely, that of the jute yarn and that given to the whole twine. A
twine that can be manufactured at less cost than one made entirely of manila or
sisal, since the jute fibre is a cheaper product; and, finally, a more perfect twine than
has been hitherto made, as it is free from any unevenness in size or occasional
accumulations of fibres. Covering, as they do, the jute (or mainly covering it, for
at times, but only to a slight degree, a portion of the yarn will show itself from under
its wrapping), the manila or sisal fibres servo to remove the objectionable features

page_text: before mentioned as attendant upon the use of pure jute twine. It has all the
toughness and smoothness of manila or sisal, and to these qualities is added the great
hardness of the outer fibres; the strength needed to withstand the strain put upon
it while being knotted, as also that due to the expansion of the bundle before referred
to, being thus ensured. Furthermore, enveloping the jute as they do, the manila or
sisal fibres serve to retard its rotting (a peculiarity of jute which might have been
referred to before) and so prevent its destruction when exposed to the action of
moisture in the grain or to the influence of the atmosphere.
The proportion of the jute yarn to the enveloping slivers may be varied according
as a stronger or weaker twine is needed, it being immaterial for the purpose of this
invention what the exact proportions may be, as I should consider any twine or
cordage made in the manner stated and having a core or filling of jute, as falling
within the scope of this invention.
Although the primary object of this invention is to produce an article of twine
suitable for use with grain-binding machinery, it will be obvious that cordage of
various descriptions may be made according thereto, and that the use of such twine
or cordage is not exclusively applicable for the purpose hereinbefore particularly
referred to.
Dated this 17th day of March 1888

page_text: Grain-binding Machinery.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELHUISH HARDINGHAM, of 191, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention (a communication to me from abroad by The McCormick Harvesting
Machine Company, of Chicago, in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, one of the
United States of America, Agricultural Implement Manufacturers) and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
In the manufacture of twine or cord for use upon the modern grain-binder, certain
essentials are needed in the article produced in order to bring it up to the standard
of excellence required to answer all the conditions of an efficient band for bundles of
grain. It should have an uniform tensile strength; it should be of substantially the
same thickness throughout its length, and free from lumps or accumulations of fibres;
and finally, it should have a smooth, hard surface and the material should be of a
quality not liable to become injuriously affected by exposure to moisture.
Tensile strength is needed that it may resist the strain incidental to the expansion of
the bundle when relieved from the compression given it by the binder-arm or needlo
and the compressing fingers; also to enable it to withstand the tension put upon it
while the knot is being tied. Uniform evenness must be had to insure the proper
operation of the different parts of the tying mechanism, while doing their duty of
holding, cutting and uniting the ends of the bands. These parts of a grain-binder are
necessarily somewhat complicated, and require great nicety of adjustment and accuracy
of movement. If the twine be lumpy in places, it will not pass freely through the
eye of the needle and a breakage is apt to occur. If it be thinner in some parts than
in others, it is not only weaker there, but will slip through the clamps of the holder
and necessitate re-threading the needle. Smoothness and hardness are required in
order that the loop, when formed over the jaws of the knotter, may be readily stripped
and also that the operations of the knotter and holder may not be interfered with
by reason of the material becoming fluffy or towy and fuzzing off into their operative
parts.
off;
These various requirements have heretoforo chiefly limited the employment for
making binding twine to two kinds of fibres, known to the trade as manila and sisal.
No other fibres when used alone have been found so well adapted to answer the con-
ditions in all climates, or in all states of the weather, or under all degrees of dampness
in the grain being harvested.
It is for these reasons, therefore, that manila and sisal have heretofore monopolized
the trade in this direction. But while twines made therefrom have been found the
best, they are by no means free from imperfections. So far as regards hardness and
smoothness, and so far also as regards their capacity to withstand moisture, they will
probably always be looked upon as the best; but, notwithstanding the ingenuity that

page_text: has been bestowed upon mechanical contrivances to produce them of uniform evenness
throughout their length and to free them from lumps or accumulations of fibres in
places, these objects have not been satisfactorily accomplished.
Now it has been discovered that by running a strand of jute yarn into the
untwisted slivers of manila or sisal as the latter are being conveyed into the spinner,
a twine of almost perfect uniformity as to thickness and strength is obtained.
No special form of nipper or twister need be employed. The process may be
carried on with any well-known make of twine-spinning machinery-the invention
consisting, not in novelty of machinery, but simply in the introduction of jute yarn
into the untwisted slivers of manila or sisal, as stated. In the drawings filed with my
provisional specification, however, is shewn a portion of a well-known type of twine-
spinner to more clearly explain the process to those skilled in the art; Figure 1 being a
plan showing the nipper and a portion of the chain-feed; Figure 2 a side elevation
of Figure 1 and Figure 3 a perspective view of the twine itself, one end of
which has the outside wrapping removed to show the position of the jute yarn,
the other end being in course of completion.
The manila or sisal slivers A are conveyed by the chains B from the source of
supply to the nippers C, in the manner common to this style of machine, and from
thence to the twister, not shown in the drawing. The nippers are mounted upon
the pivotted arm D, which with its auxiliaries constitutes a well-known form of
regulator for varying the speed with which the chain feeds the slivers to the nippers.
Suitably supported above the chains B is a bobbin or reel E carrying a supply of
jute yarn F, which runs from its bobbin down into the nippers C. As the speed
of the chains B is irregular, according as more or less fibres are to be fed to the
nippers, and it being essential that the yarn should have uniformity of speed, the
bobbin E should be elevated a sufficient distance above the chains to insure the jute
running directly to the nippers without danger of its sagging and thereby mingling
with the slivers while they are yet upon the chains.
Whilst the untwisted slivers of manila or sisal enter the nippers, they lie out
flat, side by side; and as the jute yarn is small and round, they naturally wrap
themselves about it, as they are drawn through by the action of the flyer or
twister. Moreover, as there are many of these fibres to the single yarn, and they
are as yet separate and distinct, the yarn serves as a former or core about which
the fibres twist as they get under the action of the twister. Now, as the jute
yarn is small and round, as just stated, and as it is free from irregularities in
size, its excellent function as a former will bo readily perceived. Again, as it is
running into the nipper at an uniform speed, no matter whether the feeding chain
be travelling faster or slower, its action upon the supply of slivers is such that
almost perfect evenness in the size of the twine produced is obtained.
The result of this process is a twine of increased strength due to the double twist
imparted to it; namely, that of the jute yarn and that given to the whole twine. A
twine that can be manufactured at less cost than one made entirely of manila or sisal,
since the jute fibre is a cheaper product; and, finally, a more perfect twine than has
been bitherto made, as it is free from any unevenness in size or occasional accumula-
tions of fibres. Covoring, as they do, the jute (or mainly covering it, for at times, but
only to a slight degree, a portion of the yarn will show itself from under its wrapping),
the manila or sisal fibres serve to remove the objectionable features before mentioned
as attendant upon the use of pure jute twine. It has all the toughness and smoothness
of manila or sisal, and to these qualities is added the great hardness of the outer fibres;
the strength needed to withstand the strain put upon it while being knotted, as also
that due to the expansion of the bundle before referred to being thus ensured.
Furthermore, enveloping the jute as they do, the manila or sisal fibros serve to retard
its rotting (a peculiarity of jute which might have been referred to before) and so
prevent its destruction when exposed to the action of moisture in the grain or to the
influence of the atmosphere.
The proportion of the jute yarn to the enveloping slivers may be varied according
as a stronger or weaker twine is needed; it being immaterial for the purpose of this

page_text: invention what the exact proportions may be, as I should consider any twine or
cordage made in the manner stated and having a core or filling of jute, as falling
within the scope of this invention.
Although the primary object of this invention is to produce an article of twine
suitable for use with grain-binding machinery, it will be obvious that cordage of
various descriptions may be made according thereto, and that the use of such twine or
cordage is not exclusively applicable for the purpose herein before particularly
referred to.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-—
The improved manufacture of twine for use with grain-binding machinery and
otherwise, consisting of running a strand of jute amongst untwisted slivers of manila
or sisal as the latter are led to the twisting mechanism and then spinning the whole
together, the manila or sisal forming a wrapping about the jute core.
Dated this 20th day of May 1888