CERTAIN Ix- PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CARDING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Evan Leigh, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Cotton Spinner, for the Invention of " CERTAIN Ix-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CARDING COTTON AND
OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS"
Sealed the 15th December 1852, and dated the 16th October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Evan Leigh at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his l'etition, on the
16th October 1852.
I, EVAN LEIGH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton
Spinner, do hereby declare the nature of the said luvention for
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CARDING COTTON
AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS " to be as follows:-
My Invention consists principally of improvements upon the subject
matter of former Letters Patent granted to me by Her present most
Excellent Majesty, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of March, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty, so far as relates to the "self-
stripping" carding engine. The second part of my Invention consists
[Price 8d.]

page_text: of improvements in apparatus for doffing or stripping the product from
the doffing cylinder of carding engines, and depositing the same in the
cans or other suitable receptacles. The improvements in the self-
stripping carding engines are three. First, in carding engines, where
it is preferred to dispense altogether with "rollers and clearers," and to
cover the upper part of the cylinder entirely with travelling "flats" or
top cards (as described in the Specification of the above-recited Letters
Patent), the curved framing which carries the flexible bend is to be so
constructed that it is capable of being raised upon hinges or otherwise,
carrying the flexible bend and travelling flats with it, in order to allow
of access for brushing out and grinding the cards of the main carding
cylinder. Secondly, I construct the said endless "flats" of T shaped
bars of cast iron or other suitable metal jointed to endless chains by means
of a central stud at each end, in order to allow of their being set at an
angle to the surface of the main carding cylinder, to effect which the
ends of the said "flats" which slide upon the flexible bend, are formed
or sunk to an eccentric curve. Thirdly, the "fancy roller" (described
in my former Specification), instead of a spiral strip of cards, is
furnished with pegs set in a spiral direction, which will clear better,
and will not require grinding or renewing. My improvements in
doffing the cotton, &c. from the doffing cylinder apply, first, to those
carding engines wherein a pair of rollers are used for that purpose in
place of the ordinary" doffing knife or comb, and consist in adding
thereto an additional roller revolving rather faster than the upper
roller, in a contrary direction to and almost in contact with it, which
effectually prevents the cotton, &c. from "lapping "on the said roller;
secondly, in carding engines where the use of the ordinary" stripping
comb" is preferred I suspend the comb from a centre, and balance it
so that it forms a short pendulum, to which a quick vibratory move-
ment can be given with much less expenditure of power than heretofore.
In order to deposit the cotton &c. into the cans I employ three
calendering rollers, which convey the sliver through a fixed tube ipto
an upright revolving cylinder in which the can is placed inverted ;
by this means any requisite amount of twist may be given to the
sliver of cotton, &c., according to the speed at which the cylinder and
"

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Evan Leigh in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 16th April 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
EVAN LEIGH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton
Spinner, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the
sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
sors, give and grant unto me, the said Evan Leigh, Her especial
licence that I, the said Evan Leigh, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Evan Leigh, my executors,
administrators, and 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 "CERTAIN IMPROVE.
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CARDING COTTON AND OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS," upon the condition, amongst others, that I, the
said Evan Leigh, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months nextand immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Evan Leigh, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
perforined, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement (that is to say):
My improvements in machinery or apparatus for carding cotton and

page_text: other fibrous materials relate principally to that description of carding
engine now commonly called "self-stripping carding engines," but
more particularly to such as are constructed with rollers combined
with an endless travelling chain or belt of "flats" or top cards, and
adapted to perform the process of opening or "breaking" and finishing
in the same carding engine, and at one operation, as described in the
Specification of former Letters Patents granted to me by Her present
most Excellent Majesty, and bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-
sixth day of March, One thousand eight hundred and fifty. The
second part of my Invention relates to certain improvements in the
apparatus employed for "stripping" or "doffing" the cotton or other
fibrous material from the surface of the doffing cylinder as it is carded,
and for depositing the same in the cans or other suitable recptacles
employed. My improvements in the "self-stripping" carding engines
are three. First, in carding engines, where it is preferred to dispense
altogether with "rollers and clearers," and to cover the upper part of
the cylinder entirely with travelling "flats" or top cards, as described
in the Specification of the above-recited Letters Patent, the curved
framing (which carries the flexible bend for setting and guiding the
"flats" or top cards and the rollers round which they pass) is to be so
constructed and arranged that it shall be capable of being readily
raised upon hinges or otherwise, carrying with it the said rollers and a
portion of the travelling "flats" or top cards, in order to allow of
convenient access when required for brushing out or grinding the cards
of the main carding cylinder. Secondly, I contruct the said "flats" or
top cards of T shaped bars of cast iron or other suitable metal jointed
to the links of the endless chains by means of a central stud at each
end of the said bar, in order to allow of the said flats or top cards being
set at the requisite angle to the surface of the main carding cylinder.
In order to set these said "flats" or top cards to the required angle
with regularity and accuracy the ends of the said "flats" or top cards
which slide upon the said flexible bend are formed or sunk to an
uniform excentric curve, which, as they slide upon the surface of the
said bend, sets them all to exactly the same relative angle with regard
to the surface of the main carding cylinder. Thirdly, the "fancy roller"

page_text: employed for stripping or clearing the main carding cylinder, instead of
being provided with a spiral strip of cards as heretofore, is to be con-
structed with a strip of pins or pegs, wound in a spiral direction one or
more times around the circumference of the same. Myimprovements in
the apparatus employed for doffing the cotton or other fibrous material
from the surface of the doffing cylinder as it is carded apply, first, to
those carding engines wherein a pair of revolving rollers are employed
for that purpose in place of the ordinary "doffing knife" or "comb,"
and consist in combining therewith an additional roller revolving rather
faster than the upper roller, in a contrary direction thereto, and almost
in contact therewith, which will effectually prevent the cotton or other
fibrous material from "lapping" or adhering to the surface of the said
roller; secondly, in those carding engines where the use of the ordinary
"doffing kuife" or comb is preferred I suspend the said "doffing knife"
or comb from a centre, and balance it in such a manner that it forms a
short pendulum, to which a rapid vibratory motion can be given with
less wear and tear and expenditure of power than heretofore. And,
lastly, in order to deposit the cotton or other fibrous material into the
cans, I employ a pair of calendering rollers, which convey the sliver
of cotton, &c., through a fixed tube into a vertical revolving cylinder
in which the can or other receptacle is placed inverted. By this
means any requisite or desirable amount of twist may be given to the
sliver of cotton or other fibrous material (according to the velocity
at which the cylinder and inverted can are cause to revolve), and the
subsequent operation of slubbing entirely dispensed with.
The several improvements above described will be readily under-
stood upon referring to the accompanying Drawings, and the following
explanation thereof, that is to say:-In Sheet 1, of the Drawings,
Figure 1, is a side elevation of a "self-stripping" carding engine,
adapted to "break" and finish the cotton or other fibrous material
at one operation; and Figure 1, Sheet 2, is a partial section of the
same, the exterior or side framing being removed in order more dis-
tinctly to illustrate my Invention. a, a, represents the main framing
of the carding engine; b, b, is the main carding cylinder; c, c, is the
"licker-in ;" and d, d, the doffing cylinder; g, g, is the flexible bend

page_text: for setting and guiding the endless chain of "flats" or top cards; the
exact curve of this bend is regulated and adjusted by means of the set
screws h, h, h, passing through the curved framing i, i, i. This framing
i, i, i, is moveable, and is capable of being raised (see Figure 1, Sheet
2,) upon the centres k, k. 1, 1, 1, is the endless travelling chain of
"flats" or top cards passing around the rollers m, m, m. The curved
framing i, i, i, is furnished with a tail piece n, n, which is attached by
means of a chain o, o, passing over a pulley p, p, to a rod e, e, upon
which circular weights f,f, are placed. These weights are intended to
counterbalance the weight of the framing i, i, and its appendages, and
to keep them suspended in the required position during the operation
of brushing out or grinding the cards of the main carding cylinder.
In Sheet 1, Figure 2, represents a plan view, and Figure 3, an eleva-
tion of one end of my improved "flat" or top card, drawn full size.
a, a, is a T shaped bar of cast iron, to which a strip of cards b, b, is
rivetted; and c, is a central stud, by means of which the "flat" or top
card is attached to the links of the endless chain. Each end of the
bar a, from the point marked, is cast or formed thicker, in order to
allow of the excentric curve d, d, being sunk or cut in it. As this
excentric curved surface slides upon the flexible bend it causes the
front or forward edge of the "flat" or top card to become slightly raised
from the surface of the main carding cylinder. The angle of inclination
at which I prefer to form this curve is of an inch in two inches, but
I do not intend to confine myself to that particular angle. It will be
seen upon referring to Figure 3, Sheet 1, that the back edge or carding
point of the "flat" or top card is ground to the curve of the main
carding cylinder. This is best done by employing a cylinder of the
same diameter as the main carding cylinder, and covered with emery.
The "flats" or top cards are mounted upon the said cylinder in the
same manner as for carding, and lowered gradually upon it until they
all touch equally whilst sliding over the flexible bend. A plan view of
my improved "fancy roller" is shewn at Figure 4, Sheet 1; a, a, is
the roller, and b, b, are plates having spikes or pegs cast in one piece
with them. These plates b, b, are to be fixed around the cylinder, side
by side, in the spiral direction indicated by the dotted lines c, c. My

page_text: improvements in apparatus for "doffing" the cotton or other fibrous
material from the surface of the doffing cylinder, where revolving
rollers are employed for that purpose, is most clearly represented
in the sectional view, Figure 1, Sheet 2. 9, q, are the two doffing
rollers, the upper one being covered with leather as usual. r, is the
additional roller, which is to be also covered with leather, and should
either be of larger diameter than the rollers q,q, or revolve at a greater
velocity. The arrows shew the directions in which the rollers revolve,
and the method of connecting them is shewn in Figure 1, Sheet 1, the
red circles representing the pitch lines of spur wheels. My improve-
ments in the apparatus to be employed for doffing the cotton or other
fibrous material from the surface of the doffing cylinder, in those
instances where the use of the ordinary " doffing knife" or comb is
preferred, is shewn in the horizontal section, Figure 2, Sheet 2, and
vertical section, Figure 3, in the same Sheet, which are drawn upon a
larger scale. The dotted lines A, B, and C, D, represent the points
through which the sections are respectively taken; a, a, represents
part of the doffing cylinder; and b, b, the "doffing kuife" or comb.
The doffing knife b, b, is attached to a shaft c, c, which is suspended
and vibrates upon pivots d, d, (one at each end) placed above its
centre. To the pivot d, a lever e, is keyed, which is weighted so as to
counterbalance the weight of the "doffing knife" b, b, and is furnished
with a slot f, in which a sliding step 9, works. The pin of a short
crank-, passes through the step y, the said crank being actuated by
means of a cord passing around the grooved pulley i. Thus it will be
evident that the "doffing knife "b, b, is fixed to a short balanced pen-
dulum to which arapid vibratory motion is given by means of the crank
h, its own weight assisting to keep it in motion, instead of checking it
as heretofore; and in consequence of the working edge of the "doffing
knife" being so far below the centre of suspension it will draw the
cotton or other fibrous material outwards as well as downwards, as
represented by the red curved line in the Drawing. Theapparatus
which I employ for the purpose of depositing the cotton, &c. in the
can or other receptacle employed is represented in elevation at Figure
1, Sheet 1, and in section at Figure 1, Sheet 2. 8, 8, s, are three

page_text: calendering rollers connected by gearing, as shewn by the red circles
in Figure 1, Sheet 1, or, if preferred, a pair only may be employed.
t, t, is a tube fixed to the stationary plate u, u. v, v, is a cylinder, the
neck of which revolves upon the tube t, t, being actuated by means or
the friction discs w, w, one of which is attached to the journal of one
of the callendering rollers s. x, x, is the can (or other receptacle for
the cotton or other fibrous material) which is placed inverted in the
cylinder v, v. 3, y, is a slot or opening in the cylinder v, v, in order
to afford facility for removing and replacing the can, &c. It will be
evident that as the callendering rollers revolve they will force the
sliver of cotton or other fibrous material up the fixed tube t, into the
can a, whilst the revolution of the said can will give the desired
amount of twist to the sliver, so that the subsequent operation of
slubbing may be entirely dispensed with.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said improve-
ments, together with the manner of carrying the same into practical
effect, I would remark, in conclusion, that I claim as my Invention,-
First, in self-stripping carding engines (wherein an endless travelling
chain or belt of "flats" or top cords is employed) so constructing and
arranging the curved frame that the whole or a portion of the said
chain flats may be readily raised and suspended, in order to allow
of convenient access to the main carding cylinder, when required.
Secondly, I claim the peculiar formation or construction of "flat" ortop
card above described, and shewn in the Drawings. Thirdly, I claim
the method of grinding or sharpening the back edge or carding point
of the "flats" or top cards to the curve of the main carding cylinder.
Fourthly, I claim the construction of a "fancy roller" for "stripping"
the main carding cylinder, having a spiral strip of pins or pegs.
Fifthly, I claim the use of the third or additional roller, as above
described, for preventing the lapping of the cotton or other fibrous
material upon the upper doffing roller. Sixthly, I claim the use of a
doffing knife" or comb suspended below its centre of motion, so as
to vibrate in the manner of a pendulum. And, lastly, I claim the
apparatus above described, and shewn in the Drawings, for causing the
sliver of cotton or other fibrous material to pass into an inverted
66

page_text: order that the subsequent operation of slubbing may be entirely
Hispensed with.
In witness whereof, I, the said Evan Leigh, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Fourteenth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Dispensed
In witness whereof, I, the said Evan Leigh, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Fourteenth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.