Machine for the Manufacture of Stamens and Buds for Artificial Flowers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 12th July, 1899-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
A Machine for the Manufacture of Stamens and Buds for
Artificial Flowers.
We, KARL WIESSNER and MARTIN WESSNER, both of the Firm of Karl Wiessner
& Co., Manufacturers of Stamens and Buds for Artificial Flowers, of Nos. 10 & 12,
Louisenstrasse, Dresden, in the German Empire, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to a machine for the manufacture of stamens and buds for
artificial flowers. The machine comprises an oblong frame on which an endless pair
of chains carries holders or rods which are fastened to the chains by their end pivots
and turn on their own axle. Threads are conveyed to these rods from a large bobbin
frame, held fast by clasps or clasp-springs, and then, after the threads have run
through a trough filled with a starchy substance, they pass between several pressing
rollers. They are then cut in pieces, which pieces are to represent the stamens.
These stamens are carried to colour and flour troughs, into which both ends of the
pieces of thread are successively dipped, as they are required to represent the anther
of the natural stamen. As soon as the pieces of thread are provided with their
anthers or heads, they are conveyed to another apparatus which collects or removes
them from the several rods without preventing the latter from continuing their course
or preventing them from returning to their original place upon the chain. Any
driving power may be used to work the machine.
The different movements of the colour and flour troughs are controlled by the gear
of the machine.
In the accompanying drawings we have shown how our said invention may be con-
veniently and advantageously carried into practice :-
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the end of our improved machine at which
the threads are introduced.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the mechanism at one end of the chain
conveyor.
Figure 3 is a similar view showing the mechanism at the central part of the said
conveyor.
Figure 4 is a similar view showing the mechanism at the other end of the said
conveyor.
Figure 5 is a transverse section, drawn to a reduced scale, showing the mechanism
for cutting the threads.
Figure 6 is a transverse section, also drawn to a reduced scale, showing the starch-
trough.
Figure 7 is a transverse section, showing the flour-trough.
Figure 8 is a transverse section illustrating the mechanism for detaching or
collecting the manufactured buds or stamens.
Figures 9 and 10 are views illustrating details of constructions.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
a is the main frame of the machine; b is a movable frame which carries bobbins c,
Figure 1, the threads of which run-over small pulleys on the arm e, and between
and over the guiding rollers ƒ on the main frame a, to the starch trough g. The
[Price 8d]

page_text: starch trough g, Figures 1 and 6, is provided with a plug or stopper g₁ and with
rollers f¹, the position of which can be adjusted vertically by means of racks g², and
pinions g; the racks g² run in standards g³ wherein the pinions are also mounted.
From the rollers f¹, where the threads are provided with a sticky substance, such as
starch or the like, the threads d run between pressing rollers f². The pressure
between these rollers is regulated by means of an adjusting screw ", the said rollers
being driven by a suitable driving pulley. The threads run from the press rollers
between the brush cylinders fs; the position of these brush cylinders can also be
varied by means of a second adjusting screw 9º. From the brush cylinders f³ the
threads pass through the guiding comb or rake i, and over the drying device, which
is not shown on the drawings; since any kind of drying device may be used that is
suitable for the purpose. The threads are covered with a sticky substance, such as
starch or the like, in order that they can be handled better during the dipping
processes and during the subséquent operation of collecting. On the part of the
frame shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, there is mounted a chain-conveyor comprising a
pair of endless chains , in the links of which are holes, serving as bearings for the
pivots of rods 1. (See also Figures 7 and 8). On these rods l, the threads are held
by means of clasps or springs, with which they are brought into engagement by
hand, the said clasps having been first opened by hand as they ascend at this end
of the machine. 2 is a guiding rail for the chain. To the shaft m is connected a
cutting instrument to cut the threads. This cutting apparatus is more minutely
shown on Figure 5. The rods are turned for the first time by the tappets as here-
inafter described, after the threads have passed the cutting apparatus, that is, after
the threads are cut in short pieces, each piece representing double the length of a
bud or stamen. On turning the rod, one end of the thread hangs down.
The cut pieces of threads now move forward with the rods (Figure 3) to which
they are held fast by means of the springs U, to the dyeing or colouring apparatus.
This consists of a trough n which is raised or lowered by means of an adjustable
eccentric rod n¹ and an eccentric n². This movement is necessary to secure a
thorough dipping of the threads into the liquid colour or dye. The eccentric rod n¹
can be adjusted by a screw in order to keep the coloured liquid or dye at the same
level, as it is obvious that this material will diminish during the dipping process.
For this purpose, the eccentric-rods are divided and the halves united by screw-
nuts which are themselves combined with worm-wheels o. The worm-wheels o
gear with worms of on shafts o³, each of which has a strap-pulley o¹ at one end and
runs in suitable bearings supported by the nuts 3 on the corresponding side of the
machine. Each pulley o is arranged opposite a flanged pulley o² on the correspond-
ing longitudinal shaft m and a belt o" is passed around the pulleys o¹, 02 in such a
manner that, when the eccentric rods n' are depressed by the eccentrics n², the
belt o³ will be slack, but when the eccentric-rod n' are raised, the belt o³ will be
tightened and the shaft 05 rotated thereby so as to rotate the worm-wheels o in such
a direction as to lengthen the eccentric-rods n' and thus raise the trough n.
From this trough the threads run into the flour-troughs p which are also arranged
with an eccentric p² (Figure 7) and an eccentric rod p also provided with means such
as the nut p³, for raising and lowering them. The pulley p (Figure 3) communicates
its movement to the flour cylinders in the flour-trough p. Each of the flour
cylinders p³ not only turns on its own axle, but also has a to-and-fro movement axially
this latter motion being given by a grooved disc p10. Over the flour cylinder and the
flour-trough is a box with a trap door p7. The shaft pupon which the trap
door p pivots, is provided with a tappet p8, and on this tappet the projections q¹
of the chain q strike, at certain times, and thus open the trap door p' to allow the
flour from the flour box po to fall into the flour trough p.
The chain receives its movement from the sprocket wheel q³ and the
chain q2. is a box to collect the superfluous flour which falls from the threads. At
the tappet s the rods are turned for the second time, and at s² a third time, so
that the other end of the thread will now hang downwards. The pieces of thread now
come to a second colour or dye trough n and pass through the same process as before.

page_text: Upon this the threads pass over a second drying apparatus, which is also not shown in
the drawing.
The threads now pass through the rollers t (Figure 4) which are covered with
suitable fur to brush out their heads and thus remove therefrom the superfluous flour.
At the tappet 3 the rods turn a fourth time and then come to the collecting device.
The description of this apparatus will be better understood by referring also to
Figure 8 which is a front view of the collecting or detaching device for removing the
prepared pieces of thread or finished stamens from the said rods L. A U-shaped
casing carried by parallel vertically moving levers u¹, is lifted to such a height that
the rod above it is surrounded by and nearly enclosed in it. The lifting of the
casing u is effected by means of cams u² acting through levers bearing rollers u on
the rods u¹. u are rabbets for guiding the U-shaped casing u. As already shown,
the threads or pieces of thread are kept upon the rods by means of springs or
clasps, so it is evident that the collecting or detachment of the pieces of thread
from the rods must be preceded by the opening of the clasps . This is done by
opening the catch spring 13 by hand whereupon the clasp turns in its hinge 12 and
takes the position represented in Figures 8. The casing u going upward at this
moment, lifts the pieces of thread or stamens from the rod and the collector or col-
lecting hook 3 on the chain v grasps and carries them away. The chain runs over
wheels 2 and is carried by arms v¹, the clasps being again closed by hand as they
descend at this end of the machine.
The chain v receives its motive power from the chain w, the latter running over the
sprocket wheel w². Each rod has on the end opposite to its catch spring 13, a head.
piece provided with projections or teeth which engage with the four tappets 8, 81, 82, 83
and thus give the rod its four turns. is in Figure 8 the cross section of the chain,
and 2 the cross section of the guiding rails of the chain. The hook 3 which grasps.
the stamens is shown in a larger scale in Figure 9. The transmission of the driving
power to the chains wand and to the toothed wheels w² is effected by the toothed
segment w at the proper intervals.
The apparatus for cutting the thread is shown in Figure 5. This apparatus con-
sists of a two bladed knife A above and two bladed knife A¹ below. A² shows the
cross section of the blades and their position. The upper knife runs in slanting
guides A3 which give the knife A the necessary oblique movement as it is moved
towards and away from the knife A¹ by means of the cams A4 and arms A5. The main
driving shaft lies at the end of the machine and is shown in Figure 4.
The shaft with the toothed wheel z¹ transmits the motive power to the wheel m¹,
thereby to the shafts me, then to those parts connected therewith, and also, by means
of the ratchet 22 on the wheel, to the toothed wheel 23 in order to impart an
intermittent forward movement to the chain k. y is a click. x are guiding wheels
for the chain k. x¹, Figure 2, is a guiding pulley for the chain with a stretching
device.
Figure 10 shows the position of the rod 7 going back to its original place the clasp
being closed and showing downward.
The manufacture of buds is effected by taking thicker yarn and providing it with
thicker flour and colour heads.
Dated this Winst dovat t. 1000
A Machine for the Manufacture of Stamens and Buds for
Artificial Flowers,
We, KARL WIESSNER and MARTIN WESSNER, both of the Firm of Karl Wiessner
& Co., Manufacturers of Stamens and-Buds for Artificial Flowers, of Nos. 10 and 12,
Louisenstrasse, Dresden, in the German Empire, do hereby declare the nature of this

page_text: invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly describedl
and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
Our invention relates to a machine for the manufacture of stamens and buds for
artificial flowers. The machine comprises an oblong frame on which is mounted a
pair of endless chains carrying holders or rods which are fastened to the chains by
their end pivots and turn about their own axes. Threads are conveyed to these rods
from a large bobbin-frame held fast by clasps or clasp springs, and then, after the
threads have run through a trough filled with a starchy substance, they pass between
several-pressing rollers. They are then cut in pieces, which pieces are to represent
the stamens. These stamens are carried to colour and flour troughs, into which both
ends of the pieces of thread are successively dipped, as they are required to represent
the anther of the natural stamen. As soon as the pieces of thread are provided with
their anthers or heads, they are conveyed to another apparatus which..collects or
removes them from the several rods without preventing the latter from continuing
their course or preventing them from returning to their original place upon the chain.
Any driving power may be used to work the machine.
The different movements of the colour and flour troughs are controlled by the gear
of the machine.
:-
In the drawings left with our Provisional Specification, we have shown how our
said invention may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice :-
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the end of our improved machine at which the
threads are introduced.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the mechanism at one end of the chain
conveyor.
Figure 3 is a similar view showing the mechanism at the central part of the said
conveyor.
Figure 4 is a similar view showing the mechanisin at the other end of the said
conveyor.
Figure 5 is a transverse section, drawn to a reduced scale, showing the mechanism
for cutting the threads.
Figure 6 is a transverse section, also drawn to a reduced scale, showing the starch-
trough.
Figure 7 is a transverse section, showing the flour-trough.
Figure 8 is a transverse section illustrating the mechanism for detaching or
collecting the manufactured buds or stamens.
Figures 9 and 10 are views illustrating details of construction.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
a is the main frame of the machine; b is a movable frame which carries bobbins c,
Figure 1, the threads d of which run over small pulleys on the arm e, and between
and over the guiding rollers f on the main frame a, to the starch trough g. The starch
trough g, Figures 1 and 6, is provided with a plug or stopper and with rollers f',
the position of which can be adjusted vertically by means of racks g, and pinions g';
the racks g² run in standards 3 wherein the pinions are also mounted. From the
rollers, where the threads are provided with a sticky substance, such as starch or
the like, the threads d run between pressing rollers f². The pressure between these
rollers is regulated by means of an adjusting screw g, the said rollers being driven
by a suitable driving pulley. The threads run from the press rollers between the
brush cylinders f3; the position of these brush cylinders can also be varied by means
of a second adjusting screw 9°. From the brush cylinders f³ the threads pass through
the guiding comb or rake i, and over the drying device, which is not shown on the
drawings, since any kind of drying device may be used that is suitable for the
purpose. The threads are covered with a sticky substance, such as starch or the like,
in order that they can be handled better during the dipping-processes and during the
subsequent operation of collecting. On the part of the frame shown in Figures 2, 3
and 4, there is mounted a chain-conveyor comprising a pair of endless chains k, in
the links of which are holes ¹, serving as bearings for the pivots of rods 7. (See also
Figures 7 and 8). On these rods l, the threads are held by means of clasps or

page_text: springs, with which they are brought into engagement by hand, the said clasps /¹
having been first opened by hand as they ascend at this end of the machine. .² is a
guiding rail for the chain." To the shaft m is connected a cutting instrument to cut.
the threads. This cutting apparatus is more minutely shown on Figure 5. The rods
are turned for the first time by the tappet s as hereinafter described, after the threads
have passed the cutting apparatus, that is, after the threads are cut in short pieces,
each piece representing double the length of a bud or stamen. On turning the rod,
one end of the thread hangs down.
The cut pieces of threads now move forward with the rods 1, (Figure 3) to which
they are held fast by means of the springs, to the dyeing or colouring apparatus.
This consists of a trough n which is raised or lowered by means of an adjustable eccen-
tric rod n¹ and an eccentric n². This movement is necessary to secure a thorough
dipping of the threads into the liquid colour or dye. The eccentric rod n¹ can be
adjusted by a screw in order to keep the coloured liquid or dye at the same level, as
it is obvious that this material will diminish during the dipping process.
For this purpose, the eccentric-rods n¹ are divided and the halves united by screw-
nuts of which are themselves combined with worm-wheels of. The worm-wheels of
gear with worms on shafts o, each of which has a strap-pulley o¹ at one end and runs
in suitable bearings supported by the nuts 05 on the corresponding side of the
machine. Each pulley o¹ is arranged opposite a flanged pulley o² on the correspond-
ing longitudinal shaft m and a belt o³ is passed around the pulleys o¹, 02 in such a
manner that, when the eccentric rods are depressed by the eccentrics n², the
belt will be slack, but when the eccentric-rods n¹ are raised, the belt o³ will be
tightened and the shaft o' rotated thereby so as to rotate the worm wheels of in such
a direction as to lengthen the eccentric-rods n' and thus raise the trough n.
From this trough the threads run into the flour-troughs p which are also arranged
with an eccentric p² (Figure 7) and an eccentric rod pl also provided with means
such as the nut p³, for raising and lowering them. The pulley pt (Figure 3) com-
municates its movement to the flour cylinders p5 in the flour-trough p. Each of the
flour cylinders ps not only turns on its own axle, but also has a to-and-fro movement
axially this latter motion being given by a grooved disc plo. Over the flour cylinder
and the flour trough is a box p6 with a trap door p. The shaft p³ upon which the
trap door pivots, is provided with a tappet ps, and on this tappet the pro-
jections q¹ of the chain q strike, at certain times, and thus open the trap door p' to.
allow the flour from the flour box p' to fall into the flour trough p.
This chain 9 receives its movement from the sprocket wheel q3 and the chain q².
is a box to collect the superfluous flour which falls from the threads. At the
tappet s¹ the rods are turned for the second time, and at 82 a third time, so that
the other end of the thread will now hang downwards. The pieces of thread now
come to a second colour or dye trough n and pass through the same process as before.
Upon this the threads pass over a second drying apparatus, which is also not shown
in the drawing.
The threads now pass through the rollers t (Figure 4) which are covered with
suitable fur to brush out their heads and thus remove therefrom the superfluous
flour. At the tappet 3 the rods turn a fourth time and then come to the collecting
device. The description of this apparatus will be better understood by referring
also to Figure 8 which is a front view of the collecting or detaching device for re-
moving the prepared pieces of thread or finished stamens from the said rods l. A
U-shaped casing a carried by parallel vertically moving levers u¹, is lifted to such a
height that the rod above it is surrounded by and nearly enclosed in it. The
lifting of the casing u is effected by means of cams u² acting through levers bearing
rollers u on the rods u'. u are rabbets for guiding the U-shaped casing. u.
already shown, the threads or pieces of thread are kept upon the rods by means of
springs or clasps, so it is evident that the collecting or detachment of the pieces
of thread from the rods must be preceded by the opening of the clasps This is
done by opening the catch spring 13 by hand whereupon the clasp turns in its
hinge and takes the position represented in Figure 8. The casing u going upward
As

page_text: and the collector
The chain v runs
being again closed by hand as
at this moment, lifts the pieces of thread or stamens from the rod
or collecting hook on the chain v grasps and carries them away.
over wheels 2 and is carried by arms v1, the clasps
they descend at this end of the machine.
.
The chain v receives its motive power from the chain w, the latter running over
the sprocket wheel 2. Each rod has on the end opposite to its catch spring 13, a
head piece provided with projections or teeth which engage with the four tappets s,
81, 82, 83 and thus give the rod its four turns. k is in Figures 8 and 10, the cross
section of the chain, and k² the cross section of the guiding rails of the chain k
The hook-which grasps the stamens is shown in a larger scale in Figure 9. The
transmission of the driving power to the chains wand and to the toothed wheels w
is effected by the toothed segment w' at the proper intervals.
The apparatus for cutting the thread is shown in Figure 5. This apparatus con-
sists of a two bladed knife A above and two bladed knife A¹ below. A2 shows the
cross section of the blades and their position. The upper knife runs in slanting
guides A³ which give the knife A the necessary oblique movement as it is moved
towards and away from the knife A¹ by means of the cams A4 and arms A. The
main driving shaft lies at the end of the machine and is shown in Figure 4.
The shaft with the toothed wheel z transmits the motive power to the wheel m¹,
thereby to the shafts m, then to those parts connected therewith, and also, by means
of the ratchet 22 on the wheel 2¹, to the toothed wheel in order to impart an
intermittent forward movement to the chain . y is a click. are guiding wheels
for the chain . x¹, Figure 2, is a guiding pulley for the chain with a stretching
device.
Figure 10 shows the position of the rod going back to its original place the clasp
being closed and showing downward.
The manufacture of buds is effected by taking thicker yarn and providing it with
thicker flour and colour heads.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. A machine for making stamens and buds for artificial flowers, wherein the
saturation of the threads with adhesive substance, the cutting of the same into short
pieces, the dyeing of these pieces, the coating of the ends with flour-dust and the
pressing of the same for the purpose of forming the anthers or heads of the stamens
take place in a cycle of operations, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. A machine for making stamens and buds for artificial flowers, wherein the yarn-
threads running off from bobbins or spools on a frame are first led through a
receptacle containing dressing material and over a heating arrangement for the
purpose of stiffening them, after which they are held, by means of springs, on holders
or rods, carried by an endless chain or chains, whereby they are next brought under
the action of a cutting apparatus, a dyeing apparatus and a flour-dusting device,
suitable means being provided for automatically turning the said rods, the said
threads, after passing a drying arrangement, being finally removed from the rods by
means of a detaching device, substantially as herein before described.
3. In a machine such as is hereinbefore described, the arrangement for stretching
or holding the threads, consisting in a suitably-formed spring secured to a hinge on
the carrier-bar, which spring is held in its operative position by a spring catch,
substantially as described.
4. In a machine such as is herein before described, a detaching-device consisting of
an endless chain provided with suitably-shaped hooks or carriers, substantially as
described.
5. In a machine such as is herein before described, the means for raising the dye-
trough as the dye-liquid is removed therefrom, comprising a belt adapted to become
slack or tight under the action of an eccentric and to intermittently operate suitable
driving-gear for moving an adjusting-screw, substantially as described.

page_text: 6. A dusting-device for the purposes specified, comprising a flour-holder, having a
flap or valve opening under the action upon a tappet of a projection on a travelling
chain for the purpose of replenishing the supply of flour in the trough, substantially
as described.
7. The rollers provided with a suitable coating, such as fur, or equivalent materials,
for the purpose of brushing the superfluous flour from the manufactured anthers or
heads of the stamens, as above set forth.
8. The improved machine constructed substantially as described with reference to
the drawings and operating as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Dated the 10th
1000
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.