Year: 1886

page_text: We THOMAS DEAN, of Tyldesley in the County of Lancaster, and THOMAS ELLIS
DEAN of Tyldesley aforesaid, Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature of this
invention 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 reeds, as at present carried on, the wires of which they
are formed are lapped in position with the twine which regulates the distance at
which they are placed apart, and the edges of the reed then dipped into liquid or
heated pitch, which adheres to the reed. This is afterwards smeared with hot
irons to finish the process causing considerable inconvenience by reason of the
smoke produced, some of which collects or condenses on the. wires of the reed,
necessitating their being subsequently cleaned.
This operation or process however, as at present carried out, does not secure the
wires of the reeds as firmly in position as desirable, and the object more particularly
of the present invention is to secure the wires more firmly, while at the same time
avoiding the inconveniences of the present methods.
Up to a certain point the manufacture of the reeds is carried on as at present,
that is to say, the wires are adjusted and lapped in position, and the edges of the
reeds dipped into the heated pitch, from this point however the process of
manufacture is improved, and the use of heated irons dispensed with.
A small coke or other stove of any known suitable construction fitted with two
doors opposite to each other is employed, and a bright fire kept burning therein.
After the reeds have been dipped in the pitch and allowed to cool, they are taken
by the operator, and passed into the stove, one end at a time where they are held
for a few minutes, and subjected to the heat rising from the fire, without contact
to any metallic surface, until the wires are heated, and the pitch softened. The
simultaneous heating of the wires, and the heating of the pitch causes the latter to
flow round the twine which separates one wire from another, and between the wires
to which on cooling, it adheres, and holds them in a firm and elastic grip. The
pitch is covered in the usual manner with paper or similar material.
This process also obviates the smoke and dirt occasioned by applying a heated
surface to the pitch, as little or no smoke is produced. Should any arise, it passes
off with the products of combustion from the fire.

page_text: Reeds manufactured according to this process will be found more elastic, stronger,
and more durable than those prepared as at present, the pitch finding its way
between the wires which is not at present the case, while at the same time, they
can be thus manufactured with little or no increase of cost.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we wish it to be
understood that we do not claim broadly the manufacture of reeds with wires held
in position by pitch, but that what we claim is,-
The improvements in the process or method of manufacturing reeds for looms,
which consists in subjecting them preferably in a stove, to the heat of a clear bright
fire, after being dipped in pitch, until the pitch and the wires are heated, for the
purpose of causing the pitch to settle firmly in position,.and between the wires, and
of preventing smoke and dirt, substantially as described.
WP. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.