Improvements in Raising Nap on Textile Fabrics and Machinery for that purpose.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Raising Nap on Textile Fabrics and Machinery
for that purpose.
I, HENRY GROSSELIN, of 16 Rue Drouot, Paris, France, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
The nap raising machines having rolling cards of variable intensity of action as at
present constructed may be classed into two principal groups: The first group
comprises nap raising machines in which the workers, that is to say the cards, act all in
one and the same direction parallel to the warp of the fabric to be napped. The
second group comprises nap raising machines in which the workers are arranged in
two series acting in opposite directions, always parallel to the direction of the warp.
These latter machines are known in the trade as nap raising machines working with
and against the nap.
The new machine which I have invented has for its object to allow of the applica-
tion of the principle of napping or nap raising by means of rolling cards of variable
intensity of action in such a manner that the napping is effected not only both with, and
against, the nap, in two diametrically opposite directions, usually parallel to the warp
of the fabric, but also in all directions, viz.:-parallel, perpendicularly or obliquely, in
such a manner that the fibres that constitute the material of the fabric shall be acted
upon and roughed or napped from all sides, that is to say, with the nap, against the
nap, longitudinally, transversely, obliquely, or diagonally, in all directions with
more or less intensity according to requirement, and in such a manner that all the
parts of the fabric shall be equally roughed or napped.
It is obvious that the realisation of universal napping as applied to napping
machines having rolling workers of variable intensity of action solves a problem of
the highest importance, and that it is the logical complement of the various
applications which have been made of that system for the last fifteen years.
This new idea is carried out in the following manner:
The napping devices consist essentially of a series of discs or tables each formed
of a group of workers or small rollers of truncated conical shape covered with card
cloth, and of which all the axes converge towards the centre of the disc, and are
capable of being inclined to a greater or smaller degree, as desired, with reference
to the different radii of the dise; and the external generating lines of which are all
in a plane parallel or almost parallel to the surface of rotation of the disc, in such a
manner that the whole arrangement constitutes an annular roughing or napping
surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the disc.
Each napping cone is covered with card cloth the teeth of which may be inclined
in one direction, either perpendicular to the axis of the worker, or parallel to said
axis. In other words, the points of the teeth of the cards may be inclined either in
the direction of rotation of the worker, or in the opposite direction, or in a direction
perpendicular to the rotation, that is to say in the direction of the generating lines
of the cone of the worker. They may also have an inclination of greater or less
obliquity, which may vary from 1 to 45° between the two above mentioned extremes.

page_text: All depends on the nature of the fabrics to be napped, and on the result to be
obtained in the way of napping.
I consider that in the majority of cases the best effect will be obtained by the
use of cards whose teeth are directed in the direction taken from the centre of
the dise towards the circumference. Moreover, the machine allows of utilising the
various kinds of cards so long as the clearing device is arranged accordingly. In
order to obtain the variability of intensity of action which is indispensable in this
kind of napping machine, the most simple and practical means consists in arranging
the axes of the conical workers with a greater or smaller obliquity relatively to the
radii of the disc. If the axes of the workers coincide with the radii parallel to the
radii of the disc, that is to say, if they are directed towards the centre or rather
towards the axis of rotation of the disc, the workers will thus be free as regards their
rotary motion and will act with the least degree of intensity. By arranging the
axes of the workers obliquely, a resistance in the rotary motion will be obtained
which will appear as a useful napping effect, so much the more energetic as the
obliquity is greater.
Another means consists in applying my system of driving at variable speed. In
this case, the axes of the workers converge all towards the centre, and these workers
have imparted to them a determined independent speed by means of bevel pinions,
friction wheels &c. driven at variable speeds suited to the work to be done. This
last method is more expensive to adopt.
All the workers are covered with card cloth or cards having the same direction,
and they act all in the same direction,--but it is obvious that different arrangements
may be employed with the object of changing the mode of action of said workers
and the direction of said action.
Thus, there may be grouped upon one and the same dise, workers having parallel
cards and workers having cards perpendicular to the direction of rotation. The
workers may be covered with cards arranged in opposite directions to each other in
such a manner as to produce an effect analogous to the effect known by the name of
working with the nap, and working against the nap, between two successive workers.
For this purpose it is sufficient to drive the workers at a speed of revolution such
that said speed shall he increased in one group (the group working against the nap)
and diminished in the other group (the group working with the nap) relatively to the
speed of rotation of the disc.
These variations in speeds may be effected with the aid of an arrangement for
driving at a determined speed, such as by the use of the system in which a group of
workers (namely, that group working with the nap) transinits to the other group (the
group working against the nap) a speed of rotation which it receives by reason of its
adhesion to the fabric, with a greater or smaller acceleration.
Whatever may be the system adopted for varying the intensity of action of the
workers, the first condition to be fulfilled, is to have an equal or an uniform action
along the whole length of the worker.
In other words, it is necessary that the development of the negative circumferential
speed of the cards shall be the same at all points of the worker relatively to the
positive circumferential speed of the corresponding points of the disc.
I effect this result by the use of conical workers. It is necessary that the sections
of the two ends shall be of a diameter which corresponds exactly to those of the
corresponding original generating circunferences of the dise; in other words, that
the proportion shall be constant along the whole length of the workers. In this
manner the circumferential development of the cards will be exactly proportional,
at all points of the worker, to the circumferential development of the disc, and if the
said worker is provided with a regulating motion of any kind produced either by
varying the obliquity of its axis relatively to the radii of the napping plane, or by
driving the same at a known and deterinined speed, this regulation will modify the
intensity or action of the cards in an uniform and constant inanner along the whole
length of the work which is the essential condition of proper napping.
The second point to be solved is that of uniformity of napping at all points of the

page_text: fabric to be napped. This uniformity is produced by means of different mechanical
arrangements all tending to the same end, that is to say, changing constantly the
position of the napping disc relatively to the position of the fabric.
The following are by way of example three different means for effecting this
object.
1. The napping discs may have a continuous circular movement of translation.
2. They may have an alternating rectilinear or curvilinear movement of translation in
the direction of the width of the fabric.
3. They may have a continuous rectilinear curvilinear movement in endless
succession as series.
I shall describe hereinafter each of these different movements, and the constructions
for carrying the same into effect.
A third point to be solved is that of clearing. This point may be solved in various
ways.
The clearers may have a continuous or an intermittent action.
They may have an external or internal action relatively to the surface or plane of
napping. They may also be placed between the two opposed planes or surfaces
formed by the outer faces of the workers.
According to one arrangement an external clearer is provided having a continuous
action, that is to say, the action of which takes place during the whole period of the
napping operation, on the working faces of the discs.
The discs being grouped on a revolving table whose diameter is greater than the
width of the fabric in such a manner that a portion of the annular napping surface
shall always project beyond the width of the fabric to be napped, it is therefore
sufficient to arrange a metallic or other brush tangentially to the conical workers for
the purpose of effecting the clearing the cards. This brush will be horizontal or
vertical according as the cards have eir teeth inclined in a direction perpendicular
or parallel to the axis of rotation of the worker. If the cards have a vertical
inclination, that is to say in a direction similar to that adopted in all the napping
machines having working rollers grouped upon a revolving table or drum the clearer
will act in the manner of the ordinary clearers, and its length should correspond to
the length of each conical worker.
If the cards have a parallel inclination, that is to say, are arranged according to a
direction which is similar to that adopted in napping machines having rollers provided
with vegetable teazles, the clearer should be vertical and be mounted on an axle to
which there is imparted an alternating transverse movement of translation, the extent
of which will be equal to the length of the workers. The same system of clearer inay
be applied to napping machines arranged in endless chain or succession.
As regards the napping machines having carriages with alternating motion, another
and more complicated arrangement of clearer is required, if it is desired to use more
than two napping discs in the direction of the width of the fabric. The same system
as above might be used if the machine comprised only two discs placed together in
the direction of the width. But as it is advisable to increase the number of the
discs, and this is absolutely indispensable when it is desired to nap fabrics of great
value, I have had to contrive other clearing arrangements and the following are those
which I have found suitable :-
1. There may be used an arrangement of clearer with continuous action which
takes place during the whole of the napping operation.
2. Or a system with intermittent action acting only at intervals, when the cards
are choked after a longer or shorter period of work.
1. CONTINUOUS CLEARER.
In this arrangement the clearer acts upon the face of the worker opposite to the
apping face. A brush is mounted on a shaft which extends the whole width of the
nachine and which follows the alternating transverse movement of translation of

page_text: direction according to the manner in which the teeth of the card clothing are
directed, so as to clear along the whole length of the workers. This method of
clearing necessitates a special construction of the discs. The workers should be
isolated or separated, that is to say, their axes should be fixed upon the disc at one
end only, namely that end which is situated at the centre of the disc. In this
manner the worker will be isolated in space; it is overhung, and this allows the brush
of the clearer to act as desired upon the inner face of each of the workers. The axes
of the workers may also be arranged obliquely as desired for the purpose
the intensity of action of the cards.
2. INTERMITTENT CLEARER.
varying
In many cases especially with fabrics which produce very little waste, an arrange
ment of clearer may be employed which is more simple and acts only at intervals,
that is to say, when the cards are choked. In this case the supports of the rollers
which regulate the contact of the fabric against the napping discs are capable of
moving, and also of being moved rapidly away from the discs by means of racks or
other devices. When the rollers are moved away a brush, or rather a shaft carrying
as many brushes as there are discs, will come into contact with the discs on their
napping surface. This shaft has imparted to it a movement. of translation of an
extent equal to the length of a worker and will thus clear the whole of the workers
in a few moments. After the completion of the clearing operation, the clearer moves
down into its supports and is thrown out of operation.
This mode of clearing can obviously only be employed in cases where the fabrics.
to be napped produce but little waste. I have mentioned it for the sake of
completeness, but I prefer to use continuous crearers.
It is optional to employ instead of clearers with brushes, pneumatic clearers acting
either by suction or by compression of air. In this case it is sufficient to provide a
suction or forcing fan or blower having suction and delivery orifices acting tangentially
to the workers and suitably directed in the direction of inclination of the cards. This
method of pneumatic clearing is known in industry and I only mention here its
particular application to say new machine as a substitute for brush clearers as at
present employed in napping machines having working rollers grouped on a revolving
drum.
It is clear that as with the above described napping machine the fibres of the fabric
are napped in all directions, the nap produced will be more complete and more
regular. At the same time, a natural enlarging action is produced on every roughing
surface; this has the result of maintaining the width of the fabrics and of strengthen-
ing the weft which may have become disarranged or abraided by the action of the
cards.
The map produced will not have any direction, that is to say, it will not lie parallel
to the warp of the fabric. It will remain upright so as to form a velvety surface
which imparts to the fabric a greater thickness, a softer feel, and a more felty
appearance.
For certain fabrics such as smooth cloths of carded wool, which require a flattened
nap, it is obvious that the smoothness must be produced by the use of smoothing
brushes, which act upon the fabric after the passage of the napping discs. This
smoothing process is sufficiently well known to enable me to dispense with any further
detailed description on that point.
I will now shortly describe the various arrangements of machinery for carrying out
my said invention.
According to one arrangement, the conical card rollers are mounted on inclined
axes in brackets round the periphery of a revolving disc so that the outer generatrices
of the cones all lie in the same plane constituting the napping plane in which the
cloth is made to travel.
The brackets are mounted on pivots on the disc, so that they can be turned so as

page_text: to give a slight angular position to the roller axes, relatively to the radius of the disc.
All the brackets can be adjusted simultaneously to the same angle by providing them
with projections on the inner end, gearing with a toothed pinion rotatably mounted on a
spindle passing through the hollow axis of the disc, which spindle has at its rear end
a laterally projecting pin engaged in an oblique slot in a sleeve revolving with but
capable of being slid on the disc-axis by a forked lever, so that by the motion of the
sleeve the said spindle will be turned inore or less, thereby turning the brackets on
their pivots. According to another modification each of the brackets is made
separately adjustable on its pivot, being provided with a toothed disc which is secured
in position by a setting screw.
In another arrangement for varying the action of the card rollers by varying the
speed of their rotation independently of the rotation of the disc carrying them, the
roller axes carry bevil pinions gearing with a bevil wheel mounted on a spindle passing
through the hollow shaft of the disc and carrying a pulley at its rear end, which is
driven at a certain speed independently of the speed of rotation of the disc shaft.
For effecting the pneumatic clearance of the conical card rollers, there is mounted
behind the disc carrying the latter, a hollow disc having a number of small oblique
holes facing the backs of the card rollers and communicating by a passage in the disc-
shaft with a channel through which a suitable supply of compressed air is made to
pass which in issuing against the card back surface of the rollers removes the deposit
of fibre therefrom.
The discs carrying a series of the conical card rollers may themselves be mounted on
the periphery of a large disc, to which rotary motion is imparted, while at the same
tine independent rotation is imparted to the small disc by means of pullies on their
axes. These discs, as they revolve with the large disc carry their card rollers beyond
the width of the fabric operated on, so that the fibre retained by the card rollers can
be removed by stationary clearing rollers or by pnenmatic clearers at those points. The
clearing rollers can be mounted on reciprocating levers, so that they receive a to and
fro motion over the card rollers, at the same time that they revolve.
A napping machine may have two such above described large revolving discs with
smaller card roller discs, arranged on opposite sides, the fabric to be treated being
caused to travel consecutively in front of each set of card roller discs.
According to another arrangement, a number of small discs carrying the card
rollers are inounted with their axes on a horizontal frame which has a to and fro
motion imparted to it by any suitable gear, such as a cam and slot motion so as to
act equally on every part of the cloth travelling in front of the discs in a direction at
right angles to that of the frame. The discs may either all rotate in the same direc-
tion or the alternate ones inay rotate in the contrary direction. In this arrangement
the clearing of the card rollers is effected by revolving clearing brushes mounted on
arms at the back of the card rollers; the lower end of the arm is pivoted to a lever on
a rocking shaft. which is made to travel longitudinally with the sliding frame carrying
the card roller discs, so that as these move to and fro, the clearing brushes are made by
the rocking shaft to travel up and down in an inclined direction over the back surface
of the conical card rollers.
According to another arrangement the small card roller discs are mounted with
their axes upon the links of an endless travelling chain, stretched over toothed
drums receiving rotary motion whereby the discs, at the same time that they are
made to rotate on their axes,. are carried by the endless chain first across the fabric
to be acted upon in one direction, and then, after passing round the end drum,
they travel back in the contrary direction.
Dated this Seventeenth day of December 1896.
ABEL, &, IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Raising Nap on Textile Fabrics and Machinery
for that purpose.
I, HENRY GROSSELIN, of 16 Rue Drouot, Paris, France, 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:-
The nap raising machines having rolling cards of variable intensity of action as at
present constructed may be classed into two principal groups:
The first group comprises nap raising machines in which the workers, that is to say
the cards, act all in one and the same direction parallel to the warp of the fabric to be
napped. The second group comprises nap raising machines in which the workers are
arranged in two series acting in opposite directions, always parallel to the direction of
the warp. These latter machines are known in the trade as nap raising machines
working with and against the nap.
The new machine which I have invented has for its object to allow of the application
of the principle of napping or nap raising by means of rolling cards of variable inten-
sity of action in such a manner that the napping is effected not only both with, and
against, the nap, in two diametrically opposite directions, usually parallel to the warp
of the fabric, but also in all directions, viz:-parallel, perpendicular, or oblique, in
such a manner that the fibres that constitute the material of the fabric shall be acted
upon and roughed or napped from all sides, that is to say, with the nap, against the
nap, longitudinally, transversely, obliquely, or diagonally, in all directions with more
or less intensity as may be required, and is such a manner that all the parts of the
fabric shall be equally roughed or napped. This new idea is carried out in the following
Inanner :-
The napping devices consist essentially of a series of discs or tables each formed of a
group of workers or small rollers of truncated conical shape covered with card, all the
axes, converging towards the centre of the disc, and capable of being inclined to a
greater or smaller degree, as desired, with relation to the different radii of the disc;
their external generating lines are all in a plane parallel or almost parallel to the sur-
face of rotation of the disc, in such a manner that the whole constitutes an annular
roughing or napping surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the disc.
Each napping cone is covered with card the teeth of which may be inclined in one
direction, either perpendicular or parallel to the axis of the worker. In other words,
the points of the card teeth may be inclined either in the direction of rotation of the
worker, or in the opposite direction, or in a direction perpendicular to the rotation
that is to say in the direction of the generating lines of the cone of the worker. They
may also have an inclination of greater or less obliquity, which may vary from 1°
to 45° between the two above mentioned extremes. All depends on the nature of the
fabrics to be napped, and on the result to be obtained in the way of napping.
I consider that in the majority of cases the best effect will be obtained by the use
of cards whose teeth are directed from the centre of the disc towards the circumfer-
ence. Moreover, the machine allows of utilising the various kinds of cards so long as
the clearing device is arranged accordingly. In order to obtain the variability of in-
tensity of action which is indispensable in this kind of napping machine, the most
simple and practical means consist in arranging the axes of the conical workers with a
greater or less obliquity relatively to the radii of the disc. If the axes of the workers
coincide with the radii parallel to the radii of the disc, that is to say, if they are directed
towards the centre or rather towards the axis of rotation of the disc, the workers will
thus be free as regards their rotary motion and will act with the least degree of inten-
sity. By arranging the axes of the workers obliquely, a resistance in the rotary motion

page_text: will be obtained which will appear as a useful napping effect, the more energetic the
greater the obliquity.
Another means consists in applying my system of driving at variable speed.
this case, the axes of the workers converge all towards the centre, and these workers
have imparted to them an independent known speed by means of bevel pinions, frie-
tion wheels &c. driven at variable speeds suited to the work to be done. This last
method is more expensive. All the workers are covered with cards having the same
direction, and they act all in the same direction; but it is obvious that different
arrangements may be employed with the object of changing the mode of action of
the workers and the direction of their action.
The
Thus, there may be grouped upon one and the same dise, workers having parallel
cards and workers having cards perpendicular to the direction of rotation.
workers may be covered with cards arranged in directions opposite to each other in
such a manner as to produce an effect analogous to the effect known by the name of
working with the nap, and working against the nap, between two successive workers.
For this purpose it is sufficient to drive the workers at speeds such that the speed
is increased in the group working against the nap, and diminished in the other group
working with the nap relatively to the speed of rotation of the disc.
These variations of speed may be effected with the aid of an arrangement for driving
at a determined speed, such as by the use of the system in which the group of workers,
working with the nap transmits to the other group working against the nap a speed
of rotation which it receives by reason of its adhesion to the fabric, with a greater or
less acceleration.
Whatever may be the system adopted for varying the intensity of action of the
workers, the first condition to be fulfilled, is to have an equal or a uniform action
along the whole length of the worker.
In other words, it is necessary that the negative circumferential speed of the cards
shall be the sane at all points of the worker relatively to the positive circumferential
speed of the corresponding points of the disc.
I obtain this result by the use of conical workers. It is necessary that the sections
of the two ends shall be of a diameter which corresponds exactly to those of the cor-
responding original generating circumferences of the disc; in other words, that the
proportion shall be constant along the whole length of the workers. In this manner
the circumferential speed of the cards will be exactly proportional, at all points of the
worker, to the circumferential speed of the disc, and if the worker is provided with a
regulating motion of any kind produced either by varying the obliquity of its axis
relatively to the radii of the napping plane, or by driving the same at a known and
determined speed, this regulation will modify the intensity or action of the cards in a
uniform and constant manner along the whole length of the work which is the essen-
tial condition of good napping.
The second point to be solved is that of uniformity of napping at all points of the
fabric. This uniformity is produced by means of different mechanical arrangements
all tending to the same, end, that is to say, changing constantly the position of the
napping disc relatively to the position of the fabric.
The following are by way of example three different means of effecting this
object.
1. The napping dises may have a continuous circular movement of translation.
2. They may have an alternating rectilinear or curvilinear movement of translation
in the direction of the width of the fabric.
3. They may have a continuous rectilinear curvilinear movement as an endless
chain.
I shall describe hereinafter each of these different movements, and the
constructions for carrying the same into effect.
A third point to be solved is that of clearing. This point may be solved in various
ways.
The clearers may have a continuous or an intermittent action.
They may have an external or internal action relatively to the surface or plane of

page_text: napping. They may also be placed between the two opposed planes or surfaces
formed by the outer faces of the workers.
In order to facilitate description, I shall refer to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a front view of a napping machine according to my invention, parts
being broken away.
Figure 2 is a side view and Figure 2 a view of parts on the opposite side.
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front view of the gearing for the workers and clearers.
shewn in Figure 1, Figure 34 shewing a modification.
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view of the gearing shewing the course of the
fabric.
Figure 5 is a plan and Figure 6 an elevation partly in section of an elementary
worker disc.
Figures 7 and 8 are similar part views shewing modified means of regulating the
obliquity of the workers.
Figures 9 and 10 are similar views of a worker disc adapted for variable speeds.
Figures 11 and 12 are similar views of dises having pneumatic clearers.
Figures 13 and 14 are diagrammatic front and side views of a machine having the
dises mounted on a revolving frame.
Figure 13 shews a modification of Figure 13 in which the cards are parallel.
Figure 14 shew a modification of Figure 14, the machine having two frames.
Figure 15 is a diagrammatic front view of the machine with chain driving.
Throughout these figures the same reference letters are employed to denote
corresponding parts, these letters being generally applied only to those parts of the
machine to which the invention applies.
The essential element of the machine is the worker which is shewn by way of
example in Figures 5 and 6, consisting of a frame A on which are pivotted by axes b
brackets B, for instance, 9 in number having mounted in them on axes t the conical
workers T. The axis of rotation of the workers could, if desired, be a little more
inclined so as to make the napping face somewhat convex to take a better hold of the
fabric. Also each bracket B can be more or less inclined relatively to the radii of the
disc, the cards acting with greater energy the greater the obliquity. The cards may
be wound so as to have their dents directed either parallel or perpendicular to the
axis of rotation. Each bracket. B may have its obliquity separately varied, or all
may be simultaneously varied by gearing them to a toothed wheel M which may be
turned partly round the axis of the dise A. For this purpose, the wheel M may be
fixed on a sleeve having an inclined slot U engaging a stud X in a grooved sleeve D
which can be moved along the axis V by a forked lever D¹.
As shewn in Figures 7 and 8 the workers have the card dents parallel to the axis,
but the obliquity of each worker can be separately varied, and held by notched
dises G. A cleaning brush is indiented at D". As shewn in Figures 9 and 10 the
energy of the worker is varied by regulating their negative speed relatively to that
of the dise as is done in known machines. Each worker has a bevil pinion P gearing
with a central bevil wheel Q fixed on a shaft V passing through the sleeve carrying
the disc A. On the shaft. V is fixed a pulley Uf which is driven at variable speed so
as to retard more or less the rotation of the workers relatively to their speed of
revolution. If the cards were arranged against the nap, the workers would have to
be accelerated as is well known. The system of regulation above described applies
specially to workers having cards inclined at right angles to the axis of rotation.
As shewn in Figures 11 and 12, air compressed by a fan blower or pump passes
along the tubular shaft H of the disc A to radial channels having holes Z by
which it escapes, blowing on the workers and clearing them.
Referring now to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive the discs above described are mounted
on a frame A¹ having two rails running on rollers. This is caused to reciprocate, as
for example by a wheel J having a triangular cam H working in a slot of the frame.
The reciprocating motion may be obtained otherwise, so long as the workers are
caused to travel with regularity to and fro across the fabric. As the fabric is passed
several times through the machine, uniformity of action is readily attained. The

page_text: workers may revolve all in the same direction, or some in the one and some in the
other direction as indicated in Figure 3. This arrangement requires a special kind
of clearer to act on the inner face of the workers, brushes being applied on the sides
of the workers opposite to the acting sides as shewn in Figures 7, and 8: These
brushes D are one an axis which travels to and fro with the reciprocating frame,
being journalled in bearings R which are raised and lowered by the action of levers L
so as to act on the whole length of the worker cone.
Each brush is set a little to one side of the vertical line of the axis of the worker
so as to avoid it in its vertical movement.
As shewn in Figures 13 and 14, the frame O carrying the disc A revolves, so that
all the discs which have their own rotary motion travel over the fabric,, napping it
regularly over its whole width. This form of machine is especially suited to narrow
fabrics, having width not exceeding a yard. The clearing of the cards is effected by
a brush, or several brushes Dll having the same length as the workers, each of which
as it revolves passes over and is acted on by the brush.
The rollers P¹ guide and move the fabric. The machine may have two revolving
frames one in front and one behind as shewn in Figure 14 the fabric being acted on
by both sets of workers.
The machine shewn in Figure 134 differs only from that shewn in Figure 13 in
having the brushes D mounted on vértical axés which inove to and fro so as to act
'over the whole length of each worker, which in this case has the card dents parallel
to its axis.
As shewn in Figure 15 the discs are driven by an endless chain. The principle is
the same as in the machines with revolving frames; the discs being mounted on a
chain S. This arrangement permits of any width of machine with externally acting
brushes.
Having described certain arrangements of the clearing brushes, I shall now refer
generally to arrangements of these suitable in various cases.
The discs being grouped on a revolving frame whose diameter is greater than the
width of the fabric in such a manner that a portion of the annular napping surface
always projects beyond the width of the fabric to be napped, it is sufficient to mount
a metallic or other brush tangentially to the conical workers for the purpose of
effecting the clearing of the cards. This brush is horizontal or vertical according as
the cards have their teeth inclined in a direction perpendicular or parallel to the axis
of rotation of the worker. If the cards have a vertical inclination, that is to say in
a difection similar to that a lopted in all the napping machines having working rollers
grouped upon a revolving table or drum the clearer acts in the manner of the
ordinary 'clearers and its length should correspond to the length of each conical
worker.
If the cards have a parallel inclination, that is to say, are arranged according to a
direction which is similar to that adopted in napping machines having rollers
provided with vegetable teazles, the clearer should be vertical and be mounted on an
axis having a reciprocating, transverse movement, the extent of which is equal to the
length of the worker. The saine system of clearer inay be applied to napping
machines arranged in endless chain.
As regards the napping machines having reciprocating carriages as shewn in
Figures 1 to 4 inclusive another and more complicated arrangement of clearer is
required, if it is desired to use more than two napping discs in the direction of the
width of the fabric. The same system is above might be used if the machine
comprised only two discs placed side by side in the direction of the width! But as
it is advisable to increase the number of the discs, and this is absolutely indispensable
when it is desired to nap fabrics of great width; I have had to contrive other clearing
arrangements and the following are those which I have found suitable :-
1. There may be used an arrangement of clearer with continuous action which
takes place during the whole of the napping operation.
2. Or a system with intermittent action acting only at intervals, when the cards
are choked after a longer or shorter period of work:

page_text: 1. CONTINUOUS CLEARER.
In this arrangement shewn in Figures 7 and 8 the clearer acts upon the face
of the worker opposite to the napping face. A brush D is mounted on a
shaft Z, which extends the whole width of the machine and which follows the
reciprocating transverse movement of the carriage and discs. This shaft should
be carried in bearings to which there is imparted a reciprocating movement in
a vertical or horizontal direction according to the manner in which the dents of
the cards are directed, so as to clear the whole length of the worker. This
method of clearing necessitates a special construction of the discs. The workers
should be isolated or separated, that is to say, their axes should be fixed upon the disc
at one end only, namely, that end which is situated at the centre of the disc.
In this manner the worker is isolated in space, and overhangs and this allows
the brush of the clearer to act upon the inner face of each of the workers. The
axes of the workers may also be arranged obliquely as desired for the purpose of
varying the intensity of action of the cards.
2. INTERMITTENT CLEARER.
In many cases especially with fabrics which produce very little waste, an
arrangement of clearer may be employed which is more simple and acts only at
intervals, that is to say, when the cards are choked. In this case the supports
of the rollers which regulate the contact of the fabric against the napping discs
are capable of being moved rapidly away from the discs by means of racks or other
devices. When the rollers are moved away a brush, or rather a shaft carrying as
many brushes as there are discs, can come into contact with the discs on their
napping surface. This shaft has a reciprocating movement of extent equal to the
length of a worker and can thus clear the whole of the workers in a few moments.
After the completion of the clearing operation, the clearer moves down into its
supports and is thrown out of operation.
This mode of clearing can obviously be employed only in cases where the fabrics
to be napped produce but little waste. I have mentioned it for the sake of
completeness, but I prefer to use continuously acting clearers.
It is optional to employ instead of brush clearers, pneumatic clearers acting either
by suction or by compression of air. In this case it is sufficient to provide a suction
or forcing fan or blower having suction and delivery orifices acting tangentially on the
workers in the direction of the inclination of the cards. This method of pneumatic
clearing is known in industry and I only mention here its particular application to
my new machine as a substitute for brush clearers as at present employed in napping
machines having working rollers grouped on a revolving drum.
As with the above described napping machine the fibres of the fabric are napped
in all directions, the nap produced is more complete and more regular. At the same.
time, a natural enlarging action is produced on every roughing surface; this has the
result of maintaining the width of the fabrics and of straightening the weft which
may have become disarranged or abraided by the action of the cards.
The nap produced has no direction, that is to say, it does not lie parallel to the
warp of the fabric. It remains upright forming a velvety surface which imparts to
the fabric a greater thickness, a softer feel, and a more felty appearance.
For certain fabrics such as smooth cloths of carded wool, which require a flattened
nap, it is obvious that the smoothness must be produced by the use of soothing
brushes, which act upon the fabric after the passage of the napping dises. This
smoothing process is sufficiently, well known to enable me to dispense with any
further detailed description on that point.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is.
1. Raising nap on a fabric by means of rolling workers of variable intensity of

page_text: action acting in all directions, longitudinally, transversely and diagonally on the
fabric substantially as described.
2. For operating as above set forth, a machine having revolving discs each carrying
conical workers, the obliquity of which relatively to the radii of the disc can be
varied, or the rotary speed of which relatively to that of the disc, can be varied
substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
3. Mounting the discs above referred to on reciprocating or revolving frames or on
endless chains, thus causing them to travel over the whole width of the fabric,
substantially as described and illustrated.
4. For clearing the napping workers, brushes or their equivalents arranged to act
continuously or intermittently on their inner or outer faces, substantially as described
and illustrated.
5. Mounting the dises on overhanging axes, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
6. The combination on one disc of napping workers acting some in one direction
with the nap, some in the opposite direction against the nap, substantially as
described.
Dated this 16th day of September 1897.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.