Improvements in Machinery for the Manufacture of Yarns from Fibrous Materials.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for the Manufacture of Yarns from
Fibrous Materials.
I, JAMES YATE JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by William Henry Drury, a citizen of the United
States, residing at Waltham, in the County of Middlesex and State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Lawyer) and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in machinery for the manufacture of
yarns from fibrous materials for which Letters Patent has been applied for, dated
12th December 1897 No. 29072.
In the specification accompanying the said application machinery is described
for making twisted and completed yarn from unspun fibrous materials in one
continuous operation or continuous series of operations, whereby the fibrous web,
sheet or width produced by carding is subdivided into many narrow strips,
sections or parts; the material of each strip is rolled up and wrapped in thin
films or layers one upon the other to form a fibrous roll lying crosswise of the
strip; each of said rolls is revolved and whirled to compact and reduce it, and to
twist, from its hind end, the yarn made therefrom, and is drawn lengthwise of
itself and further compressed, evened and condensed while being so drawn; and
the material of the whole web, sheet or width is transformed directly and con-
tinuously into many or numerous strands of twisted and completed yarn-the
machine for attaining this result comprising essentially means for carding the
material in combination with means for subdividing the carded material definitely
and on predetermined lines into numerous narrow, separate and independent
sections, together with means for simultaneously side-drawing said several sections
and spinning the same into yarn.
The present invention involves the same general combination of instru-
mentalities having the same general mode of operation as that which constitutes
the subject of the said former application, but comprises certain improvements
whereby the machine is simplified, the number of its operative parts is reduced,
and its efficiency is enhanced.
In the specification accompanying the said former application the means
described for carding the material consist of an ordinary wool finisher card, the
means for subdividing the carded material into numerous narrow sections consist
of a plural number of series of doffer-rings arranged in such relation to each
other that the rings of either series are opposite intervals between the rings of
other series, and the described means for rolling up the fibrous sections and
revolving the fibrous rolls thus formed, and drawing them sidewise of the lengths
of the sections, and spinning the same into yarn consist of several elements,
namely, (1) either a doffing comb or wipe roll to remove the fibrous material
from each doffer-ring. (2) the doffer-ring itself and a twisting roll (the latter per-
forming either the single function of a twisting roll or the double function of a

page_text: twisting roll and wipe roll), both of which revolve in the same direction with
each other and are in such relation to each other as to form the removed material
into a fibrous roll and to revolve such fibrous roll, (3) a condensing device, through
which the material of the rotating fibrous roll is drawn, performing the function
of compressing and condensing such material and also co-operating with the
doffer-ring and twisting roll to assist them in revolving the fibrous roll, and (4)
drawing mechanism either consisting of a pair of drawing rolls placed at one
side of each doffer-ring or else consisting of the winding mechanism placed at a
considerable distance away from each doffer-ring and performing the double
function of drawing and winding.
The improvements characterising the present invention relate more especially
to the specific form of the means for drawing up the fibrous sections and revolving
the fibrous rolls thus formed.
It has been found in the manufacture of yarn in accordance with the system
described in the specification referred to, that it is detrimental to the quality of
the yarn produced, to use drawing rolls at the sides of the doffer-rings.for drawing
the fibrous material through the condensing mechanism, and that better yarn is
produced by providing for a long uninterrupted stretch (say of 18 inches or there-
abouts) of each strand of yarn between the point where it leaves the condensing
mechanism and the point where it is taken by the drawing mechanism. The
effect of such length of stretch is to produce evenness in the yarn. The twist
will run into the finer portions and prevent them from stretching, while any
longer and looser portions will be stretched out and twisted, somewhat like the
action of mule-spinning. Hence the drawing mechanism should consist either of
the winding mechanism or of some other device placed where it will not touch
the yarn until it has gone over a long stretch such as mentioned.
By dispensing with the use of drawing rolls at the sides of the doffer rings,
other advantages are also obtained. A considerable gain of room in the intervals
between doffer-rings is effected, and narrower rings may be used than could other-
wise be done. By thus dispensing with side-drawing rolls at the sides of the
doffer-rings, and by employing an improved arrangement of the condensing
straps described in the said former specification it has been found practicable to
use, for subdividing the carded material into numerous narrow sections, the
ordinary ring-doffer, which consists of a single long cylinder clothed with
numerous narrow rings of card clothing at predetermined intervals apart. In
practice it has been found that the ordinary ring-doffer is for many reasons pre-
ferable to a series of short pulley-like cylinders fixed at predetermined intervals
apart upon a single doffer-shaft with open spaces between them down to the doffer-
shaft and having a doffer-ring on each of the short cylinders. The rings of the
ordinary ring-doffer, after being put on so as to run true along their edges, keep
true better than do those with the said open spaces between them. Another dis-
advantage of the open spaces is that they gather fibre which is liable to get into
the yarn in bunches, resulting in uneven yarn, but the ordinary ring-doffer is
free from such objection. The ordinary ring doffer is stiffer and stronger than a
series of short cylinders with open spaces between. The ordinary ring-doffer
admits of packing to fill up the spaces between the rings and hold the rings in
position and protect the teeth of the card clothing along the edges of the rings;
but the series with open spaces does not admit of this. In using narrow rings,
say an inch wide or less, a series with open spaces between would be almost intoler-
able, but with the ordinary ring-doffer such narrow rings can be used conveniently
and to good advantage.
For these and other reasons the ordinary ring-doffer has been found in practice
to be the best means for dividing the carded material into numerous narrow and
separate sections, and for use in conducting the herein described system of making
varn. By the use of this form of doffer, it is practicable to use much narrower
rings say from 7 of an inch to one inch wide, and even less-in connection
with side-drawing than have ever been used before. By using doffer-rings of this

page_text: narrow width it is practicable to dispense with much of the mechanism, such as
the twist rolls, and the like, which, with wider rings, had previously been
thought necessary in order to roll up the fibrous sections and revolve the fibrous
rolls thus formed, and spin the same into yarn; the result being an improvement
in the manufacture of yarn, as well as a gain in point of simplicity.
It being recognized as a fact that each strand of yarn in the process of its manu-
facture by this improved system has two ends, namely, the end which is in the
ball or spool on which the completed strand is wound (called its front or forward
end), and the end in the constantly-forming fibrous roll from which the strand is
drawn and spun (called its hind end), the said system of making yarn, besides
differing from the old systems in other respects, is seen to be prominently dis-
tinguished therefrom in the respect that by the old systems the yarn is twisted
wholly at its front end by revolving that end, while by this improved system the
yarn is twisted at its hind end by revolving the latter. Hence in making each
strand of yarn by the improved system it is necessary that a fibrous roll shall be
kept constantly forming and that such constantly-forming fibrous roll from
which the yarn is drawn and spun, shall be kept bodily, and along its whole
length, in rapid and constant rotation.
Owing to the flexible nature of unspun fibrous material, all the several elements
described in the specification hereinbefore referred to for this purpose seemed to
be necessary in the case of a long fibrous roll (say four inches long or thereabouts),
to perform the office of forming each fibrous roll and twisting each strand of
yarn at its hind end. But when fibrous rolls of an inch in length or thereabouts
and of some kind of fibre came to be operated upon, it was discovered that by
operating each condensing device and the drawing mechanism at proper speed the
condensing device alone, by its rubbing and twisting action, would remove the
fibrous material from the doffer-ring, from the fibrous roll and revolve the latter
bodily throughout its entire length in such manner as to twist the strand at its
hind end, SO that, if desired, the doffing comb and twisting roll, either
or both, and whether the twisting roll was or was not also a wipe
roll, could be wholly dispensed with. It is this feature which mainly
characterizes the present improvement. This has been found practicable in
spinning several kinds of fibres including cotton, wool, flax tow, goat hair and
the like. It has also been found that this method works even better when still
narrower doffer-rings are used, because the narrower the doffer-rings are the
better they are cleared of their fibrous material by the action of the condensing
devices, and the shorter the fibrous rolls are, the more certain and effectual the
condensing devices are in revolving them bodily. There is found to be much
advantage in dispensing with combs and twisting rolls and wipe rolls in the
manufacture of fine yarn, because it made it possible to produce more ends from a
card of given width than could otherwise be done. For instance, the combs and
rolls, although they could be used, would be much in the way in making 48 ends
from two ring-doffers on a 48-inch card, but there is no trouble in doing this if
they are wholly dispensed with. Indeed, by using three ring-doffers according to the
present invention, and without such combs and rolls, there is no trouble in making
as many as 90 ends on a card of that width. This is a matter of much practical
importance. For example, if yarn weighing one grain per yard were made, the
weight of production from 90 ends on a 48-inch card would be almost double that
from 48 ends, and the machine would be working to but little more than half
its capacity in making the smaller number of ends.
Owing to the nature of unspun fibrous material, there is a limit respecting the
width of doffer-rings from which the condensing devices alone will suffice to
clear the fibrous sections, roll them up and revolve the fibrous rolls thus formed,
and this limit is not the same in all cases. It depends much upon the kind and
quality of fibre used. With some fibres it may be necessary to use either a comb,
a twisting roll or wipe roll in addition to the condensing mechanism, even when
the doffer-rings are only an inch wide, while with other fibres the condensing

page_text: devices alone will suffice when the doffer-rings are wider. In most cases the con-
densing devices alone will be sufficient when the doffer-rings are not more than
an inch wide, and sometimes will suffice when the said rings are an inch and a
half wide or a little more, provided in both cases the speeds of the condensing
devices and drawing mechanism are suitably regulated. A more exact limit
cannot be stated, but any person of ordinary skill in the art may learn in a little
time by practice what the limit is in any single case.
It has
In the specification herein before referred to it is shewn that by using with each
dofter-ring a roll performing the double function of a twisting roll and wipe roll,
the use of a doffing comb could be wholly dispensed with in most cases.
since been discovered that under many circumstances the use of a doffing comb
can be dispensed with when a roll, performing only the function of a twisting
roll, is used. This may be done in all cases in which the condensing devices
alone will suffice for the purpose of clearing the doffer-rings and forming and
revolving the fibrous rolls. In many cases in which the condensing devices alone
will sufhce for that purpose, it will be desirable to use twisting rolls also, because
in all cases the yarn can be harder twisted with twisting rolls than without them.
In many cases in which the condensing devices alone will not suffice for the pur-
pose, the addition of twisting rolls will so aid the condensing devices that both
together will suffice for the said purpose without doffing combs. The limit
respecting the width of doffer-rings with which this is the case cannot be stated
exactly, because one fibre differs so much from another, but as a general thing,
it is the case with doffer-rings four inches wide and under, provided the position
and speed of the twisting rolls and the other speeds herein before alluded to are
regulated as herein before described.
It has also been discovered that when the limit respecting the width of doffer-
rings from which the condensing devices alone will suffice to clear-off the fibrous
sections and form and revolve the fibrous rolls has been exceeded, doffing combs
without twisting rolls or wipe rolls may be used to advantage to aid the condensing
devices in clearing the rings. This is the case in making soft-spun yarn, or when
a fibre unusually adhesive to the card clothing, or not so conesive to itself as
common, is used. The influence of the condensing devices in revolving the fibrous
rolls will with the aid of the combs in clearing the doffer-rings be extended beyond
the said limit sufficiently to effect a soft twist in the yarn. Morcover in making
soft-spun yarn, the combs, without twisting or wipe rolls, may be used to advan-
tage before the said limit has been reached, in which case the condensing devices
need not be run so fast as though the combs were not used. In such cases the
combs and condensing devices together will clear the rings and form and revolve
the fibrous rolls.
In the accompanying drawings are represented the improvements which con-
stitute the present invention. In this specification the delivery end of the
machine represented is called its front end, the side at the right hand of a person
in front of and facing the machine is called its right-hand side, and the opposite
side its left-hand side. Figure 1 is a view of the right-hand side of a finisher
carding machine of a common style used for carding wool, having two ring-doffers
and having at its front end mechanism whereby the sections of fibrous material
from the rings of the doffers are continuously rolled up, the fibrous rolls thus
formed, revolved, and the said rotating fibrous rolls drawn sidewise of said
rings and spun into numerous strands of completed yarn in accordance with this
invention. Figure 2 is a front elevation of said machine. Figure 3 is a view of
the left-hand side of a portion of the front end of said machine and mechanism.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of certain parts taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2
looking in the direction of the arrow shewn in the latter figure. Figure 5 is a
horizontal section of certain parts taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4. Figure 6 shews
a twisting roll in combination with a doffer-ring and condensing device. Figure 7
shews a comb in combination with a doffer-ring and condensing device. Figures 1
and 2 are on smaller scale than the others.

page_text: A carding machine with main cylinder of any desired width and diameter may
be used, but for convenience and to save room in the drawings the card here
represented is supposed to be a 32-inch card with main cylinder A 48 inches in
diameter, and the machine illustrated is adapted to make 32 ends of yarn, or one
end for each inch of the length of the main cylinder. The doffers B may be of
any convenient diameter desired, but those illustrated are supposed to be 12 inches
in diameter, 15 inches apart between centres, and to represent ordinary ring-
doffers with 16 rings on each. More or fewer rings on each doffer may be used,
and three doffers may be used, if desired. In the machine illustrated it is recom-
mended that the rings C of the upper doffer be each seven-eights of an inch wide
and those of the lower doffer one inch wide, because in such case each ring of the
upper doffer will receive from the main cylinder about the same amount of fibrous
stock as each ring of the lower doffer, and it is desirable that all the ends of
yarn shall be of uniform size. The rings on either doffer should be at uniform
distances apart between their middle lines, and the middle of each ring on either
doffer should be placed opposite the middle of each interval between rings on the
other doffer. When three ring-doffers are used the middle line of one half of
each interval between rings on each doffer should be opposite the middle line of a
ring on one of the other two doffers, and the middle line of the other half of such
interval should be opposite the middle line of a ring on the other of the other two
doffers, as usual when three ring-doffers are used on a finisher card. In clothing
the doffers with their rings of card clothing, the rings C should be first placed in
their relative positions and trued up so as to run true along their edges. The
vacant intervals between the leather or other material in which the wire of the
rings is set, should be packed with leather or other material of the same thickness
as that in which the wire is set, in order to hold the rings in their proper positions
and prevent them from slipping out of place. Over this packing should be placed
another thickness of packing covering the entire interval between the teeth of
one ring and the teeth of the next, in order to protect and sustain the teeth along
their edges. This is illustrated in Figure 5, in which a represents the shell of
the doffing cylinder, the material in which the wire c of the teeth is set, d the
packing next the doffing cylinder, and e the packing between the teeth of one ring
and the teeth of the next. The doffers B have the spur wheels I fixed to their
shafts. On a stud E fixed to the frame F of the carding machine is mounted a
pinion G meshing into the said wheels D. The pulley H is made fast to said
pinion G. The doffers B are driven from the main cylinder shaft I by a belt
passing over the pulley J thereon and thence over the pulley II.
The mechanism for making yarn from the fibrous material coming from the
doffer-rings is shewn as including the side frames K which support the various
parts of the said mechanism, which side frames rest on the front end of the frame-
work F of the carding machine proper, in the place usually occupied by the rub
rolls or apron condensers on such card. These side frames support bracket
plates L corresponding in number to, and accompanying, the doffer-rings and
fixed to the girders M see Figures 4, 6 and 7 which extend across from one of said
side frames to the other and are bolted to the latter and form a stiffening part
of the entire framework of the mechanism. The bracket plates L are bolteil to
the said girders by bolts N which slide lengthwise of the said girders in a slot O
therein running lengthwise thereof, so that the said plates L may be set in such
places as desired and firmly clamped to the girders. Shafts P extend across
from one of the side frames to the other, and run in bearings fixed to the said
frames. These shafts are driven from the main-cylinder shaft I by a belt passing
over the pulley Q thereon and thence over the pulleys R fixed to said shafts P.
To these two shafts are fixed pulleys S corresponding in number to and accom-
panying the said plates L and serving to drive the condensing straps T running
at top over pulleys U (see Figure 3) supported by the plates L. These condensing
straps run vertically or tangentially to the doffer-rings and two parts of each strap
are made to meet together for a short distance by means of the blocks V (see

page_text: Figure 4) fixed to the left-hand sides of said plates. In each of the plates Lis
an eye W in line with a horizontal line running across the middle of the distance
along which the portions of the strap meet. The meeting faces of the straps T are
in a plane tangential or approximately so, to their respective doffer-rings B. To
the left-hand side of each of said blocks V (see Figure 3) is fixed a plate X in
which there is eye Y opposite to the eye W in the bracket plate. The pulleys U
run upon studs fixed in the levers Z (see Figure 4). These levers are fulcrumed
at and have each a slot g to admit of raising or lowering the said studs so as to
tighten or loosen as required the condensing straps T. A hole in the top portion
of each of bracket plates L as shewn allows each of said levers to swing forward
and backward on its fulcrum so as to loosen or tighten a little the condensing
straps. On the top end of each of levers Z is fulcrumed a smaller lever with a
cam on it so that when the smaller lever is moved in one direction it clamps the
larger lever to the top of its bracket plate L and when it is moved in the opposite
direction it unclamps the larger lever. The purpose of this is to enable the
operator to readily fix the said levers in such position as he may desire or to enable
him to loosen or tighten the said straps a little at will. A portion of each end
of the girders M. is made round, or trunnion-like, as shewn at in Figure 4, and
these round parts extend through and fit in holes in the side frames and form
journals on which the girders can swing. To these girders are clamped one end
of arms j, the other ends of which are fixed to the side frames by set screws k.
The purpose of such construction is to enable the operator by means of the said
set screws to set the eyes, which are all in line with each other on each row, exactly
as he desires in relation to the doffer-rings.
The side frames K also support the winding mechanism, which, besides winding
the yarn produced, serves the additional purpose of drawing the yarn through the
eyes W and Y and the condensing devices. The winding or drawing mechanism
includes the four drums 1, upon the surface of which bear by their own weight
the spools m on which the yarn is wound, which spools correspond in number to
the doffer-rings and are held in position by the spool-stands or guides n, which,
as shewn in Figure 4, are clamped to the bars o which extends across from one
of said side frames K to the other and are bolted thereto, and serve as additional
stiffening parts of the entire frame-work. The winding mechanism also includes
the four lengthwise-sliding rods to which are attached the traversing fingers
or forks q, corresponding in number to said spools, for distributing the yarn across
the said spools. These rods slide lengthwise in holes in the side frames, and are
fixed to bars (see Figure 3) to which are bolted pins s which work in grooves of
cams (see Figure 2). These grooves run spirally half way round the cylinders t
in the direction of a left-hand thread and the other half way round in the
direction of a right-hand thread. As the cam cylinders revolve they move the
rods to and fro with their traversing fingers at uniform rate of speed without
much or any dwell at either end of the traverse. The cams revolve upon studs
fixed in the left-hand side frame, as shewn in Figure 2.
Sprocket wheels are fixed to the shafts of the drums on their right-hand
ends, and the sprocket chain v passes over the said wheels and over an idler y
(Figures 1 and 2) which gives proper direction to the said chain and keeps the
same suitably taut so that all of the sprocket wheels will revolve together when
either of them is driven. Two of the shafts carrying the drums I have the toothed
wheels fixed on their left-hand ends, as shewn in Figures 2 and 3, and these
gear into pinions which are made fast to the cams t. On the lower doffer-shaft
is fixed a pulley z which is in line with the pulley a¹ fixed to the lowest of the
drum shafts, the said drum-shafts being driven from the lower doffer-shaft by
means of a belt passing over the said pulleys z and a¹. As the drum-shafts
revolve they arive the wheels w which in turn drive the wheels and the cams t.
The spindles of the winding spools should be an inch and a half or so in
diameter and of solid metal to have sufficient weight to be driven by the frictional
action of the drums when the latter act upon the spindles or the material

page_text: thereon. The shanks of the spindles should be about a quarter of an inch in
diameter and run loose in the ways in the spool stands or guides. It is recom-
mended that paper tubes be used upon the spindles whenever the yarn is wound
because this will prevent the spools or balls of yarn from collapsing when they
are removed from their spindles and handled or transported.
The drums are so situated that the strands of yarn will have an uninter-
rupted stretch of 18 inches or thereabouts between the eyes Y (Figure 3) and the
point at which they first touch the drums.
It is recommended that the bracket-plates L be of cast iron and one-eight of
an inch thick with the parts which rest on the girders M an inch wide; and that
the blocks (Figures 4 and 5) be of cast iron, three-eights of an inch thick from
right to left, and smootly polished on the surfaces on which the condensing
straps run that the plates X fixed to the blocks V be of sheet steel, three-thirty-
seconds of an inch thick; that the condensing straps be eleven-thirty-seconds of
an inch wide so as to run easily between the said plates, and three-thirty-seconds
of an inch thick and be made of a good quality of pliable leather with a good
sensitive surface like the leather used for worsted comb-aprons out of which the
stretch has been pretty well taken; that the eyes W be about a quarter of an inch
in diameter and their edges be rounded so that a cross section of the edges will be
semi-circular; that the eyes Y be three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter and
rounded like the eyes W; that the line on which the condensing straps meet,
runs a trifle forward of, across the centres of the eyes W and almost on a tangent
to the doffer-rings; and that the centres of the said eyes be about a quarter of an
inch or less below the level of the centres of their accompanying doffer.
Now let it be supposed that all of the said machinery is running, with fibre
going through the card, and that the doffers, condensing straps and winding
mechanism are running at proper speed, and that the operator is going to piece
up the various ends and start the yarn making mechanism on its proper work.
It is recommended that he use a needle firmly fastened in a suitable handle and
about three-quarters of an inch of the said needle bent to about right angles to
its handle. This needle should have a downwardly-turned hook-shaped point like
a machine knitting needle. This needle should be inserted through one of the
eyes Y (Figures 3 and 5) and between the meeting surfaces of the corresponding
condensing strap and through the corresponding eye W until it gathers upon its
point from the face of the doffer-ring a little fibre, and then the needle should be
withdrawn, when the fibre from the doffer-ring will follow it through the
eyes and
between the meeting surfaces of the condensing strap. While this is going on the
strap acts upon the fibre in such manner as to roll up the material coming from
the doffer-ring and keep the doffer-ring stripped of its fibrous material and keep
the fibrous roll thus formed, revolving. At the same time the strap so acts as to
make a strand of yarn of the material being drawn by hand between its meeting
surfaces. When this strand becomes of sufficient length, as it does quickly while
the machinery is running, its forward end is put over the corresponding drum!
in the place prepared for it, one of the spool spindles m is laid on it, the forward
end is brought forward over the spindle and nipped between the drum and spindle
and the winding of the yarn begins. This is a simple proceeding and quickly
performed by one who has had a little practice, and a boy or girl or other person
will soon learn to do it deftly. All the other ends are started in the same manner.
After all the ends are up, the machine will go on spinning yarn day after day
without more than an occasional breaking down of a single end which can be
quickly pieced up in the manner above described.
The condensing device cannot act to clear the doffer-rings, roll up the fibrous
material and revolve the fibrous rolls thus formed as mentioned, unless the speed
of the condensing devices and the speed at which the yarn is drawn away are right.
Moreover, the proper speeds are not the same with the use of all fibres. When
cotton or wool of fair quality is spun in the manner described the speed of the
condensing straps may be about twice as fast as the surface speed of the doffer-

page_text: rings, and the speed at which the yarn is drawn away, about one-half
as fast as the said surface speed. The speeds may be greater in
both cases,
if desired, and it has been customary in practising the invention
with wool and cotton to run the straps four times as fast, and to draw away the
yarn five-eights or three-fourths as fast, as the said surface speed. In spinning
in the manner above described, a fibre weaker and more adhesive to the card
clothing and less cohesive to itself than such cotton or wool, it will sometimes be
necessary to run the condensing straps four times as fast, and to draw away the yarn
less than one half as fast, as the surface speed. Furthermore, the width of the doffer-
rings makes a difference in regard to the speeds of the condensing and drawing devices.
The wider the rings the faster it will be necessary to run the said devices in propor-
tion to the said surface speed, until a width of doffer-rings is reached so great that
the condensing device alone cannot clear them, or form or revolve the fibrous
rolls. In short, speeds suitable in one case are not suitable in another, and there
is no exact rule applicable to all cases regarding speeds of the condensing and
drawing devices. A person of ordinary skill in the art, however, will soon and
easily learn by practice the speeds suitable in any possible case.
The speed of the doffers should be greater than in the ordinary system of yarn
making. It is recommended that such speed be from 22 to 30 revolutions per
minute with 12-inch doffers, and it may be greater in many cases. The speed of
the doffers is changeable by changing the relative sizes of the pulleys H and J,
that of the condensing devices by changing the relative sizes of the pulleys R
and Q, and that of the winding or drawing mechanism by changing the relative
sizes of the pulleys z and a¹.
As already stated, when doffer-rings are used so wide that the condensing
devices alone cannot clear them of their fibrous material and form and revolve the
fibrous rolls, the proper use of twisting rolls in combination with the doffer-rings
and condensing devices will usually suffice to do it without other aid. Moreover,
twisting rolls may very often be used in such combination to great advantage
when doffer-rings are used which are not so wide, in which case it will not be
necessary to run the condensing devices so fast as required when the latter alone
are depended upon. It will seldom be desirable to use doffer-rings so wide that
such combination will not suffice. The twisting rolls, when thus used, should be
of the same width, run between the same side lines, and revolve in the same
direction, as their accompanying doffer-rings. In Figure 6 of the drawings is
represented one of the twisting rolls c¹ on the right-hand side of its accompanying
bracket plate L and in front of its accompanying doffer-ring C. To make room
for the twisting-roll shaft fl the bracket plates L are cut into, as shewn. This
shaft may be driven from the condensing-strap shaft P by means of a crossed
belt passing over the pulley don said shaft P near the right-hand side frame
and thence over the pulley e¹ (partly broken away in the figure to shew the twist-
ing roll) on said shaft f¹. It is recommended that the twisting rolls be of small
diameter, say two-and-three-fourths inches, so as to take little room, and they may
be of metal and as light as practicable. Their proper position in relation to that
of the eyes W is an important matter and one of the things on which their success
depends. If too low they will do no good, and if too high they will be of no use.
When they are of the size above recommended their centres should be set about
thirteen-thirty-seconds of an inch below the level of the centre of said eyes. The
correct position will be readily found after a few trials. They should be set by
gauge as close to their accompanying doffer-rings as practicable without touching
them. Their surface speed should exceed by a little, that of the doffer-rings and
at times may be increased even to twice as fast as the doffer-rings. Their speed
is changeable by changing the relative sizes of the pulleys & and e¹. A little
practice and trial will enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to set them in
proper position and to find, in any given case, the proper speed at which to run
them, and also the proper relative speed of the condensing straps. These speeds

page_text: will be found to vary according to the fibrous stock used and the degree of twist
desired in the yarn.
The use of combs should be avoided whenever practicable, because it is more
convenient to make yarn without them than with them, especially when making
a large number of ends from the machine. And yet, there are times when their
use is desirable. Some fibres adhere to the card clothing so as to cause an end to
break down frequently. The use of a comb remedies such trouble. It is desirable
sometimes not to twist the yarn so hard as is done when twisting rolls are used with
the doffer-rings and condensing devices. This result can be attained by removing
the twisting rolls and using combs instead.
1
Figure 7 illustrates an arrangement in which the doffer-rings C of each of the
doffers B are accompanied by a corresponding number of narrow vibrating
combs g to aid the condensing devices in clearing the doffer-rings and making
and twisting the yarn. In practice, rapidly vibrating combs four inches long
from the centre of their shaft h¹ to their edges ¹, with their edges swinging
through an arc of only three-fourths of an inch, have been found useful, and such
are recommended, because with such short vibration they keep the fibrous rolls
constantly just where they are wanted. They should be set low enough to keep
the fibrous rolls on a level with the eyes W without hindering in drawing the
fibrous rolls sidewise of the doffer-rings through said eyes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In machinery for making yarn from fibrous materials, the combination with
means for carding the material, of a plural number of series of doffer-rings, at
intervals apart in each series, to subdivide the carded material into numerous
narrow and separate sections; corresponding condensing devices to continuously
remove therefrom the said fibrous sections, roll them up and revolve the fibrous
rolls thus formed and condense and twist the yarn produced therefrom; means to
simultaneously draw the said rotating fibrous rolls, as they form, sidewise of the
said rings and through said condensing devices into yarn; and means for operat-
ing said rings, and said condensing devices, substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described.
2. In machinery for making yarn from fibrous materials, the combination with
means for carding the material, of cylinders clothed with numerous narrow rings
of card clothing at intervals apart on each cylinder to sub-divide the carded
material into numerous narrow and separate sections; corresponding condensing
devices accompanying the said rings respectively and which continuously remove
therefrom the said fibrous sections, roll them up and revolve the fibrous rolls thus
formed and condense and twist the yarn produced therefrom; means to simul-
taneously draw the said rotating fibrous rolls, as they form, sidewise of said rings
and through said condensing devices into yarn; and means for operating said
cylinders and condensing devices, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described.
3. In machinery for making yarn from fibrous materials, the combination with
means for carding the material, of a doffer; a condensing device to continuously
remove the fibrous material from said doffer, roll it up and revolve the fibrous
roll thus formed and condense and twist the yarn produced therefrom; means to
simultaneously draw said rotating fibrous roll, as it forms, sidewise of the said
doffer and through the said condensing device, into yarn; and means for operat-
ing said doffer and condensing device, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described.
4. In machinery for making yarn from fibrous materials, the combination with
means for carding the material, of a plural number of series of doffer-rings at
intervals apart in each series to subdivide the carded material into numerous
narrow and separate sections; corresponding twisting rolls to accompany said

page_text: rings respectively; corresponding condensing devices' accompanying said rings
and said rolls and to co-operate therewith to continuously remove from said rings
the said fibrous sections, roll them up and revolve the fibrous rolls thus formed
and condense and twist the yarn produced therefrom; and means to simultaneously
draw said rotating fibrous rolls, as they form, sidewise of said rings and through
the said condensing devices into yarn; and means for operating the said rings,
the said twisting rolls and the said condensing devices, substantially as and for
the purposes herein before described.
5. In machinery for making yarn from fibrous materials, the combination with
means for carding the material, of cylinders clothed with numerous narrow rings
of card clothing at intervals apart on each cylinder to subdivide the carded
material into numerous narrow and separate sections; corresponding twisting rolls
to accompany said rings respectively; corresponding condensing devices accom-
panying said rings and said rolls and to co-operate therewith to remove from said
rings the said fibrous sections, roll them up and revolve the fibrous rolls. thus
formed and condense and twist the yarn produced therefrom; means to simul
taneously draw the said rotating fibrous rolls, as they form, sidewise of said rings
and through the said condensing devices into yarn; and means for operating the
said cylinders, the said twisting rolls and the said condensing devices, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
6. In machinery for making yarn from fibrous materials, the combination with
ineans for carding the material, of a doffer; a twisting roll to accompany the said
doffer;
a condensing device accompanying the said doffer and twisting roll to
co-operate therewith to remove the fibrous material from the said doffer, roll it
up and revolve the fibrous roll thus formed; means to simultaneously draw the
said rotating fibrous roll, as it forms, sidewise of the said doffer and through the
said condensing device into yarn; and means for operating the said doffer, and
twisting roll and the said condensing device, substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described.
7. In machinery for making yarn from fibrous materials, the combination with
means for carding the material, of a plural number of doffer-rings at intervals
apart in each series to subdivide the carded material into numerous and separate
sections; corresponding doffing combs to accompany the said rings respectively;
corresponding condensing devices accompanying the said rings and the said combs
and to co-operate with the said combs to remove from the said rings the said fibrous
sections and to roll up the said fibrous sections and revolve the fibrous rolls thus
formed and condense and twist the yarn produced therefrom; means to simul-
taneously draw the said rotating fibrous rolls, as they form, sidewise of the said
rings and through the said condensing devices into yarn; and means for operating
the said parts, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
8. In machinery for making yarn from fibrous materials, the combination with
means for carding the material, of cylinders clothed with numerous narrow rings
of card clothing at intervals apart on each cylinder to subdivide the carded.
material into numerous narrow and separate sections; corresponding daffing.
combs to accompany the said rings respectively; corresponding condensing
devices accompanying the said rings and the said combs and to co-operate with
the said combs to remove from the said rings the fibrous sections and to roll up
the said fibrous sections and revolve the fibrous rolls thus formed and condense
and twist the yarn produced therefrom; and means to simultaneously draw the
said rotating fibrous rolls, as they form, sidewise of the said rings and through
the said condensing devices into yarn, and means for operating the said parts,
substantially as and for the purposes heréin before described.
9. In machinery for making yarn from fibrous materials, the combination with
means for carding the material, of a doffer; a doffing comb; a condensing device
to co-operate with the said comb to remove the fibrous material from the said
doffer and to roll up the said fibrous material and revolve the fibrous roll thus
formed, and condense and twist the yarn produced therefrom; means to simul-

page_text: taneously draw the said rotating fibrous roll, as it forms, sidewise of said doffer
and through the said condensing device into yarn; and means for operating the
said parts, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
10. The combination with the ring-doffer of power-driven condensing straps
situated in or opposite to the intervals between the doffer-rings, with their meeting
faces in a plane tangential, or approximately so, to their respective doffer-rings,
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
11. The combination with the ring-doffer, of power-driven condensing straps
situated in, or opposite to, the intervals between the doffer-rings with their meet-
ing faces in a plane tangential, or approximately so, to their respective doffer-
rings, and guides for conducting the fibrous material from the several doffer-
rings to and from the appropriate condensing straps, substantially as and for
the purposes hereinbefore described.
12. The combination with the ring-doffer of power-driven condensing straps
located in, or opposite to, the intervals between the doffer-rings, with their meeting
faces in a plane tangential, or approximately so, to their respective doffer-rings,
guides for conducting the fibrous material from the several doffer-rings to and
from the condensing straps, and means for adjusting the said straps and guides,
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
Dated this 9th day of August 1898
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.