IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING AND PREPARING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn
Fields, in the County of Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North
Britain, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR COMBING AND PREPARING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS
MATERIALS." A communication from Henri Jules Alphonse Paris,
of Paris in the Empire of France, Machinist.
-
Sealed the 5th May 1854, and dated the 8th November 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry
Johnson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 8th November 1853.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHI-
NERY FOR COMBING AND PREPARING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS,"
communicated to me from Henri Jules Alphonse Paris, of Paris, in
the Empire of France, Machinist, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the application of a circular comb
revolving horizontally, on the teeth of--which the wool is deposited

page_text: by a pair of moving feed rollers, which are caused to approach to and
recede from the circular comb by a suitable cam acting upon a moving
frame which carries the feed rollers. The actual combing is effected
by a pair of combs having a precisely similar movement to the feeding
rollers, namely, a forward movement towards the circular comb, a
downward movement to enter the teeth into the wool, and a back-
ward stroke to comb it. The fibres or staples, after being combed,
are directed towards the drawing rollers by a small, fan revolving
at a high speed. The drawing rollers are arranged vertically, and
the short fibres are removed by a suitable comb for the purpose,
which works loosely on the axis of the circular comb. The circular
comb is heated by a current of steam, which enters a hollow rim
carrying the comb. By a slight mo:lification of the general arrange-
ment the circular comb may be replaced by an endless chain comb,
the feeding rollers and, combs being actuated as before described.
-
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 8th May 1854
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of the City of Glasgow, North Britain, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her, most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria; by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day. of November, in the
Year of
four Lord One, thousand-eight hundred and. fifty-three, in the
seventeenth year of Her reign, did; for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her
special license that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said. John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from, time to time and at all times
thereafter, during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might

page_text: make, Fuse, exercise, and vend within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tions for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING AND PREPARING
WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," 'communicated to 'me from
Henri Jules Alphonse Paris, of Paris, in the Empire of France,
Machinist, upon the condition (amongst others) that I; the said John
Henry Johnson, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said In-
vention, and in what manner the same" was to be performed, and
'cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within-six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
'Patent.
:
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon,
that is to say:
:
The. said Invention consists in the application of a circular comb
revolving horizontally, on the teeth of which the wool is deposited by a
pair of moving feed rollers, which are caused to approach to and recede
from the circular comb. by a suitable cam acting upon a moving frame
which carries the feed rollers. The actual combing is effected by a pair
of. combs having a precisely similar movement to the feeding rollers,
videlicet, à forward movement towards the circular comb, a down-
ward movement to enter the teeth into the wool, and. a. backward
stroke to comb-it. The fibres or staples, affer being combed, are
directed towards the drawing rollers by a small fan revolving at a high
speed. The drawing rollers are arranged vertically, and the short
fibres are removed by a suitable comb for the purpose, which works
loosely on the axis of the circular comb. The circular comb is heated
by a current of steam which enters a hollow rim carrying the conib.
By a slight modification of the general arrangement 'the circular conib
may be replaced by an endless chain comb, the feeding rollers and
conibs being actuated as before described.

page_text: Fig. 1, on Sheet 1, of the Drawings represents a general plan of the
whole apparatus, certain portions of which, among others the drawing
mechanism, are shewn in horizontal section, in order to render the
working more clearly understood.
Fig. 2, on Sheet 2, of the Drawings is a vertical transverse section
of the machine taken near the drawing mechanism.
Fig. 3, on the same Sheet of Drawings is an elevation of the drawing
mechanism and partial section of the machine, seen from the back, on
the side where the wool is discharged.
.
Fig. 4, represents a side elevation of the actuating mechanism of the
combs and feeders, with a transverse section of the horizontal comb.
And Figs. 5 and 6, represent respectively in vertical section and plan
a small apparatus for cleaning the combs and removing the "noil"
.therefrom.
.
It will be seen, on reference to the above Figures, that the horizontal
comb, which may be circular, consists of a series of combs arranged' in
the form of an endless chain. These combs a are fixed into cast iron
pieces b, which are not joined together, but are simply placed onc
alongside the other on the long supporting table or frame A. This
table is surrounded by a metal band or projecting rim B, and is
covered by a plate or series of plates C of an angular section. These
two pieces B, and C, form a species of guide for the slides b, containing
the combs, a sufficient opening being left. for the passage of the combs
a in such a manner as to allow them to traverse freely round the
entire table or frame, each one pushing against its neighbour. The
internal face of the slides bis toothed, into which teeth gears one or
more pinions D, working through lateral openings or slots formed for
that purpose in the side of the angled plate C. It will thus be seen
that one pinion will be sufficient to actuate the whole series of slides
and combs by imparting thereto a continuous progressive movement.
The plate or plates C are prevented from pressing too much upon the
slides b, by the interposition of the plates or supports d, which allow the
plates C to be just so much in contact with the slides as not to
materially impede their progress. E, is the steam space for heating
the combs. It will be easily understood, however, after the above

page_text: description, that the combs working in a slide may be joined together
or may be driven by various other means.
By the arrangement illustrated in the annexed Drawings the feeding
and working combs have a rectangular movement imparted to them,
and which it will be easily understood, on referring to Figs. 1 and 4,
consists, in the employment of curved eccentrics or cams F, forming a
kind of triangle with curved sides. These eccentrics or cams are each
moved or caused to rotate in a square moveable frame, composed of
two horizontal rods G, sliding in the collar bearings H, which are fitted
with side lugs h, (Fig. 1,) working up and down the vertical fixed
guide rods I. The horizontal rods G are connected by four tie rods
or links g, g', two of which form the frame for the eccentrics or cams
to work in, whilst the others are fixed at each extremity of the hori-
zontal rods, and serve one to carry the working comb f, and the other
to steady the horizontal rods during their traverse. The tubular
bearings H are also connected by similar vertical rods or links h'.
It will be easily understood that by this arrangement the eccentric
or cam F will actuate the frame, and consequently the comb f, first in
a vertical direction downwards, in order that the teeth may enter the
wool, then horizontally backwards to give the combing action, suc-
ceeded by a second vertical upward movement, and finally a horizontal
forward motion. These successive movements are continued during
the working of the machine, and constitute the combing action of the
working combs. A series of jointed pipes J serve to conduct the
beating steam to the combs f, the joints permitting them to follow-
the movements of the combs. In the Drawings two working combs
are represented working alternately. To the mechanism of one of the
combs are fitted two rods K, which extend outside the standards A','
carrying the comb actuating mechanism, and serve to support or carry
the table L'of the feeder with the feeding rollers . The mechanical
feeder employed in this machine is composed of two or three pairs of
grooved feeding rollers l, the object of which is to convey the wool in
small quantities or tufts at a time on to the teeth of the horizontal tra-
velling comb a, towards which the table and feed rollers are caused to
approach as fast as it advances. In order that the feeding may be pro-

page_text: :
perly effected it is not necessary. merely that the rollers should revolve
on their axes in carrying the fibrous material, but that they should also
.descend vertically to the bottom of the teeth in the horizontal travers-
ing combs a, in order to force the wool well down to-the bottom of the
teeth thereof. For effecting this object a similar movement is iniparted
to the feeding table. to that communicated to the combs, namely, a ver
tical and horizontal movement. The axis of one of the feeding rollers
carries a ratched wheel, which, during the rectangular movement of the
table, comes in contact with a pall or catch, which causes the wheel, to
advance a certain distance. Another catch acts as a detent to prevent
the rollers from turning back in the contrary direction while nipping
the wool. It will thus.be seen that the feeder is actuated in the same
manner as the combs,, and with the same speed. This movement, how
ever, is not sufficiently quick, the feeder being more advantageously
worked by separate mechanism, or two feeders may be employed for
one comb. The feeding or supplying of the wool by the arrangement
above described has the effect of partially combing, the wool by
straightening the fibres through the teeth of the comb. In order that
the strain on the teeth of the comb when, feeding may not tend to bend
them a small holder or catch i is. employed, actuated by a lever-j, and
rod ; attached to. the ring of an eccentric on the shaft M. Each time
that the feeder, having inserted a certain amount of wool into the teeth
of the comb, commences to retire, the catch i is brought down on to
the points of the teeth, and holds them firm. Each time one of the
combs recedes after having combed the wool held in the combs a, it
comes in contact with a rotatory brush N, which removes the wool con-
tained therein (see Fig. 4). As this brush, however, requires the
employment also of another apparatus. O to keep it clean, a band of
caoutchouc, or leather even, or other similar material is preferred. This
band is fixed, and the comb, on arriving at the end of its backward
stroke or traverse, presses against and slides over it, whereby the whole
of the "noil is removed, and in place of falling into a heap or pile,
thereby taking up a great amount of unnecessary space, it is.received
or to an endless band or cloth, which is actuated by a continuous
movement. This cloth passes beneath a pressing roller, which presses
.

page_text: ZL
the "noil" contained thereon into a continuous riband round the cloth;
thereby taking up very little room, with the facility of removal when
wanted. The brush cleaning apparatus. O, herein-before mentioned;
consists simply of a species of comb which strikes against.the brush.by
a circular alternating movement which it receives from a lever. on
which it is carried, such lever being, actuated by a crank and connect-
ing rod. The combs f form a projecting. angle, one side of which. f
is oblique as regards the combs a, so as to comb first the ends of the
staples, and then-gradually to advance, whilst the other parallel portion
of the comb reaches close up to the teeth of the comb a (see Fig. 1).
The comb a, after passing the combs f, and before arriving at the
drawing rollers, passes in front of an endless cloth e, traversing rapidly
over a pair of vertical rollers j', and fitted with projecting blades or
pallets (Fig. 3), which have for their object the uniting of the ends of
the tufts, and inclining them towards the drawing mechanism, which has
hitherto been effected by manual labour. Another operation, previous
to the drawing, ought to be performed upon the wool contained in the
combs near the bottom of the teeth; the operation consists in dividing
For separating the fibres of tlie wool one from the other in order to faci-
litate the drawing. A mechanical arrangement for effecting this object
is represented in the Drawings. A small crank t is keyed on to the
shaft to, which is driven from the main actuating shaft by a grooved
pulley. The crank is connected by a rod t to a forked joint or double
eye m. The revolutions of the crank communicate a partial and alter-
nating rotation to the vertical shaft or axis t, which carries the fork m.
On this shaft is fitted a lever arm m', which. consequently; receives a
circular alternating movement, and which, by means of the levers and
rods m² and m³ actuating the small discs or teeth o (shewn in dotted
lines in Fig. 3), communicate a vertical alternating movement-thereto.
These small discs, by rubbing against the fibres of the wool in the inté-
rior of the comba, have the effect of separating them, in place of
allowing them to accumulate at the bottom of the teeth. The wool
then passes on to the drawing mechanism, which is composed of vertical
cylinders or
or rollers n, having endless-cloths or bands passed-round them.
Although the arrangement is not shewn in the Drawing, it would be

page_text: advantageous to cause the wool to pass, after leaving the drawing rollers,
round a revolving drum, in order to prevent the fibres from attaching
themselves to the endless cloths, and being wound round them. The wool,
before entering between the drawing rollers n, passes through the teeth
of a long horizontal comb p; through the teeth of this comb is passed a
smaller comb, which not only serves to keep it clean, but to remove
the "noil" or short fibres from the teeth of the comb a. At each turn
of the latter certain teeth or catches with which it is furnished act, one
upon the "comb p to disengage it from the comb q, which withdraws
the short fibres, and the other upon an arrangement of levers 7, which
serve to draw the comb into a tube Q, furnished with internal
teeth for the purpose of cleaning it. A rotatory brush R, situated in
the interior of the endless comb a, and placed in an inclined position or
vertical angle, serves to remove the short fibres remaining at the back
of the teeth. This brush-is driven by a band R', and pulley R, fast on
the shaft 3. It might, however, be still more advantageous to place the
revolving brush at the outside of the comb a, and to employ a move-
able comb in the interior, similar to the one shewn at q, for removing
the short wool: At S is an apparatus similar to the apparatus i, but
fixed; it consists of a bar which covers the ends of the comb'teeth a,
.for the purpose of preventing their being bent by the combing action.
Figs. 5 and 6 represent in detail the apparatus for cleaning the comb a,
shewn at T in Figs. 1 and 3. It is composed of a hinged combu,
-attached to a vertical support v, which receives an alternating vertical
.movement from a lever w, actuated by a cam or eccentric v¹. This
comb is guided by a species of slide æ, in which are two supporting
friction pulleys. Having arrived at the top of the slide, a spring y,
which presses constantly against the comb, forces it back in such a
.manner that the pulleys descend on the outside of the slide x. Another
-spring forces the spring back again into the slide when the comb has
arrived at the bottom of its traverse, and the teeth enter again into the
teeth of the endless comb a. The Drawing represents the motion as
being obtained from the driving shaft M, but it may also be obtained,
if desired, from the shaft Z of the eccentrics F. It will be easily under-
stood that a second series of combs and feeders may be situated on the

page_text: opposite side of the endless comb a, whereby a double amount of wool
may
be combed on the same horizontal comb. This horizontal comb
may be also replaced by a circular horizontal comb, as, shewn in plan at
Fig. 7; Sheet 1. The circular comb a is carried on a vertical shaft
which is rotated slowly, and the, combing and feeding mechanism is
double, being arranged diametrically opposite each other. Thus Z repre-
sents the feeders, f the working combs; and n the drawing mechanism.
The whole of these apparatus are actuated in the same manner as repre-
sented in Fig. 1, with the exception that the feeders are driven separate
from the combers. In place of the combs f being situated at a pro-
jecting angle from the horizontal circular comb, they are curved, but not
concentrically with the circular comb, so as to comb first the ends of
the fibres, and gradually to approach until they comb the entire length.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine
or restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements which I
have had occasion to describe or refer to, as many variations may be
made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features
of the said Invention. But what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of combing mecha-
nism, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of working the combs by eccentrics or.
cams, which communicate a rectangular motion thereto, as herein-
before described.
Third, the application and use of similar mechanism to that described
for working the combs for actuating the feeders, as herein-before
described.
Fourth, the combination of combs and feeders actuated as above
described, with a horizontal moveable comb, either circular or composed
of a series of combs, as. herein-before described.
Fifth, the application and use of curvelinear eccentrics for actuating
the combs and feeders, as herein-before described.

page_text: Sixth, the systems or modes of cleaning the combs; as herein-before
described...
Seventh,, the system or mode of inclining the fibres before drawing,
by means of a fan or endless cloth' fitted with pallets, as described..
In witness whereof, I, 'the said John Henry Johnson, have. here-
unto-set my hand and seal, the Eighth day of May, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.