Improvements in Fibre Combing Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 20th Jan., 1896 Accepted, 29th Feb., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
1
[Communicated from abroad by LA SOCIÉTÉ ALSACIENNE DE CONSTRUCTIONS
MÉCANIQUES, of 21 Boulevard Poissonnière; Paris.]
Improvements in Fibre Combing Machines.
!
I, VICTOR ISIDORE FEENY of 60 Queen Victoria Street, London in the County
of Middlesex, Chartered Patent. Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
!
This invention relates to improvements in fibre combing machines, and. is more
particularly applicable to combing machines of the Heilmann type in which the
fibre is stripped by a segment of the combing cylinder..
viz.
The invention comprises the three following essential features of improvement,
1. Means for increasing the stripping power of the segment, consisting in
providing the segment; as well as the stripping roll against which it rotates,--with
grooves or flutings arranged to engage together during the stripping operation,
when the fibre to be operated upon is drawn between the grooves of the two parts
engaged, whereby a much more efficient stripping is performed than is produced
by the existing arrangement of the rotation of a roll carrying a smooth leather band
against a grooved segment.
2. An arrangement for obtaining differential speed during the revolution of the
combing cylinder, so that the operation of stripping is retarded and that of combing
accelerated, whereby the advantage is obtained, in stripping by segment, of reducing
the roughness of action upon the fibre; this differential speed is derived from the
use of a pair of elliptical toothed wheels for driving the combing cylinder, and one
pair of elliptical wheels may be used to drive the entire machine at a low and high
speed alternately.
'
3. A novel kinematic arrangement for imparting to the upper or horizontal comb
a double reciprocating motion, vertically and horizontally, whereby the comb
after penetrating the fibre, instead of remaining as usual at rest therein during the
stripping operation, receives an independent motion towards the stripping roll
during that period. The object of this movement, which is already known and
used in some vertically operating combs of the Heilmann type is to avoid "clogging
behind the horizontal comb and consequent waste arising from the doubling of the
fleece behind the comb through slackness when it is delivered forward by the feed
rolls during the stripping operation.
i
In carrying out my invention I propose to adopt the arrangement and construction
hereafter described
1. INCREASING THE STRIPPING POWER OF THE SEGMENT.
"
I
To effect this improvement I prefer to arrange grooves on the segment of the
combing cylinder to engage with teeth on the stripping roll through an interposed
flexible apron of leather or other suitable material, extended over the grooves of
the segment and secured thereon by screws or equivalent attachments at each end
of the apron. To keep the apron at a constant tension one end thereof is secured
to the free end of a plate spring screwed at its other extremity to a convenient part
of the segment. The stripping roll is mounted upon a movable axis to allow of

page_text: to the said shaft. Another cam keyed upon the axle of the combing cylinder is
arranged to drive the shaft with the fixed axis by analogous mechanism. The
upper or horizontal comb is rigidly secured on the movable shaft, and the entire
arrangement is such that during the stripping operation the horizontal or forward
and backward movement of the upper comb is effected by the cam operating the
shaft having a fixed axis, and the vertically reciprocating movement of the comb
is effected by the cam actuating the movable shaft after the comb has entered the
fibre.
Improvements in Fibre Combing Machines.
I, VICTOR ISIDORE FEENY, of 60 Queen Victoria Street, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Chartered Patent Agent, 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:
This invention relates to improvements in fibre combing machines, and is more
particularly applicable to combing machines of the Heilmann type in which the
fibre is stripped by a segment of the combing cylinder.
The invention comprises the three following essential features of improvement,
viz. :-
with
1. Means for increasing the stripping power of the segment, consisting in
providing the segment as well as the stripping-roll against which it rotates-
grooves or flutings arranged to engage together during the stripping
operation, when the fibro to be operated upon is drawn between the two parts
engaged, whereby a much more efficient stripping is performed than is produced
by the existing arrangement of the rotation of a roll carrying a smooth leather
band against a grooved segment.
"
.
2. An arrangement for obtaining differential speed during the revolution of the
combing cylinder, so that the operation of stripping is retarded and that of.
combing is accelerated, whereby the advantage is obtained, in stripping by
segment, of reducing the roughness of action upon the fibre ;-this differential speed
is derived from the use of a pair of elliptical toothed wheels for driving the combing
cylinder, and one pair of elliptical wheels may be used to drive the entire.
mechanism at a low and high speed alternately.
3. A novel kinematic arrangement for imparting to the upper or horizontal
comb a double reciprocating motion, vertically and horizontally, whereby the
comb after penetrating the fibre, instead of remaining as usual at rest therein
during the stripping operation, receives an independent motion towards the
stripping-roll during that period. The object of this movement, which is already
known and used in some vertically operating combs of Heilmann type, is to avoid
"clogging" behind the horizontal comb, and consequent waste arising from the
doubling of the fleece behind the comb through slackness when it is delivered
forward by the feed-rolls during the stripping operation.
In order that my invention may be more clearly understood reference is had to
the accompanying drawings upon which,
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a fibre combing machine constructed according
to my invention, and provided with a flexible apron interposed between the
stripping roll and segment;
Figure 2 being a similar view of a combing machine" provided with an endless
apron arranged to travel between the stripping-roll' and 'segment;
L

page_text: Figure 3 is a similar view shewing the arrangement of tension rolls carrying an
endless apron, and
Figure 4, a similar view of a machine in which the stripping-rolls and segment
are provided with fine.grooves for stripping the fibre without the interposition of
an apron between them.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the elliptical driving-wheels shewing the
arrangement of cam mechanism for operating the upper comb ;-and
Figure 6 is a plan of the improved combing machine.
In carrying out the first part of my invention, viz. :-increasing the stripping
power of the segment-I adopt either of the four arrangements shewn on
Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively.
In the arrangement shewn on Fig. 1 the gearing of the grooves of the stripping-
roll E with those of the segment G is effected through the interposition of a
flexible apron H, of leather or other suitable material, extended over the grooves
of the segment, and secured thereon by means of screws X on the underside of the
segment G, the apron being kept stretched by a plate-spring R also secured to
the underside of the segment by screws I or equivalents. A grooved roll F
turning on a fixed centre, engages with the stripping roll E and grooved guide
roll F, both of which turn on movable centres, and remain always engaged with
the roll F, as is the case with all Heilmann combs. For performing the stripping
operation, the stripping-roll E is slowly lowered into engagement with the
segment G against which it bears; the apron H yields to its pressure and allows
the grooves to engage equalising the pressure throughout the length of the
grooves so as to nip the irregular thickness of the fleece.
In the arrangement shewn on Fig. 2, the stripping-roll E and segment G
engage similarly through an interposed flexible apron H extended over the
segment, but in this case the apron instead of being secured to the segment, is an
endless one and is arranged to travel slowly over and under the surface of the
segment in the direction indicated by the arrows at each stripping of a small
quantity of fibre, the extent to which the apron is moved forward being
determined by the difference between the length of the straight line between the
grooves and the curved line it is constrained to follow in the grooves. of the
segment. Every part of the apron is thus operated upon successively, whereby
greater durability is ensured than if the same parts were repeatedly subjected to
the same grooves.
In another arrangement shewn on Fig. 3, the endless apron. H interposed
between the stripping-roll E and segment G, is carried partly around the
stripping-roll and over a tension roller T. When the stripping is to take place
in this case the roll E. while remaining engaged with the roll F, is lowered
against the segment G, and its flutings engage therein through the thickness of
the apron. The roll F turns by engaging with the stripping-roll E and the
guide-roll F; the material stripped thus follows the same direction as in other
Heilmann combing machines. The sequence of the operations is also the same.
After the stripping the fibre is held as usual by the nipper-the segment begins
to comb the fibre, and finally the recoil of the rolls takes place so as to deliver
the fibre requisite for consolidating the web, after which a new stripping is effected
and so on, the work being similar to the stripping by segment of other Heilmann
combing machines.
In Figure 4 an alternate arrangement is shewn in which the stripping-roll Eris
furnished with fine grooves for the purpose of engaging with grooves of similar
gauge provided on the segment G, without the interposition of an apron. The
multiplicity of angles which the fibre is carried around, in this case replaces, and
fulfils the function of the apron and causes sufficient friction. to effect the
stripping.
In order that the angles of the grooves may not cut the fibre by reason of the
pressure of E against G, I provide means for preventing the grooves of the stripping
roll from engaging fully with those of the segment. This may be done for instance,

page_text: T1
by furnishing the roll E on either side, and exteriorly to the grooves, with flanges
accurately turned to a diameter slightly exceeding the diameter at the bottom of
the grooves, whereby the contact of the said flanges with the segment will prevent
the full engagement of the grooves.
I
To accomplish the second part of my invention, viz. the arrangement for
obtaining differential speed during the operations of combing and stripping,—'I'
employ the mechanism shewn on Figs, 5 and 6. A single pair of elliptical toothed
wheels, as shewn, for driving the combing cylinder, one of which wheels Mis
keyed upon a horizontal shaft B the other M being, similarly secured upon the
shaft A of the combing cylinder. The maximum speed of the combing cylinder
is attained during the combing operation, and the minimum during the stripping
process; the time occupied in completing a revolution of the combing cylinder
may be; nevertheless, the same as in the case of a comb of uniform speed. Whilst
no practical disadvantage attends combing at a high speed, the fact of stripping
slowly considerably reduces the tearing strain exerted upon the fibre stripped, the
operation is easier and therefore it is possible to work upon fleece of greater
thickness without breaking the fibre.
'
I effect the actuation of the horizontal comb by the arrangement shewn on
Figures 5 and 6. A shaft B¹ is mounted movably around a horizontal shaft B
having a fixed axis; the horizontal comb D is rigidly connected with the movable
shaft B¹ which is driven by a cam O' keyed upon one end of the shaft A of the
combing cylinder. This cam 0 imparts to the shaft B₁ varying angular
inclinations by the intermediary of the suitable friction roll and a bent lever L¹
keyed upon the said shaft. The shaft B is driven in an analogous manner by
another cam O also keyed upon the shaft A of the combing cylinder. The
shaft B being supported by the arms P P keyed upon the shaft B it is obvious
that the cam O controls the forward and backward motion of the horizontal
combs D, and that the cam O' governs their vertical reciprocating movement.
During the stripping operation the eccentric cam O allows the friction roller to
approach the centre of the shaft A of the combing cylinder and the movable
shaft B turning around the driving shaft B' advances as well as the combs D
which thus approach their respective stripping rolls E. Whilst the friction
roller travelling over the cam O' comes near the centre of shaft A of the combing
cylinder the combs D receiving similar vertical motion penetrate into the web to
be combed, quite independently of their forward motion which is imparted to
them by the shaft B₁ pivoting around the shaft B as above described. The
horizontal return motion of the horizontal combs D takes place in consequence of
the raising of the friction wheel on the eccentric cam 0 and their upward
movement is effected by the raising of the friction wheel on the other cam 01.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
-
1. In Heilmann combing machines, the arrangement herein described with
reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying drawings, whereby the
stripping operation is effected, comprising the combination of a stripping-roll E
provided with wide grooves, segment G correspondingly grooved, and flexible
apron H, interposed between the engagement of the said grooved parts,
substantially as shewn and described.
2. In Heilmann combing machines, the arrangement described with reference
to Figure 4 of accompanying drawings, whereby the stripping operation is effected
entirely by the action of a segment G finely grooved engaging directly with a
correspondingly grooved stripping-roll E, such engagement being limited by
lateral rims or flanges to an extent slightly less than the depth of the grooves, as
and for the purposes specified.
3. In Heilmann combing machines of the class shewn, the arrangement
described for giving the combing cylinder a retarded rotary movement during

page_text: the stripping operation, and a correspondingly accelerated, rotation during the
combing, co
consisting in the use of one or more pairs of elliptical toothed-wheels M
either for driving the whole machine, or only the combing cylinder as described
with reference to Figs. 5 and 6.
4. In Heilmann combing machines the arrangement described for imparting to
the horizontal or upper combs, two combined motions, consisting of a shaft B¹
movable around a shaft B having a fixed axis, the shaft B' being connected to
the upper comb and being operated by means of a suitable cam O¹ keyed upon
axle A, shaft B being operated in an analogous manner by cam likewise keyed
upon shaft A, as
as and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 20th day of: January 1896