IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDENSER CARDING ENGINES
Year: 1885

page_text: I ERNST GESSNER Junior of 53 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CONDENSER CARDING ENGINES (a communication to me from abroad by Ernst
Gessner Senior of Aue in the Kingdom of Saxony Machine Maker) 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 on apparatus for dividing the fleece of a
Carding Engine into Slivers.
For that purpose the said Ernst Gessner senior, invented the first condenser
which divides the fleece by means of straps crossing each other between two
cylinders and then running in opposite directions apart, and obtained the first
patent for the said invention in the year 1861 in the Kingdom of Saxony.
The strap condenser, has since been used frequently and made in different ways,
modified and improved, though little altered from its original principle. Amongst
the different modifications the continuously running straps have been replaced by
bent steel blades strips or bands crossing each other between two cylinders, fixed
at both ends and pressing the fleece on the running cylinders..
The said Ernst Glessner senior has patented a condenser with bent steel bands
already in 1861 together with the above mentioned Patent of the first strap-
condenser.
In 1872. Mr Bede of Verviers brought out a modification of the steel band
Condenser for which he obtained several Patents, in the Kingdom of Belgium, and
elsewhere. In his patent the steel bands crossing each other and bent at both sides
are pressed against two endless leather aprons on which the slivers or ribbons of
divided fleece are formed into threads or rovings. .
In the German patent N° 6378 the said Ernst Gessner Senior improved the steel
band condenser inasmuch as the steel bands were only fixed on the entrance side
of the Condenser whereas their other ends were loose, and pressed against the
dividing cylinders by iron rollers or bars.

page_text: Mr Bolette of Verviers altered the apparatus of Mr Bede in his German
Patent 22779 in so much that he fixes and winds the steel bands round iron
rollers at both ends and by alternately turning these iron rollers moves the bands
back and forth.
Notwithstanding the many endeavours that have been made to improve and
simplify this kind of apparatus there are still various drawbacks and the object of
the following improvement is to overcome these difficulties.
I divide the fleece chiefly between two dividing cylinders roughened, or provided
with grooves and projecting rims turned on the surface of the same, by means of
steel bands or wires crossing each other fastened at one end and pressing against
the dividing cylinders at their other end by rollers; or by means of segmental
pieces of suitable metal pressed against the dividing cylinders by means of springs
an improved and perfectly even division of the slivers being thus obtained.
I rub the slivers either directly on the surface of the dividing cylinders or
separate from the same, by means of endless rubbing leathers or by rollers,
or I supply the Condenser with a compound rubbing motion according to
requirements.
For the purpose of increasing production I take several fleeces from two or more
doffers (covered with cards over their whole surface) of one or more Carding
Engines which are brought together and divided into slivers by one condenser.
Or I take several fleeces from two or more doffers of one Carding Engine to be
divided by several condensers.
Several fleeces taken together form a thicker layer than a single fleece and
consequently a greater number of rovings can be obtained.
A very narrow division would not allow of rubbing all the slivers of one
condenser in only two rubbing motions or apparatus and I therefore provide the
condenser with three four and more rubbing motions in various combinations.
For this purpose I combine the dividing cylinders, steel bands wires or segments
with straps laying around the dividing cylinders and carrying the slivers to the
various rubbing apparatus.
I impart an oscillating motion to the steel bands or wires or a motion to the
dividing cylinders or pressing rollers to prevent a relaxation of the tension of the
steel bands or wires and an unequal wearing out of the parts touching each other.
I use an improved ball and socket joint and an adjustable eccentric for moving
the rubbing leathers or rollers to and fro and an improved rubbing roller.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
Specification wherein
Figure 1 represents a sido elevation of a condenser receiving the fleece from two
doffers of one Carding Engine. Figure 1 shows a section of a part of the same
condenser. Figure 2 shows a section of another condenser. Figures 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
show parts of the surface of the dividing cylinders with steel bands wires or
segmental pieces laying between them (full size).
Figure 8 shows two condensers in combination with two doffers of one Carding
Engine. Figures 9 and 10 show sections of condensers with two compound rubbing
motions or apparatus. Figures 11. 12. show condensers with four rubbing motions
or apparatus.
Figures 13. 14, 15, 16 show condensers with segmental pieces of metal. Figure 17
shows a section of a condenser with an oscillating frame and figure 17a shows a
front view of the same frame. Figure 18 shows a device for an oscillating motion
of the steel bands or wires and a motion for the pressing rollers.
Figures 19. 20 show an adjustable eccentric an improved ball and socket joint
for moving the rubbing leathers or rollers back and forth and an improved rubbing
roller.
Figures 21. 22. 23. show condensers receiving the fleece from two or more doffers
of one or more Carding Engines in combination with steel bands or wires and
strans carrying the slivers to various rubbing apparatus. Figures 24. 25. 26. 27,

page_text: show the cross section of parts of dividing cylinders with steel bands wires and
straps passing between them (full size).
•
Before describing the several figures it is necessary to refer seriatim to the
essential parts of this improved condenser and their purpose in general.
Heretofore the fleece has generally been first put between the cylinders of the
condenser by the hand but this besides being an awkward job if not managed
cleverly causes parts of the fleece to bé doubled or laid several times above another
forming a thicker layer, thus causing the steel bands wires or segments to get out
of order. It is therefore necessary to use a device by which the fleece is held and
put between the cylinders properly and uniformly over its whole width. For this
purpose I use a short creeper placed between the doffer and the condenser the
position of which creeper can be altered without interrupting its continuous
motion. At the beginning when the fleece is first peeled off from the doffer the.
creeper is lowered into a vertical position and the fleece allowed to go over it and
drop off until it has grown to its full thickness equally over its whole width. The
creeper is then lifted until the fleece touches the lower cylinder of the condenser
which siezes the fleece equally over its full width and pulls it through the apparatus
as shown in Figure 1.
The figures 1 2. 8. 9, 10. 11. 12 show sections of condensers in which either
steel bands or wires can be used.
The steel bands or wires are fixed on cross bars R¹ R¹ on the entrance side of
the apparatus one half of them being fixed above and the other half below the
point at which they cross each other between the dividing cylinders and then
diverge in opposite directions. Their other ends are not fixed but are pressed
against the cylinders by iron rollers or short aprons D' D".
The cylinders have a rough surface and the fleece entering between the two
cylinders is divided into slivers of equal width one half of them being pressed by
the steel bands or wires against the upper cylinder and the other half against the
lower cylinder. The slivers slide on the steel bands or wires and are taken by the
cylinders towards the rubbing motion or apparatus to be formed into rovings or
round threads.
The slivers are either rubbed by endless rubbing leathers direct on the dividing
cylinders as shown at Figs. 1 & 1 or they may be taken off and rubbed separately
by rubbing leathers or by rollers as shown at Figure 2.
For certain classes of material expecially for cotton or Vicugna rollers are.
preferred to rubbing leathers or aprons. Figure 8 shows rollers.
For hair and such kinds of material as have very little coherence the rubbing
apparatus made in the common way would not be sufficient to form the slivers into
rovings, I therefore make for this especial purpose a combined rubbing apparatus
consisting of large rollers in combination with rubbing leathers or rollers placed
around the same see Figure 9. Figure 10 shows a compound rubbing apparatus in
combination with rubbing leathers as an improvement on the Bede apparatus.
For long stapled material especially for a very narrow division of the fleece it is
necessary to distribute the number of slivers to be rubbed to several rubbing apparatus
see Figure 11 and Figure 12 showing an improvement on the Bede apparatus,
Both steel bands or wires can be fixed in the same way and what is herein
stated with regard to the fastening of the wires applies also to the steel bands.
The cross pieces R¹ R" shown in the various figures have a cross section of
segmental form. I make these cross pieces in the following way I take a hollow
cylinder and turn out on the surface of the same a number of grooves at equal
distances apart corresponding to the form of the steel bands or wires and their
distribution across the condenser, I then cut the hollow cylinder into several parts
each part forming a cross piece for the condenser.
1 make a groove longitudinally in the cross-piece in which the hooked outer ends
of the wire are fastened the wires laying in the grooves turned in the outer surface
of the cross piece which thus holds the wires at equal distances apart.

page_text: The cross pieces may also be made of other form and the wires or steel bands
may be fastened in any other suitable way.
The cross pieces may also be replaced by bars.
For short stapled material I use only one roller at each dividing cylinder for
pressing the wires or steel bands against it, see rollers D' D" in figure 2.
It sometimes occurs when operating on long wool that the slivers in separating
adhere together by stray hairs and in order to prevent this I use two rollers
instead of one or short aprons. Figure 1, 1ª .show two rollers to each cylinder.
Figure 11 shows a short apron.
The use of dividing cylinders has various advantages over the endless leather
aprons which Mr Bede uses for dividing and simultaneously rubbing the slivers.
The leather is uneven in thickness and quality. Leathers are not suited for
rubbing certain kinds of material especially not for cotton or Vicugna and they
are liable to become stretched, to slide on their rollers, ect.
It is necessary that the surface of the cylinders should be made sufficiently
rough to be able to take the slivers round while they are sliding on the steel bands
or wires. And in order to prepare the cylinders with a rough surface they may
covered with a suitable material for instance such as leather or india rubber.
They will be more solid and durable if they are made of iron and roughened in a
suitable way. The most practical way is to roughen them by a milling wheel.
The cylinders are either plain or have grooves turned in their circumference in
which the steel bands lie. The steel bands are a little narrower than the divisions
of the fleece, a small space being left between them at the point where they cross
each other. Figure 3 shows plain cylinders roughened by a milling wheel with
steel bands lying between them.
It appears peculiar that although the upper and lower steel bands are exactly
equal in width there is nevertheless a difference between the upper and lower
rovings the slivers passing downward being a little wider and therefore heavier in
weight than those going upward. It would take too long to explain the cause of
this fact,
It has been attempted to compensate the difference between the upper and lower
rovings by making the upper steel bands correspondingly wider than the lower
ones but it is not possible to remove the fault entirely because the difference
between the upper and lower rovings varies according to the different kinds of
material passing through the apparatus, long stapled materials showing more
difference than short ones.
This fault is especially apparent on the Bede apparatus, and also when plain
cylinders are used as shown in figure 3 because steel bands pressed against a plain
surface will press the sliver down over its full width but do not hold the sides of
the sliver tight enough so that the fibres are not held securely enough at the point
where the slivers separate from one another.
I improve the steel band condenser by turning grooves in the surface of the
dividing cylinders into which the steel bands are laid a small rim being left
projecting between the grooves and filling up the small space between the steel
bands. In this way the edges of the slivers are more tightly held on the cylinder
see figures 4 and 5.
The dividing of the fleece by steel bands as described so far is practicable yet
possesses certain drawbacks. Without mentioning the difference between the
upper and lower rovings above referred to there are other differences as to weight
between the several slivers, if some of the steel bands are bent too much or are not
tight enough, so as to press the individual slivers less, or closer against the cylinders
as the case may be.
Another objection is that dirt from the material sticks to and accumulates on
the steel bands. As the slivers slide on the whole surface of the steel bands it
causes a rougher appearance to certain kinds of yaru.

page_text: In order to divide the fleece in a better and more even way I do not press the
whole width of the slivers against the cylinders but only their edges where they
separate from one another.
For this purpose I use steel bands cut out in the middle which press against the
cylinders only near their edges.
The division of the fleece is more perfectly effected by means of wires pressing
only the edges of the slivers tightly against the cylinders.
Although wires for dividing the fleece have been tried already by others there
have been various objections which rendered their use impossible up to the present.
I use the wires in an improved way and otherwise combined.
The wires used for dividing the fleece may either be of common round wire or
of any other suitable section.
"
The wires lie in grooves turned in the surface of the cylinders. One half of.
these grooves are smooth and the other half are rough the smooth grooves of the
one cylinder corresponding with the rough grooves of the other cylinder. The
smooth grooves serve as a guide for the wires on the entrance side.
In the middle where the upper and lower wires cross each other, they leave
the smooth grooves and enter the rough ones pressing the sides of the slivers tightly
into the same.
The latter carry round the slivers which slide on the wires.
Besides the grooves in which the wires lie as described there are also other
intermediate small grooves turned in the whole surface of the cylinders to render it
suitable for rubbing the slivers directly on the cylinders The surface of such
cylinders is shown at Figure 7.
The fleece may also be divided by pressing the edges of the slivers against rims
or flanges projecting around the cylinders by means of segmental pieces of iron or
other suitable material crossing each other. The projecting rims are V edged and
roughened to carry the slivers around while they slide on the segments. The
latter are V grooved to correspond to the V edged rims or flanges against which
they are pressed by means of springs as shown at the figures 13. 14, 15, 16.
Instead of segmental pieces wires of suitable section may be used fixed and bent
at both sides, and pressed against the projecting rims.
Figure 6 shows part of the dividing cylinders with projecting rims and segments
or wires lying between them and pressed against the rims.
Instead of being V edged the projecting rims may have a small groove and the
segments be correspondingly V edged or the wires may be of a suitable section to
fit and lay in the small grooves of the projecting rims.
The projecting rims must in any event be made sufficiently rough to carry the
slivers round while they slide on the segments or wires.
The pressing of the steel bands or wires against the dividing cylinders or dividing
leathers by the rollers D causes a relaxation in the tension of the steel bands or
wires and an unequal wearing out at the parts where they are in contact with
each other.
In order to prevent this fault I cause the parts touching each other to move
slowly to and fro.
When plain cylinders or leather aprons are used for dividing the fleece the cross
pieces for fixing the steel bands are connected with a frame which slides in
vertical guides and receives a circular motion from an eccentric at each side see
figure 17.
By this circular motion of the frame the steel bands fixed on the same are
caused to slide slowly on the surface of the dividing cylinders and pressing rollers,
being moved back and forward in an oblique angle to the axis of the dividing
cylinders.
The same effect will be obtained by giving the same circular motion in an
inverse proportion to the dividing cylinders or dividing leathers and pressing
rollers while the steel bands remain at rest,

page_text: With the use of such cylinders or leather aprons which have grooves turned out
on their surface the steel bands or wires could not be moved in this way. In this
case it only remains to move the steel bands or wires back and forward in the
direction of their length in the grooves of the dividing cylinders and to give a to
and fro motion to the pressing rollers.
In order to do this the frame must be, so constructed, as to embrace the shafts of
the dividing cylinders, and with its circular motion simultaneously draws the
dividing cylinders or leathers backward and forward, that is, in the horizontal
direction without moving them up and down, whilst the pressing rollers remain in
their position.
In this way the steel blades or wires remain in the grooves of the dividing
cylinders or leathers and yet are moved to and fro in the grooves and receive also
a motion laterally on the surface of the pressing rollers.
When circumstances do not allow of moving the dividing cylinders or leathers
to and fro I give the crosspieces R¹ R¹¹ simply an up and down oscillating motion,
causing the steel bands or wires to move back and forward in the grooves of the
dividing cylinders or leathers and in order to shift the points of contact of the
steel bands or wires with the pressing rollers, I allow the pressing rollers to move
back and forward. The means by which this is effected are especially shown at
figure 18.
The rollers for rubbing the slivers are generally covered with leather, I use
improved rubbing rollers, made of iron, with grooves turned in their surface.
These rollers being perfectly even are better suited for rubbing the slivers and
are not liable to wear out as leather rollers will do. I use an improved ball and
socket joint, and an adjustable eccentric for moving the rubbing rollers, or rubbing
leathers, back and forward so as to be able to alter the length of the pull as
required according to the different kinds of material to be formed into round
slivers, or rovings. See figures 19 and 20.
The "fancy of a Carding Engine sorts certain mixtures of material especially
such as cotton mixed with wool or Vicugna raising out the long material or wool
on the outer surface of the cylinder and leaving the short material or cotton
underneath. This one sided layer is also transferred in a one sided state to the
doffer and to the condenser. When the slivers of such a one sided layer enter
between the rubbers, or rubbing rollers the long material will be uppermost and
the short material underneath. When all the rubbers or rollers in one Condenser
move back and forward as usual, the two different sides of the slivers will be
mixed, and no difference between the round rovings and the original mixture will
be seen.
But when either only the upper or the lower rubbers or pair of rollers
move back and forward while the others do not, the slivers will be rubbed one
sided and rolled in such a way, that one side will be lapped around the other,
whereby the character of the yarn becomes more like that side of the slivers
which is lapped around the outside of the rovings. It would seem that the one
sided rolling of the threads has not been observed, or no notice has been taken of
it yet. Condensers have been made in which only the upper rubbers are moved
back and forward while the lower ones are not, but this seems to have been done
without any particular purpose. If a certain mixture, such as that mentioned
above, should be worked upon these apparatus, it would cause the lower side of
the slivers, that is the short material, to be. lapped around the outside of the
rovings, and give the yarn the character of a lower quality.
I use the one sided rolling of the slivers for a certain purpose, viz:-as an
advantage for yarn spinning. For this purpose I cause the lower rubbers or pair
of rollers to move back and forward while the upper ones stand still, or have only
a very short reciprocating motion.
In this way I get the upper side of the slivers, that is the long material, or wool,
lapped around the outside of the threads, which makes a better yarn. In figure 2
for example the rubbers or rollers 4. 6. stand still and 5. 7 reciprocate. As I am

page_text: the first to make the rubbing motion in this way for the especial purpose herein
described, I claim the employment of it also with all other rubbing apparatus on
other condensers and the alteration of other apparatus in use as a new improvement
on Condensers.
Where strap or steel band condensers are used only one doffer is applied. A great
number of Carding Engines now in use have two doffers covered with single card
rings placed at equal distances apart for forming threads.
When these Carding Engines are to be supplied with a new strap or steel band
Condenser, the two doffers have to be replaced by one single doffer of large
diameter. This, of course, causes a considerable amount of expense and the two
discarded doffers have no value.
I use the two 'old doffers of a Carding Engine and cover them with cards over
their whole surface. I take off from them two full fleeces which I unite and lead
to a Condenser. I thus save the expense of a new doffer and at the same time
the Carding Engine in combination with two doffers fully covered with cards, pro-
duces a good deal more and better yarn. It will therefore be of advantage to also
make new Carding Engines with two doffers, or to alter single doffer machines by
supplying them with two doffers. Also one of the workers of the Carding Engine
can be used and arranged for taking off another fleece.
Two or more fleeces can be brought together and divided by one single con-
denser. The united fleece, being a thicker layer than the fleece of one single doffer,
a considerable greater number of rovings can be obtained. A single rubbing
apparatus of the common style would not be sufficient for a very narrow dis-
tribution, as it would cause the rovings to adhere together between the rubbers or
rollers. It is therefore necessary to rub the slivers by several rubbing apparatus.,
This requires certain modifications and arrangements of the condenser.
I use straps forming simple, open loops of different lengths, passing round the
dividing cylinders and over several rollers placed at different distances apart to
carry the slivers to several rubbing apparatus.
These straps are in combination with steel bands, wires, or segments, which
divide the fleece essentially in the same way as shown is the various figures of
sheets I and II the only difference being that the slivers are not pressed direct
against the cylinders but against the single straps passing round the cylinders which
carry the slivers up or down to the various rubbing apparatus.
The figures 21, 22. 23 show several fleeces brought together and divided by
a condenser in combination with three, four, or six rubbing apparatus. The
figures 24 25. 26. 27. show cross sections of dividing cylinders with the straps,
steel bands, or wires lying between them.
The straps forming open loops are single endless pieces.
These pieces may be joined straight or twisted. Twisted straps as shown in the
figures 21. 22. 23 are better, because both sides of the straps are turned alternately
towards the cylinders which prevents the dirt accumulating between the straps
and the cylinders.
Instead of separate endless straps all the loops of one condenser may be joined
together, forming only one or two continuous endless pieces, which are wound
around the cylinders over the various rollers, forming the loops passing over in one
direction from one to another.
In 1861, the said Ernst Gessner senior patented straps forming open loops
passing round the dividing cylinders, to carry the slivers in combination with other
straps crossing each other between the cylinders, to divide the fleece.
These straps were not of different lengths,. carrying the slivers only to one
rubbing apparatus at each cylinder.
Straps forming open loops, and carrying the slivers to more than one rubbing
apparatus such as shown in the figures 21. 22, 23 have not been used yet in
combination with straps crossing each other between two cylinders for dividing.
the fleece, and therefore their employment in this combination may be considered
as new.
-

page_text: Figure 1 shows two doffers B¹ B¹¹ by which two full fleeces are obtained, from
one Carding Engine, to be joined and conveyed to the Condenser. The two fleeces
are peeled off from the doffers by the doffer combs h the upper fleece being led over
the roller and joining the lower fleece on the roller t.
To make the description clearer the same condenser is shown in section at
Figure 1a wherein the parts are indicated by the same reference letters and
numerals as in figure 1. The first end of the fleece is carried in between the
dividing cylinders by a short creeper or endless cloth u which runs around the
rollers t and n. The roller t has its bearing in the arm a, and is driven con-
tinuously. The roller is mounted in the swinging arm e loose on the shaft of
the roller t, and capable of being turned round on the same, so as to alter the
position of the creeper without interrupting the continuous run of the same. The
arm e has a segmental rack, and by means of a worm 6, the creeper can be brought
into the required position. The dotted lines show the creeper in a vertical
position.
The wires K' K¹¹ have hooks on their outer ends, and are fastened in a groove
on the crosspieces R¹ R". The wires cross each other between the dividing
cylinders WW" and are pressed against at their loose ends by the rollers D¹ D¹I
The cross pieces R¹ R are fastened on arms S¹ S11 which are movable on the
bushes of the cylinder shafts, the two arms S' S₁ being connected by a curved
bar d. An eccentric v is connected by its strap and rod w with the arm S¹ whereby
at each revolution of the eccentric the combined arms S₁ S₁ are moved up and
down, the wires fastened to the cross.pieces being thereby drawn alternately back-
ward and forward, so as to prevent the ends of the wires becoming quickly worn
out at the point where they come in contact with the rollers D¹ D", by extending
the wear over a greater surface. The fleece is divided between the cylinders WWII
the slivers are pressed against the cylinders by the wires and brought under the
rubbers to be formed into round threads or rovings. The rubbing leathers N are
endless aprons running over the rollers 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The rubbing leathers on the rollers 3, 4 are pressed against the cylinders and rub
the slivers direct on the surface of the cylinders whilst those on the rollers 5, 6.
serve for rubbing, and simultaneously for taking off the threads from the cylinders.
The vertical shaft o is provided with bosses m, and eccentrics g for imparting the
reciprocating motion to the rubbing leathers. The threads or rovings taken off
from the cylinders pass over the drums P, and are wound upon the rollers k,
forming bobbins Q. The rollers k rest on the arms C carried on the bars G on
which the arms O can be moved closer together, or farther apart to suit rollers of
different width,
The arrangement for carrying the fleece between the dividing cylinders can be
arranged otherwise than as shown in figure 1. Instead of using.a worm the
creeper u can be raised or lowered by hand or other means; by levers for instance.
The creeper u may even be omitted and instead of the roller n, a rail fixed on the
adjustable arme may be employed. The rollers 5, and the rubbing leathers
running round the rollers 5. 6 can be dispensed with, as it will be sufficient in
certain cases, if only the rollers 6 are employed for taking off the rovings from the
cylinders.
Instead of two rollers D¹ D" only one roller or a short apron may be employed
at each cylinder for pressing against the wires.
Figure 2 shows a section of a condenser wherein the rovings are taken off from
the cylinders and rubbed separately. In practical use the slivers are either taken
off by rubbing leathers, or they are rubbed by rollers and in order to save space
figure 2 shows both means of rubbing the slivers. The wires K¹ K¹ fastened to
the cross pieces R¹ R¹¹ are pressed against the cylinders W₁ W₁ by the rollers
D¹ D" The figure shows rubbing leathers N for the upper cylinder passing round
the rollers 4. 5. 6; 7. On the lower cylinder the slivers are rubbed by rollers

page_text: Instead of only one roller at each cylinder for pressing against the wires, two
rollers D¹, D as shown at Figure 1, or a short apron may be employed at each
cylinder.
For rolling the slivers into threads or rovings as hereinbefore described only the
rollers 5, 7. or the rubbing leathers passing over the rollers 5, 7. may have recipro-
cating motion while the upper pair of rollers 4, 6 or rubbing leathers passing over
the rollers 4. 6 have little or no reciprocating motion.
Figure 3 shows part of the surface of the dividing cylinders W' W" and steel
blades, strips or bands K¹ K" laying between them (full size). The cylinders are
plain except that their surface is roughened by a milling wheel forming grooves
alternately in opposite directions diagonally to the axis of the cylinder. The steel
bands are a little narrower than the divisions of the fleece, a small space being
left between the steel bands, at the point where the slivers separate one from
another,
Plain cylinders, without grooves turned in their surface in combination with
simple steel bands as shown at figure 3, may also be roughened in any other suitable
way, or may be covered with a suitable material for instance such as leather or
indiarubber, it being only necessary to make them sufficiently rough to enable them
to carry the slivers round as they slide on the steel bands.
Figure 4 shows the cylinders W¹ W₁ with circumferential grooves turned in their
surface in which the steel bands lie.
The small spaces left between the steel bands are filled up by small rims or
flanges p projecting around the cylinders. The projecting rims meet close together
and assist the fleece in passing through. One half of the grooves are smooth, the
other half of them are roughened. The smooth grooves a of the one cylinder
correspond with the rough grooves b of the other cylinder. The steel bands lay in
the smooth grooves at the entrance side of the cylinders and leave them at the
crossing point, entering the rough grooves of the other cylinder and press the fleece
into the rough grooves whereby the slivers are carried round while they slide on
the steel bands. The grooves are roughened by a milling wheel but they might
be roughened by other means.
It is not necessary to have the grooves in both cylinders. It suffices to have
grooves turned out in one only of the two cylinders for the steel bands to lie in ;
for instance it would do if only the grooves a on only the grooves b. are
turned out.
Figure 5 shows the cylinders W₁ W₁ with grooves turned in their surface to
receive steel bands having a curved cross section. Smooth grooves a correspond
with rough ones and the rims p between the steel band projecting around the
cylinders, are similar to those shown at Figure 4.
Instead of steel bands of a curved cross section, bands of any other suitable form,
and corresponding grooves may be employed.
Figure 6 shows the cylinders WI W having projecting rims 2 which are
V edged and roughened. The segments K' K" shown in their cross section are
pressed against the rims and have a groove fitting upon the V edge of the rims.
The fleece is pressed against the rims by the segments and divided. The rims seize
the slivers on their sides, and lead them in opposite directions apart, while they
slide on the segments.
Instead of being V edged the projecting rims may have a small groove in their
outer edge and the segments may be correspondingly V shaped on their face where
they are in contact with the rims. Instead of segments figured wires K¹ can be
used for dividing the fleece, being pressed against the rims and having a suitable
cross section according to the form of the edge or the groove of the projecting
rims.
It will be necessary in all cases to make the projecting rims sufficiently rough.
Figure 7 shows a portion of a pair of dividing cylinders W₁ W" having grooves
turned out in their surface and wires laying in the same. One part of the figure
shows the surface, and the other part shows the cross section of the cylinders.
•

page_text: These cylinders have grooves of two different sorts. The grooves 1 and 2 are for
the wires to lie in. Between the grooves 1 and 2 a small rim p is left.
The remaining surface of the cylinder is provided with grooves having no other
purpose than to prepare the cylinders for rubbing the slivers direct on the surface
of the cylinders, for instance as shown at Figure 1.
The grooves 1 are smooth whereas the grooves 2 are roughened by a milling
wheel or other suitable means. Smooth grooves of one cylinder correspond with
rough grooves of the other cylinder. The wires lie in the smooth grooves on the
entrance side of the cylinders until they reach the crossing point, where they enter
the rough grooves 2 of the other cylinder. Figure 7 shows the surface of the
delivery side of the cylinders with the wires laying in the rough grooves 2. The
slivers are seized on their edges by the wires, and pressed into the rough grooves
which take them in opposite directions apart towards the rubbing apparatus.
It is not absolutely necessary that the wires used for dividing the fleece as
described so far, should lie in grooves.
It would answer the purpose if the wires lie only in smooth grooves such as
denoted by the figure at figure 7 until they reach the crossing point whereas the
rough grooves could be omitted. But in this case it will be necessary to make the
surface sufficiently rough at least at those places which represent the rough
grooves "2" of figure 7 where the slivers are pressed against the cylinders. The
most suitable form of wire used for this especial purpose will be figured wire, for
instance wire of a prismatic cross section.
Such grooves (shown at figure 7) as only serve the purpose of preparing the
surface for rubbing the slivers direct on the cylinders, may also be applied to
cylinders which are used in combination with steel bands; for instance the
cylinders shown at figure 3 could be provided with such grooves.
The means for dividing the fleece is described so far, and the preparation of the
cylinders as shown in the figures 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. can also be applied to such cylinders
as are covered with leather or other suitable material, or to the dividing leathers
shown at figures 10 and 12, as improvements on the Bede apparatus, as the grooves
or projecting rims for the steel bands, wires or segments, can as well be made in the
surface of leather or other material.
Figure 8 represents two pairs of cylinders W1 W₁ for dividing two fleeces taken
off from two doffers B¹ B (covered with cards over their whole surface) of one
Carding Engine. The fleeces are taken off by doffing combs h. Two adjustable
creepers u passing over rollers t are placed between the doffers and the dividing
cylinders. The up and down motion of both the cross pieces R¹ R¹ is produced
by a connecting rod w, moved by an eccentric v. The wires are pressed against
the cylinders by rollers D¹ D".
The slivers are rubbed by four rollers 4. 5. 6. 7. at each cylinder. More than
two condensers could employed to take the fleece from more than two doffers of one
Carding Engine.
Figure 9 shows a condenser with a combined rubbing apparatus for rubbing hair
or similar material having very little coberence. The cross pieces R¹ R", cylinders
WW", and rollers D₁ D are arranged as usual. The slivers are rubbed direct on
the cylinders by rubbing leathers passing over the rollers 3. 4. The rovings are
taken thence by a roller g and enter hetween the rubbing cylinders N¹ N" and
the rubbing leathers N pressed around the same and passing over the rollers 5. 6. 7.
8.9.10 whence the rovings are taken off by another roller g. The cylinders N' N¹¹
have a reciprocating motion.
Instead of three only two, or more, rubbing leathers may be arranged around the
cylinders, or rollers instead of rubbing leathers might be used, arranged about the
cylinders N¹ N for rubbing the slivers.
Figure 10 represents a combined rubbing apparatus as an improvement on the
Bede apparatus. The dividing leathers M are arranged around the cylinders t
WW" and rollers H. The steel bands, or wires, are fastened on the cross pieces.
RR and pressed against by rollers D¹ Dч, The rubbing cylinders N' N" have

page_text: a roughened surface and a reciprocating motion. They are pressed against the
dividing leathers or aprons M and are enclosed by two rubbing leathers N on their
rollers 7. 8 and 9, 10. The rovings are rubbed between the leathers M the
cylinders N' N" and the leathers around the same; they are then taken off by the
roller g.
Instead of rubbing leather aprons, rollers may be used arranged around the
cylinders N' Nu
Figure 11 shows a Condenser with four sets of running apparatus especially
used for long stapled material divided into narrow slivers to prevent the slivers or
rovings adhering together while they are being rubbed.
The wires are fastened on the cross pieces R¹ R¹¹ and are pressed against the
cylinders WW by short leather aprons or rubbers D¹D". The leather rubbers
on the rollers 3. 4. are applied against the cylinders and receive a very short
reciprocating motion, their purpose being only to loosen the slivers on the surface
of the cylinders. The leather rubbers on the rollers 5. 6 have also a short back
and forward motion; they serve partly to take off the rovings from the cylinders.
The slivers coming out between the rollers 4 and 5 are parted one half of them
being brought under. the rubbing roller 8 and the other half under the roller 7.
The rollers 7 and 8 are pressed against the rubbing leathers and are reciprocated
for rubbing the slivers into rovings.
Instead of the rollers 8 and 7, rubbing leathers might be used.
Figure 12 shows four sets of rubbing apparatus as an improvement on the
Bede apparatus. The dividing leathers M pass around the cylinders W¹ W" and
over the rollers H. The steel bands are fastened on the cross pieces R¹ R"; they
are of two different lengths one half of them reaching as far as under the rollers
DD and the other half of them to the rollers D¹ D which press them against
the leathers M. One half of the slivers pressed against by the short steel bands
are brought to the rubbers 4, 5. 6. 7. while the other half covered by the long steel
bands are brought to the rubbers 8. 9. 10. 11. Instead of rollers, rubbing leathers
might be used.
Figure 13 shows the dividing Cylinders W W with projecting rims (the
surface of the cylinders being shown at figure 6) and the segments K¹ K¹¹ pressed
against the rims by means of springs f¹f". Those springs, having the form of
blades, rest on the edges of the bar Q, and by bending the outer ends of the
springs down by means of screws 8, the segments fastened on their other ends, are
pressed against the rims of the Cylinders.
The fleece is led under the roller e before it enters between the cylinders.
Figure 14 shows the segments K¹ K" with the springs f¹ f" and the bar Q
similar to those shown at figure 13. Instead of cylinders with projecting rims
turned on their surface the cylinders W₁ W" consist of single discs representing
the projecting rims, combined with intermediate pieces of smaller diameter, the
discs being made rough on their edge.
Figure 15 shows the cylinders WW" with projecting rims. The segments K¹,K¹
are movable; and beld by rods t between the cylinders. They are pressed against
the projecting rims by springs f¹ƒ". The springs f" are fixed on bars Qu and
act directly on the segments; the springs flare fixed on bars Q' and pass over
a pulley r. The fleece passes between two rollers e and the slivers are taken off by.
rollers g h.
Figure 16 shows the cylinders WW with projecting rims. The segments K¹K¹
are fastened at the entrance side of the Condenser to bars Q. The fleece passes
under the roller e.
Figure 17 shows a section of a condenser with the steel bands K¹ K¹¹ fixed in
grooves in the cross bars R¹ R¹¹ which form part of a frame C. Figure 17ª shows
a face view of the frame C. The frame C slides in guides Q and is moved slowly
by an eccentric e at each side. The eccentric is carried by a shaft S driven by.
mitre wheels y, z.

page_text: The steel bands are pressed against the cylinders W¹ W₁ by rollers D¹D". The
slivers are rubbed against the surface of the dividing cylinders by rubbing leathers N
running on rollers 3. 4. and the rovings are taken off by rollers 5.
To put the steel bands in position with ease it is necessary to remove the pressing
rollers D¹ D. For this purpose the rollers D¹ D¹¹ and rollers 3. 4. 5. are mounted
in bracket arms a movable on the bearings of the cylinders W₁ W", and provided
with segmental racks with which gear worms won a vertical shaft v whereby the
arms a can be turned around the cylinder shafts thereby moving the rollers
mounted upon them out of their place.
The frame C moved by the eccentrica e has a circular motion causing the steel
bands to be drawn out of their place in an oblique direction on the surface of the
cylinders W W and rollers D¹ D" for the purpose of preventing a relaxation of
the tension of the steel bands and an unequal wearing out of the parts touching
cach other.
Instead of an eccentric e the frame C might be moved by any other means.
Instead of rubbing leathers N on rollers 3. 4, rubbing rollers could be used and
mounted in the arın a.
The taking off rollers 5 could be used without being in combination with tho
rubbers N.
.
Figure 18 shows a side view of the device for moving the pressing rollers 'D' D"
back and forward.
Figure 18 shows a front view of the same.
By the eccentric and the connecting rod w, the curved bar d is moved up and
down, causing the wires fixed on the cross bars R¹ R¹¹ to be drawn back and forward
as described in reference to figure 1.
The up and down motion of the curved arm & simultaneously produces the
motion for moving the rollers D' D¹¹ back and forward. The curved arm & has a
lug d¹ which acts on the end of a lever a loose on the axis of a ratchet wheel y
and carrying a pawl engaging with the teeth of said wheel y whereby the ratchet
is moved one tooth each time the lug presses against the lever . The axis of the
ratchet wheel y is mounted in the bracket a and it has an oblique disc or swash
plate Z fixed on its other end. The journals of the rollers D' D¹¹ have each a
circumferential groove in which the edge of the swash plate is received so as by
the revolution of the swash plate to impart to the rollers D³ D" a slow reciprocating
motion.
Figure 19 shows an adjustable eccentric. and an improved ball and socket joint
for the reciprocating motion of the rubbing rollers or rubbing leathers and an
improved rubbing roller.
The boss m is fixed on the vertical shaft o The eccentric disc has a slot and
can be slid across the shaft and fixed in different positions on the boss m by
screws n to vary its eccentricity and the reciprocating motion thereby produced,
as required.
For the purpose of imparting longitudinal reciprocating motion to the rollers or
rubbers two different joints have been used, one for the eccentric and one for the
rollers or rubbers. I simplify the rubbing apparatus by means of an improved
ball and socket joint between the eccentric and the rollers or rubbers. The
rod a of the eccentric strap g is attached to the plug 6 which forms part of the
socket and is screw threaded. The other part of the socket c which receives the
ball e, within it is screwed on to the part b and can be adjusted thereon; d is a
lock nut for securing the socket o in position.
The ball e is fixed to the shaft ƒ of the roller N. The roller N is hollow and
.bas circumferential grooves turned in its surface. The rims left between the
grooves may be roughened as shown at the left hand part of the roller.
The roller N may be of solid iron and the grooves may be turned out in the
form of a screw around it. The projecting rims may be more or less broad; or
narrow and broad grooves may be turned out alternately.

page_text: Figure 20 shows the side view of the same eccentric as in figure 19 in combi.
nation with a rubber N consisting of a leather apron passing around two rollers.
Each roller is in connection with a ball and socket joint like that shown at
figure 19. The rods a are both connected with the eccentric strap by a cross
head r.
In figure 21 the fleece is taken off from two doffers B¹ B" by combs h. Both
fleeces pass over endless creepers 7 and are brought together. Straps c of two
different lengths pass around the cylinders WW", one half of them passing
around the rollers L' and the other half round the rollers L. The division of the
fleece is effected by steel bands or wires K¹K" which are fastened to the cross
bars R¹ R¹¹ and pressed at their other ends against the straps by rollers D¹ D¹.
The straps passing over the rollers L¹ lead the slivers to the rubbing appa-
ratus N, N', and those passing over the rollers L₁ carry the slivers to the rubbing
apparatus N N The rubbing apparatus consists of rubbing leathers or aprons
in combination with rollers. The rovings coming from each rubbing apparatus
are divided and pass around two drums p by which they are wound on bobbins.
The rubbing apparatus N¹ Nu might also consist of two rubbing leathers or
four rollers or only one drum p might be applied to each rubbing apparatus.
Figure 22 shows a condenser with six sets of rubbing apparatus. The two
fleeces taken off from the two doffers B¹ B¹¹ by combs h are conveyed over the
endless creepers / to the condenser. In front of each doffer a fancy V is applied
on the Carding Engine.
One of the workers A of the Carding Engine is also used for obtaining a fleece
which is taken off by a comb h and conveyed over an endless creeper and united
with the other two fleeces. The surface speed of the worker A must be the same
as that of the doffers. The steel bands or wires are fixed on the cross pieces R'
and R² and are pressed against the straps by rollers D¹ D". The slivers are
conveyed by the straps running over the rollers L¹L" and L¹ to the six sets of
rubbing apparatus NN" & Nй one sixth of the total number of slivers being
carried to each rubbing apparatus.
The latter consist each of 4 rollers and the rovings or rubbings are wound on
bobbins by the rollers p.
Figure 23 shows a condenser with three rubbing apparatus. One fleece is taken
off from a doffer B by a comb h and led over a creeper 1, to the Condenser.
Another fleece is taken off from a worker A. and led over an apron ¹ to be united
with the first mentioned fleece. Under certain circumstances, or for a certain
purpose, another fleece coming from another Carding Engine might be used, to be
united and led to the condenser; it might be conveyed over the one Carding
Engine or may come from another floor above, as indicated by the dotted lines
forming a prolongation of creepor . The wires or steel bands K¹K" are fastened
to the cross pieces R¹ R" and pressed against by rollers D¹D". Two thirds of the
number of slivers are carried by the straps e over the rollers L" to the rubbers N¹
and N. One third of the straps go from the cylinders W¹ W¹, half around the
roller D¹ and half round the roller D³, over the rollers L¹; thence to the rollers L¹¹
and back to the cylinders W¹ W", carrying one third of the slivers to the
rubbers N¹¹.
Figure 24 shows the longitudinal section of a part of a pair of cylinders W¹ W¹¹
full size.
The straps e and steel bands K lie together in grooves u which are a little
narrower than the slivers or strips into which the fleece is divided.
Figure 25 shows the cylinders W' W" with groovos u turned in them only for
the straps e to lie in, the steel bands K lying free between the cylinders and
separated by small intervals.
Figure 26 shows straps e lying in grooves u in combination with wires K. The
straps are narrower than the divisions of the fleece. The wires lie one half iu
grooves turned in the cylinders which serve only as a guide for the wires on the

page_text: entrance side of the cylinders. At the crossing point the wires enter with their
other half into grooves which are partly turned in the cylinders and partly on the
edges of the straps, pressing the edges of the slivers into the same.
Figure 27. The straps e lie in grooves u and the wires K lie in grooves at the
sides of the straps; At the crossing point they leave their grooves and lie against
the straps of the opposite cylinder pressing the edges of the slivers against the
same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. Taking several fleeces from two, or more doffers (fully covered with cards) of
one or more Carding Engines bringing them together and dividing the united fleece
into slivers by one Condenser as described.
2. Taking several fleeces from two or more doffers (fully covered with cards) of
one Carding Engine and dividing them into slivers by several condensers as
described.
3. The herein described means of first carrying the fleece between the dividing
cylinders consisting of an adjustable creeper (or rail) movable on its driving axis
and raised or lowered by worm gear by hand or otherwise.
4. The combination of two dividing cylinders or dividing leather aprons, with
steel bands fastened at one end and pressed against the dividing cylinders or
leathers by rollers or bars at the other end, the preparation of the surface of the
said dividing cylinders either by covering the same with leather or other suitable
material or by roughening them to make them suitable for carrying the slivers
round, or for rubbing the slivers direct on the same by means of rubbing leathors
or rollers; with an arrangement for shifting the dividing devices (ie steel bands
or wires) laterally to an oblique angle to the axis of the dividing cylinders by
attaching the same to a vertical frame receiving a circular motion as described.
5. The combination of two dividing cylinders having grooves turned in their
surface with steel bands pressing the slivers into the said grooves.
6. The combination of two dividing cylinders having grooves and intermediate
rims, with wires fastened at one end and pressed against by rollers at their other
end, laying in the grooves and holding the slivers at both edges; the preparation
of the surface of said cylinders for rubbing the slivers direct on the same, or the
arrangement for rubbing the slivers separate from the dividing cylinders by means
of rubbing leathers or rollers as herein described.
7. The combination of two dividing cylinders having projecting rims or composed
of discs forming projecting rims, with bent wires or segmental pieces fastened at
one end or in the middle and pressed against the projecting rims by means of
springs holding the slivers at their edges as herein described.
8. The combination of two dividing leathers having grooves in their surface,
with steel bands or wires lying in the grooves fastened at one end, and pressed
against, all in the same way as with the combination of two dividing cylinders
claimed above.
9. The combination of two dividing cylinders with two large rubbing apparatus
consisting of two large rubbing rollers N' N" and two or more rubbing aprons or
rollers placed around the same.
10. The combination of two dividing leathers with two large rubbing rollers N' N"
and two or more rubbing aprons or rollers placed around the same.
11. The combination of two dividing leathers with four or more rubbing
apparatus and steel bands of different length covering the slivers to be brought to
the various rubbing apparatus as herein described.
12. The combination of two dividing cylinders having grooves turned in their
surface into which the slivers are pressed and held on their edges by the dividing
devices (bands or wires), with an årrangement to move the dividing devices back

page_text: and forward in the said grooves by an oscillating motion of the cross pieces
on which the same are fixed as herein described.
13. A rubbing roller of iron or other metal, without a leather cover, and
roughened on its surface, as herein described.
14. The combination of two dividing cylinders and steel bands, or wires, with
straps laying around the dividing cylinders, and carrying the slivers to two or more
rubbing apparatus as herein described.
ERNST GESSNER.
Clark,
By A. M. & W
Patent Agents,
53, Chancery Lane, London.
Dated this 1st day of August 1885.
ERNST GESSNER.
By A. M. & W™ Clark,
Patent Agents,
53, Chancery Lane, London.