IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING FIBROUS SUBSTANCES.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR COMBING FIBROUS SUBSTANCES.' A communication from
abroad by the Firm of Heilmann-Ducommun and Steinlen, of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th November 1877.
21
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,.
Patent Agent.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING FIBROUS SUB-
STANCES. [A communication from abroad by the Firm of Heilmann-Ducommun
and Steinlen, of Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to improvements in the machinery for combing fibrous
substances, for which Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date January 13th,
1877, No. 184, as a communication from the said firmn of Heilmann-Ducommun and
Steinlen.
In order that the Invention may be the better understood I have embodied the
description of the former machine with that of the new parts forming the subject of
the present application for Letters Patent.
The machine is based on the following method of operation :-A lap or fleece of
fibres is first drawn, laid parallel (and cleaned, if desired, according to the kind of
treatment desired) by being drawn, by means of a nipper having a movement
of translation, through a kind of gill or apparatus which parallelises, combs (and
cleans) the filaments. The filaments having by this preliminary treatment been
laid parallel, and thus prepared for the subsequent operation, by which they are
completely purified, are held by the nipper, and while partaking in its movement of
translation are submitted to the action of one or two combs or segments of teeth
of progressive fineness, which effect the complete purification of the filaments by the
parting asunder of the web or fleece. The same comb or segment which has combeḍ

page_text: a front view of the improved combing machine.
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 represent the apparatus for cleaning the combs, drawn on
a larger scale.
Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 illustrate on a larger scale the action of the combing
mechanism proper.
'
The same letters of reference are used in all these Figures to designate the same
parts.
The feed apparatus, which parallelises (as well as cleans the fibres, as the case
may be), and also sustains the web under the combing action, so as to prevent the
fibres from being drawn out, varies according to the state of the material to be
operated on, and may consist either of a plain cylinder, or a cylinder clothed with
plain or saw-toothed helical blades, against which the web is pressed by a series of
fingers or pressers, or of a porcupine cylinder, such as shown in Figures 1, 9, 10, 11,
12, and 13, or any other suitable arrangement of feed apparatus may be used.
In Figures 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 B, B', are the two jaws of the stationary
nipper, which are made to press lightly the one against the other while the
filaments are drawn from the lap to prevent the fibres being drawn out and becoming
entangled, after which the two jaws close together. When the combs operate on the
front ends or that portion of the filaments which is in front of the feed apparatus
and the nippers B, B', the latter are actuated by a cam P acting on lever P.
The combing apparatus for completing the purification of the filaments is shown
in Figures 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. C, C, are two combs or segments with teeth,
which may be of progressive fineness, if desired. Each comb has two movements,
vizt, an up-and-down movement, and vice versa, and a movement of translation,
to which may be added a rocking movement. The first of these movements is given
to the lower comb by a lever D, oscillated on a centre at e by the action of a cam D¹.
The movement of translation is produced by the lever E being made to oscillate on
a centre ate by the action of a cam E', and the rocking or oscillating movement of
the comb, when such motion is required, is obtained by a toothed segment actuating
a pinion fixed on the axis of the comb, and operated by a cam. The up-and-down
movement of the upper comb is produced by lever Y oscillated on a centret by
can Y. The movement of translation is produced by the lever U oscillated on a
centre at e by cam U¹, and the oscillating movement of the comb, when such move-
ment is employed, is produced, as in the other comb, by means of a toothed segment
actuating a pinion fixed on the axis of the comb, and operated by a cam.
Figure 6 shows the apparatus for cleaning the combs. V is a brush cylinder

page_text: driven in the direction of the arrow; W is a cylinder covered with plush, leather,
india-rubber, or bristles. The covering of plush, leather, or india-rubber (which
may either be plain or fluted) may either envelop its whole surface, or be placed at
intervals apart in the direction of the radii of the cylinder. The cylinder is carried
by a lever vat each end, and turns in the direction of the arrow.
As shown in Figure 4 the arm v¹ is made in two parts, which, to allow of adjusting
the axes of V and W at varying distances apart, the two portions of the arm being
secured together by a screw bolt and serrated joint. represents the pitch line of a
toothed wheel gearing with another toothed wheel represented by the pitch line vill.
The surface speed of brush V is greater than that of cylinder W, in order that it may
collect the waste from the latter. X, cam actuating lever X' and connecting
rod X¹¹.
G, Figure 1, is a lever arm carrying the oscillating nipper which draws out and
pieces up the web, said arm moving on G' as a centre. His a crank which imparts
the oscillating movement to arm G, and consequently to the nipper by means of
levers, connecting rods, and cranks H, H", H, H, the amplitude of the oscil-
lating movement being determined by the position of pivot I, which is fixed adjustably
in a slot H, so as to enable the point at which the nipper seizes the filaments to be
varied; K, lever, by which the nipper is opened and closed, operated by cam K¹;
L, lever adjustable by slot 7, set screw, and lock nut, to regulate the pressure with
which the jaws of the nipper close together; M, Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, pad
of india-rubber to render the pressure elastic; N, endless apron of leather or other
material, which is shifted at each stroke of the nipper by a clutch separately repre-
sented in Figure 2; this apron may be either applied to the lower jaw, or to both
the upper and lower jaws, and serve, together with the rollers, to draw along the web
of combed fibres; 0, 0, 0¹¹, 0¹¹, pairs of rollers which draw along the web of combed
filaments, allowing the tail ends of the fibres to project for piecing up the web.
Instead of using rollers the web may be received between two endless leather
aprons as it leaves the nipper.
The action of the machine is as follows:-Referring to Figure 13, the front ends
of the fibres project from the feed apparatus and stationary nipper B, B', while the
tail ends protrude from the oscillating nipper R, S. The latter then moves back to
the position shown in Figure 9, to picce up the two ends of the web; it then closes
and nips the web tightly, while the two jaws of nipper B, B', are pressed lightly
together, as well as the toothed or porcupine cylinder support the front ends of
the fibres and the portion of the web immediately following, in order to prevent
loose fibres and tufts formed during the operation of combing being drawn out. The
nipper then advances a sufficient distance for comb C¹ to enter the web, and continues
its movement, thus drawing the filaments held by it through the feed apparatus,
which thus parallelises, cleans, and prepares them for the work of the finisher comb.
At this moment (see Figure 10) the stationary nipper B, B', closes tight, and the comb
commences to move to comb the front ends of the fibres protruding from the said
nipper. Immediately there is room between the comb Cand nipper B, B', for the
comb C it descends, and both combs C, C¹, continue to move along and comb the
front ends of the web. The comb C then descends (see Figure 3), comb C¹ completes
the combing of the front ends, and then rises in order to be cleaned, as herein after
described, and repeat the combing operation.
The action of the combs may also be varied by making the upper comb descend
first, and the lower one then rise behind it. The nipper R, S, which then arrives
at the end of its course opens (see Figure 12), and the rollers 0, 0, 0, 0, draw
the combed web along a certain distance, leaving the tail ends protruding for
piecing up, after which the nipper moves back to the position, Figure 13, in
readiness to repeat the operation.
The porcupine roller or feed apparatus has a forward movement imparted to feed
the material to be combed, and it may also have a slight backward movement in
order to draw back a part of the combed fibres, so that when nipper R, S, seizes a
fresh portion of the fibres (see Figure 9), it may lay hold of rather less than the entire

page_text: length of the combed ends and thus have a portion of the web twice combed.
This is of advantage when preparing short fibres; if however it is desired to
climinate all fibres under a certain length, the distance between the stationary
nipper B, B, and oscillating nipper R, S, may be so regulated that the latter shall
seize the filaments at such a distance from the nipper B, B', according to the length
of the fibres to be eliminated, that all fibres not longer than the distance between
B, B, and the point at which nipper R, S, begins to act will be rejected. It will
thus be seen that the machine may be adjusted to comb short fibres, or only those
which exceed a certain length.
Figure 6 shows the method of cleaning the combs. The comb C, is represented
at the moment it is about to comb the front end of the web protruding from the
nipper B, B', after which the comb rises and occupies the position Co. At this
moment the cylinder W oscillates on axis Y of the brush V, and occupies the
position seen in Figure 7. The two cylinders then clean the comb, cylinder W
recedes, and comb C also returns to position for repeating the combing operation.
In Figures 4 and 5, the cleaning is effected by slightly oscillating the comb so as
to present it to the action of the brush V. Thus in Figure 4, the comb has risen
from position C to position Co, and been oscillated slightly, and presented to the
brush, this oscillating movement being obtained by two toothed segments geared
with two pinions mounted on the ends of the comb carrier.
Figure 8 shows yet another arrangement in which the brush roller W receives
motion from a toothed wheel on shaft Z, which also drives a gear wheel V"
on the shaft of the brush cylinder V. The connecting rod Z causes the arm z¹ to
oscillate on Z, as a centre, and thus moves the cylinder W carried by said arm
towards or away from brush V.
The action is as follows:-The cylinder W describes an arc of a circle in the
direction Z', to allow the comb to pass, and then a similar movement in the opposite
direction Z, to bring it against the comb and assist in the cleaning operation; this
done it again recedes to allow the comb to return to its former position.
In the several cases mentioned the brush V is mounted in adjustable bearings so
as to admit of regulating its position.
Figure 3 represents a front view of the improved combing machine. It will be
seen that the brushes are carried on two intermediate frames a, a, so as to allow
room beyond the brush spindles for the comb levers to work.
The Invention thus comprises, a new process of combing, which consists in
preparing, parallelising (and partially cleaning if desired, according to the kind of
feed apparatus used) a fleece or web of filaments as a preliminary to its ultimate
purification by combing and parting asunder the web. According to this process
the filaments are drawn by a nipper (such as that herein described or any other)
through an apparatus which parallelizes, and also cleans them if desired, this
apparatus consisting either of a cylinder with overlapping pressers or of other kind,
according to the state of entanglement, the degree of impurity, or the nature of the
fibres; this preparatory treatment which parallelises and prepares the filaments for
the finishing comb effected, they are drawn (still held by the nipper) across a comb
or segment of teeth whereby they are thoroughly purified. The combs are then
stripped or cleaned, and lastly, the nipper returns with the tail ends of the filaments
for piccing up" the web, and recommences the operations on the front ends of the
combed filaments left protruding from the feed apparatus. Throughout the combing
operation the front ends of the filaments and the portion of the web next thereto
are supported by the feed apparatus and stationary nipper to prevent any loose
fibres being drawn out or collecting in tufts near the front ends of the filaments,
and thus avoid waste.
The mechanical parts composing the machine have been described, and special
claim is made to the operation of the nipper or any equivalent attaining the same
result. By nipper is understood two jaws capable of seizing the filaments close up
against the stationary nipper; or if the two jaws of the latter be opened, of seizing the
filaments at the surface of the feed cylinder or porcupine. I would remark that

page_text: only a nipper admits of seizing the filaments close enough to the cylinder to draw
them between its teeth. Two cylinders, or one cylinder with an endless apron,
would bring the tangent points at too great a distance therefrom to allow of this
being done with short filaments.
The Invention further comprises the particular arrangement of nipper described,
by the aid of which either short fibres may be combed, or those under a certain
length be eliminated with the noils, the two combs having up-and-down movements
and a movement of translation; the system of cleaning the combs, the rollers for
drawing the combed web, the two intermediate frames carrying the brushes to
admit of the comb levers being placed beside them.
The combing machine arranged as described is suitable for finishing. The right
is reserved of using the parts described either as combined or separately, and
particularly the use of the machine with a single comb or without one for simply
straightening or drawing and parting and piecing up the web, and so preparing the
same for the subsequent combing operation. The right is also reserved of applying
all or any of the above improvements to other kinds of combing machinery.
It will be seen from the foregoing that the improvements on which the present
application is based are as follows:-
Supporting the front end of the web and the part which immediately follows so
as to avoid fibres being drawn out, and the tufts formed in the web in advance of
the front end of the web, by the combing operation.
The modification in the working of the combs so that they are no longer turned
over, whereby the apparatus is simplified, time is saved, and the machine is enabled
to work with greater rapidity.
The intermediate frames whereby space is left at the ends of the brush cylinders
for the working of the comb levers.
The improved arrangement of apparatus for cleaning the combs.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th May
1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMBING FIBROUS SUB-
STANCES." A communication from abroad by the Firin of Heilmann-Ducommun
and Steinlen, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to improvements in the machinery for combing fibrous
substances, for which Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date January 13th,
1877, No. 184, as a communication from the said Firm of Heilmann-Ducommun
and Steinlen.
In order that the Invention may be better understood I have embodied the
description of the former machine with that of the new parts forming the subject
of the present Invention.
The machine is based on the following method of operation :-A lap or fleece of
fibres is first drawn, laid parallei (and cleaned if desired, according to the kind of
treatment desired) by means of a nipper having a movement of translation through a
kind of rotary gill or apparatus, which parallelises, combs (and cleans) the
filaments. The filaments having by this preliminary treatment been laid parallel,
and thus prepared for the subsequent operation by which they are completely
purified, are held by the nipper, and while partaking in its movement of trans-
lation are submitted to the action of one or two combs or segments of teeth, which
may be of progressive fineness, which effect the complete purification of the
filaments by the parting asunder of the web or fleece. The same comb or segment
which has combed the filaments held by the nipper, as above mentioned, operates
also on the front ends of the filaments left protruding from the feed apparatus,
which are afterwards operated by a second or finishing comb.
During the whole combing operation the front ends of the filaments and the next
succeeding portion are supported by the feed apparatus and nipper B, B₁; herein-
after referred to, in such manner as to prevent any fibres from being drawn out or
collected in a tangled mass just in rear of the front ends by the combing action, in
order to avoid waste.
The reciprocating nipper returning to its first position pieces up the web and
recommences the operation; as likewise the combs, which have in the meantime
been cleaned.
The machine consists of,-
1st. A feed apparatus, which parallelises, and, it may be, also partially cleans the
filaments, and also prevents them being drawn out or becoming entangled.
2nd. A stationary nipper.
3rd. One or two combing apparatus.
4th. An apparatus for cleaning the combs.
5th. A nipper, having a movement of translation for drawing out and piecing up
the web.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 1 represents a transverse vertical section; Figure 2, a detail; and
Figure 3, a front view of the improved combing machine.
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and S, represent the apparatus for cleaning the combs drawn
on a larger scale.
Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, illustrate on a larger scale the action of the
combing mechanism proper.
The same letters of reference are used in all these Figures to designate the same
parts.
The feed apparatus which parallelises (as well as cleans the fibres, as the case
may be) and also sustains the web under the combing action, so as to prevent the
fibres from being drawn out, varies according to the state of the material

page_text: operated on, and may consist either of a plain cylinder or a cylinder clothed with
plain or saw-toothed helical blades, against which the web is pressed by a series of
fingers or pressers, or of a porcupine cylinder, such as shown in Figures 1, 9, 10, 11,
12, and 13, or any other suitable arrangement of feed apparatus may be used.
In Figures 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, B, B', are the two jaws of the stationary
nipper, which are made to press lightly the one against the other while the
filaments are drawn from the lap, to prevent the fibres being drawn out and
becoming entangled, after which the two jaws close together, while the combs
operate on the front ends, or that portion of the filaments which is in front of the
feed apparatus and the nipper B, B¹. The latter is actuated by a cam P acting on
lever P¹.
The combing apparatus for completing the purification of the filaments is shown
in Figures 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. C, C, are two combs or segments with teeth,
which may be of progressive fineness if desired. Each comb has two movements,
viz., an up-and-down movement, or vice versa, and a movement of translation, to
which may be added a rocking movement. The first of these movements is given
to the lower comb by a lever D oscillated on a centre at d by the action of a
cam D the movement of translation is produced by the lever E being made to
oscillate on a centre at e by the action of a cam E'; and the rocking or oscillating
inovement of the comb, when such motion is required, is obtained by a toothed
segment actuating a pinion fixed on the axis of the comb and operated by a cam.
The up-and-down movement of the upper comb is produced by lever T oscillated
on a centret by cam T. The movement of translation is produced by the lever U,
oscillated on a centre at e by cam U', and the oscillating movement of the comb,
when such movement is employed, is produced, as in the other comb, by means
of a toothed segment actuating a pinion fixed on the comb axis and operated by
a cam.
Figure 6 shows the apparatus for cleaning the combs. V is a brush cylinder
driven in the direction of the arrow. W is a cylinder covered with plush, leather,
india-rubber, or bristles. The covering of plush, leather, or india-rubber (which
may either be plain or fluted) may either envelop its whole surface or be placed
at intervals apart in the direction of the radii of the cylinder. The cylinder W is
carried by a lever vat each end, and turns in the direction of the arrow.
As shown in Figure 4, the arin v is made in two parts to allow of adjusting the
axes of V and W at varying distances apart, the two portions of the arm v¹ being
secured together by a screw bolt and serrated joint; v represents the pitch line of
a toothed wheel gearing with another toothed wheel, represented by the pitch
line. The toothed wheel 3 may be geared with wheel v² by means of two
intermediate wheels instead of being geared directly therewith, as shown.
surface speed of brush V is greater than that of cylinder W, in order that it
may collect the waste from the latter. X, can actuating lever X¹, and con-
necting rod X:
The
G, Figure 1, is a lever arm carrying the oscillating nipper, which draws out and
pieces up the web, said arm moving on G¹ as a centre; H is a crank which imparts
the oscillating movement to arm G, and consequently to the nipper by means of
levers, connecting rods, and cranks H1, H2, H3, H, the amplitude of the oscillating
movement being determined by the position of pivot I, which is fixed adjustably in
a slot in H, so as to enable the point, at which the nipper scizes the filaments to
be varied. K, lever by which the nipper is opened and closed, operated by cam K¹;
L, lever adjustable by slot l, set screw, and lock nut, to regulate the pressure with
which the jaws of the nipper close together; M, Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, pad
of india-rubber to render the pressure elastic; N, endless apron of leather or other
material, which is shifted at each stroke of the nipper by a clutch separately re-
presented in Figure 2. This apron may be either applied to the lower jaw, or to
both the upper and lower jaws, and serve together with the rollers to draw along
the web of combed fibres; 0, 01, 02, 0³, pairs of rollers which draw along the web

page_text: of combed filaments, allowing the tail ends of the fibres to project for piecing up
the web.
Instead of using rollers the web may be received between two endless leather
aprons as it leaves the nipper.
The action of the machine is as follows:- Referring to Figure 13, the front ends
of the fibres project from the feed apparatus and stationary nipper B, B', while the
tail ends protrude from the oscillating nipper R, S. The latter then moves back to
the position shown in Figure 9 to piece up the two ends of the web; it then closes
and nips the web tightly while the two jaws of the nipper B, B', are pressed lightly
together, and as well as the toothed or porcupine cylinder support the front ends of
the fibres, and the portion of the web immediately following, in order to prevent
loose fibres and tufts formed during the operation of combing being drawn out.
The nipper then advances a sufficient distance for comb C to enter the web, and
continues its movement, thus drawing the filaments held by it through the feed
apparatus, which thus parallelises, cleans, and prepares them for the work of the
finisher comb. At this moment (see Figure 10) the stationary nipper B, B', closes
tight, and the comb C commences to move to comb the front ends of the fibres
protruding from the said nipper. Immediately there is room between the comb C¹
and nipper B, B', for the comb C, it descends, and both combs C, C¹, continue to
move along and comb the front ends of the web. The comb C then descends (sec
Figure 3), comb C completes the combing of the front ends, and then rises in order
to be cleaned, as herein-after described, and repeat the combing operation.
The action of the combs may also be varied by making the upper comb descend
first, and the lower one then rise behind it. The nipper R, S, which then arrives
at the end of its course, opens (see Figure 12), and the rollers 0, 0¹, 02, 03, draw the
combed web along a certain distance, leaving the tail ends protruding for piecing
up, after which the nipper moves back to the position, Figure 13, in readiness to
repeat the operation.
The porcupine roller or feed apparatus has a forward movement imparted to feed
the material to be combed, and it may also have a slight backward movement in
order to draw back a part of the combed fibres, so that when nipper R, S, scizes a
fresh portion of the fibres (see Figure 9) it may lay hold of rather less than the
entire length of the combed ends, and thus have a portion of the web twice combed.
This is of advantage when preparing short fibres; if, however, it is desired to
eliminate all fibres under a certain length, the distance between the stationary
nipper B, B, and oscillating nipper R, S, may be so regulated that the latter
sball seize the filaments at such a distance from the nipper B, B¹, according to the
length of the fibres to be eliminated, that all fibres not longer than the distance
between B, B, and the point at which nipper R, S, begins to act, will be rejected.
It will thus be seen that the machine may be adjusted to comb short fibres, or
only those which exceed a certain length.
Figure 6 shows the method of cleaning the combs. The comb C is represented
at the moment it is about to comb the front end of the web protruding from the
nipper B', B, after which the comb rises and occupies the position Co. At this
moment the cylinder W oscillates on axis Y of the brush V, and occupies the
position seen in Figure 7. The two cylinders then clean the comb, cylinder
W recedes, and comb C also returns to position for repeating the combing
operation.
In Figures 4 and 5 the cleaning is effected by slightly oscillating the comb, so as
to present it to the action of the brush V. Thus in Figure 4 the comb has risen
from position C to position Co, and been oscillated slightly and presented to the
brush, this oscillating movement being obtained by two toothed segments geared
with two pinions mounted on the ends of the comb carrier.
Figure 8 shows yet another arrangement in which the brush roller W receives
motion from a toothed wheel 3 on shaft Z, which also drives a gear wheel * on the
shaft of the brush cylinder V. The connecting rod causes the arm ¹ to oscillate

page_text: on Z as a centre, and thus moves the cylinder W, carried by said arın towards or
away from brush V.
The action is as follows:-The cylinder W describes an arc of a circle in the
direction Z', to allow the comb to pass, and then a similar movement in the opposite
direction to bring it against the comb and assist in the cleaning operation; this
done it again recedes to allow the comb to return to its former position.
In the several cases mentioned the brush V is mounted in adjustable bearings, so
as to admit of regulating its position.
Figure 3 represents a front view of the improved combing machine. It will be
seen that the brushes are carried on two intermediate frames a, a, so as to allow
room beyond the brush spindles for the comb levers to work.
The web may be made to pass underneath instead of above the feed cylinder
or porcupine, and the oscillating nipper be mounted nearer to the front of the
inachine.
I have in the former Patent described the Invention as comprising a new process
of combing which consists in preparing, parallelising (and partially cleaning, if
desired, according to the kind of feed apparatus used) a fleece or web of filaments as
a preliminary to its ultimate purification by combing and parting asunder the web.
According to this process the filaments are drawn by a nipper (such as that herein
described or any other) through an apparatus which parallelises, and also cleans
them if desired, this apparatus consisting either of a cylinder with overlapping
pressers or of other kind, according to the state of entanglement, the degree of
impurity, or the nature of the fibres; this preparatory treatment which parallelises
and prepares the filaments for the finishing comb effected, they are drawn (still
held by the nipper) across a comb or segment of teeth whereby they are thoroughly
purified, after which the front ends are combed. The combs are then stripped or
cleaned; and lastly, the nipper returns with the tail ends of the filaments for piecing
up the web, and recommences the operation on the front ends of the combed filaments
left protruding from the feed apparatus. Throughout the combing operation the
front ends of the filaments and the portion of the web next thereto are supported
by the feed apparatus and the stationary nipper, to prevent any fibres being
drawn out or collected in tufts near the front ends of the filaments, and thus avoid
waste.
The mechanical parts composing the machine were also therein described, and
special claim made to the operation of the nipper or any equivalent attaining the
same result. By nipper is understood two jaws capable of seizing the filaments
close up to the stationary nipper; or if the two jaws of the latter be opened. of
seizing the filaments at the surface of the feed cylinder or porcupine. Only a
nipper admits of seizing the filaments close enough to the cylinder to draw them
between its teeth, as two cylinders or one cylinder with an endless apron would
bring the tangent points at too great a distance therefrom to allow of this being
done with short filaments.
The Invention thus consists in the particular arrangement of nipper described, by
the aid of which either short fibres may be combed, or those under a certain length
be eliminated with the noils, the two combs having up-and-down movements and
movement of translation, the system of cleaning the combs, the rollers for
drawing the combed web, the two intermediate frames carrying the brushes to
admit of the comb levers being placed beside them.
a
The combing machine, arranged as described, is suitable for finishing. The right
is reserved of using the parts described either as combined or separately, and
particularly the use of the machine with a single comb or without one for simply
straightening or drawing and parting and piecing up the web, and so preparing
the same for the subsequent combing operation. The right is also reserved
of applying all or any of the above improvements to other kinds of combing
machinery.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of

page_text: performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. Supporting the front end of the web and the part which immediately follows,
as herein specified, so as to avoid fibres being drawn out, and the tufts formed in
the web in advance of the front end of the web, by the combing operation.
2nd. The modification in the working of the combs, as herein specified, so that
they are no longer turned over, whereby the apparatus is simplified, time is saved,
and the machine is enabled to work with greater rapidity.
3rd. The intermediate frames whereby space is left at the end of the brush
cylinders for the working of the comb levers, substantially as specified.
4th. The improved arrangement of apparatus for cleaning the combs.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
A 184
TADT
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