Improved Machine or Apparatus for Folding, or Doubling Fabrics.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 31st Dec., 1892-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Machine or Apparatus for Folding, or Doubling
Fabrics.
We, JOHN LLOYD of, Foxhill Bank, Church, Bleacher, and EDWARD
WHITTAKER, of 372 Blackburn Road, Accrington, Foreman Mechanic, do. hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
Our invention relates to machines or apparatus for folding or doubling textile
fabrics and consists in an improved arrangement or construction of said machines
or apparatus more particularly intended for wide fabrics that have to be doubled
or folded lengthwise twice in order to bring them to a convenient width for packing.
The "first doubling 'is' at present usually performed as the fabric comes from the
drying or finishing machine by means of an apparatus not connected to said
machine.The second doubling for folding the fabric to one quarter of its extended
width has hitherto been performed by hand labour, one man drawing' the fabric
lengthways over a table while two others double it over as it proceeds along the
table aud'adjust its edges. The object of our invention is to perform this operation
with less labour and more expeditiously, and without squeezing or nipping the
refolded cloth between rollers which would cause creases and puckering, this having
prevented the use of ordinary doubling machines for re-doubling fabrics."
"In carrying our invention into effect, we arrange on a table an overhanging arm
carrying a revolving 'disc over which the fabric is folded, as it is 'drawn forward by
means of a pair of rollers or cylinders geared together so as to revolve in opposite
directions and leave a space between them, the fabric passing under one and over
the other of them and being forwarded by its frictional contact with said rollers,
suitable guide rolls or' bars being arranged to hold the fabric to the rollers. The
surface speed of 'the' rollers may be equal, or the second roller may have a slightly
greater surface 'speed than the "first one. From the drawing rollers the fabric is
conducted to 'a' laying or plaiting apparatus constructed in the usual manner, and
driven by a 'strap from one of the roller shafts, these being driven themselves in
any suitable or convenient manner. The different parts may be arranged' on 'frames
mounted on the table, 'or' on frames standing on the floor and having a table attached
to them.
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Dated the 30th day of March 1892
..
JOHN LLOYD.
EDWARD 'WHITTAKER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Machine or Apparatus for Folding or Doubling
.....
Fabrics.
We, JOHN LLOYD of Foxhill Bank, Church, Bleacher, and EDWARD
WHITTAKER, of 372 Blackburn Road, Accrington, Foreman Mechanic, 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:-
"
Our invention relates to machines or apparatus for folding or doubling textile
fabrics and consists in'an improved arrangement or construction of said machines
or apparatus, being more particularly intended for wide fabrics that have to be
doubled or folded: lengthwise twice in order to bring them to a convenient width
TP21

page_text: for packing. The first doubling is at present usually performed as the fabric
comes from the drying or finishing machine by means of an apparatus or machine
working in connection therewith. The second doubling for folding the fabric to
one quarter of its extended width has hitherto been performed by hand labour, one
man drawing the fabric lengthways over a table while two others double it over
as it proceeds along the table and adjust its edges. The object of our invention is
to perform this operation with less labour and more expeditiously, and without
squeezing or nipping the refolded cloth between rollers, which would cause creases
and puckering, this having prevented the use of ordinary doubling machines for
redoubling fabrics.
On the sheet of drawings appended hereunto Fig. 1, shows a side view of our
improved machine or apparatus. Figure 2 a plan of the same, and Figure 3 an
end view of the bracket and disc hereinafter referred to.
In carrying our invention into effect, we arrange on a table a a bracket b bolted
thereto and having fixed to it an adjustable bracket or arm b¹ carrying at its end
a flat revolving disc d. The disc may revolve on a short pin fixed on the end of
the arm and entering a hole in the disc, or the pin may be on the disc and enter
a hole in the arm. The cloth c as it is drawn forward in the manner hereinafter
described along the table is folded by the attendant over the disc d which serves to
push the inner fold close up to the outer one and is carried round by the forward
motion of the cloth. The cloth c is drawn forward by means of a pair of rollers
or cylinders e and geared together by spur wheels e¹ f' so as to revolve in
opposite directions and leave a space between them, the cloth passing over a guide
roller g under the roller e and over the roller f and being forwarded by its frictional
contact with said rollers, another guide roller h being arranged to ensure the contact
of the cloth with the roller f. The surface speed of the rollers e and may be
equal, or the second roller f may have a slightly greater surface speed than the
first roller e.
From the roller f the cloth is conducted to a laying or plaiting apparatus con-
structed in the usual manner. On the swan neck brackets m are mounted a top
roller and swing guide I moved to and fro by the rod n connected to crank o on
shaft p. The machine may be driven by hand or power. In the latter case a fast
and loose pulleys and s¹ are placed upon one of the shafts of rollers e and f. The
roller i is driven by a pulley and strap from pulley on the shaft of roller f and
a pulley pl on roller i drives by a strap the pulley p³ on shaft p. The different
rollers are supported in brackets or pedestals of any suitable kind which may be
mounted as shewn on frames r fixed upon the table a, or on frames standing on the
floor and having a table attached to them. The two rollers e and may be
arranged beside each other on a horizontal bed, or be vertically above each other
or in any intermediate position between the horizontal and the vertical, and the
guide rollers may be so arranged that the cloth is in contact with nearly their
entire circumference, or a greater or less part thereof.
By the use of this machine labour is saved and the cloth can be redoubled
without being nipped or creased between rollers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :
Firstly. The use for doubling or folding fabrics of a machine or apparatus con-
structed substantially as described and illustrated.
Secondly. The construction or arrangement of a machine or apparatus for
folding or doubling fabrics substantially as described and illustrated.
Thirdly. In machines or apparatus for folding or doubling fabrics the use or
arrangement of two rollers not in contact with each other and rotated in opposite
direction for the purpose of forwarding the fabric substantially as described and
illustrated.

page_text: Fourthly. In a machine or apparatus for folding or doubling fabrics the use or
arrangement of a disc revolving on an arm substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Dated this 30th day of December 1892.
JOHN LLOYD.
EDWARD WHITTAKER.