IMPROVEMENTS IN YARNS AND IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS Employed FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME.
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Clapham, of Leeds, in the County of York, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN YARNS AND IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS
Employed FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME.'
"
Sealed the 27th September 1878, and dated the 23rd July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Clapham at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd July 1878.
JOHN CLAPHAM, of Leeds, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN YARNS
AND IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME."
The yarn consists of one or more central threads of flax, cotton, silk, jute, or other
fibrous substances or combinations of the same.
The central thread or threads are covered with one or more layers of woollen, or
silk, or other fibrous material, which may be of any suitable color or quality; such
external covering by preference has no twist imparted to it, but is taken direct from
the condenser or condenser bobbin, and laid, or coiled, or wrapped on the central
thread or threads in the manner hereafter described.
When the operation is performed direct from the condenser I take the "sliver"
or condenser thread by preference from the doffer, and cause the central thread to
travel, and at the same time impart thereto a rotary motion, which rotary motion
is given by means of a flyer, the spindle of which contains the feed bobbin for the
central thread.
The thread is drawn forward by a flyer on to the receiving bobbin placed in a
convenient position with regard to the sliver, and the sliver is coiled or wound on
to the thread as it travels along, such coiling or winding being effected by the
rotary motion imparted to the central thread in combination with the traversing
motion of the same.
The amount or thickness of the external covering is increased or reduced at
pleasure, by varying the speed of the feed rollers and flyers.

page_text: A similar apparatus although necessarily slightly different in arrangement is
employed, when the operation is performed on the mule or spinning frame of
ordinary construction. In this case. the sliver or condenser thread is taken from
the condenser bobbin either direct to the central thread, or passed on to an inter-
mediate roller having card filletting thereon; for the purpose of straightening the
sliver, such condenser bobbin is carried in its ordinary position on the mule.
A rotary motion in combination with the traverse motion is imparted to the
central thread at the same time; the sliver or condenser thread or threads is or are
coiled or wrapped thereon at any convenient angle, preventing the same appearance
as when taken direct from the condenser.
After the above operation, the material is wound on to the bobbins or cops on the
mule spindles in the ordinary way.
Thread produced in the above described ways may be made with any degree of
fineness, and suitable for the manufacture of the most delicate materials, such as
fine flannel, woollen goods, silks, and the like.
By the application of the central thread or threads, the material is much
strengthened, also presents a surface of the best appearance and touch at a much
cheaper rate, und prevents shrinking or fulling up, so often complained of in goods
which require to be frequently washed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Clapham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st January
1879.
JOHN CLAPHAM, of Leeds, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN YARNS
AND IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME."
The yarn consists of one or more central threads of flax, cotton, silk, jute, or other
fibrous substances or combinations of the same.
The central thread or threads are covered with one or more layers of woollen, or
silk, or other fibrous material, which may be of any suitable colour or quality, such
external covering has no twist imparted to it, but is taken direct from the con-
denser or condenser bobbin, and laid, or coiled, or wrapped on the central thread or
threads in the manner hereafter described.
When the operation is performed direct from the condenser, I take the sliver or
condenser thread or fibres by preference from the doffer, and cause the central
thread or threads to travel, and at the same time impart thereto a rotary motion,
which rotary notion is given by means of a flyer, the spindle of which contains the
feed bobbin for the central thread or threads.
The thread is drawn forward by a flyer on to the receiving bobbin, placed in a
convenient position in regard to the sliver or fibres, and the sliver or fibres is or are
coiled or wound on to the thread as it travels along, such coiling or winding being
effected by the rotary motion imparted to the central thread or threads in
combination with the traversing motion of the same.
The amount or thickness of the external covering is increased or reduced at
pleasure by varying the speed of the feed rollers or flyers.
A similar apparatus, although necessarily slightly different in arrangement, is
employed when the operation is performed on the "mule" or spinning frame of
ordinary construction. In this case the sliver or condenser thread or fibres is or are
taken from the condenser bobbin, and passed on to an intermediate roller having
card filletting thereon; for the purpose of straightening the sliver or fibres, such
condenser bobbin is carried in its ordinary position on the "mule."
A rotary motion in combination with the traverse motion is imparted to the
central thread or threads at the same time; the sliver or condenser thread or
threads or fibres is or are coiled or wrapped thereon at any convenient angle,
presenting the same appearance as when taken direct from the condenser.
After the above operation the material is wound on to the bobbins or cops on
the "mule" spindles in the ordinary way.
Thread produced in the above described ways may be made with any degree of
fineness, and suitable for the manufacture of the most delicate materials, such as
fine flannel, woollen goods, silks, and the like.
By the application of the central thread or threads, the material is much
strengthened, also presents a surface of the best appearance and touch at a much
cheaper rate, and prevents shrinkage or fulling up, so often complained of in goods
which require to be frequently washed.
And in order that my Invention may be more completely understood reference
is given to the accompanying Sheets of the Drawings, and to the letters and marks
thereon

page_text: manufacturing the yarn; Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively front and side elevations of
the same.
Figs. 7, 8, and 9 shew further modifications in the delivery of the central thread
or threads on to the doffer.
Figs. 10, 11, 12, and 13 represent another modification, and are respectively an a
elevation of side A, a front elevation, an elevation of side B, and a plan looking at
the top.
Fig. 14 is a part side elevation of a further modification:
"
Figs. 15, 16, and 17 are respectively a plan looking at the top, front elevation,
and end elevation of apparatus, which I apply to "mules or spinning machines
for the purpose of manufacturing the herein-before mentioned yarn; Fig. 18
represents the application of the same to the "mule."
1.
The yarn consists of one or more central threads a of flax, cotton, silk, jute,
or other fibrous substance or combinations of the same. The central thread or
threads a is or are covered with one or more layers b of woollen, silk, or other
fibrous materials, which may be of any suitable colour or quality, such external
covering b has no twist imparted to it, but is taken direct from the condenser or
condenser bobbin, and laid, or coiled, or wrapped on the central thread or threads
in the manner hereafter described.
One arrangement of machinery for producing the herein-before mentioned yarn is s
shewn at Figs. 4, 5, and 6, in which c is the framework of the machine; d, the
corder, doffer, or cylinder carrying the filletting e to which the required tension is
given by being passed over the pulleys f, and arranged in the manner shewn for
more conveniently conducting the sliver or fibres on to the various threads.
It will be readily seen that as the threads a travel forward in the direction
shewn by arrows, and a twist being simultaneously imparted thereto by the flyers g,
the sliver or fibres is or are laid, coiled, or wrapped on the central thread or
threads a in the manner shewn at 1, Figs. 3 and 4.
The central thread or threads are taken from the bobbins i on the spindles j, such
spindles j being caused to revolve when required by means of the cylinder k in the
ordinary manner, and after having taken on it or them the fibres b passes on to the
bobbin or cop on the spindle m, rotary motion being given to the spindle m from
the cylinder n in the ordinary way, and the required twist is imparted by the
flyer on the spindle m. The tubes o and of are employed as guides and a
protection to the threads and yarn, and may be adjusted in their bearings
P and pl.
It will be obvious to all practical persons, that it is not absolutely necessary that
the central thread or threads a travel parallel with the doffer or cylinder, as it or
they might be taken at right angles therewith, as shewn at Fig. 9, and at various
angles in that direction, as shewn at Figs. 7 and 8, or the fibres may be laid, coiled,
or wrapped thereon in a diagonal direction across the face of the carding or
filletting. These changes of course cause an alteration or modification in the
position of the spindles j and m, and bobbins or cops i and 7, but without departing
from my Invention, and in some instances guides or conductors may be required for
keeping the slivers or fibres apart, preventing them thereby robbing each other of
material during the operation of laying, wrapping, or coiling.
Although I have hitherto stated that the sliver or fibres for covering the central
thread or threads is or are taken direct from a condenser doffer, I would have it
understood that a carded cylinder or "porcupine" may be employed as a substitute
and stripped of its sliver or fibres precisely in the manner herein-before described,
or that the sliver or fibres may be laid on any suitable cylinder, having its surface
covered with carding or filletting, and cleared or stripped of its fibres by means of
revolving central thread or threads.
Figs. 10, 11, 12, and 13, shew the arrangement of carder cylinder, "porcupine," or
doffer, and apparatus employed therewith for stripping the fibres therefrom, and
twisting or wrapping them round a central thread or threads.
In this arrangement, a is the grooved cylinder over which belts b of carding or

page_text: separate pulley c arranged
These pulleys c as well as
shewn at Fig. 13, are also
filletting are passed, and each belt b also passes over a
on suitable shafting d in a diagonal direction as shewn.
being in a diagonal direction across the cylinder a, as
mounted and arranged round the periphery thereof, as shewn at Fig. 10. The
pulleys c are caused to rotate with the grooved cylinder a, motion being trans-
mitted thereto through gearing e. In front of or over each pulley c is passed the
central thread or threads f, being supplied from spindle g, and conducted to the
rollers c by the guide rollers h. As the central thread or threads pass in front of or
over the rollers c, a twist is given thereto by a flyer i on the spindle j, by which
twist the fibres from the carding or filletting is laid, coiled, or wrapped on to the
central thread or threads f, and from thence it or they is or are passed by means of
the flyers i on to bobbins 7 on the spindles j.
A rotary motion being given to the spindles j through driving pulleys m and n,
and a similar rotary motion is transmitted from the driving pulley m to the spindles
j by means of gearing o and pulleys p.
The position and arrangement of spindles g, is further demonstrated at Fig. 12;
this arrangement being for the purpose of bringing them as near as possible
directly opposite the point at which the central thread or threads are fed to the
various carded belts b.
Fig. 14 represents a further modification in which 9 is a cylinder covered with
carding or filletting similar to a condenser doffer, carder doffer, or "porcupine." In-
this arrangement, carded strippers are employed instead of the carded belts b, and
the central thread or threads is or are passed in front of or over these to have laid,
coiled, or wrapped thereon the external fibres. Other parts of this machine may be
of a similar construction to that described for Figs. 10, 11, 12, and 13.
a
I am fully aware that yarn constructed with a central thread or threads having
long fibred thread wound thereon has been manufactured. The long fibred covering
is very expensive, neither do I claim a yarn constructed by this method. In my
arrangement, I employ a central thread or threads, and wind thereon short fibres
which are taken direct from a doffer, carder, or "porcupine," substantially as herein
set forth.
By this my arrangement, I am enabled to use short fibres.
"
The apparatus for producing the herein-before mentioned yarn on
mules" or
spinning machines is shewn at Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18. In this case the sliver or
condenser thread or fibres is or are taken from the condenser bobbin a, shewn at
Fig. 18, on to an intermediate roller b, having card filletting thereon, or a "por-
cupine" of a similar description to that described for the condenser doffer or carder
doffer. The number of these rollers b are varied in accordance with the number of
the spindles on the "mule" or spinning machine, and when in operation, are caused
to revolve by means of the gearing c actuated through shaft d from some moving
part of the "mule" or other suitable motive power. The central thread or threads
is or are fed from cops or bobbins e mounted on studs attached to the rail f on the
framework of the "mule." The central thread or threads can be fed either between
the ordinary rollers g, thence through the adjustable eyelets h, or direct across the
filletted roller or "porcupine" b, by means of the twist given thereto; the condenser
thread or sliver or fibres is or are stripped off the filletted roller or "porcupine "b,
and laid, coiled, or wrapped on to it in the manner herein-before described for the
condenser, it is then taken forward and operated in the ordinary manner by the
"mule."
The sliver or fibres is or are fed on to the filletted roller or "porcupine" 6 in the
direction shewn by arrows round the guide i from the condenser bobbin a which is
placed in the ordinary position on the "mule." The eyelets h are attached to the
levers j mounted on studs k, and may be operated simultaneously for the purpose of
adjustment by means of the connecting rod 7, and the rod can be fixed in position
by ordinary means.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and described by the aid.
of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice, I would have it understood
.

page_text: that I do not limit myself to the exact limits, details, or configuration of the parts
I have described and shewn, as the same may of course be varied or modified
without departing from the nature or principle of my Invention, but what I claim
and desire to be secured to me by Letters Patent is,―
First. Yarn composed of a central thread or threads having fibres taken direct
from a doffer, card, or a "porcupine," and wound or wrapped thereon, substantially
as herein set forth.
"
Second. The arrangement, construction, and application of the means employed
for stripping sliver or fibres from filletting, or a card or a 'porcupine," or from
cylinders such as are used as doffers for condensers, by and on to revolving thread
or threads arranged and actuated, substantially as and for the purposes herein set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Clapham, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eighteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
JOHN CLAPHAM. (L.S.)