IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE COMBING OR CARDING OF FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ottley Lane Perry, of Bolton-le-Moors, in the County
of Lancaster, Cotton Spinner, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE COMBING OR CARDING OF FIBROUS MATERIALS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ottley Lane Perry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th Juno 1879.
OTTLEY LANE PERRY, of Bolton-le-Moors, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton
Spinner. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE COMBING OR CARDING
OF FIBROUS MATERIALS."
My Invention relates principally to the combing machines which are employed in
the preparation of cotton and other fibrous textile materials. The first part of my
Invention relates to the arrangements for doffing the combed fibres, and is par-
ticularly applicable to the combing machine known as "Imbs's com ber." In the
said comber a revolving brush is employed to transfer the material from the
oscillating frame containing the "seizing nipper" to the doffer cylinder, but
the action of this brush is not satisfactory. I dispense with the use of the said
brush and I arrange the said doffer cylinder to work in close proximity to the said
oscillating frame. On the said oscillating frame I form or fix a curved shield or
part, which after the transfer of each nipper-full to the doffer presses the said
nipper-full among the doffer teeth or wires sufficiently to enable the doffer
to retain the material until it is removed by the comb. A second part of my
Invention has for its object to improve the action of the said oscillating frame.
I lengthen the side-bars of the frame extending from the pivots downwards,
and I connect the said side-bars by means of a comparatively strong and
heavy cross-bar, whereby the present top-heaviness of the frame is avoided and
its rigidity increased. I also cause the actuating cam or cams, or excentrics, to act
upon the upper end of the said frame at a point above or about at the level of the
nipping jaws, whereby a steadier action is obtained. According to a remaining
part of my Invention in lieu of the said oscillating frame I employ a revolving frame,
which is provided with two or more sets of nippers, which are arranged to open
and close during the revolutions of the said frames.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ottley Lane Perry in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
December 1879.
OTTLEY LANE PERRY, of Bolton-le-Moors, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton
Spinner. "LMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE COMBING OR CARDING
OF FIBROUS MATERIALS."
My said Invention relates principally to machines which are employed in the
preparation of cotton and other fibrous materials, and its object is the more efficient
and economical handling and cleansing of the fibres, as well as the more economical
manufacture of certain machines employed for this purpose.
The different parts of my Invention are nearly all applicable to the two patterns
of the excellent combing system known as "Imbs" comber," which have been
patented, or are in process of being patented, by Mr. Jos. Imbs, of Paris. In the
said "
Imbs" combers a revolving brush consisting of long soft bristles, and attached
to one side of a heavy shaft, is employed to transfer the materials from the " 'oscilating
frame" (containing the "seizing nippers") to the "doffing cylinder," whence it is
removed by the doffing comb.
By means of one of my Inventions (entitled the "selfacting combination cylinder
and presser ") I am enabled to dispense with the use of the above mentioned trans-
ferring and doffing apparatus. This Invention consists of a small selfacting trans-
ferring cylinder, which works in immediate proximity to the said "oscillating
frame," and assisted by a so called "presser" attached to that frame performs the
work of the heavy revolving brush as well as that of the "doffing cylinder" and
the "doffing comb" used by Mr. Imbs. This "combination cylinder" invented by
me works as follows:-Just below the lower jaw of the "nippers" in the said
oscillating frame I form or fix a curved shield or "presser" provided with a hinged
flap. This "
presser" during the transfer of each nipper full to the small "combina-
tion cylinder" presses the previously transferred nippers-full among the cylinder
wires sufficiently to enable the said cylinder to retain the veil of fibres until it
sinks upon a flat table inmediately under and in front of the said cylinder. The
above mentioned hinged flap attached to the "presser" prevents any air draughts
and slides on the said table as the oscillating frame moves, and the combed or
carded material is drawn from under the said "combination cylinder" along the
table by the draw box rollers in front of the machine. I may add that for those
who prefer a doffing comb my "selfacting combination cylinder" can work either
with or without one. This cylinder continues clean during work for many months
without requiring to be ground. I also improve upon the construction of the
"oscillating frame" so as to render it more rigid and cortain in its action; and I
also cause the operating cams which operato the said framo to act upon a part of it
which is above (instead of below, as in the Imbs machine), the "nipping jaws," and
by this alteration a regular motion, free from all the vibration noticeable in the
Imbs machine, is obtained. Further, I dispense with the very cumbrous and noisy
cam and guiding frame employed in the Imbs machine to lift and depress the per-
pendicularly working comb, and I substitute a much simpler apparatus, hereinafter
described, which works quietly and economically. Finally, I arrange the pedestals
containing the "back clearing brush" and "clearing cylinder" (at the back of the
combplate) so that by causing them to traverse horizontally or on a slight slant the
combplate is relieved of all friction from the brush except at the moment when
the combs descend to be brushed. In the "Imbs" machine this traversing comb-
plate is subjected to a considerable friction from the continuously revolving " back
clearing brush," and wears away the brush, and by the great friction thus induced
wastes inuch power. Further, I cover this "clearing brush" and "clearing cylinder"
with a metal heading, which during the actual brushing of the combs lies over and

page_text: hides the combs, so that the dust and waste may not fly upwards into the fibres
under manipulation. The remaining part of my Invention relates to various minor
improvements in the construction and actuation of certain parts of the said "Imbs
comber," and they will be more particularly referred to in the following detailed
and illustrated account of my Invention.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I will now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, reference being had to the annexed
Sheet of Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon. Fig. 1 of the
said Drawings is a sectional view between the frames of an "Imbs" combing
machine (as improved by me), whereon I have shewn applied so much of my Inven-
tion as is necessary properly to elucidate the description. The frame-work A of
the machine carries at the back, upon the ordinary geared feeding rollers B', B²,
and B³, a coil of fibrous material, such as cotton, and, as in the ordinary "Imbs"
machine, the fibres are led across suitable guides to the back nippers c, whence
they are drawn through the combs D by the action of the front " seizing nippers
E, which are attached to the oscillating frame E. From these "nippers" the fibros
are taken by one of my Inventions, the " combination cylinder" F, and ultimately
deposited on the sliver table G, passing thereafter through the drawing and cal-
endering rollers Hand H' in the ordinary manner to the coiler I, all as indicated
by the dotted lines in the Drawing. I will begin my description at the front of
the machine.
"
The "trumpet" through which the sliver passes to the " callendering rollers" is
attached to a little arm (ẞ in Fig. 5), which can by my Invention be lifted abovo
the level of the rollers, so that if the sliver be broken from any cause it can be
passed through the " trumpet" while the machine continues to work. With tho
view of giving more room for the hand of the operative the bearings of the
"callender rollers are slanted by me towards the front, as shewn in the Drawing
(Fig. 5). I also place a "clearing roller" (similar to what is called a "jim crow
in spinning mules) under the bottom "callender roller," and also a removable
stationary "clearer" on the top callender roller. This arrangement of the "trumpet,"
callendering rollers," and "clearers" is part of my Invention hereby patented.
st
"E
"
The motion of my small cylinder F, though rocking or oscillating, is practically
progressive, and resembles that of the "doffing cylinder" in the Imbs machine,
though the function and construction of my cylinder are different, and its actuating
parts are simpler and fewer in number. In effecting the " doffing" process by the
ordinary "Imbs" machine, a revolving brush consisting of long soft bristles, and
attached to one side of a heavy shaft, and situated immediately in front of the
"seizing nippers," is employed to take the combed fibres from the said " seizing
nippers," and to lay them on to a doffing cylinder, an ordinary doffing comb being
also employed to remove or doff the said fibres from the said doffing cylinder. Now
according to my Invention I dispense altogether with the said heavy revolving
brush, as well as with the doffing cylinder and the doffing comb, and I employ my
little combination cylinder and presser" (which together occupy no more room
than the heavy transferring brush) to do all the work of the above threefold
apparatus used by Mr. Imbs. I hereby reserve to myself the right of altering or
varying the conformation or shape of my "presser" (such as giving it a waved, or
corrugated, or even a sievelike surface), as such alterations may from time to time
seen advantageous to the material under treatment. I prefer to make my
bination cylinder" hollow, and I pass a loose shaft o through its centre, the said
shaft carrying the cams by which the levers P (which lift the top jaw of the
nippers "E) are lifted. The side "rocking bar" (Fig. 2) for working the notched
wheel c², by which my "combination cylinder" is operated, I prefer to place much
lower than in the "Imbs" machine, and cause it (as shewn in Fig. 2) to assume
an horizontal instead of its former inclined position, and I find that the advan-
tages of this arrangement are that thereby more ready access to the side of the
machine is obtained, and also that the slipping of the pin 6 from the notches in
1
b
com-

page_text: or
"
the wheel c² (which often occurs in the "Imbs" arrangement, especially at high
speeds) is entirely prevented. Motion is transmitted by the notched wheel c² by
gearing to the " combination cylinder "F, and by means of another train of gearing
from the left end of the main driving shaft R the shaft O is rotated, and its cams
brought into operation so as to act on the lifting levers P. It will be noticed that
I have arranged a suitable "friction apparatus" to control the "notched wheel'
and "combination cylinder." This efficiently replaces the larger "friction" used
by Mr. Imbs in connection with his transferring apparatus. I hereby reserve to
myself the right of altering the "filleting" or clothing of my "combination
cylinder" from wire to "saw teeth," or any other material that may occur to me
as specially advantageous to the materials under treatment.
The "oscillating
frame" E, which carries the front or "seizing" nipper jaws, consists of two strong
side bars (preferably connected by me at the foot of a heavy cross bar J), the lower
ends of which are or may be bent, as shewn on the Drawing. The upper
part of the frame is rendered rigid by the cross T-bar k and the lower fixed
seizing nipper jaw. The parallelogramic frame thus formed is centred at the
point L on pivots consisting either of pivot pins (enlarged by me), or, if pre-
ferred, of a shaft carried through the frames; and according to my Invention,
instead of operating the "oscillating frame" by cams fixed on the shaft V,
and at a point considerably below the "seizing" or "nipping" jaws, as in the
ordinary "Imbs" machine, I cause the cams M to operate at a point above
the nipping jaws (as shewn on the Drawing) through the "jawed straps
connecting rods Q. I may also apply my actuating cans at a point on a level with
the fixed lower jaw of the " oscillating frame," but I prefer to place them as above
described. By this new arrangement the power of the cams is much increased, and
the objectionable vibration of the "nipping "jaws and the frame (so noticeable in
the "Imbs" machine) is obviated, as the "nipping" action takes place between
two fixed and unyielding points, instead of at the free end of a yielding frame. My
new cams M, M, act against the pull of the spiral springs N, N, and are of such
dimensions as to cause the front nipper E to approach the "combination cylinder
F sufficiently near to allow the curbed "presser" a (on the lower " seizing" jaw)
to press gently upon (so as to fix and consolidate) the fibres already received upon
and by the combination cylinder F. A loose sliding flap al is hinged to the
presser" a, and bridges over the space between the edge of the front table G and
the "oscillating frame," so as to exclude any dust from the "front clearing brush
or upward draughts of air which might disturb the combed fibres during their
progress to the draw box. The broad "jawed straps" or connecting rods Q, Q,
hinged to the T-bar k, and supported between suitable collars on the shaft Z, have
their outer ends in contact with the cains M, M, and are adjustable by means of
set screws, so as to adjust the "presser" a with the greatest exactness to the
periphery of the "combination cylinder "F. They are also provided (though this
is not absolutely necessary) with bowls or pulleys, which rest against the cams
M, M, and their inner surface is grooved by me in such a manner as to prevent any
dropping of lubricating oil, and small holes at their outer bends can be arranged
to assist the oil contained in these grooves to lubricate the operating cams.
"
"
"
According to another part of my Invention, instead of the said "oscillating
frame," I may employ a "revolving frame" (such as those employed in certain
wool combing machines), provided with two or more sets of "nippers," which are
arranged to open and close during a partial or entire revolution of the said frame,
or some other suitable apparatus.
Another part of my Invention relates to the combplate W, which in one of
Mr. Imbs' patterns slides up and down in guides affixed to each side of the framing,
and appears in the position shewn on the Drawing at such times as the front nippers
are about to move towards my "combination cylinder," with the fibres drawn
from the back or "holding nippers" C through the teeth of the double combs D
(affixed to the comb plate W). In those "Imbs" machines where a rising and falling

page_text: combplate, such as the one just alluded to, is used (instead of a fixed " rotatory
comb cylinder") the comb plate is lifted and depressed by means of a large cam on
the shaft V, acting in a central heavy guiding frame, and assisted by a bell crank
and spiral spring. This heavy frame is necessary not only as a guide, but also
because the cam at its initial lift does not act directly under the comb plate. It
works moreover with considerable clatter, and in order to reduce the great friction,
and to avoid unnecessary noise, I adopt such an arrangement as that shewn on the
Drawing. Here I have a cam & fixed on the left end of the shaft V, which operates
a curved lever arm on the outer end of the shaft e, the said leverf being provided
with a friction pulley and a spring f, which assists in lifting the combplate. If
preferred I can substitute (on the same shaft e) for the curved lever arm Fa straight
lever arm provided with a counter weight, and operated through the intervention
of a suitable friction pulley by a shrouded cam or cams on the shaft V2. Two
lever arms g are formed or fixed on this shaft e between the frames, their lifting
ends being provided with adjustable guides or forks, between which friction bowls
attached to the combplate revolve as tho plate is raised and lowered. Instead
however of being operated by a cam on the shaft V the combplate may be operated,
as above stated, by a shrouded cam or cams on the shaft V, and in this case I can
entirely dispense with the shaft V, as the cam wheel now pivoted on its right end
can easily be provided with an independent bracket pivot. By preference I plane
the combplate on both sides, and provide that the comb affixed to the combplate
next to the "back clearing brush" h will project very slightly above the flush of
the plate, as shewn on the Drawing, so that the revolving "clearing brush" (which
by my Invention only approaches the combplate at the actual moment of brushing
the combs) may exercise as little friction as possible on the combplate. Besides
removing the heavy cam I prefer to dispense altogether with the "central guiding
frame and bell crank used by Mr. Imbs, but, if desired, I can introduce a much
lighter apparatus, consisting of a simple guiding rod. The entire removal of the
Imbs" central lifting and depressing apparatus enables ne also to place between
the frames a convenient division plate, which, passing in front of and under the
combplate to the back of the machine, assists in keeping the dust produced by the
"back clearing brush" from getting at the combed fibres.
With a view to relieving the combplate W froin the constant friction endured by
it in the "Imbs" machine I cause the pedestals (in which revolves the "back clearing
brush"h, as well as the "clearing cylinder" which works behind it) to traverse
horizontally or on a slight slant. I can also, if desired, attach the adjustable
pedestals of the clearing comb" (which clears the cloaring cylinder) to the same
traversing pedestals, but in practice I do not find that this is necessary. My mode
of effecting this traversing motion is as follows:-The adjustable connecting rods
k, k, slide on fixed points, l, and are pivoted to the lower part of the traversing
pedestals above mentioned. They are operated by small cams m on the shaft V³
outside the frame on each side. My adjusting screws i are so constructed that the
plain length from the collars n to the square heads o' can slide freely in the fixing p.
Spiral springs, coiled around the adjusting screws, lie between the collars and the
fixed projecting flanges which surround the pedestals on each side of the frame, so
that when the cams m have pushed forward the pedestals (to which the screws are
fastened) the springs are compressed between the collars n and the projecting
flanges, and when the cams have ceased to push are able to draw the pedestals
back again. The screws are of course useful in adjusting the "clearing brush" to
the surface of the combplate. The "back clearing brush" is driven by me at an
increased velocity by a thin cotton rope (as shewn by the dotted line), and the
action of this band is not injuriously affected by the traversing of the pedestals.
The constant pressure of the stationary back clearing brush on the coinbplate in
the "Imbs" machine is so serious that considerable power has to be exerted by the
large central cam used in that machine to pull down as well as lift the combplate.
The hereinbefore described new and simple arrangement however enables the comb-
plate to work with very little friction and complete steadiness.

page_text: "
A considerable amount of dust is thrown upwards by the "back clearing brush
during the moment of brushing, and to provide against this another Invention of
mine causes a cover to slide over and cover in the comb during the actual periods
when the brushing is taking place. The " clearing doffer," as well as the "clearing
brush," is covered over, so that most of the dust is passed off to the back of the
machine, and cannot do the combed fibres any harm. This cover can be applied in
various ways, namely, by affixing it as a hood to the traversing pedestals them-
selves, as shewn in the Drawing, or by allowing it to traverse inside supports fixed
under the "holding" nipper block (and operated as in Fig. 4); or by attaching it
to the back nipper block, or even to the oscillating frame itself. The lower jaw of
the front "nipper" can also be slightly recessed, as shewn in the Drawing (Fig. 4)
in order to allow a more complete covering in of the comb during the brushing.
The lifting of the top jaw of the back or holding nippers" c is in the "Imbs
machine effected by the long side lever S (as shewn in Fig. 3), this lever being
operated by a large cam T on the right end of the shaft V. I may modify this
mode of raising the back top "nipper" jaws as follows:-I place my new cam
shaft and cams M in the position occupied (in the Drawings) by the shaft Z, and
cause the cams M. to drive the "oscillating frame" (without the assistance of the
connecting rods Q) directly by impinging on friction pulleys suitably attached to
the top bar of the oscillating frame. In the "Imbs" machine the shaft Z is
furnished with two lever arms (r, in Figure 3), and two depressor arms (placed
between the two lever arms). These two lever arms (7, Fig. 3) are used to lift the
top duplicate jaws of the back nipper c, and the two inner depressor arms to assist
the spiral springs affixed to the back nipper block, and depressing them. Now I
do not find the two central arms are necessary, as their agency can be dispensed
with by a slight modification of the said spiral springs. I propose to pivot the
two lever arins (when suitably altered) on the prolonged ends of the shaft M, which
will then occupy the position now occupied by Z. These two lever arms (w, in
Fig. 3) are in the "Imbs" machine cast in one piece with the shaft Z, which again
is provided with a long adjustable lever arm S (see Fig. 3) operated by a large cam
on the shaft V. In removing this shaft Z altogether I also dispense with the large
complicated cam which has to depress as well as to raise the back top nippers, and
I substitute two lever arms, each provided with a socket and an adjustable short
arm, which performs the functions of the long lever arms S. These short lever
arms may be provided with friction pulleys, and are operated by simple cams placed
on the prolonged ends of the shaft o (which I strengthen for this purpose), and
which, as has been already described, operates the front nipper. I believe this
final improvement, which enables me to dispense with the connecting rods Q, shewn
in the Drawing, will be simple and effective, and it results in a still further reduction
of the working parts of my improved combing frame.
By the removal of the "Imbs" transferring brush, “doffing cylinder," and
doffing comb, and consequent great diminution of driving gear, I am enabled to
set back and slightly curve the bottom front cross bar of the framing, so as to allow
the coiler stand I (shewn in dotted lines on the Drawing) to come close up to the
front of the machine, as shewn. This nearer approach of the coiler stand again
results in a diminution of the number of gearing wheels for driving the same. The
top front cross bar is of course also set back, together with the draw box and
callender rollers. This setting back reduces the whole depth of the machine by
fully 12 inches, while the width of the machine is not at all increased. I calculate
that all the above mentioned and detailed Inventions, and improvements, and
alterations will effect a saving representing a considerable per centage on the cost
of every Imbs machine.
The hereinbefore described Inventions and improved arrangements may be applied
either wholly or partially to other combing or carding machines other than those of
Mr. Imbs.
Having now described my said Invention, and more particularly ascertained in

page_text: what manner the same is or may be carried into practical effect, I would observe in
conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is as
follows:-
First. The arrangement and position of the callender rollers and clearers in my
improved "combing frame" on the "Imbs" system, and the arrangements and con-
struction of the adjustable trumpet and trumpet arm, as applied to all machines
used for the combing or carding of fibrous materials.
Second. The use in all machines applied to the combing or carding of fibrous
materials of the selfacting combination cylinder and presser, for the purpose of
transferring fibres or any other materials either from a revolving or an oscillating
frame, and especially the plan and mode of effecting the doffing process without a
doffing comb; (2), the improved method of oporating by the horizontally placed
rocking bar; and (3), the attachment of the friction apparatus to the notched
wheel.
Third. The improved construction of the "oscillating frame," and the two new
methods, as described by me, for operating it; (2), the construction and position of
the new cams, connecting rods, and friction pulleys.
Fourth. The new methods of raising and depressing tho combplate, as well as
the construction of the apparatus for that purpose, that is, the lever arms, friction
pulleys, springs, counterweights, and other parts used by me for this purpose; (2),
the covering in of the combplate during the process of brushing the coinbs, whether
by the means shewn in the Specification or any other means; (3), the arrangement
of the central division plate, as described.
Fifth. The traversing of the pedestals (whether horizontally or otherwise) con-
taining the brushing and clearing apparatus; (2), the relief afforded to the comb-
plate; (3), the covering in of the brushing and clearing apparatus, as shewn in the
Specification or otherwise.
Sixth. The new method of opening the back nippers, and the construction of the
apparatus (as described) for that purpose.
Seventh. The general arrangements and application of the Inventions, alterations,
and improvements detailed or alluded to in the above Specification.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ottley Lanc Perry, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord 1879.
OTTLEY LANE PERRY. (L.S.)