IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING SILK, FLAX, HEMP, OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Tongue, of Bradford, in the County of
York, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
PREPARING SILK, FLAX, HEMP, OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
Scaled the 22nd April 1862, and dated the 5th March 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Tongue at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th
March 1862.
I, WILLIAM TONGUE, of Bradford, in the County of York, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR PREPARING SILK, FLAX, HEMP, OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," to be as
follows:-
The first part of my Invention has principally for its object improvements in
the arrangement of that class of machinery for preparing wool and other fibrous
materials described in the Specification of a Patent granted to Henry Rawson,
dated January 27th, 1859, No. 249, in which the fibrous material, in its
passage from a pair of feed rollers or screw gill feed apparatus to a pair of
delivering rollers, is operated upon by the teeth of a comb having a reciprocating
motion given to it in the direction of the length of the sliver of fibrous
material; and I would here remark, that the arrangement of machinery
shown and described in the Specification of the said Lotters Patent, and the

page_text: manner in which the same has been carried into practice, does not admit of
the successful application of the same to the preparing of silk waste, nor to
the preparing of flax, hemp, rhca, china grass, or to any vegetable fibrous
materials of considerable length of staple; and this part of my Invention bas
for its object certain improved modifications in the arrangement and con-
struction of machinery of that description, whereby silk, flax, hemp, china
grass, rhea, or any other fibrous materials of long staple may be advantageously
treated or prepared thereby.
In the machine above referred to the teeth of the moveable comb pass
upwards into the sliver of fibrous materials through spaces or openings in a
plate or frame, the fibrous material being deposited from time to time
amongst the teeth of the reciprocating comb by a brush, so that when the
teeth of the comb are drawn out of the sliver of fibrous materials, it has to
rest and be supported on the surface of the plate or frame through which the
teeth of the comb pass whilst it and the comb arc moved back towards the
feed rollers or feed gill to re-enter the sliver of fibrous material, and where a
comb of this character is employed of considerable length (taken in the
direction of its movement,) the friction caused by the fibrous material. sup-
ported thereon during its backward movement is very liable to derange the
fibres, and thus prevent a successful result being obtained. And the first
improvement, under this part of my Invention, consists in so arranging the
moveable or reciprocating comb as to cause the teeth to be inverted or to
pass downwards through spaces or openings in a plate or frame into the
sliver of fibrous materials, a brush or other instrument being employed to
support the sliver when the teeth of the comb are withdrawn, and whilst the
reciprocating comb and plate move back towards the feed rollers, screw gill,
or other feeding apparatus into a position to re-enter the sliver of fibrous
material, which is then again pressed upwards into and amongst the teeth of
the comb by the brush or other supporting instrument upon which it was
supported; and part of my Invention consists in employing a comb arranged,
as above described, of a length equal to or rather in excess of the length of
staple of the fibrous material it is intended to operate upon, and whether such
comb is arranged to act as above described or otherwise, or as hitherto pro-
posed and worked. I claim exclusively the employment of a comb of this
character of a length of ten inches and upwards taken in the direction of the
length of its movement, or of the sliver of fibrous material it is to operate
upon.
My next improvement in machinery of this description consists in giving an
intermittent movement to the delivering rollers, so that they may be at rest

page_text: or nearly so whilst the teeth of the reciprocating comb are withdrawn from
the sliver of fibrous materials, and whilst the comb moves backwards to re-enter
the sliver.
Another improvement under this part of my Invention consists in arranging
the moveable comb and screw gill or other feed apparatus employed in
machinery of this character, so that the sliver of fibrous material shall move
downwards in a vertical or in an inclined position of not less than thirty
degrees from a horizontal line whilst being operated upon, such an arrangement
of the machine being very desirable for the treatment of certain descriptions
of fibrous materials, such as silk, flax, hemp, or other similar long fibrous
materials. In consequenco of the increased length of the moveable comb
which I prefer to employ in carrying out this part of my Invention, a different
mode of actuating such comb is necessitated, and in place of causing it to
have curvilinear movement, as heretofore, I cause it to rise and fall vertically,
or to pass into and out of the sliver in a right line, and to move in a straight
line through the fibrous material and back again when withdrawn to return
and re-enter the same.
In place of employing a moveable comb and brush or other instrument to
deposit the sliver of fibrous materials amongst the teeth of such comb as
previously described, I arrange a moveable comb of this description, according
to this part of my improvements, with two pointed surfaces with rows of pins
intersecting each other, which are so constructed as to enter and be withdrawn
from the sliver of fibrous materials in opposite directions, the depositing
brush in this arrangement being dispensed with, the discharging of the fibres
from amongst the teeth being effected by bars or plates arranged between
the rows of teeth. In place of employing a screw gill or other feed apparatus
to conduct the sliver of fibrous material forward from the feed apparatus to be
operated upon by the oscillating or moveable comb, I propose to employ a
feed comb which, like the moveable combs previously described, is so con-
structed as to be capable of being readily withdrawn from the sliver of fibrous
materials, and re-inserted as required by suitable discharging and depositing
instruments. When the teeth of the moveable comb have entered into tho
sliver of fibrous materials, and have moved a short distance so as to feed the
sliver forward, the teeth of the feed comb, before referred to, pass into
the sliver, and remain therein, whilst the moveable comb performs the rest of
its movement through the sliver. The teeth of both the combs aro. then
drawn out of the sliver, and the moveable comb is moved back into a position
to re-enter the sliver, and again feed it forward a short distance, as before
described. The feeding forward of the sliver of fibrous materials may be

page_text: effected by giving a small amount of forward movement to the feca comb
after it has entered tho sliver, and before the teeth of the moveable comb have
passed into it to commence its action thereon. The feed rollers or other feed
apparatus which conduct the fibrous material to the feed and moveable combs,
before described, have intermittent motion given thereto.
The two combs, before described, may be arranged to enter and movo
through the sliver of fibrous materials simultaneously, the movement of the
feed comb being small as compared with that of the moveable comb which is
intended to operate upon and open or straighten the fibres of the sliver; and
I prefer to arrange the teeth of the moveable or reciprocating combs and of
the feed comb, previously described, with rows of teeth of progressive degrees
of fineness. A series of two or more of such feed and moveable combs
(having teeth, by preference, of progressive degrees of fineness) may be
arranged to enter into, operate upon, and then be withdrawn and moved back
to re-enter the sliver of fibrous materials in the manner previously described,
in reference to the employment of two such combs, according to this part of
my Invention. Where a series of two or more combs of this character are
employed to operate simultaneously on a sliver of fibrous materials, according
to this part of my improvements, I cause the comb which is most distant
from the point at which the fibrous material is fed into the machine to have
the largest amount of movement in its action upon the sliver, the amount of
movement of cach successive comb gradually becoming less and less as they
get nearer and nearer to the feeding point. The series of moveable combs, in
passing back towards the feed apparatus when out of the sliver, are caused
to come close up to one another, or nearly so, and are caused to re-enter the
sliver simultaneously. Accelerated movement may be given to the combs as
they return to re-enter the fibres.
I would remark, that one part of my Invention consists in employing two
or more oscillating or moveable combs, which are arranged to enter into a
sliver of fibrous material, then separate from each other, to operate thereon,
and afterward be withdrawn therefrom, this operation being constantly
repeated on the sliver of fibrous materials as it passes through the machine.
Screw gill or other feed apparatus may be employed in combination with the
previously described arrangements of machinery.
Another improvement under this part of my Invention consists in employing
a series of moveable combs intersecting each other, so that whilst one half of
such combs are moving through and acting upon a sliver of fibrous materials,
the other half of such combs are moving in the opposite direction ready to
re-enter the sliver when the other half aro being withdrawn from it. In

page_text: place of employing a brush to deposit the sliver of fibrous materials amongst
the teeth of a moveable or reciprocating comb or combs, however such combs
may be arranged to work, I cause the sliver of fibrous materials to be depo-
sited therein, according to this part of my improvements, by bars or plates
which are arranged to enter between the rows of teeth for this purpose.
Another of my improvements which are applicable to reciprocating combs
of this description, consists in causing a series of points to enter into the sliver
of fibrous materials, and arranged in combination with the brush or other
depositing instrument in order to hold the fibres, and prevent the derange-
ment thereof during the backward movement of the reciprocating comb or
combs; and I also, in some cases, curve or round off the edges of the bars or
plates which force or press out the fibrous materials from time to time from
the reciprocating comb, so that they will readily pass over the fibres without
disturbing them, the greater frictional power of the brush or other depositing
instrument against which they are pressed retaining the fibres straight during
the backward movement of the reciprocating comb or combs..
My last improvement for preparing, opening, and straightening the fibres
of wool and other fibrous materials, consists in arranging and combining
oscillating or reciprocating screw gill, or other feed apparatus, which, in its
movement away from a stationary screw gill, causes the sliver of fibrous
materials to be separated or divided. The end of the sliver is then deposited
by a brush into the teeth of an inverted comb, by which it is supported until
it is brought forward by the movement of the apparatus into a position to be
deposited into the teeth of the screw gill; from which it is drawn off in a con-
tinuous sliver. The reciprocating movement may either be given to the feed
apparatus, or to the screw gill and drawing-off apparatus.
SPECIF
TION
pursuance
etters Latent, med
by the said William Tongue, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
September 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
TONGUE, of Bradford, in the County of York, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Tongue, Her special licence that I, the said William Tongue, my

page_text: "
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Tongue, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR PREPARING SILK, FLAX, HEMP, OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIAL,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Tongue, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Tongue, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
The first part of my Invention has principally for its object improvements
in the arrangement of that class of machinery for preparing wool and other
fibrous materials described in the Specification of a Patent granted to Henry
Rawson, dated January 27th, 1859, No. 249, in which the fibrous material in
its passage from a pair of feed rollers or screw gill feed apparatus to a pair of
delivering rollers is operated upon by the teeth of a comb, having a recipro-
cating motion given to it in the direction of its length of the sliver of fibrous
materials; and I would here remark, that the arrangement of machinery
shewn and described in the Specification of the said Letters Patent, and the
manner in which the same has been. carried into practice, does not admit of
the successful application of the same to the preparing of silk waste, nor to the
preparing of flax, hemp, rhea, china grass, or to any other vegetable fibrous
materials of considerable length of staple; and this part of my Invention has
for its object certain improved modifications in the arrangement and con-
struction of machinery of that description, whereby silk, flax, hemp, china
grass, rhea, or any other fibrous materials of long staple may be advantage-
ously treated or prépared thereby. In the machine above referred to the
teeth of the moveable comb pass upwards into the sliver of fibrous materials
through spaces or openings in a plate or frame, the fibrous material being
deposited from time to time amongst the teeth of the reciprocating comb by a
brush, so that when the teeth of the comb are drawn out of the sliver of fibrous

page_text: materials, it has to rest and be supported on the surface of the plate. or. frame
through which the teeth of the comb pass, whilst it and the comb arc moved
back towards the feed rollers or feed gill to re-enter the sliver of fibrous
material; and where a comb of this character is employed of considerable
length (taken in the direction of its movement), the friction caused by the
fibrous material supported thereon during its backward movement is very
liable to derange the fibres, and thus prevent a successful result being obtained.
And the first improvement under this part of my Invention consists in so
arranging the moveable or reciprocating comb as to cause the teeth to bo
inverted, or to pass downwards through spaces or openings in a plate or frame
into the sliver of fibrous materials, a brush or other instrument being employed
to support the sliver when the teeth of the comb are withdrawn and whilst tho
reciprocating comb and plate move back towards tho feed rollers, screw gill,
or other feeding apparatus, into a position to re-enter the sliver of fibrous
material, which is then again pressed upwards into and amongst the teeth of
the comb by the brush or other supporting instrument upon which it was sup-
ported. And part of my Invention consists in employing a comb arranged as
above described, of a length equal to or rather in excess of the length of
staple of the fibrous material it is intended to operate upon, and whether such
comb is arranged to act as above described or otherwise, or as hitherto pro-
posed and worked. I claim exclusively the employment, of a comb of this
character, of a length of ten inches and upwards, taken in the direction of the
length of its movement, or of the sliver of fibrous material it is to operate upon.
My next improvement in machinery of this description consists in giving an
intermittent movement to the delivering rollers, so that they may be at rest or
nearly so whilst the teeth of the reciprocating comb are withdrawn from the
sliver of fibrous materials, and whilst the comb moves backwards to re-enter'
the sliver.
Another improvement under this part of my Invention consists in arranging
the moveable comb and screw gill or other feed apparatus employed in
machinery of this character, to that the sliver of fibrous materials shall movo'
downwards in a vertical or in an inclined position of not less than thirty degrees
from a horizontal line whilst being operated upon, such an arrangement of
the machine being very desirable for the treatment of certain descriptions of
fibrous materials, such as silk, flax, hemp, or other similar long fibrous
materials.
In consequence of the increased length of the moveable comb which I prefer
to employ in carrying out this part of my Invention, a different modo of
actuating such comb. is necessitated, and in place of causing it to have curvi

page_text: linear movement as heretofore, I cause it to rise and fall vertically, or to pass
into and out of the sliver in a right line, and to move in a straight line through
the fibrous material, and back again when withdrawn to return and re-enter
the same.
And in order that this part of my Invention may be most fully understood
and readily carried into practice, I will proceed to describe the Drawings
hereunto annexed, which show suitable mechanism for giving motion to the
operating parts of a machine, the arrangement of which may be greatly varied
without departing from the nature of my Invention.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A.
Figure 1 shows a vertical section, and Figure 2, a plan of a machine, suitably
arranged and constructed for carrying out the first part of my improvements in
machinery for preparing silk, flax, hemp, or other fibrous materials. The
fibrous materials to be operated upon are fed into the machine by means of the
endless band a and feed rollers b, b, which conduct the fibres into a position to
be pressed into the teeth of the comb c by the brush d. The feed rollers b, b,
have an intermittent movement imparted to them as hereafter described, in
order to feed the fibrous material forward a short distance, whilst the teeth of
the comb c are being moved through the sliver of fibres towards the delivering
rollers e, which also have intermittent movement imparted to them whilst the
teeth of the comb c are moving through the fibres, the amount of movement
of the deliving rollers e being equal to or in excess of the movement of the
comb c, the movement of which is more or less in excess of that of the feed
rollers b, b, two pairs of which, by preference, are employed, deeply fluted, in
order to hold the fibres firmly whilst the teeth of the comb c are being drawn
through them. Intermittent rotatory motion is communicated to the feed
rollers b, b, in order to feed the fibrous material forward, in the following
manner and f' are fast and loose pullies on the main driving axis f³,
which receives motion from a steam engine or other motive power; f³ is a
disc wheel fixed on the axis f, in the side of which a pin f' is fixed, which in
its revolution enters into one of the slots in the stop wheel g, thus causing it
to impart a partial revolution to the axis and to the toothed pinion g', which
takes into and drives the intermediate toothed wheel 95, the teeth of which
take into and drive the toothed wheel 9° on the socket g', upon which is fixed
the toothed pinion 98, which takes into and drives the toothed wheels b¹, b¹,
fixed on the axes of the bottom feed rollers b, b.
I will now proceed to describe the movements of the comb c and of the
brush d. The comb c is supported on each side of the machine by grooved

page_text: brackets or supports c¹ fixed to the sliding frames c², which slide up and down
in brackets c³, fixed to the side framings of the machine. The frames are
raised and lowered by cams c³, fixed on the axis fa on each side of the machine,
which act on trucks or rollers carried by cross bars fixed to the frames c",
similar to those shewn for actuating the brush d. care transverse plates or
brackets fixed on the upper side of the comb c, the ends of which are supported
by and are capable of sliding to and fro in the grooved bearings or brackets c',
to-and-fro movement being communicated to the comb in the following
manner-h is a plate, supported and capable of sliding to and fro on the
fixed plate or frame i, which is fixed to and forms part of the framing of the
machine. On to each side of the plate h vertical arms or uprights h' are fixe!,
which serve as vertical guides for the ends of the plate c", which is fixed on the
combs c. The ends of the plate c embrace the sides of the upright arms h',
so that when to-and-fro movement is given to the plate hand arms ', it is
communicated through the plate c to the comb c, at the same time permitting
the comb c to move up and down as required; h³ are links attached by pin
joints to the upright arms h¹ and to the upper ends of the levers h³, the lower
end of one of which carries a truck or roller h', which is acted upon by a cam"
, fixed on the axis f, by which to-and-fro movement is communicated to the
plate h. The plate h, the comb c, and parts connected therewith are at all
times borne towards the left-hand end of the machine by springs he, as shewn.
The plate or frame of thin bars c* (which intersect the rows of teeth of the
comb c) is supported, when at its lowest position, on shoulders formed on the
vertical rods c', which are fixed into and carried by the plate h, and the plate
or frame c* is pressed downwards by the springs es, acting between the screw
nuts on the rods c7 and the collars c¹o, carried by the frame c*, and it will be
seen on examining the Drawings that the comb c is capable of rising indepen-
dently of the plate or frame c*, so as to raise the points of the teeth of the
comb between the frame of bars c, which then commences to rise with the
comb by reason of the upper surface of the plates or brackets & acting against
the collars co, carried by the plate or frame c*. The brush d is supported and
carried by frames d' on each side of the machine, guided up and down in
guides d, fixed on the frames c, and through openings in the plate i. The
frames d'and brush dare raised and lowered as required by cams d³ (fixed on the
cam shaft or axis f), which act on trucks or rollers d', carried by the frames d'.
The brush d is pulled downwards by means of the band d³ and spring do, as
shewn. Intermittent rotatory motion is given to the delivery rollers e by cam
surfaces e*, e*, fixed on the side of the cam h³, and on the side of the drum f*
fixed on the axis f. The drum f gives motion by an endless band to the
up

page_text: drum e, which is connected by a boss to the clutch e, turning freely on the
axis of the bottom delivery roller c. The clutch e is put in and thrown out of
gear with the clutch e³ (which slides on a feather on the axis to give motion.
thereto) by the lever e, which is moved to and fro on its axis by the cam
surfaces e*, c*, so as to impart intermittent movement to the delivery rollers e..
All which will be readily understood on examining the Drawings.
Figure 1, Drawings A, shews the position of the comb c, and other parts:
when the sliver of fibrous material has been pressed up into and amongst the
teeth by the brush d, and the time it is about to be moved borizontally
through the fibres towards the delivery rollers e.
Diagram No. 1, Sheet 3, shews the relative position of the operative parts
when the teeth of the comb c, have moved through the sliver of fibrous
material towards the delivering rollers e. Diagram No. 2, shews the position
of the comb c, when the teeth have been raised up out of the sliver of fibrous
material the points of the teeth being drawn up into the spaces between the
bars c, so as to force the fibres out of the teeth of the comb on to the brush d,
which has been raised into a position to receive it. Diagram No. 3, shews
the comb c, together with the frame of bars c*, raised to their highest position
ready to move back towards the feed rollers b, b; the brush having descended..
Diagram No. 4 shews the comb c, and frame of bars c*, moved back up to
the feed rollers ready to descend. Diagram No. 5, Sheet 4, shews the position
of the parts when the comb c, and frame of bars cx, have been lowered and
the brush d raised ready for the teeth of the comb to descend between the
bars c through the sliver of fibres into the brush d, as shewn by Diagram
No. 6, when the brush descends to its lowest position leaving the parts in the
position shewn in the section of the machine at Figure 1.
From the foregoing description, aided by reference to the Drawings A, it
will be readily understood that the comb c is so actuated as to cause the teeth
thereof to descend vertically and be deposited amongst the fibres, then to move
horizontally a short distance through them (whilst the sliver is being fed
forward at one end, and delivered at the other) so as to open out and
straighten the fibres, then to be raised vertically out of the sliver and moved
back horizontally into a position to descend into it again in rapid succession.
. In place of employing feed rollers b, as previously described to feed the
fibrous material forward to be operated upon by the comb c, screw gill, or
other suitable feed apparatus may be employed for this purpose. In place of
employing a moveable comb and brush or other instrument to deposit the
sliver of fibrous materials amongst the teeth of such comb as previously
described, I arrange a moveable comb of this description according to this

page_text: part of my improvements, with two pointed surfaces with rows of pins
intersecting each other, which are so constructed as to enter and be withdrawn
from the sliver of fibrous materials in opposite directions, the depositing brush
in this arrangement being dispensed with. This part of my Invention is
illustrated by the series of Diagrams of the operating parts of a machine shewn
in Drawings B, the parts which correspond with similar parts in the Drawings A,
previously described; being marked with similar letters of reference, and I
would here remark in reference to these and the successive series of Diagrams
hereafter described, that I have not thought it necessary to shew Drawings of
all the parts of the machinery as in Drawings A, as a competent mechanic
will readily apply suitable mechanism to impart the movements required by
the different parts shewn to cause them to assume the several successive
positions indicated by the successive series of Diagrams. In this arrangement
screw gill feed apparatus B, is introduced between the feed rollers b, and the
operating combs c and d, the conib d, and frame of bars d*, being substituted
for the brush d, employed in the arrangement previously described. C and D
are depositing instruments which are moved up and down with the frames of
bars c* and d*, in order to deposit the fibres amongst the teeth of that part
of each comb c or d which projects beyond the other after each movement to
and fro.
Diagram No. 1, Sheet 5, shews the position of the parts when the sliver
of fibrous material has been deposited by the frame of bars c*, and instru-
ment C, amongst the teeth of the comb d, the teeth of the comb c, being
raised up out of the fibres. Diagram No. 2 shews the frame of bars c*, and
instrument C, raised up into a position ready for the comb c, to be moved to
the left hand, whilst the comb d, is moved to the right through the sliver of
fibrous material into the position shewn by Diagram No. 3. Diagram No. 4
shews the position of the parts when the combs c and d have been lowered
and the sliver of fibrous material has been deposited by the frame of bars d*,
and instrument D, amongst the teeth of the comb c. Diagram No. 5, shews
the position of the parts when the frame of bars d*, and instrument. D, have
descended to permit the comb c to move to the right hand through the fibres
whilst the comb d, and frame of bars d*, moves to the left into the position
shewn by Diagram No. 6, ready for the parts to re-assume the position shewn
by Diagram No. 1. Intermittent movement is imparted to the feed apparatus
and delivery rollers at the time that one or other of the combs c and d are
moving through and operating to open out the sliver of fibrous material, the
amount of movement of the delivery rollers being equal to or in excess of the

page_text: combs, the movement of which is more or less in excess of that of the feed
apparatus.
In place of employing a screw gill or other feed apparatus to conduct the
sliver of fibrous material forward from the feed apparatus to be operated upon
by the oscillating or moveable comb, I propose to employ a feed comb which
like the moveable combs previously described, is so constructed as to be capable
of being readily withdrawn from the sliver of fibrous materials and re-inserted as
required by suitable discharging and depositing instruments. When the teeth
of the moveable comb have entered into the sliver of fibrous materials and have
moved a short distance so as to feed the sliver forward, the teeth of the feed
comb before referred to pass into the sliver and remain therein whilst tho
moveable comb performs the rest of its movement through the sliver. The
teeth of both the combs are then drawn out of the sliver and the moveable
comb is moved back into a position to re-enter the sliver and again feed it
forward a short distance as before described.
The series of Diagrams numbered from 1 to 8, in Sheets 7 and 8, of Drawings
C shew the several successive positions of the operating parts of a machine
arranged to act according to this part of my Invention. B is the feed or
holding comb, the teeth of which are inserted into the sliver of fibrous material
after the comb c has moved a short distance therein to feed it forward, the
teeth of the comb B remaining in the sliver, whilst the comb c completes its
movement towards the delivery rollers e, to open out and straighten the fibres.
Diagram No. 1, shews the position of the parts when the combs B and c, with
their discharging frames of bars B* and c*, are raised out of, and above the
sliver of fibrous material which is supported by the brush d. Diagram No. 2
shows the moveable comb c, and frame of bars c*, lowered ready for the teeth
of the comb to descend through the bars c*, into the sliver of fibrous material,
as shown by Diagram No. 3, the brush d, being raised to force the fibres up
amongst the teeth of the comb. Diagram No. 4 shews the comb c, together
with the brush d, moved a short distance towards the delivery rollers e, to feed
the sliver of fibrous material forward. Diagram No. 5 shews the comb B,
and frame of bars B*, lowered into a position ready for the teeth of the comb
to descend between the bars into the sliver of fibrous material into the position
shewn by Diagram No. 6. Diagram No. 7 shows the position of the parts i
when the brush d, has been lowered out of the teeth of the combs ready for
the comb c to move through the sliver up to the delivery rollers as
Diagram No. 8, the brush d having moved back to the left hand.
No. 9 shews the teeth of the two combs B and c, raised out of the sliver, and i
shewn by
Diagram

page_text: Diagram No: 10 shews the two combs B and c, with their frames of bars B*
and c*, raised to their highest position ready for the comb c to move back to
the left, into the position shewn by Diagram No. 1. Intermittent movement
is imparted to the feed and delivery rollers in accordance with the description
previously given in reference to arrangements of apparatus previously described.
The feeding forward of the sliver of fibrous materials may be effected by
giving a small amount of forward movement to the feed comb after it bas
entered the sliver, and before the teeth of the moveable comb have passed
into it to commence its action thereon. The. feed rollers or other feed
apparatus which conduct the fibrous material to the feed and moveablo combs
before described have intermittent motion given thereto.
The series of Diagrams, numbered 1 to 10, Sheets 9 and 7 of the Drawings,
shew the arrangement and positions of the operating parts of a machine,
suitably arranged for feeding forward the sliver of fibrous materia! by
means of the feed comb B, according to this part of my Invention. Dia-
gram No. 1, shows the position of the parts when the teeth of the feed
comb B have descended between the frame of bars B*, into the sliver of
fibrous materials ready to feed it forward a short distance into the position
shewn by Diagram No. 2. The moveable comb c, with its frame of bars c*,
then descends into a line with the comb B, and the brush d, rises to force the
sliver up amongst the teeth of the combs as shewn by Diagram No. 3, tho
brush & descends leaving the parts in the position shown by Diagram No. 4,
ready for the moveable comb c to move to the right through the fibres towards
the delivery rollers c, the brush & being moved to the left hand, as shewn by.
the position of the parts in Diagram No. 5. Diagram No. 6 shews tho
position of the parts when the teeth of the combs B and c have risen up out
of-the sliver; and Diagram No. 7, shews the position of the parts when the
two combs and frames of bars B* and c* have risen to their highest position.
Diagram No. 8, Sheet 7, shews the position of the parts when the two combs
have moved to the left hand towards the feed rollers b, and Diagram No. 9
shews the feed comb B, lowered ready for the teeth thereof to descend between
the frame of bars B* into the sliver of fibrous material, the brush d being
raised to force the fibres up amongst the teeth, as shewn by Diagram No. 10,
the brush & being again lowered ready for the parts to repeat the previous
series of motions.
The two combs before described may be arranged to enter and move.
through the sliver of fibrous materials simultaneously, the movement of the
feed comb being small as compared with that of the moveable comb, which is
intended to operate upon and open or straighten the fibres of the sliver, and I

page_text: fineness.
prefer to arrange the teeth of the moveable or reciprocating combs, and of the
feed comb previously described with rows of teeth of progressive degrees of
A series of two or more of such feed and moveable combs having
teeth, by preference of progressive degrees of fineness, may be arranged to
enter into, operate upon, and then be withdrawn and moved back to re-enter
the sliver of fibrous materials, in the manner previously described in reference
to the employment of two such combs, according to this part of my Invention.
Where a series of two or more combs of this character are employed to operate
simultaneously on a sliver of fibrous materials according to this part of my
improvements, I cause the comb which is most distant from the point at which
the fibrous material is fed into the machine to have the largest amount of
movement in its action upon the sliver, the amount of movement of each
successive comb gradually becoming less and less as they get nearer and nearer
to the feeding point. The series of moveable combs in passing back towards
the feed apparatus when out of the sliver, are caused to come close up to one
another or nearly so, and are caused to re-enter the sliver simultaneously.
Accelerated movement may be given to the combs as they return to re-enter
the fibres.
I would remark that one part of my Invention consists in employing two or
more oscillating or moveable combs, which are arranged to enter into a sliver
of fibrous material, then separate from each other to operate thereon, and after-
wards be withdrawn therefrom, this operation being constantly repeated on the
sliver of fibrous materials as it passes through the machine. Screw gill or
other feed apparatus may be employed in combination with the previously
described arrangements of machinery.
The series of Diagrams numbered 1 to 7, Sheet-10, shew two combs, such as
before described, arranged so as to enter and move simultaneously through the
sliver of fibrous materials, the movement of the feed comb B being small as
compared with that of the moveable or operating comb c. Diagram No. 1,
shews the position of the two combs B and c when the teeth have descended
into and the fibres have been pressed up into them by the brush d, ready for
the two combs to move towards the delivery rollers e into the position shewn
by Diagram No. 2, the feeding of the sliver by the feed rollers 6 being equal
to the amount of movement of the comb B. Diagram No. 3, shews the teeth
of the two combs raised up out of the sliver; and Diagram No. 4 shews the
two combs with their frames of bars B* and C* raised to their highest position
ready to move back together towards the feed rollers 6, into the position
shown by Diagram No. 5; the two combs then descend together, and the
teeth are caused to pass down between the frames of bars into the sliver

page_text: simultaneously, the fibres, being pressed up amongst the teeth by the rising
up of the brush d, as indicated by the Diagram No. 6. When the brush
is again lowered, the parts re-assume the position shewn by Diagram No. 1. .
In the series of Diagrams, numbered from 1 to 7, Sheet 11, of the Drawings,
the comb B simply acts as a holding comb, whilst the operating comb c moves
through the sliver of fibrous material which is fed forward by the movement of
the brush d. Diagram No. 1 shows the position of the parts, when the teeth
of the two combs B and c have been simultaneously inserted into the sliver,
ready for the operating comb c to move through the fibres towards the delivery
rollers c, as shewn by Diagram No. 2, the brush d, having moved. to the left
hand towards the feed rollers b. Diagram No. 3 shews the teeth of the two
combs raised out of the sliver, Diagram No. 4, shewing the two combs with
their frames of bars, B and C raised to their highest positions ready for
the brush to feed forward the sliver by moving to the right hand, move-
ment being given to the feed rollers 6 at this time and to the comb c to
move it to the left up to the holding comb B, as shown by Diagram
No. 5. Diagram No. 6 shews the two combs with their frames of bars.
lowered ready for the teeth to descend between the bars into the sliver,
which is then pressed up amongst the teeth by the brush d, as shown by Dia-
gram No. 7, and when the brush descends, the parts re-assume the positions.
shewn by Diagram No. 1. Intermittent movement is imparted to the feed.
and delivery rollers as previously described.
The series of Diagrams, numbered from 1 to 6, Sheets 12 and 13 of tho
Drawings, shew an arrangement of parts wherein the feed and moveable-
combs Band c are arranged to work in combination with two combs d, d',
which serve as equivalents for the brush d, in the previous arrangements,
instruments C and D being employed to act in combination therewith.
Diagram No. 1, Sheet 12, shews the position of the parts when the sliver of
fibrous material has been pressed up amongst the teeth of the combs B and c
by the frames of bars d*, d*, and instrument D, which then descend, leaving
the parts in the position shewn by Diagram No. 2. The combs B and c movo
to the right band, and separate, the comb B moving a short distance only to
feed the sliver forward as delivered by the feed rollers b, whilst the teeth of
the comb c move through the sliver towards the delivery rollers e, to open and
separate the fibres, the combs d, d', with their frames of bars being moved to
the left hand, as shewn by Diagram No. 3. The teeth of the two combs B.
and c, now rise up out of the sliver, whilst the teeth of the two combs d, d',
rise up into it, the sliver being pressed down amongst the teeth by the frames
of bars B*, c*, and instrument C, as shewn by Diagram No. 4. The frames'

page_text: of bars B*, c*, and instrument C then rise as shewn by Diagram No. 5, above
the points of the combs d, d', which move to the right and separate the comb d
acting to feed forward the sliver as is delivered by the feed rollers b, whilst
the teeth of the comb d¹ move through the sliver towards the delivery rollers e
to open out and straighten the fibres, the combs B and c, with their frames of
bars being moved to the left hand, as shewn by Diagram No. 6. The
combs d, d', descend and the parts re-assume the position shewn by Diagram
No. 1. The feed combs or other pointed surfaces employed for feeding the
sliver of fibrous materials forward, may, in addition to the movement required
for feeding the sliver forward have further movement given thereto in order to
operate upon and straighten the fibres. From the description previously given
of the modes of operating upon a sliver of fibrous materials to feed forward,
open out, and straighten the fibres thereof by means of two moveable combs,
a competent workman will readily understand how to arrange a series of more
than two of such combs to operate upon a sliver of fibrous materials, so that
the comb which is most distant from the point where it is fed into the machine
shall have the largest amount of movement in its action thereon, and so that
the amount of movement of each successive comb, shall be less and less as
they are placed nearer and nearer to the feeding point. The sliver of fibrous
material in place of being formed into a "lap," as shewn by the Drawings,
may be delivered in a continuous sliver from the delivery rollers e.
Another improvement under this part of my Invention consists in employing.
a series of moveable combs intersecting each other, so that whilst one half of
such combs are moving through and acting upon a sliver of fibrous materials,
the other half of such combs are moving in the opposite direction ready to
re-enter the sliver when the other half are being withdrawn from it.
In carrying out this part of my Invention, I arrange the intersecting reciproca-
ting combs, in the manner shewn and described in the Specification of a Patent
granted to Thomas Moore Evans, dated the 10th January 1833, where such
combs are shewn as applied to heckling machinery, such combs according to
my present improvements being, by preference, arranged in a horizontal
position, and in place of presenting the fibrous material to the action of the
reciprocating intersecting combs by books or holders, as described in the Patent
above referred to, I present the fibrous material to the series of reciprocating
combs at one end by feed rollers or other feed apparatus in the manner shewn
and described in reference to other parts of my Invention, and when by the
action of the reciprocating combs the fibrous material is (after being prepared)
delivered at the other end of the series of reciprocating combs it is removed by
delivering rollers also in the manner described in reference to other parts of

page_text: my Invention; and I would here remark that I have not thought it necessary
to shew any Drawing of this part of my Invention, as a competent workman
acquainted with this class of machinery, with the assistance of the foregoing
description would readily apply the necessary parts to the reciprocating combs
shewn and described in the Patent before referred to, so that the tnaterial may
be fed continuously at one end, and delivered continuously at the other end of
the series of combs. And I would further remark that though the reciprocating
combs above referred to are shewn and described in the Patent above referred
to, so as to be actuated by cranks or excentrics, they may be actuated by cams
so as to move in right lines without departing from the nature of this part of
my Invention.
In place of employing a brush to deposit the sliver of fibrous materials
amongst the teeth of a moveable or reciprocating comb or combs, however
such combs may be arranged to work, I cause the sliver of fibrous materials
to be deposited therein, according to this part of my improvements, by bars or
plates which are arranged to enter between the rows of teeth for this purpose.
Another of my improvements, which are applicable to reciprocating combs
of this description consists in causing a series of points to enter tho sliver of
fibrous material and arranged in combination with the brush or other depositing
instrument in order to hold the fibres and prevent the derangement thereof
during the backward movement of the reciprocating comb or combs; and I
also in some cases curve or round off the edges of the bars or plates which
force or press out the fibrous materials from time to time from the reciprocating
comb, so that they will readily pass over the fibres without disturbing them,
the greater frictional power of the brush or other depositing instrument against
which they are pressed retaining the fibres, straight during the backward
movement of the reciprocating comb or combs.
.
My last improvement for preparing, opening, and straightening the fibres of
wool and other fibrous materials consists in arranging and combining oscillating
or reciprocating screw gill or other feed apparatus, which in its movement
away from a stationary screw gill, or other feed apparatus causes the sliver of
fibrous materials to be separated or divided. The end of the sliver is then
deposited by a brush into the teeth of an inverted comb by which it is supported
until it is brought forward by the movement of the apparatus into a position
to be deposited into the teeth of the screw gill, from which it is drawn off in a
continuous sliver. The reciprocating movement may either be given to the
eed apparatus or to the screw gill and drawing-off apparatus.
Drawing D, Sheet 14, shews two Diagrams of the operating parts of a
machine arranged to work according to this part of my improvements. A is a

page_text: screw gill and drawing, off apparatus, which is arranged to move to and from
the stationary feed rollers B, for which a stationary screw gill or other feed
apparatus may be substituted. Diagram No. 1 shews the sliver of fibrous
material in the act of being deposited by the brush C amongst the teeth of the
reciprocating screw gill A. When the brush C rises, the screw gill A and
drawing-off apparatus move away from the feed apparatus B, so as to separate
the sliver of fibrous materials which is then received on the brush D, which
rises with it, and the feed rollers or apparatus B into the position shewn by
Diagram No. 2, to deposit the projecting end of the sliver upon the inverted
teeth carried by the frame of bars E, where it is supported until the reciprocating
screw gill returns to its former position when the brush C again deposits it
amongst the teeth thereof to be again drawn out and separated. When the
reciprocating screw gill has moved out to its furthest position, a separating
bar or instrument may be employed to separate the sliver of fibrous materials
if desired. Intermittent motion is given to the feed apparatus B, and. the
tufts of fibre accumulated on the reciprocating screw gill are gradually drawn
off therefrom by tho drawing-off apparatus A or otherwise.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Tongue, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
J. G. TONGUE, Patent Agent,
34, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane,
WILLIAM TONGUE. (L.S.)
London, W.C.