IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING-MACHINES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ernest de Pass, of 68, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, for an Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING-MACHINES, communicated to him from abroad
by Joseph Imbs, of 17 Boulevard Saint Martin, Paris, France, Engineer,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ernest de Pass at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th June 1883.
ERNEST DE PASS, of 68 Fleet Street, in the City of London, Fellow of the
Institute of Patent Agents, IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING MACHINES, Communicated
to me from abroad by Joseph Imbs, of 17 Boulevard Saint-Martin, Paris, France,
Engineer.
This invention has for its object various improvements in machines for combing
textile fibres. These improvements are of very unequal importance; some are
only alterations of details special to Imbs combing machines; others are arrange-
ments modifying entirely a secondary but important part of these machines, and
are, at the same time, applicable to several other types of combing machines ;
lastly, others are fundamental alterations having reference to the principal appliances
or parts. With respect to these latter, although they are applied to these machines
in order to extend their usefulness, and although in appearance they only lead to
partial modifications in the principal appliance or part they however constitute,
from a general point of view, entirely new methods of operation, as will hereinafter
be seen.
now proceed to describe the object and the points of the invention in the order
set forth at the beginning of this description.
1. Alterations of details.
The rising and falling motion of the comb carrier is now modified as follows:-
Cams are fitted on a shaft, or on pivots, and perform one revolution for every
complete operation; they actuate pivoted levers, which by means of connecting
rods, work the plate of the comb holders which are held in vertical guides.
Similarly operating mechanism is, by preference, near each end of the comb
ID 1071

page_text: holders to insure exactitude of their movements. When an independent plate
is employed for the tail comb and firmly connected to the comb holder, but capable
of a movement on this comb holder and relatively thereto, I then provide near
each frame, two cams, two levers and two connecting rods. Therefore, at each end
there is a mechanism consisting of cams, levers and connecting rods, for working
the comb holder, and a second mechanism, nearly similar, for working the indepen-
dent plate, the cams of each coupled mechanism only differing slightly from each
other in form and position for effecting the relative difference of position of the
comb holders and the independent plates.
2. Modification of the portion of the machine for effecting the superposition or
consolidation of the combed slivers.
Hitherto there has been preferably employed a segmental brush to prime and
lay the combed sliver and to carry it on to a doffer oscillating on its axis with a
continuous forward movement at each operation.
The dimensions of the brush segment are now reduced to a very slight thickness,
for example, to a single row of tufts, so as only to seize the sliver at its point, or
this seizing appliance may even be made of a simple band of cloth and fixed in a
suitable manner on a shaft. The primed sliver from the seizing nipper at the
moment this nipper has moved away and opened, is carried by a flat brush
on to a cylinder oscillating on itself, as the doffer oscillated in previous
arrangements.
A pressure roller or cylinder bearing on another roller or cylinder and turning
by frictional contact, and like it, moving forwards and backwards alternately,
effects, in conjunction with this lower roller or cylinder, the final drawing in of the
sliver. The upper roller or cylinder is arranged to pivot on the lower roller or
cylinder through the action of a lever which is operated by a cam which displaces
a slide bracket by the action of the arms and connecting links.
Thus the upper
roller or cylinder may move away at the moment the flat brush carrying the sliver
arrives, to return quickly backward on this brush at the moment when it abuts in
its travel against the lower cylinder or roller, this at the same time receiving
forward movement of rotation, and the upper roller or cylinder participating in
this movement the sliver is thus drawn in, and as before, a fresh sliver is presented,
the rollers or cylinders will have turned in a backward direction to a suitable
extent to bring back the tail of the sliver into a suitable position, hence it results
that each sliver will, in its turn, be seized by its head this being placed on the tail
of the preceding sliver, and joined with it by the pressure of the upper roller or
cylinder.
a
Instead of causing the upper roller or cylinder to pivot, or move away, upon the
lower roller or cylinder for each stroke of the brush, the same result may be
obtained by momentarily raising this roller or cylinder and causing it to descend
again almost on to the end of the brush resting on the lower roller or cylinder. By
this means also when the upper roller or cylinder has been raised, the sliver may
be allowed to project its tail forward on to the lower roller or cylinder. By
suitably regulating the friction caused by the flat brush against the seizing nipper
the sliver takes upon the flat brush, a variable position facilitating, as may be
required, its presentation to the lower roller or cylinder, either the head or the tail
forward, the upper roller or cylinder will then beat down on this sliver in the one
or the other way, and the continuous fleece formed on the lower roller will have
the superposed fibres head in front, or tail in front, as may be required. With
the upper roller or cylinder pivoting in this manner it is not possible to remove it
sufficiently to be able to lay freely on the lower roller or cylinder the tail end of
the sliver extending on a length equal to that of the longest fibres of the textile
material operated on. But this movement effecting displacement without raising
the upper roller or cylinder is, on the other hand, more advantageous, and is
preferable for general use.
In all cases the movement of alternating rotation of the lower roller or cylinder
first forward, and then to a less extent backwards, which is communicated to the

page_text: upper cylinder or roller, is given by the differential alternating mechanism
described in the British Letters Patent dated 1st June 1880, N° 2234. Here,
however, it is not an eccentric stud nor a heart shaped eccentric wheel with an
easy and continuous curve which communicates the successive forward and
backward movements to the rack of this mechanism. It is an eccentric having a
sharp curve corresponding to the forward movement of the lower roller or cylinder,
in order that the sliver, whatever its length, may be drawn in quickly and
conveniently, during the rather short time the brush is in contact with the lower
roller or cylinder.
3. Alterations in the principal combing appliance, and novel methods.
The desire to extend the application of Imbs' combing machines to the finest
and most difficult materials has necessitated modifications of the working combing
appliance and of its operation, such as will allow, at will, the quickness, energy
and smoothness of action of the combing appliance to be developed without
the loss of any of the advantages of adjustment and smoothness previously.
obtained.
For this purpose the method hereinafter described is devised, as well as various
special applications of the same. It is based on the employment of circular combs
of very small diameter in the form of tubes with needles fixed therein, like carding
rollers for drawing combed wool.
Suppose two nippers to be employed, one feed nipper for the head, and one
seizing nipper, or two analagous appliances, capable of performing the same part as
these two nippers. Suppose these two nippers or analagous appliances, have an
alternating reciprocal movement towards and from each other. Between these two
nippers a circular comb operates, by rising and falling; it is of very small diameter,
and turns on its axis with a continuous movement whilst taking up its different
positions as to beight. The two nippers approach each other to feed, and then
commence to draw apart and disjoin the sliver held in the seizing nipper. They
thus arrive at a sufficient distance apart, to make room for the cylindrical comb.
The filaments of the sliver held in the seizing nipper are still connected, although
incompletely so with the head held in the feeding nipper by the counter nipper, or
by the feed roller or cylinder, which the head nipper possesses. Now, at this
moment the two nippers close, and at this same moment also, the circular comb
rising, becomes tangential to the line of the fibres passing from one nipper to the
other. Here three cases present themselves: 1. If the fibres be short (short cotton
for example) I leave the nippers motionless whilst the comb goes on ascending
gradually, at the same time turning on its axis, until it reaches the top of its
travel, which terminates when its centre of rotation has arrived as far as the line
of the nippers. The rows of needles or wires when commencing this latter ascent,
become, on the one hand, engaged in the head which is pushed upwards and, on
the other hand, in the tail, which they are about to finish separating from the
head and turn down underneath. The cylindrical comb proceeds therefore to comb,
at the same time, the head and the tail, held in the two nippers, and it effects
this double combing by gradual penetration, that is to say, by commencing at the
end of the fibres to penetrate little by little into the middle and then up to the
bottom of the two slivers as fast as it goes on rising little by little to its complete
height;
2. If the fibres be longer (long cotton, for example) when the comb reaches and
touches the fibres the retiring of the seizing nipper is continued beyond a certain
position to a distance sufficient for the comb, in separating and turning down the
tail, not to risk folding and buckling the fibres of this tail. This tail, having been
turned down, the seizing nipper is again caused to approach gradually so that the
tail may, as before, receive its combing operation gradually from the point to the
bottom; during this time the head will have been gradually operated upon as
before.
The cams which draw away the seizing nipper are in this case provided with a
double rim

page_text: 3. If the fibres be very long (merino wools for example) the comb, of very small
diameter, which it is useful to keep for the head, would have too much of an
enveloping effect for the long tail to be combed. There is then combined with the
small cylindrical comb, a flat tail comb, either single or double, which penetrates
the tail near the seizing nipper, before the cylindrical comb arrives at the tangential
height, and thus these two combs are stopped for some time. The head nipper then
remains half open, the counter nipper being closed, or instead of this counter
nipper, a rake and grating working in the usual way for wools may be used.
Under these circumstances I then, at once, and completely draw away the seizing
nipper in order to withdraw the whole of the tail that has been combed, as in the
case of ordinary machines by the single flat tail comb. But instead of this flat
comb placed above having finished its work and reascending as is usual without
benefit to the further action, it now according to the improvements, re-descends
below the cylindrical comb, and in this movement it lowers the point of the head
and insures the penetration of this point of the head into the cylindrical comb.
At this moment the head nipper is closed, and the cylindrical comb commencing
its last ascent effects with certainty the gradual combing of the head from the
point to the bottom.
In these three cases there is at this moment nothing further to be done than to
let the seizing nipper carry the finished sliver to the superposing mechanism.
But with regard to the head nipper there remains an important supplementary
operation to be performed. In fact, the combed head should be capable of being
presented in a precise and determined direction, so as conveniently to pass through
the opening in the seizing nipper when the two nippers are about to draw nearer
to each other again. For this, while the small cylindrical comb commences to
re-descend towards the cleaning brush, a final backward movement of the head
nipper is effected; this movement completely separating the head from the comb,
leaves this head in the most desired position.
During the partial disjunction which precedes the commencement of penetration
of the combs, so that medium fibres, not held by the counter-nipper, should not be
prejudicially displaced, the head or upper nipper is provided with a fixed comb
attached to this head nipper and the points of which projecting beyond the nipper
joint penetrate the fleece in this interval of semi-closure without impeding the
functions of this nipper at the other times. This has been explained in the
Specification of the patent hereinbefore cited. But this is not indispensable, and
if the semi-closing of the nipper be regulated so as to exert a slight retaining
pressure on the fleece whilst the two parts draw away from each other in disjoining
the fibres, no medium fibre can be displaced.
as usual.
The realisation of the movements herein before described and the application of
these principles to Imbs two-nipper combing machines, are extremely simple. The
changes of position and the openings and closings of the two nippers are effected
The small cylindrical combs are mounted on a shaft carried in two
supports fixed to the plate of a comb holder. This comb holder is operated as it
would be if it were fitted with flat combs, for example, by links, levers and cams
of appropriate form. The rotation of this comb is effected by suitable gearing.
If the flat tail comb be required for long filaments, it is attached firmly but
independently to the comb holder, and the links, levers, cams, are doubled on each
side to work individually the flat tail comb and comb holder of the combined
comb holder, as for a comb holder with flat combs and with fixed independent tail
comb.
The cylindrical comb may have its rows of needles or wires spread over the
whole of its circumference, or over a part only, as may be required. Successive
rows of needles or wires may be graduated in fineness, or not, as desired; this is a
secondary point here, as the working of the comb into the fibres is caused to be
gradual by reason of the progressive penetration which is the consequence of the
method of working adopted. Finally, the speed of rotation of this comb is
absolutely optional according to the requirements of the textile material to be

page_text: operated upon. It can be increased so as to cause 15, 20, 30 rows of needles or
wires to pass into the same head or tail, it sufficing to accelerate in proportion the
cleaning brush. Finally, the number both of the rows which will pass along
during the progressive penetration, and that of the rows which will, during a
certain time of the comb's stoppage in its raised position, pass by to comb the
sliver, can be regulated, as desired, by the forms of the cams in that part of them
which corresponds to the period of the comb's operation.
In another combination which is based on the same principles, the former comb
holder with flat combs, is here complete with its firmly attached independent tail-
.comb. The small cylindrical and rotary comb is here mounted on two levers, and
raised at the desired moment by two cams.
It works as a supplementary or head smoothing comb when the head nipper has
drawn back as far as is necessary to make room for it. It effects the gradual
re-combing of the head from the point to the bottom at the same time that the
comb holder descends, lowering on to the cylindrical comb the head of the sliver
still incompletely separated from the needles of the comb, thus insuring the
efficacious working of the cylindrical comb commencing first at the point. The
combing operation having become sufficient, whilst the cylindrical comb descends
in its turn for the purpose of insuring the proper direction of the combed head,
the head nipper performs its last return movement to the bottom.
The diameter of the cylindrical comb should be such that the end of the slivers
do not pass far away from the tangent at the top of the comb; therefore the
diameter of the comb should not much exceed twice the length of the sliver
presented.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ernest de Pass in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st December
1883.
ERNEST DE PASS, of 68 Fleet Street, in the City of London, Fellow of the
Institute of Patent Agents IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBING MACHINES, Communicated
to me from abroad by Joseph Imbs, of 17 Boulevard Saint Martin, Paris, France,
Engineer
This invention has for its object various improvements in machines for combing
textile fibres. These improvements are of very unequal importance; some are
only alterations of details special to Imbs' combing machines; others are arrange-
ments modifying entirely a secondary but important part of these machines, and
are, at the same time, applicable to several other types of combing machines;
lastly, others are fundamental alterations having reference to the principal
appliances or parts. With respect to these latter although they are applied to
these machines in order to extend their usefulness, and although in appearance
they only lead to partial modifications in the principal appliance or part they
however constitute, from a general point of view, entirely new methods of
operation, as will hereinafter be seen.
Fig 1, of the accompanying drawings represents a general view in longitudinal
section of the modified machine drawn to an approximate scale of one fifth of
full size. Fig. 2, on a scale of half size, is a more detailed view of the central
portion, and for the purpose of a particular method of application.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section, full size, shewing the detail parts, representing a
novel method of superposing or consolidating the combed slivers, and illustrating
the movement given to the combing appliance as modified. Figs. 4 to 15 are
diagrams, approximately full size, shewing various relative and successive
positions of the working parts respectively, for two different ways of constructing
the machine.
In all these figures the same letters represent, or indicate like parts.
I now proceed to describe the object and the points of the invention in the
order set forth at the beginning of this description.
1. Alterations of details.
The rising and falling motion of the comb carrier is now modified, as follows;
Referring to Fig. 1, Cams G, are fitted on a shaft or on pivots g, and perform
one revolution for every complete operation; they actuate the levers L, pivoting on
the centres o, which levers, through the connecting rods B work the plate of the
comb holders P which are held in vertical guides v. I preferably provide a similar
operating mechanism near each end of the comb holder P to insure the exactitude
of its movement. When, as set forth in preceding patents, I employ an independent
plate P¹, for the tail comb (Fig 2) and firmly connected to the comb bolder P, but
capable of a movement on this comb holder P, and relatively thereto, I then
provide near each frame, two cams G, two levers L and two connecting rods B.
Therefore, at each end there is a mechanism G. L. B. for working the comb
holder P, and a second mechanism G₁, L, B', nearly similar (not included in
Figure 1, but which in Fig: 2 is sufficiently indicated by the connecting rod B')
for working the independent plate P', the cums G, G' of each coupled mechanisın,
only differing slightly from each other in form and position, for effecting the
relative differences of position of the comb holders and the independent plates P
and P¹.
2. Modification of the portion of the machine for effecting the superposition or
consolidation of the combed slivers.
This is represented in detail in Fig: 3.
Hitherto, there has been preferably employed a segmental brush to prime and lay
the combed sliver and to carry it on to a doffer, oscillating on its axis with a

page_text: The dimensions of the brush segment are now reduced to a very slight thickness,
for example, to a single row of tufts, so as only to seize the sliver at this point; or
this seizing appliance may even be made of a simple band of cloth and fixed in a
suitable manner on a shaft O, like the appliance M illustrated in the accompanying
drawing. The primed sliver froin the seizing nipper N at the moment this nipper
has moved away and opened is carried by the brush M, on to a cylinder or roller Q,
oscillating on itself, as the doffer oscillated in previous arrangements.
A pressure roller or cylinder Q1, bearing on the roller or cylinder Q, and turning
by frictional contact, and like it rotating forwards and backwards alternately
effects in conjunction with this lower roller or cylinder Q the final drawing in of
the sliver. The upper roller or cylinder Q' is arranged to pivot around the lower
roller or cylinder Q through the action of a lever R which is operated by a cam R¹
which lever and cam displace the slide brackets Qu by the action of the arms R"
and connecting links R. Thus the upper roller or cylinder Q' may move away at
the moment the flat brush M carrying the sliver arrives, to return quickly back-
ward on this brush at the moment when it abuts in its travel against the lower
cylinder or roller Q, this at the same time receiving a forward movement of
rotation, and the upper roller or cylinder Q' participating in this movement the
sliver is thus drawn in, and as before a fresh sliver is presented, the rollers or
cylinders Q, Q, will have turned in a backward direction to a suitable extent to
bring back the tail of the sliver into the position shewn at q, hence it results that
each sliver will in its turn be seized by its head this being placed on the tail of
the preceding sliver, and joined with it by the pressure of the upper roller or
cylinder Q¹.
Instead of causing the upper roller or cylinder Q' to pivot or move away upon
the lower roller or cylinder Q for each stroke of the brush M, the same result may
be obtained by momentarily raising this roller or cylinder and causing it to descend
again almost on to the end of the brush resting on the lower roller or cylinder Q.
By this means also when the upper roller or cylinder Q¹ has been raised, the sliver
may be allowed to project its tail forward on to the lower roller or cylinder Q. By
suitably regulating the friction caused by the flat brush M against the seizing
nipper N the sliver takes upon the flat brush M a variable position facilitating as
may be required its presentation on to the roller or cylinder Q either the head or
the tail forward, the upper roller or cylinder Q1 will then beat down on this sliver
in the one or the other way, and the continuous fleece formed on the lower roller Q
will have the superposed bres head in front or tail in front as may be required.
With the roller or cylinder Q₁ pivoting in this manner it is not possible to remove
it sufficiently to be able to lay freely on the lower roller or cylinder Q, the tail end
of the sliver extending over a length equal to that of the longest tibres of the
textile material operated on. But this movement effecting displacement without
raising the upper roller or cylinder Q is on the other hand inore advantageous, and
is preferable for general use.
In all cases the movement of alternating rotation of the lower roller or cylinder
first forward and then to a less extent backwards of the cylinder which is com-
municated to the cylinder or roller Q', is given by the differential alternating
mechanism described in the British Letters Patent dated 1st June 1880. N° 2234.
Here however it is not an eccentric stud nor a heart shaped eccentric wheel with
an casy and continuous curve which communicates the successive forward and
backward movements to the rack of this mechanism. It is an eccentric having a
sharp curve corresponding to the forward movement of the roller or cylinder Q, in
order that the sliver, whatever its length, may be drawn in quickly and con-
veniently, during the rather short time the brush M is in contact with the roller or
cylinder Q.
3. Alterations in the principal combing appliance and novel methods of
application.
The desire to extend the application of Imbs' combing machine to the finest and
most difficult materials has necessitated modifications of the working combing

page_text: appliance and of its operation such as will allow at will the quickness, energy and
smoothness of action of the combing appliance to be developed without the loss of
any of the advantages of adjustment and smoothness previously obtained.
For this purpose three methods hereinafter described are devised as well as
various special applications of the same. It is based on the employment of circular
combs of relatively small diameter in the form of tubes with needles fixed therein
like needle rollers for drawing combed wool. I have observed the extreme
efficaciousness of such combs of small diameter, this efficaciousness resulting from
the enveloping action produced by the small diameter of the comb.
Suppose two nippers to be employed, one feed nipper for the head and one
seizing nipper or two analagous appliances capable of performing the same part as
these two nippers. Suppose these two nippers or analagous appliances have an
alternating reciprocal movement towards and from each other. Between these two
nippers a circular comb operates by rising and falling; it is of small diameter and
turns on its axis with a continuous movement whilst taking up its different
positions as to height. The two nippers approach each other to feed (Figs. 8, 9
and 15) and then commence to draw apart and disjoin the sliver held in the seizing
nipper. They thus arrive at a sufficient distance apart to make room for the
cylindrical comb (Fig. 4 position d d and Fig 10). The filaments of the sliver
held in the seizing nipper are still connected although incompletely so with the
head held in the feeding nipper by the counter nipper or by the feed roller or
cylinder which the head nipper possesses. Now, at this moment the two nippers
close, and at this same moment also, the circular comb rising becomes tangential to
the line of the fibres passing from one nipper to the other. Here three cases present
themselves 1, If the fibres be short (short cotton for example) I leave the nippers
motionless whilst the comb goes on ascending gradually, at the same time turning
on its axis, until it reaches the top of its travel, which terminates when its centre
of rotation has arrived as far as the line of the nippers (Fig. 6). The rows of
needles or wires when commencing this latter ascent, become, on the one hand
engaged in the head which will be pushed upwards, and on the other hand in the
tail, which they are about to finish separating from the head, and turn down under-
neath. The cylindrical comb proceeds therefore to comb at the same time the head
and the tail held in the two nippers, and it effects this double combing by gradual
penetration, that is to say, by commencing at the end of the fibres to penetrate
little by little into the middle and then up to the bottom of the two slivers as fast
as it goes on rising little by little to its complete height;
2. If the fibres be longer (long cotton for example) when the comb reaches and
touches the fibres the retiring of the seizing nipper is continued (Fig 4) beyond
the position d, d', to a distance sufficient for the comb in separating and turning
down the tail (Fig. 5) not to risk folding and buckling the fibres of this tail which
having been turned down the seizing nipper is again caused to approach gradually
(Figs. 5 and 6) so that the tail may as before receive its combing operation
gradually from the point to the bottom; during this time the head will have been
gradually operated upon as before.
It is evident that this work by progressive penetration is much better performed
with a comb of relatively small diameter revolving rapidly than would be the case
with the ordinary combing rollers.
3. If the fibres be very long (merino wools for example) the comb of very small
diameter which it is useful to keep for the head would have too much of an
enveloping effect for the long tail to be combed I can then increase proportionally
the diameter of the comb. But I can also modify the before mentioned com-
bination as follows. There is then combined (Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15) with
the small cylindrical comb, a flat tail comb either single or double which penetrates
the tail near the seizing nipper before the cylindrical comb arrives at a tangential
height and thus these two combs are stopped for some time. The head nipper
then remains half open (Fig. 10) the counter nipper being closed, or instead of this
counter-nipper a rake and grating working in the usual way for wools may be

page_text: used. Under these circumstances I then at once and completely draw away the
seizing nipper (Fig. 11) in order to withdraw the whole of the tail that has been
combed as in the case of ordinary machines, by the single flat tail comb. But
instead of this flat comb placed above having finished its work and re-ascending as
is usual without benefit to the further action effected underneath, it now according
to the improvements re-descends below the cylindrical comb (Fig. 12) and in this
movement it lowers the point of the head and insures the penetration of this point
of the head into the cylindrical comb. At this moment the head nipper is closed,
and the cylindrical comb cominencing its last gradual ascent effects with certainty
the graduated combing of the head from the point to the bottom.
Furthermore the tail comb frees itself naturally on the cylindrical comb, in
descending near to it from the waste that its needles or wires may have retained.
In these three cases there is at this moment nothing further to be done than to
let the seizing nipper carry the finished sliver to the superposing mechanism. But
with regard to the head nipper there remains an important supplementary operation
to be performed. In fact, the combed head should be capable of being presented
in a precise and determined direction so as conveniently to pass through the
opening in the seizing nipper when the two nippers are about to draw nearer to
each other again. For this, whilst or before the cylindrical comb commences to re-
descend towards the cleaning brush a final backward movement of the head nipper
is effected (Figs. 13 and 7) this movement completely separating the head from the
comb, leaves this head in the most desired position.
I would have it observed that in the three above cited cases, the cylindrical comb
might equally well be mounted to work in an inverse direction of rotation to that
which is shewn in the drawing.
During the partial disjunction which precedes the commencement of penetration
of the combs (Fig. 9) so that medium fibres not held by the counter nipper D¹
should not be prejudicially displaced the head nipper D can be provided with a
fixed comb fattached to this nipper D and the points of which projecting beyond
the nipper joint penetrate the fleece in this interval of semi-closure, without
impeding the functions of this nipper at the other times. This has been explained
in the Specification of the patent hereinbefore cited. But this is not indispensable
and if the nipper D be regulated and constructed so as to exert a slight retaining
pressure on the fleece whilst the two nippers draw away from each other in
disjoining the fibres no medium fibre can be displaced.
The realisation of the movements hereinabove described and the application of
these principles to Imbs two-nipper combing machine, are extremely simple (see
Fig. 1). The changes of position and the openings and closings of the two nippers
are effected as usual; the cams E, E¹, H, H', which produce them being simply
worked out in accordance with plans conformable to these new laws. The small
cylindrical combs are mounted on a shaft 03 carried in two long bearings fixed
to the plate of a solid comb holder P (Fig. 1). This comb holder is operated as it
would be if it were fitted with flat combs for example, by the connecting rods B,
levers L and cams G of appropriate form. The rotation of this comb is effected
by (see Fig. 3) the coupled wheels 30 21 being intermediate between the wheel 60
on the shaft O and the pinion 14 on the comb; two levers 7, 1, jointed on a
pivot K and shafts O and O2 form a knee joint to facilitate vertical displacement
of the comb. If the Bat tail-comb P¹ be required for long filaments, it is attached
firmly but independently to the comb holder P (see Fig. 10) and the links B,
levers L, cams G are doubled on each side to work individually each element P
and P¹ of the combined comb holder, as would be done for a comb holder with flat
combs and with fixed independent tail comb.
The cylindrical comb π may have its rows of needles spread over the whole of
its circumference or over a part only as may be required. The successive rows of
needles may be graduated in fineness or not, as desired; this is a secondary point
here, as the working of the comb into the fibres is caused to be gradual by reason
of the progressive penetration which is the consequence of the method of working

page_text: adopted. The speed of rotation of this comb is absolutely optional according to
the requirements of the textile material to be operated on. It can be increased so
as to cause 15, 20, 30 etc rows of needles or wires to pass into the same head or
tail, it sufficing to accelerate in proportion the cleaning brush. Finally, the
number both of the rows which will pass along during the progressive penetration,
and that of the rows which will, during a certain time of the combs stoppage in
it's raised position, pass by to comb the sliver, can be regulated as desired by the
form of the cams in that part of them which corresponds to the period of the
combs operation.
In the first and second of the cases just referred to, the combination of parts
movements and positions is nearly similar, and constitutes the first of the three
methods I proposed to describe. The second of these methods is effected by the
combinaton described for the third case, viz. that for long fibres, with a flat tail
comb and a small cylindrical head comb.
Fig. 2 represents a combination which constitutes the third method. The former
comb carrier with flat combs P is bere complete with its firmly attached inde-
pendent tail comb P¹. The Small cylindrical and rotary comb is here mounted on
two levers S and raised at the desired monient by two cams S. It works as a
supplementary' or head smoothing comb when the head nipper has drawn back
to a', a', as far as is necessary to make room for it. It effects the gradual
re-combing of the head from the point to the bottom at the same time that the
comb holder P, P¹, descends lowering on to the comb the head of the sliver still
incompletely separated from the needles of the comb P thus insuring the efficacious
working of the cylindrical comb commencing first at the point. The combing
operation having become sufficient, whilst the comb descends in its turn for the
purpose of insuring the proper direction of the combed head, the head nipper
performs its last return movement to the bottom at b¹, b¹
Having now described the nature of the said invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I claim, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent-
1. In Imbs' or analagous machines, the employment of double connecting rods,
double levers and double cams for effecting the approximately vertical motion of a
double comb holder, whether for flat combs only or for flat combs and a cylindrical
comb combined, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In combing machines generally the novel combination of mechanism for
effecting the superposition of the combed slivers, such mechanism comprising the
brush M the cylinders, and the alternating forward and backward motion of these
cylinders, substantially as hereinabove described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3 In combing machines, the novel combination of relative motions and reciprocal
positions between two nippers and a cylindrical rotary comb, by which means this
comb simultaneously meets the ends of the head and of the tail, the one becoming
separated from the other, substantially as hereinabove described with reference to
Fig. 4.
4. In combing machines the novel combination of relative motions and reciprocal
positions between two nippers and a rotary cylindrical combing appliance by which
means this combing appliance acts so as to keep the head and the tail separate
from each other, each in its position for combing and each held by its end
substantially as hereinabove described with reference to Fig. 5.
5. In combing machines the novel combination as described, of successive
relative motions and reciprocal positions between a rectilinear seizing nipper and a
rotary cylindrical comb, by which this comb effects the comb effects the combing
of the tail by a graduated progressive penetration from the point to the bottom.
6. In combing machines, the herein described combination of successive relative
notions and reciprocal positions between two nippers and a rotary cylindrical
combing appliance by which this combing appliance effects the simultaneous

page_text: double combing by graduated progressive penetration on the head and on
the tail.
7. In combing machines, the herein described novel arrangement of combined
appliances and movements by which a rectilinear nipper operates in conjunction
with a rotary cylindrical high speed comb of very small diameter so as to insure
the enveloping and progressive action of the comb on the fibres.
8. In combing machines the general arrangement of appliances of movements
and of combined operations as herein described and represented in Fig. 1, con-
sisting in giving two nippers a reciprocating motion of alternate approach and
withdrawal, the approach towards each other being in order that the seizing nipper
may take the head, and the withdrawal from each other in order to separate the
uncombed tail; in introducing between these nippers a rotary cylindrical combing
appliance which effects the combing of the head and tail by progressive penetration;
and in withdrawing this combing appliance from between the nippers to allow of
their approach towards each other.
9. In combing machines the combined arrangement of appliances, movements
and operations hereinabove described by which a flat comb for the tail and a rotary
cylindrical comb for the head are caused to operate between the two aforesaid
nippers, these two combs operating side by side and relatively to each other,
substantially as hereinabove described with reference to Figs 10 to 15 of the
accompanying drawings.
10. In combing machines, the combined arrangement of appliances and operations
hereinabove described, by which with the two said nippers, the combing of the
tail and a first combing of the head on an Imbs' single or double flat comb holder
are effected, and afterwards the finishing re-combing of the head by a small rotary
cylindrical comb 28 hereinabove described with reference to Fig. 2 of the
accompanying drawings.
11. In combing machines, the novel method of constructing a rotary cylindrical
comb of great length and small diameter in small tubular parts having needles set
therein, these parts being mounted to form joint with each other on a common
axis, supported in long bearings provided in a rigid frame to which is communi-
cated the desired notion for the comb, substantially as hereiuabove described and
represented in the accompanying drawings.
12. The method of free separation and direction of the combed head obtained
by the complementary recoil of the head nipper, sufficiently far from the rotary
comb at the conclusion of the head combing operation, as hereinabove described
with reference to Figs. 7 and 13.
13. The employment of the whole of the improved mechanism described in Imbs'
former patents for constructing, moving, opening and closing the two nippers, as
at present combined with a rotary cylindrical comb, for the purpose of effecting the
combinations claimed under the above claims 7, 8 and 9, said mechanism being
provided with suitable cams, for the new combinations above set forth.
14. The novel application of the means and methods referred to in clains 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 to any other class of combing machines comprising two
nippers (or appliances in substitution for these nippers) having a movement to
and from each other.
In witness whereof I the said Ernest de Pass have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Twentysixth day of November in the year 1883.