Improvements in Enamelled Spools or Bobbins.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improvements in Enamelled Spools or Bobbins.
I, SAMUEL D. KEENE of Providence County of Providence State of Rhode Island
United States of America, Mechanic do hereby declare the nature of this invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ENAMELED SPOOLS OR BOBBINS," and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention relates to certain improvements in enameled Spools or Bobbins,
employed in the manufacture of yarn and textile fabrics. The present invention
consisting in the novel finish of the exterior enameled surface of the spool or bobbin,
as will be more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.
My invention is more particularly applicable to the surface of wooden spools or
bobbins on which is wound the yarn used in the manufacture of textile goods, although
it may be advantageously applied to roving bobbins, etc.
Usually, heretofore, the yarn holding surfaces of spools and bobbins have been
uniformly finished, that is to say, in a metal bobbin or quill, the surface uniformly
polished, in a wooden bobbin the surface is, if oiled or shellaced, uniformly treated;
and if covered with Japan Enamel, applied in a liquid state, the same when baked
becomes smooth and uniform in finish and appearance.
I am aware that bobbins have been provided with a series of grooves or scores
extending along the barrel thereof. Such grooves being concentric, spiral, zigzag,
and etc. Sand paper, flannel and leather have also been employed to prevent the
yarn from slipping off the bobbin.
It is found practically that bobbins and spools thus treated and finished are
objectionable owing to the fact that the yarn, especially cotton-yarn-is very apt to
slide off from the smooth surface in masses, thereby producing a greater proportion of
waste yarn, and the consequent increase in the cost of the manufactured fabric.
017

page_text: The extra cost of bobbins provided with grooves, &c. as just described, preclude
their general use. While bobbins covered with sand-paper, leather or flannel are too
readily affected by steam or moisture to be desirable, aside from the increased cost in
producing them.
The object of my improvement herewith, is to overcome the before mentioned
disadvantages, by producing an enameled spool or bobbin having the yarn retaining
portion thereof slightly roughened or "dull" finished, by means of which the yarn is
prevented from slipping off faster than is required, the end portion, or tip of said spool
at the same time having a smooth finished surface, so that the yarn will not catch
thereon in unwinding from the spool.
In order to more clearly set forth the distinguishing features of my invention, I
have prepared the annexed sheet of drawings, in which, Figure 1 represents a per-
spective view of a bobbin embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical central
sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a reduced side view showing the improvement
applied to another style of bobbin. Fig. 4 is a similar view of an ordinary speeder
bobbin having smooth finished ends, and the intermediate portion of the bobbin dull
finished or roughened, and Fig. 5 is a view of a spool thus enameled and finished.
The following is a more extended description of the invention.
A, referring to the drawings, designates my improved enameled bobbin or spool.
B, indicates a layer or layers, of Japan enamel covering the entire outer surface
thereof, as well as lining the surface of the central longitudinal hole c, as shown clearly
in Fig. 2. Said enameled covering being baked or hardened by a high degree of
heat as usual.
a, designates the slightly roughened or "dull" finished portion of the enameled
spool, the same presenting what may be termed a "mat" surface.
A means for producing the slightly roughened enameled surface, a, is as follows :-
A varnish composed of Japan, coarse lamp-black, naptha and oil, is applied to the
surface of the bobbin and then baked. By the addition of fine emery to said varnish,
a coarse or more roughened surface is produced.
Substantially the same effect may be obtained, however, by submitting an ordinary
enameled bobbin to the action of a revolving roll covered with sand-paper or other
analogous material.
The tip or upper end portion of my improved bobbin, is covered with the Japan
enamel proper, and baked, the result being the smooth and hard finished surface a¹.
As is well known, ordinary Japan enamel applied in a liquid state to wooden or
metal articles, and then subjected to the action of artificial heat, produces a coating
that is smooth and hard, yet tough, and being of great durability even under constant
use. Such enameled wooden articles being, moreover, impervious to water, oil,
steam, etc.
It is obvious that mineral paints of the colors desired, or bronze powders even, may
be combined with the Japan varnish to produce body colors.
In concluding, I would state, I am aware that a wooden spool or bobbin having a
baked enameled surface, has been patented prior to my present invention, therefore I
do not broadly claim such enameled articles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. As a new article of manufacture, a spool or bobbin having a baked enameled
exterior presenting a slightly roughened or dull finish surface to the yarn retaining
portion, and a smooth finish surface to the unwinding yarn, substantially as bereinbeforo
set forth.

page_text: 2. The bobbin hereinbefore described, having a portion of its exterior covered with
baked enamel producing a roughened or dull surface, as at a, and the other or tip
portion of the bobbin, as at a¹, covered with a baked enamel producing a smooth, hard
and bright surface, substantially as shown and set forth.
3. A spool or hobbin having its end portions covered with smooth baked enamel,
and the portion intermediate of said ends, covered with baked enamel having a slightly
roughened or dull finish surface, substantially as shown and described.
4. The wooden bobbin A, hereinbefore described, having its exterior surface covered
with one or more layers, 13, of Japan enamel baked thereon. The lower or yarn-
holding portion of the enamel, a, having lamp-black, emery or other suitable material
combined therewith to produce a roughened" or "dead" finished surface, while the
upper portion, or tip a', is covered with Japan enamel producing a smooth, hard and
brilliant surface.