IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COMBING FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Theodore Gaddum, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, but at present of Milan, in the Kingdom of Italy, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COMBING FIBROUS MATERIALS."
A communication by William Helme, of Milan, in the Kingdom of Italy.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Theodore Gaddum at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th April 1880.
THEODORE GADDUM, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, but at present of
Milan, in the Kingdom of Italy. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COMBING
FIBROUS MATERIALS." [A communication by William Helme, of Milan, in the
Kingdom of Italy.]
In combing fibrous materials for the purpose of clearing them of knots, noil, and
impurities, and of laying the fibres straight and parallel, it is necessary, first to nip
one portion of each fibrous tuft so as to hold it firmly while the other loose portion
is being combed, and then to nip the combed portion, leaving the portion that was
previously nipped free to be combed in its turn. This Invention relates to
apparatus whereby fibrous tufts are thus treated, every tuft being in its turn
nipped over part of its length while the other part is combed, and thereafter
nipped over the combed portion while the part previously nipped is combed. For
this purpose two rectangular horizontal frames are placed so that part of the one
At the side of the one frame there is a set of carding
overlaps part of the other.
drums mounted to revolve on a horizontal axis, and at the opposite side of the
other frame there is a similar set of carding drums. In each frame near its longer
sides are mounted two screws, and at each end of it are arranged endless chains or
bands travelling across the frame. A number of nipping blocks, or what may be
called carriages, are provided for holding the fibrous tufts; each of these consists of
an upper and a lower part or jaw hinged or jointed together, the lower jaw having
attached to it a part nut to engage with the screws at the sides of the frames, and
studs to engage with the travelling chains at the ends of the frames, so that each
carriage belonging to one of the frames is made by the action of the screws and
chains to travel in guides along the four sides of the frame, first along one of the
longer sides, then across the one end, then along the other longer side, and finally
back along the other end to the point from which it started. While the carriage is

page_text: travelling along the first side of one of the frames it is charged with tufts of fibre,
portions of the tufts being left projecting beyond its inner edge, whilst the other
portions are nipped between its upper and lower jaws. Thus charged with tufts
the carriage crosses the end of the frame and travels along its other long side, the
free parts of the tufts being now presented outside the frame. These, as they pass
the carding drums, are combed and straightened, the nip of the fibres being
maintained by the carriage passing under pressing rollers. When a carriage having
its tufts thus partly combed reaches the end of the first framo, a carriage at the
same time presents itself side by side with it on the second frame, this carriage
having its jaws opened so as to receive between them the combed ends of the tuits
and to close upon and nip them, whilst the jaws of the first carriage open and let
-go-the-uncombed_portions of the tufts which it held. This carriage having let go
the tufts now retreats along the end of the first frame ready to be charged-again-
with tufts and to repeat its course along the frame. The carriage of the second
frame which has received and nips the combed ends of the tufts travels along the
side of the second frame having projecting from it the uncombed portions of tho
tufts, which are now combed as they pass the second set of card drums. The
carriage having passed these retreats along the end of the second frame, then
travels along its other side, during part of which travel the completely combed tufts
are removed from it, and finally it advances along the other end of the frame to
meet a carriage of the first frame and receive the combod ends of its tufts as
described above. Thus thero is a succession of carriages travelling along the four
sides of each frame, those of the one frame receiving the uncombed tufts, presenting
the free parts of these to be combed, and delivering the combed parts into the jaws
of carriages on the other frame, whilst the latter set of carriages receive and nip
the combed parts of the tufts, present for combing the parts of the tufts that were
nipped by the first carriages, and finally deliver the tufts completely combed. The
carding drums are mado slightly conical, so that as the tufts pass them the pins on
the latter part of each drum penetrate them somewhat more deeply than those on
the earlier part. The travelling screws and chains of both frames are connected by
suitable gearing with one prime mover, so that their movements are properly timed
to one another, a carriage of the second frame being thus always ready to receive
the tufts from a carriage of the first frame. The opening and closing of the jaws
so as to receive and nip the tufts is effected by the movement of a wedge piece, and
in order to facilitate the introduction of the tufts between the jaws of the second
carriage they may be subjected to an air blast from a fan so as to straighten them
out as they enter between the jaws.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Theodore Gaddum in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
October 1880.
THEODORE GADDUM, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, but at present of
Milan, in the Kingdom of Italy. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COMBING
FIBROUS MATERIALS." A communication by William Hulme, of Milan, in the
Kingdom of Italy.
In combing fibrous materials for the purpose of clearing them of knots, noil, and
impurities, and of laying the fibres straight and parallel, it is necessary first to nip
one portion of each fibrous tuft so as to hold it firmly while the other loose portion
is being combed, and then to nip the combed portion, leaving the portion that was
previously nipped free to be combed in its turn. This Invention relates to apparatus
whereby fibrous tufts are thus treated, every tuft being in its turn nipped over part
of its length while the other part is combed, and thereafter nipped over the combed
portion while the part previously nipped is combed. For this purpose two rect-
angular frames are placed so that part of the one overlaps part of the other. At
the side of the one frame there is a set of carding drums mounted to revolve on a
horizontal axis, and at the opposite side of the other frame there is a similar set of
carding drums. In each frame near its longer sides are mounted two screws, and
at each end of it are arranged endless chains or bands travelling across the framo.
A number of nipping blocks, or what may be called carriages, are provided for
holding the fibrous tufts; each of these consist of an upper and a lower part or
jaw hinged or jointed together, the lower jaw having attached to it a part nut to.
engage with the screws at the sides of the frames, and studs to engago with the
travelling chains at the ends of the frames, so that each carriage belonging to one
of the frames is made by the action of the screws and chains to travel in guides
along the four sides of the frame, first along one of the longer sides, then across the
one end, then along the other longer side, and finally back along the other end to
the point from which it started. While the carriage is travelling along the first
side of one of the frames it is charged with tufts of fibre, portions of the tufts
being left projecting beyond its inner edge, whilst the other portions are nipped
between its upper and lower jaws. Thus charged with tufts the carriage crosses
the end of the frame and travels along its other longer side, the free parts of the
tufts being now presented outside the frame. These as they pass the carding
druins are combed and straightened, the nip of the fibres being maintained by the
carriage passing under pressing rollers. When a carriage having its tufta thus
parily combed reaches the end of the first frame a carriage at the same time
presents itself side by side with it on the second frame; this carriage having its
jaws opened so as to receive between them the combed ends of the tufts, and to
close upon and nip them whilst the jaws of the first carriage open and let go the
uncombed portions of the tuft which it held. This carriago having let go the
tufts now retreats along the end of the first frame ready to be charged again with
tufts, and to repeat its course along the frame. The carriage of the second frame
which has received and nips the combed ends of the tufts travels along the side of
the second frame, having projecting from it the uncombed portions of the tufts,
which are now combed as they pass the second set of card drums. The carriage
having passed these retreats along the end of the second frame, then travels along
its other side, during part of which travel the completely combed tufts are
removed from it, and finally it advances along the other end of the frame to meet
a carriage of the first frame, and receive the combed ends of its tufts as described
above. Thus there is a succession of carriages travelling along the four sides of
each frame, those of the one frame receiving the uncombed tufts, presenting the

page_text: Fig. 1 of the accompanying Drawings shows a part sectional plan of the before
described combing machine; Fig. 2 shews a transverse section thereof on line X, X,
Fig. 1, to an enlarged scale; I. II, are the two rectangular frames, arranged
parallel to each other, and with their ends overlapping each other at K; A, A, A, are
the carding drums operating on the tufts of fibre as they are carried along the
side Z, K, of the frame I, and A', A', A', are the carding drums operating on the
tufts of fibre as they are carried along the side K, L. of the frame 1I. Each frame
has extending along its two long sides a screw spindle B, B', receiving rotary
motion from the shafts C, C, (the screw spindles and top of the framing II., are
removed to shew the lower parts), above cach such screw spindle a longitudinal
slot is formed in the top of the frame through which project arms D³ attached to
plates D, on which are fixed the nipping blocks or carriages D, D', that nip and
carry along the tufts of fibre. The lower ends of the arms D³ are formed with a
female screw thread that partly embraces the screw spindle B, so that as the
spindles rotate they carry the nipping blocks or carriages D along with them, these
being guided by the slots in the frame. The motions of the spindles are reversed,
so that the carriages on each side of the frame are made to travel in opposite
directions, as indicated by the arrows. The end portions of the spindles B to the
extent of the length of one of the carriages have no screw thread formed upon
them, and in the corresponding end parts of the frames are situated endless
travelling chains E, E, passing round pitch wheels E', E', and receiving motion in
the direction of the arrows, as will be hereinafter described, whereby, when a
carriage has been brought by the motion of the screw spindle to the end of the
frame it is seized by the endless chains and conveyed thereby to the opposite side
of the frame. Arrived at this point the carriage is pushed endways by a spring
(not shewn on the Drawing) so as to engage with the other screw spindle, whereby
it is again caused to travel to the opposite end of the frame, where the above
described operation is repeated. In the arrangement shewn on the Drawing the
tufts of fibre are supposed to be first introduced into the nipping carriages on the
frame I as they are passing along the side x, y. The nipping carriages, which
consist of two flat boards or plates hinged together on the one side, as indicated
more clearly at Figs. 3, 4, and 5, are while travelling along the side x, y, situated
with their hinged sides outwards, so that the tufts of fibre are introduced at their
inner sides, the projecting ends of the tufts being allowed to slide on the table Fas
they travel along. On being traversed to the other side of the table by the endless
chains E when they arrive at y at the left hand end Fig. 1, the nipping carriages
have their hinged sides on the insido of the framing, so that as they travel along
the side Z, K, they will present the projecting tufts to the action of the carding drums
A, A, A. While they are passing along in front of these drums the carriages have
their hinged jaws pressed firmly together so as to hold the tufts securely by a series

page_text: of spring rollers G, G, G, carried in brackets G¹, and pressed downwards by springs G³,
the pressure being adjustable by screw nuts G³, as shewn at Fig. 2. Only three of
these nipping rollers are shewn at Fig. 1, but it is to be understood that a row of
them extends in front of the three carding drums. The carding drums are made
slightly conical, as shewn, so that as the tufts pass along them, the teeth of the card
surface gradually enter the fibres more and more, and thus have a very gradual and
perfect carding action thereon. It is preferred to cause the alternate drums to
revolve in opposite directions, so that after the tufts have been acted upon by the
one drum from the upper side the next drum acts upon the underside thereof,
whereby the carding action is rendered still more complete. Although three carding
drums are shewn to each frame on the Drawing any other number may be employed.
As they arrive at K, at the right hand end of the frame I., the jaws of the carriages are
somewhat opened out by means of a tapering stud H fixed to the end of the frame,
the said stud being made to force itself between the jaws as the carriage is pushed
against it by the screw spindle B¹. The ends of the tufts of fibre projecting from
the carriage have, during this last part of the motion of the carriage, and before the
jaws are opened as described, been made to pass between the opened jaws of a
similar carriage situated at K, on the frame II., which carriage is at this time just
completing its traversing motion from S to K, and as the jaws of the carriage on
frame 1. open, as described, those of the carriage on frame II. close down upon the
combed ends of the tufts now situated between them, so as to hold the tufts while
the carriage on I. recedes in traversing from K to x, thereby leaving the tufts in the
grasp of the carriage on II. with their uncombed ends projecting therefrom. This
carriage now commences its travel along the side K, L, of the frame II., as indicated
by the arrow, and in so doing brings the projecting ends of the tufts under tho
action of the carding drums A¹, A', A', the jaws of the carriages being during this
time nipped by nipping rollers, such as described with reference to frame I.
Arrived at the end of the frame the finished tufts are removed from the carriages,
and these are then traversed to the side t, S, along which they travel in order to
repeat at K the operation above described. In like manner the carriages on frame I.,
after delivering up their tufts to the carriages on II., and traversing to the side x, y,
are again charged with fresh tufts as they travel along that side of the frame as
first described. The arrangement for automatically opening the jaws of the nipping
carriages D', on frame II. as they advance from S to K to receive the tufts from
the carriages on frame I. is as follows:-The upper jaw or board has at the one end
which is presented towards the side K' of the frame II. a portion d cut away, as
shewn in the part plan and end elevation of one of these carriages at Figs. 3 and 4,
thus leaving a portion of the lower board or jaw next the hinged side uncovered.
Against the side K₁ of the frame is fixed an angular plate of the shape shewn at L,
Figs. 3 and 4, in such a position that its point and the lower edge are in line with
the meeting surfaces of the upper and lower jaws, as indicated, so that as the carriage
advances towards K the point of the plate L will insert itself between the two jaws,
and will cause the upper one to rise on its inclined surface, and to remain open until
the carriage has arrived at the position shewn at Fig. 5, when, on the further
advance of the carriage the plate L will pass into the notched out portion d of the
upper jaw, and this will consequently close down again so as to nip the tufts which
have been deposited between the jaws by the carriage on frame 1. during the time
that the upper jaw was open. In order to facilitate the introduction of the ends of
the tufts into the jaws of the carriage on frame II. during the above described
operation a current of air supplied by a blowing fan or other convenient means may
conveniently be made to flow from beneath the carriage on frane I. at K, so as to
raise up the projecting ends of the tufts and direct them forward towards the
carriage on frame II., and thus cause them to be deposited in a straight layer on the
lower jaw thereof.
Motion is imparted to the various above described mechanisms as follows:-The
shaft C of frame I. is driven by a pulley and strap at M, and imparts its motion to
the shaft of C' of frame II, by means of pitch wheels C2, C3, and an endless chain C³.

page_text: The motion of the shaft C is imparted to the screw spindle B by pitch wheels N,N',
and endless chain N, and in the opposite direction to the screw spindle B¹ through
spur wheels O, pitch wheels 01, 0%, and endless chain 08. The screw spindle on
frame II. receive motion from the shaft C' by means of similar gear. Motion is
imparted to the carding drums A, A, by pullies P. P', on the shaft C, C³, and endless 5
belts. Lastly, the pitch wheels and endless chains E, E', receive motion from the
shafts C, C', by means of worms Q on these shafts in gear with a worm wheel R¹
on a shaft R which drives the one shaft E of the said pitch wheels E¹ by means of
bevil gear R. This mechanism is only shewn on the frame II., but it is to be
understood that the same mechanism is also applied at each end of frame I. It is 1
to be understood that I in no way limit myself to the above described mechanism
-for-imparting-the-motion-of-the carringes D, D¹, round their frames, nor for opening
and closing the jaws of the said carriages, nor to the mode of imparting motion to
the various parts of the machine, as it will be evident that such mechanism may be
variously modified without departing from the essential feature of this Invention, 1
whereby two sets of carriages on two frames are caused to operate in combination
with two sets of carding drums in the manner described for consecutively operating
on the two ends of a tuft of fibre.
1.
Having thus described the nature of this Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my correspondent, I claim,- 2
First. Constructing apparatus for combing fibrous materials wherein one or more
nipping blocks or carriages in being made to travel round the sides of a frame
consecutively receive tufts of fibre to be operated upon, then bring such tufts under
the action of-carding-drums,-and then deliver the_tufts into one or more other
nipping carriages, which are caused to travel round the sides of a second frame, and 2
in so doing bring the tufts under the action of another set of carding drums,
substantially as herein described.
Second. In apparatus for combing fibrous materials arranging one or more
nipping blocks that hold the tufts of fibre to travel round four sides of a rectangular
frame, at one of which sides the fibres held thereby are subjected to the action of 3
card surfaces, substantially as herein described.
Third. In apparatus for combing fibrous materials arranging two rectangular
frames close together with their ends overlapping each other, each of which frames
has a set of nipping carriages or blocks that are made to travel round the sides of
the frame, the carriages of the one frame being supplied with tufts of fibre on the 3
one side of the frame, which they bring under the action of carding drums on the
opposite side, and then deliver then into the nipping carriages on the other frame,
which last named carriages in their turn bring the tufts of fibre under the action of
other carding drums while travelling along the one side of the frame, and after
having the finished tufts removed from them are caused to travel back along the
other side of the frame, substantially as herein described.
Fourth. In apparatus operating as set forth in the preceding claims, the combina-
tion of the travelling nipping carriages with screw spindles whereby they are mado
to travel in opposite directions along two opposite sides of the frame, and with
endless travelling chains whereby they are made to traverse from the one side to
the other at the ends of the frame, substantially as herein described.
Fifth. In apparatus operating as set forth in the preceding claims the combina-
tion with the carriages D of a tapering stud H whereby the jaws of the carriage
are opened so as to deliver the tufts of fibre held thereby, substantially as herein
described with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Sixth. In apparatus operating as set forth in the preceding claims, the combina-
tion with the carriages D' having notches d, with an angular plate L, whereby the
jaws of the carriage are first opened so as to receive the tufts from the carriage D,
and are then caused to close down upon the tufts, substantially as herein described
with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Seventh. In apparatus for combing fibres wherein the tufts of fibre are curried
past the faces of carding drums, constructing such carding drums conical or tapering

page_text: so that as the fibre passes along the face of the drum the carding teeth are made to
enter the fibre to a gradually increasing extent, substantially as herein described.
•
Eighth. In apparatus for combing fibrous materials, the combination of the
frames I., II., nipping carriages D, D', screw spindles B, B', endless chains E,"
nipping rollers G, stud H, and angular plate L, and carding drums A, A¹, all
arranged and operating as herein described with reference to the acccompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Theodore Gaddum, havo hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
THEODORE GADDUM. (L.S.)