Year: 1899

page_text: I, HUBERT LEOPOLD OFFERMANN, of 21, Bismarckstrasse, Leipzig, in the German
Empire, Director of the Leipziger Wollkämmerei, do hereby declare the nature
of this invntion to be as follows:-
The Heilmann combing-machine is made in two fundamental forms. In one
form, the detachment device oscillates to and fro between a pair of nippers and
a combing drum both mounted in stationary bearings, whilst in the other form,
the nippers oscillate to and fro between a combing drum and a detachment device
which are both mounted in stationary bearings.
Both forms have the disadvantage that the oscillating parts have a comparatively
great weight so that the machine can only work at a moderate speed.
This disadvantage is obviated in my improved combing machine, in which
the combing drum as well as the nippers and the detachment device, are
mounted in fixed bearings and the band of fibres resting in a light trough alone
has an oscillating motion imparted to it, in order that the fibres may be presented
alternately to the combing drum and to the detachment device.
The weight of the oscillating or reciprocating masses is thus considerably
reduced compared with the old arrangements, so that the speed of working of the
machine can be correspondingly increased.
My improved arrangement moreover presents the advantage that the feed-comb
can be combined with the top comb to form a single comb having a number of
rows of teeth and corresponding in breadth to the average length of the fibres,
which comb can be heated as is usual in the circular combing machines. In the
Heilmann combing machine, the feed-comb is separated from the top comb by
the upper jaw of the nippers. The space thus formed is however very detrimental
since just at this place, the fibres require to be carefully guided.
In my improved combing machine, on the other hand, the band of fibres is
moved out of the nippers after treatment by the combing drum, so that the
feed-comb combined into a whole with the top comb can be forced into the band
of fibres in front of the nippers, and consequently the tuft of fibres can be
detached in the same careful manner as is the case in the circular combing
machine.
The difference between these two arrangements may be more fully explained
as follows:-
-
In the old arrangement, the feed-comb is formed, for known technical reasons,
from rows of teeth of a comparatively small degree of fineness which rows are
arranged far apart, whilst the top comb arranged at some distance away from
the feed-comb must be extremely fine. Since the fibres are not guided during
their passage between the top comb and the feed-comb, and the vegetable
impurities are not held at their place, the comb is choked up at each detachment,
so that many fibres are broken.
The feed-comb which is combined into a whole with the top comb according
to my said invention, does not offer this disadvantage. The rows of teeth can
be arranged closer together and can increase in fineness towards the front. The

page_text: fibres are guided over their whole length so that entangling and consequent
breakage of the fibres cannot take place. Moreover the comb can be strongly
heated, as in the circular combing machines, so that the wool is less affected
and the natural curl of the fibres is better retained.
The method of operation of the improved machine may be explained as
follows:-
The combing drum, the nippers and the detaching rollers are mounted in
fixed bearings whilst the band of fibres guided in a trough oscillates or recipro-
cates between the combing drum and the detachment device. The feed-comb
combined with the top comb lies in front of the nippers and is forced into the
band of fibres fed out of the opened nippers, during which motion the fibre-
band is supported by a beating-in brush. The feed takes place during the detach-
ment in such a manner that the trough is only moved forward to such a distance
that the combined feed-and-top-comb inserted into the band is at a distance
from the cylinder equal to the amount of the feed and, whilst the trough is at
rest, draws out the band therefrom by its forward motion. The detachment of
the tuft of fibres is completed by a beater which enters between the detaching
rollers and the feed-comb from beneath; the feed-comb is then withdrawn
from the band of fibres which is conveyed back again by its guide-trough behind
the nippers. While the head or tuft of fibres is combed, the said beater holds
fast the ends of the fibres so that the protective bar otherwise employed for this
purpose is not necessary.
The actuation of the trough guiding the band of fibres, the nippers, the
combined feed-and-top-comb, the beating-in brush and an ejecting grid or frame
resting in the said comb is effected by means of cams or eccentrics mounted on
the driving shaft.
The trough is carried by two swinging arms and receives its forward motion
through a cam, whilst its backward motion is effected by a spring.
The upper jaw of the nippers is secured to a lever turning about a bolt and is
closed by a cam, whilst it is opened by a spring.
The combined feed- and top-comb secured to suitable arms receives the
forward motion required for feeding, through a cam and a double armed lever
turning about a bolt, whilst the backward motion of the comb is effected by a
spring. The vertical motion of the comb is effected by a cam secured to the
combing drum, on which cam rests a roller mounted on the said comb.
Between the rows of teeth of the combined feed and top comb lies the ejecting
grid or frame, the arms of which are pivotally suspended from the upper pins of
a double-armed lever so that the ejecting grid or frame follows the horizontal
motion of the combined feed and top comb. Its vertical motion is controlled by
a cam secured to the combing drum, on which cam rests the said grid or frame
through a roller.
The beating-in brush is suspended by an arm from a second oscillating arm.
It receives its forward motion through springs and its backward motion through
a cam.
1 1000

page_text: of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
-
The Heilmann combing-machine is made in two fundamental forms. In one
form, the detachment device oscillates to and fro between a pair of nippers and
a combing drum both mounted in stationary bearings, whilst in the other form,
the nippers oscillate to and fro between a combing drum and a detachment device
which are both mounted in stationary bearings.
Both forms have the disadvantage that the oscillating parts have a comparatively
great weight so that the machine can only work at a moderate speed.
This disadvantage is obviated in my improved combing machine, in which
the combing drum, as well as the nippers and the detachment device, are
mounted in fixed bearings and the band of fibres resting in a light trough alone
has an oscillating motion imparted to it, in order that the fibres may be presented
alternately to the combing drum and to the detachment device.
The weight of the oscillating or reciprocating masses is thus considerably
reduced compared with the old arrangements, so that the speed of working of the
machine can be correspondingly increased.
My improved arrangement moreover presents the advantage that the feed-comb
can be combined with the top comb to form a single comb having a number of
rows of teeth and corresponding in breadth to the average length of the fibres,
which comb can be heated as is usual in the circular combing machines. In the
Heilmann combing machine, the feed-comb is separated from the top comb by
the upper jaw of the nippers. The space thus formed is however very detrimental
since just at this place, the fibres require to be carefully guided.
In my improved combing machine, on the other hand, the band of fibres is
moved out of the nippers after treatment by the combing drum, so that the
feed-comb combined into a whole with the top comb can be forced into the band
of fibres in front of the nippers, and consequently the tuft of fibres can be
detached in the same careful manner as is the case in the circular combing
machine.
The difference between these two arrangements can be seen from Figures 1
and 2 of the drawings, in which the old and the new arrangements are shown.
In the old arrangement, Figure 1, the feed-comb is formed, for known technical
reasons, from rows of teeth of a comparatively small degree of fineness which
rows are arranged far apart, whilst the top comb arranged at some distance away
from the feed-comb must be extremely fine. Since the fibres are not guided during
their passage between the top comb and the feed-comb, and the vegetable
impurities are not held at their place, the comb is choked up at each detachment,
so that many fibres are broken.
The feed-comb shown in Figure 2, which is combined into a whole with the
top comb according to my said invention, does not offer this disadvantage The
rows of teeth can be arranged closer together and can increase in fineness towards
the front. The fibres are guided over their whole length so that entangling and
consequent breakage of the fibres cannot take place. Moreover the comb can be
strongly heated (e.g. by means of an electric current), as in the circular combing
machines, so that the wool is less affected and the natural curl of the fibres is
better retained.
In Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings, my improved combing
machine is shown in side elevation in two different positions. Figures 5 to 9
are partial side elevations showing the essential parts of the machine drawn to
a larger scale, in their different positions during one operation of the machine.
The method of operation of the improved machine may be explained with
reference to Figures 5 to 9. For the purpose of showing more clearly the working
of the several cams and the parts actuated by the same, they are shown separately
in Figures 10-13.
The combing drum 5, the nippers 2 and the detaching rollers 32 are mounted

page_text: in fixed bearings whilst the band of fibres guided in a trough 1 oscillates or
reciprocates between the combing drum and the detachment device. The feed-
comb 3 combined with the top comb nes in front of the nippers and is forced into
the band of fibres fed out of the opened nippers, during which motion the fibre-
band is supported by a beating-in brush 4. The feed takes place during the
detachment in such a manner that the trough is only moved forward to such a
distance that the combined feed-and top-comb inserted into the band is at a
distance from the cylinder equal to the amount of the feed, and, whilst the trough
is at rest, draws out the band therefrom by its forward motion. The detachment
of the tuft of fibres is completed by a beater which enters between the detaching
rollers and the feed-comb from beneath; the feed-comb is then withdrawn from
the band of fibres which is conveyed back again by its guide-trough behind
the nippers.
In the position shown in Figure 5, the nippers 2 are closed and the head or
tuft of fibres is combed by the combing drum 5. The beating-in brush 4 is
in its position of rest behind the combing drum beneath the nippers.
Figure 6. The nippers 2 are open, the trough 1 with the band of fibres is
moved out through the nippers and brought into the range of the detaching
rollers 32. The beating-in brush 4 has followed this forward motion so that it
stands beneath the combined feed-and-top comb 3.
Figure 7. The combined feed-and-top comb 3 is inserted into the tuft of fibre,
the detachment has begun and the comb 3 stands at a distance equivalent to
the feed away from the detaching rollers 32.
Figure 8. The comb 3 stands close to the detaching rollers, it has drawn
the band of fibres out of the trough and the feed is therefore completed. The
beating-in brush 4, after the insertion of the comb 3, is immediately returned to
its position of rest behind the combing drum 5.
Figure 9. The combined feed- and top-comb 3 is returned into the position
shown in Figure 7, the beater 30 is introduced from beneath between the detaching
rollers 32 and the comb 3, so that the detachment is completed. The combined
feed- and top-comb 3 is withdrawn from the band of fibres, during which motion
the ejecting grid or frame 31 arranged in the comb is left in its lowermost
position. The trough 1 with the band of fibres passes back behind the nippers 2
so that they close and the operation can begin afresh. While the head or tuft
of fibres is combed, the said beater 30 again moves into the lower position,
Figure 5, and holds fast the ends of the fibres, so that the protective bar other-
wise employed for this purpose is not necessary.
The actuation of the trough 1 guiding the band of fibres, the nippers 2, the
combined feed- and top-comb 3, the beating-in brush 4 and the ejecting grid or
frame 31 resting in the said comb 3 is effected by means of cams or eccentrics
mounted on the driving shaft 33.
The trough is carried by two swinging arms 16 and 17 and receives its
forward motion through a cam, 19, whilst its backward motion is effected by a
spring 20.
The upper jaw of the nippers 2 is secured to a lever 6 turning about a bolt 7
and is closed by a cam 13, whilst it is opened by a spring 12.
The combined feed- and top-comb secured to arms 8 receives the backward
motion required for feeding, through a double-armed lever 10 turning about a
bolt 7, and a cam 15, whilst the forward motion of the comb is effected by a
spring 14. The vertical motion of the comb is effected by a cam 22 secured to
the combing drum 5, on which cam rests a roller 21 mounted on the comb 3.
Between the rows of teeth of the combined feed and top comb lies the ejecting
grid or frame 31, the arms of which are pivotally suspended from the upper pins 9
of a double-armed lever 10, so that the ejecting grid or frame follows the
horizontal motion of the combined feed- and top-comb. Its vertical motion is
controlled by a cam 34 secured to the combing drum, on which cam rests the
said grid or frame through a roller.

page_text: The beating-in brush 4 is suspended by an arm 11 from a second arm 24
oscillating about the pin 23. It receives its forward motion through springs 25
and its backward motion through a cam 26 adjacent to the arm 24
The arm 11 of the brush rests on the front end of a double arm 27 oscillating
about the pins 18, which arm is actuated by the cam 28. The double arm is
continually held in contact with the cam by means of the spring 29.
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. A combing machine in which, for the purpose of obtaining a higher speed of
working whilst obviating the employment of heavy oscillating masses, the combing
drum, nippers and detachment device are mounted in fixed bearings, whilst the
band of fibres receives an oscillating motion in order to be alternately presented
to the combing drum and to the attachment device, substantially as described.
2. A combing machine of the kind claimed in Claim 1, in which the top comb
and feed comb are combined with each other into one comb which lies in front
of the nippers and is inserted into the band of fibres before detachment so that
the fibres, in the detachment are guided throughout their whole length by the
comb, substantially as described.
3. A combing machine of the kind claimed in Claim 2, in which the combined
feed and top-comb works in conjunction with a beater-brush supporting the
band of fibres and is provided with an ejecting grid or frame which lies on the
band of fibres during the withdrawal of the comb from above, substantially as
described.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1899
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.