Year: 1886

page_text: I, WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, of 10 Windsor Terrace, Dundee, in the County of
Forfar, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to
be as follows, that is to say :-
My said Invention has for its object to improve the construction and operation
of carding machines such as are used for carding flax, jute, hemp, and other fibrous
materials.
In carrying out my Invention I apply new indicating apparatus to guide and
assist the attendant worker in supplying the tow or fibrous material to the feed
apron which carries it into the carding machinery. Near the outer end of the feed
apron a weighing scale is provided for receiving a suitable quantity of tow, say
fifty pounds for example, the tow being put into the scale itself, or into baskets or
light trays each holding the fifty pounds, and each when exhausted being changed
for a full one without loss of time. The scale is connected by links and levers to
apparatus arranged for indicating weight by means of one or more springs, and
this apparatus has in connection with it a dial or scale and a pointer to show the
weight. On the same dial or scale or on a separate one there is another pointer
which by suitable gearing and connections is made to move in concert with the
movement of the taking-in rollers of the machine, the gearing being proportioned
so that the pointer makes one complete turn of the circle of the dial corresponding
to the extent of feeding-in movement over which the fifty pounds of tow ought to
be distributed as uniformly as possible. The worker gradually transfers the tow
from the weighing scale to the feed apron and watching the two pointers distributes
the tow on the feed apron so as to keep the two pointers as near together as possible.
The pointer connected to the weighing scale travels completely round the circle
whilst the weight of tow on the scale diminishes from fifty pounds to nothing;
and as the other pointer moves round at a uniform rate, the worker must take the
tow from the scale in as equable a manner as possible in order to keep the two
pointers near each other. The worker will thus be guided so as to be able to
regulate the distribution of the tow or fibrous material on the feed apron in a
satisfactory manner.
In order to effect the separation of shives and dust from the tow or fibrous
material in a better manner and with less waste, than by the "boxing" ordinarily
applied to the " stripper "roller which transfers the tow from each "worker
roller back to the main carding cylinder, I apply a bar with a right-angle or slightly
"

page_text: acute corner adjusted so as to be struck by the tow carried round by the stripper
roller; and to this bar I attach a curved plate extending partly round the roller.
The ordinary supporting roller may be used in combination with the bar, or the
bar may in each case be placed in such a position, more or less near the worker
roller, as to dispense with the necessity for a supporting roller. There may also
be introduced another bar or shield, or the curved plate may be extended sufficiently
far round any stripping roller (excepting the first) to prevent dust or shives from
being thrown into the tow from the worker roller of the preceding pair. Each
bar is made adjustable in position by screws, as its proper action depends on its
corner being properly placed relatively to the stripping roller.
In further carrying out my Invention I either make the machine with two
carding cylinders, or I make it with a single carding cylinder large enough for
working the tow through two distinct stages of the carding operation, each stage
comprising two or more pairs of workers and strippers, whilst between each stage
the fleece of tow or fibrous material is subjected to an improved process and
apparatus for equalising it and for insuring increased uniformity and regularity in
the fleece as finally delivered from the machine. If a single carding cylinder is
used, the tow or fibrous material is first taken round the under part of it being
operated on by two or more pairs of workers and strippers; and it is then delivered
upon an endless apron which carries it outwards a certain distance from the
cylinder. At the outer part the endless apron is by suitably placed rollers guided
in an upward and inwardly inclined direction, and a second endless apron is
combined with it so that the fleece is carried up between the two to an elevated
point. From the elevated point the fleece descends between a pair of guide boards
or plates which are arranged to vibrate on an axis at their upper ends so that
their lower ends move the fleece backwards and forwards in a manner to lay it
in folds as it is delivered. The pair of vibrating guides is worked from any con-
venient part of the machine by means of a cam or cams and suitable connecting
rods and levers. The fleece as delivered by the pair of vibrating guides is received
by a second feed apron, which as its upper surface moves slowly. towards the
carding cylinder, causes the folds to be laid upon each other in steps, or with the
forward edge of each fold a little more advanced than the next above it. Whilst
the fleece is thickened by this folding action it is at the same time equalised, and
enters the second stage of the carding operation in a very uniform condition. The
second feed apron feeds the folded fleece so as to pass round the upper side of the
carding cylinder, in connection with which it is operated upon by two or more
pairs of workers and strippers being finally delivered in the ordinary way.
When the machine is made with two carding cylinders they are arranged
relatively to each other in any convenient way that will allow of the fleece from
the first cylinder being operated on by the pair of vibrating folding guides whilst
being delivered to the feed apron of the second cylinder. The two cylinders may
be placed on the same or on separate framings.
Dated this twenty-eighth day of January 1886.

page_text: I WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM of 10 Windsor Terrace Dundee in the County of
Forfar North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature 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, that is to say :-
My said Invention has for its object to improve the construction and operation
of carding machines such as are used for carding flax, jute, hemp, and other fibrous
materials.
In carrying out my Invention I apply new or improved indicating apparatus to
guide and assist the attendant worker in supplying the tow or fibrous material to
the feed apron which carries it into the carding machinery. This indicating
apparatus comprises a dial and two pointers one of which pointers is moved by
gearing correspondingly with the motion of the feed apron, whilst the other
pointer moves correspondingly with the weight of tow put on the apron. The
attendant worker whilst distributing the tow on the feed apron watches the two
pointers and endeavours to keep them as near together as possible.
In order to effect the separation of shives and dust from the tow or fibrous
material in a better manner and with less waste than by the "boxing" ordinarily
applied to the stripper roller which transfers the tow from each "worker" roller
back to the main carding cylinder, I apply a bar with a right-angle or slightly
acute corner adjusted so as to be struck by the tow carried round by the stripper
roller, and to this bar I attach a curved plate extending partly round the roller.
The ordinary supporting roller may be used in combination with the bar, or the
bar may in each case be placed in such a position, more or less near the worker
roller, as to dispense with the necessity for a supporting roller. There may also be
introduced another bar or shield, or the curved plate may be extended sufficiently
far round any stripping roller (excepting the first) to prevent dust or shives from
being thrown into the tow from the worker roller of the preceding pair.
In further carrying out my Invention I either make the machine with two
carding cylinders, or I make it with a single carding cylinder large enough for
working the tow through two distinct stages of the carding operation each stage
comprising two or more pairs of workers and strippers, whilst between each stage
the fleece of tow or fibrous material is subjected to an improved process and
apparatus for equalising it and for insuring increased uniformity and regularity in
the fleece as finally delivered from the machine. If a single carding cylinder is
used, the tow or tibrous material is first taken round the under part of it, being
operated by two or more pairs of workers and strippers; and it is then transferred
by means of one or more endless aprons to apparatus comprising a pair of vibrating
guides by which the fleeces is laid in folds upon a second feeding-in apron.
the fleece is thickened by the folding action it is at the same time equalised, and
enters the second stage of the carding operation in a very uniform condition. The
second feed apron feeds the folded fleece so as to pass round the upper part of the
carding cylinder, in connection with which it is operated upon by two or more
pairs of workers and strippers being finally delivered in the ordinary way.
Whilst
When the machine is made with two carding cylinders they are arranged
relatively to each other in any convenient way that will allow of the fleece from
the first cylinder being operated on by the pair of vibrating folding guides whilst

page_text: being delivered to the feed apron of the second cylinder. The two cylinders may
be placed on the same or on separate framings.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append three sheets of explanatory
drawings to be hereinafter referred to and representing carding machinery as
made with my improvements.
Figure, 1, on sheet, 1, of the accompanying drawings is a vertical section of a
single-cylinder carding machine as made with my improvements, but with many
minor well known parts not shown whilst some parts are indicated merely as in a
diagram. Figures, 2, 3, 4, on sheet, 2, are enlarged views of my improved feed
indicating apparatus, figure, 2, being a front elevation showing the dial, figure, 3,
an elevation with the dial removed, and figure, 4, a vertical section as at right
angles to figures, 2, and 3. Figure, 5, on sheet, 3, is a side elevation of the
apparatus for carrying the basket containing the tow or fibrous material, and for
acting on the indicating apparatus. Figure, 6, is a plan of the first feeding-in
apron and of a portion of the delivering mechanism above it. In these drawings
the same reference letters and numerals are used to mark the same or like parts
wherever they are repeated.
At a little distance from the first feeding-in apron, F 1, of the carding machine,
a weighing scale, 10 (figure, 5,) is provided for carrying a basket, 11, containing a
Buitable quantity of tow, say fifty pounds for example, and which basket when
exhausted can be changed for a full one without loss of time. Or the scale may
be constructed in a basket-like form and have quantities of tow successively
emptied into it. The scale, 10, is guided by a pair of nearly horizontal links, 12,
one on each side of it, and connecting it to a fixed bracket, 13; and it is connected
by a pair of vertical links, 14, to levers, 15, on a rocking shaft, 16, carried by an
upper bracket or pair of brackets, 17. The rocking shaft, 16, has also fixed on it
a lever, 18, to which is jointed one end of a rod, 19, which extending nearly
horizontally towards the carding machine has its other end (figure 1) adjustably
jointed to a bellcrank lever, 20, 21, carried by a bracket, 22, formed on the
indicator casing, 23, which casing is itself carried by a bracket, 24, of the carding
machine. The second arm, 21, of the bellcrank lever carried above the indicator
casing, 23, is weighted to counterbalance the weight of the scale, 10, basket, 11,
and other parts; and it has jointed to it an adjustable link, 25, which extends
down a tube on the top of the casing and inside the casing is connected to a cross-
head, 26, and to a rack, 27. An inverted cup, 28, fixed on the link, 25, covers the
tube on the top of the casing and prevents the entrance of dust and fibres. The
crosshead, 26, is pulled down by two helical springs, 29, which counterbalance the
weight of tow in the basket, 11, and measure it by their greater or less extension,
whilst the rack, 27, gears with a pinion, 30, attached to an arbor, or spindle, 31,
carrying a pointer, 32, which moves over a dial, 33, upon the front of the
casing, 23. A second pointer, 34, which also moves over the dial, 33, is on a
tubular spindle, 35, through which the spindle, 31, of the other pointer passes,
and this tubular spindle, 35, has fixed on it a worm wheel, 36, with which there
gears a worm, 37, on a horizontal spindle, 38. This last mentioned spindle extends
out through the side of the casing, 23, and is suitably connected with the gearing
of the carding machine. The indicator may be arranged so that one complete turn
of the pointers, 32, and 34, may correspond to any suitable quantity of tow; it is
however shown as arranged for 50 pounds, and the gearing moving the inner
pointer, 34, is proportioned so that that pointer moves regularly round to the
extent of a complete turn during the time in which the feeding-in apron, F 1,
should feed in 50 pounds of tow. Then if the attendant worker distributes the
tow properly on the feeding-in apron the lessening weight in the basket, 11,
operating through the scale and other parts will allow the springs, 29, to pull
down the link, 25, and rack, 27, so as to turn the outer pointer, 32, in a manner
to keep very near the machine-driven pointer, 34. By watching the pointers the
attendant worker will know at each moment whether the feeding is too quick or

page_text: too slow, and will correct the action accordingly, being thus guided so as to be able
to regulate the distribution of the tow or fibrous material on the feed apron in a
satisfactory manner.
The rocking shaft, 16, and the bellcrank lever, 20, 21, are by preference
supported on fine hardened steel centres, and the various joints through which
the action of the weight on the scale, 10, is transmitted to the indicating
apparatus are also by preference made with similar centres or with knife-edges
in order that the apparatus may be as sensitive and as quick in action as possible.
From the feeding in apron, Fl, (figure 1) the tow passes in the ordinary way
between a pair of feed rollers, R, to the main carding cylinder, C, and first passes
round the underside of that cylinder being subjected during such passage to the
action of strippers and workers, S, W, arranged in the ordinary way. As shown
in the drawing there is as usual a supporting or carrying roller, A, beneath each
pair consisting of a stripper and worker; but instead of the "boxing" ordinarily
applied there is in each case a bar, B, with a right-angle or slightly acute corner
adjusted so as to be struck by the tow carried round by the stripper; and to this
bar, B, there is attached a curved plate, 39, extending partly round the roller.
Each bar, B, is made adjustable in position being carried by a pair of brackets, 40,
secured to the side plates or shrouding of the framing by bolts passed through
curved slots in the side plates or shrouding the bar being movable on the brackets
near to or further from the stripper, S, by means of screws, 41, The bars, B,
which can thus be adjusted so as to obtain the best action, cause the separation
of shives and dust in a better manner and with less waste than with ordinary
arrangements.
On passing round from the under side of the main carding cylinder, C, the fleece
is delivered by means of a doffing roller, D, and a pair of pressing and drawing
rollers, P, on to an endless apron, 42, which carries it outwards and in a slightly
upward direction to the lower end of an endless apron, 43, which carries it first
upwards to the top of the folding apparatus and then downwards. This apron, 43,
is carried by guide rollers, 44, 45, 45, 46, 47, held by a fixed part of the framing
and by two other guide rollers, 48, 49, held at the top and bottom, respectively, of
a vibrating frame, 50, by the action of which the folding of the fleece is effected.
I intended to have arranged an endless apron outside of the apron, 43, so that the
fleece might be carried up between them, but I bave found such additional apron
to be not only required but also somewhat disadvantageous. At the same time
when starting the machine it is necessary to lay the first part of the fleece along
the outer side of the ascending part of the apron, 43; and for this purpose
I provide a small roller or tube, 51, over which the end of the fleece falls from the
outer end of the apron, 42, and which is moved up so as to lay the fleece on the
apron, 43, as required. The roller or tube, 51, has fixed to its ends projecting
flanges which work in guide slots made in two bars, 52, fixed one at each side of
the machine; and for the purpose of raising the roller or tube, 51, there are fixed
to it a pair of straps, one near each end (but not seen in the drawing). These
straps pass up and are fixed to two narrow drums or pulleys on a shaft, 53, at the
top of the framing; and this shaft has on it at one end a pulley, 54, which can be
driven by a cord, 55, from a pulley, 56, carried at the lower part of the framing
and provided with a handle for turning it by.
The vibrating folding frame, 50, consists of an upper castiron part, 57, extending
across the machine and having castiron depending brackets, 58, bolted at each end
of it, whilst to these brackets, 58, are bolted wooden sides, 59, extending down-
wards. At the lower ends of the wooden sides, 59, brackets, 60, are fixed to carry
the bottom guide rollers, 49, 61. In descending the fleece has an apron on each
side of it that on one side being part of the endless apron, 43, which carries the
fleece upwards, and that on the other side being a separate endless apron, 62,
passing round guide rollers, 63, 61, at top and bottom, the upper roller, 63, being
driven by gearing from the roller, 48, of the other apron, 43. The vibrating
frame, 50, is provided at its upper part, 57, with journals or trunnions, 64, by

page_text: means of which it is carried in bearings upon the fixed framing, and it is counter-
balanced wholly or partially by weights carried by arms, 65, 66, fixed to it (the
weight carried by the arms, 66, being above the framing and too high to be shown
in the drawing.) The vibrating frame is moved by means of a spurwheel,
indicated by a dotted circle, 67, and having gearing with it a toothed rack, 68,
fixed to a rod, 69, the lower end of which is jointed to a lever, 70, centered on a
bracket, 71, bolted to the main framing. The lover, 70, is fitted with an anti-
friction roller which is acted on by a grooved cam, 72, fixed on the shaft of one of
the worker rollers, the groove in the cam, 72, being carefully shaped so as to
impart to the vibrating frame, 50, a motion which will lay the fleece in folds in a
regular gentle manner and without abrupt changes. The rack, 68, is kept in gear
with the spurwheel, 67, by a bar, 73, which is fixed to the piece the rack is formed
on and which passes on the other side of the rocking shaft, 64.
The fleece is by the vibrating frame, 50, delivered upon an endless feeding-in
apron, F 2, which conveys it to the carding cylinder, C, again, the continuous
motion of the apron, F2, whilst the fleece is being delivered by the vibrating
frame, 50, causing the fleece to be laid in folds which are in steps or with the
forward edge of each fold a little more advanced than the succeeding fold laid
above it. The folded or thickened fleece being taken in by feed rollers, R. 2, passes
round the upper part of the main cylinder, C, and in its progress is operated on by
strippers and workers S2, W 2, being finally delivered by doffers, D2, D3, and
drawn into slivers in the usual way through pressing and drawing rollers, P2, P 3.
These delivering rollers are shown in figure 1, and also in the plan figure 6 along
with the transverse plate T, over which the slivers are led in the usual way with
the aid of inclined guide pins 74, to the side of the machine at a short distance
above and clear of the first feeding in apron F 1.
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 feed indicator and guide for carding machines consisting of a scale, to
receive a definite weight of fibrous material and connected to a spring or springs
and to a pointer moving over a dial so as to indicate the decrease in weight as the
fibrous material is transferred by the worker to the feeding-in apron, combined
with another pointer moving over the same dial at a rate corresponding with the
motion of the feeding-in apron, the parts being arranged and operating substantially
as and for the purposes herein before.described.
2-Improved apparatus for separating shives and dust in connection with the
strippers and workers below the main carding cylinder and consisting in each case
of an adjustable bar, with a right-angle or slightly acute corner and combined
with a curved plate, arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore.
3-An improved arrangement of carding machinery in which, either in one or
two machines the carding operation is divided into two stages between which
stages the fleece is acted on by folding apparatus so as to be laid on a feeding-in
apron in successive folds substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described.
4-An improved combination of parts forming a single-cylinder carding machine
operating as indicated in the next preceding claim, substantially as hereinbefore
described and as shown in figure 1, of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this twenty first day of Outaber Tess
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.