Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for making Emery or Glass Cloth or Paper, and in Emery or Glass Cloth or Paper made by such Machinery or Apparatus.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 6th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 13th Nov., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for making Emery or Glass
Cloth or Paper, and in Emery or Glass Cloth or Paper made by
such Machinery or Apparatus.
I, RICHARD JOHN EDWARDS, of Luke Street, Curtain Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to novel machinery or apparatus for making emery or glass
cloth or paper in lengths, and more especially for making strips of abrasive
material consisting of bands or tapes or strong woven fabrics, the surface of which
is coated with emery or other suitable abrasive powder, this coating being pro-
vided with longitudinal parallel angular ridges, and being especially useful for
sharpening the teeth of the cards used in carding engines, for which purpose the
abrasive strip is wound helically upon the circumference of a drum or cylinder
by which when set in revolution the teeth of the cards are ground and sharpened.
Assuming that my improved machine or apparatus is to be applied to the purpose
of making strips coated with abrasive material of the kind and for the purposes
just described, I so construct it. that when in operation the strip or tape previously
coated in any convenient way with glue or a suitable cement, and emery in grains
of appropriate size is gradually drawn forward between rollers, the bottom one of
which supports the back of the tape whilst the upper one of metal is provided
with a helical groove round its circumference from end to end, the groove as
well as the ridge between its adjoining threads being angular in cross section,
so that as the roller revolves in contact with, and draws forward, the prepared
surface of the tape, a number of parallel longitudinal ribs are formed upon the
latter, which when finished and dried afford an abrasive strip admirably adapted
for winding round a drum to be used for the purpose of grinding and sharpening
the teeth of cards as above described.
It is essential that the helical groove round the roller should be kept. perfectly
clean and free from abrasive material, and for this purpose I use a series of
parallel needles or suitable pointed instruments adjusted and fixed in a moveable
frame, points being pressed into the grooves between the helical thread on the
cylinder or roller; and as these cleaning needles necessarily travel longitudinally
along the cylinder as the helical thread revolves in contact with them, I arrange
a device by which when they have so travelled as far as is allowable they are
automatically brought back to the position where they originally started, and
so on at regular intervals.
I also arrange revolving brushes which come in contact with the revolving
surface of the helically grooved cylinder, and aid in keeping its surface clean,

page_text: The machine consists of a strong frame, of suitable material, preferably cast iron,
-consisting of two sides at a suitable distance apart, connected together by stays.
The upper part of this frame carries an inclined table along which the strip or
tape, previously coated with glue and emery powder in a soft or half-set state,
is made to travel, being fed in at the lower end of the table and delivered and
carried away to be dried at the upper end of the latter. This table has through
it, at a suitable part of its length, an opening through which protrudes from
below an adjustable pressure roller over the upper protruding surface of which the
prepared tape or strip passes. This roller is fixed on a transverse spindle carried
by bearings, preferably in a separate frame or beam, the lower end of which is
hinged to the table under the lower end of the latter, whilst its other end is
attached to the lower side of the table (above the part where the opening for the
roller is situated) by one or more thumbscrews, with the intervention of a block
of indiarubber so that the extent of protrusion of the roller through the opening
in the table can be exactly adjusted by compressing the indiarubber more or less.
At the sides of the upper end of the inclined table described are formed or fixed
two projecting ears or brackets, carrying a transverse pivot in which can turn
the upper end of a table somewhat resembling the lower end, but having its
working face below instead of above. Its other or lower end fits down, when in
its working position, upon the lower end of the lower table to which it can be fixed
by one or more bolts or thumbscrews.
.
"The object of this arrangement is that when necessary, by unscrewing the
thumb-screws the whole upper frame can be turned upon the hinge at its upper end,
affording free access to the surface of the lower table, to its own lower surface,
and to the parts which they respectively carry.
The upper hinged frame just described carries bearings in which turns a
transverse spindle upon which is fitted and fixed the metal helically grooved roller
already first described, the bearings being so situated that when the upper hinged
frame is fixed down in its place, the grooved roller is exactly above or opposite
to the lower supporting roller, and at such a distance from the latter that when
at work the helical grooves and rib upon its surface enter for a sufficient distance
into the still soft glue and emery and as the strip is drawn forward make a number
of parallel angular grooves of corresponding depth in the prepared surface of the
tape.
The grooved cylinder projects down for a sufficient distance through an opening
in the upper hinged table, the lower surface of which may be provided with a
removable lining which can be renewed as it is worn by the emery passing under it.
The spindle or axle of the grooved roller is made to revolve by means of a
driving pulley of suitable size actuated by a belt driven by any convenient power.
This pulley is preferably fixed upon the spindle by adjustable friction gear, the
friction of which can be varied so that it can be made just sufficient to draw
the material forward between the rollers, keeping it properly stretched, whilst if the
speed of the roller be too great the frictional connection slips, without. injuring
the material being operated on. Through brackets or ears above the upper hinged
table passes and turns a transverse spindle which is made to revolve at a moderate
speed preferably by a friction roller at one end by means of a corresponding
friction roller upon the driving axle of the grooved cylinder, and upon this trans-
verse spindle between its bearings is fitted a tube which can turn freely upon the
spindle, and can also move freely longitudinally upon the latter for a sufficient
distance backward and forward between the bearings. To this tube is firmly
fixed a loaded lever the lower end of which forms a frame in which are adjusted
and fixed side by side a sufficient number of needles or equivalent instruments
the points of which rest in and scrape clean the parallel threads of the helical
groove round the grooved cylinders.
As, however, in the arrangement described the needles are gradually traversed
endways by the helical groove in which they fit, the tube which carries them
also moving endways upon the revolving spindle which carries and turns in it

page_text: it is necessary that when the cleaning needles have so traversed for a sufficient
distance they should be returned to the point from which they started.
In order to effect this, arrange across the frame of the machine, at some
distance below but parallel with the axle of the driving shaft and grooved cylinder,
a second axle turning freely in bearings in the frame, and provided with a pulley
or disc driven preferably by friction, from a corresponding smaller friction pulley
upon the driving axle.
The loaded lever is also fitted near its lower end with a transverse spindle or bar
fixed to it, and extending laterally beyond the frames of the machine at each side.
By this spindle, the cleaning needles can be lifted out of the helical groove on the
cylinder and (together with the tube which carries them) can be moved endways
upon the spindle, which as it is continuously revolving in the tube cannot adhere
to the latter and prevent its free movement.
Upon each end of the spindle in the lower part of the frame, is fixed a cam of
suitable diameter, the speed of rotation of the cams and their exact position being
so adjusted that when it is necessary to lift and move back the cleaning needles
the cams raise the ends of the spindle carried by the loaded lever, sufficiently to
free the cleaning needles from the groove, and a lateral projection upon one of
the cams then comes in contact with the end of the spindle and moves the latter
together with the cleaning needles, loaded lever, and the tube which carries them,
endways for a sufficient distance and then allows them to descend again until the
cleaning needles again enter the helical groove round the cylinder. This operation
is repeated automatically whenever necessary.
Across the upper hinged table, are arranged, in front of and behind the helically
grooved cylinder respectively, two transverse spindles, turning in bearings and
provided with circular revolving brushes or cleaning devices, which come in
contact with the grooved cylinders and also serve to keep the groove clean. The
brush spindles are driven by friction rollers upon the driving axle, actuating
corresponding friction rollers upon the brush spindles, or by pulleys and cords
as may be found most convenient. Instead of two, three or more brushes may be
used.
The upper surface of the lower inclined table is provided with parallel guiding
strips at a suitable distance apart, between which the strip of abrasive material
passes as it enters the lower end of the machine and from which it is delivered as
it passes away at the upper end of the machine.
As the strip of coated material, upon the soft surface of which the required
angular parallel grooves have now been formed, passes away between the guides
upon the lower inclined table, its edges may be cleaned and trimmed by means
of straight or curved knife blades fixed at the edges of the said guides.
It is desirable that the revolving brushes should be kept slightly oiled, and for
this purpose I arrange a moveable and adjustable cistern or tank above and
attached to the upper hinged table, and I keep this cistern supplied with oil.
From it I lead two broad strips of fibrous and absorbent material, one to each
brush, the strips hanging over the edge of the cistern and conveying the oil to the
brushes by capillary and syphonic action.
By the machinery or apparatus described the strips of grooved abrasive material
are very quickly, effectively, and cheaply made.
The details may be modified more or less as may be found advisable to suit
varying circumstances. If, instead of a helical groove round the cylinder as
described, a series of similarly shaped parallel grooves are used, the devices for
lifting and shifting the cleaning needles or instruments are no longer necessary.
By making the entire machine or apparatus, and the helically grooved roller,
of sufficient width, long lengths of a broad material may be treated, and when the
parallel grooves (which may in such case be angular or of any other desired section)
have been formed upon their surfaces, they may be cut into sheets, and used in
the ordinary way by engineers, joiners, and others, for which they possess great

page_text: advantages as the grooves formed as described, prevent the rapid clogging and
consequent unfitness for use, which are found in such sheets as ordinarily made.
Dated this 12th day of April 1897.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for making Emery or Glass
'Cloth or Paper, and in Emery or Glass Cloth or Paper made by
such Machinery or Apparatus.
I, RICHARD JOHN EDWARDS, of Luke Street, Curtain Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, and accompanying drawing, that is to
say:
My invention relates to novel machinery or apparatus for making emery or
glass cloth or paper in lengths and more especially for making strips of abrasive
material consisting of bands or tapes of strong woven fabrics, the surface of which
is coated with emery or other suitable abrasive powder, this coating being provided
with longitudinal parallel angular ridges, and being especially useful for
sharpening the teeth of the cards used in carding engines, for which purpose the
abrasive strip is wound helically upon the circumference of a drum or cylinder
by which when set in revolution the teeth of the cards are ground and sharpened.
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of my invention.
Figures 1 and 2 are side views of a machine.
Figure 3 is a plan from above of Figure 1.
Figure 4 a similar plan with the upper hinged part removed.
Figure 5 an end view.
Figure 6 a separate view from above of the upper hinged part.
Figure 7 a separate view of the grooved roller, and
Figure 8 a plan on a larger scale of the cleaning device.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures.
Assuming that my improved machine or apparatus is to be applied to the
purpose of making strips coated with abrasive material of the kind and for the
purposes just described, I so construct it that when in operation the strip or tape
previously coated in any convenient way with glue or a suitable cement, and
emery in grains of appropriate size, is gradually drawn forward between rollers,
the bottom one of which supports the back of the tape whilst the upper one of
metal is provided with a helical groove round its circumference from end to end,
the groove as well as the ridge between its adjoining threads being angular in
cross section, so that as the roller revolves in contact with, and draws forward,
the prepared surface of the tape, a number of parallel longitudinal ribs are
formed upon the latter, which when finished and dried afford an abrasive strip
admirably adapted for winding round a drum to be used for the purpose of
grinding and sharpening the teeth of cards as above described.
It is essential that the helical groove round the roller should be kept perfectly
clean and free from abrasive material, and for this purpose I sometimes use if
necessary a series of parallel needles or suitable pointed instruments adjusted and
fixed in a movable frame, the points being pressed into the grooves between the
helical threads on the cylinder or roller; and as these cleaning needles or points

page_text: necessarily travel longitudinally along the cylinder as the helical thread revolves
in contact with them, I arrange a device by which when they have so travelled
as far as is allowable they are automatically brought, back to the position where
they originally started, and so on at regular intervals.
I also arrange revolving brushes which come in contact with the revolving
surface of the helically grooved cylinders, and aid in keeping it clean.
The machine consists of a strong frame a, of suitable material, preferably cast
iron, consisting of two sides at a suitable distance apart, connected together by
stays.
The upper part of this frame carries a table (which is preferably inclined at
a convenient angle, as shewn, or may be horizontal), along which the strip or
tape, previously coated with glue and emery powder in a soft or half-set state, is
made to travel, being fed in at the lower end of the table b and delivered and
carried away to be dried at the upper end of the latter at c. This table has
through it, at a suitable part of its length, an opening through which protrudes
from below an adjustable pressure roller d over the upper surface of which the
prepared tape or strip passes. This roller d is fixed on a transverse spindle e
carried by bearings, preferably in a separate frame or beam f, the lower end of
which is hinged at g to the table under the lower end of the latter, whilst its
other end is attached to the lower side of the table (above the part where the
opening for the roller d is situated) by one or more thumbscrews h, with the
intervention of a block of indiarubber i so that the extent of protrusion of
the roller through the opening in the table 6 can be exactly adjusted by
compressing the indiarubber i more or less by means of the thumbscrews.
At the sides of the upper end of the table 6 described, are formed or fixed two
projecting ears or brackets k¹, carrying a transverse pivot in which can turn the
upper end of a frame or table 7 somewhat resembing the lower one, but having
its working face below instead of above. Its other or lower end fits down, when
in its working position, upon the lower end of the lower table b, to which it can
be fixed by one or more bolts or thumbscrews, m, m.
The object of this arrangement is that when necessary, by unscrewing the
thumbscrews m the whole upper frame can be turned upon the hinge at its upper
en, thus affording free access to the surface of the lower table b, to its own lower
surface, and to the parts which they respectively carry.
The upper hinged frame just described carries bearings in which turns a
transverse spindle n upon which is fitted and fixed the metal helically grooved
roller o already first described, the bearings being so situated that when the
upper hinged frame is fixed down in its place, the grooved roller o is exactly
above or opposite to the lower supporting roller d, and at such a distance from
the latter that when at work the helical grooves and ribs upon its surface enter
for a sufficient distance into the still soft glue and emery, and as the strip is
drawn forward make a number of parallel angular grooves of corresponding
depth in the prepared surface of the tape.
The grooved cylinder o projects down for a sufficient distance through an
opening in the upper hinged table 7, the lower surface of which may be provided
with a removable metal or other lining which can be renewed, as it is worn by
the emery passing under it.
The spindle or axle n of the grooved roller o is made to revolve by means of a
driving pulley p of suitable size, actuated by a belt driven by any convenient
power. This pulley p is preferably fixed upon the spindle by adjustable friction
gear, the friction of which can be varied so that it can be made just sufficient
to draw the material forward between the rollers, keeping it properly stretched,
whilst if the speed of the roller be too great the frictional connection slips,
without injuring the material being operated on. Through brackets or cars r
above the upper hinged table passes and turns a transverse spindles which is
made to revolve at a moderate speed, preferably by a friction roller at one end,
by means of a corresponding friction roller upon the driving axle of the grooved

page_text: cylinder, and upon this transverse spindle s between its bearings is fitted a short.
tube (shown on a larger scale in Figure 8) which can turn freely upon the
spindle s, and can also move freely longitudinally upon the latter for a sufficient
distance backward and forward, between the bearings or brackets r. Upon this
tube u is firmly fixed or formed a loaded lever the lower end of which forms a
frame in which are adjusted and fixed side by side a sufficient number of needles,
(or equivalent instruments w, such os a steel plate having a serrated edge, as shewn
in Figure 9,) so that the points of the needles or the teeth at the edge of the plate
rest in and scrape clean the parallel threads of the helical groove round the grooved
cylinder o.
As, however, in the arrangement described the needles or cleaning teeth are
gradually traversed endways by the helical grooves on the cylinder o in which
they fit, the tube u which carries them also moving endways upon the revolving
spindle s which carries and turns in it, it is necessary that when the cleaning
needles or teeth have so traversed for a sufficient distance they should be returned
to the point from which they started.
In order to effect this, I arrange across the frame of the machine, at some
distance below, but parallel with, the axle of the driving shaft and grooved
cylinder, a second axle a turning freely in bearings in the frame a, and provided
with a pulley or disc y driven preferably by friction, from a corresponding smaller
friction pulley z upon the driving axle.
The loaded lever v is also fitted near its lower end with a transverse spindle or
bar 1 fixed to it, and extending laterally beyond the frames a of the machine
at each side. By this spindle 1, the cleaning needles or teeth can be lifted out
of the helical groove on the cylinder o and (together with the tube u which carries
them) can be moved endways upon the spindle s, which as it is continuously
revolving in the tube does not adhere to the latter or prevent its free movement.
Upon each end of the spindle in the lower part of the frame, is fixed a cam 2
and 3, of suitable diameter, the speed of rotation of the cams and their exact
position being so adjusted that when it is necessary to lift and move back the
cleaning needles or teeth w, the cams 2 and 3 raise the ends of the spindle 1
carried by the loaded lever v, sufficiently to free the cleaning needles or teeth
from the grooves, upon the cylinder o, and a lateral projection at 4 upon one of
the cams 3 then comes in contact with the end of the spindle 1 and moves the
latter, together with the cleaning needles or teeth w, the loaded lever, and the
tube which carries them, endways for a sufficient distance and then allows
them to descend again until the cleaning needles or teeth w again enter the helical
groove round the cylinder o. This operation is repeated automatically whenever
necessary.
In Figure 9 is shown a modification of the arrangement described, in which,
instead of the needles w, a plate w¹ having teeth fitting in the grooves is used.
Across the upper hinged table 1, are arranged, in front of and behind the
helically grooved cylinder o respectively, two transverse spindles 5 and 6, turning
in bearings and provided with circular revolving brushes or cleaning devices 7
and 8, which come in contact with the grooved cylinder o, and also assist to keep
the grooves clean. The brush spindles are driven by friction rollers upon the
driving axle, actuating corresponding friction rollers upon the brush spindles, or
by pulleys and cords as may be found most convenient. Instead of two, three or
more brushes may be used.
The upper surface of the lower table 6 is provided with parallel guiding strips 9
at a suitable distance apart, between which the strip of abrasive material passes
às it enters the lower end of the machine, and from which it is delivered as it
passes away at the upper end of the machine, as already described.
As the strip of coated material, upon the soft surface of which the required
angular parallel grooves have now been formed, passes away between the guides
upon the lower inclined table, its edges may be cleaned and trimmed by means

page_text: of straight or curved knife blades fixed at the edges of the said guides, but not
shown on the drawing.
It is desirable that the revolving brushes should be kept slightly oiled, and for
this purpose I arrange a moveable and adjustable cistern or tank (not shown on
the drawing) above and attached to the upper hinged table and I keep this
cistern supplied with oil.
From it I lead two broad strips of fibrous and absorbent material, one to each
brush, the strips hanging over the edge of the cistern and conveying the oil to
the brushes by capillary and syphonic action.
By the machinery or apparatus described the strips of grooved abrasive material
are very quickly, effectively and cheaply made, whilst there is practically no limit
to the length which they may be made.
The details, and the size and proportions of the several parts, may be modified
more or less as may be found advisable to suit varying circumstances. If, instead
of a helical groove round the cylinder as described, a series of similarly shaped
parallel grooves are used, the devices described for lifting and shifting the cleaning
needles or instruments are no longer necessary.
By making the entire machine or apparatus, and the grooved roller, of sufficient
width, long lengths of a broad material may be treated, and when the parallel
grooves (which may in such case be angular or of any other desired section) have
been formed upon their surfaces, they may be cut into sheets, and used in the
ordinary way by engineers, joiners, and others, for which they possess great
advantages as the grooves formed as described prevent the rapid clogging and
consequent unfitness for use, which are found in such sheets as ordinarily made.
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:-
in
1. In machinery or apparatus for making emery or glass cloth or paper
lengths, the combination, of the frame a, the table b, pressure roller d, carried by
frame f, hinged at g to the table b, adjusting screws h, and elastic block i, frame 7,
pivotted to the table b, screws m, transverse spindle and revolving helically
grooved roller o, transverse spindle s, tube u, weighted lever v, needles or teeth w
and transverse bar 1, spindle a, and cams 2 and 3, transverse spindles 5 and 6
and brushes 7 and 8, and driving pulleys, belts and friction gear, arranged and
operating substantially in the manner and for the purposes described and
illustrated.
2. In machinery or apparatus for making emery or glass cloth or paper in
lengths, the combination of a frame a, table b, pressure roller d, carried by frame f
hinged at g to the table b, adjusting screws and elastic block i, frame i pivotted
to the table b, screws m, transverse spindle n, and revolving grooved roller o,
arranged and operating substantially, as and for the purpose described and
illustrated.
3. In the machinery or apparatus described and claimed in Claim i, the
combination with the helically grooved roller o, of the transverse revolving
spindle s, tube u, weighted lever v, needles or teeth wo for cleaning the helical
grooves in the revolving roller o, and revolving cams 2 and 3, arranged and
operating substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated.
4. In the machinery or apparatus described and claimed in Claims 1 and 2,
the combination with the revolving grooved roller o, of the transverse revolving
spindles 5 and 6 and brushes 7 and 8, arranged and operating substantially as
and for the purpose described and illustrated.
5. In combination with the revolving grooved rollers o, and revolving brushes 7
and 8, means for slightly oiling the brushes, substantially as described.
6. Emery or glass cloth or paper, the abrasive surface of which is provided with
longitudinal parallel angular ridges and grooves, by means of machinery or
apparatus of the kind described and of such width that the lengths of emery or

page_text: glass cloth or paper made of it can be subsequently cut into sheets of a suitable
size to be used in the ordinary way by engineers, joiners, and others, substantially
as herein described.
Dated this 6th day of October 1897.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.