US3107945A

US3107945A - Brush making machine

Info

Publication number: US3107945A
Application number: US5409A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry B Whitman; William A Parry; Earl J Gatting; Marquis Camille
Original assignee: Fuller Brush Co Inc
Current assignee: Fuller Brush Co Inc
Priority date: 1960-01-29
Filing date: 1960-01-29
Publication date: 1963-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1980-10-22

Description

H. B. WHITMAN IETAL 3,107,945

Oct. '22, 1963 I BRUSH MAKING MACHINE ts-sheet l NTORS HENRY a- WHITMAN RARRY J- GATTING M A. CAMILLE MARQUIS ATTORNEYS EARL. WILLJA 70% Hflc BRUSH MAKING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 29, 1960 Oct. 22, 1963 H. B. WHITMAN ETAL BRUSH MAKING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 29, 1960 l Edi United States Patent 3,107,945 BRUSH MAKING MAQHINE Henry B. Whitman, Windsor, William A. Parry, Wethersfield, Earl .I. Gattirig, Windsor, and Camille Marquis, Suilield, Conn, assignors to The Fuller Brush Company, East Hartford, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Filed Jan. 29, 1950, Ser. No. 5,409 25 Qlaims. (Cl. 3fi02) The invention relates to machines for making brushes or brush elements wherein the brush fibers are arranged transversely in relatively thin layers of indeterminate length and wherein the fibers in said layers are engaged and held by at least one retaining member extending lengthwise of the layer.

An example of a brush element of this type is shown in the patent to Henry Cave 1,871,775, issued August 16, 1932, wherein a longitudinal layer of fibers is held by a longitudinal channel-shaped member and by a longitudinal core wire within said channel-shaped member. The Jones and Le Febvre Patent 2,310,897 shows another example of a brush element of the type above mentioned, this element including a longitudinal layer of fibers held by two longitudinal wires which are relatively twisted to hold the fibers.

In a machine of the type illustrated in the Cave patent transverse brush fibers and a longitudinal core wire are inserted into a longitudinal channel-shaped backing member preferably formed from metallic stock and the fibers are at the same time folded about the core wire. After the fibers have been so folded and have been inserted into the backing member with the core wire, the sides of the backing member are bent inwardly to lock the fibers and the wire therein. Such a machine is adapted for making a brush element of indeterminate length, but the picker disc of the machine is restricted as to speed of operation and it does not always provide an entirely uniform fiber layer and may be otherwise objectionable.

The reciprocating slicing knife of the Jones et al. patent has many advantages over the rotary picker disc, but the length of the brush or brush element is limited by the ength of reciprocatory movement of the knife. It is, accordingly, the general object of the present invention to provide a brush making machine having the advantages of a slicing knife but not limited or restricted as to the length of the brush or brush element that may be made. In accordance with the invention, a stationary fiber magazine is provided and a reciprocable slicing knife is provided which serves to slice off layers of fibers during its forward strokes which sliced layers of fibers are received by a transfer device positioned below the magazine and are discharged by said device onto an endless conveyor so as to form on said conveyor a continuous layer of fibers of indeterminate length.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for controlling the slicing of the fiber layers, this means being particularly useful in a machine such as last above set forth, but not necessarily so limited.

Further and more specific objects of the invention are to provide various features of structure and mechanism for assisting in the attaining ofthe above-stated more general objects.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and from the following description and claims.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention and such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

"ice

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a brush making machine incorporating the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the upper central portion of the brush making machine shown in FIG. 1 with the fiber magazine empty.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 in FIGS. 1 and 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGS. 7 to 12 are sequential views illustrating the operation of a portion of the brush making machine as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, FIG. 7 being a front elevational view, partly in section, showing the positions of the slicing knife and the transfer device with respect to the magazine and the conveyor immediately after the start of the forward stroke of the slide assembly.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the relative positions of the various parts at the mid-point of the forward stroke of the slide assembly.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the relative positions of the various parts at the end of the forward stroke of the slide assembly.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the relative positions of the various parts immediately after the start of the backward stroke of the slide assembly.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the relative positions at the various parts at an intermediate position during the backward stroke of the slide assembly.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the relative positions of the various parts at the end of the backward stroke of the slide assembly.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of part of the brush making machine of FIG. 1 showing the relative position of the wire tensioning device with respect to the slide assembly at the end of the slicing stroke.

FIG. 14 is a schematic View similar to that of FIG. 13 showing the relative position of the tensioning device at the end of the backward stroke of the slide assembly.

General Organization The general organization of the brush making machine is shown in FIGS. v1 and 2. The machine comprises a tablelike support structure or frame 10 upon which are mounted the various machine components and the driving means therefor.

- Flat metallic stock 12 from which the required longitudinal channel-shaped backing member is to be formed is withdrawn from a coil 14 positioned adjacent the left end of the frame 11 and carried by a rotatable reel 15 supported on a pedestal 16. From the coil 14 the stock 12 passes between two forming

rolls

18, 18* mounted on parallel shafts 2d, Zii extending from a gear housing 22. The gear housing is mounted on the top surface 24 of the tablelike frame It; and adjacent the left end thereof. The

rolls

18, 18 like the rolls of the Cave patent, are shaped so as to form the flat stock 12 into a U-shaped channel member 26 as it passes therebetween.

After being shaped by the rolls 1%, m the backing member 26 passes longitudinally to the opposite or right end of the frame 10, and while it so moves a longitudinal layer of transverse brush fibers is deposited upon it and a longitudinal brush core wire is laid upon the layer of fibers, all as hereinafter explained in detail. Near the right end of the machine, a suitable device Tait operates to fold the fibers around the wire and to insert the folded fibers and the core wire into the channel-shaped member 26. A closing mechanism 28 including oppositely disposed rolls 142 serves to inwardly bend the sides of said member 26 to lock the fibers and core wire in place.

Between the rolls 13, 13 and the closing mechanism 28 there is provided a conveyor 3% continuously movable longitudinally of the machine. The conveyor is adapted to carry a longitudinal fiber layer disposed thereupon as hereinafter explained. In preferred form the conveyor comprises two parallel

endless chains

32, 32 which are engaged with

sprocket wheels

34, 34 on a shaft 158 and with

sprocket wheels

35, 35 on an idler shaft 35*. The

chains

32, 32 have uniformly spaced

spikes

33, 33 thereon for insuring movement of the fibers in parallelism with each other and in unison with the chains. As shown, the upper runs of the conveyor chains move toward the right and it will be understood that when the direction of conveyor movement is hereinafter mentioncd reference is made to the said upper run. The upper runs of the

chains

32, 32 are closely spaced and they are at opposite sides of the channel-shaped member 26 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The upper runs of the

chains

32, 32 and also the member-26 are supported on a stationary guide bar 36.

A stationary magazine 49 is provided above the conveyor 3G for holding fibers 38 which are to be used in making the brush element. As used herein, the term fibers is intended to be generic and to include any usual or suitable brush filaments or material. The magazine 44 is positioned at the upper central portion of the machine, and it is adapted for containing an uninterrupted mass of parallel and horizontal fibers transversely disposed therein. The magazine has transversely extending vertical side walls a1 and 41 and a vertical rear wall 42, but it is open at the top and at the bottom. As shown, there is also provided a central transverse vertical partition 41*. For facilitating the replenishment of the fibers 38, the magazine 46 is also open at the front so that the mass of fibers is exposed at the front. Suitable weights 43 are provided within the magazine 40 to bear upon the upper surface of the fibers 38 to keep them closely packed together as a relatively thick uninterrupted mass. When additional fibers are to be inserted, the weights 43 are lifted and additional fibers are placed on top of those remaining within the magazine. The front ends of the fibers 33 at the open front side of the magazine are in a vertical longitudinal plane.

Mechanism for Slicing and Transferring Fiber Layers Below the magazine 46 means are provided for periodically slicing off layers of fibers from the mass of fibers 33 in the magazine. This slicing means may have utility apart from the conveyor, but a conveyor is ordinarily preferred and the transfer means is adapted to serve for transferring the sliced layers to the continuously movable conveyor.

As shown in the drawings, the slicing means comprises a longitudinally reciprocable slide assembly generally indicated at 44. The assembly has forward and backward strokes during each reciprocation, the movement toward the right being hereinafter referred to as the forward stroke and the movement toward the left being hereinafter referred to as the backward stroke.

The slide assembly 44 includes a body 46 mounted for longitudinal reciprocatory movement which movement is preferably rectilinear. Suitable stationary guide means (not shown) engage the body 46 at its lower edge. At one end, shown as being the left end, the slide 46 is connected by a link 56 to a lever 58 pivotally mounted at 59 on a bracket 69 carried by the frame 1%. A cam follower 61 is carried by the lever 53 above the pivotal axis as 59, and said cam follower engages a heart-shaped cam track in a cam 62 carried by a rotatable shaft extending from a housing 66 within which there is a suitable power transmitting mechanism for rotating said shaft. Rotation of the cam 62 causes the lever 53 to oscillate about its pivotal axis at 59 and to longitudinally reciprocate the slide assembly 44. The shape of the cam track is preferably such that the speed of movement of the slide assembly is substantially uniform in each direction.

A fiber slicing knife -68 is included in the slide assembly 44, said knife having a forwardly facing slicing point or edge 69. The knife is shown as being located between and carried by two vertical longitudinal plates 79, 76 fixedly connected to the slide body 46. A spacer plate 71 may be provided between the plates 76, 7t and below the knife 53. The plates 76, 7t and 71 are shown'as connected with the body 46 by means of

screws

72, 72 and

spacers

73, 73. The knife 68 is so positioned that its central longitudinal plane'bisects the fibers in the magazine. Additionally, the knife is so positioned with respect to the slide that its slicing edge 6% serves during the forward reciprocatory strokes of the slide assembly to slice off individual layers of fibers from the mass of' fibers in the magazine 48. The fiber layers are designated as 74 in i lGS. 7 to 12. It will be observed that the direction of the forward strokes is toward the right, the

same as the direction of movement of the conveyor 30. The top surface 69 of the knife is preferably at a level slightly above the level of the slicing edge 69, and this surface se constitutes a supporting surface for those fibers 38 in the magazine which are behind the forwardly moving slicing edge. To the right of the knife 68, the slide body 46 carries a plate 114 which is joined to the said body by screws 117 and spacers 119. The plate 114 has a horizontal top surface 114* which supports some of the fibers 38 in the magazine that are ahead of the forwardly moving knife edge 59.

In accordance with one phase of the invention, the relatively short fiber layers 74- that are periodically sliced by the knife 68 from the fiber mass in the magazine 40 are received by a transfer device having a movable surface which is preferably an endless surface. Preferably, this surface is movable in a continuous path. The transfer device is shown as being carried by and bodily movable with the slide body 46 of the slide assembly so that the movable surface thereof receives the fiber layers 74 during the forward slicing strokes.

Preferably, the fiber layers received on the said surface of the transfer device are transferred from said surface onto the oonveyor 30 so as to form thereon a single continuous fiber :layer of indefinite length. The transfer device receives the sliced fiber layers 74 during the forward strokes of the slide assembly and it is then movable to transfer the fiber layers onto the conveyor 30. Preferably, the transfer device serves to discharge said sliced layers of fibers onto the conveyor 30 during the backward strokes of the slide assembly.

As shown, the transfer device includes a rotatable wheel 78 which is carried by and is bodily movable with the knife 68 and which is also rotatable relatively thereto about a transverse horizontal axis. The wheel has a pee ripher-al cylindrical surface 79 which is closely adjacent the slicing edge 69 of the knife. Said surface 79 constitutes the before mentioned continuous surface for receiving the sliced fiber layers 74.

As the knife 68 is moved toward the right the wheel 7 is bodily moved with it and the wheel is so rotated counterclockwise that the peripheral speed toward the left and relatively to the slide 46 is at least approximately equal to the speed of the slide toward the right. The peripheral speed referred to is that at the center of the fiber layer 74. In effect, there is a rolling movement of the wheel along the bottom of the fiber mass in the magazine. The thickness of each fiber layer is determined by the spacing between the knife edge 69 and the wheel surfaces 79, 79'

and each layer is engaged with and moved by said surfaces. The circumference of the wheel 78 at the

surfaces

79, 79

thereof is considerably more than twice the length of a sliced fiber layer 74.

Preferably, uniformly spaced spikes 84- are provided on the surface 79, and as the wheel rolls along the mass of fibers in the magamne the spikes enter said mass to retain the fibers and to prevent shifting thereof as the knife advances. It will be observed that during the forward strokes the fibers at the forward side of the knife are supported in part by the wheel surface 79 and in part by the surface 114* on the plate "114. The

walls

41, 41 and 41 of the magazine have

notches

85, 85 which provide clearance for the knife 68 and associated parts and also for the upper portion of the wheel 78 and the

spikes

84, 84 thereon.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wheel 78 is fixedly mounted on a short transverse shaft 8%) joulrnaled in the upper portion of the said body 46. The shaft 86' is so located in the slide body 46 that the axis of the wheel 78 is preferably spaced forwardly from a vertical line through the slicing edge 69 of the knife 68, and the shaft is further so located that said peripheral surface 79 is spaced from said slicing edge 69 of the knife by a distance equal to the thickness of the fiber layers 74 to be sliced. The wheel 78 is of such size and its axis is so located that the

surfaces

79, 79 at the bottom of the wheel are at a level only slightly above the level of the conveyor 30.

Preferably, the wheel 7 8 has two

separate surfaces

79, 79 which are spaced apart transversely so as to be at opposite sides of the knife. The

surfaces

79, 79 are preferably more closely spaced than the conveyor chains 32', 32 as shown in FIG. 4. The

surfaces

79, 79 are therefore out of register with the conveyor chains but this is not essential. As shown, the wheel 78 has an annular groove 8-1 between the

surfaces

79, 79, the purpose of the groove being fully described hereinafter.

An a-rcuate guide element is provided which is concentric with the axis of the wheel 78 and which is spaced from the

surfaces

79, 79 by a distance equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the fiber layers. Preferably and as shown, this guide element comprises arcuate edges 82 on the plates 7%, 7d. The outer peripheral surfaces 79, 7? of the wheel 78 and the arcuate front edges 82 of the

plates

79, 78 provide an arcuate passageway W through which the layers of fibers are connected from a position adjacent and below the knife to a position adjacent and above the conveyor 3%. The rotation of the wheel 7 3 causes the movement of the fiber layers through this channel.

For a purpose to be more fully set forth, the guide plates 7 6, 76 preferably carry a lever 92 pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 94 and having an end portion or finger Q3 extending toward the right beyond the plates. By means of a spring 96 the lever 2 is biased in the direction to move the finger 98 upwardly. A stop pin 93 limits movement of the lever by the spring. The finger 98 of the lever 92 is centrally located between the two rows of

spikes

84, 84 on the wheel 78 and is between the rows of spikes 33, 33- on the

chains

32, 32 and is therefore free to move upwardly and downwardly. As each fiber layer moves beyond the arcuate plate edges 82, it is retained and pressed against the wheel surfaces 79, 79 by said finger 98.

As shown in FTGS. l and 3, a shoe 91 is provided at the bottom of the

plates

79, 71, 7G for entering the channelshaped strip 26. This shoe insures alignment of the strip with the device 149 that subsequently presses the fibers and the core wire into said strip. The shoe further insures engagement of the strip with the guide bar 36 so that said strip will be at the proper level and will not interfere with the engagement of the fiber layers with the chain as hereinafter described.

The slide assembly 44- is provided with

movable lifters

122, 122 adjacent the wheel 78 and the knife 63 and with means for raising the lifters during the backward strokes of the slide assembly and for lowering the lifters during the forward strokes thereof. These lifters serve during the backward strokesto hold the fibers in the magazine out of positions in which they would be engaged by the spikes 84-, 84 on the'whe el 7 8. As shown, there are two

lifters

122, 122 at opposite sides of the plate 114. These lifters are shown as being pivotally mounted adjacent their centers on a pivot pin 1.23 as shown in FIG. 5. The lifters may be provided with arcuately shaped

top edge portions

124, 124 immediately adjacent the sides of the wheel 78. Pivotal movement of the

lifters

122, 122 is effected by a solenoid 126 mounted on theslide body 46. The armature 128 of the solenoid is secured to a crossrod 131? connected with the

lifters

122, 122. The solenoid is adapted to be actuated by suitable control means (not shown) so .as to move the right ends of the lifters 122, i122 downwardly and so as to raise the portions 12d, 124 thereof to their uppermost position. The

lifter portions

124, 124 are raised by the solenoid during the backward strokes of the assembly and are lowered by gravity or otherwise during the forward strokes of the assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 12, it will be observed that the wheel 78 is rotated counterclockwise during each forward stroke of the slide assembly so as to receive and partly transfer each fiber layer 74 as it is sliced by the knife 68. it will be further observed that the wheel 7 8 is also rotated counterclockwise during each return or backward stroke of the slide ssembly so as to discharge the sliced fiber layer into the conveyor 3%).

Means is provided for effecting the said counterclockwise rotation of the wheel 73 during the forward strokes of the slide assembly. This means may be widely varied but it is shown as including a drive disc 10% rotatable with the wheel and preferably secured on the opposite end of the shaft on the back side of the slide body 46, as shown in'FIG. 4, and said mechanism further includes devices whereby the drive disc is caused to be effective during each forward stroke and ineffective during each backward stroke. The disc 1th may be provided at its periphery with a layer of material 102 having a high coefficient of friction. When a friction wheel is provided, it has a radius approximately equal to the radius at the center of a fiber layer on the

surfaces

79, 79 of the wheel 78. A longitudinal bar 104- is provided which is movable into and out of engagement with the wheel. As shown, the bar 164- is pivotally mounted at its left end 1% and it has its right end 168 fixed to the armature 110 of a solenoid 112. A suitable control means (not shown) is provided to cause the solenoid 112 to pull the bar 104- dow-nwardly into engagement with the drive disc at the beginning of each forward stroke of the slide assembly. The bar 104 is moved upwardly 'by means of a spring or otherwise at the end of each forward stroke of the slide assembly so as to be out of engagement with the disc 1100-. Forward movement of the slide body 45 and of the drive disc 1% while said drive disc is engaged by the bar 164- causes counterclockwise rotation of the drive disc 100 and the shaft 86 and the wheel 78.

Counterclockwise rotation of the wheel 7 8 during each backward stroke of the slide assembly is shown as being effected in part by the core wire 132 that :is used in making the brush element. The core wire is supplied from a coil 133 on a reel 134 located at the right of the frame. The wire 132 passes from the coil upwardly through a guide tube 136 mounted on an arm 131 secured to right end portion of the main slide or slide body 46. From the guide tube 136 the wire passes through suitable control mechanism on the arm 131. The core wire control mechanism can be widely varied as to its details of construction, but as shown it includes a slidable tension block 138 which fric-tionally engages the wire. The tension block is secured to a control slide 139 which is longitudinally movable with respect to the arm 131 and therefore with respect to the main slide. A tension spring .141 is connected at one end to the control slide139, and is connected at the other end to a post 143 fixed on the arm 131. This spring biases the block for movement toward snoasss the right or in the forward direction. The friction between the jaws of the tension block 1138 and the core wire 132 is sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring 141 and to move the block toward the left or in the backward direction against the bias of the spring upon movement of the core wire in the backward direction. A stop 145 on the arm 131 limits movement of the control slide 139 in the backward direction. From the control mechanism the wire passes through a groove 114 in the plate 114- as shown in FIG. 5, and it then passes around the central portion of the wheel 78, the wire being entered in the before mentioned groove 81. The radius of the wheel at the groove 81 is such that the wire does not substantially interfere with a fiber layer 74 engaged with said wheel surfaces 79, 79.

The core wire 132 first engages the wheel 73 below the layer of fibers that is being sliced, this being apparent from FIGS. 7 arid 8. As the fiber layer 74 is engaged by the

surfaces

79, 79, the wire 132 is always at the inner side of the layer. As the core wire 132 comes oh" the wheel 78 at the bottom thereof it is positioned above the fiber layer 74 that is being deposited onto the conveyor. Below the wheel 7 3 and rat the right thereof the core wire 132 moves toward the right in unison with the conveyor 3%, being locked into the ,moving backing member 26 by means of the brush closing mechanism 28'. Because of its circumferential engagement with the wheel '78 at the groove 81 thereof, the wire 132 causes counterclockwise rotations of the wheel 7 8 during bodily movement thereof toward the left. In effect, the wheel rolls toward the left along the wire 132 which is moving toward the right.

Drive Mechanism Power for operating the machine is supplied by a motor 146 mounted on a platform 148 supported by the frame ll). Means is provided for'operating the machine at different speeds, and when the several parts are driven directly by a motor such as 1%, said motor is of the variable speed type.

From a sprocket wheel 147 on the motor shaft, power is transmitted through an endles chain 154 to a large sprocket wheel on a shaft 151 projecting from a gear housing 152. From the gear housing 152 power is transmitted through an endless chain 16% to a large sprocket wheel 156 mounted on the before mentioned horizontal shaft 153, said shaft being rotatable in suitable bearings on the frame. As before stated, the driving

sprockets

34, 34 for the

endless chains

32, 32 are mounted on the shaft 158 and rotation of the shaft serves to move the conveyor chains.

Power is transmitted from the shaft 158 through a r sprocket wheel 15f on the shaft and through a chain 159 to a sprocket wheel 16?. on a shaft 162 projecting from the housing 66 which carries the cam shaft 64. The before mentioned power transmitting mechanism within the housing as is a variable speed mechanism (not shown) interposed between the shaft carrying the sprocket wheel and said shaft 64.

Power is also transmitted from the shaft 158 through a. sprocket wheel 163 on the shaft and a chain 164 to the gear housing 22 for the rolls 2% and The rolls 142, 142 of the closing mechanism are driven from a motor driven sprocket wheel 165 through an endless chain 166 and through a sprocket wheel 167 and through bevel gears 168 and 169.

During each cycle of the machine, the shaft 64 makes one rotation and the slide assembly makes one reciprocation. The

sprocket wheels

34,34 for the conveyor chains are of such size that during each cycle the

chains

32, 32 are moved through a distance at least approximately equal to the internal longitudinal width of the magazine, that is, through a distance at least approximately equal to the length of each sliced fiber layer 74.

Tamping Mechanism I A tamping mechanism is preferably provided for alignn :1? ing the ends of the fibers 38 after they have been deposited on the conveyor 30. This mechanism is shown as being driven through a sprocket wheel 171 on the motor shaft, an endless chain 17% and an eccentrically connected link 72. The link 172 is connected to a vertically reciprocable rod 174 which is connected through

links

175, 173 to oppositely disposed pivoted paddles 173. Vertical reciprocation of the rod 174 moves the paddles toward and away from each other causing them to engage any projecting fibers and properly align the ends of the fibers prior to their being acted upon by the brush closing mechanism.

More Specific Description of Manner of Operation in more specifically describing the manner of operation, reference will be made more particularly to FIGS. 7 to 12 of the drawings.

The inside longitudinal width of the magazine 40 is designated as A. The length of each sliced fiber layer 74 is at least approximately the same as the magazine width and this layer length will be assumed to be also A. The leading end of each fiber layer is designated as B and the trailing end is designated as C. The total distance of reciprocation of the slide assembly is designated as D.

FIG. 7 shows the positions of the various parts immediately after the start of the forward stroke of the slide assembly 44. The slicing edge 69 of the knife 63 is at the left side of the magazine 4-0 and is in position to start the slicing of a layer of fibers.

As hereinafter more fully explained, FIG. 12 shows the parts at the end of the backward stroke. In the FIG. 12 positions the

lifter portions

124, 124 are still in their upper positions to prevent premature entry of fibers between the spikes 84, $4 on the wheel 78. As the parts move from the FIG. 12 position to the PEG. 7 position, the lifter portions 12 124 are lowered by the action of the solenoid so as to permit fibers to move downwardly between the spikes 84-, 8'4 and below the slicing edge of the knife.

In the FIG. 7 position, the fibers in the magazine are supported by the surfaces 79, 7h on the wheel 78 and by the surface 114* on the plate 114. The trailing end C of the next preceding fiber layer 74 on the conveyor is located approximately vertically below the center of the magazine All. The core wire 132 is entered in the groove 81 in the wheel 73, and the wire 132 at the bottom extends toward the right and is incorporated in the finished brush strip so that said lower portion of the wire 7 moves toward the right with the conveyor.

As the slide assembly 2-4 moves toward the right as in the magazine 4%. As the layer of fibers is so sliced,

it is received by the endless surface of the transfer device, this surface being shown as being the peripheral surface or surfaces 79, 79 on the wheel 78. The illustrated 'means for rotating the wheel 78 during each forward or slicing stroke comprises the friction disc 1% and the bar 116%. At the beginning of the slicing stroke, the bar 104 is engaged with the disc flit] and the wheel 78 is rotated at such a speed that there is a rolling action of the upper portion of the wheel 7% relatively to the fibers in magazine 4-9. Otherwise stated, the peripheral speed at the top of the wheel relative to the slide and toward the left is equal to the speed of bodily slide movement toward the right. As before stated, the wheel 78 supports the fibers during slicing and the

spikes

84, 84 thereon prevent shifting of the fibers toward the right as the knife advanccs.

The radius of the disc 1130' may be slightly 'less than the radius at the center of the sliced layer so that the wheel 78 is rotated a little faster than required for a true rolling action. This faster rotation may more effectively present the fiber to the knife. However, for purposes of convenient description, it will be assumed that there is a true rolling action and that the length of each fiber layer is the same as the longitudinal width of the maga zme.

As shown in FIG. 8, the slide assembly is in mid-position and about one-half of the fiber layer 74- has been sliced and has been entered in the passageway 90 formed by the edges 82 of the

guide plates

70, 70 and by the wheel 78. The forward portion or the partially sliced layer is approximately vertical and the wire 132 is between the fiber layer and the wheel.

As shown in FIG. 9, the layer 74 has been completely sliced, and the slicing edge 69 of the knife '68 has moved slightly beyond the magazine. It has been stated that the circumference of the wheel 78 is considerably more than twice the length A of the fiber layer 74. This increased circumference is necessitated in part by the overtravel of the slide and knife from the end of the backward stroke as shown in FIG. 12 to the end of the forward stroke as shown in FIG. 9.

Upon reaching the FIG. 9 positions or shortly before reaching said positions, the bar 104 is lifted by the solenoid 112 so as to tree the wheel 78 from any control by the friction disc The trailing end C of the newly sliced fiber layer 74 is below the right end of the maga- Zinc 40 and the leading end B of said layer has not reached its lowermost position. The

lifter portions

124, 124 remain in their lower positions, this being necessary as lifting of said portions would disturb the trailing end portion of the newly sliced fiber layer.

At or about the time that the parts reach the FIG. 9 positions, the solenoid 112 acts to lift the bar 104 out of engagement with the friction disc 109 so that the wheel 78 and the disc 104} are free to rotate independently of said bar. The lower portion of the wire 132. is always moving toward the right at the speed of the conveyor and the wire acts to continue the counterclockwise rotation of the wheel 78 as soon as the wheel is released by the lifting of the bar 164. The wire so acts by reason of its engagement with the wheel 78 at the groove 81.

FIG. 10 shows the slide assembly in a position toward the left from that shown in FIG. 9, the backward stroke having started and the slicing edge 69 of the knife being at or near the right side 'of the magazine. At the FIG. 10 positions the wire 132 has turned the wheel 78 to ad- Vance the newly sliced layer so that its trailing end C is beyond the

lifter portions

124, 124, and said litter portions have been raised by the action of the solenoid 126.

The turning of the wheel 78 to the FIG. 10 position has moved the fiber layer to the position wherein its leading end B is at or very near the bottom of the wheel. The leading portion of said fiber layer has been engaged by the finger 98 of the lever 92. Said finger has compressed the layer and is holding it in firm engagement with the

surfaces

79, 79 of the wheel 73. The leading portion of the fiber layer 74 on the wheel has been completely inverted, and the wire 132 is above the layer. The timing is such that the leading end B of the fiber layer on the whee-l is in vertical register with the trailing end C of the next previously discharged layer on the conveyor. As the wheel 78 rolls toward the left and along the wire 132, the fiber layer is progressively discharged from the wheel and onto the conveyor. The discharge of the layer progresses in the backward direction notwithstanding the fact that the conveyor is moving forwardly.

FIG. 11 shows the parts at an intermediate position during the backward stroke and the wheel 78 has rolled backwardly or toward the left along the wire 132. As successive portions of the fiber layer on the wheel have passed the end of the finger 98, they have been transferred onto the conveyor and have been added to the continuous layer of fibers thereon. The slide assembly has moved through about two-thirds of its backward lb stroke, and the entire layer has been transferred from the wheel and onto the conveyor, the trailing end of the transferred layer being shown at C.

FIG. 12 shows the parts at the end of the backward stroke. The wire 132 has continued to rotate the wheel and the trailing end C of the transferred layer has moved to a new position toward the right, this position being at or near the center of the magazine. It will be observed that during the backward stroke the wheel 78 has been rotated to a considerably greater extent than during the forward stroke. During the forward slicing stroke, the top periphery of the wheel moves backwardly relatively to the slide approximately through the distance D which is the length of the stroke. During the backward stroke, the bottom periphery of the wheel would have moved forwardly relatively to the slide through said distance D if the wire 132 were stationary, but the wire is not stationary and, during the "backward stroke, it has moved toward the right through one-half of the distance A which is the length of a fiber layer. Therefore, the extent of rotation of the Wheel 78 during the backward stroke is considerably greater than the extent of rotation during the forward stroke.

It will be understood that the indicated positions'of the last transferred fiber layer 74 on the conveyor and the indicated positions of the newly sliced fiber layer 74- on the wheel are only approximate and are not critical. Referring particularly to FIG. 10, it will be apparent that the leading end B of the newly sliced fiber layer on the wheel will always be in the same position in successive cycles. The conveyor moves through the distance A during each cycle and the leading end of the newly transferred layer is moved toward the right through said distance A. The result is that the trailing end C of each newly transferred layer is always in the same location when the various parts of the machine again reach the FIG. 10 positions.

it has been assumed that the length of each fiber layer is exactly equal to the longitudinal width A of the magazine. However, the magazine width may vary slightly from the width that was intended or the speed of the wheel '78 during slicing may be such that there is a small variation from a true rolling action. On account of factors such as the foregoing it may be desirable to vary the rate of slide reciprocation relatively to the fixed speed of the conveyor 30. This may be done by means of the variable speed mechanism in the box 66. This mechanism is of the type adapted to provide small speed variations as required.

it has been stated that the machine has one cycle during each rotation of the cam shaft 64. Ordinarily the conveyor moves through the distance A during each cycle, but if the fiber layer length is, for example, slightly less than A, then the shaft 64 must be rotated more rapidly relatively to the conveyor so that more of the shorter layers will be discharged onto the conveyor within a specified time. This makes it possible for the shorter layers to be discharged in end-to-end relationship and without spaces between them.

Sometimes spaces between successive fiber layers are necessary or desirable. In such a case the cam shaft 54 may be rotated at a lower speed to enable the trailing end C of each layer on the conveyor to move beyond the position at which the leading end B of the next layer is deposited onto the conveyor.

Description of Manner of Operation of Wire Control 'Mechanism As has been stated, the core wire 132; is supplied from a coil 133 on a reel 13d at the right of the machine. The wire passes through a guide tube 136 on an arm 131 carried by the main slide 46. Carried by the arm 131 are the

parts

133, 139, 141 and 145 which constitute the wire control mechanism.

The feeding and control of the core wire 132 will best has! i. be understood by reference to F163. 13, 14 and 1. FIG. 13 shows the parts in their relative positions at the end of the forward stroke, this view corresponding to 9. FIG. 14 shows the parts in their relative positions at the end of the backward stroke, this view corresponding to PEG. 12. FIG. 1 shows the parts in intermediate positions.

The net wire requirement during each cycle or each complete reciprocation is a length A which is the length of a fiber layer. During the backward stroke of the slide assembly 44 from the FIG. 13 position to the FIG. 14 position, the slide assembly moves toward the left through the distance D which is the length of the stroke. During the backward stroke the wire control mechanism moves with the slide assembly and there is no requirement for additional wire at the top. The slide assembly moves backwardly or toward the left through the distance D relatively to the stationary parts of the machine and thus requires a length D of additional wire at the bottom. Furthermore, the wire at the bottom is moved toward the right during the backward stroke, the extent of rovement being one-half A. Therefore the total wire with drawn through said control mechanism during the backward stroke is The total net wire requirement is A, as previously stated, and the length of wire withdrawn therefore exceeds the net requirement by During each forward stroke from the PEG. 14 position to the H6. 13 position, it is necessary for the control mechanism to take up a length of wire equal to the above stated excess.

Referring to PEG. 13, the wire withdrawn during each backward stroke initially moves the control slide 13% toward the left and so moves it until the slide has moved and has engaged the step. 145. The spring 1141 has been correspondingly extended. Thereafter, a wire length A is drawn through the tension block 133, this being the net requirement for one cycle. The total ength of wire withdrawn toward the left is as previously stated. The spring 1.41 maintains tension during part of the movement and the tension block 133 maintains tension during the remainder of the movement.

During the next following slicing or forward stroke, the spring 1143 moves the control slide 193 and the tension block 138 and the wire 132 forwardly relatively to the arm 131 through this being the length of wire that must be taken up during the slicing or forward stroke. While the excess wire is being taken up during the slicing or forward stroke, as above described, the wheel '73 is being rotated by the friction disc 162i), and the wire 132 slips in the relatively clockwise direction along the groove 81. The spring R41 acts during the entire forward stroke and it moves the block 138 and the control slide 13$ to the positions shown in FIG. 13. The slide 139 is then properly spaced from the stop 145 and is ready for the next return stroke. FIG. 1 shows the parts in a position between those of FIG. 13 and those of FIG. 14. The slide assembly has moved through about one-fourth of its total slicing movement toward the right and the slide 139 has relatively loved toward the right through about one-fourth of its total relative movement.

The invention claimed is: 1. In a brush making machine, the combination of a magazine for containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, a knife having a slicing edge disposed adjacent the bottom of said magazine, means for effecting relative generally longitudinal movement between said magazine and knife edge in one and an opposite direction, the extent of said relative movement being at least approximately as great as the longitudinal extent of said mass of fibers in said magazine whereby longitudinally elongated layers of fibers are intermittently sliced from the bottom of said mass with the length of each layer approximately equal to said longitudinal extent of said mass, a conveyor located below the magazine and movable continuously in a generally longitudinal direction at a predetermined speed, a transfer device located between the magazine and the conveyor and having an outer movable surface with a portion thereof adjacent said knife during slicing, and means for moving the transfer device to receive on said surface thereof a fiber layer sliced during a relative movement of the knife and magazine and to thereafter discharge said fiber layer from said surface onto the continuously movable conveyor, the last said means being timed for so moving the transfer device that said surface thereof moves at least approximately at the same speed as the conveyor during the discharge of each layer.

2. in a brush making machine, the combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for moving the transfer device is constructed and arranged to discharge each fiber layer onto the conveyor with its leading end in abutting relationship with the trailing end of the next previously discharged layer on the conveyor.

3. in a brush making machine as set forth in claim 1, the combination wherein the means for moving the trans for device is constructed and arranged to discharge each fiber layer onto the conveyor during a period of time substantially less than that required for the conveyor to move through a distance equal to the length of a fiber layer.

4. in a brush making machine, the combination of a magazine for containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, a knife having a slicing edge disposed adjacent the bottom of said magazine, means for effecting successive relative generally longitudinal movements between said magazine and knife edge in one and an opposide direction, the extent of said relative movements being at least approximately as great as the longitudinal extent of said mass of fibers in said magazine whereby a longitudinally elongated layer of fiber is sliced from the bottom of said mass during each relative knife and magazine movement in one direction with the layer approximately equal to said longitudinal extent of said mass, a conveyor located below the magazine and movable continuously in a generally longitudinal direction at a predetermined speed, a transfer device located between the magazine and the conveyor and having an outer movable surface with a portion thereof adjacent the path of movement of the said knife during slicing, and means for moving the transfer device to receive on said surface thereof a fiber layer sliced during a relative movement of the knife and magazine in one direction and to thereafter discharge said fiber layer from said surface onto the continuously movable conveyor in the direction of conveyor movement, the last said means being timed for so moving the transfer device that layers of fibers thereon are deposited on the conveyor during relative knife and magazine movements in said opposite direction. i

5. in a brush making machine, the combination of a magazine for containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, a knife having a slicing edge disposed adjacent the bottom of said magazine, means for reciprocating said knife generally longitudinally to provide successive slicing and return strokes thereof, said knife edge serving during slicing strokes to slice olf layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in said magazine, a conveyor located below the magazine and movable continuously in a generally longitudinal direction at a predeternnned speed, a transfer device located between the magazine and the conveyor and having an outer movable surface with a portion thereof adjacent the path of movement of said knife during slicing, and means for moving the transfer device to receive on said surface thereof a fiber layer sliced during a slicing stroke of the knife and to thereafter discharge said fiber layer from said surface onto the continuously movable conveyor, the last said means being timed for so moving the transfer device that said surface thereof moves at the same speed as the conveyor during the discharge of each layer, and the last said means being further timed to so move said transfer device that said surface thereof receives each fiber layer during each slicing stroke of the knife and discharges the received layer onto the conveyor during the next following return stroke of the knife.

6. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 5, the combination wherein the means for moving the transfer device is constructed and arranged to so move the device that said surface thereof discharges each fiber layer onto the conveyor progressively beginning with the leading end of the layer.

7. In a brush making machine, the combination of a stationary magazine for containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, a slide longitudinally reciprocable in a fixed path below the magazine and having forward and backward strokes, a knife on the slide having a forwardly facing slicing edge serving during the forward strokes to slice off layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in the magazine, a transfer device having an endless outer surface movable in a path in fixed relationship with said slide which path has its upper portion closely adjacent the path of movement of the knife, uniformly spaced spikes carried by said transfer device and projecting outwardly from said surface thereof, means for so moving said transfer device relatively to the slide that :the upper spikes have a backward speed relatively to the slide which is approximately equal to the forward speed of the slide in order for the spikes to enter the fiber mass during each forward stroke, said spikes serving to prevent shifting of the fibers as the knife advances to slice a layer of fibers from said mass, and means adjacent and below said knife for engaging and holding each layer of fibers after it has been sliced by said knife.

8. In a brush making machine, the combination of a stationary magazine for containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, a slicing knife movable generally longitudinally and forwardly to slice oif layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in the magazine, a wheel rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis which is movable in fixed relationship with said slicing knife, said wheel being provided at its periphery with uniformly spaced radial spikes and being so located that the spikes at its upper periphery are closely adjacent the slicing knife, means for so rotating the wheel during forward movement of the slicing knife that the upper spikes have a backward speed relatively to the knife which is approximately equal to the forward speed of the knife, the spikes serving to enter the fiber mass and to prevent shifting of the fibers as the knife slices a layer of fibers from the mass, and means adjacent and below said knife for engaging and holding each layer of fibers after it has been sliced by said knife.

9. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 8, the combination wherein said horizontal wheel axis is spaced forwardly from a vertical line through the slicing edge of the knife.

10. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 8, the combination wherein a plate is provided adjacent the wheel at the forward side thereof which plate has an upper surface positioned for supporting those fibers in the magazine which are at the forward side of the wheel during forward movement of the slicing knife.

11. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 7, the combination wherein a lifting device is provided on 1dthe slide adjacent the transfer device which lifting device is relatively movable to lower and upper positions respectively below and above the level of the upper portion of the said outer surface of the transfer device, and means for moving said lifting device to its upper position during each backward stroke of the slide and to its lower position during each forward stroke of the slide.

12. In a brush making machine, the combination of a stationary magazine for containing a mass of tran versely disposed horizontal fibers, a slide longitudinally reciprocable in a fixed path below the magazine and having forward and backward strokes, a knife on the slide having a forwardly facing slicing edge serving during the forward strokes to slice off layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in the magazine, a conveyor located below the magazine and movable continuously in a generally longitudinal direction at a predetermined speed, a transfer device carried by the slide between the magazine and the conveyor and having an endless outer surface which has an upper portion closely adjacent the path of the knife and a lower portion closely adjacent the conveyor, means for moving said transfer device relatively to the slide during each forward stroke of said slide so that the upper portion of its said surface has a backward speed relatively to the slide which is approximately equal to the forward speed of the slide so that said upper portion of the surface is adapted to r ceive each fiber layer as it is sliced by the knife, and means for moving the transfer device relatively to the slide during each back-ward stroke of the slide so that the lower portion of its said surface has a forward speed which is the same as that of the conveyor so that said lower portion of the surface is adapted to discharge said sliced fiber layer onto the conveyor.

13. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 12, the combination wherein the means for moving the conveyor is constructed and arranged to serve during each complete reciprocation of the slide and knife to move said conveyor through a distance equal to the length of a fiber layer sliced by the knife.

14. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 12, the combination wherein the transfer device is a wheel carried by the slide and rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis which wheel has a peripheral surface constituting said endless outer surface, and wherein the two means for moving the transfer device relatively to the slide are constructed and arranged to rotate said wheel.

15. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 14, the combination wherein the means for rotating the wheel is constructed and arranged to discharge each fiber layer onto the conveyor with its leading end in abutting relationship with the trailing end of the next previously discharged layer on the conveyor.

16. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 14, the combination wherein the means for rotating the wheel is constructed and arranged to rotate said wheel during each forward stroke at a peripheral speed that is the same as the forward speed of the slide and to rotate said wheel during each backward stroke in the same direction and at a peripheral speed that is one and one-half times the speed of the backward speed of the slide.

17. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 114, the combination wherein the means for rotating the wheel during the forward strokes includes a drive disc bodily movable with the slide and connected with said wheel for rotation in unison therewith and further includes devices for causing said drive disc to be effective during each forward stroke and ineffective during each backward stroke.

18. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 17, the combination wherein said drive disc is a friction disc, wherein there is provided a longitudinal bar which is fixed against longitudinal movement and is engageable with said friction disc, and wherein an automatically operable means is provided for moving said bar into position for engagement with said disc during each forward stroke and out of said position during each backward stroke.

19. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 14, the combination wherein the means for rotating the wheel during the backward strokes includes a portion of the wheel having a circumferential groove therein adapted for engaging a core wire which is fed to the top thereof in the backward direction and is discharged from the bottom thereof in the forward direction so that said wire as the bottom portion thereof moves forwardly causes the wheel during each backward stroke to so rotate that the lower portion of its peripheral surface has a forward speed which is the same as that of the conveyor.

20. In a brush making machine, the combination of a stationary magazine for containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, a slide longitudinally reciprocable in a fixed path below the magazine and having forward and backward strokes, a knife on the slide having a forwardly facing slicing edge serving during the forward strokes to slice off layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in the magazine, a conveyor located below the magazine and movable continuously in a generally longitudinal direction at a predetermined forward speed, a transfer wheel rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis in fixed relation to the slide and having a peripheral surface closely adjacent the slicing edge of the knife, means for so rotating the wheel during each forward stroke of the slide that said peripheral surface at the top thereof has a backward speed relatively to the slide which is approximately equal to the forward speed of the slide so that each fiber layer is received on said peripheral surface, an arcuate guide element on the slide concentrio with the wheel for guiding each'sliced fiber layer from a position adjacent and below the knife to a position adjacent and above the conveyor, and means for so rotating the wheel during each backward stroke of the slide that said peripheral surface at the bottom thereof has a forward speed equal to the speed of the conveyor so that each fiber layer is discharged from said peripheral surface and from saidguide element onto said conveyor.

21. Ina brush making machine as set forth in claim 20, the combination wherein a movable finger is provided adjacent and beyond the lower end of the arcuate guide element, said finger being located to engage each fiber layer below the wheel and above the conveyor as said layer is moved by said wheel and said finger being iased to move toward the wheel to compress each fiber layer immediately before it is discharged onto the conveyor.

22. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 21, the combination wherein the transfer device is a wheel rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis in fixed relation to said slide, and wherein said wheel has a circumferential groove for receiving said wire and for guiding it for movement in unison with each fiber layer from its first said position below the fiber layer to a position above said conveyor and above said fiber layer after inversion thereof.

23. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 22, the combination wherein means is provided for maintainiug tension in the wire as it is fed to the wheel and relatively to the main slide during each backward stroke and for forwardly withdrawing some of the wire relatively to the main slide during each forward stroke.

24. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 23, the combination wherein the means for tensioning and withdrawing the wire includes a device frictionally engageable with the wire, a control slide longitudinally movable along the main slide and carrying said friction device, a spring for resisting backward movement of the friction device and control slide relatively to the main slide during each backward stroke and for effecting for ward movement of the friction device and control slide relatively to the main slide during each forward stroke, and a stop on the main slide for limiting backwardmove merit of said friction device and control slide.

25. In a brush making machine, the combination of a stationary magazine for containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, a slide longitudinally reciprocable in a fixed path below the magazine and having forward and backward strokes, a knife on the slide having a forwardly facing slicing edge serving during the forward strokes to slice off layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in the magazine, a conveyor located below the magazine and movable continuously in a generally longitudinal direction at a predetermined speed, a transfer device carried by the slide between the magazine and the conveyor and having an endless outer surface movable in a path in fixed relationship with said slide which path has its upper portion closely adjacent the path of the knife and has its lower portion closely adjacent the conveyor so that said surface is inverted in moving from its said position adjacent the knife to its said position adjacent the conveyor, means for moving said transfer device relatively to the slide during each forward stroke of said slide so that the upper portion of its said surface has a backward speed relatively to the slide which is approximately equal to the forward speed of the slide which said upper portion of the surface is thereby adapted to receive each fiber layer as it is sliced by the knife, means {for moving the transfer device relatively to the slide during each backward stroke of the slide so that a fiber layer engaged with said endless surface is inverted and so that the lower portion of said surface has a forward speed which is the same as that of the conveyor which said lower portion of the surface is thereby adapted to discharge said engaged fiber layer onto the conveyor, means for supplying a core wire to a position below each sliced layer and near the center thereof and adjacent said surface of the transfer device, and means on the transfer device for guiding said wire for movement in unison with each fiber layer from its first said position below the fiber layer to a position above said conveyor and above said fiber layer after inversion thereof.

References @Sited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,594,575 Nielsen Aug. 12, 192.4 1,888,352 Lipps a- Nov. 22, 1932 2,542,687 Le FebV-re et all. Feb. 29, 1951 2,616,763 Vose et al. Nov. 4, 1952 2,903,299 Marks Sept. 8, 1959

Claims

1. IN A BUSH MAKING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION OF A MAGAZINE FOR CONTAINING A MASS OF TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED HORIZONTAL FIBERS, A KNIFE HAVING A SLICING EDGE DISPOSED ADJACENT THE BOTTOM OF SAID MAGAZINE, MEANS FOR EFFECTING RELATIVE GENERALLY LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID MAGAZINE AND KNIFE EDGE IN ONE AND AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION, THE EXTENT OF SAID RELATIVE MOVEMENT BEING AT LEAST APPROXIMATELY AS GREAT AS THE LONGITUDINAL EXTENT OF SAID MASS OF FIBRES IN SAID MAGAZINE WHEREBY LONGITUDINALLY ELONGATED LAYERS OF FIBERS ARE INTERMITTENTLY SLICED FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID MASS WITH THE LENGTH OF EACH LAYER APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO SAID LONGITUDINAL EXTENT OF SAID MASS, A CONVEYOR LOCATED BELOW THE MAGAZINE AND MOVABLE CONTINUOUSLY IN A GENERALLY LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION AT A PREDETERMINED SPEED, A TRANSFER DEVICE LOCATED BETWEEN THE MAGAZINE AND THE CONVEYOR AND HAVING AN OUTER MOVABLE SURFACE WITH A PORTION THEREOF ADJACENT SAID KNIFE DURING SLICING, AND MEANS FOR MOVING THE TRANSFER DEVICE TO RECEIVE ON SAID SURFACE THEREOF A FIBER LAYER SLICED DURING A RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF THE KNIFE AND MAGAZINE AND TO THEREAFTER DISCHARGE SAID FIBER LAYER FROM SAID SURFACE ONTO THE CONTINUOUSLY MOVABLE CONVEYOR, THE LAST SAID MEANS BEING TIMED FOR SO MOVING THE TRANSFER DEVICE THAT SAID SURFACE THEREOF MOVES AT LEAST APPROXIMATELY AT THE SAME SPEED AS THE CONVEYOR DURING THE DISCHARGE OF EACH LAYER.