An Improved Method of Drying Stereo-matrices by Steam when Lifted from the Type or Forme in a Moist State.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification. Left, 17th Aug.. 1894-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Drying Stereo-matrices by Steam when
Lifted from the Type or Forme in a Moist State.
REUBEN HERBERT HEALEY 45 Elliott Road Brixton S. W. in the County of
Surrey Engineer and Stereotyper do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
A steam chamber specially constructed of wrought iron and steel, is mounted on
cast iron stands and has fixed on the upper surface an angle iron ring, which forms
the support for a bed of soft powder, preferably, one of the magnesium silicates.
When the bed is made to the proper thickness the moist matrix is lifted from
the type and placed upon it (face downwards) the back being covered with a piece
of blanket, then a perforated iron plate, which is loaded to give the requisite
amount of pressure and so hinged that it falls evenly on the blanket, is brought in
contact. In three to three and half minutes from which time the matrix is dried
as flat and perfect as though it had been dried on the type. I claim that by this
method of drying matrices, all crinkling blistering and singeing is entirely
prevented and that the matrices when dry are as perfect, as though dried on the
forme or type.
Dated this 17th dow of October 1893.
An Improved Method of Drying Stereo-matrices by Steam when
Lifted from the Type or Forme in a Moist State.
I, REUBEN HERBERT HEALEY of The Laurels, 83 Camden Road,
London, N.W. Engineer and Stereotypist, 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 :-
The object of this invention is the drying of stereo-matrices by steam when
lifted from the type in a moist condition, and for this purpose I construct a steam
tight chamber of wrought iron and steel mounted on a cast iron stand.
An angle iron ring is fixed on the top of the steam tight chamber thus forming
a tray in which is placed a bed of soft powder, preferably one of the magnesium
silicates.
I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Fig. 1 shows a front view of my apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cast iron stand which supports the steam chamber
and iron ring forming the tray for the bed of powder.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of my apparatus which also shows part of a hinged top
or pressure frame with perforated plate attached to the underside, which when
closed exerts sufficient pressure on the matrix to ensure close contact with the bed,
thus keeping the matrix perfectly even.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the hinged top plate detached.
Fig. 5 is an end view of the same.
Fig. 6 shows the elongated slot in the hinge which allows the action of the male

page_text: section of it to have sufficient play to ensure the frame and plate falling parallel on
to the matrix.
a,
is the cast iron stand, b, is the angle iron ring forming the tray which holds
the bed of powder. c, is the main steam supply pipe. c, c, are branch steam
pipes leading to the steam chamber e. d, is the condensed water pipe. e, is the
steam tight chamber. f, is the hinged top or pressure frame with hinges, f.
ff, are handles for raising the pressure frame. 9, 9, are ribs or bars in the
pressure frame which bear on the perforated plate h. h, is a perforated plate
attached to the underside of the pressure frame which falls on to the top of the
matrix. The cross bars 9, 9, of pressure frame are preferably V shaped on their
lower edge. This allows greater freedom for the escape of vapour whilst the
matrix is drying. i, is a movable bar with two tongs or rests attached to prevent
the pressure of the pressure frame injuring the bed of powder when the apparatus
is not in use.
The steam is led from any convenient source through the main steam pipe c, into
the branch pipes c, c', and through them to the steam tight chamber e, thus forming
a steam oven.
The bed of magnesium silicate or other soft powder, is then placed in the tray b,
and made to the required depth.
The moist matrix is lifted from the type and placed face downwards upon the
powder. The back of the matrix is then covered with a blanket.
The hinged pressure frame is then brought into contact with the matrix the
perforated plate bearing directly on the blanket, which owing to the construction
of the hinges falls quite parallel to the matrix.
The whole is then left for the space of a few minutes when it will be found that
the matrix is perfectly dry, flat and even as if it had been dried on the type, no
crinkling, blistering, or singeing having taken place.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
:-
1. An apparatus for drying stereo-matrices by steam, when lifted from the type in
a moist condition, consisting of a steam-tight chamber e, supporting a tray b,
(containing a soft powder on which the matrix is placed covered by a blanket) a
perforated plate h, attached to a hinged pressure frame f, as and for the purposes
herein described and set forth.
2. An improved method of drying stereo-matrices by steam when lifted from the
type in a moist condition by means of the apparatus described, which prevents,
crinkling, blistering and singeing as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 17th day of August 1894.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.