A Method of Drying Matrices for Stereotyping Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 16th Feb., 1891-Accepted. 28th Mar.. 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Method of Drying Matrices for Stereotyping Purposes.
I, REUBEN HERBERT HEALEY, of 54, Blackfriars Road, in the County of
London, Engineer and Stereotyper, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
An iron tray is filled two thirds of its depth with an impalpable powder
preferably one of the magnesium silicates as tale or soapstone, commonly known
as French chalk, which being of such an impressionable nature will when the
moist matrice is lifted from the type and placed upon it, allow it to be subjected
to sufficient pressure whilst rapidly drying to insure its remaining as flat and
perfect in all its details as if it were dried on the type.
Dated this 18th day of April 1890.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Method of Drying Matrices for Stereotyping Purposes.
I, REUBEN HERBERT HEALEY, of 54, Blackfriars Road, London, Engineer
and Stereotyper, 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 :-
This invention is designed to facilitate the formation of stereotypes, by improve-
ments in the means now employed for preparing the matrix in which the stereotype
is to be cast.
At present the sheets of moistened paper of which the matrix is composed are
laid on the surface of the type and being caused by well known means to fit
closely thereto, they are dried thereon under pressure, while the "form" of type
lies on a heated table. As the type have to be heated as well as the matrix this
process is open to the objection that the type is liable to become injured and worn
by frequent heating, and speedily loses its hardness as well as the delicacy and
sharpness of its outline, often becoming distorted and defective.
My invention consists in removing the matrix while soft, and laying it on a
specially prepared bed covering it with the usual blanket, and with a perforated
plate and inserting it in a suitable stove (such as the stove fully described in my
Specification No. 5903 of 1890) or in some other heated receptacle, wherein I
subject it to a very high temperature for a space of about five minutes, keeping
it all the time under the necessary pressure to preserve its straightness and
evenness.
By preference I use gas for heating the stove when it can be had, but when it
is not readily available the necessary heat can be obtained from oil, or from steam,
or from other kinds of fuel.
The special bed on which the matrix is laid is formed of a metal tray containing
a layer of some extremely light powder, consisting by preference of pulverised
magnesium silicate, such as talc or soapstone commonly known as French chalk.
This powder when thoroughly dry is of so impressionable and elastic a nature, that
when the moist matrix is placed upon it, and subjected to the necessary pressure,
it yields uniformly beneath it and permits it to dry rapidly while remaining as flat
and perfect in all its details as if it were still on the type.
It will be readily understood by all practical type or stereotype founders that
by my process as thus described the disadvantages of having to heat the type and
dry the matrix upon the face of the type are entirely obviated.

page_text: Great economy is secured as the type remains uninjured and will last three or
four times as long without renewal as it would under the old process.
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:
In the process of stereotyping from type, the method of separating the matrix
while soft, from the type, and of drying the same rapidly and in a level and perfect
condition, as herein explained and set forth.
Dated this 16th day of February 1801
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.