IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY POR MANUFACTURING PAPER
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
BREWER, of Surrey Place, Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey; Wire
Weaver and Felt Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Eleventh day of February, One thousand eight. hundred
and forty-three, in the sixth year of Her reign, did; for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Alfred Brewer, my exors, adñiors,
and assigns, Her especial license, full' power, sole privilege and authority, that
I, the said Alfred Brewer, 'my exors, 'adñiors, and assigns, and such others' as
I, the said Alfred Brewer; my exors, admors, and assigns, should "at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter,
during the term of years therein' mentioned; should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend," within that part of the United Kingdom" of Great
Britain and Ireland 'called' England, Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY POR
MANUFACTURING PAPER," communicated to me by a certain Foreigner residing
abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me,
the said Alfred Brewer, to particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
my said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be 'performed,
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and to cause the
same to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of 'the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had,
will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: 1, that compiance with the Sand proviso, 1, the Sand
Alfred Brewer, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:-
My Invention of improvements in machinery for the manufacture of paper
consists, first, in the combination and arrangement of certain parts, constituting
a machine which I denominate a pulp meter or regulator, being for the
purpose of supplying pulp from the pulp chest, with which it is connected to
the machine for making the paper web, the pulp passing through openings in
the meter fitted with rotary valves, which receive motion from the driving
shaft of the paper machine (as herein-after fully explained), so that as the speed
of the paper machine varies, and the quantity of paper web made in a given
time varies also, the quantity of pulp supplied through the meter in the same
time will likewise vary, and in the saine ratio or proportion, and that the paper
will always be of an uniform thickness. The above arrangement of parts is like-
wise adapted for furnishing pulp to those vats where paper is made by hand
from moulds, the action of the valves and the rate at which they are driven
being adjusted to the speed of the workman in making paper; and although
the quantity of pulp converted into sheets of paper corresponding in size and
substance will necessarily be furnished in equal quantities for each sheet, the
uniform thickness of the paper will not in this case, as in the former, be deter-
mined by the meter, but by the skill of the workman, as in all cases of hand-
made paper or paper made from moulds. The machinery ordinarily employed
for the manufacture of paper being well known to practical men, it is unneces-
sary to enter into any explanation thereof, further than as it relates to this
Invention of improvements connected therewith and to be attached thereto.
During the process of manufacturing paper, it is important that the quantity of
.water employed for diluting the pulp in the working vat (which, as delivered
from the pulp chest, is too thick for ordinary use,) should be supplied uniformly
from time to time, and in relative proportionate quantities to that of the pulp.
To ensure this object I employ a machine or meter in all respects similar to
the pulp meter, and similarly worked, (videlicet, from the driving shaft of the
paper machine,) whereby the quantity of water supplied to the pulp in the
working vat will (as in the former case of the pulp meter) be in proportion
to the speed of the paper machine, and thus the process of converting the pulp
into paper can be conducted with greater certainty and more economy than by
the means hitherto employed for that purpose.

page_text: Another part of this Invention consists., in the application of a cylinder
covered with fine wire gauze, or an endless wire cloth or web revolving on
rollers placed at any convenient part of the mill (and actuated in the manner,
berein-after fully described,) for the purpose, of arresting, the pulp contained in
the water employed during the various processes in the manufacture of paper!
It is well known that in, the ordinary, process of cleansing the rag. in the
engine a considerable quantity of, fibre passes off with, the water, and is
generally, suffered to run away in waste. Various attempts have, I believe,
been made to separate the pulp from the water, all of which have...been
ineffectual; and further, the fibre contained in the unemployed backwater
from the paper machine is only partially secured, by the means, hitherto,
employed for that purpose. It is, therefore, to obviate these objections that I
employ the arrangements, hereafter fully explained, for separating, arresting;
and, depositing (in a vessel for that purpose), the pulp contained in the water
which in paper mills generally is considered waste; the pulp thus accumulated
being subjected to the process of grinding and subsequently converted into
paper, thus effecting a considerable saving to the manufacturer.
And in order to explain the said improvements; as completely as possible, I
will proceed to describe, the arrangement of parts which I consider, well calcu
lated for carrying out my said Invention, and which will be found to, answer
extremely well.
..
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
.I.
In Sheet 1, Figure 1 represents an elevation of the pulp meter; Figure 2,
a section
tion of the meter taken through the line, A, B,, (Figure 1), shewing
internal, arrangements of parts; Figure 3, a plan view, of the meter and parts
connected..therewith; Figure 4, an end view. thereof; Figures 5 and 6,
detached views, of the gearing employed for, actuating the valves; Figure 6
represents a vertical section of another arrangement of parts for supplying pulp
to the vat,, similar letters of reference being, placed, upon corresponding parts.
Figure 6
an end view thereof, part of which (thro'; the line A, B,) is shown
in
section.
In Sheet 2, Figure 7 represents a sectional elevation of an arrangement for
separating the pulp from the water,; Figure 8, an end view thereof, part of
which is represented in section; Figure 9 represents a sectional elevation
of another arrangement of parts for the purposes of the foregoing; Figure 10,
an end view thereof; Figure 11 represents a partial elevation of another
arrangement of parts for a similar purpose. to the foregoing; Figure 12
represents another arrangement of parts for a similar purpose to the foregoing.

page_text: In Sheet 1, A, A, represent a cylinder or barrel of metal, or other suitable
material, having a pipe B branching from one part thereof, supported by a
casting B connected by flanges to a pipe C leading to the pulp chest ;
D, E, F, rotary throttle valves, one of which, E, is constructed so as to fit the
internal diameter of the branch pipe B, the other, F, being made to fit the
cylinder A; these valves are secured in their respective situations by spindles
E, F, passed through holes formed in the valves, the ends of the spindles
having their bearings in glands or stuffing boxes G, H, I, K, as shewn; L, the
driving shaft, one end of which has its bearing in the projecting piece M cast
upon the cylinder or barrel A, the other parts of the shaft being supported
by plummer blocks or carriers N, N; upon one end of this shaft a sector 1 is
keyed, and gears alternately (as shewn by the detached Figures 5 and 6) into
the pinions 2, 3, keyed upon the axes or spindles of the valves E, F, motion
being imparted to the shaft L by an endless band O passing over a pulley
keyed upon the driving shaft of the paper machine, and over a corresponding
pulley P keyed upon the driving shaft L of the metre. Q, a piston, fitting
accurately the cylinder A; this piston is furnished with a hollow rod R, around
which a screw is cut, and passed through a screwed hole formed in the
casting S, as shewn; and, for the purpose herein-after mentioned, this casting
is so constructed that a portion of it fits into the upper end of the cylinder A,
and is kept in contact therewith by a conical ring T screwed to the cylinder,
so as to admit of the casting S turning round freely, handles 4, 5, being
attached thereto for that purpose. The action of the meter is as follows:-At
the commencement of working it will be necessary, first, to determine the
quantity of pulp required to be furnished to the machine in a given time,
according to the quality of paper required to be manufactured; this being done,
the capacity of the cylinder may be increased or diminished as required by
turning round the handles 4, 5, so as to raise or lower the piston Q, which
is prevented from turning round by a pin 6 fixed thereto; sliding in a groove
formed in the cylinder. Now, assuming the paper machine to be in operation,
motion will be imparted from the driving shaft thereof, in manner before
mentioned, to the sector 1, the relative positions of the sector and pinions 2, 3,
at the commencement of the operation being, as shewn by the red lines at the
detached Figure 5, which represents the valves E, F, closed. It will appear
evident that the sector 1 being moved a quarter of a revolution (in the direc-
tion of the arrow's flight) will have the effect of opening a communication
between the pulp chest and barrel of the meter (as shewn at Figure 1 and
detached Figure 6), the pulp continuing to flow until the sector has performed
another quarter of a revolution, when the valve E will be closed, and the sector
:...
"

page_text: in its rotation opening the eduction valve F, will discharge the contents of the
cylinder into the vat. This valve being closed in manner as before, the barrel
will thus be successively filled, and will discharge itself by the rotation of the
valves at intervals of time according with the speed of the machine in which
the paper is being made; but as the air, which would enter the cylinder at
each eduction, would destroy the effect of the meter by retarding the ingress
of pulp, or rendering uncertain the quantity admitted, I employ a bent
pipe U; connected to the upper part of the piston rod R, which is constructed
with a hole through it to allow the air to pass off. I would here remark that
it is advisable to have the bottom of the pulp chest about six inches above the top
of the cylinder in order to ensure the filling of the same, which, from the spissi-
tude of the pulp, requires more than the ordinary pressure of the atmosphere..
In the above statement reference has been made only to rotary valves,
but it will be evident that the same effect may be produced by pierced plugs
driven and actuated in the manner herein-before described.
In Figures 6 and 6**, another arrangement is shewn, and may be substi-
tuted in the place of the rotary valves lastly above mentioned. A, A, repre-
sents the cylinder of the meter, having a branch pipe B leading to the pulp
chest; this pipe is constructed with an opening B+, transverse to that leading
to the pulp chest; this opening is furnished with an accurately fitted pierced
plug or key E, similar to an ordinary cock. The lower part of the barrel is
likewise constructed with an opening transverse to that of the cylinder, and
furnished with a pierced plug or key F, similar to the foregoing; these plugs
are constructed with projecting pins G, G, upon which are keyed the pinions 2
and 3, (see red lines, Figure 6*), the same being actuated in a similar manner
to the valves E and F, shewn at the detached Figures 5 and 6, and are for the
same purpose....
Having now described the nature of this part of my Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not
claim as of my Invention, or the exclusive use of any of the separate parts herein
referred to and above described, except so far as the same may be employed in
the general combination and arrangement. of parts constituting a meter or
machine for supplying pulp or water in the manufacture of paper, motion
being communicated to the valves or pierced plugs of such meter from the
driving shaft of the paper machine, and regulated according to the rate at which
the
paper is made, as above described.
"
In Sheet 2, a, a, represents a rectangular box or vessel constructed with two
compartments W and X, the compartment W being furnished with a revolving
cylinder (for the purposes herein-before mentioned), which is constructed in the
following manner:-The cylinder which I prefer using is about sixteen inches

page_text: diameter, and eighteen inches wide, and furnished with rods of metal or other
suitable material, extending from end to end thereof. Over these horizontal
wires, I'wind a strong wire in a spiral direction. I then cover this wire with. a
coarse wove wire, the meshes of which are about fourteen to the inch; I then
cover this with a fine wire cloth, of about seventy-five or, eighty holes to the
inch. The interior of the cylinder is furnished with scoops.b, b, which are
firmly secured thereto, and revolve around a fixed tube c, c, employed
for the purpose of carrying off the clear water, which passes through the
cylinder. Having previously stated the purposes-to-which I apply this
cylinder or machine, I will at once proceed to describe the action thereof...
Now, assuming the machine to be placed at any convenient part of the mill, so
as to accumulate or arrest the (hitherto) waste water, motion being imparted
to the cylinder by any available means, the water which flows into the com-
partment W, through an opening d, d, will come into contact with the wire
cloth and thus become filtered; that is to say, the fibres contained therein will,
by the pressure of the water against the cylinder,, be arrested and adhere
thereto, the rotation of the cylinder conducting the fibres or pulp'thus accumu
lated to a gathering 'roller e, e, furnished with springs, (as shown at Figure 9);
for keeping it. in. close contact therewith; the same being caused to revolve by,
friction of, contact between it, and the cylinder. This gathering roller, which
is covered with felt, will, as the cylinder revolves, take off the fibres, therefrom,
until, the roller is covered..to..the extent of about half an inch in thickness,
when its own weight will cause it to break and fall into the compartment.✗
destined, for its reception
5:3
..In, Figure (9), another arrangement is shewn, wherein the cylinder is
differently, constructed. Instead of employing scoops for, raising the clear
water, and a fixed tube for carrying it off, I employ a hollow cylinder, covered
with; wire, in a similar manner to the foregoing. a, a, the cylinder, one end of
which is closed and, furnished with an axis b, the other end being, constructed
with a tube, (c), for carrying off the clear,water,, which, likewise serves as the
other axis of the cylinder. By this arrangement it will appear-evident, that
the water passing through the cylinder will be carried off by the tube (c), the
fibres which adhere to the cylinder being taken therefrom, by a similar arrange
ment to, the foregoing..
"
1.7
In Figure (11). another arrangement is shewn, wherein the cylinder a, a,
which is covered with wire web as in the one lastly above mentioned, is con-
structed, with closed ends, the, waste water being brought into contact with the
upper part of the cylinder, the clear water passing off through an opening f,, fi
the fibres being collected in a similar manner to the foregoing.
In Figure (12) another arrangement is shewn; wherein the machine is con-

page_text: structed as follows:-g, g, rollers, around a portion of each of which an endless
wire web is placed, and the waste water directed upon the top thereof, as
shewn; and in order to prevent it overflowing I employ deckel leathers h, h,
secured to the extreme edges of the wire cloth and moving therewith, the
water passing through the wire web into the box or vessel, and from thence
in any convenient manner, the fibres which adhere to the web being collected
and deposited in the manner above mentioned in the foregoing arrangements.
I would here remark that the clear water may be removed from within the web
by a pump or syphon tube.
. Having now described the nature of this part of my Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not
claim as of my Invention, or the exclusive use of any of the separate parts of
the improvements in machinery for manufacturing paper as lastly above
described and referred to, except so far as the same may be employed for the
purposes of my said Invention, which I hereby declare to consist in the con-
struction and application of the combined apparatus of the revolving surface of
wire web and gathering roller, for the purpose of collecting and saving
the pulp hitherto usually wasted and lost in the manufacture of paper.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Brewer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of August, One thousand eight
hundred and forty thron
the year of our Lord 1843, the aforesaid Alfred Brewer came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.