Improvements in the Production of Matrices or Moulds for Stereo typing, and in Apparatus employed therein.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Production of Matrices or Moulds for Stereo
typing, and in Apparatus employed therein.
I, GEORGE EASTWOOD of the "Argus" Newspaper Office, in the City of
Norwich, Newspaper Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
:-
The object of my invention is to improve the process or art of producing matrices
or moulds for stereotyping, and more particularly to dispense with the present
unsatisfactory methods of and appliances for beating the type with brushes or
rolling or mangling it in order to obtain an impression upon the flong, to avoid
handling the flong or matrix when in a moist condition, and to avoid heating the
type in order to dry the matrix. By means of my invention hereinafter described.
I save time, prevent contraction of the matrix and produce almost instantaneously
a solid even impression or matrix by means of one machine; whereas the processes
or methods hitherto followed for the production and drying of matrices have
required two, and in some cases three, separate machines or appliances.
According to my invention I partially dry the flong before the impression of the
type is taken, and I thereby drive out surperfluous moisture and consolidate the
adhesive and other substances of which the flong is composed. I take the impression
while the flong is hot and is in the act of consolidating. I effect the impression by
means of a platen which presses the flong upon the type or forme when this is in
position upon a type bed, and I so connect the flong with the platen that when the
platen rises after the impression the flong, or the matrix as it has now become, is
automatically lifted from the forme, all handling of same being thus avoided. I
effect the drying of the matrix whilst suspended or held between the platen and
the type bed, which latter according to my invention constitutes the top of a heating
chamber.
The above stages or steps in the production and drying of a matrix can be
carried out by means of the improved apparatus which I will now proceed to
describe.
In this apparatus there is a heating chamber the top or upper surface of which
forms the type bed. This chamber can conveniently be heated by gas as will be
well understood. At a suitable distance above this chamber is a platen which can
be lowered and raised as required by means of suitable mechanism such for instance
as an arrangement of toggle-levers worked by a hand wheel. This platen when the
apparatus is in use carries a "blanket," which, however, it is not indispensable to
attach to the platen, as it may be laid upon the flong. Attached to the underside
of this platen are horizontal guides or slides to receive and support the sides of an
open rectangular frame, in which the flong is placed. In the top of the heating
chamber near each side are one or more openings for the escape of the hot air from
the chamber, so that such hot air may come in contact with and dry the flong
or matrix, and these openings are preferably capable of regulation by means of
shutters.
The operation of producing and drying a matrix by means of this apparatus is
as follows:-The heating chamber having been heated, a moist flong is placed in
the open rectangular frame, and this frame with the flong is then slid into the
guides on the underside of the platen, the flong being under the blanket. The
hot air which escapes through the openings in the top of the heating chamber now
surrounds the flong and quickly drives out the superfluous moisture.
flong has been dried to the state in which the substances of which it is composed
begin to consolidate (which a little experience will enable the operator to judge)
When the

page_text: the platen is lowered so as to bring the flong in its heated state down upon the type
or forme which has in the meantime been placed in position upon the type bed.
The platen is caused to give sufficient pressure to take a good even impression from
the type. When the impression has been taken the platen is raised, and it carries
the flong or matrix with it because the open frame containing the matrix is still
held in the guides at the under side of the platen. The type or forme can then be
removed and the matrix is allowed to remain suspended or held between the platen
and the type bed until finally dried by the hot air which continues to issue through
the openings in the top of the heating chamber. In a very short time the matrix
becomes dry and can be removed with its frame and is ready for the casting box.
Another flong can then be inserted for taking a matrix from another forme, or
from the same forme if required.
The forme is slid into and out of place along a table which is preferably made
removable in order to allow other parts of the apparatus to be more conveniently
got at for adjustment, examination or repair. The type bed can be adjusted by
means of screws.
Dated this 14th dow of Ton1002
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Production of Matrices or Moulds for Stereo-
typing, and in Apparatus employed therein.
I, GEORGE EASTWOOD of the "Argus" Newspaper Office in the City of
Norwich Newspaper Manager, 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 my invention is to improve the process or art of producing matrices
or moulds for stereotyping and more particularly to dispense with the present
unsatisfactory methods of and appliances for beating the type with brushes or
rolling or mangling it in order to obtain an impression upon the flong; to avoid
handling the flong or matrix when in a moist condition after the moulding operation,
and to avoid heating the type in order to dry the matrix. By means of my
invention hereinafter described I save time, prevent contraction of the matrix and
produce almost instantaneously a solid even impression or matrix by means of one
machine, whereas the processes or methods hitherto followed for the production
and drying of matrices have required two, and in some cases three separate machines
or appliances.
According to my invention I partially dry the flong before the impression of the
type is taken and I thereby drive out superfluous moisture and consolidate the
adhesive and other substances of which the flong is composed. I take the impression
while the flong is hot and is in the act of consolidating, but still in a plastic
condition. I effect the impression by means of a platen which is hot and presses
the flong upon the type or forme when this is in position upon a type bed, and I so
connect the flong with the platen that when the platen rises after the impression the
Hong, or the matrix as it has now become, is automatically lifted from the forme,
all handling of same being thus avoided. I effect the drying of the matrix whilst
suspended or held between the platen and the type bed, which latter according to
my invention constitutes the top of a heating chamber.
The above stages or steps in the production and drying of a matrix can be
carried out by means of the improved apparatus which I will now proceed to
describe.
In this apparatus there is a heating chamber the top or upper surface of which
forms the type bed or part of same. This chamber can conveniently be heated by

page_text: a platen which can be lowered and raised as required by means of suitable
mechanism such for instance as an arrangement of toggle-levers worked by a hand
wheel. A "blanket " may either be carried by this platen when the apparatus is in
use or be laid upon the flong. Attached to the underside of this platen are horizontal
guides or slides to receive and support the sides of an open rectangular frame in
which the flong is placed. In the top of the heating chamber near each side are
one or more openings for the escape of the hot air from the chamber, so that such
hot air may come in contact with and dry the flong or matrix, and if thought
desirable these openings may be made capable of regulation by means of
shutters.
The accompanying drawings represent an apparatus constructed according to my
invention.
Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of an apparatus constructed according
to my invention.
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus ;
Figure 3 is a section of the apparatus on line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking toward
the left.
Figure 4 is a plan partly in section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.
Figure 5 shows the underside of the type bed and heating chamber.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the rectangular frame which carries the
flong.
a a are side frames connected together by transverse stays bb projecting
brackets c c and a head d. On the brackets cc is a heating chamber e the top or
upper surface of which with end 'extensions el el constitutes the type bed. This
chamber can be heated in any suitable manner. In the particular apparatus shown
in the drawings it is heated by means of gas the burners of which are seen at f
placed immediately under the bottom of the chamber e (or they may be extended
the whole length of the chamber). The ribs hh constitute the sides of the
chamber e which is open at bottom and enlarged at top in the centre where the
heat accumulates, this enlargement being obtained by hollowing out the underside
of the plate or block which constitutes the top surface. The heat escapes up
passages ii leading to openings jj in the top of the sides of the heating chamber.
is the forme of type shown in the position it occupies while the mould or matrix is
being taken. It is moved into position along one or other of the feed tables
and L its inner end and one side coming against suitable stops or gauges for its
proper adjustment or register. Above the type bed formed by the top of the
heating chamber e is a platen u which can be lowered and raised as required.
Various arrangements of mechanism are suitable for imparting the required up and
down movement to the platen to obtain the necessary pressure, but the preferred
arrangement is that shown in the drawings which consists of toggle levers vv, v¹ v',
the ends of which are rounded one end working in sockets in bosses w to which are
screw threaded internally and engage with a right and left handed screw shaft
fitted with hand wheels y y for turning it. The other ends of the upper levers v v
work in sockets v² v2 in the head d and the other ends of the lower levers v v¹ work
at in corresponding sockets m m on the platen u. Attached to the platen u so
as to come below it are horizontal guides or slideways C to receive and support the
sides of an open rectangular frame D in which the flong is placed. The guides C
are preferably carried at their ends on the lower ends of vertical arms F, passing
through the front and rear ends of the platen u, the top ends holding springs G
which can be regulated to hold the frame D loosely or firmly as occasion may
require. Along the ends of the platen u are flat pieces wider than the ends
and which may either be allowed to rise and fall with the platen or if required be
allowed to remain in their lowest position in order to close in the space between the
type bed and the platen when the matrix is lifted from the type. In the middle of
the front and rear ends of the platen are small vertical openings T T Figure 4
which when the pieces s s are down will serve to carry off any moisture left in the

page_text: matrix after the impression is taken. When the pieces s s are required to move up
and down with the platen they are tightened by the thumbscrews n; when on the
other hand they are required to remain down the thumbscrews are slacked and the
pins or screws s' on the platen move up and down in the slots & in the pieces 5.
The rectangular frame D which is shown separately in Figure 6 is for the
reception of the flong which is placed on tapes B B or other suitable material
attached to the ends and sides so as to carry the flong clear of the frame, the
position of the tapes being easily adjustable, according to various sizes of the type
pages.
The operation of producing and drying a matrix by means of this apparatus is
as follows:-The gas under the heating chamber e having been ignited and the
platen u being in its raised position (as seen in the figures) a flong is placed in the
rectangular frame D. The frame D with the flong on which is placed a blanket or
other soft material (when one is not affixed on the underside of the platen) is then
slid into the guides C. The hot air which escapes through the openings jj in the
top of the heating chamber e now surrounds the blanket and flong and quickly drives
out the superfluous moisture from the flong. When the flong has been dried to the
state in which the substances of which it is composed begin to consolidate but are
still in a plastic condition (which state a little experience will enable the operator
to know), the platen u which is also hot is lowered so as to bring the flong in its
heated state down upon the forme g which has in the meantime been placed upon
the type bed. The platen is caused to give sufficient pressure to take a good even
impression from the type. When the impression has been taken the platen is
raised and it carries the flong or matrix J with it because the frame D containing
the matrix is still held in the guides C. The type forme q can now be removed and
the matrix is allowed to remain for a short time (a few seconds is generally
sufficient) suspended or held between the platen and the type bed until finally
dried by the hot air which continues to rise from the chamber e through the
openings and to circulate above and below the matrix. In a very short time
the matrix becomes dry and can be removed with its frame D. It can at once be
taken out of this frame and be prepared for the casting box. Another flong in
another frame D or in the same frame can then be introduced into the apparatus
for taking a matrix from another forme or from the same forme if required.
The tables and L are preferably made remorable on dovetail guides or in any
other convenient way in order to allow other parts of the apparatus to be more
readily got at for adjustment, examination or repair.
When my stereotyping machines are of small size such as will be used in "jobbing"
offices they may also serve as casting boxes. In this case the guides and vertical
arms hereinbefore described will be removed and the machine will be arranged so
that it can be tipped on one end after the matrix has been produced in order to
enable the cast to be taken. The ordinary casting boxes can thus be dispensed
with.
The flongs employed for the purpose of my invention may either be fresh or
recently made flongs or they may be flongs that have been cold dried and have a
facing of the usual composition. When these cold dried flongs are used the face
should be slightly damped and be covered with one or more sheets of tissue paper.
In this case when a flong is placed in the apparatus and heated the moisture causes
a momentary softening or swelling of the composition in the flong which thereby
becomes plastic and the pressure being applied about the same time the moulding
or impression is at once obtained and fixed by the surrounding heat. By
manipulating flongs in this way a supply of them can be kept in stock, thus
avoiding frequent paste making, daily manufacture of flongs, the trouble of keeping
the composition in proper condition, and other troubles hitherto net with.
When saving of time is not a main object, instead of placing the flong in the
frame D and inserting the frame into the guides C as herein before described the
flong may be laid upon the type and after the impression has been taken the flong
may be removed by hand and placed in the frame to dry. This method of working

page_text: is advantageous when the formes are very open and require special packing
because the packing can be adjusted and a secoud pressure be then applied to
consolidate and level the back of the flong. Or a second sheet or flong may be
placed in the frame D and impressed into the first in which case when the platen is
raised it carries the first with it and is thus suspended to dry without being
removed by hand.
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. In the production of matrices or moulds for stereotyping, the process which
consists in, first, the partial drying of the moist flong by means of heat until the
superfluous moisture is driven out and the adhesive and other, substances of which
the flong is composed are consolidating but are still in a plastic condition, and
second, the pressing of the flong while hot and in the act of consolidating upon the
forme so as to take an impression of same, substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described.
2. The process of producing matrices or moulds for stereotyping, which consists
first, in partially drying the moist flong while it is suspended between a hot platen
and the top of a heating chamber which also constitutes the type bed or part of
same, secondly-in-taking the required impression upon the partially dried flong
while hot and still in a plastic condition between a forme on the type bed and the
platen, and thirdly in drying the resulting matrix or mould while it is suspended
between the platen and the top. of said heating chamber, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
3. In apparatus for producing matrices or moulds for stereotyping, a heating
chamber provided with openings at top for the outlet of heated air, the top of said
chamber also constituting a type bed or part of same, in combination with a platen,
adapted to be brought down and to press a flong upon a forme placed upon the-
said type bed, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
4. In apparatus for producing matrices or moulds for stereotyping, the com-
bination with a platen adapted to be brought down towards the forme of type, of
guides or slideways on the underside of said platen adapted to receive a frame or
holder containing the flong to be impressed, substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described.
5. The combination of a heating chamber e the top of which constitutes a type
bed or part of same, hot air outlets ji in top of said chamber, a frame D adapted
to hold a flong, guides or slideways CC to receive the sides of the said frame, a
platen u carrying the guides, and means for lowering and raising the platen,
whereby a flong held in the said frame when in the guides, can be forced down upon
a forme placed on the type bed to take an impression of the forme and be then
raised clear of the forme while still held in the frame in said guides all substantially
as hereinbefore described.
6. The improved stereotyping apparatus constructed and working substantially
us hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 5th day of October 1902
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent.