NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS TO BE USED IN TIN PLATE MANUFACTURE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Owen Roberts, of Aberdare, in the County of Glamorgan,
Manager of Tin Plate Works, for the Invention of "NEW OR IMPROVED
APPARATUS TO BE USED IN TIN PLATE MANUFACTURE,"
57711 T
1000
1
...
LANA
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Owen Roberts at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd October 1879.
"
OWEN ROBERTS, of Aberdare, in the County of Glamorgan, Manager of Tinplate
Works. NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS TO BE USED IN TIN PLATE MANU-
FACTURE."
The object of my Invention is to do away with the tongs which are used in the
present mode of tinning plates.
In carrying out my Invention I adopt mainly the following arrangements :-
A frame of iron or other suitable material is used, made preferably of an oblong
form. To this frame is attached a series of rods or arms so formed as to curve
upwards to a point. Each of these rods or arms bas a space between same to
allow of the insertion of the plate to be operated upon.
A top frame of the same shape as the lower frame is used, and by side rods or
arms the two frames are secured together, leaving an open space between them for
the solution to act on the plates. The plates are placed between the rods or arms
before-described, and rest on two or more cross arms attached to or forming part
of the lower frame. These are free at one end, and attached by hinges at the other.
The free ends being held by lugs turning under the arms same are actuated by
handle attached to spindle or lever carrying said lugs.
The action is as follows:-
The plates being placed between the series of rods or arms are put into the
various baths or grease pans, tin pots, wash pots, or setts successively, and when
this is completed, and the plates are to be discharged, the handle is actuated and
the lugs released, allowing the cross arms on which the plates rest to fall, and the
plates drop out from between the series of arms before described.

page_text: To facilitate the raising and lowering of the arrangements from one bath, pan, or
pot to another, there is a handle connected to two sides of the upper frame, and
to retain the plates on the upper part cross bars are attached to the upper frame
similar to those on the lower frame on which the plates rest.
The cradle or grate
is preferably let into and lifted from the pots by means of a crane or pulley
arrangement.
Advantages gained by my Invention are:-
First. The plates will be free from all bulges and marks of tongs, which are so
prevalent under the present mode of working.
2nd. There will be considerably less "wasters," as in many instances under the
present mode a great number of sheets are so badly bulged by the tongs that they
become too bad for prime plates, consequently they are placed as "wasters."
3rd. The plates will have a brighter surface.
4th. The quantity of metal used per box will be reduced.
5th. The plates will be tinned in less time.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Owen Roberts in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd April 1880.
OWEN ROBERTS, of Aberdare, in the County of Glamorgan, Manager of Tinplate
Works. "NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS TO BE USED IN TIN PLATE MANU-
FACTURE."
The object of my Invention is to do away with the tongs which are used in the
present mode of tinning plates.
In carrying out my Invention I adopt substantially the following arrange-
ments:
A frame of iron or other suitable material is used, made preferably of an oblong
form. To this frame is attached a series of rods or arms so formed as to curve
upwards to a point. Each of these rods or arms has a space between same to allow
of the insertion of the plate or plates to be operated upon.
A top frame of the same shape as the lower frame is used, and by side rods or
arms the two frames are secured together, leaving an open space between them for
the solution to act on the plates. The plates are placed between the rods or arms
before described, and rest on two or more cross arms attached to or forming part
of the lower frame. These are free at one end, and attached by hinges at the
other, the free ends being held by lugs turning under the arms, same being actuated
by handle attached to spindle or lever carrying said lugs.
The action is as follows:-
The plates being placed between the series of rods or arms are put into the
varions baths or grease pans, tin pots, wash pots, or setts successively, and when
this is completed and the plates are to be discharged the handle is actuated and
the lugs released, allowing the cross arms on which the plates rest to fall, and the
plates drop out from betweeen the series of arms before described.
To facilitate the raising and lowering of the arrangements from one bath, pan,
or pot to another, there is a handle connected to two sides of the upper frame, and
to retain the plates on the upper part cross bars are attached to the upper frame
similar to those on the lower frame on which the plates rest. The cradle or grate
is preferably let into and lifted from the pots by means of a crane or pulley
arrangement.
Advantages gained by my Invention are:-
First. The plates will be free from bulges and marks of tongs, which are so
prevalent under the present mode of working.
Second. There will be considerably less "wasters," as in many instances under
the present mode a great number of sheets are so badly bulged by the tongs that
they become too bad for prime plates, consequently they are placed as wasters.
Third. The plates will have a brighter surface.
Fourth. The quantity of metal used per box can be reduced.
Fifth. The plates will be tinned in less time.
Having thus far described the nature of the said Invention, and incidentally
intimated in what manner the same is to be performed, I will now proceed (aided
by the accompanying Drawings) to further and particularly describe and ascertain
in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in practice, that is
to say:-

page_text: B, rods or arms attached to frame A, said rods being curved in the form shewn, a
space being left for the insertion of the plate or plates between said spaces.
C, top frame of the same size and shape as A, the two frames being connected
and secured together by the frane D; E, cross arms attached by hinges to one side
of frame A, the other side being free; F, lugs which pass under the arms E and
hold them in position so that the plates rest on the cross arms E. The lugs F are
attached by arms f to a rod or lever G, at one end of which is the lever or handle
H, provided with spring n, said lever or handle H when actuated releasing the
cross arms E, allowing the plates to drop from the apparatus; I, cross arms attached
by hinge to one side of frame C to hold the plates down; K, handle or arm secured
to top frame by which the apparatus is raised or lowered into the different pots,
said apparatus by preference being worked by crane or other appliance (although
it can be worked by hand) to lower or raise the same from one pot to another.
To facilitate this a travelling crane may be used. This apparatus can be used in
pickling the plates, but then the apparatus will be supplied with a greater number
of arms or rods between which the plates are placed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or put in practice, I
hereby declare that I claim the said Invention of new or improved apparatus to
be used in tinplate manufacture, in which the peculiar and important feature is
the arrangements, substantially as hereinbefore set forth and described, and illus-
trated by the Drawing, for releasing, after being operated upon the plates from
the apparatus by the arrangements as herein set forth and illustrated by the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Owen Roberts, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Second day of April, in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight
Witness,
WILLIAM THOMAS,
Mining Engineer,
Bryn Awel,
Aberdare.
OWEN ROBERTS. (L.S.)