IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PLATES, SHEETS, OR PANES OF GLASS
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
BESSEMER, of Baxter House, Old Saint Pancras Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, 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 Seventeenth day of July, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-seven, in the eleventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her
heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Henry Bessemer, my
exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Henry Bessemer,
my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her said Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF PLATES, SHEETS, OR PANES OF GLASS;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso that I, the said Henry Bessemer, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
Pasion S1

page_text: 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Henry Bessemer, hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention
consists,-
Firstly, of arranging machinery for washing, drying, and sifting sand, and
afterwards grinding or crushing the same in combination with the other mate-
rials employed for making sheets, plates, or panes of glass.
Secondly, my Invention consists of employing an additional pair of rollers to
the machinery now used to roll glass into sheets.
Thirdly, my Invention consists of a method of heating annealing kilns or
"lears."
Fourthly, my Invention consists of a method of smoothing or polishing
plates, sheets, or panes of glass, whereby an endless belt or strap (charged
with polishing material is made to pass rapidly in contact with the surface of
the glass, and to traverse slowly across it in a direction at right angles to the
line of its quick motion.
And lastly, my Invention consists of a method of producing plates or
"tables" of glass of the description known as crown glass" in such a way
that the centre of the ." table shall not have a "bullion" or knob as
usual.
Firstly, with regard to my method of washing, drying, and sifting sand,
and afterwards grinding or crushing the same in combination with chalk.
alkali, charcoal, or other matters used for making sheets, panes, or plates of
glass. To accomplish this object I use the apparatus shewn in Sheet A of
the Drawing hereunto annexed, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section
of the apparatus, Figure 2 a longitudinal or side elevation. Figure 3 a
plan or bird's-eye view of the same; the letters of reference denote the same
parts wherever they occur in each of the Figures. A is a cylindrical iron
vessel having an annular trough or channel formed around its upper edge
at A. This channel strengthened by brackets A, and has a flange at its
upper edge A, to which the mouth of the vessel B is attached by bolts.
This mouthpiece has three arms B1, B2, and B, meeting in the centre boss C,
which is bushed with brass, and so shaped internally as to form a bearing
and support for the shaft D, which has a conical collar at D resting in the
brass bush C to prevent its dropping downwards as the lower extremity of
it has no support. The bush C is elongated upwards so as to form an oil cup,
and is covered by the piece C', which revolves upon the shaft and prevents

page_text: any sand from falling into the oil. The shaft D passes upwards to any
convenient height, where it turns in other bearings, and has keyed upon it a
bevelled wheel into which are geared two other bevelled wheels mounted on
a shaft proceeding from any first mover: the office of these wheels are not
shewn in the Drawing, is to communicate a rotatory motion to the shaft D
in either direction by the shifting of a clutch, in the manner well understood
and practised in reversing gear. The shaft D is provided with a number of
radiating arms or blades E, placed at such an inclination as to form each a
portion of a spiral, and will therefore have a tendency when revolving in
one direction to lift any matters they may be moving among, and also have:
a tendency, when revolving in the opposite direction, to press such matters:
downwards. F is a pipe to convey water from an elevated reservoir (not
shewn in the Drawing) into the lower part of the vessel A. This pipe is.
provided with a cock at F' and handle F2. In Figure 1 it will be seen that:
the vessel A and its mouthpiece B, although screwed together at the outer
flange A do not come in contact at A, whereby a circular space or opening.
is left all round the vessel communicating with the trough A². The action of:
this part of the apparatus is as follows:-
:
The sand to be used for making glass is wheeled in a barrow along the floor:
G of the upper room and emptied into the vessel A until the vessel is at least
two thirds filled. The shaft D is then put in motion in the direction to lift
the charge. At the same time the cock F 1 is opened and water is allowed.
to flow upwards through the body of sand, while the blades. E keep lifting
and turning it over. As soon as the water reaches the outlet A 4 it
flows over into the trough A 1, carrying with it such foreign matters
as are soluble in water, or casily mechanically mixed therewith. The
water is allowed to escape from the trough by the pipe H, leading to
a culvert under ground. When the water flows off clear the cock F 1 is
closed, and the throttle valve J is turned at right angles to the position
shown in Figure 1, and the shaft D being caused to revolve in an opposite
direction the sand will be forced downwards and expelled into the wood
back or cistern K. The valve J being again closed the operation may be
repeated. The valve J is a disc of wood covered at its periphery with
leather in order to make, it water-tight, and moves on an axis I. and has a
handle L, by which it is moved when required. The vessel A is fastened by a
lower flange M to the transverse timbers N, inserted in the walls of the
building, and is further steadied at the part where it passes through the upper
floor G. The cistern K has a slanting bottom to facilitate the draining off of
that portion of the water which is admitted with the sand; at the lower end.

page_text: there. is a fine grating of pierced zinc P, covered with felt, so as to prevent the
sand being carried off by the water which flows through the pipe O into a
drain. The cistern K is supported on timbers R, and others placed crosswise
at R, I; one side of the cistern has a rectangular opening S, behind which is
placed an agitator T, mounted on an axis T. I, which extends through the
sides of the cistern, and carries at one end the pulley wheel (U), which is put
in motion in the following manner-Beneath the rafters V of the upper floor
G is the shaft W. receiving motion from any first mover by a strap passed
over the drum X; this shaft is supported in plummer blocks Y, bolted to the
rafters V. and carries a pulley wheel Z, from which a catgut or other band
passes over the guide pullies Z, 1, and on to the pulley wheel U, and thereby
causing the agitator T to revolve in the direction of the arrows, and expel a
portion of the wet sand on to the drying plate. a is a plate of copper or
galvanized iron, having a raised edge (a 1) on each side, to prevent the sand
from falling off; beneath it is the furnace (b). A fire is made at (c), and the
products of combustion are allowed to flow under the plate (a), as shewn by
arrows, and to descend the downward flue () into an underground flue
leading to a chimney. On each side of the plate (a) there are small bracketed
projections (e), on which are bolted the bearings (f); in these bearings the
cranks (g) are caused to revolve by means of the worm wheels (h), which are
keyed on the crank (g), and are geared into worms (i, i,) on the shaft (); this
shaft revolves in bearings (k, k), and has a pulley wheel (1) fixed upon it,
which receives motion from another pulley wheel (m) on the shaft W). A
light iron frame (n) is supported by the cranks (g); this frame has a number
of scrapers (p) fixed crosswise upon it, so that the frame (n), which always
moves parallel with the plate (a), by the motion of the cranks is made to dip
its scraper's into the sand at every revolution of the crank, and to impel it
forward on the plate, turning it over, and always advancing it in little heaps
further along the hot plate. The speed of this part of the apparatus is to be so
regulated that the moisture is evaporated by the time it arrives at (q), where
it. falls from the plate (a) on to a sieve (r) in a dry state. The wire sieve (r)
is hung upon a joint (s), and has a small shaft (t) below it; this shaft has
upon it a tappett wheel (w), which lifts up the sieve a short distance, and lets
it. fall suddenly in quick succession, so as to shake the sand through it on the
inclined bottom of the bin (c). The shaft of the tappet receives its motion from
the pulley (c) on the shaft (W), which by means of a band communicates
with the pulley wheel (#), keyed on the shaft (t). Such matters as shells
stones, &c., as are mixed with the sand, and are too large to pass through the
sieve (r), fall off from it into the trough (), which is raised in the centre at

page_text: ( 1), and allows any matters falling into it to roll into the vessels (Z). from
which they are to be removed as occasion may require. The sand by the
preceding operations just described arrives in the bin (c) freed from small
earthy particles by washing, and screened from all larger particles than grains
of sand, and being in a dry state, is now fit for the grinding operation; and to
facilitate its removal to the mill, and to regulate the quantity forming one
charge, the following contrivance is resorted to:-The sand is first raised by
means of the Archimedian screw (2) into the receiving hopper (3): this
screw has a central shaft (4) passing at its lower end through the bottom of
the bin (), and resting in a bearing (5) let into a block of stone (6) below
the floor: the upper end of the screw shaft rests in a plummer block (7),
bolted to one of the rafters (V). Near the top of the screw there is a bevelled
wheel (8), which is actuated by another wheel (9) on the shaft (W). The
rotatory motion thus transmitted causes the sand to ascend the spiral path of
the screw in a manner well understood when applied to other purposes, and
finally to discharge itself into the receiving hopper (3), which is secured to
one of the rafters (V) by an iron strap (10). Below the receiving hopper
there is another hopper (11) of larger dimensions. having its bottom inclined
to one side, where it terminates in a wide spout (11): this hopper (11) is
not fixed like the one above it, but is supported on scale bearings at (12):
projecting from an iron plate (13), bolted to the hopper (11).
these pieces on each side of the hopper resting on the forked end of the arms
(14); these arms are keyed on to a shaft (14), which is supported in
bearings (15) formed on the two iron standards (15); these standards are
bolted on to a raised piece of masonry (16), and are steadied at their upper.
ends by a stretcher 17, extending across from one to the other. From the entre
of the shaft (14) there projects a lever (18), the end of which is screwed, and
passes through the adjustable weight (19), in order to prevent the hopper (11)
from tilting over; it has an arm (20) projecting downwards from the under
side of it; at the lower end of the arm there is a roller (21) which moves up
and down between two guide bars (22). (23) is a support for the weight
(19) to rest upon. The hopper (11) thus supported forms a sort of weighing
machine, in which the quantity of sand required for one charge of the mill is
determined; its operation is as follows:-The apparatus being in the position
represented in the Drawings. the sand is seen flowing from the receiving.
hopper (3) through an opening in the bottom of it; this opening is provided:
with a plug (24) formed with hollow sides in the manner usually practised with
he tails or spindles of cone valves; but as these hollows or flutes do not extend.
he whole length of the plug, it is capable of entirely closing the orifice if
There is one of.

page_text: Now so
soon as the accumulated weight of sand in the hopper (11) is sufficient to
counterbalance the weight (19), it will do so, and will lower itself until the
stop (20) reaches the guide bars (22) where it will rest. In moving down
the hopper will draw down the plug (24) by means of the chain (25)
and prevent any more sand entering it during the time the plughole is
shut. The sand which is regularly brought up by the screw will accumu-
late in the hopper (3); in order to regulate the exact weight of sand in the
hopper (11), the weight (19) may be screwed further off or nearer to the
axis of the lever. (16) is a piece of masonry raised above the general level
This bed stone is
of the floor; on it is placed the horizontal bed stone (26).
part of an edge stone mill constructed on the general principle of such mills.
(27) is a vertical shaft, running in a brass step (28) at its lower end, and
passing up through the floor above, where it is supported by another bearing,
and carries on its upper end a bevil wheel gearing with another bevil wheel
These wheels I have not shewn in
on a shaft actuated by any first mover.
pulled down; this plug is attached to a small chain and rod (25).
There
This
the Drawings, but they are well understood. The brass step (28) is elon-
gated upwards, forming a sort of tubular oil cup surrounding the shaft.
is another tubular piece (29) closed at top, and attached to the shaft.
tube (29) is inverted over the oil cup, and reaches nearly down to the bed stone,
so as to prevent any powder working into the oil cup; to the outside of the
tube (29) there are attached two curved plates or scrapers shown at (30),
Figure 3, for the purpose of removing the materials from the centre of the
On the shaft (27)
bed, and distributing them in the path of the stones (31).
arms pass in rolling over any matters
carrying with them the arms and boss
(34) carry at the extremity two small
lower ends the scrapers (35*), by
there are four cast-iron arms united by a central boss fitted loosly to the
shaft (27), but made to turn with it in consequence of a projection or feather
(32). Two of the arms (33) carry with them the edge stones (31) mounted
with proper bearings, through which the
in their path; these stones can rise up,
on the shaft (27). The other two arms
axles (35). These axles have at their
which the materials under operate are brought from the curb or outer iron
ring (36) into the path of the "runners." When one charge of materials
has been ground they are removed to the receiving box (37): for this purpose
An elongation
a portion of the iron curb (36) is mounted on a joint (38).
of the joint pin is seen at (39), Figure 3, where it extends through the
receiving box (37), and has a lever and weight (38) for the purpose of retain
ing it either entirely up or down; when it is moved down as at (36) it allows
the ground materials to be passed into the receiving box.
The better to

page_text: accomplish this end the handles (39) have to be pulled in the opposite
direction to that shew in the Drawing, so as to reverse the scrapers (35*),
as shown by dots in Figure (3): the scrapers then cause the materials
to pass through the opening in the curb 36*). When this is accomplished
the jointed piece (36) of the curb is moved upwards and retained in tliat
position by the counter-weight (38), the scrapers 35 are restored to their
former position, and the mill is in readiness for another charge of materials.
To do this the sliding door (40) of the hopper (11) is lifted up by the
handle, and the charge of sand weighed in the hopper (11) is allowed to fall
into the curb surrounding the bed stone; the diminution of weight in the
hopper (11) will allow it to ascend into the position shown in the Drawing.
When it is emptied the slide (40) is to be shut down, and the plug (24) lifted
up, so as to allow the accumulated sand in the receiving hopper (3), to' fall
into it the refilling of the hopper (11) takes place while the grinding of the
former charge is going on. When the sand is nearly reduced to the required-
degree of fineness, the soda, potash, or other alkaline matters are to be added,
and also the chalk, lime, charcoal, or other matters required in glass making,
each in their proper proportions, according to the description of glass intended
to be made. The materials are to be left in the mill until the greater part,
if not the whole, of the matters are ground to a fine powder, when they are
discharged into the receiving box as before described. I may here remark
that when alkaline salts are used their water of crystallisation should first be
driven off by exposing them to heat. The next operation to be performed is
to separate any imperfectly ground portion of the materials, and to return
them back to the mill to be again operated upon; these may be returned and
worked with the next charge each time. I have already described the way
in which the whole of the matters used as materials for making sheets, plates,
or panes of glass have been ground or crushed, and delivered into the
box (37) below; a portion of this box is a plummer block (41), which
receives one end of the shaft (42), the other end being supported in a plummer
block (43) attached to the case (44) of the bolting or dressing apparatus.
The shaft (42) has fixed upon it a number of brushes (45) arranged so as to
touch the wire gauze drum (46). As they revolve in a similar manner to that
already practised in dressing flour and other matters, such particles as are'fine
enough to pass through the wire gauze fall into the bin (47), but those
particles which are too coarse pass out at the end of the drum at (48), and are
conducted by the spout (49) into the receptacle (50), and may be reground' as
before mentioned. The shaft (42) receives its motion from a bevil wheel (51)
on the Archemedian screw (2), which gears into the wheel (52) on the shaft

page_text: 42). The wire gauze cylinder may be made to vary in fineness according to
the desire of the manufacturer, but I prefer a range of fineness between five
The wire drum is
thousand and ten thousand holes in the superficial inch.
supported by hoops (53). which surrounds it, and is further protected
externally by its case (44). The shaft (42), at the part where it passes through
the receiving box (37), is provided with inclined blades, and as they revolve
assist in bringing fresh supplies of materials through the opening (37*) into
the wire drum. The dressed or finished materials which fall into the lower
part (47) of the bolting or dressing apparatus are raised to the upper floor
by means of an Archemedian screw (54), in the way already described for
elevating the sand. This screw is shewn in elevation, its internal structure
not differing from those in general use for raising malt and other materials.
In Figure 3 I have shewn it cut off on the line A, B, of Figure 1, so as not
to obstruct the view of the rest of Figure 3. The screw (54) receives motion
from a pulley wheel (55) on the shaft (W), the band from which passes over
a pulley wheel (56) on the screw shaft, the band being directed in a proper
course by the intermediate guide pulleys (57). The screw, after passing through
the upper floor (where it is shown broken off) may either be made to deliver
the prepared materials on to the floor, or, by raising a little higher, deliver
them into a large bin or other receptacle, the upper end of the screw being
supported in a similar manner to that used to support the screw (2) at (7).
Having ground or crushed the materials above mentioned, I apply the
"cullet" or broken glass, as heretofore in the manufacture of like glass. The
advantages of this method of preparing the materials to be used in the mami-
facture of sheets, plates, or panes of glass," are, firstly, a saving in manual
labour in the operation of washing, drying, sifting, and weighing; and,
secondly, the minute mechanical division of the various matters used will
facilitate their chemical action, and therefore save both time and expence in
their formation into glass. I would, in conclusion, in respect to this part of
my Invention remark, that all the iron parts of the vessel and apparatus for
washing and drying should be galvanized or otherwise protected from rusting
if of iron.
Secondly, with regard to the use of an additional pair of rollers to such
machines as are used to roll glass into sheets, for the purpose of either
rendering the cast or rolled plate more smooth and uniform, or for the purpose
These improvements are appli
of impressing embossing any designs thereon.
cable to that description of machinery for rolling glass for which I obtained a
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh of July, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-six, and being the application thereto or combination therewith of

page_text: another pair of rollers to be placed a short distance lower down the curved
plate or inclined plane of the glass-rolling machine than the original pair of
rollers are. These rollers I prefer to make of "chilled cast iron," and highly
polished, and placed in such a position that the sheet of glass, as it proceeds
from the first or "forming rolls,' passes between the second or "finishing
rolls," whereby the surface of the glass is rendered more flat and smooth.
The plate in this second operation is somewhat elongated, because the finishing
rolls are kept a little closer together than the first roll, and have a propor-
tionable increased surface speed, in order that the plate of soft glass may be
well pressed in passing through them, the plastic state of the glass, after
passing through between the first pair of rolls, allowing the surface speed of
the second pair of rolls to be in excess of the first pair of rolls. In those cases
where it is desirable to give a figured or embossed surface to the glass, I
engrave or otherwise indent one or both of the finishing or second pair of
rollers, so that the sheet of plastic glass as it passes between them will receive
an impress of the figured surface of the roller. To produce fluted glass the
finishing rollers are to be fluted either in the direction of their axis or in con-
centric rings. In either case the concave parts of one roller is to be placed
opposite the convex parts of the other, so that the sheet of glass, after coming
from the forming or first pair of rollers in a flat state, may become fluted or
corrugated by passing between the finishing rollers. The additional pair of
rollers are to be suitably formed, in order to allow them to be kept cool, by
water passing through them, in the manner described in my former Patent,
herein-before referred to, and are to be driven by gearing with wheels in con-
nection with those used for driving the forming or first pair of rollers, so that
the required surface speed of each of the pairs of rollers may be obtained
thereto. When two smooth plates of glass are placed upon each other, for
the purpose of being ground into a true plane, the sand or emery used in the
first operation does readily act upon them by reason of the smoothness of their
surfaces. To prevent this evil, and cause the sand or emery immediately to
act upon them, I rough or indent the surfaces of such sheets of glass as are
intended to be ground. These indents are caused by corresponding projections
formed on the rollers of the machine, which, for this purpose, I prefer to be
diamonded all over, in the manner adopted in the making of rollers for
embossing calicos for bookbinding. The precise design is unimportant: but
the one I prefer is a series of small square indents, because they are well
calculated to retain the grains of sand or emery, and thereby facilitate the
grinding operation. This roughening of the surface I prefer to produce by
the first or forming rollers, because the asperities on the surface of the rollers

page_text: facilitate the drawing in of the glass between them, and entirely counteract
that tendency which the rollers otherwise have to slip round without taking
the glass with them.
Thirdly, with regard to my method of annealing and of heating annealing
"kilns" or "lears," by the introduction therein of air heated in pipes, or other
suitable apparatus, after the manner practised in heating air for hot blast in
the manufacture of iron, which consists in an apparatus for annealing sheets,
plates, or frames of glass.. This apparatus I prefer to consist of an inclined
plane, constructed of hollow cubes of fire-clay, or other suitable material, and
so placed with reference to the rolling machine, when used in combination
therewith, that the upper end of the inclined plane of fire-clay may unite with
the curved surface or inclined plane of the rolling machine, and form a con-
tinuation thereof. By which arrangement the plates of glass as they are
formed may be made to slide one after each other, and deposit themselves in
succession upon the inclined bed of fire-clay, which is inclosed by an arch of
brickwork. and forms a long annealing lear. its bottom being in an inclined
position to the horizon. The angle of inclination should be such that a sheet
of glass, when delivered upon it from the rollers, will have a slight tendency to
slide down it. The surface of this inclined plane is to be made smooth, in the
manner described in a Patent granted to me and Lewis Schonberg, dated the
Twenty-third day of September, One thousand eight hundred & forty-one, for
making annealing kiln bottoms, by bolting together hollow cubes of fire-clay,
The
and afterwards grinding the upper surface thereof to a true surface.
plates of hot glass, as soon as they are produced by the rolling machine, are
moved in succession down the inclined lear or annealing kiln, where they may
remain until sufficiently annealed; or soon after they have become rigid, they
may be piled in a box at the lower end of the lear after the manner of piling
in boxes already practised in the manufacture of sheet glass. The high tem-
perature required to anneal glass renders it necessary, according to one mode
of construction, that the lear or annealing kiln should have fires at suitable
distances from one end of it, the flame and heated matters passing into the
lear, as is commonly practised; but as this method of heating annealing kilns
causes an accumulation of dust, ashes, and soot in them, I prefer the following
method of heating kilns or lears, which is also applicable to glass annealing
kilns of other descriptions, wherein sheets, plates, or panes of glass are
annealed, besides the one herein described. Between the furnace, where the
glass is melted, and the chimney, I build a brick chamber, and in this
chamber are placed cast-iron pipes, in a similar manner to the arrangement of
These pipes
pipes usually employed for producing hot blast or iron works.

page_text: are to be heated by the current of hot vapours from the founding furnace, and
a stream of air is made to pass through the pipes or apparatus by suitable
blowing machinery, and the air so heated is admitted into the annealing lear
or kiln to heat the same, the introduction and emission of heated air into and
from the lear or kiln being regulated by slides or valves; and the pipe by
which the air is delivered into the kiln or lear is perforated with numerous
small holes, so as to deliver the air into the kiln or lear in a largely divided
state. The advantages of this mode of heating are the economy of fuel,
caused by heating the air by the waste heat of the founding furnace, although
I do not confine myself to that mode of heating the air, and the freedom from
dust and ashes in the annealing lear, by using highly-heated atmospheric air
instead of allowing the products of combustion and dust of a fire to draw
through the lear; and, lastly, the facility it affords of regulating the tem-
perature, by simply increasing or decreasing the quantity of air admitted
during the process of heating the lear.
The improvements under this
polishing the surface of glass
For this purpose 1 construct a
polishing rubber or frictional
Fourthly, with regard to a method of smoothing or polishing plates, sheets,
or panes of glass, by an endless belt or strap charged with polishing material,
which belt is made to pass in contact rapidly over the surface of the glass, and
to traverse slowly across it in a direction at right angles to the line in which
the belt moves over the drums that impel it.
head consist in an apparatus for smoothing or
after it has been ground in the usual manner.
machine or apparatus in such a way that the
surfaces passes rapidly and continually in one direction over the surface of the
glass, and is made also to traverse slowly backward and forward crosswise™
over the same surface, the glass being laid on a stationary table of slate or other
suitable material. This apparatus is shewn on Sheet B, where Figure 1 is a
side elevation, Figure 2 a plan or birds'-eye view, and Figure 3 a cross section
on the line A, B, of Figure 1. The letters of reference denote the same parts
wherever they occur in each of the Figures. A is a rectangular bed of brick-
work, surmounted by a flat and smooth surface B, of slate or other suitable mate-
rial, and forming the table on which the polishing is to be effected; this table I
prefer to place near one of the side walls of the polishing room. A portion of
this wall is shewn at (C) in Figures 1, 2 and 3, to which are attached the
brackets D, by means of the bolts E and wall plates F; these brackets are
formed at the part DI into plummer blocks, in which the main driving
shaft G revolves. H is a light cast-iron frame, being fitted with caps J at H 1
and H2, after the manner of a plummer block, and is made to embrace the
shaft G at GI and G2, where there are journals to receive it. The other

page_text: a'
end of the frame H is provided with a slot on cach side, in which are fitted
the sliding brasses K; in these brasses the short shaft L revolves and carries a
flanged drum wheel M, and a belt or strap N, which also passes over
drum P on the shaft G. When it is required to tighten this belt the screws Q
are turned round, and the sliding brasses are brought forward along the slot in
a direction receding from the shaft G. and will, therefore, tighten the strap N;
in order that the screws Q may draw the brasses they have each of them a groove
or neck turned upon them, and into this neck plates R are fitted and then screwed
to the brasses K. There is also fitted into the frame H a wheel S, which
bears upon the table (B*), and supports the end of the frame H, to which it
is attached. T, T, are two iron bars screwed at H3, H4, H 5, and H 6, to
the cross portions of the frame H, and are seen besi in Figure 3. Figure 9
is a side elevation and Figure 10 a cross section on an enlarged scale of a part
of the bars T, in each of which there are a number of small slots V; these
slots receive the axis X of the rollers W, and thereby retain the rollers W in
their required position, at the same time admitting of a movement upwards or
downwards of the rollers. The slate table B has a dovetailed groove cut
across it, and a strip of brass Z fitted into it and projecting a little above the
surface so as to form a stop and prevent the plate of glass Y from being
slipped off the table. The belt N, which I prefer to make of gutta percha,
being tightly stretched over the drums M and P, is to be covered with felt
on the outer surface, therefore the felt will come in contact with the plate of
glass from one end to the other of the plate, and in order to produce a greater
pressure of the felt surface the metal rollers W, rest their entire weight upon
the belt. Now, if motion is given from any first mover to the main shaft G in
the direction indicated by the arrows, the belt N, with its rubbing surface of
felt next the glass, will pass in a continuous line over its surface in the direction
of the plate's greatest length, but as this movement would only polish a portion
of the glass equal to the width of the belt, a traversing motion is given cross-
wise to the belt on the surface of the glass. This is effected by causing the
main driving shaft G to slide endwise in its bearings or plummer blocks D 1,
there being no sunk journals on the shaft G at the part where they work in
these bearings, but there are sunk journals at the part where the frame H is
supported, consequently any end motion of the shaft G causes a corresponding
motion of the frame H, it being supported at the opposite end by the
wheel S, as before described, so that the passing the belt continuously over
the glass in the direction of its length, combined with the cross or traversing
motion, will cause the felted surface of the belt to rub equally over every
part of the upper surface of the glass, in the ordinary mode of polishing plate

page_text: There are four flaps or
this, and parallel to it,
near each end. also working
These wheels (f) rest on the
to transmit motion from one
glass oxide of iron, mixed with water, is sprinkled from time to time over the
surface of the glass, but as the distribution of this mixture is not very
uniform, I prefer the following arrangement:-A copper vessel (a) is supported
by arms (b) to the frame H. A cross section of this vessel is shewn in
Figure 5, and a longitudinal section in Figure 6. At the lower part of the
vessel a small axle (c) works in basses formed on the inside of the vessel :
this axle carries a small wheel (d) at each end of it.
leaves (h) projecting from the central part; above
there is another axle (e), having a wheel ()
in bosses formed on the inside of the vessel (a).
wheels (d, d); and are thereby in a condition
axle to the other. (g) is a roller on the axle (e), which is covered with felt,
and projects a little above the upper edge of the vessel (a), and is placed
in contact with the felted surface of the belt N, immediately below the main
shaft G. The vessel (a) having heen supplied with a mixture of oxide of
iron and water, and the machine put in motion, the felted roller partly
immersed in the fluid will revolve in contact with the felted surface of the
belt or strap, and supply it with the polishing mixture, the motion of the
roller (g) being transmitted to the axle below it. The flaps (h) will prevent
the oxide of iron from settling at the bottom of the vessel, and thereby keep
up a uniform supply of the polishing mixture.. In the machines now used for
polishing glass there is a tendency to remove the plate of glass from the
machine by the backward and forward motion of the rubbers, it is therefore
usual to cement plate glass with plaster of Paris to the surface on which it
is to be polished, but with the machine here described it will not be requisite
so to fix the glass, because the motion of the rubbing surface is continuous
in one direction, and this has a tendency to keep the plate in contact with the
brass feather Z, which will prevent it from sliding off the table.
When one
side of the plate has been polished the frame H is to be raised at that end-
where the wheel S is situated, the other end moving on the shaft G, which,
forms an axis for such movement. When the frame is elevated, a block of
wood may be placed as a support under the wheel S, and the plate removed.
It will then be turned the reverse way upwards, and again laid on the slate
table in contact with the feather Z. when the block of wood may be removed
and the machine again put in motion.
In Figure 2 have shewn a small portion of two other,tables (B 1 and
3 2) to illustrate the way in which I prefer to combine a number of polishing
nachines, all of which are to receive motion from one main shaft, so that by
ne set of gearing to produce a traversing motion, several machines will be

page_text: made to traverse simultaneously. The traversing endwise of the main shaft
may be effected by various mechanical contrivances, but the one I prefer for
that purpose I will now describe, reference being had to Figure 4, Sheet B,
where G is the main driving shaft, seen in the same position as that shaft is
represented in Figure 3. If we suppose the shaft G, Figure 4, to be joined
to the shaft G, Figure 3, at the parts marked G, we should form a con-
tinuation of the shaft G, Figure 3, in the true position they are to occupy
with reference to each other. k, k, Figure 4, are wall plates, having a project-
ing part (), in which is formed a plummer block (n) for the purpose of
supporting the main shaft G; a revolving motion is transmitted to this shaft by
a driving strap passing round the large drum (). As this drum has a move-
ment endwise in common with the shaft it is necessary to have a long drum on
the first mover, so that the strap may be able to act upon the drum () not-
withstanding its end motion, the strap being allowed to traverse on the long
drum. (m) is another drum, also actuated by the strap (2), which receives
motion from any first mover. The drum (m) is mounted on a short axis at
right angles to the shaft G and in a horizontal position. The plummer blocks
which support it are not shown, in order not to obscure the other parts of the
Figure. On the same axis as the drum (m) there is also fixed a mitre wheel
(p) gearing into two other mitre wheels q and g, which are mounted loosely on
the shaft (r). Between these two wheels there is a clutch (s), having two
conical ends S 1 and S 2. This clutch has a free movement endwise, but
cannot revolve without the shaft (r), in consequence of a feather running
through it; the shaft (r), is supported in plummer blocks (2), which project
from the wall plate (k), and is prevented from moving endwise by the pro-
jecting studs (k 3). There is a deep groove formed around the clutch (s),
into which a band (t) is fitted, having a projecting stud (u) on each side. The
wheels q, q, have enlarged bosses q' and q²; these bosses have a conical
I
recess in them so as to fit the conical end of the clutch S in Figure 4.
have shewn the cone S2 in the boss g 2, whereby the wheel q2 is made to
revolve with the clutch and shaft (r), while the wheel (q1) is at liberty to
revolve in an opposite direction. The shaft has a screw thread formed upon
it which works in a box or nut (c). This box has a descending arm v1,
which embraces the band w, and is affixed to it by a stud a at each side. On
the shaft G there are. two stout collars y, between which the band (w) is
fitted. Now, if motion is transmitted to the drum (m) and wheel p the shaft
(r) will receive motion, and the box (v) be made to move along the screw
shaft and give a corresponding motion to the main shaft G in consequence of
the band
forcing against the collar' y of the shaft. In order to reverse the

page_text: motion I make use of a weighted lever or tumbling bob z. This lever moves
on an axis 4, the support of which is not seen. The lower end of the lever z
is made to embrace the band f. and has two slotted holes to receive the studs u.
The upper end has a heavy ball z 1 on it in order to press the cone of the
clutch into the conical recess of the wheel q. The wall plates k, k, have at
their upper ends two projecting pieces 5, 5, in which the bar 6 is allowed to
slide endwise. This bar has upon it a stud 7, and when the upper arm 2 of
the box has arrived at this stud the bar 6 commences to move with the
screw box, and by means of the studs 8 to elevate the lever z into a perpen-
dicular position. As soon as this point is passed the weight of the lever z 1
causes the cone S2 to be withdrawn from the recess q2, and to force the
cone S1 into the recess 91, by which movement the wheel qt will carry
round the screw shaft r in the opposite direction, and allow the wheel q 2 to
turn freely. By this means the screw box will carry the main shaft G in an
opposite direction to its former movement, until the arm 2 comes in contact
with the stud (q), and by the movement of the bar 6 bring the lever and other
parts into the position shewn in Figure 4. and thus producing the required
traverse motion of the shaft G. In Figures 7 and 8, Sheet B. I have
shewn another modification of this principle of polishing, which consists in
substituting pieces of metal fixed upon the strap and covered with felt; the
use of these will render unnecessary the pressing rollers before described in
Figure 7. 10, 10, are two drums to be fixed on the shafts (12), and are
caused to revolve and also to move endwise on their bearings in the manner
described with reference to the shaft G, in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4; the strap or
belt 13, which passes over the drums (10, 10.) has a number of flat pieces of
metal extending across its entire width and rivetted or otherwise fixed to it.
These pieces of metal 14 are placed near each other and are covered with
pieces of felt 15; this is seen in Figure 8. To support the upper horizontal
portion of the belt the rollers 16 are used: these rollers are in length equal to
the width of the glass intended to be polished: they are supported in bearings
formed in a bar (17), of which there is one at each end of the supporting
rollers, the bar itself being supported by passing into the side walls of the
building, or by other convenient means. The other horizontal portion of the
belt lays with its felted surfaces next the plate of glass 18 on the table 19; the
requisite motion being given to the weighted belt, it will pass over the surface
of the glass and polish it, being supplied with water and oxide of iron in the
manner already described. In this polishing machine, as in the previous one,
the continuous action in one direction of the strap renders cementing of the
glass unnecessary, one end of the plate being kept. in contact with a raised rib
or stop let into the table, it is held there during the time of polishing. This

page_text: affords great facility in changing the plates when polished, and saves both time
and expense.
And lastly, with regard to my method of producing plates or "tables" of glass,
of the description known as crown glass, in such a way that the centre of the
"table"shall not have a "bullion" or knob as usual, the glass, according to
this part of my Invention, being supported on an expanding fork or instruuent
at three or more points near its periphery, instead of being supported at the
centre or "bullion." In the ordinary method of manufacturing crown glass a
certain quantity of "metal" is gathered on the end of an iron tube; it is
afterwards rolled to and fro on an iron plate or "marver," by which operation
that part of the glass which is intended ultimately to form the centre of the
plate is sufficiently cooled to prevent it from becoming equally thin with the
rest of the plate. In the subsequent operation of blowing, by which a hollow
globe is formed on the end of the iron tube at a certain stage of the operation,
"
ponty or
as is well known, a workman applies an iron rod called a
"pontil (having some hot glass upon it) to the opposite axis of the globe to
After this has
that by which the globe is attached to the iron pipe or tube.
been done the globe is detached from the tube on which it was formed, the
by a
globe being retained by the second workman on his rod or "ponty;"
further process, well understood in the trade, the globe is reheated and
expanded by centrifugal force in front of the flashing furnace, the "ponty
still being attached to the centre or bullion of the expanded disc of glass.
After the ponty is detached the disc or "table" of glass is left with an uneven
knob (or bullion, as it is called) in its centre, which greatly interferes with the
size of the panes of glass into which it is afterwards cut.
66
"tables"
For this purpose
Now my improvement consists in a method of forming discs or
of glass without a knob or "bullion" in the centre of them.
the "metal" is gathered in the usual manner on an iron tube, and blown
into a hollow globe without producing a "bullion," the glass being blown
thin with the rest of the globe. When the globe is sufficiently blown and
compressed in the direction of its axis, instead of applying the "ponty" to
the axis of the globe opposite to the blowing tube, as heretofore, I employ an
instrument which consists of a rod or axis similar to a ponty rod, but having
at one end three or more curved arms attached to its end. These arms work
'on joints in such a manner that their outer ends may come towards each
other, and being curved they will surround the globe of glass without touching
it, excepting at the neck, where the end of each curved arm will come in
contact with the glass of the globe, each arm at its end being first provided
with a portion of soft glass at its end, so that when the arms or their oute
ends come in contact with the neck of the globe they will adhere thereto

page_text: The tube or pipe may then be separated from the glass globe and the same
will be held by the instrument. The orifice at the neck of the globe will then
be presented to the "nose hole" to be equalized in the usual way. The globe
is then to be spun round together with the instrument before the "flashing
furnace," the softened glass will expand, and the arms (moving on their joints)
will expand with the glass until the glass forms a flat disc or table, which
will be supported at three or more points according to the number of arms
used near its largest circumference instead of at one point in the centre as
heretofore. The revolving motion is to be kept up after taking the glass
from the "flashing furnace" until the plate is sufficiently cooled to become
rigid; it is then to be detached and piled in the annealing kiln. The chief
advantages of this mode of making glass are the increased size of plates
which can be cut, and the saving of the part usually forming the knob or
"bullion."
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I desire it to be
understood that although I have herein shewn and explained many parts
of machinery or apparatus which are separately in common use for other
purposes, I do not intend to claim them separately as of my Invention. Nor
do I confine myself to the details, so long as the peculiar character of either
part of my Invention be retained. But what I claim is.-
First, the arranging of machinery for washing, drying, sifting, and weighing
sand as herein described.
And I also claim the grinding or crushing the materials for glass making
in the manner herein described.
Secondly, I claim the employment of an additional pair of rollers to machines
for rolling glass.
Thirdly, I claim the heating of annealing kilns or "lears" by the introduc-
tion therein of air heated in suitable apparatus as explained.
Fourthly, I claim the polishing of sheets, plates, or panes of glass by the
friction of a strap or belt moved in contact with the surface of the glass as
above explained. And,
Lastly, I claim the manufacturing of tables of crown glass without a knob
or "bullion" in the centre thereof. by employing an instrument on which
the table is held, and made to revolve by being attached by arms at or near
the external edge of the "table" or "disc."
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bessemer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
שתזוז
DUAA515
HANDW
..
BESSEMER

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Seventeenth day of January,
in the year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid Henry Bessemer came before..our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, 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.