Year: 1878

page_text: 1, CHARLES STUART, of Bletchley in the County of Buckingham Mechanical
Engineer seek leave to amend the specification of Letters Patent, No. 1286
of 1878, as shown in red ink in the copy of the original specification hereunto
annexed-
My reasons for making this amendment are as follows:-
That there are doubts whether the Letters Patent are not at present invalid in
consequence of certain prior publications of the portions of the Specification
claimed by the 2nd 8th and 9th claims which I desire to disclaim.
That there are doubis whether the 5th 6th and 7th claims of the original Speci-
fication can be supported and I am therefore desirous of disclaiming them.
The said Letters l'atent were assigned to me by Ludentures dated the 14th day
of November 1881 and the 4th day of December 1882 duly registered in the Patent
Office.
Dated this 24th day of January 1885.

page_text: ..
of Rhymney. in the County of
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
AND CLEANING METALLIC SHEETS OR
LETTERS PATENT in John Henium Johns,
Monmouth, Roller, for the Invention of
APPARATUS FOR PREPARING, COATING,
PLATES."
Sealed the 28th December 1878, and dated the 25th October 1878,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Heniun Johns at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th October 1878.
Joux Hextex Jouss of Rhymney in the County of Monmouth, Roller.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING COATING AND
CLEANING METALLIC SHEETS OR PLATES.”
This Invention relates to a continuous process for preparing, coating, and
cleaning metallic sheets or plates and has for its chief object simplicity and com-
pactness in construction whilst economy in labour and a reduced number of waste
plates is effected.
In carrying out my said Invention the plates are first passed through a chamber
or receiver situate in a horizontal or inclined position having open ends with a
pipe at the side to introduce steam from an acid thus causing a quick expansion to
the plates and the oxide to leave the same. Through this chamber I form a series
of guides consisting of plates fixed crosswise and a series of moveable bars in the
length of the chamber the crosswise plates serving to keep the plates in the course
of preparation for coating in the steam a sufficient length of time whilst by moving
up a handle or otherwise at the top of this chamber the plates will be caused in
pass through to a water reservoir, from which they are taken by hand and placed
upon a carrier passing through a greasing composition from which they are caused
to pass through lips regulated by a spring or otherwise and are taken and placed
between wooden or composition rollers which cause the plates to pass into guides and
are then immersed in the molten metal with which they are to be coated.
The
I will now proceed to describe my improved arrangement of bath which contains
the molten metal for coating the metal plates. It is constructed so that the metal
is kept at an even temperature throughout and is made inclined with an open
part in the centre and contains a series of guides which are fixed to the sides of
the bath parallel or nearly so with the said recessed or inclined portion.
plates are introduced into these guides by the aid of rollers which are adjustable
by a hand lever or otherwise in a horizontal direction and when moved backwards
or forwards cause the plates to enter the guides in an alternate direction hori-
zontally thus causing the plates themselves to push each other through the metal
bath without the aid of any mechanical appliances as hitherio found requisite the
plates being allowed to remain any desired length of time in the said guides. The
chamber just below the said adjustable rollers is surrounded by a steam air or
water space for keeping the grease cool that may have been on the plates. The
said guides may be of any desired form & be made to suit all widths of plates.
the other extremity of these fixed guides there is situate a hinged guide which is
adjusted by a metal strap with pin holes for guiding the plates as they issue from
the before-described fixed guides into a second chamber containing grease (such
Af

page_text: chamber having a passage around it for the circulation of steam water or air).
between a pair of rollers which may be composed of glass or other suitable
material & he solid or hollow as preferred thence they are caused to pass between
rubbers or planishers one of which is made adjustable to suit different thicknesses
of-plates by a wedge action with indicator & from these equalizers or rubbers are
carried between two rollers revolving in opposite directions the one having bristles
of wire or other suitable material fixed therein to form a revolving brush, & the
other being smooth the object of these rollers being to clean off any impurities of
metal or grease that might have escaped between the rubbers or equalizers they
are-further made to pass between two other rollers-composed of glass or other
suitable material & from these to a carrier which carrier is kept cool by a blast
of air thus also cooling the plates on the way to the cleaning machine to which
The plates are introduced between-lips to a closed chamber supplied with bran or
other suitable cleaning material from a hopper above & between planishers having
the said bran or cleaning material for absorbing the grease that may be left upon
the plates circulating therein, & from this chamber or box they are caught by
rollers which conduct them between horizontally revolving brushes the case-con-
taining the said brushes being so constructed that a continual circulation of cold
air will be sustained therein.
It will be obvious that by the improved continuous process plates of any size &
thickness can be prepared coated & cleaned in one operation by simply passing
from one stage of the process to the other it will also be seen that my Invention
dispenses entirely with the use of mechanism such as rollers & gearing in the bath
of metal such arrangements having been found to be very uncertain in their
operation. By my improved process the plates can be allowed to stay as long as
required in the greasing composition & also in the molten metal & will thereby
improve the condition of the plates & reduce the number of waste plates.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Hentun Johns in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
April 1879.
JOHN HENTUN JOBss of Rhymney in the County of Monmouth, Roller.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS FOR
PREPARING COATING &
CLEANING METALLIC SHEETS OR PLATES."
My said Invention relates to a peculiar construction arrangement & combina-
tion of apparatus for preparing coating and cleaning or polishing metallic sheets
or plates, by a continuous process whereby 1 effect greater economy of labour &
reduce the proportion of spoiled or waste plates whilst the apparatus itself is more
simple & compact than heretofore.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed the same
letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding Figures.
Fig. 1 of my Drawings is a plan of my improved apparatus for the preliminary
preparation or cleaning of metal sheets for tinning or intended to be subsequently
tiuned or coated & Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same. It consists
essentially of a chamber A. closed at the top & opening at the bottom into a cistern (
containing cold water the said chamber being by preference supported in an
inclined position as shown in my Drawing by an upright B, which also supports
one edge of a table surface or platform G. D D are parallel guides fitted along the
two opposite inner sides of the chamber such guides consisting by preference of
pipes or tubes open at each end and having a longitudinal slot or opening made
along their inner opposed sides. The object of these slotted tubes is to guide or
direct the metal sheets as they pass through the preparing chamber A.
EE are
short lever arms mounted on a rocking spindle which passes transversely through
the chamber a little below the lower ends of the guides D. The said rocking spindle
is actuated by a lever and handle E' working through the cover the rod or handle
having a projection or tooth thereon which retains it in position whilst the lower
ends of the sheets in the guides are resting upon or supported by the two arms E.
The sheets to be prepared or cleaned are introduced into the upper ends of the
guides in the chamber A through slits or longitudinal openings in the cover &
may obviously be retained any desired time in the said chamber where they are
subjected to the action of common steam or of sulphuric acid vapour introduced
through the pipe F for the purpose of cleaning the sheets. I thus ensure a rapid
expansion of the sheets & cause the oxide to leave the surface thereof. When the
sheets have remained in the chamber a sufficient length of time under the action of
the steam or acid vapour to ensure the cleansing of their surfaces they are allowed
to drop directly into the cold water cistern C below by releasing the retaining

page_text: handle E. By this mode of treatment I considerably reduce the number of
"wasters which are unavoidable under the old method where sheets after being
immersed in pickle are dried in their passage from the pickling bath in the
water bath. I also avoid the blistering of the sheets by subjecting them to steam
or acid vapour in a closed chamber in lieu of immersing them in an open bath of
pickle. Fig. 1 & Fig. 3ª are diagrams of the guides D showing at Fig. 1 the
mode of introducing there the sheets crosswise alferuately so that the bottom
of one plate will cross and rest upon the top edge of the next-plate. Fig. 2 shows
the plates slightly curved so that the lower edge of one plate will resi upon or bear
against the upper edge of the next. By thus introducing the sheets those in the
-rear are enabled to push forward those in advance without the aid of any internal
machinery either in the cleaning-or-preparing chamber A or in the greasing or
coating vessels herein-after referred to, in either of which vessels-the-sheets may be
allowed-to-remain any desired length of time at will. The cleaned sheets are
removed by hand or otherwise from-the-water cistern C to the combined greasing
tinuing and polishing apparatus shown in vertical section at Figs. 8-and-6-aud_b__
plan at Figs. 4 and 7.
In Figures 3 and 4 A is the greasing chamber by preference curved as shown
&B are pipes sloited along their inner opposed sides as before described to act as
guides to the sheets as they are passed along them through the grease.
D Dare
rollers geared together and actuated in any well-known manner for removing any
superfluous grease from the sheets before introducing them into the coating or
tinning bath C. EE are tubular or other equivalent parallel guides fitted to the
inner sides of the bath C. & slotted longitudinally on their inner sides as before
described, for the purpose of guiding the sheets through the molten metal in the
bath C & directing them successively between the first pair of rollers H H herein-
afier referred to. In order to facilitate the crosswise introduction of the successive
sheets into the guides E E the rollers D are mounted in a swivelling suppori
capable of being adjusted or swivelled horizontally first to one angle & then to the
opposite angle so that each succeeding sheet shall cross the previous one, as shown
in Fig. 1 & push forward those in advance of it thereby dispensing with the
rollers pulleys or other mechanical contrivance inside the bath hitherto employed
for propelling the sheets along. I find when completing the sheets in one bath of
molien metal that at the feeding end of such bath the entering sheets being in a
wet or cold state and entering singly in rapid succession in order to ensure the
completion of a large amount of work the result is the molten metal becomes
cooler & thicker and in order to avoid this I arrange in my bath a flue (not shown
in the Drawings) whereby a flame can be caused to pass around the upper part
near the surface of the metal thus maintaining the metal at a steady and nuiform
temperature. I also incline the metal bath as shown in order to ensure the pressure
of a larger amount of metal at the feeding or entering end thereby assisting the
sheets when working heavy guage so that they may heat quickly & with as little
scruff as possible adhering thereto before they reach the more refined metal in the
inclined or upperportion of the bath and I have also found anadvantage to be gained
from the fact of the plates thus passing from a larger mass of metal & a smaller
amount of grease. I surround the feeding end of the bath just below the adjustable
feeding rollers D & slightly above the surface of the metal with a passage (nof
shown in my Drawings) through which circulates cold water for cooling the grease
and at the opposite or finishing end of the same bath round the enlarged portion C
containing grease T employ a similar passage as shown in Fig. 3 for the admission
of steam. The upper end of the bath is of increased width (see Fig. 4) for con-
faining the side frames F F hinged to a transverse rod or bar as shown in the
Drawings. In these side frames F are mounted the two pairs of bearings of
the rollers HHT one bearing in each pair being adjustable towards the fellow
bearing by the action of a bow spring & pressing lever & tightening screw
spindle as is clearlyshown in Fig. 8. These side frames also carrya pair of adjustable

page_text: equalizers or planishers GG shown on an enlarged scate in detail at Fig. 5. They
are chilled upon the surface and are of a peculiar shape having slightly over-
lapping planishing surfaces. I is an indicator plate in connection with the
screw spindle or equivalent means employed for regulating the pressure or uip
of such planishers whereby their condition as regards pressure can be readily ascer-
tained. As the plates issue from the slotted guides E they enter between a pair of
rollers which feed them through the adjustable plauishers GG from which
they pass between a revolving steel brush and smooth roller revolving in opposite
directions & adjustable towards each other by a screw or otherwise for cleaning off
or removing any impurities of metal or grease that might have escaped between the
planishers or equalizers. The sheets then pass between two other rollers H H &
from these are conveyed to a carrier composed of two or more endless travelling
bands B B Figs. 3 & 4. fitted with pins which convey the sheets to the polisher or
cleaner Fig. 6, the said sheets being cooled on their way by currents of cold air
directed against them by blast pipes suitably disposed for that purpose. Before 1
proceed to describe the cleaner I would observe that my peculiar method or arrange-
ment for passing the sheets through the grease bath A & metal bath C without the
aid of propelling machinery inside such bath may be used in either or both the
said baths whereby facility is afforded for allowing the sheets to remain in either
bath any desired length of time. Another peculiarity of my metal bath is the
enlarged or widened finishing end of the bath with its projecting sides or pockets
rising upwards above the feeding end which portion may be made in one with
or separate from the feeding end and with one or more cross partitions under which
the sheets pass on entering the enlarged or finishing end of the bath or chamber the
partitions dipping sufficiently into the metal to counteract the effect of the weight of
grease in this end.
Figs. 6 & 7 represent respectively a sectional elevation and plan of my improved
apparatus for cleaning the sheets after turning. AA are a pair of rollers carrying
the endless travelling bands B B having studs or pins therein at proper intervals
according to the size of the sheets. CC are composition rubbers by preference of
india-rubber. DD are drawing rollers. Ea hopper containing cleaning material.
F F are revolving brushes driven in opposite directions by the pulleys G G. The
sheets are fed into this machine through a mouth-piece having by preference pro-
iruding curved lips as shown & pass between the rubbers or planishers C pressed
together by a spring or otherwise. From the chamber or hopper E the sheets are
drawn by the rollers D D which conduct them between the horizontal revolving
disc-shaped brushes F a continual current of cold air being at the same time main-
tained between such brushes.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original &
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is:-
First. The peculiar construction arrangement & combination of apparatus for pre-
paring coating & cleaning in a continuous manner metallic sheets or plates as
herein-before described & illustrated by my Drawings.
Sewend. The application & use of preparing chamber-supplied-with-steam-of
sulphuris neid vapour & fitted with internal guides along through which the
sheets-to-be-tinned-are-first-enused-to-puss-in-the-monner-herein specified & illus-
trated-by-my Drawings.
Third Second. The peculiar mode of and arrangements for feeding guiding
& propelling the sheets through the preparing greasing & coating baths in such a
manner that each sheet will push forward the preceding one without the use of
internal propelling mechanism of any kind & whereby the said sheets may be
allowed to remain any desired of time in either or any of the said baths as herein-
before described & illustrated by my Drawings.

page_text: Fourth: Third. The peculiar construction of tinning bath with its internal guides
& swivelling feeding apparatus as herein-before described & illustrated by my
Drawings.
Fifth. The combination-with-the-tinning-bath-of-an-enlarged-end-or-chamber-con-
taining hinged frames or standards carrying rollers & planishers-operating
substantially in the manner & for the purpose-herein-before-described & illustrated
by my-Drawings.
Sixth. The application & use-of-the-peculiar-plainishers-G-G-us herein-specified
& illustrated-by-my Drawings.
-Seventh-The-application & use of endless-travelling hands-or-their-equivalent in
conjunction with-blust pipes for continuously feeding-the-cented-sheets-to-n-cleaning
or polishing-machine-&-cooling-them-on-their-passage-as-herein-before-described-&
Eighth The use of passages in the sides of the feeding and exit-ends-of-the
tinning bath for the circulation of water or steam therein as und-for-the-purpose
herein-specified & illustrated by-my-Drawings:
illustrated by my Drawings:
Ninth The peculiar construction & Arrangement of apparatus-for-cleaning &
plishing the tinned-sheets-as fast as they issue-from-the-tinning bath-as-herein
specified & illustrated-by-my-Drawings.
In witness whereof I the said John Hentun Johns have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Sixteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
JOHN HENTUN JOHNS. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Hentun Johns, of Rhymney, in the County of.
Monmouth, Roller, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR.
APPARATUS FOR PREPARING, COATING, AND CLEANING METALLIC SHEETS OR.
PLATES."
Sealed the 28th December 1878, and dated the 25th October 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hentun Johns at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th October 1878.
JOHN HENTUN JOHNS, of Rhymney, in the County of Monmouth, Roller.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING, COATING, AND
CLEANING METALLIC SHEETS OR PLATES."
This Invention relates to a continuous process for preparing, coating, and
cleaning metallic sheets or plates, and has for its chief object simplicity and com-
pactness in construction, whilst economy in labour, and a reduced number of waste
plates is effected.
In carrying out my said Invention the plates are first passed through a chamber
or receiver situate in a horizontal or inclined position, having open ends, with a
pipe at the side to introduce steam from an acid, thus causing a quick expansion to
the plates and the oxide to leave the same. Through this chamber I form a series
of guides consisting of plates fixed crosswise, and a series of moveable bars in the
length of the chamber, the crosswise plates serving to keep the plates in the course
of preparation for coating in the steam a sufficient length of time, whilst by moving
up a handle or otherwise at the top of this chamber the plates will be caused to
pass through to a water reservoir, from which they are taken by hand and placed
upon a carrier passing through a greasing composition, from which they are caused
to pass through lips regulated by a spring or otherwise, and are taken and placed
between wooden or composition rollers, which cause the plates to pass into guides, and
are then immersed in the molten metal with which they are to be coated.
:

page_text: I will now proceed to describe my improved arrangement of bath, which contains
the molten metal for coating the metal plates. It is constructed so that the metal
is kept at an even temperature throughout, and is made inclined, with an open
part in the centre, and contains a series of guides, which are fixed to the sides of
the bath, parallel or nearly so with the said recessed or inclined portion. The
plates are introduced into these guides by the aid of rollers, which are adjustable
by a band lever or otherwise ina a horizontal direction, and when moved backwards
or forwards cause the plates to enter the guides in. an alternate direction hori-
zontally, thus causing the plates themselves to push each other through the metal
bath without the aid of any mechanical appliances, as hitherto found requisite, the
_plates being allowed to remain any desired length of time in the said guides. The
chamber just below the said adjustable rollers is surrounded by a steam, air, or
water space, for keeping the grease cool that may have been on the plates. The
said-guides may be of any desired form, & be made to suit all widths of plates. At
the other extremity of these fixed-guides there is situate a hinged guide, which is
adjusted by a metal strap with pin holes for guiding the plates-as-they_issue_from
the before-described fixed guides into a secoud chamber containing grease (such
chamber having a passage around it for the circulation of steam, water, or air),
between a pair of rollers, which inay be composed of glass or other suitable
material & be solid or hollow, as preferred; thence they are caused to pass between
rubbers or planishers, one of which is made adjustable to suit different thicknesses
of plates by a wedge action with indicator; & from these equalizers or rubbers are
carried between two rollers revolving in opposite directions, the one having bristles
of wire or other suitable material fixed therein to form a revolving brush, & the
other being smooth, the object of these rollers being to clean off any impurities of
metal or grease that might have escaped between the rubbers or equalizers; they
are further made to pass between two other rollers composed of glass or other
suitable material, & from these to a carrier, which carrier is kept cool by a blast
of air, thus also cooling the plates on the way to the cleaning machine, to which
the plates are introduced between lips to a closed chamber supplied with bran or
other suitable cleaning material from a hopper above & between planishers having
the said bran or cleaning material for absorbing the grease that may be left upon
the plates circulating therein, & from this chamber or box they are caught by
rollers which conduct them between horizontally revolving brushes, the case con-
taining the said brushes being so constructed that a continual circulation of cold
air will be sustained therein.
It will be obvious that by the improved continuous process, plates of any size &
thickness can be prepared, coated, & cleaned in one operation by simply passing
from one stage of the process to the other. It will also be seen that my Invention
dispenses entirely with the use of mechanism, such as rollers, & gearing in the bath
of metal, such arrangements having been found to be very uncertain in their
operation. By my improved process the plates can be allowed to stay as long as
required in the greasing composition & also in the molten metal, & will thereby
improve the condition of the plates & reduce the number of waste plates.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Hentun Johns in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
April 1879.
JOHN HENTUN JOHNS, of Rhymney, in the County of Monmouth, Roller.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING, COATING, &
CLEANING METALLIC SHEETS OR PLATES."
My said Invention relates to a peculiar construction, arrangement, & combina-
tion of apparatus for preparing, coating, and cleaning or polishing metallic sheets
or plates by a continuous process whereby I effect greater economy of labour &
reduce the proportion of spoiled or waste plates, whilst the apparatus itself is more.
simple & compact than heretofore.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, the same
letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding Figures.
Fig. 1 of my Drawings is a plan of my improved apparatus for the preliminary
preparation or cleaning of metal sheets for tinning, or intended to be subsequently
tinned or coated; & Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same. It consists
essentially of a chamber A, closed at the top & opening at the bottom into a cistern C.
containing cold water, the said chamber being by preference supported in an
inclined position, as shown in my Drawing, by an upright B, which also supports
one edge of a table surface or platform G. D, D, are parallell guides fitted along the
two opposite inner sides of the chamber, such guides consisting, by preference, of
pipes or tubes open at each end, and having a longitudinal slot or opening made
along their inner opposed sides. The object of these slotted tubes is to guide or
direct the metal sheets as they pass through the preparing chamber A. E, E, are
short lever arms mounted on a rocking spindle which passes transversely through
the chamber a little below the lower ends of the guides D); the said rocking spindle
is actuated by a lever and handle E' working through the cover, the rod or handle
having a projection or tooth thereon which retains it in position whilst the lower
ends of the sheets in the guides are resting upon or supported by the two arms E.
The sheets to be prepared or cleaned are introduced into the upper ends of the
guides in the chamber A through slits or longitudinal openings in the cover, &
may obviously be retained any desired time in the said chamber, where they are.
subjected to the action of common steam or of sulphuric acid vapour introduced
through the pipe F for the purpose of cleaning the sheets; I thus ensure a rapid
expansion of the sheets, & cause the oxide to leave the surface thereof. When the
sheets have remained in the chamber a sufficient length of time under the action of
the steam or acid vapour to ensure the cleansing of their surfaces they are allowed
to drop directly into the cold water cistern C below by releasing the retaining
handle E; by this mode of treatment I considerably reduce the number of
"wasters," which are unavoidable under the old method where sheets after being
immersed in pickle are dried in their passage from the pickling bath to the
water bath. I also avoid the blistering of the sheets by subjecting them to steam
or acid vapour in a closed chamber in lieu of immersing them in an open bath of
pickle. Fig. 1a & Fig. 2ª are diagrains of the guides D, showing at Fig. 10.the
mode of introducing therein the sheets a crosswise alternately, so that the bottom
of one plate will cross and rest upon the top edge of the next plate; Fig. 2 shows
the plates slightly curved, so that the lower edge of one plate will rest upon or bear
against the upper edge of the next. By thus introducing the sheets those in the
rear are enabled to push forward those in advance without the aid of any internal
machinery either in the cleaning or preparing chamber A or in the greasing or
coating vessels herein-after referred to, in either of which vessels the sheets may be
allowed to remain any desired length of time at will. The cleaned sheets are

page_text: removed by hand or otherwise from the water cistern C to the combined greasing,
tinning, and polishing apparatus shown in vertical section at Figs. 3 and 6, and in
plan at Figs. 4 and 7.
In Figures 3 and 4, A is the greasing chamber, by preference curved, as shown;
& B are pipes slotted along their inner opposed sides, as before described, to act as
guides to the sheets as they are passed along them through the grease; D, 1), are
rollers geared together and actuated in any well-known manner for removing any
superfluous grease-from-the-sheets-before-introducing them into the coating or
tinning bath C, E, E, are tubular or other equivalent parallel guides fitted to the
inner sides of the bath C, & slotted longitudinally on their inner sides, as before
described, for the purpose of guiding the sheets through the molten metal in the
-bath-C, & directing them successively between the first pair of rollers H, H, berein-
after referred to. In order to facilitate the crosswise introduction of the successive
sheets into the guides E, E, the rollers D are mounted in a swivelling support
capable of being adjusted-or-swivelled horizontally first to one angle & then to the
opposite angle, so that cach succeeding sheet shall cross the previous one, as-shown-
in Fig. 1a & push forward those in advance of it, thereby dispensing with the
rollers, pulleys, or other mechanical contrivance inside the bath hitherto employed
for propelling the sheets along. I find when completing the sheets in one bath of
molten metal that at the feeding end of such bath the entering sheets being in a
wet or cold state, and entering singly in rapid succession in order to ensure the
completion of a large amount of work the result is the molten metal becomes
cooler & thicker, and in order to avoid this I arrange in my bath a flue (not shown
in the Drawings) whereby a flame can be caused to pass around the upper part
near the surface of the metal, thus maintaining the metal at a steady and uniform
temperature. I also incline the metal bath as shown in order to ensure the pressure
of a larger amount of metal at the feeding or entering end, thereby assisting the
sheets when working heavy guage, so that they may heat quickly & with as little
scruff as possible adhering thereto before they reach the more refined metal in the
inclined or upper portion of the bath, and I have also found an advantage to be gained
from the fact of the plates thus passing from a larger mass of metal & a smaller
amount of grease. I surround the feeding end of the bath just below the adjustable
feeding rollers D, & slightly above the surface of the metal with a passage (not
shown in my Drawings) through which circulates cold water for cooling the grease,
and at the opposite or finishing end of the same bath, round the enlarged portion C,
containing grease, I employ a similar passage, as shown in Fig. 3, for the admission
of steam. The upper end of the bath is of increased width (see Fig. 4) for con-
taining the side frames F, F, hinged to a transverse rod or bar, as shown in the
Drawings. In these side frames F are mounted the two pairs of bearings of
the rollers H, H, one bearing in each pair, being adjustable towards the fellow
bearing by the action of a bow spring, & pressing lever, & tightening screw
spindle, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. These side frames also carry a pair of adjustable
equalizers or planishers G, G, shown on an enlarged scale in detail at Fig. 5; they
are chilled upon the surface, and are of a peculiar shape, having slightly over-
lapping planishing surfaces; I is an indicator plate in connection with the
screw spindle or equivalent means employed for regulating the pressure or nip
of such planishers, whereby their condition as regards pressure can be readily ascer-
tained. As the plates issue from the slotted guides E they enter between a pair of
rollers H, H, which feed them through the adjustable planishers G, G, from which
they pass between a revolving steel brush and smooth roller, revolving in opposite
directions & adjustable towards each other by a screw or otherwise, for cleaning off
or removing any impurities of metal or grease that might have escaped between the
planishers or equalizers. The sheets then pass between two other rollers H, H, &
from these are conveyed to a carrier composed of two or more endless travelling
bands B, B, Figs. 3 & 4, fitted with pins, which convey the sheets to the polisher or
cleaner, Fig. 6; the said sheets being cooled on their way by currents of cold air
directed against them by blast pipes suitably disposed for that purpose. Before I

page_text: proceed to describe the cleaner I would observe that my peculiar method or arrange-
ment for passing the sheets through the grease bath A & metal bath C without the
aid of propelling machinery inside such bath may be used in either or both the
said baths, whereby facility is afforded for allowing the sheets to remain in either
bath any desired length of tine. Another peculiarity of my metal bath is the
enlarged or widened finishing end of the bath with its projecting sides or pockets
rising upwards above the feeding end, which portion may be made in one with
or separate from the feeding end and with one or more cross partitions under which
the sheets pass on entering the enlarged or finishing end of the bath or chamber, the
partitions dipping sufficiently into the metal to counteract the effect of the weight of
grease in this end.
Figs. 6 & 7 represent respectively a sectional elevation and plan of my improved
apparatus for cleaning the sheets after turning. A, A, are a pair of rollers carrying
the endless travelling bands B, B, having studs or pins therein at proper intervals
according to the size of the sheets; C, C, are composition rubbers, by preference of
india-rubber; D, D, are drawing rollers; E, a hopper containing cleaning material;
F, F, are revolving brushes driven in opposite directions by the pulleys G, G. The
sheets are fed into this machine through a mouth-piece having by preference pro-
truding curved lips as shown, & pass between the rubbers or planishers C pressed
together by a spring or otherwise. From the chamber or hopper E the sheets are
drawn by the rollers D, D, which conduct them between the horizontal revolving
disc-shaped brushes F, a continual current of cold air being at the same time main-
tained between such brushes.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I.
would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, &
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The peculiar construction, arrangement, & combination of apparatus for pre-
paring, coating, & cleaning, in a continuous manner, metallic sheets or plates, as
herein-before described & illustrated by my Drawings.
Second. The application & use of a preparing chamber supplied with steam or
sulphuric acid vapour & fitted with internal guides along or through which the
sheets to be tinned are first caused to pass, in the manner herein specified & illus-
trated by my Drawings.
Third. The peculiar mode of and arrangements for feeding, guiding, & propelling
the sheets through the preparing, greasing, & coating baths in such a manner that
each sheet will push forward the preceding one without the use of internal pro-
pelling mechanism of any kind, & whereby the said sheets may be allowed to remain
any desired of time in either or any of the said baths, as herein before described
& illustrated by my Drawings.
Fourth. The peculiar construction of tinning bath with its internal guides
& swivelling feeding apparatus, as herein-before described & illustrated by my
Drawings.
Fifth. The combination with the tinning bath of an enlarged end or chamber con-
taining hinged frames or standards carrying rollers & planishers, operating
substantially in the manner & for the purpose herein-before described & illustrated
by my Drawings.
Sixth. The application & use of the peculiar planishers G, G, as herein specified &
illustrated by my Drawings.
Seventh. The application & use of endless travelling bands or their equivalent in
conjunction with blast pipes for continuously feeding the coated sheets to a cleaning
or polishing machine & cooling them on their passage, as herein-before described &
illustrated by my Drawings.
Eighth. The use of passages in the sides of the feeding and exit ends of the tinning
bath for the circulation of water or steam therein, as and for the purpose herein
specified & illustrated by my Drawings.

page_text: Ninth. The peculiar construction & arrangement of apparatus for cleaning &
polishing the tinned sheets as fast as they issue from the tinning bath, as herein
specified & illustrated by my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hentun Johns, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
JOHN HENTUN JOHNS. (LS.)