IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANTIFACTURE OR ΖΙΝΟ COATED WIRE AND IN
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Roberts, of Pittsburgh, in the County of Allegheny,
and State of Pennsylvania, in the United States of America for an Invention
of IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE
MANTIFACTURE
OR ΖΙΝΟ COATED WIRE AND IN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Roberts at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th November 1882.
HENRY ROBERTS, of Pittsburgh, in the County of Allegheny, and State of
Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF ZINC-COATED WIRE, AND IN APPARATUS AND MECHANISM
EMPLOYED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH,"
The first part of the invention relates to the holding and transportation of wire.
The lengths of wire are formed, as usual, in coils in the act of drawing. I provide
a hollow cylinder open at both ends with a series of pins inserted diametrically in
bosses formed at the lower end. There is an internal flange at the bottom of the
cylinder which is of use when a tier of these carrying cylinders are piled one upon
another and somewhat incorrectly placed. A loose bail is mounted in the interior
near the top, having a quick bend at the centre. This turns on its pivots and is
contained entirely within the cylinder when the device is rested, but when it is
to be lifted, a suitable hook or analogous device lowered inside engages with the
bail, turns it into the upright position, and is caused by the form of the bail, to
slide with certainty into the central position so that it lifts and lowers the mass
of wire truly. The device is of use in transporting coils of wire for pickling,
annealing or any other purpose.
In annealing, the open character of the interior allows the flame to circulate
through and heat the coils of wire from both the inside and outside. On removing
the pins the cylinder may be lifted out from the coils of wire.
The second part of the invention relates to the cleaning of the surfaces
preparatory to the immersion in the bath of melted zinc. I páss the wires
through a tank containing the proper acid, and also a quantity of gravel or small

page_text: stone. The stony masses act mechanically to scrape the wire on all sides while
the acid acts chemically in the ordinary manner.
After the wire has been thus treated it is immediately passed through a heated
space and its temperature raised to or near the temperature of the melted zinc
into which it is then immediately plunged. The chamber for effecting this drying
and heating of the wire, is formed by tubes extending through the upper portion
of a suitable furnace or kiln placed intermediate between the acid and gravel tank
and the melted metal bath.
The third and fourth parts of the invention relate to the wiping for the removal
of the surplus zinc.
According to the third part of the invention, I provido means for agitating
the wiping material so as to present constantly fresh surfaces. The surplus
zinc is removed very evenly and the product is more valuable while using less
zinc than usual.
I accomplish this by means of two trains of rollers mounted near each other
and revolving in the proper direction in a mass of loose wiping material. The
wires come up from the bath at a high temperature and loaded too thickly with
the melted zinc, but in passing through the mass of the agitated wiping material
the surplus is wiped off. Only a gentle pressure is required and the wiping
is very effectual by reason that fresh surfaces of the wiping material are constantly
presented at each stage in the progress of the wire through the wiping mass.
According to the fourth part of the invention I provide pieces of steel or other
suitable material carefully formed to apply against the surfaces of the wires, and
to remove the surplus zinc by an action analogous to scraping. I provide four
of these scrapers for each wire, making each cover about a quarter. of the cir-
cumference of the wire. The slight excess of melted metal allowed to remain
along the four joints between these pieces, is diffused immediately upon the
adjacent portions and presents no appreciable increase of thickness when the
wiro is complete. I arrange the scraping pieces so that they are conveniently
held together by a single weight or spring, acting on a piece having a beveled
or wedge-formed interior.
The scrapers are peculiarly formed. When closed together they present a conical
hole having only the size of the wire with a suflicient thin coating of zinc thereon
at the small end of the cone. The large end of the cone is presented in the
direction from which the wire approaches, and is sufficiently large to receive
the double loop of wire which is presented at the joint where two lengths of the
wire are united.
When the union between two lengths of wire passes through my scraping device,
the enlargement or splice in the wire enters freely the large end of the cone and
acts wedge-wise to force open the scrapers. This motion is allowed by the rise
of the enclosing box in opposition to the force of gravity or the spring. So soon
as the joint has passed, all the parts return to their original positions and the
scraping or even removal of the surplus ziuc is again resumed and continued until
another joint is reached, when the operation is repeated.
To increase the certainty of an equal distribution of the small quantity of zinc
remaining on the wire after it has passed the scrapers, I apply a quantity of soft
material to wipe the wire slightly after it has passed the scrapers. Slag wool is
the preferable material for such subsequent wiping. It may be held in any suitable
receptacle either with or without agitating means.
I provide for varying the force with which the scrapers are urged against
the wire.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Roberts in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd May 1883.
HENRY ROBERTS, of Pittsburgh, in the County of Allegheny and State of
Pennsylvania, in the United States of America, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF ZINC-COATED WIRE AND IN APPARATUS AND MECHANISM
EMPLOYED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. "1
The first part of the invention relates to the holding and transportation of wire.
The lengths of wire are formed as usual, in coils in the act of drawing. I provide
a hollow cylinder open at both ends with a series of pins inserted diametrically in
bosses formed at the lower en.l. There is an internal flange at the bottom of the
cylinder which is of use when a tier of these carrying cylinders are piled one upon
another and somewhat incorrectly placed. A loose bail is mounted in the interior
near the top, having a quick bend at the centre This turns on, its pivots, and is
contained entirely within the cylinder when the device is rested, but when it is
to be lifted, a suitable hook or analogous device lowered inside engages with the
bail, turns it into the upright position, and is caused by the form of the bail to
slide with certainty into the central position so that it lifts and lowers the mass
of wire truly. The device is of use in transporting coils of wire for pickling,
annealing, or any other purpose.
In annealing, the open character of the interior allows the flame to circulate
through, and heat the coils of wire from both the inside and outside. On
removing the pins, the cylinder may be lifted out from the coils of wire.
The second part of the invention relates to the cleaning of the surfaces pre-
paratory to the immersion in the bath of melted zinc. pass the wires through
a tank containing the proper acid, and also a quantity of gravel or small stone.
The stony masses act mechanically to scrape the wire on all sides, while the acid
acts chemically in the ordinary manner.
After the wire has been thus treated, it is immediately passed through a heated
space, and its temperature raised to or near the temperature of the melted zinc into
which it is then immediately plunged. The chamber for effecting this drying and
heating of the wire, is formed by tubes extending through the upper portion of a
suitable furnace or kiln placed intermediate between the acid and gravel tank, and
the melted metal bath.
The third and fourth parts of the invention relate to the removal of the
surplus zinc.
According to the third part of the invention, I provide means for agitating the
wiping material so as to present constantly fresh surfaces. The surplus zinc is
removed very evenly, and the product is more valuable while using less zinc than
usual.
I accomplish this by means of two trains of rollers mounted near each other,
and revolving in the proper direction in a mass of loose wiping material. The
wires come up from the bath in a high temperature, and loaded too thickly with
the melted zinc, but in passing through the mass of the agitated wiping material
the surplus is wiped off. Only a gentle pressure is required, and the wiping is
very effectual by reason that fresh surfaces of the wiping material are constantly
presented at each stage in the progress of the wire through the wiping mass.
According to the fourth part of the invention, I provide pieces of steel or other
suitable material carefully formed to apply against the surfaces of the wires, and
to remove the surplus zinc by an action analogous to scraping. I provide four of

page_text: these scrapers for each wire, making each cover about a quarter of the circum-
ference of the wire. The slight excess of melted metal allowed to remain along
the four joints between these pieces, is diffused immediately upon the adjacent
portions, and presents no appreciable thickness when the wire is complete. I
arrange the scraping pieces so that they are conveniently held together by a single
weight or spring acting on a piece having a beveled or wedge-formed interior.
The scrapers are peculiarly formed. When closed together they present a conical
hole having only the size of the wire with a sufficient thin coating of zinc thereon
at the small end of the cone. The large end of the cone is presented in the
direction from which the wire approaches, and is sufficiently large to receive the
double loop of wire which is presented at the joint where the lengths of the wire
are united.
When the union between two lengths of wire passes through my scraping
device, the enlargement or splice in the wire enters freely the large end of the cone
and acts wedge-wise to force open the scrapers. This motion is allowed by the
rise of the enclosing box in opposition to the force of gravity or the spring. So
soon as the joint has passed, all the parts return to their original positions, and
the scraping or even removal of the surplus zinc is again resumed and continued
until another joint is reached, when the operation is repeated.
To increase the certainty of an equal distribution of the small quantity of zinc
remaining on the wire after it has passed the scrapers, I apply a quantity of soft
material to wipe the wire slightly after it has passed the scrapers. Slag wool is
the preferable material for such subsequent wiping. It may be held in any suitable
receptacle either with or without agitating means.
I provide for varying the force with which the scrapers are urged against
the wire.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will proceed to describe
by the aid of the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification
the means which I prefer to employ in carrying out the various details of my
invention.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my carrying cylinder.
Figure 2, shows the annealing-pot in section, and the carrying or holding
cylinder in elevation.
Figure 3 is a detail. It is a vertical section of the annealing-pot.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in each of the figures 1, 2 and 3.
Figure 4 is a central vertical section through the acid tank and furnace.
Figure 5 is a central vertical section through the tank, furnace, metal bath, and
wiping apparatus.
Figure 6, is a plan view of the latter.
Figure 7 is a central vertical section of the wiping box on a larger scale.
Figure 8 is a plan view showing the gearing, and a portion of the other parts
belonging to the wiping-box.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in each of the figures Figs 4, 5, 67
and 8.
Figure 9 is a vertical section through my scraping device and adjacent portions.
The remaining figures are on a larger scale, and represent the dies detached.
Figure 10 is an enlarged vertical section of the dies and weight, corresponding
to Fig. 9.
Figure 11 is a section on the line 8, 8, in Fig 10, and shows the dies partly
separated by the passage of the loops which form the connection between the
lengths of wire.
Figure 12 is an elevation of the front of the dies or the face on which the wire
enters.
Figure 13 is an elevation of the back of the dics.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in each of the Figs 10, 11, 12,
and 13. The drawings represent the novel parts, with so much of the ordinary
parts as is necessary to indicate their relations thereto.

page_text: The first part of the invention is intended more particularly to facilitate the
handling of wire in putting in and taking out of the annealing-pots at the several
stages of drawing, and for putting in and taking out of the acid bath in the removal
of the scale. I will describe it as applied in manipulating the wire in the process
of annealing.
As the operation has been heretofore usually conducted, the wires made in coils
without any additional support, are piled one upon another regularly or irregularly
in the annealing-pot, and, after having been subjected to the required high
temperature for a sufficient length of time, and allowed to partially cool down.
again, are removed by the aid of hooks. It is unavoidable in such operating that
the hooks will sometimes engage with portions or the whole of two or more coils,
and the bends and distortions induced in the wire at this stage add seriously to
the chances of entanglement and difficulty in the subsequent operations. Several
men are required to withdraw the wire in this manner, and the whole operation of
handling is tedious and troublesome. I hold the wires in coils as usual, but
supported on internal cylinders. These cylinders or drums are each of sufficient
length to receive several coils, one upon another, all held parallel to each other and
resting upon a removable support or series of supports at the base. The cylinder is
thus loaded at the wire drawing room, and is moved with great facility with a
number of others on trucks or hand-cars to the annealing room, where it is lowered
into the annealing pot by a crane or lowering-tackle from above. My cylinder
holds its several coils of wire truly supported during the annealing process. It is,
provided with an internal bail for convenient handling by the crane. When each
slightly cooled mass is lifted from the annealing-pot and lowered upon the ground,
the removable support at the base is detached and the cylinder lifted smoothly out
from the pile of coils. The removable support is again attached, and it is ready to
receive another series of coils, and to be again placed in the annealing-pot, and the
operation repeated. I make the detachable supports at the base in the form of a
series of pins removable by simply drawing out from the correspondingly-shaped
recesses in the re-inforces provided for the same in the body of the cylinder. I
make each of these recesses tapering at its inner end, so as to prevent the pushing:
in of the pins too far by an ignorant workman, which might result in the premature
dumping of the load. The bottom of my cylinder is open and the interior:
unobstructed, allowing a free circulation of the hot gas, so that the interior may
become heated as soon as the exterior. I provide a continuous inwardly-projecting
lip or foot at the base, projecting inward about two inches, which insures a good
bearing on the ground or on the lower cylinder when in the annealing-pot.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, A is the cylinder, certain portions being indicated,
when necessary, by additional marks as A¹, A³.
B is the bail, applied in the interior of the cylinder, and engaged with internal
projections or eyes, A¹. There is a quick bend in the centre as shown.
DD, &c; are radial pins provided each with an eye at the outer end for
convenient engagement for withdrawing. These pins are slightly pointed, and
apply in holes in re-inforced portions A² near the base of the cylinder. The:
bottom rim has a flange A³, which is continued around between the re-inforces A².
The several coils of wire are marked m. The cylinder A, is cast with a smooth
exterior a little smaller than the interiors of the coils of wire. In practice the.
several coils of wire :emain distinct. This condition is indicated in the drawings
somewhat exaggerated.
E is an ordinary annealing-pot. The cylinders A, are made of such depth that
the ordinary annealing-pot will receive three, placed one upon another. The.
internal re-enforces A³, and flange or rim A³, allow these cylinders to sit one upon
another reliably, even if they are carelessly placed with their axes considerably.
out of line.
In operating, the annealing-pot is heated and closed by a cover (not represented,),
in the ordinary manner. The cylinders A, with their pins D in position receive the.
several coils of wire m, and are each successively lifted by the engagement with.

page_text: their several bails B, of hooks from a crane, not represented,) and placed one upon
another in the several annealing-pots E, the hook disengaged, and each bail B
allowed to drop into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. When the heat
has been maintained for a sufficient time the cover is removed, the whole
sufficiently cooled, and the several bails B successively engaged by the hook of the
lifting apparatus and the cylinders A with their loads lifted out. Then the
successive removals of the pins D allow the coils of wire m to drop a little and
rest upon the floor, after which the cylinders are quietly lifted out, and the wire
coils left to further cool at leisure. The form of the bail insures that the engaging
hook (not shown) will slip into the central position and lift the mass centrally,
while it is always ready to receive and engage the hook at any point where it may
be presented.
Modifications may be made in these details. There may be four of the pins D
or a less number-even as small as two or one may suffice-provided always
that the cylinder A is of a size to nearly fill the interiors of the coils m.
The bail B may be inserted rigidly by placing it sufficiently lower, so that the
bight or eye with which the hook engages is certain to be central, and is sufficiently
low to be protected within the cylinder.
For use in the acid bath the cylinder A should be made of a material which will
endure the acid. It is not for such use important that the cylinder shall be able to
endure heat. For use with the annealing process, I can if desired, form the
cylinders with perforations or vertical slots, thus making them practically open-
work, to better allow of a circulation of the heated gases
The second part of the invention applies to the coating of "wires," ordinarily so
called, whether round or flat, and also to extended lengths in various other forms,
as hoop iron &c. I clean the metal very efficiently and cheaply previous to its
immersion in the melted zinc.
I will describe the process as applied to the treatment of common round wires
which I will assume are drawn down from rolled rods of Bessemer steel.
For the purposes of wire fencing, telegraph and telephone communication, and
most uses for which zinc-coated wire, ordinarily termed "galvanized wire," is used,
it is is important that it be annealed, and that the coating of black oxide or scale
thereby induced be removed. I anneal the wire by treatment in an annealing-
furnace in the ordinary way, and after it is cold dip it in sulphuric acid, and after-
wards thoroughly dry the wire to avoid the possibility of any moisture remaining
in the pores.
A series of coils of this wire, being placed on a series of corre
sponding reels, are led through a bath of muriatic acid, and thence out and through
a tubular furnace at a moderate heat, sufficient to thoroughly dry them, and to
raise the temperature to or near that of the zinc bath into which they are
immediately afterward plunged. My invention relates to this application of the
muriatic acid and the subsequent warming.
The tank for the acid is long. I prefer a length of about twelve (12) feet, with
a roller near each end of the bath, under which the wires pass. I mount one or
more rollers in intermediate positions, causing the wire to make gentle bends in
passing. In passing each roller the wire is slightly bent, which, without being
sufficiently severe to injure the texture of the metal, insures that its surface is very
thoroughly presented thereto. In the passage of the wire between the several
rollers it is subjected not only to the chemical action of the acid, but to the severe
mechanical action of gentle scraping or rasping surfaces. This is effected by filling
the tank with broken stone, gravel or sand. Either of these materials may serve,
and perhaps many others, as broken cinder from the iron steel manufacture. In
practice the material may be in all these conditions at the same time. There is a
tendency of the action to disintegrate the stone. A portion of the material in the
tank may be finely abraded or pulverized stone, another portion a little less fine,
as sand, and another considerably coarser, as gravel or broken stone. On emerging
from the bath the wire is more than usually clean. Its surface has been uniformly
and thoroughly rubbed in direct longitudinal lines by the repeated contacts with

page_text: ;
the flinty matter, and at the same time chemically acted on by the muriatic acid.
The muriatic acid has usually nearly all the zinc in it with which it will combine
but I do not esteem that feature particularly essential. The wire thus thoroughly
acted on both mechanically and chemically is next dried and heated by passing
through tubes exposed to moderate heat in a furnace. In my experiments I have
used a furnace about five (5) feet wide; having tubes one and one fourth (1) inch
diameter leading through it. One wire passes through each tube, and at the rate
the wires move-a little more than one (1) foot per second-the wires become in
this passage thoroughly dried and raised to a temperature closely approximating
that of the melted zinc. Emerging from this they dip into the melted zinc pass
along a considerable distance beneath the surface, thence are emerged, and are
thoroughly wiped and wound into suitable coils in the ordinary manner for
transportation and use.
Wires of iron or steel in being coated with zinc by being passed through a bath
of the latter metal at a high temperature tend to retain too much zinc, and to
retain it in a coating of irregular thickness on different parts. This requires to be
removed by some means. If the wires are allowed too remain too thickly coated,
more zinc is consumed than is necessary, and this instead of an advantage, is an
evil. It makes the wires too stiff and tends to induce a separation of the zinc from
the wires, particularly where the wires are formed into short bends for any reason,
after the coating. The means available for wiping tin from such wires are not
applicable to the treatment of zinc coated wires, because of the higher temperature
involved, which destroys any ordinary wiping material.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the wire m is delivered from a reel A, into the
tank B, which is filled with broken stone C, and also with muriatic acid. D D
are the rollers around which the wires are bent, some or all of which may be
turned by gearing or other suitable means not represented, to aid the movement of
the wire. E is a guide-sheave, and F, a series of tubes in a furnace G. After
passing through these tubes and over a sheave, H, it descends into a bath of zinc I.
The subsequent treatment may be of the ordinary character.
Modifications may be made in many of these details.
The depth of the tank B and the number of rolls D, may be varied. The rolls D
may be left to turn freely on small bearings, (not represented,) in the ordinary
manner, or power may be applied to aid in turning one or more of them. The
latter is preferable owing to the liability of the stony material to engender
resistance to the motion.
There may be considerable space between the acid tank B and the furnace G;
but I esteem it important that there be but little space between this furnace G,
and the bath I, of melted zinc. The width of the furnace G, may be greater than
here shown.
The tubes F may stand in a single series, side by side, as indicated, or they may
be joggled, having alternate tubes higher than the adjacent ones. They may stand
level, as shown or they may be inclined in either direction. I propose in some
cases to place the tubes F, at such an inclina- that the delivery end will be close
to the surface of the melted zinc I. In such cas the wire will traverse directly
through the tubes F, and instantly into the zinc without passing over any
sheave H.
The third part of the invention applies to the wiping. I employ a long bath
of melted zinc with the heating-fires around the exterior, and the bottom relatively
cool, for the subsidence of what is known as "dross." I provide the ordinary
surface-coating of sal-ammoniac, and the ordinary immersing-sinker, beneath which
the wires are passed through the bath in order to insure their long and uniform
immersion.
I have devised peculiarly-efficient means for wiping off the surplus metal and
for insuring a succession of fresh surfaces of the wiping material. I attain this
end by leading the wires in an inclined direction upward from the bath through
a mass of suitable wiping material, which is constantly moved in a direction

page_text: opposite to that of the wires. The wiping being effected in this manner, and
immediately on the emergence of the wires from the melted bath, I can reduce
the consumption of zinc to a minimum, and insure that it is left with more than
ordinary uniformity of thickness.
I have also improved the wiping by the application of a naterial hitherto
unused for the purpose. It is what is known as "mineral wool," "slag wool," or
"silicate cotton," a silky fibrous matter produced by the treatment of cinder from
a blast furnace by blowing it with a current of steam at high pressure. It is
highly elastic and soft, is not destroyed by the heat, has a just sufficient property
of adhesion to the melted metal or wiping power and is sufficiently mobile in its
nature to allow of being worked by rollers, so as to be moved in the manner I
desire, I will, for brevity term this peculiar material "slag wool."
I employ two or more pairs of rolls, one behind the other, to complete the
wiping. The wires emerge from the wiping smoothly and uniformly coated, and
are ready to be wound on reels for transportation and use.
The preparation of the surface to receive the melted zinc and the treatment in
the bath of zinc may be of the ordinary and long approved character.
I have shown but one wire.
Referring to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, J J', are sinkers in the melted metal, so placed
that the wires in passing under these sinkers are certain of being immersed to the
to the proper depth. The tank is of sufficient length to insure a uniformity of
temperature between the wires and the bath before the wires emerge. I have in my
experiments made the metal tank I about twelve (12) feet long, and caused the wires
to traverse a little over a foot per second.
The sinkers J', are peculiar. There is one of these for each wire. Each has at
its upper end an outwardly-projecting lug which is just the right size to engage
in graduated holes in a bridge or piece spanning the end of the tank.
On emerging from the metal bath I, the wires are led up through slots in the
bottom of a partially over-hanging box K which contains a liberal supply of the slag
wool k, which serves as the wiping material, and should be kept damp with water
or tungstate of soda. The wires are led upward in an inclined direction through
this box, and emerge with just sufficient coating of zinc.
The required circulating movement of the wiping material is attained by
rollers L, mounted in the wiping box, and turned by gearing in the direction
indicated by the arrows. The surfaces of the several rolls are armed with
projections, which engage with a just sufficient quantity of the slag-wool, and
drag it along in the direction opposite to the movement of the wires m.
The rollers are turned slowly, only about one revolution in two seconds. They
agitate the slag wool, and continually present new surfaces thereof to the steadily
moving wires. The general tendency of the rollers is to move the wiping material
gradually from the back to the front of the wiping-box; or in other words, toward
that side of the wiping-box which overhangs the tank. The slag wool is in its
nature a good non-conductor. Its temperature is soon raised by the working so
that it approximates closely to that of the melted zinc, except that the upper
stratum is kept wet and relatively cool by sprinkling with water, either ordinary
fresh water, or preferably a solution of tungstate of soda. The melted zinc removed
by the particles of slag wool, and moved actively toward the receiving side of the
lox, is deposited in that edge of the box and dropped through the openings there
provided into the tank. The affinity or adhesion of the melted metal to the
earthy wool is very slight.
Instead of accumulating and becoming densely compacted in the receiving_side
of the wiping-box I take measures to produce a circulation of the material. It is
worked under and over the several rollers. Each roller of each pair carries the
slag wool toward the tank on that side where it effects the wiping and away from
it on the side where it is returning idly.
P, is an additional roll, of which I can use more than one if necessary; but my
experiments do not indicate such need to aid in transferring the fibrous material

page_text: from that end of the box toward the back or more distant side of the box. The
result is a constant agitation of the wiping material, and a presentation of fresh
surfaces to the melted metal coating on the wire; also a movement of the material
between the rolls toward the receiving side of the box, and thence upward and
backward to the other side from whence it is again moved forward. I believe that
the lowermost rollers of each pair also carry a liberal current of the slag wool
downward, and move it backward in the base of the box; but of this I have not
so well assured myself.
Slag wool is just sufficiently elastic and glassy in its nature.
The action of the rolls not only presents fresh surfaces and presents them with a
motion opposite to that of the wires, so as to ensure an effective wiping, but also
tends to induce a quite compact condition of the fibrous material at the base of the
receiving side of the wiping box. It tends the better to express any particles of
melted metal which have been brought with it from the other portions of the box.
I esteem this a marked advantage.
The journals of the several rollers L, L, are of considerable length, and project
through the walls, which I provide in each end of the wiping-box with an air space
between. This facilitates access for examination and oiling, and tends to prevent
the conduction of heat.
The lower part K³, of the side of the wiping-box nearest to the tank of melted
metal is made in a separate piece from the rest and can be removed on taking out
the screws k', which are inserted through lugs in the upper portion K¹, of the side.
This facilitates the removal of the finely-broken wiping material which tends to
accumulate there.
Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions of these details. I
have worked successfully with the wiping-box only about two (2) feet wide, so as
to give a wiping traverse of only two (2) feet; but this may be varied. I believe
that little gain would result from an increase of the wiping traverse, with wires
of small size because they become rapidly cooled. For very large wires a wider
wiping-box would be expedient.
Instead of slots to receive the wires in the over-hanging portion of the wiping-
box K, I can use plain round holes; but I esteem slots preferable.
There is a tendency of the slag wool to become worn, abraded, or broken, so as
to accumulate a fine dust in the bottom. When this has become too fine I replace
it with fresh. No particular difficulty is experienced if considerable of the broken
earthy matter falls upon the melted zinc.
The dotted circles represent the gearing by which the rolls L are turned. I have
not deemed it necessary to represent the belt through which the motion is received.
I mount the gears in two independent trains, in order that I can if preferred, after
the operation has fairly commenced, arrest the motion of the rods which are farthest
from the metal bath, and operate the remainder.
The mineral wool which I employ possesses a greater capacity for wiping off the
surplus metal from the wire than the materials heretofore employed for that
purpose. The movement of the mineral wool loaded with the metal toward the
tank, with the provisions for its easy escape therefrom to fall into the tank again,
insures that a large proportion of the metal which is wiped off shall be restored
immediately to the tank without its cooling. Those particles of metal which are
cooled and remain adhering to the mineral wool can be afterward recovered.
The fourth part of the invention relates to an apparatus or means for very
efficiently removing the surplus metal from the wire by solid pieces or dies made
in closely-matching but separable sections. These section pieces automatically
open or separate to allow the passage of the splices, as they occur at long intervals,
and close again against the wire. Any ridges of melted metal lying on the wire
after moving past these dies or scrapers are easily smoothed down by a slight
subsequent wiping, which is effected at the same operation by any ordinary or
suitable granular or fibrous material.
Referring to Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, K is the wiping-box or frame, which

page_text: supports and holds the several wipers or scrapers in a favorable position to allow
the surplus metal to fall back again into the metal bath. There may be a series
of the wires side by side about one and one half (1/2) inch apart, the series
extending across the whole or a large part of the width of the tank, I.
description of the devices for scraping one will suffice for all.
A
Referring to Fig. 9, K2, is the front of the bottom of the wiping-box, or a stout
bar or platform which corresponds thereto. On it is bolted or otherwise firmly
fixed a carefully shaped die or scraper N¹, of chilled iron or other suitable material
adapted to withstand much abrading force.
N2 N³, are side dies. They rest on the bed-die N', by their inclined sides, as
shown.
N, is a top die. It is fitted in the interior of a movable yoke R, which is formed
with stout sides, projecting downward, the inner faces of which are beveled and
smoothed, as shown, to press inward the dies N2, N3. The backs of the dies N, N³
are correspondingly beveled. The adjacent faces of the lateral dies N², N³, and the
inclosing yoke or cap R are nicely finished, and may be lubricated to allow the
yoke R to be lifted by a lateral expansion of the dies N³, N³. By slightly grinding
the adjoining surfaces of these dies N¹ N', N³, N₁, I can compensate for any
wearing away there may have been of the acting inner surfaces of the dies from
long usage. The wire m on emerging from the zinc bath passes between the dies,
which are prepared by being bored or otherwise grooved, as shown. When the
dies are together they touch each other by the extended beveled surfaces shown,
but leaving space between them at the point where these joints converge, which
space is conical, with its large end toward the bath I. When the dies are
tightly forced together, the small end (marked n) is about the size of the wire to
be treated.
In the use of the apparatus the yoke R is loaded or pressed down with any
desired force by the gravity of an applied weight, T; or an adjustable spring may
be substituted for the weight. It is important that it be of a nature which can
yield automatically when a splice in the wire m is received, and caused to pass in
its oblique journey through the hole n. The upper end of each sliding weight T,
is provided with a hook, as shown, by which the attendant may raise the weight
to ease the dies when a joint is expected to pass or for any other reason.
So long
as a continuous portion of the wire m is passing steadily through the apparatus,
the dies or scrapers N', N2, N3, N4, are pressed tightly together, and the wire is
scraped to remove all the surplus metal, leaving only a thin coating. When a
splice occurs, as indicated by m¹, the enlargement acting on the several dies by
spreading the hole n forces upward the die N, and also forces out laterally the
dies N N³, and the yoke R is lifted by one or both actions--that is to say, if the
splice happens to come in such position as to lift directly on the die N', the yoke R
is lifted by the direct force thereof. If the splice chances to be presented in such
position that it presses laterally against the dies N2, N3, it will, by forcing them
apart, act on the inclined inuer faces of the binder or yoke R, and thereby induce
the required lifting motion. In any way the splice or enlargement can be presented
it will result in lifting the yoke or binder R, and allowing the upper die N', to lift,
and the lateral dies N2, N3, to move apart. The moment the splice has passed, the
gravity of the yoke R, aided or not by other forces, as suggested, induces a prompt
return of the several dies to their original closed condition.
My wiping or scraping mechanism should be placed so close to the bath of melted
metal I, and the wires should be caused to traverse so rapidly that the heat will
still be high, and the zinc quite fluid after the wire has passed the dies. The dies
scrape nearly all the cylindrical surface of the wire, but may leave four small fins
or joint-lines in which the metal will be left in excess. The heat should be suffi-
cient to allow these ridges to immediately diffuse themselves and spread over the
adjacent portion of the surfaces, so that the wire cools with the zinc in a thin and
practically uniform surface over the whole.
In order to insure the spreading of the four slight longitudinal ridges of zinc

page_text: which remain on the wire after its passage through my dies or scrapers, I intro-
duce a mass of slag wool k, in a box behind the dies, and separated therefrom by a
sufficient partition V to prevent the fibrous mineral matter from coming in contact
with the dies, so as to clog their opening and closing action. My apparatus effects
the desired end by removing the surplus metal very reliably and without requiring
attention.
The tapering form of the cavity left between the several dies serves a very
important function by allowing the enlargement due to the linked condition of the
wires at the junction of one with another to enter the large end of the cavity, and
as the movement of the wire moves the enlarged or linked parts upward in its
inclined path between the dies causes them to automatically force open the dies, so
ns to allow the passage of a very considerable enlargement. The moment it has
passed the dies return automatically to their original closed condition.
Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions of these details. I may,
if preferred, have the wires emerge perpendicularly from the bath of molten metal,
and the dies correspondingly arranged with the smoothing material k in a separated
box above the dies. This will allow the four or more dies to be all of exactly the
same shape, and thereby simplify the placing and adjustment of them. The
material must be kept carefully separate from the dies, so that none of said
material may fall between the different sections of the dies, and prevent them from
fully closing. I can provide the top of the weight T, with a spur for holding in
place additional weights which may be put on to increase the pressure on the wire
at any time. The closeness of the scraping may be varied by exchanging the
weights T.
I claim as my invention, in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive :
1* The cylinder A, having an open passage through its interior, a smooth
exterior, and an interior bail B, in combination with the removable support or
supports D, adapted to serve relatively to each other and to the coils of wire m,
substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.
2 The cylinder A, having its interior open quite through, to facilitate heating
and cooling, in combination with the removable support or supports D to receive
and dischargo the wire coils m, as herein specified.
3rd The cylinder A, with an ample passage through its interior, internal pro-
jections A¹, to engage an internal bail, hollow re-inforces A³, and internal bottom
rim As, in combination with a hinged bail B, extending across the interior, and
having a quick bend at its centre, and with pins D, adapted for ready withdrawal,
all arranged to serve relatively to cach other and to a series of coils of wire m, as
herein set forth.
I claim as my invention in Figs. 4 and 5:―
4th The process described of subjecting the wires to a simultaneous pickling and
abrasion by leading them through a tank containing acid and broken stone or other
small masses of hard material, as herein specified.
5th-The process described, consisting of first treating with acid and with broken
stone, or other abrasive material, then heating and drying the wire in the air, and
then immersing it in the hot bath of melted metal, as herein specified.
6 The apparatus described having the vessel provided with rollers or guides D,
and adapted to contain broken stone or other abrasive material and acid, in com-
bination with the means A for supplying wire in continuous lengths, and the
furnace G, with tubes F, for rapidly heating and drying the wire, and with the
metal-coating bath I, and means for traversing the wire continuously through the
apparatus, all substantially as herein specified.
I claim as my invention in Figs 6, 7 and 8-
7th-The method of removing the surplus of melted metal from the wires on
emerging from the bath by working the wiping material k, so as to present
constantly fresh surfaces, substantially as herein specified.

page_text: 8th-The two trains of rollers L with their operating-gears, in combination with
the top carrying roll P, wiping-box K, wiping-material k, and a vessel for containing
coating metal as herein specified.
I claim as my invention in Figs. 9, 10 11, 12 and 13:-
9th The automatically opening and closing die made in four or other convenient
number of parts divided centrally, or approximately so, in combination with the
bath I, of melted metal, and provisions for inducing the traverse of the wire through
the bath and dies, as herein specified.
10th The combination of the dies N1, N2, N3, N4, formed to leave the tapering
hole n between them, with the yoke R, having inclined sides, as shown, and the
adjustable weight T, all arranged to operate substantially as herein specified.
11th The combination, with a melted metal bath I, of the scrapers N¹, N³, N³,
N', and the material k for a subsequent wiping treatment, arranged to serve as
herein specified.
In Witness whereof I, the said Henry Roberts, have hereunto set my hand
and seal this 7th day of May in the year of our Lord 1883.
Witnesses:
JOHN BOOTH
= .
W. H. ROBERTS
Sworn and subscribed before me
this 7th day of May, A.D. 1883.
JOHN LOHRMANN
Alderman
HENRY ROBERTS (LS.)