IMPROVED MACHINERY POR MAKING BARRELS AND OTHER CASKS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for
Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVED MACHINERY POR MAKING
BARRELS AND OTHER CASKS."-A communication.
Sealed the 27th October 1852, and dated the 31st August 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 31st August 1853.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR MAKING BARRELS AND
OTHER CASKS" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in passing the stave blanks between grooved
or toothed rollers so arranged with respect to each other, and so curved
upon their surfaces, as to give to the staves their required shape; the
action of the rollers at the same time so compressing the wood that the
shape given to them will be permanently retained.
The second improvement in the machine relates to the peculiar

page_text: construction of the carriage of the jointing machine, by which I am
enabled simultaneously to joint a large number of staves, and to reduce
them to the length required.
The third improvement relates to the machinery for crozing and
chamfering the ends of the staves, the operation of the machine being
entirely automatic.
The fourth improvement consists in placing a cone, or frustrum of a
cone, over the barrel, upon which cone the hoops are placed, being
afterwards driven upon the barrel by a gang of "drivers" attached to
a suitable shaft, which is caused to descend by a lever or cam operated
by hand or by their own weight.
The lumber of which the staves are to be formed having been sawed
of the requisito thickness, and planed upon one or both sides, is slit
into blanks of an uniform width and length. These blanks are then
passed through the machine, and are brought to the required shape by
means of the curved rollers.
The transverse curvature of the stave is given by the convexity of
the rollers, whilst they are curved longitudinally by the following
device. The boxes, which carry the middle pair of the series of rollers
are depressed by means of adjusting screws beneath the level of those
which carry the two outside pair of rollers. The toothed or upper
rollers being driven by power suitably applied to their shafts, the stave
blanks prepared, as before described, of an uniform and unvarying thick-
ness and width, are presented one by one to the first pair of rollers.
The blank, being seized by these rollers, is passed through to the
next pair, and so on between the last pair of rollers out of the machine.
It is found that staves thus treated may be put into the exact shape
required, even though the blanks are of the most refractory, knotty,
and well-seasoned oak. By depressing or raising the middle set of
rollers, the longitudinal curvature of the stave may be varied at
pleasure. The transverse curvature can be varied by changing the last
pair of rollers of the series. Whatever may be the state of the lumber,
whether seasoned or green, when the staves are run through the above
machine, the shape then given to them is retained, whilst their strength
is not in the least impaired by the crimping or pressing to which they

page_text: are subjected. The staves are next taken to the machine, where they
are jointed and reduced to the length required.
The operation of this machine is as follows:-The staves, as they
come from the shaping machine, are placed on their edges, and are
secured in clamps by the pressure of screws upon the jaws; and the
carriage upon which the clamps and jaws are mounted is then run
through the machine, and a revolving cutter is made to operate upon
the edges of the staves in a horizontal plane at the same time that
the staves are reduced to an uniform length by a vertical circular
The clamps are then loosened, and the staves are turned over; and
the other side being placed uppermost, when the carriage is again
run through the machine, the opposite edges of the staves are jointed;
and the staves are trimmed upon the other end by the circular saw.
saw
It is evident that the staves will leave this machine of an uniform.
length and width, and accurately jointed in planes passing through the
axis of the cask. The staves are now carried to the crozing machine.
The operation of this machine is briefly as follows:-The staves
are placed in quantity one above another in a groove made in the
uprights, their convex sides being uppermost.
Motion is commu
nicated to a shaft which actuates an endless band furnished with dogs
As the dogs pass beneath the hopper in which the staves are placed;
the staves are withdrawn one by one, and carried beneath pressure
bars, by which they are prevented from rising whilst passing
The croze and chamfer are thus formed without interrupt-
ing the motion of the stave, and the next instant it drops from the
machine.
cutters.
over the
The staves are now completed, and the next operation is to set up
the casks. This is accomplished in a machine which consists of a
platform or bed having uprights which carry suitable spindles. One of
the uprights is stationary, while the other may be brought more or
less near to the other by means of a screw and winch. The heads
of the cask are then applied to the spindles, and the staves are then
placed upon the heads in succession; the barrel being revolved as the
work proceeds. Guides are placed under the barrel or cask, to prevent
the stayes from falling until the truss hoops are forced on. These hoops

page_text: are of metal, that they may be made so thin as not to interfere with
the subsequent operation of hooping, which is performed upon another
machine.
The barrel, as it comes from the last-described machine, is secured
in the hooping machine by a clamp. There is a frustrum of a cone of
metal, hard wood, or other suitable material, the base of which is the
exact size of the head of the barrel. This cone is placed upon the
cask, and is temporarily secured thereto by a screw or by other efficient
means, and serves to guide the hoops in the manner which will be here-
after explained. A metallic head is mounted on a spindle above the
cask, and is provided with drivers which are guided by slots in a dise
below. These drivers are forced on to their work by springs. The
vertical shaft attached to the metallic head passes up through the
framework, in which it slides freely, its motions being governed by a
cord attached to its upper end, or in any other suitable and appropriate
manner.
The hoops being arranged at hand of as many different sizes as may
be required, the barrel is placed in the clamp, and surmounded by the
guide, cone, or frustrum, and the hoops are then placed upon the cone
one by one, and the drivers are permitted to descend and force the
hoop to its place. It is evident that these drivers may be worked by
a lever or by a treddle, and be carried up by a spring or weighted cord,
or it may be weighted and permitted to drop, for the purpose of driving
the hoop to its place.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 28th February 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Ier
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the

page_text: seventeenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special
license that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVED MACHINERY POR MAKING BARRELS AND OTHER CASKS," being a
communication from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said William Edward Newton, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say):
This Invention of improved machinery for making barrels and other
casks, and which has been communicated to me by my foreign corres-
pondent as aforesaid, has for its object to perform by mechanical means
the various operations required for forming the staves and putting them
together, and securing them so as to produce a cask or barrel.
The first part of the Invention relates to forming the staves, and
consists in passing the stave blanks between grooved or toothed rollers,
so arranged with respect to each other, and so curved upon their sur-
faces, as to give to the stave the required shape, the rollers at the same
time being made to compress the wood so that the shape given to them
will be permanently retained.
The second improvement consists in the peculiar construction of the

page_text: carriage of the jointing machine in which the joints or edges of the
staves are prepared, and which machine will be hereafter described.
-By means of this improved machine, I am enabled simultaneously to
joint a large number of staves, and to reduce them to the length
required.
-
.
The third improvement consists in a machine for crozing and
chamfering the ends of the staves, the operation of the machine being
entirely automatic.
The fourth improvement consists in placing a cone or frustrum of a
cone over the barrel, upon which cone the hoops are placed and
afterwards driven upon the barrel by a gang or series of "drivers"
attached to a suitable shaft, which is caused to descend by a lever or
cam operated by hand or by their own weight.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use the improve-
ments, I will proceed to describe their nature and operation, as shewn
in the accompanying Drawings, in which Fig. 1, is an isometric view of
the machine for forming the staves of barrels or casks. Fig. 2, a lon-
gitudinal vertical section through the same. Fig. 3, a front view of
the rollers detached from their bearings. Fig. 4, is an isometric view
of the machine for jointing the staves, and for reducing them to an
uniform length. Fig. 5, is a plan view of the carriage of the above
machine, and in which carriage the staves are clamped preparatory to
being jointed. Fig. 6, is an end view of the same. Fig. 7, is a lon-
gitudinal section through the same. Fig. 8, is an isometric view of the
machine for crozing and chamfering the staves. Fig. 9, is a vertical
section through the same. Fig. 10, is a perspective view of the cham-
fering and crozing cutters detached from the machine. Fig. 11, repre-
sents the manner in which the staves are set up to form the cask.
Fig. 12, is a longitudinal vertical section of the machine employed for
this purpose. Fig. 13, is the machine for driving the hoops after the
-barrel is set up.
The lumber of which the staves are to be formed having been sawed
of the requisite thickness, and planed upon one or both sides, is slit
into blanks of an uniform width and length. These blanks are then
-passed through the machine represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3, and

page_text: which is constructed as follows:-A, is the framework of the machine,
of a strength sufficient to endure the strain upon the operating parts.
B, B', B", are convex toothed rollers, which are driven in any suitable
manner by power applied to their shafts C, C, C". The first of these
rollers B, or that which first receives the stave blank, is but slightly
curved. The curve of the next roller B', has a shorter radius, and the
last B, is more curved than either of the other two.. D, D', D¹¹, are
concave rollers, smooth upon their surface, placed immediately beneath
the rollers B, B1, B", (as seen in Fig. 2,) and having their surfaces
curved to correspond with the curve of the upper rollers (as seen in
Fig. 3). The rollers B, B¹, B", run in boxes E, E', E", and the lower
series of rollers in the boxes F, F, F". These boxes are kept separate
from each other by the springs a, a, a", the boxes of the upper rollers
being forced down by the set screws b, b, 6, and those of the lower
ones forced up by the set screws c,c, c, for the purpose of adjusting
the distance between the rollers to the thickness of the blank to be
run through them.
The transverse curvature of the stave is given by the convexity of
the rollers B, B', B", whilst they are curved longitudinally by the
following device:-The boxes E', and F¹, which carry the middle pair
of the series of rollers, are depressed by means of their adjusting screws
b', and c, beneath the level of those which carry the two outside pair of
rollers. The toothed rollers B, B', B", being driven by power suitably
applied to their shafts, the stave blanks, prepared as before described of
an uniform and unvarying thickness and width, are presented one by one
to the first pair of rollers B, D, (as represented by dotted lines in Fig. 2.)
The blank being seized by these rollers is passed through to the next
pair B', D', and so on between the last pair of rollers B", D', out of
the machine. It is found that staves thus treated may be put into the
exact shape required, even though the blanks are of the most refractory,
knotty, and well-seasoned oak. By depressing or raising the middle
set of rollers, the longitudinal curvature of the stave may be varied at
pleasure. The transverse curvature can be varied by changing the last
pair of rollers of the series. Whatever may be the state of the timber,
whether seasoned or green, when the staves are run through the above

page_text: machine, the shape then given to them is retained, whilst their
strength is not in the least impaired by the crimping or pressing to
which they are subjected. It is obvious that a greater number of
rollers than is above represented may sometimes be required for casks
of large dimensions, or for some species of lumber; in most cases,
however, it will be found that three pairs of rollers will be sufficient.
The staves are next taken to the machine represented in Figures 4, 5,
6, and 7, where they are jointed, and reduced to the length required, in
the following manner :-G, is the framework of an ordinary "Daniel's
Planing Machine;" H, the cutter head; and I, a clamp carriage, which
slides upon the frame G, and is guided by the tongue d, which enters
the groove e, in the bottom timber of the carriage. This carriage is
composed of a series of clamps, for the purpose of holding the staves
during the operation of jointing, and is constructed as follows:-I,
are the side timbers to which the transverse bars K, are secured. L,
are the stationary jaws of the clamps, which are likewise secured to
the side rails I, and are curved upon one surface to correspond with
the concavity of the interior of the stave to be dressed. M, are the
followers or moveable jaws of the clamps. They are permitted to slide
freely upon the rails I, and are forced up to their work by the screws f,
which work in the cross bars K, of the carriage. They are made con-
cave to correspond with the exterior surface of the stave, and, together
with the stationary jaws L, are so inclined to the general level of the
carriage, as seen in Fig. 7, that each stave when dressed in a hori-
zontal plane shall be jointed in a plane passing through the axis of the
cask. 9, is a longitudinal bar running the whole length of the carriage,
and passing through mortises i, in the ends of the bars K. These
mortises are larger than the width of the bar g, which is secured firmly
in position by the wedge keys h. These keys may be withdrawn from
the position which they occupy at h, in Figures 5, and 6, and the bar g,
may then be thrown farther out towards the ends of the cross bars K,
as seen in g, Fig. 5, in which position it may be secured by driving the
keys upon the other side of it, as at h', Fig. 5. N, Fig. 4, is a circular
saw running in suitable bearings in the framework of the planing
machine, and in such position that as the carriage advances for the

page_text: purpose of Joining the Staves, the latter are at the same ume reduced
to the proper length.
pres-
The operation of this machine is as follows:-The staves as they
come from the shaping machine are secured in the clamps by the
sure of the screws f, upon the jaws M, the bar g, being in the position
represented at g', Fig. 5; the carriage is then run through the machine;
the revolving cutters t, are made to operate upon and joint the edges
of the staves in a horizontal plane, at the same time that the staves are
reduced to an uniform length by means of the saws N. The clamps are
then loosened, and the bar g, returned to the position seen at g, in
Fig. 5, by which means the staves are projected slightly beyond the
position which they formerly cecupied. They are then turned over, and,
the other side being placed uppermost, the carriage is again run through
the machine where the opposite edges of the staves are jointed, and
the staves are trimmed upon the other end by the circular saw. It is
evident that the staves will leave this machine of an uniform length
and width, and accurately jointed in planes passing through the axis of
the cask. The staves are now carried to the crozing machine, shewn
in Figures 8, 9, and 10. O, is the frame work of this machine; P,
is the driving shaft; Q, another shaft similar and parallel thereto.
These shafts carry each three drums m, m, m, and m', m³, m³. R, is
the driving pulley upon the shaft P. The outside pulleys m, m, m,
and m', m', m', carry the endless bands S, Figures 8, and 9, to which
the feeding dogs n, are attached. T, are uprights which are grooved as
seen at r, for the purpose of forming a hopper for the reception of the
staves; at the bottom of the groove r, the upright T, is cut away (as
seen at t, Fig. 9,) for the purpose of permitting one stave at a time
only to pass out under the operation of the feeding dogs n. U, is a
horizontal shaft, which vibrates freely in bearings u, and into which are
mortised the three levers w, to which are secured the friction pressure
rollers y, the object of which is to hold the stave firmly down upon the
carrying pulleys m', while the operation of crozing is going on at the
same time that it is permitted to pass freely beneath the friction rollers
as it is carried by the band S, and dogs n. V, are the compound
cutters for finishing the end of the stave, the cutter v, cutting off the

page_text: chamfer, and the cutter a, the croze. These compound cutters are
caused to revolve upon each side of the machine in such a position
(Fig. 8,) that as the stave is fed from the hopper it shall come in con-
tact with the cutter at the same time that it is held firmly upon the carry-
ing drums by the pressure levers W. The operation of this machine
is briefly as follows:-A quantity of the staves X, are placed in the
groover, of the uprights T, with their convex sides uppermost. Motion
is communicated to the shaft P, in the direction indicated by the arrow
in Fig. 9. As the dogs n, pass beneath the hopper the staves are with-
drawn one by one and carried beneath the pressure bars W, by which
they are prevented from rising whilst passing over the cutters V. The
croze and chamfer are thus formed without interrupting the motion of
the stave, and the next instant it drops from the machine. In order
that the staves may fall exactly over the cutters as they pass out of
the trough of this machine, they are made to pass between guides,
upon each side of the machine, which ensure their passage directly
over the cutters. It is evident that in place of the bars W, and friction
rollers y, spring pressure rollers may be substituted to hold the stave
down to the cutters.
The staves are now completed, and the next operation is to set up
the casks. This is accomplished in the machine represented in Figures
11, and 12. G', is the platform of the machine; H₁, H", uprights
which carry the spindles I', I", the former of which is stationary, while
the latter may be brought more or less near to the other, by means of
the screws and crank K¹. The heads L', L", are then applied to the
spindles, the guide pins f¹, entering the centre of the head. The
staves are then placed upon the heads in succession, the barrel being
revolved as the work proceeds; the guides M', M", preventing
the staves from falling until the truss hoops are forced on. These
hoops are made of metal so that they may be made so thin as not to
interfere with the subsequent operation of hooping, which is performed
upon the machine represented in Fig. 13.
The barrel as it comes from the last described machine is secured in
the hooping machine by the clamp N', the retaining bar being held
until released by the button P¹. Q', is a frustrum of a cone of metal,

page_text: hard wood, or other suitable material, the base of which is the exact
size of the head of the barrel. This cone is placed upon the cask R¹,
(as seen at Fig. 13,) and is temporarily secured thereto by the screw z¹,
or by other efficient means, and serves to guide the hoops on to the
barrel in the manner hereafter explained. S¹, is a metallic head, to
which are hinged the drivers g", which are guided by slots in the
disc T', and are forced on to their work by springs h". T", is a vertical
shaft attached to the head S¹, and T', which passes up through the
framework, in which it slides freely, its motions being governed by the
cord attached to its upper end, or in any other suitable and appropriate
manner.
The hoops being arranged at hand of as many different sizes as may
be required, the barrel is placed in the clamp, and surmounted by the
cone Q'. The hoops are then placed upon the cone one by one, and
the drivers are permitted to descend and force the hoop to its place.
It is evident that these drivers may be worked by a lever or by a
treadle, and be carried up by a spring or weighted cord, or it may be
weighted and permitted to drop for the purpose of driving the hoop to
its place.
Having now described the Invention that has been communicated to
me as aforesaid, and the best means with which I am at present
acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood
that I do not mean or intend to limit myself rigidly to the precise
arrangement or construction of parts herein shewn. But what I claim
as new in the present Invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,
is, forming or shaping the staves previous to jointing them by passing
them through a series of pairs of curved rollers in the manner set
forth and for the purpose described.
Second, the carriage of the jointing machine represented in Fig. 5,
the bar g, being made adjustable within the long slots or mortises for
the purpose described.
Third, the machine represented in Figures 8, and 9, for the purpose
of chamfering and crozing the staves, they being placed in the machine
in quantity, and fed to the cutters one at a time as required (that is
to say): I claim the combination of the hopper for holding the staves,
S

page_text: the enless feeding bands S, with their dogs n, and the pressure bars
W. with their friction rollers.
Fourth, I claim the combination of the cone Q', with the spring
drivers g, for the purpose of guiding the hoop to the barrel, and
driving it into its place, in the manner set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-eighth day of
February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-four.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)