Improved Method of and Apparatus for Drying Envelopes, also applicable for other purposes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Apr., 1894-Accepted, 25th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL, SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Drying Envelopes, also
applicable for other purposes.
I, FREDERICK JAMES WOOD of Woodlegh, Newton-le-Willows in the County
of Lancaster, Printer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Hitherto in the making of hand cemented envelopes the method of drying the
same after gumming has been to place them on trays or shelves in a stationary
framework. This framework was necessarily limited in height, so as not to he
beyond the reach of the operator, consequently a great amount of space was taken
up. The amount of time taken up in drying the envelopes by this old method
was also considerable, usually from three to four hours.
Now by my improved method and apparatus, which form the object of this
invention, they can be dried in about half an hour and a great economy in space
effected at the same time.
In carrying out this invention, the gummed envelopes are placed as before on
movable trays or shelves, but in a series of much smaller frames. In my experi-
mental apparatus these frames are arranged to hold a suitable number of trays,
and the frames are hung at intervals from an endless travelling chain, passing
over a wheel preferably a sprocket wheel mounted on a shaft at or near the top of
the building and under a similar wheel mounted on a shaft, preferably under the
floor of the building or in any other position so as to get the greatest distance
between the shafts, the latter being preferably the driving shaft. The frames
containing the trays are so hung, that they remain horizontal, no matter what
direction the chain is travelling in.
The mode of action is as follows:-
The endless chain being set in motion carries the frames containing the trays of
envelopes to the top of the building and down again, after the manner of a dredger
or bucket pump, (with this difference, that the frames being hung and not fixed to
the chain remain horizontal while they travel up or down) and if the shafts be
driven very slowly, the operator (as each frame in its turn comes within reach) can
take the trays with the dried envelopes out and replace them by trays of damp
ones before it has travelled beyond his reach, but I prefer to stop the motion while
the trays are being replaced by means of a brake or by throwing the apparatus
out of gear, or I may arrange a ratchet and pawl device so as to give it an
intermittent movement.
The height of this apparatus is only limited by the height of the building, and
it will be evident that a great saving of space will be effected by its use. By the
continual movement of the frames through the air and by passing through the
heated air at the top of the room, which heated air is in fact forced down by
the said frames so that the apparatus is as it were enveloped in warm air, the
envelopes are dried in a very short space of time.
Although the drying of envelopes only has been mentioned in this description,
it will be evident that this method of drying can be adopted for several other
purposes, and it must also be understood that the direction of travel of the endless
chain can be other than vertical according to the position of the driving shafts and
the space at disposal.
Dated this 9th day of January 1894.

page_text: the said frames so that the apparatus is as it were enveloped in warm air, the
envelopes are dried in a very short space of time.
Although the drying of envelopes only has been mentioned in this description,
and a double apparatus only shown on the drawing, it will be evident that this
method of drying can be adopted for several other purposes and the apparatus
multiplied to any extent, and it must also be understood that the direction of travel
of the endless chain can be other than vertical according to the position of the
driving shafts and the space at disposal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The method of drying envelopes and other like goods, which consists in
placing them on trays and causing these trays to circulate through a current of
heated air substantially as described.
2. The apparatus for drying envelopes and the like, which consists in a series
of frames carrying trays, each frame being suspended from an endless travelling
chain or its equivalent, and devices for giving this chain a constant or intermittent
motion substantially as described.
Dated this 21st day of April 1894
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, and London, Patent Agents.