A NEW OR IMPROVED MATERIAL FOR USE AS PACKING FOR THE PISTON RODS OF STEAM ENGINES, PUMPS, AND LIKE USES, AND METHOD FOR PACKING THE SAME.
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Scaife, of 20, Melbourne Street, North
Street, Leeds, in the County of Yorkshire, for the Invention of "A
NEW OR IMPROVED MATERIAL FOR USE AS PACKING FOR THE PISTON RODS OF
STEAM ENGINES, PUMPS, AND LIKE USES, AND METHOD FOR PACKING THE
SAME.
"
Sealed the 10th July 1874, and dated the 13th January 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Scaife at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th January 1874.
.
I, JOHN SCAIFE, of 20, Melbourne Street, North Street, Leeds, in the
County of Yorkshire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "A NEW OR IMPROVED MATERIAL FOR USE AS PACKING FOR THE PISTON RODS
OF STEAM ENGINES, PUMPS, AND LIKE USES, AND METHOD FOR PACKING THE SAME,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the manufacture of a material suitable for
use as a steam-tight packing, and it has for its object the production of
an article which will become while in use of a consistency that will resist
the action of lubricants and heat, and yet possess comprissibility to form

page_text: a neat and steam-tight joint, while it also possesses in itself lubricative
or antifrictional properties.
My Invention consists of packing being made of linen cloth, cotton
cloth, woollen felt, or woollen cotton, linen and flax and hemp combined,
or compounded and made into cloth by weaving or felting, or without
being made into cloth. The packing being made of any of the materials
described above, or a combination of them, is either made into rings or
length. I use rubber rings (caoutchouc), but in a different way it has
been used before. It is not imperative that I use rubber.
In the Method of Packing.-The case or outside covering is composed
of three parts, viz., two side pieces and a centre piece. I make the two
side pieces of any of the above material (woollen felt most suitable) of
proper width according to the diametor and depth of the stuffing box.
The centre piece is made according to the depth I wish to make my
packing of any of the materials described, or a combination of them. I
then attach the two side pieces to the centre piece, one on each side, by
either hand or machinery. I then fit the case tightly (for rings) to a
mandril the size of the inside diameter of the packing. I then stretch
them out till they are large enough to cover the entire packing and meet
in the centre of the outside diameter of the ring.
The Method of Applying the Packing when Made in Length.-I have
the material made or cut three times broader than I intend to make the
depth of the packing. I then double or fold it into three thicknesses by
machinery. I then wind or coil into the centre part of the case which is
fitted to the mandril. Having got the packing made to its proper size I
then fix an indian-rubber ring on one side (or both if it be necessary of
the packing). I then bring the two side pieces of the case over the
packing till they meet on the outside centre. I then fasten them tightly
together by sewing or any other means.
The advantages to be gained are,-
First. By the use of the above case or outside covering I can apply
the most suitable material for the piston rod and pump ram to work
against. The woollen felt being next to the hot stuffing box sides is not
so susceptible to burn; also acts as a kind of elastic cushion. It also
holds the packing solidly and compactly together, without the use of
wooden pegs or any other material which may be injurious to the working
parts of the engines and pumps.

page_text: Secondly. The material of which the packing is made being doubled
or folded into three thicknesses, and thoroughly compressed by
machinery, causes it to be much more durable steam stopping medium.
Thirdly. By the above method of applying the rubber the whole
surface is presented to the steam pressure, thus giving the full benefit of
the rubber for steam and water stopping purposes, without the slightest
risk of friction, and without the piston rods and pump rams working
against the broad surface of the rubber causing a considerable amount of
friction.
1-
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Scaife in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 11th July 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
SCAIFE, of 20, Melbourne Street, North Street, Leeds, in the County of
Yorkshire, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said John Scaife, Her special
license that I, the said John Scaife, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Scaife, 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 "A NEW OR.
IMPROVED MATERIAL FOR USE AS PACKING FOR THE PISTON RODS OF STEAM
ENGINES, PUMPS, AND LIKE USES, AND METHOD FOR PACKING THE SAME,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Scaife,
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in

page_text: of the packing. I call that the depth of the packing which fills the
stuffing box parallel with the piston rod, ram, &c., and I then attach the
two side pieces to the centre piece, one on each side, either by hand or
machinery; and if for rings I fit the case tightly to a mandril the size of
the inside diameter of the packing, I then stretch them out till they
are large enough to cover the entire packing, and meet in the centre of
the outside diameter of the ring. The same method applies to the
packing when made in lengths. I then wind or coil the material of
which the packing is made on to the centre part of the case, which is
fitted to the mandril, and when I have got the packing made to a suitable
size I fit an india-rubber ring on one side (or both sides if it be
necessary) of the packing. I then bring the two side pieces of the case
over the packing till they meet on the outside centre thereof, and I then
fasten them tightly together either by sewing or any other suitable
means.
If the packing is to be made in webbing I have the material of which
it is composed made or cut three times broader than I make the packing
deep, and I double or fold it into three thicknesses by machinery pre-
viously to manufacturing it into packing.
The above methods of manufacture combined into a whole constitute
my Invention, and for which I claim entire originality.
The advantages to be gained by my Invention are as follows:-
Firstly. By the use of the above case or outside covering I can apply
the most suitable material for the piston rod, pump, ram, &c., to work
against, and the woollen felt being next to the hot stuffing box sides is
not so liable to burn as fibrous material, and it also acts as a kind of
elastic cushion, whilst at the same time it holds the packing firmly and
compactly together without the use of wooden pegs or any other
material which may be injurious to the working parts of the engines,
pumps, &c.
Secondly. The material of which the packing is made being doubled
or folded into three thicknesses, as before mentioned, and afterwards
thoroughly compressed by machinery, possesses far greater durability
than any hitherto in use, and is a better steam stopping medium.
Thirdly. By the above method of applying the rubber the whole
surface is presented to the steam pressure; hence a steam-tight joint

page_text: must be the result. Besides there is no risk of the piston rods, pumps,
rams, &c., working against the broad surface of the rubber, and causing
a considerable amount of friction.
There is the full benefit of the rubber for steam and water stopping
purposes without the slightest risk of friction.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner of performing the same, I would have it understood that what I
claim is, the manufacture of a new or improved material suitable for use
as packing for the piston rods of steam engines, pumps, and other similar
purposes, and the method of applying the same, substantially as herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Scaife, here hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord