IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR GLAZING OR BURNISHING COLORED OR OTHER PAPER OR FARRIC IN THE WEB
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Genrge Tidcombe, junior, of the Firm of " G. Tidcombe &
Son," Paper Makers' Engineers, of Watford, in the County of Herts, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO MEANS OF AND
APPARATUS FOR GLAZING OR BURNISHING COLORED OR OTHER PAPER OR
FARRIC IN THE WEB."
Sealed the 19th March 1880, and dated the 22nd September 1879.
Sealed the 19th March 1880, and dated the 22nd September 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Tidcombe at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd September 1879.
GEORGE TIDCOMBE, junior, of the Firm of "G. Tidcombe & Son," Paper Makers'
Engineers, of Watford, in the County of Herts. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLI-
CABLE TO MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR GLAZING OR BURNISHING COLORED OR
OTHER PAPER OR FABRIC IN THE WEB."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in or applicable to means of and
apparatus for glazing or burnishing colored or other papers and other fabrics in the
web by what is called "flint glazing," which process has been until very recently
effected by hand labour, and more recently has been proposed to be effected by
leading the web forward over a flat table, and operating by a too and fro motion
flints or agates rapidly upon and across the same.
The working of the burnishing tool across the web when same is drawn across
the flat tables expands and wrinkles the fabric and tears it, and the rapid rubbing
of the flints tends to heat or fire it; also, and most important, it is necessary to
give to the reciprocating tool a degree of yield approximating to the variableness
intuitively afforded in the manipulation by the hand of a skilled mechanic.
The obviating of these defects and the effecting of this variable yield forms the
object of this Invention, and I will now proceed to specify the improvements.
First. I employ a revolving roller or cylinder of somewhat large dimensions, over
the periphery of which the web to be burnished is carried, said periphery of the
revolving cylinder serving as the table across which the burnishing tool operates,
and parallel to said cylinder, and one on each side thereof, are provided two rollers
capable of turning on their journals, said two rollers acting as stretching rolls to
hold that part of the web between them evenly against and upon the face of
the "
cylinder," which said cylinder leads the web forward at the required

page_text: speed, and assists its travel produced by the ordinary drawing rollers, and
corresponding to the rate at which the burnishing is effected. As a modifi-
cation of this revolving cylinder I may employ a convex curved stationary table,
with the two side tightening rolls, but I prefer the revolving cylinder, but in either
case will be secured the necessary even lay and bind of that portion of the fabric
under the burnishing operation; also I employ that one of the two side rollers of
the cylinder which is on the outside of the table from the web delivering roll as a
gathering roll upon which to gather up, i.e., wind the finished fabric.
Secondly. Cold water or other cooling medium is passed through this cylinder or
curved table, and the settings of the flints or burnishing material are mounted in a
reciprocating slide, which slide is hollow for reception of cold water or other cooling
medium. For the revolving cylinder a "doctor" or cleanser in form of a scraper is
employed to remove condensation therefrom so as to avoid any unnecessary damping
of the paper.
'
The burnishing material which I employ by preference is "chert," which is a
hard material of very even texture, and is used in the potteries for grinding
flint.
Thirdly. The burnishing materials, whether "chert," flints, or agate, are mounted
in a reciprocating slide working in transverse guides over the curved table, the
said mounting of the burnishing material being provided with a backing of india
rubber or other slightly elastic packing within the slide, and secured by adjusting
screws and plate. The guides for the slide are provided in a overhead bar, which
is supported on elastic beds resting on carriages or supports with spring and screw
or lever or weight adjustment for varying the pressure of the burnishing tool. At
high speeds I employ a cold blast directed upon the burnishing point.
.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Tidcombe in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd March
1880.
"
GEORGE TIDCOMBE, junior, of the Firm of " G. Tidcombe & Son," Paper Makers'
Engineers, of Watford, in the County of Herts. IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLI-
CABLE TO MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR GLAZING OR BURNISHING COLORED OR
OTHER PAPER OR FABRIC IN THE WEB."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in or applicable to machinery or
apparatus for glazing or burnishing colored or other papers and other fabrics, such
as glazed linen for instance, in the web by what is called " flint glazing," which
process has been until very recently effected by hand labor, and more recently has
been proposed to be effected by leading the web forward over a flat table and
operating by a to and fro motion rows of flints for agates upon and across the
same.
The working of the burnishing tool across the web when same is drawn across
the flat tables expands and wrinkles the fabric and tears it, and the rapid rubbing
of the flints upon a stationary surface tends to heat or fire it; also, and most
important, it is necessary to give to the reciprocating tool a degree of yield approxi-
mating to the variableness intuitively afforded in the manipulation by the hand of
a skilled mechanic, and according to the variation in the thickness of material to be
acted upon.
The obviating of these defects and the construction of the apparatus for the
purpose forms the object of this Invention; and in order that the same may be
clearly understood I have hereunto annexed two Sheets of Drawings, and will refer
to the same in the following particular description by figures and letters of
reference:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of machinery constructed according to this Invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view, showing the burnishing flints or agates set for a continuous
burnishing surface.
Figs. 3 to 6 show details of reciprocating shuttle for the burnishing flints or agates
wherein a first set of burnishers are provided, and a secondary and also a third line
of flints or agates, with an additional and increasing stroke thereof within the
reciprocating shuttle.
Figs. 7 to 8 show details of reciprocating shuttle, wherein an internal recipro-
cating of the flint carriers within the reciprocating shuttle is provided, all for
increasing the burnishing and glazing action of the flints or agates upon the fabric
under operation.
Figs. 9 and 10 show in longitudinal and cross section respectively detail of the
agate carriers on enlarged scale.
Fig. 11 is end view of the shuttle or carrier and its bearings illustrating the action
of the flints or agates.
A is a suitable framing, upon which is mounted in bearings the revolving roller.
or cylinder B of somewhat large dimensions, over the periphery of which the web to
be burnished is carried, said periphery of the revolving cylinder serving as a travelling
surface across which the burnishing tool operates, and parallel to said cylinder are
mounted on each side thereof rolls acting as stretching rolls to hold that part of the
web between them evenly against and upon the face of the "cylinder," which said
cylinder leads the web forward at the required speed, and assists its travel corre-
spondingly to the rate at which the burnishing is effected.
As shown by the Drawings C are end standards carrying bearing blocks D for
the two pressing rolls E, E', the journals whereof are carried in the bearings D, acted
upon from above by pressure screws D'; F is the reel carrying the web Z, which is
led between the stretching rolls F¹; or the said web may be fed to the pressing

page_text: rolls direct from a paper making machine or from a coloring, chalking, or surface
preparing machine, in any of which cases two rolls similar to the stretching rolls H
will be provided at F'. The rolls E, E¹, are pressing rolls for purpose of pressing
the paper or fabric Z on its way from F, and said rolls may if desired be heated by
superheated steam so as to produce a first smoothing or a smoothing and calendering
action upon the web or fabric which passes over the roll E, then between the two
rolls E, E', which are of equal dimensions, to press and feed the paper after passing
half round E on the surface of the cylinder B immediately under the agate carrier
or shuttle G, from whence it passes between the stretching roll H to the gathering
roll I. In the machine constructed according to Figs. 1 and 2 the cylinder B is
driven by ordinary driving mechanism, such as pulley and band, or by gearing, and
the rolls E, E, and the web Z are driven and fed frictionally; or the pressing roll E¹
may be so driven and also drive the cylinder B frictionally, and so feed the web Z
forward according to the rate at which the glazing is effected.
The diameter of the revolving cylinder B, as represented in the Drawings, is
about four feet, but when the same is of larger dimensions the surface immediately
under the burnishing tool will be of a less curved form, and the said roll or table B
may work in a "well," as indicated at B', Figs. 1 and 2, in order that the work
may be easily within reach of the attendant.
The cylinder B is closed with end plates for the reception or circulation therein
of cold water or of steam or other cooling or heating medium, and the shuttle, when
the agates are firmly set therein, may be made hollow to receive like cooling or
heating matter. A doctor or cleanser in form of a scraper will be fitted against
the periphery at back of cylinder B to prevent or remove any fouling of the
cylinder surface as it is successively brought, along with the web, under the burnisher
tool.
The burnishing tool is carried in a boxing G¹ on the shuttle G, the reciprocation
whereof is effected by the connecting rod G2 connected to a crank, eccentric, or cam
upon the driving shaft, not shown. G³ are blocks of india rubber or other elastic
substance for preventing too great shock, or other elastic joint may be employed,
and for same purpose the opposite end of the shuttle G has a counteracting spring
appliance, shown in dotted lines on left hand side of Fig. 2, G' being a rod in end
of shuttle G, and passing through a hole in the outer end of the saddle piece G³,
which saddle piece is bolted to the framing and fitted with a spring, as indicated at
G, to act as a buffer. K are adjustable blocks serving as guides for the shuttle G,
and capable of adjustment by the screws L.
I will now describe the details of the flint or agate setting. In Fig. 2 a are the
flints or agates, set in a continuous row in bars b, within a pocket or recess therein
of such form as shown, that the agates may be placed therein from the back part
thereof, said bars being bolted or screwed to the shuttle boxing G₁ at d, and at the
back of the flints is placed a layer of india rubber or other flexible backing to give
the necessary yield for the proper working. Upon reference to said Fig. 2, it will
be seen that the sides of the flints a are prepared at an angle to each other, with a
key "flint a¹, so that they will hold within the pocket of the bar b, and although
many flints are shown a lesser number of larger size but of corresponding shape
may be employed.
"
Again, as shown in Figs. 0 and 10, the pockets in the bars b may hold each a
separate flint, and have a separate piece of india rubber or other flexible padding c
at the back of each flint a, which construction I prefer. The said bars bare bolted
to the boxing G¹ of the shuttle G, in the case of the construction illustrated in
Figs. 2, by bolts d, but in the case of the shuttle being provided with additional stroke
or reciprocation mechanism for the flints a, as shown in Figs. 3 to 11, the bars b.
are bolted to the carrier pieces e, which are capable of sliding to and fro in the
boxing G upon the guide rods f, which extend from end to end of boxing G', see
Figs. 3ª, 9, 10, and 11. Fig. 3 is view of shuttle from face of machine; Fig. 3a, a.
section at. line y, y, of said Fig. 3; Fig. 4 is a top view of shuttle and boxing;
Fig. 4a, a view of portion of shuttle G and boxing G!, with part of shuttle bar G.

page_text: broken away, and showing one of the link pieces g for operating the carrier pieces e ;
Fig. 5 is an under view, showing action of the links g and their operating bar h;
Fig. 6 is a diagram, showing action of the links g, and their operating bar h;
Fig. 11 represents the same construction, but showing the bar h fitted as an
auxiliary operating shuttle instead of as a stationary bar, whereby an increased
action of the carrier pieces e is produced in addition to and within the action of the
shuttle G.
Upon reference to Figs. 6 and 11 it will be seen that the link pieces g are pivoted
at i to the boxing G', below which pivot i is secured the first row of flints a secured
to the boxing G, said row of flints serving for the first action on the web under
treatment, and partaking of the motion of the shuttle G; j is a stud upon the back
of the first carrier piece e, and works in and by the slot of link g nearest to the
fulcrum i, and serves to give increased action to the carrier piece within the first
motion of the shuttle, whereby is afforded the second burnishing and increased
action upon the web under treatment; k is a similar stud upon the back of the
second carrier piece, also working in and by the slot of link g, and serving to give
an increased rate to and final action of the last set of flints upon the material being
burnished.
The dotted line x, Figs. 7, 10, and 11, represents a vertical line intersecting the
axis of the cylinder B, and therefore coincident with the highest part of the surface
of the periphery of the cylinder B; thus the greatest pressure of the flints is exerted
at this point which, as before stated, is where the last and highest degree of bur-
nishing action of the burnishing tool is exerted. It may here be remarked that in
practice it is found that if the flints are set in rows apart, and the stroke of the
carrier of the flints be such that the action of one row of flints only slightly over-
laps the action of the next row or rows that an uneven glazing results, that is,
there is a higher glazing effect at the point where such overlap takes place. These
defects will not result from the use of the apparatus herein described, and it is
found that the last set of flints operating at the point x, as described, are
preferably to be set as close as possible to each other for the said finishing
action.
Another method of securing this internal action of the sets of flints within the
shuttle stroke is illustrated in Figs. 7 to 8, wherein is a cam shaft mounted across
the end of shuttle boxing G¹, to which are linked the carrier pieces c. The pinion m
on the cam shaft is shown geared with a rack ' on bar h, so that upon and within
the stroke of the shuttle G there will ensue a quicker stroke of the carriers e, and
such stroke of the carriers is a varying one in relation to each other, and also in
relation to the stroke of the shuttle G. The cam shaft I may be geared on both
sides, and the bar or bars h may be mounted and operated as an auxiliary shuttle.
Such auxiliary shuttle or shuttles may be readily driven by crank, eccentric, or
cam from the driving engine or shaft, and timed as required in relation to the stroke
for the shuttle G.
For high speeds and in treating papers or fabrics with colored or prepared surfaces
I employ a cold or warm blast of air, preferably from a compressor, and directed
upon the burnishing point through a blast nozzle formed to give either a number
of jets or a thin sheet of air.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention in such
wise that the same may be readily carried into practical effect, I claim,―
Firstly. The means of and apparatus for glazing or burnishing paper or fabric in
the web, consisting of the cylinder B, pressing rolls E, E, acting together to feed
forward the web Z, in combination with a reciprocating burnishing tool and
stretching rolls H and F¹, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth and
described in reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. In flint glazing machinery the use of the cylinder B serving as a
travelling surface, across which the web is led and the burnishing tool operates,
substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

page_text: Thirdly. The use of cooling or heating medium within cylinder B, and within
the glazing tool either one or both used, in combination with said cylinder, as
described.
Fourthly. The construction of the burnishing tool G, G¹, b, c, d, a, substantially
as specified in reference to Fig. 2 of the Drawings.
Fifthly. The double or triple action burnishing tool with the flint pocket bars b
and flexible backing c for the flints a mounted upon the carrier pieces e, operated
by their link or cam drivers g or through the stationary bar h or auxiliary shuttle h,
constructed as and for the purpose substantially as herein set forth and described
in reference to Figs. 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11, and in reference to Figs. 7, 7,
8, 9, and 10 of the Drawings.
Sixthly. In combination with the burnishing tool of flint glazing mechanism the
auxiliary shuttle h, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Seventhly. In flint glazing process, as herein specified, the use of an air blast
directed upon the burnishing point, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Tidcombe, junior, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of March, One thousand eight hundred
and nights
In the presence of
WALTER A. BARLOW,
Patent Agent & Engineer,
6, St. Paul's Chyd.,
London, E.C.
Ġ. TIDCOMBE, JUR. (L.S.)