Various Articles, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Apr., 1887
Complete Left, 9th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 13th Jan., 1888
Various Articles, and Apparatus therefor.
I, FREDERICK CRANE of Summit, New Jersey, United States of America,
Manufacturing Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
My invention relates to a method of japanning, lacquering, or coating various
articles with liquid substances or compounds to preserve or improve the appearance
of the same, and to the apparatus used in the process, whereby the operation itself is
facilitated, and labour saved, better results are obtained, and the effect of moisture in
the air is greatly modified. The apparatus used may be of metal, wood, slate, brick,
or of combinations thereof; and may be either fixed or portable.
It consists of a chamber, usually of oblong form, of a sufficient height and other
dimensions to take the articles to be coated and to enable the attendant to work at, and
store within, a certain quantity of the work to be done. An entrance opening closed
by a door or screen, balanced, is provided; and another opening, preferably opposite
the entrance opening, is also provided as a door way through which to withdraw the
work when finished.
Upon the internal sides of the chamber are secured cleats or brackets which support
rollers, spaced closely together. A number of short blocks are adapted to slide upon
the said rollers, the blocks being supported by two or more of the rollers at one time.
Grooves are made upon the tops of the blocks to receive rods extending from block to
block across the chamber, and to these rods the work is suspended. The length of the
blocks, or the position of the rods in the grooves, regulate the closeness of the coated
articles, in the several transverse lines of the work; so that large and small articles

page_text: may be placed closely together without fear of touching, and without undue loss
of space.
In the front of the chamber, and conveniently arranged for the attendant, is placed
a vessel containing the liquid coating. The article to be coated is either dipped or
otherwise coated with the same, and hung to a rod nearest the opening. When the
rod is full, it is pushed back into the chamber, the sliding blocks moving easily over
the friction rollers. Another rod is placed in position, and when this is also filled, it
is pushed back as before, the first rod being carried inward in doing so. This is
continued until the chamber is full, and the work first done can be removed from the
opposite door, to give space for new work to be entered.
As each article is coated and inserted in the chamber, the door or covering of the
entrance is opened for the purpose, and afterwards closed; while the opposite door or
opening is always kept closed or covered, except when withdrawing the finished work.
This is done for two reasons. First, where an air drying coating is used, it is best to
screen the freshly coated work from dust, air currents or moisture; and second, in the
case of coatings requiring heat, in order to avoid loss of heat and sudden changes of
temperature.
For the purpose of supplying heat to the chamber, I insert heating pipes within the
same, arranged in any convenient manner. Any suitable heating agent may he used,
such as hot air, hot water, or steam; but I prefer the latter. A heating stove may
be combined with the chamber, but the products of combustion must be kept
from entering the chamber, otherwise it would injure the finish of the work. It
is most convenient, therefore, to cause the heating agent to pass through tubes in
the chamber, and to heat the air in the same, principally by radiation. A suitable
valve and thermometer enables the attendant to regulate the temperature io suit the
coating employed.
The entrance opening is closed with a vertically sliding door, a revolving shutter, or
an analogous form of screen. The weight of the same may be balanced by a weight
or by spring action, so that the attendant is enabled to open and close the chamber
quickly and with slight effort. The same method may be adopted for the opening
through which the work is withdrawn ; or an ordinary hinged door used instead.
some cases a treadle is connected by a line or chain to the door, or screen so as to
work the same by the foot when the attendant's hands are engaged with the work.
In
A receptacle or vat, is arranged at the front of the chamber, to contain the liquid
coating. For the convenience of the workman, this may have combined with it a
board, rack, shelf or hooks to receive the work to be coated, the brushes employed,
the sliding blocks, rods or other articles employed by him. The vat is placed so as to
receive any drip or waste from the coating of the articles, and is screened from the
heat of the chamber, and all through currents of air, to avoid evaporation. A proper
cover is provided to close the vat when not in use. When the chamber is made of
wood, metal, or even of slate, it may be mounted upon wheels attached to a suitable
base, and the whole moved to such points as are found convenient for working.
It is to be understood that the cleats or brackets may be dispensed with; or used in
combination with other methods of supporting the work. Hooks can be attached to
the ceiling also to support the work; and one or more endless chains, passing over
pulleys at each end, and arranged to receive the rods, substituted for or used with the
means already described. A vertical rod also may be employed having arms
swivelling upon the same, to which the work is suspended. As the arms are filled
with work they are pushed back out of the way, and others used in the same manner
until all are used. In some places where it is not convenient to have an opening at
the back, and in other cases also, the chamber may be modified so as to have both
openings in front. This plan is also well adapted to the use of the vertical rod
carrying arms which swivel upon the same, as before mentioned; and the horizontal
section of the chamber may be that of a semicircle.
In this arrangement the tank or vat carrying the liquid coating is placed upon one
side of the centre of the front, by the door through which the work is inserted, and
the adjoining door is used for withdrawing the work from the chamber, the attendant

page_text: having but a few steps for the purpose.
It is
In many cases it is desirable to permit a
portion of the heat, when heat is used, to escape from the chamber over the top of
the tank or vat; to assist the evaporation of the coating, or moisture. This is
regulated partly by opening the screen or door placed over the vat, and partly by the
amount of heat allowed to pass into the chamber through the heating pipes.
desirable, however, to provide especially for this by the use of a special heating pipe
or pipes, adjacent to the tank, and a valve or any other convenient means of controlling
the amount of heat passed through the pipe or pipes. This valve is placed in a
convenient position for the attendant; and it will be seen that the process or method
followed enables the work to be done in an expeditious manner, and the quality of the
work is independent of the moisture in the atmosphere, which by the ordinary method,
greatly affects the result.
1
1
די
1000
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: F
Moto of Japanning, Lacquering, or Coating
Various Articles, and Apparatus therefor.
I, FREDERICK CRANE, of Summit, New Jersey, United States of America,
(temporarily of 433 Strand, London,) Manufacturing Chemist, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to a method of japanning, lacquering, or coating various
articles with liquid substances or compounds to preserve or improve the appearance of
the same; and to the apparatus used in the process. By means of this invention, the
coating operation is facilitated, labour saved, and the effect upon the work of moisture
in the air is greatly modified. The apparatus used may be constructed of metal,
wood, slate, brick, or of combinations thereof; and may be either fixed or portable.
An
The apparatus consists of a chamber, usually of wood and of an oblong form, of
sufficient dimensions to receive the quantity of work required to be coated.
opening is provided at that part of the chamber at which it is most convenient for the
operator to stand; and another door is preferably placed at the back for the workman
to remove the coated goods from the chamber, when finished. The entrance opening
is kept closed by a door or screen, hung upon pullies, and provided with springs or
balance weights, so that after the work has been placed in the chamber, and the door
or screen released; the weights or springs will automatically close the opening. This
arrangement may also be applied to the other doorway, if desired. A tank, containing
the liquid compound used for the coating of the goods, is placed either within the
framework of the chamber, or otherwise adjoining the entrance door; and provided
with a lid or cover, when not in use.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the chamber a, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the
same with the front removed, and a part of the side broken away to show the interior;
is the tank for holding the liquid compound or coating substance; c are cleats or
supporting battens, upon which the tank rests. Strips or side frames d, d,
are placed and arranged so as to carry friction rollers e, which are clearly shown in
Fig. 3 one side of the chamber being removed in the drawing to show the
arrangement.
Upon the friction rollers e, e, are placed bearing pieces f, f, (Fig. 4) which are
connected across the width of the chamber by metal or wooden rods, to which the
work is hung after being coated. The work is dipped into the liquid coating
contained in the tank b, and hung upon the rod over the tank as shown in Fig. 2,
where the "drip" or surplus liquid is allowed to drop off into the tank. When the
rod between the bearing pieces ff, is full of work, it is pushed into the chamber by the

page_text: workman, and another rod, with its bearing pieces, (Fig. 4) is inserted in its place,
over the tank and so on, with others: each rod, as inserted, pushing the bearing
pieces of those preceeding, further into the chamber. When the work is completed,
or the chamber full of work, the door g at the back, or other part of the chamber, is
opened, and the work then removed in a finished condition. The number and position
of the side frames d, and length of bearing pieces f, are arranged to suit the sizes of
the articles to be coated.
As each article is coated and inserted in the chamber a, the entrance door or
screen his opened and then, when released, automatically closed by the spring or
balance weight, actuating the pulley i; the other or removal door being left closed
or covered, except when removing the finished work. This is done for two reasons:
first; because, when an air drying coating is used, it is best to screen the freshly coated
work from dust, air currents, or moisture; and second; in the case of coatings
requiring heat; in order to avoid loss of heat and sudden changes of temperature.
In some cases it is desirable to introduce heat, and this is best done by means of
one or more heating pipes k, Fig. 3, laid on into the chamber a, and regulated by a
suitable stop valve. Steam, hot water, or hot air can be used; or a small heating
stove may be combined with the chamber, so long as the products of combustion are
kept from contact with the work.
Where it is inconvenient to use a chamber such as that just described, a square or
semi-circular shaped one, having both doors in front, may be used instead. This is
indicated by a sectional plan in Fig. 6; the semi-circular form being shown by the
dotted lines, and by sectional elevation, Fig. 7. In this case the side frames d, d, and
friction rollers e, e, may be dispensed with, and a vertical shaft 1, carrying swivelling
arms m, m, used instead. In this form the entrance door or screen h is placed on one
side of the front; the tank b in front or inside the door h; and the work as it is done,
is pushed round to the other door or screen g for withdrawal, which door can be
placed on the other side of the front to the entrance door h. The tank is covered
with a flat or sloping lid when out of use, and it may be provided with hooks
similar devices, upon which to place the work, or the brushes; should brushes be used
for coating.
±
or
An endless chain, as shown in Fig. 8, may be used to carry the work upon, instead
of the arrangements already described. In this case, the chain links o, o, are provided
with grooves to receive rods or hooks on which the work is hung, and they pass over
suitable pulleys p, at each end of the chamber; the links o, e, being supported by
suitable rollerse working in brackets d, Figs. 8 and 9 ; secured to the sides of the
chamber. Figs. 6, 7, 10, and 11 show the chamber mounted upon suitable wheels, so
that it may be moved about from place to place, as required.
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. An apparatus for coating articles with a liquid compound, consisting of a
chamber into which the articles may be introduced at one point, and from which they
may be removed at another point; supports adapted to convey the articles through
the chamber, and a vat or tank at or near the point of introduction containing the
liquid coating and arranged to receive the drainage or surplus liquid from the newly
coated articles; substantially as described.
2. The combination of a chamber for drying articles coated with a liquid compound,
with a tank containing the said compound or coating, the side frames and friction
rollers, and the bearing pieces connected across the chamber by rods, or their specified
substitutes the chain links o, o, pulleys p, rollers e, brackets d, (Figs. 8 and 9);
substantially as described.
3. The combination of a chamber for drying articles, with a covered or sheltered
space in which is placed a dipping tank or tank containing a liquid coating in which
articles may be dipped; a screen or door between the two; and appliances to which
the newcoated articles may be hung; substantially as described.

page_text: 4. In combination with the tank containing the liquid coating, pipes or other
heating devices placed within a chamber in which articles are hung for drying
purposes after being coated by dipping in a liquid compound; and a method or
devices for suspending the said articles and moving them from point to point
within the said chamber; substantially as described.
5. The combination of a dipping tank containing a liquid coating, with a drying
chamber arranged to suspend work therein and mounted upon wheels or supports
whereby the chamber and the tank may be readily moved; substantially as described.
6. In combination with a draining and drying chamber having supports for work
in the said chamber, of the tank containing the liquid coating, and a moveable screen
or door for closing the drying chamber; substantially as described.
7. An apparatus consisting of a dipping and draining tank, a drying chamber,
supports for work adapted to move with the work through the said chamber, a heating
arrangement in the chamber, and a moveable screen or door dividing the drying from
the dipping or coating part of the apparatus; substantially as described.
8. The method of japanning, lacquering, or otherwise coating articles by dipping
or immersing the said articles in a liquid compound, contained in a tank placed in a
covered space immediately adjoining a drying chamber containing moveable supports
upon which the dipped articles are suspended and so arranged as to be passed
gradually through the said drying chamber substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Doted this 8th dose of Nanamba 1007
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicant.