IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASKS OR BARRELS, AND IN THE MACHINERY
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Hadfield, of Bootle Village, near Liverpool,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASKS OR BARRELS, AND IN THE MACHINERY
"
Sealed the 14th November 1862, and dated the 5th June 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Hadfield at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
5th June 1862.
I, GEORGE HADFIELD, of Bootle Village, near Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASES OR BARRELS, AND IN THE
MACHINERY AND APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAME," to
be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention relates to a machine for grooving and
ending the blank staves while flat, or previous to their being bent. This
machine may be described as a kind of lathe bed, fitted with pairs of adjust-
able headstocks at its opposite ends, one pair being intended to carry circular
saws and the other rotating chisel cutters. Mounted in the machine is a pair
of endless chains driven round by toothed wheels, or other mechanical arrange-

page_text: ment, and attached to these chains are blocks placed at proper distances for
receiving the staves to be cut and grooved. As the chains travel round these
blocks pass the staves under spring guides, which are adjustable to any thick-
ness of stave, and which serve to hold the stave down upon the block in a
perfectly flat position, and then present them to the saws and cutters. The
staves first pass under the pair of rotary saws, which are set at an angle, and
are adjustable to any length of staves, and by their action the staves are cut to
Behind each saw
a proper length, their ends being at the same time bevilled.
is placed a revolving cutter holder, which is adjustable both vertically and
laterally to suit the length and thickness of the stave after it has passed
through the saws. In each of these cutter holders are fixed two cutters, one
for finishing off the ends of the stave cut by the saw, and the other for cutting
the groove for receiving the head of the cask.
The second part of the Invention relates to improvements in the bending of
staves. The staves after being grooved, as just described, are placed upon a
carriage, which is fitted at its ends with two rollers to receive the ends of the
staves intended to be bent. These rollers are formed with a series of concaves
or hollows to receive the ends of the staves. When, therefore, the bending
block comes down upon the staves they are not only bent longitudinally, but
the proper curvature is given in the direction in which the groove is cut, so as
to bring them to the segmental form proper to the diameter of the cask head.
The carriage is provided at each side with guides fitted with pins for keeping
the bending block down until the staves are set.
The 3rd part of the Invention relates to an improved machine for jointing
the staves, that is, cutting the taper sides of the staves. This machine is
similar in principle to the jointing machine patented by me 20th Decbr. 1860,
No. 3129, the improvement being in the mode of adjusting the saws, both
as to regulating the distance between them, cutting various widths of staves,
and also for more easily regulating the angle of the bevil cut.
A further improvement in this machine is, the gauge rollers for centring the
staves, also the mode of driving the machine with an endless band running in
two or more grooves in the driving pullies attached to the end of the saw
spindles, thereby gaining more power than if a driving pulley with a single
groove were employed. The distance between the saws is regulated by slides
moved in or out by a screw, or other mechanical arrangement. These slides
carry the saw spindles, and they are capable of being elevated at one end ant
depressed at the other by means of a screw, wedge, or lever. Thus any
required angle may be readily and accurately obtained. The driving pullies
are provided with two or more grooves to receive each an endless driving band

page_text: from the main driving drum. These bands pass over tension pulleys, the
bearings of which are suspended from a swing frame. The pulley frames are
adjustable laterally on their common fulcrum rod to suit different kinds of
work, and they are held up by a tension cord, which allows of the proper
degree of tension being maintained on the endless bands. The staves are
centred in the carriage, which brings them under the circular saws by means
of vertical guide rollers.
The 4th part of the Invention relates to an improved machine for turning
the heads of casks. In the inner end of the spindle of the ordinary head-
stock is fitted a face plate having four expanding arms, in which are fixed pins
to assist in securing the head in its place. These arms are made adjustable
to suit any size of head required. The other headstock, with spindle and
adjustable screw, is also similar to the ordinary loose headstock of the common
lathe. To this spindle is fitted a similar face plate, with expanding arms, and
pins only. In this case the face plate turns freely upon the end of the
spindle. Between these two plates the head is placed, and the loose plate
being moved forward by the action of the screw holds the head securely in its
place during the process of turning. In the face plates are grooves at right
angles with one another, and in these grooves are fitted the expanding arms,
which slide in and out as may be required to embrace the different sizes of
heads. These arms are secured in their places by set screws.
The cutting
tools are carried by a slide supported on a sliding standard. The cutters are
fixed in such a manner that they can be so turned towards their work, that their
points or cutting edges describe a segment of a circle, thus cutting the head
into the required form, approaching the V-shape. Attached to the sliding
standard is also another sliding table for carrying a small cutter for the
purpose of reducing the head to its proper diameter, and cutting off the sharp
edge left by the side cutters. An adjustable support is employed for centering
the head while being secured between the face plates.
The 5th part of the Invention relates to the application of steam, super-
heated or otherwise, for the purpose of what is termed "trussing" casks,
instead of firing them, which is the general practice. The process of steaming
is much quicker, and the casks are quite clean inside; whereas by firing the
casks are charred, and frequently very much blistered. By means of steam,
especially when superheated, the staves are rendered much softer, and there-
fore more compressible than by dry firing, consequently casks thus treated
can be tightly trussed up.
In carrying out this operation in some instances it may be found advisable
to apply the steam to the interior of the cask only. In this case I put the cask

page_text: over the steam pipe, & put a close-fitting cover on the upper end of the cask,
which confines the steam to the inside of the cask. To facilitate the removal
of the cover I attach it to pendent ropes, the other ends of which are provided
with a counterpoise.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Hadfield in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
December 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HADFIELD, of Bootle Village, near Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of IIer reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said George
Hadfield, Her special license that I, the said George Hadfield, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, or such others as I, the said George Hadfield,
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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF CASKS OR BARRELS, AND IN THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS TO BE USED
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said George Hadfield, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, 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 George Hadfield, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is, to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
The object of this Invention is to facilitate, by the introduction of a series
of improvements, the manufacture of casks, or, barrels.
This Invention relates, firstly, to improved. machinery for chamfering the

page_text: ends of stave blanks and cutting the grooves therein for the reception of the
heads of the cask..
This plate e carries
bearing of a cutter
cutters of different
In Sheet I. of the Drawings I have shewn so much of a machine which I
employ for effecting this operation in an economical and expeditious manner
as will serve to explain the construction of the mechanism, Fig. 1 being a
partial side elevation; Fig. 2, a partial plan view of the chamfering and
grooving machine. A, A, is a bed of cast iron, somewhat similar to a lathe
bed, and fitted at its opposite ends with pairs of adjustable headstocks Band
C (one only of each of which is shewn in the Drawings). The headstocks B
carry a pair of disc saws a, the axles of which are adjustable to any
required angle from a vertical plane to suit the bevil or chamfer required for.
the ends of the staves. To admit of this adjustment the bearings c of the-
axles & are mounted on trunnions, as shewn in the Drawings.. The outer end:
of each axle b is provided with a driving pulley 6' which receives a band from:
adjacent driving gear. The headstocks C, shewn detached in front and side
elevations at Figures 3 and 4, are fitted with a sliding plate e, which is adjust-
able vertically by means of a screw and band wheel e'.
on its face an adjustable plate e, to which is bolted the
shaft f. This shaft, it will be seen, is fitted with three
shape, the cutter f' being intended to finish off the bevilled end cut by the
disc saw a, the cutter f2 making the concave cut in the face of the stave, as
shewn at Fig. 1, and the cutter f forming the groove. The cutters act in
succession, a rotary motion being imparted to them by a band passing round
the pulley g on the cutter shaft f. The setting of the headstocks B and C
is effected in the well-known manner, by hand wheels keyed to borizontal
traverse screws & secured to and having their bearings on the bed of the
machine. It will be understood that as both ends of the machine are similarly
fitted with headstocks and cutters the stave blanks are to be fed into. the
imachine in such manner that both ends will be acted upon simultaneously by
the cutters. For feeding the staves into the machine a pair of endless
traversing chains D, D, are used, which carry, at suitable and equidistant
intervals, stop pieces h, h, against which the stave blanks are placed. These
stop pieces present a shoulder to the rear edge of the stave blanks, and in the
forward traverse of the chains force the stave blanks forward, holding them at
the same time in a parallel position as they pass under the action of the
cutters. The ends of the staves are supported by cross bars (over which they
slide) attached to the main framing. The chains D, D, extend across the
machine and are carried by pairs of chain pulleys E on horizontal driving
shafts E, F, which shafts turn in bracket arms attached to the sides of the

page_text: bed A and receive motion through a band froin any convenient driving gear.
It will now be understood that as the stave blanks pass forward, first, under
the pair of rotary saws, and, secondly, under the pairs of rotary cutters, the
chamfering and grooving, and finishing of the ends of the stave blanks will be
efficiently and expeditiously effected.
A modification of this machine is shewn in front elevation at Fig. 1,
Sheet II, and in side elevation at Fig. 2, Sheet III. In these Figures the
parts corresponding to those in the first-described arrangement are marked with
similar letters. Instead of a horizontal bed for carrying the headstocks they
are supported by standards A, A, cast in one with or attached to the main
framing of the machine. These standards (which are midway of the length
of the machine) are chamfered at their edges to form guides for the head-
stocks to slide upon. The vertical adjustment of the headstocks is effected
by screws 1, 1, and their horizontal adjustment by means of screws 2, 2. Each
headstock is provided with an adjustable face plate (which carries the bear-
ings of the cutting tool shaft) for regulating the angle of the cut to be made.
In this arrangement in place of the stop pieces h I use a series of suitably-
shaped bars k, which extend across the machine from one chain D to the
ether and serve to carry the stave blanks up to and past the cutters. For
keeping the stave blanks firm on the bars under the action of the cutters and
during their traverse through the machine, pressing blocks G, G, are provided,
which are fitted to bracket arms H, H, attached to the main framing A of the
machine. These blocks G, G, extend from the front to the back of the machine
and are pressed downwards so as to keep in close contact with the staves by
means of india-rubber or other springs carried in recesses in the extremities of
the bracket arms H. The headstocks C, it will be seen, instead of being
fitted, as in the first-described arrangement, with rotating chisel cutters,
carry a bevilled cutting surface f¹ for finishing the ends of the staves after
being cut by the circular saws a. The shaft of this cutter f' also carries a
circular saw f2 for cutting the groove to receive the head of the cask. Motion
is given to the chain wheels E by means of a worm wheel on their shafts F
gearing into a worm on a stud axle I, which also carries the driving pulleys
K, K. The saws or cutters are driven by independent head gearing, as in
the first example.
The Invention relates, secondly, to improvements in the bending of staves.
After being cut and grooved as just described, the staves are steamed to soften
the wood, and they are then placed upon a carriage which is fitted at each
end with a metal roller to receive the ends of the staves to be bent. These
rollers are shewn in Sheet IV. at Figs. 1, in side view, longitudinal and cross

page_text: section, and end view. They are formed, as will be seen, with a series of
concaves or hollows of sufficient width each to receive a stave, and sufficient.
depth to give it the requisite transverse curve. The bending block is shewn
in side and end views at Figs. 2, it being provided with a series of segment-
shaped pressing surfaces a, a, corresponding in number to the concaves or
hollows in the supporting rollers. The staves having been properly placed on
the supporting rollers, the bending block is pressed down upon them, each.
pressing surface a resting upon the middle of a stave. By the application,
therefore, of pressure, not only are the staves bent longitudinally to the
required form, but they will also take the transverse curve required. The car-
riage is fitted at its sides with brackets, as shewn at Figures 3, which brackets
are pierced with holes to receive pins b. These pins, when inserted in their
holes, are intended to bear against the back of the bending block and thereby
hold it down and retain it in a depressed position until the bent staves
are set.
This Invention relates, thirdly, to the machines used for jointing staves, that
is, cutting the taper sides of staves. The first improvement consists in an:
arrangement for adjusting the circular saw (by which the opposite sides of the:
staves are simultaneously tapered) so as to regulate the distance between
them to suit different widths of saw, and also the angle at which the bevil cut
shall be made. The second improvement in the stave jointing machine.
consists in providing gange rollers for centering or securing the proper
prosition of the stave in the machine; and the last improvement consists in an
improved mode of applying, an endless driving band for actuating the machine.
This last improvement is applicable also to the driving of other stave cutting
machines. In its general character, the improved machine shown in Sheets
V. and VI. is somewhat similar to one formerly patented by me, that is, it
contains a pair of inclined circular saws which operate simultaneously upon
the stave as it is passed in a bent form through the machine.
In Sheet V. Fig. 1, represents the improved machine in side elevation
Fig. 2, and its continuation Fig. 2*, Sheet VI., shew a plan view of the same,
and Fig. 3 on the same Sheet is an end elevation. On one end of the main
framing A, A, are mounted sliding blocks on heads B for carrying the circular
saws C, which are caused to approach to or recede from each other by means
of regulating screws c. In the middle of the main framing a longitudinal
guide a is provided extending from end to end of the machine. This guide is
intended to receive a clamping carriage D, in which the stave is held firmly in
a bent form. The carriage D is provided with supporting blocks d, d, which
are adjustable, and also a pressing piece d', which slides in guides in the head

page_text: beam of the carriage and is retained in raised position or maintained in
contact with a rocking cam d² by means of elastic india-rubber springs d³.
The under surface of the pressing piece is curved, so that when brought to
bear upon the straight stave it will press it down and cause it to assume the
required curve. The upper surface of the pressing piece is also curved to
receive the pressure of the rocking cam d2, as it is operated by a hand lever
provided for the purpose. For propelling the carriage with its stave through
the machine under the action of the saws, an endless chain E is employed
which passes over a pair of chain pulleys e, e, and is made fast to the carriage
D. The pulley e, Fig. 3, is mounted on a short shaft e¹ carried in a suitable
bearing in the framing A, and upon the outer end of the shaft a worm wheel
eis keyed. Into this wheel gears a worm e keyed to the main driving shaft
F of the machine, which shaft fitted with a double set of driving pulleys.
When, therefore, the carriage has passed with its stave to the end of its
course it may be run back by the driving power by simply bringing the cross
belt into action and reversing the direction of rotation of the shaft F. The
sliding blocks B, B, which carry the saws are provided with bearings b, b, to
receive the trunnions of rocking frames 6' in which the spindles c¹ of the saws
C are mounted. On one of these trunnions (on each head or block) an arm
62 is keyed, which is furnished with a segment rack at its extremity having
skew teeth. Into these teeth gears a worm 63 affixed a square-headed
vertical spindle which has its bearings in lugs on the block B (see Fig. 3).
By turning therefore this spindle (by means of a key) the trunnions with their
frame will be rocked, and thus the angle of inclination of the saws may be
regulated to any required degree.
On one side of the bed of the machine stand up two vertical shafts G for
These rollers
receiving swing frames H, which carry each a vertical roller I.
are intended to be employed as guides for centering the staves in the carriage
before they are clamped down, and thereby ensuring their proper presentation
to the saws. The guide rollers it will be seen admit of easy lateral adjust-
ment, their position being secured by means of clamping screws. For driving
the saws I use a novel arrangement of driving gear shewn in Sheet VII.;
Fig. 4 being a side view on a reduced scale of the improved stave-jointing
machine (slightly modified) connected with the improved head driving gear,
and Fig. 5 is an end view of the same. The driving pulleys 1, 1, on the saw
spindles are each provided with two grooves to receive respectively driving
bands from a system of tension pullies 2, 2, 2b, the bearings of which are in
a suspended frame 3. This frame is made adjustable on a rod 4, which is
hinged to a bracket 5 bolted to any suitable support. Attached to the

page_text: extremity of the rod 4 is a cord 6* which passes over a guide pulley and thence
to any convenient point where its end is secured. The use of this cord 6* is
to raise and depress the frame 3, and thereby slacken or bring to tension the
driving band. By referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen that each pulley 1 has
its own driving apparatus.. There are therefore two brackets 5 as well as two
suspended frames 3. A horizontal shaft 6 has its bearings in these brackets
and carries a pair of double grooved pullies 7, 7, over which the driving
bands are respectively passed. A belt from any first mover passing round the
driving pulley 8 on the end of this shaft gives motion to the pulleys 7, 7,
which motion it transmits to the endless driving bands. The course of the
bands around the several pulleys may be readily traced in Fig. 4. Thus, to
start from the arrow 9, the band passes down to the double-grooved pulley I
on the saw spindle, round that pulley, and upwards to the guide pulley 2,
which is a double-grooved pulley, thence to the large pulley 7, and back to the
guide pulley 2b. From this pulley it again descends to the pulley on the saw
spindle up to the pulley 2 as before, but in another groove, then to the pulley
7; from which it passes back to the guide pulley 2, and so to the starting
point at the arrow 9. This arrangement it will be readily understood offers
great facilities for adjusting and maintaining the tension of the driving bands.
The fourth part of the Invention relates to an improved machine for turning
the heads of casks. In Sheet IV. Fig. 4 is a side view, and Fig. 5 is an end
view of the machine; A is the ordinary head stock fitted with a driving cone.
On the inner end of the spindle is keyed a face plate or chuck C, having four
expanding arms, in which are fixed pins to assist in securing the cask head in
its place. These arms are made adjustable to suit any size of cask head
required. The other headstock B, with its spindle and adjustable screw, is
also similar to the ordinary loose headstock of the common lathe. To this
spindle is fitted a face plate or chuck C, similar to the face plate C, that is,
having expanding arms and pins, only in this case the face plate turns freely
upon the end of its spindle. Between these two plates the cask head to be
turned is placed, and the loose plate being moved forward by the action of the
screw and hand wheel c, holds the head securely in its place during the process
of turning. In the face plates C, C¹, grooves are formed at right angles with
one another, as shewn in the detached view, Fig. 6, and in these grooves are
fitted the expanding arms F, which slide in and out, as may be required to
embrace the different sizes of heads. These arms are secured in. their places
by set screws. D is a slide rest for carrying a small table E. This rest is
so contrived that by means of the screw d, and slide at its foot, the cutting
tools are readily adjusted to the required distance from the centre of the head.

page_text: The small table E, on the top of the rest D is slidden by means of a rack and
pinion, and is intended to carry the cutters. These cutters marked e, e, are
fixed in such a manner that they can be so turned towards their work that
their points or cutting edges describe a segment of a circle, thus cutting the
head into the required form approaching the V-shape. On the sliding table
may also be mounted a tool holder for carrying a small cutter, for reducing
the cask head to its proper size, and cutting off the sharp edge left by the
levelling side cutters; G is an adjustable support, actuated by a treadle H, for
assisting in centreing the head while securing it between the face plates C, C'.
The fifth part of the Invention relates to the application of steam, super-
heated or otherwise, in the trussing of casks instead of firing them, which is
the general practice; the process of steaming, besides being much quicker,
leaving the casks quite clean inside, whereas by firing the casks are charred,
and frequently very much blistered. By the application of steam, especially
when superheated, the staves are also much softened, and therefore, more
easily compressible than by being dry fixed, consequently, casks thus treated
can be tightly trussed up. The mode of applying the steam, whether super-
heated or otherwise, will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 7, Sheet
IV., wherein A is a bell cover for enclosing the barrel and confining the steam;
B is the barrel to be operated upon, and C is a steam pipe for conveying
stean, whether high or low pressure or superheated, from a suitable steam
generator; D is a counterpoise connected by a hook to the bell cover, for
facilitating the raising and lowering of the cover. In operating with this
apparatus the barrel is placed over the steam pipe, the cover lowered, and the
steam turned on for a few minutes, the barrel is then taken out and the truss
hoops driven home. In some instances it may be found advisable to apply the
steam to the interior of the cask only. In this case, I put the cask over the
steam pipe, and place a close-fitting cover on the upper end of the cask, which
confines the steam to the inside of the cask.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of improvements in the
manufacture of casks or barrels, and in the machinery and apparatus to be
used in the construction of the same, and having explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that under the above
in part recited Letters Patent I claim :-
First, the improved machinery above described, for ending and grooving
stave blanks.
Secondly, the means above described, with reference to Sheet IV: of the
Drawings, for bending and setting staves.
Thirdly, with respect to the machinery for jointing staves, I claim the mode

page_text: of mounting and adjusting saw spindles as described, and also the applica-
tion of adjustable gauge rollers as described for centreing the staves in the
machine.
Fourthly, the driving gear arrangement for driving the rotary cutters of
cask-making machinery as described with reference to Sheet VII.
Fifthly, I claim the application to machines for turning cask heads of
expanding face plates or chucks for clamping the heads as shewn in Sheet IV.
Lastly, I claim subjecting casks to steaming in the manner and for the
purpose above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Hadfield, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Third day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
JOHN WAINWRIGHT.
GEORGE HADFIELD. (L.S.)