IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSING AND BUNDLING PAPER AND IN HYDRAULIC PRESSING MACHINERY TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PRESSING AND BUNDLING PAPER AND IN HYDRAULIC PRESSING MACHINERY
TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR" A communication from abroad by Joshua Weistling
Jones, of Harrisburgh, in the County of Dauphin, State of Pennsylvania, United
States of America.
Sealed the 8th April 1879, and dated the 24th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th December 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSING AND BUNDLING PAPER AND IN
HYDRAULIC PRESSING MACHINERY TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR." [A communication
from abroad by Joshua Weistling Jones, of Harrisburgh, in the County of Dauphin,
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America.]
This Invention consists, 1st, in a dry press proper, in which the compressing
parts or heads, that is, the base and plunger, are constructed dividedly or with ways
through them to readily insert and manipulate the cord and to tie the bundles of
paper while held compressed, thus securing the bundle together by a powerful tie
which, when they are removed from the press, retains its force ad libitum.
Second. In a press frame having sides peculiarly set and arranged, and provided
with longitudinal slots therein corresponding with the ways in the press heads above
referred to and for the same purpose, as well as to rightly lodge and centre the paper
with relation to the middle of the press heads.
Third. In certain ledges in the said press frame and guides on the plunger thereof to
properly centre different sized sheets in press to secure the tie at the middle of the
bundles both ways.
Fourth. In a new process for treating printed and folded sheets of paper in dry
pressing, which consists in subjecting a collection of such sheets to pressure without

page_text: the use of fuller or press boards, and while under such pressure tying them into
compact bundles with end boards thereon, the removing them immediately from
the press and allowing them to remain tied sufficiently long to complete the dry
pressing and attain the desired state of surface.
Fifth. In furnishing a powerful speedy press in convenient form to press sheets,
wet or dry, technically known as dry pressing in the art of bookmaking, and to tie
or bundle the same while under hydraulic pressure of a certain number of tons
definitely regulated by the machine itself.
Sixth. In the peculiar combination of an automatic electric pressure indicator
with a hydraulic press whereby the parts of the press under strain are duly secured
against breaks, and at the same time an alarm reports the finished stage of the work
of pressing at any given fixed amount of pressure.
Seventh. In a peculiar siphon adjutage connecting the chamber of the ram
cylinder and the reservoir, whereby the liquid is returned from the former to the
latter almost instantly and without waste of the liquid by simply turning open a
stop cock after the operations of pressing and tying are completed.
Eighth. In certain guides whereby the ram head or follower is properly kept in
position without canting.
Ninth. In certain end boards for the bundles provided with central countersinks
in at least one of the pair to facilitate passing cord under cord in tying the com-
pressed bundles.
Tenth. In end boards provided with rounded outer edges with or without
facing sheet metal or hard wood clips at bearing points to protect cords and
--boards.
Eleventh. In the peculiar combination and arrangement of two reciprocating force
pumps, alternately drawing liquid from a common reservoir, connectedly arranged
with the ram chamber by a main into which the pumps discharge alternately to
secure a continuous travel of the ram.
The nature of the Invention is therefore so closely related to and manifest from
the foregoing enumeration of intents and means that no special abstract on its merits
or on the wants it supplies is required as its superior nature is fully set forth in the
following description.
The pressing device is made in trough form and is mounted at an inclination with
the floor on supports of different heights. The lower part of said device ends in a
massive circular block truly faced to match a similar head or ring at the upper end
of an hydraulic cylinder. A recess or seat is made in the face of the ring to receive
the packing, which is a piece of leather crimped in a forming mould to give it a U
form in cross sectional outline. Said packing is tightly fitted to the size of the
ram and is laid inverted in said recess. When the liquid is forced into the chamber
by way of the inlet said packing is expanded by the liquid to firmly hug the face
of the circular block and the ram body and the outer wall of the said recess, thus
packing the parts both ways. To the hydraulic cylinder is connected, by a packed
screw joint, the main by which communication is made with the reservoir by two
reciprocating force pumps which are connected together by connections on main and
have communication with the reservoir at the up stroke of the piston alternately,
the valves being then successively lifted. On the return stroke of the said pistons
said lower valves are closed and the driven liquid opens the upper valves succes-
sively, and a continuous stream of liquid is forced through the connections into the
main and chamber to actuate the ram by which the press follower is impelled.
Said valves are all similarly formed conical seated devices, the lower ones being
guided by their stems in the bored bodies of the upper valves respectively and the
latter are guided by their stems in the boxes of screw plugs. The openings to the
valves are so graded that all the seats for the valves can be ground or reamed out by
removing the plugs.
The pump pistons are joined by connecting rods to cranks on a shaft which is
rotated by a wheel engaging with another wheel, all driven by power applied to a

page_text: pulley; or said shaft may be rocked by hand by a handle inserted in an extra fly
wheel.
When power is used the pulley is an idler as well as fly wheel until a clutch is
made to have connection with the pulley, and the connection is maintained only so
long as the operator depresses the end of a treadle, which may be done by resting a
foot on said lever end.
As soon as the requisite pressure is obtained by the press an alarm is sounded by
an electric bell apparatus the operator removes his foot from said treadle and the
pumps cease to work instantly. Said automatic electric pressure indicator consists
simply of a graduated lever bearing down by its weight, plus the adjustable weight
suspended on said lever on a safety valve which it holds closed up to any extent of
pressure indicated by the position of said weight on said lever.
As soon as the pressure exceeds such assigned limit the safety valve opens and
the liquid escapes back into the reservoir by an opening. Now at the instant the
graduated lever rises it comes in contact with a conductor by which, by a wire con-
nected therewith, connection is made with the armature of a magnet. Another
conductor leading from the said lever by way of a battery connects with a magnet,
therefore the instant the lever and conductor come into contact the circuit is closed
and an alarm bell strikes, thus signalling to stop the pumps and insuring the
safety of the parts of the apparatus under strain. After the pressed matter has
been tied under pressure a stop is turned to open a siphon adjutage, when the
liquid flows back from the chamber into the reservoir very quickly. Both the work
of pressing and of releasing the press is very quickly done, and the operation of
tying is also greatly facilitated by making the end boards, or at least one of the
pair, with countersinks or recesses in them by which the cord can be quickly passed
under the taut part in effecting the tie.
The outer edges of the end boards are rounded to lessen liability to cord cutting
by the stored up pressure in the bundles, and, when the boards are of soft wood,
sheet metal or hard wood clips are fixed thereto where the bite of the cord
occurs.
The follower is guided in place in the press trough, and guides or rollers are em-
ployed to prevent canting of the follower and irregular setting of the matter subjected
to pressure.
The operations of dry pressing and sheet tying are accomplished by the same
device. It consists of a bed mounted upon uprights in such manner that it has a
downward inclination from the former to the latter upright and the sides of said
bed are set laterally inclined, trough form, so that the folded paper may securely
lodge and carry therein while being operated on.
The sides of said bed are longi-
tudinally slotted to correspond with the open ways of the press heads to afford
access to the work while in the press to tie into bundles. In the trough of said bed
is firmly attached thereto a solid head forming the base of the divided head con-
structed with openings or ways. The divisions of said heads are supported either
on pedestals or on the trough at suitable distance from the heads to enable the
operator to pass the hands between said parts while applying the tie.
The follower or plunger head consists of a base, pedestals, and bearing divisions,
disposed oppositely about central cross ways, the plan being similar to that of the
stationary or opposite head and the bundle of sheets is inserted between said heads,
it being cross tied over end boards by a cord. The bodies or bundles of the folded
sheets are so located in the press trough that the middle part of the end of said bundles
may come under or opposite the middle part of the press heads that is in right
position before the ways to secure the tie over the middle of bundles both ways."
When large work is being pressed and tied no special adjustment of the press is
needed to locate the work centrally as described, but when intermediate and small
sized work is operated on it is kept properly distanced from the trough sides either
by removable ledges lodged in grooves in the follower and head and resting upon
the sides of the trough, or by sliding adjustable rods removably attached to the

page_text: stationary head divisions and allowed to pass freely through the follower and its head
divisions.
In the improved process of dry pressing the end boards are used on the ends of
the bundle of the paper under treatment to distribute the pressure over the whole
area of the ends of the bundle, and also to prevent cutting or marring of the paper
by the cord or other tying material. Said end boards are made of any suitable
material affording strength and rigidity at little cost, and of suitable size to nearly
match the size of the folded work,
Besides the advantage attained by the improvement in rendering dry pressing
speedier, less laborious, and less expensive than by the processes heretofore employed,
it also makes the work more convenient to handle and rank up until required for
binding, and avoids the not infrequent mishaps of tumbled and scattered work
on the floor of the bindery, and consequently lessens the risk from fire.
It may be further stated inferentially that the improved pressing machine and
sheet tie is adapted for all sizes of work, from folio to smallest duodecimo, and that
its sphere of usefulness is not confined solely to printed matter or sheets with type
indentations, to the removal of which its energies are specially and successfully
applied under the most thorough testings, but that it is equally admirably adapted
to paper makers' use for pressing folded papers, such as note paper, letter paper,
foolscap, &c., the presser proper being easily and quickly adjustable to centre different
sizes of sheets therein. Five hundred folded printed sheets, more or less, may be
pressed and tied at one operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th June 1879.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. " IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSING AND BUNDLING PAPER AND IN
HYDRAULIC PRESSING MACHINERY TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR." A communication
from abroad by Joshua Weistling Jones, of Harrisburg, in the County of Dauphin,
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America.
This Invention relates,-1st. To a dry press proper in which the compressing
parts or heads, that is, the base and plunger, are constructed dividedly or with ways
through them to readily insert and manipulate the cord, and to tie the bundles of
paper while held compressed, thus securing the bundles together by a powerful tie
which, when they are removed from the press, retains its force ad libitum. 2nd.
To a press frame having sides peculiarly set and arranged, and provided with longi-
tudinal slots therein corresponding with the ways in the press heads above referred
to, and for the same purpose, as well as to rightly lodge and centre the paper with
relation to the middle of the press heads. 3rd. To certain ledges in the said press
frame and guides on the plunger thereof, to properly centre different sized sheets in
press to secure the tie at the middle of the bundles both ways. 4th. To a new
process for treating printed and folded sheets of paper in dry pressing, which
consists in subjecting a collection of such sheets to pressure without the use of fuller
or press boards, and while under such pressure tying them into compact bundles
with end boards thereon, then removing them immediately from the press and
allowing them to remain tied sufficiently long to complete the dry pressing and
attain the desired state of surface. 5th. In furnishing a powerful speedy press in
convenient form to press sheets, wet or dry (technically known as dry pressing in
the art of bookmaking), and to tie or bundle the same while under hydraulic
pressure of a certain number of tons definitely regulated by the machine itself.
6th. To the peculiar combination of an automatic electric pressure indicator with a
hydraulic press, whereby the parts of the press under strain are duly secured against
breaks, and at the same time an alarm reports the finished stage of the work of
pressing at any given or fixed amount of pressure. 7th. To a peculiar syphon
adjutage connecting the chamber of the ram cylinder and the reservoir, whereby
the liquid is returned from the former to the latter almost instantly and without
waste of the liquid by simply turning open a stop cock after the operations of
pressing and tying are completed. 8th. To certain guides whereby the ram head
or follower is properly kept in position without canting. 9th. To certain end
boards for the bundles provided with central counter sinks in at least one of the
pair to facilitate passing cord under cord in tying the compressed bundles. 10th.
To end boards provided with rounded outer edges with or without facing sheet
metal or hard wood clips at bearing points to protect cords and boards. 11th. To
the peculiar combination and arrangement of two reciprocating force pumps
alternately drawing liquid from a common reservoir connectedly arranged with the
ram chamber by a main into which the pumps discharge alternately to secure a
continuous travel of the ram.
In the accompanying Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pressing
machine, and Figure 2 a rear elevation exhibiting a bundle of sheets in the press
proper tied under hydraulic pressure and ready to be set aside until the desired
state of surface is attained. In Figure 2 several styles of tied bundles are shown
at the left of the view. Figure 3 represents a vertical sectional view of the
reservoir taken longitudinally through the middle of the pump cylinders; Figure 4
represents a sectional view of the press bed, and the hydraulic cylinder and ram
taken longitudinally; Figure 5 represents a semi-sectional view of the reservoir
and the syphon adjutage connecting the reservoir and the ram; Figure 6 represents
one of the rounded edged hard wood boards employed as end boards on the bundles;

page_text: Figure 7 represents a sectional view of the press trough or bed taken transversely
at the line w³, Figure 2; Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the press frame and
the divided stationary head; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the divided press
plunger or follower.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different Figures.
The pressing device B¹, D, C, is made in trough form, and is mounted at an
inclination with the floor on supports B2, B3, of different heights, as shown at the
right in Figure 1. The lower part of said device ends in a massive circular block H
truly faced to match a similar head or ring J at the upper end of the hydraulic
cylinder A. A recess or seat n¹ is made in the face of the ring J, as shown in
Figure 4, to receive in it the packing of, which is a piece of leather crimped in a
forming mould to give it a U form in cross sectional outline. Said packing is
tightly fitted to the size of the ram B, and is laid inverted in said recess. When
the liquid is forced into the chamber O by way of the inlet O¹, said packing is
expanded by the liquid to firmly hug the face of the part H and the ram body B
and the outer wall of said recess, thus packing the parts both ways.
To the cylinder A is connected by packed screw joint the main A*, by which
communication is made with the reservoir R2 by two reciprocating force pumps Q, Q,
which are connected together by connections R, R, on main A4, and have communi-
cation with reservoir R2 at the upstroke of the pistons g, g¹, alternately, the
valves P4, P³, being then successively lifted. On the return stroke of said pistons
said lower valves are closed, and the driven liquid opens the upper valves N², N³,
-successively, and a continuous stream of liquid is forced through connections R, R,
into the main A' and chamber O to actuate the ram B by which the press follower C
is impelled. Said valves are all similar formed conical seated devices, the lower
ones P, P³, being guided by their stems in the bored bodies of the upper
valves N, N³, respectively, and the latter are guided by their stems in the bores in
the screw plugs f, f¹. The openings to the valves are so graded that all the seats
for the valves can be ground or reamed out by removing the plugs ƒ¹, ƒ. The
pump pistons g, g₁, are joined by connecting rods 2, 2, 21, 21, to cranks M, M³, on
shaft x, which is rotated by wheel x engaging wheel h, all driven by power applied
to a pulley ; or said shaft x may be rocked by hand by a handle 61 inserted in
extra fly wheel b, as shown in Figure 2. When power is used pulley k is an idler
as well as fly wheel d, until clutch v is made to have connection with the pulley k,
and the connection is maintained only so long as the operator depresses end ¹ of
treadle 7, which may be done by resting a foot on said lever end. As soon as tho
requisite pressure is obtained by the press an alarm is sounded by an electric bell
apparatus, the operator removes his foot from-said treadle, and the pumps cease to
work instantly. Said automatic electric pressure indicator consists simply of a
graduated lever S (see Figures 2 and 3) bearing down by its weight, plus the
adjustable weight R' suspended on said lever, on safety valve Si, which it holds
closed up to any extent of pressure indicated by the position of said weight on said
lover. As soon as the pressure exceeds such assigned limit valve S' opens and the
liquid escapes back into reservoir R² by an opening S, as shown. Now at the
instant lever S rises it comes in contact with a conductor S³, Figure 2, by which,
by a wire connected therewith, connection is made with the armature of a magnet
at P. Another conductor leading from the said lever S by way of a battery S
connects with a magnet at P. Therefore the instant the parts S, S³, come in contact
the circuit is closed and the alarm bell at Ĺ sounds, thus signalling to stop the
pumps, and ensuring the safety of the parts of the apparatus under strain.
After the pressed matter has been tied under pressure the stop G is turned to
open the syphon adjutage L¹, Figure 5, when the liquid flows back from the
chamber O into the reservoir R³ very quickly. Both the work of pressing and of
releasing the press is very quickly done, and the operation of tying is also greatly
facilitated by making the end boards, or at least one of the pair, with countersinks
or recesses C³ in them, as shown in Figure 6, by which the cord can be quickly
passed under the taut part in effecting the tie. The outer edges of the end boards

page_text: are rounded, to lessen liability to cord cutting by the stored up pressure in the
bundles, and when the boards are of soft wood, sheet metal or hard wood chips are
fixed thereto where the bite of the cord occurs.
The follower C is guided in place in the press trough, as shown in Figure 7.
Guides or rollers H1, H2, and W are employed as shown, to prevent canting of the
follower and irregular settling of the matter subjected to pressure. The operations of
dry pressing and sheet tying are accomplished by the same device. It consists
of a bed B' mounted upon uprights B2 and B3 in such manner that it has a down-
ward inclination from the former to the latter upright, as shown in Figure 1, and
the sides of said bed B¹ are set laterally, inclined trough form, so that the folded
The sides B¹
paper may securely lodge and carry therein while being operated on.
of said bed are longitudinally slotted at B' to correspond with the open ways D2 of
the press heads D', to afford access to the work while in the press to tie into
bundles, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In the trough of said bed B¹ is firmly
attached thereto the solid head or block D in position as shown. Block D is the
base of the divided head D¹ constructed with openings or ways D2 similar to the
plunger head C, shown in Figures 7 and 9. The divisions of said heads are sup-
ported either on pedestals D³ or on the trough at suitable distance from the heads C
and D to enable the operator to pass the hands between said parts while applying
the tie.
The follower or plunger head shown in Figure 9 consists of a base C, pedestals D³,
and bearing divisions D¹ disposed oppositely about the central cross ways D² as
shown, the plan being similar to that of the stationary or opposite head, and the
bundle of sheets E is inserted between said heads, as shown in Figure 2, it being
cross tied over end boards C³ by cord E', also as shown in Figure 2.
It may be noticed that the bodies or bundles of the folded sheets are so located
in the press trough that the middle part of the end of said bundles may come under
or opposite the middle part of the press heads, that is, in right position before the
ways D2 to secure the tie over the middle of bundles both ways.
When large work is being pressed and tied no special adjustment of the press is
needed to locate the work contrally as described, but when intermediato and small
sized work is operated on it is kept properly distanced from the trough sides B',
either by removable ledges D* lodged in grooves in the follower and heads C, D,
and resting upon the sides of the trough B¹, as shown in Figure 8, or by sliding
adjustable rods D removably attached to the stationary head divisions D', and
allowed to pass freely through the follower and its head divisions. In the improved
process of dry pressing the end boards referred to are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6
in position on the bundle immediately under or subject to the tie. They are used
on the ends of the bundle of the paper under treatment to distribute the pressure
over the whole area of the ends of the bundle, and also to prevent cutting or
Said end boards are
marring of the paper by the cord or other tying material.
made of any suitable material affording strength and rigidity at little cost, and of
suitable size to nearly match the size of the folded work. Besides the advantage
attained by the improvement in rendering dry pressing speedier, less laborious, and
less expensive than by the processes heretofore employed, it also makes the work
more convenient to handle and rank up until required for binding, and avoids the
not infrequent mishaps of tumbled and scattered work on the floor of the bindery,
and consequently lessens the risk from fire.
It may be further stated inferentially that the improved pressing machine and
sheet tie is adapted for all sizes of work, from folio to smallest duo-decimo, and that
its sphere of usefulness is not confined solely to printed matter or sheets with type
indentations, to the removal of which its energies are specially and successfully
applied under the most thorough testings, but that it is equally admirably adapted
to paper makers' use for pressing folded papers, such as note paper, letter paper,
foolscap, &c., the presser proper being easily and quickly adjustable to centre diffe-
rent sizes of sheets therein. Five hundred folded printed sheets, more or less, may
be pressed and tied at one operation.

page_text: When applied to printed sheets the indentations of type make their opposites
when the sheet receives the first fold, consequently said opposites are multiplied
with each additional fold the sheet receives. There is no need of any press boards
or other material to be interposed between the sheets. The bundles are required to
stand under the retained pressure long enough to remove the indentations, usually
five to ten hours, or remain tied until wanted to be gathered into books.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the here-
inbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. A press proper for compressing laminated material, as paper, into packages
at a high degree of compactness and solidity by a hydraulic power pressing
machine in combination with an automatic electric pressure indicator to secure
the parts under strain against breaks, substantially as set forth.
2nd. The hydraulic cylinder head J provided with the annular seat n¹ about
ram B to readily insert packings 0%, in combination with the foot H of the press
frame, for the purpose recited.
3rd. The follower C in combination with the guides H1, H2, W³, in trough B¹,
and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4th. The end board C³ provided with central countersink or recess C³, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
5th. End boards for bundles of sheets tied under pressure provided with
rounded outer edges, and with or without sheet metal clips, for the purpose set
forth.
6th. The peculiar combination and arrangement of two-reciprocating force pumps
QQ, alternately drawing liquid from a common reservoir R² connectedly arranged
with the ram chamber O by a main A*, into which the pumps discharge alternately
to secure the continuous travel of the ram B, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
7th. In a pressing machine and sheet tie the compressing heads D¹ constructed
with cross ways D2 centrally arranged through them, substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth.
8th. The inclined press bed or trough B¹ provided with longitudinal slots B* in
its sides in combination with the press heads D', having through them the cross
ways D correspondingly arranged with said slots, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
9th. The press head D' connected by pedestals D³ with the follower C, and made
to travel as a plunger, in combination with bed B', substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
10th. In combination with the press bed B', the device of a set of removable
ledges D or a set of adjustable guide rods D³, arranged as and for the purpose set
forth.
11th. The process herein described for treating folded printed sheets of paper in
dry pressing, the same consisting of subjecting a collection of such sheets to pressure
without the use of fuller or press boards, and while under such pressure tying them
into compact bundles with end boards, then removing them immediately from the
press and allowing them to remain tied sufficiently long to complete dry pressing
and attain the desired state of surface.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)