Improved Means and Apparatus for Embossing or Impressing Thin Metal, Cardboard, Leather, or other Sheet Matérial
Year: 1897

page_text: Improved Means and Apparatus for Embossing or Impressing Thin
Metal, Cardboard, Leather, or other Sheet Matérial,
I, HENRY SOMERVILLE FEARON, of 6, Great Winchester Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for applying pressure
to thin metal, cardboard, composition, or other sheets for the purpose of embossing
or impressing upon such sheets any required design.
In the ordinary way, a die is employed in combination with a rigid "force" or
follower generally formed of metal or other hard material, but by my invention
Idispense with such rigid force" or follower, employing instead a flexible
pressure surface as in the manner to be described.
My improved apparatus consists of a shallow box or tray, the bottom and sides of
which are made of metal or other suitable material and I cover the top of such
box or tray with a sheet of india rubber securely fixed to form a tight joint, the
die being arranged upon a press and having upon it the metal or other sheet
which is to be embossed, I place on this the box described with the india rubber
sheet in contact with the work and then screw or otherwise force the platen of the
press into contact with the box to hold it securely during the next operation.
The box or tray has a suitable valve fitted to it and by means of this and a
pump I force water or other fluid into the box, with the result that the pressure
of the water forces the elastic rubber surface and the thin metal or other sheet
under it uniformly into the pattern of the die. Although water or other fluid
is generally most effectual for the purpose, 1 sometimes produce the required
result by employing air instead of water as the forcing medium.
Inasmuch as the use of a press in connection with this apparatus is merely to
hold it in position and supply the fulcrum for the water under pressure to exert
its force against any kind of press or cramp, arrangement of both or any con-
trivance which will effect this purpose may be employed, and it can be made to
operate either vertically or horizontally, or in any desired position.
I am aware that embossing is sometimes carried out by means of a sheet of
india, rubber subjected to direct pressure in a press, and my invention applies
only when the rubber sheet effects the purpose by means of fluid or air under
pressure substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.
Dated this 11th day of September 1897.
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Henry Somerville Fearon.

page_text: Improved Means and Apparatus for Embossing or Impressing Thin
Metal, Cardboard, Leather, or other Sheet Material.
I, HENRY SOMERVILLE FEARON, of 6, Great Winchester Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for applying pressure
to thin metal, cardboard, composition or other sheets for the purpose of embossing
or impressing upon such sheets any required design.
In the ordinary way, a die is employed in combination with a rigid "force" or
follower generally formed of metal or other hard material, but by my invention
I dispense with such rigid force"
or follower employing instead a flexible
pressure surface as in the manner to be described.
*
My improved apparatus consists of a shallow box or tray, the bottom and sides of
which are made of metal or other suitable material and I cover the top of such
box or tray with a sheet of india rubber securely fixed to form a tight joint, the
die being arranged upon a press and having upon it the metal or other sheet
which is to be embossed. I place on this the box described with the india rubber
sheet in contact with the work, and then screw or otherwise force the platen of the
press into contact with the box to hold it securely during the next or pressure
operation.
The half sectional elevation on the annexed sheet of drawings of a hand press
will be sufficient to explain my invention.
A. press bed with hollow B in top, forming a water or air trough in connection
by pipe B with a pump from which the pressure can be exerted. The trough B
is covered with a rubber or like sheet C, the parts C¹ of said sheet on the sides of
the bed A and on the flanges D being prepared with canvas for fixing it in a
water and air tight manner by the ring E and bolts. F is the force with V or
undercut grooves for reception of the die or moulding matrix G said force E
being actuated to put the die or matrix G down upon the article already upon the
rubber sheet or diaphragm C by the screw H this passing through the cross head I
and operable by the swing weights J J said crosshead being firmly secured to the
bed A by the guide rods K K and end nuts L L. M is the drain hole.
By this invention, articles such as a sheet of tin, sheet steel, damped paper,
millboard and the like can be caused to follow the finest chasings or markings
of the die by the use of liquid or air pumped into the reservoir B by the pressure
exerted on the flexible material with which the trough is covered, the pressure
being more gradual and with a kind sort of action on the fibres of the plate being
operated upon than is possible where a die and a matrix are used for pressure
punching the device or design into the plate which is so often detrimental and
produces holes or slits in the deep recesses of the plate and as often cuts pieces
out entirely and destroys the plate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
The invention herein before specified, of the improved means and apparatus for
impressing thin plates, cardboard, leather and other sheet material with devices

page_text: or designs and consisting of a flexible cover to a water or air chamber in a press
which by hydraulic or air pump pressure will cause the material to receive the
impression of a die or matrix as set forth and substantially as represented.
Dated this 11th dow of Tu1.. 1000
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said H. S. Fearon.
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said H. S. Fearon.