IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR STEREOTYPING, AND IN THE PREPARATION OF THE MATRICES
Year: 1881

page_text: こ
LETTERS PATENT to Carl Pieper, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent,
of 109-110, Gneisenaustrasse, Berlin, S.W., Prussia, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR STEREOTYPING, AND IN THE PREPARATION
OF THE MATRICES." A communication from Alexander Faber, Gentleman,
of Madgeburg, Prussia.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Pieper at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th July 1881.
$1
CARL PIEPER, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, of 109/110, Gneisenaustrasse,
Berlin, S.W., Prussia. IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR STEREOTYPING, AND
IN THE PREPARATION OF THE MATRICES." (A communication from Alexander
Faber, Gentleman, of Madgeburg, Prussia.)
This Invention relates to improvements in the preparation of matrices for
stereotype-plates, and to improvements in the means of heating or melting the
metal, and of drying the matrices in furnaces specially constructed for that
purpose.
The matrix is made of several layers of paper or of thin card-board as usual,
but for the purpose of causing the same to be flexible to a certain degree after
having been dried, the sheets of paper, &c., are pasted together by means of a
paste consisting of starch, glue, glycerine, or vaseline, ground-chalk (or whiting),
and water. A small quantity of turpentine may in certain cases be added with
advantage. The material thus prepared is laid on the composition of types, and
the impression is taken as usual by means of rollers, brushes, or otherwise.
The matrix is hereupon removed from the composition and placed with the
impressed side upward into a cradle of perforated sheet iron ore wire gauze. For
the purpose of allowing the matrix to be handled in its moist state, a sheet of wire
gauze is used, which is strengthened at two opposite edges by means of a metallic
ledge, to which another ledge is hinged upon its whole length. The gauze having
been placed on the matrix the edges of the latter are turned up, and the hinged
ledges of the gauze are folded over them, so that the matrix may now be lifted off

page_text: the composition and turned over, together with the gauze whereupon it is laid, into
the said cradle, which in this case may consist of strong wire gauze if preferred.
The cradle with the matrix is thereupon put into a drying-stove. When the
matrices are of small size they may be lifted off the composition without the use
of the gauze.
In this case their odges are pressed against the cradle by ledges
binged to the cradle.
The drying-apparatus which the inventor employs consists of a muffle corre-
sponding to the shape of the cradle, and of sufficient size to leave a free space
around the cradle, which is provided with legs. This muffle, which is closed in
front by a door, is placed in a stove in such a manner that the heating gases can
circulate uniformly around the same. The top of the muffle is provided with holes
for the egress of the vapour from the matrix. For promoting the drying process,
a current of air is admitted by a perforated tube extending lengthwise into the
muffle, the air being caused to pass into the said muffle and out through the holes
in its top by the draught of the chimney or by a mechanical contrivance. The air
current thus produced serves to carry off the vapours rising from the matrix.
The air is preferably heated previous to its admission into the apparatus by passing
it through tubes or channels suitably arranged in the flues of the stove.
The melting-pot for the metal and the above described drying-chamber are- both
heated by the same furnace, the flue being so divided that part of the combustion-
gazes are conducted to the melting-pot, and another part to the drying-apparatus.
A damper behind the partition wall of the flue can partially or entirely close
either of these divisions, so that the admission of heat to the melting-pot and to
the drying-chamber can be regulated by shutting off partially or entirely either
the one or the otlier of the divisions. A pipe may be laid within the partition
wall to heat the air to be conducted into the muffle as before stated.
The temperature of the drying-chamber may hereafter be controlled by deflecting
a part of the combustion-gazes into the chimney before their entrance into the
muffle-chamber, or by admission of cold air into the flue leading to the said
chamber.
For the purpose of allowing the muffle to be removed the top of the stove is
so arranged that it can be lifted off; but if preferred, the muffle may be made a
fixture, or instead of the same a fixed drying-space may be built into the stove.
In case a non-bituminous coal is used for heating, such as brown coal (lignite),
I prefer to have a continual fire in order to keep the muffle and the brickwork hot,
and I build the furnace in such a manner that the fuel is fed through a door at
the top in an iron shaft, from which it falls on a slanting grate at the rate the
coal burns away. The ashes are removed from below, and the air is supplied
through a conduct running along the shaft so as to be warmed before entering the
fire-grate.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Carl Pieper in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th January
1882.
CARL PIEPER, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, of 109/110, Gneisenaustrasse,
Berlin, S.W., Prussia. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR STEREOTYPING, AND
IN THE PREPARATION OF MATRICES." A communication from Alexander Faber,
Gentleman, of Madgeburg, Prussia.
This Invention relates to improvements in the preparation of matrices for
stereotype-plates, and in the appliances for melting the metal and for drying the
matrices.
The inatrix is made of several layers of paper or thin card-board as usual; but
for the purpose of causing the same to be flexible to a certain degree after it has
been dried, the sheets of paper, &c., are pasted together by means of a paste made
3
"
"
"
"
4.5
14.5
"
ور
"
"
ground chalk (or whiting).
glycerine or vaseline.
"
"
37
"
water.
These proportions need not, however, be strictly adhered to. It is advisable
first of all to make a paste of the starch with a part of the water, and to dissolve
therein the glue previously swelled in water, subsequently to add the glycerine or
vaseline mixed with the chalk, and finally to add the rest of the water in boiling
state. In case the paper or card-board to be used is very loose, an addition of a
few per cent. of turpentine is advantageous.
The paper to which this paste is applied becomes pliable without being apt to
tear easily while it is handled, and the matrix prepared with such paste presents,
after having been dried, so much flexibility that when the stereotype-plate is being
cast the molten metal will press the whole matrix smoothly against the back-plate
of the mould, and thus equalize any existing unevenness. With common paste the
matrices become hard and stiff.
After having received the impression from the types in the ordinary manner by
means of rollers, brushes, or otherwise, the matrix is removed from the types and
placed with the impressed side upward into a cradle of perforated sheet iron or
strong wire-gauze. For the purpose of allowing the matrix to be handled in its
moist state a sheet of thin wire-gauze or other suitable flexible fabric is used, to
two opposite edges of which are fixed metallic ledges, as is shown by Figs. 6 and 7
of the annexed two Sheets of Drawings, t being the gauze or fabric, and v, v, the
said ledges. To each of the ledges another ledge w is hinged. The gauze or
fabric having been placed on the matrix u the edges of the latter are turned up and
the ledges we are folded over them. The hinges of the ledges may be provided with
springs so arranged as to cause the ledges to firmly clamp the matrix. By aid of
the said ledges the matrix can easily be lifted off the types a and turned over,
together with the gauze or fabric, whereupon it is laid with its face upward into
the cradle, and put with the same into a drying-stove. When the matrices are of
small size they inay be taken off the types without the use of the described device.
In this case the cradle has to be provided with hinged ledges or clips for
keeping down the edges of the matrix. Instead of the cradle a flat tray may be
used.

page_text: The drying-apparatus which the inventor employs is combined with the stove
or apparatus, by means of which the metal for stereotyping is melted. Fig. 1 of
the accompanying Drawings shows a longitudinal vertical section of the whole
arrangement; Fig. 2 is a sectional top-view of the furnace, and Fig. 2 a section of
a part belonging thereto; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line U, V, of Fig. 1, and
Figs. 4 and 5 are horizontal sections on lines W, X, and Y, Z, respectively of the
same Figure.
The said drying-apparatus consists of a muffle or kind of retort e, by preference
of earthenware, and corresponding in so far as is required to the shape of the
cradle c, and of sufficient size to leave a free space around the cradle, which is
provided with legs. This muffle is placed in a stove A in such a manner that the
heating gases can freely circulate around it. For the purpose of causing the gases
arriving by the channel E to be distributed uniformly on both sides of the muffle,
the space between the muffle and the wall in which the flue n is arranged is
made narrower than the opposite space r. The muffle projects with its front end
into the door-frame k, and it is closed by the door o lined with any non-conductor
of heat. Its top is perforated with holes f for the egress of the vapours evolved
from the matrix. Above the holes fa plate may be arranged, by which dust is
prevented from falling on the matrix. In order to promote the drying-process a
current of air is made to traverse the muffle by the draught of the chimney or by
any mechanical contrivance, such as a fan, the air entering by a tube i and passing
out by the holes f. This air-current carries off the vapours issuing from the
matrix. The said tube i may terminate close to the back-wall of the muffle, but
by preference it is extended lengthwise into the latter, and is provided with
perforations or slits. The air is with advantage heated previous to its admission
into the apparatus by passing it through tubes or channels suitably arranged in
the flues of the stove. Such channels may be provided for in the horizontal fire-
bridge or flue partition-wall F. These channels, which are marked by the letter H,
communicate with the outer air at I, and with the tube i by the pipe or channel j.
The pot G in which the metal for stereotyping is melted, and the drying-
chamber or muffle e are both heated by the same furnace, the flue E from the
latter being so divided by the aforesaid bridge or partition-wall F that a part of
the combustion-gases is conducted by the upper division of the flue to the melting-
pot, and another part by the lower division to the drying-apparatus, but the
former part may also pass to the drying-apparatus after it has given off a portion
of its heat to the pot G. By means of a damper-or-valve-L-placed-at-the-rear
end of the partition-wall F and pivoted at s, either one or the other of the divisions
of the flue can be partly or entirely closed, so that by altering the position of the
valve L the admission of heat to the melting-pot and to the drying-chamber may
be regulated.
The temperature of the muffe may moreover be controlled by deflecting a
portion of the combustion-gases into the chimney previous to their entrance into
the muffle-chamber, or by admitting cold air into the flue E near its rear end
by means of a pipe p provided with a regulating-door.
For the purpose of allowing the muftle to be removed from the drying-stove A,
and to be exchanged without breaking down the stove, the top of the latter is so
constructed that it can be lifted off. Moreover, the muffle is placed in an iron
frame resting on legs or other supports which allow of its being shifted together
with the muffle towards the rear of the muffle-chamber, so as to make the muffle
clear of the door-frame. The tube i, which is simply inserted with its rear end
into the back-wall of the chamber, having been withdrawn, the frame g and the
muffle shifted, and the cover removed, the muffle may be lifted by ropes attached
to the hooks m of the frame g. If preferred the muffle may however be made
a fixture, or instead of the same a fixed drying-space may be built into the stove.
Besides, the form of the muffle may be different from the one shown by the
Drawing.

page_text: In many instances, especially in large printing-offices, it may be desired to keep
the stereotyping-metal and the drying-apparatus constantly heated. In this case
the inventor employs a furnace consisting of a shaft B, which is filled from the top
with fuel, by preference with brown-coal (lignite) or other coal containing but little
or no bituminous matter. At the bottom of the said shaft there is a slanting
grate b.
As the fuel on this grate burns away, the supply contained in the
shaft B will descend, and thus keep up a continuous fire. The air required for
combustion enters by orifices in the plate P, and then passes through a conduct
running along and surrounding the shafts B, where it is warmed. The admission
of air through the said orifices may be regulated by slides or valves P¹. C is a
pipe for leading gases that may be evolved in B to the grate, and N a channel,
shown in Figure 5 in dotted lines, by which air is admitted into the flue E for
supplying oxygen to gases emanating from the grate which have not been com-
pletely burnt. When a slow combustion is kept up on the grate during temporary
stoppages, the air entering by this channel prevents an accumulation of combustible
gases within the flues of the apparatus, and thus removes any danger of explosion
which might arise therefrom. The said channel should therefore never be closed
completely.
Having thus described the nature and object of this Invention, and the manner
in which it is to be carried out in practice, as communicated to me by the
inventor, I wish it to be understood that I am aware that the drying of the matrix
separate from the type upon a tray suspended in a heated chamber has already
been described in the Specification of the British Patent, A.D. 1879, No. 3853,
to Byles and Allan, and also that the heat from the fire employed for melting the
metal has previously been utilized for heating the drying-chamber, and this
broadly I therefore do not claim, but I claim as new and important features of the
Invention,-
1. The method of making matrices for stereotype-plates by using a paste
consisting of starch, glue, glycerine, or vaseline, chalk, and water, with or without
the addition of turpentine for uniting the sheets of paper or card-board, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
2. In the making of matrices for stereotype-plates, the use of a sheet of wire-
gauze or other flexible fabric provided at two edges with ledges to which are
hinged other ledges or clamps, for the purpose of facilitating the turning and
handling of the matrix in moist state, as herein before described.
3. In an apparatus for melting metal and drying matrices for stereotyping, the
arrangement between the furnace, the melting-pot, the drying-chamber for the
matrices, and finally, the chimney if desired of a due or flues provided with devices
by which the course of the gases to the pot, the chamber, and the chimney may be
regulated, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. In an apparatus for melting metal and drying matrices, in which the com-
bustion-gases are conducted by a flue E to the melting-pot and the drying-chamber,
the divisions of the said flue by a bridge or partition F in combination with a damper
or regulating-valve L as means for controlling the course of the combustion-gases,
as described and for the purpose stated.
5. In an apparatus for melting metal and drying matrices for stereotyping, the
employment of a furnace provided with a shaft or fuel-receptacle B arranged to be
filled from above for the purpose of keeping up a continual fire, and which shaft
or receptacle may be surrounded. by an air-conduct D, substantially as specified.
6. In combination with the muffle or drying-chamber e having holes f for the
egress of vapour, the tube i for the admisson of air, and suitable means for creating
a draught through the said tube, the muffle, and the holes f, as described. .
7. In combination with the bridge F in the flue E of the described apparatus,
the channel H by which the air supplied to the drying-chamber is heated,
substantially as specified.
8. In a drying-apparatus for matrices, the combination of a stove or heated

page_text: chamber A of the muffle c, and of the removable cover of the stove or chamber A,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Pieper, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
CARL PIEPER. (L.S.)