CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR CUTTING WOOD, AND IN LAYING VENEERS
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PIERRE
ARMAND le Comte de FONTAINEMOREAU, of 4, South Street, Finsbury,
London, English and Foreign Patent Agent for Inventions, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-fifth
day of May, in the tenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Pierre Armand le Comte de
Fontainemoreau, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her, especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Pierre
Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Pierre Armand le Comte de Fontaine-
moreau, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within that part of Her United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland called England, the Dominion of Wales, and the Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney,
Sark, and Man, and in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations
abroad, the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR
CUTTING WOOD, AND IN LAYING VENEERS," communicated to me from abroad;
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Pierre
Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, shall particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be

page_text: performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and to
cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Pierre Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, do hereby declare that the
nature of the said Invention communicated to me, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement thereof, reference being made to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the different Figures marked thereon, in which the
same letters of reference refer to the same parts, that is to say:
The Invention communicated to me consists,―
Firstly, in certain dispositions and combinations of partly known and partly
novel machinery for cutting wood into thin and continuous sheets of large
width.
Secondly, in certain dispositions and combinations of partly known and
partly novel apparatus for pasting and doubling those said sheets, and their
.application to useful purposes, such as for hangings of apartments, &c., &c.
And for the better comprehension of the said Invention, before entering. into
a detailed description of the manner of carrying it into effect, it will be well
to premise by an exposie of the present state of the manufacture. The mode
.of cutting wood in a cylindrical manner by means of a knife tangent to the cir-
cumference has been already devised, but up to this time the mechanical means
employed have proved insufficient to produce practical results, as manufacturers
have not been able to operate but on small widths; it has never succeeded com-
pletely; and it may be added, that these endeavours have entirely failed, not-
withstanding the numerous experiments which were essayed upon it, not because
the system of cutting wood in that manner was unattainable, but because neither
the mode of operation nor the proper and rational mechanical dispositions which
such an operation required were found out. But it must be admitted that this
operation is very delicate, and presents very great mechanical difficulties. It is
therefore, but after many experiments attended with a great deal of trouble
and perseverance, that satisfactory results have been obtained by the Invention
herein-after described. From what precedes it will be easily understood that
the first part of the said Invention is not the mere endeavour or idea of
cutting wood tangently to the cylinder in a spiral form, but consists really in
the mechanical means or dispositions, herein-after described, for obtaining such
desirable results.
i

page_text: Description of the Machine for Cutting Wood. The machine, of which
the Invention has been communicated to me, by cutting wood of large widths
in a continuous manner fulfils all the required conditions, videlicet, producing
with a great economy of time and manual labour. Thus a piece of wood, a
5 log of mahogany for instance, whatever be its size, set in my apparatus, is cut
in a continuous manner without any interruption, and with a velocity truly
suprising. That result is the more remarkable as it is obtained without
sawing, but merely by cutting the substance on all its surface simultaneously
and cylindrically so as to form a spiral, developed from the circumference
to the centre. The means which, as it will be easily seen, are entirely new,
comprise,―
Firstly, the application of a sharp-edged and very thin blade, held fast
between two knives or straight rulers ending in basil, which, while they keep
tight the blade over all its length and near its cutting edge, prevent it on
one side from going to deep into the wood, and on the other side force it to
penetrate into it far enough and to the required degree, according to the
thickness designed for the sheets. That application, or rather addition of a
thin blade, working between two knives, is of the greatest importance for the
success of the operation, and forms, I venture to say, a mechanical principle
quite new, not only in the apparatus herein-after described, but also in all
other machines for wood cutting either from prisms, blocks, or logs.
Secondly, the disposition of a strong leader set immediately above the
knives, and resting constantly on the wood as fast as it is cut. That pressing
leader, which is of a quite new application, is also of great importance in the
operation, as it serves to keep the wood fast over all its length, and close to
the part which is to be cut by the blade, so that, notwithstanding the knots,
brambles, and defects which the knife meets with, it is always perfectly sup-
ported, and cannot be the cause of any defect or accident. If even the wood
by its nature were very defective, uneven, and presented very little homo-
geneousness in its different parts, it would; nevertheless, be well cut with all
the precision and nicety that could be wished for.
Thirdly, the mechanism adapted for working the blade or knife bearer, and
at the same time the pressing leader, in a continuous manner, is always pro-
portioned to the rotative velocity given to the piece of wood to be cut. That
operation is very essential, and was not obtained by the previous machines. I
am enabled by it to produce sheets of a surface constantly even, and if an equal
thickness upon all their width from the beginning to the end of the spiral,
That mechanism is the more valuable as it can be varied at will, in order to
modify the thickness of the sheets, as in all the cases the progress of the blade
.

page_text: and of the leader is proportioned to the motion of the block, that is to say,
that quicker the block turns more the progression of the blade and leader is
rapid, and so reciprocally, whatever be the thickness previously regulated.
Fourthly, the addition to the machines of a moveable drum or cross bar
provided with several arms, permitting to receive simultaneously a certain
number of pieces of wood, and to cut them into thin and rectangular sheets
instead of continuous sheets, which in many cases enables me to make valu-
able applications of the Invention to bramble woods and others. Without the
particular means which I have herein-before mentioned, and which constitute
the whole of the first part of the Invention communicated to me, that is to
say, all the principal or working parts of the wood-cutting machine, it is quite
impossible to obtain the practical results which I produce, especially when it
is required to operate on pieces of wood of large-dimensions, as for instance,
upon logs of two or three yards or even more in width, and upon any dia-
meter and size whatever. By the full descriptions of the wood-cutting
machine herein-after given it will be easy not only to admit the mechanical
principles and the dispositions which I have herein-before mentioned, but
also the different particulars and the principal parts of the construction of
that machine. Then it will be seen, as I before said, that it can be applied
as well to cutting wood from a single piece into continuous and very large
sheets, as to cut wood from several narrow pieces into rectangular sheets
proportioned to the sizes of those same pieces.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1, Drawing I., shows a longitudinal elevation of the machine entirely
set up and ready to cut up a large piece of wood; Figure 2 of the saine
Drawing is a longitudinal section, taken through the axis, according to the
line 1, 2, of the Plan; Figure 3, Drawing II., is a transversal section, taken
perpendicularly to the precedent, according to the line 3, 4; Figure 4 of
the same Drawing II. is a general plan of the machine as seen from above.
All these Figures are drawn on a scale of one tenth of the real size; and the
several Figures of Drawing III. shew the principal parts relating to the tool
bearer and knives, as well as to the system of supporting the wood to be
cut. Two of those Figures are drawn on the same scale as the precedent, and
the others at two fifths of the real size. By examining the several views and
details of the apparatus it will be seen that the log or piece of wood A to be
cut is not set on mere conical points as on a lathe, but on the two square
points of the iron axes B, B¹, between which it is held sufficiently fast to
avoid it having any play, but so that it may follow steadily the simultaneous

page_text: rotary motion of these two axes. At its ends are adjusted the iron cross
bars c, which serve to maintain it on their points in a steady manner, and to
keep it always perfectly in the centre, from the beginning to the end of the
operation. The forms of these cross bars are similar to those shown by Figures
5 and 6, Drawing III.; the largest of those are applied to the largest logs of
wood, and the smaller replace the former when the logs are reduced to a
small diameter. These cross bars being at their centre pierced with square
holes having the exact form of the points, it is easily understood, that when
these points are inserted in the holes the piece of wood is connected with the
axes B and B in a continuous and solid manner, and must necessarily turn
with them when they are put in motion. As the logs of wood are not always
the same length, it is absolutely necessary to be able to cause the points, and
consequently the axes, to advance and recede when requisite. For that pur-
pose I have adapted to the end of one of these axes, that marked B, a screw D,
Figure 4, Drawing II., and Figure 2, Drawing I., which can be drawn by the
hand without giving to the axes the same rotary motion. That screw D passing
through a. permanent nut E is obliged to move when turning, and consequently
causes the axis to advance or recede, and as that axis is held by the two strong
supporters F, F, between which are placed the cog wheel G and the pulley H,
set on the said axes, those two pieces G and H cannot move with it, as they are
kept between two supporters. Thus the screw D and its axis B only move and
change their position. The second axis B' is by itself a screw; it is wormed
over all its length, and is provided as the first axis B with a cog wheel G',
having exactly the same diameter as the first-mentioned wheel G, and which
also must rest in the same place, whatever may be the position given by the
axes B'. For that purpose the wheel G' is kept on one side by the large sup-
porter F by means of a nut a, which presses against it, and on the other
side by a nut a', which rests on the nave of that said whcel G'. When that
axis B is to be made to advance or recede these nuts are loosened, and then
by means of the screw D' placed above, the moveable bearer I is made to
proceed; that bearer I serves at its lower extremities as a supporter to the
wormed axis B'. That second screw D' produces exactly the same effect
as the former one D, its nut E' being also permanent; it is obliged to move
according to its length when it is made to turn lengthwise on the right or
left side. When the position of the two axes B, B', has been so regulated
that their square points are inserted and kept in the cross bars which are
adjusted to the extremities of the log of the wood, as shewn by Figures 2
and 4, the position of the blade-bearer carriage must be adjusted so that the
more forward knife should advance and rest on the extended surface of the

page_text: log. That blade-bearer carriage is composed of a cast-iron frame J, which
at its two opposite extremities is provided with the two cast-iron chairs K,
intended to receive on one side the cast-iron guide or pressing leader L.
That last guide rests constantly on all the length of the wood immediately
above the sharp edge of the blades, in order to prevent them from causing the
wood to split, or from taking off a greater quantity of it than they ought
really to do. The application of that blade L to the machine is, as it has
been herein-before stated, of the utmost importance, as it permits to obtain
results which could not possibly be attained without its use. It has been
contrived in such manner that its position may be regulated as exactly
it can be required. For that purpose the cast-iron chairs K, which are
to support the extremities of the above-mentioned leader L, are crossed
by bolt screws b, which allow it to be lowered, raised, or moved on the
right or left side, to be inclined in one way or another, so as to comply with
all the required necessities, according to the nature of the wood, the thickness
of the sheets which are to be cut, &c. In order to make it well understood, the
construction of that guide or lever it is represented minutely by some of the
Figures of the Drawing III. The Figure 7 shows its transversal section; the
Figure 8 represents its end; and the Figure 9 is a lateral projection of a part
of its length. From these Figures it is easy to understand that by its nerves
and its strong thickness it presents a great resistance; as it must bear with a
certain strength during the working on all the length of the log it is expedient
to make it solid and without chance of being flexible.
between which is kept tight the additional blade
cut, are placed underneath the forward face of the guide L, and in a tangent
direction to the external circumference of the log, as shewn by the vertical
section Figure 8 and the parts Figure 7. Those knives are both fixed
by a cast-iron ruler N going over all their length, and are kept in an
immoveable position by means of the iron holdfasts O, on the extremities
of which they are screwed. These fastenings are disposed at equal dis-
tances, and in a sufficient quantity over the breadth of the blade-bearer
carriage. In order that the latter may give to the knives the exact posi-
tion which is necessary relatively to the pieces to be cut, it has been neces
sary to adjust on one side, upon the ends of the chairs K, some projecting
screws d, upon the heads of which the ruler N rests at its extremities, so as
to cause it to occupy a more or less elevated position; and on the other side
some belt screws e have been placed on the forks which end the iron hold-
fast O. These screws e hold the holdfasts O upon the blade-bearer carriage,
and permit at the same time to incline them more or less, or cause them to
The two knives M, M',
by which the wood is

page_text: advance or recede relatively to the surface of the log. It results from that
contrivance, that whatever may be the size of the block, it is always possible
to regulate the direction of the knives and of the blade so as to have the
sharp edge of this last in the most convenient part; that is to say, in order
that on one side it should not tend too much to penetrate into the wood, for
which purpose the forward knife M, resting on the surface of the cylinder,
guides and maintains that sharp edge; and in order that on the other side
the said edge should not recede back, it is held by the second knife M', which
rises very near the sharp cutting point, and forces, in the meantime, the sheet
as soon as it is cut, to pass between it and the presser leader L. It is there-
fore evident by that contrivance that the cutting blade is neither too. eager,
or too slow in working. When the machine has been regulated for a
required thickness it is certain always to be obtained all through the opera-
tion. That disposition is the more remarkable and the more advantageous,.
as it permits to change the blade and the knives, to put them on or take
them off with the greatest facility without disconnecting the other logs
which may be fastened to them, as it suffices to loosen the screws which
fasten them to the iron holders. When the blade and the knives which hold
it fast, as well as the pressing leader, are exactly regulated, the machine can be,
then put in motion. To that effect it is to be observed that the movements
have been so disposed that the two axes B, B', at the extremity of which the.
log is supported, may both at the same time be acted upon with the same.
velocity, in order to prevent any attempt to twisting, and to have the block.
moving regularly all along its length. Thus it has already been seen that the.
two similar wheels G, G', are set upon those axes. to which they are fastened,,
each of them, by a pin adjusted in a groove contrived in their length, in order
to allow them to remain in the same place. When the axes are caused to
advance or recede, those wheels catch with the pinions P and P¹, Figures.
1 and 4, which are set on the intermediate shafts Q and Q, which are them.
selves commanded by the eight wheels R, R', adjoining the precedent and
catching with the pinions S, S'. Those two last pinions of small diameter are
set on the same shaft T, which is the moving shaft of the machine, and which
for that purpose is provided with the pulley U, having several diameters in.
order to receive, in case of need, different speeds more or less rapid, according
to the dimensions or size of the logs to be cut. It will be easily understood
that the motion can be given to those pullies by any moving power whatever,.
by means of which a convenient velocity may be obtained. Whilst the
rotative motion is so given by means of those transmissions of movement to.
the piece of wood set between the two points, the blade-bearer carriage is

page_text: caused to advance very slowly, and of a quantity corresponding to the thick-
ness of the sheets to be obtained. That forward motion is effected by the
machine itself without any trouble, and in the following manner :-Under the
carriage is set a nut F, through which passes an horizontal screw V inserted
in a collar contrived in the centre of the cast-iron cross bar X, bolted
on the sides of the main frame Y, which serves as basis to the carriage.
On the head of that screw is set a pulley 9 facing another smaller pulley g',
set in a small intermediate axis, represented in Figure 4, and provided
with a small bevil wheel h. This last wheel receives its motion from a
similar wheel h' fastened to a second axis similar to the first, but perpen-
dicular to the precedent, and bearing a pulley H', which has been already
represented as placed on the axis B. Thus the movement of the screw
V having a very small worm is always proportioned to the velocity of the
rotative motion of the log of wood. The more quickly the block turns
the more rapidly also the blade-bearer carriage advances. But if the thick-
ness of the sheets is to be changed it is necessary to modify the ratio of
velocity, which is effected very easily, as it suffices to replace one of the
pulleys 9 or g¹ by another larger or smaller one. By that contrivance sheets
extremely thin, or of any required thickness, can be cut all over the length of
the log of wood. It is understood, that as the log turns in a continuous
manner, and as the blade-bearer carriage is always advancing progressively
at the same time and of a similar quantity, the sharp edge of the blade is
always made to rest tangently on the external surface of the log. By such
means it is perfectly easy to cut sheets of a perfectly equal thickness, the
developement of which can reach several hundred yards without any interrup-
tion. This mechanism, by which the knife leader and the blade bearer receive
a motion in a continuous manner, and proportioned to the rotative movement
of the block, is therefore equally very essential. From the apparatus herein-
before described not only very long slices or sheets can be cut from a log,
but also from any piece of wood, whatever may be its shape, the dimensions
of the sheets being however proportioned to the size of the pieces of wood.
To obtain that effect, it is sufficient to set, in lieu of the two axes B and B¹
which support the blocks, a drum similar to that shewn by Figures 10 and 11.
That drum is composed of an iron shaft z, and of several cast-iron disks or
cross bars I', on the plane parts of which are bolted two set-up flat bands Z³,
intended to receive some wooden frames n. The pieces or blocks of wood m
to be cut are fastened upon those frames in the same manner as they are set
upon the ordinary frame of the sawing machines for veneering. It is easily
understood, that by causing that drum to turn on itself, as it would be done

page_text: in causing the block which it replaces to turn, each of these pieces of wood
is successively presented to the action of the blade end of the knives, and will
be cut into thin sheets, which as a matter of course will be separated from
each other. That disposition is also a most important addition to the improved
apparatus, and increases as much the value of that system which thus unites
all the required advantages for practical and manufacturing working, and by the
celerity with which the operations are carried into effect, by the great saving
of wood which it affects, as well as on account of all the profit obtained from
the machine, and the excellent work it produces, that system affords very great
advantages. Another very simple addition is equally applied to that machine.
and has for effect to cut the wood not only into sheets, but almost immediately
after into matches of different lengths and sizes. That addition consists
merely in the application of a cylinder set on the leader itself, and provided
with circular blades; these blades rest strongly on the wood and cut it trans-
versely, that is to say, perpendicularly to its own axis, whilst some grooves
contrived over all the surface of the cylinder impress on the wood a kind of
denting more or less deep, which at the moment that the lower cutting blade
arrives to perform its operation causes the sheets of wood already cut in
the direction of the axis to be separated in small breadths, and at the same
time as the saws divide the wood lengthwise.
Figures 12 and 13, Drawing II., represent that additional cylinder, which
is composed of an iron axis, in which are adjusted a set of blades or circular
knives, supported at the required distance according to the length of the
matches, by means of steel rings or washers y, which are fluted on all their
circumference that they may at the same time serve as rowels. This axis
is supported at its two extremities on two moveable bearers, properly set on
the upper part of the leader; they are able to approach, more or less according
to circumstances, the log of wood to be cut either by means of screws pur-
posely adapted, or by any other suitable contrivance; consequently if that
cylinder, prepared as berein-before described, be sufficiently advanced against
the wood so as to cause the circular blades to pentrate into it to a certain
depth, at the same time that the rowels or washers y bear firmly upon it, so
as to impress deeply their projecting spokes, and the surface of the wood being
afterwards cut in the manner herein-before described by means of the lower
longitudinal blade, the complete separation of the wood into an indefinite num-
ber of sheets or slices must necessarily ensue, forming at the same time a vast
quantity of matches. It will be easy to contrive so that those matches be either
entirely separated one from the other, or allowed to remain slightly adhering
together, which would facilitate their packing up and carriage.

page_text: SECOND PART OF THE INVENTION.
Description of the Apparatus for Pasting and Laying Thin Sheets oWood.
-The application of sheets of veneers to several useful purposes, and especially
to cabinet making, is well known; but as until now, on account of the pro-
cesses for cutting wood into veneers having only produced sheets of small
dimensions; the manufacturer has been very limited in their use and appli-
cation, as he could not lay on or cover large surfaces by a single and same
sheet; this is obviated by means of the wood cutting machine herein-
before. described for cutting logs into extremely thin sheets of an almost
indefinite breadth, so that such new mode of producing veneers naturally
offers several easy and useful applications of these sheets, not only for
veneering in general, but also for hangings, flooring, carpeting, &c., which
they can replace with the greatest success. These sheets can be advan-
tageously employed for decorating apartments, halls, &c., instead of paper
hanging, painting, or carpets. They present the double advantage of
being richer, more durable and brilliant, warmer and healthier than paper.
With such hangings of thin wood it will be easy to clean their surfaces
without altering or wearing out any part of them; on the contrary, they will
be rendered handsomer by continual polishing, and thereby they will acquire
a more imposing and sumptuous aspect. It was necessary, to render such
purpose available and capable of its numerous applications, not only to make
veneering sheets of a great dimension in breadth, and especially in length,
but it was also indispensable to fix them on the surfaces which are to be
covered, to lay and place them on those surfaces in a regular manner and
with the greatest required precision. The usual veneer sheets, as obtained
by the ordinary processes in sawing, are directly glued when they are to be
applied on the woods which they are to cover. Instead of operating in that
manner with the large sheets cut by the process herein-before described, and
to render them fit for the new applications I intend to make of them, my
process is, to paste them on all their width on canvass, thin cloth, or any
other similar tissues whatever. By that means those thin sheets obtain a very
great stability, which permits afterwards to use them with the utmost facility
for veneering or covering every kind of surface, whatsoever may be its width
and breadth. That contrivance is quite new, and the applications of that
mode of using veneer will no doubt spread largely and be generally adopted
for a very great variety of useful purposes. In order to put such improve-
ment into execution, that is to say, to lay and glue perfectly well all the surface
those large and thin slices or sheets of wood upon the tissue or cloth in such
a manner that their super-position and adhesion should be complete, firm,

page_text: and permanent, the herein-after described apparatus has been found to answer
in every respect.
Figure 1, of Drawing IV., shews a general plan of the machine above
alluded to.
Figure 2, of the same Drawing, is a longitudinal section drawn through
the centre of the apparatus, according to the line 1, 2.
Figure 8, Drawing V., is a lateral elevation or view in breadth of a part of
the apparatus.
In these Drawings the same letters of reference apply to the same parts.
It is easy to understand, by examining those Drawings, the general dispo-
sition of the machine and its manner of working. The linen cloth a,
Figures 1 and 2, Drawing IV., which is to serve as a lining to the veneers,
is previously rolled over a cylinder or drum A, the axes of which are so
adjusted that they move freely in the grooves of the upper part of the cast-
iron supporters B. The sheet of veneer made by the cutting machine, as it
bas been herein-before stated, of a great length, is also rolled over a second
cylinder C, the axes of which also move freely in their forked supporters D.
The sheets and the cloth are both at once and together unrolled from the
surfaces of the cylinders, and soon meet beyond the glueing apparatus,
which is placed at a short distance from the cylinder G; that glueing
apparatus consists of a cylinder or brush E, which dives in a pan F
filled with paste, previously heated in a balneum mariæ by steam, by means
of a second pan G which encloses it, or by any other suitable means.
That cylinder E receiving a continuous rotative movement is constantly
impregnated with a certain quantity of paste or glue, which it spreads in
abundant quantities over the surface of the stuff or cloth as this last passes
over its circumference, and on which it is forced to bear by the pression of
a sort of right-angular ruler II, set directly above it, and which at both its
extremities is kept and led in some grooves which serve to regulate the
thickness of the paste which the fabric is to receive. That ruler H could be
replaced, in case of need, either by a weight or spring, or any other suitable
contrivance. The veneering sheet passes only under the pasting cylinder E,
or rather under the balneum mariæ, and is directed by a rod or long moveable
roller I, purposely placed on the frame V, towards the two large and strong.
cylinders J and J, between which it must pass at the same time as the cloth,
so that they may be both sufficiently pressed together and adhere to each
other uniformly in all their length and breadth. The cylinders are so disposed
that the necessary degree of pression to ensure the complete adhesion of the
cloth and sheet is given at once. When egressing from these cylinders the

page_text: cloth and the veneering sheet seem to form but one single body, like a very thin
pasteboard, but they are too wet to have a great solidity, therefore it is neces-
sary to dry them with the same rapidity as the pasting and uniting action has
been effected by the pressing cylinders. For that purpose it has been con-
sidered that the most convenient and rational means consisted in using steam
which is made to enter into some hollow cylinders, like those used since a long
while in paper-making or spinning machines. However, as it is most essential
that the drying should not be too quickly obtained, for fear either of impasting
or preventing a thorough equal pasting, care must be taken that the steam
which arises from the boiler in the two first cylinders K, K', which are
placed close the pressing cylinders J, J', be not too hot, and that the steam
which reaches the last range of cylinders M, M', be the hottest. It would be
very easy, in case of need, to cause the same steam to run successively in like
manner in a greater number of cylinders, in order to obtain more surely in
the meantime by that said operation a perfect smooth and even union, and a
regular pasting and drying without any trouble or difficulty. It is understood
that the sheets of veneers being united to the cloth passing thus from one to
the other pair of cylinders, and receiving successively more and more heat,
are dried gradually, without any chance of being over heated by that process.
When they arrive at the last pair of heated cylinders they are entirely dry,
and form one single and only sheet, which is rolled over the drum P, to which
a convenient rotary motion is given according to the direction described by
the arrow, as shewn in the Drawing. As that cylinder, in receiving the united
vencer and cloth, becomes progressively larger, it is necessary to lessen the
velocity of its rotation, in order to keep as much as possible the rectilineal
motion of the united veneer and cloth. For that purpose that cylinder P is
put in motion by means of a pulley and of a distender, which bearing more
or less heavily, and to the required degrees, on the strap of the pulley, causes
this last to be drawn with more or less velocity. And in order that the united
veneers and cloth should remain well distended over the circumference of the
cylinder P without being unpasted, a pressing cylinder, the weight of which
is evidently proportioned to the velocity, is conveniently placed above it. To
take away from the surface of the pressing and heating cylinders the super-
abundant paste which by the pression egresses through the sides of the united
cloth and veneer, some moveable scrapers or knives R, Figures 5 and 6,
Drawing V., have been adapted. They are set on the axis of those cylinders,
and as they bear on them, care must be taken to maintain them constantly
at that proper position by means of weights suspended to levers S, which are
adjusted on the extremity of these, axes on the outside of the machines. To

page_text: vary also, in case of need, the distance between these pressing and heating
cylinders, their cast-iron frames T have been so disposed as to allow them to
roll upon two parallel bands or rails V, Figures 8 and 4, Drawing V. Thus at
the feet of each of those frames are adjusted some cast-iron small wheels or
rollers V, by means of which the position of the cylinders can be easily
changed, and, consequently, they can be made to advance or recede as it is
judged convenient.
And having now described the Invention communicated to me, and the
manner of performing and carrying out the same, I wish to observe, that I
do not claim as the Invention the principle of cutting wood tangently to the
cylinder, in the form of a spiral or of an unfolding sheet, as that principle
has been discovered since a long while. But the Invention communicated to
me consists in the means herein-before described to effect and completely
carry out that principle, that is to say, to render it available' for commercial
and manufacturing purposes, by cutting wood of very large widths and
lengths. And, further, I do not confine myself in some portions of the
description to the precise manner, means, or modi operandi therein detailed,
provided their general features be the same as herein laid down and described,
reference being had to the present description and Drawings. But what I
claim as new, and as the Invention communicated to me, and intended to be
protected by Letters Patent, are,-
Firstly, the improved arrangement and disposition of a machine or appa-
ratus for cutting wood into sheets of any width whatever, as herein-before
described in reference to Drawings I., II., and III.
Secondly, in the application of a thin blade set between two longitudinal
knives, as herein-before described in reference to Drawings I., II., and III.
Thirdly, the application of a moveable and pressing leader, as herein-before
described in reference to Drawings I., II., and III.
Fourthly, the continuous progressing of the blade bearer and of the leader,
and the apparatus producing that movement, as herein-before described in
reference to Drawings I., II., and III.
Fifthly, the application of a cylinder or drum for cutting wood into rect-
angular sheets, as herein-before described in reference to Drawings I., II.,
and III.
Sixthly, I claim the addition to the first-mentioned machine, of a cylinder
provided with circular blades and washers, to cut wood for matches, as herein-
before described in reference to the Drawings I., II., and III.
Seventhly, the mode of, and apparatus for, preparing the thin sheets of

page_text: wood or veneers produced by the first part of the Invention, of whatever
dimensions, as herein-before described in reference to Drawings IV. and V.
Eighthly, the application of the above-mentioned sheets of wood or veneers
to various useful purposes.
And such the said Invention being, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
new, and never before used within that part of Her Majesty's United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland called England, the said Dominion of Wales, and
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, I do hereby declare this to be my Speci
fication of the same; and that I do verily believe the said Specification doth
comply in all respects with the proviso in the said herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent herein in part contained; wherefore I do hereby claim to main-
tain exclusive right and privilege to the said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pierre Armand le Comte de Fontaine-
moreau, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day
of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and forts coun