CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER
Year: 1839

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
DICKINSON, of Bedford Row, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Paper
Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the Seventeenth day of October, in the third year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Dickinson, Her especial licence, that I, the said John Dickinson, my execu-.
tors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Dickinson,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, 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 recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said John
Dickinson, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and the man-

page_text: ner in which the same is to be performed, is described and ascertained in the
plan hereunto annexed, and the following explanation thereof, that is to say:
The first part of my said Invention consists in a new mode of introducing
threads into paper manufactured by machinery during the formation of the
paper, in such manner that a certain number of the threads may be inserted in
the body of the paper near to one side of the sheet, and other threads be
inserted at the same time nearer to the reverse side of it, in combination with
which process it is also possible to introduce at the same time other threads
into the middle of the paper.
a
I proceed now to explain the mode of doing this and the apparatus
necessary for the purpose.
In the Drawing hereto annexed, Figure 1, Letter A represents an outline
section of a hollow cylinder, the periphery of which is pervious to water and
covered with a fine woven wire fitted up for the manufacture of paper in the
manner which has been described by myself in former Specifications, and upon
which the paper is formed, as the cylinder revolves in a vat B supplied with
dilute pulp by the water flowing through the aforesaid woven wire, and
gradually depositing the fibres of rag on it during the revolution of the cylinder
through the pulp, in its progress from the point Z to the point Y, which are
level with the surface of the pulp. The water that flows into the cylinder
passes out through a large tube gudgeon forming part of one end of the
cylinder, which passes through the side of the vat B with a water-tight joint,
and forms a pipe through it, revolving at the same time with the cylinder.
The cylindrical tube C, shewn in Fig. 2, which exhibits the same cylinder on
larger scale, passes through the opposite side of the vat and through a hole
in the other end of the cylinder, but is firmly secured and does not revolve,
and this tube extends throughout the cylinder, and the end of it is formed into
a solid pin of one inch and a half in diameter nearest to the hollow gudgeon
before described, and is supported in a socket in the centre of a cross in that
end of the cylinder through which the water passes out. The purpose of this
tube is to convey air from the interior of the cylinder to a pair of air pumps,
and by a distinct channel to return it back again in a condensed state to the
trough D for the purpose of detaching the paper from the surface of the
cylinder A, in the manner described in former Specifications of this my
Invention. This tube C is fitted with two sets of arms or rings like wheels F,
one being fixed at each end as near as they can stand to the inside of the ends
of the cylinder A; which rings, besides supporting certain troughs D, E, the
use of which it is unnecessary to explain, inasmuch as they have been described
in former Specifications, have also to support a segment of a cylinder G,

page_text: which is intended to be fixed as nearly as possible concentric with the main
cylinder A; and the troughs D, E, wheels F, segment G, and tube C, are all
connected together and intended to stand fast by the fixation of the tube C
while the cylinder A revolves. The effect of the segment G is to check and
regulate the flow of water from the periphery into the interior of the cylinder
A, and I have for a length of time used it for the purpose above mentioned,
but fixed in the manner of a spiral that is gradually receding towards the
centre of the cylinder A from the point X where it almost touches the inside
of the cylinder to the point W, where I have hitherto had it about a quarter of
an inch distant therefrom. In this segment I have made holes at particular
parts, where from certain indications it appeared desirable to facilitate the flow
of water into the interior of the cylinder, and such alterations in this part as I
propose to form part of my present improvement will be described hereafter;
and the section Fig. 2 is intended to shew the internal apparatus of the
cylinder as herein-after described.
For carrying into effect my present Invention, I require two sets of bobbins
..for carrying the threads to be introduced into the paper; and for facilitating
the description I will propose that H, Fig. 1, is the end view of a set of bobbins
I covered with fine blue thread, and I, the end view of another set of bobbins
covered with red thread, and the thread from each is shewn by a dotted line
descending through the pulp into contact with the cylinder A. The blue
thread would then first touch the periphery of that cylinder at the point V, and
the red thread at the point t, both of which are below the level of the surface
of the pulp in the vat B.
:
5. I. have stated; in former Specifications that the paper is gradually made
by the deposit of fibre of rag on any given part of the surface of the cylinder
as it revolves during its progress from the point Z, where it descends into the
pulp to the point Y, where it emerges from it, the result of which is, that a thin
layer of paper is already formed previous to the blue threads coming into
o contact with the cylinder at the point V, and a much thicker layer of paper is
formed previous to the red threads coming into contact with the cylinder at
the point t, and these latter threads are overlaid by the fibre of rag accumulat-
ing on the cylinder subsequently to their coming into contact with it at the
point t, and the process of making the paper being continuous, the threads, as
5 the bobbins unwind, are led away with the paper adhering to the endless
felt K, which takes it off the cylinder A by means of the pressure of the
couching roll L, and conducts it to the press rolls M, M. And this first
part of, my improvement consists in conducting threads of the same or
different colors into contact with the periphery of the cylinder A, while it is

page_text: employed in the manufacture of paper, and so directing the threads as they are
unwound from the bobbins that they may first touch the cylinder at a greater
or less distance below the surface of the pulp in the vat B, corresponding to
which will their situation be found in the body of the paper; (that is to say) a
line of thread (say blue) first reaching the cylinder at the point v, or near
it, will be found near one side of the paper, and will admit of being torn out
with facility on that side; and a line of other thread (say red) first reaching the
cylinder at the point t will be found near to the contrary side of the paper, and
will tear out most easily on that side.
In the Drawing, Fig. 1, I have shewn the bobbins for carrying the thread
fixed vertically on a frame, the bobbins being on small brass spindles, which,
by two lateral springs attached to the stem, fix the bobbin sufficiently to
prevent its slipping round on the spindle. These spindles are pointed at each
end, and a small degree of friction is produced by a delicate spring r, binding
on the upper point. The thread from all the bobbins is drawn over glass rods
fixed horizontally, and is led from each bobbin to the point where it draws
over the glass rod in a diagonal direction, so as to make it draw partly round a
metal or glass pin, which makes a fixed point for the cylinder to draw the
thread from, and causes the threads to lead in a straight line from that point
parallel to the general web of the paper. There are various other modes in
use for unwinding bobbins, and leading thread with the duc degree of tension
for carrying it straight, which is the required object. The situation of the
bobbins is not material, as the thread should be guided to the lives they are
required to occupy in the paper by means of the pins before mentioned, and
the guiding pins should be fixed near to the surface of the pulp. The thread
is made to attach itself to the cylinder at starting by sticking a very small
portion of pulp to the end, and dropping it into the vat as near as possible to
the surface of the cylinder, to which it promptly attaches itself, and is led on.
The means of producing with more certainty the gradual formation of the
paper on the cylinder is the part of the improvement which I propose to
describe next. I have before specified the use of the segment G, in regulating
the flow of water into the interior of the cylinder A; and that for the
manufacture of this kind of paper it is desirable to have the external surface of
it concentric with the cylinder A. I have also stated that, during the making
of the paper, this segment stands fast while the cylinder A revolves. This s
segment should be of brass, and about half an inch thick, and the outer surface
of it ought to be as near as possible in contact with the inner surface of the
cylinder A, and with the inside of its ends, without actually touching in any
part, which, when that does take place, wears and injures the cylinder A.

page_text: Fig. 3 is a view of a small portion of the interior of the cylinder A, laid out
flat to shew the formation of it. The shaded parts are longitudinal notches
parallel with the axis of the cylinder, and therefore at right angles with its line
of movement; when revolving through which notches the water enters the
interior of the cylinder, and the whole interior presents the appearance of solid
rings of metal and circular series of notches, alternating at equal distances
from each other. There is no difficulty in marking on the segment G those
portions of it which, when it is fixed in its place, correspond to the rows of
notches in the cylinder A, and in the centre of these spaces the segment G
requires to have a groove cut about one quarter of an inch deep and three
eighths of an inch wide, so that whatever number of rows of notches there may
be in the cylinder there must be the same number of grooves in the segment G.
After these grooves are formed they require to be divided by thin transverse
partitions fixed across them, but not projecting beyond the surface of the
segment, as shewn in Fig. 2; but there is no occasion for these partitions to
be carried on beyond that part of the grooves in the segment which is opposite
the point a in the cylinder. Between each of these partitions there is to be a
hole carried from the bottom of the groove through the segment, as shewn in
Fig. 2, each hole being about a quarter of an inch diameter; and in that
part of the grooves where there are no partitions six or seven holes will be
sufficient. By means of this apparatus the flow of water into the interior of
the cylinder, when the manufacture of paper is going on, will be regulated in
the following manner:-When the periphery of the cylinder first descends
below the level of the pulp in the vat at the point z, the wire being entirely
uncovered, the water is inclined to flow through very rapidly, and the more so
on account of the partial vacuum produced in the interior by the exhaustion of
the air pumps, so that the fibres of rag are rapidly deposited, and a thin film of
paper instantaneously formed; and if the segment G did not form as it were a
dam against the influx of water, the paper would be made too rapidly, instead
of its being deposited in that gradual manner which this apparatus causes, and
which, for the proper envelopment of the threads, is absolutely essential. It
is, however, impossible to fix positively the diameter of the holes at the
bottom of the grooves, by which the admission of water is regulated, that must
be adjusted partly according to the thickness of paper ordinarily required,
5 partly according to the speed at which the machine is required to travel, and
partly according to the nature of the pulp it is required to work. The size
stated is about the average. Though the space from where the partitions
terminate to the end of the segment is furnished only with seven holes, they
are not out of proportion to the quantity of water required to flow through in

page_text: that stage of the process; and there is also an outlet at that end of each
groove; but in this part there is also opportunity for adjustment by enlarging
the holes, and by increasing the number.
Another part of my improvement consists, in using two very fine threads
of different colors, twisted together by the process called doubling, say each
thread the fineness of cotton, thread No. 200, or thereabouts, a denomination
technically known in the manufacture of cotton spinning; for instance, what I
call blue might be a blue thread twisted or doubled with a white thread; and
what I call red might be a red thread twisted with a white one. If it were
required for any purpose to put three ranges of threads into paper, viz, one
kind of thread approaching each side of the sheet, and another thread placed in
the centre, that might be done by such an arrangement of bobbins and mode
of conducting the threads as would lead those threads required to be in the
centre of the paper into contact with the periphery of the cylinder at a point
intermediate between the point and the point ; but either higher or lower
if that should not be found the exact place for hitting the middle of the paper.
When the paper is led away from the cylinder A on the endless felt K, with
one set of threads very near to its upper surface, and another set of threads on
the reverse side, so thinly covered with the film of paper as to be almost in
contact with the felt, it is pressed as usual between the press rolls M, M; and
this pressure, which is always very moderate, causes the paper to stick to the
_uncovered metal surface of the upper press roll, and if detached from it in the
usual manner and led away to the second press rolls, which are made in all
-cases to overrun the first on account of the stretching of the wet paper, the
lower tier of threads not stretching in an equal degree with the paper,
draw themselves out from the under side of the paper at the angle where it
quits the first press roll by breaking through the thin film of paper that covers
them.
.
My next improvement consists in a mode of counteracting this, by fixing a
small roll N, parallel with the press roll M, and as near to it as possible, so as
not to touch it or the paper upon it. This small roll is made to revolve faster
than the press roll M, the rate of movement of its surface being in the pro-
portion of 36 to 35, or thereabouts, as compared with the rate of movement of
the press rolls M; and the paper, is led over it and conducted afterwards to
the second press rolls Q by means of the endless felt R, the paper being first
drawn off merely by its contact with the roll N in that wet state, inasmuch as
the paper laps round a considerable, portion of its periphery. This roll N is
driven by a rigger with a catgut band, from a rigger on the spindle of the
lower press roll Q, or by any other motion, of which the exactness can be

page_text: relied upon; for it requires to be nicely adjusted, so that the drag of the roll may
be just sufficient to draw the paper from the press roll M without allowing space
for the paper to stretch to such an extent as to admit of the threads travelling.
in a different line from that of the web of paper, and of course without the
drag being forcible enough to break the paper. I find it the best plan to give
the movement to the roll N by the drag of a very delicate and nicely adjustable
slipping motion; but if the paper is of moderate substance, the accelerated rate
of movement I have specified above will answer the purpose. I have used a
roll for this purpose made of wood, but a roll formed of some hard metal that
will not rust is decidedly preferable. After passing the second press rolls Q, Q,
the cohesion of the paper and threads is stronger but not sufficient to prevent
separation entirely at the time it is drawn off the press roll Q, without a roller
covered with felt S working against the top press roll from which the paper is
drawn by the ordinary means, and conducted to the subsequent processes of
drying over steam cylinders and reeling or cutting into sheets. This roller S
is carried round by the friction or contact of the press roll only.
the paper manufactured with threads in it as above described may be either
suited to that of the machine, or adjusted as required by the well-known
processes at present in use; the number, color, and situation of the threads
is matter of choice, and the placing of the bobbins conveniently for unwinding
with security may be varied according to the well-known plans of lace makers
and weavers of fine goods. The framing of the paper machine and the mode
of giving motion to the different parts, being the same as in other machines of
this kind in ordinary use for making paper, are not shewn in this Drawing;
the light bobbin frames and cross rods for fixing the guide pins are carried by
iron brackets fixed to the vat B. The rate of manufacture is the same with
this paper as in ordinary cases, the machine produces it at the rate of thirty to
forty feet per minute.
The width of
My next improvement relates to the sizing of paper, and is performed as
follows: In the section, Fig. 4, O is a vessel into which size is admitted of
the temperature of 120° Fahrenheit, or therabouts, but in such quantity as to
leave space for introducing the paper into it also, which may be either dry or
wetted previously with warm size and immediately transferred from that bath
to the vessel O, in which it is to be set up edgeways and supported by some
frames of copper or brass wire without being pressed closely together, and the
size must cover the top of the paper; after that the lid must be fastened on.
And the lid is formed of a domi'd or convex shape, so as to allow the orifice
of an air pipe P to rise some distance above the top of the size. The vessel O
is formed with a flanch round the top, on to which the lid is fixed by a

page_text: corresponding flanch, and it is intended to be air-tight when the lid is fixed
on and screwed down or otherwise sufficiently secured. Below this vessel O is
a chamber or receptacle for steam, by admitting which below the bottom of
the vessel O it admits of being heated to any required degree. The lid of the
vessel O should be provided with two small glass lights for the purpose of
seeing the state of the size inside. From one side of this vessel there should
be a pipe or communication to the receiver of an air pump. And P is a
small moveable pipe, which should admit of fixing like a well-ground stopper
into a socket just level with the top of the vessel O, and thereby forming as
it were the terminating branch of the air pipe before mentioned; and this
moveable pipe should be taken off at the time of filling the vessel O with
paper or removing the soaked paper, and should be replaced at the time of
putting on the cover. There should be a copper or reservoir for heating the
size to the temperature before mentioned, with a pipe from it to the vessel O,
and a cock to regulate the supply; and there should be a receptacle to a
lower level, into which the size might be drawn off from the vessel O when
necessary. The dimensions of the vessel O may be suited to the size of
paper for the sizing of which it is required, but it should have a connexion
with a mercurial gauge; and there should be attached to it a Fahrenheit
thermometer, in such a way as to shew the temperature of its contents.
When the vessel is furnished with size at the temperature of 120°, and of the
consistency ordinarily used for sizing paper, and the paper set to steep in it;
and the lid fixed on and made air-tight, a cominunication should be opened
by turning the cock T from the pipe P to a pair of air pumps worked by some
convenient power, as before alluded to, and the air inside the vessel O rarefied
sufficiently to raise the mercury in the mercurial gauge from twenty to twenty-
six inches or thereabouts, by which means the air will be seen to rise in
bubbles through the size; and in this way the exhaustion should be main-
tained for about ten minutes, there being means by the cock in the air pipe W
of closing or reducing the communication to the air pumps if the bubbles
should be seen to rise too fast from the surface of the size. After this the
exhaustion may be terminated by entirely cutting off the communication of
the air pumps, and steam should be admitted into the chamber below the
vessel O till the temperature of the size in it be raised to about 180° Fabren-
heit; after soaking a few minutes longer at that temperature the lid may be
taken off and the paper removed to press out the superfluous size, but when-
ever necessary, while the paper is in the vessel 0, the steam should be turned
on, so that the temperature of the size may not be less than 120° or thereabouts.
By this method, paper which has been engine-sized may be afterwards tub-sized,

page_text: and the strength and non-absorbing quality greatly increased. The vessel O
should either be made of metal that will not rust, or lined and made air-tight
in that way. The Drawing Fig. 4 is only for the purpose of illustrating the
principle. The dimensions and shape of the different parts must be arranged
according to the size and quantity of paper for which the process is required.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Dickinson, have hereunto set my
band and seal, the Sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Sixteenth day of April, in the
third year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the said John
Dickinson came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and
acknowledged the Instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
And also the Instrument
contained and specified, in form above written.
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the
fifty fifth year of the reign of His late Maiesty King George the Third.