Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Applying Bronze or other Powder to the Surface of Paper or other Material
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 23rd June, 1893-Accepted, 29th July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Applying Bronze or
other Powder to the Surface of Paper or other Material.
I, WILLIAM BREWER SILVERLOCK, of 29, Ludgate Hill, in the City of
London, Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My present invention relates to machinery or apparatus used for the purpose of
applying bronze or other powder to the surface of sheets of paper or other
material previously prepared with any desired design in varnish or other adhesive
substance.
In such machines it is sometimes important that the powder should be uniformly
and evenly applied to the surface of the sheet and should be caused to firmly
adhere by rubbing it in, that the surplus powder should be effectually removed
from the surface of the sheet, and that any powder finding its way to the back of
the sheet should also be removed, that the finished sheets should be delivered from
the machine face upwards, and that the machine should be simple, cheap, not liable
to get out of order, and having all its parts readily accessible and removeable when
desired.
To attain these results more effectually than has heretofore been the case, is
the object of my invention.
I use a cylinder revolving in bearings in suitable frames, and driven continuously
in the same direction by steam or other convenient power, the cylinder being
provided with automatic grippers by which the edges of the sheets (having designs
in varnish upon their surface) are seized and the sheets carried round in contact
with the bronzing rollers and are finally delivered from the machine.
Above this cylinder I arrange a vessel or hopper containing the bronze or other
powder, and in the lower part of this hopper I arrange a cylinder or roller revolving
in bearings at the ends of the hopper. Nearly above this roller I arrange a second
one parallel to it and nearly above the second a third drum or cylinder round
which passes an endless band which passes round a similar lower parallel drum or
cylinder which rests upon or is in close proximity to the main revolving cylinder
carrying the sheet to be bronzed. The circumference of the several rollers
described are provided with brushes or suitable fibrous material such as sealskin or
plush by which the bronze powder in the hopper is taken up and distributed upon
the surface of the endless band which is also formed of a suitable fibrous material
such as plush by which the powder is applied to the surface of the sheet which
passes under it.
The bearings of the several rollers are made readily adjustable and removeable,
so that they can be taken out and others substituted when necessary and the drum
which carries the lower end of the endless band may be made capable of rising for
a short distance from the main cylinder, and is lifted from the latter by suitable
cams when the paper sheet is not passing, so as to prevent the cylinder itself from
receiving the bronze powder.
The endless band may be made to pass round two parallel lower rollers, both in
close proximity to the main cylinder so that a longer surface is applied to the paper
sheet. The endless band is made to travel in the same direction as the main
cylinder, and a small rapidly revolving parallel roller covered with sealskin or other
suitable material removes the surplus bronze from the upper part of the endless
band, and throws it back into the hopper. A small adjustable roller slightly

page_text: larger at its centre than its ends may be arranged inside the endless band to keep
it properly stretched and prevent it from moving laterally.
After passing under the endless band the sheet to which the bronze powder has
been applied passes under a fixed transverse bar, covered with sheepskin, sealskin
plush, or other suitable material by which the surplus powder upon the surface of
the sheet is collected and evenly distributed, and the sheet then passes under two
similar padded bars which are made to oscillate rapidly backward and forward in
opposite directions, so as to rub and burnish the powder upon the sheet.
The bronzed sheet then passes under a roller of considerable diameter covered
with a material similar to those already described and revolving in a direction
opposite to that of the main cylinder. This roller dusts and polishes the surface of
the bronzed sheet, and the powder which it collects is removed by a metal or other
scraper, or by a roller revolving rapidly above it and throwing the dust or powder
down upon the upper surface of a second endless band in contact with which the
bronzed sheet next passes. This endless band preferably passes round two parallel
cylinders, the part between them being in contact with the moving bronzed sheet.
Its upper part then passes forward in a nearly horizontal position and round a
roller near the front of the machine and then back to the lower of the two rollers
in contact with the bronzed sheet. It preferably consists of long fibred plush or
similar suitable material, the fibres being directed backward and moving in a
direction opposite to that of the bronzed sheet. By it the latter is wiped perfectly
clean, as much as possible of the surplus powder being removed. Its upper surface
also receives the bronzed powder thrown down by the small roller or scraper above,
as already described, and the powder and dust carried along by it are removed by
a cleaning roller below it, which is kept in sufficiently rapid revolution in a direction
opposite to that of the endless band. The powder and dust are removed from the
last named roller by a fixed transverse strip against which it revolves, and are
thrown down into a moveable drawer or receptacle below, from which they can be
removed when necessary. A partition above prevents them from being thrown
again upon the endless band.
The bronzed sheet then preferably passes against another dusting and polishing
roller or cylinder similar to those already described, and revolving in the opposite
direction to the main cylinder, the dust from its surface being removed and thrown
into the drawer in the same way as from that last described, and a partition being
arranged between it and the endless band above.
The bronzed sheet then passes under a delivery roller revolving parallel with the
main cylinder, and its edge is then released from the cylinder and raised from the
latter and it is seized by grippers carried by two endless passing round chain wheels
of considerable diameter carried by a frame extending in front of the machine
and inclined somewhat downward.
The endless chains are arranged at a suitable distance apart, and are provided
with a sufficient number of grippers (preferably continuous for their full width)
actuated by cams at the proper times so that they seize the edge of the bronzed
sheet presented to them, carry it forward face uppermost, and finally deliver it
into a receptacle or upon a board provided for it.
After the edge of the sheet has been seized by the grippers carried by the
endless chains as above described it is passed between two rollers covered with
material of the kind already described and made to revolve rapidly in a direction
opposite to that in which the bronzed sheet is moving. By this means both the
front and back of the sheet are thoroughly dusted and cleaned.
The rollers may be cased or boxed in.
Instead of endless chains carrying grippers as described, I sometimes use
reciprocating grippers, made to work backward and forward in guides by a crank
or excentric or equivalent means, cams being provided by which the grippers are
opened at one end of their stroke to seize the edge of the sheet delivered from the
main cylinder, and at the other end of their stroke to release the sheet which they
have seized and withdrawn.

page_text: I do not confine myself to the precise details, or to the shape proportion, and
arrangement, of the several parts of the apparatus, which may be varied more or
less to suit different circumstances.
Machinery or apparatus constructed according to my invention is very simple,
inexpensive, and efficient for the purposes required. The powder and dust removed
from the sheets cannot fall from one roller to another, but fall into a single
receptacle below.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1892.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Applying Bronze or
other Powder to the Surface of Paper or other Material.
I, WILLIAM BREWER SILVERLOCK, of 29, Ludgate Hill, in the City of
London, Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement and accompanying drawing, that is to say :-
My present invention relates to machinery or apparatus used for the purpose of
applying bronze or other powder to the surface of sheets of paper or other material
previously prepared with any desired design in varnish or other adhesive substance.
In such machines it is sometimes important that the powder should be uniformly
and evenly applied to the surface of the sheet and should be caused to firmly adhere
by rubbing it in, that the surplus powder should be effectually removed from the
surface of the sheet, and that any powder finding its way to the back of the sheet
should also be removed, that the finished sheets should be delivered from the
machine face upwards and that the machine should be simple, cheap, not liable to
get out of order, and having all its parts readily accessible and removeable
when desired.
To attain these results more effectually than has heretofore been the case is the
object of my invention.
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of my invention, representing the
more important parts, the details of the parts ordinarily used being omitted for the
sake of clearness.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section, and Figure 2 a plan shewing the
delivering apparatus.
I use a cylinder a revolving in bearings in suitable frames, and driven continuously
in the same direction (as shewn by the arrow) by steam or other convenient power,.
the cylinder being provided at 6 and 6' with automatic grippers of the usual kind
and constructed in the ordinary way by which the edges of the sheets (having
designs in varnish upon their surface) are seized and the sheets carried round in
contact with the bronzing rollers, and are finally delivered from the machine.
Above this cylinder a I arrange a vessel or hopper c containing the bronze or
other powder, and in the lower part of this hopper I arrange a cylinder or roller d
revolving in bearings at the ends of the hopper c. Nearly above this roller
arrange a second one e parallel to it, and nearly above the second e a third drum or
cylinder round which passes an endless band g which passes round a similar lower
parallel drum or cylinder which rests upon or is in close proximity to the main
revolving cylinder a carrying the sheet to be bronzed. The circumference of the
several rollers described are provided with brushes or suitable fibrous material such
as seal-skin or plush by which the bronze powder in the hopper c is taken up and
distributed upon the surface of the endless band g which is also formed of suitable
fibrous material such as plush by which the powder is applied to the surface of the
sheet which passes under it.

page_text: I make the bearings of the several rollers readily adjustable and removeable, so
that they can be taken out and others substituted when necessary, and the drum h
which carries the lower end of the endless band g may be made capable of rising
for a short distance from the main cylinder a, and is lifted from the latter by
suitable cams upon the latter when the paper sheet is not passing, so as to prevent
the cylinder itself from receiving and being soiled by the bronze powder.
The endless band g may be made to pass round two parallel lower rollers, both in
close proximity to the main cylinder a so that a longer surface is applied to the
paper sheet. The endless band is made to travel in the same direction as the main
cylinder a,
and a small rapidly revolving parallel roller i covered with seal-skin or
other suitable material may be used to remove the surplus bronze from the upper
part of the endless band, and throw it back into the hopper c. A small adjustable
roller (not shewn in the figures) slightly larger at its centre than its ends may be
arranged inside the endless band g to keep it properly stretched and prevent it from
moving laterally.
After passing under the endless band g the sheet to which the bronze powder
has been applied passes under a fixed transverse bar k covered with sheep-skin,
seal-skin, plush, or other suitable material by which the surplus powder upon the
surface of the sheet is collected and evenly distributed and the sheet then passes
under two similar padded bars l, m, which are made to oscillate rapidly backward
and forward in opposite directions by cams or other equivalent devices so as to rub
and burnish the powder upon the sheet.
The bronzed sheet then passes under a roller n of considerable diameter covered
with a material similar to those already described and revolving in a direction
opposite to that of the main cylinder a. This roller n dusts and polishes the
surface of the bronzed sheet, and the powder which it collects is removed by a
metal or other scraper o (or by a roller revolving rapidly above it) the dust or
powder being thrown down upon the upper surface of a second endless band p in
contact with which the bronzed sheet next passes. This endless band preferably
passes round two parallel cylinders r, s, the part between them being in contact
with the moving bronzed sheet. Its upper part then passes forward in a nearly
horizontal position and round a roller t near the front of the machine and then back
to the lower ones of the two rollers in contact with the bronzed sheet. It
preferably consists of long fibred plush or similar suitable material, the fibres being
directed backward and moving in a direction opposite to that of the bronzed sheet.
By it the latter is wiped perfectly clean, as much as possible of the surplus powder
being removed. Its upper surface also receives the bronzed powder thrown down
by the small scraper oor roller above, as already described, and the powder and
dust carried along by it are removed by a cleaning roller u below it, which is kept
in sufficiently rapid revolution in a direction opposite to that of the endless band p.
The powder and dust are removed from the last named roller u by a fixed transverse
strip against which it revolves, and are thrown down into a moveable drawer or
receptacle w below, from which they can be removed when necessary. A partition
above prevents them from being thrown again upon the endless band.
The bronzed sheet then preferably passes against another dusting and polishing
roller or cylinder y similar to those already described, and revolving in the opposite
direction to the main cylinder a, the dust from its surface being removed by a
scraper 2 and thrown direct into the drawer win the same way as from that last
described.
Or, as shewn in the figure, the dust from the roller y may be thrown upon an
endless band 1 of a kind similar top passing round rollers 2 and 3, of which that 2
may either be in contact with the sheet upon the cylinder a or removed from it.
From the endless band 1 the dust is delivered into the draw w. The band 1 may
be of smooth fabric, and used to carry the dust only.
b
The bronzed sheet then passes under a delivery roller 4 revolving parallel with
the main cylinder a, and its edge is then released by the gripper 6 or 6' from the
cylinder and is raised from the latter by pins or other equivalent means and it is

page_text: seized by grippers 5 carried by two endless chains 6, 6, passing round chain
wheels 7, 7, of considerable diameter carried by a frame extending in front of the
machine and inclined somewhat downward. The endless chains are arranged at a
suitable distance apart (as shewn in Figure 2) and are provided with a sufficient
number of grippers 5, 5, (preferably continuous for their full width) actuated by
cams at the proper times so that they seize the edge of the bronzed sheet presented
to them, carry it forward face uppermost, and finally deliver it or drop it, into a
receptacle or upon a board 8 provided for it.
After the edge of the sheet has been seized by the grippers 5 carried by the
endless chains as above described it passes (together with the grippers which are
made of as little thickness as possible) between two rollers 9 and 10 covered with
material of the kind already described and made to revolve rapidly in a direction
opposite to that in which the bronzed sheet is moving. By this means both the
front and back of the sheet are thoroughly dusted and cleaned.
The rollers may be cased or boxed in (as shewn at II).
Instead of endless chains carrying grippers as described, I sometimes use
reciprocating grippers, made to work backward and forward in guides by a crank
or excentric or equivalent means, cams being provided by which the grippers are
opened at one end of their stroke to seize the edge of the sheet delivered from the
main cylinder, and at the other end of their stroke to release the sheet which they
have seized and withdrawn.
Partitions are arranged wherever necessary between the several rollers and
endless bands, as well as scrapers or revolving rollers for removing the bronze and
dust. Any number of additional rollers and endless bands may be used, all
actuated preferably by an endless chain or chains driven from the main shaft of
the machine.
I do not confine myself to the precise details, or to the shape, proportion, and
arrangement, of the several parts of the apparatus, which may be varied more or
less to suit different circumstances. All the rollers and endless bands may be
enclosed in an outer case, which may be provided with doors by which access can
be had to the interior when necessary.
Machinery or apparatus constructed according to my invention is very simple,
inexpensive, and efficient for the purposes required. The powder and dust removed
from the sheets cannot fall from one roller to another, but fall into a single
receptacle below, and the paper carrying the bronze design is kept clean and is
delivered face uppermost, so that any defect can readily be seen.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination of the continuously revolving cylinder a, hopper c, rollers d, e,
endless band g, rubbing pads l, m, rollers n, y, endless band p, partitions between the
rollers and endless bands, endless band 1, receptacle w, endless chains 6 having
grippers 5, and cleaning rollers 9, 10, all arranged and operating substantially in
the manner and for the purposes described and illustrated.
2. In bronzing machines having a continuously revolving cylinder a, the hopper c,
rollers d, e, endless bronzing band g and cleaning roller i, arranged and operating
substantially as described and illustrated.
3. In bronzing machines having a continuously revolving cylinder a, the
rollers r, s, t, endless band p, and cleaning cylinder u, arranged and operating
substantially in the manner and for the purpose described and illustrated.
4. In bronzing machines having a continuously revolving cylinder a, in com-
bination with a bronze hopper and feeding roller, the rubbing pads l, m, cylinders l, y,
cleaning devices o, z, endless bands p, 1, and receptacle w, arranged and operating
substantially in the manner and for the purpose described, and illustrated.
5. In bronzing machines having a continuously revolving cylinder provided with
suitable grippers, the arrangement of a hopper for the bronze powder above the

page_text: cylinder, feeding rollers and endless bands taking up the bronze powder from the
hopper and supplying it to the sheet upon the cylinder, oscillating pads by which
the bronze powder is rubbed upon the sheet, and revolving rollers and endless
bands arranged round the upper part and front of the cylinder by which the surplus
bronze powder is removed from the sheet and delivered into a receptacle, and
delivering devices by which the finished sheet is taken from the cylinder, passed
between cleaning rollers, and finally delivered face upward upon a board or table
at the front of the machine, substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1893.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.