Improvements in Processes and Apparatus for Cooling Glue and Forming it into Sheets.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 189
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Processes and Apparatus for Cooling Glue and
Forming it into Sheets.
1, PETER COOPER HEWITT, of 11 Lexington Avenue, New York City, in the
County and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a process and machine whereby glue may be cooled and
formed into sheets and a thick sheet produced by manifolding, thus effecting a
saving of time over that required for producing a thick sheet at one operation.
The invention consists in the combination of two or more hollow, water-cooled
cylinders geared to revolve at about the same peripheral speed in the same direction,
the said cylinders being arranged to rotate very near each other but not in actual
contact, to prevent the liquor from running between the cylinders and to render
them self-cleaning. It also consists in the combination with a series of cylinders,
of an endless belt of cords, or netting, or similar devices, or nets stretched on frames
and carried by conveyors, for conveying away the sheets as they are formed upon
the cylinders. The invention also further consists in the combination of two or
more series of cooling cylinders arranged to manifold the sheets of glue. It also
consists in the combination with the apparatus for producing the two sheets of glue,
of a steam pipe or other device interposed between the sheets to be united, near
the line of contact, for superficially heating the glue to insure a perfect cementing
of the two sheets, so as to form one thicker sheet. It also consists in a method of
forming glue sheets, as hereinafter described.
My invention also consists in a method of rapidly cooling the liquid glue in the
early stage of the operation by successively bringing different portions of the glue
into contact with the cooling surface.
The journals of the cylinders are tubular and revolve in journal boxes
provided with water ways. The journals of the first cylinder revolve in boxes, one
of which is in communication with a water supply pipe while the other box
communicates through a passage with the journal box of the second cylinder. At
the opposite end of the hollow journal of the latter cylinder is provided a box which
In a similar
communicates with the box of the third cylinder through a passage.
manner the remaining bollow journal of the third cylinder communicates with the
hollow journal of the fourth cylinder and so on throughout the entire series of
cylinders, the last cylinder of the series communicating with a water discharge pipe.
In front of the last cylinder there are arranged a series of endless cords
constituting a carrier which runs over a cylinder arranged in proximity to the last
of the water cooled cylinders, all of the hollow journals together with the journal of
the carrier cylinder being geared so that the cylinders revolve in the same
direction.
Above the line of contact between the cylinders is arranged a supply nozzle for
delivering to the first pair of cylinders the melted glue to be cooled. Since the
glue spreads laterally on the cylinders the supply nozzle is made shorter than the
cylinders. As the glue is carried forward by the second cylinder it is cooled by
the water passing through the said cylinder, and the third cylinder receives the
cooled glue and carries it forward to the fourth cylinder and so on throughout the
series. The first stage of the cooling is effected by a contact of the liquid glue
with the first pair of cylinders. The contact of the glue with cylinders causes it
to set up a rotary movement within itself, thus causing the different portions of
the body of the glue to come into contact with the cylinders. This is an important

page_text: action, as the conductivity of the liquid glue for heat is low, and as in other viscous
liquids the cooling cannot be as rapidly effected by conduction as it is by convection.
The same action occurs between the other cylinders of the series so long as the glue
has not congealed. When the glue reaches the last cylinder of the series, it is
cooled and set so that it can be removed by the endless cords or netting. The glue
supply, as well as the speed of rotation of the cooling cylinders, may be regulated
according to the time required to cool and set the glue.
When the glue is to be dried in a single thickness it is carried forward and
delivered on nets on which it is dried out in the usual way. When it is desired to
produce sheets thicker than can conveniently be made in this way, a second series
of cylinders placed below the first, and the sheet of glue formed by the first
series of cylinders is delivered to the sheet of glue formed by the second series, and
the two sheets are made to unite, and when necessary by heat from a steam pipe
placed in front of the cylinder of the endless cords or carrier of the upper series
and the endless apron of cords or netting of the lower series, so that the sheet
delivered by the lower series passes under the steam pipe. The two sheets are
united in this manner and carried forward and dried. Where two series of cylinders
are used, the endless apron of cords or netting of the upper series will be placed in
an inclined position, while the endless apron of the lower series will be preferably
arranged horizontally. It is obvious that when the sheet delivered by the upper
series of cylinders is tough and tenacious, it may be delivered to the lower sheet
without employing the inclined endless apron.
In making thick sheets of glue advantage is taken of the low temperature of the
wholly or partly cooled sheets, for cooling an additional layer of glue flowed over a
single sheet, or introduced between the upper and lower sheets while they are being
formed on or delivered from the machine. This is accomplished by flowing liquid
glue on the lower sheet after it is partly set or set and partly or entirely cooled.
The liquid glue which is supplied through a nozzle spreads out on the lower sheet
and is carried along and brought into contact with the upper sheet which also
assists in cooling.
When it is desired to unite the two sheets of glue by bringing their upper or
natural faces into contact, two series of cylinders are arranged with the terminal
cylinders of the series adjoining each other, the two series being arranged to turn
in opposite directions so that when the sheets are delivered the natural face of the
sheet delivered by the right hand series will contact with the natural face of the
sheet delivered by the left hand series, and in this case, as in the other, a steam
pipe may be introduced to superficially warm the sheets and cause them to unite as
they come into contact, when necessary. When sheets are delivered in this manner,
auy figure; imprint, trade mark, or the name of the manufacturer, may be
impressed upon the surface of the glue, where it will remain after the glue
is dried.
The series of cylinders may be arranged one above the other and made to rotate
in opposite directions and the upper surface of the sheet delivered from the lower
series of cylinders and formed by contact with the said cylinders may be made to
contact with the under surface of the sheet delivered from the upper series of
cylinders, thus bringing the natural surfaces of the sheets upon the outside, the
surfaces of the two sheets formed by contact with the cylinders being brought into
To ensure the
contact with each other and united, forming the thicker sheet.
uniting of the sheets of glue and to exclude air bubbles, I carry the double sheet
over a roller and allow a light roller to press the upper sheet as it passes away
from the machine. In the case of the latter method the sheet of glue will have on
both sides the lustre due to the preservation of the natural surface.
When it is desired to combine different grades of glue in the same sheet, I deliver
the different grades in liquid form to the different series of cylinders. This method
of procedure is advantageous, for example, when it is desired to face sheets of dark-
colored glue with glue of a lighter color, or to facilitate drying by slow-drying,
low grades of glue, by producing a skin or coating of tenacious glue on opposite

page_text: sides of the sheet of low-grade glue for retaining the low grade glue in the form of
a sheet during drying.
I may employ a stream of water from a body of water naturally cooled for
circulation in the cylinders, or I may use the same water, or brine, or other
medium keeping it in circulation through the rollers and through a refrigerating
apparatus, or instead of applying the cooling medium to the interior of the cylinders
may apply it to the outside of the cylinders by causing them to dip in a cooling
liquid as they revolve, the said liquid being contained in pans supported under the
cylinders. Where the flow of water is rapid through the cylinders, it is immaterial
at which end of the series the water is introduced but when the flow of water is not
rapid I prefer to introduce it into the last or delivering cylinder of the series.
Although I have described the cylinders as revolving in contact with each other,
it is not essential that they should be in absolute contact as it is sufficient that they
should be in approximate contact with each other.
"
By the term "natural surface as used herein I mean the upper surface formed
by the free flowing of the liquid glue without contact with solids in any form. By
the term "rough surface" as applied herein I mean the surface of the glue sheet
formed by contact with the cooling cylinder.
When it is desired to cool liquid glue and remove it from the cylinders in liquid
form, the speed of the rotating cylinders or the temperature or the flow of the
cooling medium may be regulated to secure the desired result. The cooled liquid
glue is removed from the delivery cylinder by a scraper.
P. C. HEWITT,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
Improvements in Processes and Apparatus for Cooling Glue and
Forming it into Sheets.
I, PETER COOPER HEWITT, of 11 Lexington Avenue, New York City, in the
County and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer do
hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the views.
Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved glue cooler ;
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 2-2 in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the cooling cylinders;
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the first pair of cylinders, showing the action
of the cylinders on the liquid glue ;
Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view, showing a modified form of the apparatus in
which two thin sheets of glue are joined to produce a thicker sheet; and
Figure 6 is a diagram of another modification.
My invention relates to a process and machine whereby glue may be cooled and
formed into sheets and a thick sheet produced by manifolding, thus effecting a
saving in time over that required for producing a thick sheet at one operation.
My invention consists in the combination of two or more hollow, water-cooled
cylinders geared to revolve at about the same peripheral speed in the same direction,
the said cylinders being arranged to rotate very near each other but not in actual
contact, to prevent the liquor from running between the cylinders and to render

page_text: them self-cleaning. It also consists in the combination with a series of cylinders,
of an endless belt of cords or netting, or similar devices, or nets stretched on frames
and carried by conveyors, for conveying away the sheets as they are formed upon the
cylinders. My invention also further consists in the combination of two or more
series of cooling cylinders arranged to manifold the sheets of glue. It also consists
in the combination with the apparatus for producing the two sheets of glue, of a
steam pipe or other device interposed between the sheets to be united, near the line
of contact, for superficially heating the glue to insure a perfect cementing of the
two sheets, so as to form one thicker sheet. It also consists in a method of forming
glue sheets, as hereinafter described.
My invention also consists in a method of rapidly cooling the liquid glue in the
early stage of the operation by successively bringing different portions of the glue
into contact with the cooling surface, all as hereinafter more fully described.
The cylinders A, A', A³, A', A', A³, are provided with tubular journals which
revolve in journal boxes provided with water-ways. The journals of the cylinder A
revolve in boxes a, a', the box a¹ being in communication with a water supply
pipe b, while the box a communicates through the passage c with the journal box d
of the cylinder A¹. At the opposite end the hollow journal of the latter cylinder
is provided with a box e, which communicates with the box f of the cylinder A*
through the passage g. In a similar manner the remaining hollow journal of the
cylinder A communicates with the hollow journal of the cylinder A', and so on
throughout the entire series of cylinders, the last cylinder of the series A',
communicating with the water discharge pipe h.
In front of the cylinder A is journaled a cylinder A, which is provided with
endless cords running over the cylinder A'. At one end of the machine all of the
hollow journals, together with the journal of the cylinder A, are provided with
worm wheels i, which are driven by the shaft B, carrying the worms j. By means
of the worm gearing, all of the cylinders are made to revolve in the same direction,
as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3.
Above the line of contact between the cylinders A, A', is arranged a supply
nozzle C, for delivering to the first pair of cylinders the melted glue to be cooled.
Since the glue spreads laterally on the cylinders A A', the supply nozzle C is made
shorter than the cylinders. As the glue is carried forward by the cylinder A', it
is cooled by the water passing through the said cylinder, and the cylinder A*
receives the cooled glue from the cylinder A', carrying it forward to the
cylinder A, and so on throughout the series. The first stage of the cooling is
effected by the contact of the liquid glue with the cylinders A, A'. The movement
of the glue resulting from its contact with the said cylinders is illustrated in
Figure 4. The contact of the glue with said cylinders causes it to set up a rotary
movement within itself, as indicated by the arrows, thus causing the different
portions of the body of the glue to come into contact with the cylinders A, A'.
This is an important action, as the conductivity of the liquid glue for heat is low,
and as in other viscous liquids the cooling cannot be as rapidly effected by con-
duction as it is by convection. The same action occurs between the other cylinders
of the series so long as the glue has not congealed. When the glue reaches the
last cylinder of the series, which in the present case is the cylinder A', it is cooled
and set so that it can be removed by the endless cords or netting carried by the
cylinders A and A'. The glue supply, as well as the speed of rotation of the
cooling cylinders, is regulated according to the time required to cool and set
the glue.
When the glue is to be dried in a single thickness it is carried forward and
delivered on nets on which it is dried out in the usual way. When it is desired to
produce sheets thicker than can conveniently he made in this way, a second series
of cylinders A, A¹ etc., is placed below the first, as shown in Figure 2, and the
sheet of glue formed by the first series of cylinders is delivered to the sheet of glue
formed by the second series, and the two sheets are made to unite, and when
necessary by heat from the steam pipe k placed in front of the cylinder A' of the

page_text: upper series and the endless apron of cords or netting of the lower series, so that
the sheet delivered by the lower series passes under the steam pipe. The two sheets
are united in this manner and carried forward and dried. Where two series of
cylinders are used, the endless apron of cords or netting of the upper series will be
placed in an inclined position, as shown in Figure 2, while the endless apron of the
lower series will be preferably arranged horizontally. It is obvious that when the
sheet delivered by the upper series of cylinders is tough and tenacious, it may be,
delivered to the lower sheet without employing the inclined endless apron.
In making thick sheets of glue advantage is taken of the low temperature of the
wholly or partly cooled sheets, for cooling an additional layer of glue flowed over
a single sheet, or introduced between the upper and lower sheets while they are
being formed on or delivered from the machine. This is accomplished by flowing
liquid glue on the lower sheet after it is partly set or set, and partly or entirely
cooled. The liquid glue which is supplied through the nozzle C', (Figure 2).
spreads out on the lower sheet and is carried along and brought into contact with
the upper sheet which also assists in cooling.
When it is desired to unite the two sheets of glue by bringing their upper or
natural faces into contact, two series of cylinders are arranged as shown in Figure 5,.
with the terminal cylinders of the series adjoining each other, the two series being
arranged to turn in opposite directions so that when the sheets are delivered, the
Datural face of the sheet delivered by the right hand series will contact with the
natural face of the sheet delivered by the left hand series, and in this case as in
the other, the steam pipe k may be introduced to superficially warm the sheets and
cause them to unite as they come into contact, when necessary.
In the case shown in Figure 6, the series of cylinders are arranged one above
the other, and they are made to rotate in opposite directions, but the upper surface
of the sheet delivered from the lower series of cylinders and formed by contact
with the said cylinders is made to contact with the under surface of the sheet
delivered from the upper series of cylinders, thus bringing the natural surfaces of
the sheets upon the outside, the surfaces of the two sheets formed by contact with
the cylinders being brought into contact with each other and united, forming the
thicker sheet.
To insure the uniting of the sheets of glue, and to exclude air bubbles, I carry
the double sheet over the roller k', and allow the light roller k² to press the upper
sheet as it passes away from the machine.
When sheets are delivered in the manner illustrated in Figure 5, any figure,.
imprint, trade-mark, or the name of the manufacturer may be impressed upon the
surface of the glue, where it will remain after the glue is dried, and in the case of
the method shown in Figure 6, the sheet of glue will have on both sides the lustre
due to the preservation of the natural surface.
When it is desired to combine different grades of glue in the same sheet, I deliver
the different grades in liquid form to the different series of cylinders. This method
of procedure is advantageous, for example, when it is desired to face sheets of dark
colored glue with glue of a lighter color, or to facilitate drying by slow-drying,
low grades of glue, by producing a skin or coating of tenacious glue on opposite
sides of the sheet of low-grade glue, for retaining the low grade glue in the form.
of a sheet during drying.
I may employ a stream of water from a body of water naturally cooled for
circulation in the cylinders A. A', etc., or I may use the same water, or brine or
other medium, keeping it in circulation through the rollers and through a
refrigerating apparatus, or instead of applying the cooling medium to the interior
of the cylinders I may apply it to the outside of the cylinders by causing them to
dip in a cooling liquid as they revolve, the said liquid being contained in pans.
Where the
supported under the cylinders, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.
flow of water is rapid through the cylinders A, A', etc., it is immaterial at which
end of the series the water is introduced, but when the flow of water is not rapid
prefer to introduce it into the last or delivering cylinder of the series.

page_text: Although I have described the cylinders A, A', A', etc., as revolving in
contact with each other, it is not essential that they should be in absolute
contact, as it is sufficient that they should be in approximate contact with
each other.
"
By the term "natural surface as used herein, I mean the upper surface formed
by the free flowing of the liquid glue without contact with solids in any form.
By the term "rough surface as applied herein, I mean the surface of the glue
sheet formed by contact with the cooling cylinder.
When it is desired to cool liquid glue and remove it from the cylinders in liquid
-form the speed of the rotating cylinders or the temperature or the flow of the
cooling medium may be regulated to secure the desired result. The cooled
liquid glue is removed from the delivery cylinder by a scraper, as shown at the right
in Figure 4.
Although I have shown the series of cooling cylinders arranged in a horizontal
plane, I do not limit myself to this arrangement as the series may be inclined at
any desired angle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,―
1. In a glue cooler, the combination of two or more cylinders arranged to revolve
in the same direction in close proximity one to another, the first cylinder being
arranged to deliver the cooled glue to the second cylinder, and means, substantia..y
as described, for cooling the cylinders.
2. In a machine for forming liquid glue into sheets the combination of two or
more cylinders arranged to revolve in the same direction in close proximity one to
another, and a supply for delivering the liquid glue to the cylinders, substantially
as described.
3. In glue cooling apparatus, the combination of two glue coolers, one cooler
being arranged to deliver the sheet of glue to the sheet delivered by the other
cooler, thereby forming one sheet, substantially as specified.
4. In glue cooling apparatus, the combination of two series of cooling cylinders,
one series being arranged to deliver the sheet of glue to the other series, and
means for cementing the two sheets of glue together, substantially as specified.
5. The method of cooling glue, which consists in bringing a body of liquid glue
into contact with a body of glue cooled below the gelatinizing point, removing the
heat from the liquid glue by contact with the body of cooled gelatinized glue, and
causing the body of liquid glue to attach itself to the body of gelatinized glue
without mixing the two bodies of glue, thereby forming a single sheet of glue,
which consists at first of a layer of gelatinized glue and a layer of liquid glue, and
which, by the absorption of heat from the liquid glue by the cooled glue, becomes
a single thick sheet of gelatinized glue, substantially as specified.
6. The method of forming a thick sheet of glue, which consists in separately
forming two or more sheets of gelatinized glue, superposing said separately formed
sheets, causing the adjacent surfaces of the sheets to adhere, and finally evaporating
the sheets to dryness, substantially as herein specified.
Dated this 20th day of August 1894.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.