Iμ- PROVEMENTS IN TANNING, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Wilson, of Exeter, in the County of Devon,
and of Walbrook, in the City of London, for the Invention of "Iμ-
PROVEMENTS IN TANNING, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREIN."
Sealed the 3rd January 1865, and dated the 7th July 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th
July 1864.
I, JAMES WILSON, of Exeter, in the County of Devon, and of Walbrook, in
the City of London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TANNING, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREIN," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the method of tanning,
and in the machinery or apparatus employed to effect the same, by the use of
which advantages in time, labor, expense, and efficiency of work generally
are obtained.
I propose to construct the tanks of a square or oblong square form in a
series of four or other convenient number, each containing a circular rotating
drum set with axles in bearings at the sides of the tanks. These drums are
formed of two discs braced together by a series of wooden bars fixed to their
periphery, the number of which may vary according to the circumference of
the drum (say from twenty-five to fifty), and between each there are arranged

page_text: and placed two moveable sticks or bars to receive the hides or butts. The
tanks being filled with liqnor and the drums charged with butts, a reciprocating
rotary motion is given to the drums by means of a pinion or pinions fixed on
their axes, and by a toothed or racked bar gearing therewith, the rack being
driven to and fro by means of a crank lever and connecting rod from a steam
engine or by a water wheel or other power. The teeth of the pinions and
racks may be so arranged in number as to effect from one to two revolutions
of the drum at each stroke of the rack; or I can substitute any of the
known mechanical movements for effecting the necessary reciprocating motion
of the drums. By these arrangements a saving of three-fourths of the time
usually occupied in tanning on the old principle, and five-sixths of the labor
which is gained by constant or occasional motion of the drums night and day,
and the reversal of such motion at every one or two revolutions, and by
pumping over the liquors, and not shifting the leather, and making the shifts
twice every day, at night and morning, instead of once a day, as on the old
system.
By these means nearly the whole of the work is done by the engine
and pumps, and not by manual labor as heretofore. It also prevents the
possibility of "hook marks," "wind galls," and "pit stains;" it requires less
than half the space to tan the same number of hides; it precludes the necessity
of "colouring off," and as the plant is placed on and not in the ground, can be
easily removed, and consequently is nearly as valuable as when new. It offers
a more easy application of steam for warming the liquors, if desirable, and as
the attention required for tanning 500 or 1000 butts per week is really so
very small, the process is much less liable to interruption at back harvest or
when the master's eye is not on the spot, as the engine and pumps never tire
or neglect their duty, and it only requires the attention of one trustworthy
person.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed-
by the said James Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th January 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
WILSON, of Exeter, in the County of Devon, and of Walbrook, in the City of
London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord

page_text: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said James Wilson, Her special licence that I, the said James Wilson,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
Wilson, my executors,. administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,.
and vend,. within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN.
TANNING, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon the
condition (amongst others). that I, the said James Wilson, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one.
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said. Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Wilson, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in, and by the following
statement
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the method of tanning,
and in the machinery or apparatus employed to effect the same, by the use of
which advantages in time, labor, expense, and efficiency of work generally are
obtained.
I propose to construct the tanks of a square or oblong square form in a
series of four or other convenient number, each containing a circular rotating.
drum set with axles in bearings at the sides of the tanks. These drums are
formed of two discs braced together by a series of wooden bars fixed to their
periphery, the number of which may vary according to the circumference of
the drum (say from twenty-five to fifty), and between each there are arranged
and placed two or more moveable sticks or bars to receive the hides or butts.
The tanks being filled with liquor and the drums charged with butts, a
reciprocating rotary motion is given to the drums by means of a pinion or
pinions fixed on their axes (which work in stuffing boxes to prevent the liquor
flowing through from one tank to another, as the drums are worked in pairs
or altogether), and by a toothed or racked bar gearing therewith, the rack
being driven to and fro by means of a crank lever and connecting rod from a
steam engine or by a water wheel or other power. The teeth of the pinions

page_text: and racks may be so arranged in number as to effect from one to two
revolutions of the drum at each stroke of the rack; or I can substitute any
of the well-known mechanical movements for effecting the necessary reci-
procating motion of the drums; but I prefer to use pulley wheels, reducing
the motion by means of pinions and larger cog wheels, with small and larger
mitre wheels, to strike in and out when required, and also to reverse the
motion at pleasure. By these arrangements a saving of two-thirds of the time
usually occupied in tanning on the old principle, and five-sixths of the labour
is effected, which is gained by constant or occasional motion of the drums
night and day, and the reversal of such motion occasionally, and by running
round or pumping over the liquors and not shifting the leather, and making
the shifts twice every day, at night and morning, instead of once a day, as on
the old system.
By these means nearly the whole of the work is done by the engine and
pumps, and not by manual labor as heretofore. It also prevents the
possibility of "hook marks, "wind galls," and "pit stains;" it requires less
than half the space to tan the same number of hides; it precludes the
necessity of "colouring off," and as the plant is placed on and not in the
ground, it can be easily removed, and consequently is nearly as valuable as
when new.
It offers a more easy application of steam for warming the
liquors, if desirable, and as the attention required for tanning 500 or 1000
butts per week is really so very small, the process is much less liable to
interruption at "back harvest," or when the master's eye is not on the spot, as
the engine and pumps never tire or neglect their duty, and it only requires the
attention of one trustworthy person. By this description and reference to the
annexed Drawings my Invention will be completely understood by those
acquainted with the process of tanning.
Fig. 1 represents a plan view, and Fig. 2 a sectional elevation, similar
letters denoting corresponding parts in each Figure.
A, A, &c., are the tanks, eight in number, about 7 feet deep, 6 feet wide,
and 7 feet long, internal measure, made of 3-inch deals; B, B, &c., are
moveable troughs, 9 inches wide by 6 inches deep, placed the full width of the
tank, placed at the bottom, with holes pierced at the side only to disperse the
liquor and steam laterally; C, C, &c., are zinc pipes to convey the liquor
from the top of one tank to the bottom of the next from right to left the
whole of the way round; D, D, &c., boxes about 15 inches square and 6
inches deep, into which the liquor flows by means of valves E placed in each
corner of the tanks above when they are required to be emptied; F, 9-inch
brick piers, upon which the tanks are placed; G, the manhole to get to the

page_text: boxes and pipes therefrom; H, junction for the pipes leading from the valves
and thence to any part of the tan yard.
There is a gallery running around the whole and also between each set of
4 tanks placed about 2 feet from the top of the tanks, with a broad flight of
steps to mount thereon. The gallery or platform is about 2 feet wide, and
supported by brackets screwed to the sides of the tanks. There are also two
turned wood pegs placed between each space, to keep in their places the bars
or sticks upon which the hides or butts are placed separate and yet allowing
them some "play," and above these as the hides or butts are placed in the
drum, bands of zinc about 3 inches wide to take off when necessary to charge
the drums; these bands are fixed by bed screws to keep the sticks or bars in
their places.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I would remark in conclusion that I do
not limit myself to the precise details, dimensions, or configuration of parts
described, as the same may obviously be varied or modified without in any
way departing from the principles on which my Invention is based; but what
I claim and desire to be secured to me by the herein in part recited Letters
Patent are, the "Improvements in Tanning, and the Machinery or Apparatus
employed therein," substantially as herein described and shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
ROBERT W. BEST,
Surveyor, Exeter.
JAMES WILSON. (L.s.)