IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND DRYING GLUE AND GELATINOUS MATTER
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Tucker, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim,
Ireland, Starch Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PREPARING AND DRYING GLUE AND GELATINOUS MATTER."
Sealed the 16th January 1857, and dated the 22nd November 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Tucker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd November 1856.
I, EDWARD TUCKER, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, Ireland, Starch
Manufacturer, do hereby declaro the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND DRYING GLUE AND GELATINOUS MATTER," to be as
follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates principally to the drying or desiccation of glue of the
kind ordinarily used by wood workers and others, but it applies also to the
drying of gelatinous matter of other kinds. Instead of running the boiled
glue from the boiling or settling vessel into wooden troughs for solidification
and then drying it in thin layers in the usual way on nets suspended in the
air, the present improvements provide for the pouring of the boiled mass into
separate pans or small drying receivers, which are regularly disposed on racks
or supports in a drying chamber or stove. The liquid
The liquid glue is then subjected
to the action of a strong heat, from 140 to 160 degrees, more or less, of
Fahrenheit's scale.
Whilst this heating operation proceeds, thorough ventilation is carried on

page_text: through the stove by fans or other mechanical means, so as to secure a rapid
ovaporation of the moisture from the pans. By this system of procedure
the glue or other gelatinous inatter is rapidly and most effectively dried and
prepared for use.
According to another modification of this Invention, the fluid glue or gela-
tinous matter is deposited in a suitable containing vessel, fittod up with a hori-
zontal metal drum or cylinder, which is kept heated by steam passed into its
interior, or into an encircling jacket space, by a tubular shaft. The lower side
of this heated drum or cylinder dips into the liquid mass, and being made to
revolvo at a slow rate in a heated atmosphere, the cylindrical surface takes up
their films of the glue, which is thus quickly solidified and dried. As each
turn of the drum is completed a film of gluo is completely dried. By this
means glue of any desired thickness can be dried with great rapidity.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Tucker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st May 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
TUCKER, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, Ireland, Starch Manufacturer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Edward Tucker, Her-special license that I, the said Edward Tucker, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as 1, the said Edward
Tucker, 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
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 Juvention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND DRYING
GLUE AND GELATINOUS MATTER," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Edward Tucker, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
scal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the samé
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Offico within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Tucker, 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 in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :—
My said Invention relates principally to the drying or desiccation of glue of
the kind ordinarily used by wood workers and others, but it applies also to
the drying of gelatinous matter of other kinds. Instead of running the boiled
glue from the boiling or setting vessel into wooden troughs for solidification
and then drying it in thin layers in the usual way on nets suspended in the air,
the present improvements provide for the pouring of the boiled mass into
separate pans or small drying receivers, which are regularly disposed on racks
or supports in a drying chamber or stove. The liquid glue is then subjected
to the action of a strong heat, from 140 to 160 degrees, more or less, of
Fahrenheit's scale. Whilst this heating operation proceeds, thorough ven.
tilation is carried on through the stove by fans or other mechanical means, so
as to secure a rapid evaporation of the moisture from the pans. By this
system of procedure the glue or other gelatinous matter is rapidly and most
effectively dried and prepared for use.
According to another modification of this Invention, the fluid glue or gela-
tinous matter is deposited in a suitable containing vessel, fitted up with a
horizontal metal drum or cylinder, which is kept heated by steam passed into
its interior, or into an encircling jacket space, by a tubular shaft. The lower
side of this heated drum or cylinder dips into the liquid mass, and being made
to revolve at a slow rate in a heated atmosphere, tho cylindrical surface takes
up thin films of the glue, which is then quickly solidified and dried. As each
turn of the drum is completed a film of glue is completely dried. By this means
glue of any desired thickness can be dried with great rapidity.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures on the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings, which I havo hereunto appended for the purpose of
showing certain modifications under which my improvements may be judiciously
carried out in practice.
Figure 1 on my Sheet of Drawings is a longitudinal vertical elevation
of one modification of an apparatus for drying or solidifying glue or other
gelatinous matter; Figure 2 is a plan of the arrangement, corresponding to
Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view, taken at the furnace end or right-hand
side of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section of the apparatus.
The first part of my improvements relates to the system or mode of con-

page_text: centrating the thin gelatinous fluid after it lias undergone the operation of
clarifying. This operation of concentrating the thin fluid is preparatory to its
being run into the moulds in which it is congealed. At this stage the congealed
glue or gelatinous matter is cut into cakes or slabs and finally dried. The
vessel in which the concentration of the thin gelatinous fluid is effected con-
sists of an oblong rectangular A, divided into two by a horizontal partition
or diaphragm B, thus forming a close chamber at the bottom of the vessel
for the circulation of steam or water, and an open pan at the upper part,
in which the gelatinous fluid is concentrated. The vessel A is by preference
made of galvanized iron, and is built into the brickwork C, which in the modi-
fication shown in my Drawings forms the furnace and flue, by means of which
the water in the close chamber is heated. The furnace or fuel chamber D is
built at one end of the concentrating vessel A, and is enclosed by fire doors E.
A bridge of fire-clay bricks is built over the fire to protect that end of the
vessel A from being burnt, as would be the case if the heat and flame of the
burning fuel were allowed to impingo directly upon it. The bridge F is
however made with apertures in it, through which a portion of the heat passes
to the vessel above. Instead of the brick arch being used to protect the bottom
of the vessel, an iron plate may be interposed between the fire and the vessel
A. The heated and non-combustible matters arising from the burning fuel
pass along beneath the bottom of the vessel A and down the arched flue G to
the chimney or shaft H. By means of a damper I fitted at the entrance of
the flue G, the velocity of the current of air through the flue may be increased
or diminished, according to the amount of heat required during the operation.
The water chamber below the partition or diaphragm B is supplied with water
by means of the funnel and pipe J, which has a stop-cock fitted in it for the
purpose of regulating the admission of the water. The steam arising from
the ebullition of the water escapes through the pipe K into the shaft II; this
pipe is also furnished with a stop-cock to govern the emission of the steam.
The pan or upper compartment of the vessel A is divided longitudinally by
partition L, which extends nearly the whole length of the vessel, leaving a
space at either end unoccupied equal to half the width of the pan. The top
of the vessel A is covered in with a wooden or other suitablo covering M,
which extends from the back or rear end of the pan to within about twelve
inches of the front.
n
In the plan, Figure 2 of my Sheet of Drawings, a portion of the covering
is supposed to be removed in order to show the internal arrangement. At one
side of the concentrating or evaporating vessel is fitted a fan or paddle wheel N,
to which a rotatory motion is given, either by means of a belt pulley arrange-

page_text: ment or by turning it by hand. The wheel N is boxed in by a wooden cover-
ing, and the spindle of the wheel is carried in bearings which are bolted to
the side of the vessel A and the partition L. The object of fitting this wheel
in the evaporating vessel is to provide a means of putting the size or thin
liquid glue in motion, and thereby cause a current to circulate round the
partition L. It has been found that when the solution of glue is exposed to
heat for the purpose of evaporating the aqueous portion the surface of the
solution becomes quickly covered with a dense viscid skin, which effectually
prevents further evaporation on account of its impermeability. This serious
and important evil is remedied by keeping the mass of fluid in uninterrupted
motion, and this is accomplished by means of the wheel N or other mechanical
equivalent. The vapour arising from the surface of the evaporating vessel is
conveyed by means of a duct O into the chimney H. The opening left at the
end of the covering M admits a current of air to the surface of the fluid glue
under operation, and this current of air, which may be heated air with advan-
tage, drives the aqueous vapour through the duct O into the chimney. Within
the duct O a throttle valve P is fitted, by means of which the velocity of the
current of air passing over the surface of the liquid glue is regulated, and the
progress of the evaporation expedited or retarded, as may be required. Tho
thin clarified liquid glue is placed in the evaporating vessel A and the water
chamber below the partition B filled with water; the fire is lighted in the
furnace, the heat of which passing along beneath the vessel A raises the ten-
perature of the water and the thin liquid glue above; the wheel N is put in
motion and the fluid glue flows in a current round the partition L, as indicated
in the Drawing by the arrows; as the steam rises from the surface of the
fluid, the current of air which enters by the open space at the front part of
the covering M conveys it away into the chimney, and thus the process of
concentrating the thin solution of glue is carried on in a rapid and efficient
manner.
In the foregoing modification of my improvements, the clarified liquid glue
is evaporated or concentrated by the agency of heated water, but the same end
may be attained by causing steam to pass through the chamber. The steam
for this purpose may be conveyed into the chamber by a pipe connected with
a boiler, an eduction pipe being fitted at the other end of the chamber and
carried into the chimney for the steam to pass off; when the solution of gluo
is sufficiently evaporated it is run off from the vessel A by means of the cocks Q
into moulds. To facilitate the removal of the whole of the concentrated gela-
tinous, solution, the evaporating pan is made somewhat deeper at the part
where the stop-cocks or taps Q are fitted. The moulds R into which the

page_text: glue is run from the vessel A are long shallow vessels, placed parallel to the
sides of the evaporating apparatus, and by preference made of a length cor-
responding thereto. These moulds are made of metal or linod with sheets of
metal or glass, or if made of a material to which the glue will adhere the
surfaces are oiled before running the glue into them. The moulds R are
supported on wooden frames or tressels S, and the shallow pan or vossel
forming the mould is divided horizontally by a diaphragm T, in a similar
manner to the vessel A. The space below the diaphragm T is intended for
the circulation of a stream of cold water, which is admitted by the pipe U and
passes out at the other end of the mould by the pipe V. The concentrated
gelatinous fluid from the vessel A is run into the moulds until the depth of
the fluid corresponds, or nearly so, with the thickness of the cake of gluc. The
stream of cold water passing under the moulds rapidly congeals or partially
solidifies the glue into a tough mass; when this is effected, the stratum of glue
is divided into cakes, and removed to the drying house to be finally hardened
into solid cakes. The usual mode of drying the cakes of glue is to place them
on nets in the open air, but in unfavourable atmospheric circumstances for drying
I employ the arrangement herein-after described, which forms a part of my
present Invention. The cakes of glue as they are removed from the moulds are
placed on nets stretched upon frames in the usual manner, these frames being
oblong and made with feet at the corners, or supported by any other suitable
nicthod, so as to stand conveniently one upon another. The filled frames aro
removed to a drying house in which they are arranged in piles or stacks. The
drying house is a building of wood or other suitable material, and is so arranged
that a current of heated air may be drawn through the building by means of
a fan or other exhausting apparatus. The air to be passed through the drying
house may be conveniently and economically heated by passing through tubes
fitted in a steam chest or boiler. The end of the heating tubes is passed into the
drying house, and the air is drawn through the tubes by means of the exhaust-
ing apparatus placed on the other side of the drying house. In order. to diffuse
the heated air through the building in an uniform manner and prevent its
ascending too rapidly to the roof, the ends of the building where the pipes for
the admission and emission of the heated air are fitted is divided off by par-
titions. A number of holes is made in these partitions, and the holes at the
lower part of each partition are mado much nearer together than those at the
upper part. The object of this arrangement is that a much larger quantity
of warm air may be drawn through the lower part of the partitions than the
upper, and thereby equalize its distribution through the building. The arrange-
ment of the frames one above the other admits of the air passing freely over

page_text: and under them, and the heated air being admitted at one end of the building
and drawn off at the other, a continuous and effective circulation is kept up.
In some cases the drying of the cakes may be effected with sufficient rapidity
without the use of heated air. In this modification atmospheric air of the
natural temperature is continuously passed through the drying house by means
of the exhausting apparatus, as before described in reference to the use of
heated air. By means of this arrangement of the drying house, the cakes of
partially solidified glue are dried in a far more rapid and effective manner
than by the ordinary process. Instead of running the concentrated glue into
the moulds to be cooled by a substratum of cold water, I sometimes find it
convenient to run the gelatinous solution into. metallic or other pans or shallow
trays just the size of the intended cake of glue, and I transfer these at once to
a stove, where they are placed on racks to dry. The temperature being kept
at a suitable point, with good ventilation, the glue is rapidly desiccated, and
put beyond danger of decomposition from unfavourable weather; but I prefer
the former mode when it can be duly effected.
Another modification of my improvements in the process of drying. glue
consists of a vessel or pan in which the concentrated gelatinous fluid is placed;
over this vessel a drum or cylinder is fitted in such manuer as to dip into or
below the surface of the fluid glue. The drum is made of metal, its ends being
solid, so that the interior forms a steam chamber; the steam is admitted through
hollow journals on which the drum rotates. A slow rotatory motion is given
to the drum, which as it revolves carries up a thin film of the liquid gluc; the
heat of the drum dries the film of glue deposited on its surface before or by
the time it has completed a revolution; thus as the drum rotates films of the
liquid glue are successively carried up and dried, and by this means the cakes
of glue may be readily made of any desired thickness. When a sufficient
quantity of glue has been deposited upon the cylinder the gelatinous coating
is divided into cakes, which are subjected to the process of drying, in the manner
before described.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict myself
to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to describe
or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without deviating from
the principles or main features of my Invention; but what I consider to be
novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―

page_text: First, the general arrangement and construction of apparatus or machinery
for concentrating or evaporating thin liquid glue, as herein before described.
Second, the general arrangement and construction of apparatus or machinery
for congealing, or partially solidifying, and subsequently drying cakes of glue,
as hercin-before described.
Third, the system or mode of concentrating or evaporating gelatinous solu-
tions by means of the apparatus, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of congealing or partially solidifying liquid gluo
in moulds or vessels cooled by a stream of cold water, as herein-before
described.
Fifth, the system or mode of drying glue in shallow trays placed in a build-
ing constructed and heated as herein-before described.
Sixth, the system or mode of drying glue by means of a current of air
passed or drawn through a drying house, as herein-before described.
Seventh, the system or mode of drying glue by means of a heated drum or
cylinder, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Tucker, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of May, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-soven.
EDWARD TUCKER. (L.S.)