Year: 1885

page_text: I, WILLIAM BREWER SILVERLOCK, of Hop Exchange, and Blackfriars Road, both
in the County of Surrey, Printer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for dusting off or removing dust from the
surface of sheets of paper or other material, and more especially for dusting off or
cleaning sheets of paper on which designs have been' printed to which bronze or
other powder has been subsequently applied, its object being to remove any surplus
powder which may be adherent to the surface of the paper.
The improved apparatus consists of a closed in box or case, having at one side a
narrow slit or opening through which the sheet which is to be cleaned is inserted.
Within the box are arranged two cylindrical drums or rollers turning in bearings
in the ends of the box, their axles being parallel and their cylindrical surfaces in
contact or nearly so, the line of contact being opposite to the opening through
which the sheets of paper are introduced, so that when the rollers are made to
revolve at the required speed by means of pullies or wheels upon the axles actuated
by steam or other suitable power, the rollers grip between them the edge of any
sheet of paper presented to them and draws it through, or if the paper be held
back they rub its surface whilst it is allowed to pass slowly between them.
The surface of the rollers is covered with plush, or other soft fabric or material,
as for instance the material known as imitation sealskin supported upon an inner
thickness or lining of sheepskin or lambskin. In this way both surfaces of the
sheet of paper can be dusted off or cleaned for a part of the length of the sheet,
which is then removed and reversed its other end being then introduced so that its
whole surface is thus cleaned.
In the apparatus, operating as described, the bronze or other powder or dust
removed from the sheet of paper remains floating or suspended in the box, and the
rollers become charged with it so that they soon become incapable of operating
effectively upon the sheets. In order to prevent this, I arrange an inclined plate,
of metal, wood, or other material, at the opposite side of the box to that at which
the sheets are introduced, the plate extending from side to side of the box, and its

page_text: back edge fitting against the back of the box, whilst its front edge just touches
the lower side of the upper roller just above the sheet of paper as the latter leaves
the rollers.
The bronze powder or other dust is accordingly scattered in the box above the
inclined plate and away from the paper, and in order to prevent it from being
again shaken up from the plate upon which it settles, I make upon the latter a
series of transverse recesses or pockets, extending across the box and having a wide
opening at their upper end, into which the dust settles and falls down to the lower
end where it is no longer liable to be disturbed.
Two or more of such plates with recesses or pockets across them may be arranged
across the upper part of the box, instead of one only, and in order that any light
dust or powder still remaining in suspension may be detained, I arrange across the
upper part of the box above the upper roller, a transverse board or plate the lower
edge of which touches the surface of the roller, whilst against its surface is arranged
a mass of sponge, tow, or other absorbent material, sufficiently saturated with
water, and held in a loose frame or grating, so that any loose powder driven against
it adheres to it and is detained, the circumference of the roller passing round, clean
and free from dust, until it again comes in contact with and cleans the surface of
the paper or other sheet.
Two or more of such sponges, or other absorbent masses may be arranged across
the box instead of one only.
The lower part of the box, in which the lower roller revolves may also be fitted
with one or more similar transverse plates or boards provided with recesses or
pockets, and with sponges or absorbent masses, and a grating, or wire gauze or
board, is preferably arranged in the box upon which the part of the sheet of paper
or other material which has passed between the rollers rests.
Instead of rollers covered with the dusting fabric as described, endless bands of
such fabric may be used, each passing over two plain parallel rollers adjusted at
suitable distances apart.
F
The novel apparatus may be used as an independent machine, or it may be
worked in conjunction with printing, bronzing or other machines. S
i
Latod Chse
LOOK
LOOK
Linted the S
I
EDWARDS & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Surface of Paper or other Sheets.
I, WILLIAM BREWER SILVERLOCK, of Hop Exchange and Blackfriars Road, both
in the County of Surrey, 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 invention relates to apparatus used for "dusting off" or removing dust from
the surface of sheets of paper or other material, and more especially for so dusting
off or cleaning sheets of paper on which designs have been printed to which bronze
or other powder has been subsequently applied, its object being to remove any
surplus powder which may be adherent to the surface of the paper and to leave
the latter clean.
In the accompanying drawing, which is in illustration of my invention, Figure 1
is a vertical section shewing the method of construction and operation of the
apparatus. Figure 2 is a vertical section, figures 3 and 6 side views, figure 4 an
end view, and figure 5 a plan of a similar machine somewhat modified.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures.
In figure 1a is a rectangular box or case, of suitable dimensions, and of wood,
metal, or other material having at one side a slit or opening at b, through which
the sheet of paper or other substance which is to be cleaned is inserted from the
feeding table b¹ in the direction of the arrow. Inside the box or case a are
arranged two cylindrical drums or rollers c, d, turning in bearings in the ends of
the box, their axles being parallel and their cylindrical surfaces in contact or
nearly so, the line of such contact being opposite to the opening at b through
which the sheets of paper are introduced as already described, so that when the
rollers are made to revolve at the required speed and in the proper direction by
means of pullies or wheels e (figures 3 and 4) upon the axles, actuated by steam
or other convenient power, the rollers c and d grip between them the edge of any
sheet of paper presented to them through the opening b, and draw it through, or if
the sheet of paper be held back they rub its surface whilst it is allowed to pass
slowly between them.
The surface of the rollers c and d may be provided with brushes or other dusting
appliances, but is preferably covered with plush, or other soft fabric or material
of similar character, such for instance as the material known as imitation sealskin,
supported upon an inner thickness or lining of sheepskin or lambskin, and the
surface thus prepared is very effective in cleaning and removing dust or powder
from both the upper and under surfaces of the sheet of paper which is fed in and
allowed to pass between the rollers until one half of its length has been cleaned,
when it is withdrawn and reversed its other end being then introduced so that its
whole surface is thus cleaned.
Much of the bronze or other powder or dust removed from the sheet of paper
in the manner described remains floating or suspended in the box a, and the
rollers c, d, become clogged with it so that they soon become incapable of operating

page_text: effectually upon the sheets of paper. In order to prevent this I arrange an inclined
plate of metal, wood, or other material in the box a. This plate f extends from
side to side of the box, and its front edge at g just touching the lower side of the
upper rollers c, immediately above the sheet of paper as the latter passes out from
between the rollers.
The bronze powder or other dust removed by the roller is accordingly scattered
in the box a above the inclined plate f and away from the paper, and in order to
prevent it from being shaken up from the plate f upon which it settles, I. make
upon the latter one or more transverse recesses or pockets h extending across the
box a and having a wide opening at their upper end into which the dust settles
and falls down to the lower end where it collects and is no longer liable to be
disturbed. Two or more plates f having openings with recesses or pockets h across
them may be arranged across the upper part of the box a, instead of one only, and
in order that any light dust or powder still remaining in suspension may be
detained, I arrange across the upper part of the box a, above the roller c, a
transverse board or plate i, the lower edge of which is provided with a strip of
leather or other suitable material which touches the surface of the roller c, whilst
against the surface of the plate, or in other convenient part of the box may be
arranged a mass of sponge, tow, or other absorbent material, saturated to a sufficient
extent with water, and held in a frame or grating k, so that any powder or dust
driven against it, adheres to it and is detained, the circumference of the roller c
passing round clean and free from dust, until it again comes in contact with and
cleans the surface of the paper or other sheet.
Two or more of the sponges or other absorbent material may be arranged across
the box a instead of one only as shewn in figure 1.
The lower part of the box a in which the lower roller d revolves may also be
fitted with one or more transverse plates or boards, similar to that shewn, and
provided with recesses or pockets, and with sponges or other absorbent material,
and a grating, or wire gauze, or board, is preferably arranged in the box a at 7,
upon which rests the part of the sheet of paper or other material which has passed
between the rollers c and d. It is evident that if the paper or other material
instead of being in separate sheets is in a continuous length it may be fed
continuously through the machine from which it is delivered through a narrow
opening or slit at the back of the box a and it may be fed between the dusting
rollers by means of feeding rollers travelling at a slower speed than the latter.
A moveable drawer is shewn in the bottom of the box at m in which collects
any powder which may fall to the bottom, a loose grating being preferably arranged
above the bottom of the drawer as shewn at n, to prevent any sheet of paper or
other material from falling upon the powder. The lid of the box a is shewn hinged
to allow easy access to the inside.
In figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the box or case a is shewn bevelled in shape at its
upper side, and the upper part is shewn turning upon hinges and separating from
the lower part at about the level of the junction of the rollers, a sufficiently close
joint being made between the two parts, which are held together by hooks or other
fastenings when closed.
A separate hinged cover is also shewn on the upper part, above the rollers, for
the purpose of the convenient adjustment of the several parts. The feeding table 61
is shewn composed of a series of thin vertical strips, in order that the sheets of
paper may pass more readily over it and its supports may be hinged so that they
can be folded back when not in use.
The bar which carries the strip i¹, is made so that it can be adjusted and fixed
exactly to the proper height, and a metal receptacle h is shewn (in figures 2 and 3)
arranged in front of the roller c, so that it can be readily removed and replaced
when required. The grating is not shewn, but it may be used if desired. The
bearings in which the rollers c and d revolve are preferably made adjustable in
height, and the axles of the rollers are connected together by pullies and a cross
band as shown in figures 4, 5, and 6.

page_text: Instead of rollers covered with the compound dusting fabric described, endless
bands of such fabric may be used, as the equivalent of rollers, each passing over
two plain parallel rollers adjusted at suitable distances apart, and the paper or
other material being allowed to pass slowly between them.
The novel apparatus described may be used as an independent machine, or it may
be worked in conjunction with printing, bronzing, or other machines.
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. The combination of the box a, rollers c and d, opening b, and transverse board
or plate i, arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose described
and shewn.
2. In combination with the rollers c and d, and transverse board or plate i,
the recess or recesses h, substantially as and for the purpose described and shewn.
3. In combination with the rollers c and d and the transverse board or plate i,
the sponge or other absorbent material, substantially as and for the purpose
described and shewn.