IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SAND, EMERY, AND GLASS PAPERS, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Archibald Brooman, of 166, Fleet Street,
in the City of London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SAND, EMERY, AND GLASS PAPERS, AND IN
THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREIN."-A communication.
Sealed the 22nd April 1856, and dated the 28th November 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard
said Richard Archibald
Brooman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 28th November 1855.
I, RICHARD. ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SAND, EMERY, AND GLASS PAPERS, AND
IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREIN," (communicated to me by a foreigner
residing abroad,) to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to reduce the time, labor, and space or room
heretofore required in making sand paper, emery paper, and glass paper, while
at the same time the quality thereof is fully maintained, and in some respects
it is rendered superior, especially in regard to the tenacity or holding property
of the grit to the paper. The process is such, that the paper is passed in at
one point of the machine, and in a few moments after is delivered again com-
pletely finished and ready for use, without the intervention of any manual
Jabour by an attendant.
The most important features of this Invention consist, firstly, in the prepa-
ration of the sand, emery, grit, &c. at the moment it is to be applied; secondly,
in the method of applying it; and, thirdly, in the sizing of the paper.
To

page_text: these are added as minor points the drying, feeding, delivery, and cutting into
sheets.
The machine consists principally of a sand reservoir, and its mechanism
for applying the same; glue vats and their rollers; a carrying wheel to convey
the paper while going through the various stages of the process; hot air
chanuels for drying the paper, &c. The important feature in the preparation
of the sand, emery, or grit consists in heating it and applying it at a high
temperature. The object of this is to effect the immediate setting of the
glue, by driving off the moisture by contact with the hot sand or grit, whereby
the latter becomes almost instantly affixed to the paper.
The second feature is the mode of applying the sand, viz., by throwing it
upwards and against the glued surface of the paper, in contradistinction to the
old modes, whereby the sand is sifted and falls by gravity upon the paper.
The superiority of this mode lies in the fact, that the sand may thus be pro-
jected with force into the glue, regardless of the quantity dashed upon it; since
the excess will fall off: This insures the complete covering of all the paper
evenly, whereas in the old modes any excess, produced a cloudy or ridgy paper;
besides, the grit will not adhere with any strength, but may be easily rubbed
off, and is liable to injure the work.
The other improvements are illustrated in the following description of con-
structing and working the machine, reference being had to the annexed
'Drawing.
a, Figure 1, is a deep dish, forming the sand box; placed' at the bottom of
the machine; the ends and bottom are formed double, so. as. to leave an air
'space, as shewn at b. Upon each top edge, and in the thickness or space
between the inside and outside, are formed two gluc vats c, c'; these have
double bottoms c", for holding hot water, steam, or. hot air, to keep the glue
liquid. At a' is an opening, leading to a conveniently placed reservoir con-
taining the main supply of sand, which pours in as wanted'; and at b is a like
opening in b, through which hot air enters, 6 being the discharge place for
the same; d is the dashing wheel for applying the sand, &c.. The arms have
a somewhat scooping form, and its manner of working is clearly indicated in
the Drawings. A large drum wheel e is supported on the fraine immediately
over the sand box, and sinks into it so far. as: to leave only clearance at; both
ends. This wheel, therefore, covers the opening, and the office of, it is to
convey the paper while undergoing the process of being glued, sanded, and dried,
and then to deliver it finished to the cutter, or if not to be cut into sheets to
the take-off roller. On the face of the wheel e a narrow groove e¹ is cut near
each edge, for receiving a stationary piece o, o, at each end of the glueing

page_text: roller, as will be berein-after described; they also serve to admit the sides of
the sand box a, making thereby a better joint, as well as to receive the arched
side pieces of a semicircular box or cover f, which forms a continuation of the
channel 6", delivering the hot air from b, there being a final discharge at f'.
The paper to be sanded is in the form of a roll or extended sheet, which is
placed on an axis conveniently situated with respect to the machine, as at 9;
from this it passes over the glueing roller, placed in the yat c, which roller is
so situated as to press the paper between it and the drum,e; thence the paper
is carried round the drum nearly its whole circumference, and is led off just
above the place of entrance by being taken under a roller h, whence it passes
over a curved plate h', the outer edge of which forms half of the shear for
cutting into sheets. The other part of the shear is a moveable blade i, revolv
ing in front, as shewn, and is so timed in its movements with regard to the
delivery of the paper as to cut that off into uniform sheets.
In Figure 2 is a view of an important part of the machine, the object of
which is to prevent any glue from running over the edge of the paper upon
the face of the drum. e, e', represent the grooves upon the drum; the spaco
on the face between (measuring from the inner sides of the grooves) is to be
a little less than the width of the paper, so that the latter will slightly overlap.
The length of the glueing roller e" is also such as to be a little greater than
the width of the paper. Now, as this roller presses the paper against the drum
the extreme edges would not receive glue. properly, by reason of their sinking
into the grooves; each groove is therefore filled up for a short distance by a
curved piece o, but attached to the side framing, as seen in Figure 2, so, that
the surface of e becomes by that means widened out. These pieces of course
remain stationary, there being play enough to allow the drum e to revolve
freely. The edges of the paper are therefore kept up while receiving glue,
any excess running over on to the pieces o, and dripping back, into, the glue
vat, thus keeping the surface e always clean, while yet the paper, can be sized
and sanded to its extreme edge, which could not otherwise be the case; the
various parts are put in motion by well-known contrivances, such as belts
and pullies, cog gearing, &c. The operation is as follows: First, as to
maintaining a supply of hot sand. This may be done by means of a reservoir
placed near the machine, and at an elevation, so that a spout leading to
the opening a will keep up the feed. The sand in the reservoir is heated
either by means of a hot blast, steam pipes, or direct fire, as most con-
venient; a continuous blast of hot air is then to be kept passing through b
under the cover f, and discharging at . The current is represented
as being sent in at 6', but the reverse of this may be the case, f'. being

page_text: then the place of entrance, and
t
the exit. This latter direction will afford
some advantages in drying, since the paper will move in a course opposite
to that of the current of air. The vats c and care to be supplied. witli
the appropriate sizeing (for which purpose glue is preferred); its liquidity is
to be maintained by means of steam, hot water, or hot air in c". All the parts
are to be so coupled or in gear as to move together with the relative speeds
required for the different parts, the power being applied as shewn at A. The
machine being started, the velocity of the drum e is such as to give the required
time for the sizeing coat from c¹ to dry during its passage from that vat to the
place, of discharge h; a high velocity is imparted to the sand wheel d. The
paper must, in the first instance, be passed through the machine, so as to cover
the drum all round, except the short space between h and e"; the process will
now be as follows:-As the paper is drawn from the roll g, it passes first over
the roller e, and then receives its coat of glue; the drum e moving steadily on;
carries this over the top of the sand box; the action of the wheel d is such
as to project the hot sand upwards with considerable force against the glued
surface, thus burying the grit well into the glue. In consequence of the high
temperature, the glue almost immediately sets, and the water is driven off in
vapor. The whole surface is completely covered with sand, and with great
equality; for, although the sand is constantly thrown upon it in great excess,
no more than can cover the surface will be able to lodge, by reason of the
sudden sotting of the glue, and the excess therefore falls back into the box.
The drying is so rapid that the finishing coat of size may be at once applied,
which is accordingly done as the paper presses upon the roller at c'; and the
final drying being accomplished during the remainder of the revolution of e
from 6 to f, it is then either rolled upon a take-up roller, or cut into sheets,
as may be; if the latter, the cutter may be placed as shewn at i. In order to
effect continuous working, it is necessary to keep the surface of the drum always
free from glue, but the glue being applied to the paper in excess to insure
perfect covering, that excess must be allowed to escape; this it does at the
end of the rollers, where it pours back again into the vat; but as there would
consequently be constant danger of-the glue getting under the edge of the
paper and out to the drum, provision is made to prevent this by the arrange
ment shewn in Figure 2. As the excess of glue is pushed up, or rather,
before the roller at the point of contact with the paper, it gradually works out
toward the ends, and there, falling upon the curved surface of the plates o
trickles down and falls back into the vat, while such as may have worked
under the edges of the paper, while passing over the plates o, overhangs in the
grooves of the drum, and does not therefore touch anything.

page_text: The machine may be modified in several particulars; one of which is, that
instead of forming a hot air channel over the drum by the cover f, the paper.
may be led off after passing the sizeing roller to a drying room, or through a
channel lying horizontally, vertically, or in any other position, through which
the hot air may pass, and the paper be delivered into the packing room at a
distance from the machine, if so preferred.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Archibald Brooman in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 28th May 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS IIer most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Richard Archibald Brooman, Her special licence that I, the said Richard
Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I; the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 THE MANUFACTURE OF SAND, EMERY, AND GLASS
PAPERS, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREIN," (communicated to me by a
foreigner residing abroad;) upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Richard Archibald Brooman, 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 Richard Archibald Brooman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the

page_text: following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say:
The object of this Invention is to reduce the time, labor, and space heretofore
required in making sand paper, emery paper, and glass paper, while at the
same time the quality of the same is fully maintained, and in some respects
even rendered superior, especially in regard to the tenacity or holding property
of the grit to the paper. The process is such, that the paper is passed in at one
point of the machine, and in a few-moments after is delivered again completely
finished and ready for use, without the intervention of any manual labour.
The most important features of this Invention consist, firstly, in the pre-
paration of the sand, emery, or grit, &c. at the moment it is to be applied;
secondly, in the method of applying it; and, thirdly, in the sizing of the
paper. The Invention also comprises as minor points the drying, feeding,
delivery, and cutting into sheets:
The machino consists principally of a sand or grit reservoir, and the
mechanism for applying the same; glue vats and their rollers; a carrying
wheel to convey the paper while going through the various stages of the
process; hot air channels for drying the paper, &c. The important feature
in the preparation of the sand, emery, or grit, &c., consists in heating it and
applying it at a high temperature. The object of this is to effect the imme-
diate setting of the glue, by driving off the moisture by contact with the hot
sand or grit, whereby the latter becomes almost instantly affixed to the paper.
The second feature is the mode of applying the sand, namely, by throwing
it upwards and against the glued surface of the paper, in contradistinction
to the old methods, whereby the sand is sifted and falls by gravity upon
the paper.
The superiority of the present method consists in the fact,
that the sand, grit, &c. may thus be projected with force into the glue,
regardless of the quantity thrown upon it, since the excess will fall off. This
insures the complete covering of all the paper evenly, whereas in former
methods any excess of sand or grit produced a cloudy or ridgy paper, and the
grit 'did not adhere with any strength, but might be easily rubbed off and injure
the work. The other improvements are illustrated in the following description
of constructing and working the machine, reference being had to the annexed
Drawings.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine; Figure 2, a vertical section of
the same; Figures 3 and 4, views of parts detached. a, a, is a deep dish, form-
ing the sand box (supposing sand to be the material employed for coating the
paper), placed at the bottom of the machine. The ends and bottom are formed
double, so as to leave an air space, as shewn at b, c. Upon each top edge, and

page_text: in the thickness or space between the inside and outside, are formed two glue
vats c, c', having double bottoms c", which contain hot water, steam, or hot air
to keep the glue liquid. a' is an opening, leading to a conveniently placed
reservoir containing the main supply of sand, which pours in as wanted; ¹is
a similar opening in b, through which hot air enters; " is the discharge
orifice for the same; d is the dashing wheel for applying the sand, &c. The
arms of this wheel have a somewhat scooping form, and its manner of working
is clearly indicated in the Drawings. E is a large drum wheel, supported on
the frame immediately over the sand box, and descending into it so far as to
leave only clearance at both ends. This wheel, therefore, covers the opening,
and its office is to carry the paper while undergoing the process of being glued,
sanded, and dried, and then to deliver it finished to the cutter, or (if not to be
cut into sheets) to the take-off roller. e is a narrow groove formed on the face
of the wheel E, as shewn in Figure 3, near each edge, for receiving a stationary
piece o, o, at each end of the glueing roller, as will be herein-after described.
They also serve to admit the sides of the sand box a, thereby making a better
joint, as well as to receive the arched side pieces of a semicircular box or cover
f, which forms a continuation of the channel 6", delivering the hot air from b,
there being a final discharge at f. The paper to be sanded is made up in the
form of a roll or extended sheet, which is placed on a roller conveniently
situated with respect to the machine, as shewn at g; from this it passes over a
glueing roller e, placed in the vat c, and so situated as to press the paper
between it and the drum E; thence the paper is carried round the drum
along nearly the whole extent of its circumference, and is led off just above the
place of entrance by being taken under a roller h, whence it passes over a
curved plate h', the outer edge of which forms half of the shear or cutting edge
for cutting it into sheets. The other part of the shear is a moveable blade i
revolving in front. The movement of this blade i is so regulated with regard
to the delivery of the paper as to cut it off into uniform sheets.
Figures 3 and 4 are detached sectional views of a part of the machine, shewing
an important arrangement for preventing any glue from running over the edge
of the paper upon the face of the drum. e, e, represent the grooves upon the
drum; the space on the face between (measuring from the inner sides of the
grooves) is to be a little less than the width of the paper, so that the latter will
slightly overlap. The length of the glueing roller eis also such as to be a
little greater than the width of the paper. Now, as this roller presses the paper
against the drum, the extreme edges would not receive glue properly, by reason
of their sinking into the grooves; each groove is therefore filled up for a short
distance by a curved piece o, attached to the side framing, as seen in Figure 4,

page_text: so that the surface of the whee! E becomes by that means widened out. These
nieces of course remain stationary, there being play enough to allow the drum E
to revolve freely. The edges of the paper are therefore kept up while receiving
glue, any excess running over on to the pieces o, and dripping back into tho
glue vat, thus keeping the surface e always clean, while yet the paper can be
sized and sanded to its extreme edge, which could not otherwise be the case.
The various parts of the machinery are put in motion by well-known con-
trivances, such as belts and pulleys, toothed gearing, &c.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-First, to maintain a supply of
hot sand. This may be done by means of a reservoir placed near the machine,
and at such an elevation that a spout leading to the opening a will keep up
the feed. The sand in the reservoir is heated either by means of a hot blast,
or by steam pipes, or direct fire, as most convenient. A continuous blast of
hot air is then to be kept passing through the air space b under the cover f
discharging at fl. The current is represented as being sent in at 6', but tlie
reverse of this may be the case; being then the place of entrance, and
the exit. This latter direction will afford some advantages in drying, since the
paper will move in a course opposite to that of the current of air. The vats c
and care to be supplied with the appropriate sizing (for which purpose glue
is preferred), and its liquidity maintained by means of steam, hot water; or hot
air in c. All the parts are to be so coupled or in gear as to move together
with the relative speeds required for the different parts, the power being
applied as shewn at A. The machine being started, the velocity of the drum
E is such as to give the required time for the coat of glue or other sizing
from c to dry, during its passage from that vat to the place of discharge at h.
A high rate of velocity is imparted to the sand wheel d. The paper must, in
the first instance, be passed through the machine, so as to cover the drum all
round, except the short space. between h and e". The process is now as
follows: As the paper is drawn from the roller g, it passes first over the
roller ell, and then receives its coat of glue; the drum E moving steadily on,
carries it over the top of the sand box a, where it is subjected to the action of
the wheel d, which is such as to project the hot sand upwards with considerable
force against the glued surface, thus burying the grit well into the glue. In
consequence of the high temperature, the glue almost immediately sets, and
the water is driven off in vapour. The whole surface thus becomes completely
covered with sand, and with great equality; for, although the sand is constantly
thrown upon it in considerable excess, no more than can cover the surface will
be able to lodge, as by reason of the sudden setting of the glue the excess falls
back into the box. The drying is so rapid that the finishing coat of size may

page_text: be at once applied, which is accordingly done as the paper presses upon the
ruller at c; the final drying being accomplished during the remainder of the
revolution of E from 6" to f¹, it is then either rolled upon a take-up roller or
cut into sheets; if the latter, the cutter may be placed as shewn at i. In order
to effect continuous working, it is necessary to keep the surface of the drum
always free from glue; but the glue being applied to the paper in excess to insure
a perfect covering, that excess must be allowed to escape. This it does at the
end of the rollers, where it pours back again into the vat; but as there would
consequently be constant danger of the glue getting under the edge of the
paper and out to the drum, provision is made to prevent this by the arrange-
ment shewn in Figure 3. As the excess of glue is pushed up, or rather, before
the roller at the point of contact with the paper, it gradually works out towards
the ends, and there falls upon the curved surface of the plates o, trickles down
and falls back into the vat, while such as may have worked under the edges of
the paper while passing over the plates o overhangs in the grooves of the drum,
and does not therefore touch anything.
The machine may be modified in several particulars; one of which is,
that instead of forming a hot air channel over the drum by the cover f, the
paper may be led off after passing the sizing roller to a drying room, or
through a channel lying horizontally, vertically, or in any other position,
through which the hot air may pass, and the paper be delivered into the
packing room at a distance from the machine, if so preferred.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
Firstly, applying the sand, emery, or grit in a heated state to the glued
surface of the paper, for the purpose set forth.
Secondly, the means of depositing sand, emery, or grit upon the glued
surface, by projecting it forcibly against the said surface while in such reversed
position that the excess shall fall off by gravity, as herein-before described.
And, thirdly, the combination of stationary pieces o, or equivalent means,
with the moving drum, the paper, and the glueing roller, for the purpose set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of May, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-six.
R. A. BROOMAN. (L.S.)