IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASKS AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Reid, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain; for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF CASKS AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND IN THE MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
Sealed the 17th October 1868; and dated the 23rd April 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Reid at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 23rd April 1868.
I; JOHN REID, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASES. AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES AND IN THE
MACHINERY OR. APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows, that is
to say:
This Invention has for its object an improved construction and
arrangement of machinery or apparatus to be used in the construction
of casks, barrels, buckets, tubs, or other similar articles.

page_text: The first part of the Invention consists of an improved mode of
cutting the staves. To effect this knives or cutters attached to a
reciprocating frame are employed by which each side of the staves
are cut to the proper curve at one cut. The knives or cutters may be
-made of one or more pieces one end of which may be attached to the
frame by a hinged or pivot joint and adjusted by set screws, so that
the machine may be capable of cutting staves of various sizes and
adjustable to any required curve.
Another part of this Invention consists of an improved method of
bending and heating the staves. This is effected by passing the staves
between cylinders or segments of cylinders which may be heated by
steam, hot air, or other convenient means.
Another part of the Invention consists of an improved method of
"croesing and dressing" the ends of the staves so that inequalities in
the thickness of the staves of undressed barrels, casks, or other similar
articles will appear in the interior instead of the outside of the barrel,
cask, or other articlé as in the present mode of construction. The
staves being flush or even on the exterior give a more finished
appearance to the barrel. The croesing and dressing is performed at
one operation and may be done by the same or different cutters according
to the shape or configuration. The method by which the staves are
kept flush or uniform on the outside of the barrels is by placing the
staves between the cutting table and the saw or cutters so that while
the distance between the table and the cutter is preserved the same the
grooves in the staves into which the end fits will be cut more or
less deep according to the thickness of the staves, but the thickness
between the groove and the outside of the stave is the same in all the
staves.
Another part of the Invention consists of an improved method of
forming the ends of barrels, casks, or other similar articles. To effect
this the bars of which the ends are constructed are placed on a
revolving table and cut to the circular form by a cutter placed at
each side, each cutter cutting half through the bar, one or more other
cutters at the same time cutting the edge to the required bevel, all
the operations in forming the ends being performed at the same
time.
Another part of this Invention consists of an improved trussing
machine in which the. barrels are built up and trussed.
It consists of

page_text: two circular frames placed one at each end of the machine, midway'
between which is placed an expanding disc. The circular frames are
supported in guides and may be attached to the piston rod of a cylinder,
the piston of which may be actuated by water, steam, or in any other.
manner, or the frames may be actuated by cams, levers, or screws, and
grooves or recesses are formed on the inside of the frames into which
hoops are placed. The distance apart of the circular frames is a little
less than the length of the staves, and while the barrel is being built
up on the central expanding disc the staves rest in the ends; when the
staves are all placed, and the bottom in position, the frames move towards
the centre simultaneously till they meet and are immediately withdrawn,
the hoops that were previously put inside the frames remaining on the
barrel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Reid in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 22nd October 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN.
REID, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, send'
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of April, in the year.
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Reid, Her special license,.
that I, the said John Reid, my executors, administrators, and.
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Reid, 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 Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF CASES AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES, AND IN THE MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said John Reid, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal; should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the

page_text: 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 John Reid, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention has for its object an improved construction and
arrangement of machinery or apparatus to. be used in the construction
of casks, barrels, buckets, tabs, or other similar articles.
The first part of the Invention consists of an improved mode of
cutting the staves. To effect this knives or cutters attached to a recipro-
cating frame are employed, by which each edge of the staves are cut
to the proper curve at one cut. The knives or cutters may be made
of one or more pieces, one end of which may be attached to the frame
by a hinged or pivot joint and adjusted by set screws, so that the
machine may be capable of cutting staves of various sizes and adjust-
able to any required curve.
Another part of this Invention consists of an improved method of
bending and heating the staves. This is effected by passing the staves
between cylinders or segments of cylinders, which may be heated by
steam, hot air, or other convenient means.
Another part of the Invention consists of an improved method of
"croesing and dressing" the ends of the staves so that inequalities in
the thickness of the staves of undressed barrels, casks, or other similar
articles will appear in the interior instead of the outside of the barrel,
cask, or other article as in the present mode of construction. The
staves being flush or even on the exterior give a more finished appear-
ance to the barrel. The "croesing and dressing" are performed at
one operation, and may be done by the same or different cutters according
to the shape or configuration. The method by which the staves are
kept flush or uniform on the outside of the barrels is by placing the
staves between the cutting table and the saw or cutters, so that while
the distance between the table and the cutter is preserved the same
the grooves in the staves into which the end fits will be cut more or
less deep according to the thickness of the staves, but the thickness
°

page_text: between the groove and the use of State
staves.
Another part of the Invention consists of an improved method of
forming the ends of barrels, casks, or other similar articles. To effect
this the bars of which the ends are constructed are placed on a revolving
table and cut to the circular form by a cutter placed. at each side,. each
cutter cutting half through the bar, one or more other cutters. at the
same time cutting, the edge to the required bevel,. all the operations in
forming the ends being, performed at the same time.
Another part of this Invention consists of an improved trussing
machine in which the barrels are built up and trussed. It consists of
two circular frames or cones placed one at each end of the machine,
midway between which is placed an expanding disc. The circular
frames are supported in guides, and may be attached to the piston rod
of a cylinder, the piston of which may be actuated by water, steam,
er in any other manner; or the frames or cones may be actuated by
eams, levers,. or screws, and grooves. or recesses are formed on the inside
of the frames into which hoops are placed. The distance apart of the
eircular frames is a little less than the length of the staves, and
while the barrel is being built up on the central expanding disc the
staves rest in the ends; when the staves are all placed and the bottom
in position the frames move towards. the centre simultaneously and are
immediately withdrawn, the hoops. that were previously put inside the
frames remaining on the barrel.. In trussing vessels, such as pails or
tubs having a taper only one way,. an expanding and contracting disc is
not required, and only one cone is used which may be made to. move
vertically or otherwise if. preferred..
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood;,
I now proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode,. or
manner in or under which the same is or may be used or practically.
carried into effect,. reference being had for the sake of more complete-
elucidation to the letters and figures upon the explanatory Sheet. of
Drawings which I have hereunto appended, that is to. say :-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a guillotine cutting or shaping:
machine, which may be used for the purpose of cutting, or shaping the-
staves of casks,. tubs,. and other similar articles;. Figure 2 is a plan of
the same; and Figure 3. a horizontal. section. showing the reciprocating:
frame and guides.

page_text: The machine consists, of a standard a having a vertical opening b
formed in it in which the guide block c slides. The cutting or shaping
knives d are fastened to a curved frame e formed in two parts, and
hinged at the centre to a block f which slides horizontally in the guide
block c, the object being to allow of the adjustment of the cutting
knives d to any required curve by means of the set screw g; guide
brackets h, h, are cast on or attached to the curved frame e, and slide
upon the rods i, i, which are fitted to the bracket j cast on the main
standard a. The knives d are actuated by a connecting rod k which
is attached at one end to a disc 2, and at the other end to the guide
block c. The disc is keyed on the shaft m, and rotated by means of
a belt actuating the fast pulley n; o is a loose pulley for throwing the
machine out of action. The staves to be cut are placed upon the
table p, as represented at q, Figures 1 and 2, and when one edge has
been cut by the descent of the guillotine knife & the stave q may be
turned, and the other edge cut by the next descent of the knife; or two
or more machines may be used placed one at the end of the other,
and with their front side turned in opposite directions. In operating
with this arrangement a double-armed lever or "kicker "', Figure 1,
may be used to push the stave from one machine to the other. The
"kicker" is situated so that as the guillotine descends, and while
cutting one edge of the stave, the upper arm of the "kicker" is
depressed by the curved frame, and compresses the spiral spring 8, which
may be instantly relieved when the stave is cut, and cause the "kicker"
to rotate and push the stave on to the table of the next machine where
the second edge is cut without requiring to turn the stave. The cutting
table p may be adjusted by means of set screws (not shown on the
Drawings), so that the edges of the staves may be cut to suit the
diameter of the cask or other vessel into which they are to be
formed.
Figure 4 is a front elevation and Figure 5 a plan of a "croesing
and dressing machine" constructed according to this Invention.
435
a is the table on which the staves are placed; b, the discs in which
the cutters c are fitted; d and e are fast and loose pulleys by which
the discs 6 are operated; f. f. f. f, are brackets fixed to the table a, in g
which the cutter spindles g and the feed roller shaft g¹ are carried;
h, h, are the feed rollers, and i, i, fast and loose pulleys for operating the
same. The staves are placed on the table a, as represented at /, and

page_text: are drawn through the machine by the feed rollers h, h, as the distance
between the table a and the cutters c is preserved uniform for all
staves which are to be used in one size or description of cask; the
grooves in the staves into which the end or ends fit will be cut more
or less deep according to the thickness of the staves, but the thickness
between the bottom of the groove and the outside will be the same in
all the staves, so that the inequalities in the thickness of the staves of
undressed barrels, casks, or other similar vessels will appear in the
interior instead of the exterior of the vessel, thus giving a more finished
appearance to the same. The ends of the staves may be dressed at the
same time as the "crocsing" operation is performed. This may be effected
by placing a circular saw on cach of the cutter spindles g or on spindles
carried under the table so as to cut the staves to a uniform length as
they pass through the machine.
Figure 6 is a vertical section of an improved apparatus for heating
and bending staves, and 'Figure 7 a section on the line a, b. The
apparatus consists of a chamber c constructed in the form of a barrel,
and divided radially into vertical passages by the partitions d; a T flanch
is constructed round the bottom end of the chamber c so as to form
a groove e into which the ends of the staves f are put; f¹ is a cover
which is raised and lowered by the chains 9 passing over the pulleys h,
and actuated by the hand wheel i and chain drum j. The chamber c
may be heated to the required temperature by hot air supplied from the
furnace or otherwise, the vertical passages communicating alternately
at top and bottom by the openings 1, Figure 6, forming a flue through
which the heated air and products of combustion pass on their way to
a flue or chimney not shown on the Drawings. When the apparatus
is to be filled with staves the cover f¹ is raised (by turning the hand
wheel i) to a height sufficient to allow of one end of the staves being
inserted in the annular space between the cover f' and the chamber c,
and the bottom end into the groove e. The cover f¹ is then lowered
and the staves fare pressed close to the sides of the heated chamber c.
When the staves are sufficiently heated and bent they are removed, and
the apparatus refilled in the manner herein-before described; instead of
this modification revolving cylinders or segments of cylinders may be
used in heating and bending the staves.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of a machine to be used in forming the
ends of barrels, casks, and other similar vessels. The bars a of which

page_text: the ends are constructed are placed on the revolving table b, which is
fixed to the vertical shaft c actuated by the bevel wheels d from the
shaft e, and the cutters by which the ends are cut to the circular form
and to the required bevel round the edge are carried in a saddle f
mounted on a slide on the table g. Figure 9 is a horizontal section t
of the saddle showing the cutters; and Figure 10 is a plan of the same
drawn to an enlarged scale; h, h, are the cutters by which the ends are
cut to the circular form; cach cutter cutting half through the bars a,
at the same time the edges are cut to the required bevel by the cutters i, i.
The holders j, j, are centred upon the axes k, k, and are gradually 1
brought together by the right and left handed screw working in
swivelling nuts m. The saddle fis slid backwards and forwards by the
screw n working in the nut o so as to suit any required diameter of
end.
Figure 11 is a sectional elevation of an improved trussing machine; 1
and-Figure 12 is a plan of the same. It consists of two circular frames
or cones a, b, placed one at each end of the machine, and supported
on the guide bars c. During trussing operations the cones a and b
travel towards and from the centre of the machine, the cone a being
actuated by the screw d, which passes through and works in a nut e at 2
the end of the hollow shaft f on whieh the spur wheel 9 is keyed.
The cone 6 is actuated by a screw which is formed on the end of the
shaft i, and works in a crosshead ; which is attached to the cone 6 by
the rod k; midway between the cones a, b, an expanding and con-
tracting disc is placed, and is slid backwards and forwards upon the 2
inclined planes m by the pinion n gearing into the toothed rack o, the
pinion is keyed on the cross shaft p, which is rotated by the hand
wheels 2. A shaft is supported upon the standards s, and is fitted
with two fast pulleys t, t, one being operated by an open belt for driving
the machine in one direction, and the other by a cross belt for a
reversing it; two loose pulleys u, u³, are provided for stopping the
machine. The screws d, h, which actuate the trussing cones a, b, are
operated by the pinions &, v², gearing into the wheels g, g¹.
The working of the trussing machine is as follows:-The cones a
and bare drawn apart to a distance a little less than the length of the 3
staves to be used, and the disc is expanded by being pushed towards
the centre of the machine till the diameter of the disc is equal to the
greatest internal diameter of the barrel or other vessel. The binding

page_text: hoops are placed in the recesses to which are formed in the trussing
cones a, b. The staves are now built round the expanded disc l, and
the bottom or one end may be placed in at one end of the staves which
rest in the cone a, both of which are now moved simultaneously towards
the centre by the actuating mechanism herein-before described until the
ends of the vessel have nearly arrived at the bottom of the cones a, b.
The machine is now thrown out of gear until the disc is drawn back
and contracted by means of the rack o and pinion n; the machine is
now reversed, and the cones a, b, are moved outwards, leaving the hoops
which were placed in the recesses 10 on the barrel or other vessel which
is now removed from the machine. The disc is again pushed forward
and expanded to the proper diameter when the operations of building
up another barrel or other vessel are resumed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in or under which the same is or may be used or practically
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
to be used in shaping, croesing, heating, and bending staves employed
in the manufacture of barrels or other similar vessels as herein-before
described and shown on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Second. The arrangement and construction of machinery to be used
in forming the ends of barrels or other similar vessels, with the excep-
tion of the revolving table, shown on Figure 8 of the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings, and marked b.
Third. The arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
to be used in trussing barrels or other similar vessels as herein-before
described and shown on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Reid, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-eight.