IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING METALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1859

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Tomkins at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
June 1859.
I, GEORGE TOMKINS, of Pontymister, near Newport, in the County of
Monmouth, Tin-plate Worker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING METALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates more particularly to the coating or covering of iron
plates with tin, or an alloy of tin and lead, in a more speedy, simple, and
efficient manner than heretofore, as by this method I dispense with the use of
grease pots, and can tin, wash, and brush from one to six dozen plates in the
same time that one single plate occupies in the usual method.
Upon a table or plate of suitable length, I place a pillar capable of moving
from right to left, and vice versa, on the top of which is placed a cross rod,
similar to a scale beam; at the opposite ends of which are suspended other
rods having hooks or clips attached to their lower extremities, the clips being
made somewhat in the shape of scissors or a wide toothed comb with other
loose teeth between each; their upper ends being extended, the centres
thereof being rivetted to the back of the comb, so that when a metal plate is
between each stationary tooth and the loose ones, a cord or bar on the upper
extremity of the loose teeth can bring the ends thereof to grip the plates or
let go their hold at pleasure. In some cases I use an open rack or cradle,
having slides or grooves, into which the plates fall, and which is raised from

page_text: the pots by the hooks before mentioned. Beneath these clips or hooks, and
on each side of the table or plate, I arrange the pots (with which I cover the
plates) in close proximity to each other, the first. pot having a loose lining
holding liquid resin; the second, the molten tin; and the third, the molten
metal, or what is termed the "wash." These pots are arranged in the same
direction on both sides of the table, so that when the plates are lifted out of
the resin pot on one side by the scale beam, those on the opposite side enter
the other resin pot, and so on from one pot to the other. In some cases I
use an armed wheel in the form of a cross, having the plates suspended at
each extremity thereof only, when a single set of pots is in use.
The manner in which I propose brushing the plates, and the peculiar form
of brush, are as follows:-I construct a brush, somewhat in the form of a
double gridiron, one side of which is hinged together, and between these flaps
is placed a quantity of hemp, when they are closed and secured by any
suitable means, a knife being passed between the bars to separate the hemp,
the distance between each bar being exactly that of the clips. This brush is
laid at the side of the tin pot before the plates are dipped, so that on leaving
the tin pot they are passed simultaneously through the brush; so it is evident
as they leave the pot all superfluous metal is left in the pot.
To prevent any metal adhering to the bottoms of the plates on leaving the
"wash pot," a hot plate polished is placed in juxtaposition with the "wash
pot," having a small roller at its extremity with a canal below, so that as the
plates are drawn across the hot plate over the roller, the superfluous metal
will return to the pot, thus entirely dispensing with the grease pot.
The apparatus before mentioned being alike applicable to zincing and
galvanizing metal plates.