Improvements in Apparatus for Applying Bronze or other Powder: to the Surface of Paper or other Material.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 6th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Applying Bronze or other Powder:
to the Surface of Paper or other Material.
I, WILLIAM BREWER SILVERLOCK, of Blackfriars Road in the County of Surrey,.
Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus used for applying bronze or other powder to
designs prepared with a suitable substance upon the surface of paper or other material,
of the kind for which I obtained Letters Patent dated June 20th A.D. 1885 and
In such
numbered 7547, or apparatus of other kinds used for the like purpose.
apparatus a continuously revolving cylinder is used and between this cylinder is
arranged a box or chamber containing one or more parallel rollers or cylinders by
which the bronze or other powder is supplied to the sheet of paper or other material
upon the surface of the cylinder and the surplus powder is removed.
In my present invention I use a continuously revolving cylinder of a somewhat
similar kind but I arrange the rollers or cylinders by which the bronze or other
powder is supplied to the sheet and the surplus powder is removed, upon the upper
side of the cylinder instead of below it, and I also provide means by which any of
the powder which does not adhere to the surface of the sheet is collected and the
rollers and other parts of the apparatus are kept clean.
I arrange the cylinder upon a horizontal shaft revolving in bearings in the frame-
work of the machine.
I make part of the circumference of the cylinder upon which the sheet of paper
or other material is supported whilst the powder is being applied to it as true and
smooth as possible, and a sufficient part of the remainder of the circumference of the
cylinder I remove altogether, and I leave the interior of the cylinder as smooth as
possible and free from any projection or obstruction.
:
Instead of removing part of the circumference altogether it may be partially filled
in with a grating or network.
Inside the cylinder and supported by its horizontal axle I arrange a tray or vessel
extending from end to end of the cylinder and having its side edges reaching nearly
to the inside surface of the latter. This tray is arranged just below the upper side of
the cylinder and is carried by arms the lower ends of which turn freely upon the
shaft and may be provided with balance weights below by which they are kept vertical
and the tray is maintained in its proper position. Or, one of the supporting arms
may be provided with a tubular socket between the shaft and the central eye in the end
of the cylinder, the outer end of the socket being provided with an arm which is
firmly fixed to the frame of the machine.
Instead of the opening through the cylinder, through which the bronze powder
falls into the inner tray, I sometimes make such opening in the form of a recess only,
into which the loose powder falls as already described.
I arrange a hinged or sliding cover to this recess, by which the latter can be
opened or closed as desired, and I connect the cover to a lever operated by a fixed
cam upon the frame of the machine in such manner that when the recess is in the
proper position to receive the surplus powder as described, the cover is opened by the
cam. It is then closed again until the recess has nearly reached the bottom of
the cylinder as the latter revolves, when it is opened by another cam to allow the
powder to fall out into a suitable vessel or tray below. It is then again closed by
the action of the cam, until it again reaches the top in a position to receive the
powder.
Instead of a recess as described, the opening into the cylinder may be provided
with a moveable or sliding cover itself containing a recess sufficiently large to hold
the surplus powder. By the action of a cam this recessed cover is then pushed back

page_text: whilst a plate connected to it is brought forward so as to cover the opening in the
cylinder. When the opening is at the bottom, a cam draws the plate back and
brings the recessed cover out so that the powder falls through the opening as
before.
The recessed cover may be made to move backward and forward as described upon
the inner circuinference of the cylinder, whilst the plate connected to it may move
upon the outer circumference.
It will be seen that this part of my invention consists in arranging an opening in
the circumference of the revolving cylinder into which the surplus powder falls at the
top of the cylinder, whilst at the bottom of the cylinder it falls out, means being
provided to prevent the powder escaping except at the proper times.
After the sheet has received the powder upon its surface, it passes under one or
more polishing rollers or devices, and thence under one or more dusting-off rollers.
These several rollers are preferably kept clean by means of a strip of metal or other
material against which they pass which removes the powder and causes it to be
discharged into a suitable tray or receptacle from which it can be removed when
necessary.
The sheet of paper or other material is supplied to the upper side of the revolving
cylinder in the usual way its edge being caught by a gripper of the ordinary kind,
this gripper extending from end to end of the cylinder and turning in bearings outside
such ends, the gripper being opened and closed at the proper times as the cylinder
revolves by means of a lever attached to it and passing over a fixed cam of suitable
shape.
Instead of one gripper two or more may be used at different parts of the circum-
ference of the cylinder the latter being itself made to correspond, so that instead of
one sheet two or more are treated at each revolution of the cylinder.
In some cases I omit the grippers, the sheet being carried forward by the cylinder
and by adjustable friction rolls above.
Somewhat in advance of the point where the sheet is seized by the gripper a
cylinder or roller turning in suitable bearings is arranged parallel with the cylinder
and extending from end to end of the latter.
This roller is covered with a soft material of suitable kind by which the bronze or
other powder with which the roller is supplied is applied to the surface of the sheet
upon which it rests. The powder is contained in a hopper arranged above or slightly
behind the roller and having an opening below or at its side. The hopper also
contains a roller made to revolve continuously or intermittently from the driving
shaft of the apparatus, the hopper and roller being preferably of the kind described
and shewn in the specification of my Letters Patent dated March 28th A.D. 1887 and
numbered 4627.
The bearings of the roller which supplies the powder to the sheet may be made
moveable and be operated by a cam from the driving shaft so that the roller (or the
roller together with the hopper) is raised from the cylinder when the sheet is not
passing beneath it (or at other times if required).
A piece of sealskin or other suitable material is preferably arranged to press lightly
against the sheet which is passing below it after receiving the powder upon its
surface, the fibres being directed downward and slightly backward, so that it collects
the surplus powder upon the passing sheet and discharges it into the opening or recess
in the cylinder as the latter passes.
In advance of the collecting device just described are arranged one or more bars or
pads of suitable soft material parallel with the cylinder and made to oscillate backward
and forward by means of suitable mechanism for the purpose of rubbing the powder
upon the sheet.
In advance of these pads are arranged one or more rollers parallel with the cylinder
and turning in bearings in the end frames of the apparatus, these rollers being made
to revolve at a suitable speed by toothed wheels or other equivalent means in a
direction opposite to that of the moving sheet beneath them. They serve the purpose
of polishing the bronze or other design upon the sheet.

page_text: Behind each of these rollers is preferably arranged a light curved tray, its upper
edge hung upon a pivot or pivots parallel to the cylinder and its lower front edge
close to or touching the revolving roller, which throws into it any powder which may
have been taken up, whilst when the open part of the cylinder is passing the edge of
the tray falls and discharges the powder into the large tray supported inside the
cylinder as first described.
In advance of the polishing rollers just described are arranged a sufficient number
of dusting-off rollers made to revolve in a direction opposite to that of the moving
sheet which rollers remove any remaining powder and leave the surface of the
sheet clean. In advance of the rollers last described are arranged one or more
friction rollers which hold and guide the front edge of the sheet as it passes and
conduct it to a delivering roller from which it passes to a delivering table in the
usual way.
The oscillating pads above described may be omitted, one or more of the rollers
being made to oscillate end ways as well as revolve.
Instead of, or in addition to, the oscillating pads or rollers described revolving
circular pads or discs may be used having their axles at right angles to the cir-
cumference of the cylinder and made to revolve at a suitable speed by toothed
wheels or equivalent means.
Sometimes instead of using a cylinder upon the surface of which the paper is
carried forward, I use an endless travelling table consisting of transverse bars or
strips of wood or other suitable material, hinged together at their lower edges.
The endless band thus formed travels over two parallel cylinders or rollers arrangea
at a suitable distance apart and made to revolve at the required speed. Upon the
surface of this travelling band the sheet to be treated is fed and carried forward,
gripping devices being arranged in the proper position across the table, which seize
the edge of the sheet and carry it forward, the gripper being opened and closed at
the proper time by means of cams and levers or equivalent devices in the usual
way. Cylinders and rollers for supplying the bronze or other powder, and for
cleaning and finishing the sheets are arranged above the table, and the latter may
have openings through which any surplus powder falls into a tray beneath when the
sheet is not passing, in the manner already described.
By the improved apparatus described the whole of the rollers are easy of access
and can be readily removed or replaced, and the polishing and dusting off rollers
are kept clean and free from powder, which is removed from them and discharged
at the proper time whilst any powder falling from the rollers when the paper or other
sheet is not passing drops at once through the opening in the cylinder into the tray
or recess from which it may be removed from time to time as required. The
longitudinal edges of the tray are preferably provided with a strip of sheepskin or
other soft material by which a sufficiently dust-tight joint is made between the
tray and the inner side of the cylinder. Any desired number of the polishing,
dusting off, and other rollers may he used.
The cylinder may be balanced if desired in order to ensure its uniform rotation.
The entire apparatus is simple, cheap, and durable.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Applying Bronze or other Powder
to the Surface of Paper or other Material.
1, WILLIAM BREWER SILVERLOCK, of Blackfriars Road, 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 :-
This invention relates to apparatus used for applying bronze or other powder to

page_text: "
In such
designs prepared with a suitable substance upon the surface of paper or other
material, of the kind for which I obtained Letters Patent dated June 20th A.D. 1885
and numbered 7547, or apparatus of other kinds used for the like purpose.
apparatus a continuously revolving cylinder is used and below this cylinder is
arranged a box or chamber containing one or more parallel rollers or cylinders by
which the bronze or other powder is supplied to the sheet of paper or other
material upon the surface of the cylinder and the surplus powder is removed.
In my present invention I use a continuously revolving cylinder of a somewhat
similar kind but I arrange the rollers or cylinders by which the bronze or other
powder is supplied to the sheet and the surplus powder is removed upon the upper
side of the cylinder instead of below it, and I also provide means by which any
of the powder which does not adhere to the surface of the sheet is collected and
the rollers and other parts of the apparatus are kept clean.
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of my invention. In Figure 1 a is
a cylinder upon a horizontal shaft revolving in bearings in the framework of the
machine.
I make part of the circumference of the cylinder upon which the sheet of paper
or other material is supported whilst the powder is being applied to it as true and
smooth as possible and a sufficient part of the remainder of the circumference of
the cylinder at c 1 remove altogether, and I leave the interior of the cylinder also
as smooth as possible and free from any projection or obstruction.
Instead of removing part of the circumference altogether it may be partially filled
in with a grating or network.
Inside the cylinder and supported by its horizontal axle 6 I arrange a tray or
vessel d extending from end to end of the cylinder a and having its side edges
reaching nearly to the inside surface of the latter. This tray is arranged just below
the upper side of the cylinder and is carried by arms e the lower ends of which turn
freely upon the shaft band may be provided with balance weights below by which
they are kept vertical and the tray d is maintained in its proper position. Or one of
the supporting arms e may be provided with a tubular socket between the shaft band
the central eye in the end of the cylinder the outer end of the socket being provided
with an arm which is firmly fixed to the frame of the machine.
Instead of the opening c through the cylinder a, through which the bronze powder
falls into the inner tray d, I sometimes make such opening in the form of a recess
only, into which the loose powder falls as already described.
I arrange a hinged or sliding cover to this recess, by which the latter can be opened
or closed as desired, and I connect the cover to a lever operated by a fixed cam upon
the frame of the machine in such manner that when the recess is in the proper position
to receive the surplus powder as described, the cover is opened by the cam. It is then
closed again until the recess has nearly reached the bottoin of the cylinder as the latter
'revolves, when it is opened by another cam to allow the powder to fall out into a
suitable vessel or tray below. It is then again closed by the action of the cam until
it once more reaches the top in a position to receive the powder.
Instead of a recess as described, the opening into the cylinder may be provided
with a moveable or sliding cover itself containing a recess sufficiently large to bold
the surplus powder as shewn at din figure 2.
By the action of a cam g the recess & is pushed back whilst a plate h connected with
it is brought forward so as to cover the opening in the cylinder. When the opening
is at the bottom, a cam gl draws the plate back and brings the recessed cover d out
so that the powder falls through the opening as before.
The recessed cover d may be made to move backward and forward as described
upon the inner circumference of the cylinder whilst the plate connected to it may
move upon the outer circumference.
It will be seen that this part of my invention consists in arranging an opening in
the circumference of the revolving cylinder into which the surplus powder falls at the
top of the cylinder, whilst at the bottom of the cylinder it falls out, means being
provided to prevent the powder escaping except at the proper times.
3

page_text: After the sheet has received the powder upon its surface it passes under one or more
polishing rollers or devices i and thence under one or more dusting-off rollers i¹.
These several rollers are preferably kept clean by means of a strip of metal or other
material against which they pass which removes the powder and causes it to be
discharged into a suitable tray or receptacle from which it can be removed when
necessary.
The sheet of paper or other material is supplied to the upper side of the revolving
cylinder in the usual way, its edge being caught by a gripper of the ordinary kind,
uot shewn in the drawing this gripper extending from end to end of the cylinder a
and turning in bearings outside such ends, the gripper being opened and closed at the
proper times as the cylinder revolves by means of a lever attached to it and passing
over a fixed cam of suitable shape.
Instead of one gripper two or more may be used at different parts of the circum-
ference of the cylinder, the latter being itself made to correspond, so that instead of
one sheet two or more are treated at each revolution of the cylinder.
In some cases I omit the grippers, the sheet being carried forward by the cylinder
and by adjustable friction rolls above.
Somewhat in advance of the point where the sheet is seized by the gripper
hopper containing the powder is arranged having an opening below or at its side..
The hopper also contains a roller m made to revolve continuously or intermittently
from the driving shaft of the apparatus, the hopper and roller being preferably of
the kind described and shewn in the specification of my former Patent already
referred to.
This roller is covered with a soft material of suitable kind by which the bronze or
other powder with which the roller is supplied is applied to the surface of the sheet.
upon which it rests.
The bearings of the roller which supplies the powder to the sheet may be made
moveable and be operated by a cam from the driving shaft so that the roller (or the
roller together with the hopper) is raised from the cylinder when the sheet is not
passing beneath it or at other times if required.
A piece of sealskin or other suitable material a is arranged to press lightly against
the sheet which is passing below it after receiving the powder upon its surface the
fibres being directed downward and slightly backward, so that it collects the surplus
powder upon the passing sheet and discharges into the opening or recess c in the
cylinder as the latter passes.
In advance of this collecting device n just described may be arranged one or more
bars or pads of suitable soft material parallel with the cylinder and made to oscillate
backward and forward by means of suitable mechanism for the purpose of rubbing the
powder upon the sheet.
In advance of these pads which are not shewn in the drawing are arranged one or
more rollers parallel with the cylinder a and turning in bearings in the end
frames of the apparatus, these rollers being made to revolve at a suitable speed by
toothed wheels or other equivalent means in a direction as shown by the arrows
opposite to that of the moving sheet beneath them. They serve the purpose of polishing
the bronze or other design upon the sheet.
Behind each of these rollers is preferably arranged a light curved tray 1 which can
be readily removed and replaced and which form divisions between the rollers
preventing the loose bronze dust from being thrown from one roller on to the next
one.
Fixed narrow bars or plates touch the fibres on the rollers as the latter revolve and
remove the bronze or other powder, scattering it into the receivers 1.
In advance of the polishing rollers just described are arranged a sufficient number
of dusting-off rollers made to revolve in a direction opposite to that of the moving
sheet which rollers remove any remaining powder and leave the surface of the sheet
clean. In advance of the rollers last described are arranged one or more friction
rollers which hold and guide the front edge of the sheet as it passes and conduct it to
a delivering roller o from which it passes to a delivering table in the usual.way.
a

page_text: The oscillating pads above described may be omitted, one or more of the rollers
being made to oscillate endways as well as revolve.
Instead of or in addition to, the oscillating pads or rollers described revolving
circular-pads or discs may be used having their axles at right angles to the circum-
ference of the cylinder and made to revolve at a suitable speed by toothed wheels or
equivalent means.
Another modified arrangement is shewn in figure 3, in which the recess for the
powder which falls through the opening in the cylinder a is in the form of a
cylinder & turning freely upon centres at its ends, and having an opening at its top
coinciding with the opening c in the cylinder a. The lower part of the cylinder d is
weighted so that it retains the same position as the cylinder a revolves, the closed part
of the cylinder d covering the opening in the cylinder a except when in the proper
position at the top of its revolution to receive the powder through the opening. The
cylinder may he kept in such a position, by means of a cam or guide, that the
opening in the cylinder a remains open until it has passed the last of the rollers i¹, and
it is then released and swings round so as to close the opening. The guide may be so
arranged that no balance weight is required.
P
Sometimes instead of using a cylinder upon the surface of which the paper is
carried forward, I use an endless travelling table (as shown in figure 4) consisting
of transverse bars or strips of wood or other suitable material hinged together at their
lower edges. The endless band thus formed travels over two parallel cylinders or
rollers arranged at a suitable distance apart and made to revolve at the required
speed. Upon the surface of the travelling band or table p the sheet to be treated is
fed and carried forward, gripping devices being arranged in the proper position across
the table, which seize the edge of the sheet and carry it forward, the gripper being
opened and closed at the proper time by means of cams and levers or equivalent
devices in the usual way. Cylinders and rollers for supplying the bronze or other
-powder, and for cleaning and finishing the sheets are arranged above the table, and
the latter may have openings through which any surplus powder falls into a tray
beneath when the sheet is not passing in the manner already described and shewn in
figure 4.
By the improved apparatus described the whole of the rollers being at the top are
easy of access and can be readily removed or replaced and the polishing and dusting
off rollers are kept clean and free from powder, which is removed from them and
discharged at the proper time whilst any powder falling from the rollers when the
paper or other sheet is not passing drops at once through the opening in the cylinder
into the tray or recess from which it may be removed from time to time as required.
The longitudinal edges of the tray may be provided with a strip of sheepskin or other
soft material at s s by which a sufficiently dust tight joint is made between the tray
and the inner side of the cylinder.
Any desired number of the polishing, dusting off, and other rollers may be used.
The cylinder may be balanced if desired in order to ensure its uniform rotation.
The entire apparatus is simple, cheap, and durable.
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 method of removing the surplus powder from the sheets, and delivering
it into the interior of the cylinder, substantially as described and shewn.
2. In combination with the cylinder having part of its circumference partly or
wholly removed, the tray or vessel to receive the surplus powder, suspended to the
axle inside the cylinder, or fixed by a lever upon a sleeve between the axle and the
centre of the cylinder end, substantially as described and shewn.
3. Instead of the tray or vessel, the recess in the cylinder having a moveable arm
• arranged and operating substantially as described..
4. Instead of the recess in the cylinder, the separate recess carried. by arms turning
upon the cylinder axle, arranged, actuated, and operating, substantially as described
and shewn.

page_text: 5. The separate recess or vessel suspended upon pivots inside the cylinder, and
weighted or actuated by levers and cains, so as to open and close the openings in the
cylinder at the proper times, substantially as described and shewn.
6. In combination with the cylinder having an opening in its circumference, the
pad of sealskin or other material n for collecting the surplus powder and discharging
it through the opening into the cylinder substantially as described and shewn.
7. The polishing and dusting off rollers i, in combination with the receiving.
vessels 7, arranged and operating substantially as described and shewn.
8. The endless travelling band or table, having one or more openings through it, in
combination with the feed roller and hopper, and polishing and dusting off rollers,.
substantially as described and illustrated in figure 4.
9. In combination with the travelling table, described and shewn, the pad or
brush n for removing the surplus powder and delivering it through the opening in
the table, substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 6th day of Decainber 1980
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Patentee.