An Apparatus to be used for Drying the Matrices used for Stereotyping Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 21st Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Apparatus to be used for Drying the Matrices used for
Stereotyping Purposes.
I REUBEN HERBERT HEALEY of 54 Blackfriars Road in the County of
London Engineer and Stereotyper do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
An oven of suitable form is fitted at its base with pneumatic gas arrangements
placed over two perforated plates which admit air as required. The whole is so
arranged as to effect an equal distribution of heat over the entire area of the oven.
In the centre of the top of the oven a chimney with muffler is fixed to allow any
vapour to escape. The oven is mounted on a stand with side rails which permit a
tray with prepared bed to slide in or out when the oven door is open.
When in
operation the tray being heated to a proper temperature is slided out, the matrice
placed upon the bed and covered with a thin felt or blanket. A. finely perforated
iron plate is placed on the felt and the tray is passed into the oven when a pair of
adjustable levers governed from the outside are pressed on the perforated plate
assuring the matrice being perfectly flat when dry and the face as perfect as
moulded.
Dated this 18th day of April 1890.
REUBEN HERBERT HEALEY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Apparatus to be used for Drying the Matrices used for
Stereotyping Purposes.
I, REUBEN HERBERT HEALEY, of 54, Blackfriars Road, London, Engineer
and Stereotyper, 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 :-
This invention consists of a special apparatus for drying matrices for stereo-
typing.
The present practice is to dry the matrix while still on the surface of the type,
but this method is injurious to the type, which have to be heated every time a
matrix is formed.
The method I adopt, as explained in my Specification No. 5902 of 1890, is to
remove the matrix from the type while damp, and insert it in the special drying
apparatus, which I will now proceed to describe, with reference to the accom-
panying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shews a plan of my apparatus consisting of an
oven and projecting frame which is mounted on legs or other supports of convenient
height. Fig. 2 shews an elevation of same with the legs broken off and the tray f
on the sliding carrier g, outside the oven in the position for receiving the matrix.
Fig. 3 shews one of the internal pressure bars c, operated by the connected double
levers d, d. a is the oven in which the matrix is dried, b, is the projecting frame
in which the carrier 9, slides. c, c, are internal pressure bars to hold down a
perforated plate which is placed over the matrix. d, d, are the external levers
which operate the pressure bars c, c. e, is the handle by which the levers d, d, are
raised or depressed. f, is the tray for holding the matrix. g, is the carrier which
sustains f, and slides on the frame b. h, is the gas burner. i, is the flue pipe which
is furnished with an adjustable valve l, for regulating the draught. k, is the vertical
sliding door which closes the oven when the tray f, and carrier g, are admitted

page_text: This door can be raised or lowered by a balanced lever in the well known way.
m, is the top plate of the oven to which the pivot bars or fulcrum n, of the levers c,
are fixed.
The oven a, contains a powerful atmospheric gas burner, or other arrangement
for heating, capable of raising the temperature as high as 750 degrees in a short
time.
When available I prefer to adapt my oven for burning gas owing to its con-
venience, but it is obvious that the necessary heat can be obtained from oil, or
steam, or from any other kind of fuel with suitable arrangements for its application
and regulation. Beneath the gas burner above described are two sliding perforated
plates for regulating the admission of air.
The mode of working my invention is as follows:-
The damp matrix is taken off the type and laid on a special bed of light dry
powder inside the tray f, and is then placed within the oven, being first covered
with the usual blanket over which is placed a perforated metal plate, which plate is
pressed tightly down by the pressure bars and levers c, c, d, d. This pressure is
easily applied by the operator from outside the oven by means of the handle e.
The interior of the oven is then heated to a temperature sufficient to ensure the
rapid drying of the matrix, which is effectually completed in a few minutes as my
heating arrangement provides for a thorough distribution of heat over the entire
area of the oven.
The result is that after being thus heated in the oven for about five minutes the
matrix is withdrawn and found to be thoroughly dry and yet perfectly level and
fit for receiving the melted type-metal used to form the stereo-plate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The apparatus for drying matrices consisting of the oven with its rising door,
the frame, heating arrangement, levers and pressure bars, sliding carrier and tray
as herein explained and set forth.
Dated this 17th dow of Folymamy 1901
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.