AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF GLASS TILES
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Bowron, of the Tyne and Tees Glass Works,
South Shields, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF GLASS TILES."
Sealed the 30th October 1855, and dated the 8th May 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Bowron at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th
May 1855.
I, JAMES BOWBON, of the Tyne and Tees Glass Works, South Shields, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF GLASS TILES" to be as follows:-
Heretofore in the manufacture of glass tiles it has been usual to make glass
into sheets, to cut the same to the form desired, and to bend the glass to the
shape of tiles desired. Now, my improvement consists of forming glass tiles
by placing melted glass into suitable moulds, according to the shapes of the
tiles, and by pressure to form glass tiles.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Bowron in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
November 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
BOWBON, of the Tyne and Tees Glass Works, South Shields, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, tho
said James Bowron, Her special licence that I, the said James Bowron,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
James Bowron, my executors, administrators, 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 "AN IMPROVEMENT IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF GLASS TILES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said James Bowron, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, 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 James Bowron, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof (that is to say):-
The Invention consists in manufacturing tiles from glass whilst in the fluid
or plastic state, by introducing the metal into suitable moulds, according to the
shape required, and applying pressure thereto, and afterwards by annealing them
in the usual way.
First, I will describe the moulds; and, secondly, the mode of operation.
The mould consists of two parts, fastened together by an ordinary hinge, and
of another piece of metal, which I will call the "plunger." The under
portion of the mould consists of a metal casting, the upper surface of which
should be undulated, or formed to the shape or pattern of the under side of
the tile. This casting should be a little thicker in the middle or hollow
part of the mould where the metal is first placed than towards the sides, in
order that the mould may in working become somewhat hotter near the sides.
The upper portion or lid of the mould consists of a frame of either cast or
forged metal, the opening in which is of the shape of the superfices of the tile.
These two portions are joined together by an ordinary hinge, and fit together;
they are fastened in front in such way as is customary for fastening moulds
generally, and which being well known I need not describe.
The plunger is a piece of metal, which should be of considerable thickness,

page_text: to prevent inconvenience from its heating too rapidly during work; I prefer
having it about one and three quarter inches in thickness. Its under side
should be exactly conformable with that of the upper side of the tile, and it
should be so made as to enter the upper portion or lid of the mould before
described.
The presses and the mode of fastening the moulds in the presses are the
same as are now in general use amongst "flint" glass manufacturers, and
being well known I need not describe them.
The mode of manufacture is by "gathering" or "ladling" a suitable
quantity of molten glass, and running or pouring it into the mould, the lid
being first shut down; the plunger is immediately brought down upon the
glass, and sufficient pressure applied to cause the metal to fill up the interstice
between the mould and the plunger. The plunger is then withdrawn, the
lid is lifted, and the tile (partially stiffened) is slid off the bottom and placed
on a strong iron shovel, bent to the exact shape of the tile. It is then
conveyed to the annealing oven or kiln, which may be of any of the descrip-
tions now in use for annealing glass. But the kiln I prefer and recommend is
a low arched chamber, say, three to four feet high in the highest part, and
about two feet in the lowest, heated similarly to kilns used for annealing
crown glass. In this kiln tho tile should be raised upon one end and sup-
ported against the wall.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the exact details described; but what I claim is, the manufacture of glass
tiles, by pressing them to the required shape and size from fluid glass, instead
of the customary mode of first making the glass into sheets, and then cutting
and bending to the desired shape.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Bowron, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Witness,
S. CARPMAEL.
JAMES BOWRON. (L.S.)