A Machine for Pasting, Mounting, and Performing the Various Processes in Finishing Photographs.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 8th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 7th Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for Pasting, Mounting, and Performing the Various
Processes in Finishing Photographs.
I JOSEPH WILKINSON of Blue Hall Ingleton in the County of York Photographer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The various processes in pasting, mounting, dabbing or squeegeeing a picture to the
card, drying, lubricating or soaping and rolling or burnishing are now performed
seperately by hand labour.
I propose to substitute an automatic machine that will perform all the processes
above named, much more advantageously than what is now done.
To commence with, the pictures after being printed and washed I propose to put
in a box, case or other receptacle made according to various sizes as required. At
the bottom of this box I fix a spiral spring which works against a false bottom upon
which the pictures are placed, and at the top are pegs or wires against which the
pictures are pressed. The same end may be attained by elastic bands or similar
means which will press the pictures upwards against the pegs. This box containing
the pictures is placed in position on a stand. A number of boxes can be arranged
to be fixed and worked by the same machine. I fix a brush, roller brushes or
rollers as may be preferred, for the pasting process, to a table attached to a pivot,
resting upon a substantial pedestal. With the pivot is connected a rack which is
worked by a handle on the endless screw principle and the action of this is to
regulate the position of the brush so as to adjust it to the picture. A crank
connected with the other part of the machine works the table horizontally, the
brush making the segment of a circle in its action but I can so arrange it as to
work vertically or obliquely. The brush is supplied with paste by passing over
corrugated wood or metals horizontally or on an inclined plane. I arrange at this
part an apparatus similar to the ordinary printing press which contains the cards
and in its action brings one down upon the picture in the box according to register.
The other part of my machine consists of a number of rollers and burnishers
combined, fixed in two lateral portions or sides constituting the framework, to
work as will appear in the manner following. To perform the process of dabbing
and pressing the picture firmly to the card 1 supply a roller or rollers covered with
some kind of absorbent material such as cotton felt &c., which will lay the picture
flat. These rollers may be made of any weight and dimensions according to
requirements. A revolving sheet which may be in one or more lengths runs
under the rollers. This sheet is continued past the last roller for a certain length
to act the part of drying apparatus. This is done by means of heat from gas,
steam or other heating processes applied to this portion. From the drying
apparatus, the sheet passes on to the part of the machine which is to lubricate or
soap the picture. This consists of one or more rollers which are made of steel or
other metals, and with guides to carry the picture over, and are supplied with
soap
from a box, which works by a spring or springs, pressing the soap in block
against the roller or rollers. The soaping rollers are made to revolve at a much
quicker rate than any of the other rollers and in a contrary direction to which
the picture has to travel. This is effected by means of a reverse acting wheel or
strap, and in order that every part of the pieture may be thoroughly lubricated,
this being a preparation for the burnishing process. Following the soap rollers are
fixed a number of burnishers. These are made in a similar manner to those now
worked by hand consisting of a steel bar and roller over the same and are heated
in the usual way by gas or spirit jets. The first burnisher after the soaping roller
is a cold one, this being done to prepare the picture for the heated ones which

page_text: afterwards follow. These burnishers can be multiplied to any extent to give the
photo the required polished or enamelled surface, and can be placed any distanco
from each other according to the size of the card, or by placing carrier rollers
between, any size of picture can be thereby worked through the same machine.
I arrange for these burnishing rollers to work either by strap, chain or endless
screw movement. The burnishers are locked by a bar which runs along the side
of the frame and fits in a groove of each and this is fastened by a screw.
By loosing the screw the bar can be slided along and all the burnishers are
then free.
The machine is made in its various portions of wood, metal and other materials
which appear most suitable and is fitted with the necessary wheels and cogs to work
it by power gas, steam or any other motive power-or it can be divided into parts
and worked by hand either treadle, crank or handle.
When the machine is set in motion the box is placed in position for the brush to
come properly over it for pasting the picture to attach it to the card, the latter
being brought down upon it by an apparatus arranged similar to the ordinary
printing press as previously stated. The picture being fixed on the card the pegs
are released by a catch spring or other similar automatic device and passes on to
the revolving sheet, which is between the two sides of the framework, and in passing
under the first set of rollers before described, the processes known as dabbing and
squeegeeing the picture to the card are performed, it passes along to the drying part
and then over the lubricating or soaping rollers and finally between the rollers and
burnishers and is then delivered into a box finished in every respect.
If it is desired to have a picture not lubricated I arrange to divert it after leaving
the drying apparatus part, to a set of rollers worked on the same principle as the
rollers of the burnishers and it is then finished as a rolled picture only, and delivered
into the box the same as the above.
It will thus be seen that from the above description that a picture is never handled
after being put into the box from the washing process until finished, which is a great
advantage causing it to come out cleaner and better finished.
My machine will enable the various processes of photographic work here described
to be performed by power and in consequence there will be a great saving of labour,
less assistants being required, and the process will be more perfect in its action than
the present methods of hand labour.
Dated this 9th day of January 1892.
H. P. DAWSON,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for Pasting, Mounting, and Performing the Various
Processes in Finishing Photographs.
I JOSEPH WILKINSON of Blue Hall, Ingleton in the County of York,
Photographer, 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:-
The various processes in pasting, mounting, dabbing or squeegeeing a picture
to the card, drying lubricating or soaping and rolling or burnishing are now
generally performed seperately and by hand labour.
I propose to substitute a machine that will perform all the processes above
named, much more advantageously than what is now done either all in one
combined machine or in separate parts as may be required.
To commence with, the pictures after being developed and taken through the
various chemical processes fixed and washed, I propose to put in a box, case or
other receptacle made according to various sizes as required marked in the
drawings herewith annexed. At the bottom of this box I fix a spiral spring or

page_text: owner means of pressure which works against a false back upon which the pictures
are placed, and at the front are pega or wires slightly projecting before the
opening of the box against which the pictures are pressed. The same end may be
attained by elastic bands or similar means which will press the pictures onwards
5 against the pegs.
23
This box containing the pictures is placed in position on a stand or frame work
marked H¹ a number of boxes can be arranged to be fixed and worked by the
same machine. I arrange brushes, rollers brushes or rollers to work vertically or
obliquely as shown by part marked D in Figures 1 and 4 to perform the pasting
process. These are worked by being connected by means of a crank and
projecting arm with shaft K shown on Figure 4; the rollers are supplied with paste
by part marked D¹. I arrange at this part of the machine a box marked A to be
constructed of various sizes to hold any number of the cards, these are pressed
forward by means of pressure from behind so that one card is pushed into a slide
shown by thick black line at the face of the box. It is then driven forward on to
a carrier marked B, the position being shown by thick black line, by means of a
propelling shaft or striker marked F. I arrange at this part an apparatus called a
carrier before referred to marked "B," which travels horizontally, containing the
card after being driven from the card box "A" and in its action carries this card
forward to the pasted back of the picture in the box "C," according to register.
After the card in the carrier has travelled forward and received a picture from the
picture box "C," the carrier then retires to its original position and the propelling
shaft or striker, again strikes another card out of the box "A," which displaces the
card to which the picture is attached from the carrier "B"
into a receiving box or hopper marked "H" which guides it on to the first sheet
and causes it to drop
of canvas below marked "I." The other part of my machine consists of
a number of rollers and burnishers combined represented by parts marked
consecutively M to W, fixed in two lateral portions or sides constituting the frame-
work to work as will appear in the manner following. To perform the process
of dabbing and pressing the picture firmly to the card after passing through
hopper "H
I supply a roller or rollers marked J covered with some kind of
absorbent material, such as cotton felt, sheeting or other similar material, which
will press the picture close to the card. These rollers may be made of any weight
and dimensions according to requirements. A revolving sheet marked I which
may be in one or more lengths runs under and over the rollers. This sheet is
continued past the last roller for a certain length to act the part of drying
apparatus. To shorten the length of the machine I preferably place the sheet and
roller in tiers instead of in one continuous length as will be seen by Fig. 2. This
is to enable the apparatus to be fixed in small room.
means of heat from gas, steam or other heating processes applied to this portion
The drying is done by
marked "T." From the drying apparatus, the sheet marked L passes on to the
part of the machine which is to lubricate or soap the picture. This consists of one
or more rollers marked M. N. P. & U. which are made of steel or other metals
and with guides marked "Q" to carry the picture over, and are supplied with
soap marked "O," from a box which works by a spring or springs pressing the
soap in block against the roller or rollers marked "N." The soaping rollers "N"
are made to revolve at a much quicker rate than the other rollers, and in a
contrary direction to which the picture has to travel. This is effected by means of
reverse acting wheel or strap and in order that every part of the picture may be
thoroughly lubricated, this being a preparation for the burnishing process.
Following the soap rollers are fixed a number of burnishers marked "R." These
are made in a similar manner to those now worked by hand consisting of a steel
par "R" and roller marked "P" over the same and are heated in the usual way
y gas or spirit jets. The first burnisher after the soaping roller is a cold one,
his being done to prepare the picture for the heated ones which afterwards
ollow. These burnishers can be multiplied to any extent to give the photo the
equired polished or enamelled surface, and can be placed any distance from each

page_text: other according to the size of picture and can thereby be worked through the
same machine. I arrange for these burnishing rollers to work either by strap,
chain or endless screw movement. The burnishers are locked by a bar which runs
along the side of the frame and fits in a groove of each and this is fastened by a
screw. By loosing the screw the bar can be slided along and all the burnishers
are then free and one or more bars can thus be withdrawn and cleaned whilst the
Inachine is in motion.
.
The machine is made in its various portions of wood, metal and other materials
which may be most suitable and is fitted with the necessary wheels and cogs to
work it by power, gas, steam or any other motive power or it can be divided into
parts to form separate machines and be worked by hand, either, treadle, crank or
handle.
Previous to the machine being set in motion the picture box "C" is placed in
position for the brush or rollers marked " D" to come properly over it pasting the
back of the picture to attach it to the card the latter being brought upon it by an
apparatus arranged similar to the ordinary printing machine marked B & B',
B. being the carrier before described and B¹ the arm which draws it to and from
the picture box. The projection of the pegs is insufficient to prevent the edges of
pictures being drawn past them by the card to which it adheres on the return of
the latter. The picture having adhered to the card, and the card having returned
to its original position of rest it is driven forward into the receiving box
marked "H" as previously described and is guided face downwards on to the
revolving sheet before described and in passing under the first set of rollers
marked "J" the process known as dabbing and squeegeeing the picture to the
card are performed, the card with picture attached then passes under the
revolving sheet to complete the drying process and is guided from sheet to sheet
by means of guides placed in front of the rollers and then on to a carrying or
conveying sheet marked "L" which conveys it to the lubricating or soaping
rollers and finally between the rollers and burnishers and is ultimately delivered
into a box marked "V" finished in every respect.
If it is desired to finish a picture without lubricating or soaping I arrange to
divert the photographs already mounted after leaving the drying apparatus part of
my machine to a set of rollers worked on the same principle as the rollers of the
burnishers and it is then driven as a rolled picture only, and delivered into a box
the same as the above.
I use my machine also for the purpose of printing name and address as is usually
done on photographs, at the same time as the other processes are being performed
as shown by part marked "E." I obtain this end by attaching type at the base
of the picture box which is supplied with an inking pad. The type is caused by
a spring or any suitable means to rest normally against the inking pad, but is
rotated in any suitable manner by the approaching carrier "B" into position to
meet the cards in "A" thereby effecting the printing at the same time as the
picture is attached to the card. I can also adapt that part of my machine for
printing not only names on photographs, but any kind of cards or general printing
work.
1
As an alternative arrangement for pasting the picture, when the mounting is
desired to be done by hand labour, I fix a brush, roller brushes, or rollers
marked "X" as may be preferred for the pasting process to a moving top
marked "X" attached to a pivot and resting upon a substantial pedestal, with
the pivot is connected a rack which is worked by a handle on the endless screw
principle, and the action of this is to regulate the position of the brush so as to
adjust it to the picture. A crank marked "X" connected with the other part of
the machine works the moving top horizontally, being connected to a wheel of
main shaft “K” shown in Fig. 2, the brush making the segment of a circle in its
action. The brushes are supplied with paste by passing over corrugated wood or
metals horizontally or on an inclined plane as shown at "H." When this alternative
method is adopted the picture is attached to the card by means of hand labour.
"

page_text: In order that my said invention may be better understood I fully describe the
Arawings herewith annexed.
Fig. 1 is a plan of card and picture boxes, carrier, pasting machine, and drying
nachine.
Fig. 2 is a section of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a section of that part of machine for soaping burnishing and rolling.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of card, carrier and pasting machine.
The same letters refer to corresponding parts in the different figures.
A is the card box with weight at the back marked A¹ to press forward the false
back of card box. As one card is driven out the weight lowers and the false back
advances one card; B carrier; B₁ is the arm attached to a crank K at Figuro 4
which drives the carrier; C picture box ; D pasting roller or brushes worked by
means of crank from shaft K; D' is paste supply box over which the rollers
travel; E is self inking type for printing name &c. on cards, F is the propelling
shaft which strikes the cards from A to B being worked on shaft "K" by cam G
and afterwards B to H; G is the cam which acts upon part marked F; H is
hopper or receiving box through which the card drops on to canvas marked I;
H is a table top upon which part of the machinery is mounted; I is the canvas
sheet for drying, which revolves upon roller marked J fixed in framework;
J represents rollers; K is the main shaft which drives the whole machine; L is
canvas conveying card from drying to soaping and burnishing apparatus; M is the
first receiving roller; N is soaping or lubricating roller; O is the soap contained
in a box worked by a spring which supplies the roller N ; P are the burnishing
rollers; Qis the guide; R is the burnishing rod; S is a screw for pressing the
burnishing rod against the roller, and thereby regulating the pressure of the
burnisher upon the picture; T represents Bunsen burners supplying heat at portions
required of drying and burnishing apparatus; T¹ is a metal shield over gas jets;
U is a roller brought into use when burnishers are dispensed with, and a rolled
picture is required; V is a box to receive the completed picture; W are wheels for
working the machinery by hand when parts are used separately; X is an alterna-
tive method of pasting with brushes; X¹ being the brushes; X' the table referred
to in descriptions.
It will thus be seen that from the above description a picture undergoing the
various processes enumerated by my machine is never handled after being put into
5 a box from the washing process until entirely completed, which is a great
advantage causing it to come out cleaner and better finished in every respect.
My machine will enable the various processes of photographic work here described
to be performed by power, and in consequence there will be a great saving of
labour, less assistants being required, and the process will be more perfect in its
O action than the present methods of hand labour.
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:
1. The construction of a machine in its various parts, consisting of boxes, rollers
15 or brushes, revolving sheets, lubricating and burnishing rollers combined together
in the manner herein described, and illustrated by the drawings, to perform in
automatic succession all the processes after the washing of a photographic picture
to the finished condition when attached to the card.
2. The separate use of that part of the machine for pasting and mounting
50 photographs, and printing photographic cards substantially as described and
illustrated in the drawings annexed.
55
3. The separate use of that part of the machine for dabbing squeegeeing and
drying mounted photographs combined and arranged substantially as desired and
illustrated.
4. The separate use of that part of the machine for the combined processes of

page_text: soaping or lubricating and burnishing of mounted photographs substantially as
described and illustrated.
Dated this 7th day of October 1892.
HENRY PERCIVAL DAWSON,
Agent for Applicant.