CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GLASS AND OTHER VITREOUS PRODUCTS
Year: 1846

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
NICHOLSON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and
GEORGE WADSWORTH, of Sutton Glass Works, in the said County, Manager,
send greeting.
::
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Fifth day of March, in the ninth year! of. Her reign, and in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-six, did, for Herself,
Her heirs and successors, give and grant, unto us, the said William Nicholson
and George Wadsworth, Her especial. licence; full power, sole privilege and
authority, that we, the said William Nicholson and George Wadsworth,
our exors, admors, or assigns,; and such others as we, the said William
Nicholson and George Wadsworth, their exors, admors, or assigns, should
at any time, agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales; and the Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed,, our Invention of" CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF GLASS AND OTHER VITREOUS PRODUCTS;" in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso, that we, the said William Nicholson and
George Wadsworth, shall cause a particular description of the nature of our
said: Invention; and-in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
enrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,
as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
William Nicholson and George Wadsworth, do hereby declare that the nature
of our Invention of certain Improvements in the Manufacture of Glass and
other Vitreous Products, consists,-.
. First, in certain.improvements in the construction of a furnace, in which the
cuvettes or cisterns are placed for fluxing and refining glass or other vitreous
products.
Second, in certain improvements in the construction and arrangements
of implements used in the process of casting plate glass or other vitreous
products.
Third, in certain improvements in the mode of reducing the temperature
of annealing kilns constructed in the ordinary manner, and in a new con-
struction and arrangement of annealing kilns.
Fourth, in certain improvements in the machinery for grinding glass or
other vitreous products.
Fifth, in certain improvements in the machinery for polishing glass and
other vitreous products.
Sixth, in a new mechanical arrangement by which the areas of small pieces
of thick cast plate glass can be increased, improved in surface, fluted, chequered,
or figured, and other advantages obtained, as herein-after described.
Seventh, in an improved mode of calcining sulphate of iron for the production
of polishing powder or polishing liquid, which is also applicable to the drying
and preparing sand for the purpose of grinding glass and other vitreous pro-
ducts. And the manner in which all such improvements are to be performed
and carried into effect will be seen by reference to the annexed Drawings,
and the following description thereof. The scale to which the annexed
Drawings are made is marked thereon, and the same letters, with or without
figures of reference, indicate the same part on any one and the same sheet of
Drawings.
Our first series of improvements, or such as appertain to the furnace, consist
in the construction and arrangement of two separate furnaces abutting each
other within one cone, as represented in elevation and plan at Figs. 1 and 2,
in Sheet 1, each furnace having only one teaze hole for the admission of fuel
(as seen at t, t, Fig. 2), whereby the proportion or capacity of each furnace,
as compared with the area of the sieges or spaces marked T, on which the
cuvettes or cisterns are set, is greatly diminished, thereby effecting a more
powerful concentration of reverberated heat and economy of fuel, and producing
-the requisite temperature by heated atmospheric air, in the application of which
we close the ordinary cave at each end of the furnace, and force an adequate

page_text: supply of heated air through pipes placed beneath the grate bars on each side
of the ash pit by means of a steam engine or other power. And what we
claim in this series of our improvements is, the arrangement and construction
of two furnaces abutting each other within one cone, as already described.
5 Also, the application of heated air for improving the combustion and gene-
ration of heat in furnaces for the manufacture of glass and other vitreous
products.
Our second series of improvements, or such as appertain to the construction
- and arrangement of implements used in the process of casting glass or other
vitreous products are represented in Sheet 2, where Figure 5 represents a plan.
of the carriage and wheels on which the casting table is supported, Figure 6
being a transverse view of the same, with the casting table A placed for use;
and Figure 7 an end of the same. In these Figures A' represents a stud or
pin placed vertically in a recess or hole in the cross framing of the carriage,
fitting also into a similar hole in the centre of the under side of the table A,
as best seen at Figure 6. This stud or pin A¹ is forced up (as the table
expands and rises in the process of casting) by a spring coiled round the pin
under its shoulder, as seen at Figure 6, whereby the pin A¹ keeps the table A
in its true position on the carriage, or equidistant at each end of the carriage.
The table A is supported at the four corners of the frame or carriage by the
balls a, a, a, a, placed in sockets in each corner of the carriage, as shewn in
the Drawing (see Fig. 6). By this arrangement the table A is allowed to
expand or contract from its centre without being bound by the frame or brick-
work at each end, as is generally the case, thereby tending to diminish' the
amount of curvature caused by the heat in the process of casting. The car-
riage and table are supported on four wheels, by which means it may be run or
moved into any required position. The thickness of the glass heretofore regu-
lated by flat strips of iron, of any required thickness, placed on the edges of
the casting table for the roller to pass over, we regulate by an annular hoop or
belt of iron, bored and turned the required thickness, placed round each end of
the roller A², as seen at a², Figures 8 and 9, which adheres to the roller by its
spring or elasticity (being divided in a diagonal line, as seen at Fig. 8),
thereby obviating the risk of unequal thickness in the plate generally pro-
duced by scoriæ or other extraneous matter .lodging between the flat strips of
iron and the table, and being more convenient to change when different
thicknesses are required.
Figures 10 and 11 represent elevation and plan of a crane for lifting.or
suspending the cuvettes or cisterns from which the molten glass or other
vitreous products is poured upon the casting table. This crane in our

page_text: mode of casting, is placed at the end of the table the farthest from the kiln
wherein the plate is to be annealed, and behind the roller A, as shewn
in the Drawing at Fig. 10. As the molten glass in the cuvette.or cis-
tern O, which is raised and suspended by means of this crane, is distributed
across the table before the roller, by the vibratum of the jib B, the curve
produced by such vibratum is converted into a straight line by an additional
or false jib B sliding on the upper side of the said jib B. The position
or traverse of the false jib B is governed by a cast-iron guide C keyed or
fixed on the perpendicular shaft of the crane B', in which guide C there is a
slot wherein travels a pulley f flatwise, the axis of which is connected to the
under side of the false jib B2, the form and position of which pulley is seen in
plan and section at Figs. 12 and 13. By this arrangement the false jib B³ is
forced outwards to its greatest extent when the cistern is suspended over each
edge of the table, and as the cistern when suspended is moved across the.
table A before the roller A², it is kept in a straight line parallel to the roller,
and distributes the molten glass or other vitreous products accordingly. The
chain and gearing for raising and lowering the cuvette or cistern when placed
in the clasps M, M, Fig. 10, are similar to those in general use. The tongs
or clasps M, M, Fig. 10, in which the cuvette or cistern is fixed when required
to be lifted or suspended, are hung and swivelled by two endless chains passing
under four small pulleys e, e, fixed on the clasps, which chains pass over two
larger pullies G fixed at each end of a bar, the centre of which is hooked to
the crane chain, see Fig. 10, by which arrangements the turning over of the
cuvette is facilitated, and. the weight falling on one chain more than another
(as in the ordinary mode) is altogether obviated. And what we claim in this
series of our improvements is, the peculiar mounting of the casting table on
friction balls, with a centre or guide pin, as described; the adaptation of
circular belts round the roller to regulate the thickness of the plates to be
cast; the construction and arrangement of a moveable crane with a sliding or
false jib, so as to cause the objects suspended to be moved in a straight
line; and the suspension of the tongs or clasps by chains passing over friction
rollers or pulleys fixed on the shafts of the tongs or clasps in the manner
described.
"
Our third series of improvements, or such as appertain to the annealing
kilns, consist in the substitution of fine wire gauze similar to what is used for
Davy lamps or other media, constructed with a series of small apertures or
perforations in place of sheet-iron slides or doors, which close the kilns in the
ordinary manner, as seen at Figure 28, Sheet 5, thereby promoting a more
uniform and at the same time more expeditious reduction of temperature.

page_text: Secondly, in a new arrangement and construction of annealing kilns, as
shewn by the elevations, plan, and sections set forth in Sheet 5, where
Figure 28 represents a front view; Figure 29, a longitudinal section;
Figure 30, a back view; and Figure, 31, a sectional plan. In those
Figures, A represents the fireplaces at each end of the kiln, which are recessed
or sunk so as to admit of the front one nearest the opening B being covered
by a grid, over which the plate is pushed into the kiln, and the aperture into
the flue is shown at C. The kilns are constructed sufficiently wide to admit
only one plate in breadth and three or more in length, according to the length
of the plates cast, whereby the difficulty of placing the plates behind the
grate room in kilns ordinarily constructed is wholly removed, and a great
economy secured in fuel, and the advantages of a reduced capacity to be
heated and cooled. Thirdly, in the application of cements of various kinds
capable of resisting heat at high temperatures in the construction of a bed or
surface on which to place the plate during the process of annealing. The
mode of applying cements is by preparing the cement selected similarly to run
lime, and laying the same true in a wet state on a thin bed of sand, the sub-
trata being well rammed, leaving a space of one and a half inch on each side of
the kiln between the cement and the walls, and inserting small wooden pegs,
so as when burnt out to leave small opening for the emission of steam until
the bed is thoroughly dried. When the first bed is thoroughly dried another
surface is put on in a similar manner, but greater care taken to ensure
accuracy. And what we claim in this series of our improvements is the
substitution of wire gauze or other perforated media for sheet-iron slides or
doors to, the ordinary annealing kilns; a new arrangement and construc-
tion of an annealing kiln, as described.. at Fig. 28, 29, 30, and 31, together
with the application of cements to the construction of kiln bottoms, and the
mode of applying or laying the same.......
:
Our fourth series of improvements, or, such as appertain to the machinery
for grinding the surface, of glass or other vitreous products, is represented at
Sheet 1, where Fig. 14 shews an elevation, and Fig. 15 a plan, of a number
of grinding machines, suitable for, the grinding of plate glass and similar flat
surfaces. In these Figures, D represents the driving shaft passing above the
machinery, and E the perpendicular shaft carrying the crank, to which the
runner or moving surface of glass is attached. The form of the arm or crank
is seen separate at Fig. 16, in which will be seen a series of oblique slots or
openings for receiving the pin of the runner at different, distances from the
centre of rotation. The relative position of the grinding tables, will, be seen:
in the plan, Fig. 14 & 15, each table being supported on three or four adjust

page_text: ing screws, as there represented. And it will be remarked that in this
arrangement of machinery the power is applied direct from the crank to the
runner, and thus each separate runner can be stopped or taken out of gear
without interfering with the other, by means of the rods and levers d, d, d,
seen at Fig. 14, which connect or disconnect the lower bevil on the shaft E,
by means of a clutch box or friction hoop, as may be required. The sand or
other grinding material (being first dried), instead of being distributed by
hand as is usually practised, is placed in a hopper or vessel F, which is
supported on a small arm proceeding from the lower end of the upright shaft
E in an opposite direction to that of the crank (as seen in the Drawing).
This hopper F is provided with a small tube from which the sand or other
material is equally distributed on the surface to be ground or operated upon at
each revolution, water being conducted through a small pipe attached to the
framing of the machine in any convenient manner. In grinding plates of
glass which are too large for the revolution of one of the cranks, we place an
intermediate table between any two of the cranks driven from the same
shaft D, which we connect by an horizontal bar, in which the runner is placed
and removed from one point to another as in the arm of the ordinary grinding
machine, as seen in blue lines at G, Fig. 14. And what we claim in this
series of our improvements is the peculiar arrangement of a separate vertical
crank shaft driven from above to each grinding table or stone, as above described;
the self-acting apparatus for distributing sand in a dry state, or other material
for grinding; and the application of adjusting screws to each table, together
with the coupling of two cranks moving in the same plane, but above the
grinding stone or bed, for grinding large surfaces, as above described.
The fifth series of our improvements, or such as appertain to the machinery
for polishing plane surfaces of glass or similar vitreous products, are repre-
sented at Sheet 3, where Fig. 18 represents a plan, Fig. 19 a side elevation,
and Fig. 20 an end elevation of two polishing frames, both of which, it will
be observed, are driven from the same headstock A, motion being imparted
from the main shaft B, see Fig. 18 and 19. The alternating movement of the
longitudinal bars C and rubbers d in these machines is produced by the
cranks D, D, the direction of rotation of which is indicated by small arrows at
Fig. 19, the rubbers marked d being carried by transverse arms attached to
the longitudinal bar C, which is supported on friction rollers ³h at one extre-
mity attached to the end of the frame, and between two slides k or guides at
the other, as seen at Fig. 18 and 19. The blocks or rubbers d are of cast
iron, hollow on the upper side, with a truly ground flat surface on the under
side, over which the felt is passed and secured by small bolts to the flanges at

page_text: each end, and we find it desirable to use two folds of felt on the surface of the
rubber, by which means a better surface is produced and less wear expe-
rienced in the felts, and less risk of breakage when the fresh lap of the felt
wears through. It will be observed that four blocks or rubbers d are placed
on each transverse bar, as seen at Figs. 19 and 20, which numbers may be
increased as required, in a ratio to the adhesion of the glass to its bed, the
same being regulated by the size of the plates. The apparatus by which the
blocks or rubbers are adjusted, as regards their pressure, will be seen in plan
and sectional elevation at Figs. 21 and 22, similar to what are at present in
use, where E, E, represents a sliding pin moving freely in the lower part of
the small cylinder e, e, e, e, while the upper end of the piece E is pressed by
rings of vulcanized caoutchouc or gutta percha E', which are substituted for
the spiral spring generally adopted, the amount of pressure being modified by
a set screw F placed on the top of each small cylinder. Beneath the bar C
is an upright lever N which moves freely on its fulcrum g at its lower
extremity, see Fig. 19, and passes through a slot or opening in the bar C at.
its upper extremity, so that the alternating motion of the bar C.vibrates the
lever N at each traverse. This lever is provided with strong springs n, n,
either of metal or other suitable material, one placed on each side, which are
alternately compressed at the end of each traverse of the bar C, thereby
preventing the bar C overrunning the driving crank D and obviating the
back lash, so objectionable in ordinary polishing machinery. On the axis of
the intermediate wheel, between the driving wheel and those on the shafts
which carry the cranks D, D, is placed a bevel wheel H, which gears into
another bevel on the transverse shaft h, h. This shaft h, h, is connected or
disconnected by a coupling or clutch box and friction hoop to the shaft h*
passing under the frame and traversing table I, see Fig. 19, the position of
the coupling or clutch box being governed by the lever h', see Fig. 19.
Supposing the coupling to be closed and the shaft h and h³ connected, the
bevils and (placed on the shaft h³) will convey motion to the two upright
shafts, on the upper end of which are placed two cranks L, as best seen at
Fig. 18, on the left-hand side of the headstock A, where the table I is removed
for the purpose of shewing this part of our improvements. These cranks L,
receiving a slow revolution, are connected with the under side of the table I
by the connecting rods M, M, so that each revolution of the cranks L, L,
traverses the table. I in a line at right angles to the bar C, the table I being
guided by slides at the edges and traversing on planed edges, see Fig. 19;
similar to those used in planing machinery and other traverse motions... By

page_text: this arrangement of machinery it will be seen that the rubbing traverse of the
bar C being always in one direct line while the machine is in motion, and
the transverse traverse of table I always varying in speed according to the
position of the revolving cranks L, each point of the surface to be polished is
brought under the rubbers for a different duration or period of time at each
traverse of the table I; or, in other words, the diagonal line formed on the
surface to be polished by the compound movement of the bar C and the
table I is never twice alike in succession; and thus many traverses of the
table must take place before the rubber passes over precisely the same line on
the surface to be polished, while every part is submitted to the action of the
rubbers, which more nearly approximates the perfection of a polishing
machine.
Another modification of this series of our improvements is represented at
Fig. 23 and 24, Sheet 4, in which the movement of the table I is the same as
that already described; but instead of the blocks or rubbers d we substitute
rotary rubbing surfaces marked Q, which are placed on parallel shafts and
receive a rotatory movement by means of the bevil wheel d³ driven by similar
bevils cast on a hollow shaft d. Through the centre of the hollow shaft d³
is passed a shaft provided with a midfeather or projection, which carries the
hollow shaft d³ in its rotation, at the same time that it permits it to slide or
traverse along with the carriage e, e, e, e, in which the shafts and circular
rubber Qare supported. The rotation of the shaft d³ proceeds. from the
shaft h below, through spur gearing, as seen at Fig. 23, the spur wheel h¹
being keyed on the shaft with the midfeather, as already described. To
produce an opposite rotation in each shaft on which the circular rubbers Q are
placed the small bevils d' are reversed, so that they keep in gear at each part
of the traverse of the carriage e, e, e, e, carrying the hollow shaft d³ along with
the carriage, as seen in the Drawing. A slow traverse of the rotary rubbers
Qin the carriage e, e, e, e, is effected by the lever e', which moves on its
fulcrum, at the lower end, having its upper end connected with the carriage
e, e, e, e. This lever e' is connected by the rod to an excentric or crank
placed on the lower end of the same shaft as carries one of the cranks L, so
that. a slow vibration is imparted to the lever e' which traverses the carriage
e, e, e, e, and revolving rubber Q, which traverse, in combination with the
traverse of the table I, as already described, produces the varying diagonal
line on the surface to be polished, as already described in the former polishing
machine.
Referring to Figure 18, Sheet 3, the blue lines x represent an arrange-

page_text: ment for prolonging the shaft which carries 'the crank D, so as to apply 'a
second machine to the same headstock A, the crank M' being at right angles
to the crank D, and the centre line of the second machine in the direction
of the blue line m. By this arrangement the rubbers of both machines
can be arranged to act together, while the transverse traverse of the
additional table will be gained by connecting it' with that of 'the adjoining
machine. By this arrangement four polishing frames would be driven from
one headstock. But where only two machines are driven from one head-
stock, as first described, the space between the adjoining pair of machines need
only be sufficient for a man to pass on the one side, as represented in Fig: 18,
where the outline of a second pair of polishing frames are seen above; but on
the opposite side of each pair of machines a space is left sufficient for the removal
of the slate frames and similar work, which space serves for two pair or four
machines. Thus the machines stand in groups of four, which diminishes the
labour of the operators in charge of the machines), 'and enables them to
examine the work in progress with greater facility than in the arrangement
of machines as ordinarily placed.
. . I
For this series of our improvements we claim the general construction. and'
arrangements of the polishing machinery as described; consisting in driving
two or four frames from one headstock, the application of a crank traverse
to the table, the application of metallic blocks covered with double felts, the
application of vulcanized india rubber as springs to the block pins; and the
application of springs to overcome the momentum of the longitudinal bar,
as well as the application of rotary motion to rubbers for polishing plane or
flat surfaces of blown or cast plate glass.
And we further claim the grouping, general placing; or arranging of the
machines as described.
The sixth series of improvements consists in a new arrangement whereby
small pieces of thick cast plate glass (which have been cut off larger plates,
and which are at present either remelted or sold at a much reduced price.
either before or after being finished, in consequence of the competition' of
German sheet or other kind of thin glass) are, after being subjected to a tem-
perature sufficient for operation, extended in area and reduced in thickness
accordingly by compression under a steam hammer, hydraulic press, or by
being passed between two rollers. The arrangements consist in the intro-
duction of the apparatus, whether steam hammer, hydraulic press, or. rollers,
between two kilns; the one in which the glass is prepared for operation being
similar to those which are in, general use for flattening glass; the other, or the
one in which the plate is annealed after being operated on, being constructed

page_text: in such a form as to admit of the piler or operator to pile the glass on its edge
for the process of annealing, so as the plates when operated upon may be
subjected to as little variation of temperature as possible. The process of
extending can be performed by either of the mechanical forces already men-
tioned. The fluting or chequering or figuring is executed by forming the
figure on the upper flattening or compressing surface. And what we claim
under this head is, the subjecting pieces of cast plate glass to compression, so
as to increase the area, or to figure, or both, as described.
The seventh series of our improvements consists in an improved mode of
calcining sulphate of iron for the production of polishing powder or polishing
liquid. As the ordinary mode of calcination is by means of a reverbatory
furnace, we propose to introduce the sulphate of iron (first passed through a
riddle to exclude any very large pieces) into a cylindrical retort set up so
as to revolve in an oven, similar to those in which gas retorts are placed.
Fig. 25, Sheet 4, represents section of. retort R, as set in the oven, with the
axis Qin the closed end, working on a step, and to which is affixed a pulley
to obtain a slow motive power. The other end of the retort revolves in a
belt P, fixed and secured to the brickwork, and projects so as to admit of a cap
with a funnel to conduct the sulphurous gas into a chamber or flue S. The
precision with which the calcination can be conducted in this apparatus
renders it a desideratum of the greatest importance in securing polishing
powder uniformly good and effective, and a slight modification of this appa-
ratus will render it applicable to the drying of sand required for grinding.
And what we claim in this series of our improvements is the application of a
heated revolving cylinder in the calcining sulphate of iron and the drying of
sand, as already described.
Having now fully described the nature of our Invention of certain improve-
ments in the manufacture of glass and other vitreous products, together with
the manner in which the same may be performed and carried into effect,
and having claimed under each series of improvements what we consider as s
of our invention, we deliver this as our true and faithful Specification of the
same.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Nicholson and George
Wadsworth, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Third day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and S
forty-six.
WILLIAM (L.S.) NICHOLSON.
GEORGE (L.s.) WADSWORTII.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Third day of September, in
the year of our Lord 1846, the aforesaid William Nicholson and George
Wadsworth came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and
acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
contained and specified, in form above written. And also the Specification
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that
purpose.
Enrolled the Fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-six.