IMPROVEMENTS IN SIEVES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SIEVES." A communication from abroad by George
Washington Ketcham, of Newark, New Jersey, United States of America.
Sealed the 29th April 1878, and dated the 6th February 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th February 1878.,
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIEVES." A communication
from abroad by George Washington Ketcham, of Newark, New Jersey, United
States of America.
My improvements in sieves consist in the manner of uniting the several parts,
which parts consist of an outer base hoop, an inner base hoop, and the depending
flange of the gauze bottom folded or rolled together as a unit in one direction;
also in the manner of securing the wires in position for supporting the perforated*
bottom, whereby soldering and riveting may be avoided.
Figure 1 represents a sectional view of a sieve exhibiting the several parts in
position embodying my Invention.
Figure 2 is a plan shewing manner of attaching the supporting wires.
A represents the hoop which forms the sides of the receptacle part of the sieve,
represented as formed of a single piece of metal, without seams, and with an
annular depression formed around its exterior (represented at a), against which
depression the material which is to serve as the screen or strainer part is intended
to rest, as will be herein-after explained.
B represents the perforated or open woven material; C, wire braces; D, an
annular hoop or ring, to which, and by which, braces are held and secured in
position. E represents the several parts rolled together, by which means a re-enforce
is formed, which not only serves to strengthen the base, and thereby the whole

page_text: utensil, but holds and encloses the ends of the wire braces from view without other
means.
I prepare the hoops which form the body part of suitable metal by the process
of striking or drawing up, familiar to all.
I adopt any of the many and well-known materials for the sieves or strainer part
of the utensil, the size of which will be governed by the inner diameter of the
base part with which it is to connect. (See Figure 1.)
The inner or base hoop D is formed by itself, and then inserted into position in
such a manner as to extend upward against the strainer bottom, by which means
the latter is compressed between the edge of the former, and the indent formed upon
or within the rim or body proper, as shewn in the Drawing, the surplus edge of
the strainer material extending downward between the base of the outer hoop and
inner rim, so that the three parts may be folded together as a unit, by which means
the several parts are firmly united without solder or rivets. The pockets for the
reception of the ends of the supporting wires beneath the strainer material are
formed by deflecting the upper edge of the inner hoop sufficiently to receive the
ends of the wires, as shown at d. By this means riveting, or soldering, or both, are
avoided. Thus a smooth surface is secured throughout the entire utensil, there
being no unsightly projections, as is the case when the wires are made to project
through the base, or are soldered into position. Again, the "indent" formed near
the base of the main hoop, which projects inwardly, serves to cover the edge or
bend of the wire cloth so as to entirely close the seam, and thereby preventing the
material which is being sifted from getting into the space between the main and
inner hoop, which, as a consequence, makes it a comparatively easy task to keep
the vessel clean.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. In a metallic sieve, the combination of an outer base hoop, a separate inner
base hoop, and the depending flange of the gauze bottom, arranged parallel with
cach other, the said parts being. bent or folded together as a unit in the same
direction, as above set forth.
Second. In a metallic sieve the combination of an outer base hoop, a separate
inner base hoop, the latter being provided with indents, serving as pockets, for sup-
porting the ends of the cross wires and the depending flange of the gauze bottom
when the said hoops and flanges are bent or folded together as a unit in one
direction, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.