Universal Barrel Co

The Universal Barrel Company had works at Two Waters Mill, Boxmoor, Herts, where the process of paper barrel manufacture invented by Mr. J. R. Thame was carried out.

By 1892 the experimental works at Boxmoor were turning out about 150 barrels per day, which was chiefly used for cement barrels; it was claimed they were also to be used for transport of iodine and other materials which can only be sent in good barrels.

The process of making barrels started with waste paper, cardboard, etc. The waste paper was first beaten up as in ordinary paper mills, until the mass assumed the pulp form. Some fresh material may be added at this stage. After watering the pulp passes to an endless web-covered perforated drum where the water is extracted, leaving a deposit of pulp in a film on the web. This film is rolled up until the necessary thickness has been obtained. From there the pulp film is passed to a second similar roller. The paper cylinder is then removed and passed into a drying-room. When strong enough to support its own weight, a light iron hoop is inserted to maintain the circular form during drying. A hot air chamber is used to dry the drum, which when dry and hard, is trimmed to length. The barrel ends are made from the similar pulp.

1893 The company was being wound up

See Also

Loading...