stuffing box

American  

noun

Machinery.

1. a device for preventing leakage of gases or liquids along a moving rod or shaft at the point at which it leaves a cylinder, tank, ship hull, etc.

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stuffing box British  

noun

1. Also called: packing box.  a small chamber in which an annular packing is compressed around a reciprocating or rotating rod or shaft to form a seal

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Etymology

Origin of stuffing box

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stuffing box

That was once a problem�before the stuffing box was invented to prevent water from entering the hole, or shaft log, where the shaft exits the hull.

From Time Magazine Archive

The stuffing box should be cool or only slightly warm to the touch.

From Time Magazine Archive

A stuffing box commonly employs a packing nut to compress the packing material around the shaft.

From Time Magazine Archive

One way that some builders fabricate dry stuffing boxes is to tap the housing and insert a hose fitting, then deliver raw water to the stuffing box as shown in the photo above.

From Time Magazine Archive

This process should be continued until the stuffing box is filled for about two-thirds of its depth, when the gland may be screwed home.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua