The oldest patent known to me is the French patent nr. 424.029, of
4th March 1911, granted to "Societe des anciens etablissements Gavioli
& Cie", which makes use of a pressure box with a roll mechanism inside,
just like all modern variations.

In the text they claim to have invented this principle.  I am curious
if an older construction may be found.

Best regards from the Netherlands,

Hans van Oost