Patent GB-226053-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus and method for making plastic shapes
IPC: B28B7/10
Filed: 1924-01-15
Abstract: 226,053. Refractories Machinery Manufacturing Co., and Norton, C. L. Jan. 15, 1924. Endless-chain machines ; presses; processes ; cleaning apparatus ; strickles. - Moulded shapes are formed from granular material by projecting, as by dropping, an unrestrained mass of the material in the form of a dense swarm of discrete particles into an open-bottomed mould-box temporarily closed by a pallet and subsequently removing the mould from the pallet leaving the moulded shape thereon. Preferably the pallet is coated with oil &c. to prevent adhesion and the moulded shape is dried upon the pallet. The mould-box 55, Figs. 1 and 4, is carried by a frame 54 which is reciprocated vertically upon guide-posts 51 by crank pins 63 acting through links 59 having resilient connections 74. Lugs 44 on endless chains 18 advance the pallets intermittently. When aligned with the mould-box, the pallet 45 is supported by an anvil 33 upon which it is clamped by the mould-box as the latter descends. Apertures 37 in the anvil 33 accommodate the chains 18 which rest upon plates 38 furnished with depending sleeves 39 resiliently supported upon pins 41. A rod 40, Fig. 10, contacting with one of the plates 38, is depressed as the mould descends and through a lever 197 elevates a rod 193 the upper end 200 of which extends in proximity to a feed shoot 201, Fig. 1, such as described in Specification 162,423, and effects release of a charge of material. After projection, the material within the mould is strickled by a disc 117, Fig. 4, resiliently supported at 118 and driven by a motor 113 mounted in a frame 106 traversed across the mould upon guide rails 104 by a chain passing at the ends around sprockets 134<a>, Fig. 1, which are driven from a shaft 121 through clutches controlled by spring-retained levers 153, 154, Fig. 10. The rod 193, upon elevation, through bell-crank levers 184, 185 moves outwardly rods 161, 162 carrying latches 157, 158 adapted to engage the levers 153, 154 to close the clutches; cams 180, 181 on the frame 106 engage bell-crank levers 167 to elevate either of the rods 161, 162 and render one of the latches inoperative. Top pressure is next applied by plungers 98, Figs. 1 and 4, carried by a head 75 swinging upon links 80 about a shaft 68. Springs 96 associated with stops 97 bring the plungers into alignment with the moulds and cams 92 acting through arms 90 of the links 80 deflect the head to the position shown in Fig. 1. Cams 89 on the shaft 68 elevate the head until aligned with the mould in which position the plungers are allowed to drop, this action being assisted by springs 86. The moulded products are then held down upon the pallet by the plungers 98 while the mould-box is raised clear thereof, after which the head 75 is raised and the loaded pallet advanced by the chains 18. Ultimately the loaded pallets are delivered by the chains 18 to rails 202 and are removed therefrom by hand. Cleaning of the plungers 98 is effected by a rotary brush 102 supported by the framework, and of the corners of the mould compartments by brushes 101 carried by the head 75.