Patent GB-190423187-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in a Process of and Apparatus for Producing Bars of Soap.
Inventor: MARKEL KARL EMIL
Filed: 1904-10-27
Granted: 1905-07-13
Abstract: 23,187. Markel, K. E. Oct. 27. Soaps.-In apparatus for casting soap, shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, liquid soap is pumped into tubes B on a drum rotating intermittently in a tank of water about a shaft T, the bars of soap being forced out on to conveyers, after cooling, by the next charge. The motions of the machine are taken by means of cams from a shaft D, which is rotated through a worm-wheel E and an automatically-operated clutch on a driving-shaft e<3>. The clutch is thrown out of gear after each cycle of operations, and a washer brake instantly arrests the mechanism. The pump is worked continuously, and the feed-pipe is jacketed and fitted with an accumulator J, into which the liquid soap is diverted when its flow into the cooling-tube is arrested. A piston j is forced up against the pressure of a spring j<1> and loaded weight bearer j<2>. By this means, the pressure applied to eject the cooled bar is greatest at the start and gradually decreases. Near the ends of each cooling-tube are cut-offs b, b<2>, which are actuated by cams d<5>, d<2> when the tube is in filling position. The feedpipe is provided with a cut-off j<6> also actuated by cam d<2>. When the machine is first started, plungers are inserted in the tubes to take the place of cooled bars in operating the automatic arrangements. On emerging from the cooling- tube B, the soap bar presses against a plate K, which is attached to a sliding rod k, provided with a spring k<1> engaging a stop k<2>, as shown in elevation and plan respectively in Figs. 4 and 5. The plate K is connected by rod k<4>, Fig. 1, to a slotted quadrant k<6>, which, when the soap bar is almost clear of the tube B, actuates the clutch on the shaft e<3> through a rod e<8> and a cranked fork e<5>, and thus starts the mechanism. The cut-off b is then closed by the cam d<5>. The sliding rod k attached to the plate K moves through a piece L, which in turn is capable of sliding in a fixed bracket L<1>, a vertical sliding stop M, Fig. 4, preventing its motion for the time being. A sleeve N is also free to slide along the rod k between the points l<1>, l<2>, and has on two opposite sides cam-paths n, Fig. 5, against which rollers n' at the ends of levers n<2>, pivoted at n<3> on the slide L, are pressed by means of springs n<4>. By the motion of the sleeve N, which is actuated by a lever N<1> from the cam d<7>, clip plates n<5> are caused to grip the soap bar, the pressure being adjustable by means of thumb-screws n<10>. The vertical stop M is then lifted by the cam d<8>, leaving the slide L free to be pushed along by the sleeve N, which has come into contact with it at l<1>, thus drawing the soap bar over rollers and between vertical guides clear of the rotating drum. A catch m actuated by the stop M locks the plate K to the slide L, retaining it against the pressure of the spring k<1>. During the gripping of the bar, the cut-offs b<2>, j<6> are closed. The stop M then descends again and prevents the return of the slide L, while the sleeve N moves back, thus releasing the soap bar from the grip of the clips n<5>. The end of the bar is removed from the plate K to which it sticks, by a plate m<5> on a lever m', which is depressed by the stop M. The bar is then lowered by a forked rod R, Fig. 1, actuated by a cam d<6>, on to endless bands h, rollers r<1>, on which the bar rests, also descending. By a further downward movement of the rod R, the conveyer shaft H is rotated through ratchet mechanism until the soap bar is removed from the rollers r<1>. The whole lowering-apparatus then returns to its original position. During the manipulation of the bar, the top cooling-tube, which is secured to the feed supply by a forked clamp-bar 0 and lever P, actuated by a cam d<4>, is released from the clampbar by the cam d<3>. The drum is rotated to bring another tube into position by a pawl, operated from the cam d<1> and engaging a ratchet-wheel u<1>. The tube is then clamped, the cut-offs are opened, and the devices for manipulating the cooled bar returned to their original positions ready for another cycle of operations.