Patent GB-327115-A (GB)
Title: Improvement in apparatus for moulding plastic substances
IPC: A23G3/02
Filed: 1928-11-26
Abstract: 327,115. Savage, E. S. Nov. 26, 1928. Cylinder machines; cooling and heating apparatus; feeding; lubricating moulds.-Apparatus for moulding plastic materials which tend to crystallize if agitated. e.g. candy, comprises means for continuously feeding material under fluid pressure and without agitation to a series of moving moulds formed in heat-absorbing material. The material is contained in a jacketed hopper comprising a pair of chambers to which the fluid pressure is applied alternately. As shown, a continuously-rotating drum 34, furnished with radial moulds 35 fitted with pistons 36, is associated with a presser member 73 furnished with radially-disposed bars 65 carrying resilientlysupported pistons 62 which are moved radially of the drum by cam mechanism while the presser head is oscillated by a second cam mechanism. Heated material is supplied to the moulds alternately from a pair of chambers 3, 4 which are supplied from a hopper 1 and discharged through a common outlet 5<a> via a tubular member 6 fitted with a valve flap 6<c> which is rocked by the material or independently. A steam jacket 3<a> maintains the material in heated condition. The chambers 3, 4 are closed by valves 16<a>, 17 operated automatically by pistons 19 or manually through rack gear 28; the material being discharged from the closed chamber by compressed air admitted through ports 164<a> while the open chamber is replenished from the hopper 1. A roller 107; adjustable radially of the drum by eccentrics, engages the stems 37 of the pistons 36 and regulates the mould capacity. Preliminary heating of the drum is effected by a steamjacketed heater 54 adjustable towards the drum by eccentrics 59. After pressing, cooling is effected by air supplied from a chest 135 to an external jacket 137 and also from the hollow spindle 42 through a chest 148 and internal jacket 145. The pressed articles are ejected by a roller 116 and are detached by a scraper 122 lined with felt held in place by spring blades and are delivered by a shoot 118 to a conveyer 119. Lubricant is then sprayed into the moulds by nozzles 129 conveyed over grooves in a roller 128 which is supplied by a roller 127 rotating in a bath 126. A shaft 166, driven from a main shaft through worm gear, operates the roller 127 through chain gear 212. The flap 6<c> is carried by a shaft furnished externally with a, lever operable by a crank or by a fluid piston. Automatic timing of valves controlling air supply to the flap operating piston, to the pistons 19 and to the ports 164<a> is effected from the shaft 166, Fig. 22, which drives through bevel worm gears 168, 170 a shaft 172 carrying arms 173 furnished with fingers 174 adapted to start the movement of ratchet members 178 which are then turned by arms 182 on a shaft 180 driven at a higher speed irom the shaft 166 through chain gear 185. The feed mechanism is separable from the mould drum for cleaning &c., being carried by a frame 189 movable along guides 190 by a crank-operated screw 191. Fig. 26 shows a modification wherein the mould drum 34<a> is furnished with axial passages 150 for the passage of heating and cooling fluid which is circulated therethrough from chambered, fixed heads 253 fitted with admission and exhaust pipes 255, 256.