Patent GB-122864-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Forming Oil Cakes.
Inventor: DAVIDSON JOSEPH
IPC: B30B9/02
Filed: 1917-12-31
Abstract: 122,864. Davidson, J. Dec. 31, 1917. Moulding oilcake for animals; feeding and measuring; stationary-mould machines.-A machine for forming oil cakes comprises a meal tray 3 mounted upon a ram 7 working in an hydraulic cylinder 8 and co-operating with a head 10 pivoted at 11 and adapted to be raised against the action of a spring 15 by an hydraulic piston 14 working in a cylinder 14a, and to be locked in its lowered pusition by a latch 18 engaging a bar 4b on the framework 4a. The piston 14 is connected to a plate 12 mounted upon the shaft 11 which is connected also to the latch 18 bv a link 17 embraced by a spring 17 bearing upon an extension 10<a> of the head 10 whereby the latch is held against a stop 20a until the bead is lowered, and then moves in to engage the bar 4<b>. The cylinders 14<a>, 8 are connected to double valves 22, 24 controlled by a lever 23 which, when raised, opens the valve 22 to exhaust, relieving the cylinder 14<a> through a needle valve 22e and causing the head 10 to descend, and also opens the valve 24 to pressure, the pressure fluid being admitted to the cylinder 8 through a valve 9 controlled by a lever 20 which is engaged by the latch 18 when in locking position. Upon lowering the lever 23, the cylinder 8 is exhausted through a check valve 8<d>, and pressure is admitted to the cylinder 14<a> to raise the head 10. In combination with the forming machine, a charging-mechanism is employed comprising a reciprocating charger 33, Fig. 3, working over a sliding apron 32 adapted to close one end of the tray 3, the other end being closed by a bar 26 mounted on a shaft 27, Fig. 2, and counterweighted at 28<c>. Meal passes to the charger 33, Fig. 3, from a shoot 38 adapted to be closed by a valve 39 on the apron 32. A pivoted vane 33<a>, working between stops 33<b>, ensures even distribution of the meal in the tray 3. Motion is imparted to the charger by a differential piston 34 working in a cylinder 35 and to the apron by a piston 40 working in a cylinder 41, the forward movement being effected by pressure fluid supplied through pipes 42 to the cylinder 41 and the larger end of the cylinder 35 whilst the return movement is effected by constant pressure through a pipe 43 to the cylinder 35, the charger in its return moving back the apron by the engagement of a spring buffer 37<b> with a flange 32<d>. The pipe 42 is connected to a valve casing 44 connected to pressure and exhaust and controlled by a double' piston valve 45, adapted to be operated by a lever 28 through a spring 45<b>. The lever 28, Fig. 4, is connected to the shaft 27 'by a link 29 and, when raised, it first operates the shaft to bring down the bar 26, Fig. 3, to close the end of the meal tray and then, through the spring 45b, it operates the valve piston 45 to supply pressure through the pipes 42. In operation, a cloth 31 is first placed over the meal tray and the lever 28 is raised to close the end of the tray and operate the charger 33 and apron 32. When raised, the lever is held by a gravity detent 52, Fig. 4, which is tripped at the end of the forward movement of the charger by a stop on the rod 46, Fig. 3, allowing the lever to fall under the action of counterweights 28b, Fig. 4, and 28<c>, Fig. 2, depressing the piston 45, Fig. 3, which connects the pipes 42 to exhaust and causes the return of the charger and apron. The ends of the cloth are then folded over and the lever 23, Fig. 2, is operated to effect the compression of the cake.