Improvements in and Relating to Machines for Forming Hollow Ware from Fibre.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Relating to Machines for Forming Hollow
Ware from Fibre.
We, GEORGE WASHINGTON LARAWAY, Inventor, and ABRAHAM JACOB
MARX, Manufacturer, citizens of the United States of America, both residing at
the Grand Central Hotel, in the City of St. Cloud, County of Stearns and State
of Minnesota, one of the United States of America, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Figure 1 of the drawings represents a side elevation of our improved machine,
partly in section.
Figure 2 a horizontal section of the machine taken on line z, z, of Figure 1.
Figure 3 a top plan view of the upper portion of the machine."
Figure 4 a horizontal section of the machine taken on line y-y of Figure 1.
Figure 5 a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale of the expansible former or
mold and its surrounding parts, showing the sections thereof in an extended position
against the material which is to form the pail or other vessel.
Figure 6 a detail view in perspective of one of the sections which constitute the
former or inner mold.
Figure 7 a detail plan view of several of said sections, showing their relative
position to each other when extended, and the guides between them.
Figure 8 represents a horizontal section through the mold section taken on
line a, x, of Figure 6.
The present invention has relation to that class of machines especially constructed
to form hollow ware from a material consisting of a dry mixture of paper or other
pulp and a gummy or resinous matter, which may be molded and vulcanized by the
heat maintained in the molding surfaces, although it is obvious, however, that the
molding surfaces may be provided with means for drainage, such as is commonly
employed, when the machine will be adapted for operation upon the ordinary liquid
pulp, in which case the means for heating the molding devices may of course be
omitted if desired.
The object of the invention is to improve such machines in the several details of
construction, whereby the operation of forming the article is greatly facilitated; a
more perfect and satisfactory compression of the pulp fibre, or other material is
obtained, and if a vulcanizable composition is operated upon, a perfect vulcanized
water-proof pail or other similar vessel is completed and finished in a comparatively
short space of time.
The invention consists in the several details of construction whereby the above-
named objects are attained, such construction being substantially shown in the
drawings and hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings, A, represents a hollow cylinder which forms the
base or support of the machine, the same being cast with radial open-slotted arms
or other suitable extensions as shown at a, and to which are suitably pivoted the
lower ends of clamp-bars, B, the upper extremities thereof terminating in
handles, b, and laterally extending jaws, c, the purpose of which will be hereinafter
described.
The chamber, d, of the hollow cylinder, A, communicates with a suitable
hydraulic apparatus through the pipe, e, through which water is forced into the
chamber under the head, f, of a ram or plunger, C. This plunger, if preferred,
may be constructed of two sections, the lower section with the head above described,
being of cast iron, and the upper section of steel, connected together by a screw-
coupling as shown in dotted lines, Figure 1 of the drawings.

page_text: A cap-plate, g, is secured by bólts, h, or other suitable means over the upper end
of the cylinder, A, to close the upper section of the chamber therein.
The ram or plunger, C, may be operated by hydraulic, steam, or other power, as
I do not desire to limit myself to any special construction of the cylinder, A, or
the lower portion of the plunger, as it is evident that any plunger, shaft or other
equivalent device may be used that is capable of having imparted to it a recipro-
cating motion to contract and expand the sections constituting the form or inner
mold which is connected thereto at its upper end, and which will be hereinafter
described.
•
To the radial arms, a, are bolted or otherwise suitably connected brackets, D,
and to the upper ends of said brackets is connected the base-plate, E, the brackets
forming supports therefor; said plate having an inclined upper surface, inclining in
a direction downwards toward the centre thereof, as shown at, i.
Connected to the base-plate, E, and depending therefrom, are slotted hangers, k,
and to these hangers are pivoted links, F, said links in turn being pivoted at
their inner ends to a suitable bracket, G, which is held to the plunger, C, by set-
screws, l.
The outer ends of the links, F, have pivoted to them suitable clamping levers, H,
terminating in handles, m, at their upper ends and recessed as shown at, n; to
engage with the arms, o, of a chambered follower, I. .
The chamber, p, is for steam or other heating agent, and has supply and exhaust
ports as shown at 9, r, respectively, in Figure 3 of the drawings; the supply port
being connected by pipes or other suitable and well known means to a steam or
other heat generating medium, where the chamber, p, obtains its supply, as is
common in this class of machines.
The arms, 0,
of the follower, I, have slotted ears, s, extending horizontally upon
opposite sides of said arms and with which engage headed bolts, t, the lower ends
thereof having screw threads for connecting them to ears, u, upon the upper ends
of the chambered outer mold, K, which form the outer wall or sides of the pail or
other vessel.
The chamber, v, of the mold, K, extends entirely around the same and receives
its supply of steam or other heating medium or agent through pipe, w, and exhausts
through pipe, a, in the usual manner, as practised in machines of this class.
The plunger, C, extends up centrally through the base plate, E, and has an axial
opening, L, to receive the stem, M, of a formning-disc, N, said disc having its under-
side inclined in a direction toward the centre downwardly, and has annular
shoulders, b, to form a stop for the upper ends of a plurality of sections, P, which
constitute the inner mold or former.
The inclined surfaces of the base-plate, E, as shown at, i, and the inclined 'under-
side, a', of the disc, N, in connection with the corresponding inclines upon the
lower and upper ends of the sections, P, of the inner mold or former, are considered
of material importance, in that a much closer joint can be obtained and consequently
greater security against the material working in between the mold-sections, and
also enabling the toggles to more readily pull the sections back, than were the
surfaces perfectly flat or horizontal, thereby rendering the drawing back or moving
outward of the mold sections much easier and consequently more effective in their
purpose.
The stem, M, of the disc, N, also serves a two-fold purpose, in acting as a guide
to retain the disc centrally, and also when the toggles, R, which connect the
sections, P, to the plunger, C, are horizontal or straight across as shown in
Figure 5, and doing their heavy work, the lower end of the opening L, will come
in contact with the lower end of the stem, M, and thus counteract the pressure that
is exerted on the follower through the medium of pivoted links, F, and 'clamp-
levers, H.
The toggles, R, are connected to the mold sections, P, and plunger, C, by an
universal joint, thereby admitting or allowing of any slight movement of the
sections in any direction without producing any strain on the toggles, and securing

page_text: a more perfect and easy movement of the section when being expanded and
contracted, which universal joint is considered of great importance over the
toggle connections heretofore employed, as it produces a more successful operation
of the expansible mold or former and in proportion enhances the value of the
machine.
The toggles, R, have balls, c, at their extremities which fit in sockets in
plunger, C, and sections, P, respectively, but any well known universal joint
connection between the toggles, plunger and sections may be substituted for that
shown.
In connecting the toggles to the plunger and sections of the mold or former,
I prefer to make longitudinal grooves in the periphery of the plunger extending
from the top downward to a certain distance, and similar grooves are made in the
sections, but from the bottom upwards, both of which grooves are greater than
a semi-circle in cross section and of a size to receive the balls on the extremities of
the toggles which are inserted from the open ends of the grooves.
The lower ones of the toggles are first inserted from the top of the grooves in
the plunger and slid down so that the balls on the ends thereof will rest at the
lower ends of the grooves, after which rods, S, the size of the grooves, are inserted
in like manner, and then the upper ones of the toggles are inserted so that the balls
on the ends thereof will rest in the concavity on the upper ends of the rods to form
a seat therefor.
After the inner ends of the toggles are in engagement with the grooves in the
plunger and the rods in place, as above described, and as more clearly shown in
Figure 5, suitable keys, T, are inserted over the balls on the ends of the toggles
and then screw-plugs, U, to retain the keys in place.
The outer ends of the toggles are engaged with the grooves in the sections, P, in
like manner and held therein by rods, V, and keys, W, and screw-plugs X, the rods,
keys and screw-plugs securely holding the ball ends of the toggles in position in
the grooves.
The upper ends of the rods, S, V, have concavities at their ends to form seats
for the ball ends of the toggles, and the lower ends of the rods, S, and the several
keys are beveled or cut away to allow the toggles to assume the angle necessary
when the sections, P, are contracted as shown in Figure 1.
Although I have in detail described the manner of connecting the toggles to the
plunger and to the mold sections, it is not at all necessary that they should be.
connected in the manner shown for the successful operation of the invention, as
many forms of universal joints may be substituted that are well known and that
would perhaps be equally as effective in securing an easy and perfect motion of the
sections in extending and contracting them.
The mold sections, P, are held in their relative position and down on the base
plate, E, by radial guides, A', connected to the base-plate and extending between
the sections as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings.
The mold-sections, P, consist of a body portion, P¹, and a laterally extending
wing, B', the face of the body portion of the mold section having a bevel substan-
tially the extent of its width as shown at C', and the laterally extending wing
having a curved face, D', and a bevel back, E. These bevel and curved faces of
the mold sections as above described may vary in extent so long as such modification
does not affect the principle of the invention, the overlapping of the mold-sections
forming perfect joints and keeping in close contact with each other while contracting
and expanding, and thereby preventing the dust or fibre or pulp from finding its
way between the sections while working.
Although any number of sections, P, may be used, I have shown in the present
instance twelve of these sections and of course a corresponding number of toggles
at both top and bottom, and as the material used from which to produce the pail or
other vessel does not enter into the invention, reserve the right to employ any
kind of fibre, either animal or vegetable or mineral, as may be preferred.
In operating the machine the parts are in position as shown in Figure 1, the

page_text: head, of plunger, C, being, down to the hottom of chamber, d, and the mold
sections, P, contracted as shown, which leaves a space between them and the
interior of the outer mold, K, for the reception of. the material from which the, pail.
or other vessel is to be. formed.
The clamp-levers, H, are now thrown out to disengage the upper ends with the.
arms, o, of, the chambered follower, I, and said arms.swing, around to disengage the
slotted ears, s, with the headed bolts. t. Now by a hydraulic crane or other suitable,
hoisting apparatus connecting with the eye, D, the follower, I,.is lifted out. of.
position in order to place the material in the space between the sections, P, and
the inner-side of the outer mold, K,, after which said follower is. placed back in
position and the theaded bolts, t, engaged with the slotted ears, s, and the clamp-
lever, H, engaged with the arms, o, as shown in Figure 1.
The plunger, C, is, now.forced up by hydraulic pressure or otherwise, which will
force the sections P, outward against the material, compress it, and at the same
time through the medium of the links, F, and the clamp-levers, H, will pull down
the follower, I, to form the bottom of the pail or other vessel simultaneously with
the sides or walls thereof..
Now steam or other heating medium or agent is introduced into the chambers, p,. v,
to heat the follower, I, and mold, K, respectively, so that, when the machine is used
on the mixture of pulp and a. binding substance hereinafter referred to, the binding
material will be softened by the heat and the article so formed and compacted
by the pressure under heat, may be removed, and an article will be quickly
completed in the condition of the ordinary indurated. or vulcanized ware without
any. further treatment...
After this is accomplished, the machine is reversed, the plunger, C, descending
and through the medium of its toggle connections with the sections, P, the latter
are contracted,,as-shown in Figure-1. The clamp bars, B, which securely hold the
mold or former, K, down on the base plate, E, are now.. released, and the clamp-
levers, H, in like manner are released from engagement with the arms, o, after
which the hydraulic crane or other hoisting machine is again brought into operation,
and follower, I, and, mold, K, which remain connected to said follower,, are. lifted
off the machine.
The follower, I, and mold,,K, being now out of the way, the pail or other vessel
is.leftisupported, on the base-plate, E, and is removed therefrom by a suitable tool
and placed over a cold form for a short period, when it is ready for painting or
graining, and bailing.
The outer mold,,K, is now replaced.in position on the base-plate, E, and the
clamps,,B,,brought back to position so that the jaws, c, will engage with the
circumferential flange, E', of the mold to hold it. firmly down on the base-plate,
after which the follower,. I, is disconnected from the mold and elevated out of the
way for the purpose of again supplying the machine with the material, necessary to
form the pail or other vessel, when the operation is again repeated until another
pail or vessel has been formed and removed from the machine, the pail or vessel
being shown at F¹.
The inclined surfaces of the base-plate and the disc with its stem, also the form
and shape of the movable mold sections together with their toggle connections,.com-
stitute important features of the invention which are essential in rendering the
operation of producing the pail or other articles successful.in. its results.
The outer mold detachably held on the base-plate by the pivoted clamp-bars,
the follower detachably connected to said mold, and the clamp-levers connected
to the plunger by pivoted links, by which the follower is brought down to form the
bottom of the pail or vessel simultaneously with the sides or,walls thereof. as the
plunger ascends, are.features of material importance and all go towards making.a
successful, operating machine and are susceptible of many, changes or modifications
without. affecting, the principle of the invention, and therefore we reserve the right
to make such changes in the details, of. construction as would come within ordinary
mechanical skill..

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what eve
claim is :-
1. A mold section having a body portion and a lateral wing, the face of said
body portion being beveled through substantially its whole width, and the wing
having a curved face and a beveled back, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
2. The combination with a plunger and a plurality of expansible mold-sections
and longitudinal grooves in said plunger and sections, of toggles and means for
holding them in the grooves, substantially as shown and described.
3. The combination with a plurality of expansible mold-sections having their
lower ends inclined, of a base plate having an inclined bearing surface for the ends
of said mold sections and a plurality of guides therefor, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
4. The combination with a plunger and a plurality of expansible mold-sections,
both of which have longitudinal grooves, of toggles having ball ends seated in the
grooves, and rods, keys, and plugs for retaining them therein, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
5. The combination with a plunger, a plurality of mold sections and toggles
connected thereto, of a base-plate for supporting the sections having an inclined
upper surface and a disc having a correspondingly inclined under surface and
supported upon the upper ends of the sections, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
6. A plunger having an opening in its upper end, a plurality of mold-sections
and toggles connected thereto, in combination with a disc having a central stem
extending into the opening in the end of the plunger and supported by the upper
ends of the sections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination of a plunger having an opening in its upper end, a plurality
of mold-sections and suitable toggles, a base-plate having an inclined upper surface,
and a disc having an inclined under surface and a central stem, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
8. The combination of an outer chambered mold, an inner mold consisting of a
plurality of expansible sections, a base-plate for supporting the same, and a
chambered follower operating simultaneously with the expansion of the sections to
form the bottom and sides or walls of the pail or vessel, substantially as and for
the
purpose specified.
9. The combination with a base plate and an outer mold, and means for holding
said mold on the plate, of a follower and suitable means for detachably connecting
it to the mold, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10. The combination with a plunger, suitable toggle connections and a plurality
of mold-sections having laterally extending wings and angular heels and having
their ends inclined, of a base-plate having an upper inclined surface and a disc
having an under inclined surface, substantially as and for the purpose described.
11. In a machine for forming hollow ware from pulp, a base-plate, an outer
mold, and a follower, in combination with pivoted clamp-bars for holding the mold
on the base-plate and clamp levers adapted to engage with the follower, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12. In a machine for forming hollow ware from pulp, the combination of a
plunger, expansible mold-sections connected thereto, a follower and means for
operating it simultaneously with the expansion of the sections, consisting of pivoted
clamp-levers adapted to engage with the follower, and pivoted links for connecting
said levers with the plunger, substantially as and for the purpose described.
13. In a machine for forming hollow ware from pulp, the combination of a
suitable support or frame a base-plate, an outer mold, and clamp-bars for holding
it on the base plate, a follower and means for detachably connecting it to the mold,
a plunger, expansible mold-sections connected thereto, pivoted clamp-levers adapted

page_text: to engage with the follower, and links pivoted to the levers and to hangers
depending from the under side of the base plate and to a bracket upon the plunger,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 10th day of November 1891.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.