Improved Apparatus for and Process of Making Soap.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for and Process of Making Soap.
I, MILTON JOSIAH PALMER, of No. 7, Saratoga Flats, Toledo, State of Ohio
United States of America, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be as follows:-
This my invention relates to an improved apparatus for and a process of making
soap, and it has for its object to provide means for the saponification of fatty
substance in the manufacture of soap by the introduction and manipulation of the
ingredients within the vacuum chamber with provision for conveniently introducing
the ingredients independently without destroying the vacuum.
A further object is to provide for the forcible ejection of the saponaceous
material into the receptacle with electrical connections for causing an electrical
current to pass through the saponaceous matter within the receptacle in order to
disintegrate the molecules of the fatty matter, and ensure the rapid and complete
saponification.
A further object is to provide means for incorporating the ingredients within the
vacuum chamber by mechanical manipulation controllable at will as to the relative
speed of the mechanism to adapt the same to variable chemical conditions of the
ingredients.
My invention may be described as follows, reference being had to the drawings,
in which :-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a complete machine for the mechanical union of the
ingredients; a portion being broken away to disclose the steam chamber, and the
vacuum chamber with the floats and agitators therein. Fig. 2 is a sectional end
view of same, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a receptacle for the saponaceous
matter, provided with electrical connections for treating the same by means of an
electrical current to disintegrate the fatty globules and insure a rapid and complete
chemical union of the oleaginous and alkaline matter in order to age the final
product without necessity of the usual delay incident to storage of the soap for this
purpose.
In the manufacture of scaps, I have discovered that to incorporate the fatty
substance and alkaline solution within an air tight compartment heated to the
proper temperature by means of steam entirely enveloping the vacuum chamber is
to insure an economical and rapid saponification unattainable by the ordinary
process.
It being understood that the final product is unfit for use until a proper time has
elapsed to allow a complete decomposition of the fatty matter, I have discovered
that to subject the saponaceous compound to the influence of an electrical current
will result in a thorough decomposition of the fatty matter and the immediate
saponification of the mass, whereby the product is ready for immediate use as soon
as manufactured.
1 designates the vacuum chamber, comprising a metal cylinder, which is enclosed
throughout its entire length by a jacket 2 of a larger area in cross section to form
a steam space 3, the two cylinders 1 and 2 being closed at their ends by circular
heads 4, which render the cylinder steam tight.
Within the vacuum chamber 1 is arranged a float reel 5, and an agitator 6,
which revolve in opposite directions, and at different speeds to cause a thorough
commingling of the material introduced into the vacuum chamber. The reel and
agitator are mounted upon a two part shaft journaled in heads 4, the part 7 being
journaled in one of the heads, and extends to near the opposite end and is journaled

page_text: .
in the reel, while the part 8 is journaled in the opposite head and secured to the
reel by means of a set screw 9.
Reel 5 is constructed with four arms 10 upon each end, the arms radiating from
a central body portion 11 through one of which the shaft 7 passes, the opposite
portion 11 being formed with annular projections 12 extending in each direction,
the shaft 7 being journaled in the inwardly projecting one, and the shaft 8 secured
in the outwardly projecting one.
It will be seen that by this arrangement the shaft 7 may be caused to revolve in
one direction at any desired speed, and the shaft 8 in the opposite direction at a
different speed.
13 designates shaped floats secured upon arms 10 longitudinally of the vacuum
chamber, and are revolved within the same by the revolution of the shaft 8.
Revolubly secured upon shaft 7 is a plurality of arms 14, extending radially
from the shaft and of a length to cause their outer notched ends 15 to engage with
the edge of the two diametrically opposite floats, whereby they revolve with the
reel.
The agitator comprises a plurality of blades 16 secured upon shaft 7 in
alternation with arms 14, and of a length to revolve without contacting with
the floats.
17. designates a counter shaft driven by any preferred form of power, and geared
with shaft 7 by means of a straight belt 18 passing over speed pulleys 19 upon the
shaft, and shaft 7, by which means any desired speed may be given to the agitator,
the reel being driven in an opposite direction by means of a crossed belt 20 arranged
upon pulleys 21 upon the counter shaft, and shaft 8, there being a loose pulley 22
by which to stop the revolution of the reel at will.
I have provided for the introduction of the ingredients employed in the manu-
facture of soap in a manner to avoid destroying the vacuum in the vacuum chamber,
and also from different sources of supply to enable me to regulate the proportions
conveniently which provision comprises a main induction pipe 23 tapped into the
steam jacketed receptacle 24, into which a pipe 25 is tapped, which is screwed into
a four way coupling 26, there being a pipe 27 screwed into the upper screw
threaded opening of the coupling, and tapped into a supplemental receptacle 28
into the upper end of which is screwed a pipe 28¹ communicating with an open top
receptacle 29.
30 designates a receptacle for fatty matter, and 31 a receptacle for alkaline
matter, the two receptacles being connected with coupling 26 by means of
pipes 32. Each of the pipes mentioned is provided with a valve 33 by which to
close communication either with the vacuum chamber or other connections.
34 designates a pipe in connection with a steam supply, and leading by means of
branch pipes 35 and 36 to the steam space 3 surrounding the vacuum chamber, and
the steam space of receptacle 24, each being provided with proper valves 37 with
which to admit or cut off the steam supply.
38 designates a pipe tapped into the vacuum chamber, and leading to the vat or
closed receptacle 39 for the saponaceous material after it has passed through the
vacuum chamber, this vat being preferably located on a floor above the saponifier,
although this arrangement is not necessary. It may be located level with the vat if
desired.
Pipe 38 is preferably jacketed to receive steam around the same from pipe 40
leading from pipe 34, whereby the saponaceous matter is maintained in a sufficient
state of fluidity to cause the same to pass up the pipe into the vat.
41 and 42 designate positive and negative wires respectively, leading from the
battery 43, or any preferred source of electrical energy, and are arranged to pass
an electric current through the material within the vat, when the current is
made in order to disintegrate the fatty globules therein and effect a complete
saponification.
Each of the steam receptacles are provided with valves 44 to draw off the water
of condensation, and receptacle 28 is provided with a cock 45 to draw off any steam

page_text: that may pass thereto in the act of discharging the contents, receptacle 24 having a
cock 46 to release the same of steam pressure when it is desired to feed the vacuum
chamber.
In order to secure a vacuum in the vacuum chamber, I provide a cock 47 with which
to withdraw off the air as the temperature rises within the chamber by reason of the
introduction of steam into the steam space 3, and in order to conveniently test the
material in the vacuum chamber to determine as to the correctness of the proportions
of fatty matter and alkali, there is a cock 48 tapped into the vacuum chamber below
cock 47, whereby when the material is introduced into the vacuum chamber and in
the process of chemical affiliation, a portion may be withdrawn through cock 48 and
examined, to ascertain whether or not the proper proportions of material have been
introduced, when if there should be a deficiency of either alkali or fatty matter, by
withdrawing the steam pressure from receptacle 28 and 24 by means of cocks 45
and 46 respectively, the desired quantity of the particular ingredient required to
properly balance the material in the vacuum chamber may be introduced.
In operation, the fatty matter is deposited in receptacle 30, care being had to
deposit it as nearly as possible in the right proportion of each for proper
saponification; steam is now admitted to steam space 3, and also the steam space of
receptacle 24. The float reel and agitator are now put in motion, valves 33 in
pipes 32 are opened, and the fatty matter and alkali are allowed to flow to the
vacuum chamber, valves 33' in pipes 25 and 23 being opened a sufficient length of
time to admit the same, and the materials thus united are thoroughly agitated to
cause a chemical union, when valve 38¹ in pipe 38 is opened, and the material is
forced through pipe 38 into vat 39.
If, however, there appears to be a deficiency in the proportional quantity of either
the alkaline solution or fatty matter, a quantity of either may be introduced into
the vacuum chamber without destroying the vacuum, by means of chamber 29, into
which it is introduced.
When upon opening valve 33* of pipe 28¹ the material will flow into receptacle 28,
when the valve in pipe 28¹ is closed and the valve in pipe 27 opened, and the
material will flow into the vacuum chamber.
When the proper proportions have been introduced, into the vacuum chamber,
the material therein is allowed to pass into the vat, when an electrical current is
passed through the same, and gate 47 is opened, allowing the material to pass to the
crutching machine.
It will be seen that the apparatus is simple in construction, and continuous in
action.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The process of manufacturing soap, which consists in saponifying the material
in a vacuum chamber, ejecting the material by pressure therein, and afterwards
treating the chemically united components with an electrical current.
2. The process of making soap, which consists in intimately commingling the
fatty matter and alkali, and then subjecting the material to the action of an
electrical current.
3. In an apparatus for making soap, a vacuum chamber, a revoluble reel therein,
comprising a plurality of floats, cross bars extending from one float to the other
float, au agitator having blades alternately with the cross bars and revolving in an
opposite direction to the reel.
4. In an apparatus for making soap, a vacuum chamber, a two part shaft
extending through. the same, a reel revolubly mounted upon one portion of the shaft
and connected to revolve with the other portion, an agitator secured upon one
portion of the shaft, and journaled to revolve independently of the other, transverse
bars upon the reel, blades upon the shaft alternating with the bars, and mechanism
for revolving the reel and agitator in opposite directions, a receptacle for fatty

page_text: matter, a receptacle for alkali, and connections with the receptacles and vacuum
chamber.
5. In an apparatus for making soap, a vacuum chamber, a concentric steam
chamber, a jacketed chamber in connection with the vacuum chamber, a receptacle
for fatty matter, a receptacle for alkaline solution in connection with the jacketed
chamber, a supplemental chamber connected with the jacketed chamber, an open
receptacle connected with the supplemental chamber, pipes leading from the steam
supply and connected with the concentric steam chamber and jacketed receptacle,
cocks in the latter chambers for allowing the escape of steam without destroying
the vacuum of the vacuum chamber, and valves for cutting off or admitting material
from either closed chamber to the vacuum chamber.
6. In an apparatus for making soap, a vacuum chamber, means for admitting
fatty matter and alkali thereto, an agitating machine within the chamber, a vat for
the reception of the saponaceous matter, a jacketed pipe leading from the chamber
to the vat, and connections from a steam supply to the jacket of the pipe.
Dated this 13th day of October 1893.
W. H. MUNNS,
Agent for Applicant.