Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for the Manufacture of Casks, Barrels, and the like.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 24th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 22nd Jan., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for the Manufacture of
Casks, Barrels, and the like.
1, ALEXANDER DUNBAR, of 105 Newsham Drive, Nowsham Park, West Derby,
Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Barrister at Law, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in machinery or apparatus for the
manufacture of casks, barrels, or the like, such as kegs of the kind described in the
specification of former Letters Patent granted to ne viz. No. 8760 A.D. 1884 and
No. 7933 A.D. 1885. In carrying out the inventions described in these former
specifications the requisite quantity of wood to form a cask, barrel or keg was first
gauged and then each stave fed separately onto a slowly revolving collapsible drum.
These operations take up a considerable tinie. According to the present invention, to
lessen the time taken up in gauging and setting up the staves I place the whole of
the staves into the machine at once.
For this purpose I employ a setting up apparatus similar in construction to that
described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to ine No. 15833
A.D. 1886 wherein the staves are set up in a conical form and simultaneously
guaged.
When the staves are set up a number of trussing hoops are slidden over them and
pressed down sufficiently to allow the conoidal shaped barrel rim to be removed either
to a heater or direct on to the collapsing drum ready to be completely trussed.
The collapsible drum is according to the present invention so arranged that it
can slide endwise whilst the barrel rim is being trussed and also allow of more
accurate sitting for cutting the ends of the staves and other parts as hereafter
explained.
To manufacture a barrel or the like the machine is first opened ready to receive the
conoidal barrel rim the sinaller end of which is slidden onto the collapsible drum and
as far as possible into one of the liners in one of the trussing heads. The collapsible

page_text: drum is moved endwise until it is at an equal distance between the ends of the
staves and then expanded so as to tightly grip the staves between itself and the
irussing hoops.
The other or opening trussing head of the machine is then closed, a levelling plate,
which may be suspended therefrom by balance weights and chains or other convenient
means, being drawn down directly in front of the mouth of the liner so that when
the trussing heads are brought towards each other the open or outer ends of the staves
will be made level with each other and pressed onwards until one end of the barrel
rim is completely trussed and the necessary trussing hoops forced on.
The levelling plate is then removed and the open or outer ends of the staves
gathered together and trussed by the other liner thereby preventing any of the staves
from slipping endwise.
The collapsible drum moves endwise in one direction whilst one end of the barrel
rim is being trussed and in the opposite direction when the other end is being
trussed.
To enable the collapsible drum to be revolved by the same central spindle that is
employed for expanding or collapsing it and to prevent the barrel rim and the loose
liners being revolved until the collapsible drum is expanded so as to fit tightly inside
the barrel rim and thus prevent the staves buckling or becoming uneven the following
arrangement is employed
The central or drum spindle is formed with right and left handed screw threads
onto which take discs for expanding or collapsing the drum. It is of sufficient
length to pass through a hollow shaft one end of which may be flanged to form a
portion of the collapsible drum whilst its other end may be provided with a brake
pulley through which it and the central spindle may slide. The central spindle
projects sufficiently beyond the brake pulley to carry suitable driving gear such for
example as two loose driving pulleys, so arranged that one or the other may be moved
into frictional contact with another or third friction pulley for the purpose of driving
the central spindle in either direction.
The third friction pulley may conveniently be fixed to a sleeve or long boss that
carries a driving key arranged to take into a long slot cut in the central spindle; this
slot permits of the necessary end wise motion of such spindle which motion may be
effected and controlled by a lever or by a rack and pinion arrangement conveniently
arranged for the use of an operator.
For the manufacture of casks barrels or kegs of ordinary sizes it is found
advantageous to dispense with the gearing heretofore required to rotate two or more
side screws for moving the trussing heads and to substitute therefor an outer hollow
shaft which encircles the hollow flanged shaft and central spindle hereinbefore
referred to.
The outer hollow shaft is provided with right and left handed screw threads on to
which take screw threaded nuts. These nuts are secured to suitable cross heads one
of which may be boited to one of the truss heads whilst the other cross head is
provided with draw bars sufficiently long to engage with the other or opening
trussing head-One end of the outer hollow shaft is provided with a collared neck
adapted to take into a suitable bearing bolted to the base plate-A friction pulley is
fixed on the outer hollow shaft on which is also loosely mounted two sliding friction
pulleys so arranged that either of them may be moved by levers or other convenient
means into or out of frictional contact with the other friction pulley for the purpose
of rotating said hollow shaft in either direction.
Instead of revolving the trussed barrel rim slowly and dressing the ends of the
staves with revolving circular cutters as described in my former Letters Patent
No. 8760 A.D. 1884 1 find that by revolving the trussed barrel rim quickly from
the central screw shaft and bringing fixed knives in contact with the ends of the
staves that more speedy work can be effected. For this purpose the various cutting
tools may be fixed in suitable tool holders holted to hand levers pivotted to the
trussing heads, thus dispensing with the gearing heretofore required for driving the
circular cutters.

page_text: In cutting the ends of very thick staves such as beer barrels or palm oil casks I
arrange the levers carrying the cutting tools to work automatically by for example
providing a suitable shaft fixed in a convenient place on the machine and operating in
the cutter block levers by cams bent bars cranks or other suitable mechanism according
to the size and requirements of the machine.
I would have it understood that I may if necessary gear the friction pulleys when
trussing very heavy staves, and so modify the arrangement of the machinery that
machines of various sizes made according to my Invention may be capable of
manufacturing either kegs or casks without departure from the essential features of
my Invention.
Dabad thi
1
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for the Manufacture of
Casks, Barrels, and the like.
I, ALEXANDER DUNBAR, of 105 Newsham Drive, Newsham Park, West Derby,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Barrister at Law, 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 :--
This invention relates to improvements in machinery or apparatus for the manu
facture of casks, barrels, or the like such as kegs, of the kind described in the specifi
cations of former Letters Patent granted to me viz.: No. 8760 A.D. 1884 and
No. 7933 A.D. 1885.
In carrying out the inventions described in these former specifications the requisite
quantity of wood to form a cask, barrel, or keg was first guaged and then each stave
fed seperately onto a slowly revolving collapsible drum. These operations take up a
considerable time. According to the present invention to lessen the time taken up in
guaging and setting up the staves, 1 place the whole of the staves into the machine
at once.
For this purpose I employ a setting up apparatus similar in construction to that
described in the specification of former Letters Patent granted to me No. 15833
A.D. 1886, wherein the staves are set up in a conical form and simultaneously
guaged.
When the staves are set up a number of trussing hoops are slidden over them and
pressed down sufficiently to allow the conoidal shaped barrel rim to be removed
either to a heater or direct on to the collapsing drum ready to be completely
trussed.
The collapsible drum is according to the present invention so arranged that it
can slide endwise whilst the .barrel rim is being trussed and also allow of more
accurate setting for cutting the ends of the staves and other parts as hereafter
explained.
To manufacture a barrel or the like the machine is first opened ready to receive
the conoidal barrel rim, the smaller end of which is slidden onto the collapsible drum
and as far as possible into one of the liners in one of the trussing heads.
The collapsible drum is moved endwise until it is at an equal distance between the
ends of the staves and then expanded so as to tightly grip the staves between itself
and the trussing hoops.
The other or opening trussing head of the machine is then closed, a levelling plate
which may be suspended therefrom by balance weights and chains, or other convenient
means being drawn down directly in front of the mouth of the liner so that
when the trussing heads are brought towards each other the open or outer ends
of the staves will be made level with each other and pressed onwards until one
end of the barrel rim is completely trussed and the necessary trussing hoops
forced on.
The levelling plate is then removed and the open or outer ends of the staves

page_text: gathered together and trussed by the other liner thereby preventing any of the
staves from slipping endwise.
The collapsible drum moves end wise in one direction whilst one end of the
barrel rim is being trussed, and in the opposite direction when the other end is
being trussed.
Referring to the accompanying three sheets of illustrative drawings
Fig.1, is a side elevation of a complete machine for the manufacture of casks, barrels, or
the like according to my invention, the trussing heads being shewn at such distance apart
as to allow a barrel rim to be inserted; the end trussing head for sake of clearness is
shewn open, and the levelling plate raised.
Fig. 2, is a plan or top view of the machine shewing the end trussing head closed,
and each in the position it would occupy when a barrel rim had been trussed.
Fig. 3, is an end elevation to a larger scale shewing the end trussing head opened
ready for a barrel rim to be slidden onto the collapsing drum.
Fig. 4, is a sectional plan to a smaller scale taken on line 7, 8, of Fig. 1, shewing
the arrangement of driving gear, trussing heads, and liners, and collapsing drum,
also a barrel rin with one end trussed.
Fig. 5, is a sectional end elevation taken on line 9, 10, of Fig. 4, shewing the
draw bars, and cross frames.
Similar letters refer to like parts throughout the drawings.
The central spindle A, is made much stronger than heretofore and has a right and
left hand screw thread cut on the swelled portion between the end discs A¹ and A²
for the purpose of moving the collapsing discs A3 and A* as the spindle is revolved in
either direction.
The spindle is of sufficient length to pass through the hollow shaft B, and project
through the sleeve C, far enough to admit of a grooved collar As, into which take
levers A, A Figs. 1 and 2.
Near one end of the spindle A, a long cotter hole is cut to receive the driving
cotter C which connects the spindle to the sleeve C).
This sleeve is made long eneough to form a neck or thrust bearing carried
in a suitable pedestal C² at one end, whilst its other end is supported on the flanged
hollow shaft B, which slides in or out of the sleeve as the collapsing drum is moved
end wise.
The sleeve C, also forms a bearing for the two loose friction cone pulleys (³, C,
to rotate upon.
These pulleys can be slidden into or out of gear with the fixed friction coupling C³,
by means of suitable levers C, C, which take into grooves formed in the bosses of
these pulleys as shewn in Fig. 4.
The flanged hollow shaft B is also provided near one end with two long key-
ways, into which take keys D, D, fixed in the bosses of the brake pulley D₁ which
is preferably made in halves and bolted together.
The length of the keyways depend on the length of the boss of the brake pulley D¹,
and the distance the hollow shaft B, with the drum attached is intended to slide.
The other end of the hollow shaft B, is flanged to bolt to (or in the smaller machines
to form) the end disc A¹ of the drum; it is bushed at each end to form bearings for
the central spindle A, to revolve in. The disc A² is supported by a number of longi-
tudinal stay bars (see Fig. 3), in this case five. These stay bars, or distance ties,
are secured at their ends by nuts to the discs A' and A2 and also form slides
to prevent the collapsing discs A³ A* from rotating when the spindle A is
rotated.
The collapsing drum is constructed with wooden segments or spring bars E, E,
instead of steel ones as described in the specification of my former Letters Patent
previously referred to. These bars are secured to brackets E¹, E', pivotted to the
bent bars E, E to admit of the spring bars taking the same angle as the set up
staves F, F, when the drum is expanded, so as approximately to exert a uniform pressure
against the inside thereof, and force them outwards tightly against the trussing and
pass hoops F1, F2, F³, whilst being trussed.

page_text: By manipulating the levers C, C one of the loose revolving friction.pulleys C³,
is brought into engagement with the fixed friction coupling C, on the sleeve C. The
central spindle A, is thus caused to revolve in one direction until the collapsing
discs A³, A have expanded the drum segments tightly against the staves F, F,
already placed in the machine. The staves immediately start to revolve in the same
direction and are ready for their ends to be cut or dressed. By moving the
levers ( so as to bring the other loose friction pulley C³, into engagement with
the friction coupling C, the drum will if the hollow shaft B is held by the brake
pulley D collapse until the collapsing discs A³, A jam against the end dises A1, A2;
then the drum will start to revolve in the opposite direction. The brake is actuated
by the foot lever D², shewn in Fig. 1.
The endwise motion of the drum is controlled by the hand wheel G, Figs. 1, 2,
and 3. This wheel is provided with a pinion gearing into a large toothed wheel G
which drives another pinion G2, working into a rack bar G³, coupled to one end
of the connecting rod G, whilst its other end is pivotted to the levers A°, A.
Onto the pivot on which the hand wheel G revolves there takes two double
ended horizontal hand levers H, H2 each having a short arm projecting therefrom
to which one end of another connecting rod H', is attached. The other end of this
rod connects with the before mentioned levers C, C for moving the friction
pulleys C3, C4, in and out of gear as shewn in Figs. 1, and 2.
The second part of my invention relates to simple and convenient method for
giving the backward and forward motion to the trussing heads J, J¹, by a single
central hollow screw shaft, instead of employing two or more screw shafts driven
by toothed gearing such as described in my former Letters Patent No. 8760 A.D.
1884 and No. 7933 A.D. 1885.
Further it relates to driving the central hollow screw shaft K direct by belt
driven friction pulleys K', K2, gearing with a fixed central friction coupling K³,
thus avoiding the noise and vibration previously caused. The friction pulleys K¹ K²
are rotated by belts not shewn in opposite directions similarly to those described
for rotating the central spindle A. They are provided with grooves in the
bosses into which the levers K4 take and are moved by the hand lever H².
The right and left hand screw threaded hollow shaft K, is bushed at the ends to
form bearings for the hollow flanged shaft B, to run in. One end is formed with
a collared or thrust neck to prevent it moving endwise as shewn in Fig. 4, whilst
at or about the middle of the shaft a friction coupling K³ is secured.
On one side of the friction coupling a right hand screw thread is cut and on
the opposite side thereof a left hand screw thread is cut. Onto these parts take
long screw threaded nuts L, L', shewn distinctly in Fig. 4, these being fixed
respectively in the cross bar frames L², and L³.
The first cross bar frame L' is braced to four draw bars M, M, M, M, extending
sufficiently forward to be pivotted to the opening trussing head J, and sliding
through guides M¹ and M2 Figs. 1, and 2. The second cross bar frame L³,
is coupled direct to the trussing head J, as shewn, and slides along the draw
bars M, M.
Thus by rotating the screw shaft K in one direction the trussing heads J, and J³,
will advance towards each other, and by rotating it in the opposite direction the
trussing heads will recede from each other.
N, is a levelling plate to prevent one end of the set up staves F, F, entering
the liner P, in the opening trussing head J until this end of the staves F, F,
has been levelled, and the opposite end fully trussed in the liner.
P, as shewn in Fig. 4. The levelling plate is suspended by cords N¹, and a
balance weight N2 passing over the guide pulleys, N³ supported on uprights N*,
secured to the opening trussing head.
The smaller end of the conoidal shape of set up staves F, F, partially bound
together by one of the iron trussing hoop F¹ may be pressed into the liner P, the
other similar iron trussing hoops F being previously inserted in the liner P¹ in
the opening trussing head J'.

page_text: Whilst the smaller end of the conoidal shape of set up staves F, F. is being
trussed the bilge hoop is simultaneously forced onto the bilge of the barrel by
the front part of the liner P.
The trussing heads J J₁ are then opened a little to allow the levelling plate N,
to be raised clear of the liner P¹, and the remainder of the trussing finished. The
trussing heads J, J', are then opened sufficiently to allow the liners P, P¹, and trussed
barrel rim F, to revolve freely whilst the ends of the staves are dressed as hereafter
explained.
Another improvement in my barrel trussing machine for speedy work is to place the
whole of the staves F, onto the collapsing drum at once, instead of one at a time as
previously described in my former Letters Patent No. 8760 A.D. 1884. It took
considerable time and trouble very often to insert the last stave and then was the
further disadvantage that the staves could not be so evenly heated or fired and were
more apt to twist than with my present arrangement. Now I first set up and simul-
taneously guage the requisite quantity of wood in a setting up form, such as that
described in the specification of my Letters Patent No. 15833 A.D. 1886 and after-
wards slide on a number in this case two trussing hoops F1, F2, and a pass hoop F³,
as shewn in Fig. 6, to retain the set up staves in a circular form whilst being removed
to a heating or firing apparatus similar to that described in the specification of my
Letters Patent No. 9546, A.D. 1886. Whilst the barrel rim is being fired the said
trussing and pass hoops are driven down as the wood contracts and takes a circular.
form when sufficiently treated the hoops will be in about the positions shewn in
Fig. 6. The rim is then removed and slidden onto the collapsed drum, the smaller
end being placed as far as possible into the liner P. The pass hoop F³, prevents the
flared end of the staves from opening out too wide to take into the bell mouth of the
liner P, when the drum is expanded so as to force the staves tightly against the insides
of the trussing hoops.
Another improvement in the working of the machine consists in providing fixed
cutting tools not shown secured to levers Q, Q, pivotted to the outer ends of the
trussing head J, J', their upper ends being connected by links R, R, to screwed
spindles R actuated by hand wheels R2, for drawing the cutting tools into contact
with the ends of the trussed barrel rim. The two screw shafts R¹, R², may be
coupled (so as to rotate together by turning either of the hand wheels R²), by hevel
wheels S, S, and two horizontal shafts S₁, ST, connected by a forked coupling S2, S³,
as shewn in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, so that both ends of the barrel rim may be cut together.
Suitable stops are provided to prevent the cutter levers Q. Q, travelling too far and
thereby one uniform diam of groove is cut to receive the heads.
The forked end of the coupling S2, S2,-may be marked to form a guage for the
length of the barrel rim. It will thus be understood that the trussing heads after the
barrel rim is fully trussed and the liners tight thereon, may be opened out sufficiently
to allow the liners to revolve freely after the drum and barrel rim has been set evenly
endwise between the cutters. In practice it often happens that one end of the barrel
rim will project rather more through one liner than the other, such that if the drum
had not the endwise motion the barrel rim would be unevenly cut.
I would have it understood that I may gear the friction pulleys when trussing very
heavy staves and so modify the arrangement of the machinery that machines of
various sizes made according to my invention may be capable of either manufacturing
kegs or casks without departure from the essential features of my invention.
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 :-
In a machine for manufacturing casks barrels or the like.
1. A collapsible barrel form with swivelling spring bars and capable of moving
endwise for the purpose specified.
2. A collapsible barrel form mounted concentrically with a central spindle by
which it is expanded and collapsed and by which it is also rotated in combination

page_text: with means by which the spindle and barrel form can be moved endwise to adjust the
staves in relation to the cutters substantially as described.
3. A collapsible barrel form capable of being rctated by a central spindle A and
also connected with a hollow shaft B, provided with a brake pulley by which it
can be held stationary while the central shaft is in rotation substantially as described
and illustrated in Fig. 4, of the drawings.
4. A single central hollow right and left handed screw threaded shaft on which are
nuts secured to cross bar frames connected to the trussing heads, in combination with
driving gear for rotating the said shaft in either direction substantially as described
and illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 4 of the drawings.
5. A collapsible barrel form operated by a central spindle and a hollow shaft
capable of sliding endwise in combination with a central hollow right and left handed
screw threaded shaft for actuating the trussing heads substantially as described and
illustrated.
6. A levelling plate placed before the mouth of one of the liners, and so arranged
as to cause one end of the conoidal form of set up staves to slide into and be trussed
in one liner first, while it simultaneously levels the ends of the staves substantially
as described.
7. Dressing the ends of the staves by means of cutting tools fixed to levers pivotted
to the trussing heads in combination with a collapsible barrel form capable of moving
endwise for setting the liners and trussed barrel rim between the cutting tools
substantially as described.
8. I also claim in the manufacture of casks and barrels by the apparatus above
referred to setting up a quantity of staves to form a barrel rim, holding the said
staves in a conoidal form by trussing hoops and then placing the form onto a
collapsible drum capable of moving end wise and pressing the staves tightly
outwards against the trussing or retaining hoops whilst being trussed substantially
as described.
9. The improved apparatus for the manufacture of casks barrels kegs or the like
constructed arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in Fig. 1 to 5 of the drawings.
Dated this 24th day of October 1888