AN IMPROVED PACKING MACHINE FOR SPICES, COCOA, STARCH, AND SIMILAR SUBSTANCES
Year: 1884

page_text: THOMAS CUTHBERT BELL Commercial Traveller 20 Claremont Road Newcastle
on Tyne do hereby declare the nature of above named invention for AN IMPROVED
PACKING MACHINE FOR SPICES, COCOA, STARCH, AND SIMILAR SUBSTANCES to be
as follows:-
The body or frame of the machine to be square with sides perpendicular, the
height of the packet required, containing within its sides partitions or divisions of
any number according to size of machine required. Each division to be for the
reception of the paper, after it is formed on a piece of wood, or block, to the shape
or size required for the various substances to be packed. The divisions to be
flush with the sides of the frame, and to be movable in the way described as
follows.
The right, and left hand side of the frame to have a small space cut out of the
centre or middle, extending from the front to back, (as A in drawing's No 2, and 4,)
so as to allow the inner divisions to be moved backwards, and forwards, viz from
back to front, and vice-versa. The onds (B. in No 2, and 4 drawing's) of the inner
divisions to project into the small spaces A. cut out of the sides of the outer frame,
so that they may be moved backwards, and forwards by the operator.
In the front part of the frame (drawing No 1) within the outer sides, a space, C,
to be left to allow of the divisions, E, being worked backwards, and forwards.
The small divisions running from front to back of the frame to be attached to
those placed in an opposite direction that extend from right to left, The small
pieces. F. in No 3 drawing when fixed to the larger divisions. E. running from right
to left, to be fixed some to the back, and some to the front alternately, so that they
may be displaced by the operator drawing them forward, and thus free the packet
after it is filled.
The ends of the small pieces before named to have an even, and scarcely percep-
tible decrease in thickness laterally to what they have at the end's fixed to the
moving divisions running from right to left, so that they may easly slip from the
packet, and allow it to be freed from the frame, when the partitions, (the ends of
which run in the space A. cut in the sides of the outer frame) are drawn towards
the operator.

page_text: All the divisions run upon steel, or brass rods. (H. in drawings N° 1, and 3.)
running from back to front of the frame, viz through the large partitions, running
from right to left, and through the small partitions, from front to back, The hole
for the rods to be near the top or above the vertical centre of the partitions to
allow the partitions to hang plumb.
The material to be packed to be placed on a perforated plate, or floor of zinc,
brass, or wood, with sides, as in drawing No 5, under which the frame with the
divisions containing the papers, to be filled must slide, each perforation to be a
little less in size than the intended packet to insure precision in filling. Two half
sheets of paper to be laid over the holes of the filler (before the material to be
packed is placed in it) so that the material may not go through the holes, until it
is evenly spread over the surface of the filler, when this is done the two half sheets
of paper to be drawn away, to right, and left, and allow the stuff to fall through
the holes into the packets underneath. The frame containing the packets is then
drawn out, from under the filler, and the ends of the packets fixed by hand after
which the partitions are are drawn forward, thus opening the frame, and allowing
the packets to slip out.
When the stuff to be packed is of such a nature, that it will fall into the papers,
and require little pressure in getting the paper to hold it, the perforated plate to be
raised around each hole. The same will apply when the goods to be packed, have
to be weighed singly, so that each quantity can be put in the papers quickly, the
sides around each perforation forming as it were a funnel for its reception.
In the front of the outer frame, a hole to be cut sufficently large to admit the
hand, and allow the operator to take hold of a handle, attached to the first partition
running from right to left, (as in drawing N° 6, complete machine) when this
partition is drawn forward all the rest will follow, being coupled together con-
tinuously at the ends in the side spaces. The coupling cord to be fixed to the back
of the outside frame, and the other end to be fixed to the small end of the first
moving partition next the operator. The cord to be inclosed in a strong india
rubber tube, with sufficient elastic strength to draw the whole partitions firmly
together.
The cord lying within the tube to be long enough to allow the frame to be fully
opened, when the frame is fully opened the tube, and cord to be extended and
fixed to each small end of the partitions moving in the side space's. The length
of the india rubber tube being only half the length of the cord, which when
allowed to contract will draw the partitions together to the size required, when
closed.
The difference in size of packet required or divergency of machine is arranged
as follows. As each machine is required to put up only, the same size packet with
slight modification the divergency required is not of any great extent, so that a
small machine intended to pack one ounce of carbonate of soda, will also pack one
ounce of Epsom salts, or a machine intended for half a pound packet of washing
powder, will also pack half a pound of powdered cocoa, or any other substance,
although the comparative bulks may differ, because the difference in bulk is made
up in this machine by the thickness of the packet only.
When the compartments in any frame of this machine, are intended to pack a
substance of the same quantity, but of a greater bulk they are increased in size
as follows, Metallic rods, or pins, to be placed in vertical holes made for the
purpose in the sides of the outer frame, behind each small end of the partitions in
the space in the sides of the frame. For this purpose there will be one set of pins,
but several holes, so that the partitions may be made divergent for any substance
to be packed.
In the majority of articles such as washing powder, Epsom salts, carbonate of
Boda, and all common goods, the quantity put in each packet is merely estimated.
This being the custom generally. In more valuable articles such as cocoa tea,
tobacco, they must be weighed.

page_text: The filler can be depressed or elevated in height, that is to say, brought nearer
to, or further from the papers in the frame, by means of a spring. The extent of
this movement of the top of the filler will depend on the size of the machine.
The accompanying Drawing's are made to a scale of six inches to the foot, and
represent a machine to pack, 25 packets, 4 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 of
an inch. thick.
Drawing No 1 represents, frame with compartments closed, dotted lines, H..
represent rods, running from back to front on which partitions move, front part of
frame, C, (when rods, are shown) being additional space to allow of partitions
being opened as in drawing No 3.
Drawing No 2-Side section of frame, when compartments are closed, showing
that part of ends of partitions, B. running from right to left, which move in the
space A.
Drawing No 3-Frame with compartments open, showing displacement of
partitions to allow of packets being removed dotted lines. H. represent metallic
rods, running through partitions on which they move.
Drawing No 4-Side section of frame, when compartments are open, showing
that part of ends of partitions, B, running from right to left, which move in the
space A
Drawing N° 5 :-The "Filler:"

page_text: THOMAS CUTHBERT BELL Commercial Traveller 20 Claremont Road Newcastle
on Tyne do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED
PACKET BLOCKING OR PACKING MACHINE, FOR SPICES, COCOA, STARCH, &C and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The invention is a frame divided into compartments that are movable so as to
free the packet's after they are filled, and pressed.
The compartments can be increased or decreased in size to a certain extent as
required.
The "Filler" also fill's all the papers in the frame at one time.
The invention is my own, and the novelty consists in allowing the compartments
in the frame to be opened while the frame is still intact, and in filling, and forming
fifty or even one hundred packets at once. The drawings referred to are those
accompanying the provisional specification.
The body or frame of the machine to be square, with sides perpendicular, the
height of the packet required, containing within its sides partitions or divisions of
any number, according to the size of machine required each division to be for the
reception of the paper after it is formed on a piece of wood or block to the shape
or size required for the various substances to be packed. The divisions to be
flush with the sides of the frame, and to be movable in the way described as
follows.
The right and left hand side of the frame to have a small space cut out of the
centre or middle extending from the front to back (as A in drawing's No 2 and 4)
so as to allow the inner divisions to be moved backwards, and forwards, viz from
back to front, and vice-versa, The ends (B in N° 2, and 4 drawings) of the inner
divisions to project into the small space, A cut out of the sides of the outer frame
so that they may be moved backwards, and forwards, by the operator.
<t
In the front part of the frame (drawing N° 1) within the outer sides, a space,
C." to be left to allow of the inner divisions, E. being worked backwards, and
forwards.
The small divisions running from front to back of the frame to be attached to
those placed in an opposite direction that extend from right to left. The small
pieces F. in N° 3 drawing when fixed to the larger divisions E running from right
to left, to be fixed some to the back, and some to the front alternately so that they
may be displaced by the operator drawing them forward, and thus free the packet
after it is filled.
The ends of the small pieces before named to have an even, and scarcely precep
tible decrease in thickness laterally to what they have at the ends fixed to the
moving divisions running from right to left, so that they may easly slip from
the packet, and allow it to be freed from the frame, when the partitions, (the ends
of which run in the space A cut in the sides of the outer frame) are drawn towards
the operator.

page_text: All the divisions run upon steel or brass rods (H in drawing's, N° 1, and 3,)
running from back to front of the frame. Viz through the large partitions, running
from right to left, and through the small partitions from front to back. The holes
for the rods to be near the top, or above the vertical centre of the partitions to
allow the partitions to hang plumb.
The material to be packed to be placed on a perforated plate or floor of zinc,
brass or wood with sides, as in drawing N° 5, under which the frame with the
divisions containing the papers to be filled must slide. Each perforation to be a
.little less in size than the intended packet to insure precession in filling. Two half
sheets of paper to be laid over the holes of the "Filler" (before the material to be
packed is placed in it) so that the material may not go through the holes, until it
is evenly spread over the surface of the "Filler," when this is done, the two half
sheets of paper to be drawn away to the right, and left and allow the stuff to fall
through the holes into the packets underneath. The frame containing the packets
is then drawn out from under the "Filler," and the ends of the packets fixed by
hand after which the partitions are drawn forward, thus opening the frame and
allowing the packets to slip out.
"
When the stuff to be packed is of such a nature, that it will fall into the papers,
and require little pressure in getting the papers to hold it, the perforated plate to
be raised around each hole. The same will apply when the goods to be packed
have to be weighed singly, so that each quantity can be put in the papers quickly,
the sides around each perforation forming as it were a funnel for its reception.
In the front of the outer frame, a hole to be cut sufficently large to admit the
hand, and allow the operator to take hold of a handle, attached to the first partition
running from right to left (as in drawing N° 6, complete machine) when this
partition is drawn forward all the rest will follow, being coupled together con-
tinuously at the ends in the side space's. The coupling cord to be fixed to the
back of the outside frame, and the other end to be fixed to the small end of
the first-moving partition-next the operator. The cord to be inclosed in a
strong india rubber tube, with sufficent elastic strength to draw the whole partitions
firmly together.
The cord lying within the tube to be long enough to allow the frame to be fully
opened. When the frame is fully opened the tube and cord to be extended and
fixed to each small end of the partitions moving in the side space's. The length
of the india rubber tube being only half the length of the cord, which when
allowed to contract will draw the partitions together to the size required when
closed.
The difference in size of packet required or divergency of machine is arranged
as follows
As each machine is required to put up only, the same size packet with slight
modifications the divergency required is not of any great extent, so that a small
machine intended to pack one ounce of carbonate of soda, will also pack one ounce
of Epsom salts, or a machine intended for half a pound packet of washing powder,
will also pack half a pound of powdered cocoa, or any other substance although
the comparative bulks may differ, because the difference in bulk is made up in this
machine by the thickness of the packet only.
When the compartments in any frame of this machine, are intended to pack
a substance of the same quantity, but of a greater bulk they are increased in size
as follows. Metallic rods or pins to be placed in vertical holes made for the
purpose in the sides of the outer frame, behind each small end of the partitions in
the space, in the sides of the frame. For this purpose there will be one set of pins,
but several holes, so that the partitions may be made divergent for any substance
to be packed.
In the majority of articles such as washing powder, Epsom salts, carbonate of
soda, and all common goods, the quantity put in each packet is merely estimated.
This being the custom generally. In more valuable articles such as cocoa, tear
tobacco, they must be weighed,

page_text: The "Filler can be depressed or elevated in height, that is to say, brought
nearer to, or further from the papers in the frame by means of a spring. The
extent of this movement of the top of the "Filler" will depend on the size of the
machine.
The accompanying drawings are made to a scale of six inches to the foot, and
represent a machine to pack, 25 packets-4 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 13 of
an inch thick.
Drawing N° 1:-represents frame with compartments closed, dotted lines H
represent rods running from back to front on which partitions move. Front part
of frame. C. (where rods are shown) being additional space to allow of partitions
being opened as in drawing N° 3.
Drawing No 2-Side section of frame, when compartments are closed, showing
that part of ends of partitions B, running from right to left, which move in the
space, A.
Drawing No 3-Frame with compartments open showing displacement of par-
titions to allow of packets being removed dotted lines H represent metallic rods
running through partitions on which they move.
Drawing No 4-Side section of frame when compartments are open showing
that part of ends of partitions B. running from right to left, which move in the
space A.
Drawing N° 5 :-The "Filler,"
Drawing N° 6:-" Complete Machine."
When the goods are required to be tightly packed, i.e. firm, and hard, the final
pressure applied to the ends of the packets, to be done by screw or lever power
simultaneously on the whole of the packets in the frame. For this purpose a
vulcanized india-rubber pad with slightly projecting squares to correspond with
the packets in the frame, to be laid on the upper surface of the frame filled filled
with packets, when placed under the press.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is an improvement on previous methods of "blocking" goods in packets
"
1st The Filler" is entirely novel, and like nothing else previously used, for
the purpose of filling packets, and is novel also from its multiple formation.
2nd "The Frame" being multiple and capable of. opening, and shutting to free
packets, and to pack them, and always remaining intact is also novel.
3rd "
The Divergency of the Frame" is novel, by its adaptability of being altered
to form packets of different thicknesses.