An Improved Process for Making Articles of Earthenware, such as Flower Pots, Preserve Jars, Cups, and similar Goods of Improved Form, either Whole or in Section.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 7th May, 1891-Accepted, 13th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Making Articles of Earthenware, such as
Flower Pots, Preserve Jars, Cups, and similar Goods of Improved
Form, either Whole or in Section.
THOMAS WEBSTER Senior, Gentleman 19 Salisbury Road, Wavertree, Liverpool
THOMAS WEBSTER Junior Clerk 40 Garmoyle Road, Wavertree, Liverpool do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An improved method of preparing clay for the manufacture of flower pots,
preserve jars cups and similar articles, so as to secure uniformity in the thickness
of the goods, while obviating the necessity of weighing the clay. (2) An improved
machine for pressing the clay into the required form and securing prompt &
perfect delivery of same. (3) An improved method of lubricating the machine
moulds.
The clay to be used after being tempered and mixed, is fed into a pugmill of
ordinary construction but having a plate or die fitted over the usual outlet, which
causes the clay to issue in the form of a pipe. A cutting table of ordinary
construction fixed in front of the outlet, & when a sufficient length of the pipe has
run out it is cut up into suitable pieces, the cutters being adjusted to cut the exact
quantity required for each article, which dispenses with weighing and secures
uniformity in the finished goods.
The pieces are then conveyed to the pressing machine (Fig. 1), which consists of
a frame A working between two upright standards B. To the upper crosshead of
the frame A are screwed cones C, made of any suitable metal or wood, of the inside
shape of the article to be produced. The lower part of the frame A is attached by
a connecting rod D to a crank shaft, which imparts to it a reciprocal vertical
motion and is actuated by steam, foot, or hand power, transmitted by suitable
gearing as shewn in Fig. 1 and in the cross section Fig. 2.
The upright standards B support a table E in which are fitted the moulds of the
article to be made. In the bottom of each mould there is a circular opening
through which a rod or plunger works, having at its top end a flat plate or false
bottom, which for flower pots carries a small stud on its upper surface and this
corresponds with a small hole in the base of the conc to produce the drainage hole
in the pot. A circular weight or counterbalance is cast or fitted to the lower end
of the rod or plunger, which keeps it perfectly true & upright when ascending.
As the frame A ascends the lower crosspiece catches under the weights and so
raises the false bottom to the level of the table, when the clay charges are put on.
The frame then descends and the cones enter the moulds, squeezing the clay into
the form required, the moulded article being delivered to the top of the table by
the false bottom as it ascends again.
Should the clay adhere to the moulds a felt pattern or shape saturated with
suitable oil is introduced, and the cones allowed to descend the pressure producing
a complete lubrication of the moulds and the cones.
The cones and moulds are removable and can be changed according to the size
and description of the articles required, the number of articles to be made at one
time being also determined by the size.
Dated this 2nd day of August 1890.
THOMAS WEBSTER, SENE
THOS. WEBSTER, JUN

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Making Articles of Earthenware, such as
Flower Pots, Preserve Jars, Cups, and similar Goods of Improved
Form, either Whole or in Section.
THOMAS WEBSTER Senior Gentleman 19 Salisbury Road Wavertree Liverpool
THOMAS WEBSTER Junior Correspondent 40 Garmoyle Road Wavertree Liverpool
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 :-
The clay or plastic material to be used after being tempered and mixed, is fed
into a pugmill of ordinary construction but having a die fitted over the usual outlet
which causes the material to issue in the form of a pipe. In front of the die a
cutting table of ordinary shape is fixed, and when a sufficient length of the pipe has
run out it is cut up into suitable lengths, the cutters being adjusted to cut exact
uniform lengths which dispenses with weighing and ensures uniformity in the
articles to be made. The pieces are then conveyed to the pressing machine which
consists of a frame A working between two upright standards B, as shewn in the
accompanying drawing. To the upper crosshead of the frame Á are attached by
means of thumbscrews C cones D, made of any suitable metal, wood, or glass, of
the shape of the articles to be made, and which are changed according to the size
and description of articles required. The lower crosspiece of the frame is attached
by a connecting rod E to a crank shaft, which imparts to it a vertical reciprocal
motion and is driven by steam, foot, or hand power, transmitted through suitable
gearing. The upright standards support a table F in which are fitted the moulds G
of the articles to be made. In the bottom of the moulds there is a circular opening
through which works a rod or plunger having at its top end a flat plate or false
bottom, and at its lower end a circular weight H which causes the rod to work evenly.
As the frame ascends the lower crosspicce catches the weights and so raises the
false bottoms to the level of the table, when the clay charges are put on. The
frame then descends and the cones enter the moulds squeezing the clay into
the form required. In order to prevent the clay being pressed out of the moulds
at the top, and to form the top rims of the articles evenly, also to guard against the
cones withdrawing the finished articles from the moulds as they ascend, movable
circular collars 1 are arranged to close over the space between the inside of the
moulds and the cones. These collars are attached to guides which work through
the table, and are attached at their lower ends to heavy weights J which keep
the collars firmly in position. The frame A ascending lifts the cones out but the
collars remain stationary until the lower crosspiece raises the weights J, when the
guides lift them up and so allow the finished articles to be pushed out of the moulds
by the false bottoms as they ascend. The moulds as well as the cones are
removable and can be changed according to the size and description of the articles
required. The number of articles to be made at one operation varies according to
size. When the interior of the moulds becomes dry and the clay or other material
adheres to it, a felt pattern or shape saturated with suitable oils is introduced and
the cones allowed to descend, the result being a complete lubrication of the cones
and the inside of the moulds.
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 we
claim is.
1. The novelty of preparing the clay or plastic material for the purpose herein
specified, in the form of pipes.
2. The arrangement of the false bottom with weights to secure true and perfect
delivery of the finished articles.

page_text: 3. The application of the movable collar, regulated by weights, to prevent the
clay or other material used being pressed out of the top of the moulds, and to form
the top rims of the articles made, also to prevent the articles being withdrawn from
the moulds by the cones.
4. The method of lubricating the inside of the moulds and the cones by means of
felt patterns saturated with oil.
Dated this 6th day of May 1891.
THOMAS WEBSTER, SENR.
THOMAS WEBSTER, JUNR.