IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EARTHEN- WARE AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Boulton, of Burslem, in the County of Stafford,
for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EARTHEN-
WARE AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE."
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Boulton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th January 1882.
WILLIAM BOULTON of Burslem in the County of Stafford. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF EARTHENWARE, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN SUCH
MANUFACTURE."
The first part of this invention relates to improvements in the filter-presses
employed for the preparation of potters clay from the material or mixture of
materials known as "slip."
Instead of having the trays of a filter-press grooved as formerly, or using planks
with a waved or corrugated surface as mentioned in the Specification of previous
Letters Patent.granted to me in the year 1878 No. 744, I substitute a plain surface
of wood, iron, or other suitable material; and in order to allow a conduit for the
effluent water I introduce sacking, matting, roping wicker-work, cane, or other such-
like substance between the said plain surface and the fine cloth, through which the
water is filtered from the clay or other material.
I also propose to extract a portion of the water from the clay that is in the
slip" state before it enters the press, and to introduce therein steam at a high-
pressure so as to make it hot in order to cause it to filter more easily.
For this purpose I allow the slip after mixing to remain for a certain time in a
quiescent state so that the heavy parts may settle to the bottom leaving clear water
at the top of the receptacle in which it is contained.
I then introduce a tube (preferably elastic) connected at one end to a pump and
having at its other end a hollow ball similar to that of a ball tap and so arranged
that it allows the end or nozzle of the tube to dip into the water and prevents
it from sinking into the more solid material. As the level of the water recedes by

page_text: the action of the pump and the ball comes onto that portion of the material which
is of a greater specific gravity, it does not sink so far below the surface, and the
nozzle being thus raised allows the pump to draw air which at once stops it from
pumping out the more dense material below. I then introduce into the now
comparatively solid material a high pressure steam pipe for the purpose of heating
the material, and in this heated state I place it in the filter press, and by this means
the process of filtering is much accelerated.
The second part of my invention relates to improvements in the construction of
apparatus for making cups, bowls, saucers, plates, jugs, jars, teapots, bottles or other
similar articles or earthenware and applies first to the means used for bringing
down the profile to shape the article to be formed, and I so arrange the apparatus
that I can fix a plurality of profiles upon one "jolley" arm by which means I
can make two three or a larger number of articles or bats by one downward
movement of the arm.
I also employ a means whereby I give to the said profiles a side thrust whereby
the article being made is more consolidated and better finished, which will also
allow of making articles which are narrower inside at the top than at the bottom.
I further employ a novel apparatus (hereinafter described) for removing the moulds
from the machine either by hand or foot, or automatically.
The apparatus which I propose to employ for making cups or other similar
articles is constructed as follows:
Above a suitable table I arrange a convenient number of moulds (say three)
each fixed on an upright shaft or spindle: all being caused to revolve rapidly by
an endless band or belt passing round grooved or other pulleys keyed on the shafts
or spindles.
A bracket or standard fixed on the table carries a vertical shaft so mounted as
to be capable of rising and falling, and having fixed atlits lower end a profile holder
fitted with three profiles corresponding with the moulds so that as the vertical
shaft is lowered or raised the profiles are simultaneously lowered into or raised out
of their respective moulds.
This rising and falling motion is produced as follows: on one of the mould
spindles beneath the table is keyed or fixed a worm driving a worm wheel to
which is connected a cam acting upon the lower end of a cam rod; the upper end
of which is connected to the vertical shaft which carries the profiles and gives an
up and down motion thereto. To the profile holder is attached one end of a cord
which passes over a pulley and has a weight attached to its other end which weight
acts as a counterbalance to the profile carrier.
In order to give the side thrust to the profiles so as to bring the article to its
proper thickness and to better consolidate the clay I fix or form on the cam above
mentioned a small projection which, at the required time, comes against the lower
end of the cam rod thrusting it sideways and causing it to turn the profile shaft
slightly on its axis which will have the effect of giving the required side thrust to
the profiles. The cord attached to the profile holder has a side pull which, as soon
as the small projection on the cam has passed the end of the cam rod, brings the
profiles back into the original position so that they do not touch the inside of the
article as they are being raised up.
In order to raise the three moulds simultaneously and to substitute three others
I employ a lifter formed with six rings three of which embrace the three moulds
under operation, whilst the other three are free for the workman to withdraw the
finished articles and substitute a fresh piece or bat of clay in the moulds. Upon
pressing on a lever or treadle by the hand or foot the lifter is caused to rise and
turn half round and reverse the position. Or this may be done automatically at
intervals if preferred.
To make saucers, plates and other similarly shaped shallow articles or flat bats
I employ the revolving vertical shafts with jigger plates or moulds together with
the worm, worm wheel, cam and cam rod as before but I attach the latter to a lever
one end of which works on a pivot and the other has two or more "jolley" arms

page_text: carrying the profiles, and corresponding, with the moulds and I employ a lifter
similar to that above described.
In some cases I make the article with the bottom side uppermost the face of the
mould being in that case convex and I place thereon the bat of clay ready to be
shaped by the concave profile. Or if I make the article with the top side upper-
most the mould is then concave and the profile convex in this case a lump of clay
can be fashioned without previously forming it into a flat bat.
For making bats a flat mould plate is used with a straight profile.
In some cases I also propose to provide the lever or "jolley" arm with a
universal joint so that it can be moved in any direction. I also propose to make
bottles (and other similar articles having narrow necks) in two parts, made
separately, and afterwards joined or stuck together.
The bottom part is made by the before described apparatus in the form of a jar,
and the neck part is formed by a separate profile, or by pressure in a mould, and
stuck onto the bottom portion by slip clay and the joint finished off by friction.
In the previously described apparatus the cam employed for raising and lowering
the profiles is made with a rest or "dwell" at the end so that the profiles neither
rise nor fall during the latter or finishing part of the moulding and I may here
state that if preferred excentrics may be used instead of these cams by providing
the cam rod or the profile shaft with a spring which will give way so as to allow
the article to be finished while the excentric is still revolving; or by the employment
of a stud pin travelling in a slot in the cam rod or profile shaft the same effect can
be obtained.
For making preserve jars or other articles with a sunken rim or recess round
the outside near the top I employ a mould which does not quite reach up to the
rim or recess, and a straight profile deeper than the mould to form the interior.
In addition to which I have attached to a "jolly "lever a second profile moving
horizontally and so formed as to make the top part of the outside above the mould
including the smaller rim or recess, and thus the latter is made whilst the jar is in
the mould.

page_text: .
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Boulton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th July
1882.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
WILLIAM BOULTON of Burslem in the County of Stafford.
THE MANUFACTURE OF EARTHENWARE AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN SUCH
MANUFACTURE."
The first part of this invention relates to improvements in the filter presses
employed for the preparation of potters' clay from the material or mixture of
materials known as "slip."
Instead of having the trays of a filter press grooved as formerly, or using planks
with a waved or corrugated surface as mentioned in the Specification of previous
Letters Patent granted to me in the year 1878 No. 744 I substitute a plain (or it
may be slightly corrugated) surface of wood, iron or other suitable material; and
in order to allow a conduit for the effluent water I introduce sacking, matting,
roping, wickerwork cane or other such-like substance between the said plain
surface and the fine cloth, through which the water is filtered from the clay or
other material.
I also propose to extract a portion of the water from the clay that is in the
• "slip" state before it enters the press, and to introduce therein steam at a high
pressure so as to make it hot in order to cause it to filter more easily.
For this purpose I allow the "slip" after mixing to remain for a certain time in
a quiescent state so that the heavy parts may settle to the bottom, leaving clear
water at the top of the receptacle in which it is contained. I then introduce a
tube (preferably elastic) connected at one end to a pump and having at its other
end a hollow ball similar to that of a ball tap and so arranged that it allows the
end or nozzle of the tube to dip into the water and prevents it from sinking into
the more solid material.
As the level of the water recedes by the action of the pump and the ball comes
onto that portion of the material which is of greater specific gravity it does not
sink so far below the surface and the nozzle being thus raised allows the pump
to draw air which at once stops it from pumping out the more dense material
below.
I then introduce into the now comparatively solid material a high pressure
steam pipe for the purpose of heating the material, and in this heated state I
pump it into the filter press, and by this means the process of filtering is much
accelerated.
This part of my Invention is illustrated by Figs. 1 to 5 (inclusive) in the
annexed drawing.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a Filter Press tray without any corrugations or grooves,
or they may be slightly corrugated.
Fig. 2 is an end view of the same with an ordinary inlet tap.
Fig. 3. is also an end view of the same shewing a method of passing the clay to
each tray without taps, which also I can do by employing an India rubber ring
fastened to the cloth and slipped in the groove of the conduit.
Fig. 4. is a partial section (full size) showing how two trays are joined
together, with the conduit feeders and the cloths and filtering material material
inside the trays.
Fig. 5 is an end elevation of forty of these herein before mentioned press trays
screwed together with the bearing formed into a cradle in order that a number

page_text: of these trays can be turned over for emptying with less labour and greater
facility.
a, a (Fig. 1.) is a plan view of a tray shewing the ends of the cradle and
supports b, b, c, c is an ordinary conduit tap, d, d is the brass or other metal
conductor screwed together which divides at e, e where the joint is made with
gutta percha, india rubber or any other suitable material. f, fare flanges which
screw down the cloths and filtering material g, g.
When the press is filled with clay and partially opened it is unscrewed at e, e
which liberates one tray from the other.
When these trays are put together again before it is closed it is screwed back in
its place at e, e which forms a tight joint but if this method is employed as it can be
with an ordinary tap as shown at c these are all unscrewed before beginning to
empty the presses.
Fig. 5. Shows the mode of emptying the trays or chambers, h is a rocker or
curved piece of wood or other material placed against the ends of a tray fastened
with a clamp i. The bolt j is then unfastened which allows the given quantity of
chambers to roll over on and h; h being the lowest at its point it allows the
trays to roll over more easily.
After unscrewing the rods which fasten these trays together and taking away
the strong ordinary front knees and planks at one end which it is not necessary to
show, and b are so rolled along that it brings the part of the press marked k
uppermost, the other part marked 1, 7 is then rolled along in the same manner
bringing m, m uppermost.
The press men then release the clay from the filtering material and cloths and
replace the chambers on the cradles b after they are turned to their places for
filling again and so on.
The second part of my invention relates to improvements in the construction of
apparatus for making cups, bowls, saucers, plates, jugs jars, tea pots, bottles or other
similar articles of earthenware and applies first to the means used for bringing
down the profile to shape the article to be formed and I so arrange the apparatus
that I can fix a plurality of profiles upon one "jolly" arm by which means I can
make two, three or a larger number of articles or bats by one downward movement
of the arm.
I also employ a means whereby I give to the said profiles a side thrust whereby
the article being made is more consolidated and better finished, which will also
allow of making articles which are narrower inside at the top than at the bottom.
I further employ a novel apparatus (hereinafter described) for removing the
moulds from the machine either by hand or foot, or automatically.
The apparatus which I propose to employ for the manufacture of cups or other
similar pottery articles is illustrated by Figs. 6 to 22 (inclusive).
Fig. 6 is a plan view of an arrangement of the machine Fig. 7. is a side elevation
of the same. Fig. 8, a front view of its upper portion and Fig. 9. a similar view of
its lower portion. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the lifting apparatus and Fig. 11. an
elevation of the same.
Above a suitable table I arrange a convenient number of moulds n, n (say
three) each fixed on an upright shaft or spindle o, o all being caused to revolve
rapidly by an endless band or belt p, p passing round grooved or other pulleys
keyed on the shafts or spindles.
A bracket or standard i, i fixed on the tablej j carries a vertical shaft 8, 8 so
mounted as to be capable of rising and falling and having fixed at its lower end a
profile holder qq fitted with three profiles rrr corresponding with the moulds
n, n so that as the vertical shaft s, s is lowered or raised the profiles are
simultaneously lowered into or raised out of their respective moulds.
This rising and falling motion is produced as follows: on one of the mould spindles
beneath the table is keyed or fixed a worm w driving a worm wheel x to which is
connected a cam u u acting upon the lower end of a cam rod t, t the upper end of
which is connected to the vertical shaft s, s which carries the profiles r, r and gives

page_text: an up and down motion thereto. To the profile holder q, q is attached one end of
a cord 2, which passes over a pulley y, y and has a weight attached to its other
end, which weight acts as a counterbalance to the profile carrier or a balance weight
may be put on the revolving cam shaft.
In order to give the side thrust to the profiles so as to bring the article to its
proper thickness and to better consolidate the clay-I fix or form on the cam u u
above mentioned a small projection a¹ which at the required time comes against
the lower end of the cam rod t, t thrusting it sideways and causing it to turn the
profile shaft s, s slightly on its axis which will have the effect of giving the required
side thrust to the profiles. The cord z, z attached to the profile holder q, q has a
side pull (see Fig. 6) which, as soon as the small projection a 1 on the cam u has
passed the end of the cam rod t brings the profiles r, r back into their original
position so that they do not touch the inside of the article as they are being raised
up.
It also keeps the arm t, t in position against the side flange of the cam u, u or
this can be done by springs instead if preferred.
с
61 Figs. 10 and 11 is the lifting apparatus to remove and replace the moulds in
the "jigger" heads, c 1. c, 1 is the upright shaft upon which b, 1 is fastened d 1. d, 1 are
bearings or steadies for shaft c 1. 71, 1 are keys attached to the shaft c1 which
key lowers into two recesses in the steady bearings.d 1 when the shaft is lowered
in position. f1 is a foot pedal by which this shaft can be lifted (or a hand lever
may be employed) g 1 is a stop on which the end of the shaft will rest when down
h 1. is a frame to carry the three spindles i 1 i 1 i l'is a framework with bearings
to support the upright shaft s j is the bench to which the above machinery is
fastened.
It will be seen that the mode of operation is as follows. viz:
Suitable pieces of clay are put in the three moulds nn, n the three spindles o
are quickly revolving meanwhile being driven by the band p or other appliances
and the worm w driving the wheel x revolves the cam or excentric u which is on
the shaft b and as this revolves it allows the arm t, to descend with the profile
holder, and its profiles within the moulds n, n, n which shapes the inner portion of
the clay in accordance with the shape of the profile as the mould and clay revolves
and the mould itself forms the outside shape of the article, but in order to give it a
side motion to bring it to its proper thickness and to better consolidate the clay I
first bring down the profile a given distance from the side of the mould, and when
it has come down to a required depth, the piece a 1 on the side of the flange on the
cam u comes in contact with the lever arm tit gives it a side thrust which gives
a twist to the profile holder q and brings the profiles nearer to the inside surface
of the mould and thus consolidates the clay and brings it to its proper thickness.
When the projection a 1 on the side flange of the cam u has passed the lever t
the cord 2, which passes over the pulley y, y (or spring as the case may be) brings
the profiles back from the outer surface, and as the cam revolves it lifts up the
spindlet which being connected with the shaft s, brings the profiles out of the
moulds.
The rings, or lifters being fitted on the upright shaft c 1 three of them are in
position round the cast "jigger" heads k 1k 1 the foot being pressed on the lever f1,
which lifts up the moulds n, n n above the top of the head k 1, the six rings are
revolved half the circle which carries away the three finished articles. Three moulds
in which are three pieces of clay and three rings at the other end are brought in
position over the heads k 1 and as the foot lever is released it brings down the
keys el into the slot in the bearer d 1, and so places the three other inoulds in the
heads, and this is repeated each time the profiles come down, or the operator may
lift these said rings by hand without the pedal or upright spindle and replace others
in the same way.
This will give greater facility in making these articles as they have hitherto been
lifted singly by hand.
"
1,1 on Figs. 12 and 13, are a modification of an arm to carry profiles to make

page_text: articles flat slightly convex or concave which arm is lifted in the same manner by
cam or other appliance as in Figs. 7 and 8.
This I have shown as making two plates at the same time and the centre of
lifting apparatus m 1 being placed on the shaft. h 1, brings it in position for lifting
the two plates at once and as it revolves it removes the two finished articles and
replaces two more as in the former case as stated for making cups.
In Fig 15, o 1, is a straight profile on the arm p 1 which forms bat or flat pieces
of clay on the plaster slab q 1, and as the spindle revolves these profiles shape it to
any required thickness which clay is placed on a plate mould or other similar
article to be shaped as in Fig. 13.
Fig. 16 r1, is a saucer inverted or any similar article being formed in the
mould, s 1 and the cam rises or falls to actuate the profile as previously stated,
with similar lifters to remove and replace the moulds.
Articles of this kind being inverted will save making flat bats as in Fig. 10 as
the profile will shape a piece of clay previously put in the mould as the cam brings
down the profile.
When it is required that this arm should move sideways I introduce a flange as
on the cam u Fig. 8. to give a side motion at any given point and a universal joint
as shown in Fig. 17.
At the centre of motion t 1 Fig. 16 in order to allow it to have a side movement
when the arm comes on rest w 1, there is a slot x 1 Fig. 17, in which to place the
lever arm 1 (or similar arm). y 1,y1 are journals which will allow the arm to.
move sideways, 21, 21 are journals to allow it to have the up and down
motion.
. Fig. 18 is a plan view of automatic lifting apparatus.
Fig. 19 is a section of same.
Figs 20 and 21 show an improved method of making bottles.
In Figs 18 and 19 a 2 shows a bevel wheel on counter shaft v gearing with
another on counter shaft 62 on the end of which shaft is a bevel friction or
toothed wheel c2 coming in contact with another on lifting shaft c 1. When this
said shaft raises to its highest point the cam u as it revolves brings down the
lever d 2 lifting the shaft c1 with a friction or toothed wheel until the friction or
toothed wheel comes in contact with c 2 which causes it to make the shaft revolve
to turn the moulds away from the heads and when it has made half a circle the
cam u allows this shaft to lower disconnecting the friction or toothed wheels, and
allowing the other moulds to lower within. the heads ready for the profiles to shape
the clay that is within or without as the case may be.
Fig. 20, e 2 shows a mould in which the bottom portion of a bottle is made.
f, 2 shows the clay as it has been shaped with the beforementioned machine left a
little within the mould at its top part.
Fig. 21 shows the top portion of the bottle g2 having been formed with the
above machine or pressed in a mould and when each part has been allowed to dry
a little, a little wet clay or slip is put between these two parts or joints and g 2
and f2 are then compressed together which forms a solid joint and after finishing
when it has left the mould the bottle is complete.
Fig. 22. is a mould for making jars, g 2 is a mould in which a jar h 2 is shown
2 is the profile for inside, j 2 is an outer profile for putting in the recess at the
top of the jar which is above the mould. k 2 is a lever with handle at the top
which brings away this outer profile or profiles and. leaves the jar with finished
recess before leaving the mould, or this may also be moved automatically as well as
the inner profile.
If preferred the lifting motion may be produced with excentrics instead of cams
by introducing a spring which will give way to allow time for the article to be
shaped while the cam is still going round; or by a stud pin with slot in lifter
which allows time for the article (while it is travelling in the slot) to be formed
before the stud pin comes in contact with the top part of the slot, to lift the
profiles.

page_text: Having now described the nature and object of my said invention together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention
First the improvements in the preparation of the clay from "slip" and in the
filter presses and other apparatus employed for that purpose as hereinbefore more
particularly described and illustrated by Figs 1. to 5. of the annexed Drawings
and
Secondly I claim the improvements in manufacturing cups, saucers, plates, or
other similarly shaped shallow articles or flat bats; also bottles, jars, and other
similar hollow-vessels and the improved apparatus employed in such manufacture
as hereinbefore set forth and illustrated by Figs 6 to 22 (inclusive) of the drawings
annexed; and especially I claim the adaptation of a plurality of profiles on one
jolly arm whether worked by hand or by power, and the apparatus for removing
the finished articles either by hand or by power.
In witness whereof I the said William Boulton have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
WILLIAM BOULTON. (L.S.)

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