Improvements in the Manufacture of Boxes or Hollow Articles of Paper Pulp, and in the Apparatus or Machinery employed therein.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 13th June, 1892-Accepted, 23rd July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Boxes or Hollow Articles
of Paper Pulp, and in the Apparatus or Machinery employed
therein.
I BENJAMIN WILLCOX of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been
communicated to me from abroad by Paul Sohege of 58 Chaussée d'Antin,
Paris in the Republic of France, Engineer, to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved process and machinery or apparatus for
the manufacture of boxes or hollow articles of paper pulp moulded by hydraulic
pressure as hereinafter described. The process of manufacture according to this
invention consists essentially in compressing the paper pulp whilst in a dry condition
in a mould or matrix which imparts to it its external form the internal cavity being
formed by a hollow expanding core of india rubber or flexible material. A machine
or apparatus for manufacturing paper boxes according to this invention is constructed
with a hydraulic press containing a cylindrical piston or plunger supporting a plate
or table. Upon this table there is a matrix surrounded by a steel hoop or ring and
composed of four or other suitable number of independent parts each of which is
guided by one of a series of vertical columns connecting the cylinder of the hydraulic
press to a cap or block at the upper part of the apparatus. The parts constituting
the matrix are further supported by keys or projections attached to one of the
parts and sliding in a slot on the adjacent part when the said parts move towards
or away from one another. A number of wedges connected to screwed spindles
are arranged between the hoop or ring and the periphery of the matrix. Some of
these wedges bear normally against the side of the matrix whilst others placed in
proximity to the vertical columns act by sliding against the matrix.
Each wedge is guided by a projection or stud on the hoop or ring and is connected
to a screw working in a nut formed in the boss of a toothed wheel or pinion. By
acting simultaneously on all the screws in the direction required for loosening all
the wedges by elevating them for example the four parts of the matrix being
liberated are separated from one another and moved towards the hoop or ring
either by hand or by the action of springs. When springs are employed they may
be arranged to bear on one hand against the outer surface of the hoop or ring and
on the other hand against a cap connected to the matrix by bolts.
When the matrix is expanded to its maximum diameter the blank can be readily
placed therein having been previously dried to such an extent that a pressure of
from 200 to 300 kilogrammes per square centimetre for example does not cause any
liquid to exude from the pulp.
The blank being placed in the matrix with the open end upwards water under a
pressure of about one kilogramme per square centimetre for example is admitted to
the cylinder of the hydraulic press. The piston ascends and raises the matrix until
its upper edge comes in contact with the cap of the press. During the ascent of
the matrix an india rubber mandril supported by a wood core attached to the cap
of the press enters the interior to the blank.
The india rubber mandril is provided with a flange causing it to present the
appearance of a hat and this flange is connected to the under side of the upper
plate of the press by a ring and screws. A clear space is left between the inner
edge of the ring and the sides of the mandril and the upper edge of the matrix
comes in contact with the surface of the india rubber which is thus exposed.
When the matrix has been thus placed in position it is simply necessary to draw
together the four parts of the matrix in order to form the mould corresponding to

page_text: the external surface of the box or receptacle. For this purpose a driving belt is
shifted from a loose pulley to a fast pulley transmitting motion to a vertical shaft
provided with a long pinion driving a toothed wheel which partakes of the vertical
movements of the matrix. This wheel imparts rotary motion directly and partly
through a spur wheel loose on the piston of the hydraulic press and suitable inter-
mediate gearing to toothed wheels or pinions working on the screws connected to
the wedges hereinbefore described. These toothed wheels or pinions are prevented
from moving vertically relatively to the mould and the gearing being so arranged
as to cause them to rotate simultaneously in the same direction they force down the
wedges and tighten up the segments of the mould or matrix. This action takes
place at the moment when the upper edge of the mould or matrix is forced against
the flange of the rubber mandril the segments of the mould being forced against
the blank whilst a space is left between the sides and end of the rubber mandril
and the interior surface of the blank.
In order to cause the paper to enter the hollows or recesses of the matrix a
powerful pressure is caused to act in the interior of the matrix so as to distend
the india rubber and force the paper into the hollows of the mould.
For this purpose the cock controlling the supply of water under low pressure
of say about 1 kilo. per square centimetre is closed and a valve supplying water
under a higher pressure of from say about 200 to 300 kilos. per square centimetre is
opened. This high pressure water passes through suitable tubes and passages to
the interior of the clastic corc or mandril which expands and forces the material
with corresponding pressure against the sides and end of the mould. By these
means the pulp is effectually forced into all the recesses of the mould, and when the
operation is completed the supply of water under pressure is cut off and the
piston allowed to descend. During the descent of the mould the driving gear
connected with the wedges is caused to rotate in the opposite direction so as to
loosen the wedges acting on the segments of the mould. By means of a cord
which is wound upon one of the shafts the lever controlling the belt may be
moved so as to shift the belt automatically at the proper times. The box or
hollow article is then removed from the apparatus and a fresh blank may be
introduced into the mould. The details of construction herein before described
may be modified according to the nature of the work and the apparatus is
preferably so arranged as to afford facilities for changing the moulds or matrices
by which the required shapes are imparted to the boxes or hollow articles
manufactured according to this invention.
Dated this 12th day of September 1891.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Boxes or Hollow Articles
of Paper Pulp, and in the Apparatus or Machinery employed
therein.
I BENJAMIN WILLCOX of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by Paul Sohege of 58 Chaussée d'Antin Paris in
the Republic of France Engineer) and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to an improved process and machinery or apparatus for the
manufacture of boxes or hollow articles of paper pulp moulded by hydraulic
pressure as hereinafter described. The process of manufacture according to this
invention consists essentially in compressing the paper pulp whilst in a dry condition
in a mould or matrix which imparts to it its external form the internal cavity being
formed by a hollow expanding core of india rubber or other flexible material.

page_text: And in order that my said invention may be fully understood shall now
proceed mere particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is an elevation of an apparatus constructed according to, and for the
purposes of this invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of the same drawn to a larger scale the section
being taken on the line A B Figure 1 shewing the mould or matrix in plan.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the mould or matrix taken through the
line CDE Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a plan of the plate supporting the gear wheels.
Figures 5 and 6 are vertical sections of the same, respectively taken on the
lines F G H and K G M of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a sectional plan taken along the line N P Figure 8 shewing the
underside of the piston or plunger.
Figure 8 is a vertical section of the same taken on the line Q R S of
Figure 7.
Figure 9 shews in half elevation and half section the elastic mandril with its
core and
Figure 10 is a view of the same half in plan and half in cross section.
The machine or apparatus is constructed with a hydraulic cylinder 1 containing
a piston or plunger 2 supporting a plate or table 3. Upon this table there is a
matrix 4 surrounded by a hoop or ring 5 (preferably of steel) the said matrix being
composed of four (or other convenient number) of separate parts each of which is
guided by one of a series of vertical columns 6 connecting the cylinder of the
bydraulic press to a cap or block 7 at the upper part of the apparatus. The parts
constituting the matrix 4 are further supported by keys or projections 8, 8, 8, each
attached to one of the parts and sliding in a slot in the adjacent part when the said
parts move towards or away from one another. A number of wedges 9, 9¹ (say
twelve) connected to screwed spindles 9" are arranged between the hoop or ring 5
and the periphery of the matrix 4. Some of these wedges (say the four marked 9.)
may simply bear normally against the side of the matrix whilst others (say the eight
marked 9 placed in proximity to the vertical columns) may act by sliding against
the matrix. Each wedge is guided by a projection or stud on the hoop or ring 5
and is connected at its lower part to a screw 9" working in a nut formed in the
boss of a toothed wheel or pinion as shewn in Figure 8. By acting simultaneously
on all the screws in the direction required for loosening the wedges by elevating
them the four parts of the matrix 4 being liberated are separated from one another
and moved towards the hoop or ring 5 either by hand or by the action of springs.
These springs are not shewn in the drawings. When however they are employed
they are placed in caps or boxes 10 secured to the matrix by bolts 11 passing
through the ring or hoop 5 the said springs bearing at one end against the ring or
hoop 5 and at the other end against the caps or boxes 10.
When the matrix is expanded to its maximum diameter the blank can be readily
placed therein having been previously dried to such an extent that a pressure of
from 200 to 300 kilogrammes per square centimetre for example does not cause any
liquid to exude from the pulp. The blank having been placed in the matrix with
the open end upwards water or other fluid under a pressure of about one kilogramme
per square centimetre for example is admitted to the cylinder 1 of the hydraulic
press. The piston 2 is thereby caused to ascend and raises the matrix 4 until its
upper edge comes in contact with the upper plate 12 of the press. During the
ascent of the matrix a mandril 13 (Figures 9 and 10) of india rubber or other
flexible material supported by a core 14 (which may be of wood) attached to the
cap 7 of the press by a bolt 15, enters the interior of the blank.
The mandril 13 is provided with a flange 16 connected to the under side of the
upper plate 12 of the press by a ring 17 and screws or in other convenient way.
A space is left between the inner edge of the ring 17 and the sides of the mandril-13

page_text: and the upper edge of the matrix 4 comes in contact with the surface of the india
rubber (or the like) which is thus exposed.
When the matrix has been thus placed in position the four parts of the matrix
are moved inwards in order to form the mould corresponding to the external surface
of the box or receptacle. For this purpose a driving belt is shifted from a loose
pulley 18 (Figure 1) to a fast pulley 19 transmitting motion to a vertical shaft
provided with a long pinion 20 driving a toothed wheel 21 (see Figure 4) which
partakes of the vertical movements of the matrix. The toothed wheel 21 imparts
rotary motion to two pinions 22 and to a spur wheel 23 loose on the piston of the
hydraulic press, the spur wheel engaging with three pinions 21' 21" and 21 each
of these latter in turn imparting motion to pinions 221 221, 2211 221 and 22111 2211
on the screws 911. The rotation of the long pinion 20 thus causes these pinions to
rotate in the proper directions to cause the screws 9" 9" to operate the wedges to
move inwards the parts of the matrix, the said toothed wheels or pinions being
prevented from moving vertically relatively to the mould by being confined as shewn
in Figure 8.
This action takes place at the moment when the upper edge of the mould or
matrix 4 is forced against the flange 12 of the mandril 13 the segments of the
mould being forced against the blank whilst a space is left between the sides and
end of the rubber mandril 13 and the interior surface of the blank.
In order to cause the material of the articles being formed to be pressed forcibly
against the matrix a powerful pressure is caused to act in the interior of the
mandril 13 so as to distend it and force the said material into the mould.
For this purpose the cock controlling the supply of water or fluid under low
pressure (say about 1 kilo. per square centimetre) is closed and a valve supplying
water or liquid under a higher pressure (say from about 200 to 300 kilos. per square
centimetre) is opened. This high pressure water or liquid passes through the
pipe 25 into the passage 26 whence it is led by grooves in the core 14 to the interior
of the elastic core or mandril 13 which latter expands and forces the material with
corresponding pressure against the sides and end of the matrix or mould. By these
means the material is effectually forced into all the recesses of the mould. When
the operation is completed the supply of water or liquid under pressure is cut off
and the matrix contracts and the piston of the press is allowed to descend carrying
down the matrix with the moulded box or other article in it. During or after the
descent of the matrix the driving gear connected with the wedges is caused to rotate
in the opposite direction so as to loosen the wedges.
A. cord (not shown in the drawings) may be employed which winds up on a shaft
of the disengaging gear during the upward stroke of the press and is fully wound up
at the time that the piston is caused to descend and then the said cord operates the
lever of the disconnecting gear and the belt guides setting the apparatus ready to
receive a new blank.
The matrices or moulds may be changed to suit the shape of the article to be
formed.
As there may be considerable variation in the height of the articles to be made
the position of the press plate may be altered or it may be removed to allow the
ready entrance and exit of the blanks. The length of the cord when it is employed
as hereinbefore described fixes the length of the vertical movements of the
matrix.
The operations with this apparatus are as follows.
The blank is placed in the mould or matrix and the tap or cock is opened tor
admit water or fluid under pressure (say 1 kilg. for the square centimetre) to the
press cylinder. The strap is placed on the fast pulley, the reversing gear is set in
motion and stopped when the upward movement is completed and the flow of water
or fluid at 1 kil. pressure is discontinued. Then the cock admitting water or fluid
at a very high pressure to the mandril is opened and is then shut allowing this
high pressure water or fluid to flow away and finally the finished articles are
removed.

page_text: The details of construction herein before described may be modified according to
the nature of the work and the apparatus is preferably so arranged as to afford
facilities for changing the moulds or matrices by which the required shapes are
imparted to the boxes or hollow articles manufactured according to this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The making of boxes or other hollow articles of paper pulp by the process and
means substantially as herein betore described.
2. The apparatus for the manufacture of boxes or other hollow articles from
paper pulp a mould or matrix formed in several pieces capable of being moved
towards each other when desired by wedges operated by a series of toothed wheels
and pinions substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. In apparatus for the manufacture of boxes or other hollow articles from paper
pulp an elastic mandril capable of being inflated by fluid under pressure for
compressing the blank against the inner parts of the mould or matrix substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting an apparatus
for the manufacture of boxes or other hollow articles from paper pulp substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 13th day of June 1892.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.