IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR AND IN THE MODE OF TIGHTENING BALE TIES; ALSO IN BALE TIES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Patent Agents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR AND IN
THE MODE OF TIGHTENING BALE TIES; ALSO IN BALE TIES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Samuel J. Chapman and Daniel S. Silcox, both of
Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America.
ealed the 24th April 1878, and dated the 14th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th November 1877.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Patent Agents,
of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR AND IN THE MODE OF TIGHTENING BALE TIES; ALSO IN BALE
TIES." A communication from abroad by Samuel J. Chapman and Daniel S.
Silcox, both of Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America.
The improvements consist in imparting pressure simultaneously to the upper
ends of the several bands, and also imparting an equal or variable tension to the
lower ends of the bands by independent steam-actuated pistons, and in automatically
locking the ends of the bands.
And the machinery consists essentially in the combination with suitable con-
necting mechanism of a draft cylinder and a stop cylinder, the two latter respectively
acting upon a band in opposite lines of direction of applied force; and in combina
tion with said cylinders of a band tightener, consisting of duplex valve mechanism
and a single operating lever, whereby the induction and eduction ports of said
cylinders can be opened to the steam and exhaust ports in said valves."
And the improved bale tie is formed with two independent through slots for the

page_text: attachment of the two ends of the band, one of said slots being wedge shaped and
provided with a wedge or rollers, which serve to automatically lock the band.
The various parts of the machinery may be in detail of the ordinary description,
and made conveniently of metal. The balo tie is also to be made of metal.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
May 1878.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Patent Agents,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer.
MACHINERY FOR AND IN THE MODE OF TIGHTENING BALE TIES; ALSO IN BALE
TIES." A communication from abroad by Samuel J. Chapman and Daniel S.
Silcox, both of Charlestown, South Carolina, United States of America.
This Invention is in two parts, respectively relating to improvements in bale
band tighteners and bale ties.
Each of the said improvements may be used independently of and without
reference to the other, but preferably, and in practice, they are used together in the
baling of goods or merchandize, such as cotton, or any other desired material.
The first part of this Invention relates to improvements adapted to be applied to
steam, hydraulic, or other bale presses, whereby the bands of cotton or other baled
goods may be tightened and fastened as desired, the object being to tighten the
bands of a bale by such a direct application of power that an immediate, simul-
taneous, and equal force may be brought to bear upon all the several bands as the
latter are drawn into proper tightness about the bale, and then secured by self
fastening ties. I provide a series of steam cylinders supported on a framework
above the horizontal plane of the upper platen of a press, each of said cylinders
being respectively connected by suitable engaging mechanism with the several
bands of a bale, and adapted to tighten them by steam or other power, introduced
therein by pipes leading from respective valve chests controlling the steam. In the
central front of this framework a cylinder is also placed whose connecting rod is
hinged to a bar extending the horizontal length of the press platens, so as to rest
upon the upper faces of all the several band ties, and hold them in proper position
without vertical displacement, while the draft cylinders on either side of this stop
cylinder operate to tighten the bands in their several ties. Both this stop cylinder,
and also all the draft cylinders, connect by suitable pipes with respective valve
chests, and are so arranged that when the piston of the stop cylinder is on part of
its down stroke that of the draft cylinders will be on part of its up stroke. By
thus partly reversing the vertical movement of the pistons of the draft cylinders on
the one hand, and that of the stop cylinders on the other hand, their respective
connecting rods somewhat alternate in their movement, so that the stop plate is
borne down and firmly maintained upon the several bale ties simultaneously with
the tightening of the bands by the draft mechanism. A double-acting lever operates
the motion valves in the respective valve chests, so that by moving this single lever
the above-described double action takes place. These valve chests may connect

page_text: with any steam-containing mechanism by pipes leading between the two, but it will
be found best to use steam either from the press cylinder or the boiler.
In practice I prefer to take steam from the press cylinder, as the tightening
operation does not take place till after the bale is compressed, and the withdrawal
of a small volume of steam therefrom at such a time, subsequent to the compression,
will not interfere with the working of the press.
I also provide auxiliary cylinders, which take their steam through the pistons of
the draft cylinders, and so arranged that the free ends of the bands are clamped by
engaging mechanism simultaneously with the rise of the piston rods, which by con-
necting means tighten the several bands. Upon drawing the latter sufficiently
taught automatic bale tie fasteners lock the bands against withdrawal from their
former tightened state, and as steam exhausts from the several draft cylinders their
respective auxiliary gripping cylinders are correspondingly exhausted, and the
gripping mechanism automatically releases the bands. The said draft cylinders and
auxiliary band gripping cylinders all have open upper heads, so when the steam is
introduced in the lower part of the cylinders beneath the piston heads the vertical
rise of the latter fully operates. While upon exhaust the gravity of the pistons and
their lower connecting mechanisms cause their immediate and voluntary fall or down
stroke. Hand valves are provided on the steam pipes leading into the stop and
the several draft cylinders, so that the volume of steam may be therein controlled
for each respective cylinder independently of the others, and thus a greater steam
pressure can be brought to bear upon some of the bands than upon others, if for any
reason it should thus be desired.
If necessary or called for the several or any of the pistons may be loaded with
weights, so that the respective cylinders may not have an excess of power. The
stop bar is provided with weighted lever arms, projecting from the front plate,
which latter directly connects the hinged connecting rod of the stop cylinder with
the said bar, so that the tendency of the latter is always to be pressed inwards
against the bands of the bale, and by reason of the stop bar being hinged it can be
swung in or out, corresponding to a wide or narrow bale, and thus be adjustable
horizontally to or from the platens of the press.
Referring to the Drawings,―
Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the device as applied to the rough skeleton
of any press, two of the draft cylinders only being shown.
Figure 2 is a view showing one of the draft cylinder with their connecting parts
in vertical section.
Figure 3 is a detail view of one of the draft cylinders having a modified form of
band-gripping mechanism.
Figure 4 shows different kinds of automatic tie fasteners.
Figure 5 represents bale tie.
Figure 6 is a modification of the tic; Figure 7 is a cross section of same.
A, A¹, represent respectively the upper and lower platens of any press suitable for
baling cotton or other baleable goods, between which platens is shown a bale B
compressed and in the act of being bound by the bands. D are the ties, made and
operating as is afterwards described. G represents stop bar or plate, which is used
to resist the tendency of the ties D to move or rise under the force of the tightening
process, and is hinged to the connecting rod H through the medium of the plate h,
so that it may swing freely in a vertical plane, and thus reach under the upper
platen, in case the bale is not in flush outer line with the same. Weighted lever
arms J act as lateral presser mechanism to hold the stop plate close against the
bands. This stop plate is controlled by the connecting rod H as the latter is
actuated by a piston, which in turn is operated in the cylinder L. This latter
cylinder has the usual steam pipes 1, 1, each provided with valves m, m', so that
their passages can be controlled independently of the regular motion valves in the
respective valve chests m, m¹. These latter valves operate the feed and exhaust
ports of the steam pipes respectively, the above-described stop cylinder L, and also
the several draft cylinders N, and are jointly worked by the single pivoted lever

page_text: bar P. As the lever is swung to the right or to the left the feed and the exhaust of
the two cylinders are operated as is afterwards described. Stop valves n, n³, are also
provided on the steam pipes connecting with the draft cylinders, so that the latter
may be regulated in the amount of steam handled independently of the motion
valves. The usual exhaust steam feeding pipes are used, so that the entire attach-
ment may be applied to any ordinary press already made by simply running out
steam pipes from the cylinder or boiler of the engine into the steam chests
respectively incident to the stop and draft cylinders.
The operation of the foregoing described parts is as follows:-The goods to be
baled being compressed with the several bands in place about the same, and the ties
adjusted centrally of the bale, as shown, with the two ends of each band inserted in
their corresponding tie slots, the motion valve lever P is moved, so as to exhaust the
stop cylinder, and the stop bar is lowered to the extreme down stroke of its con-
necting piston, which distance is definitely arranged, so that the lower or bearing
face of the stop bar will be in a horizontal plane passing centrally through the bale.
The bands being loose, if any of the ties are too high, they will be readily forced.
down; while if too low, they will be brought up, as the bands are tightened by throw-
ing the lever P in the opposite direction, so as to feed steam respectively into the
stop, and also the several draft cylinders. The steam thus introduced into the stop
cylinder over the head of its piston strongly presses the stop bar down against the
ties, and resists the action of the draft cylinders drawing in the opposite direction.
The fasteners of the ties are prevented from coming out of their wedge-shaped slots
by the stop plate covering sufficient of the latter in cross measurement, even in the
guards d were not on the ties. Simultaneously with this action of the stop
cylinder, the pistons of the several draft cylinders, having steam introduced beneath
them, are driven up, carrying the guide rods Q with them in their up stroke, which
latter are provided with the upper buffer blocks R rigidly engaging with the piston
rods extended up through the cylinders; the lower extremities of these guide rods,
on either side of the several cylinders, have the lower buffer blocks R, serve as
cross pieces to hold the said rods together.
The connecting rods S engaging mechanism, and tightens the bands as taught as
desired. Upon operating the lever P back to its former position, exhaust occurs in
all the cylinders, and the bands are locked by the self-fastening ties. It is apparent
that instead of having a separate draft cylinder for each band, one cylinder may
engage with two or more bands, as shown in the Drawing, where each cylinder
operates two bands; and it is evident that if desired there may be but two draft
cylinders to a single press, one on either side of the central stop cylinder.
The rock bars S¹ secured to the rear side of the lower extremity of the connecting
rods S may be of any length corresponding with the number of bands to be gripped
by them, whether two, as shown in the Drawing, or more or less. The pawls t also
are made of suitable size, so as to engage with the respective number of bands,
and mesh them between them and the rack bar. This band-gripping mechanism
is preferably used, as shown in Figure of the Drawings, though, if desired, I
may employ the modified mechanizm seen in Figure 3. The connecting rod S has the
described rack S, in which meshes the pawl t, pivoted to rod S, and having its lever
arm loosely connected with the vertical rod T, which latter is actuated by the
auxiliary cylinder F secured on the upper buffer block R. This auxiliary cylinder
partakes of the vertical movement of the piston in its respectively connecting
draft cylinder, and by means of a steam pipe leading through the latter, steam
is introduced beneath its own piston, and the latter is correspondingly operated
simultaneously with the piston of the draft cylinder.
As steam is admitted to the draft cylinder, it is also admitted to the auxiliary or
pawl grip cylinder; and since both are weighted the same per square areal inch of
their respective pistons, they would both move at the same time, were it not that
the connecting parts of the draft cylinder give the latter an excess of frictional
resistance over that of the said auxiliary cylinder. Consequently the auxiliary or

page_text: pawl grip cylinder always moves before the draft cylinder, and thus the grip
imechanism is always closed upon the band when the draft cylinder tightens the
latter; and in the reverse action, the grip mechanism is always open, and the band
released. This excess of friction on the part of the draft cylinder may be further
increased or regulated as desired by an adjustable brake or drag attached to it or
its connections. Thus the gripping of the bands takes place as the latter are
tightened, and upon being tightened and fastened are then automatically released.
A similar result takes place when the lazy-tongs nippers, shown in Fig. 3, are used;
the construction of which latter is as follows:-The rods S are secured to the upper
joint of the toggle lever nippers U, while the lever joint of the toggle levers has
secured thereto a secondary connecting rod U', whose opposite upper end supports
a weight V, and the two have attached to them a chain rod or other connection W,
which attaches them to the draft cylinder. The nipper jaws. are adapted to close
over the free extremity of the band, to slide freely up or down the same when not
closed in frictional contract upon the band.
It is apparent that upon exhausting steam from the draft cylinders, and the bands
being all respectively fastened, steam may be independently admitted below the
piston of the stop cylinder, and the stop bar will be raised sufficiently to clear the
bale from the press, and allow fresh goods to be introduced between the platens for
compression; the foregoing operation of tightening and fastening the bands about
the new compressed sale is then repeated.
I may, if so desired, use a cock or cocks, or slide or poppet valves, with a lever and
gearing suitably arranged to control the ingress and egress of steain to and from the
above-described mechanism.
The second part of this Invention relates to bale ties, and consists,―
First. In a tie made with two through slots, in one of which slots the end of a
band is inserted and fastened in any suitable manner, while the other slot, made
wedge-shaped in cross section, is provided with a loose band fastening device,
which automatically locks the band against withdrawal after its introduction into
the said slot.
Second. In providing the tie with a suitable device for preventing the loose band
fastener from passing out of its wedge-shaped slot.
Third. In forming spur projections on the side of the tie, which are adapted to
engage with the bale to prevent any tendency of the tie to slip or be moved over
the bale.
This part of the Invention is clearly shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Drawings.
The tie D may be made of any suitable material, cast iron, malleable iron, or any
other desired material. It is provided with the two through slots 2 and 3, the one 2
may have inclined or straight walls, but the slot 3 is made wedged-shaped in cross
section. If desired however instead of making slot 2 at all, it may be dispensed
with, and fasten the one end of the band to the tie by riveting or otherwise, but
preferably I make the slot 2 through which the band is passed, then bent back upon
itself, and fastened if desired in any suitable way.
The slot 3 through which the free or tying end of the band is to be passed, and
therein automatically locked, is provided with any suitable fastener; this fastener
may be either a wedge, roller, pawl, or other peculiarly shaped device, and the same
may be made plain, corrugated, or fluted, and of any desired material. The object
being simply to make the fastener automatic in its band-locking action, so that by
passing the free end of the band up through the locking slot to either side of the
fastener, it will be held from withdrawal therefrom by the frictional bite or grip
imposed upon it between the fastener and the inclined wall of the slot, as the band
is attempted to be so withdrawn.
In order to keep the fastener in its slot, whether the band is inserted in the tio
or not, I may use any means for partially covering the larger end opening thereof,
so as to allow the band to be inserted in the locking slot, and yet prevent the
removal or displacement of the fastener. I show different ways of accomplishing-
this purpose; by way of example, the upper edge of the tie body forming the end

page_text: walls of slot 3 at its large opening is made countersunk, or with suitable depressions 5;
these depressions or recesses may be of any desired form or size, the object being to
broadly provide such a construction as will allow the guard piece or cover 6 to be
protected from injury or displacement. It is immaterial also of what special material
or character this guard or eover may be provided, only it locks the fastener against
removal from its working slot, and is adapted to be protected within the depressions 5.
This guard piece or cover is so located as to allow the band to pass to either, or to
only one side of it, as preferred; in the passage of the band out through the larger
opening of the slot, and by having the top surface of the guard or cover flush or in
line with the surface of the main body of the tie, it is prevented from receiving
blows, injury, or of being subjected to such conditions as would tend to dislocate
or harm it. At the same time it constantly guards the fastener against removal,
whether the band is inserted in the slot or not.
Another method of covering the slot 3 so as to keep in the fastener, is shown by
the flanged guards d; the latter I make preferably in the same piece with the tie D,
and of malleable iron, so that while they first stand out at right angles to the face
of the tic, on which they are made to allow the fastener to be placed in its slot;
they can then be readily turned over, each towards one another, or parallel with one
another, and their main body made parallel with said face. They are preferably
located at opposite longitudinal extremities of the tic, and in such position as to
allow room for the band to be passed into the slot. Upon drawing the free end of
the band by any desired means, so as to girt the bale as tightly as is desired, the
fastener allows of the band in the line of direction of the increasing cross measure-
ment of this slot, since the tendency of the passing band end is to carry the fastener
towards the larger end opening of the slot; abundance of room is afforded for both
the fastener and the band, but upon slackening the tension upon this band, and any
tendency of the latter to withdraw from its slot causes the fastener to be carried
towards the smaller end opening of the slot, and the band is accordingly at once
jammed in between the wall of the slot and the side of the fastener.
While I have shown the stop bar G in the band tightener as being for the
purpose of keeping the bale ties all down in their proper place, and prevent the
bands from slipping or moving' around the bale, yet I may further add to this
same object by the stud projections q formed on the ties. Or I may wish to omit
the stop bar G entirely from the band-tightening machine, and allow these stud
projections to answer the purpose alone.
Having fully described the Invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is, ―
1st. The method of tightening bale bands, substantially as described, the same
consisting in imparting pressure simultaneously to the upper ends of the several
bands; and also imparting and equal or variable tension to the lower ends of the
bands by independent steam-actuated pistons, and then automatically locking the
ends of the bands, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2nd. A machine for tightening bale bands, consisting essentially in the com-
bination with suitable connecting mechanism, as described, of a draft cylinder and
a stop cylinder; the two latter respectively acting upon a band in opposite lines of
direction of applied force, substantially as described.
3rd. The combination with the draft and stop cylinders of a band tightener of
duplex valve mechanism and a single operating lever, whereby the induction and
eduction ports of said cylinders are, as desired, opened to the steam and exhaust
ports in said valves, substantially as described.
4th. In machinery for tightening and fastening bale bands, the combination with
the draft and stop cylinders of respective steam connecting pipes, the latter pro-
vided with valves acting independently of the usual motion valves in controlling
the actuation of the pistons, substantially as described.
5th. In machinery for tightening and fastening bale bands, the combination with
the draft and stop cylinders, with their suitable connecting pipes, of respective

page_text: steam chests operated by motion valves and a single actuating lever, the same
located at any desired distance from the said cylinders, substantially as described.
6th. In machinery for tightening and fastening bale bands, the combination with
a steam cylinder and a rod connected with the piston of a stop bar hinged to said
rod, whereby the lower and working face of the stop bar is adapted to have a
lateral movement to adjust itself to bales of different widths, substantially as
described.
7th. The combination with the draft cylinder of any auxiliary cylinder and
connecting mechanism, as described, whereby the band is simultaneously gripped
and tightened, substantially as described.
8th. The combination with the draft cylinder and connecting mechanism of a
subsidiary cylinder for operating a pawl and rack-engaging mechanism, which
grips the free end of the band while the latter is being tightened, substantially as
described.
9th. The auxiliary cylinder located on the upper buffer block of the draft cylinder,
and vertically adjustable with the framework of the same, in combination with the
pawl grip mechanism, the latter automatically releasing the band when tightened and
fastened, substantially as described.
10th. A bale tie formed with two independent through slots for the attachment of the
two ends of the band, one of said slots being wedged-shaped, and provided with a
wedge or roller which serves to automatically locke the band, substantially as set
forth.
11th. The tie made with two independent band end slots, one of which is wedge-
shaped in cross section, and provided with a loose cylindrical roller, substantially
as described.
12th. The tie made of an oblong rectangular piece of metal with independent
slots for the two ends of a band, the one adapted to be nearer the bale, being of less
cross measurement than the outer slot, in which latter the free end of the band is
automatically secured, substantially as described.
13th. In a self-locking tie having independent slots for the respective ends of a
band, the combination with the wedge-shaped slot of flanged guards, whereby the
loose roller is held in place, substantially as described.
14th. The combination with the wedge-shaped slot of guard pieces made of
malleable iron or other suitable material, whereby they may be readily bent over
the slot after the introduction of the roller therein, substantially as described.
15th. In a bale tie, the guard piece or cover locking in the band fastener, and
seated in depressions or recesses formed in the body of the tie, whereby the said
guard or cover is protected against injury or displacement, substantially as described.
16th. An automatic bale tie, constructed with two through openings, in one of
which is secured an automatic locking bar, said tie provided with lugs projecting
from one side thereof, said lugs being cast solid with the tie, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
H. J. HADDAN. (L.S.)