IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING LOZENGES. AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Oliver Rice Chase, of 17, Cornhill, London,
Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR MANUFACTURING LOZENGES. AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Scaled the 22nd September 1854, and dated the 21st June 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Oliver Rice Chase at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
June 1854.
I, OLIVER RICE CHASE, of 17, Cornhill, London, Mechanical Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING LOZENGES. AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists in the adaptation of mechanical means to the
mixing and rolling and otherwise preparing of paste for the manufacture of
medicated or other lozenges, and to the cutting out circular or other formed
lozenges or pieces from the paste thus prepared; the same machinery being
applicable to the preparing and cutting out of cakes, biscuits, and other
similar articles.
The apparatus may be drawn by manual power, or by a band from any
suitable driving machinery. The mixing box or trough consists of a combi-
nation of rollers and endless aprons, so arranged that the ingredients of the
[Price 8d.1

page_text: paste to be made are gradually and uniformly brought together, and when
formed into a plastic mass rolled out in a continuous strip or sheet ready to be
subjected to the action of cutters, which cut out from the sheet the lozenges,
cakes, or biscuits it is desired to produce.
When the paste las been properly prepared by the mixing apparatus, it is
placed in strips of suitable width and length upon an endless apron, which
carries it on to a second apron, which delivers it to the cutting cylinder. In
passing from the first to the second apron, the paste passes between two
revolving belts, which respectively move through compartments containing a
suitable dusting powder or flour. This powder is kept from passing out of
the compartment, and is properly spread over the surface of the dusting belts
or aprons by scrapes or blades, placed at a proper inclination just above the
surface of the aprons. By this arrangement the surface of the aprons is
covered with a thin layer of powder or dusting, which is cominunicated to
the strip of paste as it passes between them on to the second feeding apron.
Just before passing from the second feeding apron on to the cutting
cylinder, the paste is smoothed or polished bya reciprocating polisher, which
is moved back and forth over its surface by means of a crank. Thus polished
or smoothed, the paste passes on to the cutter cylinder.
This construction and operation of the cylinder is as follows:-It is made
of brass or any other proper material, and is perforated with holes of the
size and shape of the intended lozenge. These holes are in lines parallel to
the axis of the cylinder; screwed into these holes or otherwise attached to
the cylinder are tubes or cutters, in which fit pistons attached to piston rods,
which pass into the interior of the cylinder. The piston rods have rings on
their inner ends, through which pass rods a little longer than the width of the
cylinder, in such a manner that all the pistons in one row of tubes or cutters
can be simultaneously advanced or retracted by moving. the rod passing
through their ends. The rods project beyond the end of the cylinder, and arc
kept up against the head of the cylinder by means of spiral springs, placed
one under each end of each rod. When the springs are released, the pistons
are on a level with the outer ends or mouths of the tubes or cutters. The
pistons are retracted to any desired distance by compressing the spiral springs
which support the ends of the rods. This is effected by passing the ends
of the rods under an arc properly adjusted, by which means the pistons can be
drawn back or thrown out at any point in the revolution of the cylinder that
may be desired.
Over each row of the tubes or cutters projecting from the cylinder is placed

page_text: row of
a perforated strip of metal, having holes of size and shape corresponding
with those of the cutters tubes, so that these may pass through it. These
strips or clearers are supported on springs, which tend to force them out to a
line with the outer ends or mouths of the cutter tubes. On the ends of the
strips are placed pins, which when passed under an arch properly adjusted
keep the strips at any required distance below the line of the outer ends of
the cutters. This depression will be regulated according to the thickness
of the paste that is passing through the machine. When the pins pass
from under the arc, the springs which support the strips are released, and send
the strips suddenly and forcibly out to a line with the mouths of the cutters.
When the paste passes on to the cylinder, the pistons are retracted to the
depth necessary to allow the cutter tubes to receive each a lozenge of proper
thickness. The strips is also depressed to a corresponding depth below the
mouths of the cutters. The paste is successively driven in to the
cutters by a hammer or presser, supported by springs, and driven down by pins
or studs on a shaft revolving above it, which, as the cylinder revolves, strikes
in succession each row of cutters. The superfluous paste remains upon the
strips. After passing the hammer, the paste passes against an elastic roller,
made of india-rubber, or other proper elastic material, which further presses
it into the cutters. A further revolution of the cylinder brings the paste
oppositean endless band, intended to carry off the superfluous pastes, which at
this point is thrown upon it by the sudden action of the springs under the
strips, which are released in succession at this point in the revolution of the
cylinder. The tubes containing the lozenges pass to the lowest point in
the revolution of the cylinder, where the ends of the rods which pass through
the piston rods are released from the arc which confined them, and the
pistons of each rod simultaneously descend and force the lozenge out of the
cutter or tube on to a thin board, which is moved along under the cylinder at
proper speed by an endless belt, moving on rollers, on which it rests, and
which projects any required distances beyond the end of the machine; any
number of such boards may be successively passed through the machines and
removed as they covered with lozenges.
Having delivered a row of lozenges upon the board, the pistons are again
gradually retracted by means of the arc. The strip is also gradually retracted
by similar means, and by the time both reach the highest point they are ready
to to receive a fresh charge of paste.
The elastic roller is kept clean by a cylindrical brush, revolving in contact
with it, and driven by a band from a pulley on its axis. Motion is given to

page_text: the various parts of the machinery by well-known mechanical means, which
will be fully described by my complete Specification, and the Drawings which
will accompany it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Oliver Rice Chase in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th December 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE FRESENTS SHALL COME, I, OLIVER
RICE CHASE, of 17, Cornhill, London, Mechanical Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the
year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Oliver Rice Chase, Her special licence that I, the said Oliver Rice Chase,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Oliver
Rice Chase, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any timeagree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
MANUFACTURING LOZENGES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Oliver Rice Chase, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YF, that I, the said Oliver Rice Chase, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, whereon
Figure 1 is a top view of the machine; Figure 2 is a view of one side of
the machine; Figure 3 is a view of the opposite side of the machine; and
Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, are detail views of parts of the machine. The same
letters of reference apply to the same parts in all the Figures.
This Invention consists in the adaptation of mechanical means to the

page_text: mixing and rolling and otherwise preparing of paste for the manufacture of
medicated or other lozenges, and to the cutting out of circular or other shaped
lozenges or pieces from the paste thus prepared; the same machinery, modified
in size, being applicable to the preparing and cutting out of cakes, biscuits,
and other similar articles. The machine may be driven by manual power, or
by a band from any suitable prime mover.
The materials to be used in the manufacture of the lozenges, after being
partially mixed by hand in an ordinary mixing trough, are passed to the
mixing box, which forms the first part of my Invention. This box is not
separately represented in the Drawings, being precisely similar in principle
and operation to a portion of the machine represented in section in Figure 3.
Two endless aprons (", "), passing over rollers (b, b), move at the bottom of
two boxes (c, c), in the directions indicated by arrows.
The boxes (c, c,) are
supplied with pulverized sugar or other material, with which the consistence
of the paste to be made is to be modified. The aprons (a, a,) are thus con-
tinually supplied with the powdered material, the quantity being regulated
by raising and depressing the blades (d, d), by means of the adjusting screws
(e, e). After passing the two aprons (a), (a), the paste is delivered upon a
third apron, horizontal in position, which delivers it in a condition to be
reduced to the required thickness, rolled, polished, and cut into lozenges of
proper shape and size by the portion of the machinery now to be described, and
which is represented in the accompanying Sheets of Drawings.
In Figure 1, which represents a top view of the machine, (A) is the
driving pulley, receiving motion, by means of a band (B), from
any suitable
prime mover. The pulley (A) carries on its axis a pinion (C), which gears
into and drives a spur wheel (D). On the same axis with spur wheel (D) is
the rag wheel (E), which by means of an endless chain (F) drives rag wheel
(G). On the same axis with rag wheel (G) is a band wheel (H), which by
means of a band (J) gives motion to a wheel and drum, not seen in the
Drawings, which drive the endless apron (K), on which the boards, hereafter
to be described, are passed through the machine to receive the finished
lozenges. This apron (K) is about twenty-four (24) feet long and six (6)
inches wide, and supported by rollers. The rag wheel (G) is on the end
of the main shaft (L) of the machine, i.e. the shaft which carries the cutting
cylinder (M), which is attached to the shaft by two cylinder heads. This
cylinder is about eight (8) inches in diameter. Its construction and opera-
tion are as follows, reference being had to Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7:-It is
made of brass or any suitable material, and is perforated with holes (X, X,)

page_text: of the size and shape of the intended lozenge. These holes are made in
lines parallel to the axis of the cylinder. Screwed into these holes or other-
wise attached to the cylinder are iubes or cutters (Z, Z), see Fig. 6, in
which fit pistons (Y, Y), see Fig. 7, attached to piston rods, which pass into
the interior of the cylinder. The piston rods have rings on their inner ends,
through which pass rods (1, 1,) a little longer than the width of the cylinder, in
such a manner that all the pistons in one row of tubes or cutters can be simul-
taneously advanced or retracted by moving the rod passing through their ends
(i, i). The rods project beyond the ends of the cylinder, and are kept up
against the head of the cylinder by means of spiral springs (m, m), Figs. 4
and 5, placed one under each end of each rod. When the springs are released
the pistons are on a level with the outer ends or mouths of the tubes or
cutters (Z, Z). The pistons are retracted to any required distance by com-
pressing the spiral springs which support the ends of the rods. This is effected
by passing the ends of the rods under an arc (A'), Fig. 5, properly adjusted, by
which means the pistons can be drawn back or thrown out at any point in the
revolution of the cylinder that may be desired. Over each row of tubes or
cutters projecting from the cylinder is placed a perforated strip of metal (B1),
Figs. 4 and 6, having holes of size and shape corresponding with those of the
cutters or tubes (Z, Z,) so that these may pass through them. These strips
or clearers are supported on springs (n, n), Fig. 6, which tend to force them
out to a line with the outer ends or mouths of the cutter tubes. On the ends
of the strips are placed pins (0, 0), which being passed under an are properly
adjusted keep the strips at any required distance below the line of the outer
ends of the cutters. The depression will be regulated according to the thick-
ness of the paste that is passing through the machine. When the pins (o, o,)
pass from under the arc, the springs (n, n,) which support the strips or clearers
are released, and send the strip suddenly and forcibly out to a line with the
mouths of the cutters.
On the opposite end of the main or cylinder shaft (L) to that on which the
rag wheel (G) is attached, are two spur wheels (N) and (O). One of these
(O) drives the roller (H), which carries the apron (G1), intended to remove
the superfluous paste; the other (N) gears into a pinion (P), which carries
a rag wheel (R), which by a chain drives the shaft (8), which actuates the
hammer or presser (T). On the opposite end of the shaft (S) is a band
wheel (V), which by a band drives a crank attached to the polishing roller (W).
In contact with the main cylinder, and driven by friction against it, revolves
an elastic roller made of india-rubber, the object of which is to press the

page_text: This
paste into the tubes or cutters, and keep it from falling out of them.
roller is marked (C) in the Drawings, and is kept clean by a brush (D'),
revolving in contact with its surface, and driven by a band froin a wheel upon
its axis.
The rollers and aprons shewn in Figure 3 are driven by the pulley (r), the
cog wheel (s), and the pulley (u), all on the same shaft with the rag wheel (D).
The pulley (r) gives motion to the pulley (g) and band (/). One of the
rollers (b) is on the same shaft with rag wheel (D). On the other end of that
shaft is a cog wheel (s) and pulley (t). The cog wheel (s) gears into and moves
wheel (), connected with the other roller (b), and its apron (a). The pulley
(u) by means of a band (v) gives notion to roller (a¹), Figs. 2 and 3, and its
apron (). The tension of the aprons is regulated by suitable adjusting screws.
The hammer or presser (T) is lifted by a spring (d'), and driven down by pins
on the shaft (S).
it
The operation of the machine is as follows:-When the paste has been
properly prepared by the mixing apparatus first herein described, it is placed
in strips of suitable width and length upon the endless apron (), Fig. 3, whence
it passes between aprons (a)(a) on to apron (61), which delivers it to the cutting
cylinder (M). The aprons («, a:) passing out of the compartments or boxes
(c, c,) are covered with powdered sugar, or other suitable dusting powder or
flour. This flour is kept from passing out of the boxes too rapidly, and is
properly spread over the surface of the dusting belts or aprons by the blades
(d) (d), placed at a proper inclination just above the surface of the aprons;
thus a proper supply of dusting is spread upon the surface of the paste as
passes between the aprons (a) (a), where they pass over the rollers (6) (b).
The distance between these aprons at this point regulates the final thickness
of the paste, and is controlled by adjusting screws. The paste is delivered from
these aprons upon the inclined apron (61), which feeds it on to the cutting
cylinder. In its passage along this apron the paste is smoothed or polished
by the cylindrical polisher (W), which moves rapidly back and forth over its
surface. Thus prepared, the paste is delivered on to the cutting cylinder (M).
At the point where the paste is received on the cylinder, the pistons (y) are
retracted to the depth necessary to allow the cutter tubes to receive each a
lozenge of proper thickness. The clearer (B1) is also depressed to a corre-
sponding depth below the mouths of the cutters. This paste is driven into the
cutters by the hammer or presser (T), operated as before described, which, as
to the cylinder revolves, strikes the rows of cutters in succession. The super-
fluous paste remains upon the clearers (1'). After passing the haminer, the

page_text: paste passes against an elastic roller (CI), which further presses it into the
cutters, and holds it there. A further revolution brings the paste opposite an
endless band (G'), working at right angles to the length of the machine, and
communicating with the trough (FI). This band (G¹) receives and carries off
the superfluous paste, which is thrown upon it by the sudden action of the
springs (n), under the clearers (B1), which are successively released at this
pointin the revolution of the cylinder. The cutter tubes containing the lozenges
pass to the lowest point in the revolution, where the ends of the rods which
pass through the piston rods are in succession released from the arc which
confined them, and the pistons of each row simultaneously descend and force
the lozenges out of the cutters on to a thin board, which is moved along under
the cylinder at proper speed by an endless belt (K), driven as before described.
Any number of such boards may be successively passed through the machine
and removed as they are covered with lozenges. Having delivered a row of
lozenges upon the board, the pistons are again and gradually retracted by the
passing of the rod (/) under the arc. as before described. The clearer is as
gradually retracted by similar means, and by the time both reach the highest
or feeding point, they are ready to receive a fresh charge of paste.
Having thus described my Invention of "Improvements in Machinery for
Manufacturing Lozenges, and for other Purposes," I wish it to be understood
that I do not limit myself to the precise dimensions or materials herein-before
mentioned, but make my machinery of such size and materials as may be
suitable for the work it has to perform. I also claim to use the mechanical
equivalents of any of the working parts, while the mode of operation remains
substantially the same.
What I claim as my Invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-
First, the mixing box,constructed and operating substantially in the manner
described. I do not claim the use of rollers separately, as I am aware that
they have been used before, but I do claim the use of aprons and rollers in
combination, and for the purpose specified. I also particularly claim the mode
of regulating the supply of powdered sugar or "dusting" by the use of boxes
or compartments and adjustable blades, operating substantially in the manner
described.
Second, I claim the cutting cylinder and the parts directly connected with
it, constructed and operating substantially as described. And I particularly
claim the use of the pistons and clearers in combination with the cutters, and
the mode of operating them by springs and arcs, substantially as described.
And I also claim the use of a hammer or presser to drive the paste into the

page_text: cutters, and of an elastic roller to retain it there, both constructed and
operating substantially as described.
And, finally, I claim the general arrangement of the entire machine herein
described, constructed and operating substantially in the manner herein
described, and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Oliver Rice Chase, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
OLIVER RICE CHASE. (L.S.)