Year: 1885

page_text: placed below the plate, C, these tubes, F, slip over the tubes, D, as sleeves and are
also large enough to slip over the shoulders of the formers, G, they generally have
a thickness equal to the space between the formers and the sides of the mold at
the bottom, say one thirty-second of an inch.
During the flow of the pulp, the plate, E, is caused to move up and down with 5
rapidity, thus causing the tubes, F, to descend on the pulp, thoroughly packing it
and pressing the water out of it.
In order to prevent the pulp from forming into smooth layers, the bottom of the
tubes, F, is preferably made saw-teethed or fluted (as at f, Fig. 4) thus aiding in the
binding together and interlocking of the fibre. These tubular rammers are only
used for the filling. The piston described later is afterwards to be used in
compressing the shell as a whole and forming the base also the seat for the primer,
and the opening for the flash into the powder. It will generally be found necessary.
to cleanse the molds by the injection of steam or water or both before being filled.
For this purpose the carriage, S may be brought up against an inverted cast iron
box with steam or water connections, or preferably the plates, A, and C, may be
separated a few inches apart so as to afford a steam tight compartment between
them, having steam and water connections, and the injection for cleansing be made
just before the pulp is started to flow.
This will serve several purposes viz:-cleansing the tubes, D, as well as the
molds, avoiding the necessity of branching outlets in plate, A, and saving extra
time, labor, and devices.
The tube, F, which fits closely about the 'tube, D, is kept cleaned of any adhering
pulp on its inner surface by its rising movement and cleaned on its outer surface
by its closely fitted bearing in plate, H. Should the molds be placed so closely
together as not to allow sufficient solid metal in plate, B, between the openings to
cover the openings in plate, A, when it is desired to cut off the flow of pulp the
openings in the upper surface of plate, H, may be made less numerous by branching
them out as at, I, into two or more openings or tubes as they come through the
lower surface.
The mold, J, is in one solid piece throughout, but in all other respects the same as
Fig. 14, when it will be more particularly described.
As to the centers or formers of the mold, I propose when they are arranged
together in numbers, to fix their lower ends in a common plate as, K, which has
suitable bearings and by which all the formers can be raised and lowered together.
In Fig. 5, L, is the up-turned base of the former with the stem or lower end, M,
removed. In its construction a solid piece of metal is used.
Two or more drainage holes, N, are drilled along the sides to near the top and
back from the surface say the sixteenth of an inch.
Into these holes are cut narrow slots, O, running the entire length of this portion
of the former; these slots may be the same width their entire length or widened
slightly towards the top to aid in extracting the shell.
A large hole, P, is drilled into the center to a depth say of half an inch, the
stem, M, may be fitted therein and firmly held, which is usually accomplished by
heating and shrinking, L, over the portion to be fitted in.
The stem, M, is preferably grooved as at, Q, to furnish outlets for the drainage
holes, N, or there may be holes corresponding to these drainage holes made in the
bottom of the mold plate.
I may use the tubular rammers to pump the water out of the mold while it i
being filled and thus drain it at the top. I may also have two or more small slots
in the upper part of the mold.
If there is any tendency of the pulp to crack or tear as it contracts about the
former in drying I may use a wooden former with or without a metal center o
metal base and stem. The tubes D, and F, may be changed with reference to eacl
other, the inner one being used as the rammer instead of the outer. The tank, R

page_text: Fig. 2, contains the pulp in the liquid form. Inside the tank there may be a
revolving paddle wheel for keeping the pulp stirred and a steam coil for heating
the pulp, if found desirable. The tubes, D, F, such as shown in Fig. 1, are here
arranged in series for filling the molds in quantity. Against the plate, H, the
carriage, S, containing the mold plates is firmly brought into position by means of
a suitable lever or screw.
The plate, H, is provided on the underside with flaring projections, T, which aid
in bringing the carriage exactly in position for the molds to be in line with the
tubes. The plate, E, containing the tubular rammers, F, and having suitable
bearings is moved up and down by means of the connections, U, V, with the
cranks, W, revolved by the pulley, X. It is obvious however that this plate can be
actuated by any other suitable mechanical movement without departing from the
spirit of my invention.
In order that the plate, E, with the tubular rammers may give back as the molds
fill, I have used the elliptical springs, V¹, upon which the arms V, rest, the springs
compressing as the plate, E, rises and the stroke of the arms remains the same.
The tension of the springs may be regulated by a screw or other regulating
device.
It is obvious that the molds must be drained while being filled and for this
purpose a suction box such as is commonly used in paper mills may be brought
against the bottom of the carriage, S. To complete the operation after the molds
have been withdrawn from the oven, and while the shell is still in the molds, a
second press may be brought to bear upon the shells for the purpose of giving them
a smooth surface and widening them out to the full capacity of the molds as a die,
It is evident that this same filling device in its essential features may be used in
the manufacture of various kinds of receptacles from pulp.
I may however fill the .shells by means of centrifugal force and to accomplish
this, reference is had to the remaining drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the mold, shell, former, piston and vent former.
Fig. 2a a side elevation partly in section of the pulp reservoir, distributing pipe
and shaft and mold.
Fig. 3a, a side view of the distributing pipe and shaft, the cars for supporting the
molds and the revolving drums or discs supporting the cars.
Fig. 4a, an end view of one of the supporting drums or discs partly broken to
show the pulp conductor and car in section and
Fig. 5 a section of the mold for forming paper boxes and other articles.
. By referring to Fig. 1ª it will be seen that the mold, A' has the base, a³, at the
top. I make the opposite end, A6, separate from the body of the mold so that it can
be readily detached when required; it may however be made. integral with the
body, A, if desired as before shown.
Flanges, A5, at top and bottom receive the bolts, B4, so that the parts can be
securely fastened together. The base end of the mold is provided with a beveled
shoulder, at, on its inner surface by means of which the beveled flange or seat of
the shell is formed, the depth from a³ to a, being sufficient to hold pulp enough to
allow a firm base to be made.
From the beveled shoulder, a, to end piece, A, the interior of the mold is of
gradually decreasing diameter thus causing the outer surface of the shell to taper
slightly (about one-tiftieth of an inch more or less,) so that the shell may be easily
withdrawn from the mold and gun. The mold is provided with a former, C4, C5,
also made tapering as it rises and is either cut square or made rounding at the
upper end. This former, C C has a shoulder, c², which rests on the plate, A6, the
lower portion of the former which is made narrower than the upper portion, C¹³
passes through said plate, A, and extends downward a suitable distance below it,
and while it fits closely in the opening made in plate, A6, it is capable of being
moved чр and down,

page_text: The object of thus is to raise the former and so lift the shell out of the mold, thus
avoiding the necessity of taking the mold apart every time the shell is to be
removed. The piston, D', operated by suitable power and device compresses the
pulp. A central projection, f, is made on the lower end of the piston for forming
the seat for the primer; a conical projecting point, g, extends below this and
forms the opening in the base of the shell for the flash of the primer to reach the
powder.
The method of employing centrifugal force in filling the molds is illustrated in
Fig. 2. The prepared pulp is placed in a reservoir, E', and kept agitated and of
uniform consistency by means of a suitable revolving paddle near the bottom of the
tank operated by the shaft, S. The tank may also be provided with a steam coil
to keep the pulp hot. The mold, A*, is attached to a shaft G, in any suitable
manner said shaft being actuated by a band pulley, H. Through the centre of the
shaft running horizontally is a circular opening which midway turns outward as
at, F, and communicates with the opening of the mold, A. The opening in the
shaft is connected with the reservoir, E*, by means of the pipe, F, provided with
a stop-cock, h, or sliding plate placed inside the reservoir over the mouth of the
pipe. There may also be connections through pipe, F4, by means of branching
pipes with reservoirs of oil steam and water, the oil to be used for lubricating
the molds, the water for cleaning the passage ways of any accumulation of pulp,
the steam for heating the molds, cutting out any obstructions not affected by the
water and for aiding in pressing down the pulp if needed. All operated in
connected with the centrifugal device and the filling of the mold.
When it is desired to fill the mold with pulp, the shaft, G' (and therefore the
mold which is secured to it) is set revolving with great rapidity, the cork, h*, is now
turned, and the pulp which is about the consistency of cream, begins to flow
through the pipe, F4, and opening in the shaft, whence it is hurled by the
centrifugal action with great force into the mold. This action causes it to firmly
pack itself and rapidly drain as the mold is filled. The reservoir, E may have
a float resting on the pulp by means of which it can be easily determined how
much of the pulp should be let out each time to fill the mold properly. This
explains the method of filling a single mold. In order however that such cartridge
shells or other receptacles be made economically they must be made in quantities.
In practice it is my purpose to arrange hundreds of these molds side by side in a
single set of plates like plate, A6, said plates being mounted on wheels, M, and
The machine
moved on a tramway and thus fill and press all the molds at once.
for filling.the molds in quantity is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. M³ is the frame or
carriage containing the molds mounted on the wheels, M*, which move on the
tracks N O. The shaft, G' (which communicates with the pulp, oil, steam and
water reservoirs as before set forth) is hollow and has an internal opening
running nearly its entire length. On one side of the shaft is a long narrow slot
communicating with the central opening which when the machine is in operation
allows a thin sheet of the liquid pulp to flow out.
A conductor, G³, conveys the pulp from the shaft, G4, to the molds, the receiving
mouth of this conductor being placed opposite the slot in the shaft and is firmly
bolted to the shaft.
The revolving frame as shown in Fig. 4, turns from right to left and it will be
seen that the conductor, G³, as it leaves the shaft curves backward and delivers its
contents first on the forward edge of the mold plates and from there spreads over
and fills the moulds, this is in accordance with the natural course of the stream
of pulp.
As it is thrown out by the centrifugal force, it is at the same time drawn
backward by its own force, of inertia. The conductor, G³, terminates in a shallow
inverted pan, K³, covering the entire surface of the mold plates, it should be
provided with rubber edges and the carriage, M³, brought firmly against it to
prevent leaking when the filling is going on. This pan may be further provided

page_text: with adjustable opening in the top, sides or end for the escape of hot air, steam or
water.
The part of the track, N₁, is detached from the main track, O*, and held by the
lifting frames, K³, connected with the drum heads, I*.
When the carriage, M³, is first rolled on the track, N', it is on a level with the
track, O, but by means of the screw attachment, L*, operated by a crank the lifting
frame is drawn up until the carriage is firmly pressed against the conductor, G.
After the molds are filled the carriage is lowered and rolled away to the press..
It is not necessary here to describe the press except to say that the press plate
which is operated by a suitable screw or cam, is provided with as many pistons
like, D', as there are molds, the carriages holding the molds exactly in line with
the downward movement of the piston press plate so that the piston will exactly
enter their respective moulds. A jacket of sheet iron or tin surrounds the filling
device so as to catch the flying water.
In a large manufactory there will be a large number of these carriages just
described containing molds moved back and forth by a wire cable to which they
may be attached or detached as occasion requires by means of suitable clutches.
The general and completing operation is as follows:-
The molds having been filled they are moved under the press where the base of
shell is compressed and solidified and the flange and the primer seat formed. They
are then run into a heating ove where they remain until thoroughly dried.
They are next removed and ought over a plate operated from beneath by a
BCrew.
This plate is brought up against the formers, C4, lifting them all at once and
carrying with then the shells. If any trimming is necessary it may be done while
the shells are on the uplifted formers. The shells may now be removed by hand
or by a device clutching them all at one time.
If the shells. contract so closely about the formers, C³, that it is difficult to
remove them, the formers may be cooled and contracted previous to the removal,
by making the plate that lifts the formers a shallow pan filled with water.
The cold water brought into contact with the lower end of the formers will chill
them and cause them to contract without affecting the rest of the mold. When
being filled the molds may be lubricated and they as well as the pulp may be hot
or cold as may be deemed proper.
The pulp may contain a proper proportion of glue or size such as used in papier
maché. It is apparent from the foregoing that this same process will apply to any
size receptacle such as boxes etc.
The mold of course can be circular rectangular or polygonal in form and the
former, C, be made to correspond in shape with the mold. While I have described
particularly the manufacture of cartridge shells it is at once evident that any kind
of receptacle can be made from the pulp without departing from. the spirit of the
invention as shown in the several figures and in the description of the operation.
In Fig. 5 the mold for the boxes and like articles contains all the essential
features shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5.
The draining slots are preferably placed in the corners in. this form. In the
molds for boxes etc. wooden formers are decidedly preferable to avoid.the cracking
of the pulp in drying.
By means of suitable gearing connected with the carriages or with the plates or
supports for the molds, I may give said molds a motion of translation with the
centrifugal motion.
This tends to bring the fibre of the pulp into a binding condition thus making.
the body of the shell tough yet thin. Instead of placing the molds in a separate
drying receptacle I may force hot air into them by means of the filling pipes and
thus dry them without removal.
After this operation super heated paraffine may be forced into the shells and
said shells more thoroughly rendered water proof.

page_text: Instead of shoving the molds into ovens, the shells may be dried by means of
super heated steam or compressed hot air while being pressed, making the process
almost instantaneous.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1.. In a machine for forming cartridge shells and other receptacles from paper
or wood-pulp, a pulp-tank having a perforated bottom, said perforations being
alternately opened. and closed by a sliding perforated plate, a series of tubes
leading to the molds, the formers having drainage outlets, a series of tubular
rammers and means for operating said rammers as set forth.
2. In a machine for making cartridges from paper or wood-pulp the combination
with the mold and rammer, of a former of metal, wood, or other material, solid or
hollow, provided with drainage holes communicating with the surface by means of
slots, also a stem with grooves leading to the drainage openings as set forth.
3. In a machine for making cartridges from paper or wood-pulp, the com-
bination with the pulp tank having a perforated bottom, of a perforated sliding
plate for opening and closing the perforations in the tank, a stationary plate
below the tank, provided with inlet tubes leading to the mold and a movable
plate, E, having a series of tubes which serve as rammers for compressing the pulp
as set forth.
4. In a cartridge making machine as described, a tubular rammer, F, having the
fluted or serrated ends, f, whereby the pulp in the mold is prevented from forming
into smooth layers and the fibre compressed and interlocked, as set forth.
5. In a machine for manufacturing cartridge shells from paper or wood pulp, the
combination with the pulp tank, of a series of pulp tubes, a series of tubular
rammers placed inside or outside of the pulp tubes as described, mechanism for
actuating said rammers and a series of molds with formers having drainage outlets
as set forth.
6. In the manufacture of cartridge shells from paper-pulp, a mold provided with
a base having drainage openings as set forth.
7. In the manufacture of cartridge shells from paper pulp, a mold provided with
an internal flange for forming the base of the shell the interior of the mold
tapering from said flange to the opposite end of the mold thereby causing the shell
to taper on its outer surface as set forth.
8. In the manufacture of cartridge shells from paper pulp, the combination of a
mold having a tapering opening of a former, C, also made tapering as set forth.
9. In the manufacture of articles from paper-pulp the combination with a mold,
of a tubular former provided with openings therein to carry off the water from the
pulp as set forth.
.10. In the manufacture of articles from paper-pulp, a mold one end of which is
open for the reception of the pulp and a compressing piston, the opposite end or
base having an opening therein to receive a device for forming the article to be
molded as set forth.
11. In the manufacture of articles from paper pulp a mold one end of which is
open for the reception of the pulp, the opposite end having an opening therein for
the reception of a former and openings for the drainage of the mold as set forth.
12. In the manufacture of cartridge shells, the combination with the mold and
former, of a compressing piston provided with means for forming the seat for the
primer and an opening in the base of the shell as set forth.
13. In the manufacture of articles from paper pulp, the combination of a pulp
and oil reservoir, a hollow shaft and means for turning it, the shaft being
connected with said reservoirs, and one or more molds secured to the shaft and
turning with it, said molds communicating with the opening in the shaft, as set
forth.

page_text: 14. In the manufacture of cartridge shells and other articles from paper pulp,
the combination of a hollow shaft suitably actuated and connected with the pulp
reservoir, a revolving frame provided with drum heads secured to said shaft, one or
more carriages containing molds secured to the frame or drum heads a conductor
for conveying the pulp from the shaft to the molds, means as described for
preventing leakage of said molds and means for raising and lowering the molds
carriage as set forth.
15. The process of manufacturing cartridge shells from paper pulp, which
consists in first filling the molds and draining them, then compressing them by a
piston which forms the base of the shell and seat for the primer, drying them
during or after compressing them and finally removing the shells by raising the
formers in the molds as set forth.