IMPROVED METHODS OR PROCESSES OF AND APPARATUS FOR VULCANIZING AND OTHERWISE TREATING COMPOUNDS OF CAOUTCHOUC OR ANALOGOUS GUMS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
and Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVED METHODS OR PROCESSES OF AND APPARATUS FOR VULCANIZING
AND OTHERWISE TREATING COMPOUNDS OF CAOUTCHOUC OR ANALOGOUS
GUMS." Communicated to him from abroad by Albert C. Eddy, of Providence,
Rhode Island United States of America, Manufacturer.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th May 1883.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVED METHODS OR PROCESSES OF AND
APPARATUS FOR VULCANIZING AND OTHERWISE TREATING COMPOUNDS OF
CAOUTCHOUC OR ANALOGOUS GUMS Communicated to me from abroad by
Albert C, Eddy of Providence Rhode Island, United States of America,
Manufacturer,
"
This Invention chiefly relates to the working of vulcanizable compounds into
articles or goods of great length composed wholly or in part of the said compounds
and continuously vulcanizing the same by dry heat in contradistinction to the
direct application of steam although humid heat can be employed without departing
from the nature of the said Invention.
The objects of the said Invention vary somewhat according to the particular
line of goods to be vulcanized, although it is to be understood that certain features
of the present Invention are not limited to the vulcanizing of goods or articles of
any particular variety, although the main object of the said Invention is to pro-
gressively or continuously vulcanize goods of great length, composed in whole or
in part of vulcanizable gum compounds, instances of which will be mentioned with
a statement of the special objects sought to be effected in each case, and the
advantages accruing by vulcanizing them in accordance with the said Invention.

page_text: As a type of goods composed wholly of gum compound I will refer to flexible
rubber tubing, such flexible tubing has heretofore been. vulcanized either while
deposited in a vulcanized chamber, and on arbors limited in length to the length
of said chamber or as in the case of small sized tubing in lengths usually less
than the length of said chamber it being important that they be vulcanized while
in a straightened condition although tubing of small diameter has been heretofore
vulcanized in a coiled condition with the disadvantage of having it when finished
always inclined to assume the bent condition in which it was vulcanized.
In this respect my object is to economically vulcanize, with or without arbors,
flexible tubing composed wholly of vulcanizable gum compound in practically
unlimited lengths, without a bend or curve therein.
As types of goods composed in part of vulcanizable gum compound, I will refer
to rubber covered wires for electrical purposes. Heretofore such wires have usually
been vulcanized in a coil within a vulcanizing chamber which results in frequent
displacement of the wire in relation to the rubber, because of the weight of the
overlying convolutions upon the lower ones; it also frequently results in the
defacement of the surface of the coating by unequal compression by adhesive
contact of one convolution with another, and also because of the handling and
coiling of the soft or green covered wire preparatory to vulcanizing. Rubber
covered wire vulcanized in coil when straightened, obviously has on one side
rubber, which is contracted, and on the other side, rubber which is stretched,
because of the variation in the arcs of the circles occupied by the inner and outer
surfaces of the covered wire in each convolution, thus in a measure impairing the
insulating qualities of the rubber.
Another object is to insulate rubber covered wire in great lengths in a
straightened condition, and to obviate all liability of injury thereto by handling
and to improve the insulation as indicated. I am aware that rubber covered wire
has heretofore been vulcanized in a straightened condition by means of heated
molds say ten feet in length, applied first to one end of the covered wire, for say
30 minutes or so and then after moving along the wire the molds were again
applied and so on vulcanizing at one time to the length of the mold until the
whole length of wire was completed and in this connection my object is not only
to vulcanize the wire in a straightened condition but to perform the operation in a
much more economical manner than is possible with molds. The vulcanization of
rubber covered cords tapes or the like is analogous to the vulcanization of
insulated wire, and need not be separately considered.
Sheeted fabrics which in the piece are coated with vulcanizable gum-compound,
and generally known as "rubber cloths" constitute another important variety of
goods which have heretofore been vulcanized either while tightly coiled or rolled
with interposed fabrics subsequently removed or they are first coiled or rolled with
intervening fabric and are then in the vulcanizing chamber unrolled and smoothly
hung up therein. In both cases the rubber surface of the finished product is more
or less defaced by the intervening fabrics employed, and by the necessary rolling
and handling; and in this connection my object is to obviate the necessity of
handling as well as the use of the intervening fabrics, and also to, obviate the
defacement incident thereto. When the sheeted fabrics which are more or less
heavily coated with gum are hung up in vulcanizing chambers as heretofore, it is
obvious that the upper portion of each pendant length or open fold is always under
a tensile strain due to the weight of the lower portion and that said strain lessens
progressively towards the lower end of the fabric or of a pendant length thereof,
and this unequal tension on the goods by unequal stretching renders them more or
Jess uneven in the texture of the fabrics and in the quality of surface finish, and
another object of great consequence sought by me is to vulcanize goods of great
length, not only without objectionable or unequal tension on the goods for securing
uniformity therein but also to vulcanize them while in a practically horizontal
position, which absolutely guards against the displacement on the fabric of the
gum compound, or its finishing varnish.

page_text: In the working of vulcanizable gum compounds into articles of great length
such as tubing insulated wire and rubber covered textile fabrics, I expose the goods
to vulcanizing heat progressively so that the compounds are worked and economically
vulcanized continuously without that liability of injury to the green goods, and
the cost of preparation which has heretofore been incident to vulcanizing processes
as heretofore practised.
Many other varieties of goods might be in like manner referred to by me but
those designated are deemed sufficient to indicate enough of the specific objects
sought by me to readily suggest to persons skilled in the art other specific
advantages incident to the vulcanization of many other lines of goods in accordance
with my present Invention.
In all cases known to me vulcanization has always heretofore been performed in
chambers which when charged are closed and are not internally accessible until
the operation is completed, the goods remaining therein in a quiescent state until
vulcanized. If when one or more of such prior chambers are filled there is less
than enough goods to fill another chamber the cost of vulcanizing the small
quantity of goods is nearly equal to that of vulcanizing the entire contents of a
filled chamber, and every time a chamber is discharged and recharged there is a
great loss of heat. The item of fuel in the process of vulcanization is one of great
consequence, and it is important to economize therein as far as may be practicable,
In these last named connections it is my object to economize in fuel, in that in the
practice of my Invention I utilize the heat contained in the compounds which is
requisite for their working, and the vulcanizing chambers are continuously being
charged and discharged and hence there is no such waste of heat as occurs with
the alternate cooling and heating of chambers as heretofore, and goods made on
prompt call may therefore be at once vulcanized, because my chambers are always
internally accessible.
In the working of my process of vulcanization a great variety of vulcanizing
chambers can be used in connection with apparatus employed therewith which can
also be largely varied. Briefly stated the gist of the main feature of my Invention
is the moving of vulcanizable goods through vulcanizing chambers of sufficient
length and at such speed as will enable the gum compounds to be properly
subjected to heat and thereby vulcanized during their passage through the
chambers and as applied to goods of great length, such as long tubes, insulated
wires, cords and sheeted fabrics in the piece, it further consists in passing them
substantially without tension continuously or progressively through the vulcanizing
chambers; and still further in directly delivering goods of great length directly
from the gum working mechanism to the vulcanizing chamber.
The improved apparatus is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein
Figure 1 is a side view of the said apparatus as arranged for working and
vulcanizing articles of great length the vulcanizing chamber being broken at
intervals and shown partially in longitudinal section
Figure 2 is a lateral vertical section of the vulcanizing apparatus on the line x. x
Figure 3 is a view of a length of rubber tubing mounted on an arbor and its
standards as when vulcanized in the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a vertical central section and an end view of
the said apparatus as arranged for vulcanizing small goods.
I will first describe the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 as arranged for
vulcanizing rubber covered wire, delivered continuously by a suitable machine
for applying the rubber to the wire and it will thereafter be obvious that rubber
covered. twine, cord, tapes, or the like or rubber tubes may in like manner be
readily covered and vulcanized by the same apparatus, and that it will only be
necessary to vary the form and proportions of the vulcanizing apparatus to adapt it
to receive rubber coated cloth delivered directly from a "knifing" machine or from
a calendar or other suitable machine for applying the vulcanizable gum compound
to cloth in the piece.
The vulcanizing chamber A is composed of a series of suitable iron pipes, tightly

page_text: connected at their ends so as to constitute a continuous tubular chamber varying in
length according to circumstances. As the vulcanization of the gum compound is
performed during the passage of the article or goods through said chamber it is
obvious that its length may be varied according to whether the movement of said
article be rapid or slow it being obvious that the greater the speed of the article
during its passage the greater should be the length of the chamber and if the
delivery of the article to be vulcanized be directly from a machine as hereinafter
more fully described the length of the chamber should be proportioned to the
capacity of said machine for delivering the goods.. In practice the length of said.
chamber need seldom if ever be greater than 500 feet but under some circumstances
chambers of twice that length may be advantageously employed. This chamber is
open at both ends and is provided throughout its length with a stationary flat
bed a preferably smoothly perforated, which under some circumstances may be
profitably employed without a movable bed as hereinafter described. In sectional
outline the vulcanizing chamber is preferably circular but it may be varied in that
respect according to particular requirements.
The chamber is heated by means of a steam jacket B composed of a series of
larger pipes tightly connected at their ends; the said chamber is maintained
centrally therein by the hubs b which loosely embrace the cylinder and have radial
arms which loosely occupy the steam jacket. It is obvious that the longitudinal
expansion and contraction incident to heating and cooling the outer and inner pipes
renders it important, in view of their great length that each may expand or
contract independently of the other, and therefor the hubs b are not confined to the
inner or the outer pipes and the ends of the jacket are constructed so as to form
slip joints or in other words so as to telescope or slide upon the inner pipe, and at
the same time afford a steam tight connection. As clearly indicated in the
drawing, the chamber pipe A for a suitable distance at each end is externally
turned off and well finished for the reception of an annular head c which is tapped
into the jacket pipe B and this latter at its end is externally threaded for the
reception of a screw cap or gland c¹ so that packing as at c³ can be properly
compressed and thereby afford a steam tight telescopic joint. If the chamber be
other than circular in outline the slip joints may be provided by means of
externally cylindrical sleeves of proper length attached to the outside of the
chamber. The steam jacket B may be continuous throughout the length of the
chamber or it may be as shown in Figure 1 composed of separate sections, as is
preferable with the greatest lengths of vulcanizing chambers leaving a short length
of the inner pipe, intervening for the ready application of thermometers for
determining the degree of heat in different parts of the chamber. The
thermometers are located within tight glass front boxes & internally communicating
with the chamber and provided with a pipe and cock as at d¹ for enabling a proper
circulation of heated air within the box. At d on each side and at the bottom of
the chamber are openings or air vents covered by caps or valves which can be
removed or opened for cooling down the chamber or permitting the free discharge
of heat when less than the full length of the chamber is required for service. For
properly freeing the steam jacket of the water incident to condensation of steam
the chamber and its jacket are slightly inclined to afford a water grade and at
intervals suitable steam traps e are provided for permitting the discharge of water
while retaining the steam. The steam induction pipes f and eduction pipes f¹ are
provided with suitable cocks for properly controlling the pressure of steam within
the jacket and the consequent degree of heat within the vulcanizing chamber. In
view of the great length of the apparatus and the necessity of maintaining it
always in a straightened and properly graded condition its supports should be
capable of vertical adjustment. If wholly located within a building the chamber
as a whole may be suspended by stirrups hanging from the roof or ceiling beams
and provided with screw threaded straps for enabling vertical adjustment or it
may be supported on vertical standards screw threaded and occupying tubular
bases and provided with nuts whereby said vertical adjustment can be readily

page_text: made. When the steam jacket is in one continuous length a single steam
induction pipe may be relied upon but when said jacket is constructed in sections
each section is separately connected to a steam supply pipe common to all the
sections.
If desired each end of the vulcanizing chamber may be located within a separate
building in which case the intervening portion of the chamber should be housed
from the weather, and properly covered with asbestos or other good nonconductor
of heat.
In some cases each end of the vulcanizing chamber may be partially closed and
have only sufficient area of opening to allow for the free passage of the movable
bed and the article carried thereon. Sheet metal caps constructed in two parts
can be readily applied to and removed from the ends of the vulcanizing chamber.
With the apparatus as thus far described it will be seen that vulcanizable goods
of great length can be drawn down through the chamber initially by means of a
cord or wire the stationary bed being well supplied at its entrance with powdered
soapstone or equivalent powdered matter for preventing adhesion of the goods to
the bed, and enabling them to slide freely thereon and that the vulcanization of
the goods will be fully accomplished during their passage and also that they can
be readily coiled or rolled in a finished condition as they leave the chamber.
In view of the fact that many kinds of goods in great length cannot be passed
through the chamber by draft or tension on the goods without injury thereto I
have provided the chamber with a movable bed g which is supported upon and by
the stationary flat bed a within the chamber. This movable bed may be variously
constructed but I prefer it in the form of an endless belt passing over two
drums g¹ to one of which power is applied preferably the one at the delivery end
of the vulcanizing chamber. This belt may be variously constructed, but good
results can be obtained by using a thin sheet metal belt which can be used with or
without a surface cover of woven fabrics powdered matter being employed in
either case to prevent adhesion of the goods.
This belt or movable bed should be somewhat narrower than the stationary
perforated bed so as to freely admit of a circulation of air from beneath said bed.
For occasionally clearing the space beneath the stationary bed of the powdered
matter liable to accumulate therein, I provide an endless wire (not shown) which
always occupies said space and by attaching a clearing swab thereto the latter may
be readily moved from one end of the chamber to the other.
For coiling up wire or other goods of great length after they leave the chamber
I provide reeling or winding mechanism C and to enable the latter to coil or wind
the goods without unduly lifting them from the bed, said mechanism is mounted
upon a vertically adjustable platform so that the upper side of a coil or roll of the
goods can be maintained at substantially the same height as the surface of the bed.
Other forms of winding or coiling mechanism may be employed without departure
from my Invention.
It will be obvious that the movable bed in this apparatus can be employed in
vulcanizing small articles as well as those of great length in vulcanizing tubing in
great lengths it is fed to the bed directly from the machine as with the covered
wire but if tubing in shorter lengths is to be vulcanized on arbors as illustrated in
Figure 3, the arbor h is supported at each end by the loose collars h¹ which are
flattened at the bottom as shown to afford steady bearings upon the movable bed.
With this form of my vulcanizing apparatus adapted for continuous vulcanization
I combine for obtaining the best results the machine by which the gum compounds
are worked into the form desired preparatory to vulcanization and by which they
are continuously delivered as from a "knifing" machine or from a "calendaring
machine" both for coating cloth in great lengths or from a tubing machine or
from a wire covering machine each and all of which deliver goods in great length
continuously in proper condition for vulcanization. I have shewn in Figure 1 at D
a machine capable of covering wire or cord with vulcanizable compound or of
making tubing composed wholly of gum compound and in either case it is capable

page_text: of continuously delivering the goods in great length and as such machines under
various names and more or less varied in construction are well known a particular
description thereof is deemed unnecessary for the purposes of this Specification it
being understood that said machines are of the class which embody a forging
screw and a die through which the plastic vulcanizable gum compound is forced in
a finished form suitable for vulcanization. It is well known that machines for
working rubber goods in great length vary in their capacities as to speed in
delivering said goods and therefore in each case their vulcanizing chamber must be
so proportioned thereto as to length that the goods moving through said chamber
at the speed of delivery by the machine shall be properly vulcanized before their
exit from the chamber it will be obvious with my vulcanizing chamber say one
thousand feet in length and having the steam jacket in independent lengths or
sections that exposure to vulcanizing heat can be accurately adjusted to the speed
of delivery of the goods by any one of the machines of the class referred to as
well as to the particular character of said goods the hot air exits at d² enabling
the chamber to freely discharge its heat for reducing temperature or for enabling
any portion of the chamber less than the whole to be employed in active service.
With respect to the movable bed and coiling or winding mechanism it is obvious
whether one or both be used that they should be driven in exact harmony as to
speed with the machine which is delivering the goods to the chamber. In using
the gum working machine referred to or others involving high pressures upon the
gum compounds for forcing it through dies said compound is necessarily or
inevitably highly heated especially when the machines are also heated by steam so
that the goods delivered therefrom are frequently at a temperature closely
approximating to a vulcanizing heat and therefore whatever heat is thus developed
in working the gum is fully utilized by me in vulcanizing such goods; and the
same is true in the manufacture of tubing in such machines and also in the coating
of fabrics by "knifing or calendaring" machines especially the latter which
operate on heated gum compounds.
"
In Figures 4 and 5 I show a vulcanizing apparatus arranged for vulcanizing
small goods only. In this apparatus the vulcanizing chamber E contains a suitable
number of steam coils i as heretofore employed for properly heating the chamber,
and it is also provided with the usual vent flue and valve or damper in the top
thereof as at k. The movable bed in this apparatus embodies a pair of endless
chains, cross bars l', and perforated or skeletonized pendant pans or trays 12, said
bed is mounted upon a series of drums or discs, one pair of which at m are of large
diameter, outside of the chamber, and the others at m¹ within the chamber are so
located therein that the bed when in notion travels to and fro at different levels.
As shewn in the Drawing three pairs of the drums or discs m² are employed
enabling the chamber to accommodate therein a bed more than four times the
length of said chamber, the trays or pans 12 are loosely suspended by means of
links and free collars on the cross bars so that said pans maintain a horizontal
position, while the cross bars are passing over and around the drum or disc.
These discs may be mounted on studs, or on axles but in this latter case the
pendant links for the pans must be less in length than when the discs are mounted
on studs, but in all cases the length of said links and the depth of each pan, must
be less than the distance between the cross bars, so as to prevent the contact of the
pans with the next preceding bars, during their movements around said discs.
Lateral diaphragms as at n are located at proper points within the chamber to
secure as uniform distribution of heat as possible. Spout like extensions, as at o
are provided at the front of the chamber for the entrance and exit apertures of the
moving bed, and the diaphragms n within the chamber are arranged as indicated
to reduce as far as possible the undue exit of heated air, and by having the cross
bars bent downward near each end to within a short distance above the tops of
the pans, swinging plates depending from the upper sides of the extensions o can
be used for reducing the area of each opening to a minimum Power is applied to
the large drums or discs m and such slow speed is given to the bed as will ensure

page_text: the proper exposure of the goods to heat within the chamber, during their transit
from the entrance to the exit thereof. The charging and emptying of the pans or
trays is performed at the front of the loose drum m and in some cases the chamber
encloses the entire bed, requiring only a small opening in front for charging and
discharging the pans.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim.
FirstThe improvement in the art of working and vulcanizing articles or goods
of great length composed wholly or in part of vulcanizable gum compounds, which
consists in delivering the said articles or goods directly and continuously from gum
working mechanism to a vulcanizing chamber, and subjecting the same to a
vulcanizing heat during their transit within and through the said chamber,
substantially as herein before described.
Second-The process of progressively and continuously vulcanizing compounds
of caoutchouc and analogous gums substantially as hereinbefore described, by'
moving them through a heated vulcanizing chamber of sufficient length and at
such speed as will enable the said compounds to be properly vulcanized during
their transit, as set-forth.
Third-The process of progressively and continuously vulcanizing articles of
great length composed in whole or in part of vulcanizable compounds, substantially
as hereinbefore described, by moving the said articles without tension thereon
through a heated vulcanizing chamber of sufficient length and at such speed as
will enable the compounds to be properly vulcanized during their transit, as
set-forth.
Fourth-The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of a
vulcanizing chamber having suitable apertures for feeding and discharging and a
movable bed extending throughout the said chamber whereby vulcanizable goods
may be continuously fed to, and discharged from, the said chamber.
Fifth The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of a vulcanizing
chamber having induction and eduction apertures, and an intervening bed, and
coiling or winding apparatus, whereby articles of great length can be vulcanized
during their passage through the said chamber and thereafter coiled or wound in a
finished condition.
Sixth-The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of a vulcanizing
chamber having induction and eduction apertures, a movable bed, and coiling or
winding apparatus, whereby goods of great length can be passed through the said
chamber, and vulcanized in transit, without tension thereon.
Seventh-A tubular vulcanizing chamber provided with a series of steam
jackets, each having independent steam induction and eduction pipes substantially.
as described, whereby the whole or any portion of the said chamber can be heated
for service, as set-forth.
Eighth A tubular vulcanizing chamber open at each end and provided with
steam jackets, and with air vents having cups or valves, substantially as described,
whereby the heat can be retained in or freely discharged from the said chamber at
various points throughout its length.
Ninth The combination of the tubular vulcanizing chamber open at each end
for feeding and discharging, and a tubular steam jacket slip-jointed thereon,
substantially as described, whereby the said chamber and jacket are independently
enabled to longitudinally expand and contract, as set-forth.
:-
Tenth The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of mechanism
for working vulcanizable gum compounds into proper form for vulcanization, and
a vulcanizing chamber, containing a movable bed and adapted to continuously
receive the product of the said gum-working mechanism, and to vulcanize the
same during its passage through the said chamber.
Eleventh: The combination, substantially as herein before described, of mechanism
for working vulcanizable gum compounds into articles of great length composed

page_text: wholly or in part of the said compounds, coiling or winding mechanism, and
a vulcanizing chamber interposed between the gum-working and the coiling
mechanism whereby the product from the gum working mechanisın is delivered to
and drawn through the said chamber, is vulcanized therein and then coiled in a
finished condition.
Twelfth The combination, substantially as herein before described, of mechanism
for working vulcanizable gum compounds into articles of great length composed
wholly or in part of the said compounds, coiling and winding mechanism, and a
vulcanizing chamber containing a movable bed, whereby the product of the gum
working mechanism is delivered to and carried through the said chamber, is
vulcanized therein without tension, and is coiled in a finished condition on leaving
the said chamber.
Thirteenth-A tubular vulcanizing chamber open at each end for the entrance
and exit of articles to be vulcanized therein, a flat bed within and extending
throughout the length of the said chamber, and a steam jacket, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Harris Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Eighth day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.