IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CLAY PIPES FOR SMOKING
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Middlehurst, of Rainford, in the County of Lan-
caster, Plumber, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR
APPLIANCES TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CLAY PIPES FOR SMOKING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Middlehurst at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th March 1876.
" I3-
JOHN MIDDLEHURST, of Rainford, in the County of Lancaster, Plumber.
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
CLAY PIPES FOR SMOKING."
The object of this Invention is to provide simple and durable apparatus or
appliances capable of shaping plastic clay at one operation into pipes ready for
burning. For this purpose 1 employ a mould and core into which the plastic clay
is forced by hydraulic or other pressure from a cylinder or receptacle to form the
head of the pipe complete. The opening between the cylinder or receptacle and the
mould is of the diameter it is desired that the pipe stem should be. As soon as
the head has been formed the mould is opened, either automatically or by hand, and
a table brought into position on which the head rests. The pressure now causes the
plastic clay to exude through the opening above mentioned, and pushes the head
forward along the table, thus forming a stem.
To provide that the stem shall be hollow or have a hole therethrough I employ
a pin or mandril, which projects from the interior of the cylinder or receptacle into
the centre of the said opening, the plastic clay being thus forced around the pin or
mandril through the opening.
To finish off the pipe stem at the desired point I attach the pin or mandril to a
sliding block, and cause the said sliding block to travel forward automatically if
desired, and close the orifice through which the clay is exuding to form the stem.
When the said sliding piece is withdrawn and the mould closed, the operation can
be recommenced.
It will be obvious that a series of moulds can be filled from one cylinder or recep-
tacle, and that the stems can be of any desired length.
When it is desired that the pipe stem should be tapered, I place sliding pieces
between the pipe head mould and the cylinder or receptacle, so that the size of the
opening between the two can be increased or decreased at pleasure.

page_text: Pipes formed by the above apparatus or appliances are complete and ready for
burning when they leave the said apparatus or appliances, and no trimming is
required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Middlehurst in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th Sep-
tember 1876.
JOHN MIDDLEHURST, of Rainford, in the County of Lancaster, Plumber.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
CLAY PIPES FOR SMOKING."
The object of this Invention is to provide simple and durable apparatus or
appliances capable of shaping plastic clay at one operation into pipes ready for
burning. For this purpose I employ a mould and core into which the plastic clay
is forced by hydraulic or other pressure from a cylinder or receptacle to form the
head of the pipe complete. The opening between the cylinder or receptacle and the
mould is of the diameter it is desired that the pipe stem should be. As soon as
the head has been formed the mould is opened, either automatically or by hand, and
a table brought into position on which the head rests. The pressure now causes the
plastic clay to exude through the opening above mentioned, and push the head
forward along the table, thus forming a stem.
To provide that the stem shall be hollow or have a hole therethrough, I employ
a pin or mandril which projects from the interior of the cylinder or receptacle into
the centre of the said opening, the plastic clay being thus forced around the pin or
mandril through the opening.
To finish off the pipe stem at the desired point I attach the pin or mandril to a
sliding block, and cause the said sliding block to travel forward automatically if
desired, and close the orifice through which the clay is exuding to form the stem.
When the said sliding piece is withdrawn and the mould closed, the operation can
be recommenced.
It will be obvious that a series of moulds can be filled from one cylinder or recep-
tacle, and that the stems can be of any desired length.
When it is desired that the pipe stem should be tapered, I place sliding pieces
between the pipe head mould and the cylinder or receptacle, so that the size of the
opening between the two can be increased or decreased at pleasure.
Pipes formed by the above apparatus or appliances are complete and ready for
burning when they leave the said apparatus or appliances, and no trimming is
required.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2, a sectional elevation; and Fig. 3, a front view,
all of apparatus or appliances constructed under my Invention.
1 is the framework; 2, cylinder filled with clay in a plastic condition, and pro-
vided with the hydraulic ram 3. When the ram 3 is operated, the clay is caused
to exude by the orifice 4 into the pipe head mould 5. When the clay has filled
the mould 5, the core piece 6 secured to the bar 7 is caused to rise vertically by
means of the lever 8. The lever 8 at the same time gives motion to the front half 9
of the mould 5 by means of the shaft 11 working in the recess 12. The shaft 11 is
so shaped as to give a vibrating motion to the piece 9 whilst moving away from the
mould, so as to prevent such piece from sticking to the pipe head. After the mould
has been opened the pressure causes the clay to exude through 4 and form a stem,
which pushes forward the head of the pipe along the table 13. 14 is a mandril or
pin which projects through the opening 4, and causes the clay to exude with a hole
or perforation therethrough. When the stem has reached a sufficient length, the
stem 15 carrying the pin or maudril 14 is caused to slide forward by means of the

page_text: sliding bar 16, operated by the treadle 17, and fill up the opening 4, thus cutting off
the stem. The mould is then closed and stem 15 withdrawn, and a fresh pipe
moulded. 18, opening for filling clay to the cylinder, closed by the lever 19.
It will be obvious that a series of moulds may be operated from the one cylinder,
as shown in the Drawing, and that various methods of operating the mechanism may
be employed.
Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views illustrative of a method of forming taper pipe
stems. Here the size of the stem orifice is increased or decreased at pleasuro by the
sliding plate or plates 20.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim, apparatus or
appliances to be used in the manufacture of clay pipes for smoking, arranged and
operating substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Middlehurst, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
J. JOHNSON,
Patent Office,
Clayton Square,
Liverpool.
JOHN MIDDLEHURST. (L.S.)