IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES FOR COMPRESSING COTTON, JUTE, AND OTHER ATERIALS MA
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Watson, of No. 166, Buchanan Street,
Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES FOR COMPRESSING COTTON, JUTE, AND OTHER
ATERIALS
MA
"
Sealed the 19th April 1870, and dated the 28th October 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Watson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th October 1869.
I, JAMES WATSON, of No. 166, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES FOR COMPRESSING COTTON, JUTE,
AND OTHER MATERIALS," to be as follows, that is so say :-
This Invention, which has for its object the effecting of economy,
saving of time, and generally improving the packing of cotton and other
compressible substances, consists of accumulating power presses.

page_text: Under the first modification of the Invention an iron framing or
standard is employed to carry the press. On the upper end of this
framing is fixed a projecting arm provided with one or more steam
cylinders, and one or more hydraulic rams on either side of it. The end
or ends of the piston rod of the steam cylinder or cylinders and also of
the ram or rams is or are connected together by a cross head, on which
are fixed two bars or links connected by a pin to the ends of a set of
levers, some of which levers are centred by a pin to the top or head of
the frame of the press, the others being connected to the top of a
"follower" which works in a box fixed to the frame of the press for
receiving the cotton or other material. The bottom or foot of the press
is also provided with a set of levers similar to those at its upper part,
which are also worked by steam or hydraulic power in the same manner
as those at the upper part of the press, which causes them to be raised or
lowered as required. At one end of these levers is a "follower" or ram
similar to that working in the upper part of the box in which the
material to be pressed is placed. The faces of these two followers are
grooved so as to permit of a tray or gridiron being passed in between the
cotton and the "follower," the object of this gridiron being to take the
pressure off from the follower, while the top of this follower at the
same time makes a bottom to the box while it is being refilled. When the
press is in motion the levers at the upper part of the frame project out,
and by this means raise the "follower" to the top of the receiving box,
at the same time the lower bearer or "follower "is brought into position
by its set of levers under the lower ends of the receiver. The box being
now filled with cotton or other material the steam is admitted to the
under side of the piston or pistons, and these latter partly bring forward
or straighten the upper set of levers, thereby causing the follower to bear
upon the material, which is then partly compressed, the remainder of
the compression being completed by the hydraulic rams. This being done
the gridiron or tray is passed in between the bale and the follower, which
gridiron being in its place a small quantity of steam is admitted at the
top of the cylinders, which assisted by a weight passing over a pulley
immediately lifts the upper set of levers and follower to the top of the
press, thus admitting of a fresh charge being put into the box while the
bale is being lashed and finished off under the gridiron. The lower
levers are then acted upon in a similar manner to the upper ones, and
the bale is turned out by a door which forms one side of the box that
receives the charge.

page_text: Under the second modification of this Invention a framing is employed
somewhat similar to that of the first modification. This press consists of
three parts, namely, a lower, middle, and upper piece connected together
by four columns. The lower piece or face is provided with two or more
rams, on the top of which is a platform that carries the cotton or
material to be compressed inside the receiving box. This platform is
grooved, and on carrying the charge up compresses it against a gridiron
held in the middle piece or bearer, which being done the gridiron is
drawn forward by gearing, and thus allows the bale to pass into the
upper part of the press, and after having passed thereinto the gridiron is
returned into its former place between the bale of material and lower
platform. This being done the rams again descend into their former
position to receive another charge, while at the same time two or more
rams which work in a similar manner to those in the lower part of the
press descend together with a suitable platform or face having grooves
for holding cords, hoops, or other means for lashing and finishing the
bale, and bear upon the top of the bale, which when bound or finished
is removed by a door at the side of the press, and leaves the top of the
press vacant for the following bale, which at this period is being
compressed at the under side of the middle platform or gridiron.
Under the third modification of this Invention the construction of the
press is as follows A. top and bottom piece are bound together by
columns, between which at either side are fixed cylinders. The columns
act as guides for the cross heads and platform, which are provided with
antifriction rollers to facilitate their movement. To the cross heads are
connected one or more links, which are coupled to levers centred at one
end upon a frame or tie, & at the other ends the levers are connected
to second links or bars, which also in a similar manner are coupled to
the centre of another series of levers, the ends of which are connected to
the platform, on which is carried the material to be compressed, whilst
the opposite ends of the lever are centred upon the base of the press.
When these two set of levers are by hydraulic or steam power set in
motion they are brought into straight lines, and then exert their fullest
power, while at the same time they easily fall back to tl.e bottom of the
press when relieved to receive another charge by admitting a small
quantity of steam or water on the upper side of the pistons or rams
after the bale has been lashed and finished in a similar manner to
what is herein-before described with reference to the other modifications,

page_text: namely, by inserting a gridiron or tray between the bale and the top of
the press, while the levers are falling back to receive another charge of
material.
It is further to be understood that another part of the Invention
herein-before mentioned relates to the employment of the gridiron in
connection with lever or other presses now in use which give the first
part of their stroke with levers or other mechanism from the top, and
finish with short rams or other appliances from below.
In lieu of the gridiron above described a solid block may be used,
having rope holes deep enough to receive only the ropes, and this being
slipped between the bale and the rams takes the pressure off from a
number of hooked knees fixed to a shaft to catch the bale whilst it is
being lashed and finished.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Watson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 20th April 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
WATSON, of No. 166, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the
33rd year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said James Watson, Her special license
that I, the said James Watson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said James Watson, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree 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
PRESSES FOR COMPRESSING COTTON, JUTE, AND OTHER MATERIALS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said James Watson, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly

page_text: 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 YE, that I, the said James Watson, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention, which has for its object the effecting of economy,
saving of time, and generally improving the packing of cotton and other
compressible substances, consists of accumulating power presses.
Under the first modification of this Invention an iron framing or
standard is employed to carry the press. This press consists of three
parts, namely, a lower, middle, and upper piece connected together by
four columns. The lower piece or face is provided with two or more
rams, on the top of which is a platform that carries the cotton or
material to be compressed inside the receiving box. This platform is
grooved, and on carrying the charge up compresses it against a gridiron
held on the middle piece or bearer, which being done the gridiron is
drawn forward by gearing, and thus allows the bale to pass into the
upper part of the press, and after having passed thereinto the gridiron
is returned into its former place between the bale of material and lower
platform. This being done the rams again descend into their former
position to receive another charge, while at the same time two or more
rams which work in a similar manner to those in the lower part of the
press descend together with a suitable platform or face having grooves for
holding cords, hoops, or other means for lashing and finishing the bale
and bear upon the top of the bale, which when bound or finished is
removed by a door at the side of the press and leaves the top of the
press vacant for the following bale, which at this period is being com-
pressed at the under side of the middle platform or gridiron.
It is further to be understood that another part of the Invention
herein-before mentioned relates to the employment of the gridiron in
connection with lever or other presses now in use which give the
first part of their stroke with levers or other mechanism from the
top and finish with short rams or other appliances from below.

page_text: In lieu of the gridiron above described a solid block may be used,
having rope holes deep enough to slip over the hooks, and this being
slipped between the bale and the rams takes the pressure off from those
hooked knees which are fixed to a shaft to catch the bale whilst it is
being lashed and finished.
Under the second modification of the Invention an iron framing or
standard is employed similar to that used in the first modification to
carry the press. On the upper end of this framing is fixed a projecting
arm provided with one or more steam cylinders, and one or more
hydraulic rams on either side of it. The end or ends of the piston rod of
the steam cylinder or cylinders and also of the ram or rams is or are
connected together by a cross head, on which are fixed two bars or links
connected by a pin to the ends of a set of levers, some of which levers
are centred by a pin to the top or head of the frame of the press, the
others being connected to the top of a "follower" which works in a
box fixed to the frame of the press for receiving the cotton or other
material. The bottom or foot of the press is also provided with a set
of levers similar to those at its upper part, which are also worked by
steam or hydraulic power in the same manner as those at the upper
part of the press, which causes them to be raised or lowered as required.
At one end of these levers is a follower or ram similar to that working
in the upper part of the box in which the material to be pressed is
placed. The faces of these two followers are grooved so as to permit
of a tray or gridiron being passed in between the cotton and the follower,
the object of this gridiron being to take the pressure off from the
follower, while the top of this follower at the same time makes a bottom
to the box while it is being refilled. When the press is in motion the
levers at the upper part of the frame project out, and by this means
raise the "follower" to the top of the receiving box, at the same time
the lower bearer or follower is brought into position by its set of levers
under the lower ends of the receiver. The box being now filled with cotton
or other material the steam is admitted to the under side of the piston
or pistons, and these latter partly bring forward or straighten the upper
set of levers, thereby causing the follower to bear upon the material,
which is then partly compressed, the remainder of the compression being
completed by the hydraulic rams. This being done the gridiron or tray
is passed in between the bale and the follower, which gridiron being
in its place a small quantity of steam is admitted at the top of the

page_text: cylinders, which assisted by a weight passing over a pulley immediately
lifts the upper set of levers and follower to the top of the press, thus
admitting of a fresh charge being put into the box while the bale is
being lashed and finished off under the gridiron. The lower levers are
then acted upon in a similar manner to the upper ones, and the bale
is turned out by a door which forms one side of the box that receives
the charge.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood
I now proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or
manner in or under which the same is or may be used or practically
carried into effect, that is to say :-
On Sheet 1 of the appended Drawings Figure 1 is a front clevation,
Figure 2 an end elevation, and Figure 3 a vertical section of a press
constructed in accordance with the first modification of my Invention.
On the different Figures corresponding parts are indicated by the same
letters of reference. The press consists of a framing A and receiving
box B, to be hercin-after more particularly described. At the lower
part of the press two hydraulic rams C, C, are situated, to the upper
ends of which is fixed a platform D, which platform carries the cotton
or other material to be compressed inside the receiving box B. The
platform D is grooved, as shown particularly at Figure 3, and on carry-
ing up the charge it compresses it against the under side of the platform
or follower K attached to the upper set of rams J situated at the top
of the press, which rams work in a similar manner to those at lower
portion of the press. To allow of this being accomplished the gridiron
frame E is withdrawn, the frame E being provided with racks G, into
which gear the spur pinions H actuated by means of the hand wheels I.
After the bale has received the required pressure in the upper part of
the press the gridiron frame E is returned to its original position
between the bale of material and the lower platform. This being accom-
plished the rams C, C, again descend to their former position to receive
another charge. In lieu of this arrangement the under set of rams C, C,
may on carrying up the charge be made to press it against the under
side of the gridiron frame E. After the bale has been sufficiently com-
pressed against the under side of the gridiron frame E the gridiron frame'
is withdrawn and allows the bale to pass into the upper part of the
press, after which operation the gridiron frame is returned to its original
position, and the bale lashed and finished between the upper side of

page_text: the gridiron frame and the under side of the follower or platform
attached to the upper set of rams J, meanwhile the rams C, C, which
have descended to receive another charge are compressing that charge
against the under side of the gridiron frame, thus carrying on two
operations simultaneously. As soon as the lower follower is in position
for the gridiron frame being returned the door L is opened by self-
acting gearing (not shown on the Drawings) and the ropes or bands
passed round the bales, and are ready for tightening as soon as the
pressure is completed. The face of the platform K is grooved in order
to afford greater facility in passing the cords or bands round the bale.
When the bale is finished it is removed through the opening shown
closed by the door L, thus leaving the upper part of the press vacant
for the following bale, which may or may not at this period be receiving
a pressure at the under side of the gridiron frame E. The upper set
of rams J are caused to assume the position for commencing the
finishing pressure on the bales by the rods M, which are attached to
them and also to the cross head N. The cross head is actuated by the
small rams O, O, seen particularly at Figures 2 and 3. In lieu of cm-
ploying two rams in each set, as shown on the Drawing, any other suitable
number of rams may be employed. In order to stop the under set of
rams C at the proper place for returning the gridiron frame E a guide
rod R is attached to the platform D, which rod works in a recess between
the rams C and is fitted with a head S, as shown, which comes in con-
tact with the end of the recess T at the required time. The receiving
box B of the press is provided with a door a at the bottom, shown
particularly at Figure 1, through the clear space made by which door
when opened the cloth which covers the bale is introduced. The door X
shown at Figure 2, through the opening closed by which the material
to be compressed is introduced into the receiving box B, is provided
with two weighted levers x, as shown at Figure 1 (which levers are
keyed on the same spindle as the door), in order to facilitate the lifting
of the door when it is opened downwards level with the floor Z.
In lieu of employing a gridiron frame, as herein-before described, the
arrangement shown at Sheet 2 may be employed. Figure 1 is a front
elevation, and Figure 2 an end elevation of part of a press showing this
arrangement. A is a solid block having slots cut into it deep enough
to slip over the hooks for holding the bale. When the material has
received its first pressure between the under side of the block A and the

page_text: platforin attached to the upper ends of the under set of rams the block A
is drawn out by means of the mechanism G, shown at Figure 2, which
is similar to that employed to actuate the gridiron frame herein-before
described in reference to the preceding Sheet of Drawings, and the bale is
caught by a number of hooked knees B, which are hinged at one end to a
shaft as shown. The block A is then returned into position and the
rams lowered, the knees B being thrown out the pressure is completed,
and the bale lashed and finished between the upper surface of the
block A and the platform D attached to the upper set of rams E, or the
bale may simply be pressed between the platform of the under set of
rams and the platform or follower D of the upper set of rams E, as
herein-before described in reference to Sheet 1 of the appended Drawings.
On Sheet 3 of the appended Drawings Figure 1 is a vertical section of
a press constructed in accordance with the second modification of my
Invention Figure 2 is a vertical section at right angles to Figure 1;
and Figure 3 a front elevation of the lower part of the press shewing
the box D and doors R. and U respectively for receiving and deli-
vering the cotton, jute, or other similar material to be compressed.
On the different Figures corresponding parts are indicated by the
same letters of reference. The press as constructed in this modifi-
cation consists of side framings or standards A, A, connected together
at the top by the cross head B and at the bottom by a cross tail B¹,
the cross head and cross tail, or bearers B, B', being coupled together
by means of the columns, pillars, or ties C, C. Between the framings
or standards A, A, a box D is fitted (seen more particularly in section
at Figure 1 and in front elevation at Figure 3), into which box is
placed the cotton, jute, or other material to be operated upon. The
pressure is exerted on the cotton, jute, or other material by the "fol-
lower "E, which is attached to a set of levers F by the links G, which
levers are carried in bearings H in the cross head of the framing as
shown, and are actuated by the steam and hydraulic cylinders 1 and J
respectively through the intervention of the links K which are attached
to the cross head L of the steam pistons Z and hydraulic ram b, and also
to the levers F, as shown more particularly at Figure 1. The steam and
hydraulic cylinders I and J are firmly fixed to the framing M, which
framing receives further support by means of the columns or pillars N, N.
These columns or pillars may also serve to convey steam to the cylinders I

page_text: by connecting the branch a with a steam boiler. The press is also pro-
vided with an under set of levers O, to which is attached a moveable
head piece P, which head piece acts as a bottom to the box D and
also sustains the pressure exerted on the cotton, jute, or other material
being pressed by the upper set of levers F. The levers O are actuated
by a hydraulic ram in the cylinder Q as shown, or they may be otherwise
actuated. The box D of the press is provided with doors, which when
open leave spaces to allow of the material to be operated upon being
introduced, and through similar openings the material is removed after
being pressed. The material is introduced into the box D through
the clear space made when the door R is opened, which door is pro-
vided with pinions S and quadrants T in order that the door which
is thrown open by the descending levers. may be the more casily shut by
the attendant or workman actuating the pinions through the intervention
of a handle or lever, not shown on the Drawings. After the bale has
been pressed and finished it is removed through the opening shown
closed by the door U, seen particularly at Figure 3. The box D is
further provided with a door V for easing the bale lengthwise when
that is required, which door V is fastened by the lock bolt x, or it may be
otherwise fastened. The press is actuated in the manner now about to be
set forth-When the moving parts of the press are to be put in motion
the upper set of levers F are caused to assume the position shown in
dotted lines by means of the steam cylinders I, assisted by the weights a,
the action of which brings the "follower" E to the top of the box D.
The lower set of levers O are meanwhile drawn into position to receive
the pressure by the action of the ram in the small hydraulic cylinder Q,
the head piece P assuming the position shown by the dotted lines gat
Figures 1 and 2. The cotton, jute, or other material to be pressed is
now introduced into the box D through the opening shown closed by
the door R, herein-before mentioned. Steam is admitted. into the
cylinder I on the under side of the pistons Z, and as they (the pistons)
move forward they draw the rams 6 of the hydraulic cylinders J-together
with them. Sufficient steam is admitted to the cylinders I, I, to cause
the "follower" E to assume the position shown in the Drawings, leaving
the remainder of the pressure to be exerted by the hydraulic cylinders;
sufficient water to fill the cylinders J is now admitted by the passage c
from a tank or reservoir, which may be situated on the top of the press
or in any other suitable position; the remaining water required to com-

page_text: plete the operation is then forced into the cylinders J from a pressure
accumulator (not shown in the Drawings), and the "follower" E assumes
the position shown in dotted lines at X, Figure 2, at which position the
pressure is complete. The under side of the follower E is grooved, as
shown at Figure 2, in order that a gridiron frame of parallel bars W,
shown particularly at Figure 1, may be introduced between it (the
follower) and the upper side of the bale. The bars of the gridiron frame W
are formed to correspond with the grooves of the follower. Immediately
the gridiron frame W is pushed in the pressure on the follower E is
relieved, and the follower together with the levers returned to the
position, shown in dotted lines marked Y by admitting steam into
the cylinders on the upper sides of the pistons Z, the return of the
levers F being facilitated by the weights a which are attached to them
by ropes or chains passing over pulleys d, as shown. The door U is
now opened and the bale lashed by ropes or bands, grooves being formed
in the gridiron frame W and upper face of the head piece P to permit
of this being the more easily accomplished. After being lashed and
finished the bale is removed through the opening closed by the door U,
and the press is ready for another series of operations similar to what
have been just described. In order to remove the bale the more easily
the pressure on the levers O is relieved and the gridiron frame W with-
drawn. After the bale has been removed the lower set of levers O arc
drawn into the position shown and the headpiece P lowered to its normal
position by means of the weights e.
In lieu of employing two steam cylinders with a hydraulic cylinder
between, as herein-before set forth, two hydraulic cylinders with a steam
cylinder between may be employed, or any other number of these
cylinders may be used.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the
system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may be used
or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that
what I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the
method of blocking the bale of material being compressed in the press
by means of the blocking apparatus consisting of the gridiron frame or
solid block sliding into the press between the upper surface of the
platform attached to the under set of levers and the under side of the bale

page_text: of material being compressed, as herein-before particularly described
and shown on the appended Sheets of Drawings, or any mere modifica-
tion thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Watson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of April One thousand
eight hundred and seventy.