IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CLAY OR EARTHENWARE PIPES AND IN THE MECHANISM EMPLOYED THEREFOR.
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Miller, of Gartcosh, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF CLAY OR EARTHENWARE PIPES AND IN THE MECHANISM
EMPLOYED THEREFOR.'
"
Sealed the 13th December 1870, and dated the 15th June 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Miller at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th June 1870.
I, ROBERT MILLER, of Gartcosh, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of “IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CLAY OR EARTHENWARE PIPES AND IN THE
MECHANISM EMPLOYED THEREFOB," to be as follows, that is to say :—
This Invention, which relates to the manufacture of clay or earthen-
ware pipes in an improved and more effectual manner than hitherto,
consists in providing the mouth of the pug mill or press, from which the
plastic clay is forced, with a guide so shaped as to form the socket on.
one end of each pipe in the manner herein-after described. A die of the
shape and dimensions necessary for forming the bore of the pipe is

page_text: situated in the discharging mouth of the pug mill or press, leaving an
annular space thereat, and this die projects some distance beyond the
said mouth of the said mill or press. Around the outside of the dis-
charging mouth of the mill or press another die made in two halves is
situated and its interior shape is such that in connection with the die
first herein mentioned it enables the socket to be formed after the body
of the pipe is formed in the following manner :-The outermost part of
the outer die is of an interior diameter equal to the outside diameter of
the pipe to be produced whilst its innermost part is equal to the diameter
of the outside of the socket. When the pipe has been forced between
the dies to the required extent, the two halves of which the outer die is
constituted are removed by means of levers, screws, cams, eccentrics, or
other mechanical equivalent, and the pipe is then forced out to a further.
extent sufficient to ensure the length of the socket, after which the pipe
is cut off from the clay projecting through the discharging mouth of the
mill or press by means of a cutting wire in the usual manner. The inner
die is provided with air holes to admit the atmosphere to the parts of the
clay in the neighbourhood of the socket so as to prevent any "draw"
taking place.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Robert Miller in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 14th December 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRÉSENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
MILLER, of Gartcosh, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of June in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the 33rd
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Robert Miller, Her special license that I,
the said Robert Miller, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Robert Miller, 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
.

page_text: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF CLAY OR EARTHENWARE PIPES AND IN THE MECHANISM EMPLOYED THEREFOR,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Robert Miller, 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 YE, that I, the said Robert Miller, 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 relates to the manufacture of clay or
earthenware pipes in an improved and more effectual manner than
hitherto, consists in providing the mouth of the pug mill or press, from
which the plastic clay is forced, with a guide so shaped as to form the
socket on one end of each pipe in the manner herein-after described. A
dic of the shape and dimensions necessary for forming the bore of the
pipe is situated in the discharging mouth of the pug mill or press,
leaving an annular space thereat, and this die projects some distance
beyond the said mouth of the said mill or press. Around the outside
of the discharging mouth of the mill or press another die made in two
halves is situated, and its interior shape is such that in connection with
the die first herein mentioned it enables the socket or faucet to be formed
after the body of the pipe is formed in the following manner :- -The
outermost or lowermost part of the outer die is of an interior diameter
equal to the outside diameter of the pipe to be produced, whilst its
innermost part is equal to the diameter of the outside of the socket.
When the pipe has been forced between the dies to the required extent
or length the two halves of which the outer die is constituted are
removed by means of levers, screws, cams, eccentrics, or other mechanical
equivalent, and the pipe is then forced out to a further extent sufficient
to ensure the length of the socket or faucet, after which the pipe is cut
off from the clay projecting through the discharging mouth of the mill
or press by means of a cutting wire in the usual manner.
The inner
dic is provided with air holes to admit the atmosphere to the parts of

page_text: the clay in the neighbourhood of the socket, so as to prevent any "draw"
taking place.
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 :-
Upon the Sheet of Drawings hereunto appended Figure 1 is a vertical
section; Figure 2, a horizontal section upon the line A, B, Figure 1,
shewing one arrangement of my improved mechanism for the manufacture
of clay or earthenware pipes, and especially for the formation of certain
parts of the said pipes technically known as the sookets or faucets;
whilst Figure 3 is a detached plan of that part of the mechanism herein-
after described as the delivery chamber B, and Figure 4 is a detached
view of a self-acting clutch provided for the purpose of holding the two
halves of that part of the mechanism herein-after described as the outer
die firmly together for the period of time required; and Figure 5 is in
like manner a detached view of certain parts of the cutting mechanism
herein-after to be described.
Under the arrangement shewn upon the annexed Sheet of Drawings
my improved mechanism for the manufacture of clay or earthenware
pipes consists of a cylindrical delivery chamber B, attached as shewn to
the lower end of the cylinder A of the pug mill, and attached concen-
trically thereto by means of radial arms C is a die D, the greatest
diameter of which (that is to say, its diameter at the points marked a,)
corresponds with the internal diameter or bore of the socket or faucet
part of the pipe to be formed, whilst its diameter at the part marked b,
situated immediately beneath that part marked a, corresponds with the
internal diameter or bore of the main part or stem of the pipe to be
formed. As the internal diameter of the lower part of the discharging
chamber B is made to correspond with the external diameter of the
faucet or socket of the pipe, and as herein-before stated the external
diameter of the die D at the point a corresponds with the internal
diameter of the socket or faucet of the pipe, an annular space c is formed
corresponding to the section or thickness of clay or earthenware which
constitutes the said faucet or socket. At the lower end or mouth of the
discharging chamber B a moveable outer die E is situated; it is con-
structed in two parts, as more particularly shewn at Figure 2, the
internal diameter of the upper part of the said outer die E is the same

page_text: as that of the lower part of the delivery chamber B, and in consequence
corresponds with the external diameter of the socket or faucet of the
pipe to be formed, whilst its external diameter at its lowest part is made
to correspond with the internal diameter of the main part or stem of
the pipe to be formed, thereby leaving between it and that part of the
inner die D, marked b, an annular space d, corresponding to the section
or thickness of the clay or earthenware which forms the main part or
stem of the pipe. The outer die E is carried upon two guide frames F,
which are fixed at the required height upon the vertical columns G, and
it is so arranged that the separate halves of the outer die E may each
be moved laterally in opposite directions when desired, the object for
which will herein-after be more particularly specified. Immediately
beneath those parts of the mechanism herein-before specified a table H
is situated, suspended, as shewn upon Figure 1, by means of bands or
chains e, acting round pullics indicated by dotted lines at I, and attached
to balance weights K, which have the effect of keeping the said table H
closely drawn up to receive the ends of the pipes as they issue from the
mouth of the discharging chamber B.
Having now particularly specified the construction of those parts
which constitute the leading features of my improved mechanism for
the manufacture of clay or carthenware pipes, the working and manner
whereby the various parts effect the distinct functions assigned for cach
will be more clearly understood as follows:-
The clay or other substance of which the pipes are to be formed is fed
downwards through the cylinder A of the pug mill in the ordinary
manner, and is discharged into the delivery chamber B, in which it is
gradually forced downwards by the continuous feeding action of the pug
mill, and as it is the stem or main part of the pipe which is first made
the halves of the outer die E are brought together and kept securely in
this position by means of the clutch levers L which catch the snugs or
projecting points M. formed upon the separate halves of the said die E.
The clutch levers L being centred and free to reciprocate upon studs O
secured into brackets P projecting upwards from the guide frames F.
The clay or other substance is forced downwards through the annular
space d, and as it gradually issues therefrom portions of the clay or other
substance which have issued from the said annular space d are then cut
off by means of a wire in the usual well known manner, so as to form
the end or mouth of the pipe perfectly even and at right angles to its

page_text: axis. The said end or mouth of the pipe is now in contact with a
receiving board N situated upon the table H, which is gradually moved
downwards by the pressure from the pipe itself, until arriving at a point
which measures the exact length of the stem of the pipe, where tappets
fixed upon the vertical side rods g which are secured as shewn, to the
table H and are moved vertically therewith are brought down into contact
with and depress the ends, marked h, of the clutch levers L, in consequence
of which their opposite ends, upon which the clutches are formed, are
elevated to an extent represented by the dotted lines upon Figure 4 and
clear of the points M, which leaves the halves of the outer die E free to
be drawn separate, and which is immediately effected to the extent
represented by the dotted lines upon Figure 2, by means of the lever Q
being moved either by the hand of an attendant or by means of a spring,
or its mechanical equivalent, to the extent necessary to move the lever R
round into the position indicated by the dotted lines, which movement is
communicated to each half of the outer die E by the corresponding
separate sets of linkwork S and T as clearly shewn at Figure 2. The
lever Q and the compound lever Rare cach secured to a stud u centred
in a bracket V which may be attached to any conveniently situated rigid
part of the framework of the pug mill or to an adjacent pillar or standard.
The clay or other substance on being forced downwards through the
annular openings c and d completely displaces any air that might be
contained therein, and in order to establish a communication with the
atmosphere and the said openings c and d, small channels wo are formed
through the metal of the dic D, which arrangement has the effect of
preventing the clay from adhering to the surface of the metal. The
outer die E having thus been drawn out clear of the pipe in the manner
now specified the clay or other substance issues from the interior of the
delivery chamber B, and is gradually fed down through the annular
opening c, and by being so fed the faucet or socket portion of the pipe is
formed and continues to be formed until arriving at a point which
measures the exact length of the said socket or faucet, the pipe is then
completely formed, and is immediately cut or detached from the rest of
the clay or other substance following it immediately from the mouth of
the pug mill. The manner whereby the said cutting is effected is as
follows: The pipe during the whole course of its formation is gradually
fed downwards from the mouth of the delivery chamber B and forces
along with it the table H and the side rods g; when arriving at that point
which measures the termination of the socket or faucet, in other words.

page_text: when the full length of the pipe desired has been formed, a stud / inserted
into the edge of the side rod g has descended so as to be in contact with
one end of a bell crank lever m. The said bell crank lever m is situated
upon the upper side of one of the guide frames W, and has that end
already referred to pressed forward by a spring n into a position to be
caught by the stud / in its descent as more particularly shewn at Figure 5,
and dotted at Figure 2, and in end elevation at Figure 1, and in so
descending the stud / carries with it the said bell crank lever m and the
guide frame W until a light bow frame o supported between and situatel
in grooves P formed in the said guido frames W is drawn in a horizontal
direction by the hand of an attendant, carrying with it a wire q which
is passed through and severs or cuts off the pipe to the required length.
Immediately that this has been effected a tappet r fixed upon a wire 8
which forms a part of the bow frame o is brought into contact with the
end of the bell crank lever m, whereby its opposite end is forced
outwards until it is clear of the point or stud 1, when the guide frames W,
and with them the bow frame o, are instantly forced upwards to their
original position to repeat the operations on the next pipe in succession.
The guide frames W are forced upwards by means of back balanco
weights, not shown upon the Drawing, but arranged in a manner similar
to those attached to the table H. When the pipe has been severed or cut
in the manner hercin set forth it is lifted off the table H, which through
the action of the balance weight K is immediately drawn up to the
mouth of the delivery chamber to receive the next pipe in succession,
for the formation of which the separate halves of the outer die E have
again been brought closely together to effect in the first place the
formation of the stem of the pipe as before, and the entire operation is
repeated upon each pipe in succession as already set forth with reference
to one or a single pipe.
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 I do
not claim as my Invention any part of the mechanism herein-before set
forth which relates to the measuring or cutting of the pipes, but what I
do consider as novel and original and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the hercin-before in part recited Letters Patent is,
the arrangement and construction of mechanism for the formation of

page_text: as herein-before set forth and shewn upon the appended Sheet of Drawings
or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Miller, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of December, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy:
ROBERT MILLER. (L.S.)