IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR." A communication from abroad by Edward
Everett Quimby, of Orange, New Jersey, United States of America, Mechanical
Engineer.
Sealed the 19th December 1879, and dated the 22nd October 1879.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd October 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES,
CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR." A communication
from abroad by Edward Everett Quimby, of Orange, New Jersey, United States of
America, Mechanical Engineer.
These improvements relate to the class of apparatus used to conduct prescribed
quantities of white liquor from the central chamber or reservoir of a centrifugal
machine to the several moulds arranged in a circle in the basket thereof, without
allowing any portion of such liquor to escape otherwise than through the sugar or
magma contained in the moulds.
The present Invention embraces various devices for making tight joints between
the inner open faces of a series of sugar moulds concentrically placed in the basket
of a centrifugal machine, and the outer open faces of an inner circle of cells or boxes
into which the white liquor is discharged from the central reservoir, and from which
it is driven radially outward through the sugar contained in the moulds by the
centrifugal forces generated in the rotation of the machine.
The first part of the said Invention comprises the employment, in conjunction
with the moulds, of an inner circle of movable cells or boxes which are free to yield
to the influence of centrifugal force, and hence, when the machine is rotated, are
thrown outward, and their outer open faces, which are respectively provided with
elastic gaskets, held firmly against the inner open faces of the sugar moulds.
These freely movable boxes may be loosely deposited in the basket of a centri-
fugal machine, which may be provided with guide walls for guiding the motions of
the movable boxes in radial directions, or the boxes may be made with chamfered
PD..

page_text: lower ends and be pivoted to the floor of the basket, and thus provided with a
horizontal axis of oscillation, enabling them, in obedience to the influence of centri-
fugal force, to tilt forward against the moulds; or they may be hinged at one side,
and thus be made capable of swinging upon a vertical axis.
In either of these cases the white liquor is discharged into the boxes by means of
spouts projecting from the central reservoir.
The movable boxes may also be telescopically joined to spouts projecting radially
from the central reservoir, or may be connected with such spouts by elastic tubing.
The second part of the said Invention comprises the employment of radially
movable vertical plates, which form the division walls of the several cells, and which
have on their outer edges a strip of elastic packing, which, when the plates are
driven outward by centrifugal force, are respectively compressed against the
adjoining inner edges of the side walls of two adjacent moulds.
In this case the packing of the top and bottom of the mould is effected by means
of an elastic strip inserted in the floor of the basket, forming a seat for the inner
edge of the lower end of the mould, and a similar strip affixed to the under side of
segmental plates which are bolted down upon the top of the moulds.
The third part of the said Invention comprises the employment of specific forms
..of mechanism for simultaneously thrusting the boxes radially outward against the
moulds, or simultaneously drawing them radially inward.
These specific devices consist in one case of a horizontal cam-wheel connected
with all the boxes by excentric slots in its face, and geared to and operated by a
worm inserted in the hollow spindle of the machine.
Another device of this kind consists in connecting all the boxes with the wall of
an expansible chamber composed wholly or partially of elastic material and con-
taining a fluid, and provided with a movable plug in the form of a vertically sliding
slceve on the spindle of the machine. Suitable mechanism for operating the plug
is provided, by the operation of which the plug may be pushed down, thus displacing
a portion of the fluid in the chamber, and causing its elastic sides to expand so that
the boxes connected therewith are forced radially outward against the moulds. By
elevating the plug its place in the central chamber is reoccupied by the fluid
previously displaced, and the elastic sides of the chamber, together with the boxes,
are drawn inward by atmospheric pressure.
The fourth part of the said Invention comprises devices for employing the weight
of the sugar mould itself, and of its contents, for the purpose of packing the joint
between the inner open face of the mould and outer open face of the box. Thus in
one case liquoring boxes are employed which are linked to a stationary hub in the
centre of the machine, and which are preferably provided with springs at the bottom
to lift them from the floor of the basket, their motion in rising being upward and
inward. The bottom of each box projects outward, and affords a resting place or
bearing for the inner edge of the bottom of the mould in front of it and in operation.
The mould, having been filled with sugar, is placed over the basket with its lower.
edge resting upon this bearing, and is then allowed to drop; in dropping it pushes
down the box, which by reason of its linked connection with the stationary hub is
so forced outward that its outer open face is brought into close engagement with the
inner open face of the mould.
Another mode of utilizing the weight of the mould to pack the joint consists in
erecting stationary cells in the basket of the machine, having outwardly and down-
wardly inclined outer edges, and in chamfering the inner open face of the mould
correspondingly, so that when the mould is dropped into the basket its inner open
face is supported upon the inclined outer open face of the cell. In this case the
opposed edges of the mould and cell are preferably ground, in order to make a tight
joint..
The fifth part of the said Invention comprises the employment of wedges for the
purpose of tightening the joints.
In the fourth part of the Invention the mould itself is a wedge, and the joint
hotmann the mould and the bar is mode tight by the weight of the mould: but.in

page_text: the fifth part of the Invention the wedge is intended to be driven forcibly into
place, and to be held in place by friction or otherwise.
In this modification of the Invention the outer open face of the mould may be
inclined downward and outward, and the wedge may be driven between the inclined
edge of the mould and the rim of the basket, by which means the mould can be
forced inward against the vertical edge of the wall of the stationary cell.
Another form of employing the wedge consists in introducing it between the inner
open face of the mould, which is vertical, and the outwardly and downwardly
inclined outer face of the stationary cell.
The sixth part of the said Invention comprises combining the moulds with
mechanism, by the operation of which the moulds may be drawn radially inward
against the walls of the outer open faces of stationary cells.
The seventh part of the said Invention comprises the use of clamping devices,
whereby the liquoring boxes may be clamped to the sugar moulds prior to their
being deposited in the basket of the machine.
The eighth part of the said Invention comprises establishing in the outer portion
of the basket a series of cells separated from each other by means of vertical walls
projecting radially inward from the rim of the basket, and provided at the top with
a removable annular cover preferably composed of two or more segments. The
sugar moulds are loosely deposited in the cells and their outer open faces bear
against a quadrangular frame to which a perforated diaphragm is affixed.
This frame is loosely deposited in the mouth of the cell adjoining the rim, and has
its outer bearing upon a gasket of elastic material affixed to the inner face of a
shoulder, the sides of which are formed by projections from the division walls, the
bottom by an upward projection from the floor of the basket, and the top by a bar
extending across the upper outer end of the cell. When the machine is rotated the
mould is forced outward by centrifugal action, thus effecting the compression of the
gasket and preventing the escape of white liquor otherwise than through those
portions of the perforated rim of the basket immediately opposite the moulds.
Underneath the floor of the basket is an annular collecting chamber into which any
excess of liquor remaining in the basket can be drained, and from which it can be
discharged by means of suitable faucets.
The first part of the said Invention is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Figure 1 is a top view of a centrifugal machine provided with a central reservoir,
a portion of which is broken away for the purpose of exhibiting one of the
movable boxes or cells tipped backward into the position it occupies when the
inachine is stationary.
Figure 2 is a central vertical section of the same through the line x, x, on
Figure 1, and
Figure 3 is an isometrical perspective view of one of the tilting boxes removed
from the machine.
These Figures represent the usual basket A of a centrifugal machine mounted
upon the usual vertical spindle B. The basket is provided with the usual vertical
division walls C which separate the sugar moulds D from each other. The vertical
walls C afford the bearings and constitute guides for the movable liquoring
boxes E.
It will be seen that portions of the division walls Care respectively parallel with
a radial line bisecting the centre of the liquoring box with the opposite sides of
which they are in contact. The liquoring boxes have side walls E', E¹, which are
parallel for a portion of their width, and then flare outwardly in order to make the
distance between their outer edges equal to the distance between the side walls of
the sugar mould at its inner open face.
The bottom E2 of each box is inclined downward toward the front edge. When
therefore the machine is stationary the box tends to fall backward away from the
sugar mould by its own gravity. Its backward movement is arrested by the
transverse stop F, which may either be a bar supported near the upper end of the

page_text: guide walls C, or may be a bearing place formed on the periphery of the hub G
extending upward from and affixed to the bottom of the basket.
The floor of the basket is slightly raised for the support of the sugar moulds, and
the edge H of the raised part of the floor forms a vertical bearing place for the
lower front edge of the liquoring boxes.
The boxes are provided on their outer front faces with the usual packing strips
or gaskets I.
When the machine is rotated the boxes by the action of centrifugal force are
tilted upward and outward against the inner open faces of the sugar moulds, thus
so compressing the gaskets as to make a tight joint between the boxes and the
moulds.
Liquor introduced into the central reservoir J is discharged therefrom through
the spouts J¹ into the liquoring boxes, from which it is driven by centrifugal force
into and through the sugar contained in the moulds without opportunity to escape
outside the moulds.
Figure
is a central vertical section of a centrifugal machine in which each
of the liquoring boxes Es is hinged at its front lower edge to the horizontal
pivot E*.
In this case the guide walls are not needed for the tilting boxes inasmuch as the
pivot E upon which they oscillate holds them in proper alignment with the mould
against which they are tilted when the machine is rotated.
Figure 5 is a top view of a centrifugal machine in which the movable boxes E
are respectively hinged at one of their front corners to the vertical pivot E6, and
hence when the machine is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow the boxes
swing outward upon their vertical axes, bringing their outer open faces in contact
with the inner open faces of the sugar moulds D¹, and making tight joints there-
with.
Figure 6 is a central vertical section of a centrifugal machine for containing a
series of sugar moulds D2 and a like series of movable boxes E' which are
telescopically jointed upon the horizontal spouts J' projecting radially from the
central reservoir L'.
Figure 7 is a central vertical section similar to Figure 6, in which the moveable
boxes are connected with the horizontal spouts J³ projecting radially from the
reservoir by the tube J' of elastic material.
Figure 8 is a top view of a centrifugal machine embodying the second part of
this Invention.
Figure 9 is a central vertical section of the same.
Figure 10 is a view of the under side of one of the segmental plates shewing a
strip of packing which when the plate is bolted down packs the inner edge of the
top of the moulds; and
Figure 11 is a side view of the segmental plate.
The structure represented in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11, consists of the ordinary
basket A¹ of a centrifugal machine mounted upon the vertical spindle B', and con-
taining the usual sugar moulds D³ arranged in a circle upon the outer portion of
the basket. The floor a of the basket is provided with slightly projecting packing
strips a¹ upon which the inner edges of the bottoms of the moulds respectively rest.
Vertical plates K are each loosely contained between the two vertical guide walls K¹,
by means of which each vertical plate is so guided that it moves radially outward
when the machine is rotated, and a packing strip K2 upon its outer vertical
edge is thereby compressed against one of the vertical joints made by the juxta-
position of the side walls of two adjacent moulds. If desired the sliding plates K
may be provided with the horizontal slots K³ for admitting the friction-rollers K*
having their axes in the vertical guide walls K', or the axes of the rollers may be
pins inserted transversely through the sliding plate, and the rollers may be thus
carried on the plates, the guide walls K' being slotted horizontally to provide a
horizontal track for the rollers on either side of the sliding plate. A spring K³

page_text: with which each sliding plate may be provided tends to pull it radially inward; the
strength of this spring, however, is so proportioned that when the basket is rotated,
the centrifugal force tending to drive the sliding-plate radially outward preponderates
and overcomes the force of the spring. The spaces L between the guide walls are
the liquoring cells, and these cells are closed at the top by the removable annular
plate L³, which is preferably made of four independently removable segments L*.
In several of the cells it will be seen the guide walls are carried up and joined at
the top to form resting places L³ for the segments L'. Preferably these resting places
are provided with elastic packing Le surrounding a vertical bolt L' which projects
upward through one of the slotted holes in the segment L' to receive the nut L³ by
means of which the segment is clamped down.
The Drawings represent the annular plates L³ as being composed of four segments
L, L, L, L, each of which is provided with a handle L, by means of which it may
be lifted and with two slots L, each of which is parallel with a radial line bisecting
the centre of the segment. The resting places for the segments conform to the
shape and position of the slots when the segments are all clamped down, and the
elastic packing L upon which the segments rest therefore prevents the escape of
liquor through the slots L¹º.
On the under side of each segment near its outer edge is provided the packing
strip L. These packing strips bear respectively upon the upper inner edges of the
moulds, and prevent the escape of liquor over the tops of the moulds when the
segments are clamped down.
In operation when it is required to remove the moulds the nuts L8 of one of the
segments are unscrewed, and the segment is then lifted and slid inward, thus
clearing its outer edge from the sugar moulds and permitting their removal.
When other moulds have been introduced in the places of those removed the
segment is returned to its former position and clamped down, and the next segment
is removed in the same way, and so on until all the moulds have been changed and
the segments clamped down into place, when the machine is ready to be put into
operation. White liquor may be then poured into the central portion of the basket
through the central opening of the annular plate L³; or if desired the usual central
reservoir may be mounted upon the spindle, and the white liquor being poured into
that may be directed by means of spouts into the several liquoring cells, from which
it will be driven by centrifugal force through the sugar in the moulds.
It will be observed that the effect of clamping down the segments composing the
annular plate is not only to compress the packing on the top of the moulds, but
also the packing strips inserted in the floor of the basket upon which the inner
edges of the moulds rest. The radially sliding plates are so proportioned in
height as to move without much friction, and when thrust outward the upper end
of the packing strip with which the outer edge of each plate is provided is com-
pressed against the edge of the packing strip L" on the under side of the seg-
mental plate, and its lower end is compressed against the packing strip a² inserted
in the floor of the basket.
The radially sliding plates may if desired be combined with mechanism by means
of which their radial movements may be effected positively, such mechanism being
substantially such as is hereinafter shewn and described for the purpose of positively
operating radially movable liquoring boxes.
The third part of the said Invention is illustrated in Figures 12, 13, and 14,
Figure 12 being a top view partly in section of a centrifugal machine in which
the boxes are moved by the oscillation of a horizontal cam-wheel provided with
excentric slots with which the boxes are respectively connected, and geared to and
operated by a worm inserted in the upper part of the hollow spindle.
VIR
Figure 13 is a central vertical section of the same through the line y, y, on
Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a horizontal section through the line z, z, on Figure 13, exhibiting.
the gearing for operating the cam wheel.
"
2094
B

page_text: of a centrifugal machine mounted upon the vertical spindle B2, and containing an
outer circle of sugar moulds D, and an inner circle of movable liquoring boxes Es.
The usual vertical walls or standards C¹ are provided for fixing the positions of the
sugar moulds. The spindle B2 is provided with the shoulder B³ for the support of
the cam wheel M, which is prevented from rising on the spindle by the jam nuts M¹
and M². Near its periphery the cam wheel is provided with a number of excen-
trically grooved slots M³ corresponding to the number of boxes. Each of these
slots receives a cam-pin or bolt N, which is inserted vertically through the lugs N'
and N2 affixed to the inner vertical wall of the box, and projecting respectively
over and under the edge of the cam-wheel.
It will be seen that by the turning of the cam-wheel in one direction the boxes
are all simultaneously drawn inward, and that by turning it in the opposite direction
the boxes are simultaneously thrust outward. The face of each box is provided
with the usual gasket I', and by the thrusting outward of the boxes their gaskets
are firmly compressed against the inner edges of the sugar moulds respectively.
The cam wheel is turned in either direction by power applied to the hand wheel m
affixed to the upper end of the worm shaft m¹. The upper portion of the spindle
is longitudinally perforated to admit the worm shaft m', which is provided with
the fixed collar m², and a cap m³ is screwed on the end of the spindle B2 and bears
upon the upper edge of the collar m². The worm on the lower end of the shaft m¹
meshes into two worm wheels m* and mo. The spindle B2 is slotted to admit the
two worm wheels, as shewn, and the latter are respectively keyed to the horizontal
shafts me and m7, to which are also keyed the pinions ms and m³, which mesh
respectively into the gear wheels m10 and m" keyed to the horizontal shafts m¹³
and m, which it will be seen occupy the radial positions on opposite sides of the
spindle B. The bevel pinions m¹ and m¹s are keyed respectively to the outer ends
of the shafts m¹² and m¹³, and mesh into the bevel teeth me on the under side of
the cam-wheel. One advantage of the double train of gearing over the worm is
that it balances, the basket. It will be understood that one of the trains of gearing
may be omitted, and that in place thereof a counterweight may be affixed to the
floor of the basket, which also serves the purpose of balancing the basket.
Figures 15, 16, and 17 exhibit that modification in the mechanism for operating
the boxes consisting in the employment of the expansible chamber with which the
boxes are connected.
Figure 15 being a top view of the same partly in section.
Figure 16, a central vertical section shewing the boxes thrust outward against
the moulds by the expansion of the central chamber, and
Figure 17 is a vertical section shewing the boxes withdrawn from contact with
the moulds by the reduction in the diameter of the expansible chamber due to the
elevation thereof.
Figures 15, 16, and 17 represent the usual basket A³ of a centrifugal machine
mounted upon the vertical spindle B, and containing a series of concentrically
placed sugar moulds D³ seated in the usual manner between guide walls or pillars C³
permanently affixed to the basket. The machine is provided with the usual central
reservoir, having the spouts J5 by which its contents are discharged into the
movable liquoring boxes E. These boxes are closed at the back or inner side, and
are respectively affixed to the elastic or flexible shields O, which close the openings
in the periphery of the expansible chamber O¹. These shields are made of rubber,
fabric, leather, or any flexible material which is water tight, and they are connected
by water tight joints with the metallic wall of the chamber O¹. The range of
radial movement required for the boxes is very small, and their connection respec-
tively with the shields ☐ serves to hold them in proper radial alignment with the
moulds. The metallic top 0% of the chamber O' is centrally perforated to admit
the tubular plunger O³, and is provided with the flanged packing 04 and cap 05 for
the purpose of packing the outside of the tubular plunger 03. The interior of the
tubnlar plunger O³ is provided with a female screw thread 06, which engages a
male thread on the upper portion 07 of the spindle. The upper end of the tubular

page_text: plunger 03 may be provided with a crank, or may be made polygonal for the appli-
cation of a wrench, by which means it may be turned either to force it down into
the chamber O' or withdraw it therefrom. The chamber O¹ is filled with water or
other fluid, so that when the plunger is forced down into the chamber the displace-
ment of the contained fluid will compel the outward expansion of the elastic
shields O, and the consequent thrusting of the boxes radially outward against the
moulds.
By the reverse movement of the plunger O³ the elastic shields are drawn inward
by atmospheric pressure, thus withdrawing the boxes from the moulds so that the
latter can be removed from the basket.
The fourth part of the said Invention is illustrated in one form in Figures 18
and 19, which are respectively a top view and a central vertical section of a centri-
fugal machine in which movable boxes are linked to a stationary hub in the centre
of the basket.
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In this case it will be seen that the liquoring boxes E¹ are movable, and are
each linked to the central hub G₁ by a pitman P, the outer end of which is provided
with a transverse pin P¹, which is seated in bearings, the upper halves of which
are formed in the lower end of a lug e cast upon or otherwise affixed to the central
portion of the inner vertical wall of the box. The lower portions of these bearings
are formed in the U-shaped cap e¹, the legs of which embrace the sides of the lug e,
and are secured thereto by the transverse bolt e². The outer end of the pitman has
its bearing at a point midway between the top and bottom of the box. The inner
end of the pitman is provided with the transverse pin P2, the bearing of which is
formed in the hub GI at a point nearer the bottom of the basket, so that the pit-
man, when the box is fully depressed, occupies an inclined position, as shewn in
Figure 19.
Beneath the bottom of the box, and affixed to the floor of the basket, is the
lifting spring P3, which is made just strong enough to lift the weight of the box.
The front edge of the box is provided with the usual gasket I2, and the plate
forming the lower end of the box extended forward below the gasket to form the
bearing place Q for the inner edge of the lower end of the sugar mould D. The
usual vertical walls or standards C³ are provided as guides for fixing the position
of the moulds D. The vertical posts C4 may be affixed to the floor of the basket,
just inside the inner corners of the boxes, in which case each edge of the inner
vertical wall of the box is provided with the projecting lugs Q1 and Q, and these
lugs are provided with the bearing places Qs and Q on the outer face of the post,
in curves corresponding to the curved path which the free end of the pitman
describes when the box is moved.
The curved bearing places Q3 and Q are not indispensable but subserve a useful
purpose in maintaining the box in a vertical position during its movement up or
down, so that its gasket 12 in moving toward or from the mould acquires contact
with or extrication from the edge of the mould without any sliding motion thereon.
The bearings for the transverse pin on the inner end of the pitman are, it will be
seen, horizontally slotted, and the inner end of each pitman is rounded, and is
seated in the sliding half box p, which is backed up with the rubber spring p¹;
this mode of organization being for the purpose of permitting the inner end of the
pitman to yield slightly when the box is fully depressed. It will be seen that the
depression of the box is effected by the act of depositing the mould in the basket,
the box being carried downward by means of the resting of the lower end of the
mould upon the outwardly projecting bottom of the box. When the machine is
stationary the moulds may be easily lifted, and the boxes will rise with them and
remain elevated by reason of their lifting springs until the moulds are again
introduced.
Another mode of carrying into practice the fourth part of this Invention is
illustrated in Figures 20 and 21, which are respectively a top view and a central
vertical section of a centrifugal machine, in which the inner open face of the sugar

page_text: mould is downwardly and outwardly inclined, and bears upon the correspondingly
inclined outer open face of the stationary liquoring cell.
⚫ Figures 20 and 21 represent the basket A of a centrifugal machine mounted
upon the usual spindle B³, and provided with the vertical division walls C³,
extending radially inward from the rim of the basket to the inner edge of the
annular plate R which forms the top of the stationary cells R'. It will be seen
that the outer edge of the annular plate R is polygonal, its planes being respectively
parallel with the inner edges of the several sugar moulds D'. On the opposite
side walls of each cell I provide the inclined shoulders R². The bottom of the cell
is slightly higher than the floor of the outer portion of the basket, and has a
slightly bevelled edge R³ occupying the same plane as the inclined shoulders R³.
The plane of the top of the cell is similarly bevelled, and hence, together with the
inclined shoulder R2 and the bevelled edge R³, present an inclined seat for
engaging the correspondingly inclined inner edges of the top, bottom, and sides of
the sugar mould Do. I preferably grind this seat and grind the inner inclined
open face of the sugar mould, and so proportion the depth of the sugar mould that
when deposited in the basket it wedges itself firmly between the rim of the basket
and the inclined seat. The central portion of the basket is, it will be seen, open,
and forms a chamber, into which the white liquor can be poured when all the
moulds have been deposited in their places.
Figures 22 and 23 are respectively a top view and a central vertical section of a
centrifugal machine, in which the joint between the mould and the stationary
liquoring cell is packed by means of a wedge-shaped box forcibly driven into place
between the inner face of the mould and the outer face of the cell, and held therein
by friction or otherwise.
Figures 22 and 23 represent the basket A of a centrifugal machine mounted upon
the usual spindle B and provided with the vertical walls C projecting radially
inward from its periphery. The outer portions of these walls form the guides for
fixing the positions of the sugar moulds Ds, and their inner portions form the
division walls of the inner circle of stationary cells 2, the top of which is formed
by the annular plate r which is affixed to the top of the division walls. The
several cells communicate with the open chamber j in the centre of the basket. The
periphery of the annular plate is polygonal, and its planes are respectively
parallel with the inner faces of the several sugar moulds. The portions of the
division walls immediately outside the annular plate 1 are swelled to form the two
parallel vertical walls, which constitute the guides for the liquoring boxes S.
The vertical sides 4, 4, of the liquoring boxes are parallel for a portion of their
width, and then flare outwardly to make the outer open face of the liquoring box
conform in size and shape with the inner open face of the sugar moulds DB. The
side walls of the stationary cells are provided with inclined shoulders 75, 75, which
with the bevelled edges on the top and the bottom of the cell form an inclined seat
for the inner open face of the wedge-shaped liquoring box S.
Recesses S¹ are
formed in the floor of the basket to admit the lower ends of the liquoring boxes
respectively. The inner open edge of the sugar mould, and the edges of the
liquoring boxes, and the inclined seat upon which the liquoring box rests, are all
ground so that when the liquoring box is pressed down into its seat it makes a close
connection on its outer edge with the mould, and on its inner edge with its inclined
seat upon the shoulders and the bevelled edges of the top and bottom of the
cell.
To the top of each cell, immediately opposite each box, is affixed the crank-button
S2, which when turned outward bears upon a lug S³ cast upon or otherwise affixed
to the top of the liquoring box. This lug has at the top an inward projection S',
the under side of which is formed like the tooth of a worm-wheel and constitutes
the inclined bearing S³ for engagement with a corresponding worm-tooth or cam-
like projection Se projecting from the hub of the crank button S. When the crank-
button is turned inward the'worm-tooth Se catches under the bearing S" and wedges

page_text: up the liquoring box, and thus releases the mould from friction, and permits its
removal and the substitution of another mould in its place, after which the crank-
button is again turned outward, and striking against the inclined upper surface of
the lug S³ it again presses the box downward into its seat. The box makes tight
joints with the cell and with the mould so that the liquor introduced into the central
chamber j is all forced by the rotation of the machine to make its way outward
through the sugar contained in the moulds, and no portion of it can escape through
the interstices between or around the moulds.
The liquoring boxes being tapering act like wedges, and the crank-button is a
clamping device for forcing the boxes into and holding them in their seats, and also
a lifting device for withdrawing the boxes from their seats.
Each liquoring box is provided with a handle by means of which it may be
raised, and if desired it may be raised sufficiently to allow the crank-button to catch.
under the top of the box, which will thus be suspended upon a higher elevation
than that to which it is raised by the action of the cam on the underside of the
projecting portion of the lug.
Figure 24 is a central vertical section of a centrifugal machine in which a wedge
is introduced between the outer face of the mould and the rim of the basket for the
purpose of wedging the mould inward and forcing it against the outer face of the
stationary cell.
This wedge may be a taper box s similar to that shewn in Figures 22 and 23, and
may be operated by means of a crank button affixed to the rim of the basket, or it
may be a ring which in cross section forms the wedge s¹.
Figures 25 and 26 illustrate the sixth part of the said Invention.
Figure 25 being a top view partly in section, and
Figure 26 a central vertical section of a centrifugal machine provided with a
horizontal cam wheel M* geared to and driven by a worm m" inserted in the centre
of the shaft, as shewn in Figures 12, 13, and 14. In this case in front of each of
the moulds D there is a quadrangular frame, the sides of which are linked to a bar
N³ carrying a cam pin N engaged by an excentric slot M' in a cam wheel, by the
operation of which the moulds may be moved radially inward or outward against
or away from the outer open faces of the stationary liquoring cells.
Figures 27 and 28 are respectively a top view and a central vertical section of a
centrifugal machine in which the liquoring boxes are provided with clamps whereby
they may be clamped to the sugar moulds prior to their being deposited in the
basket.
In this case each box E¹¹ is provided with the usual gasket I³ of elastic material
upon its outer open face to enable it to make a tight joint with the inner open face
of the sugar mould D. Each box is provided at the top and bottom with a clamp
or clamps T by means of which the box may be clamped to the mould as shewn, so
that the mould and box can be lifted together. It will be seen that the hooks t on
the outer ends of the clamps are respectively inserted in the notches t¹ formed in the
front edges respectively of the top and bottom of the mould.
The usual central reservoir Je is provided to receive the treating liquor which is
conducted therefrom into the boxes E" respectively by means of the spouts J7, these
spouts being either made of flexible material or jointed in the usual manner so that
they may hang down when the machine is stationary.
Figures 29 and 30 are respectively a top view partly in section, and a central
vertical section of a centrifugal machine illustrating the eighth part of the said
Invention.
In this case the basket A6 is provided with vertical partitions C7 extending
radially inward from the rim and constituting the walls of the cells U within which
the moulds D are placed. At the outer end of each cell there is provided a
perforated diaphragm U¹ affixed to à quadrangular frame U2 which has a gasket Us
of elastic material secured to its outer face. This gasket has a quadrangular
bearing, the sides of which are contributed by shoulders U formed upon the side
walls of the cell, the lower horizontal bearing by the shoulder U³ formed across the

page_text: floor of the basket, and the upper horizontal bearing by the bar Uº extending across
the top of the outer mouth of the cell and secured to the partitions and to the rim
of the basket. The annular plate u which is provided on its under side with the
packing strips u¹ and u² is clamped down upon the upper ends of the partitions
and upon the upper edge of the rim of the basket, making tight joints therewith.
Beneath the floor of the basket is a collecting chamber G₁ into which liquor
contained in the basket may be drained when the machine is stationary through
the inwardly and downwardly inclined channels or tubes g formed or inserted in the
bottom of each cell.
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,-
First. A series of sugar moulds concentrically arranged in the basket of a
centrifugal machine, and a like series of movable liquoring boxes loosely supported
in the central portion of the basket in combination with fixed walls for guiding the
movements of the boxes in radial lines toward and from the moulds, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
Second. A liquoring box, substantially such as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3,
having its lower end chamfered, and hence resting upon its front lower end and
tending by its own gravity to fall backward.
Third. A series of sugar moulds concentrically arranged in the basket of a
centrifugal machine in combination with an inner circle of liquoring boxes loosely
contained in the said basket and free to move radially, whereby when the machine
is rotated such boxes are forced by centrifugal action radially outward against the
moulds, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Fourth. A series of sugar moulds arranged in a circle in the basket of a
centrifugal machine in combination with an inner circle of loosely supported
liquoring boxes having their lower ends outwardly and downwardly inclined,
whereby during the rotation of the machine the boxes are held by centrifugal force
firmly against the moulds, and when the machine is stationary tend by their own
gravity to tip, or may be pushed inward away from the moulds, substantially as
described.
Fifth. A series of liquoring boxes concentrically arranged in the basket of a
centrifugal machine and hinged at their front lower edges to the floor of the basket
in suitable relation to the sugar moulds, substantially as shewn in Figure 4, as and
for the purpose set forth.
Sixth. A series of liquoring boxes concentrically arranged in the basket of a
centrifugal machine and hinged at one of their front corners, and thus swinging
upon a vertical axis in a path which brings their outer open faces against the inner
open faces of the several moulds, substantially as shewn in Figure 5.
Seventh. A series of liquoring boxes telescopically jointed upon horizontal spouts
projecting radially from a reservoir centrally located in the basket of a centrifugal
machine, substantially as shown in Figure 6.
Eighth. A series of liquoring boxes connected by means of elastic tubing with a
like series of spouts radially projecting from a reservoir centrally located in the
basket of a centrifugal machine, substantially as shewn in Figure 7.
Ninth. A series of sugar moulds concentrically arranged in the basket of a
centrifugal machine, the floor of which contains elastic packing strips whereon the
inner edges of the sugar moulds rest, in combination with an annular plate provided
with packing strips which bear upon the inner edges of the tops of the sugar moulds,
and with clamping devices by means of which the plates are pressed downward,
thereby compressing the packing strips upon the inner edges of the top and bottom
of the moulds, substantially as and for the purpose described, and as shewn in
Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Tenth. A series of sugar moulds concentrically arranged in the basket of a
centrifugal machine in combination with sliding vertical plates provided upon their
outer edges with packing strips, and contained between stationary guides which

page_text: direct the movements of the sliding plates in radial paths in line with the several
interstices between the sides of adjacent moulds, substantially as shewn and
described.
Eleventh. An annular plate, forming the tops of the liquoring cells, composed of
independently removable segments each provided upon its under outer edge with
elastic packing strips and with clamping devices, by the operation of which the
packing strip can be firmly compressed upon the tops of the moulds, substantially
- as described, and shewn in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Twelfth. The segments L' provided with the slots in combination with the bolts
and nuts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Thirteenth. The liquoring boxes in combination with the cam wheel M provided
with gearing by means of which it may be turned in either direction, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
:
Fourteenth. The worm shaft inserted longitudinally in the upper portion of the
hollow spindle B2. and provided with the crank or hand wheel, in combination
with one or more worm-wheels and trains of gearing by means of which motion is
imparted to a cam wheel oscillating on the spindle B2, as and for the purpose set
forth.
Fifteenth. The spindle B2 longitudinally perforated for a suitable portion of its
length to admit the worm shaft, and transversely slotted to admit the worm wheels,
substantially as described, and shewn in Figures 12, 13, and 14.
Sixteenth. A series of movable boxes concentrically arranged in the basket of a
centrifugal machine in combination with an expansible chamber with the elastic
portion of the side walls of which such boxes are connected, as and for the purposes
set forth.
Seventeenth. A central chamber in the basket of a centrifugal machine having
portions of its side walls, with which a series of movable boxes are connected, com-
posed of an elastic or flexible material in combination with a movable plunger for
effecting the displacement of a fluid contained within the central chamber, as and
for the purpose set forth.
Eighteenth. In combination with a series of sugar-moulds concentrically arranged
in the basket of a centrifugal machine, an inner circle of liquoring boxes, each of
which has a link connection with a stationary hub in the centre of the basket
whereby each liquoring box when lifted is pulled inward toward the centre of the
basket, substantially as described, and as shewn in Figures 18 and 19.
Nineteenth. Liquoring boxes, substantially such as described, with the lower
end of each extended to form the bearing-place Q, as and for the purpose set
forth.
Twentieth. The liquoring boxes E, each having a link connection with the
central hub in the basket, in combination with the lifting spring, as and for the
purpose set forth.
Twenty first. In a centrifugal machine for liquoring hard sugar a liquoring box
having a link connection with the stationary hub in the centre of the basket, and
having a bearing place upon which the inner portion of the sugar mould can rest,
in combination with a sugar mould, substantially such as described, and a spring
tending to lift the liquoring box when the box is relieved from the weight of
the mould, substantially as described and set forth, and as shewn in Figures 18
and 19.
Twenty second. An inner circle of stationary cells in the basket of a centrifugal
machine, the outer edges of the top, bottom, and sides of such cells being down-
wardly and outwardly inclined, in combination with an outer circle of sugar moulds,
the inner open faces of which are correspondingly inclined, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth, and as shewn in Figure 20 and 21.
Twenty third. A series of moulds concentrically arranged in the basket of a
centrifugal machine in combination with a series of wedge-shaped liquoring boxes,
and a like series of cells, the outer edges of which are formed into inclined seats for

page_text: engagement with the inner edges of the liquoring boxes, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth, and as shewn in Figures 22 and 23.
Twenty fourth. The aforesaid wedge-shaped liquoring box in combination with a
clamping device adapted to press the liquoring box downward into its seat, sub-
stantially as described, and as shewn in Figures 22 and 23.
Twenty fifth. The aforesaid wedge-shaped liquoring box in combination with a
lifting device by means of which the liquoring box may be forcibly started upward
from its seat, substantially as described, and as shewn in Figures 22 and 23.
Twenty sixth. The crank button S² fixed to the top of the horizontal annular
plater, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Twenty seventh. The combination in a centrifugal machine of a series of sugar
moulds arranged in a circle in the outer portion of the basket, an inner circle of
liquoring boxes, and an innermost circle of cells, and an open central chamber, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth, and as shown in Figures 22 and 23.
Twenty-eighth. A series of moulds concentrically arranged in the basket of a
centrifugal machine, and an inner circle of stationary cells, in combination with a
wedge or wedges introduced between the moulds and the rim of the basket for
forcing the inner open face of the moulds against the outer open faces of the
stationary cells, substantially as and for the purpose described, and as shewn in
Figure 24.
Twenty ninth. The stationary liquoring cell 5, the sugar mould D, and the
quadrangular frame which engages the outer open face of the sugar mould connected
by inwardly extending links to the bar N³, in combination with mechanism for
forcibly pulling the quadrangular frame radially inward, and thus forcing the inner
open face of the sugar mould against the outer open face of the stationary cell, sub-
stantially as described, and as shewn in Figures 25 and 26.
Thirtieth. The combination of a sugar mould with a liquoring box provided with
a clamp or clamps whereby the box may be clamped upon the mould preparatory
to the introduction of the mould and box into the basket of the centrifugal
machine, substantially as and for the purpose set forth, and as shewn in Figures 27
and 28.
Thirty first. A series of sugar moulds loosely contained in the basket of a
centrifugal machine in combination with a series of quadrangular gaskets of elastic
material respectively interposed between each mould and the perforated rim of the
basket, whereby when the machine is rotated the moulds are driven radially out-
ward by centrifugal force and the gaskets are compressed, thus preventing the
escape of liquor from the machine otherwise than through those portions of
the perforated rim of the basket immediately opposite the outer open faces of the
moulds.
Thirty second. The basket A provided with the vertical partitions extending
radially inward from the rim, and with a removable annular cover in combination
with the collecting chamber communicating with the spaces or cells between the
partitions by means of the inwardly and downwardly inclined passages or tubes,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty first day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight bundred and seventy nine.