IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING CASKS, BARRELS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: . j
LETTERS PATENT to Raphael Hunter Brandon, of No. 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris,
and No. 38, Southampton Buildings, London, Engineer and Patent Agent, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING CASKS,
BARRELS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES." A communication from Frederick
Spaight Blount, of No. 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris.
ealed the 4th February 1879, and dated the 17th August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Raphael Hunter Brandon
"
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th August 1878.
RAPHAEL HUNTER BRANDON, of No. 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, and No. 38, South-
ampton Buildings, London, Engineer and Patent Agent. IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING CASKS, BARRELS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
[A communication from Frederick Spaight Blount, of No. 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris.]
The object of this Invention is to manufacture casks, barrels, and other similar
articles by means of two machines, the first producing the staves and the second the
heads.
In the first machine, that for manufacturing the staves, the timber being cut out
rough to the appropriate size for producing a stave, each piece is introduced successively
in the said machine, where it is inserted between two horizontal feeding rollers,
which impel it between two horizontal rotating cutters. The upper one, being
concave, rounds the outer surface of the said stave, and under oue, being convex,
hollows out its lower surface over its entire length. Before passing entirely from
under these two cutters the rounded and hollow stave is seized between a second pair
of horizontal feeding rollers, which impel it under a spiked roller that continues to
drive it forward by contact with a fixed smooth table rounded off to the same
degree as the under surface of the stave, and during its progress under this spiked
roller it passes two lateral rotating cutters, which are caused to separate laterally
one from the other, whilst the first half of the stave passes between them and to
approach one another to the same extent whilst the second half passes, thus dressing
.

page_text: its two sides, according to the usual double taper. A third pair of horizontal feeding
rollers then direct the stave on a horizontal rotating circular table, which gives it
a quarter turn and delivers it on two travelling belts, which in their turn introduce
the extremities of the stave between a pair of pressure rollers adapted at each end
of the stave, and whilst passing between these two pairs of pressure rollers the
stave encounters two sets of rotating cutters (one at each end), one of which
chamfers the inner ends of the stave, whilst the other crosses its inner face for the
insertion of the barrel head.
In the second machine, that for manufacturing the barrel heads, I introduce a
plank of the proper thickness, the width of which exceeds slightly the diameter of
the heads to be cut out of it, upon a horizontal table between two fixed clamps,
which are brought in immediate contact, one with the upper and the other with the
lower face of the plank, by means of levers or any other appropriate mechanical
agents. Over the vertical shafts of these horizontal clamps I place tubular shafts,
provided each at their extremities facing the plank with two cutters, one of which
is inclined, and serves for tapering the circumference of the head, whilst the other
is perpendicular, and serves to cut the head out of the plank after it has been
chamfered, as above stated. To this end rotary motion being imparted to the
cutters, they are brought in contact with the plank for the purposes above
stated.
When one head has been cut out the cutters are separated from the plank; this
latter is pushed forward to the requisite extent for forming another barrel head,
and so on.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Raphael Hunter Brandon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th February 1879.
RAPHAEL HUNTER BRANDON, of No. 1, Rue Laffite, Paris, and No. 38, South-
ampton Buildings, London, Engineer and Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING CASKS, BARRELS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
A cominunication from Frederick Spaight Blount, of No. 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris.
This Invention has reference to two machines, the first of which serves for the
manufacture of the staves of barrels, tubs, or other similar articles, and the second.
for the manufacture of the bottoms and heads of the same,
In order to make the construction and mode of operating of these two machines.
clearly understood I will describe them in detail in connection with the 18 Figures
of the accompanying Drawing.
MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STAVES, FIGURES I TO 14 INCLUSIVE.
харна
10th February 1879.
Ս 111 the Great Deal Iatent Once on the
RAPHAEL HUNTER BRANDON, of No. 1, Rue Laffite, Paris, and No. 38, South-
ampton Buildings, London, Engineer and Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING CASKS, BARRELS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
A cominunication from Frederick Spaight Blount, of No. 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris.
This Invention has reference to two machines, the first of which serves for the
manufacture of the staves of barrels, tubs, or other similar articles, and the second.
for the manufacture of the bottoms and heads of the same,
In order to make the construction and mode of operating of these two machines.
clearly understood I will describe them in detail in connection with the 18 Figures
of the accompanying Drawing.
MACHINE FOR MAKING THE STAVES, FIGURES I TO 14 INCLUSIVE.
Figure 1 is a plan of this machine.
Figure 2 is a side elevation in section on the line A, A, Figure 1.
Figure 3, a partial view of the devices which form the surfaces or the exterior
and interior faces of the staves.
Figure 4 is a transverse section of the same on the line B, B, Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line C, C, Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Figure 5.
Figure 7, a transverse section on the line D, D, Figure 1.
Figure 8, a partial front elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 7.
Figure 9, a longitudinal elevation partly in section on the line E, E, Figure 1.
Figure 10, a longitudinal elevation partly in section on the line F, F, Figure 1.
Figure 11, a transverse elevation partly in section on the line G, G, Figure 1.
Figure 12, a front elevation of one of the parts shown in Figure 11.
Figures 13 and 14 are plans of two guages used for adjusting two of the cutting
tools of this machine.
This machine serves to completely manufacture the staves of barrels, tubs, etc.,
from pieces of wood cut for the purpose to the desired lengths, which are fed in
from one end either by hand or by a suitable mechanism.
In the above-described Figures A is a framing of simple construction, on which
is fixed a table B for supporting the wood which is to be transformed into a stave.
This table B carries on each side a series of curved guide levers C, binged to the
table at the points c, and at c¹ to rods C¹. These parts are so arranged that the
to-and-fro motion of the rods C' causes all the guide levers Cattached thereto to
bring their curved ends nearer to or further away from the centre line of the
table B. The upper feed rollers D and D¹, as well as the head E, which latter is
arranged between these cylinders, are by means of the bearings d supported on the
walls or ridges B₁ of the table B. The lower feed rollers D2, D3, are supported on
one side of the table in suitable bearings, whilst on the other side their shafts d², d³,
are extended to the framework of the machine, where they rest in bearings d'.
The shafts d², d³, carry between the table and the bearings d two pulleys D³, D³,
the surface of the latter being of sufficient width to receive not only the belt d³,
which transmits the motion to the pulley D, but also the belt d', through which the
feeding mechanism receives its motion.
The upper and lower feed rollers are connected with each other by means of gear,
wheels d.
'
The cutter head E may be of ordinary construction; its knives e' have concave
cutting edges e², whereby the convex back x of the staves is produced. Below the
cutter head E is arranged another E' mounted on a shaft e³, and provided with
knives e¹ with convex cutting edges es, which produce the interior concave face a¹
of the stave. The cutter heads E, E', are connected with each other by means of

page_text: gear wheels E2, and the intermediate wheel E³ (see Figure 3). This arrangement
causes one of the cutter heads to work with the feed motion and the other against
it; thereby the strain on the feed rollers is greatly reduced, which allows the
ordinary loading of the cylinders D, D', to be omitted. The width of the table of
the point (Figure 5) is reduced beyond the width of a finished stave; this place is
immediately after the last pair of feed rollers, the lower one of which D³ has a
convex surface corresponding to the interior concave surface of the finished stave.
At this place two cutter heads F are mounted opposite each other on the shaft F³,
which receives its motion through the pulley F3 and a belt from the main shaft of
the strap. The cutter heads F. have the shape of pulleys, and their knives f' are
fixed in an inclined position on their arms f2; these tools are set so that their
cutting edges form an angle with the axis of the cutter heads, whereby the oblique
faces are produced on each side of the wood a from which the stave is made...
In order to reduce the width of each stave toward its ends a longitudinal move-
ment on the shaft F2 is given to the cutter heads F, so that they are moved nearly
together and further apart from each other. This is effected by means of the
inclined grooves g formed in the two pulleys G mounted on the shaft G¹. The
rotative motion of the shaft F2 is transmitted to the cutter heads F. through the
feathers g. An annular groove f is formed in the hub of each cutter head, with
which engages a fork h. The arm of this fork h works in the groove g of the
pulley, whereby a reciprocating movement is imparted to said fork. The steadiness
of the longitudinal motion of the fork h and its arm h' is obtained by means of
the arm h², which stiffly connects the said fork with a loose sleeve H¹ on the
shaft G. A cylindrical guide I is keyed to the shaft G₁ between the pulleys or
cam wheels G. The cylindrical surface of this roller I should be roughened; or
preferably it is formed with two rows of pointed teeth i set at equal distances from
the centre line of the table, so that these teeth hold the stave centrally during its
passage under the roller I. At the place where the inclined grooves g. are nearest
to each other a spring bolt i¹ is set in the roller I. This bolt is struck by the end
of the stave and pushed by it until the teeth i become engaged with the back of
the stave, thereby the revolution of the cylinder I and consequently of the grooved
pulleys G is continued.
As the spring bolt approaches the narrow part f of the table it is pushed inward
into the body of the roller I. The circumference of the latter corresponds exactly
to the length of the staves which it is desired to produce, so that each stave as it
passes under the said roller causes it to make one complete revolution. As the
knives commence to act upon the stave before the latter is engaged under the
roller I, and as the latter necessarily must commence its motion at the same
moment, the spring bolt i must be so constructed that it is struck, and commences
to operate at exactly the desired moment, so that the action of the knives fand the
rotatory motion of the head F on the shaft Fa commence together at the proper time.
In order to protect the interior edges of the stave the narrow part f of the table
is formed with a convex surface to fit exactly the interior concave face of the stave,
as shown in Figure 5.
The table B is also strengthened by means of two lateral arches B², which con-
nect the front part of said table with the rear part, the latter being constructed
just as strong as the front part, between which and the rear part the narrow part f
is interposed. The two rows of teeth i extend to a certain distance from the spring
bolt, so that the last two teeth leave the stave, and in this manner arrest the
revolution of the roller I at exactly the moment when the spring bolt arrives at its
desired position.
The upper parts of the bearings g2 of the shaft G₁ are weighted by springs k on
the bolts, the-nuts h of which confine the abutment plate H of the said springs.
The lower halves g³ of the bearings of the shaft G¹ are fixed to the framing of
the machine by means of the arms H². A feed roller J and a pressure roller K are
arranged directly behind the roller. I, so that the stave enters between the two
former before it has left the rollers-D²; D³.

page_text: The surface of the feed roller J is convex, and its diameter corresponds to that
of the feed roller D³, and it performs the same functions as the latter. The roller K
serves as pressure roller and central guide for the stave whilst its edges or joints
are being dressed. For this purpose the roller K is provided on each side with
an inclined disc K¹. Between these two discs the stave passes, being constantly
held in a central position, and prevented from any lateral displacement. The cir-
cumference of the body of the cylinder K corresponds with the length of the stave.
A lip arranged at the narrowest point of the cylinder being struck by the end'
of the stave when the latter enters under the cylinder K. serves to start the motion
of the same till the stave comes in contact with the lower feed roller J, whereupon
one full revolution is completed.
In order to obtain the necessary amount of friction between the stave and the
roller K the latter is formed with a central groove ², the edges of which press upon
the back of the stave. Behind the lip the discs K' and a part of the roller K
are cut off, forming a depressed surface K2, which admits of a lateral movement of
the stave after it has left the feed roller J.
The parts L of the roller K are capable of vertical play; this is effected by making
the upper halves of the bearings moveable by means of the springs surrounding
the bolts and abutting against the plates L', which are held in place by the
nuts 1. When the stave has entirely passed out of the rollers K and J it comes
to rest on a revolving table M in a central position. The top m of this table is
hollowed out conically, so that the interior curved edges of the stave bear on the
circular edge of the revolving table, whereby the stave is prevented from slipping.
The revolving table is mounted on a vertical shaft M, carrying a conical gear
wheel m', and supported at m², m³, on a vertical extention B³ of the table B, which
rests on the uprights b fixed to the framing A. A conical gear wheel n keyed to
the shaft N, which latter carries also a pulley n', serves to turn the table M, which
carries spring arms M² for the purpose of holding the stave. These spring arms M²
are attached at four equidistant points at the under surface of the table M, and the
upright fingers m of these spring arms are caused to operate in four equidistant
notches m³ formed in the edge of the revolving table. A stationary disc O formed
with cams o, and fixed on the extension B³ under the revolving table, gives the
proper motion to the spring arms. The depressions o permit the heads m* of the
spring arms to sink below the surface of the revolving table into the notches m³,
whilst the surface of the disc O elevates them above the surface of the table, and
causes them to push off the stave in connection with the spring arm 0¹, which may
be fixed to the framing A. On the shaft J¹ of the feed roller J are mounted two
pulleys of the same diameter as the feed roller. These pulleys ; are placed at
each side of the revolving table, and over each runs a belt j¹, which passes also
over the tension pulley or drum P on the shaft p. The belts carry the stave'
after it has left the turning table towards the two pulleys P¹ on the shaft p,
which are of the same diameter as the interior diameter of the ends of the barrel
which it is desired to make, and which are set at a distance from each other smaller
than the distance of the grooves which are to receive the bottom and head of the
barrel. The pulleys P¹ are at opposite points provided with raised arms p', which
take hold of the stave, the latter being adjusted in a position exactly parallel with
the shaft p and guided upon the pulleys P. In this position the stave is pushed
under a pair of pressure rollers Q keyed to the shaft q. On its way toward the
rollers the stave is adjusted transversely in a central position with regard to the
pulleys P¹ by means of two springs R, which are attached at on the inner sides
of the framing A, opposite to each other, whilst the distance of their free ends from
the pulleys P can be adjusted by means of screws set in the framing A. The
bearings q of the, shaft g are formed in the ends of two oscillating arms Q¹, pivotted
to the framing A at the points q, and provided with projections or lugs 93, on each
of which bears a spring.Q. Two shafts S are firmly supported in bearings 81, 82,
on the outer sides of the pulleys P'. The bearings 81, 82, are formed on supports
82, 82, fixed to the framing A. The shafts s carry each a pulley 83 and a cutter

page_text: head T. These cutter heads are provided with inclined knives t, which chamfer the
ends of the stave, and with cutting discs t1, t2, fixed on the interior faces of the
cutter heads by means of screws t³, which produce the grooves for receiving the
bottom and head of the barrel. The pulleys & receive their motion from the
belts, passing over the pulleys G2 on the main shaft F2. This shaft carries a
gear wheel G, which through the intermediate wheel G imparts motion to a gear
wheel E on the shaft e³ of the head E¹. A pinion Go keyed to the shaft G' turns
the wheel U fixed on the intermediate shaft u, on which is fixed a pinion u¹ gearing
into the wheel V, which latter is fixed to the pinion v. This pinion imparts
motion to the wheel W on the shaft w, which carries three pulley's W¹, W², Ws, of
the same diamter as the pulley j. From the pulley W₁ the motion is transmitted
to the pulley J2 on the shaft J¹ of the feed roller J by means of a belt j. The
pulley W turns the drum P through the belt w². The pulley W³ gives motion to
the pulley n' by means of the belt w³. The pulley turns the pulley D³ through
the belt d. By the pulleys D4, D5, J2, being of the same diameter the feed motion
of the table D is rendered uniform. The gauges Y and Z serve to conveniently
adjust the knives f¹. The gauge Z consists of a plate, with two straight shoulders z
and two equally inclined sides z¹; and on one of its shoulders z is formed an arm z²,
which fits in the grooves f4 of the cutter head F. If the heads F' are removed
from each other as far as the grooves g permit, if the arm 2 is inserted in the
groove, and the shoulders are held in contact with the cutter heads, the edges
are in a central position and ready to operate. Then the cutting edges of the
knives are brought up to touch the edges 23, and are fixed in this position. The
gauge Y is formed with two shoulders y, which are placed against the ends of the
walls B', and a rectangular part y', which fits between these walls and the two
curved edges y². The gauge Y is laid on the part f, and when the knives f¹ are
then slowly turned their cutting edges must just clear the edges y².
OPERATION.
The machine being set in motion a board of the proper dimensions is placed on
the table B, and centrally adjusted by means of the curved guides C, as above
described; then it is pushed between the feed rollers D, D2, which bring it forward
between the cutter heads E, E, which produce on its top face a convex, and on its
lower face a concave surface. From the cutter heads the board passes between the
feed rollers D¹, D³, which push it against the spring bolt . The wheel I turns
now, and the cutter heads F are removed from each other until one half of the
stave has passed under the said wheel; then they are approached toward each other
again. Thereby the board is dressed on its two edges ², and cut conically from its
centre toward its two ends. Before the stave x gets clear of the last pair of teeth i
of the roller I, it enters between the roller K, and the rounded feet roller J, im-
parting motion to the roller K by striking the lip k¹. The dressing of the edges x²
by the knives f' is finished, and the stave leaves the roller K. After it has been
deposited on the revolving table M, the stave commences to turn with the latter,
receding from the roller K by a balancing movement and leaving the said roller,
the depression K2 of the latter allowing for such motion.
When the other end of the stave strikes the spring catch O', one of the fingers m
is raised above the surface of the table M, and causes thereby the other end of the
stave to move toward the edge of the table until the stave falls down on the belts
j', which carry it toward the feed rollers P¹. When it approaches these rollers the
stave is caught by the arms p' and brought in the proper position under the
pressure rollers Q, whilst the springs R adjust its position longitudinally. Whilst
it passes under the rollers Q its inner edges are chamferred by the knives t, and the
grooves for the reception of the bottom or heel are formed by the cutting discs t².
MACHINE FOR MAKING THE BOTTOMS AND HEADS, FIGURES 15 TO 18 INCLUSIVE.
Figure 15 is a plan of this machine; Figure 16 is an elevation of the same in

page_text: Figure 17 is an elevation of one of the principal parts detached, and Figure 18 a
plan of one of the supports mounted near the cutter heads detached.
This machine serves for rapidly and automatically cutting the bottoms and heads
of barrels or casks out of a board; A (Figures 15 and 16) represents the framing of
the improved machine on which is mounted the feed table B, which is formed with
a circular hole b and a horizontal guide on each side. The uprights a of the
framing A support a transverse girder A¹, and another transverse girder A is fixed
to the uprights a near the base of the machine. In the lower girder A³ is inserted
a socket or step c for the vertical shaft C, which carries on its upper part a
horizontal platform C¹. The surface of this platform is at the same level as the
surface of the table B. The sleeve d of a horizontal cutter head D is mounted on
the lower shaft C, so that it has to turn with it, but is capable of rising and
descending on the same. The head D carries two horizontal arms D' with centrally
radiating slots d', in which are engaged the rods e of the knives E and E'. These
knives are formed with large bearing surfaces c¹, and the screws e² are firmly set to
confine the rods e. The knife e has an inclined cutting edge e whereby the
chamfered part of the head of the barrel is produced, and the knife E' has a vertical
cutting edge et for forming the vertical edge of the head, and also for separating the
latter from the board out of which it is formed. Below the head D the rod d is
supported by two halves of bearings F fixed to the uprights a, and held in position
by screws fon each side of the bearing, as shown in Figure 18. The rod d is
provided with a pulley G and a grooved ring H, in the groove of which engages a
fork I which by any suitable means can be connected with the lever J by means of
which the operator can raise and lower the cutter head on the shaft C. Another
table C2 is mounted on the. lower end of the shaft C3 which works in a support c¹
formed on the upper girder A, and the upper projecting end of which carries a
collar c by which it is supported on the spring c. Above the collar c² a lever K
pivotted at k bears on the shaft C, and in this manner serves to lower the table C²
down upon the board x in order to hold the latter firmly. The shaft C³ carries a
cutter head D2 similarly as is described with reference to the head D and shaft C.
A transverse girder F connecting the uprights a above the table is equipped in
the same manner with bearings as those situated below the table. The head D²
above the table is provided with knives exactly the same as those of the head D.
below the table.
The knives E, E¹, may be set in the above-mentioned sockets at a more or less
great distance according to the diameter of the barrel head which it is desired
to cut.
As bottoms of a great diameter are generally made from thicker boards than the
bottoms for small barrels, the vertical movements of the heads are regulated for this
purpose by rings d³ interposed between the heads and tables C₁, C³. This has the
effect that the chamfering action of the knives is suspended at the moment when
the chamfering is completely finished.
A vertical shaft L is mounted in bearings 12 between the girders A', A2, and near
the table B. This shaft carries two driving pulleys L' and a conical gear wheel L².
Belts 7 pass from the pulleys L' over the pulleys G. The conical gear wheel L³
engages with another similar wheel M on the horizontal shaft M', which rests in a
bearing m fixed on the upright a, and in a second bearing m¹ fixed on the edge of
the table B. A pulley N on the shaft M receives its motion through a belt from
the main shaft of the strap.
☐ DEDATION
The machine being set in motion, and a board X being placed on the table B aud
the lower platform C¹, the upper platform C2 is lowered by means of the lever K and
brought to bear on the board with a strong. pressure, without however causing the
head D² to turn. The lever is then held in this position by any suitable mechanical
means, or it may be held in such a position by the hand of the operator. With the

page_text: other hand he operates the upper lever so as to cause the turning head D to descend
until the knives E, E', have cut off a quantity of wood sufficient to produce the
desired chamfering on the upper side of the bottom, and until the vertical knife has
penetrated midways into the wood. The head D is then raised, and the operator,
always holding the board X clamped between the two platforms, causes by means of
the lower lever the lower cutter head D to rise against the board x¹, and effects on
the lower side of the board, the same work which has just been finished above.
Then he lowers again the lower cutter head D, the upper platform C¹ is raised by
the spring, and the board is pushed forward on the lower platform sufficiently for
cutting out a new bottom. As the first bottom which is cut out rests supported
on the lower platform, it cannot fall into the machine and clog it, but it remains on
this table and in the board X until the latter has passed beyond the opening 6 cut
out in the table.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood
that what I claim as the Invention with reference to Figures 1 to 14 inclu-
sive is,-
First. The two cutter heads E, E', for shaping the outer and interior surfaces of
staves for barrels, casks, etc., mounted between two pairs of guide rollers, and
revolving both in the same direction, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
Second. The two cutter heads F mounted below the guide roller I, with its
accessories, and capable both of a rotatory and a longitudinal motion on their shaft,
and the guide roller K, with its accessories, for dressing the longitudinal edges of
the stave, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Third. The revolving table M, with its fingers m*, operated by the disc O and the
spring catch O¹, for turning the stave one-quarter round, and delivering it on the
belts, as and for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. The cutter beads T and cutting discs t2, for dressing the ends of the stave
and producing the groove to receive the head and bottom of the barrel whilst the
stave is carried around the drum P, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. The combination and arrangement of the above-named different mechanisms
so as to form one complete machine, at one end of which the rough board is intro-
duced, and at the other end of which it is turned out as a completely finished
stave.
And with reference to Figures 15 to 18 inclusive,-
Sixth. The platforms C1, C2, on the shafts C, C3, and the cutter heads D, D², the
latter capable of a rotatory and longitudinal motion on said shafts, and each carrying
knives for chamfering and cutting out the heads and bottoms of barrels, etc., in com-
bination with suitable means for imparting motion to the different parts, substan
tially as and for the purposes specified..
In witness whereof, I, the said Raphael Hunter Brandon, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Witnesses,
P. LIMPRECHT.
H. A. LANGE.
R. H. BRANDON. (L.S.)
1, Rue Laffitte, Paris.