IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PIPES OR HOLLOW ARTICLES FROM PLASTIC PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Hill, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Modeller, and Alexander Thomson, of the
same place, Brick Builder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PIPES OR HOLLOW ARTICLES FROM PLASTIC
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Hill and
Alexander Thomson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 24th August 1853.
We, THOMAS HILL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Modeller, and ALEXANDER THOMSON, of the same place, Brick
Builder, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PIPES OR HOLLOW ARTICLES
FROM PLASTIC MATERIALS" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the manufacture of pipes and tubular
articles from clay or plastic materials in such manner that the
moulded articles may be produced with superior economy and accuracy
of form. The clay is fed into a pugmill or other moulding and
supplying apparatus, the moulding die being attacked to the bottom

page_text: of the clay chamber. The core piece for shaping the interior of the
pipe is carried on the bottom projecting end of the pugmill or working
spindle, being loose upon the spindle as a centre. The extremity of
the spindle passes through the centre of the core, and carries a disc
plate fast upon and turning with it. This disc plate carries on its
upper side a set of anti-friction supporting pulleys, working within
a hollow on the under side of the core, and bearing with their
peripheries upon the lower surface of the core. In this way the core
is guided and suspended from the main spindle as a centre without
any lateral support; and as the corc is loose, and is prevented from
revolving with the spindle, by reason of the anti-friction connection
beneath it, the moulding action is left free and quite uninterfered
with by this mode of suspension of the corc. By another modifi-
cation of this arrangement the main spindle is tubular, and the cere
is fast upon the lower extremity of an internal solid spindle passed
up the hollow spindle from beneath. In this way the required central
guide is obtained from the hollow spindle, whilst the core is itself
retained in a fixed position by the internal spindle, so as not to affect
the moulding action. When sockets are to be moulded upon the pipes
these enlarged portions are moulded at the same time as the rest or
plain part of the pipe by forming the interior of the bottom extremity
of the die to the shape of the exterior of the socket, the interior of
such socket being shaped by a solid core piece adjustable from below.
As the clay begins to emerge from the working cylinder it first passes
through the plain part of the dic, as arranged in the manner previously
described herein. It then pusses on and expands into the wider
portion, where the second or socket core piece is fitted in. Then so
soon as the socket is actually shaped the bottom core is let down by
the adjusting apparatus beneath, and the moulding still going on, the
plain portion of the pipe is moulded, pushing before it the primarily
moulded socket. This is continued until the whole length of pipe
required is moulded, when the length is severed in the usual manner,
and the operation is repeated. Instead of supporting the moulding
core in the ways previously described herein, this core piece may be
carried upon the upper end of a separate spindle standing up from the

page_text: ground, the top of this secondary spindle being formed with a dead
centre point to enter into a central recess in the bottom end of the
working spindle above. In this way a steadying support for the corc
is obtained from the main spindle, without interfering with the regular
functions of the apparatus. When a length of pipe is moulded it is
severed in the usual way, and the newly formed length, with its core
and core carrying spindle, are all removed to allow of the pipe being
freely lifted off:
.
When sockets are to be moulded the socket lie and core must also
be upon this carrying spindle, being adjustable up or down thercon for
bringing up to moulding position, and removal afterwards in any
convenient manner.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Hill and Alexander Thomson in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd February 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we,
THOMAS, HILL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Modeller, and ALEXANDER THOMSON, of the same place, Brick Builder,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
seventeenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suic-
cessors, give and grant unto us, the said Thomas Hill and Alexander
Thomson, Her special licence that we, the said Thomas Hill and
Alexander Thomson, our exccutors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as we, the said Thomas Hill and Alexander Thomson, our
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "I-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PIPES OR HOLLOW ARTICLES FROM

page_text: PLASTIC MATERIALS," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the
said Thomas Hill and Alexander Thomson, by an instrument in writing
under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said In-
vention, 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 inonths next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Thomas Hill and Alexander
Thomson, do hereby declare the nature of our 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 Jetters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say:
Our said Invention relates to the manufacture of pipes and tubular
articles from clay or plastic materials in such manner that the moulded
articles may be produced with superior economy and accuracy of form.
"The clay is fed into a pugmill or other moulding and supplying apparatus,
the moulding die being attached to the bottom of the clay chamber.
The core piece for shaping the interior of the pipe is carried on the
bottom projecting end of the pugmill or working spindle, being loose
upon
the spindle as a centre. The extremity of the spindle passes
through the centre of the core, and carries a disc plate fast upon and
turning with it. This disc plate carries on its upper side a set of anti-
friction supporting pulleys, working within a hollow on the under side
of the core, and bearing with their peripheries upon the lower surface
of the corc. In this way the core is guided. and suspended from the
main spindle as a centre without any lateral support; and as the core is
loose, and is prevented from revolving with the spindle, by reason of the
antifriction connection beneath it, the moulding action is left free and
quite uninterfered with by this mode of suspension of the core. By
another modification of this arrangement the main spindle is tubular
and the core is fast upon the lower extremity of an internal solid
spindle, passed up the hollow spindle from beneath. In this way the
required central guide is obtained from the hollow spindle, whilst the

page_text: core is itself retained in a fixed position by the internal spindle, so as
not to affect the moulding action. When sockets are to be moulded
upon the pipes, these enlarged portions are moulded at the same time
as the rest or plain part of the pipe by forming the interior of the
bottom extremity of the die to the shape of the exterior of the socket,
the interior of such socket being shaped by a solid core piece adjustable
from below. As the clay begins to emerge from the working cylinder
it first passes through the plain part of the die as arranged in the
manner previously described herein. It then passes on and expands.
into the wider portion, where the second or socket core piece is fitted
in. Then so soon as the socket is actually shaped the bottom corc is
let down by the adjusting apparatus beneath, and the moulding still
going on, the plain portion of the pipe is moulded, pushing before
it the primarily moulded socket. This is continued until the whole.
length of the pipe required is moulded, when the length is severed in the
usual manner, and the operation is repeated. Instead of supporting
the moulding core in the ways previously described herein, this core
piece may be carried upon the upper end of a separate spindle standing
up from the ground, the top of this secondary spindle being formed
with a dead centre point to enter into a central recess in the bottom
end of the working spindle above. In this way a steadying support for
the core is obtained from the main spindle without interfering with
the regular functions of the apparatus. "When a length of pipe is
moulded it is severed in the usual way, and the newly formed length,
with its core and core carrying spindle, are all removed to allow of the
pipe being freely lifted off. When sockets are to be moulded the
socket dic and core must also be upon this carrying spindle, being
adjustable up or down thereon for bringing up to moulding position
and removal afterwards in any convenient manner.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood
we shall now proceed to describe the Sheets of Drawings hereunto
attached, and representing one modification of our plans. Figure 1,
on Sheet 1, of the Drawings, is a side elevation of the. moulding
machine complete; and Figure 2, is an elevation taken at right
angles to Figure 1; a pipe being represented in these two Figures

page_text: as issuing from the pugmill. Figure 8, on Sheet 2, of the Drawings,
is a vertical section through the pugmill with the driving gear removed.
Figure 4, is a plan of the machine, also with the driving gear re-
moved. Figure 5, is a horizontal section of the pugmill taken near
the bottom. Figure 6, is a plan of the table for supporting the pipe as
it issues from the machine. Figure 7, is a vertical section of a core
piece slightly modified from that represented in the vertical section,
Figure 8; and Figure 8, is a plan of the supporting disc sustaining the
core piece. Figure 9, is a vertical section, and Figure 10, half hori-
zontal section, half inverted plan of the bottom of the pugmill as
modified to comprehend arrangements for forming different sizes of pipes.
The cylinder A, of the pugmill is cast with substantial box flanges
B, upon it, by means of which it is supported on the two iron
beams C. These beams are at one end laid upon the top of the stone
arch D, and at the other on the transverse beam E, which is itself
supported by the walls F, of the structure. Down to the box
flanges B, of the cylinder are bolted a pair of vertical standards G,
tied together by the rod H, at the top, and serving as a frame-
work for the driving gear of the apparatus. This driving gear con-
sists of the fast and loose pulleys I, carried by a transverse shaft
revolving in bearings in the standards G. On one of the outer
overhanging ends of this shaft is keyed a pinion J, in gear with
a spur wheel K, keyed upon a parallel shaft immediately below.
This lower shaft has keyed upon it the bevil wheel L, in gear with
the bevil whcel M, on the vertical screw shaft N, of the pugmill. The
vertical shaft N, is mainly supported in the horizontal collar bear-
ings O, one half of which is cast upon the cylinder A, the other half
being bolted to it laterally after the introduction of the shaft and
the brass P. The upper part of this brass is formed into a cup to
retain lubricating matter. The lower collar Q, is formed upon the
shaft; but what answers as the upper collar is a nut R, passed on
the shaft with a fine screw thread. This arrangement is for the pur-
pose of tightening up the shaft in its bearings to prevent longitudinal
play on the wearing of the lower collar Q, caused by the upward pres-
sure due to the resisting action of the clay upon the screw blades of the

page_text: shaft. The upper extremity of the shaft N, is steadied in the bracket
bearing S, bolted to one of the standards G, and the end of this
bracket is additionally steadied by means of a strap T, embracing the
shaft of the wheels K, L. The lower end of the shaft N, is stendied by
a bearing U, held by cross arms fitting into sockets in the sides of the
cylinder. The shaft N, is furnished with a number of screw blades V,
fixed to it by spindles passing through the centre of the shaft, and held
by nuts at the further side. This arrangement permits of the blades
being set at any angle that may be found most efficient for the working
action. Above the bearing U, the blades are set singly and spirally
round the shaft, but below that bearing there are four blades in one
plane; these four blades are formed or cast in one piece with a ring W,
passed upon the shaft, and secured by a cotter. The same cotter also
holds in its place a spindle X, entered into a central socket in the
lower end of the shaft, and supporting the core piece Y. This core
piece is hung loosly on the spindle X, and rests on a number of anti-
friction pulleys carried by a plate Z, fixed on the end of the spindle X,
by a screw nut. These core piece details are represented on an
enlarged scale, and slightly modified, in Figures 7 and 8. The core
piece is in this manner rendered independent of the rotatory motion
of the screw shaft, and it will not in consequence exert any injurious
rotatory rubbing action on the issuing clay, the pressure of the latter
being sufficient to prevent its turning with the shaft. The bottom
cover a, of the cylinder is formed to suit the section of pipe to be
produced, and a means is in this instance provided for forming the
lower end of the pipe with an enlargement or socket. The mouth of
the cover is accordingly enlarged, as at b, for this purpose, and a core
piece c, is provided to form the inside of the socket. This core piece c,
is formed with a flange covering the mouth b, and embracing it by a
slight over lap. Holes are provided at d, for the escape of the air
during the formation of the socket. The core piece and cover c, is
fixed on the upper end of a vertical screw spindle e, working in a nut
f, in the extremity of the arm of a species of crane g, swinging on
centres, one a footstep bearing h, in a plate i, in the flooring of the
building; and the other on upper bearing j, in a flange k, cast on the

page_text: end of the cylinder A. A convenient means is thus afforded of adjust-
ing the core piece c, 'under the inouth piece of the mill, or turning it
'round to one side out of the way, as in Figures 1, 2, and 6. On com-
mencing to make a pipe a sufficient quantity of clay or other plastic
material being introduced into the cylinder A, from above, and the
socket core piece c, being adjusted under, and screwed well up to the
mouth of the mill, as represented in Figure 3, by means of a hand
wheel, on the lower end of the spindle e, the machinery is set in
'motion. In a short time the clay will begin to issue at the holes d, in
the core piece cover c; and the attendant then, knowing that the
portion of the mouth acting as a mould for the socket of the pipe is by
that time filled, and the socket consequently formed, rapidly screw's down
the spindle e, bringing down the core piece c; out of the mouth of the
'pipe, and as soon as the core piece is clear of the latter it is swung
round on the cranc g, out of the way to the position represented
in Figures 1, 2, and G. A table m,-is then brought up to support
.the issuing pipe n, (Figures 1 and 2.) This table m, is carried
on a cruciform iron bearer o, entered by deep eyes on the guide
rods p, fixed at their upper extremities to the flange -k on the
lower end of the cylinder A, and below to the plate i, let into
the flooring. The bearer o, is suspended by means of chains g,
hooked one on each side, and passing over and attached to a pair
of pulleys r, of large diameter. These pulleys are keyed upon a
'cross shafts, passing behind the cylinder, and carried in bracket bear-
'ings on the side walls F, of the building. The shaft s, has likewise
keyed upon it a levert, of considerable length, provided with a weight u,
'which can be adjusted at any point, and a cord v, for pulling down the
lever. Immediately on the core picce c, being swung from under the
cylinder, the attendant draws down the weighted lever t, which action
draws up the table m, by means of the pulleys, and chains 9. The
table m, is provided with a central block w, shaped to fit within the
socket portion of the issuing pipe, and thus give the latter a-more
effectual support than if the bottom edge only of the socket rested upon
*the table, and thus endangered the crushing-in of the socket portion by
the weight of the narrower body of the pipe. The weight u, is so set

page_text: on the lever t, as just to balance the weight of the table m, and s
appendages, and. the issuing pipe. When the table m, is at the
highest point of its traverse the weighted lever t, will be hanging
nearly vertically downwards, and its leverage will consequently be very
slight. As, however, the pipe continues to issue out of the mouth of
the mill, the .table descends with it, and the lever rises to one side so as
to increase its leverage, and, the various parts are so proportioned as
that this increase of leverage, shall be constantly equal to the increased
weight of the issuing pipe, the lever reaching its position of greatest
leverage when the table reaches the lowest point. of its traverse, and
has consequently to support an entire length of pipe. When the
required length of pipe has issued from the mill it is cut off by a wire x,
stretched across a slight frame consisting of two bars of wood y, con-
nected together by tic rods z; at each end, and traversing in guides !;
fixed to the bottom cover ȧ, of the cylinder. Each cut is obtained by
simply drawing the frame y, z, across the pipe accordingly. as the
wire, happens to be on one or the other side of the latter. As
already mentioned, a means is represented in Figures 9, and 10, of
rendering the machine capable of making different. sections of piping
without the necessity of changing the bottom cover of the cylinder:
The bottom cover A, of the cylinder B, is formed with a larger opening
than is usual, or one which will answer for piping of the largest din-
meter to be made by the machine. If a. pipe of somewhat smaller
external diameter is to be made, an, annular .dic c, provided for that
purpose, is screwed to the mouth of the cover, and is of such a shape
internally as to form a continuation of the internal outline of the cover.
If a still smaller pipe is required a smaller annular.die D, is screwed
to the die C. As many such rings or dies may be provided as will
serve for the various sizes of pipe to be made; and instead of employing
a number of rings one within, the other for the smaller sizes of pipe, a
single ring may serve for each size, the inside of each being formed to
correspond to the required size, whilst the outside of all the rings is of
the same dimensions, and each ring is screwed or secured directly to
the cover A, of the cylinder. An assortment of various sizes of core

page_text: pieces E, may also be provided to correspond to the various sizes of
pipe, and so as to vary the bore and thickness of the pipe, as may be
desired.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of
our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be
used or carried into effect, we may observe, in conclusion, that we do
not confine or restrict ourselves to the precise details or arrangements
which we have had occasion to describe or refer to, as many variations
may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main
features of our Invention; but what we consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery,
apparatus, or means for the manufacture of pipes or hollow articles
from plastic materials, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of adjusting the bearings of the vertical
screw shaft employed in pugmills by means of a screw collar or nut, as
hercin-before described.
Third, the system or mode of forming the cores of such pipes as are
formed by expression from a pugmill or similar machine by connecting
the core piece to the vertical shaft of the mill by a loose or revolving
joint, rendering the core piece independent of the notion of the shaft.
Fourth, the system or mode of supporting the core piece by means
of a fixed spindle passed down the centre of the main screw shaft, the
latter being made hollow for the purpose.
Fifth, the system or mode of supporting the core piece by means of a
spindle standing up from below inside the pipe.
Sixth, the system or mode of forming the socket or faucit on pipes
made from plastic materials by means of the correspondingly shaped
mouth piece and additional adjustable or temporary corc picce for the
socket, as herein-before described.
Seventh, the application and use of variously sized die rings to be
used in the formation of pipes of different sizes by the same machine,
as herein-before described.

page_text: Eighth, the application and use of an adjustable or swinging crane
movement for bringing the adjustable or temporary socket core picce
nto and out of work, as herein-before described.
Ninth, the combination of an adjusting screw spindle with a rota-
tory or swinging joint holder for setting the socket core piece.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Thomson, on behalf
of myself and of the said Thomas Hill, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
ALEXANDER THOMSON. (L.S.)