Improvements in Soap-stamping Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 21st Apr., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Soap-stamping Machines.
1, WILLIAM FORSHAW, of Mersey Boiler Works, Warrington, Lancashire,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The improvements relate to soap-stamping machines, and have for object to
provide a machine whereby the stamping of soap may be effected in a more con
venient and safe manner than is attained by soap-stamping machinery at present
for the most part employed.
To accomplish this, and to effect my improvements, I provide apparatus of a
special character, one form whereof is illustrated by the accompanying drawings,
to which reference is made as follows:-
Fig. 1. is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 an end elevation of a soap-stamping
machine. arranged in accordance with my improvements, while Figs. 3 and 4 are
enlarged views of portions thereof. The same letters indicate corresponding parts
wherever they occur.
The apparatus as shewn is a form of soap-stamping machine wherein the stamping
is effected by steam pressure, but my present improvements are applicable to
machines which receive their actuating power by other means.
a. a. is the framework or mounting of the apparatus, and the stamping lever
actuated by the piston rod c, working in the cylinder d, such stamping lever being
attached, in manner well understood, to the vertical stamper e carrying the
die e¹.
In lieu of the ordinary recessed and stationary mould platform or plate, I employ
a table g.g. capable of revolving on a centre 9', and containing a number of mould
recesses 9*.
Beneath this table, and connected therewith, is a cylinder ., provided with
angular or spiral grooves, and also furnished with springs which are attached
to the cylinder at their upper extremity, but tend to spring outwards below.
In conjunction with the cylinder and its springs, I mount a lever k. k, fulcrumed
at 1, and forked at one extremity to span the cylinder, at which extremity also it is
furnished with antifriction bowls A', each of which touches a spring /', when in
the position shewn on the drawing.
The opposite extremity of this lever k, is connected, by link rod m, to the
stamping lever b, and thus, as the link m is lifted, the forked end of the lever k is
depressed, and the bowls thereon, as they descend, press the springs ! inwards,
into the recesses shewn at h². But as the forked extremity of the lever k is carried
below the springs, these latter return to their former position, and the bowls, on
being again raised, by the depression of the link rod m, are forced against the
inclined grooves to which each spring ', by its shape, forms a lead, and thus, the
upward pressure of the bowls on these inclines will cause the cylinder to move
round a certain distance along with the table g. to which it is attached, bringing,
at each movement, one of the mould recesses beneath the action of the
stamper.
The moulds in the recesses y² are mounted on carriages g, which, as the table
turns, are caused to travel on an inclined bed as shewn, whereby the inould nearest
the operator is raised for the reception of a soap tablet, and the opposite mould,
under the die, is lowered to receive the necessary pressure from the stamper.
To automatically clean the die or stamper-head e', I mount a brush n actuated
by a lever o, and capable of being moved in a slide p. Projecting pieces o', upon

page_text: the revolving table
periodically come in contact with one extremity of the
lever o, and force the brush across the face of the die or stamper-head, at intervals.
The spring brings back the lever, and draws the brush out of action.
A box 8,
containing brine or other suitable cleansing agent, is mounted and arranged so
as to cause drops to fall upon the brush when the latter is in the normal position.
The action of the machine is controlled by the operator through the foot-lever t,
and an intermediate set of levers u, which actuate the valve-rod v, of the steam
cylinder d. is a link rod conveying motion to the spindle w, which, on the foot-
lever being depressed is forced upwards into a recess, shewn by dotted lines, in the
under surface of the table g. One of these recesses should come into position for
receiving the spindle w, at each movement of the table g, but if, from any cause,
the table is not moved the accurate distance, and the recess thereby fails to coincide
with the spindle w, this latter is prevented by the table from rising, and thus the
foot-lever cannot be depressed, and the stamper is not actuated.
It will thus be seen that, by these arrangements, the operator places the tablets
in the moulds and removes the same therefrom at a safe and convenient distance
from the stamping mechanism, thereby obviating the danger of accident which is
common to many machines employed for soap-stamping at the present time.
Variations in the details of the apparatus may be made, such as in the design
and material of the various parts, and the method of actuating the stamping
mechanism; also the foot lever may operate a steam valve, an air valve, a strap
fork, or other means of admitting power to the apparatus, and further variations
may be made without departing from the peculiar character of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. In soap-stamping machinery, an intermittently revolving mould-table, in
connection with a cylinder having inclined or spiral grooves therein, and springs
attached thereto, whereby, on the action of a lever, at each upward stroke of the
press-head or stamper, such table is moved round a part of a revolution, for the
purpose and in manner substantially as herein shewn and described.
2. In soap-stamping machinery, a brush for cleaning the stamping dic, auto-
matically operated by projections upon the revolving mould table, in manner
substantially as herein shewn and described.
3. In soap-stamping machinery, a spindle in connection with the foot lever,
which spindle prevents the operation of the stamping mechanism whenever the
table fails to complete its correct partial revolution, in manner substantially as
herein shewn and described.
4. In soap-stamping machinery, the combination of the parts claimed above,
for the purpose and in manner substantially as herein shewn and described.
Dated this 17th dow of March 1804
WILLIAM GADD, C.E.,
64, Barton Arcade, Manchester, Agent.