IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMPRESSING COTTON, WOOL, AND OTHER MATERIALS POR THE ECONOMY OF TRANSIT, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS MORE PARTICULARLY RELATE TO THE MORE EXPEDITIOUS FILLING OF THE BOX OF THE PRESS AND FASTENINGS FOR BALES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Jennings McComb, of Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR COMPRESSING COTTON, WOOL, AND OTHER MATERIALS POR
THE ECONOMY OF TRANSIT, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS MORE PARTICULARLY
RELATE TO THE MORE EXPEDITIOUS FILLING OF THE BOX OF THE PRESS AND
FASTENINGS FOR BALES."
Sealed the 1st May 1866, and dated the 3rd November 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Jennings McComb
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 3rd November 1865.
I, JAMES JENNINGS MCCOMB, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
is IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR COMPRESSING COTTON, WOOL, AND OTHER
MATERIALS, FOR THE ECONOMY OF TRANSIT, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS MORE
PARTICULARLY RELATE TO THE MORE EXPEDITIOUS FILLING OF THE BOX OF THE
PRESS AND FASTENINGS FOR BALES," to be as follows (that is to say):
-
This Invention has for its object certain improvements on Inventions
for which Her Majesty was graciously pleased to grant Her Letters Patent
to the applicant respectively dated Third Day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and numbered 1390,
and dated Second Day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight

page_text: hundred and sixty-four, and numbered 1377, and consists, firstly, in an
improved mode of supplying the improved presses described in the said
Specifications of the said Letters Patent, or other presses, with the cotton,
wool, or other material to be packed into bales in a semi or partially com-
pressed state, which is accomplished by means of a vertical stationary or
moveable shaft or box, or its mechanical equivalent, in which the cotton
or other material to be packed into bales is thrown or otherwise placed in
a loose state, after which it is subjected to pressure by means of a falling
weight, similar to that used for pile driving, or its mechanical equivalent.
It is preferred to form a door at or near the top of the vertical box, into
which the material to be pressed is delivered through a doorway, which
door is capable of opening laterally or horizontally, and with a pair of
screws or wings, so that a truck or scale box may be run in between the
said wings and the inner side of the door when open, so that the contents
of the said truck or waggon may be consequently thrown down into the
lower part of the said vertical box, which is over a press constructed
according to the Specification of the Patents herein-before alluded to.
The weight may be allowed to fall and be raised up as the several trucks or
waggons deliver their charge, so as to give the cotton, wool, or other material
to be baled as much density as can be conveniently obtained. The chief
object of this part of the Invention (as will be readily seen on reference to
the herein-before referred to Specifications) is to press and give the cotton or
other material to be baled as much density previous to delivering the same
below the sliding block forming the head of the press (and on the top of
which the supply box is placed for the time being). When the pressing,
baling, and banding of the previous charge is complete the same is with-
drawn from the press, after which the sliding block which forms the head of
the press is withdrawn for allowing the partially pressed cotton or other
material next to be baled and banded to be forced down below the same by
means of the falling weight or ram, or its mechanical equivalent, on to the
rising platten on the head of the compound levers, as herein-before
described in the herein-before referred to Specifications, so that when the
sliding head of the press is returned to its normal position the lever press
may be set into action so as to compress the cotton or other material to
the required density to enable the same to be-converted into bales whilst
what may be termed the supply box is being refitted to supply the next
charge to the press, thus making a continuous operation or system of baling
cotton or other like material, the loose cotton or other material being
thrown into the supply box whilst the press immediately below is com

page_text: pressing the material of the preceding charge of the supply box to be
baled to the required density, and the bands which surround the bale are
being applied. These supply boxes may be used in duplicates by mounting
the same on tram or rail roads constructed on ways above the press head,
so as to be then run immediately over the opening in the port opening of
the press
head to deliver their charge previous to being compressed, or in
a loose or partially compressed condition, by which arrangement any
number of compressing feeding boxes may be used, in which case a
falling weight, or its mechanical equivalent, may be used, so as to act on
the contents of the said charge boxes immediately over the press from the
point of charging, or in any other convenient position of the transit to
the press.
The second part of this Invention consists in the use of an hydraulic
cylinder and its usual fittings for drawing together the knee joints of the
double compound levers, so as to dispense with the pulleys, chains, bands,
capstans.
The third part of this Invention relates to the buckle or tie pieces for
connecting the ends of the several hoop iron straps or bands used for
binding the bales, and on reference to the Specification of the Patents
herein-before recited it will be seen that according to the said modifi-
cations the cuts or slits are of a sufficient width to receive the flat of the
band. Now it has been found in practice that in some cases where great
pressure has been used to condense the material to be packed, that without
care the band may be drawn through the strap or buckle piece for
some little distance, to obviate which objection on the improved fastener
or buckle piece the parallel transverse sides of the buckle piece are made
a little shorter than the width of the strap, and one side is formed at a
convenient angle, so that when the tension comes on, say, the wrought-iron
strap, the edges in contact with the angular sides of the slot will naturally
slide towards the vertical side of what would have been the rectangular
slot had the reverse side been in line in place of angular, thus causing
the edge or band to be forced against the right angular side of the
slot, thereby in most cases where heavy pressure is used to cause an inden-
tation to be made in the side of the strap, being drawn through the buckle
or tie piece.
The fourth part of this Invention consists in turning in the ends of
the iron band or bale strap to the inner side, so that there will be a
fold or doubling of the iron, or its mechanical equivalent, so as to prevent
the drawing of the straps out of the buckles or tie pieces, and this Invention

page_text: consists in doubling the ends of the bale straps first sufficiently backwards
to enable the strap to be turned over in double, so that at the throat of the
strap resting on the nip of the buckle or tie piece the band will be two-
fold, thus avoiding any chance of the strap being cut off or broken by the
nipping power of the inclined sided buckle or tie pieces.
And, lastly, this Invention consists in place of using a double rectangular
slotted tie piece or buckle, as described in the Specification of the herein-
before described Letters Patent, dated Third of June, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-three, and numbered 1390, in forming the ends of one
or both of the said slots at an angle to the transverse parallel lines, so that
the iron strap may be introduced therethrough, but upon tension being
applied to the said strap the same will be nipped on its edges and prevent
the slipping thereof. In applying this last modification of tie piece
where great tension is required on the bale straps or bands, it is preferred
to double in the ends of the bands or straps, doubling them at the nipping
points or throats of the buckle or tie piece, it having been found when a
light iron strap or band has been used to counteract great tension in some
cases the same has been found unequal to the strain, being nipped off or
broken in the tie at the bend in the buckle and tie piece.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Jennings McComb in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 3rd May 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
JENNINGS MCCOмB, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Third day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said James Jennings McComb, Her special licence that I, the
said James Jennings McComb, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said James Jennings McComb, my executors, ad-
ministrators, and 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,

page_text: and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR Com-
PRESSING COTTON, WOOL, AND OTHER MATERIALS FOR THE ECONOMY OF TRANSIT,
WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS MORE PARTICULARLY RELATE TO THE MORE EXPEDITIOUS
FILLING OF THE BOX OF THE PRESS AND FASTENINGS FOR BALES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said James Jennings McComb,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Jennings McComb, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and the letters and figures marked thereon, like letters being
used to denote similar parts.
This my said Invention has for its object certain improvements on
Inventions for which Her Majesty was graciously pleased to grant to me
Her Letters Patent, respectively dated 3d day of June, A.D. 1863, and
numbered 1390, and dated 2d day of June, A.D. 1864, and numbered
1377, and consists, firstly, in an improved mode of supplying the improved
presses described in the Specifications of the said last-recited Letters
Patent, with cotton, wool, or other material to be packed into bales, which
I accomplish by means of a vertical stationary or moveable shaft or box,
or its mechanical equivalent, in which the cotton or other material to be
packed into bales is thrown or otherwise placed in a loose state, after
which it is subjected to pressure by means of a falling weight, similar to
that used for pile driving or its mechanical equivalent. I prefer to form
a door at or near the top of the vertical box, into which the material to be
pressed is delivered through a doorway, which door is capable of opening
laterally or horizontally, and with a pair of screens or wings, so that a
truck or scale box may be run in between the said wings and the inner
side of the door when open, so that the contents of the said truck or
waggon may be conveniently thrown down into the lower part of the said
vertical box, which is over a press constructed according to the Specifica-
tions of the Patents herein-before last alluded to. The weight may be
allowed to fall and raised up as the several trucks or waggons deliver
their charge, so as to give the cotton, wool, or other material to be

page_text: baled as much density as can be conveniently obtained. The chief
object of this part of my Invention (as will be readily seen on
reference to the herein-before referred to Specifications) is to force the
cotton or other material to be baled from the supply box into the press box
properly placed below the sliding block forming the head of the press (and
on the top of which the supply box is placed). When the pressing, baling,
and banding of the previous charge is complete the same is withdrawn
from the press, after which the sliding block which forms the head of the
press is withdrawn for allowing the cotton or other material next to be
baled and banded to be forced down below the same by means of the
falling weight or ram, or its mechanical equivalent, into the press box
and on to the rising platten on the head of the compound levers, as herein-
before described in the herein-before referred to Specifications, so that
when the sliding head of the press is returned to its normal position, the
press may be set into action to compress the cotton or other material to the
required density to enable the same to be converted into bales, whilst what
may be termed the supply box is being refilled to supply the next charge
to the press, thus making a continuous operation or system of baling cotton
or other material, the loose cotton or other material being thrown into
the supply box whilst the press immediately below is compressing the
material of the preceding charge of the supply box to be baled to the
required density, and the bands which surround the bale are being applied.
These supply boxes may be used in duplicate by mounting the same on
tram or rail roads constructed on ways above the press head, so as to be
run immediately over the port opening of the press head to deliver their
charge previous to being compressed, or in a loose or partially compressed
condition, by which arrangement any number of feeding boxes may be
used.
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings represents a partial
sectional side elevation of one of my improved presses as described in the
Specification of the Letters Patent herein-before alluded to, and Figure 2
is a partial sectional front elevation of the same, showing a supply box or
shaft on the head of the press with a falling weight suspended in the same. A,
a rectangular vertical supply box or shaft on the head of the press, and into
which the material to be pressed is introduced from B, a truck running on
a tramway through C and C', doorways in the sides of the vertical shaft
A, the truck B being run in between; D, a pair of wings or fixed screens
placed on each side of the door openings; E, the falling weight for com-
pressing the loose cotton or other material; F, the thrust block sliding in

page_text: the cross head of the press, as described in the Specification of the
previously in part recited Letters Patent, No. 1390, A.D. 1863. In using
this part of my Invention the cotton, wool, or other material to be pressed
and baled is conveyed in trucks on the tramway, or in any other convenient
manner, and introduced into the vertical shaft or supply box of the press
through one of the door openings between the fixed screens until the
supply box contains sufficient material to form the bale required, after
which the sliding thrust block in the cross head of the press is drawn out,.
and the contents of the supply box forced down in the pressing box of
the press, and on the top of the rising platten, by means of the falling
weight, after which the sliding thrust block is again returned into the cross
head, when the material is pressed and baled whilst the supply box is being
refilled for the succeeding bale, and so on. The falling weight may be
elevated by friction gear, as shown in the Drawings, or in any other con-
venient manner, as will be well understood by those acquainted with
mechanical matters.
The second part of this my said Invention consists in the use of an
hydraulic cylinder and its usual fittings for drawing together the knee
joints of the double compound levers, so as to dispense with the pulleys,
chains, bands, and capstans. This may be accomplished by connecting the
lower end of an hydraulic cylinder to one of the nuckle joints of the
compound levers of the press, and connecting the outer end of the piston
rod to the nuckle joint of the levers on the opposite side of the press.
By this arrangement the cylinder and piston rod will be horizontal, and
it will be requisite to pump the water or other fluid into the cylinder
on front of the piston, and it will be necessary to connect the cylinder
with the pump or pumps by jointed pipes, so as to allow the cylinder
piston and piston rod to rise and fall with the compound levers, and
a rest may be formed to receive the cylinder when at its lowest point,
or the cylinder and its fittings may be supported upon a carrier rising
and falling with the press levers, travelling on small sheves fitted in
the nuckle joints of the levers.
'
The third part of this my said. Invention relates to the buckles or
tie pieces for connecting the ends of the several hoop-iron straps or bands
used for binding the bales; and on reference to the Specification of
the Patents herein-before last in part recited it will be seen that according
to the said modifications the cuts or slits are of a sufficient width to
receive the flat of the band. Now I have found in practise that in
some cases where great pressure has been used to condense the ma

page_text: terial to be packed, that without care the band may be drawn through
the strap or buckle piece for some little distance, to obviate which ob-
jection the improved fastener or buckle piece, the parallel transverse
sides of the buckle piece I make a little shorter than the width of the
strap, and one side I form at a convenient angle, so that when the
tension comes on, say, the wrought-iron straps, the edges in contact
with the angular sides of the slots will naturally slide towards the vertical
side of what would have been a rectangular slot had the reverse side
been in line in place of angular, thus causing the edge of the strap or
band to be forced against the right angular side of the slot, thereby
in most cases where heavy pressure is used causing an indentation to
be made in the side of the strap, thus effectually preventing the strap
being drawn through the buckle or tie piece. And in some cases it
may be found desirable to indent the edge of the band to receive the
oblique side of the buckle or tie piece before applying the same to the
bale, and if preferred both sides of the slot may be formed obliquely,
as shown in one of the slots seen at Figure 3.
Figure 3 is a plan of one of my improved buckles or tie pieces,
which consists of a rectangular piece of metal, having cut therethrough
G, a slot, having in this modification two parallel and two oblique
sides, and H, a rectangular slot cut through the tie piece in an oblique
direction, for the purpose of giving it a better nipping power on the
metal band, and which is herein-after fully described.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of my improved tie as seen at
Figure 3, showing the ends of a metal band connected therewith,
and showing the mode of folding the band to prevent the same ren-
dering, but which arrangement will be more readily seen on reference
to Figure 6, which is herein-after fully described.
.
The fourth part of this my said Invention consists in turning in the ends
of the iron band or bale strap to the inner side, so that there will be a fold
or doubling of the iron, or its mechanical equivalent, to prevent the drawing
of the strap out of the buckle or tie piece, as will be readily seen on
reference to Figure 6, as applied to the tie known in the trade as the
"arrow tie," and which to make more clearly understood I have shown at
Figure 5, but for which tie I herein make no claim.
Figure 6 is a vertical section of an arrow tie, showing the two ends
of a bale strap broken off, and the mode I use to prevent the strap drawing
or rendering. J are the ends of the metal bands, the ends of which have
been doubled in to prevent the rendering or drawing of the strap.

page_text: The fifth part of this my said Invention consists in doubling the ends of
the bale straps first sufficiently backwards to enable the straps to be turned
over in double, so that at the throat of the strap resting on the nip of the
buckle or tie piece the band will be twofold, thus avoiding any chance of
the strap being cut off or broken by the nipping power of the inner side
of the buckle or tie piece.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of an "arrow tie" and the two ends of a
metal bale strap, illustrating the way in which I double in and apply the
bale strap in double round the throat of the tie, to prevent the ends of the
straps from being cut by the tie and from rendering or drawing there-
through. It will be obvious that this mode of bending in and doubling the
ends of the metal bale straps may be applied with most of the ordinary ties
or buckle pieces.
In
And, lastly, this my said Invention consists in place of using a double
rectangular slotted tie piece or buckle, as described in the Specification of
the herein-before recited Letters Patent, dated 3d June 1863, and num-
bered 1390, in forming the ends of one or both of the said slots at an
angle to the transverse parallel lines, so that the iron straps may be intro-
duced therethrough, but upon tension being applied to the said strap the
same will be nipped on its edges and prevent the slipping thereof.
applying this last modification of tie piece, where great tension is required
on the bale straps or bands, I prefer to double in the ends of the bands or
straps, doubling them at the nipping points or throats of the buckle or tie
piece, it having been found where a light iron strap or band has been used
to counteract great tension, in some cases the same has been found unequal
to the strain, being nipped off or broken in the tie at the bend in the buckle
or tie piece.
The peculiar form of slot through the tie-piece will be readily understood
by reference to Figures 3 and 4, in which modification the slot H is cut
obliquely through the tie piece, as herein-before described; but the end of
the bale strap is only shown single, and not doubled, as herein-before
described.
my
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this said
Invention, and how I believe the same may be best carried into practical
effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the rela-
tive proportions or dimensions of the several parts herein-before described
and set forth, as it will be readily seen that the same may be considerably
varied without departing from the Invention; but what I claim is,—
First, the application of the supply box or shaft A to the head of lever

page_text: or other presses fitted with a sliding thrust block or moveable head, in
combination with the falling weight for forcing the cotton or other charge
from the supply box into the press box proper, substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before described and set forth.
Secondly, the application of an hydraulic ram for actuating the compound
levers of the press, as herein-before described and set forth.
Thirdly, forming the side or sides of the slots in the tie piece or buckles
för attaching the ends of metal bale straps with two parallel sides and one
or two oblique sides, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein-before described and set forth.
Fourthly, forming the slots in the tie pieces with one or two sides in an
oblique direction from the surface, substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein-before described and set forth.
Fifthly, doubling in one or both ends of bale straps, so as to prevent the
same rendering or being drawn through the buckle or tie piece, as illus
trated by Figure 6, as herein-before described and set forth.
Lastly, turning in the ends of bale straps, that they may be double or
twofold in the throat or nipping point in the tie piece, as illustrated by
Figure 7, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before
described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Jennings McComb, have here-
unto set my hand and affixed my seal, this Second day of May, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
JAMES J. (L.s.) MCCOMB.
Witness,
WILLIAM WALKER,
Of 44, Castle Street, Liverpool.