Improvements in Presses for the Expression of Oil or other Liquids from Substances containing the same.
Year: 1892

page_text: This Print is, in accordance with the. Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c., Act, 1883), as allowed.
by the decision of the Comptroller General of the 5th day of January 1897.
Improvements in Presses for the Expression of Oil or other Liquids
from Substances containing the same.
I, GEORGE MITCHELL, of Bankhead, Dalswinton, in the County of Dumfries,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to machines for the expression of oil or other liquid from
seeds or other matter containing such liquid.
The object of my invention is the construction of such a press whereby the
feeding of the seed, manipulation of the machine, delivering of the seed cake and
speed of operation shall be effected far more efficiently and with greater dispatch
than in machines constructed up to the present for the purpose.
My invention consists firstly in arranging the press boxes so that the pressure is
applied horizontally; 2ndly in constructing the seed boxes hollow and providing
means for supplying a heated fluid such as steam thereto, also providing the boxes
with special faces to facilitate the delivery of the cake; 3rdly in the arrangement
of a special feeding appliance for the purpose of feeding the seed from above;
and 4thly in the arrangement of a special sole plate having a series of holes
through which the pressed cakes can pass and a removable plate to form a
temporary bottom to the press boxes and ineans for removing the same.
By way of illustration I will describe an oil press operated hydraulically as an
example of one way of carrying my invention into effect but it must be understood
that any other medium may be applied for the operation of the press without
altering in any extent the seed pressing device and without departing from the
essence of my invention.
"Upon a sole or foundation plate I mount at one end a hydraulic cylinder having
a balance ram attached thereto to effect the return of the main ram after it has
been forced out from its cylinder during an operation, the balance device being
preferably of the form described in application for Letters Patent No. 16193 dated
9th September 1892. Upon the opposite end of the sole plate I mount the head
or resistance block and attach the same to the hydraulic cylinder by direct stay
bolts preferably four in number. Between the resistance block and the ram I
arrange the press boxes which engage into one another in the usual manner.
These boxes have suitable carrying attachments, by which they are carried by
and slide upon the stay bolts thus keeping them in position one with another.
The opposing faces of the boxes are disposed in vertical planes. Each of the
boxes has a projection or lug on each side which engages with a draw bar operated
by the main ram to bring the boxes back with the proper distance between each of
them on the return stroke, ready for feeding in the seed for pressing.

page_text: There is a draw bar upon each side and each of these said bars are formed with
a series of steps, the number of steps being the same as the number of loose boxes,
the first step being arranged at the end of the bar attached to the ram.
The lugs
or projections on the press boxes are of such a width or disposition that for every
set of steps on the draw bars there is a box which has a set of lugs that will engage
therewith and draw the press box back with it on its being operated in the return
stroke of the ram. It will be clear from this description that after the boxes have
been pressed up against one another they are all more or less nearer the resistance
block end of the press, and upon the return stroke the first step of the draw bar
comes in contact with the lugs of the first, box and draws it back towards the ram,
then the second step engages with the second box and so on, the steps being
arranged to allow the proper distance between the boxes.
The sole plate has a series of holes through it, disposed directly under the spaces
formed between the boxes in their extended disposition. The cake that has been
pressed, is delivered out through these holes in the sole plate.
The prevent the seed and oil from falling through these holes during the filling
of the boxes and after pressing I provide a plate adapted to slide within the
sole, plate, which forms the bottom of the boxes and upon which the oil expressed
drains and runs off into suitable channels provided for its reception. This plate
can be operated. by a rack and pinion or other suitable movement which may be
derived from any convenient source of power. The feeding of the seed into the
boxes is effected by a hopper trolley running upon the upper part of the machine,
the orifice of the hopper being so disposed as to deliver the seed into the empty
boxes as it is drawn along above them. This hopper may be operated in con-
junction with the sliding bottom plate if thought desirable.
The boxes are made hollow and are provided with connections for the intro-
duction within them of steam or other fluid.
The operation of my process is as follows:-
"
Presuming the main ram to be drawn back and the
press boxes " open'
the hopper which is of open at the bottom, being full of seed is drawn along
the top slide and as it passes over the open spaces between the press plates
or boxes, they are filled with the seed or material to be crushed; the hopper is
drawn back to its original position and the hydraulic pressure applied from the
pumps or accumulators. A's the oil or liquid matter is expressed it falls on to the
removable plate and from there falls into a drain in the sole plate and further into
the receiving tanks. The pressure being completed the ram is withdrawn and
with it at the same time the boxes, leaving the cakes standing loose in the spaces;
the removable plate is withdrawn and the cakes falls through the holes in the sole
plate on to an adjustable receiving table underneath; the removable plate is
replaced and the process repeated. In previous pressing systems it has been
necessary to use bags or cloths to contain the material being pressed; my invention
obviates the necessity of this by amalgamating tin or such other metal on the faces
of the press plates or boxes so as to obtain a perfectly smooth surface from which
the cake comes freely away. The steam for heating the press when "hot pressing,"
is supplied to the press boxes by means of pipes telescoped, or having knuckle, ball
or other suitable joints; for ordinary "cold pressing" no steam is admitted to the
press and for extreme cold pressing cold air from a refrigerating machine can be
forced through the boxes.
201
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page_text: Improvements in Presses for the Expression of Oil or other Liquids.
from Substances containing the same.
I GEORGE MITCHELL late of Bankhead Dalswinton in the County of Dumfries,
now of 47 Victoria Street Westminster, 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 :-
My invention relates to machines for the expression of oil, or other liquid, from
seeds, or other matter containing such liquid; and has for its object the construction
aud arrangement of parts of such a press, whereby the feeding of the seed,..
manipulation of the machine, delivering of the seed cake or pressed matter, and
speed of operation shall be effected far more efficiently, and with greater dispatch,.
thau in machines constructed up to the present for the purpose.
And in order that my invention may be fully understood, and readily carried
into effect, I will describe the same with accompanying drawings, reference being
had to the letters and figures marked thereon.
Sheet 1 of drawings attached shews the arrangement of an hydraulic press in
full elevation and plan and is descriptive of a manner by which my invention may
be carried into effect, and which consists, Firstly in the arrangement of the main
hydraulic cylinder, ram, and press boxes, so that they work, and pressure is applied,
horizontally. Secondly the form and arrangement of press boxes, which fit into
each other with temporary bottom to form the space for material to be crushed,.
and making the boxes hollow, or providing channels through same, and providing
means for supplying a heated or cool fluid such as steam or cold air thereto; also
providing the boxes with special faces to facilitate the delivery of the cake or
material pressed. Thirdly in the arrangement of a special feeding appliance, as
shewn, for the purpose of feeding the seed or material to be pressed from above,
and Fourthly in the arrangement of a special sole plate having a series of holes.
through which the pressed cake or material can pass from the press, and a
removable plate to form a temporary bottom to the press boxes, as already referred
to, and means for removing the same.
By way of illustration I will describe an oil press operated hydraulically as an
example of one way of carrying my invention into effect; but it must be under-
stood that any other medium may be applied for the operation of the press without
altering in any extent the seed, or other material, pressing device and without
departing from the essence of my invention.
Upon the sole or foundation plate a in elevation Sheet1 and in part section,,
longitudinal Fig. 4 and cross Fig. 3 to enlarged scale ou Sheet 2. mount at one
end an hydraulic cylinder 6 having a balance cylinder and ram c attached thereto,.
to effect the return of the main ram after it has been forced out from its cylinder
during the operation of pressing; the balance device being preferably of the form
described in my Complete Specification No. 16193 A.D. 1892.
Upon the opposite end of the sole plate a, I mount the head or resistance block d..
and attach the same to the ram cylinder block e, by direct stays or bolts f
preferably four in number arranged as shewn on Sheets 1 and 2 accompanying
drawings.
Between the resistance block d and the main ram g,. I arrange the press boxes 7,
of any required and suitable number, being formed male on one side and female on
the other, the boxes engage into one, another as shewn on plan, Sheet 3, accom-
panying drawings. The female sides of the boxes at ' are bevelled as shewn to
the depth of the approximate thickness of the cake when pressed the amount of;

page_text: bevel allowed 1st. gives the clearance between the male and female box to allow
the oil or other liquid to escape from the material being pressed. 2nd. It allows
the cake to more freely leave the box when the press is opened, and the temporary
bottom plate withdrawn.
The boxes have suitable carrying attachments j, by which they are carried and
slide upon the stay bolts, thus keeping them in position one with another.
The opposing faces of. the press boxes are disposed in vertical planes, the first
box next the hydraulic cylinder being fixed to and working directly in contact with
the main ram, each successive box in the series is connected by a draw bar or link
preferably as shewn at k on the accompanying drawings, such link having at one
end an open slot equal to the distance the boxes engage within each other, and
which will allow of the boxes being driven close up against one another, when
they are all more or less nearer the resistance block d end of the press. Upon the
return stroke the ram being fixed to the first box, draws it back, and the second
box is drawn back by the link on the first, and so on, the slots in the links being
arranged to allow the proper distance between the boxes.
The sole plate a, has a series of holes m through it, disposed directly under the
spaces n, formed between the boxes in their extended disposition. The cake
that has been pressed is delivered out through these holes in the sole plate.
To prevent the seed, or other material, and oil, or other liquid, from falling
through the holes m during the filling of the boxes and while being pressed, I
provide a plate o, adapted to slide between the sole plate a, and press boxes h,
forming a removable bottom to the boxes and retaining the material being
pressed.
The liquid expressed during the operation of pressing, drains from the boxes on
to the plate o, and runs off into the channels p, one on each side of the press,
leading into the oil receiver under the resistance block d, from thence the oil passes
to storage tanks by the exit pipe g.
The plate o, can be operated by a rack and pinion, or other suitable movement,
which may be derived from any convenient source of power. I also provide when
necessary for having a similar plate to o, on the top of the boxes, working in
conjunction with the hopper.
The feeding of the seed, or material to be pressed, into the press boxes is
-effected by a hopper trolley running upon rails or beams on the upper part of the
machine the orifice of the hopper being so disposed as to deliver the seed, or
material to be pressed, into the empty spaces n as it is drawn along above them.
The hopper may be operated in conjunction with the sliding bottom plate o if
thought desirable.
The press boxes h, are made hollow, as already described, and as per drawing
attached, and are provided with connections t, for the introduction of hot or cold
fluid; the connections t shewn on the accompanying drawing are of flexible tubing,
but equivalently, the connection may be formed by means of pipes, telescoped, or
having knuckle, ball, or other, suitable joints.
In previous oil seed pressing systems it has been necessary to use bags, or cloths,
to contain the material being pressed, my invention obviates the necessity of this
by coating with tin, the working faces of the press plate or boxes h, so as to obtain
a perfectly smooth surface, from which the cake comes freely away.
The operation of my press is as follows..
"the
Presuming the main ram to be drawn back, and the press boxes " open ;
hopper, which is open at the bottom, being full of seed, or material to be pressed;
is drawn along the top, and as it passes over the open spaces, between the press
plates or boxes, they are filled with the seed or material to be crushed; the
hopper is drawn back to its original position; and the hydraulic pressure applied
from the pumps, or accumulators. As the oil, or liquid matter, is expressed it
falls on to the removable plate, and from there, falls into the drains or channels
in the sole plate, and further into the receiving tanks. The pressure being
completed, the ram is withdrawn, and with it at the same time the boxes; leaving

page_text: the cakes standing loose, in the open spaces between the press plates or boxes;
the removable plate is withdrawn, and the cake falls through the holes in the sole
plate, on to an adjustable receiving table underneath; the removable plate is
replaced and the process repeated.
My invention permits advantageously pressing different materials at any required
and reasonable temperature, thus, at the normal temperature, or heated, or cooled,
by circulating a fluid through the press boxes, the temperature of such fluid being
regulated to any necessary requirement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
Firstly. A press, hydraulic or other constructed as described and shewn in the
drawings arranged to work in a horizontal position which takes the material to be
pressed in at the top retains same previous to and while being pressed and
subsequently delivers the material from the bottom.
described.
Secondly. The sole plate so arranged with holes as to allow the material after
being pressed to pass through it; its acting as the support for the removable plate;
and as
a drain to carry away the liquid matter expressed substantially as
Thirdly. The removable false bottom plate so arranged as to retain the material
to be pressed within the boxes; allow the same when pressed to pass through the
sole plate and direct the liquid expressed into the channels in the sole plate,
substantially as described and shewa.
Dated this 10th day of June One thousand eight hundred and ninety-three.
GEO. MITCHELL.