IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, TILES, PIPES, AND OTHER ARTICLES MADE OF PLASTIC MATERIALS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Pimlott Oates, of Erdington, in the County of
Warwick, Surgeon, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, TILES, PIPES, AND OTHER ARTICLES MADE OF
PLASTIC MATERIALS."
Sealed the 3rd September 1857, and dated the 14th March 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Pilott Oates at
the Office of the. Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th March 1857.
I, JOSEPH PIMLOTT OATES, of Erdington, in the County of Warwick, Surgeon,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, TILES, PIPES, AND OTHER ARTICLES
MADE OF PLASTIC MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, of a compound screw for collecting and
propelling the clay. This screw is conical at its upper part,, and cylindrical in
its lower part; the conical part being situated in the hopper containing the
crude clay, and the cylindrical part in the cylindrical portion of the machine.
My Invention consists, secondly, of a pressing chamber of a greater area
than the parallel portion of the screw. The clay is forced into this chamber
by the screw in a manner somewhat similar to that in which liquids are forced
into the hydraulic press. The apertures for the escape of the clay into the
moulding dies and brick moulds are placed in this chamber.
My Invention consists, thirdly, of one or more escape or safety pipes leading

page_text: from the pressing chamber, of sufficient length and diameter to oppose a
sufficient amount of resistance to the escape of the clay, unless more is forced
into the chamber than can readily escape through the dies, and when bricks
are made, unless the bricks have received their proper amount of pressure.
The area of these apertures taken together exceeds that of the forcing portion
of the screw.
My Invention consists, fourthly, of the use of a perforated plate under the
moulds to allow of the escape of air, moisture, and a certain amount of clay.
My Invention consists, fifthly, in the use of antifriction rollers for carrying
the brick mould.
My Invention consists, sixthly, of an expanding and contracting nozzle, to
be used in manufacturing pipes.
My Invention consists, seventhly, of the use of metal or caoutchouc tubes in
advance of the ordinary collar dies for the purpose of giving a better surface
to the articles manufactured.
My Invention consists, eighthly, in placing dies at unequal distances on
either sides of the supply of clay, so that when the die at shortest distance is
separated by a valve from the machine the stream of clay is diverted into the
other die, and when the valve is opened the said stream of clay passes spon-
taneously again into the first-mentioned die.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Pimlott Oates in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th September 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
PIMLOTT OATES, of Erdington, in the County of Warwick, Surgeon, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Joseph Pimlott Oates, Her special licence that I, the said Joseph Pimlott
Oates, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Joseph Pimlott Oates, my executors, administrators, 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,

page_text: the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BIACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, TILES, PIPES, AND OTHER ARTICLES
MADE OF PLASTIC MATERIALS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Joseph Pimlott Oates, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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 mouths next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Pimlott Oates, do bereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
My Invention consists, firstly, of a compound screw for collecting and
propelling the clay or other plastic substance to be manufactured by moulding
into bricks, tiles, pipes, or other articles.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing represents in vertical section a
machine for moulding bricks, in which machine is a screw marked a, which
said screw is constructed according to my Invention. The said screw a is
represented in elevation in Figure 1. The said screw a is conical at its upper
part, and cylindrical at its lower part. The conical part is situated in the
hopper b, containing the crude clay, and the cylindrical part of the screw a is
situated in the hollow cylinder c, through which the clay is propelled by the
rotation of the said screw on passing from the hopper b.
I make the said
screw a of such a size that its sectional area in the cylindrical part is less than
the area of the mould into which the clay is forced by the said screw. By
making the said screw of less sectional area than the, mould into which the
said screw forces the clay, the said clay is forced into the mould by a cumula-
tive force, and the said screw is somewhat similar in its action to the hydraulic
press. When clay is forced into moulds or dies by means of the screw
described, bricks made therefrom are in such a state of density that they may
be stacked in the kilns immediately on leaving the machine, and the ordinary
process of drying is unnecessary.
My Invention consists, secondly, in the use of a chamber, which I call a
pressing chamber, which said chamber is represented in Figure 1, and marked
d. The said chamber is situated between the bottom of the screw a and the
mould e, in which the brick or other article is formed. The moving column
of clay in passing through the said chamber d changes its sectional area from
that of the bottom of the cylinder c to that of the mould e.

page_text: My Invention consists, thirdly, of one or more escape or safety pipes con-
nected with the pressing chamber last described. These escape or safety pipes
are represented in Figure 1, and marked respectively f, g. The said pipes f, g,
are of a length and diameter suitable to oppose a sufficient amount of resistance
to the clay to prevent any of the said clay from escaping under ordinary cir
cumstances through the said pipes f, g. When, however, more clay is being
forced through the pressing chamber d than the mould e can receive, the
surplus clay escapes by the pipes f, g, and fracture or injury of the machinery
and wasteful consumption of the motive power are avoided. I prefer to make
the sum of the sectional areas of the pipes f, g, somewhat greater than the
sectional area of the lower portion of the screw a. The length of the said
pipes f, g, must depend upon the pressure to which it is wished to subject
the articles being manufactured. Instead of gaining increased resistance by
lengthening the pipes f, g, I sometimes effect the same object by contracting
the open ends of the said pipes.
My Invention consists, fourthly, of the use of a perforated plate, marked h
in Figure 1, the said plate being situated under the mould e, and the per-
forations in the said plate h allow of the escape of air, moisture, or a small
portion of clay. By the use of the said plate h the mould e is more readily
and effectually filled with some kinds of plastic material than when it is closed
by an unperforated plate. I sometimes construct the bottom of the mould of
a series of bars; in this case I place a box, represented at ', under the die or
mould e, and the bars are passed through the holes in the said box. The bars
can be conveniently removed by sliding them out of the holes in the box h¹.
The box forms a receptacle for stones, and it may be emptied by drawing
out the bars. The pressure upon the brick or moulded article may be regulated
by the use of a greater or less number of bars.
Instead of the perforated plate h, I sometimes employ a series of small
rollers situated in a horizontal plane, which said rollers have the same effect
as the perforated plate h, and in addition thereto permit the die e to move with
Jess friction than when it slides upon the bars i, k. The use of the said rollers
constitutes the fifth part of my Invention.
My Invention consists, sixthly, of an expanding and contracting nozzle, to
be used in the manufacture of pipes. Figures 2 and 3 represent this part of
my Invention in front elevation, and Figure 4 represents the same in vertical
section. l, m, n, o, are four dies, which, when brought together as represented
in Figure 2, have an annular or tube-like figure. The said dies l, m, n, o, slide
radially upon the plate p, separating from one another in the manner which
will be understood by reference to Figure 3. A band of caoutchouc or other

page_text: 9
elastic substance q is placed around the dies l, m, n, o, and tends to close them
and hold them in position, as represented in Figure 2.
In the plate p, see Figure 4, is a circular aperture r, r, and in the said
aperture is supported the core or plugs by the stay or cross piece t. The
plate p is attached to the under side of the chamber d, Figure 1, or to any
other machine delivering a stream of clay under pressure. The dies l, m, n, o,
being in the position represented in Figure 3, a stream of clay will be forced
through the annular aperture r, r, and a pipe or tube of the size of the said
aperture r,, will be produced. When the dies l, m, n, o, are closed, as repro-
sented in Figures 2 and 4, the stream of clay, after having passed through
the aperture r, r, will be compelled to pass through the contracted annular
aperture u, u, and a pipe of the diameter of u, u, will be produced.
In producing socketed pipes, the dies 1, m, n, o, are first brought into the
position represented in Figures 2 and 4, and after a sufficient length of tubing
of the size of the aperture u, u, has been produced, the dies l, m, n, o, are
opened, as represented in Figure 3, and sockets will then be produced of the
diameter of the aperture r, r.
I have not thought it necessary to describe the mechanism by which the
dies l, m, n, o, may be made to open and close, as the same may be effected by
a great variety of mechanical contrivances well known and commonly used for
effecting similar motions.
My Invention consists, seventhly, of metal or caoutchouc tubes, or tubes of
other material, placed in advance of the ordinary collar dies used for making
pipes and other such like articles; the object of the said pipes being the pro-
duction of a better surface to the articles manufactured. Figure 5 represents
in front elevation at v, side elevation at w, and vertical section at a, a collar
die constructed according to this part of my Invention. The tubes are marked
y in the several views.
My Invention consists, eightbly, in placing dies for moulding bricks or other
articles at unequal distances on either side of the supply of clay, so that when
the die at shortest distance from the supply of clay is separated by a valve from
a machine, the stream of clay is diverted into the other die, and when the
valve is opened the said stream of clay passes spontaneously again into the
first-mentioned die. Figure 6 represents a side elevation, and Figure 7 an
end elevation, of a machine constructed according to this part of
my Invention,
the said machine being especially applicable for the manufacture of such
articles as are made by forcing clay through orifices called "collar" or "ring"
dies, and cutting the stream of clay into the required lengths by means of
wires. The machine represented in Figures 6 and 7 is suitable for the manu-

page_text: facture of bricks. is the cylinder and screw, such as have been herein-before
described and represented in Figure 1, and by which the clay is propelled into
the oblong pressing chamber 1, Figure 6; a die 2 is fixed on the remote end 3
of the chamber 1, and a second die, similar to the dic 2 or different therefrom,
may be fixed at the near end 4 of the chamber 1; 5 is a valve, raised and
lowered by the screw 6. When the valve 5 is raised, the stream of clay will
be forced through the die at 4, none of the clay passing out at the die 2; but
when the escape of the clay is obstructed by the descent of the valve 5, the
stream of clay will pass through the mould 2. The stream of clay may thus
be made alternately to protrude through the extremities 3 and 4 of the
chamber 1. By this arrangement the bricks or other articles may be cut and
removed from each die without stopping the forcing apparatus. Another
advantage of the arrangement, Figures 6 and 7, is that the intaglio dies may
be placed over the opening in the short extremity 4 of the chamber 1, for the
purpose of embossing or ornamenting the end of the column. The column of
clay in the part 3 of the chamber 1 acts in this case as a pressure or safety
valve. I make the intaglio die of thin plate metal, so that it may be carried
forward upon the end of the column, and when this is cut off the embossed
article may be removed in the die. I sometimes fix hollow dies upon the short
extremity 4 of the chamber 1, for making various kinds of decorative architec-
tural and other pottery.
Ilaving now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit
myself to the precise details herein described and illustrated, as the same may
be varied without departing from the nature of my Invention; but I claim as
my Invention,
Firstly, the use of the compound screw for collecting and propelling the clay,
herein before described, and represented in Figure 1 of the accompanying
Drawing.
Secondly, the pressing chamber, herein-before described, and represented in
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing, when used in conjunction with the
screw a, that is to say, a chamber through which the column of clay is passed
between the feeding machinery and the moulds, and in passing through which
said pressing chamber the sectional area of the column of clay is changed, as
herein described.
Thirdly, the escape or safety pipes, herein-before described, and represented
in Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing, by which any excess of clay may
escape from the pressing chamber.
Fourthly, the perforated plate or bars constituting the bottom of the mould,

page_text: herein-before described, and represented in Figure 1 of the accompanying
Drawing, for allowing the escape of air, moisture, and a certain amount of
clay.
Fifthly, the use of antifriction rollers for closing the bottom of the mould
and for carrying the said mould, as herein-before described.
Sixthly, the expanding and contracting nozzle, represented in Figures 2,
3, and 4 of the accompanying Drawing, for the manufacture of socketed
pipes.
Seventhly, the use of metal or other tubes in advance of collar dies, for tho
purpose of giving a better surface to the articles manufactured, as represented
in Figure 5 of the accompanying Drawing.
Eighthly, the arrangement of machinery, illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of
the accompanying Drawing, for the manufacture of articles in clay and plastic
materials, that is to say, placing the dies in which the articles are moulded at
unequal distances on either side of the feeding machinery, so that when the
die or mould at the shortest distance from the said feeding machinery is sepa-
rated by a valve from the stream of clay, the said stream of clay is diverted
into the other die.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Pimlott Oates, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw.
JOSEPH PIMLOTT OATES. (L.S.)