An Improved Machine for the Manufacture of Earthenware Pipes and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd July, 1895-Accepted, 21st Sept., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Machine for the Manufacture of Earthenware Pipes
and the like.
1, GEORGE WALTER BLANKS, of Glebe Point, Sydney, in the Colony of New
South Wales, 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 :-
This invention relates to an improved machine for the manufacture of earthen-
ware sanitary pipes and the like by means of which the pipes manufactured are
more homogeneous and compact, and are produced at a much greater speed and
with more economy than hitherto.
According to my invention, the clay for the manufacture of the pipes, is pugged
in any ordinary manner, and fed into a metal cylinder in a plastic or semi-plastic
state; within the said clay cylinder is the core for determining the shape and
thickness of the pipe; a piston works within this cylinder and is operated by a
hydraulic ram connected with an accumulator of any ordinary design. Provision
is made for lifting the piston out of the clay cylinder by means of a hydraulic lifting
ram, also connected with the accumulator.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now describe the
same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of my improved machine with
accumulator attached ;
Figure 2 is a section on the line A. B. Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section on line C. D. Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a section on the line E. F. Figure 1 and
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of clay cylinder.
a is a cylinder for the clay b is the core contained therein. c is a piston
connected to the compression ram d by means of the rods e, which pass through
guides in the plate f. The core 6 is rigidly connected to the plate by means of
the rod g, the plate ƒ being supported by the frames which rest on the platform i,
the latter resting on the columns j.
The base k of the compression cylinder is rigidly connected with the plate f
by means of the bolts m. A lifting cylinder n is bolted to the top of the com-
pression cylinder 1; the lifting rani o is secured to the crosshead p which is
connected to the bottom of the compressing ram d by means of the bolts q which
pass through guides in the base k. The pipe r connects the accumulator v with
the compressing cylinder l, and the pipe s with the lifting cylinder n. A hydraulic
valvet (a starting and exhaust valve combined) when operated, places the com-
pressing cylinder either in compression, exhaust or equilibrium as required.
The pipe s to the lifting cylinder n is always open to the accumulator v, but ‍I may
use a cock or valve s*.
A force pump u is connected with the accumulator by means of the pipe w.
The bottom plate x of the clay cylinder a is in halves, and may be opened out
by the lever y so that the bottom of the clay cylinder may be free to let out the
pipe after the collar has been formed on it.
To operate the machine, the accumulator v is raised by means of the force
pump u in the ordinary manner. The bottom plate of the clay cylinder a is
opened out and the loose mould ring z inserted, to form the collar a*; the plate ≈

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is then closed, and a charge of material is put in the clay cylinder a, and the
accumulator is connected with the compression cylinder by means of the pipe
The piston c being connected with the ram d, is forced down on the clay in the
clay cylinder and presses the material with a pressure of many tons, filling the
space between the said clay cylinder and the core band rod g, with a homogeneous
and compact material.
In this manner sufficient material is compressed in the clay cylinder for the
manufacture of several (four or more) pipes, at the same time a collar a is formed
for the first pipe. The bottom plate of the clay cylinder is now opened out and
the pressure further applied, when the material is squeezed through the space b*
which determines the thickness of the pipe, the plug or loose mould ring travelling
downwards in the collar a* of the pipe.
When the pipe is of sufficient length, the pressure is released, and the pipe cut
to the right length by means of a cutter or wire, and the material underneath and
around the core taken away.
A fresh loose mould ring is inserted and the bottom plate a again closed.
Pressure is further applied when a fresh collar is, formed, and the operation is
continued as before until the material in the clay cylinder is nearly or quite
exhausted.
When the clay cylinder is ready for another charge the pipe from the
compression cylinder is connected with the exhaust. The pipe s being connected
with the accumulator v, the lifting ram o now raises rapidly the ram d and with
it the piston c, leaving the clay cylinder free to take in a fresh charge of
material.
The machine as shewn in the drawings is placed vertically, but by attaching
the curved clay cylinder c* shewn in Figure 5, in lieu of the straight cylinder a
Figure 1 the machine may be placed horizontally, and the pipes will then be still
delivered vertically.
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 I
claim is :-
1. A hydraulically operated machine for the manufacture of earthenware pipes
and the like constructed substantially as shown and described.
2. The combination of the clay cylinder a with the compression cylinder 4,
ram and piston c, substantially as shewn and described and for the purpose
specified.
3. The combination of the clay cylinder a with the lifting cylinder n and ram o,
substantially as shewn and described and for the purpose specified.
4. The combination of the clay cylinder a with the accumulator v, substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth.
5. Means for rigidly securing the core 6 inside the clay cylinder a, substantially
as shewn and described.
119d dow of July 1895
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.