MENTS IN HYDRAULIC LEVER PRESSES FOR PRESSING COTTON, & OTHER MATERIALS INTO BALES
Year: 1885

page_text: WILLIAM PRICE ABELL Kirkby Lodge Nr Hinckley Leicestershire Whitworth
Scholar, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN HYDRAULIC LEVER PRESSES FOR PRESSING COTTON, & OTHER MATERIALS
INTO BALES to be as follows:-
In pressing cotton and other materials into bales, it is well known that to work
economicaly the pressure should increase inversley with the size of the bale, this
varying pressure has been effectualy realised by Lever Presses involving the one
sided toggle joint principal having the varying pressure resulting from their
contraction at centre produced by either a fixed or oscilating cylinder or piston,
which does not rise and fall bodily with the toggle levers this arrangement
necessarily gives rise to great waste of power by friction produced by the side
thrust of the follower against the side nearest the cylinder, and also necessitating
a heavy, and strong box, or column to withstand this side thrust.
Now having pointed out the efficieny, & defects of the Lever press hithertoo
used, I will proceed to describe my invention for overcoming these defects, whilst
increasing the efficiency of Lever presses.
Instead of the single or one sided toggle levers actuated by the pressure derived
from a piston or plunger in a cylinder, I use the ordinary double toggle levers,
& draw them together at their centres, thus producing the extension of the other
ends by means of hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure exerted in cylinders, on
plungers or pistons fixed at the junction of the side or contracting levers with one
another, these said cylinders, & rams, or pistons, rise and fall bodily with the
levers in such a way, that the axis of the cylinders, rains, & the intersection of
the side levers all coincide, & is at right angles to the direction of movement of
the follower.
The cylinders themselves being braced together opposite one another, one on
each side of the levers, rising & falling bodily with the levers.
This arrangement when the necessary cylinder pressure is applied produces the ⚫
desired upward thrust of varying intensity, without any side thrust on the
follower.
I also arrange the double toggle levers so that their contraction may be produced
by a single cylinder, and piston, arranged in the afforesaid manner, except that the
piston is connected to one side, and the cylinder to the other side of the toggle
levers, rising and falling as aforesaid bodily with them.

page_text: In connection with my arrangement of Levers, and cylinders, I intend to use
the ordinary revolving boxes with the following improvements which I claim as
my invention, & wish to protect.
Instead of separate hinged doors on each box which require to be opened, or
closed by hand, to admit of the bands being secured round the bale whilst under
pressure; I make the top, or door portion separate from the boxes, & with which
it does not revolve, but moves on a projection from the press head; in this head
is a piston in connection with the afforesaid top, or door portion of the box, which
rises & loweres it as the pressure is applied above, or below the piston; thus
when the box full of material to be baled is revolved into position over the levers,
the afforesaid top, or door piece is permitted to descend, and form part of the box
till the material is pressed to the necessary density, then the top, or door piece, is
raised by hydraulic, or steam pressure on the piston, thus leaving the bale whilst
under the Lever pressure exposed in such a manner as greatly to facilitate the
binding.
manner,
I also arrange my pumps, for generating the necessary pressure in such a
that the potential energy of the levers, & apendeges, when extended,
may be utilized, & enable the steam acting expansively to raise the accumilator
weights.
To accomplish this I admitt high pressure steam in the ordinary way into a
cylinder which is connected too, & rises and falls with the accumilator weights, the
piston being suspended from framework alone; this high pressure steam after
assisting the weights to produce the necessay hydraulic pressure to complete the
bale, is admitted into a receiver encircling the cylinder, from which it is allowed to
act expansively on the top of the cylinder, & thus assist the downward pressure of
the levers, & follower to raise the accumilator load, consisting partly of the
cylinder itself; this arrangement allows the increasing downward pressure of the
levers, & followers to compensate for the decreasing lifting capacity of the steam
which follows its continued expansion.
In other words, as the lifting power on the accumilator load of the steam
through expansion decreases; the auxilary lifting power of the levers, & follower
increases..
I can also utilize this afforementioned potential energy, of the extended levers,
by siphoning the water back out of the cylinders into an air tight receiver, or
reservoir, against a pressure caused by the continued decreasing volume, &
increasing density of air therin; from this reservoir the pumps receive their supply
of water under the pressure therin.

page_text: Improvements in Lever Presses.
I WILLIAM PRICE ABELL, of 408 City Road, Old Trafford, Manchester, in the
county of Lancaster, 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 :-
In pressing cotton and other materials into bales, it is well known that to work
economically the pressure should increase with the density of the bale; this varying
pressure has been effectually realized by lever presses involving the one sided
toggle joint principal having the varying pressure resulting from their contraction
at the centre produced by either a fixed or oscillating cylinder or piston, which
does not rise and fall bodily with the toggle levers; this arrangement necessarily
gives rise to great waste of power by friction produced by the side thrust of the
follower against the side nearest the cylinder, and also necessitates the employment
of a heavy and strong box, or column to withstand the said side thrust.
This invention has for object improvements in lever cotton presses whereby the
above named defects are obviated and the improvements consist mainly in the use
of double toggle levers, with the cylinders and plungers arranged as hereinafter
described whereby the direction of the applied force always coincides with a
straight line passing through the cylinder and the intersection of the levers with
one another at the sides. The cylinders are braced together and rise and fall
bodily with the said toggle levers. An arrangement is provided for keeping the
plungers at right angles to the longitudinal centre line of the press. I also use an
arrangement whereby a single cylinder is caused to rise bodily with the levers
thereby allowing the stress to act at right angles to the direction of the follower.
For utilizing the potential energy of the levers I employ a vessel containing a
suitable elastic matter or gas; or a combination of steam cylinder weights and
casing A top box part raised by a piston or plunger is provided and lastly,
automatic catches for holding and releasing the ends of the box to allow the levers
to enter the box all as hereinafter described.
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe the same
by reference to the accompanying drawing on which figure 1 sheet 1 is a plan.
figure 2, sheet 1, a front elevation and figure 3 sheet 1, an end elevation of a lever
cotton press constructed according to my improvements. Figure 4, sheet 1 is a
plan of part of figure 3. Figure 5, sheet 2, is a detached elevation shewing my
arrangement of double toggle levers applied to a single cylinder and figure 6, is a
plan of the same. Figures 7, 8 and 9, sheet 2 plan, elevation and vertical section
respectively of an arrangement of steam cylinder, weights and casing for utilizing
the potential energy of the levers; figures 10, 11 and 12 sheet 3, plan, front
elevation and end view respectively shewing the application of my invention to
packing presses without boxes. Similar letters in all the figures represent similar
parts.

page_text: In figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, A, A, A1, A¹, are levers arranged on the double toggle
principle the junction of the opposite ends of the levers at C, C¹, moving in an arc
on the fixed pins P, both pairs of side levers are connected to the follower K, and
by their extension force the follower into one of the boxes N, as the sides of the
levers contract.
The two pairs of levers A, A, and A', A' on each side are connected together by
the pins C and C₁; these pins project through the steel or wrought iron bars, or
braces D; these braces tie and rigidly connect the two cylinders G, G, together.
These cylinders G, G, are of the ordinary construction and of strength to withstand
the necessary hydrostatic, or pneumatic pressure; in these cylinders work ordinary
plungers which the fluid on entering the cylinders displaces; these plungers are so
formed at their ends beyond the cylinders, that they bed on the joints of the
levers A, A, and A', A³, at B, B, and thus give out the pressure exerted on them
in a line in the direction of the plunger centres, and a line passing through the
junction of the levers on each side.
It will be obvious that as the cylinders are braced together, and rise and fall
with these joints B, B1, the direction of the applied force always coincides with a
straight line passing through the centres of the cylinders G, G¹, and the intersection
of the levers A, A and A¹ A¹ at C, C¹.
The cylinders G, G₁, are supplied with the necessary fluid or air pressure.
through the swivelling pipe E, which is connected to the stop valve, of ordinary
construction at M; this stop valve determines the admission and release of power
to the cylinders G, G' and thus forms the centre or controlling part of the press.
The follower K, is held or guided in its proper course by the guides L.
I sometimes find it advantageous to use only one cylinder H to the double
toggle levers A, A, A1, A¹, as shewn in figures 5 and 6 and in order that the
conditions aforesaid can be fulfilled videlicet of applying the force at right angles
to the extending end of the levers, and that the cylinder H may rise bodily with
the lever-joints C, C, the back end of the cylinder H is supported by the radial
bar I, of a length equal to A, and parallel to it, and balancing the cylinder H, by
the weight J; in the cylinder H, works a piston connected to the rod O; the fluid
or gas under pressure enters the cylinder H as aforesaid by the pipe E, pushes the
piston to the back end of the cylinder, and thus by means of the rod O, and
junction of the cylinder H, with the levers A, A¹, draws the two pins C, C¹,
together thus producing the necessary extension.
The valve M (figures 1 and 2) conducts the exhaust or waste water, or gas from
the cylinders into a receiver L', of sufficient strength to withstand the pressure
resulting from the weight of the levers, and of sufficient capacity to hold the
contents of the two cylinders G, G¹, or the cylinder H, as the case may be;
the pumps of ordinary construction take their supply from the receiver L¹, as
shown.
The operation is as follows:
The receiver L¹, is filled with air, or some other suitable elastic gas, or substance
and the cylinders G, G¹, are pumped full till the levers A and A₁, have extended
their full length in the box N; the pumps are then shut off, the weight of the
extended levers forcing the water from the cylinders into the receiver L', and as
the mechanical efficiency of the levers on the plungers increases by virtue of their
contraction, the water is forced into the receiver L¹ under a pressure which varies
inversely with the volume of the compressible substance. contained in the said
receiver L; thus when the levers A, A, A¹, A¹ have contracted to their normal
position the receiver L' is nearly full of fluid, or air under pressure; the supply of
the pumps being derived from this receiver they have the supply during the
commencement of the stroke under pressure; by this means the potential energy of
the levers A, A, A1, A¹ the follower and also a certain amount of the elasticity of
the cotton in its filling the bands is utilised by supplying the pumps with feed
under pressure. I can also utilise this potential energy directly in the pump itself

page_text: by the arrangement shewn in figures 7, 8 and 9 sheet 2, in which arrangement a
pipe is connected to the swivel pipe E by the stop valve M, of one of the
cylinders G, G, which are connected together by the pipe G¹ and are assumed to be
full of water under pressure, the levers being extended and just finishing a bale;
now this said pressure is derived from steam under pressure entering the hollow
piston rod W, by the valve X, acting against a fixed piston U on a moveable
cylinder R, connected to a ram S, working in the hydraulic cylinder T; the steam
pressure on the cylinder R, is also assisted in giving the necessary weight or
pressure to the ram S, by the weight or ballast V. Now assuming the levers just
about to descend, their potential energy is enabled to assist the same steam which
gave the final pressure, to raise the cylinder R and its weights V, and ram S ready
for another stroke by pushing the valve x, over in such a position as to close the
high pressure steam inlet, and connect the cylinder R, full of high pressure steam
with the casing Y, thus filling the two with expanded steam; the valve x, is then
pushed further in the direction shown till it opens the cylinder R, on the bottom
side of the piston to the exhaust or atmosphere; this allows the steam under reduced
pressure arising from its expansion as explained, to act on the top side of the
piston, and with the assistance of the potential energy of the levers A, A, A', A¹,
raises the cylinder, and weights ready for another stroke, the decreasing power
resulting from the continued expansion of the steam, being compensated for by the
increasing mechanical advantage of the descending levers A, A, A¹, A', supplying
the water under increasing pressure at Q, the fixed piston is carried by the girders,
and columns Z, Z.
Instead of the doors or other arrangement hitherto used for releasing the bale,
and exposing it to be lashed or banded I use as shown in figures 1, 2 and 3, a plain
top box 1 made preferably in one piece or casting of steel; this box, or door piece 1
is connected to a piston rod, which again is connected to a piston working in a
cylinder 2; this casing, or door piece, fits on a projection 3 from the press head, on
which it slides, and which acts as a guide to it; the cylinder 2, is connected by the
pipe 4, to the pressure and exhaust valve M and as the pressure is admitted into
the pipe, or exhausted, so the piston with its rod, and the top box part 1 rises or
falls on the projection 3. Thus when one of the boxes is filled, and finally upheaped
through the hopper 5, that box is revolved into position between the press head
and the follower K, and held there by a catch 7; the moveable, and separate top
box part 1, is allowed to descend to its lowest position thus forming one continuous
box;
after the cotton is thus pressed, the pressure is admitted up the pipe 4,
through the valve M causing the top box part to ascend onto the projection 3
leaving the bale wholly exposed for lashing; the valve M being opened slightly,
the bale is dislodged the levers then descend and another box which was during
the pressing of the last bale being filled, is revolved into position, and retained
there by the catch 7 whilst its cotton is pressed. These boxes revolve in the
ordinary method on balls around the column 6.
The levers A, A¹ are enabled to enter the box N on their extension by making
the lower, or bottom ends of the boxes, where the pressure is least, hinged and
capable of closing and opening automatically; this is accomplished by making the
lever S, so that on the levers A, rising against it, they raise it, and release the
latch 91, thus allowing both bottom end doors to open out of the way of A, A, A¹, A¹;
these on their further extension release the two top end doors 10, 10 held by a
catch 9 the weight of the doors being sufficient to close them again except the
final pinch on the bottom door, and to accomplish this a spring is applied as
shown at 11.
The arrangement shown in figures 10, 11, and 12 which illustrate my invention
as applied to a cotton press without boxes is substantially the same in construction
as those hereinbefore described and shewn in figures 1 to 6 and its operation will
be understood without further description the dotted lines shewing the position of
the cylinders when the levers are extended.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a cotton press the combination of double toggle levers with the cylinders
and plungers arranged to rise and fall as described whereby the direction of the
applied force always coincides with a straight line passing through the centres of
the cylinders, and the intersection of the levers with one another at the sides
substantially as herein before described.
2. The rising and falling cylinders braced together, and having their pistons
severally connected to a pair of toggle levers as shown and described.
3. The rising and falling cylinders in combination with the bars or braces D,
and connecting pipe G substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. In combination with rising and falling cylinders and with the levers A, A,
and A, A, the plungers bearing at their ends on the joints of such levers at B, B¹
and giving pressure in the direction as set forth.
5. The rising and falling toggle levers in combination with a single cylinder
bar and weight J, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In combination with the toggle levers, the pistons and rising and falling
cylinders and an auxiliary weighted receptacle or auxiliary receptacle containing
elastic matter or gas as and for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination with the toggle levers of steam cylinder, weights and casing
whereby the potential energy of the levers is utilised as described.
8. The automatic catches for holding, and releasing the ends of the box, enabling
the levers to enter the same, substantially as described.
G. F. REDFERN,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agent for the Applicant.