Improvements in Presses.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by WOLCOTT ABNER HULL, of No. 2135, Seventh
Avenue, New York, United States of America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Presses.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 improvement relates more particularly to presses employed for shaping
plastic materials, such as soap, but is applicable to the shaping of other materials.
I will describe a press embodying my improvement, and then point out the novel
features in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan or top view of a press embodying my improvement ;
Figure 2, is a side view of the same;
Figure 3, is an irregular longitudinal section, taken, as indicated, by the line. r,
Figure 1, certain parts of the machine being entirely omitted;
Figure 4, is a longitudinal section, taken at the plane of the dotted line =,
Figure 1, certain parts of the machine being entirely omitted:
Figure 5, is an irregular longitudinal section, taken as indicated by the line y,
Figure 1, certain parts of the machine being entirely omitted
Figure 6, is a transverse vertical section of certain parts of the machine looking
in the direction indicated by the arrow 1, marked adjacent to Figure 1 ;
Figure 7, is a vertical section of certain parts, taken lengthwise of the machine;
Figure 8, is a vertical section of certain parts taken lengthwise of the machine;
Figure 9, is a vertical section of certain parts taken lengthwise of the machine;
Figure 10, is a vertical longitudinal section of a portion of a machine of modified
form; and
Figure 11, is a sectional elevation of a portion of the same machine.
Figures 7, 8 and 9, are made on an enlarged scale.
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.
The framework of the machine may be of any suitable construction. As here
shown, it consists, essentially, of two side pieces united by stretchers and surmounted
by a bed A.
The shaping of the material is performed by means of a body section or mould
plate B, and two plungers, and sections or formers C₁ C. In the present instance
there are two of the body sections or mould plates, and two pairs of plungers, end
sections or formers; the press being organized for shaping two cakes or quantities
of material at the same time.
Obviously, the number of body sections or mould plates, and plungers, end
sections or formers is immaterial, so far as the principle of my improvement is
concerned.
As here shown, the body sections or mould plates are formed in one integral
structure. They are secured to the bed A. by screws or otherwise. Each, in the
present instance, has combined with it a feed box C, which is open at the top and
at the outer side. The material to be shaped is introduced into the feed box,
and from there carried into the adjacent body section or mould plate by means
of a plunger, end section or former C. The material may be introduced through
the opening in the top of the feed box, or through the opening in the outer side
thereof. Preferably there will be combined with each feed box an automatic

page_text: feeding mechanism for introducing the material through the side opening of the
feed box.
I have shown such a feeding mechanism, and it will be best understood by
reference to Figure 6. It comprises a carrier D, reciprocating transversely to the
length of the machine in guides d², which are coincident with the side opening of
each feed box. The guide d' is adjustable towards and from the opposite guide d²,
owing to the fact that it is secured in place by screws passing through slots formed
lengthwise of the machine in lugs extending from said guide. This adjustability
is to suit different sized cakes or quantities of material. The outer end of each
carrier D is pivotally connected to links d³, which are also pivotally connected to
the upper end of an oscillating arm.
Each arm dis mounted upon the stud do, and is provided with an arm d extending
at an angle to it and receiving in its end portion a vertical pin d. The upper
end of the pin d extends through an arm ds, which rests upon a washer de arranged
above a spring, which is coiled around the pin d, and at the lower end is
sustained by the arm 6. Each arm is rigidly fastened to a rock shaft d₁
extending transversely to the length of the machine and journaled in bearings
supported in the frame of the machine. The rock shaft has affixed to it an
upwardly extending arm 12 held against the cam 13 by means of a spring d
extending from the bed A. down to the arm d and drawing this arm upward so as
to move and hold the arm against the cam. When the cam oscillates
the arm against the resistance of the spring d the arms will press
downwardly upon the springs, and the latter, by exerting a downward
pressure upon the arms, will oscillate the arms d towards the centre of the
machine, thereby moving the carriers along the guide-ways formed between the
guides for the purpose of propelling the cakes or quantities of material into
the feed box C. When the cam d¹³ moves in such a direction as to allow the
spring to produce a reverse movement of the arms d' the carriers D will be moved
outwardly so as to permit other cakes or quantities of material to be introduced
into the guide-ways in front of the carriers.
For the sake of clearness, I have marked, the cakes of material with the letter F,
wherever they appear.
The plungers, end sections or formers C' are fastened to a cross-head C³ recipro-
cating along ways c lengthwise of the machine. During the reciprocating movement
which they have they enter the body sections or mould plates, and afterwards
recede from the same. They are not, as here shown, rigidly connected with the
cross-head C³, but have their shanks fitted into sockets formed in the cross-head
in the direction of the length of the machine, so that the extremities of the
shanks will protrude beyond the cross-head and impinge against a spring C. This
spring may be fastened to the cross-head by a screw c. By thus combining the
shanks of these plungers, end sections or formers with the cross-head they will be
capable of yielding slightly when co-acting with the other plungers, end sections or
formers C to press the material. Keys c, extending into slots in the cross-head
and also into slots formed in the shanks of the plungers, end sections or formers C',
prevent the latter from turning, are provided.
The cross-head C³ is at its ends fastened to rods C, which are also fastened to a
cross-piece C. Frames C', severally consisting of upright pieces 2, 3, rods, 4, and
shanks 5, 6, extending from said upright pieces 2, 3, and working in bearings 7, on the
bed plate A, are connected to the cross-piece C. As here shown, the connection is
made by rods 8, extending from the shanks 6 through the cross-piece C" and fastened
to the latter by means of nuts arranged on opposite sides of it and engaging with
screw threads formed on said rods 8.
The frames C have rollers 9 journaled in their upright pieces 3 to coact with
cams C affixed to the shaft E. These cams acting upon the frames C7 move the
cross-piece C, rods C³, and cross-heads C³ in such direction as to cause the
plungers, end sections or formers C' to enter the body sections or mould plates B.
The reverse movement of these plungers, end sections or formers is produced by

page_text: means of springs Co fastened to the bed A, or an appurtenance thereof, and also to
the cross-piece C. The connection with the cross-piece C will preferably be made
adjustable, as, for instance, by means of screw bolts 3 passing through said cross-
piece and having nuts applied to them on opposite sides of the cross-piece.
The movement produced by these springs C will be limited by nicans of lugs e
extending upwardly from the bed A, and coacting with projections upon the rods 8,
for this purpose. These projections will preferably be constructed of or com-
prised of soft material, such as disks of leather, in order that the motion of the
parts produced by the springs C will not be arrested too suddenly.
The plungers, end sections or formers C2 are attached to a frame C, which is
fitted to slide-ways cc fastened to the bed A. Preferably the shanks of
these plungers, end sections or formers will be longitudinally slotted and fastened
by screws e to the frame C" so as to be capable of adjustment relatively to the
latter. The adjustment may be effected by screws e extending through tapped
holes in portions of the frame C" in rear of the shanks of said plungers, end sections
or formers and impinging against the ends of said shanks.
The frame C is provided with a roller co which bears against a cam C2 affixed
to the shaft E. By means of this cam the frame will be moved in a direction to
move the plungers, end sections or formers C² away from the body sections or mould
plates B. The frame C is also provided with a roller which coacts with a
cam Caffixed to said shaft E. This cam moves the frame C" in such direction
as to cause the plungers, end sections or formers C² to enter the body sections or
mould plates B.
In the machine illustrated by Figures 1 to 9 inclusive, the opposite plungers, end
sections or formers C¹ C² press the material within the body sections or mould
plates.
As represented, the material to be pressed will be introduced into the feed boxes
after being already formed into cakes, and will be pressed for the purpose of
giving it its final shape.
The faces of the plungers, end sections or formers may be ornamented to produce
any ornamental surface on opposite sides of the cakes, and to imprint or delineate
letters thereon, if this is desirable.
After the pressing within the body sections or mould plates the cakes will be
carried by the plungers, end sections or formers C² entirely through the body
sections or mould plates. The cakes will then drop through a hole a¹ formed in the
bed A, onto any part designed to receive them. In the present instance a carrier G
is arranged beneath this hole in the bed, and, as here shown, consists of an endless
band passing around pulleys ff2, said band running in the direction indicated by
the arrow marked upon it in Figure 1. The cakes after being carried away by the
band may be removed from it in any suitable way, as, for instance, by hand. The
roller is journaled in a bracket A', which may be fastened to the floor.
The roller is affixed to a shaft F', which is journaled in a bracket a² depending
from the bed A, and a bracket as affixed to one of the side pieces of the machine
frame.
The shaft F has aflixed to it a bevel gear wheel 3 which meshes with the gear
wheel / affixed to an upright shaft which is journaled in the bracket a³ and has
affixed to its upper end a bevel gear wheel. The bevel gear wheel / engages
with a bevel gear wheel e affixed to the shaft E. By this train of wheels motion is
transmitted from the shaft E to the shaft F'.
The shaft E is driven from the main shaft 1 of the machine through a pinion i
mounted on this shaft and engaging with a gear wheel e¹ affixed to the shaft E.
Gas or air is employed in this machine for the purpose of facilitating the detach-
ment of the cakes of pressed material from the plungers, end sections or
formers CC. The plungers, end sections or formers C₁ C are constructed in
essentially the same manner, hence the construction of both sets may be understood
from Figure 9, which illustrates one of the plungers, end sections or formers C¹.

page_text: 3
It will be seen that a gas chamber e¹ is formed in the rear portion of this plunger,
end section or former, and that a passage c¹³ extends horizontally from such gas
chamber to the operative face of the plunger, end section or former. This passage
is enlarged at the operative end of the plunger, end section or former to accom-
modate a valve or ejector c. From the latter extends rearwardly through the
passage e¹³ a rode which is provided within the gas chamber c¹² with a valve 6.
The space between the valve or ejector and the valve c6 is greater than the
distance between the gas chamber c¹ and the enlarged portion of the passage c¹³,
which constitutes a seat for the valve or ejector , hence when the valve or
ejector c¹ is seated so as to close the passage e¹ the valve c¹ will be moved away
from the passage 3, and conversely when the valve e closes against the end of the
passage the valve or ejector will be moved away from its seat. By means of
this combination of parts the passage of gas from the gas chamber to the faces
of the cake of pressed material which are in contact with the operative faces of
the plungers, end sections or formners C₁ C² may be controlled. The gas used will
preferably be compressed air, and will be conducted to the plungers, end sections
or formers CC by pipes e of flexible material, such as india rubber; leading
from a valve box C₁ These pipes " communicate with the upper parts of the
plungers, end sections or formers C₁ but communicate with the shanks of the
plungers, end sections or formers C2 and communicate with the gas chambers of
the latter by horizontal passages in their shanks.
The valve box (¼ communicates through a pipe C
reservoir C18 of gas.
with a container or
The valve box C¹ has two rotary valves 8 fitted to it. Each has a single port
which may be brought into line with a port e communicating with a pipe cand
communicating with a passage 20, which receives gas from the pipe C. When
these valves are oscillated, they either open or close the port ca
I will now describe how the valves are operated. At the ends they extend
through the valve box and each has extended through one of its ends a cross
pin A spring is fastened at one end to each pin and at the other end to
the valve box. It oscillates cach valve far enough to bring its pine into contact
with a stop pin . When the valves are in such positions that their pins el rest
against the stop pins the valves close the ports, and no gas flows to the gas
chambers 2 of the plungers, end sections or formers C C². Tappets J J2 serve
to oscillate the valves against the resistance of the springs for the purpose of
opening the ports c¹. They are fastened to the sliding plate C and are so
arranged that the valve controlling the admission of gas to the gas chambers of
the plungers, end sections or formers C¹, will be opened slightly before the valve
which controls the admission of gas to the other plungers, end sections or
formers C. The gas is admitted to the gas chambers of the plungers, end sections
or formers C' at the instant that the latter begin to recede from the position in
which they operate upon the material within the body sections or mould plates, but
gas is admitted to the gas chambers of the plungers, end sections or formers (²
when they eject the material from the body sections or mould plates.
After gas has been admitted to the gas chambers of the plungers, end sections or
formers, it will flow through the passages 3 thereof, and as soon as the relaxation
of pressure permits of the moving of the valves or ejectors outwardly, the latter
will be so moved by the pressure of gas, and thereupon gas will escape from the
gas chambers and detach the pressed cakes. The flow of gas will be only momentary,
because the valves c¹ will close the passages c¹³ and cut off communication between
the gas chamber and the passages c³.
The supply of compressed air in the reservoir or container C¹ is maintained by
means of a pump, K, operated by an eccentric affixed to the main shaft 1.
In pressing some materials, it is desirable to lubricate the body sections, and I
will now describe means for that purpose. L, designates a reservoir of liquid,
which may be vinegar. It has a tubular stem which communicates with a valve

page_text: The
box 1, and the latter communicates with the gas reservoir or container C¹º.
valve box has fitted to it an oscillating valve having two ports. Motion is
imparted to this valve through an arm Connected by a rod with an arm 1,
moved in one direction by a cam mounted on the shaft E and in the other
direction by a spring 1. This cam is mainly circular, but has at one point a
peripheral depression and at another point a peripheral projection. Normally the
valve will be held in such position as to close the tubular stem of the reservoir, L,
as well as the passage which leads to the gas reservoir or container C. From the
valve box, pipes extend to the top of the body sections or mould plates near
the extremities thereof. These pipes extend horizontally from the valve box and
the hollow stem of the reservoir L and the passage which leads to the gas reservoir
or container C are vertical. The ports of the valve are bent so that when the
valve is in one position, it may close and prevent the passage of either the lubri-
cating contents of the reservoir or the gas in the container CT from passing it. It
may be adjusted to another position to establish communication between the gas
container and one of the pipes 17 or 18. In addition to the ports, the valve has
pockets 110.
Before either set of the plungers, end sections or formers is to be
lubricated, one of these pockets will come opposite the tubular stem of the
reservoir L and receive a quantity of liquid therefrom. Afterwards it will be
carried round to a position opposite one of the pipes or 1, and, as at this time,
communication will be established by one of the ports between this pipe lor and
the gas container C, a puff of air will pass from the latter into such pipe carrying
with it a spray of the liquid in a pocket.
The depression in the cam will cause the oscillation of the valve l' into a
position to effect the discharge of lubricating liquid to one end of the body sections
or mould plates and the projection of the cam will adjust the valve to effect the
discharge of liquid to the other end of the body sections or mould plates. It is
intended that the sprays of liquid shall be applied to the faces of the plungers, end
sections or formers. The cam operating the plungers, end sections or formers C
is so shaped that just before the discharge of the lubricating liquid which is intended
to be supplied to the faces of these devices, the latter will be moved backwards for
a short distance to expose them to the lubricating liquid.
The plungers, end sections or formers C' have the lubricating liquid deposited
upon them before they have entered the body sections or mould plates to their full
extent. After receiving the liquid, they are moved still further inward to cover
the opening through which the liquid entered.
Turning now to Figures 10 and 11, it will be seen that the two sets of plungers,
end sections or formers have semi-spherical end cavities, and have their extremities
beveled, so that sharp cutting or severing edges will be produced. The shaping
in this machine is intended to be effected entirely by the two sets of plungers, end
sections or formers. They are to take material from the feed boxes, carry it
through the body sections or mould plates and press it outside of the latter, as may
be readily understood by reference to Figure 11. After this final pressing a
separation of the two sets of plungers, end sections or formers will occur, and this
will result in dropping the balls or cakes of material into a suitable receiver. I
have not shown the means for accomplishing the different movements of the two
sets of plungers, end sections or formers, as, obviously, it will be merely necessary
to use differently shaped cams for this purpose.
I have shown the two sets of plungers, end sections or formners as communicating
with gas chambers carried by cross-heads sliding lengthwise of the machine, and
the plungers, end sections or formers C" have a yielding connection with the part
from which they derive motion, as in the first described example of my improvement,
but here they have this yielding movement by virtue of being attached to a section
of their cross-head which is capable of sliding lengthwise of the main section of
such cross-head against the resistance of a spring. As in the first described
example of my improvement, the gas chambers are supplied with gas through

page_text: i
flexible pipes, and, of course, the gas will be supplied under control of suitable
valves. To prevent the beveled edges at the extremities of the opposite sets of
plungers, end sections or formers from sustaining injury by too great impact, I
preferably provide a stop pin M. I have shown such a stop pin fitted to the base
of the body section or mould plate so as to limit the movements of the two cross-
heads towards each other. To render it adjustable I insert in one end a screw m.
The plungers, end sections or formers have passages communicating with the gas
chambers, and have combined with these passages valves or ejectors e, and
valves c¹ connected by intermediate rods. In this example of my improvement I
provide cams for forcibly starting the valves or ejectors to permit of the escape of
air to the pressed cakes. These cams consist of rotary shafts N having inclined
slots into which the valves c¹² extend. When these shafts are in one position the
valves may be moved inwardly so that the valves or ejectors may be seated.
A slight rocking of the shafts will force the valves e against their seats, and the
valves or ejectors c away from their seats.
These shafts N have affixed to their outer ends arms n' which will normally
be held against stop pins 2 by means of springs fastened to the sides of the gas
chambers. When the arms press against their stop-pins the shafts will permit
the valves or ejectors to be seated. When the plungers, end sections or formers C¹
are moved away from the body sections or mould plates the corresponding arm n¹
will contact with a fixed cam » and, as a result, the arm will be tilted downwardly
and in such a way as to oscillate the corresponding shaft N and force the corre-
With the arm n' of the
sponding valves or ejectors c¹ away from their seats.
plungers, end sections or formers C² the cam is combined. This is practically a
fixed cam but is capable of a slight vertical movement so that the arm
co-operating with it may pass beyond it when the plungers, end sections or formers C²
are moving in a direction to carry pressed cakes out of the body sections or mould
plates, and yet may afterwards be tilted downwardly by contacting with said cam
during the reverse movement of these plungers, end sections or formers. When
this armis tilted it will produce the same result as the tilting of the other
arm ».
n'
The form of press illustrated by Figures 10 and 11 is particularly designed for
pressing material in a granular or powdered state, and so it is provided with a
hopper O. The openings to the feed boxes or feed passages are at the top of the
body sections or mould plates so that the contents of the hopper may run into them.
To keep the contents of the hopper in condition to pass freely down into the feed
boxes or feed passages of the body sections or mould plates, I combine with it an
agitator P, consisting of a bar fitted to reciprocate transversely to the length of the
machine within the hopper, and provided with a number of teeth which extend from
its lower side and as the bar reciprocates stir up the contents of the hopper. Any
suitable means for reciprocating this agitator bar may be employed.
In a machine which treats granular or powdered material I find it advantageous
to use loaders or fillers Q, consisting of bars fitted to one wall of the hopper to slide
vertically from the lower part of the hopper to the feed boxes or feed passages of
the body sections or mould plates. They are intended to descend with a yielding
action and may descend solely by the force of gravity. A rock shaft journaled
above the hopper and having an arm p' contacting with the under side of pins p
extending from the loaders or fillers serves to raise them and subsequently allow
them to drop. The oscillation of the shaft may be produced by a suitable cam
and intermediate devices for transmitting motion from the cam to the rock shaft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination, of a gas container, a former or shaping device communi-
cating with the gas container, a cock or valve intermediate of the gas container and

page_text: former or shaping device, and means for supplying the container with gas under
pressure, substantially as specified.
2. The combination of end sections or formers, a gas chamber communicating
with said end sections or formers, valves or ejectors located in the shaping surfaces
of the formers and means for supplying gas under pressure for the gas chamber,
substantially as specified.
3. The combination of end sections or formers, a gas chamber communicating
with said end sections or formers, a container for gas and a cock or valve intermediate
of the gas chamber and container for gas, substantially as specified.
4. The combination of a gas chamber, end sections or formers having passages
leading from the shaping surfaces of the end sections or formers to the gas chamber,
and valves isolated from the said shaping surfaces and serving to cut off a supply of
gas to said end sections or formers as the contents thereof are ejected, substantially
as specified.
5. The combination of a body section having a cavity, and two opposite end.
sections constructed to move within the cavity to shape material therein and to carry
the shaped material away from the opening at which the material entered and out
of another opening, substantially as specified.
6. In a press, the combination of a fixed body section or mould plate, two scries
of end mould sections or plungers having passages through them, gas chambers with
which said end mould sections or plungers communicate and valves at the operative
extremities of said end mould sections or plungers, substantially as specified.
7. In a press, the combination of a fixed mould plate, two series of end mould
sections or plungers having passages through them, gas chambers with which said
end mould sections or plungers communicate, valves at the operative extremities of
said end mould sections or plungers and valves at the inner extremities of said end
mould sections or plungers, the two sets of valves belonging to each series of end
mould sections or plungers being connected together, substantially as specified.
8. The combination of opposite plungers, end sections or formers moving towards
and away from one another, one of said plungers, end sections or formers having a
yielding connection with a part from which it derives motion, substantially as
specified..
9. The combination of opposite plungers, end sections or formers, valves or ejectors.
at their operative ends, valves at their inner ends, rigid connections between said
valves or ejectors at the operative ends and the valves at the inner ends, gas
chambers at their inner ends, and cams for operating said valves and valves or
ejectors, substantially as specified.
10. The combination of opposite plungers, end sections or formers, body sections
or mould plates, feed boxes, and loaders or fillers operating with a yielding action,
substantially as specified.
11. The combination of opposite plungers, end sections or formers, body sections
or mould plates, feed boxes, a hopper communicating with the feed boxes, and an
agitator, substantially as specified.
12. The combination with opposite plungers, end sections or formers and a body
section or mould plate, of a feed box or passage extending transversely to the length
of the cavities of said body section or mould plate, and a carrier moving in the
direction of the length of said feed box or passage for introducing material thereto,
substantially as specified.
13. The combination with opposite plungers, end sections or formers and a body
section or mould plate, of a feed box or passage extending transversely to the
length of the cavities of said body section or mould plate, a carrier moving in the
direction of the length of said feed box or passage for introducing material
thereto. and cam actuated mechanism for moving said carrier, substantially as
specified.
14. The combination with opposite plungers, end sections or formers and a body
section or mould plate, of a reservoir for lubricating liquid, a gas container, and a

page_text: valve box controlling the communication of said gas container with said body
section or mould plate whereby the lubricating liquid may be caused to pass to said
body section or mould plate, substantially as specified.
Dated this 5th day of March 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.