Improved Apparatus for Vulcanizing Caoutchouc and Moulding Celluloide.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd July, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 1st Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 4th May, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Vulcanizing Caoutchouc and Moulding
Celluloide.
I, JACOB WIRTH, of 22 and 24 Avenue Philippe Auguste, Paris, France, Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention (which was patented in France on the 20th January 1888
No. 188243) relates to an improved apparatus for vulcanizing caoutchone and moulding
celluloid, consisting of a steain generator and a stove combined, with but independent
of each other, being capable of being put in communication by means of a cock.
By thus combining the steam generator and the stove, an economy is effected both
in steam and in time, because, unlike other apparatus of this class, it is not necessary
to allow the apparatus to cool after each cooking operation before withdrawing the
muffles; it being sufficient to allow the steam to escape from the stove after having
done its work, while the steam is retained in the generator, and the cooking operations
can consequently be carried on in a continuous sequence, the steain pressure being
kept up during the whole time. Thus the loss of time now occurring in getting up
the steam pressure after each operation is avoided.
The apparatus consists of two flanged vessels bolted together, the lower one
constituting the steam generator and the upper one the vulcanizing or cooking stove.
The generator is enclosed by a metal casing and has at its underside the requisite
means for heating either by gaseous or solid fuel. It is provided with a safety valve
and pressure gauge at its upper end, and at its lower part with a branch pipe with
cock for supplying it with water.
At the lower end of the stove are two opposite branches to which are secured, on
the one side, a cock or valve having a pipe leading to the steam space of the generator,
and on the other side a cock or valve having a discharge pipe for letting off the
steam.
The one side of the stove has a large circular opening, provided with a segmental
screw thread into which fits the corresponding segmental thread of a circular cap, so
that on inserting the latter and then partially turning it round, the threads of the cap
and the opening engage with each other, in a manner well understood.

page_text: The cap has a central stem screwed on its outer end, and on it is filted loose tho
cylindrical stem of a dise having a circular projecting head that fits a corresponding
circular groove surrounding the before mentioned opening of the stove, so that when
the disc is pressed with its bead tight against the groove a stoam tight enclosure to
the screwed cap is formed.
The stem of the disc also has a stuffing box through which the stem of the cap
passes, so as to form a steam tight joint between the two.
On the screwed outer end of the cap stem is screwed a nui with two bandles and
beyond this is a conical washer fixed on the stem by a nut. On turning the handles
of the first mentioned nut in one direction, it jams tight in the washer on the cap
stem whereupon the stem and cap will turn with the nut, causing the cap either to be
released from or to engage with the scrow thread of the opening, according to the
direction in which it is turned. If the nut is turned in the direction for fixing the cap,
then on continuing to turn it in the same direction it will first bo released from the
washer, and will then press against the end of the dise-stem so as to press this with its
bead tight against the groove of the stove. The stems of the cap and disc are both
carried in the eye of an arm that is pivoted to a projecting lug on the stove, so that
when the cap is turned so as to free it from the opening of the stove, the cap and disc
can be swung back with the arm, leaving the opening free. The top of the stove has
a tubular extension with stuffing box at its upper end, through which passes a screwed
stem having on its inner end a screwed sleeve fitting the tubular extension so as to
slide to and fro, but not rotate therein, so that as the screw spindle is rotated by
means of external handles, it forces down the sleeve, causing its inner end to exert
the requisite pressure upon the moulds containing the material to be treated, the end
of the sleeve being suitably shaped for this purpose.
By the above described construction of cap with segmental thread for closing the
stove, the opening and closing of the latter may be affected very easily and rapidly
while insuring a perfectly steam tight joint, and by providing the means described for
effecting pressure upon the moulds directly from without, the press with muffle here-
tofore employed is entirely done away with and a more perfect product is obtained
than was hitherto possible, as in enclosing the material under pressure before putting
it in the stove, air bubbles that are disengaged cannot escape, and consequently
deteriorate the product, whereas with my improved arrangement the air bubbles are
allowed to escape before applying the full pressure.
This arrangement for applying the pressara is also applicable with great advantage
for moulding celluloid; the facility with which the stove can be opened and closed!
and the steam admitted and discharged, affords the great advantage of enabling the
stove to be opened at intervals for inspection during the operation, which was not
possible hitherto.

page_text: I, JACOB WIRTH of 22 and 24 Avenue Philippe Auguste, Paris, France, Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, in be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This Invention relates to an improved apparatus for vulcanizing caoutchouc and
moulding celluloid by means of which the processes for the carrying out of which my
improved apparatus is devised may be performed or effected with a resultant economy
both in the steain used and the time occupied. Besides which, by combining, as is
hereinafter described, the steam generator with the stove or cooking chamber con-
taining the muffles I am enabled to allow of the gradual pressure being brought to
bear пpon the muffle during, as well as before, the operation, and it is not necessary
to again open the muffle when it has been once thoroughly pressed, as will be herein-
after further referred to and described; it follows that there is not any risk of
disturbing or deranging the charge or contents when the pressing device, hereinafter
referred to, is unscrewed or when it is desired to withdraw the muffle.
Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a vertical sectional general
view of the apparatus according to my Invention, and the several parts of which
hereinafter referred to and identified, Figures 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12 and 13, are front
and side elevational views, likewise plans and sectional views of the rifle placed in
the stove or cooking chamber, below the press above referred to.
Figures 2 and 3 represent an elevational view and a horizontal sectional view
respectively, of the means which I adopt for insuring an effectual closure for the
stove or cooking chamber; and Figures 4 and 5 are respectively front and side views
of the disc or closure plate hereinafter referred to as being adapted to the opening in
the stove, and which is shown screwed "home" into position in the sectional view
Figure 3.
.
In Figure 1 is seen the stove B according to my Invention bolted above the
generator C. The communication from one to the other is made through the
apertures D and E, which communicate internally by means of the cock F which
enables the stove or cooking chamber to be cut off from communication with the
generator without the generator ceasing to be in communication with the safety
valve G and the gauge H which latter are sure safeguards. The cock J likewise

page_text: serves by opening and closing, for empting the stove. The cock L with its funnel Is
allows of tlie feeding of the generator.
In the top of the stove which terminates in a tubular extension-is placod a
screw M, the threaded part of which engages in a screwed sleeve N which sleeve is
hindered from turning round hut so arranged as to descend vertically, and the enlarged
end W of which sleeve presses the muffle which is placed immediately underneath in
the stove.
The cock and the screw M (for producing the requisite pressure) are each
furnished with a stuffing box gland; the screw is in addition, furnished with a collar P
on the under side of which works a strong spiral spring p' which maintains a contact
and thus assures the absolute hermetical scaling of this screw in its stuffing box.
Figure 4 is the inside face of the closing plate, or disc, hereinbefore referred to as
being adapted to the opening in the stove; Figure 5 showing in section the circular
flango I of this disc. As shown by Figures 2 and 3, the closing plate or disc is applied
to the edge of the opening of the stove in such a manner that the said cirentar
flange I fits the circular groove recessed around the opening of the stove, but
without the flange I going right "home" into said groove for it is in this, by means
of a sufficient pressure, that l procure a pericet nirtight sealing."
This disc is strongly pressed by a scrow engaging in the boss of a cramp O of which
the three arms a, b, c are cramped or caught behind the three projections d, e, f,
attached to the collar of the opening of the stove shown at Figure 2 and in section at
Figure 8. To open the stove it is only necessary after having slackened the screw
to push the handle R to the left. The boss of the cramp turns in the socket of the
arm S, the arms of the cramp being set free (i.e. free from the projections d, e, ƒ”) the
whole piece, namely, the closing plate or disc, the cramp with its screw and the arm S
open, turning on the pivot T. A pin fixed on the boss of the cramp falls into a slot
out for this reason, in the socket of the arm S and thus prevents the cramp turning
further than is necessary for opening and shutting.
i
The mule Figures 6 10 13 inclusive, is comprised of three distinct parts: the
bottom U forming a case furnished with two tappets m, n placed diametrically
opposite the cover & furnished with two pawls z,closed by one plate spring y,
attached at its centre to the cover r; the third part is circular in form: (a hoop having
neither top or bottom)-see section Figures 12 & 13—which part is placed between
the two preceding parts. The piece of circular shape is furnished with two small
dowels g, which fall into corresponding slots (or guides) fixed on the sides of the
bottom part so that it cannot bo deranged whilst being pressed.
The necessary substances for the work which is to be executed being placed in the
bottom part, the circular part is next put in position and then the top part, up to
this time the parts do not become fastened; for, as soon as, under the action of the
pressure (whilst the muffle is in the stove) the parts are enabled to fasten themselves,
the pawls on the top part v immediately clasp the iappets of the bottom pari U, and
the muffle cannot reopen itself oven when being withdrawn from the pressure. The
moulding executed in this way, with pressure on the muffle without displacement
either before or during the cooking (or heating) operation and with this advantage
that the muffle cannot displace itself whon once placed in the stove-produce the best
possible results, for hubbles of air, which are enclosed in the muffle, are gradually
and completely expelled; whereas according to the methods usually adopted they
cannot escape and the product is thereby deteriorated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Luven-
tion and in what mannor the same is to be performed I doclare that what I
claim is :-
First: Tho combination of a generator and stove furnished with a press, (or means
of producing pressure) with muffles, substantially as heroin set forth.
Socond-The arrangement heroin described and shown which allows of pressure
being exerted—not only before but during the cooking (or heating) operation—on a

page_text: muffle, the cover of which muffle fastens itself on and is not able to be disturbed, even
whilst the muffle is being drawn from the stove.
Third-The closing of the door of the stove, with the disc and its flange arranged
and working as herein described and shown.
Fourth: The arrangement which I adopt for making steam-tight the screw of the
press substantially as herein described and shown.
Fifth :—The application of the cock F which interrupts the communication of the
generator with the stove, without interrupting the communication with the safety
valve G or the steam gauge H substantially as herein set forth.