IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING CLAY PIPE ROLLS, FOR MOULDING OR SHAPING THE SAME INTO TOBACCO PIPES, AND FOR FINISHING SUCH PIPES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Liston, junior, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark'
North Britain, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR MAKING CLAY PIPE ROLLS, FOR MOULDING OR SHAPING THE SAME
INTO TOBACCO PIPES, AND FOR FINISHING SUCH PIPES."
Sealed the 1st September 1876, and dated the 17th March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Liston at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th March 1876.
JOHN LISTON, junior, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Machinist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING CLAY PIPE ROLLS, FOR
MOULDING OR SHAPING THE SAME INTO TOBACCO PIPES, AND FOR FINISHING SUCH
PIPES."
This Invention relates to apparatus having mainly the same purposes as that
described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to the present applicant, and
dated 7 July 1874 (No. 2382), but which is considerably improved by being
simplified and otherwise modified.
In carrying out the present Invention the pipe clay in a well worked and suitable
stiff condition is first formed into bars by a machine, in which two rollers placed
slightly apart and turned in opposite directions by suitable gearing act on it fric-
tionally so as to draw it in between them from a hopper or trough, and force it from
them into a confined space. Knives or blades forming or fixed to two sides of the
confined space, and which sides are the top and bottom when the forcing rollers aro
placed horizontally and one above the other, bear on the roller surfaces and prevent
the clay from being carried round by them. A plate with die or shaping orifices of
square or other suitable form is fixed at the front of the confined space, and the clay
issues from the orifices in the form of bars, which are cut into lengths suitable for
the next machine of the series.
In the second machine a pair of half moulds for shaping a number of rolls (or pipo
blanks) out of one bar at one operation, is held between vertical standards, with the
larger or bowl part for each roll upwards. The bar of clay is placed across the top
of the half moulds, and a plunger bar then descends and forces the clay downwards,
so that it becomes shaped in the moulds, the stem parts being formed by the clay

page_text: "
ssuing from the bottom orifices of the moulds. The plunger bar works in guides in
the standards, and is actuated through connecting rods at each side of the machine
by means of cranks or cams on a transverse horizontal shaft. After the descent of
the plunger bar the half moulds separate sufficiently to allow the set of rolls to
drop into a grooved or slotted carrier, which is one of a series brought successively
into position by endless chains or by a revolving cylinder on which they are held.
The half moulds are firmly gripped by wedges or equivalent appliances whilst the
clay is being forced into them. The set of rolls made at one operation are
"bunched or pinched together so as to slightly adhere by pieces moved by cams so
as to act on the opposite ends of the set as the carrier is moved into a certain posi-
tion in the machine; and, if necessary, the bunching operation may be preceded by
the action of wipers passing between the rolls to remove oil and ensure adherence.
In the third machine the rolls are moulded or shaped into pipes, and the machine
comprises two moulds or pairs of half moulds to be attended to by two workers placed
one at each side of the machine. The two moulds are on one slide or frame, which is
fitted to move transversely in guides on the main stationary frame with alternate
intermittent movements, such that when either mould is at the middle of the
machine the other is at the side. When either mould is at its side of the machino
the two halves of it are open and the worker at that side takes out the pipe pre-
viously moulded in it and places in a fresh roll. The mould is then carried by the
slide to the middle of the machine, the two halves are turned up so as to close
together, and they are firmly gripped by a wedge action box, which, rising up at the
middle of the machine, embraces the two sides of the closed mould. The stapper
for shaping the bowl cavity is next brought down, and the revolving wire for form-
ing the bore is entered. The lever which moves forward the spindle carrying the
wire also moves the knife which cuts off the surplus clay, but the movement of the
stapper is made sufficiently soon for the stapper to be up out of the mould again
before the knife reaches the end of its stroke. The knife on returning moves under
a stationary piece, by which the clay is cleaned off it. The stapper, wire, and some
other details are not in duplicate as in the former machine, but a single set serves
for the two moulds. The various movements are derived from a horizontal shaft
placed longitudinally below the middle of the machine, and the most of the move-
ments are effected by cams on the shaft acting through levers or rods connected
to the various parts. The stapper is on a lever centered on a standard or bracket,
and this lever has jointed to it a vertical bar, which is guided below, and which has
attached to it a pin or roller to be acted on by a cam groove, the pin or roller being
adjustable in a slot, so that the movement of the stapper can be regulated with
nicety and ease.
The improved apparatus for finishing the moulded pipes may be arranged in one
machine or separately. It comprises a revolving sponge or equivalent fitted on a
pointed piece to enter the bowl, and the worker applies the pipe to it so that the out-
side of the bowl is by it moistened and smoothed. The worker then enters the stem
of the pipe between a pair of smoothers, one or both of which reciprocate so as to
smooth and finish the stem. If necessary, cutters to remove fins are combined with
the smoothers or are made to act separately.
Or according to another modification the machine is provided with an intermit-
tently revolving head having radiating wires, and the moulded pipes are put in
succession on these wires. Then the head in revolving moves the pipes in succession
into positions, in one of which the bowl is operated on, and in others the stem is
finished. A grooved board is provided for receiving the finished pipes, the grooving
of the board insuring the separation of the pipes and preventing them from injuring
each other.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Liston in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th September
1876.
JOHN LISTON, junior, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING CLAY PIPE ROLLS, FOR
MOULDING OR SHAPING THE SAME INTO TOBACCO PIPES, AND FOR FINISHING SUCH
PIPES."
My said Invention relates to apparatus having mainly the same purposes as
that described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, and dated
7 July 1874 (No. 2382), but which is considerably improved by being simplified
and otherwise modified.
In carrying out my present Invention the pipeclay in a well worked and
suitable stiff condition is first formed into bars by a machine, in which two rollers
act on it frictionally, so as to draw it in between them and force it into a confined
space. A plate with die orifices is fixed at the front of the confined space, and
the clay issues from the orifices in the form of bars, which are cut into short
lengths.
In the second machine a pair of half moulds is used for shaping a number of
rolls (or pipe blanks) at one operation from the short bars formed by the first
machine.
In the third machine the rolls are moulded or shaped into pipes, and the machine
comprises two moulds or pairs of half moulds carried on one slide, which is fitted
to move transversely in guides on the main stationary frame. The stapper, wire,
and some other details are not in duplicate as in my former machine, but a single
set serves for the two moulds.
My improved apparatus for finishing the moulded pipes comprises a revolving
sponge, and the outside of the bowl of each pipe is by it moistened and smoothed.
The worker having presented the bowl to the sponge next enters the stem of the
pipe between a pair of smoothers or sleekers, one or both of which may be made to
reciprocate so as to smooth and finish the stem.
Or according to another modification the machine is provided with an inter-
mittently revolving head having radiating wires, and the pipes are put in succession
on these wires; then the head in revolving moves the pipes in succession into
positions, in one of which the bowl is operated on, and in the other the stem is
finished. A grooved board is provided for receiving the finished pipes, the grooving
of the board insuring the separation of the pipes and preventing them from
injuring each other.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I hereunto append four Sheets of explanatory
Drawings to be herein-after referred to, and representing my improved apparatus.
In these Drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
Figures 1 and 2 on Sheet 1 of the Drawings represent my first machine, being
respectively a vertical section and an elevation. The parts are carried by a pair
of cast-iron side frames 1 connected by tie rods 2, and consist principally of two
cast-iron rollers 3, 4, placed horizontally and geared together by equal spur
wheels 5, so as to revolve in opposite directions. The shaft of the lower roller 4
has on it a spur wheel 6, in gear with which there is a pinion on the first motion
shaft 7, which may be driven in any convenient way. The rollers 3, 4, are set a
short distance apart to allow the clay to pass between them, and the clay being
put into a hopper 8 is by the frictional action of the rollers drawn in between them
and forced in a stiff state into a confined space 9 at the other side. Knives or
blades 10 form the top and bottom of the confined space 9, and bearing on the
roller surfaces prevent the clay from being carried further round by the rollers.
The knives 10 are fixed to a plate or die piece 11 formed with orifices, through

page_text: which the clay issues, and which may be of a round, square, or other suitable
form. The clay issues in the form of bars, which pass onwards on an endless
apron 12 and under a grooved roller 13, which may be used for oiling the surfaces
of the bars, the roller receiving the oil from a cloth saturated with oil, but not
shown, or in any other convenient way. The bars are cut into lengths suitable for
the next machine of the series.
One modification of my second machine is shown in Figures 3 to 6, Figure 3
being a vertical section parallel to the side frames 14 of the machine. These frames
are connected by tie rods 15, and have between them a pair of half moulds 16 for
shaping a number of rolls at one operation, and which are hung on transverse
horizontal rods. The short lengths of clay bars to form rolls are laid on an endless
apron 17, which by means of a hand wheel 18 is made to carry them to a guide
leading them to the top of the moulds 16. A bar 19 working in vertical guides in
the side frames 14 and having attached to it a number of plungers 20 descends,
and the plungers force the clay downwards, so that it becomes shaped in the
moulds, the stem parts being formed by the clay passing into and issuing from the
lower and narrower parts of the moulds. The plunger bar 19 is actuated through
connecting rods at each side of the machine, and one 21 of which is shown in
Figure by means of cams 22 on the main shaft 23. The half moulds 16 are
firmly gripped together during the descent of the plungers 20 by a box 24, which
is wedge-shaped internally, and which is raised at the proper time so as to hold
the half moulds closed within it by a pair of rods, one 25 of which is shown in
Figure 3, these rods being jointed to levers 20, which are acted on by cams 27 on
the shaft 23. The wedge box 24 is connected to the rods 25 by trunnions, which
project into guide slots in the side frames 14, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, aud
which allow the box to turn into the position in which it is shown in Figure 6
after it is lowered from the moulds 16, this turning being caused by lugs 28 on the
trunnions encountering fixed stops on the frames. As the plunger bar 19 rises it,
by a link 29, opens one of the half moulds 16, and the rolls then descending into
the wedge box 24 are by it flung upon an endless apron 30, which carries them
away. On the plunger bar 10 descending again the half moulds are closed by
springs. The set of rolls made at one operation may be "bunchod' or pinched
together, so as to slightly adhere by pieces moved by cams so as to act on the
opposite ends of the set as the carrying apron 30 is moved into a certain position,
and if necessary the bunching operation may be preceded by the action of wipers
passing between the rolls to remove oil and insure adherence.
Figures 7 and 8 on Sheet 2 of the Drawings are a plan and a vertical section of
a modification of my second machine, in which the half moulds for shaping the
rolls are placed horizontally instead of vertically. One half mould forms the
bottom of the wedgo box 24, which is stationary in this modification, the other
half mould 16 being moved into and out of the box by rods 25 jointed to levers 31,
which are acted on by cans 27 on the main shaft 23. The rods 21 of the plunger
bar 19 are acted on by cranks 32 on the ends of the shaft 23. An endless belt 33
with divisional ribs on it carries the pieces of clay into the space in front of the
moulds, and is moved by bevil wheels 34, and a four toothed ratchet wheel acted
on by a pawl lever 35, the outer end of which is encountered by the plunger
bar 19 when moving away from the moulds. The rolls when moulded are lifted
upon the endless apron 30 which carries them off by hooked wires 36 on a
transverse horizontal bar 37, this bar being moved by means of a lever 38 acted on
by a pin on one of the rods 25.
The
My third machine is shown upon Sheets 3 and 4 of the accompanying Drawings;
Figure 14, being a plan; Figure 15, a sectional side elevation; and Figures 16
and 17 transverse vertical sections as at different parts of the machine.
machine is arranged for being attended to by two workers, one at cach side of it,
and is provided with two moulds or pairs of half moulds 39, which are carried on
one slide or plate 40 fitted to move transversely in guides in the main stationary
frame 41, with alternate intermittent movements, such as that when either mould

page_text: is at the middle of the machine, the other is at the side. When either mould 39 is
at its side of the machine the two halves of it are open, and the worker at that side
takes out the pipe previously moulded in it and places in a fresh roll; the mould is
then carried by the slide to the middle of the machine, the two halves are turned
up so as to close together, and the moulding operation is performed. The slide 40
is by a link jointed to its under side, connected to a lever 42, which is acted on by
a cam 43 (Figure 16) on a shaft 44, driven by spur gearing 45 (Figure 15), from
what may be termed the main shaft 46 of the machine, and which is driven by
pinion and spur wheel 47 from the first motion shaft 48. The moulds are opened
and closed by means of end pieces 49 (Figure 17), to which they are screwed, and
which are jointed to rods 50 connected to blocks 51 fitted to slide on vertical
rods 52. These rods 52 are fixed to the under side of the slide 40, and carry springs
arranged to press the blocks 51 upwards, so as when free to do so to close the
moulds. When either mould is not at the middle of the machino its block 51 is
kept down so as to hold the mould open by a fixed guide 53, under which the block
slides when moving to or from the middlo; but the guide 53 at each sido
terminates short of the middle, so that on either mould reaching the middle the
spring on its rod 52 acts and closes the mould. When either mould is about to
return to the side its block 52 is pressed down to the level of the guide 53 by a
piece 54 (Figure 15) attached to the wedge box 55, which rises to grip the half
inoulds when closed, and which re-descends before the slide 40 moves again. The
wedge box 55 is fixed to a vertical bar 56 moving in a guide in a bracket 57 fixed
to the framing; and this bar is connected to a lever 58, which is acted on by a
cam 59 on the main shaft 46 so as to raise the wedge box 55 whenever one of the
moulds 39 is at the middle of the machine, and the wedge box then grips the half
moulds and holds them closed.
The stapper 60 for shaping the bowl cavity is jointed to a cross head 61 on the
upper end of a bar 62 moving vertically in a guide bracket 63, and connected to a
lever 64 which is acted on by a cam 65, also on the main shaft 46.
The revolving wire 66 for forming the bore of the pipe is fixed to a spindle 67,
which is carried in bearings in an adjustable bracket 68, and driven by a cord from
a large pulley 69 on the first motion shaft 48, the small pulley 70 driving the
spindle 67 by a key and groove, which allows the spindle to be moved on end into
the mould by the action of a lever 71 connected to it by a link 72 and swivel ring,
and acted on by a cam 73 on the main shaft 46.
The knife 74 for cutting off surplus clay may be worked by the lever 71. I
however find it preferable to give it an independent movement; it is adjustably
fixed to a horizontal rod 75 which passes through a swivelling guide 76, and has its
back end jointed upon a small crank 77 on the upper end of a vertical shaft 78
driven by bevil wheels 79 from the main shaft 46. A wire 80 adjustably fixed to
the swivelling guide 76 serves for cleaning the clay off the knife, its end being
extended to enter the notch of the mould with the knife, and insure the withdrawal
of the clay cut off.
The various cams and the crank 77 are shaped and set relatively to each other
in such a manner as to cause the various movements to take place in proper order.
On the slide 40 stopping with either mould 39 at the middle of the machine the
half moulds are closed, and immediately gripped by the rising wedge box 55; the
stapper 60 supplied with oil from a cup 81 then descends and the wire 66 is entered,
and as the stapper rises again the knife 74 cutts off the surplus clay; the slide 40
then moves taking the mould just operated on to one side, and bringing the other
mould from the other side to the middle.
A modification of my improved finishing apparatus is shown in Figures 9, 10,
and 11, on sheet 2 of the Drawings, Figure 9 being a plan, and Figure 10 a side
elevation. A pulley 82 on a vertical first motion shaft 83 drives a small vertical
spindle 84 fitted with a sponge 85, and a cam 86 on the shaft 83 acting through a
lever 87 periodically raises up the spindle 84 with the sponge 85, so as to make it
act on the bowl of a pipe 88 presented to it in an inverted position. The pipes 88

page_text: t
are entered on wires 89 on a small turning table 90, each one being in turn brough
over the sponge 85. The table 90 is turned by means of a ratchet wheel and pawl
lever 91, shown in Figure 11, worked by a rod 92 from a crank on the shaft 83.
Sleekers 93 formed at the ends of wires are fixed to a cross head 94 in such
positions that the putting on of the pipe at one side and the taking of it off at the
other, cause the stem to be smoothed and finished by them.
Figure 12 (Sheet 2) is a plan of a portion of one of my improved grooved boards
for receiving the finished pipes; a few pipes being shown placed thereon. These
boards are made with end pieces 95 projecting above the level of the tops of the
pipe bowls, so that a number of boards can be placed one over the other in the
manner indicated in Figure 13.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and
original and claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Lotters Patent is,-
1. The combination of parts hercin-before described as constituting my first
machine for forming the clay into bars of a suitable consistency for making "rolls."
2. The combinations of parts hercin-before described as constituting my second
machine.
3. The combination of machines substantially such as those hercin-before
described as my first and second machines for making "rolls."
4. The arranging and combining together of the parts constituting my third
machine substantially in the improved manner herein-before described.
5. The application of the transversely moving slide (40) carrying the two moulds
substantially as herein-before specified in describing my third machine.
6. The improved arrangements and appliances herein-before described for finishing
the pipes.
7. The improved boards for carrying the finished pipes herein-before described
with reference to Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Liston, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
JOHN LISTON, JR. (L.S.)