IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MOULDING AND PRESSING ARTIFICIAL. FUEL, PEAT, CLAY, AND OTHER MATERIALS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Kinsey and George Challenger, both of Swansea,
in the County of Glamorgan, Mechanical Engineers, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MOULDING AND PRESSING ARTIFICIAL.
FUEL, PEAT, CLAY, AND OTHER MATERIALS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS
ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Kinsey and George
Challenger at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd
December 1879.
HENRY KINSEY and GEORGE CHALLENGER, both of Swansea, in the County of
Glamorgan, Mechanical Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MOULDING
AND PRESSING ARTIFICIAL FUEL, PEAT, CLAY, AND OTHER MATERIALS, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES”
This Invention has reference chiefly to moulding machines which have a rotating
mould wheel or table arranged either vertically or horizontally, and provided with
inoulds into which the fuel, peat, clay, or other material is first fed, then compressed,
and then discharged, the said table having an intermittent or continuous rotary
motion, whereby all the moulds are brought successively into their proper working
positions; but part of the improvements are applicable to other forms of moulding
machines and for other purposes.
In carrying out our Invention we use instead of the fixed inclined planes for
forcing up the bottom plungers or stamps a circular plate, carried preferably on a
spherical boss on the axis of and below the mould wheel or table, and rotating at
the same speed and in the same direction as the table. This circular plate is
maintained in an inclined position by three or more friction rollers suitably
mounted for the purpose, the lowest position of the plate being at the charging side
of the table, and as the plate and the mould table rotate the bottom plunger or

page_text: stamp will be forced up, thereby pressing the material against the top plate or
resistance piece above the mould wheel or table.
Underneath the inclined plate at the point of greatest resistance we place an
hydraulic or other compensator, which will yield should there be a surcharge of
material in the mould.
When the machine is arranged to make bricks, cubes, cylinders, or any other
pieces having a plain top surface, we provide a resistance piece or plate which may
revolve, slide, or rise, so as to uncover the moulds while they are filled and
discharged.
When an intermittent motion is preferred the inclined plate is used for raising
the stamps or plungers to a given height, so as to take up what is called the
"slack" and for discharging the moulds, the pressing being effected by hydraulic
or other power at another given point.
When it is intended to make spherical, egg shaped, or similar pieces we use
moulds of a concave or other suitable form, and provide them with small plungers
or rams for breaking the vacuum previous to discharging, and for discharging the
material from the moulds after being pressed; or the moulds may be made in two
or more parts, so that one of such parts may be moved before the others for the
purpose of breaking the vacuum and to facilitate the discharge of the material.
The top mould is hinged to the mould wheel, and has a suitably shaped recess in
which is fitted a small ram or piston. After the compression of the material this
mould is raised by a fixed cam acting upon one end of a lever pivotted to the
mould, the other end of the lever entering a recess formed in the ram or piston,
which it presses down and thus lifts the top mould from the pressed material.
Instead of making the internal rams or pistons to slide vertically in the moulds
they may be made with a spiral or thread, and on being partially rotated will rise
in a direction parallel with their axes; or they may be fitted with wedge shaped
pieces, having a cross way motion for the purpose of releasing the mould from the
pressed material; or instead of the mechanism above referred to we may force air,
steam, water, or other fluid under pressure between the moulds and the pressed
material for the purpose of breaking the vacuum. Instead of the hinged top
moulds above described we may use an hydraulic cylinder fixed over the lower
mould, and fitted with a piston having its lower end shaped to form the upper part
of the mould, such piston being arranged to rise and fall at suitable intervals.
When using hydraulic or steam power for compressing the material we prefer to
use cylinders of different diameters, having their central axes on one plane and
provided with suitable pistons, so arranged that the fluid will act first on the
smaller piston while the resistance is least, and afterwards upon the larger piston
when the resistance is increased.
The cylinder or cylinders may be placed outside the mould wheel or table or
between two mould wheels or tables, and the power may be transmitted by levers,
as aforesaid, or the cylinder or cylinders may be placed immediately underneath
the moulds or stamps (preferably the latter), thus dispensing with levers, as
mentioned above.
In some cases we place the pug or mixer over the centre of the mould wheel or
table, and mount two or more pressing cylinders directly under the plungers or
stamps upon a vibrating beam which is connected to a resistance beam above the
mould wheel or table, and as the moulds are brought successively over the pressing
cylinders and under the resistance beam the valves of the cylinders are opened by
suitable mechanism, and the fluid is allowed to flow into the cylinders
Instead of placing the pressing cylinders directly underneath the plungers or
stamps one or more cylinders may be mounted at the centre of the vibrating beam
with their axes in the same plane as the axis of the mould wheel or table, such
cylinder or cylinders acting upon levers so formed and fixed as to transmit the
pressure from the cylinder or cylinders to the plungers or stamps. The solid levers
may have either a fixed or movable fulcrum; if the latter, we prefer to make it on

page_text: the piston rod of a small hydraulic cylinder which may be placed above or below
the levers, such cylinder being caused to act in advance of the larger or central
cylinder or cylinders for the purpose of taking up the "slack." The larger or
central cylinder or cylinders may be supplied with either water, steam, air, gas,
or other motive power.
If the machine is to work intermittently the levers or beams are not made to
vibrate, and the intermittent motion of mould wheel or table is given by any of the
mechanism now in common use for such purposes.
For holding the plungers or stamps in any required position during the process
of manufacture we provide C springs attached to the underside of the mould wheel
or table and surrounding the plungers. These springs are caused to contract and
grip the plungers by coming into contact with a fixed cam plate, or the plungers
may be held by excentrics or cam shafts provided with weighted levers. The
The
plungers are free to rise, but are prevented from falling by the cams.
weighted levers are raised at the desired moment to release the plungers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Kinsey and George Challenger in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 22nd June 1880.
HENRY KINSEY and GEORGE CHALLENGER, both of Swansen, in the County of
Glamorgan, Mechanical Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MOULDING
AND PRESSING ARTIFICIAL FUEL, PEAT, CLAY, AND OTHER MATERIALS, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention has reference chiefly to moulding machines which have a rotating
mould wheel or table, arranged either vertically or horizontally, and provided with
moulds into which the fuel, peat, clay, or other material is first fed, then compressed,
and from which it is afterwards discharged, the said table or wheel having an
intermittent or continuous rotary motion, whereby all the moulds are brought
successively into their proper positions to be filled and afterwards carried round to
the compressor.
In Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings we shew one arrangement of our
moulding press, Fig. 1 being a plan view of a machine constructed for making block
fuel bricks or other articles having a flat top surface, and Fig. 2 a vertical section
of the same taken on the line 1, 2, of Fig. 1.
A is a rotating mould wheel of the ordinary construction, and mounted on a
vertical stud axle forming part of or secured in any convenient manner to the
foundation plate A¹ of the machine. B, B, are the moulds formed in the wheel A,
and into these moulds are fitted plungers B', B', which constitute the bottom of the
moulds, and when at their lowest position project below the mould wheel; these
plungers are retained in place by means of stop-pins, which yet allow of their sliding
freely in the moulds. C is a rotating inclined wheel which is mounted on a
spherical boss C' on the stud axle of and below the mould wheel A, and is intended
to force up the plungers B¹ in the moulds B (to compress the contents thereof) as it
comes into contact with the plungers.
The mould wheel A and the inclined wheel C are caused to rotate together at
the same speed, as will hereafter be more fully explained. D is a resistance plate
which rests on the face of the mould wheel A, and is mounted upon and held in
position by a stud axle E pendent from a bracket piece E' which is secured to the
foundation plate A¹ by means of the tie rods E³, E. The resistance plate D is of a
less diameter than the mould wheel A, and its axis is set excentrically to that of
the mould wheel A, with which it is caused to rotate by friction of contact, such
excentricity bringing the plate over the moulds for the compressing operation. The
mould wheel A and the inclined wheel C are respectively driven by the equal
speeded pinions F, F, which are mounted on a vertical shaft I, this shaft I depends
from and has its bearings in the bracket piece E, and it passes through a sleeve
bearing in the foundation plate A'. Mounted on the lower end of this shaft I, and
below the foundation plate, is a bevel wheel M through which motion is commuui-
cated to the shaft from any prime mover. The pinions F, F1, respectively take into
teeth on the peripheries of the mould wheel A and inclined wheel C, and motion is
thereby communicated to these latter as well as to the resistance plate D.
The inclination of the plate C is maintained by means of friction rollers G, which
we prefer should be carried by plungers or pistons G¹ contained in cylinders G³
formed on the foundation plate A'.
The pistons G are maintained at the required height by hydraulic power, and
means are provided for the escape of the water under any abnormal pressure. The
plate D is maintained in contact with the face of the mould wheel A by a friction
roller H which is mounted in pendent bearings formed on the underside of the
bracket E¹. Jis a chamber which is mounted upon standards bolted to the founda-
tion plate A', so as to overlie a small portion of the mould wheel A. This chamber
5

page_text: communicates with a pugmill or mixer L, and is intended to receive therefrom the
material to be compressed when it has been thoroughly mixed and is in a soft
plastic state. An exhauster K is in connectien with this chamber, by means of
which the steam which has been introduced into the pugmill to facilitate the mixing
can be drawn off. The pugmill or mixer is provided with mixing arms L', and the
chamber J with distributing arms J'. These arms L' and J are carried by a central
vertical shaft I which is driven thro' the bevel wheel M¹ keyed thereon from the
prime mover.
The material is filled into the moulds B by the rotation of the distributing arms
J', and any superfluous quantity of the material projecting above the top of the
mould is removed by the gauging edge of the chamber J as the mould passes under
it and away from the chamber. The pug mill is provided with a slide which is
actuated by the hand wheel and screw N for the purpose of regulating the supply
of material to the chamber J.
The moulds, as they leave the chambers J, move round in the direction of the
arrow, Fig. 1, until the plungers strike against the inclined wheel C. As this
wheel moves round with the mould wheel it will roll over the underside thereof
and gradually force up the plungers as they approach the point, Fig. 2, thereby
compressing the material contained in the moulds between the plate D which
forms the top of the moulds and the plungers B₁ which form the bottom of the
moulds.
In Figures 3 and 4 we have shewn a mode of discharging the formed bricks or
other pieces from the mould; C is a star wheel which is mounted upon an inclined
axle N' suitably arranged under the mould wheel A. After the mould has passed
the compressor wheel C the plunger comes in contact with one arm of the wheel C³,
as shewn a 1, Fig. 3. By the continuous rotary motion of the mould wheel A the
plunger is caused under the action of the star wheel to rise to the position shewn
at 2, and thereby to discharge the brick from the mould ready for removal by the
attendant; the plunger will then drop to the position shewn at 3, and finally as it
leaves the wheel C will drop to its lowest extent preparatory to the mould receiving
a fresh charge on its return to the chamber J. The star wheel C³ is driven by a
pinion O¹ on the star wheel gearing into teeth formed on the underside of the
periphery of the mould wheel A, and the arms of the star wheel are so set
that they will strike exactly in the centre of the underside of the plungers.
In Sheet II. we have shewn an arrangement of machine in which the mould
wheel and rotating inclined wheel are placed vertically, the moulds being shewn as
adapted for making spheres or similar shaped pieces.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of this machine; Fig. 2 is an end elevation, and Fig. 3 a
sectional elevation through the line 1, 2, of Fig. 1. A is the mould wheel mounted
on the horizontal shaft F fitted with moulds B and plungers B¹; C is the rotating
inclined wheel for working the plungers B'; it is carried on a spherical boss on the
horizontal shaft F, which is mounted in bearings in vertical standards bolted to the
foundation plate of the machine. The mould wheel may be described as cast with
a cylindrical flange with a closed and open side; this dange is cored out transversely
to receive the moulds and plungers; these moulds and plungers lie parallel to the
borizontal axis of the wheel, and the outer ends of the plungers move over the face
of the inclined wheel C. Fitting within the mould wheel is a dish shaped casting
which is fast with one of the standards that carries the shaft F. This casting or
plate D forms with the mould wheel a kind of hopper for supplying the moulds
in succession with the material to be moulded. The mould wheel A and inclined
wheel C are geared at their peripheries respectively to two equal pinions F³, F,
mounted on the shaft E, see Fig. 1. This shaft E receives motion from the driving
pulleys E'; G is the mixing pug with mixing arms G₁ for supplying material to
the hopper; C, C₁, are friction rollers carried by the standards H, and which serve
to maintain the inclination of the wheel C; I, I, are tie rods for holding the
framework together, and J is a fixed groove cain surrounding the mould wheel A
for actuating the plungers B' with the rams and slides with which the moulds and

page_text: plungers are fitted; K is an exhauster to draw the vapours from the hopper; Lis
a hand wheel for actuating the slide M to regulate the quantity of material
entering the hopper. The material is fed into the moulds at O when they are in
their lowest position, and it receives its greatest pressure when the moulds arrive
at the point P. The material is then carried in the mould to the highest position,
as at Q, where the moulded article is discharged into the shoot R. Behind the
inclined wheel C, as at S, an hydraulic or other compensator may be placed which
will yield in case of a surcharge of material in the mould. At Fig. 4 we have shewn
on an enlarged scale and in section the form and mode of working the moulds
used in this arrangement of machine for making spheres, or egg-shaped, or similar
pieces.
In all cases when forming such shaped pieces it is necessary to provide means
for breaking the vacuum caused by the act of compressing the material in the
moulds, it being found difficult otherwise to remove the ball in a solid state from
the mould. It will be seen on reference to the Figure that half the mould is formed
in the head of the plunger, the other half being fixed in the mould wheel A. Each
half mould is provided with a central ram b, 61, which rams serve to break the
vacuum in the moulds.
The plungers B' are surrounded by sleeves N, which are connected at one end by
a cross pin to the ram of the plunger b¹, and at the other end to the ram 6 of the
mould B. The pin which connects the sleeve with the ram of the plunger passes
through a longitudinal slot in the plunger, and thus both ram and plunger are
connected by this pin to the sleeve for the purpose of receiving an endway motion
therefrom. The inner end of each sleeve is cut away at its inner side, or that
nearest the axle F, to provide an opening for the adinission of the plastic material
'to the mould. Projecting radially from these sleeves N through transverse slots in
the periphery of the mould wheel, are arms n fitted with bowles n¹ which enter
the cam groove J. As therefore the mould wheel is rotated the sleeves will be
caused to move endwise, and present an opening for the admission of the plastic
material to the moulds. As the moulds move round to the position P of Fig. 1, the
plungers will be forced home by reason of their contact with the inclined wheel C,
and the material will thereby be moulded.
To release the moulded article the bowl of each sleeve is on the release of its
mould from the pressure of the wheel C, caused by the cam J to move the sleeve
towards the compressing wheel, and thereby first to draw back the
draw back the plunger B', and subsequently to advance the ram b.
place during the movement of the mould from P to Q, Fig. 1, and
the moulded article will be discharged into the shoot R.
ram b¹, then to
This will take
by this means
In Sheets III. and IV. we have shewn at Fig. 1 in side elevation, Fig. 2 in end
elevation, partly in section, and in Fig. 3 in plan view an arrangement of apparatus
in which a horizontal mould wheel having a continuous rotary motion is used, the
compressing operation being effected by the direct action of hydraulic power on
the plungers. The mould wheel in this case is shown as fitted with moulds for
moulding spherical articles.
A is the pug mill or mixer carried by vertical standards secured to the foundation
plate. This pug mill is provided with mixing arms carried by a vertical shaft A¹,
which has a step bearing on the foundation plato. On the upper end of this shaft
is keyed a bevel wheel (not shewn in the Drawing), through which, by a train of
gear wheels, motion is communicated to the various parts of the machine from the
prime mover. B, B, are distributing pans in connection with the pug mill, and
placed on opposite sides of the machine. These pans B are provided with dis-
tributing arms, which are carried on vertical shafts B', B, and receive motion
through gearing from the bevil wheel before mentioned. C is the horizontal mould
wheel suitably mounted on the shaft A¹; D, D, are half moulds, which are hinged
to the face of the mould wheel C; and E are the plungers carrying the lower half
of the moulds, and which are fitted into the mould wheel C in any convenient
manner. The top moulds are formed with tail pieces, which come into contact

page_text: with fixed cams, whereby the top half moulds are maintained in the raised position
overlying the mould wheel to permit of the filling of the moulds. F is a differential
hydraulic cylinder for giving the required pressure to the material in the moulds,
and is shewn in section at F, Fig. 2; G is a valve for regulating the admission
and discharge of the water to and from the cylinder F; R, R, are beams for
resisting the pressure of the hydraulic cylinders. These beams, which are kept at
the desired distance apart by the distance pieces T, are mounted loosely on the
shaft A', so that they may receive a slight oscillating motion. The bottom beam
R' carries the hydraulic cylinders F, F, which are shewn in the position for acting
upon the moulds.
which at this time underlie the top resistance beam R. As
the mould wheel C has a continuous rotary motion it is necessary that a similar
motion should be given to the hydraulic cylinders during the compressing operation.
This is effected by the oscillating motion of the beams R, R³, caused by the action
of a pair of cams H, H', mounted respectively on the vertical shafts B', B³. These
cams bear against the extremities of a pair of curved arms I, which are secured to
and project from one end of the top beam R. The distance which it is necessary
the cylinders should travel is equal to half the space between the centre of two
moulds, and the cams are timed to bring back the beams with the cylinders to
their first position ready for the succeeding mould
Our improved differential hydraulic arrangement consists of a cylinder or
cylinders of two diameters containing corresponding pistons or plungers, which are
unconnected. In Fig. 2 the larger piston is shewn above the sinaller, and each
cylinder is provided with separate inlet and discharge pipes The water is first
allowed to act upon the smaller piston or plunger by being admitted to the under-
side thereof. This communicates motion to the larger piston, and will give sufficient
power to take up the "slack" or give the first pressure, after which the larger
piston is brought into operation. The water for this purpose is introduced between
the two pistons, the water under the smaller one being locked in the cylinder to
form an abutment until the compressing operation is completed; suitable exhaust
valves are then to be opened to allow of the discharge of the water from below
both plungers, which are caused to descend in any convenient manner. By this
arrangement of hydraulic apparatus an economy is effected in the amount of water
employed, and in the cost of the hydraulic apparatus, only one accumulator being
required, as the same pressure will be available for both plungers.
The moulds are fitted as before explained with central rams for releasing the
moulded article. These rams may be constructed and worked in various ways, as
will be more fully explained hereafter. One method of effecting this object is
shewn at Fig. 2, in which a rod S jointed to a lever S¹ which is pivotted to a
bracket connected with the frame of the machine, and raised by the movement of
the large piston, is used to actuate the upper ram and lift the half mould D, while
a piece F carried by the lever raises the internal ram in the plunger and thus
breaks the vacuum in that part of the mould and discharges the ball.
In Sheet V. we have shewn a modification of the hydraulic moulding press in
which the mould wheel is moved intermittently, another form of differential
hydraulic cylinder being also shewn. In this Sheet Fig. 1 is a plan view, Fig. 2 a
longitudinal section on the line 1, 2, of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a transverse section on
the line 3, 4, of Fig. 1. A, A, is a horizontal mould wheel mounted on the vertical
bhaft Q', which also carries the mixing arms of the pug mill and the bevil gearing
for actuating the various parts; B, B, are the plungers suspended on bolts B', B¹;
C is the pug mill or mixer in which the material is mixed, after which it is passed
into the distributing pans D, D, and by the action of the distributing arms D', D',
is filled into the moulds A2, A2. The mould wheel is furnished with ratchet teeth
on its periphery, one for every mould, and it receives an intermittent rotary motion
from a pawl E which is pivotted to a disc E which is mounted on the upper end of
vertical shaft Rª to which motion is communicated through the gear wheel R³
keyed thereon, as will be well understood upon reference to the Drawings. This
partial rotation of the filled moulds will bring them over the hydraulic cylinders

page_text: E, E, then by the action of cams G upon the valves at F, communicated through
a rock lever G (Fig. 1), the water is admitted to the space E*, E*, (Fig. 3) under-
neath the small plungers E³, E³, and above the larger plungers E1, E1, for the
purpose of taking up the "slack." At the same time water is also admitted into a
small cylinder K, which is used instead of the star wheel above described with
reference to Sheet I to discharge the blocks or balls which have been previously
pressed. The valves are then closed and the water is thus locked in the space
E*, E*, forming an abutment for the lower plungers E*1, Eº¹, under which the water
is then admitted to give an increased pressure upon the material in the moulds.
The water is afterwards discharged from both parts of the cylinders E, E, and
from the discharging cylinders K, K The plungers in the cylinders E², E²,
then brought back to their normal position by hydraulic power pressing on the top
of the smaller plunger at e, or by any other suitable means The plungers of the
cylinders K, K, are returned by the weights K', K. The mould wheel is then
moved forward by the pawl E' in order to bring other moulds into their respective
positions for filling, pressing, and discharging. After the pressed material has been
raised above the surface of the mould wheel it is knocked off by two pairs of lover
arms I, I, mounted on a pair of vertical shafts and arranged to act on opposite
sides of the machine. These arms are actuated by disc cams J, J. The upper arm
of cach pair is slotted to receive a pin on its respective disc cam, and the lower arın
is provided with a pendent blade which removes the compressed articlo.
are
The cams J as well as the cams G for actuating the valves are mounted on the
vertical shafts R', which carry also the gear wheels R by which motion is communi-
cated to the shaft R¹ through the gear wheels Q, Q, keyed on the shaft Q' from
the prime mover. L is the top resistance beam, which is firmly bolted or otherwise
secured to the foundation plate N by the rods P', distance pieces P being provided
to regulate the proper distance of the beam L from the plate N. M is an exhauster
for drawing off the vapours from the distributing pans D through openings L'
made therein and in the resistance beam L. N' is a hollow pillar rising from the
foundation plate N and concentric with the shaft Q'. This pillar carries anti-
friction rollers O upon which the central sleeve of the mould wheel rests. The shafts
Q, R', R, and R are provided with step bearings S which are capable of
vertical adjustment by means of the wedge pieces S¹.
At Fig. 4 in Sheet 5 we have shewn a vertical section of another modification
of our moulding apparatus. In this modification the machine is single acting, and
the hydraulic cylinders are arranged separately and above the mould wheel A.
The larger cylinder C is placed centrally of the wheel and is supported by a pillar
rising from the foundation plato, and the smaller cylinder D is placed outside the
periphery of the mould wheel and is carried by the top resistance beam B. The
arrangement of the press is in other respects generally the same as that described
in reference to Sheets I., III., and IV.
Each cylinder C, D, contains a single plunger C₁, D', from which depends a
piston rod C², D2, and the cylinders are provided with suitable stuffing boxes. The
lower ends of the piston rods C, D, are connected together by a beam E. This
beam carries at or near its centre a buffer head E¹, which is intended to lear
against the underside of the mould plungers. When the time arrives for the
compressing operation, the water is admitted under the small piston D', which by
its rod D raises that end of the beam E with which it is connected, the fulcrum
being on the piston rod C³, and the resistance at E'. When the first pressure has been
effected, the water is locked in the cylinder D so that the plunger D' will not be
able to descend. Water is then admitted under the large piston C when the final
pressure is given, the fulcrum in this case being at the piston rod D. Instead of
connecting the piston rod D direct to the beam E, a connecting rod may be
employed.
In order to prevent the mould plungers from dropping as they leave the
compressor after having compressed the material, and before the compressed article
is discharged from the mould, we provide certain automatic gripping or holding

page_text: devices which will maintain the plungers in the raised position until they have
passed the discharging mechanism. These devices in the case of rectangular
plungers consist of gripping cams C, shown in Fig. 1, Sheet VI. of the Drawings,
suitably mounted on the underside of the mould wheel A. and provided with.
weighted levers whereby the cams are always maintained in contact with the
plungers B. The plungers will always be free to rise, but will be prevented from
falling by the cams until the weighted levers are raised by coming into contact
with suitable raising devices, when the plungers will be released and will fall into
the proper position by their own weight preparatory to the mould being refilled.
The gripping or holding device as used for circular plungers consists of a spring C
which is firmly secured at D to the under side of the mould wheel A. The tail of
this spring as the mould wheel rotates comes into contact with a fixed cam plate E
which causes the springs to contract and grip the plungers B, thus preventing their
falling until the compressed article is discharged from the mould. This arrange-
ment of holding device is shewn in plan view at Fig. 2, and vertical section at
Fig. 3, Sheet VI.
By the employment of holding or gripping devices for the purpose above explained
wo are enabled to work the machine more economically, as the necessity for raising
the plungers from their lowest position for the purpose of discharging the compressed
article is avoided, with a consequent result in the saving of power.
The remaining Figures in this Sheet shew various forms of moulds for making
spherical or similar pieces, the moulds being arranged with a view to effecting
in the most satisfactory manner the discharge of the compressed articles.
Figures 4, 4, 5, 5ª, 6, 6ª, and 7, 74, shew in sectional and plan views several modes
of effecting the discharge of the compressed material from the upper half moulds.
In Figures 4 and 5 a lever a is used for this purpose, the lever pressing direct on
the top of the ball in the mould or on a small plunger. The tail of this lever is
raised at the proper time by the rod S, see Fig. 2, Sheet IV., or by any other
suitable means. In Fig. 6 an inclined plane is used, so that by a partial rotation
of the cross bar A the ram will be caused to rise or fall. In Fig. 7 a wedge piece
is driven in which has a similar result.
In Figures 8 and 9 are shewn in section two forms of plungers with central rams
as used with the apparatus described with reference to Sheets III. and IV. Fig. 9
shews the internal ram in position while the ball is being pressed; Fig. 8 shews
the ram raised to discharge the ball; Figures 10, 11, shew further modifications in
sectional elevation. In Fig. 12 a volute spiral spring B is used to act upon a central
ram A. Figures 13 and 14 shew a nest of moulds in sectional elevation and plan.
A is a portion of a mould wheel, B are the moulds carried in the blocks C; D are
central rams resting on a plate E. The moulds are raised by the power acting on
the underside of the block C. A small ram or other appliance is afterwards caused
to act upon the plate E, which raises the whole nest of central rams, thus dis-
charging the balls, the inner rams D and plate E being brought back by the spiral
springs F. Fig. 15 shews another arrangement of moulds; Figures 16, 17, 18, 19,
20, and 21 shew sections of several other arrangements of lower half moulds, which
may be used with a single hydraulic cylinder for pressing and discharging the balls.
A in each case is a portion of the hydraulic cylinders; P, the water inlet; B, the
plungers In Fig. 16 D is a pin for supporting the central ram C while the article
is being pressed; Fig. 17 shews n central ram C packed at D, and to this ram
motion is given in any convenient manner for expelling air or other fluid from the
chamber E through the aperture F to release the ball; F' is a small valve to close
the aperture. In Fig. 18 the plunger B is fitted with a pipe C, through which air
or other fluid may be injected under pressure into the mould to release the ball.
B, Fig. 19, is a plunger having a passage B' made therein. As the plunger advances
to its work the passage B' becomes open to the fluid under pressure in the chamber
D; the fluid thence rises into the chamber D and acts upon the underside of a
small rain C to discharge the ball. At the same time the pipe P is opened, which
allows the plunger to descend. As the plunger descends the passage B' becomes

page_text: closed, and the fluid acts on the lower end of the plunger to bring it to its lowest
position, the return motion of the ram C being effected by a spiral spring; Fig. 20
shews a similar arrangement suitable for a stationary mould wheel C. The passage
.B¹ in the plunger B is in this case shown as being open to the pressure chamber D,
the fluid acting directly on the ball. Fig. 21 shews a portion of an hydraulic
cylinder, with plunger B and mould F. In this arrangement the pressure is exerted
in a downward direction. The water after the compression of the ball is withdrawn
from the cylinder by the pipe P; water under pressure in the chamber D then acts
on the underside of the small plunger D¹ to raise the plunger B with its weighted
lover E. This lever depresses the central ram C, and discharges the ball.
In some cases a single top half mould may be used, the half mould being placed
in a recess in the top resistance beam when such are used, and means are provided
for raising and lowering the half mould and the central ram contained therein.
From the foregoing description of the construction and action of the hydraulic
apparatus, shewn in Sheets III, and IV., and Fig. 3, Sheet V., it will be readily
understood that such apparatus may be applied with advantage to cotton presses,
hay presses, and like machinery, such apparatus being both simple in construction
and economical in working. We have not thought it necessary to show this
hydraulic apparatus in connection with any other than a moulding press, but the
mode of applying it to a press for baleing cotton, for example, will be obvious to
any competent mechanic.
Having now set forth the nature of our Invention of "Improvements in Machinery
for Moulding and Pressing Artificial Fuel, Peat, Clay, and other Materials, Parts
of which Improvements are Applicable to other Purposes," and having explained
the manner of carrying the same into effect, we wish it to be understood that under
the above in part recited Letters Patent we claim,—
First. The uso in combination with a rotating mould wheel of a rotating com-
pressing wheel and a rotating resistance plate, as and for the purpose described with
reference to Sheet I. of the Drawings
Second. The modified arrangement of moulding press, as described with reference
to Sheet II. of the Drawings.
Third. The arrangements of moulding presses, as described with referenco to
Sheets III., IV., and V. of the accompanying Drawings
Fourth. The means above described for facilitating the release of spherical
moulded articles from their moulds.
Fifth. The means described for sustaining the plungers in the compressing
position after their release from the compressor for the purpose above set forth.
Sixth. The application to moulding and other presses of the differential hydraulic
arrangements, as described with reference to Sheets III. and IV., and Fig. 3, Sheet V.
of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Challenger, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Twenty second day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.