Improvements in Presses for Cotton, Wool, Hair, and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 5th June, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Presses for Cotton, Wool, Hair, and the like.
1, GEORGE ARCHIBALD LOWRY, of No. 1124 Monadnock Block, Chicago,
County of Cook, State of Illinois, United States of America, Inventor, 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:-
This invention relates to presses for cotton, wool, hair, and the like.
The object of the invention is to provide a press of novel and exceedingly simple
construction for pressing cotton, wool, hair and the like into bales.
The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and
relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as
shown in the accompanying drawings and finally specifically pointed out in the
appended claims.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a press embodying the principles of my invention, parts
of the supporting frame and driving shaft being broken away.
Fig. 2 is a vertical central longitudinal sectional view of the same, on the
line 2, 2, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of the cap plate.
Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of a slightly modified form of press embodying
my invention, parts being broken away, parts broken out and parts in vertical
section.
The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever it occurs
throughout the several views.
In carrying out my invention I provide a suitable framework, A, upon which the
press is mounted. The press comprises a receiving chamber, D, into which the
cotton or other material to be pressed into a bale is introduced, and a cap plate or
cover, M. The chamber D is preferably open-ended, as shown, and the cap
plate M is arranged over one of the open ends of said chamber, with the inner
surface thereof projecting into said chamber. The cap plate M is provided with a
slot or opening, N, through the same, through which the material to be pressed is
introduced to the receiving chamber. Preferably, though not necessarily, this slot
is arranged radially in said cap plate. The surface of cap plate M, which is
arranged to project into the receiving chamber, is preferably formed to project to a
progressively increasing depth into the said chamber from one edge of the slot or
opening, N, to the other edge thereof, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that by continuously introducing
the material to be pressed into the receiving chamber and simultaneously therewith
relatively rotating said chamber and cap plate, the material is subjected to a
progressive pressure, due to the action thereof of the peculiarly shaped surface of
the cap plate, which is arranged to project into the receiving and compression
chamber. I have shown the inner surface of cap plate M as being formed into a
spiral, but I do not desire to be limited thereto, as my invention includes any
arrangement of surface which projects a progressive depth into the receiving
chamber from one edge of the slot or opening N to the other.
Any suitabie gearing for relatively rotating the chamber D and the cap plate M
may be employed. In the particular form shown, to which, however, my invention
is not limited, I rotate the chamber D. and to this end I mount a gear wheel, J,
DQ71

page_text: thereon, arranged to be engaged and driven by a gear, K, upon a suitably arranged
shaft, L, adapted to receive rotation from any suitable or convenient source.
Of course, it will be understood that my invention is in no manner limited or
confined to the particular form or arrangement of gearing shown.
In the particular arrangement shown, to which, however, my invention is not
restricted, and wherein the chamber D is rotated, said cap plate is stationarily
mounted and a suitable bearing is provided in which the chamber D is mounted to
rotate. I have shown a convenient arrangement, to which, however, I do not
desire to be limited or restricted, wherein I mount a cylindrical casing, B, upon the
frame A, said casing securely bolted to said frame, and the chamber Dis arranged
to be received in said casing. I have shown a simple and efficient relative
arrangement of the chamber and casing, wherein I provide said casing with an
inwardly projecting rim or flange, C, the chamber D being provided with a similar
peripheral rim or flange, E, adapted to rest upon said rim or flange C. Any
suitable means for reducing friction between the bearing surfaces of the
flanges C, E, may be employed. In the form shown, to which, however, I do not
desire to be limited or restricted, I introduce a wearing strip, F, say, for instance,
of brass, between the bearing surfaces of said flanges. In order that the chamber
may be properly supported within casing B, said chamber is arranged to bear
peripherally against the inner wall of said casing, and, preferably, in order to
reduce friction to the lowest point, such peripheral bearing is provided only at the
ends of the chamber D, as indicated at G, H. The cap plate M is securely bolted
or otherwise rigidly secured to the casing B, in a manner permitting the removal
of such cap plate.
The mode of operation of my press will be readily seen and understood from the
foregoing description, and is as follows:-
The chamber D is first filled with the cotton or other material to be pressed,
either by hand or otherwise, and then the cap plate M and said chamber are
assembled with the peculiarly shaped cam or spiral surface of the cap plate
projecting into the chamber. Now by imparting a relative rotation to said
chamber and cap plate and simultanecusly therewith introducing additional
material to said chamber through the slot or opening in the cap plate, such relative
rotation accomplishes two important functions. In the first place, it effects &
continuous drawing or feeding of the additional material into chamber D, and in
the next place, such relative rotation imparts to the material thus continuously
introduced to the chamber a progressive pressure, due to the action of the peculiar
shape of the surface of the cap plate M projecting into the chamber.
The material to be pressed may be delivered by hand or in any suitable or
convenient manner to the slot, N, and in order to facilitate its entrance through
said slot or opening into the chamber, I may provide the far edge of said slot or
opening with an upturned flange or lip, O, Fig. 4, or, if desired, I may mount
a suitable anti-friction roller, P, Figs. 1 and 2, adjacent to the far edge of said slot
or opening, and which serves as a guide for the material. If desired, and as shown,
this roller may be cone-shaped.
By reason of the relative rotation of the cap plate and compression chamber and
the coincident introduction of the material to said chamber through the opening in
said cap plate, it will be readily seen that the material is formed into spiral layers,
and is, as above explained, subjected to a progressive compression. It will also be
seen that on account of such relative rotation of the cap plate and chamber, an
unfilled space in the bale is left at the axis of rotation. In order to remedy this and
with the object of producing a solidly formed bale, I preferably contract the
internal diameter of chamber D, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2, from the end
thereof, adjacent to the cap plate to the other or delivery end of such chamber.
By this provision I impart a lateral compression of the body of the bale as the
material proceeds through the chamber, thus efficiently compressing the bale into
the unfilled space at the axis of rotation.
:
The formed and compressed bale emerges from the open end of the chamber:D,

page_text: and by suitably arranging a cover, R, over said delivery end of the compression
chamber, as, for instance, by telescoping a sack or covering of bagging, or other
suitable material over such delivery end, it will be seen that the bale as it emerges
from the compression chamber simultaneously therewith receives its permanent
covering. When a sufficient length to form the desired length of bale has been
thus projected from the chamber, the bale is then broken off, the spiral character
of the layers of material facilitating and readily permitting the breaking off of the
bale, notwithstanding the degree of compression to which the material has been
subjected.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that the pressure exerted
by t'e surface of cap plate M, upon the material is resisted by the friction of the
inner walls of the chamber D, and of the delivery tube, Q, which resistance is
exerted in a manner which does not injure in any manner the fibre of the material
being pressed, notwithstanding the enormous pressure to which it is subjected.
Of course, in the case of a contacting chamber, an additional resistance is also
provided. In order that the resistance may not be too great, I preferably provide
the chamber D, and also, the extension Q, with a polished inner surface. By
varying the length of extension Q, I vary the resistance of the pressure exerted by
cap plate M, and hence, vary the degree of compression to which the bale is
subjected, the longer said extension, the greater the pressure.
The extension Q, which may be formed integral with or suitably supported by
the chamber D, forms a convenient temporary support for the covering R, in
position to receive the bale as it emerges from the machine.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide a press that is
exceedingly simple in construction and efficient in operation.
While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of means for carrying
the principles of my invention into practical operation, I desire it to be distinctly
understood that the specific form shown, while the best form in which I at present
contemplate carrying my invention into practical operation, is merely illustrative
of an operative embodiment of practical ineans, and I do not limit or confine
myself thereto.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended receiving chamber, in combination
with mechanism for continuously feeding the material into such chamber and
subjecting the same to progressive pressure, as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended receiving chamber, means for
continuously feeding the material to be pressed into such chamber and subjecting
the same to pressure, in combination with means for relatively rotating said chamber
and said feeding and pressure means, as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a slotted cap plate having
a surface arranged to project to successively increasing depths into said chamber,
and means for relatively rotating said chamber and cap plate, as and for the purpose
set forth.
4. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a slotted cap plate
arranged over one of the ends of said chamber and provided with a spiral surface
arranged to project into said chamber, and means for relatively rotating said chamber
and cap plate, as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a cottou or other press, an open-ended chamber, a cap plate arranged
over one end thereof, said cap plate provided with a radial slot or opening there-
through, and an inner spiral surface arranged to project into said chamber, and
means for relatively rotating said chamber and cap plate, as and for the purpose
et forth.
6. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a stationarily held cap plate
or cover for one end thereof, said cap plate or cover being slotted and also provided

page_text: with a spiral inner surface arranged to project into said chamber, and means for
rotating said chamber, as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a stationary slotted cap
plate for one end of said chamber, having a surface arranged to project to succes-
sively increasing depths into said chamber, and means for rotating said chamber,
as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a cotton or other press, a chamber open at both ends, and contracting
in internal diameter from one end thereof to the other, a slotted cap plate or cover
for the larger end of said chamber, having a spiral surface arrauged to project into
said chamber, and means for relatively rotating said chamber and cover, as and for
the purpose set forth.
9. In a cotton or other press, a chamber open at both ends, and contracting in
internal diameter from one end thereof to the other, means for rotating said
chamber in combination with a stationarily held slotted cover or cap plate, having
a spiral surface arranged to project into the larger end of said chamber, as and for
the purpose set forth.
10. In a cotton or other press, a chamber open at both ends, a cap plate or
cover for one end of said chamber and provided with a spiral surface arranged to
project into said chamber, said cap plate or cover provided with a slot or opening
through which said material to be pressed is introduced into said chamber, said
slot being arranged at the beginning and termination of said spiral surface, and
means for relatively rotating said chamber and cap plate or cover, as and for the
purpose set forth.
11. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a slotted cap plate or
cover for one end of said chamber, said cap plate or cover being provided with a
spiral surface arranged to project into said chamber, and a guide adjacent to said
slot for facilitating the introduction of the material to be pressed through said slot
into said chamber, and means for relatively rotating said chamber and cap plate,
as aud for the purpose set forth.
12. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a slotted cap plate or
cover for one end of said chamber, said cap plate or cover being provided with a
spiral surface arranged to project into said chamber, and a guide roller loosely
journaled adjacent to said slot for facilitating the introduction of the material to be
pressed through said slot into said chamber, and means for relatively rotating said
chamber and cap plate, as and for the purpose set forth.
13. In a cotton or other press, au open-ended chamber, in combination with
means for continuously feeding the material into such chamber at one end and
subjecting the same to progressive pressure, and means for applying a permanent
cover to the formed bale as it emerges from the chamber at the other end thereof,
as and for the purpose set forth.
14. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, means for continuously
feeding the material into such chamber at one end thereof and subjecting the same
to progressive pressure, and a permanent covering for the bale arranged over the
other open end of said chamber, whereby the bale receives its permanent covering as
it emerges from the chamber, as and for the purpose set forth.
15. In a cotton or other press, a chamber open at both ends and provided
with an extension at one end thereof, adapted to receive thereon a sack or covering
for the finished bale, means for continuously feeding the material into such chamber
at the other end thereof, and simultaneously therewith subjecting the same to
progressive pressure, whereby the material is formed into a bale and is ejected from
said chamber through said extension and into its permanent covering, as and for the
purpose set forth.
16. In a cotton or other press, a framework, a casing rigidly mounted thereon, an
open-ended chamber adapted to be received in said casing and having a spiral
surface arranged to project into one end of said chamber, and means for rotating
said chamber, as and for the purpose set forth.
17. In a cotton or other press, a framework, a casing rigidly mounted thereon

page_text: and provided with an internally projecting rim or flange, an open-ended chamber
adapted to be received in said casing, said chamber provided with a peripheral
flange or rim adapted to rest upon the flange or rim of said casing, whereby
said chamber is supported, a slotted cap plate rigidly mounted on said casing
and provided with a spiral surface arranged to project into one of the open.
ends of said chamber, and means for rotating said chamber, as and for the purpose.
set forth.
18. In a cotton or other press, a framework, a casing rigidly mounted thereon.
and provided with an internally projecting flange or rim, an open-ended chamber
adapted to be received in said casing, said chamber provided with a peripheral
flange or rim adapted to rest upon the flange or rim of said casing, whereby
said chamber is supported, means for reducing friction between the bearing
surfaces of said flanges or rims, a slotted cap plate rigidly mounted on said
casing and provided with a spiral surface arranged to project into one of the open
ends of said chainber, and means for rotating said chamber, as and for the purpose-
set forth.
19. In a cotton or other press, a framework, a cylindrical covering rigidly
mounted thereon, an open-ended chamber arranged to be supported within said.
casing and having peripheral bearing against the internal walls of said casing at the
ends thereof, a slotted cap plate or cover rigidly mounted on said casing and provided
with a spiral surface arranged to project iuto said chamber, and means for rotating
said chamber, as and for the purpose set forth.
20. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber contracting in internal
diameter from one end thereof to the other, in combination with a slotted cover or
cap plate for the larger end of said chamber, and means for relatively rotating said
chamber and cover or cap plate, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 12th day of April 1897
GEORGE ARCHIBALD LOWRY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant..