AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND MACHINERY FOR BALING AND COMPRESSING HAY, STRAW, COTTON, HEMP, AND SIMILAR MERCHANDIZE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND MACHINERY FOR BALING AND COMPRESSING HAY,
STRAW, COTTON, HEMP, AND SIMILAR MERCHANDIZE." A communication from
abroad by Thomas Pilter, of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th May 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND MACHINERY FOR
BALING AND COMPRESSING HAY, STRAW, COTTON, HEMP, AND SIMILAR MERCHAN-
DIZE." [A communication from abroad by Thomas Pilter, of Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to an improved method of packing forage, straw, alpha
grass, cotton, hemp, and the like, and to apparatus for carrying the same into
effect.
This method of packing consists in the formation of cylindrical bales by rolling
superposed spirals of these substances, laminated or in ribbon form, and which may
afterwards be readily compressed, the density thereof facilitating the handling and
management in waggons or other vehicles.
There is this further advantage in practising my said Invention, namely, that the
introduction of goods of an inferior quality to the centre of the bale is impos-
Bible.
The press employed in the manufacture of the bales prevents the breaking and
deterioration of the fibres, so that the bales may be unfastened and the hay
gathered together into heaps, without any entangling, loss, or disarrangement of
the fibres.
The forage or other material is brought by a shaker, having claws between
revolving cones, which arrange it in the form of ribbons, which then penetrate into

page_text: a revolving ring with claws, the latter rolling them in such a manner as to form a
cylindrical bale, which remains held in a frame, turning with it. A plate con-
nected with the said frame by progressively receding, whilst the material enters,
ensures the bale having the form desired, and afterwards effects the compression of
it by means of a screw placed in the axis of the apparatus.
During the compression the bands of the bale are passed along grooves cut for
this purpose in the said movable ring, and in the pressing plate, as herein-after
described, pins or spikes penetrating into the forage or other material, serving to
retain the extremities of the bands in the form of a buckle.
Motion is given to the movable parts of the apparatus by means of wheels and
pinions, receiving the movement of a driving shaft actuated by horses or by a steam
engine. Clutch coupling boxes and levers are provided for stopping and starting
the apparatus immediately.
The apparatus is mounted upon wheels in order to facilitate the transport there-
of, and it is slightly inclined from the hopper rearward in order that the entry of
the bay to be packed may be facilitated, as well as the exit of the finished bale.
In constructing the apparatus two longitudinal frame bars or plates are connected
at their back part by a strong cross bar or piece, receiving near its centre the main
pin or bolt of one of the axletrees, to which is fixed the shaft or pole. The forward
part of the said frame bars or plates is in connection with a fixed drum solidly
fastened by ears upon the other axletree, which is of the same dimensions as the
first-named axletree.
In order to maintain the longitudinal space between the aforesaid cross bar or
piece and the drum, each frame bar for plate is furnished in its interior with two
strong bolts, which prevent these parts from separating from each other during the
pressure.
Between the frane bars or plates is arranged the mechanism of the baling
apparatus, and in the prolongation of these frame bars or plates is placed a hopper
supported by cross bars and a frame solidly fastened to the aforesaid longitudinal
frame bars or plates. This hopper is provided at its sides with vertical planks,
serving to maintain the hay or other, material; and it has in its centre a longi-
tudinal partition, which is lifted for the passage of the band.
This hopper may
also be constructed so as to be completely lifted in order to facilitate the passage of
the bands.
Under an openwork bottom of the hopper is placed a shaker, the rods of which
are actuated by a bent shaft, which receives its motion from the said movable ring.
The rods have their upper face furnished with pins or spikes designed to direct the
forage into the drum of the apparatus. This drum is furnished in its interior with
two cones keyed upon dowling pins situated in the same axis at about 45° from
the vertical position, and passing through the centre of the drum. These cones
have their base toothed in order to engage with the movable ring, and thus receive
the rotary movement which is necessary to them in order to bring forward the
forage. The latter is thus drawn in the form of a double ribbon by crossing the
openings provided in the conical bottom of the drum. This bottom, in which are
also cut openings for the passage of the bands, is provided with strong ribs, which
permit it to resist the final pressure given to the forage; and moreover the drum is
solidly bolted on one side on the extremities of the longitudinal frame bars or
plates by its ears, cast in one piece with it, and on the other side upon one of the
axletrees of the apparatus; lower cars serve at the same time as a support to fixed
axles or strong dowling pins for rollers, upon which the said movable ring is sup-
ported and works.
This latter constitutes one of the important parts of the said apparatus, and is
furnished in its interior with four claws cast with it at its lower part, and which
are intended to draw forward the forage. This ring is toothed throughout its
exterior circumference in order to receive the motion of a pinion keyed upon the
driving shaft. The diameter of this toothed part of the ring is slightly smaller
than that of a flange upon the latter, which penetrates into the aforesaid rollers,

page_text: and is intended to guide the ring. The lateral face of the ring towards the side of
the drum is also toothed in order to gear with the teeth of the cones, and give them
the rotary movement necessary to bring the forage into the interior of the
apparatus.
The ring carries two sockets holding one end of the arms of the frame, serving as
a guide to a presser plate, held fast by cramps passing over projections provided on
the arms of the said frame, the other extremity of which is terminated by a cross
bar free upon the end of the screw nut of a pressure screw. It is in the interior
of this frame that the bale is made.
The interior face of the said pressing plate is furnished with a wooden disc pro-
vided with grooves crossing each other at right angles, and intended for the
passage of the bands. These grooves divide the disc into four similar segments, of
which three only are provided with claws in order to retain the forage concurrently
with the projections or claws of the movable ring. The fourth segment of the
wooden disc does not carry any claw in order to facilitate the discharge of the
finished bale.
The pressing plate recedes under the action of the hay, penetrating into the
apparatus, and this receding movement may be rendered more or less easy, according
to the degree of compression which is desired to be given to the bale. For this
purpose the pressing plate is solidly bolted upon the extremity of a strong rod
sliding inside the pressure screw terminated by a shoulder, upon which is mounted
a brake. This brake, which determines the degree of compression of the forage, is
constructed in two parts, which are encircled by a cramping piece; at its upper part
is a screw, which allows the brake to be pressed more or less upon the said sliding
rod, and thus to render the backward movement of the latter, and consequently
that of the plate, more difficult under the force of the forage, penetrating into the
apparatus, and which is thus more or less compressed. When the plate has arrived
at the bottom of its course the compression of the bale is finished by the assistance
of a pressure screw. For this purpose this screw is encircled by a long screw nut
carried on one side by a cross bar bolted on the longitudinal frame bars or plates,
and on the other side by a socket situated in the centre part of the first-named
cross bar or piece, and intended to maintain the counter pressure. This socket is
moreover fastened to the cross bar or piece by two solid tie rods.
The aforesaid screw nut is in connection with two toothed wheels, of which one
is small and the other larger, which are intended to cause this screw nut to turn
to the right or left, in order to cause the pressure screw to advance or retire. These
toothed wheels gear with and receive the motion of pinions keyed on the driving
shaft situated at the upper part of the apparatus. This driving shaft is supported
in a plummer block and an ear cast upon the apparatus.
In addition to the governing pinions there are on this shaft two clutch
coupling boxes, and the shaft gears with the pinion controlling the movable ring.
One of the coupling boxes is provided with a double action and operates the
governing pinions of the pressure screw, which must regularly turn to the right or
to the left in order to effect the final pressure upon the forage, and then regain its
first position. These clutch coupling boxes are actuated by levers jointed on one
of the longitudinal frame bars or plates of the apparatus.
The driving shaft carries at one of its extremities driving pulleys to be actuated
by means of a strap by the motive power, which is either a steam engine or a
horse or horses. In this latter case the horses which have drawn the apparatus to
the place where it is to be used are employed to put it in motion.
In effecting the binding, one of two workmen passes the ends of the string
forming the tie or band across the grooves of the drum, while his assistant receives.
them under the bale and passes them across the grooves of the presser plate; the
two operators thus stand on each side of the press; and by seizing the ends of the
string they stretch it at the same time; then the compression having sufficiently
contracted the bale, and the two ends of the tie being brought together, they are
fixed by the aid of a pin or point, also thrust into the forage.

page_text: The operation of tying being finished the coupling at the back is put in motion
in such a manner as to cause the screw to draw back and to permit the removal of
the finished bale, which is effected by the aid of a lever of any suitable kind.
The apparatus may be constructed of wood and metal, or entirely of metal, as
may be found convenient or desirable.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of Letters Patent filed by the
said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th Novem-
ber 1878.
$6
•
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND MACHINERY FOR
BALING AND COMPRESSING HAY, STRAW, COTTON, HEMP, AND SIMILAR MERCHAN-
DIZE." A communication from abroad by Thomas Pilter, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to an improved method of packing forage, straw, alpha
grass, cotton, hemp, and the like, and to apparatus for carrying the same into
effect.
This method of packing consists in the formation of cylindrical bales by rolling
superposed spirals of these substances laminated or in ribbon form, and which may
afterwards be readily compressed, the density thereof facilitating the handling and
management of the bales in waggons or other vehicles.
There is this further advantage in practising my said Invention, namely, that
the introduction of materials of an inferior quality in the centre of the bale is im-
possible.
The press employed in the manufacture of these bales prevents the breaking and
deterioration of the fibres, so that the bales may be unfastened and the hay or other
material gathered together into heaps without any entanglement, loss, or dis-
arrangement of the fibres.
The forage, hay, straw, or other material is brought by a shaker provided with
claws between revolving cones, and is thereby arranged in the form of ribbons,
which then enter a revolving ring with claws, the latter rolling them in such a
manner as to form a cylindrical bale, which remains held in a frame, turning with
it. A plate connected with the said revolving frame by progressively receding,
whilst the materials enter ensures the bale having the form desired, and afterwards
effects the compression of it by means of a screw placed in the axis of the
apparatus.
During the compression the bale bands are passed along grooves cut for this
purpose in the said revolving ring, and in the pressing plate, as herein-after
described, a clasp serving to retain the two buckles at the extremities of the bands.
Motion is given to the movable parts of the apparatus by means of wheels and
pinions, receiving movement from a driving shaft actuated by horses or by a steam
engine. Clutch coupling boxes and levers are provided for stopping and starting
the apparatus immediately.

page_text: bales.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section; Figure 2 is a transverse section on
the line A, B*, Figure 1; Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line C*, D*,
Figure 1; Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line E*, F*, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a vertical section of a portion of the said apparatus detached on the
line &*, H*, Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a plan; Figure 7 is a transverse section on the line I*, J*, Figure 1.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a finished bale.
In constructing the said machinery or apparatus two longitudinal frame bars or
plates a are connected at their back by a strong cross bar or piece b, which receives
near its centre the main pin or bolt of the axle c, to which is fixed the shaft or pole.
The forward part of the said frame bars or plates is in connection with a fixed
drum d solidly fastened by its slugs upon the other axle c³, which is of the same
dimensions as the first-named axle.
In order to maintain the longitudinal space between the aforesaid cross bar or
piece b and the drum d, each frame bar or plate a is furnished in its interior with
two strong bolts e, which prevent the separation of these parts from each other by
pressure during the operation of baling.
Between the said frame bars or plates is arranged the mechanism of the baling
apparatus, and in the extension or prolongation of these frame bars is placed a
hopper supported by cross bars e', and a frame f solidly fastened to the aforesaid
longitudinal frame bars or plates. This hopper is provided at its sides with vertical
planks serving to hold the hay or other material, and it has in its centre a longi-
tudinal partition, which is raised for the passage of the bands. This hopper may
also be so constructed as to be completely removed or raised to facilitate the
passage of the said bands.
The said hopper has an openwork bottom, under which is placed a shaker h with
rods i actuated by a bent shaft j, which receives its motion from the said movable
ring. The said rods have their upper face furnished with pins or spikes k designed
to direct the hay or other material into the drum d of the said apparatus. This
drum, as shown in the Drawing, is furnished in its interior with two cones n keyed
upon dowling pins situated in the same axis at about 45° from the vertical position,
and passing through the centre of the drum. These cones at their bases are pro-
vided with teeth to engage with the movable ring, and thus have imparted to them
the rotary movement which is necessary to bring forward the forage. The latter is
thus drawn in the form of a double ribbon by crossing the openings provided in
the conical bottom p of the drum. This bottom, in which are also cut openings for
the passage of the bands, is provided with strong ribs, shewn in Figure 5, and
which permit it to resist the final pressure given to the forage or other material.
Moreover the drum is solidly bolted on one side to the extremities of the longi-
tudinal frame bars or plates a by its lugs m, cast in one piece with it, and on the
other side upon the axle c of the said apparatus; the lower lugs 7 serve at the same
time as a support to the fixed axles or strong dowling pins r of the rollers 8, upon
which the said movable ring or crown t is supported and works.
The latter constitutes one of the important parts of the said apparatus, and is
furnished in its interior with four claws cast with it at its lower part, and which
are intended to draw forward the hay, straw, or other material. This ring is
toothed throughout its exterior circumference to receive motion from a pinion
keyed upon the driving shaft v. The diameter of this toothed part of the said
ring is slightly smaller than that of the flange w upon the latter, which works in

page_text: grooves in tlic aforesaid rollers, and is intended to guide the said ring, as shown in
Figures 1 and 4. The lateral face of the ring towards the side of the drum is also
toothed to gear witli the teeth of the aforesaid cones ; and give them the rotary
movement necessary to bring the forage into the interior of the said apparatus.
The ring t carries two sockets y, holding one end of the arms of the frame or
cap, serving as a guide to â presser plate A held fast by cramps passing over pro-
jections B, provided on the arms.z of the said frame, the other extremity of which is
terminated by a cross bar free to move upon, the end of the screw nut of a pressure
screw. It is in the interior of this frame that the formation of the bale is effected.
The interior face of the plate A is furnished with a wooden disc, as shewn in
Figures 1 and 7, provided with grooves crossing each other at right angles, and
intended for the passage of the bale bands. These grooves divide the disc into
four similar segments; of which three only are provided with claws D to retain the
forage concurrently with the projections or claws of the movable ring. The fourth
segment of the wooden disc does not carry any claw, and will therefore facilitate
the discharge of the finished bale.
11
The plate A recedes under the action of the hay or other material as it enters
the apparatus; and this receding movement may be rendered more or less easy,
according to the degree of compression which is desired to be given to the bale.
For this purpose the plate A is solidly bolted upon the extremity of a strong rod E,
sliding inside the pressure screw F; terminated by a shoulder, upon which is
mounted a brake G. This brake, which determines the degree of compression of
the lay or other material, is constructed in two parts, which are encircled by a
cramping piece H. At its upper part is a screw I, which allows the brake to be
pressed more or less upon the rod E, and thus to render more difficult the backward
movement of the latter, and consequently that of the plate by the pressure of the
hay or other material entering the apparatus, which material is thus more or less
compressed. When the said plate has arrived at the bottom of its course or move-
ment, the compression of the bale is finished by the assistance of the pressure
screw F. For this purpose the said screw is encircled by the long screw nut K,
carried on one side by the cross bar L, bolted on the longitudinal frame bars or
plates a, and on the other side by the socket M, situated in the central part of the
cross bar or piece b, and intended to maintain the counter pressure. This socket is
moreover fastened to the cross bar or piece b by two solid tie rods N.
The aforesaid screw nut K is formed or connected with two toothed wheels O, P,
of which one is small and the other large. These wheels are provided to effect the
turning of this screw nut to the right or left to cause the pressure screw F to
advance or retire. These toothed wheels gear with and receive motion from
pinions keyed on the driving shaft at the upper part of the said apparatus.
This driving shaft is supported in the plummer block R and an ear or lug is cast upon
the apparatus.
In addition to the governing pinions there are on this shaft two clutch coupling
boxes T, U, and the shaft gears with the pinion controlling the movable ring. One
of the coupling boxes T has a double action and operates the governing pinions of
the pressure screw, which must necessarily turn to the right or to the left in order
to effect the final pressure upon the forage or other material, and then return to its
first position. These clutch coupling boxes are actuated by levers W jointed on one
of the longitudinal frame bars or plates a of the said apparatus.
The aforesaid driving shaft carries at one of its extremities the driving pulleys V
to be actuated by means of a strap from a steam or other engine or by horse
power.
In effecting the binding of the bales one of the operators passes the ends of the
string forming the tie or band across the grooves of the aforesaid drum, while his
assistant receives them under the bale and passes them across the grooves of the
presser plate. The two operators thus stand on opposite sides of the press, and by
seizing the ends of the string they stretch it at the same time. Then the bale

page_text: having been compressed by the pressure, and the two ends of the tie being brought
together, they are fixed by the aid of a clasp serving to secure the two buckles of
the bands.
The operation of tying being finished the coupling at the back is put in motion
in such a manner as to cause the screw to recede and to permit the removal of the
finished bale, which is effected by the aid of a suitable lever or other convenient
means.
The said apparatus may be constructed of wood and metal or entirely of metal,
as may be found most convenient or desirable.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim, the above-described improvements in and relating to the baling and
compression of hay, straw, cotton, hemp, and similar merchandize, comprising the
following essential features, namely:-
:-
First. A novel mode of packing or baling such substances collected or put
together in the form of cylindrical bales by rolling or coiling in superposed spirals
the hay, straw, or other material in a ribbon form in such a manner as to permit
the final compression without detriment to the quality of the said material.
Second. The apparatus for forming and compressing the bales, as illustrated in
the accompanying Drawing, and which is characterized by the following peculiar
and novel features, that is to say :-
The employment of a hopper with a shaker for ensuring the entrance of the hay
or other material into the apparatus.
Also the employment of rotating cones for giving to the hay or other material a
ribbon form, and compelling it to enter the rotating ring or crown of the machine.
Also the employment, for effecting the rolling of the bale, of the said rotating
ring or crown with hooks or claws, in combination with a rotating piston furnished
with claws in such a manner that the hay or other material entering in the form of
ribbons between these two parts will be seized and rolled in superposed spirals, as
above described.
Also the employment of two guides for ensuring the regularity of the movement
of the presser plate.
Also the employment, for effecting the first compression of the hay or other
material, of a brake acting upon the compressor piston rod.
Also the employment of a concentric screw for the said rod to permit the sub-
jecting of the material to a forcible compression after the formation of the bale.
Also the peculiar coupling and uncoupling arrangements, which permit the suc-
cessive action of the different parts of the apparatus, as above described.
And, finally, the means employed for permitting the passage of the ties or bands,
and the binding and easy removal of the finished bale.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
W. ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)