Improvements in Compressing Machines for Moulding Artificial Fuel and other Materials.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 22nd May, 1900-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Compressing Machines for Moulding Artificial Fuel
and other Materials.
I, CHARLES WARREN SMITH, of Rock Island, in the County of Rock Island and
State of Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to machines for compressing plastic material into cylin-
drical blocks or eggetes and is designed more especially for compressing artificial
fuel, consisting of a mixture of coal dust and heated pitch, although it may be
employed for compressing other materials, if desired.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of the com-
presser, by which artificial fuel or other material may be compressed into blocks,
in a rapid and efficient manner.
I employ a horizontally movable cylinder having an opening in its upper side
through which the mixture is fed thereto. This cylinder is closed at the outer
end by a head and at the other end is connected therewith a laterally movable and
rotatable die. This die is formed with four openings extending from end to end
thereof, and its outer end is provided with lugs, with which engage lugs on a
stationary die formed with two diametrically opposite concave or semi-spherical
recesses which form one of the rounded ends of the compressed blocks and with
two opposite peripheral slots which receive the compressed blocks as they are
expelled from the die.
Passing through said dies and cylinder head is a longitudinally movable but non-
rotatable shaft connected with an eccentric strap of an eccentric secured to a trans-
verse driving shaft. Keyed to this shaft is a hub of a flange or disk, to which is
secured two opposite inwardly extending compressing plungers, the inner ends of
which are concaved or formed with semi-cylindrical recesses, and two alternately
arranged expelling plungers also formed with concavities. These plungers are
similar in construction, with the exception that the expelling plungers are some-
what longer or extend beyond the other plungers at the inner ends.
Secured to the driving shaft is a beveled gear which meshes with a corres-
ponding gear on a rotatable longitudinal shaft. This shaft is provided with a
wheel fixed thereto, formed with a peripheral cam groove with which engages a
roller journaled to a peripheral stud on the cylinder head, the construction and
arrangement being such that at the proper time the cylinder and die will be
moved away from the stationary die. The said cylinder is movable longitudinally
on the shaft, but is non-rotatable, while the die is so connected with the cylinder
as to move longitudinally therewith and is also rotatable on said shaft by means
hereafter described.
Secured to a standard is a circular bracket in which the rotatable longitudinal
shaft is journaled, said bracket being formed at the rim or periphery with a
cylindrical flange to the outer edge of which is bolted a broken guide ring.
Loosely journaled on the last named shaft is a cog wheel which meshes with a
corresponding cog ring secured to the inner end of the die. This ring is wider

page_text: than the cog wheel so as to permit it to move laterally or longitudinally with the
die without throwing it out of mesh with said wheel. Fixed to the shaft is an
arm or crank to the outer end of which is pivoted a pawl adapted to engage with
projections or lugs on the cog wheel. The other end of this pawl is formed with
a projection which engages with a lug on the guide ring and throws the pawl out
of engagement with said lugs. I employ a spring secured to said arm or shaft
and engaging with one end of said pawl, so as to throw the latter into engagement
with one of the lugs, when the pawl passes out of engagement with the guide ring.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1899.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Compressing Machines for Moulding Artificial Fuel
and other Materials.
I, CHARLES WARREN SMITH, of Rock Island, in the County of Rock Island and
State of Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman, 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:-
My invention relates to machines for compressing plastic material into cylin-
drical blocks or eggetes and is designed more especially for compressing artificial
fuel, consisting of a mixture of coal dust and heated pitch, although it may be
employed for compressing other materials, if desired.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of the com-
pressor, by which artificial fuel or other material may be compressed into blocks,
in a rapid and efficient manner, and it consists in the novel construction and
combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a compressor constructed in accordance with my
invention.
Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section on the line, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line y-y, Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a face view of the stationary die at the outer end of the machine.
Fig. 5 is a similar view of the longitudinally movable and rotatable die located
at the end of the longitudinally movable cylinder.
Fig 6. is a detail view showing the crank or arm and pawl which rotate the
cylinder.
In the said drawing, the reference numeral 1 designates a horizontally movable
cylinder having an opening 2 in its upper side through which the mixture is fed
thereto. This cylinder is closed at the outer end by a head 3 and at the other end
is connected therewith a laterally movable and rotatable die 4. This die is formed
with four openings 5 extending from end to end thereof, and its outer end is
provided with lugs 6, with which engage lugs 6ª on a stationary die 7 formed with
two diametrically opposite concave or semi-spherical recesses 8, which form one of
the rounded ends of the compressed block and with two opposite peripheral slots 8*
which receive the compressed blocks as they are expelled from the die 4.
Passing through said dies and cylinder head is a longitudinally movable but
non-rotatable shaft 9 connected with an eccentric strap 10 of an eccentric 12
secured to a transverse driving shaft 13. Keyed to this shaft is a hub 14 of a
flange or disk 15, to which is secured two opposite inwardly extending com-
pressing plungers 16, the inner ends of which are concaved or formed with semi-

page_text: cylindrical recesses 17, and two alternately arranged expelling plungers 18 also
formed with concavities 19. These plungers 16 and 18 are similar in construction,
with the exception that plungers 18 are somewhat longer or extend beyond the
plungers 16, at the inner ends.
Secured to the driving shaft 13 is a beveled gear 20, which meshes with a
corresponding gear 21 on a rotatable longitudinal shaft 23. This shaft 23 is
provided with a wheel 24 fixed thereto, formed with a peripheral cam groove 25,
with which engages a roller 26 journaled to a peripheral stud on the cylinder
head 3, the construction and arrangement being such that at the proper time the
cylinder 1 and die 4 will be moved away from the stationary die 7, as seen in
Fig. 1. The said cylinder is movable longitudinally on the shaft 9, but is non-
rotatable, while the die 4 is so connected with the cylinder as to move longi-
tudinally therewith and is also rotatable on said shaft by means hereafter
described.
The numeral 27 designates a standard to which is secured a circular bracket 28,
in which shaft 23 is journaled, said bracket being formed at the rim or periphery
with a cylindrical flange 29, to the outer edge of which is bolted a broken guide
ring 30, for a purpose hereafter described. Loosely journaled on the shaft 23 is
a cog wheel 31, which meshes with a corresponding cog ring 32 secured to the
inner end of the die 4. This ring 32 is wider than the wheel 31 so as to permit
it to move laterally or longitudinally with the die without throwing it out of mesh
with said wheel. Fixed to shaft 23 is an arm or crank 34, to the outer end of
which is pivoted a pawl 35 adapted to engage with projections or lugs 36, on the
cog wheel 31. The other end of this pawl is formed with a projection 37, which
engages with a lug 39 on the guide ring 30, and throws the pawl out of engage-
ment with said lugs. The numeral 38 designates a spring secured to said arm
or shaft and engaging with one end of said pawl, so as to throw the latter into.
engagement with one of the lugs 36, when the pawl passes out of engagement
with the guide ring
The operation is as follows:
The mixture or plastic material is fed to the cylinder 1, through the opening 2,
from a mixing machine or other source of supply, and the compressor is set in
motion, the die 4 being pushed tightly against the stationary die 7, by the
cylinder and cam wheel, the lugs ( engaging with lugs 6 to hold the die 4
against rotation, so that the openings therein shall be in coincidence or align-
ment with the recesses and slots, respectively, of the stationary die, as seen
in Fig. 2. The plungers 16 and IS will be now moved forward by the shaft 9,.
the eccentric and the driving shaft, plungers 16 forcing a portion of the material
in the cylinder into the openings in the die 4, which are in alignment with the
concave recesses in die , and compressing it therein. At the same time,
plungers 18 will force the blocks previously compressed out of the other openings
in said die 4 into the slots in die 7. The plungers will then be withdrawn from
the die 4 by the further movement of the eccentric. While such movements are
taking place, shaft 23 is rotating so that by the time the plungers are withdrawn
from said die, the cam wheel and roller will move the cylinder and die 4 away from
die 7, so as to disengage the lugs 6 from lugs 62, as seen in Fig. 1. By this
time the pawl 35 of the arm or crank 34 will have passed out of engagement with
the upper end of the broken guide ring 30 and the spring 38 will throw the pawl
into engagement with one of the projections or lugs 36, which will rotate the
cog wheel 31, which in turn will correspondingly rotate the cog ring or rim 32,
causing die 4 to make a quarter revolution, so that the openings therein con-
taining the compressed blocks will be brought opposite the slots in the die 5 and
the openings from which the compressed blocks have been expelled opposite the
concave recesses in die 7. The pawl 35 will now have reached the lug 39 at the
lower end of the guide ring when the projection 37 engaging therewith will
depress the same causing its other end to be moved outward and thrown out of
engagement with said lug or projection 36, and will not again engage with one

page_text: of said lugs or projections until it again passes the upper end of the guide ring 30.
When said pawl has passed the said 'lug 39, the cam wheel 24 will move the
cylinder 1 and die 4 forward, so that lugs 6. will engage with lugs (a of die 7, and
the die 4 be prevented from rotating. The expelling plungers 18 are so con-
structed that when they are withdrawn from the die, they will barely clear the
latter, so that upon their next forward stroke, they will not carry any material
into the die. The object of reciprocating the die 4 and cylinder 1 is to disengage
the same from the stationary die 7 so as to allow the die 7 to be rotated.
While I have shown four plungers and four openings in die 4, I do not wish
to be limited to this number, as more may be employed if found convenient or
desirable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a compressing machine, the combination with the longitudinally movable
cylinder, the longitudinally movable and rotatable die having a series of openings
extending therethrough and the stationary die formed with alternately arranged
recesses and peripheral slots, of the alternately arranged compressing and ex-
pelling plungers of different lengths and means for reciprocating the same, sub-
stantially as described.
2. In a compressing machine, the combination with the longitudinally movable
cylinder, the longitudinally movable and rotatable die having a series or openings
extending therethrough and provided with lugs at the outer ends, and the
stationary die formed with alternately arranged concave recesses and peripheral
stots, and with lugs adapted to engage with the lugs of said movable uie, of the
alternately arranged compressing and expelling plungers of different lengths
formed with concave recesses in their free or inner enus, the reciprocating snatt
with which said plungers are connected, and means for reciprocating said cylinder
and movable die, and means for rotating said movable die, substantially as
described.
3. In a compressing machine, the combination with the longitudinally movable
cylinder, the stud connected therewith, the roller, the longitudinally movable and
rotatable die having a series of openings extending therethrough and provided
with lugs at the outer end, the stationary die formed with alternately arranged
recesses and peripheral slots and provided with lugs engaging with the lugs of
the movable die, of the alternately arranged compressing and expelling plungers
of different lengths, the reciprocating shaft connected therewith, the rotatable
wheel formed with a peripheral cam groove with which said roller engages, means
for rotating said wheel and reciprocating said shaft, and means for rotating said
movable die, substantially as described.
4. In a compressing machine, the combination with the longitudinally movable
cylinder, the stud secured thereto, the roller on said stud, the longitudinally
movable and rotatable die having a series of openings extending therethrough, the
lugs at the outer end of said die, the stationary die formed with alternately
arranged concave recesses and peripheral slots, and the lugs engaging with
the lugs of said movable die, of the alternately arranged plungers
of different lengths formed with concave recesses in their inner ends,
the reciprocating shaft with which said plungers are connected, the eccentric
connected with said shaft, the driving shaft, the bevel gear secured to said shaft,
the bevel gear meshing therewith, the longitudinal shaft, the wheel secured thereto
having a peripheral cam groove with which said roller engages, and means for
rotating the movable die, substantially as described.
5. In a compressing machine, the combination with the longitudinally movable
cylinder and means for reciprocating the same, the longitudinally movable and
rotatable die having a series of openings extending therethrough, the cog ring
secured to the inner end of said die, the lugs at the outer ends thereof, and the

page_text: stationary die formed with recesses and peripheral slots and with lugs adapted to
engage with the lugs on said movable die, of the alternately arranged compressing
and expelling plungers of different lengths, the reciprocating shaft connected
therewith, the iongitudinal rotatable shaft, the loose cog wheel thereon meshing
with said cog ring, the projections or lugs on said cog wheel, the crank or arm
secured to said rotatable shaft, the pawl pivoted thereto adapted to engage with
said projections or lugs and means for throwing said pawl into and out of
engagement with said projections or lugs, substantially as described.
6. In a compressing machine, the combination with the longitudinally movable
cylinder and means for reciprocating the same, the longitudinally movable and
rotatable die connected therewith having a series of openings extending there-
through, the cog ring at the inner end of said die, the lugs at the outer end
thereof, and the stationary die formed with recesses and peripheral slots and with
lugs adapted to engage with the lugs of said movable die, of the alternately
arranged compressing and expelling plungers, the reciprocating shaft connected
therewith, the rotatable longitudinal shaft, the loose cog wheel thereon meshing
with said cog ring, the projections or lugs on said wheel, the crank or arm secured
to said rotatable shaft, the pivoted spring actuated pawl one end of which is
adapted to engage with said projections or lugs and provided with a projection at
the other end and the broken guide ring, substantially as described.
7. In a compressing machine, the combination with the longitudinally movable
cylinder, the stud and roller connected therewith, the longitudinally movable die
having a series of openings extending therethrough, the cog ring at the inner end
thereof, the lugs at the outer end, the stationary die formed with recesses and
peripheral slots and the lugs adapted to engage with the lugs on said movable die,
of the alternately arranged compressing and expelling plungers of different
lengths, the reciprocating shaft connected therewith, the rotatable longitudinal
shaft, the wheel thereon formed with a peripheral cam groove, the loose cog wheel
engaging with said cog ring at the inner end of the movable die and fixed crank
on said rotatable shaft, the projections or lugs on said cog wheel, the spring
actuated pawl pivoted to said crank, one end of which is adapted to engage with
said projections, the projection at the other end thereof, and the broken guide
ring, substantially as described.
S. In a compressing machine, the combination with the longitudinally movable
cylinder, the stud and roller connected therewith, the longitudinally movable
and rotatable die having a series of openings extending therethrough, the cog
ring at the inner end thereof, the lugs at the outer end, the stationary die formed
with alternately arranged concave recesses and peripheral slots, and the lugs
adapted to engage with the lugs of the movable die, of the alternately arranged
compressing and expelling plungers of different lengths formed with concave
recesses in the inner ends, the wheel or disk at the outer end thereof, the recipro
cating shaft connected therewith, the eccentric strap and eccentric, the transverse
driving shaft, the bevel gear secured thereto, the longitudinal rotatable shaft to
which said last mentioned gear is secured, the wheel fixed thereto formed with a
peripheral cam groove, the loose cog wheel engaging with said cog ring at the
inner end of the movable die and fixed crank on said rotatable longitudinal shaft,
the projections or lugs on said cog wheel, the spring actuated pawl one end of
which is adapted to engage with said projections or lugs and having a projection at
the other end, and the broken guide ring, substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd day of May 1900.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.