Improvements in and connected with Presses for Baling Cotton and other Goods.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 10th June, 1892-Accepted, 16th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Presses for Baling Cotton and
other Goods.
I, DANIEL KEMP WEST of 23 Saint Mary Axe in the City of London
Consulting Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to compress into a smaller bulk cotton and other.
goods to save freight and also to reduce the prime cost and weight of the pressing
apparatus. Instead of as heretofore by the usual method applying the final pressure
of the ram, rams or follower to the whole surface of the bale or other package or
goods at one pressing operation I apply a higher pressure to one part after another
of the surface in succession and lash each such part after compression till the whole
length or area of the bale has. been compressed and lashed. The power of the
press is thus relatively increased as the area on which it acts at each pressing
operation is decreased. Moreover instead of introducing the bale from the front
when transfering it to the finisher I prefer to introduce it from one end I thus in a new
finishing press am able to reduce the width of the press very materially and 1 may
also in any existing press reduce the pressure on the ram or rams although I
considerably increase the pressure per square inch of bale the result being that the
size weight and price of the press are reduced while the density of the compressed
bale is much greater and the bulk much less than now.
One part of my invention consists in providing lashing plates covering only a
comparatively small portion of the platten or bale instead of as heretofore covering.
the whole pressing surface. In order to carry out this part of my invention I may
proceed as follows.
I divide the lashing plates of presses into corresponding parts or pieces according
to the number of pressing operations, with blocks behind those parts first under
final pressure shifting these blocks by screws lever or handles to the next parts to
be acted upon when the first portion of the bale is lashed. Or I use battens on the
faces of some of the teeth of the lashing plates, or on the plattens of the press to
reduce the height of that portion of the bale, and shift these battens from part to
part as each portion is lashed or I fix the battens or use short lashing plates or
plattens and shift the bale to receive successive pressures in successive portions of
its length or surface between such compressing battens or plates.
To retain the loosely pressed portion of the bale while the readjustment is being
made for the next pressure I employ suitable holders, clamps or dogs, or staples
connecting the upper and lower battens of or on the lashing plates or the parts of the
lashing plates. To remove the bale from the half press to the finishing press I
similarly employ holders, clamps, dogs or other temporary fastenings which are
passed through grooves in the follower and platten of the half press and which
above and below the bale form the battens between which the bale is compressed in
the finisher the lashings being passed through the spaces between the battens, or if
such battens are not used as compressing surfaces, I arrange them to be withdrawn
in succession when the bale is securely held between the short parts of the lashing
plates to allow of lashing in the ordinary way.
This holder for compressing the bale between its battens is particularly adapted
for presses in which the bale is introduced into the finishing press at the end
and is provided with catches on the battens or links to suspend the bale in the
half press until it can be transferred to the finisher, so as to enable the loose
cotton &c. for the ensuing bale to be filled into the press previous to the removal of
the half pressed bale.

page_text: And I use similarly catches or stops in other presses to suspend the bale while
the adjustments are being made.
To support the overhanging portion of the bale while one part of same is being
pressed I use tables which rise and fall with the press table and ram but at about
half its speed thus keeping the centre line of the bale straight I may thus for
instance connect such tables with the ram by means of a lever or levers; the joint
pin for the table being in the middle of the length of such lever.
To avoid damaging the material operated on by a too abrupt division line or
ridge between a finally compressed part and the succeeding one I give a portion of
the latter a preliminary compression first thus forming a step or slope which is
flattened down in the final compression of said succeeding parts and to retain such
preliminary compression of part of the bale the links which connect the bottom of
the holders are adjustable in length for instance by means of keys clutches nuts or
other gripping appliances.
Dated thig 27th day of October 1801
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Presses for Baling Cotton and
other Goods.
I, DANIEL KEMP WEST of 23 Saint Mary Axe in the City of London
Consulting Engineer 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 :-
The principal object of this invention is to reduce the prime cost and weight of
apparatus for pressing cotton bales and other goods and another object is by com-
pressing the same into smaller bulk to save freight in transport.
Instead of as heretofore by the usual method applying the final pressure of the
ram, rams or follower at one pressing operation to the whole surface of the bale or
other package or goods I apply the final pressure to one part after another of the
surface and lash successively each such part after compression till the whole length
or area of the bale has been sufficiently compressed and lashed. This pressure may
with advantage be considerably higher per square inch of pressing surface than
heretofore and I may thus reduce the bulk of the bale considerably below that
hitherto usual. The power of the press is thus relatively increased inasmuch as the
area on which it acts at each pressing operation is decreased. I am also in a new
finishing press able to reduce the width of the press very materially if I, as I prefer
it, introduce the bale from one end instead of broadside from the front. The result
is that the size, weight and price of the press are reduced while the density of the
compressed bale may advantageously be much greater and the bulk much less
thau now.
In any existing press I may by the use of my invention reduce the pressure per
square inch of the ram or rams and yet considerably increase the pressure per square
inch of the part of the bale being compressed.
According to one mode of carrying out the aforesaid process I provide lashing
plates which operate only upon a portion or a comparatively small portion of the
platten and bale instead of as heretofore upon the whole. For this purpose I divide
the lashing plates into as many parts or pieces as I apply pressing operations and
provide blocks behind them which blocks I shift as required by screws, lever or
handles from a portion which has been pressed to the portion which is to be pressed
next after first lashing the portion of the bale which has been pressed.
To retain the loosely pressed portion of the bale while the readjustment is made
for final compression and during the final compression of the other portion of the

page_text: bale I employ suitable holders, clamps or dogs. These holders also serve to remove
the bale from the half press to the finishing press.
g
press
In Figure 1 which represents the upper part of an ordinary press the usual lashing
plates are replaced by the upper plates L and lower plates L' each divided into
three parts and with one or more of the grooves in each of the parts wider at the
bottom to receive the T head shaped prongs of the holders which prongs are
shown here in section. Figure 7 is a side view of such a holder and Figure 8 a
vertical transverse section through a set of three holders the prongs e are held in
plates C and C. The upper lashing plate L is provided with pins having heads
or nuts and springs 9 between the heads f¹ and the lower flange of the head
or other convenient surface; the springs serve to hold the lashing plates L. up
against the bottom flange P of the press head but yield under the superior weight
of the bale B and of the lower lashing plates L'. The blocks a a Figure 1 are as
shown more clearly in the separate plan view Figure 6 united by a right and left
handed screw c which works in nut lugs or projections 6 for the purpose of moving
and placing them as required behind say the middle lashing plates or the outer
lashing plates, the former position is shown in Figures 4 and 5, the latter in Figure 3.
Figure 6 also shews the pins f for the upper lashing plates L.
Figure 1 illustrates the position of parts when the bale B has been pressed all
over to the usual density that is to say before it obtains the extra compression
intended by my invention.
Figure 2 shews the next position that is to say the one in which the bale hangs
in the prongs e of the holders in the lashing plates L L' and with the springs g
compressed by the weight of the suspended bale and lashing plates so that a clear
space is formed between the top of the plates L and the platten P the space being
sufficient for the insertion of the blocks a. a.
Figure 3 shews the blocks a a introduced above the outer or end portions of the
upper lashing plates L being drawn into place and spaced properly apart by means
of the screw Figure 6. The lower blocks a a are or may be introduced from the
front. The press is shewn as worked up again to give the extra pressure to each
end part of the bale the holders being then removed and these parts lashed as
indicated by the dotted lines.
Figure 4 illustrates a subsequent stage that is to say after the ram has been
lowered so that the bale is suspended in the middle holders from the pins f and after
the blocks a a have been shifted from the lateral to the middle position, that is to
say behind the middle portions of the lashing plates while the upper end portions of
same are drawn up by the springs g. The middle part of the bale is shewn as ready
for being compressed by what I call the extra pressure.
Figure 5 shews the bale thus compressed in the middle and there lashed.
The press ram having then been lowered, the bale, now fully compressed all over
is removed and will expand equally throughout its length and be parallel.
Or according to another mode of carrying out my process instead of the divided
lashing plates I use in connection with entire lashing plates and it may be in
existing presses what I call battens which are guided on some of the teeth of the
lashing plates and which serve the purpose of reducing the height of that portion or
those portions of the bale to which they are successively applied, the battens being
shifted from portion to portion as each portion is lashed. With these battens
also use holders.
Figure 9 shews an arrangement of this kind where the bale is suspended in the
holder leaving a clear space above and below the bale for the introduction of the
battens a the latter being put in at each end of the bale but not in the middle;
the battens are guided in the teeth spaces of the lashing plates L L'.
Figure 10 illustrates the next stage in the process where the press has been
worked up and the bale has been compressed and lashed at each end, the holders
having been there withdrawn.
Figure 11 illustrates the next stage where the ram has been lowered again, the

page_text: bale suspended in the holder and the battens a shifted to the central portion of the
bale.
In Figure 12 the press is next shown worked up again the central portion of the
holder withdrawn and the central portion of the bale compressed and lashed.
The bale being now finished it is removed, the ram having been lowered and the
battens withdrawn. The central portion will swell out and the bale be parallel.'
Or according to another mode of carrying out this invention I use short lashing
plates or plattens and shift the bale to receive successive pressures in successive
portions of its length between such compressing plattens or plates. In this part of
my invention I use holders of the form described or in some cases of a modified
form.
Figure 13 illustrates in one view such an arrangement where the bale in the
holder is inserted in a press provided with only one set of short lashing plates L L'
the bale being pressed first in one portion say the middle then in another say an
end portion and then in the other end portion, the portions being lashed in each
position of the bale before the latter is moved into the next.
Figure 14 illustrates an example where two pairs of lashing plates are used the
end portions of the bale being pressed first, the end portions of the holder then
withdrawn, the lashing effected and the lashing plates shifted to the middle for
pressing it there. This shifting of the lashing plates may be effected by means of
the screws such as c Figure 6.
Figure 15 illustrates another example where the bale is inserted in a press
provided with short supplementary blocks a, the teeth d or battens of the holder
being made much broader so as to act as compressing surfaces and as it were form
the battens between which the bale is compressed and thus taking the place of the
teeth of the lashing plates L L' Figures 1 to 5. As each portion is pressed and
lashed the bale is shifted or the blocks a are shifted so that the next pressure
comes upon another portion of the bale and so on. There may be two or more
blocks a.
Figure 16 illustrates a modification in which a bale in the holder (which in this
and the previous case is inserted while the bale is in the half press) is inserted in
the press between the plates L and L' packing pieces or blocks a being put above
the upper and below the lower prongs or battens d of the holder, these blocks being
for convenience guided in the grooves in the lashing plates L L. The ends of the
bale may as here intended be pressed and lashed first and then the middle the
blocks a being shifted accordingly. The holder in this and the previous example
may be of the kind shewn in Figures 27 to 30 but the sliding joint k is not needed
for the arrangements shewn in Figures 15 and 16.
Figures 17. 18 and 19 shew a modification of the arrangements described with
reference to Figures 1 to 5, Figure 17 being a front view shewing the balc
retained by holders and with blocks a inserted at the ends, Figure 18 being a
vertical section shewing the mode of attaching the holders and Figure 19
being a front view shewing the bale compressed at the ends. Instead of the
separate holders for retaining the blocks a I in this modification use staples or link
shaped holders which are hinged to one of the lashing plates say the upper one L
and take on to projections L* on the other or where such projections would
interfere with the box of the press I provide the links with projections which lock
into recesses in the end of the lashing plate or instead of fixed projections I may
use bolts which can be slided through an eye in the link and enter a recess in the
plate. In Figure 19 the press has been worked up again the links, at the end
portions of the bale have been lifted out of the way and the said portions are ready
for being lashed. The central portion of the bale can then be pressed.
To avoid damaging the material operated on by a too abrupt division line
or ridge between a finally compressed portion of a bale and the succeeding
adjoining one I give a part of the latter a preliminary compression first, thus.
forming a slight step or slope which is flattened down in the final compression. of

page_text: the said succeeding portion and to retain such preliminary compression of part
of the hale the links which connect the prongs or teeth of the holders are made
adjustable in length by means for instance of wedges clutches knuckles or other
gripping appliances.
Figure 20 shows such an arrangement where the lashing plates are divided
into five sets or portions the blocks a being as shewn clearly in the detail
views Figures 22 to 26 made to effect simultaneously a complete compression
to one portion and a partial compression to a second adjoining portion. The blocks
from opposite sides inter-lock when applied to the middle portion of the bale as
shewn in Figure 25. To retain the partial compression of the second or other
portion of the bale the links may be divided or formed with a sliding joint k
as shewn in Figure 21 and the necessary grip on or cohesion of this joint may as
shown to a larger scale in Figs. 27 to 30 be given by means of wedges or rollers in
a box on one part of link, in Figs. 27 and 28 the box k forming the lower end of
upper part of the link is provided with wedges which grip the upper end
of lower part h¹ of the link and are connected to a plate m by means of pins
working in slots; the wedges bind tightly upon the part h¹ and while allowing the
latter to travel upward prevent its descent. When the limit of travel reached
the lower narrower part of h¹ passes up beyond the upper end of the wedges and
the links thus become released from each other, the wedges or rollers dropping
into wells provided in the box.
Fig. 29 shows an arrangement of rollers in the gripping position and Fig. 30
in the released; the part of h¹ which operates with the wedges or rollers is by
preference slightly taper.
To put the rollers or wedges back into position the links are inverted and drawn
out as far as required. The eye at lower end of link ¹ is slightly oval to allow it
to expand and to reduce the tension on the link.
Figs. 31, 32 and 33 refer to bales in which the pressure applied to them is so
great or the substance pressed so delicate that the same or its fibres might be
damaged by being cut or forced into the grooves of the lashing plates. Fig. 31
shews an arrangement of divided lashing plates similar to that described with
reference to Figs. 1 to 5 and 17 to 20 but divided into more portions. The teeth
of the holder Fig. 32 are made to nearly fit the grooves of the lashing plates L L',
and the blocks or packing pieces a are inserted in the grooves to hold the faces of
the teeth of the holder flush with the teeth of the lashing plates thus producing a
plane surface exposed to the final pressure. There being thus no grooves left for
lashing after compression I divide the hoops or lashings and put them on above
and below the bale before the holder is fixed or I carry them in the holder.
If as shown in Fig. 31 the ends of the bale are fully pressed and the hoops
secured by the latchets o while the next adjoining portions of the bale are partly
pressed, I hold the hoops thereon by means of longer latchets and replace them
at the next pressing operation by short latchets while I apply the longer ones p
to the next portion of the bale and so on.
Fig. 33 shows a bale held in hoops with latchets o and p as in a finishing press
with flat patterns over and under the part of the bale to be acted upon and with sloping
surfaces or easy steps to partly press other portions of the bale and to prevent
injury to the bale. The centre portion is shown fully pressed and lashed by the
latchets o and the other portions are then secured by latchets p. The centre
portion being finished the bale is shifted and pressed in other portions which are
successively lashed.
To support the overhanging portion of the bale while one part of same is being.
pressed I use tables which rise and fall with the press table and ram but at half its
speed or thereabouts thus keeping the centre line of the bale straight. I may thus.
for instance connect such tables with the ram by means of a lever or levers the
joint pin for the table being in the middle of the length of such lever. I also use
staples or holders for suspending the bale therein from the half press and while the
adjustments are being made the links which connect the teeth or battens of

page_text: the holders are made adjustable in length for instance by means of wedges, rollers,
clutches, screw nuts or equivalent means. These holders are on the bale while it
is compressed in the finishing press, their battens or teeth forming the pressing
surfaces.
Fig. 34 is a plan and Fig. 35 a part sectional side view of a finishing press in:
which the distance between the pillars will only allow of the introduction of the bale
endwise or the narrow breadth of the bale. The arrows show the direction of
travel of the bale through the press. In Fig. 34 the two halves of the view show
the feed bars and the bale in the two extreme positions viz., towards the left and
towards the right and the head of the press is supposed to be removed.
In
Fig. 35 the front columns are supposed to be removed. A is the press head
and A¹ the base, U the press cylinder and R the ram. P and P¹ are the plattens
which have flat surfaces in the middle portion, a series of gentle steps to the left
and one or two steps to the right. The bale is shown in a holder having separate
battens or teeth d above and below which battens are connected by the links h
with sliding joints kas already described with reference to Figs. 27 to 30.
Fig. 38 is a plan view and Fig. 39 a side view of the bale and holders. In Fig. 35
the battens are shown in section while the dotted lines indicate their position
when under the first compressing action of the press. Fig. 40 shows the bale as
under the next compressing action and Fig. 41 shows it under the third or final
compressing action. Each portion of the bale is thus successively brought between
the plattens L and L' and lashed. The bale is fed forward to the right after each
pressing operation, and when the ram is lowered the bale is carried by the
toothed feed bars F. B which receive reciprocating motion that is to say to the
left or under and free from the bale when the ram has risen sufficiently to clear
the battens d of the holder from the teeth of the feed bars F. B, and to the
right when the ram is down and the holder battens d have fallen between
the teeth of the feed bars, so that the latter carry the bale with them the distance
of their travel.
The slot
To give the required motion to the feed bars I connect them at each end with
weights W and W₁ respectively, the latter being the heavier the feed bars F. B
are supported on wheels m shown also in the detail views Fig. 36 and 37 and are
connected to the weights by chains c. h which run over pulleys t t'. The weight W₁
is lifted by means of the lever Y which has its fulcrum in the bracket K and has a
pin at the centre of the press where it works in the slot of a link X which rises
aud falls with the ram. The acting length of the slot is adjusted to meet the
varying circumstances by means of the block y and adjusting screw, *.
permits the ram to rise sufficiently to allow the holder battens & to rise clear of the
feed bar teeth and then the block y and pin a in the link slot lift the lever Y and
the weight W. The weight W being now free drags the feed bars to the left
and under the bale as the weight W₁ rises and until the press is up when the
feed bars F. B are under the bale and some of their teeth exactly under
the spaces between the holder battens d (Fig. 35) which are over the flat portion of
the platten P. The pawl F now falls into gear in the stop F and prevents the
feed bars from returning. The pawl gear is shown in the side view Fig. 36 aud
underside plan Fig. 37.
The bale having been lashed in its pressed portion the ram is caused to descend the
weight W and the lever Y being suspended by the chain until the press is just down
when a discharge arm I upon the table T¹ releases the pawl F and the weight W1
being heavier than the weight W falls and drags the feed bars F. B to the right
and the bale with them into the next position for pressing. The lever Y falls with
the weight W' and resumes its original position.
The reciprocating action of the feed bars being constant with each rise and fall
of the ram a second bale may be dragged in behind the first one and so on thus
producing continuous action. There may for this purpose be supplementary
teeth on the feed bars (as shown to the left in Fig. 35) and as the lever Y is
unfettered by the link X when the ram is down this lever on the eed bars may be

page_text: connected with hand gear to produce the reciprocating action of the feed bars
without working the press ram. This is useful in drawing the bale into the press
at the beginning of the day's work or after any break in the work.
Figure 42 is a side view with two of the columns broken off representing a
finishing press similar in general design to Figures 34, 35 but shewing a screw Wx
on the left hand table T for the purpose of forcing the bales forward and into and
through the press.
The drawing shows three bales the one to the right being finished and ready
for final removal, the centre one as being pressed and having about two thirds
of its length finished and the one to the left in position ready for following
the others.
I show the bales as introduced into the finishing press in their lashings and
the lashings secured by bars hinged together at one end and connected at the
other end by links which are adjustable in length by means of holes, pins or
catches or nuts but in some cases I require no such temporary fastenings and merely
press the bale in the press, in its hoops thus reducing its height by flattening the
curved surfaces above and below.
In the foregoing I have described some suitable means for carrying out my
invention but I do not confine myself to these nor to the order in which the various
portions are pressed.
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..
First. The process of compressing bales and other packages or goods which have
received a preliminary compression consisting in applying a further or final com-
pression (and then a lashing operation) to one portion of the bale after the other
until the whole has been thus compressed and lashed.
Second. In presses the application and use in connection with the plattens of
compressing surfaces adapted to be applied to one portion of the bale after the other
till the whole has been thus compressed.
Third. The constructions of lashing plates and battens constituting compressing
surfaces secondly claimed and also the blocks and other accessories substantially as
described and illustrated by the drawings.
Fourth. The process of compressing bales and other packages in successive
portions by giving one portion of the bale a high or final compression while giving
an adjoining portion a less or penultimate compression but all the portions being in
the result compressed to the same final density.
Fifth. The constructions of adjustable holders substantially as described and
illustrated in the drawings.
Sixth. A finishing press having its columns so close as to permit the bale to be
entered endwise only having plattens with sloping surfaces or steps at one or
both ends, having gear for feeding the bale for successive pressing operations
and having means for supporting the ends of the bale substantially as set forth.
Seventh. The constructions of finishing press described and shown.
Dated this 9th day of Tune 1909
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.