US1621593A - Pulp-molding machine - Google Patents

Description

F. LOUISOT March 22, 1927.

PULP MOLDI NG MACHIN Original Filed July 11, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 'I/Illfllllll llllilllllli) ,7 W a ATTORNEY March 22,1927. 1,621,593

F. LOUISOT I PULP MOLDING- MACHINE Original Filed July 11, 1925 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4" III! 1,1111 '11wlllllllll/Illlllrll/lz nil-mm "III-Ill! LEW 8 INVENTOR March 22, 1-927.

F. LdulsoT PULP MOLDING MACHINE Original F i1ed July 11,

1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 IINVENTQ'RV /2;V'ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 1192 7.

; UNITED. S ATE PATENT [oi-Pica. I

FELIX' LOUISOYI, OF NEW FORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB TO VACUUM PULP PRODUCTS COB- POBA'I'ION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y A COMPANY OF VIRGINIA.

- PULP-HOLDING macnmii.

Application cleanl n, 1a2s, ser1a1 110.650,?89. Renewed August is, 1926'.

This invention relates to the manufacture of articles from wood pulp similar nature.

Some of the more important objects of the 5 invention are tosimplify thestructure, to facilitate and expedite the operation and to increase the capacity and possible output of machines of this character.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, bllt lt to be understood that this illustration is primarily for purposes of disclosure and that or material-of a the structure may be modified in various respects withoutdeparture from the broad spirit of the invention as will beyapparent from the scope of the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine with the pulp feed tank and certain other parts broken away for lack of space.

Figure 2 is a top plan and partial; sectional view of the machine on a somewhat larger, scale. 7

Figure 3 is a broken sectional view taken partly on the longitudinal center line of the machine. v v 4 Figure 4is a fragmentary sectional view of the suction and pressure connection for the movable bottom of the mold chamber. Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the machine as taken on substantially the plane of line 5-5 of Figure 1 with one of the molds inside the mold chamber appearing in section. Figures 6 and? are broken sectional detail views of the pulp supply and back wash coupling for the movable mold chamber bottom, illustrating said coupling in both its projected and retracted positions.

Figure 8 is a broken cross sectional view of one of the molds in the mold chamber.

Figure 9 is a perspective detail view of a two part mold constructed to produce an article in the form of a toy rabbit.

Figure 10 is a detail of the product of this mold. I Figure 11 is a broke'n detail view illustrating the toggle action for closing the mold chamber. p a

In the illustration 15 designates the mold hamber which is ha e of sl ng tsd conwithin the mold chamber to serve in effect as a table for the molds and molded products and this raised portion isspaced inwardly away from the slde walls of the chamber to provide a drainage'channel 18 in the base of the chamber. I

The body of the mold chamber is shown as supportedon the upper ends of posts or columns 19 and these columns are utilized as guides for the movable bottom of the mold chamber by providing the bottom with sleeve-like extensions 20 at the opposite ends of the same slidingly fitted over such posts.

To operate the movable bottom, links 21 are shown pivoted at 22 up within the hollow raised portion of the bottom and pivotplurality branally connected at their lower ends at 23 with arms 24 carried by shafts 25 journaled in bearing brackets 26 secured on 'the columns,

said shafts being. equipped with pinions 27 engaged by gears 28 on shaft 29 which is journaled in the same bearing brackets and is provided with a suitable operating handle 30. It will be evident that by operating this handle the crank arms will be oscillated to raise and lower the bottom and the arms and 'linksare preferably so proportioned and the various centers so disposed that saidv arms and links will operate astoggles to lock the mold bottom in the closed position. To,

limit the past-centermovement of such toggles the handle carrying shaft may serve as a stop limiting the throw of the crank arms. substantially as indicated in Figure 11.

" In'large machines the mold chamber bottom may be quite heavy and the same is therefore preferably counter balanced as by means of counterbalancing weights 31 and 132 at o posite ends of the machine; the first being s own as having a cable 33 extending over a sheave 34 to alug 35 projecting laterally from one of the guide'sleeves and the l the bottom member will be securely held and locked in closed position.

The molds are shown arranged 1n a row within the mold chamber and as of two part construction opening toward opposite sides of the chamber. In the present example the molds are given. the conformation to produce the toy rabbit shown in Figure 10, and are made in halves 40, 41, separable on a wavy line 42, Figures 5 and 9, at approx1- mately the longitudinal center of the article.

The mold walls may be provided by wire gauze or the like, reinforced and carried by suitably shaped frames 43 faced off at their. upper and lower ends at 44 and 45 to slidingly engage transverse guides 46 in the top of the chamber and the flat screen or perforate support 47 carried by the table.

The mold frames are also shown as constructed with hubsor sockets 48 for the plungers or rods 49 by which the mold sections are shifted. The foraminous support 47 is shown as rested on teeth or ridges 50 so as to permit free drainage through the same and the mold frames are ,suitably ribbed so as to expose the foraminous moldwall as much as possible.

The mold rods 49 slide through suitable stuffing boxes 51 in the opposite sides of the mold chamber and are actuated to open up or close all of the molds substantially simultaneously by arms 52 having forked lower ends engaged betweencollars 53 on the outer ends of the rods, said arms being adjustably clamped at their upper ends at 54 on outwardly projecting studs 55 carried by the bars 56, 57 slidably supported at the opposite sides of the head of the machine by the inwardly projecting slide rods 58 working in transversebearings 59 on the top of the machine. The slides thus formed are simultaneously shifted in opposite directions .by transverse shafts 60, having reversely threadedscrews 61,62 at opposite ends of the same and engaged in screw seats 63, 64 in the ends of the heads 56, 57. For rotating these screw shafts there is shown a shaft 65 extending longitudinally of the machine, having an operating. hand wheel 66 conveniently disposed at the same end of the machinewhere the mold chamber controlling handle 30 is located, said shaft having spiral gears 67 in mesh with interfitting gears 68 on the transverse screw shafts."

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From this it will be seen that by turning the hand wheel all the molds can be opened and closed substantially simultaneously. The individual adjustment of the dependent shiftmg arms 52 on their supporting studs 55 enables, the parts being set to effect the desired results and to handle different shapes and sizes of molds.

The wood pulp or other material in the machine illustrated is fed from a tank 69 containing a float actuated valve for maintaining the pulp at a height sufficient to provide a gravity flow into the molds. This tank is connected by piping 70 with a suitable source of supply and is connected by other piping 71 to a special coupling 72 in the side of the mold chamber which is arranged to provide communication with a conduit 73 having branches 74 with vertical sleeve is shown as faced with a rubber or,

other compressible gasket 81. The shifting and securing of thecoupling sleeve is effected by a cam motion including a cam slot 82 cut in the housing 79 and receiving a pin or stud 83 projecting from the sleeve. In Figure 6 the handle 83 is shown as having been turned to advance the same in the cam slot and hence bring the coupling sleeve into close fitting abutting engagement with-the lower end of the pulp conduit 73, while in Figure 7 the parts are indicated as they appear when the handle is turned in the reverse direction to retract the sleeve and uncouple it from the conduit.

The flow of pulp is controlled by a valve 84 interposed in the pulp line, which may be-of the three-way type, arranged'in one position to provide a direct flow of pulp from the tank to the molds and adapted in another position to shut off the supply of .pulp and open the mold conduit to an exhaust on so-called backwash outlet 85.

Another valve 86 of the three-way type may be provided in this backwash connection, adapted in normal position to rovide an exhaust passage for the backwas and adapted in second position to cut off this outlet and provide communication with a compressed air supply pipe 87, the rate'of flow through which may be' governed by an interposed hand valve 88-. A branch 89 of the compressed air pipe is shown as opening into valve 91.

To 'b uild up a deposit of material against the mold walls, suction is preterablv applied outside the mold, in. the present; disclosure,

I by means'of a suction conduit 92 under control of a valve 93 connected by a detachable coupling 94 at the side of the mold'chamber with a conduit 95 opening into the lower or drainage channel portion of the mold cham- The coupling 94 serves asa comb ned sue-- tion and drainage connection and is shown as constructed after the manner of the pulp supply coupling, that is, with a'handle 96 operating in a cam slot 97 to shift a slidablc coupling sleeve 98 into and out of connection with the end flange 99 of the suction conduit 95. This coupling is shown as carr ed by a bracket 100 dependent from the side of the mold chamber to bring the coupling to a level low enough to drain the mold chamber.

A branch from the suction line is indi-. cated at 101 opening into the mold chamber by way of a part of the pressure connection 89 and under co'ntrolof a hand valve 102.

0pera.tz'0n-.With the molds and mold chamber closed as shown in Figures 1, 3, 5,

and 8, the usual method of procedure is to first open the pulp valve. 84 and fill themolds by gravity. The building up of the first few layers on the mold Walls is then initiated by opeing up the .small suction valve 102 to create a limited suction Within the mold chamber, after which the main suction valve 93 is opened to more forcefully buildup the deposit and remove some of the excess water. The pulp valve 84 may.

then be turned to cut 0d the supply of pulp andrelease the backwash or excess pulp in the molds. After draining 03 the backwash the valve 86 may be turned to close off the outlet for the backwash and open up the compressed air supply to the interior of the molds. Then with 'suctionon the outside and pressure on the inside of the .moldsgthe deposit is compacted and solidified and the free moisture removed. A final drain may.

i 3 pressure within the mold chamber has the efbe efiected with the suction shut oil and the compressed air) on inside the molds.- after which the alr pressure within the molds may be shutoff and the valve 9(l opened to admit pressure to the mold chamber outside the molds.' {This building up of pressure on the outside of -the molds tends to loosen the products from the mold walls and toproduce a series of distinct loosening shocks, there is nsuallyprovided what is known as a flutter valve 103, Figures'2'and 3, in the form of a spring-tensioned valve which will open to atmosphere upon accumulation of a predetermined.pressurewithin the mold chamber. The alternate building up and release of The molds are opened through operation of the hand wheel 66 and this may be done while the shock pressure is still on so as to automatically etlect a separation of the product at the moment the molds are actually opcned. The separation of the cooperating mold sections leaves the molded products supported on the screen carried by the table or mold bottom so thatwith the pres sure cut off the mold bottom can then be lowered .LO expose and deliver the molded products.

As an aid to the most effective operation of the machine, a sight glass 104 may be provided in one end of the mold chamber, giving a lengthwise view of the interior of the chamber and a longitudinally extending wlnproper operation of all the molds within the chamber.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus-of the character described,

a mold chamber open at its lower. end. a pulp supply conduit leading through a side wall of the'mold chamber, a movable closure for said open lower end and a sectionalized mold within the mold chamber, the closure having The latter is particularly luu a pulp supply passage extending upwardly into communication with the interior of the mold and having at its lower end a detachthe closure. 4

'2. The structureof claim -1 with parts of the detachable coupling carried the side of the mold chamber.

3. The structure of clainrl with the sections of the mold operated by rods extending in through opposite sides of the mold chamher and the mold sections having parts at their upper and lower ends slidingly engag ing the top of the mold chamber and the closure respectively.

4. The structure of'claim 1 with-a perforate plate supported by the closure and forming a' bottom to the mold.

.5. The structure of claim 1 with a suction and drainage passage in the closure provided with a detachable coupling.

6. The structure of claim 1- with the detachable couplin including a rotatable and longitudinally slidable coupling SlBQXG arranged to be advanced and retracted by an inclined cam.

7. The structure of claim 1 with a suction and drainage outlet passage in the closure provided with a detachable coupling and the detachable couplings comprising in each case a rotatable and slidable coupling sleeve arranged to be advanced and retracted by an inclined cam. I

v 8. The structure of claim 1 in which the I closureextends upward into the mold chamher and a drainage'channel in the bottom of the mold chamber about the lower portion of the closure.

9. The structure of claim 1 with a drainage channel in the bottom of the mold chamher and a'suction and drainage conduit opening to said channel and provided with a detachable coupling.

10. The structure of claim 1 in which the closure has a raised central portion providing an elevated table cooperating with the lower end of the. mold and an outstanding flange at its lower end for cooperation with dependent side walls of the mold chamber.

11.- The structure of claim 1 with a perforate support on the closure cooperating with the bottom of the mold and a tubular extension of the pulp conduit projecting up through said chamber.

12. The structure of claim 1 in which the mold chamber has a guide in the top thereof and in which the closure also has a guiding surface, which guides cooperate with the perforate support into the mold upper and lower endsof the mold sections to guide the same for opening and closing movements.

13. The structure of-claim 1 in which the mold chamber has a. guide'in the top thereof and in which the closure also has a guiding surface, which guides cooperate with the upper and lower ends of the mold sections to guide the same for opening and closing movements, with means extending in through the sides of the mold chamber'for operating.

means for operating with the movable closure having guides slidingly engaging said standards, lugs rojecting from opposite sides of said gui es and counterbalancing means connected with said oppositely extending lugs.

17. In apparatus of the character de scribed, a mold chamberof greater lengththan width, a row of separate molds within said elongated chamber, the mold chamber having amovable wall capable of'supporting a row of objects produced bysaid molds,

.means for operating the molds to leave the molded objects supported on said wall and means for shifting the wall to-carry the .sup-

ported objects clear of the mold chamber.

' 18. In apparatus of the character disclosed, an elongated mold chamber having an open bottom, a movable closure for said bottom, a row of separable molds within the elongated mold chamber, operating connec-.'

tions for said molds entered through the sides of the mold chamber, means for actuating said connections substantially simul-.

taneously and means for operating the closure for the bottom of the mold chamber.

19. In apparatus of the character disclosed, a mold chamber having an opening for the discharge of the molded products, a movable closure for said opening, a series of separable molds within the mold chamber, operating rods for the molds entered through opposite sides of the mold chamber, slides carrying arms engaged with said rods andmeans for simultaneously shifting said slides in opposite directions.

20. In apparatus of the character disclosed, a mold chamber having an opening for the discharge of the molded products, a movable closure for said opening, a series of separable molds within the mold chamber, operating rods for the molds entered through opposite sidesof the mold chamber, slides carrying arms engaged with said rods, means for simultaneously shifting said slides in opposite directions, including shafts having reversely threaded screws engaged with theslides and an actuating shaft geared to said 7 screw shafts.

21. The structure of claim 19 "in which independentadjustment is provided at the connecting arms between the slides and rods.

22. In apparatus of the character discloied, a mold chamber, separable molds therein, slides supported on the mold chamber, means for substantially simultaneously shifting said slides in opposite directions and connections from said slides entered through opposite sides of'the mold chamber -into engagement with the sections of the separable molds.

'23. In apparatus of the character disclosed, a mold chamber having transverse bearings, slide: at opposite sides of the mold chamber supported by certain of said bearings, transverse screw shafts supported by other of the bearings and having reversely perforate support on top of the closure about screw"thre'aded-engagement with therespecthe tubular extensions and providing a ottive tslides, common means for operating tomwall for the severalm ld both screw shafts, separable moldsin the 31; In apparatus o mold chamber and connections iromjthe clo;ed, a moldchamber having a mova e o s.- the character disslides entered through opposite sides or the closure provided withproiections, a ioramimold chamber into engagement with the sec-t n'ous support bearing on said projections. an tions of the separable molds; separable toraminous molds having one wal 24;. In apparatus ot' the character disprovided by said ioraminous suppor 1o closed, upright columns, an inverted mold 02. In apparatus of the character dischambersu'pported on said columns, a clocloied, a mo bylsaid columns, means for shifting said clonous support bearing on said projections, e sure, a separable mold within the mold chamseparable foraminous molds having one wa l her and meansior operating the separable )rovided by said r'oraminous support and,tuo u a bular supply connections extending through 25. In apparatus of the character 'disthe foraminous support into said moldst closed, upright columns, an inverted mold 33. In I apparatus the character dis-- o chamber supported on said columns, a cloclosed, a perforate mold haying .separable by said colurmis, means for shifting SEtIdJGlO' guides, guiding surfaces slidingly engage sure, including two sets of toggle arms conby said guides, one of said guidinglsuriaces nected for substantially simultaneous operabeing perforate and forming a wa tion by a shaft wurnaled in brackets mountof the mold and means r'or relatively shiftthe mold chamber and-means for operating ing the mold. 4 v the separable mol 34. .In apparatus of the character dis- 26. In apparatus of the character disclosed, a mold chamber, a plurality of perclosedfa mold chamber open at its lower end, 'forate molds therein, means for fi ing the 3 a closure for said mold chamber provided same with a moldable material and means withinthe mold chamber in communication sure for said mold chamber slidingly guided closure provided with projections, a ioramisure ror said mold chamber slidingly guided sections provided at opposite ends with ed on the columns, a separable mold within ing themold sections for opening and closwith a pulp inlet and below that a suction for impart ng a series oi impacts to molded 35 with the-pulp inlet. 35. In "apparatus of the character 1 dis? 27. In apparatus oi the character di closed, a mold chamber, a perforate mol closed, upright columns,an inverted" mold within said chamber, means for supplying.

chamber su ported on said columns, a cloa moldable mater al to said chamber an 40 by said columns, means for shit mg said rapidlyrecurring separating impacts to mamounted on thecolumns, a separable mold an elongated movable bottom provided at within the mold chamber and means for opopposite ends with reversely projecting laty W1 the movement or the toggles past center. means for shifting the bottom, aided by said 28. In .apparatus of the character discounterbalanci'ng means h said extensions an operating closed, a mo d chamber having a movable 37. In apparatus of the character disen from up through the top oi said closure and theretoand an automatically operating presseparable molds within the mold chamber, sure releasing valve, a perforate mold withir in communication with the several branches, the chamber and a pulp supply connection t saubibrancltes having tubular extensions prosaid perioratemol ng up mto the sep'arable molds.-- '39. In apparatus of the character die 30. The structure of claim 29' with a closed, a mold chamber having a movab closure provided with a pulp inlet in' one "closed, a mold chamber having a'movable within the coupling sleeve.

' and for advancing sleeve for wall provided with a conduit and nections for said conduit, including a slidablyand rotatably for cooperation with e e V .a relatively rotatable in and cam slot and retracting the sleeve with respect to the closed, 'a mold chamber having a movable wall provided with a co cooperation conduit, a housing and provided with on t 1c s ecve operating in the sleeve operating in said slot said lousingbeing carried mold chamber.

character dischamber having a movable with a conduit, a. coupling n apparatus of the closed, a mold wall provided material, applying impacts of 7 pressure to th sleeve for cooperation'with the end conduit, a ousin supporting and provided with a coupling sleeve having at its a gasket 40 fitting connection with t 1e end of the conduit.

n. apparatus of closed, an elongated mold chamber,

apparatus of the character disr, a separable mold therein, means for creating pressure within article with V lining mold walls and means for opening the mold while said separating pressure is operative.

46. Th charging material, applying of said e process of molding which includes mold With moldable pressure to the exterior mold to separate-the mold om the confining mold walls and e the separating presmold and opening themold during tion of'such separating impacts. In testimony whereof I afiix m signature. FELIX L UISOT.

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