US1474432A

US1474432A - Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles

Info

Publication number: US1474432A
Application number: US603210A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gimson Joseph Forsyth
Original assignee: Close Brothers & Co Ltd
Current assignee: Close Brothers & Co Ltd
Priority date: 1922-11-25
Filing date: 1922-11-25
Publication date: 1923-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 1940-11-20

Description

Nov. 2o, 1923. 1,474,432

vJ. F'. GIMSON APPARATUS FOR CASTING OR MOLDING POTTERY AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed Nov. 25, 1922 Z'Sheet's-Shee; l-

Nov. 2U 1923. EAMABZ J. F. GlMsoN APPARATUS FOR CASTING OR MOLDING POTTERY AND LIKEVAR'IIICLES Filed Nov. 25, 3.922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [52, QfM/SSM Zarnefs Patented Nov. 20, i923.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH FORSYTH GIMSON, OF NEWCASTLEENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CLOSE BROTHERS & COMPANY LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, A COMPANY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

APPARATUS FOR -CASTING OR MOLDIN G POTTERY AND LIKE ARTICLES.

Application filed November 25, 1922. Serial No. 603,210.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH Fonsr'rn GiMsoN, subject of the King of England, and residing at Newcastle, Staffordshire, in England, have invented certain new and use? ful Improvements in Apparatus for Castin or Moldin which the ollowing is a specification.

This invention relates-to an apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles from clay slip or the like and has for its object to effect such casting in a more eX- peditious and efficient manner.

In the method carriedout by the appara` tus accordin to the present invention the clay slip or like material is caused to pass through a hollow rotatable shaft and a hollow arm radiating therefrom to a mould of plaster or other absorbent or porous material, so that the moisture is removed from the slip and absorbed into the moulds under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a mould of absorbent or porous material mounted on the outer end of each of a number of hollow arms radiating from a rhollow rotatable shaft, the interlor of each hollow arm being in communication with the interior of the shaft. The hollow arms ma conveniently be formed as the spokes o one or more wheels mounted on the shaft, the moulds, which are preferably detachable, being carried on flats on the rims of the wheels adjacent to the ends of the spokes. Each wheel rim may thus have a polygonal form and may carry, say, twentyfour moulds.

The invention may be carried into practice in a number of ways but a preferred construction employing a single wheel is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation of the apparatus,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the mould,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a modified construction of apparatus, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a modified form of mould.

In the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hollow shaft A is mounted in suitable bearings B B, and carries a wheel comprising a number of hollow spokes C and Pottery and like Articles, of

a rim D. A tube C is mountedv within each spoke C in such a manner that it is permanently in communication with the interior of the hollow shaft A. A die or former E of suitable material such as iron is secured by its flange E to the rim D of the wheel and is provided with a central passage E2, which vthus forms a continuation of the tube C.

This passa e E2 is controlled b a non-return valve E? of suitable type. lvhe plaster mould G is disposed on the wheel rim D outside the former E. and is held thereto by means of a plate H and bolts H H2. The plate H is convenientl pivoted about the bolt H', so that when t e retaining nuts H3 are released the plate may be swung clear of the mould G. This arrangement allows the mould to be quickly and easily removed from the wheel when the casting operation 1s completed, and replaced by a fresh mould.

The clay slip is fed Ainto the hollow shaft A by means of a feed pump (not shown in Figure l but arranged in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 8) attached at one end A of the shaft, a gland A2 being provided to prevent the slip from escaping along the outside of the shaft. It then passes through the shaft A and the tubes C past the valves F into the moulds G. Small grooves E3 are provided in the flange E of the former E to allow the escape of air from the interior of the mould. The supply of slip is continued until the moulds are full and slip begins to escape through the grooves E3. The feed pump is then cut off, and the rotation of the machine started. The shaft A may be driven by any suitable means such for example as by means of a belt on the pulley A3. During the rotation the slip in the mould G is thrown centrifugally outwards against the mould, and the plaster, of which the mould is constructed, absorbs the water and leaves the clay in a semi-solid sta-te pressed tightly the machine, it is desirable to provide an exhaust pump (not shown in Figure 1 but arranged in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 3) at the other end A? of the shaft A. This exhaust pump is brought into operation shortly before or about the same time as the rotation of the machine is started, and serves to draw out the sur lus slip from the shaft A and the tubes The non-return valves F prevent theslip from being withdrawn from the moulds G by the exhaust pump. An air valve C2 is provided in each spoke C to revent the formation of a vacuum in the tu e C when the exhaust pump is working. The exhaust pump is cut ofas soon as the surplus slip has been removed.

If desired, the die or former E may be allowed a little lay so that it will be able to move outwardly through a small distance under the action of centrifugal force, so as to press against a washer of rubber or other suitable material disposed between the flange of the former and the mould. This small movement may be necessary to assist in removing the moisture from the casting when materials are used which are of such a nature as to prevent the moisture from pass- -ing readily into the absorbent moulds.-

Means ma also be provided for heating the farmers for example electrically or by means of steam, to assist in the drying of the moulds. The space between the casing of the valve F and the wall of the former ma be utilized for this purpose.

or the casting of symmetrical articles, means may be provided if desired, for rotating the moulds about their own axes. This additional rotation may be imparted to the moulds in anysuitable manner, as for example by means of bevel gearing driven by the main shaft.

Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 3. In this figure the hollow shaft K, which is constructed in a manner similar to that `described for the shaft A in Figure l, is

mounted in bearings K and is driven by means of a belt on the pulley K2. The moulds L, of which any suitable number may be employed, two being shown in the drawings, are rotatably mounted on the rim their own axes is produced by means of.

bevel wheels P rotatably mounted on the wheel rim M, each mould being connected to the corresponding bevel wheel P so as to rotate therewith. The teeth of the wheels P engage with those of a bevel wheel P loosely mounted on the shaft K and fixed to the frame of the machine by means of bolts P2. Thus as the shaft K rotates the bevel wheels P, and therefore also the moulds L, are rotated about their own axes in addition to rotating about the axis of the shaft K.

Figures 3 and 4 are also employed to illustrate a further modification in which an air former is employed. This arrangement may be combined, as Ashown in Fi ure 3, with mechanism for imparting an ad itional rotation about their own axes to the moulds,

or may be employed independently of such mechanism if desired.

An air compressor Q, or other source of compressed air is connected up to the same end of the shaft K as the slip exhaust pump O and is provided with a valvey Q. by means of which it may be cut off therefrom'. The details of one of the moulds and its associated parts are shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figure 4.r The mould L is shown mounted directly on a projection M on the rim M of the wheel, but it must be understood thatif bevel wheels P P are employed, as in Figure 3, the`mould will be mounted on the bevel wheel P. A hollow spoke R containing an inner tube R connects the hollow shaft K to the rim M at a point adjacent to the mould L. The general arrangement of these parts is substantially the same as that described in connection with Figures l and 2. In this construction, however, the die or former S is separated from the rim M by means of springs S surrounding bolts S2. The former S can thus move away from the mould through a short distance. Mounted within the former S is a valve casing T containing a non-return v'alve T which controls a passage T2 T3 leading from the hollow spoke Rto the interior of the mould L. A ring or Washer U engages with the surface of the former S so as to prevent the escape of slip when the former moves. The former is also provided with a 1packing ring V which presses against the wa l of the projection M of ythe rim M.-

The operation of the constructions shown in Figures 3 and 4 is very similar to that already described for Figures l and 2 and will only be described in detail where it dif-y fers therefrom. The clay slipv is admitted by the pump N into the hollow shaft K and passes thence into the spokes R and past the valves T into the moulds L. When the moulds are full the pump N is cut off and the rotation of the machine started, the exhaust pump O being brought into operation to remove the slip from the shaft K and the spokes R. The valves T prevent the removal of slip from the moulds L. When this surplus slip has been removed the pump 0 is cut of and the valve Q opened to admit air-under hi h pressure into the'interior of the machine. This compressed a1r lows past the valves T into the moulds L,

'and gradually forces the formers S away from the moulds la ainst the action of the springs S. The air then itself acts as a former until the casting o eration is completed. If bevel wheels P are employed as shown in Figure 3, the moulds are glven a rotation about their own axes in addition to their rotation ,about the axis of the shaft K. f

It will be understood that the constructions illustrated are given by way of example only, and that modifications other than those specifically described may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.v Thus for example a number of wheels each carrying moulds may be mounted on the sameshaft, or again the portions of the rim of a wheel between the moulds may be out away, so that the wheels consist of spokes carrying moulds on their outer ends.

What l claim as my invention and desire -to secure by Letters Patent is l. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow arm radiating therefrom and having its interior in communication with the interior of the shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means for supplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft and thence through the hollow arm to the mould, and means for rotating the shaft, the moisture being removed from the material and absorbed into the mould under the action of the centrifugal force se-t up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

2. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow arms radiating therefrom, an absorbent mould mounted on the outer end of each hollow arm and communicating therethrough with the interior of the hollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, and means for supplying the material to be treated through the shaft and the hollow 4arms to the moulds, the moisture being removed fromvthe material and absorbed into the moulds under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus ,as set forth.

3. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mounted thereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, an absorbent mould detachably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of each hollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior of the hollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, and means for supplying clay slip through the shaft andthe spokes to the moulds, the moisture being removed from the slip and absorbed into the moulds under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

4. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery ,and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft. a hollow arm radiating therefrom and having its interior in communication with the interior of the shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm,a former mounted on the end of the hollow arm within the mould, means for supplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft and thence through the hollow arm to the mould, and means for rotating the shaft, the moisture being removed from the material and absorbed into the mould under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

5. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow arms radiating therefrom, an absorbent mould `detachably carried on the outer end of each hollow arm and communieating therethrough with the interior of the hollow shaft, a former mounted on each hollow arm within thecorresponding mould, means for rotating the shaft, and means for supplying the material to be treated through the shaft and the hollow arms to the moulds, the moisture being removed from the material and absorbed into the moulds under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

6. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combinanation a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mounted thereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, an absorbent mould detachably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of each hollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior ofthe hollow shaft. a former mounted on the outer end of each hollow spoke and disposed within the corresponding mould, means for rotating the shaft, and means for supplying clay slip through the shaft and the spokes to the moulds, the moisture being removed fromy the slip and absorbed into the moulds under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

7. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow arm radiating therefrom and having its interior in'communication with the interior of the shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means for supplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft and thence through the hollow arm to the mould, means for rotating the shaft, a nonreturn valve controlling the supply of material through the hollow arm to the mould, and means for exhausting the surplus material contained in the interior of the shaft and the arm, the moisture from the material left in the mould being removed and absorbed into the mould -under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

8. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable Shaft, at least one wheel mounted thereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, an absorbent mould deta'chably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of each hollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior of the hollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, means for supplying clay slip through the shaft and the spokes to the moulds, a non-return valve controlling the low of slip to each mould, and means for exhausting the surplus slip contained in the interior of the shaft and the hollow spokes,

the moisture from the slip left in the moulds being` removed therefrom and absorbed into the moulds under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

9. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow arms radiating therefrom, an absorbent mould mounted on the outer end 0f each hollow arm and communicating therethrough withthe interio'r of the hollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, a'feed pump serving to supplyA clay slip through the shaft and the hollow arms to the moulds, a non-return valve controlling the flow of slip to each mould, and anlexhaust pump serving to remove the surplus slip contained within the hollow shaft and the arms, the moisture from the slip left in the moulds being-removed therefrom and absorbed into the moulds under the action of the cent-rifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

10. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery andlike articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mounted thereon and comprising a `rim and a number of hollow spokes, an ahsorbent mould detachably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of each hollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior of the' hollow shaft, a former mounted on the outer end of 4each hollow spoke and disposed within the corresponding mould each former being provided with a central passage, means for rotating the shaft, a feed pump serving to supply clay slip to oneA end of the hollow shaft and thence through the hollow spokes to the moulds, a non-return valve disposed within the central passage in each former, and an exhaust pump connected to the other end of the hollow shaft and serving to remove surplus slip from the interior of the shaft and the hollow spokes as setjforth.

11. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combinationy a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow arm radiating therefrom and having its interior iu communication with the interior of the shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means for supplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft and thence through the hollow arm to the mould, means for rotating the shaft, and means for imparting to the mould an additional rotation about its own axis as set forth.

12. Apparatus for casting or molding' pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow arms radiating therefrom, an absorbent mould mounted on the outer end of each hollow arm and communicating therethrough with the interior of the hollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, means for imparting to each mould an additional rotation about its own axis, and means for supplying the material to be treated through the shaft and the hollow arms to the moulds as set forth. Y

13. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mounted thereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, an absorbent mould detachably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of each hollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior of the hollow shaft, a former mounted on the outer end of each hollow spoke and disposed within'the corresponding mould, means for rotating the shaft, means for imparting to each mould an additionalrotation about its own axis, and means for supplying clay slip through the shaft and the spokes to the moulds as set forth.

14. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable. shaft. a hollow arm radiating therefrom and having its interior in communication with the interior of the shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means for supplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft and thence through the hollow arm to the mould, means for rotating the shaft, means for imparting to the mould an additional rotation about its own axis, a nonreturn valvel controlling the supply of material through the hollow arm to the mould` and means for exhausting the surplus material conta-ined in the interior of the shaft and the arm as set forth.

15. A` aratus for casting or molding pottery andulike articles inclu ing in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mounted thereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, a bevel wheel rotatably mounted on the wheel rim opposite the end of each hollow spoke, an absorbent mould detachably mounted on the bevel wheel opposite to the end of each hollow spoke and communicating through the hollow spokes with the interior of the hollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, means for supplying clay slip through the shaft and the spokes to the moulds, a fixed bevel wheel which engages with the'bevel wheels mounted on the ends of the hollow spokes thereby imparting to each mould an additional rotation about its own axis as set forth. l

16. Apparatus for casting or moldin pottery and like articles including in com ination a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow arm radiating therefrom and having its interior in communication vwith the interior of the shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means for supplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft and thence through the hollow arm to the mould, means for rotating the shaft, and means for supplyin compressed air to the interior of the mo d to act as an air former therein, the moisture being removed from the material and absorbed into the mould under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

17. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mounted thereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, an absorbent mould detachably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of each hollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior of the hollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, means for supplying clay slip through the shaft and the spokes to the moulds, and means for supplying compressed air to the interior of the moulds to act as an air former therein, the moisture being removed from the slipand absorbed into the moulds under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth,

18. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow arm radiating therefrom and having its interior in communication with the interior of the shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means for supplyin the material to be treated to the interioro the shaft and thence through the hollow arm to the mould, means for rotating the shaft, a non-return valve controlling the supply of material through the hollowl arm to the mould, means for exhausting the surplus material contained in the interior of the shaft and the arm, and means for supplyin compressed air to the interior of the mou ds after the surplus material has been exhausted this compressed air acting as an air former in the moulds as set forth.

19. Apparatus for casting or molding` pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow arms radiating therefrom, an absorbent mould mounted on the outer endof each hollow arm and communicating therethrough with the interior of the hollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, a feed pum serving to supply clay slip throu h the s aft and the hollow arms to the moul s, a non-return valve controlling the flo'w of slip to each mould, an exhaust pump serving to remove the surplus slip contained within the hollow shaft and the arms, an air compressor serving `to supply compressed air through the hollow shaft to the moulds to act as an air formerl therein las set forth.

20. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow arms radiating therefrom, an absorbent mould mounted on the outer endof each hollow arm and communicating herethrough withthe interior of the hollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, means for imparting to each mould an additional rotationV about its own axis, means for supplyingvclay slip through the shaft and the hollow arms to the moulds, and means for supplying compressed air to the interior of the moulds to act as an air former therein as set forth.

21. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow arms radiating therefrom, an absorbent mould detachably carried on the outer end of each hollow arm and communicating therethrough with the interior of the hollow shaft, a former mounted on each hollow arm within the corresponding mould and radially movable relative to the hollow shaft, springs tending to pressA the formers outwardly towards the moulds, means for rotating the shaft, means for supplying clay slip through the shaft and the hollow arms to the moulds, and means for supplying compreed air to the interior of the moulds to act as an air former therein as set forth.

22. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles including in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mounted thereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, a bevel wheel rotatably mounted on the wheel rim opposite the end of each hollow spoke, an absorbent mould detachably mounted on the bevel wheel opposite to the end of @och hollow spoke and communicating throh the hollow spokes with the interior of the ic ollow shaft, a former mountedv on the outer end of each hollow spoke within the corresponding mould and radially movable relative to 4the hollow shaft, springs tending to press the formers outwardly towards the moulds,-

means for rotating the shaft, a, feed pump -servino to supply clay slip to one end of the hollow shaft and thence through the hollow spokes to the moulds, a, non-return valve lcontrolling the flow o slip to each mould, an exhaust pump connected to the other end i@ of the hollow' shaft and serving to remove om the interior of the shaft on the hoow spo en nir e pipe lead from the sir comprm to the end of the "loft to which the exhaust pum is oonnd, and e valve controlling this pipe the mir from the compressor being supplied through the hollow shaft to the interior-of the moulds so es to force the ormers inwards against the action of the sprin and to not e compressed oir former es set forth.

In testimony whereof l lieve sied myA nome to this sicicstion.

JSEPH FUYTH GIMSON.