US1753800A - Vat for paper-making machines - Google Patents

Description

ApriT'S, 1930.

Filed March 30, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 8, 1930. w. H. MILLSPAUGH VAT FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES Filed March 30-, 1928 :s Sheets-Sheet 2 IN IENTOR W g M ATTORNEY April 8, 1930. w.- H. MILLSPAUGH VAT FOR PAPER MAKING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 30-, 1928 I I III/ll A7//////////7 \\\\I:

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Patented Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 WILLIAM H. MILLSPAUGH, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE PAPER & TEXTILE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO var 1'03 PAPER-MAKING MACHINES Application filed March 80, 1928. Serial No. 266,018.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to paper making machines and methods and more especially to a particular construction of vat and the method of feed- 5 ing the stock to the forming element.

In the various types of paper making machines at present in use, the paper stock is fed from a simple box or trough directly ontothe forming element, either by so disposing the forming element that a portion of its surface, during the forming operation, lies below the lowest part of the top edges of the vertical walls of the vat or else having one side of the vat more or less open with the forming element so disposed relatively to such open portion as to receive the stock on its surface either directly from or while passing through such open side. In the regular verticaltype, for instance, the forming wire travels in a plane somewhat inclined to the horizontal, the stock vat being so placed as to slightly overlie the adjacent end of the traveling wire and having the usual lateral opening in its lower end with control gate or regulator, for delivery of stock directly to the traveling wire. By the regulator, the feed may be properly adjusted to the speed of the wire, all other conditions being duly considered. In all other types of machines in which stock is taken from the vats by the forming elements, such element is so disposed as to travel upwardly through an open side of the vat or trough, or else it is so arranged as to be partly within the vat with a portion extending below the upper edges of the vat and appreciably below the surface of the stock thereinpartially immersed. In all such cases it is evident that there is a considerable stagnation of the stock, with practically no current or movement. The stock in this condition is what is commonly reterred to as quiet and is not in a good state for proper formation. For good formation,

the fibres should be distributed as evenly or uniformly as possible throughout the mass and, at the same time, should be criss-crossed or interlaced as thoroughly as possible,-in order to give the greatest tensile strength in all directions. Many attempts have been made, with varying degrees of success, to

cross or interlace the fibres as they are taken onto the forming surface. However, the attempts at interlacing, heretofore, have been dependent upon various forms of mechanical agitators. These agitators, however, do not take into consideration or overcome the stagnation and resulting quiet condition of the stock.

Among the aims of the present invention are overcoming the various objections above disclosed, while at the same time providing a machine having many advantages not found 1n any existing machines or apparatus aimed at accomplishing the same general results.

In order to more clearly disclose the con-,

struction, operation, and use of the invention, and the method of putting the same into ef fect, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of the present application. Throughout the several figures of the drawings like reference characters designate the same parts in all of the views.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a top plan view'of the invention, as applied.

- Fig. 2 is a lateral vertical cross section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section through the deckle and deckle holder.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the mounting and adjustment of the deckle holder and deckle.-

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the second modification.

In all cases in which the liquid stock is stagnant or quiet as it is taken up by the forming surface the travel of the surface will have an appreciable tensile strength in the direction of its length but very little tensile strength laterally or at right angles to the length of the sheet. For the production of papers of increased transverse strength, or of substantially equal strength both longitudinally and transversely the liquid stock must be thoroughly agitated as it passes onto the forming surface. In order to maintain a. uniform consistency with resulting uniformity in the formed sheet, the liquid stock is so fed through specially constructed and disposed channels on its way to the forming surface that it is kept thoroughly mixed and of a substantially uniform consistencythe proportion of fibrous matter to water being ma1ntained the same throughout. To further maintain such uniformity and, at the same time, insure an ample quantity of stock constantly in contact with the traveling formlng surface, a special construction provides an auxiliary chamber into which the feed opens,

, enclosing an agitator which occupies the greater part of the chamber and having one side open to the traveling forming element.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 indicates the shell of a well known suction couch roll in general use at the present time in pa er making machines of various types. Withm the shell 1 is mounted, in well known manner, a. suction box having the two separate compartments for formin and tempering vacuums. About the she and traveling therewith, may extend a forming wire of usual and well known type. Or, the roll may be wire covered. It is necessary, of course, to have a fine mesh or cloth covering of some kind on the outer surface of the roll to hold the layer of fibres. Otherwise, there would be no layer formation, as the stock fibres as well as the water, would be practically all drawn through the perforations and to the interior of the suction chambers.

The box or vat 2 for supplying stock to the suction roll is specially constructed and arranged for keeping the stock in motion as it passes to a feed chamber which is so designed and disposed as to, at all times, maintain an adequate supply of liquid stock about the agitator in contact with the forming surface, while at the same time avoiding a surplus-or maintaining only the quantity required for most efficient operation. It will be understood that the assembly shown in Figs. 1 and 3 represents one unit of a machine usually, though not necessarily, having at least two such units. In a machine having two units, they are arranged as right and left hand units, the one shown in this case being the left hand, and the other (not shown) the right and exactly complementary thereto. In such machines, a two-ply sheet may be formed, one ply on each unit, and the two then suitably bonded. On the other hand, this plural unit type is not essential to the invention, as the invention lies in the elements or parts of a single unit and the meth- 0d of handling the liquid stock. The unit, iself, may be coupled up in various other arrangements, or assembla es, as well as in various other types of mac ines.

The liquid stock is supplied to the vat through the usual or any other suitable and well known means. As will be seen on reference to Figures 2 and 3, the vat is substantially L-shape in lateral vertical cross section and so positioned, relatively to the roll, that the upper surface of the horizontal branch 3 falls, substantially in the same plane as the horizontal longitudinal center of the roll. This branch is considerably reduced in cross sectional area in comparison with the cross sectional area of the vertical branch 4. To reduce friction and avoid eddies in which fibres may become banked and packed, in the rear lower part of the vertical branch, and to eliminate the right angle corner or wall at a diametrically op osite point, these areas are cut on long gra ual substantially concentric curves presentin the minimum obstruction to the free uni orm flow of the liquid stock. As will be clear from the above, and from Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the outlet of branch 3, thus provided, is not only considerably below but at an appreciable distance from the horizontal longitudinal center line of the roll, the point at which it is desired to deliver the stock to the forming surface; To lead the stock upwardly and outwardly to the point where it will be taken up by the roll, a curved plate or trou h 5 is used. It is provided with an attaching ange which is either continuous or as a plurality of separate flanges or ears. The upper outer portion of this trough 5 is considerably thickened as at 7, the curve being continued somewhat more sharply through this portion so that the upper end of the curve is directed rearwardly. Throu hout this thickened portion, the outer face of the trough is substantially vertical, leaving at the upper end a horizontal face of shoulder 8 to which is suitably clamped an apron 9 by means of a suitable clamp 10. In clamping the apron in place, the free tapered edge is so disposed as to just lightly engage the upwardly traveling surface of the forming element to maintain a substantially liquid tight seal or joint and prevent leakage or dri from the box. It will be noticed that opposite the upper edge of the trough, the outer edge of the upper wall of the horizontal vat branch 3 is rounded off at 11 on an arc of approximately the mean inner curvature of the trough 5, and for the same purpose and operating in the same manner as that of the other curved surfaces of the branch 3. In rounding oil this edge, a longitudinal feed opening 12 is left between it and the shoulder 8. It will be noticed that this opening is appreciably narrower or more constricted than the branch 3, which, in turn," is much narrower than the vertical branch 4. Liquid stock from the vertical branch 4 flows downwardly, inwardly, and upwardly in a somewhat U-shaped circuit and through the feed openin 12. In order to direct this inflowing stoc 2 into immediate contact with the forming element and maintain it there during the forming operation, a stock chamber is provided including the feed opening in its bottom wall and having its roll side completely open. Preferably it is made by a longitudinal partition or wall 13 extending from one end wall 14 to the other of the vat 2 and rising vertically to about one half the inside height of the vat ends, together with an inclined top orvover-flow plate 15, the rear edge of which is fixed to the upper edge of the partition 13. The free edge of this over-flow plate or top is so positioned, relatively to the forming element, as to leave an outlet opening above the feed opening and of approximately the same width as the feed opening. It will be noticed that, due to the curvature of roll, this outlet opening is somewhat nearer the longitudinal axis of the roll than is the lower or feed opening. Assuming the feed opening to be open to its maximum, and the stock to be used at a considerably slower rate than it is being fed into the stock chamber, it is evident that the accumulation will gradually fill the chamber and overflow above the over-. flow plate. The excess will then flow longitudinally between the partition 13 and vertical branch 4, through the opening 16 in the vat end, through the pocket or small chamber carried by the vat end, through an opening 17 in an extension of 4 and thence by a pipe back to the chest. The stock chamber thus formed and positioned, relatively to the roll, through the action of the inclined leveling plate, maintains a constant level or head of stock on the forming element. The inclined top or overflow plate, it will be seen, acts as a leveler to maintain the stock at the height of its upper edge, any rising higher than that line, necessarily running over and down the incline. This is particularly desirable with the higher speed machines where there is, with some kinds of stock, a tendency for the upwardly traveling wire to cause a rolling orballing action in the stock along the line where the wire leaves it, and where there is a tendency for the stock to thicken as the water is drawn off through the suction chamber. Any such balling, of course, tends to unevenness of the consistency of the stock and a poorer distribution of the fibres as will be readily understood. With the inclined plate, any tendency of this nature is avoided. The stock, at once, as it starts to rise with. the traveling wire, will simply flow back down the incline before any rolling or balling formation can be appreciably started, thus aiding greatly in maintaining perfect uniformity in the consistency of the stock at a point where said uniformity is most essential. Thus, the inclined overflow plate acts as a leveling plate and performs the double function of both maintaining constant consistency of stock and avoiding any possible balling or rolling tendency of the stock and resulting thickening at the point where the forming wire leaves the stock.

To regulate the head of liquid stock in the vertical branch 4, a suitable slide gate 18 is vprovided. Preferably, the gate is a simple slide or plate freely movable in suitable ways or grooves formed in the inner walls of 4. A set of such plates are provided, each for a different head desired. When the stock rises above the particular gate edge it simply overflows into the overflow pipe and chest.

To obtain satisfactory results, it has been found best to regulate the volume of the feed racks 20 are provided, which connect at one end to 2. lug on the rear edge on gate 19 and have free sliding movement in a lower bracket 21 in which is swivele-d a shaft 22 which extends upwardly through suitable guide and brace bracket 23 and is provided with a hand wheel 24 for operating. Said shaft carries on its lower end, of course, a pinion 25 which mesheswith and drives rack 20. Several of these rack and pinion drives are shown but it is clear, of course, that the number may be considerably increased, as desired.

In the feed chamber is disposed an agitating device comprising a rod 26 near the free end of which is provided a collar 27 the extreme end playing freely in a frame member and a coil spring 28 being disposed about the rod end and between the collar and frame member to keep the rod yieldingly forced toward the right end Fig. 1. The opposite end is connected to and operated by a cam, eccentric, or other revoluble device 29 which may be driven by suitable connections from any of the shafts of the machine or from a motor or other separate operating means, as may be desired. On this reciprocable rod are a plurality of substantially rectangular agitator plates 30 arranged at short distances apart, securely fastened" to said shaft in'such spaced relation, and each having its edge which is nearest the roll formed on a curve practically concentric with the roll face. These plates.

are so mounted that their concave edges are slightly spaced from the roll face. Also, they are so mounted that they directly overlie the feed opening from the vat extending from the roll across and slightly above the shoulder 8 and the greater part of the distance across the feed opening. Likewise, it will be noticed that the plates extend laterally from the roll more than half way to the partition. 13 and vertically from the feed opening more than half way to the overflow plate. Whilethese proportions are not essential, it has been found preferable to have the areas of the plates and of the cross section of stock chamber of approximately those given. By-

the above construction, the entire mass of stock being fed to the roll may be maintained uniform throughout and kept thoroughly agitated so that the fibres are adequately intermingled and crossed.

The tortuous curved passage through 3, 4, and 12, insures a uniform mixing and consistency of the stock and tends to ive a preliminary crossing or interlacing o the fibres which is subsequently adequately completed by the agitator.

Where lateral tensile strength of the paper is of little consequence and the crossing of the fibres, therefore, not important, the agitator may be omitted, or, if not omitted, may be permitted to simply remain idle.

The form shown in Figs. 3 and (3 is a variation of the preferred construction. In this form, the longitudinal partition is extended the full height of the vat, the overflow plate is omitted, the stock chamber comprises the space between said partition and the roll, and the vibrator is mounted and operates in that space. On the other hand, a lateral partition is provided near one end of the longitudinal partition, forming a small end compartment between said longitudinal partition and the vertical wall of the vat. At this point, the upper end of the partition is cut away or an outlet opening provided for excess stock, which passes thence to the outlet or waste pipe leading back to the chest as in the other cases. By this modification, it is possible to substitute for the rack and pinion mechanism, a simpler and more compact arrangement comprising horizontally disposed screws 39 suitably swiveled in the partition 13 threaded into nuts, sleeves, or the like 40 formed in or secured to angle plates or brackets 41 rigidly connected to the slide or cut off 19. In this form, the hand wheels or the like 42 for operating 39 are arranged in the chamber between partition 13 and the wall of the vertical part of the vat. Otherwise, this vat is very similar to the preferred form, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, both in construction and operation.

In Figs. 4 and 5 the details of the preferred form of mounting and adjusting the deckles are disclosed. It will be seen that the vertical free edges of the ends of the vat ad acent the roll are formed on a curve or arc 32 of substantially the same degree of curvature as or concentric with the curvature of the lateral vertical cross section of the roll, so that the roll may revolve freely within said arc. Each vat wall, preferably, on a curve concentric with the are 31, is provided with a plurality of elongated slots 32 for adjustably connecting the deckle holders 33 and their deckles tothe vat ends in proper position relatively to the shell of the roll. The deckle holders which comprise a comparatively narrow metal plate having an arcuate inner edge of approximately the same degree of curvature as that of the roll are adapted to be disposed close to and concentric therewith. One face of this holder is cut away or recessed as at 34; to a considerable depth both laterally (in the direction of its thickness) and outwardly (from the inner toward the outer edge). This recess may, preferably, be made substantially concentric with the are 31 and the curvature of the roll. It is adapted to receive an arcuate rubber deckle 35 the free end of which, when in proper adjusted position, is adapted to lie very close to but not quite in actual contact with the forming wire on the cylinder. The exact proper adj ustmentis very important. If the deckle actually contacts with the wire in its travel, the wire will be cut or torn-it will be badly damaged. On the other hand, if there is an appreciable space between the edge of the deckle and the forming wire, the liquid stock will seep out laterally beyond the ends of the vat wall. The action of the vacuum within the roll on the area between the vat end walls permits the normal atmospheric pressure outside the same to'exert a daming action counter to the seepage tendency of the stock. This counter action of the normal. atmospheric pressure will be ample to prevent seepage when the deckles are properly adjusted-only very slightly spaced from the wire. For efi'ecting this adjustment, the holder may be provided with a number of bolt holes to receive clamping bolts 36, the bolt holes in said plate, of course, being so disposed that the shanks of the bolts, when the deckles are in operative position will also extend through the respective elongated slots 32. Nuts 37 turned down upon the ends of the bolts from the inner face of the vat ends, act to clamp the deckle holders in operative position against the outer faces of the vat ends, securely binding the deckles in their seats by the clamping action of the deckle holders and vat walls respectively. Proper accurate adjustment of the deckles toward and from the roll'is obtained by loosening the nuts 37, moving the deckle to the desired position, and then again tightening the nuts. The deckles themselves, it will be seen, are solidly seated in their operative positions and rigidly braced in all directions, while yet being entirely separate from their holders and freely removable from and replaceable in their seats in the deckle holders.

The deckles for use with rolls of any one diameter will, of course, all be made, on exactly the same arc, the right hand deckles all being identical and the left hand all being identical. Consequently, when the deckle holders of any particular roll have once been used, they may be securely fixed in adjusted position by two or more dowels 38, rigidly holding them against any slight slipping during operation of the machine. Then, when the deckle is to be replaced, it is only necessary to loosen the nuts 37, take out the worn deckle, replace it with a new one, and tighten up the nuts. Since the old and new deckles are, at the start, exactly identical, and since the holder has been adjusted for the old deckle, it follows that the same adjustment of the holder applies exactly to the replacing deckle. Thus, one adjustment of the deckle holders of the machine is all that is necessary, the dowel pins acting always, to accurately maintain this adjustment.

It is thought that the construction, operation, and use of the apparatus of this invention, as well as the method involved, will be clear from the preceding detail description. Changes may be made in the construction arrangement and disposition of the various parts of the apparatus and in carrying out the several steps of the method, all within the scope of the appended claims, without in i any degree departing from the field and intention of this invention, and it is meant to include all such within this application wherein only several forms of the apparatus has been disclosed for purely illustrative purposes.

What I claim is:

1. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body of approximately L-shaped cross section and having an upwardly directed outlet leading therefrom for delivery of stock to a traveling forming surface, said vat lying entirely on the delivery side of said forming surface, and above the lower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at the points of mergence of its branches with each other and with the outlet.

2. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a substantially upright branch and a branch connecting therewith and at an an le thereto and terminating in an upwardly irected outlet leading therefrom for delivery of stock to a traveling forming surface, said vat lying entirely on the delivery side of said forming surface, and above the lower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at the points of mergence of its branches with each other and with theoutlet.

3. A vat for'paper making machines comprising, a body of approximately L-shaped cross section, the vertical branch being of greater cross sectional area than" the other branch, andthe other branch terminating in an upwardly directed outlet leading therefrom for delivery of stock to a traveling forming surface, said vat lying entirely on the delivery side of said forming surface, and above the lower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at the points of mergence of its branches with each other and with the outlet.

4. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto a traveling forming surface, said vat lying entirely on the delivery side of said form-, ing surface, and above the lower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at the points of mergence of its branches with each other and with the outlet.

5. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuous underfeed passage of decreasing cross sectional area and adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto a traveling forming surface, said vat lying entirely on the delivery side of said forming surface, and above the lower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at the points of mergence ofits branches with each other and with the outlet.

6. In combination with a vat for paper making machines comprising a body of approximately L-shaped cross section and having an upwardl directed outlet leading therefrom for delivery of stock to a traveling forming surface, an agitator over-lying said outlet and in the'path of issuing stock, said vat lying entirely on the delivery side of said forming surface, and above the lower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at the points of mergence of its branches with each other and with the outlet.

7. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto a traveling forming surface, and means for controlling the feed of stock from said vat.

8. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto a traveling forming surface, means for controlling the feed of stock from said vat, and an agitator disposed above said opening and in the path of delivery of the stock 9. In combination, a vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto a traveling forming surface, and an auxiliary stock chamber into which said vat delivers, said vat lying entirely on the delivery side of said forming surface, and above the lower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at the points'of mergence of its branches with each other and with the outlet.

10. In combination, a vat for paper making machines com rising, a bod having a tortuous underfee passa e to eliver stock upwardly onto a traveling forming surface, an auxiliary stock chamber into which said vat delivers and an agitator within said auxiliary chamber and in the path of the infiowing stock, said vat lying entirely on the delivery side of said forming surface, and above the lower part thereof and havin continuous curved surfaces at the points 0 mergence .of

its branches with each other and with the outlet.

11. In combination, a vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto a traveling forming surface, means-for controlling the delivery of the stock, an auxiliary stock chamber into which said vat delivers, and an agitator within said auxiliary chamber and in the path of the infiowing stock.

12. In combination, a vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto a traveling forming surface, and an inclined leveling plate directed toward a co-operating suction roll and disposed at a distance above the feed opening leading from said vat.

'13. A vat for paper making machines comprising, a body having a tortuous feed passage adapted to deliver stock onto a traveling forming surface, said vat lying entirely on r the delivery side of said forming surface, and

above the lower part thereof and having continuous curved surfaces at the points of mergence of its branches with each other and with the outlet.

\ 14. In combination in a paper making machine, a traveling forming surface, a vat provided with a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto said traveling surface, an auxiliary stock chamber above and receiving stock from said vat, and an inclined overflow plate for said stock chamber adapted to direct the stock toward said traveling surface.

15. In combination in a paper machine, a traveling forming surface, a vat provided with a tortuous underfeed passage adapted to deliver stock upwardly onto said traveling surface, an auxiliary stock chamber above and receiving stock from said vat, and an inclined overflow plate for said chamber extending upwardly toward said forming surface and leaving between its upper edge and said surface an overflow opening, the incline of said plate acting to direct the incoming stock onto the surface and the excess or overflow stock away from said surface.

16 In combination with a vat for paper making machine, arcuate deckle holders, and means for adjustably securing said holders to the walls of said vat..

17. In combination with a vat for paper making machines, arcuate deckle holders provided with deckle recesses, deckles adapted to be seated in said recesses, and means for securing said holders to the vat walls.

18. In combination with a vat for paper making machines, arcuate deckle holders provided with deckle recesses, deckles adapted to be seated in said recesses, means for adjusting the deckle holders, and means for clampin the deckle holders against the vat walls to ind the deckles in position.

19. In combination with a vat for paper making machines, arcuate deckle holders provided with deckle recesses, deckles adapted to be seated in said recesses, means for adjusting said holders and deckles, means for securing them in adjusted position, and means for maintaining this selected adjustment.

20. In the combination with a vat for paper making machines, arcuate deckles carried thereby.

21. In combination with a vat for paper making machines, arcuate deckles carried thereby and means for adjusting said deckles.

22. In combination in a paper making machine an upwardly traveling forming surface,

means for delivering stock thereto, and arcu--' ate deckles cooperating with said forming surface to retain stock thereon said deckles closely approaching but not contacting with said forming surface whereby the stock is retained on said forming surface over an area between said deckles without frictional engagement between said deckles and said formin surface.

igned at Sandusky this 14th day of March,

WILLIAM H. MILLSPAUGH.

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