US2027252A - Steeping peess - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 7, 1936.

T. F. sTA cY STEEPING PRESS Filed Feb. 1o, 1954 y 6 Sheets-Sheet l 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 *s Jan. 7, 1936. T. F. sTAcY STEEPING PRESS Filed Feb. 1o, 1934 Jan. 7, 1936.

T. F. sTAcY 2,027,252

STEEPING PRESS Filed Feb. 1o, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Y 1 2 ff f fz/ l 1 ml! M, cmi

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Jan. 7, 1936.

T. F. sTAcY STEEPING PRESS Filed Feb. 1o, 1934 T, F. sTAcY 2,027,252

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Jan. 7, 1936.

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iatented Jan. 7, i933 STEEPING PRESS raam F. scm. Piqua, om, mmm u n n French Oli Mill Machinery Co., Piqua, 01de Application February 1o, 19:4, serial No. 'msn 13 Claims.

This invention relates to steeping presses in which pulp sheets are soaked or steeped for a desired interval of time in a caustic solution, such as caustic soda, after which the pulp sheets are compressed by the use of a hydraulically operated platen movable lengthwise of or across the press, to expel the excess steeping solution. Such a steeping press is commonlyutilized in the viscose process of making rayon and cellophane. During the steeping operation the action of the caustic solution upon the pulp or fibrous sheets causes the generation of considerable heat which is very objectionable, particularly where the temperature of the surrounding air is high. The best results are obtained where the temperature of the pulp and caustic, during the steeping operation, are maintained approximately uniform or conetant. The use of cooling coils or pipes which project into the steeping compartment of the tank are unsatisfactory for various reasons, among which may be mentioned the frequent trouble v from leaks and the lack of uniformity in the cooling action in dierent parts of the tank and the fact that pipes or coils projecting into the reac- .tion chamber are exposed to injury and may interfere with the operation of the platen across the tank or steeping chamber of the press.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for controlling the temperature of the steeping solution-and pulp sheets during the steeping operation, and for keeping the pulp and steeping solution at an approximately uniform or constant' temperature; lwith which maximum emciency and uniformity in the cooling effect throughout the tank may be obtained; which will not be open to objections to which other types of cooling means are subject; and which will be relatively simple, durable, dependable and inexpensive.

Such steeping presses are commonly made ,rather long, and a material loss of time of the attendant occurs and unsatisfactory results obtained if all the operations of the press must be manually supervised and operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for controlling the operation of the platen inboth directions, by which the pulp sheets may be compressed to express the excess steeping solution, and with which the squeezed sheets of pulp may also, if desired, be ejected from the tank at the conclusion of the expressing operation.

A further object of the invention is to" provide improved means for regulating the operations o f the platen, by utilizing a reversible, variable,V

(Cl. 10C-5I) delivery pump; with which the platen may be operated in either direction selectively and stopped and held in any intermediate position in its possible range of travel; with which overrunning of the platen beyond any selected position may be avoided; with which the different oper- A ations of the pump to cause different movements of the platen may be controlled somewhat automatically by the movement of the platen; with which the speed ofthe platen may be automatically changed at diiferent points in its travel in the same direction; with which the points in the travel of the platen at which the automatic controls are eective, may be varied to some extent; with which the platen may be stopped antenatically at approximately its limits of movement in both directiois if the operator should fail to set the automatic'controls properly, or should be negligent in operating the manual controls; with which the travel of the platen will at all times be subject to the manual controls, even if normally operating under the automatic controls; with which theautomatic controls may be rendered ineffective to effective at will and in a simple manner; andwhich will be relatively simple, safe, dependable, durable and inexpensive.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for operating a platen, with which the speed of the platen in travelling in a given direction may be varied without stopping the travel of the platen; with which the speed of travel of the platen in a given direction may be changed at selected intervals in accordance with the predetermined plan; with which the points at which the speed changes and the extent and character of the change in the travel in a given direction may be varied atA will; with which the positionof Vthe platen may be accurately nxed duringthe drainage operation and automatically held in this fixed position; and with which the speed of travel of the platen may be progressively decreased at intervals in the path of travel of the platen.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a steeping press constructed in accordance with this invention.

AFig. 2 is a plan 'of the same, but with sections broken out to decrease the overall dimensions, andwiththep'artsshownonalargerscale;

Fig. 3 is an elevationv of the steeping tank ci the press and a part oi the operating mechanism connected therewith, andwith the parts on a" larger scale than shown in Fig. 1;

4 is a longitudinal. sectional elevation through one end of the steeping tank and the platen operating means associated therewith.

Fig. 5 isa side elevation of a portion of the steeping` tank and the controls for the platen when the platen is in a position in which the steeping solution is being expressed from the pulp sheets, instead of in the retracted position as shown in Fig. 3;

Flg.6isa planofthepartsshowninFig.5, and with the parts in the same relative positions;

Fig. 7 is a transverse, sectional elevation through the operating mechanism associated with the steeping tank, the section being taken approximately along the line 'I-l of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is -a transverse, sectional elevation through the steeping tank at an intermediate point, the section being taken approximately along the line 8-8 of Fig. 3; and omitting the pulp sheets and interposed separating or drainage plates.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the adjustable stop and the platen-operated abutment of the control mechanism while in latched position with respect to one another;

Fig. 10 is a similar side elevation of the same parts, but with the abutment member carried by the platen shifted into a position in which the automatic rcontrol for stopping the press in an intermediate position is rendered ineffective;

Fig. 11 is a transverse, sectional elevation through the parts shown in Fig. 9, the section being taken approximately along the line II-I I of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a similar sectional elevation through the parts of Flg. 10, with the section taken approximately along the line I2-I2 of Fig. l0;

, Fig. 13 is a transverse, sectional elevation through a part of the controls for the reversible pump, the section being taken approximately along the line I3--I3 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation through 'the structure shown in Fig. 13, and with the section taken approximately along the line I4-I4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of parts which control one limit of movement of the platen automatically, and illustratingl a slight modification of the invention which may be incorporated in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 15;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary side elevation of a steeping press having a control mechanism of somewhat different construction for actuating the variable delivery pump and controlling the platen travel;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary side elevation on a larger scale, of a part of this control mechanism, showing the means for coupling the platen to the control rod or member;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary side elevation of a part of the control mechanism, showing the parts in a diierent position to that illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17;

Fig. 19 is a similar view showing the latch' device in position -for engaging and shifting the control rod during a retractive movement of the platen;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section of said control means taken approximately on the line 2li-2li, Fig. 18;

Fig. 21 is a plan view, partly in section of the spaanse steeping tank showing its construction in detail,

the steeping press includes a steeping tank Il with the associated parts of the press omitted;

F1522 is afragmentary vertical section of one of the upright walls of the tank, taken on the line n n, Fig. 21; and 5 Fig. 23 is a fragmentary, horizontal section taken through the horizontal bottom wall of the tank on line 23--23, Fig. 8.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention,

10 which is open at the top and which is closed at one end by a movable end gate or wall II. The opening closed by the gate II corresponds approximately to the cross section of the tank, and the gate may be lifted or otherwise opened at 15 the proper time inany suitable manner such as by uiting apparatus (not shown) attached to the lugs I2 on the upper edge of the gate. Since the means for moving the end gate in itself forms no part of the present invention, and is old 20 in the art, the mechanism for operating the gate has been omitted from the disclosure for the sake of simpliclty.` Disposed within the tank is a platen I3 which is operable across or lengthwise of the tank toward and from the end gate- 25 II. The platen I3 is attached to a piston or ram Il which extends outwardly of the tank through a stuiilng box or gland I 5 provided in the vertical end wall. I5a of the tank which is at the end opposite the gate I'I. The pulp sheets A to be 30 steeped are disposed on edge in the tank ID between the platen and the end gate II, and the tank is then lled with the steeping solution, such as caustic soda. 'Ihe steeping solution may be introduced into and withdrawn from the tank 35 III by means of inlet and outlet pipes Illa and Illb, Figs. 1, 3 and 4. 'Ihe side edges of the sheets A are disposed in spaced relation to the upright, longitudinal side walls of the tank, and the lower edges of said sheets engage upon spaced ribs projecting upwardly-from the bottom of the tank, (see Figs. 2, 8 and'16) thereby facilitating the free circulation of. the steeping solution in the xilalnk and intimate contact thereof with the pulp eets.

Afterthe sheets A have soaked or steeped for the desired time, the tank Il is drained and the sheets then compressed by advancing the platen to a desired extent to squeeze out the excess steeping solution. 'The platen is-then retracted or operated in a direction away from the end gate so as to relieve the pressure of the sheets on the end gate.Y after which the end gate is elevated or removed, whereupon the platen I3 is again advanced along the tank toward the end 5 normally closed bythe end gate. In doing so, the pulp sheets A are .pushed out of the tank through the end thereof, -and fall by gravity into a suitable receptacle onconveyor, (not shown).

The pulp sheets A are separated at frequent intervals by separating or drainage plates I6 which are apertured, and' at alternate intervals the plates may be double plates having drainage grooves therein. One of these drainage plates is shown in broken lines in Fig. 8. 'I'he drainage plates are supported in the tank III in a vertical position and guided endwise of the tank by lugs I6a on opposite edges of the plates which slide in channel guides I'I which are supported on the inside faces of the side walls of the tank and extend lengthwise of the tank. Extension channels Ila, Figs. 2 and 3, are arranged to move into and extend beyond the open end of the tank that is normallyclosed by the gate II, when the gate is opened, so that as the platen pushes the pulp sheets, with the interposed plates I3, outwardly through the end of the tank, the plates will be guided outwardly by the extension channels and held against descent with the pulp sheets, the pulp sheets falling by gravity from between the drainage plates I6. 1

After this operation, the platen I4 is returned to its retracted position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the plates I6 returned to the tank and other pulp sheets A disposed between the plates. The gate is then closed, the steeping solution returned to the tank, and a new steeping operation may then proceed.

'I'he piston or ram I4 extends into a single action cylinder I3, Figs. 1, 3 and 4. A source of actuating fluid, such as oil, is contained in a tank I3 which is preferably mounted above the cylinder I3 in any suitable manner. A pump 23 of the well known, reversible flow, variable delivery type is mounted upon the tank I9, and is continuously -driven by any suitable source of power, such as by a motor 2I which is directly coupled thereto. The delivery of the pump is reversed by endwise movement of a control rod or member 22, which, when moved endwise in one direction causes the pump to deliver operating fluid to an outlet pipe 23, and when moved in the opposite direction, causes the pump to deliver the operating fluid to another pipe 24. When the control rod or member 22 is in an intermediate position, the pump is set for neutral delivery, that is, it operates without delivery of any fluid in either direction.

The pipe 23 is connected to a pair of single action pullV back cylinders 25 and the pipe 24 is connected to the main ram cylinder I8, the pipe 23 being divided or forked so as to transmit uid simultaneously to both pull back cylinders 25. The pipes 23 and 24 are also connected through suitable pressure release valves 26 and 21 respectively, to a common delivery pipe 28 which opens into the tank I9. The pipes 23 and 24 are further connected to opposite ends of a differential or outwardly opening double check valve 23, and this check valve is in turn connected by a pipe 33 to the lower part of the tank I3.

This arrangement of the reversible flow, variable delivery pump, the tank I3 which forms a source or reservoir of operating liquid, the differential or double check valve 23, and the pipesA 23 and 24 leading to the pull-back and ram cylinders 25 and I3 respectively, constitutes a hydraulic system or circuit.

As shown clearly in Figs. 1 to 8, the end of the main cylinder I3 which is adjacent the tank I3 is provided with a transverse head 35, and at that end of the tank which is adjacent the movable gate II, there is a stationary transverse head block 36 which together with said cylinder head is secured upon the floor or supporting surface. These parts 35 and 36 are rigidly connected at each side of the tank I3 by a pair of tie or strain rods 31. The pull-back cylinders 25 before mentioned are.disposed one at each side of the tank I3 between the respective pairs of tie rods 31, the opposite ends of said cylinder being slidable in the cylinder head 35 and secured in the head block 36, respectively. Each of the pull-back cylinders 25 is provided with a reciprocable piston 38, which enters the cylinder through the head block 35. These pistons 33 have their free or remote ends rigidly secured together by a cross member or yoke which straddles and is guided for longitudinal reciprocatory movement upon the main cylinder I3. A pair of pull-back rods 4| (Fig. 2) are secured to the yoke 43 and extend horizontally in parallel relation to the pistons 38. Each of the rods 4I passes through an aperture in the head block 35 and through a gland or stunlng box in the upright end wall Ila and into the tank I3, where it is secured to the platen I3.

When the variable delivery pump 23 is set to advance the platen I3, fluid under pressure passes by way. of the pipe 24 into the cylinder I3 and acts directly upon the ram I4 to force the ram outwardly of its cylinder. At this time, fluid under pressure is not being delivered to the pullback cylinders 23 and 26, and since the pull-back piston 33, the yoke 43, and the pull-back rods 4 I are connected to one another and to said platen, the pistons 38 will, of course, advance with the ram I4 and platen I3. When it is desired to retract the platen I3, the pump is set to deliver fluid under pressure to the cylinders 25 and is withdrawn from cylinder I5. This causes movement of the pistons 33 towards the left in the drawings, and through the yoke 43 and rods 4I retracts th platen I3.

'Ihe features of this invention relating to the control means for the reversible flow, variable delivery pump 23 and the platen I3, except insofar as it has to do with the movement of the platen when discharging pulp sheets out of the open end of the tank described, may be used with steeping tanks not provided with a removable end gate or wall, and in which the sheets after sieeping, are lifted out of the open top of the tank.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 14, the control rod or member 22 extends lengthwise along one side of the tank I3 in parallel relation to, and directly over, the upper strain rod 31 at that side of the tank. Owing to its length and its consequent possible sagging or deflection, this rod 22 is preferably supported intermediate of its ends upon rollers or anti-friction devices 42 journalled upon collars or clamps 43 secured upon said strain rod 31 and adjustable along the same.

The means for transmitting the endwise movement of the control rod or member 22 to the reversible ilow variable delivery pump 23 to control the delivery of the pump are illustrated in Figs. 3, '1, 13 and 14, and include a transversely extending, horizontal operating shaft 45 (Figi. 14) journalledv in a bracket 46 depending from the tank I9 below the pump 23, the shaft being provided at its inner end with a spur pinion 41 meshing with a spur gear 48 secured on one end of a second transverse, horizontal shaft 48. This end of shaft 49 is journalled in the bracket 46, while its other end is journalled in a second bracket 53 depending from the tank I3. Intermediate of its ends, the shaft 49 is provided with a pinion 5I Awhich meshes with a series of rack teeth 52 formed on the adjacent end of the control rod 22. This end of the control rod is preferably mounted in horizontal guides 53 formed, for example, on the bracket 46 and which permit horizontal, reciprocable movement of the control rod and retain the rack 52 and pinion 5I in mesh with one another.

The shaft 43 is also provided with a sprocket Wheel 55 (Fig. 13) connected by a sprocket chain 56 to a small sprocket wheel 51 (Figs. 3 and 7) secured to one end of a horizontal, transversely extending actuating rod 63 disposed directly above the pump 23. The rod 63 has a threaded portion which extends into a correspondingly threaded sleeve 6I secured in an upwardly extending bearing 62 mounted upon the pump 23, and the end of said rod 38 remote from the sprocket wheel 8l? is pivoted to a lever 88 in such a manner that endwise movements of the rod 88 in one direction or another will cause the pump toy be actuated in the well-known manner of reversible flow, variable delivery pumps, so as to cause delivery of iluidunder pressure alternately to the pipes 28 and 24 for the purpose described.

The operating shaft 48 is preferably provided with a hand wheel 85 which upon being rotated in one direction or the other will, through the endwise movement of the actuating rod M effect the desired control oi the pump 28.

The described mechanism constitutes a manual means for controlling the movement of the platen I8 through the pump 20, and since the control rod 22 is relatively lo'ng, owing to the length oi the tank I0, a second hand control is preferably provided at the opposite end of the control rod so that the operative may aotuate the latter from the end which is most convenient. This second manual control comprises a hand wheel 88 (Figs. l and 3) secured to the outer end of an operating shaft 89 which is operatively connected through means identical with the other manual control to actuate a pinion meshing with rack teeth on the adjacent end of thecontrol rod.

The arrangement of the manual control mechanism is such that, assuming the pump to be in neutral delivery position and the platen I8 at rest in approximately the position shown in Fig. 2, an advance of the platen towards the right from that position may be initiated by a clockwise rotation of either of the hand wheels 85 or 68, which will cause a movement of the control rod 22 toward the left. The platen I3 may be brought to rest at any time by shifting the control rod 22 toward the right, by a rotation of either of the hand wheels in the opposite direction to an extent such as to place the control rod in neutral delivery position. The continuation of the movement of either of the hand wheels in the last mentioned direction will set the pump to deliver iluid in a reverse direction, and when the platen assumes the desired retracted position, its travel may be. arrested by again actuating one of the hand wheels to reset the pump 20 for neutral delivery.

In order to effect an automatic actuation of the control rod 22 for controlling the movements of the platen I3 through movements of the latter,

I provide, on said rod 22, one or more stops or dogs, two such stops 12 and 13 (Figs. 1 to 12) being shown. These stops are slidably adjustable lengthwise of the rod 22, and are secured thereto in any desired position by set screws 14 with lock nuts 15. Each dog or stop extends for a short distance above the control rod and terminates in a horizontal fiat face 18 forming with the trans#- verse sides of the stops a pair of abrupt shoulders 11 and 18 (Figs. 9 and 10). The control rod 22 is also preferably and additionally provided, adjacent each end of the tank I0, with ilxed stops or members 19 and '80 (Figs. 2 and 3). the purpose of which will be described presently.

Suitable means are provided whereby the stops -12 and 13 may be engaged to shift the control rod in one direction or another through movement of the platenl I3. For this purpose (Figs. 1 to 14) a laterally extending arm 8l is rigidly secured to the platen I3, as shown clearly in Figs. 2, 6, and 8, and which extends outwardly over the adjacent side wall of the tank I0 and at its outer end, terminates in an abutment block 82. The lower face 83 (Figs. 9 to 12) of said block extends over the control rod 22 in a position to clear the top faces 18 of the stops 12 and 18, and the front vertical face oi' said block is formed with a vertical recess 84 for the'reception oi a relatively movable abutment member 86, which is mounted to swing about a horizontal pivot 85 extending across said recess 84.

This abutment member 86 may assume a depending, operative position in the recess 84. as shown in Figs. 9 and l1, or it may be swung upwardly into an inoperative po ition, as shown in Figs. 10 and 12, about its pivot 85 through an angle of 180 degrees.

The movable abutment member 84 has transverse abrupt shoulders 88 and 89 which, when the block is in its depending operative position, l5

are disposed to engage with the shoulders 18 and 11 of the stops 12 or 13 in the advance and return movements, respectively, of the platen I3.

Upon a stud 80 extending forwardly from the front face of the depending abutment member so 88, see Fig. 9, I pivot a latch member 8l, having a hooked nose or end 82. The abutment member 88 is provided with an oilsetv horizontal rest 83 (Fig. 11) which, when the member is in depending position, supports the latch 9i in oper- 25 ative position in which it extends in a horizontal direction along' rod 22. The latch 8i also has a terminal, inclined cam face 94 which, in the pressing travel of the platen I3 and abutment member 86 towards one of the stops 12 or 13, 30

engages and rides over stop 12, and when the shoulder 88 of the abutment member engages said shoulder 18, the hook portion 92 of the latch will drop down into engagement with thc opposite shoulder 11 of that stop, since the dis- 35 tance between the hook 82 and the shoulder 88 is equal to or slightly greater than the distance across the stop, thus latching the control rod or member 22 to the platen.

The pivot stud 80 for the latch 8| preferably V extends outwardly to form a handle, see Fig. 1l, by which the movable abutment member 88 and its latch 9I may be swung about the pivot 85 into the-upper or inoperative position in which the latch 9| rests upon the top face of the abutl ment block 82, as shown in Figs. 10 and '12. In this inoperative position, these parts 88 and 8i will have no effect upon the control member 22, since they then travel above and are clear of both of the stops 12 or 13, during the travel of the platen.

The operation of the control means described is as iollowsz-Assuming that the platen I3 is in its `retracted position, shown in Fig. 3, and that the pump 28 is in neutral delivery position, then the desired number ofpulp sheets A are placed' in the steeping tank I0 in interposed relation to the separating plates I6, after which the steeping solution is introduced into the tank and the pulp sheets allowed to steep for the necessary length of time, after which the excess solution is drained from the tank. Next the abutment member 86 and latch 9i carried thereby are swung into their upper or inoperative positions. The next step is' to advance the platen I3 towards the right, inthe drawings, to a position in which it will apply the necessary pres- .sure upon the pulp sheets to expel the excess steeping solution therefrom, during which time the solution may be withdrawn from the tank.4 To so advance the platen the operator, by appropriate manipulation of one of the hand wheels of the manual controls, shifts the control rod 22 towards the left, in the drawings, thereby placing the pump 28 in position to deliver fluid under pressure to the cylinder i8. After the platen in its advance has moved to a position in which the abutment member and its latch Il have cleared the iirst stop 12 on the control rod, the operative lowers the abutment It and itslatch Il into their lower or operative positions, and then, upon 'continued advance movement of the platen, the latch 9| will engage and ride over the second stop 12, its hooked end dropping into position in Aengagement with the shoulder 11 of this stop. At the same time the shoulder 88 of the abutment member 86 will come into contact with the opposite shoulder 18 of the stop 12, thereby coupling or locking the platen and control rod together, so that in the continued advance of the platen the control rod 22 will be shifted towards the right. This movement of the rod 22 causes the setting of the pump 28 for neutral delivery, through the rotation of the pinion Il by the rack 52, and consequent rotation of the actuating rod 80.

If, for any reason, the pump control rod 80 should movepast its neutral delivery position, even to a slight extent, a reversal of the direction of delivery of the pump would occur, which would cause the actuation of the platen in the `opposite direction, or towards the left, but since the control rod 22 is locked to the platen by the engagement of abutment member 88 and latch 9| with the stop 12, a corresponding movement of the control rod towards the left with the return movement of the platen would be effected, thus immediately returning the pump again to neutral delivery condition, and stopping travel of the platen, before the platen has passed the position in which it should have been Stopped in its forward travel. With the platen advanced to a certain substantially fixed position as determined by the stop 12, a certain pressure will be built up on the pulp sheets as determined by the resistance to the forward rmotion of the ram. That is, the pump will build up whatever pressure is required to advance the ram to the de sired point and this will in turn build up the pressure on the pulp sheets. 'With the ram standing in a certain fixed position, however, this pressure on the pulp sheets is `a constantly diminishing one because the solution is being drained out of the pulp sheets, and as it drains out the bulk is naturally decreased, resulting in a drop in the pressure.

After the pressure has been held on the sheets for the necessary length of time, the abutment 86 and latch 9| are moved temporarily into inoperative position and the platen then retracted sufficiently to relieve the pressure on the gate il, so that the same can be raised. 'I'his relatively short retractive movement of the platen is initiated bythe manipulation of one of the hand conf trcls, and as soon as the movement starts the abutment 86 and latch 9| are returned to operative position. The retraction of the platen continues until the shoulder 89 of the abutment member 86 ngages the right hand face 11 of the other sop or dog 13, and through it shifts the control rod 22 towards the left to the required dstance to place the pump 20 in neutral delivery condition, whereupon the retraction travel of the platen will be stopped. The position into which stop 13 is adjusted and xed, determines the stopping point in this retraction of the platen, and is just suilicient to release the pressure on the end gate of the tank and enable opening of that end gate.

The gate Il is then opened, and the control ing the sheet electing movement of the platen,

the member 86 and latch Si should be swung into 1o their upper or inoperative positions so as to clear f the stop 12.

According to normal procedure, the platen i2 is arrested in its advanced, sheet electing position Just described by the actuation, by the op- 15 erative, of one of the hand controls Cl or 68, but in the event that this procedure is overlooked, the platen will be brought to rest automatically by the engagement of the platen block 82 with the xed stop or part 80, before mentioned, at the right-hand end of the control rod or member 22 which will result in the pump 20 being again reset to neutral delivery condition. The provision of the stop which is higher than the stops 12 and 13, so as to be engaged by the 25 block l2 regardless of the position of member 86 and latch 9|, therefore, constitutes a safety device preventing the platen I3 from advancing beyond a safe extent. The same advantage is to be had when the control means described is used 30 in connection with steeping tanks which are not provided with movable end gates.

A'll'he provision of the second stop 12, which may be adjusted to any desired position to stop the platen in accordance with the desired presg5 sure required upon the pulp sheets, which will, of course, vary with different conditions of the sheets and the number thereof, also relieves the operative of the responsibility of using his judgment as to when to stop the advance of the o platen. When using only visual judgment the results are certain to vary. The use of the stop, therefore, ensures greater uniformity in the results than is possible without its use.

After the pulp sheets have been ejected and 45 the platen l2 brought to rest in its advanced position, as just described, the abutment member 86 and latch 9| are left in their inoperative upper positions, and the platen kI3 is then started on its travel in the opposite direction by the ap- 50 propriate manipulation of the hand wheel 65 or 68 of one of the manual controls, and when the platen I3 has been retracted to the desired extent, another actuation of the hand wheel in a direction to place the pump in neutral delivery 55 condition to stop the travel of the platen is necessary. If again the operative overlooks this step and fails to actuate the pump to place it into neutral, the other fixed stop 19 near the opposite end of the tank I0 will be engaged by the abut- 00 ment block 82 on the end of the arm 8| of the platen, and then the continued movement of the platen will shift the control rod 22 towards the left, in the drawing, and through it operate the actuating rod 60 in a direction to shift the pump a5 into neutral delivery condition. The stop 19 is also a safety device which prevents the building up of excessive or unsafe pressure as the platen is retracted.

During the time that the platen is idle, and 70 in fully retracted position, but with the motor 2i for the pump 20 still running, such as while the pulp sheetsare being placed in the tank I0, it is desirable to provide means for preventing the accidental or unintentional actuation of the 'I5 control rod 22, as would be the case, forexample, if some one should accidentally turn one or the other of the hand wheels of the manual controls, or in case the control rod 22 should be shifted unintentionally i-n any other manner.

For this purpose. Fig. 15, an additional latch |00 may be carried by the platen |3, and for convenience is mounted upon the same pivot 80 as the first latch 3|, but the latch v|00 extends in the opposite direction to the latch 9|, and at its free end is provided with ai hook portion lol. It will be remembered that the platen I3 was brought to rest in its retracted position by the engagement of the abutment block 32 with the right-hand end of the stop 19, and the placing of the pump into neutral delivery condition. If, therefore,vwhile the parts are in this position, the abutment member 08 is swung downwardly into 'operative position, the hook |0| of the latch |00 will extend across stop 19 and will engage with the opposite end or left-hand of said stop l0, thus positively locking the control rod 22 and the manual controls against actuation. The member 86 should, of course, be returned to its inoperative position to disconnect the latch |00 from the stop 19 or latch |00 lifted before the press is started again. The same procedure may be employed in connection with with the other ilxed stop 30, if desired, to lock the platen in its fully advanced position. Any other suitable means may be provided for eecting these results.

In the foregoing description of the operation of the steeping press, it will be understood that the platen travels in an advancing direction from its retracted inoperative position at an approximatelyuniform speed, dependant upon the resistance encountered, since the pump is delivering actuating fluid at a uniform rate. This speed may be relatively high, with the possible disadvantage or result that when the full pressure of the platen is suddenly applied to the pulp sheets for squeezing the excess solution therefrom, some of the pulp or steeping solution might be forcibly ejected from, or thrown out of, the press, since at this time the sheets,

being full of solution, are relatively soft and wet. Also, possibly due to the fact that the drainage of the solution from the sheets would occur rst around the exposed edges thereof, leaving them relatively dry on these edge portions, while the center remains wet, a consequent forcing of the drier edge portions of the sheets from between .the separator plates might result from the sudden action of the high pressure on the relatively wet pulp in the center of the sheets.

It may, therefore, be desirable at times to gradually slow down the speed of the travel of the platen during its advance stroke, so that the pressure would be more gently and gradually applied to the pulp sheets during the operation of expressing the excess solution therefrom, a practical arrangement for this purpose being illustrated in Figs. 16 to 20, inclusive.

In this construction, an operating rod |22 corresponding to rod 22 of Figs. 1 to 15, carries a plurality of spaced, adjustable stops, for example,

three, designated |23, |24 and |25, arranged approximately as shown in Fig. 16, and which may be identical in construction with the stops 12 and 13 of the previous construction.

'Ihe arm 8| (Fig. 20) of the platen is provided, adjacent the rod |22, with a block or supporting member |26 having a vertical face |21 extending parallel to the axis of the rod |22, pivot |28,

on which is freely mounted a latch or member |23, projects horizontally from face |21. A notch or recess |30 is formed in the lower edge of latch |29 and adiiacent the recess and remote from the pivot |23, the latch is provided with an inclined or beveled cam face or nose |3I. The latch also carries a short transverse pin |33 upon which is rotatably journalled a. roller |34, and this pin projects forwardly of the roller so as to form a handle. The latch |20 is directly over the longitudinal axis of the rod |22, and it rests upon and slides lengthwise of that rod.

The operation of this control mechanism, assuming the platen to be in its retracted, inoperative position, Fig. 16, with the latch |29 resting freely on the control rod |22, is as follows:-When the control rod |22 is actuated in the proper endwise direction by one of the manual controls to start the advance movement of the platen, the latch |29, travelling with the platen, will ride along the control rod |22 until the lower cam face |3| comes into engagement with the first adjustable stop |23. Continued movement of the platen will cause the cam mi to ride over this stop until the notch |30 of the latch is disposed above and aligned with said stop |20 (Fig. 17), whereupon the latch will descend by gravity and latch itself to that stop |23 thus locking the control rod to the platen.

As shown in Fig. 16, a relatively fixed projection |40 with an inclined cam edge is carried at the upper end of a collar |4|, that is adjustably secured to the adjacent strain rod 3l at the right of the stop |23 and in the path of travel of the roller |34 on the latch |29. 'I'he coupling of the control rod |22 to the platen by means of the latch |29 will, in the continued advance of the platen, cause the rod |22 to be shifted to the right, thereby actuating the pump control 60 in such a manner as to reduce somewhat the rate of delivery of the pump and hence reduce the speed of travel of the platen which. of course, if continued would ultimately result in bringing the pump to neutral delivery condition and stop the travel of the platen. However, before the platen is stopped, the roller |34 of the latch |29 engages and rides upwardly along the inclined cam |40 effecting the disengagement of the latch |29 from the stop |23, see Fig. 18, and as soon as the roller passes beyond the cam |40 the latch |29 will drop by gravity to its former position in sliding engagement with the control rod |22.

The platen will now continue its advance at a somewhat reduced speed, as a result of the foregoing operation. After further travel of the platen, the cam |3| on the latch |29 engages with the second stop |24 of the control rod |22, whereupon the latch |25 will automatically lock itself to said stop and again couple the control rod |22 to the platen. The resulting movement of rod |22 with the platen will cause a further reduction in the rate of delivery of the pump and thereby a reduction in the rate of travel of the platen in that direction. This second movement of the control rod |22, however, may also be stopped before it moves a distance sufficient to actuate the pump to neutral delivery position. since during this second increment of reduced movement, the latch |29 will operatively engage a second cam |44 similar to the cam |40, and be automatically disengaged thereby from the second stop |24. 'I'he latch |20 is again released as it passes cam |44 and again rides upon the rod `|22 as the platen continues its travel 'at the further reduced'speed. The latch |23, however.

eventually engages the third stop |25 on the con. trol rod, and by moving automatically into locking engagement therewith will thereby shift the control rod |22 still further to the right. Since there are no further cams in the path of the roller |02, the platen will continue to shift the control rod |22 toward the right until such movement causes the pump 25 to be' brought to neutral or non-delivery condition, whereupon the travel of the platen will be completely arrested. In this manner the full, required pressure upon the pulp sheets is applied gradually and gently, thus avoiding the possible .undesirable results of a too sudden application of full pressure, yet obtaining maximum speed of operation of the platen.

Since the stops |25 and |24 and the cams |40 and |44 are relatively adjustable lengthwise of the apparatus, said cams may be initially set to any desired relative distance from the adjacent and related stops |23 and |24, so as to determine thereby the degree to which the travel of the platen is slowed down during each increment of movement 'of its travel between the stops |25 and |25, thus providing a very flexible controlfor the speed of travel of the platen. By adjusting the positions of the stops |22, |24 and |25 along rod |22 and of the positions of the cams |45 and |44 with respect to the stops, the duration and point of beginning of each reduction in speed of travel of the platen can be varied selectively, and any desired number of stops and cams may be ernployed to obtain the desired number of increments of speed reduction of the platen.

When the control means just described is used `with a tank having no movable end gate the platen may be permitted to travel without interruption to its retracted position. To permit this thelatch |25maybeshiftedbythehandle luto an intermediate vertical position, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 19 where it is releasably held by means of a kspring pressed pin |45, which yieldingly engages in a recess or depression |41 on the rear face of the latch. In this vertical position, the latch will travel clear of the stops |25, |24 and |25 and of cams |40 and |4|.

If, however, the press is provided with a movable end gate, the platen should be retracted sufficlently to relieve the pressure on said gate, to enable it to be opened for discharge of the pulp sheets A. For this purpose the latch |25 may be swung through an angle of approximately 180 by means of the handle |55, from the position shown in Figs. 16 and 18, to the position in Fig. 19, in which it extends towards the left from its pivot. In this position of the latch |25, an abrupt shoulder |45 thereofwill slidably engage fthe control rod |22. The notch |55 will, of

course, now face upwardly or away from the stops |25 and |24, and the roller |54 will be held in a position such that it will entireLv clear the cams |45 and |44 in the movements of the platen. One of the manual controls can now be actuated to start the platen in the return direction and its travel will be arrested at an intermediate position by the engagement of the shoulder |45 of the latch with the first stop |23, |24 or |25 it engages such as the stop |24, for example, which, of course, will shift the control rod to the left in Fig. 19, until the pump 2l is set to neutral delivery condition and the platen travel stopped.

If it is desired to interrupt the travel ofthe l platen at any other intermediate point, the latch may be dropped to the position shown in Eig. 19, after it has passed those stops on rod |22 which one desires to be ineffective, thereby permitting engagement of the latch with any stop, such as the stop |25. After the platen has been thus retracted to an intermediate position and automatically or manually stopped and the end gate opened, the platen can thenl be advanced again `by actuation of a manual control, to eject the pulp sheets, and may then be fully retracted to open position, for refilling the press.

Preferably the control rod |22 is provided with fixed stops |45 and |45 similar to the stops 1510 and 50 ofthe nrst construction, and with which the block |25 on the end of the platen arm is engageable, to stop the platen at approximately the limits of its stroke, in the event that the manual controls are not actuated to stop the 1s travel of the platen.

One practical disclosure of means heretofore alluded to for controlling the temperature of the steeping solution and pulp sheets during the steeping operation in the tank l0, is illustrated in detail in Figs. 8, and 21 to 23. In this construction, the steeping tank |l| has its opposite upright side walls |55 and its horizontal bottom wall |52, of hollow construction. In other words, each of the upright walls |55 comprises inner'and outer z5 plates |54 and |55 respectively, arranged in spaced parallel relation, while the bottom wall |52 is similarly formed of spaced inner and outer parallel plates |5`l and |55. Said walls |50 are closed at their upper edges and at the ends, theres0 by providing a continuous narrow transverse chamber or passage from the top of one of the side walls |55 downwardly through that wall across the bottom wall |52 and upwardly to the top of the other side wall. A jacketed tank wall is thus provided into which cooling liquid such as brine or ice water may be introduced, preferably under continuous flowing conditions so as to thereby absorb heat generated in the tank.

Preferably, in order to facilitate a relatively rapid introduction of the cooling liquid into the jacketed walls of the tank, and to render a rapid and uniform exchange of heat between the contents of the tank and the cooling fluid, the space or chamber between the inner and outer sections of the walls is divided transversely into a plurality of separate compartments. For example, three compartments |50, |5| and '|52 are shown, which are separated by solid transverse walls or partitions |53 and |54, which, if desired, may be formed integrally with the walls of the tank. As shown in the drawings, each compartment |55'|52 is provided with separate inlet and outlet pipes |55 and |55 for the introduction and discharge of the cooling liquid, said pipes preferably being cxtended into one of the upright walls |50 near the upper edge thereof, as shown in Fig. 8. In order to eifect a thorough and uniform contact of thecooling uid with the inner surface of the tank walls, entirely across the tank,

each of the compartments |5|||52 is preferably divided into further sub-compartments by transverse partitions |10. These sub-compartments, however, are not entirely shut of! from one another, since each of said partitions |10 is prov- .vided with an aperture as shown, for example, at |12, and preferably disposed at or near the tops of the side walls |50. These apertures are arranged alternately at opposite sides of the tank, or in staggered relation to one another, so as to provide a tortuous path or passage for the now of the liquid from the inlet pipe |55 to the outlet pipe |55, of each compartment |50| 5 2, as shown clearly in Fig. 20. The liquid entering a pipe |55 will pass downwardly through the adjacent side ofthe first sub-compartment, transversely across the bottom thereof, and upwardly through the opposite side thereof, thence longitudinally through an aperture i12 in the adjacent partition .|10 at that side of the tank, and again downwardcompartment a very thorough and intimate contact of the cooling liquid with the inner portions of the tank walls will be eected. As a result a substantially uniform cooling action and corresponding rapid exchange of heat between the cooling liquid and the contents of the tank will be made possible.

It will be understood that various changes in the details and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be 'made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

1. Control mechanism for a steeping press of the type in which pulp sheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tank in which the pulp sheets and steeping solution are placed, a platen disposed in said tank and mounted for movement in a direction across the tank to squeeze the pulpsheets and express excess solution therefrom at the end of the steeping operation, hydraulic means for forcing said platen in a pressing stroke, hydraulic means for retracting said platen, and means including a source of operating fluid and a reversible,vari able delivery pump connected between said hydraulic means and said source of uid and forming therewith a hydraulic circuit for causing operation of said platen selectively in opposite directions, said control mechanism including means cooperating with said platen for setting said pump automatically to neutral delivery position at selected points intermediate of the ends of the stroke of the platen in both directions.

2. Control mechanism for a steeping press of the type in which pulp sheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tank in which the pulp sheets and steeping solution are placed, a platen disposed in said tank and mounted for movement in a direction across the tank to squeeze the pulp sheets and express excess solution therefrom at the end of the steeping operation, hydraulic means for forcing said platen in a pressing stroke, hydraulic means for retracting said platen, and means includinga source of operating uid and a reversible, variable delivery pump connected between said hydraulic eans and said source of iluid and forming ther with a hydraulic circuit for causing operof its stroke in both directions for also setting said pump to neutral delivery and stopping said platen automatically against further travel in either direction.

3. A control mechanism for a .steeping press 5 of the type in which pulp sheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tank in which said pulp sheets and solution are placed for steeping, a platen disposed in said tank and mounted for movement in a direction fromone l upright wall towards the opposte upright wall so as to squeeze the pulp sheets and express excess steeping solution at the end of a steeping operation, and hydraulic means including a reversible ow, variable delivery pump for l operating said platen in opposite directions depending upon the direction of delivery of. said pump, said control mechanism including a member extending along said tank in the direction of travel of said platen and mounted for movement endwise of itself, means connecting said member to said pump and operable by endwise movement of said member in opposite directions from an intermediate position to reverse said pump, and setting it for neutral delivery when said member is in said intermediate position, a stop adjustably mounted on said member and engageable by said platen at a selected intermediate point in the travel of the platen to move said member in a direction to set the delivery of said pump to neutral delivery and stop operation of said platen, and a latch also carried by said platen for locking said platen to said stop automatically upon engagement therewith, whereby, if the platen overruns its movement and causes a reversal of the pump, said latch will .cause a reversible movement of said member with said platen sufiicient to reset the pump to neutral delivery and hold it in that position.

4. Control mechanism for a steeping press of the type in which pulp sheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tank in which said pulp sheets and solution are placed for steeping, a platen disposed in said tank and mounted for movement in a direction from one upright wall towards the opposite upright wall so as to squeeze the pulp sheets and express excess steeping solution at the end of a steeping operation, kand hydraulic means including a reversible flow, variable delivery pump for operating said platen in opposite directions depending upon the direction of delivery of said pump, said control mechanism including a member extending along said tank in the direction of travel of said platen and mounted for movement endwise of itself, means connecting saidmember to said pump and operable by endwise movement of said member in opposite directions from an intermediate position to reverse said pump, and setting it for neutral delivery when said member is in said intermediate position, and a stop adjustably mounted on said member and engageable by said platen at a selected intermediate point in the travel of the platen to move said member in a direction to set the delivery of said pump to G5 neutral delivery and stop motion of said platen, one of. the cooperating portions of said stop and platen being adjustable into a position in which the platen and stop clear one another upon further movement of the platen in-either direction, whereby the stroke of the platen may be resumed and completed after its arrest at said intermediate point.

5. Control mechanism for a steeping press of the type in which pulp sheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tank in which said pulp sheets and solution are placed for steeping. a platen disposed in said tank and mounted for movement in a direction from one upright wall towards the opposite upright wall so as to squeeze the pulp sheets and express excess steeping solution-at the end o! a steeping operation., and hydraulic means including a reversible tlow, variable delivery pump for operating said platen in opposite directions depending upon the direction of delivery of said pump, said control mechanism lincluding a member extendingl along said tank in the direction ot travel of said platen and mounted for movement endwise Voi! itself, means connecting said member to said pump and operable by endwise movement of said member in opposite directions from an intermediate position to reverse said pump, and setting it for neutral delivery when said member is in said intermediate position, a stop adjustablymounted on said member and engageable by said platen at a selected intermediate .point in the travel of the platen to move said member in a direction to set the delivery of saidpump .to neutral delivery and stopmotion of said platen, and relatively fixed stops carried by said member for engagement by said platen as said platen approaches the limits o! vits movement inboth directions to cause a setting of the pump to neutral delivery just before the platen 4reaches the limits of movement ineither direction, said platen and the fixed stop engaged by the platen when the platen reaches its retracted position having interlocking portions for releasably locking the platen and stop together Vso as to prevent an accidental operation of said member in either direction from neutral delivery position.

6. In a steeping press ot the type in which pulp sheets are steeped in a suitable solution, and comprising a tank closed at one end by a gate movable to an open position, a platen disposed in said tank and mounted for movement across the same in adirection toward and from said sate and operable to an extent beyond said gate to eject from said tank pulp sheets disposed vertically in said tank. and hydraulicrmeans including a reversible, variable delivery pump for operating said platen in both directions. the direction dependim upon the direction of delivery ot said pump and causing no operation ot said platen when said pump is in neutral delivery condition, the Acombination ot a control member extendin tank in-the direction in which said travels and mounted for endwise movement, means operated -by endwise movement of said member for reversing said pump upon reversal of movement of said member and setting said pump to neutral delivery when said member .is in an intermediate position, and a stop carried tion and stop further movement of the platen in that direction, the engaging portions ot said platen and stop being relatively shiitable to clear one another and permit operation of said member in a direction to cause vfurther movementof the platen in the same direction, whereby, when said end gate is opened such further movement wbsntiliaed toeiect the pulp sheets fromsaid 7. In asteeplnl presser-the type inwhichpulp sheets are steeped in a suitable solutions and comprising a tank closed at one end by'a gate movable to an open position. a platen disposed in said tank and mounted i'or movement across the same in a direction towardlandrrom said gate and operable to an extent `beyond said gate to eject from said tank pulp sheets disposed vertically in said tank, and hydraulic means including a reversible, variable delivery pump for operating said platen in both directions, the direction depending upon the direction of delivery ot said pump and causing no operation of said platen 'when said pump is in neutral delivery condition, the combination oi' a control member extending along said tank in the direction in which said platen travels and mounted for endwise movement. means operated by endwise movement of said member i'or 'reversing said pump upon reversal oi'rmovement of said member and setting said pump to neutral delivery when said member is in an intermediate position, and a stop carried by said member and adjustable endwise along the same, and engageable by said platen at an intermediate point in its travel, whereby further movement of said platen in the same direction will shift said member endwise in the same direction and set said pump to neutral` delivery position and stop further movement of the platen in that direction, the engaging portions of said platen and stop being relatively shiftable to clear one another and permit operation of said member in a direction to cause further movement of the platen in the same direction, whereby, when said end gate is opened such further movement may be utilized to eject the pulp sheets from said tank, said member having adjacent the end nearest said end gate, a relatively xed stop engageable by the platen, whereby when said platen approximately reaches its limit of movement towards said gate it will engage said relatively ilxed stop and cause an endwise movement of said member into said intermediate position in which it setsV said pump to neutral delivery, condition.

8. Control mechanism for a steeping press of the type in which pulp sheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tank yfor the solution and in which the sheets are vertically disposed, a platen disposed in said tank and mounted for movement to and fro in the same, and hydraulic means including a reversible, variable delivery pump for operating said platen the direction of delivery of said pump and causing no operation of said platen when said pump isvin neutral delivery condition, said control mech- -anism including a control member extending along said tank in the direction in which said.

platen travels and'mounted for endwise movement, means operated by endwise movement ot said member for reversing said pump upon reversal of movement of said member and setting said pump to neutral delivery when said member is in an intermediate position, a stop carried by said control member and adjustable endwise along the same, an abutting member on said platen which is engageable with said stop at an intermediate point in the travel of said platen to shift said control member and set said pump to neutral delivery position and stop further movement of said platen in the same direction, and a latch carried by said abutment member in a position to hook over said stop and latch said abutment member thereto when said abutment member is-in a position to engage said stop, whereby if the overrunning of the platen, when said abutlli in both directions, thedirection depending upon p ment engages and moves said stop, causes a reversal of the pump. the latch will pull said stop in a reverse direction upon the initial reverse movement oi' the platen until said member resets said pump to neutral delivery condition.

9. Control mechanism for asteeping press of the type in which pulp sheets are steeped in a.

suitable solution. said press comprising a tank for the solution and 1n which the sheets are vertically disposed, a platen disposed in said tank and mounted for movement to and fro in the same, and hydraulic means including a reversible. variable delivery pump for operating said platen in both directions, the direction depending upon the direction of delivery of -said pump and causing no operation ofsaid platen when said pump is in neutral delivery condition, said control mechanism including a control member extending along said tank in the direction in which said platen travels and mounted for endwise movement, means operated by endwise movement oi.' said member for reversing said pump upon reversal of movement of said member and setting said pump to neutral delivery when said member is in an intermediate position, a pair of stops carried by said member and adjustable into different positions along the length of the same, an abutment carried by said platen and shiftable thereon into and out of a position in which it will engage :1 and operate either of said stops and, through it,

said member in a direction to cause a setting of said pump into neutral delivery condition and stop further operation of said platen in the same direction, and means carried by said abutment and operative when the abutment member is shifted into a position to engage a stop upon movement of the platen to latch said abutment member to that stop upon engagement of the abutment member withv that stop, whereby upon any overrunning of the platen that would cause a reversal of the pump, the reverse travel of the platen, through said latch locking said stop to said abutment member, will cause a movement of said member in a reverse direction suillcient to reset said pump to neutral delivery condition.

10. Control mechanism for a steeping press or the like, said press comprising a tank, a platen within the tank and movable across the same, hydraulic means including a variable delivery pumping device for actuating the platen in both directions across said tank, said control mechanism'including means operable automatically by said platen at selected intermediate points in its travel' across said tank-for successively varying the rate of delivery of said pumping device and thereby varying the speed oi' travel of said platen in corresponding increments during its movement across said tank.

11. AControl mechanism for a steeping press or the like, said press comprising a tank, a platen within the tank and movable across the same, hy-

means associated with said member and operable automatically by said platen at a plurality of selected points in its travel across said tank for sluiting said member in the same direction a corresponding number oi increments of said predetermined distanc'e, whereby the speed of travel of said platen is varied foreach increment of movement of said member until the latter has been moved through said predetermined distance and thereby sets said pump in neutral delivery lo position in which the movement of said platen is stopped;

12. Control mechanism for a steeping press or the like, said press comprising a tank, a platen within the tank and movable across the same, and 1.', hydraulicr means including a variable delivery pumping device for actuating the platen in both directions across said tank, said control mechanism including an endwise movable member which by its movement through a predetermined dis- :n tance in either direction from an intermediate position acts to reverse said pump and set the same for neutral delivery to thereby stop said platen, and means associated with said member and operable automatically by said platen while 2.', travelling at normal speed to effect a partial movement ofsaid member towards the completion of its movement through said predetermined distance, and other means disposed to be operable by subsequent movements oi said platen at :lo successive selected points to eilect further increments of movement of said member to complete its travel through said predetermined distance, whereby the speed of the platen is lowered step by step before being stopped by the arrival of said member at the end oi' its predetermined distance of trav el.

13.` Control mechanism for a steeping press or the like, said press comprising a tank, a platen within the tank and movable across the same, and 40 hydraulic means including a variable `delivery pumping device` for actuating the platen in both directions across said tank, said control mechanism including an endwise movable member which by its movement through a predetermined distance in either direction from an intermediate position acts to reversesaid pump and set the same for neutral delivery to thereby stop said platen, and means associated with said member and operable automatically b`y said platen while travelling at normal speed to` couple said platen to said member and effect movement of said member towards the completion of its movement through said predetermined distance and thereby reduce the speed of travel of said platen, means for automatically uncoupling said member from said platen before said member reaches the end of its predetermined travel so that said platen may proceed at reduced speed, and other means for likewise coupling `said platen to and uncoupling it from said member at subsequent selected .points in the continued travel of said platen so that said member is actuated to reduce delivery of said pump and the speed of said platen step by step until said member reaches the end of its y

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