US2601400A

US2601400A - Steeping press

Info

Publication number: US2601400A
Application number: US767274A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joris Gaston
Original assignee: TEXTILE and CHEM RES CO Ltd
Current assignee: TEXTILE and CHEM RES CO Ltd; TEXTILE AND CHEMICAL RESEARCH Co Ltd
Priority date: 1945-03-03
Filing date: 1947-08-07
Publication date: 1952-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 1969-06-24

Description

June 24, 1952 G. JoRls STEEPING PRESS Filed Aug. '7. 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,4k-mem June 24, 1952 G. JoRls 2,601,400

STEEPING PRESS Filed Aug. 7. 1947 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 FLE E a IVENTOA GASTO/v Je/s BY 1977 @eA/E7 O A 1. o O O ,lll/17,

G JORIS STEEPING PRESS June 24, 1952 Flled Aug '7. 1947 June 24, 1952 G@ JORIS Filed Aug. 7. 1947 STEEPING PRESS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 //"'i o nmmnlm.um||||||||||||m I/ 66 6 i 7i T lUlr- INVENTOR. GAsroA/c/oR/S ATTORNEY June 24, 1952 G, Oms 2,601,400

STEEPING PRESS Filed Aug. '7. 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 EN TOR.

A T TORNEX June 24, 1952 G. JORIS 2,601,400

STEEPING PRESS Filed Aug. 7. 1947 fr sheets-sheet e IN V EN TOR., Asrofv UGR/5 BY 'Mlm/f A TTOAF/VEY June 24, 1952 G. JoRls 2,601,400

STEEPING PRESS Filed Aug. 7. 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 JNVENTOR. Asro/v doe/5 A TTOR/VE Y Patented June 24, 1952 STEEPING PRESS Gaston Joris, Paris, France, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Textile and Chemical Research Company Limited, Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, a corporation of Great Britain Application August 7, 1947, Serial No. 767,274 In France March 3, 1945 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires March 3, 1965 (Cl. U-50) 9 claims. 1

This invention relates to a steeping press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets in caustic soda solution. More particularly, it relates to a steeping presshaving means to automatically discharge the cellulose sheets after the steeping operation.

In the preparation of viscose from cellulose pulp sheets, the rst step consists in steeping such sheets in a mercerizing solution of caustic soda containing approximately 240 grams of caustiesoda per liter. At the completion of the steeping step, the sheets are subjected to a pressing operation to eliminate the excess caustic soda and the hemicelluloses dissolved in the alkaline solution.

. The'steeping and pressing operations were generally effected in a single apparatus named a steeping press which consisted of a long horizontaltank provided with a piston susceptible of axial movement in said tank. The sheets, in small bundles of, for example, 10 to 20 sheets, were placed vertically in the tank between `perforated spacer plates designed to insure uniform spacing of the bundles and` to facilitate the uniform penetration of the steeping solution. After the press was loaded with the bundles of cellulose pulp sheets and the spacers suitably arranged therebetween, the steeping press was lledJwith the mercerizing (caustic alkali) solution.` The sheets were steeped for an appropriate1time, for example 30 minutes to l hour, at the end'o'f which the steeping liquor was discharged from the tank. Thereafter, the piston was actuated, for example through a screw or hydraulic means, and the excess liquid expressed from the sheets. AWhen the desired excess caustic soda had been removed from the sheets, the piston was retracted and the bundles of sheets were removed from the tank manually by workers who placed them on carriers in order to compare the weight of the mercerized sheets with the Weight of the alpha-cellulose employed. In general, the ratio of the treated sheets to the weight of the alphacellulose employed was 3 :1.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved steeping press.

Another object of this invention is to provide a steeping press having means for automatically discharging the treated sheets from the press.

Other and additional objects of the invention will become apparent hereinafter.

The objects of this invention are accomplished, in general, by providing a steeping press formed in two sections, one of said sections being fixed and open at the rear end thereof, and the second section being open at the front thereof and movable so that the open ends of the two sections can be brought into abutting relationship. The press is provided with a carrier carrying a platen which extends in the tank and serves as a support against which the sheets of pulp are compressed by the action of a piston in the xed tank section. The carrier from which the platen is suspended is independently movable so that the platen can be positioned to receive the pressure during the expressing action. Means are also provided to secure the platen in position during the compression action.

A plate is slidably mounted on the edges of the fixed tank section in position to be advanced axially of the tank during the compression stroke of the piston. When the piston is retracted, the plate, which is not secured to the piston, is caused to move rearwardly by the expansion of the pulp sheets. Means are provided on said plate to cooperate with means carried by the supporting platen whereby said plate is secured to said platen and in spaced relationship thereto, with the result that the sheets of pulp are secured be,

`tween the supporting platen and the plate.

A hopper is provided beneath the open end of the fixed tank section. When the movable tank section is in cooperative relationship with the xed tank section, the former will close the hopper. When the sheets are secured between the supporting platen and plate and the movable tank section is retracted, the hopper is uncovered. The carrier is then caused to move in a direction so that the block of sheets will. be disposed over the hopper. The bundle of' sheets, by virtue of their weight, detach themselves from the spacers and drop into the hopper, which feeds them to a suitable collection device.

Means are provided to disengage and release .the plate from the supporting platen whereby the plate can be returned to its original position in the xed tank section.

The present invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a steeping press embodying the principles of this invention with parts in loading position;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged sections taken on the lines 3-3 and 4 4 respectively of Figure 5;

Fig. 3a is a section taken on the line 3a-3a of Fig. 3;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the steeping press at various stages of the operation;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective of the operating mechanism for the carrier and the supporting plate carried thereby;

Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 11;

Figure 10 is a section taken on the line I0I0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a section taken on the line II-I I of Figure 9; and

Figure 12 is a section taken on the line I2-I2 of Figure 10.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts, the reference numeral I designates a main fixed tank section which is open at the rear end thereof, and the reference numeral 2 designates an auxiliary tank section which is open at its front end. The auxiliary tank 2 is `provided with

rollers

3, 3a and 4, 4a adapted `to ride on. xed rails 5 and 5a which are'supported at one end by up- 'rights' and 6a and at the opposite end by a frame 1 surrounding the open end of the tank section I. The section 2 also carries a grid plate Ia Fig. 4) to support the cellulose sheets.

' A rigid cross-bar or beam 8 is slidably mounted' on the rails 5 and 5a. The cross-bar` 8 is provided with a screw 9 which is provided with 'a hand wheel IIl at one end thereof, and the other end thereof is seated in a boss II on the -outer end wall I2 of the auxiliary tank 2. When the auxiliary tank 2 occupies the position shown in Figure 1,*cotter pins I3 and i3d are disposed in .holes of the r-ails 5 and 5a to serve as an abutment orstop for the cross-bar `8 and prevent it from shifting to the left (in Figure 1) when the open endsl of the tank sections'l and 2 are in abutting relationship. An appropriate seal I4, such as a rubber sealing strip, renders the joint between the auxiliary tank section 2 and the xed'tank section I liquid-tight. When the cot- 'ter pins I3 'and I3a are removed, the cross-bar 8 can bev retracted on the rails 5 and 5a into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, with the result that the auxiliary tank section 2 can be moved into spaced relationship with the tank section I, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. Thus, the auxiliary tank section 2 can be dis- 'posed so thatV the open end thereof will be in abutting relationship with the open end of the xed tankV section I, or the auxiliary tank section 2 lcan be disposed in spaced relationship with respect to the ixed tank section I.

In the fixed tank section I, there is provided a piston I5 which is mounted on one end of a piston rod 'I which, in turn, is adapted to be operated in a known manner, such as hydraulically or through a screw, so that the piston I5 .it will engage the auxiliary grid I'I and cause Iit-,to move axially through the tank section I. It is to be noted that the movable auxiliary grid yI'I is not secured to the piston I5 and that when the piston is retracted it will not retract such grid I'I. As shown in Fig. 3, the grid I'I is in the form of a framework comprising vertical mem- ;bers IIaand horizontal members IIb and Ic.

A carrier'lS provided with rollers 28 and 2M is adapted to ride on the Lipper edges of the auxiliary tank section 2 and the fixed tank section I when they are disposed in abutting relationship. The carrier I9 is also adapted to ride on rails i8 when the auxiliary tank section is in spaced relationship to the xed tank section, as shown, for example in Figure 6. The rails I3 are carried by the tank section 2 and are offset to pass the walls of the tank section I but register with the top edge of the tank walls to carry the

rollers

20 and 22a when the rails are retracted as in Figure 6. The carrier I9 supports an approach platen 2I which is provided with two forwardly extending

side rods

22 and 22a which, adjacent their forward ends, are provided with

holes

23 and 23a. For reasons which will hereafter appear, the freely movable plate I'I is provided with latch members 24 and 24a adapted to cooperate with the

holes

23 and 23a respectively. The latch members 24 and 24a are continuously urged outwardly by

springs

25 and 25a. The latch members 24 and 24a are secured to'a cam 26 which is adapted to be operated by a cam leverY 26 whereby each of the locking members can be removed from the respective hole. For reasons which will become apparent, the

holes

23 and 23a are so shaped that the latch mem- -bers 24 and 24a of the plate I'I will only be secured therein when the plate Il is moved rearwardly (to the right in Figure 1) during or after the retraction of the piston I5. During the compression stroke of the piston I5, the respective latch members 24 and 2do, will not be secured in but will travel through the

respective holes

23 and 23a. c

The rollers 2s are rotatably mountedon a shaft 35 carried in bosses S of a bracket 35 secured to the platen 2i. The rollers 22a are rotatably mounted on a shaft 3l rotatably mounted in bearings 38 on brackets 39 appropriately secured to the'platen 2i.

The carrier i9 is provided with a reversible motor 2?. The motor 2l' is secured on a bracket i3 which, in turn, is appropriately secured tothe top of the movable platen 2|. The motor shaft Sii is provided with a pulley 45 which cooperates with a belt 48 trained over a pulley 5B of a speed reducer v5.2 mounted on a bracket 53 secured to the platen EI, The speed reducer 52 is provided with an output shaft 5d which carries a pinion 5S at each end therecf. Each pinion 5S is adapted to cooperate with a gear 5.8 which, in turn,A is adapted to rotate a shaft E2. Each shaft 69 is rotatably mounted in bearings G2 appropriately secured by bolts Sli on the rear surface of the platen 2i. Each of the vertical shafts 60 has secured thereto a gear 5S, each of which is adapted to cooperate with a rack G8 on the opposite sidewalls of the tank section 2 whereby movement of the carrier over the tank is facilitated. It is apparent that upon actuation of the motor 2l', the carrier I9 will be moved longitudinally of the press and the platen 2l `will be moved axially in the tank.

The forward movement (to the right in Figure l) of the carrier iand the platen 2i is automatically stopped when a finger 23 on the carrier engages an electric switch 23' in the circuit of the motor 2? which is positioned at the end of the path of travel of the carrier. The backward movement (to the left in Figure l) of the carrier IS and the platen 2| is stopped by anger engaging a switch (not shown) in the motor circuit and whichr is positioned at the end of the path of travel of the carrier.

As will become apparent, the platen 2| receives the pressure exerted by the piston I5 during the compression operation for removing the excess steeping liquor from the sheets, and means are therefore provided to absorb thepressure exerted on the platen. In the form shown (see Figures and 12), the platen 2| is provided with two pairs of transversely extending movable bolts 18 and 1|. The bolts of each pair are adapted to be moved in opposite directions to engage pockets 12 in a strap 29 surrounding the open end of tank I. In the form shown, movement of the bolts 10 and 1| is obtained through the operation of a hand wheel 30. The hand wheel 30 is secured on one end of the shaft 31, on which is secured a pinion 16. The pinion 16 is adapted to cooperate with a gear 18 at one end of a vertical shaft 80 rotatably mounted in a bearing 82 appropriately secured to the platen 2|. A cap 84 is appropriately secured to the platen 2|. Two gears 86 and 88 are each keyed to the shaft. The gear 88 is adapted to cooperate with the rack members 90 of the bolts 1|, and the gear 88 is adapted to cooperate with the racks 92 provided on the bolts 10. It is apparent that upon-manipulation of the hand wheel 30, the bolts 10 and 1I will be actuated so that they will engage the grooves 12 in the strap 29 or be withdrawn from such grooves.

The shaft 31, which is controlled by the Voperation of the hand wheel 30, also controls clutches for disposing the shafts 60 in and out of driving relationship with the gears 58. To effect this, each gear 58 is provided with a female clutch member |00, and a male clutch member |02 is secured to the shaft 60 through a pin |04 and aislot |06, whereby the clutch member |02 can slide axially of the shaft 60. A spring |08 tends to normally urge the male clutch member I 02 into cooperative relationship with the female clutch member |00. Each clutch member |02 is provided with an annular recess, in which there is positioned two rolls |I0 rotatably mounted on the opposite ends of a yoke II2. Each yoke II2 is carried at one end of a lever |l4, the other end of which is provided with a cam roller |I6 cooperating with a cam |,I8 on the shaft 31. Each lever I4 is pivoted on a pin |20 appropriately secured to the platen 2|.

The shaft 31 is also provided with a cam |24 .which is adapted to operate a safety switch |26, which will permit the circuit controlling the actuation of the piston I5 to be energized.

The tank section is provided with an inlet of the usual type (not shown) for the introduction of the treating liquid and an outlet 3|. It is to be noted that a hopper 32 is provided adjacent the open end of the tank section and. that this hopper is closed by the bottom of the tank section 2 when the tank section 2 is in abutting relationship with the fixed tank section I.

' The hopperA 32 leads to suitable means (not shown) for receiving the material delivered thereto by the hopper. i

A housing |30 is secured to the shaft 35 by wing nuts I 32 and to shaft 31 by the collar |34 rand the hub |36 of the hand wheel 30.

In operation, the auxiliary tank 2 is advanced toward the tank section I until the `ends are in abutting relationship and the cotter pins I3 and i3d positioned in place. The bundles of cellulose pulp vsheets together with the spacersare then disposed vertically on edge into the tank. At this stage of the operation. the piston I5, the movable plate I1 'and the platen 2| are in positions'substantially as shown in Figure l. The steeplng liquor is then introduced into the tank and, after the required quantity thereof has been introduced, the sheets are permitted to soak therein for the required period of time. At the end of the soaking period, the outlet 3| is opened whereby the steeping liquor is drained from the tank. The motor 21 is then started and, as a consequence, the carrier is caused to travel longitudinally of the tank to the right in Figure 1 until it assumes the position shown in Figure 5. At this time, the hand wheel 30 is rotated so that the

gears

86 and 88 actuate the respective locking members 1I and 10 so that they will engage the pockets 12 in the strap 29. In addition to securing the locking members 10 and 1| in position, rotation of the hand wheel 30 also actuates the cam mechanisms I I6 and I I8 to release the clutch between each of the gears 58 and the shaft 60. Rotation of the shaft 31 also actuates the switch element |26 which permits the circuit which controls the actuation of the piston I5 to be closed. The piston circuit is then closed'and, as a consequence, the piston I5 is advanced toward the left as shown in Figure 5, whereby it compresses the pulp sheets to express therefrom the excess steeping liquor. During the compression stroke, the piston I5 carries with it the plate I1, and at the end of the compression stroke of the piston I5 the position of the parts is substantially as shown in Figure 5. At the end of the compression stroke, the piston rod I6 is retracted, with the result that the piston I5 is also retracted to its original position, as shown in Figure 6. Upon the retraction of the piston I5, the sheet bundles expand, causing the plate I1 to be moved to the right in Figure 6. As the plate I1 advances to the right in Figure 6, the latch means 24 and 24a, under the action of the

springs

25 and 25a, will be caused to enter into the llholes"`23 and 23a of the

rods

22 and 22a which are rigid with the platen 2|. At this stage, the bundles of sheets are'disposed between the plate I1 and the platen 2 I.

The hand wheel I0 is then manipulated so that the screw 9 is moved in a direction to reduce the pressure of the cross-piece 8 on the cotter pins I3 and |3a, after which such cotter pins are removed and the cross-piece withdrawn to the position designated as 8' in Figure '7, and the auxiliary tank section 2 can be moved rearwardly and withdrawn from the fixed tank section I, whereby the hopper 32 is uncovered. l

The motor 21 is then actuated again (its direction of rotation being automatically reversed by suitable contacts not shown) whereby the carrier is caused to return to its original position, at which point the motor automatically stops. At this time, the parts are substantially in the positions shown in Figure 7, and the sheets of pulp disposed above the hopper 32. In this position, the sheets between the platen 2| and the plate I1, detached from the spacers by their own weight, fall into the hopper which directs the sheets to a carrier (not shown) provided beneath the hopper 32. Thereafter, the cam lever 26 is actuated to withdraw the locking means 24 and 24a from the

holes

23 and 23a, whereby the plate I1 can be slidably moved to its original position. If desired, the plate I1 can be released prior to or during the discharging of the sheets.

After complete unloading, the auxiliary tank section 2 is brought back into contact with the tank I, and the cross-piece 8 is restored to its original position. The cotter pins I3 and I3a are inserted in the holes and the hand Wheel I0 isoperated so as topress the twoV tanksstrongly. together.: The plate IT is then. restored to its original-position.

Before: the motori?V is actuated. to return the carrier to its original position, the handz. wheel 302 issoperatedeither. prior to or subsequent to the repositioning of l the. auxiliary tank section 2, wherebyv the. locking: elementsfl and 'l l are With.- drawn from the pockets. 12,. and' the. gears 58 secured in. driving relationship with the shafts 6U bythe,respective'clutches;

Since it: is. obvious that various changes: and modifications: can be made. in the; above; description .withoutv departing` from the. nature or." spirit thereof, this invention is not restricted' thereto exceptfas set forth in the appendedclaims.

I? claimz' l1. A steepingf press for steeping cellulose pulp sheetszarranged'in said press vertically oni edge and:v in bundles'which are-separated by'spacers, comprising" a= xedtank section open'. at its'rear endg. a movable tank sectionopen at itsforward end,.. means to. move saidmovable tank section Y toward. and away from. said fixed tank section,

means totsecuresaid tank sections with the open ends.. thereof in, abutting relationship, a. piston slidably positionedin the nxed tank section, a movable platen-adapted to bel disposed adjacent the openl end. of said; fixed section and constitute?. ai support' against which the sheets in the tank arepressedby said piston,. a plate slidably mountedjinsaid fixed tank section ahead oisaid piston, .means to lock said. plate to and in spaced relationship to said platen when-thev piston is retracted..` after its compression. stroke whereby tliev sheets are; eonned between vsaid platen' and plate, and a hopper adjacent the open end of said' xedgtan'k sectionandadapted to be covered by saidfmovabletank:section when the ends of said inovablefsection and Ifixedl section are iii-abutting relationship; 4 said sheets being. discharged under their. own weight into said hopper. when said movable tank sectionis positionedv so-that said hopper isnot covered thereby and when said platenA and plate are: disposed over said hopper.

2.' A-.steeping pressvforxsteepingl cellulose. pulp sheetszarrangedlin said'. press. vertically on edge andin bundles which' are separated .by spacers, comprising a xedtank'section open-at its rear endg'. a..xnovablectank section open at itsforward end, said. movable tank section having' rollers adapted to ride on rails whereby'said movable sectioncan be moved'towar'd or awayfrom said xed:section;.means to secure said tank sections with the open endsthereof in=abutting relationship; a.vv pistoni slidablyl positioned in the. fixed tank section,a.movable,platen adapted to be vdisposed adjacenti the open end .of said. fixed tank sectionand constitute afsupport against which the-sheets in theftankare, pressed vby said=piston, afplatel slidably mounted insaid-xedtank section ahead. ofA saidpiston, means tolock said pla-te .to and in'spacedlrelationship to said platen. when the. piston is retracted after.- itscompression stroke 4whereby the sheets .are conned .between said platenand plateVand. a. hopper adjacent the.v open end of. said xed tank section and adapted. to be.. covered by saidmovablbe. tank section when .the ends of saidmovabblesection and xed. section arev in abutting relationship, Said-sheets. beingdischarged' under their own weightinto saidhopper whensaid movable section is positioned so that said hopper is not covered thereby and. when said `platenand plate are disposed over said hopper..

Cir

3. Asteepi'ng press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets` arranged in said. press verticallyV on"V edge and in bundles which are separated byspacers, comprising a iixed tank* section open at its rear end, a.- movabletank section open at its forward.

end, said movable tank section having rollers'- adapted.- to rideY onv rails whereby said movable.

section can be moved into abutting relationship' with1 orawayfromY said xed section,. a crosspiece-slidably mounted on said rails rearwardly of. said movable tank section, a screw carried by said cross-piece and adapted to. engage the rear wall of said movable tank section, means to secure said. cross-piece-against rearwardmovementwhenrthe open'endsof said tank sections are in abutting-relationship, a piston slidably positioned. in the-fixed tank section, a movable platen adapted to be disposed adjacent the open end of saidxed tank section and constitute a support against .which ,the sheets in the tank are pressed by said piston, a' plate slidably mounted in said xed tank section' ahead of'said piston, meansto lock said plate to and in spaced relationship to said platen whenthe piston is retractedafter its compression stroke' whereby the sheets are conned betweenU saidY platen-and plate, and a hopper adjacent the'open end ofsaid fixed tank section and adapted to be covered by said movable tank section when the. ends of said movable section and fixed sectionare in abutting relationship, said sheets beingv discharged under their own weight into said hopper when saidV movable section ispositioned so that said hopper is not covered thereby and when said platen and plate are disposed over said hopper.

4. A steeping press-for steeping cellulose pulp sheets arranged in said pressvertically on edge and inl bundles which are separated by spacers, comprising a fixed tank section open ati its rear end,l a movable tank section open at its forward end, means'to move said movable tank section toward and away from said xed tank section, meansto secure said tank sections with theropen ends thereof in abutting relationship, a piston slidably positioned in the fixed tank section, a movable platen adapted to be disposed adjacent the open endfof saidxed sectionand constitute asupport against which the sheets'in'the tank are pressed by said piston, a plateslidably mount'.- ed in saidfxed tanksection ahead of said piston, a pair of` spring-pressed latching' elements carried: by said plate, apairof rodsr secured to and extending. forwardly of said platen, each rod having a hole adjacent the forward end thereof and adapted. to beengaged by one of said locking elements only-when said plate moves away from said platenafter the compression stroke of the piston whereby the sheets are confined between said platen and plate, and a-hopper adjacent the open end of said' fixed tank section and adapted to be covered by said movable-tank section when. the ends of said movable section and xed section are in abutting relationship, said sheets being discharged. under. their own weight vinto .said hopper when said. movable. tank section is positioned'so that said hopper is not covered thereby and Whensaid platenand plate are disposed over said hopper.

5..A steeping. press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets arrangedin said press vertically on edge and inbundles Ywhich are separated .by spacers, comprisingaiixed tank section openat-its-rear end, a movable tanksection-open at its forward endmeansy to movesaid movable` tank section toward andaway from. said .xed/tank section,

means to secure said tank sections with the open ends thereof in abutting relationship, a piston slidably positioned in the fixed tank section, a movable platen adapted to be disposed adjacent the'iopen end of said fixed section and constitute a support against which the sheets in the tank are pressed vby said piston, a plate slidably mounted in said fixed tank section ahead of said piston, a pair of spring-pressed latching elements carried by said plate, a pair of rodssecured to and extending forwardly of said platen, each rod having a hole adjacent the forward end thereof and adapted to be engaged by one of said locking elements only when said plate moves away from said platen after the compression stroke of the piston whereby the sheets are confined between said platen and plate, cam operated means to disengage said latching elements from said holes, and a hopper adjacent the open end of said fixed tank section and adapted to be covered by said movable tank section when the ends of said movable section and fixed section are in abutting relationship, said sheets being discharged under their own weight into said hopper when said movable tank section is positioned so that said hopper is not covered thereby and when said platen and plate are disposed over said hopper.

6. A steeping press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets arranged in said press vertically on edge and in bundles which are separated by spacers, comprising a fixed tank section open at its rear end, a movable tank section open at its forward end, means to move said movable tank section toward and away from said fixed tank section, means to secure said tank sections with the open ends thereof in abutting relationship, a piston slidably positioned in the fixed tank section, a movable platen adapted to be disposed adjacent the open end of said fixed section and constitute a support against which the sheets in the tank are pressed by said piston, means to lock said platen in position, a plate slidably mounted in said xed tank section ahead of said piston, means to lock said plate to and in spaced relationship to said platen when the piston is retracted after its compression stroke whereby the sheets are confined between said platen and plate, and a hopper adjacent the open end of said iixed tank section and adapted to be covered by said movable tank section when the ends of said movable section and fixed section are in abutting relationship, said sheets being discharged under their own weight into said hopper when said movable tank section is positioned so that said hopper is not covered thereby and when said platen and plate are disposed over said hopper.

7. A steeping press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets arranged in said press vertically on edge and in bundles which are separated by spacers, comprising a fixed tank section open at its rear end, a movable tank section open at its forward end, means to move said movabvle tank section toward and away from said fixed tank section, means to secure said tank sections with the open ends thereof in abutting relationship, a piston ,slidably positioned in the fixed tank section, a

carrier adapted to move over the top edges of said tank sections, a platen carried by said carrier and adapted to constitute a support against which the sheets are pressed by said piston, racks on the side walls of said tank sections, gears adapted to mesh with said racks carried on shafts mounted on. the rear face of said platen, movable locking elements extending transversely of said platen, pockets on the fixed tank section adapted to be engaged by said locking elements, means adapted to move said locking elements in or out of locking engagement with said pockets, a plate slidably mounted in said fixed tank section ahead of said piston, means to lock said plate to and in spaced relationship to said platen when the piston is retracted after its compresf sion stroke whereby the sheets are confined between said platen and plate, and a hopper adjacent the open end of said fixed tank section and adapted to be covered by said movable tank section when the ends of said movable section andfixed section are in abutting relationship, said sheets being discharged under their own weight into said hopper when said movable tank section is positioned so that said hopper is not covered thereby and when said platen and plate are disposed over said hopper.

8. A steeping pressfor steeping cellulose pulp sheets arranged in said press vertically on'edge and in bundles which are separated by spacers, comprising a fixed tank section open at its rear end, a movable tank section open at its forward end, means to move said movable tank section toward and away from said fixed tank section, means to secure said tank sections with the open ends thereof in abutting relationship, a piston slidably positioned in the fixed tank section, a carrier adapted to move over the top edges of said tank sections, a platen carried by said carrier and adapted to constitute a support against which the sheets are pressed by said piston, racks on the side Walls of said tank sections, gears adapted to mesh with said racks carried on shafts mounted on the rear face of said platen, drive means to rotate said shafts, a clutch between said drive means and each of said shafts, movable locking elements extending transversely of said platen, pockets on the fixed tank section adapted to be engaged by said locking elements, means adapted t0 move said locking elements in or out of locking engagement with said pockets, means to simultaneously operate said clutches and locking elements, a plate slidably mounted in said fixed tank section ahead of said piston, means to look said plate t and in spaced relationship Vto said platen when the piston is retracted after its compression stroke whereby the sheets are confined between said platen and plate, and a hopper adjacent the open end of said xed tank section and adapted to be covered by said movable tank section when the ends of said movable section and fixed section are in abutting relationship, said sheets being discharged under their own weight into said hopper when said movable tank section is positioned so that said hopper is not covered thereby and when said platen and plate are disposed over said hopper.

9. A steeping press for steeping cellulose pulp sheets arranged in said press vertically on edge and in bundles which are separated -by spacers, comprising a fixed tank section open at its rear end, a movable tank section open at its forward end, means to move said movable tanksection toward and away from said fixed tank section, means to secure said tank sections with the open ends thereof in abutting relationship, a piston slidably positioned in the fixed tank section, actuating mechanism for said piston, a carrier adapted to move over the top edges of said tank sections, a platen carried by said carrier and adapted to constitute a support against which the sheets are pressed by said piston, racks on the side walls of said tank sections.

gears adaptedvto mesh with said racks carried on .shafts mounted on the rear 'face of said platen, drive means to rotate said shafts, a clutch Abetween said drive means ,and each `of said shafts, movable locking elements extending transversely of lsaid platen, pockets on-the xed tank section adapted to be engaged by saidlocking elements, -means adapted to move said locking elements in or out of lockingengagement with-said pockets, means to simultaneously operate said clutches and locking elements, said means also controlling the actuating mechanism for said-piston, aplate slidably mounted in said fixed tank section ahead of said piston, means to lock said plate to and in spaced relationship 1 to said platenwhen the piston is retracted after its lcompression stroke whereby the sheets vare confined between said platen and plate, and a lhopper adjacent the open endrof` said xed tank section and Vadapted rto be covered bysaid mov- REFERENCES CITED The following vreferences :are of record inthe 'ille lof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,538,886 Berrigan May 26, 1925 1,696,474 Dutzmann Dec. 25, 1928 2,027,252 Stacy Jan. 7, `1936 2,053,570

MacMilln Sept. 8, 1936