USRE19856E

USRE19856E - Method of and machine for making

Info

Publication number: USRE19856E
Authority: US
Publication date: 1936-02-18

Description

Feb. 178, 1936. R. w. CHAPMAN R- 19,856

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MAKING YULP ARTICLES Original Filed Nov. 20. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nunn Yggl wwxwumwm ,fw-MQ@ 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. W. CHAPMAN METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MAKING PULP ARTICLES original Filed Nov. 2o, 192s Feb. 18, 1936.

\ m u ma m.` rv. N. M7 A .&. R

Feb. 18, 1936. R. w. CHAPMAN R- 19,356

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MAKING PULP ARTICLES 4 Original Filed Nov. 20, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Vw un um' Rcqxmk N. C @man cmg Feb. 18, 1936. R. w. CHAPMAN muon or AND MACHINE Fon MAKING PULP ARTICLES l 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Nov. 20. 1926 hwx on m m 7M u M N Mv a Fd. 1s, 1936. R, w, HAPMAN RQ 19,556

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR Original Filed Nov. 20. 1926 MAKING PULP ARTICLES 5 Sheeis-Sheet 5 ,lill/Il \\\\l E NT OR Reissued Feb. 18, 1936 UNITED vSTATES lasso METHUD F AND A PULP momma roa mimo narrows Ralph W. Chapman, 01d Town, Maine, assigner,

by menne assignments. to The Old Town Company, a corporation of Maine Original N6. 1,778,984. October 21, 198-,

Serial No. 149,827, November 20. 1926.

Application for rollito October 15, 1932. Serial N0.

The general object of the invention is to provide a complete article of manufacture made from any suitable pulp, such as ground wood. the article, whatever its form and function, being characterized by a high degree of compactness and density, uniformity of shrinkage strains throughout its entire mass, freedom from liability to depart from its predetermined shape and thickness, hard and firm external surfaces, and other advantageous features which will appear hereinafter. The accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, show the preferred embodiment of machine constituting me mechanical part or mv invention, and adapted to practice the method hereinafter described and claimed.

In said drawings,-

Figure 1 is a top plan view ofthe machine, partly in section on line l-l 'of Figure 3;

Figure 2 shows the mechanism forchanging the relative rotation of the former and the drier units;

Figure 8 is a section on line I-I of Figure' l, parts of the machine being shown in side elevation;

Figure 4 shows the machine in vertical section, on the lines 4 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a vertical section of the machine on lines 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a vertical section of the lower part of the machine on lines 6-6 of Figure 1 showing the connections for operating the discharging picker;

' Figure 7 is a sectional fragment, showing the picker airy valve;

Figure 8 is an end view of the transfer picker arm, showing means for insuring that the arm will register with the forming mold;

Figure 9 is an enlargement of portions of Figure 4, showing the molding dies hereinafter described separated from each other;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, showing the molding dies closed on a charge of pulp;

Figure l1 is an enlarged sectional plan on I I-ii of Figure 9;

Figure l2 is a top plan view of the upper molding die;

Figure 13 is a section on line i3-I3 of Figure 12;"

Figures 14 and 15 show enlarged views in section, of the finishing dies shown in Figure 3, and hereinafter described;

Figures 16 and 17 show enlarged fragments in section of the forming dies, shown in Figures 9 and 10, and hereinafter described.

n claim. (ci. vs -ss) the standard being provided with upper and lowery f5 v guides 2a and 2b (Figure 4).

Supported by the standard in the upper guide 2a and having a limited movement therein, is a head or holder 3, to which is secured a foraminous upper molding die l. A carrier l, movable in the lower guide 2b supports a foraminous lower molding/die I. The molding dies, shown enlarged in Figures 16 and 17, are formed to press a charge 1 of pulp, shown in solid black (Figure. 10), to approximately its final form, and express water therefrom into and through the openings in the dies.

'I'he dies are preferably composed, as best shown in

Figm'es

16 and 17, of perforated metal forms l and 9, the forming surfaces of which are covered with a layer of wire gauze ill, the function of which is to prevent particles of pulp from passing through the relatively small openings in the gauze, while V permitting the escape of surplus water through the perforations of the mold forms l and 9.

Power mechanism is provided to reciprocate the lower die B, and cause its coactlon with the upper die, said mechanism preferably including a drive shaft ii (Figure 4), driven by an electric motor I2 (Figure l) through suitable connections hereinafter described; a cam I2, fixed to the drive shaft, a rocker arm Il, fulcrumed at I5 on a stand IG rigid with the base. and having at one end a trundle roll i1, engaging the cam, and at the other end trundle rolls I8, and a tubular rod I9, fixed to the lower die carrier 5, and having a yoke 2li, engaging the trundle rolls i8. 'I'he carrler 5 is formed as a piston, of which I9 is the rod, the latter serving also as an air conduit.

The machine includes an air-conducting system, adapted to pass currents of air over the outer surfaces of the dies l, and 6, to evaporate and remove the water expressed by the dies from the charge 'Lv Said system includes an air exhauster, which is capable of causing approximately six inches of vacuum, the casing of which is designated by 2| (Figures 1 and 3), located at any suitable4 point, more or less remote from the machine, and air conduits, each communicating at one end with the atmosphere, and at the opposite end with the fan casing, said conduits including lower and upper suction spaces 22 and 23 (Figure 10) associated with the dies I and 6, and

formed in part by the outer sides of said dies. u

lbrthispurposelprefertouseanordinarysuctionfaninsteadofavacuumpump.asthereiaa material saving in power required.

Thaconduit which includes the upper suction space 23, includes also an intake portion 2l (Figurei0),opentotheatmosphere atthemarginof the mid suction space, and an exhaust portion 2l. extending from the upper suction space 23 to the exhauster 2i.

The conduit which includes the lower suction space 22, is a combined intake and exhaust conduit. and includes also the piston rod Il, which is tubular and open at its lower end to the atmosphere, and communicates with the suction space 22, so that it constitutes the intake portion. Passages 2l formed in the lower die carrier l, and communicating with the4 lower suction space 22, are included inthe exhaust portion of this conduit, and communicate with a iixed conduit portion, or section 2l, which communicates with the exhaust conduit 21. in common with tbeup per suction space 23.

It willnow be seen that the air-exhauster 2i, which; as above stated,may be an ordinary suction fan, induces a ilow of air currents across the outer sides of the molding dies, and that the described conduits may be proportioned to cause large volumes of air to thus flow, and rapidly evaporate and carry away the water expressed from the charge 1.

The intake portion comprising ports 23, nearly surrounds the upper suction space 23, so that the air is evenly distributed over the outer or back side of the upper die t. Its cross sectional area is' preferably about one-third smaller than that of the exhaust conduit section 25, so that suction is exerted on the charge 1 to hold the same in contact with the upper-die, when the -lower die recedes.

One of the conduit portions 33 of the exhaust conduit from the lower suction space 22 (Figure 4) is provided with a valve 3i, closed on a seat 33 by a spring 32 and opened by means including a cam 3l on the drive shaft Il, a level-133, ful- 'crumed at 38 on' aiixed support 31, on which is mounted the trundle roll a bearing on the cam 3I,a pitman, 38, pivoted at 39 to the lever, and one end of the rocker arm fulcrumed at 4|, on the fixed support 3l, the other end of the arm llbearing on the stem 42 of the valve.

One of the conduit portions I3 of the exhaust conduit from the upper suction space 23, is provided with a valve 4l, (Fig. 4) similar in character to the valve 3|, and operated through similar connections by means of the cam l! on the drive shaft Il.

The arrangement is such that the valves 3i and M are opened and closed alternately. When the upper'valve u is opened, suction is maintained in the upper suction space 23, so that the -charge 1 is'held on the upper die, when the lower die recedes.

The lower valve 3| is closed, when the lower die commences to recede, so that the Alower die has no tendency to pull down the lAttached to the guide 2b in which the lower die .32, supported by the curb above the base portion.

The carrier 5 has a liquid-tight sliding fit in the base portion of the reservoir, and has an annular charge-segregating member I3, which is in the lower portion ofthe body of pulp held in the naervoirwhen the carrierisdepressed. when thecarrier rises,themember I3 segregates'a circuiarchargeofpulponthelowerdisand raisesittotheupperdiesothattheoharge is .compressed 4and the expressed water il, removed. as above described. When the carrier" isrisingto segregatethecharge,abutterfiyvalve ,intheboreoftherod Il.isclosedbyaspring Il, to prevent a flow of air through the rod to andthroughthesuctionchambern. Whenthe lower die reaches its pressing position, the .valve Il is opened by contact of an arm Il, attached to its shaft. with a fixed stop l1, on the lower guide lbsothatanaircurrent acrossthe outerside of the lower `die is permitted.

The holder 3 of the upper die l, preferably has a limited vertical movement in the upper guide 2a, this being permitted by a slot Il in the holder 3, and a stud II, nxed to the guide 2a. The ob ject of this is to permit an increased pressure on the charge 1, during the' latter part of the pressing operation. To this end, the guide 2a is provided with a fulcrum il. engaged by one end of a lever 0i, which-is caused to bear on a member 32, iixed'to the holder 3, and vexert down- -ward pressure on the holder, when the latter is lraised, the lever being provided with \a weight I3. which may be adjusted to vary the pressure.

In case a relatively thin article is being formed, the weighted lever holds down the holderl 2. and the upper die. throughout the entire upwardmovement of the lower die, but when a thicker article is desired, the pressing operation may be repeated, another charge being superimposed on one already pressed, and pressed by the weighted lever, which is raised and caused to act by the increased thickness of the charge. The arrangement may be such that two or more layers of pulp maybeassembledandpressedtoformathick charge, the pressure on the charge occurring f 23 is shown by Figures 12 and 13, as a grid composed of radiating plates or arms arranged edgewise to the direction of pressure, and bearing on the holder 3, and onthe outer side of the upper die, the plates being thin, and spaced apart, so that they donot'materially impede the flow of air through the space 23. The bracing means in the lower suction space 22, may be a similar grid, the arms 68 of which bear on the carrier l. and the outer side of the lower die.

The charge i is dried by the operation described; to the extent permitted by the pressure on the charge and the evaporation of the expressed water by air currents, considerable residual water remaining in the charge and while the charge may be completely dried by exposure to the air or in an oven, when` not under pressure. such drying is necessarily slow and leaves the charge rough and distorted or uneven.

To quickly complete the drying of the charge and convert it into a marketable article having the exact predetermined form desired Vand a smooth -ilnished surface, I remove the molded charge from the molding dies, interpone .it between forming or ilnishing dies, and subject it to heat while under pressure, as next described.

lasse circular series of similar dies, fixed to a rotary carrier which includes a vertical shaft, (Figures l and 3) rotatable in a fixed step bearing 60.*

and an upper carrier orvspider 1li, xed to the shaft. 'Ihe carrier is provided with holders 1|. to which the dies t1 are fixed. The dies are heated, preferably by electric heating units 12, in the holders 1l, connected through conductors Il with a lsource of electric energy. 14 designates a foraminous. lower forming die complementa! to the upper die $1, and preferablyA composed, like the molding dies above described, of a layer of perforated sheet metal and a layer of wire gauze. This die is fixed to a holder 1l, mounted on a rod 1I, which is vertically movable in guides in a lower carrier or spider 11. fixed to the shaft il. The lower die 'Il is preferably one of a circular series of lower dies. each alined with an upper die l. `I prefer to heat the` lower dies by heating units 1I, in the holders 1l, connected through conductors Il .with a source of electrical energy.

The shaft 6l is continuously rotated and in common with the shaft Il, is rotated through driving connections from the electric motor I2.

As hereinbefore stated, it is at times advisable to produce an article of extra thickness. and to do this. one or more charges of pulp are superposed on the primary formed article. and pressed to become homogeneous. As this must be done before the article is transferred to the drying unit, it is necessary for the forming unit to complete two or more cycles of action, while the drying unit completes one.

Bi (Figure 1). On this shaft is secured the mitre gear 82, transmitting power by means of similar mitres, through the shaft 83 to the shaft ll. This shaft is journaled at one end in a bearing secured to the base l, and not shown. and near the upper end at 85, in a frame 88, which is supported by the posts 81, upwardly extending from the base I. The pinion 88 is secured to the shaft 8l and meshes with the gear I9 rigid with the shaft 68. and by means ofwhich the spider III and drying units are rotated. The speed of rotation of this spider is such that if the articles pressed are of single thickness, in each cycle a pressed article is transferred to one of the drying units by means hereinafter described. When two or more charges of pulp are superposed, a corresponding number of forming cycles must be completed before the pressed article is transferred to the drying unit, and the relative speeds of the pressing and drying sections of the machine vary accordingly. As both forms of articles are to be produced, I have shown in Figures 1 and '2 one form of mechanism which will pemiit the production of articles of either single or doublethickness.

The axes of the shafts Ii and l0 are coincident, and when producing an article of single' thickness, rotate-in unison. Under this condition the gear 9| secured to shaft Il, meshes with a gear 02 oi'- equal sise on the counter-shaft and through similar gears Il on the countershaft. and l on shaft il, the shaft Il is rotated in unison with the shaft Il. If, however, two charges are imposed on the forming mold before transferring, I employ gears It. secured to the shafts Il and l1 on the counter-shaft retaining the gears l! and Il for transmission to the shaft li.

The gears on the shaft 80 and the correspond- 'ing gears on the counter-shaft are so spaced .that when a change of speed is required, the

shaft il may be slid endwise in the bearings I8.v

il, by means of the shift lever, Ill, for the purpose of releasing one pair of gears. and meshing the pair required to rotate the shaft Il. the gear il being made of sufficient width of face to permit remaining in mesh with the gear 95 en shaft i I.

It is obvious that gears of other proportions may be used in connection with those described, to give greater thickness of articlesii required. in which case, a variation in details of construction only would be required to permit introduction of other gear couples, on the shafts Il and Il.

Vertical'movement of the upper dies l1 is prevented by a horizontal circular upper track III,

formed on the under side of frame rollers |02 running on said track and Journaled in bearings lill. fixed to the carrier 10. The rods 1I, supporting the lower dies, are provided at their lower ends with rollers IM, bearing on an annular cam-shaped lower track, fixed to the base and including a raised portion |05, constituting the major portion of the track. and a depressed portion |06, connected with the raised portion by inclined portions lill. The rotation of the shaft 68 and carriers 10 and 11, causes the forming dies to revolve in unison about a common vertical axis.

The contour of the lower track is such that at a given point, each of the lower dies separates from the corresponding upper die and is depressed. the rollers lill bearing on the depressed portion i of the track. At this time, the finished article is removed from the lower die by means hereinafter described, and a molded.

charge is transferred thereto, the other lower dies being at the same time supported by the raised portion of the lower track, in a raised position to coact with the other upper dies.

When this die rises, the charge is pressed between the lower die and the corresponding upper die, the pressure being sufficient to materially decrease the thickness of the charge, and preferably, about fifty pounds to the square inch.

The forming dies are heated by the heating means, preferably to a temperature of approximately four hundred degrees F. or more. Contact of the highly heated' imperforate die with thewet charge causes the water in the contiguous part of the charge to be raised to the boiling point almost instantaneously and to flash into steam. with generation of pressure which forces water in the liquid state from the t'balance of the charge through the foraminous die. A consider- Y allowed for heating and the temperature and p amount of heat suppliedv to the dies, the molded article may be brought to any desired degree of dryness.

The steam is prevented by the imperforate die l1 from escaping upwardly, and can escape only through the openings in the foraminous die 1l. Said die forms one side of a steam space (Figure 15), the opposite side of which is formed by a surface in the holder 15. 'Ihe steam space is provided with numerous radial outlet ports |03, through which the steam escapes to the atmos phere. The lower die 14 is prevented from buckling under the pressure exerted upon it, by

bracing means, which may l be embodied in spaced apart projections or grid members ||0. supported by the holder and supporting the lower side of the foraminous die. In case the lower forming die is heated, the projections ||0 serve to conduct heat to the die. The transformation of the residual water into steam within the charge, causes voids therein, and the pressure is continued or followed up after the initial pressure is exerted, to close said voids and bond all of the fibers together within the charge, so that the strength of the finished article is materially increased. Figures 3 and 5 show meansfor following up the pressure or continuing the upward movement of the lower dies beyond the limit to which they are raised by the raised portion |00 of the lower track, said means being embodied in levers ||2, fulcrumed at ||3, to sockets H4. constituting terminals in which the rolls |0| are journaled, and in which the rods 10 are independently movable, and springs ||5 interposed between the lower arms of the levers and the carrier 11. When a lower die is depressed, as shown at the left in Figure 3, the spring ||5 is expanded,` and does not act to raise the die through the rod 18. When the die is raised, as shown at the right in Figure 3, the spring is compressed and acts through the lever ||2 to exert upward pressure on the rod 10, whereby the voids in the charge under pressure are closed, and the charge is suitably compacted.

The imperforate upper die 61 seals the upper i side of the charge, so that no steam escapes must not be released until all of the residual water is removed from between the sides of the charge.

'Ihe charge is now a finished article and is-removed from between the forming dies, as hereinafter described, and exposed to the atmosphere while it remains heated, so that any traces of moiture iemainingon the article, and particularly on the calendered or glazed surface thereof, are immediately evaporated.

I have found that the charge may be thoroughly dried by the described'method. in about one quarter of a minuta/when the charge is about oneeighth of an inch thick before the nai pressure, and that the charge may be allowed to remain under pressure between the heated forming dies as long as two minutes without being burned or scorched.

After the drying pressure on a charge oneeighth of an inch thick, the finished article is about one-sixteenth of an inch thick, and has such density that it will not subsequently shrink and depart from the predetermined form caused by the dies.

The molding dies and finishing dies shown in this instance, are formedto produce a dish or plate, such as a pie plate. I am not limited, however, to this form, and may form the dies to produce other articles, not necessarily of relatively small area, and not having the parallel top and bottom sides which characterize a pie plate. Articles such as large sheets of cardboard of .uniform thickness, and other articles, the major surfaces of which are not parallel with each other, may be produced by the described method and by suitable modifications oi' the form of the molding and forming or finishing dies,

I will now describe the mechanism whereby the molded charge is transferredA from the molding dies to the forming dies, and the mechanism whereby the finished article is removed from the forming dies and exposed to the atmosphere.

designates a foraminous pick-ofi' die, preferably of perforated sheet metal and complemental to the lower surface of a charge 1, held by suction on the upper molding die l. The die |20 (Figures 3 and 5) constitutes one side of a suction space |2|, formed in part by portions of a tubular air-conducting suction arm |22 (Figure 5) which is movable to cause the pick-off die |20 to engage the charge in the mold l, then depress the charge to clear the upper molding die, as shown in broken lines in Figure 3, then swing the charge to position over the lower forming die 14, when the latter is depressed, and at the same time, invert the charge preparatory to depositing it on the die 1l, as indicated by Figure 3, the charge being thus located in position to drop upon the lower forming die, and then withdraw from between the lower and upper forming dies, so that the charge may be pressed between the forming or finishing dies, the mechanism causing these movements being as next described.

'111e path in the cam is formed to operate through the intermediate connections on the frame |20 to function in coordination with the other parts of the combined machine.

The frame |20 is depressed by a spring |33 (Figure 0)' interposed between a collar |40,'xed

to the standard and a collar Ill, fixed tov the frame |20 and slidable on the standard.

Vertical movements are thus imparted to the piek-oi! die.v

The frame |26 is rocked on the standard |66. to swing the pick-off die between the molding dies and the forming dies, by a path cam |62 (Figure 1) on the drive shaft 60, and connections be- |66 operates to impart a rocking' motion to the frame |26, ytogether with the hollow bearing |26. In the position of the suction arm |22 shown lin the drawings, a pressed article has been deposited and the arm is about to swing'to the position for picking off another pressed article from the molding die 6. As it swings to this position, it is reversed by means of a pinion |6|. rigid with the shank `|62 of the suction arm, engaging the `segment |66, supported by the shelf |66 extending from the standard |60.

. When the suction arm has completed this movement, the axis of the pick-oi! die |20 is coincident with the axis of the upper forming die 6. and as the frame |26 is raised. as above described, the pick-oi! die |20 engages the molded charge 1 on the die 6. As the frame |26 rises, the pinion |6| is separated from the segment |60. and to prevent accidental misplacement of the pickoif die |20, and -consequent marring of the molded charge. I have provided (Figure 8) 4a stop |66 projecting from the hollow bearing |26, and a stud |61, projecting from the shank |62 near its outer end. When the picker arm reaches the pick-off position the stu'd |61 engages the stop 75 2|'. The snsnk'ponion |52 or the suction arm liz- |66.'To maintain `this contact as the pinion separates from the segment, I provide the coil spring |66, one endy of which is secured to the stud |61, and the other to the hollow'bearing at |66. Figure 8 shows the pick-otr in discharge position, and as the pick-off arm descends with the charge 1, the pinion |6| again meshes with the rack |66, and as it rocks to discharging position, the die |20 is again reversed to discharge the charg 1, over one of the drying elements, as shown in Figure 3, and the spring |66 is wound on the shank |62, the stud |61 rotating to position shown in Figure 8, and the tension of the spring |66 operating in the direction of the arrow.,

Before the pick-off die |20 moves from its charge-engaging position shown by Figure 6, in

broken lines, the valve 66 is closed to interrupt` the suction in the suction space 23 of the upper ldie. so that the charge is released. At the same time, suction is created in the suction space |2 associated with the pick-off die by means next described, so that the charge is held by suction on the pick-offk die while the latter is transferring and inverting the charge, the suction being interrupted when the pick-olf die is in position to deliver the inverted chargeto the lower forming die. 'Ihe suction arm |22, the hollow bearing |26. and the tubular standard, constitute portions of an exhaust conduit, another portion l6l of which (shown in part by Figures 1 and 4) communicateswith the suction fan or air exhauster within the hollow bearing is provided with airr ports |62 (Figure 5), permitting air to 'pass from the suction arm'to the interior of the bearing Within the exhaust conduit is a valve |66 (Figures 5 and '1) adapted to be opened and closed on a seat |66, by mechanism including a cam |66 (Figure l) on the drive shaft, and connections between the cam and the stem |66 of the l valve, including a member |61 (Figures 1 and `5), 1g

having a trundle-roll |66 bearing on the cam, and a-bell-crank arm |66 (Figure 7 engaged with the stem of the valve |66. v

Said mechanism is timed to hold the valve open while the picker-die |20 is -transferring the charge from the molding dies to the lower forming die, so that the charge is held by suction on 26 the picker-die, and to close the valve when the charge is in position for delivery to the lower forming die, so that the charge is released, the spring |66a serving to maintain thev valve stem |,66'in yielding contact with the arm |66 ofthe 30 bell-crank.

The completed -article may be removed'from the lower forming die when the latter is depressed, by a suction arm |16, the construction and operating mechanism of which may be sub- 66 stantially as above described. with reference to the suction arm |22, the suction dueto the arm |16 being adapted to pick up a nished article from the depressed lower forming die and drop it on a turn-table |16, without reversal of the 40 suction die.

In Figures 1 and 6, I have indicated similar connections to those described as referring to suction arm |22, the variation in details being obviously required. on account of the relative 46 positions of the suction units.

I do not confine myself to this construction in this. particular suction unit, and especially as regards the rocking of the arm to transfer the nished article from the drying unit to the turn- 50 table. This operation may be performed by means of radial projections from the rotating spider'11, adapted to engage an arm extending from the rocking frame supporting the suction arm |16, the parts being proportioned to rock the device through the required arc, against the yielding tension of means for returning the suction arm to pickup position. This method is not shown in the drawings as the means shown is the so preferred means.

As the spider 11 carrying the drying unitsl is rotating constantly, it is necessary to provide means whereby the suction form |16 may descend and engage the finished article, and withdraw it from its mold. This requires an appreciable time, during which the particular mold is `moved in its rotative path andthe distance bebearing Ill and a collar lli. secured tc the outer end of the shank portion ill, and serving to maintain a yielding contact between the collar il! secured to the shank. and the other end of the bearing Ill.

As the arm is rocked to position to engage the finished article in the mold, the downward movement is so timed that the suction form Ill is depressed into the mold; and in the interval before it is withdrawn, carrying the finished article. it moves with the mold, the shank portion ill sliding in the hollow bearing I'll, against the yielding pressure of the spring |80. As the arm rises above the mold the arm regains its normal position, and is rocked to discharge the finished article.

'Ihe tum-table |15 may be rotated by hand, as the articles are removed therefrom, or it may be rotated by any suitable mechanism to move the dropped articles progressively in a circular path for removal and packing, the article being dropped while it is heated, so that any moisture remaining on the surface thereof is quickly evaporated.

The application on which said original patent was granted is a continuation in part of my application entitled Apparatus for making pulp articles, flied April 3, 1926, Serial No. 99,467.

l. That improvement in the method of making,

articles from pulp. which consists in pressing a charge oi' pulp to mold the same to approximately its final form, and express water from its opposite sides and passing two induced currents of free air, one over all portions of one side of ther charge and the other over all portions of the opposite side while the charge is under prsure, to evaporate and remove the expressed water from both sides of the charge.

2. That improvement 1n the method of making articles from pulp, which consists in pressing a charge of pulp to mold the same to approximately its' final form and express water therefrom, passing currents of air over the major surfaces of the charge, while it is under pressure. to evaporate and remove the expressed water, again pressing the charge and heating it while under l pressure, to impart thereto its final form and convert residual water in the charge into steam, permitting the escape of steam from the charge in one direction4 only, so that rupture of the charge by the escaping steam is prevented, and continuing the pressure while the steam is escaping. to close the voids formed within the charge by the conversion of residual water into steam. 3.' That improvement in thev method of making articles from pulp, which consists in pressing a charge of pulp to mold the same to approximately its final form and express water therefrom, passing currents of air over the maior surfaces of the charge, while it is under pressure. to evaporate and remove the expressed water, again pressing the charge and heating it while under pressure. to impart thereto its final form and convert residual water in the charge into steam, permitting the escape of steam from the chargein one directiononly.sothatruptureofthechargeby the escaping steam is prevented, continuing the presure while thesteam is-escaping to close the voids formed within the charge by the conversion of residual water into steam, and finally releasingthechargefrompressureandexposingitto theatmosphere, while the charge is heated, to causa evaporation of any remaining moisture.

4;'lhatimprovementinthemethodofmaking articles from pulp, which consists in pressing a charge of pulp between foraminous molding dies to mold the charge to approximately its final form, and express water therefrom, continuously admitting two currents of air at atmospheric pressure to the outer sides of the dies, Iand causing an induced tlow of the admitted air currents across the said sides, while the charge is under pressure, to evaporate and remove the expressed water.

5. That improvement in the method of making articles from pulp, which consists in pressing a charge of pulp between foraminous molding dies to mold the charge to approximately its final form, and express water therefrom, passing currents of air across the outer surfaces of the dies. while the charge is under pressure. to evaporate and remove the expressed water. again pressing themolded charge between a heated imperforate forming die and a' foraminous forming die, to impart to the charge its final form and convert residual water in the charge into steam, while the charge is under pressure. permitting the steam to escape through the foraminous die. and

continuing the pressure while the steam is escaping, to close the voids formed in the charge by the conversion of the residual water into steam.

6. That improvement in the method of making articles from pulp, which consists in pressing a charge of pulp between foraminous molding dies to mold the charge to approximately its final form, and express water therefrom, passing currents of air across the outer surfaces of the dies. while the charge is .under pressure, to evaporate and remove the expressed water, again pressing the molded charge between an imperforate forming die and a foraminous forming die, to impart to the charge its final form, simultaneously heating the forming dies, to quickly convert residual water in the charge into steam, while the charge is under pressure. permitting the escape oi' steam through the foraminous forming die and continuing the pressure while the steam is escaping. to close the voids formed in the charge by the conversion of residual water into steam.

'7. That improvement in the method of making articles from pulp, which consists in pressing a charge of pulp between foraminous molding dies to mold the charge to approximately its -final form, and express water therefrom, passing currents of air across the outer surfaces of the dies, while the charge is under pressure, to evaporate and remove the expressed water. again pressing the molded charge between a heated imperforate forming die. having a polished forming face. and a foraminous forming die. to impart to the charge its final form, glaze the side of the charge contacting with the polished face. and convert residual water in the charge into steam, while the charge is under pressure, permitting the escape of steam through the foramino die, and continuing the pressure while the steam is escaping. to close the voids formed in the charge by the conversion of residual water into steam.

8. A machine for making articles 'from pulp. comprising complemental foraminous molding dies formed to press a charge of pulp to approximately its ilnal form, and express water therefrom into and through the dies, power mechanism for causing the coaetion of said dies. and an air-conducting system including two air conduiis having upper and lower suction spaces associated with the outer surfaces of the dies and provided with intake portions continuously open to the atmcsphere and exhaust portions communicating with a suction device whereby two induced currents of free air may be maintained through the intake and suction spaces and across the outer surfaces of the dies, to evaporate and remove the expressed water, while the charge is under pressure between the dies.

9. A machine for making articles from pulp, comprising complemental foraminous molding dies formed to press a' charge of pulp to approximately its final form. and express water therefrom into and through the dies, means for charging said dies with pulp, power mechanism for causing the coaction of said dies, an air-conducting system independent of the charging measures adapted to induce currents of free air over the outer surfaces of the dies, to evaporate and remove the expressed water, while the charge is under pressure between the dies, said system including an 'air exhauster and two air conduits,

each communicating at one end with the atmosv phere, and 'at the opposite end with the exhauster. said conduits including suction spaces associated with saiddies, and formed in part by surfaces thereof, valves controlling said system, and valveoperating means, actuated by said power mechanism, to open and close said valves, each valve being closed while the othe.` is opened, the arrangement being such that when one valve is closed, the charge is caused by suction to adhere to one of the dies.

10. A machine for making articles from pulp, comprising complemental foraminous molding dies, formed to press a charge of pulp to approximately its final form. and express water therefrom into and through the dies, power mechanism for causing the coaction of said dies, complemental forming dies located adjacent to the molding dies, and formed to press the molded charge to its final form, said forming dies including an imperforate heated die and a'foraminous die having a steam space at its outer side open to the atmosphere, means for transferring the molded charge from the molding dies to the forming dies, power mechanism for causing the coaction in the forming dies, to convert residual water in the charge into steam, while the charge is under pressure, the imperforate forming die preventing the escape of steam from the charge in one direction, while the foraminous die permits the escape of steam in the opposite direction through said steam space to the atmosphere, said power mechanism being adapted to exert a continuing pressure through the forming dies on the charge while the steam is escaping, and thereby close the voids formed within the charge by the conversion of the residual waterinto steam. v

1l. A machine for making articles from pulp comprising molding means adapted to form a charge ci'l pulp to an approximation of the prescribed form of the finished article, complemental forming dies, one of which has a substantially impervious pulp engaging face, and the other of which has provisions in its article engaging portion for conducting away water, `a transferrer for carrying articles from said molding means to the forming dies, means for effecting such movements of relative approach and recession between the complemental molding vdies as to compress and release the article placed between them, and heating means in association with said impervious die adapted to heat the' article engaging face thereof, to a temperature substantially higher than the boiling point of water.

l2. A machine for making articles from pulp,

comprising complemental foraminous molding dies, formed to press a charge of pulp to approximately its nnal form, and express water therefrom into and through the dies, power mechanism for causing the coaction of said dies, complemental forming dies located adjacent to the molding dies, and formed to press the molded charge to its nal form, said forming dies includ-` ing an impcrforate heated die and a foraminous die having a steam space at its outer side cpm to the atmosphere, means for transferring the molded charge from the molding dies to the fo'rming dies, power mechanism for causing the coaction of the forming dies to convert residual water in the charge into steam, while the charge is under pressure, the imperforate forming die preventing the escape of steam from the charge in one direction, while the foraminous die permits the escape of steam in the opposite direction through said steam space to the atmosphere, said power mechanism being adapted to exert a continuing pressure through the forming dies on the charge while the steam is escaping. and thereby close the voids formed within the charge by the conversion of the residual water into steam, the imperforate heated forming die having a polished forming face adapted to impart a glazed surface to one side of the charge.

13. A machine for making articles from pulp, comprising Vcomplementan foraminous molding dies, formed to press a charge of pulp to approximately its iinal form. and express water therefrom into and through the dies, power mechanism for causing the coaction oi' said dies, complemental forming dies located adjacent to the molding dies, and formed to press the molded charge to its final form, said forming dies including an imperforate heated die and a foraminous die having a steam space at its outer side open to the atmosphere, means for transferring the molded charge from the molding dies to the forming dies, power mechanism for causing the coaction ofthe forming dies, to convert residual water in the charge into steam, while the charge. is under pressure, a table located adiacent to the forming dies, and means for transferring the completed article from the forming dies to the table while the article is heated, the transferred article being exposed to the atmosphere and resting loosely while on the table, so that any remaining moisture is quickly evaporated therefrom.

14. A machine for making pulp articles, comprising an upper molding die, a holder therefor, a lower molding die having a charge-segregating member, a carrier for the lower die, said dies being foraminous, an annular reservoir adapted to hold a body of pulp between the dies when they are separated, power mechanism for moving the carrier to cause the lower die to segregate a charge of pulp from the body and coact with the upper die to mold the charge and express water therefrom into the openings in the dies, an airconducting system including suction spaces formed in part by the outer sides of the dies, and an air-exhauster for inducing evaporating air currents in said system across and away from the outer sides of the dies.

15. A machine for making pulp articles as specifled by claim 14, said air-circulating system including an exhaust conduit having an intake pory intake andexhaust conduit, comprising an intake eating with the suction space of the lower die, and an exhaust portion extending from said space to the exhauster.

i6. A machine for making pulp articles as specied by claim 14, said air-circulating system including an exhaust conduit having an intake ption open to the atmosphere at the margin of the suction space of the upper die, and extendingfromsaidspaceto the exhaustenand acombined intake and exhaust conduit. comprising an intake portion open to the atmosphere and communicating with the suction space of the lower die, and an exhaust portion extending from said space to the exhauster, the cross-sectional area of the intake portion at the suction space of the upper die being less than that of the coresponding exhaust portion, so that the molded charge may be held by suction against the upper die.

.1 7. A machine. for making pulp articles, comprising an upper molding die, a holder therefor, a lower molding die. a carrier therefor, power mechanism for causing the coaction of said dies, an air-conducting system including suction spaces formed in part by the outerI sides of thel dies comprising two superimposed layers, one of perforated sheet metal, forming the outer side of the die, and the other of wire gauze. forming the inner side of the die, and spaced apart braces seated in said suction spaces and distributing on the dies the pressure exerted by said power mechanism.

18. A machine for making pulp articles, comprising an upper molding die, a holder therefor. a. lower molding die, having a charge-segregating member, a carrier for the lower die, said dies being foraminous, an annular reservoir adapted to hold a body of pulp between the dies` when they are separated. power mechanism for moving the carrier to cause the lower die to segregate a charge of pulp from the body and coact with the upper die to mold the charge and express water therefrom into the openings in the dies. an air-circulating system including suction spaces formed in part by the outer sides of the dies, an air-exhauster adapted to induce evaporatlng currents of air in said system across and away from the outer sides of the dies, said system including an upper exhaust conduit having an intake portion. open to the atmosphere at the suction space of the upper die, and extending from said space to the exhauster, and a lower conduit comprising an intake portion. open to the atmosphere, and communicating with the suction space of the lower die,'and an exhaust portion extending from the last-mentioned space to the exhauster, a valve in the upper exhaust conduit, a valve in the intake portion of the lower conduit, and means for closing and opening said valves alternately, the upper conduit valve being opened when the lower conduit valve is closed.

lil. A machine for making pulp articles, com.- prising an upper molding die. a holder therefor, a lower molding die, having a chmge-Begregating member, a carrier for the lower die,v said dies being foraminous, an annular reservoir adapted tohnnldabodyofpulpbetweenthedieswhen they are separated, power mechanism for moving the carrier to cause the lower die to segregate charge of pulp from the body and coact with upper die to mold the charge and express water therefrom into the openingsin the dies.

'719,856 portionopen to the atmospherey and communi-v an air-conducting system including suction spaces formed in part by the outer sides of the dies. and an air-exhauster for inducing evaporating air currents in said system across and away from the outer sides of the dies, the machine comprising also a fixed guide in which the upper die holder has a limited yielding movement, and means exerting on said holder a yielding pressure opposed to the pressure exerted by the power mechanism. so that the dies are conformable to, and adapted to presscharges of different thickness.

20. A machine for making pulp articles comprising an upper molding die, a holder therefor. a lower molding die having a charge-segregating member, a carrier for the lower die, said dies being foraminous, an annular reservoir adapted to hold a body of pulp between the dies when they are separated, power mechanism for moving the carrier to cause the lower die to segregate a charge of pulp from the body and coact with the upper die to mold the charge and express water therefrom into the openings in the dies, an airconducting system including suction spaces formed in part by the outer sides of the dies. and an air-exhauster for inducing evaporating air currents in said system across and away from the outer sides .of the dies, the machine comprising also a fixed guide in which the upper dieholder has a limited yielding movement, a fulcrum on said guide and a weighted lever engaged with the fulcrum and bearing on the die-holder to exert thereon a yielding pressure opposed to the pressure exerted by the power mechanism, the weight of said lever being adjustable relative to the fulcrum, to vary the yielding pressure.

2l. A machine for making pulp articles as specified by claim 20, comprising also an adjustable stop limiting the pressing action of the lever on the die-holder, and permitting variation of the thickness of the molded charge.

22. A machine for making articles from pulp, comprising complemental foraminous molding dies, formed to press a charge of pulp to approximately itsflnal form, and express water therefrom through the dies, power mechanism for causing the coaction of said dies, a vertical shaft rotatable in fixed bearings adjacent to the molding dies, means for continuously rotating said shaft, upper and lower carriers fixed to the shaft. a circular series of imperforate heated upper forming dies, fixed to the upper carrier, a circular series of foraminous lower forming dies, xed to rods which are vertically movable in the lower carrier, the upper and lower forming dies being continuously moved in unison in circular paths. means conning the upper forming dies against vertical movement, means actuated by the rotation of the shaft to depress one of the lower forming dies at a given point in its circular path. the other rlower forming dies being raised, and one of the upper forming dies exposed, a pick-on mechanism organized to engage a formed charge 4on the upper molding die and transfer the charge to the exposed lower forming die. said mechanism including a foraminous carrying suction die complemental to a formed charge, means for alternately vexhausting air from the suction die. to cause it to hold the charge, and admitting air to the suction die to cause it to liberate the charge. and means for moving the suction die to cause it to engage a charge on the upper molding die. invert the charge and deposit it on the lowered forming die, the machine comprising also means for heating the forming dies. to convert residual lasse water in the charge into steam which escapes to the atmosphere through the foraminous lower forming dies.

23. 'I'he method of making molded articles from subdivided matter in liquid suspension.,

which consists in molding the article and extracting a portion of the liquid vehicle from the solid matter at thesame time. and then placing the article between forming members. one of which is imperforate and is maintained at a temperature substantially higher than the boiling temperature of water at the time of receiving the article and thereafter, while the other is provided with outlet means for escape of liquid and vapor. and compressing the article by said members.

24. The method of producing formed articles from paper pulp which consists in pressing a charge of pulp between molding members with simultaneous expulsion of a portion of the water from such charge, transferringthe molded charge to complemental dies, at least one of which is imperforate and is continuously maintained at a.V

temperature substantially above the boiling point of water, and expelling a further quantity of water from the charge by heat while under the conilnement of said dies.

25. A pulp molding apparatus comprising assov siated pairs'of molding and forming dies having provision for escape of water. means for delivering pulp between the molding dies, power mecha` nism for operating said dies to compress a-charge of pulp between the molding dies and a molded.

, transferring the molded charge from the molding dies to the forming dies.

27. A pulp molding apparatus comprising the combination of cooperative dies, certain of which are foraminous and unheated and are adapted to mold charges of wet pulp and express water from them. while others are continuously heated and are adapted to receive and dry wet compressed charges of pulp taken from the molding dies, and automatic means operable in cycle with said dies for transferring the molded charges from the molding dies to the heated dies.

28. A machine for making articles from pulp comprising the combination of molding and dryingunitswithtransfermeansforcarryingcharges of molded pulp from the molding unit to the drying unit, means for operating the moldingA unit to remove mechanically a maior PNPOrtion of the water from the charge being molded, and means for heating the forming unit to expel additional moisture by thermal action from the molded charge, said forming unit comprising an imwater from such charge. a can'ier operably arrangedv in proximity to said molding means for taking the molded article therefrom 'and transferring it to another location, complemental dies in the last named location adapted to receive the article from the carrier. means for heating said dies. and automatic means for operating said molding means.V carrier and dies, in sequence for the purposes set forth, and for closing the heated dies against the molded article received from the carrier.

30. A machine for making pulp articles comprising molding `means adapted to receive and shape pulp into the required article and remove water therefrom. a heated drying die at one side of said molding means having an impervious surface complemental to a surface of the molded article. a cooperative die for confining the article in contact with said heated die and having provisions for discharge of water. transfer means for carrying molded articles from the molding means to a location between said dies, and means for operating the foregoing instrumentalities in timed sequential relation with one another.

3l. A machine for making articles from pulp comprising complemental molding dies formed and constructed to press a charge of pulp to approximatcly its iinal form and expel water therefrom, complemental forming dies. one of which is imperforate and the other is provided with outlet means for escape of liquid and vapor, formed to press the molded charge to its tlnal Y form, means for causing the coaction of said dies.

means for heating the imperforate forming die.

and means for transferring the molded charge from the molding dies to the forming dies.

RALPH W. CHAPMAN.