US2265449A - Pressing machine - Google Patents

Description

. 9, 1941. J. F. RAYNOLDS PRESS ING MACHINE FiledDec. 1, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 RIGHT HAND VALVE M,

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PRESS ING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIVZIZAOT' JOHNEE'AYN LDS A'r Toe/v5 34s Dec. 9, 1941.

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PRESSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 RIGHTND CONTROL M4LvE Fla. 8

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ArroeNEvs Patented Dec. 9, 1941 PRESSIN G MACHINE John F. Raynolds, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to The Unipress Company, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application December 1, 1937, Serial No. 177,491

2 Claims.

This invention relates to pressing machines of the type used for the pressing of laundry, and has for an object the provision of a simple efficient power actuating mechanism for closing and opening the press, in which the initial movement of the press to a predetermined intermediate position is under the control of the operator, and the final closing movement is automatically carried out.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a mechanism for closing the press, in which the initial closing movement is carried out rapidly, and in which the press thereafter completes the closing automatically and develo s a relatively high pressure so as effectively to remove irregularities from the garment being pressed, and to dry it as rapidly as possible.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an actuating mechanism in which both hands of the operator are required to be on the controls in order to close the press to a safe position.

A,further object of the invention is the provision of a release means under control of the operator whereby the opening of the press may be accomplished at will, either at the press or from a point remote from the press.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device to regulate the speed of final opening of the press and to smoothly slow it to a stop at its full open position, and one in which the rate of opening of the press will be constant at all room temperatures in which the press may be operated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a mechanism whereby the movable element of the press will follow down upon the matted pad of the buck as it is gradually compressed during usage without, however, substantially varying the pressure at which the movement of the press ceases, when in closed position, and without change in the original adjustment.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a simple power-operated press wherein no energy will be required of the operator except the relatively small amount necessary to operate the controls.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter given of the novel features and combinations of parts which constitute the press mechanism.

In the description hereinafter given reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent corresponding parts in 2311- views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the press.

Figure 2 is-a front elevation partly in section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section of a portion of the base of the machine along the lines 3-3 of Figure 2 except that it shows the parts as they would appear when the press is in closed or operated condition.

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 3 also along the lines 33 of Figure 2, except that the power cylinder mechanism has been eliminated for the purposes of simplification. This figure shows the press in its closed position, but with the release mechanism operated and parts as they would appear when the press is about to close.

Figure 5 is a schematic view partly in section of the manually controlled valve mechanism together with some of the connecting pipeways. It is to be noted that when Figures 1 and 5 are viewed together the complete air-flow movements of the press can be traced.

Figure 6 is a detail partly in section along the lines 66 of Figure 2 and shows the air regulator mechanism of the buffer cylinder.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail partly in section of the manually controlled valve mechanism.

Figure 8 is a kinematic diagram showing the position of the presser arm and head for six equal increments of movement of the operating cylinder.

The invention comprises a main frame generally designated by the numeral I, which is composed of an upright channel member 2 open at the rear side so as to form an easily accessible compartment 3 in which the various parts of the actuating mechanism are mounted. The frame 2 is mounted upon bed plate 4 which may be attached to the floor by means of screws 5, if desired. The upper part of the frame carries a pedestal 6 which is attached to top plate I by means of bolts 8. A shaped pressing buck 9 which is heavily padded by means of cotton or other material is fastened to the pedestal. If desired the buck may be of the construction as shown in my Patent 1,966,645, issued July 17, 1934.

The main frame also has an upwardly and rearwardly extending portion l0 upon which pressing arm H is pivoted at point (2. The upper end of pressing arm ll carries a pressing head which may be heated in any desired manner, as for instance by means of steam under pressure or by an electric heating element. The

lower end of pressing arm II is pivotally attached to link I3 by means of through bolt I4.

The primary actuating mechanism of the press is power cylinder I5 which is pivotally mounted on the base by means .of bracket I8. Pin I1 is preferably of hardened material so as to withstand the heavy pressures developed in the pressing operation.

As shown in Figure 2 piston rod I9 and plunger I8 are arranged in power cylinder I5. At the upper end of the rod I9 is mounted a fork-shaped member 28, which carries a through pin 2I, upon which roller 22 is mounted. The outer ends of the pin 2I serve to pivotally connect the piston rod to the forked lower end 23 of link I3, the upper end of which is pivoted at to the lower end of the pressing arm II.

On the inside of the frame is mounted an irregular shaped slot 24 in which roller 22 operates. The slot is formed integrally with plate 25 by which it is fastened to the inside front portion of frame 2. The slot is formed in two straight sections 28-26 and 21-21 which are formed integrally with plate 25. The portion 26-26 which form the upper sections of the slot are connected by curved'portion 28 and the sections 21--21 of the lower section are connected by. a circumferential frame portion 28. This portion is shown in section in Figure 2. The circumferential frame 29 has a central opening of size sumcient to allow the piston rod I9 to move freely,

while the roller 22 follows the irregular path defined byslot surfaces 26 and 21.

At the right end of pin 2I as shown in Figure 2 there is mounted a depending cam surfaced rod 30 which is freely pivoted. Theleft-hand surface 3| of this rod (as shown in'Figure 1) is perfectly straight and rides against roller 32 which 'is mounted upon a bracket 33 on pivoted arm 34. The purpose of this roller and pivoted arm will be explained subsequently. The right-hand survalves designated generally as 53, 54 and 65. The work table has a rear flange 58 which rests against bracket I0. The various operating controls are connected to each other and to the operating cylinders by means of tubular connections 51, 58 and 58, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. a

The operating controls whichare under the manual control of the operator and consist of a right-hand control button 60 which actuates right-hand control valve 54, left-hand control button 6| which actuates left-hand control valve 55 and release button 62 which actuates release valve 53. The control valve 53, 54 and 55, and the various tubular connections from these valves to the air supply line, automatic pressure maintaining valve 38, actuating cylinder I5 and release -cylinder 63 are shown in Figures 1 and 5, considered together.

The right-hand control valve, left-hand control valve and release valves are shown enlarged in Figure 7. The left-hand control valve which is generally designated 55, comprises a casing 64 having an upper chamber 65 and an antrum chamber 66 which is connected to the upper chamber 85 by valve port 61 which is normally closed by valve 68. The valvev itself comprises an enlarged head 69 and a lower bulky stem portion face of rod 30 (as shown in Figure 1) contains cam portion 35 and 'two displaced but parallel surfaces 36 and 31. These surfaces cooperate with roller 38 and serve to operate the automatic valve shown generally at 39. In one operating position as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, rod 30 is lowered so that surface 36 is opposite roller 38. When this occurs spring I I I moves lever 83 in a counterclockwise direction and moves the valves into the position shown in Figures 1 and 4. In Figure 3 the rod 38 i in its upper position as it would be with the press closed. In this position roller 38 has ridden up upon surface 31, and has moved valve 39 in its second operating posi- To the left of operating cylinder I5 as shown in Figure 2 there is mounted a buffer cylinder 40 -the piston rod 4| of which is connected at its upper end'to pin 42 on link I3. The lower end of buffer cylinder 48 is pivotally mounted on bracket 43 and pin 44 so as to permit the cylinder to oscillate during the operation of the press.

As shown in Figure 6 the buffer comprises a cylinder head 45 which is assembled to the barrel 10 which is connected to the valve head by means of a stem portion H of reduced diameter. Valve spring 12 which rests against casing 64 maintains pressure on the valve through collar 13 and its p n.

When the valve is in the position shown in Figures 3, 5 and 7, the lower bulky stem portion 10 uncovers port I03 which communicates with exhaust muiller I08, which may be of any type desired.

The upper valve chamber 65 of left-hand control valve communicates with chambers 11 ofright-hand valve 54 by way of tubular connection 51. The antrum chamber 66 communicates with automatic pressure maintaining valve 33 by way of tubular connection 58.

The right-hand control valve and the release valve which are generally designated as 54 and 63 respectively are, for convenience, built as one unitary structure. Each is similar to the lefthand control valve and the detailed structure therefore need not be described. The right-hand control valve 54 and the release valve have a common air supply chamber 15 which is fed by main air supply line 16. The valve stem 18 of the right-hand valve is similar to valve stem 10 of valve and serves as a valve to open and close exhaust port 83, for a purpose to be described presently.

The release valve is similar to the right-hand control valve and contains antrum chamber 84 to which air under pressure is admitted when valve 85 is lifted. When this occurs, air passes from upper chamber 15 through the valve port and into port 86 which communicates with the release cylinder by means of tubular connection 99 on arm 94, serves as a back stop upon which cam arm 99 rides when the press is operated.

The casing of automatic valve 39 is similar to the double valve casing which serves for the right-hand control valve 94 and release valve 93, and contains two valve stems 9| and 92 which are similar to those previously described with reference to the left and right-hand control chambers and the release valve. The valve stems are operated by an arm 99 which is pivoted about point 94 and biased to the position shown in Figure 1 by the spring III which is suiilciently strong to overcome spring H2 and thus depress valve 9|. Arm 99 carries a roller 99 at its outward end which bears upon the parallel surfaces 99 and 91 of the cam arm 90. Ann 93 has an integrally formed cross-piece 99' upon which are mounted adjusting screws 99 and 99 which serve respectively to operate valve stems 9I and 92 against their tension springs. These screws are preferably adjusted so as to allow both valves to be closed for a short interval as arm 93 is moved from one position to the other. The purpose of this adjustment will be explained later.

It will be noted that the casing of valve 39 has four separate chambers 91, 99, 99 and I00. Chambers 91 and 99 are separated from each other by wall IOI, whereas chambers 91 and I communicate with each other by means of passageway I02. Chamber 99 connects with the air supply line I03 and contains air which is constantly under pressure.

Valve 99 has two operating positions, shown in Figures 3 and 4, respectively. As shown in Figure 3, valve 92 is raised from its valve seat so as to permit air under pressure to pass from chamber 99 through the valve port to chamber I09 and thence through passageway chamber 91. When in the position shown in Figure 4, valve 92 is seated and valve 9| is raised, in which case chamber 91 communicates with chamber 99. Chamber 99 in turn communicates with the antrum chamber 99 of the left-hand control valve by way of tubular connection 98, and chamber 91 communicates with pressure cylinder I9 by way of tubular connection I04, see Figures 1, 3, and 4.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the press is provided with a spring I09 which at its upper end is connected with link I9 and its lower end is connected to eye bolt I01 mounted in the base of the machine? This spring serves to open the press when the application of air pressure to cylinder I9 is released.

Figure 8 is a kinematic diagram which shows the manner in which the presser head responds for equal increments of movement of the piston cross-head roller 22 along slot 24. It will be seen that the increments of movement of the presser head corresponding with increments ab, bc and c-cl are relatively large, but that after roller 22 passes the hump in slot 24' and enters upon the 29-29 section, the increments of movement of the presser head are much reduced.

Stated another way, during the early part of its travel, the movement of plunger I9 of pressure cylinder l9 produces a relatively direct effect upompivoted arm II with the result that the pressing head approaches the buck 9 at a relatively high rate of speed. As the press appreaches the closed position shown by dotted lines in Figure 1, roller 22 will enter the upper part 29-29 of the slot 24 and in this position the component of motion of pin I4 to the right (as shown in Figure 1) to close the press, will be relatively small. While'the movement at this time is comparatively slow, the pressure developed is exceedingly heavy, so that a garment being pressed will be eflectively free from wrinkles and rapidly dried.

The pads on buck 9 are usually made of col:- ton and steel wool and the cotton is replaced weekly. When fresh the pad is thick and relatively compressible, but as the press is used, the pad takes a permanent set and is reduced in thickness. No adjustment of the presser head is necessary in order to compensate for the varying limiting position of the buck pad during use, or for variations in thickness of the garment being pressed because the relatively long upper portion 29-29 of slot 24 permits a range of stopping positions for roller 22 which compensates for these variations. The press merely closes down until the pressure developed on the buck balances the net effective force exerted by the piston, as counteracted by the press opening springs.

It is to be noted that while spring I09 oil'ers increasing resistance to the upward travel of roller 22 when ironing, in the upper part 29 of slot 24, at the same time the angle of the surface of slot 29 with reference to link I9 aflords increasing mechanical advantage for successive increments of upward movement of the roller, thus tending to maintain approximately uniform ironing pressure between presser head and the stationary buck 9.

In Figure 5 there is shown an exhaust mufller I09 which communicates with port I09 of lefthand control valve 99. This muiller may be of any approved type such as a casing filled with steel wool. Its purpose is to reduce the hissing sound of the exhaust air from cylinder I9 during the operation of the machine. A second muffler may be provided at port 93 of right-hand valve 94, if desired, but this muiller would be used only occasionally, as hereinafter explained.

Operation In the openposition of the press, shown in Figure 1, the pressing arm and pressing head II are shown in the full line positions, and piston I9 is at its lowermost position in cylinder I9. In order to initiate closing the press, the operator actuates buttons and 9| simultaneously (as shown in Figure 2). When this occurs valve stems 19 and 14 of right and left- hand valves 94 and 99, respectively, are moved to their open position. This is accomplished by means of levers IIO on each valve which communicate the movement of the operating buttons to their corresponding valve stems. When the valve stems 14 and 19 are moved to their open positions air under pressure is admitted from the air supply line 19 (see Figures 1 and 5) to chamber 19 of right-hand control valve 94 and thence through the opening provided by actuated valve 19 to antrum 11. It will be noted that the movement of valve 19 to the open position closes port 99, thus blocking the escape of air at this point. Air under pressure is thereby delivered to tubular connection 91 and thence to chamber 99 of left-hand control valve 99. Since valve stem 14 has also been moved to the open position air under pressure will accordingly be delivered to antrum chamber, and thence by way of tubular connection 99 to chamber 99 of automatic pressure maintaining valve 99. This valve is in the position shown in Figure 1, that is to say, roller 99 is opposite cam surface 99. In this positlon spring I I I overcomes valve spring I I2 and opens the valve between chambers 98 and 91 with the result that air under pressure is delivered to tubular connection I04 which communicates directly with cylinder I5. Piston I8 is accordingly driven upwardly and the press is closed. As the press nears the closed position cam surface 35 on cam arm 30 will come adjacent roller 38 and force the roller into the position shown in Figure 3. When this occurs valve 92 will be moved to the open position and valve 9I closed. Air under pressure will accordingly be delivered directly from supply line I 03 through chamber 99 to chamber I and thence by way of communicating passage I02 to chamber 91 from which it travels directly to power cylinder I5 by way of tubular connection I04. The press accordingly continues to close of its own accord.

Since the movement of arm 93 in raising valve 92 from its valve seat simultaneously lowers valve 9| into engagement with its valve seat, the passageway between chambers 98 and 91 is broken off. This closure serves to interrupt the flow of air by way of operator control valves 54 and 55, and the operator may accordingly remove pressure from buttons 60 and 6|. Set screws 95 and 96 are preferably adjusted so that there will be a very short period during which both valves 9i and 92 are closed. This interrupts the air supply from the operated push-buttons, as well as the direct supply by way of valve 92. However, this occurs while the press is closing and since the press coasts during this very short interruption in air supply, the effect is merely to check the motion slightly. This is desirable since the motion must be slowed down during the final closing operation.

As the roller 22 reaches the bend in slot 24, a

relatively long increment of movement of the piston and roller 22 will be required for a given movement of pressing arm II with the result that a relatively heavy pressure is developed as the press closes. When the pad on buck 9 is fresh and thick as it is when just replaced, the press will be closed and the pressure developed soon after roller 22 has passed the bend in slot 24. The limiting position of roller 22, for a given thickness of pad and work, is determined by the pressure developed on the pad, the air pressure applied to the cylinder, and the force of tension spring I06. As the pad on buck 9 is compressed during usage the limiting position of the presser head will gradually become lower and lower, with the result that roller 22 will come to rest at grade ually higher positions along section 2626 of slot 24. Since increments of upward movement of roller 22 throughout the upper portion 26-26 of slot 24 are relatively small and substantially constant for equal increment movements of the pressing head, a substantially uniform pressure will be developed on the buck, whether it is fresh and thick or matted down, as after continued use.

The press will remain in closed position with air applied to cylinder I5 by way of automatic control valve 39 (see Figure 3) until the auto- This is accommatic supply is interrupted. plished by the use of a release mechanism which comprises release cylinder 63 and piston 88,

which serve to move lever arm 34 about pivot point 90. As previously explained, lever 34 carries roller 32 on bracket 33 and in the position shown in Figure 3, serves to hold cam arm 30 in such a position that cam surface 31 will be effective to operate upon roller 38 and valve,

operating arm 93. When the operator wishes to release the press, pressure is applied to button 62 which serves to operate the valve stem II3 of release valve 53. This serves to open the passageway between chamber 15 and antrum 04 which communicates with release cylinder 63 by way of tubular connection 59. Air under pressure is accordingly admitted to the release cyl inder and piston. H4 is moved to the right as shown in Figure 4. The lever arm 34 is accordingly moved from the dotted line position (see Figure 4) to the full line position and in so doing permits cam arm 30 also to move outof contact with the roller 38 on valve operating arm 93. The spring III (Figure 1) then moves the lever arm 93 to the full line position shown in Figures 1 and 4, thereby closing valve 92 and opening valve 9|. This serves to interrupt the supply of air under pressure which had previously been applied through the automatic valve to pressure cylinder I6 and opens a communicating passage from the pressure cylinder by way of tubular connection I04 to chamber 91, chamber 98 by way of tubular connection 58 to antrum 66 of left-hand control valve 55. Assuming this valve to be closed, valve stem I4 is in a position to uncover port I09 which communicates with the exhaust muiller I08 (shown in Figures 5 and 7). The action of springs I06 upon link I3 of the press tends to open the press and to drive piston I8 downwardly in cylinder I5. This forces the air from the cylinder by way of the circuit just traced through the exhaust mufiler I08 to atmosphere, and the press accordingly opens.

During the time release button 62 is depressed, air under pressure is delivered to cylinder 63, and a small amount bleeds through vent H5. When the air supply is interrupted by the release of button 62, spring II6 within cylinder 63 returns piston II4, piston rod 88, arm 34 and roller 32 to the position shown in Figure 3.

As the press moves to open position, piston II! of the bufier cylinder is driven downwardly in buffer cylinder 46. This serves slightly to compress the air which is in the cylinder and to drive it through the metering orifice 49 in the cylinder head. The needle valve 50 of this orifice is adjusted so as to check the escape of air and thereby check the descent of piston III in cylinder 46. This serves totime the opening of the press and to cushion the movement of the press as it reaches its final open position. Since the viscosity of the air in buffer cylinder 46 is constant through the range of operating temperatures of the press, the cushioning effect and the timing" of the press will remain substantially constant. I

If it is assumed that the operator depresses the left-hand control button and releases only the right-hand control button, the press will nevertheless open because the exhaust air from cylinder I5 will accordingly be directed through antrum chamber 66 of valve 55 to chamber 65 and thence by way of tubular connection 51 to antrum T! of valve 54. Since it is assumed that valve stem I8 of the right-hand valve is in the closed position, air will be exhausted to atmosphere by way of exhaust port 83, which is opened under these conditions. If desired, an exhaust mufller may also be provided for port 83.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a pressing machine, cooperating'stationary pressing element means and movable pressmoving said movable element means when power 'nected to side plates to form a vertical hollow is applied thereto, resilient means for normally holding the movable element means away from said stationary element means, manual means for controlling the application of fluid pressure to said fluid pressure motor means, and automatic means for applying fluid pressure to said motor means regardless of the operation of said manual means, including a valve having a movable operating element, a cam-shaped pendulum mounted on said movable pressing element means, positioning means for holding said camshaped pendulum against the movable operating element of said valve for operation of said valve by the cam as the pressing machine is closed, and means for withdrawing said positioning means to a position such that the cam does not operate said valve.

2. A pressing machine having a central supporting column consisting of a front plate con- 20 space therein, a stationary pressing head mounted thereon, backwardly and upwardly extending arms on said side plates, a presser arm pivotally mounted between the extending arms,

a presser head mounted on said am for cooper-' ative movement into and out of engagement with said stationary pressing head, and means for moving said arm comprising a cam plate mounted within the vertical hollow space of said supporting column, a link pivotally connected to said presser arm, a roller pivotally mounted on the other end of said link and mounted for movement in said cam slot, and piston means for moving the roller. to and fro in said slot, said piston means being pivoted to the base of the

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