US2058275A - Machine for compressing cotton wads - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 20, 1936. J 055 2,058,275

MACHINE FOR COMPRESSING COTTON WADS Filed Odt. 5, 1954 4 Sheefs-Sheet 1 Oct. 20, 1936. J. A. vos's 2,058,275

I MACHINE FOR COMPRESSING COTTON WADS Filed on. 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gimme /flSfP/f A. in 1 05.;

'Oct. 20, 1936.' .1. A. voss 2,058,275

MACHINE FOR COMPRESSING COTTON WADS Filed Oct. 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. p/adf/ /v ,4 V0.95

ATTORNEY.

J. A. voss 7 2,058,275

. MACHINE FOR COMPRESSING COTTON WADS I -4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed 001;. 5, 1934 INVENTOR.

-./aJP// ,4. V055 ATTORNEY.

Oct. 20, 1936.

Patented Oct. 20, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT- omen MACHINE FOB COMPBESSING COTTON WADS Joseph a. vow, mm, Colo. Application October 5, 1934, Serial No. 747,028

14 Claims. (cl. 18-16) This invention relates to a machine for compressing absorbent cotton or similar material into relatively hard, self-sustaining. wads or cores. It is more' particularly designed for compressing apiece of absorbent cotton into a relatively small, tight wad for insertion in the human vagina for catamenial purposes, but is, of course, not limited to this particular use.

The principal .object of this invention is to provide a machine for this purpose which will rapidly, continuously, and efliciently form uncompressed cotton pieces into compressed wads.

Another object of the invention is to so con struct the device that it will require but a minimum of power; will occupy but a of space; and so that it can be easily and efllciently operated. a

A further object is to.incorporate with the compressing device, means for folding or .convoluting the cotton before the compression thereof.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy; and eiliciency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is, had to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. Like nu- Fig. 2.

Fig. 'I is an enlarged plan'view of the com-' pressing portion of the table withthe top plate thereof removed.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section through the final compressing die.

Fig. 9 is a detail end elevation or the final compressing die.

Fig. 10 is a detail cross section taken on the line |o |u, Fig. 2.

merals refer to like parts in all views or the draw- Fig. 2 is the plan view of the'table portion Fig. 11 illustrates a typical cotton pad as it appears ready to be fed to themachine.

Fig. 12 illustrates thepad in the compressed or finished condition after passing through the machine.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view of the compressing extremity of the plunger employed in the machine.

The invention comprises a supporting frame Ill.

The frame l0 supports a feed table II extending over a major portion of its length and a. compressing plate I! over the remaining portion. The feed table is formed with a longitudinal channel along its center outlined by two upstanding flanges or. ribs '3. The bottom of a channel opens through the bottom of a. table II between a pair of grooved track members 35. The bottom of the channel is closed, preferably by means of a glass plate l4. V a

A cross head I5 is arranged to reciprocate along the'track members I! below the glass plate ll.

The cross head carries a compressing plunger I 6,

which is mounted in the cross head against a compression spring ll. Suitable lock nuts l8 areprovided, to set' the position of the plunger I6 therein. The cross head is reciprocated along its tracks through the medium of a cylindrical drum 19 provided with a projecting cam track 20. A cam follower roll 2| is secured to the cross head I5 and rolls along the edge of the'cam track 20, as the drum l9 rotates. The plunger I6 is returned, and the roll 2| is constantly held against .the track 20 by-means of a tension spring I5 which is connected through a flexible member 16 with the cross head.

22 suspended in suitable brackets 23 extending downwardly from the feed table II. It is rotated from a worm shaft 24 which extends laterally of the machine supported in suitable bearing brackets ii; The worm shaft 24 carries at its .middle a worm 26 which meshes with a worm wheel 21 bolted to one extremity of thedrum IS. .The worm shaft is driven by means of suitable belts 2! from a drive motor 29. The belts 28 transmit the power through a suitable clutch 3') provided with a clutch operating lever 3i.

The clutch operating lever is operatively con- I nected with a hand lever 32 convenient to the operators position. The motion of the hand lever 32 is transmitted through a series of cranks and levers, as illustrated, including a horizontal connecting bar 33. A roller 34 is mounted on the connecting bar 33 so as to bear against one edge of the drum I9. This roller is constantly held 35 'The drum I9 is carried on a longitudinal shaft against. the drum edge by means of a suitable tension spring 38. At one point, the edge of the v drum is is provided with a-depression 31 into which the roller 84 may drop so as to disengage the clutch 30. 'The operator then operates the hand lever 32'to re-engage the clutch so as to start the rotation of the drum IS. The rotation causes the roller 34 to hold the clutch 38 in engagement until the roller again reaches the depression 31. Thus each operation of the hand lever 32 causes the clutch 88 to engage until the drum l9 has made a complete revolution.

The forwardextremity of the plunger is passes.

through an inclined block 88 which is inclined to lead from the surface of the glass plate i4 to a guide block 39. The guide block 89 is provided with an inclined passage 40 which leads to a compressing chamber 4|.

The top of the compressing chamber 4| is preferably formed of plate glass 42. The cotton to be compressed is laid on the plate l4 between the ribs l3 and is forced therefrom through the guide in a series of tucks or convolutions so that it will reach the compressing chamber 4| in a folded or convoluted condition.

The initial compression is imparted to the convoluted cotton by means of a pair of opposed side dies 5|, the inner extremities of which contain semi-cylindrical depressions which cooperate with each other to form the convoluted cotton into a tight cylinder as they approach each other. The compressing movement of the side dies 5| is' imparted from a pair of compression cams 52 secured on a pair of cam shafts 53. The cam shafts 53 are driven from the worm shaft 24 through the medium of suitable worms and worm wheels 54 and extend along each side of the machine in suitable bearing brackets 55. At each revolution of the camshafts, the two side dies 5| will be caused to approach each other to impart the initial lateral compression to the cotton. The side dies are withdrawn and held in constant=con tact with the cams 52 by means of compression springs 58 positioned in suitable slots 11 in the dies. jll'he springs 55 are compressed against studs '51 which extend upwardly from the compression plate i2.

When the two side dies close to form the cotton into a cylindrical wad, the plunger l6 advan' as to force the cylinder into a final compressing die 58 having a cylindrical bore I8 of the exact diameter of the finished product. The compressed wad is prevented from passing initially through the final compression die 58 by a pair of end gates 58 which are caused to approach each other to close the bore in the die 58 by a pair of gate cams Oll-v which are also. secured upon the cam shafts 53. The gates 59 are secured upon the extremities of pushrods 5| which terminate in rollers 52' against the caps '88. The rollers are constantly held against. the cams by means of compression them snugly against the die 58 as they close.

balls 85 receive the pressure of the wad as it is head to the compressed wad. The gates 58 are held tightly against the compression die 58 by means of balls 85 which contact with, and ride upon, inclined surfaces 85 on the gates to force The forced against the gates. The pressure of the balls 85 against the gates is adjustable by. means of pressure screws 81.

It was found that the great pressure of the cotton against the gates tended to lock them'in the closed position so that the action of the gate springs 63 was insumcient to open'the gates This is overcome by placing a bevelled pin 88 in each of the gates between which the wedge-shaped extremity of a gatestarting lever 58 passes. The starting lever 89 extends over one of the cam shafts 53 so that it is contacted by a pin I during. a. portion of the revolution to force the'bevelled extremity between the bevelled pins 88 and to loosen and pry the gates initially open. The initial movement of the gates releases them from the balls 65, owing to the inclined surfaces 68, so that the springs 68 may readily snap the gates to the. open position.

The cam track 20 is so designed that when the clutch roller 34 is in its depression 31, and the clutch 30 is disengaged, the plunger I8 is in the withdrawn position of Fig. the side dies 5| are in the withdrawn position; and the gates 59 are in the open position. The tucking motor 48 and the tucking blade 43 operates continuously.

It is desired to call particular attention to the construction of the extremity'of the plunger l8, as shown in detail in Fig. 13. This extremity is reduced in diameter along a gently curved contour, as shown at I9, immediately inside the extreme end. The end itself is substantially the same diameter as the remainder of the plunger It. A depression 80 is formed in the end face. The edges of this depression are gently rounded into the external surface of the plunger, as illustrated.

The machine may be employed for compressing any style or shape of uncompressed cotton piece into a highly compressed cylindrical wad. Such an uncompressed piece is indicated in Fig. 11, and the typical final compressed product is indicated in Fig. 12. The piece illustrated is formed with a longitudinally stitched withdrawing string 8|, and when finally compressed carries a relatively soft mushroom-like head 82.

' Operation The operator lays a strip of cotton in the channel, and the blade quickly tucks this cotton into the compressing chamber. operates the hand lever 82 starting the rotation of the drum l8, and the cam shafts 58. The first The operator then I8. The cam track now ascends, so as to force the cross head and the plunger forwardly until the entire cotton wad has been compressed into the final die 58.

At this point the cam trackis substantially fiat as shown at .12, which allows the plunger to remain against the compressed cotton for an interval of approximately $6 of a revolution. This holds the cotton under compression a suflicient time for it to become set. The track then 'de-' scends a short interval as shown at 13 so as to release the pressure of the plunger from the wad, at which time, the gates 59 open. The track then ascends to its highest point 14 to force the compressed wad through the open end of the final die to any suitable receiver. The plunger and the cams then return to their initial starting position for the reception of the second wad. When the starting position is reached, the roller 34 drops into the depression 31 to release the clutch 30 and stop the machine.

The compressed product as shown in Fig. 12

is formed with an enlarged head 82 caused by the mushroom-like depressions 64 in the end gates 59. The rear of the plug contains a small projecting teat 83 formed by the depression 80 in the extremity of the plunger [6.

It is desired to call attention to the shape of the plunger l6. Experiments indicate that the depression 80 allows the pressure on 'the cotton to be concentrated at the midpoint of the depression 8i], and that the depression acts to reduce the pressure at the circumference of the wad. This was found to be necessaryto prevent cutting or damaging the withdrawing string 8| at this point. The reduced extremity 19 on the plunger allows ample space about the plunger for the withdrawing string without damaging the latter. It has also been found by experiment, that the pause of the plunger at the high 'point of compression, caused by the flat length 12 on the cam 20, is a necessity in order to cause the compressed wad to permanently retain its shape until moistened. If the plunger is immediately released after compressing the wad, the latter has 'a tendency to expand after leaving the final compressing die.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent 1. A machine for compressing ,cotton into a compact self-sustaining wad comprising: a receiving plate; a compressing chamber; a compressing die; means for passing said cotton from said receiving plate into said compressing chamber; means for imparting lateral compression to said cotton while in said latter chamber; means for passing said compressed cotton into said compression die and for ejecting said compressed cotton from said compressing die.

2. A machine'f'or compressing cotton into a compact self-sustaining wad comprising: a receiving plate; a compressing chamber; a compressing die; means for passing said cotton from said receiving plate into said compressing chamber; means for imparting lateral compression to said cotton while in said latter chamber; means for passing said compressed cotton into said compression die and for ejecting said compressed cotton from said compressing die; and means for holding said cotton from ejection for a time interval.

3. A machine for compressing cotton into a compact self-sustaining wad comprising: a receiving plate; a compressing chamber; a com-. pressing die; an end gate closing the discharge of said compression die; means for forcing the cotton from the compressing chamber into the com.-

pression die; and means for opening said end gate at a predetermined time to allow ejection of said cotton from said compressing die.

4. A machine for compressing cotton into a compact self-sustaining wad comprising; a receiving plate; a compressing chamber; a compressing die; side dies positioned to contract said compression chamber to impart initial compression to said cotton; a plunger for forcing the initially compressed cotton intosaid compressing die; and a tucking member acting to pass the uncompressed cotton into said compressing chamber in a convoluted or folded condition.

5. A machine for compressing cotton into a relatively tight self-sustaining wad comprising: a plate for receiving said cotton; for receiving the cotton from said plate; a guide block for receiving the cotton from said inclined block; a compressing chamber for receiving the cotton from said guideblock; a compressing die for-receiving the cotton from said compressing chamber; laterally moving compression members in said compressing chamber; and a longitudinally reciprocating plunger for passing the cotton through said guide block and through said com-- pressing chamber into said compressing die.

6. A machine for compressing cotton into a relatively tight. self-sustaining wad comprising: a plate for receiving said cotton; an inclined block for receiving-the cotton from said plate; a guide block. for receiving the cotton from said inclined block; a compressing chamber for receiving the cotton from said guide block; a compressing die for receiving the cotton from said compressing chamber; laterally moving compression members in said compressing chamber; a longitudinally reciprocating plunger for passing the cotton through said guide block and through said compressing chamber into said compressing die, said plunger passing through said inclined block; and

end gates for closing-said compressing die at predetermined times.

'7. A machine for compressing cotton strips into compact self-sustaining wads comprising; areceiving plate; a plunger reciprocating below said plate; a passage extending from said plate to a position ahead of said plunger; a compression chamber; means for imparting lateral compres-' sion in said compressing chamber; and means for passing the cotton strip fromsaid receiving plate into said passage so that said plunger may force it into said compressing chamber.

8. A machine for compressing cotton strips into compact self-sustaining wads comprising: a receiving plate; a plunger reciprocating below said an inclined block plate; a passage extending from said plate to a position ahead of said plunger; a compression plate; a passage extending from said plate to a position ahead of said plunger; a compression comprising: a rechamber; means for imparting lateral compres-p v sion in said compressing chamber; a tucking blade positio'nedabove said receiving plate; and means for imparting a relatively rapid reciprocating movement to said blade to cause the latter to tuck means for causing said side dies to approach each other to compress the cotton to a wad oi. a sizeto enter said bore; and means for imparting a relatively long stroke to said plunger for forcing said wad into said bore.

11. A machine for compressing cotton strips -into compact self-sustaining wads comprising: a

pair of relatively flat, side 'dies; a bottom plate extending supporting said dies; a top'plate extending over said dies so as to form a compression chamber therebetween; a passage leading to said compression chamber; a final forming die having a bore leading from said compression chamber; means for feeding the strip into the passage; a plunger for forcing the fed strip between said side dies; means for causing said side dies to approach each other to compress the cotton to a wad of a size to enter said bore; means for imparting a relatively long stroke to said plunger for forcing said wad into said bore; a pair of gate members closing the discharge extremity of said bore; and means for withdrawing said gate members to allow said wad to be dis-' charged.

12. A machine for compressing cotton strips sion chamber; side dies in said latter chamber for imparting an initial lateral compression: to said strip; a-forming die leading from said compression chamber; and means for imparting a rela-,

tively long stroke to said plunger at a predetermined time to force the initially compressed cotton from said compression chamber into said forming die.

13. Means for feeding a strip of cotton into the compression chamber of a compressing device comprising: a reciprocating member; a blade supported at its one extremity by said reciprocating member and contacting said cotton at its other extremity; and means for reciprocating said reciprocating member so as to cause said blade to tuck said cotton and force the latter into said compressing device.-

14; In a machine for compressing cotton into a compressing die having a bore extending entirely therethrough, two slidably mounted end gates positioned to close one extremity of said bore at predetermined times, said gates contacting with each other substantially on the center line ofts'aid bore;

a starting element arranged to initially move said I gates to break the latter loose from said cotton; and means. for opening said gates after the initial movement has been accomplished.

JOSEPH A. VOSS.

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