matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IM- PROVEMENTS IN PACKING FOR STEAM JOINTS, STUFFING BOXES, PISTONS, AND THE LIKE
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Paton at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th January
1865.
I, WILLIAM PATON, of Johnstone, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN PACKING FOR STEAM JOINTS, STUFFING BOXES, PISTONS, AND THE
LIKE," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object the production of a superior kind of
packing, which can be modified to suit steam joints, stuffing boxes, pistons, or
for other like uses. In making the packing for a circular steam joint, for
example, a tube formed by plaiting flax or other suitable yarns or threads is
cut to a length about double that of the ring for the joint when opened. This
tube is doubled over upon itself so that the loose yarn ends are turned inside;
this being done with both ends of the tube, so that the two sets of loose ends
meet each other. The outer butt ends formed by this means are then stitched
together, and the packing is worked into the form of a flat ring, and is saturated
with red lead or other substance suitable for making the joint tight. This
packing may of course be made square, or of other forms, according to the
shape of the steam joint to be packed. If elastic packing for stuffing boxes,
pistons, and the like is wanted, the rings of plaited yarns fermed as herein-

page_text: before described (but without the red lead) may be used, or rubber or other
material may be inserted into them before stitching the butts together, to
increase their elasticity or bulk. The rings may also be covered with wire
gauze.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOXES OR RECEPTACLES FOR MER- CHANDISE
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd November 1865.-A communication from abroad by François.
Barthélemy Loubatières, of Paris, in the Empire of France.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOXES OR RECEPTACLES FOR MER-
CHANDISE," a communication to me from abroad by François Barthélemy
Loubatières, of Paris, in the Empire of France, to be as follows:
This Invention relates to a new manufacture of boxes or receptacles for
merchandise to be used as a substitute for wrappers, whereby a cheap,
strong, and permanent envelope is obtained, whilst the articles so enclosed
are more safely and securely packed than heretofore.
The essential feature of this Invention is the making of a complete box
or receptacle and its lid for the purpose above-named from one piece of
cardboard, strong paper, or other pliable material by first cutting out the
sheets of cardboard or other material so as to produce blanks of the
required shape, which blanks when folded, and the several parts being made
to adhere, will form perfect boxes or receptacles. In cutting out the blanks
it is proposed to make a pile of from, say, 500 to 1,000 sheets of cardboard
or other materials, and to cut through the whole of the pile by means of
an endless riband or circular saw or by the aid of cutting punches of
various shapes, according to the forms of blanks required, or by the aid

page_text: of shears or other suitable contrivances, but an endless saw or cutting
punches will be found most practicable where large quantities of blanks
are to be cut at one time. The blanks having been cut they are shaped
by being folded over shapers or blocks of the desired form of the box or
receptacle to be produced, and the parts to be united together are cemented
or glued, and are then retained in contact until adhesion takes place,
which may be effected by confining the same upon the shaping blocks
by means of an elastic band of sufficient width to envelope the
greater part of the box, the contraction of the band serving to hold
the newly cemented parts in contact with each other till the cement
or glue is sufficiently hardened or set. This band is secured to a small
upright on a flat board, and the shaping block with the newly formed box
or receptacle upon it is held with one of its ends firmly against the upright
whilst over the opposite end is passed the band or elastic loop.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING OR CURING THE TEA LEAF, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Campbell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th November
1865.
I, FREDERICK CAMPBELL, of No. 34, Duke Street, St. James's, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING OR CURING THE TEA LEAF, AND IN APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
For these purposes the green tea leaf is to be brought from the garden and
placed on trays in an upper chamber to be heated by steam and hot air for the
purpose of drying and withering the leaf preparatory to rolling. When suffi-
ciently withered the leaf to be passed through the floor of the upper chamber
into a rolling machine constructed as follows:-On the upper portion of the
machine is a hopper or receiver to contain the withered leaf, from which it is
drawn by a spiked or serrated roller or feeder and passed through two rollers,
one of iron and one of india-rubber, for the purpose of giving the leaf more
suppleness; from thence it is passed against a concave iron plate, to the back
of which is attached or formed a jacket to act as a chamber for receiving hot
air or steam for heating the concave plate as circumstances may require; to
the concave plate is fitted a revolving iron cylinder or drum covered with
vulcanized india-rubber; the leaf passing between the concave iron plate and
india-rubber covered cylinder are completely rolled and are discharged into.

page_text: an iron pan or trough heated by hot air or steam. From the hot receiving pan
or trough the rolled leaf is passed on to bamboo trays and placed over cells
heated by steam and hot air to effect what is termed the first firing. After
being sufficiently dried it is to be removed to another house for sorting. After
being sorted the tea is to be again placed on trays to receive the final firing
previous to packing for the market in a room fitted for the purpose and heated
by hot air or steam. The hot air and steam is produced by steam generators
and furnaces outside the tea houses.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PAPER TO PRINTING MACHINES, AND FOR TAKING OFF OR REMOVING AND PILING THE SAME AFTER PRINTING
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Field and Francis Wise
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on
the 23rd March 1865.
We, EDWARD FIELD, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in the City of
Westminster, Consulting Engineer, and FRANCIS WISE, of Chandos Chambers,
Adelphi, aforesaid, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR FEEDING
PAPER TO PRINTING MACHINES, AND FOR TAKING OFF OR REMOVING AND PILING THE
SAME AFTER PRINTING," to be as follows:-
For the purpose of feeding paper to printing machines we make use of a
chamber or chambers or series of cells having openings communicating with
the atmosphere, beneath which chamber or chambers or series of cells the
paper required to be printed upon is piled, or beneath which it is moved at
suitable intervals, and from which chamber or chambers or series of cells by
means of an air pump or other suitable means the air may be partially
exhausted, or into or from which it may be forced as required, so that at
proper intervals the partial exhaustion of the chamber or chambers or series
of cells may on its or their or parts of its or their lower surface or surfaces
being brought into contact with the upper surface of the pile of paper, and
the air partially exhausted from such chamber or chambers or series of cells,
cause the upper sheet of the pile to be held against the lower surface or
surfaces of the chamber or chambers or series of cells, and removed by it or
them into a suitable position for being carried in the usual or any other
convenient manner into the printing machine. The discharging of the sheet

page_text: from the surface or surfaces of the chamber or chambers or series of cells is
effected by increasing the pressure of the air in the chamber or chambers or
series of cells so as to cause a current of air to issue from the openings.
In taking off the sheets after being printed we make use of a similar
arrangement in so far as the use of the partial vacuum and plenum are
concerned, that is to say, the sheet on issuing from the machine is guided by
suitable tapes or otherwise, so as to come in contact with the lower surface or
surfaces of a chamber or chambers or series of cells from which the air is
partially exhausted, and which has or have openings communicating with the
atmosphere, so that the sheet is held and moved (by suitable mechanism)
into any required position for being discharged, or thrown down, or placed as
required, wholly or in part, by means of air forced through the openings in
the chamber or chambers or series of cells, as explained with reference to the
method described of feeding paper to the machine.
AN IMPROVED CROQUET STAND
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter Thomas Whitmore Jones
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st May 1865.
I, WALTER THOMAS WHITMORE JONES, of 16, South Audley Street, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED CROQUET STAND," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object an improved croquet stand. The base of
the stand is a board a few inches longer than the croquet mallets, and about
nine inches wide. Near each end of the base, and in the centre of the width
thereof, a standard is fixed. These standards have hooks on each side of
them, and the number of hooks on each standard is equal to the number of
mallets in the set (usually eight) and the hooks are arranged four on each side
of the standard. The mallets are held in a horizontal position, being supported
at each end by the hooks. The heads of the mallets are arranged four at one
end and four at the other. At each standard the heads are placed all at the
same side, and the distance between the hooks is just sufficient to keep the
heads of the mallets clear the one of the other as they lie flat. The balls
are placed in a row along the centre line of the base, and the handles of the
mallets on either side serve to keep them in their places. The starting pins
are carried on supports at the inner sides of the standards; 'they lie horizon-
tally, and between the two tiers of mallets. For the hoops two rows of holes
are formed, one along each side of the base board, and the hoops are arranged
in two straight lines along each side of the base; one of the end hoops of each

page_text: line comes close to the mallet heads, and serves as a stop to prevent the
mallets sliding longitudinally in the hooks which support them. In the centre
of the base a handle is fitted, by which the stand can be carried from place to
place. For travelling the whole is enclosed with a cover of wood fitting on to
the base. The handle projects through a hole in the top of the cover and is
available when the cover is on.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE. AND ORNAMENTING OF CARPETS, RUGS, AND OTHER FABRICS
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION: left by Lemuel Clayton at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th August
1865.
I, LEMUEL CLAYTON, of 54, Stamford St., Southwark, in the County of Surrey,
Commercial Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE. AND ORNAMENTING OF CARPETS, RUGS, AND
OTHER FABRICS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of applying an article known as "mosaic manu-
facture" to ornamenting carpets, rugs, mats, velvets, and other piled fabrics,
also to table covers, reps, terrys, borders, and other curtain and furnishing.
fabrics.
I propose, firstly, to make, cut, or stamp to any given configuration the
object to form the design or part of a design, and then cement or sew it on
to the face of the woven fabric, either to form a design of itself or to complete
a portion of a design previously woven.
2nd, in carpets, rugs, and other piled fabrics I propose to weave a space
or bare ground (by leaving down the warp or warps when necessary) of the
same conformation as the object to be placed on, thus making an even surface
with the fill'd-in and woven parts.
3rd, I propose to apply to curtains, table covers, borders, and other
furnishing fabrics the same method of ornamentation, except that in most of

page_text: these fabrics being flat on the face the mosaic object would stand off in relief
from the woven surface. These stamp'd or cut objects can be distributed
over the surface of the woven fabric of any given form, colors, or variety.
By this Invention a delicacy and variety of colouring and beauty of outline
can be produced in the more elaborate parts of carpet and other piled goods'
designs which cannot be effected by weaving. Effects can also be given
to table covers, chair covers, and curtains, equal, if not superior, to the
old, tedious,, and very expensive method known as "swivel" or "cross.
weaving."
IMPROVEMENTS IN SHAPING MACHINES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Montgomerie Neilson, of Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SHAPING MACHINES."
Sealed the 26th September 1865, and dated the 30th March 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Montgomerie
Neilson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 80th March 1865.
I, WALTER MONTGOMERIE NEILSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHAPING MACHINES," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention has principally for its object to render shaping machines
more manageable and convenient in use.
In a machine embodying the improvements the shaping tool has a horizontal
reciprocating movement, and is carried, together with the gearing for actuating
it, by a massive sliding head. This sliding head is arranged to travel or be
fed along in a direction at right angles to that of the tool's motion; and it is
to the feeding details that the present Invention more particularly refers. The
feed movement is effected by means of a long screwed shaft carried by the
fixed bed frame, and this screwed shaft gears with a nut carried by the sliding

page_text: head. It has been usual to make the nut a fixture to the sliding head, and
to feed by turning the screwed shaft, but this has made it necessary to apply
the feed actuating details to the end of the shaft, which is inconvenient, and
requires the attendant to move frequently away from the work, or go round
the machine to adjust or actuate it. By the present Invention the shaft is
made stationary (excepting in a case herein-after referred to), whilst the nut
is mounted in the sliding head, so that it can turn, and gearing is applied to
turn it both by hand and by the action of the machine itself, as will be well
understood. The sliding head thus carries its own feed gearing, and at what-
ever part of the bed frame the sliding head may be the attendant has the feed
gearing close at hand. The improvement whilst it is suitable for single
machines, in which the head has a long travel, is more advantageously appli-
cable to double machines, that is, having two sliding heads, and these can both
be fed by means of one screwed shaft, and that equally and simultaneously,
or unequally, and quite independently of each other. When it is wished to
traverse the sliding head rapidly, the nut is fixed on the head by a catch or
pinching screw, and the screwed shaft is released and is turned by means of a
handle directly or through gearing applied to the end of it.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND GINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Macdonald at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th December
1865.
I, GEORGE MACDONALD, of Aston, near Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND GINNING
COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," to be as follows :-
My Invention consists in substituting cylindrical buffs made in the manner
herein-after described for the roller gins ordinarily employed in machinery or
apparatus for cleaning and ginning cotton and fibrous substances. I make
the acting surfaces of the said cylindrical buffs of fibrous substances, and the
fibrous substances which I prefer to employ are cocoa-nut fibre, hemp, jute,
bristles, and hair. I compress the fibrous substance of which the buff is to
be made by means of screws or otherwise, and while in a compressed state I
cut it into pieces of the required size and form, and impregnate those portions
of the said pieces which are to be attached to the rollers with a strongly
adhesive resinous substance in a state of fusion, such as a mixture of shellac,
rosin, piteb, and oil. I insert the suitably shaped pieces of the compressed
and partially impregnated fibre into compartments made for their reception
on the cylindrical surface of the roller. The pieces of compressed fibre are
inserted in their respective places on the roller while still under compression.
There is thus formed a cylindrical buff having a continuous cylindrical sur-
face of compressed fibre, which from its elasticity and its capability of seizing

page_text: and holding the cotton or other fibre is well suited to clean or gin. cotton or
other fibre in place of the rollers ordinarily employed for that purpose.
The essence of my Invention consists in making cylindrical buffs of com-
pressed fibre, whether of vegetable or animal origin, the said cylindrical buffs
being substituted for the rollers ordinarily used in machinery or apparatus for
cleaning or ginning cotton or other fibres.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND SUPPLYING FOOD FOR CATTLE
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Willacy at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st April 1865.
I, ROBERT WILLACY, of Penwortham Priory, in the County of Lancaster,
Land Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND SUPPLYING FOOD
FOR CATTLE," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar combination of machinery or apparatus
for preparing and supplying food for cattle, whereby a large number of cattle
may be fed with any particular quantity of food in a short space of time.
According to this Invention it is proposed to combine a turnip cutter, or an
oil cake or corn crusher or bruiser, or other like food preparer, with a waggon
running along trams laid down inside the cattle shed. The main shaft of the
food-preparing mechanism communicates by gearing with one of the axles of
the waggon, so that on driving this shaft in order to cut the roots or other-
wise prepare the food, the waggon will be simultaneously caused to travel
along the trams. Along the side of the tramway there is placed a feeding
trough of a peculiar construction extending along the entire length of the
cattle shed or house, the back of this trough is made considerably higher than
the front, so as to form a species of continuous shoot for directing the
prepared food (which falls from the machine as it travels along) into the
bottom of the trough. The trough, which is of an angular section, and may
be usefully employed irrespective of the machine in some cases) is thus sup-

page_text: plied with a regulated quantity of food, distributed evenly from end to end.
A rail is fixed in front of the cattle and along the side of the tramway a little
above the floor to prevent the cattle from bringing their heads within the
range of the machine's course, but at the same time allowing sufficient space
underneath for the cattle to feed out of the trough conveniently. The same
arrangement of self-travelling machine may be employed for cutting and dis-
tributing turnips in the field, or for crushing or bruising cake and corn, and
placing them in a long trough for the purpose of feeding sheep. A foot board
may be attached to the machine for the attendant to stand upon, and so travel
with the machine. If desired, the machine might be drawn by a horse, in
which case the gearing in connection with the running wheels would transmit
motion to the main shaft of the cutting or bruising mechanism.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOLLERS OR GENERATORS
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Andrew Barclay at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th July
1865.
I, ANDREW BARCLAY, of Kilmarnock, in the County of Ayr, North Britain,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM BOLLERS OR GENERATORS," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention, which has for its object the production in certain classes
of steam boilers or generators of a greater amount of steam for a given
quantity of fuel than has hitherto been obtained, consists essentially in opening
a second communication or communications between the water situated about
the crown of the fire-box and that around its sides.
According to one modification, under which this Invention may be carried
out, tubes are employed, the upper ends of which are fixed into the crown of the
fire-box, their lower ends being bent round and fixed into the sides; in this
way a second communication or series of communications is effected between
the water situated in the upper and lower parts of the fire-box, at the same
time the surface of the tubes being exposed to the action of the fire, a much
greater beating or absorbent surface is obtained, from which immediately
follows a proportionate increase of steam generated.
It is obvious that there are many other modifications under which these
present improvements may be employed, viz., the tubes may be carried

page_text: diagonally or in curved lines across from the crown plate to the opposite sides
of the fire-box, the sides and crown of the fire-box themselves being formed
suitably to receive their ends.
The mode in which the herein-before mentioned apparatus acts is as
follows: The water in the tubes becoming heated, an upward current is
produced, which earries the hottest water to those parts of the boiler which
are at a lower temperature, the water at a lower temperature thus displaced
passes down the sides of the fire-box into the hotter tubes, and in turn
becomes heated and transmitted upwards to those parts of the boiler at a
lower temperature; in this manner a continuous circulation is maintained.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING AND DYEING YARNS AND FABRICS OF COTTON OR OTHER VEGETABLE MATERIALS
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Buchanan and Robert
Boyd at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 8th August 1865.
We, JAMES BUCHANAN, junior, Chemist, of Barrhead, in the County of
Renfrew, North Britain, and ROBERT BOYD, Calico Printer, of Glasgow, in
the County of Lanark, North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING AND DYEING YARNS AND
FABRICS OF COTTON OR OTHER VEGETABLE MATERIALS," to be as follows, that is to
say:
This Invention has for its object the production of a black color from
aniline on yarns and fabrics of cotton or other vegetable materials by printing
and dyeing; and it consists in precipitating or forming an insoluble salt or
oxide of copper in or on the yarns or fabrics, and then applying a neutral
or acid salt of aniline, but without any oxidising agent. For printing, the
cloth is prepared in a solution of carbonate of soda containing about six
ounces per gallon; it is then dried and passed into a solution of sulphate of
copper containing about eight ounces per gallon, and is afterwards washed
and dried. The cloth is then printed with a salt of aniline, such as the
hydrochloride thickened in the usual way. For dyeing, the yarns or fabrics
are prepared in the same way and are then passed through a solution of a salt
of aniline. It is not essential to keep the exact proportions herein-before

page_text: mentioned, and an insoluble salt or oxide of copper may be formed or pre-
cipitated in the materials by other well-known means; but the principal
feature of the combination constituting the Invention is the employment of a
neutral or acid salt of aniline without an oxidising agent. By the term
aniline is meant the aniline of commerce and the analogues of aniline.
AN IMPROVE MENT IN THE UTILIZATION OF THE WASTE GASES OF BLAST FURNACES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Cliff, of Wortley, near Leeds, in the County
of York, Fire-brick Manufacturer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVE
MENT IN THE UTILIZATION OF THE WASTE GASES OF BLAST FURNACES."
Sealed the 15th August 1865, and dated the 20th February 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Cliff at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
February 1865.
I, JOSEPH CLIFF, of Wortley, near Leeds, in the County of York, Firė-
brick Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE UTILIZATION OF THE WASTE GASES OF BLAST FURNACES,"
to be as follows:-
It has heretofore been common to use the gases generated in the blast
furnace for heating the hot air stoves, and for generating steam in boilers,
and for some other purposes.
My improvement consists in the use of those gases or a portion of them by
blowing them back into the blast furnace itself, or by carrying them into
another blast furnace in the same works, either along with or separate from
the air which is blown into the furnace.

page_text: One mode in which this may be done is by using an exhaust cylinder which
is connected by pipes with the waste gas pipe, and is provided with a piston
which is worked by the blast engine, and thereby exhausts or draws the gases
from the waste gas pipe or furnace, and then forces the said gases into a
receiver at such pressure as may be desirable. The gases pass from such
receiver to the furnace either by an entirely separate pipe of suitable diameter
which shall deliver the gases close to the tuyeres, or shall join the air in the
tuyeres immediately before it goes into the furnace, so that there
there may be a
rapid and complete mixture of the air and gases at the point of ignition in
the furnace.
By these means such portion of the waste gases as may be found most
suitable will be made available for the more economical working of the
blast furnace, coals or coke will be saved, a greater heat maintained in the
furnace, and the yield or make of iron will be increased.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF COVERING RAILWAY TRUCKS, VANS, AND OTHER CARRIAGES
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Riddell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th April
1865.
I, WILLIAM RIDDELL, of Crosby Hall Chambers, Bishopsgate Street, in the
City of London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF COVERING RAILWAY TRUCKS, VANS, AND OTHER
CARRIAGES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists principally in the use and adaptation of what are
known as "flexible shutters" or "revolving shutters," for the purpose of
covering in or protecting railway and other trucks, vans, and carriages laden
with goods or merchandize, in lieu of the tarpaulings usually employed for
such purpose. The truck, van, or other carriage to be so covered or protected
must be furnished with an iron framing (as high as the goods are intended to
be laden or rather higher) having grooves wherein the ends or sides of the
shutter slide. The shutter should be made (by preference) of iron, but it may
be of any other suitable material, and it may either be wound on a roller by
means of a handle when not in use, or it may be made self-coiling by means
of springs, and so arranged as to slide into a box at the end or under the
bottom of the truck, van, or carriage. The shutters, when placed over the
goods, may be locked or otherwise secured, and will afford a perfect security
against robbery, and also against accidental fires caused by the sparks from
the locomotive engine, which are now of so frequent occurrence, at the same
time that, although the first cost is somewhat more than that of the tar--

page_text: paulings, a considerable economy in the cost of maintaining them in an
efficient state will be effected, as compared with that of ordinary tarpaulings,
which, in addition to their liability to accidental destruction by fire, are also
very subject to being torn and otherwise damaged, owing to the rough usage
to which they are necessarily submitted.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO MARINE CONDENSING STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Wood at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th May
1865.
I, THOMAS WOOD, of the City of Manchester, and County of Lancaster,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO MARINE CONDENSING STEAM ENGINES," to be as
follows:-
Great economy and advantage in steam navigation is attained when the
same water for steam is used over and over again by condensing the steam
which has passed through the engine, and returning it as feed water to the
boilers. This has been done hitherto by apparatus known as "surface con-
densers," where steam in the interior is exposed to the action of sea water on
the exterior of the apparatus, thus forming a vacuum within. Surface steam
condensers are expensive and difficult to keep perfectly tight, besides having
other defects. By my improvements I attain the same economy and advantages
as with ordinary surface steam condensers when in good order, but at much
less cost, and with scarcely any liability to derangement, while my improve-
ments can be readily and conveniently applied to ordinary marine condensing
engines.
In carrying my Invention into effect I use the ordinary old and well known
system of condensing by injecting cold or cool water into the vessel into which
the steam enters from the cylinder; but I do not use sea water for this
purpose. My Invention consists in condensing the steam by injecting fresh

page_text: water, or water previously used, and in refrigerating or cooling the water used
for this purpose over and over again, except such portion as is fed to the
boilers.
To carry out my Invention I cause the water withdrawn from the condenser
by the air pump to pass from the hot well to and through refrigerating
apparatus, and then back to supply the condenser. I prefer to form the
refrigerating apparatus of a series of thin plates arranged with spaces between
them, and jointed and secured together to form two distinct continuous zig-
zag passages, one for the hot, the other for cold sea or other water taken
from the exterior of the vessel, the hot and cold water passing in opposite
directions, being merely separated by the thin plates. The cold or sea water
current is made to pass through the refrigerator by a centrifugal or other
pump worked by the engine. The pressure and force of the hot water and
cold sea or other water currents being equal, the thin plates forming the
partitions between the two are in equilibrium, and should there be any slight
leakage it will not affect the vacuum in the condenser as it would. in steam
surface condensers. Refrigerators of other construction may be used in
carrying out my Invention, but I prefer, as before stated, to form them of thin
plates, because of their simplicity and small cost.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MEANS OF SECURING ENVELOPES FOR ENCLOSING LETTERS AND OTHER PAPERS
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Stevens Tripp at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th July
1865.
I, STEVENS TRIPP, of Dane's Inn, Strand, in the County of Middlesex,
Solicitor, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MEANS OF SECURING ENVELOPES FOR ENCLOSING LETTERS AND OTHER
PAPERS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to the application of metal foil or thin sheet metal
to envelopes in which gum and other adhesive matters are used in the
manufacture of and for securing envelopes when closed, in order to the pie-
vention of access being had to their contents surreptitiously.
By the application of metal foil, according to my improvement, all moisture
is excluded from the adhesive matter when once the envelope is closed, and it
may be damped for any length of time or held in a jet of steam without the
possibility of the adhesive matter becoming softened and giving way; it is
tbus impossible to open an envelope so closed without destroying or tearing
some part of the envelope, and of showing subsequently that it has been
opened; in this way private correspondence, cheques, and notes, or other
valuables will be much more secure in passing through the post than at
present. I apply the metal foil on the exterior of the envelope at the point
where the three fixed flaps meet, and pass the ends of the foil through slits,
and fold it down on the inner side of the envelope. I provide at same time a
ocket-like place for the introduction of the point or tab of the fourth and
oose flap, such pocket having been surfaced with gum or other adhesive

page_text: matter; the point or tab of the loose flap is wetted before being introduced
into this pocket, and adheres to the gum therein, and will be underneath the
metal foil. The foil being impervious to moisture the adhering parts of the
flaps cannot be detached or acted on by moisture from the outside, and if
the metal foil is suitably disposed, it may be similarly protected on the
inside, but in most cases the contents of the envelope will be sufficient pro-
tection from damp on the under side. The metal foil or sheet may be
stamped with any seal or device, or the foil may be covered by a thickness of
paper and with a seal or stamp if desired. The metal foil or sheet may be
combined or applied to the envelopes in a variety of ways; the object in all,
however, being to protect and prevent the adhesive matters being damped in
any way.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SPITTOONS
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th March
1865. A communication from abroad [by Emile Gabriel Aubry and
Claude Joseph Barral, both of Paris, in the Empire of France.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SPITTOONS," a communication to me from abroad by Emile
Gabriel Aubry and Claude Joseph Barral, both of Paris, in the Empire of
France, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar construction and arrangement of
spittoon, and consists in providing such article with a hinged lid or cover,
capable either of being opened and closed as required by the foot or hand,
and of being held permanently open if desired; also in fitting castors to
spittoons for facilitating their removal from place to place. The body of the
spittoon may be of metal or other suitable material more or less ornamented,
and the lid or cover, which it is preferred should be of metal and of an orna-
mental character, has a toothed segment fitted on to the middle of the hinge pin
or axis of such lids. This segment gears into a vertical straight rack sliding
in a guide, and capable of being fixed at any height therein by a pinching
On the bottom of this rack there is formed a projecting piece, which
on being depressed by the foot brings down the rack, and as the rack is in
gear with the segment on the hinge pin or axis of the lid, causes such lid to
fly open, and remain so during the time the foot holds down the rack, or so
long as the pinching screw remains tightened up. The amount of opening is

page_text: controlled by a stop piece, against which the straight rack is brought when
depressed, and the closing of the lid is rendered self-acting by the action of a
spring, which tends to raise the raise the rack again immediately it has been
released. If desired the foot lever or projection may be replaced by a knob
or handle to be worked by hand in lieu of by the foot.
PHILOSOPHICAL EXAMINATION INTO THE ALLEGED SPIRIT MANIFESTATIONS CONSISTING OF A LAMP AND A CLOSE ROOM
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Owen Grenliffe Warren at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
April 1865.
I, OWEN GRENLIFFE WARREN, of the City, County, and State of New
York, in the United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "PHILOSOPHICAL EXAMINATION INTO THE ALLEGED SPIRIT
MANIFESTATIONS CONSISTING OF A LAMP AND A CLOSE ROOM," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the use of means for determining the truth or
falsity of alleged spiritual manifestations..
In order that the experiment of elucidating the matter may be carefully.
tried and definitely proved, it is expedient that the experimenter be protected.
by Letters Patent for his especial process.
I construct a close room and use a peculiar light therein;. I paint the
walls, floor, and ceiling with care, and filter the light that is used. The room
must be close, and have no open door or window; it should be air-tight,
though some air may be admitted for ventilation, but it is better to have a
reservoir of air held under presssure in a tank in the room to be allowed on
turning a faucet to escape into the room for comfortable breathing; it will
issue from the room through unavoidable apertures.
The light used may be that from the combustion of hydrocarbon, but it
should be made to pass through a liquid colored blue, black, or violet. So.
little light should appear through it (however much gas may be burned) that.
the room will seem entirely dark at first, but the person shut in will grow to

page_text: perceive the light, and objects in the room will become visible. In such a
room with this light there is a chance, if any chance exists, that spirits may
become distinctly visible. For the reason that spirits are not seen it may be
assumed is that the light is too coarse; it passes through them, and does not
reflect from the surface. In order to see them at all, it would therefore
appear the light must be exceedingly minute, and therefore it must be
filtered.
The kind of paint proper for painting the walls, floor, and ceiling of the
closed room is that which in chemistry is known as being akin to carbon.
Dolomite or magnesia properly prepared is good, spirits of turpentine or alcohol
may be employed for mixing the paint.
AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR STOPPING RAILWAY TRAINS
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Jeremiah Murphy at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd.
June 1865.
I, WILLIAM JEREMIAH MURPHY, of Lady's Well Brewery, Cork, in the
County of Cork, Ireland, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR STOPPING RAILWAY TRAINS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention is intended to afford the guard or engine driver of a railway
train facility for instantly stopping the same in case of accident by collision,
fire, or unhooking or breaking of the couplings, and as intended only to be
used in cases of great danger.
In carrying out my Invention, I propose to provide each axletree, or, one
axletree of each carriage with a drum or barrel (keyed thereon) and round
each of these drums to twist a strong chain loosely, suspended by a band of
gutta percha or other material from the bottom of the carriage, so that as long
as the chain is loose and does not grip the drum, the latter revolves freely
without winding up the chain.
The first and last drum of the train will run freely upon their respective
axles, and the extreme ends of the chain are fixed to the said drums, the
chain of each carriage being connected (by a hook or otherwise) to those of
the carriage preceding and following it, so that there is, in effect, one long
chain passing from end to end of the train passing loosely, once or twice.round
each.drum, the extreme ends at front and rear being fixed to drums placed

page_text: loosely upon their respective axletrees. These last-named drums (at each
end of the train) are provided with couplings by means of which they can be
thrown in gear with their respective axletrees by a lever or otherwise. It
will be evident that upon one of these drums being thrown in gear the chain
will be wound up, and being thus tightened upon all the drums will stop the
revolution of all the axles, and thus immediately stop the train, and this can
be done from either end of the train. As a modification of the above, I
propose to have the loose 'drums and couplings as above at each end of the
train, dispensing with the intermediate drums, and connecting the chain to
the ordinary break, so that upon either of the drums being coupled to its axle
the chain will be wound up and apply the ordinary breaks to the tires of the
wheels in the same manner.
IMPROVEMENTS IN VENTILATING BLINDS
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Welchman King at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th March 1865.
I, HENRY WELCHMAN KING, of Torrington Square, in the County of
Middlesex, Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VENTILATING BLINDS," to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing blinds of a series of segments of
tubes pivoted at top and bottom upon stationary rods or bars, and connected
near one end to studs upon a movable bar. The segmental plates or portions
of a tube are placed so close to each other that even when in position to
allow of the passage of the greatest amount of air the blind cannot be seen
through. The blind may be more or less closed by causing the plates to move
on their pivots by means of the movable bar.
AN IMPROVED BARROW FOR USE BY BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS, AND ALSO FOR GENERAL PURPOSES
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Stephens at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th October
1865.
I, ROBERT STEPHENS, of 17 and 18, Green Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Barrow Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED BARROW FOR USE BY BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS,
AND ALSO FOR GENERAL PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
In constructing barrows used by builders, contractors, and others it has
hitherto been the practice to place the body of the barrow on the frame
which extends from the handles to the wheel, thereby causing great risk of
the barrow overturning when being wheeled, in consequence of the material
carried in it being so high from the ground.
In my improved barrow the handles extend along the outside from the
axle of the wheel, gradually rising towards the top at the handle, and by
which means the body of the barrow, instead of being above the handles in
the usual way, is considerably below them. By this mode of construction
I combine the following advantages over barrows now in ordinary use :-
Greater power in wheeling, the load being lower and the handles higher;
economy of space, as it is one-third less width; greater capacity, as by
reason of its being deeper it will carry one-third more material, and much
greater strength in construction.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF DISINFECTANTS
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Thomlinson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th December
1865..
I, JOHN THOMLINSON, of Eden Mount, Carlisle, Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF DISINFECTANTS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in. the manufacture of dis..
infectants.
In order to prepare a powder suitable for use as a disinfectant I take
gypsum, and pulverise and dry it; to this I add tar by preference whilst
the powdered gypsum is kept hot; the tar is added gradually, it may be in the
proportion of one of tar to ten or twenty parts of gypsum, and is thoroughly
stirred in. In this manner a lumpy compost is obtained, which I prepare
for use by grinding to a fine powder.. Other materials may also be incor-
porated with the gypsum and tar if desired, but it is not essential. In place of
using tar, substances separated from tar by distillation or otherwise may be
employed, but I prefer to employ tar in its crude state.
Disinfectants prepared according to my Invention may be used for disinfecting
manure, also for purifying and disinfecting cattle sheds and other places, and
for many similar purposes.
AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SHIFTING POINTS ON RAILWAYS FROM AN ENGINE OR TRAIN IN MOTION
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Henry Hibbert Ware at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
20th February 1865.
I, GEORGE HENRY HIBBERT WARE, of Tunbridge Wells, in the in the County
of Kent, Captain in Her Majesty's Army, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SHIFTING POINTS ON RAILWAYS
FROM AN ENGINE OR TRAIN IN MOTION," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the employment of a bent lever free to play
horizontally on a fixed stud and connected to a point or switch bar. The
lever carries at each end an arm rising vertically. The point or switch bar
carries outside the rails a weighted lever, or a lever connected by a rod to a
spring to cause the switch or point to remain in the position into which it
had been forced until purposely shifted. The horizontal lever is bent in such
a shape as to be capable of being acted on by an engine or train on the main
line or on the crossing. I fit to the engine or train wedge-shaped or other
suitable blocks which, according to the intended passage of the engine or
train, are placed in such position as to come in contact with one of the arms
on the horizontal lever and ensure the points being in a proper state, whether
for continuing on the main line or for passing on to the crossing, or from the
crossing to the main line.