Improvements in Retort Charging Devices.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Retort Charging Devices.
We, JOSIAH HARDMAN and JOSEPH PEAKE, both of Tunstall in the County of
Stafford, carrying on business as Chemical Manufacturers under the style of
J. Hardman and Company, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a hopper adapted to travel on rails above the retorts
which would be inclined and capable of being raised or lowered according to the
varying heights of the different retorts.
In carrying out this invention we prefer to construct a travelling framework
provided with flanged wheels to suit the rails and in this framework the hopper is
adapted to be raised or lowered and is preferably carried between vertical, V shaped
or other channels which guide it in its up and down movement. Upon a suitable
portion of the hopper are pulleys and upon the framework are preferably two chains
each secured at one end to the framework and adapted to pass one on each side of
the hopper; these chains pass over suitable pulleys to a winch apparatus upon the
framework so that by winding up or unwinding the chains the hopper will be raised
or lowered.
The upper portion of the hopper may be constructed with inclined walls the
narrowest part effecting a junction with the lower portion which may be a telescopic
or other tube and in a suitable position preferably at the said junction a, closing
valve or damper may be placed so as to close the bottom of the hopper proper.
This valve may be operated by a suitable arrangement of levers or equivalent.
Dated this 10th day of April 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Retort Charging Devices.
We, JOSIAH HARDMAN and JOSEPH PEAKE both of Tunstall in the County of
Stafford, carrying on business as Chemical Manufacturers under the style of
J. Hardman & Company, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a hopper adapted to travel on rails above the retorts
and capable of being raised or lowered according to the varying heights of the
different retorts.
In carrying out this invention we prefer to construct a travelling framework
provided with flanged wheels to suit the rails and in this framework the hopper is
adapted to be raised or lowered and is preferably carried between vertical, V-shaped
or other guides which guide it in its up and down movement. Upon a suitable
portion of the hopper are pulleys and upon the framework are preferably two chains
each secured at one end to the framework and adapted to pass round suitable
pulleys to a winch apparatus upon the framework so that by winding up or unwinding
the chains the hopper will be raised or lowered.
The upper portion of the hopper may be constructed with inclined walls the
narrowest part effecting a junction with the lower portion which may be a telescopic
or other tube and in a suitable position preferably at the said junction a closing
Pin17

page_text: valve may be placed so as to close the bottom of the hopper proper.
may be operated by a suitable arrangement of levers or equivalent.
In the accompanying drawings,
This valve
Fig. 1 is a side elevation shown partly in section of a retort charging device
constructed according to this invention.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same, and
Fig. 3 a plan shown partly broken away.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
A is a rigid frame the lower part A' of which may be formed of channel irons at
its sides and angle irons at its ends and is mounted on wheels or rollers B and the
upper part A of which is also formed of angle iron and secured to the lower part A'
by angle iron standards A³ the tie bars A4 one at each side of the frame also serving
to stiffen this structure.
A are vertical angle iron guides secured to the upper and lower frames A² A¹
by blocks or shoes A and which extend down below the frame A' as shown in Figs. 1
and 2. C is the hopper the lower part of which may be formed circular or as
shown in the accompanying drawings with parallel sides and semi-circular, ends and
the upper conical part of which at its mouth is surrounded by an angle iron frame C.
C is a slide or valve provided at the junction of the upper and lower parts of the
hopper, this valve is operated by hand by a lever D pivotted at D₁ to a link D2
itself pivotted at D³ to a bracket D secured to the lower part of the hopper.
E are two pulleys mounted one on each side of the upper part of the hopper and
Fare two similar pulleys mounted on brackets secured to the rigid frame A.
Gare two chains each fastened at one end G¹ to one of the angle iron standards A³
and each of which passes under one of the pulleys E and over one of the pulleys F
and thence to one of the drumms H of the winch apparatus H' both these drums
being secured on the same shaft H².
H³ is a wheel round which passes an endless rope or chain for operating the
winch apparatus and 13 is a similar wheel for receiving the rope or chain by which
the whole retort charging apparatus may be moved from place to place this rope
causing the rotation of the wheels or rollers B.
I is a band secured to the taper part of the hopper C and at its ends provided
with blocks J which work in the angle iron guides A, similar blocks. being fitted
to the ring C' at the upper part of the hopper C. H' Fig. 1 is the brake lever of
the winch apparatus H by which the descent of the hopper C may be checked at
any desired part.
In operation the before described retort charging device is moved along the
rails or equivalent to any retort of the bench to which it is applied, which it is
desired to charge, by means of the rope or equivalent passing round the wheel B¹.
The hopper C then say in its highest position is by means of the winch apparatus H¹
lowered down to the retort which may then be filled by the material being charged
through the hopper.
If desired the hopper C may receive its charge before being moved along to the
retort to be charged, the valve C² being for this purpose closed at the time. the
hopper receives its charge and when the hopper is over and lowered down to the retort
the valve C is withdrawn so that the contents of the hopper C fall into the retort.
It will be seen that the before described apparatus inay be modified without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
1. In apparatus such as described the combination with a horizontally travelling
rigid frame such as A of a vertically adjustable hopper such as C substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In apparatus such as described the combination with a horizontally travelling
rigid frame such as A of a hopper such as C slide or valve such as C² chains G

page_text: pulleys E and F and winch H' substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete retort
charging device substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
4. In a retort charging device the employment of a vertically adjustable hopper.
Dated this Eighth day of January 1892.
J. HARDMAN.
J. PEAKE.