IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CLASSIFICATION, PREPARATION. AND TREATMENT OF MINERAL SUBSTANCES, COKE AND FURNACE CINDERS, AND IN REMOVING AND DEPOSITING SUCH SUBSTANCES, AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR SUCH PURPOSES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert Mackworth, of Clifton, in the County of
Gloucester, Mining and Civil Engineer, for the Invention of." IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CLASSIFICATION, PREPARATION. AND TREATMENT OF MINERAL
SUBSTANCES, COKE AND FURNACE CINDERS, AND IN REMOVING AND DEPOSITING
SUCH SUBSTANCES, AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR SUCH PURPOSES."
+
5.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert, Mackworth at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents; with his. Petition, on the
7th May 1857.
I, HERBERT MACKWORTH, of Clifton, in the 'County of Gloucester, Mining
and Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the 'said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CLASSIFICATION, PREPARATION, AND TREATMENT OF
MINERAL SUBSTANCES, COKE AND FURNACE CINDERS, AND IN REMOVING AND
· DEPOSITING SUCH SUBSTANCES, AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR SUCH
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
The process ofremoving the minerals from the mine or work,separating them,
and delivering them in the condition suited to the requirements of commerce,
is rendered costly and imperfect by the defective means at present employed.
Much superfluous power is expended in effecting these operations. Minerals
Pin1

page_text: are unnecessarily fractured or mixedwith impurities, or otherwise depreciated,
and the supply of the mineral to the machine employed for raising or preparing
it being intermittent or irregular, loss of time and other sourcesof expense are
incurred. By the employment of endless bands properly arranged and con-
structed, a continuous supply of the minerals can be secured, less mechanical
power will be required, and other of the above objections will be obviated.
I employ endless or other bands made of chains, metal plates, wire, canvass,
leather, wire gauze covered with gutta percha, or other suitable material
propelled by prismatic or other rollers, and suitably supported to receive and
transport the blocks, lumps, or fragments of mineral in the required direction.
I both raise, transport, and lower the mineral by the same band, the descent
at one part aiding the ascent at another.
If the inclinations to be followed by the bands are not uniform, I use rollers
pressing on the band to deflect or support it, and when the band has to be
deflected laterally, this may be effected by attaching the bands or plates to
a chain, to flexible cords or bars, or to wires guided by rollers; or should the
material of the band be flexible, the curvature may be effected by rollers or
guides placed under and above the inner edge of the band to produce the
necessary corrugation and contraction of its length; or I convey minerals up
and down in succession, or along lateral deflections, by means of a Jacob's
ladder, by giving a suitable form to the buckets, and by attaching them to a
flexible bar, or one or more elastic cords; I also employ two bands alongside
or lapping one over the other, which discharge a portion of the mineral on
being separated, whilst the other portions of the mineral are conveyed to
further points. By these means I fill coal or other minerals into a vessel of
any shape, or remove it therefrom with little manual labour. I raise or lower
minerals by a band work in a spiral direction, one side of the band being made
shorter than the other. For this purpose I employ such a material as canvass
or wire gauze covered with gutta percha. The latter forms a substitute for
leather, and may be somewhat stretched by hammering or pressure. To
prevent the substances transported from slipping, I attach projecting pieces or
boxes to the band, and place guides at the sides; elastic ledges may be attached
to the sides of the band. In raising or lowering minerals, especially if the
height is considerable, I employ bands or chains pressed against one another,
or I furnish one band with projecting plates, against which the other band or
other plates may be made to pass or press, so as to retain the mineral between
them. The bands may be connected by moveable hooks or pins, and self-
acting catches or racks may be used to prevent the band or chain falling
when it breaks. I wet the mineral in order better to retain it. I regulate

page_text: the length of the band bya moveable roller, which causes it to double on itself
by pieces, which are readily attached or disconnected, or by reefing if the
material admits of it. I also regulate the tightness of the band by rollers
travelling at different velocities, by india-rubber cords, by pressure on the
carrying rollers, by a heavy roller resting on the slack part, or by other
suitable means: By use of these means bands may be carried to great lengths.
I keep the band adjusted to the required distance by bars hinged together; or
sliding one in the other, and I support them by light frames so as to render
the machine readily portable. I support the endless band across wide
openings by means of suspension frames, chains, or cords. In separating or
sifting minerals, I use several endless bands to receive separately the different
kinds of minerals which have to be preserved or run to waste, and I arrange
the endless bands to convey the minerals at once from the working place. I.
convey portions of the main band or chain, or the boxes to be attached thereto,
by the subsidary endless bands. I use one or more endless bands to mix
uniformly different kinds and sizes of minerals, coke, and cinders, or for mixing.
tar or other ingredients with them. I adopt a suitable band or chain and
apparatus for filling coal into coke ovens or kilns, for removing the coke, or
for conveying charges of minerals to smelting furnaces. In order to reduce
the friction in filling the bottom of an elevator or Jacob's ladder, I bring the
buckets or boxes close together and partially encase the lower ones. I
regulate the supply of mineral on to the band or chain by shoots adjustable to
the slipping angle, or by a counterbalance or moveable blade. I regulate the
feeding or discharge of the mineral by a movable shoot. The band may be
made to discharge at any point by lifting or lowering one side at that point.
I screen the mineral into different sizes by two or more sets of bars, set at an
angle with each other, and they may be made to move on an axis. I crush
the cinders or slags from heating or smelting furnaces, and extract the
particles of greatest specific gravity by currents of water. I separate
granular or pulverulent substances by water in a revolving basin' or vessel,.
the lower part of which is provided with apertures capable of adjustment for
removing the heavier particles. I form the bottom of the vessel in channels.
I attach apparatus for separating mineral ores to the pumps underground, so
as to separate by the ascending, current of water a portion of the impurities
before the minerals are raised to the surface. I attach caoutchouc or elastic
cords or springs to the pump used for raising the water when working in an
inclined direction; in order to produce a proper reaction, I provide valves to
prevent the water descending through the minerals; the slimes or finer
portions may be brought by, the water to the surface. I feed the minerals into

page_text: the purifying apparatus at the lower part by a screw or other pressure, and
perform the sifting and purifying at one operation; and I raise the lighter
mineral above the surface of the water by one or more plates, sheets, or arms,
or by the action of the water itself, aided by the shape of the vessel. In
washing coal, I separate the thin laminæ of pyrites by means of sieves or
fibrous surfaces. I classify the smaller grains by means of a revolving plate
on which water flows, or by a conical plate revolving in water, and I remove
them by scrapers, or by brushes, or currents of water. When the mineral is
dry, previous to washing, I remove when required the fine dust by a current of
air, and separate it or mix it uniformly with other parts of the mineral. The
fine coal dust I mix with the wetted coal to reduce the percentage of water in
the mass, and render it more fit for coking and other purposes. I mix tar
uniformly with small coal or coke before or as it is being filled into the oven
or kiln, in order to facilitate or improve the calcination of the coal, or the
manufacture of coke in large masses. I employ coke to absorb the bituminous
matters from coal, and for filtering the coal slimes which proceed from washing
coal. I dry the coal to be used for coking, or heat the tar to be used in
paring the coal or coke by means of flues from the coke ovens or kilns. I crush
and wash coke and the cinders from coal and mix them with the bituminous
coal in coking. I mix pulverised limestone, lime, argillaceous and other
matters with the coal or coke, in order to cause the small coal to cohere, to
reduce the amount of clinker, and to render the residue after combustion more
suitable for cement. I construct the floor on to which the coke passes from
the oven or kiln in a convex form, in order to break up the masses of coke
with little loss. I employ suitable machinery for carrying into effect the pre-
ceding operations.
pre-
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Herbert Mackworth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
. 7th November 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HERBERT
MACKWORTH, of Clifton, in the County of Gloucester, Mining and Civil
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said

page_text: Herbert Mackworth, Her special licence that I, the said Herbert Mackworth,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Herbert.
Mackworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CLASSIFICATION, PREPARATION AND TREATMENT OF MINERAL SUBSTANCES. COKE AND
FURNACE CINDERS, AND IN REMOVING AND DEPOSITING SUCH SUBSTANCES, AND IN
MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR SUCH PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Herbert Mackworth, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters l'atent.
NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said Herbert Mackworth, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say :--
A large portion of the manual labour employed in manufacture and com-
merce is applied without the intervention of machinery other than simple
tools to the transport, separation, and delivery of minerals and other materials.
The loading and unloading of friable minerals, such as coal, is conducted so
as to present a great loss in value from breakage, and the separation or
mixing of minerals is performed in an unnecessarily slow, imperfect, and
expensive manner. By the employment of endless bands properly arranged
and constructed the breakage will be reduced, a continuous in lieu of an
intermittent supply or delivery will be secured, less mechanical power will
be required, and manual labour saved.
The machine represented in plan in Figure 1, Sheet I. of the accompanying
Drawings, and in longitudinal section in Figure 2, exhibits the mode of
raising, moving, and depositing without breakage materials by the aid of
one or more endless bands.
The endless band A2, A2, A3, A4, is represented in a convenient position for
shipping coal or other materials off a low dock wall and depositing them at
the lower part of the hold of a vessel with little or no fall and breakage.
The material to be shipped may be cast or allowed to slide down from the
wagon or shoot on to the first part A' of the endless band, and under the

page_text: gauge o, which brings it to such a slope as will allow it to rest on the band
without being liable to slide or fall over the sides. The material then ascends
with the part A2 of the band at a slope less than the angle at which the
material would begin to slip, and in passing the rollers B1 and B2, where
the direction of the motion is changed, it is retained on the band partly by
the flanges of those rollers. To prevent the material slipping down the part
of the band A4, another endless band C, with raised edges, and working freely
on the rollers D1 and D2, is pressed against the sides or edges of the first
band by the rollers E, E, so as to leave a space of nearly semi-cylindrical
form between the two bands, thus forming a species of travelling sack or
conduit, which incloses the material so as to prevent it from slipping, and
delivers it at the bottom of the sack F in a continuous stream as the endless
bands again separate.
In lieu of or in addition to the rollers which bring into contact the edges
of the endless bands C and A4, guides or grooves may be used to confine
the edges of the bands.
The part A¹ of the endless band is made horizontal, or less inclined than
the rest, for the more convenient filling of the mineral at the end and the two
sides. The deflection between A1 and A2 is effected by two side rollers G,
which press on the sides of the band against the ledge or selvage, formed of
rope or other flexible material. In order to obtain the friction necessary to
propel the main endless band A1, A2, A3, A4, a short endless band H works
inside it, and is provided with projections on the inside, corresponding to
grooves in the rollers J'and J2. It is set in motion by the roller J2, which may
be worked by hand or machinery; the pressure of the endless carrying band
between the rollers G and the roller J2 prevents it from slipping and aids in
the propulsion. The rollers G and J2 may be geared together. In many
cases the band H can be dispensed with, and the endless carrying band
worked by compressing it between two rollers, such as J2, and another roller
placed below it.
If the rollers, such as G, revolve rather more slowly than
these propelling rollers, it will tend by a slight friction to keep the endless
band in a greater degree of tension. To allow for small alterations in the
length of the endless band A1, A2, A3, A4, the rollers K are adjustable so as to
expand or contract the band by altering the position of the hinged frame
which carries them. As the height to which the minerals have to be raised
diminishes, the whole frame, turning on a pivot at I, can be lowered by the
chain or rope M. The frame which carries the rollers of the endless carrying
band is made of light materials, so as to be easily put together or removed,
and can be adjusted to a variety of inclinations and positions by altering the

page_text: length of the component parts of the frame, which are provided with a series
of holes and bolts for this purpose. The heavier part of the frame, which
carries the rollers J¹, J2, can be made to run on rails for more convenient
removal.
The endless band can be made of double canvass, strengthened by rope
sewn to it, of wire gauze covered with gutta percha, of chains and thin metal
plates, or other suitable materials. It is desirable to stiffen the band laterally
and to prevent its buckling over the rollers; transverse pieces of wood or
metal can be rivetted or secured to it with this object. When the endless
band is of large size, the sides and centre may be supported by flat linked
chains working on to studs on the propelling rollers. Where the length of
the band and ascent of the minerals is considerable, it is desirable to aid the
ascent by turning one of the deflecting rollers B1, B2, as well as the rollers
J, J2. The descent of the materials down the sack formed by the bands A4
and C aids the ascent of the materials up A2, and as the portion A² becomes
nearly horizontal, by slackening the chain the endless band becomes nearly
self-acting. It may be said to act somewhat on the principle of a syphon
if the supply of materials be maintained. The endless band C has been
supposed to be propelled by friction against A4, but it can be propelled
independently by gearing together the rollers B2 and D'. The rollers E, E,
may in some cases be dispensed with, and the endless bands be brought
together by guides, so as to form the sack before mentioned. When this
elevator is used for loading ships, the chain M may frequently be dispensed
with, and the frame in such cases either rest on the vessel itself or be
suspended by the loop N. The endless band may be shortened or lengthened
at pleasure by reefing or by splicing on additional lengths, for which purposes
eyelet holes are provided in the band. When the endless band is formed of
canvass or other flexible material, and it is required to deflect it in a lateral
direction, as, for instance, to convey coals into the hatchway and then along
the hold of a vessel without interruption, the deflection may be produced, as
shown in plan and section by Figures 3 and 4 of Sheet I. The inner side
of the endless band A (of which only a small portion is shewn) is corrugated
and contracted by the depressing rollers B, B, whilst the band is supported by
the cylindrical rollers C, C. The inner side of the band being thus temporarily
made shorter than the outer, it must necessarily follow a curved line. It is
further guided by the grooved rollers D, D, pressing on a raised rope or ledge,
which forms the side of the endless band, as well as by the flanges of the
carrying rollers C, C. When, instead of an endless band, it is found desirable
to use a Jacob's ladder, as, for instance, in transporting fluid or semi-fluid

page_text: matters, the required lateral deflection may be produced in the manner shewn
in plan by Figure 5, Sheet I, the endless chains A, of which a portton is
shewn, being supported by the broad flanged wheel B, and the pullies C, C, C,
carry the buckets round the curve, in lieu of the ordinary buckets used in
Jacob's ladders, which are open at one end. In the Drawing are represented
a series of vessels D, D, open at the top, the corners of which are rounded
off to allow of their working round the curve without touching each other.
Materials may also be raised in a spiral direction by cutting out the band to
the shape in which it lies on the rollers when travelling, and causing it to pass
between guides; it can be propelled by compressing it between the carrying
roller and the propelling roller at some point where it is not charged with
materials.
A
Figures 6 and 7, Sheet I., represent in elevation and plan an apparatus for
for lowering or shipping coal or other materials from a higher level by means
of endless bands, so as to avoid breakage, and to be able to ship coal at either
high or low water. The endless band A works on rollers supported by a
frame, which may be made of angle iron or other suitable material, and turns
on a pivot or bearing B, so that it can be adjusted to the required angle by
lengthening or shortening the rope C. The endless band A may be provided
at intervals with transverse stiffening pieces of wood or metal a, a, which
impede the substances on the band from slipping. This is further prevented
by the second endless band D, D, which lies over the first band A, being
brought into contact with it at the edges by the spring rollers E, E.
waggon of coal, for example, being brought to the point F, and raised at its
hinder end until the floor of the waggon reaches nearly an angle of 45°, the
coal will tend to slide out on to the endless band A. The discharge of the
coal isrendered slow and uniform by gradually opening the door of the waggon,
or by raising the end of the waggon slowly; the coal is then conveyed in a
continuous stream by the sack or conduit formed by the endless bands
A and D, and deposited at the lower extremity in the hold of the vessel in
such manner that the trimming can be performed in a more regular and rapid
mauner. When the inclination of the apparatus is great, the weight of the
descending coal will work the bands, and a break must be applied to the axis
of the wheel G to check the too rapid descent; but as the frame of the
apparatus approaches the horizontal position the endless bands will have to be
propelled by manual labour or machinery, which may conveniently be done
through the intervention of the spur wheel or pinion H.
The great facilities are therefore offered by this arrangement, that coal or
other similar substances can be shipped, whatever may be the slope of the

page_text: descent, and with little or no breakage. In cases where the ordinary wooden
shoot is still retained, it will be found advantageous to employ an endless
band, such as D, D, to retard the descent of the coal and diminish the
breakage; the band may be propelled by a crank handle attached to the
axis of the upper roller. When the slope of the descending endless band is
less in all cases than the slipping angle of the coal or other substances to be
conveyed, the covering endless band may be dispensed with, unless these
substances should be very light, and liable to be blown away by the wind, in
which case the covering endless band forms a suitable protection. In lieu of
supporting the endless band by rollers, cross bars of iron may be attached to
the band itself with runners at each end; the rúnners being flanged will run
on rails attached to the frame. A break to regulate the descent may be
applied by pressure on the band itself or by other suitable means. Endless
bands may be conveniently employed in mining and other excavitions, for
removing the materials either at once to the waste heap, or depositing them in
an uniform stream into wagons or other receptacles. When the materials
have to be transported across wide spaces or openings the endless band may
be supported by apparatus such as is shewn in Figure 8, Sheet I.
The upper rope A is formed with eylet holes or loops B, B, to receive the
axes of the rollers which support the endless band C, C. The rope A is
strained tight by the screw I), or other suitable means. The straining pieces
E, E, are attached to the loops B, B, and forked at their lower extremities,
through which the rope F passes; the latter rope is tightened, as occasion
requires, by the double purchase blocks G. The other extremity of the rollers
is supported by a similar frame, and the frames are connected together by
cords or rods at intervals; a light rod may be substituted for the rope A.
The endless band may be propelled by a person standing on the platform H
and working the roller J by a winch handle.
Figure 9, Sheet I., represents the elevation, and Figure 10 the plan, of an
endless band suitable for filling a coke oven with coal, or for raising and then
depositing materials in a longitudinal heap. A, A, is the endless band, which
is deflected from the ascending to a more horizontal direction by the flanged
roller B, and is kept tight by the roller C, acting either by its own weight or
forced down by elastic cords or springs. In order. to. obtain the friction
necessary to propel the endless band, a second endless band D, D, passing
round the rollers E' and E2, works within it. By this means the motion can
be transmitted directly by a winch handle at F. The endless band D, D, is
kept tight by wedges G, G. The wagon of coal being brought to the point H
and tipped, so that the coal will slide out of it by the shoot (shown by dotted

page_text: lines in Figure 8) on to the endless band, the turning of the handle Fraises
it up in a continuous stream and along into the coke oven J; the centre
or side of the endless band being then raised by the roller K, the coal
falls off the band gradually as the latter passes along the coke oven.
For the more convenient removal of the apparatus from oven to oven, the
frame is supported by broad wheels L, L. The projecting portion of the
frame turns on a pivot M to allow of its being raised or lowered. It is
desirable to employ for the endless band which enters the oven either canvas
prepared so as to render it uninflammable, or other suitable material not
subject to be injured by the temperature. It is found that many coals,
especially those commonly designated as non-bituminous, free burning, &c.,
will not coke; many of these may, however, be coked by mixing them with
coal tar, and treating them in such a manner, that the fire being first lighted
at or near the bottom of the mass of coal, the gases given off as the coking
proceeds have to descend through the incandescent coke forming below.
It is essential that the coal tar should be uniformly mixed with the coal,
and to effect this with little labour and simultaneously with the charging of
the oven, 1 place a tank N, Figures 9 and 10, containing the tar above the
elevator, with a branch pipe O containing a number of holes on its lower side,
through which, on opening the cock P, the tar trickles on to the layer or
stream of coal passing underneath the pipe. The heat of the coke oven, or of
flues proceeding from it, may be employed to dry the coal before it is put into
the oven as well as to heat the tar. If the finer particles of coke, which are
now lost, are purified by washing, dried, and mixed with coal tar, they can be
mixed with small coal and be converted into massive coke. Coke is often
unnecessarily fractured after it is brought out of the oven in separating the
masses for removal into the wagons. By making the floor, on to which it is
drawn, convex, it will be gradually separated as it is drawn from the oven or
kiln, and the water used in quenching will find readier access. The small of
anthracite, or of coals which will not form good coke, may be converted into
a more valuable fuel by first washing the coal, so as to remove the greater
portion of the pyrites and other impurities, and then mixing such proportions
of lime, pulverized limestone, or agillaceous matter with the wet coal as will
cause it to cohere, and after the coal has been burnt will leave a residue,
which can be used as a cement and compensate for the cost of the materials
used to produce a compact fuel. By the above process the amount of clinker
will be much reduced, and such portions as remain with the cinder can be
picked out by hand. As the composition of the ashes of every species of coal is
different, experiment in each case will alone determine the amount of lime to be

page_text: used. The admixture may be conveniently made in a pugmill, and the fuel may
be cut off in short cylinders as it issues from the bottom of the mill. It should
be allowed to dry and set before being used.
When it is desired to mix two
minerals together, as, for instance, two coals of different qualities, to facilitate
the coking process, or, to mix the fine dust coal with the washed coal, from
which it had previously been separated by a current of air, this may be
effected by allowing the endless band bringing one of the minerals to discharge
its contents on to the endless band conveying the other, or one may discharge
over and simultaneously with the other endless band, as represented in
Figure 11, Sheet I., so that the minerals mix in falling.
Figures 12 and 13, Sheet I., represent, in elevation and plan, a convenient
method of mixing three minerals by endless bands moving in different
directions, and which is applicable amongst other purposes to feeding blast
furnaces with the three ingredients of coal or coke, iron ore, and flux. At
present the custom generally is to cast at intervals large quantities of each of
these separately into the blast furnace, and consequently their particles do not
become intimately mixed to the extent necessary to give rise to the desired
chemical changes until the ingredients have descended low into the furnace.
Not only is much of the coal or coke burnt away and wasted, but great
irregularity and uncertainty are introduced into the working of the furnace
and its results, which would be obviated by supplying the minerals uniformly
mixed and in a continuous stream. The three ingredients, coal, iron ore, and
limestone, are supplied by separate endless bands A1, A2, A3, and deposited at
one point B into an endless chain of boxes C, which conveys the mixed
materials up to the top of the blast furnace.
The quantity of each mineral taken up by the endless bands is regulated by
adjusting the guages D, D, of the shoots or hoppers E, E. The endless chain
of boxes, which may be conveniently formed by making the latter of sheet iron
and rivetting them to bands of hoop iron, has motion communicated to it
through the shaft F, a worm on which works into the pinion G. As the
chain Hand stud wheels J communicate motion to the three endless bands, an
uniform supply of the minerals can be obtained through their respective
guages, which will obviate the necessity of weighing them, as is commonly
done.
Figure 14, Sheet I., represents a plan, and Figure 15 the section through
A, B, of part of two endless bands C and D worked conjointly, lapping partly
one over the other, and separating at any given point, as, for instance, the
hatchway of a ship, so as to convey and deposit along the hold of a vessel in
both directions coal or other minerals to be deposited there. The bands are

page_text: deflected by passing inside and along guides E, E, and on separating at the
point F', deposit a portion of the mineral which they have conveyed, whilst the
rest is carried onward to other points where it may have to be discharged.
Apparatus has already been described for raising minerals when the angle of
ascent is less than the slipping angle of the mineral. When the angle is
greater, and the height to which it has to be raised is considerable, an apparatus
similar to that shown in plan, Figure 16, and in section, Figure 17, Sheet II.,
may be economically applied for raising large quantities in a short time. It
consists of a chain of sheet-iron boxes A, A, attached to or suspended on
chains B, B. The two prismatic or stud wheels C,C, which propel the chains,
receive motion through the driving wheel D, and, as well as the other wheels
E', E², E³, E4, E5, produce the required flexure of the chains. The chains are
tightened by screws F, F, at the lower extremities. The mineral is filled into
the boxes by tipping, by endless bands or by other means, whilst the boxes are
travelling at the portion G, which may be partially encased to facilitate this
object. As the chains begin to turn on the wheels E³, an endless band H, H,
working round the rollers J, J, is pressed against the top surface of each box,
thereby closing it and preventing the mineral from falling out. The endless
band is pressed in the same manner by the rollers K, K, the chains resting
against the small wheels L, L. Additional rollers or guides, uot shewn in the
Drawing, may be introduced between the rollers K, K, K, and J. The
mineral being thus raised is deposited at the point M into the wagons or other
receptacle prepared for it. To facilitate the propelling of the endless chains,
the prismatic wheels C and E are worked together by the stud chain N. The
endless band H, H, is tightened by raising the upper roller by means of the
screws O, O. In cases where it is desirable to fill the boxes A, A, at different
points distant from the elevating apparatus, they may be made to hook readily
on to the cross bars of the chain, or the portions of the chain itself with the
boxes may be made to detach and attach readily. In these cases the boxes
may be conveyed on endless bands to the point G, so as to be attached to the
chain, which travels forward at a slow speed. In lieu of raising minerals, the
apparatus may be made to lower them by filling the boxes above the portion
M and allowing them to discharge below the point G. Where the quantity
of materials to be raised or lowered is not large, endless bands may be em-
ployed in lieu of boxes for raising or lowering, forming together a travelling
sack or conduit, which prevents the materials from slipping, and at the same
time avoids friction. If the material is previously wetted it will be more
readily retained by the pressure against the sides of the sack.
To avoid some of the breakage of coal, which takes place on an ordinary

page_text: screen, and also to save height when the coal has to descend into wagons,
I make use of a screen represented in elevation in Figure 18, and in plan in
Figure 19. Sheet I., which consists of bars A and B set in different planes.
The screen turns on a pivot C, and is retained in its position by the counter-
balance D and the break E. When some coal has accumulated on the screen,
the break is relaxed, and the weight of the coal brings the screen gradually
into the position shewn by the dotted liues F, F, the coal being at the same
time allowed to slide slowly into the wagon; the counterbalance weight D
brings the screen back to its original position. If the upper half of the screen
be made rather longer and heavier than the lower half, the counterbalance
weight D may be dispensed with. A similar screen to the above, but in
which the planes are more nearly or quite in the same line, may be employed
for charging the large coal gradually on to an endless band, and if the
spaces between the bars are closed, it will form a shoot a ljustable to the
slipping angle of the material to be charged or discharged. If it is not con-
venient to allow an endless band to discharge itself uniformly, the materi il
may be allowed to accumulate on such a tipping frame and be discharged
at intervals.
In the majority of coal mines portions of the shale, fire clay, or stone, inter-
stratified with the coal itself, or forming the roof or floor of the mine become
intermixed with the small coal, decreasing its value for the market, and in-
creasing the weight to be extracted from the nine. In metalliferous mines
much earthy and refuse matter is mixed with the finer portions of the ore. In
such cases may be applied the apparatus shown partly in section in Figure 20,
and in plan in Figure 21, Sheet II.
A is the vessel in which the separation of the coal or ore from the impurities
is effected. The mineral arriving by an endless band, or a shoot, or other
suitable means into the tube B, is forced or screwed forward by the sloping
blade or blades Cinto the separator A; at the same time, and assisting in the
progress of the mineral, a current or currents of water act upwards from the
pipe D on the mass in the separator. The water may be conveniently supplied
from a drawing pump E, which, when employed underground for the
additional object of draining the mine; may be either iu a vertical or inclined
position. In the latter case, when raising or forcing the water up the long
ascending slopes of a mine, the piston may be conveniently raised by means of
a wire rope F and the crank G. The reaction of the piston is produced by
the elastic cords or springs H. When the rope is of considerable length, it
should be made, either by bending the head of the piston rod or deflecting the
pipes, to rest or work in contact with the inside of the pipe; the rope will

page_text: thus be prevented from becoming curved or slacked, so as to diminish or affect
the length of the stroke of the piston. The rope working in water will require
no carrying rollers to reduce the friction, nor any other support than it receives
from the side of the pipes. The same arrangement may be applied to a
plunger pump. By each successive impulse of the water, the mass of mineral
in the separator is raised, and then allowed partially to subside as the water
comes to a state of rest. The particles of greater specific gravity will tend to
ascend less and to descend quicker than those of less specific gravity; the
former will therefore gradually collect in the bottom of the separator, and may
be drawn off from time to time by a valve, or by the flexible tube or hose J.
The separator A being much wider at the top than the hottom, the lighter part
of the mineral raised by the action of the water is partially supported by the
shape of the vessel, and, aided by the supply of mineral from the screw or
blades C, the mineral is gradually pushed over the edge of the top of the
separator on to a shoot, which may be placed in the position indicated by
dotted lines K, K, ou the Figure 21. When the separator is of considerable
diameter, and it is desired to obtain an uniform discharge of the minerals over
the edge, one or more revolvingarms or blades may be applied in the separator
The
to raise or sweep the lighter mineral over the edge on to the shoot.
water itself for the most part passes off at a lower level L, L, through fine
perforations, which filter it partially before it escapes along the trough M.
When fine scales of pyrites or other mineral which it is wished to separate are
present in the water, cloth or other material presenting a fibrous surface may
be laid at the bottom of the trough to arrest or entangle the fine laminated
particles or scales as they pass along with the water; the water may then by
being kept in constant agitation, be pumped up together with the fine particles
of minerals which it contains, or the water after leaving M may be allowed to
filter through a bed of coke, or to pass into a tank, and there deposit the
matters suspended in it. When it is desirable first to separate from these fine
particles those of greater specific gravity, the water may be made to pass
through the aperture N in the trough M, and to flow down the surface of O
which forms part of the frustrum of a cone. The water is thus spread out into
a thin sheet before coming on to the revolving plate or shallow basin P; on
this plate will be deposited the particles of greater specific gravity, which will
The
be scraped or swept off as the plate revolves by the fixed blade Q.
bottom of the basin may be grooved or channelled to impede the flowing off of
the particles of greater specific gravity, and they may, in lieu of being removed
by the scraper Q, be allowed to escape or discharge themselves through the
bottom of the basin or plate by providing it with apertures regulated by

page_text: sliding valves to the degree of opening required in each case. The lighter
portions of the mineral flow off with the water into the trough R and the
pipe S to some appropriate place of deposit. Motion may be communicated
to the whole apparatus through the wheels T, U, U2, and the pullies
W¹, W².
The cinders or slags from iron and other furnaces frequently contain a con-
siderable percentage of metal unequally distributed through them, the richer
portion of which may be separated and again utilized. For this purpose the
cinders are crushed by a steam hammer, between rollers, or in some other
suitable manner, and the particles are submitted to the action of an ascending
current or currents of water, as in the apparatus last described. Differing
from mineral ores in that the particles will present (from the unequal dis-
tribution of the metal) every gradation of specific gravity from the heaviest
to the lightest, it must be determined by analysis and experiment what pro-
portion of the whole it will be worth while to separate, and only this propor-
tion should be drawn off through the bottom of the separator.
The impurities or inferior portion may be separated from the coke of non-
bituminous coals by a similar operation, assisted in some cases by a partial
crushing.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that what I claim
is,-
First, the simultaneous raising and lowering of minerals or coke by one
and the same endless band, as herein-before described in reference to Figures
1 and 2.
Second, the application of a travelling sack or conduit, or of an upper
endless band or cover, to regulate the descent of minerals and coke or to con-
fine them during their ascent, as herein-before described in reference to
Figures 1 and 2, 6 and 7, and 16 and 17.
Third, the application of a suitable form of endless band and frame to the
depositing of minerals in a coke oven, as herein-before described in reference
to Figures 9 and 10.
Fourth, the application of one or more endless bands similarlyarranged and
constructed to mix coke, or coal, or other minerals, or to mix liquids with the
same, as herein-before described in reference to Figures 9, 10, 11, 12,
and 13.
Fifth, the lateral deflection of endless bands or chains of buckets by means
ofrollers, guides, and wheels, as herein-before described in reference to Figures
3, 4, 5, 14, and 15.

page_text: Sixth, the forcing or supplying of the minerals, coke, or furnace cinder into
a water separating machine by means of a screw or one or more revolving
blades, as herein-before described in reference to Figures 20 and 21
Seventh, the application of elastic cords to produce the reaction of the piston
of a slope or slant pump, worked by a rope, as herein-before described in
reference to Figures 20 and 21.
Eighth,constructing a sieve, or screen, or a shoot in two planes, forming an
angle with each other, and turning upon a centre, and governed by a brake,
as herein-before described, and shewn in Figures 18 and 19.
Ninth, constructing machinery for washing and separating minerals with a
screw for driving in the minerals and a flexible hose for discharging the
portion of greater specific gravity, as herein-before described in reference to
Figures 20 and 21.
Tenth, the arrangements of endless bands, and means of supporting the.
same, herein-before described in reference to Figures 1 and 2, 6, 7, and 8.
Eleventh, the machinery for raising and mixing minerals and other sub-
stances, herein-before described in reference to Figures 12 and 13, and the
application of the same to conveying charges of minerals to smelting
furnaces.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert Mackworth, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
HERBERI MACKWORTH. (S.)