AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Beck, of Number 139, Cannon Street, in
the City of London, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, for an Invention
of "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES." A com-
munication from abroad by Alphonse Alexis Royau, of Mans (Sarthe), in the
Republic of France, Manufacturer.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Henry Beck at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th November 1880.
WILLIAM HENRY BECK, of Number 139, Cannon Street, in the City of London,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR
MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES." A cominunication from abroad by Alphonse Alexis
Royau, of Mans (Sarthe), in the Republic of France, Manufacturer.
'THE
The improvements in machinery for the manufacture of candles constitute a
novel machine, as regards the combination and co-ordinance of the essential
parts, which secure superior industrial results, and a finish and beauty of the
products which, if they are in tallow, render them quite similar to the finest wax
candles.
As compared with known apparatus, the improved machine possesses the great
advantage that any material suitable for the manufacture of wax or other candles
may be used in it, such as vegetable, mineral, or bees' wax, fat, acids, or any of the
tallows, from whatever source they may be obtained. By a special arrangement
the moulds are submitted alternately to a cooling and heating action, the former
for cooling the candles after they are cast, and the latter for heating the inoulds
to detach the candles from thein, thus obtaining frequent deliveries of finished
candles, whereby a much larger production is obtained than from existing
machines.
I will now proceed to describe the construction of the machine by the aid
of the accompanying Drawings, and will afterwards explain the working thereof.
Figure 1 of the Drawings is a front elevation of a machine with certain parts
removed to shew the interior. Figure 2 is a vertical section on line A, B, of
Figure 1, and Fig. 3 a side elevation.
The framework of the machine is composed of two cast iron side frames a, a¹,
suitably connected and braced together at top by the casting table, the axis of

page_text: movement, the covering boards, and so forth, and at bottom by the two rods a³, a³.
Externally these side-frames carry columns b, 61, serving as guides for a sort of
moveable carriage, composed of two platforms c, cl, sliding on the columns, and of a
cross bar in two pieces c³, uniting the two platforms to one another. To these
platforms are fixed the upper ends of the toothed racks d, d, which are raised or
lowered by turning the crank handle e, which turns the pinions e¹ gearing into
the spur wheels d, which take into the racks d, d. A retaining pawl f takes
into the teeth of the ratchet f¹ fixed to the pinion e', and keyed on the same shaft.
The backs of the racks are supported by the friction rollers d³.
The casting table is divided into twenty four or other suitable number of parts,
forming twenty four or other suitable number of small tables t, t, each serving for a
series of, for example, five moulds.
Each consists of a casc
Figures 1 and 2 shew the arrangement of the moulds.
or mould carrier m¹ of copper, in the middle of which is fixed by screwing or
otherwise the tin or pewter mould m. Into the space surrounding the mould cold
or hot water may be admitted at will by the pipes g and h, arranged at top and
bottom of each series of moulds; branches g¹, g, and h, h, connect these pipes with
each mould case. Partitions m, m2, placed at the upper part of the mould
carriers obstruct the hot or cold water in order to prevent it from rushing to the
weak part of the mould.
The pipes are connected by branches to a principal conduit pipe k, which
communicates by means of eight or other suitable number of pipes with an upper
tank . The admission of water from the tank into the pipes g takes place by
the novel arrangement of pipes i, fitted into the conduit pipe k, and forming, by
means of suitably arranged slits made therein, taps opposite to each inlet and outlet
pipe. A lever j enables water to be admitted into or cut off from the whole series
of moulds by a single movement. Below and on the side opposite to the inlets
from the pipes g' are tho pipes h¹, placing the mould carriers m¹ in communi-
cation with the pipe which supplies them. These pipes are connected to a
conduit pipe n, into which the cooling water is conveyed under pressure by the
pipe n'.
The mould carriers arranged as shewn in series and side by side are very close
together, in order to facilitate the cleaning and supervision. They are enclosed
between the casting table and the boards p carried by the ends of the side frames.
The front one of these boards carries the trough y. which receives the tallow and
waste from the casting table.
for
Below and resting upon the rods or stretchers a², a³, is placed the support
the bobbins r, 7, the threads from which are guided whilst unwinding by holes
formed in the upper part q¹ of the support q
After passing through the moulds the threads or wicks are attached to brackets
8, 8, bolted under the cross pieces c2 of the moveable carriage. The wicks are
fastened to the brackets 8, s, by means of a special nipper v, which pinches the
wicks by lateral checks against the sides of the brackets. These incans are simple
and expeditious.
Before describing the working of the machine, I will mention an important
improvement in the manufacture of candle wicks. These special wicks assure a
better combustion than heretofore, and are otherwise advantageous; they may be of
round, oval, or any other section, and are twisted and composed, one half of
raw American cotton, one half of white cotton, and three threads more or less
of flax.
OPERATION AND MODE OF MANUFACTURE
Supposing the carriage c, c', c², lowered to a little above the casting table, and
the 120 or other number of wicks suitably fastened to the brackets 8, 8, and
stretched in the moulds, the machine is ready for work. The casting of the stearine

page_text: conversant with the art of candle making. All the moulds being filled, the pipe n¹
is opened, and the cold water immediately circulates round the moulds; when the
material is judged to be cold enough, the moulds are emptied by the tap at the
end of the conduit pipe n. Then immediately afterwards, in order to effect a speedy
change of temperature, the lever j is moved so as to open the inlets for hot water
from the tank . This water rushes into the mould cases, and the moulds
immediately dilate, the candles are detached therefrom, and the whole 120 or other
number of candles are raised out of the moulds by turning the handle c. The
mould cases are emptied, the moulds cleaned, and a fresh casting commenced.
The form, materials, and dimensions of the constituent parts of the machine may
be varied as required.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to or may be carried into effect, I would have it understood that
what is claimed as the Invention to be secured by Letters Patent is,-
First. The improved machino hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
Drawings hereto annexed, the essential characteristic of which is the faculty of
passing into the mould carriers and around the moulds currents of cold or
hot water, whereby the cast inatter in the moulds is rapidly cooled, and the
manufactured candles detached from the moulds immediately afterwards.
Second. The arrangement of the mould cases in series and the mode of distri-
buting the hot and cold water to such series by means of the special pipes for
each mould case, and suitably arranged general conduit pipes, substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Third. The mechanism for the distribution of the hot water, that for effecting the
raising of the manufactured candles, the holding nippers for the wicks carried by
suitable brackets, and the general arrangement and construction of the machine, as
described and illustrated.
Fourth. The manufacture of wicks for candles, by combining twisted threads
of raw American and white cotton with three threads, more or less, of flax,
as herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Beck, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand night hundred and sisalute.
W. H. BECK. (L.S.)