IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES AND IMPROVED APPA- RATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Felix Marie de Lastelle, of St. Malo, in the Department
of Ille & Vilaine and Republic of France, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES AND IMPROVED APPA-
RATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
"
ealed the 8th December 1876, and dated the 14th June 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Felix Marie de Lastello at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1876.
FELIX MARIE DE LASTELLE, of St. Malo, in the Department of Ille and Vilaine
and Republic of France, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
CANDLES AND IMPROVED APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH.”
The advantages of lighting by oil may be obtained from candles of whatever
material they may be made while preserving those appertaining to candles by
modifying these latter in the following manner :-
1°. By using thinner wicks than those hitherto used, and by arranging 2, 3, 4,
or more of such wicks symmetrically around the centre without any further
modification of the present manufacture, care being taken, however, not to place
the wicks more than about 1/5th or 1/6th of an inch apart, in order that the
flames may mingle, producing but one shadow, and that the combustion may be
more complete. The light of the candle thus made is much greater than that given
by a single wick of the same material, and the consumption of the fuel, wax, tallow,
paratline, stearic acid, or other matter used for candle making is much less than
required by the quantity of ordinary candles necessary to the production of an
equal light.
2°. When the polygon formed by the wicks is of sufficient diameter, that is to
say, when 7 or 8 wicks at the least are used, it is easy to apply to the candles
the principle of lamps with double current of air by forming in the centre of the
candle a vacant space or central conduit of about 1/5th or 1/4th of an inch in
diameter, communicating with an opening made in the support (candlestick or
socket), and surrounding the flame with a chimney similar to those of ordinary
lamps (see Figure 2 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawing).
As this glass must descend spontaneously with the progress of the combustion
it is carried upon the feet of a disc resting on the edges of the candle and joined
by cross pieces to a tube which plunges into the central opening or air conduit,
and the object of which is to prevent the melted matter from running into this
[Price Gd.]

page_text: space and filling it. To attain this result it is necessary to give to the central tube
a height of an inch or more. Further, it should be of metal in order that if its
descent should be arrested by the solidification of the combustible it may easily
become sufficiently heated to overcome this obstacle. This method of combustion, in
combination with the novel arrangement of the wicks, permits obtaining from a
candle as brilliant a light as may be desired while preserving a single luminous fire-
place or focus of light.
3°. Finally, the wick may be rendered independent of the candle, and thus a
light be obtained easily regulated according to requirement. For this purpose an
ordinary lamp wick is set on a support analogous to that which would be needed
if oil were used; but this combustible material is replaced by sticks of wax, tallow,
or other similar matter passed upon a spiral spring which keeps their upper part
always at the same elevation so as to properly feed the wick.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of a twelve-
wicked candle embodying the first part of this Invention. Figure 2 is an elevation
of same embodying the second part of this Invention; and
Figure 3 is a vertical and horizontal section of the apparatus intended to support
the chimney.
A, B, hollow cylinder occupying the centre of the candle; A, C, metal tube
entering the cylinder A, B; A, D, cross pieces joining the central tube A, C, to the
disc D, D, D¹, D¹, which rests on the edge of the candle; D, E, feet supporting the
glass tube E, E, E, E, the upper part of which is narrowed to increase the draught;
M, M, M, candlewicks.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Felix Marie de Lastelle in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th December 1876.
FELIX MARIE DE LASTELLE, of St. Malo, in the Department of Ille and Vilaine
and Republic of France, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
CANDLES AND IMPROVED APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
The advantages of lighting by oil may be obtained from candles of whatever
material they may be made while preserving those appertaining to candles by
modifying these latter in the following manner :-
1st. By using thinner wicks than those hitherto used, and by arranging 2, 3, 4,
or more of such wicks symmetrically around the centre without any further
modification of the present manufacture, care being taken, however, not to place
the wicks more than about 1/5 or 1/6th of an inch apart, in order that the flames
may mingle, producing but one shadow, and that the combustion may be more
complete.
The light of the candle thus made is much greater than that given by a
single wick of the same material, and the consumption of the fuel (wax, tallow,
paraffine, stearic acid, or other matter used for candle making) is much less than
required by the quantity of ordinary candles necessary to the production of an
equal light.
2d. When the polygon formed by the wicks is of sufficient diameter, that is to
say, when 7 or 8 wicks at the least are used, it is easy to apply to the candles the
principle of lamps with double current of air by forming in the centre of the
candle a space or central conduit of about 1/5 or 1/4 of an inch in diameter,
communicating with an opening made on the support (candlestick or socket), and
surrounding the same with a chimney similar to those of ordinary lamps (see
Fig. 2 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawing). As this glass must descend spon-
taneously with the progress of the combustion it is carried upon the feet of a disc
resting on the edges of the candle, and joined by cross pieces to a tube which
plunges into the central opening or air conduit, and the object of which is to pre-
vent the melted matter from running into this space and filling it. To attain this

page_text: result it is necessary to give to the central tube a height of an inch or more.
Further, it should be of metal in order that if its descent should be arrested by
the solidification of the combustible it may easily become sufficiently heated to
overcome this obstacle. This method of combustion, in combination with the novel
arrangement of the wicks, permits obtaining from a candle as brilliant a light
as may be desired while preserving a single luminous fire-place or focus of light.
3d. Finally, the wick may be rendered independent of the candle, and thus a
light be obtained easily regulated according to requirement. For this purpose an
ordinary lamp wick is set on a support analogous to that which would be needed
if oil were used, but this combustible material is replaced by sticks of wax, tallow,
or other similar matter passed upon a spiral spring which keeps their upper part
always at the same elevation so as to properly feed the wick.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of a candlo
embodying the first part of this Invention, and showing in dotted lines the air
conduit A, B, which may or may not be used in combination therewith. Figure 2
is an elevation of same embodying also the second part of this Invention; and
Figure 3 is a vertical and horizontal section of the apparatus intended to support
the chimney.
A, B, hollow cylinder occupying the centre of the candle and forming air conduit;
A, C, metal tube entering the cylinder A, B; A, D, cross pieces joining the central
tube A, C, to the disc D, D, D¹, D¹, which rests on the edge of the candle; D, E,
feet supporting the glass tube E, E, E, E, the upper part of which is narrowed to
increase the draught; M, M, M, candlewicks.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, what I claim as of my Invention
and secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is-
Firstly. Replacing the ordinary wick of a candle by several small wicks so
arranged as to give but a single flame, substantially as herein-before described.
Secondly. Producing, when the diameter of the candle will permit, an inner
current of air by hollowing out the centre of the combustible matter, and surround-
ing the burning wicks with a glass chimney, by means of a support of a particular
construction, substantially as herein-before described.
Thirdly. A modification of the second part of the Invention consisting in re-
placing the small isolated wicks by a circular wick independent of the illuminating
matter properly so called, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Felix Marie de Lastelle, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.