Apparatus for Performing Chemical and Pharma ceutical Operations, also Improvements ap- plicable to Steam Boilers, Steam and Liquid Gauges, Stills, and Syphons
Year: 1852

page_text: Apparatus for Performing Chemical and Pharma-
ceutical Operations, also Improvements ap-
plicable to Steam Boilers, Steam and Liquid
Gauges, Stills, and Syphons.
LETTERS PATENT to John Ambrose Coffey, of Providence Row,
Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex, Pharmaceutical Engineer,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PERFORM-
ING VARIOUS CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL OPERATIONS, HEREBY
DENOMINATED COFFEY'S IMPROVED PATENT ESCULAPIAN APPARATUS,'
PARTS WHEREOF ARE APPLICABLE TO STEAM BOILERS, STEAM AND LIQUID
GAUGES, STILLS, AND SYPHONS."
Sealed the 28th March 1853, and dated the 1st October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Ambrose
Coffey at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 1st October 1852.
I, JOHN AMBROSE COFFEY, of Providence Row, Finsbury, in the
County of Middlesex, Pharmaceutical Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
PERFORMING VARIOUS CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL OPERATIONS, HEREBY

page_text: DENOMINATED COFFEY'S IMPROVED PATENT ESCULAPIAN APPARATUS, PARTS
WHEREOF ARE APPLICABLE TO STEAM BOILERS, STEAM & LIQUID GUAGES,
STILLS, AND SYPHONS," to be as follows, viz:-
My improvements consist in or have reference to the following,
viz.:-
1st. The furnace and boiler of the said apparatus, which is composed
of tubes with heat-circulating spaces between them, communicating
direct with the heating agent, and has a smoke box which can be sur-
rounded by the water of the boiler, the smoke or heated air being made
to pass around the side of the boiler before escaping therefrom. And
a-top of the boiler is fitted a water or sand bath, above which may
be placed the filtering and dispensing pans, having steam jackettings
supplied with steam from boiler.
2nd. In a safety steam liquid guage apparatus for indicating the
level of the water in the boiler, which apparatus I prefer to apply to
the discharge cock. This apparatus shuts off the steam immediately
upon the the breakage of the glass or transparent tube of the guage.
Attached to the boiler is a discharge duct (which may be situated close
to the discharge cock as shewn), and near this point a valve is situate
(which valve may be of any kind that will shut by the pressure
of the water coming from the boiler, when not counterbalanced by
opposed pressure). To this a glass guage tube is secured in stuffing
boxes, and at the other end of this glass guage tube is another valve,
which valve is shut by the pressure of the steam coming from the
boiler, when acting in the opposite direction to the direction aforesaid,
and not counterbalanced by an opposed pressure.
It is evident, that should the glass tube get broken, that the counter-
balancing pressure above referred to will be immediately removed, and
thereupon the iminediate-closing of the valves will ensue, preventing
any further steam or hot water rushing out to the danger of any
attendants on the engine or apparatus..
This part of the apparatus is equally well adapted for other purposes
than my Esculapian apparatus aforesaid.
3rd. In a self-acting steam stirrer for stirring. This consists of
rotating arms or wheel, working in a suitable cylinder or case, attached

page_text: to the axis of which is a cross piece, with fans, and stirrers; of lany
convenient form, and such cross piece may be raised or lowered as
occasion may require.
4th. In a self-acting high pressure feeding apparatus for supplying
hot or other water at any pressure to the boiler. This consists in having
á steam chest with conveyance for steam to top thereof, and an inlet'
for water to bottom thereof, which I prefer to obtain already heated
from the worm or condensing tub; also an outlet for the circulation
of steam, and an outlet for the water at or near the bottom of the
steam, with the view to supply the boiler with water, heated or other-
wise.
5th. In evaporating in vacuo by means of adapting an air-tight head,
and its appliances, to the pan over drying closet, and having a worm
round the condenser connected with a receiver and an oscillating or
other air pump.
.
6th. In a new or improved medicated water box, that is, a vessel in
which is introduced the matters necessary to manufacture medicated
waters, through which vessel steam is kept passing, which carrying the
essential oil away from the material passes it through the worm or
condensing tub.
7th. In an improved self-acting syphon for drawing 'off' liquids from
the chambers or vessels of my aforesaid apparatus, such syphon being
well adapted to other uses. This consists in providing the drawing-off
limb of the syphon below the curve with an opening, to which is to be
secured (airtight) an elastic or other air exhauster; and if elastic, then
by compressing same the syphon may be exhausted sufficiently to raise
the liquid over the curve, and cause the liquid to flow out; if the
exhauster be non-clastic, then by exhausting the same by heating, or ini
any convenient and known manner..
8th. An improved glass or carthenware distillating condenser or
worm, in order to avoid the action of acids, which consists of a series
of straight tubes passing through a condensing tub or vessel, then ends
of which tubes pass through orifices in the tub to the outside thereof,
and are connected together by elbow pipes situate outside the tub
properly fitted water-tight to the same..

page_text: The above iniprovements may be used in combination with cach:
other, & in one & the same apparatus of the nature illustrated in the
annoyed Drawing marked A
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the. Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Ambrose Coffey in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 1st April 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN AMBROSE COFFEY, of Providence Row, Finsbury, in the County
of Middlesex, Pharmaceutical Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Ambrose Coffey, Her special
licence that I, the said John Ambrose Coffey, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Ambrose Coffey,
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 APPARATUS FOR FERFORMING VARIOUS CHEMICAL AND
PHARMACEUTICAL OPERATIONS, HEREBY DENOMINATED COFFEY'S IMPROVED
PATENT ESCULAPIAN APPARATUS,' PARTS WHEREOF ARE APPLICABLE TO STEAM
BOILERS, STEAM AND LIQUID GAUGES, STILLS, AND SYPHONS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Ambrose Coffey, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 Patent..
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Ambrose Coffey, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same

page_text: is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof:
:
The nature of the said Invention consists in or has reference to the
following improvements upon my former Esculapian still, and con-
densing apparatus, already known and in use:-
First. The furnace and boiler of the said apparatus is composed of
heat tubes, with water-circulating spaces between them, the heat tubes
communicating direct with the source of heat, and having a smoke box
which can be surrounded by the water of the boiler, the smoke or
heated air being made to pass around the side of the boiler before
escaping therefrom. Above which may be placed improved filtering
and dispensing pans, having steam jackettings supplied with steam
from the boiler.
Second. In a safety steam and liquid gauge apparatus for indicating
the level of the water in the boiler, which apparatus I prefer to apply
to the discharge cock. This apparatus shuts off the steam.immediately
upon the breakage of the glass or transparent tube of the guage.
Attached to the boiler is a discharge duct (which may be situated
close to the discharge cock as shewn), and near this point a valve is
situated, (which valve may be of any kind that will shut by the pressure
of the water coming from the boiler, when not counterbalanced by
opposed pressure.. To this a glass gauge 'tube is secured in stuffing
boxes; and at the other end of this glass guage tube is another valve,
which valve is shut the pressure of the steam from the boiler, when
acting in the opposite direction to the direction aforesaid, and not
'counterbalanced by an opposed pressure.
It is evident, that should the glass tube get broken, that the counter-
balancing pressure above referred to will be immediately removed,
and thereupon the immediate closing of the valves will ensue, pre-
venting any further steam or hot water rushing out to the danger of
any attendants on the engine or apparatus.
This part of the apparatus is equally well adapted for other purposes
than my Esculapian apparatus.
'
Third. In a self-acting steam stirrer for stirring. This consists of
rotating arms or wheel, working in a suitable cylinder or case, attached
to the axis of which is a cross piece with fans and stirrers of
any con-

page_text: venient form; and such cross-piece may be raised or lowered as occasion
may require; the whole surrounded by a case or screen with a discharge
-pipe.
Fourth. In a self-acting high pressure feeding apparatus, for sup
plying hot or other water, at any pressure to. the boiler. This consists
in having a steam chest with conveyance for steam to top thereof, and
an inlet for water to bottom thereof (which I prefer to obtain already
heated from the worm or condensing tub); also an outlet for the air or
circulation of steam, and an outlet for the water at or near the bottom
of the steam chest, with the view to supply the boiler with water,
heated or otherwise.
.
Fifth. In evaporating in vacuo by means of adapting an air-tight
head and its appliances to the pan over drying closet, and having a
worm round the condenser connected with a receiver, and an oscillating
or other air pump.
Sixth. In a new or improved mendicated water box, that is, a vessel
in which is introduced the material necessary to manufacture mendicated
waters, through which vessel steam is kept passing, which, carrying
the essential oil away froni the material, passes it through a worm in
condensing tub.
: Seventh. In an improved self-acting syphon for drawing off liquids
from the chambers or vessels of my apparatus, such syphon- being well
adapted to other uses. This consists in providing the drawing-off' limb
of the syphon below the curve with an opening, to which is to be
secured, air-tight, an elastic or other air exhauster; and if elastic, then
by compressing and pulling out the same, the syphon may be exhausted
sufficiently to raise the liquid over the curve, and cause the liquid to
flow; if the exhauster be non-elastic, then by exhausting the same by
-heating, or in any convenient and known manner.
Eighth. An improved glass or earthenware distillating condenser or
worm, in order to resist the action of acids, &c., which consists of a
iseries of straight tubes passing through a condensing tub or vessel, the
ends of which tubes pass through orifaces in the tub connected together
by elbow pipes situated outside the tub, and properly fitted water-tight
to the same.
The whole of these improvements are combined together, and

page_text: .
VIE:% J + I0%T •vO0U༦ V!PT99T}•
adapted to my said Esculapian still and condensing apparatus aforesaid,
and form what I denominate Coffey's. Improved Patent Esculapian
Apparatus," as aforesaid.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, I now pro-
ceed further to describe in what manner the same is to be performed,
wherein I shall refer to the Drawing hereto annexed, and forming
part hereof, by the figures and letters marked thereon, and herein
referred to, that is to say:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1, is an elevation, parts being shewn cut away in order to
exhibit those parts in section. Fig. 2, vertical section of the furnace
and boiler, and steam and liquid gauge employed in this apparatus.
Fig. 3, a view of the improved syphon adapted for drawing off liquids
from the said apparatus. Fig. 4, a view of a modification thereof.
Fig. 5, a view of another modification thereof. Fig. 6, a view of
another modification thereof. Fig. 7, a view of another modification
thereof. Fig, 8, a view of another modification thereof.
Throughout the said Figures the same letters or figures of reference
are placed on the same parts, wherever they happen to appear.
As many of the parts of my said Improved Patent Esculapian
Apparatus resemble similar parts in my said former Esculapian appa-
ratus, already known and in public use, I shall confine myself to
describing the improved parts or portions thereof, viz.:
In the usual outer casing I place 'my improved furnace and boiler
aforesaid; the lower or furnace part of which is marked A, in the
Drawings (Fig. 2); in which B, denotes the heat-circulating tubes
between which are the water spaces of the boiler; 'upon the top of this
is a perforated plate C, the perforations opening to the top of the
tubes B, the solid part covering the top of the water spaces aforesaid.
To this plate (C), the tubes B, are secured in the ordinary manner
practised in constructing tubular boilers. To the top of this plate-is
bolted or fastened a dome-shaped chamber forming the smoke box,
which communicates at, with a space D.; between the outer casing
and inner casing of the boiler E, is the portion of the boiler aliove the

page_text: smoke box, and the tubular part communicating with the latter in the
ordinary manner of a tubular boiler, which space is occupied by the
water of the boiler.
The part E, it will be observed, grows narrow at the top, and at the
flange collar joining the ordinary jacketted steam pan to the same, the
pipes E, from the new filtering and dispensing pans are connected, so
as to admit steam therefrom to the jacketting of said filtering and
dispensing pans. To this boiler, at the part marked E, on one side
thereof, is attached a steam pipe F, having a stop cock G; this pipe
has a spindle valve H, working in a suitable valve seat. The spindle k
of this valve, it will be observed, passes out at the end of the pipe F,
through a suitable stuffing box. This spindle is provided with a pin
working in a slot of valve, thereby preventing friction in shutting or
opening the same. Beneath the outer end of the pipe F, is an elbow
with stuffing box, for fitting and securing the glass or other transparent
guage pipe I, thereto. The other end of this gauge pipe is secured
in a stufling box in an elbow beneath, on top of a pipe K, communi-
cating with the lower part of the boiler. This has a spindle valve and
spindle arranged as described, with regard to the upper part of the
gauge pipe. The pipe being provided, however, with a three-way
cock L, which answers to discharge boiler, or shuts off communication
with valve, the passage of which in a direct line with the spindle of
the valve leads to the bottom of the boiler, and the passage M, at
right angles beneath, being the discharge passage or discharge cock.
In Fig. 1, at N, is exhibited the vertical section of the self-acting
steam stirrer aforesaid, the outer casing thereof being denoted by N.
In this casing, at top thereof, is placed a wheel or rotating arms;
Fig. 9, being a plan thereof, and Fig, 10, plan of a modification
thereof; the upper part of the casing N, wherein the same works,
being separated from the lower part or stirring box, by a plate having
an opening with stuffing box for the spindle O, to pass through and
work in. To the axis or spindle O, which is prolonged vertically
beneath the same, is a cress piece P, from which depend the spotula
'fan stirrers working in the stirring box aforesaid.
Motion is given to this stirrer by the inlet pipe Q, bringing steam

page_text: from boiler aforesaid, to the interior of the upper part of casing N,
where it acts on the wheel fans or rotary arms in the top compart-
ment of said casing, giving rotatory motion thereto, and to the spindle
thereof, and consequently to the spotula stirrers in the stirring box,
which will stir and distribute about any matters placed within the
action thereof. The blast pipe shewn in Figs. 1, 9, and 10, at R,
proceeds from the upper compartment of said casing; and there is an
exit pipe S, for the vapours, &c. from the upper part of the stirring box..
The top compartment, in which the wheel fans or rotating arms work,,
is provided also with a condensed steam cock for drawing off any con-
densed steam therefrom.
Fig. 1, also exhibits my self-acting high pressure feeding apparatus
for supplying hot or other water to the boiler, which is effected by.
means of a pipe T, with a valve opening inwards communicating from,
the ordinary steam chamber U, to the top of the ordinary worm or
condensing tub; and from this steami chamber proceeds another pipe V,
through which the water is conveyed to the boiler; and there is another
or injection pipe W, with cock, conveying steam from the boiler on to
the top of the water in the said steam chamber, forcing the water into
the boiler from the said steam chamber; X, air cock for letting off air
from the said steam chamber...
In said Fig. 1, at Z, is shown the air-tight head or hood fitted on top
of the evaporating pan Z', over the ordinary drying closet, by which
means the evaporating in vacuuo may be carried on in the said evapor-
ating pan. The steam is introduced into the jacketting of the
evaporating pan in the ordinary mode. And the air pump XX, com-
municated by the pipe XXX, which passes to the receiver Z Z, and
thence to the ordinary tail of the worm, the other or upper end of the
worm being introduced into the evaporating or vacuum pan, whereby
the evaporation in vacuuo is effected.
In said Fig. 1, at Y, is shewn the place at which my medicated
water box before described is situate.
.
In Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, are shewn the different forms of my
improved self-acting syphon, for drawing off liquids from the pans and
chambers of my said apparatus herein-before described, (such syphons

page_text: being applicable also as syphons for general purposes as aforesaid), in
which a, denotes the syphon, tube, and a', (in Fig. 3), an clastic bag
óf indian-rubber or other suitable elastic material secured on top of a:
hollow sphere a², of metal or other suitable material communicating
with the syphon tube a. By compressing and removing the comprès-
sion from the bag a'; (the stop cock being shut), this syphon may
be operated with the stop cock at the .extremity being opened, when
the liquid in which the other end of the syphon is immersed from the
comniencement is desired to flow out.
In Fig. 4, the syphon tube a, is provided at the drawing-off end,
just above the stop cock, with a small tube passing up to the top:
of the curve of the syphon, where it communicates with a bellows-
formed elastic bag a³, which (the stop cock being shut) is to be
depressed and then clongated, when the operation of drawing off the
liquid in which the other end is immersed will be effected by opening
tlie stop cock.
Fig. 5, shews the said bellows-formed elastic bag marked a', applied
just above the stop cock without the intervention of the small tube
shewn in Fig. 4.
Fig. 6, shews a non-clastic hollow sphere A, placed below a stop
cock on the syphon tube A, with another stop cock beneath the said
sphere. This syphon is operated with by immersing the short limb in
the liquid, shutting the upper stop cock exhausting the air in the
sphere, by sucking out the air beneath the lower stop cock, and shutting
same and.opening the upper stop cock, and when the liquid has passed
over the curve, opening the lower stop cock also, and allowing the
liquid to flow out; or by shutting the upper stop cock, and opening the
lower cock, and.heating the sphere so as to rarefy the air therein, when
the lower cock' must be shut and the top one opened, till the liquid has
passed over the curve, and then upon the lower stop cock being opened
also the liquid will flow out.
Fig. 7, shews a syphon with a three-way cock, to which the elastic
or non-elastic exhauster may be applied (the non-elastic being -shewn
applied in the Drawing).
Fig. 8, shews a flexible worm syphon with cock and bellows-formed
:

page_text: exhauster attached. The tubes and cocks of these syphons may be
constructed of metal, glass, earthenware, or ceramic material, or other
suitable material.
In said Fig. 1, B, denotes the case of the glass or earthenware dis-
tillating apparatus herein-before described; the improvement therein
consisting in constructing the tubes of same of glass or earthenware
as aforesaid, which I also claim as an improvement in stills or worms
for acids generally.
Except where it is herein otherwise specified, the whole of the
various parts of this Improved Esculapian Apparatus should be made
of copper or other suitable metal.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I do not clain the
self-acting feeding apparatus, or the furnace and boiler, except as
regards the steam and liquid gauge attached thereto, or the evaporating
in vacuuo, or any of the mechanical details herein-before described,
and illustrated by the Drawings, except when combined and used as
herein-before described. But claim to maintain my special licence and
privilege to the said Invention, the nature and character whereof is
herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Ambrose Coffey, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this First day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
JOHN AMBROSE COFFEY. (L.S.)
Signed and sealed in the presence of
F. W. CAMPIN,
Patent Agent, Strand.