A CERTAIN COMPOSITION AND PREPA- RATION TO PROMOTE THE IGNITION AND COMBUSTION OF COKE, COAL, AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE SUBSTANCES IN STOVES, FURNACES, AND GRATES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Rothwell, of Park Hill, Bolton, in the County
of Lancaster, for the Invention of." A CERTAIN COMPOSITION AND PREPA-
RATION TO PROMOTE THE IGNITION AND COMBUSTION OF COKE, COAL, AND OTHER
COMBUSTIBLE SUBSTANCES IN STOVES, FURNACES, AND GRATES."
Sealed the 27th March 1857, and dated the 27th September 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Rothwell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th September 1856.
I, JOHN ROTHWELL, of Park Hill, Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "A CERTAIN COMPOSITION
AND PREPARATION TO PROMOTE THE IGNITION AND COMBUSTION OF COKE, COAL, AND
OTHER CONBUSTIBLE SUBSTANCES IN STOVES, FURNACES, AND GRATES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists in combining into a mixture, composition, or prepa-
ration for the above purpose the following ingredients, matters, or substances,
namely, rosin, sawdust, and gas tar, which are to be mixed and incorporated
together in the following manner, that is to say:-Into an iron vessel
sufficiently large to contain one batch of the composition, say, four pounds of
rosin, half a pound of gas tar, and as much sawdust as will make, when mixed
with the before-mentioned ingredients when moulded into the desired shape
and cooled, a firm substance or fire-lighter. The precise quantity of each of

page_text: the above-mentioned ingredients will depend on and must be governed by the
nature, description, and dampness of the sawdust employed. The rosin is
employed for its combustible properties, the sawdust as the medium of appli-
cation for distributing the rosin over a comparatively large surface, and the
tar is employed for its adhesive and coloring properties. To manufacture the
fire-lighters, proceed as follows:-Take two frames; say, each two feet long by
one foot broad, open at top and bottom; into one of these frames are fixed a
series of round, oval, or square shaped boxes or compartments, also open at
top and bottom, and of any desired size. The composition whilst in a semi-
fluid state is poured into the frame containing the boxes, the composition
is then subjected to pressure, and when partially cooled is pushed out of the
aforesaid boxes, and when set or solidified, the packages thus formed are fit
for use. If it is desired to have a hole through the middle of the fire-lighter,
the same may be effected by arranging pegs in the bench on which the frames
are placed whilst pouring and pressing the composition, each peg being so
placed as to come in the middle of each of the fire-lighters, thus forming an
air channel to assist combustion of the fire-lighter.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Rothwell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th March 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
ROTHWELL, of Park Hill, Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victorià, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing-date the Twenty-seventh day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for 'Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said John Rothwell, Her special licence that I, the said John Rothwell, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Rothwell, 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 "A CERTAIN COMPOSITION AND
PREPARATION TO PROMOTE THE IGNITION AND COMBUSTION OF COKE, COAL, AND OTHER
COMBUSTIBLE SUBSTANCES IN STOVES, FURNACES, AND GRATES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Rothwell, my. executors or adminis

page_text: trators, 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 Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Rothwell, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, that is to say:-.
My Invention consists in combining into a mixture, composition, or prepara;
tion for the above purpose the following ingredients, matters, or substances,
namely, rosin, sawdust, and gas tar, which are to be mixed and incorporated
together in the following manner, that is to say: Into an iron vessel
sufficiently large to contain one batch of the aforesaid composition I place about
four pounds of rosin, half a pound of gas tar, and as much sawdust as will
make (when mixed with the before-mentioned ingredients and moulded into
the desired shape and cooled) a firm substance adapted for promoting the
ignition and combustion of coke, coal, and other combustible substances, con-
stituting in fact a fire-lighter. I would here remark that the precise quantity
of each of the above-mentioned ingredients will depend on and must be
governed by the nature, description, and degree of dampness of the sawdust
employed. For example, supposing the sawdust to be dry or comparatively
so, I then use about three pounds of the rosin and half a pound of gas tar,
and I increase the quantity of these ingredients as the sawdust increases in
dampness. I employ the rosin for its combustible properties, the sawdust as
the medium of application for distributing the rosin over a comparatively large
surface, and I employ the tar for its adhesive and coloring properties.
I now proceed to describe the mode practised by me, and which I have
found answer well, for manufacturing the above-mentioned ingredients into
blocks of suitable size and shape, as follows:-
MODE OF MANUFACTURE.
I employ two frames or moulds of wood or metal, each about two feet long
by one foot broad, open at top and bottom, and fitting upon each other. Into
one of these frames or moulds I fix a series of round, oval, square, or other
shaped boxes or compartments, also open at top and bottom, and formed of
any desired size, whilst the other and uppermost frame has no compartments
therein. Into the said frames or moulds I pour the aforesaid composition or
prepartion whilst it is in a semi-fluid state, having first thoroughly mixed and

page_text: incorporated together the ingredients of which it is composed in any suitable
manner. In this state I subject the composition to mechanical pressure, and
when partially cooled I push it out of the aforesaid boxes or compartments by
any suitable means, and the packages thus formed are then fit for commercial
If it is desired to have a hole or air channel throught the middle of
the said packages, so as to assist combustion of the same when set fire to, the
same may be effected by arranging pegs in the berich on which the frames
or moulds are placed whilst pouring and pressing the composition thereinto,
taking care to so place and fix each peg as that it comes in the middle of
each package.
Having now fully described and set forth the nature and object of my said
Invention, together with the best means I am acquainted with for carrying
the same into practical effect, I would remark, in conclusion, that what I claim
as my Invention, intended to be secured to me by the above in part récited
Letters Patent, is, the combining of rosin, sawdust, and gas tar into a compo-
sition or preparation adapted for promoting the ignition and combustion of
coke, coal, and other combustible substances in stoves, furnaces, and grates,
as above stated.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Rothwell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
.L. SOUTHGATE,
Park Hill, Little Bolton.
JOHN ROTHWELL. (L.S.)