IMPROVEMENTS IN BAKERS AND CONFECTIONERS OVENS, AND IN FURNACES OR FIRE-PLACES CON- NECTED THEREWITH. PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER OVENS FURNACES AND STOVES
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Anthony Bernhard Baron Von Rathen, of Wells
Street, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BAKERS AND CONFECTIONERS OVENS, AND IN FURNACES OR FIRE-PLACES CON-
NECTED THEREWITH. PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE ALSO TO
OTHER OVENS FURNACES AND STOVES"
Sealed the 26th January 1855, and dated the 14th October 1854.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Anthony Bernhard Baron
Von Rathen at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition and Declaration, on the 14th October 1854, pursuant to the
9th Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ANTHONY
BERNHARD Baron VON RATHEN, of Wells Street, in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BAKERS' AND CONFECTIONERS OVENS, AND IN FURNACES OR FIRE-PLACES CONNECTED
THEREWITH, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER OVENS
FURNACES, AND STOVES," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant to me, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the
וגע

page_text: same, and have made solemn declaration that I do verily believe myself to be
the true and first Inventor thereof:
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Anthony Bernhard Baron Von Rathen,
do hereby declare that the following Complete Specification under my hand
and seal does fully describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say :-
First, my Invention consists in fitting in the interior of bakers' or con-
fectioners' ovens of the description ordinarily in usean immoveable iron plate,
extending from the roof to the bottom of the oven, so as to form a division or
channel parallel with the front wall of the oven. This fixed iron plate is
connected with a moveable screen, which I call a substitute door, to prevent
the products of combustion emanating from the furnace from escaping prema-
turely into the chimney flues. The fixed iron wall and the screen, or substitute
door, form together a passage, which I call an artificial flue, and which is
placed in such a position that the mouth or opening into it is at the opposite
side of the oven to that at which the opening of the furnace or fire place is
situated. This iron plate or division of the oven forces the heated gases to cross
and play about the oven before they can reach the mouth of theartificial flue,
and they then escape through the passage left to aspace outside the oven door,
between it and the cover, commonly called the blower, and from thence to the
chimney flues, which will be herein-after more minutely explained. These
improvements are also applicable to other similar ovens.
Second, my improvements in the furnaces or fire places of bakers' and
confectioners' ovens consist in a new arrangement, combining the old fireplace
with a new furnace, in removing the old fire grate and placing another beneath
it, in such a manner that it can be raised or lowered by machinery in con-
junction with lighting the fire at the top of the coals. To effect this part of my
Invention, I leave the present fire place with its door and opening in the oven
unaltered, but remove the fire grate from its present place, and fit an iron box
or chamber under it of about the same dimensions as the fire place above; at
the bottom of which I place another fire grate (from about 6 to 12 inches below
the level of the former fire grate), connected with machinery, by which it can
be raised by hand whenever required, and lowered again for a fresh supply of
coals. My Invention also consists in a mode of replacing the iron box by a
box or chamber formed from fire lumps and fire bricks, which can be used in
the same manner as the iron box.
This iron box, (or chamber formed from fire lumps and fire bricks,) and the
new fire grate, are supplied with coals through the door of the old fire place

page_text: till they reach some inches above the level of the oven floor, and then the fire
is lighted at the top of the fuel, and allowed to burn slowly downwards. These
arrangements, which I recommend as being superior to any other, will be
further explained hereafter. This part of my Invention includes also another
mode, which for its simplicity and cheapness (having no machinery whatever)
may be usefully applied in certain localities or circumstances. This consists
in placing simply under the old fire place, (after the removal of the former fire
grate,) another fire grate, fixed between fire lumps on both sides of it, and,
according to the dimensions of the oven, from about 4 to eight inches below the
level of the oven floor. The dimensions of the new fire grate may be equal to
those of the old one. This new fire place is furnished with a double fire door,
or otherwise protected against being much injured by the fire. The supply of
coals is introduced exactly as before described, through the fire door of the old
fire place till the coals reach above the level of the oven floor, after which the
fire is lighted on the top of the coals; the upper door is closed (the lower double
fire door remaining always closed), and the fire is left to burn slowly down-
wards. This arrangement will be also more minutely explained herein-after.
The improvements described under the second head of my Invention, in so
far as regards the moveable fire grate worked by machinery, and the mode of
lighting the fire, are also applicable to other furnaces and stoves.
Figure 1 of the Drawings annexed is a plan, in section, of a baker's oven,
with its ordinary fire place or grate between two fire lumps, as at present
constructed. This Figure also shews my artificial flue, constructed according to
the first part of my Invention, marked A, B.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the moveable part of the artificial flue, which
I call the substitute oven door; and Figure 3 is a longitudinal elevation of the
same. Figure 4 shews a plan view, in section, of the parts forming the
artificial flue; and Figure 5, a plan view of the fixed iron plate.
I will now more minutely describe those parts which constitute my Invention.
A is a plate of cast iron, reaching like an iron wall from the floor to the
arched roof of the oven, and fixed by staples or other means, so as to be parallel
with the front wall; when the front wall is curved, this plate must be curved
also to correspond with it. The length of this plate, and the distance left
from its reaching the side wall of the oven (marked X), and the distance to be
left between the iron plate and its parallel front wall, will depend upon the
dimensions of the oven and the fire grate. With this fixed iron plate is con-
nected another nioveable plate of iron, marked B, (which I call the substitute
over door;) both of these together constitute what I call the artificial flue.
The plate B is so constructed that it closes the entrance and exit to or from

page_text: the oven on all sides, fitting tightly, but not quite air-tight, and leaves only a
free passage for the gaseous and other products of combustion, which, after
passing through the artificial flue into the space left outside between the sub-
stitute oven door and the blower, escape from thence into the chimney flues, as
herein-before mentioned. The different detached Figures 2 and 3 shew how
this moveable substitute oven door can be easily fitted to and removed from the
oven by the handles on it. C(Figure 1) is the screen which the bakers call the
blower, which is fixed opposite the substitute door B; D is the present baker's
furnace, with the fire lumps on both sides. Figure 13 shews a different arrange-
ment of the fire place, which will afterwards be explained. This Figure is the
front section of a baker's oven in elevation, with a view of the artificial flue
and substitute door, marked A and B, which will still further elucidate their
construction and fitting. Figure 6 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 7 a
front elevation, partly in section, of part of a baker's oven and furnace, shewing
the machinery, fire grate, and arrangements, forming the second part of my
Invention; Figure S is a longitudinal section, partly in elevation, of the move-
able fire grate and parts in connection therewith; Figure 9 is a cross section of
the
same; and Figure 10, a front elevation; Figure 11 is a section on the line
a, a, in Figure S shewing the passage or guide in which the racks move up
and downwards; Figure 12 is a view of the handle for working the pinions and
the racks for raising or lowering the fire grate.
The following letters represent the same parts in all the Figures from
Figure 6 to 12, and also in Figures 16 to 21-E, in Figure 6, represents the
position of the old or present fire place from which the fire grate has been
removed; F is the door of the old fire place, which serves to supply the fuel
to the fire box under it, and to the new grate G, which is situated at or forms
the bottom of the fire box I. This door serves also for lighting the fire when
the fire box is filled, and for clearing out the fire grate when the fire has burnt
out. The fire bars of the new grate can be separately taken out and replaced,
and are supported by a frame H, to which the racks are fitted, which, when
worked by a winch handle and pinions, will raise or lower the fire grate with
the coals upon it, within the fire box in which they are placed, as will be
presently further explained.
The fire box I, as shewn in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, is entirely composed
of cast iron, of sufficient thickness for wear and tear; but the iron box may
be replaced by a framework and firebricks or lumps, as shewn in Figures 16,
17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, which will presently be more fully explained. J, J,
Figures 6, 7, 8, & 9, are racks attached to the bottom of the frame H,
which supports the fire grate G; and K, K, are pinions, which are mounted

page_text: on the shaft L, and gear into the racks J, J, to which they impart motion
when the handle, Figure 12, is put on the shaft and turned by hand, so that
the grate G with the coals upon it can by it be raised when required, and
lowered to be again charged with fuel.
The shaft L, on which the pinions K, K, are mounted, is supported and
turns in bearings formed in the lower part of the front and back plates of the
iron box I. The racks J, J, are guided in a channel, as shewn in Figure 11,
which is a section on the line a, a, in Figure S. Figure 12 shews the handle,
by which, when put on the shaft L, the machinery can be put in motion.
Figure 10 shews an end view of the front plate. A ratchet wheel and pawl
N, O, are provided for the purpose of retaining the grate G in any position
to which it may have been raised. P is the hot water copper, which is
common to all bakers' ovens. The other parts of the oven need not be further
described. The fire grate G is charged with fuel through the door of the old
fire place to a sufficient extent, according to the dimensions of the oven, the
fuel rising several inches above the level of the floor of the oven; the fire is
then lighted on the top of this fuel by means of fire wood or other combus-
tible matters, the fire door is closed, and the fire is allowed to burn gradually
downwards. As the fuel is consumed, the fire grate may be raised from time to
time by turning the handle, Figure 12. The fire box door being closed, no air
is admitted to the fire except through the ash pit and through the fire grate.
When the oven is sufficiently heated, the baker removes the blower C and
the substitute door B, Figure 1, and he then introduces the bread, &c.
and works the oven precisely in the usual manner. Figure 13 is a front eleva-
tion, in section, of a baker's oven,with a fixed fire grate, constructed according
to the second part of my Invention. A, B, represent an elevation of the
artificial flue, which has been herein-before mentioned; C₁ is the oven door;
F is the furnace door of the old fire place; G, the fire door of the new fire
place; and H', the door of the ash-pit, having a small door and chain L¹, to
regulate the admission of the air to the ash-pit, when the fire has burnt down
and the door H' has been closed. Figure 14 is a longitudinal section, and
Figure 15 a cross section, of the furnace with the fixed fire grate. The upper
fire door F serves, as in all the Figures herein-before described, to supply the
fire grate with coals. In this case, however, I supply the coals till they reach
to about 6 inches above the level of the oven floor into the old fire place,
introducing them in such a way that they cannot fall out at the open fire
door F, and then I light them with fire wood or otherwise, as herein-before
mentioned, after which I close the fire door F, and let the coals burn slowly
downwards. If it is observed, by opening the upper fire door F, or by means

page_text: of a sight hole with a cover formed in the fire door, for the purpose of looking
into the fire place, that the fire is not burning briskly enough, I stir it with a
poker, introduced through an opening in the lower fire door, to which is fitted
a moveable cover b, b; or I stir the coals up from the ash-pit through the
spaces between the fire bars by means of a suitable instrument. When the
coals have burned out, the cinders and ashes can be removed, andthefire grate
cleaned through the lower fire door G. The sides and back of the new fire
place are fitted with fire lumps or fire bricks, as shewn in Figures 14 and 15.
The new fire place is oblong and rectangular, and of the same dimensions as
the old one. The front corner of the bridge may, however, be removed on
the line a, a, Figure 14, to improve the draft. Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,
and 21 represent the arrangement wherein the iron box is removed, and the
fire grate is worked by machinery within an oblong quadrangular case, formed
of fire lumps or fire bricks. In this case the shaft L, Figure 18, works in
bearings, supported by the iron plates at the front and back parts, as before
described in reference to Figures 6 and 7. The two last-mentioned iron plates
in this case are held firmly together by a strong iron frame, shewn in Figures
20 and 21, which is fixed with screws to the front and back plates, as shewn
at e, e, in Figures 16, 17, and 18. The racks J, J, are guided in the same
way as before described. A cross section of the guide on the line a, a, in
Figure 18, is shewn at ff, in Figures 20 and 21.
The machinery by which the fire grate is put in motion is the same as in the
previous Figures, and has been already fully described. The manner in which
the frame of the fire grate in the absence of the fire box is sustained, so as to
be moved steadily upwards or downwards when required, is as follows:-Thisis
effected by fixing four iron guide rods to the lower part of the frame of the fire
grate, and four open guides to the strong frame, which holds the whole together.
The iron guide rods are shewn at h, h, in Figure 17; the four open guides in
which the rods run are shewn at 1, 2, in Figure 21. Figure 19 shews a cross
section of the old and new fire place with the lumps on both sides, between
which the new fire grate works. Figure 18 shews a longitudinal section of an
arrangement, similar to that in Figure 8, already explained, with this difference,
that, as before mentioned, the front and back parts are kept together by a strong
framework and screws, marked e, e, and that this frame is placed under the
lumps and brickwork of the furnace, as shown at da, d, Figure 16.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim as of my
Invention is,-
First, the introduction of an artificial flue or conductor of the gaseous

page_text: products of combustion in the interior of bakers' and confectioners' ovens (or
other similar ovens), whereby the said products are caused to cross over and
play about the interior of the oven before passing to the chimney flue, as
represented in Figures 1 to 5, and Figure 13 of the Drawings annexed, and
herein-before described.
Second, the arrangement and combination of the new furnace with the old
fire place in bakers'and confectioners' ovens; the removal of the old fire grate
and the placing another beneath in connection with machinery by which it
can be raised or lowered; the mode of supplying coals to the new furnace
through the old fire door till they reach into the old fire place; and the lighting
of the same in the old fire place at the top of the coals, so that they may burn
downwards. And I claim this arrangement or combination, whether applied
in conjunction with an iron box or chamber, or with a box or chamber com-
posed of fire lumps and fire bricks, as represented in Figure 6 to 12, and
Figures 16 to 21 of the Drawings annexed, and herein-before described.
Third, the arrangement and combination of the new furnace with the old
fire
grate
in bakers and confectioners' ovens, when fixed fire grates areplaced
beneath the old fire place (after the old fire grate has been removed from the
old fire place), and when the coals are supplied and lighted so as to burn down-
wards,as represented in Figures 13,14, and 15 of the Drawings annexed, and
herein-before described.
And, fourth, the employment in bakers' and confectioners' ovens of the mode
of lighting the fire, so that it shall burn downwards when the coals are heaped
up in the present fire place or furnace.
In witness whereof, I, the said Anthony Bernhard Baron Von Rathen,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of October,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
ANTHONY BERNHARD BARON VON RATHEN. (L.s.)