Improvements in and in Apparatus for Removing Pitch from Paving Stones and Paving Blocks and other similar Purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1900-Accepted, 31st Mar., 1900
Improvements in and in Apparatus for Removing Pitch from Paving
Stones and Paving Blocks and other similar Purposes.
I, ROBERT WHITFIELD, of 100, Stamford Street, Old Trafford, in the County
of Lancaster, Joiner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
:―
My invention consists in improvements in and in apparatus for removing pitch
from paving stones and paving blocks and other similar purposes such for
instance as recovering pitch from pitch-concrete.
The principal object of my invention is to enable pitch to be removed from
paving stones and paving blocks which have been removed from pavements for
relaying or other purposes, more easily and efficiently and more quickly than by
the methods hitherto used.
A further object of my invention is to enable pitch which has been applied to
paving stones and paving blocks to be in great part recovered and used again
when such paving stones and paving blocks are removed from pavements for
relaying or other purposes.
A third object of my invention is to enable pitch which has been used as
binding material in pitch-concrete or other similar material to be in some
measure recovered for further use when such concrete or other similar material
is broken up for any purpose.
According to my invention I subject the paving stones or paving blocks or
other materials from which pitch is to be removed to the action of heat by
placing them in or causing them to pass through a chamber heated in any suit-
able manner so that the pitch upon such paving stones, paving blocks or other
materials shall be melted and caused to flow from such paving stones, paving
blocks or other materials.
The apparatus to be employed in accordance with my invention will vary in
construction and arrangement in different cases according as it is intended to
be portable or movable or always employed in one situation or according to the
quantities of material which it may be requisite to operate upon or according as
only paving stones or paving blocks or only other materials such for instance as
pitch-concrete or paving stones and paving blocks and pitch concrete or other
similar materials as well, are to be operated upon and therefore I shall only
describe some forms of apparatus provided according to my invention by way of
illustration.
In one form of apparatus provided according to my invention I provide a cham-
ber arranged to be heated by means of a fire or fires in or upon a suitable grate or
fire-place or grates or fire-places and provided with a flue or flues to conduct the
heated air and products of combustion from the said fire or fires to a suitable
chimney or funnel and beneath or around or over the said chamber in any
manner which may be considered desirable in the construction of the apparatus,
so that such chamber shall be heated in the manner requisite. If it be con-

page_text: sidered desirable the heated air and products of combustion from the said fire or
fires may be caused to pass through the said chamber on the way to the said
chimney or funnel with or without being caused to pass beneath or around or
over the said chamber. I may arrange the said chamber either so that the
paving stones or paving blocks or other materials to be operated upon may be
simply placed in such chamber either on the bottom of such chamber or on a
fixed or movable tray, grating or shelf or on fixed or movable trays, gratings or
shelves and raked or otherwise withdrawn therefrom when the pitch has been
melted from such paving stones, paving blocks or other materials to the extent
requisite or desirable or so that the paving stones, paving blocks or other
materials to be operated upon may be placed upon a tray or grating or trays or
gratings adapted to be placed in such chamber with the paving stones, paving
blocks or other materials thereon and withdrawn from such chamber when the
pitch has been melted from such paving-stones, paving blocks or other materials
to the extent necessary or desirable. I may provide the said chamber or if such
there be the tray, grating or shelf or trays, gratings or shelves fixed therein or
adapted to be placed therein with any suitable means by which the paving
stones, paving blocks or other materials being operated upon may be moved or
turned by means of a handle or treadle or any suitable motor as may be con-
sidered desirable in the construction of the apparatus. I so arrange the bottom
and, if such there be, the tray, grating or shelf or trays, gratings or shelves
fixed or adapted to be placed therein that the pitch melted off the paving
stones, paving blocks or other materials operated upon shall be guided to any
suitable part or parts of the said chamber and allowed to flow from such chamber
through an outlet or outlets which may he open either continuously or inter-
mittently as may be considered preferable in the construction of the apparatus.
If it be necessary or desirable in any case I make any suitable provision to per-
mit or facilitate the removal from the said chamber of stones or other matters
which may be deposited therein or thereon by the pitch melted from the paving
stones, paving blocks or other materials operated upon.
In another form of apparatus provided according to my invention I provide a
chamber beneath or around or beneath and around which are arranged suitable
flues leading from a grate or fire-place or grates or fire-places arranged beneath
or at one end or side or at two or more parts of such chamber and to a chimney
or funnel. In the said chamber is arranged an endless chain or apron or con-
veyor of any suitable kind which is arranged to receive motion by any suitable
means from a handle or treadle or a steam-engine or other motor of any suit-
able kind. The movement of the said chain, apron or conveyor may be arranged
to be continuous during the working of the apparatus or intermittent as may
be considered preferable in any case. The said chain, apron or conveyor is
arranged in conjunction with suitable openings which are provided in the said
chamber so that paving stones, paving blocks or other materials placed upon the
said chain, apron or conveyor at one part will be carried thereby through the
said chamber and subjected to heat so that the pitch thereon being melted will flow
through or from the said chain, apron or conveyor into the lower part of the
said chamber which is formed so that pitch falling therein will be kept heated
and guided to an outlet which may be always open or may be provided with a
cock or valve so that pitch may only be allowed to flow therefrom from time to
time. Any suitable provision may be made to permit or facilitate the removal
from the said chamber of stones or other matters which may be deposited therein
by the pitch melted from the paving stones, paving blocks or other materials
operated upon. Doors, flaps or valves of any suitable kind are if necessary or
desirable in any case arranged in conjunction with the chain, apron or conveyor
aforesaid to permit the said chain, apron or conveyor to move and to prevent
as far as possible heated air from escaping from the said chamber.
any case
in which it may be preferable to so arrange the apparatus the heated air and
products of conibustion from the fuel employed may be caused to pass through
In

page_text: the chamber through which the paving stones, paving blocks or other materials
being operated upon are caused to pass.
In any case in which it may be desirable I provide any suitable means by
which the paving stones, paving blocks or other materials upon the chain, apron
or band aforesaid may be turned or moved thereon.
An apparatus provided according to my invention may be connected to or
combined with a boiler or heater for boiling or heating pitch in the ordinary
way for application to paving stones or paving blocks or other similar purposes
and in any such case if it be considered desirable the fire or fires used to boil or
heat pitch in the said boiler or heater may be made to serve for the melting of
pitch from paving stones, paving blocks or other materials according to my
invention.
"
33
In the preceding description of my invention I use the word pitch' as
including pitch and tar and other analogous materials which are applied in a
heated state to paving stones and paving blocks and in pitch-concrete and other
similar materials.
HOWARD CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.
Improvements in and in Apparatus for Removing Pitch from Paving
Stones and Paving Blocks and other similar Purposes.
I, ROBERT WHITFIELD, of 100, Stamford Street, Old Trafford, in the County
of Lancaster, Joiner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement: --
My invention consists in improvements in and in apparatus for removing pitch
from paving stones and paving blocks and other similar purposes such for
instance as recovering pitch from pitch-concrete.
The principal object of my invention is to enable pitch to be removed from
paving stones and paving-blocks which have been removed from pavements for
relaying or other purposes, more easily and efficiently and more quickly than by
the methods hitherto used.
A further object of my invention is to enable pitch which has been applied to
paving stones and paving-blocks to be in great part recovered and used again
when such paving-stones and paving-blocks are removed from pavements for
relaying and other purposes.
A third object of my invention is to enable pitch which has been used as
binding material in pitch-concrete or other similar material to be in some
measure recovered for further use when such concrete or other similar material
is broken up for any purpose.
According to my invention I subject the paving stones or paving-blocks or
other materials from which pitch is to be removed to the action of heat by
placing them in or causing them to pass through a chamber heated in any suit-
able manner so that the pitch upon such paving-stones, paving blocks or other
materials shall be melted and caused to flow from such paving stones, paving
blocks or other materials.
The apparatus to be employed in accordance with my invention will vary in
construction and arrangement in different cases according as it is intended to
be portable or movable or always employed in one situation or according to the

page_text: quantities of material which it may be requisite to operate upon or according as
only paving stones or paving blocks or only other materials such for instance as
pitch-concrete or paving-stones and paving-blocks and pitch-concrete or other
similar materials as well, are to be operated upon and therefore I shall only
describe some forms of apparatus provided according to my invention by way of
illustration.
In one form of apparatus provided according to my invention I provide a cham-
ber arranged to be heated by means of a fire or fires in or upon a suitable grate or
fire-place or grates or fire-places and provided with a flue or flues to conduct the
heated air and products of combustion from the said fire or fires to a suitable
chimney or funnel and beneath or around or over the said chamber in any
manner which may be considered desirable in the construction of the apparatus,
so that such chamber shall be heated in the manner requisite. If it be con-
sidered desirable the heated air and products of combustion from the said fire or
fires may be caused to pass through the said chamber on the way to the said
chimney or funnel with or without being caused to pass beneath or around or
over the said chamber. I may arrange the said chamber either so that the
paving-stones or paving-blocks or other materials to be operated upon may be
simply placed in such chamber either on the bottom of such chamber or on a
fixed or movable tray, grating or shelf or on fixed or movable trays, gratings or
shelves and raked or otherwise withdrawn therefrom when the pitch has been
melted from such paving-stones, paving blocks or other materials to the extent
requisite or desirable or so that the paving-stones, paving blocks or other
materials to be operated upon may be placed upon a tray or grating or trays or
gratings adapted to be placed in such chamber with the paving-stones, paving
blocks or other materials thereon and withdrawn from such chamber when the
pitch has been melted from such paving-stones, paving blocks or other materials
to the extent necessary or desirable. I may provide the said chamber or if such
there be the tray, grating or shelf or trays, gratings or shelves fixed therein or
adapted to be placed therein with any suitable means by which the paving
stones, paving-blocks or other materials being operated upon may be moved or
turned by means of a handle or treadle or any suitable motor as may be con-
sidered desirable in the construction of the apparatus. I so arrange the bottom
and, if such there be, the tray, grating or shelf or trays, gratings or shelves
fixed or adapted to be placed therein that the pitch melted off the paving-
stones, paving-blocks or other materials operated upon shall be guided to any
suitable part or parts of the said chamber and allowed to flow from such chamber
through an outlet or outlets which may be open either continuously or inter-
mittently as may be considered preferable in the construction of the apparatus.
If it be necessary or desirable in any case I make any suitable provision to per-
mit or facilitate the removal from the said chamber of stones or other matters
which may be deposited therein or thereon by the pitch melted from the paving
stones, paving blocks or other materials operated upon.
In another form of apparatus provided according to my invention I provide a
chamber beneath or around or beneath and around which are arranged suitable
flues leading from a grate or fire-place or grates or fire-places arranged beneath
or at one end or side or at two or more parts of such chamber and to a chimney
or funnel.
In the said chamber is arranged an endless chain or apron or con-
veyor of any suitable kind which is arranged to receive motion by any suitable
means from a handle or treadle or a steam-engine or other motor of any suit-
able kind. The movement of the said chain, apron or conveyor may be arranged
to be continuous during the working of the apparatus or intermittent as may
be considered preferable in any case. The said chain, apron or conveyor is
arranged in conjunction with suitable openings which are provided in the said
chamber so that the paving stones, paving-blocks or other materials placed upon
the said chain, apron or conveyor at one part will be carried thereby through the
said chamber and subjected to heat so that the pitch thereon being melted will
flow through or from the said chain, apron or conveyor into the lower part of the

page_text: said chamber which is formed so that pitch falling therein will be kept heated
and guided to an outlet which may be always open or may be provided with a
cock or valve so that pitch may only be allowed to flow therefrom from time to
time. Any suitable provision may be made to permit or facilitate the removal
from the said chamber of stones or other matters which may be deposited therein
by the pitch melted from the paving stones, paving blocks or other materials
operated upon. Doors, flaps or valves of any suitable kind are if necessary or
desirable in any case arranged in conjunction with the chain, apron or conveyor
aforesaid to permit the said chain, apron or conveyor to move and to prevent
as far as possible heated air from escaping from the said chamber. In any case
in which it may be preferable to so arrange the apparatus the heated air and
products of combustion from the fuel employed may be caused to pass through
the chamber through which the paving-stones, paving blocks or other materials
being operated upon are caused to pass.
In any case in which it may be desirable I provide any suitable means by
which the paving-stones, paving-blocks or other materials upon the chain, apron
or band aforesaid may be turned or moved thereon.
One form of apparatus made according to my invention is illustrated in the
accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus for
removing pitch from paving stones by the application of heat thereto some parts
being indicated diagrammatically for convenience of illustration. Fig. 2 is a
plan of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a side
elevation and a plan upon a larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2 of a portion of the
conveyor or carrier for paving-stones which is employed in the apparatus illus
trated in Figs. 1 and 2. The same letters of reference are employed to indicate
corresponding parts in all the said figures.
The body of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is a structure formed
of metal plates rivetted or otherwise secured together. In the lower part of the
said structure is arranged a fire-box a the fire-bars of which rest on the plate b
forming the bottom of the said structure. The said fire-box is lined on its
sides, back and top with fire-brick or other suitable material e to protect the
metal plates surrounding the fire-box a from injury. The fire-box a is pro-
vided with a door d covered on the interior with fire-brick or other suitable
material so that the metal portion of such door d may be protected from injury.
Through one side of the fire-box a and the lining of fire-brick or other material c
applied thereto are formed holes e for the passage of heated gases and products
of combustion from the fire in the fire-box a. The said holes e communicate
with a cavity f forming the lower part of the interior of the body of the appa-
ratus which cavity f is made to communicate by openings g with two lateral
channels formed in the upper part of the body of the apparatus and made to
communicate by holes i with the central cavity formed in the upper part of
the body of the apparatus. The central cavity forms the chamber in which
the paving-stones to be freed from pitch are subjected to heat in order that the
pitch may be removed therefrom. The fire-box a is also made to communicate
by means of openings m with the lateral channels h. The openings g and m
are formed in the plate 13 separating the upper part of the interior of the body
of the apparatus from the lower part thereof. Over each of the openings mis
placed a fire-brick plate or damper perforated with holes of such size that the
heated gases and products of combustion from the fire in the fire-box a shall
pass into the lateral channels in approximately the same volume at each end
of each of such lateral channels h. Each of the lateral channels h is closed at
one end by a plate n and at the other end each lateral channel h is closed by
means of a door arranged to be turned about its upper end so that when
necessary access to the lateral channels h may be had. On the top of the appa-
ratus is provided a chimney communicating with the chamber j. The top of
the apparatus is also provided with an opening 9 ordinarily kept closed by means
of a lid of any suitable form. Through the chamber endless chains are

page_text: made to pass. The chains pass around chain-wheels s mounted fast upon a
shaft mounted in bearings formed in the plates forming the sides of the body
of the apparatus and arranged to be turned by means of toothed-wheels wvwx
The wheels cur are mounted
arranged to be turned by means of a handle y.
so as to be capable of being turned upon studs secured to one side of the body
of the apparatus and the wheel u is mounted fast upon the shaft t. The chains r
are also made to pass around chain-wheels z mounted fast upon a shaft 2
mounted in bearings provided in brackets capable of being adjusted and
secured by bolts 4 in position to keep the chains sufficiently tight. The chains
are also made to pass around guide-rollers 5 6 mounted upon shafts carried by
brackets secured to the plates forming the sides of the body of the apparatus.
Un each
At suitable intervals rods 7 are made to extend through the chains r.
rod 7 are mounted two brackets 8 to which are secured plates so that each pair
of brackets 8 and the plates connected to it form a trough in which paving-
stones may be placed in order to be passed through the chamber j. To each
bracket 8 is connected a link 9 which is connected to a link of the chain r
adjacent to such bracket 8 so that each trough may be kept in proper position
while being passed through the chamber j. Upon the ends of the rods 7
The rollers 10 run
which project through the chains, rollers 10 are mounted.
upon the plate 13 forming the division between the cavity j and the chamber f
so as to support the troughs in their passage through the chamber j. In the
central part of the plate 13 forming the division between the chamber j and
the cavity is formed a hole 11 and a plate 12 connected to the plate 13 and to
the side-plates forming the sides of the body of the apparatus forms a chamber 17
to receive the pitch melted from the paving stones passing through the cham-
ber. In order that the heated gases and products of combustion from the fire
in the fire-box a may not escape at the ends of the chamber two doors or
flaps 14 15 are provided at each end of such chamber and provided with pivots
engaging with notches in the plates forming the sides of the chamber and
arranged so as to fall into position to close the ends of such chamber when
raised by the passage of the troughs. The distances between the troughs and
the positions of the two doors 14 15 at each end of the chamber jare so arranged
that in the passage of the troughs into and out of the chamber ; the door 14
first raised by a trough shall be allowed to fall before the door 15 is raised and
that such door 15 shall be allowed to fall before the next following trough raises
the door 14 and so that consequently there shall always be at least one door
closed at each end of the chamber j. The body of the apparatus is mounted on
wheels. One pair of wheels is mounted on an under carriage or bogie so as to be
capable of turning about a central pivot and having shafts connected to it so
that the apparatus may be moved about. The pivot about which the said under-
carriage or bogie is arranged to turn is mounted upon or arranged to turn in a
frame 16 secured to the lower part of the body of the apparatus and affording
passage to the chains and troughs and the axles of the other wheels are con-
nected to a frame secured beneath the body of the apparatus and affording pas-
sage to the chains and troughs. The chamber 17 is provided with an outlet
provided with a valve 18 so that the pitch falling therein may be run off from
time to time and in order that small stones or other bodies carried by the pitch
from the interior of the chamber may not interfere with the closing of the
valve 18 such valve is made as a pivotted plate 19 arranged to move in contact
with the end of a pipe.
In the use of the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawing a fire
is lighted in the fire-box a and a paving-stone or paving-stones kis or are
placed in the trough then nearest but outside the end A of the chamber j. Then
by the handle y being turned such trough is moved into the interior of the
chamber and another trough is brought into position to receive a paving-stone
and the second trough being charged with a paving-stone or paving-stones is
moved into the chamber ; by the turning of the handle y and so the operation

page_text: proceeds. The paving-stones in passing through the chamber are subjected to
heat and the pitch thereon melts and except for the small residue remaining as
a coating upon the stones runs into the chamber 17 from which it may be with-
drawn from time to time for further use as may be desirable. The stones which
have been passed through the chamber fall out of the troughs when the
troughs move round the chain-wheels =. The time during which a paving-stone
requires to be subjected to heat for the melting of the pitch thereon is about
four minutes, if the heat to which such stone is subjected be that of an ordinary
domestic oven.
Pitch-concrete instead of paving-stones may be placed in the troughs but if
the apparatus be intended for use with pitch-concrete altogether troughs with
the ends closed by grids or gratings would be preferable.
The opening q serves for the removal of stones and other solid matters which
can not be made to pass through the outlet 18, and the opening q also serves for
the insertion of pitch into the chamber 17 to be melted therein, so that the appa-
ratus may be used for the melting of pitch.
The removal of pitch from paving-stones is accomplished by the application
of heat much more efficiently and with much less labour and in very much less
time than by the chipping or scraping hitherto employed, especially in
warm weather, and the pitch is made available for further use. In the case of
pitch concrete the melting of the pitch greatly facilitates the use of the pitch
from pitch-concrete broken up for repairs or other purposes.
In the preceding description of my invention I use the word "pitch" as
including pitch and tar and other analogous materials which are applied in a
heated state to paving-stones and paving-blocks and in pitch-concrete and other
similar materials.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The herein before described improvement in removing pitch or similar
material from paving-stones and paving-blocks, and similar operations, which
consists in subjecting the paving-stones, paving-blocks or other materials to be
operated upon to heat by placing them in or causing them to pass through a
chamber heated so that the pitch upon such paving stones, paving blocks or other
materials shall be melted and caused to flow from such paving-stones paving-
blocks or other materials.
2. An apparatus for the removal of pitch from paving-stones and paving-
blocks and other similar purposes which consists in a chamber in which the
paving-stones, paving-blocks or other materials to be operated upon are sub-
jected to heat so that the pitch upon such paving-stones, paving-blocks or other
materials shall be melted and caused to flow from such paving-stones, paving-
blocks or other materials substantially as herein before described.
3. An apparatus for the removal of pitch from paving-stones and paving-
blocks and other similar purposes which consists essentially in a chamber heated
by means of a fire and an endless chain apron or conveyor arranged to receive
paving-stones paving-blocks or other materials and by being moved to convey them
through such chamber for the purpose and substantially in the manner herein-
before described.
PEN
P
1000
HOWARD
CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.