NEW ECONOMICAL CANDL
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jozé Luis, of, the British & Foreign Office for
Patents, No. 1, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, London, in the
County of Middlesex. Patent Agent, for the Invention of "NEW
ECONOMICAL CANDL A communication from Adolphe Michaut,
residing at Montpellier, in the Empire of France.
Sealed the 24th June 1859, and dated the 3rd January 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jozé Luis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd January
1859.
I, JOZE LUIS, of the British & Foreign Office for Patents, No. 1, Welbeck
Street, Cavendish Square, London, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "NEW ECONOMICAL
CANDLES," (a communication to me from Adolphe Michaut, residing at
Montpellier, in the Empire of France,) to be as follows:-
The Invention consists in the application of prepared platted or braided
wicks to tallow candles called by the Inventor "the new economical candle."
Two sorts of these candles are made, the one has two twisted wicks, and
lasts from five to six hours and a half, thus giving as much light as two candles
and a third, the same number going to the pound.
The other has but one twisted or platted wick, which does not occupy the
middle of the tallow, thus differing to all the attempts made hitherto of the

page_text: application of platted wick to tallow candles. In making the new candles
moulds of pewter or other metal are used, the opening of which differs according
to the candles, whether of one or two wicks. These wicks are prepared in the
following manner, that is to say, dipped in a preparation of baric acid, 5 parts,
water 100 parts. Great care must be taken that the wicks have no bad folds.
They are plunged in the above solution, so that they become completely
saturated, and are then left in it two hours. After this operation they are
withdrawn, and the surplus liquid squeazed out by the hand. The remaining
liquid is pressed equally over the wicks; they can then be dried either in the
open air or in a drying room.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Jozé Luis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th June 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOZE
Luis, of the British and Foreign Office for Patents, No. 1º, Welbeck St.,
Cavendish Square, London, in the County of Middlesex, (Patent Agent,)
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Third day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Jozé Luis, Her special licence that I, the said Jozé
Luis, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Jozé Luis, 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 "NEW ECONOMICAL
CANDLES," a communication from Adolphe Michaut, residing at Montpellier, in.
the Empire of France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Jozé Luis, my executors or administrators, 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Jozé Luis, do, hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
_statement and accompanying Drawings, that is to say:
The economical candles or bougies are of two sorts; one having two plaited
wicks lasting from five to six and a half hours, and gives a light equal to two
and one-third candles, (the same number going to the pound, stearine candles,
or bougies), the other has but a single plaited wick, not occupying the centre
of the grease, this makes the difference between all the proceeding attempts of
the application of twisted or plaited wicks to tallow candles. This and a few
other arrangements remove the difficulties hitherto experienced..
The following is the modus operandi :-In the manufacture of the economical
candles, tin moulds are used, the size about six to the pound, the small opening
differs according to the description of candles. For the two-wicked candles
the small hole must be large enough to receive twice the thickness of a plaited
wick of 84 threads plus the size of the wick. For the single wick the hole
must be oval, and at each extremity distant from the circumference of the
mould of an inch. In order to pass the wick, I make use of an iron needle
(used in the trade) the bent part must be very pointed and well polished. A
strong needle holds the wicks to the bottom plate. The wicks must be of 84
threads for the two-wicked candle, and 135 for the single-wick candle, and
both must be prepared by means of boric acid, five parts of boric or borique
acid to one hundred parts of water. Care must be taken that the wick bé
regular, as otherwise it would cause failure. To perform this properly an
india-rubber tube 8 inches long is used, and round it the wick is rolled. When
the bobbin thus formed has attained a certain size it is completely immersed
into the solution, it is then left for two hours, after which the liquid is well
pressed out by hand and the remainder is uniformly distributed during the
drying. The wick being unrolled is dried by exposure to the air, or in a stove;
but so arranged that it does not wrinkle. The tallow composigig these candles
must be purified as much as possible by the means generally used, the flame
being more brilliant in proportion as the fat is purer.
The candles with two wicks give the best results, if, after having fulfilled
the above conditions, care be taken to arranged the wicks in the moulds as
follows: 1st, that the wicks be equadistant from the centre of the mould,
leaving between them a space of at least of an inch; 2nd, the wicks must
not be twisted round each other, and must be quite regular. In making the
single-wicked candles, the same precautions must be taken; only one wick is
used, and this is placed at the side, distant about of an inch from the

page_text: 'centre of the mould. The same side of the wick must always be kept towards
the centre of the mould. It is in the disposition of the wicks in the moulds
that the Invention is based.
From the arrangement which I adopt in the one-wicked candle, it results,
that during the burning a little sort of cup is formed, whereas when the-wick
is in the middle, as at present, the side the wick inclines itself, the tallow melts
more rapidly, thus forming an inclined plane on which the tallow descends &
runs over the candle at the slightest shake, thus causing a great objection to
this sort of candle.
The wick placed at the side has another great advantage, viz., on moving
the candle, if care is taken that the air directs the flame the side where there
is less tallow, it may be moved about a considerable time without the candle
guttering. The two-wicked candles will also resist some time if care be taken
to direct the flame of one wick on that of the other. As the single-wicked
'candle would form a head in burning, it is necessary to remove this incon-
venience, which may be done by proceeding as follows:-
The single-wick candles as above stated, have 135 threads moderately close,
these wicks are prepared with a solution of water 100 parts, boric acid 1 to
2 parts, & acetate of lead 3 to 4 parts; the whole is left to dissolve cold, shaking
it occasionally, a few drops of nitric acid is then added to remove the milky
appearance caused by the acetate of lead. When the wick is thoroughly dry,
after being immersed in the above liquid, by exposure to the air (never by
heat), & the pleats or turns removed, the wicks can be used for the single-
wick candles.
-
Instead of the acetate of lead, a salt could be used having for basis the same
organic acid, & as decomposable as acetic acid; the proportion can then be
taken. Azotate of lead can be used with the same success, and with it there
need be no fear that the oxide would be partly reduced to a metallic state as
with the acetate of lead, nevertheless, the latter fulfills the requirements, and
it is easier to be procured.
The following is a description of the apparatus used in the manufacture of
the candles, & of a machine for giving the wicks the necessary mechanical
operation, & another to roll them regularly on the bobbins.
The machine for making the candles is composed of a framework in wood
of 4 ft. 6 inches high, & 2 ft. 6 in. wide, & of a length proportionate to the
number of moulds that the apparatus is required to have. The moulds are
placed on a table. fixed 1 ft. 2 ins. from the upper end of the framework, of
an inch in thickness, & the square surface containing six rows of moulds in
the width, the centre of each hole destined to receive a mould must be

page_text: 4ins: from each other, & those near the edge of the table must be at.
least 4 ins. from it. The apparatus represented by Fig. 1 has 48 moulds.
The bars A, D, A, B, are 36 to 38 ins. long, & about 1 and 3 of an inch
square; the bars x, x¹, are 28 to 30 ins. long, & 1 & of an inch square;
the four uprights A, D, A³, B', D', C, B, C, are 54 ins. long, 2 thick, & 2
&ins. wide; the four cross pieces E, E', F, F, G, H, G', H', are 28 to
30 ins. long, 2 & wide, & 2 inches thick; the two cross pieces E, F,
E, F, are 4 and of an inch wide, 1 and thick, and 36 to 38 inches
long the two cross pieces G¹, G, H, H, are 36 to 38 ins. long, 10 ins. wide,
and of an inch thick. The iron rods which pass from one of the cross pieces
to the other are round, and are intended to support the bobbins; they are placed
at equal distances of at least 4 inches apart to hold the bobbins, which are
3 & inches in length and width. These iron rods are about of an inch
in diameter & 30 ins. in length. The table destined to receive the moulds.
are 28ins. wide, & 36 ins. in length, and a quarter of an inch thick, the
thinner it is the better, but it is not advisable to have it thinner than of an
inch as above stated. Small joists are fixed to the cross pieces to support it,
in order that it may not bend during the moulding. The overlapping edge of
the table is of an inch in thickness, & 1 inch in height; on one of the
sides of the table the edge may be inclined as required, and it is at this part.
that the waste tallow is removed by a scraper from the top of the table. The
distance which separates the table from the bottom of the zinc trough which.
is screwed to it is about 10 ins. for the moulds for candles six to the pound.
This zinc receptacle must be strengthened by a sufficient number of iron bars,
in order to prevent the weight of water with which it is filled from bursting it...
It is very necessary that the bottom remains firm, as otherwise the ends of
the moulds would be unfastened, & the water would escape from the trough
& wet the twisted or plaited cotton rolled on the bobbins. It is better
to make the trough or receptacle of copper instead of zinc, the former being
stronger. The bottom of the trough is pierced with holes opposite to those
made in the table, these are a little more than an inch is size, & the others.
are about half an inch. To each hole a a small metallic tube t is soldered.
about of an inch long, as represented Fig. 2; these small tubes are made to
receive the ends of the mould to which they are attached. On the bars x,.x,
opposite to each hole, clasps or holders of zinc are placed, represented Fig. 2;
in tranverse section of a bar x, x; y, y, are flat metallic rods about 10 ins.. in
length, to which are soldered two hollow metallic half cylinders. 1 & of an
inch high. The circular space enclosed by them must just received the base of
the candle to be fixed there. In order that the centre of each clasp acts well
.

page_text: with that of the mould, two of the bars x, x, rest on the cross pieces A, B,
A¹, D', as represented by the Fig. 3. On the other hand the rods y, y, are
fastened so as to move vertically or horizontally; when they are in the proper
position they are fixed by means of a screw; represents a spiral screw for
holding the clasps firm so that they may hold the candle placed there. Two
holes are made in the table, one for introducing the water in the trough, the
other to withdraw it by means of a siphon.
"
The description of moulds used is as follows:-
Fig. 5. The inside height of the bottom plate is 3 of an inch, its height
outside about of an inch, the upper diameter outside about 13 of an inch.
The body of the mould, that is to say, the stem of the cone from I to J is
about 10 inches, its outside diameter at the level of I, I, equals 1 of an inch,
at the level J, J, it is equal to about an inch, the end of the mould is 1
inches from J to L.
.
The Figs. 6 & 7 represent (the first in vertical section, & the second
in horizontal section) the details of the end of the mould. P, K, is a gutta
percha plug with a groove on each side, exactly the same form as the wick
which it ought to receive. It is not necessary that the friction be very strong
but in such a manner that the wicks shall be lightly stretched. If it be required
to make economical candles with one wick, it is only necessary to replace these
plug by others having only one groove on the inside, & appropriate to the wick
which it is to receive. If for ordinary candles the plug will only have a hole
in the centre to let the wick pass. It is essential that the plug shall be
adapted perfectly to the spot where it is placed. The cylindrical hollow where
this plug is fixed is of an inch in diameter & nearly of an inch in length;
the distance which separates the two grooves Q is about of an inch. The
ends of the moulds in joining themselves with the small tubes t soldered to
the opening of the holes a, Fig. 2, at the bottom of the metallic trough, can be
solidly cemented with sealing wax or anything else fulfilling the conditions of
resisting the attack of water, & strongly adhering to the metals without
injuring them; if, in addition to this a little elasticity could be combined it
would be a great advantage; the putty used for attaching glass to brass in
électrical apparatus may be employed; it is placed between the tube t & the
end of the mould at the top of the tube and inside the trough at the part.
where it joins the small tubes t; it must be thoroughly dry before the machine
is used.
The machine for preparing the wicks mechanically is composed of, 1st, a
feel; 2ud, of two fixed irou plates heated by steam, and acting as smoothing
irons; 3rd; a machine for rolling regularly the plaited wicks on the bobbins.

page_text: The winder represented, Fig. 8, is composed of a frame 80 ins. higli,
80 ins. wide, and 40 ins. deep. Two rows of iron rods are fixed, one before
A', B1, A, B 2, and the other behind D', C, D, C, four in each row. Each
rod A', B', D¹, C', &c., carries 6 rollers, as seen by K, Fig. 8; it is ten
inches from a to b, about 18 ins. from a to c, & 16 ins. from b to d; the
two latter dimensions vary according to the size of the skeins of plaited or
twisted cotton, as sold in trade. The skeins before being placed on the
rollers K must be wetted with the chemical solution. A sort of reel repre-
sented by Fig. 9, as used by weavers, receives between each tooth the wick
from a roller K, and from there it passes with the others in a second reel
fixed at K, Fig. 10, between the two iron plates heated by steam; these
plates are perfectly smooth and polished. One of the plates forms the top of
á metal box perfectly closed, the other plate forms the bottom of a similar box.
In this box or receptacle a steam jet enters and passes by the tube H in the
top box, whence it escapes by the tube II to heat a drying stove. A cock
placed at the lower part of each box letts off the condensed steam in the form of
water. The distance separating the two plates is about equal to the thickness of
the wick passing between; the distance can, however, be regulated by means of a
screw, as seen in the Drawings. The two plates are each about 40 inches long
by 12 wide, & of an inch thick, the box forming part of the plates leaving
a space of about an inch all round the part where they are soldered to the
plates. The wicks on coming out, still isolated, pass through the teeth of a 3rd'
reel, similar to the one fixed at the other extremity, & which is represented,
Fig. 9. The first reel is fixed firmly in the space which separates the reel of
Fig. 10; it is on a level with the two plates, and is about 3 ft. 4 ins. long.
The second and third are like the first, but are only 1 ft. long, and are fixed
at each extremity of the plates, Fig. 10.
This preparation, if warm, will not do for economical candles with one wick,
the wick being prepared with acetate of lead, because, when warm, and in
contact with water, a borate of lead is formed and the wick acquires such a
stiffness that while burning it will not bend enough, and is like that of a
candle which requires snuffing.
The machanical preparation must then be made cold, and the bobbins upon
which the plaited cotton are regularly rolled must be left in soak for 2 or 3'
days in the chemical solution before mentioned; after this time they are
wound into skeins for rolling the wick on the reels as regularly as possible,
and are left to dry in the air; afterwards the dry wick is passed between the
two cold plates, and is rolled upon the bobbins. The wick on coming out of
the apparatus Fig. 10, is put in a holder fixed to a rod which has a uniforin

page_text: backward & forward movement in front of a range of bobbins. The back-
ward & forward movement is dependant on the motion of the bobbins,' &
combined in such a manner that if the wick makes a curve on the bobbin from
left to right, the holder goes from left to right as quick as the wick, & when
this returns from right to left the holder is ready to return from right to left
as soon; with this machine a regular rolling is obtained, if it was otherwise
the would would lose what it has obtained by passing through the two hot
plates.
It is advisable to soak in hot water and to soften completely the cotton
destined for the economical candles with two wicks; it is weighed before the.
immersion, & having squeezed out as much water as possible, it is again
weighed; the difference of weight indicates the quantity of water to be
introduced in the boric solution. A little of the solution is taken, & boric
acid is added in proportion. to the water introduced in the solution; it is
warmed till completely dissolved, & afterwards. emptied in the solution. The
proportion of boric acid employed is 4 parts to 100 parts of water.
The candles with two wicks are to be preferred to those with one, because
with an equal quantity of tallow the intensity of the light is more than one-
third, nevertheless the latter have the advantage of not guttering so much
when carried about.
..
. The moulding apparatus is. used as follows:-Supposing a running has
already been, & they are ready to be removed from the moulds, it is
performed in the same manner as candle manufacturers use generally to
remove them; that is to say, at the bottom of the candle is placed a piece of
cylindrical wood, Fig. 13, surmounted with a head or boss, on which one
knocks. The cylindrical part is made in such a manner that it does not enter
the mould more than the T's of an inch or below the line I, I, Fig. 5; when
this is done it is sufficient to pull the two wicks (the ends of which ought to
be left free for about 2 ins. in length above the bottom plate), & the candle
is easily moved; it is then fixed in the clasp, which corresponds with the
mould from which it is taken, Fig. 1, taking care not to make it turn round.
The extremity of the candle thus suspended is distant about 1 or 2 ins. from
the opening of the mould, but at the same time well in the centre. The
operation being made at the side of the length of the table, one of the two
wicks ought to be at its right, & the other at its left, the gutta percha plug,
allowing the same position to the operation, ought then to be placed in such a
manner that the grooves shall be. also right & left; great care must be.
taken that the wicks do not cross in the inside of the mould, & do not touch;
when they have all been operated upon in a similar manner, one is ready for

page_text: another running. When the tallow is congealed, the.wicks are cut as close as
possible to the end of the tallow candle, & these are then taken out; after
this tallow nealy cold and thick is poured into the receptacle to fill it up, &
when it is congealed in all the moulds they are taken out.
In the stove warmed by the vapour which comes from the apparatus;
Fig. 10, are placed separately the objects which united form the apparatus for
running, Fig. 11 and 12. T, T¹, Fig. 11, is a pipe, closed at the extremity T¹,
& open at the end T. .At spaces of 4 ins. are smaller tubes of lead, a little
bent at the free end. The opening at the free ends vary according as these
small tubes are more or less removed from the recipient where the tallow for
distribution is placed. The ends of these small tubes come right up to.the
wicks in the moulds without displacing them, & the tallow runs down the
length of the wick; it is essential that it should not run down the sides of the
mould, which is easily understood. In order that the ends of the small
collateral tubes of T, T', shall not touch the wick, there are notches between
the two ranges of moulds, & upon the length of border of the table to lodge
the ends of the tube T, T; it is then introduced between two ranges of moulds,
Fig. 11, & when the extremity T is lodged in the notch destined for it, the
smaller tubes are brought back to the horizontal position, and the other
extremity T is placed in its notch; when this assemblage of tubes. is arranged;
the apparatus, Fig. 12, is placed upon two pegs, fixed horizontally to the
uprights A', D'. Each small tube a communicates with the open extremity T.
Each tube a is the continuation of the long branch of a siphon represented as
C; it is so combined that the running ceases as soon as the mould. are full
When the moulding apparatus is used for the first time, the wicks must be
fixed at the superior opening of the mould in the. required position by means
of a pin or needle; water must also be put in the metallic trough before
running the candles, because if neglected they would all crack on coming out.
It is to be remembered that when the water is at a low temperature than
25° to 30° centigrade, the candles have a bad appearance, & the mould is
encrusted in such a manner that it is impossible to get the candles out the
next time.
:
The following improvements may be made with advantage in the moulding
apparatus, represented Fig. 1, it consists in diminishing the distance between
the cross pieces of wood a, a, from the table carrying the moulds to the length
of the candle to be made plus rather more than an inch of the length of the
wicks existing between the lower end of the candle suspended to the upper
opening of each of the moulds, & instead of a single bar x, x², there are two to
each transverse row of moulds, & between these two bars a space is left corre-

page_text: sponding just to the opening of each of the moulds; one of the bars has
semicircular notches, the curve of which must suit the candle which it is to
receive; on the other bar a hole is made in front of each of the notches, to
receive a peg furnished with two little metallic needles at the end to aid in
holding the candle in the notch; this peg is oval in form, & the friction in
the hole is very soft.
Another arrangement may be made in the cooling apparatus, viz., giving to
the tubes T, T', a square form instead. of cylindrical, & making the lateral
tubes t, t, of copper instead of lead, & having the same disposition as the
tubes T, T. The adjusting of the tubes T, T, with the siphons of the trough
is performed as shown by Figs. A & B. Figs. A & B represents the juxta-
position of the ends which are in contact; Figs. C shows the transverse &
horizontal section of the circular ring, which receives & holds firmly the
projecting parts represented Figs. A & B; this ring is in two parts, opening
on the side of the screw which closes it, & opposite to where the hinge
is placed.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is or may be carried into effect, I wish it to be distinctly
understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein described,
as such may be varied or modified without departing from the principle of
action thereof; what I claim as new and of my Invention is, the arrangement
of the wicks in the single and two-wicked candles, and the preparation of the
said wicks, tallow, and the running the candles by means of the apparatus or
otherwise, as above described, and shown in the accompanying Drawings..
n
In witness whereof, I, the said Jozé Luis, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this 28th day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight.
hundred and fifty-nine.
JOZE LUIS. (L.S.)