IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jesse Ascough, of Handsworth, in the County of
Stafford, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
N
MAR
Sealed the 16th February 1872, and dated the 22nd December 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jesse Ascough at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd December 1871.
I, JESSE ASCOUGH, of Handsworth, in the County of Stafford, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be
as follows, that is to say :-
My Invention refers for the most part to certain improvements upon
or developements of two former Inventions for which Letters Patent
were granted to me bearing date respectively, March 21st, 1870, and
December 15th, 1870, each of the said Inventions having a similar title
to the above.

page_text: In the Specifications of these Inventions are described certain im-
provements in the manufacture and composition of wick materials,
candle wicks, and candle cores for dips, and other candles and tapers,
as well as various improvements in the apparatus to be employed in the
manufacture of the same. And in carrying out my improvements I have
found that they are capable of important additions and much further
developement, resulting in my present Invention.
I will proceed to describe first, my improvements in the production
and manufacture of wick materials, candle wicks, candle cores and
tapers, and I shall also refer to the fatty or other compositions or
solutions with which my improved wicks and wick materials may be
saturated wholly, or in part, or coloured, or into which they may be
dipped, and any improvements in candle wicks, wick materials and
candle cores, or tapers have for their object principally more perfect
combustion of the wicks in burning, the absorption of the liquid fat
from the cups of the burning candles, and the consequent production of
snuffless and non-guttering candles with increased brillancy of the light
thereform.
As stated in the Specification of my Patent, dated March 21st, 1870,
I use
to produce a snuffless quality and clearness of flame in the wicks,
wool or other animal fibre, and I now find that the most valuble of such
fibres for candle and taper wicks is silk.
For tallow, palm oil, and other fats of low melting point, I manu-
facture very absorbent wicks from suitable cotton combings, cardings,
drawings or doublings, by preference however I use the combings from
the finest quality of Sea Island cotton made into strands for threads, and
platted with three to four plaits in each inch of wick and unbleached,
alone or mixed with the cardings from any woven fabrics, or with silk,
wool, fur, or other animal fibre. Or I take ordinary soft tape, or round,
circular, or flat lamp wicks, by preference such as are sewn or woven
with silk or other animal fibre, and dress or immerse them in any of the
compositions herein-after named. I make use of any wick substances
made into suitable shape, and when carded or scraped upon the one side
or edge only such wicks will turn out of the flame.
A homogeneous and very absorbent wick of wadding I make by
cutting such wadding into suitable widths, and the usual backing to
such wadding will cause the wicks to turn out of the flame when
burning; or I draw soft cotton wool, with or without the addition of

page_text: silk or other animal fibres, into suitable strands, and pass a thin coating
of any suitable solution, such as that of gum resins or other substances,
as mentioned in my Specification of December 15th, 1870, or any
suitable varnish or similar composition along one side or edge thereof
to bring the wick out of the flame.
If I wish to increase the clearness of the flame and produce colored
wicks in suitable contrast to the candle composition, I dip such wicks in
any of the compositions herein named, or I saturate or dye the wicks
or parts of such wicks black or of any suitable color, by preference
with aniline dyes.
By another method I increase the illuminating power of the wicks by
dipping or saturating them wholly or in part into any of the hydro-
carbons, as shale spirit, paraffin, or in any bituminous or carbonaceous
product, such as those described in the Specification of my Patent,
dated December 15th, 1870, or gas or vegetable tar in colored solutions
of the gum resins, as varnishes, or in any distillate, as alcohol, or in
cotton, lard, or other suitable oil; and a cheap form of such wick is
hemp saturated with pitch or tar, known as "torch hemp," and in
combination with ordinary wicks or more especially with those herein
mentioned I produce candles with brown, black, or mixed wicks which
give a very large flame. The flames of candles, particularly those made
of distilled materials, are rendered much brighter by the addition of any
metallic body, I therefore employ certain metals in a finally divided
state, as in granules, powder or rubbings, and the wire or tape of many
of such metals may be used, and I find that magnesium gives a most
brilliant white flame. Or I take the oxides or other salts of certain
metals, or the salts of metallic earths, and rub, triturate, or grind them
with any hydrocarbons, bituminous, carbonaceous, resinous, alcoholic, or
oily products, and saturate or dress one edge or side with such metallic
composition, or I dip the wicks therein, or brush them with black
or colored varnish containing metallic colors. Or I take metallic
rubbings or divided particles of metal as found in the cotton or other
waste of cotton spinning mills or factories in the waste greases, or oil
from locomotives and other carriages, or other waste impregnated with
metallic particles, and dress or dip the wicks therein, and such wicks
will be grey, brown, or nearly black.
To produce candles with two platted wicks, each to turn outwards in

page_text: running from the inside upwards and outwards upon two narrow
serrated or toothed rods or bars upon a frame, upon the edges of which
the wick can be doubled over, reversed, and secured, so that the plaits
on each side will run upwards and outwards. If I wish the wicks in
burning to turn inwards I merely reverse this operation so that the
plaits shall run from the outside inwards and downwards. And candles
with two wicks other than platted, with or without dressing, are made
in a similar manner by keeping both dressed sides or edges turning
toward or away from each other.
For pairs of candles all the wicks may be drawn through the usual
wick cutting machine, but if desired to produce candle cores or tapers
for subsequent dipping without using the wick cutting machine, I wind
them on a combination of two of my improved rods or on a frame of
requisite depth for the required length of wick, and I dip the rods or
frame in any suitable core or taper composition, and then pass a knife
along to divide the lower series.
I make dip or dip moulded candles on the argand principle to produce
great light by supplying atmospheric air within the flame; for this
purpose, by preference, I take circular wicks and mount them on or
pass through them suitable rods or tubes, and dip the whole to form
candles with parallel wicks or wicks in a circle or other position
after dipping; the rods or tubes being withdrawn there will be open
spaces within such wicks. I dip, immerse, or brush over candles of any
description with paraffin or other hydrocarbons, and I produce a superior
outer coating which will improve the appearance of the candles, and if
desired I colour such hydrocarbons, or I use black or colored paints or
varnishes, and produce black candles or candles with any other outer
colored surface.
I may observe that many of the wick materials herein mentioned are
applicable for mixture with the candle composition, and I find that
the admixture of the distilled solid hydrocarbons with ordinary non-
distilled dip chandlers' meltings produce an improved candle composition.
I also make homogeneous candles without distinctive wicks by mixing
any of the candle wick and other materials and compositions mentioned
herein with carbonaceous or other suitable substances, as wood sawdust,
coal, or charcoal, and the flame produced will be large, and may be
increased by making the composition porous for the circulation of air, and

page_text: with the addition of perfumes the candles will be "pastile" or incense
candles, and the flame may be colored with any suitable substances for
the production of colored flames.
In the adjustment, form, and arrangement of the rods, bars, and
covers for producing pairs or twin candles, I make such rods, bars, and
covers of wood, metal, or other suitable substances, and reverse them if
needed in the working, so that the covers act as grooves and carry the
wicks, the rods becoming weights to keep the wicks in position, and in
all cases where the dipping is performed by hand they have suitably
shaped blocks to fit the ends; or I can dispense with hand blocks and
hold the rods, bars, or covers firmly together by any suitable means
applied to the ends or along the sides thereof. To prevent my improved
covers lifting off or displacing the wicks when removed I perforate
them with suitable holes or air spaces, or I make the covers wholly or
in part of perforated metal, wire, or other latticing, or I form concave
or convex rods, bars, or covers, or rods or bars with longitudinal, lateral,
or oblique corrugations or projections, between which the wicks can be
firmly held, or I form the rods or bars with a central projection, and
make the cover shaped to fit the same, or triangular or polygonal sided
rods or bars similar to those illustrated in my before-mentioned
Specifications, and with appropriate covers, or I use flat rods or bars
with double T shaped covers. I also form open frame rods having
latticing or meshes of suitable material, and employ the ordinary
chandlers' rods or any of those described as the weight rods. And to
adapt the ordinary circular rods for dipping platted wicks singly I attach
to the upper ends of the wicks loops of wire, string, or thread to be
passed over such rods. And I purpose using any of the altered forms of
rods, bars, or covers I have specified with any of those described in my
two former Specifications, and to which they may be applicable for the
purpose of carrying pairs of wicks and securely holding them in position
during dipping or dip moulding.
In the Specification of my Patent, of March 21st, 1870, is shewn at
Figs. 38 & 39 of the Drawings an arrangement of rods, or bars, or frame
for winding the wicks for dipping, and I now propose to use a some-
what similar winding machine, but much more effective for its purpose
by means of a horizontal frame revolving upon an axis, the upper and
lower bars of such frame having if necessary, grooves, hooks, or studs,
serrates, or teeth, upon which the wicks become engaged and fixed, and

page_text: such frame being removable for dipping with the wicks upon it, the
wicks being afterwards cut through, or previous to the dipping if
preferred, or the upper bar only may be removeable for dipping wicks in
pairs for twin candles, and such upper bar may be one of the rods, bars,
or covers before described.
or covers before described.
To keep the wicks straight, parallel, and even in the dipping I
immerse the lower ends, once, twice, or more times to the extent of a
few inches only into the candle composition, so that lumps or knobs are
formed at the ends of such wicks, or I attach to the ends of the wicks
small pieces of lead or other heavy substances, which may be dipped with
and remain in the candles, or I attach any suitable kind of weights to each
wick or to two or more wicks, and which may be removed before finish-
ing the candles. And if the I wish to make candles with several wicks or
with the strands of wicks kept parallel, I pass such wicks in an open
position over the rods, bars, covers, or frames, and in the first or second
dipping the dipper will pass his fingers straight down them, or keep them
straight and parallel by using suitable flat clamps or other weights, as
before described. Or I may draw the candle wicks or cores through any
suitable orifice, as a diaphragem of india-rubber or similar material, or
through latticing of cords, cane, or wire, or through combs, the teeth of
which crossing each other will compress and straighten the wicks, or
through laths of wood, or rollers, or perforated zinc, and such latticings,
combs, laths, rollers, or perforated zinc may be made not only to
straighten the cores of candles, but also to dip mould fashion or shape
them into any suitable form in section. Or I may keep the wicks and
cores straight by using supplementary or skeleton rods or bars arranged
under those carrying the wicks, and which being shaped as desired, can
be pulled down the cores or finished candles to impart any required
shape or contour thereto. As before mentioned I can keep the candle
wicks or cores straight by accumulating lumps of candle material at the
bottom of the wicks or cores, or such lumps or knobs may be formed
upon the candles in any stage of the dipping or dip moulding process,
and they may be compressed or shaped into any required form or contour
to fit any candle sconce, holder, or candlestick. Or I make tapered or
other shaped cores or cones of paper, wood, thin metal, earthenware, or
of other suitable substances for attachment by spikes or otherwise to the
bottom ends of any kind of candles, such cores or cones being dipped
with the candles to coat them with the composition, or they may be

page_text: brushed over with colored varnish, or otherwise finished; and to cause
the fatty composition to set quickly I propose to pass the cores or
candles from the dipping moulds into or through a refrigerating
chamber, kept to any desired temperature by means of the usual cold
producing mixtures, by sprays or currents of cold water or other
similar means.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Jesse Ascough in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 22nd June 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JESSE
ASCOUGH, of Handsworth, in the County of Stafford, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in
the thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Jesse Ascough, Her
special license that I, the said Jesse Ascough, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Jesse Ascough, 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 "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED
THEREIN," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Jesse
Ascough, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Jesse Ascough, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the

page_text: following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
attached, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say :-
My Invention refers for the most part to certain improvements upon
or developments of former Inventions for which Letters Patent were E
granted to me bearing date respectively March 21st, 1870, and
December 15th, 1870, each of the said Patents having a similar title
to the above.
In the Specifications of these Inventions are described certain improve-
ments in the manufacture and composition of wick materials, candle 1
wicks, and candle cores for dips and other candles and tapers, as well
as various improvements in the apparatus to be employed in the
manufacture of the same, and in carrying out my improvements, I have
found that they are capable of important additions and much further
development, resulting in my present Invention.
1
I will proceed to describe first, my improvements in the production
and manufacture of wick materials, candle wicks, candle cores and
tapers, and I shall also refer to the fatty or other compositions or
solutions with which my improved wicks and wick materials may be
saturated wholly or in part, or colored, or into which they may be 2
dipped, and my improvements in candle wicks, wick materials, and
candle cores or tapers have for their object principally more perfect
combustion of the wicks in burning, the absorption of the liquid fat
from the cups of the burning candles, and the consequent production of
snuffless and non-guttering candles with increased brilliancy of the light 2
therefrom.
I may
observe that the so-called snuffless wicks hitherto used in the
manufacture of candles from chandlers' tallow and from other fats of a
low melting point have been composed of tightly twisted yarns, threads,
or of loose cotton waste yarns, often with cords, braids, or other fibres in 2
the plaits, or with gimping, or other threads added to them. Such wicks
are hard and not sufficiently absorbent, bend irregularly, and turn out
of the flame too much causing muttoning on excessive that one adventare

page_text: cotton being in closely twisted or uneven threads, its absorbent nature
impaired by bleaching, and the plaits too numerous in the wick.
In other cases snuffless tallow wicks so called have been made on the
principle generally followed for the manufacture of wicks for composite,
paraffin, wax, and other candles of a high melting point, and hence their
failure in tallow and other fats of a low melting point, as the required
conditions in these two classes of wicks are to a great extent the reverse
of each other. The particles of all fats of a high melting point being
comparatively small and light they are readily drawn upwards by the
flame, and hence wicks for such candles may be, and are generally,
closely plaited. The particles of tallow and of other fats of low melting
point, on the contrary, are comparatively large, and require wicks made
of very absorbent materials and very loosely plaited, so that the melted
fat may be drawn quickly upwards by the capillary attraction acting
within and through as well as around the wick. And such wicks in
burning will take up the liquid fat from the cups of the candles readily,
and the loose plaits will allow the atmosphere to permeate the wicks
while burning, and thus a plentiful supply of oxygen being secured the
candle flames will be large and bright, and the candles snuffless and
non-guttering; further, when blown out there will not be any
smouldering" of the wicks, and sufficient will be left for instant
re-lighting.
66
For tallow, palm oil, and other similar fats, I therefore manufacture
such absorbent wicks from suitable cotton combings, cardings, drawings,
or doublings, by preference from the finest quality of Sea Island cotton
made into loose strands, threads, or doubled threads, by preference in the
form technically known in the trade as mendings" or " darnings," not
confining myself however precisely to this form, as others nearly
approximating will answer my purpose, and woven or plaited as shewn
in an enlarged view in Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings with one
or more plaits in each inch of wick, and unbleached alone, or mixed with
bleached threads, and with or without the addition of the metallic or
other preparations mentioned herein-after.
To make twisted or parallel wicks in the ordinary way I add to the
"mendings," "darnings," or other loosely spun or twisted threads,
threads saturated or dressed with some of the metallic or other
preparations named herein, and such wicks will give large bright
flames, be nearly snuffless under ordinary conditions, but quite so in

page_text: strong.
Figure 2 shews such a wick with one red thread dressed with oxide
of lead; Figure 3 is another such wick with two green threads saturated
with acetate of copper.
66
For composite, paraffin, ozokerit, and other fats of high melting point
I make wicks for candles, cores, tapers, and night lights of "mendings,"
darnings," or other similar loosely spun or twisted threads, woven,
plaited, or parallel, alone or in combination with the usual wick cotton,
and with or without animal fibres, and if animal fibres be used I prefer
threads of silk, and with or without the addition of any of the metallic
or other preparations mentioned herein-after. Such wicks will absorb
and take up the liquid fat from the cups of the burning candles readily,
the candles will be snuffless and burn without guttering, and after being
extinguished there will be no smouldering," and sufficient wick will
be left for immediate re-lighting; further, these wicks do not require
saturation in any of the usual chemical solutions. Or, I take ordinary
soft tape, or round, circular, or flat lamp wicks, by preference such as
are sewn or woven with silk or other animal fibre, and dress one side or
edge thereof, or immerse them in any of the compositions herein-after
named, and such wicks are thus converted into snuffless mould or dip
candle wicks.
"
I make use of any wick substances made into suitable shape, and
when carded or scraped upon the one side or edge only such wicks will
turn out of the flame, and be snuffless if one side or edge be dressed
with any of the metallic compositions herein-after described.
A homogeneous and very absorbent wick of wadding I make by
cutting such wadding into suitable widths, and the usual backing to
such wadding will cause the wicks to turn out of the flame when
burning; or I draw soft cotton wool, with or without the addition of
silk or other animal fibres, into proper strands, and pass a thin coating
of any suitable varnish or similar composition along one side or edge
thereof to bring the wick out of the flame.
If I wish to increase the clearness of the flame and produce colored
wicks in contrast to the candle composition, I dip such wicks in any of
the compositions herein-after named; or I saturate or dye the wicks

page_text: or parts of such WICKS black, or of any required color, by preference wit
aniline dyes.
By another method I increase the illuminating power of the wicks by
dipping or saturating them wholly or in part in gas or vegetable tar, or
in colored solutions of the gum resins, as varnishes; and a cheap form of
such wick is hemp saturated with pitch or tar, known as "torch hemp,"
and in combination with wicks herein mentioned I produce candles with
brown, black, or mixed wicks, which give a very large flame.
The flames of candles, particularly those made of distilled materials,
are rendered much brighter by the addition of metallic bodies, I therefore
employ certain metals in a finely divided state, such as iron, copper, tin,
lead, spelter, manganese, or magnesium, as in granules, powder, or
rubbings, and the wire or tape of many of such metals may be used, and
I find that magnesium gives a most brilliant white flame. Or, I take
the oxides or other salts of such metals, and rub, triturate, or grind
them with any hydrocarbous, bituminous, carbonaceous, resinous,
alcoholic, or oily products; and saturate or dress one edge or side with
such metallic composition, or I add saturated threads thereto, or I dip
the wicks therein, or brush them with black or colored varnish containing
metallic colors. Or, I take metallic rubbings or divided particles of
metal as found in the cotton or other waste of cotton spinning mills or
factories, in the waste greases or oil from locomotives and other carriages,
or other waste impregnated with metallic particles, and dress or dip the
wicks therein, or add dressed threads thereto, and such wicks will be
grey, brown, or nearly black, and will give great light and be snuffless.
To produce candles with two plaited wicks, each to turn outwards in
opposite directions in the flame, I wind such wicks, as shewn in Figure 4,
with the plaits running from the outside upwards and inwards upon
two bars (a, b,) of a frame; the top bar (a) is serrated or toothed for
the wick to be doubled over, reversed, and secured thereupon, as seen
in the enlarged view Figure 5, so that the plaits on each side of the
wick will run upwards and inwards; and to keep the wicks parallel and
straight in regular pairs I form upon the lower bar (6) studs or pins,
upon which the wick can be looped, as shewn in Figure 4, at (c). The
frame may be constructed in such manner that the sides or guage
plates (d) and lower bar (6) may be removed after the early dippings,
and the candles finished upon the upper bar (a) alone. Or, the lower

page_text: bar (6) may be serrated or toothed in a similar manner to the upper bar,
so that the wicks instead of being continuous may be secured upon the
bars in separate lengths; if I wish the wicks in burning to turn inwards
I merely reverse this operation, so that the plaits shall run from the
outside inwards and downwards, and, if desired to make candles with
two or more parallel wicks I wind them side by side.
For pairs of candles all the wicks may be drawn through the usual
wick cutting machine, but if desired to produce candle cores or tapers
for subsequent dipping without using the wick cutting machine I wind
them closely together on a combination of two of my improved rods, or
on a frame such as shewn in Figure 6 of requisite depth for the required
length of wick, and I brush over the one side with any of the metallic
or other compositions named herein, or I dip the rods or frame in any
suitable core or taper composition, and then pass a knife along a groove
in the lower bar to divide the series, and the candle cores may be kept in
this state for subsequent dipping.
I make dip or dip moulded candles on the argand principle, Figures 7
and 8, to produce great light by supplying atmospheric air within the
flame, for this purpose by preference I take circular wicks such as (e),
Figure 7, and mount them on or pass through them suitable rods or
tubes, and dip the whole to form candles with circular or parallel sided
wicks, or wicks of other suitable contour, and after dipping the rods or
tubes being withdrawn there will be open spaces (f) within such
wicks.
I dip, immerse, or brush over candles, candle cores, or tapers of any
description with parafin or other hydrocarbons, and I produce a superior
outer coating which will improve the appearance of the candles or
tapers, and if desired I color such hydrocarbons, or I use black or colored
paints or varnishes and produce black candles or candles with any other
outer colored or parti-coloured surface, either plain or ornamental, by
stencilling, lettering, or printing suitably applied.
I also make homogeneous candles without distinctive wicks by mixing
any of the candle wicks and other materials and compositions mentioned
herein with carbonaceous or other suitable substances as wood, sawdust,
coal, or charcoal, and the flame produced will be large and may be
increased by making the composition porous for the circulation of air;
and with the addition of perfumes the candles will be "pastile” or
.

page_text: "incense candles," and the flames may be colored with any suitable
substances for the production of colored flames.
In the adjustment, form, and arrangement of the rods, bars, and covers
for producing pairs or twin candles I make such rods, bars, and covers
of wood, metal, or other suitable substances, and reverse them if needed
in the working so that the covers act as grooves and carry the wicks,
the rods becoming weights to keep the wicks in position; this could be
readily effected in using such a rod and cover as Figure 10, and in all
cases where the dipping is performed by hand they have suitably shaped
blocks to fit the ends, or I can dispense with hand blocks and hold the
rods, bars, or covers firmly together by any suitable means applied to
the ends or along the sides thereof, such as by clamps, springs, screws,
nuts, pins, rivets, or bands.
To prevent my improved rods or covers lifting off or displacing the
wicks when removed I perforate them with suitable holes or air spaces as
seen in the various Drawings thereof, or I make the covers wholly or in
part of perforated metal, as Figure 9, wire, or other latticing, or I form
concave or convex rods, bars, or covers, Figures 11 and 12, or rods or
bars with longitudinal, lateral, or oblique corrugations or projections,
Figures 13, 14, and 15, between which the wicks can be firmly held, or
I form the rods or bars as seen in Figures 16 and 17 with a central
pro-.
jection, and make the covers shaped to fit the same, or the bar may be
triangular, as Figure 18, or polygonal sided rods or bars similar to those
illustrated in my before-mentioned Specifications may be employed and
with appropriate covers, or I use flat rods or bars with double T shaped
covers such as Figure 19.
I also form as represented in Figure 20 open frame rods having
latticing or meshes of suitable material, and employ the ordinary
chandlers' rods or any of those described, or rods of galvanized or other
metal as the weight rods; and I purpose using any of the altered forms
of rods, bars, or covers I have specified with any of those described in
my two former Specifications, and to which they may be applicable, or

page_text: In the Specification of my Patent of March 21st 1870 is shewn at
Figures 38 and 39 of the Drawings an arrangement of the rods or bars or
frame for winding the wicks for dipping, and I now propose to use a
somewhat similar winding machine and represented in Figure 21 in side
elevation consisting of a horizontal frame revolving upon or with an
axis (9), the upper and lower bars (h and i) of such frame having if
necessary grooves, hooks, or studs, serrates, or teeth, upon which the
wicks become engaged and fixed, and such frame being removable for
dipping with the wicks upon it, the wicks being afterwards cut through
at their lower ends or previous to the dipping if preferred, to facilitate
which a groove may be formed as shewn at (k) Figure 22, or the upper
bar only may be removable for dipping wicks in pairs for twin candles,
and such upper bar may be one of the rods, bars, or covers before
described.
The winding machine is represented as having a frame travelling with
its axis (9), and actuated by a handle (1), or a treadle or pulley may be
used if preferred, the axis (9) is prolonged a sufficient distance beyond
the winding frame, and as shewn is screwed for working in a wormed
collar (m) so that the wick will be wound upon the frame at regular
intervals apart, the screw being cut to allow of such distances with each
revolution. Or the axis (9) may be an endless screw working in
bearings at either end, the frame revolving and traversing thereupon in
winding the wick.
Instead of cutting through the wicks at their lower ends as described
I sometimes purpose cutting them through centrally for forming candles
in pairs on the top and also the bottom bar, and the whole may then be
dipped as a dipping frame for finishing the candles.
To keep the wicks straight, parallel, and even in the dipping I
immerse the lower ends once, twice, or more times to the extent of a
few inches only into the candle composition so that lumps or knobs are
formed at the ends of such wicks, or I attach to the ends of the wicks
small pieces of lead or other heavy substance which may be dipped with
and remain in the candles, or I attach any suitable kind of weight to
each wick or to two or more wicks, and which may be removed before
finishing the candles; and if I wish to make candles with several wicks,
or with the strands of wicks kept parallel, I pass such wicks in an open
position over the rods, bars, covers, or frames, and keep them straight

page_text: and parallel, using weights or flat clamps such as shewn in Figure 23,
and worked by suitable means. Or I may draw the candle wicks or
cores through any suitable orifice as a diaphragm of india-rubber or
similar material, or through latticing of cords, cane, or wire, as Figure 24,
or through combs, the teeth of which crossing each other will compress
and straighten the wicks, or through laths or clamps of wood, as
Figure 23, or by rollers as shown in Figures 25 and 26, or through
perforated zinc as Figures 27 and 28, and such latticings, combs, laths,
rollers, or perforated zinc will not only straighten the cores of candles
but also by suitable shapes being cut or spaces left therein dip mould,
fashion, or shape them into any suitable form in section by the candles
being drawn or pressed through them. Or I may keep the wicks and
cores straight by using supplementary or skeleton rods or bars, and
such as illustrated in Figures 29 and 30 arranged under the rod carrying
the wicks, and which being shaped as desired can be pulled down the
cores or finished candles to impart any required shape or contour thereto,
or the candles may be finished afterwards in the usual way, or colored as

page_text: sufficient for wrapping around and enlarging such ends during manu-
facture.
To cause the fatty composition to set quickly I propose to pass the
cores or candles from the dipping trough into or through a refrigerating
chamber kept to any desired temperature by means of the usual
cold producing mixtures, by sprays or currents of cold water, or other
similar means.
Having thus described the object and nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is practically to be carried into effect,
I claim, without limiting myself to these precise details, the several 1
improvements in the manufacture of candles, and in apparatus to be
employed therein, substantially in manner as herein more fully set forth
and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jesse Ascough, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of June, in the year of our 1
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.