CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF MANUFACTURING RETORTS USED POR GAS AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME OR BE MADE
KNOWN, I, JOHN SWARBRICK, of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster,
Fire-brick Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Royal
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty-second day of May, in the fifteenth year of Her reign,
and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Swarbrick, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial license, full power,
sole privilege and authority, that I, the said John Swarbrick, my exors,
admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said John Swarbrick, my exors,
admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within that part of Her Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF
MANUFACTURING RETORTS USED POR GAS AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH;" in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso that I, the said John Swarbrick, shall cause a particular description
or instrument in writing under my hand and seal, of the nature of my
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, or
carried into practical effect, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High

page_text: Court of Chancery within six calendar months next immediately after the
date of the said herein in part recited Letters Patent, as, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Swarbrick, do hereby declare that the nature and particulars of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed and
carried into practical effect, are particularly set forth and described in and
by the following description or Specification, that is to say:-
My Invention consists of an improved method of making retorts, used for
gas and other purposes, of clay or a mixture of different qualities of clay, or
a composition of clay and coal ashes, or similar refuse. The usual method of
making or casting clay retorts is to grind the clay with water, so as to make
it into a soft substance similar to thick paste, then to put this soft clay into
moulds made the required size and shape, laid in a horizontal position, with
cores either solid or in sections. When these cores or sections of cores are
withdrawn, the moulded clay is left to dry, by which operation a contraction
takes place, sometimes to so great an extent as to cause cracks or fissures so
large as to make them useless, besides occupying several days in the operation.
By my improved plan or plans I avoid the danger of making the cracks or
fissures, as well as the delay or loss of time before mentioned in drying. I
first burn or fire the clay with the coal or refuse that is got with it (if any)
until the said coal or refuse is reduced to ashes; I then grind the clay and
ashes with a little water in the usual manner, but instead of making it into;
a soft spongy substance, as done heretofore, I keep it of a thick consistency,
only sufficiently moist to cause it to unite when pressed together. If no coal.
or refuse is found with the clay I use a similar substance; or I take different
qualities of clay and mix them, as before described, in such proportions as the
quality of the clay will require and experience prove necessary. I also use;
moulds made of iron, wood, or other suitable metal or material of the shape
and dimensions required, but made in separate or detached lengths from two
to three feet long, with flanges, by which they can be united by screw bolts
or other similar contrivances. I take one of these parts of the mould and
set it in an upright or perpendicular position (not horizontal as heretofore),
I then make a core of wood, iron, or other suitable metal or material with a
strong hook fixed firmly in the top of it, the said core to be the size and,
shape that the bore or interior of the retort is to be made. I then place this
core in the centre of the said mould, and place guages or arms made of iron,.
wood, or other suitable metal or material between the core and the mould,.
to keep the core firmly in its place; so that if the retort is to be circular, the

page_text: mould, core, and guages form a figure, the plan of which is represented
thus
the outer circle is the mould, the inner one the core, and the
three pieces between the core and mould are the guages to wedge the core
and keep it in its place. I then fill up the spaces between the arn:s with
the prepared clay or composition, ramming it firmly down as I proceed, until
the mould is nearly filled up. I then draw out one of the guages and fill
up the space left by it with the prepared clay, ramming it firmly down as before
stated; I then draw up the other guages in succession and fill the spaces
caused by them in the manner before described. I then take a second part
of the aforesaid mould and fix it on the top of the first part, connecting them
by the flanges and screw bolts or similar contrivances as before mentioned. I
then draw up the core from its place (which drawing up, or up and down,
motion of the core gives the interior of the retort a smooth and finished
surface), and fix it in the centre of the additional mould by guages as before
described, and repeat the operation of ramming in the clay, drawing out the
guages and lifting the core up again, and so repeat the operations until the
retort is made to the required size. It is evident that by this plan the retort
can be made circular, oval, D-shaped, or any shape or dimension that may be
required. As the core and sometimes the guages require a great power or
force to raise or draw them up, or out of their places, after the clay is rammed·
in, I fix an apparatus over or above the mould with a screw, lever, or other
similar power, and either fix it on the top of the moulds, or to a beam over it,
or in any convenient position so as to give a sufficient hold or support to the
apparatus; then by attaching this power to the hook or link in the core, I
draw it up or out of its position by means of the said screw, lever, or other
similar power, as may be found convenient. By this plan the retort is ready
for the oven as soon as made, as little, if any contraction will take place, and
it is so firm that it can be placed on a large truck made for the purpose and
wheeled direct to the oven, thus effecting a great saving of time and labor.
I also find by experience that instead of joining additional parts of the mould
one upon another, as I proceed with forming the retort as before described, I
can finish it with one part or piece of the said mould by drawing or raising it
up as I advance with the formation of the retort, in the same manner I have
already described of using only one length of core, as I find the clay or
composition becomes sufficiently firm to maintain its shape and position when
the mould is raised up, and leaves that part of the retort bare and without
support.

page_text: Having now fully described the nature and particulars of my said Invention
and the manner of carrying the same into practical effect, I, desire it to
be distinctly understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details
herein described, as such may be varied without departing from the principle
of my Invention; but what I claim is, firstly, the mode or means berein
described of making retorts for gas or other similar purposes in a vertical or
perpendicular position, with the apparatus described for making the same;
and, secondly, of mixing the clay with coal ashes or other similar refuse
or substance, or of mixing different qualities of clay in such proportions as
the qualities of the clay will admit, thereby forming an improved composition
for the said purposes.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Swarbrick, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of November, in the year of our
Land One the send eight hundred and fifter two

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME OR BE MADE
KNOWN, I, JOHN SWARBRICK, of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster,
Fire-brick Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Royal
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty-second day of May, in the fifteenth year of Her reign,
and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Swarbrick, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial license, full power,
sole privilege and authority, that I, the said John Swarbrick, my exors,
admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said John Swarbrick, my exors,
admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within that part of Her Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF.
MANUFACTURING RETORTS USED FOR GAS AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH;" in which said Letters. Patent is contained:
a proviso that I, the said John Swarbrick, shall cause a particular description:
or instrument in writing under my hand and seal, of the nature of my.
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, or
carried into practical effect, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High.

page_text: Court of Chancery within six calendar months next immediately after the
date of the said herein in part recited Letters Patent, as, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Swarbrick, do hereby declare that the nature and particulars of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed and
carried into practical effect, are particularly set forth and described in and
by the following description or Specification, that is to say:-
My Invention consists of an improved method of making retorts, used for
gas and other purposes, of clay or a mixture of different qualities of clay, or
a composition of clay and coal ashes, or similar refuse. The usual method of
making or casting clay retorts is to grind the clay with water, so as to make
it into a soft substance similar to thick paste, then to put this soft clay into
moulds made the required size and shape, laid in a horizontal position, with
cores either solid or, in sections. When these cores or sections of cores are
withdrawn, the moulded clay is left to dry, by which operation a contraction
takes place, sometimes to so great an extent as to cause cracks or fissures so
large as to make them useless, besides occupying several days in the operation.
By my improved plan or plans I avoid the danger of making the cracks or
fissures, as well as the delay or loss of time before mentioned in drying. I
first burn or fire the clay with the coal or refuse that is got with it (if any)
until the said coal or refuse is reduced to ashes; I then grind the clay and
ashes with a little water in the usual manner, but instead of making it into
a soft spongy substance, as done heretofore, I keep it of a thick consistency,
only sufficiently moist to cause it to unite when pressed together. If no coal
or refuse is found with the clay I use a similar substance; or I take different
qualities of clay and mix them, as before described, in such proportions as the
quality of the clay will require and experience prove necessary. I also use
moulds made of iron, wood, or other suitable metal or material of the shape
and dimensions required, but made in separate or detached lengths from two
to three feet long, with flanges, by which they can be united by screw bolts
or other similar contrivances. I take one of these parts of the mould and
set it in an upright or perpendicular position (not horizontal as heretofore),
I then make a core of wood, iron, or other suitable metal or material with a
strong hook fixed firmly in the top of it, the said core to be the size and
shape that the bore or interior of the retort is to be made. I then place this
core in the centre of the said mould, and place guages or arms made of iron,
wood, or other suitable metal or material between the core and the mould,
to keep the core firmly in its place; so that if the retort is to be circular, the

page_text: mould, core, and guages form a figure, the plan of which is represented
thus
up
the outer circle is the mould, the inner one the core, and the
three pieces between the core and mould are the guages to wedge the core
and keep it in its place. I then fill up the spaces between the arms with
the prepared clay or composition, ramming it firmly down as I proceed, until
the mould is nearly filled up. I then draw out one of the guages and fill
the space
left by
it with the prepared clay, ramming it firmly down as before
stated; I then draw up the other guages in succession and fill the spaces
caused by them in the manner before described. I then take a second part
of the aforesaid mould and fix it on the top of the first part, connecting them
by the flanges and screw bolts or similar contrivances as before mentioned. I
then draw up the core from its place (which drawing up, or up and down,
motion of the core gives the interior of the retort a smooth and finished
surface), and fix it in the centre of the additional mould by guages as before
described, and repeat. the operation of ramming in the clay, drawing out the
guages and lifting the core up again, and so repeat the operations until the
retort is made to the required size. It is evident that by this plan the retort
can be made circular, oval, D-shaped, or any shape or dimension that may be
required. As the core and sometimes the guages require a great power or
force to raise or draw them up, or out of their places, after the clay is rammed
in. I fix an apparatus over or above the mould with a screw, lever, or other
similar power, and either fix it on the top of the moulds, or to a beam over it,
or in any convenient position so as to give a sufficient hold or support to the
apparatus; then by attaching this power to the hook or link in the core, I
draw it up or out of its position by means of the said screw, lever, or other
similar power, as may be found convenient. By this plan the retort is ready
for the oven as soon as made, as little, if any contraction will take place, and
it is so firm that it can be placed on a large truck made for the purpose and
wheeled direct to the oven, thus effecting a great saving of time and labor.
I also find by experience that instead of joining additional parts of the mould
one upon another, as I proceed with forming the retort as before described, I
can finish it with one part or piece of the said mould by drawing or raising it
up as I advance with the formation of the retort, in the same manner I have
already described of using only one length of core, as I find the clay or
composition becomes sufficiently firm to maintain its shape and position when
the mould is raised up, and leaves that part of the retort bare and without
Support.

page_text: Having now fully described the nature and particulars of my said Invention
and the manner of carrying the same into practical effect, I desire it to
be distinctly understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details
herein described, as such may be varied without departing from the principle
of my Invention; but what I claim is, firstly, the mode or means herein
described of making retorts for gas or other similar purposes in a vertical or
perpendicular position, with the apparatus described for making the same;
and, secondly, of mixing the clay with coal ashes or other similar refuse
or substance, or of mixing different qualities of clay in such proportions as
the qualities of the clay will admit, thereby forming an improved composition
for the said purposes.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Swarbrick, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
DEARDEN, Extra.
JOHN (L.B.) SWARBRICK.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Nineteenth day of November,
in the year of our Lord 1852, the aforesaid John Swarbrick came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord One