IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES, PANS, AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE, CRUSHING, AND SACKING OF SALT
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Barrow, of Rock Ferry, in the County
of Chester, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES, PANS,
AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE, CRUSHING, AND SACKING OF
SALT."
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Sealed the 21st December 1874, and dated the 14th September 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Barrow at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 14th September 1874.
I, THOMAS BARROW, of Rock Ferry, in the County of Chester, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FURNACES, PANS, AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE, CRUSHING, AND
SACKING OF SALT," to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention relates to improvements in furnaces to
be used under pans for the manufacture of salt, and consists in fitting a
furnace under the pan consisting of a circular, oval, or other suitable
shaped flue, at the bottom of which is laid a tramway or line of rails, on

page_text: which run a train of fuel receptacles which form the furnace. These
fuel receptacles are arranged to pass continuously round on the rails in
the circular or other shaped flue under the pan, and as each fucl
receptacle passes the furnace doors (which are fitted at a suitable point)
the receptacles may be fed with fresh fuel. It will be seen that upon
this principle a long and varied fire is obtained, and the smoke and gases
given forth by the fresh fuel are consumed by passing over the series or
train of fuel receptacles, the fire in each receptacle being of different
degrees, as will be understood. At the end of the flue and where the
flue joins on to that part on which are fitted the furnace doors there is
provided a suitable air regulating apparatus, which may consist of a
terra cotta tile pierced with holes, the draught through which is regu-
lated by a damper of suitable form. From the circular flue there leads
a series of radiating heat chambers to the centre, from which the circular
fluo is struck. The flue also is continued from its end or that part
which joins on to the supplying point in any desired direction under the
pan, and from thence to a suitable chimney. The fuel receptacles are
rotated round on the tramway by means of an endless chain or by a rack
and pinion, or other mechanical means. Underneath the fuel receptacles
there is provided a series of ash and cinder receptacles, which travel
round with the fuel receptacles, and can be emptied through a door
under the furnace doors, as will be understood.
A modification of this arrangement of furnace consists in dispensing
with the rails and separate receptacles and substituting therefor a turn-
table, upon the outer edge of which are built the fuel receptacles, which
travel through the circular flue as herein-before described.
The second part of this Invention relates to improvements in pans for
boiling or concentrating brine or solution used in the manufacture of
salt and placed over the furnaces before described, and consists in making
the bottoms of such pans corrugated or in flutes of suitable depth, so
that the salt as it is concentrated or precipitated from the brine will be
deposited in such flutes or corrugations, and can be withdrawn therefrom
at suitable intervals by wooden or other rakes or scrapers provided for-
that purpose. I also prefer to place the pan on an incline, so that the
salt when precipitated may be periodically withdrawn from the pans and
discharged by the rakes or scrapers on to an endless band or hopper, from
whence it is placed in the cooling and moulding boxes.
The third part of this Invention relates to an apparatus for cutting

page_text: the blocks of salt into slices and then crushing the salt into suitable
pieces for stargge and market, and consists of a lever or levers mounted
in suitable framework, and worked by an eccentric or other suitable
movement. The end of the lever or levers is provided with a suitable
series of knives or slicers, which are by preference of bone, hard stone,
or other suitable non-corrosive substance. The blocks of salt are caused
to travel on a tabló or otherwise under these knives or slicers, and are
cut into suitable slices. The salt is then discharged from the table to a
hopper, and passes through rollers having fluted or roughed edges
arranged to break the salt into suitable lumps.
The fourth part of this Invention relates to an improved apparatus for
sacking salt after it has been crushed as before described, and consists of
a frame or expander, which holds the mouth of the sack. To this frame
or expander is fitted a rack working in suitable guides. This rack is
actuated by a toothed wheel or pinion having the teeth only partially
round its surface, so that as the teeth come into contact with the rack
the rack is lifted and also the sack hanging thereto, but when the plain
surface of the wheel comes round the rack falls and the sack is thereby
shaken. Several of these apparatus may be fitted on to one common
frame, and the sacks may be fed from a hopper having spouts leading to
the respective mouths of the sacks.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Barrow in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 12th March 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
BARROW, of Bock Ferry, in the County of Chester, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Pütent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in
the thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Barrow, Her
special licence that I, tho said Thomas Barrow, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas
Barrow, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times

page_text: 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES, PANS, AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR
THE MANUFACTURE, CRUSHING, AND SACKING OF SALT," upon the condition t
(amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Barrow, 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 Thomas Barrow, 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 following statement:-
The first part of this Invention relates to improvements in furnaces to
be used under pans for the manufacturo of salt, and consists in fitting a
furnace under the pan, consisting of a circular, oval, or other suitable
shaped flue, at the bottom of which is laid a tramway or line of rails, on 2
which run a train of fuel receptacles which form the furnace. These
fuel receptacles are arranged to pass continuously round on the rails in
the circular or other shaped flue under the pan, and as each fuel recep-
tacle passes the furnace doors, which are fitted at a suitable point, the
receptacles may be fed with fresh fuel. It will be seen that upon this 2
principle a long and varied fire is obtained, and the smoke and gases
given forth by the fresh fuel are consumed by passing over the series or
train of fuel receptacles, the fire in each receptacle being of different
degrees, as will be understood. At the end of the flue and where the
flue joins on to that part on which are fitted the furnace doors, there is 3
provided a suitable air regulating apparatus, which may consist of a
terra cotta tile picrced with holes, the draught through which is regu-
lated by a damper of suitable form. From the circular flue there leads
a series of radiating heat chambers to the centre, from which the
circular due is struck. The flue also is continued from its end or that 3
part which joins on to the supplying point in any desired direction under
the pan, and from thence to a suitable chimney. The fuel receptacles
are rotated round on the tramway by means of an endless chain or by

page_text: .
a rack and pinion or other mechanical means. Underneath the fuel recep-
tacles there is provided a series of ash and cinder receptacles, which
travel round with the fuel receptacles, and can be emptied through a
door under the furnace doors, as will be understood.
A modification of this arrangement of furnace consists in dispensing
with the rails and separate receptacles and substituting therefor a turn-
table, upon the outer edge of which are built the fuel receptacles, which
travel through the circular flue, as herein-before described.
The second part of this Invention relates to improvements in pans for
boiling or concentrating brine or solution used in the manufacture of
salt, and placed over the furnaces before described, and consists in making
the bottoms of such pans corrugated or in flutes of suitable depth, so
that the salt as it is concentrated or precipitated from the brine will be
deposited in such flutes or corrugations, and can be withdrawn therefrom
at suitable intervals by wooden or other rakes or scrapers provided for
that purpose. I also prefer to place the pan on an incline, so that the
salt when precipitated may be periodically withdrawn from the pans and
discharged by the rakes or scrapers on to an endless band or hopper,
from whence it is placed in the cooling and moulding boxes.
The third part of this Invention relates to an apparatus for cutting the
blocks of salt into slices and then crushing the salt into suitable pieces
for storage and market, and consists of a lever or levers mounted in
suitable framework, and worked by an eccentric or other suitable move-
ment. The end of the lever or levers is provided with a suitable series
of knives or slicers, which are by preference of bone, hard stone, or other
suitable non-corrosive substance. The blocks of salt are caused to travel
on a table or otherwise under these knives or slicers, and are cut into
suitable slices. The salt is then discharged from the table to a hopper,
and passes through rollers having fluted or roughed edges arranged to
break the salt into suitable lumps.
The fourth part of this Invention relates to an improved apparatus
for sacking salt after it has been crushed, as before described, and
consists of a frame or expander which holds the mouth of the sack. To
this frame or expander is fitted a rack working in suitable guides. This
rack is actuated by a toothed wheel or pinion having the teeth only
partially round its surface, so that as the teeth come into contact with the
rack the rack is lifted and also the sack hanging thereto, but when the

page_text: plain surface of the wheel comes round the rack falls and the sack is
thereby shaken. Several of these apparatus may be fitted on to one
common frame, and the sacks may be fed from a hopper having spouts
leading to the respective mouths of the sacks.
In order that this Invention of improvements in furnaces, pans, and
other apparatus for the manufacture, crushing, and sacking of salt may
be more clearly understood I shall now proceed to describe the several
Figures on the explanatory Sheets of Drawings which I have hereunto
annexed for the purpose of showing the arrangement of machinery and
apparatus by which this Invention may be carried out into practice.
The Sheets of Drawings have figures and letters of reference marked
thereon, like letters being used to denote similar parts or corresponding
parts in each Figure.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a plan of a furnace constructed according to my
Invention with the salt pan removed; Figure 2 is a section at line A, B, C,
Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section upon line D, E, Figure 1; Figure 4 is a
sectional plan on line H, I, Figure 3; Figure 5, is a cross section
on line F, G, Figure 4; Figure 6 is an enlarged section showing
grate bars and firing aperture; Figure 7, Sheet 2, is an enlarged view
showing grate bars and firing aperture.
Figure 8 is a section of salt pan, constructed according to this Inven-
tion; Figure 9 is a plan of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is an elevation of lever and gear for cutting or crushing
salt according to this Invention; Figures 10ª are elevations of frame and
crusher for treating salt.
Figure 11 is an elevation of hopper fitted with sacking apparatus
according to this Invention.
Figure 12 is an elevation showing combined arrangement for crushing
the salt and sacking same; Figure 13 is plan of Figure 12; Figure 14
is a part end view of Figure 12.
Figure 15 is a plan of sacking apparatus.
Upon reference to Figures 1 to 7 inclusive it will be seen that A is the
masonry and flues forming a furnace, constructed according to my
Invention; B is a salt pan of ordinary type; C is a circular way or flue
forming the furnace, constructed according to this Invention. In the

page_text: furnace C at the bottom thereof there is fitted a rail D, as shown at
Figure 6, or rails D', D³, as shown at Figure 7; on these rails are fitted
a train of fuel receptacles E, or a continuous fuel receptacle; this
fuel receptacle may be in the form of a turntable, as illustrated in
Figures 2, 3, and 6, Sheet 1, or the fuel receptacle may consist of a
series of fuel receptacles, as shown at Figure 7, Sheet 2. The fuel
receptacle or receptacles are arranged to pass continuously round on the
rail or rails D (D1, D2), in the circular or other shaped flue C. F is the
stoking aperture through which the fuel receptacles may be fed with
fresh fuel as they pass round; H, Figure 1, is a clearing out door; I,
Figure 6, ash slide; in the brickwork at K, Figure 1, I provide an air
regulating apparatus, which may consist of a terra cotta tile or tiles
pierced with holes, the draught through which is regulated by a damper
of suitable form; I also provide a damper in the brickwork at K', so
that the clearing-out aperture may be entirely shut off from the furnace.
The fuel receptacle or furnace is rotated round in the flue C by means of
an endless chain and a winch barrel, as will be understood, or by a rack
and pinion and suitable gear, as shown at L, Figures 1 and 2, or by other
known mechanical means. The fuel receptacle E is provided with a
series of ash and cinder receptacles M, which can be emptied through
the clearing door H.
Upon reference to Figures 8 and 9, it will be seen that the pan B is
formed with a fluted bottom, the flutes B¹ being of suitable depth, so
that the salt as it is precipitated from the brine will be deposited in
such flutes, and can be withdrawn therefrom by rakes of suitable
form.
•
Upon reference to Figures 10 and 10ª, it will be seen that the
apparatus for slicing and crushing salt according to this Invention
consists of a lever a worked by an eccentric or other suitable-movement;
the end of the lever is provided with a head 6 fitted with a series of
knives or blades o, the blades being constructed of bone, hard wood, or
stone.
The modification at Figure 10* illustrates a crusher worked by a rack
and segment pinion motion as will be understood.
Referring to Figure 11, it will be seen that the rack and segment
pinion motion is used for the sacking of salt after it has been crushed.
The segment pinion e is attached to the shaft of one of the ordinary

page_text: crushing rollers g. The rack is attached to a frame at the bottom of
the hopper and sliding thereon. The frame h is used as a sack holder
by hooking or otherwise attaching the sack thereto.
Referring to Figures 12 and 13 j is the slide into which the blocks of
salt are placed through the shoot j. Movement is given to the slide j
by the pendant levers k; these pendant levers are worked by the
rotating arms k¹ carried on the transverse shaft k². The shaft k² carries
a segment pinion which works the rack m and the crusher m¹, which
may be plain, as shown, or provided with cutting blades, as shown at
Figure 10. After being crushed the salt is discharged on to the
elevator n, the slide j being brought back by the action of a weight,
spring, lever, or suitable contrivance, so that it may receive a fresh
supply of salt. The elevator n delivers the sliced or crushed salt into
the rollers g, which further crush the salt, the salt being sacked by the
apparatus, as shown at Figure 11, or by the lever o which is worked by
the pin o¹ and carried on the shaft p. The shaft p gives a shaking
motion to the duplicate levers 8, which shake the sack frame h, as will
be understood upon reference. r, driving band and pulleys; ¹, toothed
pinion; t, driving band and pulleys for imparting motion to rollers g
which are geared together by the toothed wheels u, v.
The advantages of this my Invention are the consumption of smoke
and the saving of fuel and labour in the manufacture of salt..
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature, object, and
purposes of this Invention, and shown how the same may be put into
practical effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the precise arrangement and detail, as shown in the Drawings, as the
same may be considerably altered without departing from my Invention.
For instance, I have shown my improved furnace in a circular form and
as applied to salt pans, but the same may be made oval or other shaped,
and applied to other purposes as will be understood. I have also shown
an arrangement of flues leading from the furnace, the direction of which
may be considerably altered without departing from my Invention as
will be understood. In my arrangement of apparatus for cutting,
crushing, and sacking salt, I have shown a method of carrying the
same into effect, but the arrangement of elevator and parts can be
considerably altered as will be understood. What I claim as my Inven-
tion and secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid is,-