Improvements in Fire Kindlers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 8th Feb., 1890
.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Kindlers.
I, PARRY LINCOLN RANDALL, of Portsmouth, in the County of Rockingham, and
State of New Hampshire, United States of America, gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
This invention has relation to fire-kindlers and is intended for kindling the coal
direct and without the aid of fire or kindling wood.
Among the objects in view are to provide an inexpensive and safe kindling
material formed in convenient blocks adapted to be broken, the nature of the kindler
being such as to create when ignited an intense and lasting heat, which, without
the aid of kindling wood will in a very few moments thoroughly ignite the coal and
this so thoroughly as to render the same capable of creating steam by which the
invention is especially adapted for use in steam-engine boilers, locomotive boilers,
stoves and in fact anywhere wherein it is essential or desirable to provide a quick and
intense heat.
With these general objects in view the invention consists in the mixing and molding
of certain ingredients and in otherwise treating the same all as will hereinafter appear
and be particularly pointed out in the claims.
Referring to the drawing
Fig. 1 represents a perspective of a fire kindler block constructed in accordance
with my invention and
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same.
In practicing my invention I first mix thoroughly six parts of finely sifted wood
or coal ashes with one part of calcined plaster of paris or other suitable plaster and
sufficient water to make pliable for molding. By suitable molds preferably of
substantially brick-forn and having transverse and longitudinal beads or ridges, I
form brick-shaped blocks 1, having intersecting channels 2 dividing the block or
brick into smaller sections 3. About ten minutes is sufficient to give the block the
required form after which the same is placed in a kiln or oven where the water is
evaporated and where it is allowed to remain five to six hours.
The block is then removed and permitted to cool when it will be seen the same is
of a very porous nature.
I then place this porous block in a tank of unexplosive high test gas oil in which
it is allowed to remain sonie three or four hours or until thoroughly saturated with
the oil; the block is then placed upon suitable brackets or shelves and permitted to
drip and partially dry on the outside after which it is given an outside coating of
coal tar said tar having been boiled to such a consistence as to harden in a few
moments after the coating.
The coating of tar seals all the pores of the block and prevents the evaporation of
the same and permits the block to be preserved for a great length of time and to
retain all its combustible qualities.
By practice I have ascertained that an ordinary hard coal fire will contain about
three gills of oil. After the brick or block has been burned out, the same will by a
slight raking crumble to powder and pass between the grate bars.
I do not limit my invention to coating the block with coal tar as when the block is
to be used within a short period of time such preservative is unnecessary.
By practical test, I have been able by the employment of this kindler to create
thirty pounds of steam in a steam fire-engine in seven minutes and a half.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A fire-kindler prepared by mixing wood or coal ashes and plaster, molded
in any suitable shape, burned or dried, and bathed in oil as an article of
manufacture.
2. A fire kindler prepared by mixing wood or coal ashes and plaster molded in
any suitable shape, burned or dried and bathed in oil and provided with a coating
of tar.
3. As a new article of manufacture, a fire kindler composed of six parts of wood
or coal ashes to one part of calcined plaster mixed together with water and subse-
quently molded and burned to form a porous brick, which is bathed in oil and finally
coated with tar as set forth.
4. The block 1, subdivided into sections 3 and consisting of a mixture of asbes,
calcined plaster and water, molded and dried, bathed in gas oil and provided with a
coating of coal tar.
Dated this 28th day of November 1889
BERNHARD DUKES,
226, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.