IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARTRIDGES SUITABLE FOR MINING AND GENERAL PURPOSES, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Barthelemy Bianchi, of Paris, Rue de Rennes,
No. 154, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF CARTRIDGES SUITABLE FOR MINING AND GENERAL PURPOSES,
AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
ROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Barthelemy Bianchi at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 1st November 1869.
I, BARTHELEMY BLANCHI, of Paris, Rue de Rennes, No. 151,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARTRIDGES SUITABLE FOR MINING AND
GENERAL PURPOSES, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as
follows:-
Experience has shewn the advantages which result from compression
in order to reduce powder to a small bulk and to increase the ballistic
force.
My Invention is based on the mode of manufacturing cartridges by
means of special apparatus which permit of obtaining without any

page_text: danger in the manipulation charges for mines in the form of an
elongated truncated cone in which the place for the match is formed
mechanically.
My machine is composed of a hydraulic press with four columns, or
of a lever or screw press. To the table and to the head of this machine
are fixed two strong cast-iron pieces, which I term masses.
The upper
niass carries at its lower part a slide guide, which is a rectangular
plate having at its lower part two projections in the form of a square.
Between these two projections is placed an upper pin-carrying plate held
by screws; it is pierced with as many cylindrical holes as there are
cartridges made at one operation. In these holes freely move pins of
the same form, having a lateral groove and provided with heads which
are sunk in the thickness of the plate and are flush with its upper part.
In the space between the pin-carrying plate and the guide is a slide
composed of a full part and an open part; to the open part is attached
a rack worked by a hand wheel fixed on the columns of the press; the
full part is prolonged by a sort of arm provided with a roller. The lower
mass is terminated at its upper part by a flange forming a kind of frame,
in which is placed a lower pin-carrying plate regulated by screws; i this
plate is formed with cavities to receive pins analogous to the upper ones;
it is surrounded by a wooden frame having on its long sides a groove
into which a kind of fork takes; this fork is composed of a rectangular
iron frame to which the fork proper is fixed; it is worked by two
handles. The prongs of this fork are divided so as to allow of their
being introduced between the several rows of pins; they are of the
same thickness as the slide and of nearly equal length to the pin-
carrying plate. The fork frame externally and at the middle of its large
sides is provided with two rollers resting when the fork is introduced
between the pins, and itself rests on the plate upon the wooden frame.
As soon as the fork is drawn forward the rollers engage on an inclined
plane formed at the end of a rule (règle) occupying all the breadth and
the remaining length of the wooden frame. A roller covered with india-
rubber and fixed at the front of the frame is flush with the rules (règles)
in such manner that on drawing the fork and its frame the latter is
raised by the combined effect of the several rollers. Rails are attached
to the columns by collars which are fixed by screws. On these rails
move block carriers which rest on rollers and carry a pieco intended to
move a bearing, the vertical and horizontal position of which is regulated
by screws. A mould-carrying block has two arms which rest on the

page_text: bearings of the carriers. The block is formed with cylindrical holes
corresponding with the pins. In these holes the moulds are placed;
these are tubes the interior of which is in the form of a truncated cone
(the larger diameter at top), and terminating at each end by a cylindrical
part. The tubes have for all their length a projecting fillet and are held
at each end by a plate screwed to the block. In the cylindrical parts
two pistons move, each having a circular groove on their periphery and
a longitudinal groove corresponding with the fillet of the mould. The
small pistons have a pin and a projection leading from the centre to the
circumference in the direction of the groove, of which at the extremity it
takes the form. The machine has two side pieces each carrying a
bearing; they are movable at their lower part on a hinge and can be
lowered against the columns of the press or placed in a vertical position.
A bell is placed between the collars before referred to. There is a rod
fixed to the table of the press, and the position of which is regulated by
a screw to make it strike the bell. The table carries a pedal, and a stop
limits the descent of the table. The press is fed by two pumps of
different diameter. They aro put in movement by a common lever
connected by a rod which is worked by a crank fixed on the shaft of a
toothed wheel. This wheel gears with a pinion, the shaft of which
carries a fast and a loose pulley. The driving shaft can be shifted from
one pulley to another in the usual way. The pumps are provided with
two weights, under the action of which a lever tends to keep the suction
valves of the two pumps raised. Those weights are connected to chains
passing over 3 pairs of pulleys, two pairs of which are fixed to the
press. The other ends of the chains are attached to counterweights
heavier than the first-named weights. A cock on the injection pipe of
the
pump is worked by a hand wheel.
The powder reservoir is a box, the bottom of which has a number of
conical holes corresponding to the moulds, and a movable slide having a
like number of cylindrical holes allows of the holes being free or
obstructed. At the upper part is an opening with a movable slide by
which the powder is supplied.
There is a powder measurer, which is a box divided into two parts.
The lower part has cylindrical channels narrowing like a funnel and in
number equal to those of the preceding apparatus. The upper part has
a series of tubes which engage into the first, so that by making it rise or
descend the internal capacity is increased or diminished. A movable

page_text: slide at the bottom allows of opening or closing the channels. This
apparatus has handles for lifting it. When it has to be filled it is placed
under the powder reservoir.
There are two piston holders, one for the small and one for the large
pistons; they consist of a frame with two metal bottoms having the
same number of holes as before, the holes being slightly larger than the
pistons. At an equal distance from the two bottoms is a plate fixed to
a threaded rod, which leads to the outside of the frame and takes into a
nut. A spring always tends to move away the plate when the nut is
unscrewed. This plate has holes of the same diameter and number as
those in the metal bottoms, and in which are fixed cylindrical sockets.
These sockets, which carry a fillet, extend for only half the circumference
of the hole, so that when the pistons are engaged in the frame, by
screwing the nut the plate can engage in the circular grooves with
which they are formed.
There is a cartridge guide, which is a box having projecting angle
pieces at the corners; it has handles and spring hooks. The two metal
bottoms of the box have holes as before, which are traversed by
cylindrical tubes, which have a fillet for all their length. A movable
bottom, which can be moved to an extent equal to half the diameter of
the holes, allows of the holes being opened or obstructed.
There is a piston guide, which is a frame having a bottom pierced
with holes, which are provided with metal tubes of truncated conical
form, by which the cartridge cannot pass entirely.
There is also a device which I call the movable bottom; it is a plate:
of metal covered with buff skin, to be placed under the block. It has a
kind of fork, the prongs of which engage into appendages on the block,
so that it can be fixed to this apparatus.
There are two large carriages on two lines of rails. At the front part is
a table fixed on a rod, which can be moved vertically in a socket carried
by the carriage; this rod is jointed to a weighted lever, which keeps the
table always in the air when it is not loaded.
MODE OF OPERATION.

page_text: pistons being all ready in their holders the attendant brings the movable
bottom under the block; upon this he places the piston holder, which
contains the pin pistons, and allows them to fall into the mould by
acting on the nut which sets them free. He does the same for the
charges of powder given by the powder measurer, and for the upper
pistons, and the block is thus charged. The fall of the powder is made
concentrically, in consequence of the exact adjustment of the box to
the block produced by a frame formed at the lower part of the box and
into which the block takes.
2nd. Compression of the Powder.-The attendant then pushes the
block until it is in the centre of the press, the position being determined
by abutments at the middle of the rails and by the regulating screws
which travel with the carriages; he then withdraws the movable
bottom. The fork is brought upon the lower pin-carrying plate and the
full part of the slide above the heads of the upper pins. The driving
power is then connected, the pumps are both put in motion, the pins
enter the moulds, pushing the pistons, and the compression commences.
At the end of a certain time the block is lifted from its bearings, and
rises at the same time as the table of the press. At about four fifths
of the course the pedal lifts the counterweights of the larger pump and
puts it out of action. The compression then continues with the small
pump only. When it reaches the end the rod before mentioned strikes
the bell and notifies the attendant. The compression being finished,
the second counterweight is raised in its turn by the pedal, and the
second pump being put out of action the machine stops without the
prime mover having been acted upon.
3rd. Removal of the Cartridges from the Moulds.-At the moment
the compression finishes all the pieces comprised between the head and
the table are in contact with each other. To remove the cartridges the
fork is withdrawn, which permits the lower pins to sink in the block to
the thickness of this fork. At the same time the open part of the slide
is brought above the upper pins, which no longer exerting pressure on
the cartridges will allow them to rise in the moulds under the pressure
of the lower pins. The block cannot be drawn into this movement,
since it touches the upper pin-carrying plate, so that the cartridges can
be removed from the moulds. In order to be able to operate the fork
and the slide it is necessary that the pressure supported by these pieces
after the compression be momentarily suppressed. This is attained as

page_text: follows: The side pieces before mentioned are brought into a vertical
position, and by the aid of the cock before mentioned the table of the
press is made to descend slightly. The block descends with the press,
stops on the side picces, and thus disengages the slide and the fork, which
can then be operated. When the slide is pushed the roller which it
carries at its end comes against the chain of the counterweight of the
small pump and makes it deviate from its direction. The weight being
thus lifted the pump is put into action and the removal from the
moulds effected. When the block is in contact with the two pin-
carrying plates the pedal again receives the counterweight and puts the
small pump a second time out of action. At this moment the side
pieces are lowered, and by opening the cock the table of the press
descends to a distance determined by the stop before mentioned. The
block is then placed on its carriers, and the pins are entirely out of the
moulds. The movable bottom is then passed under the block, which is 1
brought to the position for discharge. The driving power is put out of
action before the press is made to descend.
4th. Discharge of the Blocks.-The cartridge guide is hooked on the
block, its slide being closed. The block is made to describe a half
revolution, and the cartridges fall into the cartridge guide with their 2
pistons. Below is the movable table of the carriage carrying the piston
holder corresponding to the large pistons, which it applies against the
cartridge guide. The slide of this latter is opened and the pistons fall
into the piston holder; they are secured therein as has been described;
then the attendant detaches the cartridge guide from the block and 2
makes the table descend vertically without effort, since it is partly
balanced by the counterweight. The table is stopped at the height of
the carriage. Above the cartridge guide the attendant places the piston
guide, which readjusts the cartridges, then the second piston holder.
The two sets of pistons can then be removed without removing the a
cartridges, the diameter of which is too large to allow them to pass
entirely through the holes of the piston guide.
The cartridges manufactured by this machine are of truncated conical
form. A lateral channel is formed therein, and is continued into the
smaller base, rising in the centre in the form of a conical hole. The 8
match bent into a hook form is introduced therein.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Barthelemy Bianchi in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 12th April 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, BARTHELEMY
BIANCHI, of Paris, Rue de Rennes, No. 154, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-third
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Barthelemy Bianchi, Her special licence that I,
the said Barthelemy Bianchi, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Barthelemy Bianchi, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein ex-
pressed, 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 THE MANUFACTURE
OP CARTRIDGES SUITABLE FOR MINING AND GENERAL PURPOSES, AND IN THE
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Barthelemy Bianchi, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
scals, 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 Scal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Barthelemy Bianchi, 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 thereof, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, that is to say:—
Experience has shown the advantages which result from compression
in order to reduce powder to a small bulk and to increase the ballistio
force.
My Invention is based on the mode of manufacturing cartridges by
means of special apparatus which permit of obtaining without any.

page_text: danger in the manipulation charges for mines in the form of an
elongated truncated cone in which the place for the match is formed
mechanically.
My Invention will be fully understood from the annexed Drawings
and the following description thereof :-
My machine is composed of a hydraulic press with four columns or
of a lever or screw press (see Figures 1, 2, and 3). To the table and to
the head of this machine arc fixed two strong cast-iron picces A and B,
which I term masses. The upper mass A carries at its lower part a
slide guide F, which is fixed thereto by bolts and can be adjusted by
means of screws 6 (Figure 4); it is a rectangular plate having at its
lower part two projections in the form of a square. Between these two
projections is placed an upper pin-carrying plate G (Figures 4 and 9)
held by screws; it is pierced with as many cylindrical holes as there
are cartridges made at one operation. In these holes freely move pins
of the same form, having a lateral groove and provided with heads
which are sunk in the thickness of the plate and are flush with its upper
part. In the space between the pin-carrying plate and the guide is a
slide (Figures 1, 4, and 9) composed of a full part H and an open part
I; to the open part is attached a rack worked by a hand wheel "
fixed on the columns of the press; the full part is prolonged by a sort
of arm provided with a roller N. The lower mass B is terminated at its
upper part by a flange forming a kind of frame, in which is placed a
lower pin-carrying plate L, Figures 1 and 4, adjusted by two screws at
two opposite sides and by four at the two other sides; this plate is
formed with cavities to receive pins analogous to the upper ones; it is
surrounded by a wooden frame having on its long sides a groove into
which a kind of fork takes; this fork, seen at M in Figures 1, 4, and 6,
is composed of a rectangular iron frame to which the fork proper is
fixed; it is worked by two handles. The prongs of this fork are at such
distances apart as to allow of their being introduced between the several
rows of pins; they are of the same thickness as the slide H and of
nearly equal length to the pin-carrying plate. The fork frame externally
and at the middle of its large sides is provided with two rollers resting
when the fork is introduced between the pins, and itself rests on the plate
upon the wooden frame. As soon as the fork is drawn forward the
rollers engage on an inclined plane formed at the end of a rule (règle)
occupying all the breadth and the remaining length of the wooden

page_text: frame. A roller covered with india-rubber and fixed at the front of the
frame is flush with the rules (règles) in such manner that on drawing
the fork and its frame the latter is raised by the combined effect of
the several rollers. Rails C, Figures 1, 2, and 3 are attached to the
columns by collars D, which are fixed by screws. On these rails move
block carriers Z, Figures 1, 2, and 5, which rest on four rollers and
carry a piece intended to move a bearing, the vertical position of which
is regulated by screws, and the horizontal position by screws placed per-
pendicularly on the carrier. X, Figures 1, 2, and 4, represents a mould
carrying block; it has two arms which rest on the bearings of the
carriers, it is formed with cylindrical holes corresponding with the pins.
In these holes the moulds, Figures 4 and 7, are placed; these are tubes
the interior of which is in the form of a truncated cone (the larger
diameter at top) and terminating at each end by a cylindrical part. The
tubes have for all their length a projecting fillet and are held at each end
by a plate screwed to the block. In the cylindrical parts two pistons
fg, move, each having a circular groove on its periphery and a longi-
tudinal groove corresponding with the fillet of the mould. The small
pistons have a pin and a projection leading from the centre to the
circumference in the direction of the groove, of which at the extremity it
takes the form K, K, Figures 1 and 10 are two side pieces each carrying
a bearing; they are movable at their lower part on a hinge, and can bo
lowered against the columns of the press or placed in a vertical position.
A bell Y, Figure 2, is placed between the columns D. R, Figures 1 and 2
is a rod fixed to the table of the press, and the position of which is
regulated by a screw to make it strike the bell. The table carries a
pedal p, Figure 1, and a stop e limits the descent of the table. The
press is fed by two pumps, Figures 1 and 2, of different diameter; they
are put in movement by a common lever connected by a rod which is
worked by a crank fixed on the shaft of a toothed wheel. This wheel
gears into a pinion the shaft of which carries a fast and a loose pulley.
The driving strap can be shifted from one pulley to another in the
usual way. Q, Figure 1, represents weights under the action of which
a lever tends to keep the suction valves of the two pumps raised. These
two weights are connected to chains passing over three pairs of pulleys,
two pairs of which m and n are fixed to the press. The other ends of the
chains are attached to counterweights P, Figure 1, heavier than the
weights Q. A cock h, Figure 1, on the injection pipe of the pump is
worked by a hand wheel.

page_text: Figure 16 represents the powder reservoir. This is a box the bottom of
which has a number of conical holes corresponding to the moulds, and
a movable slide having a like number of cylindrical holes allows of the
holes being free or obstructed. At the upper part is an opening with
a movable slide by which the powder is supplied.
Figure 11 represents a powder measurer, which is a box divided into
two parts. The lower part has cylindrical channels narrowing like a
funnel and in number equal to those of the preceding apparatus. The
upper part has a series of tubes which engage into the first, so that by
making it rise or descend the internal capacity is increased or diminished.
A movable slide at the bottom allows of opening or closing the channels.
This apparatus has handles for lifting it. When it has to be filled it is
placed under the powder reservoir.
Figure 13 represents a piston holder, of which there are two, one for
the small and one for the large pistons; they consist of a frame with
two metal bottoms having the same number of holes as before, the
holes being slightly larger than tho pistons. At an equal distanco from
the two bottoms is a plate fixed to a threaded rod which leads to the
outside of the frame and takes into a nut. A spring always tends
to move away the plate when the nut is unscrewed. This plate has
holes of the same diameter and number, as those in the metal bottoms
and in which are fixed cylindrical sockets. These sockets which carry a
fillet, extend for only half the circumference of the hole, so that when
the pistons are engaged in the frame by screwing the nut the plate can
engage in the circular grooves with which they are formed.
Figure 12 represents a cartridge guide. This is a box having projecting
angle pieces at the corners it has handles and spring hooks. The two
metal bottoms of the box have holes as before, which are traversed by
cylindrical tubes which have a fillet for all their length. A movable
bottom which can be moved to an extent equal to half the diameter of
the holes allows of the holes being open or obstructed.
Figure 14 shows a piston guide, which is a frame having a bottom
pierced with holes, which are provided with metal tubes of truncated
conical form, by which the cartridge cannot pass entirely.
Figure 15 shows a device which I call the movable bottom; it is a g
plate of metal covered with buff skin to be placed under the block. It
has a kind of fork, the prongs of which engago into appendages on the
block so that it can be fixed to this apparatus.

page_text: O, O, Figures 1, 2, and 3, are two large carriages on two lines of
rails. At the front part is a table fixed on a rod which can be moved
vertically in a socket carried by the carriage; this rod is jointed to a
weighted lever E, which keeps the table always in the air when it is not
loaded.
MODE OF OPERATION.
1st. Charging the Blocks :-The block is in the charging position
seen at X, Figure 3, that is to say, at the ends of the rails. The
attendant has near him the carriage O, which always carries the several
apparatus, Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15. The powder measurer has been
previously filled and the pistons are all ready in their holders. The
attendant then brings the movable bottom under the block; upon this
he places the piston holder which contains the pin pistons, and allows
them to fall into the mould by acting on the nut which sets them free.
He does the same for the charges of powder given by the powder
measurer and for the upper pistons, and the block is thus charged. The
fall of the powder is made concentrically in consequence of the exact
adjustment of the box to the block produced by a frame formed at the
lower part of the box and into which the block takes.
2nd. Compression of the Powder.-The attendant then pushes the
block until it is in the centre of the press, the position being deter-
mined by abutments at the middle of the rails and by the regulating
screws which travel with the carriers; he then withdraws the movable
bottom. The fork is brought upon the lower pin-carrying plate and
the full part of the slide above the heads of the upper pins. The driving
power is then connected, the pumps are both put in motion, the pins
enter the moulds, pushing the pistons, and the compression commences.
At the end of a certain time the block is lifted from its bearings and rises
at the same time as the table of the press. At about four fifths of the
course the pedal p lifts the counterweights P of the larger pump and puts
it out of action. The compression then continues with the small pump
only. When it reaches the end the rod R strikes the bell and notifies the
attendant. The compression being finished, the second counterweight P is
raised in its turn by the pedal, and the second pump being put out of action
the machine stops without the prime mover having been acted upon.
3rd. Removal of the Cartridges from the Moulds.-At the moment
the compression finishes all the pieces comprised between the head and
the table are in contact one with another. To remove the cartridges the

page_text: fork is withdrawn, which permits the lower pins to sink in the block to
an extent equal to the thickness of this fork, at the same time the open
part of the slide is brought above the upper pins, which no longer
exerting pressure on the cartridges will allow them to rise in the moulds
under the pressure of the lower pins. The block cannot be drawn into
this movement, since it touches the upper pin-carrying plate, so that the
cartridges can be removed from the moulds. In order to be able to
operate the fork and the slide it is necessary that the pressure supported
by these pieces after the compresssion be momentarily suppressed. This
is attained as follows:-The side pieces K are brought into a vertical
position, and by the aid of the cock the table of the press is made
to descend slightly. The block descends with the press, stops on the
side pieces, and thus disengages the slide and the fork, which can then
be operated. When the slide is pushed the roller which it carries at its
end comes against the chain of the counterweight P of the small pump
and makes it deviate from its direction. The weight being thus lifted
the pump is put into action and the removal from the moulds effected.
When the block is in contact with the two pin-carrying plates, the
pedal p again receives the counterweight and puts the small pump a
second time out of action. At this moment the side picces are lowered,
and by opening the cock the table of the press descends to a distance
determined by the stop e. The block is then placed on its carriers and
the pins are entirely out of the moulds. The movable bottom is then
passed under the block which is brought to the position for discharge.
The driving power is put out of action before the press is made to
descend.
4th. Discharge of the Blocks.-The cartridge guide is hooked on the
block, its slide being closed. The block is made to describe a half
revolution, and the cartridges fall into the cartridge guide with their
pistons. Below is the movable table of the carriage carrying the piston
holder corresponding to the large pistons which it applies against the
cartridge guide. The slide of this latter is opened and the pistons fall
into the piston holder; they are secured therein as has been described;
then the attendant detaches the cartridge guide from the block and
makes the table descend vertically without effort, since it is partly
balanced by the counterweight. The table is stopped at the height of
the carriage. Above the cartridge guide the attendant places the piston
guide, which readjusts the cartridges, then the second piston holder.
The two sets of pistons can then be removed without removing the cart-

page_text: ridges, the diameter of which is too large to allow them to pass entirely
through the holes of the piston guide.
The cartridges manufactured by this machine and shown in Figure 8
are of truncated conical form. A lateral channel is formed therein, and
is continued into the smaller base rising in the centre in the form of a
conical hole, as seen in the Figure. The match bent into a hook form
is introduced therein. The shape thus given to the cartridge facilitates
its insertion into a blast hole, which it fills as completely as possible,
leaving the match at the side of the hole, so that there is no fear of
damage from ramming.
Although the apparatus herein-before described is specially intended
for the manufacture of cartridges or charges for mining purposes, yet
the same arrangements and system may be applied to the manufacture
of charges or cartridges for rockets and for other like purposes.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
First. The system or general arrangement of machinery herein-before
described with reference to the accompanying Drawings for the manu-
facture of cartridges for mining and general purposes.
Second. The several apparatus employed in the said manufacture
constructed and acting as herein-before described with reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
Third. The particular form or make of cartridge herein-before described
and represented in Figure 8.
In witness whereof, I, the said Barthelemy Bianchi, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of March One
thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
CH. ARMENGAUD,
Civil Engineer,
B. de Strasbourg, 23,
á Paris.
BMY. BIANCHI. (L.S.)