IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
MORGAN, of Manchester, Manufacturer of Patent Candle Making Machines,
send greeting.
J.
L.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Eleventh day of February, in the sixth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Joseph Morgan, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said Joseph Morgan, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Joseph Morgan, my exors, adñors, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England,. Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Joseph Morgan, shall
cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Morgan, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and

page_text: the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon
(that is to say) :-
:-
My Invention relates, first, to the use and application of a rotatory traversing
cutter to cut the wicks of candles, in combination with such descriptions of
machines as work by moulding candles successively on the same wicks, by
causing the moulds to be supplied with fresh wicks by the removal of the pre-
viously moulded candles from the moulds.
Secondly, my Invention relates to a mode of dispensing with the necessity of
pegging or stopping the holes in the manufacture of those descriptions of
candles for which such pegging or stopping has heretofore been usually
employed.
Thirdly, my Invention relates to a mode of heating the candle moulds, and
consists in arranging a hot chest in combination with a railway, along which
the candle moulds to be heated are moved in their way to be filled.
Fourthly, my Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of tallow
candles, whether "moulds" or "dips," by combining therewith certain prepa-
rations and modification of wicks, as hereafter described.
Fifthly, my Invention relates to a mode of manufacturing dip candles, and s
in such manner that the wicks, in place of being cut off in lengths previous to
dipping the same to form candles thereon, each wick is of a length suitable
for having many candles made thereon, thus offering a continuous supply of
wick, as will be hereafter explained.
And, sixthly, my Invention relates to improvements on a machine, invented a
by Henry Colebank, for which he obtained Letters Patent, bearing date at
Westminster, the Sixth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and twenty-
two.
And in order that the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, may be most fully understood, I will 3
proceed to describe the means pursued by me.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents an end view, and Figure 2 a plan of part of a machine
made according to my former Patent, for the purpose of shewing the position
and manner in which I apply a rotatory knife thereto; Figures 3 and 4 8
represent an elevation and plan of the revolving circular knife, and the
apparatus connected therewith, detached and separate from the machine.
The nature and mode of operating with this description of machine are fully

page_text: In
described in the Specification of my former Patent; and so far as the parts of
the old machine are shewn in these Drawings, the same letters of reference are
used as are employed in the former Specification. In Figures 1 and 2, F
represent the grooved table on which the candles are placed when forced
forward in the direction of the arrows, seen at Figure 2, where the parallel red
lines indicate the position of the wicks, which are drawn forward by the candles
from the mould, as described in the former Specification, and it is in this
position that the candles are to be cut off or separated for removal. The
circular knife or cutter K, by which this cutting operation is performed, is
supported in a small carriage which traverses on the upper surfaces of the
parts I, I, and allows the ends of the axis of the knife K moving freely in
grooves formed in the parallel sides of the parts I, I, the form or construction
of which are seen in section at Figure 5, also at Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Figure 4 the carriage of the knife is not shown; on the small shaft or axis on
which this revolving circular cutter K is supported is placed a small warve or
pulley, round which is passed a stationary band, fastened at each extremity to
the parts I, I, at the end of the traverse or run of the knife K, so that when the
knife is traversed across the machine by the workman taking hold of either of
the handles K', on the cutter carriage, a rapid and continuous revolution of
the knife takes place, which, added to the traversing movement, cuts through and
separates the whole of the wicks in succession. The whole of this cutting
apparatus vibrates freely on the centre L, so that when the cutting operation is
performed, it is elevated by hand to the position indicated by dotted lines in
Figure 3, to adinit of the succeeding series of candles coming forward from the
moulds to the grooved table F. When the operation of cutting the wick is
performed the circular cutter and its appendages are held in the position seen
at Figures 1, and 2, by their own weight; but when elevated to allow of the
next frame of candles to come forward, the counter-weight M keeps the
apparatus in a perpendicular position when so placed, as well as assisting the
operator to elevate it as soon as the candles are cut off. In using the circular
cutter I find it necessary to have the edge what is called wirey, or rather
roughened, and the quicker the traverse is executed the more perfect the
cutting is performed.
Another improvement in the manufacture of candles, in the second part of
my Invention, consists in a peculiar mode of dispensing with the necessity of
pegging or stopping the, ends of the candle moulds, as is now practised in the
manufacture of candles of stearine and other materials, which when poured into
the moulds have a high degree of fluidity. For this purpose I alter the
shape of the inner part of the cap or of the lower part of the mould by adding on

page_text: to the usual aperture through which. the,wickupasses a portion of, a cone, the
smallest section of which embraces the wick tightly, so as effectually to stop the
the passage of the material of..which the candle is made. The peculiar, form
which I employ is shewn..in the sections: B and C,tat Figure 6, in which it.
will be seen that instead of the inner part of the cap and the opening at the
side of the cap being as formerly, as shewn in the, section A, Figure 6; that
inner part or neck is formed: longer and into a small cone, and, then it opens,
gradually as it proceeds outwards at one side of the mould.. The aperture at
its smallest part is of such. dimensions that the wick is held tightly, and, the.
passage of the fluid material entirely prevented; and the contracted nature of
the neck of the cap, which is but little larger than the wick for some, distance
immediately above the smallest section of the neck; cools the heated material,
and prevents it, in' general, from reaching the narrowest part of the neck of
the cap. The tension of the wick in. the mould.when re-cottened has a ten-
dency to loosen and raise the cappand.I secure the cap when replaced by a
notched bar-seen in plan m, Figure!7, which is placed.in.the position, seen-at.
m, m, Figure 6, when in use, each -notch holding one cap of the respective
mould with which it corresponds.
I will now describe the third part of my. Invention, which relates.to.those
cases and to that part of the manufacture of candles' in-which the moulds
have to be heated. This part of my Invention consists in the combining a
hot chamber with the railway of the machinery..or: apparatus: used in such
manufacture of candles as requires the moulds to be heated. before being filled;
and it is shown in the Drawings as applied in connection with my former
Paten for supplying wicks to moulds, but the same is applicable in all cases
where moulds are heated before filled. "In such cases it has heretofore been
usual for the workmen to carry the moulds into and out of the hot chamber.;;
now the object of this part of my Invention is..so to arrange.a hot chamber,
heated by steam. hot water, or other. convenient means, that a railway may
pass through it and allow of the frames of moulds being; slided or moved,on
the railway through the hot chamber, the moulds having:. become hot. in the
passage through the same. The Drawing only shows one mould, frame
(arranged according to my former Patent, with continuous wicks). within the
hot chamber, but when at work the chamber will be full, and the forcing. of
one mould frame into the chamber at one end will cause another..properly
heated to be forced out at the other, which heated moulds will then be slided
or moved on the railway to a proper position to be filled. Figure 16 is a
longitudinal section of a hot chamber, combined with..a railway, according to
this part of the Invention. Figure 17, a transverse section of the same.

page_text: Figure 18 is an end view thereof, the sliding door being down. It will be
seen that there is only one frame of' candle moulds in the hot chamber; but
when at work'the chamber will be full, so that when one frame of moulds is
forced into the chamber at one end there will be one-forced out at the other
'end, and the hot chamber may be of any desired length; a, a is the -hot
chamber with doors a¹ at top, in order to get at any of the mould-frames
should they not slide freely; b, b, are two sliding doors, one at each end, by
which the heated chamber is closed. I make this chamber of wood, though
other'mäterials may be used; c, c, are steam :boxes to heat the interior of the
chamber, or the chamber may be heated by other convenient means; d; d, are
'the rails on which the mould frames are slided from end to end and through
the heated chamber, there being parts of the rails at a¹, a', capable of opening
on hinges to permit the doors b, b, to be closed. The mould frame shown is
suitably arranged for re-wicking moulds according to my former Patent, but this
apparatus is also applicable to other mould frames...
The fourth part of my Invention is the combining two ordinary platted wicks
(such as are used in 'the manufacture. of spermaceti, stearine, and some other
candles) "when twisted together in a tallow candle, and the effect will be that a
candle so constructed will be found to burn without guttering, in consequence
of the wicks standing more upright, and owing to the wicks constantly varying
the direction in which they turn out of the flame; 'and. I have found that a
very small quantity of twist is requisite for obtaining this desirable result; and
I cause the wicks to have about one turn or twist in each two to two and a
half inches of their length, and which twist will be retained till the wicks are
used by simply winding the platted wicks as they are twisted on to a bobbin or
roller..
.
.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improvement in the manufactur
of 'tallow candles, both dip and mould candles, by combining one twisted platted
wick in each candle. It is well known in the manufacture of tallow candles,
owing to the low degree at-which even pressed tallow melts, that platted wicks,
in their ordinary state, cannot be used, owing to the bending of the wick being
too near the tallow, and also from the bending of the wick causing, the heat of
the flame to be greater on the side where the bend takes place, which melting
of the tallow on that side quickly produces a guttering of the candles so made.
And it is well known that platted wicks always bend on one surface thereof;
and I have discovered that by putting amoderate extent of twist on to a
platted wick, and making- a tallow candle thereon; that the twisting causes the
wick, when burning, to stand more upright and not to turn out of the flame so

page_text: early as heretofore; and as the twisting will cause the surface which bends to
change in its direction as it is consumed, the bending out of the wick from the
flame will be varied in its position, and thus will the upper surface or cup of the
candle be consumed equally; and, in carrying out this part of my Invention, I
cause each platted wick to have one twist or turn to be put on in each one inch to
each one inch and a half of the length;. and it' will be evident that in whichever
way the bending of the wick may take place at the commencement, by the
burning of a candle, by the time that an inch to one and a half inch has been
consumed, the bending out of the wick will have been in every direction around
the candle. The platted wicks used as above described must be made
thicker and larger than those usually employed for candles made with hard
materials.
And, lastly, in respect to this part of my Invention, I have found that platted
wicks steeped in a solution formed of equal parts of borax, nitrate of ammonia,
with nitrate and chloride of potash, dissolved in twice their weight of water, or
any one of these ingredients dissolved separate, will be so stiffened and sup-
ported as to form the proper curve when combined in the manufacture of tallow
candles; and although these wicks may be used when making candles by the
ordinary means, I prefer to use the material described in my former and present
Specification.
I will now describe the fifth part of my Invention, which consists in the
manufacture of dip candles by the use of a machine and apparatus constructed
and arranged so as to make dip candles on a continuous wick, and in a more
uniform manner than heretofore practised. Figure 9, in the annexed
Drawings, represents an elevation; Figure 10, a plan; and Figures 11 and 12,
opposite end views of the machinery by which I manufacture dip candles. In
these Figures N³ represents the vat or receptacle containing the heated tallow,
commonly called the dipping mould, which is separated into two compartments
by a hollow division, for the purpose of keeping the tallow or other material
of an equal and uniform consistency. This vat or receptacle is also provided
with a wiping board N4, supported on an upright shaft on the opposite side of
the vat to that seen at Figure 9. At the lower extremity of this shaft is
placed a small bevil wheel, geering into a mitre bevil on the horizontal shaft
passing under the vat N³, as best seen in the side view at Figure 13. In
front of the vat N³, and immediately before the operator, is placed the small
handle n', by which he can at any time impart motion to the segment n³, and
thence to the pinion n placed on the horizontal shaft, and thus turn the
wiping table N* under the candles to be wiped, or out of the way when they

page_text: are to be dipped. O represents a frame containing a series of wick to be
dipped, commonly called a hand of candles, but differently constructed to those
in ordinary use. On referring to Figure 10, it will be seen that this frame is
of a square form, containing a number of parallel wires, each provided with a
series of bobbins of wick marked p. The portion of wick designed to form
the candle is seen at Figure 9 hanging down perpendicularly, and is held
stationary as regards the frame O by a series of nippers, which are opened or
shut by means of a set screw P, each range of wick being passed through a
parallel range of nippers. The frame O and its appendages is supported
during the dipping process on the end of a vibrating lever O' in the ordinary
manner; but as soon as the dipping is concluding, and the ends of the candles
have been wiped on the wiping table N', as before described, the hand of
candles O is moved sideways in the direction of the arrow (see Figure 9),
and passed on to a line of railway marked q, q, with which it corresponds in
width.
The frame or hand of candles having been disconnected from the vibrating
lever O', a fresh frame or hand of candles is immediately suspended, and thus
the operation proceeds till the first line of railway q, q, is filled with frames.
At the opposite end of the railway q, q, to that at which the vat N³. is placed
is the transverse railway Q, Q, supporting a moving carriage Q', which is placed
exactly opposite the end of the railway 9, 9. This carriage Q¹, is provided with
a sliding stage or frame Q², the exact width of the railway q, q, and on to which
one of the frames or hands of candles O is forced by the accumulation of
frames from vat N³ on to the railway 7, 9. As soon as a hand of candles O has.
arrived on the stage Q2, the frame Q¹is traversed along the railway Q, Q, and
the hand of candles transferred to one of the parallel railways q', q', which 'act
as stores or deposits for the candles to cool and harden. To deposit the hand
of candles on any of the parallel railways above or below the level of the
rails
the stage
Qinay be elevated or depressed by means of the winch
handle r, which through the pinion 'r' imparts motion to the spur wheel and
pulley, one revolution of which traverses the band and stage Q, the
exact perpendicular distance between the various lines of rails, where it is.
held stationary by a small dog or catch 7, which can be relieved by hand when
required, so that when the manufacture of dip candles on this process is
proceeding, the carriage Q' is in constant activity, removing and depositing the
hands of candles as they are delivered from the rails q, q.
9, 9,
In preparing each frame or hand of candles O, it is requisite to be very
particular that there is no entanglement among the various ends or wicks, which

page_text: are so much more numerous than in the ordinary arrangement.;. I shall
therefore now describe the means-by-which I obviate this difficulty, and arrange
the wicks of a definite and equal length:; supposing one of the frames O.to be
filled with the full number of bobbins of cotton, as represented at Figures 9
and 10, it is placed on a short railroad R, R', in the frame -R, see Figures.9
and 12. In this position every twick must be pulled perpendicularly down from
its respective bobbin through and a little below the jaws or nippers: with which
the frame is provided, as best seen at Figure 12; the jaws orinippers must
then be closed by the screw movement P, and the wicks held firm in their
position; immediately beneath the railroad R' is placed a stage R², which
moves freely in a perpendicular. traverse on guides in. the framing: R, and may
be forced up into contact with the frame 0, by.depressing the treadle R³, which
is connected with the lever R', moving on its fulcrum R; on this lever.R'
the stage R rests supported on a friction pulley, as seen at Figure 9. This
traversing stage R² is provided with an exact counterpart of the jaws or
nippers used in the frame: O for holding the wicks, the screw Panswering to
the screw P-in, the former instance. This screw P¹ is now:turned 'so as to 'open
the jaws or nippers in the stage-R and the treadle R³ depressed so as to
bring the stage R2 in contact with the under side of the frame O, and receive
the various ends of wick into the jaws or nippers, which are immediately closed
by the screw P¹, and the end held fast. The jaws or nippers of the frame O
are now opened by turning the screw P, and the treadle R³.being relieved the
stage R³ traverses down to the position shewn at Figures 9 and 12, 'bringing
the various ends of wick along with it the distance traversed (which is
governed by a stop), corresponding to the required length of wick for the candles
to be manufactured; in this position the screw P is tightened to close the jaws
or nippers in the frame (O.and secure the wick, and the screw P¹ is relieved to
free 'the wicks for the subsequent operation. The carriage 0: is now passed
forward in the direction of the arrow at Figure 9, to the traversing carriage 'S',
which is in every respect.similar to that already described at Q', As soon as
the frame is on the stage of the carriage S', it is immediately passed forward to
a corresponding railroad on what I call the examining table T, on to which it
is run by the operative; this examining table T stands on a circular base, and
revolves horizontally on a centre, so that the operative can turn it to any angle
and examine and arrange the wicks before they proceed to the vat or dipping
mould N3; this being done, the frame O is suspended to the lever O', as
represented at Figure 9, and the process proceeds as already described. In
working with this apparatus the number of frames O or hands of candles will.

page_text: depend on the extent of the railroads q and q, but in..the apparatus here
represented about sixty-eight frames would be required; and these must-be-all.
dipt in succession from the examining table. T, and disposed on the rails.q'; by
means, of the traversing carriage Q', as already explained, one of the longest
rails being left open for a road from the traversing carriage Q to the traversing
carriage SThe hand, of candles or frame-O which has been.first. dipped is
now passed along the rail on which it rests or by the open railroad to the
traversing: carriage S', and receive on to its stage, whence-it is transferred to
the examining table T, from which it proceeds to the dipping mould .or.-vat;.
and thus in, succession, the operation. is repeated through the whole of the
frames O, until the candles are completed and finished... The dipping process.
being completed,, the, hands, of candles are conveyed in succession .by.the
traversing, carriage; S to a cutting apparatus similar to that described..at
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, and best seen at Figures -10 and 12,- K representing
a circular knife moving horizontally on the guides I, I, and revolving by the
same means as already, described; the framing V, in which the knife Kis:
supported, is provided with a railway. V; on to. which-the successive hands.of.
candles are placed by the traversing carriage, S, and the candles.hanging.down
a little below the horizontal edge of the knife K. are cut off in succession by
the slight, traverse, of the hand of candles-on-the-rail while the knife. K is..in.
motion. As the candles are cut off, and they fall on an inclined table not:
shewn in the Drawing, the workman guiding them as they slide or move down
the same, the frames O are replaced on the traversing. carriage, S, and.
conveyed to the frame R, where the operation of drawing down.the..wicks is
repeated; and the subsequent, operations--proceed in regular.succession was
already described.
I will now describe, the sixth part of my Improvements, which relate::to
the mode of preparing and cutting the wicks into proper lengths-for-the
manufacture of candles. This part of my--Invention consists, .first; in-the
>, use of the rotary cutter for that purpose, adapting it to Colbank's..machine;
and, secondly, in the preparing of two or more ranges of .wick, one above. the
other, which the circular cutter. enables me to cut off.or. dispose.of..at.one.and.
the same time, with greater facility than, a single range; is cut-off by the.
ordinary process. This machine-of. Colbank's being. in. common use.and.well-
understood, it will not be necessary to enter into, any description thereof.
Figure 14 represents a front view of part of Henry Colbank's machine, and
Figure 15 a transverse section of the same. In these Figures, W represents
the wick passing under the twisting board W₁, and round the rod W', as

page_text: described in his Specification; and W³ is a second series of wick passed over
the upper side of the twisting board W', on which I place another board, so
that the end traverse of the twisting board W' rubs and twists both series of
wicks at the same time, which the revolving knife cuts off periodically, in the
same way as described at Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention of Certain Improvements
in the Manufacture of Candles, and the manner in which the same is to be
performed and carried into effect, I would have it understood that I do not
claim as of my Invention or the exclusive use of the apparatus and arrange-
ments herein-before described, except so far as the same may be employed in
furtherance of or in connection with the said improvements in the manufacture
of candles; and that I do not confine myself to the precise details shewn and
described, so long as the peculiar character of either part of my Invention be
retained. But what I claim as my Invention is,
First, the use and application of a rotatory cutter to cut the wicks of candles
in the manufacture of candles by such descriptions of machines as work by
-moulding candles successively on the ends of continuous wicks, as above described.
Secondly, I claim the improvement in the manufacture of candles, whereby
the necessity of pegging or stopping the holes in the candle moulds, otherwise
than by the contraction of the apertures as above described and the wick, may
be dispensed with.
Thirdly, I claim the improvement in the manufacture of candles which
consists in the use and application of a hot chamber by combining it with a
railway, as herein described.
Fourthly, I claim the improvement in the manufacture of tallow candles by
combining therein any of the wicks herein described.
Fifthly, I claim the manufacturing dip candles upon continuous wicks as
herein described. And I also claim the improvement in the manufacture of
dip candles by means of the dipping mould or vat, and wiping table, con-
structed as above explained.
And, sixthly, I claim the improvement in the manufacture of candles relating
to the preparation and cutting of the wicks, and consisting of the means of twisting
two or more rods of wicks; and also of the use and application in combination
with the arrangements for such twisting of a rotatory cutter, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Morgan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-three.
JOSEPH (L.S.) MORGAN.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Tenth day of August, in the
year of our Lord 1843, the aforesaid. Joseph Morgan came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, 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 Eleventh day of August, in the year of our Lord One thou-
sand eight hundred and forty-three.