Improvements connected with Packages of Cement.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd June, 1899—Accepted, 16th June, 1900.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with Packages of Cement.
I, JOIN CARRINGTON SELLARS, of 68, Bridge Street, Birkenhead, in the
County of Chester, Cement Manufacturer, 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 reference to packages, such as kegs or barrels of cements,
such as Sellar's cement, putty, or analogous cements, which are liable to become
dry and hard or caked, and resulting in consequence in a great loss or waste of
cement, and consequently money; and the object and effect of the present
invention is to provide improvements in connection with such packages of
cement by which this destruction and waste of cement is obviated.
The invention consists in the employment in connection with the kegs of
such cement of means of conveying water or moisture, automatically, to the
body of the cement in the keg or cask; and this is effected by employing
through or round the body of the cement in the casks, means of conveying
and distributing water down and through it-the body, and having upon the
upper surface of the cement a body of water connected with, and supplying the
said conveying or distributing means. By this means, water is conveyed from
the top through the body of the cement, and so keeps it charged and conse-
quently, soft, resulting in the obviation of hardening and waste, as above
referred to.
Illustrations of the invention are given in the annexed drawing.
In Figure 1, there is shewn an ordinary cement keg provided with improve-
ments according to this invention. In this drawing, a represents the keg,
and the body of cement within it; the cover of the keg being removed. In
this case, the means of conveying the water or moisture to the body of the
cement below the surface consists of four pieces of flannel or equivalent
material c, having capilliar qualities; while the water is contained within a
tin or other container d, resting on the surface of the cement, with the upper
free ends of c dipping into it. In this form, the water in will be conveyed
as required from d through the capilliar action of the strips c, and will charge
the whole body of cement b, keeping it soft and pliable for practically any
length of time, so long as water is kept in the can d. Hence, after a keg is
opened, the exposure to air and heat does not cause hardening and waste of
the contents as at present happens; but it remains soft and pliable to the end.
In the packing of the keg, the strips c are placed in position, being in a
continuous strip down the sides and over the bottom; and then when the keg
is full, the can or container d is placed on top of the cement, and the head or
cover put on.
Figure 2 shews the underside of a cover of a keg with strips e of flannel or
other suitable material, while d' is a hole which is normally a plug with a cork
or other device. This may be used, in some cases, and if the cover be so pro-
vided and placed in the barrel, so that the strips e rest on the strips c, water
may be introduced to the body of cement, by way of the hole d¹ of a closed
keg, and the charge permeated with water.

page_text: Figure 3 shews a modified construction of means of conveying water through
the body; and it consists of a strip c of flannel or other suitable capilliar
material, nailed or otherwise attached to the laths c¹. This means of con-
veyance of moisture is disposed in the keg down the side as in Figure 1, or in
any other suitable way.
Another modification of means of conveying water to the body may consist
of a rod or tube standing up through the body of the cement, and having about
it, or on it, flannel or other suitable material, the upper part of which is con-
nected with the water supply or container; and by means of it, such water is
conveyed to the body cement, as described.
In the above description, some modifications of the invention are given, but
it will be plain that it may take various forms, and other than those described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The herein described improvement connected with packages or containers
of cement, such as referred to, namely, supplying water or moisture to the body
of the cement, by the method described.
2. In a keg or cask of cement, such as referred to, a water container, and
capilliary means of conveying away said water, disposed round or through the
body of the cement in the keg; substantially as herein set forth.
3. In or in connection with cement packages or containers having means
for charging the body automatically with water or moisture, the arrangement
of or construction of the parts as herein set forth, and as shewn in the figures
of the drawings.
Dated thin at low of Tune 1900
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.