discs; the shanks preferred by the patentee are thus formed: and after being pressed into the composition, by

Ω

the aid of pliers, they are turned partly round, so that their projections may be well imbedded in the backs of the discs. The discs are next brought to the form of the intended button, by pressure between dies, and are then coated, by means of a brush, with a composition of white of egg, mixed with Prussian or Italian blue (to color it), and well ground together; when this is dry, the discs or buttons receive two or three coats of a varnish, composed of naphtha polish, ground with a little Prussian or Italian blue. The buttons are then pressed in cold dies, engraved or not, as in making horn buttons; after which the rough edges are removed, and a coating of varnish is applied to the edges and back.

Black buttons are produced by the process above described; but dark-colored ones may be made, by mixing suitable colors with the coatings of egg and varnish, together with or instead of the Prussian or Italian blue. A light drab, or other light color, is obtained, by omitting the lamp-black, and using suitable coloring materials, and more whiting or white-lead; a corresponding color being also given to the white of egg and varnish. Instead of whiting, other earthy powder, and white-lead, may be employed; and paper or other fabric may be applied to one or both surfaces of the disc, as hereafter described for japanner's ware.

The second part of the invention consists in improvements in making japanner's ware, and articles in substitution of papier-mâché. The mode of operating is as follows:-Six pounds of glue dissolved in seven gallons of water, twelve pounds of flour, six pounds of sharps (separated from flour), nine pounds of spent hops, four pounds of whiting, and two pounds of finely cut hair, are reduced, by boiling, to a thick paste, which, after it has become cool, is rolled into sheets of the required size for manufacturing trays or other articles. To make a tray, or similar article, a sheet of the composition is placed between two thin sheets of paper, and subjected to pressure, between a pair of moulds or dies, for an hour or more, to cause it to assume the desired shape;

two thick sheets of paper are now damped, and one is applied to each die; after which, paste (consisting, by preference, of equal parts, by weight, of flour and glue) is spread over each sheet, and over the thin sheets of paper which enclose the composition, and the whole is subjected to great pressure, between the dies, for about an hour. The tray, thus far made, is then placed between two iron trays, of the same shape, and dried in a stove; when dry, it is removed from the iron trays, and dressed; then dipped in oil, and finished in the usual manner of treating japanner's ware.

The following is another method, adopted by the patentee, for making trays and other articles of japanner's ware, or in substitution of papier-mâché :-Six pounds of pulp (made in the ordinary manner), in a stiff state, one pound of sharps, one pound of spent hops, one pound of fuller's earth, and one pound of flour, with or without glue, are mixed with water, so as to form a thick yet fluid composition, which is run on to a sieve (such as is used in making paper by hand), and a sheet, of a suitable thickness for making a tray or other article, is thereby produced. After standing for a few minutes, the sheet of composition is inserted between two felts or flannels, and placed in a press (in this state, when dry, it may be used for making buttons, instead of the ordinary button-board); after which, the sheet is taken from between the felts or flannels, and submitted to pressure, between dies, to bring it to the required form; it is then clamped, or otherwise secured, between two sheet-iron shapes or moulds, and dried in a japanner's oven; when dry, it is dressed, treated with oil, and finished in the ordinary manner.

The patentee does not confine himself to the materials or proportions above mentioned; but he claims, Firstly, the mode, herein described, of making die and pressure-made buttons, by employing a composition of fibrous materials and adhesive matter with other materials. Secondly, the mode of making japanner's ware, and articles in substitution of papier-mâché, by applying a composition of fibrous materials with adhesive matter, between surfaces of paper, as herein described. Also the mode of making japanner's ware, and articles in substitution of papier-mâché, and button-board

for making buttons, by combining fibrous materials with adhesive matter and pulp, as herein described.-[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, August, 1844.]

TO HENRY PERSHOUSE PARKES, of Dudley, in the county of Worcester, manufacturer of chain cables, for improvements in the manufacture of flat pit chains.-[Sealed 14th March, 1844.]

THIS invention consists in a mode of manufacturing that description of chain, commonly known as the flat pit chain, by stamping the links out of metal plates, and connecting their ends by welding.

The plate of iron or other metal for each link is rolled in such a manner as to leave a greater thickness of metal at those parts which are most liable to wear. In Plate X., figs. 1, represent the plate in plan and edge view. The pieces a, b, c, d, e, (fig. 2) are then punched out, to form the knuckles of the link; after which the plate is bent into the shape represented in fig. 3; and the ends being then welded together, a perfect link is produced, as seen at fig. 4. The links are connected together by pins or axes ƒ, which are secured by nuts, or by "upsetting" both ends thereof, as shewn in the plan view, fig. 5; and, in some cases, to the sides of each link, a plate or link g, (fig. 6) is applied.

Fig. 7, is a plan view of a modification of the improved chain, composed of a link h, and two links i, i, placed alternately; the knuckle joint being produced by the manner of arranging the links, which are formed by rolling a plate of metal, and welding the ends together, as above described, with reference to figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4; but without punching out any portion of the plate: side plates or links g, are also employed in the construction of this chain.

The patentee claims the mode, herein described, of manufacturing flat pit chains with welded links.—[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, September, 1844.]

TO ANDRE DROUOT DE CHARLIEU, of the Sablonière Hotel, Leicester-square, in the county of Middlesex, Gent., for improvements in rails for railways, and in wheels for locomotive carriages,-being a communication.-[Sealed 20th March, 1844.]

THESE improvements in rails for railways consist, firstly, in applying an angular flange to the side of the rail, to prevent the wheels from running off (the flange being either formed in one piece with the rail, or made separately, and affixed by bolts or pins); and, secondly, in applying to wooden rails, of the same shape, flat metal bands, or strips of iron, in such a manner that the pressure of the wheel shall take place on those parts, so that the ordinary rail will not have to be made so thick.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1, is a transverse section of a rail, the flange a, for which is formed separately, and attached to it by bolts. The angle preferred by the patentee for the flange is 105°; but he does not confine himself thereto. The part b, on the top of which is the flange, may be made either of wood or metal ; but the flange must be of metal.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 2, is a section of a rail made in one piece with its flange; fig. 3, a rail and flange formed separately; and fig. 4, a rail and flange in one piece.

The form of rail to which the flat bands of iron or other metal are to be fastened is represented at fig. 2; the bands may be placed at intervals upon the rail, so that the pressure of the wheel will take place at those parts: the dotted lines in fig. 2, shew the position of the bands; the upper line representing them as placed over the whole of the rail and flange; and the under line indicating the situation of those parts where the friction takes place.

The improvement in wheels for locomotive carriages consists in dispensing with the ordinary flange, which is rendered unnecessary by the use of the improved rails: those sides of

VOL. XXV.

2 E

the wheels which press against the flange of the rail are made to correspond with the angles of the flange, or are rounded.

The patentee claims, Firstly,-constructing rails with flanges, when the flange is at an angle to the rail of not less than 93°, whether the flange be a part of the rail, or a separate piece, bolted thereto, as herein described. Secondly,the application to wooden and other rails of bands of metal, in such a manner that the pressure of the wheel acts upon such bands on the surface of the rail. Thirdly,-dispensing with the flanges on the wheels of locomotive carriages.[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, September, 1844.]

To CHARLES WILLIAM SPICER, of Portman-square, in the county of Middlesex, Esq., for an invention called the Nautilus, or portable life-preserver and swimming-belt, being a communication.—[Sealed 28th March, 1844.]

THE swimming-belt, or life-preserver, which is the subject of

a

Fig. 2.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

this patent, is shewn at fig. 1, in its distended form; fig. 2, exhibits it in its compressed state; fig. 3, is what the patentee terms a skeleton view, the outer covering being removed; and, at figs. 4, an outside and an inside view of one of the ends is shewn. a, is an elastic helical frame of metal, the terminal coils of which are rivetted to the insides of two broad metal rings b, b; to these rings are also secured the ends of the tapes c, c, which are likewise attached to each of the coils of the frame; so that the frame cannot be drawn out any further than the length of the tapes, and its coils will be kept at about an equal distance from one another. On each ring b, a valve-plate d, is fixed, having an opening in it, closed by a valve e, which is formed in one piece, with a spring lever, attached to the inside of the ring b, (see fig. 4); the covering of the belt is made of