[For No. I. of the preceding patents see Mech. Mag., March 21; No. II., March 28; No. III., April 4; No. IV., April 11; and No. V., April 25.]

Charles Hancock, of Grosvenor-place, for certain improvements in the manufacture of gutta percha, and its applications alone, and in combination with other substances. Patent dated January 12, 1846; spec fication enrolled June 12, 1846.

My invention consists, firstly, in certain improved methods of preparing gutta percha for manufacturing purposes. If the gutta percha to be operated upon is not very impure it may be at once submitted to the processes hereafter described; but if it should contain many impurities, then it will frequently be desirable previously to submit it to the cleansing process described in the specification of letters patent for England, granted to Richard Archibald Brooman on March 11, 1845, for "certain improvements in the preparation and application of artificial fuels, mastics, and cements," or any similar process by means of which the gutta percha may be freed from grosser impurities. According to one of my methods of preparing gutta percha, I place it in a plastic state in a cylindrical screw press kept hot by a steam-jacket or otherwise, and having a bottom perforated with numerous holes. Upon this perforated bottom I place one strainer, or two, or three, or more strainers, made of perforated metal plate, or strong wire gauze, and resting upon each other, and each succeeding strainer being finer, or having a greater number of holes or meshes than that imme. diately below or preceding it, and so that the finest strainer shall be at the top. I then bring the piston or follower of the press down upon the mass of gutta percha (by hand or other suitable power;) and squeeze it through the strainers and perforated bottom, from which it falls down in a much purified state. This operation may, if necessary, be repeated, the gutta percha being in such case, in the first instance, passed through a coarser set of strainers, and then through one or more of a finer description. I then transfer the gutta percha in this purified state to a masticating machine, such as is commonly employed in the preparation of caoutchouc, and kept hot by any suitable means, and work and knead the gutta percha until it is brought to the consistence of

dough or putty. According to another of my modes of preparing gutta percha, instead of passing it through the screw press as before described, I take the plastic mass and pass it once, twice, or as much oftener as may seem expedient between a roller, and one, two, or more adjustable gauges, such as are used in caoutchouc manufacture for the spreading or cleansing of caoutchouc solution. (The rollers and gauges being heated and kept hot by hot water, steam, or any other convenient means.) Or, thirdly, I take the gutta percha as imported, and dissolve it by means of rectified oil of turpentine, or any other suitable solvent, and filter the solution while warm through flannel, or felt, or fine wire gauze, after which I distil off the solvent and evaporate the residuum to the consistence of dough or putty. It must be understood that whilst preparing gutta percha as above described, it must be kept at such a temperature as will cause it to be in a plastic state. The gutta percha prepared by either of the modes before described, is rendered fit for any ordinary manufacturing purposes, and may be pressed into blocks, spread into sheets, or made to assume such other shapes as may be desired.

Secondly. My invention consists in making a compound elastic, water-repellant substance for manufacturing purposes, by combining gutta percha with an elastic and water-repellant substance called "jintawan,” recently imported for the first time from the East Indies, and which has never heretofore, to the best of my knowledge and belief, been used in the arts and manufactures of this country; or by combining gutta percha with " "jintawan " and caoutchouc. The gutta percha which is intended to be combined in this way, should, if necessary, be cleansed from impurities, and may if desired be previously prepared as heretofore described. The "jintawan," or caoutchouc, should also be cleansed from its impurities, if any. Gutta percha and "jintawan" I combine by placing those two substances in the intended proportions (cut into pieces) in a masticator, such as is used for masticating caoutchouc, and then operate upon the two materials by that machine until they are intimately blended together. And I make the triple combination of gutta percha, "jintawan," and caoutchouc by means of a masticator, in the same manner. For the purpose of making these combinations, I vary the proportions of the two, or of the three substances, which I combine according to the quality which it is desired that the combined substance shall possess, employing a larger proportion of any one of the substances to be combined,

Thirdly. My invention consists in combining gutta percha, or gutta percha and caoutchouc, or gutta percha and "jintawan," or gutta percha, caoutchouc, and "jintawan" with orpiment, liver of sulphur, or other sulphuret having like chemical properties, which will enable it to combine effectually with the other articles above mentioned, and afterwards subjecting the compound substance to heat as herein described, whereby in each case the compound besides possessing the water-repellant property of gutta percha, caoutchouc, and "jintawan" in their simple states, is rendered more permanently soft and elastic. The proportions in which these substances may be respectively used in each case may be varied according to the quality which it is desired that the compound article shall possess, and a larger or smaller quantity of each substance used according as the peculiar property of that substance is more or less required in the compound product. Thus, if it is desired that the compound substance shall possess great stiffness without great elasticity or extensibility, then the proportion of gutta percha used for making the combination must preponderate over the other materials according to the required degree of stiffness; so also the softness of the compound may be varied by increasing or diminishing the quantity of orpiment, liver of sulphur, or other sulphuret which is used.

A good compound for bands or tapes is formed by combining 50 parts of gutta percha, 24 parts of "jintawan," 20 parts of caoutchouc, and 6 parts of orpiment.

I may state as a general rule deduced from the experiments which I have made, that the proportion of orpiment or other sulphuret used ought not to exceed 25 per cent. When the orpiment or other sulphuret is combined with the gutta percha alone, I add it in a state of powder while the gutta percha is passing through the mas ticating machine, throwing in the orpiment or other sulphuret from time to time that the two substances may be the more thoroughly blended. And when the orpiment or other sulphuret is combined with gutta percha, and caoutchouc, or with gutta percha and "jintawan," or with gutta percha, caoutchouc, and "jintawan," I put the two or the three substances with which it is to be combined into the masticating machine together, and then add the orpiment or other sulphuret to them. When "Jintawan," or caoutchouc, is used in making the compound article, the combination of the materials will be much

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facilitated by previously moistening the jintawan" and caoutchouc, or such of them as are used, with rectified oil of turpentine, or some other solvent, so that they may be softened in the manner aforesaid.

The orpimented or sulphuretted compound is next to be exposed to a heat of from 300° to 340° for a period varying according as the temperature is higher or lower. With a heat of 300° Fahrenheit I keep the article exposed to it for about sixty minutes; with a heat of 340° for about fifteen minutes only. The required heat may be obtained by means either of high pressure steam, or of water heated under pressure, or of hot air.

In making any of these compounds, a portion of sulphur may be used in place of an equal portion of orpiment or sulphuret; but I consider the use of sulphur to be objectionable because of the offensive smell which it imparts to the article, and of the tendency which sulphur has to effloresce, or exude from the surface of it.

And, therefore, I prefer the use of orpiment, or some other sulphuret, which will combine more effectually with the other component parts of the article.

In some cases I simply mix the orpiment or other sulphuret with the gutta percha and caoutchouc, or gutta percha with "jintawan," or gutta percha, caoutchouc, and "jintawan," in the masticating machine, and dispense with the subsequent heating process before described. The orpimented or sulphuretted substance thus produced is not so lasting as that which has been subjected to the heating process, nor is the sulphuret so thoroughly combined with the other articles; but for many purposes where great durability is not required, it will be found to answer sufficiently well.

Fourthly. My invention consists in a mode of rendering gutta percha or a combination of that substance with "jintawan" and caoutchouc, or either of them, of a light, porous, and spongy texture, forming a species of artificial sponge, suitable for stuffing or forming the seats of chairs, cushions, mattresses, saddles, horse-collars, buffers, and for many other useful purposes.

If gutta percha is incorporated with "jintawan" and caoutchouc, or either of them, for the purposes of this part of my invention, the proportions of those articles must be varied according to the nature of the article required to be produced. The principal difference in the quality is produced by the larger or smaller proportion of gutta percha which may be used; and whenever great elasticity is intended to be produced, the quantity of gutta percha should be small, as, for example, in the manufacture of gutta percha and its compounds into springs for

clocks, cocks, clasps, blinds, rollers, &c., or into bands, belts, garters, string, &c.; and whenever the spongy article is intended to be of a stiffer or firmer description, then the quantity of gutta percha must preponderate over the other articles to the extent requisite to produce the desired result.

To gutta percha which is intended to be made porous or spongy for such purposes as aforesaid, must be added about 10 per cent. of rectified spirit of turpentine, or other proper solvent, and the whole mixed together by any convenient means. And if any of the above-mentioned compounds of gutta percha is intended to be similarly treated, the caoutchouc or "jintawan" used therein must be previously dissolved in from 100 to 200 per cent, of a similar solvent, the quantity of solvent being more or less, according as the product is intended to be more or less spongy and elastic.

To the article which is intended to be made porous and spongy, must be added alum or carbonate of ammonia, or some other description of volatilizable substance.

If the article which is intended to be made porous and spongy is required to be made more permanently soft and elastic, it should be combined with orpiment, liver of sulphur, or a sulphuret, in the same way as described in the third part of my invention. A portion of sulphur may in such a case be used, but I prefer orpiment, liver of sulphur, or a sulphuret, for the reasons I have before stated.

The article which is intended to be made spongy and porous, must then be thoroughly mixed with from 10 to 20 per cent. of alum, carbonate of ammonia, or some readilyvolatilizible substance, either in the masticating machine, or by any other convenient means. The material, thus prepared, may be put into moulds, or forms, or upon trays, or confined in such a way as to cause it to assume the form which it is intended to pos

sess.

The material is then to be put into an oven or chamber, heated by steam or other convenient means, to a temperature of from 250° to 260° of Fahrenheit, at which temperature the article must be kept from one to two hours, according to the desired result. The effect of the exposure of the article to this high temperature will be to drive off the solvent with which it has been mixed, and at the same time the alum, carbonate of ammonia, or other volatilizible substance before mentioned, cause the article to swell, and will render it porous and spongy. When the article has been exposed to this temperature for about one hour, it will be in the most porous and spongy state, and if the operation is further prolonged, the effect will be to render it less elastic and more rigid.

Fifthly. My invention consists in imparting, by the following process, to gutta percha and its various combinations with caoutchouc and "jintawan," when orpimented or sulphuretted as aforesaid, almost any degree of hardness and tenacity, without injury to its water-repellant property. I take the gutta percha, or gutta percha compound, after it has gone through the process described under the third head of this specification, and while it is yet in a plastic state, and press it into moulds, which I bind tightly together with iron plates, screws, and nuts. I then place these moulds in a chamber or vessel, raised by steam or hot air to a temperature of from 300° to 380° for from one to five or six days, varying the degree of heat and the time of exposure to it, according to the degree of hardness and tenacity required, after which I set the moulds aside to cool slowly. The gutta percha and ! gutta percha compounds may be so hardened by this means as to be turned in the lathe, like wood or ivory. And they are thus rendered applicable to a great variety of purposes, for which they could not in any other state be suitable, such as pictureframes, knife and sword handles, door handles and panels, walking-sticks, chess-men, seal-holders, paper-cutters, combs, flutes, musical-keys, buttons, pulleys, ornamental and architectural decorations, &c.

The material may be either at once formed into any of these articles by making the moulds of the form and figure of the articles; or it may be produced in the first instance in plain blocks, and afterwards cut up and fashioned at pleasure, by such tools and instruments as are ordinarily used for like purposes.

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Sixthly. My invention consists in improving gutta percha, as well when used by itself as when combined with caoutchouc and "jintaor either of them, in so far as regards softness and pliancy by the means following, (always supposing it to have been in the first instance either orpimented or sulphuretted.) I subject the article whether single or compound, and whether it is in the state of blocks or of sheets, or of threads, or in any other state, to the action of sulphurous acid, and this I do either by exposing it to the acid in the state of vapour, or by steeping it in water impregnated with the acid, or by spreading over the article a paste made of sulphuric acid, and ivory or bone dust, or animal charcoal, and then placing it in a steam-heated chamber, or vessel.

Seventhly. My invention consists in adding to gutta percha and its compounds, when passing through the masticating machine, and whether they are mixed or not mixed with orpiment or other sulphuret,

about ten per cent. of vegetable wax or tallow, whereby they are much improved in point of softness and pliancy.

Eighthly. My invention consists in forming in manner following certain varnishes, which may be applied to the waterproofing of leather or cloths, and by applying them either alone or mixed with colouring matters to gutta percha or its compounds, or to articles made from them, they may have a fine glossy exterior given to them, and the smell of any ingredients which may have been mixed up with them, and which may be of an offensive nature, (such as sulphur) may be effectually shut in. For this purpose I take the gutta percha alone, or gutta percha combined with “jintawan" and caoutchouc, or either of them, orpimented or sulphuretted as before described or sulphurized, and dissolve it by confining the mass in a steam-tight vessel, and by placing that vessel in a chamber heated by steam, or other convenient means, to a temperature of from 300° to 380° Far. Or I mix gutta percha and caoutchouc, or gutta percha and“ jintawan," (using the substances indifferently, so far as regards the proportion one bears to the other) with sulphur, or orpiment or other sulphuret in the proportions before directed to be observed, where these substances are introduced with about from eight to ten parts of animal or vegetable wax, or of animal or vegetable fatty matter, and then dissolve in rectified spirits of turpentine, and evaporate as before. As these varnishes combine readily with colours, they afford the means of rendering a numerous class of articles, such as elastic rings, bands, bandages, straps, &c. much more extensively suitable and vendible than before. These varnishes mixed with colours may also be used for the purpose of painting or printing, cloth, leather, or any other fabric. These varnishes will be also found very useful as cements, particularly in combining gutta percha and its compounds, with silk, cotton, and other textile fabrics.

Ninthly. My invention consists of an improved apparatus for making bands of gutta percha and its compounds. (A description of this follows, which for the present we pass over.)

Tenthly. My invention consists in the following improved method of plating or coating gutta percha or its compounds with metals. I place a sheet of very thin metal, as gold leaf, or tinfoil, upon a flat metal plate, in any state, or in suitable moulds or dies, and then lay over that a sheet of the gutta percha, or gutta percha compound, after which I heat the metal plate, and apply a strong pressure to and upon the two superimposed sheets, which has the effect of

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causing them to adhere closely and perma. nently together.

Eleventhly. My invention consists in making cards for carding cotton and other fibrous materials, in manner following:I make the backs either of gutta percha alone, spread in a plastic state to a sufficient thickness, on a cloth, or felt, or other suitable foundation, or of any of the gutta percha compounds which are of sufficient flexibility and consistence for the purpose. And I insert the metal teeth in those backs according to any of the known and approved methods followed in the manufacture of such cards.

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Twelfthly. My invention consists mixing with the gutta percha prepared in the manner first hereinbefore described, and exemplified in the masticating machine, shell lac, or resin, or asphalte, or some other resinous or bituminous matter; and when the materials are thoroughly amalgamated, I spread the mixture while in a fluid state upon cloth or leather, or any other suitable foundation.

NOTES AND NOTICES.

Perpetual Motion.-The Toronto Examiner contains the following account of an invention, of which other Canadian journals remark that "it comes as near perpetual motion as possible:"-" The application of this principle to the production of an uniform motion is thus produced. A hollow copper ball, capable of containing about a fluid quart, and with a rifle barrel screwed into the upper part of it, having a fiveeighth inch bore, forms the ground work of the machine. Into this globe and part of the tube is poured a fluid (the proprietor says fine sperm oil,) then at the upper part of the tube a steel piston, nicely stuffed at two places, is inserted, and by a crossbar, with two 121b. weights suspended by brass chains, it is brought down to rest upon the surface of the oil; this forms the apparatus for the moving caloric power of the machine, and the proprietor affirms that the susceptibility of the oil to expansion and contraction by changes of temperature greatly exceeds that of mercury. The application of the rise and fall of the piston to produce a steady forward motion is exceedingly simple; two iron racks extend from the crossbar, which slides in a frame like that of a steam engine, and these work in brass pinions attached to the frame upon which is constructed the necessary machinery or clock-work to produce the more rapid motion. The one rack works into a pinion, and the other into a pair of pinions, moving the same axle, so that there is no reversing of the motion, whether the piston rises or falls, while, by

the ingenious adjustment of steel springs or stops, the reverse action of the pinions is alternately regulated. The whole structure is about 6 feet high."-Fudge!

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Vegetable Papers.-At the Paper-works of Messrs. Kuenemann Brothers, blished about three years ago at Aspach le Point, (Haut Rhin), vegetable substances of all kinds, particularly burweed, hay, dried potato stems, &c., are advantageously employed in place of rags in the manufacture of paper. The papers of this firm are remarkable for their tenacity, and particularly well adapted for packing purposes.

The Victoria and Albert Royal Yacht, and her tender, the Fairy, left Liverpool together on Saturday last, and ran a direct course at full speed for the Lizard, off which place the Victoria and Albert arrived an hour and five minutes before the Fairy -thus verifying the contradiction we gave in our last number to the rumour that the Fairy had proved herself, in going round to Liverpool, the faster vessel of the two, than which nothing could be more untrue.

Worthington's Tidal Power.-The storing of tidal power, as a motive power for machinery, has often been suggested, but there has always been the difficulty to overcome of getting rid of the back-flood, which would stop the revolving wheel. Mr. Worthington, of Manchester, thinking that he had discovered the means of obviating this difficulty, wrote some years ago to the Liverpool papers on the subject; but was unable to make his views sufficiently intelligible without a model. Accordingly, be at length determined to construct one, and having completed it, he is now exhibiting it to the public. It is on a tolerably large scale, and is a working model, the water of a miniature sea flowing into two half-tide reservoirs, and from them through the wheel-races, so as to turn an undershot wheel, which is supposed to give the motive power. At high water the sea will fill those through sluices; at low water the sluice-gates or paddles are closed, and the water retained in the reservoirs in sufficient quantity to serve the wheel till the tide returns to give a fresh supply. Whenever, from high tides or other causes, the water rises higher than the centre of the water-wheel, the wheel would become what is termed "back-flooded." To avoid this, a third reservoir is constructed, at a lower level below that of the low-water mark, and into this the waste water from the wheel runs at flood tide, and is let out at low water, to flow back to the river or sea, through a sluice, which must be closed again when the reservoir is empty. Mr. Worthington suggests that, at sea-ports, such as Liverpool and Hull, long river or sea walls be built, so as to impound the tidal water behind them

in reservoirs; and that the corporate bodies of these towns might let the power for mill purposes. Perhaps one of the largest waterwheels in the kingdom is at Compstallbridge, and it is there found that a reservoir of five acres, holding seven feet of water, will rotate this wheel during eight hours, with a motive power equal to that of 300 horses.--Manchester Guardian.

LIST OF PATENTS GRANTED FOR SCOTLAND FROM JUNE 25 TO JULY 22.-CONCLUDED FROM P. 119.

George Leach Ashworth, of Rochdale, Lancaster, cotton spinner, and Wilson Crossley, of the same place, manager, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for preparing and spinning cotton and other fibrous substances. July 7.

William Pidding, of Wigmore-street, Middlesex, gent., for an improved process for preserving the flavour of coffee and cocoa, or of any preparations thereof, from the effects of the atmosphere. July 8.

Charles Hancock, of Grosvenor-place, Middlesex, gent., for certain improvements in the manufacture of gutta percha, and its applications alone, and in combination with other substances. July 10.

Michel Borgognon, of 15, New Broad-street, London, gent., for certain improvements in producing artificial basaltic lavas. (Being a communication from abroad.) July 13.

Charles Chinnock, of Seymour-place, Little Chelsea, gent., for improvements in the construction and methods of extending and compressing articles of furniture for domestic use, also applicable to cutlery, workmens' tools, window blinds, shutters, and similar useful purposes. July 16.

Peter Taylor, of Hollinwood, near Manchester, machinist, for certain improvements in machinery for propelling vessels, carriages and machinery, parts of which improvements are applicable to drawing and propelling fluids, also improvements in the construction of vessels. July 21.

Nicholas François Corbin Desboissierres, of Rue St Pierre, Montmaitre, in the kingdom of France, gent., for improvements in preparing and burning fuel. July 21.

Gusta: Victor Gustasson, late of Sweden, but now of Warren-street, Fitzroy-square, Middlesex, engineer, for certain improvements in steam engines. July 22.

LIST OF ENGLISH PATENTS GRANTED BETWEEN JULY 31, AND AUGUST 4, 1846.

William George Armstrong, of Newcastle-uponTyne, for an improved lifting, lowering, and hauling apparatus. July 31; six months.

Theophile Auguste Dreschke, of Rue Therese, Paris, late an officer of artillery in the service of Prussia, and late professor of sacred music at the university of Berlin, for improvements in the keys of pianofortes and other keyed musical instruments. July 31; six months.

John Bayley, of Heaton Norris, near Stockport, Lancaster, manager, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for spinning or twisting cotton and other fibrous substances. July 31; six months.

Thomas Payne, of Handsworth, near Birmingham, gentleman, for improvements in the manufacture of rolls for rolling iron and other metals. August 4; six months.

Charles Vignoles, jun., of Apperly Bridge, near Bradford, York, civil engineer, for improvements in employing steam as a motive power. August 4; six months.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDents. Communications received from Academicus-H. Ironside-Centurion-Mr. T. Parsons-B. S. W.Tyro-M. A. C.-An Old Subscriber.