a steam-hammer; although other means of producing the requisite percussion may be adopted: in making hexagonal blocks of about 50 square inches transverse section, the patentee has used a hammer of about 3 tons weight, capable of acting through a space of 4 feet, and making 50 blows per minute. As the fuel is fed into the mould, the ram or hammer beats it down, and thus compresses or solidifies it; and the best effect is said to be produced by introducing small quantities at a time between the successive blows of the ram. When a block of the required size has been formed, it may be removed from the mould; but it is expedient that the block should remain therein for a short time. For this For this purpose, the patentee makes the mould of double the depth of a block; so that when one block has been formed, and forced into the lower part of the mould, a plate of iron, that fits the interior of the mould, may be placed upon it, and the next block formed thereon in the upper part of the mould; and then the block at the lower part of the mould is to be driven out and the other block to take its place. In order that this may be readily effected, the plate beneath the lower block is supported by a prop, which works as a piston within a steam cylinder; this prop, whilst a block is being formed, remains bolted or fixed; but when the block has been formed, the prop is unfixed, and will be caused to descend into the cylinder by the succeeding blow of the ram, so as to release the lower block of fuel from the mould; and when this block has been removed, the prop is raised (by the admission of steam into the cylinder) into its place under a plate in the mould, where it is again fixed and the process repeated. In the first instance, and before any block of fuel has been formed in the mould, it will be necessary to place in the lower part of the mould, beneath the iron plate used for separating the successive blocks, a block of wood or other material capable of bearing the blow, and which, being driven out after the first block of fuel has been formed, may be laid aside; but it is desirable to use it when finishing work, so as to leave such block in the mould instead of a block of fuel. The blocks of fuel may be subjected, in a room or chamber, to a temperature somewhat higher than the external air; but this is not essential, as the action of the external atmosphere, in fine weather, will be sufficient to produce the same effect.

The quantity of liquid to be applied to the coke or other fuel, before compressing or solidifying it, will vary according to circumstances: sometimes it will be sufficiently damp from exposure to the atmosphere; but in general it will be neces

sary to mix with it a small quantity of water or other matter in a fluid state. If bituminous matter, such as tar, or other matter in a liquid state, be used in combination with the fuel, the water is to be omitted or proportionately diminished.

The patentee claims, as his invention, the compressing or solidifying of fuel in moulds by percussion.—[Inrolled September, 1849.]

To GODFREY ANTHONY ERMEN, of Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, cotton-spinner, for his invention of certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for twisting cotton or other fibrous substances.-[Sealed 8th February, 1848.]

THESE improvements relate principally to machinery employed for slubbing, roving, doubling, and spinning, or any other twisting process wherein spindles are used; and consist, first, in the construction and application to such machinery of a certain novel and improved form or description of bearing, bolster, or collar and step, together with an improved form or construction of support-rail or plate for the same,-the bearing or bolster, and rail or plate, being so constructed and arranged as to allow of the said bearing or bolster inclining its vertical central line parallel to the central line of the spindle which passes through it, by the impulse of the spindle alone, or otherwise, and also to revolve or oscillate. Secondly, in the construction and application to the aforesaid machinery of a certain novel and improved form or construction of drag-plate or friction-plate, to be formed with, or attached to, the above-mentioned bearing, bolster, or collar, and so constructed and arranged as to be capable of inclining horizontally at right angles to the central line of the spindle (which revolves within its centre) by the mere impulse of the spindle or otherwise.

In Plate XI., fig. 1, is an elevation of an ordinary throstle-spindle and flyer, shewing one method of applying the invention thereto, the drag-plate or friction-plate and tube being shown in section; fig. 2, is a plan or horizontal view of the bolster or bearing; and fig. 3, is a similar view of part of the support-rail or plate; fig. 4, is an elevation of the throstle-spindle and flyer, shewing another arrangement of bearing or bolster and friction-plate or drag-plate; and fig. 5, is an elevation of a "mule-spindle," shewing a further modi

fication of the bearing or bolster, and also a different form or construction of support or rail.

In fig. 1, the line a, b, c, continued in the direction of the dotted line d, e, f, forms a circle;-this circle a, b, c, d, e, f, takes the outline or greatest circumference of a side view of a globe or ball, whose upper pole is at e, and whose lower pole is at b; and the globe or ball is perforated with a hole, of any required diameter, from b, to e.-g, g, represents a supportrail or plate, having a circular opening h, which may be either bored straight through the rail, or tapered, or curved (as represented in the drawing); but the greatest diameter thereof must be less than the greatest diameter of the above specified globe or ball a, b, c, d, e, f. The upper plate i, in fig. 5, is constructed in a similar manner, but inverted. Now, if the ball a, b, c, d, e, f, with the spindle passing through it, is dropped into the opening h, of the support or rail g, g, it will be obvious that the globe or ball will acquire the double property of inclining its perpendicular line parallel to the centre line of the spindle, and also of revolving round its centre, according to the impression or impulse given to it. The plate i, fig. 5, is applied above the greatest diameter of the globe, for the purpose of holding down the ball, in cases where it may be required. j,j, (figs. 1, and 4,) is the foot-rail; k, is the step, and 7, its support; both of which are constructed after the principle laid down above, the ball k, acquiring the same property of inclining its vertical line, and also revolving round its centre, according to the impulse or impression given it: the support l, is fastened with a set-screw, like any other common spindle-step, into the foot-rail j, j. The surface m, m, fig. 1, at right angles to the central line of the globe, may be formed in any part of the globe, betwixt its two poles b, and e; and this surface, which is at right angles to the central line of the globe, may be formed at its upper pole or above its upper pole, and firmly connected thereto, as represented by the ball o, fig. 4. The small projections p, p, of the ball, fig. 1, have corresponding slots left in the plate or support 9, 9, (see fig. 3,); and these projections merely serve to prevent the ball or bolster from being raised out of its place by any accident during the working thereof. shape of the plate g, g, and of the foot-rail j, j, or of the lower part of the bolster, ball, or the foot-step and its supports, may be altered; but those parts upon which the properties above specified depend, form the subject of the present invention.

The

The patentee claims, First,-the construction of a bearing,

Lorkin's, for Beating or Triturating Viscous Substances. 245

bolster, or step, and its application to spindles for spinning, doubling, roving, or any twisting process-which bearing shall have the property of inclining its central line parallel to the central line of the internal shaft or spindle, by the impulse of that shaft or spindle, or otherwise, and also of revolving; which two properties are given to the bearing, bolster, or step, by assuming its original figure to be that of a ball, and by supporting this ball in or by any point, line, or place, or points, lines, or places, betwixt its lower pole and its greatest circumference. Secondly, the construction of a bearing, support, drag-plate, or friction-plate, and its application to the particular purposes of spinning, doubling, roving, or twisting of any kind-which bearing, support, drag-plate, or friction-plate, shall have the property of inclining horizontally, at right angles to the central line of the shaft or spindle (which revolves within its centre), by the mere impulse of the spindle or otherwise; which property is given to the said bearing, support, drag-plate, or friction-plate, by assuming its original figure to be that of a ball; which ball is either furnished with plate, at or above its upper pole, at right angles to the central line or its perforated centre; or, secondly, which ball is deprived of some part of its upper hemisphere, by which means this plate or bobbin-bearing is formed; and which ball is supported in or by any point, line, or place, or points, lines, or places, betwixt its lower pole and its greatest circumference. Thirdly, the construction of a bearing, bolster, or step, of both improvements combined; which bearing, bolster, or step, &c., should have the property of both improvements combined ;—this being obtained by supporting the ball-shaped bearing, bolster, or step, with its friction-plate and tube, by a number, greater than one, of points or lines, or any suitable quantity of surface. Fourthly, any mode of supporting and fastening that will allow the bearing, bolster, or step, as qualified by the above specified claims, to incline its perpendicular line, and also to revolve.―[Inrolled August, 1818.]

TO JOSIAH LORKIN, of Ivy-lane, in the City of London, merchant, for an improved instrument or apparatus for beating or triturating viscous or gelatinous substances.[Sealed 20th September, 1819.]

THIS invention consists in certain instruments or apparatus for beating or triturating eggs, butter, cream, or other matters of a viscous or gelatinous nature.

In Plate XI., fig. 1, is a vertical section of an instrument, constructed according to this invention; fig. 2, is a plan view thereof; and fig. 3, is a plan view of the lid belonging to the same. a, is a cylindrical vessel, made of wood, earthenware, metal, or other suitable material. b, b, are pins or beaters, affixed to the inner surface of the vessel a, in three rows, each consisting of five pins, which are so situated that the pins of each row are opposite to the intermediate spaces between the pins of the opposite row. c, is the lid, formed with two projections c1, c1, to enter into a groove d, in the rim of the vessel. After the eggs, or other matters to be beaten, have been introduced into the vessel a, the lid is put on; and it is secured by causing the projections c1, c', to enter into the groove d, through the parts e, e, (which are cut away or removed), and then turning the lid partly round. The vessel a, is then taken in the hand and shaken to and fro with such a degree of force as to cause the contents to be driven successively against the top, bottom, and sides of the vessel; and the eggs or other matters are thereby brought to the required triturated and frothy state.

Fig. 4, is a vertical section of another instrument,- the pins or beaters b, of which, instead of being affixed to the inner surface of the vessel a, project radially from a spindle f, situated at the centre thereof, and attached to the lid c, of the vessel.

Fig. 5, is a vertical section of an instrument, constructed with projecting ledges g, g, in the interior of the vessel a, which produce the same effect as the pins or beaters b.

Fig. 6, is a vertical section, and fig. 7, a plan view of an instrument, consisting of a vessel a, in the interior of which are fixed two diaphragms h, h, of wire gauze (the meshes thereof being from three-eighths of an inch to half an inch, and upwards, in size); or, in place of wire gauze, perforated diaphragms of metal or earthenware may be substituted. The three last-mentioned instruments are used in the same manner as that first described.

Fig. 8, is a longitudinal section, and fig. 9, a transverse section of an instrument or apparatus adapted for beating large quantities at a time. It consists of a vessel i, containing a horizontal spindle j, on which is mounted a barrel k, having a series of points or beaters 7, projecting radially therefrom. The spindle j, is caused to rotate, with the beaters, by turning the handle m; or, when great speed is required, a wheel is fixed upon the spindle, and motion is communicated to it through the medium of suitable gearing.