second inclined surface from d to e; and it will be seen that the opposite side of the block a1, b', is the reverse inclined surface to that at the upper part of the other side of the block, and that there is a groove, at c', to receive a tongue, c, of the next block, and then there is another inclined surface from d1, to e', the reverse of that at d, e, on the other side. I would remark, that I do not confine myself to the making the inclined surfaces to the precise angles shewn, as they may be varied, and the tongue and groove may be varied in shape and position; the object being to combine two inclined surfaces with a tongue or groove, so that in addition to the blocks being combined by the tongues and grooves, and rest on each other above and below the tongue and groove. Fig. 2, shews a road way covered with such blocks. And I would remark, that the blocks may be made of wood or other materials, according to the purpose to which the blocks are to be applied. Having thus described the nature of my invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I would have it understood, that what I claim, is the mode of constructing blocks for covering roads and ways, by combining the inclined surfaces, a, b, and d, e, with a tongue, and forming, on the opposite side of the blocks, inclined surfaces and grooves as above described.-In witness whereof, &c. WILLIAM HENRY MORTIMER. Enrolled May 14, 1842. 31 Specification of the Patent granted to WILLIAM BROCKEDON, of Queen Square, in the County of Middlesex, Esquire, for a Combination of known Materials, forming a Substitution for Corks and Bungs.-Sealed October 17, 1838. To all to whom these presents shall come, &c., &c.My invention relates to combining fibrous materials with Indian-rubber (caoutchouc), in such manner as to form stoppers to be used as substitutes for corks and bungs; and in order to give the best information in my power, I will proceed to describe the means and process pursued by me, and which I have found fully to answer. And I would remark, that the fibrous materials I prefer, are those which are capable of felting, but I do not confine myself thereto. I prepare the stopper of wool, which being bored out in the usual way for felting, and as is well understood, it is then felted in a roll of the diameter and length required, and to the degree of hardness, which will leave the stoppers sufficiently soft and elastic. The roll may be made of any length convenient for the felter to work it, and it may be made by hand as hatters felt their work, or otherwise, as is well understood. When the roll of fibrous materials is thus prepared, the next operation is to rub it over with Indian-rubber (caoutchouc) in solution, as is usually sold dissolved. The solution should be of sufficient consistency to lie as much on the surface of the stopper as possible, yet fluid enough to work freely, or the stopper may be immersed in the solution; but in this way, a larger quantity is absorbed, than is really necessary to coat the surface. When this coat of Indian-rubber has hardened by the evaporation of the solvent, I take a piece of very thin sheet Indian-rubber cut from blocks, or otherwise obtained, which being slightly rubbed over on one side with solution of Indian-rubber, such side is applied to the stopper, which has been previously prepared, as above explained, and is brought round it, and the edges joined; it is then rolled to make the contact of surfaces complete. If the film or sheet of Indian-rubber be very thin, it may overlap, when the solution will produce perfect contact. in place of cutting the roll of fibrous materials into the lengths of single stoppers or corks, before covering the same with Indian-rubber, I can coat or cover a considerable length of such material with Indian-rubber, and subsequently cut the roll into lengths of stoppers desired; and the roll may be either cylindrical or conical according to the stoppers desired; and I have found that a convenient mode of covering such rolls, is to spread the solution of Indian-rubber evenly on a sheet of glass or other suitable substance, (which will not strongly adhere when the solvent has evaporated,) such as marble, and by a sharp knife, I divide the sheet of Indian-rubber into the sizes required, but do not remove the sheets from the glass or other surface, but bring the prepared roll of fibrous material coated with solution as explained, and roll it on to the sheet, of the size to cover it, which I prefer slightly to overlap where the two edges meet together; the sheet by this means, will adhere to the roll, and part with the glass. A stopper thus far prepared, is then put aside, until it has hardened enough to cut away the Indian-rubber at the ends with scissors or any convenient cutting instrument; other portions of sheet Indian-rubber of a convenient size, are to be applied in like manner to the ends of the stopper, the ends of the stopper being first prepared by a thin coating of the solution of Indian-rubber, and by pressure, such end pieces to come into perfect contact with the ends of the Indian-rubber covering previously rolled around the stop per. When the end pieces last put on, are firmly set or hard enough, those portions which project are to be removed, by cutting true to the sides, and the stopper will be completed. In applying these plugs to the bottles, it is desirable to place within the neck of the bottle a small wire, with a longitudinal groove in it, to allow the air to escape, otherwise these stoppers are so elastic, and fit so air-tight, that it is otherwise difficult to insert them. When the stopper is in its place, the wire is withdrawn, and the stopper is in some measure kept in its place by the pressure of the atmosphere. Though the above is the mode of carrying out my invention, I do not confine myself thereto, as it must be obvious that other means and other fibrous material or mixture thereof, may be used for making suitably elastic fibrous stoppers, and other means may be employed for coating the same with Indian-rubber (caoutchouc); the object of the invention on the one hand, being to obtain elastic stoppers by the employment of fibrous materials in any form suitable for the purpose, however brought about; and on the other hand, to make such stoppers imperviable to liquors and to air, by the use of Indian-rubber (caoutchouc), however, that may be accomplished. It will therefore be seen, that the invention does not consist of fibrous materials alone, nor of Indian-rubber (caoutchouc) alone, but such a combination of these materials, as will produce the object desired. And it should be remarked, that there will be considerable advantage in the use of such stoppers over the employment of corks, as the stoppers made according to my invention, may be used over and over again, although they may have been drawn by a cork-screw, for it will be evident, that the punctured parts may be repaired by a fresh. covering of Indian-rubber, when the stoppers will be again as good as before.-In witness whereof, &c. WILLIAM BROCKEDON. Enrolled April 17, 1839. No. CIII.-VOL. XVIII. F Specification of the Patent granted to CLAUDE Scroth, of Leicester Square, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for certain Improvements in the Process, Manner, or Method, of Embossing or Producing Raised Figures, Designs, or Patterns, on Leather, or such like Materials, and in the Manner or Means used for effecting the same; also in the Making or Forming certain Tools or Apparatus used therein. -Sealed June 26, 1839. To all to whom these presents shall come, &c. &c.— The object of this invention is to make or produce, in an economical and perfect manner, fac simile copies of designs, figures, or patterns, done in basso-relievo, or in raised figures, whether stamped, carved, embossed, sculptured, modelled, cast, or otherwise produced; such copies or fac similes being by my improved process obtained in leather or skin of animals, or in connexion with other materials when required. These copies of devices are applicable to all the purposes, where such basso relievo ornamental work is required for the decoration of the interiors or exteriors of buildings, (as medallions, cornices, pannels, rosettes, picture, or other frames, &c. &c.,) and also for cabinet work, and various other articles of furniture, and in all situations where such raised or embossed ornamental work is applicable; and my invention consists, First, in the improved process or method used, in producing such fac-simile copies in basso-relievo or raised ornamental articles, and in the second place, in improvements in making or forming the matrixes and dies, or apparatus used in the process of obtaining the same. Having thus stated, in general terms, the nature and objects of my invention, I will proceed to describe the manner of carrying the same into effect. I will, first, describe the improvements in the making or forming of the dies, pots, or apparatus, in order to facilitate the des |