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the sphere, to be directed, at will, to any part of the form of types.

L, is a frame or case of cast-iron, with projecting ledges, to receive the flanges of the inner pan м, which is open at bottom, and allows the solution to drop into the tank below.

N, is a plate of perforated metal, resting on small ledges, projecting from the inner surface of the pan м. This plate carries, at its bottom, a metallic cloth c, c, forming a bag or pocket, which is used for filtering the liquid, as shewn in the detached horizontal view, fig. 2.

o, is a second filter, resting likewise on rims, projecting from the inside of the pan м. This second filter is formed by a metallic ring d, d, with a conical orifice, narrower at bottom than at top; of a second ring e, e, equally conical, and fitting exactly into the first; and of a metallic cloth f, the circular edge of which is introduced between the two rings, and they are pressed tightly together, for the purpose of holding the cloth f, when in their places, as shewn in the vertical section, fig. 3, and in plan at fig. 4. On the second filter is placed wood ashes or fine sand, such as is generally employed for filtering water.

The form of types, blocks, or other printing surfaces, to be cleansed, is to be placed on the inclined frame c; the doors of the box B, are then closed, and the cock of the pipe D, opened. On the plate N, is then placed quicklime and carbonate of soda or potash, in successive layers, and nearly of equal thickness. Water is to be poured on this in a sufficient quantity to obtain a solution of a proper strength, according to the effect to be produced. Carbonate of lime is thus formed, which remains on the upper and lower filters; and the potash or soda, in solution, running through the lower aperture of the pan м, drops into the tank F, below.

Instead of using the carbonate of potash or soda, in a solid state, it may be diluted previously in water; and this solution is then to be poured upon the quick-lime; the rest of the operation being conducted as above stated. The liquid which has passed through the plate N, is filtered again, on passing through the bag o, before it falls into the tank F.

The heat produced, when the lime takes hold of the carbonic acid, contained in the carbonate of soda or potash employed, is turned to account, by means of the jacket, formed by the outer case L, as it becomes unnecessary to warm the detersive solution, the pans being closed by a cover, as represented in the figure, to retain the heat. When a sufficient quantity of solution of potash or soda has thus been obtained, the operation of cleansing the types may be performed in the following way :

The cock of the pipe a, dipping into the tank F, is opened; that of the tank G, being closed, the pump is set in motion, and the liquid, raised by the pump, is directed in a proper manner through the pipe 1, by moving the ball and socket, or articulated sphere H, so as to direct the jet to the part required.

The liquid dashed on the types, absorbs the printing ink, and runs off by the pipe D, which brings it back on the filter N. The liquor being again decomposed, by the action of the lime, falls on the second filter, on which it leaves the black and soap, formed by the decomposition of the ink, and the purified liquor drops into the tank F, whence it is again drawn up for a subsequent operation.

When the liquid, discharged from the box B, becomes so loaded with greasy matters, that it cannot be purified, before it drops into the tank F, it is a sign that the lime is saturated; a fresh quantity of lime must then be added, to decompose the saponaceous compounds formed. The calcareous soap remains on filters, as well as the lamp-black, while the potash and the soda employed become liberated again, and the operation is continued.

When the form of types has been sufficiently washed with the alkaline solution, the cock, in the pipe a, and that in the pipe b, is opened; pure water is then pumped from the tank G, on to the frame, which completes the operation.

It will be understood that, before the rincing, the cock of the pipe D, must be closed, and a cock of an exit pipe opened, to allow the water to escape from the box B.[Inrolled in the Petty Bag Office, March, 1842.]

Specification drawn by Messrs. Newton and Son.

To JAMES IONS, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gent., for improvements in smelting copper ores.-[Sealed 13th January, 1842.]

For the purpose of effecting this improved process, a cupola furnace is employed, in connection with a powerful blast. This furnace is similar, in its general construction, to those commonly used by iron-founders, but with the additions and improvements which are shewn by the drawings.

In Plate XII., fig. 1, represents a longitudinal section of the improved cupola and its appurtenances; fig. 2, is a horizontal section, in the line A, B, of fig. 1; and fig. 3, is a transverse section, in the line C, D, of fig. 1.

The hearth or bottom a, a, of the cupola, is built of brick or stone, in the usual manner, but round its exterior surface, plates of iron or other metal b, b, are fixed, in segments or squares, as may be desired. This metallic casing is put together in such a way, that any part of it may be removed without displacing the whole, according as it may be required, to gain access to the interior of the furnace.

Openings or holes c, and d, are made, for the purpose of tapping or allowing the egress of the scoria and the regulus. The opening c, is at an elevation of about two feet above the opening d. Above the plates b, b, the body or shaft of the cupola e, e, is erected; in the inside it is formed of brick or stone, but its outer surface is surrounded by pipes, or compartments of iron or other substance, as at ff, so as to admit a copious circulation of water or other refrigerating fluid, over and about the masonry, or any part thereof, of which the interior of the cupola is formed, the design being to keep the outside of the cupola at a low temperature, in order to obviate the necessity of frequent repairs.

The head or top of the cupola, supported by pillars rising from the base, is provided with an opening g, for the supply of the ore; and opposite to this opening is the vent or flue h, h, for the outlet of the vapours arising in the process. This flue is connected with a chamber or tower i, i, or other convenient erection, in which are deposited the sub

stances rising from the cupola, in a state of sublimation or vapour. The precise form of this deposit-chamber i, i, is not important, neither the materials of which it is composed; but to facilitate the deposition of the vaporised substances, a quantity of material, having smooth surfaces, should be so placed in the chamber as not to prevent the proper draft of the cupola. This material may consist of flags, slates, nodules of stone, or other convenient substances, which will facilitate the condensation of the fumes of the metallic products liberated during the smelting; and the rule in placing them, is to offer to the vapour as large an extent of surface as is consistent with the proper draft of the furnace.

The deposit-chamber may be placed at such a distance from the cupola as may be convenient for the premises, and it may be of a size and shape according to the pleasure of the proprietor; or he may have one or more, as he may desire, as at j,j. A sufficient quantity of water must be constantly supplied to the interior of this chamber, by the pipes k, k, so as to keep it cool, and to wash down the deposited substances which are collected in a receiving vessel, 7, at the bottom.

The operation or process of smelting copper ore, by this cupola, is conducted as follows:

The ore having been roasted or calcined, in convenient lumps, similar to those used in obtaining sulphurous or sulphuric acid, is introduced into the cupola, with such proportions of coke, lime, silex, or other flux, as the nature or quality of the ore may require, in order to effect a perfect fusion. The mass being melted, is allowed to accumulate in the bottom of the cupola, until it rises to nearly the height of the tuyre-pipes m, m, when the upper hole c, of the metallic casing, before described, is tapped, and the scoria or slag is allowed to run out. This outlet is denominated the "slag tap," and it is used, during the process, to let off the scoria or slag, in a state of fusion, from the surface of the copper regulus, which, from superior gravity, falls to the bottom of the furnace, as soon as it is separated from the mass.

When the process has been a sufficient time continued,

and the scoria let off at the slag tap c, at such periods and in such quantities as the quality of the ore and flux may require, the lower hole d, called the "regulus tap," in the metallic casing, is tapped or opened, and the copper regulus run off into pigs, and afterwards treated in the usual manner for obtaining metallic copper. In this process, it is necessary that care should be taken not to reduce the iron to a metallic state, but to retain it in the condition of a vitreous fluid, so that the regulus of copper may the more readily separate from it.

In the course of these operations, and usually in six or eight days, (or sooner, if the process is not conducted with attention and success,) a portion of the iron, partly in a metallic state, and partly in combination with copper and various substances, deposits at the bottom and on the sides of the cupola, in the state of a hard incrustation, which it is necessary to remove. This is done by taking out one or more of the metallic plates, as may be required, so that access may be conveniently obtained to the interior of the furnace, and the deposited substance removed, without the necessity of pulling down and reconstructing the whole.

This metalliferous substance contains, with other substances, iron and copper, and they are separated by means of one or other of the following methods:-The mass is subjected to the action of muriatic or sulphuric acids, so as to dissolve the iron it may contain. Of the solution muriate or sulphate of iron is made, according to the acid employed; and the residuum, consisting of copper, in combination with other substances, is further treated as regulus of copper.

The second mode is as follows:-The substance to be operated upon is placed in a reverberatory or puddling furnace, and there raised to a powerful heat; after which it is taken out in convenient portions, and subjected to a strong pressure, the effect of which is to retain the iron, and to cause the copper, in combination with earthy and other matters, to exude from the mass.

The patentee claims, Firstly.-The construction of a cupola or furnace, for smelting copper, having metal plates on the outside of the masonry of the hearth, with holes at

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