Inventions of the Month.

Fair Play, Volume II, Issue 27, 1 November 1894, Page 25

Inventions of the Month.

|By Henry Hughes.]

Extracting th e seeds. of weeds such as goose grass, hair grass and the like, from cocksfoot, rye grass and seeds which can be similarly treated.—No. 6593, S. W. Lester, Christchurch, —This invention consists in tho discovery that grass seed can be separated from the seeds of certain weeds by simply giving a small vertical motion to the screen, and this principal is applied by a very simple form of cam placed underneath the screen ; the screen itself being-supported on sporings or rubber blocks. Improvements in landing nets.—No. 6935, A.. Holmes, Dunedin.—A colapsible landing net frame constructed, ot jointed segments and' pivoted to a handle so that it may be collapsed and folded back along the handle or distended by a swing motion of the frame. Fastening for machine belting.—No. 7158, Palamoun tain and Dawson, Invercargill.—This is a simple, cheap, and secure method of fastening belts, and consists in- passing the two ends to be joined through a square link, then passing them through a smaller square link, and turning back the ends in opposite * directions through the larger link. Improvements in window sashes .and in apparatus for hanging the same. —No. 7164, C. J. Cooze, Carterton. —There have been several applications for Letters Patent in New Zealand of a similar nature to the present, the object being to provide a simple method of allowing the window's to swing, more especially for the purpose of cleaning, so as to obviate the necessity of getting outside the window for cleaning or repair. The present invention consists in hanging the sash ,to a side block which extends the whole height of the sash and having a pivot on which the sash turns. There is a very ingenious arrangement of tongue to hold the window when sliding and prevent draft, and the sashes are hung by cords in such a manner that each sash is held in a horizontal position by the use of one sash weight. The whole of the sash pulleys can be easily examined by the removal of a slip placed over the head of the window. An attachment to the clothing for striking matches upon.— No. 7163, J. W. Bowman, Christchurch.—A suitably roughened surface is ingeniously attached under the flap of the waistcoat or in any convenient part of male or female clothing, upon which matches may be ignited by friction. . Improvements in sinks.—No. 7166, J. and T. Christie, Dunedin. —Consists in forming the overflow pipe with a removable cover so that it can be inspected, also in placing the outlet grating from the sink vertically or at an angle, so that it will not be easily choked. • " Improvements in gate actuating apparatus. —No. 7168, D. T. T. Shaw, Camperdown, Victoria.—This is' an arrangement whereby a rider may open or close a gate before arriving at the gate itself, and the, invention consists in erecting a shaft at right angles to the gate, such shaft being supported on posts, and having handles by which it can be turned and actuate the gate by means of chains. Improvements in the method of and apparatus for saving gold.—No. 7170, Harman and Bennett, Dungog, N.S.W.—This invention is a compact machine for saving gold from sand or tailings, the most novel feature being a well of quicksilver agitated by cams or beaters fixed to a revolving shaft. The water is returned back by elevating buckets so as to be used over again. - ; . Semi-automatic wide-opening- cow-bail. —No. 7171, G. ■Walwoeth, Tahurca.—The object is to pass the cow or bullock at once out of the shed _ through the framing of the bail after being' milked or branded. The. uprights forming the bail are held in position when in use by a catch at the top and by hinges, at the bottom formed of radial bars. By removing the said catch the bail will open out and allow the anifnal to pass. . . The erratic circuit. railway 7195, 0. P. Peez, Gpawa, Dhristchurch;e-This is a form of invention of a well-known •- principle where a room in which a carriage is placed is caused to revolve by the action of the carriage itself,: the impression

produced on the- occupants of tho car being that they have turned completely, over, whereas tho room itself olone turned. A new or improved hiding box silo. —No, 7179 l lu. -S. : Campbell, Papanui, Christchurch. —This is a vory simple or-* rangement for a silo, the silo itsolf consisting merely-of upright ; posts on which are grooves formed by 1 attaching, ainpg to tho> said posts. Into these grooves the onda of the boards are slipped down so as to form walls which may bo gradually raised to an height desired, and from which tho lowor boards.' oan be extracted as tho fodder descends, through a recess loft ’ for that purpose. An ingenious, simple and cheap arrangement of pulley blocks produces gradual pressure on tho silage. Improvements in opparatus for cooling liquids—-No’. 7188,. Lane, Pullman and Elworthy, Birmingham.—This is a simple 1 form of valvs through whioli carbonic acid is admit tod to ft refrigerating coil from the now well-known liquid, carbonic acid vessels, and thus fonns a convenient and instantaneous coolor for' small quantities of water and other liquids. Improvements in automatic pressure reducing valves.No. 7184, Lane, Pullman and Elworthy, Birmingham.—These valves are to meet tho demand for gas at very high pressures such as that arising from liquid carbonic acid, Tho arrange* ment is similar to a well-known principle of gas governor, but provided with powerful springs and pipes. ' Improvements in apparatus for regulating tho flow of coni?, pressed liquefiable gases to and from storage roservoirs.—No. 7185, Lane, Pullman anil Elworthy, Birmingham,--This invon* tion refers to apparatus for drawing off from a vessel either , liquid or gaseous carlxonic acid, anil consists of a pipo ftp* dipping into tho liquid at tho bottom of the vessel, and another' pipe communicating with tho giis in the upper part of tho same, both pipes being stopped by suitabio screw valves to suit the great pressure. Improvements in fanning hides and skins.—No. 7185, Bake and Levorott, Bayswatr, Middlesex.—Currents of hydrogen gaeor any suitable gaseous compound of tho same in which arsenic is present, are caused at intervals to pass throggh tho tanning, liquid in the pit containing the hides or skins to bo tanned, by which action the process of tanning is greatly expedited with the result of a superior leather at a cheap rate. This invention is applicable to open tanning pits but the pits may if desired bo closed temporarily by covers when it is intended to lead tho gas back to tho gas holder. The hydrogen gas may be produced by the aid of sulphuric acid acting on ordinary nine or iron, or by passing steam through a retort containing pieces Of iron or Other suitable material, in which case it will bo found that arsenic will be present in tho gas in sufliciefit quantity. Improvements in the construction of sherd binding harvos* ters.—No. 7187, E. Satnuelson, Banbury, England.—liclates'to sheaf binding harvesters known as “low down machincsTand consists in the mode of collecting the cut crop, from a platform, trussing the said crop, and conveying it by means of rdtory travelling packers from an upright gavelling chamber to a binding mechanism above the travelling wheels whore it is. bound, and finally ejects sheaves into a carrier or on fed'the ground. This is effected by means of a revolving drum placed ot the delivery side of the platform, between the platform and the main travelling wheel, which drum may be fitted with .ft series-of projecting fingers, and passes the cut crop into a gavelling chamber above it; from this chamber the crop is removed to intermittent travelling packers, tho fingers of which, deliver the crop to the binding mechanism. The separation; bo* tween the cut crop and the gavclling chambcr and the lmndlo being bound can be effected by tho. fingers of .the packer closing the tnroat of the chamber during the operation of binding. A table milk, cooler.—No. 7189, D. McKary, Rangrora.— Consists of a stand on which is fixed an inclined vessel through which cold water is circulated: tho uppor surface beicg coiftt' gated.- The milk descends from a receptacle, above and being - made to pass across the corrugations is .thereby cooled. „ ' An, automatic, self-registering tallying maohihC for use in numbering carcases of sheep, bogs of grain,- or any other pack* ages of merchandise delivered into any ship's hold or elsewhere

by means of;any shoot or. trough. No. 6566, J. H. Boundy, Blenheim.-r-Oonsißt?,in forming a section of the shoot in a hinged form so that by. the aid of springs it may register on a counting machine fixed to the side of a shoot the number of articles or packages delivered. . • The Incline Plane Digging Plough.—No. 6569, G-. W. ; .-Tiffin Poverty Bay, N.Z —This invention has for 4its‘objects to provide a plough which will pare off a thin sod,, lay if witTi the grass downwards, and then .cover the said sod 1 . with soil' with the effect that the grass is completely'buried. The ordinary frame-work and fittings of a plough are made use • of: excepting that the mould board and share are made to dip at • ,a sharper angle. A second mould board or skimmer is fixed in advance of the usual mould board and is capable of being fixed ‘ at sucjr a height that.it skims off the surface of the soil with «*'tirETvegetatioA attached, it over and lays it away from the land side of the plough. The whole of the earth and under-soil is then raked and by means of a share the front of which is horizontal and of the full breadth of the furrow. This share has a slight ascent to the mould board so that with a part of the front of the mould board it makes an inclined plane extending from the front edge of the share backward so as to receive the “ furrow slice ” which is turned over by the mould board proper so as to be broken up and deposited on the grass sod already laid by means of the share. .. . . An improvement in gas engines.—No. .6570, The Valveless Gras Engine Syndicate Ltd., Westminster, England;—This is an improvement on such gas engines as are referred to in specifications of New Zealand Patent No. 5688 .granted to Joseph Day, and consists in removing the inlet port or ports from the chamber itself, and placing them in a cylinder in such apposition that they may be covered by the piston through the entire-revolution ' except for an extremely brief period when the piston is close to the end of the stroke. • A new or iniproved suspendor for garments and some other —No. 6574, F. D. Fergusson, Auckland.—This -is a compact and ingenious arrangement of a hat hook, within and underneath which is a tongue which can be opened to receive the garment and firmly hold the same until the tongue is again released. '

Improvements in apparatus for sanitary disinfection.—No. 6588, H. Hermann, Sydney, N.S.W.—Relates to the “Germicide ” system for sanitary disinfection in which a solution of chloride of zinc or other material is applied to the closet bowl ,and a solution preferably of thymol is intermittently sprayed into the room by means of an atomizer. Liquid disinfectant is ' used in,a highly concentrated form, and the apparatus consists' • of a vessel provided with a spout-composed of fibres of vitrious substance so arranged that the liquid will flow out through the fibres in direction of their length. Ah elastic and adjustable - washer surrounds the fibres and is confined with a spring valve • to control the pressure. j- ; .: Apparatus for operating atomizers.—No. 6,589, H., Herman, . sydney, N.S.W.^ —This specification seems to have ah extra- . 'ordinary title, but it* refers to a pneumatic arrangement for • closing doors, the advantage being that the operating mechanism may be placed at near the outer edge of the door as desired, and the force of the discharge be always uniform and not depend, on the force with which the door is moved, besides which the discharge can be easily regulated. . Improvements in ammonia or gas compressors.—No. 6865, H. D. G. Marr, Stratford.—This is a, compact form of compressor pump having a central chamber filled with oil in which a .crank revolves and drives plungers which fit into pumps placed on either end of the said chamber, thus securing perfect lubrication in va /simple manner. One of the pumps is fixed ; above, and the othef beimv the centre line of the driving shaft so as to more equally distribute ,the power on the work , per- , formed. J; :Pad or ear piece' for telephone receivers.—No; .6874, > Kinnibufgh, Wellington.—lt is .well known that'in the telephone : . receivers as at present constructed; the outer .surface is contin- - . .ualljr presented to the ears of different persons, and .that in. time 4ns, surface b ecoih es soiled and offensive, more especially by the > -

moisture from the face and , ear,, and moreover that such apparatus is not readily cleaned or washed without impairing the instrument. Now by this invention .the operator can whenever desired and with, very little trouble make a .clean surface on that part of the receiver which touches the ear, and this surface may, if desired, be-made of absorbent'material and of. a colour which will show plainly; when the receiver, has become soiled. In carrying out the invention a tube or pad is made of blotting paper. This blotting paper is cut to the .form of a disc with a circular hole in the centre so that each piece of paper is in the form of ah ordinary washer. These pieces of paper are pressed into a convenient shape so as to form the surface of tbe receiver and fit the ear conveniently. They are then piled one above the other and gummed together at their edges so as to. form a tube, but in such a manner that each disc or washer can be torn or split off and have the clean surface below exposed. The ear pad is not only more7comfortable, but improves andeoftens the sound.' v" : -

Improved gold saving machine'.—No. . 6971, .F. Condy. Sydney, N.S.W.—- I This invention has for its object the treatment of gold of yearing alluvial, tailings, slimes, and other gold-bearing materials, for the separation of -the gold contained therein, .and more especially where the hold is too fine for recovering by customary methods. The essential feature of the invention is a rotating and. revolving cylinder, in which are a number of blades or paddles, which rotate with the cylinder but do not revolve. In each end of the cylinder are several conical tubes having their smallest diameter inside, and opening into the cylinder, each opening being protected by a ball. - Improvements in machines for cutting wrappers for cigarettes from tobacco leaves.—No. 7019, A. Moonelis, New York.— In the utilisation of tobacco leaves for cigarette covers, it is necessary to secure an oblong and rectangular section of tobacco, the relative dimensions of the sides and end of the wrapper depending upon the nature of the cigarette, and to cut the wrappers so that the-ribs and veins will lie parallel to the longer edge so that when the filler of the cigarette is rolled and the wrapper is wound around it, the said ribs and veins will lie along the length of the cigarette. -It is also essential to secure ■wrappers which will be as free as possible from disfiguring,ribs or veins and to this end it is necessary that the operator when cutting should keep as near as possible to its outer edge. One part of the invention consists of a cutting device whereby the leaf can be fed through the cutting machine, and. also transparent guiding plate so that an unobstructed view-of the tobacco leaf is permitted and the operator can witn great rapidity sever the-wrappers and guide the leaf so that the most economical results can be obtained. ’ Another important feature is the arrangement of the cutting apparatus including with a cutter and transparent folding plate a table haying a rectangular opening through which the cutter'can penetrate, the opening being the shape and size of the wrapper. This opening is set at-an angle to the edge of the table so that, the leaves may be readily cut at an angle of 45 degrees, that being the angle of the veins of the. leaf.

Improvements in cigarette machines.—No. 7020, A. Moonelis, New York.—Relates to the manufacture of all tobacco cigarettes,' viz., cigarettes which employ tobacco fillers and tobacco wrappers in contradistinction to the ordinary paper ' wrapper cigarettes. Consists essentially of a terminal apron on which the filler is rolled, and which delivers it in a rolled condition to the Wrapper proper for its reception; with means for" operating said terminal, apron from the rear end so as to produce the necessary tension on the same. It also consists in an improved. form o f wrapper, delivering; carrier,. whereby the mapper is carried towards the filler in ahorizontal direction, and then dropped into‘position at the moment' the filler is ready to, . be encased within it, and a pasting device; consisting : of a.brush "which is brought into contact with the outer edge;,of the wrapper at the propbr ,moment and;held.';in;cbntact with';tiie same by the retreating wrapper carrier, in such amanner;thatra9 the wrapper carrier leaves the Wrapper it will press .shghtiy'upwards agadrisi . the wrapper and its pasting brush so that the extreme-edge will;; be gummed. The invention sh 'hnproyed: ;

cutting device whereby the butts are.setered from the cigarettes and delivered in a proper manner to a Receptacle, and having means for mutilating the butt ends of the cigarettes so that they can be utilised for fillers.

Apparatus for washing and drying currants and for mixing and beating eggs, No. 7092, A. L. J.Tait, Dunedin.—This seems to be a similar invention to; that- which has recently given rise to so much litigation -in the case of Walters vN.Tait, and the claims.seem to consist in using such a machine for a ; different purpose, viz., for making puddings eto., instead of churning cream.

Improvements in-wire strainers—No. 7105, Ward & Harvey, Dunedin.—An improvement on a well-known form of wire* strainer where the wire is laid into a groove in a small, barrel, and the wire strained by the revolution of the said barrel.. The novelty consists in the form of teeth by which .the barrel is held permanently to the wire. Improvements in the joints or connections of water closets, urinals, and other like earthenware goods, No. 7129, T. W. Twyford, Hanley,; England.— The' earthenware pipe * leading from the closet is made in a porous biscuit state and this, porous surface is covered with plumbago on which is deposited copper by a current of electricity.: A metallic deposit covers the inside and outside of the end of the pipe so that when a metallic drain pipe is inserted it can be soldered with a pipe-joint. By these means the usual rubber joints are dispensed with. Improvements in apparatus for aerating water or otherliquid with carbonic acid. or other gas under pressure and bottling the same.—No. 7130, H. S. Elworthy, Stratford, England.—Consists of an ingenious arrangement of cylinders, pistons, and valves by means of-which the gas at a pressure of about 50 or 60 atmospheres is made to pump the aerated liquid into a mixing reservoir, and finally into the mineral water bottles.

An improved crusher and pulveriser.—No. 7132, Lens and Paynter, Gawler, South Australia.—This is an improved and an ingenious method to apply the principle, of the stone breaker to reduce the material to a greater degree of fineness, and. consists in two cams or levers, thefaces of which are partly serrated and partly smooth, and which faces act against one another, and can be very accurately set and so curved that when. the rough material enters it is broken up, but on leaving the smoother part of the faces of the levers it can be thoroughly pulverised. There are simple and accurate means of setting levers so as to regulate the size of the material crushed. Improvements in Venetian blinds.—No. 7138, W. Gee, Christchurch.—Claims to be improvements on the well-known principle of raising and lowering Venetian blinds by means of a roller and one cord wound upon the same. The improvement consists principally in using tapes instead of cords for lifting the slats. ... v

Improvements in jointed lever attachments for hind seats of buggies, waggons, or : similar vehicles.—No. 7134, E. R. Atkin, Auckland.—-This is a simple invention for changing a two-seated into a one-seated vehicle, and vice versa, and consists in an arrangement of levers whereby the back seat can be lowered and passed under the front seat’. . Improvements in drain traps.—No. 7136, J. and T Christie, Dunedin.—Consists in fitting to a drain pipe a bell shaped mouth, and a metallic’ grating having a. handle to lift the same, which drops into a recess when not in use. The drain pipe is the full size of the grating but tapers downwards and forms a syphon trap, which trap has aD inspection lid placed on the top of the rise of the bend. v

Deepening bars,-channels and rivers.—No. 7137, P. Nolan, . Dunedin.—Consists of- an iron- framed- harrow with tines or teeth' at the intersections, of the frame pointing downward and forward. It is fitted with, a towing chain. Animal and bird trap.—No. 7138, J. E. Sprey, St. Bathan’s, Otago.—Consists in attracting -the birds or animals to alight on" a perch which, closes a door or passage behind, after which the birds or animals make their exit into an enclosure. , -Improvements in or'relating to -syphons.—No. 7189, T. L.' Grigg, Dunedin.—A simple appliance attached to' an ordinary

syphon used for withdrawing kerosene from Aholois - made in the tin, and .the syphon inserted 1 ' > : tached thereto enables the operator to force Ofr into the tin when the eyphon will work in the There is no loss of kerosene,and the syphon is started wiwdfciil the hands coming into contact with the;liquid. A cC'ek'ii^rhv^ vided at the outer end for stopping,the supply as required.; f^rs; Improvements in the' construction ofsulkies, also •> toother vehicles.-—No. 7147. B. L. Trepaji,- Sydney.—Npvetiy >j consists in adapting the springs to anindependentfratne of to the shafts, and combining thorewi&lthe use springs thus avoiding the objectionable vibration the present / • vehicles. . Aerating and cooling milk.—No. 7151, ThbnttWdllpll Feilding.—This is a class of invention for winch several ]f&tetittf|| have been applied for recently, and consists' in a vessel far rd*lf ceiving the milk from which ■it descends through perforated holes on to a corrugated Burfaco kept' cool-by > a oiroulationolj water. The exact novelty is not very oleorly described. „*. " ' * An improved ball bearing.—No. 7160, Truegrove. and, Adams, Christchurch.—This invention relates to ball such as are used lor velocipedes, and provides a readily afljujrt*';; able bearing which is so constructed that the friction of surmcebV in contact, are matorially reduced. It consists of a boaring in-? which the spindle lias tne “ball race “or surfaoo upon the balls are arranged to travel, convex (instead of oonoave. deusually the base) while the bearing or hub is recessed in a cohvl cave form, or the ball race on the spindle may bo concave, ahd r i’ the recess in the hub or bearing convex, whichever may be' most convenient in praotico. ! A combined clothes horse, hat rack and umbrella stand.— -. No. 7155, W. H. Watson, Canterbury.—-This invention consists in fixing to the ordinary upright of uu umbrella and hat stand; j arms with supports which when spread'out-form-a olothes horse. The clothes horse folds up within the said upright so ds ■; to hide the same and prevent unsightliness. . -v Improvements in machines or apparatus for breaking,» scutching,and decorticating flax.—-No. Vi 62, The Fibre Maehfc ? nery Co., London.—Although this invention does not refer tevNewi Zealand flax it should:be very interesting to New Zealand flax millers as it seems possible to apply it as a substitute for the present stripping process. The machine is very simple, con*, swtirig of one or more, poirs'of feeding rollers, preferably fluted*; * working at a .slow speed and gripping tho leaf firmly t ,and a*> pair of decorticating rollers working at 40times the speed of.the feed rollers. The ingenious part of tho invention lies in the. v ‘decorticating rollers, which ore fluted longitudinally in such a ' manner that the blades or flutes of tho rollers work within oho another like the teeth of a pair of cog wheels, but ore accurately * geared so that the blades do not touch in revolving. One part of. the circumference of each of the decorticating rollers carries ' coarse blades, and the other carries fine blades whioh * varying, rubbing or beating and scraping action on the Jhre, - stripping off the pellicle in ,a most complete manner.' Improvements machinery for scutching .flax, 7158, The Fibre Machinery Co., London. —This invention con* - sists of a machine which will produce a complete finishing scutching action on the fibrous material after the same has been’ crushed previously by passing through any suitable breaking and crushing machine. Tho machine though simple in its ’ operation, is elaborate and well worked out, and consists of a horizontally revolving metal belt, like a band saw with its teeth upwards, and on to which the flax is clipped bo that one., end -projects and its revolution is gripped by.ingeniously formed beaters. When one end has been scutched, the other end htH presented to the beaters, so that the whole flbreis suiting in.-a clean sample. -