On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Liming Apparatus Needed.In many localities the soil is limed at intervals and it is very common to see piles of lime spaced apart throughout the fields. The former practice in liming the soil was to apply large amounts (1 to 3 tons per acre) at long intervals. Investigation has shown, however, that, as a rule, it is better practice to apply smaller amounts (500 to 1,000 pounds per acro) at shorter intervals. One difficulty in tho way of a general adoption of the latter practice has been the lack of an implement that will evenly distribute such small applica"ions of lime. It ought not to be difficult to devise sl1ch a distributing machine, and there is no doubt that an efficient implement for this purpose would aid greatly in promoting a desirable agricultural practice. A New Form of Package.-'he wrapping of merchandise, particularly proprietary articles, whether they be medicines or breakfast foods, has received much thought and great advances have been made. There appears, however, to be a feld for improvement in a wrapper which will serve its purpose as a distinctive, attractive label for the package until it has been sold at retail to the eonsumer and can then be utilized to wrap the package for the customer in the usual way. This might be effected in various ways, such, for instance, as by breaking a seal on the label wrapper and reversing the latter to bring its plain side into position to form the outer cover of the package. Such a wrapper should be popular with the retailer, the field of usefulness is practically unlimited and a satisfactory solution of the problem will doubtless require the careful consideration of an ingenious inventor. Fishing by Machine . -Just think of a man out fishing and wanting mechanical help in catching the fish! This is provided by Wladyslaw Filipowski of Hawthorne, Ill., in a patent, No. 999,214, for a fishing device which may be screwed into a post, pile or other support and has a spring arm over which the line is guided and a trigger to which the line is connected so that tension on the line, as when a fish bites, will pull the trigger and release the spring arm so it can pull upon the line. New Baseballs.-Two baseball patents, Nos. 999,526 and 999,527, have been secured by Benjamin F. Shibe of Bala, Pa. One of the patents shows a ball with a rigid, inflexible central core and layers of thread wound upon it, and the other a layer of highly resilient material between the inflexible core and the layers of thread. In the description accompanying patent No. 999,526 the patentee states that heretofore basehalls have heen constructed with the filamentous windings on a central core or foundation of a resilient, yielding substance such as rubber, upon the theory that the “reboundancy” of the structure was derI ved from the action of the resilient I qualIty of the central core, but he has , found that the use of a resilient core is unnecessary to produce resiliency in the ball, but that by the use of a rigid, unyielding and inflexible center core the reaction of the resilient qualities of the windings from a blow is more prompt and of greater effect and that the ball responds or rebounds with greater resiliency from the bat than if the core were more resilient and less resistant. When it is considered that probably more than twenty-five thousand baseballs are made every working day in the year, the importance of improvements in this line becomes evident. A Bow Separator for Motor Cars.-The Packard Motor Car Company is the assignee of a patent, No. 994,852, for a bow separator for vehicle tops, invented by Allen Loomis of Detroit. The separator is especially for use on automobiles, and the machine has a rest' on which is supported the lower long bow of the top when the top is lowered. The separator is to hold the bows apart so they will not rub against one another. Thus the separator is supported on the lower long bow and it has recesses which receive the intermediate bows, and also supports the upper long bow. Thus all the bows (Jan be secured together and be supported on the vehicle and the weight of the top how will not be exerted on the intermediate' bows and the bows will not rub against one another. Melting of Snow.-Samuol I'riedman of New York city has paton ted No. !)!l!l,44G, a snow melting machine, and a method of converting snow into slush, the latter (OIl-sisting in imparting heat to the snow and also adding salt to prevent the formation of caked masses of snow. The maehine has a tank and a chute through which the snow is conveyed to the tank, and a spring-supported plow, which can yield to pass obstructions. Legal Notes Classification of German Patents.-The United States Patent Office has for sale a translation of the Manual of Classification of the German Patent Offic(. This translation and the numerieal list of German patents, classified according to classes, sub-classes and groups, accessible in the Scientific Library of the United States Patent Office, will greatly facilitate the searches in, the German patents. Applying to a Court for a Patent.-In sustaining a demurrer and dismissing the bill in the case of Westinghouse Electric&Manufaeturing Company v. Ohio Brass Company, 169, O. G. page 204, the United States Circuit Court for the District of New Jersey held that the remedy by bilI in equity to obtain a patent which has been refused by the Patent Office, is a part of the application for patent and the failure of the complainants to institute proceedings within one year after the last official action on their application, to wi” the adverse decision of the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, is a bar to such proceedings by bill in equity. Ex Parte Harris.-In affirming the decision of the Commissioner of Patents, in the case of ex parte Harris, the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia has decided that elaims, for a method of preparing beverages, which include the three steps of preparing, storing and dispensIng the beverages, cover mere aggregations, since each of these steps is complete in itself and independent of the others. The method involved was for preparing beverages such as tea or coffee, in which a current of boiling liquid ,as admitted within a eharge of materIal, the resulting infusion was heated to a steaming condition, and the infusion so produced was stored under the pressure of the steam evolved therefrom and free from contact with the charge. These columns are open to all patentees. The notices are inserted by s pecial arrangement with the inventors. Term s on application to the Advertising Depa rtment of the SCIEN TIFIC AMERICAN. Pertaining to Apparel. BARRETTE.-A. S CHA R E R , New York, N. Y. 'he objects of this invention are to provide a barrette which, when once placed in the hair, will be securely locked in position by gripping the strands of lair, and thus keeping the stray locks in place, and avoiding danger of displacement or loss ; to provide a barrette which will be simple of construction, ornamental and readily attached and detached. Ot Interest to Farmers. INCUBATOR.-G. H. LEE, Omaha, Neb . Among the principal objects the invention has in view are: To provide means for ventila ting an incubator wberein the ventilation is diffused, preventing the formation of drafts and a voiding the necessity of forcing air through the machine; and to provide a sim ple, efficient and durable construction whereby the ventilation may be varied. THRESHING MACHINE. - C. M. FRICK, 'ownship 23, Pawnee County , Kan. 'his invention provides a feeding conveyer which may be thrown in one position so as to feed the material to the threshing part of the machine, or may be shifted to another position, in which it feeds the material over the end of the machine onto the ground. Another feature is a screen for sifting grain from chUff, which will be automatically maintained in a substantially horizontal position irrespective of whether the machine Is going up or down hill. Of ('eneral Interest. MWHOD OF REMOVING NICOTlN FROM TOBACCO.-J. SA ITi G, Nikolassee, near Berlin, Germany. This method treats tobacco or tobacco products in closed vessels, where the air is rarefied, with low pressure stearn at any tl'mperatul'e below 100 deg. C, while simultaneollHly pl'evfniing every condensation of tl", “team in the tobacco by bea ting the do",', vessels from without hy surrounding liquid, and in conducting the volatilized nicotin with the steam carrying it away to devices of any known construction for recovering the nicotin. 1·"OUNTAIN I'EN.-W. A. HOUSTON, Tracy Pen Co., Tracy, Minn. rhis device insures a uniform flow of ink to the pen nibs and paper , and its simple construction affords means for preventing the dropping of ink from the feeder or pen point to the paper in caSe tbe ink is fed too freely at times, FOUNTAIN PEN whereby the surplus ink SllIJplied is effectively taken up and retained until required, the writing rendered uniform and regular, and blot ting. caused by the dropping of ink from the pen point, is a voided. 'he overflow reservoir is so constructed tbat a relatively large amount of surplus ink may he confined within a small space at the end of the feeeing device. The device illustrated herewith is a sectional view tal,en axially through the nozzle portion of the pen provided with the feeding device. and showing part of the end of tbe ink reservoir. MOLD B'OR CONCHETE STHUC'lJRlCS.-J. S. LINTON, 1580 South Central Park Avenue, Chicago, Ill . The illustration in this case shows a mold or form for making concrete structtues , such as waJ1s, columns, beams, etc., and arranged to securely hold the mold parts in position, to allow of raising the mold as the building of the structure progresses, and to temporarily support the concrete ra torial to be used in the formation of tbe structure. The special means for raising the mold arc shown and described in the application for Letters Patent of the U. S., No. 953,476, granted to Mr. Linton. The mold is pl'Ovided with sets of uprights having brackets for sup-t porting horizontal beams extending from one e set of uprig h ts to the other and to which the C mold sides are secured so that the concrete . material can be readily filled into the space between the opposite mold sides. Hard1vare and Too] .. e RAZOR STROPPING DEVICE.-MILLARD F. COONS, 414 Broadway, New York, N. Y. ' 'he ' in vention has for its purpose the provision > of a device with two arms articulated to· r gether, one of the arms being pivoted to the e frame in which the stropping member is secured , a razor blade being mounted on the other arm. The perspective view of this durable strop shown in the engraving represents tIe device in tlse. While it is not nlcessary to he used a honing strop (', be readily applied to — -____.- RAZOH STROPPING DEVICE I the dfvicc. The device is simple in construc -1 tion and eaSily operated when placed in the ' palm of the hand. ''he blades can be sharp-' ened with great rapidity , and an easy free ' and clean swing of the blades Illay be obtained against the strop member. The complete out-fit weighs three ounces. This improvement is Patent No. 1,000,237, issued August 8, lUll, '. and is to he commerciall' known as the “Millard Simplicity Strapper. “ Heating and Li:hting. FURNACE.-W. SCHEFFLER, Gulfport, Miss . In this patent the invention has reference to furnace” for melting brass, and for other pur· 1 poses, and has lCferCDec more particularly to a furnace in which is p\Ovided a mova hIe support for a crucible or the like, together with means for moving the support into and out of the furnace. Household UtiJjties. KITCHENlTTE STOYK-K S. AIM", New York, N. Y. The inventor mounts a kitchenette stove upon journals or hearirigs and provid(s it with gas from a gas pipe sec tion, this gas pipe section Ill'ing provided with a valve fitting into a stationary fixture to which gas is supplied ; the arl'H ngement being such that when the stove is tilted into eitber I of its two positions the gas is turned on or off by the action of the valve. lacl.ines and lUecbanical Devices. ADDING MACHINK-C. B. CORELL, New York, N. Y. In tbis patent use is made or connected number wheels, a spindle and a stop bar ranging across the whc('ls, the said wheels and spindle being mounted to turn loosely one on the other, each wheel having its periphery provided with consecutive numerals alternating with recesses for engagement by a [lncil in the hand of the bperator, to govern the rela tive movement of the adjacent wheel and spindle. the stop bar turning with the spindle and forming a stop for tbe pencil or tool . SPINDLE LOCK.-MATTHEW O,IALIA, care Heynolds Brothers, 128 Coal Exchange Building, Scranton, Pa. rhe engraving illustrating this lock gives a view partly in elevation and partly in sreiiol, showing the loek completr . rrhe more particular pUnlOSe of the invention is to provide an improved lock for preventing the removal of a spindle, such, for instance, as is commonly employed in factory work, from its monnting. yet allowing the spindle all the freedom of motion which it nOw has, and also permitting the removal of the spindle when the operator wishes to release the lock. Means provide for mounting the latch in position and there is a special provision for supporting the latch hy aie of a rivet; a nd after the latter has bepn IIsed means provide for the rivet being headed up the second time. 26, 19 1 1 August SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN 1 95 LEGAL NOTICES 1ATENTS If you have an invention which you wish to patent you can write fully and freely to Munn&Co. for advice in regard to the best way of obtaining protection. Please send sketches or a model of your invention and a description of the device. explaining its operation. All communications are strictly confidential. Our vast practice. extending over a period of more than sixty years, enables us in many cases to advise in regard to patentability without any expense to the client. Our Hand Book on Patents i. sent free on request. This explains our methods. terms. etc ., in regard to PATENTS. TRADE MARKS. FOREIGN PATENTS. etc. All patents secured through us are described without cost to the patentee in the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. MUNN COMPANY 361 BROADWAY. NEW YORK Branch Office. 625 F Street. Washington. D. C. A T E N T I S RETURNED FEE PA 1 E. 11 1 »? “ RETURNED Free report as to Patentability. Illustrated Guide Book, and What To Invent with List of Inventions Wanted and Prizes o:ered for inventions sent free. VICTOR J. FV ANS&CO ., Washington. D.C. Classified Advertisements Advertising in this column i8 7; cents a hne. No less than four nor more than 12 lines accepted. Count Beven words to the line. All orders must be accom panied by a remitrance. Further information sent on request. SUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. TRUE MERIDIAS COMPASS NEEDT,E one of the most important inventions of the age. Capital needed for manufacturing, CorrespOlu1ence and inveMtigation solicited. Address, Herman Wagner, Waterloo, WlS. W ANTED-A man or woman to act ay our information reporter. All or spare time. No experience necoos-sary. $ to $300 per month. Notbing to sell. Send starnp for particulars. Sales ASSOCiation, 693 Association Bldg. Indianapolis, Indiana. PATENTS FOR SALE. u. S. P A TE N T FOR SALE, March 28, 19lt.-Patent No. 98S,061-For device “ Non-Refillable Bottle” electively made so by specially devised stopper of simple construction and cheap manufacture. Practically adaptable in principie to any form 01 size of bottle. Also CanadIan Patent. among otbers applied for. Outrilht Sale of tbe above, elther separately, or together. 'ferms Casb. All communications conveying of .l ers for same, and for further particulars, please adfress, Chas. E. W. Archer. 4 b Pictau Street, Port of Spain. Trinidad, B. W. 1. ' or Arnold A. W aterman, Merchant, 15 J'rederick St., Trinidad, B. W. I. ) 'OR SAL E.-All or balf interest in Pat. Screen door Fly trap. 'rraps all the flies in the l'oom in fifteen minutes, also all that accumulate on outside of screen. Address. J. W. R obinso n , Rogers, Ark. PATENT FOR AUT,)MOBILE NOVELTY, stock and supplies. Business active-been on th e market three years. Wortb investigating. Splendid opportunit) for live party. B. W. Pugo, 324 'ropeka Ave. Topeka, Kan. ARTH'IClAL RAIN.-New system of irrigation combined with electriled water. Best and cheapest fertilizer. Patented. Capital wanted to exploit same or will work on royalty basis. Patent for sale for removing scale from fruit trees. E. Olsson, 32 W. 9th St .. N.Y. City. U. a . AND CANADIAN PATENTS on cattle guards and B u to matiC setting false foor. Will send w orking moddel to prospective in vestor for exam ination on reg .. quest. For particulars address, H. H. Herring, Atas .. COS8, Texas. REAL ESTATE. CALIFORNIA [,AND, planted and operatef by experts, Is a splendid investment. Black 6gs best of all crops. Write. Geraldson Fruit Co.. Newcastle. California. (Packers Geraldson's Figs.) PUMP V ALVI.-IRNEST D. ORTON, .'ar· mersville, N. Y. The engraving in this case represents a vertical section of a valve for suction pumps, and one readily accessible for the purpose of cleaning or repairing. An object of the invention is the provision of a PUMP VALVE valve with means for adjusting the tension of said valve, for elevating water at different heights. l<'urther, to provide a valve with means for lifting the same by direct downward contact, to release the water imprisoned above thc valvc. The valve may be adjusted to any pump already in use by cutting out the old v aive an d lowe ring into its place this imp roved valve, which is readi ly secured in pos ition by m ea ns of l ugs.