# Transcript of Record — Minerals Separation, Ltd. v. Butte & Superior Mining Co. > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/brief%3Amicro_IA40386004_0140%3A3 ## Record - **Collection:** Supreme Court brief - **Document type:** Transcript of Record - **Published:** January 1, 1919 - **Citation:** 250 U.S. 336 ## Text INDEX TO VOLUME IIL. Original. Print Defendant's Exhibit) Certified Copy of File-wrapper and Contents of Schwarz Patent No. 807,501........ 1881 1105 Defendant's Exhibit Certified Copy of File-wrapper and Contents of Schwarz Patent No, SOT508........ 1901 1116 Defendant's Exhibit) Certified Copy of File-wrapper and Contents of Kirby Patent No. CN se siccvecas 1927 1131 Defendant's Exhibit Certified Copy of File-wrapper and Contents of Patent in Suit. No. EE box vcs 1974 1156 Defemlant’s Exhibit: Certified Copy of File-wrapper and Contents of Kirby Patent No. Re 2011 1178 Bradford patent No. S45.901...............000...... 2052 1204 Evers patent No. 308 057................0000000... 2057 1209 Wagner patent No 373.013..................0.5...., 2060 31212 Horkley patent No, MMG%.. eee cece. 2064 1215 Rowe patent No ODM... .. 2... eee ec ccccee ee, 2070 1221 Hebron and Evessen pmtemt No. 471,176... .. cc ccccce. 2075 1226 FP. E. Elmore patent No. ests... o.oo... LOSS 1235 F. EB. Elmore patent Ne. I 60 5 u5.u¥shedinecavede 2089 1239 A. 8. Elmore patent No. @070.................... 2093 1243 A. 8. Elmore patent No, 602,643.................... 2006 1246 Stoveken patent No, TIDAUG............00.00000005., 2098 1248 Delprat patent No, T35.071...............00c00-00. 2108 1258 Glogner patent No, T96,381................00005..... 2112 1261 FOOR PRONE Mo, THBED.. ccc cccecccccccececscce, 2116 1264 Delprat patent No. TO8,085.........00...0c00000-55., 2122 1269 Kendall patent No, 771.075. .............cccceceeee.., 2126 1272 Potter patent No. TIG14B... 6.2... ccseseccccvucees.., 2132 1277 Cattermole patent No. T77,273.........cccccceceees., 2136 1280 Cattermole, Sulman and Picard patent No, 777.274.... 2141 1285 Cattermole, Sulman and Picard patent No, 788,247.... 2148 1287 Sulman and Picard patent No. BON: io bo be N ok ccw ss 2146 1289 Schwarz patent 807,501.............. Shlewes ie Wie tea 2151 1294 Schwarz patent 807,503......... een ere ery Pere oo 2155 1297 Kirby patent 809.959... OP ee ree ACF a eee oes oe 1299 Sulman patent 835,143......... palalelaeiatk ao wale a a atee ae 1308 Sulman, Picard and Ballot patent 835,479. ........... 2172 1311 Kirby patent 888,626... . Rianne as a ateleie ene Rove eet 2176 1314 Sulman, Picard and Ballot PATONE STOOBG . 6.0.66 cscs enn 2181 1319 Hyde patent 1,022,085.................. CRs wA pie esac 2188 1326 English patent to Lake, 12,778, 1902........ rocerrroae 1332 Colloquy between court and counsel, &............ cctuces Blue 13385 Testimony of Maxwell R. BUWEIOR: os6 cs. oe vaeaWeeedlea sy: ae 1391 Testimony of Henry D. Williams......... new ane wa wueeee -. 2350 1412 il INDEX. Original. Print Colloquy between court and counsel, Ke... 6666666 e eee es 2353, 1414 Testimony of John Ballot.......0: eee eee cere reer re eeees 2378 144 Frank FR. Wicks... cvcccsccccncvcvcecceces 2384 1430 Cli, WRENN 6 oy cans etme inte reseén reo eens 2532 1503 Thomas A. Janney. ... cee cee eee eer eereeeee WA2 1509 Ralph Augustus Conrads.....+..ee.eee rere 2629 14 Edward W. Engleman........¢eseee eer eees 2732 1605 Ben H. Dosenbach......ccccesceseercovees 2749 1614 Samuel P. Sadtler......cccccsccccecocscers 2778 1629 Ben H. Dosenbach (recalled) .........++-+- 2836 1658 Samuel P. Sadtler (resumed )........-6+06: 2841 1661 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. V8, MIN, SEP, LTD., ET AL. 1105 1881 DEFENDAN?T’s Exuipir, Certified Copy of File-wrapper and Contents of Schwarz Patent No. 807,501, United States of America, Department of the Interior, United States Patent Office, To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: This is to certify that the annexed is a true copy from the Records of this Office of the File Wrapper and Contents, in the matter of the Letters Patent of Alfred Schwarz, Assignor to Schwarz Ore Treat- ing Company, Number 807,501, Granted December 19, 1905, for Improvement in Processes of Concentrating Ores, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m seal of the Patent Office to be affi ed at the City of Washington, this 20th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twelve and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and thirty-sixth, [SEAL ] Y hand and caused the F. A. TENNANT. Acting Commissioner of Patents. 1882 2-437, Divn. XXV. Number (Series of 1900), 256,487, 1905, Div. 3 25. | (Exr.’s Book ) 621%, | Patent No. 807,501. ame: Alfred Schwarz, Assor. to Schwarz Ore Treatin of T henix, Territory of Arizona, a zona, Of New York, State of New York, Invention: Process of Concentrating Ores, 5, g Company, corporation of Territory of Ari- 70—Ree. BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. Parts of applica- Original. Renewed. Petition, Apl. 19, 1905, ——- —, 190-. Affidavit, “ « 1905, —— —, 190-. Specification, “« * 1905, —— —, 190-. ° Cert., —- —, 190-, —— —,, 190-. Appl. filed complete Apl. 19, 1905, —— —, 190.. Examined, Lewis B. Wynne, July 12th, 1905, —— —, 190-. Countersigned, J. W. Babson, —, 190-. For Commissioner. For Commissioner. Notice of Allowance, July 138, 1905, —, 190-. Final Fee, Cash $20, Nov. 25, 1905, —— —, 190-. .* “ Goer, —, 190-, ——- —,, 190. [On left margin:] Division of App. No. —, filed ——-—, 190-. 1883 Patented December 19, 1905. Associate Attorney . Attorney Chas. 8S. Jones, 141 B’dway, New York, N. Y. Name 3. Patent No. Serial Number ——. Date of Patent ——. $15, Ck., Received Apr. 19, 1905. Y. Chief Clerk, U. S. Patent Office. New York, April 15, 1905, Hon. Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. Sir: I enclose herewith the papers in the matter of the application of Alfred Schwarz for an improvement in the Process of Concentrat- ing Ores together with check for $15.00 in payment of the filing fee thercon. Respectfully, CHARLES 8. JONES. (Enclo.) i ———) othix greatly inereases the chance that all of the mineral particles which exhibit preferential adhesion for it, shall be brought inte contact with it, Seme of the hydrocarbon coate | par- ticles will float to the surface without assistance; hut, a considerable quantity of such particles will not be sufficiently buovant and some of such particles and some globules of the mixture would be trap; ed in the eands, In order te reeover this lew baovant material together with the glolules of the mixture, the mae, which tends to settle, is slowly lifted and turned over to liberate the coated particles, and the globules, and, at the «ame time a gas, preferably air, ix blown inte the mass, preferably near the bottom thereof, The air bubbles not only tend te attach themeeclves direetly to the coated particles and thus float them to the surface, but the air becomes diseolved in the water to ite maximum capacity, This dixolved air tends to again separate iteelf from the water, and attach itself in minute globules to the couted particles, 1 find that air, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and mareh gas are satisfactory for this purpose; and doubtless many other or all gases will operate in the same way,—but [ prefer air. It might be here added that beeause the solution is broken up into small globules there is littl likelihood that any of the non- coated particles shall be entangled with the coated concentrates and carried to the surface. In removing this floating, hydro-carbon-coated concentrate it is practically impossible to exclude some of the water in which 1G the mented particles are held in suspension. It is there- fore desirable that this concentrate shall be washed free from such non-coated minerals, This step is not, however, absolutely essential, It is possible to remere a very large part of the hydro- carbon by filtration beeause of its s>in character, It is not, how- ever, possible to remove it all by this, or any other mechanical pro- cess; but because of the character of the hydrocarbon solvent used it is powible to recover all of it for future use by a process of dis tillation which constitutes the fourth step of the complete process. I will now describe the apparatus shown in the drawing for prac- tically carrying on said process, A represents the mixing ral B represents the separating tank; C represents the settling tank; D represents the filter, and E another filter which may or may not be used according to circumstances; G represents a settling box or tank into whieh the liquid from the filter or filters is discharged; H represents the retort furnace; 1 the dust collector used in connection therewith; J a condenser; K the settling tank in which the con- denser discharges the condensed vapor; and M represents a reservoir from which the solution may be fed into the mixing tank and into the separating tank. In the separating tank B is a vertical shaft 6 having on its upper end a gear 6’ by which it may be rotated. The head of the shaft above the driving gear passes through an oil and air box 1 which re- main- stationary while the shaft revolves, and is supplied by BUTTE & SUPR, MNG, CO, VS. MIN, SEP., LTD, BT AL. 137 1687 the hydrocarbon pipe (2) and the air pipe (3). The box rests on the rotating shoulder (4) of the shaft, and is held down to a tight joint by the collar (5) and lock nut cap (6), Through the hollow shaft (7) extends a small hydrocarbon pipe (8), the upper end of which is firmly inserted within the upward extension (10) of the shaft, and this central pipe conveys the hydro- carbon. In the stationary box the air enters the annular chamber (11), paswing through its open bottom through a set of apertures (12) to the interior of the shaft. The hydrocarbon enters a similar annular chamber (13), from which it passes by aperture (14) inte the top of the central hydrocarbon pipe, The hub and revolving arme are shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The step hearing is supported on a pedestal (15) provided with a wooden block (16) which supports the moving wearing plate (17) of the shaft. Lubricating water under pressure is introduced through the pipe (1S), finding its way out from the bearing through side grooves, (50). The sides (19) of the shaft are carried down below the hearing so as to leave an annular space (20) between them and the pedestal, This annular «pace is intended to constitute an air bell, designed to assist the lubricating water in excluding sand from the hearing. The air supply in it ix maintained by a slight stress of air which escapes beneath the bell through the pipe (21). The air current for the charge pass down through the shaft, posting (as shown by the arrows) through the side channels (22) into the hollow arms (23), (23). From each arm it passes 18 out through drop pipes (24) (24), The hydrocarbon liquid isdelivered through small pipes, par- allel with said hollow arms, emerging at the outlets (25) (25). The radially Mar, 24.05. 4 [raidally|* seraping blades (26) (26) are se- cured to the arms (23), and also the inclined lift- ing plow (27) at the extremity of the said arms, this being so set as to foree the circulation upwards at this point. The rotary movement of the charge leads the floating scum of hydrocarbon liquid, ad bubbles and concentrates against the curvet Mar, 24/05. , [spiral]* skimming bar (28) which is hung so as to arrest and deflect this floating layer and cause it to pass into the settling and washing chamber or box (29). The edge of this box outside of the skimming bar is submerged sufficiently to allow the floating material to pass over it while the remaining part of said edge is raised above the liquid so as to detain every- thing passing into it. Owing to the agitation within the tank caused by the movement of the arms (23) and the rising air bub- bles, the water even near the top is not clear, but turbid or muddy with slimes or fine particles of the non-coated minerals, which do not settle rapidly enough to get out of the way. The floating con- centrates are carried mainly at the lower surface of the hydrocar- bon layer where it is in contact with the water. The discharge gate (* Words and figures enclosed in brackets erased in copy.) 72—Ree. re et ™ yarn ~~. FOOTE I PO SHR RES Tyne * thins eRe 1138 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD.. ET AL. (32) in order to permit these floating particles to pass out, must be set low enough to clear them, and must therefore allow portion of the water to pass out with the skimmings, and this muddy 1939 water would therefore carry its suspended particles of the worthless minerals which would make the concentrates im- jure. The settling and washing chamber or box is designed to lessen or prevent this evil. As the floating material passes over its sub- merged edge (29) (30) it escapes from the swift current and rising air bubbles, so that in its comparative quiet, the slimes have a better opportunity to settle out of the way. The bottom of the box is divided as convenient into compartments by submerged partitions, as shown, each compartment terminating in a hopper shape bottom, with discharge openings (33) through which the settled slimes may pass out again into the tank. Projecting shields (34) prevent the air bubbles from entering the hoppers and disturbing their quiet. The passage of the floating material over this quiet chamber or box settles most of the slimes before reaching the adjustable dis- charge gate or outlet (32). Before reaching the gate, however, the skimmings pas over stream of clean wash water, introduced at the point (35) through the pipe shown. This washwater is delivered under constant head from supply tank. Its quantity is made ex- actly equal to that passing out through the discharge gate with the skimmings; so that this discharge, being supplied entirely by the pure water close at hand, contains little or none of the muddy water which is thus held back in the tank. It is evident that the incom- ing and outgoing streams are self-adjusting, because if too much level Mar. 24,05. 1940 enters, the general , [level]* rises and a large stream flows from the orifice. In the mixing tank a vertical rotating shaft a is mounted having preferably a lower bearing similar to that which is provided for a shaft 4 and which has been described. Arms a’ are attached to the shaft near its lower end, and lifting plows are secured to the outer parts of these arms, and radial plows to the other parts thereof just as in the separator tank. This shaft @ is to be rotated rapidly, and the result is a thorough commingling of the various parts of the charge—which result is facilitated by the currents created in the charge by the action of said plows,—the direction of said currents being indicated by the arrows in figure 1. This separate tank for performing the mixing operation is not necessary for my process although it is preferable in some cases as when a continuous discharge is desired. The mixing may be per- formed just as well in the separating tank which may then be termed the “Mixing and Separating tank.” It is merely necessary to rotate the agitating mechanism rapidly while mixing and to rotate it slowly while the separation is being made. The material skimmed from the surface of the separating tank may pass directly to the filter D or E, but it is best to discharge it (*Words and figures enclosed in brackets erased in copy.] BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., EF AL. © 1139 into the settling tank C in order to separate the main bulk of water and thus reduce the bulk of liquid to be put through the filtering operation. ; As explained, this is not essential, but is conveniently introduced prior to the filtration, merely in order to separate the main 1941 bulk of water, and thus reduce the bulk of fluid to be put through the filtering operation. It is thus merely a con- venience, The settling tank C is shown as a cylindrical vessel, with hopper shape bottom, within which is suspended a cylinder (41) reaching half way down. The stream of skimming enters this cen- tral evlinder, within which the water and hydrocarbon separate, the former sinking, while the latter, with its accompanying concentrates and air bubbles, floats in a layer, as shown. The stirring apparatus (42) has its arms revolving gently within this layer, so as to break up and discharge air bubbles and assist the separation. Most of the concentrates hang near the contact between the hydrocarbon and water, and as this contact surface becomes overloaded with con- centrates, some of them sink to the bottom of the tank. The excess of hydrocarbon, accompanied by some of the concentrates, flows out through the launder (43) while the excess of water, passing be- neath the suspended internal cylinder, passes out through the over- flow (44), and thereby lessens the volume to be filtered. The con- centrates which fall to the bottom of the tank, accompanied by the hydrocarbon which adheres to them, are drawn off in a thick condi- tion through the pipe (45), the discharge end of which is raised to prevent the exit of more water than necessary. The two streams, one of hydrocarbon and concentrates, the other mainly of water and concentrates, may cither be filtered in separate apparatus or united and put through the same apparatus, as is found most 142 convenient. Hydrocarbon liquid and . concentrates filter more easily than when water is present, and it may therefore be desirable to filter separately. It is for this reason that two filters 1D) and FE are shown,—the one receiving such material as flows from the surface of the tank through launder (43), and the other that material which is discharged through pipe (45). I do not restrict myself to any particular form of filtering appliance. The use of thin hydrocarbon liquid in place of the thick viseid oil used by other inventors, makes filtration comparatively easy, and permits the use of more simple and cheap methods than the centrif- ugal machine or filter presses. The use of such simple apparatus is also made possible by the fact that it is not now necessary to sepa- rate the liquid very thoroughly, since its extraction is to be perfected in the distillation retorts. I find that in some case it is sufficient to use a simple open filter tank, with a porous bottom of any of the well-known kinds, preferably light canvas resting on suitable sup- ports. The liquid and water drain through the porous bottom, leav- ing the concentrates in the tank, sufficiently drained to be shoveled into the retorts. The passage of the liquid and water through the porous bottom is aided by the well-known means of a vacuum pump N beneath. The filter indicated by FE is a pressure filter barrel of well known construction which need not be here explained, and may PERI GIL A ELI REL LINE LI OILS, AA ALOT IN i, SN ANE ARRAN SESE TUA AEST LD SBE RO 1140 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. be used when forced filtration is necessary. It is shown to empha- size the fact that the operation of the process is not restricted 1943 to any specifie kind of filter, or to any number of filters. The mixture of hydrocarbon liquid and water, now free from solid matter, is of course self-separating in any receptacle. A convenient form is shown in the settling box G, into which said mix- ture is delivered through suitable pipes from both filters. The hydro- carton liguid remains in one compartment g, from which it over- flows and is returned to the reservoir. The water, sinking to the bottom, passes under the partition g’ to the other compartment and flows to waste. The filtered concentrates, containing some residual liquid and moisture, are now ready for the distilling operation, for the recovery of the five per cent or more of valuable hydrocarbon liquid remain- ing in them. This is done in the retort furnace H. An iron retort (46) is set in a furnace at such an angle that the concentrates will pass down through it by gravity, but will not altogether close the upper side of the channel, which should remain more or less open, for the exit and passage of the steam and hydrocarbon vapors. The retort is maintained at the distillation temperature of the hydro- earbon used, which in the case of kerosene is about 338 degrees F. In order to assist in carrying off the hydrocarbon vapor, a current of superheated steam is introduced at (47), while the steam and hydro- carbon vapors pass off through the pipe at (48) tothe condensing apparatus. The dry concentrates on losing their liquid and moisture slide down to the lower end of the retort, where they are 1944 drawn off through the double gates (49) (49) which are opened alternately so as to prevent the escape of vapors. As concentrates are drawn off below a fresh mass is introduced above, by the alternate opening of the gates (50) (50), which likewise pre- vent the escape of vapors. An additional seal is provided by the hopper (51) which is kept filled with concentrates. The steam and hydrocarbon vapors may be led through a dust collecting chamber I, designed to settle and collect any concentrates dust carried over, and then passes to the condenser J. This includes a metal worm or coil (53) set in a tank through which a stream of cooling water is allowed to flow. The condensed hydrocarbon and water, passing through a “U" trap (54) flow into a settling box K similar to the one described at “G.” Here the hydrocarbon liquid and water separate, and the former is returned to the reservoir M for re-use, as is also the liquid recovered in the settling tank G. Having described my invention, I claim: Canceled June 26/05. 1. The process of separating minerals, which consists in mixing together (a) pulverized mineral material, (+) a considerable quan- titv of water, and (¢) a substance immiscible in water but of less spe- cifie gravity, and which, in the presence of water, will adhere to some of the mineral particles and not to others; in removing from the sur- BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1141 face of the mass the floating immiscible substance and the mineral particles to which it has adhered; in filtering the material so re- concentrate residue Mar. 24/05. moved; and in distilling the , [filtrate ]* to 1945 drive off and recover said immiscible sub- stance, substantially as specified. 2. The process of separating minerals, which consists in mixing together pulverized mineral material, a considerable quantity of water, and a substance immiscible in water but of less specific gravity, and which, in the presence of water, will adhere to some of the min- eral particles and not to others; in gently agitating the mass and blowing into the same a gas to assist the flotation of said immiscible substance and the mineral particles which have become coated there- with; in removing the floating layer; and separating said adhering substance from said mineral particles, substantially as specified. {Matter enclosed between rules erased in copy.] 1. [3.]* The process of separating minerals, which consists in mixing together pulverized mineral material, a considerable quan- tity of water, and a substance immiscible in water, but of less specific gravity, and which will, in the presence of water, adhere to some of the mineral particles and not to others; in violently agitating the inass so as to break up said immiscible substance into minute globules; in :dlowing said mass to settle whereby a considerable quantity of the mineral particles having become coated with said substance will float to the top of the mass, and in gently agitating the portion thereof which settles, and in blowing into the same a gas for the purpose of assisting the flotation of said substance and the mineral particles coated therewith; in removing the floating layer, and in separating the mineral particles from said immiscible substance, substantially as specified. 1946 Canceled June 26/05. $. The process of separating ores, which consists in thoroughly mixing together pulverized mineral material, a considerable quan- tity of water, a thin liquid hydrocarbon which will adhere to some of the mineral particles and not to others; in gently agitating the mass and blowing gas into the same for the purpose of assisting the flotation of said hydro-carbon and the mineral particles which have heen coated thereby ; in removing the floating laver; and separating said mineral particles and hydro-earbon. substantially as specified. >. The process of separating ores, which consists in thoroughly mixing together pulverized mineral material, a considerable quantity of water, and a thin hydro-carbon liquid which will adhere to some of the mineral particles but not to others; in gently agitating the mass and blowing gas into the same for the purpose of assisting the flotation of said hydro-ecarbon liquid and the mineral particles which {*Words and figures enclosed in brackets erased in copy.] Rea RAEN Oia RET RAR ORR ENR REE EIEN ELT EPI Pe 1142 BUTTE & SUPR, MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. have become coated thereby; in removing the floating layer; and in filtering the same, substantially as specified. 6. The process of separating ores, which consists in thoroughly mixing together pulverized mineral material, a considerable quantity of water, a thin liquid hydro-carbon which will adhere to some of the mineral particles but not to others; in gently agitating the mass and blowing gas and some of said hydro-carbon liquid into the same for the purpose of assisting the flotation of said hydro-earbon liquid and the mineral particles which have become coated thereby; in removing the floating layer; and in filtering the same, sub- 1947 — stantially as specified. 7. The process of separating ores, which consists in thor- oughly mixing together pulverized mineral material, a considerable quantity of water, a distillable hydro-earbon liquid which will ad- here to some of the mineral particles but not to others; in gently agitating the mass and blowing gas into the same for the purpose of assisting the flotation of said hydro-carbon and the mineral particles which have become coated thereby; in removing the floating layer; concentrate residue Mar. 24,05. in filtering the same; and finally in distilling the , [filtrate]* and condensing the hydro-carbon vapors driven off, substantially as specified. [Matter enclosed between rules erased in copy.] t. [10.]* The process of separating minerals, which consists in 2. [8.]* The process of separating ores, which consists in mixing together pulverized mineral material, a considerable quantity of water, and a solution of bitumen in a light hydro-carbon liquid ,: Insert A, Mar. 24/05.> in Violently agitating this mixture to break up said solution into fine globules: in allowing the mass to settle, and then gently agitating the same and blowing in gas to insure the flotation of said solution and the mineral particles coated thereby ; in removing the floating layer; and sevarating the mineral particles from the solution, substantially as specified. 3. [9.|* The process of separating ores, which consists 1n mixing together pulverized mineral material, a considerable quantity 1948 of water, and a solution of bitumen in a light hydro-earbon liquid ,; in violently agitating this mixture to break up said Insert A, Mar. 24/05.> solution into fine globules; in allowing the mass to settle, and then gently agitating the same and blowing into it a gas and some of the said solution to insure the flotation of said solution and the mineral particles coated thereby: in removing the floating layer; and sepa- ae the mineral particles from the solution, substantially as speci- fied. {*Words and figures enclosed in brackets erased in copy.1] BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1143 mixing together the pulverized mineral material a considerable quantity of water, and a solution of bitumen in a light hydro-carbon liquid; in allowing the same to settle, and removing therefrom the floating layer of said solution and the mineral particles which have been coated thereby; and in filtering the material so removed, sub- stantially as specified. [11.]* The process of separating minerals, which consists in mixing together the pulverized mineral material, a considerable quan- tity of water, and a solution of bitumen in a light hydro-carbon liquid ,; in gently agitating this mixture and blowing gas into the Insert A, Mar, 24/05.> same to assist the flotation of said solution and the mineral particles which have been coated thereby; in removing said floating layer; amd filtering the same, substantially as specified. 6, [12.]* The process of separating minerals which consists in mixing together the pulverized mineral material, a considerable quan- tity of water, and a solution of bitumen in a distillable hydro-carbon liquid ,; in allowing the same to settle, and removing there- 1949 Insert A, Mar. 24/05.> from the floating layer of said solution and the mineral _par- ticles whieh have been coated thereby; in filtering the material so concentrate residue Mar. 24/05. removed; and in distilling the , [filtrate]* and con- densing the hydro-carbon vapors driven off, sub- stantially as specified. 7. [13.]* The process of separating minerals, which consists in mixing together the pulverized mineral material, a considerable quantity of water, and a solution of bitumen in a distillable hydro- carbon liquid; in gently agitating this mixture and blowing gas into the same to assist in the flotation of said solution and the min- eral particles which have been coated thereby; in removing the floating layer, and filtering the same; and in distilling the concentrate residue Mar. 24/05. , |[filtrate]* and condensing the hydro-carbon vapors driven off, substantially as specified. [14.]* The process of separating minerals, which consists in icin together the pulverized mineral material, a considerable quantity of water, and a solution of bitumen and kerosene; in gently agitating this mixture, and in blowing a gas into the same to assist in the flotation of said solution and the mineral particles which have been coated thereby; and in separating said solution and mineral particles, substantially as specified. %. [15.]* The process of separating minerals, which consists in mixing together the pulverized mineral material, a considerable quantity of water, and a solution of bitumen in kerosene, and in vigorously agitating this mixture so as to break up said solu- [*Wo ee ned pen cndioass in brackets acaned ‘i copy. ] a - " mone: ee hs RON ISTE Soa oy ESE A ELE LER EMS eT OR ey TT ate Pee te ee - 5 a a we apie . aaa 1144 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1950 tion into minute globules; in gently agitating said mixture and blowing a gas into the same to assist in the flotation of said solution and the mineral particles coated thereby ; in removing the Hoating layer; in washing and filtering the same; and finally in concentrate residue Mar. 24,05. distilling the , [filtrate]* and condensing the hydro-carbon vapors driven off, substantially as specified. In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature in the pres- ence of two witnesses. EDMUND B. KIRBY. Witnesses : T. L. SAVAGE. Ek. G. EASTMAN, SraTE OF WASHINGTON, County of Stevens, ss: Edmund B. Kirby, the above named petitioner, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he is a citizen of the United States, and a resi- dent of Rossland in the Province of British Columbia and Dominion of Canada, and that he verily believes himself to be the original, first and sole inventor of the improvement in process of separating minerals described and claimed in the annexed specification; that he does not know and does not believe that the same was ever known or used before his invention or discovery thereof; or patented or described in any printed publication in the United States of America or any foreign country before his invention or discovery thereof or more than two years prior to this application ; or in public use or on sale in the United States for more than two vears prior to this appli- cation and that no application for foreign patent on said 1951 invention has been filed by him or his legal representatives or assigns, in any foreign country. EDMUND B. KIRBY. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 4th day of December 1903. [SEAL. ] JOHN A. KELLOGG, Notary Public. Notary Public for State of Washington, residing at Northport, Washington. [*Words and figures enclosed in brackets erased in copy.] BUTTE & SUPR, MNG. CO. VS. MIN, SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1145 2-260. M. E. C. Div. —, Room No. 315, Address only “The Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.” Paper No. 1. All communications respecting this application should give the serial number, date of filing, and title of invention. Department of the Interior, United States Patent Office, Washington, D. C., January 19, 1904. Mailed wi eee Edmund B. Kirby, care Thurston & Bates, Cleveland, Ohio: Please find below a communication from the Examiner in charge of your application, #185,083, filed Deeember 14, 1903, for Process of Separating Minerals. F. I. ALLEN, Commissioner of Patents. 1952 50 should be inserted in the drawing. ‘“Raidally,” page 8, line 27, should be corrected. It is suggested that “curved” would be more appropriate than “spiral,” line 1, page 9 The submergence of the side of the box 29 is required to be illustrated. Claim 1 fails to express anything patentable over 676,679, Elmore, June 18, 1901, Washers, H, the only distinction being as to the manner of recovering the oil by distillation. The final portion in Elmore appears to be considered too unimportant to warrant special treatment. The question appears to be a purely commercial one, not one calling for invention. See als- 521,899, Sutton, June 26, 1894, Metallurgy, Solution and Precipitation, Chlorination. Claim 2 is rejected in view of Elmore, Sutton, cited, and British patent 12,778, Lake, June 4, 1902, Washers. Claim 3 is rejected in view of Elmore and Lake, cited. Claim 4 is rejected in view of’ Elmore, Lake and 736,381, Glogner, Aug. 18, 1903, Washers, H. Claim 5 is rejected upon the reference for claim 4, as is also claim 6, Claim 7 is rejected in view of the references for claim 4, the dis- tilling step being held to be one which would naturally suggest itself to anyone desiring to recover substantially all the oil. 195: Claim 8 is rejected in view of Elmore, Glogner and Lake. The use of an oil intermediate in composition between that of Elmore and that of Glogner does not appear to call for more than judgment or selection. oeiieenian sop gieaRaE ty SPONSOR 5 EMITS DANE NRHA OT IEE HO ASS At ALRIGHT LPO L ENT I a 1146 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. Claim 9 is rejected as lacking invention in view of Elmore and Lake. Claim 10 is rejected in view of the references for claim 8. Claim 11 is rejected in view of the references for claim 8, as are also claims 12, 13, 14, 15, the distillation of the oil being considered not to involve invention as has been stated above. LEWIS B. WYNNE, Examiner, Division XXV. T. fF. MITCHELL. Mail Room, Patent Office, Mar. 21, 1904, Mar. 22, 1904, U.S. Patent Office. Division XXV. Serial No, 185,083, Paper No. 2. Room No, 315. Cleveland, Ohio, March 16, 1904. Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. Dear Str: In the matter of the application of Edmund B. Kirby for Process of Separating Minerals, filed December 14, 1903, Serial No. 185,053, last Office action January 19, 1904, 1954 After carefully considering the references cited, we find ourselves unable to agree with the examiner’s conclusion as to their bearing on the patentability of the process set forth by the various claims; and we here submit our reasons for believing that the claims are patentable over the citations. The Elmore patent describes a process in which a thick oil is to be used,—said oil being the non-distillable residuum of petroleum distillation. The Elmore process is in practical use in various parts of the world, but this thick residuum oil is always used, care being taken not to break it up into globules, but to maintain it in large clots, as set forth in the patent. The Elmore patent does not specify in what manner the ore is separated from the oil to which it adheres, but, as a matter of fact, the method employed by Elmore in practice is to employ a centrifugal separating machine, which removes a very large percentage of oil, but nevertheless does not remove it all. There is, therefore, a considerable loss of oil. Elmore does not filter the oil-covered concentrate, because the oil will not pass through a filter; and he does not distill it because it will not distill. One may not infer, therefore, from Elmore’s silence as to his method of recov- ering the oil, that he mav have used filteration and distillation, of that it was merely a matter of selection with him whether or not he should use these methods. We, of course, understand that filtration to separate a liquid from a solid is not a process which applicant originated. The recovery of oil by distillation is likewise old, 1955 and certainly no claim pretends to cover either of these processes per se. Applicant, however, is the first ever to have BUTTE & SUPR, MNG. CO. V8. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1147 devised a practical process for concentrating ore by means of some substance immiscible in water having preference of adhesion for the mineral particles, and in which, because of the character of im- miscible substance so used, it could be recovered in its entirety with- out any loss, except the loss of the small quantity of bitumen em- ployed, by using the processes of filtration and distillation. We should think there could be no question as to the patentability of those claims in applicant’s case, which not only specify filtration and distillation, but which also specify a thin hydro-carbon or kero- sene or the kerosene-bitumen solution. It would seem also that such claims, as claim 1, which are not limited to the specific filterable and distillable oil, are likewise allowable, because, as above stated, appli- cant was the first to devise a practical commercial process in which filtration and distillation could be, and was, used as the method for recovering the concentrating material. The British patent, mentioned, seems to be for a laboratory experi- ment; but passing that question, we submit that it is not a suflicient reference for the rejection of any of applicant’s claims. The proves consists in mixing with the oil some limestone, some water “a thin layer of ordinary oil” and some sulphurie acid. This latter, by get- fing upon the limestone, generates a gas, and, as a result, the chalcopyrite will instantly rise to the top of the liquid. This 1996 process is only intended for the treatment of sulphides. The foregoing is the process as described. The seientifie knowl- edge, upon which the process is based, ineludes, so the patent stated, the knowledge that if a gas of any kind is liberated in this mass the bubbles become covered with a coating of sulphide. Applicant's is a practical industrial process, not a theory or labora- tory experiment. It does not involve the mixture of ore and some material from which a gas may be generated, but it does include the exceedingly practical act of blowing air or some gas, obtained ex- ternally of the charge, into the mixture of ore and water and the hydro-carbon solution. Its claims are limited to blowing in the air,—- asa result of which the bubbles 0° air attach themselves like balloons to oil-coated particles and float them to the surface. Applicant's claims erelude the flotation of the oil-covered coneentrates by gen- crating a gas within the charge. ' The Sutton patent describes the use of kerosene as a collector of precipitated gold,—gold precipitated from = its chlorine solution. What is meant by a collector of precipitated gold is not understoo 1, but the precipitate is in such a finely subdivided condition that possibly kerosene or turpentine might cause it to be colleeted and floated. It is not pretended, however, by the patentee that the use of keroene alone would have any sulstantial or practical effeet upon anything else exeept precipitated gold. This Sutton patent. cer- tainly is not an anticipation of any claim in the pending aj- 1957 plication, and ean be regarded only as indicating so much vs it describes, namely, that the thin hydro-carbon will collect precipitated gold, if introduced into the gold solution before the precipitating sulphate of iron has been added. The glogner patent uses petroleum for the purpose of collecting east Gaal a oral exeee S DEAE RAGIRE 9 0 EAN REN A ir 1148 BUTTE & SUPR, MNG, CO, V8, MIN, SEP., LTD., ET AL. graphite from earthy admixtures therewith. The patent states that it is not ureiul, unless one first washes out everything exeept the graphite and the earthy material, Then the petroleum, whieh the patent directs to be used, is we presume, natural oil whieh is not a thin oil and contains not only distillable portions, but the non- ktheee the S en eenTs eT BUTTE & SUPR, MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1155 1972 2-183. S. M. Serial No. 185,033. Issue and Gazette Division. All communications should be addressed to “The Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.” Department of the Interior, United States Patent Office, Washington, D. C., Dec. 23, 1905. Edmund B, Kirby, ¢/o Thurston, Bates & Woodward, 1028 Society for Savings Bldg., Cleveland, Ohio. Sir: Your application for a patent for an improvement in Process of Separating Minerals, filed Dec. 14, 1905, has been examined and again allowed. The final fee, twenty dollars, in the above-entitled case was re- ceived Dee. 23, 1905. Very respectfully, F. I. ALLEN, Commissioner of Patents. {Here follows printed copy of Patent 809,959.] ep! VEER OSS EE eR TA Ye oe EN PLS, COI meg 6 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO, VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1973 1903. Contents. 83. Mills, Ore and Coal Washers. Print, —, ' Application, — papers, O. K. Rej., Jan. 19, 1904. Argument, Mar. 21, 1904. Rej., Apr. 238, 1904. Amendment A, Mar. 24, 1905. Rej., May 2, 1905. . Amendment, June 26, 1905. CON aokwNe Title: Improvement in Process of Separating Minerals. 1974 DEFENDANT'S EXuIsIrT. Certified Copy of File-wrapper and Contents of Patent in Suit No. 835,120. United States of America, Department of the Interior, United States Patent Office. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: This is to certify that the annexed is a true copy from the Records of this office of the File Wrapper and Contents, in the matter of the Letters Patent of Henry Livingstone Sulman, Hugh Fitzalis Kirk- BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1157 ot patrick-Picard, and John Ballot, Number 835,120, Granted November 6, 1906, for Improvement in Ore Concentration. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Patent Office to be affixed at the City of Washington, this oth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hun- dred and cleven and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and thirty-sixth, [ SEAL. } F, A. TENANT, Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 1975 2-437. Number (Series of 1900). 262,889. 1905. Divn,. XXV, Div. 25, (Exr.’s Book) 4-13, Patent No. 835,120, Name: Henry Livingstone Sulman, Hugh Fitzalis Kirkpatrick- Picard and John Ballot. Of London, County of . England. Invention: Ore Concentrators. Original. Renewed. Petition, May 29, 1905, —— —, 190-. Affidavit, ~~ 3906, ——. —, 190.. S Specification, ae. Gees =F Drawing, ~ “ 1905, —— —, 190-. Ss Addl, “ Apr. 17, 1906, —— —, 190.. Hane Model or Specimen o.e not reqd.,. —— —, 190-, —— —= 190. #E First Fee, Cash $15, May 29, 1905, —— —., 190.. Insert A*, Apr. 17/06.> [*Words and figures enclosed in brackets erased in copy.] ee 1162 neve «4 #9 MING. CO. V8. MEN. SEP, LTD. BT AL. The nature and arrangement of the apparatus used may be varied without departing from this invention What we claim a* our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. The herein deveribed proces of concentrating ores which con- sists in mixing the powdered ore with water, adding a small propor- tion of an vily liquid having a preferential affinity for metalliferous matter, (amounting to a fraction of 1% on the ore), agitating the mixture until the oil-coated mineral matter forme into a froth, and separating the froth from the remainder by flotation, 2 The herein deseribed process of concentrating ores which con- sists in mixing the ooudenel ore with slightly acidified water, adding a small proportion of an oily liquid having a preferential affinity for metalliferou matter (amounting to a fraction of 1% on the ore), agitating the mixture until the oil-couted mineral matter forme into a froth and separating the froth from the remainder by flotation, 8. The herein deeerihed proces of concentrating ores which con- sists in mixing the wondered ore with slightly acidified water, adding a small propertion of an oily liquid having a preferential affinity for metallifcrous matter (amounting to a fraction of 1% on 1984 ‘the ore), warming the mixture, agitating the mixture until the oil-coated mineral matter forme into a froth and separat- ing the froth from the remainder by flotation 4. The herein deseribed proces of concentrating ores which con- sists in finely powdering the ore, mixing it with slightly acidified water, adding a «mall proportion of an oily substance having a prefer- ential affinity for metalliferous matter (amounting to a fraction of 1% on the ore), warming the mixture, agitating the mixture until the oil-coated mineral matter forme into a froth, separating the froth from the remainder by flotation, and removing the oily coating from the mineral, 5. The herein described process of concentrating ores which con- sists in mixing the powdered ore with water, adding a «mall propor: tion of oleie acid amounting to 0.02-0.59 on the ore, agitating the minture wotil the oleie acid has been brought inte efficient contact with the mineral and has formed a froth therewith, and separating the froth from the remainder by flotation, 6. The herein deseribed process of concentrating ores which consists in mixing the powdered ore with water containing a fraction of Apr. 17/06, , [lew than|]* 1% of sulphuric acid, adding a «mall proportion of oleic acid amounting to 0.02-0.5% on the ore, agitating the mixture until the oleie acid has been brought into efficient contact with the mineral and has formed a froth there- with, and seperating the froth from the remainder by flotation. 7. The herein described process of concentrating ores which 1985 consist# in mixing the powdered ore with water contain- a fraction of Apr. 17/06. ing , [lew than]* 19% of sulphurie acid, adding a - eee ee [*Words and figures enclosed in brackets erased in copy.) BUTTE 4 SUK, MNG. CO. V8. MIN. #EP., LTD. ET AL. 1168 small proportion of oleic acid amounting to 0.02- 0.5% on the ore, warming the mixture to %0°- 10° CL, agitating the mixture until the oleic acid has been brought into efficient contact with the mineral and has formed a froth therewith, and sep- arating the froth from the remainder by flotation. 5. The herein described process of concentrating ores which consists in finely powdering the ore, fraction of ” mixing it with water containing , [lew than]* 1% of sulphuric acid, adding sufficient oleic soap solu- tien to preduce oleic acid anounting to 0.02-0.59% on the ore, warm- ing the mixture to 30°.40° C., agitating the mixture until the oleic act hee been brought inte efficient contact with the mineral and ha« forme a froth therewith, «oparating the froth from the remainder by flotation, filtering off the froth and removing the oleic acid therefrom lw treatment with an alkali Treort AY, Apr. 17/06, Canceled Apr. 17/06. 0 The herein deseribed process of concentrating ores which con- sits in finely powdering the ore, mixing it with water containing lew than 1) of sulvhurie acid, adding sufficient oleic soap solution to produce oleic acid amounting to 0.02-0.55% o nthe ore, warming the mixture to 30°-40° C., agitating the mixture until the oleic acid has been brought inte efficient contact with the mineral and has formed a froth with the finer mineral, distributing the mixture on the surface of a current of water running over columns of water, «0 that the coarcer minerale and sands, the finer sands and the 1S ogancne slimes snecesively deposit out while the froth ix flonted away by the current, filtering off the froth and remov- ing the oleic acid therefrom by treatment with an alkali and sepa- rating the coarrer mineral from the sands by expos- Nov, 20/05, oe alternately to air and water [on a shaking table. ]* [Matter enclosed between rules erased in copy.] In textimony whereof we have signed our names to this Specifica- tion in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, HENRY LIVINGSTONE SULMAN, HUGH FITZALIS KIRKPATRICK-PICARD. JOUN BALLOT. Two Witnesses: GEO. J.B. FRANKLIN, T. J. OSMAN, [* Words and figures enclosed tn brackets erased in copy.] ea 1164 HUTTE 4 SUPR, MNO. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1987 Oath. See Oath Filed Apr. 17/06. Loxpos, England, =: Henry | ivingstone Sulman, Hugh Fitzalis Kirkpatrick-Picard and Jobn Ballot, the above named petitioners, being duly sworn, depose and say that they are «ubjeets of the King of England and residents of London in England, and that they verily believe themselves to be the original, first, and joint inventors of the “mprevement« in “Ore Concentration,” described and claimed in the annexed Specifi- cation; that they de not know and do not believe that the same was ever known or used before their invention or discovery thereof; or patented or described in any printed publication in any country be- fore their invention or discovery thereof, or more than two years ed to this application: or patented in any country foreign to the ‘nited States on an application filed more than twelve months be- fore this application ; or in public use or on sale in the United States for more than two years prior to this application; and that no appli- cation for patent on said improvements has been filed by them or their representatives or assigns in any country foreign to the United States, exeept as follows: Great Britain No, 7808, dated 12th April, 1905, and Australia, HENRY LIVINGSTONE SULMAN, HUGH FITZALIS KIRKPATRICK-PICARD. JOHN BALLOT. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17 day of May, 1905, by all three Deponents. [ NOTARIAL SRAL. | G. F. WARREN, Notary Public. | Revenue Stamp. | 1988 Consulate-General of the United States of America for Great Britain & Ireland at London, I, Richard Westacott, Vice and Deputy Consul-General of the United States of America at London, Fngland do hereby make known and certify to all whom it may concern that George Frederick Warren, who hath signed the annexed Certificate, is a Notary Public, duly admitted and sworn and practising in the city of London, aforesaid, and that to all acts by him so done full faith and credit are and ought to be given in Judicature and thereout. In Testimony Whereof, T have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office at London aforesaid, this Nineteenth day of May in the vear of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and five. [CONSULAR SEAL. | ’ Vice and Deputy Consul-General. BUTTE & SUPR. MNG,. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1165 1989 2-260, Div. 25, Room 315. Address only “The Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D, C.” Paper No. 1. All communications re eS a a, aN LS AE: i a _— — fal Sen ee own OR re 2 = aeeenee | a + t - ‘ie ) | . | Ft 1 | cz | | | | JO /o 4% | SO | 46 ry | | | | | 3 | ‘ || : | a 40 fee a = v =a —— a Eee oe | eae 20 i 19 T . +) ib 22 +— JO \ 35 ‘ 26 50M wad $5 40 JO2 e) i oO SOX é. ee ee A [* ze 40 2e 5 f 0 | 40 | i} + ID JOE = O 55 30 ao id 35 - : i ot ; a eh MS The 1216 BUTTE & SUPR, MNG, CO, VS. MEN, SEP., LTD, ET AL, (No Model.) 3 Sheetse—Sheet 2. BE. A. HOCKLEY. ORE SLIMER. “ei wu. 490,/53., Patented Jan. 5, 1892. Z “4 ye 43 2 48 4 nd ve ar | 2, 27 YK. 3 2/2 | S L rat é 4/- mm ye Hiss Oo 7 | = 4 v3 SF - 52 55 — HG 7 35 fu 70 ei S55 | eg 6 Tego WBS 1+~4T 30 se 1 Jo ROK . a Py OP a7, Elgar A Larne ATTORNEY. BUTTE & UPR, MNG, CO, VS. MIN, SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1217 (No Model.) 3 Sheets—Sheet 3 E. A. HOCKLEY ORE SLIMER. No. 466,753 Patented Jan. 5, 1892. ee o_o ra pe ‘| a4 | lan ae CP PEABO Oe sa Ager h Woe GME fy flowne ONSET Fron 77—Ree. nee a Nl De Bed oe ee aa tials Sala PETTERS TRE SPOT “oror UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE: EDGAR A. HOCKLEY, OF OURAY, COLORADO. ORE-SLIMER. hae it SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 466,753, dated January 5, 1892. | Application Sled May 19, 1891. To ail whom it may concern: Be it known that I, EoGar A. HockLey,a citizen of the United States of America, resid- ing at Ouray, inthe county of Ouray and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore-Slimers; and | do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, refer- ence being had to the accompanying draw- ings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this epecifica- tion, My invention relates to a novel form and construction of mechanism for treating ores, and is designed to save the float mineral, usually called “slimes” and sometimes termed “flour” gold andsilver. Whicheverterm may he employed the meaning is the same to prac- tical miners and to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, since these terms are applied to that portion of the min- eral which is too light to be saved by the or- dinary gravity processes, which depend upon the greater specific gravity of the mineral, which causes the same to settle and separate from the gangue or lighter portion of the mate- rial. In all classes of ore there is more or less of this light four or float mineral,which is held in Suspension by the water, while in some kinds of ore this class of mineral amounts to a very large proportion of the value, which is therefore ordinarily lost or carried tothe dump with the so-called “ tailings.” The object of this invention therefore is to Save this light mineral either by the original treatment of the ore or by retreating the tail- ings which have passed through other ma- chines. ‘The principle of the invention is to aid or increase the natural floating tendency or buoy- antcondition of the mineral particles, where- by the valuable portion is made to float,while the gangue, which is heavier, settles, thus ef- fecting the separation. » My improved mechanism consists of a pulp- box, a separator, and a filtering-tank. The material to be treated is first discharged into the pulp-box, which catches the greater part of the gangue, and is provided with a screw conveyer for removing the same as fast as it Serial No. 393,346. (No model.) settles, the lighter and valuable portion of the mineral passing thence into the separator, into the bottom of which is forced air, steam, water, or other suitable material, produciag such an agitation at the bottom as wili cause the mineral to float after first separating or washing it from the gangne, when it passes into a filtering-tank, in which the water is drawn off by suitable means, leaving the min- eral. This mechanism will be better under- stood by reference to the accompanying draw- ings, in which is illustrated an embodiment of the invention. : ; In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top or plan view of the mechanisin; Fig. 2, a side view or elevation of the same; Fig. 3,a section on the line y y, Fig. 1; Pig. 4, a section on the line ca, Pig. 1; Fig. 5, a section on the line z z, Fig. 1; Fig. 6, a section on the line w w, Fig. 3; Figs. 7 and 8, a top and side view, respect- ively, of the outer filter; and Fig. 9 a section of the same. Figs. 10 and 11 are a side view and a section, respectively, of the inner filter. Vig. 12 is & perspective view of the pulp-box, showing its connection with the separator- tank, which is partially broken away. Fig. 13 is a top fragmentary view,on an enla scale,of the filteriug-tank, showing the filter ing-walls and the rollers to which they are at- tached. Fig. 14 is a perspective +’ \w of the gate which coutrols the discharg: ( the ma- terial from the separating-tauk. . Inthe views, wherein similar ref vence-char- acters designate corresponding parts or ele- ments of the mechanism, let the numeral 10 designate the pulp-box into which the mate- rial to be treated is discharged through chute orspout 11. Eneugh water is discharged into the box 10 with the ore to float the light and valuable portion of the same, which float ma- terial or scum passes through a suitable open- ing 12 into the separating-tank 13, while the gangue or worthless portion passes to the bot- tom of the box 10, which is provided with an inclined conveying Archimedean serew 14 for removing the gangue from this box. ‘The bottom of this box is inclined correspondingly with the inclination of the scrow. ‘Che lower end of this screw is journaled in the receiv- ing extremity of the box, whence the gangue is carried upward the entire length thereof, the inclination of this screw and the bottom 9 -_ 55 60 70 15 80 W520 | © 2. os 55 95 r = of the box being such that the gangue is above the water-level before it is discharged therefrom, The upper extrewity of the serew shaft is journaled in asuitable support and 5 is provided with a pulley 15, by means of which motion may be communicated to the screw from any suitable motor. The serew being in motion, the material in box 10 iskept in a stato of continuous agitation, so that as othe gangue passes upward toward the dis- charge extremity of the box the float mineral is washed therefrom and rises to the top in a scum, Which passes thence to the separator, as before stated. The size and location of ps5 the screw are such that its threads reach close tothe sides and bottom of the box, by which itis enabled to remove the material very clean from the box. A considerable portion of the gangue which is more closely associated pe with the mineral will find its way to the sepa: rator, Which consists of a tank of any desired capacity, preferably located contiguous to the ypulp-box. In the bottom of this separator is ocated a series of perforated tubes or con- by dnits 16, all communicating with each ofier and forming in effect one continuous perfo- rated conduit. One branch of this conduit isin communication with a stand-pipe or up- righttube 17, through which air, water, steam, e &c., may be forced into tubes 16 and thence ‘twto the bottom of the tank for the purpose of agitation, whereby the light mineral is washed or separated from the heavier gangue andan increased upward or buoyant tendency bs given said mineral, keeping the same upon the surface of the water until discharged into the filtering tank 18, hereinafter deserited. At the bottom of the discharge end or sides of the tank is located the lower trough 19 for carry- ing away the gangue which settles in the bot- tom of the tank and the upper trough 20, into which the float mineral passes, which collects ia the forin of a scum upon the surface of the water. The discharge into the troughs 19 and 20 is controlled by the gate 21, consisting of a stem or standard 21*, centrally located, a lower valve 21", rigidly secured to the stem, and an upper valve 21°, adjustable thereon by means of A set-screw 21",which passes through a metal strap 21°, secured to the valve and through which the stem passes. The valves are Sitaply cross bars or slats centrally con- nected with the stem and having their ex- tremities guided in grooved ways 40, formed ; inthe sides of the tank. The gate is also provided with one or more floats 25, prefer- ably two. as shown in the drawings. The floats ar. secured to the upper or adjustable valve in any suitable manner and are de- Signed to rest upon the surface of the-water and to regulate the gate automatically and maintain a uniform quantity of water in the Separating-tank. For instance, when the Proper amount of water is in the tank valve ° a “" a ° j bs 21°, with its floats, is set at the proper height— that is, with the floats resting-upon the sur- face of the water—valve 21" being partly opened or sufficiently so tv carry off the sur- plus-water supply, or that which enters with the material treated. Then if the water-sup- ply is inereased the floats will rise and in- crease the opening below valve 21", so as to carry away this increased or excessive supply, while as soon as the supply is diminished the floats lower and partially close valve 21", It will thus be seen that this gate is capable of such adjustment that the proper level of the water in the separating-tank may be auto- matically maintained, The water and gangue passing through trough 19 may, if desired, be carried or drawn off into any suitable receptacle, whereby they may be allowed to settle in the ordinary way, while the floats or slimes passing into trough 20 are carried by a conduit 22 to the filtering- tank 18. As shown in the drawings, this tank is divided into four compartments by suit- able partitions 18°. which at their intersec- tions in the center of the tank support a box or receptacle 26, into which the material is discharged directly from conduit 22. Recep- tacle 26 is provided wiih openings 26°, adapted to distribute its contents equally into the compartments of the filtering-tank, It will be observed that the dividing of this tank into compartments is only for convenience and notan essential feature, since it may con- sist of a single compartment ora plural num- ber, as may be desired. The outer walls of this tank 18 are corrugated, as shown in the drawings, but may be of any construction adapted to permit the eseapo of the water after having passed through the ivoer filter- ing-walls of thetank. The filtering-walls are double and consist of an outer wall 30 and an inner wall 35. These walls 30 and 35 are referably formed in sections adapted to slide n grooved ways or guides secured toor formed within the outer walls of the tank. The fil- tering-walls are constructed in any suitable manner, the outer being the finer mesh. A suitable construction for the inner wall 35 is a sheet of asbestus paper placed between two sheets of wire-cloth. The asbestus forms the filter, while the wire-cloth gives it protec- tion and support. The whole is attached to a skeleton frame of suitable strength and composed of any desired material. Theouter wall 30 may be composed of filtering-paper secured between two layers of cloth attached to a suitable frame. This cloth is preferably made stationary at one end of the frame and secured to an adjustable roller at the other end, This roller is provided with hooks, to which the cloth may be secured, while the top of the roller is provided with a small ratchet- wheel 50, the teeth of which are engaged by a pawl or dog 55, secured to the upper sta- tionary cross-bar of the frame. It will thus be seen that by placing a suitable crank upon the upper extremity 60 of the roller and turn- ing the same the tension of the cloth forming part of the filter may be adjusted to suit the purpose or the requirements of the case. It 1220 will thus be seen that by this construction the mineral will be retained in the tank, while the water is allowed to escape — In cleaning up a portion of this mineral will be found between the filters. ‘This may, however, be easily removed by raising the inner filter and brushing this mineral out into the tank. Having thus described my invention, whatI claim is— 1. In an ore separator or slimer, the combi- nation, with a receiving box provided with an inclined screw conveyer, of a separating-tank provided with perforated tubes located in the bottom or lower portion thereof, a stand-pipe connected with said tubes, a bottom discharge- opening for the tank, and a vertically-mov- able gate automatically regulated by means of floats, whereby said discharge-opening is controlled, substantially as described. 2. A tank provided with filtering-walls sup- ported upon suitable frames provided with rollers, the filtering material being made fast to the frame at one extremity and to the roller at the opposite extremity, whereby its tension may be regulated as desired, the roller being provided with suitable locking mechan- ism, as set forth. E 3. A tank provided with double filtering- walis of unequal mesh, each wall being sup- ported upon a frame provided with an adjust- ing-roller, to which the filtering material is attached at one end, substantially as de- scribed. 4. A tank provided with removable filter: ing-walls, each wall consisting of a frame pro- vided with a roller, and a strip of suitable wn “ BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. V8. MIN, SEP., LTD., ET AL. 466,753 filtering material made fast to the frame at one extremity and to the roller at the op posite extremity, whereby the tension of the filter may be regulated at will, as set forth. 4 5. A separator provided with perforated tubes located in the bectom or lower portion of the tank and communicating with each other, a stand-pipe leading to the tubes, a bottom discharge -opening, and a gate pro- vided with floats, whereby said opening is automatically regulated, substantially as set forth. j 6. A filtering-tank provided with outer cor- rugated walls and inner removable filtering- walls provided with rollers for regulating the’ tension of the filtering material, as set forth. 7. An ore separator or slimer consisting of a receiving-tank provided with an inclined screw conveyer, a separating-tank provided with perforated pipes located at or near its bottom and astand-pipe connected therewith, said tank being provided with a top and bot- tom discharge, a vertically-movabdle gate pro- vided with valves and floats, whereby the § discharge of material from the tank is auto- matically regulated, and a suitable filtering- tank, the three tanks being arranged and con- nected substantially as and for the purpose set forth. q In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of witnesses. EDGAR A. ITOCKLEY. Witnesses: W. HL. GUBBERT, L. C. KINIKIN, W. 1. VANATTA. i RPS Stee BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1221 (No Model ) 3 Sheets—Sheet 1 A M. ROUSE. : METP°” OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SLIME OR FINES FROM P WATER USED IN MILLING ORES. r No. 469.599 Patented Feb. 23, 1892. _& Fig. Z, 338 ATTEST of b Quand ‘en 1 Gowse } ASbillFw Attioy 71 Gouse © Ee 1222 BUTTE & SUPR, MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. (No Model.) 3 Sheets—Sheet 2 A M ROUSE. in MEYHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SLIME OR FINES FROM WATER USED IN MILLING ORES. MI No. 169,599. Patented Feb. 23, 1892. L071 ~ tee : F : E ] aAvTrrar a Mh INVEUV TON it Fae Gtb10y. 7]. Gouse | od Sy tight J Bert ee Blip BUTTE & S’'’PR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1223 2072 (No Model’) 3 Sheets—Sheet*3 A M. ROUSE. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SLIME OR’FINES FROM WATER USED IN MILLING ORES. No. 469,599. Patented Feb 23, 1892. 1224 UNITED STATES 2075 ALBION M. ROUSE, OF BOULDER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE R. WILLIAMSON, OF SAME PLACE. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SLIME OR FINES FROM WATER USED IN MILLING ORES SPECIFICATION forming part ot Letters Patent No. 469,509, dated February 23, 1892. ' Application fled September 29,1891. Serial No. 407,147. (No modeL) ee To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, ALBION M. Rouse, of the city of Boulder and county of Boulder, in the State of Colorado, have invented acertain new s and useful Improvement in Methods and Ap- paratus for Separating Slime or Fines from Water Used in Milling Ores, of which the fol- lowing is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had totheaccompanyingdraw- © ings, forming part of this specification. My invention relates toan improved method and apparatus for removing or separating slime or fines from water carrying ores; and my invention consists in features of novelty 5 hereinafter fally described, and pointed out in the claims. Figure I is a vertical longitudinal section of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. II is a top or plan view with the cover of the © scum-chamber removed. Fig. III is an end view, and Fig. 1V is a vertical transverse sec- tion taken on line IV IV Fig. I. I will proceed to describe the apparatus with reference to the drawings, which, with 5 the description of the operation of the appa- ratus, will explain my improved method. 1 represents a suitable frame. 2 represents a pulp-chamber, into which the pipe 3 discharges the tailings from an ore-mill. © This chamber has a funnel-shaped bottom 4, terminating in a neck 5, surroanded by acyl- inder or wall 6, forming an annular chamber 7. The lower end of the cylinder or annular wall 6 forms the seat 8 of a valve 9, secured 5 to a housing 10, located in a trough 11 and pivoted to the frame at 12. ‘The valve 9 is moved to or from its seat by a set-screw 13, ‘ ing through a log 14 on the housing and ring at its lower end against a cross-piece © 150n the trough 11,80 that by turning the set- screw the valve may be moved to or from its seat by adjusting the housing on its pivot 12. 16 represents a water-pipe discharging into the chamber 7. $ 17 represents a ylelding gate secured to a cross-piece 18.of the frame 19 and behind which there is an opening 204n the inner wall of the chamber 2. 21 represents the slime-chamber having a © cover 23 wine Gehenee-apees 23, Thecover 22 has a sleeve 24, which extends downward BUTTE & SUPR, MNG, CO, VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. ‘a number of perforated lateral pipes 27. 5 PATENT OFFICE. through the chamber 21 and reccives the ver- tical portion 25 of an air-pipe, on the lower end of which are horizontal pipes 26, having 28 represents a pérforated metal or wire mesh screen located over the pipes 26 27. 29 representa a deflecting plate at the inner end of the chamber 21 and behind which the waste water passes into a spout. 50, which dis- 69 charges into a trough 11. 31 represents a trough on the under side of the bottom of the chamber 21 and which com- municates with the chamber through an open- ing 32. i 33 represents a pipe forming a communica- tion between the pipe 16 and the trough 31, through which water is discharged into the trongh to remove the particles which may fall into the trough through the opening 32. ¥ 40 is a jet flushing-pipe in the trough 31 to promote action of the parts precipitated. 41 is a discharge-pipe from the trough 31 The operation of the device or apparatus. | is as follows: The mill-tailings drop from the 75 pipe 3 intothe chamber 2. Water from the pipe 16 enters the chamber 7, the greater por- tion of it passing up through the neck 5 into the chamber 2, as shown by the arrows, while a smaller portion passes around the valve 9 bo and escapes into the trough 11. The up-cur- rent is rapid enough to prevent the descent of the slime-water in chamber 2 and carries the | slime-water up behind the gate 17 through the opening 20 imto the chamber 21 and along the 8; eoniees over the pipes 26 27. The waste water them passes up behind the deflector 29 into the spout 30 and is discharged through the trough 11 tothedump. As the slime- water passes slowly through the chamber 21 (9 it is acted upon by an innumerable number of air-bubbles escaping from the perforate pipes 26 27, into which theair is forced through pipe 25. The constant upward circulation of air through the slime-water_tends to elevate all foreign matter to the surface of the water | and.to create or form a ingss of strong foam having a great carrying energy for matter for- eign to water. As the foam accamulates in the chamber 21 it is forced out through the 14 23 to a drier. By means of this invention valuable min- L074 eral slin heretofe [eclau 1. Th 5 eral slir air ben to be en through tially as se 2. 3a describ tailings isan ul water a 15 causing body of substan > i 2l,ana -_ BUTTE & SUPR, MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. L074 eral slime or fines may be saved which have heretofore been lost. [claim as my inveniion ~- 1. Theimproved method of separating min- 5 eral slime or fines, consisting in discharging air beneath the body of slime aud causing it to be emitted and permitted to pass upward through the slime, forming a foam, substan- tially as set-forth. to 2. The improved method herein shown and described, consisting in depositing the mill- tailings inio a receptacle through which there isan upward flow of water, then carrying the water and tailings through a chamber, and 15 causing an upward tlow of air through the body of water and tailings, forming a scum, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 3. Tho combination of the chambers 2 and 21, an air-pipe 25, having perforated branches 1225 469,599 for the escape of air, a screen over said branches, aud a scparate escape Tor the waste water and scum formed by the passage of the air through the mass, substantially as and for the purpose set furth. 4. The combination of the chamber 2, hav- inganeck 5,a wall 6, forming a chamber 7, the valve 9, secured to an adjustable housing 10, the pipe 16, the gate 17, a chamber 21, having a cover 22, a pipe 25, having perforated branches, a screen 28, a trough 31, ceommuni- cating withthe chamber 21, pipes for cleaning the trough, a deflector 29, spouts 25 and 30 and a trough 11, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. ALBION M. ROUSE. In presence of— JOHN P. ITALDEMAN, C. C. ITALDEMAN. Bye 1226 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. (No N (No Model.) 3 Sheets—Sheet 1 C. B. HEBRON & C. J. EVERSON. 27M PROCESS OF CONCENTRATING ORES. No 471,174. | No. 2 ja Pateuted Mar. 22, 1892, e Stet gel ers A Ce LICSG i a, Aertes Ae Orov «¢ Keele IS Lilo go Vlarccece A AOC 2000 - “) > " Ie, L. TB. ae ARR SS “AO eae es Pr PERE CO FIs BUTTE & SUI'R. MNG, CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AT 1227 (No Model ) 3 Sneets—Sneet « C.B HEBRON & C J EVERSON + PROCESS OF CONCENTRATING ORES. No. 471,174. Patented Mar. 22. 1892. OF es cacaia 006800060 0 0- x i i — x | a Hi it M" . ‘y " Mt silat tit ae : a =e oke : Sra \brwesse Ss, . rm 2 : aN Inve nrors, Kiele 1) WIC? -e 6ha.2.63 Nebren fe ad i» an 3. Oa Wie ) bane al 3 — (ofLartes oJ Grew Alt C. B. HEBRON & C. J. EVERSON. PROCESS OF CONCENTRATING ORES. Patented Mar. 22, 1892. _No. 471,174. NAAR NNAAAAANS ANAS \ . ~* ~ * ~ ‘\ WAN SKQQy . . ‘ \ ‘ MMOH OTS. W Cearree A ALE3OR: “6 1228 BUTTE & SUPR, MNG,. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. y (No Model.) s Sheets—Sheet 3 —= ww COA aw oaesea ere atm as Fo _ — BUTTE & SUPR, MNG, CO, V= UNITED STATES TS To all whom it may concern, Ise it known that we, CHARLES LB. ILEBRON and CARRIE J. EVERSON, both residents of Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State sof Colorado, have made new and useful Im- provements in Processes for the Concentra- tion of Certain Ores; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact de- scription of the invention, such as will enable 6 those skilled in the art to which it appertains to practice the same. Our invention relates to the concentration of ores, and has for its object the successful and econumical separation of the lighter met- tgals and minerals from their associate rock, many of which have never heretofore been successfully separated by mechanical pro- rexses—that is, processes wherein the relative specific yravity of the ore values, the rock- 10 matrix of the ore,and the suspensive fluidin which the separation has been attempted have been relied upon foreffecting by means of many different mechanical appliances the desived separation of such values from the 5 ~ek-matrix of the ore. The failures resulting from the heretofore- known processes may be briefly stated to be dae to the effort of inventors of mechanical processes and builders of ore-separators to ob- 39 lain the desired concentration with processes and machines based upon the theory con- tained in tho statement by text authorities that all metals and minerals are of greater specific gravity than the rock portion of their 3§ respective ores, such statement being mis- leading and untrue because of the porosity of stracture and irregularity of form which ex- ists in metallic and mineral particles con- tained in certain ores whereof the rock-ma- # trix is crystalline, such rock particles having smooth and glassy surfaces, as we have dis- covered by an extended series of microscopi- eal examinations, wherein the ore examined has been first pulverized to a degree of fine- 45 nexs permitting it to pass through the meshes of a series of Swiss bolting-cloth sereens cf a mesh varying from one hundred to one hun- dred andl eighty meshes per linear inch ind then examining the mineral, metallic, and tek particles of the ore with a microscope Piducing an enlargement of at Icast three SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. Application fled September 1, 1891, Serial No.404 400, (No model.) MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1229 PATENT OFFICE. CHARLES B. HEBRON AND CARRIE J. EVERSON, OF DENVER, COLORADV PROCESS OF CONCENTRATING ORES. 71,174, dated March 22, 1892. thousand diameters, and the process embody ing our invention bas particular referonce to the separation or concentration of such ores. The form and structure of the mineral and metallic particles adapted when contained! in a suitable crystalline rock-matrix to be sepa rated by our process is amply illustrated and particularly noticeable in bismuth, silver, cop- per carbonate, silver chloride, gray copper, ruby silver, tellurides, copper and _ silver glanges, as well as other forms of black sul- ——— wire silver, nearly all native silver, ake and flour gold, and frequently coarser — of free gold, such mineral and metal- ic particles being irregular in form, with cavi- ties or depressions on the surfaces theroof, and porous in structure, frequently resembling in appearance coral or sponge or vegetable fibers, as sprigs of moss or segments of fronds Further, there is a type of ores made up of an argentiferousclass of minerals associated with a tough crystalline rovk, especially noticeable in spar-gangue carrying gray copper, in which the mineral does not exist in minute particles or in intimate dissemination through the rock, but in coarse particles widely separated from each other and of an extremely rigid though friable texture, for the-concentration of which our process is well adapted. In the operation of pulverizing this ore sufficiently to liberate the mineral contained therein, though only a coarse pulterization is required, the mineral becomes reduced to an almost ee slime, the particles thereof being sufficiently fine Tor the requirements of this process. We have also discovered that the buoyancy of the above-named minerals and metallic particles or the tendency of such particles to remain suspended in fluid may be so increased by ap- plying thereto properly-prepared buoyant ma- terial in a suitable way and under such press- ure as to cause particles thereof to adhere to the irregular surfaces and to be contained or pressed into the cavities or pores of such min- eral and metallic particies that they will not oniy remain suspended in fluid for much longer time than woulu the mineral aad me- tallic particles when not joined to particles. of buoyant material, but also to float upon the surface of liquid for a sufiicient time to be separated from the rock-matrix of the ore on parted to the metal and mineral particles after thus joining to admit of thelr obtaining the upper strata when such prepared ore-stock is submitted to stratifying agencies. The following list comprises a nomber of is, materials which are typical of the sabstances that nay be employed to render metaliic and minera) particles buoyant: Charcoal, coke, lamp-black, plumbago, any of the friable vegetable fibers—such as bark, moss, straw, o cotton, wool—also sulphur, (sublimed,) ala minum trihydrate, hydrated lime salphate, sodium oleate and other cheap salts of sodium, also the cheap motallic sulphates and oleates, These salts must be dry not only in the ordi- nary sense, but entirely Ba ye =: 80 AN LO render them amorphous. The carbonaceous substances are first named because of their cheapness, their positiveness of action, and their destructibility in the furnace, Sulphar o also acts as a fucl and in the free state and proper quantity for carrying oat the process would be unobjectionable to the smelter. Lime salts acting as oxidizing fuxes need no consideration, nor do the solwble aalta, as 5 they are easily removed from the concentrates before smelting. In operating with soluble salts the water employed in the separator tank, hereinafterdescribed, must he sulurated either with tho same salt or with one which will preservo the same conditions—-that is, remain incapable of dissolving’ or reacting chemically npon the salt mixed with the ore and attached to the metallic and mineral par- ticles thereof. ‘To this rule we make certain exceptions—to wit, cases where the nhowly- formed substance is able to take the place of ° nn ° wn “wn 471,174 the one destroyed, asin the case of sodiam oleate reacting to form oleic acid pba ee oente or in the case of common alam og to form aluminium hydrate 10 The terms “oleic acid” and “oleate” are here used to embrace the mixed fatty acids and their salte resulting from the decomponl-. * 5 tion of commercial soapre. Tho degree of fineness to which Iheore mast 7g necessarily he pulvérized before the “ buoy- stock” (as we shall hereinafter term the buos- ant material) is joined thereto is determined by the character of the ore and the manner in which the mmeral an’ metallic particles are be disseminated inthe rock-matrix of the ore. While some of the lighter Clases minerals are found sparsely and intimately dissemi- nated with the rovk-matrix of their respective ores and the particles of minerals «0 minute as to require a pulverization which is com- mercially impracticalle, yet in nearly all cases where the metallic and mineral particles are found in a crystalline rock-matrix constitat- 85 ing an ore otherwise anitable for separation by our process wo have found that a pul- verization of from ninety to one hundred and sixty mesh, such pulverizstion being eminenily practicable, effectually pulverizes the ore to adegroeof fineness which liberates the valucs [rot tieit eavelopment In cases where vegdiable fiber or any of the carbonaceous sulttances arc used as a buoy-«*tock they, together with the disinte- grated ore, mast be dry before the two are mixed preparatory to the joining of the me- tallic and mineral particles 16 and with the baoy-stock. In cases where the chomically- poapenes baoy-stock is used the ore and the aoy-stock may be mixed or distribbated tu gether in the presence of moisture; but the ration of attaching the buoyant material to the motallic and mineral particles of the ore mast be performed after the entire mass Gee. distributed together has been thoroughly 1 ried, As our process is only adapted to separate the metallic and mineral particles from a crystalline rock, (an ore with a rock matrix of crystals, as a pure and translucent quarts, 11 or # crystalline spar-gangue being particn- larly favorable,) n0 trouble arises in attach. ing the buoyant material to the metallic and mineral particles of the pulverized ore from any tendency of the buoyant material to ad- here to the surface of the rock particles, as the faces of the rock particles are smooth and glassy and offer no position of lodgement for such buoyant material. Wo do not claim any value for this process if it be applied to an ore with atale orclayey gangue, or, except for the separation of the lighter mineral and metallic particles, when se io an ore containing galena or pyrites of cubieas formation ‘When ores adapted for treatment by thin process are prepared in the foregoing tan: ee ee ee ee ee ek oe ee cwoewee «we oOsd ner, & Separation may Le eifected with more or leas perfection if the thas-prepared stock be submitted to any of the standard dry or set concentrators. In case a dry separator be used the buoyed valaes of the ore-stock will attain the position reached by the gangue shen the conventionally: | ore-stock is put in the machine, the rock particles will be delivered to a that the product is delivered in canes, and if the orestock prepared by our method is deliv- ered by means of sifting or blowing to the surface of the water contained {4 or upon wet trators the reverse of tion to that of the product and waste of the ordina- ros ore-stock io the pse of the ma- chine is attained by the product and the waste. 1] experiments have proven to ws that the standard concentrators in use— soch as air-jigs, oscillating tables, wet jigs, [rue vannors, or percussion -tables—may be aljasted toadmitof @ fairly good separation; bat there are mechanical barriers to the per- feet separation, or, more particularly, to the anil economical operation of the same. ‘ore we submit a description of a de vice, the invention of Charles Li. Hebron, pe- culiarly suited to the successful operation of separating the buoyed values from the rock les of the ore-stock as prepared in the nbefore-described manner and an illus. tration of such device in the drawings accom: panyiug and forming a part of this specifica tion, iu which— Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a liquid-separator on line 1! of Fig. 2, viewed in the direction indicated by thearrows; Fig. 2,a plan view; Fig. 3, a horizontal sectional view on line 3 3 Fig. 1, viewed in the di- rection indicated by the arrows, the top of the tank of the separator being transparent and #0 exposing to view theseveral parts con- tained in the tank; Fig. 4, a vertical cross section on line 4 4 of Fig. 1, viewed in tte di- § tection indicated by the arrows; Fig. 5, a ver- tical cross-section, on an enlarged scale, of « portion of the device on line 55 of Fig. }, viewed in the direction indicated by the ar. rows; Fig. 6, a vertical cross-section on line 6 6, Fig. 1, also viewed in the direction indicated 7, a detail view of near the tail end of the tank of the separator, and hereinafter termed a “porforated table.” The same letter of reference is used to in- dicate a given part where more than one view thereof is shown. X X’ are floors of tho building in which the tor is placed. is the storage for the ore-stock which is to be run through the separator. Ailsa tank adapted to a liquid, con- araeted of any suitable material, but pref- erably of wood, and rectangular io shape, with ite gre vwth from the head to the tall. 4 4 are timbers resting on the floor NX, ex- BUTTE & SUPR, MNG. CO, VS. MIN, SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1201 tending transversely across Let ween the tank A and the floor X, on which timbers the tank rests. The liquid contained ja the tank, prefer. ably water or bgine—that is, water saturated with common salt—issupplied theretothroagh the pipe Ib at the head end of the tank and is ultimately discharged over the bridge walls or partitions b L/ at the tail ond of the tank. Sach liquid isletteredC, The pipe extends downward to underneath the sarface of the liquid C in the tafk and at its lower end is connected wybh a series of horizontal pipes consisting of transverse pipe I)’, longitudinal pipe I’, and smaller transverse pipes 1 1’. UV are perforations on the upper half of each of the transverse pipes I’ 1, through which the liquid C enters the tank, there be- ing sufficient head in the pipe BD to force the liquid out of the perforations in a manner to produce a slight effervescing condition in such liquid directly over sach perforations. D) is the ore-stock, property prepared, con- tained in the storage Y. isa pipe having valve +!’ therein, extend. ing from storage Y to transverse conveyer E. Conveyer E consists of tube or trongh ¢ and conveyer -acrew «’, nipples « «*, extending iwnward from tube or trough ¢, and valves ee in such nipples. cis a driving-palley on the shaft of the conveyer-serew by which such conveyer. screw is turned, F is an oscillating frame suspended on vi- bratory arms ff, adapted to be —— moved a slight distance backward and forward or oscillated by the cam-wheel F* through con- necting-arm f*. b’ F? F' F', respectively, aro screens in frame F, forming a series of sercens through which the ore-stock D, delivered from the nip- Jus e eon the upper one thereof, passes ust prior to its delivery to the surface of the iquidd C in the tank A, The purpose of the several mechanisms be- tween the storage Y and tho tank A is to in- sure the taking of the prepared ore-stock D from such storage and the delivery of the same to the surface of the liquid C in the form of a dust-cloud, whereby a thin sarface charge of are ore-stock shall be obtained on the iquid (, near the head of the tank A, ander- neath the lower ove of the screens forming the series, The ore-stock thus delivered to aud contained on the surface of the liquid C in the tank A and consisting of the pulver- ized and buoyed values and the pulverized rock mateix or gangue are separated from each other in the tink, the purpose of the sev. eral mechanisms contained in the tank being to so separate the bie) ed values in such ore. stock from the gangue thereof aud to deliver such buoyed values at or near the tail end of the tank and to deliver the cangue of the ore atock from the head end of the tank, , GGG ave vertion! partitions extending yo 45 1232 “ye transversely acrons the tank, the apper edge of each partivion py a slight distance be low the surface of the liquid C and the lower edges short distance above aa endless apron: t, by which apron-belt the gangue settling the liquid is carried from the tank. @gare braces extending between partitions G G, respectively. Il is sach poo apron-belt having taut cleats hhh thereon and longitudinal ropes | I fastened thereto by the straps i 1, such straps being, preferabiy, sewed to the byit IL Apron. belt Ilextends longit@linally through the tank and out therefrom over the edye of the head end thereof, and from thence ove the dram Hl’, by which dram it is moved. The upper aod carrying portion of the apron bert ii for the greater part of the length thereof is substantially horizontal, being beld in position at the point of junction of the hori zontal part extending along in the tank with the inclined part extending out of the tank over the edge of the head thereof by the et-reel I", having projections /’ i’ t , and the horizontal position of the re- mainder of the carrying portion of the belt is obtained by such aproo belt extending around the roller or drum A’ and idlers Wh’. The lower or ingoing portion of the endless apron- belt is held in place by the roller or drum HH’. To prévent any possible disturbance of the surface of the liquid C by the movement of the sprocket-reel Il" there is placed over it the housing II". J is a spout or trough underneath thedrum I’, to receive the gangue delivered from the endless a -belt H as such belt travels arownd the drum Il’, and J’ is a com- mon screw conveyer by which the spout or t J is emptied. a horizontal planking ange cover for the endless apron-belt at the tail end of the tank and also forming on the u sur. nsec S Rens oe nto i being formed = 44 over chamber plaoking ‘and bridge-walle Pel? le a pipe extend 65 and commun ja a vaive in pipe L’. BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN, SEP., LTD., ET AL. 471,174 lisa pipe which extends from chamber k to pipe L’ and is joined to pipe L" by means of a common T-joini, and pipe L’ extends from pipe L', forming & continuation of pipe L’. is « valve in pipe L’. When valve in pipe 1’ or valve [ is open aod valve? ia pipe L’ is also open, the liquid in chamber k can pass therefrom through the pel’. The jon of the liquid pase ng over the screen K which is permitted to _ throagh anch screen intochamber k, and rom thence through pipe L’, is determined by the valve [and the direction such escap- tag liquid flows is determined by the valves P aad P, respectively—as, for instance, clos ng valve f and opening valve / guides the linjnid into a receptacte, from which it is re turned, by means hereinafter described, to the storage-reservoir, from which the pipe I extends, and opening the valve [ permits the liquid te flow to waste the liquid contained therein without allow. ing such liquid to pass over the bridge. walls b U’, as for cleaning out the tank or flushing it, the valve / in pipe L' is opened; but ori. narily valve U' is maintained in a closed con- dition m is a centrifural pump in receptacle M, and m’ isa mtothetank N) The liquid flowing into re- cep-acie M through pipe L* ia forced by the ee into tank N through pipe m’, O is a float-valve in tank N, and 0” is the stem thereof, adapted to close the pipe I’ (such pipe I’ extending from a liquid-supply) when the liquid contained in the tank N is raised a determined amount and to open such pt of liquid is contained in such tank. By means of .'sis valve O the 7 P when the liquid returned to the tank N through the pipe m’ is insafficient to maintain the juteel height of liquid in tank N the additional liquid re: quired is automatically supplied through the pipe P. v is the liquid-storage tank from which the liquid is taken through (he pipe B to sup- ply the tank A, and n is _—- connecting | the tank N with tank N’. usy of pipe n is to prevent any pulsation in tank N’ from the movement Vhen it is desired to empty the tank A of 1 supply pipe Es. - SS hm ULhCULLCULCULC L pipe from the centrifugal pamp ' | Masia te less than the determined amount } rk of pm s?Ftavlsst Fes a= == BUTTE & SUPR, MNG. CO, 2082 The slide Q’ and the ition Q' are ad- astable, the joint fanct of the two be- to determine the quantity of air drawn through the tank by the fan 8 and Ita source— that is, wheg the slides) is near the surface through the tank will ing covered by the slide penne will we or partition Q", while a larger quantit of air will pass under the ition Y it such partition be raised farther away from the liquid C. The partition Q* has another fanction—namely, to deflect all, if any, - ticles of ore-stovk floating above the liquid C (in the air between the surface of liquid C aad cover Q) downward to the surface of such 7 as it underneath the slide ()’. is a chamber extending transversely across the tank near the tail end thereof, a risa perforated screen betweon the chamber R the tank A. R’ R’ are a seri& or pipes extending from the chamber R to the transverse pipe or con- duit R', and r’ -’ are calves in pipes R’ R’, ively. ‘isa alee extending from (he transverse waby to lo communicating with the ex- ‘an. 8, 8’ is the driving-pulley by which the ex- he haast-fan 8 is rotated. When the exhaust-fan 8 win operation and he the slide Q’ in cover Q is , & current of PBs alr will extend from tho slido Q’ over the sur- ly) | face of the liquid contained in the tank, and is from thence through the screen into the cham- ch | ter R, and from thence through the several mt pipes R’, R*, and R* to and throagh the ex- ‘id jo haust-fan 8S. By means of the series of valves — rr’ and the screen r the amount and direc- cht tion of the moving current of air can be defi- pee tl ony | ——— AY suan'ty’ lo prcpert ‘is pre . ee ps jeated for the amoont of current denired. ich In the of this device the liquid ing 4 YY in pipes B B* flows over the top of the on | partitions G GG toward the tail end om §o of the tank and over the bridge-wall b, an ef- or | fervescing movement being Rosie tear oe N. inbefore described, in the liquid C over the ok perforations L’ b' ’ and a wave-like move- © | ment being produced the entire length of the 2 tank by the partitions GGG. The buoyed nd mineral and metallic particles of the ore-stock mf Will be found floating in the form of a scum _ upon the surfaceof the liquidalong with such ne aid toward the tail end of the tank, and the P° When the exhaust-fan 8 is in operaiion the wave-like movement of the surface™of the ely liquid is increased and a movement of such ear buoyed mineral and metallic particles along upon and over the surface of tho liquid C at & rate in excess of the rate of movenient of the liquid © is obtained, thereby producing a VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. } frictional movement facilitating the separa- tion of such buoyed mineral and metallic par- ticles from the gangue of the ore-stock, where- by the capacity of the separator is increased. Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat- ent, is— 1. The herein. described process for con- centrating ores, which consists in ocomminglin with pulverized ore-stock buoyant material, then submitting the commingled pulverized ore-stock and buoyant material to movement and re and ao joining the bnoyant ma- terial to the metallic and mineral particles 80 in the yerlveriged ore, and then applying the apne ore whilo in a dry state to a strati- ing apparatus, whereby th weeged 5 metal- 7° 1s and wineral particies aro separated from the by the settling of such gangue, 85 substantially as clexcribed. 2. The hereia - described process tor con contrating orea, which consists in Grst com- er om with pilverized ore-steck buoyant material, then ¢ ibmitting (he commingled go pulverized ore-s' ock and booyant material to movement an: presanre ancl so joiuing the buoyant materi.! to the metallic and min- oral particles in ‘he pulverized ora, and then applying sach prepared ore while in a dry state te the sur ace of liquid, whereby the buoyed metallic a@...1 minoral particles are floated on such iquid aad separated from the gangus, which cottles In tho liquid, substan- tially os descriled.. 3. The process, substantially as desoribed, for concentrating ores, which consists in first joining the metallic and mineral particles in the pulverized ore with « quantity of Duey- ant material and then sifting or blowing the pre ore while in a dry state upon the surface of liquid, whereby the buoyed nie- tallic and mineral particles are made to float and thus separate from the gangae, which settles. | 4. The herein -described process tor con- centrating ores, which consists in firat join- — the metallic and mineral particles in the pulverized ore with a quantity of buoyant material, then “Ty or blowing the pre red ore while in a dry state upon tho sar- ‘ace of liquid, and then in qucieing, cur. rent of air over the liquid, whereby ‘ie buoyed metallic and mineral particles are 6 to float and to move along on and over 1 the surface of such liquid, and thus separato from the gangue, which settles. 5. The herein - described process for con- centrating ores, which consists in first join- ing the metallic and mineral particles in the pulverized ore with a quantity of buoyant material, of obtaining a body of liquid hav- ingao effervescent condition, and then sifting or blowing the prepared ore while in a dr state u the surfaco of liquid in such ef- fervescing condition, whereby the buoyed metallic and mineral particles are made to 2083-S+ float on the surface BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 471,174 of such liquid, and thus separate from the gangue, which settles 6. The herein- described process for con- centrating ores, which consists in first join- 5 ing the metallic and mineral particles in the pulverized ore with a quantity of buoyant ma- terial, of obtaining a body of liquid having an effervescent condition, then sifting er blow- eres ore while ina dry state upon o thesu ace of liquid in such effervescing con- dition, and then in obtaining a current of air over the liquid, whereby the buoyed metallic and mineral particles are made to float and to move along on and over on the surf of such liquid, and thus separate from t gangue, which settles. CHARLES b. HEBRON. CARRIE J. EVERSON. Witnesses to signature of Charles B. H ron: CHARLES T. BROWN, J. L. EVERSON. Witnesses to signature. of Carrie J. Even son: E. A. FAY, B. CURTIS. [sirens BUTTE & SUPR, MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1235 2085 No. 653,340. Patented July 10, 1900.’ F E. ELMORE APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING METALLIC FROM ROCKY CONSTITUENTS OF ORES. (Application filed Sept. 23, 1899.) Me Model.) 2 Sheets—Sheet | — 8 ~ . 1 Mey a \ ih 4 a ~ if if ——$—— oe f } J he NS 8 iid Mn ay Seep) fi | nibs * ne! | : . pe | Is © soy " ' it THUMM . AHL q y ex Witnesses ti ae _Inventéer eG . S row. crn = © Swnw.crm, eure Derbys a aa oa, 1236 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN, SEP., LTD.. ET AL. No. 653,340. Patented july 10, 1900 F.E ELMORE. APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING METALLIC FROM ROCKY ; CONSTITUENTS OF ORES. Appl 108 Bled 33, 1890 (Wo Model.) ee ee 2 Sheets—Shresm 2 Origin 2086 To all Be it MORE, fract r 5 York, and us Separa of Ores ent in. > No. 21, fieatior This prised | 10, 189) § vided « tityam é Z the ore The me ry in the ¢ | \ . fl — } 4 Suspen: d ss In th ; : avertic J h able fo \ , omittin ’ side ele J 7 | elevate In or nr cn ee f- =: lo prac the san my ings. Witnesses _/nventer The | — suppli Dak: SAnenee & GI, aie: “ 4 ye : slowly as Terria Vai and wi) | UNITED STATES 20ST PATENT OFFICE. To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, Francis EDwarpD EL- MORF, a citizen of England, residing at Ponte- fract road, Hunslet, Leeds, in the county of 5 York, England, have invented certain new and useful Iinprovements in Apparatus for Separating Metallic from Rocky Constituents of Ores, (for which I have applied for a pat- ent in Great Britain, dated October 18, 1898, p No. 21,948,) of which the following is a speci- fication. This invention, which was originally com- prised in the application for patent filed April 10, 1899, Serial No. 712,454, but bas been di- 5 vided out at the request of the Office, relates to apparatus for separating the metallic from the rocky constituents of ores, which I effect by bringing a mixture of the pulverized ore with water into coptact with more or less P thick oil, which entraps the metallic constita- ents and allows the rocky constituents to pass away with the water. I then separate the metallic particles from the oil, which can be used for repeated operations. The thick oil which I employ is the thick tarry residue, usually called ‘‘ residuum,” of mineral oil af- ter some of the more volatile constituents have been distilled off. When the whole of the one has been mixed with water in quap- p tity amounting to several times the weight of the ore, this is then mixed with the thick oil. in the oil, which does not even adhere to the earthy ingredients, the latter being held in Suspension in the water. In the accompanying drawings, Figure | is avertical sectional view of an apparatus suit- able for carrying. my invention into effect, omitting the elevated cistern; and Fig. 2isa side elevation of the apparatus, showing the tlevated cistern. In order to enable those skilled in the art lo practicé my invention, I will now describe the same in detail with reference to the draw- ings. The mixture of pulverized ore and water supplied by pipe a and also the oil supplied by pipe b flow ak one endof adrume, which owly revolves on a horizontal axis, Ateach end of the drum there is a circular opening, and within the drum annular helical ribs d FRANCIS EDWARD ELMORE, OF LEEDS, The metallic portians of the ore are retained. ENGLAND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING METALLIC FROM ROCKY CONSTITUENTS OF ORES. SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettcrs Patent No. 653,340, dated July 10, 1900. Original application filed April 10, 1899, Serial No. 712,464. Divided and this application filed September 23, 1899. Se-ial No. 731,494. (No model.) ee extend from end to end, the spaces bettveen these ribs being divided into cells by ashum- ber of equidistant blades. The ore and wa- ter and the oil, which are thus mingled with- out being broken up, so as to form a uniform mixture, are carried from the end of thedram where they entered to the opposite end, whence they are discharged into a watet-sub- siding vessel e, in which the waterand.rocky constitue:ts mostly subside, while the oil, with the metallic constituents, floats above. The lowest layer is drawn away as tailings, which may be again treated with oil by lead- ing them bya pipe f to a second drum > where they are again mixed with oil supplied by a pipe hh, the mixture — discharged into a second subsidence vessel. This may be again repeated until litile or none of the metallic constituents remain in the tailings. The upper layer from the subsidence vessels is led by pipes / into a centrifagal drum m, containing a little water. As the dram rap- idly revolves the metallic particles are cansed by centrifugal force to pass from the oil to the water, which forms a layer next the cir- cumference cf the drum, the side of which is closed, while the oil, being lighter, flows over an inwardly-projecting lip n into the casing h’ of the drtn, whence it is removed by a pipeq to be used overagain. When the layerof parti- cles and water in the centrifugal drum attains a certaia thickness, the drum is stopped, the layer is removed, and the drum receives a fresh charge of water and is again worked. The oil may be pumped up through pipegq to an elevated cistern o to supply the drums cand q; but in order toclear the oil from air- bubbles I prefer to draw the oil up to the cis- tern by creating a partial vacuum in the cis- tern through the medium of any suitable means, such as a vacuum-pump p. In carrying out my invention { do not em- ploy anoil mixture. The thick oil of the kind before set forth, with the metallic ingredients entrapped in it, floats over the water, which holds Yn suspension tho-earthy ingredients which have nooi!l whatever adhering to them. Instead of employing centrifugal force to separate the oil from the metallic matters mixed with it the mixture may be thinned by heatir~ it o» mingling it with solvents of the $5 65 72 75 80 85 95 10. 1238 2088 oil, such as benzoline, and ieft for subsidence or subjected ta filter-pressing, so that the greatest portion of the oil cau be recovered for subsequent use. Having thus described the nature of this invention and the best means I know of car- rying the same into practical effect, I claim— 1. The combination in an apparatus for separating metallic from rocky constituents of ore, of arotary drum having internal heli- cal ribs, pipes for delivering oil and ore and water into one end of said drum, a water-sub- siding vessel arranged below the drum and receiving the oil, ore and water therefrom, a centrifugal drum arranged below said water- subsiding vessel, and a pipe for conducting the metallic portions and the oil from the top of the water-subsiding vessel into said cen- trifugal drum, substantially as described. 2. The combination in an apparatus for separating metallic from rocky constituents of ore, of a rotary drum having internal heli- EGA ee ent ene cers tat et BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD.. ET AL. cal rius divided into cella by longitudinal blades, pipes for delivering oil and ore and water ‘nto one end of said drum, a water-sub- siding vessel arranged below the drum and recei- ing the oil, ore and water therefrom, a ‘centrifugal drum arranged below the water- subsiding vessel and constructed with au in- wardly-projecting lip and a surrounding cas- ing, and a pipe for conducting the metallic portions and oil from the top portion of the water-subsiding vessel into said centrifugal drum ata pointin proximity to the inwardly. projecting lip thereof, substantially as de- seribed. Jn testimony whereof I have hereunto sot! my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- nesses. FRANCIS EDWARD ELMORE. Witnesses: FRANCIS W. FRIGOUT, A. NUTTING. BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 1239 2089 No. 676,679. Patented. Tune 18, I90& F. E ELMORE PROCESS OF SEPARATING METALLIC FROM ROCKY CONSTITUENTS OF OBES. (Application filed Apr 10, 1899) fale Model.) 2 Sheets—Sheet § 4 > | ee Ne. 676.679 (No Model.) vagy) 1240 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. Patented June 18, 1901 F. E. ELMORE. PROCESS OF SEPARATING METALLIC FROM ROCKY CONSTITUENTS OF ORES. ‘Application filed Apr 10, 1699.) 2 Sheets— Sheet 2 1] * 4. Wi riresses £0 Mkt — . OIE OSE I PRINS OT REEMA TARE SCRE AT ASS — hyereutor tir pf kies ' Mtorscy UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. FRANCIS EDWARD ELMORE, OF LEEDS, ENGLAND WOT To all whom it nuty concern: Be it known that I, Francis Epwarp EL- MORE, electrometallurgist, a citizen of Eng- =n en e land, residing at Pontefract road, Ilanslet, Leeds, in the county of York, England, have invented. certain new and useful Improve- ments in Processes of Separating Metallic from Rocky Constituents of Ores, (for which Ihave applied fora patent in Great Britain, dated October 18, 1898, No. 21,948,) of which the following is a specification. My invention relates to a method of sepa- rating metallic constituents of ore from rocky and other impurities, which js distinguished 5 from the usual amalgamation processes in which the ore forms an amalgam with mer- enry. It consists in mixing the crushed ore with water and mixing with the ore and watera p substance other than mercury which has the power of causing the metallic portions of the ore only to adhere to it, while the water and rock or other impurities of the ore remain un- affected and may be drawn off. The metal- § lic constituents of the ore are then recovered from the substance in which they are en- trapped. I have found that the heavier oils are efficacious for this purpose and particu- | larly that kind of oil known as the “‘residu- um” of mineral oll after the more volatile ele- | ments have been distilled off. _ _In carrying out my process I prefer to inix the ore with water—as, for instance, by the Wet crushing method in common use—using 5 asufficient quantity of water tomakea freely- flowing mixturo, the fineness of the ore de- peuding upon the particular kind of ore treated.. I then place the ore and water ina suitable vessel, add a quantity of the oil de- pending upon the particular kind of ore under treatment, and then agitate the mixture with- out breaking up the oil into smell globules. The metallic particles will adhere to the oil and be buoyed upand floated by it, while the 5 Other constituents of the ore will remain in the water. The water and attendant impuri- ties are then drawn off, leaving the oil and metallic particles. The metallic particles are easily separated from the oil by mechanical or Other means, In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 ‘is Vertical sectional view of an apparatus suit- PROCESS OF SEPARATING METALLIC FROM ROCKY CONSTITUENTS OF ORES. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 676,679, dated Juno 18, 1901. Application fled April 10,1899. Aerial No, 712,454. (No specimens.) able for carrying my invention into practice, omitting the elevated cistern; and lig. 2 isa side elevation of the apparatus, showing the elevated cistern. In order to enable those skilled in the art to practice my invention, I will now describe the same in detail, with reference to the draw- ings. Tho mixture of pulverized ore and water supplied by pipe a and also the oil supplied by pipe b flow into one end of a drumce, which slowly revolvesona horizontal axis. Ateach end of the drum there is a circular opening, and within the drum annular helical ribs d extend from end to end, the spaces between these ribs befng divided into cells by 2 num- ber of equidistant blades. The ore and wa. ter and the oil, which are thus mingled with- out being broken up 80 as to form a uniform mixturo, are carried from the end of the drum where they entered to the opposite end, whenco they are discharged into a vessel e; in which the water and rocky constituents mostly subside, while the oil, with the metal- lic constituents, floats above. The lowest layer is drawn away as tailings, which may be again treated with oil by leading them by a pipe f toa second drum g, where they are again mixed with cil supplied by a pipe h,the mixture being discharged into a sec- ond subsidence vessel k. This may be again repeated until little or none of the metallic constituents-remain in the tailings. Thonup- 3 per layer from the subsidence vessels is led by pipes 7 into a centrifugal drum m, con- taining a little water. As the drum rapidly revolves the metallic’ particles are caused by centrifugal foree to pass from the oil to the water, which forins a layer next the cir-, cumference of the drum, the side of which is closed, while the oil, being lighter, flows over an inwardly-projecting lip n into the casing h' of the drum, whence it is removed by a pipe q to be used over agair. When the layer of particles and water in- the ‘centrifugal drum attains a certain thickness, the drum is stopped, the layer is removed, and the drum receives a fresh chargo of water andis again worked. The oil may be pumped up through pipe ¢ to an elevated cistern o to supply the drums cand g; but in order to clear the oil from a... NEA YOR TERRY IIIS 28 HB RS! NEL BRD OEE? Sy TE a ee KADEN Aa Dri es anak ite ace eRe 26 1212 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. 2092 air-badbies I prefer to draw the oil up to the cistern by creating a partial vacuum in the cistern through the medium of ahy suitable means, such as & vacuum-pump ;’. § Incarrying ont my jnvention I do rot em- ploy an oil mixture. .The thiok oil of the kind before set forth, with the metallic in- gredionts entrapped in it, floats over the wa- ter, which holds in suspension the earthy in- © gredients which have no oi! whatever adher- ing to them. Instead of employing centrifugal force to separate the oil from the metallic matters mixed with it the mixture may be thinned by 5 heating it or mingling it with solvents of the oil, such as benzolin, and left for subsidence or subjected to filter- pressing, so that the greatest portion of the oil can be recovered for subsequent use. © Having thns described the nature of this invention and the best means I know of car- rying the same into practical effect, I claim — 1. The process of separating the metallic frou other constituents of ore, which consists s in mixing with crasbed ore to which suffi- cient water has been added to make a flow- ing mixture a substance other than mercury to which the metallic particles only will ad- here, and then recovering the metallic parti- © cles from such substance, sabstantially as de- scribed. 2. The process of separating the metallic constituents of ore from the rocky or other impurities, which corsists in mixing crushed 5 ore with asuMcient quantity of water to make a Nowiog mixture, mixing with the ore and water a quantity of oi!, and recovering the metallic particles from the oil, substantially as described. 3. A process of separating tne metallic from the other constituents of ore, which consists in mixing crushed ore and water to forma flowing mixture, mixing with the ore and wa- ter a substance otber than mereury to which the metallic particles only will adhere, sepa- rating the water and iinpurities from the sub- stance containing the metal, and recovering the metal from such aubstance, substantially as described. 4. The method of separatiug the metallic from other constituents of ore which consista of commingling pulverized oro to which sauf- Hicient water has been added to make a flow- } ing mixture with oil, separating the oil and Melallic constituents contained therein from 676,679 the water and impurities, and separating the metallic constituents from the oil, substan- thally as described. 5. A process for separating metallic from rocky constituents of ore by mixing the pul- verized ore with water and mixing the ore and water with oil, allowing the water carrying rocky materials to sitbside, while the oil car- rying metallic constituents fioats above, and 60 separating the oil from these constituents 65 substantially as described. 6. Theimproved process for separating me- tallic from rocky constituents of ore which consistsin mixing the pulverized ore with wa- ter, owing the same into contact and admix- ture with flowing oil, subjecting the mixture of ore, water and oil to subsidence, and then separating the oil from the rocky constitu- ents and water, substantially as described. 7. The herein-described process for sepa- rating the metallic from the rocky constitu- ents of ore, which consists in first mixing pul- verized ore with a large quantity of water to maintaio the mixture in a freely-flowing con- dition, then adding to this mixture of water and ore a thick oil of the character set forth, which oil will adhere to the metallic constita- ents but not to the wet rocky constituents, then subsiding the water and rocky material and causing the oil carrying the metallic con- stituents to float off over the body of water and finally separating said oil from said me- tallic constituents, substantially as specified. 8. The herein-described process for sepa- rating the metallic from the rocky constitu- ents of ore, which consists in first mixing pul- verized ore with a large quantity of water to maintain the mixture in a freely-flowing con- dition, then adding to this mixtare of water and ore a thick oil of the character set forth, which oi} will adhere to the metallic constita- ents but not to the wet rocky constituents, then subsiding the water and rocky material and causing the oil carrying the metallic con- stituents to float off over the body of water and finally separating said oil from said me- tallic constituents by centrifugal action, sab- stantially as specified. In testimony whereof I bave hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- nesses. . FRANCIS EDWARD ELMORE. Witnesses: THOMAS BRown, TrHosBias HEyRY Butt. bd % MPRA He a OER ———— No. 689,070. €Wo Model.) 70 BUTTE & SUPR. MNG. CO. VS. MIN. SEP., LTD., ET AL. A. S. ELMORE. (Application filed Apr. 13, 1901) , nt mp Ee vpn | gl 1243 Patented Dec. 17, 1900. SEPARATING MINERAL SUBSTANCES BY THE SELECTIVE ACTION OF OIL seal \ ) N pwreeeseflor Mle xereder ILONHON UNITED STATES 204 ALEXANDER STANLEY ELMORE, OF LONDON, ENGLAND SEPARATING MINERAL SUBSTANCES BY THE SELECTIVE ACTION OF OiL. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,070, dated December 17, 1901 Application fled April 19,1001, Serial No. 65,776, (No specimens.’ To\all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, ALEXANDER STANLEY ELMORE, a citizen of England, residing at 4 Bishupsgate street Within, Londou, England, 5 have invented a certain new and useful Im- provement in Separating Mineral Substances by the Selective Action of Oil, (for which I have applied for a patent in Great Britain, dated March 28, 1901, No. 6,519,) of which the © following is a specification. . The selective action of oil has been utilized for separating metallic substances from earthy or rocky constituents of ores. This has generally been done by pulverizing the 5 ore and suspending it in a considerable quan- tity of water, so as to make a freely-flowing pulp, then mingling with it oil, preferably heavy oil, such as is obtained from petroleum after some of the lighter oils’ have been dis- tilled from it. W [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/brief%3Amicro_IA40386004_0140%3A3. Public record. Not legal advice.