US1846518A - Method of applying trade marks directly to bulk materials - Google Patents

Description

Feb 23, 1932. J E. HIBLINE 1,846,518

METHOD OF APPLYING TRADE MARKS DIRECTLY TO BULK MATERIALS Filed July 22, 1929 Patented Feb. 23,1932

PATENT OFFICE JOHN EDWARD HIBLINE, OF BAL'I'DIOBE, MARYLAND I METHOD OF APPLYING TRADE MARKS DIRECTLY TO BULK MATEIALS Application filed July 22,

My invention relates to a novel method of applying trade or distinguishing marks to solid materials in bulk form.

It is a well-known fact that manufacturers,

miners, and others, in addition to distributors and dealers, in various lines of business wherein the product they handle is a solid which is shipped and delivered in bulk, have i had no adequate means at their command by which theyhave been able to successfully and commercially apply distinguishing marks to their product, in such manner that those receiving or consuming the same, although the latter may have passed through several hands, can readily identify the product and thereby 'be assured that they are receiving the particular brand of product which they had ordered.

This is especially true with materials, such for example as coal, coke or crushed stone or other products in a lump form or in a form having small shapes which are usually shipped in bulk.

The object therefore of my invention is to provide a practicable Way of identifying a lump or shapes of a product in bulk so that practically every lump or shape of the bulkproduct itself will carry the identifying means to such extent that the same can be readily identified, if desired, as it passes all the way from the hands of the producer through various middle-men to the consumer, and each handler thus be ensured of the genuineness of the product.

Obviously, ores, crushed stone, coals or cokes, for example, from certain localities may be better adapted for certain uses than somewhat similar products identified by the same general descriptive names that are pro- 40 curable in other localities, but those products, after passing from the producers through several hands cannot be identified with any certainty, except by actual analysis, which is expensive, and in many cases impracticable.

1929. Serial No. 380,157.

If a coal consumer, for example, desires a coal that is procurab-le in'a. particular geographical district, that consumer has no means at his command that will satisfy him beyond question, when that coal is delivered, 5 that the particular coal he ordered has been actually delivered to him.

This invention is therefore directed to a novel method of applying distinguishing marks to a lumpy or shaped material in bulk, which marks will remain throughout the bulk and practically on every lump or shape until the latter reaches the consumer and is consumed.

By means therefore of my invention, I pro- 5 vide a means of applying a distinguishing mark to coal, or other lumpyproduct in bulk, which will enable the consumer to identify the product by marks, which the product will carry from the time it leaves the producer, and thus guarantee to the consumer, just as certainly as a label on a bottle or package would do, that the product is all it is presumed to be.

Unscrupulous coal dealers, for example, have been said to have mixed with coal from one mine, an inferior grade of coal, and then deliverthe mixed grades of coal to a consumer as one and the same grade throughout.

By means of my invention, I propose to so 7 thoroughly apply the distinguishing trade mark devices throughout the bulk that each lump or shape of the bulk will carry the distinguishi'ng marks, and thus prevent the admixture of another grade of material with the bulk because the latter would lack the identification marks to such an extent as to be readily discerned.

The novel method is diagrammatically illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein,

Fig. 1 shows a wheeled vehicle from which the product is dumped and spread out as it passes to a transportation vehicle, in this instance a railroad car, and also shows a means finally foun for preparing the product and applying thereto the identifying markings.

Fig. 2 illustrates a lump or shape of a material removed from the product with identifying markings thereon, and

Fig. 3 shows two views of one form of device utilized as a marker.

I have conceived the idea that, regardless of the nature of the solid product, by mixing with that product, at its source of supply, light solid substances which differ in character from the product itself, either in color or physical form or shape, but which will not act to change the product itself, that such mixed-in and added substance, may be so thoroughly distributed through and attached to lumps and shapes of the product, that it may be seen at a glance, and thereby perform all the functions and have the same effect as a glaring label containing the trade name of a trade-mark roprietor.

In carrying out my invention I have found, in the case of both bituminous and anthracite coal; and it is equal'l applicable to numerous other roducts o a solid character, that by utilizlng, for example, punchings from paper, and particular when those punchings are thoroughly distributed throughout the bulk as when the latter is spread or separated and being loaded onto cars, that the marking will show with glaring effect, and will carry with the bulk, regardless of numerous handlings until it is used by the consumer.

The markings of contrasting materials must however be so applied, and so thorough-- ly distributed throughout the bulk, as to become attached to the particles thereof and remain therewith until the product is consumed.

After man unsuccessful attempts, I have a way to successfully utilize paper punchin gs in carrying out my invention and have been able to meet the greatest dif ficulty, to wit, of thoroughly intermixing the punchings throughout the bulk and causing the same to become attached to the lumps and shapes of that bulk so each lump or shape in the bulk will be marked and remain so, although shipped in carriers and exposed to the weather while under transportation and even unloaded and loaded again until the bulk is finally delivered to the consumer.

In carrying out my novel method, for ex ample in the marking of coal in bulk, I proceed as follows:

At the mine, the coal is usually first placed in small cars 5. and the latter moved along an elevated structure 6 to a point preferably above an inclined screen, or a chute 7. onto which the load of coal is usually dumped from the end of the car.

During this d ping operation, the load of coal spreads out and separates as it moves by gravity down the screen or chute, and while in this spread-out condition, I spray the ea ers coal or other substance with a fiuid, directed from a suitable device it.

The precise nature of this fluid is not essential, as I may employ a substance of deliquescent material which is capable of attract =1 in g moisture from the atmosphere and becoming liquid, or a pasty or adhesive substance or I may merely moisten the spread out coal with water.

Having sprayed or moistened the coal, or other substance, while the same is spread-out and thereby moistened all the particles, lumps or shapes of the bulk of the solid material, I then scatter or broadcast the identification markings over the spread-out and moistened surfaces of the bulk.

I have found in practice after many experiments that in the use of paper punchings, I can best effect a thorough intermingling of the same with the moistened surfaces of the spread-out bulk by utilizing a spray-gun 8 which in practice may have the form of any one of a number of spraying machines, such as are employed in the art of paintspraying, with the exception that instead of atomizing I utilize a modified form of nozzle 9 through which the paper punchings 10, may pass without clogging.

Also in practice, I preferably utilize a receptacle 11 to contain the punchings, and a pipe 12, extends from the sprayer into said receptacle and draws the punchings from the later and said punchings are then ejected at the nozzle 9, with some force and directed over and against the spread-out moistened surfaces of the moving mass as the latter falls by gravity toward the transportaion vehicle 13, into which it is being loaded.

I have also found in practice, and after many experiments, that the quantity of paper punchings necessary to effect an immediate identification of the product when it has finally reached the hands of the consumer, may be greatly reduced if those punchings have first been coated on both of its faces with an adhesive substance so that when the punchings are directed by force against the moist surfaces of the lumps or shapes of the bulk, they will immediately adhere and become affixed and remain attached through the several shipments and handlings necessary for delivery of the product to the consumer.

In this way, I thoroughly impregnate the product with the distinguishing markings and those markings are caused to adhere to the particles of the mass forming the bulk and become attached thereto in such quantity that although subjected to several handlings before reaching the consumer, the markings will be seen throughout the bulk and ready identification thus be made by anyone.

Having described my invention, I claim,-

The method of applying trade or distinguishing marks to solids in bulk form and while the latter are in a broken-up lumpy I i the moist surfaces of the bulk particles and become adhered thereto.

In testimon whereof I aflix 111 Si ature.

JO N EDWARD H B INE.

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