Improvements relating to the Impregnation of Wood and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Loft 8th Sent 1807 Accented 6th Nov 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Impregnation of Wood and to
Apparatus therefor.
. I, GEORGES FRÉDÉRIC LEBIODA, of 50 Rue Saint Didier, Paris, in the Republio
of France, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an injector acting with a continuous current and by
filtration the object of which is to effect the process of injection upon masses of
wood by causing to pass, bv filtration and in a continuous current, longitudinally
through the fibres of the wood, a given fluid such as a liquid stain, or a liquid
charged with agglutinant substances, for example, albumen, gum, resin or the
like, or certain oils, metallic salts, antiseptic or antiputrescent liquids, steam or
finally acids or the like, according to the result which it is desired to obtain.
This apparatus, when complete as shewn in the accompanying drawing, com-
prises a suction chamber and a compressing chamber. It consists of two
receptacles C and C¹ which are superposed and are separated by a plate P
in which holes are formed. The receptacle C which forms the compressing
chamber receives the liquid arriving under pressure from a force pump; the
receptacle C which is the vacuum or suction chamber is submitted to the action
of a suction pump and a suction is produced in this receptacle which is transmitted
to the chamber C through the holes in the plate P.
This plate P which separates the two chambers C and C is a metal plate in
which holes are formed; by it is formed a vessel united to the chamber C by
bolts i or the like which force the flanges gl gll strongly together in such a manner
that these two flanges form, so to speak, one piece only.
This double flange g g is fixed to the flange 9 upon the chamber C by
removable bolts J or the like. One or more pieces of wood which it is intended
to submit to the process of injection are fixed. vertically upon the plate P; these
pieces of wood are pressed against this plate by means of tightening screws SS' S
provided with claws which penetrate the wood without however covering it.
Between the blocks of wood B B B, a mastic or a fusible body such as pitch is
run and this forms a tight joint; this joint extends between the pieces of wood up to
the walls of the vessel in such a manner that no liquid is able to pass from the upper
vessel C to the lower vessel C¹ without traversing the fibres of the wood because the
openings in the plate P are stopped both by the blocks of wood and by special pegs
inserted in the intervals between the bases of the blocks. The pitch is poured in
to the depth of a few centimetres only.
The suction and force pump F communicates with the chamber C by means of
a force nipe T provided with a cock R; the suction pipe T of the same pump
communicates with the chamber C and carries the cock R. The counterweight
serves to raise the chamber C and its accessory parts when the wood is being
fixed upon the plate P.
V is the drain cock for the chamber C; it is provided with an india rubber

page_text: tube Y which forms a siphon and even enables it to empty the vessel C. V¹ is
the drain cock for the chamber C...
METHOD OF STARTING THE APPARATUS.
I will now describe, by way of example, the method of employing the apparatus,
taking for instance the staining black of blocks of wood. The following are the
necessary preliminary preparations: The colour tub O is filled with a supply
of black stain (which may be formed from pyrolignite of sesquioxide of iron to
which has been added 5 per cent. of guni arabic); the bolts J or the like are then
removed. The chamber C and its accessory parts being balanced by the counter-
weight D; it is raised in such a manner as to uncover the plate P' and its vessel.
Three logs of maple, from which the bark has been removed are then taken, for
example, their lower portions being well soaked; they are placed upright upon the
plate P, in such a manner that the base of each of them covers at least one opening
in the plate; the openings not so covered are filled by the pegs already referred to.
The tops of these pegs are cut off flush with the plate and a layer of pitch, which
bardens rapidly, is then formed upon the plate between the pieces of wood.
I thus form under the base of each log, between this base and the plate P, a
partial suction chamber communicating by the openings in the plate P with the
general suction chamber C.
When the pieces of wood have been fixed upon the plate P, the chamber C is
caused to descend by the application of a slight pressure so that the flange g is
applied to the rubber washer m which covers the upturned edge of the plate P,
the bolts Jor the like are then fightened in such a manner as to obtain an
hermetic joint.
In cases in which high pressures are necessary, the rubber washer is replaced by
a washer of lead or other soft metal:
When the chamber C has been fastened down at g gg", the flanges of the
lid of the vessel C are unbolted, the lid is then. raised after it has been weighted
in order to balance the counter weight D. Then, by means of the tightening
screws 888, the logs are pressed against the plate P.
These tightening screws are used more especially when the logs of wood are
long; when they are short and well supported below this precautionary measure
may be dispensed with.
The flanges gl and g of the two chambers C and C being well closed, the
cocks A, and f are opened the cocks R V and Vi being closed; then the
chamber C is filled by means of the pump F, the air contained in it escaping by
the cock A.
Generally speaking the chamber C should be charged first of all. If, however,
it should be necessary to charge it whilst operations are in progress, this is effected
in the following manner. The cock is first closed and the cock V is opened
instead, this latter being immersed in the liquid stain in the vessel ; during this
time the cock R is kept open in order to allow the liquid forced into the chamber C
to pass. As soon as the gauge M indicates that the pressure in the upper
chamber C is too high, it is reduced by opening the cock V which allows the excess
to pass out this being collected in a vessel N used in the staining process.
When the chambers C and C have been filled the cocks AV and Vare closed,
and, the cocks R and R' remaining open, the apparatus is ready to act.
METHOD OF ACTION.
The suction and force pump F is set in motion the liquid to be injected is then
drawn by the pump into the pipe T, a vigorous auction is exercised upon the
liquid contained in the lower chamber C where a relative vacuum is produced
which is measured by the gauge M; at the same time, the liquid which has passed
through the pump F is forced into the chamber. C where it accumulates and
increases in pressure until the resistance of the sap contained in the passages of
the wood is overcome. The amount of this pressure is indicated by the gauge M...
Thereupon, the sap finding a free outlet and in fact being submitted to suction

page_text: from the chamber C at the base of the logs of wood, it escapes by the openings
in the plate P, passes into the chamber Cand is replaced in the passages of the
wood by the injected liquid.
Up to this time each fibre of the wood has only been once traversed by the
injected liquid throughout its whole length, but, in order to obtain the desired
intensity of injection, it is essential that the wood should be traversed by the liquid
a certain number of times, such number depending upon the judgment of the
attendant, it being proportional to the number of strokes of the piston of the
pump F and is readily determined after some little experience has been acquired.
By increasing the number of strokes of the piston of the pump F a circulation
of the injected liquid is established; starting from the chamber C it passes
through the pump then traverses the chamber C going through the fibres of
the wood in the direction of their length it returns to the chamber C through the
plate P; these properties are characteristic of my process of injection by filtration.
As the liquid which is being injected passes several times through the wood and
leaves behind each time a portion of its active substance, it is necessary to
regenerate it, that is to say, to renew it either wholly or in part.
In order to partially regenerate it, the cocks are opened and a portion of the
liquid contained in the chamber C is allowed to run off through the drain cock V
into the trough N; an equal volume of liquid containing the active substance
newly concentrated is then admitted by way of the cock A.
In order to effect a total renewal the pump is employed; the two chambers
are emptied and the fresh liquid is poured into the supply tub O and the apparatus
is re-charged by means of the pump in the manner already described. In order
to end the operation the apparatus is entirely emptied, hot air is then introduced
into the chamber C so as soften the pitch which maintains the logs of wood stuck
upon the plate P'. As soon as the pitch is softened, the tightening screws are
released whereupon the logs may be withdrawn by hand.
In the case under consideration three logs of maple. stained a rich black ara
obtained, which, when suitably dried, have the appearance of ebony.
ADVANTAGES OF THE FILTRATION INJECTOR...
The first advantage afforded by my injector is that of effecting the injection along
the fibrous vascular passages of the wood; it also offers the further advantage of
allowing a more exact idea to be formed as to the pressure to which the gauge M
should rise in order to operate upon a wood, the resistance of whose sap to injection
is known.
For instance, the resistance of the sap of maple felled one year since to injection
is 25 kilogrammes per cubic centimetre.
In order that there should be equilibrium between the resistance of the sap
and the pressure of the injected liquid, the pressure in the chamber C as indicated
by the gauge M should be 24 kilogrammes and the gauge M¹ should indicate a
vacuum, whereby a pressure of one atmosphere or of one kilogramme is added to
the injection current.
This state of equilibrium would then be represented by the following extremely
simple equation:
Resistance of the sap = 25 kilogrammes per cubic centimetre.
Injection pressure = 24 kilogrammes pressure in the chamber C+ 1 kilo-
gramme pressure produced by the vacuum in the chamber C¹.
It is thus obvious that if the pressure in the chamber C is caused to exceed 24 kilo-
grammes per cubic centimetre by means of the pump 1, the equilibrium will b
disturbed in favor of the injection which will then take place.
A further considerable advantage afforded by the use of a mastic such as pitch
in order to form a joint, is that of obviating the necessity for costly labour in
preparing the wood; the bark only need be removed from the logs so as to avoid &
deposit of pulverulent bodies.
A fourth advantage is that the staining by injection may be effected by a cold

page_text: process, whereby the fibres of the wood are not changed, whereas staining. by
means of prolonged ebullition ruins the texture of the wood.
Well known woods growing in temperate latitudes such as maple, beech, birch,
elm and similar trees, may by these means be injected with stains mixed with
gum, resin and other agglutinant substances; these substances may be varied at
will provided only that they are soluble in the injection liquid: What may really
be called new species of woods may be produced in this manner, fully equal to
West Indian woods.
Maple and elm woods stained black bear a striking resemblance to ebony, and
may then be used for making furniture, fans, walking sticks, backs of brushes and
so forth:
Maple stained yellow resembles box wood and can be used for making engraving
blocks; loom shuttles, spinning gear, pulleys of all kinds and so on.
My method of injection also permits in the cases above enumerated, of effecting
t veritable transmutation in the wood.
Ordinarily, deal paving blocks are simply covered with a slight antiseptic
coating by immersing them in coal tar. If their whole mass is injected according
to my invention they are made incapable of rotting and their life is considerably
prolonged.
By making my injector of the necessary dimensions railway sleepers may like-
wise be mummified in order to prolong their life greatly beyond its present duration.
Dated this 30th day of December 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements relating to the Impregnation of Wood and to
Apparatus therefor.
İ, GEORGES FRÉDÉRIC LEHIODA, of 50 Rue Saint Didier, Paris in the Republic
of France, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to an injector acting with a continuous current and by
filtration the object of which is to effect the process of injection upon masses of
wood by causing to pass, by filtration and in a continuous current, longitudinally
through the fibres of the wood, a given fluid such as a liquid stain, or a liquid
charged with agglutinant substances, for example, albumen, gum, resin or the
like, or certain oils, metallic salts, antiseptic or antiputrescent liquids, steam or
finally acids or the like, according to the result which it is desired to obtain.
This apparatus, when complete as shewn in the drawing left with my Provisional
Application comprises a suction chamber and a compressing chamber. It consists
of two receptacles C and C which are superposed and are separated by a plate P
in which holes are formed. The receptacle C which forms the compressing
chamber receives the liquid arriving under pressure from a force pump; the
receptacle C which is the vacuum or suction chamber is submitted to the action
of a suction pump and a suction is produced in this receptacle which is transmitted
to the chamber C through the holes in the plate P.
This plate P which separates the two chambers C and C is a metal plate in
which holes are formed; by it is formed a vessel united to the chamber C by
bolts or the like which force the flanges g g strongly together in such a manner
I that these two flanges form, so to speak, one piece only.

page_text: This double flange gg is fixed to the flange g upon the chamber C by
removalile volts J or the like. One or more pieces of wood which it is intended
to submit to the process of injection are fixed vertically upon the plate P; these
pieces of wood are pressed against this plate by means of tightening screws 'S'S S
provided with claws which penetrate the wood without however covering it.
Between the blocks of wood B 13 111, a mastic or a fusible body such as pitcli
resin, sulphur gutta-percha or other similar substance is run and this forms a light
joint; this joint extends between the pieces of wood up to the walls of the vessel
in such a manner that no liquid is able to pass from the upper vessel C
to the lower vessel C₁ without traversing the fibres of the wood because the
openings in the plate P are stopped both by the blocks of wood and by special pegs
inserted in the intervals between the bases of the blocks. The pitch is poured in
to the depth of a few centimetres only.
The suction and force pump communicates with the chamber C by means of
a force nine T provided with a cock R; the suction pipe T of the same pum
communicates with the chamber C and carries the cock R. The counterweight D
serves to raise the chamber C and its accessory parts when the wood is being
fixed upon the plate P.
V is the drain cock for the chamber C; it is provided with an india rubber
tube Y which forms a siphon and even enables it to empty the vessel C. VI is
the drain cock for the chamber C..
I will now describe, by way of example, the method of employing the apparatus,
taking for instance the staining black of blocks of wood. The following are tho
necessary preliminary preparations. The colour tub O is filled with a supply
of black stain (which may be formed from pyrolignite of sesquioxide of iron to
which has been added 5 per cent. of gum arabic); the bolts J or the like are then
removed. The chamber C and its accessory parts being balanced by the counter-
weight D, it is raised in such a manner as to uncover the plate P and its vessel.
Three logs of maple, from which the bark has been removed are then taken for
example, their lower portions being well soaked; they are placed upright upon the
plate P, in such a manner that the base of each of them covers at least one opening
in the plate; the openings not so covered are filled by the pegs already referred to.
The tops of these pegs are cut off flush with the plate and a layer of pitch, which
hardens rapidly, is then formed upon the plate between the pieces of wood.
I thus form under the base of each log, between this base and the plate P,
partial suction chamber communicating by the openings in the plate P with tho
general suction chamber C.
When the pieces of wood have been fixed upon the plate P', the chamber Cis
caused to descend by the application of a slight pressure so that the flange g is
applied to the rubber washer m which covers the upturned edge of the plate P,
the bolts J or the like are then tightened in such a manner as to obtain an
hermetic joint.
In cases in which high pressures are necessary, the rubber washer is replaced by
a washer of lead or other soft metal.
When the chamber C has licen fastened down at g g gll the flanges h h¹ of the
lid of the vessel C are unbolted, the lid is then raised after it has been weighted
in order to balance the counter weight D. Then, by means of the tightening
screws S SS, the logs are pressed against the plate P.
These tightening screws are used more especially when the logs of wood are
long; when they are short and well supported below this precautionary measure
may be dispensed with.
The flanges g and g of the two chambers C and C being well closed, tho
cocks A, R and fare opened--the cocks RV and V being closed; then the
chamber C is filled by means of the pump F, the air contained in it escaping by
the cock A.
Generally speaking the chamber C should be charged first of all. If, however,
it should be necessary to charge it whilst operations are in progress, this is effected

page_text: in the following manner. The cock f is first closed and the cock V¹ is opened
instead, this latter being immersed in the liquid stain in the vessel 1; during this
time the cock R. is kept open in order to allow the liquid forced into the chamber C
As soon as the gauge M indicates that the pressure in the upper
chamber C is too high, it is reduced by opening the cock V which allows the excess
to pass out this being collected in a vessel. N used in the staining process.
to pass.
When the chambers C and C+ have been filled the cocks A Vand V are close 1,
and, the cocks R and R remaining open, the apparatus is ready to act.
The method of action of the apparatus is as follows:-
The suction and force pump is set in motion, the liquid to be injected is then
drawn by the pump into the pipe T', a vigorous suction is exercised upon the
liquid contained in the lower chamber C where a relative vacuum is produced
which is measured by the gauge M'; at the same time, the liquid which has passed
through the pump F is forced into the chamber C where it accumulates and
increases in pressure until the resistance of the sap contained in the passages of
the wood is overcome. The amount of this pressure is indicated by the gauge M.
Thereupon, the sap finding a free outlet and in fact being submitted to suction.
from the chamber C at the base of the logs of wood, it escapes by the openings
in the plate 1, passes into the chamber Cand is replaced in the passages of the
wood by the injected liquid.
Up to this time each fibre of the wood has only been once traversed by the
injected liquid throughout its whole length, but, in 'order to obtain the desired
intensity of injection, it is essential that the wood should be traversed by the liquid
a certain number of times, such number depending upon the judgment of the
attendant, it being proportional to the number of strokes of the piston of th
pump F and is readily determined after some little experience has been acquired.
By increasing the number of strokes of the piston of the pump F a circulation.
of the injected liquid is established, starting from the chamber C¹ it passes
through the pump I then traverses the chamber C going through the fibres of
the wood in the direction of their length it returns to the chamber C through the
plate P; these properties are characteristic of my process of injection by filtration.
As the liquid which is being injected passes several times through the wood and
leaves behind each time a portion of its active substance, it is necessary to
regenerate it, that is to say, to renew it either wholly or in part.
In order to partially regenerate it, the cocks are opened and a portion of the
liquid contained in the chamber C is allowed to run off through the drain cock V
into the trough N; an equal volume of liquid containing the active substance
newly concentrated is then admitted by way of the cock A.
In order to effect a total renewal the pump is employed; the two chambers
are emptied and the fresh liquid is poured into the supply tub O and the apparatus
is re-charged by means of the pump F in the manner already described. In order
To end the operation the apparatus is entirely emptied, hot air is then introduced
into the chamber C so as to soften the pitch which maintains the logs of wood stuck
upon the plate P. As soon as the pitch is softened, the tightening screws are
released whereupon the logs may be withdrawn by hand.
In the case under consideration three logs of maple stained a rich black are
obtained, which, when suitably dried, have the appearance of ebony.
The first advantage afforded by my injector is that of effecting the injection along
the fibrous vascular passages of the wood; it also offers the further advantage of
allowing a more exact idea to be formed as to the pressure to which the gauge M
should rise in order to operate upon a wood, the resistance of whose sap to injection
is known.
For instance, the resistance of the sap of maple felled one year since to injection
is 25 kilogrammes per cubic centimetre.
In order that there should be equilibrium between the resistance of the sap
and the pressure of the injected liquid, the pressure in the chamber C as indicated
by the gauge M should be 24 kilogrammes and the gauge M should indicate a

page_text: vacuum, whereby a pressure of one atmosphere or of one kilogramme is added to
the injection current.
This state of eruilibrium would then be represented by the following extremely
simple equation:
Resistance of the sap = 25 kilogrammes per cubic centimetre.
Injection pressure = 24 kilogrammes pressure in the chamber C+ 1 kilo-
gramme pressure produced by the vacuum in the chamber C¹.
It is thus obvious that if the pressure in the chamber C is caused to exceed 24 kilo-
grammes per cubic centimetre by means of the pump F, the equilibrium will be
disturbed in favor of the injection which will then take place.
A further considerable advantage afforded by the use of a mastic such as pitch
in order to form a joint, is that of obviating the necessity for costly labour in
preparing the wood; the bark only need be removed from the logs so as to avoid a
deposit of pulverulent bodies.
A fourth advantage is that the staining by injection may be effected by a cold
process, whereby the fibres of the wood are not changed, whereas staining by,
means of prolonged ebullition ruins the texture of the wood.
Well known woods growing in temperate latitudes such as maple, beech, birch,
elm and similar trees, may by these means be injected with stains mixed with
gum, resin and other agglutinant substances; these substances may be varied at
will provided only that they are soluble in the injection liquid. What may really
be called new species of woods may be produced in this manner, fully equal to
West Indian woods.
Maple and elm woods stained black bear a striking resemblance to ebony, and
may then be used for making furniture, fans, walking sticks, backs of brushes and
so forth.
Maple stained yellow resembles box wood and can be used for making engraving
blocks, loom shuttles, spinning gear, pulleys of all kinds and so on.
My method of injection also permits in the cases above enumerated, of effecting
a veritable transmutation in the wood.
Ordinarily, deal paving blocks are simply covered with a slight antiseptic
coating by immersing them in coal tar. If their whole mass is injected according
to my invention they are made incapable of rotting and their life is considerably
prolonged.
By making my injector of the necessary dimensions railway sleepers may like-
wise be mummified in order to prolong their life greatly beyond its present duration.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
The injector above described having the following distinguishing characteristics:
1. The compressing chamber and the suction chamber combining their simul-
taneous action in order to force the liquid to pass longitudinally through the pores
of the wood situated in the direction of the passage of the injection current.
2. The plate P pierced with holes some of which are stopped with pegs as
desired.
3. The fusible joint of pitch,resin, sulphur, gutta percha or other similar sub-
stance, constituting upon the plate P a partition strongly adherent to the wood
and to the vessel, absolutely tight and separating the two chambers C.and C.
4. The method of fixing the logs upon the plate P, of maintaining them by
tightening screws bearing upon their upper ends and of making them tight
laterally by the pitch, whilst leaving their lower faces uncovered these latter being
exposed to the suction of the chamber C, which suction withdraws the gas or
liquids contained in the cells of the wood which would oppose the passage of the
injection which passes in at the upper face, and thus frees the tissues of the wood.
5. The combination of the pump F with the preceding parts, this combination
rendering it possible to gradually and indefinitely raise the pressure of the liquid

page_text: injected upon the upper face of the wood, in such a manner as to overcome the
resistance of the sap, the gauge M of the chamber C and the gauge of the
clamber C allowing the operation to be followed whilst constantly measuring the
pressure of the liquid in the chambers C and C'.
6. The commercial applications of the improved, process more particularly those 5
specified in the foregoing description:
T 04 of Santamo 1807
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.