Improvements in the Construction of Chemical or other Liquid Fire Extinguishers.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 30th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 30th Nov., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Chemical or other Liquid
Fire Extinguishers.
SAMUEL BENJAMIN WILKINS 1. Parliament Square Edinburgh N.B. in the County
of Mid Lothian Fire Master of the City of Edinburgh do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
To convert ordinary water buckets Pails or any other vessel, capable of holding.
liquid into Chemical or other, fire extinguishers, by hermetically covering over the
open part or mouth of the same, with any material that will readily give way or break,
under slight pressure, or a blow from a persons hand to allow the liquid to be thrown
or other-wise discharged upon burning material.
"

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Chemical or other Liquid
Fire Extinguishers.
SAMUEL BENJAMIN WILKINS 1 Parliament Square Edinburgh N.B. in the County
of Mid Lothian Fire Master of the City of Edinburgh, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this Invention is to produce a safe and inexpensive means for
extinguishing incipient fires, as also an apparatus, that can be instantly brought into
requisition, by any person Male or Feinale, which will save time, trouble, and
expense, to such parties as now keep the ordinary water buckets upon their premises
for use in case of fire, by having the same covered and hermetically sealed, thereby
preventing, the liquid contained therein from being reduced in quantity through
evaporation, or from being extracted for other use, or the employees from washing
their hands, or cleaning and washing buildings out with the same, which is now often
the case, and from the accumulation of dust, or other refuse upon the surface, through
the liquid being exposed, often presents an unsanitary and dirty appearance, and in
many cases, owing to the time that is now frequently required, to re-fill, and keep
clean such buckets, they are in many instances allowed through this and other causes
to remain empty, whereas if the method proposed to be adopted, was carried into
effect, it would offer absolute security and guarantee to the owners of premises, that the
said buckets, or other vessels, kept in any building would be found full of liquid and
ready for instant use in case of a sudden outbreak of fire.
And as the ordinary water bucket or pail already forms a recognized factor, for the
extinguishment of fire, and is an apparatus so well known to the general public, and
my invention principally dealing with the same, cause me to deem it unnecessary
to submit drawings of a bucket or pail, as the description herein contained fully
bears out the idea, and objects I have in view. And in order that my said Inven-
tion may be properly understood, I now proceed more particularly to set forth the
system, mode or manner, in or under which the same is or may be used or practically
carried into effect, viz.
1 may prepare Calico, Paper, or any other material, that will readily give way or
break under slight pressure, or a blow from a persons hand, with any liquid or
substance that will make it absolute air-tight, and water-proof, and cover, and
hermetically seal, the opening or mouth of Buckets, Pails, Cans, or any other vessel
capable of holding liquid, with this or a combination of such material-And the lugs
on each side of the Bucket, Pail or other vessel for supporting the handle, may be
bent, to any shape, so as to allow greater space and facilities, for extending the
covering downwards, over the outside part of the opening or mouth, to insure the
same being hermetically sealed, or the lugs and existing handle, extending over
the top part of such vessels may be dispensed with, and stationary handles, or other
means for supporting or carrying the same when required for use, may be substituted.

page_text: And as Chemicalized water has a much greater effect, than plain water_only, when
thrown or discharged upon burning material in extinguishing the same, I may make
new, or convert the ordinary existing water buckets, Pails, or any other vessels, in
such a manner,
by combining any material that will render the metal impervious to
acid, when considered necessary to do so, or may divide such vessels into any number
of parts by forming divisions in the same to enable different kinds of liquids, to be
placed in one vessel, should it be considered advantageous to do so.
Having now described, and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and the system mode, or manner, under which the same is or inay be used or
practically carried into effect I would observe in conclusion that what I claim as my
Invention is ciz.
First. Is to make new, or convert existing ordinary water buckets, pails, cans, or
any other vessel capable of holding liquid into chemical, or other Fire Extinguishers,
by covering and hermetically scaling, the open part or mouth of the same, with any
material, that will readily give way or break under a slight pressure, or a blow from a
person's hand, to allow the liquid, to be thrown or otherwise discharged upon burning
material.
Secord. And may provide and place in such vessels a stationary or portable lining,
which may be made of Clay, Glass, Porcelain, or any other substance impervious
to acid.
Third. And may divide such vessels into any number of parts, by forming divisions
in the same to enable different kinds of liquids to be placed in one vessel should it be
considered advantageous to do so.
In witness whereof I the said Samuel Benjamin Wilkins have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty ninth day of October one thousand eight hundred
and eighty eight.
SAMUEL BENJAMIN WILKINS.