IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING APPARATUSES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Victor Burq, of Paris, France, Doctor of Medicine,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING APPARATUSES."
Sealed the 21st July 1865, and dated the 28th January 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Victor Burq at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th January 1865.
I, VICTOR BURQ, of Paris, France, Doctor of Medicine, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING
APPARATUSE3," to be as follows:-
The object of these improvements in filtering apparatuses is to allow
the filtering, either in the cold or hot state, of water, wine, vinegar,
beer, oils, or other suitable liquids or semi-liquids, in a more certain
and perfect manner, and if required in larger quantities, by means of
apparatuses of comparatively less bulk than those hitherto made use of,
the filtering in these improved apparatuses taking place partly on the
same principle as the filtration through filtering paper, but with the
difference, that in my apparatuses the filtering may take place from
either side of the filtering medium towards the opposite side of this
latter. For this purpose I make use of thin blades, plates, diaphragms,
or slabs of either natural porous stone, or artificial ones obtained by
moulding into the required shape, and suitably baking a mixture of por-
celain, clay, or other suitable ceramic mass, and suitable combustible
matters, such, for instance, as pulverized coal, coke, breeze, charcoal,
or others similar, and in such manner as to impart to the baked slab the

page_text: degree of porosity required for the purpose; or the said thin artificial
porous slabs may be formed of suitable carbonaceous matters properly
mixed with tar, clay, or other suitable agglomerating material, the
mixture being moulded into shape, and afterwards heated to the re-
quired degree, and in such manner as not to destroy the carbonaceous
nature of the slabs thus obtained, by means of which in such case a
proper disinfection will be obtained simultaneously with the filtering
operation. The said porous slabs, blades, plates, or diaphragms being
made very thin, a rapid filtration will take place through them, and
as they are also very light, such slabs may by means of a proper float,
if required, be kept floating in the upper or purer portions of the liquid
to be filtered, whilst in order that the said thin slabs may offer the
necessary resistance to the pressure of the liquid they are provided with
proper ribs, serrations, flutings, tenons, or other suitable projecting or
prominent parts, by means of which they rest against and are properly
cemented, or otherwise securely fixed to proper resting plates; or the
said prominent parts of one filtering slab may be made to rest against
and be cemented to those of another corresponding slab, a suitable con-
cave or cup-like shape being in such case given to the slabs, the rims of
which, as well as their corresponding projecting parts, rest against and
are securely fixed to each other, so as to make the entire form one hollow
filtering drum, in the interior of which the liquid is allowed to circulate
freely between the above-mentioned ribs or projecting resting parts,
the two filtering parts mutually serving as stays, props, or supports for
each other, whilst by means of suitable entrance and exit openings the
liquid may at will be caused to filter either from the outside towards
the inside of the filtering drum or of a filtering slab, or from the inside
towards the outside, by which means a rapid and efficient cleaning of the
slabs is obtained. Any suitable shape or size may be given to the said
thin filtering slabs, or to the said filtering drums, and several of them
may be connected and made to act together in a tub, trough, or other
suitable recipient, or even if wished be fitted in a boat or other large
vessel, or in a canal or other large receiver, so as to act by the current
or flow of the water, in which latter case the apparatuses are to be
arranged in such manner that noth withstanding the size or number of
the filtering slabs, drums, or filtering parts connected together, they are
allowed to act, if required, independently of each other, and under the
perfect control of the attendant, so as to permit of putting at will any
one or more of them out of action, and replacing them by fresh ones
without interfering with the working of the remainder, and of their
being set at work again, and so as to allow the cleaning of the various
filtering parts to take place by any suitable means, and more especially

page_text: by causing the filtration instantly or for a certain length of time to take
place in a contrary direction to that in which the filtration first took
place.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of tlie Letters Patent, filed
by the said Victor Burq in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th July 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I, VICTOR
BURQ, of Paris, France Doctor of Medicine, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of January, in the year: of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Victor Burq,. Her special
licence that I, the said Victor Burq, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Victor Burq, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING APPARATUSES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Victor Burq, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Victor Burq, my executors or adminis-
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for filtering, by
means of natural or artificial porous stones, slabs, or diaphragms, water,
wine, vinegar, beer, oils, saccharine solutions, aqueous salts of indigo,
paper pulp, ceramic slips, or other suitable liquids, or semi-liquids,
either in the cold or warm state, and in a more certain and perfect
manner, particularly in much larger quantities, comparatively to the
bulk of the apparatus as by the filtering apparatus hitherto in use, the
filtering in my apparatus taking place partly on the same principle as

page_text: that of the filtering through filtering paper, that is to say, through very
thin filtering mediæ of sufficient porosity for allowing an easy and rapid
percolating of the liquid through them, the required rigidity and resist-
ing power being given to the said porous slabs or diaphragms by the
means hereafter to be described, and for allowing the filtering to take
placé from either side or surface of the said filtering media towards the
opposite side or surface, and thus permit of an easy and effectual cleans-
ing of them. For this purpose I make use of thin blades, plates, slabs,
or diaphragms of either natural porous stones or artificial ones obtained
in the manner hereafter to be described, and as the said filtering slabs
or diaphragms require to be comparatively very thin for allowing a rapid
percolating of the liquid through them, and they would consequently
not offer the required resistance and be liable of getting broken by the
pressure exerted on them by the liquid to be filtered, I impart the
required strength to them by providing them with proper strengthening
ribs, tenons, or other suitable prominent parts projecting beyond the
remainder of their filtering surfaces, whilst, by means of the said
prominent or projecting parts, the said porous slabs, diaphragms, or
other similar filtering mediæ rest against and are properly cemented or
otherwise securely fixed to proper resting plates; or the prominent parts
of two or more of the said slabs or diaphragms may be made to rest
against one another so as to do away with the separate resting plates; or
one or both surfaces of the filtering slabs or diaphragms may be sup-
ported and prevented from yielding or becoming broken under the
pressure of the liquid by means of suitable independant brackets, bolts,
rods, tubes, or other similar supports to which they are cemented at
proper distances apart, the edges of the slabs or diaphragms being
further cemented and kept in position to other solid resting parts, the
liquid being permitted of circulating through the channels or interstices
left free between the above-mentioned prominent parts of the slabs or
diaphragms and taking its exit by a suitable opening or openings pro-
vided for that purpose, which opening or openings allow of, if required,
introducing liquid in the apparatus, and cause the same to filter through
the apparatus from the inside towards the outside, viz., in a contrary
direction, in which the filtration had primitively taken place, which
offers a ready and effectual means of cleansing the filtering slabs or dia-
phragms, besides which charcoal or other suitable disinfecting matters
may be introduced in the above-mentioned channels or interstices
between the prominent parts of the slabs in order to allow of a proper
disinfecting of the filtered liquid to take place.
As for the apparatus to be established by means of my filtering slabs
or diaphragms fixed in the above said manner, it is generally desirable

page_text: they should remain floating in the upper or purer and most aerated por-
tions of the liquid to be filtered, particularly if made use of for filter-
ing water, for which purpose the apparatus may be provided. with or
have suitable parts of them acting as floats for imparting the required
buoyancy to the apparatus. The porous slabs, plates, blades, or dia-
phragms may be formed of natural porous stone, such as has already
been made use of for filtering water, but my modes of applying allows of
the thickness of the said diaphragms, slabs, or plates being considerably.
less as was hitherto possible, suitable ribs, tenons, or other suitable
prominent parts being provided at suitable distances apart, on one or
on both sides or surfaces of the said diaphragms, slabs, or plates, by
means of which prominent parts, or else by means of suitable connecting
bolts, props, or brackets, the diaphragms, slabs, or plates are made to
rest against and are cemented to suitable resting plates, or against each
other, or against the said brackets or supports. Or the porous slabs,
plates, or diaphragms may be formed in an artificial manner by means
of ceramic or other compounds leaving after being baked the required
porosity for allowing a rapid filtering or percolating of the liquid through
them, the said artificial slabs, plates, or diaphragms being in the manner
as has been described for my natural porous diaphragms provided with
ribs, tenons, or other prominent parts, and cemented to proper resting
plates to each other, or held in position by proper brackets or props.
For manufacturing my artificial porous diaphragms, slabs, or plates,
I either use porcelain or other suitable clay or ceramic mass, into which
I thoroughly mix wood dust, powdered wood, or animal charcoal, peat,
or other suitable minutely divided combustible matters, the quantity
and nature of which depends of the degree of porosity to be given to
the said artificial porous slabs, plates, or diaphragms, the said combus-
tible matters becoming burned during the baking or firing of the slabs,
plates, or diaphragms, and thus forming the required pores in these
latter; or in case it should be desirable that the said porous slabs, plates,
or diaphragms should act not only as a filtering, but also as a disinfect-
ng medium, and consequently require to contain a suitable quantity
of carbonaceous matters; they may be formed of suitable carbonaceous
matters, such, for instance, as finely-pulverized bituminous coal, coke,
breeze, wood, or animal charcoal to be thoroughly mixed with tar, clay,
or other suitable agglomerating material, and after being moulded
hey are baked in air-tight vessels so as to cause only a suitable agglo-
nerating baking or hardening of the mass to take place without alter-
ting the porosity and carbonaceous nature of the same.
In order to make the Invention more fully and readily understood, I
ow will describe various arrangements of apparatus constructed accord-

page_text: ing to the above-described principles and their mode of working, refer-
ring thereby to the Figures of the annexed Drawings.
The Figs. 1, 1, 1b, represent one of my filtering apparatus of a disc
shape, respectively in top and inside views and in longitudinal sectional
view over the line x, y, of Fig. 1; B, B', show two of my natural or arti-
ficial thin porous filtering slabs or diaphragms, provided on one of their
surfaces with tenon-shaped prominent parts a, by means of which they
rest against and are securely cemented by any suitable cement to a solid
resting plate A, the edges of the slabs B & B' being likewise cemented
to the rims of the plate A, which latter is, by preference, made of
stoneware, pottery, or glass.
In the various, Figures of the annexed Drawings the cement is repre-
sented coloured in bistre; b are open spaces left between the tenons a
and between the diaphragms B & B' and the plate A, which open
spaces offer a free passage for the filtered liquid, and are in direct com-
munication with a lateral tube D and with an exit opening i, provided
with a screw plug. The apparatus forms a sort of filtering disc or drum,
from the outside of which projects a dovetail tenon e, by means of which
the drum may be fixed to a corresponding suspension rod or standard
for allowing of fixing several of the said drums on the same standard,
and keep them immersed in the liquid to be filtered.
The mode of making use of this filtering disc or drum is as follows:-
The exit opening is provided with an india-rubber tube 1 fixed on a junc-
tion tube (see Fig. 4º), and the opening of the tube D being shut, the
drum is immersed in the liquid to be filtered, contained in a suitable
reservoir, the liquid will at once commence percolating through the
thin filtering slabs or diaphragms B & B¹, and collect in the open spaces
and take its exit by the tube 7, which if required may be made to act
as a syphon, or, as has been mentioned above, and is shown in Fig. 13.
Several of these filtering drums W may be fixed on the same standard,
sufficient space being left between each two succeeding drums for
allowing of passing a cleansing brush between them; the openings i are
shut by means of their plugs and those D connected into one continuous
pipe M, N, by means of india-rubber connecting tubes m; one end M
of the pipe M, N, is shut, whereas the opposite end N forms the exit
opening for the filtered liquid, in the manner as represented in Fig. 13
For cleansing the filtering drums, any suitable means might be made
use of, but by preference a filtration for some minutes in the opposite
direction in which the same had primitively taken place; for this pur
pose a suitable quantity of the filtered liquid obtained in filtering, in
the manner as here above described, is caused to filter from the inside
of the apparatus, viz., the spaces 6 towards the outside of the dia

page_text: phragms, it being sufficient to immerge the free end of the tube M, N,
in the receiver for the filtered liquid, and having lifted this receiver
sufficiently high above the filtering drum, the filtered liquid will return
through the tube M, N, into the inside of the drum, and filter from the
inside towards the outside of the slabs or diaphragms B & B', and carry
with it any impurities or mud collected on the outside of the said slabs.
Fig. 2 shows a top view of another arrangement of a filtering drum
with part of the upper filtering slab removed, Fig. 2 representing a
view from the inside of this latter, whilst Fig. 2b shows a longitudinal
sectional view taken over the line x, y, of Fig. 2. In this arrangement
the tenons a of the upper porous slab B of Fig. 1 are replaced by dove-
tailed ribs e, partly entering into corresponding channels or serrations
e provided in the inner surface of the lower filtering slab B, so as to do
away with the separate resting plate A of Fig. 1, the two filtering slabs
or diaphragms mutually serving as a prop for each other. The dove-
tailed part of the ribs e is securely cemented in the channels e', the slabs
being further held together by bolts C by the cementing E round the
outer rim, and by the large cast-iron tube P communicating by means
of the apertures p with the open spaces s left between the ribs e, through
which open spaces s the filtered liquid runs off into the tube P. Several
of these filtering drums may be applied one above the other by means
of the tubes P, the ends of which project beyond the slabs, which ends
being properly connected together, the various filtering drums will
work simultaneously, the tubes P forming one continuous conduct pipe,
whilst the entire apparatus will offer in a comparatively very small com-
pass a large amount of filtering surface, as may be seen from the ver-
tical sectional view, Fig. 14, in which Q represents a hermetically-closed
metal vessel provided with two stop-cocks R & R'; in this vessel are
situated one above the other a set of filtering drums A', A', A³, A', A'
(the uppermost A' and lowermost A5 of which are shown in sectional
and the remainder in elevation views); the drums are connected to-
gether by their tubes P, through the entire series of which passes a
hollow arbor or vertical tube G, the drums being further held together
by a tightening nut india-rubber or leather washers being inserted
between the ends of the tubes P so as to cause the entire series or set
of drums form one filtering apparatus. Between each two succeeding
drums is inserted a revolving brush H fixed on a ring encircling the ends
of each two succeeding tubes P, and of such diameter as to allow of being
turned round, the brushes being connected together and kept at the
required distance apart by means of one or more vertical stays h con-
nected to a pivot h' revolving air-tight in the upper part or lid Q' of the
vessel Q, and worked by means of a handle Q' in such manner that the

page_text: entire set of brushes may be caused to revolve without interfering with
the working of the apparatus, and in such manner that the bristles of
the brushes, in coming in contact with the outer surface of the drums,
will act as scrubbers, and effectually remove therefrom any adhering
mud or other impurities left behind by the water.
The mode of working of the apparatus is as follows:-The water or
other liquid to be filtered is allowed to enter therein by the stop-cock R,
and filter from the outside towards the inside of each of the drums A,
and by means of longitudinal vertical grooves or furrows p provided in
the inside of the tubes P, enter into the central tube or hollow arbor G
by apertures g provided therein.
The cleansing of. the apparatus is mostly to take place by means of
the revolving brushes H, and only occasionally by a filtration in contrary
direction, for effectuating which, after having shut the cock R, and
opened the one R', a suitable quantity of the filtered liquid is caused to
pass through the apparatus in the manner as above explained in respect
to Fig. 1, which will occur by its own effect if the reservoir for the fil-
tered liquid be situated above the level of the liquid to be filtered. The
apparatus may be kept floating in the upper portions of the liquid to
be filtered by providing the same with an air-tight metal jacket in the
manner as represented by the dotted.lines S; in that case the apparatus
itself, instead of being hermetically sealed, requires to be open at top
and bottom for allowing free admittance for the liquid to the filtering
drums.
Fig. 3 shows an outside or elevation view, and Fig. 3* a horizontal sec-
tional view, this latter on a scale twice that of Fig. 3, and taken over
the line x, y, of that Fig, of a filtering apparatus arranged according
to my Invention, and which is intended more particularly for filtering
large quantities of water, and being of a large size is to be applied in a
running stream, river, canal, a boat, or other similar large body of
water. B.are the porous filtering slabs or diaphragms, one of which
B' is represented as removed from its bed or cement; the inside surface
of the slabs is provided with tenons, ribs, or other suitable prominent
parts; the filter N on the right-hand side is represented with the slabs
or diaphragms removed, and shows the resting plate A, underneath to
which the ribs, tenons, or other prominent parts of the slabs or dia-
phragms are to be cemented ready for receiving the slabs B; the resting
plates A are preferably made of cast iron, and provided with a rim r,
and with angular strengthening ribs a &c, those c situated in the ver-
tical direction on one side of the plate A, and those a in the horizontal
direction on the opposite side of the said plate, the vertical and hori-
zontal furrows thus formed being put in communication by means of

page_text: the perforations o of the plate, to both surfaces of which latter are
cemented the ribs, tenons, or other similar prominent parts of the filter-
ing slabs or diaphragms B, the edges of which are cemented on to the
corresponding ribs a &c and the rim r. V is a tube provided in the
depth of the plate A; this tube, intended for the filtered liquid to run
through, is open at bottom y, and connected at the top to another tube
2, and receives the water filtered through the various slabs. Several
of these filters may be connected by means of the tongues F, and fixed
on an iron cross bar I. underneath the collecting tube J connected to
those z
by means of small tubes i provided with suitable stop-cocks i¹,
whilst at the bottom the filters are fixed on suitable supports T.
The Fig. 16 represents a plan view, and those 17 & 18 elevation views
respectively over the lines X, Y, & X', Y', of Fig. 16, and they show
the mode in which the filtering apparatus of Fig. 3 may be fitted in a
boat, or applied in a canal or other large body of water, the entrance.
of the water in the apparatus, and the exit of the same being regulated
by paddle or sluice doors, or other suitable means, the apparatus being
further provided with the necessary means for putting up, working,
and cleansing the same, and for removing and replacing any damaged
parts thereof when required, such, for instance, as a bridge G rolling
on wheels f, and carrying sets of double-faced brushes L. fixed to cross
bars L'. In these Figs. 16, 17, & 18 only part of the boat is repre-
sented, whilst various accessory parts are not indicated, in order not use-
less to overcharge the Drawing. The cross bars L' may by means of a
crane Z be moved up and down in slots provided in the vertical stan-
dards K, the crane being provided with suitable gearing for allowing
by means of them to work the brushes for cleansing the filters, and lift
these latter out of the apparatus for replacing any damaged parts
thereof; the apparatus consists of sets or series of filters, similar to
those described in respect to Fig. 3, they being applied to the cross
stays so as to form large vertical filters, open spaces being left between
them just sufficient for the working of the brushes; the tubes are
connected by those i to the collecting tubes J, and thus a series of sets
of filters are formed, each of which is connected by means of its collect-
ing tube J to a main tube H, which arrangement allows of, by means
of the cocks of the tubes i, isolating each filter from the adjoining ones,
and each set of filters by means of the large cock or valve x ; each of
the tubes J is provided with a test tube for ascertaining whether the
various filtering slabs are in good working order. To the main tube H
is applied either a suction pump or a siphon pipe for carrying the filtered
water to any required spot.
The mode of working of the apparatus is as follows: -The paddle or

page_text: sluice doors having been opened by the effect of the suction pump or of
the siphon, a suitable portion of the water passing through the boat
or the canal to which the apparatus is applied will be caused to pass
through the filtering slabs and enter in the open spaces left between
the ribs or tenons, from whence this filtered water is carried by the
tubes v, those z and i into the collecting tubes J, and finally arrives in
the main tube H, from whence the same is distributed for use, whereas
the remainder of the water which has entered the boat or other large
reservoir in which the apparatus is kept immersed, will by its current
or impetus act as a scrubber on the surfaces of the slabs, and carry away
nearly the whole of the mud or other impurities, which otherwise would
necessarily accumulate thereon, and which collecting or deposits of mud
in large waterworks forms one of the most severe difficulties to be over-
come. The small quantity of mud that might have remained adhering
to the surface of the filtering slabs, and would after some time choke
up the pores, is easily removed by the brushes L, L, whilst if found
requisite after sometime a filtration in contrary direction will easily
put the filters in perfect working order; or if absolutely required, a
cleansing of them by any suitable chemical solution may easily be
effectuated, my apparatus allowing of separating and removing each of
the slabs, or of the filters from the remainder of the apparatus without
interfering with the working of the latter, whilst if any of the filtering
slabs, or of the filters should become damaged, this may be easily ascer-
tained by means of the testing tubes g, and those i and J, when it will
suffice to intercept the flow of the liquid through the required tubes to
which the damaged slab or filter belongs, and after having by means of
the crane lifted this latter out of the apparatus, and replaced the same
by another filter or slab, lower the filter again in the apparatus, and
having opened the cocks belonging to this filter, the filtering will at
once commence therein. This movableness of the filters, and the
arrangement of the apparatus so as to allow of removing any one of the
filters without interfering with the working of the remainder of them,
forms one of the most conspicuous parts of my Invention, especially for
apparatus intended for filtering large quantities of water, such, for
instance, as are required for the supply of towns. Another advantage
offered by these apparatus, filtering by the very current of the water
is to allow of readily preventing the injurious effects of frost on them
by immersing the apparatus sufficiently deep for keeping any part
thereof entirely out of the reach of frost; thus, for instance, for the
apparatus of Figs. 16, 17, & 18, which is supposed to form part of a flat-
bottomed boat, the two side compartments are provided with my filter-
ing apparatus, whereas the central part remains free and forms an air-

page_text: tight compartment, serving as a float for giving the required buoyancy,
and allow the apparatus of either working in the upper portions of the
water, or be immersed more or less by allowing more or less. water to
enter the said central compartment.
Fig. 4 represents another arrangement of my filtering apparatus,
partly in elevation and partly in sectional view. A & A' are two filter-
ing parts or filters connected by a hermetically sealed vessel A³, by
means of which the apparatus when immersed in the liquid to be fil-
tered is caused to float in the upper portions thereof. In this arrange-
ment each of the two filters A & A' is made of two porous rectangular
slabs mutually serving as props for each other, the ribs or tenons a of
one plate or slab B being partly entered and securely cemented in the
mortices or grooves a' of the other porous slab B', which mortices,
grooves, or furrows, are provided in parts forming small projections on
the surface of the slabs, in order thereby to increase the size of the open
spaces 6 left between the slabs, and allow if wished of providing the
said spaces with wood or animal charcoal for obtaining a suitable dis-
infection of the filtered liquid, the charcoal being introduced through
plug holes 6'; in order further to increase the strength of the filtering
parts, a layer of cement is pressed in the furrow E provided round the
junction of the two slabs. The two filters communicate together by a
two-armed tube D, D', the arm D', of which serves for the exit of the
filtered liquid, or if required. for the cleansing of the apparatus by means
of the filtration in contrary direction.
Fig. 5. shows a vertical sectional view of another filtering apparatus
of a circular shape, the same consists of two porous diaphragms or fil-
tering slabs B&B', cemented to a resting plate A, and to a large rim
forming the sides C of a double vessel D, D', both the upper and lower
portions of which are to be filled partly with wood or other charcoal, and
partly with cork or other suitable light material for imparting suffi-
cient buoyancy to the apparatus, and cause the same to float in the
upper portions of the liquid to be filtered, which latter enters into the
apparatus by suitable perforations provided in the two plates F & F',
serving as obturators for the capacities D & D'; the liquid after having
filtered through the slabs or diaphragms B & B', collects in the open
spaces 6 left between the said diaphragms B & B' and the plate A, and
takes its exit by the pipe f.
Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a filtering apparatus dif-
fering from that of Fig. 5, by the porous diaphragms cemented as those
of Fig. 5 to the rims C, instead of being cemented also to a resting plate,
are cemented, held together, and supported by stays or bolts J, for
enabling them of resisting the pressure exerted on them by the liquid

page_text: to be filtered. The open spaces T between the diaphragms may be
either provided with charcoal and cork or other similar buoyant
materials in the manner as has already been described in respect to
Fig. 5; or the apparatus may, if wished, have a special air-tight com-
partment forming float for imparting the necessary buoyancy thereto.
The interior of the exit tube f ought to be provided with a small
strainer, a sponge, or other similar medium for preventing small bits
of charcoal or other materials of escaping; an aperture to be closed by
a screw plug t allowing, when required, of replacing the charcoal or
other materials by fresh ones.
The above-described' mode of supporting and fixing my thin porous
filtering slabs or diaphragms by means of special independant stays.
props, bolts, rods, or tubes, viz., in the manner as shown in the Figs. 2
& 6; and to be further explained by the Figs. 10 & 11, forms an impor-
tant modification of the principle of supporting the said slabs or dia-
phragms by ribs, tenons, or other prominent parts of these latter.
Fig. 7 shows a longitudinal sectional view of another form of floating
filter in the shape of a cask; the same consists of a vessel provided with
two compartments T & T¹, the one T containing charcoal mixed, if
wished, with suitable buoyant materials; the liquid that has filtered
through the diaphragms, B & B collects in this compartment T by
means of the tube U provided against the air-tight compartment or
vessel T', which latter imparts the required buoyancy to the apparatus.
By the oozing effect of the two porous diaphragms B & B', the apparatus
after having been filled by filtration, and subsequently removed from
the liquid, will form a sort of alcarazzas or cooling vessel, and, if
wished, the vessel 'T" may be filled with ice or any other suitable refri-
gerating compound. The apparatus being situated in the position shown
in Fig. 7, the filtered liquid from the compartment T is to be drawn
off by the tube f and cock f.
Fig. 8 shows a vertical sectional view of a sort of filtering bottle. In
this arrangement, as well as in those of Figs.
the artificial porous
diaphragm B made use of may contain in their composition a sufficient
quantity of carbonaceous matter for causing a suitable disinfection of
the filtered liquid. The compartment T in that case serves exclusively
for receiving the filtered liquid entering by the aperture t, which may be
shut by means of a screw plug s. T' is the floating compartment, which,
after the apparatus has been removed from the liquid to be filtered,
may serve in the same manner as the compartment T' of Fig. 7, as a
cooling vessel, and if desirable the apparatus may be provided with
pivots or trunnions for allowing the same to turn in suitable brackets
or bearings.

page_text: Fig. 9 shows a horizontal sectional view of a tubular filter constructed
according to my Invention. B are tubular or segmental shaped porous
filtering diaphragms, provided with ribs or tenons a, by means of which
the curved segmental diaphragms or slabs rest against and are cemented
to each other, and to suitable ribs b provided on a resting or inner tube
B', which receives the filtered liquid, and may serve as a float or for
disinfecting the liquid. It will be understood that instead of a circular
any other suitable form may be given to this apparatus.
Fig. 10 represents a vertical sectional view of a soldier's mess platter
M, provided with a small filtering apparatus N, which by means of a
screw plug m may, after use, be detached from the bottom of the platter,
and put in the inside of this latter, and the bottom closed by the said
plug m. The lid M' is connected to the platter, and this latter closed air-
tight by means of an india-rubber belt m'. The filter consists of two filter-
ing slabs B & B', cemented in the metal vessel C, and to a central tube D
provided with lateral apertures d, and with a screw thread, on which is
screwed another perforated tube E provided with a screw thread, in
which takes the screw plug m, which latter also fits in a nut n soldered
round an aperture in the bottom of the platter. The liquid after having
percolated through the porous slabs enters through a channel t provided
in the plug m in the platter, from which the air takes its exit by the tube
s, the latter serving, if wished, as a sucking tube for accelerating the
filtration.
il (1)
די .
Fig. 11 represents a vertical sectional view of a traveller's filter, con-
sisting of an india-rubber collapsable bag M, and the filtering apparatus
N formed by a flat metal vessel P, in which is cemented the filtering
slab B, fixed also to a central tube Q, by means of which the liquid after
having percolated' through the slab is conducted in the bag M, the air
contained in which latter escaping by the tube s. The tube Q is sol-
dered to the inside of the vessel N, round a central opening provided
in this latter; under the upper rim R of this tube is applied the lower
opening of the bag M. In the tube Q is screwed a perforated plug S,
the inside of which is filled with sponge, whilst in the plug S may be
screwed the end of the rod U soldered to the lid V of the vessel P,
which lid may be used as a drinking cup. For using the apparatus the
lid V is unscrewed sufficiently far for when immersing the apparatus
allowing the liquid of reaching the filtering slab through which the same
will percolate and collect in the bag M, the air of which will escape by
the pipe s.
Fig. 12 represents a plan, and Fig. 12" a vertical sectional view of a
filter for filtering, straining, draining, or drying semi-liquids, viscous,
clammy or pasty matters, such, for instance, as saccharine solutions,

page_text: juices, paper pulp, ceramic slips or paps, or others of a similar nature.
B are the filtering slabs cemented by means of their ribs or tenons, or
by any other of the above-described means to the resting plates C, and
to the inner surface of the sides D of the apparatus, which sides are to
be made of porous pottery ware, and be provided with-large apertures
E; G, being a fixed bottom, and F, a vertical tube provided at the top
with openings f. Several of these apparatus may be applied, one above
the other, as shown in elevation view in Fig. 15. The slip or pap,
paper pulp, or other semi-liquid to be filtered or dried is poured on the
slab of the uppermost filter, the surplus runs off on the next filter, and
so on from one filter to the next one, the surplus of the lowermost filter
being allowed to run off by the overflow pipe J. The liquid parts per-
colate partly through the filtering slabs, and partly ooze out through
the sides of the vessel, the drying of the remainder being aided by the
air circulating freely through the apertures E.
Having thus described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be put into
effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to restrict myself
to the precise details of the Invention above described, as many varia-
tions may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or
main features of the Invention; but what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1ly, the filtration in the cold or in the heated state, on a large or on
a small scale, of water, wine, beer, vinegar, or other suitable liquids or
juices, oils, extracts, or decoctions of log or other dyeing woods, tinc-
tural or other suitable liquids or semi-liquids, saccharine or other solu-
tions, paper pulp, ceramic slips or paps, or other semi-liquids of a vis-
cous, clammy, or pasty nature by means of thin blades, plates, slabs,
diaphragms or other similar mediums constructed of either natural or
artificial suitable porous stone, or suitable porous filtering compounds;
the said thin blades, plates, slabs, or diaphragms resting on and being
cemented by means of suitable prominent parts of the said plates,
blades, slabs, or diaphragms to a suitable resting plate or plates, or
resting on and cemented to each other by the said prominent parts, or
kept together by means of suitable brackets, bolts, rods, or tubes in the
manner described, and for the purpose of imparting sufficient strength
to the said blades, plates, slabs, or diaphragms for allowing them of
resisting the pressure of the liquid to be filtered, also for allowing of.
the filtering taking place from either side or surface of the said thin
blades, plates, slabs, or diaphragms to the opposite side or surface of
them, and thus, if required, procure the cleansing of the said thin

page_text: blades, plates, slabs, or diaphragms by causing a filtration to take place
for some time in an opposite direction to that in which the same had
taken place before, which cleansing may be aided by the effect of cleans-
ing brushes, or by a continuous scrubbing or cleansing of their surfaces
by the current of the water in which the apparatus are immersed.
2ly, obtaining the filtration of large quantities of water, such, for
instance, as are required for the supply of towns, by means of filtering
apparatus provided with my improved thin filtering blades, plates, slabs,
or diaphragms, and kept immersed in a canal, running stream, or river,
or other similar large body of water; the nature and arrangement of my
apparatus allowing of filtering large quantities of water by means of
apparatus of comparatively very small bulk or compass, and offering
besides ready means for cleansing the same, and replacing any damaged.
parts thereof.
3ly, the general arrangement and combination of parts of the above-
described filtering apparatuses, presenting in a very small compass a
large amount of filtering surface, whilst, if wished, a suitable desinfect-
ing of the filtered liquid, or a suitable cooling of the same may be ob-
tained, and, if required, the apparatus be kept floating or immersed
in the upper or purer portions of the liquid to be filtered, in the manner
and by the means described.
4ly, applying my improved filtering apparatus for the filtering, strain-
ing, draining, or drying of semi-liquids, such as paper pulp, ceramic slips
or paps, or others of a similar nature.
In witness whereof, I, the said Victor Burq, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
MORITZ KRAMER.
D. V. BURQ. (L.S.)