IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FILTERS, ALSO APPLICABLE TO EXISTING FILTERING APPARATUS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Harlow, of Macclesfield, in the County of
Chester, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF FILTERS, ALSO APPLICABLE TO EXISTING FILTERING APPARATUS."
Sealed the 10th February 1880, and dated the 12th August 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Harlow at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th August 1879.
BENJAMIN HARLOW, of Macclesfield, in the County of Chester, Engineer.
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FILTERS, ALSO APPLICABLE TO EXISTING
FILTERING APPARATUS."
.
"IM-
These improvements have for their object the construction of a filter of earthen-
ware or other suitable material which shall be capable of being readily cleansed by
the user, and consists in having the body of the filter open at the top so as to have
ready access to the filtering medium, which is either contained in the body of the
filter itself, or in an inner casing which is removable, a projecting annular rim or rims,
being formed in either case on the inside to ensure the water passing through the
filtering medium, and to prevent the same escaping down the sides.
The water is introduced into a suitable water chamber which is by preference
suspended in the mouth of the filter body.
These improvements are also applicable to existing filtering apparatus.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Benjamin Harlow in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th February
1880.
BENJAMIN HARLOW, of Macclesfield, in the County of Chester, Engineer. · IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FILTERS, ALSO APPLICABLE TO EXISTINO
FILTERING APPARATUS."
Fig. 1 is a front exterior view, and Fig. 2 a transverse section of a filter
constructed in accordance with my Invention.
My improvements have for their object the construction of a filter which shall
be capable of being readily cleansed by the user. In the accompanying Drawing
A is the body of the filter constructed of earthenware or other suitable material,
B is the
and which is open at the top so as to afford ready access to the interior.
water chamber which is formed with a flange C fitting into an annular recess
D in the mouth of the filter body A, and provided with handles E by means of
which it can be lifted out and removed when access is required to the filtering
medium. The filtering medium F, which may consist of charcoal, sand, or other
suitable filtering agent, is either contained in the body of the filter itself, resting upon
an earthenware perforated plate G (as in the Drawing) or may be placed in an inner
removable casing having a perforated bottom. This filtering medium is covered
and held in its place, as illustrated, by a perforated plate M (seen also on a small
scale in plan Fig. 3), the recesses N being formed to allow the plate to pass, and
when turned partially round beneath the corresponding projections O on the inside
of the filter body so to lock itself in position. H is an annular ledge or projection
formed around the inside of the body and under-cut, as illustrated, to ensure the
water passing through the filtering medium F, and to prevent the same running
down between the sides of the apparatus and the filtering medium.
The action of this improved filter is the same as that of the ordinary earthenware
filter. The water requiring to be filtered being introduced into the water chamber
B first passes through the sponge I thence on to the filtering medium F, through
which it slowly percolates into the filtered water reservoir or chamber K, from
which it may be drawn off as required through the aperture L.
When the filtering medium requires cleansing the water chamber B is first
removed and then the filtering medium F can be taken out and washed or
replenished with the greatest ease.
Although I have only described the application of my improvements to one form
of filter it will be apparent that the same are applicable in the construction of
other classes of filters, and in many cases to existing filters.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
Invention, together with the best methods with which I am acquainted for carrying
the same into practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim,-
The construction of a filter with the water chamber and the filtering medium
capable of removal, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and
illustrated on the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Harlow, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this 11th day of February, in the year of our Lord 1880.