Improvements in Firelighters.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 20th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 7th Mar,, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Firelighters.
We, JOSEPH STAINTON TAYLOR of Carlton House, St. James Road, Liverpool
in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer and CHARLES DAVIES of 115 Alwyn
Street, Aigburth Road, Liverpool, aforesaid, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the utilisation of certain waste substances (or
substances which have hitherto been regarded as of little or no value) and the
production therefrom of a useful commodity namely a firelighter.
It is well known that in the plant known as maize or Indian corn, the grains are
packed closely in regular parallel rows along the sides of a pod or receptacle many
inches long, from which the grains are removed for use and the receptacle or pod
then thrown away as useless.
'
Now we have found that these receptacles or pods are peculiarly suitable for
lighting fires as when dry they are very inflammable and moreover will retain
a glowing heat for some considerable time after the flame has burned itself out.
They constitute therefore a very efficient substance for lighting a household fire.
We propose to use them either in their natural state or saturated with paraffin,
resin, or other suitable.inflammable substance commonly used in the manufacture
of firelighters. They can be used separately or built up into any suitable form,
preferably placed crosswise and fastened together by wire or string.
Dated this 19th day of March 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Firelighters.
We, JOSEPH STAINTON TAYLOR of Carlton House, St. James Road, Liverpool
in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer, and CHARLES DAVIES of 115 Alwyn
Street, Aigburth Road, Liverpool aforesaid, Manufacturer, 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 :-
This invention has for its object the utilisation of certain waste substances (or
substances which have hitherto been regarded as of little or no value) and the
production therefrom of a useful commodity.
It is well known that in the plant known as maize or Indian corn, the grains are
packed closely in regular parallel rows along the sides of a pod or receptacle many
inches long, from which the grains are removed for use and the receptacle or pod
then thrown away as useless.
Now we have found that these receptacles or pods which have hitherto been
thrown away as useless are peculiarly suitable for lighting fires, as when dry they are
very inflammable and moreover will retain a glowing heat for some considerable
time after the flame has burned itself out. They constitute therefore a very

page_text: efficient substance for lighting household fire.
We propose to use them saturated
with paraffin, crude petroleum, resin, odourless mineral oil such as a refined prod: ct
of petroleum or other suitable inflammable substance, or they may even be dipp :d,
sprinkled or treated with salt. They can be used separately or built up into any
suitable form, preferably placed crosswise and fastened together by wire or string.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 shows our improved firelighter in which a maize pot is used singly.
Figure 2, the same with the pods built up into a suitable form and fastened
together by string or wire.
We have described our invention more especially as applied to lighting fires, but
it is obvious that having once given the idea, the invention may be equally well
applied for use as fuel.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is-
1. As a new or improved article of manufacture or commerce, a fuel or firelighter
composed of the pods or receptacles of the plant known as maize or Indian corn,
said pods or receptacles being saturated or treated with paraffin, crude petroleum,
resin, odourless mineral oil, salt or other suitable inflammable substance.
2. The manufacture of fuel or firelighters or the like of the pods or receptacles
of the maize plant from which the grains have previously been removed, said pods
or receptacles being used singly or built up into any convenient form, and saturated
or treated with any suitable inflammable substance such as mineral oil or salt.
Dated this 19th day of December 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London, Patent Agents.