PURIFYING AND COOLING WATER AND ATMOSPHERIC AIR, WHICH HE CALLS THE CARBONIC AERIAL WATER AND AIR PURIFIER AND COOLER
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joshua Jackson, of 29, Queen Street, Wolverhampton,
in the County of Stafford, for the Invention of "PURIFYING AND COOLING
WATER AND ATMOSPHERIC AIR, WHICH HE CALLS THE CARBONIC AERIAL
WATER AND AIR PURIFIER AND COOLER."
Sealed the 17th October 1860, and dated the 1st August 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joshua Jackson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
August 1860.
I JOSHUA JACKSON do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"PURIFYING AND COOLING WATER AND ATMOSPHERIC AIR, AND WHICH I CALL
THE CARBONIC AERIAL WATER AND AIR PURIFIER AND COOLER," to be as
follows.
I make a series of disks (in shape like a "crown piece") of one or more
metal, or wood hoops or rings, over each edge of which I stretch a piece of
hair cloth, wire gauze, or perforated metal. I fill each disk, (excepting one in
each series, which I fill with sponge and call a filter) or purifier with purified
wood charcoal or carbon, which I make from sawdust in an open furnace,
and boil it in water until I have extracted all its saline and other impurities.
These purifiers I arrange one above another, with a filter to complete the
series. I leave a space between each, to allow a free circulation of air over
their surfaces. Thus placed I suspend them on cords, wires, or rods, or else
fix them upon a frame or stand constructed for the purpose. Above them, in

page_text: the same stand, I fix a glass, earthen, wood, or
metal vessel as a reser-
voir, with a valve in its bottom, below, another vessel as a receiver, with
a float in it connected by rods and a lever. with the valve in the reservoir
above, I then fill the reservoir with, (impure rain water for example. The
receiver being empty, the float in it by its own weight opens the valve in the
reservoir. The impure water then flows upon the filter, leaves its gross
impurities, as soot, dust &c. in it, drops upon the upper purifier, percolates
through it, leaves its gasseous and other impurities in it, and spreads itself
over the whole of its upper and lower surfaces, where, it is exposed to the
action of the air, which vapourises a minute portion of it, extracting heat from
the remainder, which dropping upon the next purifier continues its course
through the whole series, until it falls into the receiver, cold and pure. When
the purified water in the receiver buoys up the float, the valve closes and stops
the flow of impure water from the reservoir, until some of the purified water
is withdrawn from the receiver, when, the float again falling, opens the valve
and the process recommences and continues, until the equilibrium, is again
restored. I sometimes surround the whole apparatus with a glass, earthen,
or metal case or cover either perforated or compact. Providing always, for a
free circulation of air over the surfaces of the purifiers. The reservoir and
receiver are not indispensable appendages, as I sometimes convey the impure
water from a distant source through a pipe, or cyphon directly on to the filter,
receiving the purified water in an ordinary vessel, as a pail or tub.
To cool and purify air, the purifier is first charged with water as already
detailed, and suspended in the current of hot air, (over a burning lamp for
example) which coming in contact with the watery vapour arising from the
receiver absorbs it, and ascends through the purifiers, leaving its noxious
gasses in them, and saturating itself with water, finally escapes from the
apparatus cool and fresh. Under some circumstances, (when the apparatus is
suspended in heated air near the ceiling of a room) the current of air is
reversed, entering it at the top, and descending like water, escapes at the
bottom. In either case the result is the same.
Although I generally make the purifiers circular, as being most convenient,
It is not an essential part of the Invention, as any other shape will answer the
purpose, if the carbon is enclosed in a textile, or perforated material, and so
arranged that the air may play freely over it.
The purifiers and filter may be made of any size from one-eighth of an inch
deep, and one inch in diameter upwards, and a series may consist of any
number, from two, to one hundred. The greater the number the greater is
the cooling power, and the more water, or air, will they purify before they

page_text: become saturated with gasses. When the filter ceases to pass the water freely
through it, I wash it in purified water, pressing it between the hands; until the
water is no longer discoloured by it. When the water is no longer clear and
sweet after passing through the apparatus, I take all the purifiers off the
stand and boil them rapidly in purified rain water for an hour or two; until
the whole of the noxious gasses they have absorbed from the impure water are
expelled. When, they are as fresh and efficient as new ones. .
When the apparatus no longer produces the desired effect on air, I cleanse
it in the same manner as detailed above. I take care to always keep a store
of water in the reservoir, and see that the valve. and float are in working
order.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joshua Jackson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
31st January 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I JOSHUA
JACKSON of 29 Queen Street Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters
Patent bearing date the First day of August in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty in the twenty-fourth year of Her reign
did. for Herself Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me the said
Joshua Jackson Her special licence that I the said Joshua Jackson
my executors, administrators and assigns, or such others as I the said
Joshua Jackson 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 night make, use,
exercise and vend within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an invention for "PURIFYING AND
COOLING WATER AND ATMOSPHERIC AIR WHICH I CALL THE CARBONIC AERIAL WATER
AND AIR PURIFIER AND COOLER" upon the condition (amongst others) that I the
said Joshua Jackson my exécutors or administrators 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 performed 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE that I the said Joshua Jackson do hereby declare
the 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 :-
I make a series of discs, in shape (somewhat resembling a crown piece) of
one or more metal or wood hoops or rings, over each edge of which I stretch a
piece of hair cloth, wire gauze, or perforated metal. I fill each disc (excepting
one in each series, which I fill with sponge and call a filter) or purifier with
purified wood charcoal or carbon, which I make from sawdust in an open
furnace and boil it in water until I have extracted all its saline and other
impurities.
Construction of a disc explained-I construct a disc either of three
perpendiculars or of one perpendicular and two horizontal hoops or rings
and two circular pieces of hair cloth. With these materials I form a sort of
circular shell, in shape very much like an empty watch case, which I fill with
purified charcoal or carbon of five different degrees of fineness.
To make a nine-inch disc, measured across the top from side to side (the
depth may vary from half an inch to four inches according to circumstances)
First, I take a perpendicular wooden hoop two inches deep half an inch thick,
and eight inches diameter from outside to outside. Secondly, two other per-
pendicular hoops each nine inches diameter from outside to outside by one inch
deep and half an inch thick Thirdly, two pieces of strong hair cloth twelve
inches diameter I then lay one of the pieces of hair cloth upon the eight-inch
hoop and one of the nine-inch hoops upon that and keeping the hair cloth well
stretched force it over the edge of the inner hoop until the tops of the two
hoops are brought to the same level forming a plain with the hair cloth which
is held firmly between them; But, to make it more secure I screw them together
with three-quarter inch iron or copper screw from the outside horizontally,
with one inch between each screw. Having satisfied myself that the hair
cloth cannot be.drawn out from between the hoops I cut off its superfluous
border close to the hoops-Thus I have formed a sort of sieve which is the
bottom and rim of my disc.
How I fill a disc with carbon-I place it upon a horizontal hoop or ring
two inches deep by two inches broad, with inside diameter two inches less
than the outside diameter of the disc-The rim of the disc rests only upon this
hoop allowing the hair cloth free to bulge outwards from the pressure of the
carbon upon it-I then line the bottom of the disc with scraps of hair cloth or
loose horsehair-This lining strengthens the bottom of the disc and prevents
the carbon from settling down upon it and clogging up the meshes of the hair

page_text: cloth-Upon this lining I spread with a shell or scope a layer of number one
carbon (specified herein-after) about a quarter of an inch thick.
Over this
again I spread a like layer of number two, three, four, and five respectively.
The five layers rater more than half fill the disc; the remaining half I fill with
similar layers, but in an inverted order, that is, number four upon five, three
upon four &c. completing the series with number one which rises in a convex
heap a little above the rim of the disc and which said heap of carbon I cover
with scraps of hair cloth or loose hair to form a lining to the top of the disc
like that at the bottom and for the same reason, as herein-before specified. I
then lay a circular piece of hair cloth twelve inches in diameter upon the
whole and secure it to the inner hoop or rim in the same way that I secured
the hair cloth on the bottom of the disc as herein already stated, taking care
to draw it as tight as possible to prevent the carbon from moving when the
disc is turned on its edge I then screw an ordinary brass or copper screw or
suspension ring horizontally into the opposite sides of the upper hoop or cover
of the disc, by which, the disc is to be suspended. I sometimes put a hoop of
rolled or sheet tin or other metal round the disc to give it a finish before I
put on the suspension rings.
A disc made with two horizontal and one perpendicular hoop instead of
three perpendicular ones. I sometimes use two horizontal hoops (instead of
the two outer perpendicular hoops already herein described) which are of the
same outside diameter as the perpendicular hoop. I make these hoops one inch
thick by two and a half inches broad, but vary both their breadth and strength
according as I want a greater or less surface of hair cloth to be exposed in the
middle of the disc. Supposing them to be nine inches diameter (with a per-
pendicular or side hoop also nine inches diameter) and two inches deep and
two and a half inches broad, the circular opening in them would be four inches
diameter. I cut away a piece of one of these hoops round its circumference
on one of its flat sides to the depth of three-quarters of an inch and the same
breadth inwards; which forms a sort of flat shoulder round the circumference of
the .hoop. From this shoulder I cut away another portion further inwards
feathering it out at the edge of the inner circle of the hoop. This cutting
away has given the hoop a convex appearance on one side, rising from the flat
shoulder towards the centre of the hoop. I then cut away the sharp edge of
the other side of the hoop around the inner circle down to the edge on the
convex side and feather it out one inch from the outside of the hoop. This
cutting forms a sort of concavity (which I call a bevil) corresponding to the
convexity of the other side of the hoop. The other horizontal hoop 1 cut away
on one side only, leaving a flat shoulder three-quarters of an inch wide round

page_text: the circumference and sloping it towards the inner circle of the hoop, where, I
leave the hoop one quarter of an inch thick. The sloping makes the hoop
concave on one side, the other side being quite plain. This I call a concave
hoop. The convex bevilled hoop then screw or pin firmly on to the one
edge of the vertical hoop with the convex side outwards. The srews or wire
pins being one inch and a half long (they are driven vertically through the
horizontal hoop into the vertical one--about two inches apart and three-cighths
of an inch from the edge). Having fastened these two hoops together I lay a
piece of hair cloth seven inches diameter on the bevilled or inner side of the
horizontal hoop, and press it into the bevil until it touches the edge of the
circle and completes the convexity of the outside of the hoop, when I peg it
down with bootmakers' wooden pegs. 1-then peg another piece of hair cloth
about the same size on to the plain side of the concave, or top hook, keeping the
hair cloth on the stretch to make it form a plain with the flat or under side of the
hoop. I form this convexity at the bottom of the disc to draw the water into a
stream, in the centre of the disc. However I do not always make the bottom
of the disc convex. When I wish the water to fall in drops from disc to
disc, I stretch the hair cloth quite tight to keep it level. This disc is now
ready to be filled, which is to be done precisely in the same manner as hercin-
before specified, in the case of the disc made with the vertical hoops only.
When this disc is filled I place the top or lid upon it and then put four
braces or cramps round its circumference at equal distances from each other
and with the aid of the thumb-screw draw the top of the disc down until it
nearly touches the rim, and then with a square-ended knife push the loose
carbon lying between the lid and the rim of the disc into the body of it. When
I have cleared off those parts of the rim between the braces, I put four more
braces on to the disc, which take the pressure off the first four and enable me
to take them off and clear the remaining parts of the rim. When the rim of
the disc is quite clear I draw the top of the disc down quite close to the rim
with the aid of the braces and then screw it down to the rim. I sometimes
make the bottom and the rim of the disc out of one piece of timber, to enable
me to dispense with screws or pins in the bottom of the disc. When the
inner diameter of the hoops does not exceed three inches I can usually
dispense with the operation of pegging the hair cloth on to the top and bottom
of the disc, the pressure of the carbon on its border being sufficient to
counterbalance its pressure on the centre.
In making my discs I always prefer porous wood (particularly English elm)
because is promotes evaporation.
Í sometimes substitute pottery ware (particularly, that of a porous nature,

page_text: for wood in the construction of my discs. In which case I either put the
pins or rivits through both the upper hoop, the rim and the lower hoop, and
secure them with a nut or rivit, or otherwise make large holes and fill thein
with wooden plugs, which enables me to use screws or pins as if the whole
thing were made, of wood.
Discs made of metal. I sometimes use copper gauze or perforated copper
or other suitable metal either electrotyped or not. This wire gauze or per-
forated metal I set in a metal hoop and solder them together like soldering
the bottom in a tin can. I usually fill these metal discs lightly with number
one carbon and a little horse-hair. These metal discs I use most to purify and
cool air. I sometimes perforate the top and bottom of the disc instead of cutting
a circular piece out of each and filling up the opening with hair cloth, as in
the cases of discs made with hoops as specified herein-before. This statement
applies equally to wood and pottery ware.
How I make my filter. I fill a disc lightly with pieces of soft sponge, and
then throw over them a sufficient quantity of number one, two, or three
carbon to fill up the interstices between the several pieces. I use any one of
those three number, according to the rate at which I wish the filter to work
using the coarsest for a fast worker and the finest for a slow worker. By
packing the sponge tightly I can omit the carbon altogether.
In the construction of my disc I sometimes make the concave horizontal
hoop that forms the top of the disc less in diameter than the perpendicular
hoop that forms the side of the disc. In which case the said concave
horizontal hoop fits inside' the said perpendicular hoop and is brought down to
the same level in which it is secured by driving the screws or pins hori-
zontally through the rim of the disc into the said concave hoop. When the
disc is finished with one or more suspension rings on its two opposite sides I
hang it on the bearing chain when it is ready for use.
In the construction of my filter I sometimes substitute loose hair, wool, or
small downny feathers, for sponge, using them respectively precisely in the same
manner as in the case of sponge herein-before specified. To facilitate the
cleansing of the filter I sometimes omit the use of hoops in its construction.
Stitching the two circular pieces of hair cloth together at their edges and after-
wards dipping the said edges in either melted gutta percha or inelted india-
rubber to prevent the hair cloth from fraying. The purifiers I arrange one above
another. With a filter above all to complete the series (which said filter may
be put into the reservoir if convenience requires such an arrangement).
leave a space between the discs, to allow free circulation of air over their
surfaces. Thus arranged I suspend them on cords, wires, chains, or rods, or
I

page_text: else fix, them upon a frame or stand constructed for the purpose. I usually
hang them very much after. the manner of an entrance-hall lamp, upon two
or more chains. My hanging chains usually consist of three parts. First-
suspension chain, which I hang upon a strong ceiling hook. Secondly. Two
bearing chains, which are connected with the suspension chain. They hang
upon it. Thirdly. four short stay chains which are attached to the bearers near
at the bottom, two upon each. Each stay chain has a bearing hook at the
end. The stay chains prevent the bottom disc from pitching on one side
when a glass or jug is placed upon it to receive the purified water. As
bearing hooks I usually use the following kinds-curb hooks, spring hooks,
and wire hooks. The wire hooks I usually make out of jackchain by simply
opening each bow or loop. Thus every link makes a hook, or more correctly
speaking a double hook, one bow of which I hook into the bearing chain and
close it with a pair of pliers, the other bow I leave open to receive the suspen-
sion rings on the discs. These bearing hooks I fix at intervals from top to bottom
of the bearers, regulating the space between each according to the depth of
the discs and the space to be left between them. I usually leave a sufficient
space between the bottom disc and the next above it to allow a glass tumbler
or a small jug to be placed upon it to receive the purified water.
I usually construct my disc stand of two sometimes of three or four) rods
or tubes (either brass, copper, or iron) or wooden poles either fixed into a low
stand, common to them both, otherwise each upon a separate stand very much
after the manner of a fire-screen stand. These I call bearing rods answering
the same purpose as the bearing chains herein-before described. On each rod
I put a number of brass, copper, steel or wood ring with a hook on each.
These I call ring hooks. The ring hooks are supported at proper intervals
from each other by bearing pins in the rods. These bearing pins have a knob
at one end and a nut on the other, which enables me to take them out when
it is necessary to take off the ring hooks. Above the discs in the same stand.
I usually fix a vessel to hold the impure water, which I call a reservoir and
below them another to receive the purified water which I call a receiver. My
reservoir and receiver are respectively very much like an inverted bell with
either a tap or valve in the centre of its convex end. I usually put either a
hok or a chain round each, and suspend them on the bearers, in the same
way that I suspend the discs, which is herein-before specified. Six discs with
reservoir and receiver I call a complete apparatus. Although a less number will
answer the same purpose but of course to a less extent, and a greater number
will enhance their efficiency. I usually construct my valve of a piece of india-
rubber tubing from two to three inches long, one end of which is perforated

page_text: with small holes to the extent of about one-half its entire length.
The com-
pact end I screw firmly into the neck of, the reservoir with the perforated
end projecting into the reservoir. I then take a button (made of bone or
other suitable material) with a strong india-rubber cord attached to the side
opposite to the shank and by means of the cord draw the button into the tube
below the perforation. I then draw the cord through the centre of a per-
forated hemisphere, which I force close up to the mouth of the reservoir
(outside). I then draw the cord through a bead and force it close to the
hemisphere and cut off the superfluous cord about half an inch below the
bead. This hemisphere and bead hold the button down below the perforated
cud of the tube which is the strict state of the valve. The hemisphere and
the bead may be made of bone or other suitable material. The tube I call
the valve case, the button, the plug, the hemisphere, the counterpoise, the
bead, the auxiliary counterpoise and the cord, the spring. 1 then attach one
end of a copper wire, or chain, or else a gutta cord, to the shank of the plug,
and the other end to the short arm of a leaver, which rest. upon a fulcrum a
few inches above the top of the reservoir, which said fulcrum is a rod resting
upon the bearers running horizontally from one to the other. 1 usually bend
the fulcrum downwards in the middle until it forms a semicircle of one or two
inches radius. On each side of this bend the arms are usually horizontal. I
then attach one end of a wire, chain or cord to the long arm of the leaver,
which said wire descend into the receiver where it supports a wooden ball,
which I call a float. For convenience I usually put a jug in the receiver
which is taken out when full. I usually put a tap in the bottom of the
receiver. When the apparatus is suspended as herein-before specified, I fill
the reservoir with impure water. Rain water for example. The receiver being
empty, the float by its own weight opens the valve in the reservoir, letting out
the impure water, which flows upon the filter (that is, in case the filter is
below the reservoir and not on it as is sometimes the case) leaves its gross
impurities such as soot, dust &c. in it, drops upon the upper purifier percolates
through it, leaves its gasscous and other impurities in it, and spreads itself
over its surfaces where it is exposed to the action of the air, which vapourizes
a minute portion of it, which said vapourisation extracts a portion of heat
from the remaining portion of water, which drops upon the next purifier and
continues its course through the whole series until it falls into the receiver
cold and pure. In this Specification I invariably use the words cold and pure,
in a comparative and limited sense. For instance I do not mean to say that
water is absolutely pure after having passed through my purifier, but that it is
freed from all those impurities that charcoal is capable of absorbing. When

page_text: the purified water in the receiver buoys up the float the valve spring draws
the plug again below the perforated end of the case and stops the flow of
impure water from the reservoir which continues closed until some of the
purified water is withdrawn from the receiver when the float again falling
reopens the valve and the process recommences and continues until the equili-
brium is again restored. I sometimes surround the whole apparatus with a
glass earthen or metal case or cover either perforated or compact providing
always for a free circulation of air over the surfaces of the purifiers. The
reservoir and receiver are not indispensable appendages as I sometimes
convey the impure water from a distant source through a pipe or syphon
directly on to the filter. in an ordinary vessel as a jug, pan, pail or tub. To
purify air the apparatus is first charged with water as already herein spe-
cified, and hung over a burning lamp in a glass earthern or metal case either
open at both ends or open at the bottom end only. An ordinary glass gas
reflector (used in any shop) will answer as a cover. In the latter case the
wet discs may be suspended in an inverted reservoir. When no reservoir or
receiver is used the discs must be kept wet by dipping them in cold water
occasionally. (This observation bears no reference to the inverted reservoir
when used as a case or cover.) When the hot air arising from the lamp comes
in contact with the water in the receiver (or more directly with the water in the
purifiers when no receiver is used) it converts it into vapour and ascend with
it through the purifiers leaving its noxious gasses in them, and saturating itself
with water, finally escapes from the apparatus cool and fresh. When the case is
open at both ends the purified air escapes at the top, but when the case is open
at the bottom only the hot air ascends up the middle of it and descends down
the sides until it escapes at the bottom. When the apparatus is suspended in
hot air near the ceiling of a room (not over a burning lamp) in a case open
both at the top and bottom, the heated air enters it at the top and descending
through it escapes at the bottom. The discs act best when they are a little less
than the case leaving a space from a quarter of an inch to an inch between them.
The result is the same in the descending current as in the ascending current,
but the action is much slower. The course metal case dics (specified herein-
before) are the best air purifiers, the less their depth and the greater their
diameter the more efficient their action.
Although I usually make my purifiers circular as being the most convenient
shape it is not the only one that answers the purpose equally well, and indeed
it sometimes suit even better to use the square, or the oval. I make my discs
of different sizes. The most convenient being from half an inch deep to four
inches and from four inches diameter to twelve inches. A series of discs may

page_text: consist of any number, from two upwards. The greater the number, the greater
is the cooling power and the more water or air will the apparatus purify
before it requires cleansing. When the filter ceases to pass the water freely,
I wash it in clean water pressing it between the hands until the water is no
longer discoloured by it. When the water or air is not quite sweet after
having passed through the purifier, I unhang the discs and boil them very
rapidly in clear water for half an hour, after which if the water is much
discoloured I take them out and change the water repeating the application
until the water is but little discoloured by the boiling. If the boiling has
been done properly, the apparatus is as efficient as it was when new. For a
few hours after boiling the purified water is usually a little cloudy therefore
1 either repass it or let it run to waste keeping the apparatus in continuous
operation until it does its work satisfactorily. When the discs do not pass
the water freely I invert them and allow the water to work through them
while I pat the top (now under side) with a sponge until the water passes
freely through them. I take care to always keep a store of water in the
reservoir and see that the valve and float are in working order.
Preparation of Charcoal. I burn common sawdust in a strong cast-iron
pan fixed in a furnace of masonry. The furnace itself consists of three per-
pendicular walls about four feet high bound together at the top by an arch.
The space between the walls is about two feet by four the pan a little less
leaving space for the escape of the smoke into the chimney. The pan is about
twelve inches from the floor. There is neither grate nor bars for the fire but
it is made upon the bricks upon the entire bottom of the furnace directly
under the pan. The front of the furnace below the pan is filled with loose
bricks. Those in the centre are removed to make and renew the fire. The
front of the pan rests upon those on each side and the back of it upon a groove
in the wall. Above the pan the furnace is quite open in front. I have
given the size and construction of the furnace I am now using but I can
modify the structure and enlarge the size at pleasure. Having got a smart
fire in the furnace and the pan red hot I throw the sawdust into it and stir it
with an iron scraper until it ceases to smoke or blaze and becomes red hot
when I take it out with a shovel and throw it into four times its own bulk of
clean water. Rain water if I have it-and boil it very rapidly in an iron boiler,
for an hour, and then take it out and strain it from the saline matter extracted
from it by the water. This boiling and straining I repeat with fresh water
three times making in all four boilings and strainings, when it will have
become sufficiently pure. When this is accomplished I return it to the
furnace and stir it until it ceases to give off steam and then take it out and

page_text: put it into an earthen or iron vessel to cool. When cool pass it through four
sieves of different degrees of fineness. This operation devides it into five parts
of which the four first are of about equal proportions the fifth being the finest
and about half as much in bulk as any one of the other four. Thus divided
I call each portion respectively, beginning with the coarsest, number one, two,
three, four and five. Thus purified and devided it is ready to be used in
filling the discs which must be done in the manner herein-before specified.
I find I omitted to state that the spring cord attached to the valve plug goes
through a hole in it which terminates at the base of the shank, which unscrows,
to allow the spring to be drawn through it, which said spring must be larger
than the hole and tapered at the end, otherwise it cannot be got through it
sufficiently tight to prevent its slipping out. The loose hair and wool which
I use (herein-before specified) 1 cleanse from grease &c. by boiling them in
clean water until they cease to give out an unpleasant smell. I sometimes
put a piece of coarse hair cloth in the bottom of the reservoir and the other
materials which I use to form my filter (herein-before specified) upon it loose
and put a calender or perforated disc upon the whole to keep them down
instead of stitching and cementing the edges of the hair cloth as in the case
just referred to. I adopt this arrangement to facilitate the cleansing of the
said filter which is done more speedily, than when it is enclosed.
Having unreservedly fully, and as accurately and as clearly, as I possibly
could, (and indeed, can, for time will not allow a revision, this being the
Twenty-ninth day of January and my Provisional Protection expires on the
Thirty-first) therefore I trust that my apparent inaccuracies of description or
technical defects will be construed as liberally as each respective case will admit.
I will now state as briefly as I can what I know as to the novelty of my
Invention as herein-before specified.
I first became aware of the purifying qualitics of charcoal some twenty years
ago in the course of my readings and practice as an operative chemist but it
never occurred to me to apply it to the purification of water until the carly
part of last summer when I at once gave my whole soul to the subject and
have continued incessantly to pursue it with all my energy during eight
months strengthened by the hearty and eflicient cooperation of my dear wife
the support of our brother Sampson, the enthusiastic admiration of our dear
friend Mr. Robert Noyes, and our brother-in-law Mr. William Neeld, the
cheerful assistance of our several women, particularly Martha Heath and
Betsy Jebbs, and the warm smile of an enchanted public; particularly the
dear little ones who clasp the cold sparkling chrystal with both their tiny
hands and lifted to their sweet little quivering lips. To some this may seem

page_text: irrevelant but I feel it a tribute of justice which gives me inexpressible pleasure
to render, for without such aids it would have been a physical impossibility for
me to have brought my Invention to a successful issue.
Although I did not suppose when I commenced to apply carbon to the
purification of water that there was any novelty in the thing but I felt that
whatever efforts there may have been made they had not resulted in the
production of an efficient water and air purifier, I know now what I did not
know then, that impure charcoal have been and still is used as a water filter,
but beyond that fact I am not aware of any other virging upon my Invention.
I have experitmented upon every substance and material likely to answer my
purpose and have combined and arranged them in every imaginable mode,
until I am so far satisfied with my researches that I have no desire for any
addition or change. Whatever the Invention in regard to novelty may be to
others. It is all new to me with the sole exception herein-before stated. That
impure charcoal has been and still is used as a filter.
In witness whereof I the said Joshua Jackson have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
JOSHUA JACKSON. (L.S.)