Improvements in Antiseptics and Deodorisers.
Year: 1898

page_text: I, AUGUST ZIMMERMANN, of 9 & 10, St. Mary-at-Hill, in the City of London,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
The want of a reliable powder for dusting refuse and organic matter liable
to putrefaction and foul smells has long been felt. The powders in use have
failed to sufficiently supply the requirements of a germicide and their failure
also to deodorise such refuse and their toxic nature have long made it desirable
to have an improved disinfecting powder for use in dust bins, dung pits and
for treating refuse.
It has been proposed to impregnate porous earth with liquid formic aldehyde
but this is found impracticable on account of the volatile nature of the free
gas and no reliance can at any time be placed on the presence of the antiseptic
element.
According to my invention a hygroscopic salt such as chloride of sodium or
chloride of calcium is combined with the polymerised formaldehyde or paraform
and these ingredients are intimately mixed with a dry porous cearth or sandy
substance to allow a fine division in the mixture.
When this powder is applied to refuse or organic substances liable to
fermentation or putrefaction the moisture supplied from the hygroscopic
salt and from the organic matters under treatment depolymerizes the paraform
into active formic aldehyde and thus effects thorough disinfection and deodorisa-
tion and stay of putrefaction.
Dated this 10th day of September 1898.
Improvements in Antiseptics and Deodorisers.
I. AUGUST ZIMMERMANN, of 9 & 10, St. Mary-at-Hill, in the City of London,
Merchant, 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 want of a reliable powder for dusting refuse and organic matter liable
to putrefaction and foul smells has long been felt. The powders in use have
failed to sufficiently supply the requirements of a germicide and their failure
also to deodorise such refuse and their toxic nature have long made it desirable

page_text: to have an improved disinfecting powder for use in dust bins, dung pits and
for treating refuse and the floors in the disinfection of rooms.
It has been proposed to impregnate porous earth with liquid formic aldehyde
but this is found impracticable on account of the volatile nature of the free
gas and no reliance can at any time be placed on the presence of the antiseptic
element.
According to my invention a hygroscopic salt such as for instance chloride of
sodium or chloride of calcium is combined with the polymerised formic aldehyde or
paraform and these ingredients are intimately mixed with a dry porous earth or
sandy substance to allow a fine division in the mixture. Also I may dissolve the
hygroscopic salt and soak sawdust with it and afterwards combine it with the
paraform and porous earth and soluble or partly soluble mineral salts.
When this powder is applied to refuse or organic substances liable to fer-
mentation, putrefaction, or dust laden with micro-organisms the moisture
supplied from the hygroscopic salt and from the organic substances under treat-
ment depolymerizes the paraform into active formic aldehyde and thus effects
thorough disinfection and deodorisation and stay of putrefaction.
The following proportions are suitable: —
Where a stronger disinfectant is desired for example for putting on floors
before sweeping the quantity of paraform may be increased to 5 or even
10 per cent.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
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1. An antiseptic or deodoriser consisting of a mixture of paraform with a
hygroscopic body and porous or powdered material.
2. Antiseptics or deodorisers substantially as described.