IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING APPARATUS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Frederick Crease, of Wade Court, Havant,
Hampshire, a Major in the Royal Marine Artillery, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING APPARATUS."
Sealed the 9th April 1880, and dated the 24th November 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Frederick Crease at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th November 1879.
JOHN FREDERICK CREASE, of Wade Court, Havant, Hampshire, a Major in the
Royal Marine Artillery. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING APPARATUS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in filtering apparatus, whereby
ordinary cisterns and other similar receptacles, whether fixed or movable, may be
readily fitted with the same apparatus, and purified water obtained in large or
small bodies as required.
To carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-I place in the body of the
cistern or other receptacle two vertical perforated plates made of metal or other
suitable material, one or both of such plates being made either fixed or movable, as
most convenient. Such plates are provided either with bolts and nuts, or suitable
handles, or their equivalents, for the purpose of forcing them together, and 80
compressing the filtering material placed between them, as presently mentioned,
while they correspond in breadth and depth with the internal dimensions of the
cistern or other receptacle itself, and are so placed therein as to form three
divisions, the first whereof is situate immediately beneath the intake pipe of the
cistern, so that when the water is turned on at the main, it flows into such first
division whence it percolates through one of the perforated plates into the second
or centre division, which is filled to any required depth with any suitable filtering
medium, tightly rammed down therein, and then compressed by the plates being
forced together by means of suitable screw bolts and nuts, or handles, or their
equivalents, as before mentioned, and thus, where loose plates are employed, such
filtering material serves as a support to keep the perforated plates in position in the
cistern.
When the water has percolated through one of such perforated plates into the
second or centre division, it passes through the filtering medium contained therein,

page_text: and thence through the other perforated plate into the third or outer division,
whence it is drawn off for potable or other purposes by means of a suitable pipe
or tap, while that portion of the water remaining unfiltered in the first division,
may, if desired, be drawn off through a second pipe, or tap for use for such purposes
as do not require that the same should be in a filtered condition.
The before mentioned vertical perforated plates are fixed in position by means of
horizontal rods or angle irons or otherwise.
One great advantage of my Invention is that it combines effectiveness of action
with great simplicity and economy of construction, while it also affords great
facilities, both for the periodical cleansing of the cistern or other receptacle fitted
therewith, and also for the cleansing or removing when necessary of the filtering
medium in the centre division.
It is moreover particularly adapted for application to cisterns and other reservoirs
of large dimensions.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Frederick Crease in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th May 1880.
JOHN FREDERICK CREASE, of Wade Court, Havant, Hampshire, a Major in the
Royal Marine Artillery. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILTERING APPARATUS."
This Invention has for its object "Improvements in Filtering Apparatus,"
whereby ordinary cisterns and other similar receptacles, whether fixed or movable,
may be readily and economically fitted with such improved apparatus, and purified
water obtained in large or small bodies, as required at a trifling cost.
And in order that my said Invention may be better understood and readily
carried into effect, I will now, with the aid of the accompanying Drawings
(whereon similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts), proceed more
particularly to describe and ascertain the same.
In Figure 1 of such Drawings I have shewn how an ordinary cistern may be
converted into a large and efficient filter at a small cost. To effect this I proceed
as follows:-I place in the body of the cistern or other receptacle two vertical
perforated plates a, a¹, made of metal or other suitable material, one or both of
such plates being made either fixed or movable, as most convenient. Such plates
are provided either with bolts and nuts (b), or suitable handles (6¹), or their
equivalents, for the purpose of forcing them together, and so compressing the
filtering material (c) placed between them, as presently mentioned, while they
correspond in breadth and depth with the internal dimensions of the cistern or
other receptacle itself, and are so placed therein as to form three divisions
respectively indicated at A, B, C, the first whereof (A) is situate immediately
beneath the intake pipe of the cistern, so that when the water is turned on at the
main it flows into such first division where it percolates through one of the

page_text: '
perforated plates (a) into the second or centre division (B), which is filled to any
required depth with any suitable filtering medium (c), tightly rammed down therein
by the plates being forced together, and then compressed by means of suitable screw
bolts and nuts (b), or handles, or their equivalents, as before mentioned. Where loose
plates are employed, such filtering material in itself serves as a support to keep the
perforated plates in position in the cistern. When the water has percolated through
one of such perforated plates into the second or centre division (B), it passes
through the filtering medium contained therein, and thence through the other
perforated plate a¹ into the third or outer division C, whence it is drawn off for
potable or other purposes by means of a suitable pipe or tap d, while that portion of
the water remaining unfiltered in the first division may, if desired, be drawn off
through a second pipe or tap d¹ for use for such purposes as do not require that
the same should be in a filtered condition.
The vertical perforated plates a, a', before mentioned, are fixed in position by
means of horizontal rods, angle irons, or otherwise.
One great advantage of this improved arrangement is that it combines effective-
ness of action with great simplicity and economy of construction, while it also
affords great facilities, both for the periodical cleansing of the cistern or other
receptacle fitted therewith, and also for the cleansing or removing when necessary
of the filtering medium in the centre division.
It will be obvious that my Invention is particularly adapted for application to
cisterns and other reservoirs of large dimensions.
In Figure 2 of the accompanying Drawings I have shewn a view in vertical
section of a domestic filter, with my improved filtering apparatus applied thereto.
In this arrangement the perforated plates a, a', are placed horizontally. The
filtering media (c) is placed between them, as already described, and they are held
in position and compressed by a vertical bolt and nut b, 61, thus the water in the
upper division (A) gradually filters through the centre division (B), and percolating
through the perforated plate (a¹) into the lower division (C), is thence drawn off
for use through the outlet (e).
Figure 3 of such Drawings shews a similar view of a circular iron drum filter
acting by descension, having my improved filtering apparatus applied thereto, and
suitable for fixing on to a main or to a pipe leading from a reservoir, tank, or other
receptacle. In this adaptation of my Invention the arrangement is almost
identical with that described and illustrated at Figure 2, save that a greater body
of filtering material is employed to meet the requirements of the increased body of
water which has to be filtered.
Figure 4 shews a vertical sectional view of a circular iron drum filter acting by
ascension arranged on my improved system of construction suitable for use in a
cistern, tank, or other similar receptacle, the water being drawn off by a pipe (ƒ)
acting on the syphon principle.
Figure 5 of such Drawings shews a vertical sectional view of a similar filter
acting by descension, and fitted with my improved filtering apparatus. Such filter
is intended to be placed in a cistern or tank, or other similar receptacle, the water
being drawn therefrom either by a syphon pipe f, or by a pipe acting on the direct
principle, as indicated at g.
In order to cleanse a filter constructed as shewn in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, it is
only necessary to remove the top covers, and after unscrewing the nut to remove
the first or upper perforated plate. This allows of the filtering material, and also,
if necessary, of the second or lower perforated plate being removed and cleansed,
after which such second or lower perforated plate is replaced, and fresh filtering
media is filled in, care being taken, if such filtering material be granulated, to press
it tightly down. The upper perforated plate is then replaced and screwed down,
as before, and water permitted to run through until it runs clear.
Filters constructed on my improved principle may either be immersed in the water,
or in a reservoir, tank, or water butt, or placed outside, and connected with the tank by
a pipe either close by or at any convenient distance therefrom. There is however no

page_text: advantage in a filter being immersed except to save space, or when it is desirable
that it should be kept as cool as possible, as whether immersed or not, the filtering
action is identically the same. The filter can however be so fitted as to be used in
either way, but when fixed outside it is more easy of access for cleansing.
I would here observe that these filters require no reservoir for filtered water, the
perforated plates in them being so proportioned as to supply as much water as can
be conveyed away in a given time by the pipes and taps fitted to them.
My improved filter will not only be found to be the best and most efficient for
domestic use, but also to be particularly adapted for use in barracks, hospitals,
camps, breweries, distilleries, schools, institutions, and elsewhere, owing to the
facility and economy with which it can be constructed and fitted, and the effective-
ness of its operation. For the same reasons it is also well adapted for use in
the Colonies, India, and elsewhere.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I claim as my
Invention,-
Firstly. The constructing a filtering apparatus consisting of two perforated plates
of any convenient dimensions, having a stratum or bed of any suitable filtering
material of any sufficient thickness placed between them, such plates being
connected together by means of suitable bolts and nuts or their equivalents, and
otherwise fitted, substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and illustrated.
Secondly. I claim the application of such improved filtering apparatus to any
ordinary cistern for the purpose of converting the same into an efficient cistern,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated at Figure 1 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. I claim the use and application of my improved filtering apparatus for
filtering purposes generally.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Frederick Crease, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty second day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
ADRLAR
J. FRED. CREASE. (L.B.)