Improvements in Appliances and Compositions to be Used therewith for Kindling Fires and for the Purpose of Giving Light.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 7th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 13th Apr., 1889
Improvements in Appliances and Compositions to be Used therewith
for Kindling Fires and for the Purpose of Giving Light.
I, JOHN STEVENSON CHAPMAN, of 25 Saint Patrick's Square, Edinburgh, i
the County of Midlothian, North Britain, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention refers to an appliance for holding mineral oil in combination with an
absorbent composition carried therein except when the composition is to be utilized
for lighting domestic and other fires or for other lighting purposes; as for instance
by fishermen as a flare-up, by householders and others as a convenient light to go
out in the yard or street in search of anything, as a torch during foggy weather and
such like useful purposes.
According to my invention I make the appliance or vessel preferably of taper or
conical shape. This vessel contains some mineral oil, such as korosine oil, together
with a composition or compound material such as that hereafter described, capable of
absorbing the mineral oil contained in the said vessel or appliance whereby the oil
becomes incapable of explosion even if a lighted kindler or match is placed therein.
Although I do not limit myself to the size of the vessel or appliance which would be
varied according to circumstances I have found a convenient size for domestic use
to be about six inches high, two and three eighths inches diameter at the base and
about five eighths of an inch narrower at the top. The size would be regulated
according to the size of the lighter or kindler employed, and for safety the vessel or
appliance should be tapered, for by this shape being adopted all oxygen is excluded,
thus rendering explosion next to impossible even though a lighted kindler or matchi
be placed in the oil.
The absorbent composition is composed of asbestos, fireclay, pumice, and sawdust,
mixed together with water and then formed into a bulbous or other shape to suit the
vessel or appliance containing the mineral oil as aforesaid intended to receive same,
and when thus formed it is burnt, but care must be taken not to burn it too hard so
as to destroy the absorbent qualities of the composition. A handle is then applied
027

page_text: to the composition prepared as before described which may convenienily be made of
twisted wire embracing the bulb at one end and formed into a ring at the other. The
bulb of absorbent composition with the handle attached thereto is then inserted in
the vessel containing the mineral oil where the bulb quickly absorbs the oil so that
when removed from the vessel for use and a light is applied thereto, the absorbed oil
having generated a gas a strong flame is produced suitable for lighting domestic and
other fires and for lighting purposes generally.
The vessel is provided with a hook for suspending same when required.

page_text: Improvements in Appliances and Compositions to be Used therewith
for Kindling Fires and for the Purpose of Giving Light.
I, JOHN STEVENSON CHAPMAN of 25 Saint Patricks Square, Edinburgh, in the
County of Midlothian, North Britain, Mechanical Engineer 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 :―
My invention refers to an appliance for holding mineral oil in combination with
an absorbent composition carried therein; except when the composition is utilized for
lighting domestic and other fires or for other lighting purposes, as for instance by
fishermen as a flare-up, by householders and others as a convenient light to go out
in the yard or street in search of anything, as a torch during foggy weather and such
like useful purposes.
According to my invention I make the appliance or vessel preferably of taper or
conical shape or having the mouth of smaller area than the body of said vessel.
This vessel contains some mineral oil such as kerosine oil, (together with a composition
or compound material such as that hereafter described capable of absorbing the
mineral oil contained in the said vessel or appliance) whereby the oil becomes incapable
of explosion even if a lighted kindler or match is placed therein.
In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view, and Figure 2 a
section of such an appliance constructed according to my invention as that before
referred to.
Although I do not limit myself to the size of the vessel or appliance B which would
be varied according to circumstances, I have found a convenient size for domestic
use to be about six inches high, two and three eighths inches diameter at the base,
and about five eighths of an inch smaller at the top. The size would be regulated
according to the size of the lighter or kindler A employed; and for safety the vessel
or appliance B should be tapered as shewn, for by this shape being adopted explosion
is rendered impossible, even though a lighted kindler or match be placed in the oil.
The absorbent composition A is composed of asbestos, fire-clay, pumice, and
sawdust, mixed together with water and then formed into a bulbous or other shape
to suit the vessel or appliance containing the mineral oil C, as aforesaid, intended to
receive same, and when thus formed it is burnt, but care must be taken not to burn
it too hard so as to destroy the absorbent qualities of the composition. A handle is
then applied to the composition prepared as before described which may conveniently
be made of twisted wire embracing the bulb at one end and formed into a ring at
the other; such a bulb with handle thus formed is shewn at Figure 3 and the drawing
shews the bulb alight.
The bulb of absorbent composition A¹ with the handle attached thereto is then
inserted in the vessel B containing the mineral oil C where the bulb quickly absorbs
the oil so that when removed from the vessel for use and a light is applied thereto,
the absorbed oil having generated a gas, a strong flame is produced suitable for
lighting domestic and other fires and for lighting purposes generally.
0

page_text: The composition is practically indestructible and incombustible and may be used
continuously for a great length of time and will burn from five to seven minutes or
thereabouts after every insertion, no matter how often used.
The vessel is provided with a hook D for suspending same when required.
By this invention a very useful domestic household requisite is provided which is
perfectly safe to use, and without producing dirt or giving trouble; it may also be
used as a substitute for lanterns and for any other lighting purpose such as those
before enumerated where an economical light is required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In fire-lighters, the combination of the mineral oil holding appliance, with
the bulbous or other shaped absorbent composition substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
2. The vessel B having a mouth of smaller area than the body the said vessel
being preferably of taper shape and employed for holding mineral oil and for
receiving a bulbous shaped lump fitted with handle as shewn as and for the purposes
set forth.
3. The absorbent composition prepared as described and utilized as a fire lighter
and for other lighting purposes generally, as set forth.