An Improved Non-conducting Composition and Covering for Steam- pipes, Boilers, and the like, Applicable also for Lining Safes, Refrigerators, and Carpets, and for other Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1888
Specification Accepted, 17th Aug., 1888
An Improved Non-conducting Composition and Covering for Steam-
pipes, Boilers, and the like, Applicable also for Lining Safes,
Refrigerators, and Carpets, and for other Purposes.
I, HENRY WARD JOHNS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident
of the City of New York' in the County and State of New York, United States of
America, residing at the Dakota Flats, 72d Street and 8th Avenue, in said City, a
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for FILLING, LINING
AND NON-CONDUCTING MATERIAL, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to a new and useful compound sheet, batting, or mass
peculiarly adapted for use as a boiler and pipe covering for preventing radiation of
heat therefrom, being also adapted to other uses, as for instance, carpet linings, filling
for safes, refrigerators &c., also for a sound deadening lining for partitions and for
other uses to which similar products are put and it consists in a sheet, block, or mass,
depending on the special form in which it is to be used, composed of fibrous asbestos
and small pieces or shreds of sponge, which give porosity, elasticity, lightness and
bulk to the product.
It is well known that air spaces or chambers are desirable in covering or filling
materials of the classes above stated, because they materially aid in preventing the
radiation of heat and also reduce the weight of the article and it may be made of the
requisite thickness by the employment of air spaces with less stock than would
otherwise be necessary.
In the manufacture of my improved products, I avail myself of a discovery, made
so far as I am aware by myself, of the peculiar "adhesive attraction," which exists
between the tentacle-like barbs or lashes of common sponge and the fine silk like fibres
of asbestos, whereby when the sponge is brought in contact with the separated fibres
of asbestos it lays hold thereon with great tenacity and if pressed together to even a
slight degree their subsequent separation is very difficult, and if formed into a layer
or mass, it will possess so much tenacity and adhesion as to form a felt, batting or
wadding of very considerable strength and firmness.

page_text: Figure 1. Hustrates a sectional view of a sheet of my improved pipe or boner
covering.
Figure 2. illustrates the same rolled up into cylindrical form, constituting a
sectional cylindrical pipe covering.
Figure 3. illustrates the edge of a sheet of my improved fabric, having a layer of
stronger material incorporated therewith, which gives it greater strength and also
increases the non-conducting qualities of the fabric.
Figure 4. illustrates the same as shown in Figure 3, corrugated.
Figure 5. illustrates the same as shown in Figure 3, indented.
Figure 6. illustrates a cross section of a piece of pipe covered with the compound
sheet shown in Figure 3.
Figure 7. illustrates the method preferred by me of attaching the ends of the
several sections and the edges of the longitudinally split pipe covering together.
I illustrate the two forms of my invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2, only, since
they are good examples of the covering and lining fabrics.
To make my covering, shown in Figures 1 and 2, which I will first describe, I take
fibrous ashesfos and disintegratel sponge, the sponge may be either picked apart, cut
or shreded, thus producing it in fibrous form, or in small pieces. I then unite these
two fibrous bodies, preferably in about equal proportions, although the proportion of
sponge will depend upon the degree of porosity desired in the product, and I then
form the combined mass of fibres into a shert, roll, block or other shaped mass of such
thickness or size as may be desired by a felting, wadding, carding, or batting process,
as may be preferred, or in uncompacted form as a filling material, or 1 first produce
a layer of the asbestos or of the sponge as the ease may be, and then superpose thereon
a layer of the other material, and in this way I build up a sheet or batting of such
thickness as desired, and it may be formed of successively alternating layers of the
asbestos and sponge or of two or more layers only and the sponge may be outermost
or the asbestos may be outermost as proferre:d. "For a covering for boilers and hot
pipes, I prefer that the asbestos should be outermost. For refrigerators, and partition
fillings of course these materials may be mixed in mass without regard to special
layers. The asbestos will render the product practically fire proof and the sponge
tire together with the asbestos will render it porous or full of air spaces, the sponge
may itself be treated with silicate of soda or other equivalent material which will
render it additionally fire proof, the sponge however, in combination with the asbestos
is practically fire proof without special treatment: the sponge may also be treated
with disinfecting or antiseptic substances whereby the product will be rendered vermin
proof, thus rendering it peculiarly valuable as a filling for partitions refrigerators, &e.
And it may be water proofed by a treatment with oil or its equivalent, thus repelling
moisture and avoiding dampness. The sponge may be shreded or cut, or otherwise
reduced to small pieces, us before stated, but I prefer shredded or fibered sponge which
gives a smoother and stronger product. The formation of the wadding or mass may
e facilitated by dampening the materials if desired, whereby they may be more
readily matted together, and in practice 1 employ a suitably arranged machine
provided with appliances for depositing the sponge and asbestos and suitable pressing
rollers for bringing the materials into close contact with each other. The apparatus
however, forms no part of my present invention. The surface of the sheets or mass
may be treated with a sizing or binding material, such as glue, sillicate of soda, and
the like io toughen and strengthen them.
In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a and b represent pieces of the sponge and c
represents tho asbestos.
It is obvious that practically the same product will be produced if a small porcentage
of material other than asbestos and sponge may be added. I prefer however, the
asbestos and sponge alone.
My products, both those shown in Figures 1 and 2 above described, and also those
horenfter to be described, possess certain characteristics not possessed by any like
manufactures known to me, in the same degree at least, if at all, among them the

page_text: following, unusual lightness in weight, i.e. large bulk for weight of material used.
Excessive porosity securing innumerable air spaces, which form a large part of the
mass or area of the products. Practical incombustability, great cheapness, great
elasticity, thus securing permanent contact with the surfaces against which they are
pressed, when used as non-conductors on pipes, boilers, walls, &c.
Another method by which my products shown in Figures 1 and 2, may be made is
to properly reduce the asbestos and sponge and pulp them as in paper making, and
in an ordinary paper makers' machine if desired. The two kinds of fibre may be
mixed in the vats or brought in contact with each other in separate layers as
preferred, and the products may be formed into suitable shapes by the aid of paper
makers appliances of such kind as desired. or by any other means.
In disintegrating certain classes of sponge. I find it desirable to soften the same
to prevent its powdering. I find that a weak alkaline solution is very effective for
this purpose, but any moistening process will answer the purpose.
Inasmuch as other materials may be added as above stated without doparting from
my invention, I desire to secure a material or article composed essentially of fibrous
asbestos and sponge wherever used in such proportions as will not change or detract
from the desirable quality of adhesive attraction" between these two substances,
i.e. a material in which asbestos and sponge are tho offective and distinguishing
elements.
When my improved product, composed of asbestos and sponge without the
strengthening sheet, as well as that hereafter to be described which has such sheet,
is used as a pipe covering, it may be arranged as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings,
that is to say, rolled up into cylindrical form, of such size as will fit the pipo which
it is intended to cover,
and slit open longitudinally to facilitate its application to the
pipes. A sheet of my product can be easily made into this form by wrapping the
sheet around a mandrel in any manner preferred, and there may be a single thickness
or more than one thickness of the sheet as shown in Figure 2.
The sheets by whichever process they are male, may be corrugated, indented, or
otherwise given an uneven surface, and then may be applied to steun boilers or pipes
in any manner now practiced, and when so use it should preferably be covered
externally with paper, canvass, asbestos sheathing, or the like to protect it against
wear.
My invention also consists in adhering to the surface of a strengthening and air
confining or insulating sheet a deposit or layer of the asbestos and sponge fabric above
described, whereby the strengthening and insulating sheet will give strength to the
compound sheet and will also add to its non-conducting qualities, and the asbestos
and sponge will act as practically fire-proof materials for confining the heat, and being
attached to the sheet of strengthening material, the compound sheet may be readily
rolled into sectional cylindrical coverings, substantiaily the same as before described,
and the fibrous material will not slide or settle down when placed on vertical pipes
This product is also like that first described, very compressible and elastic thus
perpetual contact with the surface against which it is pressed is secured, and by
reason of the great porosity possessed by sponge it has innumerable air
which
form a large part of the bulk of the covering or lining.
spaces,
This form of my invention, ie, that having a strengthening sheet incorporated with
the asbestos and sponge, is shown in Figures 3 to 7, in them A is a sheet of paper,
cloth, wool or hair felt, asbestos sheathing, wire cloth, or equivalent substance. It not
only acts to prevent radiation of heat, but also as a strengthening piece to hold the
fire proof or non-conducting fibrous asbestos and sponge in place. To one or both
surfaces of the strengthening piece A is attached, preferably by a cement composed of
sillicate of soda, although other suitable adhering material may be used a layer B of
the asbestos and sponge fabric above described and shown in Figures 1 and 2. Instead
of uniting the asbestos and sponge, however, into an organized sheet before applying
them to the strengthening piece the sponge may be first adhered to the surface of the
sheet and then the loose asbestos fibre be distributed upon the sponge and patted or
pressed thereon, or the asbestos may be first so adhered and the sponge placed on it,

page_text: this will adhere the asbestos and the sponge together. This adhesion of the noros or
asbestos to sponge is due to the peculiar "adhesive attraction" which exists between
these two substances as before stated.
In Figures and 4, I show the asbestos and sponge material B, applied to both
sides of the strengthening piece A; and in Figure 5 to one side only.
The composite sheet thus produced, may be flat, as shown in Figure 3, or corrugated
as shown in Figure 1, or indented as shown in Figure 5. When made for pipe
bo
covering, this composite sheet, the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 2, may
wound on a mandrel, thus interposing between each layer of the strengthening
material, one or two thicknesses of the asbestos and sponge depending on whether it
is applied to one or both sides of the strengthening layer. After the desired thickness
has been wound upon the mandrel, it is cut open lengthwise as at (, by any suitable
implement, so that the edges can be sprung apart whereby its application to the pipes
is facilitated, and preferably before removing it from the mandrel, and also preferably
before cutting or otherwise splitting it lengthwise, I drive into the outer surface
thereof, the tang of metallic hooks or buttons D 1), they may however, be otherwise
attached if preferred. The hooks or buttons are arranged on two parallel lines each
side of the propose line on which the covering is to be cut open, as stated, and near
the edges formed by the cut. And I also sometimes supply a single row of these
hooks around each end of each section of the covering, all as shown in Figure 7. By
means of these hooks or buttons and a lncing of wire, asbestos or other cord, or
equivalent material, whether fire proof or not the edges of the longitudinal opening
or slit may be drawn firmly together and held in place; and also the abutting ends of
contiguous sections may be bound to each other, thus making a continuous and
practically unbroken covering for the pipe. After the wire, asbestos cord or other
lacing has been engaged with the hooks or buttons, and drawn tight, the exterior of
the covering may be made more smooth by bending the ends of the hooks or the tops
of the buttons down, or driving them in, thus embedding them in the surface of the
covering, by a blow from a mallet or otherwise, which will also tend to prevent
the lacing from slipping. A cement or layer of fire may be interposed between the
elges of the slits, which when they are drawn firmly together will effectually close
the joint.
It is not essential to this part of my invention that the hooks or buttons should he
employed, the edges and ends of the several sections may be brought together by
wrapping with cord, or sewed with wire or cord, or united in any other desired
manner.
If desired the sponge may be treated with silicate of soda, or its equivalent, to
render it additionally fire proof.
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
:
First The herein described manufacture, composed of fibrous asbestos and fibrous
or disintegrated sponge, substantially as so forth."
Second-The herein described manufacture, composed essentially of fibrous
asbestos, fibrous or disintegrated sponge and an adhesive substance, substantially as
set forth.
Third The herein described manufacture composed essentially of fibrous asbestos,
fibrous or disintegrated sponge and an antiseptic or disinfecting substanco, substantially
as set forth.
Fourth-The herein described manufacture, composed essentially of fibrous asbestos
and librous or disintegrated sponge, the sponge boing treated with a fireproofing
material, substantially as set forth.
Fifth-The heroin described manufacture, composed essentially of fibrous asbestos
and fibrous or disintegrated sponge, the sponge being treated with oil or like water-
proofing material, substantially as set forth.
Sixth-The herein described compound sheet, composed of loose fibrous asbestos

page_text: and disintegrated sponge attached to the surface of an insulating sheet, substantially as
set forth.
Seventh-As a new manufacture the described boiler and pipe covering composed
of fibrous asbestos and disintegrated sponge, attached to the surface of an insulating
sheet and made into cylindrical sections, substantially as set forth.
:-
Eighth The described improvement in sectional pipe and boiler covering, con-
sisting of hooks or buttons attached at or near the edges of the covering adapted to
engage with a cord, wire, or equivalent article whereby the edges of the covering may
be drawn together and the seam closed, substantially as set forth.
T
1000