Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1899- Accepted, 30th Dec., 1899
A communication from abroad by EMMA FRANCES VALENTINE, of Chatham, County
of Morris, State of New Jersey, United States of America, Manufacturer..
I, JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN, of the Firm of J. C. Mewburn & Ellis, of 55 and 56,
Chancery Lane, in the County of London, Chartered l'atent Agents, do hereby,
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows;-
-
This invention relates to vaporizers and like devices for use for vaporizing,
evaporating, volatilizing or burning medicinal, fumigating, disinfecting or other
substances, apparatus of this character being especially useful for vaporizing
chemical or medicinal substances in sick rooms, and generally comprising a
standard or frame, a base, a lamp or heater connected to the base, a vaporizing
vessel carried, by the frame above the lamp and adapted to hold the substance to
be heated, and a flue for directing the heat from the heater toward the vessel,
various constructions of this general character having been manufactured for this
purpose.
With vaporizers as heretofore constructed, it has been difficult to avoid over-
heating the last of the substance in the basin without using a deflector between
the basin and heater, and when using the deflector it has been difficult to always
be sure of sufficient heat in the basin. Insufficient heat gives imperfect or
inadequate effects, and overheating destroys the medicinal properties of the sub-
stances, or its order or quality, sometimes actually burning it. Slowness in
starting vaporization has also, been objectionable.
The present invention aims to provide improvements whereby vaporization can be
initiated more quickly and effected more uniformly and satisfactorily, a better
temperature throughout the substance being vaporized can be maintained, the
construction of the vaporizer can be simplified and improved, and the deflector
can be dispensed with if desired.
To this end in carrying out this invention, I provide an annular vaporizing
vessel having a central heating chamber or portion surrounded by the substance
to be vaporized, so that the heat radiates outwardly through this substance, and
the main body of the substance is not directly over the heater, and I provide
this basin with a central chamber in its under side for receiving the heat from
the heater, and I preferably provide a flue for directing heat from the heater
into this chamber, outlets for the heat above the chamber, and means for con-
trolling or regulating the escape of heat therefrom, and I prefer to rigidly con-
nect the basin and frame together, and I provide certain other features of improve-
ment, all of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.
I will first describe in detail the preferred embodiment of the invention, in
which I employ a base, a heater, a frame, a basin and a flue. These parts may
be of any usual or suitable construction and arrangement in their general features.
The base may be the usual ring, to one side of which the frame is fastened, as
by a rivet or other suitable fastening means. The heater may consist of a lamp

page_text: having an oil vessel setting into the base, a burner and chimney opening beneath
the tue, so that the heat trom the lamp will rise through the latter to the basin.
The basin is of metal or other material suitable for holding the liquid or sub-
stance to be vaporized, and is carried by the frame above the flue. The heat
from the lamp vaporizes the liquid, and the vapors float away in the air for
medicinal, disinfecting or deoderizing purposes, the speed of evaporation being
determined by adjusting the heat by raising or lowering the wick.
According to one feature of improvement form the basin with an annular
liquid chamber surrounding the source of heat, so that the main body of liquid
will not be directly over the heat, whereby the heat will be conducted radially
outward through the liquid for more uniformly evaporating it and preventing
burning of the last remaining portion of the liquid; according to another feature
of improvement I construct the basin with a central shallow portion or elevated
heating surface over the source of heat or in line with the direction of delivery
of heat to the basin, over which surface the liquid will flow when the basin is
filled to the proper point, whereby a thin body of liquid may be exposed to great
heat at first, and will suffice for the initial vaporization, while the main body
of liquid is being raised to the proper temperature. This depth of liquid being
preferably just enough to provide vaporization until vaporization of the main
body begins. This ensures an immediate and sufficient volume of vapors upon
lighting the lamp.
According to another feature of improvement I provide the basin with a concave
or tubular under side constituting a heat chamber rising within and preferably
through the liquid for applying the heat thereto, which chamber holds the heated
air and transmits the heat through its walls to the surrounding liquid.
I preferably also provide the basin with a top wall for this chamber, and with
one or more heat outlets through this wall.
I prefer to support the basin rigidly from the frame at a point within the said
chamber, as by constructing the frame with a portion or projection carrying
the basin, as by being rigidly connected to the top wall thereof, by a rivet or other
suitable means.
I prefer to provide adjustable means for controlling the escape of heat through
the chamber, as for example a cap, which is movable and removably mounted
over the chamber, and has an outlet orifice through which the heat may escape.
The cap may have a lip fitting frictionally over a cylindrical wall on the basin,
so that by adjusting the cap up or down the freedom for escape of heat up through
the apertures through the cap and out of the aperture in the cap is regulated.
I prefer to partly enclose the under side of the heat chamber, as by an annular
ring-shaped cup or flange, which may have an aperture through which the pro-
jection carrying the basin rises, which aperture surrounds the open upper end of
the flue, and permits heat therefrom to rise into the chamber, but checks side
drafts of air or back drafts of heat from the chamber. This flange may be riveted
to the basin, or fastened in any way so that one of such parts suitably holds the
other.
The flue is an ordinary flue having an out-swaged neck passing through an
eye in the frame.
The lamp is preferably constructed with a transparent chimney so that the
users can tell the height of the flame by looking through the chimney, which
chimney has a lip and a body of greater diameter than said lip, my invention
providing an opaque shade for keeping the light from striking the eyes of a
patient, which shade is supported by the chimney having rests of sufficient diameter
to fall over the lip of said chimney and rest on the body thereof, for holding the
shade in place.
In use, the liquid will be poured into the basin in the quantity desired. If
immediate vaporization is wished for, the level of the liquid will be brought
slightly above the primary vaporizing surface before referred to. The lamp
will be lighted and adjusted to give the desired height. The heat striking

page_text: through said surface will at once start vaporization there, and that in the confined
chamber will radiate into the main body of the liquid, gently elevating its tem-
perature, and starting vaporization by the time the level of the liquid has been
reduced by vaporization so that the liquid no longer covers said primary vaporizing
surface. Vaporization will continue under the radiated heat until the last of
the liquid is evaporated, and there will be no overheating or burning by reason
of the liquid being directly in the path of flow of heat from the heater to the
basin. Adjustment will be effected by the lamp in the usual way, or by manipula-
ting the cap.
It will be seen that my invention provides improvements which can be readily
and advantageously availed of, and it will be understood that the invention is
not limited to the particular details of construction, arrangement and combina-
tion of parts set forth as constituting its preferred form, but that it can be employed
in whole or in part according to such modifications as circumstances or the
judgment of those skilled in the art, may dictate.
.
According to one modification the basin may have the primary vaporizing sur-
face, and the heat chamber, and reservoir, but the cap and flange may be omitted,
the regulation of the escape of heat from the chamber being dispensed with.
According to another modification the basin may have the reservoir, but no
initial vaporizing surface. In this construction the chamber may be open at the
top and closed at the bottom, the cap being used to control the area of and the
outlet from the chamber, and the flange may be riveted to the neck of the flue
for holding the basin from the frame.
According to still another modification, the flange may be extended to form
a complete cup, being riveted to the neck of the flue, and supported thereby from
the frame, and may have an upturned edge within which the basin fits. The
basin in this construction may have an annular primary vaporizing portion, while
the heat chamber may have outlets in its top wall inwardly of said portion.
Dated this 20th February 1899.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agents.
A communication from abroad by EMMA FRANCES VALENTINE, of Chatham, County
of Morris, State of New Jersey, United States of America, Manufacturer.
I, JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN, of the Firm of J. C. Mewburn & Ellis, of 55 and 56,
Chancery Lane, in the County of London, Chartered Patent Agents, 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:-
This invention relates to vaporizers and like devices for use for vaporizing,
evaporating, volatilizing or burning medicinal, fumigating, disinfecting or other
substances, apparatus of this character being especially useful for vaporizing
chemical or medicinal substances in sick rooms, and generally comprising a
standard or frame, a base, a lamp or heater connected to the base, a vaporizing
vessel carried by the frame above the lamp and adapted to hold the substance to
be heated, and a flue for directing the heat from the heater toward the vessel,
various constructions of this general character having been manufactured for this
purpose.

page_text: With vaporizers as heretofore constructed, it has been difficult to avoid over-
heating the last of the substance in the basin without using a deflector between
the basin and heater, and when using the deflector it has been difficult to always
be sure of sufficient heat in the basin. Insufficient heat gives imperfect or
inadequate effects, and overheating destroys the medicinal properties of the sub-
stances, or its odor or quality, sometimes actually burning it. Slowness in
starting vaporization has also been objectionable.
My invention aims to provide improvements whereby vaporization can be
initiated more quickly and effected more uniformly and satisfactorily, a better
temperature throughout the substance being vaporized can be maintained. the
construction of the vaporizer can be simplified and improved, and the deflector
can be dispensed with if desired.
To this end in carrying out my invention, I provide an annular vaporizing
vessel having a central heating chamber or portion surrounded by the substance
to be vaporized, so that the heat radiates outwardly through this substance, and
the main body of the substance is not directly over the heater, and I provide
this basin with a central chamber in its under side for receiving the heat from
the heater, and I preferably provide a flue for directing heat from the heater
into this chamber, outlets for the heat above the chamber, and means for con-
trolling or regulating the escape of heat therefrom, and I provide an annular
interceptor having a flange beneath the annular liquid chamber for intercepting
direct flow of heat from the heater thereto, and I prefer to rigidly con-
nect the basin and frame together, and I provide certain other features of improve-
ment, all of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the preferred form of my vaporizer;
.
Fig. 2 is a similar view, certain parts being in axial section and the heater
removed;
Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the cap partly broken away;
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2, but showing a modification;
Fig. 5 is a similar view showing another modification; and
Fig. 6 is a like view showing another modification.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, I will first describe in detail
the preferred embodiment of my invention as therein shown, in which A is
the base of a vaporizer, B the heater thereof, C the frame, D the basin,
E the liquid, F the interceptor, and M. the flue. These parts may be of any
usual or suitable construction and arrangement in their general features. The
base A is the usual ring, to one side of which the frame C is fastened, as by
the rivet a. The heater shown consists of a lamp having an oil vessel b setting
into the base, a burner c, and chimney d opening beneath the flue M, so that
the heat from the lamp will rise through the latter to the basin. The basin is
of metal or other material suitable for holding the liquid or substance to be
vaporized, and is carried by the frame above the flue. The heat from the lamp
vaporizes the liquid, and the vapors float away in the air for medicinal, disin-
fecting or deodorizing purposes, the speed of evaporation being determined by
adjusting the heat by raising or lowering the wick.
According to one feature of improvement I form the basin with an annular
liquid chamber e surrounding the source of heat, so that the main body of liquid
will not be directly over the heat, whereby the heat will be conducted radially
outward through the liquid for more uniformly evaporating it and preventing
burning of the last remaining portion of the liquid; according to another feature
of improvement I construct the basin with a central shallow portion or elevated
heating surface G, over the source of heat or in line with the direction of delivery
of heat to the basin, over which surface the liquid will flow when the basin is
filled to the proper point, whereby a thin body of liquid may be exposed to great
heat at first, and will suffice for the initial vaporization. while the main body
is being raised to the proper temperature. This depth of liquid being

page_text: preferably just enough to provide vaporization until vaporization of the main
body begins. This ensures an immediate and sufficient volume of vapors upon
lighting the lamp.
According to another feature of improvement I provide the basin with a concave
or tubular under side constituting a heat chamber H rising within and preferably
through the liquid for applying the heat thereto, which chamber holds the heated
air and transmits the heat through its walls f to the surrounding liquid.
I preferably also provide the basin with a top wall g for this chamber, and with
one or more heat outlets h through this wall.
I prefer to support the basin rigidly from the frame C at a point within the
chamber H, as by constructing the frame with a portion or projection I carrying
the basin, as by being rigidly connected to the top wall thereof by the rivet i.
I preferably provide adjustable means for controlling the escape of heat through
the chamber H, as for example the cap J, which is movable and removably
mounted over the chamber, and has an outlet orifice j through which heat may
escape. The cap is shown as having a lip K fitting frictionally over a cylindrical
wall on the basin, so that by adjusting the cap up or down the freedom for
escape of heat up through the apertures h through the cap and out of the aper-
ture is regulated.
I prefer to partly enclose the under side of the heat chamber, as by an annular
ring-shaped cup or flange L, which is shown as having an aperture through which
the projection I rises, which aperture surrounds the open upper end of the
flue F, and permits heat therefrom to rise into the chamber, but checks side drafts
of air or back drafts of heat from the chamber. The flange L is shown as riveted
to the basin, but it may be fastened in any way so that one of such parts suitably
holds the other.
The flue of the interceptor is the ordinary flue having an out-swaged neck M
passing through an eye m of the frame. The interceptor flares outwardly under-
neath the liquid chamber e and between it and the heater, and prevents any
direct flow of heat from the heater to the under side of the liquid chamber.
The lamp is preferably constructed with a transparent chimney d, so that the
users can tell the height of the flame by looking through the chimney, which
chimney has a lip N, and a body of greater diameter than the lip, my invention
providing an opaque shade for keeping the light from striking the eyes of a
patient, which shade is supported by the chimney having the rests o of sufficient.
diameter to fall over the lip N and rest on the body n for holding the shade in
place.
In use, the liquid will be poured into the basin in the quantity desired. If
immediate vaporization is wished for, the level of the liquid will be brought
slightly above the primary vaporizing surface G. The lamp will be lighted and
adjusted to give the desired height. The heat striking through the surface G.
will at once start vaporization there, and that in the confined chamber H will
radiate into the main body of the liquid, gently elevating its temperature, and
starting vaporization by the time the level of the liquid has been reduced by
vaporization, so that the liquid no longer covers the surfaces G. Vaporization
will continué under the radiated heat until the last of the liquid is evaporated,
and there will be no overheating or burning by reason of the liquid being directly
in the path of flow of heat from the heater to the basin. Adjustment will be
effected by the lamp in the usual way, or by manipulating the cap J.
It will be seen that my invention provides improvements which can be readily
and advantageously availed of, and it will be understood that the invention is
not limited to the particular details of construction, arrangement and combina-
tion of parts shown as constituting its preferred form, but that it can be employed
in whole or in part according to such modifications as circumstances or the
judgment of those skilled in the art, may dictate.
In Fig. 4, the basin D has the surface G¹ and chamber H, and reservoir e,
the cap and the flange being omitted, and regulation of the escape of heat from

page_text: the chamber-being dispensed with. In other respects this construction is similar
to that described before except that the flange L is omitted.
t
Fig. 5 shows the basin D having the reservoir e but no initial vaporizing
surface. In this construction the chamber H is open at top and closed at bottom,
a cap J being used to control the area of and the outlet from the chamber, and
the flange L being riveted under the neck of the flue M of the interceptor F
for holding the basin from the frame C¹.
Fig. 6 shows a construction in which the flange L" is extended to form.a
complete, cup, being riveted under the neck of the flue M of the interceptor F,
and supported thereby from the frame C, and having an upturned edge P within
which the basin D3 fits. The basin here has an annular primary vaporizing por-
tion G, while the chamber H has outlets h in its top wall inwardly of the
portion G. The cup-like flange L here shown makes intimate contact with
the outer side of the basin and prevents heating of this part of the basin. ..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what
I claim is-
1. In vaporizers, the combination with a heater and a frame, of a basin carried
by the frame and having a central protuberance and an annular liquid chamber
surrounding said protuberance on its top side, and a central cavity beneath said
protuberance at its bottom side and surrounded by said liquid chamber, said
basin supported by said frame with its cavity over said heater, whereby heat
may arise into the cavity for heating liquid in said chamber from the inner side
of the latter.
2. In vaporizers, the combination with a heater and a frame, of a basin carried
by the frame and having a central protuberance and an annular liquid chamber
surrounding said protuberance on its top side, and a central cavity beneath said
protuberance at its bottom side and surrounded by said liquid chamber, and a
Hue carried by said frame for receiving heat from said heater and directing it
into said cavity.
3. In vaporizers, the combination with a heater and a frame, of a basin carried
by the frame and having a central protuberance and an annular liquid chamber
surrounding said protuberance on its top side, and a central cavity beneath said
protuberance at its bottom side and surrounded by said liquid chamber, and an
annular interceptor between said basin and heater, preventing direct flow of heat
against the bottom of said chamber, and permitting flow of heat into said
cavity.
4. In vaporizers, the combination with a heater and a frame, of a vaporizing
vessel carried by the frame having an outer annular liquid chamber, and a central
upward protuberance of less height than the outer walls of the basin, said basin
formed with a heat chamber beneath said protuberance, whereby the contents of
the vessel may cover said protuberance, and the shallow liquid covering the
protuberance may be first heated.
5. In vaporizers, the combination with a heater and a frame, of a basin having
an annular liquid chamber and a central protuberance on its upper side and a
cavity beneath said protuberance on its under side, said basin engaged and sup-
ported by said frame within said cavity.
6. In vaporizers, the combination with a heater and a frame, of an annular
basin carried by the frame over a source of heat, having a central aperture and
a heat chamber beneath said aperture, whereby heat may flow through the center
of the vessel, and its contents can be heated from the interior.
7. In vaporizers, the combination with a heater and a basin, of a frame having
two arms, one supporting said basin, and a flue supported by the other beneath
said basin for directing heat-thereto.
8. In vaporizers, the combination with a heater and a frame, of a basin carried
by said frame over the heater, and having a central heat chamber formed in

page_text: its under side, a flue carried by said frame between the basin and heater for
directing heat into said chamber, and an outlet for heat from said chamber.
9. In vaporizers, the combination with a heater and a frame, of a basin carried
by said frame over the heater, and having a central heat chamber formed in
its under side, a flue carried by said frame between the basin and heater for
directing heat into said chamber, and a flange between the basin and flue beneath
said chamber.
10. The improved construction of vaporizer shown in Figure 2, comprising the
basin 1) and having an annular liquid chamber and a central heat chamber, the
flue M beneath the heat chamber, the frame C carrying the flue and basin, the
flange L beneath the basin, and the cap J above the basin.
11. in vaporizers, the improved construction shown in Figure 4, comprising
a frame for holding a basin above a heater, the basin D having a closed central
heat chamber H in its under side, a flue for directing heat into such chamber,
and a space between the top of the flue and bottom of the chamber for permitting
escape of heat.
a
12. In vaporizers, the improved vaporizer shown in Figure 5, comprising
frame, a basin having a central heat chamber consisting of a cavity in its under
side, and a flue for directing heat into said cavity, a Hange closing the bottom
of said cavity and extending between the flue and the bottom of the basin, and
a frame supporting the flue and the basin.
13. In vaporizers, the improved construction shown in Figure 6, comprising
a cup-like flange supported by a frame, a flue for directing heat into said flange,
and a basin fitting in said flange and having an annular liquid chamber and a
central protuberance on its top side and a central cavity on its bottom side con-
stituting a heat chamber within said flange opposite said flue.
Dated this 20th day of November 1899.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agents.