IMPROVED COM- BINATIONS OF MATERIALS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GASES FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE; FOR PURIFYING NOXIOUS AIR, GAS, OR VAPOUR; ALSO FOR PRESERVING FOOD, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES; AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN PART THEREWITH
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Leopold Loewenthal, of Elgin Road, Saint Peter's Park,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVED COM-
BINATIONS OF MATERIALS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GASES FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRE; FOR PURIFYING NOXIOUS AIR, GAS, OR VAPOUR; ALSO FOR PRESERVING
FOOD, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES; AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN PART
THEREWITH."
Sealed the 28th August 1877, and dated the 11th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Leopold Loewenthal at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th May 1877.
"
LEOPOLD LOEWENTHAL, of Elgin Road, Saint Peter's Park, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman. IMPROVED COMBINATIONS OF MATERIALS FOR THE MANU-
FACTURE OF GASES FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE; FOR PURIFYING NOXIOUS AIR, GAS,
OR VAPOUR; ALSO FOR PRESERVING FOOD AND OTHER SUBSTANCES; AND IN APPA-
RATUS TO BE USED IN PART THEREWITH."
This Invention relates,―
Firstly. To a certain combination of materials or ingredients and the manufacture
of a gas therefrom by which fire and flame can be subdued or extinguished.
Secondly. To the employment of the same materials or ingredients for purifying,
revivifying, and ventilating noxious air, gas, or vapours; also the breath of persons
exposed to or operating therein, as, for example, in mines, sewers, or under water.
Thirdly. To another combination of same materials or ingredients for the manu-
facture of a gas suitable for preserving solid and liquid food, and other substances.
Fourthly. To another combination of the same materials or ingredients for the
manufacture of a gas containing antiseptic and disinfecting properties suitable for
bottled drinks and sanitary purposes.
Fifthly. To the construction and adaptation of apparatus or appliances in which

page_text: the said materials or ingredients are stored for the use of firemen, divers, and the
like, either in combination with or without the gas.
The materials from which my gas or gases is or are made are,-
1. Charcoal from the outer crust or exterior of bones, or of bones from which the
soft interior fibrous and celular parts have been removed.
2. Charcoal of soft woods, preferably of pine.
3. Charcoal of furnace coke from which the sulphur has been extracted, all three
materials having been thoroughly desiccated.
For the manufacture of gas from the above for subdueing or extinguishing fire
I take, 4 parts (animal) bone charcoal; 15 parts (vegetable) soft wood charcoal;
and 1 part (mineral) charcoal of furnace coke.
These are intermixed and placed in an oven or retort to be heated from below or
from a fire surrounding it. The oven or retort is closed, and the heat causes a gas
or combination of gases to be formed, which can be drawn off by suction or other-
wise to a receptacle for storage.
The dry gas so made can be supplied to an engine or other vehicle or receptacle,
portable or stationary, from which it can be discharged by opening a tap or valve.
This gas has the power of instantly extinguishing flame of great intensity, whether
from any ordinary combustible substance, or fluid, or petroleum and other hydro-
carbons; or the gas can be associated with or joined to any water discharge, say, a
pump, hydrant, or fire engine, so that the gas will thoroughly saturate the water,
and thereby be carried with it to the desired spot with the stream, jet, or spray.
The gas for the preservation of food, according to the third part of my Invention,
is produced in a similar manner as for the first, the materials being in the following
proportions 15 parts (animal) bone charcoal, as before set forth; 4 parts
(vegetable) soft wood charcoal, as before; 1 part (mineral) charcoal of furnace coke,
as before.
This gas is forced into close chambers or vessels containing fresh meat, poultry,
or fish, which are hung or suspended apart from each other in order that the gas
may surround them, and ensure a complete distribution throughout the chambers or
vessels.
The gas for charging drinks, according to the fourth part of my Invention, is pro-
duced in a similar manner as for the first and second parts, the proportions of the
ingredients or materials being, -15 parts (mineral) charcoal of furnace coke; 4 parts
(animal) charcoal of bone exterior; 1 part (vegetable) charcoal of soft wood.
This gas is admitted to bottles or receptacles already filled with a liquid, or it can
be admitted in combination therewith, as in the ordinary manner of carbonic acid gas,
the antiseptic properties of the charcoal being of great value hygenically.
The gas, according to the last part, is also applicable for revivifying and
improving the air in close or confined spaces, and can be used with advantage by
firemen, divers, and others working in smoke and deleterious gases or vapours, or
under water.
In the case of firemen and divers I purpose employing the ingredients or materials
(from which I make my gas) within a vessel divided into separate compartments, so
that the breath of the user, as it flows into the apparatus through suitable tubes
and valves from the mouth and nostrils, is deprived of its deleterious properties by
passing through the materials or ingredients therein, whereby it becomes revivified,
and is then rebreathable.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Leopold Loewenthal in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
November 1877.
LEOPOLD LOEWENTHAL, of Elgin Road, Saint Peter's Park, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman. "IMPROVED COMBINATIONS OF MATERIALS FOR THE MANU-
FACTURE OF GASES FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE; FOR PURIFYING NOXIOUS AIR, GAS,
OR VAPOUR; ALSO FOR PRESERVING FOOD AND OTHER SUBSTANCES; AND IN APPA-
RATUS TO BE USED IN PART THEREWITH."
My Invention is in part based upon that which is described in the Specifications
of Letters Patent granted to Thomas Atkins, and dated 4 March 1870, No. 642,
and 31 August 1870, No. 2377.
The first part of my Invention relates to improved combinations of materials for
the manufacture or production of a gas or gases by their combustion, which is made
as complete as possible.
The gas or gases are applicable to the following and other purposes for which
incombustible gases may be used:—
Firstly. For extinguishing fire and purifying noxious air, gas, or vapours.
Secondly. For preserving, purifying, or refining animal, vegetable, and mineral
substances.
Thirdly. For effervescing drinks and sanitary purposes.
The materials, by the combustion of which I obtain the gas or gases employed by
me in the manner and for the purposes herein-after described, are animal, vegetable,
and mineral charcoal, anthracite coal, or coke, which are selected, and prepared, and
combined as herein-after mentioned, the proportions which I find can be most
advantageously used being stated in each case.
Animal charcoal from the outer crust or exterior of well charred animal bones, the
interior fibrous or cellular parts having been previously removed by heat.
Vegetable or soft wood charcoal, preferably of English pine or fir.
And mineral charcoal, anthracite coal, or furnace coke from which the bituminous
and sulphurous contents have been extracted, all of which having been thoroughly
desiccated (which is a matter of great importance), by any of the ordinary known
means.
These materials, so selected, prepared, and desiccated, as herein described, I
combine in different proportions for the production of a mixed gas or gases by their
combustion ; and I have found that for the purpose of extinguishing fire, preventing
spontaneous or other combustions, explosions, and overheat, also for purifying noxious
air, gas, or vapour, a basis consisting of a comparatively large proportion of vege-
table or soft wood charcoal may be advantageously used to give the best result, that
is to say, about-
15 parts by weight vegetable or soft wood charcoal, preferably
English pine or fir.
4 parts by weight animal charcoal, prepared as described; and
1 part by weight mineral charcoal, or anthracite coal, or
furnace coke.

page_text: The manner in which I obtain these gases by the combustion of the above-
mentioned materials, which should be as complete as possible, is as follows:-The
materials (after selection, préparation, and desiccation) are well intermixed, freed
from dust, and placed into a stove or furnace, which may be constructed of any
suitable size, shape, or material, either having fire-bars, grating, or perforations, and
being closed on the top, and provided with a draft tube, or chimney, or other like
arrangement for obtaining as complete a combustion as possible of the above-named
materials. Valves, dampers, or other contrivances regulate the admission of air for
producing rapid or slow combustion. The materials are either fired or burned from
below upwards, or from their upper part downwards, preferring the former on
account of facilities for working. Perpendicular rods or tubes may be inserted or
fixed to the grate corresponding to the height of the material or fuel, so as to induce
currents of air through the burning mass at a greater rate. For an outlet for the
gas I fix a perforated tube around the sides within and near the top of the furnace
above the fuel, the end of which tube may extend outwards to any required length,
so as to permit the discharge of the gas or gases as soon as generated, either by their
own specific gravity, or by drawing them off by connecting the end of this discharge
tube with a pump, which pump may also draw water from a tank or other head,
and discharge the gas so combined with the water, or in its acriform state, upon or
into any desirable place, vessel, or receptacle under any required pressure, and either
in the form of a jet, spray, mist, or otherwise.
I now proceed to describe; with reference to the Drawings (Sheet 1), an engine
or apparatus which I prefer to employ for generating or producing my gas or gases,
but to which I lay no claim.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a hand fire engine or apparatus having two.
pumps; Figure 2 is a plan; Figure 3, a back or end view; and Figure 4, a front
view.
a is the furnace, which is provided with a grating or perforated bottom, and upon
which the combined materials are placed, being introduced through the chimney a¹;
they are fired from below, burning upwards. The furnace is connected with the
pump c by the tube b. Water may be drawn into the water pump d through the
suction pipe e, which may be so contrived as to draw water either from the tank f
or from a cistern, pond, or other water supply or head situated at a distance from
the engine. The gas and water are delivered by their respective pumps through
the pipes g, g', which are connected together at h, and from thence they pass into a
receiver or container i through the pipe ¹ and connection k.
Valves sustaining the pressure and preventing back action may be placed where
desirable.
The delivery hose is attached to the cock pat the bottom of the receiver when the
gas and water combined is to be used, but when the gas alone in its dry aeriform
state is required, it is discharged through the pipe l attached to the connection k at
the top of the receiver.
Instead of separate pumps for gas and water, one pump for both gas and water
may be used when required.
m is the pressure gauge, n'is the water gauge, and o, o, are the handles by which
the gas and water pumps are worked.
An envelope, cover, or jacket of wood or other light suitable material lined inside
with burned cork or other non-conducting material may be used to cover the
furnace, so as to prevent loss of heat by radiation.
Receivers, portable or stationary, of any desirable size, shape, or material, and
provided with the necessary tubes, valves, taps, mixing chambers, sustaining powers,
and other suitable contrivances, may be charged with this gas or gaseous fluid under
pressure, and may be discharged or liberated (through proper outlets, valves, taps,
tubes, or other appliances) wherever and whenever required.
In mines, buildings, ships, and other places or structures, tubes and branch pipes
may be distributed throughout the same in manner similar to gas fittings in houses,
and these may be connected with a receiver containing this gas or gaseous fluid

page_text: under pressure, or with a pumping machine (similar to the one illustrated) capable
of producing such gas. This pumping and receiving apparatus may be moveable or
stationary, and may be worked by hand, horse, steam, air, or other known motive
power, the heat from the furnace and the waste gases being made available whenever
practicable.
A friction or gear wheel or wheels may be mounted on the engine, and receive
motion from one or more of the driving wheels, and transmit the power or motion
as received to the pump or pumps as the engine is moved along or impelled.
In cargoes, stores, or packages of coal, grain; seed, cotton, flax, or the like, or in
tanks or vessels containing oils, hydrocarbons, petroleum, or other combustible or
inflammable substances or liquids, I distribute pipes or tubes either perforated or
provided with other outlets throughout, around, or upon the surface of such com-
bustibles, and I connect these tubes with one or more receivers containing this gas
in a dry aeriform state, or with a suitable pumping engine producing or generating
the same, and by the aid of cocks, valves, delivery tubes, or hose and nozzles, it
may be liberated on the slightest indication of fire, overheat, or inflammable gas,
or vapours, and explosions, spontaneous or other combustion, or overheat thereby
prevented.
For preserving purposes I place the substances to be preserved into air-tight
vessels from which the air has been exhausted, or having two orifices, through one
of which this gas is forced in so as to drive out the atmospheric air through the
other, and I close them both as soon as proper tests indicate that all the air is
driven out, and the vessel is entirely filled with my gas. The pressure must be
adapted to the nature of the substance to be preserved.
For drinking purposes the gas may be forced into vessels containing water, syrups,
alcoholic or other drinks in a manner similar to that employed for charging aerated
waters, and closed by self-acting valves;
The second part of my Invention relates to a respirator, aeriphore, or air-tight
apparatus containing the same materials, viz., animal, vegetable, and mineral char-
coal; and which may be worn in manner similar to a knapsack; or otherwise, by
persons employed in submarine operations, or in mines, or wherever noxious gas, air,
or vapour prevails, and prevents or impedes breathing.
Figure 5 (Sheet 2) is a front elevation; Figure 6, a plan; and Figure 7, a sectional
elevation taken on the line a, ẞ, of Figure 5.
J is a vessel, chamber, or case constructed preferably of metal, and divided into
spaces or compartments j, j, having perforations, apertures, or other like openings,
so as to admit the breath to the materials therein. These spaces or compartments j¹,
which may if desired be in onc, contain the same materials or ingredients from
which I make my gas for preserving purposes, as herein-before stated under the
second head, and which I either form into porous blocks or granulate. If in a gra-
nulated state, it is introduced through the orifices o, o, closed by stoppers, but if
placed therein in blocks the blocks are introduced before the cover of the case is
soldered or fitted on.
k, k, are two diaphragins of india-rubber, gutta percha, or other suitable flexible
or elastic material placed inside the chamber J, and expanding and collapsing in
accordance with the action of the breath of the user. 1, 11, are discs of wire gauze
or other metallic covering placed outside the chamber J to protect the diaphragms
from injury. m, m³, are endless fabrics passing over rollers m², m³. The fabric.m
is saturated with lime water, milk of lime, or other liquid capable of absorbing car-
bonic acid gas, such liquid being admitted through the orifices n, n, also closed by
stoppers or valves. The fabric m¹ is kept moist with fresh water. p, p, are wells
for receiving the lime water, or milk of lime, and the fresh water, so as to keep the
respective fabrics always moist by means of capillary attraction or otherwise. Or
the endless fabrics may be dispensed with, and the breath.of the user as it leaves
the lungs may be made to pass direct through a solid absorbent of carbonic acid gas,
or through the lime water or milk of lime, by means of a tube dipping into such
liquid.

page_text: An injector or injectors placed outside the vessel or chamber may be employed
for injecting the liquids, fresh air, or my gas.
The breath as it leaves the lungs and issues from the mouth or nostrils of the
user, or through both, passes into a mouth-piece x, which may be so formed as to
enclose the nose, and through a valve s into the tube s*. It then enters the
chamber J through the tube 82, which terminates in a horizontal perforated tube 8³,
and passes through the fabric m (saturated with the lime water or milk of lime), or
direct into the lime water or milk of lime, and then through the combined materials
or ingredients contained in the compartments j¹, j. In these compartments it
becomes further purified, and passes through the fabric m¹ (saturated with water),
and into another horizontal perforated tube 84, thence up into the tubes so and so; it
now passes through the valve s7, and re-enters the lungs of the user through the
mouth-piece x in a rebreathable state or condition. This action is repeated at each
respiration of the user. The arrows indicate the direction of the breath.
V, V, are inlets and outlets (provided with stoppers or valves) for admitting
the water and milk of lime, or lime water, into the vessel or chamber, or for
emptying it.
Ware hooks to which is attached a strap, so that the apparatus may be carried
on the back like a knapsack.
The mouth-piece x may be in a piece with a nose piece, and attached to the front
of a diver's helmet, or head-dress of a fireman or miner.
Although I have stated that this apparatus is charged with the proportions of the
combined materials herein-before mentioned under the second head of the Inven-
tion, I can also charge it with the proportions of the materials named under the first
or third heads, but I prefer the second proportions, as therein the largest basis of
animal charcoal preponderates.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, I wish it to be understood that I lay no claim to any appa-
ratus or engine for generating the gas or gases, as any furnace, either separately or
in connection with a pump water supply, and with or without a gas receiver or con-
tainer, may be employed for generating or producing a gas or gases from my
improved combinations of materials; but what I do claim and desire to secure by
Letters Patent is,―
First. The manufacture of a gas or gases from prepared and selected materials,
consisting of animal, vegetable, and mineral charcoal in the proportions, or about the
proportions mentioned, and the employment of such gas or gases for the purposes
herein described.
Second. The construction and use, substantially as herein described, of apparatus
suitable for being employed in submarine operations, or in mines, sewers, or places
where noxious air, gas, or vapours prevail, such apparatus containing any of my
herein-before described improved combinations of materials, together with lime
water, milk of lime, or other absorbent of carbonic acid gas, by which the exhaled
breath of the user is rendered rebreathable for some time.
In witness whereof, I, the said Leopold Loewenthal, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of November, in the year One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
ERNEST DE PASS,
Patent Agent,
68, Fleet Street,
London.
LEOPOLD LOEWENTHAL. (L.S.)