Improvements in Respirators.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Respirators.
I, JULIUS WOLFF, of Gross-Gerau, in the Empire of Germany, Factory-
Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The apparatus forming the subject of this invention serves, firstly, for supplying
to grinders, textile operators or other persons working in rooms filled with dust,
the requisite amount of air for breathing, in a dust-free condition, without such
persons being impeded in their movements and, secondly, for efficiently protecting
persons, using this appliance, while moving in the open air, for example cyclists,
railway guards and other persons, against the injurious effects of strong head
winds and the like.
The apparatus substantially consists of a hollow body made in T shape of sheet
metal, celluloid or other appropriate material. A branch or projection on the
apparatus may be either bipartite (bifurcated) or in one piece. In the former
case the branch is inserted into the nose and in the latter case into the mouth.
In connection with the apparatus a nose pinching or compressing device is also
used. Finally, the apparatus may be so constructed as to be applicable for both
methods of use. The tubular transverse piece to which the branch is connected
is attached at each end to a flexible hose, the walls of which serve as an air
filter; a valve is provided in or upon the hollow T shaped body and opens out-
wardly. The apparatus is preferably fixed to the face of the wearer by means of
two elastic loops or the like, which are placed around the ears, whilst the hose
is placed around the neck and shoulders.
The action of the apparatus is such, that during the periods of inhalation the
valve closes automatically, while the air penetrates the walls of the hose, which
acts as a filter, and passing to the interior is thence drawn through the nose or
mouth of the wearer into the lungs, the dust and other impurities contained in
the outer air being deposited upon the exterior wall of the hose, whence they
may be easily removed, by periodically shaking or knocking the apparatus, since
the outer wall remains dry.
When used by persons travelling at a high speed, the injurious pressure, due
to a strong head wind exerted under ordinary conditions upon the lungs, is
obviated owing to the hose which, filters the air and thus reduces its pressure.
On the other hand a deficiency of air cannot occur, because the air not only enters
from the front of the body but it is also supplied from behind,
If the above described apparatus is to be applied to the nose, the tight closure
of the nostrils is preferably ensured and improved by applying an organic or
inorganic fat, for example vaseline, either to the inner walls of the nostrils or to
the outer surfaces of the bifurcated hollow tubular piece of the apparatus adapted
for insertion into the nose, or, for attaining the same object in another manner,
the bifurcated tubular piece may be coated with indiarubber or the like.
The hose serving as an air filter is preferably made of porous gauze or tissue
paper of which several sheets are formed into a layer and corrugated. The hose

page_text: may be projected internally and externally by layers of tulle or the like and be
stiffened by wire spirals.
Dated this 28th day of November 1896.
Improvements in Respirators.
I, JULIUS WOLFF, of Gross-Gerau, in the Empire of Germany, Factory-
Proprietor, 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:-
The apparatus forming the subject of this invention serves, firstly, for supplying
to grinders, textile operators or other persons working in rooms filled with dust,
the requisite amount of air for breathing, in a dust-free condition, without such
persons being impeded in their movements and, secondly, for efficiently protecting
persons, using this appliance, while moving in the open air, for example cyclists,
railway guards and other persons, against the injurious effects of strong head
winds and the like.
The apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawing substantially consists
of a hollow body made of sheet metal, celluloid or other appropriate material
in shape, a branch or projection a of which may be either bipartite (bifurcated)
or in one piece. In the former case the branch a is inserted into the nose as in
Figure 1 and in the latter case into the mouth. In connection with the apparatus
a nose pinching or compressing device is also used. Finally, the apparatus may
be so constructed as to be applicable for both methods of use. The tubular trans-
verse piece b to which the branch is connected is attached at each end to a flexible
hose Figures 2 and 3, the walls of which serve as an air filter; d is a valve
provided in or upon the hollow T shaped body a band opens outwardly. The
apparatus is preferably fixed to the face of the wearer by means of two elastic
loops or the like, see Figure 1, which are placed around the ears, whilst the hose c
is placed around the neck and shoulders.
The action of the apparatus is such, that during the periods of inhalation the
valve d closes automatically, while the air penetrates the walls of the hose c, acts
as a filter, and passing to the interior is thence drawn through the nose or mouth
of the wearer into the lungs, the dust and other impurities contained in the outer
air being deposited upon the exterior wall of the hose c, whence they may be
easily removed, by periodically shaking or knocking the apparatus, since the outer
wall remains dry.
When used by persons travelling at a high speed, the injurious pressure, due
to a strong head wind, exerted under ordinary conditions upon the lungs is
obviated owing to the hose which filters the air and thus reduces its pressure.
the other hand a deficiency of air cannot occur, because the air not only enters
from the front of the body but it is also supplied from behind.
On
If the above described apparatus is to be applied to the nose, the tight closure
of the nostrils is preferably ensured and improved by applying an organic or
inorganic fat, for example vaseline, either to the inner walls of the nostrils or to the
outer surfaces of the bifurcated hollow tubular piece of the apparatus adapted
for insertion into the nose, or, for attaining the same object in another manner,
the bifurcated tubular piece may be coated with indiarubber or the like.

page_text: The hose serving as an air filter is preferably made of porous gauze or tissue
paper of which several sheets are formed into a layer and corrugated. The hose
may be protected internally and externally by layers of tulle or the like and be
stiffened by wire spirals.
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:-
1. In respiratory apparatus the combination of a hollow part (a b) adapted for
respiration through either the nose or mouth and provided with a valve (d,) with
body (c) permeable by air connected therewith, the walls of such body serving
as a filtering medium for the air inspired.
2. In respiratory apparatus the combination of a hollow part (a, b) adapted for
respiration through either the nose or mouth and provided with a valve (), with
a body (c) permeable by air connected therewith in the form of a corrugated pipe,
the walls of which upon the whole of their surface serving as a filtering medium
for the air inspired.
Deted this ofth day of Aust 1807
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.