Improvements in Apparatus for Enabling Persons to Remain without Danger in Rooms or Spaces Filled with Smoke, Dust, and the like.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 10th May, 1887.
Improvements in Apparatus for Enabling Persons to Remain
without Danger in Rooms or Spaces Filled with Smoke, Dust,
and the like.
I BERNHARD LOEB, Junior, of Berlin, in the empire of Germany, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same to he
performed to he particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention relates to improvements in respirators and similar apparatuses for
enabling persons to remain and work without danger in rooms or spaces filled with
smoke, dust, injurious gases, vapours, contaminated air and the like, spectacles for
protecting the eyes forming part of such apparatus.
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe how it can
be carried into practice by reference to the accompanying drawings in which
figures 1 to 18 illustrate my improvements in respirators and figures 19 to 24 shew
my improvements in eye protectors and the like to be used in connection with the
respirators.
I am well aware that apparatus serving for the purpose described have been known
and used before, Letters Patent having been obtained by me for such apparatus,
No. 3676 of 1883; but in this former and other known arrangements and constructions
of respirators the filtering wool or similar material placed in a chamber of the apparatus
very soon became so moist or clogged with dust or flakes that breathing through the
said wool or filtering material was rendered very difficult if not entirely prevented.
To obviate such clogging of the breathing passage I have invented the improvements
shewn in figures 1, 2 and 3.
The breathing tube a, is connected to the casing e, by means of a connecting-piece b,
and elbow pipe c, with aperture d. The smoky, dusty or vitiated atmosphere entering
through the said aperture d, flows into a chamber f, formed by a plate g, and the top-
plate h, of the casing e. From the bottom plate g, a number of tubes k, extend
downwards through a perforated plate i, arranged within the casing e, and
arther down. An elbow pipet, to which a suction pipe p, is attached, extends both
hrough the top plate h, and bottom plate g, of the chamber f. The plate i, is arranged
bove the level of a feed pipe m, and remains above the level of the water or other
uitable fluid with which the casing e, is supplied through the feed pipe m. The level
f the said fluid should not be above the dotted line n.

page_text: By means of the casing e, constructed and arranged as described and fitted between
the breathing pipe a, and the valve case o, figures 5 and 6, the smoky or vitiated
atmosphere, having received a preparatory cleansing, enters through the pipe c, and
aperture d into the chamber, whence it passes through the water or other suitable
fluid contained in the casing e, by means of the tubes k.Arising from the water or
fluid the cleansed atmosphere passes through the perforated plate, and is breathed or
inspired through the pipe 1, pipe p, and valve case o, whence it passes to the mouth of
the person using the apparatus. The tubes k, are of very small diameter and serve to
better distribute the passing draught of air over the whole area of the water or fluid,
the effect of the latter in absorbing gas being thereby considerably increased. The
flakes of smoke and the empyreumatic gases are retained by filtering material contained
within the tube a.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the improved adjusting rim of the nose cap. The said
adjusting rim has hitherto been generally made of rubber which tightly fits on the face.
But such rubber rim when used in a hot atmosphere, becomes easily heated and burns
the face of the wearer or renders the wearing of the cap insupportable.
This objection I overcome by providing the rubber rim, of the nose cap with a
suitable removeable covering 7, of linen or other suitable fabric.
Figures 5 and 6 shew the nose cap connected with the casing e, as before described
by means of a flexible pipe p. The adjustable rim of the cap may be arranged to
cover the nose only or both the nose and the month. In figures 5 and 6 the nose cap
is shewn provided also with air valves. Figure 7 is a section taken on the line L, M,
of figure 5 in order to shew the rubber rim r, and its covering 7. The latter is provided
outside with leather loops s, and inside its edge is arranged to receive a strong thread
or cord u. The loops s, are fastened to studs t, and the thread u, is drawn tight to
make the covering 4, fit closely over the rubber rim r. Or the trimming 7. may be
arranged to fit over the rubber rim r, adjusting itself to the same and being fastened
by means of two loops and stnds instead of four.
I do not confine myself to the use of linen or other fabrics for the described covering
for adjusting the rubber rim of the nose cap; such covering may be of any other
suitable material made of vegetable, animal or mineral substance or any combination
of such substances.
The modification of the apparatus shewn in figure 4 has for object to enable persons
to remain and work in rooms or spaces filled with dust, smoke or hot air for a
considerably longer period than has been hitherto possible with the use of other
apparatus of the same size; the said modification, besides, allows of an easier inhaling
and exhaling action than any other apparatus of the kind.
This modification consists in surrounding the nose caps, with a wire guaze box t³,
above the valve case, the said box being provided with a perforated sheet metal cover u³,
hinged at 3, and capable of being opened and shut. This box is filled with wool or
the like and below the same a space is arranged to receive a box w³. The botion of
the box w³, is solid, the rear side and top are made of wire gauze or perforated sheet
metal, while the front side is open. The stud, serves as a handle for introducing
and removing the box ³. On closing the door y³, the box w³, is secured. The rear
side of the box ³, bears directly against the front side 3, of the valve case, the six
valves a*, of which are arranged as shewn in figure 15. The exhaling valves d', are
arranged vertically one at each side within the case c'.
In using this improved apparatus, the vitiated air enters through the apertures of the
cover, and, passing through the wool is cleansed from dust and flakes; thence it passes
into the box w³, filled with moist sponge which serves to moisten the air and in such state
the latter, on being inhaled, enters the mouth of the wearer through the suction
valves at. On exhaling, the said valves a', close and the exhaled air escapes
through the exhaust valves d', arranged at the sides as shewn and described.
The improvements shewn in figures 8, 9 and 10 consist in the arrangement of the
inhaling and exhaling valves, the arrangement of the saliva-discharge-pipe and of the
signal whistle, the latter being made to sound by the exhaled breath. By this
construction and arrangement of the said exhaust valves I secure a reliable and tight
掌

page_text: closing of the same.
The exhaust valves, when arranged sidewise and horizontally
below the valve bottom, as has hitherto been generally the practice, soon became
defective, owing to the moisture contained in the breath, exhaled.
Figure 8 is a section drawn on the line N, O, of figure 10; figure 9 is a plan
shewing the position of the inhaling or suction valves and figure 10 is a section drawn
on the line P, Q, of figure 8.
The construction of this improved apparatus as follows:-
The cylindrical pipe v, is closed at the top by a screw cap or stopper w, and at its
lower end it is provided with a funnel shaped extension a, y, through which the inhaled
atmosphere enters.
Within the pipe e, an oblique diaphragm z, is secured, dividing the pipe into two
separate partitions. The said diaphragm z, extending outside forms the bottom of the
saliva discharge pipe a'. Upon the same oblique diaphragm, are arranged the valve
seats b, c, d, of the inhaling or suction valves, figures 8 and 9. In the direction of
the axis of the pipe a', the mouth piece e', is secured in the pipe v. Opposite to the
mouth piece e a branch pipe y', is secured upon the pipe e. Opposite to the mouth
piece el, a branch pipe g', is secured upon the pipe, a perforated plate, being
arranged between the two pipes. The exhaust valve 2, is arranged at the side of the
branch g', which latter may be provided with a screw cap or stopper h³, for opening
and closing the same.
The plate k¹, is arranged in such a position as to allow the adjacent pipe, to enclose
the exhaust valve 2. The pipe A is closed at its top and open at its lower
tapering end.
By means of this arrangement and construction the exhaust valve will not only
always remain in a good tight condition, but owing to the difference between the area
of the pipes, a current of air is produced by the exhaled breath, which prevents the
vitiated outside atmosphere from entering into the exhaust-valve.
The plate is provided with a signal whistle m' arranged below the pipe . This
whistle is surrounded by a jacket n', and a spring of keeps the whistle apart from the
aperture of the pipo .
The air when inhaled enters through the pipe y and lifts the valves b, c, d while
the exhaled air closes the said valves and passes through the perforations into the
branch-pipe where it opens the exhaust valve ¹ and escapes through the pipe l.
When the whistle-signal is desired to he sounded the whistle m is brought below the
lower open end of the pipe by a pressure of the finger upon the knob a as indicated
in dotted lines in figure 8; the exhaled air forced through the whistle will then
cause it to sound. As soon as the pressure of the finger is removed the spring o¹
will automatically withdraw the whistle from the pipe .
11
The object of the modification shewn in figures 11 and 12 is to afford greator
comfort in wearing the apparatus, as also to provide a position for the exhaust valve
by which it is better secured against the entrance of vitiated or smoky air, and the
signal-whistle is arranged in direct connection with the apparatus.
then
a
In this arrangement the smoky or vitiated atmosphere enters the apparatus at v
where it passes through a layer of dry wool; thence it is forced to pass along a
cylinder or cylinders w filled with moist sponge, after which it enters through an
perture into the channels which leads through an aperture u into a second
iltering chamber within which several layers of filtering material are arranged in
he following order :-first, a layer of dry wool ³, then a layer of charcoal y',
ayer of dry wool 2', then a layer of wool soaked with glycerine a² and finally another
ayer of dry wool 6. Cleansed and cooled by such or similar material the air now
nters through the wire gauze into the chamber whence it passes through the
perture into the casing e in the top of which the inhaling-valves are provided.
These valves are arranged so low that they are closed by the current of air exhaled,
hich current passes over them and enters the branch-pipe 2 containing the exhaust-
alve as already described with reference to figures and 9 the exhaust pipe
nd signal-whistle k² are arranged in connection with the exhaust-valve as before
escribed.

page_text: Figures 13, 14 and 15 illustrate an improved construction of nose cap, allowing the
wearer to breathe separately through the nose and mouth.
Another modification of my invention is illustrated by figures 16, 17 and 18, which
shew a respirator with the exhaust-valves arranged in a protected position inside the
apparatus. For this purpose the rear side e of the filtering chamber u² is made, as
usual, to fit the mouth; the front side is provided with holes 63 and a perforated
door . Adjacent to the mouth piece a triangle is formed by the sheet metal
sides 2,2 at right angles to which the sides of the valve-case y² are arranged. By
The valve cases are
this means I separate the inhaled from the exhaled air.
surrounded by a semicircular partitions forming at each side separate chambers for
the suction and exhaust, breath. The portion of the partition opposite the inhaling
valves 2 is perforated, while the portion opposite the exhaust-valves is solid.
Figure 16 is a section drawn on the line, of figure 17. Figure 17 is a front
elevation and figure 18 a vertical section drawn on the line T, U of figure 16.
The atmosphere when inhaled enters through the perforated casing 63, passes the
filtering material, thence through the perforations of the partition and through
the suction-valves to the mouth. The exhaled current of air closes the valves w
and opens the exhaust-valves whence it escapes through apertures 66.
4
In connection with the improved respirators described with reference to figures 2,
and 11 an improved construction of eye protector may be employed, which I will now
describe with reference to figures 19 to 24. The eye protector, however, may also be
used independently of the respirator and the respirator can be employed without the
eye protector as required.
In order to enable my improvements relating to the construction of eye protectors
to be clearly understood it should be stated, first, that eye protectors or spectacles
with large eye-glasses have before been provided with projecting side-wings to protect
the eyes at the sides, as also to avoid frequent repairs of the spectacles. The main
object aimed at has, however, been only partly effected.
My improvements consist in separating the eye-glasses from the ventilating surface,
the enlargement of the latter better means for regulating the entrance of air to the
eyes or for shutting out the heat, and also in providing sponge-chambers around the
eye-glasses or side-wings in order to apply refreshing coolness to the eyes.
In the drawings figure 19 is a front elevation of the eye protectors, one half
shewing the wire gauze casing and the other half showing the frame-work; figure 20
is a back view of the same, figure 21 a top view with the wire gauze removed on the
right hand side; figure 22 is a section drawn on the line V, W with the wire gauze
casing in place. Figure 23 shows a top view of one half of the eye protectors with
the hinged wire-gauze casing opened. Figure 24 is a plan of figure 23 shewing the
sponge-holder.
the
eye.
The
For the above stated purposes the frame g³ of the eye protectors is bent up at right
angles at the edge and provided with clamps or clips 3 to hold the wire-gauze
casing. The transverse stud or bar serves to support the frame m³ which latter
receives the eye-glass n³. At the rear, opposite to the eye-glasses n³ cooling
chambers o are provided, which will have a direct cooling effect upon
frame, besides, is provided with sponge holders p³ arranged on both sides, serving to
supply a refreshing coolness and also to effect a secure adjustment of the frame to the
temples of the wearer. The wire casing may be replaced by a casing q3 of mica or
other suitable material (figures 23 and 24) and the clamps or clips h³ may be replaced
by hinges (figures 23 and 24) according to requirements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the exact forms of the apparatus shewn in the drawings, but
what I do claim in an apparatus for enabling persons to remain and work without
danger in rooms or spaces filled with smoke, dust, hot or vitiated air or such like
unbreathable atmosphere is :-
1. The arrangement of a cooling and absorbing apparatus between the breathing

page_text: tube and valve-case, the said arrangement substantially consisting of a casing e partly
filled with water or other suitable fluid, a set of tubes k immersed in the said fluid,
a perforated plate i and a pipe connecting the casing e with the suction pipe p, a
chamber within the said casing e serving to receive the atmosphere which has
undergone a preparatory cleansing at its entrance and which, from the said chamber f,
passes through the tubes k, into the fluid for the purpose of absorbing its heat and
gaseous contents, whence it rises through the plate and is inhaled through the pipe
substantially as and for the purpose described with reference to figures 1, 2 and 3 of
the accompanying drawings.
2. The application of a covering 7 of linen or other vegetable, animal or mineral
or combined material, secured to the adjusting rim of the nose-cap or nose-and-mouth-
cap, by means of loops and studs t, outside, and a thread or strap drawn tight
inside; the covering 7 may also be prepared to fit upon the rubber rim and secured
to the cap below the valve-case substantially as and for the purpose described with
reference to figures 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The arrangement of filtering box T3 around the nose-cap s³ above the valve case,
the said box having a hinged lid 3 and a removable sponge-holder w³ adjacent to the
valve box, which latter is provided with two exhaust valves d' vertically arranged
substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. The arrangement of inhaling or suction valves b, c, d¹ or a suitable number of
them upon the oblique diaphragm z, the exhaust valve or valves being arranged in
an elevated position and leading the exhaust breath down through a tapering pipe
whereby the admission of smoke, dust and vitiated air through the exhaust valve is
prevented, a signal whistle m' surrounded by a jacket n' and secured to a plate k¹
being arranged below the pipe and capable of being sounded when brought into
contact with the said pipe substantially as and for the purpose described with
reference to figures 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.
5. The arrangement of valve-box el with three or more inhaling or suction valves f¹
which are closed by the exhaled or exhaust air, which latter passes straight over them
to the exhaust valve 2 to which a tapering pipe and signal-whistle ² are connected,
substantially as and for the purpose described with reference to figures 11 and 12 of
the accompanying drawings.
6. The arrangement of suction valves and exhaust valves in a triangular
shaped case and separated by partitions 2 and 3 substantially as and for the purpose
described with reference to figures 16, 17 and 18 of the accompanying drawings.
7. A frame h³ for eye protectors, carrying sponge holders at the sides, as shewn
in figures 20, 21, 23 and 24, and similar sponge-holders o, as shewn in figures 20, 21
and 22, the eye-glasses m³ being arranged in projecting frames, as shewn in the
drawings for the purpose of admitting air to the eyes or for keeping the heat off,
the moist sponges within the sponge-holders o³ in the latter caso supplying coolness to
the eyes substantially as described.
Dated the 50th 1 of Mah 1007
G. F. REDFERN,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agent for the Applicant.