Improvements in and relating to Respirators.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 23rd July, 1898
Improvements in and relating to Respirators.
I, CHARLES FREMONT DIGHT, of 124, South Thirty Fourth Street, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Physician, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention is a device for protection against cold by conserving the natural
heat of the body. It is adapted to store up the heat carried by the warm
exhaled air as it leaves the lungs, and uses this heat to warm the fresh air to be
inhaled prior to its entrance into the respiratory passage. It thus prevents loss
of heat from the body through the lungs as it ordinarily occurs and supplies one
constantly with a volume of warm air to breathe, the temperature of which may
be varied at will up to 80° or more degrees Fahr., while the person is in a tem-
perature of zero or below zero. It may be made also to moisten and filter this
warm air. It thus prolongs one's resistance against cold, diminishes the amount
of food required while exposed to cold, and prevents the local ill effects of the
admission of cold air to the respiratory passages.
In the drawing Fig. 1, is a front elevation of a nose cap. Fig. 2, a vertical
longitudinal section and part side elevation of same. Fig. 3, is a detail of the
nose cap. Fig. 4, a modification thereof. It consists of a poor heat-conducting
material adapted to cover the nose. It has cored in it an air inlet passage P",
while tube P continues the cavity of the nose cap to the mouth when this
is desired, to permit breathing therethrough. P3 is an air conductor leading
from P to the heat storing chamber (not shown in Fig. 4). Fig. 5, is part section
and part elevation of my preferred structure of heat storing chamber. Figs. 6,
7, 8 and 9 show details of construction to be described more at length hereafter.
Fig. 10 is a transverse section on Fig. 5. Fig. 11 is a modification of the heat
storing chamber. It consists of an outer casing F having ends M', an inner con-
centric asbestos filling G¹, a heat storing filling with interstices distributed
throughout, permitting the passages of the air therethrough 1, a central longitu-
dinal tube G2, having end M and containing a heat storing filling J, with like
interstices throughout and end valves j and . The valve j is opened by the egress
of the air through filling i and the valve is closed by the same means, but
opened by the passage of the air through the interstices of the heat storing
material J, whereupon valve j closes. The parts in valve j are located to perform
this function. Fig. 12, is a transverse section on Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is also a
moditication. It is similar in its structure and operation to that shown in Fig. 11,
differing only in having two outlet and one inlet air passage and suitable valves.
Fig. 15 is a section through a hat with my heat storing chamber. Fig. 16, shows
a practical application of my invention. Fig. 17 is a retaining hook. Figs. 18
and 19 show auxiliary means for heating my heat storing chamber. Figs. 20 and
21 show a modification in structure to be described hereafter in the way of
making my heat storing chamber, being horizontal and vertical sections respec-
tively.

page_text: A, Figs. 1, 2 and 16 is a tube which forms the air conductor from the heat
storing chamber F to the nasal passage. This tube is connected with said
chamber by the intermediate tube a. The tube A extends down over the bridge
of the nose to near the end thereof. The sides of the cap C which extend up over
the bridge of the nose impinges the sides of the nose close to the face. These sides
at their lower ends are bent inward and joined by an arch piece C, which lies
flat across the upper lip as shown in Fig. 1. D is a reinforcing wire wound around
tube A extending down the strip C to which it is secured. This said strip should
be of some pliable material that it may by pressure adapt itself to different
shaped noses. The aforesaid wire is carried across the strip C³, two loops C3, C³
formed thereon which project through the cap covering and are adapted to be
engaged by hooks for the attachment of the bands Y., Fig. 16, which secure the
cap to the face. P is a cover sustainer which passes over the tube A and fixed
to the strip C. Over the above described frame work is stretched a light air
impervious covering B. It can be fixed thereto in any substantial way and
approximately air tight. Over this is a covering of inferior heat conducting
material. e is a coil spring wire extending throughout the length of the tuber A
designed to prevent the collapse of the tube or the cover of the nose cap at its
lower end.
The heat storing chamber, Fig. 5, consists of a mass m of heat storing material,
extending from end to end of the enclosing case F. Interstices are distributed
and extend from end to end of this heat storing material, thus securing a large
surface of this material in a small space. It may be made of fine aluminium or
copper gauze or other suitable material. One method of utilizing the gauze would
be to cut it into a long strip; make the strip into a roll and inserting it within
the case F. Instead of the roll of gauze I may cut out pieces of wire gauze, as
shown in Fig. 6, and pile them in case F, or small bits of copper filling may be
used as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The case may be also filled with longitudinal
wires as shown in Fig. 7. Encircling the heat retaining mass is an asbestos
covering H and enclosing this is the copper foil G. L are end caps sealing the
ends and making the tubular connections; one end pipe a, connects with the
tube A, Fig. 16, the other S extends through the hat to the external air.
The air expelled from the lungs is forced through the tubes A. a, Figs. 5
and 16, and through the interstices of the heat absorbing material to which it
imparts its heat and is finally expelled through the tube S. In inhalation the air
current is reversed and the fresh cold air is drawn in tube S, through the said
interstices and becomes heated by contact with heat absorbing material aforesaid.
This device can be made to moisten the inhaled air by wetting the asbestos
covering with water, thus preventing the irritating action of dry air on the
mucous membranes.
Figs. 20 and 21 is a modification which combine the heat storing chamber and
nose cap in one piece and dispenses with the tubes. R³, is the heat retaining
material with the interstices permitting the passage of air therethrough. R³ is
an air tight covering. R¹ and R are coverings for retaining heat within the
chamber. R6, R are the inlet and outlet air passages. R5 is a space in the
chamber under and lateral to the nostril opening R. R* indicates the face.
In its operation the exhaled air coming heat laden from the lungs passes
through the interstices of the filling R³ and out at R6, its heat being absorbed by
the filling and as the external air, in its passage to the lungs, enters through the
inlet R and filling aforesaid, the said retained heat will be delivered thereto
warming same. In the case of mouth breathers I would extend my heat retainer
with its coverings, down over the mouth as shown in Fig. 21. Dotted lines R².
Fig. 15 illustrates a supporting device for a heat retaining chamber adaptable to
hats of various styles. It consists of a flexible band X held by the sweat band
and strung upon the strip X',X' has openings X2, X2 diametrically aligned serv-
ing as a support for the heat storing chamber.

page_text: Figures 18 and 19, show my auxiliary heating means. It consists of a lamp t
fitted upon the head under the hat, having a support u for the chamber, above
the wick draft inlet tubes W which extend through openings in the side of the
hat and enter the wick enclosing walls aforesaid. The flame is surrounded by a
gauze netting, which confine it therein while permitting the hot air to pass out
around the heat storing chamber. e is a pipe carrying off the products of com-
bustion through the top of the hat.
I do not limit myself to the specific structures set out, but could make numerous
modifications without departing from the spirit of my invention.
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 combination, a cap adapted to cover the nasal passages and a chamber
filled with heat absorbing materials, a tube connecting said cap and chamber, said
chamber having air passages through it and opening to the air whereby the air
may be exhaled and inhaled through said chamber.
2. In combination, a tube leading to a heat storing chamber, and a strip con-
nected to said tube and forming a frame on the side which bears against the
face and a covering for said tube and frame, the whole forming a nasal cap.
3. The chamber for storing heat consisting of the heat retaining fillings with
interstices, combined with an asbestos covering and case with a nasal cap and a
connecting tube.
4. In combination, the cap, the heat storing chamber, and the devices for sup-
porting said chamber, adapted to be included in a hat.
5. In combination, the cap, the storing chamber adapted to be heated by the air
exhaled and auxiliary heating means for said chamber.
6. A heat storing chamber for a thermal inspirator and animal heat conserver
comprising a heat absorbing and retaining filling, an impervious container having
small single air ports for said filling, said container acting as an egress and inlet
air conductor, whereby as the air is discharged from the lungs in the breathing
function, the heat thereof is absorbed by the filling as air is inhaled the same will
absorb the said stored heat.
Docu 1
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1 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.