AN IMPROVED RESDIDATOR RESPIRA
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Kenneth Nigel Mackenzie Douglas, of Bournemouth, in
the County of Hants, Gentleman, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
RESDIDATOR"
Sealed the 28th February 1879, and dated the 17th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Kenneth Nigel Mackenzie
Douglas at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th December
1878.
KENNETH NIGEL MACKENZIE DOUGLAS, of Bournemouth, in the County of
Hants, Gentleman. "AN IMPROVED RESPIRATOR."
The metallic respirators in ordinary use are very expensive, easily damaged, are
kept clean with difficulty, and if not thoroughly warmed before being placed over
the mouth have little beneficial effect at the critical moment, namely, during the
first inspirations of cold air; further, these respirators only cover the mouth, and
in no way impede the inspiration of cold air by the nostrils which are left quite
unprotected.
The object of my Invention is to provide a respirator subject to none of these
defects, and it consists in a particular combination of wool or other suitable textile
material to form a protection to the mouth and nostrils.
I propose to make my improved respirator of wool knitted with a strong mat
like foundation or back, and a face of loose wool knitted in loops, or otherwise
formed, extending like a cloud of wool over the whole of the back and passing
laterally beyond its edges, preferably on all sides.
Or I might make the back of any knitted or woven material, combining with it
a face of any material with long soft open nap, this nap extending beyond the
edges of the back or foundation on the top or on all sides.
I may secure my improved respirator in position by means of elastic bands or in
any convenient manner.

page_text: When this respirator is placed over the mouth the back or foundation comes
against the lips, and the outer loosely knitted face forms not only an additional
layer through which the air must pass in its direct passage to the mouth, but also
a border pressing lightly and warmly around the mouth and forming a warm bed
for the nostrils.
One of the advantages of my improved respirator is that the loosely knitted wool
will allow the breath to pass out before a fresh breath is inhaled; further, the loose
wool lying close to the face will not permit cold air to be drawn beneath it, and
thus the air inhaled, whether by mouth or nostrils, will always be warmed by
passage through the wool or other textile material.
As my improved respirator can be washed like any other woollen article perfect
cleanliness is ensured.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Kenneth Nigel Mackenzie Douglas in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 13th June 1879.
KENNETH NIGEL MACKENZIE DOUGLAS, of Bournemouth, in the County of
Hants, Gentleman. "AN IMPROVED RESPIRATOR."
The metallic respirators in ordinary use are very expensive, easily damaged, are
kept clean with difficulty, and if not thoroughly warmed before being placed over
the mouth have little beneficial effect at the critical moment, namely, during the
first inspirations of cold air; further, these respirators only cover the mouth and
in no way impede the inspiration of cold air by the nostrils which are left quite
unprotected.
The object of my Invention is to provide a respirator subject to none of these
defects, and it consists in a particular combination of wool or other suitable textile
material to form a protection to the mouth and nostrils.
I make my improved respirator of wool knitted with a strong mat like foundation
or back, and a face of loose wool knitted in loops, or otherwise formed, extending
like a cloud of wool over the whole of the back and passing laterally beyond its
edges, preferably on all sides.
Or I might make the back of any knitted or woven material, combining with it
a face of any material with long soft open nap, this nap extending beyond the
edges of the back or foundation on the top or on all sides.
I may secure my improved respirator in position by means of elastic bands or
in any convenient manner.
When this respirator is placed over the mouth the back or foundation comes
against the lips, and the outer loosely knitted face forms not only an additional
layer through which the air must pass in its direct passage to the mouth, but also
a border pressing lightly and warmly around the mouth and forming a warm bed.
for the nostrils.
One of the advantages of my improved respirator is that the loosely knitted wool
will allow the breath to pass out before a fresh breath is inhaled; further, the
border of loose wool lying close to the face will not permit cold air to be drawn
beneath it, and thus the air inhaled, whether by mouth or nostrils, will always be
warmed by passage through the wool or other textile material.
As my improved respirator can be washed like any other woollen article perfect
cleanliness is ensured.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I would have it understood that
although I find wool the best material and knitting the best mode of manufacturing
my improved respirator, I do not confine myself thereto, but may make my
respirator of any material which I may find suitable for carrying out the
objects of my Invention and of any convenient shape and dimensions, and that
what
I claim as secured to me by the bereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,--
The use of a respirator combining a face and border of loosely knitted or woven
wool or other suitable fabric with a back of closer texture, substantially as and for
the purposes herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Kenneth Nigel Mackenzie Douglas, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of June, in the
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
year
K. N. MACKENZIE DOUGLAS. (L.S.)