IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMP & PISTONS FOR PETROLEUM LAMPS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bennett Bernard Schneider, of Orange, State of New
Jersey, United States of America, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PUMP & PISTONS FOR PETROLEUM LAMPS." A communication by Wilhelm
Dette, of Berlin, Prussia, German Empire.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Bennett Bernard Schneider
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th May 1881.
BENNETT BERNARD SCHNEIDER, of Orange, State of New Jersey, United
States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMP & PISTONS FOR PETROLEUM
LAMPS." A communication by Wilhelm Dette, of Berlin, Prussia, German
Empire.
My said Invention relates to a new composition of matter of the piston-packing
for petroleum lamps.
Moderators or pump-lamps, in which the oil is forced up by a pump-piston,
hitherto could not or not successfully be used for burning hydro-carbon-oils, such
as petroleum or the like, because no piston packing was known that proved
impermeable and durable in such oils." The leather-packing usually applied in
rape oil moderators is quite insufficient and nearly useless in petroleum lamps, as
it must be too frequently renewed.
The object of my Invention therefore is to provide a packing for plunger-pistons,
which being smooth, elastic, durable, and impermeable, answers all requirements of
use in hydro-carbon-oils, and allows such oils to be burned in moderator lamps
without any inconvenience.
The composition of matter of which I form the packing of the plunger piston
consists of a solution of ordinary glue, of glycerine, and of water. Instead of the
glue, gelatine may as well be used, and instead of glycerine a solution of sugar or
a similar substance. The proportions of these ingredients may be varied according
to the exact requirements of the packing; in general a composition of 1 part of
glue, 4 parts of glycerine, and 2 parts of water will give a paste that answers the
purpose. The said materials are heated and mixed in the fluid state; to this
mixture small portions of a suitable colour may be added, but this addition is not
important.

page_text: The mass thus obtained is cast into proper forms as required to fit the plunger-
piston. After cooling down the composition will become stiff, but soft and elastic.
This paste however is too soft still for use, as it would cleave to the pump-barrel,
and soon become uneven by wear and tear. I therefore give to the surface of the
paste when formed to a packing, a coat of a concentrated solution of dichromate of
potassium. The said coat enters into chemical combination with the paste,
and renders the surface of the packing perfectly dry, but not the least hard or
brittle.
The plunger-packing is now ready for use; soft and elastic like leather, it effects
an air-tight pressure of the piston against the pump-barrel, and slides very smoothly
in the same. The petroleum or other hydro-carbon-oil does not the least effect this
composition, and as but little friction is occasioned in pump-lamps this packing of
the plunger piston will last for unlimited time. The paste may even be washed in
hot water without injuring its surface.
Instead of forming or casting solid packings of the composition described, the
said composition may as well be fixed upon a suitable material, such as leather, or
a texture of linen, or the like, the surface of such material receiving on one or on
both sides a lining of the said composition.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Bennett Bernard Schneider in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 26th November 1881.
BENNETT BERNARD SCHNEIDER, of Orange, State of New Jersey, United States.
of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMP AND PISTONS FOR PETROLEUM LAMPS."
A communication from abroad by Wilhelm Dette, of Berlin, Prussia, German
Empire.
My said Invention relates to a new composition of matter of the piston packing
for petroleum lamps. Moderator or pump lamps, in which the oil is forced up by
a pump piston, hitherto could not or not successfully be used for burning hydro-
carbon oils, such as petroleum or the like, because no piston packing was known
that proved impermeable and durable in such oils. The leather packing usually
applied in rape oil moderators is fully insufficient and nearly useless in petroleum-
lamps, as it must be too frequently renewed.
The object of my Invention therefore is to provide a packing for plunger pistons,
which being smooth, elastic, durable, and impermeable, answers all requirements of
use in hydro-carbon oils, and allows such oils to be burned in moderators without
any inconvenience. The composition of matter of which I form the packing of the
plunger piston consists of a solution of ordinary glue, or glycerine and water.
Instead of the glue, gelatine may as well be used, and instead of glycerine a solution
of sugar, or a similar substance may be used.
The proportions of the said ingredients may be varied according to the exact
requirements of the packing in general, a composition of one part of glue, 4 parts
of glycerine, and 2 parts of water will make a paste that answers the purpose.
The said materials are heated and mixed in the fluid state; to this mixture small
portions of zinc-white or other suitable colours may be added, but they are of no
importance.
The mass thus obtained is cast into proper forms as required to fit the plunger
piston. After cooling the composition will become stiff, but soft and elastic. This
paste however is too soft still for use, as it would cleave to the pump barrel and
soon become uneven by wear and tear. I therefore give to the surface of the
paste, when formed to a packing, a coating of a concentrated solution of dichromate
of potassium or its equivalent. The said coating enters into chemical combination
with the paste, and renders the surface of the packing perfectly dry, but not the
least hard or brittle. The plunger packing now is ready for use, soft and elastic
like leather; it effects an air-tight pressure of the piston against the pump-barrel,
and slides very smoothly in the same. The petroleum or other hydro-carbon oil
does not affect this composition in the least, and as but little friction is occasioned
in pump lamps, the packing of the plunger piston will last an unlimited time.
The paste may even be washed in hot water without injuring its surface.
Instead of forming or casting solid packings of the composition described, the
said composition may as well be fixed upon a suitable material, such as leather or a
textile fabric, the surface of such material receiving on one or on both sides a lining
of the said composition.
What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-
First. The composition of matter for plunger piston packings for lamps for
burning hydro-carbon oils, which composition consists of glue or gelatine, glycerine,
or suitable substitutes, and water in suitable proportions, the paste thus obtained
receiving a coating of a solution of dichromate of potassium or its equivalent,
substantially as described.

page_text: Second. A plunger piston packing for lamps burning hydro-carbon oils composed
of a paste prepared by mixing glue or gelatine, glycerine, or suitable substitutes,
and water, the surface of the packing being treated with a solution of dichromate
of potassium or its equivalent, substantially as described.
Third. A plunger piston packing for lamps burning hydro-carbon oils made of
leather or other suitable material, and lined with a coating of the composition
claimed in Claim 1.
Fourth. In a lamp for burning hydro-carbon oils, the combination of plunger
piston with a packing, as claimed in Claims 2 or 3.
In witness whereof, I, the said Bennett Bernard Schneider, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty first day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one,
BENNETT BERNARD SCHNEIDER. (L.S.)