Improvements in or applicable to Asbestos Packed Cocks, Taps, Valves, or the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 31st Aug., 1891-Accepted, 3rd Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or applicable to Asbestos Packed Cocks, Taps,
Valves, or the like.
CHARLES BILLINGTON, and JOHN NEWTON, Longport, Staffordshire, Brass
Founders, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This our invention has reference to improvements in or applicable to the plugs
and seatings of cocks, taps, valves or the like appliances, and the packing of such
appliances with a compound made of or from asbestos, india-rubber, plumbago, and
sulphur in suitable proportions, the object of our said invention is to render the said
appliances water-tight and steam-tight by the use of the aforementioned compound,
which will be found more durable than the packing hitherto used for this purpose.
The body of the tap or cock has concentric recesses, formed one in the top, and
one in the bottom of same, the said recesses being connected by means of suitably
shaped grooves extending between them, which grooves are packed with the asbestos
compound, which compound is made in the following manner;-Asbestos fibre is
first steeped in, or saturated with india-rubber dissolved by naptha, after which the
extraneous liquid is pressed or squeezed out from the said asbestos fibre, and sulphur
and plumbago added in suitable proportions.
The cocks or taps when packed with this compound are placed in a heated chamber,
thus vulcanizing the said compound.
The plug or plugs of such taps or cocks being made or constructed with a
shoulder at its large end of suitable size to fit into the top concentric recess before
named, the bottom or small end of the plug being parallel for a short distance, thus
enabling the top and bottom concentric recesses to be packed with a compound of
plumbago and asbestos fibre.
After placing the plug in position in its body, a packing ring is placed on the
bottom end of the said plug, over which is placed a washer with a square hole on
the fitting end of the plug, and which rotates with same, a nut is then placed on the
threaded end in the ordinary manner, and when screwed up or tightened simulta-
neously forces the plug to its proper seating and causes the packing ring on the
bottom or small end of the plug and the shoulder on the large end of the plug to
compress the asbestos packing.
We wish it to be clearly understood that our asbestos compound may be used
for packing any class of taps or cocks for which it is suitable.
Our said compound when compressed into rings or cakes may be used for lining
the faces of valves.
Dated this 9th day of May 1891.
JOHN NEWTON,
Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or applicable to Asbestos Packed Cocks, Taps,
Valves, or the like.
CHARLES BILLINGTON, and JOHN NEWTON, Longport, Staffordshire, Brass
Founders, 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:-
This our invention has reference to improvements in or applicable to the plugs
and seatings of cocks, taps, valves or the like appliances, and the packing of such

page_text: appliances with a compound made of or from asbestos, india-rubber, plumbago and
sulphur in suitable proportions.
The object of our said invention being to render such improved constructed
appliances water-tight and steam-tight whilst in use, by means of the aforementioned
compound, which we have found to be more durable than the packing hitherto used
for that purpose.
To carry our said invention into practice we form the body of the tap or cock,
so that when the plug of same is in its normal position there shall be a concentric
recess near to and around the upper end of the said plug, and one near to and
around the lower end of the said plug of suitable size and depth, the said recesses
in the upper and lower parts of the body of the cock, tap or valve being connected
by suitably shaped grooves extending between the said recesses, which grooves and
recesses we pack or caulk with the aforesaid asbestos-compound.
The plug of such cocks, taps or similar appliances being made or constructed
with a collar or shoulder at the larger end of its tapering portion of suitable size
to fit into the recess at the top end of the body of the appliance, the bottom or
small end of the plug we make parallel for a short distance of its length, the top
and bottom recesses formed in the body of the appliance we pack or caulk with the
aforesaid compound.
The said asbestos compound is first packed or caulked into the grooves which
connect the recesses at the top and bottom ends of the cock or other appliance, a
suitable quantity of the said asbestos compound is then placed in the top recess
formed in the body of the appliance, its plug is then placed in position in the body
of the appliance, then a suitable quantity of the asbestos compound is packed or
caulked into the concentric recess between the lower part of the plug and the body
of the appliance, a packing ring of any suitable material is then placed over the
lower end of the plug and in the concentric recess in the lower end of the body,
then we place a metallic washer of suitable shape and size having a square hole
formed through same over the lower square part of the plug, which washer would
rotate with the said plug, when the said plug is caused to rotate or revolve in the
body of the appliance, we then screw a suitably shaped metallic nut on the lower
threaded portion of the plug in the ordinary manner, which nut when screwed up
or tightened, simultaneously forces the plug to its proper seating, and causes the
packing ring on the lower or small end of the plug, and the shoulder or collar on
the larger or tapering end of the plug to compress the asbestos compound or
packing; which said asbestos compound or packing we make in the following
manner-
We first saturate or steep in any suitable manner separated asbestos fibre in a
solution made of or from india-rubber dissolved in or by naptha, then we add
sufficient sulphur in a powdered state to the saturated asbestos fibre as will
vulcanize the india-rubber adhering to the asbestos fibre when the appliance or
appliances packed with this compound are submitted to a temperature of from
150 degrees to 200 degrees of heat in a suitable oven or chamber.
Before caulking or packing the saturated asbestos fibre into the spaces formed in
the body of a cock, valve or the like appliance, we add to the saturated asbestos
fibre a mixture composed of from per cent. to 15 per cent. of powdered French
chalk and powdered plumbago in equal proportions, for the purpose of serving as a
lubricant to the plug of the cock, valve or similar appliance.
In order that our said invention may be more readily understood and explained
in detail, we have hereunto annexed two sheets of drawings, on which letters of
reference are marked on corresponding parts on all the figs. alike.

page_text: Fig. 3. is a similar sectional elevation to that shewn at Fig. 2 with the plug L
removed therefrom.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken through the line C-D on
Fig. 3.
Sheet 2. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal elevation, partly in section of the body of a
stop-cock with female ends, shewing its plug in its seating.
Fig. 6 is a similar sectional elevation to that shewn at Fig. 5, with its plug
removed therefrom, shewing the packed grooves or recesses d extending between
the top and bottom recesses.
Fig. 7 is a part longitudinal sectional elevation of a cock or tap somewhat similar
to that shewn at Figs. 5 and 6 but having flanged ends.
Fig. 8 is a similar elevation to that shewn at Fig. 7, with its plug E removed
from its seating, shewing the packed recesses d extending between and connecting
the top and bottom recesses b and c.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of Fig. 8, and
Fig. 10 is a plan view partly in section, taken through the body of the cock on
the line F G marked on Fig. 8.
In these figs. a is the body of the gauge tap, or cock, in which we form a
circular recess at one end or side, and a recess c at the other end or side of
suitable size and depth, the said recesses b and c being connected by suitably
shaped grooves d extending between them.
To caulk or pack our improved constructed gauge and stop cock or valves, we
first place a suitable quantity of our improved compound asbestos packing in each
of the grooves d, and force or press the said packing into the said grooves d_by
means of a metal plug of similar size and shape to the plug of the cock or valve,
after which we place a suitable quantity of the compound asbestos packing in the top
or largest circular recess b, then the plug E of the cock is placed in its socket or
seating as far as it will go, a suitable quantity of the compound asbestos packing is
then placed in the concentric recess c around the smaller end of the plug E, we
then place a packing ring e in the said concentric recess cover or above the
packing in the said recess c. A metallic washer of suitable size and shape
having a square hole formed through same is then placed on the lower square part
of the plug E, a metal nut g or its equivalent is then placed on the threaded lower
part of the plug E, which nut g when screwed or tightened up in the usual manner
simultaneously forces the plug E to its proper seating, and causes the packing
ring e on the smaller end of the plug E, and the shoulder or collar on the larger
end of the said plug E to compress the packing in the recesses c and b, and so
render the said cocks or similar appliances steam-tight and water-tight.
We wish it to be understood that any suitable packing may be used to caulk or
pack our improved constructed cocks, taps and valves, and that our aforementioned
asbestos compound may be used for packing any class of taps, valves or other
appliances for which it is suitable. When the said asbestos compound is com-
pressed into cakes, sheets or rings it may be used for lining or packing the faces of
valves.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is ;-
1st. The improved construction of the bodies of taps, cocks or similar appliances
with recesses b, c of suitable shape and size, formed in the top and lower portions of
same, the said recesses b, c being connected one with the other by means of grooves
or recesses d extending between them, which said recesses b, c and d we pack or
caulk with any suitable packing, the several parts E, e, f and y being placed in and
secured in position, in the manner and for the purpose as herein substantially
described set forth and illustrated on the drawings hereunto annexed.
2ndly. The improved packing consisting of separated asbestos fibre saturated in
or steeped in any suitable manner in a solution of india-rubber which has been

page_text: dissolved in or by naptha, to which saturated asbestos fibre is then added sufficient
sulphur in a powdered state as will vulcanize the india-rubber adhering to the
asbestos fibre when appliances caulked or packed with this compound are placed in
a suitable oven or chamber and submitted to a temperature of from 150 degrees to
200 degrees of heat.
Before caulking or packing the said asbestos compound into the grooves or recesses
of our improved constructed appliances, a mixture composed of or from 5 per cent. to
15 per cent. of powdered French chalk and powdered plumbago in equal proportions
is mixed with the said asbestos compound for the purpose of serving as a lubricant
to the plugs of such appliances as herein substantially described and set forth.
3rdly. The improved compound asbestos packing described and set forth in
Claim 2 for caulking or packing cocks, taps, valves or other appliances to which it
is applicable, and as herein substantially described and set forth.
4thly. The improved compound asbestos packing compressed and formed into
sheets in any suitable manner, by any suitable means, of any suitable shape and
size, and of various thicknesses, which sheet packing can by any suitable means be
formed or cut into rings, strips and other suitable shapes for packing, caulking or
lining valves, taps, cocks or other appliances to which it is applicable, as herein
substantially described and set forth."
Dated this 29th day of August 1891.
JOHN NEWTON,
Longport, Staffordshire, Agent for Applicants.