A New or Improved Portable Fire-extinguisher and Vermin Destroyer, which is also applicable for Fumigating and Disinfecting Purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left. 24th July, 1893-Accepted, 16th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Portable Fire-extinguisher and Vermin
Destroyer, which is also applicable for Fumigating and
Disinfecting Purposes.
We, ARTHUR JOHN HARRIES, M.D., of 23 Sackville Street, Piccadilly, in the
County of London and EDWARD ORME STORR, of 55 Gresham Street, in the
City of London, Merchant do hereby declare the nature of the said invention to
be as follows:-
Our invention relates to an apparatus by means of which the products of
combustion formed in a portable furnace together with steam, either with or without
chemical or other substances in solution, or mixture, are ejected in such a manner
as to be applicable for extinguishing a fire, destroying vermin, or for fumigating or
disinfecting purposes..
According to our invention an apparatus comprising a furnace and boiler is so
constructed as to be easily portable either by manual power for the smaller sizes
or by some other means for the larger sizes, and so that the outlet channel from
the boiler opens into the flue from the furnace, which latter is constructed so that
the products of con tion including the de-oxygenised residue of the air which
has passed through the furnace, are urged forward by the jet of steam from the
boiler, and the whole, the mixture of steam, and gaseous products, is ejected from
a suitable nozzle so that it may be made to play on a fire or other near object.
Air holes are provided and may be made adjustable so as to control the supply of
air and secure the most complete attainable chemical combination.
Means are provided for preventing the undue heating of the nozzle and the
emission of flame or sparks therefrom for which purpose a water-jacket may, in
some cases be conveniently employed and a grating may be interposed or a dip
joint provided as may be required, also a hand injection pump may be attached
for replenishing the boiler when in action. Within the flue or mixing chamber I
may place a perforated and movable tray, or the like, for the purpose of holding
substances calculated to impart some desired qualities to the ejector.
A charge consisting of a mixture of coke and charcoal acts very efficiently in
depriving the atmospheric air of its oxygen and converting it into carbonic acid
and is not liable to objection on the ground of its giving off other and inflammable
gases.
For use it is intended that the furnace should be kept always charged and with
a sufficiency of easily inflammable matter under the coke and charcoal so as to
secure immediate lighting, and in situations in which a supply of boiling water is
at hand the boiler may be kept empty to be filled with hot water when required so
as to save time.
The mixture of steam with the gaseous products of the furnace not only gives
the necessary ejective force but also moistens the gases and adds to the fire-
destroying power of the stream.
It will be at once perceived that instead of water some other fluid or a solution
of some appropriate substance may be employed in the boiler either to still further
increase the fire-subduing or vermin-destroying power for which however the
mixture of gases and steam is very efficient or to produce a disinfecting or
fumigating effect.
Dated the 23rd day of September 1892.
DAWNE
NEWNHAM BROWNE,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Portable Fire-extinguisher and Vermin
Destroyer, which is also applicable for Fumigating and
Disinfecting Purposes.
We, ARTHUR JOHN HARRIES M.D., late of 23 Sackville Street Piccadilly
but now of 6 Adam Street, Adelphi, in the County of London and EDWARD ORME
STORR of 55 Gresham Street, in the City of London, Merchant, do hereby declare
the nature of the said invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to an apparatus by means of which the products of
combustion formed in a portable furnace together with steam either with or without
chemical or other substances in solution, or mixture, are ejected in such a manner
as to be applicable for extinguishing a fire, destroying vermin, or for fumigating
or disinfecting purposes.
According to our invention an apparatus comprising a furnace and boiler is so
constructed as to be easily portable either by manual power for the smaller sizes or
by some other means for the larger sizes, and so that the outlet channel from the
boiler opens into the flue from the furnace, which latter is constructed so that the
products of combustion including the de-oxygenised residue of the air which has
passed through the furnace, are urged forward by the jet of steam from the boiler
and the whole, the mixture of steam and gaseous products is ejected from a suitable.
nozzle so that it may be made to play on a fire or other near object. Air holes are
provided and may be made adjustable so as to control the supply of air and secure
the most complete attainable chemical combination.
Means are provided for preventing the undue heating of the nozzle and the
emission of flame or sparks therefrom for which purpose a water-jacket may, in
some cases be conveniently employed and a grating may be interposed or a dip
joint provided as may be required, also a hand injection pump may be attached for
replenishing the boiler when in action. Within the flue or mixing chamber we may
place a perforated and movable tray or the like, for the purpose of holding
substances calculated to impart some desired qualities to the ejecta.
A charge consisting of a mixture of coke and charcoal acts very efficiently in
depriving the atmospheric air of its oxygen and converting it into carbonic acid
and is not liable to objection on the ground of giving off other and inflammable
gases.
For use it is intended that the furnace should be kept always charged and with a
sufficiency of easily inflammable matter under the coke and charcoal so as to secure
immediate lighting, and in situations in which a supply of boiling water is at hand
the boiler may be kept empty to be filled with hot water when required so as to
save time.
The mixture of steam with the gaseous products of the furnace not only gives the
necessary ejective force but also inoistens the gases and adds to the fire-destroying
power of the stream.
It will be at once perceived that instead of water some other fluid or a solution
of some appropriate substance may be employed in the boiler either to still
further increase the fire-subduing or vermin-destroying power for which however
the mixture of gases and steam is very efficient or to produce a disinfecting or
fumigating effect.
In order that our invention may be better understood we will now proceed to
describe it by reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the complete apparatus.
Figure 2 a side elevation of part of the apparatus, a portion being broken away
in the figure to more clearly illustrate the construction of the apparatus.
Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section.
Figure 4 a plan with the water tank removed.
Figures 5 and are respectively a plan and side elevation of one form of

page_text: the nozzle for delivering fire-extinguishing or disinfecting medium produced in
the apparatus shewn in Figures 1, 2 3 and 4 and
Figure 7 is a side elevation of another form of the nozzle.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
A is the boiler which is conveniently supported within a casing B by means of
brackets & rivetted or otherwise suitably secured to the cylindrical wall of said
casing. The boiler is held by these brackets in such position that flue spaces a. a¹
are provided around and over it so that the products of combustion from the
furnace below it may pass freely around it on every side as indicated by the
arrows in Figure 3. B is the grate which may be composed of fire bars, upon
which is kindled the fire the gaseous products from which according to this
✓ Vention are to be utilized for fire-extinguishing and other purposes. The
grate B is supported on angle iron brackets or a ring or equivalent 6' secured
to the cylindrical wall of casing B. 6 are openings in the casing B for admitting
air to the underside of the grate B₁ and 63 is the door through which access
may be had to the box or chamber B2 for removing the ashes therefrom
the furnace door. The openings 62 may be provided with slides or covers whereby
they may be more or less closed so as to regulate the quantity of air admitted
through them and the furnace may conveniently be lined with some non conducting
fire proof material.
64 is
The casing B is rigidly mounted on a base plate C supported on say four feet c
preferably constructed of refractory or non-conducting material or on castors wheels
or other suitable devices.
D is a water gauge the pipes & connecting which with the boiler A extend across
the flue space a and to which is fitted a draw off cock d' whereby the boiler A. may
be emptied of its contents.
To the top plate of the casing B is secured the flue outlet E, E' which is in the
form of an elbow the horizontal part E of which is preferably smaller than the
vertical part E¹ and is connected to the spark-arrester F. This spark-arrester
consists of an outer casing containing cones and f¹ which serve to intercept the
passage of solid matter while admitting of the uninterrupted passage of the gaseous
products of combustion, the course of which is indicated by the arrows in Figure 3.
G is the steam outlet pipe or elbow from the boiler A which is preferably formed
taper, its larger end secured to the boiler so that the pressure of the steam may be
maintained. Up to the point of its discharge through the smaller end of said
pipe which latter end is secured to the cone f of the spark arrester as shewn in
Figure 3.
e is a door fitted in the flue outlet E E¹ so as to admit of its being readily
cleaned, and to enable the spark arrester F to be cleaned it may be so constructed
and fitted in position, as for example in the manner hereinafter described, as to
enable it to be taken to pieces.
The outlet end of the spark arrester F is connected to the mixing chamber H
which may consist merely of a cylindrical tube, but is preferably constructed with
a water jacket H¹ which surrounds the chamber H and which is connected by
means of a union joint hand pipe h¹ with the water tank I which ensures the water
jacket being kept full. The end of the mixing chamber H or the water jacket H
thereof farthest from the spark arrester F is supported on a standard h² which
being constructed of pipe and fitted with a draw off cock ³ serves also as a means
for drawing off the water from the water jacket H¹ and through it, also from the
tank I. The lower part of the standard h² although not necessarily tubular, is
preferably so for the sake of lightness, and its lower extremity suitably secured as
by a flange h to the base plate C.
For facilitating the cleaning of the spark arrester F we prefer to permanently
secure its outer casing f' to the adjacent end of the mixing chamber and water
jacket H H as by flange and socket fittings as shewn in Figure 3 and to detachably
fit said outer casing into a socket formed on the front plate or disc f³ of the
spark arrester F, this plate or disc f³ being rigidly secured to the branch E of the

page_text: flue-outlet E E¹. The standard h² is, also for this purpose provided with a joint h".
When it is desired to clean the spark-arrester all that is necssary after withdrawing
all the water from the jacket H¹ and tank I through the draw-off cock ³, is to
disconnect the pipe joints h and hand pull the mixing chamber H and its con-
nections away from the front plate or disc f3 when the dust or ashes may be removed
by turning the casing f2 downwards and if necessary brushing or sweeping it out.
To the outlet end of the mixing chamber H is secured a short pipe J to which
the first section or length of the delivery pipe J' is connected by means of a cup
and ball joint j. The delivery pipe may be constructed of any desired number of
sections or lengths all connected together by cup and ball joints such as jor of
other desired construction and according to the purpose for which the apparatus is
to be employed its delivery end is either provided with a perforated nozzle such as
is shewn in Figures 5 and 6 or 7 which is specially devised for fire-extinguishing
purposes, or with a nozzle delivering only at its end (or otherwise) for other
purposes.
K is a trough located in the mixing chamber H for containing a supply of any
desired disinfecting or other medium the vapours from which it may be desired to
mix with the mixture of steam and gaseous products delivered by the apparatus.
This trough K may be charged by means of a tube k connecting with a cup or
funnel located at the outside of the apparatus and provided with a cock
controlling the supply to the trough K and preventing the escape through the
tube of steam and gaseous products from the mixing chamber H.
for
The tank I is supported on a plate i mounted on standards secured to the top
plate of the casing B and it is provided with a cock and with a pipe l, which
connects it with a hand pump L the delivery pipe of which extends down through
the top plate of casing B and into and near the bottom of the boiler A as shown in
dotted lines in Figure 3 12 is the handle by which the pump is operated.
M is a preferably flanged hollow standard conveniently connected to the top
plate of casing B and boiler A in the manner shewn in Figure 2, by means of a
distance ring m extending across the flue space a¹ and bolts m passing through the
ring m boiler and casing plates and standard flange. To this hollow standard are
fitted a steam pressure gauge N, safety valve O see Figures 1 and 4 preferably
spring-controlled and a cock P' surmounted by a funnel p which is located immediately
beneath the before mentioned tank-cock i².
Q is a preferably hollow bar secured to the casing B by brackets, and Q are
other bars secured to the standard 2 and casing B all of which serve for enabling
the apparatus to be readily carried from place to place, and Q2 are loops one
secured to one of the bars Q' and the other to the casing B, which serve for the
attachment of straps or the like, by means of which a man may sling the apparatus
upon his shoulders.
The delivery nozzle R shown in Figures 5 and 6 consists of a pipe closed and
wedge or chisel shaped at one end and perforated throughout more or less of its
length, the perforations being more numerous or of larger size the nearer they
approach the closed end r, this being desirable in order that the mixture of steam
and gaseous products may be delivered practically uniformly at all points of the
nozzle.
The nozzle shown in Figure 7 differs from that shown in Figures 5 and 6 only as
regards the shape of its closed end r which, in this example is tapered or inclined
at one side only, whereas that shown in Figures 5 and 6 is tapered from both
sides.
When it is desired to use the before described apparatus the boiler A is to the
required extent filled with preferably boiling water if such be readily accessible
which may be done by opening the cock P and pouring the water into the funnel p.
If however boiling or hot water be not readily accessible cold water must be used
and this may either be supplied through the tank I by opening the cock 2 or
directly through the funnel p. When the boiler is filled to the required extent
which will be readily ascertained by observing the water gauge D, the cock i³ and P

page_text: are turned off and a fire is kindled on the grate B¹. The materials which have
been found best suited for this fire are coke and charcoal and in order that the
apparatus may be ready at any time for immediate use it is preferred to keep it
charged with a mixture of these materials and a sufficient quantity of easily
inflammable material under said materials. These materials act very efficiently in
depriving the atmospheric air of its oxygen and converting it into carbonic acid
and are not liable to give off other and inflammable gases.
The gaseous products issuing from the furnace pass in the direction indicated by
the arrows in Figure 3, through the flue outlet E E' and spark-arrester F and
thence through the mixing chamber H, delivery pipe J J¹ and are finally discharged
through the outlet nozzle R which, assuming that the purpose for which it be
required is fire-extinguishing may be of the construction shown in Figures 5
and 6 or 7.
As soon as steam is generated in the boiler A it passes by way of the outlet
pipe G into the mixing chamber H and as it issues from the smaller end of the
pipe G it creates a draught through the flue outlet E E', spark arrester F, mixing
chamber H and delivery pipe J J', the gaseous products intimately mixed with the
steam being ultimately discharged through the outlet nozzle R. By the steam
being thus employed for creating a draught the furnace will be kept burning
brightly and the greater the pressure of steam the more rapidly will it be
discharged from the outlet end of G and consequently the greater will be the
draught created through the apparatus so that the discharge of the gaseous
products will be augmented in proportion to that of the steam.
The mixture of gaseous products and steam ejected through the nozzle R may
be delivered on to the fire to be extinguished by properly directing the delivery
nozzle towards it, when the fire will speedily be put out. As a convenient example
let it be assumed that a fire originates in a stack of goods or heap of rubbish ;
this may be readily extinguished by pushing a nozzle such as is shown in
Figures 5 and 6 or Figure 7 as far as possible into the lower part of said stack or
heap. The mixture delivered by this nozzle will percolate throughout the heap
and speedily extinguish the fire.
If it be desired to impregnate the mixture of gaseous products and steam with a
chemical or other agent calculated to assist in the results desired to be obtained by
the employment of said mixture said chemical or agent is introduced into the
trough K through the before mentioned funnel k¹ and cock k².
The before described apparatus is particularly serviceable for destroying vermin
especially rats in ships for which purpose the stream of gaseous products and steam
may be forced through the runs or spaces most infested by these destructive pests,
also for fumigating or disinfecting purposes the peculiar manner of applying the
agent rendering easy the fumigating or disinfecting of places which could not be
conveniently reached by ordinary means.
When it is desired, during the working of the apparatus, to supply water to the
boiler A, in which at such time there will be too great a pressure to admit of its
being supplied to it from the tank I by gravity, this may be effected by operating
the pump L by means of its handle 1.
The water in the jacket H' cools the gaseous products during their passage
through the mixing chamber H and when the water in the jacket H' becomes
heated it may be withdrawn through the cock h³ and cold water supplied in its
place.
The before described apparatus may be modified without departing from the
spirit of our invention and consequently we do not limit ourselves to the precise
arrangements set forth.
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 :-
1. The employment of a mixture of gaseous products of combustion and steam

page_text: with or without the addition of a chemical or other agent for destroying vermin
substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The employment of a mixture of gaseous products of combustion and steam
with or without the addition of a chemical or other agent for fumigating or
disinfecting purposes substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. In apparatus for fire-extinguishing vermin destroying or fumigating or
disinfecting purposes the combination with a furnace and boiler of flue and steam
outlets such as E E and G both opening into the same chamber or delivery
pipe substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
4. In apparatus for fire extinguishing, vermin destroying fumigating and
disinfecting purposes the combination with a furnace and boiler and flue and steam
outlets such as E E' and G of a spark arrester such as F and mixing chamber such
as H substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
5. In apparatus for fire extinguishing vermin destroying fumigating and
disinfecting purposes the combination with a furnace and boiler, flue and steam
outlets such as E E' and G and spark arrester such as F of a water jacketted
mixing chamber such as HH' having a trough for containing a medicating,
disinfecting or other agent and a tube funnel and cock such as K, K1, K2 for
supplying such agent to the trough substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete apparatus
for fire extinguishing, or fumigating or disinfecting purposes substantially as
herein before described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 24th day of July One thousand eight hundred and ninety-three.
NEWNHAM BROWNE,
Agent for the Applicants.