AN IMPROVED FILTER
Year: 1885

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare. the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
FILTER a communication to me from abroad by Jules Mallié of 155 Faubourg
Poissonnière, Paris, France, Engineer to be as follows:-
"
The necessity of obtaining pure water has led to the general employment of
filters, but hitherto these have served merely to clarify the water without depriving
it of any noxious principles it may contain.
J
The object of the present invention is to provide a filter which will not only
clarify the water but also retain the germs, animalculæ or organisms held in
suspension therein, whereby the water after passing through the filtering medium
will be rendered physiologically pure without undergoing any alteration in its
composition or being deprived of the salts or air necessary for its digestion.
The water in this improved filter is also in contact with a cushion of air
under pressure which becomes absorbed by and highly aerates the water, causing it
to present a milky appearance on being drawn off owing to the large number of
globules held in suspension for which reason I denominate it the "Aerifilter."
It has been stated by Monsieur Pasteur that it is possible by thorough filtration
combined with suitable pressure to arrest those organisins or animalculæ, microbes &
contained in water which according to Dr Koch and others, are the vehicles of
endemic and epidemic diseases.
The improved filter of this Invention may be readily connected to water service
pipes or cisterns, is easily fitted and taken to pieces, so as to enable the filtering
medium to be quickly replaced and is readily cleaned with the aid of boiling water
and a brush. It also admits of the employment of large filtering surfaces, capable
of furnishing large supplies of filtered water. The filter may be enclosed in
a protective casing and also be provided if desired with a safety valve. It is also
arranged to automatically cut off the supply, in the event of the filter becoming
broken whereby all danger of flooding is avoided.
The apparatus having the essential features above enumerated, may be produced
at a sufficiently low rate to allow of its general adoption.
The filtering action operates in an outward direction through the walls of the
filter, and the liquid supplied by the pipe from a cistern containing water under
pressure, or from a sufficient height to charge the filter, percolates through the

page_text: porous surface to the outside. The water may also be purified and cooled it may
be by means of rough ice or by the addition of certain salts placed in the porous
filtering vessel. The possibility of thus utilizing rough ice is one of the great
advantages of this filter as however impure its condition, none of its deleterious
ingredients can pass through the filtering medium.
The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing
figure 1 of which represents a central vertical section of the improved filter.
Figure 2 shows it branched onto a service pipe over a kitchen sink.
a is the
filter proper, made of any suitable material, such as wood, charcoal, porous earthen-
ware natural or artificial stone, biscuit, asbestos or any other material which from
its porosity whether natural or artificial and thickness is capable of effecting the
filtration of the liquid on the conditions above stated. The walls may be fluted
ribbed or corrugated in order to afford increased strength as well as a larger filtering
surface. b is a vessel to contain the filtered water preferably made of thick glass
or other transparent material enclosing the filter a to which it is connected by
à bayonet joint at r r. c is a nipple for attaching a flexible or other tube which
would be provided with a cock for drawing off the water. d d¹ are packing rings
preferably of round or oval section which in fitting the parts together are caused
by the compression to enter grooves made in the upper end of the filter a and upon
the adjacent faces of ring e and cover f. This mode of obtaining a watertight joint
constitutes one of the features of the apparatus, as by it a perfectly tight closure is
obtained without the employment of such pressure as would be liable to break the
flange of the filter a. e is a screw threaded ring by which the filter is connected to
the cap or cover f; the latter is made dome shaped and has a tubular extension
made conical at the lower end to form a seat for a valve g for cutting off the supply
in case of accident to the apparatus. This bell shaped cover constitutes by reason
of the tubular extension a kind of reservoir in which the head of water accumulates
compressed air, which by becoming dissolved in the water aerates and imparts
thereto the highly digestive properties before alluded to. Moreover this cushion of
compressed air saves all risk of bursting the filter by shocks due to the pressure of
the water. A separate air reservoir may also be used placed above the filter, from
which water would be supplied to the latter.
The apparatus for cutting off the water supply in the event of accident to the
filter, consists of a valve i mounted upon the upper end of a stem h which rests
upon the bottom of the filter a, so that in the event of the latter being broken, the
valve stem being no longer supported will fall and cause the valve to close the
inlet. The course of the water is indicated by the arrows and the filter is shown
as fitted directly to a bibcock on a service pipe l. Figure 2 shows the filter fitted
to a tap placed over a kitchen sink m, the filtered water dripping at c into a water
bottle n. is a tap for drawing unfiltered water.
Where large quantities of filtered water are required, a number of these filters
may be connected with a single cistern and all the nipples c be made to communicate
with the same supply pipe. A safety valve may also be provided to prevent
bursting the filter when the pressure exceeds a certain limit.
This improved filter may be applied to all kinds of pumps or other apparatus for
the supply of water under pressure and it may also be used for purifying other
liquids than water. The pipes and cocks may be made of any material not liable
to injuriously affect the water, but it is preferred to make them of pure tin to which
is added a small quantity of any metal or other material to give increased hardness;
while still retaining its innocuous character.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm: Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
FILTER" (a communication to me from abroad by Jules Mallié of 155 Faubourg
Poissonnière, Paris, France Engineer,) and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The necessity of obtaining pure water has led to the general employment of
filters, but hitherto these have served merely to clarify the water without
depriving it of any noxious principles it may contain.
The object of the present invention is to provide a filter which will not only
clarify the water but also retain the germs, animalcule or organisms held in
suspension therein, whereby the water after passing through the filtering medium
will be rendered physiologically pure without undergoing any alteration in its
composition or being deprived of the salts or air necessary for its digestion.
The water in this improved filter is also in contact with a cushion of air under
pressure which becomes absorbed by and highly aerates the water, causing it to
present a milky appearance on being drawn off owing to the large number of
globules held in suspension for which reason I denominate it the "Aerifilter."
It has been stated by Monsieur Pasteur that it is possible by thorough filtration
combined with suitable pressure to arrest those organisms or animalculæ, microbes
& contained in water which according to D' Koch and others, are the vehicles of
endemic and epidemic diseases.
The improved filter of this Invention may be readily connected to water service
pipes or cisterns, is easily fitted and taken to pieces, so as to enable the filtering
medium to be quickly replaced, and is readily cleaned with the aid of boiling
water and a brush. It also admits of the employment of large filtering surfaces
capable of furnishing large supplies of filtered water. The filter may be enclosed
in a protective casing and also be provided if desired with a safety valve. It is
also arranged to automatically cut off the supply in the event, of the filter becoming
broken, whereby all danger of flooding is avoided as well as the admixture of
unfiltered water.
The apparatus having the essential features above enumerated, may be produced
at a sufficiently low rate to allow of its general adoption.
The filtering action operates in an outward direction through the walls of the
filter, and the liquid supplied by the pipe from a cistern containing water under.
pressure, or from a sufficient height to charge the filter, percolates through the
porous surface to the outside. The water may also be purified and cooled, it may
be by means of rough ice or by the addition of certain salts placed in the porous
filtering vessel. The possibility of thus utilizing rough ice is one of the great,
advantages of this filter, as however impure its condition, none of its deleterious
ingredients can pass through the filtering medium.
The invention is illustrated. by way of example in the accompanying drawing,,
figure 1 of which represents a central vertical section of the improved filter.

page_text: •
Figure 2 shows it branched onto a service pipe over a kitchen sink, a, is the filter
proper made of any suitable material, such as wood, charcoal, porous earthenware,
natural or artificial stone, biscuit, asbestos or any other material which from its
porosity whether natural or artificial and thickness is capable of effecting the
filtration of the liquid on the conditions above stated. The walls may be fluted or
corrugated circumferentially in order to afford increased strength as well as a
larger filtering surface-These ribs, flutes or corrugations may be of any shape and
may also be disposed longitudinally of the filter. b is a vessel to contain the
filtered water preferably made of thick glass or other transparent material
enclosing the filter a, to which it is connected by a bayonet joint at r, r, c is a
nipple for attaching a flexible or other tube which would be provided with a cock,
for drawing off the water. d, d', are packing rings preferably of round or oval
section which in fitting the parts together are caused by the compression to enter
grooves made in the upper end of the filter a, and upon the adjacent faces of
ringe and cover f. This mode of obtaining a watertight joint constitutes one of
the features of the apparatus, as hy it a perfectly tight closure is obtained without
the employment of such pressure as would be liable to break the flange of the
filter a.
e is a screw threaded ring by which the filter is connected to the cap or
cover f; the latter is made dome shaped and has a downward tubular extension
forming a seat for a valve g, for cutting off the supply in case of accident to the
apparatus. This bell shaped cover constitutes by reason of the tubular extension, a
kind of reservoir in which the water accumulates compressed air, which becoming
dissolved in the water aerates and imparts thereto the highly digestive properties
before alluded to. Moreover this cushion of compressed air saves all risk of
bursting the filter by ramming or sudden shocks due to the pressure of the water.
A separate air reservoir may also be used contained in a vessel placed above the
filter from which water would be supplied to the latter.
The apparatus for cutting off the water supply in the event of accident to the
filter, consists of a valve i, mounted upon the upper end of a stem 1, which rests
upon the bottom of the filter a, so that in the event of the latter being broken, the
valve stem being no longer supported will fall and cause the valve i to close the
inlet. The course of the water is indicated by the arrows and the filter is shown
as fitted directly to a bibcock, on a service pipe 1,-Figure 2 shows the filter
fitted to a tap placed over a kitchen sink m, the filtered water dripping at c into
a water bottle n. p, is a tap for unfiltered water.
Where large quantities of filtered water are required, a number of these filters
may be connected with a single cistern and all the nipples c be made to commu-
nicate with the same supply pipe. A safety valve may also be provided to
prevent bursting the filter when the pressure exceeds a certain limit.
This improved filter may be applied to all kinds of pumps or other apparatus
for the supply of water under pressure and it may also be used for purifying other
liquids than water. The pipes and cocks may be made of any material not liable
to injuriously affect the water, but it is preferred to make them of pure tin to
which is added a small quantity of any metal or other material to give increased
hardness, while still retaining its innocuous character.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1st The construction and combination of parts constituting the improved filter
herein described.
2nd A filter constructed as herein described and provided with an air chamber
containing air under pressure in contact with the water whereby the water
becomes saturated with air as described.
3rd In a filter constructed as herein described, the combination with the
downward extension of the cover, of a valve arranged and operated for cutting off
the flow in case of accident to the filter, as described.

page_text: 4th The combination of packing rings of compressible material with grooves or
corrugations formed in the upper part of the filter and upon the adjacent faces of
the ring and cover for ensuring a perfectly water tight closure as described.