Improvements in Fire-lighters and Receptacles used in Conjunction therewith.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1891.
Improvements in Fire-lighters and Receptacles used in Conjunction
therewith.
1, FRITZ SAHLFELD of Brühlstrasse 3, Hanover, Germany, Chemist, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The fire-lighters hitherto used for lighting fuel in fire-grates have been defective
in many respects inasmuch as in a short time they have been destroyed by the fire
and their use in ranges and stoves with grills has been highly inconvenient.
On the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a vertical section and Fig. 2 a
longitudinal section of my improved fire-lighter and receptacle.
This improved fire lighter consists of a strong iron wire B furnished with an
eyelet A and connected at its lower extremity to a cage C. formed of annealed
wires D and containing asbestos cord or ribbon or asbestos fibre E.
As this asbestos fibre if exposed to the fire in its normal state would commence
to crack and dwindle away I impregnate the fibre with a concentrated solution of
boric acid under a pressure of one and a half atmospheres which hardens the fibre
and changes the nature of the same entirely but leaves it sufficiently absorbent to
absorb the quantity of petroleum required.
G is my improved receptacle about half filled with the petroleum or other
inflamable spirit to be used, which is composed of sheet metal and provided with a
metal eyelet H by which it is suspended from the chimney wall or other convenient
part of the fire-place.
This receptacle is fitted with a spiral spring K which presses against the under-
side of the rim or flange M of the lid L. This spring always tends to force the
lid upwards and keep the mouth of the receptacle closed so that none of the
petroleum therein contained may evaporate.
This receptacle G is also provided with a hook I on which to hang the fire-
lighter when not in use by means of the eyelet A.
As soon as it is required to use the fire-lighter the same is removed from the
hook and introduced into the receptacle & by depressing the lid L and spiral
spring K.
A disc or flange F is fastened to the end of the rod. B for guiding the lid L up
and down when it is depressed.
As soon as the asbestos fibre or ribbon is sufficiently saturated with the petroleum
the fire-lighter is taken out of the receptacle G and ignited. It is then inserted
amongst the fuel and produces a strong flame which very quickly causes the fuel to
become incandescent.
In this way I produce a fire-lighter which will last a number of years and afford
a means of storing the petroleum and preventing its evaporation.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what 1
claim is :-
:-
1st. The improved fire-lighter consisting of a rod B and a wire cage C filled
with asbestos fibre or ribbon impregnated with boric acid substantially as and for
the purposes herein before described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
2nd. In combination with my improved fire-lighter the employment of a
receptacle G for containing the petroleum or other spirit, fitted with a loose lid L

page_text: and spiral spring K mounted and operating. substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 12th day of August 1891
JOHN G. WILSON,
Agent for the Applicant.