Improvements in Packing for Pistons, Stuffing Boxes, and other similar Parts of Engines or Machines, and in Composition for Treatment of the same.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Jan., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 8th Feb., 1887:
Improvements in Packing for Pistons, Stuffing Boxes, and other
similar Parts of Engines or Machines, and in Composition for
Treatment of the same.
1, CHARLES MCLAREN of the firm of George McLaren and Son of 112 Acre Terrace
Acre Lane Oldham in the County of Lancaster, Mill Furnisher 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:—
The object of this invention is to improve packing material made from hemp, jute, or
other fibrous substances by impregnating the same with a composition which will keep
the packing constantly lubricated and thus increase its durability and efficiency by
preventing it from heating and wearing away.
The invention is applicable to the packing material made from hemp, jute or other
fibrous substances in the form of gasket, or in other forms in which it may be used
for packing pistons, piston or pump rods, or other moving parts of Engines or machines
requiring to be packed.steam, air or liquid tight.
The invention consists principally in treating the gasket or other fibrous packing
material by immersing the same in, or otherwise impregnating the same with a mixture
or composition formed of the following ingredients.
To make one hundred weight of the composition I take about twenty eight pounds
of powdered asbestos, three pounds of powdered sulphur, fourteen pounds of plumbago
or black lead, fourteen pounds of steatite or French chalk, fourteen pounds of parraffine
wax, fourteen pounds of palm oil, fourteen pounds of castor oil, and eleven pounds of
soda crystals.
I mix these ingredients in about the above proportions and put the whole together
in a boiler or suitable vessel, and boil the same for a few minutes keeping the mixture
well agitated or stirred, until it is thoroughly incorporated, and has assumed a creamy
consistency.
It is then ready for use.
The gasket or other fibrous packing material is then immersed in or otherwise
thoroughly saturated or impregnated with this composition after which the superfluous

page_text: composition is removed by pressure and the prepared gasket or other fibrous packing
material thus produced is then employed for packing purposes in the ordinary
manner.
I would here remark that I do not wish to confine myself to the exact details of
the above composition as some of the ingredients may be dispensed with or their
proportions slightly varied without materially altering the effect produced although
the above materials and proportions are those which I prefer to employ and which
I have found to answer best in practice.
The composition may also be used for renovating the packing when its properties
have become deteriorated by use, and also for lubricating and improving ordinary
packing which has not been previously treated with such or similar composition.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
:-
First. The improvement of gasket or other similar packing made from hemp, jute,
or other suitable fibrous substances by saturating or impregnating the same with a
mixture composed substantially as hereinbefore described.
Secondly. I claim the particular mixture or composition for the treatment of fibrous
packing material, compounded substantially as hereinbefore particularly described and
set forth.
GEORGE DAVIES,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.