Automatic Apparatus for the Periodic Production of Antiseptic and other Sprays.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 9th July, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 9th Apr., 1889-Accepted, 29th June, 1889
TRUVIDIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Automatic Apparatus for the Periodic Production of Antiseptic
and other Sprays.
ALFRED RENÉ UPWARD of 22 Fairholme Road West Kensington London electrical
engineer. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This apparatus consists of a steel or other metallic store vessel wherein a large
volume of air or other gas is compressed or stored under a high pressure of say several
tons to the square inch. This vessel is fitted with a special controlling valve actuated
by a mechanical gearing which is both powerful and at the same time allows.of exact
adjustment of the valve: a pipe from this valve enters a glass bubble indicator con-
nected by another pipe with a second or low pressure vessel which consequently may
be of thinner material: this second vessel may be fitted with two safety valves the
one adjustable the other in order to avoid danger of setting taking the simple
form of a membrane tied airtight over an aperture: this second vessel in turn is con-
nected by another pipe containing a tap with a vessel containing material for spray
fitted with an ordinary spray nozzle: the pressure in the second vessel actuates the
tap in the pipe joining the second vessel to the spray reservoir by a self acting apparatus
functioning at the required pressures thus actuating the spray at intervals by the
passage of air: the self acting apparatus may consist of a piston and cylinder an
indiarubber ball or other appliance.
The instrument is put into operation by opening the valve fitted to the first or high
pressure vessel until a sufficiently large current of air as shown by the bubble indicator
flows: the volume of this current primarily determines the frequency of the spray by
the time occupied in filling the second or low pressure vessel. When the second
vessel takes the form of a metallic receiver it may be fitted with an indiarubber ball a
piston and cylinder or the like appliance which by their motion expansion or con-
traction actuate the tap in the pipe leading to the spray reservoir. The current of air
on passing into the spray reservoir produces a spray in the ordinary way. The second
or low pressure vessel may take the form of a small bellows in which case the piston and
cylinder or indiarubber ball is unnecessary the expansion and contraction of the
bellows being utilised to open and close the tap leading from it to the spray reservoir
e.g. when this second vessel is being gradually filled by the current of air from the
first vessel on the maximum expansion being reached its top comes into contact
with the lever of the special form of valve connecting this vessel with the spray
reservoir thus opening the tap and on the bellows again collapsing after having
passed their charge of air into the spray reservoir the lever of the valve is drawn
down and the valve thus closed. This series of actions goes on continuously thus
producing intermittent sprays.
The before mentioned bubble indicator which is visible through a slot in the casing
of the instrument is a glass vessel containing oil or other suitable fluid that does not
readily evaporate and is connected with the first or high pressure vessel in such a way
that the air or other gas on its passage to the second vessel may be seen bubbling
through the liquid the indicator contains: in addition to showing the rate of flow with
consequent frequency of spray it indicates when the valve attached to the high
pressure vessel is properly shut whenever it is wished to put the instrument out
of use.
The before mentioned second or low pressure vessel which may be fitted with two
safety valves as described above in addition to its function of producing intermittency
also serves the reservoir of the spray jet with a reduced or suitable pressure for pro-
lucing intermittent or if required constant sprays.
When no compressing apparatus is to hand for recharging the first or high pressure.

page_text: vessel when empty the vessel may be recharged by means of a slow combustion
cartridge composed of a suitable material such as to give out a large volume of gas
during its combustion and which at the same time contains sufficient oxygen to support
its own combustion: the cartridge holder is screwed into an aperture in the vessel and
made airtight by an indiarubber washer.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Automatic Apparatus for the Periodic Production of Antiseptic *
and other Sprays.
I, ALFRED RENÉ UPWARD, Electrical Engineer, of 150 Holland Road, Kensington W.,
. 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 apparatus consists of a steel or other metallic store vessel wherein a large
volume of air or other gas is compressed or stored under a high pressure of say: several
"tons to the square inch. Preferably I employ liquified gas such as nitrous oxide, as I
thereby keep the pressure in the vessel constant until almost all the gas is expended.
This vessel is fitted with a controlling valve which allows of exact adjustment of the
opening. A pipe from this valve enters a glass bubble indicator connected by another
pipe with a second or low pressure vessel, which consequently may be of thinner
material. This second vessel may be fitted with two safety valves, the one adjustable,
the other to avoid the danger of "setting," taking the simple form of a membrane
tied airtight over an aperture. This second vessel in turn is connected by another
pipe containing a tap with a vessel containing material for spray fitted with an ordinary
spray nozzle. The pressure in the second vessel actuates the tap in the pipe joining
the second vessel to the spray reservoir by a self acting apparatus functioning at the
required pressures, thus actuating the spray at intervals by the passage of gas. The
self acting apparatus may consist of a piston and cylinder, an india rubber ball or
other appliance. The instrument is put into operation by opening the valve fitted to
the first or high pressure vessel until a sufficiently large current of gas as shewn by
the bubble indicator flows.
The volume of this current primarily determines the frequency of the spray by the
time occupied in filling the second or low pressure vessel. When the second vessel
takes the form of a metallic receiver, it may be fitted with an india rubber ball, a
piston and cylinder or the like appliance which by their motion, expansion or contrac-
tion, actuate the tap in the pipe leading to the spray reservoir. The current of gas in
passing into the spray reservoir produces a spray in the ordinary way. The second or
low pressure vessel may take the form of a small bellows, in which case the piston and
cylinder or india rubber ball is unnecessary. The expansion and contraction of the
bellows being utilized to open and close the tap leading from it to the spray reservoir
e.g. when this second vessel is being gradually filled by the current of gas from the
first vessel on the maximum expansion being reached, its top comes into contact with
the lever of a valve connecting this vessel with the spray reservoir, thus opening the
tap and on the bellows again collapsing after having passed their charge of gas into
the spray reservoir, the lever of the valve is drawn down and the valve thus closed.
This series of actions goes on continuously, thus producing intermittent sprays. The
before mentioned bubble indicator which is visible through a slot in the casing of the
instrument is a glass vessel containing oil or other suitable fluid that does not readily
evaporate, and is connected with the first or high pressure vessel in such a way that
the air or other gas on its passage to the second vessel may be seen bubbling. through
the liquid which the indicator contains. In addition to showing the rate of flow with
consequent frequency of spray, it indicates when the valve attached to the high
pressure vessel is properly shut, whenever it is, wished to put the instrument out
of use

page_text: The before mentioned second or low pressure vessel which may be fitted with two
safety valves as described above in addition to its function of producing intermittency,
also serves the reservoir of the spray jet with a reduced or suitable pressure for pro-
ducing intermittent or, if required, constant sprays. When no compressing apparatus
is to hand for recharging the first or high pressure vessel when empty, the vessel may
be recharged by means of a slow combustion cartridge composed of a suitable material
such as to give out a large volume of gas during its combustion and which at the same
time contains sufficient oxygen to support its own combustion. The cartridge holder
is screwed into an aperture in the vessel and made airtight by an india rubber
washer.
In order that my invention may be the better understood I now proceed to describe
a convenient practicable form of apparatus for carrying the same into effect reference
being had to the letters and figures marked thereon.
The figure shown is an elevation with several part sections of operating details.
A is a steel or other metallic store vessel wherein a large volume of air or other gas
is compressed or stored under a high pressure. Preferably I employ liquefied gas
such as nitreous oxide as the pressure in the vessel is thereby maintained constant by
re-evaporation of the compressed gas until almost the whole of the gas expended. The
store vessel A is provided with a valve C and valve seat in the exit passage of the
tube D. By the regulation of the valve exact adjustment of the flow of gas through
the exit passage may be obtained which will determine the number of spray jets dis-
charged in a given time. The gas passing through the tube D traverses a bubble
indicator E consisting of the entry pipe D passing down into volume of liquid or oil
which does not readily evaporate and has no effect upon the passing gas. This
apparatus is made of glass and fitted in a case so as to be easily visible to the user,
the passage of the bubbles.visibly indicating the rapidity of the passage of the gas
controlled by the valve C
within
From this bubble indicator the compressed air or gas enters an india-rubber or other
elastic vessel J through the pipe G the elastic chamber being expanded. As the
elastic chamber J thus expands it presses upwards the freely sliding piston
the chamber K against the reaction of a strong spiral spring M about the stem of the
piston L. The end of the said piston is provided with a buffer end L' which carries
and lifts a similar buffer end N¹ of a vertically sliding spindle or rod N. This spindle
is connected to the piston O¹ of a dash pot O conveniently placed within a rectangular
frame n of the said spindle or rod N, the spindle being pressed upwards by the
expanding secondary low pressure vessel J against the reaction of the springs P.
The passage through the piston O' in the dash pot, through which the liquid, such as
oil, passes, is provided with a valve 02 at the mouth which permits the oil to pass freely
through this passage in the ascent of the piston but closes the passage on the descent,
the oil or liquid being forced by the descent to escape around the periphery of the
piston, which is not too tightly fitted, and thus affords a convenient brake to the down-
ward movement of the spindle or rod N by the springs P.
An exhaust or issue for the compressed charge of air or gas from the secondary
elastic chamber J, after it has been filled, and when it is desired that the chamber J
shall collapse, is provided through the pipe F, and an exhaust valve H, the exhaust
issuing when the valve H is opened through the escape pipe H2 to any usual spray
ejector for the distribution of the spray of scent, or other liquid, or disinfectant, at
regulated intervals. The exhaust valve H is held down through the spindle H¹ and a
spiral spring H³ & is connected by a slot to the lever R, which is pressed by the pin N²
fixed in the spindle or rod N and pressed downwards by the springs P. P. The
lever R is there caught by a detent lever Q, which continues to secure the lever R after
the spindle or rod N has been lifted by the secondary elastic chamber, until the pro-
jecting nose N³ on the said spindle or rod reaches the roller Q³ and the detent lever Q
which pivots on the centre Q, and is thereby caused to release the lever R when the
said projection N³ pushes back the lower end of the detent lever Q. The exhaust
valve H thereupon rises instantaneously from its seat by the tension of the spiral
spring R³. The exhaust gas pressure is thus released and forced out with considerable

page_text: velocity by the reaction of the spring M forcing down the piston I upon the upper
surface of the elastic secondary chamber J. The spindle or rod N, being no longer
upheld by the buffer L' of the piston L, descends also by the reaction of the springs P
at a moderate speed, controlled by the dash pot O and piston O¹, to allow the exhaust
from the chamber J to escape. As the descent proceeds the lever R andrexhaust
valve Hattached thereto is allowed to come home again upon its seat, by the pressure
of the spring H³ and is secured by the detent Q.
The apparatus is now restored into "statu quo" for the refilling of the elastic
chamber J and the same series of operations can recur.
I
It is obvious that the elastic chamber J if constructed in the form of a bellows
protected by plates above and below, the said plates being connected together by spring
connections, the enclosing chamber K may be dispensed with, whilst the action of
such an expanding bellows would be equivalent to the piston L lying upon the elastic
chamber J.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-"
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, be it known that I do not
confine myself to the exact form of mechanism illustrated, as various mechanical
equivalents may be readily devised, but what I claim is :-.
1st. A storage vessel, containing compressed air or liquified gas, and provided with
"a regulated issue tap or valve, in combination with a secondary chamber, automatically
producing alternate charge and discharge by rising pressure or actual movement,
the discharges being utilized to produce intermittent spray jets, substantially as
described.
2nd. In such an intermittent spray jet apparatus the combination of a power
storage vessel of compressed air or liquefied gas with regulated uniform and constant
discharge; a secondary vessel producing alternate charge and discharge by rising
pressure or actual movement; and automatic valve gear operated by the said secondary
vessel, producing instantaneous discharge, and controlled so as to maintain discharge
by a dash-pot or water-brake, substantially as described.
rd. The application in such an intermittent spray jet apparatus of a gaseous elastic
store power, to produce the necessary mechanical movement, and at the same time
by exhaust to effect the dispersion of a liquid in the form of spray, substantially as
and for the purposes described.
4th. In such an intermittent spray jet apparatus the general construction and com-
bination of parts, substantially as described and illustrated herewith.
5th. In such an intermittent spray jet apparatus, the construction of a bubble
indicator rendering the passage of the gas visible as bubbles, as an indication of the
time between successive discharges of spray, substantially as described.
6th. In such an intermittent spray jet apparatus, the application of a cartridge
containing a suitable self consuming charge to produce by combustion a re-charge of
compressed gas in the storage vessel, as and when desired, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of April 1889.
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.