Deodorizing India-Rubéoer. 383 
articles it can be carried on in co-operation with the heat- 
_ing or curing by which the vulcanization is effected, and 
they leave the chamber at once free from odour. It is 
equally applicable to india-rubber in sheet, spread fabrics, 
or the garments or other articles made therefrom when 
fully made up, such as the ordinary “macintosh” clothing, 
air and water cushions, &c. The use of this process en- 
ables the inventor to produce his “ flexible diaphragms” 
(which were first brought before the public at the Dublin 
Exhibition, where they obtained a prize medal) in so pure 
a state, that they may be at once used with the most deli- 
cate wines and other liquids. The diaphragm itself is a 
contrivance for the division of casks, or other vessels, into 
two separate chambers, by means of a flexible partition, 
which fits to the upper or lower part of the vessel alter- 
nately, or into any intermediate position, so that whatever 
the quantity of liquor contained within it, the air (though 
still exercising its pressure through the medium of the 
diaphragm) is separated from it by an impervious shield, 
and thus the injurious effects of exposure to atmospheric 
influence are altogether avoided, and any portion of the 
liquor may be withdrawn at pleasure, and as often as may 
be, without any admission of air to the remaining portion. 
In this way, vessels of wine and beer are stated to have 
been actually kept in constant use for six and twelve 
months without any fermentation or formation of acid 
resulting. It is equally applicable to other liquids for 
domestic use, or for medicinal or scientific purposes, the 
fluid remaining as completely secured as if the vessel were 
actually full. 
An adjunct to this invention, and which admits also of 
independent use, is in the elastic valves, in two varieties— 
the one for giving vent to the products of fermentation, 
when desired—such as the carbonic acid gas generated by 
malt liquors, &c., the other for giving admission to air, SO 
as to enable the liquid to flow through the tap, or other 
orifice. In the one case a circular disk of vulcanized india- 
rubber is made to cover a small opening through which 
the gas is free to escape, but meets in its passage with the 
—india-rubber, which being forcibly held down round its 
edge, is at liberty to become distended, and in so distend- 
ing, opens a number of very minute holes, which have been 
previously pierced through its surface. When the pressure 
is removed, the disk again becomes flat, and its orifices 
shut. The degree of pressure to be sustained before these 
