A New or Improved Process for the Production of Boron Sulphate Compounds, and the Application of such Products to Unliming of Hides or Skins, and to the Prevention of Putrefaction.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 27th June, 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
the
A New or Improved Process for the Production of Boron Sulphate
Compounds, and the Application of such Products to
Unliming of Hides or Skins, and to the Prevention of
Putrefaction.
A communication to me from Dr. HERMANN BAUER and JOHANN GYIKETTA,
Chemist, both of Stuttgart, in the Empire of Germany.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of a hitherto
unknown combination of oxygen consisting of boron, sulphur, oxygen and suitable
metals.
The process depends upon the action of boric acid upon a liquified bisulphate of
a suitable metal.
The process is illustrated in the following formula:
OH
OH
So,
+B-OH
OM \OH
(Metal)
O|BO|
==
2 H₂O+SO
OM
(Metal)
The process, by the use of a potash salt for instance is effected in the following
way.
Into liquified potassium sulphate equivalent parts of boric acid are introduced by
degrees, and are heated until no more water comes off. There is left at the end of
the reaction a clear, smooth, fluid mass, which after cooling forms an absolutely
transparent, glassy and very brittle body.
Repeated analysis of this new compound shews it to be constituted according to
the following formula:
2 SOK | BO = SO3+B₂O₂+K₂SO
The new boron sulphates have an acid reaction and taste, and are readily
dissolved in water and possess although containing a small proportion of boron,
greater antiseptic properties than pure boric acid, and for this reason are well
suited for unliming skins and hides, and for preserving animal and vegetable
substances, for disinfecting purposes, and for use in medicine and surgery. The
preparation is used either by dissolving a suitable quantity in water, or in the form
D077

page_text: of powder by mixing or diluting it with neutral or indifferent substances, such as
ordinary salt, Glauber's salt, or the like.
Dated this 19th dor of Navamber 1801
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the 'Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
the
A New or Improved Process for the Production of Boron Sulphate
Compounds, and the Application of such Products to
Unliming of Hides or Skins, and to the Prevention of
Putrefaction.
-
A communication to me from HERMANN BAUER, Teacher, and JOHANN GYIKETTA,
Chemist, both of Stuttgart, in the Empire of Germany.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, 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, that is to say :-
This invention relates to an improved process for the production of a hitherto
unknown combination of boron, which is composed of boron, sulphur, oxygen, and
suitable metals.
The improved process depends on the action of boracic acid upon a melting
bisulphate of a suitable metal by which action water will be separated, so that the
elementary radical called "boryl," is produced, which enters into the bisulphate in
place of the disposable hydrogen,
The new boron compounds, called "borol "are formed when equivalent parts of
boracic acid together with equivalent, parts of a bisulphate of a suitable metal, or
under the same conditions Borates (for instance biborate of soda), together with
monosulphates of metal, and sulphuric acid are heated to a temperature of
about 500° centigrade.
The process, when using bisulphate of potash for instance, is effected in the
following manner :
"
Into 136 parts of melting bisulphate of potash 62 parts of boracic acid are
introduced by degrees. The ordinary boracic acid is. transformed to meta-boracic
acid by the loss of one molecule of water. By. further heating the mass to the
above named temperature of about 500° centigrade, by the loss of one more
molecule of water 162 parts of the new chemical compound "borol" are formed.
A single comparison of this product with a mere mixture of the ingredients will
shew beyond doubt, that the alleged reactions have taken place, and that the new
"borol" is a definite chemical compound and not a mere mechanical mixture.
There is, however, not only an essential and important difference between the
compound and the mixture with regard to their appearance, but in respect to their
effect. The new compound, moreover, in consequence of the loss of water has a
smaller volume than the, ingredients used for the production of the said compound;
a fact which cannot occur, if it were only a mere mixture.
The new compounds have an acid reaction and taste, and are readily dissolved in
water, and possess, although containing a proportionally small quantity of boron,
far better antiseptic properties, than pure boracic acid, and for this reason they are
well suited for unliming skins and hides and for preserving animal and vegetable
substances, for disinfecting purposes, and the like.
The boron compound is used either by dissolving a suitable quantity thereof in
water, or in form of a powder by mixing it with neutral or indifferent substances
such as.common salt, Glauber's salt, etc.

page_text: The unliming of skins and hides is preferably effected in the following
manner :-
The pit of the tannery is to be three quarters filled up with luke warm water..
To this water is added and mixed therewith a proportionate quantity of the new
compound "borol" amounting to from to per cent. of the whole water. In order
to facilitate the mixing, it is preferable to dissolve the "borol" previously in a
bucket or tub. The hides to be unlimed should first be freed from all impurities
by soaking, and then placed so cleansed in the said solution, and allowed to remain
in it about a quarter to half an hour according to the kind of leather.
The hides are then removed from the solution and worked in a fulling trough
with water, after which they are ready for tanning.
For preserving and disinfecting purposes, powdered "borol" is to be mixed with
suitable indifferent substances, as already stated above.
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:-
1. The process of producing boron-sulphates of metal, or "borol," which consists
in melting and heating equivalent parts of boracic acid with bisulphates of metal,
or borates with sulphates of metal and sulphuric acid, all substantially as and for
the purpose described.
2. The process of unliming hides and skins, which consists in dissolving "borol"
in water and then treating the hides and skins to be unlimed with the said solution,.
substantially as specified.
3. The process of preserving and disinfecting animal and vegetable substances,.
which consists in mixing pulverized "borol" with indifferent materials, so that a
disinfecting powder is formed for manipulating and preparing the said substances,.
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 97th day of t
1000
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.