IMPROVEMENTS IN CAPS OR APPARATUS FOR EXPLODING DYNAMITE AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES
Year: 1885

page_text: I JACOB PAULUS of No 15 Kurfürstenstrasse in the City of Berlin, Prussia,
Germany, Percussion Cap Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my
Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN CAPS OR APPARATUS FOR EXPLODING DYNAMITE
AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-.
My invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of blasting caps for
exploding dynamite, nitro-benzole, gun cotton and other blasting compounds the
object of which said improvements is to insure the explosion and increase the
explosive force of such said blasting caps whether they are employed for exploding
dynamite, nitro-benzole, gun-cotton or for other purposes.
1
By means of my improvements I am enabled to obtain the above mentioned
results in a higher or lesser degree, according to the purpose which it is desired to
attain.
My improvements apply equally to ordinary blasting caps and to such provided
with an inner capsule.
The accompanying drawing shows in a number of representations those improve-
ments, which I desire to protect by Letters Patent.
The improvements refer as much to the construction of the caps, as to the
absolute perfection of the charge and the method of filling the same into the cap,
as the charge is only then able to fulfil its purpose surely and with the highest
effect when the explosive mass is in a perfectly dry condition and when it
completely fills out the hollow space of the double-cap as a compact body, which
cannot be affected by rapid or violent motion or shocks to which the caps may be
subjected.
Besides insuring the absolute safety of the charge, and attaining the highest
effect at the explosion of the cap, it is the object of all these improvements to
direct the force of the explosion downwards, or in other words in the direction of
the longitudinal axis of the explosive mass which the said cap is intended to
explode.
It is however possible if the purpose requires it, to divide the exploding
power in such manner, that the same is able to act with great effect in a lateral
direction.
1

page_text: A few small holes or perforations of round angular or other appropriate form in
the side walls of the cap within the limits of the charge, would produce the
desired effect and would be of special importance in cases where fluid explosives
are employed.
The figures in the accompanying drawing represent the different constructions of;
the cap, according to the degree of the force of explosion required for the purpose
and with the object before mentioned.
Figure 1 represents a cap the bottom of which is so weakened that the same only
acts as a protective cover for the charge.
Figure 2 shows a cap of which the corner formed by the bottom and the side
walls is bevilled off to such an extent that only thin annular connection between
bottom and side wall remains.
Figure 3 shows the weakened parts of the bottom which are produced by cuts
or incisions in the inner or outer surface of the said bottom.
In Figure 4 the bottom is either totally or to the greater part punched out
or removed thus only leaving a narrow rim or such parts as were left by the
respective cutting, which remaining parts are intended to receive the plate or
cover.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a cap perfectly bottomless; Figure 5 showing the blank
space, whereas Figures 6 and 7 show the same closed up by an inserted cap or
covered with a suitable cover.
Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 represent caps with an outer and an inner capsule, the
latter of which are provided with a round or otherwise formed opening or aperture
in the bottom of appropriate size, whereby the inner, cap is arranged either a few
millimetre above the bottom of the outer cap or shell or closely resting upon the
same, the hollow space between being completely filled out with hard pressed dry
explosive matter which thus forms a hard solid body.
Figure 12 is a cap without bottom as shown in Figure 4, but surrounded by a
mantle or shell.
Figures 13 and 14 show caps with a capsule and an outer mantle or shell for the
purpose of strengthening the walls of the said caps.
Figures 15, 16 and 17 show caps with or without bottom with walls of con-
siderable thickness, that the nipping in of the upper, uncharged portion of the
walls is no longer admissible and so that (as shown by Figures 13 and 14) for the
reception of the quick-match the employment of a thin tube of soft metal which
may either be pressed or screwed into the cap or shell is required; or the upper
part of the cap may be provided with a screw-thread for the reception of the
quick-match.
Figures 18 and 19 are caps with walls of considerable thickness, the upper
part a of which is provided with screw-threads for the quick-match, whereas the
lower part of the wall of the cap either serves direct for the reception of the
explosive matter, (Figure 18) or receives an inner capsule (Figure 19) which latter
is provided with a vent and is placed into the cap in inverted position i.e. with the
open part downwards. The smaller borings y which serve as igniting canals or
channels should before inserting the quick-match be filled up with loose gun-
powder or some other suitable explosive or combustible matter of a secondary
nature; whereby the effect of the shot will be absolutely secured.
In order to protect the outer or inner walls of the cap or caps or the shell or
shells from the influence of acids the same can be varnished with a suitable
varnish or other equivalent or be provided with a suitable coating of non-oxydizing
metal or other matter by means of electricity or galvanic action or in other suitable
manner.
It, is evident that in order to attain the object before described, and without
departing from the principle of 'my invention, I can, from the various constructions
shown, apply and carry out a further number of combinations of the parts of the
لو

page_text: 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
;
1. The weakening of the bottom of an ordinary blasting cap to a minimum by
means of turning, cutting, grinding, planing or otherwise removing the same in such
manner that only a thin cover for the protection of the charge is left substantially.
as and for the purpose described in the foregoing specification and shown in Figure 1
of the accompanying drawings.
2. Leaving the bottom of an ordinary exploding cap in its original thickness-but
reducing the corner formed by the bottom and the side wall by cutting or other
appropriate operation to such thinness, that only a weak connection is left sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described in the foregoing specification and shown
in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
3. Leaving the bottom of an ordinary exploding-cap in its original form, and
cutting or making incisions for the same in figures of any desired shape or form
substantially as and for the purpose described in the foregoing specification and
shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
4. Punching out or otherwise removing the bottom of an ordinary exploding cap
in such a manner, that only a narrow circular edge or rim remains which serves as
support for a plate or disc of metal or other suitable material; or punching out or
otherwise removing the bottom in any other desired shape or form substantially as
and for the purpose described in the foregoing specification and shown in Figure 4
of the accompanying drawings.
5. Constructing ordinary exploding caps with cylindrical walls and without
bottom which latter is replaced by a disc or plate or by a suitable cup or cover or
an inserted cup of metal or other suitable material substantially as and for the
purpose described in the foregoing specification and shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 of
the accompanying drawings.
6. In a detonating or blasting cap the combination of an outer and inner
cylindrical cap, whereby the outer cap is either left in its original form, or is
treated as shewn in figures 1 to 7 and whereby the inner cap is provided with one
or more circular or other openings or apertures and is inserted in the outer cap in
such manner that the former is either left a few millimetre distance from the
bottom of the latter, or firmly rests upon the bottom of the same, and further by
then filling out the hollow space formed by the two caps placed one within the
other with perfectly dry explosive matter or mass so that the same forms a hard,
solid mass.
7. Treating an ordinary exploding cap in the manner shown and described in
claims 1 to 6 and providing the said cap either before or after charging the same
with a cylindrical mantle of any desired thickness, which mantle may be made
of either drawn, cast, pressed or rolled metal substantially as and for the purpose
described in the foregoing specification and shown in Figure 12 of the accom-
panying drawings.
8. Treating in like manner as described in claim N° 7, a combined exploding
cap, consisting of an inner and an outer cylindrical cap substantially as and for the
purpose described in the foregoing specification and shown in Figures 13 and 14 of
the accompanying drawings.
9. The construction of an explosive cap of extraordinary thickness of wall and
of any suitable kind of drawn, cast, pressed or rolled metal, with either open or
closed bottom and providing the upper part of said cap for the reception of the
quick-match with a cylinder of soft metal which may either be pressed or screwed
in or the cap may be provided with a screw thread into which the quick-match
may be screwed substantially as described.
10. The manufacture of an exploding cap by boring out or otherwise mani-
pulating a body of a circular or polygonal cross-section of suitable metal which
may either be cast, drawn, pressed or rolled, the upper part a of which is provided
with a screw-thread for the reception of the quick-match, whereas the lower part ẞ

page_text: of said cap may either be loaded with the charge itself or be provided with a
loaded copper cap, the lower part of which is open and is provided at the bottom
with a touch or vent hole; further by connecting the borings a and B by an
igniting canal y and charging the latter before the insertion of the quick match for
the greater and absolute security of the explosion. with loose gun-powder or other
suitable safe and rapidly conducting explosive substance substantially as and for
the purpose described in the foregoing specification and shown in the Figures 18
and 19 of the accompanying drawings.
11. Providing an ordinary or combined blasting cap, in the latter case the outer
cap with means of protection against the influence of acids by treating the same
with either fluid or dry matter. or a mechanical process substantially as described
in the foregoing specification.