AN IMPROVED METHOD OF CLARIFYING AND SETTLING VARNISHES, OILS, AND OTHER LIKE SUBSTANCES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
-
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF CLARIFYING AND
SETTLING VARNISHES, OILS, AND OTHER LIKE SUBSTANCES." A. communi-
cation from abroad by Franklin Kersting, of Grand Rapids,
Michigan, United States of America, Grainer and Polisher.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 9th December 1872, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent. Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "AN IMPROVED
METHOD OF CLARIFYING AND SETTLING VARNISHES, OILS, AND OTHER LIKE
› SUBTANCES," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my

page_text: executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the
same, and have made solemn Declaration that it has been communicated
to me from abroad by Franklin. Kersting, of Grand Rapids, Michigan,
United States of America, Grainer and Polisher.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement:
-
This Invention relates to clarifying and settling varnishes, oils, tur-
pentine, molasses, and other like substances.
Heretofore in the manufacture of varnish it has required from three or
six to nine months to settle or precipitate the insoluble components of
varnishes, while by this improved method forty-eight hours or less will
be sufficient, and the varnish and other materials will be freed from all
motes and specks. Hitherto also quick drying varnishes have been used
but have been more or less dirty and specked. By my method the
drying quality of the varnish is greatly improved and a brilliant and
durable lustre is added. The object of this Invention is to remedy the
difficulties heretofore experienced in clarifying varnishes and the like,
and to this end I use as clarifyers ground burnt oyster shells, and pulver-
ized marble chips as a precipitate.
My improved method is as follows:- -I take oyster shells, burn them
well, and grind them to a fine powder, I then grind marble chips and
dust to a powder also; these are thoroughly mixed together and thrown
into a vessel containing the liquid; the mixture is then allowed to stand
forty-eight hours, during which time all the dirt, motes, and gum specks
of the liquid are precipitated to the bottom of the receptacle, and a new
and improved varnish or article is thus produced for the trade. The
following proportions are usually observed by me in the clarification of
manufactured varnishes, oils, and the like, namely, one half pound of
burnt ground oyster shells and the same quantity of pulverized marble
chips mixed together, and put into ten gallons of varnish of any kind.
All the dirt and impurities of the varnish are attracted by and adhere
to the oyster shell dust and the weight of the marble dust mixed there- 3
with precipitates every floating particle to the bottom of the receptacle,

page_text: it may therefore be easily understood that when all impurities are taken
from the varnish or other material it must necessarily give a more
lustrous surface to the article varnished, and all gum specks and motes
having been removed no polishing is required, as the varnish itself thus
clarified gives a perfectly smooth and lustrous surface.
This improved method is equally applicable to the clarification of
turpentine, oils, and molasses. It also purifies alcohol, and is valuable
in clearing wines and spirituous liquors. It will be seen from this
description that the clarifying ingredients are obtained without cost, and
that the process of preparing them for use is effected at a merely nominal
expense. The powder from any hard stone will answer as the precipitate,
but I prefer marble as it does not absorb the liquid.
The burnt powder may be from any kind of shell, but I prefer oyster
shells because they are very effective for the purpose, the burning
thereof serving as a means for removing the alkalies, and giving the shell
dust its light attractive quality, which causes every impurity in the liquid
to be attracted by and adhere to the flake-like floating particles, and its
chemical action with the marble dust produces a perfect action through
the iquid, and in a short time it settles, carrying every impurity to the
bottom. The liquid is then poured or drawn off, leaving the sediment
(which by reason of its gummy nature remains at the bottom) to be used
over again.
This method not only clarifies and purifies but tempers the varnish
treated, and beautifies its lustre in proportion to its freedom from granu-
lated matter. Varnish thus treated can be worked to better advantage and
is most durable, forming a fine strong body, it is adhesive and elastic, and
will not crack or peel. It brings out the colours with more brilliancy and
better effect and produces a beautiful finish and gloss on whatever
surface it may be used. For leather it is especially applicable by reason
of its free elastic character.
I have described the said Invention as applicable to the clarification
of liquids, but it only embraces such liquids as can be properly thus
treated. I have also described the said Invention as being especially
useful in clarifying varnish of commerce, but it is obvious that it can be
used direct in the manufacture of varnish, oils, and the like with the
same perfect results. In carrying the said Invention into practice a new
article of manufacture is produced, the product being a perfectly clari-

page_text: fied article which can be distinguished from any similar article in the
market by its body and lustre and perfect transparency, and especially in
the case of varnishes and oils.
The difference in these can also be easily determined by their use as
they flow more readily and freely from the brush, while their clearness
gives a highly polished surface to the article on which they are applied.
My varnish can be distinguished from other varnishes to a very great
extent in pouring it or drawing it, by reason of its running more freely,
thereby showing its freedom from thickness and impurities, so that it
needs no thinning for use. The difference between this improved
varnish and ordinary varnish may be easily determined by experts by
rubbing it in their hands and upon a smooth surface.
· Having thus fully described the said Invention and the manner of
performing the same as communicated to me by my foreign corres-
pondent, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. The herein-described method of clarifying and improving the
lustre of varnishes, and clarifying manufactured liquids.
Second. The employment of burnt, ground, or powdered oyster shells
as herein specified.
Third. The combination of pulverized marble and ground burnt oyster
shell, as herein specified.
Fourth. Varnish rendered clear and of improved gloss and elasticity,
as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
W. J. LowE.
W. ROBT. LAKE.
(L.S.)