AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR THE REDUCTION OF TIN SO AS TO RENDER IT APPLICABLE FOR COATING METALS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED PROCESS
FOR THE REDUCTION OF TIN SO AS TO RENDER IT APPLICABLE FOR COATING
METALS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."-A communication from abroad by
Jules Feuquières, Electro-plater, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
Sealed the 2nd June 1868, and dated the 11th December 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 11th December 1867.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED PROCESS FOR THE REDUCTION OF TIN SO AS TO RENDER IT APPLICABLE FOR
COATING METALS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the application of the electro-plastic process for
the reduction of pure tin in a metallic state of all thicknesses, so as to render
it cohesive, ductile, and of such density that it may be stamped up, drawn,
and rolled, and may also be deposited in moulds in the same manner as
copper by the galvano-plastic process, or on other metals, especially lead and
its alloys, for coating or plating the same. This reduction is effected what-
ever may be the nature of the hot or cold alkaline or acid baths used, provided
that the salts, oxides, or acids of the tin employed are chemically well pre-
pared, which is an essential condition.

page_text: This improved product may be applied, 1st, for electro-chemically coating
lead and its alloys in any thicknes for making cartridge cases, percussion
caps, capsules for bottles, covers used for preserves and other purposes,
wrappers for eatables, and generally in all cases where pure tin and its alloys
are employed; 2ndly, for lining papes, sheets, ornaments, or utensils of leaf
where tin is employed for preserving it from oxidation; 3rdly, I apply the
electro-chemical tin above mentioned for silvering glass and for ornamenting
articles required to present a silvered effect.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 10th June 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, her beirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Alexauder Melville Clark, Her special licence that I, the said
Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter luring the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR THE REDUCTION OF TIN SO AS TO
RENDER IT APPLICABLE FOR COATING METALS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," a commu-
nication to me from abroad by Jules Feuquières, Electro-plater, of 29,
Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do hereby
declare the nature of the said 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 the application of the electro-plastic process for
the reduction of pure tin in a metallic state of all thicknesses, so as to render
it cohesive, ductile, and of such density that it may be stamped up, drawn,
and rolled, and may also be deposited in moulds in the same manner as
copper by the galvano-plastic process, or on metals, especially lead and its
alloys, for coating or plating the same. This reduction is effected whatever
may be the nature of the hot or cold alkaline or acid baths used, provided
that the salts, oxides, or acids of the tin employed are chemically well pre-
pared, which is an essential condition.
The tin reduced by the electro-plastic process according to this Invention
is rendered sufficiently ductile, malleable, and cohesive to assume any form
desired by chasing, embossing, or engine turning without cracking, which is
the case when tin used as a plating on lead in thin sheets in ordinary use is
stamped up in a similar way.
The tin produced in the manner herein described, may also be applied,
1st, for forming a relief surface on a plain ground for capsules, covers, and
other articles for the purpose of obtaining greater firmness and a more
elegant appearance. The relief surface is obtained by stamping or embossing
in the ordinary way with a male and female die, or when the metal is suffi-
ciently ductile only one die is needed, which would produce an impression or
embossed surface in a similar manner to that made by a seal on wax;
2ndly, for reproducing figures and ornamentation, such as objects of art, or
others by embossing or stamping in imitation of metal castings by the aid of
a die or dies in the manner above described. Many attempts have been
made to produce in metal trade and other distinguishing marks on the
corks or stoppers of bottles and other vessels, or on other articles either by
embossing, coloring, or printing in imitation of those produced in wax or
metal capable of receiving an impression. The result has been, however, to
produce an inferior impression, the design being obtained on a plain surface,
and bearing but an imperfect resemblance to a wax seal; and, 3rdly, in
order to obtain a mark of a perfect nature, I first produce the design or mark
in wax, and reproduce the impression on a stamp, with which I mark the
various articles, their genuine character being thus ensured by having the real
mark on each. I may also as a substitute for the leaden seals used in the
Customs interpose a soft material between sheets of tin produced in the

page_text: manner herein-before described, and stamp them together. In this manner
I produce a mark covered with tin; or instead of interposing a soft material
beneath the tin, I may also use tin alone, but somewhat thicker, and double
it together, afterwards stamping as before. It is well known that these kinds
of seals are provided with one or more strings or ties which are fastened to
the product. This improved product may also be applied, 4thly, for electro-
chemically coating or plating lead and other metals or alloys in any thickness
for making cartridge cases, percussion caps, capsules for bottles and other
vessels, covers used for preserves and other purposes, wrappers for eatables,
and generally in all cases where pure tin and its alloys are employed.
5thly, for lining pipes, sheets, or ornaments, or utensils of lead where tin is
employed for preserving it from oxidation; 6thly, I apply the electro-
chemical tin, above mentioned, for plating glass in imitation of silvering and
for ornamenting articles required to present a silvered effect.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. Reducing tin electro-chemically in a solid cohesive condition whatever
may be the nature of the bath, provided that the salts, oxides, or acids of tin
employed are chemically pure.
2ndly. I claim the several applications of the metal so obtained as herein
enumerated, including the novel mode of reproducing trade and other distin-
guishing marks obtained by stamping, so as to imitate the application of a
seal or mark on a soft material, such as wax, plaster, or lead capable of
receiving an impression. Also for moulding in relief or reproducing reliefs,
such as medals, for instance, or objects of art or ornaments, either in lead or
other suitable metal previously tinned. I also claim its application for
electro-chemically coating metals and alloys used for cartridge cases, capsules,
covers or wrappers, utensils of all kinds for plating glass and ornamenting
other articles.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.