Improvements in Lamp Wicks.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lamp Wicks.
-'S
11 F
I, GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the Firm of G. F. Redfern & Co., The General
Patent Office, No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of London, Pateul
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me. by
Ernest Charles Saunders, of Adelaide, in the Province of South Australia, Agent,)
to be as follows:--
My invention relates to an improved method of treating wicks for use in any
lamps for burning oils. It relates more particularly to a certain treatment of
the wick whereby it is rendered partially incandescent, is prevented from charring
and the light materially improved in quality and brilliancy.
I accomplish the purpose of my invention by treating the wick with a solution
obtained from what is known as monazite sand.
This monazite sand it is well known contains certain rare earths such as zirconia,
yittria, thorium etc. The monazite material is prepared in the ordinary way
by heating to a black heat, then grinding to the required fineness, and afterwards
soaking in water for a prolonged period. The liquor thus obtained is evaporated
to a strength of about 300 Baume more or less. The ordinary cotton or other lamp
wicks are soaked or otherwise well saturated in the liquor, and after being care-
fully dried are ready for use.
I find in practice that wicks so treated become coated or tipped with the rare
earth which when the lamp is lighted becomes incandescent. The wick does not
char, and therefore does not require to be retrimmed, whilst the quality of the
light is much improved, being whiter and more brilliant.
Dated the 1st day of Santamber 1897
improve
I, GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the Firm of G. F. Redfern & Co., The General
Patent Office, No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of London, Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me by
Ernest Charles Saunders, of Adelaide, in the Province of South Australia, Agent,)
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 an improved method of treating wicks for use in lamps
for burning illuminating oils. It relates more particularly to a certain treatment

page_text: of the wick whereby it is rendered partially incandescent, is prevented from char-
ring and the light obtained materially improved in quality and brilliancy.
I accomplish the purpose of my invention by treating the wick with a solution
obtained from what is known as monazite sand in the manner hereinafter described.
This monazite sand it is well known contains with other constituents certain
rare earths such as zirconia, yttria, thorium, cerium and oxides of other metals
with phosorphus silica etc. The solution is prepared by heating this monazite
sand to a black heat in any suitable furnace and then grinding to the required fine-
ness. The fine powder is then soaked in water for a prolonged period, say from 8
to 12 days. The liquor obtained is drained off and evaporated until it reaches a
strength of about 300 Beaume more or less, it is then ready for use. The ordinary
cotton or other lamp wicks are soaked or otherwise well saturated in this resultant
liquor or solution and after being carefully dried are ready for use.
I find in practice that wicks so treated become coated or tipped with the rare
earth which when the lamp is lighted becomes incandescent. The wick in conse-
quence does not char and therefore does not require to be retrimmed whilst the
quality of the light is much improved being whiter and more brilliant.
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
The herein described improvements in lamp wicks consisting essentially of
treating them with a solution prepared from monazite sand in the manner sub-
stantially as herein described and for the purposes indicated.
1000
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.