AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION FOR ENAMELLING AND PROTECTING METAL AND OTHER SURFACES, AND AN IM- PROVED MODE OF APPLYING THE SAME
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Griffiths, of Oxton, in the County of
Cheshire, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION FOR
ENAMELLING AND PROTECTING METAL AND OTHER SURFACES, AND AN IM-
PROVED MODE OF APPLYING THE SAME.”
"
Sealed the 1st December 1871, and dated the 8th June 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Griffiths at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 8th June 1871.
I, THOMAS GRIFFITHS, of Oxton, in the County of Cheshire, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION
FOR ENAMELLING AND PROTECTING METAL AND OTHER SURFACES, AND AN IMPROVED
MODE OF APPLYING THE SAME," to be as follows: :-
The said Invention relates to an improved composition, the base of
which is an oxide of iron and resin, and to an improved mode of burning
in the same by means of a blow-pipe lamp when spread upon metal,
stone, brick, cement, and other surfaces.
In practice I prefer to mix naptha, spirits of wine, or other solvent
with the said materials, and thereby form a composition that may be

page_text: conveniently applied to the surfaces by means of a brush. When the
composition is spread over the surface I burn in the same by means of a
blow-pipe lamp adapted to the purpose. One or more coats may be
advantageously applied, according to the character of the surface or the
object for which the composition is employed. I sometimes melt the
oxides of iron and resin with or without wax, and while the composition
is hot apply the same to heated surfaces, and the composition is then
burned in by means of the said lamp. The composition effectually
protects the substance from oxidation or decay, and imparts to the
surface a superior finish.
In the dry process I use about equal proportions of oxide of iron and
resin and a small quantity of wax when applied to porous surfaces, but
I may vary these proportions according to the material acted upon. I
use also about the same quantity of these substances and other suitable
oxides and metals in the wet process; to 1 cwt. of the paint I may use
about 56 lbs. resin, and dissolve the same in spirits.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Griffiths in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 7th December 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
GRIFFITHS, of Oxton, in the County of Cheshire, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
.Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for. Herself, Her heirs and successors,
.give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Griffiths, Her special licence
that I, the said Thomas Griffiths, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Griffiths, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during 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 COMPOSITION
FOR ENAMELLING AND PROTECTING METAL AND OTHER SURFACES, AND AN IMPROVED
MODE OF APPLYING THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that

page_text: I, the said Thomas Griffiths, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Griffiths, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :—
My said Invention relates to an improved composition, the base of
which is an oxide or oxides of iron and resin; it also relates to an
improved mode of burning in the same, in applying it to the surfaces of
metal, stone, brick, cement, and other materials.
In practising my said Invention I mix with a proper quantity of oxide
of iron from ten to fifty per cent. of resin, more or less according to the
nature of the surface and the purpose for which the coating is required.
The more porous the surface to be coated the larger will be the pro,
portion of resin in the composition, the chief purpose of the resin being
to serve as a vehicle or medium for the oxide. For metals a small
quantity only, of resin is required, but for wood more will be necessary,
and for bricks, plaster, cement, and other similarly porous materials I use
a still greater quantity. I add to the above mixture sufficient petroleum,
naptha, spirits of wine, or other similar or suitable solvent to reduce
the composition to about the consistency of ordinary paint; it will then
be ready for application to the surface to be coated or enamelled. The
said composition is applied to the surface by first spreading it evenly
thereon with a brush, and then burning it in with a blow-pipe lamp.
This lamp is easily and conveniently handled or adjusted, and it is
supplied with petroleum, alcohol, or other spirit, from which it generates
steam or vapour. An ignited jet of this steam or vapour is ejected from
the said lamp, and I thereby obtain an intense heat which I can direct
upon any required point. In using the said lamp it is passed over the
coated surface, and the jet of ignited vapour playing on the composition
spread thereon rapidly and effectually burns in the same. Although
the addition of the naptha or other spirit to the composition renders
the same more convenient for general use, I may in some cases use the

page_text: composition consisting of the oxide or oxides of iron and resin alone.
One coat of the composition may be sufficient in some cases, but in
others I may advantageously apply two or more coats, according to the
character of the surface or the particular object for which the compo-
sition is applied. I sometimes melt the oxide or oxides of. iron and
resin with or without wax, and heat the surface to which it is to be
applied; then while the composition is hot spread the same on the said
heated surface, and burn it in with the blow-pipe lamp as above
described.
My improved composition when applied to any surface as above set
forth will form an effectual and durable protective covering for the same.
It prevents the oxidation or corrosion of metals, and it hermetically
closes the pores of wood, brick, stone, cement, plaster, and other
porous materials. It may be advantageously applied to the bottoms of
iron ships to prevent oxidization and fouling. It will prevent the pene-
tration of moisture when applied to the walls and foundations of
dwelling-houses, railway arches, bridges, tunnels, viaducts, and stations,
and other buildings of brick, stone, and other materials. It will be
found highly useful in India for protecting woodwork from the ravages
of the white ant, and may be applied to many other similar uses.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. The improved composition consisting of oxide of iron and
resin with or without the other substances specified as herein set.
forth.
Second. The application of the said composition by burning it in with
a blow-pipe lamp as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Griffiths, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
Witness,
WM. ROBT. LAKE.
THO. GRIFFITHS. (L.S.)