IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES AND FUSEES, AND OF
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Brecknock Palmer, of Palace Works, Old
Ford Road, Bow, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES AND FUSEES, AND OF
Sealed the 15th February 1870, and dated the 11th September 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Brecknock Palmer
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 11th September 1869.
I, JAMES BRECKNOCK PALMER, of Palace Works, Old Ford Road,
Bow, in the County of Middlesex,-do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES AND
FUSEES, AND OF SURFACES TO BE USED FOR IGNITING MATCHES AND FUSEES," to be
as follows:-
The objects of this Invention are, firstly, to manufacture matches
and fusees which will ignite by ordinary friction, but which shall be
free from smell, or free from smell and not poisonous; secondly, to
manufacture matches or fusees without phosphorous, and which will
ignite by ordinary friction and not poisonous; thirdly, to manufacture
friction surfaces for igniting matches or fusees.

page_text: The ignition composition of ordinary friction matches contains a large
proportion of stick or block phosphorous, and which from its nature
is continually escaping from the composition in the form of a vapour,
which is highly pernicious to those engaged in its manufacture and
use and also to those who store matches in the usual quantities for
sale, and the poisonous quality of matches is derived entirely or mainly
from the use of this kind of phosphorous which I seek to avoid by my
improvements.
Ever since the introduction of amorphous phosphorous its use as a
substitute for stick or block phosphorous has been a desirable object
to be attained, but hitherto for the most part it has failed in con-
sequence of the increased cost of the composition made with it, or of
its greater susceptibility of damp when combined with the chemical
and other bodies now in use.
My first improvement consists in using as the igniting composition
of ordinary friction matches and fusees chlorate of potash and amor-
phous phosphorous in the proportion of 16 parts chlorate of potash to
1 part amorphous phosphorous, and then I combine with about 20
parts of the nitrate, sulphite, sulphate, chloride, or the oxides of lead
or the hyposulphite, sulphide, or sulphite of iron, or hyposulphite or
sulphite of zinc or other suitable hyposulphite, sulphite, or sulphate,
or the 20 parts may be made up of two or more of the above substances
in optional proportions. The above composition is mixed with about
2 parts of gelatine, glue, or gum or any other suitable adhesive
matter dissolved in water. Sulphur, sulphuret of antimony, any suitable
inert matter, such as powdered glass, silica, emery, and various other
bodies, chemical or otherwise (although not essential to the ignition)
may be added to modify the effects thereof.
My second improvement consists in using as the igniting com-
position matches and fusees which will ignite by ordinary friction,
hydrosulphite and sulphite of iron, or other hydrosulphite or sulphite
together or otherwise in combination with chlorate of potash and
mixed with gelatine, glue, or gum dissolved or mixed in water or
other suitable adhesive matter; the following proportion will give
good results, 30 parts hyposulphite of iron, 30 parts chlorate of potash,
3 parts glue or other adhesive matter dissolved in sufficient water to.
bring the compound to the proper consistency for dipping.
For igniting what are known as safety matches or fusces, that is,

page_text: matches or fusees that will not ignite with ordinary friction, and for
igniting other matches or fusces, I prepare surfaces with a composition
consisting of hyposulphite or sulphite of iron, or the two mixed,
with or without amorphous phosphorus, and gelatine, glue, or gum
dissolved or mixed in water or other suitable adhesive matter added
thereto. The following proportions will give good results:-68 parts
hyposulphite of iron and 3 parts chlorate of potash; 1 part amorphous
phosphorus may be added, and 4 or more parts of sulphuret of antimony.
Other ingredients, chemical or otherwise, may be added also.
For preparing the several compositions above mentioned the gelatine,
glue, or other binding matter is dissolved in or mixed with water, and
the other ingredients in a finely powdered state are separately added
and thoroughly stirred, when the compositions will be fit for use in the
usual manner.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Brecknock Palmer in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 11th March 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
BRECKNOCK PALMER, of Palace Works, Old Ford Road, Bow, in the
County of Middlesex, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent bearing date the Eleventh day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said James Brecknock Palmer, Her special licence
that I, the said James Brecknock Palmer, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said James Brecknock Palmer, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES AND FUSEES, AND OF SURFACES TO BE USED
FOR IGNITING MATCHES AND FUSEES," upon the condition (amongst others).
that I, the said James Brecknock Palmer, my executors or adminis-

page_text: trators, 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 James Brecknock Palmer, 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 thereof, that is to say:-
The objects of this Invention are to manufacture matches, and fusees
which will ignite by ordinary friction, but which shall be free from smell,
or free from smell and not poisonous.
The ignition composition of ordinary friction matches contains a
large proportion of stick or block phosphorus, and which from its
nature is continually escaping from the composition in the form of a
vapour, which is highly pernicious to those engaged in its manufacture
and use and also to those who store matches in the usual quantities for
sale, and the poisonous quality of matches is derived entirely or mainly
from the use of this kind of phosphorus which I seek to avoid by my
improvements.
Ever since the introduction of amorphous phosphorus its use as a
substitute for stick or block phosporous has been a desirable object
to be attained, but hitherto for the most part it has failed in consequence
of the increased cost of the composition made with it or of its greater
susceptibility of damp when combined with the chemical and other
bodies now in use.
My improvement consists in using as the igniting composition of
ordinary friction matches and fusees chlorate of potash and amorphous
phosphorus in the proportion of about 16 parts chlorate of potash to
1 part amorphous phosphorus, and these I combine with about 20
parts of the sulphite, sulphate, chloride, or any of the oxides of lead,
or the 20 parts may be made up of two or more of the above
substances in optional proportions. I prefer to use the sulphite or
sulphate of lead, but the chloride and oxides may be used with
advantage. The above composition is mixed with about 2 parts of
gelatine, glue, or gum, or any other suitable adhesive matter dis-
solved in or mixed with water. Sulphur, sulphuret of antimony, any

page_text: suitable inert matter such as powdered glass, silica, emery, and various
other bodies, chemical or otherwise (although not essential to the
ignition) may be added to modify the effects thereof, as is well understood
to manufacturers of matches and fusees.
For preparing the compositions the gelatine, glue, or other binding
matter is dissolved in or mixed with water, and the other ingredients
in a finely powdered state are separately added and thoroughly stirred
in, when the compositions will be fit for use in the usual manner.
Surfaces suitable to be used for igniting what are known as safety
matches or fusees, that is, matches or fusees that will not ignite with
ordinary friction, and for igniting other matches or fusees, may be
prepared with a composition consisting of hyposulphite or sulphite of
iron, or the two mixed (with or without amorphous phosphorus), and
gelatine, glue, or gum dissolved or mixed in water or other suitable
adhesive matter added thereto. The following proportions may be
used:-68 parts hyposulphite of iron, and three parts chlorate of potash ;
1 part amorphous phosphorus may be added, and 4 or more parts of
sulphuret of antimony. Other ingredients, chemical or otherwise, may
also be added.
I would state that I do not wish to make or retain any claim to the
manufacture of ignition surfaces such as are above described.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner
of performing the same, I would have it understood that what I claim
is, the employment as the igniting composition of friction matches
and fusees of a composition consisting of chlorate of potash and amor-
phous phosphorus combined with the sulphite, sulphate, chloride, or any
of the oxides of lead, or with two or more of these substances, and with
gelatine, glue, or other binding matter.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Brecknock Palmer, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of March, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
J. B. PALMER. (L.S.)