An Improved Paraffin Emulsion.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 9th July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 4th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 23rd May, 1896
An Improved Paraffin Emulsion.
I, HERBERT HENRY COUSINS Master of Arts in the University of Oxford
and Lecturer in Chemistry at the South Eastern Agricultural College, living at
Merton, Wye Kent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
An emulsion of paraffin and soft soap prepared by emulsifying a saturated
solution of naphthalene in ordinary paraffin-oil with soft soap. If made with
good soap, the emulsion remains perfect at all dilutions and has been found a
quick and certain insecticide.
Dated this 8th day of July 1895.
HERBERT HENRY COUSINS, M.A.
An Improved Paraffin Emulsion.
HERBERT HENRY COUSINS of Merton, Wye, Kent, Master of Arts of the
University of Oxford, Lecturer in Chemistry at the South Eastern Agricultural
College, and to the County Councils of Kent and Surrey, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention consists of an improved paraffin emulsion, which is of great value
for use as an insecticide or disinfectant soap both by itself and when supplemented
by other bodies, as hereinafter explained. I have found that by intimately mixing
a strong solution of naphthalene in paraffin oil with a hot and concentrated
solution of soft soap in water, a semi-solid or viscid product is obtained which
possesses the peculiar property of permitting its dilution with water to any extent
required in actual practice without any deleterious separation of the paraffin
taking place. As aforesaid, this emulsion is of great value as a general insecticide
and fungicide, and can readily be supplemented by other bodies used for this or
similar purposes, so as to increase its efficacy in particular cases. As instances of
such supplementary bodies, I mention, liver of sulphur copper saccharate solution
(modified bouillie bordelaise) and the like. By my invention the problem of the
preparation of a paraffin emulsion that is easy to make and permanent when made,
is solved, and this is effected by the use of a solid substance, naphthalene, which is
mutually soluble in both soft soap and paraffin oil and which acts as an inter-
mediary between the two substances. The naphthalene not only effects a decided
increase in the amount of paraffin maintained in solution, but by increasing the
density of the oily globules which are produced on diluting the concentrated
product, retards their tendency to rise to the surface & produce an oily layer,
thereby safeguarding the delicate foliage of plants from injury. These benefits
are not obtained at all or only in an inferior degree by the use of other hydro-
carbons such as benzene, toluene, anthracene or turpentine.
The following examples will serve to further illustrate the nature of the inven-
tion and the manner in which it can be carried into practial effect, but the
Price 8d 1

page_text: invention is not confined to the proportions and conditions given in the examples
which can be varied without departure from the invention.
The "parts" are parts by weight.
A. Dissolve one part of naphthalene in about five parts of paraffin oil, warming
the mixture to promote solution. At the same time prepare a boiling, uniform
liquid from thirty parts of freshly made soft soap and about fifteen parts of soft water,
and while still hot add the naphthalene-paraffin solution and stir until thorough
admixture is effected. When working on a comparatively small scale and stirring
by hand, the admixture is usually complete in less than five minutes. The product
thus obtained is then ready for use by dilution with water, and can be stored for
future use.
Crude or commercial white naphthalene and ordinary paraffin as used
for lamps answer all purposes. When using the emulsion, a good standard strength
to employ, is one part of the concentrated product in 100 parts of water, but the
strength of the solution should be varied according to the plants on which it is
to be used, and the insect pests, vermin or fungi that it is desired to destroy.
A solution of the above strength is of great value against aphides on hops and
roses.
B. A stronger and more concentrated emulsion can be obtained by dissolving
three parts of naphthalene in ten parts of paraffin oil and stirring the solution
into 30 parts of soft soap melted in 15 parts of soft water heated to the boiling point.
The pasty product thus obtained can be dissolved in a little boiling water and on
further dilution yields an extremely fine emulsion. Seven to twelve pounds should
be diluted with a hundred gallons of water for use against aphides.
C. A combined insecticide and fungicide which is very effective against aphides,
red spider, mould, mildew and hairy catterpillars is prepared as follows: Thirty
parts of soft soap and ten parts of soft water are melted together, eight parts
of liver of sulphur from potash are then added and when a uniform admixture has
resulted, ten parts of paraffin oil containing one and a half parts of naphthalene
are added. The whole mass is stirred until uniform, when it can be stored for
future use, and if kept out of free contact of air will keep a long time. For use,
dissolve eight to ten parts by weight in a thousand parts of water.
Having once prepared this emulsion it can be safely used with water of great
hardness, and can be mixed with a half to one per cent. solution of copper
saccharate (modified bouillie bordelaise) without appreciable alteration in the
fineness of the emulsion, and thus an effective and combined remedy for both hop
aphis and hop mould at one and the same time.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) The manufacture of an improved paraffin emulsion by intimately admixing
a solution of naphthalene in paraffin oil with a soap solution substantially as
herein before described.
(2.) As a new article of manufacture an improved paraffin emulsion in a
concentrated form consisting of an intimate admixture of a solution of a substance,
naphthalene, (which is soluble in both paraffin and soap and increases the density
of the paraffin thereby promoting a more uniform distribution of the said
materials when diluted largely with water) in paraffin with a concentrated soap
solution substantially as herein before described.
(3.) The manufacture of an improved paraffin emulsion substantially in the
manner herein described in the Examples A, B, and C.
Dated this First day of April 1896.
HERBERT HENRY COUSINS.