Improvements in Explosives.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 4th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Explosives.
We, CHARLES HERBERT CURTIS of 74 Lombard Street in the City of London
and GEORGE GUILLAUME ANDRÉ of Glenlean, Sandbank near Greenock in the
County of Argyle, Gunpowder Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
In the Specification of our Patent No. 5821 dated the 4th April 1891 we have
described an explosive consisting of nitrocellulose particles, fibres, prisms or other
forms having a protecting film or coating of tanno-gelatine.
We have found that the said tanno-gelatine which when in the form of a covering
film is a powerful agent for the purposes described in the aforesaid Specification
operates also for such purposes when in the form of an ingredient compounded with
nitrocellulose either with or without nitro-glycerine by the aid of a suitable solvent
such for instance as acetone.
For the purpose of our present invention therefore we take the explosive in any
of the forms described in our aforesaid Specification that is to say the nitro-
cellulose coated with the tanno-gelatine and treat it with the solvent and when
desired incoporate therewith nitroglycerine. Or we in any other suitable manner
manufacture with the aid of a suitable solvent an explosive or explosive compound
consisting essentially of nitrocellulose and tauno-gelatine with or without nitro-
glycerine.
The nitrocellulose may be either high grade nitrocellulose or a mixture of high
grade and low grade nitro-cellulose. The quantity of tanno-gelatine used in this
invention may be less than that required for the explosives named in our aforesaid
Specification.
Dated this 27th day of Anril 18909
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Explosives.
We, CHARLES HERBERT CURTIS of 74 Lombard Street in the City of London
and GEORGE GUILLAUME ANDRÉ of Glenlean, Sandbank, near Greenock in the
County of Argyle Gunpowder Manufacturers 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 :—
In the Specification of our Patent No. 5821 dated the 4th April 1891 we have
described an explosive consisting of nitro-cellulose particles having a protecting
film or coating of tanno-gelatine.
We have found that the said tanno-gelatine which when in a form of a coating:
or covering film is a powerful agent for the purposes described in the aforesaid
Specification operates also advantageously when in the form of an ingredient com--
pounded with nitro-cellulose, either with or without nitro-glycerine by the aid of a
suitable solvent such for instance as acetone.
The purposes effected by the tanno-gelatine in this our invention are to moderate
or regulate the explosiveness of the gunpowder made therewith and to render it
proof against atmospheric changes.
According to our present invention we take finished gun cotton or other nitro-
cellulose fibre as described in our aforesaid Specification and coat it with tanno
rn

page_text: gelatine according to the thickness required. The gun cotton either in the wet or
dry state being spread out is sprinkled with the hot gelatine solution until every
part is wetted therewith and we then sprinkle with the tannic acid solution, both
solutions being at a temperature of about 150° F. The strength of the tannic
acid solution must be such as to precipitate the whole of the gelatine. The gun
cotton is then dried. We thereupon treat the fibre with the solvent either alone
or having nitro-glycerine in solution. Or we in any other suitable manner.
manufacture with the aid of a suitable solvent a gelatinous explosive or explosive
compound consisting essentially of nitro-cellulose and tanno-gelatine with or
without nitro glycerine. The compound with the solvent removed and when formed
into prisms, grains, cord or other suitable form is ready for use and is found to
resist atmospheric influences and to possess valuable ballistic properties while
smokeless.
The nitro-cellulose employed may be either high grade or a mixture of high
grade and low grade within the limits of 80 parts by weight of commercial tri-nitro-
cellulose (best gun cotton) to 20 of di-nitro-cellulose (collodion cotton) and 65 of
the former and 35 of the latter.
The quantity of tanno-gelatine used in this invention may be less than that
required for the explosives named in our aforesaid Specification, that is to say, we
may use so much as shall increase the weight of the nitro-cellulose by 2 to 4 per
cent. only. But as much as 6% may be used.
One suitable proportion is of best gun cotton 97 parts by weight and of tanno-
gelatine 3 parts.
Another is of best gun cotton 77, collodion cotton 20 and tanno-gelatine 3.
Another is 66 of gun cotton 30 of nitro-glycerine and 4 of tanno-gelatine.
Another is 47 of gun cotton, 23 of collodion 25 of nitro-glycerine and 5 of
tanno-gelatine.
Small proportions of other ingredients such as 1 to 3 per cent. of paraffine may
be added without materially affecting the character of the explosive except as
to rendering it more heat resisting and thus more suitable for transport in hot
climes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The process described for the manufacture of nitro-cellulose compound
containing tanno-gelatine substantially as described.
Second. A smokeless explosive consisting of gelatinized nitro-cellulose and
tanno-gelatine substantially as set forth.
Third. A smokeless explosive consisting of gelatinized nitro-cellulose, nitro-
glycerine and tanno-gelatine substantially as set forth.
Dated this 25th day of January 1893.
TT-TATOT O SOTT
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.