IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AMBER VARNISH
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan Brown Patent Agent of 38 Southampton
Buildings London, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF AMBER VARNISH" Communicated to me from abroad by Bernhard
Borowsky Stargard Pommerania Germany.
=
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st July 1882.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN Patent Agent of 38 Southampton Buildings London
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AMBER VARNISH." [A communication
to him from abroad by Bernhard Borowsky Stargard Pommerania Germany.]
Amber for its superior qualities very much required in the manufacture of
varnish, is nevertheless supplanted by the more expensive copal although the
qualities of the latter as a varnish are much inferior. The reason may be found in
the fact, that copal varnish can be obtained perfectly transparent, while amber
varnish was obtained but impure and dim, even when it was allowed for years to
settle. In melting amber particles of coal are formed, which heretofore could not
be separated from the varnish. By means of this new apparatus and process
however, it is possible to obtain a perfectly pure and clear solution of amber of any
degree of consistency, even as thick as molasses.
The invention consists substantially in highly diluting the molten amber, for the
purpose of allowing the impurities to settle in a comparatively short time; the
separation may be done as well by filtering. Hereafter the diluting material
(turpentine) is removed by a distilling process, the very heavy turpentine vapour,
being carried away by a strong draught of air.
The apparatus consists in a distilling apparatus, a refrigerator a tank for
distilled turpentine and a reservoir for amber oil obtained in melting amber, and a
pipe provided with a strong air injector of common construction, which strongly
aspirates the air from the interior of the pipe, the end of which reaches into one of
the reservoirs of amber oil. The pipe is also provided with two valves, one

page_text: belonging to the tank of distilled turpentine, the other one between that valve and
the reservoir or the reservoirs. While melting the amber, the first valve must be
shut, and the latter open. When the injector works, the air in the reservoir gets
into motion and the air surrounding the open end of the pipe rushes strongly into
it. The end of another pipe which leads into the reservoir, is conducted under the
hood of the amber melting furnace, by which the vapors escaping from the furnace
are condensed in the reservoir, which is surrounded with cooling water. The succinic
acid or salt of amber, condenses already in this pipe, therefore it is preferable to
make all bends of the pipe sharp cornered instead of rounded. The vapours of
amber oil pass into the reservoir, and the condensed oil may be drawn off.
As soon as the melting process is finished, the amber is diluted with turpentine
oil, till it is as liquid as water, and then it is allowed to settle in vessels of any
kind. After 3 to 4 weeks the product is already perfectly pure and clear.
Now distillation commences in the distilling apparatus. This apparatus is a
double cylinder between the walls of which heating steam enters, and also it is
provided with a steam pipe in the middle connected with this steam jacket It
contains a set of perforated round plates with raised edges, provided with small
pipes in the perforations for the passage of the liquid-On the top a still is
established, and the bottom of conical shape has an aperture through which the air
enters and the thickened solution of amber is discharged
At the beginning of the distilling process, the valve of the distilled turpentine
tank must be opened and the valve of the reservoir be shut then the air
enters through the bottom. aperture of the apparatus drawn in by the injector. is
saturated with turpentine vapors and carries them along through a refrigerator,.
placed above the tank, into this tank. There the condensed turpentine remains
while the air free of it follows the draught of the injector. The diluted solution of
amber after having settled the impurities is filled into the apparatus on the top
side by a pipe, which is several times bent offering dead water for the purpose of
keeping back the air. By means of distributing pipes the liquor is brought upon
the top plate and hence it drops down getting more and more thick, till it runs out
of the bottom aperture as thick as molasses. The plates are provided with slots, for
the passage of the air, whose edges are as much turned up as those on the inner
and outer circumference.
The small pipes are a little shorter than the upturned edges, so that the liquor
can only pass through these pipes-The lower plates are simply perforated and
have no pipes.
The concentrated solution of amber flowing out, can be collected in whatever
vessels are desired and is now ready for trade
When used for varnish, turpentine must be added in proportion and a clear
fine varnish is easily obtained
Instead of the aspirating current of air generated by the injector, the air can
be, of course, pressed into the apparatus by a ventilator, and the same result will
be obtained. In this case the aperture in the bottom must be closed, and the
liquor, from time to time will be withdrawn.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th January 1883.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN Patent Agent, of 38 Southampton Buildings London
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AMBER VARNISH" A Communication
to me from abroad by Bernhard Borowsky Stargard Pommerania Germany
Amber for its superior qualities very much required in the manufacture of
varnish is nevertheless supplanted by the more expensive copal, although the
qualities of the latter as a varnish are much inferior. The reason may be found
in the fact that copal varnish can be obtained perfectly transparent while amber
varnish was obtained, but impure and dim, even, when it was allowed for years:
to settle. In melting amber, particles of coal are formed which heretofore could
not be separated from the varnish.
By means of this new apparatus and procees however, it is possible to obtain a
perfectly pure and clear solution of amber of any degree of consistency, even as
thick as molasses.
The invention consists substantially in highly diluting the molten amber, for
the purpose of allowing the impurities to settle in a comparatively short time, the
separation may be done as well by filtering and afterwards the diluting material
(turpentine) is removed by a distilling process the very heavy turpentine vapor
being carried away by a strong draught of air.
The annexed drawing shows the apparatus in cross section, A is the distilling
apparatus, B the refrigerator, C the tank for distilled turpentine and DD the
reservoir for amber oil, obtained in melting amber. The pipe a is provided with
a strong air injector of common construction, which strongly aspirates the air from
the interior of pipe a.
While melting the amber, the valve b is shut and valve c open. When the
injector works, the air in the tanks D D is set in motion and the air surrounding
the open end of pipe d rushes strongly into the said pipe. This open end of pipe &
is conducted under the hood above the amber melting furnace by which the vapours
escaping from the furnaces are drawn in and condensed in the tanks D D
surrounded with cooling water. The succinic acid or salt of amber condenses
already in the pipe d, therefore it is preferable to make all bends of the pipe sharp
cornered instead of rounded. The vapours of amber oil pass into the tank DD
fastened by keys e, e, in casks or other vessels. The condensed oil may be drawn
off by pipes and faucet at the bottom.
As soon as the melting process is finished, the amber is diluted with turpentine
oil, till it is as liquid as water and then it is allowed to settle in vessels of any
kind. After three to four weeks the product is perfectly pure and clear.
Now distillation is commenced in the apparatus A which consists of the
following parts. A double cylinder f, f, between the walls of which heating steam
enters at O contains a set of perforated round plates g with raised edges, provided
with small pipes in the perforations for the passage of the liquor. On the top
a still is established and the bottom of conical shape has an aperture h, through
which, the air enters and the thickened solution of amber is discharged. A large
steam pipe i placed in the middle is connected with the steam jacket by a pipe k
or may be conducted into the open air. O is the discharge pipe for the steam.
At the beginning of the distilling process the valve c is shut, and b opened, and
the air drawn out from pipe a by the injector, takes the following way.
"The air-enters into the apparatus ath is saturated with turpentine vapors and

page_text: carries them along through pipe and cooling worm B into the reservoir C. In
this reservoir the condensed turpentine remains, while the air, free of it, follows
the draught of the injector, through pipe a. The dilute solution of amber after
the impurities have settled is filled into the apparatus through pipe m. The pipe m
is bent several times, offering dead water for the purpose of keeping back the air.
Through the pipes n, n, the liquor is distributed upon the top plate and hence it
drops down, getting more and more thick, till it runs out at h as thick as molasses.
The plates are provided with slots q (see Figure 2) for the passage of the air, whose
edges are as much turned up, as those on the inner and outer circumference. The
small pipes are a little shorter than the upturned edges so that the liquor can only
pass through these pipes. The lower plates are simply perforated and have no
pipes.
The concentrated solution of amber, flowing out through the aperture / can be
collected in whatever vessels and is now ready for trade..
When used for varnish, turpentine must be added in proportion and a clear fine
varnish is easily obtained. Instead of the aspirating current of air generated by
the injector, the air can be, of course, pressed into the apparatus A by a ventilator
and the same result will be obtained. In this case the aperture h must be closed.
and the liquor from time to time will be withdrawn.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention
and the manner of carrying the same into effect I would have it understood that
what I claim is:-.
1stly The process of highly diluting amber solutions, allowing them to settle, and
finally eliminating the medium of solution by distillation with the aid of an
aspirating or forced current of air, substantially as set forth.
2ndly The apparatus as applied for this process, consisting of the distilling
apparatus A, containing in the interior perforated plates in combination with the
worm B and reservoir C through which the current of air rushes withdrawing the
vapours of distillation.
:
3rdly The form of the plates with raised edges holes and small pipes for the
passage of the liquor and with slots for the free passage of the air.
4thly. For obtaining amber oil, the condensators DD in combination with the
pipe d and the aspirating air current.
In witness whereof I the said William Morgan Brown have hereunto set
my hand and seal this thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.