Improvements in Fire-proofing.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 24th May, 1895
Improvements in Fire-proofing.
I MAX BACHERT, of 109 East 18th Street, New York City, United States of
America, Manufacturer, 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 relates to fire-proofing, and has for its object to produce new fire-
proofing compounds and methods of applying the same to various substances, and
to the fire-proof substances so obtained."
The basis of my new fire-proofing compound is a mixture of phosphate of
ammonia and sulphate of ammonia to which anhydrous chloride of calcium may be
added if desired. Starting from this as a basis, by the addition of various other
ingredients, determined by the necessities of practice, I produce fire-proofing
compounds for various uses as will be hereinafter set forth. For fire-proofing wood
I preferably use the phosphate of ammonia and sulphate of ammonia in equal
proportions say 7 oz. of each and 2 oz. calcium chloride, to 1 gallon of water.
I then enclose the wood in a closed chamber and exhaust the air therefrom, and
extract the sap from the wood. I then introduce the fire-proofing composition
into the vacuum chamber under a pressure of from 60 to 150 pounds per square
inch, according to the kinds of wood being treated. It will be at once apparent
that the effect of the exhaustion of the air from the cylinder will be to withdraw
air from the pores of the wood and that when the fire-proofing liquid is introduced,
the pores will be filled with this liquid and the wood will be efficiently permented
and impregnated with the fire-proofing composition. To render paper fire-proof
the solids are put into solution in the paper when in a soft condition after passing
through one or more press rolls of the wet end of the paper machine. The paper
is then carried through a bath of the fire-proofing compound preferably composed
of 1 lb. phosphate of ammonia and I lb. sulphate of ammonia to one gallon of water,
a sufficient quantity of the compound being absorbed to render the paper after
drying fire-proof, and leaving a sufficient quantity of crystals distributed through
the product. Colored tissue papers, crimped or plain are fire-proofed by
introducing the solids (phosphate of ammonia and sulphate of ammonia in desired
proportions) into the water with which the coloring is accomplished. In plain
white tissues the fire-proofing compound is applied in the same manner as in the
making of ordinary paper as above described. In manufacturing tarlatan, nettings,
canvas, lace curtains and other fabrics, they may be fire-proofed by reducing the
base in water and using the water containing the same for making starch or other
dressing used in the manufacture of these articles. The product has to be run
through the ordinary course of finishing after the fire-proofing substance is
applied.
In making fireproof paint I preferably introduce 1 pound of phosphate of
ammonia and 1 pound of sulphate of ammonia into the paint with about one-
eighth to one-sixth of a pound of litharge to a gallon of oil paint. The solids
which constitute the main ingredients will be conveyed into the oil and when the
paint is dry, if used with litharge, will be found to be of a great fire-resisting
character. I also use my base, that is to say phosphate and sulphate of ammonia,
for making a white fire-proof coating which I term "The Electric Fire-proof Ivory
Coating." This is accomplished by mixing a solution of 25 pounds of crystals of
sulphate of ammonia and 25 pounds of crystals of phosphate of ammonia with

page_text: about two pounds of tallow, eighteen pounds of liquid dextrine, and with from
200 to 300 pounds of whiting to the barrel of 50 gallons. This compound is useful
for interior painting and is fire-resisting.
I can also impregnate wood felt, building felt, and other fabrics with my
compound, in order to render them fire-proof.
Various other ingredients may be mixed with the sulphate and phosphate of
ammonia, which forms the basis of my compound, which ingredients I term vehicles,
in that they serve, like the water, litharge, and tallow, already described, to assist
in conveying the sulphate and phosphate of ammonia to the article to be fire-
proofed and also perform additional functions in the locations and upon the
substances to which they are applied. Thus, milk may be substituted for water
or any other suitable fat in lieu of tallow.
I would have it understood that the various ingredients of the fire-proofing
compound are given in tentative proportions only, and that the proportions may be
greatly varied without departing from the spirit of the invention.
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. A fire-proofing compound consisting of a base of a mixture of sulphate and
phosphate of ammonia combined with a suitable vehicle, as herein described.
2. The fire-proofing compound herein described, consisting of a base of sulphate
and phosphate of ammonia combined with litharge.
3. The fire-proofing compound herein described, consisting of a base of sulphate
and phosphate of ammonia combined with dextrine, tallow and whiting.
4. The fire-proofing compound herein described, consisting of a base of sulphate
and phosphate of ammonia combined with starch.
5. The herein described process of impregnating wood, which consists in
enclosing the wood in a closed chamber, removing the air therefrom, and thereupon
introducing under pressure a fire-proofing compound consisting of sulphate and
phosphate of ammonia with a suitable vehicle.
6. The herein described processes of impregnating wood and fabrics with the
herein described fire-proofing compound.
Dated this 8th day of February 1805
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.