Compositions for Rendering Bodies Uninflammable and for Extinguishing Fire.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Mar., 1886
Complete Left, 15th Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 18th Feb., 1887
[Communicated from abroad by Charles Haret, of 14, Rue de Bruxelles, Paris, in
the Republic of France.]
Compositions for Rendering Bodies Uninflammable and for
Extinguishing Fire.
I SYDNEY PITT of Sutton in the County of Surrey Gentleman do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object improvements in the preservation of inflammable
matters and in compositions for rendering bodies uninflammable and for extinguishing
fire.
I have discovered that pure glycerine at 28° Beaumé, soluble cream of tartar,
tartaric acid, oxalate of potash, lactic acid when combined with the phosphates,
borates, tungstates, silicates and other similar salts oppose the recrystallization of
these salis and that by introducing ammoniacal salts, sulphates, hydrochlorates,
carbonates &c. in these combinations, compositions are obtained which under the
action of fire disengage sulphurous, carbonic and other gases : which
neutralising the combustible gases contained in the organic matters, protect the
vitrification of the fibres or filament and thus render them completely uninflammable.
I form a glycerotartro phosphate of ammonia as follows:-
gases
Glycerine at 28° Beaumé two parts soluble cream of Tartar O, eight phosphate
of soda cight parts; sulphate of ammonia eight, carbonate of ammonia 0, 40:
river water at 100° Centigrade a sufficient quantity to effect solution of the salts
and their combination with glycerine, afterwards by evaporation I obtain the new salt
ready for use.
However in practice to operate more rapidly I am content to employ directly the
boiling solution of the salts combined with glycerine and reduced to 120 to 8° Beaume.
I reserve to myself liberty to replace sulphate of ammonia by hydrochlorate of
aminonia phosphate of soda by a tungstate or by Borax, or Boric acid; and Cream of

page_text: Tartar by tartaric acid, by oxalate of potash or by Lactic acid to obtain either a
Glycero-tartro-tungstate or borate of Ammonia or a glycero-oxalo-phosphate or tungstate
or Borate of ammonia or a Glycero-lacto-phosphate or tungstate or borate of Ammonia.
The matters to be preserved are saturated with the solution of the salt. In practice
also I mix the salts resulting from these combinations with gelatinous glutinous
albuminious oleaginous bituminous and resinous matters. Also with gums gum-lac
Japan gum and others also with earthy or metallic substances vegetable and mineral
coloring matters to form incombustible impermeable waterproof paints varnishes and
coatings.
My bi-alkaline glycero compositions are excellent for extinguishing fire the solution
being thrown on the fire by a hand pump or otherwise.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in the Preservation of Inflammable Matters and in
Compositions for Rendering Bodies Uninflammable and for
Extinguishing Fire.
I, SYDNEY PITT of Sutton in the County of Surrey Gentleman (a Communication
to me from abroad by Charles Haret of 14 Rue de Bruxelles, Paris in the Republic of
France) 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 has as its subject certain compounds, which render textile fabrics,
wood, paper, theatre decorations and scenery and other decorations, and generally, all
materials of a combustible nature which are used in articles of clothing, furniture and
structures afloat and ashore, non-inflammable and unassailable by insects; which
compounds can advantageously be used for extinguishing fires.
For this purpose, it is necessary to form a combination which gives a double salt,
fixed and very fusible, disengaging incombustible gases when under the action of fire,
not varying perceptibly in its composition whatever degree of heat is applied to it, not
coming away by efflorescence from the materials to which it is applied whether in'
solution or otherwise, neither corrosive nor poisonous, and not changing the whiteness
of textile fabrics or the colors which are given to them.
Now I have discovered that pure glycerine at 28° Beaumé, soluble cream of tartar,
tartaric acid, oxalate of potash and lactic acid, when combined with phosphates, borates,
tungstates, silicates and other similar salts hinder the recrystallization of these salts,
and that by adding ammoniacal salts, sulphates, hydrochlorates, carbonates etc, to
these combinations, you obtain compounds which under the action of fire disengage
sulphurous, carbonic and other gases, which neutralise the combustible gases contained
in the organic substances, protect the vitrification of the fibres or filaments and thus
render them completely uninflammable.
My invention therefore consists in the composition of a glycero-tartaric phosphate
of ammonia, as follows:-Glycerine at 28° Beaumé, two parts; cream of tartar,
soluble o, eight; phosphate of soda, eight parts; sulphate of ammonia, eight;
carbonate of ammonia o, forty river water at 100°, a sufficient quantity to effect the
solution of the salts and their combination with the glycerine. Then proceeding by
evaporation, thus obtain the new salt ready for use and possessing the properties
above enumerated.
In practice however, in order to operate with greater rapidity, I limit myself to
employing, direct, the boiling solution of the salts combined with the glycerine, reduced
from 120 to 8° Beaumné.
I reserve to myself the right of substituting for sulphate of ammonia, hydrochlorate
of ammonia'; for phosphate of soda, a tungstate or borax or boric acid; and for creani

page_text: of tartar, tartaric acid, oxalate of potash or lactic acid; in order to obtain either a
glycero-tartaric tungstate or borate of ammonia, or a glycero-oxalic phosphate or
tungstate or horate of ammonia, or a glycero-lactic phosphate or tungstate or borate of
ammonia.
In practice, I mix the salts produced by the above described combinations, with
gelatinous glutinous, albuminous, oleaginous, bituminous and resinous substances
generally, and with gums, gum-lac, Japan and other gums, as also with any earthy
or metallic substances and coloring vegetable or mineral matter, in order to form
incombustible, impermeable and waterproof glazes, coatings, paints and varnishes, thus
rendering the application of my new process of non-inflammability general to all
combustible materials, according to their nature and their climacteric situation.
I affirm that not only do the most combustible objects, when impregnated with one
of my compounds, become utterly uninflammable, but that it is sufficient to envelop or
simply cover up the most combustible substances with a cloth thus prepared, to protect
them safely against an outbreak of fire; and that any one of my compounds thrown in
a state of solution on the fire, by means of any apparatus, will instantaneously
extinguish it.
In the multifarious applications of my process, according to the nature of the
material to be treated, I have recourse, as I have already said, to mixtures all of which
have, as their base, some one of the bi-alkaline glycero-tartaric phosphates or tungstates
or borates or silicates which form my invention.
Thus, 1stly, in order to render uninflammable and therefore incombustible, light
textile fabrics which require a dressing, such as muslins, tarlatans, jaconets, silk stuffs
and generally all light textiles, I use one of the above combinations in solution at
80 Beaume, to which I add a glutinous or gelatinous substance and an albuminous
substance, according to circumstances, to form the dressing.
It is sufficient to soak the fabrics for 10 or 15 minutes in this composition, heated
to 35° or 40° Beaumé; then press them lightly without twisting them, and dry them
sufficiently to be able to smooth them with a flat-iron or a roller.
(20) For paper, printed or not, title deeds, securities, cardboard, etc, I use one of
the solutions of my compounds at 9° Beaume, to which I add gelatinous, glutinous
and albuminous substances. I proceed to soak it as follows: a tub is placed at the end
of the paper machine, and contains the composition heated to 60° Beaumé ; the paper,
on leaving the machine, passes into this tub, where it gets thoroughly soaked, and is
then dried on a roller very slightly heated, to be afterwards wound on to a reel.
When the paper is cut or printed, it is sufficient to soak it in the said composition
heated to 60° Beaumé, and then spread it out to dry. It is then passed through the
pressing rollers, to restore the glaze which the soaking has destroyed.
Paper stuff can also be prepared with this composition, in the process of sizing the
paper, before putting it in the machine. In that case, a receiver is placed underneath
the cloth at the head of the machine, in order to catch the liquid, which can then be
used for a second operation.
(3°). To render coarse cloth, ropes, straw etc, uninflammable, I operate with one of
the aforesaid solutions at 9° Beaumé, with the addition of a gelatinous, glutinous or
albuminous substance, according to the nature of the material to be treated.
I employ the boiling solution for the soaking of coarse cloth, ropes, coarse woollen
or cotton tapestry etc; either by plunging the articles into it, or soaking them by means
of a brush, in the latter case, care must be taken to impregnate the fibres thoroughly
by ample wetting.
Wood is treated by means of the same solution: Istly, by immersion, which musi
be more or less prolonged according to the nature of the wood, its density and volume.
It is impossible to fix a time for the duration of such immersion 2ndly, by injection,
using the same process as is adopted for that kind of operation in making a vacuum,
and by pressure when the wood to be operated upon is dry. If newly cut or standing
timber is to be treated, by fitting a pouch containing the composition to the trunk of
the tree, you can make it replace the sap, by absorption, and completely saturate the
laneous substances.

page_text: Wood injected with my composition is completely incombustible; the cohesion of
the ligneous substance being increased gives it greater resistance to the chemical
reactions which might take place between its elements and the external agencies, and
reacting upon the azoted substance, my composition destroys ferment and hinders the
invasion of insects. I may therefore say that my glycero-tartaric bi-alkaline must be
considered the best means for preserving wood and all substances soaked in it.
4°. For all articles, which from their nature, cannot be subjected to immersion such
as tapestry, scenery already painted, painted canvas, doors, windows, wainscoting,
various structures, frames etc.; I employ one of my compounds in solution at
12° Baumé with the addition of gelatinous substances, carbonate or sulphate of lime,
or ochres, oxide of zinc and all argillous and silicious substances, and all vegetable or
metallic coloring substances, to form a coating which I apply in the following manner.
For canvas, scenery, etc, the compound is applied on the side opposite the painting
by means of a brush such as is used by painters. Two good coats, the first put on at
30° Baumé, and the second almost cold, will be sufficient. The second coat must, not
be applied until the first one is thoroughly dry.
For wood, the first coat must be put on almost boiling, to obtain good penetration;
then apply in succession a second and a third coat, according as the wood is more or
less exposed to fire. When wood of a resinous nature has to be operated on, care
must be taken to soak the knots with azotic acid in order to draw out the resin, then
rub them with a clove of garlic. If the wood has been painted with ordinary paint it
must be lye washed, before applying my preparation.
5°. For wood, doors, windows, wainscots, canvas, tiles, tarpaulins, awnings, ropes,
and all structures afloat and ashore, and generally for all substances exposed to damp.
I make incombustible and waterproof dressings and oil paints, varnishes, etc, in all
colours, from purest white to the darkest colours, by mixing with one or the other of
the combinations of salts with glycerine which form my invention in various
proportions and by crushing or otherwise subcarbonate of lead or white lead,
subcarbonate of lime oxide of zinc, chalk, all ochres or argillous or silicious substances,
all vegetable or mineral coloring matter, and all bituminous, resinous or oleaginous
substances generally.
My oil paint and my waterproof dressing prepared as aforesaid, are applied in two
or three coats they penetrate inore deeply into the wood than ordinary oil paint, and
they last twice as long, because atmospheric changes have no effect on them.
While rendering wood uninflammable in its superficial parts, and therefore unfit to
produce or feed a fire, these paints and dressings protect it from damp, and preserve it
from the attacks of insects.
6°. To complete my system of protection against fire, and being aware that it is not
possible to make all combustible substances uninflammable, I claim the use of one or
the other of my compounds in a state of solution, to extinguish fires. I maintain that
as my glycero-bi-alkaline compounds possess the property of rendering articles
impregnated therewith completely uninflammable, they must be considered an excellent
fire extinguisher, and as their application in such cases requires no special apparatus,
I reserve to myself power to make use of hand or other pumps or of any other receiver
whatsoever for the purpose of throwing my liquid on the fire.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. I claim as my absolute invention the glycero bi-alkaline, the formulas for which
I have given above, and the effect of which is: (a) to render all substances generally
whatsoever uninflammable and therefore, incombustible by procuring a complete and
lasting non-inflammability, which is without precedent in the preservation of substances
(b) to extinguish fires instantaneously by means of any apparatus suitable for throwing
same on the fire.
2. I claim also as part of my invention, all mixtures of my glycero bi-alkaline
with any earthy silicious or mineral substances, any vegetable or metallic coloring

page_text: substances any glutinous; gelatinous albuminous or bituminous, resinous and oleaginous
substances, to form liquids, glazes, dressings and paints, thus rendering practicable the
multifarious applications of my uninflammable compounds, and I reserve to myself the
right of altering, if necessary the above described proportions in my combinations,
which are given only as a specimen.
I likewise claim all the applications as herein set forth of which these bodies are
susceptible, and all the means of using same to which recourse can be had for the
purpose.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.