IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVE COM- POUNDS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Wirth, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent
Solicitors, at Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVE COM-
POUNDS." A communication from the "Dynamite Manufacturing Company,
late Alfred Nobel and Company," at Hamburg, in the Empire of Gormany.
aled the 10th December 1878, and dated the 24th June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Wirth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th June 1878.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS." [A communication from the "Dyna-
mite Manufacturing Company, late Alfred Nobel and Company," at Hamburg, in
the Empire of Germany.]
Many attempts have been heretofore made to reduce the degree of explosiveness
of explosive compounds, that is to say, to reduce their sensibility to shocks, ex-
plosion of other substances, and the like. This Invention relates to a substance,
the addition of which oven in comparatively small quantities will effect a consider-
able reduction of the degree of explosiveness possessed by explosive compounds.
This substance is camphor, either natural or artificial, aud either in the raw state or
refined; also the substances and compounds which have an affinity with camphor,
such, for instance, as oil of turpentine. This reduction of sensibility is especially
effected in the case of those matters in which the camphor is soluble, and it has
been found that camphor is especially soluble in nitro-glycerine, and that its
reducing action is especially effectual upon all preparations of nitro-glycerine.
The quantity of the camphor to be added depends on the degree of reduction
desired, and may vary from 1% to 10%, but if an especially high degree of
insensibility is desired the quantity may be from 10 to 30%.
°

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frank Wirth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th December
1878.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort-on-the-Maine, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS." A communication from the "Dyna-
inite Manufacturing Company, late Alfred Nobel and Company," at Hamburg, in
the Empire of Germany.
Many attempts have been heretofore made to reduce the sensitiveness or readiness
to explode of explosive compounds, that is to say, to reduce their sensitiveness or
liability to explode by shock, or the explosion of other substances, and the like.
Such attempts have not hitherto been entirely satisfactory, but this Invention,
which is the result of numerous experiments, relates to an improved manufacture
by the use of a substance, the addition of which even in comparatively small
quantites to an explosive compound will effect a considerable reduction of the
explosive properties. This substance is camphor, either natural or artificial, and
either in its raw state or refined, and the said Invention includes substances and
compounds which have an affinity with camphor, such, for instance, as oil of tur-
pentine. This reduction of sensitiveness is especially effected in the case of those
matters in which the camphor is soluble, and it has been found that camphor is
especially soluble in nitro-glycerine, and that its reducing action is especially
effectual upon all preparations of nitro-glycerine.
The quantity of the camphor to be added depends on the degree of reduction
desired, and may vary from one per cent. to ten per cent., but if an especially high
degree of inactivity or inertion is desired the quantity may be from ten to thirty
per cent.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner in which
the same may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I wish it
understood that I claim the herein described mode of reduciug the explosive
property or readiness to explode of explosive compounds, especially of preparations
of nitro-glycerine, by adding to such compounds camphor or substances having
affinity for camphor as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frank Wirth, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
oight hundred and cavanty night