IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COMPOUNDS OF SILICA, AND IN THE PRODUCTION OF SILICATED ALKALINE INKS, COLOURS, AND DYES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Ellis, of Bangor, in the County of Car-
narvon, North Wales, Surgeon, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF COMPOUNDS OF SILICA, AND IN THE PRODUCTION OF
SILICATED ALKALINE INKS, COLOURS, AND DYES,"
Sealed the 23rd February 1866, and dated the 2nd September 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Ellis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd September
1865.
I HENRY ELLIS, of Bangor, in the County of Carnarvon, North Wales,
Surgeon do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE.
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COMPOUNDS OF SILICA, AND IN THE PRODUCTION OF
SILICATED ALKALINE INKS, COLOURS, AND DYES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the manufacture of compound silicates containing
a larger proportionate quantity of earthy or metallic silicate in solution than
is contained in the compound silicates previously manufactured, and which is
effected by adding free acid to the neutral earthy or metallic solution which

page_text: is to be used for the preparation of the compound silicate, and to the pro-
duction of solutions of ammonio-silicates and tungsto-silicates, also solutions
of subsilicates, silicates, super silicates, and of compound silicates, by the
addition of moist precipitated silicic acid, or of moist precipitated compound
silicates to hydrates of potash or of soda, as herein-after mentioned.
A further portion of this Invention relates to certain improvements in the
combination of certain colouring matters with compounds of silica, the same
being effected by causing such colouring matters to become precipitated or
gelatinized in combination with silicic acid by the use of supersilicates or
compound silicates, and which products may be used in a state of precipitate
or paste as valuable colours for various purposes, or by desiccation can be
obtained as dry colours. Such compounds of colouring matter with silicic
acid being dissolved in solutions of alkaline silicates will yield various coloured
inks and liquid dyes. The inks thus produced will not exercise any corroding
action upon steel or other metallic pens, while they are less delible than other
inks now in use. The liquid dies thus manufactured are also of a permanent
nature. For these purposes all the soluble silicates mentioned in the Speci-
fication of an Invention for which Letters Patent were granted to me, bearing
date the Twenty-ninth day of September, One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-two, and numbered 2645, as well as the ordinary commercial silicates
may be employed. When soluble compound silicate is made with a
precipitate obtained by the use of any of the neutral carthy or metallic
salts, a further quantity of newly precipitated and washed silicic acid may be
added to the solutions of such silicates in ordinary commercial alkaline
silicates in any proportion desirable up to saturation. The solutions of the
neutral earthy or metallic salts may be acidulated to any desired degree, and
the precipitate obtained by means of such acidulated solutions may be
dissolved in solutions of the commercial silicates of soda or of potash in the
ways described in my former Specification. In addition to the soluble
silicates mentioned in the said Specification, ammonio-silicates of soda and of
potash, and of the earths and metals may be employed. These are prepared
by precipitating the commercial silicates of soda or of potash by means of
carbonate of ammonia or chloride of ammonium, or by means of ammonia-
alum, or ammoniated solutions of the earthy salts. or by means of ammonia
chlorides or ammonia-sulphates of the metals, and re-dissolving the pre-
cipitates so obtained in solutions of silicate of soda or of potash. Tungsto-
silicates may also be used. These are prepared by adding a solution of
tungstate of soda to a solution of silicate of soda, and precipitating by means

page_text: of an acid, or by means of a solution of an earthy or metallic salt, and after-
wards re-dissolving the precipitate in the manner described in the said
Specification.
For producing compound soluble silicates of lime and magnesia in com-
bination with alkalies, sea water, either alone or acidulated, may be added to
a solution of any ordinary commercial silicate of soda or of potash, the
precipitates so obtained being washed and re-dissolved in a concentrated
solution of commercial alkaline silicate. By adding newly precipitated silicic
acid or gelatinous silica, or any newly precipitated silicate or compound
silicate in the moist state to solid hydrate of potash or hydrate of soda, solu-
tions of subsilicates or supersilicates of potash or of soda, or of compound
silicates of various strength may be obtained in a purer state than by the
process described in the said former Specification, and better fitted for some
of the purposes of the present Invention. Dyes and other substances which
yield colouring matter to alkaline solutions, whether such dies or substances
be of an animal, vegetable, or mineral nature, are capable of being employed
for the purposes of this Invention, the ammoniacal solutions being in many
cases preferable. For the manufacture of inks the colouring matter of such
dyes or substances is precipitated or gelatinized by means of a solution of any
one of the soluble supersilicates or compound silicates before mentioned, the
precipitate or gelatinous mass so obtained being re-dissolved in a solution of
any alkaline subsilicate or commercial silicate of soda or of potash. When
commercial silicates are employed for these purposes, the solutions of those
silicates should be by preference of specific gravity 1.2 to 1.5. Biborate of
soda may also be used as a solvent of dyes and substances containing colouring
matter, and solutions produced by this agent, and also by ammonia, and by
other alkaline agents are in many cases capable of being sufficiently silicated
without precipitation of the colouring matter by the simple addition of a
supersilicate of soda or of potash. Aluminates of potash or of soda may be
used as solvents for dyes and colours, but when these are added to solutions
of the silicates the colours will be precipitated, and will require to be re-
dissolved in the manner herein described. Instead of employing a solution
of silicate of soda or of potash to dissolve the precipitated silicated colours or
dyes, a solution of caustic soda or potash may be used for that purpose, or
the colours may be combined first with a subsilicate, and the desirable
quantity of supersilicate afterwards added. The silicated dyes and colours
obtained by the processes herein-before mentioned are applicable to a great
variety of purposes, as, for instance, the colouring of paperhangings. A colour

page_text: 'commerce.
which is well suited for the manufacture of ink is the blue or red archil of
Of this one part by measure may be taken and combined with
half the quantity by measure of a solution of supersilicate of soda or of
potash, or of any of the compound silicates of specific gravity 1.3. or there-
abouts, and half a part of the commercial solution of the alkaline silicates of
specific gravity 15, or thereabouts. The whole should then he agitated
together until the precipitate first thrown down is dissolved. water or alkaline
solutions alone. or with gums, resins, or colouring or other matters dissolved
therein being afterwards added at discretion, and in any case where precipi-
tates are thrown down, such precipitates should be re-dissolved by addition
of solutions of the caustic alkalies or of the alkaline silicates. For red ink,
and for silicated aniline colours, magenta or other aniline colours may be
used in the dry state. or in the state of solution, but as dry aniline colours
will not directly combine with the soluble silicates, it is necessary to use
intermediate bodies, such as resins or gum resins to effect a combination.
For red ink gamboge is well adapted. for at the same time that it makes the
magenta soluble in a solution of alkaline silicate, it also modifies the colour, so as
to produce a red silicated ink. Other gums, resins, or gum resins possess-
ing analogous properties may be used in the same way with magenta
and other dry aniline colours, and thus a large variety of silicated
aniline colours may be produced. In some cases a solution of cochineal and
other colouring matters in ammonia or other alkaline solutions may be advan-
tageously used to vary the tint of the original ink or dye. Documents
written with inks thus prepared may be rendered still less delible by means
of a coating of a solution of supersilicate or compound silicate, and paper-
hangings coloured with any of the dyes made in accordance with this Inven-
tion may in the same manner be rendered washable without the colours
becoming altered. The silicated dyes obtained by means of the before-
mentioned processes may be used either singly or in combination with each
other, or with other dyeing substances. and the desiccated colours may be
powdered and mixed with such of the mineral, artificial, and other colouring
matters as will not be affected by the solutions of alkaline silicates, and used
for colouring paperhangings or other purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Ellis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd
March 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1, HENRY
ELLIS, of Bangor, in the County of Carnarvon, North Wales, Surgeon, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Henry Ellis, Her special licence that I, the said Henry Ellis, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I. the said Henry
Ellis, my executors, administrators, and assigns. should at any time agree
with, and no others. from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend. within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF COMPOUNDS OF SILICA. AND IN THE PRODUCTION OF SILICATED
ALKALINE INKB. COLOURS, AND DYES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Henry Ellis, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately-
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Ellis, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates to the manufacture of compound silicates con-
taining a larger proportionate quantity of earthy or metallic silicate in solution
than is contained in the compound silicates previously manufactured, and which
is effected by adding free acid to the neutral carthy or metallic solution which
is to be used for the preparation of the compound silicate, and to the pro-
duction of solutions of ammonio-silicates and tungsto-silicates, and also
solations of subsilicates, silicates, supersilicates, and compound silicates by the

page_text: addition of moist precipitated silicic acid, or of moist precipitated compound
silicates to hydrate of potash or of soda, as herein-after mentioned.
=
A further portion of this Invention relates to certain improvements in the
combination of certain colouring matters with compounds of silica, the same
being effected by causing such colouring matter to become precipitated or
gelatinized in combination with silicic acid by the use of supersilicates or
compound silicates, and which products may be used in a state of precipitate
or paste as valuable colours for various purposes, or by desiccation can be
obtained as dry colours. Such compounds of colouring matter with silicic
acid being dissolved in solutions of alkaline silicates will yield various colored
inks and liquid dies. The inks thus produced will not exercise any corroding
action upon steel or other metallic pens, while they are less delible than other
inks now in use. The liquid dyes thus manufactured are also of a permanent
nature.
For these purposes all the soluble silicates mentioned in the Specification
of an Invention for which Letters Patent were granted to me, bearing
date the Twenty-ninth day of September One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-two, and numbered 2645, as well as the ordinary commercial
silicates, may be employed. When a soluble compound silicate is made
with a precipitate obtained by the use of any of the neutral earthy or metallic
salts, a further quantity of newly precipitated and washed silicic acid may
be added to the solutions of such silicates in ordinary commercial alkaline
silicates in any proportion desirable up to saturation. The solutions of neutral
earthy or metallic salts may be acidulated to any desired degree. and the
precipitate obtained by means of such acidulated solutions may be dissolved in
solutions of the commercial silicates of soda or of potash in the ways described
in my former Specification.
In addition to the soluble silicates mentioned in the said Specification,
ammonio-silicates of soda and of potash, and of the earths and metals may be
employed. These are prepared by precipitating the commercial silicates of
soda or of potash by means of carbonate of ammonia or chloride of ammonium.
or by means of ammonia-alum or ammoniated solutions of the earthy salts, or
by means of ammonio-chlorides or ammonio-sulphates of the metals, and re-
dissolving the precipitates so obtained in solutions of silicate of soda or of
potash. Tungsto-silicates may also be used; these are prepared by adding a
solution of tungstate of soda to a solution of silicate of soda, and precipitating
by means of an acid, or by means of a solution of an earthy or metallic salt,
and afterwards re-dissolving the precipitate in the manner described in the
said Specification.

page_text: For producing compound soluble silicates of lime and magnesia in com-
bination with alkalies, sea water, either alone or acidulated, may be added to
a solution of any ordinary commercial silicate of soda or of potash, the pre-
cipitates so obtained being washed and re-dissolved in a concentrated solution.
of commercial alkaline silicate.
By adding newly precipitated silicic acid or gelatinous silica, or any newly
precipitated silicate or compound silicate in the moist state to solid hydrate of
potash or hydrate of soda, solutions of subsilicates or supersilicates of potash
or of soda, or of compound silicates of various strengths, may be obtained in a
purer state than by the process described in the said former Specification, and
better fitted for some of the purposes of the present Invention.
Dyes and other substances which yield colouring matter to alkaline solutions,
whether such dyes or substances be of an animal, vegetable, or mineral
nature, are capable of being employed for the purposes of this Invention, the
ammoniacal solutions being in many cases preferable.
For the manufacture of inks, the colouring matter of such dyes or substances
is precipitated or gelatinized by means of a solution of any one of the soluble
supersilicates or compound silicates before mentioned, the precipitate or
gelatinous mass so obtained being re-dissolved in a solution of any alkaline
subsilicate or commercial silicate of soda or of potash. When commercial
silicates are employed for these purposes, the solutions of those silicates
should be by preference of specific gravity 12 to 1'5.
Biborate of soda may also be used as a solvent of dyes and substances con-
taining colouring matter, and solutions produced by this agent, and also by
ammonia and by other alkaline agents, are in many cases capable of being
sufficiently silicated without precipitation of the colouring. matter by the
simple addition of a supersilicate of soda or of potash.
Aluminates of potash or of soda may be used as solvents for dyes and colours,
but when these are added to solutions of the silicates the colours will be
precipitated, and will require to be re-dissolved in the manner herein described.
Instead of employing a solution of silicate of soda or of potash to dissolve the
precipitated silicated colours or dyes, a solution of caustic soda or potash may
be used for that purpose: or the colours may be combined first with a sub-
silicate, and the desirable quantity of supersilicate afterwards added.
The silicated dyes and colours obtained by the processes hercin-before
mentioned are applicable to a great variety of purposes, as, for instance, the
colouring of paperhangings. A colour, which is well suited for the manu-
facture of ink is the blue or red archill of commerce. Of this, one part by

page_text: measure may be taken and combined with half the quantity by measure of a
solution of supersilicate of soda or of potash, or of any of the compound silicates
of special gravity 13, or thereabouts, and half a part of the commercial
solution of the alkaline silicates of specific gravity 15, or thereabouts. The
whole should then be agitated together until the precipitate first thrown down
is dissolved, water or alkaline solutions alone, or with gums, resins, or colouring
or other matters dissolved therein being afterwards added at discretion, and
in any case where precipitates are thrown down such precipitates should be
re-dissolved by addition of solutions of the caustic alkalies or of the alkaline
silicates.
For the manufacture of "stock ink" I use a solution of soda silicate of
iron, formed by adding a solution of sulphate of iron to a concentrated solution
of silicate of soda of about specific gravity 13, until the whole of the pre-
cipitate is thrown down. This precipitate I wash with water, and after
pressing I add it in the moist state to as much solution of commercial silicate
of soda of specific gravity 15 or thereabouts, as will dissolve the whole. I then
take one part of the said solution and two parts of the archill of commerce,
and after mixing them together I add as much solution of silicate of soda of
This
specific gravity 13 to 15 as will dissolve the whole of the precipitate.
I call "stock ink," the colour and consistency of which may be varied in the
manner already described, and which may also be converted into a copying
ink by the addition thereto of a solution of silicate of soda of specific gravity
15 in various quantities, and by preference a solution containing an excess of
alkali.
Thus copying inks may be produced that will give a copy immediately
after writing, or within a few hours, or even days, and either with or without
a copying press. The inks containing an excess of silica will dry quickly, and
will soonest become unfit for taking a copy after being written with: whilst
those silicates containing an excess of alkali in solutions of high specific
gravity, say, 15. will remain fit for copying for some days after they are
written with.
I do not confine myself to any strict limits in the quantities of colouring
matters to be added to the soluble silicates, and, as before described. I usc
other compound silicates besides that of iron for the production of "stock
ink," and soluble potash silicates may be used instead of the soda silicates.
An useful compound for varying the consistence of the "stock ink" will be
equal quantities of archill and a solution of hydrate of soda or of potash con
taining 15 parts of either caustic alkali in 100 parts of water. This may be

page_text: added to the stock ink at discretion to suit various purposes: of writing
fluids.
Various forms of carbon may also be used to: vary the tint of the archill' ink,
and also aniline black may be so employed, either of them being added at dis-
cretion. The latter colour may be produced by the addition of a solution of
magenta to a liquid paste of aniline green, or the various aniline blacks of
commerce may be used for the same purpose.
For red ink and for silicated aniline colours, magenta or other aniline
colours may be used in the dry state or in the state of solution; but as dry
aniline colours will not directly combine with the soluble silicates, it is
necessary to use intermediate bodies, such as, resins or gum resins, to effect a
combination. Gamboge is well adapted for this purpose, for at the same time
that it makes the magenta soluble in a solution of alkaline silicate, it also
modifies the colour so as to produce a red silicated ink. Other gums, resins,
or gum resins possessing analogous properties may be used in the same way
with magenta and other dry aniline colours, and thus a large variety of
silicated aniline colours may be produced. In some cases a solution of
cochineal and other colouring matters in ammonia or other alkaline solutions
may be advantageously used to vary the tint of the original ink or dye.
The liquid aniline dyes I treat as follows:-For red ink I take aureine one
measure, and add it to an equal measure of commercial silicate of soda in
solution of specific gravity 1.5. After stirring or agitating the mixture I let
it stand, and then pour out the liquid apart for use, leaving the sediment. By
varying the quantity of either the silicate or the dye various shades of red may
be produced, and gamboge or other gums, resins, or gum resins may be added
at discretion, as with the dry aniline colours. Various other liquid aniline
dyes may be treated in the same manner, thereby-producing a great variety.
of solutions suitable for writing fluids of great permanency, and which will
produce no corrosive action on steel or other metallic pens, and which fluids
may also serve for other purposes already named.
Documents written with inks prepared as herein mentioned may be ren-
dered still less delible by means of a coating of a solution of supersilicate
or compound silicate of potash or of soda, and paperhangings coloured with
any of the dyes made in accordance with this Invention may in the same
manner be rendered washable without the colours becoming altered. The
silicated dyes obtained by means of the before-mentioned processes may be
used either singly or in combination with each other, or with other dyeing
substances and the desiccated colours may be powdered and mixed with such
of the mineral, artificial, and other colouring matters as will not be affected

page_text: by, the solutions of alkaline silicates...and used, for colouring paperhangings.or
other purposes.
Having thus fully declared and, ascertained the, nature, of my, said Invention,
and the manner in which it is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion
that what I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting
my said Invention are,―
First, the methods of producing the soluble alkaline silicates, supersilicates,
and compound silicates substantially herein-before set forth and described,
or any mere modifications thereof.
And, secondly, the methods of manufacturing and producing silicated
alkaline inks, colours, and dyes substantially herein-before set forth and
described, or any mere modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Ellis, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
HENRY ELLIS. (L.S.)