IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FIRE-LIGHTERS. FUEL. AND IGNITIBLE COMPOSITIONS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Charles Hill, of Ruby Street, Old Kent Road, in the
County of Surrey, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF FIRE-LIGHTERS. FUEL. AND IGNITIBLE COMPOSITIONS”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Charles Hill at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st May 1880.
HENRY CHARLES HILL, of Ruby Street, Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FIRE-LIGHTERS, FUEL, AND IGNITIBLE
COMPOSITIONS."
My Invention relates to various improvements in fire-lighters, as hereinafter
described, and is partly applicable for the manufacture of artificial fuel. It also
relates to improved ignitible compositions.
One part of the said Invention relates to providing fire-lighters of various kinds
with some suitable ignitible composition or material in such a manner that the
wood or other material of which the lighter is made may be ignited without
employing a lucifer match or other separate appliance. This part of my Invention
is carried into practice as follows, that is to say I provide, upon some part of
the fire-lighter, a sufficient quantity of any suitable and well known ignitible
composition or material, such as is ordinarily applied to lucifer matches and is
ignitible by friction or otherwise, and I may employ the compositions used for
what are known as safety matches, so arranged, that in moving separate parts of
the fire-lighter or some appliance attached thereto or therein the two compositions
or materials will be brought into contact with each other, or rubbed together so as
to produce ignition. I may, in some cases, use some detonating substance to be
ignited by a blow or by compression. I prefer to employ, as the igniting material,
a composition formed by reducing rags, paper, or similar substances to pulp, and
then steeping the same in nitre chlorate of potash, or any suitable ignitible
composition or material. The paste, thus formed, will ignite by friction or otherwise,
and will remain in a flame for a longer time than the ordinary igniting com-
positions. This improved material may be applied to articles other than fire-lighters.
In conjunction with the ignitible material or composition I employ tufts or bunches
of match-wood, shavings, paper, yarn, tow, hemp, or the like coated or saturated
LD017

page_text: with some inflammable material, such as resin, resin oil, tar, stearine paraffine, or
any other oily or fatty substance. These tufts or bunches are placed in suitable
recesses or openings provided for them in the wood or other material of which the
.fire lighter is made, and in such a position that when the ignitible material or
composition is ignited the said tufts or bunches will be certain to take fire and
communicate the same to the wood or other material. In those fire-lighters which
are made capable of expansion, that is to say, those which are so constructed that
the separate parts close or fold together for storage and transport, and are to be
opened or expanded when used. I prefer to arrange the tuft or bunch of
inflammable material and the ignitible substance in such a manner that the mere
act of opening or expanding the fire lighter will produce the necessary friction
on the ignitible material and ignite the same, the tuft or bunch being thus lighted.
For this purpose the ignitible material will be placed upon or in any suitable part
of the lighter, so that another part in the opening or expanding will pass over or
between and rub the said material. I may, however, place within the fire lighter
a splint friction-match, stud, or other piece provided with the ignitible material,
this splint being connected with a tape or string, or projecting itself sufficiently to
be pulled and thus be rubbed against the prepared wood or other material to cause
the friction necessary to ignite the said splint or other piece. I may employ a pin
or stud to cause ignition by being pressed upon the ignited material.
It is obvious that the manner of fixing the ignitible material and the tuft or
bunch of inflammable substance may be varied considerably, according to the nature
of the fire lighter employed. This feature of my Invention is applicable to all
kinds of fire-lighters made of combustible material. Several tufts may be used, if
necessary or desirable.
Another part of my Invention relates to the construction or formation of fire-
lighters, which may be made self-lighting, as above described, or not, and which are
designed to afford the best possible lighting capacity with the least expenditure of
wood. I make these fire-lighters of several forms, as follows, that is to say :-
I provide several strips or pieces of wood (six or seven being a convenient number)
all of the same or different dimensions; the upper part of each piece or strip is cut
in such a manner as to present an inclined surface on the end, and the pieces of
wood are all fastened closely together by means of a wire passing through each near
the top or bevelled end, the strips being arranged in such a manner that the upper
part or end of each one is inclined in an opposite direction to the one next
to it. A strip of wood is secured along the outside of all the pieces which are
inclined in one direction, and a corresponding strip to all those which are
inclined in the opposite direction. A fire-lighter so constructed occupies a very
small space when stored, as all the separate pieces lie close to each other and
form, as it were, one flat piece, and all that is necessary to be done when the fire-
lighter is required for use, is to press the two cross strips or braces between the
thumb and finger of one hand, whereupon the separate pieces spread out at the
bottom in opposite directions until the inclined faces meet the cross strips or brace
pieces which serve as stops. When thus expanded the fire-lighter occupies a much
greater space than when closed, and the spaces between the separate pieces of
wood on each side form apertures for air and for small pieces of coal. Moreover,
the slanting position of the pieces or strips which meet at the top and spread out
at the bottom is very favorable for causing the wood to burn well. If this fire-
lighter is provided with the means for self-lighting, according to the first part
of my Invention, the act of expanding the pieces of wood will also ignite or
cause the same to be lighted.
I also construct a fire-lighter by placing thin and wide strips of wood across and
at right angles to each other edgewise, the strips parallel to each other, being
provided with openings into which a portion of the strips crossing them are
inserted. A space of about an inch more or less is left between each strip, and
by this construction a series of square openings or cells will be left. At the top or
bottom there is a flat piece or pieces provided with a series of holes to admit air. This

page_text: fire-lighter is provided with the tufts; it does not fold or close together, but the
relative arrangement of the separate pieces is very advantageous, and a small
quantity of wood is very effective.
I also construct a fire-lighter with a series of cross pieces of wood through which
a wire passes, the pieces on one side being longer than those on the other side.
The wire passes through them at such a point of their length that when opened or
expanded a trestle shape is produced, the legs on one side above the wire extending
higher than those on the other side. A receptacle is thus formed for lodging pieces
of coal to facilitate lighting the same.
I also arrange the pieces of wood in the form of a double triangle and in the
form of a cross. In the latter case a wire passes through the centre of each piece,
and all the pieces fit closely together when stored, and are secured alternately to
cross strips or brace pieces. They may be readily expanded when required for
lighting a fire. The double triangular fire-lighters are composed of short laths or
pieces of wood cut out or recessed to fit one in or upon the other when framed or
put together. They may be dipped in resin, paraffine, or oil, and, if provided with
the aforesaid means for self-lighting, will be very efficient, and at the same time of
small cost.
I also provide a wheel or circular fire-lighter composed of laths or strips of wood
prepared and united in a circular press and secured by wire. They may have in
addition to the wire, or instead of the same, stout paper bands, or bands of card,
mill-board, or tape, impregnated with some suitable inflaminable material. The
name and address of the manufacturer ot other matter may be printed on these
bands which may be used with various forms of fire lighters as well as circular
ones, also for sticks of fire-wood in bundles.
The separate pieces of wood, composing my improved fire-lighters, may be grooved,
perforated, or solid.
My Invention also relates to a composition fire-lighter provided with means for
igniting the same. This fire-lighter is made of a mixture of sawdust, spent tan,
bark, turf, wood-fibre, compressed shavings, waste paper, hemp, or any like waste
material combined with resin or resinous gum, paraffine, tar, oil, or similar
inflammable adhesive substance, and is provided with a wick of cotton or yarn
saturated or covered with some suitable ignitible material so that the said wick
may be ignited by friction. Pitch, small coal, or coal dust may be mixed with the
other ingredients. The materials, to form the compound, are subjected to a
desiccating or drying process in a hot air chamber to remove all moisture. Any, or
all, of the materials named may be used in the compound, but in all cases the
blocks will be provided with a wick or other appliance capable of being ignited
by friction. The materials to form the compound are well mixed together with
the resin, resin-oil, or other inflammable material by means of heat, and in suitable
vessels, in which the mass is reduced to a semi-plastic state; it is then pressed or
moulded into blocks of convenient size. An aperture (one or more) is provided in
block to receive the prepared wick or other iguitible device, and I may provide
inflammable tufts or bunches in connection with splints or the like, as hereinbefore
described.
I also provide a fire-lighter expressly designed for lighting the fuel in steam-
furnaces and the like, this lighter being also applicable as artificial fuel.
It is
made as follows, that is to say:-I take sinall coal or coal-dust and, if necessary,
wash the same to remove the impurities. It is then dried upon a drying floor or in
any suitable manner, and may, if necessary, be ground or reduced. The coal is then
placed in a revolving retort or cauldron, and I add pitcb, tar, asphalt, oil, resin, or
similar material. I employ about from 10 to 15 parts by weight more or less of
pitch, tar, or the like to each 100 parts of coal, varying according to the quality of
the coal or other circumstances. The heat and the motion of the vessel causes the
coal and the other materials to unite and form a semi-plastic mass, which is
moulded or pressed into blocks, perforated or otherwise, of any desired shape and
size; these blocks may be provided with means for ignition as above described.

page_text: Apertures may be provided to be filled with wood-fibre, sow-dust, peat, tan,
compressed shavings, waste hemp, paper, or the like saturated with some inflammable
substance. For these blocks I prefer to use bituminous coal, and in some cases
shale or boghead and cannel coal.
The wood fire-lighters are, according to my Invention, saturated with resin,
resin oil, paraffine, or any of the heavy hydro-carbons or other cheap oil under
.pressure, that is to say, the separate pieces before being made up into lighters are
placed in a vessel containing any of these materials, alone or mixed, under a suitable
pressure, whereby the pores of the wood become impregnated and the latter is
therefore made very inflammable. This is much better than dipping the pieces
into a bath of melted resin, as heretofore practised, as the whole of the wood
becomes impregnated, and much time is saved. If desired, however, the saturation
with resin-oil or the like may be effected after the separate pieces are put together.
If desired, they may be dipped in melted resin.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Charles Hill in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th
November 1880.
HENRY CHARLES HILL, of Ruby Street, Old Kent Road, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FIRE-LIGHTERS, FUEL, AND
IGNITIBLE COMPOSITIONS.”
My Invention relates to improvements in fire-lighters, and is partially applicable
to the manufacture of artificial fuel. It also relates to improved ignitible
compositions.
One part of the said Invention relates to providing fire-lighters of various kinds
with suitable ignitible composition or material, so that the wood or other substance
of which the lighter is composed may be ignited without the necessity of employing
a lucifer match or other separate appliance. In carrying this part of my Invention
into practice, I provide upon, or in some part of the fire-lighter, a sufficient quantity
of any suitable ignitible composition or material, such as is ordinarily applied to
lucifer matches, fusees, and the like, and is ignitible by friction or otherwise, and I
inay in some cases utilize the compositions used for what are known as safety
matches, so that in moving the separate parts of the fire-lighter or some appliance
attached thereto or arranged therein, the two compositions or materials will be
brought into contact with each other or rubbed together so as to produce ignition.
Or, in some cases, I employ a detonating substance which may be lighted by percussion
or by compression. I prefer however to employ the composition hereinafter described.
In conjunction with such ignitible material or composition I employ splints, tufts,
or bunches of match-wood, shavings, paper, yarn, tow, hemp, or the like, coated or
saturated with some inflammable material, such as resin, resin-oil, tar, stenrine,
paraffin, or any other oily and fatty substance. The prepared splints, tufts, or
bunches are placed in suitable recesses or openings provided for them in the wood
or other material of which the fire lighter is composed, and in such a position that
when the ignitible material or composition is ignited the said splints, tufts, or
bunches will be certain to take fire and effect the ignition of the wood or other
materia
In those fire-lighters which are made capable of expansion, that is to say, those
which are so constructed that the separate parts close or fold together for storage
or transport, and may be opened or expanded when used, as hereinafter described;
I prefer to arrange the tuft, bunch, or splint, or inflammable material and the
ignitible substance or friction-match in such a manner that the mere act of opening
or expanding the fire-lighter will produce the necessary friction on the ignitible
material or match and ignite the same, and consequently the tuft, bunch, or splint.
For this purpose the ignitible material, match, or fusee is placed upon or in any
suitable part of the lighter, so that another part in opening or expanding the said
lighter will pass over or between the same and produce friction on the said material,
match, or fusee. I may, however, place within the fire-lighter a splint, friction-
match, stud, or other piece provided with the ignitible material, this splint or friction
match being connected with a tape or string, or itself projecting beyond the fire-
lighter sufficiently to enable it to be pulled and thus cause the friction necessary to
ignite the said splint or other piece. I, in some cases, however, employ a splint, pin,
or stud arranged to be turned to effect such ignition.
It is obvious that the manner of fixing the ignitible material and the splint, tuft,
or bunch of inflammable substance may be varied considerably according to the
nature of the fire-lighter employed. This feature of my Invention is applicable to
all kinds of fire-lighters made of combustible material, and several splints or tufts
may be employed if found desirable.

page_text: In the accompanying Drawings I have shewn various constructions of my
improved fire-lighters which will afford the best possible lighting capacity with the
least expenditure of wood; some of these lighters are shewn, provided with
inflammable tufts or bunches applied to them, and are arranged to be ignited by
the aforesaid ignitible material, although I wish it understood that any or all of
the said fire-lighters may be used either with or without such composition or
material.
Figure 1 is a face view, and Figure 2 an end view of one of the said fire-lighters
closed for storage or transport, and Figures 3 and 4 are an end view and vertical
section, shewing the said lighter opened for use. This fire lighter is composed of
several strips or pieces a of wood of the same dimensions. The upper part or end
of each piece or strip is bevelled or cut in such a manner as to present an inclined
surface a as shewn, or both ends of the said strips a may be inclined if desired.
These pieces or strips of wood are connected and fastened securely together by
means of a wire b or a fastening tie, or splint of any suitable size passing through
each strip at or near its inclined upper end, the said strips being so relatively
arranged that the upper end or part of each one is inclined in an opposite direction
to the one next to it. A brace piece or strip of wood c is secured upon the outside
and near the upper ends of all the pieces a which when opened assume an inclined
position in one direction, and a corresponding strip c is secured to all those which
when opened are on an incline in the opposite direction. These strips c serve to
limit the extent to which the lower ends of the pieces a may be spread apart as
they come in contact with the inclined faces a¹, and act as stops when the fire-
lighter is fully expanded, as shewn in Figures 3 and 4. Or, instead of attaching
one piece c only to each series of the strips a, I may attach a greater number of such
strips to the same, to afford a greater quantity of wood when required in the fire-
lighter without increasing its width.
A fire-lighter, constructed as above described, occupies a very small space when
closed up for storage or transport as shewn in Figures 1 and 2, as all the pieces a
lie close to each other and form as it were one flat piece. When the fire-lighter is
required for use, all that is necessary is to press the two cross bars or strips c
between the thumb and finger of one hand, when the pieces a will spread out at
the bottom in opposite directions as shewn, until the inclined faces a³ meet the cross-
bars c, which then act as stops to prevent a further outward movement of the said
pieces a as above described. When thus expanded the fire-lighter occupies a much
greater space than when closed, and the spaces between the separate pieces of wood
on each side form apertures or passages for air, and for small pieces of coal. More-
over the slanting position of the pieces or strips a ensures the burning of the wood
in an efficacious manner. This fire-lighter may be lighted in the ordinary manner,
or I may provide the same with an ignitible composition or compositions for self
lighting, so that in the act of expanding the pieces of wood, the same will be
caused to be lighted automatically as above described. For this purpose I provide,
in one or more of the pieces a, a taper opening or recess a*, into which the bunch
or splint of inflammable material is placed, and I arrange upon the adjacent
surfaces of the piece a, provided with such recess and on the next piece a the
ignitible compositions, which on being rubbed together on expanding the pieces a
for use will ignite and effect the lighting of the inflammable material in the
opening a*, and consequently the lighting of the fire-lighter itself.
In Figures 5, 6 and 7, I have shewn a modified construction of the fire lighter
above described.
Figure 5 is a front view, and Figure 6 an end view, shewing the said fire-lighter
closed, and Figure 7 is an end view shewing the same opened for use. In this
modification, instead of attaching the cross-bars c to the upper ends of the strips a,
I attach the said cross-bars at the bottom and provide an aperture through the
wood at ao into which I pass a cord or tape d provided at its end with a stud or
with a knot, which is coated with a composition, which, when the said cord is
pulled, will produce friction on a composition upon the inner surface of the recess a*

page_text: Cut ounen UI
nd ignite the same, and consequently the inflammable
ontained in the said recess, thereby causing the fire-lighter to burn.
Figure 8 is a front view, and Figure 9 an end view of another form of fire-
ighter closed for storage, and Figure 10 is an end view shewing the same opened.
This fire-lighter is composed of strips of wood a upon which I secure flat pieces of
wood as shewn at a³, the said pieces being perforated with suitably-shaped
apertures as shewn in Figure 8 to permit the passage of the flame when the lighter
s ignited and facilitate its burning. The two parts of the said fire-lighter are
connected by the wire b, which acts as a hinge upon which the said parts turn, two
or more of the strips a being provided with inclined surfaces a¹ as above described,
to limit the expansion of the said lighter. The spaces between the strips a also
serve as passages for the products of combustion. This fire-lighter may be provided
with an inflammable tuft, and with means for automatically lighting the same.
In the Drawings I have shewn one of the slots or openings in one of the flat
boards or pieces a², provided with a sliding strip or piece a³ which is coated on its
edge with composition and arranged in combination with composition on the
adjacent surfaces of one of the strips a, in such a manner that when the fire lighter
is expanded friction will be produced between the compositions, and the ignition of
the same will be effected. In order however to prevent the ignition of the
composition, should the two parts of the lighter be accidentally expanded, and to
thereby form a safety device, I arrange the piece a³ to slide, so that when it is
desired to ignite the fire lighter in expanding it, the said piece must be adjusted
inte the position shewn in dotted lines, so as to bring the composition or its edge
The two compositions
or face opposite that on the face of the adjacent strip a.
will then be rubbed together when the fire lighter is expanded and the ignition
will be effected. When however the piece a³ is in the position shewn in full lines,
the composition on the same will be out of line with that on the strip a, and
consequently no rubbing together of the same will be effected when the fire lighter
expanded or closed.
Figure 11 is a front view; Figure 12, an end view of a slightly modified form of
the fire lighter last herein described when closed, and Figure 13 shews the said fire
lighter expanded; Figure 13 is an end view of a fire lighter in which I attach the
pieces by the wire b to a piece of wood a, which, when the fire lighter is
expanded for use, hangs or depends between such pieces a², as shewn.
Figure 14 is a plan, and Figure 15, a side view of a circular or wheel fire lighter
constructed according to this Invention. This lighter is composed of a series of
laths or strips of wood which are provided with suitable recesses, so that when put
together one upon or over the other, they will be held and clamped firmly together
without the necessity of employing nails or wires for retaining them in place. In
some cases however I surround the said fire lighter with a stout paper band or with
a band of cardboard, mill board, or tape, impregnated with suitable inflammable
material. The name and address of the manufacturer or vendor, or other matter,
may be printed on these bands, which may be used with various forms of fire
lighters as well as with circular ones.
Figures 16 and 17 are plans showing modified arrangements of the strips or
pieces of wood forming such circular fire lighters.
In Figure 18, I have shewn in plan view the pieces of wood arranged in the form
of a double triangle, the said pieces being composed of short laths cut out or
recessed to fit one in or upon the other whem framed or put together. They may
be dipped in resin, paraffine, or oil, and if provided with the aforesaid means for
self lighting will be very efficient, and at the same time comparatively inexpensive.
Figure 19 is a front view, and Figure 20 an end view of another form of fire
lighter as it appears when closed, and Figure 21 is an end view shewing the said
fire lighter expanded. This fire lighter consist of a number of strips a which fit
5 closely together when stored, and are secured alternately to one or the other of the
strips, braces, or bars c on either side, and which when opened will assume an

page_text: X-shaped form, as shewn, the said pieces being fastened or pivotted together by th
wire 6 or other fastening for this purpose. The said strips a may be of the sam
length on both sides, or of different lengths, as shewn, and when opened constitut
a kind of basket receptacle or trestle for the coal at their upper ends, as i
Figure 21, thereby facilitating the lighting of the same..
Figure 22 is a plan, and Figure 23 an end view of another form of fire lighter
constructed according to my Invention. This fire lighter is composed of a series o
strips or pieces of wood a placed crosswise, and at right angles or approximately s
to each other, one series of the said strips being provided with notches or recesse
into which the other series of strips fit to ensure the retention of the parts in thei
proper relative positions. A space of about an inch (more or less) is left between
each strip, and by this construction a series of square openings or cells will be left
Upon the top and bottom, or either, I seure a flat piece or pieces a² provided with
a series of holes to permit the passage of air, as above described. This fire lighter
is provided with inflammable tufts or bunches, and in combination with the same
I arrange a cord or tape, as above described, which, on being pulled, causes the
ignition of suitable compositions, as hereinafter referred to, and effects the lighting
of the lighter. This fire lighter is not capable of expansion, but is rendered very
advantageous by reason of the arrangement of the strips a in combination with the
flat pieces a, and a fire lighter thus constructed, although composed of a small
quantity of wood, is very effective.
Figure 24 is a plan, and Figure 25 an end view of another form of fire lighter
closed for storage, and Figure 26 is an end view of the said lighter expanded for
use. This lighter consists of a series of strips of wood a in one length, and a series
of pieces a* which fold up between the latter. These pieces a, a*, are connected
by the wires or splints b, b, and are so combined that the pieces a* may be turned
down into the position shewn in Figure 26 when the fire lighter is to be used.
The strips or pieces of wood employed in the construction of my improved fire
lighters may be left solid, or be grooved or perforated, as desired, and are preferably
saturated either partially or wholly with resin, resin oil, paraffine, or any other
heavy hydrocarbon, or with cheap oil under pressure, that is to say-The separate
pieces before being made up into lighters are placed in a vessel containing any of
these materials alone or mixed under a suitable pressure, whereby the pores of the
wood become impregnated, and the latter is therefore rendered very inflammable.
This method of saturating the wood is preferable to dipping the pieces into a bath
of melted resin, as heretofore practised, as the whole of the wood becomes
impregnated and much time is saved. If desired, however, the saturation with
resin, oil, or the like, may be effected after the separate pieces are put together.
My Invention also relates to improvements in the construction of composition
fire-lighters with inflammable bunches or tufts, and when desired with automatic
lighting composition as described with reference to the fire lighters herein before
referred to. These composition fire lighters are made of a mixture of sawdust,
spent tan, bark, turf, wood-fibre, compressed shavings, waste paper, hemp, or any
like waste material combined with resin or resinous gum, paraffine, tar, oil, or
similar inflammable adhesive substance, and are provided with a wooden splint or n
wick of cotton, paper, or yarn, saturated or covered with my improved ignitible
composition or other suitable material, so that the said wick or splint may be ignited
by friction or otherwise. Pitch, small coal, or coal dust, may be mixed with the other
ingredients. The materials, to form the compound, are submitted to a desiccating
or dying process in a hot air chamber to remove all moisture. Any or all of the
above named materials may be used in the compound, but in all cases the blocks
are provided with a wick, bunch, or tuft, or other appliance capable of being
ignited by friction. The materials to form the compound are well mixed together,
whilst subjected to heat, in suitable vessels in which the mass is reduced to a
semi plastic state; it is then pressed or moulded into perforated or solid blocks 5
of convenient size. These blocks may be provided with one or more apertures

page_text: to received the prepared wick or wicks, or other igniting device, and with a central
aperture to receive an inflammable tuft or tufts to facilitate the lighting of the
block.
In Figure 27, which is a plan, I have shewn one of these composition fire lighters
provided with a central aperture or recess for the reception of the inflammable tuft
or bunch, and with a series of openings to permit the passage of air through the
said lighter to facilitate the combustion of the same.
Figure 28 is a plan, and Figure 29 a side view of another form of fire lighter,
which is provided on its under surface, and when desired on its upper surface also,
with a series of corrugations to permit the passage of air across and around it to
increase its combustion.
I also provide a fire lighter expressly designed for lighting the fuel in steam
furnaces and the like; this lighter may also be advantageously used as artificial
fuel. It is constructed as follows, that is to say.:-I take small coal or coal dust,
and, if necessary, wash the same to remove impurities. It is then dried upon a
drying floor, or in any suitable manner, and may if necessary be ground or reduced.
The coal is then placed in a revolving retort or cauldron, and I add thereto tar,
asphalte, oil, resin, or similar material. I employ about from 10 to 15 parts by
weight, of pitch, tar, or the like, to each 100 parts of coal, the proportions
varying according to the nature or quality of the coal or according to other
circumstances. The heat and the motion of the vessel cause the coal and other
materials to unite and form a semi-plastic mass, which is moulded or pressed into
blocks, perforated when desired, and of any desired shape or size. These blocks
may be provided with means for igniting them as above described. Moreover,
apertures may be provided in them to be filled with wood-fibre, sawdust, peat,
tan, compressed shavings, waste hemp, paper, or the like, saturated with some
inflammable substance, but preferably that compounded as hereinafter described.
For these blocks I prefer to use bituminous coal, and in some cases shale or
boghead and cannel coal.
In preparing my improved ignitible composition and inflammable tufts, bunches,
or splints, for fire lighters, I employ cotton or linen rags, waste paper, or other
fibrous materials reduced to pulp, and treat the same chemically with any of the
chlorides or chlorates, and then wash the same to remove any impurities. The
material is then dried. I then steep the material in a bath containing sulphuric
acid, and wash and dry the same, and then subject it to a bath containing nitric
acid, and again wash and dry the material. It is then saturated with a solution
of chlorate of potash and carefully dried, and to render it fit for use is combined
or mixed with any preparation of phosphorous or other chemical substance in the
form of paste or otherwise to produce an ignitible composition or tuft.
I also in some cases employ in the manufacture of the said ignitible composition
or inflammable tufts or bunches the aforesaid pulp in combination with any well
known combustible agents, such as chlorate of potash, preparations of phosphorous
or any of the sulphates or sulphites; or I employ nitre or sulphur, or any of the
sulphurets, or chromate or bichromate of potash, prussiate of potash, or any pre-
paration of manganese or antimony, or hyprosulphides, or other chemical agents.
The paste or composition thus formed will ignite by friction or otherwise, and will
produce a flame for a greater length of time than ordinary igniting compositions.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. A wood or other fire-lighter provided with an inflammable tuft or bunch,
and with an ignitible composition, for the purposes specified.
Second. The method of preparing the inflammable tuft or bunch and ignitible
composition, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Third. An expanding fire lighter consisting of a series of strips or pieces of
wood, with or without inclined ends, and connected by a wire or splint and cross
bars or strips, as shewn in Figures 1 to 4, or in Figures 5 to 7, or in Figures 19 to
21, or Figures 24 to 26; or provided with fat covers or pieces a³ as shewn in

page_text: Figures 8 to 13, and either with or without an inflammable tuft and ignitible
composition, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Fourth. A fire-lighter consisting of a series of strips or pieces of wood placed
or fitted one upon or in the other, substantially as described with reference to Figures
14 to 18, or provided with covers, as in Figures 22 and 23 of the Drawings, and
with or without inflammable and igniting materials, for the purposes specified.
Fifth. A composite fire-lighter formed by the combination of materials as
herein described, and provided with a wick or splint and ignitible composition, and
with an inflammable tuft or tufts, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. A fire-lighter chiefly designed for igniting fuel in furnaces, and the
like, or to serve as fuel, and consisting of the materials above described, either
with or without an inflammable tuft or tufts and igniting composition, for the
purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Charles Hill, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
HENRY CHAS. HILL. (L.S.)