An Improved Branding Composition.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 16th June, 1898-Accepted, 16th July, 1898
An Improved Branding Composition.
I, HARRISON GIBSON, of Ngaire, in the Colony of New Zealand, Settler, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for An improved branding compo-
sition," and in. what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to compositions of matter used for branding animals,
and the like and the object of the invention is to provide a composition which
will preserve its properties when stored in bulk and exposed to the air, and
whereby branding may be effected without pain, a substantially permanent mark
applied without damage to the hide, and at little expense.
With the present manner of branding by a hot iron considerable agony and
torture is experienced by animals, the hides are permanently damaged and their
value thus reduced.
I am aware that compositions have been produced for accomplishing the object
of my invention, but such compositions are less effective than that herein described
and must be used without delay after mixing or they will deteriorate and become
useless for branding purposes.
By my invention the hair is removed without damaging the hide or hurting
the animal and the value of the hide is not depreciated.
I have discovered that a branding composition may be made from certain
sulphides and preferably from barium sulphide, though good results may be
obtained from sulphides of the alkalies or alkaline earths or the chemical equi-
valents of the same.
The sulphide is mixed with ordinary coal gas tar in equal quantities by weight,
though a useful mixture may be obtained when these proportions vary somewhat.
This mixture may in order that it may readily be applied then be thinned and I
find that the composition is more readily and effectively used if thinned. For
such thinning process I use American potash and water mixed together in equal
quantities by measure and to this mixture I add a quantity of spirits of turpentine
equal by measure to the American potash and water. A quantity of American
potash, water, and spirits of turpentine, is added to the mixture of sulphide of
barium and coal gas tar until a consistency of ordinary coal gas tar is attained.
The liquid thus resulting is applied to the hair or wool of the animal to be
branded preferably by means of an ordinary sheep brand or other suitable branding
tool. The hair or wool is destroyed and the hide branded in a substantially per-
manent and conspicuous manner.
Throughout this specification I have mentioned coal gas tar, as I prefer this
kind of tar on account of its efficacy, and cheapness, but other tars such as Stock-
holm tar may be used.
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. The improved branding composition consisting of sulphide of barium and
coal gas tar mixed together substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.

page_text: 2. The improved branding composition consisting of sulphide of barium, coal
gas tar, American potash, water and spirits of turpentine mixed together substan-
tially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
3. The improved branding composition consisting of sulphide of barium and
coal gas tar mixed together in equal quantities by weight and thinned to the
consistency of ordinary coal gas tar by a mixture of American potash and water
in equal quantities by measure added to spirits of turpentine equal in quantity
by measure to the mixture of American potash and water substantially as and
for the purposes set forth herein.
4. The improved branding composition consisting of any sulphide of the
alkalies or alkaline earths preferably sulphide of barium and coal gas tar either
thinned by a mixture of American potash water and spirits of turpentine mixed
together or not thinned, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
5. The improved branding composition used for destroying and removing the
hair or wool of sheep, cattle, horses and the like and thus indelibly marking without
deteriorating the hide of such animals consisting of ingredients which will pre-
serve their properties when mixed in the proportions substantially as and for the
purposes set forth herein.
s 16th day of June 1898.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.