IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SAFETY FUZE."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Lanyon, of Redruth, in the County of Cornwall,
for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SAFETY
FUZE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Lanyon at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th November 1878.
ALFRED LANYON, of Redruth, in the County of Cornwall.
THE MANUFACTURE OF SAFETY FUZE."
IMPROVEMENTS IN
Heretofore safety fuze has been waterproofed by passing it through a bath of
dissolved or melted gutta percha, whereby a coating of gutta percha has been
applied to the outside thereof, by which process a considerable portion of the material
sinks between the "countering" threads to no purpose, whilst the actual thickness
or strength of the waterproofing is limited to the substance of the gutta percha in
its thinnest parts.
According to my Invention however I waterproof fuze by coiling or winding
around the same a thin ribbon or strip of gutta percha, either on the exterior of the
"countering" threads or before the latter are applied, by which means I obtain a
coating which is uniform in thickness.
After the fuze is covered with the gutta percha ribbon either once, twice, or
oftener, according to the required strength of waterproofing power, the fuze is
subjected to heat, during which process the gutta percha ribbon shrinks very closely
on the fuze.
The process of melting the gutta percha heretofore adopted lessens the strength
and elasticity of the gutta percha, and renders the latter less impervious to water
than the gutta percha ribbon employed according to my Invention, which having

page_text: been rolled into form by great pressure assumes a texture or character superior to
that of melted gutta percha, whilst by my Invention I also effect a considerable
economy in the quantity of gutta percha employed, and ensure a more perfect
waterproofing of the fuze.
If desired a thin strip or ribbon of india rubber may be substituted for the gutta 3
percha, and applied in a similar manner to that above described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Lanyon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd May
1879
AFLRED LANYON, of Redruth, in the County of Cornwall.
THE MANUFACTURE OF SAFETY FUZE."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
Heretofore safety fuze has been waterproofed by passing it through a bath of
dissolved or melted gutta percha, whereby a coating of gutta percha has been
applied to the outside thereof, by which process a considerable portion of the
waterproofing material sinks between the " countering" threads to no purpose,
whilst the actual thickness or strength of the waterproofing is limited to the substance
of the gutta percha in its thinnest parts.
According to my Invention however I waterproof safety fuze by coiling or winding
around the same a thin ribbon or strip of gutta percha, either on the exterior of the
countering" threads or before the latter are applied, by which means I obtain a
coating which is uniform in thickness.
带着
After the fuze is covered with the gutta percha ribbon either once, twice, or
oftener, according to the required strength of waterproofing power, the fuze is
subjected to heat, during which process the gutta percha ribbon shrinks very closely
on the fuze.
In the accompanying Drawing I have represented an exterior view of a portion
of safety fuze coated with gutta percha ribbon according to my Invention. a is the
body of the safety fuze; b are the "countering" threads; and c is the gutta percha.
ribbon, which is wound round the exterior of the "countering" threads in a similar
manner to that now adopted when covering the same with tape, a suitable tension
being applied to the gutta percba ribbon, as will be well understood. d is an outer
covering, which is wound around the gutta percha ribbon to protect the same.
The fuze when covered with the gutta percha ribbon is submitted to beat by
passing it through a heated chamber, or through a tube heated by steam, or by
other means.
The process of melting the gutta percha heretofore adopted lessens the strength
and elasticity of the gutta percha, and renders the latter less impervious to water
than is the gutta percha ribbon employed according to my Invention, which, baving
been rolled into form by great pressure, assumes a texture or character superior to
that of melted gutta percha, whilst by my Invention I also effect a considerable
"

page_text: economy in the quantity of gutta percha employed, and ensure a more perfect
waterproofing of the fuze, and a more equal distribution of the waterproofing
material.
+
If desired a thin strip or ribbon of india rubber may be substituted for the gutta
percha, and applied in a similar manner to that above described.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the mode in which I
carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is, the
mode of waterproofing safety fuze. by covering the same with gutta percha or india
rubber ribbon, applied thereto substantially as herein shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Lanyon, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty first day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine..
Witness,
JNO. CARKEEK,
Redruth.
ALFRED LANYON. (L.B.)