IM- PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INDIA-RUBBER AND GUTTA PERCHA COMPOUNDS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Burchard Fixsen, of St. Petersburg, Russia, now of
No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London, Merchant, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INDIA-RUBBER AND GUTTA PERCHA
COMPOUNDS." A communication from abroad by Ludwig Danck werth, of
St. Petersburg, Russia. Engineer.
Sealed the 14th July 1876, and dated the 22nd April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Burchard Fixsen at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd April 1876.
BURCHARD FIXSEN, of St. Petersburg, Russia, now of No. 8, Southampton Build-
ings, London, Merchant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INDIA-RUBBER
AND GUTTA PERCHA COMPOUNDS." A communication.
The said Invention relates to the manufacture of new compounds by combination
or amalgamation of ozocerite with india-rubber, gum-elastic or caoutchouc, and
with the gutta percha.
In the preparation of the india-rubber, or caoutchouc composed according to my
Invention I use the following proportions, that is to say, caoutchouc 100 parts and
ozocerite 100 parts, and I add to these materials 10 parts of sulphur for effecting
the vulcanization of the prepared compound. The mixing or amalgamation of these
materials is preferably effected by means of the rolling mills ordinarily used in the
manufacture or preparation of gums and similar substances.
In the preparation of the compound of gutta percha with ozocerite according to
this Invention, I take 100 parts of gutta percha and 50 parts of ozocerite; I
soften the gutta percha in boiling water, and then flatten it by rolling. The
ozocerite is placed on the flat surface or sheet of gutta percha, and folded or en-
veloped in the same, the mass is then kneaded by hand or otherwise to thoroughly
incorporate the two substances with each other. The above proportions may be
varied in some instances according to the purpose for which the compounds are
to be used.
By the addition of the ozocerite to the india-rubber caoutchouc I obtain a new com-
pound which is cheaper than ordinary india-rubber or caoutchouc, but which retains
all its natural elasticity. Its vulcanization is easily effected, it will retain its softness
or pliability for any length of time, and will not be affected by atmospheric influences.
By incorporating ozocerite with the caoutchouc the latter is surrounded by dense
Price 4d.]

page_text: carburetted hydrogen which prevents its oxidation. Moreover the said compound
is not subject to crystallization, and is proof against the action of acids which
injuriously affect ordinary caoutchouc or india-rubber: It will not become rotten
and its insulating properties for electric purposes are unimpaired, while its specific
gravity is the same or nearly the same as that of ordinary caoutchouc.
The compound of gutta percha and ozocerite is more plastic and flexible than pure
or natural gutta percha, it is not affected by hydrochloric acid or by changes of
temperature, it is but slightly subject to oxidation, and its specified gravity is about
the same as that of ordinary or pure gutta percha.
This compound will be far superior to ordinary gutta percha for the manufacture
of telegraph cables as its insulating capacity is increased and its susceptibility to
fermentation or putrefaction. And in the manufacture of any articles now made
of ordinary gutta percha this compound will be found very advantageous as it
possesses all the essential properties of ordinary gutta percha and is superior thereto
in many respects while the cost is not more than about one-half of the same.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Burchard Fixsen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
October 1876.
BURCHARD FIXSEN, of St. Petersburgh, Russia, now of 8, Southampton Buildings,
London, Merchant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INDIA-RUBBER AND
GUTTA PERCHA COMPOUNDS." A communication from abroad by Ludwig Danck-
werth, of St. Petersburgh, Russia, Engineer,
My Invention relates to the manufacture of new compounds by the combination
or amalgamation of ozocerite or ozokerite (also known as fossil resin or fossil wax
or earth wax) with india-rubber, caoutchouc, or gum elastic, and with gutta percha;
or with a mixture of india-rubber and gutta percha; or with other inaterials,
mixtures, or compounds, which when combined with the ozocerite in suitable
proportions will form a substance that may be used in place of ordinary natural
or vulcanized india-rubber or gutta percha for various manufacturing purposes.
The proportions in which these ingredients are combined will be varied accord-
ing to the use to which the compound is to be applied.
In the preparation of the india-rubber or choutchouc compound according to
my Invention, I find the following proportions very advantageous, that is to say,
caoutchouc 100 parts and ozocerite 100 parts, and I add to these materials 10 parts
of sulphur for effecting the vulcanization of the prepared compound. These pro-
portions may be varied within certain limits according to the purposes for which
the compounds are to be used. I may also use instead of or in addition to the
sulphur, metallic oxides, sulphur metals, and other materials, which will serve for
the solidification of the new compound or for colouring the same. The mixing or
amalgamation of these materials is preferably effected by means of the rolling
mills ordinarily used in the manufacture or preparation of gums and similar
substances.
In the preparation of the compound of gutta percha with ozocerite according
to this Invention I obtain very useful results by taking 100 parts of gutta percha,
and 50 parts of ozocerite; I soften the gutta percha in boiling water and then
flatten it by rolling. The ozocerite is placed on the flat surface or sheet of gutta
percha, and folded or enveloped in the same, the mass is then kneaded by hand or
otherwise to thoroughly incorporate the substances with each other.
By the addition of the ozocerite to the india-rubber or caoutchouc I obtain a new
compound which is cheaper than ordinary caoutchouc or india-rubber but which
retains all its natural elasticity. Its vulcanization is easily effected, it will retain
its softness or pliability for any length of time, and will not be effected by atmo-
spheric influences. By incorporating the ozocerite with the caoutchouc the latter is

page_text: surrounded by dense carburretted hydrogen which prevents its oxidation. More-
over the said compound is not subject to crystallization, and is proof against the
action of acids which injuriously affect ordinary caoutchouc or india-rubber. It
will not become rotten or putrid, and its insulating properties for electric purposes
are unimpaired, while its specific gravity is the same or nearly the same as that of
ordinary caoutchouc.
The compound of gutta percha and ozocerite is more plastic and flexible than
raw or natural gutta percha; it is not affected by hydrochloric acid or by changes
of temperature, it is but slightly subject to oxidation, and its specific gravity is
about the same as that of ordinary or native gutta percha.
This compound will be far superior to ordinary or native gutta percha for
galvano-plastic purposes and the manufacture of telegraph cables, as its insulating
capacity is greater than said ordinary gutta percha, and is but very slightly sus-
ceptible to fermentation or putrefaction. And in the manufacture of any articles
now made of ordinary gutta percha this compound will be found very advan-
tageous, as it possesses all the essential properties of ordinary. gutta percha, and
is superior thereto in many respects, while the cost is not more than about one
half of the same. For modelling or moulding this new compound is greatly superior
to ordinary gutta percha, as it permits the use of very soft materials in the patterns
or models.
In the term ozocerite, as used in this Specification, I include all varieties of the
substances known as ozocerite, ozokerite, earth wax, fossil wax, fossil resin, or
similar fossils or kindred substances.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim―
First. The compound of ozocerite and india-rubber, caoutchouc, or gum elastic,
combined in or about in the proportions above specified or other suitable proportions,
and vulcanized or otherwise prepared as above set. forth.
Second. The compound of ozocerite and gutta percha combined in or about in
the proportions above specified or other suitable proportions.
Third. The compound of ozocerite, caoutchouc, and gutta percha in equal parts
or other desirable proportions.
Fourth. A substance or compound of which ozocerite forms one of the ingre-
dients or constituents, and which is so prepared that it can be used for various
purposes in the place of caoutchouc or gutta percha or their compounds, as above
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Burchard Fixsen, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twelfth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
BURCHARD FIXSEN. (L.S.)