AN IM- PROVED PROCESS FOR IMPARTING TO GLASS AND OTHER VITREOUS SUBSTANCES A NACREOUS, IRIDISCENT, OR SIMILAR APPEARANCE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lako, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "AN IM-
PROVED PROCESS FOR IMPARTING TO GLASS AND OTHER VITREOUS SUBSTANCES
A NACREOUS, IRIDISCENT, OR SIMILAR APPEARANCE." A communication from
abroad by Louis Clémandot, of Paris, France, Civil Engineer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th March 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR IMPARTING TO
GLASS AND OTHER VITREOUS SUBSTANCES A NACREOUS, IRIDESCENT, OR SIMILAR
APPEARANCE." A communication from abroad by Louis Clémandot, of Paris, France,
Civil Engineer.
This Invention relates to a novel process for producing on vitreous substances,
particularly crystal and other glass, the peculiar effects known as iridescence
(nacrage d'irisation) by the reaction upon these substances of divers chemical agents
under pressure and a high temperature.
Under the name of glass are included the substances resulting from the fusion at
very high temperatures of silica which acts as an acid with bases, such as potash,
soda, lime, oxide of lead, and the like.
In submitting one of these compounds, that is to say, glass with a base of potash,
soda, lime, or lead, to the action of the different acids, and under a pressure of 2, 3,
or 5, or more atmospheres, I obtain the effects called iridescent, nacreous, or the
like resulting from the decomposition of the glass.
If among other reactions I employ under a pressure of 2 to 5 or 6 atmospheres
water acidulated with hydrochloric acid in the proportion of 15 % of acid, I
obtain nacreous and iridescent effects which resemble those of ordinary mother of
pearl or nacre. These iridescent or nacreous effects are analogous to those produced
by time and atmospheric agents on antique glass, namely those admired results of
the decomposition of luminous rays, reproducing to the eye the aspect so marvellous
of the wings of a butterfly, the feathers of a bird variegated with a thousand colors,
that is to say, iridescence (irisation), otherwise termed in physics the interference of
luminous rays.

page_text: It has long been sought by divers means to produce this natural result particularly
by bismuth varnish, and by the effect of various reactive substances upon salts of
silver. In pottery work more especially these varnishes have been applied, and
produce a brilliant appearance approaching that of nacre; and artificial pearls have
been produced by means of scales of whitebait with very satisfactory results; but
these form only a varnish, a superficial coating more or less destructible and subject
to change, while by the means that I employ the substance of the glass itself is
modified or changed in its nature, and therefore the results obtained are permanent
and incapable of deterioration.
I may give to the glass or other material treated as above described, according to
my Invention, any desired vitrifiable colors, and fix them by burning or baking
in a furnace in the ordinary manner.
The applications of this improved process may be so much varied that it is useless
to give details with regard to the production of nacre, manufacture of pearls, opals,
imitations of antique glass, or the like.
In decorative effects upon glass and the like I may cover portions with wax,
bitumen, resin, or other substance which will not be attacked in the chemical action,
and will therefore after this partial covering is removed present portions of the
surface in ordinary glass.
Any objects or articles of glass, crystal, or the like, of any dimension may be thus
decorated for any purposes of art or ornamentation.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
September 1877.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR IMPARTING TO
Southampton Buildings, London.
GLASS AND OTHER VITREOUS SUBSTANCES A NACREOUS, IRIDESCENT, OR SIMILAR
APPEARANCE." A communication from abroad by Louis Clémandot, of Paris, France,
Civil Engineer.
This Invention relates to a novel process for producing on vitreous substances,
particularly crystal and other glass, the peculiar effects known as iridescence
(nacrage d'irisation) by the reaction upon these substances of divers chemical agents
under pressure and at a high temperature.
Under the name of glass are included the substances resulting from the fusion at
a very high temperature of silica, which acts as an acid with bases, such as potash,
soda, lime, oxide of lead, and the like.
In submitting one of these compounds, that is to say, glass with a base of potash,
soda, lime, or lead, to the action of the different acids, and under a pressure of two,
three, five, or more atinospheres, I obtain the iridescent, nacreous, or similar effects
resulting from the decomposition of the glass.
If among other reactions I employ under a pressure of two to five or six atmospheres
water acidulated with hydrochloric acid in the proportion of 15 per cent. of acid, I
obtain nacreous and iridescent effects which resemble those of ordinary mother of pearl
or nacre. These iridescent or nacreous effects are analogous to those produced by time
and atmospheric agents on antique glass, that is to say, those admired results of the
decomposition of luminous rays, reproducing to the eye the marvellous aspects of
the wings of a butterfly, the feathers of a bird variegated or shot with a thousand
colors, or in other words the effect of iridescence (irisation), otherwise termed in
physics the interference of luminous rays.
It has long been sought by divers means to produce this natural result, particularly
by the use of bismuth varnish, and by the effect of various reactive substances, par-
ticularly upon salts of silver. In pottery work more especially these varnishes have

page_text: been applied and produce a brilliant appearance nearly resembling that of nacre'
and artificial pearls have been produced by means of scales of whitebait with very
satisfactory results; but these form only a varnish, a superficial coating more or less
destructible or subject to change, while by the means I employ the substance of the
glass itself is modified or changed in its nature, and therefore the results obtained
are permanent and incapable of deterioration.
I may apply to the glass or other material treated as above described, according
to my Invention, any desired vitrifiable colors, and fix them by burning or baking
in a furnace in the ordinary manner.
The applications of this improved process may be so much varied that it is useless
to give a detailed description of them; they include the production of nacre, the
manufacture of pearls and opals, imitations of antique glass, and similar work.
Glass that has been so treated will receive any design in vitrifiable color fixed by
burning or baking in the ordinary manner.
In decorative effects upon glass and the like I may cover portions with wax,
bitumen, resin, or other substance which will resist the action, whereby the above
results are produced, and will therefore after this partial covering is removed present
portions of the surface of the glass in the ordinary condition.
Any objects or articles of glass, crystal, or the like, of any dimension may be thus
decorated for mouldings, medallions, and the like, and for coloring or enchasing or
other purposes in art, or ornamental or decorative work.
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, the process above specified based upon the action of water containing
ten, fifteen, or twenty per cent. of hydrochloric acid, to which the glass to be treated
is subjected in a temperature of one hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty
degrees centigrade or more, and under the pressure of any suitable number of
atmospheres, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
TM PORT LAKE
01