Improvements in Acid Proof and Electric Insulating Compositions.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 12th Apr., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Acid Proof and Electric Insulating Compositions.
I, WILLIAM MORISON, of Montclair, in the State of New Jersey, United States
of America, Broker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
The object of my invention is to provide a new non-conducting acid proof and
acid tight composition for battery cases, etc., and to that end my invention con-
sists in treating certain materials under heat, as hereinafter set forth, and in then
subjecting the same to a kneading or pounding treatment preparatory to forming
the article desired by subjecting the same to pressure in molds.
To carry my invention into effect, and to make my cases or boxes, which I
utilize for batteries for bicycle and miners' lamps, and which invention may be
adapted for insulating articles or similar or other suitable work of every descrip-
tion, I make a charge suitable for the purpose, as follows:-I put in a pan say,
14 ounces of Cuban, Egyptian, Trinidad or other asphaltum, or say 8 or 10 ounces
of asphaltum and 5 to 6 ounces of pitch, such as glance or Venesuelan, or other
pitch of similar grade which I make in this way-reference being had to the
making of 16 to 18 ounces of the composition-I put the material in a pan or
other receptacle, and place the same over a gas jet or other caloric until I melt
the material so that it appears like molasses. I now ordinarily add thereto a very
small quantity of gutta percha and subject the same to a lower degree of heat.
By boiling my composition, I drive away foreign matter, which escapes in the
form of smoke and gas, and I thereby make the material more dense. The gutta
percha makes the same more elastic and tenacious. After the parts are thoroughly
mixed, I put in gradually asbestus ordinarily intimately mixing in as much fibre
asbestús as the compound will absorb, and gradually heat and work the same until
it gets somewhat stiffer than putty. I then spread the material out in the same
hot pan (or on a separate hot plate if made in large quantities) and thoroughly
work, beat and pound the same to drive out moisture and foreign substances and
ordinarily add a small quantity of sulphur (as a table spoonful spread over it).
This is worked in with care so as not to burn the material. The addition of the
sulphur makes the composition spongy, and gives tenacity to the mass.
This is
worked until the swelling ceases (say for 5 or 10 minutes). It is then pounded,
(as with a large hammer or paver's ram) until not any of the whole mass will
stick to iron, this operation serving to drive out all the foreign matter. When
the gas is all out of the composition, and the material is well mixed together the
compound is ready. The above operations are all done under a moderate degree
of heat (say not less than 150° F.).
After being prepared, the composition is put into a mold hot, and it can immedi-
ately (say in 20 to 40 seconds) be taken out; and the resultant box comes out hard
and smooth, and has a polished surface, and does not require seasoning or any
further treatment. Certain kinds of asphaltum and pitch can be worked with
asbestus and sulphur without the aid of the gutta percha and consequently that

page_text: part of the process together with that relating to the sulphur can in some cases
be eliminated without in any way affecting the article as an acid proof, electrical
non-conducting material. It is evident that many changes in the operations
might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.
I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the particular opera-
tions as described, but that I reserve the right to make such changes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The process of making a composition which consists in first melting asphal-
tum or the like; second, adding thereto, while hot, asbestus, and intimately
mixing the two thoroughly together; third, spreading out the mass so mixed,
on a hot surface, and thoroughly working beating and pounding the same to
drive out moisture and foreign substances;--the mass to be hot throughout the
carrying out of the process; and fourth, forming the article desired of the mass,
substantially as set forth.
2. The herein described composition of matter consisting of asphaltum, gutta
percha, asbestus and sulphur in approximately the proportions specified.
3. The process of making a composition which consists in first melting asphal-
tum or the like; second, adding thereto, while hot, asbestus, and intimately
mixing the two thoroughly together; third, spreading out the mass as mixed, on
a hot surface, and thoroughly working, beating and pounding the same to drive
out moisture and foreign substances; fourth, dusting sulphur thereon and again
thoroughly beating, pounding and working the mass the mass to be hot
throughout the carrying out of the process; and fifth, forming the article desired
of the mass, substantially as set forth.
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WILLIAM MORISON,
By Fowler & Co.,
Agents.