AN IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "AN IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND." A communication from abroad
by Paul Sandoz, of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th September 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the. Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND."
[A communication from abroad by Paul Sandoz, of Paris, France.],
This Invention relates to an improved explosive compound possessing in addition
to great explosive power various advantageous qualities, the chief of which are as
follows, that is to say:-It does not explode or detonate under a shock but only by
ignition after having been rammed or pressed into a limited and enclosed space,
such as the blast-hole of a mine or a shell; if ignited in the open air it will only
become fused, and does not develop deleterious gases; and it is much less expensive
than dynamite.
My improved compound is composed of the following materials, and I will
indicate under the headings "A" and "B" two proportions, in which the said
materials may he advantageously compounded, the first mixture resulting in a less
powerful compound than the second, but I may vary the proportion of the
component elements according to the result to be produced :-
The materials and proportions of these two qualities are as follows, that is to
Bay-
Nitrate of potash
Washed sulphur
Carbon
Metallic antimony -
Chlorate of potash -
Chromate of potash
Flour (preferably rye-flour)
-
A.
69 parts.
-
9 parts.
B.
O parts.
10 parts.
-
10 parts.
-
5 parts.
3 parts.
4 parts.
5 parts.
66 parts.
4 parts.
15 parts.
a few hundredth parts.

page_text: The quality "A" is prepared by treating the materials in an equal volume of
water, which is heated to boiling temperature. The action of the fire is continued
until the mass becomes pasty by reason of the evaporation of the liquid. When in
this state the mass is dried, then cut into any suitable shape, such as bars, prisms,
and the like, or pulverized, as may be required.
The quality "B" I prefer to prepare by a dry process by grinding or pulverizing
and intimately mixing the materials. I may however prepare it in the manner
set forth with reference to quality "A." The preparation may be effected in any
suitable apparatus. I prefer however to apply the heat by means of circulating
steam, or by a sand or a water bath, or by any other means not requiring the direct
action of the fire, which might ignite the material being treated. Such ignition
could not however be dangerous, as the product would not detonate, but only
become fused.
The manufacture of my improved compound is readily carried into practice, and
is free from danger; it can be carried on in any climate and without any special
knowledge.
The compound "A" above indicated is superior as an explosive agent to No. 1
dynamite, and compound "B" has three times the explosive power of such
dynamite

page_text: 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
9th March 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND."
A cominunication from abroad by Paul Sandoz, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to an improved explosive compound possessing in addition
to great explosive power various advantageous qualities, the chief of which are as
follow, that is to say:-It does not explode or detonate under a blow or shank, but
only by ignition, after having been rammed or pressed into a limited and enclosed
space, such as the blast-hole of a mine or a shell; if ignited in the open air it only
becomes fused, and does not thereby liberate deleterious gases; and it is such less
expensive than dynamite.
My improved compound is composed of the following materials, and under the
headings "A" and "B" are indicated two proportions, in which the said materials
may be advantageously compounded, the first mixture resulting in a less powerful
compound than the second, but the proportion of the component elements may be
varied according to the result to be produced :-
The materials and proportions of these two qualities are as follow, that is to

page_text: foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
The explosive compound formed of the above named materials, in the manner
and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
W, RUB, LAKE. (L.S.)