A NEW AND USEFUL METHOD OF UNITING SMALL PIECES OF AMBER INTO A LARGE BLOCK
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan Brown Patent Agent of 38 Southampton
Buildings, London for an Invention of "A NEW AND USEFUL METHOD OF
UNITING SMALL PIECES OF AMBER INTO A LARGE BLOCK Cominunicated
to him from abroad by Bernhard Borowsky Stargard Pommerania Germany.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st July 1882.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN Patent Agent of 38 Southampton Buildings London
"A NEW AND USEFUL METHOD OF UNITING SMALL PIECES OF AMBER INTO A LARGE
BLOCK [Communicated to him from abroad by Bernhard Borowsky Stargard
Pommerania Germany]
°
Heretofore all experiments have been in vain to make use of small pieces of
amber; amber offal etc. for the manufacture of amber articles. The experiments
of the communicator have now led him to make large blocks of amber out of small
pieces. The qualities of these blocks are the same, as of those produced by nature,
the only difference being, that the development of electricity in the united pieces
is stronger, and that these pieces are less liable to break. These blocks are very
well qualified to be worked into artistic work of every kind.
For uniting the pieces of amber, I make use of the following process and
machinery: Two strong iron angles, adapted to a bottom plate form a perfectly
tight box, wherein I put the pieces of amber to be united. A piston fits exactly to
the interior of the said box, and this piston belongs to a press, with a set of
spindles. In this press I put the box, tightened by the spindles and I clothe it
with a layer of putty. Then the amber is filled in and also covered with a strong
layer of putty, to shut out perfectly the atmospheric air. This done, the box is
surrounded with burning charcoal or fuel of any kind. The bottom of the press is
provided with grooves, wherein also fuel may be put. Now the piston is placed
and lightly pressed down by means of a spindle. By the introduction of air by
means of a ventilator, the temperature of the box is gradually raised to about'
500° C, which takes about two hours and a half. At this moment the spindle is
D

page_text: gradually turned down, and the piston unites the molten pieces of amber, expelling
all air bubbles. After 3 hours from the beginning of the operation, the temperature
is gradually diminished, in such a manner, that the cooling takes place in
6 to 8 hours. The mass however remains under the given strong pressure, till it
will be taken out.
It is very important, that the putty applied is a good and tightening one, which
together with the well fitted box, in spite of the high pressure, developed in the
interior, will not allow, that anything of the substances of amber escapes in the
form of vapor.
If volatile parts, as amber oil find way to escape, the operation
fails. The firing may also be carried out by application of regenerators, the heat
of which is directly led upon the exterior sides of the box by nozzles of burnt clay.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
31st January 1883.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN Patent Agent of 38 Southampton Buildings London
"A NEW AND USEFUL METHOD OF UNITING SMALL PIECES OF AMBER INTO A LARGE
BLOCK A Communication to me from abroad by Bernhard Borowsky, Stargard
Pommerania Germany.
"
Heretofore all experiments have been in vain to make use of small pieces of
amber, amber offal etc. for the manufacture of amber articles. By this invention
now I make large blocks of amber, out of small pieces. The qualities of these
blocks are the same as of those produced by nature, the only difference being that
the development of electricity in these united pieces is stronger and that these
pieces are less liable to break. These blocks are very well qualified to be worked
into fineries of every kind.
For uniting the pieces of amber, I make use of the following process and of
machinery represented in the annexed drawing.
Two strong iron angles a, a adapted to the bottom plate b form a perfectly tight
box wherein I put the pieces of amber to be united. A parallelopiped piston c
fits exactly to the interior of the said box, shown by figure 1 in ground plan,
figure 2 in longitudinal section and figure 3 in cross section Figures 4 and 5
show the vertical and horizontal cross section of a press, with a set of spindles to
receive the box, and to press the contents of the box at the proper temperature.
After the box is in and tightened by the spindles A A the interior is clothed
with a layer of putty then the amber is filled in and also covered with a strong
layer of putty, to shut out perfectly the atmospheric air. This done the box is
surrounded with burning charcoal or fuel of any kind. The bottom of the press is
provided with four grooves B, wherein also fuel may be put. Now the piston
c is placed and by means of spindles C lightly pressed down. By the introduction
of air, by means of a ventilator, the temperature of the box is gradually raised to

page_text: about 500° C, which takes about two hours and a half. At this moment the
spindle C is gradually turned down whereby piston c unites the molten pieces of
amber expelling all air bubbles. After three hours from the beginning of the
operation, the temperature is gradually diminished in such a manner, that the
cooling takes place in six to eight hours. The mass however remains under
the given strong pressure, till taken out.
It is very important that the putty applied, is a good and tight closing one,
which together with the well fitted box, in spite of the high pressure developed in
the interior, will not allow, anything of the substance of the amber to escape in
the form of vapor.
If volatile parts as amber oil, finds a way to escape, the
operation fails. The firing may be also set about by application of regenerators
the heat of which is directly led upon the exterior sides of the box by nozzles of
burnt clay.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention
and the manner of carrying the same into effect I would have it understood that
what I claim is :—
1stly The process of melting amall pieces of amber in closed moulds, atmospheric
air being shut out and to press them into large blocks.
2ndly The perfectly tight mould formed of different parts, as shown by
figure 1, 2 and 3.
In witness whereof I the said William Morgan Brown have hereunto set my
hand and seal this thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
WMORGAN BROWN. (LB)