Improvements in Explosives.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 4th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Explosives.
We, CHARLES HERBERT CURTIS of 74 Lombard Street in the City of
London Gunpowder Manufacturer and GEORGE GUILLAUME ANDRÉ of
Havelock Cottage Dorking in the County of Surrey Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
According to our invention we produce an explosive capable of being moderated
or regulated at desire during the manufacture as regards its explosiveness while at
the same time it is rendered proof against atmospheric changes and a greater
cohesion between the fibres or particles thereof is obtained.
Finished gun cotton or other nitro cellulose compound is taken in its ordinary
wet state and treated with a warm solution of gelatine or other suitable material
whereby its fibres or particles become coated with a thin film of gelatine or other
material. This film is then further treated with a solution of tannic acid for the
purpose of rendering it insoluble and imputrescible. The thickness of the film
regulates the degree of explosiveness. Albumen or any other substance capable of
being precipitated by tannic acid may be used instead of gelatine, and the tannic
acid we prefer to use is that of catechu.
Explosives treated in this manner may be subjected to pressure to form prisms or
other suitable shapes without injury to the protective envelope.
Dated this 4th dove of dwuil 1001
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Explosives.
We, CHARLES HERBERT CURTIS of 74 Lombard Street in the City of
London Gunpowder Manufacturer and GEORGE GUILLAUME ANDRÉ of
Havelock Cottage, Dorking in the County of Surrey Engineer 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:-
According to our invention we produce an explosive capable of being moderated
or regulated at desire during the manufacture as regards its explosiveness while at
the same time it is rendered proof against atmospheric changes and a greater
cohesion between the fibres or particles thereof is obtained.
Finished guncotton or other nitrocellulose compound is taken in its ordinary wet
state and treated with a warm solution of gelatine or other suitable material
whereby its fibres or particles become coated with a thin film of gelatine or other
material. The guncotton being spread out in a layer of an inch or two in thickness
we pour the solution on it and stir the material so that it becomes thoroughly
wetted with the solution and the particles become coated with a thin film thereof.
This film is then further treated with a solution of tannic acid for the purpose of
rendering it insoluble and imputrescible. This may be effected in a way similar to
that for treatment with the gelatine solution. The thickness of the film which
depends upon the strength of the solution regulates the degree of explosiveness.
The thickness of the film should be such as to increase the weight of the nitro-
cellulose about 5 to 10 per cent. according to the degree of explosiveness desired.
TDi Q77

page_text: Albumen or any other substance capable of being precipitated by tannic acid may
be used instead of gelatine.
This invention is applicable to high grade nitro cellulose and to a mixture of
high grade and low grade nitrocellulose.
Explosives treated in this manner may be subjected to pressure to form prisms
or other suitable shapes without injury to the protecting envelope of the particles
constituting the prism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
First. The application and use for guncotton or other nitrocellulose compound
of gelatine for forming a thin film upon the fibres or particles of the explosive and
of tannic acid for tanning or rendering insoluble and imputrescible the said film,
substantially as set forth."
Second. An explosive consisting of particles or fibres of nitrocellulose having a
protecting film or coating of tanno-gelatine.
Third. An explosive consisting of prisms or other shapes of compressed fibres or
particles of nitrocellulose having a coating of tanno-gelatine.
Dated this 4th day of January 1892.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.