IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES AND FUSEES, AND OF SURFACES TO BE USED FOR IGNITING MATCHES AND FUSEES
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Brecnock Palmer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 13th March 1869.
I, JAMES BRECNOCK PALMER, of Palace Works, Old Ford Road,
Bow, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES
AND FUSEES, AND OF SURFACES TO BE USED FOR IGNITING MATCHES AND FUSEES,"
to be as follows:-
The objects of this Invention are:-
1stly. To manufacture matches and fusees which will ignite by
ordinary friction but which shall be free from smell, or free from smell
and not poisonous.
2ly. To manufacture matches or fusees without phosphorus, and which
will ignite by ordinary friction, and not poisonous.
3ly. To manufacture friction surfaces for igniting matches or fusees.
The ignition composition of ordinary friction matches contains a large
proportion of stick or block phosphorus, and the latter from its nature
is continually escaping from the former in the form of a vapour which
is highly pernicious to those engaged in its manufacture and use, and

page_text: also to those who store matches in the usual quantities for sale, and the
poisonous quality of matches is derived entirely from the use of this kind
of phosphorus, which I seek to supersede by my improvements. Ever
since the introduction of amorphous phosphorus its use as a substitute
for stick or block phosphorus has been a desirable object to be attained,
but hitherto for the most part it has failed in consequence of the
increased cost of the composition made with it, or of its greater sus-
ceptibility of damp when combined with the chemical and other bodies
now in use.
My first improvement consists in using as the igniting composition of
ordinary friction matches and fusees chlorate of potash and amorphous
phosphorus, by preference, in the proportion of 16 parts chlorate of potash
to 1 part amorphous phosphorus, and these I combine with about 20
parts of the nitrate, sulphite, sulphate, or the oxides of lead, or the
hyposulphite or sulphite of iron or zinc, or the sulphate of zinc, or other
sulphite or sulphate, or the 20 parts may be made up of two or more of
the above substances in optional proportions. The above composition
is mixed with about two parts of gelatine, glue, or gum, or any other
suitable adhesive matter dissolved in water. Sulphur, sulphuret of
antimony, any suitable inert matter, such as powdered glass, silica, emery,
and various other bodies, chemical or otherwise (although not essential
to the ignition), may be added to modify the effects thereof.
My second improvement consists in using as the igniting composition
of ordinary friction matches and fusees hyposulphite and sulphite of
iron, or other sulphite, together or otherwise, in combination with
chlorate of potash, and mixed with gelatine, glue, or gum disolved in
water or other suitable adhesive matter. The following proportions
will give good results :-30 parts hyposulphite of iron, 30 parts chlorate
potash, 3 parts glue or other adhesive matter, disolved in sufficient
water to bring the compound to the proper consistency for dipping.
For igniting what are known as safety matches or fusees, that is matches
or fusees that will not ignite with friction, and for igniting other
matches or fusees, I prepare surfaces with a composition consisting of
hyposulphite and sulphite of iron, with or without amorphous
phosphurus, and gelatine, glue, or gum dissolved in water, or other
suitable adhesive matter added thereto, the following proportions will give
good results:-68 parts hyposulphite of iron, and 3 parts chlorate of
potash, 1 part amorphous phosphorus may be added.

page_text: For preparing surfaces for igniting matches made from composition
such as above described, and other matches which will ignite with ordinary
friction, I coat them with a composition consisting of pipe clay, or other
clay, or earthy or mineral matter, plaster of Paris, or cement, with or
without hyposulphite of iron or lead, and mixed with gelatine, glue, or
gum dissolved in water, or any other suitable adhesive matter. For
preparing the several compositions above mentioned, the gelatine, glue,
or other binding matter is dissolved in or mixed with water, and the
other ingredients in a finely powdered state are separately added and
thoroughly stirred, when the compositions will be fit for use in the usual
manner.