Year: 1896

page_text: 1, ALEXANDER PICARD, of Montaign (département du Jura), in the Republic of
France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has reference to an improved cartridge case which is constructed
of vulcanized fibre, and consists in fitting a bottom washer in the end of the cart-
ridge case or socket which contains the powder or other explosive, the case or
socket being thickened or provided with a shoulder at that end for the said washer
to bear against, glue or other adhesive matter being placed on the inner face of
the washer; a rubber washer is then inserted from the opposite end of the cart-
ridge case and pressed down on the bottom washer, suitable apertures being
provided in these two washers for the insertion of the usual percussion cap. The
rubber washer prevents the gas escaping at the back no matter what charge is
employed.
The cartridge socket or case is made thoroughly waterproof by placing it in a
Leth of Aid Loo
JOHN P. O'DONNELL, Fel. Chart. Inst. P.A.
70 and 71 Palace Chambers, Westminster, S.W.,
Agent for the said Applicant.
I, ALEXANDER PICARD, of Montaign, Department of Jura, in the Republic of
France, Property Owner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
The object of this Application is the use of "vulcanised fibre," (the base of
which, as is known, is composed of vegetable fibres), in the manufacture of
cartridge cases for all kinds of fire-arms. The composition and preparation of this
"vulcanized fibre" by means of certain chemical processes, by which it is formed

page_text: into a homogeneous body or substance impart to this substance certain essential
properties which enable it to be advantageously used in the manufacture of
cartridge cases for military purposes, target practice, sport, and other purposes,
no matter what may be the system of priming: whether central percussion, pin
fire or otherwise.
Moreover, vulcanized fibre although hardened, a very substantial elastic
material, it is durable and does not deteriorate, it is also uninflammable and bears
a high temperature without fusing.
This material which is red grey or black and looks well is worked up into plates,
cylindrical rods and tubes, and may be sawn, planed, turned, perforated, screwed,
chased, and polished.
The accompanying drawing shows examples of some of the forms of cartridges
which may be manufactured with "vulcanized fibre."
Figures 12 and 3 are respectively a perspective and sectional views of a cart-
ridge case for sport or target practice in its different stages of manufacture.
Figure 4 is a cartridge case for military purposes or for target practice.
Figures 5 and 6 show modifications of this form of cartridge and
Figure 7 shows a sporting cartridge provided with pin fire priming.
In manufacturing cartridge cases according to this invention, the vulcanized
fibre having been prepared in the form of tubes of suitable diameter and thickness,
is cut to the required length according to the pattern of cartridge to be made,
cach of these parts or pieces being then either bored, recessed and turned, care
being taken to form a shoulder or flange & as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or sub-
mitted to the action of a machine which by forcing or pressing hack the material
at the end produces at once cartridge cases according to the internal and external
forms required as well as according to the dimensions suitable to the bore and the
proper primings for the respective fire-arms.
This first operation being completed according to one or the other of these
methods of manufacture discs rare cut in the "vulcanized fibre" (see Figure 2).
These discs rare of variable thickness and diameter, but correspond respectively
with the depth of the recessing and to the diameter of the cartridge cases. The
discs which are cut to the shape of a truncated cone (see Figures 2 and 3) are
then fitted into the bases of the cartridge cases, care being taken to force or press
the material of the circumference of this base against the disc, so as to retain it,
the whole being then made flush on the outside as shown in Figure 3. Instead of
being shaped as a truncated cone, these dises may be cut straight and forcibly
fixed in their recesses after being coated with glue. These cases having thus
been completed by the fixing of their dises r which form part of the said cases
are then placed in an oven which is kept at a moderate temperature so that by
steady and continuous heating all moisture which this absorbent. material may con-
tain is extracted. In drying, however, the case resumes its normal size or
thickness.
The cartridge case being thus made, the next step is the recessing of the
vulcanized fibre disc or base which is effected for the reception of the priming a
which it is desired to employ with central percussion as shown in Figures 3 and 4 4
or with vent and anvil for caps as in ordinary use (see Figures 5, 6 and 7). In
the last three examples, the cases should be made in one piece, that is to say
without joining the dises r with the central core the solid material being bored
and recessed from cylindrical rods (manufactured and prepared in the same way
as tubes) to a suitable depth and diameter according to the required bore and 5
priming.
In cartridge cases adapted for the pin-fire arrangement the placing or fixing is
carried out as in the case of the cartridges in ordinary use, as regards those which
are manufactured in a single piece; but in those not so manufactured the per-
cussion pin e passes through the india-rubber dise à (see Figure 7) or a notch is 5
formed for the reception of the cap a; consequently the cap instead of heing in
the middle of the base or socket is thus fixed on the lower part of the cartridge.

page_text: The invention also comprises a new method of preparing and finishing the
said "vulcanized fibre" cartridges.
The cases being finished, it is necessary to effect their obturation. For this
purpose the bottom of the casing, that is to say, the inner wall of the disc is
moistened with glue and an india-rubber disc (see Figures 3, 4 and 7) of a
diameter and thickness according to the bore is forced therein, at the bottom and
in such a manner that this disc h is connected with and forms an integral part
with the interior of the cartridge base r so as to prevent any escape of
this way complete obturation is assured, whatever charge may be used in the
cartridges.
gas; in
If the "vulcanized fibre" has not been rendered impermeable during its manu-
facture nothing remains but to treat the cases finally in such a manner as to make
them impermeable.
In the latter case, a suitable preserving composition or glutinous substance is
employed, or a varnish or an external covering of celluloid is applied or the cases
are subjected to the action of a celluloid bath. It is however, desirable to use the
preserving composition known in commerce under the name "fluid-lac" which
should be applied as follows:
A certain quantity of fluid-lack should be poured into a receiver or boiler, then
heated by means of a water bath. The cartridge cases, which are previously
heated a second time in the furnace or oven already mentioned, are then plunged
in the "fluid-lac" bath, and only taken out when they have been rendered water
and damp proof.
The cases are finally primed and ready for charging. It may be mentioned
that they can be recharged a great many times.
"
93
For charging cartridges with pin fire priming used for sporting purposes (see
Figure 7) it is desirable to employ in place of paste-board discs, discs made of
mica or "micanite" which are placed over the powder and the lead. These
new discs prevent water or moisture from penetrating. As packing, it is likewise
advantageous to replace felt by cork which has been previously smeared with
"fluid-lac," which facilitates and permits when out shooting the prompt recharging
of the same cases with a wooden mandrel or a piece of wood, dispensing with
the use of the charger, which spoils the shape of the cases and facilitates the escape
of gas between the barrel and the casing causing damage to the former.
However, these cartridge cases may be charged if so desired in the same manner
as those made of metal.
Advantages. The vulcanized fibre, employed in the manufacture of cartridge
cases for fire-arms of any calibre is uninflammable when placed in contact with
fire or light and by the above indicated new process this absorbent material is
rendered almost immediately impermeable to water and damp, and does not injure
the essential properties of the powder when enclosed in the cartridge case for many
years ready for use and which powder owing to the nature of the material of which
it is made, acts as a very powerful mordant on the lower parts of the cartridge
cases actually in use, which become decomposed and oxidised and undergoes
deterioration even in the open air frequently causing escape of gas through the
cracks made in cases composed of copper or of cardboard.
The "vulcanized fibre" case although very firm is nevertheless flexible, and
not brittle, it can be recharged a very great mumber of times; besides this, it is
lighter and cheaper, requires no special implements can always be extracted with-
out any difficulty, a point of enormous importance in case of rapid or hasty firing
by sportsmen and especially as affecting the chances of an action between two
armies.
In the above mentioned conditions, the advantages of this new unbreakable
cartridge case which never gets out of shape, obviates all the inconvenience arising
in connection with the metallic cases used by the military and those made of
pasteboard which are always damp, become swollen and are affected by the
temperature.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The use of vulcanized fibre," (the base of which, as is known, is composed
of vegetable fibres), in the manufacture of cartridge cases of any calibre in any
aape and with any system of priming, for all kinds of fire-arms, and which cases
can be re-charged a great number of times.
2. The method of manufacturing cartridge bases or sockets of vulcanized fibre
for cartridge cases of any calibre such bases or sockets being either in two parts,
that is to say, with disc or bottom r attached to the case as shown in Figures 3
and 4 or in a single piece as shown in Figure 5, 6 and 7.
3. The system of obturation mentioned above capable of application to any bore
and consisting in placing and fixing by gluing or gumming, of indiarubber discs
to the bottoms of the cartridge base so as to prevent any escape of gas by way of
the disc substantially as described and as illustrated in the drawing.
4. The herein described process of securing the impermeability against water
and damp of the "vulcanized fibre" cartridge cases, such process consisting in
covering them in a cliarged or uncharged state, either with a coating of "fluid-lac,"
Gr with varnish or glutinous preserving composition, or with an outer layer of
celluloid or subjecting them to the action of a celluloid bath.
Balad his 14th day of June 1897
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.