IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF BLACK INK OR DYE."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hosker Samuel Lewis Gurney, of Warrington, in the
County of Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF BLACK INK OR DYE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hosker Samuel Lewis
Gurney at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th August
1881.
HOSKER SAMUEL LEWIS GURNEY, of Warrington, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BLACK INK OR DYE,"
This Invention consists, first, in substituting for the ordinary oak-gall solution
waste tan liquors rich in gallic acid; second, instead of using sulphate of iron I
prefer to use iron filings, or iron in a finely comminuted condition, preferably
wrought iron, but cast iron or steel could be used. In the actual manufacture I
prefer to place the filings in the liquor and frequently agitate the two together so
as to present fresh surfaces continually to the action of the acid in the liquor.
When nearly all the acid is taken up I treat the liquor with gum or glue and
sugar or other ordinary ink constituents as required and bottle as ink.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Hosker Samuel Lewis Gurney in the Great Seal Patent Office on*
the 18th February 1882.
HOSKER SAMUEL LEWIS GURNEY, of Warrington, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BLACK INK OR DYE"
This Invention consists, first, in substituting for the ordinary oak-gall solution
waste tan liquors rich in gallic acid; second, instead of using sulphate of iron I
prefer to use iron filings, or iron in a finely comminuted condition, preferably
wrought iron, but cast iron or steel could be used.
Tan liquors differ widely in their amount of gallic acid, and their strength;
those very poor in gallic acid are inapplicable, and most tan liquors require being
concentrated by evaporation before they are sufficiently strong in gallic acid for
the purpose of making ink.
In the actual manufacture I prefer to place the filings in the liquor, and
frequently agitate the two together, so as to present fresh surfaces continually to
the action of the acid in the liquor. This can be easily done by placing them in a
barrel capable of rotating upon an axis or of being rolled about, and if the barrel
have internal ribs, to catch the filings and cause them to be carried up and fall
into the liquor the effect is increased.
The quantities are indefinite, as different strengths are required for writing ink,
saddlers' dye, and for blacking; and as regards filings, the only care required is to
have sufficient to expose plenty of surface to the liquor, or a longer time will be
required, and yet not enough to absorb all the liquor and form a mud. When all
or nearly all the free acid has been taken up, a point which is easily found by
testing, the liquor can be strained off, and treated with gum, glue, and sugar,
or other ordinary ingredients for forming ink, just as in the case of ink formed
from galls.
I claim as my Invention to be secured under the Letters Patent,―
1st. The utilization of spent tan liquors for the formation of ink or black dye,
substantially as described.
2nd. The employment of iron in a finely divided state in the formation of ink,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hosker Samuel Lewis Gurney, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
HOSKER SAMUEL LEWIS GURNEY. (L.S.)