Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1887
Complete Left, 20th Jan., 1888
Complete Accepted, 24th Feb., 1888
[Communicated from abroad by JULIA HALE, widow and sole executrix of the late
Richard Hale, of Cranford, New Jersey, United States of America.]
I, FREDERICK CRANE, of Short Hills, New Jersey, United States, temporarily of
433 Strand, London, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturing Chemist, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Hitherto varnishes containing pyroxyline in solution have been found to become
cloudy, streaky, or the like, either immediately after application, or within a few days
after exposure to the atmosphere.
This improved compound is intended as a coating or varnish for the surfaces of
metals, wood, ivory, bone, and other materials. The coating is hard, clear and trans-
parent; and it produces a smooth, lustrous surface. The material to which it is applied
should be clean and free from grease or moisture, and the coating will adhere closely
to the same. Furthermore, the coating has water proofing, or moisture resisting
qualities, and, unlike other varnishes in which pyroxyline is employed, it does not
become cloudy, milky, streaky or the like, in use.
The principal base of the varnish is pyroxyline, which is dissolved by substances
named hereafter. To this may sometimes be added, gums, oils, and other articles
usually employed in the making of varnish, such as pigments, aniline dyes, or the like.
These substances will vary in kind and proportion to some extent according to the
nature of the material and class of goods to which the compound is applied. For
instance, if the coating is to be applied to metals, care must be taken to exclude such
substances as may chemically affect metals; but if the coating is to be applied to
wood, this is not so important. Again, if for wood, essential or other oils and gums
may be added, or the proportion of the same made greater than for metals to make
the coating dry more slowly, so that the brushes used may not clog up. Also, in the
case of metals, the solvents may bo varied or modified to dry up or evaporate more or.
less quickly to suit various requirements,

page_text: .
It is essential that the substances used in the making of this improved compound
should be of an anhydrous character; or in the case of using a material owing to its
superior solvent powers, but with an affinity for water, then its deliquescence or
absorbing power should be neutralized by the addition of anhydrous substances, in
such quantities, that the compound practically becoines anhydrous. These additions
may be solvents or non-solvents; or materials possessing slightly solvent qualities
alone, or when used in combination with materials having good solvent qualities. It
is to be understood, therefore, that substances or materials, such as are usually
employed in tho making of varnishes, may be used in making this improved compound:
either as solvents or diluents; provided that froin the amount of moisture carried they
do not cause cloudiness or precipitation of the pyroxyline or other ingredients; or
from their proportion to other substances used, do not produce the difficulty named.
The compound consists of pyroxyline or di-nitro-cellulose, amyl alcohol or derivative
thereof such as amyl acetate, methyl or othyl and their derivatives, benzing, petroleum
ether, gasoline, or similar hydrocarbons. As above stated, other materials may be
used, having the required qualities or properties, or so proportioned in quantity as to
avoid the difficulty named.
A compound suitable for many purposes consists of amyl alcohol, amyl acetate or
other derivative, four parts by measure; methyl or ethyl alcohol, two parts by measure;
benzine or similar hydrocarbon, four parts by measure; and pyroxyline or di-nitro-
cellulose, two and one half parts by weight. Another example is as follows:
34 gallons of methyl alcohol; 16 gallons of amyl alcohol; 12 lbs. of di-nitro-
cellulose; and sometimes C+ lbs. of camphor is added.
These substances are compounded in the usual manner of making pyroxyline
varnishes, and made ready for use. In its application slight heat may be used but it
is not absolutely necessary when proper care has been exercised in the preparation of
the compound; but the material to be coated should be clean and freo from grease
and moisture.
The proportions stated in the examples given may be varied to snit the class of
work the compound is intended to coat; but they have a medium character and are
useful for many purposes. As previously explained, solvents having a quick or slow
drying character, and diluents may be added or used, according to circumstances.
DoL 1
L A
*11007
-FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: An Improved Compound or Varnish for the Coating of Metal,
Wood, and other Materials.
I, FREDERICK CRANE, of Short Hills, New Jersey, United States, temporarily of
433, Strand, London, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturing Chemist, 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:-
Hitherto varnishes containing pyroxyline in solution have been found to become
cloudy, streaky, or the like: either immediately after application, or within a few days
after exposure to the atmosphere.
This improved compound is intended as a coating or varnish for the surfaces of
metals, wood, stone, and other analogous materials. The coating is hard, clear, and
transparent, and it produces a smooth lustrous surface. The material to which it is
applied should be clean and free from grease or moisture, and the coating will adhere
closely to the same. Furthermore, the coating has water-proofing or moisture resisting
qualities, and unlike other varnishes in which pyroxyline has hitherto been employed,
it does not become cloudy, milky, streaky or the like in use.
The principal base of the varnish is pyroxyline, which is dissolved by substances
named hereafter. To this may sometimes be added, guns, oils, and other articles
usually employed in the making of varnish, such as pigments, aniline dyes, or the
like. These substances will vary in kind and proportion, to some extent, according
to the material and class of goods to which the compound is applied. If the coating
is to be employed upon metals, care must be taken to exclude such substances as
would chemically affect metals; (such as acetic acid or any acidulated material), but
if the coating is to be applied to wood, this is not so important. Again, if for wood,
essential or other oils and gums may be added, or the proportion of the same made
greater than for metals to make the coating dry more slowly so that the brushes used
may not clog up. Also, in the case of metals, the solvents may be varied or modified
to dry up or evaporate more or less quickly to suit the process of dipping, the climate,
and other requirements.
It is essential that the substances used in the manufacture of this improved
compound should be of an anhydrous and non-hygroscopic character; or, in the case
of using a material having superior solvent powers and an affinity for water, then its
moisture absorbing property should be neutralized by the addition of anhydrous and
non-hygroscopic substances in such quantities that the compound practically becomes
anhydrous and non-hygroscopic. These additions may be solvents or non-solvents,
or materials possessing slightly solvent qualities, or when used in combination with
materials having good solvents. It is to be understood, therefore, that substances or
materials such as are usually employed in the making of this class of varnishes may
be used in making this improved compound-either as solvents or diluents, provided.
that from the amount of moisture carried they do not cause cloudiness or precipitation
9

page_text: of the pyroxyline or other ingredients; or from their proportion to other substances
used, do not produce the difficulty named.
The compound consists of pyroxyline or di-nitro-cellulose, amyl alcohol or deriva-
tives thereof such as amyl acetate, methyl or ethyl alcohol and their derivatives,
benzine, petroleum ether, gasoline, or similar hydrocarbons. As previously stated,
other materials may be used having the required qualities or properties or so
proportioned in quantity as to avoid the above named difficulty.
The following liquids have been found most suitable for use. Ethyl ether, acetone,
methyl-alcohol (otherwise wood spirit) benzine, (otherwise petroleum naptha) and
other light petroleum products, benzene (otherwise coal naptha) and other light
products from the destructive distillation of coal or shale, propyl alcohol, butyl
alcohol, amyl acetate, amyl alcohol, recently distilled, highly rectified spirits of
turpentine, nitro benzene (otherwise oil of myrbane) oil of cedar and oil of camphor ;
while others may be used.
These liquids are generally miscible with each other except in the case of benzine
(petroleum naptha) and methyl alcohol, which are not directly miscible; but their
admixture can be secured by the introduction of a suitable proportion of amyl alcohol,
or amyl acetate. Also in the case of benzine (petroleum naptha) and ethyl alcohol,
which is not absolute. but if 95% or thereabouts; the same remedy being available
in this case as in the former, namely the introduction of amyl alcohol or amyl
acetato.
Camphor and other solid bodies may be dissolved in the menstruum to increase its
solvent action, but their use is unnecessary and they should not be used of such a
nature and in such quantity as to injure the film. Camphor, for example, can be used
to the extent of one and a half to two ounces to each gallon of menstruum.
A compound suitable for many purposes is as follows:
Amyl-acetate,
-
Benzine (petroleum naptha) of say 62° Beaumo gravity,
Methyl Alcohol,-
Pyroxy line (dry soluble nitro-cotton),
4 gallons.
4 gallons.
2 gallons.
-
2 pounds.
In this formula the solvent liquids amyl acetate and methyl alcohol form sixteenths;
the non-hygroscopic liquids henzine and amyl acetate constitute eight-tenths, and the
low volatile amyl acetate is not in sufficient proportion to produce the undesirable
effects of slow drying solutions, but in connection with the more volatile benzine and
methyl alcohol gives a menstruum of medium volatility. In it the hygroscopic
property of the methyl alcohol is counteracted by the non-hygroscopic liquids. The
presence of the amyl acetate causes the benzine to mix readily with the methyl
alcohol.
Another example is as follows:
Methyl Alcohol,
Amyl alcohol,
Di-nitro-cellulose,
Camphor (is sometimes added),
34 gallons.
16 gallons.
12 pounds.
6 pounds.
These substances are compounded in the usual manner of making pyroxyline
varnishes, and made ready for use. In its application slight heat may be used, but it
is not absolutely necessary in the first example when proper care has been exercised in
the preparation of the compound; but the material to be coated should be clean and
free from grease and moisture.
As
The proportions stated in the examples given may be varied to suit the class of work
the compound is intended to coat but the first example has a medium character, useful
for many purposes; while the latter is too hygroscopie for a damp climate.
proviously explained, solvents having a quick or slow drying character, and diluents
may be added or used, according to circumstances, such as the climate in which the
varnish is to be used; both the heat of the climate, and the amount of moisture
allyil... ..

page_text: By a menstruum of medium volatility is meant one which when exposed in a film
at or slightly above atmospheric temperatures will evaporate not so rapidly as to
prevent the formation of an even coating, but yet in a reasonable time, leaving a
sinocth or unwrinkled coating.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invon-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A solution of pyroxyline in an anhydrous menstruum that is non-hygroscopic in
character of medium volatility; substantially as described.
2. A solution of pyroxyline in an anhydrous non-hygroscopic menstrum of medium
volatility composed of a mixture of liquids having different degrees of volatility,
namely of amyl acetate which is of low volatility in admixture with the more volatile
naptha and methyl alcohol or acetone, substantially as described.
3. A solution of pyroxyline in a menstrum composed of methyl alcohol mixed
with petroleum naptha by the aid of amyl acetate or amyl alcohol, substantially as
described.
4. A solution of pyroxyline in an anhydrous non-hygroscopic menstrum, applicable
as a coating to metals, wood, and other materials by a brushing or dipping process, and
which in drying leaves a clear, hard, and transparent film upon the article to which it
has been applied; substantially as described.
E. A hard, smooth, and lustrous film of a protecting coating, wholly or partially
composed of pyroxyline, and free from cloudy, milky, or other liko defects; substantially
as described.
6. A varnish or coating for metal, wood, or other materials compounded of the
several ingredients substantially as and in the proportions, herein given and
described.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicant.