THE MANUFACTURE OF A NEW OR IMPROVED SUBSTANCE FOR REPLACING THE GUTTA-PERCHA
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ernest Mourlot, fils,, of Boulevard Saint Denis, 1, at
Paris, Manufacturer, for an Invention of "THE MANUFACTURE OF A NEW
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ernest Mourlot at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th May 1880.
ERNEST MOURLOT, fils, of Boulevard Saint Denis, 1, at Paris, Manufacturer.
"THE MANUFACTURE OF A NEW OR IMPROVED SUBSTANCE FOR REPLACING
THE GUTTA-PERCHA."
My Invention consists in distilling in any apparatus over an open or naked fire
the bark of the birch, and preferably the outer bark. It leaves behind in the
retort a black liquid substance, which rapidly solidifies on coming into contact with
the air and becomes very compact.
This substance has all the advantages of gutta-percha, but it possesses over this
latter a marked superiority; for instance, it does not crack on coming into contact
with the air; it is cheaper and more solid; and furthermore, when mixed with
gutta-percha communicates to it all its properties.
This substance, as I have before stated, after leaving the retort rapidly solidifies
on contact with the air. It is then that it is ready to undergo the working up,
the rolling, the moulding, and in general all the ordinary preparations of gutta-
percha
It is besides a perfect electric insulator.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ernest Mourlot in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd November
1880.
ERNEST MOURLOT, fils, of Boulevard Saint Denis, 1, at Paris, Manufacturer.
"THE MANUFACTURE OF A NEW OR IMPROVED SUBSTANCE FOR REPLACING
THE GUTTA-PERCHA,”
This Invention is based on the employment of principles already known but
neglected by science. It consists in effecting the distillation of the exterior bark
of the birch-tree. I wish it to be understood that it is the first or exterior bark
which contains the gummy matters that I utilize and that I claim, whereas the
under barks contain only ligneous matters.
In order to effect.this distillation I employ the ordinary copper apparatus already
in use for distilling, that is to say, an ordinary still.
By this means I obtain a very black product or mucilage, which on leaving the
apparatus is in almost a liquid state, but which in cooling becomes very dense, and
then possesses the same properties as ordinary gutta-percha.
This product possesses the advantage of being unaltered by the action of air, and
is capable of resisting the action of the strongest corrosive acids without being in
the slightest degree affected thereby.
Finally, I have found that by adding this new product, even in the smallest
proportions, either to gutta-percha, or to india rubber or caoutchouc (1th part will
suffice), it imparts to both the property of remaining unchangeable, which they do
not possess in their natural state, and further, prevents the cracking or breaking
that the action of air as well as the changes of temperature and atmospherical
changes cause to gutta-percha, and to india rubber or caoutchouc.
And on the other hand by adding to this product either gutta-percha, or india
rubber, or caoutchouc, I impart thereto a power of resistance that it does not possess
without their aid.
What I claim as being new and my exclusive property is,―
First. Extracting by evaporation or other suitable means the gummy substances
contained in the external skin or bark of birch-trees.
Second. The gummy substances obtained from birch-trees by any suitable
means. It will be easily understood that this gum may be extracted or obtained
either by evaporation, boiling, hot or cold steeping, or maceration, etc., etc., or by
any other physical or chemical action.
Third. Mixing the gummy substances obtained from birch-trees either with
gutta-percha, or india rubber, or caoutchouc, without restriction
proportions.
as to the
Fourth. The application of this substance for the manufacture of all articles
which can be made in either gutta-percha, or india rubber, or caoutchouc.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ernest Mourlot, fils, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of November, in the year of our
Lord 1880.