IMPROVED MEANS OF TREATING DYNAMITE, OR BLASTING GELATINE SO AS TO REMOVE ITS LIABILITY TO EXPLODE FROM CONCUSSION, CONTACT, OR FRICTION AND THE BETTER TO ADAPT IT FOR MINING, BLASTING, AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Howitt of Ilford in the County of Essex Engineer
for an invention of "IMPROVED MEANS OF TREATING DYNAMITE, OR BLASTING
GELATINE SO AS TO REMOVE ITS LIABILITY TO EXPLODE FROM CONCUSSION,
CONTACT, OR FRICTION AND THE BETTER TO ADAPT IT FOR MINING, BLASTING,
AND OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Howitt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th February 1882.
"IMPROVED MEANS
OF TREATING DYNAMITE OR BLASTING GELATINE SO AS TO REMOVE ITS LIABILITY
TO EXPLODE FROM CONCUSSION CONTACT, OR FRICTION, AND THE BETTER TO ADAPT
IT FOR MINING BLASTING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
WILLIAM HOWITT of Ilford in the County of Essex Engineer
My invention relates to improved means of treating dynamite, or blasting
gelatine so as to remove its liability to explode from concussion, contact, or friction
and to render it safe in transit by land or sea, and also the better to adapt it for
mining and blasting operations and for charging projectiles.
I provide a base of 90 parts of dynamite or blasting gelatine and 10 parts of
I dissolve the
Indiarubber, and I subject this base to the following process.
10 parts of Indiarubber in a sufficient quantity of naptha benzine or other suitable
spirit, and I mix the solution so obtained with the 90 parts of dynamite or blasting
gelatine-preferably the latter.-I perform the operation of mixing in an earthen-
ware vessel, and I keep up a constant agitation of the mass until the hydro-
carbon in the spirit which might he employed as aforesaid has entirely passed off.
The mass then becomes plastic, and is easily moulded. I next provide a case or
cylinder made of Indiarubber, of any required size. The top end of this case or
cylinder is open, and receives a cover of Indiarubber which tightly fits into it. In
the centre of this cover I make a hole, for the purpose which I shall next explain.
I fill the herein before mentioned case or cylinder with dynamite or blasting gelatine
treated as aforesaid. 1 next place the said cover in position. I then insert a piece
of wood, or copper wire through the aforesaid hole in said cover right through the

page_text: filling or charge of dynamite or blasting gelatine so treated as herein before described
down to the bottom of said case or cylinder. By this means I form a chamber or
vacuum for the purpose of enabling the blast from the fuse hereinafter mentioned,
to operate effectually upon said filling or charge. I provide an ordinary fuse of a
convenient size which I place in the hole in the centre of the aforesaid cover.
my invention is intended for use in cold climates I cover the cylinder herein before
described with felt or similar material.
If
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Howitt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
August 1882.
WILLIAM HOWITT of Ilford in the County of Essex Engineer
"IMPROVED MEANS
OF TREATING DYNAMITE OR BLASTING GELATINE SO AS TO REMOVE IT'S LIABILITY
TO EXPLODE FROM CONCUSSION CONTACT OR FRICTION, AND THE BETTER TO ADAPT
IT FOR MIXING BLASTING AND OTHER PURPOSES
My Invention relates to improved means of trenting dynamite or blasting-
gelatine so as to remove it's liability to explode from concussion, contact, or friction,
and to render it safe for transit by land or sea, and also to adapt, it for mining and
blasting operations, and for charging projectiles.
•
In carrying my invention into practice I provide a base of 90 parts of dynamite,
or blasting-gelatine, and 10 parts of Indiarubber (pure or vulcanized, preferably
the latter) and I subject this base to the following process. I dissolve the 10 parts
of Indiarubber in a sufficient quantity of naphtha, benzine or other suitable spirit,
or solvent for example carbon: bisulphide, and I mix the solution so obtained with
the 90 parts of dynamite or blasting-gelatine-preferably the latter. I perform the
operation of mixing in an earthenware vessel, and I keep up a constant agitation
of the mass until the hydro-carbon in the spirit which may be used for the purpose
of dissolving the Indiarubber, as hereinbefore mentioned has passed off entirely.
The mass then becomes plastic and is easily moulded.
I provide a case or cylinder, made of Indiarubber, and of any required size. The
top end of this case or cylinder is open and receives a cover of Indiarubber which
tightly fits into it. In the centre of the cover I make a hole for the purpose which
I now proceed to explain. I fill the hereinbefore mentioned case or cylinder with
the dynamite or blasting gelatine treated as aforesaid. I then place the said cover,
in position, and through the hole hereinbefore mentioned I introduce a piece of
wood or copper wire through the centre of the filling or charge of dynamite or
blasting-gelatine so treated as aforesaid, down to the bottom of said case or cylinder.
By this means I form a chamber or vacuum for the purpose of enabling the blast
'from the fuse hereinafter mentioned to operate effectually upon the charge of
dynamite or blasting-gelatine. I provide an ordinary fuse of a convenient size

page_text: which I place in the hole in the cover hereinbefore described. If my invention be
intended for use in cold climates I cover the said case or cylinder with felt or
similar material. The solution herein before mentioned imparts to the dynamite or
blasting gelatine a coating of a viscous character, and the aforesaid case being made
of Indiarubber the charge of dynamite or blasting-gelatine contained in said case is
protected from explosion, contact, concussion, or friction produced by forcing the
said case, into a drill-hole. The fuse hereinbefore mentioned may be fired, in any
convenient way. Dynamite or blasting-gelatine after being treated as aforesaid
can be used as a charge for a projectile or shell specially arranged for the purpose,
and will not explode until the projectile or shell has struck an object.
Having now fully described the nature of my said invention and the manner
in which the same is to be carried into practice I wish it to be understood that
what I consider as new and therefore claim to be secured to me by the berein before
in part recited Letters Patent is the process of treating dynamite or blasting-
gelatine substantially as and for the purposes, described in the foregoing
specification.
In Witness whereof I the said William Howitt have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twentysecond day of August in the year of our Lord
One thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty two.