Improvements in Solidifled Pyrotechnic Powders, and in the Method of Converting the same into Solid Form for Convenience in Transportation, Storage, and Combustion.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 29th Mar., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Solidifled Pyrotechnic Powders, and in the Method
of Converting the same into Solid Form for Convenience in
Transportation, Storage, and Combustion.
I, PETER JENSEN, of 77, Chancery Lane, in the County of London, England,
Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, a communication to me from
abroad by Harold Green Underwood of Number 66, Wisconsin Street, in the city
and county of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, United States of America, Patent
Solicitor, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The invention has for its object the production of a solid combustible body, com-
posed of what is known to pyrotechnists as "red fire" and analogous powders and
to this end the invention consists in the hereinafter described method or process, as
well as in the solidified article thereby made.
In illustrating the said invention, I will first describe the method of making a solid
"red fire." Take six parts (all proportions being given by weight) of nitrate of
strontian, two parts of ground shellac, and one and a half parts of chlorate of potash,
and add to the same three-fourths of a part (by weight) of alcohol, and mix the same
all thoroughly together while in a warm condition, in a water bath, raising the
temperature to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and stirring gradually and occasionally
for about fifteen minutes, when the mass will be in a soft pasty condition; Next take
suitable moulds (preferably of brass) and coat the interior of the same with an extract
of petroleum, such as "vaseline," or other analogous substance and transfer the soft
mass thereto, while it is still warm, and allow it to cool and harden in the moulds, when
it is ready for storage, transportation or use.
Preferably the mass is moulded into conical shape, and it will burn longer, with a
clearer and steadier flame, and give out a better light, than the same quantity of "red
fire" in a powdered condition, besides being vastly more portable and convenient,
and much safer to handle and ignite.
A solid cake of "green fire" can be made in the same manner, by substituting
nitrate of barium for the nitrate of strontian, and otherwise proceeding as before, and
other pyrotechnic powders can be converted into a solid form, by substantially the
same process.
Having thus fully described the said invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and also shown how the same may be conveniently and
advantageously carried into practice, I claim;
1. The hereinbefore described process of converting pyrotechnic powders into solid
form, consisting of adding a small quantity of alcohol to the powdered ingredients,
and mixing the whole thoroughly together, in a water bath, at a temperature of about
two hundred degrees, Fahrenheit, until the mass is in a soft pasty condition, and
then, while still warm, pressing the mass into moulds previously coated with vaseline,
or other analogous substance, and leaving it there until cool and hardened.
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2. The process of forming a solid red-fire or "green-fire" combustible cake
consisting in mixing together nitrate of strontian or barium, ground shellac, and
chlorate of potash, with alcohol, in a water bath, at a temperature of about two
hundred degrees, Fahrenheit, and stirring the same at brief intervals, for about

page_text: fifteen minutes, until the mass becomes a soft paste, then, coating brass moulds with
vaseline or analogous substance, and transferring the mass thereto, while still warm,
and retaining it in the mould till it becomes cool and hard.
3. A combustible cake, consisting of pyrotechnic colored fire powders, in a solid
form.
Dated this 4th day of 1800
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.