IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES, AND, OF THE INGREDIENTS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hermann Wildt, of the Firm of Furstenhagen & Wildt,
Agents, of Bradford, in the County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES, AND, OF THE INGREDIENTS
EMPLOYED THEREIN." A communication from abroad by Mr. Louis Wagner,
of Mülheim on the Rhine, in Germany.
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hermann Wildt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th October 1879.
"
HERMANN WILDT, of the Firm of Furstenhagen & Wildt, Agents, of Bradford, in
the County of York. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES, AND
OF THE INGREDIENTS EMPLOYED THEREIN." [A communication from abroad by
Mr. Louis Wagner, of Mülheim on the Rhine, in Germany.]
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of matches,
whereby the use of phosphor is entirely dispensed with, and far greater safety and
economy of manufacture are attained than by the present method, while the match
will readily ignite on any surface, yet not so easily as to incur any risk of casual or
spontaneous combustion."
No noxious effluvia or gases are generated by this improved process which may
be carried out without alteration of existing plant at the same time that artificial
drying chambers may be dispensed with, as the material employed dries quickly in
any ordinary temperature, thus enabling the matches to be manufactured, packed,
and delivered in a few hours. Another great advantage is that any kind of wood
may be used for match splints.
The improved material employed in this process consists of the following
ingredients used in the following proportions, videlicet: -11/rd parts colla, 11½rd
parts gelatina, 11/rd parts leiocome, 16 parts of kali chloricum, 34 parts plumbum
hyposulphurosum, 6 parts stibium crudum pulvis, 5 parts plumbum hyperoxydatum,
5 parts carbo ligni pulveratus, 10 parts vitrum pulvis, 4 parts saltpetre, 1 part
sulphur, and 30 parts water.
Great care must be taken in the preparation and blending of these various

page_text: ingredients, as the ultimate success of the manufacture greatly depends upon this
being properly done.
The plumbum hyposulphurosum plays an important part in the Invention, as it
has to be manufactured from natrum hyposulphurosum and plumbum nitricum
instead of as ordinarily from the cheap sugar of lead.
It will be found that in preparing the plumbum hyposulphurosum from the
above mentioned substances (viz., natrum hyposulphurosum and plumbum
nitricum), it is almost impossible to wash them so thoroughly as to entirely free
them from the plumbum aceticum, thus preventing the match from igniting as the
acetate remaining is incombustible.
I therefore prepare such plumbum hyposulphurosum in the following manner:-
I take any suitable vessel and place therein 4 parts of plumbum nitricum dissolved
in from 12 to 20 parts hot rain water. I then take another vessel and place therein
3 parts of natrum hyposulphurosum, and dissolve it in from 9 to 16 parts hot rain
water. This latter solution is then whilst being well stirred added to the first
solution, which results in the formation of a precipitate which I carefully remove
and add fresh rain water thereto. This latter operation I repeat at least four
times, taking care to well stir it each time in order to separate the impurities
therefrom.
Such precipitate, is then gently pressed and dried but not by too high a
temperature, after which it is either pulverized or used in the soft pulpy state for
covering the matches; I prefer to use it in the soft state, as when thus the
ingredients are much more finely divided, and it adheres more tightly to the wood,
imparting thereto a metallic appearance.
The quantity of plumbum hyposulphurosum obtained is precisely the same as
that of the plumbum nitricum consumed in this process.
The plumbum hyperoxydatum contained in my improved preparation is likewise
better and cheaper than that purchased in a manufactured state.
The oxide of lead has to be treated with nitric acid which produces a solution of
plumbum nitricum, while the plumbum hyperoxydatum forms a heavy brown
precipitate, which after being thoroughly washed with water is either dried and
pulverised, or added in the soft state to the first preparation.
The preparation of the entire composition with which the matches are covered is
as follows:-
The colla is soaked in water for 6 or 8 hours, and the gelatina for about 1/, an
hour. They are then mixed with the leiocom and boiled; when this solution has
been taken off the fire kali chloricum is added thereto, and allowed to remain until
entirely dissolved. After this the plumbum hyposulphurosum is added while still
in a damp state, and thoroughly mixed therewith by stirring, after which the
remaining substances are added and the mixture is completed. Such mixture
should be of a thick syrupy consistency, and if necessary should be diluted with
water to reduce it to such a consistency.
It is then passed through a mill and ground in a similar manner as colors
are ground, after which whilst in a lukewarm state the match splints are dipped
therein.
Matches so manufactured are entirely free from sulphur, and light on any
substance.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Hermann Wildt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th April
1880.
HERMANN WILDT, of the Firm of Furstenhagen and Wildt, Agents, of Bradford,
in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES, AND
OF THE INGREDIENTS EMPLOYED THEREIN." A communication from abroad by
Mr. Louis Wagner, of Mülheim on the Rhine, in Germany.
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of matches,
whereby the use of phosphor is entirely dispensed with, and far greater safety and
economy of manufacture are obtained than by the present method, while the match
will readily ignite on any surface, yet not so easily as to incur any risk of casual or
spontaneous combustion.
No noxious effluvia or gases are generated by this improved process which may
be carried out without alteration of existing plant, at the same time that artificial
drying chambers may be dispensed with, as the material employed dries quickly in
any ordinary temperature, thus enabling the matches to be manufactured, packed,
and delivered in a few hours. Another great advantage is that any kind of wood
may be used for match splints.
.
The improved material employed in this process consists of the following
ingredients used in the following proportions, videlicet:-11/rd parts colla, 11/rd
parts gelatina, 11/rd parts leiocome, 16 parts kali chloricum, 34 parts .plumbum
hyposulplurosum, 6 parts stibium crudum pulvis, 5 parts plumbum hyperoxydatum,
5 parts carbo ligni pulveratus, 10 parts vitrum pulvis, parts saltpetre, 1 part
sulphur, and 30 parts water.
Great care must be taken in the preparation and blending of these various
ingredients, as the ultimate success of the manufacture greatly depends upon this
being properly done.
0
The plumbum hyposulplurosum plays an important part in the Invention, as it
has to be manufactured from natrum hyposulplurosum and plumbum nitricum,
instead of as ordinarily from the cheap sugar of lead.
It will be found that in preparing the plumbum hyposulplurosum from the
above mentioned substances (viz., natrum hyposulplurosum and plumbum
nitricum), it is almost impossible to wash them so thoroughly as to entirely free
them from the plumbum aceticum, thus preventing the match from igniting as the
acetate remaining is incombustible.
I therefore prepare such plumbum hyposulplurosum in the following manner:→
I take any suitable vessel and place therein 4 parts of plumbum nitricum dissolved
in from 12 to 20 parts hot rain water. I then take another vessel and place
therein 3 parts of natrum hyposulplurosum, and dissolve it in from 9 to 16 parts
hot rain water. This latter solution is, then whilst being well stirred added to the
first solution which results in the formation of a precipitate, which I carefully
remove and add fresh rain water thereto. This latter operation I repeat at least
four times, taking care to well stir it each time in order to separate the impurities
therefrom.
Such precipitate is then gently pressed and dried but not by two high a
temperature, after which it is either pulverized or used in the soft pulpy state for
covering the matches.
I prefer to use it in the soft state, as when thus the ingredients are much more
finely divided, and it adheres more tightly to the wood imparting thereto a metallic
appearance.
The quantity of plumbum hyposulplurosum obtained is precisely the same as
that of the plumbum nitricum consumed in this process.

page_text: The plumbum hyperoxydatum contained in my improved preparation is likewise
better and cheaper than that purchased in a manufactured state.
The oxide of lead has to be treated with nitric acid which produces a solution of
plumbum nitricum, while the plumbum hyperoxydatum forms a heavy brown
precipitate, which after being thoroughly washed with water is either dried and
pulverized, or added in the soft state to the first preparation.
The preparation of the entire composition with which the matches are covered is
as follows:
The colla is soaked in water for 6 or 8 hours, and the gelatina for about 1/2 an
hour. They are then mixed with the leiocome and boiled. When this solution has
been taken off the fire the kali chloricum is added thereto, and allowed to remain
until entirely dissolved. After this the plumbum hyposulplurosum is added while
still in a damp state, and thoroughly mixed therewith by stirring, after which the
remaining substances are added and the mixture is completed. Such mixture
should be of a thick syrupy consistency, and if necessary should be diluted with
water to reduce it to such a consistency.
It is then passed through a mill and ground in a similar manner as colors
are ground, after which whilst in a lukewarm state the match splints are dipped
therein.
Matches so manufactured are entirely free from sulphur and light on any
substance.
Having thus particularly described the nature of the said Invention, as com-
municated to me from abroad by the said Louis Wagner, as aforesaid, and the
manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I claim,-
Firstly. The manufacture and use of the improved composition or material
herein before described, and its employment particularly in a soft or plastic state for
the manufacture of matches, whereby the use of phosphor is entirely dispensed
with.
Secondly. The improved process of manufacturing the plumbum hyposulplurosum,
in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hermann Wildt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty third day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.