IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF AND IN THE COMPOSITION USED FOR RENDERING BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS IMPERVIOUS TO THE AIR
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF AND IN THE COMPOSITION
USED FOR RENDERING BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS IMPERVIOUS TO THE
AIR." A communication from abroad by Arthur Caen, of Paris, in the Republic
of France.
Sealed the 9th March 1880, and dated the 9th December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th December 1879.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF AND
THE COMPOSITION USED FOR RENDERING BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS
IMPERVIOUS TO THE AIR." [A communication from abroad by Arthur Caen, of
Paris, in the Republic of France.]
IN
The object of this Invention is to produce a composition to be used in place of
sealing wax for sealing bottles or jars containing wine, liquors, preserves, and other
alimentary substances.
It has already been proposed to effect this result by means of a composition
consisting of a mixture in varying quantities of the silicate of soda or potash with
an oxide and an earthy matter, but it has been found that such composition is open
to several grave objections, namely, that it is subject to efflorescence, is slow in drying,
and when prepared for use is liable to harden from the necessary exposure to the
air, and is thus rendered unserviceable.
It has been found that by incorporating with the silicates and other matters
above referred to a suitable quantity of glue and glycerine, or glue and linseed oil,
that these defects will be remedied. The presence of the glue has the effect of
entirely preventing efflorescence or the action of moist air upon the composition
when applied to the vessel to be sealed. It also accelerates the drying of the
composition.
The use of the glycerine or linseed oil is to protect the composition or liquid
mixture while exposed to the air during the operation of sealing the bottles or other

page_text: vessels from hardening under the action of the air, the light specific gravity of the
glycerine or oil causing it to rise to the surface and cover the underlying composition.
Another advantage of the glycerine or its equivalent is to impart a softness and
finish to the surface of the coating.
In preparing the composition for use the glue is first dissolved in the silicate,
which is in a liquid state, and heated to about from 30 to 35 degrees Baumè. Red
ochre or other earthy color in a finely divided state is worked up with a suitable
quantity of glycerine or linseed oil, and kaolin reduced to an impalpable powder
may be added thereto.
The silicate with the glue is now added, and the whole mass is vigorously
stirred for about two hours. It is then passed through a fine sieve and the liquid
thus obtained is ready for use.
To effect the sealing it is only necessary to dip the head of the bottle or jar into
the composition and leave it to dry, which at a medium temperature will be effected
in about two hours.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th
June 1880.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF AND
IN THE COMPOSITION USED FOR RENDERING BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS IMPERVIOUS
TO THE AIR." A communication from abroad by Arthur Caen, of Paris, in the
Republic of France.
The object of this Invention is to produce a composition to be used in the place
of sealing wax for sealing bottles or jars containing wine, liquors, preserves, and
other alimentary substances.
It has already been proposed to effect this result by means of a composition
consisting of a mixture in varying quantities of the silicate of soda or potash with
an oxide and an earthy matter, but it has been found that such composition is open
to several grave objections, namely, that it is subject to efflorescence, is slow in
drying, and when prepared for use is liable to harden from the necessary exposure
to the air, and is thus rendered unserviceable.
It has been found that by incorporating with the silicates and other matters
above referred to a suitable quantity of glue and glycerine, or glue and linseed oil,
that these defects will be remedied.
The presence of the glue has the effect of entirely preventing efflorescence or the
action of moist air upon the composition when applied to the vessel to be sealed.
It also accelerates the drying of the composition. The use of the glycerine or linseed
oil is to protect the composition or liquid mixture while exposed to tho air in tho
containing vessels during the operation of scaling the bottles or other vessels from
hardening under the action of the air, the light specific gravity of the glycerine or
oil causing it to rise to the surface and cover the underlying composition.
Another advantage of the glycerine or its equivalent is to impart a softness and
finish to the surface of the applied material.
In preparing the composition for use the glue is first broken into small pieces,
and is then thrown into a vessel containing the liquid silicate heated to about from
thirty to thirty five degrees Baume, and dissolved therein. While the glue is
dissolving, which will take from one to two days, the vessel is left uncovered and
the contents are well agitated every two hours in order to thoroughly dissolve the
glue, and also to allow of the action on all parts of the solution of the atmospheric
air, the carbonic acid of which tends to thicken the solution.
Red ochre or other earthy color in a finely divided state is then worked up with
a suitable quantity of glycerine or linseed oil, and when the mixing is thoroughly
effected the materials are placed in a mixing or kneading machine, and a certain
quantity of kaolin reduced to an impalpable powder is added thereto.
The silicate containing the dissolved glue is now added, care being taken to keep
back any undissolved pieces of the gluc, and the whole mass is vigorously stirred
for about two hours. It is then passed through a fiue seive and the liquid thus
obtained is ready for use.
To effect the sealing it is only necessary to dip the head of the bottle or jar into
the composition, and to shake it while immersed to prevent the formation of blisters
through the imprisonment of any globules of air. The bottle is then to be with-
drawn, and the coating left to dry, which at a medium temperature will take about
two hours.
As the mixture is cold the inconvenience and danger arising from the use of
a fire for heating, rendered necessary when sealing wax or resin are employed, aro
avoided.

page_text: namely:-
Proportions, which have been found to give very samsfactory resumes,
Glycerine or linseed oil, according to choice
Glue
6
-
Liquid silicate, at from 30 to 35 degrees Baume
Red ochre or other earthy color
Kaolin
-
-
6 parts.
2
"
68
"
-
13
-
13
"
ני
Having now set forth the nature of the said Invention of " Improvements in the
Process of and in the Composition Used for Rendering Bottles and other Vessels
Impervious to Air," as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and
explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would here remark that I
do not intend to confine myself to the exact proportions or to the details of
manufacture here indicated, as these may vary according to the circumstances of
each case without departing from the principle of the said Invention, but what I
desire to claim under the above in part recited Letters Patent is, the use of a
composition prepared as above described for the sealing of bottles or other vessels,
and rendering the same impervious to air, such composition when in use being
protected from the hardening action of the air, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Edward Newton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.