IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George McRoberts, of Glasgow, North Britain, Chemist,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVE
COMPOUNDS
"
Sealed the 5th August 1879, and dated the 19th March 1879..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George McRoberts at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th March 1879.
GEORGE MCROBERTS, of Glasgow, North Britain, Chemist.
THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
The object of this Invention is to improve the manufacture of the gelatinous
explosive composition for which a Patent was granted to Henry Edward Newton,
bearing date the 2nd December 1875, No. 4179, as a communication from Alfred
Nobel, of Paris, in the Republic of France, and to render the same more sensitive
than heretofore, and capable of more general application, for example, being easily
exploded in an open unconfined space, and capable of being used like gunpowder to
form an exploding train.
The gelatinous explosive composition consists of an admixture of nitro glycerine
with nitrated cellulose (collodion guncotton), or nitrate of methyle with cellulose.
It is now proposed, in the manufacture of the gelatinous compound, which results
from the admixture of the above materials, to introduce cotton, linen, or woollen
fibres, kieselguhr, or other silicious earth, sawdust, charcoal, or other similar
absorbent non-explosive materials.
For this purpose the fibrous material, silicious earth, kieselguhr, saw-dust, char-
coal, or other suitable material must be perfectly cleaned and thoroughly purified
from all grease or fatty matter, and when in a dry state finely divided, and reduced
to a fluffy, powdered, or semi-powdered state by carding and cutting, pulverizing, or
other suitable means, and then added to the materials composing the explosive
compound in small quantities at a time during the process of manufacturing such
compound. The powdered material readily incorporates with the gelatinous
:

page_text: composition, and forms therewith a stiff slightly elastic mass, which is more
sensitive, and for certain kinds of blasting more suitable than the pure gelatinous
composition described in the Specification of the Patent above referred to.
The proportions I have found to produce a good result are 90%, by weight of
the substances which go to form the gelatinous composition, and 10% by weight
of the reduced fibrous or powdered material, but such proportions may be varied.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George McRoberts in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
September 1879.
GEORGE MCROBERTS, of Glasgow, North Britain, Chemist.
THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
The object of this Invention is to improve the gelatinous explosive composition
for which a Patent was granted to Henry Edward Newton, bearing date the
Second December, One thousand eight hundred and seventy five, No. 4179, as a
communication from Alfred Nobel, of Paris, in the Republic of France, and to
render the same more sensitive than heretofore and capable of more general
application, for example, of being easily exploded in an open unconfined space, and
capable of being used like gunpowder to form an exploding train.
The gelatinous explosive composition consists of an admixture of nitro-glycerine,
with nitrated cellulose (collodion gun cotton), or nitrate of methyle with cellulose.
It is now proposed in the manufacture of the gelatinous compound, which results
from the admixture of the above materials, to introduce cotton, linen, or woollen
fibres, kieselguhr, or other silicious earth, saw dust, charcoal, or other similar
absorbent non explosive materials in such proportions as to impart a solid character
thereto.
For this purpose the fibrous material, silicious earth, kieselguhr, sawdust, char-
.coal, or other suitable material, must be perfectly cleaned and thoroughly purified
from all grease or fatty matter. While in a dry state the cotton, linen, or woollen
fibres are to be finely divided or reduced to a fluffy, powdered, or semi-powdered
state by carding, cutting, or grinding, and then added to the materials of which
the explosive compound is composed in small quantities at a time during the
process of manufacturing such compound. Similarly when kieselguhr, or other
silicious earth, sawdust, charcoal, or other similar absorbent inert granular
substance is used, the material while in a dry state is reduced to a fine powder, and
added by small portions at a time to the explosive gelatinous compound during the
process of its manufacture.
The powdered material readily incorporates with the gelatinous compound, and
forms therewith a stiff slightly-elastic mass which is more sensitive, and for certain
kinds of blasting more suitable than the pure gelatinous composition described in
the Specification of the Patent above referred to.

page_text: The proportions I have found to produce a good result are ninety per cent. by
weight of the substances, which go to form the gelatinous composition, and ten per
cent. by weight of the reduced fibrous or powdered material, but such proportions
may be varied.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in the
Manufacture of Explosive Compounds" and explained the manner of carrying the
same into effect, I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited
Letters Patent I claim, imparting to the gelatinous explosive composition above
referred to a solid character in the manner and for the purpose above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George McRoberts have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
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