An Improved Compound for Use in the Manufacture of Matches.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1894-Accepted, 21st Apr., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Compound for Use in the Manufacture of Matches.
I, HERMAN PRIESTER, of Lauenburg, Pomerania, in the Empire of Germany,
Match Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improved compound to be used in the manufacture
of matches which give a coloured light and scatter sparks when burning, and the
invention consists in the utilization of magnesium either alone or alloyed with other
metals to form combustible compounds capable of being applied by dipping. It is
a well known fact that by the addition of magnesium to the so-called Bengal lights,
the latter are caused to burn with much greater energy than without such addition
and the intensity of their light is increased. This circumstance has already been
utilized in practice by adding a mixture of nitrates and shellac to magnesium and
charging tubes with this mixture, these tubes being used as Bengal lights.
In compounds adapted to be applied by dipping magnesium has not hitherto
been made use of, nor would the effect be very striking if it were made use of since
the mass is consumed too quickly. Quite different results are, however, obtained if
the magnesium be combined or alloyed with other metals. If, for example, a
powdered alloy of copper, cadmium or zinc and magnesium be added to one of the
existing firing mixtures an energetic distribution of sparks is produced, together
with a beautiful coloration of the flame, the distribution of sparks being capable of
being heightened by the employment of ingredients such as have long been used in
pyrotechny in connection with compositions for yielding sparks, such as filings of
zinc, brass, copper or iron.
In carrying out my invention I find it advantageous to employ the following
composition
Colloid material (such as dextrine, gum, glue, shellac
or tragacanth)
-
Saltpetre (or nitrate of barium or strontium) -
Chlorate of potash (or other compounds of chloric
acid)
-
4 parts
-
10 parts
3 parts
-
3 parts
-
3 parts
Powdered alloy (consisting of one part of, say, copper,
zinc, cadmium and two parts of magnesium)
Filings (of, say, zinc, copper, brass, iron, nickel or
chromium according to the effect which it is
desired to obtain)
->>
This compound is to be made up with about seven parts of water or spirit, and
used for dipping in the usual way.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The utilization of magnesium either alone or alloyed with other metals to
form combustible compounds capable of being applied by dipping, substantially as
described

page_text: 2. The manufacture and use of the improved combustible compound hereinbefore
described for the purpose specified.
Dated this 21st day of March 1894.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.