An Improved Writing Paper, and Ink therefor
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Oct., 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
"An Improved Writing Paper, and Ink therefor."
We, FRED. Cox, Agent, of 36 Kronprinzenstrasse, FRITZ KORNACHER, Editor,
17 Zeisselstrasse, and MARCUS BRUMM, Merchant, 71 Mainzerlandstrasse, all in
Frankfurt a/M, Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object to prevent sedimentary deposits of ink in
ink-bottles and on nibs and also to prevent the soiling of the hands, of the
floor, etc, by ink. This object is mainly attained by distributing the component
parts of the ink in the paper as well as in the inky fluid. The paper is manu-
factured in the usual way and during the manufacture a certain quantity of
tannic acid, or by preference gallic acid, and prussiate of potash or the like is
added thereto. In order to write on this paper we use a weak solution of Vanadate
of ammonia, iron salts, or the like, which give a strong colour when combined
with the substances incorporated in the paper and also form insoluble solutions
therewith.
A practical manner of carrying the invention into effect or practice is as
follows:-
Ordinary, writing paper is impregnated before being glazed or polished with 1
to 2% of aqueous solution of tannin (or gallic acid) in such a manner that the
small quantity of tannic or gallic acid contained in the solution is deposited to
a great extent on the outer surface of the paper and firmly adheres thereto. This
can also be effected by carefully transferring the solution on to the paper, in this
case the solution would be mixed with some thickening substance such as starch
or the like.
To colour the paper, that is to say, to improve the colour thereof the tannic or
gallic acid solution may be slightly coloured by the addition of aniline blue.
Colourless, insoluble, and adhesive substances may also be added in small quan-
tities provided they are finely levigated and have no reaction on the tannic or
gallic acid.
By impregnating the paper with a solution of yellow prussiate of potash in
lieu of tannic or gallic acid blue writing is produced.
The ink for writing on the paper consists of a 2 to 3% aqueous solution of
chemically pure sulphate of iron to which is added, in order to intensify the action
as well as to obtain the prompt development of the writing, a few drops of a solu
tion of chloride of iron or of a solution of ferruginous sal-ammoniac, or of any
other well known substance capable of forming a deep blue or a deep black with
the tannic or gallic acid and of producing a combination which will be quickly
seen. To prevent the ink flowing to rapidly from the pen it can be thickened
with an adhesive substance such as gum-arabic.
The writing darkens very rapidly.
The invention possesses the following advantages:-
-
As the colouring substances form a part of the paper, and it may here be stated

page_text: that the paper always contains an excess of the chief component parts or in-
gredients for the production of the colour or ink, the writing produced is obviously
exceedingly durable and cannot be removed.
Ink spots on the fingers, on pieces of furniture, and on the floor are obviated.
When drying the writing with blotting paper the latter is but slightly soiled.
As the ink is quite clear and thin no sediment can be formed and as a conse-
quence the nibs cannot become dirty and crusted so as to hinder the flow of the
ink and thus render the nibs useless. Further, the ink will not dry up or become
decomposed but on the contrary can be used to the last drop.
The ink can be used either as copying or non-copying ink when suitable paper
is used for the copying.
When copying, several copies can be taken off the ink even after a lapse of
several days without interfering with the sharpness of the original writing.
The ink is absolutely innocuous and symptoms of poisoning cannot occur
with it.
The cost of writing is cheapened as the slight additional cost of the paper is
more than compensated by the greatly reduced price of the ink.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
consider novel and desire to claim is:-
1. Writing paper having one or more of the ingredients to. produce the writing
distributed over (or in) it the remaining ingredients being in the ink, substan-
tially as and for the advantages set forth..
2. Writing paper having tannic or gallic acid distributed over it, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1897
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70 Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.