US2530454A - Pyrotechnic device - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 21, 1950 L. F. FIESER EI'AL 2,530,454

PYROTECHNIC DEVICE Filed Jan. 4, 1946 ZSheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Fl 5 Lou/5 5E585}? WILL 1AM Z V4 N .LOENEN Nov. 21, 1950 L. F. FIESER ETAL PYROTECHNIC DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1946 alfiaflillfl INVENTORS LOUIS F F/ E551? Bp/I'LLIAM 2'? WNZXJENEIJ Patented Nov. 21, 1 950 2,530,454

omrao sures @PATENT .LduisIJjFieser,Belmont, Mass and William .F.

VanlLnenenfLosAltos, Galiil; said 'Eieser assignor wine United States of America, and said Wan Loenen ass'ignor to Kaiser Aluminum =& Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Delaware- Al Dlic'ationJanuany 4, 1946,,Seria1No. 639,068

13 Claims.

The present invention relates' to a package or container for incendiary material; and more particularly to a "fioatable package containing in- 'cendiary material and-adapted for aquatic fireworks displays,signalfiaresand the like.

In the-copending application of \Van Loenen,

No. 2','509,7-10,dated'May 30,1950, there is set forth the production of magnesium --metal from magnesium -oxide'-by' carbothermicreduction according to-the process jdisclosed inPatent No. l',884;993 '(Hansgirg'). "Therein a mixture of magnesium oxide and. carbon is-converted into magnesium vapor and carbon monoxide by the incendiary.

The average analysisof-the magnesium dust is:

heat of anelectric arc furnace. This gaseous 1'5 Bergen; mixture is iischarged-from the region of the Magnesium f5 arc-at a'high enough temperature (above 1800 bb "':*j C.) that reversal of-the reaction does not occur, inert 'fi gg g and is then suddenly cooled and diluted by injecting large volumes of a shock-chilling-agent, which -may be hydrogen, natural gas, hydrocarbon vapor'or even ;a spray of'liquid hydrorcarbon.

densedto'magnesium metalin-the form of extremely finedust. Some of the vapor recombines with carbon-monoX-ide'with the result that the solid material precipitated in the condensing A small percentage of themagnesium (approximately 5%) exists as one or both ofthe carvbides'-MgCz and *Mg2C3. There'is generally a trace=of sodium which 'is believed to'be in elemental form and :possibly minor traces of other carbides :such as calcium, silicon and aluminum originating from the ash constituents from the metallurgical coke in the reduction furnace and/or'from the minor ash constituent in the petroleum coke used for-reduction. 'With the 'chamber'comprises'a substantial;proportion-from .50 exception of Oceasionalflavryfiver of pa c 30 to 60% of magnesium dust with the remainfrom-the reduction-'furnace-all of these mater als ing comprising --carb0n magnesium 'havean particlesizebelow the-resolvlng oxide.and.other;limpurities A typical sample of powenof optical microscopes. 'Electron microa normal Shows 7% by Weight of magnesiun photographs reveal agglomerates several microns metaldust in-Idiameter andzultimateiparticles 1n the neigh This condensate,i. e., the magnesiumdust withv borhopd of V admixed impurities-while it requires coalescing "Theihydrocarbom vhwh'imwy employed'for 'ofthe magnesium-dust to produce compact metal, P' f l s f may adYantageousaly 51 nevertheless, highly-pymphoric. and W111 conslst of a mixture of distill-ate and asphalt, m bust-spontaneously-when-exposed to -the' atmos- 10 whrlcl'litheiproportlons:9?dlstmaie y Y phere; To diminish this tendency so that the a 9 by'welght material may' be" safely handled for sublimation phalfi, from about 9"i amcrystalline. magnesium metal, Typicalanalyses of -the .componentsof 'the mmtomary to the precipitate with a Hghthydrm :ture WhlCh haveproved successful are as-rollows: carbonmil' having-a flash point above 1009 11, ta t -=with-or-without the addition of asphalt to;pr0- Z a e V 'duce' a -relati-ve1y stiff plastic -mass which is Gravity APIat60 1j' 23 termed herein carbothermic magnesium paste. Flash point Penskyfluarten closed cup F 180 the-'asphal't'is'added'vi'henitisdeSiredtomake the Viscosity :Sayboldt seconds Universal 'at mass-somewhat cohesive, particularly where it 5 Q) Orcutt-IZO asphalt Gravity API at 60 F 10.2

Flash point Pensky-Marten closed cup TL. 430 Viscosity Sayboldt seconds Furol at 210 F 145 To produce a mixture of crude dust and hydrocarbons, safe for shipment and suitable for compounding incendiary fuels, the shock chilled dust is conveyed in a closed atmosphere under natural gas to pug mill typeextrusion presses where it is thoroughly mixed with the desired hydrocarbons and extruded through a die plate into open drums. The limitations on this equipment are such that practical concentrations can be made between 55% and 70% solids, the balance hydrocarbons. For reasons of safety it is undesirable to include low flash hydrocarbons at this stage. Various mixtures of fuel oils, or asphalt cut-back with fuel oils, or kerosenes in a considerable range, are practical from a production standpoint. This magnesium material when thoroughly wetted with hydrocarbons is not easily ignited nor will it flash or explode. However, if allowed to air dry or come in contact with water, acid, or perspiration, it will sooner or later ignitewhen such liquid has cut through the protective layer of hydrocarbon so as to react with the finely divided magnesium.

The construction of well known incendiaries, particularly those of the known stick form, involves the use of cast solid magnesium metal which is difficult to ignite except by thermite or a similar igniting charge. Incendiaries and flares of magnesium powder have therefore been made by first producing magnesium in solid metal form and then subdividing it. By the method of this invention the raw powder coming from the shock chilling step of the carbothermic process may be directly substituted for the far more expensive method at present utilized. Also, the magnesium metal as employed in the carbothermic magnesium paste is of a state of subdivision far greater than that which it is practicable to produce bymechanical comminution.

In the present invention the magnesium powder even in the impure form as recovered from the vapor produced by carbothermic reduction, and with or without other materials, may be directly applied to incendiary use without going through the stage of first producing the coalesced or solid metal. A great advantage of using such a finely divided metal is that the desired ignition may be secured from mere contact with such simple media as air and water. Any substance which gives up oxygen freely enough to produce ignition, i. e., rapid combustion, may be used.

The finely divided magnesium produced in the carbothermic process has a particle size of substantially less than one micron, and as heretofore stated is capable of spontaneous combustion with the atmosphere unless wetted down with a material such as hydrocarbon oil. It is obvious that a particle size on the order of that mentioned cannot be achieved on a commercial scale by use of mechanical means. The fine particles, because of their pyrophoric qualities, would present a considerable fire hazard if mechanically produced, and the high cost and complicated equipment necessary to mechanically produce such particles in an inert atmosphere would be impractical. Thus additional advantages of this invention are that it utilizes an incendiary material of finely divided magnesium of a particle size never before attainable on a commercial scale, and yet such finely divided magnesium is 4 capable of rapid and economic production, and can be safely handled.

The carbothermic magnesium paste may be used as is, as a paste, or it may consist of compacted or tabletted pellets or briquettes. Magnesium and/or aluminum in the form of solid metal including alloys thereof, either as a part or all of the container, or an admix in the form of borings, turnings, screenings, or pieces of scrap metal, may be used in conjunction with the carbothermic magnesium paste and may partake of the incendiary reaction, after the same is initiated.

It is to be understood that after the carbothermic magnesium paste is once ignited, it will continue to burn by reaction with the oxygen and/o nitrogen of the air, and tends by the heat and flame produced to ignite adjacent combustibles. Water applied to extinguish it is of no use as it reacts readily with the magnesium, accelerating combustion. Such common extinguishers as carbon dioxide actually accelerate combustion. 7

Additional reagents which tend to sustain combustion of the magnesium powder, such as ferric oxide, barium oxide and other similar metal oxides, potassium chlorate, sodium nitrate, and other similar metallic salts containing combined oxygen, sulfur, gasoline or carbon, and mixtures thereof, may be added to the carbothermic magnesium paste, and after ignition is instituted as by the liquid oxidizing agent, the further combustion may be sustained or aided by such reagents. Where a liquid, such as water, is employed to produce ignition, the resulting gas, such as hydrogen, is combustible and tends to spread the fire. Similarly, liquids which by deoxidation by the finely divided magnesium produce combustible gases, tend also to spread the fire by producing a flame reaching into adjacent space for oxygen to support its combustion.

While plain water is the simplest liquid oxidizing agent, there may be situations or conditions of use calling for the addition of antifreeze agents or of liquids which will withstand low temperatures without solidification. Thus alcohols, such as methanol, aldehydes and organic acids may be employed. Also inorganic compounds such as chlorates, permanganates, particularly of the alkali metals, may be dissolved in the liquid or associated therewith. Wetting agents to accelerate the wetting of the incendiary material with the liquid may be used. The employment of such agents is shown in the co-pending application of Van Loenen. Serial Number 555,766, filed September 25, 1944.

If it is desired to ignite the magnesium powder in a body of water, or under similar conditions, particularly where it is desired to create a flare on a body of water, it is advantageous to add an agent which will cause heat and/or gas generation, such as quicklime and/or carbides. The addition of carbides to the finely divided magnesium powder is particularly advantageous due to their gas generating properties, because the pressure generated causes the flame to shoot out more rapidly than under condition wherein the incendiary material does not contain carbides.

The primary objectof the present invention is to form a container for an incendiary material constructed to bring water, or other oxidizing liquid, into reaction to create incendiary conditions. 7

Another object is to provide a fioatable aquatic fireworks device comprising any incendiary mascents teria'l which ignites when; reacting with "water; and particularly a magnesium incendiary" such as a carb'othermicpaste-carbide mixture, or-a carboth'ermic dust mixture withhydrocarbon which has been destructivel'y distilledto'give a coked m'ass' having discrete-magnesium particles" therein, or compacted" masses sucl'ras-pellets-of carb'othermic dust.

A further object is to -provide'- afloatable-ex-- plosive' device for fireworks displays:

Another object is to provide a container for an incendiary charge including pyrophoric ma nesi-um' as an ingredient; and being" provided with at least one opening a-daptedto admit an oxidizing liquid, such-as'water; for reaction withthechar e.

Other and-- further objects and advantages ofthis invention will be apparentirom' the following description and from-the appended claims.

Theaccompanyirigdrawings illustrate various embodiments of this-invention: In-the draw-- mgs:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical'section of-a floatable incendiary device embody-ingfeatures of this invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective-view of triangular package embodying-certainfeaturesof the invention and Figure 3 is a perspectivevievrof-thedevice of Figure a 2- -with-* cut-away-portion showing the filling elements Figure 4 is a vertical-perspective view of still another embodim'ent of the invention, with cutaway portion showing the filling features of this embodiment and Figure 5 is anend view of the device of-Figure 4' showing an igniting means;

Figure 6 isa verticalsectional view of the central portion of the embodiment of-Figure 4.

Referring to Figure-I of the drawing particularly, the numeral i9 -general-l-y-represents afloatable incendiary device'and' embod'ies the-features of the invention; The bombifl-comprises a-waxed carton l l,- aboutthe size-of a milk' carton, and square in cross-section; The cartonH comprises top wall I2, bottom wall [3; and four side walls; eachof which is represented by the numeral I4.

The top wall I 2- is provided witha suitable flap Opening l5 which is adapted to "openand close and is employedto-introduce the incendiary mix I6 'into'e'arton H.- Fl-ap opening-lS-maybe sealed after a, suitable quantity of charge I6- is' introduced into'carton H. The carton H is usually filled with charge I6 insufficient amount to submerge 75-80 thereof in 'waterW.

The top wall I2- issubsta-ntially centrally-provided-with'an aperture H. sidewalls-l4 areprovided with two apertures-0r holes [8' and I9. Hole i8 is disposed in oneof side-walls l4 adjacent the top wall 1'2, while hole I9is disposedin one of side walls-i l-adjacent"the'bottom l3. The holes l8 and [9 may both be" disposed in the same one of said side *walls M or in different walls as desired;

The bottom wall: l3'"is substantially'centrally' provided with an aperture 28'; An inner lining of absorbent paper 21; or' other water absorbent material is disposedin, carton IL, The lining 2| serves as a; wick to more readily bring water. into reactive contact with charge [6 through theopenings in carton H.

The carton ll" may be ofany'desired size. or shape. Theopeningsfl, I8, ig'andl'il'may vary in size. 'E. g., said openingsmay have a diameter ranging from one-eighth of aninch-to one-half inch. The smaller the opening, the moretime it takes to bring suificient water into reactivecontact with charge iii-to cause'ignition. While carton H is preferably 'made o'f-pap'er; cardboard,

' the appropriate openings is aided' bythe-wa-ter absorbent lining 2i which by capillary action bring waterinto contact with anincreased-"area of the charge it to promote reaction.

i I After su-fficient water-is in contactwith-charge it an oxidation reduction reactionoccu-rs with sufficient rapidity to cause ignition thereof and sufficient pressure is built up within carton H-to' cause a flame toshoot ou-tof the openi-ngsabovethe water, and this-flame maybeof various-colors depending upon the charge components, as=--fur-- ther explained below. If desired, the openings: ii and 29 in the top and bottom-walls-respec-- tively of carton ll maybemuclrsmallenindiameter or area than openings 48 and-- 59 inside walls '1 this Way; the'fl'amemorepredominately shoots out the side openingabove-water level.

The charge it may take the form ofsmallpar ticles, of indiscriminate size, andoomprising-peb leted or briquetted carbothermicmagnesium dust with or without added hydrocarbon and with or without added-carbide. For-example, a carbothermic magnesium paste mixture maybe pressed to give pellets which are-useful as charge.- Alternatively, a carbothermic magnesium dnst-- hydrocarbon mixture may be formed int'o'suitably sized pellets. These pellets are dried at'a temperature below the coking temperature ofthe hydrocarbon and then cokedat'a tempera--; ture between sec-900 F. The cokedmassiormed has discreteparticles of magnesium dispersed therein. The coked incendiary;- pellet is very reactive with water and ignites" easily. When carbide is present it forms acetylene in contact with water, in addition to the hydrogen generated from the magnesium in the carbothermic paste;v

The device it is somewhat limited as'to the quantity of charge It employed'therein so as to" maintain its floating characteristics. The quantity of charge 16 is usually present in a-n-amount by Weight sothat the incendiary Ii is 75=80'%' submerged in water, and the opening [8; or-|9 ifthe device rights other Wayup, is abovethe-water level so that a flame initially shoots out over-- the water.

Device it usuall does not immediately ignite as it requires a certain period of time to bring sufli'cient water into reactive contact with charge it. It is known as a sleeper and the periods 7 of dormanc will vary with such factors as::the.

size of the water admitting opening: and the: form or shape of the particles of charge [6;

Figures 2; and? show an incendiary device of triangular. cross-section" which; comprises side-' walls 33, all being suitably 'of the same dimensions, and end flaps 3|, which fold 'oyeroneach other and, are sealed suitably by application of. adhesive to the joining'surfaces, and; end flaps 32: which contain concentric, apertures 33'7". which. register with each other'when the flaps are fold ed upon each other to close the device. The aperture in the flap which is in the outermost location when the device is closed is sealed by sealing tab 34, suitably of metal such as copper although it may be of any other desired material, which tab is pulled oif when the device is placed in operation. It has been found advantageous to dispose reinforcing rings 35 about apertures 33 to prevent tearing along undesired lines.

In Figure 3, the sealing tab 34 is shown after detachment, as when the device is to be thrown into or placed in water. In this view also are shown the interior features of this particular embodiment. The outer walls and flaps of the device are conveniently made of cardboard, although any other material which is floatable in this construction will serve. Adjacent the inner surfaces of sidewalls 3 5 is a liner of asbestos 36 which protects the sidewalls during combustion and directs the flame out the end sections and increases its concentration thereby. Disposed within the asbestos liner is a second liner 3? of corrugated cardboard which acts as a reinforcer and also serves to keep the oily incendiar mix or gel out of contact with the asbestos. Within the liner 3'! is charged incendiary composition 38 which in this particular embodiment comprises an intimate mixture of 15% by weight of iron oxide (mill scale) which is ground to pass through an 80-mesh screen and which contains at least 65% iron, and 85% b weight of carbothermic magnesium paste which has been obtained as described above and then dried to about 85% solids, about 3.5% asphalt and about 11.5% Stoddard solvent. The dried carbothermic paste passes a 6-mesh screen and contains at least 4.0% metallic magnesium.

At the end of the device adjacent the apertures 33 in contact with the innermost aperture 33 is a gas-generating device 39 comprising an amount of a material, such as calcium carbide, which generates gas upon contact with water, enclosed in a suitable container which is of material that is permeable to water or other oxidizing liquid. The gas-generating device in this example comprises an amount of calcium carbide enclosed in a piece of cheesecloth lined with absorbent paper, the cheesecloth being drawn around the filling to form a bag, the stem of which is secured with 2 or 3 turns of lead wire 40. The generator device does not function in this invention to cause direct combustion, but rather may speed up the ignition of the incendiary charge somewhat inasmuch as the water passing through the igniter is warmed by the reaction of part of it with the carbide to form acetyleneu The warmed water acts on the incendiary composition to cause combustion. An important function of the carbide in the element, which for convenience has been called the generator, is to produce a combustible gas which causes long flames to shoot out across the water when the incendiary has been ignited, and another function is' the production of heat.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. The device of this embodiment is a carton of rectangular cross-section, wherein there are 2 wider sidewalls 4| and 2 narrower sidewalls 42. The top and base of the carton are suitably closed by flaps, as 45, which, after the incendiary device is assembled, are sealed by adhesive applied to the contact faces thereof. Disposed within the carton adjacent to the wider sidewalls 4| only and. co-extensive therewith are asbestos liners 44. Disposed within the carton adjacent the narrower sidewalls 42 and, along the wider sidewalls, adjacent asbestos liners 44 is a reinforcing liner 45 of corrugated cardboard. In the center of one of the narrower sidewalls 42 is disposed an aperture 48 for the entrance of the oxidizing liquid, or water. This aperture is also suitably reinforced by cardboard ring 45 and sealed by sealing tear-tab 41, in this instance of copper although cardboard or other material or metal may be used. There is an aperture in corrugated liner 45 concentric with aperture 48 and registering therewith when the device is assembled. A corresponding aperture is disposed within the corrugated liner at the narrower sidewall opposite the water-entrance aperture and registers with an aperture 55 in this narrower sidewall, aperture 56 being sealed by combustible window 55. In the assembled device a gas-generator 39, similar to the one described in connection with Figures 2 and 3, is held against the water-entrance aperture 48 by one end of a tube 49, suitably of cardboard, which is of the same diameter as the aperture, and the other end of which tube abuts the aperture in the liner 45 at the sidewall opposite the water-entrance aperture. In this embodiment, the gas-generator may comprise calcium carbide enclosed in absorbent paper and without the cheesecloth covering. The ends of the bag are allowed to rest in the tube 49. When the gas-generator and tube have been placed in the incendiary device, the incendiary mixture 50 is charged in and is of the same composition as described in the device of Figures 2 and 3.

On the narrower sidewall opposite the wall containing the water-entrance aperture is disposed another ignition device 5l which comprises a casing adapted to enclose a delayed-action igniting means of known composition not critical to this invention and a burning composition 53 consisting of potassium perchlorate, paraflin and charcoal. Device 5| is filled to the extent desired with the burning composition, a space being left for the delayed-action igniting means, the opening in the top of the device being sealed off by a rubber sealing compound, or other sealing composition, 52. When it is desired to activate the incendiary the delayed-action igniter 54 is inserted, through a hole dug through the composition 52, into device 5| and the incendiary or fireworks device is set in place. Device 5| is suitably of Celluloid and Cellinoid window 55 is glued into aperture 55, as shown in Figure 6.

Device 5| is useful where it is desired to delay the ignition of the flare or display, as for instance after it has floated for considerable time 4 and distance. The delayed-action igniter is activated in due time and causes the burning composition to take fire, thereby causing burning of the Celluloid window 55. The incendiary composition 55 may then be directly ignited, or water may enter aperture 55 and ignite the incendiary. In either case water comes into contact with the gas-generator and produces acetylene which enables the production of a long flame. The asbestos liners on the wider sidewalls, on one or the other of which the device fioats, direct the flame out the narrower walls, increasing the concentration thereof.

Where cardboard, or similar material, is used in constructing the containers used in this incendiary device, it is advantageous to coat the cardboard or other material, on both the inner and outer surfaces of the container, with a waterand oil-proofing lacquer, such as Vinylite resin amass;

lacquer. mhisiprotects againstwater logging and against softening and deterioration of ,the .container bysabsorption of oil f go n the hydrocar- Although iron oxide shown asEthe solid ;oxidizingv agentinthe abnyejiexaniplesgother oxidizing agents may be added as stated previously. It has been found particularly useful, for example, to add strontium nitrate in making red flares, barium nitrate in making green flares, etc. Other materials which produce colored flames are suitably added in the incendiary mixture, for instance, the chloride of strontium or barium, etc. It is believed, however, that iron oxide is an especially advantageous additive in that it facilitates dispersion of water through the incendiary mass. It is preferred to add not over about by weight of oxidizing agent, although lesser amounts are useful in the composition of this invention.

While the above examples have been described with reference to cardboard carton containers, the container can also be made of metal, preferably lightweight metal, or other material. For instance, an ordinary can, such as a beer can, has formed the container and only such amount of composition has been charged in as will leave sufficient air space to insure buoyancy. The container can also has an aperture to permit entrance oi? water to the charge.

Any means may be employed to lend buoyancy to the floatable display device. Air tubes may be inserted within the container in contact with the charging composition. It is also intended to include buoyancy aids disposed outside of the charge-holding container and suitably secured or associated therewith. Vacuum tubes or balls may be employed where greater buoyancy is required.

The addition of a gas-generating agent, particularly calcium carbide, is not essential to the ignition of the charging composition, but especially in combination with an incendiary charge, is advantageous in producing long flames. The carbothermic magnesium paste can be added without drying. The carbide may be distributed through the paste instead of being held in a special container as described above. The percentages given in this specification and the appended claims are percentages by weight, of all constituents.

The drawings and above specific description have been given for purposes of illustration only, and variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A floatable incendiary comprising, a container provided with two spaced apart openings, one of said openings being adapted to admit water when the container is afloat and being disposed below water level, the other of said openings being adapted to eject a flame across the surface of the water and disposed in a side wall and above the water level when said container is afloat, pyrophoric magnesium obtained by shock chilling magnesium-containing vapors and stabilized toward air disposed within the container -liquestar meactionwvith the .adm'rttedi water, and lbuoy- Laney means associated: with said container.

2. A floatable incendiary comprising :abuoyant container and a charge disposed therein com- :prising Ipyrop'horic magnesium ,obtained"'-:by

-sh0ckchilling.magnesiumwontainingvaporsiand having a protective coating othydro'carbon and a solid oxidizin'gagent in the 'amount of not over about .by' weight, said container having means to admit water into contact with said charge and having an aperturedisposed in a side .mal-lgthereof; andl-ying above the waterlevel when said container is afloat and -.-being adapted ato direct flame horizontally across the surface of the water.

3. Incendiary as in claim 2 wherein the oxidizing agent is iron oxide.

4. Incendiary as in claim 2 wherein the oxidizing agent is strontium nitrate.

5. Incendiary as in claim 2 wherein the oxidizing agent is barium nitrate.

6. A floatable incendiary device comprising a cardboard carton of triangular cross-section, the ends of said carton being closed by sealed flaps, the flaps at one end being provided with registering apertures, the outermost aperture being sealed by a removable metal closure tab, an amount of material adapted to generate combustible gas upon reaction with water disposed in a water-permeable container within said carton adjacent said apertures, an asbestos lining disposed within said carton adjacent the sidewalls thereof, a corrugated cardboard lining disposed within said carton adjacent said asbestos lining, and disposed within said lined carton an incendiary charge comprising pyrophoric magnesium, a protective amount of hydrocarbon and a solid oxidizing agent.

7. Device as in claim 6 wherein the solid oxidizing agent is iron oxide.

8. Device as in claim 6 wherein the gas-generating material is calcium carbide.

9. A floatable incendiary device comprising a sealed cardboard carton of rectangular cross-section, said carton having two wider and two narrower sidewalls, one of said narrower sidewalls having an aperture therein, a removable tab sealing said aperture, the second narrower sidewall having an aperture opposite said first-mentioned aperture, said second-mentioned aperture being sealed with a combustible tab, an asbestos liner disposed adjacent each of said wider sidewalls, a corrugated liner disposed within said asbestos liner and also adjacent said narrower sidewalls and having apertures registering with said first and second apertures, a cardboard tube abutting at one end said, second aperture in said corrugated liner, a water-permeable container containing a substance adapted to generate combustible gas upon reaction with water disposed between the other end of said tube and said firstmetioned aperture, and disposed within said lined container an incendiary charge comprising pyrophoric magnesium, a protective amount of hydrocarbon and a solid oxidizing agent.

10. Incendiary device as in claim 9 having secured to said second narrower sidewall a delayedignition device.

11. A floatable fireworks device comprising a container and disposed therein a charge of magnesium obtained by shock-chilling magnesiumcontaining vapors and stabilized toward air, said container having at least one aperture disposed above the water level when afloat and adapted to eject flame across the surface of the water.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number 12 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Neinstadt Jan. 15, 1907 Wiley May 2, 1916 Hansgirg Oct. 25, 1932 Cimorosi Sept. 13, 1938 Hanawalt May 20, 1941 Doerner Aug. 31, 1942 Thiebault Oct. 12, 1943 Ogle Sept. 25, 1945

Images