US3862865A - Sparkler composition - Google Patents

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US3862865A
US3862865A US310457A US31045772A US3862865A US 3862865 A US3862865 A US 3862865A US 310457 A US310457 A US 310457A US 31045772 A US31045772 A US 31045772A US 3862865 A US3862865 A US 3862865A
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sparkler
parts
composition according
weight
composition
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US310457A
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Hugh D Mcmanus
Voorhis F Wigal
Robert S Long
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Kilgore Corp
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Kilgore Corp
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Assigned to FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON, THE reassignment FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON, THE SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KILGORE CORPORATION A CORP. OF DELAWARE
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06C—DETONATING OR PRIMING DEVICES; FUSES; CHEMICAL LIGHTERS; PYROPHORIC COMPOSITIONS
    • C06C15/00—Pyrophoric compositions; Flints
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
    • C06B33/00—Compositions containing particulate metal, alloy, boron, silicon, selenium or tellurium with at least one oxygen supplying material which is either a metal oxide or a salt, organic or inorganic, capable of yielding a metal oxide
    • C06B33/12—Compositions containing particulate metal, alloy, boron, silicon, selenium or tellurium with at least one oxygen supplying material which is either a metal oxide or a salt, organic or inorganic, capable of yielding a metal oxide the material being two or more oxygen-yielding compounds

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  • the present invention relates to a new type of sparkler and more particularly to a novel structure of sparkler and a novel composition for making it.
  • sparklers which have a handle portion made of wire which is dipped into a pyrotechnic composition and the coating is dried thereon.
  • the pyrotechnic composition burns with a bright light and produces a multiplicity of streamers of rays of light which project radially outwardly in all directions from the device giving a shower of beautiful sparks.
  • the sparkler is lit at the far end and the flame progresses slowly towards the handle as the firework is consumed. The flame heats the wire and it becomes hot enough to glow requiring a period of time after the burning is completed to cool off to the point where it can be touched.
  • the metal wire core sparkler has been criticized due to the hot glowing wire reaching temperatures of 1,600F. and upward while burning thereby causing more fires and injuries than any other kind of firework, except the firecracker.
  • Various attempts have been made to correct this hazardous condition, such as by the use of wooden cores,'however, such products have not proven successful.
  • a further object ofthe present invention is to provide a novel composition which can be molded into a sparkler.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide a means for holding a molded sparkler during ignition.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of the novel sparkler and its holder according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the sparkling holder in more detail
  • FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; a
  • FIG. 6 is a partial view, partly in cross section of a modified form of the sparkler
  • FIG. 7 is a partial view of a further modified form of the sparkler.
  • FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a still further modified form of the sparkler.
  • FIGS. 1-5 relate to one form of the structure of the sparkler and its holderaccording to the invention.
  • the sparkler 10 itself is a solid stick of pyrotechnic material 11 bound together by a suitable binder and enwrapped in a paper or equivalent combustible material outer wrapper 12 extending about the sparkler and meeting at a seam 14.
  • the sparkler 10 is generally about one-eighth inch in diameter, however, such dimension is not critical. It has been found that such a dimension results in an effective dis play for the desired length of time.
  • the sparkler 10 may be sold separately from any holder arrangement, and the same holder can possibly be used more than once.
  • the holder includes a handle 16 having an opening 18 at least in its upper end.
  • the handle may be made of plastic, wood, paper, metal or any other suitable material.
  • a common paper or plastic straw can be used as the handle 14.
  • a smallinsert 20 can be utilized as an adapter between the sparkler and the handle.
  • the insert 20 is provided with a downwardly extending projection 22 adapted to be received in the opening 18 of the handle and three upwardly extending projections 24 adapted to receive the sparkler tightly therebetween.
  • the insert is also provided with a flat base 26 on which the bottom of the sparkler rests.
  • the sparkler 10 is inserted between the projections 24 of the insert and the sparkler with the insert thereon is inserted into the handle to form an integral structure.
  • the handle 16 During burning of the sparkler it is held by the handle 16.
  • the sparkler composition is completely consumed and when the burning reaches the insert base 26 it extinguishes itself since the insert is made ofa non-inflammable material.
  • The. handle can then be reused with a new insert and sparkler, or if the used insert is still integral it can be reused.
  • FIG. 8 A simpler form is shown in FIG. 8 where a conventional paper or plastic straw or other tubular handle 30 is utilized having a hollow portion 32, a diameter suitable to receive the sparkler.
  • the upper portion of the handle 30 is slit in one or more places 32.
  • the sparkler 34 is a solid body of cast 'or extruded pyrotechnic composition and binder without the outer wrapper 12 as shown in FIGS. 1-5.
  • FIG. 7 A still further form of the invention is shown in FIG. 7 wherein a hollow combustible tube 40 is coated with a pyrotechnic composition 42. After burning the sparkler composition 42, the tube 40 which is combustible will continue burning like a match and can be readily extinguished by blowing on it or crushing it.
  • the hollow tube 40' may be a paper straw conventionally used for sipping drinks from a bottle.
  • the oxidizer which is the oxygen supplying ingredient includes ammonium perchlorate.
  • a preferred form of oxidizer is a mixture of barium nitrate and ammonium perchlorate in a ratio of from 1:10 to l0zl0 with a preferred ratio of 2:10.
  • the barium nitrate acts to reumble the acrid odor given off by the burning sparkler and also acts to increase the sizzle which is a familiar and desired part of the burning sparkler.
  • Strontium nitrate can be substituted for the barium nitrate.
  • oxidizers which can also be included are ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium dichromate, potassium chlorate, ammonium persulfate, copper chromite, manganese dioxide, barium ferrite, antimony trisulfide and the like.
  • the metal powder is added to give the sparkles and preferably is iron or steel particles passing thru 50 mesh screen and held by a 325 mesh screen (U.S. standard).
  • the metal particles are preferably coated with paraffin or linseed oil before mixing to protect them from rusting. In a preferred embodimentthe powder passes thru 60 mesh and is held on 200 mesh.
  • the fuel or fuels which acts as the combustion supporting agent includes aluminum powder and magnesium powder; accelerators such as carbon powder, sulfur powder; and binders such as starch, dextrin, stearic acid, acrylic powder, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, and butyl methacrylate polymers and copolymers, cellulose acetate, ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polystrene, vegetable glues, animal glues, shellac, red gum and synthetic adhesives.
  • accelerators such as carbon powder, sulfur powder
  • binders such as starch, dextrin, stearic acid, acrylic powder, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, and butyl methacrylate polymers and copolymers, cellulose acetate, ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polys
  • the binders serve a dual function in that they act to bind together the remaining ingredients into a solid stick that will withstand handling, and further they act as fuels to promote combustion.
  • the accelerators serve to activate the burning rate.
  • the preferred range of fuels in the composition is 8-16 parts by weight including approximately -7 parts by weight of binder.
  • the combustion rate modifiers include such materials as magnesium carbonate, sodium .carbonate and borax.
  • the rate of burning of the sparkler is an important function and it is preferred that the sparkler burn at the rate of approximately 8 seconds per inch of sparkler. Thus, a four inch sparkler according to the present invention would burn for approximately 30 seconds.
  • the colorant is added to control the color of the flame altho certain of the oxidizers also act as colorants.
  • Strontium carbonate yields a red flame
  • copper salts such as copper carbonate and copper chromite yield a blue color, as does dichlorane.
  • Ammonium biborate and barium chloride give a green color.
  • Other known flame colorants may be added.
  • the aluminum powder is preferably flake aluminum, pigment gradeof a size such that no more than 5 percent is retained on 325 mesh screen. Up to 10 parts by weight of the fuel can be aluminum powder.
  • the perchlorate is ground to approximately 100-200 mesh and then the barium nitrate (of 100200 mesh) and the fuels are added and all are admixed by tumbling.
  • the iron or steel powder is added last and tumbling is continued until thoroughly mixed.
  • the composition can then be extruded or molded to the proper size.
  • the binder is activated and pressure causes the particles of the composition to adhere together and form a solid mass. If a heat sensitive binder is used, solidification can be effected by heat alone. With other compositions a solvent can be added, or a combination of heat plus solvent, to effect the solidification.
  • EXAMPLE 1 Ammonium perchlorate (100-200 mesh) 2.5 pts. by wt Barium nitrate (100-200 mesh) 5 do. Manganese dioxide (300 mesh) 1.5 do. Iron powder (-200 mesh) 10.0 do. Aluminum powder (325 mesh) 30 do. Polyvinyl alcohol powder 6.0 do
  • the iron powder content can be varied in this example from 3-14 parts by weight.
  • a gold colored sparkler is obtained.
  • the composition after being mixed to gether is activated by steam and then cooled under pressure to yield a stick, and if an outer paper is applied before the steam, the composition will adhere to the paper.
  • Example 26 parts by wt.
  • Ammonium perchlorate 100-200 mesh
  • Manganese dioxide 300 mesh
  • lron powder 60-200 mesh
  • Aluminum powder (325 mesh)
  • Charcoal Powder 0.5
  • Fine Polystyrene heads micron avg. size 5.0
  • Powdered stearic acid 100-200 mesh
  • Example 27 parts by wt. Ammonium perchlorate (100-200 mesh) 30 Manganese dioxide (300 mesh) 1.5 lron powder (60-200 mesh) Aluminum powder 2.5 Charcoal powder 05 Fine polystyrene beads (5 micron avg. size) 5.0
  • Example 28 parts by wt. Ammonium perchlorate (l00200 mesh) 30 Manganese dioxide (300 mesh) 1.5 lron powder (60-200 mesh) 10. Aluminum powder (325 mesh) 2.5 Charcoal powder 0.5 Powdered stearic acid (100-200 mesh) 5.0
  • a particulate sparkler composition comprising parts by weight of an oxidizer at least one half of which is ammonium perchlorate; 3-14 parts by weight of iron or steel powder; from about 8 to about 15.6 parts by weight of a fuel said fuel comprising a mixture of from about 20 to about 33 percent aluminum and/or magnesium powder and accelerators plus from about 67 percent to about 80 percent of a particulate combustible binder, said binder being capable of being activated by heat, solvent or a combination thereof to cause the bonding of the particles; 0 5 parts by weight of a combustion rate modifier and 0 5 parts by weight of a flame colorant said composition when bonded together into a relatively long thin rigid stick by heat, solvent or a combination thereof having a burning rate suitable for use as a sparkler and being capable of being ignited at one end and of burning progressively to the other end giving off a shower of sparks.
  • a particulate sparkler composition in accordance with claim 1, comprising ammonium perchlorate 3 0 parts/wt manganese dioxide 1.5 parts/wt iron powder 10 parts/wt -Contlnued aluminum powder 2.5 parts/wt charcoal powder 0.5 parts/wt fine polystyrene beads 5.0 parts/wt powdered stearic acid 0.5 parts/wt.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
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Abstract

A sparkler capable of being molded into a self-supporting rigid stick capable of ignition at one end and of burning progressively to the other end with a suitable holder to support it while burning. The particulate pyrotechnic composition comprises an oxidizer, including ammonium perchlorate, a fuel preferably including a combustible binder, and a combination rate modifier and colorant may also be added. The pyrotechnic composition is preferable enwrapped in an outer paper or other combustible material covering.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 McManus et a1.
1 1 Jan. 28, 1975 1 1 SPARK'LER COMPOSITION [75] lnventors: Hugh D. McManus, Bolivar; Voorhis F. Wigal; Robert S. Long, both of Jackson. all of Tenn.
[73] Assignee: Kilgore Corporation, Toone, Tenn.
[22] Filed: Nov. 29, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 310,457
Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 146,366, May 24,
1971, abandoned.
[52] US. Cl 149/199], 102/31, 149/41, 149/44, 149/76, 149/20, 264/3 8 [51] Int. Cl C06d 1/04 [58] Field of Search 149/19, 40, 41, 20, 44,
149/61, 76; 264/3 R, 3 C, 3 B; 102/31 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,974,015 9/1934 Decker ct al. 149/41 X 2,006,271 6/1935 Hitt t 102/31 2,622,277 12/1952 Bonell et a1 264/3 B 3,088,857 5/1963 Matusewiey. 149/41 X 3,147,161 9/1964 Abere et al. r r 149/19 3,257,801 6/1966 Martinez et a1... 149/19 X 3,262,824 7/1966 McGril'fin et al. .1 149/44 X 3,650,712 3/1972 Martin et all 149/19 X 3,674,589 7/1972 Schaab ct a1 264/3 R 3,682,727 8/1972 Heinzelmann ct al. 149/19 Primary l;'.\'uminerBenjamin R. Padgett Assistant Examiner-E. A. Miller Attorney, Agent, or FirmBrowdy and Neimark 1 1 ABSTRACT 13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 1 SPARKLER COMPOSITION This application is a continuation in-part of application Ser. No. 146,366 filed May 24, 1971, now abandoned.
The present invention relates to a new type of sparkler and more particularly to a novel structure of sparkler and a novel composition for making it.
I-Ieretofore, especially on the Fourth of July it has become a tradition for children to ignite pyrotechnical devices commonly known as sparklers which have a handle portion made of wire which is dipped into a pyrotechnic composition and the coating is dried thereon. During use, after igniting, the pyrotechnic composition burns with a bright light and produces a multiplicity of streamers of rays of light which project radially outwardly in all directions from the device giving a shower of beautiful sparks. The sparkler is lit at the far end and the flame progresses slowly towards the handle as the firework is consumed. The flame heats the wire and it becomes hot enough to glow requiring a period of time after the burning is completed to cool off to the point where it can be touched.
The metal wire core sparkler has been criticized due to the hot glowing wire reaching temperatures of 1,600F. and upward while burning thereby causing more fires and injuries than any other kind of firework, except the firecracker. Various attempts have been made to correct this hazardous condition, such as by the use of wooden cores,'however, such products have not proven successful.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a new type of sparkler incorporating all of the beauty of the old sparklers but eliminating the hazards of the hot wire.
A further object ofthe present invention is to provide a novel composition which can be molded into a sparkler.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a means for holding a molded sparkler during ignition.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view of the novel sparkler and its holder according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the sparkling holder in more detail;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; a
FIG. 6 is a partial view, partly in cross section of a modified form of the sparkler;
FIG. 7 is a partial view of a further modified form of the sparkler; and
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a still further modified form of the sparkler.
Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5 relate to one form of the structure of the sparkler and its holderaccording to the invention. The sparkler 10 itself is a solid stick of pyrotechnic material 11 bound together by a suitable binder and enwrapped in a paper or equivalent combustible material outer wrapper 12 extending about the sparkler and meeting at a seam 14. The sparkler 10 is generally about one-eighth inch in diameter, however, such dimension is not critical. It has been found that such a dimension results in an effective dis play for the desired length of time.
The sparkler 10 may be sold separately from any holder arrangement, and the same holder can possibly be used more than once. As shown in FIG. I, the holder includes a handle 16 having an opening 18 at least in its upper end. The handle may be made of plastic, wood, paper, metal or any other suitable material. A common paper or plastic straw can be used as the handle 14. A smallinsert 20 can be utilized as an adapter between the sparkler and the handle. The insert 20 is provided with a downwardly extending projection 22 adapted to be received in the opening 18 of the handle and three upwardly extending projections 24 adapted to receive the sparkler tightly therebetween. The insert is also provided with a flat base 26 on which the bottom of the sparkler rests.
To assemble, the sparkler 10 is inserted between the projections 24 of the insert and the sparkler with the insert thereon is inserted into the handle to form an integral structure. During burning of the sparkler it is held by the handle 16. During the burning the sparkler composition is completely consumed and when the burning reaches the insert base 26 it extinguishes itself since the insert is made ofa non-inflammable material. The. handle can then be reused with a new insert and sparkler, or if the used insert is still integral it can be reused.
A simpler form is shown in FIG. 8 where a conventional paper or plastic straw or other tubular handle 30 is utilized having a hollow portion 32, a diameter suitable to receive the sparkler. For ease in insertion of the sparkler, the upper portion of the handle 30 is slit in one or more places 32.
As shown in FIG. 6, the sparkler 34 is a solid body of cast 'or extruded pyrotechnic composition and binder without the outer wrapper 12 as shown in FIGS. 1-5.
A still further form of the invention is shown in FIG. 7 wherein a hollow combustible tube 40 is coated with a pyrotechnic composition 42. After burning the sparkler composition 42, the tube 40 which is combustible will continue burning like a match and can be readily extinguished by blowing on it or crushing it. The hollow tube 40'may be a paper straw conventionally used for sipping drinks from a bottle.
The sparkler portion used in any of these embodiments is made up from a composition of the following ingredients:
I. ()xidizer 25-50 pts. by wt. 2. Iron or steel powder 3-l4 do. 3. Fuel (including the binder) 3-27 do. 4. Flame Colorant if desired 0-5 do. 5. Combustion rate modifiers if 0-5 do.
desired The oxidizer which is the oxygen supplying ingredient includes ammonium perchlorate. A preferred form of oxidizer is a mixture of barium nitrate and ammonium perchlorate in a ratio of from 1:10 to l0zl0 with a preferred ratio of 2:10. The barium nitrate acts to re duce the acrid odor given off by the burning sparkler and also acts to increase the sizzle which is a familiar and desired part of the burning sparkler. Strontium nitrate can be substituted for the barium nitrate. Other oxidizers which can also be included are ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium dichromate, potassium chlorate, ammonium persulfate, copper chromite, manganese dioxide, barium ferrite, antimony trisulfide and the like.
The metal powder is added to give the sparkles and preferably is iron or steel particles passing thru 50 mesh screen and held by a 325 mesh screen (U.S. standard). The metal particles are preferably coated with paraffin or linseed oil before mixing to protect them from rusting. In a preferred embodimentthe powder passes thru 60 mesh and is held on 200 mesh.
The fuel or fuels which acts as the combustion supporting agent includes aluminum powder and magnesium powder; accelerators such as carbon powder, sulfur powder; and binders such as starch, dextrin, stearic acid, acrylic powder, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, and butyl methacrylate polymers and copolymers, cellulose acetate, ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polystrene, vegetable glues, animal glues, shellac, red gum and synthetic adhesives.
The binders serve a dual function in that they act to bind together the remaining ingredients into a solid stick that will withstand handling, and further they act as fuels to promote combustion. The accelerators serve to activate the burning rate.
The preferred range of fuels in the composition is 8-16 parts by weight including approximately -7 parts by weight of binder.
The combustion rate modifiers include such materials as magnesium carbonate, sodium .carbonate and borax.
The rate of burning of the sparkler is an important function and it is preferred that the sparkler burn at the rate of approximately 8 seconds per inch of sparkler. Thus, a four inch sparkler according to the present invention would burn for approximately 30 seconds.
The colorant is added to control the color of the flame altho certain of the oxidizers also act as colorants. Strontium carbonate yields a red flame, copper salts such as copper carbonate and copper chromite yield a blue color, as does dichlorane. Ammonium biborate and barium chloride give a green color. Other known flame colorants may be added.
The aluminum powder is preferably flake aluminum, pigment gradeof a size such that no more than 5 percent is retained on 325 mesh screen. Up to 10 parts by weight of the fuel can be aluminum powder.
In preparing the composition the perchlorate is ground to approximately 100-200 mesh and then the barium nitrate (of 100200 mesh) and the fuels are added and all are admixed by tumbling. The iron or steel powder is added last and tumbling is continued until thoroughly mixed. The composition can then be extruded or molded to the proper size. By adding steam, for example, the binder is activated and pressure causes the particles of the composition to adhere together and form a solid mass. If a heat sensitive binder is used, solidification can be effected by heat alone. With other compositions a solvent can be added, or a combination of heat plus solvent, to effect the solidification.
Typical examples of suitable compositions to illustrate the invention are as follows:
EXAMPLE 1 Ammonium perchlorate (100-200 mesh) 2.5 pts. by wt Barium nitrate (100-200 mesh) 5 do. Manganese dioxide (300 mesh) 1.5 do. Iron powder (-200 mesh) 10.0 do. Aluminum powder (325 mesh) 30 do. Polyvinyl alcohol powder 6.0 do
The iron powder content can be varied in this example from 3-14 parts by weight. A gold colored sparkler is obtained. The composition after being mixed to gether is activated by steam and then cooled under pressure to yield a stick, and if an outer paper is applied before the steam, the composition will adhere to the paper.
Additional Examples showing the combination of ammonium perchlorate and barium nitrate (or strontium nitrate) as oxidizers are given the following table:
TABLE I Ingredient Ex.
Parts by Weight Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Ex. 9 Ex. 10 Ex. 11
Ammonium per- 25 25 25 25 chlorate Barium nitrate Strontium nitrate MnO,
lron powder Aluminum powder perchlorate TABLE 11 Parts By Weight Exv 15 Ammonium MnO, lron Powder Aluminum powder 1.5 1O l l0 Dechlorane is a trade-mark of Hooker Chemical Co. for the dimer of hexachlorocyclopentadiene.
Example 26 parts by wt.
Ammonium perchlorate (100-200 mesh) 30. gms Manganese dioxide (300 mesh) 1.5 lron powder (60-200 mesh) 10. Aluminum powder (325 mesh) 2.5 Charcoal Powder 0.5 Fine Polystyrene heads micron avg. size) 5.0 Powdered stearic acid (100-200 mesh) 0.5
Example 27 parts by wt. Ammonium perchlorate (100-200 mesh) 30 Manganese dioxide (300 mesh) 1.5 lron powder (60-200 mesh) Aluminum powder 2.5 Charcoal powder 05 Fine polystyrene beads (5 micron avg. size) 5.0
- Example 28 parts by wt. Ammonium perchlorate (l00200 mesh) 30 Manganese dioxide (300 mesh) 1.5 lron powder (60-200 mesh) 10. Aluminum powder (325 mesh) 2.5 Charcoal powder 0.5 Powdered stearic acid (100-200 mesh) 5.0
What is claimed is:
l. A particulate sparkler composition comprising parts by weight of an oxidizer at least one half of which is ammonium perchlorate; 3-14 parts by weight of iron or steel powder; from about 8 to about 15.6 parts by weight of a fuel said fuel comprising a mixture of from about 20 to about 33 percent aluminum and/or magnesium powder and accelerators plus from about 67 percent to about 80 percent of a particulate combustible binder, said binder being capable of being activated by heat, solvent or a combination thereof to cause the bonding of the particles; 0 5 parts by weight of a combustion rate modifier and 0 5 parts by weight of a flame colorant said composition when bonded together into a relatively long thin rigid stick by heat, solvent or a combination thereof having a burning rate suitable for use as a sparkler and being capable of being ignited at one end and of burning progressively to the other end giving off a shower of sparks.
2. A sparkler composition according to claim 1 wherein said oxidizer further includes barium nitrate or strontium nitrate in combination with said ammonium perchlorate.
3. A sparkler composition according to claim 2 wherein said oxidizer has a ratio of nitrate to perchlorate of 1:10 to 10:10.
4. A sparkler composition according to claim 2 wherein said oxidizer further includes MnO wherein said fuel includes fine polystyrene beads as a binder.
9. A sparkler composition according to claim 8 wherein powdered stearic acid is also present as a part of said binder.
10. A sparkler composition according to claim 5 wherein said fuel includes powdered stearic acid as a binder.
11. A particulate sparkler composition in accordance with claim 1, comprising ammonium perchlorate 3 0 parts/wt manganese dioxide 1.5 parts/wt iron powder 10 parts/wt -Contlnued aluminum powder 2.5 parts/wt charcoal powder 0.5 parts/wt fine polystyrene beads 5.0 parts/wt powdered stearic acid 0.5 parts/wt.
12. A particulate sparkler composition in accordance

Claims (13)

1. A PARTICULATE SPARKLER COMPOSITION COMPRISING 25-30 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF AN OXIDIZER AT LEAST ONE HALF OF WHICH IS AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE; 3-14 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF IRON OR STEEL POWDER; FROM ABOUT 8 TO ABOUT 15.6 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF A FUEL SAID FUEL COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF FROM ABOUT 20 TO ABOUT 33 PERCENT ALUMINUM AND/OR MAGENSIUM POWDER AND ACCELERATORS PLUS FROM ABOUT 67 PERCENT TO ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF A PARTICULATE COMBUSTIBLE BINDER, SAID BINDER BEING CAPABLE OF BEING ACTIVATED BY HEAT, SOLVENT OR A COMBINATION THEREOF TO CAUSE THE BONDING OF THE PARTICLES; 0-5 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF A COMBUSTION RATE MODIFIER AND 0-5 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF A FLAME COLORANT SAID COMPOSITION WHEN BONDED TOGETHER INTO A RELATIVELY LONG THIN RIGID STICK BY HEAT, SOLVENT OR A COMBINATION THEREOF HAVING A BURNING RATE SUITABLE FOR USE AS A SPARKLER AND BEING CAPABLE OF BEING IGNITED AT ONE END AND OF BURNING PROGRESSIVELY TO THE OTHER END GIVING OFF A SHOWER OF SPARKS.
2. A sparkler composition according to claim 1 wherein said oxidizer further includes barium nitrate or strontium nitrate in combination with said ammonium perchlorate.
3. A sparkler composition according to claim 2 wherein said oxidizer has a ratio of nitrate to perchlorate of 1:10 to 10:10.
4. A sparkler composition according to claim 2 wherein said oxidizer further includes MnO2.
5. A sparkler composition according to claim 1 wherein said fuel includes approximately 3 parts by weight of aluminum powder.
6. A sparkler composition according to claim 2 wherein said fuel includes approximately 3 parts by weight of aluminum powder.
7. A sparkler composition according to claim 5 wherein said binder comprises polyvinyl alcohol powder.
8. A sparkler composition according to claim 5 wherein said fuel includes fine polystyrene beads as a binder.
9. A sparkler composition according to claim 8 wherein powdered stearic acid is also present as a part of said binder.
10. A sparkler composition according to claim 5 wherein said fuel includes powdered stearic acid as a binder.
11. A particulate sparkler composition in accordance with claim 1, comprising
12. A particulate sparkler composition in accordance with claim 11, further comprising 2 - 5 parts by weight of said flame colorant.
13. a sparkler comprising the particulate pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1 bonded together into a rigid stick.
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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4549486A (en) * 1984-05-25 1985-10-29 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Smoke canister
US4704966A (en) * 1986-05-16 1987-11-10 Aai Corporation Method of forming IR smoke screen
US4704967A (en) * 1986-05-16 1987-11-10 Aai Corporation Method of assembly of compacted particulates and explosive charge
US4771695A (en) * 1987-05-04 1988-09-20 Simpson Richard C Launching stand for fireworks
US4979999A (en) * 1989-09-29 1990-12-25 Minister Of National Defence Of Her Majesty's Canadian Government Tracer composition and method of producing same
US6718882B1 (en) * 2002-10-31 2004-04-13 Hunter Pacific Limited Two-way-burning sparkler and method of manufacture
US8182622B1 (en) * 2011-03-14 2012-05-22 Standard Fusee Corporation No-perchlorate flare composition
WO2023194632A1 (en) * 2022-04-08 2023-10-12 Comercial De Festes I Revetlles, S.L. Firework fountain for birthdays

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US3088857A (en) * 1958-11-26 1963-05-07 Nicholas M Matusewicz Tracer mechanism
US3147161A (en) * 1961-06-19 1964-09-01 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Propellant composition cured with aziridinyl compounds
US3257801A (en) * 1962-07-09 1966-06-28 North American Aviation Inc Pyrotechnic composition comprising solid oxidizer, boron and aluminum additive and binder
US3262824A (en) * 1964-07-27 1966-07-26 James B Mcgriffin Smokeless ashless signal flare composition containing ammonium perchlorate
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US2006271A (en) * 1931-10-13 1935-06-25 Ray C Hitt Pyrotechnic display
US1974015A (en) * 1932-03-22 1934-09-18 Joseph B Decker Pyrotechnic device
US2622277A (en) * 1947-09-29 1952-12-23 Bonell Frans Tore Baltzar Method for producing rocket powder
US3088857A (en) * 1958-11-26 1963-05-07 Nicholas M Matusewicz Tracer mechanism
US3147161A (en) * 1961-06-19 1964-09-01 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Propellant composition cured with aziridinyl compounds
US3257801A (en) * 1962-07-09 1966-06-28 North American Aviation Inc Pyrotechnic composition comprising solid oxidizer, boron and aluminum additive and binder
US3262824A (en) * 1964-07-27 1966-07-26 James B Mcgriffin Smokeless ashless signal flare composition containing ammonium perchlorate
US3682727A (en) * 1968-08-05 1972-08-08 Dynamit Nobel Ag Igniter charge for propellant compositions and rocket propellant charges
US3674589A (en) * 1969-02-28 1972-07-04 Ncr Co Method of fabrication and reinforcing high solids-containing materials
US3650712A (en) * 1969-03-21 1972-03-21 Cpc International Inc Combination of polyvinyl alcohol and gelling agent as a binder in match formulations

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4549486A (en) * 1984-05-25 1985-10-29 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Smoke canister
US4704966A (en) * 1986-05-16 1987-11-10 Aai Corporation Method of forming IR smoke screen
US4704967A (en) * 1986-05-16 1987-11-10 Aai Corporation Method of assembly of compacted particulates and explosive charge
US4771695A (en) * 1987-05-04 1988-09-20 Simpson Richard C Launching stand for fireworks
US4979999A (en) * 1989-09-29 1990-12-25 Minister Of National Defence Of Her Majesty's Canadian Government Tracer composition and method of producing same
US6718882B1 (en) * 2002-10-31 2004-04-13 Hunter Pacific Limited Two-way-burning sparkler and method of manufacture
US8182622B1 (en) * 2011-03-14 2012-05-22 Standard Fusee Corporation No-perchlorate flare composition
WO2023194632A1 (en) * 2022-04-08 2023-10-12 Comercial De Festes I Revetlles, S.L. Firework fountain for birthdays

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