Patent GB-577290-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to containers for liquids or the like
IPC: B64D37/06
Filed: 1943-12-02
Abstract: 577,290. Containers. BRITISH UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CO., Ltd. (United Shoe Machinery Corporation). Dec. 2, 1943, No. 20191. [Class 66] [Also in Groups VIII and XXIX] A self-sealing or other container for petrol has a wall formed with an impervious internal layer of synthetic polymeric material, and a stiffening layer comprising fibres stiffened by a macromolecular binder of a cellulose derivative or a vinyl resin, the stiffening layer being, e.g., of cotton or unwoven fibres, and the binding substance being in a discontinuous porous or fibrous state ; the material being softened by a solvent or heat, shaped, and then hardened by evaporation or cooling. The fuel-resistant and stiffening layers may be bonded together or not. The fibrous base may be charged with cellulose nitrate or acetate in a porous condition as in Specification 117,068, [Class 140], or with ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetatepropionate or cellulose acetate butyrate, or the stiffening layer may be formed of a felt or insoluble fibres of cotton &c. mixed with fibres of a binding substance such as a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate or cellulose acetate or ethyl-cellulose. In one form a cubical frame is formed of light wood members and a sheet 3 of di-isocyanatemodified polyester amide composition, inert to the fuel, is wrapped around it, the edges being joined by applying a mixture of ethanol and ethylene dichloride ; said mixture is then applied to the outer surface and dusted with wood flour, and a layer 4 of plasticised neoprene applied by means of neoprene cement which also seals the joints. A swellable layer 5 of unvulcanised rubber is then applied, after which cotton flannel, having precipitated thereon a plastic composition containing about 45 per cent. cellulose nitrate together with plasticiser and fire-retarder &c., is softened by dipping into a mixture of acetone and ethyl acetate and applied to form the stiffening layer 8 on drying ; the inner frame is then removed. In another form, a papier-machÚ shell of oval cross-section is covered with sheets of neoprene, and a similarly prepared cotton flannel applied after dipping into a mixture of ethyl ketone and ethyl alcohol; layers of neoprene and unvulcanised rubber are then applied, followed by a final layer of jute fabric loaded with a cellulose nitrate composition ; the shell is then fractured and removed. In a further form, nitro-cellulose charged fabric is draped over removable wooden forms to form two halves of an elliptical shell, which are then cemented together and a solution of neoprene and toluol introduced to build up a resistant inner layer. Alternatively, in the above forms a stiffening layer may be used in the form of a felt which may comprise 55 per cent. cotton fibres and 45 per cent. fibres of a co-polymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate. The container may also be built up by dipping or spraying a collapsable mould to form one or more layers to which a stiffening layer is then applied, or a rubber preform may be expanded within a mould and a coating of fuel resistant material applied within the preform, the mould being removed after the coating has set, and outer layers applied to the preform. An outer metal shell, or a rigid internal framework of inert material, may also be provided. Specification 381,245, [Group VII], also is referred to.