The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-11-25
REDUCING RUBBER.
HOW ARTICLES OF USE ARE MADE
FROM THIS VALUABLE PRODUCT.

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useful articles in rlcdern use. There are
but few usos TO which the wonderful
product cannot be put. 1t can be made
as pliabie as putty or as hard as wood,
and is Just as adapted for use as hair
pin as for a golf bali or waterproof
jacket. Few people. however, are as fa-
miliar with the process of manufacture
as with the product itself.
The larger part Of our rubber goods
comes from Brazil. which is the great
est rubber producing country in the
world. Here, Of course, rubber workers
handle their elastic material with an
ease and celerity which is a revelation
10 the man who has wasted the greater
part of forenoon trying to mend hole
IN his punotured tire. Although the
larger part Of rubber manufacturing Is
done by machinery there is still consid-
cradle done by hand. In making up
goods for druggists, stationers and sur
gical supplies the best grades of Para
rubber. the best in the world, are gen.
orally used.
The ordinary commercial rubber is
gray, but its coloring is an easy matter.
This is done by mechanically mixing
with the rubber, after it is washed and
dried, different kinds of pigments-oz-
ide of zinc for white, lampblack for
black, golden sulphuret of antimoIy for
yellow and vermiliCn for red. The rub
Der mixed with the pigment is run
thrcugh heavy steam heated rollers into
thin sheets.
The making Of rubber bands is sim
pie process. Thin sheets of pure gum
are wrapped around a form until it is
shaped into fat tube Of the required
thickness. This tube is then vulcanized,
when it is shipped Off the form and run
through machine, which cuts it cross
wise into strips.
Rubber erasers contain finely pow
dered 'pumice stone or emery dust. The
abrasive materials are mixed with the
rubber mechanically, which is then
mOldod into shape ard vulcanized un-
der steam heat.
One of the most interesting processes
in the manufacture of rubber goods is
that Of bulbs. Long bulbs, such as syr-
inges and atOmizeTs, are made from two
pieces of rubber, but round bulbs, such
as pumps and balls, are made from
three pieces. For cutting the rubber
zinc CT galvanized iron patterns are
used. Considerable care is necessary
in this, as the strength of the seam de-
perds uPCn the smooth fitting Of the
edges. TIE three parts for hollow balls
may, however, be cut with a die. II the
bulb has neck, small pegs Of iron are
first prepared by being Cemented and
wound with strips Of rubber rs a nu-
cleus.
After the rubber is cut into the proper
parts il is then brushed with cement the
whole length Of the skiyed edges and
thoroughly heated. The bulbmaker then
takes the softened rubber, and tax
ing prepared peg places the neck
OF one piece On one side Of the Iubber
core and another neck piece On the op-
posite side, then presses them firmly to-
gether, and, rolling the whole tube
shaped piece between thumb and fore
finger, has finished the neck Of the bulb.
The next process is that Of knitting the
edges which form the seam. This is
done by holding the finished neck to-
ward the operator in his left hand,
while with the thumb and for finger of
the right he pincEos the eCgos firmly
together for nearly the whole distance
around. Into the side aperture, which
Is left open, is poured q little water or
liquid ammonia. The opening is then
made still smaller, and as final touch
the maker puts his lips TO the orlfce and
llows fall and hard into the bulb. The
softenod rubber under this pressure ex-
pands, the fattered shape is lest in a
fuller and more rounded outline, while
the operator, with quick nip Of his
teeth, closes the opening, the imprisoned
air and water holding the sides apart in
symmetrical coTpulency.
The partly made bulb IS now passed
or TO the turner's, who, armed with scis-
sors with curved blades, carefully circle
the seams, cutting away all unevenness,
Till the whole exterior is ready for the
mold.
The bulbs, rs soon as they leave the
tTimmcrs' hands, are laid in shallow
pans filed with chalk When taken
from here, they are carefully busted
with tale, so that the rubter VIII not
adhere TO the inside Of the mold. A
mold worker then takes one-half CT the
mold IL lis left hand and with his right
gently forces a bulb into it, Gaping il
with the second half. Each bulb, if the
pattern worker is skillful, will fit its
mold; otherwise the finished bulb is apt
TO be imperfect.
The molds are run upon small tracks
into the yulcaEizer. After they have
been cured sufficient time the vulcan
izCrs are opened and the cars are run
uTocr an ordinary shower bath, which
quickly Coois them. They are then un-
keyed, the mclds twisted open and the
bulbs taken cut. If the work be well
dcne the swelling of the liquid within
its rubber prison has exerted so intense
a fierce that every line and letter within
the mold IS reproduced upon the outside
Of the bulb. while the sulphur. ccmbin-
ing with tie heat, accomplishes the
inflammation.
The final process takes place in the
cylinder rcom, where in slowly revolv-
ing tumhliDg barrels the tulb undergoes
a thorough securing. When taken ont
Of The cylinders, the dirty yellow color
which the bulbs bore On leaving the
mold has disappeared, and they are now
smooth, white and finished. The neck
being cut Of the required length, the
LClb is ready for market or for the vari-
Gus fittings which accompany it as ad-
!Crcts TO TIE syringe or atomizer.-
ICchester Union and Advertiser.
A Crocodile Cne Eundred Feet Long.
It Is 4 well known fact, even among
these who make no pretense Of having
their heads stored with geological and
polemtoicgioal lore, that the beasts and
reptiles which existed in the early ages
of the world were giants when coyu