The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-10-21

tion of How Bulbs For Syringes an,
AtOmizers Are Made.
Rubber is one Of the most staple am
useful articles in modern use. There ar
but few uses to which the wonderful
product cannot be put. 1t can be mad
as pliable as putty or as hard as wood
and is just as adapted for use as hair
pin as for a golf ball or waterproof
jacket. Few people. however, are as ia
miliar with the process of manufacture
as with the product itself.
The larger part Of our rubber good
comes from Brazil, which is the great
est rubber producing country in tn
world. Here, Of course, rubber worker
handle their elastic material with al
ease and celebrity which is revelation
to the man who has wasted the create,
part Of forenoon trying to mend holt
in his punotured tire. Although thu
larger part Of rubber manufacturing il
done by machinery there is still consid
cradle done by hand. In making III
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-ox.
ide of zinc for white, lampblack fol-
black, golden sulphuret Of anthony for
yellow and vermilion for red. The rub
Der mixed with the pigment is run
through 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 fiat tube of the required
thickness. This tube is then vulcanized,
when 1t Is shipped off the form and run
through a 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
nodded into shape and vulcanized I'M
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 atomizers, 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 or galvanized iron patterns are
used. Considerable care is necessary
in this, as the strength Of the seam de-
ponds upon the smooth fitting of the
edges. The three parts for hollow balls
may, however, be cut with die. If the
bulb has a neck, small pegs Of iron are
first prepared by being cemented and
wound with strips of rubber as nu-
oleus
After the rubber is cut into the proper
parts it is then brushed with cement the
whole length of the skived edges anC
thoroughly heated. The bulbmaker ther
takes the softened rubber, and TAX
ing a prepared peg places the necl
ON one piece ON one side of the rubbel
core and another neck piece ON the OPP
posite side, then presses them firmly to
gether, and, rolling the whole tub,
shaped piece between thumb and fore
finger, has finished the neck Of the bulb
The next process is that of knitting tn,
edges which form the seam. This il
done by holding the finished neck to
ward the operator in his left hand
while with the thumb and forefinger o.
the right he pinohes the edges firmly
together for nearly the whole distance
around. Into the side aperture, which
is left open, is poured little water o.
liquid ammonia. The opening is theI
made still smaller, and as a final touch
the maker puts his lips to the orifce ant
blows full and hard into the bulb. The
softened rubber under this pressure ex
pands, the fiattened shape is lost in {
fuller and more rounded outline, while
the operator, with quick nip of hi
teeth, closes the opening, the imprisoned
air and water holding the sides apart il
symmetrical corpulency.
The partly made bulb is now passed
on 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, as soon as they leave the
trimmers' hands, are laid in shallow
pans filled with chalk. When taker
from here. they are carefully busted
with tale. SO that the rubber will moi
adhere to the inside Of the mold. A
%al - l..
mold in his left hand and with his right
gently forces 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 vulcaniZer. After they have
been cured a sufficient time the vulcan
izers are opened and the cans are run
under an ordinary shower bath, which
quickly cools them. They are then un
keyed, the molds twisted open and thu
bulbs taken out. If the work be wei
done, the swelling Of the liquid within
its rubber prison has exerted so intens,
force that every line and letter within
the mold is reproduced upon the outsid,
of the bulb. while the sulphur. combin
ing with the heat, accomplishes tn,
vulcanization.
The final process takes place in tn,
cylinder room, where in slowly revolv
ing tumbling barrels the bulb undergoe
thorough securing. When taken on
of the cylinders, the dirty yellow colo
which the bulbs bore ON leaving thu
mold has disappeared, and they are nov
smooth, white and finished. The necl
being cut Off the required length, tn,
bulb is ready for market or for the vari
GUS fittings which accompany it as ad
juncts to the syringe or atomizer. -
Rochester Union and Advertiser.
A Few Facts.
In 1878 farm products were lowe