Year: 1886

page_text: 1, ROBERT DICK, of Greenhead, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of my Invention to be as follows:-
-
My said invention comprises the discovery and manufacture of new or improved
compounds of guttapercha, or of mixtures of different kinds of guttapercha with
india rubber and other ingredients, and also the improved mode and means of manu-
facturing, or mixing, treating, or preparing the same. My improvements will render
the said compounds suitable for a variety of new purposes not heretofore considered
possible, and much better for other old purposes than gutta percha compounds have
been as heretofore made.
These new or improved compounds, made according to my invention, have various
improved properties, the essentials of which are, a greater degree of tough wearing
hardness than the best and purest hard gutta-percha, (akin to the best bend leather),
combined with a greater tough gripping elasticity than ordinary good vulcanized
india-rubber, thus making these compounds more suitable for many purposes, where
great wear and stress is required, than the substances heretofore used therefor. While
these improved compounds still retain the important qualities peculiar to gutta percha
of being quite homogeneous and plastic at a moderate heat, under that of boiling
water, thus enabling it to be moulded and shaped into the various articles and for the
various purposes required, and quite tough and hard at the ordinary atmospheric
temperatures, and (unlike vulcanized india-rubber) as useful and valuable afterwards
for re-heating or melting and mixing and moulding or shaping again for use, as
at first.
The compositions of these new or improved homogeneous compounds can be very
considerably varied to give the particularproperties essential for thepurposes intended;
that is, in accordance with the hardness and toughness required, varying from this to
the greatest elasticwearing and gripping qualities admittable forthe purposes required.
And I hereinafter state the proportional ingredients of two compounds, Nos. 1 and 2
respectively.giving these two extremes of indurate hardness and toughness, and elastic
Dio

page_text: rubbery wearing and gripping qualities, which I find suitable for the practical
purposes hereinafter named, and for which these improved compounds are devised
and intended. Both of these extreme compounds have a much greater toughness than
the best and purest gutta perchas, and a more rubbery or elastic quality, although
nothing like so much so as pure vulcanized india-rubber.
My first compound, No. 1, hereinafter described, is the hardest and toughest, and
devised for purposes where these indurate qualities are most required, (and where
leather and vulcanized india-rubber and other substances have not been found to
answer), that is for such purposes as making the outer ring or bearing tire surfaces
which run on the roadways, of traction engine wheels, and the wheels of lorries, carts,
carriages,barrows, bogies, tricycles, or cycles, and othervehicles ;and also forcovering
belt and band driving pulleys, and the outer bearing circumferential rims of wheels or
rolling pulleys for driving as silent friction gearing. Also the making of the hard
plantar surface of horse shoes, or the front and under harder parts thereof.
Then my second compound No. 2, which is also hereinafter described, is of a softer
or more elastic rubbery nature, and more particularly suitable for the wearing sole
and heel parts of boots and shoes for human wear, including lawn-tennis shoes, horse-
shoes and pads for same, the covering of wringing-machine and other rollers, railway-
carriage and other buffers, elastic playing balls, or for covering the rims or tires of
the lighter class of wheels, such as railway bogies, cycles, or perambulators.
The ingredients, and proportional parts thereof, of my new or improved two extreme
homogeneous compounds, would consist all as follows:-The proportions taken in
100 parts or lbs.
COMPOUND NO. 1.
Pure cleaned hard gutta percha
Pure cleaned tough gutta percha. or "Balata"
Pure cleaned "Low White" (a new class of Gutt
"Crumb" or ground good old vulcanized india rub
Hard wood veneer dust
"
It is to be observed that, in these two compounds, the greater proportion of pure
hard gutta percha in the first, with the smaller proportions of the tough or elastic
gutta percha or Balata" and "Low White," gives the hard and tougher wearing.
properties; while the elastic and gripping properties in the second compound, are
obtained by the greater proportion of tough gutta percha and elastic "Balata " and
5

page_text: the "Low White," so that any intermediate compound with these properties may be
obtained by using a mean proportion of the ingredients in the mixture.
These ingredients are all mixed in a usual way in a suitably sized gutta-percha or
rubber masticator, preferably in the order given in the lists, after being separately
cleaned and weighed out, and in batches of about 300 lbs., and mixed and worked to
make the whole perfectly homogeneous, and treated under greater heat than usual, up
to about a temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit, for from 2 to 3 hours according to
the toughness and the amount of vulcanizing thus performed in the masticator after
the sulphur is added, but never allowing it to vulcanize to hardness to take away the
plastic elastic qualities of the gutta percha, but only continuing the vulcanization to
give the indurate hardness and toughness required. For thus treating these new or
improved tough rubbery compounds of gutta percha in the masticators, these have new
or improved short screw-like blades, angled in reverse directions, especially on the
revolving cylinder, for cutting and pressing the material laterally, as well as rolling it
circumferentially; and for heating it to the high temperature, the rolling cylinders
are made hollow, and a Bunsen gas burner inserted through one end of the hollow
axle, while the refuse gases pass off at the other, thus highly heating the roller and
mixture being carried with it round the internal hollow cylindrical masticator with its
inward projecting blades; and all so as to carry off all steam and vapour out of the
mixture while so preparing and vulcanizing it. The outer cylindrical masticator is
jacketed; and may either be heated by steam in the usual manner, or be heated by a
Bunsen gas burner when desired; but this would require greater attention and
watching on the part of the attendant to prevent the material getting overheated and
vulcanized and coming to its maximum toughness before being fully masticated
and freed of its vapours.
Thi
1000
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: 1346
thereof.
I, ROBERT DICK, of Greenhead, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention comprises the discovery and manufacture of new or improved
compounds of gutta-percha, or of mixtures of different kinds of gutta-percha with
india-rubber and other ingredients, and also the improved mode and means of manu-
facturing, or mixing, treating, or preparing the same. My improvements will render
the said compounds suitable for a variety of new purposes not heretofore considered
possible, and much better for other old purposes than gutta-percha compounds have
been as heretofore made.
These new or improved compounds made according to my invention, have various
improved properties, the essentials of which are, a greater degree of tough wearing
hardness than the best and purest hard gutta-percha, combined with a greater tough
gripping elasticity than ordinary good vulcanized india-rubber, thus making these
compounds more suitable for many purposes, where great wear and stress are required,
than the substances heretofore used therefor. While these improved compounds still
retain the important qualities peculiar to gutta-percha, of being quite homogeneous
and plastic at a moderate heat, under that of boiling water, thus enabling it to be
moulded and shaped into the various articles and for the various purposes required,
and quite tough and hard at the ordinary atmospheric temperatures, and (unlike
vulcanized india-rubber) is as useful and valuable afterwards for re-heating or melting
and mixing and moulding or shaping again for use, as at first.
The compositions of these new or improved homogeneous compounds can be very
considerably varied to give the particular properties essential for the purposes
intended; that is, in accordance with the hardness and toughness required, varying
from this to the greatest clastic wearing and gripping qualities admittable for the
purposes required. And 1 hereinafter state the proportional ingredients of two
compounds, Nos. 1 and 2 respectively, giving these two extremes of indurate hardness
and toughness and elastic rubbery wearing and gripping qualities, which I find
suitable for the practical purposes herein after named, and for which these improved
compounds are devised and intended. Both of these extreme compounds have a much
greater toughness than the best and purest gutta-percha, and a more rubbery or
elastic quality, although nothing like so much so as pure vulcanized india rubber.
My first compound No. 1 hereinafter described, is the hardest and toughest
and devised for purposes where indurate qualities are most required, (and
where leather and vulcanized india-rubber and other substances have not been found
to answer), that is, for such purposes as making the outer ring or bearing tire
surfaces (which run on the roadways) of traction engine wheels, and the wheels of

page_text: lorries, carts, carriages, barrows, bogies, tricycles, or cycles, and other vehicles; and
also for the covering of canvas driving belts and bands, and for covering belt and
band driving pulleys, and the outer bearing circumferential rims of wheels or rolling
pulleys for driving as silent friction gearing. Also the making of the hard planter
surface of horse shoes, or the front and under harder parts thereof.
Then my second compound No. 2, which is also hereinafter described, is of a softer
or more elastic rubbery nature, and more particularly suitable for the wearing sole
and heel parts of boots and shoes for human wear, including lawn tennis shoes, horse
shoes and pads for same, the coating or covering of the lighter class of driving belts
and bands, the covering of wringing-machine and other rollers, railway-carriage and
other buffers, elastic playing balls, or for covering the rims or tires of the lighter
class of wheels, such as railway bogies, cycles, or perambulators, and for door mats
and floor-cloths.
The ingredients, and proportional parts, of my new or improved two extreme
homogeneous compounds, consist all as follows:-The proportions taken in 100 parts
or lbs.
COMPOUND NO.
Pure cleaned hard gutta-percha
Pure cleaned tough selected gutta-percha or "Balata," (preferably
rather more than less)
-
-
Pure cleaned "Low White," which is a new class of gutta-percha
(preferably rather less than more)
"Crumb" or ground good old vulcanized india-rubber
Hard wood veneer dust
Sulphur
Zinc Oxide (or zinc dust)
Flocking, or the cut fibre of cotton textile fabrics
Pure cleaned tough gutta-percha
Pure cleaned "Balata" or selected gutta percha
Pure cleaned "Low White" (a new class of gutta percha)
"Crumb " or ground good old vulcanized india rubber
Hard ground veneer dust
French chalk, powdered
It is to be observed that, in these two compounds, the greater proportion of pure
hard gutta-percha in the first, with the smaller proportions of the tough or elastic
gutta-percha or Balata" and "Low White" gives the hard indurate and tougher
wearing properties, and that these should be increased where indurate and tough
quality is required; while the elastic and gripping properties in the second compound,
are obtained by the smaller proportion of hard tough gutta-percha, and the greater
proportion of "Low White." and maintaining the same proportion of elastic
"Crumb " rubber and "Balata ;" so that in this way any intermediate compound
requiring these properties may be obtained by using a mean proportion of these
ingredients in the mixture which give the hard or the soft elastic qualities as stated.

page_text: These ingredients are all mixed in the usual way in a suitably sized gutta-percha
or rubber masticator of the construction shown in the Drawings hereunto appended,
preferably in the order given in the lists, after being separately cleaned and weighed
out, and in batches of about 300 lbs., and mixed and worked in the machine to make
the whole perfectly homogeneous, and heated under greater heat than usual, up to
about a temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit, for from 2 to 3 hours according to
the tough hardness and the amount of vulcanizing thus performed in the masticator
after the sulphur is added, but never allowing it to vulcanize to hardness to take away
the plastic elastic qualities of the gutta percha, but only continuing the vulcanization.
to give the indurate hardness and toughness required.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, shown half in section, and Figure 2 is a transverse
section corresponding to Figure 1; both of one construction of the machine as fitted
with my improvements for mixing or masticating and vulcanizing my new or improved
indurate tough gutta-pcrcha compounds with the other ingredients hereinbefore
described. The machine consists of two main end frames A, A, screwed to a suitable
strong foundation below, and to each other above by longitudinal beams A', A¹, at
front and back. The end frames A are formed and fitted with the strong bush
bearing blocks and covers A³ for the hollow gudgeon journals B¹ of the strong hollow
mixing barrel B to rotate in, driven through a hollow coupling B2 at one end, by a
corresponding coupling on the near end of the motive power preferably wheel gear
shafting. A large strong outer hollow case C C¹ C is fitted concentrically round the
internalworking and mixing barrel B; the lower half C in one piece secured by flangesC³
to the top of the front and back beams A¹, and having the upper portion made in two
parts C and C. the former secured to the back beam A' and flange C³, while the front
upper part C is hinged to the former above at c to open up in front for the putting in
and removalof thebatches of materials or mixturesunder treatment; andis secured down
by the portable bar c' to strong snugs c³ on a strong flange piece c³ secured to the front
flange C of the lower case C. Strong bored and turned ring eyes D, D', are fitted and
secured into the solid ends of the outer case to fit the turned end of the working
barrel B, to keep all tight, close, and concentric. Large open holes d are provided in
the front and top part to allow of the escape of all steam or vapour rising off the
mixture, and also admit of its examination during the treatment. A drain trap D is
fitted at the lower end of the outer mixing case C to draw off all the water crushed
out of the wet washed mixture when first put in, and longitudinal ribs d¹, are formed
on the inside of the case C, C', to hold or retard, crush, and mix the material (being
rolled and kneaded) at right angles to the action of the cutting, crushing, and mixing
blades b, b, on the rotating working barrel B, and all being as so far described
substantially the same as heretofore constructed. But for my improved treatment
and mixing of these new vulcanized rubbery compounds of gutta-percha and other
ingredients in the masticator shown in Figures 1 and 2, I form the blades b, b', of a
new or improved short segmental screw-like construction, rounded and narrow at the
entering ends, but deeper at the rear, each set formed of steel and angled in reverse
directions on a strong longitudinal bar b³,screwed at equal distances round the circum-
ference of the revolving cylinder or barrel B in a stepped manner for cutting and
pressing the material laterally between the alternate sets of blades b, b¹, in opposite
directions, as well as rolling it circumferentially round between this barrel B and the
case C, C, C, and compressing out all moisture in a few minutes. Then for heating
the compounds while being so mixed, to the high temperature stated, the hollow
rolling cylinder B has a long Bunsen-like gas burner e inserted through one end of
the hollow axle B¹, supported in a bracket a and fitted with a gas pipe e and air
pipe f, both provided with regulating service taps e and f', and both led into the
lower end of the branch e¹ leading direct to the burner tube e, pierced with small
flame jet holes e² along the top. The refuse gases pass off through holes a¹ formed in
the outer ends of the cylinder, and thus highly heat the metal of the rolling cylinder B,

page_text: and its inwardly projecting blades b, b¹, and mixture carried with them round the
internal hollow cylindrical masticator C, C', C. All so as to carry off all steam and
vapour out of the mixture while so preparing and vulcanizing it at the temperatures
and for the times required to bring the compound up to the hardness desired, as
hereinbefore described. The lower outer part C of the cylindrical masticator is close
jacketed by a sheet-metal case g, and may either be heated by high-pressure steam led
in by the pipe g¹, as shown, which would give the temperature required, or be heated
by a Bunsen gas tube burner when desired, as shown within the cylinder B; but this
latter is not preferred, as it would require greater attention and watching on the part
of the attendant to prevent the material getting overheated and vulcanized and coming
to its maximum toughness before being fully and homogeneously masticated and freed
of its vapours.
Having thus described the nature of my said invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I have to state that I do not confine myself to the precise
details or proportions of the two mixtures or compounds herein stated, except that
I claim the proportions of the mixtures given in these as the best for the extreme
hardness it is advisable to make gutta percha compounds, or the extreme soft and
elastic qualities for the several purposes requiring these qualities respectively, all as
hereinbefore described, and that I may take any mean proportion between these
extremes where mean hardness or toughness is required. What I specifically
claim is,
First. The manufacture of gutta-percha compounds in the proportions and in the
manner and by the means and mechanism substantially as herein described.
Second. The manufacture of the two extreme compounds of gutta-percha, being the
hard, tough, and the softer and more elastic qualities, respectively, or an intermediato
compound, having an approximate mean proportion of toughness, by equalizing the
proportion of the pure hard gutta-percha, and the Low White, in either compound,
substantially as and for the various purposes herein described.
Third. The mixing, treating, and vulcanizing of gutta-percha compounds at high
temperatures, in the manner and by the means or mechanism, all substantially as
herein described.
AAN