FABRICA
Year: 1895

page_text: A communication from LA SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME BELGE POUR LA FABRICATION
DES EMAUX ARTISTIQUES, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of the present invention is the manufacture of all kinds of glass-
articles with surfaces completely or partially enamelled, and in any shade or colour,
or combination of shades or colours, by means of a process, consisting in fusing
together or "massing" pulverized glass by the action of heat, and treating the
mass of pulverized glass according to a special system, and under special conditions,
which bring about the enamelling of the surface, the whole of the operation being
performed in a furnace suitable.
The process of manufacturing "massed "glass with enamelled surfaces is well
adapted for the production of materials for construction, decoration and for marble
of the most varied description for inlaying buildings both inside and outside, for
mouldings columns, reliefs, small statues etc., the enamel being absolutely weather
proof.
As the pressed glass is obtained by agglomeration of a pulverized mixture, it is
evident that the article to be manufactured requires the use of a muffle, which
affects and preserves the shape of the article in its outlines or limits before the
mixture is taken out as a mass and in order that it should come out of the mould
easily, it is necessary that the mould itself should be made of material to which
the glass does not adhere or at least that the walls of the mould should be covered
with this material. A material which has these qualities in a high degree is
sulphate of lime, commonly known as plaster.
It is evident, that in the manufacturing of articles with flat surfaces, like plates,
paving bricks, or the like, the construction of moulds will be very simple, that is
to say they may consist simply of flat boxes of cast-iron or some other material,
covered inside with plaster; whereas the construction will be of course much more
complicated when reliefs are to be manufactured, because it will be necessary in
the construction of the mould to take into consideration the influence of the
thickness of the plaster-layer, which will cover it, on the dimensions of the finished
article.
The non-adhesion of plaster to glass results not only in the article coming freely
out of the mould, but also in a much more important feature, namely, that it allows
the formation of enamel or allows vitrification to be effected with all the brilliancy
and splendour which is obtained, when it is produced by a separate process, so that
it is possible to combine two processes in one working, when making only flat
surfaces.
In order to explain more exactly the nature of the new product and the practical
application of the process the latter will be described in its consecutive operations.
For manufacturing a plate of any size a mould is used made of cast iron or
other suitable material, of a shape corresponding to the thickness of the plate.
At the bottom of this mould is placed a layer of plaster, on which is uniformly

page_text: spread a mixture consisting of one half crushed glass and one half of stone-ware,
china-ware, bits of bricks or tiles or other crushed refractory material, and this
mixture is in its turn covered by a thin layer of glass reduced to powder, which is
intended to form the enamel on the surface.
The mould filled in this manner is introduced into the "glass furnace," where it
remains exposed for a time to a heat adapted to expel from it all the foreign
substances which might occur in the mixture, which then becomes a homogeneous
mass, and in this process the glass and other substances mass themselves together
to form a solid body of complicated texture, much less fragile than a plate of
cast glass.
At this point, the mould is taken out of the glass furnace and passes then for a
moment into a reverberatory furnace in order to expose the surface or the layer of
enamel to the action of the flame which licks the surface and thoroughly smooths
it, at the same time giving it an irreproachable polish and brilliancy.
If it is desired to produce plates of uniform colour the mixture is covered by a
layer of enamel or "tender" glass of the desired colour, whereas the body of the
plate is powdered with glass powder of different colours, if it is desired to obtain multi-
coloured plates, or with glass powder of mixed colours when it is desired to get
marble or mosaics and according to the mixture on the plate being more or less
light or dark, it will alter in a general way, the whole aspect of the plate, especially
if the layer of enamel be transparent.
In order to facilitate the application of the product for covering walls, that is
to say, in order to make it keep better in the mortar or cement which joins it to
the wall, on the bottom of the mould is spread under the mixture of refractory
material and polished glass, a thin layer of glass and refractory material, only not
BO finely crushed, which with the rest forms a rough basis, with projections which
take a hold in the mortar.
3.
The enamelled surface can also be produced by contact with the plaster in
consequence of its special qualities, mentioned above, and of course in this case,
the composition of the plate takes place in reverse order, that is to say, the layer
of the enamel comes on the plaster, covering the bottom of the mould in a uniform
layer, the fine mixture on the enamel and the coarse mixture for making a better
joint attaching surface on the top.
In this case, the process is modified in that the plate is formed in a muffle in one
operation, and it is clear of course, that the beauty of the product depends more
or less the skill with which the operation is conducted and on the knowledge and
experience of the workman.
In any case if the work has been done according to rules the enamelled surface
will be as beautiful and as brilliant as the surface obtained by the contact with the
flame in the reverberatory furnace and the product can be taken out of the mould
without the slightest difficulty and is as homogeneous as when obtained by the
other process.
•
Following the same idea, plates may be obtained having both their faces smooth
and enamelled. On the bottom of the mould is spread a smooth layer of plaster
which layer is powdered with enamel of desired colour, upon this enamel is spread
a layer of bits of waste glass and china more or less finely pulverised and over the
whole is spread enamel powder in order to give a smooth upper surface.
The whole is carried into the glass furnace and passes after that into the melting
furnace, which gives brilliancy to the upper face by the action of flame. The
lower face being made brilliant by contact with plaster.
It is clear that for reliefs, mouldings, columns, small statues etc. the process with
the muffle is indispensable on account of the outlines which have to be preserved,
and for this purpose the moulds are covered with plaster in such way, that it should
be the surface of the contact with the plaster, that determines the outline and the
dimensions of the article to be manufactured, that is to say the mould has to be
hollowed out much more in order to allow for the thickness of the layer of plaster,
which covers it.

page_text: Although any suitable furnace is good enough for the described manufacturing
an arrangement of furnaces specially adapted for the manufacture of massed glass
is preferably employed, namely, for manufacturing plates with enamel by contact
of the surface with the flame.
This furnace is distinguished by a combination of two reverberatory furnaces
side by aide and by a system of ventilation, enabling the temperature to be
regulated and to increase or diminish as desired the action of the flame.
Of the two furnaces placed against a backing of brickwork common to both,
one is used for agglomeration of the plates and the other for the enamelling of
the surfaces.
The hearths being arranged so that the flames and the gases rise from them
through flues to a reflector, from which they escape through the flues into the
chimney. In the common brickwork wall under the bottom plates and on the sides
are made canals for air provided with dampers regulating the admission of the air
according to the work in hand. Supports in connection with external levers are
used for lifting the moulds in order to facilitate their transfer.
This arrangement, besides permitting rational working facilitates considerably
both the operations of agglomeration and of enamelling, which are effected as
described.
:
No special form of muffle for performing the work in one operation by the
contact of the glass with the plaster for the enamelling has been described because
a muffle of any suitable design may be employed.
Dated this 18th day of December 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
.Agents for the Applicant.:
A communication from LA SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME BElge pour LA FABRICATION
DES EMAUX ARTISTIQUES, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium.
:
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT formerly of 323 High Holborn, but now of
111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Chartered Patent Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of the present invention is the manufacture of all kinds of glass-
articles with surfaces completely or partially enamelled, and in any shade or
colour, or combination of shades or colours, by means of a process, consisting in
fusing together or "massing" pulverized glass by the action of heat, and treating
this mass of pulverized glass according to a special system, and under special
conditions, which would bring about the enamelling of the surface, the whole of
the operation being performed in a suitable furnace.
The process of manufacturing "massed" glass with enamelled surfaces is well
adapted for the production of materials for construction, decoration and for marble
of the most varied description for inlaying buildings both inside and outside, for
mouldings columns, reliefs, small statues etc., the enamel being absolutely weather
proof.
As the pressed glass is obtained by agglomeration of a pulverized mixture, it
is evident that the article to be manufactured requires the use of a muffle, which
affects and preserves the shape of the article in its outlines or limits before the
mixture is taken out as a mass and in order that it should come out of the mould
easily, it is necessary that the mould itself should be made of material to which

page_text: the glass does not adhere, or at least that the walls of the mould should be covered
with this material. A material which has these qualities in a high degree is
sulphate of lime commonly known as plaster.
:
It is evident, that in the manufacturing of articles with flat surfaces, like plates,
paving bricks or the like, the construction of moulds will be very simple, that is
to say they may consist simply of flat boxes of cast-iron or some other material,
covered inside with plaster; whereas the construction will be of course much more
complicated when reliefs are to be manufactured, because it will be necessary in
the construction of the mould to take into consideration the influence of the
thickness of the plaster-layer, which will cover it, on the dimensions of the
finished article.
The non-adhesion of plaster to glass results not only in the article coming freely
out of the mould, but also in a much more important feature, namely, that it allows
the formation of enamel or allows vitrification to be effected with all the brilliancy
and splendour which is obtained, when it is produced by a separate process, so that
it is possible to combine two processes in one working, particularly when making
flat surfaces.
In order to explain more exactly the nature of the new product and the practical
application of the process the latter will be described in its consecutive operations.
For manufacturing a plate of any size a mould is used made of cast-iron or
other suitable material, of a shape corresponding to the thickness of the plate.
At the bottom of this mould is placed a layer of plaster, on which is uniformly
spread a mixture consisting of one half of crushed glass and one half of stone-ware,
china-ware, bits of bricks or tiles or other crushed refractory material, and this
mixture is in its turn covered by a thin layer of glass reduced to powder, which is
intended to form the enamel on the surface.
The mould filled in this manner is introduced into the "glass furnace," where it
remains exposed for a time to a heat adapted to expel from it all the foreign
substances which might occur in the mixture, which then becomes a homogeneous
mass, and in this process the glass and other substances mass themselves together
to form a solid body of complicated texture, much less fragile than a plate of
cast-glass.
At this point, the mould is taken out of the glass furnace and passes then for a
moment into a reverberatory furnace in order to expose the surface or the layer of
enamel to the action of the flame which licks the surface and thoroughly smooths
it, at the same time giving it an irreproachable polish and brilliancy.
If it is desired to produce plates of uniform colour the mixture is covered by a
layer of enamel or "tender" glass of the desired colour, whereas the body of the
plate is powdered with glass powder of different colours, if it is desired to obtain
multicoloured plates or with glass powder of mixed colours when it is desired to
get marble or mosaics and according to the mixture on the plate being more or less
light or dark, it will alter in a general way, the whole aspect of the plate, especially
if the layer of enamel be transparent.
In order to facilitate the application of the product for covering walls, that is to
say, in order to make it keep better in the mortar or cement which joins it to the
wall; on the bottom of the mould is spread under the mixture of refractory
material and polished glass, a thin layer of glass and refractory material, only not
so finely crushed, which with the rest forms a rough basis, with projections which
take a hold in the mortar.
The enamelled surface can also be produced by contact with the plaster in
consequence of its special qualities, mentioned above, and of course in this case, the
composition of the plate takes place in reverse order, that is to say, the layer of
the enamel comes on the plaster, covering the bottom of the mould in a uniform
layer, the fine mixture on the enamel and the coarse mixture for making a better
attaching surface, on the top.
In this case, the process is modified in that the plate is formed in a muffle in one
operation, and it is clear of course that the beauty of the product depends more or

page_text: less. upon the skill with which the operation is conducted and on the knowledge and
experience of the workman.
In any case if the work has been done according to rules the enamelled surface
will be as beautiful and as brilliant as the surface obtained by the contact with the
flame in the reverberatory furnace and the product can be taken out of the mould
without the slightest difficulty and is as homogeneous as when obtained by the other
process.
Following the same idea, plates may be obtained having both their faces smooth
and enamelled. On the bottom of the mould is spread a smooth layer of plaster
which layer is powdered with enamel of desired colour, upon this enamel is spread
a layer of bits of waste glass and china more or less finely pulverised and over the
whole is spread enamel powder in order to give a smooth upper surface.
The whole is carried into the glass furnace and passes after that into the
reverberatory furnace, which gives brilliancy to the upper face by the action of
flame. The lower face being made brilliant by contact with plaster.
It is clear that for reliefs, mouldings, columns, small statues, etc. the process with
the muffle is indispensable on account of the outlines which have to be preserved,
and for this purpose the moulds are covered with plaster in such way, that it should
be the surface of the contact with the plaster, that determines the outline and the
dimensions of the article to be manufactured, that is to say the mould has to be
hollowed out much more in order to allow for the thickness of the layer of plaster,
which covers it.
Although any suitable furnace suffices for the process described, an arrangement
of furnaces specially adapted for the manufacture of "massed" glass is preferably
employed, namely, for manufacturing plates with enamel by contact of the surface
with the flame. This system of furnace is represented by way of example in the
accompanying drawing.
This furnace is distinguished by a combination of two reverberatory furnaces
side by side and by a system of ventilation, enabling the temperature to be
regulated and the action of the flame to be increased or diminished as desired.
Of the two furnaces placed against a backing of brickwork M common to both,
one is used for agglomeration of the plates and the other for the enamelling of the
surfaces.
The hearths F being arranged so that the flames and the gases rise from them
through flues E. to a reflector R from which they escape through the flues B into
the chimney. In the common brickwork wall M under the bottom plates and on
the sides are made canals for air provided with dampers, regulating the admission
of the air according to the work in hand. Supports C in connection with external
levers are used for lifting the moulds in order to facilitate their transfer.
This arrangement, besides permitting rational working facilitates considerably
both the operations of agglomeration and of enamelling, which are effected as
described.
No special form of muffle for performing the work in one operation by the
contact of the glass with the plaster for the enamelling has been described because
a muffle of any suitable design may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A process for the manufacture of "massed" glass with enamelled surfaces,
characterised by melting in suitable furnace a mixture of crushed glass in contact
with a plastered surface, which corresponds in its shape to the outline of the article
to be manufactured substantially as described.
2. In a modification the process for the manufacture of "massed" glass such as
claimed in Claim 1 enamelling glass plates contained in a plastered mould by
exposing their surfaces to the direct action of the flame, substantially as
described.

page_text: 3. The employment in a process for the manufacture of "massed "glass such as
-claimed in Claim 1, of a mixture of powdered glass and refractory material,
covered on one side with a layer of pulverised "tender" glass in any combination
of colours and on the other side, with a layer of broken glass and refractory
material, one or the other of the layers being either in contact with the plaster of
the mould or with the flame, substantially as described.
4. A furnace for the manufacture of articles of "massed" glass according to
the herein before mentioned process characterised by the combination with two
reverberatory furnaces of a double furnace with canals such as to allow the working
to bo regulated by the admission of air, substantially as described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of September 1896
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.