An Improved Wood Substitute Applicable for the Manufacture of Coffins and other Articles.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1889-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1889
An Improved Wood Substitute Applicable for the Manufacture of
Coffins and other Articles.
I, CARL OSCAR THIELEMANN, of Freiberg, Saxony, in the Empire of Germany
Timber Merchant, 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 :-
My invention has for its object the manufacture of a material, forming a cheap
substitute for ordinary wood, which material I intend to designate by the name of
" Hornite ; " and also to manufacture various articles therewith; my invention being
chiefly applicable to the manufacture of coffins.
In carrying out my invention I utilise waste pieces of wood, and disintegrate the
same by means of any suitable apparatus. A quantity of thick paste, composed of
burnt lime and curds is then prepared and well kneaded with the wood fibre, so as to
thoroughly mix the same, one or other of the ingredients being added until the required
consistency is attained.
The proportions of the above mentioned materials, are usually as follows:-
In manufacturing a plate 0.10m. wide, 0.15m. long, and 0.02in. in thickness, I make
use of 320 grammes of curds and 15 grammes of slaked lime. These are mixed and
made into a paste, and then intimately kneaded with 175 grammes of waste wood
fibre.
The plastic material thus prepared may be used in the manufacture of various
articles by pouring the same into a mould corresponding with the form of the article
to be made, and is then consolidated by means of any suitable press, the pressure
being continued until the mass is solidified.
When the material is sufficiently condensed it is allowed to remain under pressure
for about 2 hours, so that when the article is removed from the mould it retains the
required form and dimensions. The manufactured article is then dried in the open
air, whereby it becomes hard and tough, like bone or horn and is thoroughly
waterproof. This material has all the qualities of good timber and can be worked
more advantageously than the latter as it can be planed, cut, and nailed, together
without being splintered or torn. Owing to the small cost of the materials, the cost
of manufacturing articles such for instance as a coffin, is very much cheaper than
those made of ordinary wood and the lower part of the coffin as well as the lid may be
made at the same time.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The utilisation of wood fibre prepared from waste timber, in the manufacture of
a new and improved material, by mixing the same with lime and curds substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2. The application and use of the aforesaid material in the manufacture of coffins
and other articles substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The combination of wood fibre, lime and curds and the application of the material
to various useful purposes, by forming the same in moulds under pressure and
afterwards drving the same substantially as hereinbefore described.
Ա ՅՈՏՆ ԳԱԶՈՆ 100.
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.