Improvements relating to Modelling, Decorating, and otherwise Working with Plastic Material, and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Sept., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Modelling, Decorating, and otherwise
Working with Plastic Material, and to Apparatus therefor.
We, ROUGHSEDGE WALLWORK, of the Firm of Henry Wallwork & Co.
Roger Street, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, ARTHUR
COLLINGS WELLS, of the Firm of A. C. Wells & Co. 103 Midland Road,
St. Pancras in the County of London, Engineer, and MELVIN BATHELOR
CHURCH, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements relating to modelling decorating and
otherwise working with plastic material, and to apparatus therefor whereby we are
able to molel and produce free hand relief decorations on walls, ceilings and other
places. We may also employ our invention for applying putty for affixing panes
of glass into window sashes. We prefer to employ adhesive plastic material of
sufficient consisterey and body, such as Church's Alabastine, to produce the
decorations in high or low relief as may be required. Church's alabastine is a
mixture composed of calcined gypsum and animal glue in a very finely divided
condition to which cold water is added.
According to our invention the plastic material is placed within receivers or
receptacles which are so constructed that the material is caused, by the action of
water or air under pressure, to be expelled in a continuous and uninterrupted
manner, through outlets or nozzles communicating with the said receivers or
receptacles; the outlets or nozzles being so contrived that the user can skilfully
manipulate the material as it flows therefrom and thereby produce the desired
free-hand effect.
Each receiver or receptacle may consist of a cylindrical or tubular body con-
taining a piston and having detachable end caps, one of which communicates with
the water or air under pressure and the other with the outlets or nozzles, suitable
valves or taps being provided at the requisite places to regulate the water or air
pressure and also the flow of the material. The re-charging of the receiver or
receptacle may be effected by removing the front end-cap; or an aperture may be
formed in the side of the cylindrical body communicating with a feed hopper, in
which case suitable means may be provided for preventing the material from being
forced therethrough by the action of the motive water or air.
If desired we may
employ means such as a stop or projection near the front of the cylindrical body
which can be actuated by the finger of the user so as to open a valve in the piston
when this latter reaches the end of its movement and in this way allow the water
or air to flow through the outlet or nozzle and parts connected therewith for
cleansing purposes. The receivers or receptacles may be made in various sizes
depending upon their use. For instance they may be of comparatively small size
when intended for holding in the hand and the outlet or nozzle would then be
connected directly to the receiver; or they may be made of larger size and be
carried over the shoulder by a strap, the outlet or nozzle being then connected to
the receiver by a flexible pipe. If desired we may employ a disc or obstruction
of suitable form situated within the receiver near its discharge end for ensuring a
more even flow of the material.
The outlets or nozzles may be constructed in such a manner that as the plastic

page_text: material flows therefrom it becomes collected upon guides, spatulas, spoons or other
suitable enlargements formed in or connected to the said outlet or nozzle whereby
a comparatively large mass of the material can be accumulated which is available
for enabling the user to dextrously modify the thickness of the lines or streaks of
the material and draw or turn it into various forms of relict as it is discharged
from the nozzle. Instead of employing a spoon or spatula we may provide a brush
of suitable shape for effecting the same purpose.
In order to produce the water or air pressure we may employ a closed tank or
chamber furnished with a pump for compressing the air within said tank or
chamber, a gauge being provided for indicating the pressure therein. When water
is used for conveying the pressure to the plastic receiver or receptacle the air
compressed within the tank acts as a storage of force sufficient to displace the
contents of the tank without continuous pumping. Or a continuous acting hand or
foot pump provided with a valve for maintaining an even pressure may be used.
Sometimes, where sufficient pressure is obtainable, the receiver may be connected
to the water main and in this way the use of a tank or pump as above referred to,
be entirely dispensed with.
Dated this 27th day of November 1804
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements relating to Modelling, Decorating, and otherwise
Working with Plastic Material, and to Apparatus therefor.
We, ROUGHSEDGE WALLWORK, of Henry Wallwork & Co., Roger Street,
Manchester, ARTHUR COLLINGS WELLS, of A. C. Wells & Co., 103 Midland
Road, St. Paneras, London Engineer, and MELVIN BATHELOR CHURCH, of
Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 :-
This invention has reference to improvements in modelling decorating an
otherwise working with plastic material whereby we are able to model and produce
frecha relief decorations on the surface of walls, ceilings and the like. Our
invention is also adaptable for use in applying putty for allising pane of glass into
window sashes. We prefer to employ adhesive plastic material of sufficient
consistency and body to produce the decorations in high or low relief as may he
required. Plastic material of the kind known as Church's Alabastine, (which is a
mixture composed of calcined gym, animal glue in a very finely divided condition.
and cold water) is particularly useful for our purpose.
According to our invention the plastic material is placed within a receiver or
receptacle containing a piston which is caused by water under pressure to expl
the plastic material from the receiver or receptacle through suitable outlets or
nozzles in a continuous manner so long as there is any plastic material within the
receptacle.
The aforesaid receiver or receptacle may be made in various sizes depending
upon its particular use. For instance the receiver may be of comparatively small
size when intended to be held in the hand and the outlet or nozzle be then
connected directly to it; or the receiver may be made of larger size and be carried
over the operator's shoulder by a strap; or it may be made of still larger size and be
adapted to rest on the ground. In the two last mentioned examples the outlets or
ozzles would be connected to the receiver by flexible hose.

page_text: The before mentioned outlets or nozzles are preferably so constructed that as the
plastic material flows therefrom it can be collected into a comparatively large mass
which is capable of being conveniently manipulated by the operator during the
modelling or decorating operation to produce a variety of artistic effects. The said
nozzles are also provided with suitable cocks or valves for regulating the flow of
the plastic material from the nozzles.
In order that our said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into effect we will proceed to describe the same more fully with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a central vertical section and Figure 2 a plan of the receiver or
receptacle which is of comparatively large size and intended to rest on the ground.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the upper part of the receiver taken on the
line 1. 1. of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a horizontal cross section of the receiver taken on the line 2. 2. of
Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of a smaller receptacle adapted to be carried
over the shoulder by a strap and provided with a valve in its piston for the purpose
hereinafter stated.
Figure 6 is an elevation and Figure 7 a vertical transverse section shewing a nozzle
tube provided with a cock or valve of the kind we prefer to employ for controlling
the flow of the plastic material from the nozzle.
Figure 8 is a lace view and Figure 9 an edge view of another form of outlet or
nozzle.
Figure 10 is a face view of a modified construction of the outlet or nozzle.
Figure 11 is a longitudinal section of another modified construction of outlet or
nozzle.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 5 A is the receiver or receptacle ;
B its piston; C a flexible hose through which the plastic material is forced to
an outlet or nozzle at the end of this hose; and D another flexible hose through
which the water under pressure is conducted from the source of supply to the
receiver.
In the construction shewn in Figures 1 to 4 the receiver A is mounted vertically
on a casting or base A¹ provided with wheels A2 for enabling the receiver to be
readily moved from place to place when it is tilted by the handle A³. E is a cap
or cover which is connected to the upper end of the receiver by means of long
pivot-bolts E' and butterfly nuts E2, the upper ends of the said bolts entering
slotted lugs Ex with which the cap or cover is formed. This cap or cover is
furnished with a joint-ring E³ for ensuring a hermetic connection between the said
cap or cover and the receiver. On the aforesaid cap or cover is a gland and
stuffing box E* through which passes a rod F having at its outer end a cross-
handle F¹ and at its inner end a mixer or stirrer F. By occasionally reciprocating
this mixer or stirrer the plastic material is kept in a homogeneous condition. The
mixer or stirrer is also free to rise by reason of its rod F sliding through the
stuffing box E' simultaneously with the movement of the piston as this latter
performs its forward stroke. The cap or cover has an outlet G to which the
flexible hose C is connected by the nnion G' and through which the plastic material
is forced from the receiver as the piston B rises. The opposite end of this hose C
is provided with a nozzle H (Figures 6 to 11) hereinafter more fully referred to.
The aforesaid cap or cover is also provided with a stop cock I for permitting of
the escape of any air that may exist in the space above the piston and which
would, if not allowed to escape, cause spluttering of the plastic material as the
latter flowed from the nozzle.
J is a valve which is situated near the lower end of the receiver and is for the
purpose of controlling the inlet of the water as it is forced through the hose D
from the source of supply to the receiver. The lower end of the receiver is also
provided with an exit valve K by means of which any air that may enter the space
below the piston can escape when said valve K is opened and the receiver turned.

page_text: on to its side.
When the receiver is turned into this position the air within the
aforesaid space will readily find its way through the water to the said valve K by
reason of the latter being at the highest level.
The casting A has lateral lugs or projections A*A¹ upon which the operator can
stand to keep the receiver still whilst he is actuating the stirrer.
The before mentioned piston B consists of a wooden plug furnished with a pair
of cup leathers B B' which are clipped between flanged metal discs B₁ by
screws B. These discs are connected to the said plug by means of a central
screw B. The casting A' is preferably formed with a raised portion A* which
extends into the lower end of the receiver and is of such a diameter that an annular
cavity A is left around it into which the flange of the lower metal disc B² enters
when the piston is in its lowermost position. In this way the lower face of the
piston can come in close proximity to the bottom of the receiver so that the useless
space, that would otherwise exist between these parts without the annular cavity A
is avoided.
The pivotal connection of the aforesaid long bolts E¹ to the base A¹ is such
that when said bolts are out of engagement with the cap or cover F they will
turn outwardly only to a limited extent, that is to say only far enough to allow
the cover to be conveniently removed.
In the construction of receiver shewn by Figure 5 which is of comparatively small
dimensions and is more especially adapted for being carried by a strap a from the
user's shoulder, the piston B is provided with a valve band the front cap or cover F
is furnished with a movable spindle f. This spindle is furnished with a projection f¹
that is located within the receiver. By means of a finger-piece f2 on the said
spindle the operator can bring the aforesaid projection in the path of the valve b,
so that the said projection will cause the valve 6 to open when the piston completes
its forward stroke. The water at the back of the piston is thus allowed to
forcibly escape through the flexible hose C and its nozzle and will thereby effectually
cleanse these parts and clear them of any obstruction. a¹ a² are cocks with
which the receiver is furnished, the former serving to shut off connection with the
water pressure supply and the latter to enable the water behind the piston to escape
when the latter is returned to its original position for receiving a fresh charge of
plastic material.
In order to supply the water under sufficient pressure to the receiver we prefer
to employ a closed tank or chamber partially filled with water and having a pump
for compressing air within the space above the water. This tank or chamber
may be similar in construction to that described by Messrs. Wallwork & Wells in
the Specification of their prior Patent No. 3543 of the year 1887.
The water in this tank communicates with the receiver A by the aforesaid hose D
so that after the air has been sufficiently compressed within the said tank by the
pump, the water can be allowed to unter the receiver A by opening the valve Jin
Figure 1 or the cock al in Figure 5. The piston B is thus actuated, and the plastic
material which is placed within the receiver in front of the said piston B is thereby
ejected through the hose C and the nozzle at the extremity thereof.
Referring now more particularly to Figures 6 and 7, II' is the nozzle tube whose
rear end is adapted to be screwed or otherwise attached to the flexible hose Cand
its front end to receive the outlet or nozzle H. The nozzle here shown merely
consists of a sheet metal tube having its outer extremity formed with a roumi,
elongated, square or other rectangular or circular opening whose conformation
depends upon the shape that it is desired to give to the stream of plastic material
issuing from the nozzle. The nozzle tube H is enlarged at H2 and formed with a
transverse conical hole for the reception of a conical plug H³ having an aperture H
therein. The diameter of this aperture is such that it approximately coincides
with that of the bore of the nozzle tube H¹ so that when air or water is forced
through the hose C to cleanse it and the nozzle of plastic material, the said hule
will not tend to prevent complete expulsion of the plastic material as might
otherwise happen if the hole were of a different size to that of the bure of the

page_text: nozzle tube. The said plug is provided at one end with a collar H which abuts
against one of the sides of the enlarged portion or plug casing H2, and the opposite
end of the plug is formed with a rectangular projection H which is adapted to
receive a detachable collar H' and a handle or finger-lever H. The collar H' and
handle H are retained in place on the projection H by a screw H°. The length
of the said conical plug H³ is such that its smaller end do 's not lie flush with the
face H of the plug casing H²; therefore by tightening up the said screw H³ the
plug can be caused to effectually fit the plug casing without materially interfering
with the casy movement of the plug. A pin H" is provided on the aforesaid
face H and an elongated notch His formed in the collar H' for the purpose of
limiting the to and fro movement of the plug when the handle H is operated.
His a spiral spring connected to the said handle and to the nozzle tube for
returning the handle to its normal position and the plug to its closed position when
the handle is released by the operator.
Instead of employing a nozzle H of the description above mentioned we find it
preferable in some kinds of modelling or decorative work to provide the outlet or
nozzle with a spatula, spoon, brush or other device for preventing the plastic
The said
material from being ejected directly on to the surface under treatment.
material can thus be collected into a mass as already stated so as to enable the
operator to form strokes or other relief work of varying thicknesses or shapes.
Figures 8 to 11 show nozzles constructed for this purpose. In Figures 8 and 9
the nozzle is formed with a spoon like appendage or concave receptacle h into
which the plastic material collects as it leaves the nozzle.
In Figure 10 the nozzle is provided with a cross piece h¹ to which flexible
strips of metal or other suitable material are connected by rivets. Instead of
these strips we may in some cases employ a single flexible plate.
In Figure 11 we have shown the nozzle enclosed within a brush h³ which is
connected to the said nozzle by a band h. The hairs or bristles of the brush may
be composed of any material that may be found suitable for our purpose.
After an operator has had some considerable practice and experience in working
with our apparatus and has gained sufficient dexterity in using the nozzles he may
find it possible to dispense with the collecting devices attached to the nozzles as
above set forth, and obtain the result for which said collecting devices are intended
by using an ordinary brush which he holds up to the mouth of a plain nozzle and
receives and collects thereon the plastic material. In this case the operator would
hold the nozzle in one hand and the brush in the other and would manipulate the
latter in a somewhat analogous manner to an ordinary paint brush. In this case
the nozzle would simply serve to keep the brush fully charged with the plastic
material.
If desired the aforesaid tank or chamber used for supplying the water under
pressure to the receiver may be provided with suitable connections and valves for
enabling the hose C after its removal from the receiver to be connected to the
tank so that water may be forced through said hose for cleansing it. These
connections and valves would also be such that connection between the tank and the
outlet G of the receiver can be effected for enabling the compressed air contained
within the space above the water in the tank to be utilizel for driving the piston B
back into its lowermost position after all the plastic material has been ejected from
the receiver and a fresh charge of plastic material is to be inserted. When the
piston is driven back by the air pressure as above mentioned the water below said
piston can be returned to the tank the aforesaid valves permitting of this; or if
the piston be driven down by manual pressure the water may be allowed to escape
through the valve J and enter a suitable recipient.
We do not confine ourselves to the use of a tank such as that above referred to for
supplying water under pressure, as a continuous acting hand or foot pump provided
with a valve for maintaining an even pressure may be used. Or where sufficient
pressure for the purpose is obtainable the receiver may be connected to the water-
main and the use of the above mentioned tank or pump be entirely dispensed with.

page_text: Although we have stated that the compression of the air within the tank is
effected by pumping air thereinto we may equally well produce this compression of
the air by pumping in the water that is to be used for acting on the piston B; or
by alternately pumping in the air and the water. In whatever manner the
compression of the air be effected it will be seen that the compressed air within the
tank will act as a continuous pressure sufficient to displace the water in the tank
with force enough to cause the piston in the receiver to perform its forward stroke
without continuous pumping.
In some cases, but with less advantage, compressed air instead of water under
pressure may be used for actuating the piston in the receiver.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inver-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
23
1. For modelling, decorating and otherwise working with plastic material
receiver or receptacle provided with a piston which is caused by water under
pressure to eject the plastic material from the receiver through a suitable outlet or
nozzle substantially as described.
2. In a receiver or receptacle of the kind above claimed the construction of the
piston with a valve which is capable of being operated at the required times
when the piston completes its forward stroke substantially as described and for the
purpose specified.
3. A receiver or receptacle for the plastic material having its parts constructed
arranged and combined to operate substantially as described with reference to
Figures to 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings and for the purpose
specified.
4. The means for enabling the air to escape from the space below the piston
substantially as described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings.
5. In modelling decorating and otherwise working with plastic material the
method of collecting and manipulating the plastic material as it leaves the outlets
or nozzles, by means of a spatula, spoon, or brush substantially as hereinbefore
described and for the purpose specified.
6. The construction of the tap, cock or valve on the nozzle tube for enabling the
operator to control the flow of the plastic material from the nozzle during the
modeling or decorating operation substantially as described with reference to
Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
7. The construction of the outlets or nozzles substantially as described with
reference to Figures 8 and 9, or Figure 10, or Figure 11 of the accompanying
drawings and for the purpose specified.
8. The apparatus, for use in modelling decorating and otherwise working with
plastic material, consisting in the combination of the receiver or recept.clo
containing a piston, outlets or Lozzl connected to sail receiver, and means for
supplying the receiver with water under pressure substantially as described.
9. The combination of a plastic material reciver or receptacle containing, a
piston, outlets or nozzles connected to the said receiver by flexible hose, and a
closed tank or chamber containing water and furnished with a pump for compressing
the air in the space above the water therein, substantially as described and for the
purpose specified.
Dated this 2nd day of September 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.