IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LIGNEOUS COMPOUNDS AND OF ARTICLES MOULDED THEREFROM IN IMITATION OF WOOD
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel of N° 28 Southampton Buildings;
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LIGNEOUS COMPOUNDS AND OF ARTICLES
MOULDED THEREFROM IN IMITATION OF WOOD" communicated to him from
abroad by Bruno Harrass of Böhlen near Grossbreitenbach, Thuringia, in the
German Empire
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Denton Abel at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th June 1883.
"
CHARLES DENTON ABEL of N° 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LIGNEOUS
COMPOUNDS AND OF ARTICLES MOULDED THEREFROM IN IMITATION OF WOOD
[communicated to him from abroad by Bruno Harrass of Böhlen near Grossbreiten-
bach, Thuringia, in the German Empire]
This invention has for its object the production of an artificial ligneous or
wood-like compound from which a great variety of objects can be manufactured,
such, for instance, as carvings or mouldings for buildings or furniture, picture
frames and the like, such manufacture being effected directly by pressure in
suitable metal moulds, while the articles produced are capable of being stained,
polished, varnished, glued, bored, rasped or planed like natural wood.
The said compound consists mainly of cellulose or ground linen rags, paper stuff,
straw stuff and the like, in suitable combination with wheat starch and wheat flour,
or generally, of cellulose and starch of any description.
A good result is obtained by mixing about three parts by weight of cellulose
with one part by weight of starch, and about two parts of rye, wheat or other
glutinous flour, but this mixture may vary between certain limits. The said
mixture of cellulose with starch and glutinous flour is boiled in a water bath for
about one hour for which purpose thin sheet metal vessels are best used, and it is
then allowed to cool to the natural temperature.
The tough fibrous mass thus obtained is then incorporated with from one half to

page_text: two thirds of its quantity of sawdust, and is then rolled out into thin sheets by
The
means of roller mills, which sheets are then dried in the air or in a stove.
moulds in which the said mass is to be pressed are by preference formed of suitable
metal, such as iron, steel, brass, gunmetal and the like and are heated when in
operation.
If the moulded articles to be produced require to be coated with veneer of natural
wood on their outer surface, the following manipulations are required.
In the heated mould are placed from one to six layers of wood veneer, according
to the depth of the relief, the veneer having been in the first instance coated with
a cementitious substance such as glue, resin and the like, which is allowed to dry.
Upon the veneer is then spread a layer of a dry powdered ligneous compound of
varying thickness, according to the degree of relief of the moulding, and which
consists of from 2 to 20 parts of wood fibre or cellulose, from 6 to 30 parts of saw-
dust, from 1 to 5 parts of dry dextrine powder (or other binding material, such as
blood, albumen, resin &c) and from 1 to 5 parts of glutinous flour of wheat, rye,
maize &c. These proportions may however be varied, and if desired. a coloring
matter corresponding to that of the veneer may be added. For flat articles such as
flat reliefs, heads &c, a single pressing operation is in most cases sufficient, whereby
the mass will be combined so intimately with the natural veneer that it cannot be
separated therefrom without breaking up the article. With objects having high
reliefs or very deep recesses, the process is somewhat modified. The heated mould
first receives a layer of prepared wood veneer, as before, and upon this a layer of
the dry powdered compound, to which may be added a small proportion of dextrine,
albumen, baked and dried blood, or other binding material, in order to ensure a
perfect adhesion of the veneer and dry ligneous compound, and of the latter with
the first described compound, a sufficient quantity of which is then placed in the
mould, after which it is subjected to the first pressure which is continued until the
mass has assumed the desired configuration to a certain extent. The press is then
opened again, and the partly formed mass, is raised out of the mould with the cover,
to which it adheres; any parts that may not be perfectly covered with veneer are
provided with additional pieces thereof, and the mass being put back into the
mould, it is now subjected to the final pressure, whereby it is made to receive the
desired sharp configuration of the mould.
In order to prevent the warping of the finished article, it is advantageous to add
to the before mentioned dry compound a small quantity of pipe clay, gypsum,
whitening or other similar substance.
In order to economise the ligneous compound as much as possible, a piece of wood,
having roughly the configuration of the moulding may be introduced in the middle of
the mass, or several smaller pieces of wood may be employed according to the form of
the moulded article. Or, when the article is desired to be as heavy as possible, as,
for instance for letter weights, pieces of metal may be introduced in a similar
manner.
According to another modification of this process, the first before described
ligneous compound is used without being boiled, being merely pressed in the heated
moulds. By this means the mass is more plastic and assumes more readily the
sharp configuration of the mould.
Good results have been obtained with the following compound, consisting mainly
of sawdust, or other ligneous fibre, blood and glutinous meal. From 2 to 6 parts
by weight of ground wood fibre are mixed with from 1 to 12 parts of sawdust,
and this mixture is incorporated with from 4 to 12 parts of dried blood, preferably
bullocks blood although other blood may be used, or in place thereof albumen,
animal glue, resins or starch paste. In the latter case, there should be added to the
compound and thoroughly incorporated therewith from 1/4th to 2 parts of glutinous
flour, or in certain cases, the same proportion of potato flour, albumen, fibrine,
caseine or dextrine. The ingredients having been thoroughly incorporated, the
mass is dried at atmospheric temperature, or it may be slightly warmed for the
purpose.
"

page_text: Before using this compound, which is in a dry condition, and not boiled, it must
be slightly moistened, for which purpose it is again mixed intimately with from 1/
to 6 parts of liquid blood, and from 1/4th to 2 parts of glutinous flour. An admixture
of from 6 to 25 parts of glycerine or animal or vegetable fat, or wax is advantageous
when it is desired that the moulded articles should have a smooth shining surface,
but this is not absolutely necessary. The compound thus prepared is pressed in a
moist condition in metal moulds heated to from 300° to 570° Fab. The heating of
the moulds can be effected either by means of red hot plates or by direct fireheat,
or by superheated steam, introduced into spaces formed either in the mould or in
the press plunger.
In order to obtain the impressions on the moulded article as sharp as possible, a
backing of pasteboard or papier maché is applied thereto while undergoing the
pressing operation. By this means, firstly, the moisture of the mass will be absorbed
by the pasteboard, so that it will dry quicker and form a hard adhering crust that
will improve the appearance and durability of the article and prevent warping;
secondly, the mould being made with a cutting edge, when this meets the paste-
board the mass will no longer be able to escape from the mould, and in continuing
the pressure so as to cause the mould to cut into the pasteboard, the confined mass
will be compressed to the extent to which the pasteboard enter the mould. Also,
the pasteboard, in adhering firmly to the moulded article, provides this with a
smooth backing that furnishes a ready means of attachment.
For these purposes cardboard or papier maché of a loose fibrous texture is taken,
which is saturated with a solution of glue, water glass or other suitable cementi-
tious matter or compound, and, after drying, it is by preference coated on the side
which is to lie against the moulded article with glue or other cementitious matter,
so as to insure its perfect adhesion to the mass, although neither this nor the
impregnating with glue &c solution is absolutely necessary. A piece of this card-
board, slightly larger in size than the base of the mould, is then placed on a plate
and after placing thereon the requisite quantity of the moist ligneous compound
the heated mould is brought down upon it, so as to penetrate with its cutting edge
into the pasteboard as above described. When the mass has become dry, after
repeated opening and closing of the press, it is taken out of the mould and any fins
are removed by filing, after which the moulded article is ready for polishing &c.
In the above described method of operating, the moulded article may also be
provided with a coating of veneer during the pressing operation, as in the first
described process, or it may be used without veneer and be colored by the addition
of coloring matter to the other ingredients.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Denton Abel in the Great Scal Patent Office on the
3rd December 1883.
"
CHARLES DENTON ABEL of N° 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane in
the county of Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LIGNEOUS
COMPOUNDS AND OF ARTICLES MOULDED THEREFROM IN IMITATION OF WOOD
A communication to me from abroad by Bruno Harrass of Böhlen near Grossbrei-
tenbach, Thuringia, in the German Einpire.
This invention has for its object the production of an artificial ligneous or wood-
like compound, from which a great variety of objects can be manufactured such,
for instance, as carvings or mouldings for buildings or furniture, picture frames
and the like, such manufacture being effected directly by pressure in suitable metal
moulds, while the articles produced are capable of being stained, polished, varnished,
glued, bored, rasped or planed, like natural wood.
The said compound consists mainly of cellulose or ground linen rags, paper stuff,
straw stuff, and the like, in suitable combination with wheat starch and wheat
flour, or generally, of cellulose and starch of any description. A good result is
obtained by mixing about three parts by weight of cellulose with one part by
weight of starch, and about two parts of rye wheat or other glutinous flour, but
this mixture may vary between certain limits. The said mixture of cellulose with
starch and glutinous flour is boiled in a water bath for about one hour, for which
purpose thin sheet metal vessels are best used and it is then allowed to cool to the
natural temperature.
The tough fibrous mass thus obtained is then incorporated with from one half
to two thirds of its quantity of saw dust, and is then rolled out into thin sheets by
means of roller mills, which sheets are then dried in the air or in a stove. The
moulds in which the said mass is to be pressed, are, by preference, formed of
suitable metal, such as iron, steel, brass, gun-metal, and the like, and are heated when
in operation. If the moulded articles to be produced require to be coated with vencer
of natural wood on their outer surface, the following manipulations are required.
In the heated mould are placed from one to six layers of wood veneer, according
to the depth of the relief, the veneer having been, in the first instance, coated with
a cementitious substance, such as glue, resin and the like, which is allowed to dry.
Upon the veneer is then spread a layer of a dry powdered ligneous compound of
varying thickness, according to the degree of relief of the moulding, and which
consists of from 2 to 20 parts of wood fibre or cellulose, from 6 to 30 parts of
sawdust, from 1 to parts of dry dextrine powder (or other binding material, such
as blood, albumen, resin &c) and from 1 to 5 parts of glutinous flour of wheat, rye,
maize &c. These proportions may however be varied, and, if desired, a coloring
matter corresponding to that of the veneer may be added. For flat articles, such
as flat reliefs, heads &c, a single pressing operation is in most cases sufficient,
whereby the mass will be combined so intimately with the natural veneer that it
cannot be separated therefrom without breaking up the article. With objects
having high reliefs or very deep recesses, the process is somewhat modified. The
heated mould first receives a layer of prepared wood veneer, as before, and upon
this a layer of the dry powdered compound, to which may be added a small
proportion of dextrine, albumen, baked and dried blood, or other binding material,
in order to ensure a perfect adhesion of the veneer and dry ligneous compound,
and of the latter with the first described compound, a sufficient quantity of which

page_text: is then placed in the mould, after which it is subjected to the first pressure which
is continued until the mass has assumed the desired configuration to a certain
extent. The press is then opened again, and the partly formed mass is raised out
of the mould with the cover, to which it adheres; any parts that may not be
perfectly covered with veneer are provided with additional pieces thereof, and the
mass being put back into the mould, it is now subjected to the final pressure,
whereby it is made to receive the sharp configuration of the mould.
In order to prevent the warping of the finished article, it is advantageous to add
to the before mentioned dry compound a small quantity of pipe clay, gypsum,
whitening or other similar substance.
In order to economise the ligneous compound as much as possible, a piece of
wood, having rougly the configuration of the moulding, may be introduced in the
middle of the mass, or several smaller pieces of wood may be employed, according
to the form of the moulded article. Or, when the article is desired to be as heavy
as possible, as, for instance, for letter weights, pieces of metal may be introduced in
a similar manner. According to another modification of this process, the first
before described ligneous compound is used without being boiled, being merely
pressed in the heated moulds. By this means the mass is more plastic, and assumes
more readily the sharp configuration of the mould.
Good results have been obtained with the following compound, consisting mainly
of saw dust, or other ligneous fibre, blood and glutinous meal. From 2 to 6 parts
by weight of ground wood fibre are mixed with from 1 to 12 parts of saw dust, and
this mixture is incorporated with from 4 to 12 parts of dried blood, preferably
bullocks blood, although other blood may be used, or in place thereof albumen,
animal glue, resins or starch paste. In the latter case, there should be added to
the compound and thoroughly incorporated therewith from 1 to 2 parts of
glutinous flour, or in certain cases, the same proportion of potato flour, albumen,
fibrine, caseine or dextrine. The ingredients having been thoroughly incorporated,
the mass is dried at atmospheric temperature, or it may be slightly warmed for
the purpose.
Before using this compound, which is in a dry condition, and not boiled, it must
be slightly moistened, for which purpose it is again mixed intimately with from
1 to 6 parts of liquid blood, and from 1 to 2 parts of glutinous flour. An
admixture of from 6 to 25 parts of glycerine or animal or vegetable fat, or wax is
advantageous when it is desired that the moulded articles should have a smooth
shining surface, but this is not absolutely necessary. The compound thus prepared
is pressed in a moist condition in metal moulds heated to from 300° to 570° Fahr.
The heating of the moulds can be effected either by means of red hot plates or by
direct fire heat, or by superheated steam, introduced into spaces formed either in
the mould or in the press plunger.
In order to obtain the impressions on the moulded article as sharp as possible, a
backing of pasteboard or papier maché is applied thereto while undergoing the
pressing operation. By this means, firstly, the moisture of the mass will be
absorbed by the paste board, so that it will dry quicker and form a hard adhering
crust that will improve the appearance and durability of the article and prevent
warping, secondly the mould being made with a cutting edge, when this meets the
paste board the mass will no longer be able to escape from the mould, and in
continuing the pressure so as to cause the mould to cut into the paste board, the
confined mass will be compressed to the extent to which the paste board enters
the mould. Also, the paste board, in adhering firmly to the moulded article,
provides this with a smooth backing that furnishes a reddy means of attachment.
For these purposes .card board or papier maché of a loose fibrous texture is
taken, which is saturated with a solution of glue, water glass or other suitable
cementitious matter or compound, and, after drying, it is by preference coated on
the side which is to lie against the moulded article with glue or other cementitious
matter, so as to insure its perfect adhesion to the mass, although neither this nor
the impregnating with glue & solution is absolutely necessary. A piece of this

page_text: card board, slightly larger in size than the base of the mould, is then placed on a
plate and after placing thereon the requisite quantity of the moist ligneous com-
pound, the heated mould is brought down upon it, so as to penetrate with its
cutting edge into the paste board as above described: When the mass has become
dry, after repeated opening and closing of the press it is taken out of the mould
and any fins are removed by filing, after which the moulded article is ready for
polishing &c.
In the above described method of operating, the moulded article may also be
provided with a coating of veneer during the pressing operation, as in the first
described process, or it may be used without veneer and be colored by the addition
of coloring matter to the other ingredients.
Having thus described the nature of the said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent,
I wish it to be understood that I am aware that in the Specification to Letters
Patent bearing date 4th July 1881 N° 2914 granted to me as a communication
from my said correspondent was described a certain compound consisting of wood
fibre with other ingredients and I in no way claim the compound therein described
but I claim:-
First. The herein described improved manufacture of ligneous compounds
resembling wood consisting of from 2 to 6 parts of ground wood, from 4 to 12
parts of sawdust, and from 4 to 12 parts of either blood, albumen, glue, resin or
starch paste, to which mixture is then added from 1/4th to 2 parts of glutenous
flour or other material having similar properties, the compound being then dried
and when required for use mixed with from 1/2 to 6 parts of blood, 1/th to 2 parts
of glutenous flour or its equivalent, with or without an admixture of glycerine or
animal or vegetable fat or wax.
Second. The manufacture of moulded articles from a compound consisting of
cellulose or woody fibre mixed with small proportions of starch and glutenous
flour, to which from one half to two thirds the quantity of saw dust is added, the
said compound being subjected in an unboiled condition to pressure in heated
moulds, substantially as herein described
Third. The manufacture of moulded articles from a compound consisting of
cellulose or woody fibre mixed with small proportions of starch and glutenous
flour, to which from one half to two thirds the quantity of sawdust is added, the
said compound, either in a boiled or in an unboiled condition, and either with or
without a coating of veneer, being subjected to pressure in moulds the edges of
which are made to penetrate into a soft foundation on which the compound is
laid, so that the compound is subject to compression in a confined condition as
soon as the mould begins to penetrate the foundation.
Fourth. The herein described improved manufacture of moulded articles of
ligneous compound coated with veneer, wherein one or more layers of thin veneer
coated on one side with cement are laid in a heated mould, and upon this is placed
a layer of a dry pulverulent compound consisting of from 2 to 10 parts of cellulose,
6 to 30 parts of sawdust, 1 to 5 parts of dry dextrine powder, 1 to 5 parts of glutenous
flour and 1/8th to 2 parts of dry pipe clay, or equivalent material, a backing of the
ligneous compound in a pasty condition referred to in the previous claim being
then added, and the whole subjected to pressure, substantially as herein described.
In Witness whereof I the said Charles Denton Abel have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Third day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty-three.