Process for Smoothing the Receiving Surface of Phonogram- cylinders.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 30th June, 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Process for Smoothing the Receiving Surface of Phonogram-
cylinders.
I, BÉLA STEINER, of 11 Josefsplatz, Budapest, in the Kingdom of Hungary,
Railway-inspector, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In phonographs in which the recording point or stylus makes impressions in a
plastic mass, the smoothing of the surface of the phonogram cylinder, after use, to
render it suitable for re-use has heretofore been effected by turning. This process
however is not suitable for producing a perfectly smooth surface, as it will easily
happen that small shavings or cuttings will become embedded in the surface of the
cylinder and seriously interfere with the proper recording of another phonogram
thereon. Furthermore the turning process necessarily involves a certain waste of
the material of which the cylinder is composed with the result that after repeated
use and repeated turning, the diameter of the cylinder gradually decreases to a
considerable extent and the recording point must accordingly be frequently
re-adjusted.
Now this invention has for object to obviate the foregoing disadvantages, for
which purpose the smoothing of the receiving surface of the phonogram cylinder is
effected, not by turning, but by subjecting the same, while the cylinder is kept
revolving, to the action of a flame which heats it until the impressions melt away
and disappear.
To enable this to be done it is necessary to form the receiving layer of some
material capable of melting or, of softening more or less under the action of heat,
such for examples as asphalt, rosin, wax, and paraffin. A comparatively thin
layer of this material is laid on a core made of material that is not liable to be
injuriously affected by the heat employed, and such for examples as metal, wood,
and porcelain.
When the surface of the outer layer of material commences to melt, the heating
operation is stopped, but the cylinder is still caused to revolve for some time until
the mass has again become so hard as to no longer contract or to form an irregular
surface that is to say until the cylindrical surface is exactly and completely
reconstituted.
In this manner, a thoroughly clean and smooth surface is obtained without any
waste of the material forming the receiving layer.
Dated this 11th day of June 1892
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Process for Smoothing the Receiving Surface of Phonogram-
cylinders.
I, BÉLA STEINER, of 11 Josefsplatz, Budapest, in the Kingdom of Hungary,
Railway-inspector, 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 :-
In phonographs in which the recording point or stylus makes impressions in a
plastic mass, the smoothing of the surface of the phonogram cylinder, after use, to
render it suitable for re-use, has heretofore been effected by turning. This process

page_text: however is not suitable for producing a perfectly smooth surface, as it will easily
happen that small shavings or cuttings will become embedded in the surface of the
cylinder and seriously interfere with the proper formation of another phonogram
thereon. Furthermore the turning process necessarily involves a certain waste of
the material of which the cylinder is composed, with the result that after repeated
use and repeated turning, the diameter of the cylinder gradually decreases to a
considerable extent and the recording point must accordingly be frequently
re-adjusted.
Now this invention has for object to obviate the foregoing disadvantages, for
which purpose the smoothing of the receiving surface of the phonogram-cylinder
is effected, not by turning, but by subjecting the same, while the cylinder is kept
revolving, to the action of a flame which heats it until the impressions melt away
and disappear.
To enable this to be done it is necessary to form the receiving layer of some
material capable of melting or of softening more or less under the action of heat,
such for examples as asphalt, resin, wax, and paraffin. A comparatively thin
layer of this material is laid on a core made of material that is not liable to be
injuriously affected by the heat employed, and such for examples as metal, wood,
and porcelain.
When the surface of the outer layer of material commences to melt, the heating
operation is stopped, but the cylinder is still caused to revolve for some time until
the mass has again become so hard as to no longer contract or to form an irregular
surface, that is to say until the cylindrical surface is exactly and completely
reconstituted.
In this manner, a thoroughly clean and smooth surface is obtained without any
waste of the material forming the receiving layer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is: -
The herein described process for smoothing the receiving surface of a phonogram
cylinder composed of a layer of material such as wax, paraffin, resin, or asphalt,
capable of being melted or softened by heat and carried by a suitable core as set
forth, said process consisting in subjecting the said layer of material to the action
of heat until it has attained a soft doughy consistency, and rotating the cylinder
until the softened layer has again become hardened as set forth.
Dated this 30th day of June 1892.
B. STEINER,
By L. W., per F. B.