Improvements in the Method of and Means for Making Artificial Stone.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Means for Making Artificial
Stone.
I, GEORGE CHRISTIE, of 64 Hopwood Street, Hull, in the County of Yorkshire,
Artificial Stone Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to
be as follows:-
The object of my invention, is to produce artificial stone with a better, harder,
and more stone like finish, than heretofore, and to dispense with the necessity of
having a large stock of moulds, as the mass when being moulded, has not to
remain in the mould for any length of time, as is necessary in the ordinary way
of making artificial stone.
For the purpose of my invention, I employ Portland or other suitable cement,
mixed with sand, gravel, or any of the ingredients usually used in the manufacture
of artificial stone, these ingredients, are mixed together in any suitable manner;
hitherto when being mixed, the mass has been primarily mixed with the full
quantity of water, this necessitating it remaining in the moulds for some time,
to allow the blocks to set in the moulds, as, if taken out before, the blocks would
not retain their moulded shape, this necessitates the employment of a considerable
number of moulds.
Under my invention, I mix the ingredients with as little liquid as possible,
just sufficient to allow the mass to be moulded, the mass is then pressed in the
mould, water is applied to the exposed part of the block this percolates into the
mass or block, which can then be taken out of the mould, when water, steam, or
the like, is sprayed on to it by means of a sprayer, this spraying of water or the
like on to the block allows of such water or the like being applied to the
surface of the block in a thin, light, fleecy cloud, which allows of the block more
easily absorbing the water or the like without injuring the shape, the water thus
sprayed, together with that previously applied to the block when in the mould,
go to make up the required amount of moisture to cause the block to set hard
and durable; and at the same time gives it a stone-like appearance, also prevents
the formation on the block of a thin skin which is liable to crack on exposure to
the atmosphere.
Dated this Eleventh day of March 1897.
JOHN E. WALSH,
Savile Street, Hull, and Crossley Street, Halifax,
Patent Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in the Method of and Means for Making Artificial
Stone."
I, GEORGE CHRISTIE, of 19 Temple Street, late of 64 Hopwood Street, both in
Hull, in the County of Yorkshire, Artificial Stone 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:-
-
The object of my invention is to produce artificial stone, with a better, harder
and more stone like finish than heretofore, and to dispense with the necessity of
having a large number of moulds, as the mass when being moulded has not to
remain in the mould for any length of time, as is necessary in the ordinary way
of making artificial stone.
For the purpose of my invention, I employ Portland or other suitable cement,
mixed with sand, gravel, or any of the ingredients usually employed and commonly
known in the manufacture of artificial stone, these ingredients are mixed together
in any suitable manner, hitherto when being mixed the mass has been primarily
mixed with the requisite amount of liquid, this necessitating it remaining in the
moulds for sufficient time to allow the blocks to set in the moulds, as if taken
out before the blocks would not retain their moulded shape, this necessitates the
employment of a considerable number of moulds.
Under my invention, I mix the ingredients with as little liquid as possible,
just sufficient to allow the mass to be moulded and to prevent the face adhering
to the mould, the mass is then pressed in the mould, liquid is applied to the
exposed part of the block, this percolates into the mass or block which is then
taken out of the mould immediately before it sets. When turned out it is not
hard enough to allow of liquid being poured on it or sprayed in the usual manner,
that is by means of an ordinary rose having large holes in it, as the water coming
through such holes would injure it to such an extent that the stone would he
useless, but in place thereof, I use a very fine sprayer, which diffuses water, steam
or the like on to the block in a light fleecy cloud of fine particles which make very
fine indentations on the block, the water so sprayed is absorbed by the block and
does not break or disfigure it like large drops from a rose or jet would do but
percolates into the stone and assists it in its initial set, the tiny indentations caused
by the fine spray giving the block when set a rough surface and grit like finish
making it almost impossible for it to be distinguished from natural stone.
After the initial set has taken place, water can be applied to the stone from
time to time in the ordinary manner.
I am aware that artificial stone has been watered when taken from the mould,
ut the block has had (as a rule) to remain in the mould until the initial set has
taken place, liquid has then been applied but such application is not a factor
in the initial set of the cementing agent.
With my process the block is turned out of the mould without any delay and
is sprayed immediately it is turned out of such mould, before the mass has set,
such spraying to be in a light fleecy cloud of fine particles which gives the block
a stone like finish and goes to make up the required amount of liquid for its most
perfect setting and subsequent hardness and durability.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is;
1. Mixing the ingredients which go to form artificial stone with just sufficient
liquid to allow them to be moulded and turning the moulded mass out without
delay and spraying it with water, steam or the like, in a light fleecy cloud, by

page_text: means of any suitable fine spray diffuser in the manner and for the purposes sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In the manufacture of Artificial stone spraying the mass with water, steam or
the like in a light fleecy cloud of fine particles immediately it is taken from the
mould and before such mass has attained its initial set in the manner and for the
purposes substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated 10th December 1897.
JOHN E. WALSH,
Saville Street, Hull, and
Waterhouse Chambers, Crossley Street, Halifax,