IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BLOCKS AND ARTICLES FROM PAPER AND FIBROUS MATERIAL
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Elkanah Healey, of Old Oak Cottage, Willesden
Junction, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BLOCKS AND ARTICLES FROM PAPER AND FIBROUS
MATERIAL"
Sealed the 12th July 1878, and dated the 15th January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Elkanah Healey at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th January 1878.
ALFRED ELKANAH HEALEY, of Old Oak Cottage, Willesden Junction, in the
County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BLOCKS AND
ARTICLES FROM PAPER AND FIBROUS MATERIAL."
This Invention relates to the production from paper or fibrous material of in-
soluble waterproof fibrous blocks and panels or other articles capable of being
applied to various useful purposes in the arts and manufactures.
In order to effect this object I take the cuttings, shreds, and refuse of paper, by
preference paper already copperized (by the cupro-ammonium processes), and after
manipulating and tearing them into convenient form I expose them to the chemical
action of copperized ammonia (either the well-known liquid solution or moist
ammonia in presence of copper), and when softened down and rendered viscid, but
not reduced to the condition of pulp, I subject the mass to hydrostatic pressure in
a warm atmosphere in suitable moulds for the purposes required, some of which
may be specially arranged to admit of air spaces being formed in the blocks of com-
pressed fibre in order to admit air for the purpose of drying and seasoning the block
right through, and such holes may be filled up subsequently by pouring in marine
glue or other convenient matter; or the holes may be filled up by the insertion of
metallic or other bolts.
After the blocks or articles are thoroughly dried, I expose them to greater heat
in order fully to season them. In this manner blocks, panels, and other articles of

page_text: paper material can be made of greater compactness, strength, and tenacity than are
attainable by superimposition of layers of paper or other fabric dissolved in
copperized ammonia, as by my process the block or panel is rendered solid and of
great density by the interlacing in every direction of the component cuttings and
shreds, whilst it is much less costly, its basis consisting of fragments and cuttings,
and otherwise waste products.
The cuttings and shreds I prefer to employ are those from the toughest materials,
and in long mixed-up fragments such as result from the cutting out of fancy
patterns. By these means I obtain an insoluble compact fibrous block or panel,
which can be made of any required strength, form, or thickness, and is especially
applicable as an improved backing for armour plates, being less liable to splinter,
and consequently offering greater resistance to shot than any other backing hitherto
used for that purpose.
The blocks or panels may be employed in the construction of packing cases,
barrels, roofing, plain or corrugated wheels, light vessels of various form and size,
and as a substitute for papier maché, and for various other useful purposes.
Similarly to the above treatment of paper I may take hemp, flax, sawdust, and
any suitable vegetable fibre, raw, or woven, or otherwise, and after tearing it into con-
venient form where required, saturate and partially dissolve it, and then compress it
into the required block, or other form, either by itself or in conjunction with paper
shreds.
It is necessary that the whole mass of paper shreds or other fibrous matters under
treatment be thoroughly softened down and surface dissolved throughout, but not
dissolved or reduced to the condition of pulp.
In some cases resinous and other matters may be mixed up with the material,
and gelatinous silica may be deposited amongst the fibres by blowing in fluo-silicic
acid ons

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alfred Elkanah Healey in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
July 1878.
ALFRED ELKANAH HEALEY, of Old Oak Cottage, Willesden Junction, in the
County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BLOCKS AND
ARTICLES FROM PAPER AND FIBROUS MATERIAL."
My said Invention relates to the production from paper or fibrous material of
insoluble waterproof fibrous blocks and panels or other articles capable of being
applied to various useful purposes in the arts and manufactures.
In order to effect this object I take the cuttings shreds and refuse of paper, by
preference paper already copperised (by the cupro-ammonium processes, as described;
for example, in the Specifications to Letters Patent granted to John Scoffern, dated
the 25th May 1868, No. 1717, and to John Scoffern and George Tidicombe, junior,
dated the 5th March 1875, No. 827), and after manipulating and tearing the said
cuttings shreds and refuse into convenient form, I expose them to the chemical
action of copperized ammonia, and when thoroughly softened down and rendered
viscid, but not reduced to the condition of pulp, I subject the mass (within the
duration of its required viscidity) to hydrostatic pressure in moulds adapted for the
purposes required, and by preference in a warm atmosphere. The blocks or articles
thus resulting are then thoroughly dried, after which I expose them to an increase
of temperature in order to volatilize the ammonia, which has acted as one of the
converting agents.
When convenient and possible, as for example in the case of solid blocks of con-
siderable thickness, I arrange the moulds so as to form holes or spaces in the block
or article for the admission of air for the purpose of facilitating the drying and
seasoning of the said block or article throughout its entire mass or volume. The
holes or spaces thus produced may be filled up subsequently by pouring in marine
glue or other convenient material, or by the insertion of metallic or other bolts.
In this manner blocks, panels, and other articles of paper material can be made of
greater compactness, strength, and tenacity than are attainable by superimposition
of layers of paper or other fabric dissolved in copperised ammonia, as by my process
the block or panel is rendered solid and of great density by the interlacing in every
direction of the component cuttings and shreds, whilst it is much less costly, its
basis consisting of fragments and cuttings, and otherwise waste products.
The cuttings and shreds I prefer to employ are those from the toughest materials,
and in long mixed-up fragments such as result from the cutting out of fancy
patterns. By these means I obtain an insoluble compact fibrous block or panel,
which can be made of any required strength, form, or thickness, and is applicable
to the construction of packing cases, barrels, roofing, plain or rough corrugated
wheels, light vessels of various forms and sizes, and as a substitute for papier
maché, as also a backing for armour plates, and for various other useful
purposes.
Similarly to the above treatment of paper I may take hemp, flax, sawdust, and
any suitable vegetable fibre, raw, or woven, or otherwise, and after tearing it into
convenient form where required, saturate and partially dissolve it, and then com-
press it into the required block or other form, either by itself or in conjunction with
paper shreds.
It is necessary that the whole mass of paper shreds or other fibrous matters under
treatment be thoroughly softened down and surface dissolved throughout, but not
dissolved or reduced to the condition of pulp.
In some cases resinous and other matters may be mixed up with the material,
and gelatinous silica may be deposited amongst the fibres by blowing in fluo-silicic
acid gas.
I also take the cuttings, shreds, and refuse of already copperized paper or woven
tissue, and after mixing therewith hydrated oxide of copper, so as to ensure an excess of

page_text: the latter, I subject the same during agitation to the action of ammoniacal gas
in conjunction with steam.
When the entire mass has been sufficiently acted upon, and surface dissolved, it
is moulded under hydrostatic pressure in a warm atmosphere, and subsequently
dried and seasoned, as herein-before described.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is, the production of blocks or articles from shreds or fragments of
paper, or from fibrous material, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Elkanah Healey, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, the Thirteenth day of July, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
ALFRED ELKANAH HEALEY. (L.S.)