An Improved Substitute for Wood and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 7th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 9th May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Substitute for Wood and the like.
I, CHARLES ARTHUR ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County
f Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
as been communicated to me from abroad by "The Marquetelle Mosaic Co."
Incorporated), of Montclair, New Jersey, United States of America) to be as
ollows:-
This invention relates to a substance (which it is proposed to call "Amiant")
which may be used as a substitute for wood or other material in the construction
of the linings, paneling, flooring and general "trim" for the interiors of war
ships or buildings wherever it is desired to have a material at once splinter and
fire-proof.
The method of procedure consists of a series of steps in the process as
follows:-
Fibrous or powdered wood or sawdust is taken and mixed thoroughly with
diluted silicate of potash 90 parts, soda tungstate dissolved 10 parts, steel wool
that has been baked in oil or other material to prevent oxidization or rust being
added to the mixture, or, instead of steel wool, fibrous asbestos or other similar
non-combustible fibrous material may be added to the mixture, the object of its
introduction being to give the material greater tensile strength.
The invention is not restricted to the exact proportions given above as for
different purposes slight alterations may be desired, as to wit when it is desired
that the material shall be finished with a very light colour a small proportion of
zine white is added together with calcined carbonate of magnesia making combined
about 20% of the whole. Also where great tensile strength is required as in the
supporting frames of doors, cornices and columns a larger proportion of the steel
wool is added, which better than other fibrous material prevents disintegration or
splintering of the material, a very essential feature for most purposes.
When the composition is thoroughly macerated and mixed it is placed in a metal
or other supporting frame (while in a semi-plastic condition) and subjected to
heavy pressure, perforations being provided for allowing the liquid to drain off.
It is then removed and when thoroughly dry and dressed off and sandpapered to
the desired form it is thoroughly impregnated with bichromated gelatine, the work
being exposed to the action of bright light which tends to make the composition
insoluble in water as well as fire-proof.
When it is desirable that the finished product shall be in imitation of mahogany,
colouring matter (dry) is mixed with the material while in a powdered or fibrous
condition to produce the proper shade or colour, so that if the panel or material
receives an abrasion or is cut through the colour will be the same as though it were
a piece of real mahogany. The same method may be used in imitating walnut,
oak or other woods, the colouring matter of course being made and admixed to
conform to the tone or colour of the respective woods.
For some purposes sulphide fibre pulp or long fibred talc may be used where.
economy in manufacture is desired.
Dated this 6th day of July 1895.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: An Improved Substitute for Wood and the like.
I, CHARLES ARTHUR ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by "The Marquetelle Mosaic Co.
(Incorporated), of Montclair, New Jersey, United States of America) and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
The present invention relates to fire proof material, to be used or employed as a
substitute for wood, for building purposes and particularly for ornamental work
such as "trim frescoes, ceilings, walls, panelings, or other interior work, and
for all other purposes where ornamental wood or similar work is desired, and
particularly where it is desired that such work should be of fire proof material.
In the practice of this invention I first prepare a pulp of wood, or similar
material, and mix therewith fibrous asbestos, or other and similar non-combustible
fibrous material, such as steel wool" when greater tensile strength is desired, the
whole being then thoroughly mixed with a coloring matter in powdered form or
otherwise to produce the desired shade or color, such as venitian red, or burnt
sienna, for producing a representation of mahogany; or burnt umber or vandyke
brown for producing an imitation of walnut.
I then add, gently stirring at a moderate heat, a composition, in solution, of the
following ingredients, in substantially the following proportions :-
Bichromated gelatine -
Silicate of soda
20 parts in solution,
70 "
"
10
"
;
Soda tungstate
and when a stiff paste has been formed, I place it in a receiver, having a perforated
bottom for water or moisture to pass through, said receiver being of such form and
size as it is desired that the finished or completed article shall possess, and the
article or product is then sprinkled with a powder composed, preferably, of calcined
carbonate of magnesia.
The second step of the process consists in placing the material in suitable
moulds of the desired form where it is pressed into the required shape under great
pressure, hydraulic pressure being preferred, and when sufficiently hard to handle
it is dried in broad daylight, and when sufficiently dried it is cut into proper forms
and sizes or dimensions, the forms and sizes or dimensions depending upon the
particular use to which the article is to be applied, and when so cut or formed the
pieces are dressed off or sand papered and are then ready for final treatment
which constitutes the third and last step as follows:-
The last step of the process depends, at least to some extent, upon the use to
which the finished article is to be put or the application thereof. If it is intended
that the article when finished shall be a facsimile of plain or fancy wood I then
proceed to grain in the pores and growth of the wood in distemper colors, in the
usual manner, and then apply two or more coats of bichromated gelatine or silicate
of potash, and where it is not objectionable, for instance where the finished product
is to be used in out door work, and will be subjected to changes of temperature
and moisture, it is desirable that it should be given one or two coats of hard
drying coach varnish, or varnish of similar character.
The material when formed according to my method and finish as described, may
be made to represent either mahogany, oak or walnut in either plain or ornamental
wood, and is perfectly adapted to produce all the results produced by such woods
in the finishing of houses or other buildings or structures, and in addition to being

page_text: a perfect representation of such woods it is also very durable and absovery
proof.
The invention is not limited to the specific combination and treatment of parts
and elements herein specified as it is evident that slight changes may be made
therein without departing from the scope of the invention:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The process of preparing fire proof material for use in buildings or other
structures, which consists in forming a pulp of wood or similar material, mixing
therewith coloring material to produce the desired shade or color, and adding
thereto a composition of bichromated gelatine, silicate of soda, and soda tungstate,
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
2. The process of preparing fire proof material for use in buildings or other
structures, which consists in forming a pulp of wood or similar material, mixing
therewith coloring material to produce the desired shade or color, adding thereto
a composition of bichromated gelatine, silicate of soda, and soda tungstate, and
placing the paste thus formed in perforated moulds of the required form, sub-
stantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
3. The process of preparing fire proof material for use in buildings or other
structures, which consists in forming a pulp of wood or similar material, mixing
therewith coloring material to produce the desired shade or color, adding thereto
a composition of bichomated gelatine, silicate of soda, and soda tungstate, and
placing the paste thus formed in perforated moulds of the required form, and when
dry subjecting the same to great pressure, substantially as described.
4. The process of preparing fire proof material for use in buildings or other
structures, which consists in forming a pulp of wood or similar material, mixing
therewith coloring material to produce the desired shade or color, adding thereto
a composition of bichromated gelatine, silicate of soda, and soda tungstate, and
placing the paste thus formed in perforated moulds of the required form, and when
dry subjecting the same to great pressure, and covering the article thus produced
with bichromated gelatine, or silicate of potash, substantially as described and for
the purpose set forth.
5. The process of producing fire proof material in imitation of wood for buildings
or other structures, which consists in forming a pulp of wood or similar material,
combined with fibrous asbestos, or similar material, mixing therewith coloring
material to produce the desired shade or color, and adding thereto a composition
of bichromated gelatine, silicate of soda, and soda tungstate, substantially as
described.
6. The process of producing. fire proof material in imitation of wood for
buildings or other structures, which consists in forming a pulp of wood or similar
material, combined with fibrous asbestos, or similar material, mixing therewith
coloring material to produce the desired shade or color, and adding thereto a
composition of bichromated gelatine, silicate of soda, and soda tungstate, extracting
the moisture therefrom and subjecting the same to great pressure in moulds of the
required form, dressing off or smoothing the product and then graining in the
pores and growth of the wood, substantially as described and for the purpose set
forth.
7. The fire proof material for buildings or other structures, herein described,
comprising wood pulp, coloring material to produce the desired shade or color,
and a composition of bichromated gelatine, silicate of soda, and soda tungstate,
substantially as described.
8. A fire proof material for buildings or other structures, comprising wood pulp,
fibrous asbestos or similar material, coloring material to produce the desired shade
or color, and a composition of bichromated gelatine, silicate of soda, and soda
tungstate, substantially as described.

page_text: 9. A fire proof material for buildings or other structures, comprising wood pulp,
fibrous asbestos or similar material, coloring material to produce the desired shade
or color, and a composition of bichromated gelatine, silicate of soda, and soda
tungstate, provided with a coat of bichromated gelatine, or silicate of soda,
substantially as described.
10. The process of preparing fire proof material, for use in buildings or other
structures, which consists in forming a pulp of wood, or similar material, and
mixing therewith fibrous asbestos, or similar material, substantially as described
and for the purpose set forth.
11. A fire proof material for buildings or other structures, comprising a pulp of
wood or similar material, combined with fibrous asbestos, or similar material,
substantially as described."
This 3 C Amil 1906
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.