Improved Decorative Material or Surface in Imitation of Marble.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 26th June. 1893
Complete Specification Left, 26th June, 1893-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 26th June, 1893-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Decorative Material or Surface in Imitation of Marble.
We, GUSTAVE ALFRED GOEGG and JOHANN CONRAD FRÜH, of the Firm of
Goegg and Früh 17 Boulevard Helvétique, Geneva in the Republic of Switzerland,
Technical Chemists, 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 material forming the object of this invention consists of limestones of a
cement-like nature, obtained by calcining dolomite, which is mainly composed of
carbonate of lime and carbonate of magnesia, at a temperature not exceeding red
heat, which affects merely the carbonate of magnesia, transforming it into oxide
of magnesia, whilst the carbonate of calcium remains intact. This product hardens
under the action of water, say for a period of 24 hours, which would not be the
case if the carbonate of calcium were also calcined by employing a much higher
temperature. Suitable mineral and earthy colouring matters may be added to these
limestones according to the colour of the marbles which it is desired to imitate.
The proportions of the substances employed vary according to the rapidity of
the setting and the degree of hardness which it is desired to obtain, but about 3 parts
by weight of calcined dolomite to 1 part water will be found a suitable proportion
in most cases.
The material consists
1st. Of a marble crust composed itself according to the nature of marbles, of
several very thin layers superimposed on one another, and of threads so set in as
to produce the veining of marbles in the same direction as in the case of natural
marbles (the big veins requiring a greater surface than the fine ones), the bottom of
the marbled design forming blended colours, proceeding gradually from light to
darker shades, and vice versa, and the intermediate layers frequently contributing,
by transparency, to the tint of the surface lavers.
The veins and the bottom are so intimately connected and their parts are so
adherent that their reciprocal incrustation is inseparable and the whole forms a
perfect substance with an absolutely compact marbled surface.
2nd. Of a coating beneath the marbled crust, of a chemical composition identical
with that of the bottom, either alone or mixed with other substances, such, for
instance, as sand, broken tiles, et cetera, according to the destination of the marble.
The object of thus adding sand broken tiles et cetera, is merely for the sake of
cheapness and it will be readily understood that such may be added in any quantity
according to the required thickness of the coating.
The marbled side polished like real marble is obtained of great brilliancy.
On the accompanying drawing, a and b are two layers of limestones of a cement-
like nature, forming the under coating which serves as a foundation for the marbled
crust c. c is a marbled crust itself composed of several layers d d' d' placed one
above the other.

page_text: In this marbled layer, threads e ele, of the same composition as the marbled
layer but of different colours, are encased, in such a way as to reproduce the
veining of marble.
The process of manufacture is as follows:-
The necessary colours are mixed with the limestones hereinbefore mentioned
which are previously mixed with a sufficient quantity of water, thus imparting to
the mixture various tints to correspond with the varieties of marble which it is
desired to reproduce; for certain sorts of marble, as many as 15 or 20 different
tints are necessary.
According to the shape which the blocks or slabs of marble are intended to have,
the work is done on perfectly flat surfaces formed of glass, marble or plaster, or in
moulds of cement, plaster or other suitable substances. The layer which is to
form the external surface is first placed on this flat surface or mould, and, if the
article produced is to be veined, these veins are first made, giving them a natural
direction. This operation is performed either by means of a fine long haired brush
if the veins are to be thin, or by means of the workman's hand if they are to be
thick. More or fewer of these veins are formed, according to the kind of marble.
The tints which are to form the ground are then applied by hand by the side of
and often above the veins. By placing the tints above the veins, the latter are
intersected, a formation which may be frequently seen in natural marble. By
placing the tints one over the other in thin layers, fresh shades may be obtained, and
at the same time a certain transparency characteristic of many natural marbles of
different colours. All the surface of the mould is thus filled and smoothed by
means of a trowel. This then forms the tinted layer.
It is then allowed to stand in the mould for some time in order that the limestone
may harden a little, and it then receives a layer of limestone mixed with water,
with or without the addition of sand, broken tiles or the like, which forms the under
part of the slab or block when finished.
At the end of about 24 hours, the imitation marble may be removed from the
mould and is ready for polishing. The tinted surface alone is polished, and this
operation is performed in the usual manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
An improved kind of decorative material imitating marble composed of two
different main layers, the first of which is a crust formed of limestones of a cement-
like nature coloured and showing stratifications, and the second of which, of the
same composition as the bottom of the first, serves as a support for the same.
Dated this 21st day of November 1893
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicants.