Casts and Moulds, Making them impervious to Water, and Rendering Unnecessary the Ordinary Process of Whitewashing or Painting.
Year: 1886

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 11th day of August 1887, amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
of Lime) Casts and Moulds, Making them
impervious to
Water, and Rendering Unnecessary the Ordinary Process of
Whitewashing or Painting.
I EMMA THOMAS LAXTON CLARK of 111 Hemingford Road London (N) Middlesex
Fine Art Moulder do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention is intended to be specially adapted for Building Decorations-
Architectural or otherwise but also useful for other multifarious purposes.
"Moulds " made of Plaster-Paris (sulphate of lime) can under my Invention be so
Strengthened and Preserved, that "Casts" can be taken from them."
"Casts
made solely of Plaster-Paris after having gone through my processes as
described in the Title, are fitted both for External as well as Internal use or
decoration.
"Casts" under my Invention are made Hard Strong, and Durable, are less
Impervious to Water than Marble, and therefore will last longer without discolouration.
Casts" under my Invention are not so much injured by Dirt and Atmospherical
changes as are many of the natural or artificial stones now in use.
"Casts" under my Invention can be kept clean by washing with soap water and
brush only, and by this means rendering superfluous the present method of White-
washing or Painting, thus enabling them to retain their Original Colour and Beauty.
The description then of my Invention consists as follows.
First use a hardening process, by subjecting Casts and Moulds, of every
description made solely of Plaster-Paris (sulphate of lime) to an Immersion (varying
in duration of time, according to size and thickness) in a solution of pure Borax, in
After this, I
the proportion of one pound or thereabouts to every gallon of water.
put the articles when quite dry, through the second process, which consists in placing
the Casts into pure paraffin wax, melted in a hot water bath.
The said casts are then fitted either for Internal or External decoration, these being
the only processes necessary to fulfil the claims made in the Title.

page_text: Improvements in Hardening and Preserving Plaster-Paris (Sulphate
of Lime) Casts and Moulds, Making them Impervious to
Water, and Rendering Unnecessary the Ordinary Process of
Whitewashing or Painting.
1 EMMA THOMAS LAXTON CLARK of 111 Hemingford Road London N Fine Art
Moulder 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:
My Invention is intended for multifarious ornamentations and uses required both
for Architectural and Building purposes, such as ceiling enrichments of the most
elaborate character, statues, statuettes, and busts.
Moulds made solely of Plaster-Paris (Sulphate of Lime) under my Invention can
be so strengthened that "Casts" can be taken from them.
"Casts
on being submitted to my processes must be made solely of Plaster-Paris
(Sulphate of Lime) without any other admixture, and must also be free from dirt
or stain.
"Casts" under my Invention are made Hard, Strong, and Durable, retaining and
adding to their original beauty, and when made of Fine Plaster-Paris, are capable of
receiving a very high Polish. They then have the appearance of Statuary Marble,
but are less more impervious to water, and therefore will last longer without dis-
colouration.
"Casts" having gone through my processes are not so much injured by dirt and
atmospherical changes, as are most of the natural or artificial stones now in use, for they
can be easily cleaned by washing with soap, hot or cold water, and sponge or brush;
rendering at all times superfluous the ordinary method of whitewashing or painting,
as now practised for ceiling enrichments, statues, statuettes, and busts; thus enabling
them to retain their original beauty.
"Casts" after having gone through my processes are fitted both for External as well
as Internal use or decoration.
The description of my Invention consists as follows.
First I use a Hardening Process, by Immersing Casts and Moulds, made solely of
Plaster-Paris, (Sulphate of Lime) in a Bath containing a Solution of Borax
(Biborate of Soda). This I apply in the proportion of one pound or thereabouts, to
every gallon of boiling water.
All articles must be quite dry at the time of immersion.

page_text: When it is required that "Casts" should be made extra hard, as for instance in
those for External use, the aforesaid solution should be used whilst still hot, but when
a slighter induration or hardness is required, Casts should be immersed in the same
solution when cold. This will be a saving of time and material, as the cold bath will
suffice for those intended for Internal use or decoration.
The length of time for Immersion must vary according to the porosity and
thickness of the articles to be processed; i.e. for Casts one inch thick from fifteen
minutes to half an hour would suffice, whereas Casts from six to twelve inches in
solidity would require to be immersed in the borax solution from one to two hours.
The test of ascertaining whether the Casts are fully indurated is this-if any article
on being taken out of the solution in the bath, has not received as much of the
solution as it can, it will quickly appear to be dry on the surface, but if it cannot take
up any more, it will remain wet on the surface and will drip, which will be a proof
the Cast is fully indurated.
After the Casts are taken from the bath, it is necessary they should be immediately
Dried, which is accomplished by placing them in a room heated by artificial heat, the
range of temperature of which being from about ninety to a hundred and forty
degrees Fahrenheit.
This first process being now fully described, is quite complete in itself for all
articles where a natural appearance of unpolished marble, biscuit china, or Parian is
required, and they are also capable of being washed, the same as ordinary Biscuit
China, Parian, or unpolished marble, which they very much resemble.
Casts having been thoroughly Indurated and Dried as directed, I now come to my
Second Process, for further and completely rendering them impervious to water and
atmospherical changes. This consists in placing the Casts into a Bath of melted pure
White Wax, Paraffin by preference, as this keeps its whiteness better than any other.
The wax I place in an ordinary bath, this bath being placed or standing within a
larger bath, which latter or outer bath must be filled with hot or boiling water, and
kept up.
to boiling heat. The wax placed in the inner bath is melted by the action of
the boiling water contained in the outer bath. During the whole time that any Casts
are immersed the water must be kept to boiling heat, and the wax in a molten state,
or else the wax would get too cold, in which case the Casts could not be effectually
acted on.
This therefore is of the greatest importance for the further fulfilment of my
Invention.
The length of time for Immersion must vary according to the porosity and
thickness of the articles to be processed, i.e. for Casts one inch thick from fifteen
minutes to half an hour would suffice, whereas Casts from six to twelve inches in
solidity, would require to be immersed in the hot wax, from one to two hours, or
even more.
The test of ascertaining whether the Casts are fully permeated with the hot wax is
this if any article on being taken out of the wax-bath, has not received as much of
the hot wax as it can, it will quickly appear to be dry on the surface, but if it is fully
permeated, it will drip, showing that the Second Process is complete. Such Casts,
Moulds, or other articles should be then placed on stands and allowed to cool, and
when cold are fit for use.
that
For Internal decoration or use it is not absolutely necessary to keep the Casts in the
Wax-bath until they are fully permeated, but for External decoration or use,
also for "Moulds," it is absolutely necessary on the score of greater durability,
all Casts, Moulds, or other articles, should be fully permeated with the hot wax.
After the Second Process is completed and the Casts are quite cold, those requiring
to be Polished, are polished by the application of soft soap and water, rubbed on with
sponge or soft brush, then well rinsed and rubbed dry. This Polish is renewed every
time the Casts or other articles are thus treated however dirty they may be.
Old or discoloured casts so long as they are free from stearine or paint can also be
subjected to these processes with the result that all surface dirt will be removed and the
casts hardened and made impervious to water although their original whiteness of colour
cannot be fully restored.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
The Means or Materials i.e. Borax in solution, and melted white or paraffin wax, for
Hardening, for Strengthening, for Preserving, and for making Impervious to Water
and Atmospherical changes, Plaster-Paris Casts and Moulds.
I also claim the Polishing of Plaster-Paris Casts and Moulds with Soft Soap, and
the method for rendering unnecessary the ordinary process of Whitewashing or
Painting Plaster Casts, and also the method of retaining and adding to the original
beauty of Plaster-Paris Casts and Moulds, by giving them the appearance either of
Biscuit China, Parian, unpolished marble, or of Highly Polished Statuary Marble; the
whole of these claims being substantially as hereinbefore described.
EMMA THOMAS LAXTON CLARK.

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July 1886
Complete Left, 7th Jan., 188
Complete Accepted, 15th Feb., 1887
RECEDI
Improvements in Hardening and Preserving Plaster-Paris (Sulphate
of Lime) Casts and Moulds, Making them Impervious to
Water, and Rendering Unnecessary the Ordinary Process of
Whitewashing or Painting.
I EMMA THOMAS LAXTON CLARK of 111 Hemingford Road London (N) Middlesex
Fine Art Moulder do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention is intended to be specially adapted for Building Decorations―
Architectural or otherwise but also useful for other multifarious purposes.
"Moulds" made of Plaster-Paris (sulphate of lime) can under my Invention.be so
Strengthened and Preserved, that "Casts can be taken from them.
"
"Casts" made solely of Plaster-Paris after having gone through my processes as
described in the Title, are fitted both for External as well as Internal use or
decoration.
"Casts "
under my Invention are made Hard Strong, and Durable, are less
Impervious to Water than Marble, and therefore will last longer without discolouration.
Casts" under my Invention are not so much injured by Dirt and Atmospherical
changes as are many of the natural or artificial stones now in use.
"Casts" under my Invention can be kept clean by washing with soap water and
brush only, and by this means rendering superfluous the present method of White-
washing or Painting, thus enabling them to retain their Original Colour and Beauty.
The description then of my Invention consists as follows.
First I use IL hardening process, by subjecting Casts and Moulds, of every
description made solely of Plaster-Paris (sulphate of lime) to an Immersion (varying
in duration of time, according to size and thickness) in a solution of pure Borax, in
the proportion of one pound or thereabouts to every gallon of water. After this, I
put the articles when quite dry, through the second process, which consists in placing
the Casts into pure paraffin wax, melted in a hot water bath.
The said casts are then fitted either for Internal or External decoration, these being
the only processes necessary to fulfil the claims made in the Title.

page_text: Improvements in Hardening and Preserving Plaster-Paris (Sulphate
of Lime) Casts and Moulds, Making them Impervious to
Water, and Rendering Unnecessary the Ordinary Process of
Whitewashing or Pointing
I EMMA THOMAS LAXTON CLARK of 111 Hemingford Road London N Fine Art
Moulder 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:
My Invention is intended for multifarious ornamentations and uses required both
for Architectural and Building purposes, such as ceiling enrichments of the most
elaborate character, statues, statuettes, and busts.
Moulds made solely of Plaster-Paris (Sulphate of Lime) under my Invention can
be so strengthened that "Casts can be taken from them.
"
"
"Casts
on, being submitted to my processes must be made solely of Plaster-Paris
(Sulphate of Lime) without any other admixture, and must also be free from dirt
or stain.
"Casts" under my Invention are made Hard, Strong, and Durable, retaining and
adding to their original beauty, and when made of Fine Plaster-Paris, are capable of.
receiving a very high Polish. They then have the appearance of Statuary Marble,
but are less impervious to water, and therefore will last longer without discolouration.
"Casts" having gone through my processes are not so much injured by dirt and
atmospherical changes, as are most of the natural or artificial stones now in use, for they
can be easily cleaned by washing with soap, hot or cold water, and sponge or brush;
rendering at all times superfluous the ordinary method of whitewashing or painting,
as now practised for ceiling enrichments, statues, statuettes, and busts; thus enabling
them to retain their original beauty.
"Casts" after having gone through my processes are fitted both for External as well
as Internal use or decoration.
The description of my Invention consists as follows.
First I use a Hardening Process, by Immersing Casts and Moulds, made solely of
Plaster-Paris, (Sulphate of Lime) in a Bath containing .a Solution of Borax
(Biborate of Soda). This I apply in the proportion of one pound or thereabouts, to
every gallon of boiling water.
All articles must be quite dry at the time of immersion.

page_text: When it is required that "Casts" should be made extra hard, as for instance in
those for External use, the aforesaid solution should be used whilst still hot, but when
a slighter induration or hardness is required, Casts should be immersed in the same
solution when cold. This will be a saving of time and material, as the cold bath will
suffice for those intended for Internal use or decoration.
The length of time for Immersion must vary according to the porosity and
thickness of the articles to be processed; i.e. for Casts one inch thick from fifteen
minutes to half an hour would suffice, whereas Casts from six to twelve inches in
solidity would require to be immersed in the borax solution from one to two hours.
.
The test of ascertaining whether the Casts are fully indurated is this-if any article
on being taken out of the solution in the bath, has not received as much of the
solution as it can, it will quickly appear to be dry on the surface, but if it cannot take
up any more, it will remain wet on the surface and will drip, which will be a proof
the Cast is fully indurated.
After the Casts are taken from the bath, it is necessary they should be immediately
Dried, which is accomplished by placing them in a room heated by artificial heat, the
range of temperature of which being from about ninety to a hundred and forty
degrees Fahrenheit.
This first process being now fully described, is quite complete in itself for all
articles where a natural appearance of unpolished marble, biscuit china, or Parian is
required, and they are also capable of being washed, the same as ordinary Biscuit
China, Parian, or unpolished marble, which they very much resemble.
pure
Casts having been thoroughly Indurated and Dried as directed, I now come to my
Second Process, for further and completely rendering them impervious to water and
atmospherical changes. This consists in placing the Casts into a Bath of melted
White Wax, Paraffin by preference, as this keeps its whiteness better than any other.
The wax I place in an ordinary bath, this bath being placed or standing within a
larger bath, which latter or outer bath must be filled with hot or boiling water, and
kept up to boiling heat. The wax placed in the inner bath is melted by the action of
the boiling water contained in the outer bath. During the whole time that any Casts
are immersed the water must be kept to boiling heat, and the wax in a molten state,
or else the wax would get too cold, in which case the Casts could not be effectually
acted on.
This therefore is of the greatest importance for the further fulfilment of my
Invention.
The length of time for Immersion must vary according to the porosity and
thickness of the articles to be processed, i.e. for Casts one inch thick from fifteen
minutes to half an hour would suffice, whereas Casts from six to twelve inches in
solidity, would require to be immersed in the hot wax, from one to two hours, or
even more.
The test of ascertaining whether the Casts are fully permeated with the hot wax is
this if any article on being taken out of the wax-bath, has not received as much of
the hot wax as it can, it will quickly appear to be dry on the surface, but if it is fully
permeated, it will drip, showing that the Second Process is complete. Such Casts,
Moulds, or other articles should be then placed on stands and allowed to cool, and
when cold are fit for use.
For Internal decoration or use it is not absolutely necessary to keep the Casts in the
Wax-bath until they are fully permeated, but for External decoration or use,
also for "Moulds," it is absolutely necessary on the score of greater durability,
all Casts, Moulds, or other articles, should be fully permeated with the hot wax."
that
After the Second Process is completed and the Casts are quite cold, those requiring
to be Polished, are polished by the application of soft soap and water, rubbed' on with
sponge or soft brush, then well rinsed and rubbed dry. This Polish is renewed every
time the Casts or other articles are thus treated however dirty they may be.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
The Means or Materials i.e. Borax in solution, and melted white or paraffin wax, for
Hardening, for Strengthening, for Preserving, and for making Impervious to Water
and Atmospherical changes, Plaster-Paris Casts and Moulds.
I also claim the Polishing of Plaster-Paris Casts and Moulds with Soft Soap, and
the method for rendering unnecessary the ordinary process of Whitewashing or
Painting Plaster Casts, and also the method of retaining and adding to the original
beauty of Plaster-Paris Casts and Moulds, by giving them the appearance either of
Biscuit China, Parian, unpolished marble, or of Highly Polished Statuary Marble; the
whole of these claims being substantially as hereinbefore described.