IMPROVED METHODS OF DECORATING GLASS TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR VENEERS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Budd, of 46, Rawlings Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVED METHODS OF
DECORATING GLASS TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR VENEERS."
Sealed the 13th September 1878, and dated the 1st May 1878.
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Budd at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st May 1878.
JAMES BUDD, of 46, Rawlings Street, in the County of Middlesex, Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVED METHODS OF DECORATING GLASS TO BE USED AS A SUB-
STITUTE FOR VENEERS."
This Invention relates to a process of manufacturing ornamental glass veneers
and panels consisting of,-
(a.) Applying to the rear face of the glass a design in colours by painting or
transferring.
(b.) In applying over the whole a coating of colours composed of dry colours and
Portland cement, or plaster of Paris mixed in a solution of gelatinous matter.
(c.) In a second coating of colour ground in japan, and finally backing the whole
with an impervious coating composed of varnish and plaster of Paris, or Portland
cement.
These improvements relate, secondly, to a process of manufacturing glass panels
and veneers consisting of,-
(a.) Applying to the rear face of the glass a coating of colours composed of dry
colours and Portland cement, or plaster of Paris mixed in a solution of gelatinous
Inatter.
(b.) In a second coating of colours ground in japan, and finally in backing the
whole with an impervious coating or backing of varnish and Portland cement or
plaster of Paris.

page_text: The Invention also relates, thirdly, to a glass veneer or panel having on its rear
face an ornamental design in colours, a second coating of colours, and a protecting
backing of Portland cement and varnish combined, or of varnish and plaster of
Paris.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Budd in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st November
1878.
JAMES BUDD, of 46, Rawlings Street, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVED METHODS OF DECORATING GLASS TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR
VENEERS."
This Invention relates to the decoration of glass panels to be used as a substitute
for the costly woods and veneers, and figured and inlaid work used for ornamental
purposes of every nature.
1
It consists in the production of glass plates or panels covered on one surface with
an imitation of the color and grain of costly hard woods, inlaid work or ornamental
designs, this forming the veneer, while the glass itself takes the place of the varnish
usually applied to the surface of the wood, the preparation, adaptation, and process
of application of which will be herein-after fully described.
The Drawing which forms a part of this Specification represents a cross section
of a plate of glass showing the application thereto of the coloring matter and
backing which forms the veneer.
The Drawing is enlarged and distorted in order to plainly show all of the elements
involved.
The use of wood paneling, veneers, figured and inlaid work, as a means of orna-
menting the interior of building of all classes, furniture, musical instruments,
the interior and exterior of cars, the cabins of steamers and vessels, picture frames,
cornices, and other similar uses, is well known to be one of the most important of
the arts, as well as the fact that such decorations, when at all elaborate, as is
geuerally demanded; are excessively costly, and practically beyond the reach of the
majority of the people. The very rapid deterioration of this class of ornamentation,
the necessity for its frequent restoration by varnishing and repairs have long since
demanded a substitute therefor, and one that shall permanently retain its original
beauty.
A cheaper system of ornamentation is demanded which shall be within the reach
of all.
To obviate these difficulties, many attempts have been made to decorate glass
plates which could be used as a substitute for the costly woods and veneers now
employed, but such attempts thus far have been attended with but-indifferent
success, as the application of the coloring matter has failed to be permanent, and in

page_text: almost all cases has "peeled" from the surface of the glass, or been easily damaged
by heat and water, and by other deteriorating influences.
To avoid these difficulties, and to produce a glass veneer that shall be absolutely
permanent and perfect in its application, I have made long, patient, and costly
experiments, the results of which are embodied in my present Invention.
In the Drawing, a represents the glass panel; b, the figured design; c, the
first coating of color; d, the second coating of color, and e, the impervious
backing.
In carrying out my Invention the plates of glass are first cut so as to fit the
various positions into which they are to be placed, and when ready for ornamen
tation are thoroughly cleaned and dried, so that no dampness, dust, or other foreign
substance adheres to the surface that is to be treated.
To produce a veneer in perfect imitation of any of the costly hard woods, I first
stain or grain the surface of the glass plate as follows:-I prepare a thin solution
of gelatinous matter in such proportions and quantities as is necessary for the
purpose; I then prepare the various staining colors, all dry, into the mixture of
which I add a proportion of very fine Portland cement or plaster of Paris, of the
best grade and quality. This mixture I then thoroughly dissolve in. the gelatinous
solution as before described, thoroughly intermingling the same, when it is ready
for use as the first coating to be applied to the surface of the glass.
The object of using a proportion of Portland cement or plaster of Paris combined
with the coloring matter, is to cause the colors to adhere tightly to the glass surface,
and to give it when dry a hard surface.
As I vary the combination of the mixture of colors, the first coating upon the
glass surface will vary the imitations of the various grains of various woods in dark
shades, and this forms the face upon which I apply a second coating of coloring
matter prepared as follows:-A mixture of dry colours in suitable proportions is
ground in japan, and then thinned down with either benzine or turpentine to the
proper consistency for use. This, when applied over the first coating of color,
completes the imitation of the desired nature, giving the various shades of color.
according to the nature of the wood that is being imitated.
To complete the process, I cover the coating of colours applied as before described
with a thick impervious coating or backing of fine Portland cement, or of plaster of
Paris, which is sifted into a quantity of varnish until it attains a thick pasty
condition, when it is ready for application.
In order to properly apply the first staining colour to the glass, I prepare a board
(of slightly larger surface than the plate of glass to be covered), upon which is
stretched. and secured by suitable fastenings a flannel cover; this flannel cover I
then saturate by dipping its face into the mixture of colors, it taking up a sufficient
quantity for the purpose. The glass plate is then laid upon the flannel surface
when it at once takes up a thin coating of the colours upon its surface, or the flannel
cover and board may be laid upon the glass, producing like results. This first
coating of color so applied produces the desired imitation; it also dries and sets
very quickly, and by virtue of its peculiar combination as described adheres firmly
to the glass.
In applying the second coating of colors, the mixture after being prepared as
described, is rubbed down upon a smooth, board to the proper consistency; it is
then taken up upon the surface of a roller of proper size which is also covered with
flannel, and is by means of such roller transferred to and laid upon and over the
first coat of colours applied as previously described. This second coating as soon as
dry is then covered with the protecting coating of Portland cement, or plaster of
Paris and varnish as described, and applied by a brush.
If it is desired to have figures or imitation of inlaid work of any description as
an additional element of ornamentation, such designs are first painted upon or trans-
ferred to the surface of the glass, and the various coatings of colour, and protecting
backing then applied as herein described.
It will be understood that the final backing of cement, or plaster of Paris and

page_text: varnish, furnishes a solid covering which will protect the coloring coats from injury
from any and all causes, heat and dampness having no effect thereon, and it is
simply impossible to scratch or mar the coloring surface.
It is of the greatest importance in applying the first or base coating of color to
the surface of the glass, that it should not only adhere strongly to the glass,
but not be susceptible to injury by the action of heat, or to blister and peel off
from any cause whatsoever, and this desideratum I have accomplished by the
peculiar combination of matter as first described.
Glass plates or panels prepared by veneering and ornamentation by this process
will be found to be adapted for application to tables, walls, doors, picture frames,
furniture, cornices, panels of all kinds, both interior and exterior, pianos, organs,
caskets, and coffins, boxes, and to all kinds of ornamentations that are now finished-
up in hard woods, and veneers, and by elaborate paintings.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. The process of manufacturing ornamental glass veneers and panels, con-
Bisting of, first, applying to the rear face of the glass a design in colors by painting
or transferring; second, in applying over the whole a coating of colors composed of
dry colors and Portland cement, or plaster of Paris mixed in a solution of gelatinous
matter; third, in a second coating of colors ground in japan, and finally backing
the whole with an impervious coating composed of varnish and plaster of Paris, or
Portland cement, substantially in the manner and for the purposes as herein
specified.
Secondly. The process of manufacturing glass panels and veneers consisting of,
first, applying to the rear face of the glass a coating of colors composed of dry colors
and Portland cement, or plaster of Paris mixed in a solution of gelatinous matter;
second, in a second coating of colors ground in japan; and finally, in backing the
whole with an impervious coating or backing of varnish and Portland cement, or
plaster of Paris, substantially in the manner and for the purposes as herein
specified.
Thirdly. As a new article of manufacture a glass veneer or panel having on its
rear face an ornamental design in colors, a second coating of colors, and a protecting
backing of Portland cement and varnish combined, or of varnish and plaster of
Paris, the whole arranged and applied substantially in the manner and for the
purposes as herein set forth.
Fourthly. As a new article of manufacture plates of glass representing polished
woods.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Budd, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Thirtieth day of October, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-