Improvements in Coating Metallic and other Surfaces with Celluloid and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th June, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 17th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 22nd Apr.,
1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coating Metallic and other Surfaces with Celluloid
and the like.
We, HORACE WALTER DOVER, Managing Director of Dover Limited, of St.
James Road, Northampton, and PICKERING PHIPPS, of Rushton Hall, near
Kettering, in the County of Northampton, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the coating of metal and other surfaces
generally, and particularly the frames and parts of cycles, door furniture, boot
heels, and other articles of metal, wood, or other material, for the prevention of
rust or corrosion, or for decoration or waterproofing, and it consists of an
enamel-like coating which is closely adherent, does not tarnish, and is absolutely
proof against the penetration of moist air so that it forms a more efficient pro-
tection for iron, steel, and brass work than the metallic plating or the lacquering
generally used for the purpose.
The coating is composed of celluloid, xylonite, or other similar pyroxilin or
cellulose compound applied wholly or partly in the form of a liquid enamel
formed by dissolving the material in acetone, spirit of naphtha, or other suitable'
solvent, the operation of applying the enamel to the surface to be coated being
performed in an atmosphere heated to about 110° Fahrenheit, and in repeatedly
superposed layers until the desired thickness is attained each layer or coating
after being so applied being stoved for a few hours at about the aforesaid tem-
perature.
In order to ensure the close adherence of the first layer the surface of the
metal if smooth from the working of tools, may be roughened by sand blasting
or otherwise to give it a tooth, or by the application of a preliminary coating of
ordinary enamel or paint upon which the celluloid or similar enamel is applied
as before.
With the celluloid solution or enamel there may be incorporated any desired
body colour or a metallic or other powder, such as bronze or gold powder, to
impart any desired colouring grain or appearance to the coating.
It is important to observe that where the coating is wholly applied in the form of a
liquid enamel it is only strongly adherent to external surfaces whether convex
or flat provided it be applied so as to form a homogeneous covering completely
enclosing the article on all sides in such manner that the shrinkage of the
material in drying will cause it to tightly grip the article, the homogeneous
continuity of the coating causing it to act in the same way as would a previously
formed tube or casing shrunk on. Consequently at re-entering angles or cavities
in the surface to be coated, or upon one surface, or at opposite surfaces of
articles such as brush backs for example, or other goods, where the grain of
sheet celluloid is desirable for decorative purposes, previously moulded pieces of
sheet celluloid would be used, the completion of the coating or the joining together
of the edges of the pieces of sheet celluloid being completed by the application

page_text: of the liquid enamel to the surface left uncovered of the sheet material with
which the liquid enamel makes a complete casing
Dated this 17th day of June 1898.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.
Improvements in Coating Metallic and other Surfaces with Celluloid
and the like.
We, HORACE WALTER DOVER, Managing Director of Dover Limited, of Park
Road, St. James End, Northampton, and PICKERING PHIPPS, of Rushton Hall,
near Kettering, in the County of Northampton, Gentleman, 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:-
This invention has for its object the coating of metal and other surfaces
generally, and particularly the frames and parts of cycles door furniture, and
other articles of metal, for the prevention of rust or corrosion, and of boot heels
and other articles of wood or other material, for decoration or waterproofing,
and it consists of an enamel-like coating which is closely adherent, does not
tarnish, and is absolutely proof against the penetration of moist air so that it
forms a more efficient protection for iron, steel, and brass work than the metallic
plating or the lacquering generally used for the purpose.
The coating is composed of celluloid, xylonite, or other similar pyroxilin com-
pound applied by means of a brush or otherwise, wholly or partly in the form
of a liquid enamel formed by dissolving the material in spirit of naphtha, acetic
acid, acetone, or other suitable solvent. There may be incorporated with the
celluloid solution or enamel any desired body colour or a metallic or other powder.
such as bronze or gold powder, to impart any desired colouring grain or appear-
ance to the coating it being essential to thoroughly mix the ingredients in order
to obtain a homogeneous compound.
The operation of applying the enamel to the surface to be coated must be
performed in an atmosphere heated to about 110° Fahrenheit to which tempera-
ture the surface must of course itself be heated. The enamel should be applied
(by dipping or by means of a brush) in the form of repeatedly superposed layers
until the desired thickness is attained, the article being stoved at about the
aforesaid temperature after the application of each layer until such layer has
set hard by the evaporation of the solvent. In order to ensure the close adher-
ence of the first layer the surface of the metal, if smooth from the working of
tools, may be roughened by sand blasting or otherwise to give it a tooth, or by
the application of a preliminary coating of ordinary paint or enamel upon which
the celluloid or similar enamel is applied as herein described. The preliminary
coating should be of good body colour of the same shade as the celluloid subse-
quently applied.
It is important to observe that in consequence of the shrinkage of the cellu-
loid enamel in drying the contraction may be so great as to prevent it adhering
to re-entering angles, or hollow surfaces, of metal and it is only strongly adherent
to external (convex or flat) surfaces of metal provided that it completely encircles
or encloses the article in such manner that the shrinkage of the material in
drying will cause it to contract tightly about the article the homogeneous con
tinuity of the coating causing it to act in the same way as would a previously

page_text: formed tube or casing shrunk on. Consequently at re-entering angles or cavities
in the surface of metal pieces of sheet celluloid previously moulded to conform
to the configuration of such re-entering or hollow curved surface would generally
be used, the surfaces left uncovered by the sheet material being covered with
liquid enamel applied as herein described which unites with the edges of sheet
celluloid and makes therewith a homogeneous covering in which the article is
entirely encased the shrinkage of the enamel on drying retaining the sheet
material firmly in place without distorting it or drawing it away from the sur-
face. Where for decorative purposes it is desired that the coating should ex-
hibit the grain characteristic of sheet celluloid, as for brush backs or other goods,
sheet celluloid may be used the liquid enamel being applied to complete the
covering and to unite the edges of the sheet material.
In the case of goods, such as boot heels, made of wood or other non-metallic
material the celluloid enamel applied in the liquid form will adhere strongly
to surfaces of all shapes whether applied wholly or in part thereto.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed. we declare that what
we claim is;-
-
1. The herein described method of coating the surfaces of goods with cellu-
loid or the like, which process consists in applying the celluloid or other pyroxilin
compound in the form of a solution or liquid enamel to the surface to be coated
when such surface is heated to about the temperature specified the operation
being performed in an atmosphere heated to the same temperature as herein
described.
2. The herein described method of coating the surfaces of goods with celluloid
or the like, which process consists in applying the celluloid or other pyroxilin
compound in the form of a solution or liquid enamel to the surface to be coated
when such surface is heated to about the temperature specified the operation
being performed in an atmosphere heated to the same temperature and being
repeated until a coating formed of homogeneous superposed layers of the required
thickness is obtained as herein described.
TX
"
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.