IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CELLULOID, AND OF ARTICLES FORMED OF THE SAME AND ANALOGOUS COMPOSITIONS OR COMPOUNDS, AND IN APPARATUS OR MACHINERY THEREFOR.
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CELLULOID, AND OF ARTICLES
FORMED OF THE SAME AND ANALOGOUS COMPOSITIONS OR COMPOUNDS, AND
IN APPARATUS OR MACHINERY THEREFOR. A communication from abroad
by the Celluloid Manufacturing Company, of the City and State of New York,
Tinited States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th March 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
CELLULOID, AND OF ARTICLES FORMED OF THE SAME AND ANALOGOUS COMPOSI-
TIONS OR COMPOUNDS, AND IN APPARATUS OR MACHINERY THEREFOR." [A com-
munication from abroad by the Celluloid Manufacturing Company, of the City
and State of New York, United States of America.]
"6
This Invention relates to certain processes and apparatus or machines relating to
'celluloid," and also to
the production and manipulation of the article known as
the application of that and other compositions of an analogous nature to various
purposes herein-after specified.
The first part of the said Invention relates to the reduction of paper and analo-
gous material into pyroxyline or into a soluble condition, and is effected by reducing
the paper by any suitable mechanism to shreds or pieces of larger size than granules;
which shreds are placed in a vat containing the proper acid or acids, and therein
thoroughly and rapidly stirred, until the acid in motion is brought in thorough con-
tact with the material, a suitable time after which the contents of the vat are trans-
ferred to a centrifugal machine, whereby the acid is thrown off; it being then
collected, and may be returned to the vat for re-use, fresh acid having been added to

page_text: it meantime. The now converted paper is taken from the centrifugal machine
the acid removed by washing, after which the pyroxyline is banked under water
until required.
The second part of the said Invention relates to an apparatus and process for
planing slabs of plastic composition into sheets, and consists in consolidating by
means of heat and pressure a number of sheets or pieces of "celluloid" into a single
homogeneous slab, immovably affixed upon a plate, which may be placed upon a
planing table and operated upon by a plane, whereby sheets or strips of any desired
thickness may be planed or shaved from the slab, which sheets are dried in
frames to prevent their warping and twisting, so that in hardening they will
become smooth and flat.
In the process of consolidation, which is effected by the simultaneous application
of beat and pressure, the material becomes plastic, and the lower portion of it is
crowded or forced into apertures in the plate sustaining the slab, and as it hardens
in this position it shrinks somewhat, which produces a tension upon the inter-
mediate metal, whereby the consolidated slab is held or holds itself to the plate with
great power.
The third part of the said Invention relates to the production of combs from
plastic composition, and consists essentially in compressing a suitably formed piece
of plastic composition in dies provided with a porous lining properly treated to
prevent adhesion, said dies while containing the article being kept under pressure
and heated by means of steam, or oil, or glycerine, or other suitable agents, after
which heating the liquid or fluid is drawn off, and the dies cooled by means of a
cooling liquid or fluid, the pressure being sustained meantime.
After the cooling process is over, the dies are removed, and the blanks are
taken out, being now suitably formed to be cut into combs by any suitable
.means.
Instead of a die lined with said porous material, the piece of composition may be
.wrapped in such material.
The product of the above operation is a comb possessing strength, elasticity, and
freedom from odour to a far greater degree than any comb now known.
The fourth part of this Invention relates to the coating of frames, such as rings,
buckles, and other structures, with a plastic composition, which is effected by
causing the frame to be operated upon, to be centrally suspended in the cavity of a
die by means of internal supports, and causing the material to flow into the cavity
and about the frame, thus covering it equally on all sides with composition; after
which it is removed from the die or mould, and subjected to pressure in another
suitably formed heated die, which softens and densifies the material, and removes
the indentations produced in the covering by the supporting pins. In this manner
a seamless homogeneous covering is produced.
The fifth part of the said Invention relates to the production of a strip of plastic
"composition, calculated to obviate the defects arising from the use of a square-edged
strip when wrapped in a plastic state about a core. A square or round-edged strip
'wound upon a core will, as the material becomes dry, separate at its edges and
expose the core within. By means of the strip in hand, this difficulty is overcome,
since its bevelled edges, as the strip is wound about the core, overlap each other, so
that when the strip dries and shrinks, it binds itself to the core without any separa-
.tions between its edges.
The sixth part of the said Invention relates to the attachment and consolidation
of a roll or cylinder of plastic composition upon a central core, which roll is subse-
quently planed or shaved into strips or sheets by being so rotated as to come in
contact with a properly placed blade. The mechanism consists of a hollow core,
having indentations upon its exterior surface, and mounted in hollow plates at each
end, the above devices being enclosed by segmental curved plates, which are movable
toward the core by means of encompassing bands, contractible by any suitable
means, the plates when united forming a hollow cylinder about the core. Thus,
the material being wrapped in sheets to tho desired thickness upon the core, a

page_text: heating agent is admitted to its central cavity and into the hollow plates; the
segmental plates are then placed in position, charged with a heating agent, and
gradually compressed, forming the roll into a homogeneous mass upon the core;
this done, the heating agent is drawn from the various devices, and a cooling agent
introduced, which causes the material to become cool, and as it does so, to shrink,
whereby it is bound upon the core, and may then be operated upon by knives, the
journals of the core being mounted in bearings, properly located with reference to a
knife or blade with which the material is brought in contact as it rotates, and thus
the mass or roll is reduced to sheets or strips.
The seventh part of the said Invention relates to attaching a hollow cylinder or
tube of the material involved upon a wooden or other analogous core, and consists
simply in causing the tube, as it leaves a suitably shaped nozzle, to pass over the
wooden core, whereon it becomes firmly fixed in drying by reason of the shrinkage.
In this matter it is preferred to use celluloid having a larger amount of solvent than
is ordinarily employed, as thus the shrinkage is increased, and also the consequent
tension on the core.
The eighth part of the Invention relates to coating a spring or bar of metal with
"celluloid" or other plastic composition, which operation is effected by passing the
object to be coated through a mass of the material, which is forced from a stuffing
box into a receptacle, which is provided upon one side with an inlet of suitable area
to snugly correspond with the transverse section of the core, and on the opposite
side with an outlet of such dimensions as to snugly encompass the transverse section
of the core when coated.
The ninth part of the said Invention relates to means of coating a core or strip of
wood or other substance with plastic composition, and consists in a nozzle, through
which the material under pressure is fed to an annular space, which, above its
base, increases in width proportionately to the distance of its periphery from the
point of supply; thus the friction on the material is accordingly reduced and
equalized as the material passes from the nozzle to the core. The essential elements
consist of an inlet through which the core snugly fitting passes and enters the space
that contains the coating material being therein covered, whence it passes out
through an outlet of such size as to accurately accommodate the new covered.
core.
The supply of material is furnished into a space in which is provided the outlet,.
so placed as to be in an excentric position or relation to the space, the idea being
that the amount of friction which the material encounters in passing to the point
nearest the source of supply shall be the same as that which it encounters in
reaching the part most distant from said source to the end that a regular supply
may be furnished at all points on the circumference of the section of the core as it
passes through the material.

page_text: .
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th
September 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
CELLULOID, AND OF ARTICLES FORMED OF THE SAME AND ANALOGOUS COMPOSI-
TIONS OR COMPOUNDS, AND IN APPARATUS OR MACHINERY THEREFOR.”
A com-
munication from abroad by the Celluloid Manufacturing Company, of the City
and State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to certain processes and apparatus or machines relating to
the production and manipulation of the article known as "celluloid," and also to the
application of that and other compositions of an analogous nature to various purposes
herein-after specified.
I
The first part of the said Invention relates to the reduction of paper and
analogous material into pyroxyline, or into a soluble condition, and is effected
by reducing the paper by any suitable mechanism to shreds or pieces of larger
size than granulas, which shreds are placed in a vat containing the proper acid or
acids and therein thoroughly and rapidly stirred until the acid in motion is brought
in thorough contact with the material a suitable time, after which the contents of
the vat are transferred to a centrifugal machine, whereby the acid is thrown off, it
being then collected, and may be returned to the vat for re-use, fresh acid having
been added to it meantime. The now converted paper is taken from the centrifugal
machine, the acid removed by washing, after which the pyroxyline is banked under
water until required.
The second part of the said Invention relates to an apparatus and process for
planing slabs of plastic composition into sheets, and consists in consolidating by
means of heat and pressure a number of sheets or pieces of "celluloid" into a
single homogeneous slab immovably affixed upon a plate, which may be placed upon
a planing table and operated upon by a plane, whereby sheets or strips of any
desired thickness may be planed or shaved from the slab, which sheets are driod in
frames to prevent their warping and twisting, so that in hardening they will become
smooth and flat.
In the process of consolidation, which is effected by the simultaneous application
of heat and pressure, the material becomes plastic, and the lower portion of it is
crowded or forced into apertures in the plate sustaining the slab, and as it hardens
in this position it shrinks somewhat, which produces a tension upon the inter-
mediate metal whereby the consolidated slab is held or holds itself to the plate with
great power.
The third part of the said Invention relates to the production of combs from
plastic composition, and consists essentially in compressing a suitably-formed piece
of plastic composition in dies provided with a porous lining, treated to prevent
adhesion, said dies while containing the article being kept under pressure and heated
by means of steam, or oil, or glycerine, or other suitable agents, after which heating
the liquid or fluid is drawn off and the dies cooled by means of a cooling liquid or
fluid, the pressure being sustained meantime.
After the cooling process is over the dies are removed and the blanks are taken
out, being now suitably formed to be cut into combs by any suitable means.
Instead of a die lined with said porous material the piece of composition may be
wrapped in such material.
The product of the above operation is a comb possessing strength, elasticity, and
freedom from odour to a far greater degree than any comb now known.
The fourth part of this Invention relates to the coating of frames, such as rings,
buckles, and other structures with a plastic composition, which is affected by causing
the frame to be operated upon to be centrally suspended in the cavity of a die by

page_text: means of internal supports, and causing the material to flow into the cavity and
about the frame, thus covering it equally on all sides with composition, after which
it is removed from the die or mould and subjected to pressure in another suitably-
formed heated die, which softens and densifies the material and removes the inden-
tations produced in the covering by the supporting pins. In this manner a seamless
homogeneous covering is produced.
The fifth part of the said Invention relates to the production of a strip of plastic
composition calculated to obviate the defects arising from the use of a square-edged
strip when wrapped in a plastic state about a core. A square or round-edged strip
wound upon a core will, as the material becomes dry, separate at its edges and
expose the core within. By means of my improved strip this difficulty is overcome,
since its bevelled edges as the strip is wound about the core overlap each other, so
that when the strip dries and shrinks it binds itself to the core without any separa
tions between its edges.
The sixth part of the said Invention relates to the attachment and consolidation
of a roll or cylinder of plastic composition upon a central core, which roll is subse-
quently planed or shaved into strips or sheets by being so rotated as to come in
contact with a properly placed blade. The mechanism consists of a hollow core
having indentations upon its exterior surface, and mounted in hollow-plates at each
end, the above devices being enclosed by segmental curved plates, which are
movable toward the core by means of encompassing bands contractible by any suit-
able means, the plates when united forming a hollow cylinder about the core. Thus
the material being wrapped in sheets to the desired thickness upon the core a
heating agent is admitted to its central cavity and into the hollow plates; the scg_
mental plates are then placed in position, charged with a heating agent, and
gradually compressed, forming the roll into a homogeneous mass upon the core.
This done the heating agent is drawn from the various devices and a cooling agent
introducing, which causes the material to become cool, and as it does so to shrink,
whereby it is Lound upon the core and may then bé operated upon by knives, the
journals of the core being mounted in bearings properly located with reference to a
knife or blade with which the material is brought in contact as it rotates, and thus
the mass or roll is reduced to sheets or strips.
The seventh part of the said Invention relates to attaching a hollow cylinder or
tube of the material involved upon a wooden or other analogous core, and consists
simply in causing the tube as it leaves a suitably-shaped nozzle to pass over the
wooden, core, whereon it becomes firmly fixed in drying by reason of the
shrinkage. In this matter it is preferred to use celluloid having a larger amount
of solvent than is ordinarily employed, as thus the shrinkage is increased, and also
the consequent tension on the core.
"
The eighth part of the Invention relates to coating a spring or bar of metal with
" celluloid or other plastic composition, which operation is effected by passing the
object to be coated through a mass of the material which is forced from a stuffing
box into a receptacle which is provided upon one side with an inlet of suitable area
to snugly correspond with the transverse section of the core, and on the opposite
side with an outlet of such dimensions as to snugly encompass the transverse section
of the core when coated.
The ninth part of the said Invention relates to means for coating a core or strip
of wood or other substance with plastic composition, and consists in a nozzle
through which the material under pressure is fed to an annular space, which above
its base increases in width proportionately to the distance of its periphery from the
point of supply; thus the friction on the material is accordingly reduced and
equalized as the material passes from the nozzle to the core. The essential elementa
consist of an inlet, through which the core snugly fitting passes and enters the
space that contains the coating material being therein covered, whence it passes
out through an outlet of such size as to accurately accommodate the new covered
core.
The supply of material is furnished into a space in which is provided the outlet,

page_text: so placed as to be en excentric position or relation to the space, the idea being that
the amount of friction which the material encounters in passing to the point nearest
the source of supply, shall be the same as that which it encounters in reaching the
part most distant from said source, to the end that a regular supply may be
furnished at all points on the circumference of the section of the core as it passes
through the material.
I will now proceed to describe more fully the manner of carrying the said In-
vention into practice.
The material "celluloid" herein mentioned is produced by any proper and
efficient process, but preferably by the processes and apparatus mentioned in former
Letters Patent granted to me, said Letters Patent being dated and numbered
respectively July 26, A.D. 1870, No. 2101, and October 21, A.D. 1872, No. 3101.
The Invention embraced in the first part aforesaid is fully shewn in Figures 1
to 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 is an end elevation of the device in question; Figure 2 is a side
elevation of the same, shewing the paper after its edge has been acted upon by the
pickers.
Figure 3 is a side view partly in section of the vat table and mixer.
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the end of the mixer.
Figure 5 is a view shewing the vat as tilted to discharge its contents into the
centrifugal machine.
The general practice heretofore has been to treat the paper intended to be
rendered soluble or converted into pyroxyline while the same has been in sheets or
rolls. This mode of treatment has been found very objectionable, as it requires the
use of a very large quantity of acids; and moreover the sheets are liable to adhere
to each other, preventing the surface thereof coming in contact with the neid.
In this Invention the above difficulty is remedied by reducing the paper to small
fragments of a suitable size, the most convenient dimensions having been found_to
be about half an inch square, though this size is not given as a limitation. The
paper mentioned in this section of the Invention is thin tissue, such being used for
the reason that when the material is of appreciable thickness. a great length of time
is required in causing the acid, which has heretofore been used cold in connection
with paper, to operate upon such substances effectively; the consequence is that the
material is not properly affected by the acid, while the result is imperfect, the
process being moreover very tedious, and greater facilities being required than in
the present instance, in which the acid is warmed to a temperature of from eighty
(80) to ninety (90) degrees Fahrenheit, in which a very brief immersion serves to
effect the operation of the acids, as desired.
The reduction of this paper into particles or flakes is effected by the following or
any other suitable mechanism :--The machine consists of one or more rotating
spindles A, upon which the paper in long strips is rolled, and from which it is led
to and between the feed rolls C, which are driven by contact with each other, or in
any other suitable manner. Each of the feed rolls C is provided with a number of
annular grooves to receive the guide teeth D, consisting of a number of wires bent
downward and entering the grooves in the rolls.. These teeth are secured on their
upper ends to the bars E, the ends of which are attached to the frames in which
the axes of the rolls are journalled. The teeth D extend down somewhat below
the rolls, and on one side are connected by a shear plate F, the edge of which comes
proper relation to the teeth of the picker G which is, arranged below, and which
as it revolves comes in contact with the paper, thereby fraying and tearing it into
small fragments, the rolls meantime delivering it steadily to the picker. One of the
feed rolls is mounted upon elastic bearings, having a yielding lateral movement to
compensate for any inequality in the thickness of the inaterial being operated upon
by the roll.
in
It is here to be remarked that any number of spindles may be employed, and
also that the paper may be delivered in sheets to the feed roll by any suitable
mechanism.

page_text: After being picked into fragments the paper is placed in a vat H containing
mixed sulphuric acid and nitric acid at from 80° to 90° Fahrenheit, or other suit-
able converting fluid, which vat is provided with a vertical mixer I, having a rotary
movement, and capable of elevation and depression, as well as of being driven at a
high rate of speed. The mixer I being operated the flakes of paper are thoroughly.
agitated in the acids and all parts of them brought in contact therewith. This being
done the mixer is raised clear of the vat in which the paper is allowed to remain, a
suitable length of time, about 20 minutes, to permit the chemicals to act thoroughly
thereon.
The vat H is preferably mounted upon a revolving table, which, after the
chemicals have acted, is rotated until the vat is brought opposite a crane J, whereby
it is elevated and the contents poured into the hopper of a conveniently located
centrifugal machine K, which being rotated the acid is thrown off and may be col-
lected and returned by any suitable means to the vat and used again, a quantity of
fsh acid having been meantime.added.
The de-acidized paper is next washed out in the ordinary manner, after which it
is banked in water until it is required to be further manipulated or used.
The second part of the Invention aforesaid is fully illustrated by Figures
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, in the accompanying
Drawings.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the mechanism for consolidating and fixing the
slab material; Figure 7 is an end view of the same.
Figure 8 is a plan or top view of same, with the upper plate removed.
Figure 9 is a plan of the plate used in the manual process.
Figure 10 is an end view of a slab in place during said process.
•
Figure 11 is a plan of the plate A¹, Figure 12 being a side view of the chase E¹,
the cavities for bolts and the like dotted in.
Figure 13 is a top view of said plate with the chases in place.
Figures 14, 15, and 16 are respectively side plan and end views of the planing
mechanism.
Figures 17 and 18 are views of the stretching frame, the latter shewing the
"celluloid" in place by the dotted lines.
A¹
Figure 19 is an end view shewing a slab of "celluloid" secured on the plate
It is to be remarked that unseasoned "celluloid," when heated above 150 degrees
Fahrenheit, becomes plastic, andcan be easily manipulated so long as it is warm,
but becoming cool it hardens, and while loosing its caloric has a slight tendency
to shrink.
In the above-named Figures A¹ represents the plate having a tongue on its edge.
and nozzles b and c, intended respectively to be connected, when required, with
pipes supplying steam or water.
The plate A is hollow for the purpose of receiving either steam or water, and is
provided near its edge with suitable bolt holes f to afford the means of securing
the chases herein-after mentioned. The central portions of the upper surface of the
plate A' are occupied by a slightly raised boss B1, the entire upper surface of which
is covered by the grooves D¹, and the intermediate ridges or elevations i.
The grooves
D¹ upon one side of the vertical longitudinal centre of the boss
incline inward and downward toward the vertical central longitudinal plane of the
plate A, and upon the other side of the centre incline in a similar direction towards
the said plane. The purpose of this construction is herein-after set forth, and may
be effected, though not so satisfactorily, by means of apertures of any desired form
which have an inclination downward toward the said plane, the apertures, or some
of them on the opposite sides of the centre of said plate having the same inclination
toward the said central plane.
The edges of the plate A¹, about the boss B', are level for the purpose of receiving
the side and end chases E¹, which are hollow and provided with suitable inlets and
outlets for steam, or water, or suitable means of heating, or for water or other

page_text: suitable means of cooling; or, they may be provided with apertures leading into
their cavities, which can be placed over the apertures in the plate A¹, and the
heating. or cooling agent thus derived.
The screws are provided at the ends of the chases for the purpose of sepa-
rating the chases after the slab has been formed; these chases are firmly secured
in a vertical. position and in a steam-tight manner about the boss B², forming a
rectangular enclosure, the walls and bottom of which can be heated or cooled as
desired..
The plate A¹, with the chases E¹, is placed upon the platen F¹ of a hydraulic
press; a non-conducting surface H', preferably composed of a sheet of metal, super-
posed upon a sheet of paper, being interposed between the lower surface of the
plate A and the upper portion of the platen F¹.
The plate A¹ is. secured upon the platen F1 by means of the brackets / that'
extend over the. tongues on each side of the plate. The platen rests upon the two
upward acting hydraulic rams I', operated by the hydraulic cylinders L, which are
placed upon the base N₁ of the press in such position as to sustain the platen F¹
horizontally.
The cylinders L' are supplied with power through the pipes m, provided with
regulating valves 12, and are connected by the pipe O provided with the valves p,
and having suitable exhaust pipes controlled by suitable exhaust valves. Thus it
is obvious that both of the rams I¹ can be simultaneously or separately operated,
the latter operation sometimes being required, when the material is more unyielding
at one than the opposite end of the boss, or when for any other reason the platen
ascends unevenly.
The base N¹ of the press is connected with the top M¹ by means of the rods P
which are threaded upon their upper portions and extend through the top M¹, above
and below which they are provided with the setting nuts Z' which serve to sustain
the top at any desired height. These rods extend through and operate as guides
for the platen F¹, and are provided below the setting nuts with regulating nuts R',
which limit the movement of the platen and serve to start it downward when by
reason of the creation of a vacuum in the enclosure of the chases, occasioned by the
plate A¹ being elevated until the dependent platen, herein-aftor mentioned, has
fully entered the said space and expelled the air therefrom, or for any other cause,
the platen will not descend.
The operation of returning the platen is effected simply by so turning the g
regulating nuts that they will run down the rods P¹ until they come in contact with
the platen, after which the continued rotation of the nuts will force the platen loose
and break the vacuum, the power of the screw being sufficient to overcome the
atmosphere or other resistance.
Upon the edge of the platen there may be secured a spirit level or index of any 4
suitable kind, for the purpose of indicating any deviation of the platen F' from a.
true horizontal line, and to shew the elevation of the boss B¹.
Upon the under surface of the top of the press, and separated therefrom by a
sheet of non-conducting material is firmly secured the dependant platen T', of such
dimensions as to nicely, but not in an air-tight manner, fill the enclosure between 4
the chases E. This platen T is also made hollow, and provided with suitable
means for supplying its cavity with either steam, or water, or other heating or
chilling agents.
For the purpose of securing the chases in place an irregular hexagonal frame V1
is constructed which encompasses the chases, and is provided with four or more a
long clamp screws w, and four short ones. This frame V operates as follows:-
Being brought opposite the chases the screws w are equally advanced from opposite
sides against the side chases, clamping them firmly against the end chases, which
are within the ends of those on the sides. This operation bows the frame V₁ and
brings its end in firm contact with the end chases securing them in place. The
clamp screws now being advanced against the side chases adjacent to their ends
prevent them springing outwards.

page_text: It is to be remarked that a series of bars of wood or other suitable material,
saturated with water, can be substituted with good results for the said chases. This
when the area of the slab to be formed is sinaller than the area of the boss, as in
this manner the framing of chases of wood may be made of any desired contour in
closing the material upon the boss. The wood readily yields to the pressure, still
however serving as a frame to contain the celluloid. Dry wood or analogous:
material may be used, though a wet or damp framing is preferred.
It is obvious that the above material may be solidified and fixed, upon a plate,
grooved as aforesaid, by means of any suitable operative pressure. To this end
there is provided a hollow plate As, which is in all essential respects similar to the
plate A, except that it has no tongue along the edges, and the grooves D' may.
extend from end to end. D2 is a hollow plate, provided with suitable inlets and
outlets for heating and cooling agents. These plates in operation are connected by
the bolts d² and nuts e², the foriner being placed in slots 2 co-incidentally, situated
on the edges of the plates A³ and D' so that the bolts can be removed or replaced'
as soon as the nuts are loosened. For chases strips E2, composed of wood or other
suitable porous or fibrous material, preferably saturated with the water, are
employed. The saturation is for the purpose of rendering the chases E pliant and
compressible, and also that during the operation the heated surface with which
they come in contact may cause them to evolve steam or moist heat, which is pre-
ferable to dry heat in the plastification of celluloid. The details of the operation of.
this mechanism are. substantially as to the application of the heating and cooling
agents the same as in that herein-after described. The pressure is obtained simply
by working down the nuts e², thus contracting the space between the plates A³
and D, and so pressing the material, the plates being heated and cooled similarly:
to the manner herein-after set forth, and being heated, then contracted. The
dampened chase E causes the said evolution of steam or moist heat.
The operation is as follows:-The requisite number of sheets of celluloid aro
superposed one above the other upon the boss B¹ which is placed exactly below the
platen T¹, the chases being in place and there secured by the frame V₁ and its clamp
screws. Hydraulic pressure is now communicated to the rams I' which elevate the
platen F¹, plate A¹, chases E¹, and the material therein until the dependent platen
T¹ enters the space between the chases, compressing the material between its lower
surface and the upper surface of the boss B'; this pressure is continued until
equalling 250 pounds, more or less, to the square inch, and is sustained throughout
the entire operation; it is plain however that the degree of pressure must be varied
to suit the nature of the material to be effected through its action. A requisite:
pressure being reached the heating agent is next admitted into the cavity of the
plate A' until it is properly effected. Now as this heat is communicated from
below the lower stratum of the celluloid upon the bass, is first heated and solidified
and expels the air from the bottom upward through the material above and through.
the spaces between the edges of the material and the faces of the chases. Mean-
time under the action of the heat the lower surface of the celluloid has become
plastic, and the pressure being continued the parts thereof above the same are:
gradually forced into and speedily fill the grooves D'. The pressure and heat is
maintained until the air is thoroughly expelled from the material, when the heating
agent is gradually introduced into the cavity in the dependent platen T now in
contact with the celluloid, which under the operation of the heat being thus:
supplied becomes plastic, and under the pressure is solidified into a single compact
slab. The pressure being still sustained the next step is to fill the plate A+ chases
and platen T with water or other suitable cooling agent, which forthwith chills the
celluloid, whereupon it hardens in place, any lateral shrinkage being prevented by
the pressure while the plate and platen being placed upon non-conducting material'
are not effected by the temperature of the adjacent surfaces. The chases are now
removed and the material will be found in a homogeneous slab secured upon the.
boss B'. Being exposed to the air the celluloid shrinks somewhat, which causes the:
portion thereof which has been forced into the inclined grooves to operate as

page_text: clutches or hooks, grasping the metal with immense power, and holding the slot
firmly by tension toward the centre against any movement or force; thus is the
prime object of the Invention accomplished.
It is plain however that pieces or scraps of celluloid of any other forms tban
sheets may be placed upon the boss, and compressed into a slab, and similarly
attached to the plate, suitable solvents such as spirits of camphor being mingled
with the fragments to expedite the reunion and improve the effect of the
operation.
It is also plain that the above mechanism may be effectively used to secure
various substances that become fluid or plastic under the action of heat upon a
surface preparatory to further manipulation.
The apparatus next involved relates more immediately to the planing or shaving
of the material into sheets; this mechanism consists of a frame of any desired con-
struction provided with a travelling frame or bed plate A held in place by brackets
or other suitable means, and operated by a travelling screw or other means which
will give the bed plate a reciprocating movement. Usually the bed plate operates
on a level, but it is frequently desired to cut sheets of material that are bevelled
upon one or both surfaces, and to do this it is necessary that the plate carrying tho
material should have a slight tilt or cant; to this end the plate A¹ is mounted upon
a strip of metal S centrally and longitudinally traversing the bed plate A5, and is
secured thereon by the screws D5 and Es, thus affording it a support and permitting
the plate to be slightly tilted by respectively elevating and depressing the screws on
opposite sides.
When it is desired to cut a bevelled sheet the plate A¹ is tilted by operating the
screws D³, thus raising one side of the plate and holding it in an inclined position,
the screws E³ being correspondingly depressed. The plate is now advanced under
the plane herein-after described, and a bevelled sheet is thus shaved or planed off.
The screws D³ are then depressed and the screw E elevated, the plate A¹ being
thus inclined in the opposite direction when the operation of planing is repeated,
thus at every successive movement of the bed plate a bevelled sheet or shaving is.
produced.
It is plain that many means for tilting the plate A' will suggest themselves, the
above indicating only one method of effecting this object, which may be effected by
the interposition of a greater thickness of metal under the one than the other edge
of the plate.
The production of a bevelled sheet may also be effected by arranging the plane
upon a swivel so that it can be tilted or canted; this expedient being employed
there is no occasion to have the plate carrying the material tilted. At about two
thirds of its length the sides of the frame are carried up forming two standards or
pedestals F5 which are connected by the cross bar H; the purpose of this con-
struction being to sustain the cross head which is formed of one piece of material,
and traverses the frame and bed plate at right angles.
The ends of the cross head are formed of the guide plate 15 provided with a T
shaped guide which moves in the vertical slots in the front edges of the pedestals F³
to give the cross head a true vertical movement and prevent its being detached.
The guide plates are connected by the cross head L which is tapered to a blunt
edge, being thus inclined for the purpose of giving the plane M³ secured upon it a
proper inclination.
The rear of the plane M³ is secured in a depression e in the face of the cross
head L³, being held therein by the bolts, the edges of the depression serving as a
support against any pressure exerted upon the plane from material being operated
upon. The cross head L³ is also provided with the cavities f³ above the recess that
contains tlie plane, which cavities terminate in the boss h, through which boss pass
the set screws 1³, the lower ends of which impinge the back of the plane, and by
this means regulate its cut; or being further advanced upon one than the opposite
side, the screws cause the knife to stand at an angle to the vertical transverse
plane of the bed plate, and thus give a draw cut to all matter the bed plate may
"

page_text: bring in contact with the cutting edge. The position of the guide plates regulates
the relation of the plane to the material it operates upon, and these plates are
adjusted by means of the screws N³, which extend upward through ears n³ on the
upper parts of the standards F. The lower ends of the screws rest upon the ears
at or near the base of the standards. The upper part of one screw is furnished with
a bevilled wheel no, which engages a like wheel on the rod p³, extending across the
frame above the standard, and connected through a corresponding bevilled gearing
with the corresponding screw on the opposite side of the frame. Thus, as the
screw N is rotated, both the guide plates, and consequently the bar, and with it
the plane, are either elevated or depressed.
The cross head is secured in place by means of the screws R5, the heads of which
are polygonal and within, and impinge upon the parts of the standards adjacent to
the guide slots therein, while the outer onds of the screws are secured to the levers t³,
which are connected by a rod v³, one of the levers being provided with a handle,
which being rotated the screws are simultaneously operated, bringing their heads in
contact with parts of the standard adjacent the vertical slots, clamping the guide
plates, and so securing the plane simultaneously at several points. The gauge for
regulating the cut of the plane consists of a graduated disc A* fixed upon the screw
No above and adjacent the bevel wheel thereon; said screw having if preferred
below said wheel an uncut space, whereon may be provided an index gauge.
Now, for the sake of illustration, suppose the "pitch of thread" of the screw N
be one-fourth of an inch, and the index gauge of sixteen equal divisions, when the
gauge on the screw is turned one space, that would be one-sixteenth of the circum-
ference of the screw, and as the pitch of the thread is one-fourth of an inch it is
plain that the said movement would elevate or depress the screw one-fourth of one-
sixteenth, that is, one sixty-fourth of an inch. If the disc A* were divided into two
hundred and fifty graduations, it is plain that upon such a screw the movement of
the disc one graduated space would affect the screw one one-thousandth of an inch,
that is, one-fourth of one two hundred and fiftieth. Hence it is obvious that a
machine thus constructed is capable of any adjustment, and consequently of
producing sheets of any desired thickness. The operation of planing is effected by
securing the plate A' carrying the sheet of celluloid upon the bed plate A³, and
causing the latter to move, thereby bringing the material secured upon the plate A¹
in contact with the edge of the plane, which is depressed as desired, according to the
thickness of the sheet to be removed from the slab.
It is obvious that after one of the slabs has been shaved off, leaving only a thin
film of celluloid upon the plate, a second slab may be secured thereon by means of
cullodion cement or a suitablo solvent that will cause the slab to unite homo-
geneously with the film remaining upon the plate, when the slab thus attached may
be inanipulated the same as though secured upon the plate in the manner first
above detailed. The sheet of celluloid is now placed in the frame with its edges
between the two sections X2, which are clamped together by means of the bolts 2*
and nuts a holding the material securely within the frame, where it is permitted to
dry, during which operation it shrinks slightly, which draws it taut and straight
across the frame, so that it hardens into a flat smooth sheet, after which it may be
removed from the frame, being now finished.
The plate A' may be grooved laterally or otherwise, or bars of wood may bo
secured in the grooves, so as to be flush or slightly above the surface of the plate
and the slab formed upon this formation.
The purpose of retaining the slab in position may also be effected by vertical
apertures in the plate, or in fact apertures or elevations of any order in or upon or
about which the plastic composition can be forced, and there permitted to harden.
The essence of this element of the Invention being to immovably fix a slab of
plastic composition upon a plate by means of combined heat or pressure and
subsequent cooling, obviously the plate. A may be utilized, even if it be solid and
not hollow, since the material may be made plastic before being put thereon, when

page_text: the following is a description:-
Figure 20 is a front elevation of the press, the door of the pressure chamber
being open.
Figure 21 is a transverse central section of same, shewing the case and dies in
place.
Figure 22 is a vertical central longitudinal section of same.
Figures 23 and 24 are views of the base and end of a plate for sustaining the
case.
Figure 25 shews an end view and plan of the case for holding the dies.
Figure 26 is a plan of the. comb die.
Figures 27, 28, and 29 are transverse sections of same.
Figure 30 is a perspective view of a piece of material before being manipulated.
Figure 31 is a similar view of the same after being manipulated, that is, the
formed blank.
Figure 32 is a perspective view of a case of dies, the wrapping material being
raised at the corners.
Figure 33 is a view of the completed comb.
In these Figures A represents a section of a strip of celluloid; B represents the
comb blank made from the strip A', while C represents the finished comb; D'
represents a die consisting of an upper and lower section a and b, which are pro-
vided with guides, each having a cavity somewhat smaller than one-half of the
blank desired, divided on the plane of its longitudinal vertical centre; thus, when
the sections a¹ and b+ are united, a cavity is formed in the die somewhat smaller than
the blank sought; this to the end that the material when acted upon by the die
shall be somewhat densified.
The dies D+ are all made so as to have the same exterior superficies, preferably a
rectangular parallelogram, so that several of the dies can be packed and retained in
the case E, wherein they may be retained by means of the moveable lugs d'
The base of the dic may be corrugated or indented to afford channels for the
admission of the heating or cooling agents, or the said bases may be fiat, and a
corrugated plate (Figures 23 and 24) interposed between the dies for the said
purpose.
The said construction touching the superficies of the dies is a preferred expedient
to facilitate the formation of a number of comb blanks at a single operation."
The die D is composed of metal or other suitable material, its cavities being lined
with some porous material, parchment paper preferred, though ordinary paper,
muslin, or other porous textile or equivalent fabric will answer.
If the cavities in the dies are deep the stronger material should be employed, in
order that the lining may not be parted by the action of the press. To this end it
is advisable to moisten or otherwise render the lining flexible before it is laid in or
upon the cavity.
Another method of utilizing this lining is to wrap the piece of celluloid in it, and
lay the enveloped piece in the die; another, to place a sheet of the lining over one
cavity, depositing the piece of celluloid on the lining, and superposing a second
piece of lining above the other section of the die, being then placed above the lining
last mentioned. The purpose of this lining is to provent the gas and vapor gene-
rated in the operation of pressing the material from being confined between the
material and the surface of the cavity in the dio, which if thus confined would
operate as protuberances, and produce indentations in the plastic material; but
owing to the porous character of the lining the said gas and vapor enter the
apertures in the lining, or escape through it, thus avoiding the defect that would
result to the blank were such lining not used. Preferably the piece B* before being

page_text: placed in contact with the lining should be covered with a thin solution of talc, and
tallow or other oleaginous material to facilitate the removal of the lining from the
celluloid after it has been pressed.
The mechanism for operating the dies consists of a cylinder F, having an aper-
ture e extending over its entire front, which aperture is packed about its edges
with a strip of rubber or other suitable material, and is closed by means of a door
H', which slides in the grooves provided in the base and head of the cylinder which
overlap the edges thereof, and which at suitable points are provided with the clamp
screws having handles all arranged so that they may be employed to clamp.the
door when closed in a steam-tight manner over the aperture 6. The base of the
cylinder rests upon the head of an upward acting hydraulic ram, and its movement
is guided by the rods below, and by the piston m' above. The head of the
piston m enters the cylinders, and fills or partially fills the area of the upper part
thereof.
The cylinder F is provided with an inlet p' for the admission of the heating
agent. For this purpose steam is generally employed, and will circulato properly
when admitted to the cylinder; but as certain kinds of " celluloid" are injured by
the action of the steam upon the dies containing it, oil or glycerine heated to from
200° to 280° is preferred, which must be caused to circulate through the cylinder
and about the dies. To this end it is supplied from a tank (not shown) placed
above the cylinder, and drawn out, into, and through the cylinder by.means of a
pump (not shown), and properly connected with the cylinder, which pump may be
utilized to restore the fluid to the tank.
The circulation may be accomplished by many other means, and is essential, since
the mere presence of the heated oil or glycerine will not suffice.
The cylinder is also provided with an inlet n*, for the admission of water or
other cooling agent. Both the ram and the cylinder F should be furnished with
suitable gauges.
The operation for producing the comb blank is as follows:-The die D* containing
one of the pieces of celluloid B*, and properly lined as aforesaid, or several dies, each
so filled and enclosed in the case E are introduced into the cylinder F until it is
nearly filled; the door H* is then closed and clamped securely over the aperture by
means of the screws h¹. The dies are now enclosed in a steam-tight chamber, into
which hot oil or glycerine or other suitable warming liquid or fluid is now admitted
until the gauge indicates that such a temperature has been reached as will render
the celluloid plastic. As the fluid flows over the dies and enters the same it acts
upon them and their contents much more effectually than radiated or conducted
heat would, or than would be the case were the dies, frames, and cylinder merely
warmed. Obviously other heated liquids and fluids may be used as the steam is
used.
The hydraulic ram is now put in operation, elevating the cylinder and bringing
up the dies superposed upon its base until the upper one is in contact with the head
of the piston m² above, and the desired pressure is exerted on each die; this
pressure forms the celluloid in the die into the desired blank, the confined gas and
vapor generated in the heated dies being taken up by or escaping through the
porous material enveloping the celluloid, which prevents the formation of indentn-
tions therein. The hydraulic pressure is continued until the gauge shows a pressure
equal to five (5) tons or thereabouts on each die, at which point the pressure is
maintained, the oil or glycerine being then drawn off, and the cylinder Hooded with
cool or cold water or other chilling agent, which cools the dies and the material
therein, the latter becoming hard at once, it having been formed meantime into a
comb blank by the pressure. The pressure is then relieved, and the door H* opened.
The frames are withdrawn from the cylinder, the dies opened, the blanks taken out,
and the paper or lining separated from them, when they are ready to be finished
into combs.
The fourth part of this Invention relating to the coating or covering of hollow

page_text: frames with plastic composition is fully illustrated in Figures 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,
and 40 of the accompanying Drawings, of which the following is a description :-
Figure 34 is a plan of the lower half of a die, with the frames in place.
Figure 35 is a similar view of the upper half of the die.
Figures 36 and 37 are views of the upper and lower sections of the finishing die.
Figure 38 is a view of a number of cores as they come from the stuffing die.
Figure 39 is a plan of a single finished frame coated with plastic composition.
Figure 40 is a section of the die broken out, and shewing a sustaining pin and
stud.
The devices employed for the purpose of amalgamating the elements of the com-
position, and forcing them from the stuffing machine or cylinder to the die, as well
as for retaining the die to be filled in place, are in all material respects the same
as those shown and described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me
on the 21st October 1872, No. 3101.
The above is pertinent to celluloid, but when rubber or other plastic compositions
are to be manipulated, the stuffing cylinder instead of being constructed as described
in said Specification, may be made with a smooth surface, the core block. being
omitted, and the plungers having a stroke to, or very nearly to, the bottom of the
cylinder or stuffing box.
No claim is asserted herein to any of the devices described or shown in said
Specification.
m² represents a duct or pipe leading to the base of the stuffing box, substantially
as described in said Specification, which pipe leads into a die Q7, which, in the
operation, is secured in a hydraulic clamp; which together with the means of
operating it, and the piston that expels the composition from the stuffing box, and
into the duct m² are all substantially as specified in said Specification, to which
reference is made.
The die Q7 is provided at one end with coincident cavities, which when united,
form the aperture e to receive the end of the duct m³, through which the composi-
tion in a plastic state is brought under pressure from the stuffing box.
From the aperture e a tubular cavity E7 of less diameter leads towards the other
end of the die, traversing the central parts of the same, and composed of two coinci-
dent cavities formed in the opposite parts of the die. From this cavity E7 a number
of gates F7 lead to the forming cavities H7 which are of suitable dimensions to
receive the core about which the composition is to be moulded; the forming cavity
being of such size as to afford space upon all sides of the core of slightly
greater dimensions than the thickness of the desired formation of composition
to be moulded on the core. To enable the composition to pass around upon all
sides of the core, studs f7 are set in the cavity, which sustain the core above
the surface thereof, while pins h7 are provided adjacent to the boss A' at the
centre of the cavity, to prevent the lateral movement of the core, which by
these studs and pins is thus suspended in the cavity with a circumjacent space
for the reception of the composition.
It is obvious that these studs and pins may readily be constructed in many ways
to adapt their functions to cores of other forms than here presented. Thus the
studs fmay be made concave, and the core held between such studs provided in
the
upper and lower parts of the die, and thus the pins 7 dispensed with; or the
pins may be provided with a step or extension to sustain the core, and thus the
studs f dispensed with.
In the present instance one part of the core is supported by the elevation 27; but
this is simply to cut off the composition at this point, leaving the core clear, so that
the tongue of a buckle can be placed directly upon it.
In the case of a ring or other analogous structures, only the studs and pins would
be required to sustain the core.
The forming cavity is provided with an air vent placed opposite the gate F.
The die in the present instance is made in two sections, one half of each cavity

page_text: being placed coincidently in the opposite section; the sections being connected by
the guides m7, and apertures which also serve to give the sections proper movement
and relation.
The sections of the die should be held in place by a pressure equal to that which
causes the exudation of the composition from the duct; this is effected by the
hydraulic clamp described fully in said Specification, or by any other suitable
means.
core
The operation of covering the core with composition, which is termed "stuffing the
is effected simply by placing the core in position in the forming cavity, filling the
stuffing machine, and operating the lever which communicates movement by hydraulic
pressure to the piston of the stuffing box, and also operates the clamp; thus the
composition is forced into the forming cavity, the sections of the die being held in
place pending the influx of the material. The result of the operation is a core
covered with a shell of composition of uniform thickness, from the outer periphery
of which extends a fin, the composition being broken at the points where the pins
and studs have been in contact with the core which may be made of solid or tubular
metal, or of fibrous or other suitable material.
Preferably, the die is kept warm during the above operation.
The core stuffed as above is taken from the cavity and placed in a warm die A³,
having a configuration to which it is desired to form the composition; this con-
figuration is somewhat smaller than the forming cavity H7, in order to densify the
coating.
The sections of the die A° are closed by a great pressure which solidifies the
composition about the core; the lent softeuing the coinposition, and the pressure
spreading it, so that the breakes therein are filled out, and the core covered with a
smooth homogeneous coating.
If vulcanizable material is used, the die Aº is not warmed; but with the core and
composition in it, is heated in any suitable manner to vulcanize the contents. If
any excresences remain upon the edges of the coating, they can be readily removed, ⚫
and the edges polished or sinoothed, as desired.
It is plain that the die may be provided with any desired number of forming
cavities; and further that any mechanism that will clamp the die and force the
composition into the same, either by one or distinct operations, may be effectually
employed.
The fifth section of the Invention relating to the strip of plastic composition
bevelled on the edges is illustrated in Figure 41 of the accompanying Drawings,
which is a vertical transverse section of the strip. A³ indicates the strip of plastic
composition, having bevelled edges a³ and b³. It is obvious that if the strip A³ be
wound on a core, that one of the bevelled edges will overlap the other, and thus
form a smooth surface covering, which as it dries will shrink evenly throughout, and
the upper overlapping edge bind firmly upon the lower bevelled edge forming a con
tinuous covering without any separations in it. These edges may be united in any
suitable manner, either by pressure, vulcanization, cement, or such solvents as will .
soften the material, and enable the homogeneous union of the edges.
The strip may be bevelled by any suitable cutting or rolling mechanism, or when
plastic it may be formed by forcing the material through a nozzle or aperture, which
is so formed as to produce the strip with bevelled edges.
The preferred composition for making the strip is "celluloid," though other
compositions may be effectively employed.
The sixth section of the Invention relating to the cylinder for compacting the
material in a homogeneous roll upon a core is fully illustrated in Figures 42, 43, 44,
and 45, of which the following is a description:-
Figure 42 is a vertical central longitudinal section of the core, heads, and plates
in position.
Figure 43 is a central transverse section of the same, with the material in
place.
Figure 44. is a detached view of one of the plates.

page_text: Figure 45 is a detail view showing the operation of shaving the roll into strips.
The machine used for compacting a homogeneous roll of celluloid or plastic com-
position upon a core consists of the following elements, constructed in the manner
herein-after specified:-A in the above-named Figures represents a hollow core,
which is steam-tight and mounted at each end in the circular recesses aº in the face
of the end plates B, which are also hollow; the core and plates or heads being
provided with suitable means for receiving and discharging a heating or cooling
agent, which passes through the head and into the cavity of the core, through
channels or apertures properly located.
The exterior superficies of the core AⓇ are corrugated, fluted, or indented horizon-
tally, or they may be constructed with radial spokes or any other protuberant
matters, or indentations upon which the material can in drying exert a tension.
The construction of this core as to its exterior surface may be analogous to that of
the plate A' mentioned in the second section aforesaid. The core AⓇ and the heads
or plates B are preferably braced internally to prevent their being collapsed under
pressure, the heads being secured to the core by bolts or any other suitable means,
or the ends of the core may each be threaded, and the sides of the recess a pro-
perly cut to receive such threads, and thus the core and plates securely attached.
A sectional cylinder c is placed about the core A6, and is composed of two or more
hollow, curved, segmental plates Do, provided with suitable apertures to receive a
heating or cooling agent. These plates Ds are constructed so as to be capable of
being closely united, and thus form the cylinder C. On their inner edges a recess
6º is cut to accurately receive the corresponding portions of the heads or end plates
B³, or the heads may be recessed. This arrangement permits the plates DⓇ to have
a slight movement toward or away from the core. The plates D are provided at
the points, where their edges are joined with a continuous recess de partially in each
plate. In this recess, and secured at one side of it, is placed a spring e, having a
tension toward the core, to the end that when any outward pressure is exerted upon
it, it ma yclose and seal the joint between the edges of the plates, which are held in
contact with the heads Bª by means of bands E that encircle them when united,
which bands are contracted and released by means of bolts or nuts, or in any other
suitable manner. All of the parts composing the above machine, and which are
used to compress the material, are constructed to fit closely so as to form a cylin-
drical chamber about the core Aº.
The object of this mechanism is to firmly affix a homogeneous roll of plastic com-
position upon a central core, the operation being as follows:-A proper number of
sheets of plastic composition are first rolled upon the core, to the end of which the
heads B are attached. The sectional plates are now placed in position about the
core, and the heating agents admitted to the cavities in the heads, plates, and core
through the appropriate channels. This operation softens the material and permits
the sectional plates forming the cylinder to be gradually contracted by means of the
bands and bolts until the sectional plates are crowded down so as to come in full
contact with the heads B6.
Obviously in this operation the confined air escapes through the spaces between
the sectional plates, which do not touch one another until they have come in full
contact with the heads Bo; thus the material upon the core is firmly enclosed
within a tight-heated cylinder, whereby it is softened and solidified into a homo-
genous cylindrical mass.
The next operation is to draw off the heating agents and admit to the core heads
and plates a chilling agent. This at once causes the material to contract, and thus
it dries, holding firmly on to the core A, which is now ready for the succeeding
operation of cutting the material into strips. This operation is effected by mounting
the core on bearings and subjecting it to the operation of a knife of suitable size,
the edge of which impinges the periphery of the material on the core, or a part
thereof, as may be desired. This knife is secured at a tangent to the surface of the
core, and arranged to be moved by any suitable mechanism so as to approach
gradually nearer and nearer to the periphery of the core itself; thus the roll of

page_text: material being rotated and the knife simultaneously moved it is obvious that à long
continuous strip will be turned or planed off of the outer surface of the roll, the
thickness of which strip being controlled by the rapidity with which the roll of
material is rotated or the knife advanced.
The operation last aforesaid is fully shown in the Drawings, in which A
represents the core with the roll H secured upon it, I representing the knife or
cutter; Le, the plate upon which it is secured; and Me, the screws, by means. of
which the edge of the knife is caused to approach the surface of the core itself. It
is obvious that the knife may work horizontally, as in the present instance, or
vertically if desired; and that the roll may be rotated by any suitable machinery,
or by machinery so arranged as to simultaneously operate the rolls and at the same
time cause a corresponding and appropriate movement of the knife.
The seventh section of this Invention is carried into effect by causing the
composition, as it is discharged from the stuffing machine, to pass over a core or
mandrel, which gives it a tubular form, either wholly or partially. The core having
been previously lubricated with soap with no rosin in it or other suitable lubricant,
is now held so that as the tube of composition exudes it will pass over the core,
over which its movement may be assisted by drawing and stretching the composition
with the hand. The material as it dries shrinks firmly to the core, and will
accommodate itself to a core that approximates in size to the diameter of the tube,
although the core be of different formations or diameters at different places. The
tube may be of any outline desired, so that the material with the core in it can be
cut off in sections; and thus links for chains, rings, eye-glass frames, and many
other hollow structures may be made, the section of core being removed when the
section of material and core is cut off.
The eighth section of this Invention is fully illustrated in Figures 46, 47, 48;
49, 50, 51, and 52 of the accompanying Drawings, of which the following is a
description.
Figure 46 is a plan view of the upper surface of the nozzle shewing the plug D
formed of the sections L³, L³, and I, I, in position; Figure 47 is a vertical central
longitudinal section of the same through the line x, x; Figure 48 is a section of the
same through the line y, y, the sections omitted.
Figure 49 is a detail view of the sections L³.
Figures 50 and 51 are similar views of the sections I*.
Figure 52 is a like view of the sections L*.
The nozzle A³ is attached by any suitable means to the base of the stuffing
machine, and has a channel from which two smaller channels B lead toward the
opposite end of the device.
In the nozzle A is provided a suitable aperture to receive the plug D³, which is
composed of two or more sections, said sections being so constructed and united
that when secured in place in the aperture aforesaid the various recesses that are
provided in the said sections shall be coincidentally located, and the several
channels, cavities, inlets, and outlets mentioned be formed. Now these sections
being properly located as to each other, and secured in the aperture in the nozzle,
the plug D³ is formed and possesses vertically all the peculiarities of a solid plug,
having an internal cavity formed of the several cavities mentioned hereafter.
The apertures F are located coincidentally in the several sections, which, when
united, the apertures form the pockets Es, the mouths of which are placed directly
opposite the mouths of the channels B*; thus the material is received into the
pockets whereby it is retained, and which are kept constantly full of material by
the operation of the stuffing machine.
The inlet H³ is formed of the two tapering cavities a³ coincidentally located in
the sections 15, its inner opening being situated midway between the pockets E,
and of such size as to snugly conform to the transverse section of the bar to be
coated. Preferably the sections I should be made of steel or other hard metal, or
the inlet lined therewith.
.. The outlet M5. is formed of the two cavities. .b coincidentally located in the
-

page_text: 'sections L³, and may be straight, inclined, or curved according to the contour of the
bar to be coated. The outlet thus formed is of such size as to accurately correspond
to the transverse section of the coated bar. The metal above and below the inner
opening of the outlet M* is cut away coincidentally in each of the sections L³, so as
to form the gates M³, on each side of which a cavity P³ is provided to receive a 5
portion of the material. The stuffing machine provided with plastic composition
being operated, material flows through the nozzle, filling the pockets and the other
cavities in the plug D. The bar is now passed into the inlet H, which stops the
flow of the material through it, and forces the composition to flow out through the
outlet M; this creates a flow or current which takes up the bar and carries it 1
forward and.out through the outlet, in which passage the upper and lower surface
of the bar is coated with material that flows through the gates M³, the edges of the
bar being coated by the material in the cavities P
It is here to be remarked that the gates M5 are opposite each other, as also are
the cavities P, and the inlet H, and outlet M5.
.
1
On the opposite sides of the nozzle As, and approximately placed, are the inlet
Rs and the outlet Ts, forming continuations respectively of the inlet H³ and the
outlet Mo, and having their lower sides curved, if desired, to permit the adinission
and exit of a curved bar. The nozzle is provided with a suitable means of keeping
it heated, a steam pipe V being used in the present instance to preserve the 2
material in a plastic condition pending the said operation.
By the above mechanism coiled or straight springs, as well as bars or strips of
wood or metal, or any sufficiently dense material, may be smoothly coated.
... If. a fin.is desired upon the edge of the article it is only necessary to deepen the
cavities P³, and widen the outlet to correspond with the increased width of the 2
coating.
..
.
A tag may be formed at the end of the bar simply by a slight pause after each
successive bar is coated, since as the bar passes outward the material both precedes
and follows it. .. .
The ninth section of the Invention is fully illustrated in Figures 53, 54, and 55 3
of the acccompanying Drawings, of which the following is a description
Figure 53 is a vertical central longitudinal section of the device in question;
Figure 54 is an end view of same, certain parts of the internal construction being
shown in dotted lines.
.
Figure 55 is a face view of the head. H₁ of the plug F¹.
In these Figures A¹ represents the nozzle provided with a suitable channel a¹ª,
and having its shank attached by a thread, or in any other suitable manner, to the
base of a stuffing machine (not shewn), whence the material for coating may be
expelled under great pressure.
3
B is a plug securely and adjustably attached to the nozzle A" for the purpose 4
of advancing or retracting the plug, and accordingly reducing or permitting an
increase in the supply of material to the core. The plug B12 is provided with the
inlet D¹s of such size as to accurately correspond with the transverse section of the
core opposite the channel in this plug, and having an axis coincident therewith is
provided the outlet E12 of such size as to accurately correspond with the transverse 4
section of the coated core, being therefore somewhat larger in diameter than the
inlet D¹9
The outlet E¹ is located in the plug F12, which is secured to the nozzle A¹ by
means of the screws 613; and terminates in the circular head H, which as to its
upper surface is bevelled eccentrically, so that the upper surface is eccentric and 5
the lower surface or base circular as to the outlet E, and the diameter of the
head H¹s being less than that of the plug F12 an annular chamber L is formed about
the head, which chamber is vertical at the point opposite the mouth of the channel
A's, from which point its size is increased by bevelling off the head H¹s to the point
opposite that aforesaid, where it reaches its maximum width. Thus a chamber is 5
formed about the head H1, in relation to which the outlet E" occupies an eccentric
position, so that the space between the edge of the upper part of the head H" at

page_text: the point opposite the channel, and the outlet E" is much greater than the space
directly opposite that above indicated. The inner end of the plug B₁ does not
impinge the surface of the head H¹ opposite, and this forms the space I¹¹.
In practise the nozzle is attached to the stuffing machine, which being filled and
operated, the plastic composition under great pressure flows into the channel a¹², thence
into the chamber L, and thence into the space I". The rod or core to be covered is
now inserted into the inlet D", which stops the flow of material from this aperature,
and increases the current or flow of material toward the outlet E; this current
takes the rod and gradually draws it through the space I, thus coating the rod
evenly on both sides, or the rod may be forced through if desired.
Now, as the material passes through the space II it comes in contact with a
correspondingly reduced surface in proportion as it is distant from the mouth of
the channel a Thus as the friction is proportionately reduced at each succeeding
point the flow of the material to the core is equalized, being the same at all the
points thereon. This evenly bestowed pressure serves also to sustain the core at
all points with which the material comes in contact; the intention being that the
friction between the mouth of the channel a¹ and the surface of the core, or rather
the frictional surface between said points, shall be in every instance equal.
Care should be taken not to so advance the plug B₁ as to reduce the space 11ª
to such an extent that the friction would so retard the material as to prevent a
proper supply at points next opposite the channel a¹²; and also it should be noted
that the plug aforesaid should not be so retracted as to inordinately enlarge the
space 1, and thereby permit the flow of an excessive supply to the core at said
points.
A small steam pipe M12 may be used if desired to heat the nozzle, pending the
above operation.
The friction encountered by the material is of course much greater in passing
over the wide than the narrow parts of the surface of the head H adjacent the
outlet, and is also respectively increased or reduced accordingly as the space 1¹² is
diminished or enlarged, being however reduced by the said enlargement to a greater
extent on the wide than on the narrow parts of the surface of the head H¹ adjacent
the outlet.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim, the several improvements herein-above described, and as specified
under the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th parts or sections of the
said Invention, and the means for carrying the same into effect, as and for the
purposes above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
DADT TIT
W ROD LAKE.
חn
(15.)