IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMBINATION OF CAOUTCHOUC WITH A LAMINATED OR COMPOSITE MATERIAL OF MINGLED CORK AND RUBBER
Year: 1885

page_text: I, LEWIS STEBBINS HOYT, of 99 Appleton Street, City of Boston, in the County
of Suffolk, United States of America, Inventor, do hereby declare. the nature of
ny invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMBINATION OF CAOUTCHOUC WITH A
LAMINATED OR COMPOSITE MATERIAL OF MINGLED CORK AND RUBBER," and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
My invention consists in an original method of applying sheets of pure
caoutchouc over a prepared filling of granulated cork and rubber particles, or
forming an interior and exterior envelope of said caoutchouc with an intermediate
body of said composite material, which becomes homogeneously united through
vulcanization.
This product embodies elasticity, durability and lightness, while inexpensive.
To achieve this result I proceed as hereinafter described. The elementary and
uncompounded parts of said body or filling consists of granulated cork-bark and
pure caoutchouc, commingled in desirable proportions, and may be produced in flat
webs of convenient length and breadth by passing thin sheets of caoutchouc
through cylindrical rolls, heated to a proper degree. When a sufficient temperature
is imparted to said caoutchouc, the granulated cork is distributed evenly and
sufficiently plentiful to cover the tepid rubber which has become adhesive, and the
particles of cork are held until the succeeding surfaces of the gum are brought into
contact by the continued rotation of said heated cylinders.
By this method the continued manipulation of said material produces a
laminated composite product, which, after becoming of sufficient thickness, is
transferred to the cutting tables, subject to the various and manifold uses to which
it is adapted.
Or I may produce the body or filling by preparing granulated cork with
particles of caoutchouc thoroughly and intimately commingled, and then subjected
to friction until the whole product forms a homogeneous mass, which may then be
pressed into sheets preparatory to the various uses required commercially.
I do not however confine myself to, nor distinctly claim, the product produced
in the laminated form-by commingling or mixture-by dissolving, macerating, or
any of the practiced methods as above indicated, all of which are well known
or used.

page_text: In the practical application of my improved invention, I select two articles to be
manufactured (for the purpose of illustration). A clothes wringing machine roll,
and a foot or floor mat.
In the former instance I prepare a central core or bearing, of required thickness,
solid or hollow, as the exigencies of the construction may require, which will
receive the metal shaft or bearing.
Around, and upon this core, is wound compactly by successive movements said
prepared filling in desired quantity, until sufficient body is produced. I now
secure the outer and final envelope of pure caoutchouc, either in thin consecutive
layers or in one sheet of desirable thickness. The roll is now exposed to heat, and
vulcanized until the outer mass and said interior filling becomes intimately com-
mingled and forms a homogeneous product combining density and lightness.
In the latter construction, one or two sheets of unadulterated caoutchouc for the
exterior covering, united to one sheet of filling is required, the manipulation
occurring as aforesaid.
The construction of my improved product will be further seen by referring to
the drawing forming a part of this specification wherein―
Fig. 1, illustrates a clothes wringing machine roll-in elevation and half
section with the metal shaft thereto attached.
Fig. 2, exhibits a floor mat, in perspective, with a portion of the same disunited
to render its construction perceptible.
Fig. 3, indicates a transverse section of a floor mat. Referring to the letters,
A. figure one, indicates the metal shaft or bearing. B. the interior surrounding
envelope of caoutchouc, securely embracing said shaft. C. is the composite
material, compounded of cork-bark and caoutchouc granules, and D. represents the
exterior enwrapping also of caoutchouc.
C. figure two, is the composite filling aforesaid, while E. E. represents the
wearing surfaces, moulded in ridges to enhance its usefulness for the purpose
intended.
C. figure three, is the composite filling. E. E. are the wearing surfaces.
It will be obvious that my improved combination is applicable to innumerable
forms of construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what
I claim is
1. A composite material of caoutchouc and granulated cork in combination with
an outer surface of caoutchouc vulcanized in moulds under pressure in such a
manner that this inner compound is inseparably united together while at the same
time this laminated outside covering of caoutchouc is as firmly attached to the
same as if in one solid body, as and for the purpose specified.
2. In manufactured articles the combination of unadulterated caoutchouc and
sulphur with and enwrapping a composite material of granulated cork-bark with
particles of rubber homogeneously united in the manner and for the purpose herein
set forth.