AN IMPROVED MODE OF MANUFACTURING HUMAN AND OTHER FIGURES BY MECHANICALLY MOULDING THEM FROM PAPER PULP OR OTHER PASTY OR PLASTIC MATUNDS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to François Felix Bastier, Manufacturer, of the City of
Paris, in the Republic of France, for an Invention of "AN IMPROVED MODE
OF MANUFACTURING HUMAN AND OTHER FIGURES BY MECHANICALLY
MOULDING THEM FROM PAPER PULP OR OTHER PASTY OR PLASTIC MATUNDS
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Francois Felix Bastier at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th May 1881.
FRANÇOIS FELIX BASTIER, Manufacturer, of the City of Paris, in the Republic
of France. "AN IMPROVED MODE OF MANUFACTURING HUMAN AND OTHER
FIGURES BY MECHANICALLY MOULDING THEM FROM PAPER PULP OR OTHER
PASTY OR PLASTIC MATTERS, TOGETHER WITH THE APPARATUS THEREFOR."
This Invention consists in a novel method of mechanically moulding paper pulp
or pasty or plastic matters for manufacturing human and other figures for shop
windows, exhibitions, either anatomical or artistic, theatres, museums, and so
forth, or in any branches of industry where such may advantageously be
employed.
In order that the mechanical moulding process of paper pulp, the subject of the
present Invention, may be clearly understood, Drawings illustrating the apparatus
employed are hereunto annexed, and which process consists of
Ist. The novel application of the paper pulp or other pasty matter; and, 2nd,
the moulding process.
There is nothing particularly remarkable to mention with regard to the pulp
which is delivered to commerce in different conditions; what is here employed is in
a solid state, such as is used by paper makers and pasteboard manufacturers; it
may be refined or otherwise, but always diluted so that it can be easily introduced
in the moulds.
In the manufacture of various articles the most refined or best pulp is employed
so as to insure the best results as to appearances. The apparatus used consists of

page_text: the mould and the mechanical appliance. The mould is usually in two parts, and
is formed of a perforated metal sheet, and is constructed to suit the article to be
made therefrom.
A hard tissue may be used for this purpose. The upper and lower parts are
arranged at a distance in accord with the thickness of the subject to be moulded,
and are fixed by screws or bolts.
The apparatus giving effect to the whole process comprises the motor A for
producing the requisite power for actuating the whole mechanism constituting
tables or revolving plates and pumps. As shown by the Plan, Fig. 2, the revolving
plate B¹ pivots horizontally on its axis; its rotary motion has this peculiarity that
the centrifugal force resulting therefrom admits of the introduction of the paste
inside the mould in the best conditions possible.
This plate works by means of cog wheels in communication with the governing
shaft and with an optional and calculated speed. Experience has proved that the
placing of the mould on the revolving plate, and the introduction of the pasto in
the manner described, are important features in the process.
When the mould is prepared it is covered before placing it on the turning plate
with a coat of grease to allow of keeping the paste in the mould sufficiently long
before the matter it contains is turned out to solidify.
It is important to insure success that all details should be calculated; hence
the placing of the moulds on the revolving plate is important, and by preference
they should be arranged as shown in the Drawing; they are held secure by bolts
by which they are solidly adjusted to an angle iron purposely prepared.
It is scarcely necessary to state that the moulds are made for the complete
formation of the subject desired to be produced, and that they are of two or more
parts. As soon as the moulds are fixed to the table or revolving plate the pasty
matter is introduced to them.
A series of tubes, comprising distributing tubes c, descending tubes c¹, and gutta
percha tubes c', are arranged as shown in the Drawings. Above the revolving
table or plate at a certain elevation is a plank on which the funnels for receiving
the paste are placed, whence it is directed to the distributing tubes; the cylindrical
base forming the tube of the funnel is of less diameter than that of the distributing
tube which it communicates with, this arrangement being found necessary and
indispensable, so that the introduction of the paste inside the moulds may be
effected in the best possible manner, vide Fig. 1, which is an elevation of the
apparatus employed.
The paste is placed in each funnel to which the flow tube is connected; it
consequently will be understood why the diameter is restricted and calculated in
accordance with that of the distributing tube so that the paste may reach the
mould and enter it by the rotary motion communicated by cach turning plate in
connection with the driving shaft by means of gear work.
The accompanying Drawings accurately show the arrangement of the revolving
plates, the channels for the introduction of the paste, and the position of the funnels
on the plank to which they are attached.
When the pasty matter is placed within the moulds, as before described, the
moulding continues by removing each mould from the tables to submit them to the
action of the vacuum cases H where they are placed; these are traversed by a
current of hot air produced by a furnace heated by gas or otherwise; this hot air
is drawn by pumps E2 arranged for the purpose, and then force it by expelling
apertures, so that they are suction and force pumps.
The object of passing the moulds through the vacuum cases is to get rid of the
liquid contained in the paste and to completely solidify it. This part of the process
being completed, the several parts forming the figure are united by means of glue
or any other mode of fixture. The objects are then painted and varnished to give
them the most natural effect.
From the foregoing description it is readily understood that the old method of
superposing sheets of paper in making figures is done away with entirely, and the

page_text: manufacture is rapidly effected by mechanism instead, and it is conducted in a
regular and mathematical manner on any desired scale of size.
The number of turn plates and moulds would naturally vary in accordance with
the vastness of the manufacture and importance of the works.
I claim the mechanical moulding of figures representing the human or other
figures or forms, busts, and various subjects by the use of paper pulp or pasty and
plastic matters by the means and for the purposes herein set forth.
The Drawings faithfully represent the apparatus employed for such purpose.
In witness whereof, I, the said François Felix Bastier, have hereunto sot
my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
F. F. BASTIER. (L.S.)