IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW ARTICLES IN WHICH LIGHTNESS, RIGIDITY, AND IMPERMEABILITY ARE REQUIRED
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Walton, of Heatham House, Twickenham, in
the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW ARTICLES IN WHICH LIGHTNESS, RIGIDITY, AND
IMPERMEABILITY ARE REQUIRED."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Walton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th July 1880.
FREDERICK WALTON, of Heatham House, Twickenham, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW ARTICLES IN
WHICH LIGHTNESS, RIGIDITY, AND IMPERMEABILITY ARE REQUIRED."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of hollow
articles in which lightness, rigidity, and impermeability are required.
For these purposes I first produce forms for the articles required in paper or
paper pulp. I cause the paper pulp to be deposited on a perforated shape
corresponding to the article it is intended to produce, and when this form is dry,
I cover it all over with oxidised or solidified oil composition, which I apply to it
by the aid of heavy pressure, and by means of dies or moulds of the shape of the
article.
In this way I force a layer of composition of oxidised or solidified oil, combined
with fibre or pigment, on to the internal and external surfaces of such forms. I
afterwards harden the coating by exposure to heat. This process is applicable to
the manufacture of a great variety of hollow articles, for example, helmets and
head coverings are advantageously thus made, having the lightness, impermeability,
rigidity, and resistance to wear desirable in these articles. My improved method
of manufacture is also applicable to the production of tea trays, and many other
articles.
To demonstrate clearly the advantages of my process, I may state that in the
manufacture of tea trays and most japanned articles, it has been usual to give
the paper form repeated layers of colour or japan, and to cut down the surface each
time until a fine smooth exterior is obtained. As each layer must be well dried

page_text: before the application of another, it will be seen that much time and labour is
required, which by my process is saved, as the surface of the mould being perfectly
even and polished, it follows that the articles receive from the mould the same
finish. In the manufacture of tea trays and similar articles, the processes described
do not permit of ornamentation in relief, except such as is applied in forms of pearl
or other materials, as is well known. But by my method some parts of the surface
may be perfectly plane and even, whilst others may be ornamented in relief by
engraving the moulds at such places; and forms of pearl, metal, or other ornamental
substances may be inserted into cavities in the moulds, and so combined with the
composition of solid oils.
Bowls, boxes, and a variety of articles can be made in this manner.
In place of employing hollow forms of paper or paper pulp, I can in some cases
employ like forms made in thin sheet metal.
-SPECIFICATION_in_pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick Walton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th-
January 1881.
FREDERICK WALTON, of Heatham House, Twickenham, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HOLLOW ARTICLES IN
WHICH LIGHTNESS, RIGIDITY, AND IMPERMEABILITY ARE REQUIRED."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of hollow
articles in which lightness, rigidity, and impermeability are required.
For these purposes I first produce forms for the articles required in paper or paper
pulp. I cause the paper pulp to be deposited on a perforated shape corresponding
to the article it is intended to produce. By this well known process I produce in thick
porous paper seamless forms, it may be of a hat, a helmet, a tray, a bowl, a cup, a
box or case, an opera glass tube, a clock case or a part thereof, or a raised panel or
other hollow article. When the paper form is dry, I cover it all over with oxidized
or solidified oil composition, which I apply to it by the aid of heavy pressure, and
by means of dies or moulds of the shape of the article. In this way I force a layer
of composition of oxidized or solidified oil, combined with fibre or pigment or other
materials, on to the internal and external surfaces of such forms. I afterwards
harden the coating by exposure to heat.
The annexed Drawing (Figure 1) shews in section the pair of dies which I
employ in producing a helmet like head covering. a is the upper die, and 6 the
lower die; when they are shut together they form a mould, and enclose a space
'corresponding in shape to the article they are intended to produce. At the top
they fit together pretty closely so as to allow little or no escape of the composition
'when exposed to pressure. There are conical pins on the upper die which enter
corresponding holes in the lower die, and serve when the upper die is brought down
to lead it accurately to its place.
The paper form is placed on the upper die, and is slightly attached to it by a
string around the upper part or in other convenient manner. A suitable quantity
of the coating material to form the coating is then placed in the lower die, and the
dies are closed together with heavy pressure sufficient to distribute the coating

page_text: uniformly over the form. The dies are by preference used cold, but the composition
is heated as much as it will bear without” injury, so that it may be soft enough to
yield freely to the pressure.
I prepare a suitable composition from drying oil, which by long continued
boiling, as is well understood, has been reduced to a condition such that when
cold it is solid and almost dough like.
I mix this solid oil with other ingredients, as follows:-

page_text: before the application of another, it will be seen that much time aud labour is
required, which by my process is saved, as the surface of the mould being perfectly
even and polished, it follows that the articles receive from the mould the same
finish.
For articles to be japanned, I employ the harder compositions. The japanning
is conducted in the ordinary manner at a moderate temperature, but much fewer
coats and less cutting down will be required to obtain a surface.
In the manufacture of tea trays and similar articles, by covering forms in moulds
according to my method, some parts of the surface may be perfectly plane and even,
whilst others may be ornamented in relief. This effect I obtain by engraving the
moulds at such places, and forms of pearl, metal, or other ornamental substances
may be inserted into cavities in the moulds, and so combined with the composition
of solid oils. Bowls, boxes, and a variety of articles can be made in this manner.
---In place of-employing hollow forms of paper or paper pulp, I can in some
cases employ like forms made in thin sheet metal, and which may be produced
by stamping.
Or sometimes I employ forms of paper, felt, or woven fabric made in sections
and arranged on a block. The pieces can be thinly coated with composition and
placed together on the block whilst the composition is in an adhesive state. In
some cases it will be convenient to spread the composition upon the form before
putting it into the mould. In this manner, for instance, I can produce the parts of
a portinanteau. I have a block corresponding, say, to one half of the portmanteau.
On this block I build up a form with several layers or plies of canvas thinly covered
with composition in an adhesive state. I then coat this form both inside and out
with composition, spreading it on by hand or otherwise. The form thus coated
after it has been dried to evaporate-the-solvont, and, if necessary, warmed to soften
the composition, is next transferred to a mould suitably shaped and ornamented to
correspond to the half portmanteau which it is intended to fashion. Pressure is
then applied to cause the form to fill out the mould and adapt itself accurately to
its configuration. In cases of this sort an impermeable bag, into which water can
be forced under considerable pressure, may advantageously be substituted for the
second die, or that which in other cases fills the interior of the form. This method
of applying pressure is well understood and often applied in shaping the brims of
hats.
Many other like articles may be produced in a similar manner.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. The manufacture of hollow articles, by moulding a composition of oxidized
or solidified oil and other ingredients upon forms of paper, thin sheet metal, or
other material by pressure in dies or moulds, substantially as described.
Second. The manufacture of hollow articles by moulding a composition of
oxidized or solidified oil and other ingredients upon a form by pressure in dies or
moulds and then japanning upon the moulded surface, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Walton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
FREDERICK WALTON. (L.S.)