A New or Improved Compound or Material applicable for Use as a Wood Substitute.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 18th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 22nd June, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Compound or Material applicable for Use as
a Wood Substitute.
I, OTTO THIELE of 18 Pyritzerstrasse, Stargard, Pomerania in the Empire of
Germany, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a new or improved compound or material of similar
composition to wood, or the like, which, besides being easily manufactured, has the
further advantage of great hardness; it has also a fine appearance and can be
readily worked.
The following substances are employed for producing the same :-
1. Ordinary camphor.
2. Residue or refuse from stone nuts, prepared with tungstate of soda.
3. Cellulose.
4. Concentrated sulphuric acid.
5. A mixture of ether and alcohol.
Ni
These separate constituents may be combined in various proportions. According
to the choice of the proportions, substances are thus obtained which, as regards
hardness, colour, surface and capability of receiving polish and of being worked on
a lathe, or with a knife and the like, show various properties.
In order to produce this substitute for wood, etcetera, the solid substances are
first reduced to a powder, and the liquids added slowly and gradually, in suitable
succession, whereupon the whole mass is slightly warmed with constant stirring.
After some little time, it is allowed to cool, whereupon the mass becomes
solidified, and finally sets. On applying pressure by means of a press, or rollers,
the substance thus obtained may be compressed to about half its bulk, whilst at
the same time, the surface receives a smooth polish.
This substance may be obtained in suitable colours by adding to it suitable dye
substances.
Dated this 17th day of July 1004
These separate constituents may be combined in various proportions. According
to the choice of the proportions, substances are thus obtained which, as regards
hardness, colour, surface and capability of receiving polish and of being worked on
a lathe, or with a knife and the like, show various properties.
In order to produce this substitute for wood, etcetera, the solid substances are
first reduced to a powder, and the liquids added slowly and gradually, in suitable
succession, whereupon the whole mass is slightly warmed with constant stirring.
After some little time, it is allowed to cool, whereupon the mass becomes
solidified, and finally sets. On applying pressure by means of a press, or rollers,
the substance thus obtained may be compressed to about half its bulk, whilst at
the same time, the surface receives a smooth polish.
This substance may be obtained in suitable colours by adding to it suitable dye
Bubstances.
Dated this 17th dow of lule 1901
A New or Improved Compound or Material applicable for Use as
a Wood Substitute.
I, OTTO THIELE of 18 Pyritzerstrasse, Stargard, Pomerania in the Empire of
Germany, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object the manufacture of an improved artificial
substance having several great advantages. This artificial substance is characterized

page_text: by great ease of manufacture, as well as by great hardness, capability of resistance
and of being easily worked, and by a handsome appearance.
The principal materials from which this improved substance is made are
collodion-wool (pyroxilin) and stone nut shavings or residues, the raw stone nuts
being used either whole or disintegrated.
The collodion-wool (pyroxilin) is dissolved in boiling camphor before it is
employed for this manufacture.
The stone nut residues are also previously subjected to a preparing process.
They are first washed, then ground and finally boiled in water in order to remove
all dirt and impurities.
If it be desired to obtain a transparent or clear coloured product (such for
instance as one having an amber or mother-of-pearl appearance) the paste
resulting from the boiling of the stone nut residues is impregnated with a solution
of ammoniacal copper oxide, which is obtained by dissolving freshly produced
copper oxide in strongly concentrated ammonia, but this is only done in case' this
'clear colour is desired, as when darker'colours are to be obtained this process is
not necessary.
In order to further purify the substance it is successively treated with dilute
hydrochloric acid, fluoric acid, chlorine water as well as diluted alkalies (and if
necessary also with alcohol and ether) and finally it is washed with spring water
and then dried. After the drying, the substance formed from the stone nut
residues is impregnated with a 2% solution of tungstate of soda.
The substance treated by the above process yields a product which very closely
resembles wood cellulose and which also possesses (like collodion-wool (pyroxilin)
mentioned at the commencement of this Specification) extraordinary adhesiveness
or binding properties.
The finished product is prepared in the following manner :-
12 parts by weight of the stone-nut residue or shavings treated in the manner
herein before described; 2 parts of collodion-wool (pyroxilin) prepared with
camphor, and 1 part of campbor are all' thoroughly mixed together.
If the artificial substance, as is generally the case, is to be immediately finished,
the colouring matter is added at this phase of the process.
As regards the kind of colour employed, colours of the most different kinds may
be utilized according to the shade which it is desired to give to the product.
Extraordinarily fine effects may be obtained in the artificial substance by the
addition of colours, for instance, the finest imitation amber and mother-of-pearl
may be made therewith.
The mixture of prepared stone-nut residues and collodion-wool (pyroxilin) with
camphor and colouring matter is strongly compressed by means of an hydraulic
press, in order to separate out as far as possible the watery constituents, and also
to bind the camphor as thoroughly as possible with the remaining components of
the mass and to increase the solvent action of the camphor. The mass is again
dried after this compressing.
The final operation consists in again compressing the mass and subjecting it to
the action of heat, whilst any desired form may be given to the substance at the
same time.
For this purpose the substance is placed in suitably-shaped iron
moulds which are heated by means of steam to about 130° or 150° C., and in which
it is subjected to, pressure. Under the action of pressure and heat the camphor
then exerts its solvent action to a. much higher degree than previously.
The
action may be considered completed as soon as the substance has reached its
highest temperature. The degree of heat to be employed is regulated according
to the thickness and size of the article to be pressed or moulded.
A substance is obtained by the process hereinbefore described which possesses,
in addition to the qualities already mentioned, very great hardness, durability, and
weather-resisting properties.
It is particularly suitable for very many technical' purposes, and also for various
military purposes. For instance, very durable and useful cartridge cases may be

page_text: made from this substance (exercise cartridges and the like) and further, a very
light and solid collar piece for cavalry horses which may be provided with a device
for preventing chafing of the neck of the horse. Waterproof boots may also be
made from this substance which are characterized by great durability, lightness
and waterproofness as the substance absorbs no water.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A process for making an artificial compound or material, consisting in mixing
together camphor, stone-nut shavings or residues (purified by being boiled in water
and treated with acids, and impregnated with tungstate of soda), collodion-wool
(pyroxilin) dissolved in camphor, and colouring material, pressing and drying this
mixture, and finally again pressing it in moulds under the action of heat substan-
tially as described.
2. A modified form of carrying out the process described in Claim 1, consisting
in treating the stone-nut shavings or residues also with ammoniacal copper oxide in
order to obtain a transparent product, substantially as described.
3. A new or improved compound or material produced by the process described
in Claim 1, consisting of one part of camphor, two parts of purified stone-nut
shavings or residues impregnated with tungstate of soda, and two parts of collodion-
wool (pyroxilin) dissolved in camphor.
Dated this 17th day of April 1895.
LLEWELYN JONES,
Of 5, South Crescent Chambers, Liverpool, Agent for the Applicant.