Improvements in the Manufacture of a Material for Making Artificial Ivory and the like, also Applicable for Capsuling and Waterproofing.
Year: 1884

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of a Material for Making
Artificial Ivory and the like, also Applicable for Capsuling
and Waterproofing.
THOMAS FUTCHER BEST "The Lawn" Waterloo Rd Uxbridgo Middx do hereby
declare the nature of the said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF A MATERIAL FOR MAKING ARTIFICIAL IVORY, AND THE LIKE to bo
as follows:-
By treating cellulose matters with Sulphuric & Nitric Acids, already known,
then immediately immersing it in a solution of Sulphurous acid at an elevated
temperaturo, to decompose any excess of Nitric Acid contained therein; also to
assist the solubility after which it is washed with as little water as possible,
sufficient to deter decomposition, say, for every fifty pounds weight about from ten
to fifty gallons. It is next troated with a plentiful supply of water to free it from
free acids as far as possible, then pressed or allowed to drain till dry-It is then
dissolved in a solution of the following-
Crude Camphor (as imported) is dissolved in Mothylated Alcohol, (treated with a
drying agent, such as Chloride of Calcium &c), then deodorizing & decolorizing by
adding a mixture of Animal & Vegetable Charcoal, or either, then percolating into
an enclosed vessel-This solution is used in any suitable proportions to render it as
a solution, or a plastic mass, which is then ready for rolling into sheets, pressing
into any required shapes, or as a solution for capsuling generally or spreading on
fabrics of any description, rendering the same waterproof. For compounding the
plastic mass I take Borate of Magnesium in the proportion of 12° to 50° for
the purpose of deterring the inflammability.
The solution is also applicable for sealing generally, varnishing, vencering,
enamelling, and insulating.

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of a Material for Making
Artificial Ivory and the like, also Applicable for Capsuling
and Waterproofing.
I THOMAS FUTCHER BEST, of The Lawn, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, in the
county of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF A MATERIAL FOR MAKING ARTIFICIAL
IVORY, AND THE LIKE, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR CAPSULING AND WATERPROOFING
"
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in the manufacture or production of an
improved substitute for ivory, horn, coral, amber, malachite, whalebone, gutta
percha, india rubber and the like.
In manufacturing my improved material I employ for the base cellulose matter
treated with nitric and sulphuric acids, in a manner already known. After having
treated the cellulose matter with acids as above named it has been the practice to
neutralize the base with alkalies of various kinds but I find that the neutralization
is not satisfactorily completed by this method as the material or base thus treated
is rendered harsh and not readily soluble.
According to my invention I treat the said acidulated cellulose matter or baso
by saturating the same with a solution of sulphurous acid in a suitable vessel
(preferably enclosed) and raising the temperature thereof to about 100 degrees
Fahrenheit. The mass is allowed to remain in the chamber until the nitric acid
in excess is decomposed which is generally effected in from half an hour to an
hour.
The mass is then subjected to pressure to remove the excess of acids contained
therein, and I then add from ten to fifty gallons of water to about every fifty
pounds weight of the mass.
The addition of this specified quantity of water with the mass, generates
sufficient heat to assist in rendering it soluble, after which it is washed to remove
as far as possible all traces of free acids.
If furthor bleaching be required the mass is subjected to any well known
bleaching process and is washed with hot water, and then dried in any suitable
manner.
The material or mass is then dissolved in a camphorated solution prepared as
follows: I take crude camphor as imported and dissolve it in about its own
weight of methylated alcohol, or a mixture of methylated alcohol and liquid
hydrocarbon, I then pass it through a filter or percolator containing a mixture of
fused chloride of calcium (or other suitable drying agent) and animal or vegetable
charcoal (or other suitable decolorizer or deodorizer) into an enclosed vessel or
receiver.
To about every fifty pounds weight of the cellulose base treated as above
described I add about fifty five to sixty five pounds of the above described solvent
which renders the mass thoroughly plastic and suitable for being rolled into sheets

page_text: of any desired thickness or for being pressed into rods or strips of any desired
shape or form.
When a transparent or semi-transparent product is required, the required color
is obtained by adding suitable coloring material to the above named solvent but
for opaque products I employ any of the well known pigments which I mix with
the prepared material before it is pressed or moulded into sheets or otherwise.
For the purpose of decreasing the inflammability of the material I can add from
twelve and a half per cent to twenty five per cent of Borate of magnesium.
For capsuling, waterproofing, sealing, varnishing, veneering, enamelling and
insulating purposes I employ the material in a state of solution or semi-plastic
condition as will be well understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
1 claim is
1. The manufacture or production of a material for making artificial ivory, and
the like, also applicable for capsuling waterproofing, enamelling and insulating by
treating acidulated cellulose matter with sulphurous acid and a limited supply of
water and dissolving the mass in camphorated solution as hereinbefore described.
2. The manufacture and use of the improved solvent herein before described
prepared from crude camphor by the process and for the purpose substantially as
heroin before described.
3. The use with my improved material prepared as herein before described of
borate of magnesium for the purpose of decreasing. the inflammability of the
product as lierein before described.
4. The manufacture and use of the herein-described improved material for
making artificial ivory and the liko also applicable for capsuling and water-
proofing.
Dan L. 1011