US1860000A - Covering for articles of wood and similar materials - Google Patents

Description

May 24, 1932. VAN ARNAM 1,86,U@

COVERING FOR ARTICLES 0 WOOD AND SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed Oct. 10, 1927 3 a W////7////%/7/ pa INVENTOR Patented May 24, 1932 hilt HOWARD LOBDELL VAN ARNAM, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO VAN ARNAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA COVERING FOR ARTICLES 015 WOOD AND SIMILAR MATERIALS Application filed October 10, 1927.

This invention relates to improvements in coverings for articles of wood and similar materials. and the method of applying same. The objects of the in'iprovement are: First, to afford a durable coating for a wooden structure that is ordinarily in use subjected to moisture. such as water closet seats and covers therefor, so that the wooden structures will be completely sheltered and saved from injury by the influence of moisture, etc.; second, to facilitate the manufacture of celluloid covered wooden articles wherein is required the finished Product in various colors; and third. to provide a method of covering articles of wood and similar material with celluloid whereby chipping and cracking, or peeling of the celluloid coating, that ordinarily occurs, especially when applied in fluid form, is obviated.

These objects are accomplished by the method hereinafter setforth wherein a covering is applied to an article of wood or other material. and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a water closet seat. there being portions of the strata forming the covering for the seat cut away;

Fig. 2 is av fragmentary cross section of a toilet seat to which the covering has been applied; and

Fig. 3 is a view showing a segment of wood upon which is applied a coating embodying the invention. the view being on a greatly magnified scale.

The characters appearing in the description refer to parts shown in the drawings and designated thereon by corresponding characters.

The invention consists of an article of wood or similar material, such as a water closet seat core 1, of ordinary structure. and which core is completely enveloped by a layer 2 of sheetcelluloid that is applied as in ordinary practice. and which layer of celluloid has thereon a superstratum 3 formed of celluloid in plastic form. or lacquer. said layer and superstratum being intimately associated. The invention consists further in the method by which the cover of sheet celluloid on the core is finished in a fixed color.

Serial No. 225,384.

The core 1 is formed of wood and is shaped as in the general practice of manufacture, and the layer 2 of celluloid is applied to the core by reducing sheet celluloid to a pliant condition with ordinary chemical expedients and cementing the pliant sheets to the surfaces of the core, and after the applied sheets have hardened, or regained their normal state of solidity, the overlapping edges or junctures between the edges of the sheets are trimmed and smoothed so that the core is completely enveloped and hermetically sealed by the sheet celluloid.

The superstratum 3 is formed of any suitable lacquer, or of celluloid that has been reduced in alcohol, ansol, or amyl acetates, used as solvents, to a fluid state, and is applied to the exposed surface of the sheet celluloid on the core by a spraying device, (not shown), such as are in common use for applying paint and similar fluids, so that the layer of sheet celluloid is completely encased by a superstratum of lacquer or plastic celluloid. In preparing the fluid for application, a sufficient surplus of the solvent agent is included in the solution so that the surface portion of the sheet celluloid covered by the superstratum will become dissolved to some extent and absorbed thereby, and thus a portion 4 of the covering is formed by the juncture between the strata in which the said strata are inter-related. The solvents of the solution, being volatile. evaporate and the superstratum solidifies, after which its surface may be highly polished by buffing operations in the ordinary manner.

A distinct advantage is obtained by making a covering for the core with an underlying strata formed of sheet celluloid, as such material does not tend to crack nor peel off of the wooden core when cemented thereon, and in itself constitutes an efficient protecting surface coating for the core. and by forming the superstratum of lacquer or of a solution of celluloid. and solvents therefor in sufficient proportion as to cause partial absorption of the sheet celluloid substratum, the defects in the sheet celluloid such as may exist in the material, or because of careless workmanship in applying it, as well as patched portions that may have been made to remedy defects, are readily and effectively concealed and improved by the application of the super- I stratum.

Another advantage in forming the covering with a substratum of sheet celluloid in its natural or stock color, and subsequently applying a superstratum formed of a solu tion in which is included a proper coloring matter as will result in giving the finished covering a permanent and desired tint or shade. is that the manufacture of the article is greatly facilitated. Also a large number of the articles may be prepared to that stage when the core is completely encased with the sheet celluloid stratum irrespective of any coloring. and may then be held in stock pendin; the determination of the final color to be subsequently applied in finishing the article.

The colors selected by different purchasers vary greatly. as do also the quantities of the uood required. and ordinarily much delay is occasioned in supplying: purchasers when the covering for the core is of sheet celluloid alone. considerable time is required in the manufactory for applying the sheet celluloid to the core. and the selection of the color necessarily precedes the application of the sheet celluloid. However. the present invention contemplates the advantage in ap plying the coloring matter with the superstratum. which is the final step in completing: the articles and requires but a comparative short time to execute. in this manner the necessity of carrying extensive stocks of sheet celluloid of various colors with which to meet the requirements of the customers is obviated. and instead there is only required to be maintained on hand for coloring purposes a supply of ingredients in various colors to be added to the celluloid solution. or lacquer. before it applied to form the superstratum of the covering.

The partial absorption of the sheel celluloid by the sup rstratum formed of the colored fluid. insures permanence to the coloring of the finished article. and as the lacquer or fluid celluloid may be given any desired color or shade. by adding proper coloring matter, which fluid solidifies quickly. the finished articles may be readily furnished to match any coloring required. with dispatch.

By including the coloring matter for the seat in the fluid forming the superstratum of the covering therefor. a further. facility is attained and admit of extending the superstratum by applying" it to the accessories for the seat. such as hinges or supports. (not shown). that are not ordinarily covered with sheet celluloid. In this manner the seat and its accessories may be. readily finished uniformly so as to match in color with precision. Also. an advantage is realized when covering articles of odd shape that necessitate more or less cutting, fitting, patching and dressing of the sheet celluloid substratum, as the superst-ratum after being applied afiords a smooth, unbroken and uniformly colored surface that conforms readily to the irregularities in form of the article.

Vhat I claim is 1. The method of covering an article of wood or similar material which consists in applying upon the surface of said article a sheet of celluloid while reduced to a pliant state by cen'ienting said sheet thereon, superimposing upon said sheet a plastic coat consisting of a solution formed of celluloid and a solvent therefor, there being; included in said solution a surplus of said solventsulficientin quantity as to dissolve the surface portion of said sheet whereby said sheet and superimposed coat are inter-related, and butfing the surface of the superimposed coat after said coat has hardened.

2. A covering for articles of wood or similar material which consists of strata, one stratum being formed of a sheet of celluloid cemented to the surface of the article, and the other stratum consisting; of a plastic body supcrin'lposed upon said sheet and completely covcringsame, and being formed of a solution of celluloid and a solvent therefor. including a surplus of said solvent in which the surface portion of said sheet has been dissolved and said strata thereby inter-related.

3. In an article of manufacture of the class described, a core having thereon a cover consisting of strata, the under-stratum being formed of a sheet of celluloid cemented to the core, the other stratum being superimposed upon and completely covering said sheet and being formed of a lacquer containing a coloring agent and a substance by which the surface portion of said sheet has been dissolved and said strata thereby inter-related.

In testimony whereof I affix mv signature.

ITOVVARD ILOBDELL VAN ARNAM.

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