US699713A - Plastic compound and the method of manufacturing same. - Google Patents

Description

llrrn STATES ATENT rrrcn.

LEONARD M. RANDOLPH, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- FIFTHS TO BANOROFT G. BRAINE AND LAWRENCE F. BRAINE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PLASTIC COMPOUND AND THE METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 699,713, dated May 13, 1902. Application filed September 5, 1901. Serial No. 74,443- (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD M. RANDOLPH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented an Improved Plastic Compound and the Method of Manufacturing the Same, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a plastic compound adapted for use generally in the arts, and particularly as a covering for electrical implements, wires, and cables.

Various compounds have heretofore been employed for use in the arts for covering metal parts of electrical implements, the wires employed for electric conductors, and cables; but these compounds have been more or less imperfect in the uses intended thereforand more or less imperfect for insulating purposes.

They have been subject to deterioration under certain conditions, such as the conditions of heat, cold, and moisture; and the object of my invention is to provide a plastic compound superior to those heretofore employed and better adapted for use in the arts and which when employed as an insulator shall possess the quality of substantially perfect insulalation, shall be proof against acid and other chemicals, and against heat, cold, and moisture.

The plastic compound or material employed by me is of a homogeneous and tenacious character, is adapted to be molded into useful shapes, and also to adhere to metals of 5 various forms.

In carrying out myinvention I employ the following materials to form said plastic compound: a waste product from the manufacture of varnish, japans, and shellac-that is,

the cleanings of tanks holding such materials and known as varnish residue or mud, as called in the trade-the earthy material known as peat or turf, the material known as oakum, and a coloring-matter of the desired shade and quantity. These materials are brought together in the following order and manner: I take varnish residue or mud and peat in equal parts. These are thoroughly mixed together in a suitable mixing-machine and are thereafter allowed to dry. This mass after drying is broken up and heated hot. When in the latter condition, from ten to :twenty per cent. of oakum is added and thoroughly mixed, and then a coloring-matterofthedesiredshadeandquantity is added, and the whole is brought into a homogeneous mass and is thereafter placed in an oven and dried. After drying the compound is broken up and ground to a fine consistency and is ready for use. When it is desired to use such mass of material, the same is heated and placed in suitable dies, which dies are also heated, and pressure is applied to the dies containing the hot plastic material, and said pressure is maintained for approximately a period of fifteen minutes. The material thereafter and while remaining in the dies is allowed to set and become cold and is then removed from the dies and is ready or prepared for the market. This material can also be turned and the surface rendered very smooth and polished, if desired. This material is adapted to various uses in the arts and manufactures. Its utility is not specially limited. It is exceedingly useful I as an insulating compound for covering parts of electrical instruments Where rubber and other insulating substances have heretofore been employed. The said compound is also adapted as a covering for wires and cables, for making insulators and blocks of various forms as a basis to receive electrical devices, such as have heretofore been made in porcelain. The material is exceedingly cheap, is very strong, and durable. It is proof against 8 5 acid and other chemicals, as well as against heat, cold, and moisture, and it is consequently very durable. The materialmay also be employed for washers in plumbing appliances and for packings in parts of engines 0 and valves. It may also be employed for making golf-balls and similar devices. In fact, I do not limit myself in any respect to the applications of the device, as it is obvious that it may be employed in many ways where its useful properties are especially advantageous.

I claim as my invention- 1. The plastic compound herein described, consisting of varnish residue,peat and oakum, substantially as set forth.

2. The plastic compound herein described, consisting of varnish residue, peat and oakum and a coloring-matter of the desired shade and quantity, substantially as set forth.

3. The plastic compound herein described, consisting of substantially equal parts of varnish residue and peat and from ten to twenty per cent. of oakum, substantially as set forth.

4. The plastic compound herein described, consisting of substantially equal parts of varnish residue and peat and from ten to twenty per cent. of oakum and a coloring-matter of the desired shade and quantity, substantially as set forth.

5. The method of manufacturing the plastic compound herein specified, consisting in taking equal parts of varnish residue and peat, thoroughly mixing the same and allowing the material to dry, breaking up the compound and then heating the same until hot, adding thereto in the hot condition from ten to twenty per cent. of oakum and thoroughly incorporating the same with the other ingredients, placing such material in an oven or suitable heater, drying the same, breaking up and grinding the said material into a fine consistency to prepare the same for molding into the desired form, substantially as set forth.

6. The method of manufacturing the plastic compound herein specified, consisting in taking equal parts of varnish residue and peat, thoroughly mixing the same and allowing the material to dry, breaking up the compound