US1970273A - Production of materials, decorative articles, and protecting linings or the like, bythe transformation of fibrous cellulose materials - Google Patents

Description

Aug- `14, 1934- v. Bosso E-r AL PRODUCTION OF MATERIALS, DECORATIVE ARTICLES, AND

PROTECTING LININGS OR THE LIKE, BY THE TRANSFORMATION 0F FIBROUS CELLULOSE MATERIALS Filed July 9, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l E Sacchi A TTORNE YS.

' Aug. 14, 1934. VA Boss@ ET AL 1,970,273

PRODUCTION OF MATERIALS, DECORATIVE ARTICLES, AND PROTECTING LININGS OR THB LIKE, BY THE TRANSFORMATION OF FIBROUS CELLULOSE MATERIALS Filed July 9, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 www 2PM ATTORNEYS. I

Patented Aug. 14, 1934 PRODUCTIUN F MATERIALS, DECORATIVE ARTICLES, AND PBOTECTING LININGS 0B THE LIKE, BY THE TBANSFURMATION 0F FIBBOUS CELLULOSE MATERIALS Valentino Besso, Nicolo Siivestrlni, and Francesco y Sacchi, Torino, Italy, assigner! to Guido Botta,

Paris, France Application July 9, 1932, Serial No. 621,644 In France November 16, 1931 The invention relates to the production oi materials for making decorative articles and protective linings or the like.

It is known that, in the production of objects of a decorative nature, or of articles serving for lining and protecting w iloors, ceilings, furniture and the like, use is sometimes made of sheets, boards, mouldings, or the like, which are :formed by assembling, drying and compressing 0 brous cellulosic materials, or by other analogous means.

Thus these iibrous materials are commonly employed in the form of sheets of considerable thickness.

It is known that the iibres composing iibrous cellulose materials are capable of agglomerating and forming a continuous material, possessing strength simply by using water as the sole agglomerating agent.

The water separates the fibres in proportion to the volume of water employed. The present invention is in part based on the observation that the degree of agglomeration of the libres being treated may be regulated as desired by regulating the quantity of water.

The invention is also based upon the observation that the marbling and veins which are noticeable, for example, in sheets of crude cellulose, such as those that come oi! paper machines. (see Figure 1 of the drawings) can be exploited from the decorative point of view, on account of the non-uniform color-absorbing capacity or on account of the simple differences in natural color or tone, which they adopt when they undergo the treatment eiected during the second stage of the process set forth below.

The marbling, veins or streaks as they generally occur, are not suiciently pronounced, nor suiiciently decorative. This desired decorative appearance can be obtained in accordance with this invention by accentuating and exaggerating the appearance and shape oi' the marbling, veins, etc.

It is an object of'this invention to provide a process which causes marbling and veining to be produced artiiicially. l

The methods of carrying out this process may diier depending on whether they are applied to brous boards in the wet state, in the dry state, or dining drying treatment; but essentially they are all based upon an exaggeration of the mechanical eii'ects which normally tend to produce these breaks in continuity.

The present invention provides a method for 55 producing decorative materials from cellulose bres in which we can regulate or control the lateral vibrations applied to the screen of a paper machine while regulating the water supply, so as to eiiect an irregular distribution of the iibres in the sheet to obtain marbling, veins and the like, good results having been obtained by .doubling the vibrations per minute as compared with paper making practice, while keeping the speed of longitudinal movement of the screen constant. 35

'I'he adjustment ot the water supply may be effected either by employing an excess of water,l or in adding collogenous materials such as a decoction oi linseed to the water employed in the process, for the purpose of making the mass more '7 viscous. The linseed makes the water employed in the process deiinitely colloidal in nature, and very viscous, so as to render the drying operation diiiicult. Thus, the paste or pulp which arrives charged with water, particularly in the thicker parts which have been produced in the form or longitudinal thickenings by the action of the exaggerated vibrations above referred to, is forced out under the press very suddenly where the veins are situated, and this increases the size of the openings at these points.

When the sheet is dried the veins may be still further accentuated ii' the sheet is wound upon itseli', and it, for example, it is subjected to a twisting action at one end in the direction of the 35 axis upon which it is wound, while keeping the other lend fixed; or ii' it is subjected to a crum- Apling or creasing action carried out by hand, or

again, if the continuous sheet is made to pass between cylinders which are not uniformly round, but comprise irregularities of a positive nature on one cylinder, and ofa negative nature on the other cylinder with the object of producing this crumpling or creasing artiiicially.

Finally, in certain cases the boards may be subjected to the action of a preliminary bath in a solution of van astringent material which by rapid drying creases or lines the boards.

The second stage of our improved method comprises a gumming operation in which we utilize animal gelatine.

This bath is characterized by the fact that a substance containing the group SiOz e. g. sodium silicate or silicic acid is incorporated in the gelatine solution. This gives the gumming solution a special'property, the finished product acquiring increased thickness and compactness and increased waterprootness. n

According to our invention above mentioned substances may be incorporated in the gumming f by soaking the paper and the fabric to be gummed previously with the solutions, or by causing these substances to be formed or liberated inthe bath itself.

The following mode of procedure is given by way of egample only, and is not limiting in any way.

The gelatine bath is prepared by dissolving 25 kilograms of very'iine dry gelatine in 100 litres of water. The temperature is raised to 50 C., and if desired, as far as '10 C. When all the gelatine is dissolved a quantity of sodium silicate is added, which may vary in amount from 100 grs. to 500 grs. and then 200 grs. of aluminium sulphate or 250 grs. of ordinary alum are added.

It is preferable to add these salts after they have been dissolved in water.

It is also possible to vary the order in which the substances are added, and add the alum or aluminium sulphate before the silicate.

In place of sodium silicate, potassium silicate and other silicates may be added, or silicic acid in a suitable form.

The gumming bath after successive periods of agitation and rest is utilized in the usual way, and

the material to be treated may be made to pass through it in sheets, or in continuous rolls, according to the form in which it is employed.

In order to increase the stiffness of the finished material it is sufficient simply to increase the proportion of the silicates to about 500 grs. or more, the remainder of the operation remaining u nchanged as described above.

As soon as the material has left the bath it is allowed to dry gradually in a chamber at normal temperature -(about 20 C.) and with a simple current of air for a period of 24. hours.

In addition to the foregoing applicants have found that if the sheet of material, after leaving the gumming bath, is subjected to a current of cold air at a temperature around 5 to 10 C. the state of gel which is formed tends to improve the technical properties and the strength of the sheet. The latter when subsequently fixed or tanned behaves better than when treated at ordinary temperature, that is to say, at 20 to 30 C. because with the latter temperatures a wide dispersion of the material occurs in the connectigiu between the fibres which compose the sheet i Subsequently the sheets are treated to a fixing and hardening or tanning action in Va suitable bath, such asa hot. gaseous formaldehyde bath,v .or a cold dilute formaldehyde bath; or a hot 10% bath of potassium chromate, to which is added 1% of castor oil emulsion; or a chroniic acid bath; or other suitable baths. The material resulting from the action of the 'gumming bath is more homogeneous from the molecular and chromatic point of view when the drying action is carried out imiformly and nahxrally.

Naturally the invention also comprises modiilcations in the composition of the bath, to which. in addition to the materials indicated above, other plastifying may be added, such for example as a rational proportion of glycerine etc. f

Ifsaltsofthealkalioralkalineearthmetals (e. g. K, Na, Ca) are added to the gelatine bath.

with other salts, preferably halides, or heavy metals, salts such as salts of tin, aluminium, copper etc., fatty bodies may be readily incorporated in the form of insoluble soaps of those substances that are saponiiiable and which have an added waterproofing action while fatty or waxy substances which do not saponify, are distributed in the mass in the form of an emulsion.

When the material has been soaked by immersion in the gelatine solution it is desirable that it be subjected to supplementarycoagulating, or waterproofing action, by a known process as indicated above, that is to say, by means of formaldehyde, potassium chromate, chromic acid, or by similar substances.

The impregnation of the cellulose material whether in the form of cardboards, wood pulp, cotton pulp etc., is considerably improved when these materials or articles have been previously subjected to a. softening treatment by means of gases or vapours of a suitable nature.

Applicants have found that as a result of this softening action the materials treated can absorb a much greater quantity of the gumming bath, and retain a greater quantity of gelatine.

` On account of this more intense gelatinization the nished product is improved by the fact that a more intimate connection exists between the gelatine and the libres, and consequently the outer layer of gum has a greater thickness. When the cellulose material is to be immersed in solutions of animal gelatine acetic acid vapours at high temperature are most effective for producing this preliminary softening. One method of applying the acetic acid vapours may consist in enclosing the cellulose materials in any suitable form, such as cardboard, linters etc., in containers or casings having a fluid-tight closure. These containers are then put into communication with a vacuum machine.

When the maximum possible vacuum has been obtained the communication between the vacuum machine and the container is cut off, and the latter is put into communication with an autoclave apparatus containing acetic acid which has been brought to a state of superheated vapour. Approximately a quarter of an hour after-the communication has been established the atmosphere containing the cardboard, linters etc., has generallybeen completely saturated. This communication is then cut off, and the cardboards and the linters are left for 3 to 4 hours in this saturated atmosphere.

Finally, air under pressure is admitted at one side of the receptacle. This air Vpasses out at 125 the other side of the receptacle and carries away the residue of the acetic vapours.

Cardboards and linters etc., thus prepared, are ready for treatment in one of the gumming baths described above. Subquently, after a uniform 130 drying they pass into a tanning or hardening bath as described for transforming these incorporated materials into a new material, having a new form and character.

In the acco drawings the invention 13E is illustrated, and

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a portion of a continuous sheet of cellulose as it has left the paper machine;

Fig. 2 shows the same sheet after it has been 14 submitted to torsion or twisting;

Flg.3showsthesheetinFig.2afterithas again been flattened out;

Fig. 4 shows a similar sheet of cellulose which has been subjected to a mechanical crumpling 14 and creasing; and

Fig. 5 shows in end view a pair of cylinders 10 and 11, the surfaces of which are provided with complementary ribs 12 l grooves 13 and betweeawhichispasseda 14ofcel1ulosefor15 accentuating marbling or configuration on the surface of the sheet.

These examples have been given simply for the purpose of indicating modes of carrying the proc-v ess into effect. It is clear that the field of use of the invention is not limited to this mode of operation, nor to the use of acetic acid, but that it comprises all the modifications of the softening and iixing treatment by gases or vapours, as set forth in the preamble to the specication.

We claim:

1. Process for the production of decorative materials from cellulose fibers, consisting in forming a sheet from a suspension of said cellulose iibers, in producing as the sheet is being formed an accentuated irregular distribution of the bers in the sheet for obtaining marbling, veins and the like consisting of sheet portions in which the bers are thickened or more closely set, in treating the sheet in a gumming bath comprising a solution of gelatine, to which a substance containing SiOz has been added, and thereupon in a fixing bath containing lformaldehyde and castor oil.

2. Process for the production of decorative materials from cellulose fibers, consisting in forming a sheet on a paper making machine from a dilute solution of said fibers to which a linseed decoction has been added while vibrating the wire of the machine suiciently to produce an irregular accentuated distribution of the ilbers for the purpose of obtaining marbling, veins and they-like. treating the sheet thus formed in a gumming bath comprising a gelatine solution to which a substance containing SiOz has been added and in treating the sheet in a xing bath containing formaldehyde and castor oil.

3. Process for the production of decorative materials from cellulose fibers, consisting in forming a sheet on a paper machine from a suspension of said cellulose fibers, in drying the sheet, in winding and twisting said sheet so as to obtain thereon a plurality of zones having a smaller resistance to penetration of a liquid, in treating said sheet in a gumming bath comprising a gelatine solution to which a substance containing SiO2 has been added and thereupon in a iixing bat-h containing formaldehydeand castor oil.

4. Process for the production of decorative materials from cellulose iibers, consisting in forming a sheet on a paper machine from a suspension of said cellulose fibers, in treating said sheet with an astringent solution, in rapidly drying said sheet so as to cause shrinkage thereof, in winding and twisting said sheet so as to form thereon a plurality of zones having a smaller resistance to liquid penetration, in treating the sheet in a gumming bath comprising a gelatine solution to which a substance containing SiOz has been added and in treating the sheet in a xing bath containing formaldehyde and castor oil.

5. Process for the production of decorativematerials obtained from cellulose ilbers, consisting in continuously forming a sheet on a paper making machine from a dilute suspension of said fibers to which a decoction of linseed has been added, in producing as thel sheet is being formed an irregular accentuated distribution of the fibers by lateral vibrations of the wire of the paper machine, for the purpose of obtaining veins, marbling and the like, in treating said sheet with an astringent solution, in rapidly drying said sheet so as to cause same to shrink and crumplc, in winding and twisting said sheet so as to form thereon a plurality of zones having a smaller resistance-to liquid penetration, in treating said sheet in agumming bath comprising a gelatine solution to which a substance containing SiOz has been added and in treating said sheet in a iixing bath containing formaldehyde and castor oil.

6. Process for the production of decorative materials -from cellulose fibers consisting in forming a sheet from a suspension of said bers, in producing as the sheet is being formed an accentuated irregular distribution of the fibers in the sheet, for the purpose o1' obtaining veins, marbling and the like consisting of sheet portions in which the fibers are thickened, in treating the sheet in a gumming bath comprising a gelatine solution to which a substance SiO'.- has been added, the SiOz quantity not exceeding that contained in a one percent solution of silicate of sodium having the same volume as the gumming bath and in treating said sheet in a ilxing bath containing potassium bichromate and castor oil.

7. Process for the production of decorative materials from cellulose iibers consisting in forming a sheet from a suspension of said ibers, in producing during the sheet formation an accen tuated irregular distribution of the fibers in the sheet for the purpose of obtaining veins, marbling and the like, consisting of sheet portions in which the fibers are thickened, in treating the sheet in a gumming bath comprising 100 liters water, 25 kgs. gelatine, labout 500 grams sodium silicate, 200 grams aluminium sulphate and in treating said sheet in a xing bath.

8. Process for the production of decorative materials obtained from cellulose fibers, consisting in forming a sheet from a suspension of said fibers, in producing as the sheet is being formed, an accentuated irregular distribution oi the iibers in the sheet for the purpose of obtaining veins, marbling and the like consisting of sheet portions in which the fibers are more closely set, in subjecting the sheets thus formed to a softening operation by means of a gaseous iuid, in treating said sheet in a gumming bath consisting of a gelatine solution to which a substance containing SiOz has been added and thereupon in a xing bath containing formaldehyde and castor oil.

9. Process for the production of decorative materials from cellulose fibers, consisting in forming a sheet on a paper making machine from a dilute suspension of said iibers. to which a decoction of linseed has been added, in producing an irregular accentuated distribution of the iibers by lateral vibrations of the wire of said machine, for the purpose of forming veins, marbling and the like, in subjecting the sheets thus obtained to a softening operation by means oi' a gaseous iiuid, in treating the sheet in a gumming bath comprising a gelatine solution to which a substance containing SiOa has been added and thereupon in a xing bath containing formaldehyde and castor oil.

10. Process for the production of decorative materials from cellulose bers, consisting in forming a sheet on a paper machine from a dilute suspension of said fibers, to which a decoction of linseed has been added, in producing as the sheet is being formed an irregular accentuated distribution of the fibers by lateral vibrations of the wire of said machine for the purpose of obtaining veins, marbling and the like, in treating said sheet with an astringent solution, in rapidly drying said sheet so as to obtain shrinkage and cruinpling thereof, in winding and twisting said sheet so as to obtain thereon a plurality of zones having a smaller resistance to liquid penetra;

tion, in immersing said sheet into a dye solution so yas to form thereon further veins, marbling and the like, in submitting the: sheets thus obtained to a. softening operation by means of a gaseous fluid, in treating the sheet in a gumming bath comprising a gelatine solution to which a substance containing SiOz has been added, and thereupon in a fixing bath containing formaldehyde and castor oil.

11. Process for the production of decorative materials from cellulose bers. consisting in forming a sheet from a suspension of said cellulose fibers, in producing as the sheet is being formed an accentuated irregular distribution of the bers in the sheet for obtaining marbling, veins and the like consisting of sheet portions in which the fibers are thickened or more closely set, in treating the sheet in a gumming bath comprising a solution of gelatine, to which a substance containing SiOz has been added, and thereupon in a xing bath containing formaldehyde and castor oil to which a softening substance, such as.

glycerine, has been added.

12. Process for the production of decorative materials from cellulose fibers, consisting in forming a sheet from a suspension of said cellulose fibers, in producing as the sheet is being formed an accentuated irregular distribution of the bers in the sheet for obtaining marbling, veinsand the like consisting of sheet portions in which the fibers are thickened or more closely set, in treating the sheet in a gumming bath comprising a solution of gelatine to which a quantity of SiO: has been added such that it does not exceed that contained in a one percent solution of sodium silicate having the same volume as the gumming' bath with the simultaneous addition of softening substances, such as glycerine.

13. Decorative material which comprises a sheet of irregularly felted cellulose bers, said bers being disposed to form marbling, veins and like eects.

14. Decorative sheet material which comprises a cellulosic fibrous base in which the fibers are irregularly disposed to form marbling, veins and like etects, said base carrying an intimate reinforcing coating of a coagulated gelatinous character containing a material including the group SiOz.

15. Decorative sheet material which comprises irregularly felted paper impregnated with a hardened gelatine composition containing an alkali metal silicate.

16. Decorative colored sheet material which comprises a member of the group consisting of paper and irregularly felted paper, impregnated with a hardened gelatinous composition containing a member of the group consisting of alkali metal silicates and silicio acid.

VALENTINO BOSSO. NICOLO SILVESTRINI. FRANCESCO SACCHI.

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