91 



It is claimed : — 



(1) That tlie weight of the resulting rubber of a given volume 



of latex is increased by this process as there is no loss of 

 caoutchouc which occurs when latex is treated in volume. 



(2) That it is a perfect system of coagulation, and by the 



thin accumulation of films of latex and separation of 

 v^rater in the process, coalescing is avoided, and the 

 minutest component particles down to the molecule are 

 exposed to the action of smoke and smoke-curing, thus 

 precluding the possibility of subsequent oxidisation. 



(3)- That the inherent characteristic of Hevea latex to foul 

 when in contact with another body (a spout, a funnel, 

 or when flowing or dripping) has been overcome in the 

 method adopted in supplying the belt by dipping outside 

 the smoke area. 



<4) That the process disposes of the whole difficulty of 

 fungoid attacks whether in the latex; in drying; in 

 store; or in transit. 



'(5) The keeping quality is assured, a fair sized sample one 

 year old was reported by a large manufacturer "to be 

 equal to fine hard Para for all practical purposes," and 

 the specimens of smoked spindles prepared by myself 

 and analysed at the recent Rubber Exhibition in 

 London and reported comparable to fine hard Para, were 

 three years old. 



<6) In the arrangement of combustion, draft, filtration, and 

 ventilation, wood napthaline and other impurities in the 

 smoke injurious to latex are disposed of; the excessive 

 water and the resulting water vapour in wood fuel is 

 exhausted, and a concentrated smoke containing the 

 necessary elements in a compound form is produced. 



<7) That the variation in latex, already referred to, is largely 

 overcome by the method of supplying latex on a travell- 

 ing belt from outside the smoke chamber, where the 

 amount of latex taken up by the belt can be regulated 

 by the adjustable feed pans so as to ensure consistent 

 separation of water and the action of smoke. The 

 variable consistency of latex is disposed of and the resul- 

 ting rubber is of a standard form. 



<8) Finally a standard rubber which will keep for years and 

 prove superior in the vulcanizing process, the real test, 

 to any other Plantation Rubber. 



R. DERRY, 

 Botanic Gardens, Singapore 



