14 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[October i, 1908. 



even this may not be enough, and, finally, the engineer— the 

 machine builder — may have to be called in before the mechan- 

 ical production of the new article is possible, at least on a 

 commercial basis. 



Traveling Coiler. 



[Comprising with vertical double cylinder, reversing engine, /J/j bore x 

 lo-inch stroke, fitted on gearing bedplate, then on to large sole plate 

 with sliding coiler for pulling off, and on the belts to the stretching ma- 

 chine, and recoiling the belts after being stretched. Will coil a belt up 

 to 45 inches wide. ^^'eieht ii ton?,] 



Another View of Tr.weling Coiler. 



Twenty-Four Inch Belt Trimming Machine, 



[Comprising one set of raising standards, spindle, and flanges; trimming 

 machine with gables; two sets plain rollers (cast iron), with saddle and 

 adjustable knives; guide pulley on table; gearing and fast and loose pulley 

 on machine and a measure; one 24-inch Belt Coiling Machine with friction 

 pulley, countershaft with pulleys for driving machines in unison, fast and 

 loose pulleys and bolt striking gear, with trimming knives from 2-ply up 

 to lo-ply. Weight 3^ tons.] 



It is not necessary here to discuss the peculiar properties of 

 balata which render desirable a special line of machinery for its 

 manipulation in the factory, but it may prove of interest to pre- 

 sent views of several machines of this class, with a brief descrip- 

 tion of it. And in doing so we leei I'nai; not the least share of 

 credit in the development of the industrial uses of balata is 

 due to those who have brought these machines into existence. 

 They have taken chances — discounted the future, so to speak — 

 in devoting their intelligence and their energy to creating newr 

 factory outfits in advance of a pressing active demand, though 

 it is evident now that the demand has arrived. 



DICK'S BALATA PATENTS. 



The development of the balata belting industry owes much 

 to the work done in this branch by the important manufactur- 

 ing firm now styled R. & J. Dick, Limited, of Greengate, Glas- 

 gow, Scotland. While the business was conducted as a part- 

 nership, under the personal attention of the two brothers who 

 founded it, some patents relating to balata were taken out by 

 Robert Dick, the elder brother. As is well known, however, 

 patents are not always any too informing, and the factory secrets 

 of the Dick firm were always particularly well guarded. Prob- 

 ably very few persons — possibly no one — outside of the inost 

 trusted employes know how their balata is really made. 



It may or may not be of suggestive value to the trade to have 

 some details of a British patent (No, 7524 — 1886), granted to Rob- 

 ert Dick. It related to compounds for canvas driving belts, and, 

 secondly, to a mixing and masticating machine for preparing 

 and vulcanizing these compounds ; at least such is the language 

 of the specification. Two compounds are embraced under the 

 patent referred to : 



COMPOUND no. I. 



[A hard tangle compound, for driving belts.] 



Pure, cleaned, hard gutta-percha Parts 28. 



Pure, clean, touch, selected gutta-percha or "balata" (preferably, 



more than less) ". 11. 



Pure, clean "law white" — a new gutta-percha (preferably less rather 



than more) _ ■ 9- 



"Crumb" or good ground old vulcanized india-rubber 34. 



H ardwood veneer dust 5- 



Sulphur 6.50 



Zincoxide (or zinc dust) 3-25 



flocking, of cut fiber of cotton textile fabrics 3.25 



Total 100. 



COMPOUND NO. 2. 



[A softer, more elastic rubbery compound, for lighter driving belts.] 



Pure, cleaned, tough gutta-percha Parts 8.50 



Pure, cleaned "balata" or selected gutta-percha 8,^" 



Pure, cleaned "law white" gutta-percha 24 



"Crumb" 33 



Hardwood veneer dust 5 



French chalk, powdered 6 



Sulphur 6' 



Zinc oxide (or zinc dust) 3 



Flocking •. .■? 



.Mum, ground 3 



Total 100. 



The necessary apparatus for use in connection with these 

 compounds is described in the same specification. Under another 

 patent Mr. Dick described applying gutta-percha solution to 

 canvas by running an endless belt over a table, presumably 

 spreader fashion, coating one side of the fabric, then passing it 

 over a fiber, the fabric being guarded by sheet iron flame traps 

 so that it will not ignite, the heat of the fire causing the solu- 

 tion to pass into the fabric ; then it is run over spiked rollers 

 to dry it, after which it is wound on a reel. Subsequently the 

 other side of the fabric is treated the same way. 



In Para, Brazil, New York bottled beer sells for $1. Para 

 is where much of the world's supply of rubber comes from. 

 The demand for automobile tires has increased the price of 

 rubber. Para's prosperity shows itself by putting up the price 

 of beer. — Nezv York World. 



It is reported that an insulated wire and cable works, the first 

 in Holland, is to be be established at Doetinchem, near the 

 border of Westphalia. 



