March i, 1902. J 



THE INDIA RUBBER V^ORLD 



179 



THE SUNNING OF VULCANIZED RUBBER GOODS. 



IT seems to be the general impression throughout the rubber 

 trade that the solarization of rubber goods has ceased. As 

 far as the gossamer waterproof fabric goes, this is practically 

 true, but the sun finish on vulcanized rubber goods of many 

 kinds, not only is continued, but is done on a larger scale than 

 ever before. A great many surface goods, both in wearing ap- 

 parel and in sheetings, are exposed to the sunlight after they 

 come out of the heaters for a final surface finish. It is in the 

 line of druggists' and surgical sundries, however, that the best 

 efTects are obtained. This is probably because every up to- 

 date factory has a room, usually on the roof, fitted with a heavy 

 glass that diffuses both the light and the heat rays over the rub- 



ber surfaces that are exposed on the tables beneath. The il- 

 lustration shows the interior of the sunning room at the fac- 

 tory of the Seamless Rubber Co. (New Haven). The goods 

 here shown are water bottles, which are exposed to the rays of 

 the sun for several hours, the object being to whiten them and 

 incidentally to give them the velvety softness to the touch 

 which the exposure does as nothing else can. It is interesting 

 to note that white goods are not the only ones that are thus 

 exposed. Some of the very best grades of red goods, particu- 

 larly for surgeons' use, are thus treated as a final finish. It 

 will be seen, therefore, that the general belief that the rays of 

 the sun are injurious to all vulcanized rubber is not correct. 



RUBBER HOSE FOR BREWERIES. 



ited 

 ses. 



A GOOD deal of rubber hose or piping is required in one 

 way or another by most breweries, and, owingto its lim- 

 life," forms a not inconsiderable item in working expen- 

 We consider it a mistake to employ long lengths of rub- 

 ber piping for racking beers or running worts ; for not only does 

 old rubber tend to give a decided flavor to beer, but it is also 

 difficult to keep clean and sterilized, and can be replaced by 

 copper piping at an ultimate saving of cost. In the case of hose 

 pipes for washing purposes, rubber is practically indispensable 

 and the wear and tear is very considerable ; for not only does 

 it become worn by friction upon the floors, and upon the sides 

 and edges of vessels, but also by the amount of kinking which 

 it undergoes in being moved about or coiled and uncoiled by 

 workmen. The usual plan adopted by a workman to untwist a 

 kink is either to give a vicious pull at the pipe or to swing the 



whole thing around in the wrong direction, which cracks and 

 gradually tears away the rubber. For general use we find the 

 wire-wrapped hose to stand more wear and tear, and to last 

 much longer than the plain hose; for not only is the rubber 

 protected, but kinking is almost impossible either at the place 

 where it is attached to a tap or in the course of its length. 

 Rubber hose when not in use should never be left lying about, 

 nor be hung up on nails and pegs, but should be coiled upon a 

 wooden saddle provided for the purpose. Here, again, however 

 careful workmen may be, a fairly wide hose of, say, 2 inches di- 

 ameter, becomes flattened when hung up, by reason of its own 

 weight, causing the rubber to crack. Wire- wrapped, or 

 " sphincter " hose as it is called, coils easily upon a saddle and 

 cannot become flattened, thus, in another way, preserving its 

 existence. Sphincter hose is more expensive than plain hose, 

 but is more economical, because the extra cost is fully made 

 up by increased durability. — Brewing Trade Review. 



