US996783A - Process of making sculptors' molds. - Google Patents

Description

H. L. MORBLU.

v PROCESS/0P MAKING SGULPTORS MOLDS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22. 1910.

996,783, Patented July 4, 1911.

[Tove/7117x97 Mad/M M/lMMu able skilled Work in modifying the molds to is usually applied in mass to the subject, so

tion will be pointed out more at length in UNITED STATES PATENT orrioa.

PROCESS OF MAKING SCUIIIPTORS, MOLDS.

996,783, Specification of Letters Patent, I Patented J uly 4, 1911 I Application filed August 22, 1910. Serial No. 578,372. I a

ess, whereby thelatter may more readily e understood, Figure 1 showing the mold partly in section and partly in side elevation; Fig. 2 being a perspective View illustrating the applying portion of the process, and Fig. 3 a perspective View of a portion of the mold-securing means. For more conveniently describing my process, let it besupposed that a mold of a head (from life or otherwise) is to be made.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HECTOR L. MoREAU, a

citizen of the nited States, and resident of Ipswich, in the county of Essex and State 5 of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Processes of Making Sculptors Molds, of which the followin description,

in connection with the accompanying drawlngs, is a specification, like letters on the 10 drawings representing likeparts.

The present process of making a reproduction from life (or, for that matter, from inanimate objects also) usually requires not only a plurality of molds but alsoconsiderpreferably flour paste-so as to render them counteract the inevitable distortions which are. produced'by the various processes as now practiced. ,For instance, in taking a life The hair of the head is then treated with similar paste or with oil, or with a layer of very thin cold wax, or a layer of tissue pasolution of wax-like material, relatively quick-setting, and capable of being melted at a .low temperature, is prepared, preferably consisting of beeswax and rosin (the latter to stiffen the beeswax), and then ap- 30 plied to the subject melting-hot by means of a soft brush. I have discovered that a perfect mold can be made in this manner. I wishat-tliis point.to emphasize the importanceof this part of my invention and to make it clear that this is the most important. feature of the invention. The melting point of the mold material is above the objecttreated, z. c. it is above blood-heat, and said material becomes fluid at. a ten'iperature which permits its application in thin layers without injury to the skin. By applying. in

a series of exceedingly thin light layers, a substance capable of being so applied and 2 of sculptors to counteract, b 1 the skilful use of the knife on the plaster of Paris, such distort-ions or inaccuracies of the mold, thus requiring not only a first mold, but a castingtherefrom, modified as stated, and then 30 another mold from said casting,'etc. This is only one of the'many features of the cumersome process as at present employed, which it is the objectof my invention to eliminate.

35 By my process, the mold material is ap- 4 time and expense heretofore required, the the curves and angles of the sub ect and setchisel, such as the haireand beard, the mold is readily removed from the subject, the material composing the mold may be used over again repeatedly, the parts thereof are readily separated and again joined, etc. All these and furtheradvantages of my 1nven- 45 wax or mold material of such composition that it does not melt at blood-heat and yet becomes readily fluid at a temperature which permits of its application in the thin layers mentioned without injury to the skin, and then by putting such a composition on in said thin layers, the wax takes on the m1- nutest details of the object to which it is ap plied. Rendering the Wax thin by heat or in other Words providing a mold material subservient to heat in the respects already explained, and applying-the heat as a part the course of the following description of the process in all its preferred steps, and said process will be more particularly defined in the appended claims.

' In the drawings, I haveshown one form of-mold constructed according to my proc- 361 ma be a) )lied as a se )aratorl Thena 75 i 3 l capable of at once conforming accurately to 95 ing any delicate feature. By having the 0 with the brush, instantly conforms with the r making the mold fora bust, the wire is secarefully around the outermost projection or rim of the ear to the top thereof, "vertically over the head, about the opposite ear in the same Way, down the neck and along the shoulder and secured around or under 70 the opposite arm. Another Wire is extended over the head at right angles to the first wire, being led down over the forehead, nose, mouth, chin, neck, etc. at the front and along the hair, neck, etc. at the back. Other wires 75 may be applied in such directions and relations to each other and to the subject as the skillof the operator or the peculiarities of the subject may require. Then the layers of wax are applied, as already explained, said wax 80 serving not only to take the mold impression but to hold the fine wires in place against the subject. After the first few layers of wax have been applied, suitable anchor blocks or holding straps are applied at those places 85 where the various parts of the mold,when subsequently separated, must be held together, said anchoring devices being maintained in place by the subsequent layer or layers of wax. Also preferably strengthening strips 90 are inserted where desirable, and also held in place by being embedded in the wax as the building-up of the mold proceeds.

In the drawings, I have indicateda vertical side wire 1, front andback wire 2, a 95 horizontal transverse wire 3, and a diagonal transverse wire 4, in' order that my invention may be better understood. The hair is filled, as indicated at 5, with a pasty or of the process) gives better results than if a solvent were used for softening the mol material, because the heat leaves the thin or melted mold material denser and there is no 5 resulting tendency to draw or contract. Each individual layer is so thin and light that it may be said to rest upon the surface without weight, or at least without effect thereon. The'first layer, when painted on utmost nicety to the surface upon which it is brushed or painted, and the next layer reinforces the first layer and aids in perpetuating the initial conformation secured by the first or foundation layer, and each succeeding layer acts as a reinforcing and strengthening support and brace until finally a thickness has been attained which is not only permanent but sufficiently strong to withstand all the subsequent handling which may be necessary. After the first few layers have been applied by means of the brush, the melted wax may be put on in a much more rapid fashion and in a less flui state, as the function thereof is simply to strengthen and reinforce the first few layers, said first few layers being those which are depended upon for receiving the moldshape and providing the molding surface for subsequently receiving the plaster of Paris or other substance which is poured into the wax mold to make the ultimate cast for the sculptors guidance.

I have found that by using a soft brush, made, for instance, of camelshair, and applying the hot wax thereby with a quick, short, delicate movement, so that only a thin layer of thewax is left on the face and so that the larger body of the wax contained in the 40 brush is not permitted to rest or tarry upon the flesh, there is no liability of burning or injuring the flesh. The successive layers, at the beginning of the operation as stated, are all applied in substantially the same way by the brush, each successive layer cohering with the preceding layer so that a considerable thickness is quickly built up by a series of rapid to-and-fro brushing movements of the brush, said brush being frequently dipped into the melting-hot wax for the double purpose of getting a fresh supply and maintaining at the proper temperature the portion thereof which is in the brush.

In order that the mold maybe readily di' vided into such number of parts of such definite shape as may be desirable or required y the particular subject of which a mold is being made, I lay on the subject, before the wax is applied, one or more fine wires along 9 those lines where it is desired that the mold shall subsequently part. For instance, in

the wax is appliedinsuccessive layers 6, 6 until a sufficient thickness is formed to endure rougher treatment, whereupon anchor blocks 7 having roughened, corrugated, or otherwise reentrant sides, holes, or angles 1 for giving a good gripping surface to the wax, are placed on theseinitial layers 6 and then further wax is applied, preferably more or, less in mass, until these blocks are embeddedand held firmly stationary in the thickerouter layer 8 of wax. At such places as are required for any reason, as for instance where the mold tapers to a more or less slender portion, as about the neck, re-

inforcing strips 9 are inserted of wood orother material, curved or otherwise to suit the shape, which strips are embedded in the wax as the latter continues to be applie When the requisite thickness of wax has been applied, thewire ends 10, which have been left protruding, are gently pulled, thereby lifting outwardly the fine wire, which readily cuts through the enveloping wax and severs the latter into the parts to compose the mold. These parts, having been lifted from the subject, are then secured together byplates 12 and suitable fastening means, such asscrews 13. As each section or part of the mold is secured to an adjacent section or part, the operator runs 'a hot cured under one arm-pit and thence passed I. up along the top of the shoulder and the side 65 of the neck to the lobe of the ear, and thence oily substance, as previously explained, and 100 usual of results,

knife or tool along the joint, thereby tightly closing the seam or line of severance, adding a slight amount of wax if necessary. It will be understood that tubes are inserted in manner in the nostrils, the ears are its application in thin layers without injury to the skin, renderi g saidmaterial fluid or thin by means of heat, applying the same in successive coatings, each. as thin as sible, embedding therein at the molded surface fine cutting filaments wit-h their free ends extending outwardly be externally accessible with reference to the completed mold, and thereafter building up materialth ereupon to the desired tuckness.

2. The process of making-a mold, which consists in providing a mold material having a melting point above blood heat and fluidifying at a temperature which permits its application in thin-layerswithout injury rendering said material fluid or thin by means of heat, applying successive and Which,- being usual and a part ofmy invention, ther referred to. 1

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that my invention 1s read1ly applid material, applied in exceedingly thin and light layers, it has no tendency to depress a soft part such as the check or hair, and yet, .by reason of the superposition of layer after layer, a finally rigid mold is built up capable of producing a cast or casting with absolute wax, is

a quick, short, soft brushing movement, and thereafter building up mold material thereuponto the desired thickness, i

layer of tissue paper or any other suitable 3. The process of making a mold, which thin separator may be used for maintainm consists in providing a mold material havthe the desired sheet- Preferably both the paste filler and the tissue paper separator are employed.

to the skin, rendering said material Not only does my process secure accuracy or thin by means of heat, applying the but it requires very little apparatus, is quick in its appl' lcation, and comparatively inexpensive; After the desired same in successive coatin s, each as thin as o sible, thereafter building up mold material thereupon-t0 the desired thickness, and embedding anchoring devices in-the mold ma: terial during the building-up operation. In testimony whereof, I ave signed my name to this specification, in two subscribing witnesses.

HECTOR L. MOREAU.

I -Iaving described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The process of making a mold, which Witnesses: I consists in providing a mold material hav- WEBSTER BARROWS, ing a melting point above blood heat and GED. H. MAXWELL;

fluidifying at a temperature which permits the ob ect being molded by brusha suflicient distance to the presence of

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