Figs. 434 and 435 represent an apparatus used to give a coloured ornamentation to buttons.
N is the supporting framework, furnished at top with two longitudinal guides a, upon which runs a earriage P, having an upright eleat b at each end. Between these cleats, is extended a series of tightly drawn parallel threads i, whose distance apart will correspond to the space desired between the colour markings on the button. In the bottom of the earriage P a disc, flat on the top but spiral beneath, fitting into a seat in the c,arriage bottom in sueh a way that when tun3ed by means of the thumb piece e on the shaft fit will be raised, and, constituting the cam c, will lift the board R placed upon it. This board is indented in its upper surface with numerous cavities v, which receive the buttons to be ornamented, and retain them with their upper surfacesprojecting somewhat above the corresponding surface of the board. By turning the disc or eam r, the hoard is lifted till the buttons are brought up s'ngly against the threads W is the shaft of the cylindrical brush R*, and has a pulley a* furnished at the outer end with a crank b2, T:pon the frame below, are two pulleys e, f ; at the outer end of the carriage P is a pulley g, and at the inner end a hori zontal arm h carrying a pulley An endless hand k passes over these pulleys, and upon the extremity of the arm h is a eam lever j', by which on occasion the hand may be gripped against the pulleyi*, thereby attaching the earriage for the titne being to a definite point of the band k. Under this condition, the rotation of the crank in the direction of the arrow causes the carriage to he drawn inward, passing underneath the brush, and at a speed bearing a proper proportion to that of the rotation of the brush. Behind the brush, is a trough C eontaining the liquid colouring matter to be applied to the buttons, and revolving in it it3 a fe,ed roller D, working in contact with the brush and supplying it with colour, while E is a scraper arranged behind the feed roller, and regulating the thickness of the film of colour. The roller is rotatkkl by gear wheels W U, or by a band running on pulleys. In front of the brash, parallel to and in contact with it, is a trough shaped spattering bar F, below which, with its edge projecting a little farther baek, is a secondary trough f2. The effect of working is that the carriage is drawn back towards and under the brush sinraltaneonsly with the rotation of the brush, whieh latter is charged with liquid c,olour from the feed roller, and its bristles striking foreibly against the spattering bar, the colour spatters in fine drops upon the surface of the bnttons not protected by the threacLs, dyeing that portion of them. By
turning the board half round, the pattern may be made in checks, and various other devices may be producA3d by modifying the disposition of the threads. In order to change the position of the board or to remove it, it is only necessary to turn the cam c, which lowers it. The object of the secondary trongb P is to catch from the bruish any large dropa which might otherwise fall upon the carriage during its movement below, and thus spoil the work. By loosening the earn lever j' after the carriage has been brought to the rear of the frame, it may be run forward to its original position without the pulleys and band.
A simple method of mottling Corozo nut or vegetable ivory buttons consists in inserting in the pot containing the mottling liquid a vertical pipe or tube extending to very nearly the bottom, and from which a conical pipe is support,ed horizontally and at right angles to it. The nozzles of the pipes are brought close together, so that by blowing or forcing air into the horizontal one a spray of the mottling liquid will be caused to rise in the vertical one, and is thus directed on to the buttons. The simplest of the many ways in which these pipes may be arranged is seen in Fig. 436. A is the pot, to which the vertical pipe B is secured ; C is the horizontal pipe held in place by the support a. Stripes, checks, or other patterns may be produced on the brittons by means of the frame D, Fig. 437, around which are arranged any desired number of pins or hooks d, whereon is secured netting of silk, twine, or wire c, or the threads may be stretched from pin to pin so as to form a variety of patterns. The frame with the pattern is placed over the buttons, and the mottling liquid is thcn blown over them in tho form of spray. Devices may also be stamped in thin metallic or other sheets. The proposed compound for polishing vegetable ivory buttons is 4 pints ivory nut shavings, pint prepared chalk, pint terra Tripula (Tripoli), pint terra Vienna, and pint pumice. This quantity will generally snffice for fifty gross of buttons. The buttons and compound are placed together in a vessel, and rotated or shaken till sufficient polish has been imparted. Any of the four last ingredients may be used separately, but always with the ivory nut shavings. They may be made into a liquid by the addition of water or spirits of wine, and may be used on the polishing lathe either wet or dry.