US3769114A - Method of and system for making synthetic fossils - Google Patents

Method of and system for making synthetic fossils Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3769114A
US3769114A US3769114DA US3769114A US 3769114 A US3769114 A US 3769114A US 3769114D A US3769114D A US 3769114DA US 3769114 A US3769114 A US 3769114A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fossil
paperboard
natural
image
reproduction
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
Inventor
F Weigert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE19702007643 external-priority patent/DE2007643C3/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3769114A publication Critical patent/US3769114A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B44DECORATIVE ARTS
    • B44FSPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
    • B44F9/00Designs imitating natural patterns
    • B44F9/04Designs imitating natural patterns of stone surfaces, e.g. marble
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B28WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
    • B28BSHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
    • B28B7/00Moulds; Cores; Mandrels
    • B28B7/0064Moulds characterised by special surfaces for producing a desired surface of a moulded article, e.g. profiled or polished moulding surfaces
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B28WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
    • B28BSHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
    • B28B7/00Moulds; Cores; Mandrels
    • B28B7/34Moulds, cores, or mandrels of special material, e.g. destructible materials
    • B28B7/346Manufacture of moulds
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C33/00Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B29C33/38Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor characterised by the material or the manufacturing process
    • B29C33/3842Manufacturing moulds, e.g. shaping the mould surface by machining
    • B29C33/3857Manufacturing moulds, e.g. shaping the mould surface by machining by making impressions of one or more parts of models, e.g. shaped articles and including possible subsequent assembly of the parts
    • B29C2033/3871Manufacturing moulds, e.g. shaping the mould surface by machining by making impressions of one or more parts of models, e.g. shaped articles and including possible subsequent assembly of the parts the models being organic material, e.g. living or dead bodies or parts thereof
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1002Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
    • Y10T156/1039Surface deformation only of sandwich or lamina [e.g., embossed panels]
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/10Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
    • Y10T156/1052Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/27Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified weight per unit area [e.g., gms/sq cm, lbs/sq ft, etc.]
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/31504Composite [nonstructural laminate]
    • Y10T428/31652Of asbestos
    • Y10T428/31663As siloxane, silicone or silane

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT PP N05 116,197 A method of producing relief reproductions of natural fossils, especially fossile birds of the Jurassic geologi- 30 F A P r" Data cal period, wherein a color-faithful image of the natu- 1 b f pglca on no y P20 07 6431 ral fossil is applied to a white paperboard surface Fe many which is screen printed with a white pattern corresponding to the bone and other hard-portioned pat- [52] cl terns of the fossil.
  • My present invention relates to a method of and a system for producing synthetic fossils or fossil reproductions and, more particularly, to a method of producing contour-faithful and color-faithful reproductions of fossil remains of animals, birds, reptiles and the like.
  • the problem is especially pronounced when attempts are made to form reproductions of winged, animal and reptile creatures of the upper Jurassic period of the Mesozoic geological age, this period being referred to frequently as the Malm.
  • the Malm dating some 140 to 150 million years ago, the earliest winged creatures were embedded in strata which gave rise to the limestone beds of the upper Jurassic geological period. Consequently, when slabs of fossil-containing upper Jurassic limestone are recovered, the fossil remains of such winged creatures are revealed with elevated regions or ridges corresponding to the bone pattern of the creature and to the hard tissue, fins, ribs and the like.
  • the naturally occuring fossil includes nuances and variations of color which are essential to the entire picture, as well as variations of gloss or brightness which appear to arise from the fossilization process.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of making a color-faithful and contour-faithful reproduction of a naturally occuring fossil, especially a winged creature of the Jurassic period, which has the weight and appearance of the naturally occurring fossil.
  • the paperboard having a white surface is color printed with an image of the naturally occurring fossil produced by conventional color photography, and is further screen printed with a white or whitish pattern corresponding to the skeleton or fin structure of the fossil.
  • a male (positive) and a female (negative) die member are provided to impress the contours into the paperboard substrate in registry with the color-faithful image, thereby constituting on the image surface a relief faithful to the contours of the natural fossil.
  • I may provide a coating ofa varnish oil in those areas in which gloss must be enhanced to correspond to the more glossy areas of the natural fossil.
  • the screen printing of a white pattern corresponding to the skeletal system of the fossil moreover, applies texture which is increased by the embossing operation to emphasize those portions of the fossil which remain in relief in the natural subject.
  • the process of the present invention makes use of the advantages of modern color photography and flatprocess printing, e.g., offset printing, which impart the color image to the white paperboard surface. It will be appreciated that present techniques of color reproduction permit the highly faithful transfer of the image of the original fossil to the paperboard substrate which is to be embossed subsequently in the formation of the three-dimensional or contoured synthetic fossil.
  • the paperboard or cardboard preferably has a thickness such that 400 to 1,000 grams of the paper are provided per square meter, and a white surface.
  • embossing of the paperboard or cardboard is carried out with the aid of positive and negative (male and female) die members in a hydraulic or like press capable of delivering pressures of to 1,000 kg per cm.
  • the die members from hardboard and synthetic resin, preferably reinforced with wire screen or fabric inlays, by originally casting a silicone rubber on the natural fossil to produce a master negative.
  • the latter serves as a form for a positive likewise produced by casting, preferably of a fabricor screenreinforced self-hardening resin capable of resisting compressive forces and having low compressibility.
  • Suitable materials for this positive master are epoxy resins and polyacrylates cast in a solvent.
  • the negative or female die member is prepared by immersing the self-hardening positive into a body of thermosplastic synthetic resin, preferably reinforced by a wire screen, grid or fabric, under heat and pressure to faithfully and complementarily reproduce the contours of the original fiber in reverse or negative form.
  • the positive or male die member may be produced using the female die member as the template and preferably consists of hardboard which may be deformed by the female die member under heat and pressure and can also be reinforced by a fabric, grid, or screen of wire.
  • the male and female die members register with the paperboard image which has previously been overprinted by screen-printing techniques with the skeletal pattern, preferably in a white ink or paint, and after a varnish oil has been applied to those areas in which enhanced gloss isdesired.
  • the positive and negative die members, prepared as indicated above, have been found to be useful without damaging the image surface.
  • the closeness of the reproduction may be enhanced by mounting the relief paperboard upon a slab of natural stone preferably derived from a stratum in which the original fossil was found or a similar stratum.
  • the slab may be composed of limestone and the relief paperboard may be secured to it by conventional adhesive techniques. It has been found to be advantageous to cut out the image of the fossil along its outline so that only the image is applied to the natural stone. In practice, it has also been found. to be advantageous to mill a recess in the natural stone along the contours of the cut-out paperboard relief and adhesively to mount the latter in this recess.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fossil to be reproduced
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the flat unit prior to embossment
  • FIG. 3 is a similar section after embossment
  • FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through an artificial fossil structure of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram representing the successive steps of the process.
  • the fossil is reproduced basically from a paperboard substrate 1 of 400 to 1,000 g/m having a white upper surface 1a to which a color reproduction of the fossil is applied by conventional color-printing techniques.
  • the fossil is photographed and color negatives are prepared for offset printing of the surface in a flat state.
  • regions corresponding to the skeletal system 13 may be screen printed in white ink or painted upon the color reproduction and a film of varnish oil 3 may be applied in areas corresponding to the high-gloss regions of the naturally occurring fossil (FIG. 2).
  • the substrate is then pressed (FIG. 3) as shown at 4 between a male die member and a female die member composed of material which does not damage the image.
  • FIG. 3 As illustrated in FIG.
  • FIG. 1 shows the finished product.
  • This product has, of course, the coloration and configuration of the original fossil, a background and texture corresponding to the natural fossil, and the feel or weight thereof.
  • step A the naturally occurring fossil 11 in the limestone body 12 serves as a mold for the casting without pressure or heat which may damage the fossil, of silicone rubber 13 forming a negative whose contours 14 faithfully reproduce, complementarily, the configuration of the original fossil.
  • This silicone rubber negative may contain a wire screen, grid or fabric reinforcement 15 which limits deformation of this negative during subsequent use.
  • this silicone rubber negative 13 constitutes a mold for the casting of self-hardening synthetic-resin plastic 16 which also is provided with a wire grid, screen or fabric reinforcement 17.
  • This selfhardening plastic may be an epoxy resin as noted above which flows into all of the crevices of the negative mold member 13 and acquires postive contours l8 corresponding to the contours of the original fossil. Since the molding of the positive 16 takes place without heat or pressure, there is no distortion of the negative 13.
  • a thermally softening or thermoplastic negative 19 is formed from a material such as polyacrylic resinwith a wire screen, grid or fabric reinforcement 20 by heating the surface 21 of the plastic block and applying the hard positive 16 under pressure from a hydraulic ram arrangement 22.
  • the contours 21 of the thermoplastic member 19, after hardening, constitute a negative against which the printed paperboard can be deformed.
  • the positive 23 is made by pressing using the negative 19 and a ram 24, the positive having a reinforcing grid 25 of the type previously described.
  • the postitive is composed of hardboard (stiff fiberboard) and corresponds faithfully in contour to the original fossil.
  • step I colateral with the sequence of steps previously described, the natural fossil 12 is photographed by a camera 30, the negatives of which are used to flat print the paperboard sheet 31 by offset or like printing methods, represented as using a printing roller 32 in stage II.
  • the color printed image 33 on the paperboard 31 is overprinted by screen ink or paint 34, generally of white color, to correspond to the skeletal structure of the original fossil.
  • varnish oil may be applied as described in connection with FIG. 2.
  • the paperboard 31, provided with the image is pressed between die members 19 and 23 in a hydraulic press 35 capable of delivering a pressure of 100 to 1,000 kg/cm to yield the relief 36 indicated in step F. ln this step, the image is cut away from the paperboard along its outline and is applied in step b with the aid of cement 37 to a slab 38 of natural limestone previously recessed in step a by a routing tool 40 or the like.
  • a method of making a synthetic fossil comprising the steps of:

Abstract

A method of producing relief reproductions of natural fossils, especially fossile birds of the Jurassic geological period, wherein a color-faithful image of the natural fossil is applied to a white paperboard surface which is screen printed with a white pattern corresponding to the bone and other hard-portioned patterns of the fossil. From the natural fossil, male and female die members are formed, faithful to the contours of the fossil and are used to emboss the paperboard in registry with the aforementioned image. The relief reproduction thus produced is cut out from the paperboard along the outline of the image and is attached to a natural stone slab, preferably by being recessed in a cavity of similar outline.

Description

Elnited States Patent Weigert 1 Oct. 30, 1973 METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR MAKING 3,287,193 11/1966 Kleinn 156/59 SYNTHETIC FOSSILS [76] Inventor: Franz Weigert, Adalhert-Stifter- Primary Examiner-wimam A. Powell Strasse 13, D-8858, Newburg/ Almmey xafl ROSS Donau, Germany [22] Filed: Feb. 17, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT PP N05 116,197 A method of producing relief reproductions of natural fossils, especially fossile birds of the Jurassic geologi- 30 F A P r" Data cal period, wherein a color-faithful image of the natu- 1 b f pglca on no y P20 07 6431 ral fossil is applied to a white paperboard surface Fe many which is screen printed with a white pattern corresponding to the bone and other hard-portioned pat- [52] cl terns of the fossil. From the natural fossil, male and 156 293 264/132 female die members are formed, faithful to the con- 51 I t Bszb 31 00 tours of the fossil and are used to emboss the paperd 222 board in registry with the aforementioned image. The 6' "i" "g. 61 relief reproduction thus produced is cut out from the 267 2'77 3 7 paperboard along the outline of the image and is attached to a natural stone slab, preferably by being re- References Cited cessed in a cavity of similar outline.
UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 811,432 1/1906 Peake 161/5 x mm nnmso ma 3169.1 14
SHEET 2 OF 2 S/LICONE RUBBER SELF-HARDENING PLASTIC [6 73 71 f HEAT {(1 r \\fi\\\\\\\ THERMOPLASTIC E30 32 (3 Pyoro mass 3/ WWI/MM y 3 i z 3/ 1H 1 come PRINTING SCE6N PRINTING IMAGE I Q .2; 79 as I p HARDBOARD POSITIVE I I I akfima g PLASTIC NEGATIVE (E) 5 oz? CEMENT 36 37 Franz Weigerf INVENTOR.
NATURAL srorve" SLAB Attorney METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR MAKING SYNTHETIC FOSSILS FIELD OF THE INVENTION My present invention relates to a method of and a system for producing synthetic fossils or fossil reproductions and, more particularly, to a method of producing contour-faithful and color-faithful reproductions of fossil remains of animals, birds, reptiles and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous methods of producing reproductions of naturally occurring fossils have been proposed in the past. On one hand, there were attempts to provide images of a fossil on a flat sheet or substrate by photo" graphic or printing methods and even by artistic renderings. With increasing perfection of photographic art, it has become possible to reproduce an image of the fossil which is almost perfect in the sense that all color nuances and variations are reproduced in the image. However, such flat portraits of the fossil are inherently unfaithful because of the inability of the photographic method to accurately convey the threedimensional sense required by the contours of the original subject.
On the other hand it has been proposed to provide three-dimensional or relief reproductions of fossils, but the only methods which have gained prominence in this line, are those which involve using the fossil as an embossing member and therefore may result in damage to the rare naturally occurring subject, or those which build up a relief using the naturally occurring fossil as a guide. Even when the latter relief structures are carefully painted or tinted, they are unfaithful to the color nuances and variations of the original. Hence the preparation or production of a three-dimensional or relief reproductions of a naturally occurring fossil has been a problem heretofore.
The problem is especially pronounced when attempts are made to form reproductions of winged, animal and reptile creatures of the upper Jurassic period of the Mesozoic geological age, this period being referred to frequently as the Malm. In this period, dating some 140 to 150 million years ago, the earliest winged creatures were embedded in strata which gave rise to the limestone beds of the upper Jurassic geological period. Consequently, when slabs of fossil-containing upper Jurassic limestone are recovered, the fossil remains of such winged creatures are revealed with elevated regions or ridges corresponding to the bone pattern of the creature and to the hard tissue, fins, ribs and the like. In addition, the naturally occuring fossil includes nuances and variations of color which are essential to the entire picture, as well as variations of gloss or brightness which appear to arise from the fossilization process.
While color photographs of such fossils are highly faithful to the color nuances as noted above, they have been found to be unavailing when reproduction of the contours is desired. Furthermore, the ridges corresponding to the fins or skeletal system are highly sensitive and cannot survive use of the fossil as a pattern for embossing a body.
Finally, I may mention that attempts to cast synthetic resin or materials of other compositions in the contours of the natural fossil have been ineffective in conveying a complete impression of the original, while systems using plastics as the raw material and attempting to mold the contours under heat and pressure have also failed on textural grounds. The use of engraved plates is, of course, dependent upon the skill of the engraver and represents a highly expensive method of producing the reproductions.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved method of making synthetic fossils or fossil reproductions whereby the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided.
It is another object of my invention to provide an improved method of making a fossil reproduction of low cost and high accuracy which does not detrimentally affect the natural fossil.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of making a color-faithful and contour-faithful reproduction of a naturally occuring fossil, especially a winged creature of the Jurassic period, which has the weight and appearance of the naturally occurring fossil.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter are attained, in accordance with the present invention, in a method of making a reproduction of a naturally occurring fossil which makes use of my discovery that embossed paperboard, suitably processed, constitutes a remarkable base for colr-faithful and contour-faithful reproductions.
More particularly, the paperboard having a white surface is color printed with an image of the naturally occurring fossil produced by conventional color photography, and is further screen printed with a white or whitish pattern corresponding to the skeleton or fin structure of the fossil. A male (positive) and a female (negative) die member are provided to impress the contours into the paperboard substrate in registry with the color-faithful image, thereby constituting on the image surface a relief faithful to the contours of the natural fossil.
, I may provide a coating ofa varnish oil in those areas in which gloss must be enhanced to correspond to the more glossy areas of the natural fossil. The screen printing of a white pattern corresponding to the skeletal system of the fossil, moreover, applies texture which is increased by the embossing operation to emphasize those portions of the fossil which remain in relief in the natural subject.
The process of the present invention makes use of the advantages of modern color photography and flatprocess printing, e.g., offset printing, which impart the color image to the white paperboard surface. It will be appreciated that present techniques of color reproduction permit the highly faithful transfer of the image of the original fossil to the paperboard substrate which is to be embossed subsequently in the formation of the three-dimensional or contoured synthetic fossil. The paperboard or cardboard preferably has a thickness such that 400 to 1,000 grams of the paper are provided per square meter, and a white surface.
I have already indicated that the embossing of the paperboard or cardboard is carried out with the aid of positive and negative (male and female) die members in a hydraulic or like press capable of delivering pressures of to 1,000 kg per cm.
I prefer to make these die members from hardboard and synthetic resin, preferably reinforced with wire screen or fabric inlays, by originally casting a silicone rubber on the natural fossil to produce a master negative. The latter serves as a form for a positive likewise produced by casting, preferably of a fabricor screenreinforced self-hardening resin capable of resisting compressive forces and having low compressibility. Suitable materials for this positive master are epoxy resins and polyacrylates cast in a solvent. In the next step of the present process, the negative or female die member is prepared by immersing the self-hardening positive into a body of thermosplastic synthetic resin, preferably reinforced by a wire screen, grid or fabric, under heat and pressure to faithfully and complementarily reproduce the contours of the original fiber in reverse or negative form. The positive or male die member may be produced using the female die member as the template and preferably consists of hardboard which may be deformed by the female die member under heat and pressure and can also be reinforced by a fabric, grid, or screen of wire.
The male and female die members register with the paperboard image which has previously been overprinted by screen-printing techniques with the skeletal pattern, preferably in a white ink or paint, and after a varnish oil has been applied to those areas in which enhanced gloss isdesired. The positive and negative die members, prepared as indicated above, have been found to be useful without damaging the image surface.
According to still another feature of the invention, the closeness of the reproduction may be enhanced by mounting the relief paperboard upon a slab of natural stone preferably derived from a stratum in which the original fossil was found or a similar stratum. In the case of Jurassic fossils derived from limestone formations, therefore, the slab may be composed of limestone and the relief paperboard may be secured to it by conventional adhesive techniques. It has been found to be advantageous to cut out the image of the fossil along its outline so that only the image is applied to the natural stone. In practice, it has also been found. to be advantageous to mill a recess in the natural stone along the contours of the cut-out paperboard relief and adhesively to mount the latter in this recess.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fossil to be reproduced;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the flat unit prior to embossment;
FIG. 3 is a similar section after embossment;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through an artificial fossil structure of the invention; and
FIG. 5 is a diagram representing the successive steps of the process.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION AND EXAMPLE In FiG. l, I show a naturally occurring fossil in a natural limestone block 11 of the upper Jurassic period. In this case the fossil is a primitive winged creature l2 (Archaeopterys Lithographica) which has a skeletal system represented at 13 and portions of enhanced gloss at 14. The latter portions correspond to the wings of the creature. This fossil has an age of about to I50 million years and is considered a precursor of the modern bird.
The fossil is reproduced basically from a paperboard substrate 1 of 400 to 1,000 g/m having a white upper surface 1a to which a color reproduction of the fossil is applied by conventional color-printing techniques. In this system, the fossil is photographed and color negatives are prepared for offset printing of the surface in a flat state. Once the image of the fossil has been printed as represented at 2, regions corresponding to the skeletal system 13 may be screen printed in white ink or painted upon the color reproduction and a film of varnish oil 3 may be applied in areas corresponding to the high-gloss regions of the naturally occurring fossil (FIG. 2). The substrate is then pressed (FIG. 3) as shown at 4 between a male die member and a female die member composed of material which does not damage the image. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a slab 6 of stone, preferably Jurassic limestone corresponding to the limestone in which the original fossil is found, is milled at 5 to provide a recess corresponding to the outline of the reproduction. The reproduction 4 is set into this re cess and held in place by an adhesive 7 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Hence FIG. 1 shows the finished product. This product has, of course, the coloration and configuration of the original fossil, a background and texture corresponding to the natural fossil, and the feel or weight thereof.
In FIG. 5, I have shown diagramatically the sequence of steps in which the simulated fossil is, formed. In step A, the naturally occurring fossil 11 in the limestone body 12 serves as a mold for the casting without pressure or heat which may damage the fossil, of silicone rubber 13 forming a negative whose contours 14 faithfully reproduce, complementarily, the configuration of the original fossil. This silicone rubber negative may contain a wire screen, grid or fabric reinforcement 15 which limits deformation of this negative during subsequent use.
In a second stage B, this silicone rubber negative 13 constitutes a mold for the casting of self-hardening synthetic-resin plastic 16 which also is provided with a wire grid, screen or fabric reinforcement 17. This selfhardening plastic may be an epoxy resin as noted above which flows into all of the crevices of the negative mold member 13 and acquires postive contours l8 corresponding to the contours of the original fossil. Since the molding of the positive 16 takes place without heat or pressure, there is no distortion of the negative 13.
In the next state (C), a thermally softening or thermoplastic negative 19 is formed from a material such as polyacrylic resinwith a wire screen, grid or fabric reinforcement 20 by heating the surface 21 of the plastic block and applying the hard positive 16 under pressure from a hydraulic ram arrangement 22. The contours 21 of the thermoplastic member 19, after hardening, constitute a negative against which the printed paperboard can be deformed. In step D, the positive 23 is made by pressing using the negative 19 and a ram 24, the positive having a reinforcing grid 25 of the type previously described. The postitive is composed of hardboard (stiff fiberboard) and corresponds faithfully in contour to the original fossil.
In step I, colateral with the sequence of steps previously described, the natural fossil 12 is photographed by a camera 30, the negatives of which are used to flat print the paperboard sheet 31 by offset or like printing methods, represented as using a printing roller 32 in stage II. The color printed image 33 on the paperboard 31 is overprinted by screen ink or paint 34, generally of white color, to correspond to the skeletal structure of the original fossil. In addition, varnish oil may be applied as described in connection with FIG. 2. The paperboard 31, provided with the image, is pressed between die members 19 and 23 in a hydraulic press 35 capable of delivering a pressure of 100 to 1,000 kg/cm to yield the relief 36 indicated in step F. ln this step, the image is cut away from the paperboard along its outline and is applied in step b with the aid of cement 37 to a slab 38 of natural limestone previously recessed in step a by a routing tool 40 or the like.
I claim: 1. A method of making a synthetic fossil comprising the steps of:
imprinting a surface of a flat paperboard with a colorfaithful image of a natural fossil; forming a male die member and a female die member with contours corresponding to those of said natural fossil; embossing said paperboard with said die members in registry with said image to produce a threedimensional reproduction of said natural fossil; screen printing on the surface of said paperboard bearing said image a pattern representing bone and ridge patterns of the natural fossil and corresponding to regions of greatest embossment by said die members, prior to embossing the paperboard; and
cutting the reproduction from said paperboard along the outline of said image and mounting the cut reproduction on a slab of natural stone to form a body having the weight and configuration of the natural fossil in its stone surroundings.
2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said slab is recessed conforming to said Outline and said reproduction is secured in said recess, said reproduction being varnished at least at selected portions to produce a gloss simulating the gloss of the natural fossil.
3. The method defined in claim 2 wherein said paperboard has a weight of 400 to 1,000 g per m and said die members are applied against said paperboard at a pressure of to 1,000 kg per cm 4. The method defined in claim 3 wherein said natural fossil is a fossil bird of the Jurassic period and said stone is a Jurassic limestone.
5. The method defined in claim 4 wherein said die members are produced by:
a. forming a reinforced silicone-rubber negative from said natural fossil;
b. casting a reinforced self-hardening positive of synethetic resin in the silicone-rubber negative;
c. forming under heat and pressure a synthetic-resin negative against said positive; and
d. forming a reinforcement hardboard postive in said synthetic-resin negative, said hardboard positive and said synthetic-resin negative respectively constituting said male and female die members.

Claims (5)

1. A method of making a synthetic fossil comprising the steps of: imprinting a surface of a flat paperboard with a color-faithful image of a natural fossil; forming a male die member and a female die member with contours corresponding to those of said natural fossil; embossing said paperboard with said die members in registry with said imaGe to produce a three-dimensional reproduction of said natural fossil; screen printing on the surface of said paperboard bearing said image a pattern representing bone and ridge patterns of the natural fossil and corresponding to regions of greatest embossment by said die members, prior to embossing the paperboard; and cutting the reproduction from said paperboard along the outline of said image and mounting the cut reproduction on a slab of natural stone to form a body having the weight and configuration of the natural fossil in its stone surroundings.
2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said slab is recessed conforming to said outline and said reproduction is secured in said recess, said reproduction being varnished at least at selected portions to produce a gloss simulating the gloss of the natural fossil.
3. The method defined in claim 2 wherein said paperboard has a weight of 400 to 1,000 g per m2 and said die members are applied against said paperboard at a pressure of 100 to 1,000 kg per cm2.
4. The method defined in claim 3 wherein said natural fossil is a fossil bird of the Jurassic period and said stone is a Jurassic limestone.
5. The method defined in claim 4 wherein said die members are produced by: a. forming a reinforced silicone-rubber negative from said natural fossil; b. casting a reinforced self-hardening positive of synthetic resin in the silicone-rubber negative; c. forming under heat and pressure a synthetic-resin negative against said positive; and d. forming a reinforcement hardboard postive in said synthetic-resin negative, said hardboard positive and said synthetic-resin negative respectively constituting said male and female die members.
US3769114D 1970-02-19 1971-02-17 Method of and system for making synthetic fossils Expired - Lifetime US3769114A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19702007643 DE2007643C3 (en) 1970-02-19 Process for the production of lifelike replicas of fossils

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3769114A true US3769114A (en) 1973-10-30

Family

ID=5762729

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US3769114D Expired - Lifetime US3769114A (en) 1970-02-19 1971-02-17 Method of and system for making synthetic fossils

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3769114A (en)
AT (1) AT310558B (en)
BE (1) BE762698A (en)
CH (1) CH542729A (en)
FR (1) FR2078522A5 (en)
NL (1) NL7102140A (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4016235A (en) * 1974-12-23 1977-04-05 Kcs Industries, Inc. Method of making simulated stained glass from moldable plastic material
US4285744A (en) * 1978-11-30 1981-08-25 Emil Rudolf Process for the reproduction of oil paintings or similarly textured images
US5039468A (en) * 1990-01-24 1991-08-13 Sellers Stephen N Method of making a stained glass article
WO1998012039A1 (en) * 1996-09-18 1998-03-26 Bryant Terry K Method of transferring images of biological specimens onto leather
US5853637A (en) * 1995-09-28 1998-12-29 Bryant; Terry Keith Method of replicating images of biological specimens onto leather
US6216896B1 (en) * 1998-01-23 2001-04-17 Mann-Hwang Chern Method of preparing a fossil molding
US20030148251A1 (en) * 2002-02-01 2003-08-07 Jacqueline Drecksel Educational systems and methods relating to fossils
US20080041101A1 (en) * 2006-08-18 2008-02-21 Hun-Jen Chen Connection structure with a workpiece and an object
US9085121B2 (en) 1999-05-13 2015-07-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Adhesive-backed articles

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US811432A (en) * 1905-03-13 1906-01-30 Albert E Peake Means for displaying pictures and the like.
US3287193A (en) * 1964-07-16 1966-11-22 Max Klein Inc Method of reproducing a textured surface painting

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US811432A (en) * 1905-03-13 1906-01-30 Albert E Peake Means for displaying pictures and the like.
US3287193A (en) * 1964-07-16 1966-11-22 Max Klein Inc Method of reproducing a textured surface painting

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4016235A (en) * 1974-12-23 1977-04-05 Kcs Industries, Inc. Method of making simulated stained glass from moldable plastic material
US4285744A (en) * 1978-11-30 1981-08-25 Emil Rudolf Process for the reproduction of oil paintings or similarly textured images
US5039468A (en) * 1990-01-24 1991-08-13 Sellers Stephen N Method of making a stained glass article
US5853637A (en) * 1995-09-28 1998-12-29 Bryant; Terry Keith Method of replicating images of biological specimens onto leather
WO1998012039A1 (en) * 1996-09-18 1998-03-26 Bryant Terry K Method of transferring images of biological specimens onto leather
US6216896B1 (en) * 1998-01-23 2001-04-17 Mann-Hwang Chern Method of preparing a fossil molding
US9085121B2 (en) 1999-05-13 2015-07-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Adhesive-backed articles
US20030148251A1 (en) * 2002-02-01 2003-08-07 Jacqueline Drecksel Educational systems and methods relating to fossils
US20080041101A1 (en) * 2006-08-18 2008-02-21 Hun-Jen Chen Connection structure with a workpiece and an object
US7846538B2 (en) * 2006-08-18 2010-12-07 Micro-Star Int'l Co. Ltd. Connection structure with a workpiece and an object

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE762698A (en) 1971-07-16
DE2007643A1 (en) 1971-09-09
NL7102140A (en) 1971-08-23
FR2078522A5 (en) 1971-11-05
DE2007643B2 (en) 1975-10-16
CH542729A (en) 1973-10-15
AT310558B (en) 1973-10-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3917786A (en) Method of and system for making synthetic fossils
US4929213A (en) Flexible foam pictures
CA2569783A1 (en) Method for the production of a substrate having a holographic appearance
US3660211A (en) Plastic article and method of production
US3769114A (en) Method of and system for making synthetic fossils
US4294634A (en) Method for manufacturing a solid statue
US20150202916A1 (en) Method for producing duplicates of an object having a three-dimensional decorative surface
US4579708A (en) Molding of resinous embossing elements for greeting cards
US3748202A (en) Process for manufacturing reprinted matter(relief printing)
EP0216783B1 (en) Three dimensional image with picture covering and forming system
US2656634A (en) Process for making relief pictures from plane pictures
US4203789A (en) Process for reproducing pictorial works and works achieved with said process
US3060611A (en) Reproduction of a textured surface
WO2016104900A1 (en) Relievo product and modeling data formation method therefor
JP2002188100A (en) Method for plastic processing of natural leather print
CN106068188A (en) There is machine and the method for the duplicate of the object of ornamental three-dimensional surface for production
CN108909228A (en) A kind of combination anti-fake printed matter and preparation method thereof
GB1340901A (en) Three-dimensional cast resin article with coloured surface and method of producing same
US1351392A (en) Relief-map and process of making same
US6071655A (en) Glazed photo-relief image
JPH07257099A (en) Method for duplicating original with design pattern and uneven pattern, and duplicated matter
US556591A (en) Method of producing embossed photographs
JP2889349B2 (en) Embossing plate manufacturing method
DE2007643C3 (en) Process for the production of lifelike replicas of fossils
US718842A (en) Process of making relief-effect printing-plates.