Saturday, May 3, 2014

The History Of Upholstered Furniture Part 5

5
LINTERS.
Is actually compressed flock, and can be procured in rolls. The
approximate weight of one roll 24" wide is approximately ll lbs. Linters like coconut pads are used mostly on double and single action beds. It is also a very popular stuffing material for spring unit cushions. The advantage of using linters is that it does not have to be teased, and like the fibre pad, can be cut to various shapes and sizes. In the motor industry it is sewn-to hessian, and is known as "Batt".

FOAM RUBBER
Using Latex Foam

Latex foam is made from Latex, which comes from the rubber tree, most of which are grown in the Far East. The greater proportion of rubber leaves the country in which it is produced, in solid sheet form, but for Latex foam manufacture it is shipped in its natural form as a liquid.
At the manufacturing plants, very small quantities of stabilisers,
falcanizing agents, and setting fluids are added to the Latex, and the compound whipped to a creamy froth in large whisking machines. The whipping results in the formation of the interconnecting cell structure.
The texture and firmness of the finished material are controlled by
this whisking process, and the more air bubbles there are, the lighter and softer the finished products. When the foamed mass has reached the consistency required it is poured into metal moulds of the desired shape and heated under controlled conditions to give it its final shape and resilience. The Latex foam is then stripped from the mould, washed and dried.
Latex foam must be stored away from the direct rays of the sun as it perishes and crumbles when subjected to this treatment.

Since Latex foam came onto the market during the 1930’s it made rapid strides as a cushioning material for upholstery, and more and more each year was being incorporated in settees, chairs, stools etc.
The main reason for this phenomenal growth was:
That it does not sag or lose its shape.
That the shape interpreted by the upholsterer and required by the designer will remain the same throughout the years. No longer is it necessary for the upholsterer to allow for sinking after use.
There is nothing to wear out or go wrong.
Latex foam does not make dust.
It has a fine tailored appearance when upholstered.

Methods of using latex foam.
Mock cushion seats in chairs or settees.
Most chairs and settees are made so that stock sizes of rubber
cushioning will fit without cutting and shutting, and gluing together, and
the most common sizes used at 20”x20”x2”or4” and 20”x23”x2”or4”. On mock cushion seats these rubbers are generally used on top of the conventional web sprung and canvas seats, and are taped with strips of tape specially manufactured for sticking to rubber or strips of calico glued to the rubber with special solution. These tapes are used for the purpose of holding the rubber in place by tacking to the sides of the frames.

POLYURETHANE FOAM
In today’s furniture polyurethane foam is used. There are many different grades and qualities available.
Today’s premium quality foams are a superior alternative to the old types of padding when used correctly and in the appropriate densities.





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