A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS FOR MAKING EXTRACT FROM THE BARK OF THE MANGROVE TREE AND OTHER TREES OF LIKE KIND, WIIICHI EXTRACT CAN BE USED FOR TANNING LEATHER AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Fisher, of Matlock, in the County of Derby for an
Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS FOR MAKING EXTRACT FROM
THE BARK OF THE MANGROVE TREE AND OTHER TREES OF LIKE KIND, WIIICHI
EXTRACT CAN BE USED FOR TANNING LEATHER AND OTHER PURPOSES
"
partly communicated to him from abroad by Charles Martin Allon, of
Singapore, and partly. his own invention
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by tho said John Fisher at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th November 1883.
JOHN FISHER, of Matlock, in the County of Derby "A NEW OR IMPROVED
PROCESS FOR MAKING EXTRACT FROM THE BARK OF THE MANGROVE TREE AND
OTHER TREES OF LIKE KIND, WHICH EXTRACT CAN BE USED FOR TANNING
LEATHER AND OTHER PURPOSES [partly communicated to him from abroad by
Charles Martin Allen, of Singapore, and partly his own invention]
This invention relates to a novel method of treating the bark of the Mangrove
tree, and obtaining therefrom an extract containing tannin, which can be used in
the ordinary way for tanning leather, preserving animal or vegetable substances,
or other purposes where powerful astringent properties are requisite.
The Mangrove tree, Rhizophora, grows wild and in large quantities in tropical
countries and especially in the Straits Settlement and the Eastern Archipelago, and
its bark contains tannin in considerable quantity, which tannin however has not
heretofore been utilized for the purpose of tanning leather and the other purposes
already described.
In order to put the invention in operation I remove the bark from the Mangrove
trees, and I pulverize or reduce it to fragments of sufficiently small size.
Where the presence of salt would be objectionable for the purpose to which the
extract of tannin is to be applied I first soak the fragments of bark in cold water
until the salt is dissolved. I then take the fragments of bark, and I boil them in
a vessel containing a sufficient quantity of water until a soluble extract containing
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page_text: tannin has been dissolved. I prefer that this should be done under pressure,
which pressure may be varied according to the character of the bark which is
being treated, by means of a closed vessel or boiler containing the necessary
openings and manholes by which the contents can be introduced and removed, as
well as a safety valve, the boiler being heated by a furnaco beneath or by steam of
sufficient temperature introduced into it.
When the boiling has been continued sufficiently long, I draw off the solution or
mixture and after having filtered it, I evaporate it in an evaporating vessel of any
ordinary convenient form until the extract is reduced to a suitable consistency,
Buch for instance as that of pitch or of treacle.
The extract thus obtained is rich in the astringent properties of tannin, and can
be conveniently transported from the place of manufacture. When required for
use I dissolve a sufficient quantity in water or other suitable solvent and the
solution can then be used for the purpose of tanning leather, preserving animal or
vegetable substances, or other purposes to which solutions containing tannin are
ordinarily applied.
The apparatus used as above described for the purpose of obtaining the extract
may be varied to suit varying circumstances.
By the use of the bark of the Mangrove tree and other trees of analogous kinds
from the same localities for the purpose of obtaining tannin extract, as described, a
product is obtained which is cheap, easily prepared and transported, and very
valuable for tanning and other purposes. . .

page_text: •
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Fisher in the Patent Office on the 9th May 1884.
JOHN, FISHER, of Matlock in the County of Derby "A NEW OR IMPROVED
PROCESS FOR MAKING EXTRACT FROM THE BARK OF THE MANGROVE TREE AND
OTHER TREES OF LIKE KIND, WHICH EXTRACT CAN BE USED FOR TANNING
LEATHER AND OTHER PURPOSES (Partly a communication to me from abroad by
Charles Martin Allen of Singapore, and partly my own invention)
">
My invention relates more especially to a novel method of treating the bark of
the Mangrove tree and obtaining therefrom an extract containing tannin, which
can be used in the ordinary well known way for tanning leather, preserving animal
or vegetable substances, or other purposes for which powerful astringent properties
are required.
The Mangrove tree, Rhizophora, grows wild and in large quantities in tropical
countries and especially in the Straits Settlements and the Eastern Archipelago,
and its bark contains tannin in considerable quantity, which tannin however has
not heretofore been utilized for the purpose of obtaining extract to be used for
tanning leather and the other purposes already described.
In order to put my present invention in operation I remove the bark from the
Mangrove trees, and I pulverize it or reduce it to fragments the size of which may
be varied according to the character of the bark and the circumstances under which
it is to be used.
Where the presence of salt, as for instance from sea water, would be objectionable
for the purpose to which the extract of tannin is to be applied, I first soak the
fragments of bark in cold water until the salt is sufficiently dissolved out. I then
take the fragments of bark and I boil them in a vessel containing a sufficient
quantity of water until a soluble extract containing tannin has been dissolved in
the latter.
I prefer that this should be done under pressure, which pressure may be varied
according to the character of the bark which is to be treated, by means of a closed
vessel or boiler provided with the necessary openings or manholos by which the
materials can be introduced and removed, as well as with a safety valvo the boiler
being heated by a furnace beneath or by steam of sufficient temperature introduced
into it.
When the process of boiling has been continued sufficiently long, I draw off the
solution or mixture and after having filtered it, I evaporate it in an evaporating
vessel of any ordinary form until the extract is reduced to a suitable consistency,
such for instance as that of pitch or treacle.
The extract obtained in the way described is rich in the astringent properties of
tannin, and can be conveniently transported from the place of manufacture.
When required for use I dissolve it in a sufficient quantity of water or other
suitable solvent and the solution can then be used for the purpose of tanning
leather, preserving animal or vegetable substances, or other purposes to which
solutions containing tannin aro ordinarily applied.
The apparatus used as above described for the purpose of obtaining the extract
may be varied to suit varying circumstances, and the apparatus and process may
be applied to the bark of other plants of an analogous kind and found in the same
localities, as well as to the bark of Mangrove trees, and by the use of such bark for
the purpose of obtaining tannin extract as described, a product is obtained which
is cheap, easily prepared and transported, and very valuable for tanning and other
purposes.
.

page_text: Having now described my invention and the manner in which it is to bo
performed, I claim:- The novel method and process of soaking in water and
treating the bark of Mangrove trees and other plants of an analogous kind and
found in the same localities, for the purpose of obtaining from them an extract
containing tannin, substantially as described. Also as a new article of manufacture
the extract of tannin obtained from the bark of Mangrove trees and other plants of
an analogous kind and found in the same localities, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I the said John Fisher have hereunto set my hand and
seal this 8th day of May in the year of our Lord 1884.
JOHN. FISHER (L.S.)