AN IMPROVED MATERIAL TO BE " and in USED AS LINOLEUM FLOORCLOTH, OR FOR OTHER SUITABLE PURPOSES
Year: 1885

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I THOMAS JAMES FLYNN General Manager, of the Shepley Mills Linoleum
Company Limited, Guide Bridge, near Manchester in the County of Lancaster, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED MATERIAL TO BE
" and in
USED AS LINOLEUM FLOORCLOTH, OR FOR OTHER SUITABLE PURPOSES
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Hitherto linoleum and floor cloth have been made by coating a strong canvas
back, with a suitable composition or paint or both, which is if required ornamented
in any desired manner on the face.
This forms a material which is not fireproof and is very liable to shrink and
become unsightly, if placed on a damp floor or wall; it is also rather hard, and has
frequently to be lined beneath with some softer material in order to make it more
pleasant to the 'tread.'
My invention is designed to remedy these defects and it consists principally in
providing a body or backing of a soft felted material, by preference paper felting,
which has a smooth face, and is rendered waterproof and fireproof either on one
surface or on both surfaces in any well known manner. A light loosely woven
fabric may then be applied to the back and covered with a suitable coating of
paint to give it a finished appearance. A layer or layers of what is known as
linoleum" composition or other paint is then applied to the face of the fabric
and this face may afterwards be ornamented in any desired manner (such as by
printing or embossing) if required.
"
The smooth face of the body allows of the coating or coatings of linoleum com-
position or paint to be lighter and thinner than has hitherto been necessary as
there is no "grain" such as there is in canvas, to overcome and a smooth surface
for the material is immediately obtained.
and as the
The felted material is not liable to shrink if placed on a damp floor;
body or backing may be of any desired thickness and softness, no additional
padding is required beneath it to produce a soft carpet-like floor covering, and it
is less costly than the ordinary linoleum or floor cloth. I also find that it is
much more pliable and consequently more suitable for covering uneven surfaces:
Another advantage is that my improved linoleum or floorcloth is comparatively
noiseless.

page_text: The appearance of the back is also superior to the back of the ordinary linoleum
or floor cloth as the felt is not absorbent like the canvas and the paint conse-
quently remains much brighter when applied thereto, owing also to the closeness
and evenness of its surface.
I would here remark in conclusion that although for obvious reasons it is better
to render the body of the material fire-proof and waterproof such proofing may be
omitted if a cheaper article is required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The improved material for the purposes above mentioned consisting of a body
of suitable felted fabric coated on the surface with a linoleum or other composition
or paint substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The improved material for the purposes above mentioned consisting of a body
of suitable felted fabric rendered fireproof and waterproof on one surface or on both
surfaces and having a layer or layers of linoleum or other composition or paint on
the face substantially as herein before described.