Improved Manufacture of Socks, Stockings, and Underclothing.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 6th June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Manufacture of Socks, Stockings, and Underclothing.
I, RUDOLF SPOENDLIN of Hirschengraben 56, Zurich, Switzerland, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
:-
This invention has reference to the manufacture of socks, stockings and under-
clothing of nettle wool whereby such articles are rendered extremely hygroscopic
and thus capable of absorbing moisture due to perspiration of the skin, such articles
moreover producing a feeling of warmth to the wearer and effectually protecting
the parts to which they are applied from external cold, while at the same time
constituting a remedy for the unpleasant odour which perspiration is liable to
cause. Owing to the porous nature of nettle wool, socks, stockings and under-
clothing made therefrom rapidly give off again the moisture which they absorb
so that such articles are capable of remaining fit for use for a considerable time.
Dated this 6th day of June 1893.
R. SPOENDLIN,
By L. W., per F. B.
proved OCKS, Stockings, and underciothing.
I, RUDOLF SPOENDLIN, of Hirschengraben 56, Zurich, Switzerland, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention has reference to the manufacture of socks, stockings and
underclothing of nettle wool whereby such articles are rendered extremely
hygroscopic and thus capable of absorbing moisture due to perspiration of the
skin, such articles moreover producing a feeling of warmth to the wearer and
effectually protecting the parts to which they are applied from external cold, while
at the same time constituting a remedy for the unpleasant odour which perspiration
is liable to cause.
The nettle wool is obtained by treating or animalizing the fibres obtained from
the nettle-plant in such a manner that a soft wool-like appearance and a high
degree of absorptivity will be imparted to them in order to specially adapt them
for use in the manufacture of articles of the kind referred to. For this purpose
the nettle-fibres are subjected to the action of a vegetable oil which is purified by
treatment with sulphuric acid, neutralized by an alkali and mixed with ammonia.
For preparing the oil, a suitable quantity of vegetable oil, for instance olive-oil, is
mixed with about one fourth part of its weight of ordinary sulphuric acid. After
the oil has been subjected to the action of the acid for a sufficient time to free it
of impurities, the mixture of oil and acid is mixed with a quantity of caustic
potash dissolved in water and equal say in weight or thereabout to the weight of
the sulphuric acid used, in order to neutralize the acid, after which some spirits of
ammonia is added to the mixture.
S
By treating nettle-fibres, which have originally a certain degree of stiffness,
with oil prepared as described, the fibres are rendered soft, glossy and wool-like,
and have imparted to them the property of absorbing moisture in a high degree,
PD 077

page_text: so that undergarments manufactured from such fibres, which may be done by
treating them after the manner of ordinary wool fibres, are as hereinbefore
mentioned, well adapted to absorb perspiration and keep the skin warm and dry.
Moreover owing to the porous nature of nettle-wool, socks, stockings and under-
clothing made therefrom have the property of rapidly giving off the moisture they
have previously absorbed, so that such articles can be used for a considerable time
without loosing their capacity for absorbing perspiration, and have therefore
superior hygienic qualities.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
th.
Dated this 5th day of March 1894.
For the Applicant,'
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.