Improvements in the Manufacture of Surgical Bandages, Napkins or Diapers, and similar articles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 21st Mar., 1892-Accepted, 16th Apr., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Surgical Bandages, Napkins or
Diapers, and similar articles.
1 DUGALD SCOTT of 12 York Street Manchester in the County of Lancaster
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of the invention is to produce a substitute for linen or other surgical
bandages, napkins or diapers or similar articles.
For this purpose I manufacture in an ordinary loom of sufficient weight a cotton
weft pile fabric, the pile of which is afterwards cut (longitudinally of the cloth) in
the usual manner.
I then thoroughly wash, scour and bleach the fabric so as to remove all impurities
therefrom. The pile may if desired be cropped, singed and brushed.
By these means I obtain a pure and very absorbent fabric with an open porous
back, and fine velvety surface agreeable and comforting to the most tender skin.
The fabric thus prepared is cut into the required shape or shapes and if desired
hemmed or made up in the usual way.
In making surgical bandages, instead of cutting the pile as before described all
over the face of the fabric I cut the said pile in stripes of suitable width along the
length of the piece leaving portions or stripes uncut.
I bleach and finish the fabric as before described in order that no substance,
which could be injurious when applied to delicate or wounded flesh, remains therein,
and I then slit the fabric along the centres of the uncut stripes and thereby obtain
strips of cut pile with a selvage at each edge which prevents the said edges from
fraying.
The stripes which are not to be cut may be woven specially to form fast selvages;
or for some bandages the pile may be cut all over the fabric and strips of the desired
width cut therefrom in a diagonal direction which will produce soft elastic edges
(which being on the bias) will not be liable to fray out. Such bandages are most
suitable for application to irregular surfaces.
The fabrics above named should be treated with an antiseptic suitable for the
purposes to which they are to be applied.
I manufacture a special bandage or appliance by forming a tube or casing of the
above fabric by sewing or otherwise, the pile being on the outside; the said tube
or casing is filled with absorbent material preferably impregnated with a suitable
antiseptic. The tube or casing is then closed by sewing or otherwise, and suitable
straps or bands applied according to the purpose for which it is to be used.
This will form a bandage or appliance particularly applicable for use by women
as an absorbent pad, in place of the ordinary sanitary towel. The soft velvety
absorbent surface of the covering prevents chafing and gives a hitherto unattained
amount of comfort to the wearer.
These pads are very inexpensive and can therefore after use, be burnt.
Dated this 7th dow of December 1891
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Surgical Bandages, Napkins or
Diapers, and similar articles.
I DUGALD SCOTT of 12 York Street Manchester in the County of Lancaster,
Manufacturer, 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 :-
The object of the invention is to produce a substitute for linen or other surgical
bandages, napkins or diapers or similar articles.
For this purpose I manufacture in an ordinary loom of sufficient weight a cotton
weft pile fabric, the pile of which is afterwards cut (longitudinally of the cloth) in
the usual manner.
I then thoroughly wash scour and bleach the fabric so as to remove all impurities
therefrom. The pile may if desired be cropped, singed and brushed, but not
* finished " (as usual with velveteeus) with wax or other moisture repellent
substances.
By these means I obtain a pure and very absorbent fabric with an open porous
back, and fine velvety surface agrecable and comforting to the most tender skin.
The fabric thus prepared is cut into the required shape or shapes and if desired
hemmed or made up in the usual way.
In making surgical bandages, instead of cutting the pile as before described all
over the face of the fabric, I cut the said pile in stripes of suitable width along the
length of the piece leaving portions or stripes uncut.
I bleach and finish the fabric as before described in order that no substance,
which could be injurious when applied to delicate or wounded flesh, remains therein
and I then slit the fabric along the centres of the uncut stripes and thereby obtain
strips of cut pile with a selvage at each edge which prevents the said edges from
fraying, and prevents short ends of cut pile from coming out.
The stripes which are not to be cut may be woven specially to form fast selvages;
or for some bandages the pile may be cut all over the fabric, and strips of the
desired width cut along therefrom in a diagonal direction which will produce soft
elastic edges which (being on the bias) will not be liable to fray out. Such
bandages are elastic, and therefore very suitable for application to irregular
surfaces.
The fabrics above named should be treated with an antiseptic suitable for the
purposes to which they are to be applied.
I manufacture a special bandage or appliance by forming a tube or casing of the
above fabric by sewing, or otherwise, the pile being on the outside; the said tube
or casing is filled with absorbent material preferably impregnated with a suitable
antiseptic.
The tube or casing is then closed by sewing, or otherwise, and suitable straps or
bands applied according to the purpose for which it is to be used.
This will form a bandage or appliance particularly applicable for use by women
as an absorbent pad, in place of the ordinary sanitary towel. The soft velvety
absorbent surface of the covering prevents chafing and gives a hitherto unattained
amount of comfort to the wearer.
The capillary action of the pile surface interposed between the flesh and the
absorbent material forming the pad, causes all discharge or moisture to run quickly
through the open back of the covering and be absorbed by the said padding
material; the surface of the covering therefore is not liable to become clogged by
saturation or coagulation, but will remain always soft and thoroughly absorbent.
These pads are very inexpensive and can therefore after use, be burnt.

page_text: 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 manufacture of surgical bandages napkins or diapers and similar articles
made of a bleached cotton fabric with a weft cut pile substantially in the manner
hereinbefore described.
2. The improved bandages and other articles hereinbefore referred to, manu-
factured substantially as described.
Dated this 19th day of March 1892.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.