An Improved Process for Treating Leather.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 12th May, 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Treating Leather.
I, RICHARD BUCK ARTHUR, of 45, Nicholson Street, Ballarat, in the County
of Grenville, Colony of Victoria, Shopman, 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 my invention is to render leather unimpaired by contact with,
or immersion in water which is affected by minerals. In the past leather and
like substances have suffered serious injury under such circumstances. But
with my process such materials whether used for boots, shoes, harness, pumps
or any other purposes are after treatment unaffected by the presence of water
impregnated as above described.
My invention consists in first tanning the hide or skin is any ordinary way
by chrome or bark or other tanning agencies and then suspending it in order
that it may lose some of its moisture. After which if necessary a split or
shaving is removed and it is then allowed to almost dry out. It is then placed
in a rotating chamber or drum of any desired shape to absorb the first solution
which is composed as follows:-
Dissolve five (5) lbs. of alum, five (5) lbs. of chalk, three (3) lbs. of best glue
in about ten (10) gallons of water. The chamber is then set in motion and
rotated for about four (4) hours or until the solution has thoroughly penetrated
the substance which is then removed and allowed to drain. After draining it
is hung up to almost dry out, when it is ready to receive the second solution,
composed as follows:-
:-
Dissolve ten (10) lbs. of pure asphaltum and one (1) lb. of india rubber in
about three (3) gallons of turpentine, naphtha or other solvent, then add twelve
(12) lbs. of paraphine wax and twelve (12) lbs. of beeswax, four (4) lbs. of sugar
of lead dissolved in oil. Reduce to the consistency required with linseed, boiled,
parafine or other oil. Have the whole thoroughly commingled by heating and
agitation.
Previous to receiving the second solution the chamber, by steam, hot air, or
other means is heated to a temperature of about one hundred and thirty,
(130) degrees Fahrenheit, provision being made if steam is used to drain out
the accumulated water. After this the solution which must also be heated to
about the same temperature is placed with the leather or other substance in the
chamber which is then set in motion and run for about four (4) hours or for a
shorter or longer period as will enable the solution to thoroughly permeate the
leather. This fact is easily determined by the practical tanner handling the
leather. It is then removed from the chamber and being set out in the usual
way is hung up to dry out. After which it is finished by the usual trade methods
employed in finishing ordinary leather.
The quantities and times given above are approximate, since different descrip-
tions of material require different proportions of the above ingredients which
vary with the class of the leather and the purposes for which it is intended.

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
1st. An improved process for treating leather consisting of tanning the
material in the ordinary way then placing it in a rotating chamber with a
solution and subsequently with another solution (heated) into the said chamber
(also heated) all as and for the purposes herein before described.
2nd. An improved process for treating leather consisting of tanning the leather
in the ordinary way and then for the herein before mentioned or other time
placing it in a rotating chamber containing a solution of alum, chalk, glue and
water in the approximate proportions specified, then draining and almost drying
out, then placing it for the herein before mentioned or other time in a rotating
chamber heated to about 130 degrees F. with a solution also heated as before
described consisting of asphaltum, india rubber dissolved in turpentine or other
solvent to which is added parafine wax, beeswax and sugar of lead dissolved in
oil and of the approximate proportions given, then finishing in the ordinary
way all as and for the purposes hereinbefore specified.
Dated this 4th day of Santamhon 1900
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.