IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF HAIR, BRISTLES, AND FEATHERS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry. Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF HAIR, BRISTLES, AND FEATHERS."—A
communication from abroad by William Adamson, of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 3rd April 1872.
.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County..
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said.
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF HAIR, BRISTLES, AND -
FEATHERS," a communication from abroad by William Adamson, of Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, to be as follows:-
:--
This Invention relates to a peculiar mode of treating hair, bristles, or
feathers, with a view to render them moth-proof, and to improve them

page_text: in quality, and consists in treating such substances with hydrocarbon
for a sufficient length of time, whereby two important results are
attained, viz., first, independently of the removal of oils and fats, the
tissues, mucous, and other animal matter in connection with the hair,
bristles, and feathers are dislodged, rendered anti-putrescent and
incapable of supporting moths and other insects; secondly, the hairs,
bristles, or feathers are clarified, bleached, and, what is of great
importance, rendered more efficient as a stuffing material or for brushes,
as the case may be, owing to the increased elasticity imparted to them.
It is preferable to curl such hair as is used for stuffing in the usual
manner before instead of after the bydrocarbon treatment. The said
hydrocarbon treatment may be accomplished by steeping the hair,
bristles, or feathers in heated benzine, benzole, gasoline or naptha for a
sufficient length of time; but it is preferable to expose them to benzine
vapor under pressure as a more effective and economical process, as
the vapor can be condensed after passing through a mass of hair and
revaporized, so that there is little or no loss of hydrocarbon.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 3rd October 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most. Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
35th year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant. unto me, the said John Henry: Johnson, Her special
license, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such. others as I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time.
agree with, and no others, from time to time and all times, there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great

page_text: incapable of supporting moths and other insects; secondly, the hairs,
or bristles are clarified, bleached, and, what is of great importance,
rendered more efficient as a stuffing material or for brushes, as the case
may be, owing to the increased elasticity imparted to them.
It is preferable to curl such hair as is used for stuffing in the usual
manner before instead of after the hydrocarbon treatment for a reason
explained hereafter. This treatment may be accomplished by steeping
the hair or bristles in heated benzine, benzole, gasoline, or naptha for
a sufficient length of time; but it is preferable to expose them to
benzine vapor under pressure as a more effective and economical
process, as the vapor can be condensed after passing through a mass
of hair and revaporized, so that there is little or no loss of hydrocarbon.
The apparatus which may be employed in carrying out this Invention
may be similar to that which is illustrated and described in the
Specification of my Patent No. 2168/71 for the treatment of animal and
vegetable fibres.
Hair and bristles vary so much in quality and in the extent of their
impurities that no definite data can be given as to the time required
for the hydrocarbon treatment; hogs' hairs or bristles, for instance, require
a longer time to prepare than the hairs of horses, and the hair of cows
is of many different qualities, that of some animals being much more
free from impurities than others. The most satisfactory guide for the
treatment is by preliminary tests, for marked changes, which will be
readily understood by those familiar with the properties of hair and
bristles, take place after the hydrocarbon treatment has been continued
for a proper length of time, the changes consisting of a general clarifica-
tion, bleaching, and hardening of the hair, and an increased elasticity,
these properties being easily ascertained by examination and by handling
a mass of hair.
As before remarked, I prefer to curl the hair for stuffing before it is
subjected to the hydrocarbon treatment, for the latter has a tendency
to fix the curls, or in other words to retain the hairs in their curled
condition, and at the same time impart to the hair increased elasticity.
After the treatment the hair jis ready for use, no washing, such as
ordinary curled hair requires, being necessary.
'
By the same hydrocarbon treatment, feathers may be clarified,
rendered insect-proof, and more elastic, and consequently more available
as a stuffing for beds, pillows, and other like purposes.

page_text: Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The application and use as a new article of manufacture and
commerce of animal hairs, bristles, or feathers treated in the manner
herein-before described.
Secondly. The peculiar process for the treatment of hair subsequent
to the curling of the same, and for the treatment of bristles and feathers
as and for the purpose herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to.
this my Specification, set my hand and seal, this First day of
October One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
T ITLNDV
JOHNSON
Gal