Improvements in Water-proof Fabrics for Surgical or Curative Purposes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 13th May, 1890-Accepted, 14th June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water-proof Fabrics for Surgical or Curative
Purposes.
I, EVAN GRIFFITHS HUGHES, of Victoria Street, Manchester, Chemist, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to water-proof fabrics for surgical or curative purposes
such as the covering of wounds, the confining of poultices and the like, and have for
object the production of a thin light fabric which shall be preferable to the prepared
fabrics at present in use for the saine purpose.
To accomplish this and to effect my improvements, I employ by preference as a
basis for treatment, a thin muslin or cambric. This thin woven fabric I treat with a
preparation or solution of pure india-rubber on both sides thereof. This I then
subject to what is known in the trade as steam vulcanization. By which means I
obtain a soft and pliant water-proof fabric for surgical or curative purposes much
superior to those at present in use, whether the same be composed of oiled or
varnished silk, or woven cloths treated with compounds of india-rubber and other
substances on one side only, or a layer of such compounds between two woven fabrics,
as for the most part obtains.
Variations in the thickness of the cloth and the amount of india-rubber used may be
made without departing from the peculiar character of the invention, which consists
in the treatment of a suitably thin cloth prepared with pure india-rubber on both sides
thereof and afterwards subjected to steaui vulcanization, and to be employed for surgical
or curative purposes.
Dated this 26th day of August 1889.
WILLIAM GADD, C.E.,
64, Barton Arcade, Manchester, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water-proof Fabrics for Surgical or Curative
Purposes.
I, EVAN GRIFFITHS HUGHES, of Victoria Street, Manchester, Chemist, 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 improvements relate to water-proof fabrics for surgical or curative purposes
such as the covering of wounds, the confining of poultices and the like, and have
for object the production of a thin light fabric which shall be preferable to the
prepared fabrics at present in use for the same purpose.
To accomplish this and to effect my improvements, I employ by preference, as a
basis for treatment, a thin muslin or cambric. This thin woven fabric I treat with a
preparation or solution of pure india-rubber on both sides thereof. This I then
subject to what is known in the trade as steam vulcanization. By which means I obtain
a soft and pliant water-proof fabric for surgical or curative purposes much superior to
those at present in use, whether the same be composed of oiled or varnished silk, or
woven cloths treated with compounds of india-rubber and other substances on one side
only or a layer of such compounds between two woven fabrics and subjected to cold
vulcanization as for the most part obtains.
Variations in the thickness of the cloth and the amount of india-rubber used and a
slight addition thereto of farina may be made without departing from the peculiar
character of the invention, which consists in the treatment of a suitably thin cloth

page_text: prepared with pure india-rubber on both sites thereof and afterwards subjected to
steam vulcanization, and to be employed for surgical or curative purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In the manufacture of waterproof fabrics for surgical or curative purposes, the
treating of thin muslin cloth on both faces or sides thereof with pure india-rubber and
afterwards subjecting the whole to the process of steam vulcanization in manner
substantially as herein described.
2. A waterproof fabric produced by treating a thin muslin cloth, on both faces or
sides, with pure india-rubber, and subjecting the whole to the process of steam
vulcanization in manner and for the special purpose substantially as herein
described.
Dated this 10th inf. 1000
WILLIAM GADD, C.E.,
64, Barton Arcade, Manchester, Agent.