CERTAIN IMPROVED PREPARATIONS AND COMPOUNDS OF GUITA PERCHA, AND CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE 07. ARTICLE3 AND FABRICS COMPOSED OF GUTTA PERCHA ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
HANCOCK, of Brompton, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eleventh day of May,
One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, in the eleventh year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Charles Hancock, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Charles Hancock, my
exors, adiñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles Hancock,
my exors, adiiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and in the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Hér said Majesty's Colonics
and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVED PREPARATIONS
AND COMPOUNDS OF GUITA PERCHA, AND CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE 07. ARTICLE3 AND FABRICS COMPOSED OF GUTTA PERCHA ALONE AND IN
COMBINATION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso that I, the said Charles Hancock, shall cause a particular description

page_text: of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled
in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,
as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Charles Hancock, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the present Specification thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
The nature of my said Invention consists in certain improved modes of
preparing, using, and applying gutta percha in combination with other sub-
stances in the formation of various articles of manufacture, and in a certain
compound, suitable as a vehicle for painting, printing, or otherwise applying
colors to articles of manufacture; and the manner in which the same is to be
performed is as follows:--
Firstly, in making waterproof shoes and galoshes of gutta percha, I begin
with casting the gutta percha in moulds into pieces or blocks of a form suitable
for the purpose.
Figure 1 and Figure 2 are plans of two of these moulds with the top parts
removed; and Figure 1 and Figure 2 transverse sections of the same (with
the top parts on) respectively. By the former (Figures 1 and 12) the gutta
percha is cast in perfectly flat pieces, but thicker in the centre part a, of which
the sole is to consist, than at the sides and ends b, b, or parts of which the
upper is to formed. By the latter (Figures 2 and 2) the piece is curved
at the sides and ends, and so brought partially into the form which it is
intended it should ultimately assume. A and B are in each case the bottom
and top parts of the mould; and C, the gutta percha. The size and curvature
of these moulds admit obviously of any needful variation, so that there may
be blanks produced (for example) suitable for the shoes and goloshics of persons
of all ages, for left feet and right feet, &c. &c. I next take a last, of the form
desired to be given to the shoe or golosh, and draw upon or otherwise fit closely
to it some clastic or flexible material which may serve as a lining for the gutta
percha, such as cotton or woollen cloth, or knitted silk or worsted. I tlien
coat the outside of this intended lining with a solution of gutta percha or
caoutchouc, and leave it to dry. I next select a gutta percha blank, of the
forin best adapted in its general outline to the said last, and by heating it in

page_text: any convenient way, bring it to such a plastic state that it may be readily
moulded by hand. I warm also the last, with its elastic or flexible covering,
but not to such a degree as to decompose the gutta percha or caoutchouc
solution spread over it; and these preparations having been made, I place the
last upon the blank, adjust by hand the one to the other, and press the gutta
percha, of which the blank consists, into as close combination as may be with
the elastic or flexible covering of the last. The shoe or galosh then takes, the
determinate form represented in Figure 3; but as in the course of the pre-
ceding manipulations, some inequalities of surface may have been unavoidably
produced, or the limits between the sole and the upper not have been suffi-
ciently defined, I once more bring the whole into a warm or plastic state, by
dipping the shoe or galosh (with the last still inside of it) into hot water, or
by exposing it to steam or hot air, and then smooth it carefully all over.
When it becomes cold and hard, I run a revolving stile or other suitable
instrument over the contour lines, after which the last is withdrawn, which
leaves the shoe or galosh complete.
When made in the manner just described, the article though water-tight
is of a dull appearance; but it may have a high polish given to it or to any
part of it by applying glass or porcelain moulds to it, after it has undergone
the process last herein-before mentioned, and while it is yet in a warm and
impressible state; each of these moulds being a fac simile in reverse of some
portion only of the last (as, for example, the sole or upper), and not removed
after being so applied till the materials beneath have become quite cold.
Shoes and galoshes made of gutta percha, on foundations of elastic or flexible
materials in the manner before described, possess this great advantage over
others, that the foundations take up and disperse the preparation of the foot,
and prevent it from condensing, to the injury of the health and comfort of the
wearer. Exception has been taken to gutta percha shoes and galoshes on
account of their want of or deficiency in springiness. I remedy this (when
desired) by making the blank out of which the sole and upper is formed of two
sheets or pieces of gutta percha, and interposing between them while they are
yet in a warm or plastic state a thin plate of steel, slightly bent in the direction
from heel to tip, and press the whole closely together, so that the metallic
spring may become permanently embodied in and combined with the other
5 materials.
Secondly, in employing gutta percha as a substitute (in whole or in part) for
the wood and other material, of which the backs and stocks of brushes are
ordinarily formed, I proceed according to the improved methods following:-

page_text: Supposing the brush is to have a flat back, I take two, three, or more pieces
of sheet gutta percha, or of a compound of gutta percha and caoutchouc (the
number of pieces depending on their thickness, and on the thickness also to bo
given to the back), which have been cut or stamped out, or cast into a proper
form for the back, and superimpose them exactly one upon the other; I then
bore holes in them, through which I draw the parcels or "knots," as they are
technically termed, of hairs or bristles in the usual way, securing them also as
usual by means of wires; I next give the top surface of the back two or
three coats of gutta percha solution, leaving each coat to dry before another is
put on; and, finally, I lay on a solid piece or slab or piece of gutta percha
of a suitable thickness, and bring the same, as also the rest of the back, to
such a temperature, that by pressing them together a perfect adhesion may bo
effected. The piece last added may be either plain or figured, and the figuring
may be either done before the piece is put on or afterwards. Or, instead of
making the whole of the back of gutta percha, a as has been first described, it
may be made partly of gutta percha and partly of other substances; as, for
example, some of the pieces through which the hairs or bristles are drawn
may be of wood or bone or leather or felt or canvass, and the others of gutta
percha; or the outer top piece may be of velvet or silk or woollen cloth; but
in such a case as the last, the fabric must be coated on the under side with a
solution of gutta percha or caoutchouc, and well warmed before it is applied.
In making round stocks for brushes I proceed as follows:-I take a solid
stick of gutta percha, which has at the root end grooves cut or cast on it all
round, of the peculiar form represented at d, d, in Figure 4. I insert the
parcels or knots of hairs or bristles in these grooves, and then pour over them
a warm solution of gutta percha. When this solution has cooled, I wrap a
piece of sheet gutta percha once round the grooved part, which encloses the
hairs or bristles, and then upon that a second piece also of one thickness,
causing each piece to adhere to the stock by warmth and pressure, as in similar
instances before explained, and taking care so to adjust the pieces that they
shall break joint with one another, and come each close together at the edges;
and, finally, I bind the whole together by means of gutta percha thread, or
cord or of twine saturated with gutta percha, as shewn in the view of a com-
plete brush of this description given in Figure 5. The body of the stock may
be made of wood or metal, grooved as aforesaid for the reception of the hairs
or brushes; but I prefer making the whole of gutta percha.
Another mode of making round brushes is represented in Figure 6 and
Fig. 6. Here the knots of hair or bristles are drawn through small tubes t, t,

page_text: of gutta percha, and a number of these tubes are tied together in a circular
form by means of gutta percha thread, or cord or twine saturated with gutta
percha. Any interstices which remain between the tubes, or between the
tubes and the binding thread cord, are filled up by pouring in a thick solution
of gutta percha at the top end; or the bundle of tubes may be at first tied
very loosely only, then brought by heat into a warm or plastic state, and
afterwards compressed into one compact circular body by rolling or by
clamping them in a dic of suitable dimensions (first withdrawing the thread
used in the tying). The handle may be either of solid gutta percha, or any
other suitable material, and attached in any convenient way.
A round brush, made in the way last described, of a single knot of hair or
bristles, is represented in Figure 7. The tube in this case, however, is made
to bulge out a little at the sides, and of smaller diameter at bottom than
at top. The top or root end of the knot is covered over with gutta percha
solution.
The mode adopted in Figure 6, of drawing the knots through tubes of gutta
percha, may be also applied to the making of flat brushes, in the manner
exemplified in the different arrangements represented in Figures 8, 9, and 10.
The tubes containing the knots are arranged in one or more straight lines,
then secured between the clamping boards, dipped into hot water, and pressed
together till they are formed into one compact solid mass.
Thirdly, I paint and print articles and fabrics made in whole or in part of
gutta percha, and also other articles and fabrics of any color or colors, and of
any design or pattern, by using as a vehicle for the pigments or other coloring
matters the following compound :-I take one part of caoutchouc and one part
of gutta percha, each dissolved in spirits of turpentine (or any other suitable
solvent), add thereto four parts of gold oil size, mix the whole of the materials
together in a bath of hot water, and then thin with spirits of turpentine, it
being of advantage to use this compound in a very thin state; the pigments
or other coloring matters should be well ground up in turpentine before they
are mixed with the vehicle. The proportions which I have given are such as
I find to answer, on the whole, best in practice.
In carrying out the different, improvements which I have herein before
specified, I uniformly prefer employing such gutta percha or compound of
gutta percha as has been prepared by boiling or by masticating it in a bath of
water and muriate of lime, but to this mode of preparation I do not here lay
any claim.
Fourthly, the better to adapt gutta percha to the manufacture of various

page_text: articles and fabrics, I prepare and combine it with other matters and things,
according to the several new and improved modes next to be described.
To obtain a gutta percha compound suitable for coating the wires of electric
telegraphs, covering the cells of galvanic. batteries, and other purposes where
complete electric insulation is desirable, or where the isolation of one substance
from another is for any reason required, I take gutta percha hot from the
masticator (preferring, as aforesaid, that which has been previously boiled in
the muriate of lime bath), roll it between heated cylinders, and during the
rolling sift thereon common rosin in a pounded state, so as to mix the same
intimately with the gutta percha; or I dissolve equal portions of gutta percha
and common rosin in coal naphtha, or any other suitable solvent; or I dissolve
the gutta percha and the rosin separately, and then mix the two solutions
together. The product resulting from any of these mixtures should be kept
hot in steam kettles, and it may be either applied to the articles to be protected
by a brush or spatula, or the articles may be dipped in it or drawn through it,
and wound off upon suitable revolving racks or open cradle reels.
To make a compound preferable to any yet in use for casting and moulding
purposes, for waterproofing cloth, leather, and other articles and fabrics, and
for coating ships' bottoms, lining tanks and cisterns, &c., I mix with gutta
percha, which has been first boiled in a bath of muriate of lime and then
masticated thoroughly, and while it is yet undergoing the process of mastica-
tion, a compound of shellac and borax, adding the same by little and little as
the mastication proceeds, and using more or less, according as it is desired, to
make the compound more or less tenacious. The compound of shell lac and
borax is prepared by boiling in a steam kettle over a common fire five parts of
stick lac or shell lac or seed lac with one part of borax, in as much water as
will just cover these materials, and evaporating the water according to the
thickness desired to be given to the compound. Any desired colour may be
given to this mixture of gutta percha, shellac, and borax, by mixing the
requisite pigment or coloring matter with the shellac and borax compound.
To make metal studded sheets of gutta percha, suitable for being after-
wards cut up and formed into shoe soles and heels, clogs, pattens, and other
articles, I take a flat piece of hard wood and tack to the upper surface thereof
a number of nails or studs of a wedge shape, or with a double head, (that is,
with two heads, one over the other, and a space between them; I then place
this piece of wood with the nails or studs uppermost in a metal chase or frame,
and press gutta percha in a warm and plastic state down upon the nails or
studs, so as to bury the same completely, taking care to do this gradually, and to

page_text: exert the pressure straight downwards so as not to throw the nails or studs out
of their vertical position. The mass is then kept under considerable pressure
till quite cold, after which the wooden foundation is removed. The sheets
thus produced are afterwards cut up into pieces of sizes and shapes suit-
able for use, and may be readily attached by the gutta percha surfaces to
any other surfaces by mere warmth and pressure, as in other cases before-
mentioned.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that the improvements which I
claim as constituting my said Invention are as follows:-
First, I claim the mode of making shoes and galoshes of gutta percha
combined with other materials first herein-before described, in so far as regards
the combination of elastic or flexible foundations with gutta percha soles and
uppers.
Second, I claim the employment of glass moulds to give a polish to the
exterior or parts of the exterior of shoes and galoshes made in whole or in part
of gutta percha, as before described.
Third, I claim the employment of metal springs inserted as before described
in shoes and galoshes made in whole or in part of gutta percha, in order to
give springiness to the same.
Fourth, I claim the making of backs and stocks for brushes in whole or in
part of gutta percha, as berein-before described and exemplified.
Fifth, I claim the employment for painting, printing, or otherwise applying
colors to articles and fabrics made in whole or in part of gutta percha, ánd
also to other articles and fabrics of the particular compound or vehicle herein-
before specified, but without limiting myself to the exact proportions in which
cach of the materials lias been directed to be used in such compound or
vehicle, inasmuch as the said proportions may be varied without affecting, the
general result.
And, sixth, I claim the employment for all manufacturing purposes to which
the same are applicable of the several other improved preparations and com-
pounds of gutta percha, specified under the fourth head of this Specification,
each in the peculiar combination of materials of which the same consists, and
the peculiar process or processes by which it is prepared.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Hancock, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
CHARLES (L.S.) HANCOCK.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eleventh day of November,
1848, the aforesaid Charles Hancock came before our said Lady the Queen
in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and all, and
everything therein contained and specified, in form above written.. And also
the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute
mode for that purnose
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eleventh day of November,
1848, the aforesaid Charles Hancock came before our said Lady the Queen
in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and all, and
everything therein contained and specified, in form above written.. And also
the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute
made for that purpose
Enrolled the Eleventh day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.