A New or Improved Method of Softening Vegetable Fibres.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1894-Accepted, 9th Feb., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method of Softening Vegetable Fibres.
A communication by JOHN F. KERR, of Paterson National Bank Building,
Paterson, in the County of Passaic and State of New Jersey, United States
of America, Counsellor-at-Law.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6 Bank Street
Manchester both in the County of Lancaster and 31 High Holborn in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 :---
Heretofore it has been impractical to spin the coarser vegetable fibres such as
hemp, jute, ramie and the like into fine threads or yarns, soft in texture and of
the requisite strength.
The object of the present invention is to so soften the fibres of plants such as
hemp, jute, ramie and the like so that the same may be spun to any degree of
fineness and softness, without impairing the tenacity or strength of the same.
The present invention consists in subjecting the fibre to the action of a
solution containing an alkali, soap, oil and glycerine until the fibres are sufficiently
softened and in thereafter drying the same. Oils such as machinery oil, neat's
foot oil or paraffine are preferred but oils of like nature may be used with
favourable results. The proportions of these various ingredients may vary some-
what according to the nature of the fibre to be treated, but, it has been found that
the following proportions will give ordinarily, good results, viz. :— -Water, eighty-
five per cent.; alkali or alkaline compound, one per cent.; oil, seven per cent. soap,
five per cent., and glycerine, two per cent. The alkali to be used is by preference
caustic soda (at about 33°) although other alkalies such as saltpetre, or ammonia
may be used with equally good results.
To carry out the invention, the fibres are first washed of their impurities and
then placed in a tank or vat containing a solution of alkali, soap, oil and glycerine.
The fibres are boiled in this solution of alkali, soap, oil and glycerine until they
are thoroughly saturated and softened.
Instead of boiling the fibres, the solution of alkali, soap, oil and glycerine may
be heated to a temperature below the boiling point and the fibres allowed to
remain in this solution until they become saturated and softened. The fibres are
then removed from the solution and dried, the elements of the solution remaining
in combination with the fibres. It will be found that after this treatinent the fibre
loses its harsh, brittle texture and becomes soft and silky and may be spun into
delicate threads or yarns in the usual well known way without impairing the
tenacity of the material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
The herein described method of softening vegetable fibre which consists in first
subiecting the fibre to the action of a solution of alkali, soan, oil, and glycerine.

page_text: until the fibre is saturated and softened, and in then drying the saturated fibre,
substantially as described.
Dated this 21st day of November 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.