The Manufacture of a New or Improved Woven Fabric.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 20th Apr., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
The Manufacture of a New or Improved Woven Fabric.
I, ELIZA BROOM, of 6, Leicester Villas, Saint Paul's Road, Clifton, Bristol,
in the County of Gloucester, Dame, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tiou and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
.
This invention relates to the manufacture of a certain fabric of a new class or
kind composed of linen or cotton or the like, the object being the production of a
fabric having certain parts or areas at required places gradually increased in
thickness from the original and usual thickness and then gradually again reduced
thereto, in such manner that the changes are imperceptible and the general
appearance of the surfaces is unaltered, but with the result of greatly increasing
the durability of the fabric in use, and of enabling it to better withstand wear and
tear.
This new kind of fabric is particularly applicable for damask tablecloths,
serviettes, and other table linen, also for sheets and other goods wherein certain
parts, places, or areas are subject in use to greater wear and tear than others, for
example, table cloths and linen are apt to wear out sooner at and about those places
whereat the folds or creases occur than at others, and sheets wear most about the
central portions, the only remedy being to ent asunder the material and join
together the two selvidges, as is the usual custom, and one which necessitates the
formation of a central seam at once unsightly and uncomfortable.
In describing my invention I will refer to the accompanying drawing.
Fig. 1 represents a sheet shown as thickened from a to a³, that is about the whole
longitudinal mid-area A of its warp.
Fig. 2 represents a table cloth shown as thickened about the longitudinal or warp
areas A A A in three positions such as will cover the lines of the longitudinal folds
or creases made during domestic use.
As a rule find it only necessary to thicken the fabric in the direction of the
warp, but in some cases it may be desirable to thicken it also in the transverse or
weft direction, where for example cross folds or creases will come in use; one such
transverse thickened area B is shown in Fig. 2.
In carrying out my invention I arrange the threads or yarns of the fabric on an
ordinary loom in the usual way, but at the places A A A to be thickened, and
commencing at a, I arrange in the warp thicker threads selected and disposed so as
to gradually increase in size from the normal size at a towards the central part of
the area A whereat they attain their maximum thickness which may be such as is
desired or required, and then I reduce the size in corresponding manuer down
to a' a' at which points the normal thickness of thread is regained. Then I proceed
with the weaving of the fabric in the usual way.
The thickening of transverse or weft areas is effected in similar manuer, selected
threads of suitable thickness being placed in the required position or positions in
the weft. When this is done it will be obvious that at the parts b. b. where the
thicker warp threads cross over the thicker weft threads, (which will be at such
place or places whereat the folds or creases will cross one another and where in
consequence the greatest wear and tear will occur) the total thickness will also be
greatest and will be equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the warp and weft at those

page_text: places. In every case the areas, thickness, and position of the thickened parts is
determined. to suit individual or special requirements. On removal of this fabric
from the loom it is subjected to the usual finishing processes, and the result of the
above manufacture is a fabric not hitherto known in the market, and of varying
thickness, the greater being disposed where most required for strengthening
purposes, and the thickening being imperceptible and the appearance of the surface
unaltered.
It is a fabric capable of being used as any ordinary cotton or linen fabric, and
any desired quality and weight of the finished fabric may be obtained by varying
the thickness of the yarns, and it is obvious that any pattern may be introduced if
desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The manufacture substantially in the manner above described of a fabric
composed of cotton or linen or the like, having certain parts or areas gradually
increased in thickness from the original and then gradually reduced thereto, as and
where required for the purposes set forth.
2. The new kind of fabric having varying thickness, or areas of gradually
increased and diminished thickness at certain parts, manufactured substantially as
and for the purposes above described.
Dated this 25th day of February 1895