IMPROVEMENTS IN RENDERING FABRICS AND THE MATERIALS COMPRISING THE SAME MORE IMPERVIOUS TO MOISTURE, AND IN COMPOSITIONS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Cristoforo Muratori, of Hackney, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RENDERING FABRICS AND
THE MATERIALS COMPRISING THE SAME MORE IMPERVIOUS TO MOISTURE, AND
IN COMPOSITIONS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR.'
""
Sealed the 20th July 1877, and dated the 22nd January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Cristoforo Muratori at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd January 1877.
CRISTOFORO MURATORI, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN RENDERING FABRICS AND THE MATERIALS COMPOSING THE SAME MORE
IMPERVIOUS TO MOISTURE, AND IN COMPOSITIONS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
"
"
My Invention relates to an improved process for rendering fabrics composed of
wool, silk, hemp, cotton, or other materials, and the materials composing the same,
impervious to moisture, and to improved compositions to be employed in the said
process.
In carrying out my Invention as applied to the treatment of fabrics composed of
animal fibres, such for example as wool and silk, I first treat the fabric with a
solution composed of gelatine, alum, and silicate of potassium, or of gelatine, alum,
and chloruret of zinc, after which I dry the fabric thus treated by any usual or well'
known means. I also prepare an insoluble soap with fatty oils capable when
applied to the fabric treated with one of the before-mentioned compositions of com-
bining with such composition; and I treat the fabric when dried with the insoluble ⚫
soap so prepared, and finally submit the said fabric to the action of a calendering
machine.
In applying my Invention to the treatment of fabrics composed of vegetable
fibres, such for example as hemp and cotton, I first subject the fabric to be treated
to the action of an alkaline wash or lye, after which I wash the fabric so treated in
water. I then submit the said fabric to the action of dilute hydro-sulphuric acid,
and again wash in water, and finally subject the fabric under treatment to the'
process herein-before described for fabrics of wool and silk by first coating the
fabric which has been submitted to the preliminary treatment herein-before
described with one of the first-mentioned compositions, and having dried the same,

page_text: treating it with an insoluble soap, and subsequently passing the fabric operated
upon through a calendering machine.
The process herein-before described may also be applied to the materials herein-
before mentioned, being made up into the fabrics which it may be desired to render
waterproof.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Cristoforo Muratori in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
July 1877.
CRISTOFORO MURATORI, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN RENDERING FABRICS, AND THE MATERIALS COMPOSING THE SAME, MORE
IMPERVIOUS TO MOISTURE, AND IN COMPOSITIONS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
My Invention relates to an improved process for rendering fabrics composed of
wool, silk, hemp, cotton, or other materials, and the materials composing the same,
impervious to moisture, and to improved compositions to be employed in the said
process.
In carrying out my Invention as applied to the treatment of fabrics composed of
animal fibres, such for example as wool and silk, I first treat the fabric with a
solution composed of gelatine, alum, and silicate of potassium, or of gelatine, alum,
and chlorulet or chloride of zinc, after which I dry the fabric thus treated by any
usual or well known means. I also prepare an insoluble soap with fatty oils
capable when applied to the fabric treated with one of the before-mentioned com-
positions of combining with such composition; and I treat the fabric when dried
with the insoluble soap so prepared, and finally submit the said fabric to the action
of a calendering machine.
In applying my Invention to the treatment of fabrics composed of vegetable
fibres, such for example as hemp and cotton, I first subject the fabric to be treated
to the action of an alkaline wash or lye, after which I wash the fabric so treated
in water. I then submit the said fabric to the action of dilute sulphuric acid, and
again wash in water, and finally subject the fabric under treatment to the process
herein-after described for fabrics of wool and silk by first coating the fabric which
has been submitted to the preliminary treatment herein-before described with one
of the first-mentioned compositions, and having dried the same, treating it with an
insoluble soap, and subsequently passing the fabric operated upon through a
calendering machine.
The processes herein-before described may also be applied to the materials
herein-before mentioned before being made up into the fabrics which it may be
desired to render waterproof.
The following are examples of some of the applications and the methods of
carrying this Invention into effect :-
Fistly. As to the treatment of fabrics composed of animal fibres. I firstly dissolve
in a gallon of water about two and a half pounds of size with the same quantity of
powdered alum, I then boil the same for a quarter of an hour, and then reduce to
a heat of about 50° centigrade. I then impregnate the fabric with the solution and
dry rapidly upon a hot cylinder.
Having prepared a cloth or fabric by impregnating it with a fatty oil I place
the same in contact with the fabric to be treated, and I pass the two fabrics through
a calendering process. I prefer to employ for such purpose old olive oil.
Secondly. In treating fabrics composed of vegetable fibres, such as canvas, linen, or
cotton, or a mixture of these; I first steep the fabrics in an alkaline solution (lessive
alkaline) of soda or of potash more or less concentrated, according to the tissue of
the fabric to be treated. This alkaline bath or solution must be of such strength
as not to injure the materials when under treatment. The mixture is employed
i

page_text: cold, and before using it I dissolve in it silicate of potash in the proportion of
about one ounce of silicate of potash to one gallon of the alkaline solution.
Instead of silicate of potash I can employ chloride of zinc, but I prefer the
former.
The process is carried on in the following manner :-I firstly dip the fabrics in
the alkaline solution and withdraw them, and plunge them whilst wet into water
slightly acidulated with sulphuric acid in the proportion of not more than about
one gramme to each gallon of water. I then wash and dry the fabrics, and then
treat them in the same manner as above described with reference to fabrics com-
posed of animal fibres.
Although I have given the proportions before indicated it will be understood
that I do not limit myself to the same, as other proportions may be employed and
good results be obtained.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, 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,-
Firstly. The treatment of materials or fabrics composed of animal fibres, such
for example as wool or silk, so as to render. them more impervious to moisture by
firstly submitting the same to the action of a bath composed of gelatine, alum, and
silicate of potash, or of gelatine, alum, and chloride of zinc; and after the materials
under treatment have been dried, submitting the same to a treatinent with an
insoluble soap, or with an oleaginous matter, and finally to the action of a
calendering process in the manner herein-before mentioned.
Secondly. The treatment of vegetable materials or fabrics consisting of hemp or
cotton in order to render them more impervious to moisture by firstly subjecting
the same to the action of an alkaline solution and then to the action of an acid,
and finally impregnating the same with either an insoluble soap or with an oleagi-
nous substance, and subsequently submitting the materials or fabrics thus treated
to a calendering process in the manner herein-before indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Cristoforo Muratori, have to this my Speci-
fication set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of July, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
C. MURATORI. (L.S.)