IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER HANGINGS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Dunn, of the Town and County of Newcastle
upon Tyne, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
PAPER HANGINGS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Dunn at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th April 1880.
JOHN DUNN, of the Town and County of Newcastle upon Tyne. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER HANGINGS."
This Invention, which relates to certain new and useful improvements in the
manufacture of paper hangings, has for its objects the production of double or raised
flock papers at a much less cost than at present, so as to promote extension of the
decorative arts by bringing such means of decoration within the reach of the mass,
and to obtain a sharper, cleaner, and finer outline on the papers than is at present
attainable.
These very desirable objects are attained by the use and application, according
to my Invention, of prepared cut wood or sawdust in lieu of the flock or ground
wool now used for the manufacture of this class. of paper hangings.
These papers are generally printed and flocked three, four, or more times over to
reach the height of pattern required, the flock costing for each time about one
shilling to one shilling and sixpence per piece of paper of twelve yards long by
twenty-one inches wide, and being retailed at a greatly enhanced price, their use
for the decoration of walls, ceilings, furniture, wood-work, or other plain surfaces
is consequently only possible to the wealthy.
By the use, however, of the above named materials the cost of production will
be reduced between 60 and 70 per cent., thus bringing this means of decoration
more within the reach of the mass; and, moreover, I am enabled to produce a
sharper, cleaner, and finer outline to the embossed pattern.
The above named materials are intended to be used and applied exactly the
same as the usual flock, viz.-The workman places the paper on a bench or table,
spreads the fixing or adhesive material or "flocking size" in a sieve, dips the
printing block therein, and then places it on the paper applying pressure, he then
Price 1

page_text: removes it, leaving the impression in flocking size on the paper.
After a few yards
have been thus treated the paper is put into an open or flat drum, the prepared
cut wood or sawdust is thrown over the surface and the drum beat on the underside
with a stick; the paper is then lifted and the loose sawdust shaken off, and
adhering only and forming a raised pattern where the adhesive impressions were
made by the block. It is then hung up, and when sufficiently dry the same
process is repeated if required until the desired height of the pattern is obtained.
In preparing the sawdust all that is required is to select light wood, have it sawn
with fine saws, sifted through sieves of the required fineness, dyed, and dried; it
is then ready for use at one-third the cost of the ground wool or flock now in use.
Or the fine sawdust from any mill may be used in the same way, being subjected
to the same process, the only difference being in the weight of the material.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Dunn in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th October
1880.
JOHN DUNN, of the Town and County of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. " IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER HANGINGS."
This Invention, which relates to certain new and useful improvements in the
manufacture of paper hangings, has for its objects the production of double or raised
flock papers at a much less cost than at present so as to promote extension of the
decorative arts by bringing such means of decoration within the reach of the mass,
and to obtain a sharper, cleaner, and finer outline on the papers than is at present
attainable.
These very desirable objects are attained by the use and application, according
to my Invention, of prepared cut wood or sawdust in lieu of the flock or ground
wool now used for the inanufacture of this class of paper hangings.
These papers are generally printed and flocked three, four, or more times over to
reach the height of pattern required, the flock costing for each time from about one
shilling to one shilling and sixpence per piece of paper of twelve yards long by
twenty-one inches wide, and being retailed at a greatly enhanced price their use
for the decoration of walls, ceilings, furniture, wood-work, or other plain surfaces,
is consequently only possible to the wealthy.
By the use, however, of the above named materials the cost of production will
be reduced between 60 and 70 per cent., or thereabouts, thus bringing this means
of decoration more within the reach of the mass; and, moreover, I am enabled to
produce a sharper, cleaner, and finer outline to the embossed pattern.
The method of procedure I prefer to adopt in carrying out my Invention in
practice is as follows:-Firstly. It is necessary to have provided a strong well
made paper, which can be used as it is (plain), or it may be grounded with a size
colour.
Secondly. A sticky or adhesive fixing color known as flocking size.
Thirdly. Prepared wood fibre, that is, wood sawn with fine saws and sifted
through wire cloth of the requisite fineness, or the sawdust ground and prepared
as sold to paper makers under the name of wood pulp, or wood fibre inay be used.
The paper is then placed on a paper stainer's ordinary printing table, or other
suitable flat surface, the flocking size is spread evenly over a sieve, the block (with
the pattern cut on it in relief) is dipped into the flocking size, and is lifted and
placed on the paper, sufficient pressure being put on the block to make the flocking
size leave it and transfer the size onto the paper, forming a correct impression of
the desired design or pattern. The block is then lifted carefully off the paper and
is returned to the sieve, the paper is moved forward, and the process repeated
until two or three yards are printed, the paper is then moved forward to a drum
standing in a line with the printing table, the prepared wood, sawdust, or wood
fibre is thrown loosely on to the printed part, the underside of the drum is to be
well beaten with a cane or stick, the paper is then lifted by the end, and the looso
fibre or dust shaken off. On all those parts where the block has transferred the
flocking size onto the paper the wood fibre will be found adhering and the pattern
formed. When the whole piece of paper (usually twelve yards) has been gone over it
is hung up until nearly dry, it is then put through the same process time after
time until the requisite height or thickness of the pattern is obtained. To get the
edges of the pattern sharp and clearly defined the paper is passed through between
two rollers, or again placed on the table and well pressed with a clean plain block.
When a pattern is required with objects on it of different heights separate blocks
are used in the same way.
•

page_text: Papers made in the above way are complete with wood fibre, or the wood fibre
and the usual flock can be used in conjunction.
In preparing the sawdust all that is required is to select light wood, have it
Bawn with fine saws, sifted through sieves of the required fineness, dyed, and dried;
it is then ready for use at one-third of the cost of the ground wool or flock now
in use.
Or the fine sawdust from any mill may be used in the same way, being
subjected to the same process, the only difference being in the weight of tho
material.
The paper hangings manufactured according to this Invention it is proposed to
call "The Patent Lignus Fibra Paper Hangings."
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be or may be carried into practical effect, I would
observe in conclusion that what I claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
The improved manufacture or production of paper hangings substantially in
the manner and with the materials or combinations theroof as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Dunn, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.