IMPROVED MEANS OR METHODS OF EMBOSSING, INDENTING, OR ENGRAVING SHAPES AND DESIGNS ON WOVEN OR FELTED FABRICS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Dewhurst, of Huddersfield, in the County of York,
Woollen Printer, for the Invention of "IMPROVED MEANS OR METHODS OF
EMBOSSING, INDENTING, OR ENGRAVING SHAPES AND DESIGNS ON WOVEN OR
FELTED FABRICS."
Sealed the 15th May 1877, and dated the 16th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Dewhurst at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th November 1876.
HENRY DEWHURST, of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Woollen Printer.
"IMPROVED MEANS OR METHODS OF EMBOSSING, INDENTING, OR ENGRAVING SHAPES
AND DESIGNS ON WOVEN OR FELTED FABRICS."
The object of this Invention is to imitate fancy or figure weaving on woven
or felted fabrics, and the means or methods employed to attain this object consist in
immersing or otherwise subjecting the "engraving roller" of an ordinary printing
machine with alkaline chemicals, such as caustic soda, caustic potash, or any of the
soda and potash salt either combined or separately. When this roller is brought
into contact with the fabric the figure or design is printed or impressed thereon
with the salts above referred to, such salts eating or decomposing those parts of the
material affected with the salts, the result being that clear, distinct, and
permanent figure or design is produced on the fabric.
To facilitate the eating or decomposing of the material effected with salts, the
fabric is exposed to the action of steam.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Dewhurst in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th May
1877.
HENRY DEWHURST, of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Woollen Printer.
"İMPROVED MEANS OR METHODS OF EMBOSSING, INDENTING, OR ENGRAVING SHAPES
AND DESIGNS ON WOVEN OR FELTED FABRICS."
The object of this Invention is to imitate fancy or figure weaving on woven or
felted fabrics, and the means or methods employed to attain this object consist in
applying solvents of fibrous materials to the fabric by means of an ordinary engraved
printing roller, block, or stencil plate. The solvents may consist of alkaline chemicals,
[Price 2d]

page_text: such as caustic soda, caustic potash, or any of the soda and potash salts, either
combined or separately; also an alkaline solution of copper, such as may be obtained
by dissolving oxide of copper in a solution of ammonia. When the roller, block, or
plate is brought into contact with the fabric, the figure or design is printed or
impressed thereon with the solvents above referred to, such solvents eating or
decomposing those parts of the material impressed therewith, the result being that
a clear, distinct, and permanent figure or design is produced on the fabric.
To facilitate the eating or decomposing of the material impressed with the
solvents the fabric is exposed to the action of steam.
tr
In applying my Invention to woollen or worsted fabrics I use a solution of
caustic soda, caustic potash, or a mixture of these, but preferably a solution of
ordinary caustic soda of 35° Twaddle, or specific gravity 1175 for an ordinary
engraved roller or block; but I vary the strength of it according as it is required
for deeper or lighter engraved designs. I nix the aforesaid solution of caustic soda
with mucilage of Irish moss as a thickener or vehicle, I then print the said thickened
mixture of caustic soda on woven or felted fabrics either previously dyed or in the
(grey," using an ordinary printing roller, block, or stencil for that purpose; I then
dry-the goods either by passing them over hot cylinders or chests, or through a
chamber of hot air until the thickened mixture of caustic soda is dry or set; I then
steam the goods in the ordinary way. When the pressure of the steam is about
50 lbs. per square inch in the boiler, I find that ten minutes steaming with 2 or
3 lbs. pressure in the steam chest or chamber is sufficient to develop the design.
When the goods come out of the steam chest or chamber the design is found to be
formed on the fabric by the solvent or destructive action of the caustic soda upon
that portion of the fabric on which the design has been printed, impressed, or
stencilled. If the design is not fully indented or developed I continue the steaming
until I find it sufficiently done; the goods are then washed to remove the caustic
soda or other solvent, and further treated by dyeing or otherwise in the ordinary
way.
For cotton fabrics I use a solution which has a solvent action on cotton made by
saturating a strong solution of ammonia with oxide of copper; this I stiffen or
thicken with a solution of glue or other suitable substance; I then print with this
mixture and steam dry, and wash them in the manner herein-before described as
applied to woollen goods.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be or may be carried into practice, I would have it understood that I
do not confine myself to the use of the chemicals herein described, as various other
solvents of animal and vegetable fibres may be used with more or less success; but
what I claim as my Invention and consider to be new is,-
Firstly. The use of caustic soda, caustic potash, or mixtures of these, or mixtures
of one or both of these with salts of soda, or potash, or other solvents of animal
fibres for the purpose of embossing, indenting, or engraving shapes and designs on
woven or felted fabrics when applied in the manner herein described.
Secondly. The use of the herein described ammoniacal solution of oxide of copper
or other solvent, of vegetable fibres applied in the manner and for the purpose herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Dewhurst, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
night hundund
Witness,
J. W. TASKER,
Patent Agent,
Halifax.
HENRY DEWHURST. (L.S.)