IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF PAPER AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIAL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A NEW MATERIAL AND ARTICLES THEREFROM
Year: 1885

page_text: I HENRY WHITELEY MORROW of 808 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware,
United States of America, Chemist do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF PAPER AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIAL
FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A NEW MATERIAL AND ARTICLES THEREFROM," and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
One object of my Invention is to treat sheet paper, either sized or unsized, and,
woven fabrics or similar. fibrous material, so as to produce therefrom sheets or
slabs, tough and strong in texture, susceptible of a high polish non-inflammable
and capable of resisting the action of most acids and alkalies. The material thus
produced I term "Celluvert."
Another object of my Invention is to so treat this product as to impart per-
manent softness and flexibility thereto.
In carrying out my Invention I take paper or equivalent fibrous material in
sheet from and pass it through a bath of nitric acid or one of its salts the paper
being immersed in the solution for a sufficient length of time to dissolve the
surfaces thereof into a glutinous or pasty condition, but not long enough to effect a
complete solution.
I then bring two or more layers of the material with their dissolved surfaces
together under pressure, either with or without heat, so that they will adhere
firmly together and so produce the material which I term "celluvert."
Among the salts of nitric acid which may be used, I may name nitrate of zinc
and nitrate of lime, which possess the same solvent action on the vegetable fibre as
does the nitric acid itself.
Either the nitric acid or the nitrate solution may be used alone, or may be
combined with other acids, bases or salts or solvents of cellulose. For instance,
good results may be obtained by adding muriatic acid or other acids to the nitric
acid bath.
Again, cupra-ammonium, zinc-ammonium or chloride of zine may be combined
with nitrate bath.

page_text: If nitric acid alone is used, I prefer to use it at the strength of from 42° to
49° Baumé. If the nitrates are employed, I prefer to have them concentrated to a
syrupy condition of about 55° to 75° Baumé. In either case the solvent may be
heated and agitated if desired.
While I do not limit myself to any special form of machinery for treating sheets
of paper or other fibrous material and cementing them together I may use an
apparatus such as shewn in the Sectional view in the accompanying Drawing.
The sheet paper or other material is preferably in the form of a roll A, which is
unwound continuously, and the Sheet passes down into the solvent solution in a
long shallow trough B, the sheet being kept immersed by passing under transverse
rollers or rods b, b. Near the opposite end of the trough to that at which it enters,
the sheet passes out of the solution and thence between a pair of squeezing rollers
or scrapers D D, in order to remove the excess of solution. For convenience
I prefer to allow the solution thus removed to run back into the bath and the
surplus solution soaked out of the sheets or slabs may be recovered for use again
by evaporation.
The length of time the sheets are submerged must be governed to a great extent
by the character of the bath employed, by its temperature, and the thickness and
permeability of the paper or other material, as well as the extent to which it is
desired to dissolve the surfaces of the sheets, in order to cement them together.
Under ordinary circumstances the time of submersion is about half a minute or so.
The sheet of material after passing from the scrapers or squeezing rolls with the
surfaces partially dissolved, is impacted and concentrated in layers and for this
purpose, I prefer to wind the sheet onto a horizontal heated drum E, provided with
flanges. On this cylinder is mounted a pressure roller F, which simply rests with
its weight on the roll of paper as it is being wound the pressure roller being free to
rise or fall, with its journals in grooved guides. This roller F is preferably heated
and by its weight imparts solidity to the slab formed by the cementing together of
the layers of paper wound up.
When a roll of the desired thickness is obtained, it may be removed from the
cylinder by splitting it longitudinally of the drum.
The sheet or slab is then soaked in alkaline or clear water according to the
character of the mixture or the amount of flexibility desired. It is then slowly
dried and pressed, and the surface thereof may receive a coat of gum, oil, albumen,
glycerine or saccharine matter, or any mixture of the same.
If desired a compound sheet may be formed by cementing a sheet of woven
material between sheets of paper by the process described above. Starch, gum
mucilage, dextrine, albumen or any form of cellulose may be advantageously added
to the paper or fabric, either during the manufacture of the same, or before treat-
ment in the manner above described, or these substances may be dissolved in the
nitric acid or its equivalent transforming fluid, before describing previous to the
immersion of the paper or similar material therein.
If desired, any mineral or earthy substance, starch, gum, dextrine, or any form
of cellulose may be sifted in or between the layers of paper or similar material, as
they are being wound on to the roll.
The sheets or slabs may be made either hard and horn like or pliable and
leather-like, according to the use to which the celluvert is to be put.
The sheets or slabs may be softened or made pliable by immersion in a bath of
glycerine or saccharine matter, or both, the said bath consisting of about two thirds
water and one third glycerine or saccharine matter, or glycerine and saccharine
matter combined. I prefer, however, to impart permanent flexibility and softness
to the material, by subjecting it to a bath of deliquescent salt subsequent to the
organic change produced in the vegetable fibrous material during its manufacture
into celluvert.
The vegetable fibrous material after having been treated with the active agent, to
produce the required organic change, is preferably then thoroughly washed to
remove the active agent therefrom and afterwards subjected to a bath of a solution

page_text: of deliquescent salt, of a definite and known strength. The deliquescent salt may
be used either alone, or a bath composed of a solution, in water, of deliquescent
salt and glycerine, or saccharine matter, may be used.
I preferably take the celluvert as it comes from the cleansing bath, while yet
soft and saturated with moisture, and place it in a bath consisting of a solution, in
water, of some deliquescent salt or salts, which bath may be of a strength of from
14 degrees to 30 degrees Baumé, more or less, according to the degree of flexibility
it is desired to impart. When the deliquescent salt is used in solution with the
addition of glycerine or saccharine matter, I preferably take a solution of either or
both of the latter of from 18 degrees to 30 degrees Baumé more or less, and add to
it from 30 to 60 per cent, in bulk of the solution of deliquescent salt, at a strength
of about 30 degrees Baumé more or less.
These proportions and gravities may however, be changed according to the
amount of softness and flexibility desired, the rule being that the stronger the
solution, the more flexible will be the product.
While I prefer to take the material as it comes from the cleansing bath, and
subject it to the softening baths described, I may treat the dried celluvert in the
same way. Of course, however, in that case, the celluvert would have to be
immersed in the solution for a much greater length of time. The wet celluvert as
it comes from the bath may be immersed in the softening solution for from five to
fifty hours, the length of time depending upon the thickness or size of the mass
immersed, and the amount of softness to be imparted to it.
Good results may be had in some cases, by omitting the cleansing bath, and
taking the material directly from the forming roll or drum, and immersing it in a
bath of definite strength of solution of deliquescent salt, or of deliquescent salt and
glycerine or saccharine matter or both.
The softening bath should be kept as nearly neutral as possible and it should be
stirred or agitated from time to time to prevent the heavier portions from settling
and maintain as nearly as possible a uniform strength in all parts of the bath
It is preferable to maintain the bath at about blood heat as this facilitates the
process.
As the strength of the bath is definite and all portions of the celluvert subjected
to its action are uniformly saturated with the solution it follows that the product
will be likewise uniform as regards its softness and flexibility.
The use of the glycerine or saccharine matter or both in the bath serves to
render the product tougher and such use is therefore preferred Chloride of
Calcium is the dilequescent salt which is preferred on account of its cheapness and
ease of manufacture, but chlorides of Zinc tin and other diliquescent Chlorides of
salts singly and in combination may be used with good effect the salt in the
celluvert absorbing from the atmosphere and retaining sufficient moisture to keep
the material soft and flexible.
Chloride of Sodium should be avoided as material treated with a solution of this
Salt has a tendency to cause rust on metallic articles with which it is brought into
contact.
When the Celluvert is treated as above explained the softening bath is reduced
in strength by the water contained in the Celluvert if the latter has been cleansed
prior to treatment in the softening bath-In this case the softening bath may after
the treatment be restored to proper strength by evaporation of the surplus water so
as to prevent any waste.
The Celluvert after treatment in the manner set forth is by preference dried in
order to toughen and shrink it and the desired articles of manufacture are sawed
cut or punched therefrom while it is in this dry condition so that there is less
liability of the said articles shrinking than there would be if they were cut from
the material while the latter was wet.
When the celluvert is heated and pressed into molds or dies it will retain the
shape of the latter and hence it may be made into numerous articles other than
those which can be sawed cut or punched from the slabs or sheets,

page_text: Among the various articles, which may be manufactured from the product made
in accordance with my invention and which I have termed celluvert I may
enumerate the following Roving cans; baskets; pump valves; press; plates glazing
strips; tubes for various purposes; shoemakers stock; bushings, gibs for engine
cross-heads; friction gears; gear wheels, spool heads dust guards; gaskets; nuts;
sounding boards for pianos &c; musical instruments; acoustic nids; washers;
bolts; journal bearings; belting trunks; wheels, skate rollers; knife handles; and
other forms of pressed or die work and various forms and shapes of nonconductors
of electricity.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is.
First. The process herein described of treating paper and other vegetable
fibrous substances, said processes consisting in subjecting them in sheet form to
the action of nitric acid or a salt thereof, and uniting two or more layers so
treated.
Second. The processes herein described of treating paper and other vegetable
fibrous substances, said process consisting in passing them in sheet form through a
bath of nitric acid or a salt thereof and uniting them in layers as they pass from
the bath substantially as set forth.
Third. The process herein described of treating sheets of paper or other
vegetable fibrous substances said process consisting in passing them through a bath
of nitric acid or a salt thereof and pressing the layers of treated sheets to cement
them together substantially as specified.
Fourth. The process herein described of treating paper and other vegetable
fibrous substances, said processes consisting in subjecting them in sheet form to the
action of nitric acid or a salt thereof, in connection with other solvent or solvents
of cellulose and uniting layers of the sheets substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The process herein described of treating paper or other vegetable fibrous
substances said process consisting in subjecting them in sheet form to the action of
nitric acid or a salt thereof in connection with another acid base or salt and then
uniting the layers of the sheets by pressure substantially as specified.
Sixth. The process herein described of treating paper or other vegetable fibrous
substances said process consisting in subjecting them in sheet form to the action of
nitrate of zinc and then uniting layers of the sheets by pressure substantially as
specified.
Seventh. The process berein described of treating sheets of paper and other
fibrous vegetable substances said process consisting in subjecting the sheets to the
action of nitric acid or a salt thereof and then uniting layers of the sheets by
pressure and heat.
Eighth. The process herein described of treating sheets of paper or other fibrous
vegetable substances said process consisting in subjecting the sheets to the action
of a bath of nitric acid or a salt thereof uniting layers of the sheets and combining
with the paper or other substance before during or after treatment starch gum
mucilage dextrine albumen or equivalent as set forth.
Ninth. The process herein described of treating sheets of paper or other fibrous
vegetable substances said process consisting in subjecting the sheets to the action
of nitric acid or a salt thereof uniting the sheets and finally soaking out the
chemical as described.
Tenth. As an improvement in the treatment of paper by nitric acid or a salt
thereof the process herein set forth of soaking the paper after treatment to remove
the chemical and recovering the latter by evaporation or otherwise substantially aș
specified.
Eleventh. The within described process of treating paper or other fibrous
vegetable substances to make a soft and pliable product said process consisting in
subiecting the substances in sheet form to the action of nitric acid or a salt thercof

page_text: with or without another acid base or salt or other solvent or solvents of cellulose
then uniting two or more of the treated sheets and then subjecting the slab or
sheet so formed to a bath of a solution of deliquescent salt substantially as
specified.
Twelfth. The within described process of treating paper or other fibrous
vegetable substances to make a soft and pliable product said process consisting
in subjecting the substances in sheet form to the action of nitric acid or a salt
thereof with or without another acid base or salt or other solvent or solvents of
cellulose then uniting two or more of the treated sheets then washing the slab or
sheet so formed to remove the active solvent agent therefrom and then subjecting
the cleansed material to a bath of a solution of deliquescent salt as set forth.
Thirteenth. The within described process of treating paper or other fibrous
vegetable substances to make a soft and pliable product; said process consisting in
subjecting the substances in sheet form to the action of nitric acid or a salt thereof
with or without another acid base or salt or other solvent or solvents of cellulose
then uniting two or more of the treated sheets and then subjecting the slab or
sheet so formed to a bath of a solution of deliquescent salt combined with glycerine
or saccharine matter or both as specified.
Fourteenth. The within described process of treating paper or other fibrous
vegetable substances to make a soft and pliable product said process consisting in
subjecting the substances in sheet form to the action of nitric acid or a salt thereof
with or without another acid base or salt or other solvent or solvents of cellulose
then uniting two or more of the treated sheets then subjecting the slab or sheet so
formed after cleansing to a bath of a solution of deliquescent salt with or without
glycerine or saccharine matter and then restoring the diluted bath to normal
strength by evaporation of the surplus water as set forth.
Fifteenth. As a new manufacture articles made of sheets of paper or similar
material treated with nitric acid or one of its salts and united in layers substantially
as described.
Sixteenth.--As a new article of manufacture a compound sheet composed of
paper and woven material treated with nitric acid or a salt thereof and united in
layers substantially as described.
Seventeenth.-As a new manufacture articles made of sheets of paper or similar
material treated with nitric acid or one of its salts, in connection with another
solvent or other solvents of cellulose and united in layers substantially as set
forth.
Eighteenth. As a new manufacture the within described product entitled
celluvert and articles made therefrom possessing uniform softness and flexibility
throughout and containing a deliquescent salt as specified.
5SCO CHE day of August 1885.
J. HENRY JOHNSON,
Agent for the said Henry Whiteley Morrow.