CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN RENDERING SILK, COTTON, WOOLLEN, LINEN, AND OTHER FABRICS WATERPROOF
Year: 1840

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
JOHN NEWBERY, of Cripplegate Buildings, in the City of London, Manu-
facturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Royal
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twelfth day of May, in the third year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said George
John Newbery, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said George John Newbery, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said George John Newbery, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
RENDERING SILK, COTTON, WOOLLEN, LINEN, AND OTHER FABRICS WATERPROOF;" in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, obliging me, the said George
John Newbery, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, par-
ticularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be
inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,

page_text: as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
George John Newbery, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof (that is to say):-
My improvements in rendering silk, cotton, woollen, linen, and other fabrics
waterproof, consist in an improved mode, manner, or method of rendering
such fabrics waterproof, and is effected by using drying oils, and oil com-
positions, varnishes, or other suitable compositions for this purpose, in such a
way that one side of the fabric when finished presents an appearance
unimpaired, or but little altered by the process of waterproofing, and there-
fore keeps its original appearance or nearly so; and this I effect by applying
siccative or drying oils and compositions in such manner, that when finished,
the appearance of one side only of the texture is altered, that is to say, the oil
or paint, or waterproof composition, coats or covers the one side, while it does
not cover or injure the appearance of the other side, or but little so.
And in order to make myself and my improved mode or method of water-
proofing fabrics more clearly understood, I will first describe the same, and
different modifications thereof, and then how I produce damask patterns or
designs thereon. I would here make the following preliminary remarks, (viz.,)
that there are several well-known methods of waterproofing fabrics by means
of siccative oils or siccative compositions, such as I intend to apply for this
purpose in my improved mode, manner, or method; for instance, one well-
known method of applying drying oils and oil paints, and oil varnishes to
textures, is to spread or cover the surface of the fabric with a thick or stiff
coating of material, as a mixture of drying oils, metallic oxides, and lamp-
black, or ochre, or other pigment or suitable body, and which is employed
chiefly in the process of making floor-cloth, table baize, cart covers, &c.; the
other is simply by saturating the fabric with the said oil or oil paint, or oil
japan, and allowing it to dry, as in the manner usually adopted in the making
of ordinary or common oiled silk. To preserve the original appearance of
the fabrics on the one side while the other shall be completely coated with
the waterproof composition, has been a desideratum for a long time; various
plans have been tried to accomplish this object, such as wetting with water the
fabric or texture intended to be waterproofed before spreading the stiff oil,
colour, or waterproofing composition on the same; as, for instance, in the
making of oil baize table covers, where the ordinary process is to give the
textures a coating on the one side of size, or other gelatinous body with a

page_text: portion of treacle or other soluble matter intermixed with it, and afterwards
spreading over the other side oil colour or varnish. Another well-known
process is the saturating the texture with size colour or strong starch, or size,
or such like matters, and then oiling or covering with varnishes the other side,
by which means the capillary absorption which the fabric would otherwise
have is overcome by the saturation, while the waterproof coating remains and
dries on the other side. Another method is to mix gelatine or other extraneous
matters with the oil or varnishes, so as to remove its staining and percolating
properties at the time of applying the same to the texture; but these means
are imperfect, for if stiff colour is used and spread on one side, the more fluid
portions of the mixture is withdrawn, and dries in stains on the other side of
the textures, after the manner in which elain will leave the stearine on pressing
fat suet between bibulous paper; and when the texture to be waterproofed is
saturated with water, then the oil, paint, or other compositions cannot take a
sufficiently firm hold of the side of the texture it is applied to, and is still apt
to go through the fabric and shew on the other side, caused by the pressure
necessary to spread so thick a material as must be used, and the texture must
be kept saturated with aqueous matter until the oily substance is dry, and
when dried it is of but little use as a waterproof, and is easily rubbed off, not
having sufficient hold of the fibre of the texture.
The improved mode, manner, or method of waterproofing fabrics I employ, and
which forms the subject of my improvements or Invention, is to saturate the
texture completely with the composition I intend shall form the coating, cover-
ing, or waterproofing on one side only, and exposing that surface only in such
way to the action of the atmosphere, or artificial heat, that the said one side
only shall become coated with a dry membraneous stratum or pellicle of the
composition, while during the process of drying or coating, or covering the said
one side, the other or reverse side is wholly or partially protected from
becoming dry or hardened, and which is effected by preventing the action of
the atmosphere or artificial heat thereon. At this stage of the process, that is,
when the one side is dry and the other yet moist, from having been covered by
other substances, and thereby protected from the action of the air or heat, the
moist or unhardened side of the texture may be washed and cleansed, or
cleared on this said undried side, by means of spirits of turpentine or other
suitable liquid, and then hung up to dry, and by evaporation lose the odour of
both the waterproofing material for the one side, and the cleansing medium
for the other side; this process may be repeated if the membraneous stratum
or pellicle left on the one side is not quite waterproof by the first operation, or
the said waterproof coating may be thickened or strengthened afterwards if

page_text: thought desirable, by repeated coats of paint, oil, varnish, or other compositions
laid on by a brush or other means.
I wish it therefore to be understood, that what I consider my claim to
these improvements in rendering fabrics waterproof, is the saturating woven
fabrics and fibrous textures with siccative oils, oil paints, oil japans, oil
varnishes, and other suitable compositions, and then drying the same thereon
as a coating or covering, or pellicle on one side of the textures only, by various
methods to be hereafter explained, at the same time keeping the other side in
an undried state, and then washing or cleaning this other unhardened or moist
side of the fabric or texture from the said siccative matters, by means of
spirits of turpentine or other suitable liquids.
very
Having stated the nature and object of my Invention, I will proceed to
explain my improved methods of preventing the one side of the saturated
fabric from drying, and of promoting the drying of the other side, or that to
be left coated or covered by a pellicle, and which I consider to be new and
peculiar. I would here remark that drying oils and varnishes or siccative
compounds, of which drying oils form an important part, it is known will
"skin over" as it is commonly termed, or dry on the surface while the under
part remains in the liquid state, if in any quantity (as in a jar or vessel) for
months or even years. This pellicle, I have found by experiment, is thin
for several days; I determined to apply this effect of nature to the water-
proofing of textures or fabrics in the following way:-First, I strained a portion
of silk on a frame and allowed it to float on a bath of drying oil, so as to be
perfectly even with the surface, scarcely touching it, without being immersed;
in a few hours I took up the frame, the upper surface was perfectly dry or
hardened, and coated with a thin pellicle or film of the oil; I then washed the
free oil away from the under side with spirits of turpentine, and found the
said coating or pellicle on the upper side, firmly fixed on that side which had
been exposed to the air, and the other side of the fabric not impaired or but
little so in its appearance or colour. Therefore, one method by which my
improved mode, method, or process may carried into effect is to use oil
baths (about a quarter or half an inch deep will be found sufficient) of proper
dimensions to allow the frame containing the strained silk or fabric to float
thereon, the upper surface of the fabric being left exposed to the action of the
atmosphere or artificial heat.
Another mode or modification of process of carrying my improvements into
effect, is as follows (videlicit,) by merely laying the saturated fabric on a slab
of slate or stone or metal or other surface or material, non-absorbent to oils or
such matters; and this I consider a more simple and convenient method

page_text: of effecting the objects of my improvements. The non-absorbent surfaces I
prefer to use are tables of sufficient length and breadth for the fabric intended
to be waterproofed, and may be made of wood and rendered non-absorbent by
coating them with thin glue or varnish or other suitable material, and when
this coating is dry and hard and seasoned, I take the waterproofing compo-
sition, that is, oil or oil paint, or other suitable matters, and with a brush
cover the table evenly with a coating of the waterproofing composition, about
as thick as a painter generally covers a wall or partition with oil paint; I then
take the fabric (it being previously coiled on a roller or round rod), and place
it at one end of the table and then unroll the fabric, so that it shall cover
evenly the table or surface coated by the siccative composition, and if the
fabric is thin or of fine texture as silk goods, it will be by the paint already.
laid on the table or surface completely saturated. Should the fabric not lay
evenly or close to the table or surface in all parts by merely rolling it thercon,
I press it down or cause it to lay in close contact by means of the hands of
the workmen, and smooth out the wrinkles and air bubbles or cells by drawing
the palm of the hand over the fabric from the middle towards the sides, or by
rollers or scrapers, and by this means I also regulate the quantity of oil or
siccative composition, so as to get an even quantity over the whole surface.
Should there be any pucker in the fabric it may be overcome by straining the
goods and retaining the same by pins stuck through the selvages into the
table. The time required for drying, or rather for obtaining the pellicle
surface or thin coating or covering, depends on the nature of the oil compo-
sitions or waterproofing material employed. In summer temperature the
ordinary boiled linseed oil takes about ten hours, but this may be ascertained
by touching the surface with the finger from time to time, the drying process
being continued until the outer surface of the material used loses its tackness
or adhesiveness, or in other words untill the pellicle is properly obtained. It
is not positively necessary that the tables or surfaces should be placed
horizontally, although I prefer to use them so; neither that the silk or fabric
should be spread or laid on the upper side only of the table or non-absorbing
surface; for instance, in order to economise room, I sometimes make the table
with both its under and upper surface prepared with the non-absorbent coating,
and then spread the texture first over one side of the board, then around its
end, which is properly shaped and prepared with the non-absorbent coating,
and continue spreading it over the opposite side, by which means I am
enabled to effect the waterproofing of double the length of fabric without
occupying more space. I would here remark, that, by mixing whitening, or
pipeclay, or flour, or other extraneous matters with the oils or varnishes

page_text: or compositions, they may be thickened to such a degree as to prevent their
running to the bottom edge of the table (or in other words following the
inclination of their gravity). The table or surface may then be placed at any
angle, or perpendicularly if desired, and the texture dried in this situation,
which method will further economize space in the manufactory.
Another variation of the mode or method of carrying my Invention or
improvements into effect, is to strain two pieces of fabrie on a stretching frame,
such as is commonly used by calico printers and eloth dressers, so that two of
their surfaces are placed evenly and closely in contact together, and I then
saturate or paint them with oil or other waterproofing material while in that
position; I place the frame horizontally if a thin drying oil composition or
material is used, and if the material is of snfficient eonsistence to prevent its
running to the edges or ends it may be placed perpendicularly. By this
method of operation the upper and under or the outer sides will become dry
or hardened, whilst the two inner surfaces or those in contact will be left
moist, or in other words, the waterproofing material between those surfaces
will not be allowed to dry or form a pellicle by the action of the atmosphere
or artificial heat applied, and when the two outer surfaces are dry or the
pellicle surface obtained thereon, the two pieces of fabric may be taken apart,
and the siccative composition which has not become hardened or dried
removed by means of spirits of turpentine or other liquids.
The object of my Invention being to prevent the oil or other siccative
composition drying on both sides of the fabric, I shall describe another way of
effecting it (viz), by straining out the silk or fabric singly on or in a frame,
then perfectly saturating it with any drying oil or paint, or other such water-
proofing composition; and when it is beginning to set or harden on both
sides, that is, when the pellicle is just formed and is yet extremely tender, I
scrape the oil or composition from one side without disturbing the pellicle so
formed on the other, and give the scraped side a new coating of oil or paint of
some composition, which hardens or dries less rapidly than the other, for
example, unboiled linseed oil. By this method the one side will get dry or
hard, while the other remains moist and capable of being washed clean by
means of spirits of turpentine or other suitable liquids, as before stated.
Another modification of waterproofing by my improved process is to strain
the fabric or texture on or in a frame in the way last described, and give it a
coating or covering on both sides, and thoroughly saturated with inspissated
oil or composition, and when such coating is just beginning to set, but while
still capable of being washed off, a coat of plain linseed oil thickened with
flour or other suitable body, is to be laid carefully on one surface without

page_text: disturbing the first coating of paint or thickened oil, and this latter coating is to
be of sufficient thickness to protect it (that is, the composition or inspissated
oil first applied,) from the action of the air, and when the other or reverse side
of the fabric is dry, or the pellicle surface sufficiently formed, then these two
coatings of materials on the one or protected side may be removed by
cleansing the surface with spirits of turpentine, as before stated.
Another method of carrying my Invention into effect is by giving the
texture or fabric a complete saturation of oil paint so compounded as to take
a long time to dry, or which will not dry readily without the addition of
metallic oxides; as, for example, linseed oil. This oil I use of a tolerably
thick consistency by the addition of pigments, and brush it well into the
fabric, I then take the metallic oxide in its dry state after being ground to an
impalpable or very fine powder, and sift or distribute a small quantity evenly
and equally over one side of the fabric only; by these means one side will be
caused to dry before the other, and thus I am enabled to preserve the other
side undried, so as to be washed as before. Another method which may be
employed is to thicken or inspissate the drying oil with lamp-black or other
suitable substance, so as to bring it to a buttery consistence, and then apply
it to the fabrics on each side, but with coatings of unequal thickness, which
may be done by a brush or other means in such manner that no more than
is intended to form the permanent coating shall be laid on one side while the
other or temporary coating is laid on sufficiently thick, that although it skins
over or forms a pellicle on its outer surface, yet its under or within stratum
is not dry, and therefore this temporary coating may be readily scraped off,
which will allow this side of the fabric to be cleaned by means of spirits of
turpentine or other means, as before stated. Another method of obtaining
this effect of preventing the one coating from drying whilst the other is
allowed to do so is by using another description of covering, such as a second
texture, or a painted or oiled cloth, or other air-tight fabric or material placed
in contact with the one surface in such manner as to keep the siccative com-
position on the one side moist and loose from the texture while the other is
drying or the pellicle is being forined and fixed upon it. I would here
remark that in applying the siccative oil or composition to the side of the
fabric which is to have the permanent pellicle formed upon it, it must not be
laid on so thick that the pellicle when formed shall be loose from the surface,
which will be the case when too much of the material is spread on it; care
should be taken to prevent this effect, for the permanent pellicle should as it
is forming and drying or hardening take hold of or incorporate itself with the
fibres of the fabric, so that it may firmly adhere thereto.

page_text: Having thus described my Invention and several different modes, modi-
fications, or methods of carrying my improvements into effect, I wish it to be
understood that what I claim is the application of any drying oils, siccative
compositions, or varnishes which have drying or hardening property, for the
purpose of saturating the texture in the first place, and then, by artificial
means, to cover one side of the texture, so that this side shall remain undried
while the other dries, hardens, or, in other words, has a pellicle formed on
that surface which is exposed to the direct action of the air or artificial heat,
and which pellicle is firmly incorporated with or attached to that surface,
the other side being protected from the action of the air or heat, which
enables the moist part or coating to be cleared away, so as to leave the
texture in its original appearance or its surface unimpaired or nearly so.
Having thus fully stated the nature of my improved manner or method of
waterproofing fabrics and various modifications or processes for effecting the
same, I will proceed to explain and describe my improved method of pro-
ducing damask patterns or designs on silks and other textures or fabrics by
means of the above-described method of drying or coating and waterproofing
one surface while the other is wholly or partially protected from so doing
(that is to say): First, instead of having a plain table or surface of slate or
of wood placed in contact with that side of the fabric, part of which is only
partially to be protected from the drying action of the air or heat, I lay or
spread the saturated silk or fabric upon a surface, or table, or block, which
has a pattern formed upon it, such pattern being sufficiently countersunk or
raised (say, about the depth of one-eighth of an inch or more,) after the
manner of ordinary calico or paper stainers' pattern block. The raised paits
of the pattern block or table being placed in close contact with one side of
the saturated silk or fabric, that is, the one intended to have the pattern
formed upon it, and the fabric stretched over it, the indented or sunken parts,
recesses, or interstices of the pattern not being filled with the composition
will allow the waterproofing material to harden or become pellicled on both
sides in some parts while the raised parts will parts will prevent such
After the texture
effect taking place where in contact with the fabric.
has been spread or stretched over the pattern block, if required, I again cover
the outer surface with paints, or oils, or other compositions. The saturated
fabric should be carefully laid or rolled closely and evenly upon the raised
parts of the table or pattern block, care being taken that every part of the
upper surface of the raised parts shall be in close contact with the silk or
other texture. The drying or hardening process may then go on until the
pellicle is formed, as before described, and when the required parts of the

page_text: surfaces are dried or hardened, I remove the loose or undried parts from
the under side or such parts as have been in contact with the upper surface
of the pattern by means of spirits of turpentine or other agents, as before
described. It will be seen that, according to the colour of the paint or water-
proofing material used, and the original colour of the silk or fabric, so will a
variety of contrasts and patterns either coloured or plain be produced, it
being easy by means of the colours of the fabric and the colours of the water-
proofing material used either on the one or the other side of the fabric to
produce a great variety of ornamental patterns or devices. Another modi-
fication of producing the same effect is by using perforated pattern plates,
cardboards, hardened oil cloth, or other suitable laminated material, and
placing the same against one side only of the fabric or between two surfaces
of silk or other texture stretched on the frame, as before named.
Having now described my improvements in waterproofing fabrics, I wish it
to be understood that I do not confine myself to any particular substance or
material for "backing," "covering," or preventing the drying of one side of a
saturated texture either wholly or partially, neither do I intend to confine
myself to any particular siccative composition to be used for saturating and
waterproofing the texture or fabric, although I have hitherto found drying
oils and oil compositions to answer best for this improved manner or method
of waterproofing; and I therefore claim as new and useful, and secured to
me by the above in part recited Letters Patent, the improved modes, methods,
processes, or modifications, above described, of applying substances to such
saturated textures, so as to prevent one surface thereof from drying, hardening,
or forming a pellicle thereon, while the other is allowed so to do by the action
of the atmosphere or artificial heat to which it is exposed, evaporating a
portion of the aqueous or volatile parts of the oils or compositions, and then
afterwards clearing away the moist parts by the agency of spirits of turpentine
or other suitable liquid; and also I claim the mode, manner, or process of
producing damask patterns or designs on the surface of such fabrics in the
way or manner above stated.
In witness whereof, I, the said George John Newbery, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty.
GEORGE JOHN (L.S.) NEWBERY.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twelfth day of November,
in the fourth year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the said
George John Newbery came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery,
and acknowledged the instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
contained and specified, in form above written. And also the instrument
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the fifty-
fifth year of the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.
11
101