An Improved Material for use as a Substitute for Gutta Percha, Rubber, Oiled and other Transparent Tissues, and for other purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 5th May, 1891-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Material for use as a Substitute for Gutta Percha,
Rubber, Oiled and other Transparent Tissues, and for other
purposes.
I, THOMAS CHRISTY, of 25 Lime Street, London, E.C., Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the manufacture of a material known as "Christia,"
and for which Letters Patent were granted to Harry Adrian Schlesinger, dated
27th September 1888, No. 13,917 and which Letters Patent have since been
assigned to me and my present invention consists of further improvements in the
manufacture of such material, and in the application of the same as a substitute
for gutta percha, rubber, and oiled tissues; such improved material being perfectly
inodorous, and therefor suitable for waterproofing: for surgical operations, bandages,
coverings and sheetings for lining hats, bonnets and caps for artificial flowers:.
for forming gas and air proof receptacles, life preservers, material for balloons,
tent-coverings and curtains; also as a protection from dust and insects and injurious
gases or fumes, and for the admission of light also for lining portions of ladies
dresses to protect the same from the effects of perspiration, for nursing aprons and
analogous uses.
:
In addition to or in substitution of some of the methods of manufacture described
and claimed in the said Specification No. 13,91788, in relation to medicated or
antiseptic materials of various textures, I sometimes carry out the whole process at
one operation, by utilising the action of light upon bichromate for fixing the
gelatine. For this purpose I mix all the ingredients together, that is to say, the
chromic salts, gelatine and glycerine, and antiseptic agents, if the materials to be
produced are to be antiseptic: I usually add about 2% of the chromic salt,
employing preferably bichromate of potash, to the gelatine bath, the proportions
being understood for dry weight; and from a quarter to one pound of gelatine,
or thereabouts, according to the degree of suppleness desirable in the material to
be produced. I saturate the material to be treated, as described in 13,91788, or in
any convenient manner; and I prefer to carry out the operation in a room from
which direct daylight is excluded, or having windows of red or yellow glass, or of
any color embodying red or yellow. After being saturated the material is exposed
to the action of daylight to dry, harden, and bleach; and, when dry, it is ready for
use for the various purposes herein referred to.
In the manufacture of artificial flowers, I sometimes use colored or tinted papers,
or add various colors to the composition.
D
11
1000
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Material for use as a Substitute for Gutta Percha,
Rubber, Oiled and other Transparent Tissues, and for other
purposes.
I, THOMAS CHRISTY, of 25 Lime Street, London, E.C., Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to the manufacture of a more or less waterproof or

page_text: impermeable material, for which Letters: Patent were granted to Harry Adrian
Schlesinger, dated 27th September 1888, No. 13,917, and which Letters Patent
have since been assigned to me; and my present invention consists of further
improvements in the manufacture of such material, and in the application of the
same as a substitute for gutta percha, rubber, leather, oiled and other impermeable
tissues and materials, for surgical purposes, bandages, coverings and sheeting; for
lining and stiffening hats, bonnets, and the like; for. artificial. flowers,,floral-and
theatrical decorations; for ballet skirts, and the like; for lining portions of ladies
and other dresses to protect the same from the effects of perspiration; for forming
gas, air, and waterproof receptacles, life preservers, and the like; for material for
balloons, tent coverings, curtains, veils, fans, screens, and as a covering for protection
from dust, insects, and injurious gases and fumes; for packing purposes, envelopes,
bags and the like; as a lining for boxes and other receptacles, to make them air,
water, spirit, and oil proof; and for numerous other purposes.
For the purpose of making a thin material suitable for surgical purposes such as
bandages, coverings, and sheetings; for lining hats, bonnets and the like; for
artificial flowers, floral and theatrical decorations; for ballet skirts and the like;
for lining portions of ladies' and other dresses to protect the same from the effects
of perspiration; for material for balloons, tent coverings, curtains, veils, faus,
screens, and as a covering for protection from dust, insects, and injurious gases
and fumes, and for analogous and other purposes; I proceed substantially as
follows:-
1 take a suitable fibrous fabric, according to the nature of the material to be
produced, such as an unsized paper of a strong and preferably long fibre; or a
suitable woven fabric; and in cases where great transparency is desirable, I employ
a very open woven material, or a silk or other gauze, or similar delicate tissue.
I take animal glue, 'or its equivalent such as agar-agar, or similar preparation;
but animal glue is the most commercially applicable, and I use it almost without
exception, and of a quality according to the nature of the material to be produced;
thus, for delicate or transparent purposes, I choose a good transparent gelatine.
I dissolve the glue in water, and, if the material to be produced is to be soft and
supple, and of a good clear, pale or white color, I add thereto from one fourth to
an equal proportion of glycerine, according to the required suppleness; it being
understood that the larger the proportion of glycerine, the more supple the resulting
material will be, also the more readily does it assume a good clear and white color.
The glue is dissolved in the ordinary manner and diluted with water to any
desirable consistency.
I make a solution of a suitable chromic salt, such as the bichromate of ammonia;
or I more generally employ the bichromate of potash in a proportion of about 3 to
10% of the weight of the dry glue; and I add to the solution liquid ammonia
until the mixture is neutral or slightly alkaline. This chemical solution I add to
the glue, and thoroughly mix the ingredients. I saturate or treat the respective
fibrous material in any convenient manner with the glue composition described,
either by drawing the material through the solution or by applying the latter by
means of a felt, or a brush or the like, either by hand or by machine, somewhat
after the manner described in the Patent 13,91785. When the material has been
thus treated I hang it up to dry, exposing it to the action of daylight to dry and
bleach; and when dry and bleached it is ready for the different uses enumerated,
according to the nature of the fibrous materials and the ingredients employed.
However, the subjecting of the gelatinized material to the action of daylight for
the purpose of causing the gelatine to bleach and to set is not always commercially
practical. Therefore, to obviate this, I generally add certain suitable chemicals
to the glue composition which will cause the reduction of the chromic compounds,
or otherwise effect the change which renders the gelatinous matter insoluble. Such
action I may cause by adding a suitable reducing agent, such as a sulphite, more
particularly a sulphite of ammonia, in about an equal or somewhat larger proportion
to-the-chromic salt-employed, and I prefer to add such reducing agent after allithe

page_text: other ingredients have been thoroughly combined with the glue, and not to heat
the glue composition above 150° Fahr. after the addition of the reducing agent, and
to employ the same at as low a temperature as is consistent with its nature.
Instead of thus reducing the chromic compound, I may reduce it before it is
mixed with the glue, by heating it with a reducing agent such as ammonium
sulphite, or other suitable reducing agent; but I prefer the former method.
Or, instead of causing the reduction or change of the chromic salt by means of
a separate chemical agent as just described, I can, with very good results, partially
reduce the chromic compound before mixing it with the gelatine. In this case I
prefer to employ chromic acid, which I heat until it fuses and begins to form an
amorphous crumbling mass, forming a deep brown solution in water. This solution
I neutralize with ammonia, and employ it in a proportion of about 5 per cent.,
calculating dry chromic acid to the dry weight of the glue, and I then mix it with
the glue solution.
In these cases, where the chromic compound is artificially reduced or changed,
the fibrous material is saturated or treated with the glutinous composition as before
described but instead of necessitating the drying under exposure to light, it can
be dried in any convenient manner, preferably in a warm temperature. The change
to an insoluble condition is more rapid when a separate reducing agent, such as a
sulphite, has been employed, and material thus treated may be dried rapidly and
then packed together the chemical change continuing under these circumstances
until the maximum has been reached, the color remaining brown, or changing
between brown and completely white, according to the proportions of the reducing
agents employed; it being understood that the larger the proportions of the reducing
agents employed, and such reducing substances as glycerine, the more colorless the
resulting material will become.
In the other case where the chromic salt or acid has been reduced in itself, the
change is slower and it is better to allow the material to remain hanging for a
longer time; and, if a white color is desirable, the results are hastened by exposure
to daylight.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to any definite proportions
of the chemical agents referred to. As low a proportion as 2 per cent. of the
chromic compound will make the glue insoluble, but a larger proportion renders it
more waterproof, at the same time, however, coloring the material more deeply.
The reducing agents, such as the ammonium sulphite, may also be employed in
variable proportions; it being understood that the larger the proportion the more
colorless the resulting material becomes.
The amount of the chemical agents required really depends upon the nature of
the glue, which varies considerably; I therefore generally prefer to employ excess
of the chemicals.
For some of the purposes named several additions to the above described
proceedings are advantageous or essential. Thus, for surgical purposes, the
material is frequently required antiseptic or medicated, and, in most cases, I can
add the respective antiseptic or medical agent to the glutinous composition with
which the material is to be saturated. For some purposes 1 may also impart
aromatic properties in the same manner.
For some purposes it is essential that the material should be of bright colors,
such as in the case of material for artificial flowers, decorative purposes, theatrical
costumes and ornaments, and the like. In such cases the fibrous material is
previously dyed or the particular dye may sometimes be added to the glutinous
composition with which the material is to be saturated.
Material manufactured as herein before described is not imflammable, which is
particularly important for theatrical purposes, and for some kinds of packing
purposes, such as for packing cotton, jute, bales, and the like, and for the purpose
of more or less confining or retarding spontaneous combustion. But in order to
impart still greater protection against fire, I may treat the material with a solution

page_text: of silica, prior to saturating it. with the glue composition. This refers more
particularly to woven materials for theatrical purposes; and in order to impart
this extra fire-proof properly, I first saturate the material with a dilute solution of
a soluble silicate, such as the ordinary silicate of soda or of potash, diluted with
about 6 times its bulk of water; I then pass the material through a weak acid
bath consisting generally of a weak solution of common alum or calcium chloride;
and I then rinse it in water, and subsequently treat it with the glutinous
composition.
for
In reference to materials destined for theatrical and decorative purposes;
curtains, veils, and the like; for fans, screens, and for a variety of ornamental
purposes; sometimes combine therewith gold or silver dust, or other metallic
dust or scales, or mica, or the like; such substances are sprinkled or dusted over
the gelatinized fabric, while the glue with which it is saturated is still in an adhesive
condition. For the purpose of making a common greaseproof and more or less
impermeable paper, to be used in the place of the so-called vegetable parchment
paper, I pass a suitable paper, preferably unsized, through a thin solution of the
glutinous composition, and I prefer to employ the composition in which the reduction
or change of the chromic compound is produced by the addition of a separate
chemical agent, such as ammonium sulphite, as hereinbefore described. In order
to obtain a good white color, I generally employ a rather small proportion of the
chromic compound and an excess of the sulphite, a useful composition in this case
being
Or such similar proportions, prepared and mixed as herein-before described. How-
ever, more generally, I employ such composition combined with a farinaceous matter,
substantially as hereinafter described.
The operation of saturating or treating the paper, for such ordinary purposes, can
be advantageously, carried out on the paper machine, by passing the web of paper
through a trough containing the glutinous composition, in the same manner as
ordinary tub sizing on the machine is sometimes carried out. Such or similar
solutions, as just described, may also be employed as ordinary dressings or sizings for
textile fabrics.
I
may sometimes make a compound material for some of the purposes referred to;
for instance, may join a woven or felted fabric to a paper fabric, by means of the
glue composition. In this case I may saturate both materials, or the one or the
other only for instance, I may saturate a suitable paper or other material with the
glue composition, and attach thereto a woven or other fabric, the latter being left
plain, or subsequently treated with any resinous, greasy, or other suitable water-
proofing composition.
Or I may take a paper material, or felt, such as the absorbent felts usually
employed in surgery; or a woven material, such as lint; or such similar materials;
and I apply to one or both sides a layer or coating of the glutinous composition or
such similar composition, but preferably the resinous glue composition herein-after
described. I generally employ such composition in a rather thin condition, such as
1 lb. of glue in 3 to 4 quarts of water, and at as low a temperature as consistent
with its nature and I apply it to the surface with a brush or in any other convenient
manner. Such treated felts or materials having a grease, oil, spirit, and waterproof
surface, are applicable as compresses, pads, bandages, etc., in surgery. Felts thus
treated may also be employed as dampers, slate rubbers, and the like.
Carpet felts may also be treated in the same manner for the purpose of preventing
stretching, and to increase the strength of the carpet; and I prefer to employ the
resinous glue composition hereinafter described, as in the former instance. In this

page_text: No text detected.

page_text: or its equivalent, in one composition; or I may otherwise interchange the ingredients
Instead of making the material into thin sheets or tissues, or otherwise treating
materials as herein before described, I may build up into thick sheets or blocks, or
make it into definite shapes on moulds or otherwise, by joining layer upon layer of
a suitable fibrous material, more or less saturated with one of the glutinous com-
positions herein described, and suitable for the purposes, and while in a fresh and
adhesive condition. Thus, I may take an unsized paper of a quality according to the
nature of the material to be produced, and more or less saturate the same with the
glutinous composition, and I join sheet upon sheet of the adhesive material, until the
desired thickness has been attained. In cases, where great strength is desirable, I
employ alternate layers of a paper and a woven fabric, or I can build up the material
entirely with a woven fabric. Such laminated material, if in the form of sheets, is
generally more or less pressed before being exposed to dry.
Upon the same principles, and in the same or similar manner, I may also saturate
or treat asbestos paper or millboards, or other material made from asbestos fibre.
I may also make a thick material in a single body by more or less saturating a
suitable felted or carded fabric or such similar material with either of the glutinous
compositions herein before described or their equivalents.
Such laminated or thick materials just referred to, are applicable for many pur-
poses where leather, rubber, and the like, are employed; also for mechanical
purposes, steam packing, etc.
Instead of taking a sheet or fabric and treating the same as hereinbefore described,
I may employ a fibrous substance such as wood-pulp, saturate the same with the
glutinous composition, and then press such saturated matter, in moulds into any
definite shape.
I may also employ the glutinous composition in the making of impermeable bags,
envelopes, cartridge cases, and for such like purposes; also for making hermetically
sealed packages, water, air, spirit, and oil proof receptacles; and such like purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. As a substitute for gutta percha, rubber, oiled and transparent tissues, and for
other purposes, the manufacture use and application of a fibrous material in one or
more layers, or otherwise, by more or less saturating or treating a suitable fibrous
material with a glutinous composition, the insolubility of which is produced by the
addition of a chromic compound and a chemical reducing agent, or by the addition
of a chromic compound previously reduced, substantially as liereinbefore described.
2. As a substitute for gutta percha, rubber, oiled and transparent tissues, and for
other purposes, the manufacture use and application of a glutinous composition, the
insolubility of which is produced by the addition of a chromic compound and a
chemical reducing agent; or by first reducing the chromic compound before adding
it to the glutinous composition, substantially as before described.
3. As a substitute for gutta percha, rubber, oiled and transparent tissues, and for
other purposes, the manufacture use and application of a glutinous composition con-
sisting of animal glue or its equivalent, and combined with a farinaceous substance,
or a derivative of the latter, and rendered insoluble, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
4. As a substitute for gutta percha, rubber, oiled and transparent tissues, and for
other purposes, the manufacture use and application of a glutinous composition con-
sisting of animal glue, or its equivalent, combined with a farinaceous substance or a
derivative of the latter, and also combined with resins, fats and the like substantially
as hereinbefore described.
5. The application of a more or less waterproof and impermeable material,
manufactured substantially as herein described, for lining hats, bonnets and the like
for lining portions of ladies' and other dresses to protect the same from the effects
of perspiration for artificial flowers, floral and theatrical decorations, and other

page_text: decorative purpose; for ballet skirts and other fancy costumes; for curtains, veils,
fans, screens, and analogous purposes.
6. A more or less impermeable and fireproof material manufactured substantially
as herein described.
7. As a substitute for gutta percha, rubber, oiled and transparent tissues, and for
other purposes, the manufacture use and application of a soft felty material coated
or surfaced with a glutinous composition, substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described.
8. The application of a soft felty material, coated or surfaced with a glutinous
composition, substantially as herein described, for carpets, slate rubbers, dampers,
and the like.
9. As a substitute for gutta percha, rubber oiled and transparent tissues, and for
other purposes, the manufacture use and application of a material consisting
entirely or partially of asbestos fibre, and rendered more or less waterproof and
impermeable by saturation, or treating with a glutinous composition, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
10. The improved material for use as a substitute for gutta percha, rubber, oiled
and transparent tissues and for other purposes substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Dated ML
1 1001
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.