IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF CLOTH AND OTHER TEXTURES, LEATHER, OR ANIMAL TISSUES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RENDERING THEM MORE DURABLE AND IMPERMEABLE TO WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND FOR PRODUCING FROM ANY FIRM FIBROUS TEXTURE, SUCH AS CLOTH, COTTON, WOOLLEN, OR MIXED GOODS, A DURABLE ARTIFICIAL LEATHER
Year: 1862

page_text: ETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF CLOTH AND OTHER
TEXTURES, LEATHER, OR ANIMAL TISSUES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RENDERING
THEM MORE DURABLE AND IMPERMEABLE TO WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND
FOR PRODUCING FROM ANY FIRM FIBROUS TEXTURE, SUCH AS CLOTH, COTTON,
WOOLLEN, OR MIXED GOODS, A DURABLE ARTIFICIAL LEATHER."-A commu-
nication from abroad by William Elmer, of New York City, United
States of America.
Sealed the 15th August 1862, and dated the 31st May 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 31st May 1862.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF CLOTH AND OTHER
TEXTURES, LEATHER, OR ANIMAL TISSUES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RENDERING THEM
MORE DURABLE AND IMPERMEABLE TO WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND FOR PRODUCING
FROM ANY FIRM FIBROUS TEXTURE, SUCH AS CLOTH, COTTON, WOOLLEN, OR MIXED
GOODS, A DURABLE ARTIFICIAL LEATHER," to be as follows:-
The processes and chemicals employed in the treatment of fibrous sub-
stances, as cloth and other textures, leather and other tissues, and fabrics, for

page_text: the purpose of rendering articles composed of such materials moro durable and
impermeable to water and other fluids, are as follows:-In carrying out the
object of this Invention, vegetable or woody and animal fibre, as silks,
woollens, leather, gelatinous tissue, prunella, cotton, linen, satins, mixed goods,
or other tissues, or fabrics, are first subjected to the action of alumina or other
true mordant. The processes are varied according to the nature of the
article under treatment. Silks and other thin goods may be protected from
solutions passing through the cloth, by employing torrefied starch, gum, or
some such substance, applied to the surface of the cloth, opposite to the side
under treatment. Whatever the substance employed, it should be of a nature
that admits of its being removed without injury to the cloth, either in ap-
pearance or otherwise. The alumina is applied in the form of a solution, one
part of alumina (usually the sulphate) to two of the gelatine by weight, each
previously dissolved and afterwards mixed, so as to form a thick solution or
paste. The alumina and gelatine combine chemically, forming an insoluble
composition, which combines chemically with the fibre of the cloth. This
paste is applied by means of a brush or any convenient method to the fibres of
the cloth, and worked into the texture. After the gelatino-aluminous ap-
plication has been made to the cloth it is partially dried, while still damp a
solution of tannin is applied. The tannin is rapidly absorbed by the gelatino-
aluminous matter, forming an insoluble composition, possessing great flexibility.
The cloth is now subjected to the action of steam, and it is then passed
between metallic rollers under pressure, after which it is again mordanted and
carefully dried. Texture or fibre thus treated, and when properly dessicated,
is then subjected to an additional process for the purpose of rendering such
fabrics impervious to water. This is accomplished by applying to the tanno-
aluminous compound surface an elastic coating. The sulphide of gutta percha
or caoutchouc, or the two substances may be combined for this purpose. The
elastic sulphide is a semi-fluid which, when deodorized and filtered through
animal charcoal, is devoid of all unpleasant odor, and possesses when
evaporized to the solid state all the characteristics of vulcanized caoutchouc or
gutta percha. The article thus coated is then passed between metallic
revolving cylinders, one of which is heated. The heated cylinder is brought in
contact, as it revolves, with the elastic coating, while the cloth side of the
article is in contact with the unheated surface. By this method, the elastic
coating becomes perfectly uniform, and unites with the surface to which it is
applied, being attracted to this surface by the alumina, which acts by the force
of cohesion or true chemical affinity. A paste or thick solution, composed of
one part by weight of alumina, two of ichthyocolla is then applied to the elastic

page_text: coating, and when partially dried it is placed in contact with a strong solution
of tannic acid (for from six to twelve hours) or other analogous substances,
after which it is submitted to the action of steam for about thirty minutes.
Wearing apparel, as overcoats, cloaks, boots, shoes, hats, caps, or any other
article of clothing desirable, may, by the method herein detailed, be rendered
more durable and waterproof, while the external appearance of the cloth side
of such articles will retain all the original beauty and properties; at the same.
time the other side will be found to possess all the softness and pliability of.
the finest kid leather. Leather of any kind may be rendered waterproof, and
more durable by the same means as those described for cloth, excepting the
employment of gelatine in the first process, which is not necessary, the leather
being already formed. Either side of the leather may be subjected to the
process. Benzole is first applied to the surface of the leather in order to
remove the surplus oil and grease, after which the alumina is applied, followed
by the tannic acid solution, and carefully dried. The tannin forms with the.
alumina an insoluble composition,, which adheres firmly and combines chemi-
cally both with the leather and elastic coating (before described), which latter.
substances are applied to the tanno-aluminous body. The leather is then
passed between revolving cylinders under pressure. The elastic coating is then
treated in all respects the same as that described for cloth.
Any kind of firm cloth, cotton, woollen, or mixed goods, may be used to
form the fibrous texture for preparing artificial leather. The. cloth is first
immersed in a solution of the sulphate of alumina or other aluminous salts for
about two hours in a covered vessel. It is then placed in a solution of tannin
in à close vessel for from one to two hours, during which time the aluminated
fibre absorbs a portion of the tannin, forming with it, as already stated, an
insoluble composition. The cloth is then partially dried, after which it is
immersed in a solution of sesqui-sulphate of iron, which precipitates, when
thus brought in contact with the tannic acid unabsorbed by the alumina, a
permanent black or blue-black colour upon the tanno-aluminated fibre, with
which it also combines. The sesqui-sulphate of iron is only used when black
leather is to be produced. Any colour or shades of colours may be developed
chemically that may be desired, which will be noticed hereafter.. After the
goods have been dyed they are partially dried, and then immersed in a heated
solution of gelatine. It is then immediately placed in a cold-aqueous solution
of tannin, for from twelve to twenty-four hours. It is then taken out of the
bath and rinsed in pure water, and hung up. to dry in a well-ventilated room
from which the sun's rays are excluded. When properly dessicated, the oil
of birch and naphtha or other suitable material is applied, with the addition of a

page_text: small quantity of neat's-foot oil to one side of the leather only. If the opposite
side to that treated by the oils be not sufficiently smooth, or if the fibre of the
cloth be not completely covered by the tanno-gelatine so as to form a smooth
surface, then a paste, 'composed of gum tragacant and tannin, with a little
ochre or other colouring matter, is applied thereto.. This paste is worked into
the leather until the desired surface is obtained, after which it is rolled down
and washed over with a solution of alumina, and dried. The elastic sulphide
is next applied to the smoothed surface, and the leather is passed between
revolving cylinders. The compound of alumina and ichthyocola is applied to
the elastic coating, and submitted to the action of steam. The finishing
process consists in rubbing over the membranous covering a solution of sesqui-
sulphate of iron, or any other colouring matter that will develope chemically a
fixed black colour upon the membrane. In developing different colours for
preparing artificial leather, the salts of tin and other mordants will be required.
After the membraneous covering has been dyed and allowed to dry, it is then
to be rinsed in pure water, in order to remove any colouring matter that has
not combined with the membrane. It is then carefully dried, and a coating of
flexible varnish is applied. The leather is now in a condition to give it the
desired appearance. If, for example, it be desired to give it the peculiar
grain of Morocco leather, this is done by means of rollers having raised parallel
straight or diagonal threads. The other side of the leather may now be
finished so as to give it any appearance desirable. Red Morocco, tawed,
Hungarian, Russian, and chamois leather, or any other may be imitated, and
any shade of colour given.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 28th November 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special license that I; the
said William, Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns,

page_text: or such others as I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF CLOTH AND
OTHER TEXTURES, LEATHER, OR ANIMAL TISSUES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RENDERING
THEM MORE DURABLE AND IMPERMEABLE TO WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND FOR
PRODUCING FROM ANY FIRM FIBROUS TEXTURE, SUCH AS CLOTH, COTTON, WOOLLEN, OR
MIXED GOODS, A DURABLE ARTIFICIAL LEATHER," being a communication from
abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Edward
Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement (that is to say) :-
The processes and chemicals employed in the treatment of fibrous sub-
stances, as cloth and other textures, leather, &c., for the purpose of rendering
articles composed of such materials more durable and impermeable to water
and other fluids, are as follows:-In carrying out the object of this Invention,
vegetable or woody and animal fibre, as silks, woollens, leather, gelatinous
tissue, prunella, cotton, linen, satins, mixed goods, or other tissues or fabrics,
are first subjected to the action of alumina or other true mordant. The
alumina, however, is in general preferred, and therefore will at present only be
named in connection with the processes detailed in the Specification. The
processes are varied according to the nature of the article under treatment.
If the goods have been previously dyed and only one side is to be treated,
much care is necessary to prevent the alumina from penetrating through the
cloth and forming a deposit on the opposite side. Silks and other thin goods
may be protected from solutions passing through the cloth by employing torri-
fied starch, gum, or some such substance applied to the surface of the cloth
opposite to the side under treatment. Whatever the substance employed, it
should be of a nature that admits of its being removed without injury to the
cloth either in appearance or otherwise. The alumina is applied in the form
of a solution, in the proportion of one part of alumina. (usually the sulphate)

page_text: to two parts by weight of the gelatine, each of the substances being previously
dissolved and afterwards mixed; so as to form a thick solution or paste. The
alumina and gelatine combine chemically and form an insoluble composition,
which combines chemically with the fibre of the cloth, making the three sub-
stances a chemical compound, and while the paste renders the material more
durable, it forms a basis for the subsequent chemical applications; this paste is
applied (by means of a brush or any convenient instrument) to the fibres of the
cloth, and should be 'well worked into the texture of the substance. After the
gelatino-aluminous application has been made to the cloth, it is partially dried
at a temperature of about one hundred degrees Fahrenheit, and while still in a
damp state, a solution of tannin is applied for the purpose of tanning the
gelatine and in a certain degree giving it the character of leather. The tannin
is rapidly absorbed by the gelatino-aluminous matter, forming an insoluble
composition possessing great flexibility. In this process the alumina combines
firmly and chemically both with the fibre of the cloth and the other materials.
The cloth is now subjected to the action of steam after the water from the
tannin solution has been mostly evaporated, and it is then passed between
metallic rollers under pressure, after which it is again mordanted and carefully
dried at a temperature of about one hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit, in
a well-ventilated room from which the sun's rays are excluded. Texture or
fibre thus treated, and when properly desiccated, is then subjected to an addi-
tional process for. the purpose of rendering such fabrics impervious to water;
this is accomplished by applying to the tanno-aluminous compound surface an
elastic coating of gutta percha or caoutchouc, or the two substances may be
combined for this purpose, To prepare the elastic coating, caoutchouc and
gutta percha singly or combined are submitted first to the action of a solvent
capable of liquefying these substances, so as to form a perfect solution, which
is placed under pressure in a suitable apparatus, and heat is gradually applied
and raised to about three hundred degrees Fahrenheit. During the time the
dichloride of sulphur, or sulphur liquefied in some other form, is admitted
into the apparatus in contact with the solution, drop by drop, or in very small
quantities, and the solution in the meantime is kept in constant motion until
sufficient sulpliur has been introduced to form an elastic sulphide or sulphite
of caoutchouc and gutta percha. If the solvent employed to liquify the caout-
chouc or gutta percha contains no oxygen nor hydrogen, as the bisulphide of
carbon C, then no other substance is needed in conjunction with the
dichloride of sulphur; but, on the other hand, if solvents are employed con-
taining either bydrogen or oxygen, then upon the introduction of the chloride
of sulphur, an acid is instantly formed, to neutralize which will require the

page_text: presence of an alkali; the elastic sulphide is a semi-fluid, which, when deodor-
ized and filtered through animal charcoal, is devoid of all unpleasant odours,
and possesses (when evaporated to the solid state) all the characteristics of
vulcanized caoutchouc or gutta percha. The article thus coated is then
passed between metallic revolving cylinders, one of which is heated to a tem:-
perature, according to the thickness of the coating, from two hundred and fifty.
degrees to three hundred degrees Fahrenheit. The heated cylinder is brought
in contact as it revolves with the elastic coating, while the cloth side of the
article is in contact with the unbeated surface of the other cylinder.
By this
means the elastic coating becomes perfectly uniform, and unites with the
surface to which it is applied, being attracted to the surface by the alumina,
which acts by the force of cohesion or true chemical affinity. A paste or thick
solution composed of one part by weight of alumina, two of ichthyocolla or
fish glue is then applied to the elastic coating, and when partially dried, it is
placed in contact with a strong solution of tannic acid or other analogous sub-
stances for from six to twelve hours, after which it is submitted to the action
of steam for about thirty minutes. This process results in an agglutination of
the compound employed, forming a membranous coating which possesses con-
siderable elasticity, approximating to that of caoutchouc, while it adheres with
great tenacity to the elastic body and completely covers it, so that no odor,
appearance, nor feel of gutta percha or caoutchouc can be detected. In order
to maintain the clasticity of this membranous coating, it is necessary to employ
the oil of birch and naphtha, or other analogous substances, after which it is
submitted to the action of stean for about thirty minutes. This process results
in an agglutination of the compound employed, thereby forming a membranous
coating, in the proportions of one part of the former to about thirty of the
latter. In applying the oils to the membranous coating, great care is required
to have the absorption equal; at the same time a very small quantity only is
required. If too much is used, the oil might pass through and injure the pre-
vious coatings. After the oils have been applied, the surface is left exposed
to a dry atmosphere until the naphtha (if naphtha be employed) has evapo-
rated, which leaves a film of petroleum. Thus, by these various processes and
substances employed, texture is added to fibrous tissue and is chemically united
therewith, forming a compact body, possessing great tenacity, flexibility, and
at the same time is waterproof. Wearing apparel, as overcoats, cloaks, boots,
shoes, hats, caps, or any other article of clothing desirable, may, by the method
herein detailed, be rendered more durable and waterproof, while the external
appearance of the cloth side of such articles will retain all the original beauty
and properties; at the same time the other side will be found to possess all

page_text: the softness and pliability of the finest kid leather. In treating leather of any
kind, the animal tissue may be rendered waterproof and more durable by the
same means as those described for cloth, excepting the employment of gelatine
in the first process, which is not necessary, the leather being already formed.
Either side of the leather may be subjected to the process. Benzole is first.
applied to the surface of the leather, in order to remove the surplus oil and,
grease, after which the alumina is applied, and followed by the tannic acid
solution; the substance is then carefully dried. The tannin forms with the
alumina an insoluble composition which adheres firmly and combines chemi-
cally both with the leather and elastic coating (before described), which latter
substances are applied to the tanno-aluminous body. The leather is then
passed between revolving cylinders under pressure, the cylinder in contact with
the elastic coating being heated as already stated. The elastic coating is then
treated in all respects the same as that described for cloth.
Any kind of firm cloth, cotton, woollen, or mixed goods may be used to
form the fibrous texture for preparing artificial leather. The cloth is first
immersed in a solution of the sulphate of alumina or other aluminous salt
for about two hours in a covered vessel, it is then placed in a solution of
tannin in a close vessel for from one to two hours, during which time the
aluminated fibre absorbs a portion of the tannin, forming with it as already
stated, an insoluble composition. The cloth is then partially dried, after which
it is immersed in a solution of sesqui-sulphate of iron, which precipitates,
when thus brought in contact with the tannic acid unabsorbed by alumina, a
permanent black or blue-black color upon the tanno-aluminated fibre, with
which it also combines. The sesqui-sulphate of iron is only used when black
leather is to be produced. Any color or shades of colors may be developed
chemically that may be desired, which will be noticed hereafter. After the
goods have been dyed they are partially dried, and then immersed in a warni
solution of gelatine for from four to six hours, by which means a portion of the
gelatine combines with the aluminated and colored fibre, while the greater
portion of the gelatine remains unchanged, and forms a perfect coating over
both sides of the cloth. It is then immediately placed in a cold aqueous
solution of tannin for from twelve to twenty-four hours, care being taken that
no part of the cloth be allowed in contact with the sides of the vessel, or any
part uncovered by the liquid. It is then taken out of the bath and rinsed in
pure water, and hung up to dry in a well-ventilated room or apartment, from
which the sun's rays are excluded. Much care is necessary in the dying, for
if conducted too rapidly the tanno-gelatin is liable to crack. On the other
hand, if the dying process is conducted too slowly the fabric might become

page_text: mouldy, which would be equally injurious to the leather. As many coatings
of the tanno-gelatine may be applied as may be found necessary to give the
desired feel and appearance of true leather. When properly desiccated, 'the
oil of birch and naphtha or other suitable material is applied, as already
stated, with the addition of a small quantity of neat's-foot oil to one side of
the leather only. If the opposite side to that treated by the oils be not suffi-
ciently smooth, or if the fibre of the cloth be not completely covered by the
tanno-gelatine, so as to form a smooth surface, then a paste composed of gum
tragacant (the fine white leaf, such as intended for the French market), and
tannin is applied in the proportions by weight of seven parts of the former
to one of the latter, each separately prepared and afterwards mixed, and with
them is incorporated sufficient ochre, in the form of an impalpable powder, to
form a stiff paste. Any other substance that will combine with the tannin,
and is capable of producing an even smooth surface that is not liable to crack,
may be substituted for the ochre. This paste is worked into the leather until
the desired surface is obtained, after which it is rolled down and washed over
with a solution of alamina, and dried at a temperature of about one hundred and
ten degrees Fahrenheit: The elastic sulphide is next applied to the smoothed
surface, and the leather is passed between revolving cylinders, the one in
contact with the elastic coating, heated as previously stated. The compound
of alumina and ichthyocolla or fish glue is applied to the elastic coating, and
submitted to the action of steam, as set forth. The result of this is the
formation of the membranous structure alluded to, and which covers the.
entire elastic surface and adheres firmly to it. The leather is again passed
between rollers, in order to maintain a smooth surface. The finishing process,
which is now applied, consists in rubbing over the membranous covering a
solution of sesqui-sulphate of iron, or any other colouring matter that will
develope chemically a fixed black color upon the membrane. The sesqui-
sulphate of iron has directly the power of fixing a certain quantity of
colouring matter when brought in contact with tannic acid upon almost any
kind of texture. In developing different colors for preparing artificial leather
the salts of tin and other mordants will be required. After the membranous
covering has been dyed and allowed to dry, it is then to be rinsed in pure
water, in order to remove any colouring matter that has not combined with the
membrane. It is then carefully dried, and a coating of flexible varnish is
applied. The varnish is made as follows:-The substance, known as the
caoutchouc of oils, is dissolved in the oil of turpentine or other suitable
solvent in the proportion of one part of the former to fifty of the latter by
weight; pure copal in powder, eight parts, dissolved in ninety parts of the

page_text: oil of lavender, to which is
the decolorized linseed oil.
added, when the copal is dissolved, ten parts of
These are all mixed together and placed in well-
corked bottles, and left in a warm place for ten or twelve days. The varnish
is applied with a brush, and should it not flow freely it may be thinned with
the oil of turpentine. After the application of the varnish to the leather it is
dried in a room free from moisture, but in contact with a free circulation of
atmospheric, air, by which means the necessary absorption of oxygen takes
place. The leather is now in a condition to give it the desired appearance.
If, for example, it be desired to give it the peculiar grain of Morocco leather,
this is done by means of rollers having raised parallel, straight, or diagonal
lines cut thereon. After the Morocco appearance has been given to the leather
the flexible varnish is to be again applied and dried, as before stated. The
other side of the leather may now be finished, so as to give it any appearance
desirable. A buff color is usually preferred. This may be given by applying
an infusion of oak bark, which reacts on this surface as a dye, and not
as a tanning agent. Red Morocco, tawed, Hungarian, Russian, and chamois
leather, or any other may be imitated, and any shade of color given. A very
fine and durable glazed leather, exceeding in beauty what is called "patent
leather," is produced by applying the following varnish to the leather after
receiving the polished surface and flexible coating:-Take the best kind of
linseed oil, and rub up with it dry sulphate of lead in sufficient quantities to
form in appearance a milky mixture. Expose this in glass vessels or bottles,
well corked, to the sunlight, and subject it to frequent shakings for about ten
days. The mucus contained in the oil, together with the sulphate of lead, is
now allowed to deposit on the bottom of the bottles, leaving the oil perfectly
clear. The oil is then subjected to the decolorizing process by the action upon
it of protosulphate of iron in conjunction with the sun's rays. Equal parts
of the oil and iron are employed, the salts being previously dissolved in
two and a half their weight of distilled water, and the whole well agitated, and
left to the action of the sun for about four weeks. Thus treated, the oil
is very beautiful, limpid, and colourless. This treatment of the oil becomes
necessary from the fact that linseed oil, whether boiled or otherwise, as
ordinarily employed in the arts, or for preparing varnish, cannot be used on
articles containing caoutchouc or gutta percha, for the reason that the oil
decomposes the two latter substances, and even when these have been what is
termed vulcanized, they react upon each other with more or less destructive
effects, especially so when subjected to heat even to that of the sun's rays.
But prepared as above stated, it has no injurious effect upon the membranous
structure referred to in preparing leather, rendered waterproof by caoutchouc

page_text: and gutta perclia, and more especially if the membrane has been covered with
the flexible varnish. Articles containing sulphur are also injured by the
ordinary preparations of linseed oil. The oil is liable to crack when dried in
contact with such articles. When treated however as previously described,
it may not only be used in preparing varnish intended for such articles; but
such varnish adheres to them with great tenacity, while at the same time it is
not liable to crack, but possesses remarkable elasticity. This varnish is made
as follows: Take equal parts of the linseed oil as prepared by the processes
before named, and pure oil of turpentine; add to these one-fourth part by
weight of copal varnish especially prepared for this use, and such tinctorial
matter as may be required to give the desired tint. The tinctorial matter
must be in the finest possible state of division. These are all well agitated
together, so as to ensure a perfect homogeneous mixture, and brought to the
boiling point, and maintained at this temperature for about one hour. The
compound is then set aside in a warm place during the night-time and cloudy
weather, and in contact with the sun's rays during the remainder of the time,
for about four weeks.
. The varnish is laid on the leather with a fine brush, and allowed
to dry at a temperature not above one hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit,
after which it is rubbed carefully over with a fine piece of soft leather and a
little tripoli, until a fine smooth polished surface is obtained. The varnish is
again applied and dried as before, but no further polishing is required. The
number of varnish coatings required depends upon the appearance of the
surface; usually from three to six are employed. Each must be very thin
and evenly applied, and thoroughly dried at a temperature as above stated in
a room adapted to the purpose, free from dust, or other particles of floating
matter. In this way a very beautiful and durable leather may be made, which
has the power of resisting strains and of bending without the least crack or
injury to the even and brilliant surface, which is not effected by the ordinary
temperatures of heat and cold, besides being waterproof. Artificial leather
prepared in this manner may be substituted for all the uses for which real
leather is employed.
Having thus fully described the Invention that has been communicated to
me as aforesaid, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters
Patent, is,
First, giving increased body, and durability, and impermeability to
vegetable, woody, and animal fibrous texture, as silks, woollens, leather,
gelatinous tissue, prunella, cotton, linen, satins, mixed goods, and other
analogous articles, by first subjecting such goods or articles to the action of a

page_text: solution of alumina (or its basic salts) or other true mordant and gelatine, in
such proportions and in such manner as to chemically combine the alumina
and gelatine, and form an insoluble composition, which combines chemically
with the fibre of the cloth, making the three a chemical compound, and
subsequently subjecting the said goods to the series of actions, operations,
or processes of the chemical and other agents employed, as fully described in
the foregoing Specification, so that by the various processes and substances
employed, substance is added to fibrous tissue, and the materials are
chemically united, thereby forming a compact body possessing great tenacity,
flexibility, and at the same time being waterproof. And this I claim,
whether the precise chemicals before described, and in the proportions named,
or equivalent ones, be employed, it being clearly understood that the processes
may be varied according to the nature of the article under treatment.
Second, producing artificial leather from any kind of firm cloth, cotton,
woollen, or mixed goods, by first immersing the cloth in sulphate of
alumina or other true mordants, then in a solution of tannin, and subjecting
it to the various processes, substances, manipulations, and applications, as
fully set forth in the foregoing Specification. And these I claim, whether
the proportions of the substances employed, and processes detailed in
the Specification, be strictly observed, or changed to suit different kinds
of cloth.
In witness whereof, 1, the said William Edward Newton, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-seventh day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)