AN IMPROVED PROCESS OR TREATMENT AND COMPOSITIONS OR COMPOUNDS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT, WATERPROOFING, AND PRESERVATION FROM MILDEW AND MOTHS OF SILK, WOOL, COTTON, FURS, LEATHER, PAPER, AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1873

page_text: ETTERS PATENT to William Morris, a Citizen of the United States of
North America, at present residing at No. 80, Caversham Road,
Kentish Town, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED PROCESS OR TREATMENT AND COMPOSITIONS OR COMPOUNDS FOR
THE IMPROVEMENT, WATERPROOFING, AND PRESERVATION FROM MILDEW AND
MOTHS OF SILK, WOOL, COTTON, FURS, LEATHER, PAPER, AND OTHER
ARTICLES."
Scaled the 3rd June 1873, and dated the 12th April 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morris at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th April 1873.
I, WILLIAM MORRIS, a Citizen of the United States of North America,
at present residing at No. 80, Caversham Road, Kentish Town, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVED PROCESS OR TREATMENT AND COMPOSITIONS OR COMPOUNDS FOR THE
IMPROVEMENT, WATERPROOFING, AND PRESERVATION FROM MILDEW AND MOTHS OF

page_text: My Invention relates to a new process or treatment and compositions
for the improvement of manufactures formed of silk, wool, cotton, flax,
er hemp; also furs, leather, and paper, by means of which such manu-
factures aro made incapable of capillary attraction, are rendered water-
proof, and not liable to mildew, nor to be attacked by moths; their
strength and durability are increased; their porosity is unimpaired, and
their general quality and appearance are improved; and by the same
process wood is rendered impervious to moisture and incapable of
generating mildew, fungi, et cætera; and bricks, tiles, and other articles
are made moisture proof.
The principle of chemistry (as applied to the arts) on which my
Invention is founded may be thus stated:-If the fibres of the substances
forming the above mentioned manufactures be indued with molecules of
appropriate matter, and are then treated with a solution of metallic salts
which have powerful bases, the atomic matter with which the said fibres
are indued is rendered insoluble, and the effect and results are as abovo
stated, and are due to the presence of the metallic bases, and their
actual combination with the indued substance of the goods.
I am aware that metallic salts have been used in various ways in the
aris by way of seeking to render articles waterproof; but my Invention.
differs from any previously known and used (so far as I am aware), and
is much more extended in application and in its effects and beneficial
results.
My process consists of two steps or parts, as follows:-
For the first part I use a chemical compound, which consists of, say,
cre part of dry gelatine (isinglass or other) dissolved in, say, four parts
cc, including a small quantity of sulphuric or other acid, and when
hese are combined by means of heat five parts (or thereabout) of an
aline solution are added at a specific gravity of about 26° Baumé, the
being stirred while yet warm, and the result is a chemical
mbination which I designate my "preparatory compound."
For the second part of my process I use a chemical compound which
I designate my "perfecting compound," and which is prepared as follows,
ly:-In one vessel I prepare a strong solution of one of the alums,

page_text: for instance, of the sulphate of alumina, with potassa, or with ammonia
or with soda. In another vessel I prepare a solution of the sulphato of
zinc, and in a third vessel a solution of the acetate of lead. These
solutions are each to be of the same density. When prepared the two
sulphate solutions are mixed in the proportions of about five parts of the
first named to one and a half parts of the latter named, and to these are
added about five and a half parts of the acetate of lead solution. By
the chemical action that ensues sulphate of lead is formed, and when
this has subsided the clear liquid is drawn off, and is reduced to the
proper density, which is from one to two degrees Baumé.
The systematic manner in which I conduct my process of treating the
material to be waterproofed is substantially as follows:-
1
First a bath is prepared with say half an ounce of my "preparatory
compound," dissolved in two gallons of hot water, that is, in about these
proportions. This is used when cold.
To treat leather I steep it in this bath till indued with its properties, and
then drain it, or the "preparatory compound"may be dissolved to about
the consistency of cream, and then applied by hand before the "fulling"
or stuffing." Boots, shoes, and harness are treated before the final
finish.
"
To treat textile fabrics, felts, cordage, twine, and similar or kindred
articles I steep them in the bath, as before described, and then drain
them well.
To treat paper I pass it through the bath, or the pulp may be sized
with the "preparatory compound," and then the paper passed through
the bath.
The second part of my process is conducted as follows:- -When the
goods have been removed from the "preparatory bath," and are well
drained, I steep them in a bath of my "perfecting compounds," where
they remain from eight to twelve hours, and when well drained they are
gradually dried, and are then ready for the usual and final finish in the
case of leather, textile fabrics, et cætera.
In the treatment of paper some kinds need not be submitted to the
action of the "preparatory compound," but require only to be immersed
for a short time in the bath of the "perfecting" compound, and then
dried and finished.

page_text: Wood and bricks, et cætera, are treated as described above, but with
an increased quantity of the "preparatory compound."
"
As above stated the strength or density of the "perfecting compound'
should be ascertained by a hydrometer, preferably Baumé's, and when,
as in some cases, the goods are immersed in such compound a second or
third time the strength of the compound should be kept up the same as
it was at the first immersion. To provide for this a stronger solution
should be prepared and in readiness (say about double strength), and so
much of this reserve solution should, as occasion may require, be added
to the perfecting bath as will restore it to its original density, which will
always be ascertainable by the hydrometer.
By my process and treatment of articles, as above described, I find
that their texture, color, and porousness are not impaired; that textile
goods become water repellant, notwithstanding the interstices or openings
between the threads are not filled up; that the articles are improved by :
the treatment, and are made by it far more resistive to decay.
The whole process is also cheap, and permits the waterproofing of a
great variety of articles, whether made up or in the piece, in a simple
and economical manner, while it also renders them more durable.
Besides its adaptation to the superior kinds of textile fabrics, of silk, 2
vool, et cætera, rendering them impervious to water, and preserving
hem from mildew and moths, it is admirably adapted to wateproofing
eather and other hose for conveying water, hats of all kinds, boots, shoes,
mbrellas, sails, awnings, ropes, and other articles.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, 2
filed by the said William Morris in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 10th October 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
MORRIS, a Citizen of the United States of North America, at present
residing at No. 80, Caversham Road, Kentish Town, in the County of. 30
Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of April, in the year

page_text: 5
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Morris, Her special licenso
that I, the said William Morris, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Morris, 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 "IMPROVED PROCESS
OR TREATMENT AND COMPOSITIONS OR COMPOUNDS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT, WATER-
PROOFING, AND PRESERVATION FROM MILDEW AND MOTHS OF SILK, WOOL, COTTON,
FURS, LEATHER, PAPER, AND OTHER ARTICLES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Morris, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly 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 immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Morris, 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 thereof, that is to say :-
-
My Invention relates to a new process or treatment and compositions
for the improvement of manufactures formed of silk, wool, cotton,
flax, or hemp, also furs, leather, and paper, by means of which such
manufactures are made incapable of capillary attraction, are rendered.
waterproof, and not liable to mildew nor to be attacked by moths, their
strength and durability are increased, their porosity is unimpaired, and
their general quality and appearance are improved; and by the same
process wood is rendered impervious to moisture, and incapable of gene-
rating mildew, fungi, et cætera; and bricks, tiles, and other articles arc
made moisture proof.
The principle of chemistry (as applied to the arts) on which my
Invention is founded may be thus stated:-If the fibres of the sub-
stances forming the above-mentioned manufactures be indued with

page_text: molecules or appropriate matter, and are then treated with a solution of
metallic salts which have powerful bases, the atomic matter with which
the said fibres are indued is rendered insoluble, and the effects and
results are as above stated, and are due to the presence of the metallic
bases and their actual combination with the indued substance of the
goods.
I am aware that metallic salts have been used in various ways in the
arts by way of secking to render articles waterproof, but my Invention
differs from any previously known and used (so far as I am aware), and
is much more extended in application and in its effects and beneficial
results.
My process consists of two stops or parts as follows:-
For the first part I use a chemical compound, which consists of, say,
one part of dry gelatine (isinglass or other) dissolved in, say, four parts
of oil, including a small quantity of sulphuric or other acid, and when
these are combined by means of heat five parts (or thereabout) of an
alkaline solution are added at a specific gravity of about 26° Baumé, the
whole being stirred while yet warm, and the result is a chemical com-
bination which I designate my "preparatory compound."
For the second part of my process I use a chemical compound, which
I designate my "perfecting compound," and which is prepared as follows,
namely: In one vessel I prepare a strong solution of one of the alums,
for instance, of the sulphate of alumina, with potassa, or with ammonia,
or with soda. In another vessel I prepare a solution of the sulphate of
zinc, and in a third vessel a solution of the acctate of lead. These
solutions are each to be of the same density. When prepared the two
sulphate solutions are mixed in the proportions of about five parts of the
first named to one and a half parts of the latter named, and to these are
added about five and a half parts of the acetate of lead solution. By the
chemical action that ensues sulphate of lead is formed, and when this
has subsided the clear liquid is drawn off and is reduced to the proper
density, which is from one to two degrees Baumé.
The systematic manner in which I conduct my process of treating the
material to be waterproofed is substantially as follows:-
First a bath is prepared with, say, half an ounce of my preparatory
compound dissolved in two gallons of hot water, that is, in about these
proportions. This is used when cold.

page_text: -
To treat leather I steep it in this bath till indued with its properties
nd then drain it, or the preparatory compound may be dissolved to
bout the consistency of cream, and then applied by hand after the fulling
r stuffing. Boots, shoes, and harness are treated before the final finish.
To treat textile fabrics, felts, cordage, twine, and similar or kindred
articles, I steep them in the bath as beforo described, and then drain
them well.
To treat paper I pass it through the bath, or the pulp may be sized
with the preparatory compound, and then the paper passed through the
bath.
-When
The second part of my process is conducted as follows:-
the goods have been removed from the preparatory bath and are
well drained I steep them in a bath of my "perfecting compounds,"
where they remain from eight to twelve hours, and when well drained
they are gradually dried, and are then ready for the usual and final finish
in the case of leather, textile fabrics, &c.
In the treatment of paper some kinds need not be submitted to the
action of the preparatory compound, but require only to be immersed
for a short time in the bath of the "perfecting compound," and then
dried and finished..
Wood and bricks, et cætera, are treated as described above, but with
an increased quantity of the preparatory compound.
'
As above stated the strength or density of the perfecting compound
should be ascertained by a hydrometer, preferably Baumé's, and when,
3 as in some cases, the goods are immersed in such compound a second or
third time the strength of the compound should be kept up the same as
it was at the first immersion. To provide for this a stronger solution
should be prepared and in readiness (say about double strength), and so
much of this reserved solution should as occasion may require be added
0 to the perfecting bath as will restore it to its original density, which will
always be ascertainable by the hydrometer.
By my process and treatment of articles as above described I find that
their texture, color, and porousness are not impaired; that textile goods
become water repellent notwithstanding the interstices or openings
5 between the threads are not filled up; that the articles are improved by
the treatment, and are made by it far more resistive to decay.

page_text: The whole process is also cheap, and permits the waterproofing of a
great variety of articles whether made up or in the piece in a simple
and economical manner, while it also renders them more durable.
Besides its adaptation to the superior kinds of textile fabrics, of silk,
wool, et cætera, rendering them impervious to water and preserving
them from mildew and moths, it is admirably adapted to waterproofing
leather and other hose for conveying water, hats of all kinds, boots,
shoes, umbrellas, sails, awnings, ropes, and other articles.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention for "Improved
Process or Treatment and Compositions or Compounds for the Improve-,
ment, Waterproofing, and Preservation from Mildew and Moths of Silk,
Wool, Cotton, Furs, Leather, Paper, and other Articles," and having
explained the manner of carrying the same into practical effect, I hereby
declare what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as
the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters :
Patent to be,-
First. The "preparatory compound" prepared substantially as herein-
before described and for the purposes set forth.
Secondly. The "perfecting compound" prepared substantially as
herein-before described and for the purposes set forth.
Thirdly. The process hercin-before described of improving and
rendering articles waterproof, mildew proof, and moth proof both in its
distinctive parts and as a whole as set forth..
-
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morris, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of July, in the year of 2
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.