Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1886
Complete Left, 21st Sept., 1887
Complete Accepted, 21st Oct., 1887
1, HEINRICH BUCZKOWSKI, of Vienna, Austria, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
--
Heretofore leather articles of a certain class, such as boots and shoes, harness &c.
excepting those of specially prepared "patent leather," have been blacked and polished
by spreading over them a substance called "blacking," and then imparting à polish
to the coating by means of brushing.
The various "blackings" particularly those for boots and shoes contain as a rule a
considerable quantity of sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid and only a very small
quantity of fat, because when very fatty substances are employed, the polish disappears
very soon after the brushing.
The consequence of this is, that it is impossible for these "blackings" to be able
to nourish and preserve the leather, and in fact it is necessary for leather on which
blacking" is usually employed to be greased from time to time.
«
Moreover it is to be remarked that the acids in blacking destroy the surface of
the leather, and that the constant brushing also promotes wear and tear of the
leather.
The blackings generally employed for harness and other leather work, consisting
of solutions of soda or potash and wax, can likewise only be polished by brushing, and
after using such for a time there is formed a coating of wax upon the leather which
can only be removed by treatment with lye.
This treatment with lye which dissolves or saponifies the fat contained in the leather,
and thus deprives the leather of its fat, has an injurious effect.
When alcoholic or ammoniacal resinous varnishes, or varnishes containing resin dissolved
in a fluid, containing borax are used, there remain on the leather after the dissolving
agent has evaporated or volatized, the resins (mostly hard resins such as shellac) for
imparting the polish, which also form crusts after repeated coatings, and which said
crusts in consequence of their brittleness, crack and partially break away, and
thus produce elevations and depressions. In order now to remove these inequalities,
the original dissolvents (alcohol, ether, benzine &c.) must be used, which dissolve
the fats contained in the leather, and also partially the tanning principles, and thus
make the leather hard and brittle.
Solutions containing ammonia and borax have a similar injurious action upon the
leather by saponifying the fats contained in the leather.
None of the above mentioned drawbacks is inherent in the polish forming the
subject of the present invention, which is suitable for polishing all kinds of leather

page_text: articles (even Russia leather), and which nourishes the leather, polishes without being
brushed, contains no hard resins, and yet renders the leather impervious, whilst the
polishing principle adhering to the surface of the leather, can be removed with water,
and the preserving and waterproof principle remains in the pores of the skin.
In order to effect these various objects, the improved polish is advantageously
composed of four groups of bodies.
a.) of substances which on the one hand impart a lustre, on the other hand have a
dissicating action, and prevent the substances hereinafter mentioned under b, c, and d;
from remaining sticky.
b.) of substances for increasing the lustre.
c.) of substances for preserving and keeping the leather soft and supple.
d.) of substances for partially rendering the leather impervious.
The first group a consists essentially of tannic aid or extracts and substances con-
taining tannin, and also extracts of dye woods.
Tannin extract, chestnut wood extract; and (of the dye wood extracts) extract of
logwood, are preferably used for this purpose.
These substances yield, when simply dissolved in water or in alcohol or in a
mixture of water and alcohol, without any other addition, a very suitable polish or
varnish.
To the second of the above groups, b, belong solutions of sirup, molasses, and
sugar under sugar are included not only cane sugar but any kind of sugar
whatever.
Also glycerine, gums soluble in water, of natural origin (such as gum arabic), as
well as those artificially produced (such as dextrin, "ganlin") may be employed
here, but sirup, sugar, and gum arabic have been found to give the best results.
The third group c, namely the group of the preserving agents, to which belong in
some measure also the tanning agents, comprises oils and fats of animal, vegetable,
and mineral origin.
The fourth group d, comprises solutions of gum-resins in oils or fats. The principal
gum-resins employed are caoutchouc and guttapercha.
Neutral coloring matters may be added to the four groups, for giving any desired
colour to the improved polish.
The operation of preparing the improved polish consists principally in dissolving the
tanning substances mentioned under a, in water or in alcohol or in a mixture of
water and alcohol with heat, and then mixing by stirring (with heat) with the
solutions mentioned under 6, of sugar, sirup, molasses &c. then adding either the sub-
stances mentioned under c, or those mentioned under d, also with heat with the
addition of the colouring matter, and continuing to stir until the whole mixture is
homogeneous and cool. If the substances for increasing the lustre of the polish, mentioned
under b, are omitted, then the dissolved substances containing tannin mentioned
under are mixed with the substances mentioned under c with heat (the substances
mentioned under d may then be added if desired) and the compound is mixed by
stirring until it has become cool.
By the employment of the above substances, and according to the combination of
the same, a polish or varnish may be produced which will give on the one hand a high
lustre like varnish, or on the other hand a duller fatty lustre.
As already stated, a polish may be obtained by the employment only of dissolved
tannin substance, and as will be readily understood, this polish will be increased by
the addition of solutions of the substances of the group ; but in order to preserve
the leather, it is preferable to add some of the substances of group c either alone, or in
combination with those of group d.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1886.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I, HEINRICH BUCZKOWSKI, of Vienna, Austria, Manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
It has heretofore been the practice to polish or impart a glossy surface to articles
made of leather by the application of a dressing or preparation that forms a shiny or
glossy surface or by means of blacking in which case the shining or glossy surface
can only be produced by means of a brush.
The various blackings particularly those for boots and shoes, contain as a rule a
considerable quantity of sulphuric and hydrochloric acid and only a very small pro-
portion of fatty substances for the reason that when such fatty substances form an
important element of the blacking the polish disappears very soon after the brushing.
The result of this is, that such blackings instead of preserving the leather deteriorate
it and make it necessary to occasionally apply fatty or oily substances to keep the
leather pliant. On the other hand the acids destroy the surface of the leather.
The blackings generally employed for harness and similar articles of leather contain
solutions of soda or potash and wax and are likewise polished only by brushing and
form upon the surface of the leather in a short time a coating of wax that can not be
removed except by treatment with lye. In this treatment the lyo, dissolves or
saponifies the fatty constituents of the leather and deteriorates the same.
When alcoholic or ammoniacal resinous varnishes, or varnishes containing resin
dissolved in a borax solution are used the polishing agent namely, the resins and
chiefly hard resins such as shellac form an incrustation upon the leather that is very
brittle and after a time cracks and peels off leaving the surface of the leather broken
and imparting to it a very bad appearance. To remedy this the incrusting resins have
to be dissolved and this can be done only by the solvents thereof or those solvents
originally employed in the preparation of the dressing such as alcohol ether benzine &c.
and these also dissolve or saponify the fatty constituents of the leather as well as the
tannic elements and leave the leather hard and brittle.
Solutions containing ammonia and borax have a like injurious effect upon leather.
The object of my invention is to remedy the above described detrimental effects
and consists essentially in a dressing or polish for leather, the polishing or glossing
constituent or element of which will remain soluble in water so as to avoid the use of
saponifying agents in its removal, substantially as hereinafter fully described and as
set forth in the claims.
My improved blacking or dressing may be applied without injury to almost all
articles of leather requiring a blacking or dressing and even to those made of Russia
leather, and instead of deteriorating the same it nourishes the leather and preserves it
while giving it a high polish. The surfaces treated do not become encrusted while the
leather is rendered more or less water proof and that element that imparts a gloss to
the leather can be removed by washing with water at any time thus leaving unaffected
the vital elements of those that keep the leather in its normal condition.
These results are obtained by variously constituted compounds the elements
whereof may be classed into four groups, namely, 1st. The polishing element which
not only imparts more or less lustre to the surface to which it is applied but may also

page_text: be a dessicating agent for the substances or elements of groups, 2, 3, and, 4, and
prevent them from remaining sticky.
2nd. Elements for increasing the lustro.
3rd. Elements for preserving the leather and keeping it soft and pliant.
4th. Elements for rendering the leather more or less impervious to water.
Group one comprises more especially tannic acid or extracts or substances containing
tannin, and also extracts of dye woods: Tannin extract chestnut wood extract, and (of
the dye wood extracts) extract of log wood are preferably used for this purpose.
These substances form a suitable polish by simply dissolving them in water or in
alcohol or in a mixture of water and alcohol, without the addition of other substances.
The second group comprises solutions of saccharine matter such as sirup, honey,
molasses and sugar of every description. Also, gums soluble in water, of natural
origin (such as gum arabic) as well as those artificially produced (such as doxtrine)
may be employed here, but sirups, sugar and gum arabic have been found to give the
best results.
The third group comprises oils, fats (animal vegatable and mineral fats) and to a
certain extent also the tanning agents.
The fourth group comprises waterproofing materials (hard-resins excepted) dissolved
in oils or fats, such as caoutchouc guttapercha, asphalt, tar &c.
Neutral coloring matters may be added to the four groups for giving any desired
color to the improved polish. When it is desired to prevent too rapid dessication of
the dressing or polish glycerine may be added to the mass.
The dressing or polish is used in combination with some water but if a small
quantity of vegatable jelly or mucilage soluble in water or starch is added to the mass,
the water may be omitted and the mass can be directly used for coating the leather.
The preparation of the dressing or polish consists principally in dissolving the
tannic acid or other tanning substance or substances in water or in alcohol. This
solution in itself is a polishing solution and may be used as such: If the polishing
property of the dressing is to be increased then it is mixed under application of heat
with a solution of sacharine matter as described under group two to which may be
imparted a preservative principle by adding a preservative agent or agents as set forth
under group 3, and if the dressing or polish is to have water proofing properties a
solution of a water proofing agent as mentioned under group 4 may be added. The
polish or dressing may therefore consist solely of a solution of a substance such as
mentioned under group one or of a combination of this with a substance or substances
of one or more or all of the remaining groups according to the properties the dressing
or polish is to have and according to the desired color a pigment is added thereto.
The admixture of the ingredients is effected while in a hot state and under constant
agitation.
Another way of preparing the polish may be described as follows: First a hot
solution of tannic matter in water is prepared to which the coloring matter is
immediately added and this may be combined with a small quantity of fats or oils the
whole being boiled together.
The fats and oils when such are used may be incorporated with the coloring matter.
This coloring matter may be Parisian or Prussian blue, dissolved in the well-known
manner in linseed oil at a high temperature, whereby an intensely colored fatty mass
is obtained, having the consistency of varnish. This mass is allowed to cool and then
the cooled and colored solution of tannic matter is gradually incorporated with the
colored fat or oil. When from 15 to 25, parts by weight of fish oil, degras, or boiled
linseed oil are worked together with from, 75 to 85, parts by weight of dissolved
and colored tannic matter, by adding this gradually while rapidly stirring a mass may
be obtained which in its appearance and in its effects more resembles a grease.
By a proper combination of the materials enumerated above a dressing may be
obtained which gives a varnish like, high polish to which fats or oils may be added in
smaller quantities.
When greater proportions of fats or oils-with or without gum, resins, asphalt or
tar are incorporated with the mass in the coating will no longer impart to the leather

page_text: articles a varnish like high polish, yet it will impart a sufficiently fine lustre and at
the same time act as an efficient preservative. Accordingly this product may be
termed a glossing and preserving dressing for leather, in which the dissolved tannic
matter is the glossing principle. When the polished surface becomes worn and
tarnished the glossy principle may be washed away with water, the fats, oils, gutta-
percha &c. remaining in the pores of the leather.
In the following table I have given the proportions of the ingredients entering into
various combinations as an example: Other combinations may however be formed with
the ingredients of groups 2, 3, and 4.
For a dressing that will impart a high polish either of the two following combina-
tions may be used: Alcohol from 40, to 50, parts; Tannic matter from 40, to 50,
parts: Fats or oils from 2, to 5, parts and coloring matter from 2, to 5, parts. Or
water from 50, to 60, parts, sugar from 8, to 10, parts: Tannic matter from 40, to 50,
parts; dye wood extract from 3, to 4, parts coloring matter from 1, to 3, parts
guttapercha from, to 1, part and fats or oils from 3, to 4, parts.
For a leather grease and polish the following may be used water from 20, to 25,
parts. Tannic matter from 40, to 50, parts; dye wood extract from 1, to 4, parts:
coloring matter from 2, to 6, parts; guttapercha from , to 3, parts, and fats or oils
from 12, to 25, parts.
I am aware that a majority of the substances enumerated above have heretofore
been employed in the manufacture for leather of blacking or dressing and of varnishes,
but they are generally used in combination with hydrochloric or sulphuric acid, or
solutions of soda or potash and in either case the lustre cannot be obtained except by
brushing.
In the manufacture of varnishes, hard resins and gums have heretofore been
employed that are soluble only in alcohol, ether, hydrocarbons, aqueous ammonia, or
in liquids containing borax. As already stated, these products, generally to be met
with in the trade as leather-varnishes and leather-dressings have the disadvantage of
incrusting the leather which incrustations cannot be removed except by means of the
liquids in which the incrusting materials have originally been dissolved, and which
also remove the fatty constituents of the leather as well as a portion of the tannic
matter therein contained.
So far as I know tannic substances have before my invention never been used as a
means for imparting lustre to articles of leather or as means for more rapidly dessicating
a leather coating in order to prevent the same from remaining sticky."
The use of tannic matter in the article that forms the subject matter of this invention
constitutes therefore the essential ingredient.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A leather dressing, remaining indefinitely soluble in water consisting of a
solution of tannic matter in water or alcohol or in a mixture of water and alcohol,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. A leather dressing remaining indefinitely soluble in water, consisting of a
solution of tannic and saccharine substances in wator or in alcohol or in a mixturo
of water and alcohol, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. A leather dressing, remaining indefinitely soluble in wator, consisting of a
solution of tannic and resinous or gummy substances soluble in water or in a mixture
of water and alcohol, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. A leather dressing, remaining indefinitely soluble in water, consisting of a
solution of tannic saccharine and resinous or gummy bodies, in water or in a mixture
of water and alcohol, substantially as and for the purpose described.
5. A leather dressing, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of a solution of tannic matters in water or alcohol or a mixture
of the two combined with fats or oils, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. A glossing leather polish, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely
soluble in water consisting of a solution of tannic and saccharine matters in water or

page_text: in alcohol or in a mixture of the two combined with fats or oils substantially as and
for the purpose described.
7. A leather dressing, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of a solution of tannic matters and gums in water or in a mixture
of water and alcohol combined with the fats or oils, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
8. A leather dressing; the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of a solution of tannic, saccharine and gummy or resinous
substances in water or in a mixture of water and alcohol combined with fats or oils,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. A leather dressing, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of a solution of tannic matter in water or alcohol or in a mixture
of the same combined with water proofing substances such as described soluble in oil
or fat substantially as and for the purpose specified.
10. A leather dressing, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of an aqueous solution of tannic and saccharine matters combined
with water proofing substances such as described and soluble in oil or fat substantially
as and for the purpose described.
11. A leather dressing, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of an aqueous solution of tannic matters and gums, combined
with water proofing substances such as described and soluble in oil or fat substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
12. A leather dressing, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of an aqueous solution of tannic and saccharine matter and of
gums, combined with water proofing substances such as described and soluble in oil
or fat, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
13. A leather dressing, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of an aqueous solution of tannic matters, incorporated with oils
or fats and waterproofing substances such as described and soluble in oil or fat,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
14. A leather dressing, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of an aqueous solution of tannic and saccharine matters combined
with fats or oils and with waterproofing substances such as described and soluble in
oil or fat substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
15. A leather dressing, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of an aqueous solution of tannic matters and
gums, combined
with fats or oils and with waterproofing substances such as described and soluble in
oil or fat substantially as and for the purpose described.
16. A leather dressing, the glossing principle of which remains indefinitely soluble
in water, consisting of an aqueous solution of tannic and saccharine matters and
gums, combined with fats or oils, and with water proofing substances such as described
and soluble in oil or fat, substantially as and for the purpose described.
17. In a leather dressing in which tannic matter is the principal glossing agent, the
combination of glycerine as a means for preventing too rapid dessication, substantially
as described.
18. In a leather dressing in which tannic matter is the principal glossing agent, the
combination of starch, vegatable jelly, mucilage &c., soluble in water for facilitating
the coating on the leather.