IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF HAIR OR WOOL FROM RAW OR DRY SKINS AND TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE SAME
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF HAIR OR WOOL FROM RAW OR
DRY SKINS AND TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE SAME." A communication from
abroad by John Edward Simon, of Paris, France, Doctor of Medicine.
(Void by reason of the Patentee having neglected to file a Specification
in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st July 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF
HAIR OR WOOL FROM RAW OR DRY SKINS AND TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE
SAME." A communication.
In order to separate the hair or wool from raw or dry skins various compositions
are employed which are applied to the fleshy part of the skin, for example, salts of
hydrosulphate of soda, and the liquid depilatory compositions known under the
names of penta-sulphate, Clerin's, Sauvadet's, Watteau's of Antwerp, salts, and the
like. These compositions are mixed with lime, which is only used to give to the
production a certain power of adhering to the skin, and to prevent its flowing on
the wool or hair when the said skins are stacked or piled in the working.
In place of the lime I use other matters, which mixed with the pento-sulphate, for
example, or other depilatory liquid will produce a composition having a very
beneficial and promp effect.
Lime has a tendency to deteriorate the wool or hair, whilst with the new
substances which I am about to describe I effect the perfect and immediate removal
of the wool or hair from the skin, also their preservation, and at the same time
improve the hide or skin. These substances are all mucilages and gelatinous
matters.
The results to be obtained are as follows:-
First. To remove from the depilatory liquid its fluidity, and to give it such a

page_text: degree of thickness that in spreading it over the skin or hide to be operated upon a
sufficient quantity may be used without danger of the flowing of the liquid.
Second. The substances or liquids used should not have any injurious effect
on the quality of the skin or be destructive to the depilatory production or com-
position.
Third. The production should tend to give to the skins (after the removal of hair
or wool) softness and suppleness, and to prevent the waste of gelatine.
Fourth. The production should be uncolored and not leave upon the skin any
serious deposit which would necessitate washing and rinsing, as heretofore.
I obtain all the results above described by using linseed or substances derived
therefrom, gum of any kind, resin, treacle, glues or pastes, starch, the Fucus Crispus,
or in fact all gelatinous matter, either vegetable or animal.
The mixing may be effected ceither before putting into the forwarding cask or at
the time of using the production
These improvements as above stated are applicable to all the depilatory liquids
heretofore known.