IMPROVE- MENTS IN TREATING AND WORKING ASBESTOS, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SAME TO VARIOus useful PurPOSES
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thaddeus Hyatt, of Gloucester Gardens, Hyde
Park, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN TREATING AND WORKING ASBESTOS, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF THE
SAME TO VARIOus useful PurPOSES."
Scaled the 5th December 1873, and dated the 8th October 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thaddeus Hyatt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th October 1873.
I, THADDEUS HYATT, of Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING AND WORKING ASBESTOS, AND IN THE APPLI-
CATION OF THE SAME TO VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES," to be as follows:
-
This Invention relates, firstly, to asbestos as thread or yarn for con-
version into twine, rope, cordage, and other like forms; and for being
woven or plaited into various useful articles, or woven into a fabrio
useful in the form of sheets, ribbons, bands, and the like, for conversion
into many useful articles.

page_text: The use of asbestos has thus far been exceedingly limited and
restricted, because the mineral has no strength in itself, and but little
strength in any of the compound forms thus far invented.
The essential character of my present improvements under this head
of my Invention consists in the use of a metallic base or thread of metal {
as a core for the asbestos thread, whatever may be its fineness. By
analogy my asbestos threads resembles "bonnet wire." Bonnet wire is a
fine metal thread wound about with cotton thread, and my asbestos
thread is a metal hair or very fine wire, in its most delicate condition)
wound about with asbestos filaments or threads. For the purpose of 1
clearness of description and to fix definitions and terms I name this
ultimate or first state into which I put the asbestos preparatory to its
varied applications asbestos bonnet wire. This bonnet wire I make by
any convenient method, one method, as already stated, being to wind the
metal core with asbestos thread, after the manner of manufacturing 1
ordinary bonnet wire.
•
Another method is to first make the asbestos into a thin paper by any
of the known processes of so doing, and having cut up this paper into
proper strips, to wind the wire about with the strips, which should then
be consolidated upon the wire by the pressure of grooved rollers, through
which the covered or lapped wire must be made to pass.
Another method is to make the asbestos into a sort of gummy pulp.
sufficiently adhesive to coat the wire as it is passed through it, and then
allowing this to dry sufficiently to enable it to be submitted to the proper
pressure; or if other coatings are needed, to repeat the operation.
}
Another method is to use the asbestos in a dough-like or plastic form.
In this case the dough may be placed in a cylinder, whose bottom is
perforated like a macaroni making machine. The metallic wire or wires
being then arranged to pass through the perforations simultaneously
with the asbestos mass, the dough is consolidated upon the wires to
any thickness required, each wire being kept exactly in the centre of its
own perforation, so as to be entirely encircled by the plastic mass.
Other means of imbedding the wire within the asbestos may be
employed, but I deem these sufficient as examples.
It is this asbestos coated wire which forms the foundation of the now
manufactures herein after described that is to
twine gond HARA

page_text: ribbons, tubes, packing, lamp wick, sheeting, cloth or canvass, lace or
netting, and as a substitute for sheet metal.
The articles of utility I manufacture from asbestos coated wire are as
follows:-
According to one part of my Invention I manufacture sun blinds and
fireproof sheet revolving shutters, the shutters being in one unbroken
flexible sheet or curtain woven from the "asbestos bonnet wire," and
either plain or corrugated, and cither close, solid, or open, like netting or
lattice work.
This fireproof asbestos sheeting I also make into table covers for
various uses and purposes, an evident one being to cover the moveable
table of wood used in plate glass works to receive the red hot plate of
glass from the rolling table of metal, and convey it to the annealing
oven.
From this same material I also make flat table mats, stamped up
dishes of various kinds for table use, heat retaining covers for meats,
"cosies" for tea and coffee pots, ice and cool water preservers or covers,
holders for sad irons.
As a substitute for sheet metal I use this "asbestos bonnet wire "
braided, twisted, or woven into larger and stronger threads, which are
again woven or converted into sheets of any size, strength, and thickness,
and which may be corrugated like sheet metal, and used for the various
purposes to which such metal is now applied, the making of roofs being
notably one. In such uses I waterproof the weather face of the asbestos
sheeting by any of the known methods of waterproofing artificial stone
which may be applicable, or by the application of stone paints or asbestos
paint, or it may be covered with thin waterproof paper or felt, or even
by light thin metal sheathing if thought necessary.
According to another part of my Invention I form an asbestos board
or plank from the asbestos canvass by first making the foundation
threads strong and heavy from either a great number of the finest wires
united into a larger thread and then woven into canvass, or by using
large wire in the foundation, or bonnet wire itself. The boards or planks
made from this asbestos canvass I then submit to powerful pressure, and
consolidate it after the manner of compressing paper pulp into mill-
boards and railway carriage wheels. By still farther extending this

page_text: process, to form beams for flooring and for other purposes in building,
such as joists and hollow partitions. The beams of this material I make
both solid and hollow, in the latter form using them to form "all-beam
floors," according to my Patent, No. 3124, A.D. 1871. This asbestos
sheeting or canvass I also apply to many useful purposes for which
ordinary canvas under its various forms is used, notably as floorcloth
(commonly called "oilcloth ") for the covering of halls, offices, and other
places. Thus used I paint, dye, or stain the surface with ornamental
figures or designs in colors, for this purpose when necessary overlaying
or coating the surface with some suitable ground for the pigments.
Upon this general plan I also make floor and wall tiles.
According to another part of my Invention I use this asbestos canvass
as a roof protector, that is to say, the roof may be constructed in any
manner, or it may be an old or existing roof, and my Invention then
consists in protecting it against fire by overlaying it with asbestos
canvas. I also propose to use this canvass as a covering for all manner
of steam and other heated surfaces in place of the ordinary felts now in
use where retained heat is wanted, the strength and character of the
canvass being such as to make it portable, safe, and easily applied. In
its compressed, board, or plank state I propose to perforate or otherwise
form it into gratings, to be set with glass for the admission of light in
making illuminating roofs, shutters, skylights, windows, and pavement
lights. And I also propose to make packing of every shape and kind
from this compressed canvas by cutting or stamping it into form.
In the form of lace or netting I incorporate the "asbestos bonnet
wire" with glass, to ornament, strengthen, and render it fire-resistant.
The second head of this Invention consists in the production of an
asbestos felt from asbestos flock, and the method or process to be fol-
lowed resembles the method of making felt hats by atmospheric pressure,
obtained preferably by exhausting the air from one side of a perforated
form, against which the flock is fed. In this process there may, under
some conditions, be an admixture or addition of other fibre or fibres ;
also, when serviceable, the use of steam and manipulation, or pressure
other and additional to the atmospheric pressure. This asbestos felt I
propose as a substitute for ordinary felt when protection against fire or
retention of heat is required, and where it may be preferred to the
asbestos canvass.

page_text: According to another part of this head of my Invention I make a felt
of the above description upon a wire netting foundation, which I name
"asbestos felted wire netting."
These
According to another part of my Invention I make the felt upon a
sheet metal foundation, which I name "asbestos felted sheet metal,” and
which I also make in corrugated form. This metal sheet should be
studded with projections to afford a hold for the asbestos.
materials are useful to be manufactured into some or all of the articles
already enumerated. The asbestos felted sheet metal may likewise be
cut into laths for making revolving shutters in the same manner as
common sheet metal is now used. It may also be cut up into the form
of shingles, either flat or corrugated, for roofing purposes, or for
covering the walls of buildings, or otherwise, and in various ways
applied.
The third head of this Invention relates to asbestos pulp and asbestos
dough, and their applications. According to this part of my Invention
I make asbestos pulp articles upon a wire netting foundation, and these
pulp manufactures, which include some or all of the above enumerated
articles and many more, may be consolidated by pressure. The pulp
may be mixed with a small per centage of any adhesive fire-resistant,
such as white clay or lime putty, if thought desirable; but if the asbestos
be treated in its natural state with caustic alkali, and the dissolved
silicate be left in with the fibres of asbestos, the material, especially if
pressure be added), will be sufficiently strong in itself in combination
with the wire netting foundation.
I also propose to work the asbestos into a dough form, much in the
manner of working flour by the maccaroni or vermicelli process, adding
in some cases a limited amount of wheat or rye flour to the mass, and
this dough I force through apertures (in the manner of making ver-
micelli) into wire rope, ribbons, and the like for various uses. I also
consolidate this dough upon concealed woven wire, or upon a concealed
grating, or upon a roughened metal sheet, thus obtaining a strong base
or foundation for the asbestos.
This asbestos dough I also treat by moulding and pressure, in some
instances using a netting or grating core or framework, and in others
without any, and by this process I produce articles of every kind of a
similar character or upon the same general plan as the manufacture of

page_text: papier maché work is now conducted. Upon this plan I mould and
press boxes or cases of any magnitude to answer as "strong boxes" for
preserving articles of value. These solid moulded cases of consolidated
asbestos may be encased in metal, or be used to protect the metal, case
itself against fire. But where the solid asbestos case is formed upon a
strong grating as the frame or foundation, the light outer metal caso
can be dispensed with. Meat safes or refrigerators may be thus made
with rare preservative qualities and at a cheap rate, the entire case of
five sides being made at one operation. The door for such a case is
made separately.
According to another part of my Invention I manufacture asbestos
fire-brick from asbestos dough under pressure, or from canvas made of
asbestos bonnet wire.
By another method of using asbestos, videlicit, by grinding it into a
very fine powder and otherwise treating it after the manner of preparing
pigments, a fireproof paint is produced.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thaddeus Hyatt in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 7th April 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ThaddEUS
HYATT, of Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park, in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of October, in tho
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three,
in the thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Thaddeus Hyatt, Her
special license that I, the said Thaddeus Hyatt, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thaddeus Hyatt, my
executors, administrators, or 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 Ohannel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS

page_text: IN TREATING AND WORKING ASBESTOS, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SAME TO
VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Thaddeus Hyatt, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, 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 Thaddeus Hyatt, 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, that is to say :-
This Invention relates, firstly, to asbestos as thread or yarn for con-
version into twine, rope, cordage, and other like forms; and for being
woven or plaited into various useful articles, or woven into a fabric
useful in the form of sheets, ribbons, bands, and the like, for conversion
into many useful articles.
The use of asbestos has thus far been exceedingly limited and
restricted, because the mineral has no strength in itself, and but littlo
strength in any of the compound forms thus far invented.
The essential character of my present improvements under this head
of my Invention consists in the use of a metallic base or thread of metal
as a core for the asbestos thread, whatever may be its fineness. By
analogy my asbestos threads resemble "bonnet wire." Bonnet wire is a
fine metal thread wound about with cotton thread, and my asbestos
thread is a metal hair or very fine wire in its most delicate condition
wound about with asbestos filaments or threads. For the purpose of
clearness of description and to fix definitions and terms I name this
ultimate or first state into which I put the asbestos preparatory to its
varied applications asbestos bonnet wire. This bonnet wire I make by
any convenient method, one method, as already stated, being to wind the
metal core with asbestos thread, after the manner of manufacturing.
ordinary bonnet wire.
Another method is to first make the asbestos into a thin paper by any
of the known processes of so doing, and having cut up this paper into
proper strips, to wind the wire about with the strips, which should then

page_text: be consolidated upon the wire by the pressure of grooved rollers, through
which the covered or lapped wire must be made to pass.
Another method is to make the asbestos into a sort of gummy pulp,
sufficiently adhesive to coat the wire as it is passed through it, and then
allowing this to dry sufficiently to enable it to be submitted to the proper
pressure; or if other coatings are needed, to repeat the operation.
Another method is to use the asbestos in a dough-like or plastic form.
In this case the dough may be placed in a cylinder, whose bottom is
perforated like a macaroni-making machine. The metallic wire or wires
being then arranged to pass through the perforations simultaneously with
the asbestos mass, the dough is consolidated upon the wires to any
thickness required, each wire being kept exactly in the centre of its own
perforation, so as to be entirly encircled by the plastic mass.
Other means of imbedding the wire within the asbestos may be
employed, but I deem these sufficient as examples.
It is this asbestos coated wire which forms the foundation of the new
manufactures herein-after described, that is to say, twine, cord, rope,
ribbons, tubes, packing, lamp wick, sheeting, cloth or canvass, lace or
netting, and as a substitute for sheet metal.
The articles of utility I manufacture from asbestos coated wire are as
follows:-
According to one part of my Invention I manufacture sun blinds and
fireproof sheet revolving shutters, the shutters being in one unbroken
flexible sheet or curtain woven from the "asbestos bonnet wire," and
either plain or corrugated, and either close, solid, or open, like netting or
lattice work.
This fireproof asbestos sheeting I also make into table covers for
various uses and purposes, an evident one being to cover the moveable
table of wood used in plate glass works to receive the red hot plate of
glass from the rolling table of metal, and convey it to the annealing
oven.
From this same material I also make flat table mats, stamped up
dishes of various kinds for table use, heat retaining covers for meats,
"cosies" for tea and coffee pots, icc and cool water preservers or covers,
holders for sad irons,

page_text: "
As a substitute for sheet metal I use this "asbestos bonnet wire
braiden, twisted, or woven into larger and stronger threads, which are
again woven or converted into sheets of any size, strength, and thickness,
and which may be corrugated like sheet metal, and used for the various
purposes to which such metal is now applied, the making of roofs being
notably one. In such cases I waterproof the weather face of the asbestos
sheeting by any of the known methods of waterproofing artificial stone
which may be applicable, or by the application of stone paints or asbestos
paint, or it may be covered with thin waterproof paper or felt, or even
by light thin metal sheathing if thought necessary.
According to another part of my Invention I form an asbestos board
or plank from the asbestos canvass by first making the foundation
threads strong and heavy from either a great number of the finest wires
united into a larger thread and then woven into canvass, or by using
large wire in the foundation, or bonnet wire itself. The boards or planks
made from this asbestos canvass I then submit to powerful pressure, and
consolidate it after the manner of compressing paper pulp into mill-
boards and railway carriage wheels. By still further extending this
process,
to form beams for flooring and for other purposes in building,
such as joists and hollow partitions. The beams of this material I make
both solid and hollow, in the latter form using them to form "all-beam
floors," according to my Patent, No. 3124, A.D. 1871. This asbestos
sheeting or canvass I also apply to many useful purposes for which
ordinary canvas under its various forms is used, notably as floorcloth
(commonly called "oilcloth ") for the covering of halls, offices, and other
places. Thus used I paint, dye, or stain the surface with ornamental
figures or designs in colors for this purpose when necessary, overlaying
or coating the surface with some suitable ground for the pigments.
Upon this general plan I also make floor and wall tiles.
According to another part of my Invention I use this asbestos canvass
as a roof protector, that is to say, the roof may be constructed in any
manner, or it may be an old or existing roof, and my Invention then
consists in protecting it against fire by overlaying it with asbestos
canvass. I also propose to use this canvass as a covering for all manner
of steam and other heated surfaces in place of the ordinary felts now in
use where retained heat is wanted,, the strength and character of the
canvass being such as to make it portable, safe, and easily applied. In
its compressed, board, or plank state I propose to perforate or otherwise

page_text: form it into gratings, to be set with glass for the admission of light
in making illuminating roofs, shutters, skylights, windows, and pave-
ment lights. And I also propose to make packing of every shape
and kind from this compressed canvass by cutting or stamping it into
form.
In the form of lace or netting I incorporate the "asbestos bonnet
wiro" with glass to ornament, strengthen, and render it fire-resistent.
The second head of this Invention consists in the production of an
asbestos felt from asbestos flock, and the method or process to be fol-
lowed resembles the method of making felt hats by atmospheric pressure
obtained preferably by exhausting the air from one side of a perforated
form, against which the flock is fcd. In this process there may, under
some conditions, be an admixture .or addition of other fibre or fibres;
also, when serviceable, the use of steam and manipulation, or pressure
other and additional to the atmospheric pressure. This asbestos felt I
propose as a substitute for ordinary felt when protection against fire or
retention of heat is required, and where it may be preferred to the
asbestos canvass.
According to another part of this head of my Invention I make a felt
of the above description upon a wire netting foundation, which I name
"asbestos felted wire netting."
According to another part of my Invention I make the felt upon a
sheet metal foundation, which I name "asbestos felted sheet metal," and
which I also make in corrugated form. This metal sheet should be
studded with projections to afford a hold for the asbestos. These
materials are useful to be manufactured into some or all of the articles
already enumerated. The asbestos felted sheet metal may likewise be.
cut into laths for making revolving shutters in the same manner as
common sheet metal is now used. It may also be cut up into the form
of shingles, either flat or corrugated, for roofing purposes, or for
covering the walls of buildings, or otherwise, and in various ways
⚫ applied.
The third head of this Invention relates to asbestos pulp and asbestos
dough, and their applications. According to this part of my Invention
I make asbestos pulp articles upon a wire netting foundation, and these
pulp manufactures, which include some or all of the above enumerated
articles and many more, may be consolidated by pressure. The pulp

page_text: may be mixed with a small percentage of any adhesive fire-resistant,
such as white clay or lime putty, if thought desirable; but if the asbestos
be treated in its natural state with caustic alkali, and the dissolved
silicate be left in with the fibres of asbestos, the material (especially if
pressure be added) will be sufficiently strong in itself in combination
with the wire netting foundation.
I also propose to work the asbestos into a dough form, much in the
manner of working flour by the maccaroni or vermicelli process, adding
in some cases a limited amount of wheat or ryc flour to the mass, and
this dough I force through apertures (in the manner of making ver-
micelli) into wire rope, ribbons, and the like for various uses. I also
consolidate this dough upon concealed woven wire, or upon a concealed
grating, or upon a roughened metal sheet, thus obtaining a strong base
or foundation for the asbestos.
This asbestos dough I also treat by moulding and pressure, in some
instances using a netting or grating core or framework, and in others
without any, and by this process I produce articles of every kind of a
similar character or upon the same general plan as the manufacture of
papier maché work is now conducted. Upon this plan I mould and
press boxes or cases of any magnitude to answer as "strong boxes" for
preserving articles of value. These solid moulded cases of consolidated
asbestos may be incased in metal, or be used to protect the metal case
itself against fire. But where the solid asbestos case is formed upon a
strong grating as the frame or foundation, the light outer metal case
can be dispensed with. Meat safes or refrigerators may be thus made
with rare preservative qualities, and at a cheap rate, the entire case of
five sides being made at one operation. The door for such a case is
made separately.
According to another part of my Invention I manufacture asbestos
fire-brick from asbestos dough under pressure, or from canvass made of
asbestos bonnet wire.
By another method of using asbestos, videlicet, by grinding it into a
very fine powder and otherwise treating it after the manner of preparing
pigments, a fireproof paint is produced.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my