Improvements in Waterproofing Paper and other Fabrics, and in Machinery therefor.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Waterproofing Paper and other Fabrics, and
in Machinery therefor.
I, WILLIAM MACRONE, of 25 Jamaica Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
Letter-press Printer, do hereby declare the nature of said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERPROOFING PAPER AND OTHER FABRICS, AND IN MACHINERY
THEREFOR, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had to
the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say :-
My Invention relates to improvements in waterproofing paper and other fabrics,
and in machinery therefor, whereby a waterproofed paper, or other fabric, of a
superior class is produced with great rapidity and at a comparatively small cost.
According to my Invention, the paper, or other fabric, to be waterproofed, as
rolled off a web, is carried through a tank or cistern of prepared varnish or size,
heated to a temperature of about 212° Fah, and at a rate slow enough to permit
the air contained in the paper, or other fabric, being entirely replaced by the varnish
or size. The paper, etc. is then drawn between two pressure rollers heated a few
degrees higher than the liquid varnish or size. These rollers express the surplus
varnish or size from the fabric, and allow it to flow back to the tank. The fabric
is now carried a short distance, and, at this stage of the operation, it receives a
dusting of powdered steatite, which is brushed in and surplus cleaned off by a
convenient arrangement of brushes. This steatite sets the varnish or size, and the
fabric is inmediately wound on a reel or drum, at the end of the machine.
The size or varnish for this operation forms the subject of another Patent
deposited by me at the same time as this application.
And in order that my Invention may be readily understood, I proceed to describe
the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view
of a machine for carrying out my Invention, one of the sides of the tank or
cistern being removed in order that the working parts of the machine may be
clearly seen.
A, is a framework or table, on which I mount a tank or cistern, a, for containing
the varnish or size, which is maintained at a temperature of about 212° Fah. bv

page_text: any suitable apparatus or method. In this tank, and at a convenient height above
the liquid, I mount two feed rollers b, b1, between which passes the fabric to be
waterproofed; and coming from a drum or reel B.
From these rollers the fabric passes into the heated varnish or size, under two
leading or conducting rollers c, c¹, mounted in the lower part of the tank, and
immersed in the varnish or size.
On leaving these rollers, the fabric passes upwards and between two heated
rollers d, d, whose function is to express the surplus varnish or size from the
fabric. From these rollers the fabric passes over a table e, where it receives a
dusting of powdered steatite which is sprinkled over it, to set the varnish or size.
The use of the powdered steatite forms an important feature in my invention.
A brush (or brushes) having a reciprocating to and fro motion, or a brush (or
brushes) having a rotating motion is mounted above the table in suitable
bearers, and operates to brush in and clean off the powdered steatite.
The fabric thus waterproofed passes to a drum or reel C, on which it is wound
and is then ready for use.
The arrows indicate the direction of travel of the fabric into and out of the
machine.
Although I have, for the purpose of clearness, omitted all gearing from the
drawings, yet it is obvious that any suitable means may be adopted for driving
the rollers and for operating the brush or brushes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The process of waterproofing paper, and other fabrics, consisting in passing
the fabric through a bath of specially prepared varnish or size, and then treating
the surface of the fabric, as it issues from the bath, with powdered steatite, well
brushed in, substantially as described.
2. In the process of waterproofing paper, and other fabrics, the use of powdered
steatite, as and for the purpose described.
3. The machinery having its parts arranged, combined and operating substantially
as herein described and shewn in the drawings, and for the purposes set forth.
Date of Account TOOK