IMPROVEMENTS IN BLEACHING AND PREPARING FOR DYEING OR PRINTING COTTON, WOOL, HEMP, FLAX, JUTE, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Julius Sachs, of Canada Government Building,
King Street, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BLEACHING AND PREPARING FOR DYEING
OR PRINTING COTTON, WOOL, HEMP, FLAX, JUTE, AND OTHER FIBROUS
MATERIALS"
Sealed the 21st November 1876, and dated the 19th June 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Julius Sachs at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th June 1876.
JOSEPH JULIUS SACHS, of Canada Government Building, King Street, West-
minster, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BLEACHING
AND PREPARING FOR DYEING OR PRINTING COTTON, WOOL, HEMP, FLAX, JUTE,
AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
In carrying my improvements into effect I in most cases, except cotton, first wash
the fibrous material in a weak solution of chlorine such as is now generally used in
the process of bleaching. When treating cotton this chlorine process is not necessary.
The materials to be acted upon are then subjected to the action of a solution of
permanganate of potassium. For this purpose I dissolve, say, from one to four parts
of permanganate of potassium in one hundred parts of water, depending upon the
character of the material operated upon, and I allow the matters to remain in this
solution for from, say, three minutes to an hour, depending on the strength of the
solution, or the absorbent character of the material under operation.
In some cases in order to expedite the action of the solution of the permanganate I
add to it a small proportion of sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salt), say, one ounce to
one pound of the permanganate. I use these solutions cold. I then subject the
matters to be treated to the action of the vapours of sulphur in a close chamber
until the desired discoloration is attained, which in the case of cotton is generally
about three minutes. I then wash the materials in a weak alkaline solution.
The proportions given may be varied to the character of the material under.
operation.
The improvements are applicable to the treatment of the materials in a raw or
manufactured condition.
The effect of these operations is not only to bleach the material, but when so
required the better to prepare it for dyeing or printing processes,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Julius Sachs in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
December 1876.
JOSEPH JULIUS SACHS, of Canada Government Building, King Street, Westmin-
ster, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BLEACHING AND
PREPARING FOR DYEING OR PRINTING COTTON, WOOL, HEMP, FLAX, JUTE, AND
OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS."
from one
In carrying my improvements into effect I in most cases, except cotton, first
wash the fibrous material in a weak solution of chlorine such as is now generally
used in the process of bleaching. When treating cotton this chlorine process is not
necessary. The materials to be acted upon are then subjected to the action of a
solution of permanganate of potassium. For this purpose I dissolve, say,
to four parts of permanganate of potassium in one hundred parts of water, depending
upon the character of the material operated upon, and I allow the matters to remain
in this solution for from, say, three minutes to an hour, depending on the strength
of the solution or the absorbent character of the material under operation.
In some cases in order to expedite the action of the solution of the permanganate
I add to it a small proportion of sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salt), say, one ounce
to one pound of the permanganate. I use these solutions cold. I then subject the
matters to be heated to the action of the vapours of sulphur in a close chamber
until the desired discoloration is attained, which in the case of cotton is generally
about three minutes. I then wash the materials in a weak alkaline solution.
The proportions given may be varied to the character of the material under
operation.
The improvements are applicable to the treatment of the materials in a raw or
manufactured condition.
The effect of these operations is not only to bleach the material, but when so
required the better to prepare it for dyeing or printing processes.
By these means I obtain a direct bleaching of the vegetable fibre without the
necessity for the use of steam or boiling water, whilst the process is expeditious,
simple, and economical, and the material by it is rendered increasingly soft, elastic,
and glossy, and is brought into a better condition for dyeing and printing purposes
by being rendered more susceptible to dyeing and printing matters without the
necessity in the majority of cases for the use of mordants.
Having thus described my Invention, and means which I adopt in carrying
the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is, the use of
permanganate of potassium combined with sulphate of magnesia, the vapor of
sulphur, and, except in the case of cotton, a weak solution of chlorine, in manner
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Julius Sachs, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.