AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF SIZING PAPER AND OTHER MATERIALS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF SIZING PAPER AND OTHER MATERIALS."
A communication from abroad by Peter E. Minor, of Schenectady, New York,
United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd November 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF SIZING
PAPER AND OTHER MATERIALS." [A communication from abroad by Peter E. Minor,
of Schenectady, New York, United States of America.]
Heretofore paper has been sized substantially in two ways, viz., first, by using
what is known to the trade as "rosin sizing," which consists of rosin and soda ash,
and which, when used in the engine, is precipitated with a solution of alum on the
fibre of the pulp and dried on the machine; second, "animal sizing," which consists
of glue or similar material and a solution of alum. In this process the paper is first
made, and when nearly dry is run through the sizing, and is afterwards dried by
the air at the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere.
The dis-advantages of these processes are,-
First, that in the use of the rosin sizing little or no strength is added to the
material or product; second, that in the use of animal sizing the substance of the
paper is not penetrated thoroughly, only the outside, rendering the advantages of
the sizing less effective, and consequently the strength of the paper is but littlo
increased. If an additional coating of sizing is used for the purpose of increasing
the strength of the paper, the sizing is liable to crack, and the paper to become less
flexible and more liable to break.
This sizing as heretofore used cannot be precipitated by alum in the engine and
be incorporated in the body of the paper or pulp for the reason that its solubility
in water causes it to be wasted during the process of manufacture.
Hence this
sizing, not being susceptible of incorporation in the body of the pulp or paper, adds
comparatively little strength to the inanufactured paper. Again, inasmuch as this
ID 71

page_text: sizing cannot be successfully dried by artificial heat and requires the slow process
of drying by the natural temperature of the air, the amount of space required for
drying purposes is largely increased, and the cost both in time and labor is
consequently enhanced.
The object of this Invention is to greatly increase the strength, flexibility, and
toughness of the paper manufactured, and where animal sizing is used, enable me
to precipitate the same on the fibre of the pulp in the engine, and thus thoroughly
incorporate the sizing with the body of the paper and at the same time render
the animal sizing insoluble in water, and prevent its loss during the process of
manufacturing the paper.
According to my Invention I make use of mucilage extracted from Irish moss, and
in carrying the said Invention into practice I proceed as follows, that is to say
For the manufacture of one ton of paper by the use of rosin sizing, after the usual
quantity of the latter is put into the engine I add the mucilage extracted from five
pounds of Irish moss; this should be put in at the time or immediately after the
rosin sizing is put in. The usual quantity of a saturated solution of alum is then
added to the mixture. The whole is then thoroughly beaten in the engine with
the pulp, the alum serving the purpose of precipitating the sizing on the fibre of
the pulp. These proportions may be varied; double the quantity of the moss
extract may, for instance, be used and less of the rosin, the greater quantity of
the moss merely serving the purpose of increasing the strength, flexibility, and finish
of the paper.
In the manufacture of paper by the use of animal sizing I may use to one
pound of glue in solution, the mucilage from one pound of Irish moss, or these
proportions may be varied to a certain extent. This compound may then be
precipitated on the fibre of the pulp by the use of alum solution in the quantity
usually used in rosin sizing. By my Invention animal_sizing-may-be-used-in-the-
-engine-and-thus incorporated with the pulp, the same as rosin sizing, and precipi-
tated on the fibre of the pulp. This also renders the animal sizing insoluble in
water, thus enabling the fibre to take up and retain all the sizing precipitated upon
it. Again the paper made by this process may be dried on the machine by
artificial heat, thus saving time and drying room as herein before stated. The
paper thus made is sized all the way through its substance, instead of only on the
surface as by the old process of animal sizing. The strength and flexibility of
the paper is also greatly increased, and by the use of a fibrous wood pulp, as good
or nearly as good a quality of paper may be produced by my process as can be
made from rag stock by the old process. The paper is practically insoluble in
water, and therefore retains its strength to a much greater degree than other paper
when subjected to dampness.
The Irish moss mucilage may also be used with both animal and resin sizing,
the proportions being about equal parts of the three sizings. These proportions
may be varied however, a greater proportion of the moss sizing always adding
strength and flexibility to the product besides giving it a better finish. This sizing
may also be precipitated in the engine and the product may be dried on the
machine. I may also use Irish moss mucilage alone as a sizing, and use caustic
soda to precipitate it in the engine instead of using alum solution as in the other
processes. This makes a very strong flexible paper adapted for the manufacture of
tissue paper and the like.
By the employment of this process the saving in the cost of manufacturing
animal sized paper is from 25 to 33 per cent.
In the manufacture of Manilla or other paper, where color is not an element of
value or excellence, I may use a solution of sulphate of iron in the proportion of
from 4 to 5 ounces or more of the sulphate to one gallon of water as a precipitate.
It is obvious that my Invention may also be used for sizing cloth and other
fibrous materials.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Scal Patent Office on the
1st May 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF SIZING
PAPER AND OTHER MATERIALS.' A communication from abroad by Peter E. Minor,
of Schenectady, New York, United States of America.
Heretofore paper has been sized substantially in two ways, viz., first, by using
what is known to the trade as "rosin sizing," which consists of rosin and soda or
soda ash, and which, when used in the engine, is precipitated with a solution of
nlum on the fibre of the pulp and dried on the machine; second, by using "animal
sizing," which consists of glue or similar material and a solution of alum. In
this process the paper is first made, and when nearly dry is run through the
sizing and is afterwards dried by the air at the ordinary temperature of the
atmosphere.
The disadvantages of these processes are, first, that in the use of rosin sizing
little or no strength is added to the material or product; second, that in the use
of animal sizing the substance of the paper is not penetrated thoroughly, only the
outside, rendering the advantages of the sizing less effective, and consequently
the strength of the paper is but little increased. If an additional coating of
ɓizing is used for the purpose of increasing the strength of the paper, the sizing is
liable to crack and the paper to become less flexible and more liable to break.
Hence this
This sizing as heretofore used cannot be precipitated by alum in the engine and
be incorporated in the body of the paper or pulp for the reason that its solubility
in water causes it to be wasted during the process of manufacture.
sizing, not being susceptible of incorporation in the body of the pulp or paper, adds
comparatively little strength to the manufactured paper. Again, inasmuch as this
sizing cannot be successfully dried by artificial beat and requires the slow process
of drying by the natural temperature of the air, the amount of space required for
drying purposes is largely increased, and the cost both in time and labor is
consequently enhanced.
The object of this Invention is to greatly increase the strength, flexibility, and
toughness of the paper manufactured, and where animal sizing is used, to enable me
to precipitate the same on the fibre of the pulp in the engine, and thus thoroughly
incorporate the sizing with the body of the paper and at the same time render the
animal sizing insoluble in water, and prevent its loss during the process of
manufacturing the paper.
According to the said Invention I make use of the mucilage extracted from
Irish moss, either alone or in combination with other materials, such as rosin, or
animal sizing, or the like. In carrying the said Invention into effect I proceed as
follows, that is to say:-For the manufacture of one ton of paper by the use of
rosin sizing, after the usual quantity of the latter is put into the engine I add the
mucilage extracted from five pounds of Irish moss; this should be put in at the
time or immediately after the rosin sizing is put in. The usual quantity of a
saturated solution of alum is then added to the mixture. The whole is then
thoroughly beaten in the engine with the pulp, the alum serving the purpose of
precipitating the sizing on the fibre of the pulp. These proportions may be varied;
double the quantity of moss extract may, for instance, be used, and less of the rosiu,

page_text: the greater quantity of the moss merely serving the purpose of increasing the
strength, flexibility, and finish of the paper.
In the manufacture of paper by the use of animal sizing I may use to one pound
of glue in solution, the mucilage from one pound of Irish moss, or these proportions
may be varied to a certain extent. This compound may then be precipitated on.
the fibre of the pulp by the use of alum solution in the quantity usually employed
in rosin sizing. By my Invention animal sizing may be used in the engine and
thus incorporated with the pulp, the same as rosin sizing, and precipitated on
the fibre of the pulp. The animal sizing is also rendered insoluble in water, thus
enabling the fibre to take up and retain all the sizing precipitated upon it. Again,
the paper made by this process may be dried on the machine by artificial heat,
thus saving time and drying space. The paper thus, made is sized all the way
through its substance, instead of only on the surface, as by the old process of animal
sizing. The strength and flexibility of the paper are also greatly increased, and
by the use of a fibrous wood pulp as good or nearly as good a quality of paper may
be produced by my process as can be made from rag stock by the old process. The
paper is practically insoluble in water, and therefore retains its strength to a much
greater degree than other paper when subjected to dampness.
The Irish moss mucilage may also be used with both animal and rosin sizing,
the proportions being about equal parts of the three sizings. These proportions
may be varied however, a greater proportion of the moss sizing always adding
strength and flexibility to the product besides giving it a better finish.
sizing may also be precipitated in the engine and the product may be dried on the
machine.
This
I may also use Irish moss mucilage alone as a sizing, and use caustic soda to
precipitate it in the engine instead of using alum solution as in the other processes,
or other precipitating agents may be used. This makes-a-very-strong flexible
paper adapted for the manufacture of tissue paper and the like.
By the employment of this process the saving in the cost of manufacturing
animal sized paper is from 25 to 33 per cent.
In the manufacture of Manilla or other paper, where color is not an element of
value or excellence, may use a solution of sulphate of iron in the proportion
of from four to five ounces or more of the sulphate to one gallon of water as a
precipitating agent.
It is obvious that my Invention may also be used for sizing cloth and other
fibrous materials.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,-
First. The process of sizing paper and paper stock by the use of the mucilage
extracted from Irish moss in combination with rosin sizing, the whole being precipi-
tated on the fibre of the pulp by a solution of alum or of sulphate of iron,
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Second. The process of sizing paper and paper stock by the use of the mucilage
extracted from Irish moss in combination with animal sizing, the whole being
precipitated in the engine on the fibre of the pulp by a solution of alum, substantially
as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Third. The process of sizing paper and paper stock by the use of the mucilage
extracted from Irish moss in combination with rosin and animal sizing, the whole
being precipitated on the fibre of the pulp in the engine by a solution of alum,
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Fourth. The process of sizing paper and paper stock with the mucilage extracte:
from Irish moss in combination with other ingredients, the whole being precipitated
on the fibre of the pulp by a solution of alum or of sulphate of iron, substantially
as and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. The process of sizing paper and paper stock with the mucilage extracted

page_text: from Irish moss precipitated on the fibre of the pulp by a solution of alum or a
solution of caustic soda or other precipitating agents, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
W. ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)