IMPROVEMENTS IN COTTON PILE PLUSHES, AND IN THE METHOD OF AND PROCESSES USED IN THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Irlam, of the Firm of William Irlam and
Company, of Eccles, in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturers, for an
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN COTTON PILE PLUSHES, AND IN THE
METHOD OF AND PROCESSES USED IN THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF."
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Irlam at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th May 1881.
WILLIAM IRLAM, of the Firm of William Irlam and Company, of Eccles, in the
County of Lancaster, Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COTTON PILE PLUSHES,
AND IN THE METHOD OF AND PROCESSES USED IN THE MANUFACTURE
THEREOF."
Previously to my Invention, owing to the great inferiority of cotton plushes, it
has been necessary to employ woolen yarn for the pile in all cases wherein a good
appearance was required. The object of my Invention is to produce a cotton pile
plush equal in effect to the ordinary plush. To this end for the pile weft I use
dyed cotton or cotton yarn which has been dyed, and in the dyeing I prefer to use
aniline dyes, and I find that it is advisable or necessary to the obtaining of the
best effect to mordant the yarn twice. I mordant before dyeing with a tin
mordant, and after dyeing I mordant again with hydrochloric acid, or with alum,
or with a suitable mordant. By way of example I will state that in order to
obtain a bright blue I first treat the yarn with sumac and staunate of soda and
afterwards dye with aniline blue. I then mordant a second time, using alum or a
suitable mordant. When so treated the colors are not so liable to rub off or to be
transferred. I employ these dyed yarns in the weaving of the plush, but in order
to obtain a firmer back and a faster pile use linen yarn for the ground warp for
the reason that such yarn is firmer than cotton yarn. In some cases I produce
patterns by using two or more varieties or colors of yarn to form the pile.
Without a special preparation such a fabric is difficult to cut, and in fact the
difficulty experienced in the cutting would be sufficient to prevent the successful
manufacture of the goods. To render the fabric more easy to cut I prepare it with
a solution of sulphate of magnessia or Epsom salts, and in some cases I add
glycerine to the solution. The fabric when cut and finished is bright and effective
and is suitable to take the place of the more expensive woolen plushes. In
some cases I may use ordinary cotton ground warp in lieu of the said linen
warp.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said. William Irlam in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th November 1881.
WILLIAM IRLAM, of the Firm of William Irlam and Company, of Eccles, in the
County of Lancaster, Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COTTON PILE PLUSHES,
AND IN THE METHOD OF AND
PROCESSES USED IN THE MANUFACTURE
THEREOF."
Previously to my Invention, owing to the great inferiority of cotton plushes, it
has been necessary to employ woollen yarn for the pile in all cases wherein a good
appearance was required. The object of my Invention is to produce a cotton pile
plush equal in effect to the ordinary plush. To this end for the pile weft I use
dyed cotton or cotton yarn which has been dyed, and in the dyeing I prefer to use
aniline dyes. I find that it is advisable or necessary to the obtaining of the best
effect to mordant the yarn twice. I mordant before dyeing with a tin mordant,
and after dyeing I mordant again with hydrochloric acid, or with alum, or with a
suitable mordant. By way of example I will state that in order to obtain a
bright blue I first treat the yarn with sumac and staunate of soda and afterwards
dye with aniline blue. I then mordant a second time, using alum or a suitable
mordant. When so treated the colors are not so liable to rub off or to be
transferred. I employ these yarns in the weaving of the plush, but in order to
obtain a firmer back and a faster pile I use linen yarn for the ground warp for the
reason that such yarn is firmer than cotton yarn. In some cases 1 produce
patterns by using two or more varieties or colors of yarn to form the pile.
Without a special preparation such a fabric is difficult to cut, and in fact the
difficulty experienced in the cutting would be sufficient to prevent the successful
manufacture of the goods. To render the fabric more easy to cut I prepare it
with a solution of sulphate of magnesia or Epsom salts, and in some cases I add
glycerine to the solution. The fabric when cut and finished is bright and
effective and is suitable to take the place of the more expensive woollen plushes.
In some cases I may use ordinary cotton ground warp in lieu of the said linen warp.
Having now set forth and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the mode of carrying the same into practical effect, I would observe
in conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and desire to claim is as
follows: :-
Firstly. The manufacture of cotton pile plushes, substantially as hereinbefore
set forth.
Secondly. The employment in the manufacture of plushes of cotton which has
been dyed and treated substantially in the manner set forth.
And, Lastly. Treating cotton pile plushes woven with dyed cotton with a
solution of Epsom salts with or without glycerine, as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Irlam, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eleventh day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by
the said William Irlam in
the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
41, John Dalton St.,
Manchester,
(Agent for the Patentee).
WILLIAM IRLAM. (L.S.)