IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WATERPROOF FABRICS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Abbott, of the Firm of Anderson, Abbott, and
Auderson, of Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WATERPROOF FABRICS."
Sealed the 2nd April 1878, and dated the 14th January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Abbott at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th January 1878.
WILLIAM ABBOTT, of the Firm of Anderson, Abbott, and Anderson, of Queen
Victoria Street, in the City of London. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
WATERPROOF FABRICS."
"
This Invention relates to the vulcanization more particularly of made-up goods of
woollen and silk materials, although applicable to other purposes.
In carrying out this Invention, the garments or articles to be vulcanized are first
coated with the india-rubber or india-rubber compound in the usual way, and are
then placed in a closed chamber in which chloride of sulphur is vaporized, by which
the vulcanization or curing of the india-rubber or india-rubber compound is
effected.
In case the fabrics retain any of the acid from the vapours, this may be neutralized
by immersing the fabrics in a weak alkali, or subjecting the same to the vapors of
an alkali, by preference ammonia. This process is particularly valuable for the vul-
canization of made-up garments or made-up goods, as the joints or seams which
have been attached together by means of india-rubber solutions are vulcanized at
the same operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Abbott in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
July 1878.
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WILLIAM ABBOTT, of the Firm of Anderson, Abbott, and Anderson, of Queen
Victoria Street, in the City of London. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
WATERPROOF FABRICS."
The said Invention relates to improvements in effecting the vulcanization of the
india-rubber contained upon or constituting an intermediate layer between the
fabrics of which the waterproof materials are to be composed, and consists in sub-
jecting such coating or layer of india-rubber to the action of the vapor of chlorido
of sulphur, in order that the india-rubber may thereby become vulcanized.
In carrying out the said Invention the compound fabric either in the piece or in
the form of garments or other articles is submitted to the action of the vapor of
chloride of sulphur until the desired vulcanization has been effected.
One method by which this is effected is by enclosing the fabrics, garments, or
articles in a closed vessel or chamber, and admitting therein the vapor of chloride
of sulphur. This process is particularly valuable for the vulcanization of made-up
garments or made-up goods, as the joints or scams which have been attached together
by means of india-rubber solutions are vulcanized at the same operation.
In case the fabrics retain any of the acid from the vapors this may be neutralized
by immersing the fabrics in a weak alkali, or subjecting the same to the vapors of
an alkali, by preference ammonia.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is, effecting the vulcanization of fabrics composed either of an exter-
nal or an intermediate layer of india-rubber by submitting the same either in the
piece or in the form of garments or articles to the action of chloride of sulphur,
substantially in the manner herein-before mentioned.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Abbott, have to this my Specification set
my hand and seal, the Twenty-eighth day of June, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM ABBOTT.
(L.S.)