IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IMITATION OR ARTI- BICIAL LETE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Harrington, of Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IMITATION OR ARTI-
BICIAL LETE"
Sealed the 6th September 1878, and dated the 20th June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Harrington at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th June 1878.
JOHN HARRINGTON, of Ryde, in the Isle of Wight.
MANUFACTURE OF IMITATION OR ARTIFICIAL LEATHER."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
The Invention has for its object improvements upon an Invention for which
Letters Patent were granted to me, dated August 22, 1876, No. 3290, and relates
to additions to and modifications of the process described in the Specification of my
said Patent, whereby a better and more pliable article is produced than was possible
when working according to the aforesaid process.
According to my present Invention I take felt or felted fabric, preferably of the
character mentioned in my said Specification, although other descriptions of felt or
felted fabric may be employed, and I dye the entire body thereof when required for
dark or comparatively dark colors to a color approximating to that desired for the
finished article; but when a very pale color is required, the body of the felt does
not require dyeing.
In performing the dyeing process I mix the dye with or add thereto a weak solu-
tion of glue or size. When dry I size both surfaces of the dyed felt or felted fabric
in order to insulate the caoutchouc, when such is contained in the body thereof, and
thereby prevent the oil employed in the subsequent processes from coming inja-
riously into contact therewith. When the last mentioned sizing is dry I color the
surface intended to be grained to any required tint with a good drying oil color, of
which I apply one or more costs, as may be found necessary, and when dry I coat
the surface intended to be grained with a weak solution of shellac in water, after
which I grain such, surface by the means described in the Specification of Letters

page_text: Patent granted to me, dated September 14, 1871, No. 2423; or such material may
be grained or embossed by means of engraved rollers, or by other suitable means.
After graining, the tips of the grain may, if desired, be varnished to render the
imitation of leather more perfect.
Instead of applying a woven back to the felt or felted material before graining it,
as described in my herein first-mentioned Specification, I apply a back of woven
material thereto after the graining has been effected; and in cementing the same I
apply considerably more elastic cement between the two materials than is required
for the mere cementing of them together, whereby I afford a proper support to the
raised grain, whilst at the same time I render the finished article more pliable, and
less liable to injury than would be the case if only sufficient cement were employed
to cement the two materials together.
The material is then seasoned for a few days; after which it is submitted to rolling
pressure in order to expand or extend the elastic composition or cement therein, so
as to impart a "parallel "grain thereto, and at the same time a more flexible character,
thereby enabling it to be rolled, packed, and handled without injury thereto.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Harrington in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th Decéinbér
1878.
JOHN HARRINGTON, of Ryde, in the Isle of Wight.
MANUFACTURE OF IMITATION OR ARTIFICIAL LEATHER."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
The Invention has for its object improvements upon an Invention for which
Letters Patent were granted to me, dated August 22, 1876, No. 3290, and relatės
to additions to and modifications of the process described in the Specification of iny
said Patent, whereby a better and more pliable article is produced than was possible
when working according to the aforesaid process.
According to my present Invention I take felt or felted fabric, preferably of the
character mentioned in my said Specification, although other descriptions of felt or
felted fabric may be employed, and I dye the entire body thereof when required for
dark or comparatively dark colors to a color approximating to that desired for the
finished article; but when a very pale color is required, the body of the felt does
not require dyeing.
In performing the dyeing process I mix the dye with or add thereto a weak solu-
tion of glue or size, and I pass the material between rollers immersed in the dye in
order evenly to distribute the dye. When dry I size both surfaces of the dyed felt
or felted fabric in. order to insulate the caoutchouc, when such is contained in the
body thereof, and thereby prevent the oil employed in the subsequent processes
from coming injuriously into contact therewith. The size I employ for this purpose
consists of about 1 lbs. of common glue dissolved in a gallon of water. When the
last-mentioned sizing is dry I color the surface intended to be grained to any

page_text: required tint with a good drying oil color, of which I apply one or more costs,
as inay he found necessary, and when dry I coat the surface intended to be
grained with a weak solution of shellac in water, after which I grain such surface
by the means described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, dated
September 14, 1871, No. 2423; or such material may be grained or embossed by
means of engraved rollers, or by other suitable means,
After graining, the tips of the grain may, if desired, be varnished to render the
imitation of leather more perfect. Any hard drying varnish may be employed for
this purpose.
Instead of applying a woven back to the felt or felted material before graining it,
as described in my herein first-mentioned Specification, I apply a back of woven
material to the felted material after the graining has been effected; and in cementing
the same I apply considerably more elastic cement between the two materials than
is required for the mere cementing of them together, whereby I afford a proper sup-
port to the raised grain, whilst at the same time I render the finished article more
pliable, and less liable to injury than would be the case if only sufficient cement were
employed to cement the two materials together.
The ceinent I prefer to employ for the above purpose is formed of glue or gelatine
dissolved in as little water as will suffice to dissolve it on the application of heat,
combined with from twenty-five to fifty per cent. of glycerine, according to the
strength of the glue or gelatine and glycerine used. Boiled linseed oil, which may
be mixed with other vegetable or animal oil, is added as long as combination takes
place between the mixture of glue or gelatine, glycerine, and oil. When the oil
ceases to amalgamate with the mixture, more gelatine must be added, and about
one to five per cent, of bichromate of potash or ammonia is added. Modifications
of this mixture may be made to produce a cement more or less flexible, as may be
required.
In cementing the felted material to the woven or other fabric by the aid of cement
of the character above described, I beam each fabric on a separate roller or beam, and
the surfaces to be cemented are brought together between rollers, which are so
arranged as to be capable of any required adjustment.
The cementing composition above described is brought into contact with the two
surfaces simultaneously as they pass between the rollers, thus securing the full
benefit of the cementing power of the hot mixture.
The quantity of cement used is regulated by the adjusting rollers.
The material after being cemented to the woven material is then seasoned for a
few days, after which it is submitted to rolling pressure in order to expand or extend
the elastic composition or cement therein, so as to impart a “parallel grain" thereto,
and at the same time a more flexible character, thereby enabling it to be rolled,
packed, and handled without injury thereto.
a felted
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the node in which
I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is, the
manufacture of artificial or imitation leather by the employment of
material treated and prepared on its two surfaces, in manner substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Harrington, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
JOHN HARRINGTON. (L.S.)