Improvements in the Method of and Means for Mordanting Yarns, Threads, Fabrics, and other Materials composed of Fibres having a Vegetable Origin.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Oct, 1896
Complete Specification Left 26th July, 1897-Accepted. 11th Sept.. 1897
Complete Specification Left 26th July. 1897-Accepted. 11th Sept.. 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in the Method of and Means for Mordanting Yarns,
Threads, Fabrics, and other Materials composed of Fibres having
a Vegetable Origin.
We, ADOLF LIEBMANN, M.A., D.Ph., Consulting Chemist, and WILLIAM KEHR,
Bleacher and Dyer, both of 10, Marsden Street, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This Invention has reference to a new or improved method of, and means
for mordanting by fixing metallic oxides and hydrates in grey or bleached yarns,
threads, fabrics, and other materials composed of fibres having a vegetable origin,
and which, at the same time produce a silky or lustrous effect.
In carrying out this Invention, we mercerise the goods in which the metallic
oxide or hydrate is to be fixed, by means of a caustic soda solution in which the
metallic oxide has been dissolved. In some cases it is advantageous to add to
the mercerising solution, Glycerine or other material which will aid the solution
in like manner. From the mercerising bath, the goods are removed to a suitable
stretching apparatus or appliance in which they are stretched whilst still wet
with the mercerising liquor. After a few minutes the goods are douched or
washed, in the stretched condition, with water.
Upon the subsequent removal of the goods from the stretching apparatus, the
metallic oxide or hydrate will be found to be fixed in the fibres, and that the
latter will have acquired a silky lustre, in addition to the advantages ordinarily
arising from mercerisation.
Dated this 24th day of October A.D. 1896.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Means for Mordanting Yarns,
Threads, Fabrics, and other Materials composed of Fibres having
a Vegetable Origin.
We, ADOLF LIEBMANN, M.A., D.Ph., Consulting Chemist and WILLIAM KERR,
Bleacher and Dyer, both of 10 Marsden Street, Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the
Pine 81

page_text: same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This Invention has reference to a new or improved method of and means for
mordanting, and for at the same time, producing a silky or lustrous effect, by
fixing metallic oxides and hydrates in grey or bleached yarns, threads and fabrics
composed of fibres having a vegetable origin.
In carrying out this Invention, we mercerise the goods in which the mordanting
metallic oxide or hydrate is to be fixed, by means of a caustic soda solution in
which the mordant has previously been dissolved. To obtain the greatest silky
or lustrous effect, it is necessary to employ only such goods as are manufactured
from vegetable fibres having a long staple. In the case of cotton goods for
example, when we desire to produce the best effect we operate only on loosely
spun yarns and loosely woven goods or articles made therefrom, which are com-
posed of Egyptian or Sea Island cottons or other similar long stapled cottons.
The mordanting agent is dissolved in the bath in such proportions as to deposit
the desired quantity on the fibre. A solution containing from one to five per
cent. of the mordanting agent will be found to be satisfactory in most cases.
It is, we find, sometimes advantageous to add to the mercerising solution about
ten per cent. of commercial glycerine or an equivalent quantity of other material
which will in like manner aid the solution of the mordanting agent in the mer-
cerising bath. Alternatively, we may first dissolve the mordanting agent in a
small quantity of water and the glycerine or its equivalent, and add this clear
solution to the mercerising liquor.
1
The mercerising bath may, before the addition thereto of the mordanting
agent, have a strength of about 52% to 54° Tw. and it will be understood that
although we have described it as being composed of a solution of caustic soda,
it may, where circumstances permit the enhanced cost, consist of a similar solution
of caustic potash.
The following are given as examples of mercerising-mordanting baths which
we may use for the purposes of our invention.
(1). 8 pounds of finely ground chrome alum are dissolved in 100 pounds of
Caustic Soda solution 52° Tw.
(2). 3 pounds of Iron Perchloride are dissolved in 2 pounds of water and
10 pounds of Glycerine; this solution is then slowly added to 100 pounds of
Caustic Soda Solution 54°/Tw.
The period during which the goods may be treated in the mercerising-
mordanting bath will vary just as in the ordinary mercerising process, according
to the nature of the goods and the strength of the solution.
From the mercerising-mordanting bath the goods are removed to a suitable
stretching apparatus or appliance in which they are stretched whilst still wet
with the mercerising liquor, with or without a preliminary mangling or squeezing
to remove the superfluous liquor, as may or may not be necessary. The stretching
apparatus or appliance which we may employ may be of known construction
and does not need to be described. The amount of stretching may vary con-
siderably but for average purposes it will suffice if the stretching be carried so
far as to restore the original dimensions of the goods which will have become
shrunk or contracted in the mercerising-mordanting bath.
After the goods have remained in the stretched condition for from five to ten
minutes, and whilst they are still so stretched, they are washed or douched with
water. The goods may then be removed from the stretching apparatus and be
further washed or be otherwise treated as may be required and as is at present
practised.
The two operations of mercerising and stretching can be effected simultaneously
as will be well understood, if the goods be subjected to the mercerising bath
treatment in a stretched condition, but we find it better to proceed as before
described.

page_text: When the washing or douching of the stretched goods has been finished it
will be found that the mordant is fixed in the fibres and that in addition to the
advantages ordinarily resulting from mercerisation, the latter will have acquired
a permanent lustre which in the case of loosely spun and woven goods made from
Egyptian and Sea Island cotton, closely resembles the lustre of silk.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
The herein before described process which consists in treating goods of
vegetable origin in a mercerising-mordanting bath, in stretching the goods whilst
still wet from the bath, and in washing them whilst they are still stretched;
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 24th day of
1897
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.