AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND COMPOSITION FOR WATERPROOFING WOVEN FABRICS, LEATHER, PAPER, ROPE, AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND COMPOSITION FOR WATERPROOFING WOVEN
FABRICS, LEATHER, PAPER, ROPE, AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS."
A com-
munication from abroad by Adolphe Joseph Huleux and Charles Dreyfuss,
hoth of Paris, France.
Sealed the 18th July 1879, and dated the 3rd February 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd February 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND COMPOSITION
FOR WATERPROOFING WOVEN FABRICS, LEATHER, PAPER, ROPE, AND OTHER LIKE
MATERIALS." [A communication from abroad by Adolphe Joseph Huleux and
Charles Dreyfuss, both of Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to an improved process for rendering water proof various
materials, such as woven fabrics of all kinds, leather, paper, card-board, ropes,
thread, and many other materials or substances, and the said Invention comprises
a mixture or composition of materials used in the said process, and which are
hereinafter set forth.
The said composition is applied to the materials which it is desired to render
waterproof in a particular and special manner with regard to the nature of the
materials themselves.
Many compositions have been used heretofore with a view to secure the results
obtained by means of this Invention, such compositions being called "water proof,"
and containing a certain number of substances more or less suitable for the purpose.
Experience has however shewn that the results have not heretofore been satisfactory,
and in order to make woven fabrics really water-proof, it is the practice to weave
them in a special manner, that is to say, the threads are so woven as to produce a.
very dense or close texture which is costly to produce.
This Invention on the contrary provides means whereby the water-proofing may
be effected by the employment in definite proportions of a mixture or composition
composed of a certain number of substances. Some of these may have been already

page_text: KII.
Yellow or white wax of best quality
-English-varnish (Vernis Anglais) -
"Burgundy pitch™
=
Earth-nut oil (huile d'Arachide)-
Sulphate of iron
Essence of thyme (or other suitable essence)
1.000
-
0:060
0.040
0:080.
0.050
0.020
To combine the above named ingredients, I commence by melting the pitch in a
vessel subjected to heat. I also dissolve in the desired proportions the sulphate of
iron in the melted yellow wax. Then all the substances are mixed together in the
proportions above named, and the mass is agitated, being kept at a mild heat until
the mixture has become liquid and homogeneous. The mixture or composition is
then ready to be used.
I desire it to be understood that the proportions above mentioned of the various
substances may be varied within certain limits in order to suit the particular
requirements with regard to thickness, texture, or otherwise of the materials to be
treated, and in some instances it may be desirable to substitute other equivalent
substances for some of those above indicated. This applies particularly to the
English varnish, the Burgundy pitch, and the earth-nut oil, which substances may
be replaced by other varnish of good quality, white resin and oil of some other
kind than that above named adhering to the proportions given.
When woven fabrics, threads, or paper, are to be treated, I pass them into a vat
containing the hot composition, and which is provided with rollers which compel
the materials to penetrate into the liquid mass. When they are taken from the
vat they are submitted to the action of several pairs of heated cylinders in order to
extract any excess of the composition, and to ensure the equal penetration of the
quantity required throughout the whole extent of the material.
Instead of the aforesaid heated cylinders I may use tables or other mechanical
apparatus or devices suitable for effecting the desired object.
When the materials which have been thus treated have become cold, they
assume a certain consistency, and may be rolled or folded in any ordinary manner
employed for the purpose of delivering them for sale.
When leather is to be treated according to this Invention, the operation must be
modified in order to avoid any injurious action which might result through im
mersing the leather in the hot liquid mass. It is also necessary to ensure the
complete penetration of the composition within the pores of the leather. I there-
fore proceed as follows, that is to say:-
"
The
1
The liquid composition is applied with a brush to the inside surface of the leather,
that is to say, not the hair-side, the leather being placed on a heated table.
composition is caused to penetrate into the pores of the leather by means of
pressure and friction operated by hand, or preferably, by, mechanical means. It is
found that this penetration is very greatly facilitated by the nature of the said
composition..
The said composition may be applied hot to the seams and joints of articles
manufactured of the said woven fabrics, paper, or leather, in order to make the
same perfectly water tight. This will be found useful for awnings, tilts, or coverings
for carts and wagons, tents, boots & shoes, various articles for soldiers' use, ropes
& cords, and other objects or articles used on ships and in harbours,

page_text: 1
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th July
1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND COMPOSITION
FOR WATERPROOFING WOVEN FABRICS, LEATHER, PAPER, ROPE, AND OTHER LIKE
MATERIALS." A communication from abroad by Adolphe Joseph Huleux and
Charles Dreyfuss, both of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to an improved process for waterproofing various materials,
such as woven fabrics of all kinds, leather, paper, cardboard, cordage, thread, and
many other substances, and the said Invention comprises a mixture or composition
prepared as hereinafter set forth, which is applied to the materials to be rendered
waterproof in a particular and special manner with regard to the nature of these
materials.
It has been sought to obtain these results with many compositions called "water-
proof," and containing a certain number of substances more or less suitable for the
purpose. Experience however quickly demonstrated the insufficiency of these
means, and in order to make woven fabrics really waterproof, it has been the
practice to weave them in a special manner, that is to say, they are woven with a
very dense or close texture which is costly to produce.
:
This Invention on the contrary provides means whereby the waterproofing may
be effected by the employment in definite proportions of a mixture or composition
of a certain number of substances, some of which may have been already suggested,
but which have no practical utility, except when combined in suitable proportions."
The composition used for the purposes of this Invention is as follows, that is to
say
•
Yellow or white wax of best quality
English varnish (Vernis Anglais) -
Burgundy pitch
Earth nut oil (huile d'Arachide)
Sulphate of iron
-
Essence of thyme (or other suitable essence)
kil.
1.000
0.060
0.040
0.080
0.050
0.020
To combine the above named ingredients, I commence by melting the pitch in a
vessel subjected to heat. I also dissolve in the desired proportions the sulphate of
iron in the melted yellow wax. Then all the substances are mixed in the pro-
portions above named, and the mass is agitated, being kept at a gentle heat until
the mixture has become liquid and homogeneous. The mixture or composition is
then ready to be used.
I wish it understood that the above specified proportions of the various substances
may be varied within certain limits according to the nature of the materials to which
the composition is to be applied, and according to the thickness and texture of
these materials, and in some instances it may be desirable to substitute other
equivalent substances for some of those above indicated, particularly the English
varnish, Burgundy pitch, and earth nut oil, which may be replaced by other varnish
of good quality, white resin, and oil of some other kind, the proportions above
given being maintained.
When the material to be treated is a woven fabric, thread, or paper, I pass the
same into a vat which contains the hot composition, and which is provided with
rollers for compelling the said material to properly enter the liquid mass. When
taken from the vat, it is subjected to the action of several pairs of heated cylinders
to extract any excess of the composition, and to ensure the equal penetration
thereby of the whole extent of the woven or other fabric or material.

page_text: Instead of the aforesaid heated cylinders, I may use heated tables or other
mechanical apparatus or devices suitable for effecting the desired object.
When the materials which have been thus treated have become cold, they assume
a consistency which permits-them-to-be-rolled or folded in any ordinary manner
for the purpose of delivering them for sale.
When leather is to be treated according to this Invention, the operation must be
modified in order to avoid any injurious action which might result from immersing
the leather in the hot liquid mass. "It is also necessary to ensure the thorough
incorporation of the composition within the pores of the leather.
For this purpose the liquid composition is applied with a brush to the inside
surface of the leather, that is to say, not to the hair side, the leather being placed
on a heated table. The composition is then caused to enter the pores of the leather
by pressure and friction produced by hand, or preferably by mechanical means.
is found that the penetration of the leather by the composition is greatly facilitated
by the nature of the latter.
It
The said composition may be applied hot to the scams and joints of the said
woven fabrics, paper, or leather, to make the same perfectly water-tight when made
into awnings, tilts, or coverings for carts and wagons, tents, boots and shoes, and
various articles for soldiers' use, also to ropes, cords, and other objects or articles
used on board ships, or in harbours or the like.
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 understood
that I claim,-
The above described improved process for waterproofing woven fabrics, leather,
paper, pasteboard, cordage, thread, and similar materials based upon the employ-
ment of the aforesaid mixture or composition, whose preparation and manner of
application are varied according to the nature of the material to be treated by the
same, as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
DANT
T