A New or Improved Substance for Oiling or similarly Treating Wool.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 1st June, 1893-Accepted, 1st July. 1893
|[Communicated from abroad by ERNEST GODCHAUX, O 3, Rue de Florence,
Paris, in the French Republic, Manufacturer.]
A New or Improved Substance for Oiling or similarly
Treating Wool.
I, WILLIAM EDWIN HEYS of 70 Market Street, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :―
This invention relates to a substance to be used as a substitute for the oleine,
olive oil, or other fatty matters usually employed in the oiling of wool. The new
substance consists of a mixture of soluble soap, water and glycerine to which is
added carbonate of potassium.
Soap is employed because of the viscosity it imparts to water and because it
facilitates or promotes the mutual adherence of the fibres to be treated. The
glycerine which is a neutral body soluble in all proportions in water, dissolves the
soap and deliquescent salts, and maintains in the wool the humidity necessary
during its conversion into yarn The advantages of glycerine are that it remains
fluid at the lowest temperature, that it does not evaporate on exposure to the air
and is not susceptible to rancidity or spontaneous combustion. By its employment
the fibres of the wool are moistened, lubricated and rendered flexible and supple
without being charged with grease, and are preserved from all change. These
qualities greatly facilitate the carding combing and spinning of the wool.
The carbonate of potassium which is a very deliquescent salt, is added to further
maintain a state of humidity in the fibres. It also increases the unctuousness of
the mixture and renders it more consistent. Being very soluble in either water or
glycerine it makes the mixture more soluble in water at ordinary temperatures and
gives a greater homogeneity to the mixture. The presence of the carbonate of
potassium also pievents any remaining traces of mordants having insoluble bases
from forming insoluble soaps with the soluble soap contained in the new substance,
by transforming them into insoluble carbonates.
By the use of the substance manufactured according to this invention imperfect
oiling or greasing is entirely obviated, tarnished colours or unequal dyeing is
prevented and the risk of fire and disagreeable smells are very much reduced.
The constituent parts of the new substance are preferred to be employed in about
the following proportions-15 parts of soap, 24 parts of glycerine, and 5 parts of
carbonate of potassium for each 100 parts of water. It will however be understood
that these proportions may be considerably varied without departing from the spirit
of this invention.
Among the advantages attendant upon the employment of the new substance are
its increased solubility in water at ordinary temperatures, the immediate impregna-
tion of the fibres and a saving in cost as compared with the usual oil or grease.
In the fulling and milling operations an economy of time is effected, and alkaline
substances and soap are also saved as there is no necessity for extracting surplus
grease or oil. The fibres or the cloth manufactured from them are capable of
receiving brighter and fresher colours and are much improved to the feel. Owing
to there being no unsaponified portions of greasy matter employed in the oiling
there will exist no irregularities in colour after dyeing, thus obviating any necessity
for the repetition of the operation.
In use, the compound of glycerine soap and carbonate of potassium is dissolved
in water at ordinary temperatures, and the wool is treated with the solution in

page_text: the same manner as it is at present treated with the oily matters commonly
employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
As a new article of manufacture a compound to be used as a substitute for oleine
olive oil and the like for oiling wool, and consisting essentially of glycerine, soluble
soap, water and carbonate of potassium, prepared substantially as hereinbefore
described.
WILLIAM E. HEYS.