Improvements in the Manufacture of Soles for Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1891-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Soles for Boots and Shoes.
I, OLE THORSTEINSON ODE, of Drammen, in the Kingdom of Norway, Teacher,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention relates to the manufacture of soles for boots and shoes and it
consists in the employment of wood-pulp treated in the manner hereinafter
described. I have found that wood-pulp is peculiarly adapted for the manufacture
of boot and shoe soles because it possesses the following natural qualities, videlicet:
It is plastic, and therefore can be easily made of the required shape; it is flexible
and soles made therefrom will therefore, when in use, exactly adapt themselves to
the sole of the foot; it possesses great insulating properties and readily absorbs
moisture.
In order to give soles produced from wood-pulp the solidity necessary for the
purpose and at the same time render them capable of neutralizing or disinfecting
the perspiration which they absorb during wear, I submit the wood-pulp to a
steeping process, whereby it becomes to a certain extent "tanned" or rendered
tough and durable.
This steeping or tanning process I carry out in the following manner :-
Sheets of wood-pulp of suitable thickness are placed in a bath, consisting of
water, in which is dissolved catechu, bichromate of potash, hydric borate and
animal glue. I find the following proportions to answer well in practice
Ninety kilogrammes of water = 90 litres.
Two kilogrammes of animal glue.
Two kilogrammes of catechu.
Half a kilogramme of bichromate of potash and
Half a kilogramme of hydric borate.
After having been completely saturated in the bath the sheets of wood-pulp are
taken out and placed upon an inclined plane in order that the superfluous liquid
may run off; they are then placed in piles of 150 to 200 sheets for example, and
are left for some time (2 to 3 weeks for example) during which they become to a
certain extent tanned.
The sheets are then laid on laths to dry and the prepared sheets of wood-pulp
are cut out into soles of the required shapes and sizes. The quantities and
proportions of the above mentioned materials forming the bath, and the method of
treatment can be varied according to the quality of the materials and the
wood-pulp or to suit requirements.
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
The manufacture of soles for boots and shoes from sheets of wood-pulp saturated
in a bath consisting of water, in which are dissolved catechu, bichromate of potash,
hydric borate and animal glue in about the proportions herein described, the said
sheets after saturation being taken out from the bath and drained of the superfluous
liquid, the sheets of wood-pulp being then placed in piles and left for a time, then

page_text: laid out to dry, and then cut into soles of the required shapes and sizes substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Dated the 18th day of June 1891.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.