AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC FABRICS.
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Caleb Bedells, of Leicester, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC FABRICS..
Sealed the 15th January 1856, and dated the 7th August 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Caleb Bedells at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th August.
1855.
1, CALEB BEDELLS, of Leicester, do hereby declare the nature of the Inven-
tion for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC FABRICS" to be as.
follows:-.
This Invention consists of cementing sheet vulcanized india-rubber in a.
distended state between two surfaces of fabric woven in a warp and shuttle
loom; and the improvement consists in coating both sides of the sheet of
vulcanized india-rubber with india-rubber cement before placing the same
between two surfaces of woven fabric, each coated with india-rubber cement.
For this purpose, sheet vulcanized india-rubber is spread out on a suitable
table or surface, which is most conveniently done in a frame, and india-rubber
cement is applied to both surfaces thereof. If the sheet of vulcanized india-
rubber is more extensive than is required to be used in one piece, it is to be
cut up into the widths required; and in putting such sheet vulcanized india-
rubber coated with-india-rubber cement between two surfaces of woven fabric,
such as above mentioned, the sheet vulcanized india-rubber is to be stretched,

page_text: and retained stretched and distended, till the india-rubber cement on its surfaces
and that on the surfaces of the woven fabric are set or dry. In weaving fabrics
for this manufacture, I prefer that the weft should not be beaten up so closely
as usual, but this is not essential. For some purposes, instead of cementing the
sheet vulcanized india-rubber between two woven fabrics, as described, I attach
it to the surface of one fabric only while in a distended state.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Caleb Bedells in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th February 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM
THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CALEB
BEDELLS, of Leicester, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Caleb Bedells,. Her special licence, that I, the said Caleb Bedells, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Caleb
Bedells, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF ELASTIC FABRICS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Caleb Bedells, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the. said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Caleb Bedells, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention consists of cementing sheet vulcanized india-rubber in a dis-
tended state between two surfaces of fabric woven in a warp and shuttle loom;
and the improvement consists in coating both sides of the sheet of vulcanized

page_text: india-rubber with india-rubber cement before placing the same between two
surfaces of woven fabric, each coated with india-rubber. cement. For this
purpose, sheet vulcanized india-rubber is. spread out on a suitable table or
surface, which is most conveniently done in a frame, and india-rubber cement
is applied to both surfaces thereof. If the sheet of vulcanized india-rubber is
more extensive than is required to be used in one piece, it is to be cut up into
the widths and sizes required; and in putting such sheet vulcanized india-
rubber coated with india-rubber cement between two surfaces of woven fabric,
such as above mentioned, the sheet vulcanized india-rubber is to be stretched,
and retained stretched and distended, till the india-rubber cement on its surfaces
and that on the surfaces of the woven fabric are set or dry. In weaving fabrics
for this manufacture, I prefer that the weft should not be beaten-up-so-closely
as usual, but this is not essential. For some purposes, instead of cementing
the sheet vulcanized india-rubber between two woven fabrics, as described, I
attach it to the surface of one fabric only while in a distended state.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed to
describe more fully the manner of performing the same.
Thin sheets of vulcanized india-rubber are slightly extended, so as to be
made even in any suitable frame, and in this state the two surfaces are to be
coated by brushes or otherwise with india-rubber cement; and in like manner
silk, cotton, or other fabrics woven with warp and weft in warp and shuttle
looms are to be coated on one side with india-rubber cement, and these coated
surfaces are to be allowed to dry for some time in order to evaporate the
solvent in the india-rubber cement; to do which it is found desirable to subject
the articles to about 100° of Fahrenheit, and when the india-rubber is nearly
dry, but still retaining slightly adhesive surfaces, the vulcanized india-rubber
(cut to the sizes desired) is to be placed in a frame, and distended to a greater
or less length, according to the extent of elasticity desired to be given to
the compound manufacture. The vulcanized india-rubber whilst held in the
distended state is to be placed between the two extended surfaces of woven
fabrics, and the whole are to be then pressed together, by which a peculiar
elastic fabric will be produced, with smooth even surfaces on either side, and
free from creases or puckers. The two woven fabrics employed may be
different in respect to the materials of which they are woven, or they may be
of like materials, similarly or differently woven. It is preferred in most cases
that the edges of the woven fabrics, or one of them, should somewhat overlap
the edges of the vulcanized india-rubber, in order that the vulcanized india-
rubber may be completely covered at all parts, but this is not essential; and it
is preferred that the weft in weaving the fabrics should not be beaten up hard.

page_text: In some cases I only apply a warp woven fabric on one side of the vulcanized
india-rubber, in the manner above described; and then I cover the other side
with flock; or with a warp or other fabric not woven in: ȧ shuttle loom:
In witness whereof, I, the said Caleb Bedells, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
Witness,
S. FRANCIS STONE, Solicitor,
Leicester.
CALEB BEDELLS. (L.S.)