IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL OR IMITA- TION LEATHER
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Harrington, of Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL OR IMITA-
TION LEATHER."
Sealed the 6th February 1877, and dated the 22nd August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Harrington at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd August 1876.
JOHN HARRINGTON, of Ryde, in the Isle of Wight.
MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL OR IMITATION LEATHER."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
For this purpose, in lieu of paper, I employ a felted material, by preference of a
similar character to that made according to Hancock's Patents, dated November 29,
1824, and March 15, 1825. I treat this material with a size or other suitable
dressing preparation to enable it to receive the coloring matter, which it would
otherwise not receive sufficiently evenly. The surface of the felted material is thon
colored by means of pigment, colors, or dyes.
The felted material is also cemented on its back to a woven or other fabric by
means of a flexible cement, preferably formed of glue or gelatine steeped and
dissolved in as little water as will suffice to dissolve it on the application of heat,
combined with from twenty-five to fifty per cent. of glycerine, according to the
strength of the glue or gelatine and glycerine used. Boiled linseed oil, which may
be mixed with other vegetable or animal oil, is added as long as combination takes
place between the mixture of glue or gelatine, glycerine and oil. When the oil
ceases to amalgamate with the mixture more gelatine must be added, and about
one to five per cent. of bichromate of potash or ammonia is added. Modifications
of this mixture may be made to make it more or less flexible.
In cementing the felted material to the woven or other fabric each fabric is
beamed on a separate roller, and the surfaces to be cemented are brought together
between rollers, which are so arranged as to be capable of any required adjust-
ment.
The cementing composition is brought into contact with the two surfaces simul-
taneously as they pass between the rollers, thus securing the full benefit of the
cementing power of the hot mixture. The quantity of cement used is regulated by
the adjusting rollers.

page_text: The surface of the felted fabric has imparted thoreto a facsimilo of the grain of
leather or other ornamental design by the means described in the Specification of
my former Patent, dated September 14, 1871, No. 2423.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Harrington in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st February 1877.
JOHN HARRINGTON, of Ryde, in the Isle of Wight. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL OR IMITATION LEATHER."
The Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of artificial
or imitation leather. For this purpose, in lieu of paper, I employ a felted material,
by preference of a similar character to that made according to Hancock's Patents,
dated November 29th, 1824, and March 15th, 1825. I treat the surface of this
material with a size or other suitable dressing preparation, or I apply thereto a
surface of paper cemented thereon by means of an elastic cement, preferably india-
rubber cement, to enable it to receive the required colouring matter, which it would
.otherwise not receive sufficiently evenly. In cementing paper on the surface of the
felted material for the above purpose by the aid of india-rubber cement I press the
two materials together immediately the cement is applied thereto, and before the
solvent has evaporated therefrom. The surface of the felted material after being
prepared as above described is then colored by means of pigment colors or dyes to
any required color, as will be well understood.
•
The felted material is also cemented on its back to a woven or other fabric by
means of a flexible cement, which may be formed of glue or gelatine dissolved in
as little water as will suffice to dissolve it on the application of heat combined with
from twenty-five to fifty per cent. of glycerine, according to the strength of the
glue or gelatine and glycerine used. Boiled linseed oil, which may be mixed with
other vegetable or animal oil, is added as long as combination takes place between
the mixture of glue or gelatine, glycerine and oil. When the oil ceases to
amalgamate with the mixture more gelatine must be added, and about one to five
per cent. of bichromate of potash or ammonia is added. Modifications of this
mixture may be made to produce a cement more or less flexible as may be
required.
În cementing the felted material to the woven or other fabric by the aid of
cement of the character above described I beam each fabric on a separate roller or
beam, and the surfaces to be cemented are brought together between rollers, which
are so arranged as to be capable of any required adjustment.
The cementing composition above described is brought into contact with the two
surfaces simultaneously as they pass between the rollers, thus securing the full
benefit of the cementing power of the hot mixture. The quantity of cement used
is regulated by the adjusting rollers. I have however found by experience that
india-rubber cement is the preferable cement to employ; but in employing the
sume I would observe that for cementing the felted material to the backing I
allow the solvent of the cement after the latter is applied to the materials to
evaporate therefrom before pressing the two materials together, and such
materials aro afterwards perfectly united by the pressure used in the graining
process.
The surface of the felted fabric after being prepared in the manner above
described is prepared and waterproofed, and has imparted thereto a facsimile of the
grain of any desired leather by the means described in the Specification of my
former Patent, dated September 14th, 1871, No. 2423.
•
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the mode in which I
carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is the

page_text: manufacture of artificial or imitation leather by the employment of a felted material
treated and prepared on its two surfaces in manner substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Harrington, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JOHN HARRINGTON. (L.S.)