Preparing the same.
Year: 1887

page_text: Preparing the same.
I, ROBERT JOHN STRATFORD, of 87 Linden Avenue, Jersey City, in the County
of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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:
The object of my invention is to provide a comparatively cheap substitute for curled
hair as a
filling for beds and pillows or for upholsterers' use in stuffing furniture,
such substitute imaterial being more elastic and durable, and thus better fitted for
To this
upholstering purposes than other similar imitation materials now in use.
end I have discovered that the fiber of the agave sisalana, a species of hemp
known as "
sisal," and which is very tough and hard or wiry, will, when properly
treated and crimped or curled, form an excellent substitute for the best curled hair,
and will have a close resemblance thereto.
For the purpose of economy, I prefer to utilize old sisal ropes in the manufacture
of my improved product. In such case the ropes are first cut into pieces, some six
or eight inches in length, and are somewhat opened or unstranded by being agitated
or tumbled with hot water in a rotary boiler, and are next further opened and
disintegrated by being agitated in hot water in a washing machine or tub, the latter
and the rotary boiler being preferably such as are now in common use in the manu-
facture of oakum. After being properly loosened in the washing machine, the fiber
is next preferably dyed, the dye stuffs being introduced into the washing machine
before the loosened fiber has been removed therefrom. When the dye has become
properly set in the fiber, the latter is removed from the washing machine or tub and
is washed out with cold water and then dried in any suitable manner. After being
dried, the fiber is crimped or curled by being passed between heated corrugated or
fluted rollers, and is also subjected to the action of a picker-such as is commonly
used in picking oakum-to thoroughly loosen it. The picking operation may either
precede or follow the curling or crimping operation. After being curled or crimped
and picked, the better class of the fiber is preferably carded by any well known carding
machinery to render it still more light and loose.

page_text: Owing to the extreme hardness and toughness of the sisal fiber, the latter, after
being curled or crimped by the hot corrugated rolls, as above stated, forms a very
light as well as elastic and springy upholstering stuffing material, which is only
surpassed by. the best curled hair in its capacity to resist a tendency to become matted
by use and pressure.
Although I prefer, for cheapness, to make my sisal stuffing material from old sisal
rope treated in the manner above stated, I do not wish to be understood as limiting
my invention thereto, as the said material may be made directly from the raw or new
fiber, which will not require the preliminary opening necessary to loosen the strands
of the sisal rope, and which need not even be dyed if it be not considered essential
to make the fiber closely resemble black curled hair in appearance. As the rollers, as
well as the other machinery by which my invention may be carried into effect, are or
may be such as are now in common use, and are not of my invention, the same need
not be herein shown or described.
I am aware that it is not new to crimp or curl various fibrous articles by passing
the same between heated fluted or corrugated rollers, and I do not, therefore, wish to
be understood as claiming, broadly, the method of crimping or curling such substances
by passing them between heated corrugated rollers.
I am also aware that it has been proposed to make "vegetable hair" from the bark
of certain palm trees by disintegrating the fibrous bark, boiling the same in lye to
remove resinous and ligneous matters, and afterward dyeing and curling the fiber, and
I do not therefore claim, broadly, an artificial upholstering hair made from curled or
curled and dyed vegetable fiber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. As a new or improved manufacture, curled or crimped and dyed sisal fiber,
substantially as set forth.
2. As a new or improved manufacture, an artificial upholstering hair made of
disintegrated and curled or crimped sisal fiber, substantially as set forth.
3. The herein described method of preparing sisal fiber from old sisal ropes, the
same consisting in first cutting the ropes into pieces, next unstranding or loosening
the said pieces by moistening and agitating them, then drying the unstranded fiber,
and afterward crimping or curling the same by passing it between heated corrugated
rollers, and picking it to make it soft and loose, substantially as set forth.
4. The herein described method of treating sisal fiber in the manufacture of
upholstering material, the said method consisting in cutting old sisal ropes into pieces,
next unstranding or loosening the said pieces by moistening and agitating them, then
dyeing, washing, and drying the unstranded fiber and afterward crimping or curling
the saine by passing it between heated corrugated rollers, and also picking and carding
it to render it soft and loose, substantially as set forth.
1 1. 23
1 1
0
1007
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.