IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TEXTILE FABRICS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Butchart, of Dundee, in the County of Forfar,
North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
TEXTILE FABRICS."
Scaled the 14th October 1876, and dated the 4th August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Butchart at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th August 1876.
JOHN BUTCHART, of Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain.
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TEXTILE FABRICS."
"IM-
This Invention, which relates to improvements in the manufacture of textile
fabrics, has reference to that class of such fabrics known as "mattings," and its
object is to enable jute to be used in the production of such fabrics in place of
the more costly fibres, such as flax and cocoa-nut fibres, at present employed.
Jute fibres in their natural state are unfit for this purpose on account of their
colour, and if darkened by dyeing the effect of the dyeing process is to render them
soft and unfit for the manufacture of matting. The Invention, then, especially
relates to a treatment of jute yarns or cords after they are dyed to the required
colour, so as to impart to them the requisite degree of hardness and stiffness. The
yarns or cords are preferably composed of not less than three or four plies or strands
of fibres, which are twisted or plaited as hard and firm as it is possible with safety
to twist or plait them, in which state they are dyed. After being dyed the yarns or
cords are immersed in farina, in which they are allowed to remain at least 24 hours,
or long enough to absorb as much of the farina as they are capable of taking up,
after which they are transferred to a highly heated stove for the purpose of being
rapidly dried, the combined effects of the steps of this treatment being to produce
a hard or firm jute yarn or cord, in colour and quality like flax or cocoa fibre
yarns. After the treatment herein-before described the yarns are woven into cloth
after the ordinary manner of weaving mattings.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Butchart in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th November
1870.
JOHN BUTCHART, of Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain. " IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TEXTILE FABRICS."
My said Invention, which relates to improvements in the manufacture of textile
fabrics, has reference to that class of such fabrics known as "mattings," and its
object is to enable jute to be used in the production of such fabrics in place of the
moro costly fibres, such as flax and cocoa-nut fibres, at present employed. Jute
fibros in their natural state are unfit for this purpose on account of their colour, and
if darkened by dyeing the effect of the dyeing process is to render them soft and
unfit for the manufacture of matting. The Invention, then, especially relates to a
treatment of jute yarns or cords after they are dyed to the required colour, so as to
impart to them the requisite degree of hardness and stiffness. The yarns or cords
are preferably composed of not less than three or four plies or strands of fibres,
which are twisted or plaited as hard and firm as it is possible with safety to twist
or plait them, in which state they are dyed. After being dyed the yarns or cords
are immersed in farina, in which they are allowed to remain by preference for about
24 hours, or long enough to absorb as much of the farina as they are capable of
taking up, after which they are transferred to a highly heated stove for the purpose
of being rapidly dried, the combined effect of the steps of this treatment being to
produce a hard or firm jute yarn or cord, in colour and quality like flax or cocoa
fibre yarns.
After the treatment herein-before described the yarns are woven into
cloth after the ordinary manner of weaving mattings.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may be
used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me
by the berein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, treating jute yarns or cords
after being dyed by immersing or soaking them in farina, and afterwards rapidly
drying them in a highly heated stove, so as to produce a hard or firm jute yarn or
cord, like or analogous to flax or cocoa fibre yarn for the purpose of substituting
such yarns, and for being woven into mattings, substantially as herein-before des-
cribed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Butchart, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of November, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-six