IMPROVEMENTS IN PAPER, WOVEN FABRICS, AND OTHER POROUS SUB- STANCES, AND IN THE TREATMENT THEREOF. WHEREBY THE SAME ARE RENDERED WATERPROOF
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PAPER, WOVEN FABRICS, AND OTHER POROUS SUB-
STANCES, AND IN THE TREATMENT THEREOF. WHEREBY THE SAME ARE RENDERED
WATERPROOF." -A communication from abroad by Charles Toppan,
of Wakefield, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Sealed the 25th May 1869, and dated the 9th April 1869.

page_text: petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administra-
tors, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have
made solemn Declaration that it has been communicated to me from
abroad by Charles Toppan, of Wakefield, Massachusetts, United States
of America.
NOW KNOW YE that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed in and by the following
statement:
My Invention consists in preparing paper, cloth, felting, or textile
fabrics of any kind, cork, sponge, leather, and other similar porous
substances, and articles made thereof, especially such as wrapping paper,
bank notes, envelopes, paper collars, garments, gloves, umbrella coverings,
labels, and tags, so as to render the same impervious to water, by applying
thereto paraffine dissolved in naptha, benzine, or other suitable solvents,
whereby a repellant material is produced that will effectually resist the
action of water, acids, and other substances.
To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my Inven-
tion, I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it
into practice: I prepare a solution of paraffine by dissolving paraffine
in pure naptha, that is, naptha free from any oily, or greasy matter, or
naptha that will not stain letter paper when dipped into it and dried.
The paraffine should be cut into small pieces and put into the naptha in
an easily and tightly closed vessel, and should then be well shaken or
agitated. In this way a saturated cold solution may be quickly obtained
without the use of heat. It is best to use an excess of paraffine in the
naptha so as to have a saturated solution at about seventy degrees of
Fahrenheit. The fabrics or articles to be prepared are dipped into this
solution, and if necessary are allowed to remain therein some time. The
length of time will depend upon the thickness and porosity of the
material, but should be sufficient to allow the solution to either penetrate
thoroughly, if so desired, or the time may be so short as to allow the
solution to penetrate only a short distance from the surface. The fabrics
or articles thus treated are then removed and dried by artificial or natural
heat, or in a current of air, when the naptha evaporates and leaves the
paper, cloth, or other article permeated with paraffine and impervious to
water, and capable of resisting the action of acids and other substances.

page_text: After being treated with the paraffine, as above described, it may be
found desirable to subject some materials or articles (for instance paper
collars) to the action of a hot iron or calender rolls. I have found
naptha (including benzine and benzole) of very light gravity to be
the best agent for accomplishing these results in the most perfect
manner. For the best results refined paraffine and naptha of a
light gravity should be used; for coarser products crude paraffine will
answer. The heavier napthas may also be used, but in most cases
with less perfect results. The degree of permeation will of course be
determined by the nature of the material used, its thickness and
porosity and the density of the solution, and this degree will be
regulated by the purpose for which the material is to be employed.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I wish it understood that I am aware
that articles of wood, paper, and cloth have been made waterproof by
the application of melted paraffine, but when so prepared the paraffine
does not thoroughly penetrate the interstices and fibres, whereas the
complete penetration of the paraffine is insured by using it in solution
in the manner above described; I do not therefore claim the preparation
of paper or cloth, or other fabric by the application of paraffine in a
melted state; but I claim,-
First. The treatment of paper, cloth, cork, sponge, leather, and other
similar porous substances and articles made therefrom by the application
thereto of paraffine in solution, substantially as described for the purpose
set forth.
Second. A repellant material consisting of a paper, felted, or textile
fabric or article, or a porous substance treated with paraffine in solution,
substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.B.)