Improvements in and relating to Buoyant and Waterproof Fabrics.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 2nd Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Buoyant and Waterproof
Fabrics.
We, MAX BERLOWITZ, Merchant, and SALMANN SALOMON, Gentleman, both
of Memel, in the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to cloths and fabrics which are treated in such a manner
as to render them both buoyant and impervious to water the buoyancy of the
material being sufficient to keep a person clothed or partially clothed in it afloat for
a considerable time.
In carrying this invention into effect the whole of the material is thoroughly
impregnated with a solution of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons and resins or resinous
matters insoluble in water. Means are taken for preventing the evaporation of the
solvent or solvents employed and the cloth is thereby rendered waterproof and is at
the same time largely increased in bulk with but a slight addition in weight.
A convenient way of preventing the evaporation of the solvents is to submerge
the impregnated material while still wet in a bath of cold water and keep it
immersed for about thirty-six hours. The cloth or fabric is thus transformed into a
bulky and waterproof material somewhat resembling felt.
A preferred solution for treating and impregnating the cloth consists of a mixture
of the following ingredients in about the proportions set forth :-
Spermaceti
Paraffin wax
Gum copal
Colophony
India rubber
Gutta percha
Oil of rosemary
Bisulphide of carbon
Ether
40 parts
30 parts
50 parts
50 parts
30 parts
20 parts
10 parts
1000 parts
1500 parts
Garments made from a fabric or cloth treated as herein before described and by
such a solution as that set forth are capable of sustaining a person in water for
many hours.
Dated this 2nd day of Anvil AD 1904
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Buoyant and Waterproof
Fabrics.
We, MAX BERLOWITZ, Merchant, and SALMANN SALOMON, Gentleman, both
of Memel in the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire, 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 :-
This invention relates to clothes and fabrics which are treated in such a manner
Price 8d.]

page_text: as to render them both buoyant and impervious to water, the buoyancy of the
material being sufficient to keep a person clothed or partially clothed in it afloat for
a considerable time.
In carrying this invention into effect the whole of the material is thoroughly
impregnated with a solution of a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons and resins or resinous
matters insoluble in water. Means are taken for preventing the evaporation of the
solvent or solvents employed, and the cloth is thereby rendered waterproof and is at
the same time largely increased in bulk with but a slight addition in weight.
A convenient way of preventing the evaporation of the solvents is to submerge
the impregnated material while still wet in a bath of cold water and keep it
immersed for about 36 hours. The cloth or fabric is thus transformed into a bulky
and waterproof material somewhat resembling felt.
A preferred solution for treating and impregnating the cloth consists of a mixture
of the following ingredients in about the proportions set forth:
Spermaceti
Paraffin wax
Gum copal
Colophony
India rubber
Gutta percha
Oil of rosemary
Bisulphide of carbon
Ether
-
-
40 parts
30 parts
50 parts
50 parts
30 parts
20 parts
10 parts
1000 parts
1500 parts
Garments from a fabric or cloth treated as hereinbefore described and by such
a solution as that set forth are capable of sustaining a person in water for many
hours.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The herein before described process for rendering clothes and fabrics buoyant
and waterproof.
2. A mixture or solution for rendering clothes and fabrics waterproof and
buoyant, consisting substantially of the ingredients in the proportions hereinbefore
set forth.
3. Waterproof and buoyant fabrics and garments prepared substantially as and
by the means hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 21st day of December A.D. 1894.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant-.