AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION OF MATERIALS FOR DAMP PROOF SOCKS OR SOLES FOR BOOTS AND SHOES AND METHOD OF PREPARING OR MANUFACTURING THE SAME "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Joynes Baggaley of the Town and County of
the town of Nottingham, Manufacturer for an Invention of "AN IMPROVED
COMPOSITION OF MATERIALS FOR DAMP PROOF SOCKS OR SOLES FOR BOOTS
AND SHOES AND METHOD OF PREPARING OR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Joynes Baggaley
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th January 1883.
36
ROBERT JOYNES BAGGALEY of the Town and County of the Town of Not.
tingham, Manufacturer, AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION OF MATERIALS FOR DAMP-
PROOF SOCKS OR SOLES FOR BOOTS AND SHOES AND METHOD OF PREPARING OR
MANUFACTURING THE SAME."
This Invention relates to the manufacture of an improved composition of
inaterials for making damp-proof socks or soles for boots and shoes in an improved,
economical more satisfactory and convenient manner than heretofore.
Hitherto socks or soles for boots and shoes have been principally manufactured
from the bark of the cork tree, commonly known as cork, which must necessarily
be cut the way of the grain of the wood so as to obtain the requisite size. Such
socks or soles are generally defective by reason of the numerous pores or minute
holes or flaws in the wood or material, which eventually allow the wet or damp to
reach the feet of the wearer. The object of this present Invention is therefor to
produce socks or soles manufactured from a material or composition of materials
devoid (or nearly so) of the porosity of sheets of cork and consequently better
adapted to protect the feet against the evil effects of damp or wet.
In carrying out the Invention ground or pulverized cork is mixed with anti-
rheumatic oils and boiled linseed oil and prepared by rolling under great pressure
into sheets or lengths being at the same operation covered on one side with wool
or other suitable non-conductor of heat, thus forming a compact material rendering
any subsequent stitching or binding operations unnecessary. The improved damp-
proof socks or soles are cut economically and satisfactorily as desired out of the

page_text: lengths or sheets of the improved composition or material, it being possible to cut
or stamp out more than one sock or sole at one operation if required, thus con-
siderably quickening the rate of manufacture. Soles cut from the improved
composition or material are especially suitable for stitching or affixing to the
"welt" of the "uppers" of boots and shoes, thus rendering such boots or shoes 5
more completely water-tight or damp-proof than any hitherto produced.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Robert Joynes Baggaley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th July 1883.
ROBERT JOYNES BAGGALEY, of the Town and County of the Town of Not-
tingham, Manufacturer, "AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION OF MATERIALS FOR DAMP-
PROOF SOCKS OR SOLES FOR BOOTS AND SHOES, AND METHOD OF PREPARING OR
MANUFACTURING THE SAME,"
My said Invention relates to the manufacture of an improved composition of
materials for making damp-proof socks or soles for boots and shoes in an improved,
economical, more satisfactory and convenient manner than heretofore.
Hitherto socks or soles for boots and shoes have been principally manufactured
from the bark of the cork tree, commonly known as cork, which must necessarily
be cut the way of the grain of the wood so as to obtain the requisite size. Such
socks or soles are generally defective by reason of the numerous pores or minute
holes or flaws in the wood or material which eventually allow the wet or damp to
reach the feet of the wearer. The object of my present Invention is therefore to
produce socks or soles manufactured from a material or composition of materials
devoid (or nearly so) of the porosity of sheets of cork and consequently better
adapted to protect the feet against the evil effects of damp or wet.
My said improved composition of materials for damp-proof socks or soles for
boots and shoes, is prepared by re-boiling boiled linseed oil (or other suitable
drying oil) with the addition of caustic lime, borax, and flowers of sulpher, in the
proportion of one pound weight of each of them to one hundredweight of oil.
The re-boiling is continued until the compound when cold is about of the con-
sistency of potty, and when the compound is cold, there is kneaded into it, half a
pound more caustic lime and one ounce of essential oil of almonds with finely
pulverised or ground cork, in the proportion of one hundredweight of cork to one
hundredweight of the compound. The compound is next passed between rollers
and by suitable pressure spread upon fleece, felt, animals' skins, or other suitable
non-conductor of heat, which is fed to the rollers in the required proportion. The
improved compound is thus formed into sheets or lengths of compact material
having on one side of the material a warm covering of some suitable non-conductor
of heat, and when these sheets or lengths of material are dry they may be cut or

page_text: stamped out either by hand or machinery into shapes suitable for socks or soles of
boots and shoes and any subsequent stitching or binding operations are rendered
unnecessary. The improved material may also with great advantage be used in
the manufacture of boots and shoes, a layer of the material being placed between
the outer and inner soles of the boots and shoes. The material is also applicable
for making the bodies of hats when covered with suitable material.
It is obvious that, by varying the ingredients or substituting or adding others,
various compounds of cork and oil may be formed which may be employed for
forming sheets or lengths of materials from which damp-proof socks or soles for
boots and shoes may be manufactured, but I preferably employ the compound
herein before described as being better adapted for the purpose than any other
composition.
Having now particularly described my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described but that what I believe to be novel and original and claim
as the Invention secured to me by and in terms of the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is :-
Firstly The improved composition of materials for making damp-proof socks or
soles for boots and shoes substantially as hereinbefore described.
Secondly The improved method of preparing or manufacturing damp-proof
socks or soles for boots and shoes substantially as herein before described.
Thirdly The improved method of manufacturing damp-proof socks or soles
for boots and shoes from sheets or lengths of a compact material or compound
containing cork and oil substantially as hereinbefore described.
In Witness whereof I the said Robert Joynes Baggaley have hereunto set
my hand and seal this twelfth day of July in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-three.
ROBERT. JOYNES. BAGGALEY (LS)