mprovement in the Art or Process of Waterproofing Leather, and in the Compounds employed in same.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
mprovement in the Art or Process of Waterproofing Leather, and
in the Compounds employed in same.
I, EDWARD HENRY LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, of No. 304 North
Eighth Street in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, United States of
America, Gentleman, 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 a new and useful improvement in the art or process of
waterproofing leather, being particularly applicable to that class of leather used in
the manufacture of shoes, known as the uppers, and designated by the trade as
calf's-skin.
In order to make this leather waterproof, and, at the same time, impart
flexibility and pliability to the leather so treated, so that it may be conveniently
handled in the manufacture of shoes, I take the leather in its original state after
it comes from the tannery and is blacked, or after it is cut into its proper shapes,
and spread thereon a coating, either with a brush, cloth, or by hand, of a compound
composed of rubber paste or caoutchouc, three parts, spirits of turpentine, or its
equivalent, two and one-half parts, and naptha, or other volatile solvent, two and
one-half parts.
J
The leather is then permitted to dry, during which drying process the preparation
before mentioned penetrates the pores of the leather, and the naptha and the
turpentine, or their equivalents, into which the caoutchouc has been dissolved,
volatilize, leaving a deposit of flexible and pliable material, composed largely of
caoutchouc, in the pores of the leather, which renders the same perfectly
waterproof.
It may be found desirable to sprinkle soap-stone dust or use other absorbent
material upon the prepared side of the leather just before using it, which will
absorb the unevaporated liquids which might remain, due to irregular or uneven
application, which absorbent material will, also, afford a smooth surface, to
facilitate handling, and remove the sticky or gummy surface which might remain,
if the evaporation of the vehicles which carry the caoutchouc into the pores of the
leather was not complete.
It will, of course, be understood that other solvents and vehicles than those
mentioned could, as advantageously, be mixed with the caoutchouc or Brazilian
gum, as it is sometimes called, and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as
confining myself particularly to those herein mentioned, as benzine, benzole, and
other volatile oils could as readily be used.
The preparation before mentioned is designed particularly for use on what is
known as calf's-skin and kip; but I desire to add that the proportions specified
may be slightly changed and the preparation used with good results on enameled
stock of all colors, grained stock of all colors, Russia stock of all colors, or light-
weight leather stock, such as kid, goat, Dongola, and sheepskin, and, in fact,
all leather stock used for uppers. In this, it will be noted, that, as there is less
leather to be penetrated by the vehicle, the proportion of the vehicle relative to
the amount of caoutchouc used may be lessened.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1 The herein described process of rendering leather pliable and waterproof,

page_text: which consists in applying to its surface a mixture of caoutchouc and a solvent
volatile vehicle, which carries the caoutchouc into the pores of the leather, and,
by evaporation, deposits and leaves it there, substantially as described.
2. The herein-described process of rendering leather pliable and waterproof,
which consists in spreading upon the surface caoutchouc, which is dissolved in a
volatile vehicle, permitting the mixture to remain until absorbed by the leather
and volatilization takes place, which leaves a deposit of caoutchouc in the pores of
the leather, and then powdering or applying to the surface so treated soap-stone or
other absorbent material to remove the gummy or sticky surface, substantially as
described.
3. The herein-described compound to be applied to leather for waterproofing
purposes, composed of rubber paste or caoutchouc, and a volatile solvent,
substantially as described.
Dated the 20th day of February 1894.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Chartered Patent Agent, London,
For the Applicant.