IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO WIRE CLOTH
Year: 1885

page_text: 21
I, BENJAMIN SCARLES, of Clinton Massachusetts, United States of America,
Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO WIRE CLOTH 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 the manufacture of wire-cloth.
Wire-cloth is a well known article of trade, and consists of wire woven together;
and between the wires when so woven, are spaces or interstices, larger or smaller
according to the kind of wire employed, which interstices render the cloth pervious
to air and moisture, and impart to the cloth a rough, uneven surface, upon which it
is difficult and impossible to produce an even ornamental design in colors.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a face view of a piece of this improved wire-cloth provided with a
decorative painting.
Figure 2 is a similar view-(without the ornamentation,) drawn to an enlarged
scale, the crossing ribs representing the wires, the film being represented by à
system of cross-batching over and between the said wires.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of this improved wire cloth, also on an enlarged
scale.
This wire-cloth A is composed of the warp wires a and the weft wires b woven
together in the usual manner, and is provided with a thin translucent film c, which
covers the wires and closes the openings between them. The wire-cloth thus
prepared may be decorated by any suitable ornamental Figure, as B, Figure 1.
This translucent film is applied to the wire cloth in the following manner, that
is to say; after the cloth has been woven in the usual manner, immerse it in a
solution of a resinous or gelatinous material, or a solution of a gum or albumen
which will adhere to the wires and form a film between them in the interstices.
This solution may be composed of the following ingredients: viz.
Gum Shellac
Gum Benzoin
Balsam Fir
two parts.
→
one part.
one part.
These ingredients are dissolved in a sufficient quantity of methylated spirits, or
other solvent, to form a saturated solution. A sufficient quantity of a saturated
solution of wood spirits and resin is then added to the former solution to prevent
gumminess and impart a proper degree of hardness to the coating on the wire
alath

page_text: Another solution, which I prefer where the cloth is to be decorated after it has
been treated with the solution, I form as follows ;-
-
Alcohol
Fusel Oil -
-
two parts.
one part.
Sufficient pulverized bleached shellac to form a saturated solution.
The shellac and liquid being mixed together should be stirred frequently for a
few days and then allowed to settle. The clear solution is then strained through a
gauze of suitable mesh, in order to remove any undissolved material, and is
brought to the required degree of consistency by the application of heat. The
purpose of the fusel oil is to prevent the material from cracking after it has been
applied to the wire cloth. The wire cloth is allowed to remain in this solution
until the wires are coated and the interstices are filled with the material. It is
then withdrawn from the vat aud allowed to dry. Should a thicker coating be
desired it may be immersed again, and again allowed to dry, and so on, until the
desired thickness is obtained.
.
The coating formed on the wire and the filling in the interstices produced by the
foregoing solutions is semi-transparent or translucent, and of a grayish white color.
The cloth is rendered water-proof, and a smooth surface is imparted thereto, upon
which any desired design may be painted or otherwise produced, either by trans-
parent or non-transparent colors.
Where it is desired to impart to the cloth various colors or tints after it has
been immersed in the solution and dried as aforesaid, the cloth may be dipped or
immersed, or the desired portion thereof, in a solution of aniline or other suitable
coloring matter in a suitable solvent. I prefer, however, to employ a solution of
aniline coloring matter and alcohol. The cloth is then removed from the solution
and dried. This solution of coloring matter may be incorporated with the coating
solution, if desired.
This cloth, after it has been treated in the solutions herein before described, forms
a material admirably adapted for decorative purposes, and I ornament it by any of
the well-known processes with designs of any character which are respectively
suitable or appropriate for screens, wall and window decorations, etc; and it may
also be used as a substitute for stained glass. The ornamentation may, however,
be omitted if desired.
Although I have mentioned a certain formula of ingredients and proportions in
the solutions I do not desire to limit myself thereto, as india-rubber and other
gums &o, may be employed in forming the solution. I am aware that it is not
new to paint on wire cloth, and I do not desire to claim the same, broadly, I am
also aware that painted wire cloth, whether plain or figured, is not new broadly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. Open-work wire-cloth, provided with a translucent impervious film,
coating the wires thereof and closing the openings between them, substantially as
described.
Second. Open-work wire-cloth, provided with a translucent impervious film,
coating the wires thereof and closing the openings between them, said film being
'ornamented, substantially as described.
11.
1
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.

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