IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF GLOVES OR COVERINGS FOR THE HANDS FOR USE IN SURGICAL OR OTHER OPERATIONS WHERE IT IS ESSENTIAL TO COVER THE HANDS YET RETAIN DELICACY Of Touch
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Forster, of the India-rubber Works, Streatham,
in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF GLOVES OR COVERINGS FOR THE HANDS FOR USE IN SURGICAL OR
OTHER OPERATIONS WHERE IT IS ESSENTIAL TO COVER THE HANDS YET RETAIN
DELICACY Of Touch."
Sealed the 8th October 1878, and dated the 17th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Forster at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th April 1878.
THOMAS FORSTER, of the India-rubber Works, Streatham, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GLOVES OR COVERINGS FOR THE
HANDS FOR USE IN SURGICAL OR OTHER OPERATIONS WHERE IT IS ESSENTIAL TO
COVER THE HANDS YET RETAIN DELICACY OF TOUCH."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of gloves or
coverings for the hands for use in surgical or other.operations where it is essential
to cover the hands yet retain delicacy of touch.
I take moulds of plaster, glass, or other suitable material, and after making a
solution of india-rubber of a proper consistence, I carefully dip or immerse, or paint
over the moulds, and then permit them to dry. I repeat the operation until the
covering is sufficiently thick; I place them in a stove and carefully dry them, and
then cure, or vulcanize thein. The perfected article is then withdrawn from the
mould.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Forster in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th October
1878.
THOMAS FORSTER, of the India-rubber Works, Streatham, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GLOVES OR COVERINGS FOR THE
HANDS FOR USE IN SURGICAL OR OTHER OPERATIONS WHERE IT IS ESSENTIAL TO
COVER THE HANDS YET RETAIN DELICACY OF TOUCH."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of gloves or
coverings for the hands for use in surgical or other operations where it is essential
to cover the hands yet retain delicacy of touch.
I take moulds of plaster, glass, or other suitable material, and after making a
solution of india-rubber of a proper consistence, I carefully dip or immerse, or paint
over the moulds, and then permit them to dry. I repeat the operation until the
covering is sufficiently thick; I place them in a stove and carefully dry them, and
then cure or vulcanize them. The perfected article is then withdrawn from the
mould.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention I will proceed to describe more
in detail the manner in which I prefer to operate.
I make moulds of plaster of Paris (I find this material suits my purpose) by
taking casts from a glove last. Care must be taken to stop the pores of the plaster,
and this may be very conveniently done by immersion in gelatine and water,
allowing the plaster in the first instance to absorb as much as it will, and then to
dry in a warm, airy room. The dipping and drying should be repeated until the
mould has a polished surface all over. I then take a solution of india-rubber, about
1 lb. of rubber to 7 or 8 lbs. of solvent, by preference good pure coal oil. I proceed
to dip the mould or plaster hand into it; and after the first dipping has dried I
repeat the operation until the desired thickness is obtained. The thinner these
gloves are made the better, so long as they are sufficiently strong to bear handling,
as the object is to cover the hand of the user with an impervious film without
interfering with the delicacy of the touch. The glove is then allowed to dry
perfectly in a warm chamber free from dust, and whilst still upon the mould it is to
be vulcanized, for which purpose I dip it into a curing solution consisting of chloride
of sulphur and bisulphide of carbon, by preference, one part of chloride of sulphur
to sixty parts of bisulphide of carbon are suitable proportions.
When dry the glove may be loosened at the wrist, and by turning it over and
rolling it down the mould the glove may be stripped off readily.
:
If by one immersion in the curing solution the glove is insufficiently acted upon
it should be dipped a second time.
The gloves may be cured by exposure to the vapour of chloride of sulphur, but
not so effectually.
What I claim is the novel manufacture of impervious vulcanized india-rubber
film gloves, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Forster, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.