Improvements in Artificial Whalebone for Dresses and Corsets.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 6th Mar., 1894-Accepted; 28th Apr., 1894
[Communicated from abroad by ALPHONSE THARM, of 17, Rue Birmingham,
Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Gentleman, and GUSTAVE TOURRETTE,
of 29, Quai du Hainaut, Brussels, aforesaid, Horn Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Artificial Whalebone for Dresses and Corsets.
I, EDMOND TOURRETTE of 29 Quai du Hainaut, Brussels, in the Kingdom of.
Belgium, Horn Manufacturer, at present of Bueckers Hotel, 26 Finsbury Square,
London, E.C., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to and consists in Improvements in Artificial Whalebone for
Dresses and Corsets..
As the different substances which are being used at the present time for the
production of artificial dress and corset bone, present many drawbacks in respect
of their suitability, and in view of the ever increasing value of whalebone and
French horn, much study has been given to and many experiments made with those
substances which seemed most suitable for the purpose named, such as, steel, horn,
celluloid, leather, vulcanite &c., all of which have, some time or other, been the
subject of patents, as far as their use for the manufacture of corsets was
concerned.
It has thus been discovered that the substance which possesses in the highest
degree those qualities which are requisite in order to avoid the drawbacks alluded
to, is vegetable parchment, and it having been subjected to serious practical tests,
the result has greatly exceeded all expectations. It has been found that this
article has the peculiarity of improving in quality, under the influence of the
temperature of the human body, and, although firm and durable to an exceptional
degree, yet is of the greatest suppleness, and especially light. Another result to
be mentioned in favor of this new utilisation of vegetable parchment is this, that
the parchment made to the required thickness and cut to the required dimensions,
does not disintegrate, and that the strips of so called bone thus obtained may be
easily placed in position without deteriorating in quality and appearance, nor
wearing away the cloth of the casing into which they are inserted. Lastly, from a
commercial point of view, there is the enormous advantage that there is always an
abundant supply of the raw materials necessary for the manufacture of the
parchment.
Dated this 1st day of November 1893.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Artificial Whalebone for Dresses and Corsets.
I, EDMOND TOURRETTE, of 29 Quai du Hainaut, Brussels, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Horn Manufacturer, 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 :--
My invention relates to and consists in Improvements in Artificial Whalebone for
Dresses and Corsets.

page_text: As the different substances which are being used at the present time for the
production of artificial dress and corset bones, present many drawbacks in respect
of their suitability, and in view of the ever increasing value of whalebone and
French horn, much study has been given to, and many experiments made with
those substances which seemed most suitable for the purpose named, such as steel,
horn, celluloid, leather, vulcanite and analogous substances, all of which have been
at some time or other, the subject of patents, as far as their use for the manufacture
of dress and corset bone was concerned.
It has thus been discovered that the substance which possesses, in the highest
degree, those qualities which are requisite in order to avoid the drawbacks alluded
to, is vegetable parchment, and it having been subjected to severe practical tests,
the result has greatly exceeded all expectations.
.
Further, it has been found that this substance has the peculiarity of improving
in quality under the influence of the temperature of the human body. It combines
in itself, in an exceptional degree, the qualities of durability and strength. At
the same time, it is very supple and specially light.
Another result which deserves to be mentioned in favour of this novel utilisation
of vegetable parchment is this. This parchment when made of the required.
thickness and cut to the proper dimensions, does not disintegrate and the strips or
"bones" produced by the present invention can be easily inserted in their
respective places, and neither deteriorate nor wear their pockets.
Lastly, from a commercial point of view, there is the enormous advantage of
the supply of the raw material necessary for the present invention being an
abundant one.
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 :-
1. The above described application of vegetable parchment to the production of
artificial whalebone.
2. Artificial whalebones for dresses and corsets produced as set forth.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.