CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING OR MANUFACTURING CAOUT- CHOUC OR INDIA-RUBBER FOR VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1836

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
GALLEY HARTLEY, of Devonshire Street, Bishopgate Street Without, in the
City of London, Manufacturer of Caoutchouc, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Eighth day of March, in the sixth year of His reign, did,
for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Galley Hartley, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the-said John Galley Hartley, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said John Galley Hartley, my exors, adññors, or assigns, should at.
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING OR MANUFACTURING CAOUT-
CHOUC OR INDIA-RUBBER FOR VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES;" in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said John Galley Hartley, shall
cause a particular description of the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in His said Majesty's
High Court of Chancery, within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with, the said proviso, I, the said
John Galley Hartley, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention,

page_text: and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:-
According to the present means of preparing or manufacturing caoutchouc
or india-rubber into threads or strands to be introduced into various descriptions
of woven, and also in stocking fabrics, such threads or strands have been
produced from that description of caoutchouc or india-rubber called "bottles,"
that is, the gum caoutchouc made into shapes similar to bladders, and
imported into this country in that condition; such description of india-rubber
or caoutchouc is, at all times more or less of a dark colour, and is the most
expensive. Now, the first object of my Invention is the preparation or
manufacture of threads or strands from that description of caoutchouc or india-
rubber which is imported into this country in thick sheets or masses, and is
commonly called block caoutchouc or, india-rubber, in contradistinction to the
bottles before mentioned, by which means I am enabled to produce threads or
strands of any required degree of fineness, and in a whitish or nearly white state,
which, for purposes where the fabric is of a light colour, is much desired.
In thus manufacturing caoutchouc thread by substituting the block india-rubber
or caoutchouc for that imported in the form of bottles or bladders, I take
a block of india-rubber or caoutchouc in the state imported, and the more
close its texture the better for the purpose; and from the surface of the edges
cut thin portions thereof to the thickness required for producing the description
of thread desired, and in order to do this with facility, I take a piece or
block of india-rubber, such, for instance, as is shown at Figure 1,-and-I-
have intentionally shown it of an irregular figure in order to state that
such irregularity is immaterial in 'performing this process; and having by
means of a knife opened a portion of the surface, such as is shown at a in
Figure 1, I take hold of such part a, and draw it between the revolving knife
and the regulating or friction roller e of the machine-hereafter-described.
Figure-2-shows a plan, Figure 3 a front view of a machine for this pur-
pose,
and Figure 4 is an end view. -b is a revolving cutter or knife, such
as is commonly used in cutting caoutchouc or india-rubber; this cutter is
affixed on the spindle or shaft c, which turns on two points d, d, as is
clearly shown, and the spindle or shaft c is caused to revolve with considerable
velocity by means of a gut band or strap proceeding from a driving wheel
actuated by a treadle, in like manner to a lathe; e is a roller moving on points,
which points are capable of being set nearer to or farther from the cutter or
revolving knife, in order to regulate the thickness of the portion cut off from

page_text: the block of caoutchouc. This machine is, with the exception of the regulating
and friction wheel or roller e, similar to the ordinary machine used for cutting
threads of caoutchouc from strips or tapes from bottles or bladders of that
material, and the revolving cutter revolves in a trough of water, in like manner
to those heretofore used. Having prepared the block or portion of india-
rubber or caoutchouc by opening part of its surface, as at a, Figure 1, the
workman passes that part a between the rollere and the cutter, and continues.
to pull the part a, as it becomes more and more cut, from the sides thereof, the
block resting against the friction and regulating roller e, any irregularity of
figure will be compensated for, and the portion, tape, or strip cut off will
thereby be equally thick throughout its length, and thus may small as well as
large blocks of caoutchouc be cut into thin strips, with little, and in many
instances, without waste, preparatory to the same being further cut to make
threads or fine strands, to be introduced into fabrics for making them elastic,
as is well understood; and it should be stated, in cutting large blocks of
several inches across, then I force a pin through the block as nearly as possible
at the centre, and place such pin in the groove f, by which means, as the sides
or edges are being drawn against the knifo by the workman, as above
described, the block of caoutchouc can revolve freely, and I continue the use
of the pin till the block is reduced to two or three inches across; it is then to
be removed, and the remainder cut as first described with respect to the small
block, Figure 1. The strips thus cut off the blocks are now ready for being
cut longitudinally into a number of strips of the same width as the thickness
of those first produced. Figure 5 is a plan, Figure 6 is a front view,
Figure 7 an end view, and Figure 8 a transverse section of a machine for this.
purpose, and is similar to that shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, with the exception
of the friction rollers e being thinner, as the surface they have to act on is
less, and there are two cutters to one machine, so that two persons may work
at the same at one time; there are also the pressing springs g, for laying on
the strips which are being cut, in order to retain them down; these springs
it will be seen, are similar to those now used in cutting threads from
strips of caoutchouc cut from bottles of that material, and the only difference
is the application of the friction and regulation rollers e, which constitute one
of my improvements, in place of the fixed stops and regulators heretofore
used for guiding the india-rubber, and controuling the thickness cut off; and
the object of applying such friction and regulating rollers e is to lessen the
friction and reduce the breakage consequent on the rubbing of the caoutchouc
against the surface of the stops or guides e heretofore employed in like
machines, by which means the process can be carried on with greater

page_text: expedition, and with consequent saving, whether used for cutting strips
from tapes of india-rubber or caoutchouc from blocks or bottles of that
material; the strips or wide tapes of caoutchouc, before described as cut
from blocks, are to be cut into strips, by-the-last described machine, by
first cutting one edge thereof with a pair of scissors a short distance up,
as at a; Figure 9, and then passing the end a between the cutter and
the roller e, and continue to draw the same as it is cut, the part / passing
on the other side of the cutter. By this means the strips or wide tape may be
cut into several smaller strips, according to its width, and it should be stated
that the axes of the regulating or friction rollers e are capable of adjustment,
in.order to produco the size strips required. Having thus obtained strips of
caoutchouc from blocks of that material, they are then to be treated in like
manner to similar strips produced from bottle caoutchouc, in order to form
them into threads, that is, by soaking them in the usual liquor, and by winding
the samo on a reel, drawing the thread between the fingers, as is well under-
stood, and on this reel it remains for some length of time, in like manner to
thread produced from bottles of. caoutchouc, but it will generally be found that
in order to remove the effluvia or sniell which is common to block coutchouc
(when the same would be thought prejudicial for the purpose to which the
thread is to be applied), it is necessary to allow it to remain on the reel
exposed to the action of the atmosphere for a greater longth of time till the
off.
goes
smell
Having thus described the first and second of my improvements, I will pro-
ceed to describo my third improvement, which consists in a mode of preparing
or cutting bottle caoutchouc into narrow strips, and in order to make this part
of my Invention clear, I will now shortly state the mode in common use. The
workman prepares a bottle of caoutchouc by cutting off the two ends, and
drawing the middle portion over the surface of a cylinder, by which the
caoutchouc adheres closer round the cylinder, and it is necessary that the
coutchouc should be so tight as not to move by the drag caused by cutting the
same spirally. The cylinder is then placed in a machine (having a rotatory
cutter), and caused to revolve, and at the same time to have a traversing
motion endwise given to it by means of a screw, as is well understood. By
this means much time is lost in drawing the portions of bottles on to their
cylinders, and placing the cylinders in the machine to be cut spirally into
strips as the cylinder revolves and traverses under the revolving cutter, as
above described; and in addition to such loss of time there is much waste of
the caoutchouc by cutting off the ends, of the bottles, in order to their being
suitable for the cylinders, and it is necessary to have a great variety of cylin

page_text: ders to fit the many and varied dimensions of bottles, as very few bottles will
fit the same cylinder.
Now, the object of my third improvement is the dispensing with the use of
the cylinders, and the consequent necessity of cutting the ends off bottles of
caoutchouc when the same is to be cut into strips or narrow tapes or portions,
and in order to perform my improvement most advantageously, I prefer to
commence cutting the bottle of caoutchouc at or about the middle.
Figure 10 shows a bottle of caoutchouc, it being nearly divided into two
halves i and j, the two parts being held together by the commencement of the
strip or tape a, into which the bottle is to be cut. The workman takes the
half i into his left hand, and places the strip a between the revolving cutter
and the regulating and friction roller e of the machine.
Figures 2, 3, and 4: the part j of the bottle of caoutchouc being to the
right of the revolving cutter, the edges thereof resting against the roller e,
which controls the thickness cut off. The workman continues to draw the
part i till the whole of the part j is cut into a strip or tape.
He then places
the part i to the right of the revolving cutter, and the strip a between the
revolving cutter and the roller e, and draws the strip till the part i is cut into
a strip. By this means the whole bottle without waste is cut up, and with
great dispatch, though it should be remarked that some little care is some-
times required in cutting that end called the neck, and the right hand will
sometimes be required in holding the edge or surface being cut against the
roller e, and such will sometimes be the case with other portions of the bottle,
but a very little practice will be sufficient to carry this part of my Invention
into effect.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of carry-
ing the same into effect, I would remark that I am aware that block caout-
chouc has been cut into strips by cutting thin layers or sheets off the edges of
blocks for various purposes, both by rotatory and other cutters; I do not, there-
fore, lay any claim thereto when the process of cutting such strips, or sheets,
or tapes so cut off blocks is not carried on by further cutting such strips, or
sheets, or tapes into narrow strips, and forming them into threads or fine
strands for the manufacture of various descriptions of elastic fabrics.
And I would further have it understood that I lay no claim to the machines,
or parts thereof, herein described and shown other than is hereafter stated;
but what I claim as my Invention is―
First, the preparing or manufacturing block caoutchouc or india-rubber into
thread or fine strand, by reducing the same by cutting into small strips, and
drawing the same out by the process called spinning, by which means thread

page_text: suitable for the purposes of elastic fabrics may be prepared or manufactured at
less cost than when bottle caoutchouc is used, and of a whitish appearance,
which is a most desirable description of thread when light colored goods are to
be made.
Secondly, I claim the application of the regulating and friction rollers e, in
place of the fixing stops or regulators, as above described, to machines used
for cutting caoutchouc into strips, whether the same be employed for cutting
block or bottle caoutchouc.
And, thirdly, I claim the mode herein described for cutting bottle caoutchouc
into strips or tapes by dispensing with the cylinders herein-before used, and thus
preventing the waste of cutting off the ends of such bottles, and also the loss of
time consequent on drawing the bottles on to the cylinders, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Galley Hartley, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
JOHN GALLEY (L.S.) HARTLEY.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on Eighth day of September, in the
year of our Lord 1836, the aforesaid John Galley Hartley came before our
said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
GALLEY HARTLEY, of Devonshire Street, Bishopgate Street Without, in the
City of London, Manufacturer of Caoutchouc, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Eighth day of March, in the sixth year of His reigu, did,
for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Galley Hartley, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said John Galley Hartley, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said John Galley Hartley, my exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at
any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING OR MANUFACTURING CAOUT-
CHOUC OR INDIA-RUBBER FOR VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES;" in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said John Galley Hartley, shall
cause e particular description of the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Ilis said Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar mouths next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Galley Hartley, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention,

page_text: and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto aunexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:-
According to the present means of preparing or manufacturing caoutchouc
or india-rubber into threads or strands to be introduced into various descriptions
of woven, and also in stocking fabrics, such threads or strands have been
produced from that description of caoutchouc or india-rubber called "bottles,"
that is, the gum caoutchouc made into shapes similar to bladders, and
imported into this country in that condition; such description of india-rubber
or caoutchouc is at all times more or less of a dark colour, and is the most
expensive. Now, the first object of my Invention is the preparation or
manufacture of threads or strands from that description of caoutchouc or india-
rubber which is imported into this country in thick sheets or masses, and is
commonly called block caoutchouc or india-rubber, in contradistinction to the
bottles before mentioned, by which means I am enabled to produce threads or
strands of any required degree of fineness, and in a whitish or nearly white state,
which, for purposes where the fabric is of a light colour, is much desired.
In thus manufacturing caoutchouc thread by substituting the block india-rubber
or caoutchouc for that imported in the form of bottles or bladders, I take
a block of india-rubber or caoutchouc in the state imported, and the more
close its texture the better for the purpose; and from the surface of the edges
cut thin portions thereof to the thickness required for producing the description
of thread desired, and in order to do this with facility, I take a piece or
block of india-rubber, such, for instance, as is shown at Figure 1, and I
have intentionally shown it of an irregular figure in order to state that
such irregularity is immaterial in performing this process; and having by
means of a knife opened a portion of the surface, such as is shown at a in
Figure 1, I take hold of such part a, and draw it between the revolving knife
and the regulating or friction roller e of the machine hereafter described.
Figure 2 shows a plan, Figure 3 a front view of a machine for this pur-
pose, and Figure 4 is an end view. b is a revolving cutter or knife, such
as is commonly used in cutting caoutchouc or india-rubber; this cutter is
affixed on the spindle or shaft c, which turns on two points d, d, as is
clearly shown, and the spindle or shaft c is caused to revolve with considerable
velocity by means of a gut band or strap proceeding from a driving wheel
actuated by a treadle, in like manner to a lathe; e is a roller moving on points,
which points are capable of being set nearer to or farther from the cutter or
revolving knife, in order to regulate the thickness of the portion cut off from

page_text: the block of caoutchouc. This machine is, with the exception of the regulating
and friction wheel or roller e, similar to the ordinary machine used for cutting
threads of caoutchouc from strips or tapes from bottles or bladders of that
material, and the revolving cutter revolves in a trough of water, in like manner
to those heretofore used. Having prepared the block or portion of india-
rubber or caoutchouc by opening part of its surface, as at a, Figure 1, the
workman passes that part a between the roller e and the cutter, and continues
to pull the part a, as it becomes more and more cut, from the sides thereof, the
block resting against the friction and regulating roller e, any irregularity of
figure will be compensated for, and the portion, tape, or strip cut off will
thereby be equally thick throughout its length, and thus may small as well as
large blocks of caoutchouc be cut into thin strips, with little, and in many
instances, without waste, preparatory to the same being further cut to make
threads or fine strands, to be introduced into fabrics for making them elastic.
as is well understood; and it should be stated, in cutting large blocks of
several inches across, then I force a pin through the block as nearly as possible
at the centre, and place such pin in the groove f, by which means, as the sides
or edges are being drawn against the knife by the workman, as above
described, the block of caoutchouc can revolve freely, and I continue the use
of the pin till the block is reduced to two or three inches across; it is then to
be removed, and the remainder cut as first described with respect to the small
block, Figure 1. The strips thus cut off the blocks are now ready for being
cut longitudinally into a number of strips of the same width as the thickness
of those first produced. Figure 5 is a plan, Figure 6 is a front view,
Figure 7 an end view, and Figure 8 a transverse section of a machine for this
purpose, and is similar to that shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, with the exception
of the friction rollers e being thinner, as the surface they have to act on is
less, and there are two cutters to one machine, so that two persons may work
at the same at one time; there are also the pressing springs g, for laying on
the strips which are being cut, in order to retain them down; these springs
t will be seen, are similar to those now used in cutting threads from
strips of caoutchouc cut from bottles of that material, and the only difference
s the application of the friction and regulation rollers e, which constitute one
of my improvements, in place of the fixed stops and regulators heretofore
used for guiding the india-rubber, and controuling the thickness cut off; and
he object of applying such friction and regulating rollers e is to lessen the
riction and reduce the breakage consequent on the rubbing of the caoutchouc
gainst the surface of the stops or guides heretofore employed in like
nachines, by which means the process can be carried on with greater

page_text: expedition, and with consequent saving, whether used for cutting strips
from tapes of india-rubber or caoutchouc from blocks or bottles of that
material; the strips or wide tapes of caoutchouc, before described as cut
from blocks, are to be cut into strips, by the last described machine, by
first cutting one edge thercof with a pair of scissors a short distance up,
as at a, Figure 9, and then passing the end a between the cutter and
the roller e, and continue to draw the same as it is cut, the part h passing
on the other side of the cutter. By this means the strips or wide tape may be
cut into several smaller strips, according to its width, and it should be stated
that the axes of the regulating or friction rollers e are capable of adjustment,
in order to produce the size strips required. Having thus obtained strips of
caoutchouc from blocks of that material, they are then to be treated in like
manner to similar strips produced from bottle caoutchouc, in order to form
them into threads, that is, by soaking them in the usual liquor, and by winding
the same on a reel, drawing the thread between the fingers, as is well under-
stood, and on this reel it remains for some length of time, in like manner to
thread produced from bottles of caoutchouc, but it will generally be found that
in order to remove the effluvia or smell which is common to block coutchouc
(when the same 'would be thought prejudicial for the purpose to which the
thread is to be applied), it is necessary to allow it to remain on the reel
exposed to the action of the atmosphere for a greater length of time till the
sinell goes off.
Having thus described the first and second of my improvements, I will pro-
ceed to describe my third improvement, which consists in a mode of preparing
or cutting bottle caoutchouc into narrow strips, and in order to make this part
of my Invention clear, I will now shortly state the mode in common use. The
workman prepares a bottle of caoutchouc by cutting off the two ends, and
drawing the middle portion over the surface of a cylinder, by which the
caoutchouc adheres closer round the cylinder, and it is necessary that the
coutchouc should be so tight as not to move by the drag caused by cutting the
same spirally. The cylinder is then placed in a machine (having a rotatory
cutter), and caused to revolve, and at the same time to have a traversing
motion endwise given to it by means of a screw, as is well understood. By
this means much time is lost in drawing the portions of bottles on to their
cylinders, and placing the cylinders in the machine to be cut spirally into
strips as the cylinder revolves and traverses under the revolving cutter, as
abovo described; and in addition to such loss of time there is much waste of
the caoutchouc by cutting off the ends of the bottles, in order to their being
suitable for the cylinders, aud it is necessary to have a great variety of cylin

page_text: ders to fit the many and varied dimensions of bottles, as very few bottles will
fit the same cylinder.
Now, the object of my third improvement is the dispensing with the use of
the cylinders, and the consequent necessity of cutting the ends off bottles of
caoutchouc when the same is to be cut into strips or narrow tapes or portions,
and in order to perform my improvement most advantageously, I prefer to
commence cutting the bottle of caoutchouc at or about the middle.
Figure 10 shows a bottle of caoutchouc, it being nearly divided into two
halves i and j, the two parts being held together by the commencement of the
strip or tape a, into which the bottle is to be cut. The workman takes the
half i into his left hand, and places the strip a between the revolving cutter
and the regulating and friction roller e of the machine.
Figures 2, 3, and 4: the part j of the bottle of caoutchouc being to the
right of the revolving cutter, the edges thereof resting against the roller e,
which controls the thickness cut off. The workman continues to draw the
part i till the whole of the partj is cut into a strip or tape. He then places
the part i to the right of the revolving cutter, and the strip a between the
revolving cutter aud the roller e, and draws the strip till the part i is cut into
a strip. By this means the whole bottle without waste is cut up, and with
great dispatch, though it should be remarked that some little care is some-
times required in cutting that end called the neck, and the right hand will
sometimes be required in holding the edge or surface being cut against the
roller e, and such will sometimes be the case with other portions of the bottle,
but a very little practice will be sufficient to carry this part of my Invention
iuto effect.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of carry-
ing the same into effect, I would remark that I am aware that block caout-
chouc has been cut into strips by cutting thin layers or sheets off the edges of
blocks for various purposes, both by rotatory and other cutters; I do not, there-
fore, lay any claim thereto when the process of cutting such strips, or sheets,
or tapes so cut off blocks is not carried on by further cutting such strips, or
sheets, or tapes into narrow strips, and forming them into threads or fine
strands for the manufacture of various descriptions of elastic fabrics.
And I would further have it understood that I lay no claim to the machines,
or parts thereof, herein described and shown other than is hereafter stated;
but what I claim as my Invention is―
First, the preparing or manufacturing block caoutchouc or india-rubber into
thread or fine strand, by reducing the same by cutting into small strips, and
drawing the same out by the process called spinning, by which means thread
ing strips
es of that
ed as cut
achine, by
stance up,
cutter and
h passing
pe may be
be stated
djustment,
d strips of
ed in like
er to form
y winding
ell under-
nanner to
ound that
coutchouc
which the
the reel
o till the
will pro-
preparing
this part
use. The
ends, and
which the
that the
atting the
rotatory
raversing
ood. By
to their
ally into
utter, as
waste of
eir being
of cylin

page_text: suitable for the purposes of elastic fabrics may be prepared or manufactured at
less cost than when bottle caoutchouc is used, and of a whitish appearance,
which is a most desirable description of thread when light colored goods are to
be made.
Secondly, I claim the application of the regulating and friction rollers e, in
place of the fixing stops or regulators, as above described, to machines used
for cutting caoutchouc into strips, whether the same be employed for cutting
block or bottle caoutchouc.
And, thirdly, I claim the mode herein described for cutting bottle caoutchouc
into strips or tapes by dispensing with the cylinders herein-before used, and thus
preventing the waste of cutting off the ends of such bottles, and also the loss of
time consequent on drawing the bottles on to the cylinders, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Galley Hartley, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
JOHN GALLEY (L.s.) HARTLEY.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on Eighth day of September, in the
year of our Lord 1836, the aforesaid John Galley Hartley came before our
said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
BMX