A new Material to be employed as a substitute for Leather, Paper, and other Analogous Substances, and a Process of Manufacturing the same.
Year: 1896

page_text: A new Material to be employed as a substitute for Leather, Paper,
and other Analogous Substances, and a Process of Manufacturing
the same.
We, FREDERICK BILLING Manufacturer, and AUGUSTE LETALLE, Photographer, both
of Livery Street, in the City of Birmingham, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a new material to be employed for various industrial
purposes, such, for instance, as a substitute for leather to be used in book-binding and
upholstering and in the manufacture of boots, shoes, bags, saddlery and like articles,
and for facing the surfaces of boxes, trunks and pneumatic or rubber tyres; also as
a substitute for paper for use in books, and other kindred flexible or pliable substances.
In carrying out the manufacture of artificial leather according to our invention,
two or more sheets of cotton wool or other fibrous materials are taken and laid cross-
wise, so as to direct the fibres of one sheet at right angles to the fibres of the opposed
sheet, although, if necessary, a single sheet of substance may be used with the fibres
fabricated so as to cross one another for the purpose of producing a toughened
foundation, but we wish it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the
nature of materials employed, as a specially prepared fabric may be made to constitute
the fibrous foundation."
We then submit this foundation or basis to the action of a mixture or solution
formed by taking gelatine glue or some equivalent substance which has been allowed
to absorb as much water as possible, and then melting the same, and adding thereto,
whilst being continually agitated, methylated spirits or pure spirit in the form of
spray or finely-divided particles forced through a spray rose.
It is most important that the spirit should be added to the liquefied gelatine in the
form of fine spray as melted gelatine or the like and spirits in bulk will not mix.
The fibrous foundation may either be immersed in this liquid or the same may be
served thereon by a brush or otherwise, and in order to soften or make supple the
material or composition thus produced, glycerine or treacle or like substance may be
introduced into it. We propose that the spirit and gelatine should be mixed with
one another in about equal quantities, and when the solution of gelatine is applied
to the fibrous foundation either by immersion or by a brush, the same is immediately
absorbed.
To give color to the composition, any desired dye or pigment may be added to the
solution.
The fibrous material; after being thus treated, is allowed to become dry or nearly
so, and is then finally immersed in a mixture of formalin, alum, tannic acid or other "
chemical which will coagulate the gelatine.
The product is then dried and rolled out into sheets of the desired thickness, or

page_text: embossed with patterns between engraved plates in imitation of morocco or other
leather or other material.
Dated this 15th day of October 1896.
FREDERICK BILLING,
AUGUSTE LETALLE,
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicants,
A new Material to be employed as a substitute for Leather, Paper, and
other Analogous Substances, and a Process of Manufacturing
the same.
We, FREDERICK BILLING Manufacturer, and AUGUSTE LETALLE Photographer, both
of Livery Street, in the City of Birmingham, 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 material to be employed for various industrial
purposes, such for instance as a substitute for leather to be used in book-binding, and
upholstering and in the manufacture of boots, shoes, bags, saddlery and like articles,
and for facing the surfaces of boxes and trunks and also as a substitute for paper for
use in books, and other kindred flexible or pliable substances.
In carrying out the manufacture of artificial leather according to our invention,
two or more sheets of cotton wool or other suitable fibrous materials are taken and laid
cross-wise, so as to direct the fibres of one sheet at right angles to the fibres of the
opposed sheet, although, if necessary, a single sheet of substance may be used with
the fibres fabricated so as to cross one another for the purpose of producing a toughened
foundation, but we wish it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the
nature of materials employed, as a specially prepared fabric may be made to constitute
the fibrous foundation.
We then submit this foundation or basis to the action of a mixture or solution
formed by taking gelatine, glue, or some equivalent gelatinous substance which has
been allowed to absorb as much water as possible, and then melting the same, and
adding thereto, whilst being continually agitated, methylated spirits, pure spirit,
methylic alcohol or naphtha in the form of spray or finely divided particles forced
through a spray rose.
It is most important that the spirit should be added to the liquefied gelatine in
the form of fine spray as melted gelatine or the like and spirits, in bulk, will not mix.
The fibrous foundation may either be immersed in this liquid or the same may
be served thereon by a brush or otherwise, and in order to soften or make supple the
material or composition thus produced, glycerine or treacle or like substance may be
introduced into it. We propose that the spirit and gelatine should be mixed with
one another in about equal quantities, and when the solution of gelatine is applied
to the fibrous foundation either by immersion or by a brush, the same is immediately
absorbed.
To give color to the composition, any desired dye or pigment may be added to the
solution.
The fibrous material, after being thus treated, is allowed to become dry or nearly
so, and is then finally immersed in a chemical solution which will coagulate the
gelatine, such as a solution of formalin, alum, tannic acid or other suitable chemical,
or a mixture of some such substances,

page_text: The product is then dried and rolled out into sheets of the desired thickness, or
embossed with patterns between engraved plates in imitation of morocco or other
leather or other material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
First. The manufacture of a substitute for leather, paper and other analogous
substances, by immersing or serving sheets of cotton wool or other suitable fibrous
material in or with a solution of gelatine, glue or other gelatinous substance, in
methylated spirit, pure spirit, methylic alcohol or naphtha; then, if necessary, softening
or giving suppleness to this composition by the introduction of treacle, glycerine or
like substances; next drying the composition, and finally subjecting the same to the
action of a solution which coagulate the gelatinous substance, substantially as described
and set forth.
Secondly. In the manufacture of a substitute for leather, paper or other analogous
substances, as referred to in the preceding claim, incorporating the methylated or
pure spirit, methylic alcohol or naphtha in the form of spray or finely-divided particles,
with the gelatine, glue or gelatinous substance when melted and agitated,
substantially as described and set forth.
Thirdly. The manufacture of substitutes for leather, paper or other analogous
substances by the processes or combinations of processes substantially as herein
described and set forth.
Bawa S
Town day
ury
FREDERICK BILLING,
AUGUSTE LETALLE,
By Henry Skerrett,
24 Temple Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicants.