IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WATER- PROOF FABRICS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WATER-
PROOF FABRICS."-A communication from abroad by John Foster Greene,
Sealed the 16th October 1868, and dated the 22nd May 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd May 1868.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WATER-
PROOF FABRICS," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention of improved machinery for the manufacture of
waterproof fabrics is to combine flocks and fibrous substances with india-rubber
prepared in sheets, or when attached to cloth or felted material, or to leather,
so as to form flocked or napped india-rubber goods by one operation..
The means by which this result is effected, and the manner in which they
are combined and operated, are as follows:-The sheet of rubber is formed in
the usual manner, and attached to the cloth or other material used as a base

page_text: by being passed, when softened, in any of the known modes between calender
rolls, so as to force the soft gum into the fabric, or the ground fabric may be
coated with rubber spread upon it in a state of solution.
In carrying out the present Invention it will be found most convenient to
unite the ends of the piece of cloth when coated with rubber, so as to form an
endless band, which is made to pass around the middle roll of the calender and
over a roll mounted upon a movable stretcher nearly on a level with the
calender roll. Between the stretcher and the calender, and at an elevation of
from seven to ten feet above the surface of the rubber cloth is placed a
machine, consisting of a close vertical trunk, at the upper end of which the
fibres are fed in through suitable openings to porcupine rollers, which disinte-
grate the fibres and toss them up into a hood or dome at the upper end of the
trough, down which they will fall in a shower on to the india-rubber coated
surface of the fabric, which is travelling slowly onward to another pair of
pressing rolls, which will force the fibres into the adhesive surface of the
rubber coating, and must make all the parts firmly to adhere together.
Beneath the trunk through which the sifted flocks or fibres fall a box is placed
to receive the flocks or fibres which do not rest upon the surface of the rubber,
and the space around the trunk and between that and the box is surrounded
by a netting of wire gauze, leaving a small space between the frame of the
gauze and the edge of the trough for the cloth to pass through fieely. Two
revolving brushes are adapted to brush off the superfluous fibres, one brush
being made to operate on the surface of which is coated with fibres, and the
other upon the under side of the cloth itself. By this means not only are the
superfluous fibres removed, but the fibres which adhere are laid straight and
are brushed into a nap, which is afterwards sheared and dressed.
The mode of operation is as follows:-The upper and lower rolls of the
calender being heated by steam to a suitable temperature, the calender is put
in motion, and the endless band moves with it beneath the sifting machine,
which is also put in motion, and the flocks or fibres fall upon the surface of
the coating of india-rubber and are carried with the endless band between the
rolls of the calender, and are combined with or embedded in the rubber, which
is softened by the heat. In order to give an even surface to the finished goods,
more of the flocks or fibres must be sifted upon the rubber than can be advan-
tageously combined with it, and these must be separated from that which
should adhere. It is also desirable that the fibre should be laid as near as
possible in parallel lines, so as to form a smooth and even nap. These two
results are effected in a satisfactory manner by the brush, which is caused to
revolve at a speed of about eight hundred times a minute, and upon which the

page_text: weight of the fabric is made to rest by loosening the endless band. The
weight of the fabric is usually sufficient for the purpose, but the pressure can
easily be increased by a roller or weight. This brush removes the surplus
fibre, and causes that which is combined with the softened india-rubber to lie
in nearly parallel lines and be deflected in the same direction of inclination
from the cloth; another brush removes any flocks or fibre which may adhere
to the cloth. This brush may revolve at a less speed than the other; all of
the fibres or flocks thus brushed off are secured in a box or other receptacle
and reserved for future use. The stretcher is a roll mounted in a frame placed
upon wheels which run on rails or guides, and may therefore be moved back
and forth upon the rails or guides by a pulley or any other suitable means, so
as to raise and depress the cloth in the endless band at pleasure. Any other
suitable means for stretching or loosening the endless band may be substituted
for the movable stretcher above described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 21st November 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Edward Newton, Her special license that I, the said William
Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said William Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WATERPROOF FABRICS," being a
communication from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said William Edward Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the

page_text: same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention of improved machinery for the manufacture of waterproof
fabrics consists of certain improved apparatus for combining or attaching
flocks and fibrous substances with or to india-rubber in sheets, or when
attached to cloth, or felted or woven material or other fabric, or to leather, so
as to form waterproof flocked or napped india-rubber goods.
In carrying out the Invention, the sheet of rubber is formed in the usual
manner, and is attached to the cloth or other material which is used as a
ground or base, by being passed (when in a softened state) between heavy
calender rolls, or the ground or foundation fabric may be coated with rubber
spread upon it in a state of solution.
In carrying on the operations which form the subject of the present Inven-
tion, it will be found most convenient to unite the ends of the piece of cloth
when coated with rubber so as to form an endless band, which is to be passed
round one of the rollers of the calendering machine and over another roller
mounted upon a moveable stretcher nearly on a level with the calender roll.
Between the stretcher roller and the calendering apparatus, and near the latter
and at an elevation of from seven to ten feet above the surface of the rubber
cloth to be coated with flocks or fibres is placed the apparatus whereby the
fibres or flocks are supplied to the cloth. Beneath the trunk through which
the sifted flocks fall from this apparatus a box is placed to receive the flocks
or fibres which do not rest upon the softened surface of the rubber. The space
around the trunk and between that and the box is surrounded by a netting of
wire gauze, leaving a small space between the frame of the gauze and the edge
of the trough for the cloth to pass through freely. When the flocks have been
sifted on the adhesive surface of the green or rubber, the fabric is passed
between a pair of heavy calender rolls, whereby the fabrics aro forced into the
gum or rubber, and are held securely thereby. Between the sifting machine
and the moveable stretcher are placed two revolving brushes, one operating on
that surface of the rubber fabric which is coated with flocks, and the other
upon the back of the cloth itself.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of
the machine complete, Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of

page_text: some of the parts shewing the arrangement of gearing whereby some of the
working parts are driven.
A, A, A, A', represent four calender rolls with their frame and gearing; these
rollers are heated by steam, as shewn in the Drawing, or in any other convenient
manner, so as to soften the rubber and cause it to adhere to the foundation
fabric. Two of the calender rollers act as spreaders to spread an even layer of
rubber on the foundation fabric, while the other two act as pressing rollers to
press the fibres into the rubber and cause them to adhere thereto. The sifting
machine is seen at B, B, whereby the flocks or fibres are caused to descend
like flakes of snow on the softened rubber surface, into which they are pressed
by the lower calender rollers A', A'. D is a brush, which operates on the
flocked surface for the purpose of laying the fibres straight after the fabric has
passed. between the rollers A', A'. Another brush C operates upon the under
side of the cloth and keeps it clean. A roller E is mounted in the moveable
tension frame F, which is supported and runs on rollers, so that it may move
along on the railway or guides G, G. A box H is placed beneath the sifting
machine to receive the superfluous fibres. A frame K, K, is covered exter-
nally with a network of wire gauze, and surrounds the trunk of the sifting
apparatus, in order to prevent the fibres from flying about. The cloth is seen
at a, a, a, a, passing through the machine, while the flocks or fibres b, b, b,'b,
descend upon it. Boxes M and N are placed beneath the brushes C and D,
in order to receive and secure the fibres that are brushed off from the fabric as
it passes through the machine.
When a sheet of rubber only is intended to be coated with fibres, it must be
laid upon and attached to an endless band, or firm glazed or well sized cloth,
in such a manner that it can be easily separated after the coating or flocking
operation has been performed.
The mode of operation in making a waterproof fabric according to the present
Invention is as follows:-The two upper rolls of the calender being heated to
a suitable temperature by steam or otherwise to the degree and in the manner
well known to india-rubber manufacturers, the calendering apparatus is put in
motion, and the endless band of cloth a is moved forward in the direction of
the arrows, and a thin film or sheet of rubber is laid thereon as it passes
between the second and third rolls. The cloth having been thus coated from
end to end, the two upper rolls are thrown or lifted out of gear by means of
the worm wheel and screws and t, and the cloth with its adhesive surface is
passed beneath the trunk of the sifting or flocking machine, which is put in
motion at the same time. The flocks or fibres will then fall upon the adhesive
surface of the coating of india-rubber, and will be carried with the endless

page_text: band between the two lower rollers A, A', of the calendering apparatus, and
the fibres will thus be pressed into and combined with the rubber, which is
softened by the heat of the rollers. In order to give an even surface to the
finished goods, more of the flocks or fibres must be sifted upon the rubber than
can be advantageously combined with it, and the superfluous fibres must be
brushed away by the brushing operation from those which do adhere. This
operation may be repeated more than once if thought necessary. It is also
desirable that the fibres should be laid as near as possible in parallel lines, so
as to form a smooth and even nap. These two results are effected in a satis-
factory manner by means of the rotary brush D, which is caused to revolve at
a speed of about 800 times a minute, and upon which the weight of the fabric
is made to rest by loosening the endless band a, a. The weight of the fabric
has in practise been found sufficient for the purpose, but the pressure can
easily be increased by means of a roller or weight, if desired. This brush D
removes the surplus fibres and causes that which is combined with the softened
india-rubber to lie in nearly parallel lines and be deflected in the same direction
of inclination from the cloth. The upper brush, which may revolve at a less
speed than the other, removes any flocks or fibres which may adhere to the
back of the cloth. All of the fibres or, flocks thus brushed off are secured in
the boxes M and N, and are reserved for future use. The stretcher or tension
frame F is provided with a roller E, and is placed upon wheels on a railway or
guides G, G, and may be moved back and forth upon the rails or guides by a
pulley or any other suitable means, so as to raise and depress the endless band
of cloth at pleasure. Any other suitable means for stretching or loosening the
endless band may be substituted for the moveable stretcher above described
and represented in the Drawings hereto annexed.
The fibres or flocks are fed into the machine by being placed on the travel-
ling endless aprons c, c, on each side of the hood d of the trunk. These
travelling aprons carry the fibres forward to the holding rollers e, e, from which
the fibres are torn out by the spiked rollers f.f, which rapidly rotate and
throw the fibres up into the hood d, from whence they descend in a shower
down the trunk b, and fall on to the travelling sheet of rubber a below. The
spiked rollers ff, are covered over by the concave covers f, f, which will
prevent air from passing in except with the fibres, and will also prevent the
fibres from flying about. Any fibres that escape from the spiked rollers f,f,
and do not pass into the dome will drop on to the inclined boards 9, 9, and fall
from thence into the boxes h, h, beneath the travelling aprons. The gearing
for giving motion to all these parts is clearly shewn in Figs. 2 and 3, and
therefore need not be particularly described.
:

page_text: If woollen flocks are used, the superfluous fibres having been brushed off
from the surface of the cloth and a proper pile produced, the cloth is to be
sheared in the ordinary way of shearing woollen cloth. The fabric may also
be vulcanized in the ordinary manner.
Having now described this Invention of "Improved Machinery for the
Manufacture of Waterproof Fabrics," and having explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect, as communicated to me by my foreign corre-
spondent, I claim as the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent as
aforesaid the use of the calender rolls for pressing the fibres into the adhesive
surface of the india-rubber.
I also claim the arrangement of apparatus herein set forth for supplying the
fibres in a shower to the adhesive surface.
I further claim in combination with the calender pressing rollers, or any
equivalent contrivance, and the apparatus for sifting or supplying the fibres, tho
rotating brushes for removing the superfluous fibres from the cloth and laying
in a parallel direction the fibres which adhere to the adhesive surface of the
india-rubber.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.B.)