CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SATURATING AND COATING OR COVERING LEATHER, PAPER, AND TEXTILE FABRICS, SO AS TO RENDER THE SAME ON THE COATED OR COVERED SURFACES THEREOF IMPERVIOUS TO WATER."
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Cornides, of No. 4, Trafalgar Square (Office
for Patents), Charing Cross, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN SATURATING AND COATING OR COVERING LEATHER, PAPER, AND TEXTILE
FABRICS, SO AS TO RENDER THE SAME ON THE COATED OR COVERED SURFACES
THEREOF IMPERVIOUS TO WATER."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Louis Cornides at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd
April 1855.
I LOUIS CORNIDES of No. 4 Trafalgar Square (Office for Patents) Charing
Cross do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IM-
PROVEMENTS IN SATURATING AND COATING OR COVERING LEATHER PAPER AND TEXTILE
FABRICS, SO AS TO RENDER THE SAME ON THE COATED OR COVERED SURFACES THEREOF
IMPERVIOUS TO WATER" to be as follows; -
These improvements consist in saturating and coating or covering leather
paper and textile fabrics with certain matters or substances not heretofore
employed for those purposes and in the use and employment of certain novel
apparatus for carrying on such said processes in such manner as that the spirit
or ether used with such substances as a solvent of the same may be recovered
instead of being lost as heretofore. That is to say, for saturating and coating
or covering leather paper and textile fabrics I employ the following matters or

page_text: substances namely. A solution of explosive cotton in wood spirit, pyroxylic
spirit or alcoholized æther and in some instances I combine therewith india-
rubber, gums resins bitumen, drying oils fish oil colors and tan with or without
colors, graphite or metallic or mineral powder in a dry state I also employ a
solution of caoutchouc in rectified sulphuricaether coal naptha, or other known
solvents and ȧsolution of gutta percha in coal naptha or other known solvents.
The foregoing solutions when used on a small scale for coating or covering
fabrics or materials with, can be spread on the surface by hand with a brush
but for coating or covering fabrics or flexible materials upon a large scale I
employ an apparatus of the following construction. That is to say upon each
end of the top ofa closed chamber which is kept supplied at a given level from
a closed reservoir containing the solution to be used I securely fix au air-tight
cylinder opening into the chamber in which cylinders are revolving rollers
one in each the one for containing the fabric which is to be operated upon
called the feeding roller and the other for winding the fabric upon when
finished called the winding roller Between these cylinders and on the top of
the middle part of the before-mentioned chamber I place and fix a condenser
(air-tight)in which are openings corresponding with openings in the top of the
chamber through which the fabric passes as it is being operated upon. The
top of the condenser is formed open and has an upright case affixed air-tight
thereto said case being formed with a jacket or outer casing for the circulation
of heat therein. The above apparatus is provided inside with suitable rollers
placed at the top and bottom thereof over which passes the fabric which is
operated upon in the following minner observing that the above-mentioned
chamber is formed with three compartments in each of which there is a roller
but only the middle one and the outer one nearest the feeding roller contains
solution.
In operating with the above apparatus for coating or covering the surface
only of the fabric the rollers in the chamber over which the fabric passes from
the feeding roller should be placed and maintained above the level of the
solution. A revolving brush being employed for taking up the solution and
spreading it upon the surface of the fabric to be coated or covered therewith.
If it is required to saturate the fabric the brush is dispensed with and the
roller over which the fabric passes is immersed in the solutions above meu-
tioned in which it revolves. The axes of the rollers in each cylinder receive
the same amount of movement so as to cause one roller to take up the fabric as
fast as the other gives it off. The fabric after receiving the first coating passes
through the condenser which is of a peculiar construction and in doing so any
superfluous evaporation from the ether or other solvent which the solution

page_text: contains is condensed by coming into contact with a series of pipes containing
cold water. The æther instead of being lost as heretofore is thus secured and
recovered and may be removed from the condenser by a cock placed near the
bottom thereof The fabric thus coated as it passes through the upper or
heated case becomes dried and may if necessary receive another coating of the
solution contained in the before-mentioned middle compartment of the chamber
after which it again passes through the condenser and drying case as before
and finally on to the winding roller in a finished state. The upper part of the
before-mentioned drying case is connected with a second condenser in the form
of an ordinary still so as to condeuse all the vapour evaporated from the fabric
and by these means recover the æther or spirit or other solvent of which the
vapour is composed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters l'atent, filed
by the said Louis Cornides in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd
October 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I LOUIS
CORNIDES of No. 4 Trafalgar Square (Office for Patents) Charing Cross send
greeting.
.;
WHEREAS Her most. Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters
Patent bearing date the Third day of April in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five in the eighteenth year of Her reign
did for Herself Her heirs and successors give and grant unto me the said
Louis Cornides Her special licence that I the said Louis Cornides my
executors administrators and assigns or such others as I the said Louis
Cornides 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 "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SATU-
RATING AND COATING OR COVERING LEATHER PAPER AND TEXTILE FABRICS SO AS TO
RENDER THE SAME ON THE COATED OR COVERED SURFACES THEREOF IMPERVIOUS TO
upon the condition (amongst others) that I the said Louis Cornides
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention and in what inauner
the same was to be performed and cause the same to be filed in the Great

page_text: eal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
cate of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE that I the said Louis Cornides 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
thereof; (that is to say);
My improvements are comprised under four separate heads and the features
of novelty consist firstly in coating covering or saturating woven fabrics and
in coating paper with certain substances not heretofore employed for those
purposes and in carrying on such said processes either with such substances or
with various others in such a manner as that the spirit or æther used as a
solvent of the same may be recovered instead of being lost as heretofore
and in the manner herein-after fully described under the first head of my
said improvements.
Secondly in coating or saturating fabrics with the substance or medium
herein-after described under the second head of this Invention either alone or
mixed with mineral or vegetable colors herein-after fully described under this
head.
Thirdly in coating or coveringleather with the substance or medium referred
to under the second head in the manner herein-after particularly described
under the third head of this Invention.
Fourthly in covering the surfaces prepared as explained under the second
and third heads of this Invention with graphite and other metallic substances
and mineral coloring substances in a dry state.
I now proceed to describe the several solutions which I employ for effecting
the objects of my said Invention as follows,
Under the first head of my said improvements the solutions I employ and
the mode in which I operate therewith are as follows, First a solution of
explosive cotton in wood spirit or pyroxylic spirit made by mixing together
16 parts pyroxylic spirit with from to 1 part of explosive cotton well shaken
together this solution when clear is fit for use. Second a solution of explosive
cotton in alcoholized aether combined with resins as follows namely 16 parts
sulphuric æther S parts alcohol part explosive cotton part gum copal or
sandarach or white resin-these ingredients are to be well shaken together
and when clear the solution is fit for use. Third a solution of explosive cotton
in pyroxylic spirit combined with resins as follows namely 16 parts pyroxylic
spirit to 1 part explosive cotton to 1 part gum sandarach or white resin.
Fourth a solution of caoutchouc in rectified sulphuric æther made by mixing
16 parts purified sulphuric aether with one part caoutchouc-The ether before

page_text: mixing should first be freed from the alcohol which is contained therein by
washing it in water and afterwards separating the water therefrom, the
caoutchouc when dissolved is fit for use-Fifth a solution of caoutchouc in
coal naptha benzole spirits of turpentine and other known solvents for
example by mixing 16 parts of one of the above solvents with 1 or 1½ parts
of caoutchouc dissolved by the assistance of a gentle heat the caoutchouc
when dissolved is fit for use. Sixth a solution of gutta percha in coal
naphtha benzole spirits of turpentine chloroform and other known solvents
made by mixing togeth er 16 parts spirits of turpentine. 2 or 4 parts gutta
percha with or without resins or by mixing 16 parts spirits of turpentine
to 1 part caoutchouc 2 or 4 parts gutta percha dissolved by the assistance
of gentle heat.
In order to explain my said Invention as completely as possible I now
proceed to describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the
same into practical effect reference being had to the illustrative Drawing here.
unto annexed and to the letters of reference marked thereon as follows.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
The Drawing exhibits a transverse and vertical section (through about the
middle) of an apparatus constructed according to my said Invention and
designed for coating or covering fabrics or flexible materials upon a large
scale in the following manner that is to say upon each end of the top of
a closed chamber A which is kept supplied at a given level from a closed
reservoir B containing the solution to be used I securely fix an air-tight
cylinder C opening into the chamber A in which cylinder are revolving
rollers E and F one in each the one marked E for containing the fabric
which is to be operated upon called the feeding roller and the other
marked F for winding the fabric upon when finished called the winding-on
roller. Between these cylinders and on the top of the middle part A
of the before-mentioned chamber A I place and fix a condenser G (air-
tight) in which are openings corresponding with openings in the top of the
chamber A through which the fabric passes as it is being operated upon. The
top of the condenser G is formed open and has an upright case H affixed
air-tight thereto said case being formed with a jacket or outer casing 1 for
the circulation of heat therein The above apparatus is provided inside with
suitable rollers marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 placed at the top and bottom thereof over
which passes the fabric which is operated upon in the following manuer
observing that the above-mentioned chamber A is formed with three com-
partments A¹ A² A³ in each of which there is a roller but only the middle

page_text: compartment A2 and the outer one A¹ nearest the feeding roller E contains
solution. In operating with the above apparatus for coating or covering
the surface only of the fabric the roller 1 of the chamber A¹ over which the
fabric passes from the feeding roller E should be placed as shown at Figure 2
and maintained above the level of the solution a revolving brush X being
employed for taking up the solution and spreading it upon the surface of the
fabric to be coated or covered therewith. If it is required to saturate the
fabric the brush X is dispensed with and the roller 1 over which the fabric
passes is immersed in one or other of the above-mentioned solutions in which
is revolves. The axes of the rollers E and F in each cylinder receive the
same amount of movement so as to cause one roller to take up the fabric as
fast as the other one gives it off. The fabric after receiving the first coating
passes through the condenser G which is of peculiar construction and in doing
so any redundant evaporation from the æther or other solvent which the
solution contained is condensed by coming into contact with a series of pipes
marked K containing cold water. This æther is thus secured and recovered
and may be removed from the condenser by a cock at L placed near the
bottom thereof the fabric thus coated as it passes by means of the roller 2 at
top through the upper or heated case H becomes dried and may if necessary
receive another coating of the solution contained in the before-mentioned
middle compartmont A² of the chamber A after which it again passes through
the condenser G and drying case E as before and finally on to the winding
roller F in a finished state All the parts of the above apparatus so commu-
nicate with each other as to be closed against the external air but the upper
part of the aforesaid drying case is connected with a second condenser M in
the form of an ordinary still so as to condense all the vapour evaporated from
the fabric and recover the æther or spirit or other solvent of which the said
vapour is composed The worm of such said condenser communicates with a
pipe employed for drawing off the condensed vapour from the condenser G
and finally the condensed vapour is conveyed by a branch pipe to any suitable
receiver. The fabric or material coated as above described may if desired
be afterwards subjected to the ordinary calendering process.
Under the second head of my said improvements the solutions and other
matters or ingredients I employ and the mode in which I operate therewith
are as follows. First a solution of gutta percha in spirits of turpentine
made by mixing 16 parts of spirits of turpentine with two or four parts gutta
percha or the following sixteen parts spirits of turpentine two or four parts
gutta percha or one part caoutchouc or any other composition or solu-
tion with or without combination of gutta percha india-rubber gum resins

page_text: bitumen and other flexible materials. Second drying oils with or without
combination of gums or resins and with or without the application of coloring
matters. Third fish oil colors made in the manner usually practised. Fourth
tan with or without colours. The process which I employ for coating fabrics
with the solutions last described under the second head of this Invention is as
follows. I coat paper with gum (dissolved in cold water) either by hand or
by a roller or any convenient apparatus and when the gum is dry the paper
is coated over the gum with one of the before-mentioned solutions or materials
for example with drying oils mixed with colours or without colours either by
hand or by a roller or other convenient means If it is desired to coat the
fabric with a thicker coat then a second layer of the drying oil or other
solution or materials is spread over the first layer on the paper after the first
is perfectly dry. When the coating intended for the fabric (whether after the
first or second layer) is half dry or in a green state it is to be transferred to
the fabric to be coated therewith. This is done by applying the coated surface
of the paper to the surface of the fabric which must be perfectly dry and
then damping the paper on its outer surface and passing both together under
rollers as in a calendering machine so adjusted as to press the aforesaid com.
bined materials closely together. The pressure of the rollers forces the fibres
of the fabric into the coating and thus unites the fabric therewith. The outer
surface of the paper is then again further wetted with cold water which
dissolves the gum. The paper is then gently drawn off the coated fabric from
the surface of which the gum is to be washed away with cold water. The
fabric coated as above is then completely dried by any of the processes at
present practised of drying oil cloths and when completely dry may be sub-
jected to the ordinary calendering processes. Instead of using paper in the
above-described transfer process a woven fabric saturated with the following
solution namely ten parts water one part gelatine part sugar dissolved in
a water bath heated to 100° Fahrenheit which may be applied warm to the
surface of the woven fabric and when dry the fabric may be calendered and
is fit for use. The woven fabric thus prepared is then coated with gum and
used throughout instead of the paper in the said process.
Under tho third head of my said improvements the solution I employ and
the mode in which I operate therewith are as follows namely a solution com-
posed of sixteen parts coal naphtha two or four parts gutta percha one or two
parts common resin-the above when dissolved and strained through a cloth
is fit for use. In using the above solution for coating or covering leather the
same may be effected either by hand or by a roller or other convenient means.
The leather is then subjected to the transfer process mentioned under the

page_text: second head of my said improvements and coated on one or both sides.
When dry the leather may be subjected to any of the known calendering
processes.
Under the fourth head of my said improvements the coated fabrics produced
by the processes before described under the second and third heads of my said
improvements are subjected to the following process when the coating of the
fabric is half dried through or in a green state Graphite or mineral or
metallic powders of the greatest fineness are applied to the surface of the
coating, this is done either by sifting the same over the surface by hand or by
means of a sieve working by machinery under which the fabric is passed
byrollers and then brushing the surface over with a soft brush either by hand
or by a cylindrical brush working on an axis whilst the fabric passes over
another roller in contact therewith. A second method of preparing leather
for the application of the before-mentioned metallic or mineral powder or dry
colourisas follows;-The leather is coated with the solution mentioned under
the third head of my said improvements and when dry a second coat of drying
oil is applied to it and when the oil is half dried or in a green state it is
finally covered with graphite or metallic or mineral powder in a dry state in
the manner above stated.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention of
"Certain Improvements in Saturating and Coating or Covering Leather,
Paper, and Textile Fabrics so as to Render the same on the Conted or Covered
Surfaces thereof Impervious to Water" and in what manner the same is to
be and may be performed I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my
Invention in the foregoing processes and operations the following;
Under the first head of my improvements I claim as my Invention
Firstly the making a solution of explosive cotton in wood spirit or
pyroxylic acid.
Secondly,combining alcoholized solution of gun cotton and the pyroxylic
solution of gun cotton with resins and gums as described in the first part of
my Invention.
Thirdly, coating surfaces by means of such solutions with gun cotton.
Fourthly, coating surfaces with india-rubber or gutta percha by means of
the solutions thereof, particularly described under the said first head.
I further claim as my Invention the spreading on fabrics a coating of the
solutions mentioned under the first head of my said improvements or solutions
of any substances made with æther or volatile oil or spirit in an apparatus
consisting of a close chamber communicating with a closed drying chamber
such drying chamber communicating with a condenser so that the evaporated

page_text: æther, volatile oil, or spirit is not allowed to escape but is condensed and
recovered, and I do not limit my Invention to the particular form of the
apparatus shewn in the Drawing But I claim such modifications in the size
and form of the apparatus as may be requisite for the more convenient
use thereof for any particular sort of fabric or for the size of the fabric to be
operated upon.
Under the second head of my said improvements I claim as my Invention
the combination of the coating intended to resist water with the fabric to
be coated therewith by the process of spreading on paper gummed on one
side or on other substances prepared as a substitute for the same in like
manner and having the same properties. The material particularly described
under the second head of my said improvements in that behalf and also all
drying oils combined with or without colouring matter. And also all other
substances or solutions thereof capable of being used as a coating to resist
water (commonly called waterproof) and then whilst the same are in a half dry
or green state transferring the same by pressure from the surface on which
the same have been first spread to the surface to be coated therewith.
Under the third head of my said improvements I claim as my Invention
the preparation of leather with the solution described under that head of my
said improvements so that the same may be adapted for the application of a
waterproof coating by the processes described under the first or second heads of
my said improvements and I further claim as my Invention the application
of such processes to leather.
Under the fourth head of my said improvements I claim as my Invention
the application of graphite and other metallic or mineral powders in a dry
state to the coating transferred as described under the third head of my said
improvements whilst such coating is in a half dry or green state.
In witness whereof I the said Louis Cornides have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Third day of October in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Witness
ALEX PRINCE Patent Agent
4 Trafalgar Square.
LOUIS CORNIDES. (L.S.)