IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PREPARATION OF VEGETABLE PARCHMENT
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Hymans, of Southampton Buildings, Holborn,
London, W.C., for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PREPARATION
OF VEGETABLE PARCHMENT."
Sealed the 28th March 1877, and dated the 30th December 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Hymans at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th December 1876.
HENRY HYMANS, of Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London, W.C.
MENTS IN THE PREPARATION OF VEGETABLE PARCHMENT."
" IMPROVE-
The object of this Invention is so to prepare the ordinary vegetable parchment that
it becomes well adapted for use as a covering or envelope for corks or bottles in the
place of using chamois leather or bladder skin as is now generally done, it having
hitherto been impracticable to adapt the vegetable parchment to this purpose owing
to its extremely harsh and stubborn nature. By iny Invention I have however
entirely overcome this difficulty, and the vegetable parchment is thereby rendered
as soft and pliant as leather itself, so that it is well adapted to be used for the
purpose above mentioned, thereby effecting a great economy.
To carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-I take any suitable vessel and
prepare therein a solution consisting of about 1 part glycerine and 4 parts water. I
then steep the sheets of vegetable parchment therein, allowing each sheet of parch-
Dient to remain a sufficient length of time (say about 60 minutes) so as to become
thoroughly saturated. I then remove the sheets of parchment from the bath, and
dry them either by suspending them on lines stretched in a stove heated by means
of steam pipes, so as to ensure an even temperature of about 100 degrees, or in any
other suitable manner, after which they are submitted to the action of a suitable
pair of rollers, and are then fit for use.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Hymans in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th June
1877.
HENRY HYMANS, of Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London, W.C. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PREPARATION OF VEGETABLE PARCHMENT."
The object of this Invention is so to prepare the ordinary vegetable parchment that
it becomes well adapted for use as a covering or envelope for corks or bottles in the
place of using chamois leather or bladder skin as is now generally done, it having
hitherto been impracticable to adapt the vegetable parchment to this purpose owing
to its extremely harsh and stubborn nature. By my Invention I have however
entirely overcome this difficulty, and the vegetable parchment is thereby rendered
as soft and pliant as leather itself, so that it is well adapted to be used for the
purpose above mentioned, thereby effecting a great economy.
To carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-I take any suitable vessel and
prepare therein a solution consisting of about 1 part glycerine and 4 parts water. I
then steep the sheets of vegetable parchment therein, allowing each sheet of parch-
ment to remain a sufficient length of time (say about 60 minutes) so as to become
thoroughly saturated with the solution. I then remove the sheets of parchment
from the bath, and dry them either by suspending them on lines stretched in a
suitable stove heated by means of steam pipes, so as to ensure an even temperature
of about 100 degrees, or in any other convenient manner, after which they are
submitted to the action of a pair of rollers made either of brass, steel, or any other
suitable metal, and similar in appearance to those of a wringing machine.
By this improved method of preparing and treating vegetable parchment it
becomes thoroughly supple and pliable, and its merchantable value is thus consider-
ably increased as an article adapted to the covering of bottles, corks, and for use
otherwise as an envelope or covering impermeable to either air or damp.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and the
manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I
claim is, the improved method of preparing vegetable parchment, substantially in
the manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Hymans, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
oight hundred and seventy-seven.