Improvements in Absorbent Fabrics for Surgical, Medical, and similar Uses.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Sept., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 29th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Absorbent Fabrics for Surgical, Medical, and
similar Uses.
I, WILLIAM JOWETT of Cataract Mills, Marple Bridge, in the County of Derby,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to absorbent fabrics for surgical, medical and similar uses.
The fabrics of the type to which my improvements relate are at present made of
bleached cotton fibre fleeces enclosed between layers of bleached muslin, other
substances, such as wood fibre being sometimes mixed with the cotton. I have
found that with the best of these fabrics now to be obtained, the matters which
should be absorbed in use, do not spread or diffuse through the fabric, but are only
absorbed locally so that a kind of clot is formed which prevents further local
absorption in a comparatively short time. I overcome this objection completely in
my hereinafter described improved fabric and, in addition, I obtain an important
advantage, as I find that the new fabric is a much better heat conductor, and that
consequently pads, dressings and the like made with it are cooler and more
comfortable for the patient.
In preparing my fabric I employ thoroughly bleached and carded or combed
ramie fibre in one or more layers or fleeces according to the desired thickness of
fabric. In addition to the ramie I may use either, any, or all, of the following
fibres which also should be thoroughly bleached and carded or combed, that is to say,
cotton, linen, hemp, jute, wood, or other similar vegetable fibres. I prefer that the
fibres should be bleached, but this is not essential provided that some other process
or processes is or are employed which will remove the pectic and margaric acids,
waxy, albuminous, greasy and other foreign substances from the fibres.
The layer or layers of fibre constituting the fabric may be held together by a sized
back, as in ordinary wadding, by a muslin back or back and face, or by a sized back
and muslin face, but in any event, where it is used, it is intended that the muslin
face should be stripped before the fabric is applied.
The fabric may be carbolised during manufacture, or be otherwise rendered
antiseptic, and if the back be sized, the size may be rendered antiseptic before it is
applied to the fabric.
Doted this 11th day of Santambor AD 1806
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Absorbent Fabrics for Surgical, Medical, and
similar Uses.
I, WILLIAM JOWETT of Cataract Mills, Marple Bridge in the County of Derby,
Manufacturer, 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 absorbent fabrics for surgical, medical, sanitary, and

page_text: similar uses. The fabrics of the type to which my present invention relates are at
present made of bleached cotton fibre fleeces enclosed between layers of bleached
muslin, other substances such as wood fibre, being sometimes mixed with the cotton.
I have found that with the best of these fabrics now to be obtained, the matters
which should be absorbed thereby in use, do not spread or diffuse through the mass
of the fabric, but are absorbed locally only, so that a kind of surface clot is formed
which prevents further local absorption in a comparatively short time. I completely
overcome this objection in my hereinafter described new fabric and, in addition,
I obtain an important advantage, as I find that it is a much better heat conductor,
and that consequently pads, dressings and the like made with it are cooler and more
comfortable for the patient.
In preparing my new fabric, I employ thoroughly bleached ramie fibre in one or
more fleeces or layers as may be required by the thickness of fabric desired. In
addition to the ramie, I may use either, any, or all of the following fibres, which
also must be thoroughly bleached and carded or combed, that is to say, cotton, linen,
hemp, jute, wood, or other similar vegetable fibres. For the bleaching of the fibres
however, there may be substituted any other equivalent process which will as
completely remove the pectic and margaric acids, waxy, albuminous, greasy and other
foreign matters therefrom.
The layer or layers of fibre constituting the main fabric may be held together or
supported by a sized back as in ordinary wadding, by a muslin back or back and face,
or by a sized back and muslin face. As a foundation for the fabric, may be used a
layer or fleece of unbleached or untreated fibre, which being far less absorbent, will
form a practically water-proof backing.
The whole of the fabric may be carbolised during manufacture, or be otherwise
rendered antiseptic. If the back is sized, the sizing mixture may be rendered
antiseptic before it is applied. Also, if muslin or similar coverings are used, these
may be also made antiseptic before application.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
As a new article of manufacture, the new absorbent fabric for surgical, medical and
similar uses, consisting wholly or principally of ramie fibre from which the natural
pectic and margaric acids, waxy, albuminous, greasy and other similar matters have
been removed, constructed substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 28th day of December A.D. 1896.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.