AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF WATERPROOFING LEATHER, PAPER, TEXTILE FABRICS, FELT, Cordage, and otheR LIKE SUBSTANCES AND COMPOUNDS TO BE USED THEREFOR
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF WATERPROOFING LEATHER,
PAPER, TEXTILE FABRICS, FELT, Cordage, and otheR LIKE SUBSTANCES AND
COMPOUNDS TO BE USED THEREFOR."-A communication from abroad by
William Morris, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of
America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 18th January 1872.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF WATERPROOFING
LEATHER, PAPER, TEXTILE FABRICS, FELT, CORDAGE, AND OTHER LIKE SUBSTANCES.
AND COMPOUNDS TO BE USED THEREFOR," a communication, to be as follows:-
The principle of chemistry (as applied to the arts) on which my
Invention is founded, may be thus stated:-If a solution of metallic

page_text: salts, which have powerful bases is applied to and caused to combine
with the substance of such articles or manufactures as above-named,
the effect is to repel moisture and to conserve the strength of the article.
This effect is due to the presence of the metallic bases, and their actual
combination with the substance of the goods to which they have been
applied.
I am aware that metallic salts have been used in various ways in the
arts in seeking to render articles waterproof, but my Invention differs
from any heretofore known or used, so far as I am aware, and the pro-
cess consists of two steps or parts as follows:-For the first part I use a 1
chemical compound, which consists of, say, one part of dry gelatine
(isinglass or the like) dissolved in, say, four parts of oil, including a
small quantity of sulphuric or other acid. When these are combined by
means of heat, five parts (or thereabouts) of an alkaline solution are
added, at a specific gravity of about 26° Baumé, the whole being stirred
while yet warm, and the result is a chemical combination which I
designate my "preparatory compound."
For the second part of my process I use a chemical compound which
I designate my "perfecting compound," and which is prepared as follows,
namely: In one vessel I prepare a strong solution of one of the alums,
for instance, of the sulphate of alumina with potassa, or ammonia,
or soda.
In another vessel I prepare a solution of the sulphate of
zinc, and in a third vessel a solution of the acetate of lead. These
solutions are each to be of the same density. When prepared the two
sulphate solutions are mixed in the proportions of about five parts of the
first named to one and a half parts of the last-named, and to these are
added about five and a half parts of the acetate of lead solution. By
the chemical action that ensues sulphate of lead is formed, and when
this has subsided the clear liquid is drawn off, and is reduced to the
proper density, which is from one to two degrees Baumé.
The systematic manner in which I conduct my process of treating the
material to be waterproofed is as follows:-
First. A bath is prepared with, say, half an ounce of my "preparatory
compound ." dissolved in two gallons of hot water, that is, in about these.
proportions. This is used when cold.
To treat leather I steep it in this bath till indued with its properties,
and then drain it, or the "preparatory compound" may be dissolved to

page_text: GE
about the consistency of cream, and then applied by hand before the
fulling" or "stuffing." Boots, shoes, and harness are. treated before
the final finish.
To treat textile fabrics, felts, cordage, twine, and similar or kindred
articles,. I steep them in the bath as before described, and then drain
them well.
To treat paper I pass it through the bath, or the pulp may be sized
with the "preparatory compound," and then the paper passed through
the bath.
The second part of my process is conducted as follows:-When the
goods have been removed from the "preparatory bath" and are well
drained I steep them in a bath of my "perfecting compound," where
they remain from eight to twelve hours, and when well drained they
are gradually dried, and are then ready for the usual and final
finish.
In the treatment of paper some kinds need not be submitted to the
action of the "preparatory compound," but require only to be immersed
for a short time in the bath of the "perfecting compound," and then
dried and finished.
As above stated, the strength or density of the "perfecting com-
pound" should be ascertained by a hydrometer, preferably Baumé's, and
when as in some cases the goods are immersed in such compound a
second or third time the strength of the compound should be kept as it
was at the first immersion. To provide for this a stronger solution (of
about double strength) should be prepared, and so much of this reserved
solution should as occasion may require be added to the perfecting bathi
as will restore it to its original density, which will always be ascertain-
able by the hydrometer.
30
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 17th July 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special licence
that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake, 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 "AN IMPROVED
PROCESS OF WATERPROOFING LEATHER, PAPER, TEXTILE FABRICS, FELT, CORDAGE,
AND OTHER LIKE SUBSTANCES AND COMPOUNDS TO BE USED THEREFOR," a com-
munication to me from abroad by William Morris, of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the 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.

page_text: '
To treat paper I pass it through the bath, or the pulp may be sized
with the "preparatory compound," and then the paper passed through
the bath.
The second part of my process is conducted as follows:-When the
goods have been removed from the "preparatory bath" and are well
drained, I steep them in a bath of my "perfecting compound," where
they remain from eight to twelve hours, and when well drained they are
gradually dried and are then ready for the usual and final finish.
In the treatment of paper some kinds need not be submitted to the
action of the "preparatory compound," but require only to be immersed
for a short time in the bath of the "perfecting compound" and then
dried and finished.
As above stated, the strength or density of the "perfecting com-
pound" should be ascertained by a hydrometer, preferably Baumé's, and
when as in some cases the goods are immersed in such compound a
second or third time, the strength of the compound should be kept as it
was at the first immersion. To provide for this a stronger solution (of,
say, about double strength) should be prepared, and so much of this
reserve solution should as occasion may require be added to the per-
fecting bath as will restore it to its original density, which will always
be ascertained by the hydrometer.
By the process above described the texture, colour, and porousness of
the articles treated are not impaired. Textile goods become water-
repellant notwithstanding the interstices or openings between the
threads, and the articles are improved by the treatment and made
more capable of resisting decay. The whole process is also cheap,
and permits the waterproofing of a great variety of articles whether
they are made up or in the piece in a simple and economical
manner, while it also renders them more durable. It is admirably
adapted to waterproofing leather and other hose for conveying water,
hats of all kinds, boots, shoes, umbrellas, sails, and awnings.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the
I wish it understood that I claim, —
same,
-
The "preparatory compound" as herein described and for the pur-
Doses set forth.

page_text: Also, the "perfecting compound" prepared as herein described and
for the purposes set forth.
Also, the process herein described of rendering articles waterproof as
herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of July, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
Witness,
CHAS. J. Gooch.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)