Improvements in Waterproofing Paper and other Fabrics, and Apparatus therefor, and in Means for Applying Waterproof Designs thereto.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Jan. 1895
Comolete Specification Left. 21st Oct., 1895-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Waterproofing Paper and other Fabrics, and
Apparatus therefor, and in Means for Applying Waterproof
Designs thereto.
I, FERDINAND GIRARD, of 25, Rue Bolivar, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the waterproofing of paper and other fabrics by
spreading waterproofing materials such as paraffine, stearine, wax, varnish, etc., by
means of an apparatus based upon a new principle which allows of applying a
quantity of material mathematically in proportion to the surface to be covered.
It consists in bringing to the surface of the depositing apparatus in a fluid condition,
continuously or intermittently, a quantity of waterproofing material without the
aid of any exterior means of conveyance such as cylinders or plates.
The porous depositing plate, comprises a box or frame in which are fitted a series
of thin plates consisting of sheets of metal between which are interposed sheets of
porous material, such for example as blotting paper. These combined plates thus
form a series of elements the outer surface of the whole of which is striped or
lined.
The part opposite the depositing surface is separated from the bottom of the
box by a space filled with a suitable fibrous material, such as wool or cotton,.
serving to distribute the material throughout the mass. On the exterior of the
box and extending into the space is a pipe. The waterproofing material is con-
ducted by means of a pump automatically actuated by mechanism the speed of
which is proportionate to that of the paper, cloth or other material to be coated;
or by means of the paper itself enveloping the driving part of the pump and
carrying it along in its course.
This pump is constructed of a cylinder or pump-body heated or not, as well as
the porous mass, according as the waterproofing material is to be applied hot or.
cold. In this pump body works a piston provided with a screw-threaded rod
which forces the piston under the action of a ratchet or a worm and worm-wheel;
this worm is rotated by means of the paper stretched over a pulley keyed upon the.
worm gearing with the worm-wheel.
It will be seen from what has been stated that the speed of the piston is directly
proportionate to that of the paper and that it consequently pushes before it through
the tube into the porous mass a quantity of material absolutely proportionate to
this speed.
If therefore the paper as it passes along be pressed upon the surface of the
porous plate, it is obvious that it will become charged with the waterproofing
material exuding therefrom and this action always takes place automatically. If
the speed of the paper be lowered or if the paper be completely stopped, the feed.
will be automatically decreased or stopped.
The porous plate for spreading the inaterial over the whole surface of the endless
paper-band may be flat or curved. It should be at least as wide as the paper..
At the outlet end of the plate I reel the paper or I cut it off as required.
In order to apply the paper I employ brushes fixed or movable in any direction,.
or rotary.

page_text: To spread the material over only a part of the width of the paper but con-
tinuously in its length, I arrange several porous plates, the dimension of which
is equal to the width of waterproofing material that I desire to deposit upon
the paper. I then operate as hereinbefore described. I can apply this arrange-
ment upon machines for cutting paper of all kinds on reels, especially cigarette-
paper, only the edges of which require to be made waterproof. I then cut the
paper in the middle of the applied material before rewinding it. If it is
required to waterproof only the edge of the paper, I place the reel upon the side
of the porous plate.
In both the preceding cases rotary cylinders can be employed.
This porous cylinder is formed of circular pieces clamped between two discs
upon a hollow feed shaft in the centre of which opens the delivery tube. The
connection is effected by means of a stuffing-box allowing the central shaft to
rotate; the waterproofing material passes through the centre into the porous mass
of the cylinder. The paper is then applied by means of a cylinder turning upon
the former or as herein before stated by fixed or movable brushes.
The combined apparatus can also turn upon the paper.
To cause a partial application upon given surfaces, the porous mass has a
backward and forward movement imparted to it. The apparatus then works like
a moist stamp with a given surface, the paper advancing intermittently during the
raising of the stamp and reciprocally. In this case the pump only feeds during
the progress of the paper but I can feed at any moment by actuating the piston by
a suitable arrangement operating at each required moment.
For this purpose I can replace the stamp herein before described by a cylinder
provided on its periphery with one or several depositing sectors, and impart to the
said cylinder a continuous rotary motion or an alternate or intermittent reciprocating
motion in the same direction.
1 can also, when it is necessary to deposit the waterproofing material in stripes
across the continuous band of paper, employ a cylinder the porous plates of which
are parallel to the generatrices of the depositing cylinder. The waterproofing
material is introduced through the axis of the cylinder as herein before
described.
The feed pump can be dispensed with when the apparatus has only a small
surface and is applied flat like a moist stamp beneath the paper. In this case the
lower part of the porous plate is immersed in the waterproofing material which
rises by capillary attraction to the depositing surface so that the level of the feed
vessel is always below this surface. The result of this arrangement is that any
excess of flow from the surface is prevented.
In an arrangement suitable for application upon large surfaces the porous plate,
fed from below, is fixed upon a plate to which an alternate horizontal rectilinear
movement is imparted.
The paper is stretched over the surface of a cylinder which can revolve around
its axis and the periphery of which is provided with soft material which bears
upon the porous surface, thereby applying the paper, which therefore only takes
the material at the point of contact and successively from one end to the other of
the sheet.
To apply designs, marks, etc. I can employ the following means :-I mould from
porous ceramic material a block which bears in relief the designs that I wish to
apply. This block is afterwards enamelled like ordinary porcelain ware, then
rubbed on the projecting surface to remove the enamel so that the material shall
only be applied over the uncovered portions. This apparatus can be fed by the
means already described.
When operating with a rotary depositing roller upon a continuous band of
paper, the paper can pass over the roller like a band over a pulley, that is to say,
the paper and roller work in the same direction. Or the roller can turn in a
reverse direction to the paper. Friction is thus produced which ensures a much
more regular spreading and a higher speed.

page_text: In this case I can also for the feed make use of a vessel placed at a suitable
height to obtain the necessary delivery and regulate the introduction into the
apparatus by means of a cock when the speed of the paper is regulated.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1895.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Waterproofing Paper and other Fabrics, and
Apparatus therefor, and in Means for Applying Waterproof
Designs thereto.
I, FERDINAND GIRARD, of 25, Rue Bolivar, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Engineer, 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 :-
My invention relates to the waterproofing of paper and other fabrics by
spreading waterproofing materials such as paraffine, stearine, wax, varnish, etc., by
means of an apparatus based upon a new principle which allows of applying a
quantity of material mathematically in proportion to the surface to be covered.
It consists in bringing to the surface of the depositing apparatus a quantity of
waterproofing material in a fluid condition, continuously or intermittently, without
the aid of any exterior means of conveyance such as cylinders or plates.
To enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe how it can be
carried into practice by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a vertical section of an apparatus for waterproofing paper and other
fabrics according to my invention:
Figure 2 is an elevation partly in section shewing the application of an
adjustable brush to keep the fabric in contact with the surface of the depositing
apparatus:
Figure 3 is a similar view illustrating the use of a rotary brush for a like
purpose:
Figure 4 is an elevation shewing the depositing apparatus arranged to apply the
waterproofing material longitudinally in stripes upon the fabric:
Figures 5 to 10 are sections illustrating various modified arrangements of the
depositing apparatus:
Figure 11 is a section; and,
Figure 12 a plan of a device for applying designs, marks and the like:
Figure 13 is an elevation of a modified arrangement of the paper carrying
rollers and rotary depositing apparatus.
The porous depositing plate, comprises a box or frame A in which are fitted a
series of thin plates B consisting of sheets of metal between which are interposed
sheets of porous material C, such for example as blotting paper cloth, felt, skin,
wood, or sponge. (Or the porous body may be constructed of one or several
pieces of ceramic material.) These plates thus form a series of elements which in
combination constitute a body presenting a scored outer surface.
Or the porous body may consist entirely of smooth metal plates placed over one
another or of plates of metal or other suitable material having granulated, grained
or roughened surfaces, the waterproof liquid passing through the spaces between
the projecting parts.
Or the porous body may be formed of metal wires or other suitable materials.
The part opposite the depositing surface is separated from the bottom of the
box by a space D filled with a suitable fibrous material, such as wool or cotton,

page_text: t
serving to distribute the material throughout the mass. On the exterior of the
box A and extending into the space D is a pipe E. The waterproofing material
is conducted by means of a pump automatically actuated by mechanism the speed
of which is proportionate to that of the paper, cloth or other material to be
coated; or by means of the paper itself passing around the driving part of the
pump and moving the said driving part as the paper travels along.
This pump is constructed of a cylinder or pump-body F, Figure 1, which
together with the porous mass may be heated or not according to whether the
waterproofing material is to be applied hot or cold. In this pump body works
a piston G provided with a screw-threaded rod H operated by a nut carrying a
worm wheel I, rotated by means of the paper stretched over a pulley J keyed
upon the worm K gearing with the worm wheel I so as to force the piston down in
the cylinder. Or the piston rod can be operated by ratchet mechanism.
It will be seen from what has been stated that the speed of the piston is
directly proportionate to that of the paper and that it consequently forces a
quantity of material absolutely proportionate to this speed through the tube E'
into the porous body.
If therefore the paper, as it passes along, be pressed upon the surface of the
porous body formed by the plates as illustrated in Figure 2, it is obvious that
it will become charged with the waterproofing material exuding therefrom and
this action always takes place automatically. If the speed of the paper be
decreased or if the paper be completely stopped, the feed will be automatically
decreased or stopped.
The porous body B, C for spreading the material over the whole surface of the
endless paper-band may be flat as in Figure l'or curved as in Figure 2. It should
be at least as wide as the paper. As the paper passes over the porous body I reel
it as in Figure 2 or cut it off as required.
In order to apply the paper I employ brushes adjustable in all directions as
shewn in Figure 2 (or fixed), or I can employ rotary brushes as shewn in
Figure 3.
If it is required to spread the material over only a part of the width of the paper
but continuously in its length, I provide several porous bodies A arranged as
shewn in Figure 4, and of a size corresponding to the width of waterproofing
material to be deposited upon the paper. I then operate as herein before described
with reference to Figure 1. I can apply this arrangement upon machines for
cutting reeled paper of all kinds, especially cigarette paper, of which only the
edges require to be made waterproof. I then cut the paper in the middle of the
applied waterproofing material before rewinding it. If it is required to water-
proof only the edge of the paper, 1 arrange the reel at the side of the porous
body B, C.
In both the preceding cases a rotary porous body or cylinder can be employed
as shewn in Figure 5.
This porous cylinder L is formed of circular pieces clamped between two discs
upon a hollow feed shaft O into the centre of which extends the delivery tube E.
The connection is effected by means of a stuffing box allowing the central shaft to
rotate; the waterproofing material passes through the centre into the porous body
of the cylinder. The paper is then applied by means of a cylinder rotating upon
the porous body or as herein before stated by fixed or movable brushes.
The combined apparatus can, if required, be arranged to roll over the paper.
To cause a partial application upon given surfaces, the porous body. has a
backward and forward movement imparted to it in a vertical direction as indicated
in Figure 6 or in any other suitable direction according to circumstances. The
apparatus then works just like a moist stamp with a given surface, the paper
advancing during the raising, and stopping during the contact, of the porous body.
In this case the pump cnly feeds during the progress of the paper but I can feed
at any moment by actuating the piston by a suitable arrangement operating at each
stroke of the porous body.

page_text: .
For this purpose I can replace the porous body herein before described by a
cylinder, Figure 7, provided on its periphery with one or several depositing
segments P, and impart to the said cylinder a continuous rotary motion or an
alternate or intermittent reciprocating motion in the same direction.
When it is necessary to deposit the waterproofing material in stripes across the
continuous band of paper, I can employ a cylinder Q, shewn in Figure 8, the
porous bodies of which are parallel to the generatrices of the depositing cylinder.
The waterproofing material is introduced through the axis of the cylinder as
hereinbefore described.
The feed pump can be dispensed with when the apparatus has only a small
surface and is applied flat like a moist stamp beneath the paper. In this case, as
illustrated in Figure 9, the lower part of the porous body B, C is immersed in the
waterproofing material which rises by capillary attraction to the depositing surface
so that the level of the feed vessel is always below this surface. The result of this
arrangement is that any excess of flow from the surface is prevented.
Figure 10 illustrates an arrangement suitable for application upon large surfaces.
The porous body B, C, fed from below, is fixed upon a plate S to which an.
alternating horizontal rectilinear movement is imparted.
The paper P
is stretched over the surface of a roller T the periphery of which
is provided with soft material which presses the paper upon the porous surface, so
that the paper, takes the material from one end to the other.
To apply designs, marks, etc. I can employ the following means:-
I mould from porous ceramic material a block U (shewu in vertical section at
Figure 11 and in plan at Figure 12) which bears in relief the designs that I wish
to apply. This block is afterwards enamelled like ordinary porcelain ware, then
rubbed on the projecting surface to remove the enamel so that the material shall
only be applied over the uncovered portions such as F, G. This apparatus can be
fed by the means already described.
When operating with the rotary depositing roller herein before described and
illustrated in Figure 5 upon a continuous band of paper, the paper can pass over
the roller like a band over a pulley, that is to say, the paper and roller work in the
same direction. Or as illustrated in Figure 13 the roller can turn in a reverse
direction to the paper. Friction is thus produced which ensures a much more
regular spreading and a higher speed.
In this case I can also for the feed make use of a vessel placed at a suitable
height to obtain the necessary delivery and regulate the introduction into the
apparatus by means of a cock when the speed of the paper is regulated.
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 I
claim is :-
1. The application of waterproofing materials upon paper or other fabric more
especially on cigarette paper by means of an apparatus consisting of a porous body
into the interior of which the material to be deposited is caused to pass by means
of a pump or other suitable pressure apparatus, which material is thus caused to
automatically exude from the depositing surface, this. process allowing, by
regulating the speed of delivery by means of the fabric itself or of a suitable part
of the apparatus the speed of which is directly proportionate to the speed of the
fabric, of directly depositing the proper quantity of material, substantially as
herein before described.
2. In apparatus for waterproofing paper and other fabrics, the construction of a
porous body of metal plates between which are placed sheets of porous material
such as paper, cloth, felt, skin, wood, or sponge through which filters the water-
proofing material to be applied, substantially as herein before described.
3. In apparatus for waterproofing paper and other fabrics, the use of a porous
body constructed of one or several pieces of ceramic material substantially as
hereinbefore described.

page_text: 4. In apparatus for waterproofing paper and other fabrics, the construction of the
porous body of smooth metal plates alone applied one over the other or of
grauilated, grained or roughened plates of metal or other suitable material, the
passage of the liquids taking place between the spaces between the projecting
parts, substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. In apparatus for waterproofing paper and other fabrics, the arrangement of
fixed, adjustable or rotating brushes in order to press the paper onto the porous
body substantially as hereinbefore described.
6. In apparatus for waterproofing paper and other fabrics, the employment of
metal wires or other suitable materials for constituting the porous body for
depositing the waterproofing liquid, substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. In apparatus for waterproofing paper and other fabrics, the arrangement of
apparatus in which the level of the waterproofing liquid is below that of the porous
body, substantially as herein before described.
8. In apparatus for waterproofing paper and other fabrics, the arrangement for
allowing the application of the waterproofing liquid to large surfaces by causing a
cylinder carrying the sheet of paper or other fabric to rotate over the porous body,
contact only taking place at one point, substantially as hereinbefore described.
9. The means of obtaining projecting characters or designs in enamelled ceramic
material, the projecting working surface of which alone allows the exudation of
the liquid, substantially as hereinbefore described.
10. In apparatus for waterproofing paper and other fabrics, the means of
application of the waterproofing liquid to continuous bands of fabric by means of a
roller revolving in a contrary direction to the fabric in order to ensure a perfect
spreading of the liquid, substantially as herein before described.
11. In apparatus for waterproofing paper and other fabrics, feeding the water-
proofing liquid to the depositing apparatus from a vessel the delivery which can be
regulated by means of a cock for a continuous fabric-feeding apparatus of regular
or constant speed, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 21st day of October 1895.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London Agents for the Applicant.