IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINING MATTERS TO BE EMPLOYED IN COATING FABRICS AND LEATHER, AND FOR OTHER USES, IN SUBSTITUTION OF INDIA-RUBBER
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Eugene Rimmel, of 39, Gerrard Street, Soho, in
the County of Middlesex, Wholesale Perfumer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINING MATTERS TO BE EMPLOYED IN COATING FABRICS
AND LEATHER, AND FOR OTHER USES, IN SUBSTITUTION OF INDIA-RUBBER." —
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Eugene Rimmel at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,, with his Petition, on, the
10th November 1854.
I, EUGENE RIMMEL, of 39, Gerrard Street, Soho, in the County of Middlesex,
Wholesale Perfumer, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINING MATTERS TO BE EMPLOYED IN COATING FABRICS
AND LEATHER, AND FOR OTHER. USES, IN SUBSTITUTION OF INDIA-RUBBER," to be
as follows:
This Invention consists of combining the following matters so as to produce
suitable compounds for coating fabrics and leather, and for other uses, in sub-
stitution of india-rubber; for which purposes there are to be melted in rain
or in distilled water a quantity of alum and sulphate of iron, and then soap
(made of seal oil and potash by preference) is added: The mixture is allowed
to cool; and is.then washed well with pure water: The mixture is heated and
evaporated briskly to a pasty state. Linseed oil, which has been boiled or

page_text: thickened separately, whilst still hot, is mixed therewith, and then some raw or
unboiled linseed oil is added. This, when for coating fabrics or leather, is to be
first applied, and then a second coating is to be used, of a compound of the
above, thinned with linseed oil; and when the color of the compounds is desired
to be varied from those natural to the compounds, whitening and coloring
matters, combined with turpentine or essential oil, are added. In making more
solid compounds, more sulphate of iron is used with sulphur, and heat is applied
for a longer time.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Eugene Rimmel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th May 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EUGENE
RIMMEL, of 39, Gerrard Street, Soho, in the County of Middlesex, Wholesale
Perfumer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Eugene. Rimmel, Her special licence that I, the said Eugene Rimnic},
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Eugene Rimmel, 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, exer-
cise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
COMBINING MATTERS TO BE EMPLOYED IN COATING FABRICS AND LEATHER, AND FOR
OTHER USES, IN SUBSTITUTION OF INDIA-RUBBER," a communication from Hippo-
lyte Magen, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Eugene
Rimmel, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar montlis next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Eugene Rimmel, 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) :-

page_text: This Invention consists of combining the following matters, so as to produce
suitable compounds for coating fabrics and leather, and for other uses, in sub-
stitution of india-rubber; for which purposes there are to be melted in rain
or in distilled water a quantity of alum and sulphate of iron, and then soap
(made of seal oil and potash by preference) is added. The mixture is allowed
to cool, and is then washed well with pure water. The mixture is heated and
evaporated briskly to a pasty state. Linseed oil, which has been boiled or
thickened separately, whilst still hot, is mixed therewith, and then some raw
or unboiled linseed oil is added. This, when for coating fabrics or leather, is
to be first applied, and then a second coating is to be used, of a compound
of the above, thinned with linseed oil; and when the colour of the compound is
desired to be varied from those natural to the compounds, whitening and
coloring matters, combined with turpentine or essential oil, are added. In
making more solid compounds, more sulphate of iron is used with sulphur,
and heat is applied for a longer time.
The above describes the nature of the Invention. I will now describe the
manner of performing the same.
Preparation No. 1.-For the first layers for common fabrics.-Powdered
alum, one pound; sulphate of iron, three ounces; and by preference I add of
cyanuret of lead, one drachm; cyanuret of manganese, one quarter of a drachm;
but these may be dispensed with. The above are to be dissolved in boiling
rain or distilled water, and I add thereto seal oil and potash soap, commonly
called
green soap, two pounds eight ounces. The mixture is to be washed with
rain or distilled water, and evaporated to the consistency of paste. I boil
separately till it becomes thick, linseed oil, three pounds. Whilst this oil is
still boiling I add to it, or it to the above mixture, and two pounds linseed
oil, slightly boiled; also nitric acid, one-sixtieth part of the weight of the
compound, and all are to be well mixed.
Composition No. 2.-For the last layers and for superior fabrics.-Linseed
oil, two pounds; tannate of lead, three drachms; chloride of manganese, threc
drachms; powdered alum, three drachms. I boil the above till the composition
becomes thick, taking care to stir it, so that it does not thicken in lumps.
When cold, I add nitric acid, one-fiftieth part of its weight. I warm the com-
position first gently to bring on the re-action, then bring it gradually to the
proper thickness with necessary precautions.
Composition No. 3.--Varnish for real and artificial leather.-Take one part
of the mixture No. 2, and mix it with three parts of turpentine or benzone,
into which are previously dissolved or mixed the colors intended to be used.

page_text: APPLICATION.
The artificial india-rubber is applied on fabrics by means of an upright knife
above a roller, on which the stuff passes tightly stretched. The number of
layers may vary from one to eight, according to the degree of finish required;
Three layers are sufficient for an ordinary fabric. Each layer must be dried
in a stove before the next is applied, and pumiced over, if it is for a superior
fabric or artificial leather; for a common fabric one pumicing is sufficient before
the last layer. When it is required to apply the artificial india-rubber between
two fabrics, each fabric receives a layer on the most fleecy side';, they are 'then
brought together and rolled in the same way as when using real india-rubber
The fabrics or leather may be stretched tightly on wooden frames and varnished
with a brush. It is necessary to 'pumice it over before applying 'a second layer?
Upper leather for boots may be varnished in the same way after being stretched
on the trees.
The artificial-india-rubber is used for waterproofing all kinds of fabrics for
garments, tents, sail cloths, air cushions, and generally all waterproofing
purposes to which real india-rubber, is put. It is also used for making an
artificial leather' (by being applied on a strong linen, cotton, or union cloth,)
for shoes and boots, saddlery, coach making military accoutrements, book-
binding, upholstery; &c. It is besides used for varnishing ordinary leather,
upper leathers, &c. If more solid preparation be desired, I take two parts by
weight of No: 1 mixture, one part of sulphur, and one part of tar, and melt
them together by heat, and evaporate to the degree of solidity required.
+
1!!
In witness whereof, I, the said Eugene Rimmel, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Witness,
ANTHONY CROWHURST,
EUGENE RIMMEL. (L.S.)