AN IMPROVED PROCESS OR METHOD OF SEPARATING STRIPS OF EMBROIDERY OR THE LIKE
Year: 1884

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine Lake and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OR METHOD OF
SEPARATING STRIPS OF EMBROIDERY OR THE LIKE" 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 especially to hand and machino made embroideries,
edgings and insertings, commonly known as Hamburgs and Swiss embroideries'
but is equally applicable to other classes of trimmings.
These embroideries are usually worked upon a continuous plain strip of muslin
of suitable width, with two or more parallel rows of embroidery on each web of
muslin, and are separated by unfolding and cutting the several strips of embroidery
apart.
The said invention comprises an improved process or method of providing for
separating the several rows of embroidery which process or method consists in
running a line on the muslin with a chemical solution, thereby weakening the
cloth, so that it will readily tear apart, while no perforation or other visible change
is effected in the appearance of the goods.
In carrying the said invention into practice I run a line on the muslin between
the parallel rows of embroidery, so as to conform to the outer configuration or
pattern of the embroidery, with an acid or other corrosive liquid, drying and
afterwards pressing the fabric with a hot iron, or between hot rolls, or otherwise.
The pressing and heating may be dispensed with.
The solution used may consist of any dilute acid that will not entirely destroy
the fibre, the object being to so weaken the fibre, that while the goods may be
handled without causing several strips of embroidery to separate, they can be easily
separated into strips, by the use of a small amount of force, without requiring to
be cut.
The acid or other solution may be applied to the fabric by any ordinary ruling
pen, as used in ruling paper, preference being given to those made of material
unacted upon by the chemical used.
A stylographic pen, or revolving disc, fed with the solution may be used, or

page_text: in fact, any device capable of running a narrow line of acid or solution upon the
muslin.
By running the line of acid near to, and in conformity to, the outer configuration
of the pattern of the fabric, it can be separated into a condition ready for
immediate use, thus avoiding the subsequent trimming which has heretofore been
a necessary and a tedious operation.
The solution that I have found desirable, though I do not confine myself to it,
is prepared as follows, I make a saturated solution of oxalic acid by dissolving
one ounce of acid in three ounces of water; I then set it aside for say thirty
minutes, and then add two ounces of muriatic acid and stir well. I apply this to
the cloth as above described, or in any suitable manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
The within described process or method of providing for separating rows of
embroidery or the like by applying an acid or other corrosive substance to the
material between parallel rows, or so as to conform to the outer edge of the
configuration or pattern of the embroidery.
100
HASELTINE, LAKE & CO.,
for the Applicant.