IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL LEATHER
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Rabley, Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood, and
George Pearson Friend, all of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL LEATHER."
Sealed the 4th January 1878, and dated the 18th September 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Rabley, Edmund
Hawthorn Micklewood, and George Pearson Friend at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents on the 18th September 1877.
WILLIAM RABLEY, EDMUND HAWTHORN MICKLEWOOD, and GEORGE PEARSON
FRIEND, all of Plymouth, in the County of Devon. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL LEATHER."
According to this Invention, we form homogeneous sheets of artificial leather,
principally of natural leather, by the following chemical and mechanical processes.
We take all and any variety of waste leather, such as curriers' shavings, boot and
shoe manufacturers' cuttings, old boots, or anything which consists of tanned leather.
Having dusted, and as far as practicable cleaned this, we subject it to the action of
a solution of soda or other suitable alkali of a strength proportionate to the thickness
and nature of the leather to be acted on, and the time also varies for the same
reasons.
When the action of the alkali has produced the desired effect, which is indicated
by the considerable softening and tendency to separate into fibre of the leather acted
on, it is removed from the solution and introduced into a pulping engine with
water, where by the usual rotatory motion it is in the course of a few hours con-
verted into a homogeneous pulpy and fibrous mass. This may then be shot out into a
suitable intermediate receptacle, and is then filled into perforated moulds, and by
pressure the excess of moisture is squeezed out. The sheets are then taken out of
the moulds. The thickness of the leather produced can be varied from the thickness
of a sheet of paper to 3 or 4 inches even, according to the purpose for which it is to

page_text: be applied. After drying in this state for a few days, according to thickness, we
retan when found needful, and for a length of time varying with the thickness of
sheet and quality desired to be produced.
The material produced is especially adapted for heel lifts and middle soles of boots
and shoes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Rabley, Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood, and George Pearson
Friend in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th March 1878.
WILLIAM RABLEY, EDMUND HAWTHORN MICKLEWOOD, and GEORGE PEARSON
FRIEND, all of Plymouth, in the County of Devon. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL LEATHER.”
According to this Invention, we form homogeneous sheets of artificial leather from
pieces of leather by the following chemical and mechanical processes. We take all
and any variety of waste leather, such as curriers' shavings, boot and shoe manu-
facturers' cuttings, old boots, or anything which consists of leather. Having dusted
and as far as practicable cleaned this, we subject it to the action of a solution of
soda or other suitable alkali, of a strength proportionate to the thickness and nature
of the leather to be acted on, and the time also varies for the same reasons.
As an
example, we may here mention that about 9 pounds of alkali is in some cases a
suitable proportion for the treatment of a hundredweight of pieces of thick butt
leather, and about 6 pounds of alkali per hundredweight of curriers' shavings.
When the action of the alkali has produced the desired effect, which is indicated
by the considerable softening or glutinous condition or tendency to separate into
fibre of the leather acted on, and which takes several days, it is removed from the
alkaline solution, and soaked or washed in water in another vessel, or in a pulping
or beating engine, where it then by the usual rotatory motion in the course of a few
hours is converted into a homogeneous pulpy and fibrous mass. By this treatment
with water, before or while on the pulping machine, the chemicals are rinsed out.
The material may then be shot out into a suitable intermediate receptacle, and is
then filled into perforated moulds, and by pressure the excess of moisture is squeezed
out, the pressure may advantageously be assisted by a partial vacuum. The sheets
are then taken out of the moulds and hung up to dry. The thickness of the leather
produced can be varied from the thickness of a sheet of paper to 3 or 4 inches even,
according to the purpose for which it is to be applied. After drying in this state for
a few days (all according to thickness), and when nearly dry, we re-tan when found
needful, and for a length of time varying with the thickness of sheet and quality
desired to be produced. For this tanning we find a solution of tan and salt suitable,
or a salt solution may be applied after the tanning proper. The sheets or pieces are
then dried, after which they may be passed through rollers in order to give them a
finished surface, and thus give them a better appearance.
The material produced has a considerable resemblance to butt leather, and is
especially adapted for heel lifts and middle soles of boots or shoes. It may, however,
also be made applicable for many other purposes, as it can be moulded to any required
shape, which it will retain,

page_text: And having thus described and ascertained the nature of this Invention, we would
have it understood that we do not claim the use of an alkali in general for acting
on waste leather, but we do claim,―
Firstly. The application of an alkali on waste leather for several days previously
to subjecting the material to mechanical action for reducing it to fibre, all substan-
tially as herein-before set forth.
Secondly. The application of re-tanning in the production of artificial leather from
waste pieces, as set forth.
And, Thirdly. The manufacture of moulded homogeneous artificial leather, as set
forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Rabley, Edmund Hawthorn Mickle-
wood, and George Pearson Friend, have hereunto set our hands and seals,
this Ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM RABLEY.
(LS.)
EDMUND HAWTHORN MICKLEWOOD. (L.S.)
GEORGE PEARSON FRIEND.
(L.S.)