Improvements in the Treatment of Leathers for their Better Preservation and Surface Preparation.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 19th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1897
Improvements in the Treatment of Leathers for their Better
Preservation and Surface Preparation.
I, FREDERICK BENJAMIN OLIPHANT HAWES, Cherrahurst, Weybridge, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This improvement consists in the impregnation and surfacing of leathers with a
solution of liquid celluloid in lieu of treatment with varnishes and the like,
whereby a very durable surface is obtained which is waterproof and also withstands
the actions of acids. This solution is preferably applied or injected by machinery,
and it may either be clear or coloured with pigments. The leather may be treated
either on one or both sides and with any number of applications.
When the solution is dry the leather may be polished by such methods as by
being passed through polished rollers or by pressing it on to a polished plate or by
buffing, and it may be embossed in the ordinary manner also. The polishing or
embossing rollers or plates should be preferably hot.
Dated this 10th day of February 1896
F. B. O. HAWES.
Improvements in the Treatment of Leathers for their Better
Preservation and Surface Preparation.
I, FREDERICK BENJAMIN OLIPHANT HAWES, of Cherrahurst, Weybridge,
Civil 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 :-
This improvement consists in the impregnation and surfacing of leathers with
liquid celluloid a well known article of commerce in lieu of treatment with
varnishes and the like, whereby a very durable surface is obtained which is
waterproof and also withstands the actions of acids.
The leather to which the solution is to be applied is laid on an elastic table or
roller and is then drawn underneath the coating knife known as a "doctor." If a
table is used it should be at a slight inclination so as to form a "V" space between
the "doctor" and the table in which the solution would lie. If the roller is used
the "doctor" should press against the upper surface a short distance behind the
vertical axis of the roller.
If the hide is to be treated by hand it should be placed on a similar table and
the solution scraped over by means of a long knife. The solution could be
similarly driven into the leather by rolling it between an elastic and a hard roller,
the solution being placed in the "V" shaped space between the upper, or hard,
roller and the leather.

page_text: The solution may either be clear or coloured with pigments. The leather may
be treated either on one or both sides and with any number of applications.
When the solution is dry the leather may be polished by such methods as
by being passed through polished rollers or by pressing it onto a polished plate or
by buffing and it may be embossed in the ordinary manner also. The polishing or
embossing rollers or plates should be preferably hot.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Leather impregnated and surfaced with celluloid substantially as described.
2. The treatment of leathers for their better preservation and surface preparation
substantially as described.
F. B. O. HAWES.