Improvements in Woven Fabrics suitable for Floor Coverings and like uses.
Year: 1892

page_text: · Date of Application, 30th June, 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Woven Fabrics suitable for Floor Coverings and
like uses.
I, FRANKLIN FULTON HODGES of 115 Chauncey Street, Boston, in the State
of Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Straw Goods Manufacturer
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 invention has for its object the production of a novel and serviceable fabric
for floor covering and other uses.
This invention comprehends a fabric made chiefly of thread, composed of fine
strong paper, the paper thread constituting the exposed face, and suitable textile
threads to unite the papers together and form a body, the paper, when the fabric
is to show differences in colour in the design, being coloured preferably when in
the condition of pulp.
The drawing shows a piece of fabric in one of the many forms in which this
invention may be embodied.
In the form in which this invention is herein embodied the paper thread has
been illustrated as constituting the weft and referring to the drawing, a, represents
the body-warps as composed of cotton or jute, and the binder warps.
The weft c, d, is represented as composed of fine strong fibrous paper twisted or
spun to form a weft thread capable of being wound upon a bobbin and of being
delivered into the shed from a shuttle or weft thread carrier as the weft thread is
now woven into carpets or other fabrics commonly produced on looms.
The paper thread used may be of like or different colours, and the warps may
be so manipulated in weaving and the weft he so introduced in the sheds as to
produce a carpet or fabric having any design which may be produced either by
changes in shed, or changes in colour of filling, in fact, the design may be any
design capable of being produced on what is called a fancy or Jacquard loom.
One of the many uses to which this improved fabric may be successfully put is
for floor coverings and to illustrate its advantages for this especial purpose it will be
compared with other floor coverings.
For instance, floor coverings are made for the most part of three different kinds,
viz. wool carpets, oil carpets, and straw matting.
Wool carpets are considered too warm for summer use and they are objectionable
for sleeping rooms because of the wool fibre becoming detached and floating in
the atmosphere, from which it is inhaled.
Oil carpet is cold and hard to the tread, is not well adapted to sleeping rooms,
and its use is confined chiefly to halls, kitchens and like rooms.
Straw matting is largely employed for floor covering, especially in hot climates
and for summer use, and it makes an excellent chamber carpet, but it is cold to the
touch in winter, is limited in design owing to the fact that the straw cannot be
manipulated readily in fancy weaving, and to the fact that straw does not readily
take a variety of colours.
The employment of paper thread enables the production of a floor covering,
more beautiful, durable, softer and warmer to the touch, and more pliable than
can be produced by the employment of straw, as in the so called china matting,
and it is more cleanly and healthful than ordinary two or three ply carpets, and
may be stitched together at its selvages as readily as a wool carpet.
This improved fabric may, as stated, be woven to represent any design, as the
paper will readily take colour.

page_text: This improved fabric is also very flexible, and generally presents a very neat and
desirable appearance.
It will, however, be understood that the production of a fabric wherein the
figure or design is brought out or developed by or through the employment of
paper warp suitably colored, either in sets or by parti-colouring, will come within
the scope of this invention.
The fabric may be used to advantage for paper hanging, house decoration,
window shades, portieres, screens, and similar purposes.
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. A fabric having its face, representing the design, made from fine strong
fibred paper twisted together, said paper thread being bound together by strong
textile threads such as jute, or cotton, substantially as described.
2. A fabric having its face, representing the design, made from strong fine
fibred paper thread dyed in the pulp, said paper thread being bound together by
strong textile threads such as jute, or cotton, substantially as described.
Dated the 30th day of June 1892.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.