AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR PRESERVING WOOD FROM ATMOSPHERIC AND OTHER ACTION
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jean Deleu, of Courtrai, in the Kingdom of Belgium,
Engineer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR PRESERVING
WOOD FROM ATMOSPHERIC AND OTHER ACTION."
Sealed the 2nd May 1879, and dated the 12th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jean Deleu at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th November 1878.
JEAN DELEU, of Courtrai, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Engineer.
"AN IM-
PROVED PROCESS FOR PRESERVING WOOD FROM ATMOSPHERIC AND OTHER
ACTION."
The preservation of wood from decay produced by the injurious action of the
atmosphere and other causes has long been attempted, and various processes, such
as kyanizing, impregnating the timber with creosote, sulphate of copper or iron,
tar, or other substances, have been tried but have not been as effectual as 1s
to be desired.
My Invention consists in filling the pores of the wood with liquid gutta percha,
which effectually preserves it from moisture and from the injurious action of
the sun.
The process I employ consists in exhausting the air from the pores of the wood
in the usual way, and then filling the said pores with liquid gutta percha, or I force
the said liquid gutta percha into the pores of the wood by any suitable means.
Wood prepared as hereinbefore described is preserved from decay when under
water or under ground. It may be advantageously used for railway sleepers,
telegraph posts, and roofs, and also for the manufacture of rollers for spinning
frames and for other purposes.

page_text: << AN
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Jean Deleu in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th May 1879.
JEAN DELEU, of Courtrai, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Engineer.
IMPROVED PROCESS FOR PRESERVING WOOD FROM ATMOSPHERIC AND OTHER
ACTION."
The preservation of wood from decay produced by the injurious action of the
atmosphere and other causes has long been attempted, and various processes, such
as kyanizing, impregnating the timber with creosote, sulphate of copper or iron,
tar, or other substances, have been tried but have not been as effectual as is to be
desired.
My Invention consists in filling the pores of the wood with liquid gutta-percha,
which effectually preserves it from moisture and from the injurious action of
the sun.
The process I employ consists in exhausting the air from the pores of the wood
in the usual way, and then filling the said pores with liquid gutta-percha, or I
force the said liquid gutta-percha into the pores of the wood by any suitable
means.
Wood prepared as hereinbefore described is preserved from decay when under
water or under ground. It may be advantageously used for railway sleepers,
telegraph posts and roofs, and also for the manufacture of rollers for spinning
frames and for other purposes.
Having explained the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed to describe
the manner in which the same is to be performed.
In carrying out practicably my process I take a quantity of solid gutta-percha
and I liquify the said solid gutta-percha by mixing therewith paraffine in the pro-
portions of about two thirds of gutta-percha to one third of paraffine; I then subject
the mixture of gutta-percha and paraffine thus obtained to the action of heat, and
the gutta-percha becomes sufficiently liquid to be easily indroduced (like any other
liquid) into the pores of the wood to be operated on. The liquid gutta-percha is
introduced into the pores of the wood by exhausting the air from the said pores in
the usual way by means of an air pump or other suitable exhausting apparatus, or
by forcing the said liquid gutta-percha into the pores of the wood by means of a
force pump actuated by hand or by machinery, according to the nature and size of
the wood, or by other suitable well known means.
Wood treated as herein before described becomes completely water tight, whereby
it is preserved from decay or injury when subjected to the influence of water or
other atmospheric action, as the gutta percha liquefied by my process hardens in
the pores of the wood as soon as it becomes cold.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I claim as my Invention,-
The improved process hereinbefore described for preserving wood from decay
and injury produced by the action of the atmosphere and other causes, that is to
say, filling the pores of the wood with liquid gutta-percha.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jean Deleu, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-nine.