Improvements in or connected with, the Manufacture of Carpets, Matting, Twine, and the like from Esparto Grass.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 23rd June, 1890-Accepted, 26th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with, the Manufacture of Carpets,
Matting, Twine, and the like from Esparto Grass.
1. JOSEPH EDWARD RICHARDSON, of Coatlith Hill, Alston, Carlisle, in the County
of Cumberland, Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved process of treating esparto grass so as to adapt
the same for use in the manufacture of carpets, matting, door-mats, ropes, twine and
other goods of a similar nature.
According to my invention the esparto grass is placed in a tank and pressed down
therein by weights or other suitable means. It is then covered with water and allowed
to remain say for a period of from 7 to 30 days, according to the quality and state of
the grass, the temperature and other local conditions. A supply of water is allowed to
run in at the bottom of the tank and overflow at the top during the whole of the time
the grass is in the tank.
When the grass has acquired the desired softness, the water is run off, and, when
thoroughly drained, the esparto grass is taken out and dried, care being taken not to
expose it to hot sun which would harden it and render it unfit for or difficult of future
treatment.
When dry the grass is beaten under wooden beaters to partly disintegrate the fibre
and especially the hard bottom ends of the grass. It is next passed through grooved
steel or iron rollers and lastly through flat rollers which complete the disintegration of
the grass.
It is next carded either by hand or machinery when it is ready to be spun into
ropes, twine and yarn.
When in its carded state, or after being spun into twine or yarn it may be dyed.
The yarn can be woven into matting, carpets, and the like either plain or with one or
more colours.
The curnot or the like when completed is preferably passed through polished hot.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Manufacture of Carpets,
Matting, Twine, and the like from Esparto Grass.
I, JOSEPH EDWARD RICHARDSON, of Coatlith Hill, Alston, Carlisle, in the County
of Cumberland, Analytical Chemist, 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved process of treating esparto grass so as to adapt
the same for use in the manufacture of carpets, matting, door-mats, ropes, twine and
other goods of a similar nature.
According to my invention the esparto grass is placed in a tank and covered with
water to macerate it, the grass being held down in the water by weights or other
suitable means.
This maceration is continued for a period of say from seven to thirty days
according to the quality and state of the grass, the temperature and other local
conditions

page_text: In order to facilitate the maceration 1 advantageously add caustic soda, caustic
potash or the like to the water in the proportion of say from five to fifteen pounds to
each ton of grass under treatment, or, in the case of some qualities of esparto grass, I
add hydrochloric, nitric or sulphuric acid in about the same proportions. By using
these materials I have found that a period of from three to fourteen days is sufficient
for effecting the maceration.
When the grass has become soft and pliable, and when the fibres can be easily
separated, water is allowed to run in at the bottom of the tank and overflow at
the top for a further period of from seven to thirty days or until all trace of
the chemicals used is removed.
When the grass has acquired the desired softness, the water is run off, and, when
thoroughly drained, the esparto grass is taken out and passed through a pair of rollers
to press out the superfluous water, care being taken not to press it too dry, as
if this is done it will harden and become unfit for or difficult of future treatment.
The grass is beaten under wooden beaters to partly disintegrate the fibre and
especially the hard bottom ends of the grass. It is next passed through grooved stee!
or iron rollers and lastly through smooth rollers which complete the disintegration of
'the grass.
It is now carded either by hand or machinery when it is ready to be spun into
ropes, twine and yarn.
When in its carded state, or after being spun into twine or yarn, it may be dyed
and can be woven into matting, carpets, and the like either plain or with one or more
colours.
The carpet or tho like when completed is preferably passed through polished, hot
rollers to finish it, or finished by sizing or in some other suitable manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be perforined, I declare that what
1 claim is :
(1) The process of treating esparto grass for use in the manufacture of carpets,
matting, twine and the like, substantially as hereinbefore described.
(2) The manufacture of carpets, matting, twine and the like from esparto grass
fibre obtained as described.
Dated the 23rd day of June 1890.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.