US1049674A - Enameled-leather softener and process of making the same. - Google Patents

Description

i N Drawing.

I LARRY L. COMEAU, 0F HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.

ENAMELED-LEATHER SOF'IENER AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME. V

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 7, 1913.

Application fil ed February 10, 1910. Serial No. 543,126.

of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Enameled-Leather Softeners and Processes of Making the Same,.of which the followingisaspecification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in compositions of matter which are primarily designed to soften. enameled or patent leather, so that the enamel will not crack when the leather is bent or strained when used, in the manufacture of shoes thereby obviating factory 'damages and greatly increasing the wearing qualities of the shoes. I accomplish this object by preparing a compositlon of matter which is adapted to be applied to both the enameled sidev and the flesh side of the leather and to He worked into the same thoroughly, and which preferably consists of a mixture of neats-foot oil, soap, alcohol, kerosene and water. In order that these substances may be properly combined for my purpose the mixture thereof is performed by a certain process According to my process I first provide two separate mixtures which consist respectively of a solution of hard soap, water and neats-foot oil in the proportion of pound of soap to two quarts of water, and

a pint of neats-foot oil; and a mixture consisting of one pint of grain alcohol, one pint of water, a pint neats-foot oil, and one pint of kerosene. These two mixtures are then united and thoroughly intermingled'so that the resulting mixture consists of: 1 pint neats-foot oil, 1 pint alcohol, 1 pintkerosene, 2% quarts of water, and i pound of soap. The resulting mixtureis a liquid, but, if it is desired in the form of a paste, the proportion of soap is increased.

While approximately the proportions, above specified, are desirable, they are not essential, as they may be varied within reasonable limits without seriously impairing the ellicaciousness of the mixture, for

example, the alcohol, though desirable, is

not essential.

This mixture, when applied to the enamel of the leather, will cause it to become flexible and pliable, so that cracking will be prevented, and this is accomplished without 1n ury to the enamel or in any way detracting from its luster. Enameled leather is liable to become sticky in warm temperatures, but all liability of such an occurrence is avoided by applying my composition to the enamel.

As in the manufacture of enameled leath-' ers nearly all of the oils in the leather are removed, the leather loses much of its pliability and becomes brittle, so that it is made less durable; but, after being treated with the composition above described, its original characteristics are, to a large extent, restored.

The principal advantage to be derived from the use of my composition is in connection with the lasting operation of shoes, in which it has been customary to moisten the vamp before applying the same to the last, so that it will be more pliable. This also permits the leather to be, stretched, as

it is drawn into place and secured. When the leather dries, it shrinks again, and frequently cracks or splits. When, however, the leatheris treated with my composition previous to lasting, it, is not only made sufliciently pliable and flexible, to en: able the lasting operation to be satisfactorily performed, but'the condition in which it is placed .is retained, so that it will not tend to shrink while on the last in the remaining portion of the process of manufacture.

I claim:

1. The herein-described process ofmaking a leather softener, which consists in first preparing a mixture of neats-foot oil and dissolved soap, and a mixture of neats-foot oil, alcohol, and kerosene, and then uniting the two mixtures into a common mixture.

2. The herein-described composition of matter, or leather softener, which consistsv of a mixture of neats-foot oil, soap, and kerosene, substantially in the proportions set forth.

3. The herein-described composition of matter, or leather softener, which consists of a mixture of neats-foot oil, alcohol, soap, and kerosene, substantially in the proportions set forth.

4. The herein-described composition of matter, or leather softener, whlch consists of a mixture of neats-foot oil, alcohol, soap, kerosene and water, substantially in the pro- 5 portions set forth.

5. The herein-described composition of matter, or leather softener, which consists of a mixture of approximately one pint 'neats-foot oil, one pint alcohol, one pint kerosene, two and one-half quarts of Water, 10 and i pound of soap. U a

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LARRY L. COMEAU. Witnesses: r

L. H. HARRIMAN, H. B. DAVIS.