US680222A - Tanning compound. - Google Patents

Description

Fries.

ATENT DANIEL WV. BROWN, OF WESTPLAINS, MISSOURI.

TANNING COMPOUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,222, dated August 13, 1901.

Application filed September 8, 1900. Serial No. 29,424. (No specimens.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL WV. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Westplains, in the county of Howell and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Tan ning Compound, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to compositions of matter used in connection with processes for tanning and dressing hides; and the object is to provide a compound composed of inexpensive ingredients which have great penetrating power and act speedily and offectively on the hides, with a resultant leather that is firm, flexible, and waterproof.

The ingredients generally used in the compound are gambier, (Uncam'a gambier,) extract of cranes-bill, (Geranium) oil of birch, (Betulm) and hardback, (Sp tread iomenioscu) but the last named may be omitted when tanning certain grades of leather and any other well-known chemical equivalent containing tannin may be used in place of gambier.

While the proportions may be varied as desired, from actual experience the following combinations of ingredients have been found to give excellent results: For calf, sheep, goat, deer, and similar hides one and onehalf pounds gambier, one-half ounce fluid extract of cranes-bill, one-half ounce oil of birch, and three gallons water. The hides should remain in this compound or ooze from twelve to twenty-four hours. For one to two years yearling hides, two and one-half pounds gainbier, one ounce fluid extract cranes-bill, one ounce oil of birch, and five gallons of water. The hides should remain in this compound or ooze from two to four days. For cow and ox hides, three to five pounds gambier, two ounces of fluid extract cranesbill, two ounces oil of birch, and five or six gallons of water. The hides should remain in the compound or ooze from five to ten days. In tanning sole-leather an ounce of hardhack is added.

The manner of preparing the compound or ooze is as follows: The gambier is dissolved in the water, which is first heated, strained through tow-cloth, and then it must be allowed to cool until lake-warm, after which the hides are dipped into the same a little at a time and aired several times until cool.

The hides are then immersed and allowed to remain about twenty-four hours to color and set the grain,- after which the remaining ingredients are added, as above described, and the hides are again immersed the required length of time.

The preferred process of tanning is as follows: The hides are soaked until perfectly soft and the loose flesh is removed. They are then immersed in a thin batter of slaked lime and water and remain in the same until the hair slips, (being removed and replaced several times for the purpose of airing,)whereupon they are taken from said batter and the hair removed. They are then placed in changes of clear water until the lime is elimi= nated, after which they are immersed in the solution or ooze, as above described. After having passed through this solution they are thoroughly washed to eliminate the solution and are hung in the shade until partially dry. The grain side is then oiled and slicked in the usual manner.

The cranes-bill'thoroughly removes the glue and takes the place of the acids now commonly used. The oil of birch when used in connection with the other ingredients coacts therewith. Being an oil it is a preservative of leather, preventing any cracking of the grain and rendering the leather pliable, not only during the process of tanning, but after said process is finished. It also prevents molding of the tanned leather, which is a serious defect in those processes in which barks alone are employed. While in the ooze, the pores of the hide are open. Hence the oil will penetrateand act as a vehicle in carrying the active tanning agents through thepores. ByactualtestIhavedemonstrated that the tanning process is facilitated by the use of oil of birch. The hardhack makes the leather firm and waterproof.

While the ingredients and process have been described with great minuteness, it is to be understood that the compound is open to change and modification within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now fully described the compound,

what is claimed, and desired to be secured by In testimony that I claim theforegoing as Letters Patent, ismy own I'have heretoaffi'xed my signature in 1. A tanning compound, composed of gam the presence of two witnesses. bier, extract of cranes-bill, and oil of birch. DANIEL W. BROWN.

5 2. A tanning compound composed of gam- Witnesses:

bier, extract of cranes-bill, oil of birch and J. B. WILSON,

hardback. J. F. HALE.