I twist and spin two or more such threads together into one round thread, by means of a bobbin and fly frame, such as is used in the manufacture of cotton. Besides giving to the gutta-percha threads the desired roundness, these whirling and twisting processes have the effect of greatly improving them, in point of elasticity.
A strong, and perfectly water-proof fabric is formed by simply laying a number of gutta-percha threads side by side upon a foundation of cotton or linen, or other textile fabric, and passing the two materials between heated rollers, which have the effect of cementing the threads firmly to the cloth and to one another; and such fabrics may, by using the threads of different sizes and color, have every nicety of striped appearance given them.
Articles resembling diaper, or mosaic work, are made of gutta-percha threads of different colors or shades, very rapidly and economically. In the manufacture of paper, an article very difficult to rend, and which will, therefore, be found extremely suitable for documents exposed to much tear and wear, as bills of exchange, certificates, also for wrappers, envelopes of all sorts is formed by interposing between two sheets of paper pulp threads of gutta-percha, laid cross-wise like net work, at distances of an inch or two apart, more or less, and combining the two sheets by any suitable machinery as heated rollers. The gutta-percha thread may also be plaited either in the naked or sheet state, into hats, cans, bonnets, or into bags, baskets, basket work, or into coverings for chairs as a substitute for cane, or into whips, bridles, reins, or into any other similar articles—and finally, cordage of great strength may be made by twining together threads of gutta-percha with threads of flax, or other durable fibrous material, by the same processes as are ordinarily followed in the manufacture of the different sorts of cordage.
The following described Patent for improvements in Boots, Shoes, Gaiters, &c., is of great importance, inasmuch as it fully describes the method of manufacture, the solution used, &c. It will be observed that Mr. Keene mixed caoutchouc or India-rubber with gutta-percha. This process is now found to be very detrimental to the durability of the boot, shoe or gaiter, inasmuch as a rubber mixture is sure to become decomposed by the oils in the upper stock or soles. It also renders the shoe a nasty, sticky mass, making it impossible to repair them. The process has been tried here, evidently a copy of the Keene patent. After an expenditure of thousands of dollars, the manufacture of boots and shoes by this admixture of India-rubber has been abandoned as impracticable.
Gutta-percha, on the contrary, is not affected by oils, and here is the grand secret of the success and triumph of boots and shoes cemented by it. Goods of various descriptions, including boots and shoes, were largely manufactured in England, between 1845 and 1848, which, being made with a mixture of India-rubber and other foreign matter, were thus rendered valueless. In six months after many of these varieties of elegant fabrics were put into the market, they were discovered to be a sticky mass of worthless trash, or where the rubber was omitted became brittle like glass. Whereas, goods that were manufactured from the pure gutta-percha, such as picture frames, &c., remained uninjured to the present day, and are now apparently as firm and indestructible as when first made.
Here follows the Patent.
Charles Keene, of Sussex Place, Regent’s Park, Esq., for improvements in Boots and Shoes, Gaiters, Overalls, and other like articles. Patent dated May 29th: Specification enrolled November 29th, 1845.
My improvements in boots, shoes, gaiters, overalls, and other like articles of apparel, consist in rendering the same more or less weather and water-proof, and more easy of wear, by the application of the same, in whole or in part, of the substance recently imported from the East Indies called gutta-percha.
First. I coat the pieces of leather, or other material, of which the boots, shoes, gaiters, overalls, or other articles of apparel, are made, on either one or both sides, with a solution of gutta-percha, or a solution of gutta-percha mixed with a portion or portions of caoutchouc, or sulphur, or coloring matter, or any other substance or thing which may be calculated to improve the quality of the said solution as directed and explained in the specification of certain letters patent, of date March 11th, 1845, granted to Richard Archibald Brooman, for “certain improvements in the preparation and application of artificial fuels, mastics, and cements,” and this I do either once, twice, or oftener, according to the thickness of the solution, and the thickness desired to be given to the coating; and sometimes, instead of so coating the whole of the said pieces, I coat those pieces which are likely to be most exposed to the weather or wet, as for example, the outer sole and upper leathers only.