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208 GOODYEAR ON GUM -ELASTIC. 



is attained, in consequence of the previous invention of the 

 fibrous fabrics, and the gum-elastic tube, described in Vol 11., page 



. The method of manufacturing these goods is as follows : 



The patterns which form the cells, or air chambers of these 

 goods, are cut from napped gum-elastic tissue, of any form to 

 suit the fancy, but more commonly in rings, squares, or diamond 

 patterns. These are laid between two pieces of gum-elastic 

 tissue, vellum, or vegetable leather, in pairs, with the napped 

 sides of the patterns placed together ; the effect is, that when the 

 two fabrics between which they are placed are pressed together, 

 one of the patterns will adhere to the upper, the other to the 

 lower piece of fabric. The two patterns are prevented from 

 adhering together, by the nap on the surface ; conductors of the 

 same material are placed between the cells, to connect them all 

 together, to be inflated by one tube ; or in separate rows, to be 

 inflated by a number of tubes, or one tube for each row of cells ; 

 thereby rendering the article more safe. When the two pieces 

 of fabric are pressed together, they adhere only between the 

 cells, by which means the article is formed into as many com- 

 partments as there are patterns. Two pieces of the fabrics, of 

 from thirty to fifty yards, is first covered with the patterns, so 

 placed as to form the bed, life-preserver, or other article de- 

 signed to be made ; another piece of the same width and length 

 is placed upon them, the two are pressed together by hand rollers, 

 or what is much more expeditious, being passed between callen- 

 ders, covered with an elastic substance, the articles are formed 

 and ready to be cut apart, when, after the tubes are inserted, and 

 they are vulcanized, the articles are finished. 



Those who are acquainted with the manner in which air-work 

 has to be constructed, when it is made of coated cloths, will at 

 once perceive that great complexity of workmanship is obviated, 

 as well as material saved, by the method above described ; and 

 as these goods may, like shirred goods, be made by machinery, 

 with great rapidity, it may reasonably be expected that a com- 

 plete change will hereby be effected, both in the first cost and 

 quality of air work. 



