IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR COPYING LETTERS OR OTHER DOCUMENTS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Ayre Cochrane, of Dublin, in the County of
Dublin, Ireland, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR
APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR COPYING LETTERS OR OTHER DOCUMENTS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Ayre Cochrane at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th June 1880.
SAMUEL AYRE COCHRANE, of Dublin, in the County of Dublin, Ireland.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR COPYING LETTERS
OR OTHER DOCUMENTS."
This Invention relates to improved means or apparatus for copying letters or
other documents.
For this purpose in place of using the ordinary oiled paper and blotting paper
in the process of copying letters or other documents written with prepared or
copying ink by transferring the same on to prepared paper, as is well understood, I
dispense with the use of the oiled paper and also with the damping of the receiving
paper and the blotting off paper, time and trouble being thus saved.
In carrying out my improvements I first prepare a plate of metal or other
suitable material (advantageously copper or zinc) of the size of the letter or
document to be copied. To this plate impart a fine granulated surface, which
may be produced either by mechanical or chemical means, so that the surface when
moistened by means of a wet sponge or otherwise will retain a perfectly even, wet,
or damp surface.
The letter or document to be copied is placed underneath a dry sheet of ordinary
copying paper; the wetted or moistened granulated plate is then placed over it (in
place of blotting paper), and the book or holder is placed in the press and pressed
in the usual manner, when it will be found that the original letter or writing will
be perfectly transferred to the copying paper.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Samuel Ayre Cochrane in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th December 1880.
SAMUEL AYRE COCHRANE, of Dublin, in the County of Dublin, Ireland.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR COPYING LETTERS
OR OTHER DOCUMENTS."
This Invention relates to improved means or apparatus for copying letters or
other documents.
For this purpose in place of using the ordinary oiled paper and blotting paper
in the process of copying letters or other documents written with prepared or
copying ink by transferring the same on to suitably prepared paper, as is well
understood, I dispense with the use of oiled paper and also with the damping
of the receiving paper and the blotting off paper, time and trouble being thus
saved.
In carrying out my improvements I first prepare a plate of metal or other
suitable material (advantageously copper or zinc) of the size of the letter or
document to be copied. To this plate I impart a fine granulated surface, which
may be produced either by mechanical or chemical means, so that the surface
when moistened by means of a wet sponge or otherwise will retain a perfectly
even, wet, or damp surface.
The letter or document to be copied is placed underneath a dry sheet of ordinary
thin copying paper; the wetted or moistened granulated plate is then placed
over it (in place of blotting paper), and the copying book or holder is then placed
in the press and pressed in the usual manner, when it will be found that the
original letter or writing will be perfectly transferred to the copying paper.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of performing
or carrying the same into practice, I would remark that I do not claim separately
any part of the means, apparatus, or process employed in copying letters or other
documents which has been previously known and in common use, but what I
claim is,―
The improved method of damping ordinary copying paper by means of a
granulated or prepared plate of metal or other suitable material, so as to simplify
and improve the process of copying letters or other documents (written or printed
with copying ink), substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore
fully described.
I also claim the application and use of a plate of metal or other suitable
material having a granulated or prepared surface, in combination with copying
paper and apparatus for simplifying and improving the process of copying letters
and other documents, substantially in the manner hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Ayre Cochrane, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
S. A. COCHRANE. (L.S.)