IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPLIANCES FOR REPRODUCING OR MULTIPLYING COPIES OF DRAWINGS, LETTERS, AND OTHER WRITINGS OR DOCUMENTS, AND IN THE MATERIALS OR COMPOSITION OF MATERIALS TO BE USED THEREWITHI."
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Kimm at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 10th November 1881.
ROBERT KIMM, of Dalry, in the County of Ayr, North Britain. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPLIANCES FOR REPRODUCING OR MULTIPLYING COPIES OF DRAWINGS,
LETTERS, AND OTHER WRITINGS OR DOCUMENTS, AND IN THE MATERIALS OR
COMPOSITION OF MATERIALS TO BE USED THEREWITHI."
This Invention relates to improvements in appliances for reproducing or
multiplying copies of drawings, letters, and other writings or documents, and in
the materials or composition of materials to be employed therewith; and the
object of the Invention is to reduce the price cost of appliances of this kind, and
render the process of reproduction or multiplying less troublesome and more
efficient than as hitherto practised.
In carrying out the Invention, I employ a heavy paper, close in texture, which
has been saturated with a drying oil, and for my purpose I prefer boiled linseed
oil. Varnishes of various kinds may also be employed instead of oil, as also oil
paints. The sheets of paper of the quality mentioned I cut into various sizes,
afterwards coating them with a composition, the main ingredients of which are
gelatine, glycerine, gum, sugar, and water. There are several ways of applying
the composition to the surface of the paper, but I prefer to lay it on evenly with
a soft brush. The sheets after being coated in the manner described are allowed
to dry before being further operated on.
It is essential that the sheets thus coated should be prevented from adhering to
one another and an important part of my Invention consists in employing the
following means to prevent their adhesion; I first rub the surface of the prepared
sheets with glycerine or a mixture of glycerine and water, and then paint them
with a wash composed of whiting, chalk, or sulphate of baryta and water. When
so treated the sheets admit of being placed one on the top of the other, or face to
face, without injury to the sheet, until it is required for use. I afterwards enclose
the various prepared sheets in a portable case or portfolio made of any of the
various sizes, and having an operating table or pad fitted inside with a space at

page_text: end for holding ink and other appliances. The mode of producing fac simile copies
by means of these coated sheets is as follows:-
The sheets are damped on the coated side with a sponge and water to remove
the temporary mixture which has been painted on, leaving the surface of the
composition in a damp state and perfectly clean.
The sheet is then fixed on the operating pad by means of drawing pins. The
drawing or writing to be copied, which is executed with an aniline ink, is laid
face downwards on the prepared sheet and gently pressed with the hand. It is
allowed to remain for about a minute, and on being withdrawn a negative im-
pression of the writing or other delineation is seen on the surface of the sheet;
copies to the extent of fifty or more may then be obtained from the negative
impression, by simply placing successive sheets of ordinary writing paper on the
surface, taking care that the paper is evenly placed, and that it is brought into
contact in every part with the negative by pressure or friction on the back of the
paper.