IMPROVEMENTS IN CHROMOTYPO- GRAPHICAL PRINTING PRESSES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Smith, of No. 10, Salisbury Street, Adelphi,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CHROMOTYPO-
GRAPHICAL PRINTING PRESSES."-A communication from A. E. Rochette,
1
Sealed the 15th June 1858, and dated the 15th December 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Smith at the Offico
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th December
1857.
I, WILLIAM SMITH, of No. 10, Salisbury Street, Adelphi, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declaro the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN: CHROMOTYPOGRAPHICAL PRINTING PRESSES," a communication from A. E.
Rochette, of Vannes, but now of 36, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, to be as
follows:-
With the improved chromotypographical presses several colours can be
printed at, one operation in the same form, the presses being divided into a
suitable number of compartments, each compartment being suited for printing
a different colour. The Provisional Specification deposited June 15th 1857,
related only to hand printing presses, but the annexed Drawings shows the
improvements applied to presses driven by steam or other power. In Sheet 1
is a front elevation of the press; the pressure is applied by a plate which is
actuated by two eccentrics for giving the necessary amount of pressure. The
table is driven by a crank worked by a connecting rod; it moves to and fro as
in the ordinary printing presses, one direction for inking the form, and in the
other direction for receiving the pressure. The sheet required to be printed

page_text: is laid upon a horizontal frame suitably disposed, which turns upon its center;
after pressure has been applied this sheet is released from the claws or nippers
for holding it, and which are attached to the frame. All the arrangements for
giving the motion aro shewn on Sheet 1. It is understood that the setting
a-going and working off and keeping in contact with the pressure plate (to
which it is attached by a frame covered with a cloth called the tympan), the
sheet of paper is held fast by the nippers, which belong to a frame, as already
stated, included within a toothed ring or wheel which is actuated by a rack
driven by a toothed segment, which segment causes the aforesaid circle to
rotato a quarter of a revolution, whilst in its back motion the rack does not
gear with the wheel. After each pressure the table is conveyed under the ink
holders, and by similar motion the sheet-holding frame is conveyed away from
the pressure plate, but in an opposite direction. The Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, Sheet 2,
are laid upon the table in such a manner that the sheet after having received
the first impression of, say four, and then having been turned round a quarter
revolution, the rectangular compartments of the form remaining constantly in
the same position, the corresponding compartments of the sheet is turned every
time a quarter revolution, so as to cover exactly the former compartments
after one another, and after four strokes of the press the four parts of the
sheet, forming either 4, 8, or 10 similar pages, will be printed, each of them in
four colours, every sheet of paper containing then four similar copies of the
print. The inking rollers are arranged in such a manner as to pass over
only the forms of their respective colours, but whilst passing over the com-
partments containing other colours they are raised by suitable rails a, a, b, b,
Fig. 1, and Fig. 2 shews the disposition of the colors. The ink is spread
over the rollers by circular or cylindrical tables c, c, c, c (Fig. 3 & 4), and
two ink holders A, B, Sheet 1, divided by a partition, each ink holder contains
two colours. Fig. 2 & 4 shews the position of the rollers when spreading ink
over the forms; Fig. 8 shows them when they are being inked by the
cylinders C, C; they have been raised for that purpose by two double crescents
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th June 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAN 35
SMITH, of No. 10, Salisbury Street, Adelphi, Civil Engineer, send greeting...

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the
year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Smith, Her special licence, that I, the said William
Smith, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William Smith, executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, .
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire-
land, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CHROMOTYPOGRAPHICAL PRINTING PRESSES," (a communication from
A: E. Rochette, of Vannes, but now of 36, Rue de l'Echiquiér, Paris,) upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Smith, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hand and seal, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-.
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Smith, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,"
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement;
and accompanying Drawings.
The various endeavours which have hitherto been made to print in several
colours at one and the same time by means of typographical presses have
proved unsuccessful, and consequently where designs in several colours have
been obtained they have been produced by successive and separate impres-
sions, as numerous as there were colours to be printed.
According to the present mode of polychromatic printing, holes have to be
previously made in the sheets of paper, the said sheets being placed each time
over the register points in the forms to ensure correspondence of the several
colours which are to overlay or be in proximity to each other. As the holes
may become worn or enlarged each time they are put over the points, it has
been proposed to point out in the paper as many pairs of holes as there are
colours to be used, so as to employ two different holes for each colour;
the points being moveable are shifted and regulated from the holes previously
pointed through the paper.
Great care must also be taken in the arrangement and management of the
several working parts of the printing press, so as to produce good impressions,.

page_text: which, in short, depend as much on the perfect construction of the apparatus
as on the care, intelligence, and skill of the workmen.
The improvement communicated to me are equally applicable to band and
steam presses, wherefore the Inventor has, to avoid repetition, exhibited in the
annexed Drawings the application of his Invention to an ordinary steam press,
modified in other respects as required.
By means of the said Invention the following advantages are obtained:
1st, saving of time; 2nd, saving of paper, because no sheets are spoiled and
rendered useless, as in the system hitherto employed; 3rd, precision and
exactness in the 'correspondence of colours.
First, saving of time. By the former and ordinary system hitherto employed,
a hand press with two good workmen will print at most 800 or 1,000 sheets
a day in one colour only. To print as many sheets in four colours they would
take four days, while with the improved press worked by hand from 800 to
1,000 sheets a day will be printed in four colours. If the improved press be
worked by steam or other power the difference will be in proportion.
Second, saving of paper. With the usual system of printing in several
colours, notwithstanding all the care taken in the working by placing the
register holes over the points, there are always from two quires to a ream of
paper wasted to obtain a thousand good impressions. Besides which, the
common types, engravings, or stereotyped plates often get injured, as, to print
cach new colour, the form must be loosened and then made up afresh. Much
time is consequently lost, and the impressions are wanting in clearness, and
are defective in register.
Third. The correspondence of colours or register is the most important
object in polychromatic printing, and although the composition and making
up may be perfect, the colours brilliant and well shaded, nevertheless the
whole will be defective and displeasing to the eye if the colours do not
correspond or register exactly according to the design.
The improved chromotypographical press is represented in the annexed
Drawings. In Sheet 1 and 2 are an elevation, plan, section, and views
of parts of a press to be worked by steam or other power, constructed
upon the improved system; tho said Drawings are to a scale of one in ten,
with the exception of Figs. 21, 22, and 35, which are to a scale of one in
eight; and of Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34, which are to a scale of one in five.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, Fig. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3 a vertical section
through the main shaft; Fig. 4 is the table, bearing the form which are to be
-four in number, as, will be described hereafter; Fig. 5 is a plan; Fig. 7, au

page_text: end view of the inking rollers as they are disposed at the moment when they
deliver the materials with which they are charged to the forms. The machine
is composed of two cast-iron frame standards A, A, which are tied together
by five transom pieces B, C, D, E, F, and bolted thereto. The table G,
Figs. 2, 3, & 4, moves to and fro in a horizontal direction between the slide.
pieces H, HI, Figs. 1, 2, 3. It is driven by a crank I, keyed fast on the
shaft J driven by the pinion K, Figs. 1 & 2, which gears into the cog wheel L.
The said wheel L stops at the dead point of the crank I when its revolution
is complete. This stoppage is caused by two eccentrics M, M, Fig. 3, which
act upon a forked guide N, Fig. 2, turning on a pivot, and into which the
roller enters. It is during this stoppage that the pressure to obtain an
impression is applied by means of the platen S, acted on by the eccentrics:
P, P, Figs. 3 & 13, which bear on rollers q, q, Fig. 3. The said rollers are
carried by axles i, i, supported in the uprights R, R, and the rotating motion
of the said eccentrics causes the platen S to move down as shewn Figs. 1, 2, 3,
which platen is balanced by two counterpoises T, T, Fig. 3, attached to the
levers U, V, each one of them being fitted on an angle V, V. In order to;
avoid the counterpoises being prevented from acting instantaneously when
raising up the platen, both are tied together by a transom piece x, which.
piece bears a roller y which is kept in constant contact with the eccentric =,
the longer diameter of which is in an opposite direction to that of tho
eccentrics P, P, but is fitted on the same shaft a¹.
MOVEMENT OR TRAVELLING OF THE PAPER.
A pile of paper in sheets is laid on a table over the platen (this table is
not figured on the Drawing, to avoid confusion). The sheet to be printed is
placed by a workman upon the frame A', Fig. 2, which by sliding between
the guiding pieces B', B', is moved from under the platen, and directly abovo
the crossed arm-piece C' intended to open the clasps D', D', D', D', which
shut down when the sheet is close to the margin.
When this has taken place the frame A and table G move forward each
one from its own side under the platen, where the sheet is successively printed
in its several colours. The frame is impelled by two eccentrics E', E',
Figs. 3, 9, & 10, which drive to and fro a rack frame F', Figs. 1, 2, and 35,
which gears into a toothed sector G' fixed on the shaft H'. This shaft moving
round with the sector G' carries two levers l', each of which is jointed to
a connecting rod J', J', Figs. 1, 2, & 16, and the latter are hinged to the
frame A'. When the pressure has been given the rack K' moves forward
into gear with the horizontal wheel W. The forward motion of the rack K'

page_text: is produced by the lift E fitted on the eccentric E', Fig. 9, which is fixed on
the main shaft Z'. The horizontal wheel W aforesaid moves round on an
inner circle fitted on the frame A'; the rack K' moving back to the end of
the machine a distance equal to a quarter of the circumference of the wheel W
will of course cause the sheet of paper to make a quarter of a revolution, aud
this motion brings the impression of one form over above the next one, as
shewn, Fig. 4. The forms 1, 2, 3, 4, are composed as usual either with
moveable printing types, or with engravings, as it is desired to produce letter-
press, or designs in colours, or with stereotype plates; each form represents
a distinct colour, thus the form I is composed of words, or those parts of a
design which it is desired should appear in black. The paper-is placed upon
the tympan and held by the paper holder while the tympan is moved back
from under the platen S.
.
The form 2 is composed of words or parts of the design which are to
printed in red. The form 3 is composed of words or parts of the design
which are to be printed blue, and the form 4 is composed of words or parts of
the design which are to be printed yellow.
It follows, consequently, that every form is incomplete; the first one con-
taining only the words or parts of the design to be printed black, the portions
to be in blue, red, or yellow are blocked out or replaced by blauks. The
second form contains only the words or parts of the design to be printed in
red, the blue, yellow, and black portions being replaced by blanks. The third
form contains only the words or parts of the design to be printed in blue, the
yellow, black, and red portions being replaced by blanks. And the fourth
form contains only the words or parts of of the design to be printed in yellow,
the black, red, and blue portions being replaced by blanks. The inking is
performed in the following manner :-Black on the form 1, red on the form 2,
blue on the form 3, and yellow on the form 4.
The imposing or arrangement in pages for this kind of printing is 'as
follows: The top of the form 1 is placed touching the left-hand margin of
the form 2; the top of the form 2 touching the left-hand margin of the
form 3; the head of the form 3 touching the left-hand margin of the form 4;
and the top of the form 4 against the left-hand margin of the form 1.
For each revolution of the frame, viz., when the sheet has been printed
four times, and has made a completo revolution, or when the said frame has
moved four times under the platen, the clasps or nippers which hold the
printed sheet open to allow the said sheet to be taken out, and a fresh one
to be placed instead. It will be readily understood that the rack K' receding at
the moment the frame is stoped, the latter slides back without turning-round

page_text: MOTION OF THE CLASPS OR NIPPERS.
So soon as the frame has arrived at the end of its journey, viz., over the
cross arm-piece C', the wheel L' which carries a lift M, Figs. 1, 2, 31, & 32,
causes the loosely pivoted sector N' to move round by means of a roller;
the said sector gears with another O' which is keyed on the horizontal shaft
P', Figs. 1, 2. This shaft bears a bevel pinion which gears into a toothed
wheel fixed on the vertical shaft g, Fig. 1; the latter runs through a socket
g", fitted to the above-mentioned cross-piece, and bears at its upper end a
plate R' which is sunk into the upper end of the said cross arm-piece. . The
plate R', is provided with four rollers S', S', S', S', Fig. 2, and, when it
moves round it carries along, by means of the four said rollers, four hooked
pieces T', T', T', T', which pieces act upon four other rollers u', u', u', u',
attached to the clasps, causing the latter to hinge at v, v', v, v'. The said
clasps are then opened.
MOTION OF THE INKING ROLLERS, AND MODES AND INKING OF THE FORMS.
The apparatus for working the inking rollers is shewn Figs. 6, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13. The ink-distributing rollers are actuated by the driving shaft Y'
of the machine, whence motion is imparted by an oblique driving rod Z' to
one of the shafts A" of the large delivering rollers B"; the details of the inking
rollers are shewn Figs. 6, 7, & 8. The said shaft A drives the other deli-
vering rollers by means of the intermediate cog wheel B"", Figs. 1 & 2, it
also drives one of the interior delivery rollers which takes the ink from the
cases a, a, which roller by gearing into the other one imparts its motion
thereto. The motion of the interior delivery rollers and scrapers is the same
as in the other printing machines. The feeding rollers rest on rounded comb-
shaped stands C', C', C', C', Fig. 2, and are alternately carried up and down
by two eccentrics keyed on the shaft of the intermediate cog wheel B", which
eccentrics by lifting up the feeding rollers against the large delivering rollers
B" gives them a to-and-fro motion, and distributes the ink uniformly over
the surfaces of the said rollers B".
The inking rollers D", D", D", Figs. 2, 5, 6, 7, & 8, are supported by
two comb-shaped stands (Fig. 8), in a horizontal direction across the
machine; when the forms come from underneath the rollers they are raised
up by the two double crescent-shaped lifts E", E", Figs. 1, 2, 21, 22, assuming
the position shewn, Fig. 6, and receive rotary motion by their friction
against the surfaces of the delivering rollers.
The crescent pieces are raised up by an eccentric fixed on the shaft J,

page_text: Figs. 1 & 2, which actuates a rod I, I, by the help of a roller not shewn on
the Figure, the said roller rod being connected with the lever 1" which
raises the vertical shaft J, by means of a tappet shown, Figs. 27 & 28; the
said shaft is fixed into the crescent piece. Each inking roller bears a small
wheel or roller at each end of its shaft or mandral, which are to raise the
said inking rollers after or before their proper forms come beneath them.
This raising motion is produced by rails K, K, Figs. 3 & 4, suitably disposed
upon the table G for these small carrying wheels to run over.
Figs. 14 & 15 are views in plan and elevation of the transom picco B
(Fig. 2), on which rests the cross arc-piece C' and one of the ends of the
shaft P', which bears a bevel pinion; Figs. 16 & 17 are similar views of
the transom piece C, which carries the bearing a of the crank I, the one
of the eccentrics rod F which drives the frame A', the swing beam U of
the uprights R, the counterpoises of the platen, and the guides of the rods
carrying the rollers g, 9.
Fig. 18 is a side view of the same transom piece and bearing a already
mentioned; Figs. 19 & 20, views of the rod which gives the upward motion
to the crescent-shaped lifts that bear the inking rollers. An aperture is
shewn cut through the said rod to allow of the eccentric rod, Figs. 29 & 30,
working therein.
Figs. 21 & 22, views shewing the crescent-shaped lifts, already mentioned,
which raise the inking rollers.
Figs. 23 & 24, forked guide N, which causes the monetary stoppage of the
crank driving wheel.
Figs. 25 & 26, crank fastened on the forked pieco aforesaid and
driving it.
Figs. 27 & 28, views of the tappet before mentioned which hinges on the
lever I", Fig. 2, for raising the crescent lifts E", E", Figs. 21 & 22, which
bear the inking rollers.
Figs. 29 & 30, carrying the brasses of the eccentric frame and rod which
actuato the crank (at the monetary stoppage), shewn Fig. 12 & 13, and is
worked by two eccentrics M, M, Figs. 11 & 12.
Figs. 31 & 32, views of a lift M fixed on the wheel L', Fig. 2, giving
the opening motion to the clasps or nippers.
Figs. 33 & 34, connecting rod which drives the tablo G, and is actuated
by the crank J, Fig. 1.
Fig. 35, framo and rod of the eccentric which impels the toothed sector
G, Fig. 1.
With the improved chromotypographical press of Monsieur Rochette's

page_text: invention, impressions have been obtained of the required precision and
exactness. However great may be the delicacy or complication of the engraving
or composition to be printed, proofs containing from two to sixteen colours
may be obtained as quickly and easily as plain black prints.
By this process it is not necessary that the types should be of different
lengths, although the inking is performed separately for each colour, and the
printing of all the colours effected at one and the same time. No especial
skill or practice will be necessary on the part of the workmen to ensure
registering. To the present time coloured illustrated works have not been
printed, except at great expence; but by means of the improved press,
described above, no more labor, time, or expense will be required to produce
polychromatic impressions than for ordinary plain printing.
The improved press may be used for printing, as follows:-
1st. Religious books, such as missals, hours, &c., as used in Roman
Catholic or Greek churches.
2nd. Illustrated works with coloured plates, such as travels, albums, works
on botany, anatomy, and zoology; also journals of fashions.
3rd. Paper hangings, blinds, fire screens, &c.
4th. Engravings, &c., and designs in water or oil colours.
5th. Certain stuffs, fabrics, and light fancy goods, such as silk, linen, or
cotton pocket handkerchiefs and neckerchiefs, &c., Persian hangings, curtains,
blinds, coach trimmings, church banners, flags, &c.
6th. Patterns for needlework, embroidery, tapestry, &c.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I do not limit the claims under
the herein-before recited Letters Patent to the particular forms or shapes,
mechanical contrivances, and their arrangement, before described, so long as
the general features and character of the said Invention are preserved. But
what I claim as constituting the said Invention are as follows:-
1st. I claim tho general arrangement and combination of parts herein-
before described and shewn in the Drawings annexed, whereby printing of
letter-press and designs, combined or separate, in two or more colours, may
be effected at one and the same time, and by means of one impression.
2nd. I claim the peculiar disposition of forms whereby the letter-press or
designs receive the several colours upon their surfaces together and in succes-
sion and without interruption, by means of the partial rotary movements
herein-before described, and where all the colours necessary to produce the
required design are transferred to the paper at one operation, and by means
of one impression.

page_text: 3rd. I claim communicating a partial rotary movement to the paper to
be printed by means of the mechanical arrangement herein-before described
and shewn in the Drawings hereunto annexed, or by any other combination
of mechanical parts having for object the same result.
4th. I claim the general construction, arrangement, and combination of
mechanical means for communicating a to-and-fro movement to the forms,
containing the types or engravings, whereby the said types or engravings are
charged with various colours simultaneously.
5th. I claim the arrangement and combination of inking rollers in moveable
bearings of tho form shewn in the Drawings, or of any other analogous
shape.
6th. I claim the arrangement and combination of mechanical parts whereby
the inking rollers are made to deliver the diverse colours with which they are
charged to those parts of the forms for which such colours are intended and
to no others.
7th. I claim the peculiar mode of operating the downward pressure motion
of the platen, as herein-before described and shown in the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
GEORGE CHURCHILL,
18, Salisbury Street, Adelphi.
WILLIAM SMITII, C.E. (L.B.)