IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TEXTILE FABRICS AND OTHER SURFACES
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Anthony Park Coubrough, of Blanefield, in
the County of Stirling, North Britain, Calico Printer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TEXTILE FABRICS AND
OTHER SURFACES."
"Sealed the 19th December 1853, and dated the 31st October 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Anthony Park
Coubrough at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 31st October 1858.
I, ANTHONY PARK CONBROUGH, of Blanefield, in the County of Stir-
ling, North Britain, Calico Printer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TEXTILE FABRICS AND
OTHER SURFACES" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the so arranging block printing machines.
that superior speed in printing and efficiency of action are secured. In
printing, say eight colors, by this apparatus, a set of four horizontal
printing tables are fitted up in a line at uniform distances asunder, and
elevated above a platform at a suitable height for the hand block printers

page_text: to work at. Each table is fitted up with an endless blanket passing over
guide rollers at the two opposite edges of the table, and thence descend-
ing beneath the platform to a horizontal roller set between the vertical
centre line of the table. The unprinted fabric is held on a beam set
at one end of this line of tables, and as the printing goes on the piece
is passed along with a piece of grey cloth interposed, as in cylinder
printing, between the blanket and the fabric to be printed, over the first
printing table.
A printer stands on each side of each table, each if
necessary having a different color on his hand block. These two ope-
rators then give their united impressions in succession to the length of
cloth exposed on the table top. The traversing apparatus is then put
into gear, and the printed portion of the piece is thus carried forward
just so far as will bring a fresh length for the next repeat over the
printing table. The driving gear is placed at one end of the machine,
and a horizontal shaft passes alongside the machine with bevil or other
gear to drive all the bottom blanket rollers at a regular uniform rate.
In this way the fabric being printed is periodically traversed forward
after each impression from the first printing table to the last of the
series, the piece being passed from one table to the other round suitable
adjustable guides so that time is allowed for drying between the indi-
vidual impressions. The operation thus goes on continuously, an atten-
dant having the means of starting and stopping the apparatus at the
required intervals, and when the piece is fairly stretched over the entire
set of tables all the separate impressions go on simultaneously, whilst at
.each shift a fresh surface of the endless blanket and grey cloth is pre-
sented to the printing action. Hence by carrying the endless blankets
to a considerable depth below the printing tables time is allowed for the
drying of the blanket before the same surface is again brought into
operation. By driving all the blanket rollers and blankets which carry
the piece forward with them by one continuous shaft and suitable gearing
the piece is carried through the machine without being stretched, and as
each part of the piece is thus made to traverse, exactly the saine distance
during any given movement great facilities are supplied for keeping per-
fect register in printing. Although flat blocks have herein been referred
to, it is obvious that cylindrical or curved surfaces, either in. intaglio or

page_text: relievo, may be used instead of such flat surfaces; and the continuous
system of gearing affords.special facilities for "blotching," the blotching
cylinder being set at the end of the apparatus, and driven round-at a
rocular rate to give uniformity of effect.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Anthony Park Coubrough's in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the. 29th April 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1,
ANTHONY PARK COUBROUGH, of Blanefield, in the County of Stirling.
North Britain, Calico Printer; send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria; by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of October, in the year.
of our Lord One tliousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the seven-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Anthony Park' Coubrough, Her
special license that I, the said Antliony Park Coubrough, my execu-
tors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Anthony
Park Coubrough, my executors, administrators, or 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 Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TEXTILE FABRICS AND OTHER
SURFACES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Anthony
Park Coubrough, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Scal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the 'said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Anthony Park Coubrough, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-

page_text: tained in and by the following statement, referénce being had to the
accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon,
that is to say:
.
My said Invention relates to the so arranging block printing machines
that superior speed in printing and efficiency of action are secured
therein. In printing eight colors, for example, by this apparatus, a set
of four horizontal printing tables are fitted up in a line at uniform dis-
tances asunder, and elevated above a platform at a suitable height for
Each table is fitted up with an
the hand block printers to work at.
endless blanket passing over guide rollers at the two opposite edges of the
table, and thence descending beneath the table platform to a horizontal
roller set beneath the vertical centre line of the table. The unprinted
fabric is held on a beam set at one end of this line of tables, and as the
printing goes on the piece is passed along with a piece of grey cloth
interposed, as in cylinder printing, between the blanket and the fabric
to be printed, over the first printing table. A printer stands on each
side of each table, each printer if necessary having a different color on
his hand block. These two operators then give their united impressions
in succession to the length of cloth exposed on the table top. The tra-
versing apparatus is then put into gear, and the printed portion of the
piece is thus carried forward just so far as will bring a fresh length for
the next repeat over the printing table. The driving gear is placed at
one end of the machine, and a horizontal shaft passes alongside the
machine, with bevil or other gear to drive all the bottom blanket roller
at a regular uniform rate. In this way the fabric being printed is
periodically traversed forward after each impression from the first print-
ing table to the last of the series; the piece being passed from one
table to the other round suitable adjustable guides, so that time is
allowed for drying between the individual impressions. The operator
thus goes on continuously, an attendant having the means of starting
and stopping the traverse apparatus at the required intervals, and when
the piece is fairly stretched over the entire set of tables, all the separate
impressions go on simultaneously, whilst at each shift a fresh surface of
the endless blanket and grey cloth is presented to the printing action.
Hence by carrying the endless blankets to a considerable depth below

page_text: the printing tables time is allowed for the drying of the blanket before
the same surface is again brought into operation. By driving all the
blanket rollers and blankets which carry the piece forward with them by
one continuous shaft and suitable gearing, the piece is carried through
the machine without being stretched, and as each part of the piece is
thus made to traverse exactly the same distance during any given
movement great facilities are supplied for keeping perfect register in
printing. Although flat blocks have herein been referred to, it is
obvious that cylindrical or curved surfaces, either in "intaglio" or
"relievo," may be used instead of such flat surfaces. And the con-
tinuous system of gearing affords special facilities for "blotching," the
blotching cylinder being set at the end of the apparatus, and driven
round at a regular rate to give uniformity of effect.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I
shall now proceed to describe the several Figures on the Sheets of
Drawings hereunto attached. The Figure on Sheet 1 of my Drawings
is a side elevation of my improved printing apparatus, the color boxes
and block stands being removed from one side of the row of impression
tables; Figure 1 on Sheet 2 of my Drawings is an end elevation of one
of the impression tables with a color box and block stand on one side of
it; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus for delivering the
printed cloth, and for shifting it as each portion of the pattern is
printed; and Figure 3 is a plan of two impression tables with their
appurtenances.
The apparatus represented in these Drawings is arranged to print six
colors, which operation is effected upon the three impression tables A, B, C.
These tables are composed of cast iron side standards connected by
transverse bars and bolted down to the stage D or upper floor of the
structure in which the operation is carried on. Each table is furnished
with a pair of guide rollers E, one on each side, set transversely to the
line of traverse of the fabric; and guard frames F are fitted to the tables
in front of each guide roller to prevent the workmen from coming
in contact with the newly printed fabric passing over the guide roller.
The fabric to be passed is delivered from a beam or roller G, carried
in bearings on the first table A of the series. From the roller G, it

page_text: a
passes up to the horizontal guide roller E, thence horizontally across
the impression surface of the table, and turns downwards over the guide
roller on the opposite side of the table. The fabric thence passes down
through an opening in the stage or floor D, to a guide roller H in the
apartment or space beneath. It here takes a turn, and passes on with
slight upward inclination to the guide roller I, after passing which it
proceeds upwards at a slightly backward inclination to the corner guide
roller E of the second impression table B. It passes over this table,
down to the space beneath, and upwards again to the third table C.
After crossing this it passes downwards and inwards over the guide
roller J, thence to the guide rollers K and L, at the lower part of the
apartment, whence it proceeds upwards to a guide roller M, at a higher
level. The fabric pursues an alternately descending and ascending
course until it finally reaches the tractive and delivering apparatus.
The fabric is made to follow this circuitous route in order that it may
be thoroughly dried before leaving the machine, and to aid this object
the lower apartment is heated by hot air or by any other convenient
means. The drying action takes place to a slight extent during the
passage of the fabric from one table to another, so that the newly
imprinted colors may be aged before the subsequent application of
fresh colors. An endless impression blanket N passes over each table
along with and beneath the fabric to be printed. This blanket passes
between two guide rollers O, placed at the upper part of the drying
apartment, and immediately beneath the centre of the impression table.
The descending side of the endless blanket is thus angled away from the
fabric. Immediately on turning the edge of the table, it passes down to
the guide rollers K, L, at the lower part of the drying apartment, and
also round a tension roller P placed above and between these two, and
it thence passes up between the rollers O again, and up to the front end
of the impression table, having during its transit become sufficiently dry
as-not to soil the fabric laid over it by means of the portions of color
which may
have penetrated through the fabric to it during a former
impression. The several guide rollers, both for the endless blankets
and for the fabric to be printed, are rendered capable of adjustment as
to position- to suit any variatious in the tension of the cloth, or in

page_text: the length which should fall between the tables, so that the repeats of:
the patterns may fall into their proper positions on all and each of the
impression tables at the same time, as, owing to the extended circuitous
route of the fabric, much variation in its, tension would occur were the-
tractive power for passing it through applied to it at one point only,
means are provided for applying this tractive 'power at several points,
in the present instance, at points corresponding to the number of im-
pression tables. The tractive apparatus consists of a handwheel Q fast
upon a spindle carried in bearings in a pair of standards R bolted to
the flooring at one end of the range of impression tables. The spindle
of the hand wheel R has fast upon it a roller S, upon which rests a
roller T, the spindle of which is held in vertical slots in the standards R.:
The fabric is drawn between the rollers S and T, and is delivered by-
them into a box placed beneath to receive it. The spindle of the
roller S has keyed upon it a bevil wheel U, gearing with a bevil wheel
V. fast upon the upper end of the vertical shaft W carried in footstep
and intermediate bearings upon a pillar of the stage or structure D, and
in.upper.bearings on the standard.R. The lower end of the shaft W
has-keyed upon ita bevil wheel gearing with the bevil wheel X fast
upon the horizontal shaft Y, running under the several impression
tables comprising this range of connected printing apparatus. . The
shaft. Y has keyed upon it the bevil wheels Z, gearing with bevil;
wheels fast on the spindles of the rollers L, round which, as already
mentioned, the several blankets pass together with the printed fabric.,
In this manner each blanket with the portion of fabric in contact, with
it for the tinie being is driven at a uniform rate without being injuri-
ously. affected by the distance at which the tractive, power is 'applied.-
The horizontal shaft Y is carried in bracket bearings.a, bolted to the.
supporting pillars 6 of the stage or floor D, and the several sets of guide.
rollers K, L, P, are carried in brackets c, bolted to a longitudinal bar d,
itself bolted to the pillars b, whilst the upper, sets of guide rollers H, I,
M, O, J, are carried in brackets e, bolted to an upper longitudinal bar f..
also secured to the pillars b, the several brackets c, e, with their rollers,
being adjustable as to position as already mentioned: The color boxes
and block stands are arranged in a particular manner, as will be best

page_text: understood by reference to the plan, Figure 3 on Sheet 2 of my Draw-
ings, so as to be as convenient as possible to the block printer, and
avoiding the interference of the several operators with each other. Two
printers operate at each table, those at the table A standing at g and
h, and those at the table B standing at i and j. On the right hand of
each operator, and adjoining the impression table, is a color box k, the
color in which is kept in a proper condition by a boy stationed outside
as at 7. Adjoining the color boxes, on the operators' right hands are
the block stands m, consisting of a slight wooden frame fitted with
shelves for the reception of the blocks. These block stands are set at an
angle for the sake of convenience. In printing each operator turning
round to the right takes a block from the stand, dips it into the color
box, and then applies it to the fabric; he then returns the block to the
stand, and taking up another he repeats the process, and so on until
his portion of the pattern is imprinted on the cloth before him; and as
his movements are performed in the direction of a convenient curve or
sweep between the block stand and the impression table, he can attain
greater speed and accuracy than where no such method is followed.
Whilst the operators are in the act of printing the fabric is of course
stationary upon the impression tables; as soon, however, as the whole
of the operators have printed with their respective colors and blocks
the portion of fabric before cach individual printer, the attendant at the
hand wheel Q, by putting it in motion, causes the fabric to shift to the
exact distance of a repeat, this shift taking place simultaneously at all
the tables, accuracy being secured by means of any convenient register
mark fixed to the tables. In this way the printing operation proceeds
very rapidly, the operators remaining stationary, whilst the shift of the
fabric is accomplished with scarcely any interruption of their pro-
ceedings.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the the nature of
my said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine
or restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have
had occasion to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made
therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of

page_text: my Invention; but what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the invention secured to me by the herein-before in
part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery, appa-
ratus, or means to be used in printing textile fabrics and other surfaces,
as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of arranging block printing apparatus
wherein the fabric to be printed is guided and conveyed by rollers,
alternately over a range of impression tables and through a drying
chamber, being finally made to traverse the latter circuitously so as to
be delivered in a thoroughly dry and finished state, as herein-before
described.
Third, the system or mode of arranging the color boxes and block
stands in connection with the impression tables employed in block
printing so as to facilitate the operations of the several printers, and
prevent them from interfering with each other's movements, as herein-
before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of applying the tractive power at several
points to fabrics requiring to be passed through a range of printing
apparatus or through a series of impression movements, so as to equalise
the tension of the fabric throughout.
Fifth, the application and use in printing apparatus wherein impres-
sion tables are employed, as hercin-before described, of endless blankets
of such dimensions as to descend into a drying chamber beneath the
impression tables, and reascend thence in a sufficiently dry state for
continuous use, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Anthony Park Coubrough, have
hereunto set my band and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of
April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-four.
A. P. COUBROUGH. (L.S.)