IMPROVEMENTS IN PROAL SPECI
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Davies of Hatcham in the County of Surrey,
Mechanical Engineer, Thomas Arthur Middleton of Staines in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Engineer and William George White of Deptford
in the County of Surrey, Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Davies, Thomas
Arthur Middleton and William George White at the Office of the Commis-
sioners of Patents on the 17th July 1882.
JOSEPH DAVIES of Hatcham in the County of Surrey Mechanical Engineer
THOMAS ARTHUR MIDDLETON of Staines in the County of Middlesex Mechanical
Engineer and WILLIAM GEORGE WHITE of Deptford in the County of Surrey
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PRINTING IN COLORS."
This invention relates to the production of a machine to be used for printing
in colors according to the process described in the specification of a patent
granted to the said William George White dated the 26th July 1879 N° 3047.
In the said specification the coloring matter is mixed with a composition formed
of various materials and this composition is cut into blocks or type of the required
form according to the color to make a picture or design by means of a band
knife or other suitable cutter. The blocks so cut out are then put to form the
design.
When printing from this composition the material to be printed on is first
damped with turps or other suitable material and is then presented to the printing
surface.
Considerable difficulty has been experienced in holding this design composition
in place in order to print from it. After many experiments it has been found
that the composition adheres with great tenacity to metal particularly iron and
we therefore apply it to curved iron plates which we afterwards secure in any
convenient manner to a cylinder. This cylinder we mount in bearings in a
A

page_text: suitable framework which also carries the bearings for a number of pressing
rollers placed around the printing cylinder at suitable distances apart.
The curved iron plates must be of greater width than the design composition
so as to allow for a margin of neutral color which forms an edging to keep the
various outer colors of the design in place and prevent their breaking away.
Below the cylinder or in any other suitable position is mounted a paring knife
of the same width as that of the printing surface and this knife before the printing
is commenced is brought into position against the surface of the design composition
and the printing cylinder is caused to make one or more turns by which means
the surface of the composition is turned or cut perfectly true.
The knife is then withdrawn until the surface again requires turning.
The design surface is now ready for printing.
The material to be printed say a fabric is wound on a reel suitably carried by
the framing of the machine. Before passing to the printing cylinder this fabric
is damped with turps or other suitable damping liquid for which purpose it passes
over damping rollers which are supplied with the damping liquid from a suitably
arranged trough in any convenient manner. Means are provided for regulating
the amount of damping liquid to be applied to the fabric.
The fabric is then passed between the printing cylinder and the first of the
pressing rollers where it receives the impression. It is then passed to a drying
apparatus or room as described in the specification of the said William George
White before referred to.
If the material or fabric to be printed is of such a nature that once pressing
is not enough it may remain in contact with the printing surface for a longer or
shorter time passing under two three or more pressing rollers before being taken
to the drying room.
The pressing rollers are mounted in excentric bearings which through an
arrangement of gearing in connection with a toothed wheel on the cylinder may
be rocked so as to give more or less pressure as required.
In order to prevent the neutral color margin froin printing, adjustable knives are
provided which as the cylinder rotates pare down the margin so as to keep it
slightly below the surface of the design.
When the material or fabric to be printed will allow, several reels of fabric may
be printed at the same time.
In printing the whole of one design on a long length of fabric, say for a curtain,
the fabric will be passed all round the cylinder before being taken off and removed
to the drying room.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Davies, Thomas Arthur Middleton and William George White
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th January 1883.
JOSEPH DAVIES of Hatcham in the County of Surrey Mechanical Engineer
THOMAS ARTHUR MIDDLETON of Staines in the County of Middlesex Mechanical
Engineer and WILLIAM GEORGE WHITE of Deptford in the County of Surrey
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PRINTING IN COLORS
This Invention relates to the production of a machine to be used for printing
in colors according to the process described in the Specification of a Patent granted
to the said William George White dated the twenty sixth day of July One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine No 3047.
In the said Specification the various colouring matters are described as being
mixed with a certain composition which colored composition is cut into blocks
or type by means of a band knife or in any other convenient manner and the
blocks or type so formed are then put together to form the design required.
When printing from this composition the material to be printed on is first
damped with turps or other suitable material and is then presented to the printing
surface.
Considerable difficulty has been experienced in securing this design composition
so as to print from it.
After many experiments it has been found that the composition adheres with
great tenacity to metal particularly iron and we therefore apply it to curved
iron plates which we afterwards secure in any convenient manner to a cylinder.-
This cylinder we mount in bearings in a suitable framework which also carries
the bearings for a number of pressing rollers placed around the printing cylinder
at suitable distances apart.
The curved iron plates must be of greater width than the design composition
so as to allow for a margin of neutral color which forms an edging to keep the
various outer colors of the design in place and prevent their breaking away.
At one side of the cylinder or in any other suitable position is mounted a
paring knife of the same width as that of the printing surface and this knife
before the printing is commenced is brought into position against the surface
of the design composition and the printing cylinder is caused to make one or
more turns by which means the surface of the composition is turned or cut
perfectly true.
The knife is then withdrawn until the surface again requires turning.
The design surface is now ready for printing.
The material to be printed, say a fabric, is wound on a reel suitably carried by
the framing of the machine-Before passing to the printing cylinder this fabric is
damped with turps or other suitable damping liquid for which purpose it passes
over damping rollers which are supplied with the damping liquid from a suitably
arranged trough in any convenient manner. Means are provided for regulating
the amount of dainping liquid to be applied to the fabric.
The fabric is then passed between the printing cylinder and a pressing roller
where it receives the impression.-It is then passed to a drying apparatus or
room as described in the Specification of the said William George White before
referred to.
If the material or fabric to be printed is of such a nature that one pressing

page_text: is not enough it may remain in contact with the printing surface for a longer
or shorter time passing under two three or more pressing rollers before being
taken to the drying room
The pressing rollers are mounted in excentric bearings which bearings through
an arrangement of gearing in connection with a toothed wheel on the cylinder
are partially rotated so as to give a steady and continuous pressure as the printing
composition wears away.
In order to prevent the neutral color margin from printing, adjustable knives
are provided which as the cylinder rotates pare down the margin so as to keep it
slightly below the surface of the design
Where the material or fabric to be printed will allow, several reels of fabric may
be printed at the same time.
In printing the whole of one design on a long length of fabric, say, for a curtain,
the fabric will be passed all round the cylinder before being taken off and removed
to the drying room.
In the accompanying drawings we have shewn in Fig: 1 Sheet I an end
elevation of a machine constructed according to our Invention Fig: 2 is a
longitudinal section taken on the line 1, 2 of Fig: 1. Fig: 3 Sheet II shows the
lower portion of the machine on an enlarged scale the better to illustrate the means
employed for automatically feeding up the pressing rolls as required. In Sheet III
these means are shown in detail at Figures 4, 4, 5, 6, and 7-Fig: 4 shows the
position at half stroke of the excentric for equalizing the action of the pressing
rolls and Fig 4a the position of the excentric at the commencement and end of
the stroke Fig: 5 is an edge view of the excentric at half stroke and Figures G
and 7 shew in side and plan views the arrangement of gearing employed for
transmitting motion to the excentric Figures 8 and 9 show the paring knife in end
and front views and Figures 10 and 11 similar views of one of the plates or " turtles'
which carry the printing composition.
"
In Sheets IV and V the several views illustrate the means for cutting up the
coloring material into slabs of suitable thicknesses and for carrying the slabs and
placing them on the plates of the cylinder.-Fig: 12 is a side elevation of the
cutting table Fig: 13 a front elevation and Fig: 14 a longitudinal section of the
same, Fig: 14ª is a partial plan view of the cutting knife detached and Fig: 15 is a
diagram plan of the gearing for raising the table after a slab has been cut
preparatory to cutting another slab.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 Sheet I A A are two side frames of convenient
shape which are bolted together by stay rods a, a, a,-Between these side frames
and keyed upon a shaft C is a cylinder B the shaft C being supported in
bearings in the side frames A.-The cylinder B carries segment plates b to which
the printing composition is applied and these plates are secured to the cylinder by
screws from the interior or in any other convenient manner.
Dis the roll of material to bo printed:-The roll rests on the periphery of a roller E
running in a trough containing turpentine or other suitable substance.. The axles of
these two rolls work in slotted standards d.-A tension apparatus is employed which
ensures the cloth being drawn steadily from the roll D and also serves to flatten out
the material before it reaches the printing cylinder and thus provide an even surface
to print upon. This tension apparatus consists of a pair of rocking frames F
mounted in bearings in bracket supports F¹ between the side frames A and the
standards d. These frames are provided with square pivotted bars or rails ƒ ƒ
over and under which alternately the fabric to be printed is led as shown by the
dotted line in Fig: 1.-These frames F F are coupled by lever arms f' f' and
link so as to act simultaneously, motion being communicated to one of the
lever arms by a connecting rod f³ from a crank pin on a disc f* driven by a gear
wheel on a slow moving shaft as hereinafter described or from any convenient part
of the machine. The tension frames are held at a suitable inclination to give the
required tension when the roll D is full and are gradually brought to a nearly
1

page_text: horizontal position so as to allow of the fabric being drawn from the roll with the
same amount of tension as the diameter of the roll decreases.
G G¹ G³ to G are pressure rollers arranged at regular distances round the
periphery of the cylinder B.
The fabric to be printed is led over the tension apparatus to the pressure roller G
as shewn by dotted lines under which it passes to receive the requisite pressure to
ensure the fabric absorbing the required amount of color from the color slabs on the
cylinder. According to the nature of the fabric to be printed the fabric is passed
under any number of pressure rollers so as to ensure a good impression.. As the
coloring material upon the cylinder decreases in thickness as the printing proceeds,
the pressure rollers require to be advanced towards the cylinder so as to provide
for a continuous pressure of the fabric on the color throughout the operation
For this purpose the pressure rollers are mounted excentrically in bushes G* which
are gradually rotated so as to bring the rollers forward as the work proceeds. These
bushes G* are let into the side frames A as shewn in the enlarged end view and
longitudinal section Figures 2 and 2b.-Each bush is formed with a collar / which
bears against the outside of the frame A and on the inner end of the bush is keyed
a pinion the boss of which abuts against the inside of the frame A.-A secure
bearing for the bush to turn in is thus provided. The pinions h¹ at opposite ends
of the cylinder gear into a spur wheel H mounted loosely on the shaft C.-This
wheel H receives motion from the shaft C through a shaft I pinions ii and an
arrangement of gearing which will be hereinafter described and by giving a rotary
motion to the wheels H H the bushes will be rotated and the pressure rollers will
be caused to follow up the gradually decreasing periphery of the cylinder. At the
commencement of the printing operation the periphery of the roller G may be at
say the line 1, 1, of Fig: 2a which represents the maximum thickness of coloring
material the machine is capable of receiving and the rollers will follow up the
decreasing thickness of color as the printing proceeds until the line 2, 2 is reached
and the color used up at which time the pressure roller G will be in the dotted
position shown in the figure.
It will be obvious that the amount of forward motion given to the pressure
rollers by the partial rotation of the bushes will be much less during the travel of
the axles of the rollers between the radius lines 4 and Fig 2 than during their
travel at equal speed between the radius lines 5 and 6 and therefore means must
be provided to equalize this forward motion of the pressure rollers.
To attain this end we have devised the following arrangement of gearing by
means of which motion is transmitted from the shaft C to the bushes G*.
On the shaft C are mounted speed pulleys C¹ which are connected by a band to
speed pulleys J mounted on a shaft J.-This shaft turns in bearings in the lower
part of the frame A and upon it is mounted a swinging frame K as seen best at
Figures 6 and 7 The shaft J' also carries a worm which gears with a
wheel mounted on a shaft carried by the swinging frame K. The shaft k is
geared with a second shaft k² (also carried by the swinging frame K) by means of
the pinions ³.
worm
On the shaft k is a worm which gears into a worm wheel ³ keyed on the
lower end of the shaft K¹ which is supported in a bearing in the upper part of the
swinging frame K.-This shaft K' connects the frame K with a forked frame K²
the prongs of which span the shaft I and form a guide for the frame during its
rising and falling movement under the influence of an excentric L.-The frame K
carries at its upper part one end of a short shaft the outer end of which is
supported by the strap of the excentric L-On the shaft is mounted a worm
wheel which receives motion from the worm on, the upper end of the
shaft K'.-The shaft also carries a pinion which gears with a segment rack
formed at the back of the excentric L.-The excentric L is mounted loosely on
the shaft I and is connected thereto by means of a clamp on the excentric, gripping
the disc L' which is keyed to the shaft I.

page_text: By this means of attaching the excentric to the shaft I the adjustment of the
parts will be greatly facilitated in starting and stopping the machine and the parts
of the gearing may be readily separated and thrown out of action-The shaft I
carries at its opposite ends a pinion i each of which gears with a spur wheel H
through which motion is communicated to the pinions h¹ of the pressure roller
bushes G-The shaft I is mounted in fixed bearings and as the excentric L
rotates the frame K and shaft K¹ will rise from the dotted position 1 see
Fig 4 to the position 2 shewn at Fig: 4 being allowed to do so by reason of the
pivotting of the frame K to which the shaft K' is attached and as the rotary
motion continues will descend to the drawn position 3 shewn at Fig: 4.
The position of the excentric L with regard to that of the pressure rollers at the
commencement of the printing operation will be best understood by reference to
the enlarged view Fig: 3 Sheet II the excentric and rollers moving in the same
direction but commencing at different points of the circle.
It will be understood that by the adoption of this arrangement of gearing for
communicating a continuous advancing motion to the pressure rolls the speed of
the printing cylinder as communicated to the pulleys J is greatly reduced during
its transmission to the shaft I by the several worms and worm wheels. Also that
owing to the relative positions in which the excentric L and the bushes G* are set
the pressure rolls will be moved up to the color surface at an even speed equal to
the rate of consumption of the coloring material.
Instead of the pressure rollers being mounted excentrically in bushes which
receive a rotary motion as before described the rollers may be mounted in sliding
holders arranged to slide in V-guides secured to the frame radially of the cylinder.
These sliding holders may be fitted with nuts through which pass screws.―The
screws may be fitted with ratchet wheels which are operated by a tappet action
from the cylinder.
In this manner the holders will receive a slow forward motion so that the
pressure rollers will be caused to follow up the decreasing thickness of the color
printing composition.
We may here remark that the number of pressure rollers may be reduced or
increased according to the nature of the work to be done.
Referring now to Sheets IV and V in which the means for cutting up the slabs
of coloring composition are illustrated the cutting table A, on which the block of
color to be cut up into slabs of suitable thickness is placed, is mounted between the
two side frames B.-This table is raised and lowered by means of four screws
passing through the threaded bosses of four pinions B¹ which are rotated simulta-
neously by means of a spur wheel B2.-These wheels and pinious are carried on the
underside of the plate A¹ forming part of the framing and they are rotated by the
hand wheel B through the bevil gear B and spur pinion B³ see Fig 15 Sheet V or
in any other convenient manner.
The cutting knife C is carried by a sliding frame C¹ fitted to move on V-guides
formed on the sides of the frame A and it is caused to traverse the length of the
frame by the screws c c which are mounted in bearings c* outside the frame A and
are driven from the cross shaft Bd by bevil gear bb or by other suitable means.
Immediately above the knife C is arranged a back iron C2 at the rear edge of
which is mounted a reel containing a web of muslin or canvas c¹. as shewn in partial
plan view at Fig: 14-As the knife is forced through the color block slicing off a
slab of the required thickness the severed slab is received onto the web of muslin
or canvas c¹ which is drawn from the reel as shewn at Fig: 12.-The muslin c¹ is
passed above the knife C but under the back iron C and is firmly secured to a
rod c² which is carried in the fingers of a pair of bent levers C-These levers C¹³
are pivotted at the ends of rocking arms C whose fulcrum is a shaft c3 at the
opposite end of the frame A.-As the sliding frame is traversed by the screws so as
to cut off the slab from the color block the rod c will lift the levers C³ into the
dotted position of Fig: 12 raising up the web c' (which is attached to the rod c¹

page_text: carried by the fingers of the levers C+ as before explained) with the slab of coloring
material thereon as it is severed from the block and holding it in a nearly
horizontal position as seen in Fig: 12:
ccare handles secured one on either end of the back iron C².-As soon as the
cutting operation is completed two attendants one on either side of the machine
will lift off the slab with the muslin and place it upon a table.-Each attendant
will take hold of a handle c with one hand and the end of the rod c² with the
other and will unhook it from the fingers of the levers C-The muslin c¹ carrying
the slab of coloring matter can then be readily lifted from the machine When the
slab is laid on the table, a segment plate b such as shewn in Fig: 10 Sheet III is
placed upon it the convex surface downwards.-Edge stops b¹ are used to assist in
supporting the edges of the color composition slab while a gentle pressure is
exerted to ensure the color slab adhering to the surface of the plate.
When the color slab is found to firmly adhere to the plate the plate is turned
over the web c¹ is stripped off the face of the color, the stops b₁ are removed and
the charged plate is affixed to the cylinder as before described :-The web c¹ is then
rewound upon the reel and the back iron C2 and the rod c² are replaced in their
proper position in the machine preparatory to another slab being cut from the
block of coloring material.-The width of the color surface will of course depend
on the width of the fabric to be printed and also on the width of the pattern or
design it is desired to print. A neutral marginal color is required to bind the
colors representing the design together and this margin is planed down as the
printing progresses so as to keep it below the surface of the other colors.-For this
purpose we employ a pair of knives m one for each end of the cylinder.-These
knives m are secured in a V-shaped groove formed in a frame provided with pivot
ends (see Figures 8 and 9 Sheet III) which are mounted excentrically in bushes M
in the same manner as the pressing rollers.-The knives m are set at the proper
inclination to pare away the neutral marginal color by means of the hand wheel m¹
which acts upon a screw and series of levers in connection with the knife bar or
frame as indicated in dotted lines at m³ Fig: 1.-The V-groove also allows of the
knives being shifted laterally to remove the margin from designs of any width.—
When the machine is in action the knives m will automatically follow up the
decreasing thickness of the margins and keep them below the level of the printing
surface. A knife N is mounted in guides at the side of the frame A to true up
the printing surface previous to commencing the printing operation and also to
clean the color surface from flue and dirt when necessary.
To avoid or neutralize as much as possible what is known in printing as
" set off"
we may adapt to the pressing rollers endless bands of thin zinc, blanket or other
suitable material which will pass round the pressing rollers and form the pressing
surface so that the surface of the printing material shall in no case come in contact
with the pressing rollers.-These bands will rotate with the pressing rollers and a
fresh surface will thus be continually presented to the printing cylinder.
These bands may be permanent or only used when a thin material to the back
of which the color will easily penetrate, is being printed:
Having now described our Invention of "Improvements in Machinery for Printing
in Colors" and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect we wish it to
be understood that We claim :—
First The application to metal plates or surfaces of slabs of what may be termed
White's colored printing composition as and for the purpose herein described.
Second: In a rotary printing machine adapted to print from slabs of White's
colored printing composition a series of pressing rollers or surfaces arranged
peripherically of the printing surface and capable of receiving a gradual forward
motion or following up action as the thickness of the printing composition decreases
by use substantially as described.
1
Third: The arrangement of pressing rollers substantially as herein described and
shown with reference to Sheets I and II of the drawings.

page_text: Fourth: The means substantially as herein described and shown in Sheets I and
III of the drawings for effecting the following up action of the pressing rollers.
:
Fifth The arrangement of rotary printing machine substantially as herein shown
and described for printing in colors from White's colored printing composition as
set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Arthur Middleton have hereunto set
my hand and seal the seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
THOMAS A. MIDDLETON (L.S.)