A NEW MODE OF APPLYING ENGRAVED PLATES, OR ELECTRO- TYPE OR OTHER SUBSTITUTES FOR SUCH PLATES, TO THE CYLINDERS OF PRINTING PRESSES, AND OF APPLYING OTHER PARTS OF SUCH PRESSES IN COMBINATION WITH THE CYLINDERS TO ENABLE PERFECT IMPRESSIONS TO BE TAKEN FROM THE CYLINDRICAL SURFACES OF THE PLATES
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "A NEW MODE OF APPLYING ENGRAVED PLATES, OR ELECTRO-
TYPE OR OTHER SUBSTITUTES FOR SUCH PLATES, TO THE CYLINDERS OF PRINTING
PRESSES, AND OF APPLYING OTHER PARTS OF SUCH PRESSES IN COMBINATION
WITH THE CYLINDERS TO ENABLE PERFECT IMPRESSIONS TO BE TAKEN FROM THE
CYLINDRICAL SURFACES OF THE PLATES."-A communication.
Sealed the 30th November 1858, and dated the 28th June 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th June 1858.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "A NEW MODE OF APPLYING ENGRAVED PLATES OR ELECTRO-
TYPE OR OTHER SUBSTITUTES FOR SUCH PLATES, TO THE CYLINDERS OF PRINTING
PRESSES, AND OF APPLYING OTHER PARTS OF SUCH PRESSES IN COMBINATION WITH
THE CYLINDERS TO ENABLE PERFECT IMPRESSIONS TO BE TAKEN FROM THE CYLINDRICAL
SURFACES OF THE PLATES," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to print very rapidly from engraved plates or
other plates of a similar character, the impressions from which may be con-
sidered as "engravings." As the first step towards the accomplishment of

page_text: this object, it is proposed to convert the surface of the plate to be printed
from into a cylindrical form, so that it may be made to rotate and produce the
impression on the paper or other substance as the latter moves between it
and another rotating surface; and the first part of the Invention consists in
first backing the plates with a flexible but inelastic or very slightly elastic
metal or metallic alloy, and when thus backed winding them upon the
periphery of the printing cylinder, by drawing and bending them between the
latter and the periphery of the feeding and impression cylinder, so as to make
them bear evenly and solidly upon every part of the first-named cylinder, and
securing them firmly thereto, by which means the plates are made practically
as much a portion of the printing cylinder as though made of the solid metal
of the cylinder.
The Invention also relates to a mode of applying a-roller, termed a clearing
roller, in combination with the printing cylinder and the inking roller, for the
purpose of removing the superfluous ink from the surface of the plates after
the inking operation. This clearing roller is made with a polished metallic
surface, and is arranged immediately in front of the inking roller, and made
adjustable by set screws, so as to enable its smooth periphery to be pressed
against the periphery of the printing cylinder on a line parallel with the axis
of both, and with such force as to prevent any ink upon the engraved surface
of the printing cylinder from passing between the two. By this means the
excess of ink will be removed from the smooth portions of the plate, and. the
same will be caused to descend over the rising side of the said polished roller
into the ink trough, as described.
The Invention further consists in a certain method of applying an endless
band to clean and polish the surface of the plates between the engraved lines
or sunk portions which produce the impression. This endless band is arranged
over rollers in front of and in such relation to the periphery of the printing
cylinder as to cause the descending portion of the endless band to bear upon
a portion of the periphery with an equal degree of tension over every part
which it touches, and to this part of the endless band is given a zig-zag move
ment by means of a zig-zag grooved drum and leg or arm, or other convenient
contrivance suitable for effecting the purpose herein set forth.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 28th December 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Edward Newton, Her special license that I, the said William
Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said William Edward Newton, my 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 Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "A NEW MODE OF APPLYING ENGRAVED PLATES, OR ELECTROTYPE OR OTHER
SUBSTITUTES FOR SUCH PLATES, TO THE CYLINDERS OF PRINTING PRESSES, AND OF
APPLYING OTHER PARTS OF SUCH PRESSES IN COMBINATION WITH THE CYLINDERS TO
ENABLE PERFECT IMPRESSIONS TO BE TAKEN FROM THE CYLINDRICAL SURFACES OF THE
PLATES," being a communication from abroad, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Edward Newton, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
The object of the present Invention is to print very rapidly from engraved
plates, or other plates of a similar character, the impressions from which may
be considered as "engravings." As the first step toward the accomplishment
of this object, it is proposed to convert the surface of the plate to be printed
from into a cylindrical form, so that it may be made to rotate and produce

page_text: the impression on the paper or other substance as the latter moves between
it and another rotating surface; and the first part of the Invention consists in
first backing the plates with a flexible but inelastic or very slightly elastic
metal or metallic alloy, and when thus backed winding them upon the peri-
phery of the printing cylinder by drawing and bending them between the
latter and the periphery of the feeding and impression cylinder, so as to make
them bear evenly and solidly upon every part of the first-named cylinder, and
securing them firmly thereto, by which means the plates are made practically
as much a portion of the printing cylinder as though made of the solid metal
of the cylinder. The Invention also relates to a mode of applying a roller,
termed a clearing roller, in combination with the printing cylinder and the
inking roller, for the purpose of removing the superfluous ink from the
surface of the plates after the inking operation. And the Invention further
consists in a certain method of applying an endless band to clean and polish
the surface of the plates between the engraved lines or sunk portions which
produce the impression.
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which Fig. 1.
is a side elevation of a cylinder press for printing from engraved plates or
plates of similar character, such press having applied to it the several features
of the present Invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same in a plane
parallel with the plane of Fig. 1;. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same;
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the printing cylinder, having the engraved plate
or electrotype attached. Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding.
parts in the several Figures.
The frame A may be made of cast iron or other suitable material, and
consists of two semicircular beams B, connected together and braced at their
lower ends, and secured to a firm foundation or bed, and having uprights B'
secured to the apex or upper portions, and also braced and firmly secured
together, to form with the lower semicircular beams an upright frame of the
requisite size and strength to contain and support the several parts of the
press. The printing cylinder C is arranged in a horizontal position within
the frame, with its journals turning in suitable boxes placed between, the
uprights B', and resting on the upper part or apex of the beams B; the ends
of the shaft of the cylinder C extend sufficiently far beyond the frame to
enable a crank, band wheel, or other attachment for receiving the motive
power to be secured at one end,, and a cog. wheel D at the opposite end.
This cog wheel D gears with another cog wheel E,, of corresponding size,
secured on the end of the horizontal shaft, of the feeding and impression
cylinder E', which is mounted immediately above the printing cylinder C, its

page_text: woven cloth-covered periphery being pressed upon the periphery of the
printing cylinder by set screws F, which pass through horizontal braces which
secure the uprights B' together, and operate on the adjustable journal boxes
of the shaft of the said feeding and impression cylinder E', and thus regulate
its pressure upon the engraved surface on the printing cylinder C.
The
The plate G, of copper or other metal, on which the design or figure to be
engraved from is made should be as thin as practicable, and it is backed
with a coating of alloy G', composed of lead mixed with three per cent. of
antimony, and is secured to the engraved plate G by fusible alloy or other
suitable material, the backing G¹ being of the thickness of about a sixteenth
of an inch (more or less), and laid on and secured while the plate G is perfectly
flat or straight, the same thickness being produced over every portion by
subjecting the two to a strong pressure or by any other suitable means.
plate thus prepared, and brought to the exact size necessary to entirely cover
the periphery of the cylinder C, is secured by screws or other fastenings at
one of its narrow edges to the periphery of the said cylinder on a line parallel
with its axle, with its backed portion flat upon the said periphery; and after
the secured edge is brought under the feeding or impression roller E', a con-
tinuous motion is given to the cylinder C; this causes the backed plate G
to be wound upon the cylinder C, the feeding and impression cylinder E¹
pressing it firmly upon the same, and causing it to be bent tightly around its
entire surface, and its two edges to be brought together so as to form a
concentric cylindrical covering to the periphery of the cylinder C after its
remaining edge is secured thereto by screws or other convenient and suitable
means. During the process of winding and pressing the plate G and its
flexible and non-clastic alloy backing G' over the cylindrical surface, the
required degree of pressure is brought upon it by the woven cloth-covered
periphery of the upper feeding and impression cylinder E' to bend it and its
backing evenly and with such equal force between the ends of the cylinder C
as to prevent it bulging or springing up at the edges in the manner repre-
sented by dotted lines in Fig. 4, as it would have a tendency to do were it
not for this equal pressure over its entire surface. This tendency of the
plates to slightly turn up at the edges and assume a slight concavity from
points midway between their edges in rolling them up is owing to the lack of
the same compensating and bracing body of metal at the edges as is contained
in the portion between them, and hence it follows that when they are backed
by the body of alloy as in this case, and are pressed upon and rolled around
the cylinder C with an equal and strong pressure from edge to edge by the
cylinder E', which rolls with it a firm and equal bend, and a positive or fixed

page_text: set are given them, which make them conform to and remain over the even
surface of the cylinder C.
Below the printing cylinder C, and slightly in the rear of a vertical line
through its centre, is mounted a horizontal inking roller H, formed of hard
and non-absorbent wood or other suitable material; the journals of this roller
turn in adjustable sliding boxes I, placed in slots formed in lugs or projections
I', fixed to the lower brace of the semicircular beams B, and provided with set
or adjustable screws passing through a portion of the lugs, and acting against
the lower part of the boxes, so as to enable the inking roller H to be pressed
against the plate G (on which the picture or design is engraved or indented)
with the required force to thoroughly ink its surface. In front of this inking
roller, and parallel with the same, is placed another roller K, made of metal,
highly polished on its surface, and of less diameter than the roller H, and
adjusted to press with any degree of force against the surface of the plate G.
This adjustment of the pressure is effected by set screws operating on sliding
boxes, in which its journals turn, the boxes being placed in projecting lugs L,
formed and operated in precisely the same manner as the corresponding parts
of the inking roller. Below these rollers is placed an ink trough M, suspended
on pivots near one of its edges, and having pins projecting from its ends near
its opposite edge, which pins rest on lugs projecting from the frame in such a
manner as to allow this latter edge to be raised or lowered to give greater or
less dip to the inking roller. In front of this roller, and above the same, is
mounted another roller N, covered with felt, cloth, or other soft material, and
provided with sliding boxes, in which its journals turn, and are adjusted to the
surface of the printing cylinder by set screws in the same manner as the
rollers H, K. An endless leather band O extends around this roller N, and
also around another roller N¹, whose shaft turns in fixed bearings below and
in front of the same. A horizontal and inclined scraper Q is suspended on
pivots below the endless band O, and the upper edge of this scraper is made to
press against the band O by means of a spring or other yielding power, for
clearing the said band of the excess of ink taken from the printing cylinder.
Above the endless leather band is arranged another horizontal roller P, whose
journals turn in suitable boxes-secured in curved projecting bars 6 of the frame,
and around the lower part of this roller P extends an endless band R, which
also extends around a corresponding roller P¹ above the horizontal plane, on
which the shaft of the printing cylinder C is mounted. By this arrangement the
surface of one side of the said endless band R is caused to press against the sur-
face of the engraved plate G of the printing cylinder C, the degree of pressure or
tension with which it presses against the same being governed by adjustable or set

page_text: screws operating on the sliding boxes in which the journals of its upper roller
turn. On the opposite side of the endless band R, or in front of the same, is
suspended a horizontal trough S, containing whiting or other cleaning and
polishing material, in which is placed a roller T, whose lower surface moves
over and in contact with the whiting in the trough S, and whose side portion
presses against or comes in contact with the front portion of the endless band
R, so as to constantly supply the same with whiting from the box or trough, a
pivoted india-rubber bar or buffer U being suspended above the roller T and
against the endless band R, so as to press against the same. This bar U
prevents an excess of whiting from adhering to and being carried up by the
surface of the endless band of leather R, an inclined scraper V being also
suspended on pivots below and in front of the band R, with its upper
vibrating edge resting against the same, for cleaning it of any excess of
whiting or dirt which may accumulate thereon.
On one end of the shaft of the lower roller P is secured a cog wheel W,
which gears with a pinion X, turning on a stud or pin projecting from the
semicircular beam B of the frame, which pinion in turn gears with the cog
wheel D on the end of the shaft of the printing cylinder C, and in this manner
receives and transfers motion to the endless band R. On the opposite end of
the shaft of the roller P is secured a drum wheel Y, on the periphery of which
is formed a zig-zag groove a, in which the end of a projecting lug or arm b,
secured to one of the semicircular beams B, enters, so as to give a reciprocating
movement to the lower roller P in its revolution, and to cause the endless band
R to have a corresponding zig-zag movement over the lines of the design
engraved or produced on the plate G on the printing cylinder C as the two
move past each other, somewhat corresponding with the irregular movement
at present given to the hands when moved over the surface of the ordinary flat
copperplates for polishing the same, thereby preventing the polishing endless
band R from moving parallel to the lines of the design on the plate G on the
printing cylinder, and absorbing or taking up the ink contained in the same.
The inclined board Z, over which passes the paper on which the design on the
printing cylinder is to be printed, is secured to the frame in any suitable
manner, with its lower edge terminating at the proper relation to the surfaces
of the two cylinders C, E¹, so as to enable them to be readily carried between
the two. The fingers c, for grasping the edges of the sheets of paper on which
the impression is to be produced, are attached to the feeding and impression
cylinder E¹, and are operated in the usual or most approved manner.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-Motion being given to the
moving parts of the press through any convenient power, the lower edges of

page_text: the sheets of paper on which the design engraved on the plate G on the printing
cylinder is to be produced, are successively moved over the inclined feeding
-board Z, to the lower edge of the same, so as to enable them to be succes-
sively grasped by the fingers c, inserted in spaces at equal distances apart in
the periphery of the feeding and impression cylinder E', and firmly embraced
between the same and the woven cloth periphery next the edge of the said
spaces, so as to cause them to be drawn or to pass between the peripheries of
the printing cylinder C and the feeding and impression cylinder E¹, and to be
pressed upon the surface of the plate G, on which the design or figure to be
printed or engraved is made by the woven cloth-covered cylinder with the
required degree of force to take a proper impression upon each sheet of paper
that passes between the two cylinders; after which, but not before the entire
impression is obtained, the said sheets are in the same successive manner
detached from the feeding and impression cylinder E¹ by the fingers c relaxing
their grasp through corresponding means to those which caused them to grasp
the sheets. The plate G on the printing cylinder is inked during its revo-
lutions by the inking roller E, and the ink received from the same is pressed
into the lines of the design or figure on the electrotype or thin plate on the
said printing cylinder by the inking and polishing rollers, and the ink on the
smooth or blank portion of the said plate or electrotype, together with any
excess of the same contained in the lines of the design, is removed or absorbed
by the polished roller K and endless leather band O, and the blank surface is
subsequently polished by the endless leather band R, at each revolution, as
before stated, to properly prepare the plate g to give the impression on the
sheets of paper, as before mentioned.
Having now described the Invention that has been communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent as aforesaid, and having explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I claim,-
First, winding or laying the engraved plates, or electrotype or other
substitutes therefor, evenly around or over the periphery of the printing
cylinder C, after being backed with a flexible and non-elastic metal or metallic
alloy G¹, by drawing and bending them between the said cylinder and the
covered periphery of the feeding and impression cylinder E¹, and securing
them firmly thereto after being bent, for the purpose herein set forth.
Second, the employment of the polished metallic roller K, arranged im-
mediately in front of the inking roller H, and made adjustable by set screws,
so as to enable its smooth periphery to be pressed against the periphery of the
printing cylinder C on a line parallel with the axis of both, for the purpose of
preventing any ink upon the engraved surface of the printing cylinder from

page_text: passing between the two, and thereby removing the excess of ink from the
smooth portions of the plate G, and causing the same to descend over the
rising side of the said polished roller K into the ink trough M, as described.
Third, arranging the rollers P, P', and endless band Rover the same, in
front of and in such relation to the periphery of the printing cylinder C as to
cause the descending portion of the endless band R. to bear upon a portion of
the periphery with an equal degree of tension over every part which it touches,
and giving to the said part of the endless band a zig-zag movement by means
of the zig-zag grooved drum Y and lug or arm b, in the manner and for the
purpose herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Twenty-eighth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)