IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PRINTING ON COTTON, SILK, WOOLLEN, PAPER, OILCLOTH, AND OTHER FABRICS AND MATERIALS, AND CERTAIN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN PREPARING THE MOULDS AND CASTING SURFACES FOR PRINTING, AND FOR CERTAIN MODES OF PREPARING SURFACES PREVIOUS TO THE DESIGN BEING DELINEATED UPON THEM
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
BURCH, of 17, Wharf Road, City Road; in the County of Middlesex, Engineer
and Machinist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Sixteenth day of May, in the sixth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant me, the said Joseph
Burch, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that
I, the said Joseph Burch, my exors, admors, and assigns, and such others
as I, the said Joseph Burch, my exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exer-
cise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PRINTING ON
COTTON, SILK, WOOLLEN, PAPER, OILCLOTH, AND OTHER FABRICS AND MATERIALS,
AND CERTAIN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN PREPARING THE MOULDS AND CASTING
SURFACES FOR PRINTING, AND FOR CERTAIN MODES OF PREPARING SURFACES PREVIOUS
TO THE DESIGN BEING DELINEATED UPON THEM;" in which said Letters Patent
is contained a proviso, that I, the said Joseph Burch, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar, months next and immediately after the date

page_text: of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
-Joseph-Burch, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention consists in certain improved modes of printing by surface
blocks with any reasonable number of colors at one and the same time, and
may be called an improved block-printing machine. The main principle of
this part of the Invention is based upon my original patent (dated the
Fifteenth day of January, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine,) as far
as regards the application of the printing blocks upon the tissue, and the
traversing frame in which the blocks are carried from the coloring apparatus
to the piece; but in the mode of furnishing the color to the surface of the
blocks, the movement of the tissue by means of one drum, the color boxes, and
in the general combination, it is different. It also consists in an easy manner
of correcting the register of the design by the improved block plate and back.
It also consists in a mode of producing the moulds for casting surfaces by
means of a machine and heated punches, which I have herein called a mould-
making machine. It also consists in a certain apparatus for casting surfaces,
which I have herein called a casting frame. It also consists in a certain
mode of cutting and preparing surfaces for a particular style of design, and the
novelty of this part of the Invention is, that the surfaces are first cut and the
designs afterwards drawn upon them.
I will now describe the parts comprising a block-printing machine of six
colors, the Figures in the Drawing will be found to correspond with the
several parts herein explained.
Parts of a six-color block printing machine.-A is the framework of the
machine; A' is the lower cross frame or stretchers; A³, top cross frame or
stretcher; A³ is the back framework in which the piece rollers, &c. are
placed; B is the spur wheel fixed on the main shaft; B₁ is the pinion shaft
and driving pullies; B is the main shaft; C are the pressers; these are for
purpose of pressing the printing blocks upon the tissue. The main shaft
passes through a slot in the pressers, which forms a vertical guide, and the
upper ends work through sockets in the top stretcher, in each of which are
four set screws, for the purpose of levelling the under surface of the pressers.
Care cam rollers they are fixed near the centre of each of the pressers,
the

page_text: and are for the purpose of giving the vertical movement to the pressers
by means of the presser cams. D, the presser cams; these are fixed on the
main shaft, and have two eccentric recesses opposite each other into which
the cam rollers work. D₁ are two screws in each presser cam; they are
to increase and diminish the pressure upon the tissue. E is a tooth segment,
the centre or axis of which is fixed to the top stretcher; E, two segment
rollers; these are fixed at the back of the segment. E2 is a pinion loose upon
the main shaft, which works internally in the teeth of the segment; E³ is the
segment cam fixed upon the main shaft; E' is a pulley attached to the pinion E²,
and loose upon the main shaft; E' is a chain, which passes round the pulley E',
and fixed at each end of the traversing frame, and communicates the required
motion thereto; F is the traversing frame in which the printing blocks are
placed, already described in my original Patent; F¹ are double block backs;
these are for the purpose of adjusting the register of the design by the set
screws. F are the block frames in each compartment of the traversing frame
in which the block backs are placed; F³, the printing blocks; these are fixed to
the under surface of the block backs. F, rollers attached to the side frames
of the machine upon which the traversing frame moves; these give motion to
the color rollers. G, printing table; it is placed in the centre of the machine,
directly under the pressers C. H, drum; it is placed under the printing table;
this receives the tissue from the piece roller and again after it leaves the
printing table, and by means of using one drum of sufficient size I am enabled
to preserve an uniform tension upon the tissue, which is necessary to produce
correct printing; on one side is an iron ring, equally divided into notches of two
inches apart, so that the drum can be advanced either two, four, six, or eight
inches at a time, according to the length of the design; 'H' is the drum cam
fixed on the end of the main shaft; H2 is the drum lever, which receives
motion from the drum cam); H³, connecting rod; H, drum catch, which works,
in the divisions of the drum, and by means of the drum cam, advances the tissue,
a suitable distance upon the printing table, corresponding with the length of the.
design; I is the piece roller in the back framework, upon which the tissue to
be printed is rolled; I' is the tissue; I2 is the piece-receiving roller; K is the
under cloth roller; K' is the under cloth; this is used to receive the superfluous
color which passes through the printed tissue. K² is the under cloth-receiving
roller, upon which the under cloth is rolled after it is separated from the
printed tissue; L is the endless foundation cloth, which passes through the
machine and carries with it the tissue; L' is the foundation cloth roller; it is
for the purpose of putting a sufficient tension upon the foundation cloth. L2 is
a set screw; IP are pullies and strap; L' are roller and stretcher bars, over,

page_text: which the tissue, under cloth, and foundation cloth pass through the machine;
M is a friction roller strap and weights; this is placed upon the surface of the
piece roller, and is for the purpose of putting a sufficient tension upon the
tissue; M' are friction straps and weights, to keep back the under the cloth;
N are color rollers; the surfaces are clothed with fine woollen cloth; they are
for the purpose of furnishing the printing blocks with the coloring matter as
the traversing frame passes from right to left, and "vice versa," in the machine;
the diameter of these rollers is exactly the same size as the traversing frame
rollers, and the surface has a simultaneous movement with the under surface of
the printing blocks as they are carried over in the traversing frame; by this
means the objects on the printing blocks merely touch the roller, both travel-
ling at the same speed; but were it otherwise, the objects would scrape upon
the roller, and the impression would be incorrect. N¹ are color roller shafts;
these pass through the bosses of the traversing frame rollers, and through
'pedestals fixed upon the lower cross stretcher (marked A'); these shafts are to
be drawn out to disengage the color rollers. When a change of coloring is
required to the design the color rollers and color boxes are changed into dif-
ferent places, the color roller shafts are again put through the rollers (marked
F), and through the color rollers, and the surfaces of the printing blocks
having been cleaned, the machine is ready to produce the same design in a dif-
ferent style of coloring. O are color boxes; these are placed upon the lower cross
stretchers A', and contain and supply the color rollers with color; they have two
brushes fixed on each side, which come in contact with the color roller and
'smooth the surface, whichever way the color rollers are revolving. O¹ are two
doctors to each color box; these are for regulating the supply of color to the
color roller, by means of a screw at each end to raise and depress them. O2 is
a roller, which as it revolves furnishes the color to the color rollers; P is a
light frame, which slides into the machine between the traversing frame and
the printing table; the cross rails are over the spaces between the printing
blocks; these are provided with thin strips of metal, the edge of which comes
down within about one-eighth of an inch of the tissue, and is for the purpose of
disengaging the printing block without deranging the tissue after the impres-
sion is given.
Parts of a mould-making machine for eight punches, Figures 1 and 2,
Sheet 2-a is the frame; b is the table, which can be elevated and depressed
by means of a screw underneath; c is a slide rest, with two slides at right
angles, which can be changed to any angle required; this is placed upon the
table. d is the mould; it is a block of wood, with the grain running perpen-
dicular, or any other suitable material; it has a hole through the middle; a

page_text: piece of iron is passed through it, which is fastened to the slide rest by means
of screws at both ends, e is a metal fire box; f are heaters, which pass
through the fire box; they are provided with sockets at the lower end, in which
the steel punches are fixed; they are jointed at the upper ends to connecting
rods g, and again with levers h, in the top of the machine. g, connecting rods;
h, levers; i, treadles, which when pressed down with the foot by means of the
connecting rods and levers g, h, and j, bring down the heaters and force the
hot punches into the mould; j, connecting rods at back of frame; k, steel
punches; 1, chimney.
The object of the machine is to form the mould by means of heated punches,
which immediately destroys the elasticity of the wood; also the design upon
the mould can be made with greater accuracy when required to be at regular
distances, or in straight lines, or otherwise.
The steel punches are made at the working end to the shape required, and
by means of a variety of square, curved, and oblong punches, almost any object
can be produced.
Parts of the casting frame for six moulds, Figures 3, 4, and 5, Sheet 2.
a are the side rails; b are short stretchers between side rails; c are set screws.
in the side rails, for pressing together the channelled leaves; d, pressure plates;
e, iron rods for keeping the channelled leaves in their proper places; f, bottom
plate; 9, pedestal bolts between the side rails and the bottom plate; h, mould
plate to which the wood mould is attached by the same means as described
in the mould making machine; i, screws for raising the moulds against the
under surfaces of the channelled leaves; j, the channelled leaves, are thin pieces
of wood or other suitable material; each one is grooved on one side, which
-forms a channel for the metal; there are two holes in each side to receive the iron
rods e, and a recess in the top, which, when a number are pressed, together by
the set screws c, form a pool to receive the metal, which is instantly discharged
through the channels over the surface of the mould; k, centres, upon which the
frame is made to vibrate by means of the handle; the handle when the
metal is poured into the pool, as soon as it has hardened upon the surface of
the mould, by means of the handle the frame can be tilted and all the liquid
metal poured back into the ladle. When the casting is sufficiently cool the screw i
is unturned, which draws the mould downwards, and leaves the casting attached
to the under surface of the channelled leaves; the iron rods e are now with-
drawn and the casting taking out of the frame. mare the end standards; 'n is
the foundation plate. The mode of preparing surfaces is as follows:-The
printing block is placed on a machine, similar to a machine for planing iron,
and a knife placed in the tool holder. The face of the block is then cut in

page_text: parallel lines all over the surface, from one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch
deep, according to the style of work; the block is then turned half round, or as
far as the angle required, and the surface is again cut, thus forming checks or
diamonds upon the surface. The design is then drawn upon those parts which
are required to form the pattern, each color upon a different block, and the
intermediate parts are easily removed from the surface, thus saving the
expensive process of block-cutting, which is always perform'd after the design
is marked on the surface of the block. The advantages of this plan is, an
immense saving in the expence, besides always insuring correct fitting; it is
particularly applicable for carpets, oil cloths, paper hangings, &c.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Sheet 1: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a six-colored machine, herein
described. Figure 2 is a side elevation of a six-color machine. Figure 3 is
a plan of a six color machine. Figure 4 is a section of a six-color machine.
Figure 5 is an elevation of presser roller and cam upon the main shaft.
Figure 6 is a section of a color roller and color box. Figure 7 is a front view
of a color box, roller, &c. Figure 8 is a plan of a compartment of the traversing
frame with the double block backs. Figure 9 is a section of a sanie.
Sheet 2: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a mould-making machine; Figure 2
is a side elevation of the same. Figure 3 is a front elevation of the casting
frame; Figure 4 is a plan of the same; Figure 5 is an end elevation of the
same. Figure 6 is a block prepared for receiving a design.
Having now described the nature of the several parts of this Invention, and
improvements in the art of printing, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to any particular material for constructing any of the several
parts of the same, nor to any particular shape, size, or dimensions, nor. to any
particular mechanical movement, for performing the various functions of the
machine, nor to any particular number of blocks for which a machine may be
constructed, nor to the mode of casting surfaces; also I lay no claim to any of
the mechanical movements otherways than in connection with this Invention.
But what I do claim as new is,-
First, the general combination of mechanical contrivances herein described
in connection with a moveable or traversing frame.
Secondly, the mode of constructing the double block backs, as described.
Thirdly, the mode of giving the vertical pressure to the block by the means
herein described.
Fourthly, the mode of furnishing a series of blocks from rollers as herein
described, and also the particular mode of constructing the color boxes."

page_text: Fifthly, the mode of using one drum for the purpose of entering the fabric
or cloth upon the printing table and receiving it again after it is printed, and
for placing the drum directly under the printed table.
Sixthly, the mode of making moulds for casting surfaces by a machine with
heated punches, as herein described.
Seventhly, the mode of casting surfaces in a frame similar to the one
herein described.
And, lastly, the mode of preparing surfaces to receive designs, as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Burch, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-three.
(15.)
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Sixteenth day of November,
in the year of our Lord 1843, the aforesaid Joseph Burch came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowleged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-three.