Improvements in the Direct Production of Flexible and Metal Printing Surfaces, Stencil Plates, Window and Door Plates, and the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th June. 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Direct Production of Flexible and Metal
Printing Surfaces, Stencil Plates, Window and Door Plates,
and the like.
I, RICHARD TISSINGTON, of No. 10 Wells Street, Oxford Street, London, W.,
Manufacturer of Music Engravers' Plates, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The movable types or matrices which characterise this invention are to a certain
extent identical with those employed in a previous invention of mine, for which
Letters Patent have been granted (No. 8504 date, 22 May, 1889). But there are
some slight differences between them. The following description applies generally to
the types and matrices referred to herein.
Letters, figures, sections of borders, flourishes, ornaments, and other printing
characters, varying in length of face from one-eighth of an inch to twenty or
more inches, are cast in, or otherwise made of metal, or other suitably substantial
substance or material, of from about one-thirtieth of an inch in thickness, for the
smaller characters, to about one-sixth of an inch, or rather more, in thickness, for the
larger characters.
There are in connection with this invention two distinct classes of types or
matrices employed, one of which embodies the clear actual shapes of the letters and
characters, and which, appearing in the resulting printing surface in intaglio,
produces in the prints themselves white or light characters on a dark ground-the
other, which is simply an open space to which shape is lent by a solid rim or horder,
appearing in the resulting printing surface in relief, produces in the prints dark or
coloured characters on a light ground.
In the latter class, letters or characters, such as B", D", and O", requiring the inner
portions to appear light in the prints, must have their inner portions represented by
detached solid portions in the types or matrices.
In connection with my former invention, types, of a like description to those just
described, are employed to build up, on a transparent background, surfaces, formes, or
negatives, for the purpose of printing photographically on sensitised paper and the
like,--but more especially, perhaps, with a view to obtain transfers for lithography or
zincography. In the present invention, I overflow the built-up design of types or
matrices with certain melted compounds, which, according to their nature, when cold
or set, form a slab or plate, either flexible or rigid, bearing on one of its surfaces a
reversed figure of the set-up types or matrices, which cast I employ as a printing
surface, or apply to some other required purpose. Thus, by my movable types or
matrices, which are simply laid down on a smooth level bed, without the employ-
ment of any fastening arrangement or adhesive substance whatever, I am enabled,
by this invention, to entirely dispense with the comparatively irksome and expensive
processes of photography and lithography, and block engraving.
This invention may be more particularly described under the following disctinct
heads, viz. :-
1. The production of flexible surfaces for, and the direct, easy, and rapid mode of
printing therefrom of, large posters, show bills, and the like.
2. The production of rigid surfaces for the printing, by ordinary press or machine,
of posters, show-bills, and the like.
3. The production of rubber printing stereos.
4. The production of plates for printing at the copper plate press, or to yield
transfers for lithography, zincography, or other modes of printing.

page_text: With regard to the first of these six heads-
THE PRODUCTION OF FLEXIBLE SURFACES, &C.
I first secure a slab of marble or slate, or a metal plate of ample dimensions, and
proceed, with the aid of a spirit level, to place it absolutely level. It is of course of
the utmost importance that the upper surface be perfectly smooth. The surface may
with advantage be very slightly oiled. Having decided on the size and style of my
design, I proceed to select my types or matrices, which, in this case, I prefer to have
cast in fine music-plate metal, and to arrange them in the desired order on the casting
slab or plate. Having a good stock of properly mide types to select from, their
arrangement on the casting slab is a matter of ease and interest, and not necessarily
one of long duration, since the types need no fastening to the bed, but will, from their
own gravity, remain satisfactorily in any position in which the operator is pleased to
leave them. The types or matrices are. arranged forward, that is, in the order in
which they are to appear in print. To confine the melted compound to the desired
limits, a border of metal is finally placed on the bed. I now take a prepared and
melted compound of glycerine, gelatine, and glue, in something like the proportions
which are used to form the softer descriptions of the best quality of printers' roller
composition, and pour it over the design of types on the bed, to the depth of nearly a
quarter of an inch. This composition assumes a perfectly even condition before it
sets. In a little more than an hour this flexible cast will be set and ready to be
removed from the bed of types. After careful removal from the bed, the flexible
surface may be laid, printing side upwards, on a card-board, straw-board, or plate of
thin zinc, resting meanwhile on a table or other flat surface, in which position it will
be ready to print from. The operation of printing is light and simple. The inking
roller, charged with ink of the desired colour, is well passed over the surface, a sheet
of paper is placed upon the inked surface, and an impression is obtained with the
greatest ease, by very gently passing over the back of the paper a smooth piece of
wood 7 or 8 inches long and 1 inch wide. The printed copy is removed; the surface
re-inked, and the operation of printing subsequently may be carried on to any desired
extent.
Copies can, of course, be obtained by means of a press or machine; but, as the
pressure required is so extremely slight, there will rarely be any advantage in
adopting this course.
The types or matrices, partly through a natural pneumatic agency, remain firmly
fixed to the casting bed, and are ready, if need be, to yield another elastic surface at
once.
When, however, the necessity for this does not arise, they can be removed by gentle
pressure, and stored away for future use.
Thus, by this invention, it is probably not any exaggeration to say that, the day's
work of a skilled artist can be done by an ordinary person in ten minutes; and copies
of huge posters, which have hitherto demanded the aid of steam power, and powerful,
costly, and elaborate machinery to produce, can be noiselessly and inexpensively
multiplied by the delicate hand of a girl.
The types or matrices, it may be added, being subjected to no strain whatever,
will never wear out, and the flexible surfaces can be re-melted an indefinite number
of times.
2. THE PRODUCTION OF RIGID SURFACES.
The types or matrices having been thoroughly cleansed from grease, are slightly
coated with a mixture of china clay and plaster of Paris in water, and allowed to
dry. They are next carefully pasted forward on bibulous paper, lying on a metal
plate zinc will do in this case and dried in a hot press under gentle pressure,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be, performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The improved means, or types or matrices, such as hereinbefore described as
and for the purposes set forth.
2. The within described process of composing designs with the movable types or
matrices, and of obtaining thereby figured flexible surfaces, and the mode of printing
by hand from such surfaces, posters, show bills, and the like, as set forth.
3. The within described process of composing designs with movable types or
matrices, and of obtaining therefrom rigid or metallic surfaces or plates, for the
printing of posters, show bills, and the like, as set forth.
4. The within described process of composing designs with movable types or
matrices, and of obtaining therefrom printing surfaces in vulcanized rubber, as set
forth.
5. The within described process of composing designs with movable types or
matrices, and of obtaining therefrom virtually engraved plates, for printing from
at a plate press, and otherwise, as set forth.
6. The within described process of composing designs with movable types or
matrices, and the obtaining therefrom of virtually engraved door, window, and other
plates, in white metal, brass, and the like, as set forth.
7. The within described process of casting stencil plates.
Dated this 30th day of June 1890
RICHARD TISSINGTON.