Improvements in the Printing of Waterproof Fabrics, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1896

page_text: . Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 25th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 7th Nov., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Printing of Waterproof Fabrics, and Apparatus
therefor.
I, JAMES BERRY, of Mulgrave Street, Lower Broughton, Salford, in the
County of Lancaster, Machine Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
In the printing of colours upon the rubber or proofed surfaces of waterproof
fabrics it is customary to apply farina or other material in the form of a dust or
powder to prepare the surface and render the material capable of being printed
upon.
I find by experiment that if the proofed or rubber surface of the material be
treated with water so as to spread a thin film of water all over the surface before
the cloth enters the printing machine that the printing can be carried out effectually
without the application of any fine or powdered material to the surface.
My invention consists essentially in applying to or treating the proofed or rubber
surface of the waterproof fabric with water before entering the printing machine
so as to cover it with a thin film of water and in the application to a printing
machine of apparatus for wetting the surface of material as it enters.
In carrying out the invention 1 extend the sides or framing of the printing
machine or otherwise attach or connect thereto one, two, or more troughs to hold
a quantity of water.
These troughs are preferably semicircular in section and made of copper with
brass ends but may be of any other suitable construction. In these troughs
revolve one two or more rollers preferably four two of which are immersed in
the water.
I prefer to arrange two troughs with two rollers in each one trough only being
filled with water and the other acting to receive the excess of water removed from
the material. The first pair of rollers apply the water to the surface of the cloth
and the second pair spread the film of water evenly over the surface and remove
excess. Between the troughs is placed a transverse metal bar or its equivalent
under which the cloth is caused to pass. The cloth passes over the tops of the
rollers with the proofed side against them and under the transverse- bar which
gives the desired amount of drag or friction.
The troughs are furnished with supply pipes discharge pipes and overflow pipes.
A screw may be applied to the transverse bar at each end to raise and lower it
and a second transverse bar inay be placed in front of the rollers and the two
lifted and lowered by the same screw.
The first roller is mounted to run free and turn with the cloth as it passes
over but I prefer to drive the other rollers in a direction contrary to that in
which the cloth travels.
Dated this 18th day of January 1896
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Printing of Waterproof Fabrics, and Apparatus
therefor.
I, JAMES BERRY, of Mulgrave Street, Lower Broughton, Salford, in the
County of Lancaster, Machine Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
In the printing of colours upon the rubber or proofed surfaces of waterproof
fabrics it is customary to apply farina or other inaterial in the form of a dust or
powder to prepare the surface and render the material capable of being printed
.upon.
I find by experiment that if the proofed or rubber surface of the material be
treated with water so as to spread a thin film of water all over the surface before
the cloth enters the printing machine that the printing can be carried out
effectually by means of colours mixed with rubber without the application of any
fine or powdered material to the surface. The water also prevents the material
sticking or "clicking" to the printing roller and prevents the generation. of
electricity as the material passes through the machine.
My invention consists essentially in applying to or treating the proofed or
rubber surface of the waterproof fabric with water before entering the printing
machine so as to cover it with a thin film of water and in the application to a
printing machine of apparatus for wetting the surface of material as it enters.
It will be fully described with reference to the drawings in which is illustrated
the apparatus I have designed for the purpose.
Fig. 1. Side elevation.
Fig. 2. Longitudinal section.
Fig. 3. Plan.
Upon the framing A attached to the framing of the printing machine or
otherwise supported I mount one two or more troughs B and C to hold a quantity
of water and in these troughs are plaeed rollers D E F and G which revolve
therein preferably only two of which D and E are immersed in water.
The troughs B and C are constructed of galvanized. iron copper or other
suitable material with a central partition 6 lower than the edges of the trough B
to take the overflow of water therefrom. Steps or bearings H are fitted into
the sides of the troughs above the water level to carry the shafts or axles of the
rollers D, E, F, G. The troughs are fitted with a water inlet pipe K through
which a constant supply of water is obtained sufficient to maintain the water in the
trough B at a uniform level and with outlet pipes L through- which the water in
the troughs may be drawn off when required. The outlet.-pipes are fitted with
plugs or stoppers which can be raised when required by the chains or- they
may be fitted with valves which can-be, opened and closed from the outside. The
trough. C is also fitted with an overflow pipe L which connects with the pipe L.
In practice I prefer to only fill the trough B with water and allow the excess-of
water carried forward from the- trough. B by the material. R to run off through
the outlet pipe therein.
The rollers 'D E F G are made of copper or other suitable material. The
pair D and E rotate in the water in the trough B and apply the water. to the
proofed side of the fabric R and the pair' F and G rotate in the other trough C
and spread the film of water over the surface of the cloth and remove any excess.
The roller D is free to rotate and is carried round by the friction or pressure of
the fabric R upon it and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow. The
roller E is driven by the chain M in the reverse direction to the roller D and in

page_text: the reverse direction to that in which the fabric R is travelling. The rollers F
and G are also driven by the chain M in the reverse direction to the fabric.
The chain wheels N on the shafts of the rollers over which the chain M passes
are each constructed with a friction or other clutch in which can be thrown into
or out of gear by the fork O thus either of the rollers can be thrown out of gear
with the driving wheels.
Between the troughs and between the rollers E and F is placed a transverse
bar P under which the cloth is passed to give the desired amount of drag or
tension the cloth passing over the tops of the rollers with the proofed side against
them and under the transverse bar P. The bar P is mounted at each end upon
screws operated by bevel wheels p' to raise and lower it to regulate and adjust
the tension.
P
In addition to the tension bar P a small drag roller S is placed at the receiving
end of the apparatus and another S¹ at the delivery end to keep the fabric
stretched as it passes through the machine. The drag of these rollers S S' is
regulated by a break bands clamped round a pulley on the shaft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The method or process of printing colours mixed with rubber upon the
proofed surface of waterproof fabrics which consists in spreading over the surface
a thin film or layer of water and then printing upon the wet or damp surface
substantially as described.
2. The combination with a calico printing machine of apparatus for applying
a thin film of water to the surface of the material as it enters the machine
substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. The apparatus for applying a thin film of water to proof the surface of water-
proof fabrics preparatory to printing thereon constructed and arranged substantially
as described and shown."
Dated this 18th day of September 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.