CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN FIGURING AND-ORNAMENTING SURFACES. AND IN THE BLOCKS, PLATES, ROLLERS, IMPLEMENTS, AND MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
BESSEMER, of Baxter House, Old Saint Pancras Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-second day
of July, (One thousand eight hundred and fifty), in the fourteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Henry Bessemer, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Henry
Bessemer, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Henry Bessemer, 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, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and
Invention
also in all Ier said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my
of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN FIGURING AND-ORNAMENTING SURFACES. AND IN THE
BLOCKS, PLATES, ROLLERS, IMPLEMENTS, AND MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREIN:" in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that 1, the said Henry
Bessemer, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the
5 date 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance wrCHE
Po, I, the said
Henry Bessemer, hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained
in and by the present Specification thereof, that is to say :-
Firstly, my Invention consists in producing patterns, letters, or other
figured designs on surfaces by a process somewhat resembling ordinary letter-
press printing, but differing from it chiefly in this, that dry metallic powders
(generally known as "bronze powders,”") or other dry colours in a state of
powder are used, and which are made to adhere to the surface to be orna-
mented by means of the pressure of heated rollers, blocks, or plates, the said
surfaces having been previously done well over with a thin coating of some
matter, which after it is dried possesses the property of becoming again
adhesive by the application of heat thereto.
The method now in ordinary use for producing printed designs in bronze
powder is as follows:-A block with the design engraved in relief is placed on
the bed of an ordinary printing press, and "cold size" or varnish is applied to
its surface by an inking roller; an impression is then taken precisely as in
ordinary letterpress printing. After the printed impression is taken from the
press it is laid on a table with its printed side uppermost, and some bronze
powder is then with a piece of wool or other soft substance spread gently all over
it. The powder adheres to the varnished parts, and any superfluous portions
being removed by wiping the impression gently, the work is so far complete. The
impression is then hung up to dry preparatory to the next process called "milling."
The bronze powder put on to the printed pattern, in the manner described, does
not possess that amount of brilliancy which is desired, the particles presenting
a rough and "matted" surface; it is therefore subjected to this process of
milling, that is, the printed surfaces (if sheets of paper) are placed between
thin bright metallic plates and passed between a pair of rollers. The pressure
thus brought upon them causes the particles of bronze to take an impress of
the bright metallic plate, and thereby the brilliancy of the bronze impression is
greatly increased. When a design in bronze powder is desired to be produced
upon grained leather, embossed calico, or other irregular surface, then the
milling, so essential to the brilliancy of the design, is wholly inadmissable,
difficulty of printing in the ordinary way is much increased, and the process of
would entirely deface the embossed surface of the calico or grain of the leather.
Now, one of the chief objects of this branch of my Invention is to overcome
this difficulty and to produce brilliant impressions on those materials where a
pressure all over their surfaces would greatly injure them.
as it
Among the most prominent applications of this new mode of figuring and

page_text: ornamenting surfaces is that of producing designs in bronze powder on the
covers of books bound in grained leather, embossed calico, &c.
In the manufacture of calico for this purpose an extra quantity of "dressing"
may be used, or its surface may be brushed over with strong parchment size,
white of egg, or glair, as it is called, or with a mixture of one part copal
varnish and six of spirits of turpentine mixed together, applied with a sponge,
the calico being stretched out on a table during this application. An extremely
thin coating may thus be given, for the greater part evaporates quickly and
leaves only a thin film of gummy matter. This last mode of varnishing renders
the calico in some measure waterproof, and is so far an additional advantage
that when the material is dry it may be embossed by rollers in the usual way,
in which state it is fit to cover books intended to be ornamented in the manne
herein-after described; or the size, glue, or varnish may be applied after the
material is embossed, either over its entire surface or only on those parts where
the design is to be produced. For producing the impression I use a powerful
arming press," having a heater box fitted to it, as already used in bookbinding.
The engraved blocks (which I prefer to be made in the manner herein-after
described) are fixed to the heater box with their engraved surfaces down-
wards, and these surfaces are highly polished and kept at the desired heat
by the heater box. The operation is best conducted by a man at the front of
the press to pull" the impression, and a boy at the back to put on the
bronze. The boy is provided with a shallow box of somewhat larger area than
the engravel block, and of about half an inch in depth; it is provided with a
handle, and is filled with bronze powder exactly flush with its upper edge; the
surface of the bronze in the box is kept level from time to time by a small
"strike," as used in measuring dry goods. The first operation is performed
by the boy, who places the box of powder under the block and gently lifts it
upwards with the left hand, so as to immerse the engraved block about an
eighth of an inch into the powder; he then lowers it again and strikes a blow
with his hammer on the top of the heater box, the vibration of which detaches
all superfluous bronze that may adhere to the surface or between the indented
portions of the block, leaving a thin and regular coating of powder adhering
to the raised parts of the surface. The man in front then lays on the book
cover, and gives the impression by pulling the handle of the press, and
returning it back again. On removing the cover from the press, a brilliant
impression will be found corresponding to the raised portions of the block,
while the other parts are neither injured by pressure or covered with bronze;
the heat acting on the adhesive matter with which the calien has been pro
viously prepared, causes the powder to adhere firmly thereto, while the bright
.

page_text: surface of the block imparts a brilliant surface to the bronze impression, giving
it a great resemblance to gold, if bronze of that color is used.
In the interval
occupied by the man in removing the finished cover and taking up another to
be operated on, the boy applies the bronze again to the block, and so on in
succession, so that the work proceeds with great rapidity. The engraved 5
block may be charged with bronze by evenly spreading the powder on a piece
of buff' leather or vulcanized india-rubber glued on to a flat and even piece of
wood. The man, in this case, puts it under the press, which he pulls with
very little force, he then lets the press go back, and removes the leather and
pulls the press 1
band; he next places the book cover under the block, and "
home." whereby the bronze which was made to adhere by the first operation to
the block, is transferred to and fixed on to the cover. By this mode of operating,
the boy at the press is not required. In working off impressions in bronze
powder in the manner herein-before described, it will be necessary to brush
the face of the block occasionally, and rub its surface with a "buff stick."
The kind of bronze best suited for this purpose is that known as No. 750 or
No. 1000; if a coarser description is used, it will be necessary to rub the face
of the block occasionally with a piece of buff leather, slightly greased, to
facilitate the temporary adhesion of the bronze to the block.
Another mode of applying the bronze powder in ornamenting surfaces of
this description consists in substituting a small wire gauze sieve for the box
before mentioned. In this case the boy places a sieve of bronze on the book
cover, and gently strikes the edge of the sieve, which causes a sufficient
quantity of the powder to fall through upon the cover; the cover is then
placed under the press, and the block brought down upon it with considerable
pressure; after its removal from the press the superfluous powder is removed
by brushing it slightly with cotton, wool, or other soft material. In some cases
also, where it is desirable to produce figures or patterns in bronze powder or
materials that would be injured by the milling operation before described.
proceed as follows:-Iaving prepared an ornamental block with a highly
polished surface, a second one is produced like it by the electrotype proces
in a manner well known; with the last-named or electrotype block. th
surface to be ornamented are printed in gold size or other suitable varnish
and the bronze applied in the usual manner, and brushed off; but instead
uing the milling process to bring up a bright face upon the bronze. I mak
use of the original block in an "arming press;" the printed surfaces are ther
subjected to a powerful pressure in contact with the highly polished block
which gives the desire brilliancy to the bronze impression without injurin
the other portions of the surface of the material. The second impression

page_text: paper,
made to register by pin holes, or other similar means, in a manner well under-
stood. When it is desired to ornament the surface of paper hangings, the
which is generally covered with a body color, may have a larger quantity
of size used in that color than is usually employed, whereby the bronze will be
5 made to adhere, as before described, when the pressure of a heated metallic
block is made to act upon it; or the body color may be mixed with about one-
fifth part more or less of gum sandarac, gum animi, or other resinous body, in
a state of powder, and merely in a state of mechanical mixture with the
materials of the said body color, so that, on the application of the heated
metallic block, the said resinous bodies will become adhesive, and cause the
bronze powder to adhere firmly to the paper; or parchment or glue size, or a
mixture of copal varnish and spirits of turpentine, may be applied to the
surface of the colored paper in the manner before directed to be used on
calico for book binding; whichever of these modes may be adopted of preparing
the surface to receive the ornamental design, powder may be applied to the
surface of the block or sifted over the entire surface of the paper, as before
described. When a repeat of the pattern is required, as on a piece of paper
hanging, care must be taken to place the paper under the arming press, so that
each impression shall fall on to the right part; this will be done by pin holes,
which will also serve to register any other color blocks that may be afterwards
used to complete the design. When a long number of any particular pattern
is required, the design should be formed in relief upon a metal roller, fitted
into a frame in a similar manner to the rollers used to emboss paper hangings
the impression roller being heated by gas, or by heaters, and moving in
contact with a plain paper roller, the paper to be ornamented being made
to move between them with a slow and uniform motion. The pattern rolle
is to be placed below the paper one, and on the lower side of the pattern
roller is to be placed a box containing bronze powder, into which the rolle
dips as it revolves, and beecomes charged with bronze. On each end o
the pattern roller is a ratchet wheel, with rather coarse teeth, and a pal
of some two pounds weight is applied to each wheel with a strong spring
so that, as the roller revolves, the palls fall over the teeth of the ratchet, and
strike a sharp blow as each of them in succession falls from one tooth t
another. By the vibratory action thus produced in the roller all superfluous
quantities of bronze which may adhere to the roller are made to fall back
into the box, and the roller thus evenly charged with powder comes in
contact with the prepared surface of the paper (which is face downwards).
and a clear and bright impression is left
This apparatus
upon the paper.
just described is also suitable for producing impressions on various textile

page_text: fabrics, which sometimes contsin a
..
ufliciency of the adhe ive matter
may
in dressin" or preparing to require nothing more to take hold th
Pour luit silk or tin fabrics may have a coating of gir to
the adhesion of the powder;
; instead thereof, the whole urfore
sprinkled over with sandarne or other pounded gun resin, whereby the
the block will cause the resinous powder to become adhesive, and make the
bronze adhere plso firmly to the fabric. The superfluon portions of
resinous powder may then be brushed off, and the general texture of th
metrial will remain unaltered, while the impressed design will have all
the brilliancy that could have been given to it by the milling process.
some cases. I make use of the previous nature of woven fabrics to assist in
pro ucing a design upon them. For this purpose, I place beneath the fabric
intended to be ornamented a piece of cotton blotting paper, or other absorber:
body, moistened with strong parchment or gold size, but not so much so as to
injure the ornamented fabric by mere contact; when, however, the pre-is
brought down, the moisture passes through the fabric above, and causes the
bronze powder to adhere thereto. In order to facilitate the adhesion of bronze
powders in dry state to surfaces rendered adhesive by heat. I mix with the
bronze powder a small quantity, of gum mastic, or other resinous gun. in a
state of powder, and place the mixture on a hot iron plate, and work it well
together with a spatula, adding more bronze, until a slight moisture only is
perceptible. The plate is then allowed to cool, and the powder will, by the
hardening of the resinous matter, lose all the moisture it exhibited in the
heated state. If properly mixed, the surface of the particles of bronze will
all have have an extremely thin coating of resinous matter, which will greatly
facilitate their union with and adhesion to surfaces prepared in the manner
Lerein-efore described.
Although I have herein spoken chiefly of bronze powders as being applied
tor and ruamental surface, will nevertheless be obvious that mouy
other dry colors in a state of powder may be so applid to ornament surfe
by theed forein de-cribed; and although I have mentioned only some of
ores may be thus ornamented, it will nevertheless le
14th le of ornamenting may be used in all
1
"
I wish it to he further welers
Theiled the

page_text: Consists of an improved composition for figuring and
prepare
ornamenting surfaces, particularly the edges of books and papers, in a manner
resembling gilding.
this composition by mixing "bronze powder'
in a solution of gamboge to such consistency as to be readily spread with a
5 hair pencil. It should be applied to the books and papers while in the
(as is now the practice in edge gilding) and afterwards well burnished. The
same composition may be used as a paint or marking fluid.
press
Thirdly, my Invention consists of certain improvements in blocks, plates,
and rollers employed in ornamenting surfaces in the manner herein-before
described. The blocks generally employed for impressing designs in gold upon
book covers are made of brass, and in consequence of the great pressure used
upon them, and the rigidity of the material on which they are required to
operate, their edges soon become rounded and the sharp lines defaced; in
addition to this, brass is too soft a metal to acquire or retain that high degree
of polish requisite to produce the best effect when required to bring up a
brilliant impression with bronze powder; I therefore prepare blocks, plates, or
rollers for this purpose in the following manner :-A mere outline of the design
required is traced on a flat surface of plane tree or other suitable wood, and the
wood engraver then proceeds to work up a general outline of the pattern,
cutting out all large hollows and not giving any of the fine lines; all the large
masses being thus cut out, the block is then to be moulded in fine sand and a
cast taken in what is known as "malleable cast iron;" the face of the casting
is then ground flat and polished, when the metal engraver will find that it
requires only the fine lines to be put in and a little finishing of the external
edges. The task of engraving is thus much lightened. The block is next to
be heated to redness in a muffle, and its surface covered with prussiate of
potash and then plunged into cold water, the block thus case-hardened is to be
polished on a tiu lap, in a manner well understood, by which the beautiful
polish peculiar to steel will be given to it, after which it will be found
peculiarly adapted for the production of a brilliant impression in bronze
powder.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be carried into effect, I declare that what I eluira is as
follows:
First, I claim the improved method of figuring and ornamenting surfaces
before described, that is to say, in so far as regards the doing over of the
engraved block or plate with bronze or other dry powder, and then place is
sanie in a heated state upon the surface to be figured or ornatened the
having been previously prepared for the purpose by a thin coating of gain or

page_text: other like substance, or containing in its composition a sufficiency of adhe ive
matter (resulting from dressing or otherwise) to render such coating un
necessary.
Secondly, I claim the use of two blocks, or the double operation of printing
and pressing, for producing bright metallic impressions on book covers and
other surfaces without injuring those parts of the surface uncovered by the
design, as before described.
Thirdly, I claim the ornamenting of woven fabrics by placing them in
contact with some other fabric, which is moistened all over with adhesive
matter, and which, upon pressure being applied, supplies the parts pressed with
as much moisture as will cause the metallic powders to adhere.
Fourthly, I claim the admixture of gum resins with bronze powders, to be
used in a dry state, for ornamenting and figuring surfaces.
Fifthly, I claim the employment, for figuring and ornamenting surfaces, of
the compound of gamboge and bronze powder before described.
Sixthly, I claim the method herein described of producing blocks, plates, or
rollers of "malleable cast iron," for impressing designs in bronze powder on
book covers and other surfaces.
And, seventhly, I claim the method of removing the superfluous bronze
powder from the surfaces of blocks or rollers used for ornamenting surfaces, by
tapping or striking, as before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bessemer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
in the year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid Henry Bessemer, came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Speci
fication aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specifie!
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped,
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.

page_text: other like substance, or containing in its composition a sufficiency of adhe ive
matter (resulting from dressing or otherwise) to render such coating m
necessary.
and pressing, for producing bright metallic impressions on book covers and 5
Secondly, I claim the use of two blocks, or the double operation of printing
other surfaces without injuring those parts of the surface uncovered by the
design, as before described.
Thirdly, I claim the ornamenting of woven fabrics by placing them in
contact with some other fabric, which is moistened all over with adhesive
matter, and which, upon pressure being applied, supplies the parts pressed with
as much moisture as will cause the metallic powders to adhere.
Fourthly, I claim the admixture of gum resins with bronze powders, to be
used in a dry state, for ornamenting and figuring surfaces.
Fifthly, I claim the employment, for figuring and ornamenting surfaces, of
the compound of gamboge and bronze powder before described.
Sixthly, I claim the method herein described of producing blocks, plates, or
rollers of "malleable cast iron," for impressing designs in bronze powder on
book covers and other surfaces.
And, seventhly, I claim the method of removing the superfluous bronze
powder from the surfaces of blocks or rollers used for ornamenting surfaces, by
tapping or striking, as before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bessemer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
in the year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid Henry Bessemer, came ber
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Speci
fication 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.