IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING AND ORNAMENTING TEXTILE FABRICS, PAPER HANGINGS, AND OTHER MATERIALS, AND IN SURFACES AND APPARATUS FOR SUCH PURPOSES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Michael Henry, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of:
London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING
AND ORNAMENTING TEXTILE FABRICS, PAPER HANGINGS, AND OTHER MATERIALS,
AND IN SURFACES AND APPARATUS FOR SUCH PURPOSES:"-A communication
from abroad by Alexandre Adrien Despréaux, of 38, Boulevard Saint
Martin. Paris, France:
Sealed the 27th. May 1862, and dated the 5th December 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Michael Henry at the
Office of the Commissioners of' Patents, with his. Petition, on the 5th.
December 1861.
I, MICHAEL HENRY,, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS. IN PRINTING AND ORNAMENTING TEXTILE FABRICS, PAPER HANGINGS, AND
OTHER MATERIALS,, AND IN, SURFACES. AND APPARATUS FOR SUCH PURPOSES,"
communicated, to me from abroad. by Alexandre Adrien Despréaux, of. 33,
Boulevard Saint Martin, Paris, France, to be as follows:-
This Invention principally relates to producing, figures, devices, or designs
on textile fabrics,. paper hangings, artificial leather, and other materials
where printing or where means of pressure are used. Among other results
figured effects may be produced imitating those obtained by jacquards
and tapestry or needlework. For producing the printing, figuring, or
pattern. surfaces: the intended design or device is first. traced on a plate or
slab, and is cut out therein, that is to say, parts are cut away from the plate

page_text: or slab following the lines of the tracing, thus producing the device or design
as a sort of openwork, but portions of the plate or slab must be left where
required to serve as connections to keep the parts of the device together.
The edges of the lines of the device or work thus cut out are sharp instead of
having seams or inequalities as in cast patterns. The device cut out, as
described, is then rivetted or fastened down to, a plate, which serves as a back
or mount, and the connecting strips left between the device lines can now be
removed. To save time the plate from which the device is to be cut may be
divided into portions, on which different workmen can work at the same time,
the portions being afterwards duly put together on the back or mount plate to
which they are to be fastened. The back or mount plate with the device
thereon is fastened down to a block, slab, or foundation of marble or other
material. A device may be produced in like manner on cylinders or rollers
by dividing a cylinder into sections on which the device is traced and cut out,
as described, and which are then fixed round a cylinder so as to surround it;
the cylinder is mounted on an axis. Or the pattern or device may be repro-
duced by electrotype, or by moulded or cast plates, and the various portions
duly fitted and united together by fixing them on a plate or block. The
materials used for my surfaces may be metal, indurated wood, and caoutchouc,
and other substances; but thin copper plates with hammer-hardened and
smooth surfaces are in some cases recommended. By the means described
printing, figuring, or pattern blocks, plates, cylinders, or surfaces are obtained
with sharp edges to the device outlines of sufficient depth to be very
durable. The colors are applied by.rollers or otherwise upon the raised or
projecting parts, or the reliefs, or smooth portions of the printing or figuring
surfaces used, so that these parts or portions imprint the colours while the
hollows serve as spaces. The quantity and density of the colours may be
.regulated according to the nature and thickness of the materials. The colours
employed may be prepared without using acid mordants, and may be metallic
oxydes and lacs crushed or reduced to a fine powder with fat or unctuous oils
and varnishes, and without using acid mordants. In the printing machinery
it is in some cases preferred to adopt arrangements whereby the printing,
figuring, or pattern blocks, plates, or surfaces instead of being a fixture to the
table or framework on which the printing is performed are separable there-
from, and free to travel on and off it, and whereby the said blocks or surfaces,
after they have applied the device on the material to be printed or figured
may be brought back again to start afresh-and-repeat-their-work. The-best-
mode of doing this is by travelling tables bringing the block back on the
same horizontal plane, or inclined surfaces may be used. In one arrangement

page_text: as
two rails are 'supported on a framework, at one end of which, is a travelling
carriage carrying a turntable or table on which are a pair of rails, which by
shifting the table accordingly will form a continuation of those on the frame-
work. The table is capable of turning round to the required extent, preferably
by a gudgeon working in a socket.: The carriage travels along a railway
from one end of the machine framework to the other. Three rollers are sup-
ported in the framework, round the second and third of which is an endless
band of sufficient length to extend from end to end thereof, and the third
and topmost are also connected by a similar but thinner band, which comes in
contact with the material while being printed, affording an elastic pressure
thereon. Below the lowest of these three rollers is a fourth roller at a distance
corresponding to the depth of the block." These rollers can be adjusted
to their respective distances by screws or otherwise. The fourth roller is
worked by à crank handle; or by a crank shaft and pinion and train of wheels.
The blocks which may be connected together in two's or more are run on the
rails of the framework and passed between the two lowest rollers, and when
one block has, passed it is detached from the next behind and moved on to the
turntable on the carriage, which is then unfastened from that end of the
framework and run round to the other end, the table being turned sufficiently.
to bring the front end of the block forward ready for being again pressed
between the rollers, between which the second one may be passing meanwhile.
The material to be printed or figured is delivered from off a beam: or. roller
and brought under the third roller, where it is printed by the block, and
is thence carried over guide, rollers to a frame; which is so caused to 'mové
by cranks and rods worked by the delivery roller as to cause the material to fall
in regular folds. Instead of the travelling table, the machine may be fur-
nished with an inclined plane or inclined rails, and also with rising and falling.
tables, slabs, or frames at each end of the framework, which work thus:
When the block has passed between the rollers, and is to be returned to the
other end of the machine it 'is run on to the table at the further end, which is
kept horizontal by a lever taking into a catch, a piece of the framework at the
other end is then: pulled up, and the table at that end is depressed by raising,
a lever or otherwise, whereby the rails thereon are brought into a line with
the inclined rails, so that on lifting the lever of the first-named table the block
slides down the inclined rails on to the second-named table, which is 'then.
raised, and the portion of the framework shut down again, so as to form the
level surface on which the block is run back between the rollers: A crane-
may also be used for returning the blocks: The pattern surfaces may receive
their colors among other modes by pressure upon travelling plates or tables

page_text: brought back after doing their work to commence it afresh. A device may
be printed in different colours by using printing surfaces with different
colours, and by having a number of plates or surfaces, on which different
colors are applied, and which are duly arranged or brought into proper
register; the device can be printed on the material in various colours. The
colours will be fixed on the material by drying. it by hot air, without using
steam or washing in a running stream for fixing them.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Michael Henry in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th June 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MICHAEL
HENRY, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agent, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day. of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Michael Henry, Her special licence that J, the said Michael
Henry, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I; the said Michael Henry, 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 IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING AND ORNAMENTING TEXTILE FABRICS, PAPER
HANGINGS, AND OTHER MATERIALS, AND IN SURFACES AND APPARATUS FOR SUCH
-PURPOSES, Communicated to me-from abroad by Alexandre-Adrien-Despréaux,
of 33, Boulevard Saint Martin, Paris, France, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Michael Henry, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and -seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of. the said. Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, 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 Michael Henry, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-

page_text: formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and. by the following
statement thereof; as communicated to me, reference being had to the accom
panying Drawings, and to. the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:
:
This Invention relates to the production of figures, devices, or designs upon
'textile fabrics, paper hangings, artificial leather, and other materials, by
printing or applying pressure (that is to say, by the use of printing, figuring,
or pattern surfaces bearing the required device or design, which they transmit
to the fabric or material to be printed or ornamented by means of pressure):
Among other results, figured effects may be produced imitating the em;
bossed or raised effects obtained by jacquard machinery, and by tapestry or
needlework.
The printing, figuring, ornamenting, or pattern surfaces used in this' Inven-
tion are thus produced :-The intended design or device is first traced' on a
plate or slab, and is then cut out therein, that is to say, parts are cut away
from the plate or-slab, the cutting following the lines of the tracing, and thus
producing the device or design as a sort of openwork, but portions of the plate
or slab must be left where required to serve as connections for keeping the
parts of the device together. The edges of the lines of the device or work thus
cut out are sharp, instead of having seams or inequalities,, as in cast patterns,
The device cut out as described is then rivetted or fastened down to a plate;
which serves as a back or. mount, and the connecting strips which had been
left between the device lines, but which are no longer required, can now,be
removed. To save time, the plate from which the device is to be cut may be
divided into portions on which different workmen can work at the same time;
so as to produce different parts or repetitions of the device simultaneously, the
portions being afterwards duly put together on the back or mount, to which
they are fastened. The back or mount plate with the device thereon, is
fastened down to a block, slab, or foundation of marble or other like 'hard
material. A device may be produced in like manner on cylinders or rollers
by dividing a cylinder into sections, on which the device is traced and cut out
as described, and. which are afterwards fixed over a cylinder, so as to surround
it. The cylinder is mounted on an,axis, as is usual with printing rollers. Or
the printing or ornamenting surfaces may be obtained by reproducing a pattern
er device by electrotype, or by moulded and cast plates, the various copies so
produced being: duly fitted and united together by fixing them on a plate.or
block: I
.. The materials used for the printing or ornamenting surfaces may be metal,
indurated wood, and.caoutchouc, and other substances, according to the fabric

page_text: to be printed or ornamented; but when carrying out the mode first herein-
before described, thin copper plates with hammer hardened and smooth surfaces
are in most cases recommended as a fit material on which to trace the device,
and in which to cut it out as before described. By the means first described,
printing, figuring, or pattern blocks, plates, cylinders or surfaces are obtained,
in which the device or outlines are formed with sharp edges, and are cut of
sufficient depth to be very durable. The colors are applied by rollers or
otherwise upon the raised parts or reliefs of the printing or figuring surfaces;
so that those parts imprint the colors while the hollows serve as the blanks or
spaces. The quantity and density of the colors should be regulated according
to the nature and thickness of the materials. The colors employed are prepared
without using acid mordants, and they consist of metallic oxides, or of lacs
crushed or reduced to a fine powder with fatty or unctuous oils, or with fatty
varnishes, but without acid mordants.
In the printing machinery employed it is preferred to adopt arrangements
in which the printing, figuring, or pattern blocks, plates, or surfaces, instead
of being fixtures to the table or framework on which the printing is performed,
are free to travel on and off it, and in which arrangements, also, the said
blocks or surfaces, after they have applied the device on the material to be
printed or figured are brought back again to start afresh and repeat their
work. The best mode of doing this is by travelling tables, which bring back
the block on the same horizontal plane, or instead of travelling tables inclined
surfaces may be used.
In one arrangement two rails are supported on a framework, at one end of
which is a carriage supporting a table on which are a pair of rails, which,
when, the table is shifted, accordingly form a continuation of those on the
framework. The table is capable of turning round to the required extent
preferably on a gudgeon working in a socket. The carriage travels along a
railway from one end of the machine framework to the other. Three rollers
are supported in the framework, round the second and third of which is an
-endless-band,-of-sufficient-breadth-to-extend-from end to end thereof, and the
third and topmost are also connected by a similar but thinner band, which
comes in contact with the material while the latter is being printed, and thus
affords, an elastic pressure thereon. Below the lowest of these three rollers is
a fourth roller, at a distance corresponding to the depth of the block.. These
_rollers can be adjusted as to their respective distances by screws or otherwise.
The fourth roller is worked by a crank handle, or by a crank shaft and pinion
and train of wheels. The blocks may be connected two or more together, and
are run on the rails of the framework, and passed between the two lowest

page_text: rollers. And when one block has passed, it is detached from the next behind
it and moved on to the turntable on the carriage; which is then unfastened
from that end of the framework, and run round to the other end, the table
being turned sufficiently to bring the front end of the block forward ready for
5 being again passed between the rollers, between which the second one may be
passing meanwhile. The material to be printed or figured is delivered from
off. a beam or roller, and brought under the third roller, where it is printed by
the block, and is thence, carried over guide rollers. to a frame, which is so
caused to move by cranks and rods worked by the delivery roller as to cause
the material to fall in regular folds.
:J
Instead of the travelling table the machine may be, furnished with an
inclined plane or inclined rails, and also with rising and falling tables, slabs;
or frames at each end of the framework, which work thus:When the block
has passed between the rollers, and is to be returned to the other end of the
machine, it is run on to the table at the further end of the machine, which
table is kept horizontal by a lever taking into a catch. A piece of the frames
work at the other end is next pulled up, and the table at that end is depressed
by raising a lever or otherwise, whereby the rails thereon are brought into a
line with the inclined rails, so that on lifting the lever of the first named table
the block will slide down the inclined rails on to the second named table,
which is then raised, and the portion of the framework are shut down again,
so as to form a level surface, on which the block is agáin run between the
rollers. A crane may be also used for returning the blocks.
...The pattern surfaces may receive their colors among other modes".by
pressure upon travelling plates or tables brought back after doing their work
to commence it afresb.
'
i
A device may be printed in different colors by using printing surfaces with
different colors, and by having a number of plates or surfaces on which
different colors are applied, and which are duly arranged. or brought into
proper register. The device can be printed on the material in various colors..
The colors will be fixed on the material by drying it by hot air, without either
steaming or washing in a running stream for fixing them.
The accompanying Drawings represent printing or ornamenting apparatus
constructed according to this Invention:
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a machine in which each block, after
having been used for one impression, is brought back in the same horizontal
plane to the place whence it started to perform a fresh impression..
A is the general framework, on which are secured a pair of rails b, b;
extending from end to end thereof, and supported on frame bars c, d. At

page_text: one end of the framework A is placed a carriage or travelling frame E, on
which is mounted a table or plate e, on which are fixed a pair of rails f, f,
corresponding in gauge and level with the rails b, b, so that when the table
is turned round so as to bring the rails f in a line with the rails b, the former
form a continuation of the latter. The table top e is free to turn in its frame,
being fixed on a central pivot or socket turning in an annular groove in the
centre of the carriage E, but it is prevented from performing more than
a single revolution in either direction at a time by stops or catches. The
carriage E. is held to the framework A, when required, by a hook or fastening,
which may easily be undone. The carriage E is set on wheels f', f', which
run on curved rails g, shewn on a smaller scale in the plan, Figure 3, leading
from one end of the machine framework A to the other end thereof; h, h, aro
a pair of standards fixed to the framework A near the middle, one at each
side. In these standards are supported three rollers i, k, 1. Round the
rollers and l, is a blanket or endless, woollen band m of sufficient. breadth
to extend from end to end of each roller. respectively. m¹ is another blanket
or endless woollen band thinner than m, and passing round the rollers and i;
s is a fourth roller secured to the framework A below the roller 1; the space
between the rollers s and is equal to the depth of the printing block. The
rollers is driven by a train of wheels o, p, q, r, actuated by a handle or by a-
crank shaft carrying a fly wheel. R is the fabric to be printed which is
delivered continuously off. a. beam v, and guided by a guide piece x to the
rollers; it passes. under the blanket m¹, which comes in contact with it
while it is being printed, by which means a suitable degree of elastic pressure
is obtained on the fabric. After the fabric is printed it passes over a guide.
wheely and guide z, herein-after referred to. The four rollers i, k, l, and s;
may be brought nearer to or farther from each other as required by screws,
with which their bearings are. fitted. Q, Q', are the printing blocks, which
are mounted on small wheels or friction rollers, so that they may run freely
on the rails...
The machine is thus used:-The carriage E is hooked to the framework
A, its table e being turned so as to bring its railsf in a line-with-the-rails-b.
Two or more blocks Q, Q, are hooked together one. behind the other by
hooks u, Figure 4, and placed on the rails 6, their printing surfaces being
uppermost. The foremost block Q is pushed between the rollers-lands,
the portion of the fabric R which is to be printed by it having been first
brought duly under the blanket-m². The-device-is-thus-impressed on the
fabric. and rotary motion is communicated to the roller.s, and the, block is.
propelled between the rollers, and when it has .cleared them it is unhooked

page_text: from the block Q' next behind it, and brought on to the table e on the carriage
E, which is unfastened from the framework A and run along the railway g to
the other or back end of the framework, carrying the block Qwith it, the
table e being suitably turned on its axis to bring the proper end of the block
foremost in the required position: While this is being done the second
block Qis being propelled between the rollers and caused to print the fabric;
and by the time it has passed through the rollers, the first block is ready for
being started afresh along the rails b, and the second block Q' is run on to
the rails f on the table e, which must be run back again to the front end of
the framework A in time to receive the block, and is then again rolled away
with the block Q, upon it to the back end of the framework and so on, thus
with two blocks any length of material may be printed continuously..
1
The fabric after being printed passes over the guide rollers'y, z, z, to a
vibrating frame which drops it in regular folds on the ground or into a
receiver, the frame receiving a gentle motion from bell cranks 1 actuated
through rods 2, 3, by other bell cranks 4 worked by the roller v...
1; Figure 2 is a view of a modification in which the printing blocks, instead of
travelling from end to end of the framework on the same level, are returned
down inclined rails. Here the framework A has at one end a moveable portion
A¹ and at the other end a moveable portion A2, each such portion A¹, A²,
consisting of a rising and falling oblong frame or table; e¹; è¹, are inclined rails
between the- portions A1 and A2; c' is another' moveable piece forming part
of the top of the framework A, to which is it hinged so as to open and close
as required'; d is a weighted lever attached to the frame A¹. The frames
A; A being first in a horizontal position the printing block is propelled
from the end A¹ to and between the rollers as 'before and prints the fabric,
and is then run on to the frame-A which is retained horizontal by a catch a
into which a lever 6 takés. When the block is on A² the attendant raises the
hinged piece c¹ into the position shown in blue lines, and so leaves room for the
frame A¹ to work, and he raises the lever
A³, bringing it into an inclined position as
rails upon it come in a line with the inclined
done the workman' raises the lever b', and
bringing it into the position shewn in blue lines, in which: position the rails"
which it carries come in a line with the rails e¹, e, which thus lead direct
from the rails on A₁to those on A, and the block slides down the rails
on A2, along the rails e, e', 'to the frame A¹. Immediately on the blocks
arriving fairly on that frame the workman depresses the end of the lever d';
so as again to raise the frame- A' to a horizontal position flush with the
and thereby depresses the frame
shown in blue lines, so, that the
rails el, e. When this has been
thereby inclines the frame A³)

page_text: main portion of the top of the framework A, and shuts down the 'portion c¹
and then pushes the block again between the rollers as before, the frame A
being again raised flush with the rest of the top of the framework A to
receive the block when propelled thereon. The block thus works continuously.
The fabric is delivered to and from the printing rollers in the same manner
as shewn in Figure 1. The table E, Figure 1, may be propelled by machinery
or by hand. The blocks might also be moved from end to end of the frame-
work by hand.
In producing the printing or figuring surfaces by cutting out the device, as
before described, I may mention that the device (after being cut out) is best
attached to the mount by small rivets the heads of which are afterwards
trimmed down, so as not to project above the surface. By producing a device
in portions, and then fastening the portions together, very large artistic subjects
may be reproduced. The surfaces of the blocks of marble to which the design
is fastened should be made quite smooth or plane.
When the printing or figuring surfaces are produced by electrotyping or by
casting, as before referred to, the edges should be made smooth or true by a
lathe or planing machine before fastening the portions of the device on to the.
.
mount.
In manufacturing printing or pattern rollers according to the mode
described, that is to say, in producing patterns, devices, or designs thereon
according to the cutting out mode herein described, hollow or tubular cylinders
(preferably of laminated copper) are cut into four or six (or more or less)
parts or sections, along lines parallel to the axis, as shewn in Fig. 5, and after
the workman has produced the device on each such section by cutting away
portions so as to form a sort of openwork, and proceeding in the manner
before set forth, the sections are rivetted or otherwise secured on a copper or.
other roller, forming as it were, a cylindrical core surrounded by the pattern
cylinder.
When rollers are used-for applying the colours to the printing surfaces they
may be worked by hand or by machinery.
In carrying into effect the mode of producing the colors before described,
the oxides or lacs should be subjected to a protracted crushing to reduce
them to the fine powder required...
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same may be performed, I declare that what I claim is as follows:-
First, I claim the application of colours composed in manner herein-before
described on the reliefs or raised parts of printing and ornamenting plates,
blocks, rollers, and surfaces produced as herein-before_described, for the

page_text: purpose of printing and ornamenting textile fabrics, paper hangings, and other
materials.
> Second, I claim the production of improved printing and ornamenting
surfaces in the manner first herein-before described, according to which a plate
For slab, on which is traced a device or design, has parts cut away to produce
the device or design, as a sort of openwork, and is fastened down to à back or
mount, as herein-before described.
Third, I claim the production of improved printing and, ornamenting rollers
as herein-before described, that is to, say, by dividing a cylinder into portions,
on which is traced the device or design,,cutting away parts to produce the
device or design as a sort of openwork, and fastening the portions around
another cylinder, as herein-before described.
Fourth, I claim the mode of printing and ornamenting "herein-before
described according to which the fabric or material to be printed or ornamented
is pressed upon a moveable travelling block ör, surface, having; colours com-
posed as described applied on its reliefs or raised parts.
Fifth, I claim arranging and combining the parts of printing machinery
(and machinery for ornamenting where pressure. is used) so that the printing
or ornamenting plates, blocks, or surfaces may be brought back to the place
whence they started on the same horizontal plane, as the plane of their travel,
in the manner shewn in Figures 1 and 3 of the Drawings, and herein-before
described, and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth, I claim. the arrangement and combination of parts constituting the
improved machine or apparatus represented in Figures 1, 3, and 4 of the
accompanying Drawings, and herein-before described.
Seventh, I claim the application to machinery for printing and orna-
menting where means of pressure are used, of arrangements so combined
that the printing or ornamenting plates, blocks, or surfaces, after having
applied their device or design on the fabric or material to be printed or
ornamented, may be brought back by means of an inclined plane or planes, or
an inclined surface or surfaces to the place from whence they started for the
purpose of repeating their work.
Eighth, I claim the arrangement and combination of parts constituting the
apparatus herein-before described, and represented in Figure 2 of the Drawings,.
in which the printing or ornamenting plates, blocks, or surfaces are brought
back by means of inclined rails to the end of the machine whence they started
as described.
Ninth, I claim the arrangement and combination of machinery for printing
or ornamenting textile fabrics and other materials in which the printing or

page_text: ornamenting surfaces having colors prepared as described applied on their
reliefs or raised parts, are caused to travel forward to apply the device on the
fabric, and are brought back again by mechanical means to the part whence
they first started to repeat their work, substantially as described..
Tenth, I claim the combination of means, as herein-before described, con-
stituting the improved process of printing and ornamenting textile fabrics,
paper hangings, and other materials.
In witness whereof, I, the said Michael Henry, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of June, in the year One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
S. E. A. NEWSOME,
Patent Office,
84, Fleet Street, London.
M. HENRY. (L.S.)