IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PRINTING ROLLERS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Moses Poole, of the Avenue Road, Regent's
Park, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PRINTING ROLLERS."-A communi-
cation.
Sealed the 8th September 1858, and dated the 8th July 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Moses Poole at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th July 1853.
J, MOSES POOLE, of the Avenue Road, Regent's Park, in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare that the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PRINTING ROLLERS" to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists of casting rollers of an alloy, consisting in a
great measure of zinc and tin, to which I add a quantity of metal
composed of copper, zinc, tin, lead, and antimony previously melted
together. I further improve the casting of such rollers by subjecting
the metal, whilst hot, in moulds, to pressure, for which purpose I form

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Moses Poole in the Great Seal Patent Office, on
the 6th January 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
MOSES POOLE, of the Avenue Road, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
seventeenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Moses Poole, Her special
license that I, the said Moses Poole, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Moses Poole, my exécutors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time at 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
THE MANUFACTURE OF PRINTING ROLLERS," communicated to me from
abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Moses
Poole, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly 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 Moses Poole, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof (that is to say):
The Invention consists in manufacturing printing rollers of an alloy,
of which zinc is the basis, to be substituted for copper in the manu-

page_text: facture of such rollers, whereby a very large saving in cost of material
and in labour is effected, and in casting such alloys in metallic moulds
under pressure, as hereafter described.
The constituent parts of the alloy, and the manner in which I make
it, are as follow:-I fuse or melt (12) twelve parts by weight of best
selected or pure red copper in a crucible or vessel, cleaning it, if required,
when in a state of fusion by those means which brassfounders may
consider most effective, such as by sprinkling over it small pieces of
charcoal. In another crucible or vessel I fuse or niclt (3) three parts
of antimony, to which latter I add, when in a state of fusion, (3) three
parts of lead. In a third crucible or vessel (of dimensions adequate to
contain at least fifty-four parts of various metals, and which is to be kept
covered as much as possible,) I fuse or melt slowly by the use of a coke
(24) twenty-four parts of pure zinc, which has not been previously
used for any purpose, and when in a state of fusion its surface is to be
covered with powdered charcoal in order to prevent volatilisation, and
also for cleaning the metal. I afterwards pour into such last-men-
tioned zinc, while in a state of fusion, the alloy of antimony and lead
above described while in a like state of fusion, and also the red copper
above mentioned while in a state of fusion, having previously carefully
removed from the melted copper and melted zinc all particles of char-
coal and dirt therein, and I then add to the whole (12) twelve parts of
tin, which I introduce gradually by small quantities, stirring it carefully
during the process of mixture with a suitable implement (which I
prefer to be of wood). Before any of the metals contained in the
melted mass last mentioned have separated from each other I. cast the
whole mixture into ingots. When these ingots have cooled I again
fuse or melt them in a crucible or vessel, and in another crucible or
vessel I melt or fuse a new mixture consisting of (24) twenty-four parts
of zinc, cleansing the same when melted with powdered charcoal or
otherwise, as above mentioned, and I afterwards add to it, when in a
state of fusion, (12) twelve parts of block tin, taking great care to
prevent as much as possible the volatilisation of the zinc. I then care-
fully skim off or remove all dirt which may be found on the surface of
the metals in fusion in the two last-mentioned crucibles or vessels, and

page_text: pour the contents of the one crucible into the other, carefully stirring
the whole during the process of admixture, and continue to stir them
and to keep the whole in a state of fusion until I find that the contents
of the two crucibles thus united may be stirred by the implement used
(and which I also prefer to be of wood) with the same case as water,
which is one proof of a complete mixture; and a further proof of the
mixture being complete is afforded when, on taking out the implement
used for this stirring, its surface is clean and presents no trace of metal.
The alloy is then to be cast for use into ingots, for although it may
be
employed at once for the manufacture of rollers, yet I prefer its being
previously cast into ingots and subsequently melted for use, as the
grain of the alloy constituting such rollers will, in the latter case, be
finer and closer. Such are the component parts of and mode of com-
posing the metallic alloy which I employ for rollers; and although in
case of an analysis it may be found that the quantities of the metals
above mentioned present more or less differences on account of the
greater or less liability to volatilisation of some of them, nevertheless
zine, though most liable to volatilise, will always constitute the greatest
proportion of the whole. The alloy is to be cast into proper rollers for
printing in suitable moulds, but I prefer for this purpose to employ an
apparatus which I call my "compressing shell apparatus;" this apparatus
consists of two longitudinal semi-circular semi-cylinders so made as to
form, when the edges are joined together as shewn in Figure 2, of the
Drawing after mentioned, as near as may be, a circular hollow centre,
with machinery or apparatus to compress gradually the above-men-
tioned metallic alloy when in a compressible state, and within such
semi-cylinders, by as near as may be an equal pressure along the entire
length of the cylinders.
The annexed Drawing will explain the apparatus alluded to, and
contains representations of a longitudinal section of the whole apparatus.
(Figure 1,) a transverse section of the same; (Figure 2,) and (Figure 3,)
represents the ring which is adjusted on the top of Figure 1.
Figure 1, represents the whole apparatus, and the parts are thus
noted—a, a, represents a stone or metallic block with a large opening
(a); the surface (*) being smooth and level; a, a³, represent a

page_text: vertical hole in the centre of the block; b, represents a metallic body
or core which is to form the inside of the proposed roller, either tempo-
rarily only for the purpose of the compression, or permanently, at the
will of the operator. This roller has a spindle at the lower end (b',) of
a size to fit into the above-mentioned vertical hole (a", a³,) of the block
Cl, ll. The shape and size of the core (b,) should correspond with the
shape and size of the tree proposed to be afterwards fixed into the
rollers when to be worked, and care should be taken that the surface
of the core is very smooth, and that the shape of the core b, is slightly
conical, decreasing gradually in diameter from its base to the top. 2,
represents a spindle on the top of the said core, which is required to
keep the core perfectly steady in the centre of the mould during the
process of compression. c, represents the bell-shaped moveable vessel
placed on the top of the corc b, for directing the course of the alloy
or metal when poured into the monld. d, d, represent the sections
of two semi-cylinders so made as to constitute, as above stated, when
in juxta-position, as near as may be, a cylinder. The part (d²)
(being the base,) requires to be very smooth and even, for the "
The upper
purpose of easily moving or sliding on the block a, a.
ends d, d, are arranged for the reception and support of two other
semi-cylinders d³, d³, whose lower ends d, d, are to be made so
as to fit into the before-mentioned parts d, d. d, d³, in Figures 1,
and 2, shew two projecting shoulders on each side of the two semi-
cylinders d, d, nearly in the centre thereof, for the reception of wedges
h, h; and do, do, in Figure 2, shew the form of the outer edges of the
seni-cylinders d, d. The semi-cylinders d, d, should be of the length of
the intended roller. c, c, Figure 2, represents two pieces or slips of
iron of the same length as the semi-cylinders d, d, or from d', to d², to
be placed against those points where the said semi-cylinders d, d, will
meet when under compression, as after mentioned; and it is important
that the surfaces at do, and e, should be exceedingly smooth and
even, care being also taken that the ends of the slips e, at the points
el, e', (Figure 2,) are so made as to clasp or encase the semi-cylinders
d, d, as shewn in the Drawing. ff. Figures 1, and 2, represent a
strong wrought iron collar, which rests upon the shoulder d³, d³.
:9,9

page_text: Figure 2, represent a piece of cork or other elastic substance placed
between the said collar f, and the metallic piece or slip e. h, h,
Figures 1, and 2, are wedges made of wrought iron introduced into the
grooves d', d. i, i, Figure 1, is a wrought iron collar or hoop sur-
rounding the parts d², d², and d, d, of the seini-cylinders, k, k,
Figure 3, are the top apparatus or ring for keeping steady the core b,
during the process of compression. I arrange the foregoing apparatus as
follows: I place the block (a,) upon a level surface; then the core (b)
I fix in a vertical position by its spindle b', in the hole a³, a³, of of the
block, having covered the surface of such core (b), with a coating of dry
smoke obtained in the usual way. The smoke of resin is very good for
this purpose. I then fix the bell or conical apparatus c, on the top of the
core (b); all the parts are first heated to about 150° centigrade before
putting them-together, -and I light a fire of charcoal under the block a,
at the inner side a', to keep up the temperature of the apparatus to
about 150° centigrade until the alloy has been poured into the cylinder,
when the fire should be extinguished.
The same cylinders d, d, having been duly smoked on the interior sur-
faces and heated, are placed vertically on the block a, taking care that
the core (b,) is precisely in their centre. I also affix the slips (c, e,) at
the points where the surfaces do, d", of the semi-cylinders meet, as shewn
in Figure 2. Thus the two semi-cylinders d, d, and the two slips e, e,
constitute a complete cylinder or mould equi-ilistant from the core (b).
I then place the picces of cork or other elastic body on the outside
of the slips (e, e,) and affix round the whole the collar f, (which collar,
when fastened by screws or otherwise, holds the apparatus d, e, and
9,) together. I then insert the wedges h, h, on either side of the two
cylinders at the points d³, d. I then add the two semi-cylinders d³, 1³,
(having previously heated and smoked them,) and fasten them at the
points of their junction with the top ends of the semi-cylinders d, d, by
the iron collar (i), (as shown in Figure 1). These two upper semi-
cylinders d³, d³, being intended to form the rising head runner or get
for obtaining pressure to the metal which is to form the roller, and do
not require to be squeezed, have no slip between them, as shewn in
Figure 1, and on their upper. part are adjusted the four arms of the

page_text: apparatus or ring intended for the keeping steady of the core 6, in the
centre of the inould, as shewn in Figures 1, and 3.
.
For obtaining a greater security that the metal do not run out of
the mould during its introduction, the various connecting parts may be
covered with clay.
.
:
Directly after the introduction of the inetal its squeezing is to take
place by forcing down the wedges h, h; by blows, or by pressure: other-
wise applied with, as near as may be, equal force, and this equality may
be secured by the application of a wrought iron key or instrument with-
two legs united above in the manner indicated in the Drawing, Figure
No. 1, marked m, m, so that by placing the ends m, m, on the top of
the wedges h, h, and striking such key at the top on the point m², the
force applied to those wedges must be equal.
The rollers are to be finished after casting by smoothing or removing
inequalities from the surface by filing or turning, as is well understood.
The basis of the alloy of which my improved rollers are made is zinc;
and although the substances and proportions above given are those
which I have found and believe to be best for general purposes, the
same may be varied to some extent; the basis of the alloy being of zinc.
A small quantity of arsenic (say, half to three quarters of an ounce to a
pound of the alloy introduced at the last melting) may be added with
advantage, that being well known to improve the homogenity of alloys
of metal. If sulphuric acid be present in the color and mordants in a
state not considerably diluted, rollers with the greater relative pro-
portion of lead will be less acted on than those with less. The method
above described of melting and mixing the metals in separate vessels,
and afterwards combining them together, produces a more homogeneous
compound than if all were melted and mixed together at the same time
in one vessel. In making these alloys particular care must be taken to
have the metals as pure as possible, and not exposed to higher degrees
of heat than necessary for the melting.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I do not
claim as of my Invention or the exclusive use of any of the processes
or apparatus herein-before described or referred to for mixing metals

page_text: or for casting the rollers. And I hereby declare that I claim as my.
Invention the manufacture of printing rollers by casting them of an
alloy of which zinc is the basis, and the casting of such rollers in metallic
moulds, as above <lescribed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Moses Poolc, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifth day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
B. GOBEY,
12, Cursitor Street,
Chancery Lane.
MOSES POOLE. (L.S.)