AN IMPROVED CALICO PRINTING ROLLER
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Hope, of the State of Rhode Island, of the
United States of America, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED CALICO
PRINTING ROLLER."
Sealed the 15th March 1859, and dated the 22nd September 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hope at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd
September 1858.
I, JOHN HOPE, of the State of Rhode Island, of the United States of
America, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention of "AN IMPROVED
CALICO PRINTING ROLLER," to be described and ascertained in and by the
following Specification and the accompanying Drawings, of which Figure 1
exhibits an end view, and Figure 2 a longitudinal section of one of the said
rollers.
The engraved cylinders of calico printing machines have heretofore been
constructed entirely of copper, each being in one solid piece or tube having a
bore made slightly tapering and to fit with great accuracy upon a mandrel or
shaft belonging to or making part of the printing machine. In consequence
of this, and their great weight, they have been very costly, so much so that
few print works can afford to keep any very large quantity of engraved
cylinders as the capital invested in them would be too much to be suffered to
lie idle; rather than keep many rollers on hand, the calico printers generally
procure as few as they conveniently can make answer their purpose, and after

page_text: using them a while turn them down and re-engrave other patterns upon them,
thus losing the engravings previously upon them. In consequence of this
there is not only a loss in copper but each cylinder or roller so treated
becomes diminished in its diameter, every reduction' of it tending to diminish
its utility.
I have sought to make a printing cylinder which, while it may possess all
the advantage of a large diameter, can be constructed of much less weight
and cost than a copper cylinder of the same size.
My Invention I term a composite printing roller, and in carrying it out
or in other words in constructing it in what I have conceived to be the best
manner, I employ 1st, a copper or brass shell or tube, or one made of the
metal of which calico printers' rollers are generally constructed, such being
shown at a in Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings above mentioned. 2nd, a
foundation tube 6, made of cast iron, and not only of an external diameter to
correspond with the internal diameter of the copper a, but having an internal
diameter about one inch larger than the mean external diameter of the
mandrel on which the roller is to be fitted. 3rd, a mandril connection c which
I generally make from that well-known vulcanized caoutchouc composition
which when cold becomes solidified or indurated, such composition being
composed of coal tar, pitch, sulphur, and caoutchouc, either alone or with
other matter, and being that from which combs, walking canes, toys, and
various other articles are now made and on sale in the market.
This com-
position can be softened by heat, and cast or applied around a mandrel and
subsequently vulcanized thereon. Instead of this composition there are
various other compositions which may be employed to make the mandrel con-
nection. What is termed "type metal," may be used, although not with the
advantages of the said caoutchouc composition.
In making a calico printer's roller of the improved kind, the forming
mandrel is to be placed concentrically within the foundation tube, and the
material to constitute the mandrel connection c should be applied or cast
between the two so as to fill the entire space between them, and form, when
in a vulcanized and hardened state, a tube. In order to prevent the cast iron
foundation tube from being moved or turned on its caoutchouc connection;
the inner surface of the former may be scored, indented, or otherwise rendered
rough, or it may have sundry projections. As the mandrel is usually con-
structed with a groove extended longitudinally throughout that part of its
outer surface, which is to be within the cylinder or roller, the caoutchouc
composition will run or be forced into such groove so as to form a feather or
spline d, corresponding in shape with that of the groove. This spline or

page_text: feather serves to prevent the rotation of the roller on the arbor or mandrel,
or in other words causes the cylinder to rotate with the mandrel. After the
cast-iron foundation tube has thus been applied to the mandrel it should
receive the copper covering or shell a, this may be drawn or driven on it or
be rolled upon it or be made and fixed to it by the electrotype process.
Afterwards the mandrel may be placed in a lathe and the composition be
turned down so as to bring its outer surface concentric with the axis of the
mandril. In some cases it is possible that the cast-iron foundation. cylinder
may be dispensed with, the copper tube and separate mandril connection being
used, in which case the mandrel connection would be formed or cast directly
against the inner surface of the copper tube while surrounding the mandrel.
This however I do not consider to be so useful a mode of making.. tho
composite roller, for the cast-iron foundation is cheaper and better in many
respects than the caoutchouc composition. After the composite roller has
been made, a few slight blows on one end of it will suffice to separate it from
the mandrel. It should be borne in mind that the rotary mandrels of calico
printing machines are generally made of one size or of certain fixed sizes
corresponding with that or those of the forming mandrel or mandrels employed
in the process of manufacturing the printing roller. The object of this is to
enable a roller, wherever made, to fit a mandrel of any calico printing
machine, thus, it will be seen that by the above described mode of making
the mandrel connection within the cast-iron foundation tube, or within tho
copper tube when either has a forming mandrel arranged within it, the said
connection can be made with great accuracy and little cost in comparison to
that of boring the common copper rollers or fitting them to the mandrel.
I have reason to believe that a composite calico printing roller of the kind
described can be made at one-third of the expense of a copper roller of tho
same size, its weight will not be near as great as the copper roller, con-
sequently in handling it or in moving it from place to place less labor will be
required, comparatively speaking. Its diminished cost will enable calico
printers to keep on hand a larger stock of rollers, and thus save much of the
expense and loss incurred in turning down and re-engraving the cylinders
when made entirely of copper or brass in the usual way.
I claim as my Invention the improved manufacture or composite calico
printing roller made substantially as described, viz., of a tube or shell a of
copper or its equivalent, as described, and a separate mandrel connection c, or
the same and a cast-iron foundation tube b, the mandrel connection being
made and applied essentially in the manner as herein-before specified.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Hope in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th March 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HOPE, of the State of Rhode Island, of the United States of America, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the 22nd day of September, A.D. 1858, in the twenty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Hope, Her special licence that I, the said
John Hope, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said John Hope, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 of "AN
IMPROVED CALICO PRINTING ROLLER," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said John Hope, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
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 calender months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Hope, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manuer the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
Specification and the accompanying Drawings, of which Figure 1 exhibits an
end view, and Figure 2 a longitudinal section, of one of the said rollers.
The engraved cylinders of calico printing machines have heretofore been
constructed entirely of copper, each being in one solid piece or tube, having a
bore made slightly tapering, and to fit with great accuracy upon a mandrel or
shaft belonging to or making part of the printing machine. In consequence
of this, and their great weight, they have been very costly, so much so, that
few print works can afford to keep any very large quantity of engraved
cylinders, as the capital invested in them would be too much to be suffered to
lie idle. Rather than keep many rollers on hand, the calico printers
generally procure as few as they can conveniently make answer their
purpose, and after using them a while, turn them down and engrave other
patterns upon them, thus losing the engravings previously upon them. In

page_text: consequence of this, there is not only a loss in copper, but each cylinder or
roller so treated becomes diminished in its diameter, every reduction of it
tending to diminish its utility.
I have sought to make a printing cylinder which, while it may possess all the
advantage of a large diameter, can be constructed of much less weight and
cost than a copper cylender of the same size.
My Invention term a composite printing roller, and in carrying it out, or
in other words, in constructing it in what I have conceived to be the best
manner, I employ, first, a copper or brass shell or tube, or one made of the
metal of which calico printers' rollers are generally constructed, such being.
shown at a, Figure 1 and 2 of the Drawings above mentioned. Second, a
foundation tube 6, made of cast iron, and not only of an external diameter to
correspond with the internal diameter of the copper tube a, but having an
internal diameter about one inch larger than the mean external diameter of
the mandrel or which the roller is to be fitted. Third, a mandrel connection c,
which I generally make from that well-known vulcanized caoutchouc com-
position which, when cold, becomes solidified or indurated, such composition
being composed of coal tar, pitch, sulphur, and caoutchouc, either alone or
with other matter, and being that from which combs, walking canes, toys, and
various articles are now made and on sale in the market. This composition
can be softened by heat, and cast or applied around a mandrel, and sub-
sequently vulcanized thereon. Instead of this composition, there are various
other compositions which may be employed to make the mandrel connection.
What is termed "type metal" may be used, although not with the advantages
of the said caoutchouc composition.
In making a calico printer's roller of the improved kind, the forming
mandrel is to be placed concentrically or thereabouts within the foundation
tube, and the material to constitute the mandrel connections (c) should be
applied or cast between the two, so as to fill the entire space between them,
and form, when in a vulcanized and hardened state, a tube. In order to
prevent the cast-iron foundation tube from being moved or turned on its
caoutchouc connection, the inner surface of the former may be scored,
indented, or otherwise rendered rough, or it may have sundry projections.
As the mandrel is usually constructed with a groove extended longitudinally
throughout that part of its outer surface which is to be within the cylender or
roller, the caoutchouc composition will run or be forced into such groove, so as
to form a feather or spline d, corresponding in shape with that of the groove.
This spline or feather serves to prevent the rotation of the roller on the arbor
or mandrel, or, in other words, causes the cylender to rotate with the mandrel.

page_text: After the cast-iron foundation tube has thus been applied to the mandrel, it
should receive the copper covering or shell a. This may be drawn or driven
on it, or be rolled upon it, or be made and fixed to it by the electrotype
process. Afterwards, the mandrel may be placed in a lathe, and the copper
shell be turned down, so as to bring its outer surface concentric with the axis
of the mandrel. After the composite roller has been made, a few slight blows
on one end of it will suffice to seperate it from the mandrel. It should be
borne in mind, that the rotary mandrels of calico printing machines are
generally made of one size, or of certain fixed sizes corresponding with that
or those of the forming mandrel or mandrels employed in the process of
manufacturing the printing roller. The object of this is, to enable a roller
wherever made, to fit a mandrel of any calico printing machine. Thus, it
will be seen, that by the above-described mode of making the mandrel con-
nection within the cast-iron foundation tube, or within the copper tube, when
either has a forming. mandrel arranged within it, the said connection can be
made with great accuracy and little cost in comparison with that of boring
the common copper rollers, or fitting them to the mandrel.
I have reason to believe that a composite calico printing roller of the kind
described can be made at one-third the expense of a copper roller of the same
-size. Its weight will not be near as great as the copper roller. Consequently,
in handling it, or moving it from place to place, less labor will be required,
comparatively speaking. Its diminished cost will enable the calico printers to
keep on hand a larger stock of rollers, and thus save much of the expense and
loss incured in turning down and re-engraving their cylinders when made
entirely of copper or brass in the usual way.
I am aware of the jeweller's roller, which forms the subject of the United
States Patent, No. 21,039. My Invention differs essentially therefrom, because
the outer shell of my roller is not to be hardened by being heated, and after-
wards suddenly cooled on its cast-iron carrier or cylinder encompassing the
arbor or shaft, for the great heat of the outer shell would so heat the shaft
connection, composition, or shell, as to either injuriously soften or melt it.
Furthermore, another material difference is in the nature and character of the
shaft connection, as well as in the mode of effecting the same, it being not
only formed by the process of casting it within a shell or tube, and around a
grooved and slightly tapering cylindrical shaft, but made of a caoutchouc
composition, or a material suitable for the purpose, and such as will admit of
being cast or moulded between the arbor and tube, so as to form a proper
connection therefor of the kind described.
What, therefore, I claim is, my said new manufacture of calico. printing

page_text: roller, made substantially as described, viz., of the copper shell a, cast-metal
foundation tube b, and with a mandrel connection cast in the metallic shell or
tube, and on an arbor or mandrel, in manner and of a material substantially
as specified.
In testimony whereof, I, have hereunto set my signature and seal, this
Eighteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-nine.