IMPROVEMENTS IN FILMS FOR PRINTING, FOR PREPARING, AND FINISHING DRAWINGS ON LITHO- GRAPHIC STONES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE METHOD OF AND IN APPARATUS FOR USING THESE AND OTHER SUCH FILMS
Year: 1881

page_text: ETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FILMS FOR PRINTING, FOR PREPARING, AND FINISHING DRAWINGS ON LITHO-
GRAPHIC STONES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE METHOD OF AND
IN APPARATUS FOR USING THESE AND OTHER SUCH FILMS." A communi-
cation from abroad by Benjamin Day, of West Hoboken, in the County of
Hudson, State of New Jersey, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th July 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILMS FOR PRINTING, FOR
PREPARING AND FINISHING DRAWINGS ON LITHOGRAPHIC STONES, AND
OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR USING THESE
AND OTHER SUCH FILMS." [A communication from abroad by Benjamin Day, of
West Hoboken, in the County of Hudson, State of New Jersey, United States of
America.]
FOR
The object of this Invention is to provide new and improved printing mediums
or films for printing, preparing, and finishing drawings and designs, such as litho-
graphic drawings on stone surfaces, and also to provide apparatus for using these
mediums or films, whereby impressions of the films can be rapidly, conveniently,
and accurately transferred to the stone or other surface.
The Invention consists of a film or sheet of gelatine, which is smooth on its
upper surface, but has lines, dots, stipples, &c., or other configuration in relief or
in transfer ink or color on its lower surface, which inked surface is to be placed
upon the stone block or surface upon which the desired drawing is to be transferred
by applying an abrasive pressure on the back of the film by means of a stylus or
like instrument.
The Invention further consists in a frame having the printing film attached
thereto,.and provided with clamping devices for holding it, and which are detach-
ably hinged to longitudinally and transversely adjustable blocks held in clamps
on a vertically adjustable frame surrounding the stone or block, so that the
swinging film-holding-frame will rest on the block or stone.
The Invention further consists in the arrangement and construction of parts and
details more fully described hereinafter.

page_text: To prepare and make the improved printing film I add 3 to 4 parts (by weight)
of glycerine to about 15 parts (by weight) of dry gelatine, and add sufficient
water to make an easy flowing fluid, that is to say, about 100 parts (by weight) of
water are added. This mixture is then heated slightly to facilitate the dissolving
of the gelatine, but the heat must never exceed 100° to 120° F. The lines, either
straight, curved, or waved, crosshatching, stipples, &c., are engraved, or photo-
engraved, or produced by some other suitable process on a metal plate, and the
above described mixture is cast on this plate, over which a jet of steam is passed
a moment before pouring on the mixture for the purpose of ensuring a perfect
casting. The gelatine will cool at a draught of about from 50° to 60° F. To
prevent the adhesion of the film of gelatine thus produced to the plate, the same
is provided with a thin coating of a solution of wax in ether in the proportion of
1 grain of wax to an ounce of ether. The completed film is coated with the above
solution of wax in ether, whereby it is protected from the action of the air,
moisture, &c., and will take the ink more readily. Furthermore, this coating
prevents the abrasive action of the stylus from injuring the gelatine, as it causes
the stylus to slide on the gelatine more easily.
The gelatine film thus obtained is smooth on one side, and has lines, stipples,
curves, &c., in relief on the other side, according to the engraving of the plate on
which the gelatine was cast. This relief surface of the film is inked, and the ink
on the ends of the projections of this relief is transferred upon stone, paper, &c.,
upon which the film (mounted on a suitable frame) is placed by means of the
abrasive action of a stylus or similar instrument applied on the smooth side of the
film. For instance, if the stylus is passed over the back of the film on a curved
line a like line consisting of a number of dots, short lines, &c., will be transferred
on the stone or block, and in the same manner surfaces, broad or narrow lines, &c.,
can be transferred on the stone. The above described film is thin, tough, trans-
parent, and very desirable.
The printing film or other suitable printing medium which may be employed is
attached to the lower surface of a light frame, which rests upon
the upper surface.
of a lithographic stone or other block, upon which the drawing or design is to be
fixed. A clamp provided with sharp edged lugs is held on each end of one bar of
the frame by means of cam levers or eccentrics with handles pivoted to the clamps.
These clamps are provided with lugs, which extend beyond the ends of the bar to
which the clamps are held, these lugs being provided with recesses in their outer
surfaces. Into these apertures or recesses pass the bevelled ends or points of
pintles loosely mounted in adjustable bearing blocks, which are held between the
jaws of a pair of plates provided with sharp edged lugs and cam levers or eccentrics
with a handle for clamping said plates to a bar of a frame surrounding the stone,
and resting on clamp plates attached to the upper ends of screws passing through
a nut and into standards arranged at each corner of a base board. A binding
screw holds these nuts on the standards. The rail or bar of the frame surrounding
the stone rests on the ends of the side bars or rails of said frame, and is held on
the same by means of a movable or detachable screw clamp. One of the pintles
can move in the direction of its length in its bearing block, and its point is pressed
toward the point of the other pintle by a spiral spring interposed between a
shoulder near the head of the pintle and the bearing block. The other pintle is
threaded, and fits into a corresponding aperture in its bearing block, and its outer
end is provided with a head or button. A locking nut with a handle is mounted.
on the latter pintle between its point and the bearing block, this locking nut
resting against the end of the bearing block.
The bearing blocks are movable between the jaws, that is, they can be moved
in a direction at right angles to the length of the pintles. For this purpose these
bearing blocks are loosely mounted on a pintle or short shaft connecting the jaws
which hold said blocks, and on a screw which also passes through the jaws, and is
provided at the outer.end with a knob or button and a pointer resting against or
directly in front of a subdivided dial attached to the front side of the front jaws..

page_text: The screws have 32 (more or less) threads to the iuch, and one complete turn of
the same moves the blocks 1/32nd of an inch in the direction of the length of the
screw. By means of the pointer and the scale on the dial the most minute move-
ments of the screws can be regulated and measured.
The printing surface of the printing film may be stippled, ruled, or crosshatched
with straight or curved lines, according to the work desired.
The operation is as follows:-According to the kind of work desired a film with
a stipple, rulings, &c., is placed in the clamps of the frame. If, for instance, the
picture on the stone is to be shaded by means of horizontal parallel straight lines,
a corresponding printing film is used. This film having been inked, the lines are
transferred on the stone by means of a stylus, as above mentioned, upon which the
film is removed, which is accomplished by pressing the spring pintle towards its
block. The film is then re-inked, is again placed between the pintles, and is then
shifted a greater or less distance, according to the thickness or spacing of the lines
desired, and the lines are transferred on the stone by means of a stylus, and so on.
If close lines are desired, the frame is adjusted by means of the screws to such.an
extent that the lines printed the second time will be between those printed the
first time, but if the lines are to be very heavy, the frame is so adjusted that the
lines printed the second time will partly cover or will be in contact with the lines
printed first, so that these first lines will be increased in thickness, and in this
manner lines can be produced of any desired thickness. To produce such lines care
must be taken to move or turn both screws exactly the same distance, which can
be regulated very conveniently by means of the pointers and dials. If the lines
are to increase in thickness from one end to the other only one screw is turned.
If the lines run diagonally, the frame is adjusted in the same manner.
running parallel with the side bars of the frame are adjusted by means of the screw
pintle. If longitudinal or transverse waved lines are desired, the frame must be
adjusted longitudinally and transversely.
Lines
For stippling the frame is adjusted in a similar manner. The first print produces
a fine stipple, and the finished stipple is produced by subsequent operations. To
obtain this result the frame must be so adjusted that the several stipples of the
several different prints will be united to form larger stipples.
If stipple shading is desired the frame is adjusted after each print, but only
certain parts of the printing film are operated upon with the stylus at the second,
third, fourth, &c., prints, according to the shading of the picture or print desired.
If desired different colored inks may be used for the different prints.
The stipple, straight, and waving lines may be combined to produce various
effects.
The frame surrounding the stone can be adjusted in size by means of the
detachable screw clamps to suit the stone, and the height can be adjusted by means
of the screws and nuts on the standards.
In place of the devices described for adjusting the frame, other similar devices
may be used, but I prefer to use those mentioned above.
In place of the printing film described, other similar devices may be used with
the frame for holding printing mediums. For instance, I can take a sheet of
flexible gelatine, smooth on both sides, and make an impression thereon with a
relief plate, then re-ink this plate and make several impressions, registering with
each other, whereupon the printed part of the gelatine can be transferred upon a
stone by means of a stylus or otherwise, the film or gelatine plate being held in
the frame. Or a film can be made by preparing a sheet of gelatine with the
bichromate of potash or any kindred chemical having the same action, which sheet
can then be exposed through a negative of lines, dots, stipples, &c. The unaffected
parts of the gelatine are washed away, giving the lines, dots, &c., sufficient relief
to be inked with a printer's roller. This film is mounted in the frame in the same
manner as the other films, and as herein described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
26th January 1882.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILMS FOR PRINTING, FOR
PREPARING AND FINISHING DRAWINGS ON LITHOGRAPHIC STONES, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR USING THESE
AND OTHER SUCH FILMS." A communication from abroad by Benjamin Day, of
West Hoboken, in the County of Hudson, State of New Jersey, United States of
America.
The object of this Invention is to provide new and improved printing mediums
or films for printing, preparing, and finishing drawings and designs, such as litho-
graphic drawings on stone surfaces, and also to provide apparatus for using these
mediums or films whereby impressions of the films can be rapidly, conveniently,
and accurately transferred to the stone or other surface.
The Invention consists of a film or sheet of gelatine which is smooth on its upper
surface, but has lines, dots, stipples, &c., or other configuration in relief, or in
transfer ink or color on its lower surface, which inked surface is to be placed upon
the stone block or surface upon which the desired drawing is to be transferred by
applying an abrasive pressure on the back of the film by means of a stylus or like
instrument. The Invention further consists in a frame having the printing film
attached thereto, and provided with clamping devices for holding it, and which
are detachably hinged to longitudinally and transversely adjustable blocks held in
clamps on a vertically adjustable frame surrounding the stone or block, so that the
swinging film-holding frame will rest on the block or stone. The Invention further
consists in the arrangement and construction of parts and details, as will be more
fully described hereinafter.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved
adjustable frame for holding a printing medium; Figure 2 is a plan view of one of
the hinge blocks to which the swinging frame is pivoted; Figure 3 is a plan view
of the other like hinge block, parts being shown in section; Figure 4 is a plan
view of the upper or hinged end of the frame to which the printing medium or
film is attached, and of the clamps on this frame; Figure 5 is a plan view of the
underside of the clamps; Figure 6 is a plan view of the underside of the hinge
blocks; Figure 7 is a front end elevation of the same; Figure 8 is a cross sectional
elevation of the hinge block of the frame surrounding the stone, and of the screw
standards of this frame, and of the clamp for holding this frame on the standards;
Figure 9 is a plan view of the underside of the clamp for holding the frame on the
screw standard. Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
To prepare and make the improved printing film, from three to four parts
(by weight) of glycerine are added to about 15 parts (by weight) of dry gelatine,
together with sufficient water to make an easy flowing fluid, that is to say,
about 100 parts (by weight) of water are added; this mixture is then heated
slightly to facilitate the dissolving of the gelatine, but the heat must never
rise above 100° to 120° F. The lines, either straight, curved, or waved, cross
hatching, stipples, &c., are engraved or photo-engraved, or produced by some other
suitable process on a metal plate, and the above described mixture is cast on this
plate, over which a jet of steam is passed a moment before pouring on the mixture
for the purpose of ensuring a perfect casting. The gelatine will cool at a draught
of about from 50° to 60° F. To prevent the adhesion of the film of gelatine thus
produced to the plate, the same is provided with a thin coating of a solution of
wax in ether in the proportion of 1 grain of wax to an ounce of ether. The

page_text: completed film is coated with the above solution of wax in ether, whereby it is
protected from the action of the air, moisture, &c., and will take the ink more
readily. Furthermore, this coating prevents the abrasive action of the stylus from
injuring the gelatine, as it causes the stylus to slide on the gelatino more easily;
the gelatine film thus obtained is smooth on one side, and has lines, stipples,
curves, &c., in relief on the other side, according to the engraving of the plate on
which the gelatine was cast. This relief surface of the film is inked, and the ink
on the ends of the projections of this relief is transferred upon stone, paper, &c.,
upon which the film (mounted on a suitable frame) is placed by means of the
abrasive action of a stylus or similar instrument applied on the smooth side of the
film. For instance, if the stylus is passed over the back of the film on a curved
line, a like line, consisting of a number of dots, short lines, &c., will be transferred
on the stone or block, and in the same manner surfaces, broad or narrow lines, &c.,
can be transferred on the stone. The above described film is thin, tougb,
transparent, and very durable.
The printing film A or other suitable printing medium is attached to the lower
surface of a light frame B which rests upon the upper surface of a lithographic
stone A' or other block upon which the drawing or design is to be fixed. A
clamp B' provided with sharp edged lugs B2, Figure 5, is held on each end of one
bar of the frame B by means of cam levers B³ or eccentrics with handles pivoted
to the clamps. These clamps B₁ are provided with lugs C which extend beyond
the ends of he bar to which the clamps are held, these lugs C being provided with
recesses a, Fire 4, in their outer surfaces. Into these apertures or recesses a, a,
the bevelled ends or points of the pintles D1, D2, pass, these pintles being loosely
mounted in adjustable bearing blocks E', E2, held between the jaws F1 and F2 of
plates G and G which are provided with sharp edged lugs H³, H2, and with cam
levers J, J, or eccentrics with a handle for clamping said plates G and G2 to a
bar K of a frame surrounding the stone. The frame rests on clamp plates L
attached to the upper ends of screws M passing through a nut M and into a
standard M², one of which is arranged at each corner of the base board N. A
binding screw N₁ holds the nut M' on the standard M2. The rail or bar K' of the
frame surrounding the stone A¹ rests on the ends of the side bars or rails
K2 and K, and is held on the same by means of a movable or detachable screw
clamp O. The pintle D¹ can move in the direction of its length in the bearing
block E, and its point is pressed toward the point of the pintle D² by a spiral
spring P interposed between a shoulder near the head of the pintle and the bearing
block E. The pintle D² is threaded and fits into a corresponding aperture in the
bearing block E, and its outer end is provided with a head or button Q. A
locking nut R with a handle R¹ is mounted on the pintle D² between its point and
the bearing block, this locking nut resting against the end of the bearing block.
The bearing blocks E' and E2 are movable between the jaws, that is, they can be
moved in a direction at right angles to the length of the pintles D' and D². For
this purpose these bearing blocks are loosely mounted on a pintle or short shaft S
connecting the jaws F, F, or F2, F2, and on a screw T, also passing through the
opposite jaws and provided at the outer end with a knob or button U and with a
pointer V resting against or directly in front of a subdivided dial W attached to
the front side of the front jaw F¹ or F¹.
nd
The screws T have 32 (or more or less) threads to the inch, and one complete
turn of the same moves the block E' or E2 1/2 of an inch in the direction of the
length of the screw. By means of the pointer V and the scale on the dial W the
most minute movements of the screws T can be regulated and measured.
The printing surface of the printing film may be stippled, ruled, or cross batched
with straight or curved lines according to the work desired.
The operation is as follows:-According to the kind of work desired, a film A
with stipple rulings, &c., is placed in the clamps B¹. If, for instance, the picture on
the stone is to be shaded by means of horizontal parallel straight lines, as shown
at X, a corresponding printing film is used. This film having been inked, the lines

page_text: are transferred on the stone by means of a stylus upon which the film is removed,
which is accomplished by pressing the spring pintle D¹ towards the block E¹, as
indicated by the arrow a: The film is then reinked, is again placed between the
pintles D1 and D2, and is then shifted a greater or less distance according to the
thickness or spacing of the lines desired, and the lines are transferred on the stone
by means of a stylus, and so on. If close lines are desired the frame B is adjusted
by means of the screws T, T, to such an extent that the lines printed the second
time will be between those printed the first time, as shown at X¹; but if the lines
are to be very heavy, the frame B is so adjusted that the lines printed the second
time will partly cover or will be in contact with the lines printed first, so that
these first lines will be increased in thickness, and in this manner lines can be
produced of any desired thickness. To produce such lines care must be taken to
move or turn both screws T exactly the same distance, which can be regulated
very conveniently by means of the pointers V and dials W. If the lines are to
increase in thickness from one end to the other only one screw T is turned. If the
lines run diagonally the frame is adjusted in the same manner.
Lines running
parallel with the side bars of the frame B are adjusted by means of the screw
pintle D. If longitudinal or transverse waved lines are desired the frame B must
be adjusted longitudinally and transversely. For stippling, the frame B is adjusted
in a similar manner. The first print produces the stipple shown at Y', a second
print produces the stipple Y, and a third the stipple Y³. To obtain this result the
frame B must be so adjusted that the several stipples of the several different prints
will be united to form larger stipples. If stipple shading is desired, as shown at Z,
the frame B is adjusted after each print, but only certain parts of the printing
film A are operated upon with the stylus at the second, third, fourth, &c., prints,
according to the shading of the picture or print desired. If desired different colored
inks may be used for the different prints. The stipple, straight, and waving lines
may be combined to produce various effects.
The frame surrounding the stone can be adjusted in size by means of the clamps O
to suit the stone A', and the height can be adjusted by means of the screws M and
nuts M. In place of the devices described for adjusting the frame B, other similar
devices may be used, but I prefer to use those mentioned above.
In place of the printing film described, other similar devices may be used with
the improved frame for holding printing mediums; for instance, I can take a sheet
of flexible gelatine, smooth on both sides, and make an impression thereon with a
relief-plate, then re-ink this plate and make several impressions, registering with
each other, whereupon the printed part of the gelatine can be transferred upon a
stone by means of a stylus or otherwise, the film or gelatine plate being held in the
improved frame. Or a film can be made by preparing a sheet of gelatine with the
bichromate of potash, or any kindred chemical having the same action, which sheet
can then be exposed through a negative of lines, dots, stipples, &c. The unaffected
parts of the gelatine are washed away, giving the lines, dots, &c., sufficient relief to
be inked with a printer's roller. This film is mounted in the frame in the same
manner as the other films, and as herein shown and described.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. A printing film made substantially as herein described, and consisting of a
thin gelatine or like plate, with an elastic face in relief, so as to permit an
impression to be taken therefrom by the abrasive action of a stylus on its back, as
set forth.
2nd. A printing film or medium for transferring lines, dots, stipples, and other
configurations made of gelatine, substantially as herein described.
3rd. The combination with a printing medium frame of devices for adjusting the
same longitudinally and transversely over the work, substantially as herein shown
and described and for the purpose set forth.
4th. The combination with the printing medium frame of devices for adjusting

page_text: the same longitudinally and transversely over the work, and permitting the same
to be swung from the work, substantially as herein shown and described and for
the purpose set forth.
5th. The combination with the frame to which the printing medium is attached
of longitudinally and transversely adjustable hinges, substantially as herein shown
and described and for the purpose set forth.
6th. The combination with the frame to which the printing medium is attached
of longitudinally and transversely adjustable hinges, and of a frame surrounding
the stone or block, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose
set forth.
7th. The combination with the frame to which the printing medium is attached
of longitudinally and transversely adjustable hinges, and of a transversely,
longitudinally, and vertically adjustable frame surrounding the stone or block,
substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose set forth.
8th. The combination with the frame B, to which the printing film A is attached,
of the clamps B₁, the spring pintle D¹, the screw pintle D2, and devices in which
these pintles fit, substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose
set forth.
9th. The combination with the frame B, to which the printing film A is
attached, of the clamps B', the spring pintle D¹, the screw pintle D², the clamp
plates G and G2, and the adjustable blocks E and E, through which the above
pintles pass, substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose set
forth.
10th. The combination with the clamp plate G¹, provided with jaws F¹ of the
block E, the screw T, the dial W, and the pointer V, substantially as herein shown
and described and for the purpose set forth.
11th. The combination with the clamp plate G2, provided with jaws F', F², of
the block E, the screw pintle D2, and the locking nut R, provided with a handle R¹,
substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose set forth.
12th. The combination with the frame B of the frame formed of the rails K', K²,
and K³, the screws M, the nuts M', the binding screws N¹, and the standards M²,
substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose set forth.
i
13th. A mechanism for using printing mediums made substantially as herein
shown and described, and containing the following clements, to wit, a frame to
which the printing film is attached, longitudinally and transversely adjustable
hinges for this frame, and a vertically longitudinally and transversely adjustable
frame surrounding the stone, and carrying the adjustable hinges of the film holding
frame, as set forth.
14th. The method, substantially as herein shown and described, of making wider
or thicker lines by means of a printing film, consisting in printing one set of lines
and then adjusting the film, so that the second set of lines will be in contact with
the first set, or partly overlap them, whereby the thicknesses of the lines are
increased, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
Π
.
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1000