IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING ON COTTON, WOOLLEN, SILK, PAPER, AND OTHER FABRICS AND MATERIALS
Year: 1849

page_text: ALL
REDENT
BURCH, of Crag Works, Macclesfield, Engineer, send greeting.
E, 1, JOSEPH
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 Fourteenth
day of June (One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine), in the twelfth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Joseph Burch, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Joseph
Burch, my exors, adñors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph
Burch, my exors, admors, 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, my Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING ON COTTON, WOOLLEN, SILK, PAPER, AND OTHER
FABRICS AND MATERIALS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
that I, the said Joseph Burch, 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
enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the 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 with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Burch, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters
marked thereon, that is to say:-
In describing my Invention, I have divided it into four parts, videlicet,
improvements in block printing, improvements in roller printing, improve-
ments in ticket printing, and improvements in--printing on wetted, moistened,
or damped woollen or mixed fabrics.
My improvements in block printing are divided into four parts:-
First, the mode of constructing a machine which shall consist of a series of
block printing machines, joined together at equal distances, and, by means
of connected shafting or otherwise, giving the whole a simultaneous move-
ment, so that each machine shall print a different colour of the same design.
By this arrangement I am enabled to print patterns of large dimensions on
carpets or other fabrics and materials, where a frequent repetition of the
design is detrimental to the effect required; I am also enabled to work up
large designs in any number of colours or shades of colours, and produce a
richness of effect never before accomplished by mechanical contrivances and
a single operation.
Secondly, the mode of conveying the carpet or fabric to be printed through
a machine or machines upon an endless cloth or material, having short pin
points projecting from the upper or outer surface, and metal or non-elastic
bands affixed to each edge, having a series of holes at exact distances from
each other through their whole length, and guide rollers to ensure its move-
ment in a direct line. This is a very important part of my Invention, as by it
I am enabled to move the fabric with such precision through the machines,
that each block will deposit its colour in the proper place, and the impressions
of the last machine will perfect the design without the aid of mending or
pencilling. In Figures 1 and 2, I exhibit an elevation and plan of nine of my
patent block printing machines fixed on a basement frame, and equidistant
to each other; each machine has a traversing frame with two blocks, one on
each side, and the whole of the blocks are separate parts of the same design
and work in different colors. The patterns are prepared in the same manner
as the designs for needlework or weaving on a suitable material divided in
squares or checks, each square having the necessary colour upon it to form
the design without any other outline. By my already patented process, I
check the surface of the blocks in the same manner, and transfer the different

page_text: colours or distinct shades of colours on to separate blocks, and the whole of
their surfaces, excepting the squares, which have been marked as forming a
part of the design, is then removed; the blocks are then distributed through
the machines, each one being fixed to its corresponding colour sieve, and the
operation of collecting their impressions together, so that every square shall
fall in its proper place, is performed by the endless cloth. As far as regards
merely an endless cloth, that is no part of my Invention, for the old mode of
conveying cloth upon its surface by tension, friction, or pressure, will fail after
repeated impressions, and any length of space has been traversed; it requires a
positive control over its movements, such as I have effected by the bands and
guides, and the cloth must lay upon it without the slightest derangement
during its progress through the machines, which is effected by the pin points
on its surface.
Thirdly, the mode of repeating the impressions of the blocks by mechanical
contrivances, each time varying the weight of pressure. In printing very
thick substances it is scarcely possible by one application of the block to
deposit sufficient color to saturate the cloth, and, particularly on ferry and pile
surfaces, a repetition is required, and sometimes three or four impressions must
be given before sufficient color is applied. The object and advantage of this
part of my Invention is, that by using a heavy pressure with the first impres-
sions I force the colour into the cloth, and by reducing the pressure with the
last impressions, I leave the colour merely on the surface, which in conse-
quence finishes with greater brilliancy and effect. This part of my Invention
is particularly applicable to printing carpets by machinery with either surface
blocks or rollers. I have shewn a way in which the principle may be applied
by means of a shaft with excentric bearings marked C³.
Fourthly, the mode of bringing the furnishing rollers alternately in contact
with the sieve rollers every time the action of the sieve roller is reversed, in
order to prevent any flush of colour returning on its upper surface, and
thereby ensuring even furnishing. This arrangement is exhibited in figure,
Fig. 7:
My improvements in roller printing consist of two parts:-
First, the mode of constructing a drum or wheel of sufficient dimensions
that the whole length of the tissue or piece of cloth to be printed may be
exposed on its surface without any portion of its length overlapping to one side.
Round its whole circumference is fixed a continuous row of cogs or teeth, and
the tooth wheel on the end of the print roller is an exact division of its whole
circumference, so that the same teeth on repeating its revolutions always work
together, and the advantages derived from this part of my Invention are a

page_text: correct repetition of impressions by continual revolutions of-the drum or wheel,
without reversing its motion, and in printing.carpets or thick materials the
action is continued, until by-repeated applications of the colour a sufficient
quantity is deposited on, the cloth... ***
L
Secondly, the mode of fixing!pin points on its outer surface, to prevent the
derangement of the cloth. Tlie pin points are not to project through the cloth
when bound upon it, but must only be of sufficient length to hold the cloth
without injuring the rollers or surfaces as their pressure is applied.
Thirdly, the mode of cutting the surfaces of printing rollers by the aid of
machinery in squares or checks previous to the design or parts of the design
being marked upon them. The advantages to be derived from this mode are
precision, expedition, and economy. The ordinary mode of drawing the design
upon the roller, and afterwards cutting away the intermediate parts, is too
expensive when many rollers of large dimensions are required; by my mode
a child may copy the parts of the design on to the roller, and the intermediate
spaces are easily picked out and removed. Figure 23 shews a surface roller
in a prepared state.
f.n.
My improvements in ticket printing consist in a mode of constructing
machines and printing by mechanical 'contrivances both sides of the ticket at
the same time, and changing a figure on the reverse side to correspond with
the unit of the progressive number. The advantages of this part of my
Invention are, to prevent frauds by rendering the ticket difficult of imitation.
It is hereafter fully described and shewn in Figures 16, 17, 18.
My improvements in printing piled fabrics consists of having them wetted or
damped for the purpose of causing the colour to sink to the foundation of
velvet or terry surfaces. In printing thick piled cloths or tissues made of
wool or mixed materials, when the cloth is dry, as in the ordinary mode of
printing, it requires very heavy pressure to force the colour down to the foun-
dation. Woollen fibre is a bad conductor of moisture, but if the colour is
applied to the cloth or material when the same is in a wetted state, the colour
is attracted by the wet fibre, and without any extra pressure sinks evenly into
the cloth. The process has the same advantages as dyeing, as the fibre wet
from the preparation or mordant, and softened by the application of the usual
preparing liquors, is more easily stained with the colouring matter, and is a
far better absorbent whilst wet than it is in a dry state. This mode has
double advantages, as it saves the expense of drying the goods between the
processes of preparation and printing, the colours sink more easily into the
cloth, they are better fixed in the fibre, and the general effect is softened and
improved.
"
1

page_text: Description of the first part of my Invention: A is the framework of..the
machines. Bis the large driving wheel. It is fixed on the end of the driving
shaft, and support by a wall, box. B is the driving shaft. It passes through
the whole length of the machines, and, by, means of tooth wheels, gives an
uniform motion to the whole series. B are driving pinions; they are fixed at
certain distances on the driving shaft. B³ are spur wheels for giving. motion
to each machine, and the driving pinions (B2) work into them. They are not
fixed on the crank shafts; but when required to drive the machines to which
they belong, they are taken up by the driving arm. B' are the driving arms;
they are fixed on the end of the crank shafts, and, by means of the driving
bolts, set the machines in motion. B are the driving bolts. Be is the counter
shaft, with strap, pulleys, and pinion, for giving motion to the large driving
wheel. C are the crank shafts. C¹, connecting rods.
C², excentric pressure
shafts. C³ are the pressers. .C, guides for securing the vertical descent of
the pressers. C³, guide shafts. These shafts pass and are fixed to the lower
part, through the pressers; and, by means of the guides (C), the pressers are
kept in the proper position while giving the impressions. Co are loose tooth
wheels upon the end of the excentric shafts; they work into tooth racks fixed
to the upper guides C. C are flanges, with notches or divisions. To each
of the loose tooth wheels is fixed a catch or clack, and as the excentric shafts
ascend and descend, the fixed racks set the loose wheel in motion; and each
time the action is reversed at the top a division of the fixed flange is taken
up, and the excentric shaft, makes part of. a. revolution. The divisions in the
flanges must.correspond with the number of impressions required, and the
cloth must move on when the impression is the lightest.
duced by the bearings, where the connecting rods work on the excentric shaft,
being excentric about 3 of an inch out of centre, which makes in a revo-
lution. The length of action is encreased and diminished thereby. Cs are guide
rollers, fixed in the extreme ends of the guide shafts C. These descend into
the traversing frame guides D', and fix the traversing frames, while the blocks
deliver their impressions. D are traversing frames, which have been already
described in my Specifications of former Patents, and which have been granted
to me for improvements in printing. D₁ are the guides which receive, the
guide rollers. D2 are pinions on the driving shaft B². D³ are spur wheels,
with driving rollers.. D' are traversing slides, with tooth racks fixed to the
lower edge. D, flanged guide rollers, between which the traversing slides work.
D', tooth wheels. D7, traversing frame shaft. D³, tooth wheels. D', racks
on the upper side rails of the traversing frames. As the spur wheels D³
revolve, by means of the driving rollers which work in the vertical slot of the
The effect is pro-

page_text: traversing slide, the vertical slide receives its traversing motion, and the rack
on its under side working into the tooth wheels marked De, the traversing 1
frame shaft is set in motion, &, by means of the tooth wheels D, and the
racks on the upper side of the traversing frames, gives to the traversing frames
the required movement. It will be seen in Figure 6. This connection of
movements is repeated twice in the series of machines between the second and
third, and between the seventh and eighth. It is not necessary that it should
be placed to each machine. Part of the vertical slots in the traversing slides
are parts of a circle; and while the bowls are passing through that part of the
slides they become stationary, and then the impressions are made by the
blocks. E is a cam on the crank shafts of the machine, and by means of the
lever E¹, the connecting rod E2, and the lever arm E³, gives motion to the
furnishing roller shaft E. This, by means of the arm E, and the connecting
rods Es, move the forks E', on the ends of which the furnishing rollers work,
and are alternately, as the action by means of the cam E is reversed, brought
in contact with the lever rollers. F are the sieve rollers. G, color boxes.
G¹, feeding rollers. H, color roller shaft, which drives the feeding rollers by
means of small pullies H¹. I are rollers between and underneath the
machines to support the endless cloth. J is an excentric cam, fixed on the
crank shaft of the first machine. J¹, lever and bowl. Ja, connecting rods.
J³, toothed segments. The arm of one fixed to the connecting rods J, and
the arm of the other has a driver attached to it, which gives the entering
movement to the drum, and the onward action of the endless cloth. K is the
endless cloth. It passes over the entering drum, through the machine, and
returns down the face of the delivery drum, and underneath the machine,
supported by the rollers marked I. K' are studs, fixed at exact distances on
the periphery of each edge of the entering drum, corresponding with the
holes K in the non-elastic bands, and ensures the exact movement of the
entering drum. K³ are guide rollers, fixed to the bands K³, which work into
grooves in the printing tables, and cause the endless cloth or material to move
in a direct line. K are small pin points, projecting from the outer surface of
the endless cloth, and studded over it, about one hundred to a square yard;
.but care must be taken that they do not project too far from the surface of
the endless cloth, so as to injure the face of the printing block as they are
pressed down upon the carpet or material. L is the material about to be
printed. It passes over the guide rod L', the friction drum L, and under the
rollers L³, till it touches the endless cloth. It then comes under the weight
roller L, which presses it on the projecting pins; and it is carried at intervals
through the machines. It is stationary while the blocks deliver their im-

page_text: pressions, and until the printing is complete, and moves on while the traversing
frames carry the printing blocks over the color sieves. M are change wheels,
for the purpose of controlling the number of impressions to each block, by
ineans of a catch detaining the lever arm, and which the change wheels release
at the proper time. N are the printing blocks. N¹, adjusting screws, which
receive the presser screws. N³, presser screws, which descend upon the adjusting
screws. N³, block backs, to the under surface of which printing blocks are fixed.
. In reference to my improvements in roller printing, Figure 12 is a diagram
of a large drum or wheel, shewing at O the stretching rollers, P the printing
rollers, the furnishing rollers, R. the colour boxes and feeding rollers, S the
cloth to be printed, which is secured at each end by the stretching rollers T,
the teeth or cogs (shewn by dotted lines) extending round its circumference,
and R the tooth wheels on each colour sieve roller; the large drum will
revolve on its axis as many times as impressions of the printing rollers are
required to be repeated. The surface of the drum is to be studded with pin
points to prevent any side shifting of the carpet or material, which may be
covered with a think printing blanket. When a thin material is to be printed,
and the side movement prevented by pin points, fixed so that they come between
the plain spaces of the design, the proper places may be ascertained by print-
ing the pattern upon it before the piece is fixed on; the print rollers are to be
provided with the ordinary set screws for adjusting the pressure. The
Figure 12 shews an arrangement for twenty-one rollers. It is not necessary
that all the rollers should print at once; a portion of them may be made to
deliver their impressions first with the most delicate colors, and so on until
the whole of them had printed; for it will be found that the yellows, pinks,
and other pale shades, if allowed to come in contact with heavier colors while
wet, such as dark blues, dark browns, blacks, &c., the surface of the rollers
will become tinged with the contact, and the brightness of the colors destroyed
by the repeated impressions. The wheel or drum may be set in motion either
by tooth wheels, or an easier motion is obtained by means of a driving strap
working round one side of it.
I will now proceed to describe apparatus according to the third part of my
Invention for printing railway passengers' tickets, and other surfaces composed
of such like material. Figure 13 shows a front view, Figure 14 a side view,
and Figure 15 a section looking towards the. back of the apparatus. a, a, is
the framing, b is the main shaft, to which is affixed the fast and loose pullies c, d,
by which it is driven, and also the tooth wheel e, which takes into and gives
motion to the tooth wheel f, on the shaft g, upon which and upon the shaft b

page_text: are affixed the various wheels, by which the different movements are effected.
The machine is arranged for printing the two sides of a railway passenger
ticket, such as is shewn by either of the Figures 16, 17, 18, and the plain
cards would be fed into the machine by means of the trough h, and the lowest
card will rest on the guides i, ready to be acted upon by the upper end of the
lever j, which turns upon the axis j, and is actuated by means of a connecting
link, attached to the sieve table. On the upper surface of the lever j there
is a spring, which in the movement of that. part of the lever j towards the
machine pushes a card forward, and in its receding to take a fresh card the
spring gives way and passes under the next card ready to take it into the
machine. The impressions on the two sides of the cards in the examples
given (excepting the figures which indicate the number of the ticket) are pro-
duced by printing surfaces on the presses k, k, and the cylinder ; one of the
presses is to print the black portion of the side with two colors, excepting the
figures indicating the number of the card) and the other presser k to print the
red color; and this is effected alternately, the pressers being for this purpose
capable of a reciprocating movement by being carried by the frame k', which is
guided in its movement, by the guides k³, and is actuated by a crank pin k+,
from the crank ³, and affixed to the axis, and, when brought into position the
pressers are capable of being acted upon by means of the presser rod k*, which is
guided by the framing, as shewn, and receives motion from the crank pin k³,
from the axis b, by means of the link ; the presser k receives color from the
rollers and troughs k'. The printing cylinder 1, which is for producing the
impression on the other side of the ticket, has ten sides which are all alike,
excepting the small figure in the centre, which I prefer should vary in each
from 1 to 0, and a fresh surface brought up after each impression. Such
movement is produced by means of a driver from the sieve, taking into
ratchet teeth on the side of the cylinder 1. This cylinder 7 is supported on
arms, carried by the slide 7, which is actuated in its movement by cams 1³
on the axis g, so that the cylinder may give off its impression at the same
time that one of the pressers / gives off its impression, and the cylinder
remains up till the other presser k has given off its impression. Colour is
taken up by the cylinder after each impression by its coming down upon the
color sieve *, which during the ascent of the cylinder receives colour from
the colour rollers P, as shewn, and and the colour sieve has motion given to it
for this purpose by means of the cam surface 18, which actuates the lever F,
which turns upon an axis 1+, and at its other end is connected, by means of a
link, to the sieve . The tickets, after receiving the impressions from the
surfaces k and l, are moved forwards by the successive cards moving behind

page_text: into position to be acted upon by the peripheries of the wheels m, which have
figures formed thereon; in order to print the number of the ticket each wheels
contain on their peripheries the figures 1 to 0, and when combined it is by
the order of their movement various combinations are produced. These
wheels are shewn by other Figures of the Drawing on a larger scale, by which
their combinations and mode of action to produce their change will be better
understood. The first wheel m has ratchet teeth formed upon it, by which it
receives motion (in its to and fro movement, hereafter described) by means of
a driver carried by the framing so as to change one figure for each impression.
The next wheel m', which is to produce the ten of the figures, is only required
to move one figure forward, or one tenth of its revolution, for each revolution
of the wheel m, and this is effected in the following manner :-The wheel m
has a pin m³ on its inside, which in the revolution of the wheel m comes in
contact with one of the arms m³, moving that arm about a distance equal to
about a tenth of a revolution of the cylinder m; in so doing the arms come
in contact with one of the pins m' on the wheel m', moving that wheel a tenth
of a revolution for a revolution of the wheel m, and there is one of such sets of
arms to each of the other wheels m, so that the succeeding one may move only a
tenth of a revolution for a revolution of the preceding one. In commencing
to number with the low numbers, only one, two, and so on of the wheels will be
used. Wheels or rings in are carried by the projection m from the slide m³,
which is actuated, as shown, by means of an excentric on the shaft b, in order to
move the wheels m from the color roller to give their impression to. The guides
for the slide m³ are carried by the plate m³, and have a slight up and down
movement given to it, as shewn, in order to take up the color, and also to
impart its color to the card. o is the color roller, which has a ratchet upon its
axis, which receives motion by means of a driver from the slide m³.
Figure 1 is a side élévation of a series of printing machines, with the neces-
sary appliances for printing carpets, &c.
Figure 2 is a plan of a series of printing machines.
Figure 3 is an end elevation shewing mechanical arrangements for moving
the entering drum, change wheels for increasing the number of impressions,
the driving pulliés, &c.
Figure 4, a front elevation shewing the driving arm, the spur wheel, the
delivery drum, and the large driving wheel.
Figure 5 is a section, showing the crank shaft, the connecting rod, the
sieve rollers and furnishing apparatus, the presser, the block frame shaft, and
the tooth wheels.

page_text: Figure 6 is a section shewing the pinion B¹, the spur wheel D³, the
traversing slide D', the guide rollers D, the tooth wheel D, the traversing
frame shaft D', the tooth wheel Ds, and the traversing frame racks for
working the traversing frames.
Figure 7 is a section shewing the furnishing roller shaft, E, the lever arms,
cam, &c., &c., the connecting rods for working the furnishing rollers, also the
end of the excentric shaft, with the rack and pinion for revolving it.
Figure 8 is a
plan of the endless cloth, with carpet upon it, shewing at
different stages of the process the manner in which a series of machines
produce a perfect design on the material at different stages as it passes.
through them.
Figure 9 is a side view of the endless cloth, the entering and delivery
drums, the supporting rollers, and studs on the entering and delivery drums.
Figure 10 is a section of the endless cloth, side bands, guide rollers and
guides, and the way in which the pin points are made to project from its
surface.
Figure 11 is a plan of the endless cloth, edge bands, pin points, drum
studs, &c.
Figure 12 is an elevation of a large drum or wheel, with a number of
printing rollers and two stretching rollers for securing the ends of the cloth.
Figure 13 is a front elevation of a ticket printing machine. Figure 14
is a side elevation. Figure 15 is a section. Figures 16, 17, 18, shew the
effect to be produced by one operation of the "Ticket Printing Machine."
Figure 19 is a section of pile called Brussels carpet, shewing the effect of
printing it whole in a wet state.
Figure 20 shews a cluster of woollen threads after they have been printed
wet, with a piece of carpet, and afterwards drawn out to a straight line.
Figure 21 is the same as 19 and 20, only printed in a single colour.
Figure 22 shew the effect of printing cut pile carpets in a wet state.
Figure 23 shews a roller checked or cut on the surface, and in a state to
receive the marking out of the design.
Having now described the different parts of my Invention of improvements
in printing, and way in which the same may be practised, I wish it to
be understood that I do not confine the application of them alone to my
already patented printing machinery. And I would have it also to be under-
stood that I do not confine myself to the use only of those mechanical con-
trivances which I have herein described, but consider myself at liberty to
use any mechanical equivalents for producing the same effects; neither do I

page_text: lay any claim to the mechanical movements otherwise than in connection with.
the mechanical combinations hercin exhibited. Neither do I confine myself
to use a particular material for constructing any of the different parts, nor
confine myself to shape, form, or dimensions.
But what I claim as my Invention is,-
Firstly, I claim for the mode of constructing a machine which shall consist
of a series of surface printing machines.
Secondly, I claim for the mode of using the combined efforts of a series of
printing machines for the purposes herein described.
Thirdly, I claim the mode of conveying the cloth or material to be printed
through a series of printing machines.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of using pin points, inetal or non-elastic bands,
and guide rollers, in connection with an endless cloth or material for the
purposes herein described.
Fifthly, I claim the so repeating from printing surfaces their impressions on
the same spot, when by mechanical means that the weight or pressure of the
snccessive impressions shall be varied.
Sixthly, I claim the mode of bringing the furnishing rollers alternately in
contact with the sieve rollers for the purposes herein described.
Seventhly, I claim the mode of using a large drum or wheel, in the manner
and for the purposes herein described.
Eighthly, I claim for the mode of securing carpets or thick materials from
shifting on a circular or flat surface during the process of printing by the aid
of pin points as herein described.
Ninethly, I claim the mode of cutting or checking the surfaces of rollers
before any parts of the design are marked upon them as herein described.
Tenthly, I claim the mode of printing passenger tickets on both sides at
the same time as herein described.
Eleventhly, I claim the printing on wetted carpets, and other piled fabrics,
in order to obtain a better absorbent of the colour, and cause it to sink into
the pile, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Burch, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
JOSEPH (L.S.) BURCH.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourteenth day of December,
in the year of our Lord 1849, the aforesaid Joséph Burch came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
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.
Enrolled the Fourteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.

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