Improvements in the Production of Stereotype Plates.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 25th June, 1891-Accepted, 25th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Production of Stereotype Plates.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Albert Sauvée, of 22 Parliament
Street, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, at present residing at Avon, in
the Department of Seine et Marne, France, Civil Engineer) to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to improvements on that described in the Speci-
fication of Patent No. 264 dated 7th January 1889, in which electro, zinc, stereo,
process, or other engraved plates were embedded in stereotype plates of other
matter by means of springs secured to the back of such engraved plates, and which
became surrounded and set in the metal of the stereotype plates when same were
cast in the casting box.
According to the present invention strips or bars preferably of metal which is
fusible at a comparatively low temperature are substituted for the springs above
referred to.
In carrying out the invention the engraved plate is placed in its proper position
in the forme from which the stereotype plate is to be produced, and a matrix of the
whole is then taken in the usual manner. Instead of the plate being inserted in
the forme a type high dummy of the same size may be employed and the part of
the matrix over such dummy be subsequently removed. The matrix is then placed
in the casting box, and the engraved plate placed upon the part of the matrix with
which it corresponds, the rear of such plate having been previously coated with
solder or other readily fusible metal.
A suitable number of bars or strips preferably of lead, solder or other readily
fusible metal are then placed on the back of the engraved plate, such bars or strips
being of the required thickness to ensure the cover of the casting box bearing
firmly against same when closed, and thus holding the engraved plate securely in
position. The stereotype plate is then cast in the usual manner and the engraved
plate will be firmly bedded therein.
For producing stereotype plates which are curved to enable them to be applied
to the printing cylinders of rotary printing machines, the casting box will be of the
required curvature and the matrix be shaped to fit same before being inserted
therein, while the engraved plate will also be correspondingly curved after the
matrix has been taken from it when in position in the forme, and before it is
inserted in the casting box. The strips or bars to be applied to the back of the
engraved plate when in the casting box will also be curved to correspond with the
back of such plate, and soft metal such as lead or solder will enable this to be
readily effected, while the yielding nature of such metal will permit of the requisite
pressure being exerted on the plate to keep it in position, but without interfering
with the perfect closing of the casting box.
All four edges of the engraved plate may if desired be made bevelled so as to
key with the stereotype metal when cast round such plate.
Dated this 29th day of September 1890.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Production of Stereotype Plates.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Albert Sauvée, of 22 Parliament
Street, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, at present residing at Avon, in
the Department of Seine et Marne, France, Civil Engineer) and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
The present invention relates to improvements on that described in the Speci-
fication of Patent No. 264 dated 7th January 1889, in which electro, zinc, stereo,
process, or other engraved plates were embedded in stereotype plates of other
matter by means of springs secured to the back of such engraved plates, and which
became surrounded and set in the metal of the stereotype plates when same were
cast in the casting box.
According to the present invention strips or bars preferably of metal which is
fusible at a comparatively low temperature are substituted for the springs above
referred to.
In carrying out the invention the engraved plate is placed in its proper position
in the forme from which the stereotype plate is to be produced, and a matrix of the
whole is then taken in the usual manner. Instead of the plate being inserted in
the forme a type high dummy of the same size may be employed and the part of
the matrix over such dummy be subsequently removed. The matrix is then placed
in the casting box, and the engraved plate placed upon the part of the matrix with
which it corresponds, the rear of such plate having been previously coated with
solder or other readily fusible metal.
A suitable number of bars or strips preferably of lead, solder or other readily
fusible metal are then placed on the back of the engraved plate, such bars or strips
being of the required thickness to ensure the cover of the casting box bearing
firmly against same when closed, and thus holding the engraved plate securely in
position. The stereotype plate is then cast in the usual manner and the engraved
plate will be firmly bedded therein.
For producing stereotype plates which are curved to enable them to be applied
to the printing cylinders of rotary printing machines, the casting box will be of the
required curvature and the matrix be shaped to fit same before being inserted
therein, while the engraved plate will also be correspondingly curved after the
matrix has been taken from it when in position in the forme, and before it is
inserted in the casting box. The strips or bars to be applied to the back of the
engraved plate when in the casting box will also be curved to correspond with the
back of such plate, and soft metal such as lead or solder will enable this to be
readily effected, while the yielding nature of such metal will permit of the requisite
pressure being exerted on the plate to keep it in position, but without interfering
with the perfect closing of the casting box.
.
All four edges of the engraved plate may if desired be made bevelled so as to
key with the stereotype metal when cast round such plate, in which case the
coating of the underside of the engraved plate with solder or other readily fusible
metal may be omitted or not as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
In the production of stereotype plates with engraved plates inserted therein, the
employment of strips or bars of lead, solder or other readily fusible metal which are
placed so as to rest on the back of the engraved plates when in position in the

page_text: casting box, such strips or bars being of a thickness to ensure the cover of the
casting box bearing thereon when the box is closed, so that the plates will be
firmly held in position while the stereotype plate is being cast, the back of the
engraved plates being soldered or its edges bevelled, or both, so that they will
5 become firmly embedded in and secured to the stereotype plate in the operation of
casting.
Dated this 15th dex of Lun 1801
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.