IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INKING ROLLERS FOR LITHOGRAPHIC AND OTHER PRINTING PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Lanham, of 11, Abchurch Lane, in the City of
London, Printer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF INKING ROLLERS FOR LITHOGRAPHIC AND OTHER PRINTING PURPOSES."
Sealed the 15th March 1878, and dated the 22nd January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Lanham at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd January 1878.
ROBERT LANHAM, of 11, Abchurch Lane, in the City of London, Printer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INKING ROLLERS FOR LITHOGRAPHIC
AND OTHER PRINTING PURPOSES."
The inking rollers in ordinary use in lithographic printing are composed of an
iron stock covered with flannel and an outer covering of leather; such rollers, when
first made, require several days to get them into a condition fit for use; further,
every time a roller has been used it requires to be scraped with a knife to separate
the ink from the leather, as the drying of the ink thereupon would render the roller
unfit for use; again, if it is desired to change the printing from one colored ink to
another, some hours are required to suitably prepare the roller for the reception of
an ink of a different color.
I propose to manufacture inking rollers by the use of which a great saving of
time and of plant may be effected, a finer quality of lithographic work be obtained,
and which will not be subject to the above-mentioned disadvantages.
I propose to make my improved inking roller with an ordinary stock, but to
substitute in lieu of the flannel a covering of ordinary vulcanized india-rubber,
and in the place of the outer covering of leather a thin coating of the best
bottle india-rubber, caoutchine, or other preparation of india-rubber which I may
find suitable.
I now find it preferable to prepare the india-rubber for the outer covering or
coating by placing it in an iron ladle or other vessel over a fire until it becomes

page_text: liquid, but I may dissolve the india-rubber in ether, naptha, coal tar oil, oil of
turpentine, alcohol, bisulphide of carbon, or by any suitable chemical or other
solvent.
The india-rubber for the coating being dissolved, I propose to apply it cold
upon the vulcanized india-rubber, spreading it evenly thereupon in any suitable
manner.
Although I now give preference to the use of vulcanized india-rubber as a covering
for the stock and a foundation for my india-rubber coating, I may use other
material as a base for my outer covering or coating.
Amongst the advantages of my improved coating for inking rollers are the
following: An inking roller made according to my Invention is ready for use
directly the coating is applied; a simple washing prepares it for the proper
reception of a different colored ink, and it is not injured by allowing the ink to dry
upon it.
I propose to use my improved inking rollers not only for lithographic printing
but for any other kind of printing for which they may be found suitable.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Lanham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th July
1878.
ROBERT LANHAM, of 11, Abchurch Lane, in the City of London, Printer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INKING ROLLERS FOR LITHOGRAPHIC
AND OTHER PRINTING PURPOSES."
The object of my Invention is to manufacture inking rollers, by the use of which
a great saving of time and of plant may be effected in lithographic and letter-press
printing, and a finer quality of work obtained.
The inking rollers in ordinary use in lithographic printing are composed of an
iron stock covered with flannel and an outer covering of leather. Such rollers,
when first made, require several days to get them into a condition fit for use;
and after a few days the outer skin of leather stretches, so as to require recovering;
further, every time a roller has been used, it requires to bo scraped to separate the
ink from the leather, as the drying of the ink thereupon would render the roller
unfit for use; this scraping is also required in an ordinary roller to bring up the
nap;" again, if it is desired to change the printing from one colored ink to another,
some hours are required to suitably prepare the roller for the reception of an ink of
a different color.
£6
I make my improved lithographic inking roller with an ordinary iron stock, but
substitute in lieu of the flannel a covering of vulcanized india-ruber, upon which I
place a coating of the best bottle india-rubber, caoutchine, or other preparation of
india-rubber in a liquid state.
I find it preferable to prepare the india-rubber for the outer covering or coating
by placing it in an iron ladle or other vessel over a fire until it becomes liquid;

page_text: but I may dissolve the india-rubber in ether, naptha, coal tar oil, oil of
turpentine, alcohol, bisulphide of carbon, or by any suitable chemical or other
solvent.
The india-rubber for the coating being dissolved, I apply it in this liquid state,
cold upon the vulcanized india-rubber, spreading it evenly thereupon in any suitable
manner; the roller is then ready for use.
Although I give preference to the use of vulcanized india-rubber as a covering for
the stock and a foundation for my india-rubber coating, I may use other material
as a base for my outer covering or coating.
I propose to use my improved inking rollers, not only for lithographic printing,
but for any other kind of printing for which they may be found suitable.
I am aware that india-rubber has been used for the purpose of covering inking
rollers, but not in a liquid state or in solution, as above set forth, and for this reason
it has proved ineffectual.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I claim as secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent,-
Firstly. The use in an ordinary inking roller of an outer covering or coating of
india-rubber applied in a liquid state or solution upon vulcanized india-rubber,
substantially as herein-before described.
Secondly. The use in an inking roller of an outer covering or coating of pure
india-rubber, applied in a liquid state or in solution, upon any foundation, covering
or coverings, placed upon the stock of the roller, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Lanham, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord Onc
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
ROBERT LANHAM. (L.S.)