IMPROVE- MENTS IN CYLINDER PRINTING APPARATUS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CYLINDER PRINTING APPARATUS."-A communication from abroad
by Messrs. Félix Marie Baudouin, Civil Engineer, and Henry Jérémie
Christen, Engraver, both of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th May 1862.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CYLINDER PRINTING APPARATUS," to be as follows:-
In roller printing, as heretofore practised, the rollers or cylinders are
engraved on their whole periphery, in order to leave no blank in the impression,
from which it ensues that small sized rollers only can be used unless at great
expense; thus, for a design nine inches in length, for instance, the roller
should be only nine inches in its periphery or a little less than three inches in
diameter; now a roller of so small a diameter is not easily used, as it slackens
in its length, and does not turn truly; were its diameter doubled, which
would increase its cost, it would still be insufficient, especially for fabrics of
great length requiring rollers, the diameter of which is one and a half yards
and more. Besides the expense resulting from the use of rollers of large
diameter, and engraved throughout their periphery, it is still impossible to
A

page_text: obtain perfectly true cylinders; it results again therefrom that in certain
points of their periphery the pressure is too strong, and too weak on others;
and from this inequality of pressure there results inequalities in the work
principally exceptional.
The Invention forming the object of the present application for Letters
Patent bas for object to obviate these disadvantages, and to effect a saving in
the expense of engraving by a mode of printing so called "plate printing"
with a speed ten to twelve times greater than the ordinary mode of printing,
and at same time working with greater nicety than by the said mode. For
this purpose I substitute for the rollers engraved throughout their periphery
as commonly used, rollers the diameter of which may be as large as is required
for their strength, but which present on a limited part only of their circum-
ference the engraving intended to produce the impression, with this essential
peculiarity, that the engraved part (whether embossed or sunk) shall be on
the surface of portions of cylinders, and project from the roller concentrically
to. its axis. These rollers are so disposed as to produce successively as regards
the part where they are working, and simultaneously as regards time, the
impression of the proper color.
The machine is. so. disposed, as berein-after described, that each printing
roller only acts at the time the projecting part is passing, which carries the
engraved surface; they, during the rest of their revolution, exerting no action
on the periphery of the pressing cylinder, but as the latter in its motion has
caused the fabric to advance a greater quantity than the space occupied by the
impression of the design, I by means of a peculiar contrivance to be described
herein-after, bring back the pressing cylinder, and consequently the fabric,
the exact quantity required for the next impression, to correspond exactly with
the foregoing. Moreover, the impression being only produced by compression
of the limited portion of the cylinder against the pressing roller, it is evident
that this compression will be readily regulated, and imparted to the embossing,
which requires but a slight moderate and essentially even pressure, which
conditions cannot be realized by using printing cylinders acting upon the whole
surface, as there will be exerted on a certain point of their periphery too great
a pressure, and consequently but slight pressure on the opposite point of the
same diameter.
Having thus briefly described the essential features of this system of printing
with constant corrective rollers, furnishing by means of non-continuous engraved
surfaces a continuous impression, I will proceed to describe the mechanical
arrangements by which this result has been obtained, and afterwards describe
the arrangements by which I am enabled to obtain, by continuous printing.

page_text: with rollers, blank spaces, the extent of which may be graduated at will,
according to requirements, namely, for shawls, pocket, hand and neck-kerchiefs,
table covers, and other fabrics where the printed subjects are to be separated
from each other by spaces or margins of more or less breadth.
1st, description of the roller printing machine on the rollers of which
are projecting portions of engraved cylindrical surfaces.-Fig. 1, Sheet 1,
shows a side view of the machine; Fig. 2 shows that portion of the machinery.
which after each revolution of the printing rollers, or in other words at each
stroke of the plate will bring back the pressing roller, and consequently the
fabric to the desired position for uniting the impression produced by the
subsequent stroke with that previously executed; Fig. 3 shows separately an
end view of one of the rollers or plate holders C³, C³, intended to be embossed;
Fig. 4 represents one of the arrangements of feeders more especially applicable
to embossing, and showing at same time the mode of suspension by which the
feed apparatus (which may be of any kind) works in connection with the
printing roller; Fig. 5 shows the gear by which the various parts of this feeder
are set in action. In the various Figures the same letters of reference
indicate the same parts where they recur.
The machine consists, first, of a framing A, A, which supports the pressing
cylinder B and the three printing cylinders C', C3, C³. By a similar, arrange-
ment to that usually employed in printing with rollers, the fabric to be
printed, D, D, D, passes over different rollers rotating more or less freely
according to the degree of tension that is to be imparted thereto round the
pressing cylinder B, and emerges after being printed in the direction of tho
arrows. It is driven in its progress by an endless cloth, which passes there-
with round the pressing cylinder B. As the machine may be applied either
to embossed or sunk engraved surfaces, or to a combination of both, I will
suppose that the first printing roller C¹ has a sunk engraved surface, while
the two rollers C2, C3, have embossed surfaces. By an arrangement similar
to that employed in common roller printing machines, the three rollers
C', C, C, are operated by one driving pinion gearing with cog wheels keyed
upon their axes.
In order not to complicate the Figures, I have abstained from representing
all unnecessary details. The three rollers perform their revolutions within
the same time. The first roller, C³, carrying the sunk engraved surface,
should have a perfectly true and smooth surface; it consists, first, of a hollow
cast-iron cylinder plated by galvanic or other known process with copper,
brass, or any slightly oxydizable metal sufficiently hard to be turned and
polished on the lathe. This roller has a longitudinal space sufficiently broad

page_text: and deep to admit of the sunk engraved plate being embedded therein; said
plate is intended to apply the first color. This plate consists, as already
mentioned, of a portion of a copper, brass, or other cylinder, and thick enough
to afford a sufficient resistance; its under surface may be curved and furnished
with ribs to impart the necessary strength. The roller is made wider by
about three-quarters of an inch than the design, such surplus width being
entirely on the back part, whilst on the front part the design extends to the
edges; it is fitted on the roller C' in such manner that its upper surface
may be perfectly concentric, and project about the third of an inch from the
general surface of the roller, but being fitted flush therewith on the two sides
by means of a lateral bevil. I would observe that, in order to apply plates of
different widths on the same roller, the space intended to receive them may
be of large size, the empty space being fitted by portions of cylinders of the
same curve as the general surface of the roller. In order to regulate the
position of this roller C¹, I make use of the following contrivance, which
forms a part of the Invention:-The journals of roller C¹ are not supported
directly in the bearing 6 at each end thereof, but are mounted as follows:-
The bearing is furnished with a rotating disc h, in which is mounted eccen-
trically another disc f serving as a means of adjusting the roller in a longi-
tudinal direction; this disc f supports the pivots of cylinder C. The disc h
is furnished on its periphery with teeth gearing with an endless screw i
mounted in the bearing. By turning the screw i more or less, the disc f has
an eccentric motion imparted to it, the effect of which is to raise or depress.
the axes of the printing roller, and consequently to shift the position of the
contact line with the pressing cylinder B, or, in other words, the part where
the impression is to be produced on the fabric. This shifting of position,
which may be graduated as required, presents a means of correcting the defects
which may result from the incorrect application (in the direction of the motion
f the fabric) of the impression by the second roller C in relation with that
qf roller C. It will also be understood that the displacement produced by
said eccentric of the axis of rotation of roller C, having at same time for
effect to regulate the pressure on pressing cylinder B, it becomes necessary to
make the draught closer to or further from the journal to agree with the
first correction, which is effected by means of an adjusting screw o. This
screw has a graduated disc p, having a number of small teeth formed on the
periphery thereof, and gearing with a small catch 9. By this arrangement,
when the right degree of pressure is obtained, a mark may be made so that
it may readily referred to afterwards, when, for instance, a design experi-
mented upon is to be again placed in the machine. As regards the regulation

page_text: of the impression in the longitudinal direction, it is obtained by means of
adjustment f, f, above mentioned.
occupies a portion of the roller Cs, is
which dips partly into the trough n,
contact in its rotary motion. In
portions of the roller, leaving only some of it in the deep parts, I use a
Scraper for taking off the surplus, and as said scraper must be continuous in
its action both on the lower surface of the roller and that of the projecting
portion thereof, I attach each end of said scraper to a rocking lever K, K³, K,
jointed at K, and suspended by joint K from a vertical rod K³, the upper
part of which is acted on by a spring 1, which presses upon the rod, and so'
compels the scraper to descend after the passage of the projecting portion of
the roller above alluded to, and allows of its again rising on coming in contact
with said portion. The screw m permits of lengthening more or less the
vertical rod K³, while by bending the spring more or less, the pressure on
the scraper may be varied as required. As regards the rollers C², C³, which
are supposed to be embossed instead of having sunk designs, the mode of
feeding or supplying these surfaces with color is not the same as before, the:
color not being required to be continuously scraped off the periphery so as to
leave color only in the deep parts, but, on the contrary, a sufficiently thick'
layer of color is laid on the embossed parts according to the nature of the
design. I simplify the construction of said' rollers; and make them of the
form indicated in Figs. 1, 3, 4, & 5. These are not, properly speaking,
rollers, but solid pieces, which act as plate holders. Upon one of their faces,
which is turned perfectly true and parallel to their axes of rotation, I apply
either a wood block or a cast-iron plate or other plastic plate, the external
surface of which is turned perfectly cylindrical and concentric. with said axis.
I then engrave such block or plate so as to receive the embossing required for
the design, or I apply blocks, cloth, or felt cut out according to the nature of
the design. It is obvious that, by reason of the limited portion which is
occupied by the convex plates with regard to the whole circumference of the
roller, their pressure on the fabric may be much easier regulated, while a
moderate pressure suffices for obtaining at once a perfectly neat impression;
without danger of producing on impervious articles, such as oil cloth, that un--
evenness of color which spoils the neatness of the design, or on pervious articles.
of cutting the same, which, besides the loss resulting therefrom, leave spots and
irregularities in the design. The saving of color thus obtained is about'
fifty per cent. compared to the "Perrotine process," which requires several
applications.
The sunk engraved surface, which
provided with color by the feed roller n
and with which roller C' is brought in
order to move the collar from certain
a very.

page_text: The plate holders C³, C³, are of cast iron, and for the sake of light-
ness I make them hollow and open in the under face, with partitions for
strengthening them; their ends are terminated by cast-iron pivots formed
there withor solidly fixed thereto on their upper face, which is turned very
true, as already mentioned, are attached the plates bearing the relief sur-
faces. Adjusting screws d, placed at both ends of said plate holder, Fig. 3,
serve to regulate the position of the plates. The lower plate holder C³, simply
turns in bearings furnished with parts for adjusting it in the longitudinal
direction, which may be raised or depressed by means of screws o¹, similar to
the screws o of the bearing before described, which supports the roller C¹,
The bearings of roller C³ are like those of roller C', furnished with eccentrics,
adjustments, and set screws, and are regulated in the same manner as those
before described. In order to feed the embossed plates on the plate holders
C³, C, with color, I employ according to requirements a set of feeders t and
t, the latter turning in a trough which contains the color for feeding the
former, which may be either a brass cylinder with a sunk engraved surface
which is properly scraped, or a wooden roller furnished with cloth or velvet, and
sometimes covered besides with oil cloth or an endless cloth mounted on two
or three rollers, the lower one dipping into the color trough. In the latter
case, in order to prevent the endless cloth from folding, I keep it laterally
stretched by means of endless chains connected by cords to the selvedge and
gearing with cog wheels placed on both ends of the rollers round which the
cloth passes.
The thickness of color on the various feeders is regulated by
means of a brush on a grooved roller j, a, Fig. 4. But whatever may be
the system of feeders employed, they are so disposed that the ends may be
separated by a part L'on the plate holder C³, Fig. 1, and shown separately at
Fig. 4. Each part L carries a slide bearing g, which rests upon a collar on
each end of the plate holder; a screw e passes through the head of the part L
which in bearing on the upper face of the bearing g, allows of the part L being
raised or depressed in the slide of said bearing, and of being thus brought
close to the engraved surface it is to feed with color. By this arrangement
there will be established such a connection between the feed apparatus and
the plate holder that their respective positions being once well regulated for a
suitable feeding they will continue the same whatever displacement the plate
holder may undergo when regulating its position with regard to the pressing
cylinder. The feeders are as usual driven by gear wheels, one of which is
carried by the plate holder as shown at Fig. 5. Above the plate holder C
there is another feeding apparatus which is not represented in the Drawing in
order to avoid confusion.

page_text: The pressing cylinder B is stationary, its bearings being furnished with a'
screws at each end to prevent any looseness. The surface of this pressing
roller is so prepared as to yield the elasticity which suits the kind of impression:
to be given. I will now proceed to describe the mechanism alluded it at the
commencement of this Specification, by which mechanism the impression is!
rendered continuous notwithstanding the disjointed nature of the designs
engraved on the rollers and the method of uniting thein. This portion of the
mechanism is represented at Fig. 2, Sheet 1. Upon one end of the printing
roller B is fitted a cog-wheel G having a stud with numerous regular divisions'
thereon in the form of teeth F1, F2, F³, F, F, F, F, F, placed at suitable
distances apart, the number of which is in certain proportion to the nuniber:
of teeth of wheel G. Thus, supposing this wheel has 114 feeth, the:
spaces between will correspond to eighteen of these teeth; on the axis of the
first roller C is affixed a tooth segment I, the arc of which is of greater
diameter than that of the plate C. This toothed arc I gears with the wheel.
G; a little forwards is a tooth H similar to the tooth F, upon which it is
intended to act; on the same radius with the tooth H, but nearer to the
centre, is affixed a stud u, passing through a slot J, formed on the bar J, J',:
jointed at J to the lever K, K', one end of which is secured at the joint K',:
on which it turns as a pivot, whilst the other end has at K a tooth similar to:
HI, intended to act in an opposite direction. All the parts are so arranged.
that upon rotary motion being imparted to roller C, before the projecting:
surface which carries the design has reached the pressing cylinder B, and
before the toothed arc I is in gear with wheel G, the tooth H advances and
bears against one of the teeth, F for example, and connects the wheel G with.
the toothed arc I, so that they are thus thrown into gear without any jerking
and with great regularity; after such gearing has been secured, the fore edge
of the engraved design bears, without the possibility of derangement, upon the
cloth which surrounds the pressing roller. When the segment I is out of gear
with the wheel G, the pressing roller being no longer in contact, is free to turn
in either direction.
Now the arc corresponding to the progress of the fabric being as aforesaid.
greater than that occupied by the design, it ensues that the tooth F has
progressed more than one division, say one-eighth of the circumference. This
surplus progress is owing to the greater extent of the arc I. In this manner
the impression on the fabric by the subsequent passage of the engraved surface.
would be separated from the preceding by a blank, and the next tooth, F³, of:
the divisor, would be too forward and not in a suitable position for the sub-
sequent action of the tooth H; thus it is necessary that it should be raised.

page_text: This is effected as follows: While the roller C continues its rotation the stud
u drops, and with it, by its own weight, the jointed lever J, J, K, K'; it
afterwards reascends, lifting at same time the head J of said lever, and also
the tooth H; now the relative positions of the various parts of the apparatus
have been so regulated in advance, that the tooth II will act on the tooth F
of the pressing cylinder, and cause it to draw back; with the cloth surrounding
it, the required amount for the action of the tooth H upon the tooth F to be
exerted in such manner that the new impression due to the recent contact
of the engraved design may unite exactly with the preceding one. The
divisor F to F³, is so arranged as to be readily removed and replaced by
another, the divisions of which are either greater or smaller, corresponding,
for example, to one-ninth, one-sixth, or one-eighteenth of the circumference,
and to permit of the adaptation of the machine to designs of various lengths.
The saving which results from this arrangement is obvious, if we consider the
cost of rollers engraved all round. In addition to what has been said, I will
further add that any jerking of the pressure cylinder when the machine is
worked at great speed is obviated by placing between the toothed wheel G
and the divisor F, a grooved pulley with a large wire almost completely
encircling it, connected at one end to the frame, and at the other to a small
weighted rocker. This last arrangement is not shown, as it will be readily
understood. In case it is necessary to stretch more or less the fabric to be
printed, I make use of brake rollers, or any suitable equivalent for the
purpose. I will further observe, that in case the three rollers should be fur-
nished with copper-plate engraved surfaces, which admits of more considerable
pressure, the toothed wheel G and arc I may be dispensed with, the pressure
of the sunk engraved plate upon the pressing cylinder being. quite sufficient
to drive the latter, and by retaining the divisor F and the mechanism H, J, J, K,
which acts upon the. teeth thereof, the correction above explained will be
effected.in the same manner.
2ndly, continuous printing with rollers furnished with parts for producing.
intervals in the printing that may be graduated at will.-Fig. 6, Sheet 2,
represents an end. view of the mechanism for producing said action at the
moment when the apparatus is about to rise and commence a new, operation;
Fig. 7 represents the position of the- apparatus at the moment it is about to.
redescend in order to produce a fresh interruption.. C is a printing roller,
having a sunk, engraved surface like those employed, in the ordinary mode of
roller printing. with copper plates, save that it is formed with a blank y, y.
At one of the ends. of roller C, Fig. 6, is attached a. toothed wheel Q, of the
same diameter gearing. into another similarly toothed wheel N, keyed upon

page_text: the shaft of pressing cylinder B; said wheel N is loose upon this shaft, and,
although acted on by the teeth of Q, it cannot rotate the pressing cylinder B,
except through the medium of catch a of the wheel N, taking in the teeth of
the ratchet wheel M, which is formed with the cylinder B. The lever O, O, R,
which is curved at R, is mounted upon the axis of the ratchet M, so as to
turn freely thereon. This lever is furnished with a catch u, which engages in
said ratchet M. On the axis of the printing roller C is fitted an armi f, z,
having at z a finger or stud disposed so as to engage at a certain period of its
revolution in the hook R of the lever, as shown at Fig. 7, and lift it at same:
time that it rises itself; so long as the lever rises thus, the pawl u cannot act
upon the ratchet M. The toothed wheel Q, which turns in the direction of the
arrow, actuates at same time the wheel N, which is no longer loose on its axis,
as the pawl, which it carries, takes in the ratchet M, and by compelling it to
turn acts upon the pressing roller with which the same is connected, and
during this period of time the pressure exerted upon the roller C causes the
impression to be effected on the fabric. When the finger has arrived at:
the position shown at Fig. 7, the blank presents itself before the presser B;
in the meantime, and by a peculiar arrangement of the roller C, which
will be described hereafter, the pressure of this roller against the cylinder B
ceases, and whilst the blank passes, the roller C does not act upon it..
Upon being liberated from the hook R, the finger Z releases the lever
0, 0, R, which is quickly depressed, by reason of the weight on its end,*
until it meets with the stop finger u on the framing. During this movement.
of the lever 0, 0, R, the catch v takes in the ratchet M, which it carries
along with it, and as this movement of the ratchet M is quicker than that
imparted to wheel N and catch a by wheel Q, said catch a ceases to act upon
the ratchet. The wheel M now turns loosely, allowing the pressing cylinder B
to yield to the quick impulsion produced by the depression of the lever. From
this accelerated motion of roller B results an increase in the progress of the
fabric, in addition to the normal progress which takes place during the passage
of the blank y, y, hence results a blank space which may be made greater in
proportion to the amplitude given to the depression of the lever O, O, R, and
may be varied by altering the relative position of the studs and u, set pur-1
posely in slots to permit of their displacement. It is obvious that, instead of
the lever O, O, R, being raised and depressed mechanically, the operator may
himself fulfil this office, but if in this case greater difference can be obtained
in the depression of the lever by reason of the greater latitude obtained in
the spacing of the stops that are to limit its course upwards and downwards;
on the other hand, the movement is liable to less certainty and regularity.
+

page_text: I have before stated, that at the moment the blank arrives opposite the
pressing cylinder the printing roller ceases to bear upon the latter, which
could not take place when using the ordinary arrangement in roller printing
machines with continuous action rockers, whereas this mode of proceeding
differs. Although the bearings of the printing roller are still free to approach
or recede from the pressing roller a sufficient extent to avoid the untrue round
which is liable to exist in cylinders, I limit the distance between them and
the pressing cylinder B by a stop-piece, and instead of using rockers, which
are rather an impediment of themselves, I employ strong india-rubber plugs
with metallic washers, which I place between the bearings and the screw o,
in order to regulate the pressure.
This improved mode of continuous printing with rollers, combined with the
facility for producing at will gradual spaces between the prints, is chiefly of
advantage for printing shawls, pocket and neck-kerchiefs, oiled table covers,
and generally such other articles as require to be detached and round, which
are to be reserved strips proportioned to the width of the fabric, and intended
for receiving borders which are subsequently applied by hand.
I also particularly claim the notable improvement in the manufacture of
printed oil cloths by this improved printing process, and also the mode of
obtaining a continuous impression with non-continuous engraved plates, as
shown at Sheet 1. With this improved machine the printing of oil cloth
with rollers, which has hitherto proved unproductive, has not only become
practicable, but will, when compared with the ordinary known process, yield
most advantageous results as regards the rapidity, perfection, and economy of
the manufacture.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th November 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William

page_text: Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter 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 for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN CYLINDER PRINTING APPARATUS," a com" to me from abroad by
Messrs. Felix Marie Baudouin, Civil Engineer, & Henry Jérémie Christen,
Engraver, both of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Clark, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
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 calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings bereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
In roller printing as heretofore practised the rollers or cylinders are engraved
on their whole periphery in order to leave no blank in the impression, from
which it ensues that small sized rollers only can be used unless at a great
expense for engraving. Thus, for an engraving nine inches in length, for
instance, the roller should be only nine inches in its periphery, or a little less
than three inches in diameter; now, a roller of too small a diameter is not
easily used, as it is liable to bend and does not turn truly; were its diameter
doubled, which would increase its cost, it would still be insufficient diameter,
especially for fabrics of great breadth requiring rollers of upwards of a yard
and a half in length. Besides the expenses resulting from the use of rollers of
large diameter and engraved throughout their periphery, it is still impossible
to obtain perfectly true cylinders; it also results therefrom that in certain
points of their periphery the pressure is too great and too weak at others, and
this inequality of pressure produces inequalities in the work, especially in
printing from relief surfaces.
This Invention has for its object to obviate these disadvantages & to effect
a saving in the expense of engraving, by a mode of printing so called "flat"
plate printing," with a speed ten to twelve times greater than the ordinary
mode of roller printing, and at the same time working with greater nicety than

page_text: is obtained by the said mode of printing. For this purpose, instead of
employing rollors engraved throughout their periphery as commonly used, I
use rollers the diameter of which may be as large as is required for strength,
but which present on a limited part only of their circumference the engraving
intended to produce the impression, with this essential peculiarity, that the
engraved part (whether embossed or sunk) shall be on the surface of portions
of cylinders, and project from the roller concentrically to its axis. These
rollers are so disposed as to produce successively as regards the part on which
they act, and simultaneously as regards time, the impression of the paper color.
The machine is so disposed, as will be herein-after described, that cach
printing roller only acts at the time the projecting part is passing which carries
the engraving, they during the rest of their revolution exerting no action on
the pressing cylinder; but as the latter in its motion causes the fabric to
advance to a greater extent than the space occupied by the impression of the
design, I employ a peculiar contrivance, to be herein-after described, which
turns the pressing cylinder in a backward direction, and consequently the fabric
with it, the exact quantity required for the next impression to unite, and corre-
spond perfectly with the foregoing. Moreover, the impression being only
produced by the pressure of a limited portion of the cylinder against the pressing
roller, it is evident that this pressure may easily be regulated, and especially
in relief printing, which requires a very moderate and essentially equal pres-
sure, which conditions cannot be realized when using printing cylinders acting
throughout their whole surface, since by reason of a fault in the centreing, for
instance, too great pressure may be exerted on a certain point of their
periphery, and insufficient pressure at the opposite point of the same diameter.
Having thus briefly described the essential features of this system of
printing with constant corrective. rollers furnishing a continuous impression,
although using non-continuous engraved surfaces. I will now proceed to
describe the mechanical arrangements by which this result has been realized,
and afterwards describe the arrangements by which I obtain during the opera-
tion blank spaces, the extent of which may be graduated at will, according to
requirements, namely, for shawls, pocket handkerchief, and neckties, table
covers, and other fabrics, where the printed patterns are to be separated from
each other by spaces or margins of more or less breadth.
Description of the roller-printing machine, on the rollers of which are pro-
jecting portions of engraved cylindrical surfaces.--Fig. 1, Sheet 1, shows a
side view of the machine; Fig. 2 shows that portion of the machinery which,
after each revolution of the printing rollers, or in other words at each
stroke of the plate, will bring back the pressing roller, and consequently.

page_text: the fabric, to the desired position for uniting the impression produced by
the subsequent stroke with that previously executed; Fig. 3 shows sepa-
rately an end view of one of the rollers or plate holders C3, C³, intended to
be embossed; Fig. 4 represents one of the feed arrangements more especially
applicable to embossed surfaces, and showing at same time the mode of sus-
pension by which the feed apparatus, which may be of any kind, works in
connection with the printing roller; Fig. 5 shows the gear by which the
various parts of the feeder are set in action. In the various Figures the same
letters of reference indicate the same parts where they recur.
The machine consists, first, of a framing A, A, which supports the pressing
cylinder B and the three printing rollers C, C, C³. By a similar arrangement
to that usually employed in roller printing, the fabric to be printed D, D, D,
passes over several rollers, rotating more or less freely, according to the degree
of tension that is to be imparted thereto, thence round the pressing cylinder B,
and emerge,
after being printed, passes out in the direction of the arrows. It
is driven on its progress by an endless cloth, which passes together with the
fabric, and underneath it round the pressing cylinder B. As the machine may
be applied either to embossed or sunk engraved surfaces, or to a combination
of both, I will suppose that the first printing roller C has a sunk engraved
surface, while the two rollers C2, C3, have embossed surfaces.
By an arrangement similar to that employed in common roller printing
machines, the three rollers C', C2, C3, are operated by one driving pinion
gearing with toothed wheels keyed upon their axes. In order not to complicate
the Figures, I have omitted to represent all these details, as such will be
readily understood. The three rollers perform their revolutions within the same
tine. The first roller C¹ which carries the sunk engraved surface should have
a perfectly true smooth surface. It consists, first, of a hollow cast-iron cylinder,
plated by galvanic or other known process with copper, brass, or any slightly
oxydizable inetal, but sufficiently hard to be turned and pollished in a lathe.
This roller has a longitudinal space sufficiently broad and deep to admit of the
sunk engraved plate c' being embedded therein, which plate is intended to
apply the first color, which plate consists, as already stated, of a portion of a
copper, brass, or other cylinder, and thick enough to afford a sufficient
resistance. Its under surface may be hollowed out and furnished with ribs to
impart the necessary strength. The plate is made larger by about three
quarters of an inch than the design, such surplus width being entirely on the
back part, whilst on the front part the design extends to the very edge. It is
fitted on the rollers C¹ in such manner that its upper surface may be perfectly
concentric and project about a third of an inch from the general surface of the

page_text: roller with which it is connected on the two sides by means of a lateral bevil.
I would here observe that in order to apply plates of different sizes on the
same roller the recesses intended to receive them may be of a large size, the
space unoccupied by the plate being filled by portions of cylinders of the same
curve as the general surface of the roller. In order to regulate the position of
this roller C', I make use of the following contrivance which forms a part of the
Invention: The journals of roller C are not supported directly in the
bearings 6 at each end, the bearing being furnished with a rotating disc h, in
which is mounted excentrically another disc f, serving as a means of adjusting
the roller in a longitudinal direction, this disc f carries the pivots of cylinder C¹.
The disc h is furnished on its periphery with teeth gearing in an endless
screw i contained in the bearing; by turning the screw i more or less with the
key the disc has an eccentric motion imparted to it, the effect of which is to
raise or depress the axis of the printing roller, and consequently to change the
position of the contact line with the pressure cylinder B, or in other words the
part where the impression is to be produced on the fabric. This change of
position which may be graduated to the smallest and almost to an imper-
ceptible degree presents a means of correcting any defects which may result
from the incorrect application in the direction of the motion of the fabric or
the impression by the second roller C³ in relation with that of roller C¹. It
will also be understood that the displacement produced by said eccentric of the
axis of rotation of roller C' having at same time for effect to vary the pressure
on pressing cylinder B, it becomes necessary to ease the bearings b by varying
their positions so as to conform to the first correction, which object is effected
by means of an adjusting screw o. This screw has a graduated screw disc p,
having a number of small teeth corresponding to the graduations formed on
the periphery thereof, and gearing with a small catch q. By this arrange-
ment, when the right degree of pressure is obtained, a mark may be made so
that it may be readily obtained afterwards, when, for instance, a design is to be
again placed on the machine. The regulation of the impress in the longi-
tudinal direction is obtained by means of the adjustment f, f, above described.
The sunk engraved surface which occupies a portion of the roller C' is
supplied with color by the feed roller n', which dips partially into the trough n,
and with which roller C is brought in contact in its rotary motion. In order
however to remove the color from certain portions of the roller, leaving only
some of it in the deep parts; I use a scraper j for taking off the surplus, and
as said scraper must be continuous in its action both on the lower surface of
the roller and that of the projecting portion thereof, I attach each end of said
scraper to a rocking lever K, K', K³, jointed at K', and suspended by a

page_text: joint K2 on a vertical rod K³, the upper part of which is acted on by a
spring 7, which bears upon the rod and so compels the scraper to descend
after the passage of the projecting portion of the roller above alluded to, and
allows of its again rising on coming in contact with said portion. The screw m
permits of lengthening the vertical rod K³ more or less, and by bending the
spring more or less the pressure on the scraper may be varied as required.
As regards the rollers C, C³, which are supposed to be embossed instead of
having sunk designs, the mode of feeding are supplying their surfaces with
colors differs from the foregoing, the color does not require to be continuously
scraped off the periphery so as to leave color only in the deep parts, but on the
contrary a sufficiently thick layer of color is laid on the embossed parts accord-
ing to the nature of the design. I simplify the construction of said rollers
make them of the form indicated in Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5. They are not properly
speaking rollers but solid pieces which act as plate holders. Upon one of
their faces which is turned perfectly true and parallel to their axes of rotation,
I apply either a wood block, or a cast-iron, plaster, or other plate, the external
surface of which is turned perfectly cylindrical in a lathe and concentric with
said axis. I then engrave such block or plate receiving the necessary relief
required for the design, or I may apply engraved wood blocks, cloth, or felt,
cut out, according to the nature of the design. It is obvious that by reason of
the limited portion which is occupied by these convex plates with regard to
their whole circumference of the roller, the pressure of the fabric may be
easier regulated while a very moderate pressure suffices for obtaining at once
a perfectly neat impression without danger of producing on impervious articles
such as oil cloth, that unevenness & smearing of the color which impairs the
neatness of the design, or on pervious articles of the color penetrating the
same, which, besides the loss resulting therefrom leaves spots and irregularities
in the design. The saving of the color thus obtained is about fifty per cent.
compared to the Perrotine process, which requires several applications. The
plate holders C, C, are of cast iron, and for the sake of lightness I make them
hollow and open in the under face, with partitions for strengthening them.
Their ends, which are solid, carry cast-iron pivots formed therewith or solidly
fixed thereto; on their upper face, which is turned very true as already men-
tioned, are attached the plates bearing the relief surfaces. Adjusting scews d
placed at both ends of said plate holder, Fig. 3, serve to regulate the position of
the plates. The lower plate holder C³ simply turns in bearings which are capable
of attachment in a longitudinal direction, and which may be raised or depressed
by means of the screws o³, similar to the screw o of the bearing before mentioned
in the bearing of roller C. The bearings of roller C³ are, like those of roller C,

page_text: mounted excentrically and furnished with adjusting box and set screw, and are
regulated in the same manner as those before described. In order to feed the
embossed plates on the plate holders C, C, with the color I employ, according
to requirements, a set of feeders t & t, the latter t' turning in a trough which
contains the color for feeding the former, which may be either a copper
cylinder with a sunk engraved surface & properly scraped, or it may be a
wooden roller furnished with cloth or velvet, and sometimes covered besides
with oil cloth, or I may employ an endless cloth mounted on two or three
rollers, the lower one dipping into the color trough. In the latter case, in
order to prevent the continuous cloth from wrinkling, I keep it laterally
stretched by means of endless chains connected by cords to the selvedges of the
cloth and gearing with toothed wheels on both ends of the roller, round which
the cloth passes.
The thickness of color on the several feeders is regulated
by means of a brush or a grooved roller j, a, Fig. 4. But whatever may be
the system of feeders employed, they are so disposed that their ends may be
supported by a part L on the plate holder C³, Fig. 1, and shewn separately at
Fig. 4. Each part L carries a slide bearing 9 which rests on a collar on each
end of the plate holder, a screw e passes through the head of the part L which
bears on the upper face of the bearing 9 and allows of the part L being raised
or depressed in the slide of said bearing and of being thus brought close to the
engraved surface it is to feed with color. By this arrangement there will be
established such connection between the feed apparatus and the plate holder
that their respective positions being once well regulated for a suitable feeding
will always continue the same whatever displacements the plate holder may
undergo when regulating its position with regard to the pressing cylinder.
These improved feeders are, as usual, driven by toothed wheels, one of which
is carried by the plate holder, as shown at Fig. 5. Below the plate holder C³
there another feeding apparatus which is not represented in the Drawing in
order to avoid confusion. The pressing cylinder B is stationary, the bearings.
in which it is mounted being furnished with a screws at each end to prevent
its turning. The surface of this pressing roller is prepared so as to yield the'
elasticity suited to the kind of impression.
I will now proceed to describe the mechanism alluded to in the commence-
ment of this Specification, by which mechanism the impression is rendered
continuous notwithstanding the non-continuity of the engraved surfaces on the
rollers, as also the method of jointing the patterns. This portion of the
mechanism is represented at Fig. 2, Sheet 1. Upon the end of the pressing
roller B is fitted a toothed wheel G provided with numerous regular divisions,
and having a divider with teeth F¹ to F placed some distance apart, the

page_text: spaces between which teeth form certain proportions to the number of teeth of
wheel Q. Thus, supposing the wheel has 144 teeth, the spaces between will
correspond to 18 of those teeth. On the end of the journal of the first
roller C is affixed a toothed segment I, the arc of which extends beyond the
plate roller c to a certain extent, say, two teeth; this toothed arc I gears
with the wheel G; a little in front of this is a tooth H similar to the
teeth F, upon which it is intended to act. On the same radius with the
tooth H, but nearer to the centre, is affixed a stud u passing through a slot J
formed in the bar J', jointed at Je to the lever K, one end of which is pivotted
at the point K', whilst the other end has at K a tooth similar to H intended
to act in the opposite direction. All the parts are so arranged that on rotary
motion being imparted to roller C before the projecting surface which carries
the design has reached the pressing cylinder B, and before the toothed arc I
is in gear with wheel G, the tooth H first advances and bears on one of the
teeth F, for example, and so connects the wheel G with the toothed arc I, so
that they are thus set in gear without any jerking and with great regularity.
It is only after such gearing has been assured that the front edge of the
engraved design bears without slipping upon the fabric which surrounds the
pressing roller. When the segment I is out of gear with the wheel G, the
pressing roller, being no longer in contact, is free to turn in either direction.
Now the arc corresponding to the progress of the fabric being, as aforesaid,
greater than that occupied by the design, it results that the tooth F has
progressed more than one division, say, th of the circumference, added to the
surplus progress owing to the greater extent of the arc I. In this manner
the impression of the fabric, by the subsequent passage of the improved
surface, would be separated from the preceeding by a blank, and the next
tooth F3 of the divisor would be too forward and not in a suitable position for
the subsequent action of the tooth H; thus it is necessary that it should be
raised, which is effected as follows:-While the roller C continues its rotation
the stud u falls down, and with it, by its own weight, the jointed lever J, J¹,..
K', K', afterwards rises again, raising at same time the head J. of said lever.
and also the tooth K; now the relative positions of the various parts of the
apparatus have been so regulated in advance that. the tooth K will act on the
tooth F of the pressing cylinder & cause it to turn in a backward. directiom
with the fabric surrounding it, the required extent for the action. of the
teeth upon the tooth F³ to be exerted in such manner that the new impres-
sion due to the contact of the engraved. surface may unite exactly with the
preceding one. The divisor. F to. Fa is so arranged as to be readily removed

page_text: and replaced by another, the divisions of which are either greater or smaller,
corresponding, for example, to th or th or 7th of the circumference and to
permit of the adaptation of the machine to designs of various lengths. The
saving, which results froin this arrangement is obvious, considering the cost of
rollers engraved throughout their circumference. I will further add, that any
jerking of the pressing cylinder when the machine is worked at great speed is
obviated by placing between the toothed wheel G and the diviser F a grooved
pulley upon which travels a large iron wire, almost completely encircling it,
being connected at one end to the frame and at the other to a small weighted
rocker. This last arrangement is not shown, as it will be readily understood.
In cases where it is necessary to stretch the fabric to be printed more or less
I make use of break rollers or any suitable equivalent for the purpose. I will
further observe, that in cases where the three rollers are furnished with å
copper plate engraved surface, which admits of more considerable pressure,"
the toothed wheel G and arc I may be dispensed with, the pressure of the
sunk engraved plate upon the pressing cylinder being quite sufficient to drive
the latter, and by retaining the divisor F and the mechanism H, J, J, K,
which acts upon the teeth thereof, the correction above explained will be
effected in the same manner.
2ndly, continuous printing with. rollers and parts producing intervals in
the impressions that may be graduated at will.-Fig. 6, Sheet 2, represents
an end view of the mechanism for producing said intervals at the moment
when the apparatus is about to rise and effect a new impression. Fig. 7
represents the position of the apparatus at the moment it is about to fall, in:
order to produce a fresh interval in the impression; C is a printing roller
having sunk engraved surfaces, like those employed in the ordinary mode of
roller printing with copper plates, save that it is formed with a blank at y, y,
at one end of roller C, Fig. 6, is attached a toothed wheel Q of the same
diameter as the roller gearing into another toothed wheel N, keyed on the
shaft of pressing cylinder B, said wheel N is loose upon this shaft, and although
actuated by the wheel Q, it cannot rotate the pressing cylinder B except
through the medium of a catch a, mounted on the wheel N, and taking into
the teeth of a ratchet wheel M, which is formed on the cylinder B. The
lever O, O, R, which is curved at R, is mounted upon the axis of ratchet M,
so as to turn freely thereon; this lever is furnished with a catch u, which
engages in said ratchet M. On the axis of the printing roller C is keyed an
arm f, z, having at za finger or stud disposed so as to engage at a certain
period of its revolution in the hook R of the lever, as shown at Fig. 6, which it

page_text: raises at the same time that it rises itself, and so long as the lever rises thus
its catch cannot act upon the ratchet M. The toothed wheel Q, which turns"
in the direction of the arrows, actuates at same time the wheel N, which is
no longer loose on its axis as the catch which it carries takes in the ratchet
M, and by compelling it to turn carries with it the pressing roller, with which
it is connected, and during this period of time the pressure exerted upon
the roller C causes the impression to be effected on the fabric. When the
finger has arrived at the position shown at Fig. 7 the blank presents itself
before the presser B, in the mean time and by a peculiar arrangement of the
bearings of rollers C, which will be herein-after described, the pressure of this
roller against the cylinder B ceases, and during the entire passage of the
blank, the roller C does not act upon it. On being liberated from the hook
R, the finger releases the lever O, O, R, which immediately falls by reason
of the weight on its end until it meets with the stop finger u on the framing.
During this movement of the lever O, O, R, the catch, von said lever
takes in the ratchet M, which is carried with it, and as this movement of the
ratchet M is quicker than that imparted to wheel N, and its catch a, by the
wheel the catch a ceases to act upon the ratchet, the wheel M. now turns
loosely allowing the pressure cylinder B to yield to the quick impulsion
produced by the depression of the lever. Froin this accelerated motion of
roller B there results an increase in the rate of progress of the fabric, which
takes place during the passage of the blank y, y, hence a blank space is left,
which is of a size equal to the extent to which the lever O, O, R, is depressed;
its extent may also be varied by varying the relative positions of the studs
and u, which are set purposely in slots to permit of their displacement. It is
obvious that instead of the lever O, O, R, being raised and depressed mechani-
cally the operator may himself effect this object, but if in this case greater
differences can be obtained in the depression of the lever by reason of the
greater latitude obtained in the spacing of the stops that are to limit its
course upwards and downwards, on the other hand the movement is liable to
less certainty and regularity. I have before stated that at the moment the
blank arrives opposite the pressing cylinder the printing roller ceases to bear
upon the latter, which could not be obtained if the pressure was regulated
according to the ordinary arrangement in roller printing machines with con-
tinuous action rockers, whereas by this mode of proceeding although the
bearings of the printing roller are free to approach or recede from the pressing
roller a sufficient extent to enable said printing roller to be properly centred
which is at same time limited by the distance between it & the pressing
cylinder B by a stop, and instead of using rockers which are rather an impe-

page_text: diment of themselves, I employ strong india-rubber plugs, with metal
washers, which I place between the bearings, and the screw o, in order to
regulate the pressure.
This improved mode of continuous printing with rollers,. combined, with the
facility of obtaining spaces of any desired width between the impressions, which
is of especial value in printing shawls, pocket, hand, and neck-kerchiefs, oiled
table covers, and generally such other articles as require to be cut into short
lengths, and round which are to be reserved strips proportioned to the width
of the fabric, and intended for receiving borders, which are subsequently
applied by hand.
I also particularly claim the notable improvement in the manufacture of
printed oil cloths obtained by means of the improved printing process last
herein described, and also the mode of producing a continuous impression
with non-continuous engraved plates, as shown at Sheet 1, with this improved
machine, printing, oil cloth with rollers, which has hitherto proved a failure,
not only becomes practicable, but will, when compared with the ordinary
process, yield most advantageous results. as regards the rapidity, perfection,
and economy of the process.
With the machine represented at Sheet 2 I am enabled to print from copper
plates on oiled table covers, geographic and cosmographic maps, scientific and
historial subjects, as for instance, the series of portraits of the sovereigns of
any country, or of eminent personages contributing to her glory and welfare.
By thus substituting for uninstructive designs more instructive and interesting
subjects an important point is attained; they will prove a sort of memorandum
of events which it is useful to remember, and a continual occasion with
children of questions and queries, to recall to their minds what they have
already learnt, and to deduce interesting lessons therefrom. In claiming the
application of this improved machinery to the realization of this idea, I at
same time make this idea itself available, viz. :-by transforming the surfaces
of oiled table covers into a means of instructing in families.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be carried into effect, I wish it to be distinctly under-
stood that what I claim as of the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part. recited Letters Patent is,-
1st, the employment in roller printing with one or more colors on linen,
calico, cloth, felt, paper, oil cloth, or other suitable fabric, of rollers engraved
only on one cylindrical projecting portion of their surface, instead of being
engraved throughout their whole periphery, and producing a continuous
impression, and also the arrangements herein described and represented in the

page_text: Drawings, by which this intermittent printing may be rendered continuous,
presenting a thorough and exact regularity at the junctions of the patterns,
said process being applicable both to relief and sunk engraved surfaces.
2ndly, and as regards details, I claim the peculiar arrangement of the
rollers intended to be used with sunk engraved surfaces, the general surface of
which is turned perfectly true and united by a bevil to the projecting portion,
which is mounted concentrically thereto and carries the plate for the purpose
of rendering continuous and certain the scraping that is necessary to remove
the color from the surface of the cylinder, leaving only some of it in the sunk
parts of the engraved design.
3rdly, I claim the peculiar arrangement of the rollers intended for the
embossed engraved surfaces, which rollers need not be turned in a lathe, but
consist of hollow or solid cross pieces serving as plate holders, and presenting
a surface turned true, on which is fitted an engraved plate, flat on the under
side and carved on the exterior, having the design engraved in relief, and
concentric with the circle described from the pivots of said plate holders.
4thly, I claim the improvements in feeders for providing the embossed
portions of the cylinder with color, and also the method by which the endless
cloth is kept stretched transversely, together with the arrangement by which
the feed apparatus once well regulated is made to retain the same position
with regard to the engraved surface whatever may be the displacement of the
latter.
5thly, I claim the means herein described for regulating the relative position
of the rollers or plate holders, either as regards each other, or in relation
with the pressing cylinder, for the purpose of regulating the points of junction
and also the eccentric displacement, that the adjusting parts of the bearings
and supporting the pivots, together with the means of regulating and ascer-
taining the suitable degree of pressure to be exerted.
6thly, I claim the mechanism by which the pressing cylinder is drawn back
at each stroke, and with it also the fabric itself, the quantity necessary for
obtaining exactness in the junction of the patterns.
7thly, I claim the various arrangements by which the machine may be
adapted for printing designs of different widths.
8thly, I claim the arrangements by which the machine may be adapted to
continuous roller printing with facility, for producing intervals in the impres-
sion, which may be varied in extent as desired, and specially the use of rollers
having blanks in one part of their periphery, and also, the peculiar means by
which at the moment such blanks pass over the printing roller, and when the
pressing roller is no longer under pressure, the latter is liberated, and by a

page_text: quick motion causes the cloth to advance to an extent which can be augmented
more or less, according to requirements.
9thly, I claim the special application of this improved printing process to
oil cloths, and particularly as a means of rendering oiled table covers useful
by imparting knowledge and instruction to the household.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred & sixty-two.
Witness,
JAMES DAISH,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)