Improvements in Machines or Apparatus for Printing in Two or More Colours.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 21st Nov., 1889-Accepted, 21st Dec., 1889.
$
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines or Apparatus for Printing in Two or
More Colours.
•
I, GEORGE EDWARD HAMBLET, of 43, Pine Street, Bury, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of machine for printing designs
in various colours, by means of blocks or otherwise, at one printing, or without
removing the material from the machine until the printing in a number of colours
is completed.
It is designed for printing either upon textile fabrics paper or other materials
where designs are required, made up of or printed in a number of colours.
Hitherto in the printing of such designs, whether from blocks, stones, or otherwise,
it is customary to print each colour at a separate operation and remove the material
from the machine, replacing it again and removing it for each separate colour.
Any want of correct register in replacing the material for either colour spoils the
design, and the liability of spoiling the sheets either from this cause or by soiling
them in handling is increased in proportion to the number of colours in the
design.
This invention consists essentially in apparatus constructed with a carrier moving
to and fro on curved or inclined slides fitted with two or more blocks or other printing
surfaces, one for each colour in the design; two or more colour pads or their
equivalent for transferring the colour to the printing surface; a travelling band or
table to carry forward the material a regulated distance as each design is printed;
a series of colour tanks, to carry the colour or ink to be used; and suitable
mechanism for operating and adjusting the several parts of the machine.
I will describe the invention as applied to the printing of designs cut upon
blocks, though it will be understood that instead of blocks different sets of types,
or other printing surfaces may be substituted, each surface being intended to print
a distinct colour.
A carrier or holder for the blocks is mounted upon two or more curved or
inclined slides, upon which it moves to and fro. In this carrier is secured, side
by side, the different blocks requisite for the design to be printed, and at each move-
ment or stroke of the carrier all the blocks are brought to bear upon the material.
The carrier as it moves to and fro over the curved or inclined surface of the slide
is raised and lowered at each end of its stroke. At the end of its forward stroke
the blocks are brought to bear, or imprints upon the material and at the end of
its backward stroke they come in contact with the colour pad, or device for
supplying them with colour. The elides on which the carrier moves can be adjusted
to any height, so as to give the requisite pressure during the printing operation.
At the rear of the slides are placed a series of pads one for each block or colour.
These are supplied with colour from a reservoir or tank, the colours being carried
forward over them by a brush at each stroke of the carrier. Instead of pads,
inking roilers or other similar device either stationary or in motion may be used
The pads I prefer for printing textile
to convey the colour or ink to the blocks.
fabrics such as felted floor-cloths or carpets. A tap or valve to each colour tank
is connected with a moving part of the apparatus so as to be open at each stroke.
The colour is brushed over the pad and the surplus falls into a trough and runs to and
is collected in a receiver for reuse.
The material to be printed upon I prefer to have in the form of a roll, but it may
be cut into sheets of the required size before being printed upon. A travelling band

page_text: or table receives the material and passes it forward over a stationary table where it is
printed. The travelling band passes over a cylinder or roller, one at each side of the
machine and is stretched and guided by suitable roller devices for the purpose. The
cylinders are each moved a regulated distance at each stroke of the machine, that
distance being equivalent to the width of the design being printed. This move-
ment may be effected by a crank of suitable length carrying a clutch or pawl which
engages with the cylinder at each stroke. The distance of travel of the material can
be adjusted to suit the design to be produced. At each cylinder is a small indiarubber
or other roller which bears upon and grips the material causing it to move with the
cylinder and travelling band." Around these rollers also passes a wire, band, or chain
which rests upon the upper surface of the material and travelling in the same
direction holds the material in position on the travelling band. A gripping device
of any convenient form may be carried by the wire to prevent independent move-
ment of the material. Where the material is in a roll it is mounted on a spindle
placed on a stand and passed forward to the machine by rollers, and at the delivery
end is passed out by rollers. At this end of the machine a rotary or other knife
may be employed to cut the material as it emerges, into lengths or sheets of any
required size.
The several parts of the machine are connected together and operated by suitable
shafts, gear wheels, cranks, etcetera.
In operation the machine will print the whole of the colours required at each
stroke. The material as it passes through will at any given place first receive an
impression from one block at the next stroke the material will have passed forward
and will receive the impression from the second block while a fresh portion of the
material is printed from the first block, and so on at each successive stroke of the
machine until the material has successively received an impression from each block.
Dated this 204h
1
1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines or Apparatus for Printing in Two or
More Colours.
I, GEORGE EDWARD HAMBLET of 43, Pine Street, Bury, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
nanner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved construction of machine for printing designs
in various colours, by means of engraved blocks or other flat surfaces at one
operation or printing, or without removing the material from the machine until the
printing in a number of colours is completed.
It is designed especially for printing floor oil cloth, linoleum and the like or upon
textile fabrics, paper or other materials where designs are required, made up of or
printed in a number of colours.
Hitherto in the printing of such designs, whether from blocks, stones, or other flat
surfaces, it is generally costomary to print each colour at a separate operation and
remove the material from the machine, replacing it again and removing it for each
separate colour. Any want of correct register in replacing the material for either
colour spoils the design, and the liability of spoiling the sheets either from this
cause or by soiling them in handling is increased in proportion to the number of
colours in the design.
This invention consists essentially in apparatus constructed with a carrier moving
to and fro on suitable slides fitted with two or more blocks or other printing
surfaces, one for each colour in the design; two or more colour pads or their equivalent
(such as rollers) for transferring the colour to the printing surface; a travelling band
or table to carry forward the material a regulated distance as each design is printed;

page_text: a series of colour tanks to carry the colour or ink to be used; and suitable mechanism
for operating and adjusting the several parts of the machine.
I will describe the invention as applied to the printing of designs engraved or
cut upon blocks, though it will be understood that instead of engraved blocks, stones,
different sets of types, or other flat printing surfaces may be substituted, each surface
being intended to print a distinct colour.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Fig. 3 plan.
Fig. 4 transverse sectional elevation on line x-x Figs. 1 and 3.
Fig. 5 longitudinal sectional elevation enlarged on line y-y Fig. 3. showing
arrangement of colour troughs and printing table.
Fig. 6 sectional elevation enlarged showing device for opening and closing colour
taps.
Fig. 7 transverse sectional elevation enlarged of blocks and block carrier.
Fig. 8 transverse sectional elevation enlarged of feed end of machine.
Fig. 9 longitudinal sectional elevation similar to Fig. 5 showing arrangement with
cylinder for carrying the printing surfaces.
The engraved blocks or other printing surfaces A are mounted in a carrier or
holder B by which they are moved to and fro. The number of engraved blocks A,
used, is regulated by the number of colours to be printed and must correspond
thereto. The machine shown in the drawings annexed hereto is designed to print
six independent colours. In the carrier are secured, side by side by setcrews a or
other fastening device the different blocks requisite for any required design, and at
each movement or stroke of the apparatus all the blocks are brought to bear upon
the material. The carrier or holder B is mounted upon two or more curved or
inclined slides C to which it is connected by the arms or liuks b and the cross
bar beach end of which is mounted in slide blocks 61 that travel to and fro in
slots c of the slides C. Each of the slides C is fitted with a screw or other
mechanism D. at each end whereby they can be raised and adjusted to any required
height. At the rear of the slides C are place a series of colour pads F, one for each
printing block or colour. The carrier B is moved to and fro over the curved or
inclined surface of the slide C by means of cranks e on shaft E and connecting rods e¹.
As it moves it is raised and lowered at each end of its stroke. At the end of the
forward stroke the blocks A are brought to bear or imprint upon the material and at
the end of the backward stroke they come in contact with the colour pad F, or
device for supplying them with colour. By adjusting the slides in which the carrier
moves to any height, any required pressure can be given during the printing operation.
Instead of the flat block carrier B as shown in Fig. 5 the printing blocks or
surfaces may be curved as at A¹ and set on a cylinder B₁ as in Fig. 9. The journals
of the cylinder B' form slide blocks 6111 and move to and fro in the slide C¹. The
slides are fitted with adjusting screws D. On the end of the cylinder shaft is a spur
wheel d which engages with the rack D and as the cylinder is moved to and fro by a
crank similar to e from crank shaft E it is caused to rotate by the rack D' and
so the printing surface A¹ is alternately brought into contact with the colour
pads Fand the material on the table M.
The colour pads F from which the colours are transferred to the printing blocks A
are each supplied with colour from a reservoir or tank G. These tanks are each
fitted with a tap g through which the colour flows, carried by a spout g' to the
pad F. Each tap g is connected to a reciprocating bar or beain H by a connecting
rod H' attached to a lever h on the tap. The length of the connecting rod H
or the distance between the beam H and the tap g is adjusted by the screw
and nuts h at the end of the connecting rod. The beam H is moved up and
down by the cam I on the shaft i operated by the crank J and eccentric J'.
The lift of each connecting rod H' will be regulated according to the quantity of
ink or colour required for each stroke to the extent of allowing the tap to remain

page_text: .
The
closed if desired. The reciprocating beam H is supported at each end with guide
pillars H fitted with springs which move it down again after being raised by
the cam I. The colours are distributed over the pads F by brushes K.
brushes K are each connected by screwed fork pieces k to a cross bar K¹ that slides in
the slots c¹ in the slides C. The cross bar K₁ is actuated by the connecting rods All
and cranks 11 from the shaft. The colour is brushed over the pad F and the surplus
falls into a trough k' and runs through the pipe fi to a receiver where it is collected,
and from which it may be pumped or otherwise lifted into the tank G. for reuse.
Instead of the pads F, inking rollers or other similar device either stationary or in
motion may be used to convey the colour or ink to the blocks.
The
The material to be printed upon (preferably in the form of a roll) is passed
forward by a travelling band or table Lover a stationary table M where it receives
the impression from the blocks. To the edge of the table is affixed a bracket or
stop m against which the block carrier B comes in contact at each stroke stopping its
forward travel at the same spot each stroke. The travelling band L receives motion
from a pair of steam heated cylinders or rollers N, one at each side of the machine.
The cylinders N are each moved forward a regulated distance at each stroke of the
machine, the distance moved being equivalent to the length of the printing blocks.
one end of each shaft n is fitted a
They are mounted on pedestals N¹ and on
ratchet wheel O with the teeth on which the catch or pawl o engages. The pawls
are carried on links P which are supported on the shaft n one on each side of the
wheel O. The two pawls are connected so as to work synchronously by the rod p
with screw adjusting pieces at one or both ends. The pawls are actuated by the
double crank O, O' which is supported on the stand or pedestal q and actuated from
a moving part of the machine by a crank q' to which it is connected.
distance of travel of the cylinders N, and with them of the travelling band, may
be adjusted to suit the design to be produced. The travelling band L which
passes round the cylinders N and carries the material through the machine is
The table M over which the
stretched or tightened by the sliding brackets l.
travelling band passes and upon which the material is printed is preferably hollow
and heated with steam to assist the drying of the colours. In front of the cylinder
at the front of the machine is a small roller N" fitted with spring bearings n" which
bears upon the material causing it to move with the cylinder N and travelling band L.
At either side of the roller N" and over the second cylinder N are small sheaves
I prefer to use a
or pulleys around which a band, chain, or wire R passes.
wire. The wire R passes around the pulleys or sheaves r and over the top pulleys S
receiving motion therefrom. The top pulleys S are actuated by an eccentric S¹
acting through a crank s, pawls and ratchet wheel s", The wire R rests upon
the upper surface of the material and travelling in the same direction holds the
material in position on the travelling band L. A gripping device of any convenient
form may, if desired, be carried by the wire to prevent independent movement of the
material. Where the material is in a roll it is mounted on a spindle placed on
stand and passed forward to the machine by rollers T and at the delivery end is passed
At this end of the machine a rotary
out by the wire R passing round the sheaves r.
or other knife U may be employed to cut the material as it emerges, into lengths or
sheets of any required size.
a
Instead of a roll the material may be fed into the machine in the form of sheets of
of any convenient size.
V, are the driving pulleys and from them motion is carried to the various parts of
the machine through the shafts W and X and the gear wheels v, w, and x.
In operation colour will be supplied to the pads F from the tanks G and the block
carrier B moving to and fro in the inclined or curved slide C the printing blocks A
will come successively in contact with the colour pad and the material to be printed
upon. The material as it passes through will at any given place first receive
an impression from one block and at the next stroke the material will have passed
forward and will receive the impression from the second block while a fresh portion of
the material is printed from the first block and so on at each successive stroke

page_text: of the machine until the material has successively received an impression from
each block.
Having now particularly discribed 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 :-
1. A machine for printing in two or more colours having a carrier fitted with two
or more printing blocks or surfaces moving to and fro on curved or inclined slides, by
which the printing blocks are successively brought in contact with the colour or
inking device and the material to be printed substantially as described.
2. In a machine for printing in two or more colours the combination with the
reciprocating carrier for two or more printing blocks or surfaces, of a stationary table
preferably heated with steam and a travelling band or table passing over it, which
carries forward the material substantially as described and shown.
3. A machine for printing in two or more colours with reciprocating carrier for the
printing blocks or surfaces constructed and arranged substantially as described and
shown.