IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PRINTING FABRICS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Kerr and Joseph Haworth, both of Church, in
the County of Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS FOR PRINTING FABRICS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Kerr and Joseph
Haworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th
November 1881.
JAMES KERR and JOSEPH HAWORTH, both of Church, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PRINTING FABRICS."
Our Invention consists of an arrangement of machinery or apparatus whereby
the present mode of block or hand printing in some classes of goods can be entirely
dispensed with. In carrying out our Invention we attach to the machine a self
acting motion acting upon the printing rollers so that any pattern can be impressed
upon the cloth or woven fabric being printed during the progress of printing other
patterns without having to stop the machine. With this we combine a measuring
apparatus by which the distance between such patterns can be varied at will.
This arrangement is intended chiefly for the production of that class of printing
on calico, cloth, and other fabrics in which it is desired to print a pattern across the
piece at intervals, the interval between the cross patterns being greater than the
circumference of ordinary printing rollers.
We act upon the ends of the printing roller mandrils and thus upon the printing
rollers in such a manner that they are removed from the fabric being printed by
means of a chain having upon it raised projections; they are then locked in that
position until another projection upon the same chain or upon another chain
withdraws the locking device; the printing rollers are then forced upon the fabric
and continue printing until raised by the projection upon the chain as before.
These chains are also the measuring apparatus, for as we make them longer or
shorter by inserting or taking out links we lengthen or shorten the distance
between the cross patterns.
The required pressure of the printing roller upon the fabric being printed is
obtained by means of steel spiral springs in spring boxes behind the blocks in

page_text: which the mandrils of the printing rollers revolve. These spring boxes are at
each end of the printing roller mandril in the frame of the machine, the pressure
being adjusted by means of screws.
When the projections on the chains remove the printing rollers from the fabric
being printed by the intervention of adjustable bars which slide in fixings on the
sides of the machine it compresses the steel spiral springs in their boxes and thus
brings the printing rollers from the fabric; they are then locked in that position
until required to print again, when the locking device is withdrawn by other
projections upon the same chains, or upon special chains provided for that purpose.
The main drum or bowl round which the cloth passes may be of any size
according to the number of printing rollers to be used in printing the fabric, and
is keyed or otherwise fastened upon a shaft which projects at each side of the main
framing; this shaft. has also keyed or otherwise fastened upon it two chain pulleys
one at each end outside the main framing of the machine; these chain pulleys may
be prepared for one or more chains working upon each according to the require-
ments of the machine. Directly above these are two similar chain pulleys which
are keyed or may revolve loose upon a shaft that may be raised or lowered at will
By this means
by means of a screw moving the block in which the shaft revolves.
the chains may be fixed upon them of various lengths to correspond to the various
lengths of patterns required.
The Invention thus embraces the following important features, viz. :—
The use of chains having projections for removing the printing rollers when not
required to print, and unlocking the same when required to print.
Also making these chains adjustable so that various lengths of patterns can be
printed by inserting or taking out links.
Also locking off the printing rollers from the fabric when not required to print
and unlocking when required to print, and the application of steel spiral springs
arranged in combination with screws, so that the projections on the chains may
compress the springs and bring the printing rollers from the fabric being printed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Kerr and Joseph Haworth in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 27th May 1882.
JAMES KERR and JOSEPH HAWORTH, both of Church, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PRINTING FABRICS."
Our Invention consists of an arrangement of machinery or apparatus whereby
the present mode of block or hand printing in some classes of goods can be entirely
dispensed with.
In carrying our Invention into effect we attach to the machine a self acting
motion acting upon any required number of the printing rollers, so that any pattern
can be impressed upon the cloth or fabric being printed during the progress of
printing other patterns without having to stop the machine. With this we combine
a measuring apparatus by which the distance between such patterns can be varied
at will. This arrangement is intended chiefly for the production of that class of
printing on calico, cloth, and other fabrics in which it is desired to print a pattern
across the piece at intervals, the interval between the cross patterns being greater
than the circumference of ordinary printing rollers.
We act upon the ends of the printing roller mandrils and thus upon the printing
rollers in such a manner that they are removed from the fabric being printed by
means of a chain having upon it raised projections; they are then locked in that
position until another projection upon the same chain or upon another chain with-
draws the locking device; the printing roller is then forced upon the fabric, and
continues printing until removed as before by a projection upon the chain.
These chains are also the measuring apparatus, for as we make them longer or
shorter by inserting or taking out links, we lengthen or shorten the distance
between the cross patterns.
The required pressure of the printing roller upon the fabric being printed is
obtained by means of steel spiral springs in spring boxes behind the blocks in
which the mandrils of the printing rollers revolve. These spring boxes are at each
end of the printing roller mandrils in the frame of the machine, the pressure being
adjusted by means of screws. When the projections on the chains remove the
printing rollers from the fabric being printed by the intervention of adjustable
bars, which slide in brackets or framings on the sides of the machine, the steel spiral
springs are compressed in their boxes, and thus the printing rollers are removed from
the fabric. They are then locked in that position until required to print again, when
the locking device is withdrawn by another projection upon the same chain or
upon special chains provided for that purpose. The main drum or bowl round
which the cloth passes may be of any size, according to the number of printing
rollers to be used in printing the fabric, and is keyed or otherwise fastened upon,
or may work loosely upon a shaft passing through its bearings so as to project at
each side of the main framing; this shaft has keyed or otherwise fastened upon
it two chain pulleys or wheels, one at each end outside the main framing of the
machine; these chain pulleys may be prepared for one or more chains working
upon cach, so that the devices for raising and lowering the printing rollers may be
brought before either chain to be operated thereby according to the requirements
of the machine. Directly above these are two other chain pulleys (or wheels)
which are keyed, or may revolve loosely upon a shaft, which may be raised or
lowered at will by means of screws moving the blocks in which the shaft is
mounted. By this means chains may be fixed upon them of various lengths to
correspond to the various lengths of patterns required, or links may be removed
from the original chains to give the required length of chains.

page_text: And in order that our said Invention may be fully understood, we shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the saine letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a printing machine to which our Invention is
applied.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same, but in which only one of the printing
rollers is represented.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate in side view and plan respectively the details of the
spring boxes and locking off arrangements which are applied to any number of the
printing rollers according to our Invention.
A is the main framing of the printing machine.
B is the main bowl round which the fabric to be printed passes.
C is the chain having upon it projections for removing the printing rollers and
unlocking them as required; D and E are chain pulleys and wheels, the wheels D, D,
being keyed upon the centre or shaft G of the main bowl B, and the pulleys E, E,
being mounted loosely upon the studs Y, which are arranged in blocks sliding in
guides in the brackets 2, being adjusted therein by means of the screws F, so that
chains of various lengths may be employed; H is a screw for adjusting the main
bowl; I is a spur wheel keyed upon the shaft G, which spur wheel works into the
pinions on the ends of the mandrils J; K is another wheel keyed on the other
end of the said shaft, which works into the pinions upon the ends of the
mandrils L.
We will now describe the devices with which each roller arranged according to
our Invention is provided to cause it to be brought into and raised out of action
by the projections on the chain or chains. We will descr" it with regard to one
roller, it being understood that each roller arranged according to our Invention has
like devices connected with it at each side. The printing rollers (L or J) are
carried by their mandrils in blocks P at each side of the machine, where the said
blocks slide in guides in the portions A2 of the framework, which extensions carry
a spring box M for each roller containing a steel spiral spring N pressing upon a
collar Z carried by and adjustable upon the screw rod O fixed to the said block P.
A compound bar is adjustable in length by the screw R and bears at its outer
end against the mandril (L or J) its inner end terminating in a short rod q
sliding together with the other part of the said rod Q in guides in the bracket
piece U carried by the framing of the machine. The said bracket piece also carries
a pin s upon which turns a bell crank lever S, T, the end S forming a locking
catch for engaging with a notch u¹ cut in the rod q, the other end T being in the
path of the projections 3 upon the chain C. The rod q carries a roller W in the
path of the projections 4 on the said chain. A spring and presser piece V presses
the catch piece S into the notch u'. It will be understood that each roller
mandril to which our Invention is applied is provided with similar devices at each
end. The chains C carry projections 3 and 4, the projections 3 being in the path
of the lever arms T, and the projections 4 being in the path of the rollers W. The
action of the machine is as follows:-
As the projections 3 come in contact with each of the lever arms T, the
catchi 8 of that arm is pressed against the spring V and released from the notch u³,
and the spring N by pressing upon the nut Z causes the block P to slide inwards
and therefore the printing roller to press with the required pressure (or nip) upon
the fabric being printed. As the projections 4 on the chain come into contact with
each of the: rollers W,. the rods Q press up the block P to remove the printing
rollers from the fabric when not required to print, and the spring V presses the
catch or lock S, T, into the recess u' in the side of the bar q, and holds the roller
in its raised position until a projection 3 on the chain again presses aside the
catch, when the spring N again presses the printing roller against the fabric and
prints until removed as before by another projection 4 coming into contact with the
roller W. This action is repeated at each end of all the printing roller mandrils

page_text: or such number of them as may be required. The distance between the
projections 3 and 4 is adjusted to the requirements of the pattern being printed.
It is evident that one or any other number of chains may be used to carry any
number of projections 3, 4, at any distance apart, and that the chains may be used
of various lengths (by taking out or putting in links or by substituting fresh chains)
the blocks of the studs Y being adjusted to suit the lengths of chains employed.
We have shewn in the Drawing three chains at each side of the machine. The
rollers W and levers T may be brought over either of these chains (to be actuated
by the projections thereof) by various sizes of brackets U, that is to say, referring
to Figure 4, if the said rollers and levers are to be acted upon by the second
chain c a bracket will be used projecting sufficiently to bring the centre line of
the rod Q, q, to the position marked x, and similarly if the projections of the
chain care to act upon the said rollers and levers the bracket will project
sufficiently to bring the centre line of the said rod Q, q, to the position marked y,
the mandrils projecting for the purpose of giving a bearing for the outer end of
the rod Q.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, we would observe in conclusion that what we consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the hereinbefore in
part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting the
machinery or apparatus for printing fabrics at any desired intervals or places,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Second. In machinery or apparatus for printing fabrics, the combination with
the roller mandrils of the sliding rod Q, q, springs N and their adjuncts, and locking
and releasing device S, T, substantially as and for the purpose described and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Third. In machinery or apparatus for printing fabrics, the employment of a
chain or chains furnished with projections for effecting the raising of the printing
rollers out of action, and for bringing them into action at any desired intervals,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Fourth. In combination with the chain or chains claimed in the last preceding
claiming clause, the employment of an adjustable pulley or pulleys for carrying
the said chain or chains, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
the accompanying Drawings for the purpose of accommodating chains of different
lengths.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Kerr, on behalf of Joseph Haworth, and
myself, have to this our Specification, set my hand and seal, this Twenty
sixth day of May, One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
ALEXANDER KERR, Witness.