Improvements in the Method of and Means for Printing Engravings and Process Blocks in Combination with Ordinary Stereotypes on Rotary Printing Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 20th June, 1894-Accepted, 21st July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Means for Printing Engravings
and Process Blocks in Combination with Ordinary Stereotypes
on Rotary Printing Machines.
I, MARK SMITH, of the "Manchester Guardian" Printing Works, Blackfriars,
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer and Manager, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the method of and means for printing engravings,
process blocks, zincos and the like with ordinary stereotype matter on rotary
printing machines. This can at present be accomplished only imperfectly because
of the difficulty of adjusting the precise printing height of all parts of the block,
which difficulty it is the object of my invention to obviate.
In preparing the forme, I insert into the space to be occupied ultimately by
the engraving process block zinco or the like, herein called the block, a type-
high plain block of any suitable material. This type-high block produces in the
matrix a corresponding seating.
A series of metallic plates of different dimensions, corresponding with the various
sizes and thicknesses of the blocks which may possibly require to be printed, and
bent to the curvature of the printing cylinder have previously been prepared. On
the back of each of these plates there is secured one or more prints, each of which
will produce a corresponding hole in the stereotype.
Before the stereotype is cast, the appropriate plate is placed in the seating
in the matrix prepared for it as hereinbefore described, and it is held there during
the casting by the contact of the core with the prints. If the plates have to be
arranged in the lower part of the matrix, no precaution to hold them before the
insertion of the core is needed, but if they are to occupy a position on the side of
the matrix during casting, they may be held in place temporarily by bow springs or
the like until the core is in place, when the springs may be removed.
After the matrix has been cast, the plates are removed and it will be found that
the stereo then contains in the place of each plate, a recess or seat the size and
depth of the block to be used, and holes through which it may be secured to the
stereo. For this purpose I fasten upon the back of the block by solder or otherwise,
pins or projections corresponding exactly with the before mentioned prints on the
back of the plate, and these pins or projections may be tapped for the reception of
flat headed screws by means of which the block is secured to the stereo. It will
thus be evident that the block may be readily removed for the insertion of packing
under it, or the reverse, when required.
Other devices than the flat headed screws may be employed for securing the blocks
in the stereo, as will be obvious.
A D 1002

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Means for Printing Engravings
and Process Blocks in Combination with Ordinary Stereotypes.
on Rotary Printing Machines.
I, MARK SMITH of the "Manchester Guardian" Printing Works, Blackfriars,
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Printer's Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
This invention relates to the method of and means for printing engravings,
process blocks, zincos, and the like, with ordinary stereotype matter on rotary
printing machines. This can at present be accomplished only imperfectly because
of the difficulty of adjusting the precise printing height of all parts of the block,
which difficulty it is the object of my present invention to obviate.
In preparing the forme, I insert in the space to be occupied ultimately by the
engraving, process block, or zinco, hereinafter called the "block," a typehigh
moulding block of any suitable material, which block produces in the matrix a
corresponding seating.
A series of metallic plates of different dimensions, corresponding respectively
with the various sizes and thicknesses of the blocks which may possibly require to
be printed, and bent to the curvature of the printing cylinder, have previously been
prepared. On the back of each of these plates there is formed or secured one or
more prints, each of which will produce a corresponding hole in the stereotype.
Before the stereotype is cast in the usual manner, the appropriate plate is placed
in the seating in the matrix produced for it as herein before described, and it is
held there during the casting by the contact of the core of the casting box with
the prints on the back of the plates. If the plates have to be arranged in the lower
part of the matrix, no precaution to hold them, before the insertion of the casting
box core, is needed, but if they are to occupy a position on the side of the matrix
during casting, they may be held in place temporarily by bow springs or the like,
until the core is in place, when the springs may be removed.
After the matrix has been cast, the plates are removed and it will be found that
the stereo then contains, in the place of each plate, a recess or seat the size and
depth of the block to be used, and holes through which it may be secured to the
stereo. For the purpose of securing the block to the stereo, 1 fasten upon
the back of the block by solder or otherwise, pins or projections corresponding
exactly with the before mentioned prints on the back of the plate, and these:
pins or projections may be tapped for the reception of flat headed screws by means
of which the blocks may be secured to the stereo. It will thus be evident that the
block may be readily removed for the insertion of packing under it, or the reverse,
when required.
The accompanying drawings illustrate in what manner my invention may le
carried into practical effect.
Figure 1 represents a portion of a forme and of the matrix just produced
therefrom, F being the forme, and M the matrix. In the forme is included the
wood or other type-high moulding block A, which has produced a corresponding
seating a, in the matrix.
Figure 2 shews in plan and side view respectively two of the curved core plates P',
with the prints p on their backs.
Figure 3 is a section through the casting box B of which is the core, the
matrix and the curved core plates P being in position for casting. It will be seen
that the curved core plates fill the seating a produced in the matrix by the
moulding block A and project therefrom and that the prints p just touch the casting
box core b. The core plates P are of course constructed of steel or other metal or

page_text: material which will not materially be affected by the beat of the molten metal in
casting.
Figure 4 represents in section, part of the stereo after it has been cast and the
matrix and core plates removed. The part occupied during the casting by the core.
plates, is now a recess R, haring the holes r formed in it, and it is ready for the
reception of the block.
As already described, the block T, may be secured in the stereo by means of
projections soldered on the back of the block and by flat-headed screws, but a better
arrangement is to provide a number of curved plates C Figures 5 and 7, of various
sizes, corresponding with the curved core plates P, but having the bosses e, which
correspond with the prints p, tapped for the reception of the Hat headed screws S..
These plates C have such a thickness that when the printing blocks are secured on
them, and they are fastened in the recess R, the surfaces of the blocks will be
precisely type-high. Holes are formed through the plates C as shewn by
Figure 7. The printing blocks are curved to the curvature of the printing surface.
and have the plate or plates C laid upon their backs and then by means of solder
or type metal the two are firmly welded or soldered together, the holes being more
or less filled with the molten metal during the operation. The block, backed with
the plate C is now laid in the recess of the stereo and is secured therein by
the flat headed screws S, inserted from the back into the bosses c which fit into the
boles .
The block T, in position ready for printing is shewn in section by Figure 5.
Figure 6.illustrates in what manner the core plates P are temporarily held in
the casting box before the insertion of the core 6 or closing of the box. E is a clip.
spring of sufficient length in one limb to press upon about the centre of the plate
whilst the other limb is outside the box. In the outside limb of the spring there is.
a small bolt with the wing nut N. When the plate has been placed in the matrix
seating within the casting box, the end of the spring E is placed upon it, and the
nut N is tightened. The core of the casting box having been brought into contact
with the prints on the plate, the nut is loosened and the spring withdrawn, the plate
being then held in place by the core.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said!
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what.
1 claim is :-
1. Producing a seating in the matrix by means of a type high moulding block,.
arranging in the seating during the process of casting core plates corresponding
with the moulding block and printing block, and finally securing the printing block
in the recess produced by the core plates in the stereo, substantially as and by the
means and for the purpose bereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
2. Core plates, such as P, curved to the curvature of the impression cylinder
of a rotary printing machine and adapted to be inserted in the matrix during
casting so as to produce in the stereo a recess corresponding with curved
printing blocks which are thereafter removably secured therein, constructed
substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
3. Means for securing printing blocks in stereos consisting of bosses formed or
secured upon the back of the printing block and flat headed screws passing through
corresponding holes formed through the bottom of a suitable recess in the stereo
from the back into the bosses, substantially as hereinbefore described and as.
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of June A D 1891
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.