Improvements in Colour Printing Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1892.
Complete Specification Left, 7th July, 1893-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1993
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Colour Printing Machines.
I, ALEXANDER DENNET of 97, Lancaster Street, Newington Causeway
London S.E. Lithographic Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in color printing and in means
therefor the object being to provide for the printing or the giving off of
impressions from a multicolor slab so that all the colors. shall be printed at the one.
impression.
When the surface of the multicolor slab is moistened with spirit any number of
impressions of the full multicoloring of the "picture" can be successively taken off.
and be brought into specially prepared cylinders.
T
The term "picture" is here used in a general sense as these color impressions
may be used in producing all colors at same time for all class of color works from:
the multicolor slab.
Let it be assumed that such impressions of coloring may then be given off from!
said cylinders on to a sterreo, wood-cut, zinco, or litho impression surface with its
lines, etching, stipple-work small lettering shading or the like. When such sterreo
wood-cut zinco or litho or the like is passed to the printing cylinder a print of the
colors will be obtainable and can be taken, and such print will have all the
delicacies of shade, matt, texture or finish of the originally prepared picture-
impression surface and will give all the colors at one print.
"
The outline picture or 66 black-print may be done either before or after the:
multicolor-print is done in ordinary manner but the two printings will suffice to
complete the "picture" however many colors there may be, the advantage whereof
in printing in large quantities will be very great and at once appreciable.
will now describe the application of the invention and the means whereby the
same is to be or may be carried into practice, that is to say
There may be employed the framing driving gearing, print cylinder, sheet'
supply and delivery means, and traversing bed of an ordinary power driven litho
machine, but I take away the ink duct, the ink rollers and wavers and their forks
and the ink slab off the traversing (or running-in and out) bed.
Although a litho power machine is here mentioned for illustration it is to be
understood that any printing letter press machine having such "running" in and
running out" traversing bed may be used.
64
In place of the ink slab of such machine, I lock up on the traversing bed the
multicolored slab already prepared.
The portion of the traversing-bed upon which the multicolored slab is locked is
by means of wedges operated by set screws and corresponding wedges fitted upon
the carrier of the multicolor-slab to adjust the height according as the multicolor-
slab is worn down.
At this point, upon each side of the framing are mounted bearings for carrying
two cylinders to serve to supply the solvent spirit to the surface of the multicolor-.!
slab said rollers extending across the machine from side to side and being mounted::
in adjustable blocks of the bearings by set screws.
C
To these cross cylinders there are provided crosswise ducts packed with felts or
dampers for holding and supplying to the surface of the aforesaid cylinders the..
solvent or liquifying spirit which will be transfered from thence to the surface of
the color slab.
Above the said cylinders and in contact with the surfaces thereof is a calico sheet
which is stretched and wound upon cross spindles back and front of the liquifying

page_text: cylinders, one of these cross-spindles carries at one end a ratchet wheel which will
will be acted upon by a pawl worked from any moving part of the machine so that
the cylinders will have their surfaces cleansed by the "calico-sheet"
proceeds.
as the works
In connection with the bearing standards of the liquifying cylinders, holders are
provided for carrying an adjustable transversely arranged knife-blade so that from
time to time if the surface of the color-slab becomes uneven the knife will be
adjusted so as to take a cut off the surface of the color slab to level same.
Intermediately of the distance between the last described multicolor-slab-
liqufying-cylinders and the printing cylinder there are to be mounted upon side
bearings and adjustable blocks thereof two cylinders having surfaces prepared to
take up color from the multicolor-slab when same is brought under the surface of
said cylinders on the running-out and running-in of the traversing-bed and to give
off the color on to the sterreo, woodcut, zinco, or litho printing surface (which is
locked upon the traversing-bed) so that as the traversing bed of the machine runs-
out further to the printing cylinder, the paper will be "fed in" and the impression
be taken off in the colors from the sterreo wood-cut, zinco or litho surface and the
whole color printing impression will be completed at the one operation. At the
same time that the printing cylinder is thus acting the color slab will have passed
under the color-cylinder giving off the color upon both the cylinders' surfaces.
The return or "run-in of the traversing bed now takes place which will cause the
multicolor-slab again to pass in contact with the color cylinders thus ensuring that
the color be given off effectually and evenly to the sterreo, wood cut, zinco or litho
surface when the same passes and repasses under and in contact with the surfaces
of the cylinders.
The surfaces of the cylinders, the multicolor-slab and the sterreo, wood-cut,
zinco litho or other like or equivalent color impression surface will in all cases be
set to even level and that will be coincident with the level of the pressure face of
the printing cylinder.
As the color slab surface is used away the cylinders will have from time to time
to be adjusted by their set screw bearing blocks and the bed of the multicolor-slab
be raised by its adjustable wedges.
.
The two and fro motion of rotation of the color receiving and giving cylinders
will be positively secured by machine cut pinion or spur teeth gearing with machine
cut racks on the traversing-bed, and these racks are fitted with set screws so as to
adjust them to the teeth gearing of the cylinders when these last are adjusted in
their bearings according to the thickness remaining of the multicolor-slab.
The color cylinders are made with supporting ribs upon central spindle and sheet
metal surface.
Dated this 7th day of October 1892.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Colour Printing Machines.
I ALEXANDER DENNET of 97 Lancaster Street Newington Causeway,
London S.E. 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, that is to say :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in color-printing and in means
therefor, the object being to provide for the printing or the giving-off of
impressions from a multi-color-slab so that all the colors shall be printed at the one
impression.
When the surface of the multicolor-slab is moistened with spirit or solvent any

page_text: number of impressions of the full multicoloring of the "picture" can be successively
taken-off and be brought onto specially prepared cylinders.
The term "picture" is here used in a general sense as these color impressions
may be used in producing all colors requisite, at same time, for any of the classes
of color work, from the multicolor slab.
Let it be assumed that such impressions of coloring so brought onto said cylinders
may then be given off therefrom on to a sterreo, wood-cut, zinco or litho-impression
surface with its lines, etching, stipple-work, small lettering, shading or the like.
When such sterreo, woodcut, zinco, litho-surface or the like is passed to the
printing-cylinder (upon which is carried the sheet to be printed upon) a print
of the colors will be obtainable and can be taken or given off, and such print
will have all the delicacies of shade, matt, texture or finish of the originally
prepared picture-impression-surface but given off in colors at one print.
The outline picture or "black print may be done either before or after the
multicolor print is done in ordinary manner, but the two printings will suffice to
complete the "picture however many colors there may be, the advantage whereof
in printing in large quantities will be very great and at once appreciable.
The mass of color, off the multicolor slab, is transferred from its cylinders or
rollers only to the upstanding or relief surface of the sterreo or block and thus the
color impression given off will only give the lines of the sterreo or block but in the
colors.
"
I will now describe the application of the invention and the means whereby the
same is to be or may be carried into practice, that is to say; there may be employed
the framing, driving-gearing and means, and traversing-bed of an ordinary power
driven litho-machine but I take away the ink-duct, the ink-rollers and "wavers
and their forks and the ink-slab off the traversing-bed (or running-in-and
running-out"-bed). Although a litho power machine is here mentioned for
purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that any printing letter press machine
having such "running-in" and "runing-out" traversing-bed may be used together
with my improvements and a proper stop cylinder of increased or large diameter
commensurate with the extra length of bed provided for the color-slab and the
sterreo or printing block all as will hereinafter appear.
In place of the ink-slab of such machine I lock-up on the traversing-bed the
multicolor-slab already prepared in flat body colors (of depth exceeding ordinary
type-high).
That portion of the traversing-bed upon which I so lock-up the multicolored
slab, is made capable of adjustment in height by means of wedges operated by set-
screws and corresponding wedges or lifts fitted upon the carrier of the multicolor-
slab to adjust the height according as the multicolor-slab becomes worn down or is
reduced by the taking off of the color as the printing proceeds.
At this rearward point and upon each side of the framing of the machine are
mounted bearings for carrying two cylinders to serve to apply the spirit or solvent
requisite and necessary for and to the surface of the multicolor-slab, the said supply
rollers extending across the machine from side to side and being mounted in
adjustable blocks of the bearings by set screws.
To these cross cylinders there are provided crosswise ducts packed with felts or
dampers for holding and supplying to the surface of the aforesaid cylinders the
solvent or liquifying spirit which will be transferred from thence to the surface of
the color slab.
Above the said cylinders and in contact with the surfaces thereof is a calico
sheet which is stretched and wound upon cross spindles back and front of the
liquifying cylinders; one of these cross spindles carries at one end a ratchet wheel
which will be acted upon by a link motion worked from any moving part of the
machine so that the cylinders will have their surfaces cleaned by the "calico
sheet" as the work proceeds.
In connection with the bearing standards of the liquifying cylinders-holders
provision is made for carrying an adjustable transversely arranged knife blade so

page_text: நக
that, from time to time, if the surface of the color-slab becomes uneven the kne
will be adjusted so as to take a cut or shave off the surface of the color-slab.to level
same.
Intermediately of the distance between the last described multi-color-slab-
liquifying-cylinders and the printing cylinder there are to be mounted upon the side
bearings in adjustable blocks. thereof two cylinders having surfaces prepared evenly
to take up color from the multicolor-slab when same is brought under the surface
, of said cylinders on the running-out and running-in of the traversing-bed and to
give off the color on to the sterreo, woodcut or zinco or other printing surface
which is locked upon the traversing-bed) so that as the traversing-bed of the
machine runs-out further to the printing-cylinder the paper will be fed in and the
impression be taken off in the colors from the sterreo, woodcut, zinco or printing
surface and the whole color printing impression will be completed at the one
operation. At the same time that the printing cylinder is thus acting the color
'slab will have passed under the color cylinders, giving off the color upon both the
cylinders' surfaces. The return or run-in of the traversing-bed now takes place
which will cause the multicolor-slab to pass in contact with the color cylinders thus
. ensuring that the color be given off effectually and evenly to the sterreo, wood cut,
zinco, or printing surface when same passes and repasses under and in contact with
the surfaces of the cylinders.
"
"
3
The surfaces of the cylinders, the multicolor-slab and the sterreo, wood-cut, zinco
or other like or equivalent color impression surface will in all cases be set to even
level, and that will be coincident with the level of the pressure face of the printing
cylinder.
The to and fro motion of rotation of the color-receiving-and-giving-cylinders will
be positively secured by machine cut pinion or spur teeth gearing with machine cut
racks on the traversing-bed and these racks are fitted with set screws so as to adjust
them to the teeth gearing of the cylinders.
The color cylinders are made with supporting ribs upon central spindle and sheet
metal surface upon which will be laid the coating of composition, of a springy
yielding character, for taking up the color to be transferred to the sterreo, or other
relief printing surface.
In order that the said invention may be well understood I have hereunto annexed
two sheets of drawings illustrative thereof and will refer to the same by figures and
letters of reference in the following description, the like letters referring to similar
parts throughout the drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side view of a machine fitted-up according to this invention.
Fig. 2 is a half plan of same, longitudinally.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the bed with the two spaces 1, 2, for reception of the multi-
color-slab and the sterreo or relief printing surface respectively; the space indicated
by dotted lines at 3 is the distance of the bed from the centre line of the printing
impression cylinder and at the extremity of the run-out.
Fig. 4 is a side view, partly in section, of a cylinder suitable for the color-
rollers.
Fig. 5 is an isometric partial view of the spirit ducts.
Fig. 6 is a like view of a shaving knife capable of being used to level the multi-
color-slab.
Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, A, is the main framing. B, the first
motion shaft with fast and loose pulleys B. B³, is the connecting rod to the
striking forks of the pulley band (not shown) from the striker rod B³. C, is the
striker (indicated only) for the printing cylinder D, which said cylinder is shown in
dotted lines. The grippers and other known accessories to a proper stop cylinder
of such machines are to be employed but are not shown. E is the framing of the
printing cylinder mounted and bolted on the lower framing A. F is the laying on
board, with slope F¹. G is the taking-off' board.
The motion gear and carriage of the running-in and running-out bed is not shown
but will be driven from the main shaft B, in ordinary manner. H, are the machine

page_text: cut teeth racks for communicating the motion from the bed to the spur- or cog-
wheels of the cylinders.
The multicolor-slab is locked-up on the section "1," of the traversing-bed,
Figs. 2, and 3. As indicated in Fig. 3 the means for adjustment in height of the
color slab portion of the bed is by the set screws a, and nuts b, carrying wedges c
acting upon under wedges of the main bed, in regular manner, through the bevil
wheels d, and cross shaft e, fitted with ratchet wheel and catch f; the said catch
being worked by the adjustable handle g, which may strike against any fixed or
regularly variable point, or be operated by hand from time to time, to cause the
wedges or lifts to raise the multicolor-slab as required and as hereinbefore
directed.
The axles of the spirit or solvent distributing cylinders h, are mounted in
adjustable blocks carried in the side frames i, which frames are bolted to the main
framing, and said cylinders h, have rim rollers h', mounted on their axles inside of
their spur pinions h².
Whilst the color-slab portion of the traversing-bed is running under the
cylinders, "roller-lifts," that is longitudinally placed strips of wood, upon the
bed will bear in contact with the rim-rollers ', causing the cylinders h, to revolve
during such time as the said lifts and rollers are in contact. When however the
traversing-bed 1, 2, passes on under the printing cylinder D, this motion of the
cylinders, would cease but, in order. to keep their surfaces properly moistened,
with spirit or solvent, and cleansed there is a supplementary means for continuing
their motion provided as follows :-
The pinion l, is mounted on an arm l, of the printing cylinder frame E, and is in
gear with the usual reversing-spur-wheel of the printing cylinder-indicated by the
dotted line D. Alongside of the pinion l, and fast thereto is a chain wheel carrying
an endless chain 12, guided, below, over rollers P, to a chain wheel fast to one
member of a clutch-box (see Fig. 2). The other half of the clutch-box is carried
on a stud bolted on and standing out from the framing A. and said member of the
clutch-box is fast to a spur pinion 1, in gear with the like pinions carried on the
outer ends of the axles of the cylinders h, so that when the parts of the clutch-box
are locked, the motion from the pinion l, will be carried to the spirit- or solvent-
distributing-cylinders h, to keep up their motion.
The clutch portion at 1, is carried on a vibrating arm 1, mounted upon a cross
stud in a bracket at 1. Springs 18, control the lower end of the arm, which said
lower end carries an inwardly projecting stud, the inner end of which will be pushed
upon by a face cam, slide, or wedge, or the like means, "timed" off any portion of
the traversing-bed-carriage, or its motion-gear, so that as the lower end of the arm 1º,
is pushed out the clutch portions will lock or fall in gear and so effect the continuance
of the motion of the cylinders h.
Above the cylinders, and acting thereon is a calico cleansing sheet ³, (shown
in dotted lines on Fig. 1). The arms i, 2, of the side frames i, carry spindles ³, 1ª,
for the winding-off and winding-on of the calico sheet roll. Upon the arm', there
is a screw brake, to restrain and regulate the unwinding of the sheet ³, from the
spindle, to the spindle it. Upon the sheet spindle it, there is a ratchet wheel and
pawl device, to wind the sheet ³, as the work goes on to under and over and
under the cross guide rods m, n; seven of these rods are shown and thejway in
which the sheet, is held to contact with the surfaces of these spirit or solvent
distributing cylinders h, may be clearly seen by inspection of the side view Fig. 1.
The rods n actually effect the contact of the sheet because it passes under them.
The ratchet and pawl device, is practically similar to an ordinary inking-duct-
ratchet-motion and the operation of the same is to be effected through the link
rod, the centered lever arm 8, operated to the lift and fall by the connecting link
rod, carried down to and riding on the edge cam k, by a forked end. and runner
spanning the edge of said cam k. A guide is to be provided, conveniently placed,
to direct the rod, in its rise and fall.
The cam k, runs in the direction of the arrow and is carried on a spindle and

page_text: bracket and is to be driven off the "main-motion" and be "timed"
required.
or not as
The ends of the guide rods m, n, of the sheet h³, are mounted, free to turn, in
cheek plates upon the inside of the side frames i, upon rising and falling slots and
squared studs to give the requisite yield of pressure and tension of the sheet, and to
guide the said cheek-plates vertically.
I may next describe the spirit or solvent ducts and their action for supply of the
spirit or solvent to the distributing cylinders h, of the multicolor slab.
A motion has to be provided in order to alternately bring the spirit or solvent
duct facing felt or fabric up to and away from the distributing cylinders h.
The detail of construction is shown in Fig. 5, and a capilliary felt or fabric is at
the face side laid over the edge of the duct-trough and brought down and passed
under a pressure and holding plate o, which is held and pressed down to properly
regulated compression (to supply more or less spirit or solvent) by the screws o',
and butterfly-headed screws 0%. The end studs o³, are received in slots of a
crosswisely arranged carrying-bar o*.
This bar o, is moved to and fro by means of a link motion as follows:-The
centred vibrating link oº, is attached at its upper end oº, and at its lower end o' to
the sliding thrust-bar o³, properly centered and slotted at o, and provided at its
lower end with a runner carried in a fork at o¹0, which spans and rides on the edge
of the cam k, whence the motion is derived.
The shaving knife such as shown in Fig. 6 is mounted at p, on side brackets and
carried on centres p', the lever arm på being provided to raise and lower the knife
or to put pressure on same. A screw pin is passed through the knife blade to
regulate that the cut or shave taken off the surface of the multicolor-slab shall not
go lower than is requisite and sufficient for leveling purposes.
The transference of the color from the surface of the color block to the sterreo
or printing surface locked-up on the section 2 of the traversing-bed and to be given
off to the sheet fed in and presented by the printing cylinder D, is to be effected
by means of the cylinders T. These cylinders are mounted by their axles in side
bearings, in adjustable blocks thereof, and said axles are to be held down by
springs t, affording adjustable pressure, the blocks being regulated by under screws.
A rising or lifting carriage, (not shown in the plan Fig. 2) is provided under the
outer ends of the said cylinder axles to raise said cylinders out of contact with the
color-slab or the sterreo or printing surface when required in "making-ready."
The rod, is at its lower end attached to the bell crank lever », connected by the
rod, to a striking-lever o, conveniently arranged to the hand of the machine
minder.
The cylinders, as shown in Fig. 4, consist of the axles, the supporting discs,
and the light metal sheath, with the end cog-wheels, the sheath being coated (not
indicated by the figure) as described. These serve for the cylinders h, also, but
with the difference of the placing of the cog-wheels h³ and surface dimensions.
Having now particularly described 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 :-
First. In color printing machines as herein described the combination of the
multicolor-slab and the sterreo or printing-surface-block upon the sections 1, 2, of
the traversing-bed as and for the purpose set forth and shown by the drawings.
Secondly. In combination with the traversing-bed 1, 2, and the printing cylinder
as described the color receiving and depositing cylinders r, the surfaces whereof
are in register with the multicolor-slab and the sterreo or printing surface, con-
structed and operating as and for the purpose specified.
Thirdly. In combination with the traversing-bed 1, 2, the printing cylinder D,
and the color-cylinders r, the spirit or solvent distributing-cylinders h, and the ducts
therefor, constructed and operating substantially as and for the purpose herein set
forth and shown by the drawings.

page_text: Fourthly. The improved means for multicolor printing, constituting my improved
machine, constructed, combined and operating as and for the purpose herein set
forth and shown by the drawings.
A. DENNET,
Applicant.