Improvements in Producing Manifold Copies and in Materials to be Used for this Purpose.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 14th May, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 1st Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 7th Dec., 1888
PROVISIONAL SIECIFICATION.
Improvements in Producing Manifold Copies and in Materials to be
Used for this Purpose.
I, GEORGE HENRY SMITH, of Helmet Buildings, 114 Wormwood Street, City,
London, Copying Apparatus Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Manifold copies are now commonly produced by transferring writing from an ordinary
sheet of paper to a slab which is generally composed of a mixture of gelatine glycerine
and water. Slabs formed of this composition have the disadvantage that the aniline
inks, which are usually employed, sink into the substance of the slab, causing the
lines to become blurred and thickened after a few copies have been taken and also
rendering it difficult to clean the slab without the use of warm water which is liable
to make the surface uneven and cause remelting necessary. Another gelatine process
which cannot be washed off must remain for two days in order to allow the negative
to sink below the surface. After a few times using the slab thereby becomes stained
and the paper consequently soiled.
According to this invention I make the slab of a mixture of china clay, starch,
glycerine, and water, just sufficient of the two latter being used to form with the
two former a stiff paste, which can be moulded. I find that the ink that I prepare
only slightly penetrates slabs made of this composition, so that the lines in the
negative remain fine and sharp for days, and that the writing can be readily wiped
off simply by sponging with cold water after which the slab is immediately ready to
receive a fresh transfer, thus avoiding the vexatious delay experienced by other dry
processes.
For Blue Black Ink
For Green Ink
Dated this 14th day of May 1888.
-
"
8 parts Best Victoria Green Aniline
Magenta dissolved by pouring 1 part
Acid Hydrochloric and 8 parts
Water and 2 parts Spirits of Wine.
8 parts Best Victoria Green Aniline
8428
وو
Water
"
"
Spirits of Wine
Acid Hydrochloric
}

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Producing Manifold Copies and in Materials to be
Used for this. Purpose.
I, GEORGE HENRY SMITH, of Helmet Buildings, 11ª Wormwood Street, City,
London, Copying Apparatus Manufacturer, 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 :—
Manifold copies are now commonly produced by transferring writing from an
ordinary sheet of paper to a slab which is generally composed of a mixture of gelatine,
glycerine and water. Slabs formed of this composition have the disadvantage that
the aniline inks which are generally employed sink into the substance of the slab
causing the lines to become blurred and thickened after a few copies have been taken,
and also rendering it difficult to clean the slab without the use of warm water which
is liable to make the surface uneven and render remelting necessary. Another
gelatine process is such that the transfer cannot be washed off; it has besides to
remain for two days before use in order to allow the ink to sink below the surface.
After a few times using the slab becomes stained and the paper used with it
consequently is soiled.
According to my Invention I employ for producing manifold copies in the manner
abovo stated, slabs of a combination of china clay, starch, glycerine and water in the
following proportions
:-
China clay
Starch
Glycerine
Water
-
45.parts
15
'">
.30 "
.10 733
This compound is filled into trays of metal or other suitable material. In tho
bottom of the tray I place a sheet of cardboard, felt or other absorbent material to
take up and retain the superfluous moisture.
In place of employing a tray containing a permanent slab I sometimes spread the com-
pound upon an absorbing material such as paper, linen, felt or cardboard, preferably the
latter, but for this purpose I make the compound somewhat more fluid than for the slabs
so that it can be put on the surface of the material with a soft brush or spread with a
palette knife. In a few minutes the printing surface will be ready for use. It will
be found that the ink only slightly penetrates these slabs so that the lines of the
negative remain fine and sharp for days and after use the surface can easily be
cleaned by merely sponging it with cold water after which it is ready at once to
receive a fresh transfer. Thus the vexatious delays of other processes are avoided.
'My improved process surpasses all others in its simplicity the economy in its use
and the extreme facility and speed with which the surface can after using.be cleaned
off ready for use again.
Unlike gelatinous processes it is suitable for all climates, and can stand all degrees
of temperature; whilst gélatinous processes are seriously affected by climatic
influences and rendered practically useless where great heat exists.
The ink which I prefer to use for producingtmanifold copies in connection with
my improved slabs or sheets is composed of hydrochloric acid, spirits of wine, aniline
color and water, but the ordinary-graph-ink can be used.

page_text: For Blue Black Ink
dissolved in
For Green Ink
8 parts Best Victoria Green Aniline
" Magenta
1
1
8
دو
دو
"
Acid Hydrochloric
Water, and
Spirits of Wine.
8 parts Best Victoria Green Aniline
2
Spirits of Wine
4
Water
"
"
2
"
Acid Hydrochloric.
Manifold copies are produced in the following manner :-The writing or other
matter to be manifolded is made with the aniline inks before described on a sheet of
paper and when dry the paper is laid writing side downwards on the slab or sheet for
a few seconds. When it is removed a perfect negative appears upon the surface of the
slab. The copies are then taken by simply laying the sheets of paper required to be
printed over the negative upon the slab and pressing with the hand when perfect
copies of the writing are obtained.
I wish it to be understood that although the aforesaid process is the best with
which I am acquainted I do not limit myself to the exact details.
I am aware of a process for producing manifold copies patented by John Guy
Wilson dated November 13th 1878 No. 4606, where aniline inks are employed in
connection with a gelatinous composition. This process however requires preparation
the composition used having frequently, to be subjected to heat, remelting being
necessary to obtain a level printing surface. And as already mentioned the slab is
affected when exposed to a hot temperature.
In my process no such melting or remelting is required and no delay is caused by
difficulty in cleaning the slabs, besides being free from the effects of climatic influences
as before stated.
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 I claim is :-
.
1. The use in the production of manifold copies, of slabs or surfaces prepared from
clay and other materials substantially as described.
2. A manifold copying surface coinposed of china clay, starch, glycerine and water
substantially as described.
3. A manifold copying surface consisting of clay and other materials substantially
as described moulded in a tray over cardboard or other absorbing material which by
.retaining moisture keeps the surface always in a suitable condition for use.
4. The use in the production of manifold copies of a pad or slab composed of china
clay, starch, glycerino and water in conjunction with aniline inks substantially as
described.
5. The use in the production of manifold copies of a surface of cardboard or other
suitable absorbent material coated with clay and other materials substantially as described
in conjunction with a writing or drawing made in aniline ink as herein set forth.
Dated this 1st day of November 1888.