An Improved Zinc Plate for Lithographic Printing Purposes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 7th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 9th Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Zinc Plate for Lithographic Printing Purposes.
I, EDWIN THOMAS BEAL, of 5 West View, Grove Street, Hull in the County
of York, Lithographer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to construct an improved litho plate from which,
prints of any kind and in any colour of ink may be taken by any lithographic
machine, either worked by hand, steam or other power, such plate being intended
as a substitute for the ordinary lithographic stone.
I construct my invention as follows:-I employ an ordinary piece of sheet zinc
which is prepared by being steeped in a solution consisting of sulphate of
aluminium and potassium, nitros acid (fluid), zinc sulphate, oxide calcium and
water. This solution is preferably prepared by dissolving the oxide of calcium in
a small quantity of water, the sulphate of aluminium being then added, these
ingredients are then stirred until like cream, and are then poured into a suitable
quantity of water, the nitros acid and zinc sulphate are then added; when the
whole is well mixed the solution is strained through a hair sieve and is ready
for use.
A suitable quantity of the solution is placed in a trough or bath, and a zinc
plate is steeped in it in the trough, the solution just covering the plate, after
remaining in a suitable time, the plate is taken out and put into a bath of clean
water, the face of the plate being rubbed thoroughly with a soft sponge until
perfectly clean, when dry it is ready for use.
With this improved litho plate drawings or the like may be made upon it by
any of the known methods for drawing or the like, on the litho stone, and transfers
may be taken from steel, copper, paper or the like, or by any means known to the
lithographic printing trade, and transferred to this plate, the said plate being
handier, cheaper and less cumbersome than the ordinary lithographic stone.
The plate can be made of any desired size, and can be used time after time for
different matter by repreparation of the plate.
Dated this Sixth day of March 1894.
JOHN E. WALSH,
Saville Street, Hull, and Crossley Street, Halifax,
Patent Agent for the Applicant.
An Improved Zinc Plate for Lithographic Printing Purposes.
I EDWIN THOMAS BEAL, of 5 West View, Grove Street, Hull in the County
of York, Lithographer, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to construct an improved lithographic plate from
which prints of any kind and in any colour of ink may be taken by any lithographic
machines either worked by hand steam or other power, such plate being intended
as a substitute for the ordinary lithographic stone.

page_text: For the purpose of my invention I employ ordinary sheet zinc of good quality
the surface of which may be dulled by subjecting it to the action of a sand blast,
or by any other known means, it is then steeped in a solution consisting of sulphate
of aluminum and potassium, nitros or nitrous acid, oxide of calcium, sulphate of
zinc and water in about the following proportions:-
Sulphate of aluminum and potassium, (alum) 8 pounds; nitros or nitrous acid,
(fluid) 4 pounds oxide of calcium, pound, sulphate of zinc, pound, water
2 gallons.
In preference to the oxide of calcium, I may use chloride of calcium (dried) in
the same quantity.
In mixing the above solution, I find that the ingredients mix best as follows:-
I take a suitable quantity of water in which I dissolve the oxide or chloride of
calcium, then the sulphate of aluminum and potassium is added and stirred in
thoroughly until the whole is in a thick creamy paste, I then add more water and
the nitros acid and stir the whole well, after which I add the balance of water and
finally the sulphate of zinc, the whole is then thoroughly stirred together
and dissolved, after which it is strained through a hair sieve or the like into jars or
other suitable vessels when it is ready for use.
I take a tub, bath, trough or the like, into which I pour enough solution to cover
a suitable sized sheet of zinc, I place the sheet of zinc or plate in the solution, and
allow it to remain for a few minutes, the solution being kept in motion during the
whole time the plate is immersed, the plate will then be found to have turned
greyish black, it is then swilled with clean water, and the greyish black film is
removed with a soft sponge or brush, I immerse the said plate in the above solution
again if thought necessary to improve the colour, I again remove any greyish
black film which may appear on the plate, when such plate will be found of a
dull light grey appearance, the plate is then allowed to dry and finally is dusted
perfectly clean with a clean linen rag or soft brush, it is then ready for use, and is
suitable for almost any class of work in the lithographic printing trade.
For plates of a smoother surface I treat in the same manner except that I do
not dull the surface by sand blast or other mechanical means.
Plates which have been used can be quickly reprepared for new drawings by
first removing the old design with turpentine or any other suitable agent, then
immersing in a solution of potassium oxide and water which destroys the old design,
and finally by immersing in the solution and treating in the manner already
described.
Zinc plates prepared by this process will be of a pleasing colour to work upon,
and will not tire the eyes, there is no layer or coating to chip or peel off they are
admirably adapted for originals, they will keep any length of time, there being no
risk of breakage as with litho stones, at the same time they greatly economise
space.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The preparation of zinc plates for use in lithographic printing by subjecting
them to the action of a solution composed of sulphate of aluminum and potassium,
nitros or nitrous acid, oxide or chloride of calcium (as desired) sulphate of zinc
and water, substantially as shown and described.
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2002
JOHN E. WALSH,
Savile Street, Hull, and Crossley Street, Halifax,
Agent for the Applicant.