Improvements in the Manufacture of Rubber-faced Type, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 12th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Rubber-faced Type, and
Apparatus therefor.
I, FREDERICK RUDOLPH VAN HOUTEN, of 334, Fore Street, in the City of
London, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to the manufacture of rubber-faced type and consists
chiefly in the novel method of preparing the matrix or mould from ordinary metal
printing type.
In carrying out my invention I make use of a metal frame formed in two parts
fitting one upon the other the depth of the lower part corresponding approximately
with the height of the rubber-faced type to be manufactured and the depth of the
upper part to the difference between the height of the rubber-faced type and the
ordinary metal type.
I also make use of another frame in which the matrix or mould is formed and
which for convenience of description I will term the matrix frame.
In preparing the matrix I place in the two-part frame metal type or the like
corresponding with the rubber-faced type to be produced. I then place the matrix
frame upon the two-part frame and fill in the space therein with lead which is
subjected to great pressure so as to take the impression of the metal type.beneath it.
The matrix frame with the lead matrix therein is then removed, the metal type are
taken out of the two-part frame, the upper part of the two-part frame is taken away
and the lower part is filled with the quads to be faced. The matrix frame is now
placed upon the lower part of the two-part frame the space enclosed being filled
with india rubber which is vulcanized in the frame.
One of the great advantages of my matrix constructed as hereinbefore described
is that it may be used from time to time as required.
T
1000
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Rubber-faced Type, and
Apparatus therefor.
:
I, FREDERICK RUDOLPH VAN HOUTEN, of 33A, Fore Street, in the City of
London, 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 :-
My invention relates to the manufacture of rubber-faced type and consists
chiefly in the novel method of preparing the matrix or mould from ordinary metal
printing type.
In carrying out my invention I make use of a metal frame formed in two parts
fitting one upon the other the depth of the lower part corresponding approximately

page_text: with the height of the rubber-faced type to be manufactured and the depth of the
upper part to the difference between the height of the rubber-faced type and the
ordinary metal type.
1 also make use of another frame in which a lead matrix or mould is formed and
which for convenience of description I will term the matrix frame.
To enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe the same by
reference to the accompanying drawing, in which :—
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of apparatus used for the formation of a lead
matrix for the manufacture of rubber-faced type; and,
Figure 2 is a plan of one of the frames.
Figure 3 shews the arrangement of the apparatus for facing the quads.
Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 1 illustrating a modification of my
invention.
a, bare the two parts of the two-part metal frame and c is the matrix frame
each of the frames b, c being formed with a rib which fits into the adjacent frame
beneath and which serves to prevent the frames from moving relatively with one
another.
In preparing the matrix I wedge in the two-part frame ordinary type; d, d in
Figure 1 indicating such type and e, e the wedges or packing pieces for holding the
said type. I then place the matrix frame e upon the two part frame and fill the
space thereof with soft lead (indicated by the letter f) which lead is subjected to
great pressure to take the impression of the metal type beneath it. The matrix
frame c with the lead matrix therein is then removed, the metal type d are taken
out of the two-part frame, the upper part of the said two-part frame is taken
away and the lower part a is filled with quads corresponding in sectional area
with the type d. The matrix frame c is now placed upon the lower part a of the
two-part frame as shewn in Figure 3 (wherein 9, 9 indicate the quads to be faced)
and the space between the quads g, and the matrix plate fis filled with india
rubber and vulcanized. The sheet of india rubber thus vulcanized upon the quads
is subsequently divided to separate the type.
It is obvious that a matrix constructed as hereinbefore described may be used
from time to time as required.
As, in preparing a matrix from broad faced type, the latter might be injured if a
solid sheet of lead was pressed upon the same I make use in preparing a matrix from
such broad-faced type of very thin sheet lead. This thin sheet lead after being laid
upon the face of the type is backed with wax or similar material as shewn in
Figure 4, wherein h indicates the sheet of lead and i the wax backing. When
pressure is applied to the backing i the lead will be forced against the surface of
the type and the desired impression obtained. The frame e with this wax-backed
matrix is then removed and subjected to a gentle heat which will melt the wax so
as to leave the hollow matrix; the space formerly occupied by the wax is then
filled with plaster of Paris or other suitable material. The matrix thus prepared
is used in the same manner as the solid lead matrix hereinbefore described.
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 :-
1. A matrix for use in the manufacture of rubber-faced type formed by pressing
a sheet of lead upon ordinary metal type so as to take the impression thereof,
substantially as described.
2. A matrix of the kind referred to in the preceding claiming clause having a
backing of plaster of Paris or the like, substantially as, and for the purpose,
described.
3. The use in the manufacture of matrices of the kind hereinbefore described
from ordinary type of a frame formed in two parts, substantially as, and for the
purposes, set forth.

page_text: 4. The manufacture of rubber-faced type by means of matrices constructed
substantially in the manner hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawing.
Dated the 12th day of March 1894.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.