Improved Process and Apparatus for the Production of Irisated Prints.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov.,
1897
Complete Specification Left, 9th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 1st Oct., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process and Apparatus for the Production of Irisated
Prints.
I, JOHANN MARTIN HEPPLER, of Leer (Ost Friesland), in the Empire of
Germany, Lithographer and Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The methods hitherto known for the production of irisated, variegated or rain-
bowed prints only admit of the gradations of the rainbow shades being marked in
parallel strips, the width of which is not exactly defined or delimited.
The subject of this invention is a process enabling irisated prints of any pattern
to be produced at will, in perfectly neat tints or shadings of limited width and of
gradual blending into one another. This result is attained first, by giving the
ground colour patterns such forms that the ground colours when applied to the
colour distributing device (roller, cone, table or the like) do not lie side-by-side in
mere juxta-position, but "gear"or interfit together with their contiguous edges
which are preferably toothed or zig-zag shaped for this purpose, and second, by
rubbing or commingling with one another the tongues or zig-zags of the contiguous
edges of the ground colours applied to the colour distributing device, which mixing
or commingling is effected not in the direction of the gradation or shading but
transversely to the latter and to the teeth or zig-zags of the ground colours follow-
ing the course of the interfitting of the latter.
By giving the marginal teeth or projecting parts of the ground-colours a tapering
shape a soft and gradual blending of the one tint into the other is obtained when
such tapering and interfitting colour parts are rubbed into or commingled with each
other. The blending will be the more gradual, the narrower and the more tapering
the projecting parts of the ground colours are made. If the projecting parts of
the ground colours were made of uniform width or breadth throughout their
length, the consequence would be, that only one stripe of the tint, resulting from
the fusion or commingling of the two adjoining colours, would be formed. Instead
of tapering the said projecting colour parts the gradual diminution in the width
of these parts may, however, be effected by offsets or undulations formed in the
adjoining margins or edges of the ground colours.
Thus, in consequence of the fact that the rubbing or commingling of the ground
colours takes place transversely to the direction in which the irisated effect is to be
obtained, the formation of an irisated stripe or field of a predetermined width is
ensured by the simplest conceivable means so that a straight-lined as well as a
curved rainbow pattern or figure may be produced at will.
Apparatus capable of carrying out my improved process of producing irisated
prints may be arranged in different ways. In one form of construction the ground
colour patterns having zig-zag or the like shaped edges and being carried by
special colour blocks, are applied to the distributing device in any well known
manner so that the projecting parts of the ground colours gear with or interfit

page_text: each other. The said colour parts are then rubbed into or commingled with one
another upon the distributing device by suitable rollers of proper shape and size
in order to produce the blending of the respective ground colours and the irisated
effect between the latter. When by the aid of the small rollers the margins or
edges of the ground colours have been sufficiently mixed and properly distributed
upon the surface of the distributing device, the printing block is inked or coloured
in its turn by the said distributing device, whereupon the rainbow prints are
taken from the printing block in any convenient manner. In another construc-
tional form of my improved apparatus the mixing or commingling of the toothed
margins of the ground colours may be effected during the transferring or applying
of such colours to the distributing device or printing block by imparting by any
suitable means to the colour blocks provided with the ground colour patterns
a rotating or reciprocating motion respectively. To suit the proposed object the
colour blocks should be specially constructed, that is to say, be made up of a
number of separate parts capable of being moved at right angles to the shading
being formed at the time.
The simplest motion is that required for the production of irisated effects in a
circular or annular form, as in this case the corresponding parts of the colour blocks
need only be turned about their axes. For radiated as well as for straight irisated
designs, however, it is necessary to make provision for a rectilinear motion of the
requisite parts of the colour blocks; whereas for the production of curved irisated
effects the said parts of the colour blocks must be moved along in correspondingly
curved lines with the assistance of suitable guiding devices.
Dated this 9th day of November 1807
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improved Process and Apparatus for the Production of Irisated
Prints.
I, JOHANN MARTIN HEPPLER, of Leer (Ost Friesland), in the Empire of
Germany, Lithographer and Mechanic, 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 methods hitherto known for the production of irisated, variegated or rain-
bowed prints only admit of the graduations of the rainbow shades being marked in
parallel strips, the width of which is not exactly defined or delimited.
The subject of this invention is a process enabling irisated prints of any pattern
to be produced at will, in perfectly neat tints or shadings of limited width and for
gradual blending into one another. This result is attained, first, by giving the
ground colour patterns such forms that the ground colours when applied to the
colour distributing device (roller, cone, table or the like) do not lie side-by-side in
mere juxta-position, but gear "or interfit together with their contiguous edges
which are preferably toothed or zig-zag shaped for this purpose, and second, by
rubbing or commingling with one another the tongues or zig-zags of the contiguous
edges of the ground colours applied to the colour distributing device, which mixing
or commingling is effected not in the direction of the graduation or shading but
transversely to the latter and to the teeth or zig-zags of the ground colours follow-
ing the course of the interfitting of the latter.

page_text: By giving the marginal feeth or projecting parts of the ground-colours a tapering
shape a soft and gradual blending of one tint into another is obtained when such
tapering and interfitting colour parts are rubbed into or commingled with each
other. The blending will be more gradual, the narrower and the more tapering
the projecting parts of the ground colours are made. If the projecting parts of
the ground colours were made of uniform width or breadth throughout their
length, the consequence would be, that only one stripe of the tint, resulting from
the fusion or commingling of the two adjoining colours, would be formed. Instead
of tapering the said projecting colour parts the gradual diminution in the width
of these parts may, however, be effected by offsets or undulations formed in the
adjoining margins or edges of the ground colours.
Thus, in consequence of the fact that the rubbing er commingling of the ground
colours takes place transversely to the direction in which the irisated effect is to be
obtained, the formation of an irisated stripe or field of a predetermined width is
ensured by the simplest conceivable means so that a straight-lined as well as a
curved rainbow pattern or figure may be produced at will.
Apparatus capable of carrying out my improved process of producing irisated
prints may be arranged in different ways. In one form of construction the ground
colour patterns having zig-zag or the like shaped edges and being carried by
special colour blocks, are applied to the distributing device in any well known
manner so that the projecting parts of the ground colours gear with or interfit
each other. The said colour parts are then rubbed into or commingled with one
another upon the distributing device by suitable rollers of proper shape and size
in order to produce the blending of the respective ground colours and the irisated
effect between the latter. When by the aid of the small rollers the margins or
edges of the ground colours have been sufficiently mixed and properly distributed
upon the surface of the distributing device, the printing block is inked or coloured
in its turn by the said distributing device, whereupon the rainbow prints are
taken from the printing block in any convenient manner. In another construc-
tional form of my improved apparatus the mixing or commingling of the toothed
margins of the ground colours may be effected during the transferring or applying
of such colours to the distributing device or printing block by imparting by any
suitable means to the colour blocks provided with the ground colour patterns
a rotating or reciprocating motion respectively. To suit the proposed object the
colour blocks should be specially constructed that is to say, be made
number of separate parts capable of being moved at right angles to the shading
up of a
being formed at the time.
The simplest motion is that required for the production of irisated effects in a
circular or annular form, as in this case the corresponding parts of the colour blocks
need only be turned about their axes. For radiated as well as for straight irisated
designs, however, it is necessary to make provision for a rectilinear motion of the
requisite parts of the colour blocks; whereas for the production of curved irisated
effects the said parts of the colour blocks must be moved along in correspondingly
curved lines with the assistance of suitable guiding devices.
From what has been explained before, however, it will be readily understood that
there can be but a limited scope for the application of apparatus of the first men-
tioned type; whereas any desirable or conceivable rainbow patterns may be obtained
by the other form of apparatus.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figures 1 and 2 represent an arrangement of the first named form, enabling the
novel colour-printing process to be carried out by means of a hand-operated press,
Figure 1 being an elevation and Figure 2 a plan of such arrangement;
Figures 3-6 illustrate the arrangement of the colour blocks for the ground
colours in the production of rather more complicated patterns according to the
econd method;
Figure 3 being a longitudinal section,
Figures 4. 5. and 6. plan-views and

page_text: Figure 4 a cross-section of the block on the line I-II Figure 4.
Figures 7 and 8 represent colour-blocks and rollers fitted for the production of
irisated prints in strips running in rectilinear directions only; and
Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 illustrate methods of producing various irisated
effects.
In colour-distributing apparatus applicable to hand presses, such, for example,
as may be used in representing irisated rainbows (or similar figures or designs
made up of concentric rings),-the first requirement, common to this as well as to
every other colour-printing press, is the provision of a special colour block a
(Figures 1 and 2) for every ground tint. Now the whole series of these colour
blocks a are secured on a carriage A, and adapted to be moved backwards and
forwards along with such carriage. In the example shown the blocks a are so
arranged upon the carriage A that the corner nearest to the centre of the arc or
curve of the pattern, is situated as near as practicable to the vertical spindle 6 of
the colour-distributing apparatus.
This apparatus consists of two cones cc, revolvably mounted in the spindle b and
retained by screws ee in such a position that their outer surfaces may revolve
in contact with, or roll upon, the colour-block a, or the printing block a¹, as the
case may be; the said screws ee being fitted in stirrup-shaped frames dd, also
secured onto the said spindle b.
6.
Over the space or
width" in which the rainbow effect is to be produced, small
commingling cones f are arranged to roll against the outer surfaces of the larger
or colour-distributing cones c; the circumference of a cone c being, however, no
multiple of the circumference of a cone f, which causes by its rubbing and
rolling action that the relative displacement or commingling of the colours or tints
is effected transversely to the direction in which the graduations of shade or tone
take place between such tints. Each of the rubbing cones f is connected by an
arm to a rocking shaft or spindle f2, revolvably supported in bearings f pro-
vided on the frames d, and so acted upon by a spring that it keeps the rubbing
cone fin contact with the corresponding colouring (or inking) cone c
a
In order to provide for the positive motion of the colouring or inking cones c
they are all revolved simultaneously through the medium of toothed gearing. To
this end the said cones c are fitted with toothed rims c¹ at their bases; such rims
wheels h, each
which
of
is
engaging in gear
mounted
a bracket
spindle supported in
an
or bearing g¹ upon
of the corresponding frame d; the opposite end of such spindle h¹ carrying a
second wheel i gearing with a toothed rim firmly attached to the main frame B
of the mechanism
upon
arm
The bottom end of the vertical spindle or shaft b is supported in a step-bearing,
while its upper part is held by the frame B, and, it is arranged to be set in rotary
motion by means of a crank k, in such a manner that, as it rotates, corresponding
motion is transmitted by the intermediate toothed gearing to the large cones cc,
which, in their turn, take round the small cones ff by friction.
The printing block a¹ is arranged on the printing press which, during the
colour-distributing operation, as shown in Figure 2, is moved up to the colour-
distributing device just described, so that the said printing block a¹ is in the proper
position for receiving the colour or ink. In other respects, the printing press
may be constructed in any suitable manner. is the printing cylinder.
The hatched or shaded portions of the colour-blocks a are raised, and each block
being charged with a liberal supply of its respective ink or colour by means of
usual inking roller arrangement. Then, one block after the other is placed under
the above-mentioned colour-distributing device, and the pattern formed on each
block is successively transferred to the two colour-distributing cones c by turning
these cones through the medium of the crank k. When, by the aid of the cones f
the colours or inks have been sufficiently mixed and properly distributed, the
printing block a¹ is inked in its turn, being, for this purpose, brought to the
The surface
position shown in Figure 2, under the colouring or inking cones cc.

page_text: of the printing block a¹ may be either plain or striated after any desired pattern,
and, from it, the colour is transferred to the sheet placed upon the printing
roller
.
Where more complicated colour effects,—say, a rainbowed sun with irisated
rays, as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6, are to be obtained, the colour-
distributing device just described will not quite answer the desired purpose. In
this case, in order that the ground tints may be extended transversly to the direc-
tion of the graduations or shadings, the colour-blocks should be specially con-
structed to suit the proposed object i.e. be made up of a number of separate parts,
capable of being moved at right angles to any shading that may be in course of
formation at the time.
The simplest motion is that required for the production of irisated effects in a
circular or annular form, as, in this case, the corresponding parts of the colour-
blocks need only be turned about their axes. For radiated, as well as for straight
designs, however, it is necessary to make provision for a rectilinear motion of the
requisite parts of the block; whereas in the case of irisated curves, the ground
tints should be run in the sense or longitudinal direction of the curves, on cor-
respondingly curved lines, with the assistance of suitable guiding apparatus.
In the example shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, where it is supposed that a rain-
bowed sun with irisated rays is the pattern to be produced, the part of each of
the colour-blocks serving to form the sun, is secured on a spindle 1, passing
through the whole body K of the combined colour-blocks in the vertical direction,
and carrying a toothed wheel 12 at its lower end, which gears with another toothed
wheel 3 actuated by any suitable ratchet mechanism or escapement 1.
In order to ensure the requisite displacement of the parts m, designed to form
irisated rays, those parts are guided between fillets or rails m formed on the
ground-block K and pressed by springs m² against an eccentric m³, fast upon the
spindle, whereby the desired motion is produced.
At each movement of the ratchet-wheel, which may be effected by a suitable
stop or catch, say, at the completion of each forward or rearward journey of the
carriage whereon the colour-blocks are placed,--both the part of such blocks,
which is to form the rainbowed sun, and the parts m, which serve to produce the
irisated rays, are displaced for a predetermined distance at right angles to the
direction of the proposed shading so that gradually a close fusion of tints is
obtained at the adjoining margins of the bands or strips of ground-colours.
By arranging a series of colour-blocks in juxta-position, or one behind the
other, care being taken to see that the pinion 12, actuating the vertical spindle /¹
which serves to set in motion the several parts of one colour-block, is in gear with
the pinion performing the same function with regard to the next preceding block
in the rear, and also that the two wheels 12 of the foremost blocks engage with the
operating wheels actuated by the ratchet' mechanism 1,--a number of such colour
blocks be arranged in two sets or rows, so that several irisated impressions,-which
may be alike or different, as desired,-shall be produced simultaneously on the
same sheet.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate by diagrams how rainbowed impressions may be con-
ducted in straight bands or stripes the portions of the colour blocks a, which are to
form the irisated: strips are laterally zig-zagged in such a manner that the dents or
tongues of one fit in the dent-spaces of the other. Owing to the tapering shape
of the dents the intensity of one tint gradually increases and that of the other tint
increases.
The colour blocks a, after having been supplied with ink are conducted under-
neath the rollers e, transferring colour or ink to such rollers as they proceed.
In order so to mix the colours upon any one of the rollers c, as to obtain the rainbow
effect, a smaller roller f is arranged over the roller c, which may be so constructed
that it shall only touch the roller c at those parts where rainbow stripes are to be
produced. The roller f is rotated by the roller c by frictional contact, and inas-
much as the circumference of c is no multiple of the circumference of f this roller f

page_text: touches the roller c at a different point at each revolution, whereby--by reason of
the zigzag-shaped margins of the colour-stripes the fusion of adjoining tints, and
the gradual change from one tine into the other, are ensured.
Where the roller f only touches the roller c at the parts where the irisated stripes
are situated, any desired ornaments or decorative designs may be formed on the
colour blocks in addition to the stripes and transferred to the rollers c, without
being rubbed or commingled with one another, along with the main stripes, by
the roller f.
Figures 9 to 14 exemplify various irisated patterns, Figure 9 showing a uniform
zigzag line employed to effect the gradual change from one tint into the other;
in Figure 10 the change is supposed to be effected by means of off-set dents,
and in Figures 11, the change is comparatively rapid between the dotted lines
and, and slower and more gradual between the dotted lines and In
Figures 12 an irisated effect is obtained only between the dotted lines x and xx,
while no such effect is produced between the dotted lines 56.
Instead of effecting the gradual change of the tints by means of zigzag shaped
margins (Figure 9) the same result may be obtained by employing gradually decreas
ing ordinary points, stops, dots or the like (Figure 13) or tapering hatchings
(Figure 14) which points or hatchings are also interfitting or overlapping each
other.
The novelty and peculiarity of the above described process do not consist in the
iridescence itself but in the multiplicity of forms and in the accuracy of the
iridescence obtained, and further in the fact that the said iridescence may be
obtained only by means of particular printing devices hitherto known.
In rainbow-style of printing in which an axial displacement of the rollers takes place
the zone of fusion of the tints is not exactly defined or delimited and will alter or
change in each printing; according as the rollers are dispensed with, the zone of
fusion or iridescence must therefore have always the same width which corresponds to
the length or height of the interfitting colour parts. The multiplicity of forms is
rendered possible by the fact that the fusion of blending of the tints is effected not
exclusively in a gradual manner and without interruption, as in ordinary irisated
prints, but that besides a gradual blending the said fusion may be effected also
by bounds, by steps, undulatory, with reversal of the colours, with or without
interruption, with intercalation or interlining of other colours, either of these
methods being employed alone or in any combination with one another. The
possibility of changing the form and shape of the iridescence as well as the number
of the possible combinations is therefore very great.
As many changes might be made in the construction and relative arrangement
of the different parts of the described apparatus without involving a departure
from the gist of my invention, I would have it understood that do not limit
myself to the exact construction shown and described but consider myself at
liberty to make changes and alterations as fall within the scope of my invention.
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. A process for producing irisated or rainbowed prints of any desirable pattern
and tone which consists in giving the ground colour figures or patterns such
forms that the said ground colours interfit, or overlap each other with their suitably
shaped contiguous edges or margins, and then in mixing or commingling the said
interfitting or overlapping colour parts within and transversely to the zone of
irisation, the width of the latter depending upon the length or height of the inter-
fitting or overlapping colour parts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. A process for producing irisated or rainbowed prints which consist in giving
the ground colour figures or patterns such forms that these ground colours when
applied to a colour distributing or delivering device interfit or overlap each other
with their toothed, zigzag-shaped, off-set, radiated, indented, undulatory or likely

page_text: shaped contiguous edges or magins, in mixing or commingling these interfitting or
overlapping colour parts upon the distributing device by means of suitably shaped
and sized rollers acting within the zone of irisation and transversely to the inter-
fitting colour parts, and in transferring the irisating colour figure thus produced
on the distributing device to suitable printing blocks and the like, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
3. A process for producing irisated or rainbowed prints which consist in provid-
ing suitable colour blocks with interfitting or overlapping ground colour figures
or patterns and in mixing or commingling the interfitting or overlapping colour
parts during the transferring or applying of the colours to the distributing device
or printing block by imparting to the said colour blocks carrying the interfitting
ground colour patterns a rotating or reciprocating motion transversely to the
interfitting colour parts, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. In an apparatus for the production of irisated prints the combination of one
or more colour blocks carrying the ground colour figures or patterns, of a colour
distributing and delivering device or devices adapted to receive the said ground
colour patterns as interfitting or overlapping figures, of suitably shaped rollers or
the like arranged to act against the distributing device or devices and to thus
commingle the interfitting colour parts on the said distributing device or devices,
and of a suitable printing block or the like to which the commingled and therefore
irisating colour figure of the distributing device is transferred, substantially as
set forth.
5. In an apparatus for producing irisated prints the combination of a series of
colour blocks carrying interfitting or overlapping ground colour patterns and
adapted to be rotated or reciprocated transversely to the interfitting colour parts
of the patterns, and of suitable means for actuating the said colour blocks, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this Oth
J
Ant 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.