Improvements in and relating to the Reproduction from Type-forms. Copper, Steel, Process and other Plates, and the Formation of Cylinders and other Embossed or Engraven Metallic Articles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 20th May, 1899-Accepted, 15th July, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Reproduction from Type-forms.
Copper, Steel, Process and other Plates, and the Formation of
Cylinders and other Embossed or Engraven Metallic Articles.
We, JOHN MANNING, of 26, Old Street, in the County of London, Electrotyper,
Stereotyper and Process Engraver, and GEORGE MANLEY, of 11, Edward Street,
City Road, in the said County of London, Works Manager, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in the reproduction from type-forms,
copper, steel, process and other plates and the formation of cylinders, from which
printing and embossing is done, and in the reproduction of other embossed or
engraven metallic articles.
<6
Hitherto, in the process of electrotyping, moulds have been made in wax, gutta-
percha and various other substances, but such methods have entailed many inter-
mediate steps and processes such as floating with plaster of Paris," providing
wax pans, filling with wax or other substances, moulding, trimming and "rising-
in "
or building-up" spaces left blank, black-leading to obtain a metallic face,
and finally the plaster has to be picked out of the type-forms, thus necessitating
the expenditure of much time and labour.
By our present invention we totally, or in a great measure, obviate these inter-
mediate steps and processes.
According to our invention we take the type-forms, copper-plate or the like,
and, if it be a type-form, we preferably unlock and place the usual clamps around
it as a bearing and plane down the surface of the type so that it is perfectly level.
The type-form, copper or other plate or the like, is placed in a suitable press,
but before doing so a sheet or surface of lead foil or other metallic foil which is
capable of taking the impression of the type or the engraving or the like, is placed
on the form or plate, such foil being somewhat larger than the said form or
plate, and over the said foil or other metallic substance is laid a piece of vul-
canised india rubber, (preferably backed with canvas to prevent its stretching)
blanket, cloth or any other soft material whereby, upon the application of pressure,
the metallic substance is forced into the indentations of the type, blocks, copper,
steel or other plate or the like.
After the removal of the pressure and of the rubber or blankets, a suitable
coating of paraffin wax or other nonconducting material or a sheet of paper or
the like evenly coated with wax is applied to the back or exposed surface of the
said foil before its removal from the original and after the wax has become
sufficiently cooled or set we separate the foil with its wax backing from such
original. Next, the free flange or margin_around the foil sheet is folded so as
to strengthen and preserve the rigidity of the sheet. Within the folds of one
side is placed a piece of copper wire or other good electrical conductor to form
the connexions to a suitable source of electrical energy. At the opposite end
of the foil sheet a suitable weight may be placed. The foil is then immersed in

page_text: a sulphate of copper or like bath in the usual manner and the face, being formed
of a metallic substance, immediately receives a deposit of copper over the whole
of its surface which deposit is uniform and does not, as hitherto, commence at
the sides or other connexions and thence gradually form or travel over the
rest of the surface which results in the making of the deposit thicker at the
sides or connexions than elsewhere.
After the said foil has been immersed in the bath for a sufficient length of
time it is taken out and removed from the deposited copper plate which latter
is then ready for backing with metal in the usual or any convenient manner.
When it is required to produce a cylinder or curved surface in lieu of a flat
plate, an impression or mould is taken as before on the flat, as herein before
described, after which the impressed sheet of foil is rolled upon a roller of any
suitable material and the adjacent edges of the foil, fastened together. Thus
we form a complete metallic cylinder which is either backed with wax as herein-
before described or with a sheet of paper or the like evenly coated with wax.
Finally the necessary electrical connections are made to the mould so formed
and which is immersed in the bath as herein before described.
A material advantage accruing from the use of a foil sheet as described is
that, after pressure has been applied, it can be readily traced whether or not a
deep and even impression thereon has been secured. Should this not be the case
the rubber sheet or blanket is replaced and extra packings or overlays placed
over the weak part or parts.
Although described as applied to the reproduction of type-forms, copper, steel
and other plates and other apparatus for printers' use, it will be obvious that
our invention is applicable for use in the reproduction of plates or the formation
of cylinders for embossing leather or other inaterials or for other uses where an
uneven, embossed, or engraven surface of metal is required to be reproduced.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1898.
A. F. SPOONER,
323, High Holborn, London,
Agent for the Applicants.
Improvements in and relating to the Reproduction from Type-forms,
Copper. Steel, Process, and other Plates, and the Formation of
Cylinders and other Embossed or Engraven Metallic Articles.
We, JOHN MANNING, of 26, Old Street, in the County of London, Electrotyper,
Stereotyper and Process Engraver, and GEORGE MANLEY, of 11, Edward Street,
City Road, in the said County of London, -Works Manager, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in the reproduction from type-forms,
copper, steel, process and other plates and the formation of cylinders, from which
printing and embossing is done, and in the reproduction of other embossed or
engraven metallic articles.
Hitherto, in the process of electrotyping, moulds have been made in wax, gutta-
percha and various other substances, but such methods have entailed many inter-
mediate steps and processes such as "floating with plaster of Paris," providing
wax pans, filling with wax or other, substances, moulding, trimming and rising
or "building-up" spaces left blank, black-leading to obtain a metallic face,
in
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page_text: and finally the plaster has to be picked out of the type-forms, thus necessitating
the expenditure of much time and labour.
By our present invention we totally, or in a great measure, obviate these inter-
mediate steps and processes.
According to our invention we take the type-forms, copper-plate or the like,
and, if it be a type-form, we preferably unlock and place the usual clamps around
it as a bearing and plane down the surface of the type so that it is perfectly level.
The type-torm, copper or other plate or the like, is placed in a suitable press,
but before doing so a sheet or surface of lead foil or other metallic foil which is
capable of taking the impression of the type or the engraving or the like, is placed
on the form or plate, such foil being somewhat larger than the said form or
plate and over the said foil or other metallic substance is laid a piece of vul-
canized india rubber, (preferably backed with canvas to prevent its stretching)
blanket, cloth or any other soft material whereby, upon the application of pressure,
the metallic substance is forced into the indentations of the type, blocks, copper,
steel or other plate or the like.
After the removal of the pressure and of the rubber or blankets, a suitable
coating of paraffin wax or other non-conducting material or a sheet of paper or
the like evenly coated with wax is applied to the back or exposed surface of the
said foil before its removal from the original and after the wax has become
sufficiently cooled or set we separate the foil with its wax backing from such
original. Next, the free flange or margin around the foil sheet is folded so as
to strengthen and preserve the rigidity of the sheet. Within the folds of one
side is placed a piece of copper wire or other good electrical conductor to form
the connexions to a suitable source of electrical energy. At the opposite end
of the foil sheet, a suitable weight may be placed.
The impressed foil is immersed in a sulphate of copper or like bath in the
usual manner and the face, being formed of a metallic substance, immediately
receives a deposit of copper over the whole of its surface which deposit is uniform
and does not, as hitherto, commence at the sides or other connexions and thence
gradually form or travel over the rest of the surface which results in the making
of the deposit thicker at the sides or connexions than elsewhere.
After the said foil has been immersed in the bath for a sufficient length of
time it is taken out and removed from the deposited copper plate which latter
is then ready for backing with metal in the usual or any convenient manner.
When it is required to produce a cylinder or curved surface in lieu of a flat
plate, an impression or mould is taken as before on the flat, as hereinbefore
described, after which the impressed sheet of foil is rolled upon a roller of any
suitable material and the adjacent edges of the foil fastened together. Thus
we form a complete metallic cylinder which is either backed with wax as herein-
before described or with a sheet of paper or the like evenly coated with wax.
Finally the necessary electrical connections are made to the mould so formed
and which is immersed in the bath as herein before described.
A material advantage accruing from the use of a foil sheet as described is
that after pressure has been applied, it can be readily traced whether or not a
deep and even impression thercon has been secured. Should this not be the case
the rubber sheet or blanket is replaced and extra packings or overlays placed
over the weak part or parts.
Although described as applied to the reproduction of type-forms, copper, steel
and other plates and other apparatus for printers' use, it will be obvious that
our invention is applicable for use in the production of plates or the formation
of cylinders for embossing leather or other materials or for other uses where an
uneven, embossed, or engraven surface of metal is required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is: :-
1. The manufacture of reproduced type-forms, copper, steel,, process and other

page_text: plates or cylinders and other embossed or engraven metallic articles substantially
as hereinbefore set forth.
2. The method, substantially as described, of reproducing a copper plate or
the like by placing over it a sheet of metallic foil and a rubber or like sheet,
inserting the same within a press and applying pressure thereto, after removing
such pressure applying a backing of non-conducting material and removing the
same together with the foil impression from the original, connecting it to a
source of electrical energy and immersing it in a sulphate of copper or like bath
to receive a deposit.
3. In the manufacture of a deposited copper or like plate the employment of
a sheet of metallic foil substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. The combination, in the manufacture of a deposited copper or like plate,
of a sheet of metallic foil and a rubber or like sheet substantially as set forth.
DL: 001
er
1000
A. F. SPOONER,
323, High Holborn, London,
Agent for the Applicants.
A. F. SPOONER,
323, High Holborn, London,
Agent for the Applicants.