AN IMPROVED METHOD OF BLOCK PRINTING ON WOVEN FABRICS OP COTTON, LINEN, SILK, OR WOOLLEN, OR OF ANY TWO OR MORE OF THEM INTER- MIXED, WITH IMPROVED MACHINERY, APPARATUS, AND IMPLEMENTS FOR THAT PUR- POSE
Year: 1840

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
HAMPSON, of Mayfield Printworks, in Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Calico Printer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria did, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland, dated
the Ninth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and forty, grant unto me,
the said Robert Hampson, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial license
to make use, exercise, and vend, 'within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, during the term of fourteen years therein mentioned,
my Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF BLOCK PRINTING ON WOVEN FABRICS
OP COTTON, LINEN, SILK, OR WOOLLEN, OR OF ANY TWO OR MORE OF THEM INTER-
MIXED, WITH IMPROVED MACHINERY, APPARATUS, AND IMPLEMENTS FOR THAT PUR-
POSE;" wherein is contained a proviso that if I, the said Robert Hampson,
'should not particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, and cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next after the date of
the said Letters Patent, then the said Letters Patent should become void,
as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, may inore fully
appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Robert Hampson, .do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is described and ascer-
tained in the description following, having reference to the Figures or Drawings
contained in two Sheets hereunto annexed. The scale to which the annexed
Drawings are made is marked thereon, and the same letter of reference which
indicates any part of the machinery or apparatus in one Figure. is used to
indicate the same part in every other Figure in which the same occurs, as
represented in the Drawings, unless otherwise expressed.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is an end elevation, Figure 2 a side elevation, and Figure 3 a
plan of a machine for block printing. In these Figures, A represents a roller
or wooden cylinder, on which the woven fabric to be printed is wound, and S
a similar roller provided with a length of calico or other cloth to pass under
the fabric and protect the blanket during the printing process. a, a, represent
carrier rollers, under the one and over the other of which the fabric and under
cloth are carried in their passage towards the printing table B, over which
they pass as-indicated by the pink and blue lines at Figure 2, the pink line
representing the fabric to be printed and the blue line the cloth-to protect the
blanket. The rollers A and S are both, prevented from revolving freely by
incans of a break. or check line, and the counter weights b, b, so that the
fabric and under cloth are held in a state of moderate tension as they are
drawn forward over the printing table B. The position, at which the impres-
sion is given to the fabric is immediately over the letter B, at Figure 2, whence
the fabric passes. forward over the roller C, and there separates from the calico
or under cloth, which passes between the roller C and the pressing roller c,
which is held in close contact with the under surface of the roller C, by means
of the small levers and counter weights D, D. On the axis of the roller C is
placed the spur wheel E, which receives motion from the pinion e when made
to revolve by means of the handle or winch F.
arranged to make one revolution for every intended
the fabric, having reference to the depth of the
pattern intended to be impressed thereon, and is held stationary during the
printing operation by a small spring catch f, as best seen at Figure 1. The
amount of revolution imparted to the wheel E necessarily depends on the relative
size of the pinion e, which can be changed when required, so that as soon as
one impression has been received on the woven fabric at the point B, a uniform
amount in length of the fabric corresponding with the amount printed is drawn
This. handle or winch is
progressive movement of
pattern or portion of the

page_text: forward by the revolution of the cylinder C, and a fresh portion of the fabric
presented to the printing operation at B. After the fabric has received
the impression from the block, and passed forward. over the roller C, it is
carried over a heated plate d, d, for the purpose of drying it, and thence
forward under the carrier rollers g¹, g', then over the pressing roller c, and
then under or over such carrier rollers as may be convenient, until it is
deposited printed and in a dry state on the roller R, as best seen at Figure 2.
The heated surface d, d, for the purpose of drying the printed fabric, is pro-
duced by a constant flow of hot water or steam within a chamber of which
d, d, forms one side, but the mode of heating may be varied according to the
nature of the fabric to be printed. The block G, from which the impression
is received on the fabric, is represented at Figures 1 and 2, suspended imme-
diately over and parallel to the table B, where it is attached to the cross
frame g, 9, 9, 9, as seen in Figure 3. This frame g, 9, 9, g, is guided and
kept horizontal in its ascent and descent within the strong, upright frame of
the machine x, x, x, x, by means of the centre rod H working freely upwards
and downwards in a hole in the centre of the arms 2, 2, 5, z, to which the top
of the upright frame is braced together and strengthened, and the straight
edges hat each corner of the frame g, 9, 9, 9, as seen at Figure 3, in which
at the left-hand corner the iron work at the top of the upright frame is
removed to show the straight edge more clearly; the cross frame I, I, I, J,
is suspended in the position seen at Figures 1 and 2, by means of the
bandi, i, i, i, and counter weight I, so that by raising the counter weight I
the cross frame and block descend by their own gravity, and the block imparts
the pattern to the fabric on the table B below, returning to the position repre-
sented at Figures 1 and 2 as soon as the weight I is drawn down by the
operator. The apparatus for distributing the colour to the block G is repre-
sented at K, Figures 1 and 2, and moves on the railway L, L, as best sceu at
Figure 2, where it is shewn immediately under the block G. preparatory to the
block being depressed to receive the colour and in dotted lines in the position
to which it would be removed before the block again descend to impart the
pattern to the fabric below. The construction of this part of my Invention
will be best seen in Sheet 2, where Figures 4 and 5 represent plans, and
Figures 6 and 7 transverse sections, of a colouring apparatus for distributing
six colours to the block at one operation. In these Figures, m, m, m, m, m,
m, m, m, represent eight compartments or small cisterns, in which the liquid
colours are contained ready for distribution on the surface of their respective
sieves, or clastic surfaces M, M, M, M, M, M, Figures 4 and 5, the red
colour and the adjoining blue. being divided into two tints, so as to produce

page_text: what is termed by calico printers the rainbow effect as represented in the
Drawing. The six parallel boxes or cisterns under the sieves M', M', M',
M', M', M', are supplied at their respective openings n, n, n, n, n, n,
with the requisite amount of liquid to keep them clastic, and are sup-
ported on two straight edges o, o, and o, o. The first sieve box, represented
in Figures 4 and 5 as containing the dark colour, is fixed or stationary,
but the other five can be separated by means of the bent irons Q, Q, which
are attached to the last or yellow sieve, and the amount of separation or
distance from each other at which they are held is determined by means of a
strap of leather attached to the under side of all the sieve boxes or cisterns.
The position-of-this leather-is-shewn-at-p, p,-in-Figures 6 and 7, and in dotted
lines at Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 8 is a plan, and Figure 9 an elevation, of a feeder or implement for
distributing the colour from the colour cisterns m, m, m, m, m, m, m, mi,
to the sieves M, M, M, M, M, M. This feeder consists of a series of wooden
pegs fixed in and proceeding from the under surface of a slab of wood, and-so
placed as to correspond with the respective colour cisterns, so that, by lifting
the feeder out of the colour cisterns and placing it on the sieves when in the
position represented at Figure 4, a regular amount of colour is carried to each,
and.the-dipper, being returned to_the_colour_vessels, remains ready for the next
operation.
Figure 10 represents a tearing brush or rubber y, with two handles, which
is to be placed in a trough made for its reception when not in use, as seen at
Figure 5, and is shewn-in elevation as wlien in use at Figure 6. This brush
or rubber is for tearing or spreading the colour uniformly on the surface of the
respective sieves, and is divided into spaces to correspond with the sieves when
separated as in Figure 4. The colours having been distributed by means of
the dipper, Figure 9, and spread or teared by the brush y, Figure 10, the
colouring apparatus is passed along the railway. L, L, under the block G, where
the projections Q, Q, coming in contact with the upright framing of the
machine the several sieves M, M, M, M, M, M, are pushed together or closed.
as seen at Figure 5, and are then in a position to correspond with the several
portions of the pattern on the block G which are to receive the several
colours. In the colouring apparatus described at Figures 4 and 5, the colour
being distributed in straight lines, the pattern on the block G. must necessarily
partake of the same character, but by variations in the form of the sieves
patterns of a different character may be produced.
Figure 12 is a plan of another modification of the colouring apparatus, in
which, by the sieves being made with projections or indentations filling into

page_text: cach other (marked on the pink and yellow sieves, alternate colours would
be imparted to the block when the sieves were closed and the block brought
into contact therewith, whereas in the former construction, shewn in Figures 4
and 5, it there would be the same colour throughout. But this and other
modifications of the colouring apparatus, according to the nature of the pattern
to be produced, will be obvious to any party conversant with the printing
operations, a principal advantage in the method described of distributing and
tearing the colour depending on the moveable arrangement of the sieves, which
allow of the near approximation of different colours in the pattern without
endangering their admixture during the process of distribution and tearing.
Figure 11 is an elevation of a brush for cleaning the block G when
required, which, by moving accurately on the edge of the colouring apparatus,
comes in contact with every part of the block on which any part of the pattern
is raised, the block being sufficiently lowered for this purpose when required.
This brush is removed from the position scen at Figure 7 when not in use.
But this cleaning of the block may also be effected by hand by raising it in
the frame and using separate brushes to each portion of it which has received
a distinct colour.
From what has been already described of the peculiar construction and
arrangement of the sieves and colour box K it will be obvious to printers and
persons conversant with work of this nature that this portion of my improved
method of block printing is susceptible of various modifications according to
the nature of the work to be done, and that it is also applicable to block
printing by the ordinary process without using the machinery delineated in
Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheets 1 and 2. I shall therefore describe, with reference
to Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, Sheet 1, one modification of this
part of my Invention adapted to the employment of a printing block of the
ordinary size, and to be used by band, either before or after dying or other
process by which the texture of the fabric to be printed has been stretched,
contracted; or otherwise varied, in the same manner as block printing is
ordinarily performed, and when the object could not be properly or conve-
niently effected by a block covering the whole width of the fabric, as already
described on Sheet 1.
Figure 13 is a plan of a colour box of like nature as that before described,
and marked K in previous Figures. Figure 17 is a transverse section of the
same, taken at the line T, T, Figure 13; and Figure 18, a transverse section
taken at the line u, u, Figure 13. In these Figures the same letters of
reference are used as in former Figures, and indicate parts of similar nature
and office as in such former Figures; and the sieves marked M are separated

page_text: and closed
hand by means of the handle Q, the position of the sieves when
closed and ready to receive the block being shewn at Figure 13, and when
open and ready to receive the colour at Figure 14.
The feeder or implement for distributing the colour on the sieves (before
described as shewn at Figures 8 and 9) is shewn as adapted to the present
modification at Figure 15, and a corresponding modification of the brush or rub-
ber for tearing or distributing the colour-(before described as shown at Figuro
10) is shown at Figure 16. The position in which these implements are placed
when not in use will be best seen in section in Figure 17. It will be remarked,
that in the colouring apparatus before described as shewn at Figures 4, 5, and
12,-Sheet-2, the tearing or spreading of the colour was described as performed
lengthwise from end to end of the sieves. In the present modification it is
performed across or at a right angle to the longest sides of the sieves, as
indicated by the double arrow at Figure 14, and the sieves are divided into
compartments by small bands or raised divisions placed across the sieves to
prevent the intermixture of different colours placed on the same sieves. The
various colours will be seen in the compartments marked m, m, m, m, m, m, in
Figure 13, each of which, it will be seen, is subdivided into a variety of small
cells to contain colours and shades of colours; and the rainbowed effect of such
colours distributed on the sieves after tearing is seen at Figures 13 and 14, (in
the latter of which the colouring box and sieves are represented as in part
broken off to save room in the Drawing. These rainbowed colours, transferred
to the block and imprinted on the fabric, will produce a pattern of the cha-
racter represented at Figure 19. Thus, at one impression of the block six or
more separate colours are placed on the fabric, and the rainbowed effect
produced and interinixed to a greater extent than has heretofore been effected.
Having described the various movements of the printing machinery repre-
sented in Figures 1, 2, and 3, together with the peculiar construction and
effect of the colouring apparatus and implements, as shewn at Figures 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, on Sheet 2, and at Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19,
on Sheet 1, I shall now recapitulate the various movements of the printing
machinery shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 3, in the order in which they take
place when in operation. Supposing, therefore, the machinery to be in the
position représented in Figures 1 and 2, the operative or printer would
stand near the letter B, Figure 2, facing the machine, having the handle F
(Figure 2) at his right, and having the tear boy at his left hand facing the
dotted lines at; K the fabric to be printed being drawn from the roller A in
the direction of the red line, as already described, by turning the handle F, and
held in a state of moderate tension. The coloring apparatus K is placed in a

page_text: position indicated by the dotted lines, where it is held by the projectors Q, Q,
which, striking against the framing of the machine, separates the sieves' to the
extent allowed by the connecting straps p, p, and places them in a position to
receive the color (see Figure 4), which the tear boy first distributes with the
feeder (Figures 8 and 9), and then tears or spreads with his brush ',
Figure 10. The brush being then placed in the trough made for its reception,
the coloring apparatus is passed along the railway L, L, to the position seen
at Figure 2 immediately under the block G, where the projections Q, Q, are
forced home by coming in contact with the framing, and force up the sieves
M, M, M, 'M, M, M, close to each other, as seen at Figure 5, which corre-
sponds with the pattern supposed to be raised on the block G. At this period
the printer raises the counter weight I by hand, which allows the block G to
descend and receive the colour, and again immediately drawing down the
"weight I, the block G ascends to its former position. The 'tear boy then
retires the coloring apparatus to the position of the dotted lines Figure 2,
and the block is again lowered by the printer to give the impression to
"the fabric extended over the table B. This being effected, the block G is
inimediately raised and returned to the position seen at Figure 1 and 2, and,
while the tear boy is again tearing or spreading the color, the printer turns
the handle F and connected pinion è one revolution, which, driving the wheel
E and cylinder C, carries forward an exact amount of the fabric which is calcu-
lated with reference to and corresponds with the amount printed by the last
impression of the block G. By this time the tear boy has again placed the
coloring apparatus K under the block, and the operation proceeds in regular
succession as before, until the whole of the fabric is printed. By the
machinery described at Figures 1, 2, and 3, most ordinary patterns may be
produced, but where it is required to print a greater number of colors than
can conveniently be contained in one color box, or when the pattern is of a
large size, as in printing furniture patterns, I sometimes use two blocks on
the same table. In this arrangement it is only required to place another
framing similar to that which supports the block G in Figure 1 and 2, in the
position where the dotted lines of the color box K appear at Figure 2, and to
prolong the railway L, L, over the cylinder C. Two tear boys would then be
required, one on each side of the printer, who stands at B, and the coloring
apparatus for the present block G inust then be run from under that block
to the position over the roller C to the right-hand tear boy, while the coloring
apparatus for the additional block, which, when imparting the colors, would
assume the position of the present dotted lines in Figure 2, would be run on
the railway from under the additional block to a position over the roller a to

page_text: the left-hand tear boy; and thus a greater amount of blockwork might be
executed at the same operation, both blocks being lowered and raised con-
currently. It is obvious that, by varying the amount of traverse of the fabric
to be printed, the various colors contained in the coloring apparatus may be
transferred from the block to separate objects, or placed in succession on one
and the same object in the pattern or design; for instance, if the traverse of
the cloth or fabric is equal to the amount of cloth printed at any one impres;
sion of the block, the six colors impressed from an apparatus such as has
been described, will fall on separate and distinct objects or, series of objects;
but, supposing the traverse of the cloth or fabric to be equal to only one sixth
of the whole pattern, and the objects or several series of objects of which the
pattern is composed to be placed within equal divisions of the block, it is
evident that each, object or series of objects will partake of the six colors in
succession, and thereby comprise a combination of every color in each object
or series of objects, except at each end of the piece of calico or, other fabric
printed, when a portion of the pattern equal in extent to five sixths of the
face of the block will necessarily be incomplete, and therefore a loose piece of
waste cloth may be fastened to each end of the fabric to be printed, in order
to receive the incomplete part of the pattern..
Having now described my said Invention, and, the manner in which the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as of my Invention the
method herein-before set forth of printing with blocks on woven fabrics of
cotton, linen, silk, or woollen, or of any two or more of them intermixed;
by means of such machinery, apparatus, and implements as herein-before
described; and I also claim, as of my.Invention, the combination and
arrangement of mechanical agents and contrivances herein-before described,
whereby the block is caused to descend in a perpendicular direction, and
with its face parallel to the printing table, in order first to take up the
color from the sieve or sieves, and secondly, to impress, the pattern or design
on the fabric to be printed. And I claim the same, however the said
mechanical agents and contrivances, may be modified or varied in size, form;
proportion, or other particulars, not departing from the principle of my said
Invention...
But I do not claim as of my Invention such mechanical agents or con--
trivances, separately, but only as combined, to effect the purpose aforesaid.
Nor do I claim as part of my said Invention the apparatus herein-before
described for traversing the coloring apparatus to and fro by means of a rail-
way and carriage running thereon, the same although invented by me having
been. bý me used and practised previous to the grant of the said Letters

page_text: Patent. Nor do I claim as of my Invention the arrangement of rollers and
connected apparatus for causing the fabric to traverse or be drawn over the
printing table and conveyed away when printed.
And I further declare that I claim as of my Invention such coloring appa-
ratus as hercin-before described, in which several sieves are separated and
held apart to admit of the several colors being distributed and teared or spread
thereon, without admixture or interference one with another, and whereby the
sieves are afterwards closed or brought into juxtaposition, in order to the
colors being taken up by the block so as to produce at one impression of the
block a pattern or design, or parts of a pattern or design, in several colors
arranged contiguous or near to each other, as herein-before described; and
which coloring apparatus I claim, whether the same be used in conjunction with
the machinery and apparatus for giving the impression to the fabric before
described, or with the common hand block or otherwise, and under whatever
other modification.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fifth day of December, in
0 the year of our Lord 1840, the aforesaid Robert Hampson came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Ninth day of December in the roRK of
Our Lord Ona