US1379430A - Printing-plate and method of making the same - Google Patents

Printing-plate and method of making the same Download PDF

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US1379430A
US1379430A US784456A US1913784456A US1379430A US 1379430 A US1379430 A US 1379430A US 784456 A US784456 A US 784456A US 1913784456 A US1913784456 A US 1913784456A US 1379430 A US1379430 A US 1379430A
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plate
printing
matrix
face
sheet
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William J Yeoell
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41CPROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES
    • B41C3/00Reproduction or duplicating of printing formes

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  • This invention relates to the art of printing, and the present case is directed to improvements in molded printing plates and method of making the same.
  • a plastic substance in the nature of a synthetic resin such as a phenolic condensation product
  • this material is exceedingly well adapted for my purpose, inasmuch as a printing plate having a phenolic condensation product as a constituent possesses certain manifest advantages over stereotypes, electrotypes, and other forms of printing elements now in use.
  • this plastic material may be readily molded to exact dimensions, and is capable, under the molding-operation, of accurately reproducing the finest details of an original type form orpf the matrix employed.
  • the phenolic condensation product under the action of heat and pressure, has undergone chemical reaction and as sumed its usual final, hard and substantially infusible form, it provides a structure of great strength and durability, which is capable of resisting stresses, strains and shocks incident to handling, transportation, and printing operations.
  • a structure is not affected by. acids or other cleansing fluids generally used in printing oflices for cleaning the type, and will have but a fraction of the weight of metallic printing plates and may therefore be advantageously mailed because of the low rate of postage required.
  • phenolic condensation product in the manufacture of my plate is that the latter may be molded, and therefore finished in much less t1me and with fewer operations than required for the production of printing plates by the electrotype and kindred methods, and consequently my plate may be produced with great economy from the standpomt of time and labor.
  • a molded printing plate comprising, in a unitary structure, a replication of original printing characters as widely different as type and half tone plates.
  • I also propose to provide a simple, efficlent and economical method through the practice of which large quantities of my plates may be produced with a minimum expenditure of time, labor and cost.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a printing plate embodying a preferred form of my invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a view of the same in vertical section, on the line X -X Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view.of a metalfaced matrix which is used in the production of the plate shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • Fig. 4 is a plan view, with parts broken away, illustrating the assemblage of the plate and matrix, and cooperating appliances at the time of molding a plate.
  • Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line X -X of Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, detail View, in vertical section, on the line X X of Fig. 4 and showing the final stage in the preparation of the plate-molding matrix.
  • Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken through a type form and showing one of the preliminary steps of forming the matrix.
  • Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 and showing another step in the formation of the matrix.
  • Fig. 9 is aview in front elevation showon the line X --X of Fig. 15.
  • Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a plate showing a sheet metal face thereon.
  • Fig. 11 is a view showing one manner of stripping a plate.
  • Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view of a modified form of plate.
  • Fig. 13 is a lan view, partially broken away, and showing a modified arrangement for producing the printingplate matrix.
  • Fig.' 14 is a cross sectional view taken on the line X -X of Fig. 13.
  • Fig. 15 is a plan view, partially broken away, and showing a modified arrangement for producing a printing plate.
  • Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view taken Fig. 17, is a cross sectional view showing a further modification in the manner of preparing a matrix for service in making the printing plate.
  • I make the body of the printing plate of a synthetic resin, such as a phenolic condensation product, and provide suchbody with a prlnting face or impression producing surface of metal, thereby providing a composite prlnting element which will have the advantages above mentioned as incident to the use of the phenolic condensation product, and at the same time will possess desirable attributes of a metal printing plate.
  • a synthetic resin such as a phenolic condensation product
  • printing plate may be made in a number.
  • a suitable material having I a metalliferous content for example a paste containing powdered zinc, and thereafter applying the phenolic condensation product in suitable form to the coated surface of the matrix and applying pressure and heatuntll the phenolic condensation product has been molded to the desired contour and the metal coating metallized or reduced to a smooth,
  • the resultant printing face being in all respects a negative replica of the matrix, n e o q g e met l fa e f the this product may be used the 'heat and pressure of the molding operation will I transform it into a hard and set and substantially infusible sheet-like body and will intimately unite the same'with the metal face.
  • the complete printing plate as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 embraces a body or base 1 of a non-metallic material such as a phenolic condensation product having a metallic face 2 which in the present instance contains a reproduction of letters, shown at 24 and of a half tone as shown at 25, thus constituting a printing surface.
  • a non-metallic material such as a phenolic condensation product having a metallic face 2 which in the present instance contains a reproduction of letters, shown at 24 and of a half tone as shown at 25, thus constituting a printing surface.
  • the matrix which I prefer to use in molding this printing plate is best shown in Fig. 3, and as illustrated comprises a metal sheet 4 having type forming depres sioIis or intaglios 44 formed therein and separated by the convexly rounded interstitial webs or reliefs 46.
  • the metal sheet 4 is also preferably formed adjacent its marginal edges 40 with the marginal beads 41.
  • the metal sheet 4, as thus formed constitutes the molding face of the matrix and is 'backed with a layer of fibrous material, such as blotting paper, as shown at 27
  • This fibrous material is impregnated with a shellac or varnish as indicated at 29, and the exposed face of this sheet 27 is coated and leveled with a layer of hardened plastic material, such as plaster of Paris or the like, as shown at 16.
  • a type form 22 carrying the original printing ele ment to be reproduced such as a printing plate 23.
  • This original printing plate may be made up, for example, of letter characters 24 which will ultimate-1y be reproduced in the letters 24 of the molded printing plate shown in Fig. 1, and the or1ginal plate may also contain a half tone which I
  • a blanket of felt or other suitable material as shown at 26, and back this with a sheet of harder material such as a smooth, calender cardboard indicated at 28.
  • the parts thus assembled as shown in Fig. 7 are then passed through a suitable roll press, such as shown at 30 in Fig. 9, with the result that the metal sheet 4 will be rolled or pressed into the original plate 23.
  • the roller press 30 in the present instance is actuated by a belt 32 from a shaft 34 driven by suitable source of power (notshown).
  • This step consists inv sharpening the definition of the intaglios or depressions of the matrix, as it is upon the clearness of these that the printable quality of the molded plate to a great measure depends.v To effect this sharpening of the intaglios or type-' board 28, and substitute therefor the fibrous sheet or blanket 27, impregnated with a sharpening medium such as varnish or shellac, as shown at 29, and as heretofore mentioned.
  • the metal matrix sheet 4 is of course still upon the original type form.
  • the matrix face will be found to have convexly rounded webs 46 in place of the usual square spaces between type characters, so that there will be no crevices in the matrix to catch and tear material molded thereagainst, and this matrix face will furthermore lend itself to the ready coating with metalliferous paste or the like which may be used for making the metal face of the molded printing plate
  • the fibrous sheet or blanket 27 has been rolled or pressed into the back of the metal sheet, and this fibrous sheet 27 is permitted to remain to constitute a support for the metal face 4 and a constituent part of the complete matrix.
  • This apparatus which is in the nature of a molding box, comprises a base plate 80, preferably of copper, carrying two rectangular frames, one imposed upon the other, and each formed of an L-shaped normally stationary section and an L-shaped shiftable section reversely positioned relative to the companion stationary section, together with short, removable connecting strips dovetailed with and connecting the companion sections of each frame.
  • the stationary section of the lower frame is shown at 48, the shiftable section at 78, and the dovetailed connecting strip'at 77.
  • the stationary section of the upper frame is shown at 58, the shiftable section thereof at 98 and the connecting strip :at 87, the dovetailed joints being indicated by the numerals 97.
  • the upper frame is undercut to receive the lower frame, and to provide the depending shoulder 68 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
  • Dowel pins 19 secure the stationary frame sections 48 and 58 to each other and to the base 80, and similar dowel pins also connect the shiftable sections of the upper and lower frames, as well as their dovetailed connecting strips to each other and to the base.
  • the box When the box is to be used for a double column plate or matrix, for example, it will appear as shown in Fig. 4 with the dovetailed connecting strips in use and forming parts of the frame.
  • a movable abutment bar 71 preferably of steel, is provided, and has at its upper end an overhang 72 with a pin 73 adapted to enter a selected hole 74. of a series of holes arranged along the adjacent edge of the base 80.
  • the lower end of the bar has a similar overhang 75 with a set-screw 76 which can be selectively set in any one of a corresponding series of holes 79 along the bottom edge of the base 80.
  • the abutment bar 71 affords a rigid support against outward lateral displacement of the shiftable frame members, and
  • a hydraulic press 50 having a piston 52 working in a cylinder 54 connected by a conduit 56 with a pump 60 driven by the belt 62 running to the shaft 34.
  • the press is preferably provided with a suitable pressure indicator 57 and a controller 51, and I also provide suitable means for heating the press, such for example as a steam boiler 7 0 heated by the gas burner 72.
  • the boiler is provided with a water inlet 74 a safety Valve 75, a pressure gage "(6 and a conduit 77, for leading steam to the hollow head 59 of the press 50, this conduit having a controlling valve 78
  • the numeral 53 designates the bed platen of the press while is a table which may be conveniently located adj acent to and in front of the press.
  • the matrix assembled in the molding box, as before described is placed upon the platen of the press and the controller 51 operated to admit hydraulic pressure from the pump through the conduit 56 to the cylinder 54, which forces the piston 52 and the platen 53 upward until the plunger 11 of the molding box contacts with the press head 59 and is forced downward into the upper mold-frame until the latter contacts with the press head thereby limiting the extent to which the plunger can compress the matrix, the buffer or abutment blocks 91 being depressed into their sockets by contact with the press head.
  • the matrix may be subjected to a suitable degree of temperature and pressure for desired length of time to produce the necessary leveling and baking or finishing of such matrix.
  • a suitable degree of temperature and pressure for desired length of time to produce the necessary leveling and baking or finishing of such matrix.
  • the steam pressure of about 100 to 150 pounds in the boiler I can secure temperatures of from 200 F. and upward on the press 50, while a corresponding hydraulic pressure of say from 500 pounds to 2500 pounds in the cylinder 54 will give satisfactory results
  • the metal molding face of the matrix is provided with an additional coating or layer of metallic material.
  • the matrix face is coated with a metalliferous paste as indicated at 5 by brushing or other means of application, and then a body of the phenolic condensation product, either in powder or sheet form is filled in to near the upper level of the upper frame of the molding box.
  • a plunger 10 which comprises a block or plate of metal having a series of spaced V-shaped ribs 21 formed on its under surface. This plate is laid in position as shown in Fig.
  • the baking of the printing plate can be accomplished in a period varying from 5 minutes, or even less, to about 15 minutes, according to the conditions of heat and pressure found desirable for different materials, a pressure from 500 to 2500 pounds in the. press, and a steam heating pressure of from 100 to 150 pounds being satisfactory in general, with a corresponding temperature ranging from 200 F. upward.
  • the spring tensioned buffer or abutment blocks 91 when the press is closed will first contact with the press head so that the may also be used in other reproductive processes, such as an original from which to make mats for use in casting stereotypes.
  • the construction of the molding box is such that the plate may be readily removed from .the matrix, without disturbing the latter, this being accomplished by simply dismantling or opening the upper frame while permitting the lower.
  • the metallic matrix face 4 should adhere to the metal face 2 of the molded printing plate, the opthe walls of the frame 180 with a backing indicated in Fig. 11, thus clearing the metal ;enrface 2 for printing purposes.
  • the sheet metal face 4 may be desirable to leave the sheet metal face 4 permanently in place .upon the printing plate 1, this providing a sheet metal printing surface, as is shown in Fig. 10, but under ordinary circumstances I prefer to form the metallic printing face of the molded plate as hereto-. fore described.
  • Fig. 12 I have illustrated a modified form of printing plate wherein the body portion 101 of non-conductive material, wholly, or chiefly, is provided with a metallic printing surface 102 formed by the electrodeposition of zinc 103 upon one or both sides of a metal foil 104, indicated in the drawings by black line.
  • the zinc layers are shown ofexaggerated thickness for the sake of clearness.
  • the zinc 103 may be, and preferably is deposited upon the foil 104 prior to the application of the latter to the form, the sheet thus provided having the advantages of softness and ductility when employed for plates of lar e size, a printing surface composed thereo presenting the printing qualities of the original form of type and it also possesses the concave interstitial web portions 126.
  • I may first make a matrix by imposing a mold frame 180 upon the margins 40 of the matrix moldlng face 4 which in Fig. 14 is shown in contact with the body of type 240 locked in the chase 220, the metal face 4 being backed by the fibrous blanket 27 as before described. I then fill the space within the confines of 27 and metal matrix face 4 in the order 120 v named, with the margins 40 of the matrix 'face extended over the frame 180 and the" intaglios 44 presented upwardly.
  • the mold frame is superimposed upon the margins 40 of the matrix face sheet 4, the latter then provided with a coating 5 of metalliferous paste, as already described, and the plate blank material 106, in powdered or sheet form, is introduced into the cavity of the mold frame member 188, the plunger 10 placed in position, and the parts thus as Sild are again compressed in the press 50 to mold and set the plate after which the .parts may be dismantled and the now metal sheet 45.
  • Fig. 17 I have shown still a further modification in preparing the matrix for the printing plate.
  • the numeral 45 indicates a metal sheet forming the molding face of the matrix
  • 46 indicates the original form or plate imposed upon the Within the mold frame 18, resting upon the base plate 80, is placed a bed or body of backing powder, the wax 88 preventing the adherence of the powder to the plate 80.
  • the metal sheet 45 carrying the original form or plate 46 is placed in contact with the backing powder, with the marginal edges 49 clamped between the frame 18 and the frame 38.
  • a plunger block 90 is now inserted within the frame 38 and the parts thus assembled are subjected to heat and pressure, as through the agency of the press shown in Fig. 9, to complete the formation of the matrix.
  • a printing plate comprisin a laminated body composed of layers 0 different materials, one of said layers comprising a hard, set and substantially infusible reacted plastic, one face of the laminated body having printing characters thereon to constitute a printing face.
  • a printing plate comprising a laminated body composed of a layer of hard and set synthetic resinous material, and a layer of non-resinous material, one face of the laminated body having printing characters thereon to constitute a printing face.
  • a printing plate comprising a metallic face provided with printing characters and an infusible hard cementitious back united with and supporting the printing face.
  • a printing plate comprisingtwo united layers, one of a hard synthetic resin and the other of metal, one of said faces being provided with printing characters to constitute a printing face.
  • a printing plate having a body portion consisting wholly of non-metallic material and having a metallic printing surface incorporate therewith.
  • a printing plate having a body portion of a phenolic condensation product with a metallic printing surface incorporate therewit 7.
  • a printing plate comprising a body portion of non-conducting material, and a face of metal forming a homogeneous layer and integrated with the body portion.
  • a composite printing plate having a unitary metal printing surface comprising a pressed-up replication of both line and dot printing characters.
  • a composite printing plate comprising a hard body of synthetic resin and having a printing face composed of a pressed-up replication of both line and dot printing characters united with the body portion.
  • a printing plate comprising a sheet-metal printing face provided with impression producing printing characters, and a backing sheet of a hard resinous product united in integral formation with and supporting the sheetwith printing characters, and a backing sheet composed of a synthetic resinous mate rial adherently united with and supporting the sheet-metal impression producing plate.
  • a printing plate having a layer-like body of relatively hard phenolic condensation product having a series of inverted V shape grooves formed in the back face thereof and extending in parallelism between opposite edges of the plate.
  • a printing plate having a layer-like body of a synthetic resin having a series of substantially parallel grooves formed in the back face thereof and having its front face provided with printing characters to form I the printing face.
  • the herein described method which comprises impressing a body of type against a metallic sheet to provide the latter with a metallic plate-molding face, then placing a body of plate forming material including a plastic s nthetic resin against the metallic molding ace and subjecting the. same to heat and pressure to form a printing plate.
  • the herein described method which comprises impressing a type body against a metallic sheet to providevthe latter with a metallic plate-molding face, then placing a body of plate forming material including phenolic condensation product in contact with the molding faceand then subjecting the same to heat and pressure to-form a metallic facing sheet in contact with suchmolding face of the matrix, and applying hea and pressure to reproduce in the metallic facing sheet characters complementary to the printing characters of the matrix, and to cause the cementitious backing sheet to assumea hardened and set form.
  • a plastic having therein means for effecting hardening of the plastic under heat, and a prepared thin sheet of metal ad-apted tobe united with the plastic in an integral structure and afford a metal facing affording a working surface provided with reliefs and depressions.
  • the herein described method of making a printing plate which consists in placing a suitably prepared sheet of metal and a cementitious backing sheet against the molding face of the matrix, with the metal sheet in contact with such molding face of the matrix, and applying heat and pressure to I produce in the sheet-metal facing characters complementary to the characters of the.
  • cementitious backing sheet to assume a hardened and set form and be permanently united to the sheet-metal facing.
  • the method of making a laminated prlnting plate which comprises placing a layer ofplastic synthetic resinous material in contact with a layer of non-resinous material, and subjecting the two 'layers to heat and pressure against a matrix to form a printing surface on the laminated body, to unite thetwo layers, and to convert the synthetic resinous material to a hard and) substantially infusible form.

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Description

2 SHEEISSHEET l- Patented May 24, 1921.-
W. J. YEOELL.
PRINTING PLATE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME.
APPLICATION FILED AUG.12,19I3
FEQSLFWRQ Lsw m QN YN Q. .0 a N Mm 9 wm lihm i km QWQN W. -J. YEOELL.
,PRINTING PLATE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE, SAME.
APPLICATION FILED AUG.I2,1913
Patented May 24, 1921.
2 SHEETSSHEET,2-
w mg 9 ww hum Q m E H mM N fi \N II II 00 mm Y M UNITED STA'I'ES PATENT OFFICE.
WILLIAM J. YEOELL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN STOGDELL STOKES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.
PRINTING-PLATE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME.
Applietaion filed August 12, 1913. Serial No. 784,456.
T 0 all 0.0 ham it may concern:
Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. YEOELL, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Printing- Plates and Methods of Making the Same, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings designating like parts.
This invention relates to the art of printing, and the present case is directed to improvements in molded printing plates and method of making the same.
The matrix structure and method'of making the matrix herein described forms the subject matter of divisional application of the present case, filed December 2, 1920, Serial No. 427833. V i
In the manufacture of a printing plate embodying the present invention I use a plastic substance in the nature of a synthetic resin, such as a phenolic condensation product, as I have found that this material is exceedingly well adapted for my purpose, inasmuch as a printing plate having a phenolic condensation product as a constituent possesses certain manifest advantages over stereotypes, electrotypes, and other forms of printing elements now in use. For example, this plastic material may be readily molded to exact dimensions, and is capable, under the molding-operation, of accurately reproducing the finest details of an original type form orpf the matrix employed. Furthermore after the phenolic condensation product, under the action of heat and pressure, has undergone chemical reaction and as sumed its usual final, hard and substantially infusible form, it provides a structure of great strength and durability, which is capable of resisting stresses, strains and shocks incident to handling, transportation, and printing operations. In addition such a structure is not affected by. acids or other cleansing fluids generally used in printing oflices for cleaning the type, and will have but a fraction of the weight of metallic printing plates and may therefore be advantageously mailed because of the low rate of postage required.
Another advantage incident to the use of Specification of Letters Patent.
Patented May 24, 1921.
phenolic condensation product in the manufacture of my plate is that the latter may be molded, and therefore finished in much less t1me and with fewer operations than required for the production of printing plates by the electrotype and kindred methods, and consequently my plate may be produced with great economy from the standpomt of time and labor.
It is also my purpose to provide a molded printing plate comprising, in a unitary structure, a replication of original printing characters as widely different as type and half tone plates.
I also propose to provide a simple, efficlent and economical method through the practice of which large quantities of my plates may be produced with a minimum expenditure of time, labor and cost.
. With the above recited objects and others of a similar nature in view, my invention consists in the improved printing plate and in the method of making the same set forth in and falling within the scope of the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1, is a plan view of a printing plate embodying a preferred form of my invention.
Fig. 2, is a view of the same in vertical section, on the line X -X Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, is a cross sectional view.of a metalfaced matrix which is used in the production of the plate shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 4, is a plan view, with parts broken away, illustrating the assemblage of the plate and matrix, and cooperating appliances at the time of molding a plate.
Fig. 5, is a cross sectional view taken on the line X -X of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6, is a fragmentary, detail View, in vertical section, on the line X X of Fig. 4 and showing the final stage in the preparation of the plate-molding matrix. I
Fig. 7, is a vertical sectional view taken through a type form and showing one of the preliminary steps of forming the matrix.
Fig. 8, is a view similar to Fig. 7 and showing another step in the formation of the matrix.
Fig. 9, is aview in front elevation showon the line X --X of Fig. 15.
ing conventionally a press and certain cooperative devices which may be used in producing my invention.
Fig. 10, is a vertical sectional view of a plate showing a sheet metal face thereon.
Fig. 11, is a view showing one manner of stripping a plate.
Fig. 12, is a cross sectional view of a modified form of plate.
Fig. 13 is a lan view, partially broken away, and showing a modified arrangement for producing the printingplate matrix.
Fig.' 14, is a cross sectional view taken on the line X -X of Fig. 13.
Fig. 15, is a plan view, partially broken away, and showing a modified arrangement for producing a printing plate.
Fig. 16, is a cross sectional view taken Fig. 17, is a cross sectional view showing a further modification in the manner of preparing a matrix for service in making the printing plate.
In the preferred form of my invention, as herein described, I make the body of the printing plate of a synthetic resin, such as a phenolic condensation product, and provide suchbody with a prlnting face or impression producing surface of metal, thereby providing a composite prlnting element which will have the advantages above mentioned as incident to the use of the phenolic condensation product, and at the same time will possess desirable attributes of a metal printing plate.
Before entering into a detailed description of my invention I will briefly state that I first prepare a matrix having a metal molding face preferably formed by press-' ing or swaging a metal sheet against a body of type, half tone, etching, or a combination of these, thus producing in the metal face sheet characters complemental to the printing characters of the ori inal type forml I then use this nietalaced matrix for molding my printing plate which, in its preferred form, has a metal printing face as above mentioned. The
printing plate may be made in a number.
of Ways as by coating the molding face of the matrix with a suitable material having I a metalliferous content, for example a paste containing powdered zinc, and thereafter applying the phenolic condensation product in suitable form to the coated surface of the matrix and applying pressure and heatuntll the phenolic condensation product has been molded to the desired contour and the metal coating metallized or reduced to a smooth,
homogeneous sheet-like form, thus provid- 1 ing a metal printing face incorporate with or formed on the hard phenolic body, the
the resultant printing face being in all respects a negative replica of the matrix, n e o q g e met l fa e f the this product may be used the 'heat and pressure of the molding operation will I transform it into a hard and set and substantially infusible sheet-like body and will intimately unite the same'with the metal face.
For the preferred form of my invention reference will first be made to Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive.
The complete printing plate as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 embraces a body or base 1 of a non-metallic material such as a phenolic condensation product having a metallic face 2 which in the present instance contains a reproduction of letters, shown at 24 and of a half tone as shown at 25, thus constituting a printing surface.
The matrix which I prefer to use in molding this printing plate is best shown in Fig. 3, and as illustrated comprises a metal sheet 4 having type forming depres sioIis or intaglios 44 formed therein and separated by the convexly rounded interstitial webs or reliefs 46.
The metal sheet 4 is also preferably formed adjacent its marginal edges 40 with the marginal beads 41. The metal sheet 4, as thus formed constitutes the molding face of the matrix and is 'backed with a layer of fibrous material, such as blotting paper, as shown at 27 This fibrous material is impregnated with a shellac or varnish as indicated at 29, and the exposed face of this sheet 27 is coated and leveled with a layer of hardened plastic material, such as plaster of Paris or the like, as shown at 16.
In making this metal-faced matrix I proceed as will best be understood by ref erence to Figs. 7 and 8. I provide a type form 22 carrying the original printing ele ment to be reproduced, such as a printing plate 23. This original printing plate may be made up, for example, of letter characters 24 which will ultimate-1y be reproduced in the letters 24 of the molded printing plate shown in Fig. 1, and the or1ginal plate may also contain a half tone which I Upon the original Y a blanket of felt or other suitable material as shown at 26, and back this with a sheet of harder material such as a smooth, calender cardboard indicated at 28. The parts thus assembled as shown in Fig. 7 are then passed through a suitable roll press, such as shown at 30 in Fig. 9, with the result that the metal sheet 4 will be rolled or pressed into the original plate 23. The roller press 30 in the present instance is actuated by a belt 32 from a shaft 34 driven by suitable source of power (notshown).
The matrix thus partially produced is now ready for the next step in its formation. This step consists inv sharpening the definition of the intaglios or depressions of the matrix, as it is upon the clearness of these that the printable quality of the molded plate to a great measure depends.v To effect this sharpening of the intaglios or type-' board 28, and substitute therefor the fibrous sheet or blanket 27, impregnated with a sharpening medium such as varnish or shellac, as shown at 29, and as heretofore mentioned. The metal matrix sheet 4 is of course still upon the original type form.
The parts, assembled as shown in Fig. 8, are now passed through the roller press 30 with the result that the sheet or blanket 27 will draw the thin sheet of metal 4 more closely over and into intimate relation with the corners of the printing characters of the original plate, thus reproducing faithfully all of the details and printing characteristics of the original plate 23. In addition to producing every salient characteristic of the original plate the matrix face will be found to have convexly rounded webs 46 in place of the usual square spaces between type characters, so that there will be no crevices in the matrix to catch and tear material molded thereagainst, and this matrix face will furthermore lend itself to the ready coating with metalliferous paste or the like which may be used for making the metal face of the molded printing plate Following this second passage of the metal matrix face 4 through the roll press it will be found that the fibrous sheet or blanket 27 has been rolled or pressed into the back of the metal sheet, and this fibrous sheet 27 is permitted to remain to constitute a support for the metal face 4 and a constituent part of the complete matrix. I prefer to then apply to the exposed back of the fibrous sheet 27 a layer of plastic material shown at 16, which may be composed of plaster of Paris for example, and which may be leveled and hardened to form a coating or back face for the complete matrix.
For the purpose of hardening. leveling and finishing the matrix after it has been coated with the plastic material 16, by the means of a knife or brush, I may employ the apparatus shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. This apparatus, which is in the nature of a molding box, comprises a base plate 80, preferably of copper, carrying two rectangular frames, one imposed upon the other, and each formed of an L-shaped normally stationary section and an L-shaped shiftable section reversely positioned relative to the companion stationary section, together with short, removable connecting strips dovetailed with and connecting the companion sections of each frame. The stationary section of the lower frame is shown at 48, the shiftable section at 78, and the dovetailed connecting strip'at 77. The stationary section of the upper frame is shown at 58, the shiftable section thereof at 98 and the connecting strip :at 87, the dovetailed joints being indicated by the numerals 97. The upper frame is undercut to receive the lower frame, and to provide the depending shoulder 68 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Dowel pins 19 secure the stationary frame sections 48 and 58 to each other and to the base 80, and similar dowel pins also connect the shiftable sections of the upper and lower frames, as well as their dovetailed connecting strips to each other and to the base. When the box is to be used for a double column plate or matrix, for example, it will appear as shown in Fig. 4 with the dovetailed connecting strips in use and forming parts of the frame. But when a single column article is to be accommodated, for example, the dowel pins of the shiftable frame sections and the connecting strips are pulled out, such connecting strips removed, and the frame narrowed by moving the shiftable sections toivardtlieii' companion stationary sections until the companion frame sections are in contact, when a relatively narrow frame will be provided as will be readily understood. The dowel pins may then be replaced in the shiftable sections to hold the latter against movement. A movable abutment bar 71, preferably of steel, is provided, and has at its upper end an overhang 72 with a pin 73 adapted to enter a selected hole 74. of a series of holes arranged along the adjacent edge of the base 80. The lower end of the bar has a similar overhang 75 with a set-screw 76 which can be selectively set in any one of a corresponding series of holes 79 along the bottom edge of the base 80. The abutment bar 71 affords a rigid support against outward lateral displacement of the shiftable frame members, and
trix in contact with the waxed surface 88 of the base plate 80, the wax being employed to prevent the adherence of the plastic to the plate. In this position the original plate 23 is uppermost, as shown in Fig. 0. The frames of the molding box are adjusted and fastened so that the lower frame will confine the matrix against lateral movement while the upper frame, through the shoulder 68 will rest upon and clamp the matrix against vertical movement. A plunger or pressure block 11 is then applied, with the recess 12 of the plunger receiving the original plate 23 and the concave flange 13 of such plunger resting upon the matrix face adjacent the marginal edge portion thereof. The parts thus assembled, as indicated in Fig. 0, are now ready for the action of a press. An
suitable press may be used, and in Fig. 9
have shown one apparatus, comprising a hydraulic press 50 having a piston 52 working in a cylinder 54 connected by a conduit 56 with a pump 60 driven by the belt 62 running to the shaft 34. The press is preferably provided with a suitable pressure indicator 57 and a controller 51, and I also provide suitable means for heating the press, such for example as a steam boiler 7 0 heated by the gas burner 72. The boiler is provided with a water inlet 74 a safety Valve 75, a pressure gage "(6 and a conduit 77, for leading steam to the hollow head 59 of the press 50, this conduit having a controlling valve 78 The numeral 53 designates the bed platen of the press while is a table which may be conveniently located adj acent to and in front of the press. The matrix assembled in the molding box, as before described is placed upon the platen of the press and the controller 51 operated to admit hydraulic pressure from the pump through the conduit 56 to the cylinder 54, which forces the piston 52 and the platen 53 upward until the plunger 11 of the molding box contacts with the press head 59 and is forced downward into the upper mold-frame until the latter contacts with the press head thereby limiting the extent to which the plunger can compress the matrix, the buffer or abutment blocks 91 being depressed into their sockets by contact with the press head. The pressure of the concave flange of the plunger 11 against the metal face of the ma.- trix will produce a standardizing marginal head 41 upon the latter, as the fiber sheet 27 at the back of the matrix face tends to force the metal of the latter upward into the 1,37a,aeo
groove 13 of the plunger head, under the pressure exerted. This marginal bead will always occupy the same position regardless of the extent of the characters 44, so that when the printing plate material is forced against the matrix bead in the operation of molding the printing plate, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the plate will be given a concave marginal depression which serves as a guide to the operator in trimming the plate to' the exact Width desired and to form the marginal edges of the plate as shown at 7 in Fig. 1.
The matrix may be subjected to a suitable degree of temperature and pressure for desired length of time to produce the necessary leveling and baking or finishing of such matrix. For example with the steam pressure of about 100 to 150 pounds in the boiler I can secure temperatures of from 200 F. and upward on the press 50, while a corresponding hydraulic pressure of say from 500 pounds to 2500 pounds in the cylinder 54 will give satisfactory results, the
- time required to bake the consolidated material varying from 2 to 15 minutes, in correspondence with the degrees of pressure and heat attained. When the matrix has been properly baked and leveled the piston is lowered, the base plate 80 withdrawn with the frame members and the matrix, and after these parts have been placed on the table in front of the press the plunger 11 and the original plate 23 are removed to expose the molding face of the matrix 4.
When it is desired to make the molded printing plate shown in Fig. 1 the metal molding face of the matrix is provided with an additional coating or layer of metallic material. For example the matrix face is coated with a metalliferous paste as indicated at 5 by brushing or other means of application, and then a body of the phenolic condensation product, either in powder or sheet form is filled in to near the upper level of the upper frame of the molding box. Instead of using the plunger 11 in making the plate, I substitute therefor a plunger 10 which comprises a block or plate of metal having a series of spaced V-shaped ribs 21 formed on its under surface. This plate is laid in position as shown in Fig. 5 with the \l-shaped ribs projecting into the soft phenolic condensation product which at this time is in its plastic or non-reacted state. The molding box with the parts thus assembled as shown in Fig. 5 is again placed upon the lower plalten or bed of the press and the latter is closed to exert the necessary pressure, while at the same time heat is applied for a desired period and at a. pre-determined temperature so that simultaneously. with the molding of the plate the phenolic condensation material of the latter will undergo the well-known reaction to assume a hard and set form. As in the operation of making the matrix,- the baking of the printing plate can be accomplished in a period varying from 5 minutes, or even less, to about 15 minutes, according to the conditions of heat and pressure found desirable for different materials, a pressure from 500 to 2500 pounds in the. press, and a steam heating pressure of from 100 to 150 pounds being satisfactory in general, with a corresponding temperature ranging from 200 F. upward. The action of heat and pressure in the molding operation will cause the metalliferous paste to assume a smooth, hard and homogeneous or sheetlike form and to intimately incorporate or unite with the phenolic condensation product forming the body of the plate, and at the same time the molding face of the matrix, even to the finest detail, will be accurately and faithfully reversely duplicated or reproduced to form the printing face of the plate as shown in Fig. 1 for example. Incidentally the V-shaped ribs 21 of the plunger 10 resting against the back of the plate will produce in the latter V- shaped grooves 12, as shown in Fig. 2, which will make the plate lighter than if the rear surface were continuous, and this interruption of the surface also permits the plate to be more readily leveled or brought to the desired contour.
The spring tensioned buffer or abutment blocks 91 when the press is closed will first contact with the press head so that the may also be used in other reproductive processes, such as an original from which to make mats for use in casting stereotypes.
It will be noted that the construction of the molding box is such that the plate may be readily removed from .the matrix, without disturbing the latter, this being accomplished by simply dismantling or opening the upper frame while permitting the lower.
frame of the molding box to remain in position and confining the matrix. Thus any number of plates may be made without taking the matrix from the molding box.
If, in exceptional instances, the metallic matrix face 4 should adhere to the metal face 2 of the molded printing plate, the opthe walls of the frame 180 with a backing indicated in Fig. 11, thus clearing the metal ;enrface 2 for printing purposes.
In some instances, it may be desirable to leave the sheet metal face 4 permanently in place .upon the printing plate 1, this providing a sheet metal printing surface, as is shown in Fig. 10, but under ordinary circumstances I prefer to form the metallic printing face of the molded plate as hereto-. fore described.
In Fig. 12 I have illustrated a modified form of printing plate wherein the body portion 101 of non-conductive material, wholly, or chiefly, is provided with a metallic printing surface 102 formed by the electrodeposition of zinc 103 upon one or both sides of a metal foil 104, indicated in the drawings by black line. The zinc layers are shown ofexaggerated thickness for the sake of clearness. The zinc 103 may be, and preferably is deposited upon the foil 104 prior to the application of the latter to the form, the sheet thus provided having the advantages of softness and ductility when employed for plates of lar e size, a printing surface composed thereo presenting the printing qualities of the original form of type and it also possesses the concave interstitial web portions 126.
The several steps employed in the production of my improved plates may be modified to suit various conditions. For example, referring to Figs. 13 and 14, I may first make a matrix by imposing a mold frame 180 upon the margins 40 of the matrix moldlng face 4 which in Fig. 14 is shown in contact with the body of type 240 locked in the chase 220, the metal face 4 being backed by the fibrous blanket 27 as before described. I then fill the space within the confines of 27 and metal matrix face 4 in the order 120 v named, with the margins 40 of the matrix 'face extended over the frame 180 and the" intaglios 44 presented upwardly. Thereupon the upper section 188 of the mold frame, is superimposed upon the margins 40 of the matrix face sheet 4, the latter then provided with a coating 5 of metalliferous paste, as already described, and the plate blank material 106, in powdered or sheet form, is introduced into the cavity of the mold frame member 188, the plunger 10 placed in position, and the parts thus as sembled are again compressed in the press 50 to mold and set the plate after which the .parts may be dismantled and the now metal sheet 45.
molded printing plate removed ashereto fore described. Of course the plate blank material is molded and set under heat and pressure as has been heretofore mentioned.
In Fig. 17 I have shown still a further modification in preparing the matrix for the printing plate. In this instance the numeral 45 indicates a metal sheet forming the molding face of the matrix, while 46 indicates the original form or plate imposed upon the Within the mold frame 18, resting upon the base plate 80, is placed a bed or body of backing powder, the wax 88 preventing the adherence of the powder to the plate 80. .The metal sheet 45 carrying the original form or plate 46 is placed in contact with the backing powder, with the marginal edges 49 clamped between the frame 18 and the frame 38. A plunger block 90 is now inserted within the frame 38 and the parts thus assembled are subjected to heat and pressure, as through the agency of the press shown in Fig. 9, to complete the formation of the matrix. When the matrix is thus backed, it is only necessary to remove the plunger 90 and the original form or plate 46, when the intaglio side of the matrix will be exposed within the frame 38 in position ready to be coated with the metalliferous paste and to receive the plastic phenolic condensation product for the formation of the body of the printing plate 1. This arrangement provides a very rapid operation or succession of steps in making the printing plate.
In connection with my invention it will be noted that I have provided a pressed-up or molded printing plate comprising in a unitary structure a replication of original printing characters as widely different as type and half-tone plates, an achievement, which, so far as I am aware, has not been attained heretofore in molding printing plates for the reason that the original half-tone surface presents interstices of but slight depth between its dots over extended areas, while type and line cuts, on the contrary, present large areas of considerable depth between the lines making up their printing characters and it has been practically impossible to press up a unitary plate from these diverse surfaces for the reason that the pressure requisite to force the material into the type original must be applied differently from that used in forcing the material of the plate into the half-tone original.
By making the metal matrix face as herein described and backing the same with the fibrous blanket treated with a sharpening medium I am enabled to secure with equal pressure, in the matrix face, a duplication of both half-tone and type or linecharacters, and then I can produce from this matrix, with equal pressure, a molded printing plate embodying in a unitary structure both line "and dot surfaces, and of equal thickness throughout their extent.
What I claim is i 1. A printing plate comprisin a laminated body composed of layers 0 different materials, one of said layers comprising a hard, set and substantially infusible reacted plastic, one face of the laminated body having printing characters thereon to constitute a printing face. a r
2. A printing plate comprising a laminated body composed of a layer of hard and set synthetic resinous material, and a layer of non-resinous material, one face of the laminated body having printing characters thereon to constitute a printing face.
3. A printing plate comprising a metallic face provided with printing characters and an infusible hard cementitious back united with and supporting the printing face.
4. A printing plate comprisingtwo united layers, one of a hard synthetic resin and the other of metal, one of said faces being provided with printing characters to constitute a printing face.
5. A printing plate having a body portion consisting wholly of non-metallic material and having a metallic printing surface incorporate therewith.
6. A printing plate having a body portion of a phenolic condensation product with a metallic printing surface incorporate therewit 7. A printing plate comprising a body portion of non-conducting material, and a face of metal forming a homogeneous layer and integrated with the body portion.
8. A composite printing plate having a unitary metal printing surface comprising a pressed-up replication of both line and dot printing characters.
9. A composite printing plate comprising a hard body of synthetic resin and having a printing face composed of a pressed-up replication of both line and dot printing characters united with the body portion.
10. As an article of manufacture, a printing plate comprising a sheet-metal printing face provided with impression producing printing characters, and a backing sheet of a hard resinous product united in integral formation with and supporting the sheetwith printing characters, and a backing sheet composed of a synthetic resinous mate rial adherently united with and supporting the sheet-metal impression producing plate.
12. A printing plate having a layer-like body of relatively hard phenolic condensation product having a series of inverted V shape grooves formed in the back face thereof and extending in parallelism between opposite edges of the plate.
13. A printing plate having a layer-like body of a synthetic resin having a series of substantially parallel grooves formed in the back face thereof and having its front face provided with printing characters to form I the printing face.
14. The herein described method which comprises impressing a body of type against a metallic sheet to provide the latter with a metallic plate-molding face, then placing a body of plate forming material including a plastic s nthetic resin against the metallic molding ace and subjecting the. same to heat and pressure to form a printing plate.
15. The herein described method which comprises impressing a type body against a metallic sheet to providevthe latter with a metallic plate-molding face, then placing a body of plate forming material including phenolic condensation product in contact with the molding faceand then subjecting the same to heat and pressure to-form a metallic facing sheet in contact with suchmolding face of the matrix, and applying hea and pressure to reproduce in the metallic facing sheet characters complementary to the printing characters of the matrix, and to cause the cementitious backing sheet to assumea hardened and set form.
17. The herein described method of mak- ,ing a printing plate which consists in plac ing a composite sheet, including a facing sheet and a cementitious backing sheet,
against the molding face of a matrix having printing characters therein'wlth the facing sheet in contact with such molding face 7 plates, which comprises: subjecting to prolon ed. high pressure at high temperature.
against a suitable form a plastic having therein means for effecting hardening of the plastic under heat, and a prepared thin sheet of metal ad-apted tobe united with the plastic in an integral structure and afford a metal facing affording a working surface provided with reliefs and depressions.
20. The herein described method of making a printing plate which consists in placing a suitably prepared sheet of metal and a cementitious backing sheet against the molding face of the matrix, with the metal sheet in contact with such molding face of the matrix, and applying heat and pressure to I produce in the sheet-metal facing characters complementary to the characters of the.
matrix and to cause the cementitious backing sheet to assume a hardened and set form and be permanently united to the sheet-metal facing.
2l. The method of making a laminated prlnting plate which comprises placing a layer ofplastic synthetic resinous material in contact with a layer of non-resinous material, and subjecting the two 'layers to heat and pressure against a matrix to form a printing surface on the laminated body, to unite thetwo layers, and to convert the synthetic resinous material to a hard and) substantially infusible form. I
'Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this twenty-third day of July, 1913. 1
WILLIAM J. YEO-ELL.
Witnesses I ALEXANDER G. QPROULDFIT, AMANDA C. I Sonoonovnn.
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3087423A (en) * 1960-12-12 1963-04-30 Tenak Products Company Printing plate
US3147705A (en) * 1961-08-07 1964-09-08 Grace W R & Co Flexible printing plates with improved printing surfaces

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2496014A (en) * 1946-05-11 1950-01-31 Robert R Myers Apparatus for forming thermoplastic molds for use in electrotyping
US2654687A (en) * 1950-07-20 1953-10-06 Sorg Paper Company Composite sheet material and method of producing the same
US2988838A (en) * 1958-01-29 1961-06-20 Eastern Engraving And Machine Process of preparing prototypes of embossed sheets

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3087423A (en) * 1960-12-12 1963-04-30 Tenak Products Company Printing plate
US3147705A (en) * 1961-08-07 1964-09-08 Grace W R & Co Flexible printing plates with improved printing surfaces

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