Patent GB-190403459-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Printing Addresses on Envelopes and the like, and for analogous purposes
Filed: 1904-02-11
Granted: 1905-01-12
Abstract: 3459. Addressograph, Ltd., [Addressograph Co.]. Feb. 11. Addressing - machines ; platen presses. - An addressing-machine, provided with an independent dating-device, and capable of being adapted to other printing, comprises a frame 26 for securing to a bench or table, provided with a shaft 21 which carries a platen arm 20, Fig. 1. A pedal 27 having a projecting arm 27<1> is connected by links 34 to the lower end of the platen arm 20. The printing-surfaces 32 in the form of a chain are carried by a polygonal drum 36, provided with projections 39, mounted on a shaft 37 and operated intermittently in order to place each of the printing - surfaces successively in the printing position. As the printing-surfaces are rising into the printing position, they are brought opposite a bed-plate 48, supported by a screw 49 and having a surface adapted to accommodate two adjacent plates. In this position, ink is simultaneously supplied to the two plates, by two ink-pads 42, movably secured in a holder 40 and raised to impress the two printing-surfaces by means of an arm 35 connected to extended portions of the links 34, when the platen arm 20 is depressed. The pads 42 receive their ink supply from two similar pads of felt or other material movably secured in a holder 44. By means of this inking- apparatus, each plate is inked twice before each impression. The drum 36 carrying the chain of printing-plates is provided on one end with a series of notches 54, with which engages a spring catch 55 attached to an arm 56, Figs. 9 and 11, carried by the shaft 21, to feed forward the printing- surfaces when the platen is raised. A locking- device 58 is retained in engagement with the notches 54 by a spring during the printing operation, and is disengaged therefrom during the ascent of the arm 56 by a foot 61 carrying a roller 62, which swings on its pivot sufficiently to pass the shoulder 60 on its descent. To permit of two or more impressions to be taken from each forme, a device shown in Fig. 11 is provided. A plate 67 carrying a serrated disc 68, Fig. 9, having alternate shallow and deep notches, is adjustably mounted on the frame so that a pin 66 attached to the catch 55 engages the notches in the disc 68. When the pin 66 engages the shallow notches on this disc, the catch 55 is lifted clear of the notches 54 in the drum 36, and the printing-plates 32 are kept stationary during two impressions. A pawl 72 is provided to prevent the disc 68 from revolving in the reverse direction. Behind the disc 68 is mounted a plate 69, which is moved to engage the pin 66 and to hold the catch 55 clear of the drum 36 when successive impressions are required from one plate. A lever 73, Fig. 9, is mounted on the shaft 37, and is turned to cause shoulders 74, 75 thereon to lift the locking-device 58 and the catch 55 from the drum, when it is required to adjust the printing-surfaces without working the machine. The envelopes or other articles to be printed are fed on to a table 76, pivoted on studs 77 and furnished with an aperture 79 through which the envelope &c. is pressed into contact with the forme. The table 76 is provided with a pad 80, Fig. 18, sliding in guides and attached to a rod 84, which may be employed to remove surplus ink from the printing-surfaces or to supply ink in place of the primary inking-apparatus described when the machine is printing continuously from one forme. As the platen descends, an arm 85, Fig. 1, mounted on a shaft 88 and operated by a link 90 from the pedal, engages a roller 87 on the bar 84, and retracts the pad 80 from its position over the printing-surface. The pad is returned to its operative position by a spring 91, on the ascent of the platen. The forward end of the table 76 is normally held in an elevated position by a spring, but is depressed to bring the pad 80 into contact with the printing-surface by a cam 94, mounted on the shaft 88, which engages an antifriction roller 95 on the underside of the plate. In order to present a fresh portion of the pad 80 to the printing-surface for each impression, the rod 80 is provided with a ratchet-wheel 97 having an eccentric portion 99 which bears against a plate 100. During each traverse of the pad, the ratchetwheel 97 is rotated slightly by engaging a pivoted catch 98. A dating or other forme may be mounted on the end of the shaft 37, ink being supplied by the eud of the pad 80, which is inked independently of the remainder of the surface of the pad. The platen 107, Fig. 6, is provided with a rubber facing 108, and is adjustably mounted by means of posts 113, bolt 110, and nuts 112. In the machine described, the position of the respective fulcra of the platen arm 20 and the plate 76 is such that the platen and plate are moving in circular paths tangential to one another at, or about, the point of printing, thus ensuring a clear impression. A bell is provided for indicating when impressions have been taken from all the printing- surfaces of which the chain is composed.