Patent GB-991680-A (GB)
Title: Printing machine
IPC: B41F31/28
Filed: 1963-05-17
Abstract: 991,680. Printing apparatus. SPERRY RAND CORPORATION. May 17, 1963 [May 29, 1962], No. 19729/63. Heading B6C. Cheques 20 are endorsed in a printing machine whilst being passed in an upright position through the machine by two engaging endless belts 22, 24. The cheques pass photo-electric cell presence detecting device 140, 142, a printing station comprising a wheel 56 carrying on its periphery an endorsing plate 116 and adjustable date stamp 120 and a printing station having a wheel 58 to the periphery of which is attached an adjustable batch or run number printing device 122. Each wheel is associated with an impression roller 82 or 84 which is mounted in swingable bearings such that although it is normally spring-biased away from its coacting wheel 56 or 58 an electrical impulse conducted to a solenoid 124 or 132, connected to the bearings of the roller through a lever 126 or 134, when a cheque is in position between the roller and the wheel, initiates movement of the roller towards the wheel such that the cheque is imprinted with an impression of the plate 116 and stamp 120 or the device 122. Both wheels 56 and 58 are inked by a roller 52 which is in contact with an inking roller 60. The latter is coated with ink by an oscillatable ink spraying device 98 the oscillation of which takes place in a vertical plane. An electrical control device 108 is adapted to receive signals from the " presence " device 140, 142 and, according to the setting of the device 108, which may be for the non-actuation of the oscillatory mechanism of the device 98, an intermittent actuation or a continuous actuation, the oscillatory mechanisms of the device 98 may or may not operate as programmed. The mechanism itself may either comprise a solenoid having a plunger connected to one end of the device 98, which are pivotally mounted, or a variable-speed electric motor moving through a cam and follower arrangement the pivotally mounted device 98. This device is in the form of a spray gun the air and ink connections of which incorporate solenoid controlled valves, their actuation being dependent upon a signal received from the device 140, 142. If the gun is supplied with pressurized ink then the air connection and valve may be dispensed with. The electrical control system of the printing machine by which the plate 116, stamp 120 and device 122 are inked prior to use and by which the impression rollers 82 and 84 are moved in correct sequence and time towards their respective wheels 56 and 58 also comprises an inhibit gate 184 through which a signal may be employed to stop the inking and printing operations if imprinting of a certain cheque passing through the machine is not required. The machine is driven by an electric motor (not shown) through a pulley 28, Fig. 3, rigidly connected to a shaft 29 which also mounts pulleys 30, 33 and gear 38. Rotation of the belt 22 is accomplished by connecting a shaft 46 to a roller 50. When the gear 30 rotates it will rotate gears 40, 42, 44 to rotate the shaft 46. A shaft 70 and its roller 48 is driven from engagement with the belt 24 passing over a driving roller 54. The belt 24 is driven by an arrangement comprising pulleys 30, 32, 34, 36. The pulleys 30, 32 are connected by a flexible toothed belt as are pulleys 34 and 36. Rotation of the pulley 32 will rotate the shaft 74 on which it is mounted to drive the ink roller 52. The driving roller 54 causes rotation of the driven rollers 48, 76, 78 and 80 by engagement with the belt 24. The impression rollers 82 and 84 also engage the belt, the tension of which is varied by making the roller 80 adjustable. The belt 22 also engages the rollers 66, 86, 88, 90 and 92, which rollers are in a straight line. Rollers 94 and 96 also engage the belt, the former roller being adjustably mounted for purposes of belt tensioning. The machine has a cover 150 which fits over the rollers 52 and 60 and the tip 110 of the spraying device 98. In addition, portions of the wheels 56 and 58 are enclosed. Sealing means in the form of an O-ring 174 are provided between the cover, the purpose of which is to confine any ink spray to the immediate area, and the baseplate 18 of the machine. A pair of arcuate slots 176 are cut into the cover 150 adjacent the periphery of the wheels 56 and 58 and these extend part of the way around the wheels up to and adjacent the roller 52. A slot 178 is also formed in the cover between the wheels 56 and 58 and adjacent the roller 52. The slots 176 and 178 receive disposable felt ink absorber pads 180 and 182 which will absorb any ink spray due to the ink being thrown off the rollers and wheels 52, 56, 58 and 60. A portion of each pad 108 and 182 extends above the cover 150 to permit easy insertion and removal.