Patent GB-836917-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to apparatus for the deposition of liquid materials on surfaces
Inventor: SANDERSON JAMES COMBER
IPC: B41F1/40
Filed: 1957-05-07
Abstract: 836,917. Printing machines. McCORQUODALE COLOUR DISPLAY Ltd. July 29, 1958 [May 7, 1957], No. 14534/57. Class 100(2) [Also in Group XXX] A machine for the deposition of thin layers of paints, inks or other liquids in accurately defined areas on surfaces, e.g. for the production of multi-colcured paint' sample cards, comprising a main frame structure formed of upper and lower parts detachable from each other, the upper part supporting a matrix and means for supplying liquid to the matrix, is combined with a secondary separate frame structure similar to the lower part of the main frame structure and a conveyer embodying gear for lifting the upper part of the main frame structure from engagement with the lower part, and which transports the said lifted part and lowers it in position for connected engagement with the secondary frame structure. Platen machines. The lower part of the main 'frame structure comprises four vertical posts 2 between which is mounted a platen 14 which is vertically reciprocable by a hydraulic ram 15. The upper part of the main frame structure comprises a head frame 3 to the underside of which a matrix 4 is secured by brackets 5. The underside of the matrix 4 is formed with shallow recesses which are fed with colouring liquid through pipes 13 by a set of pumps 7 carried by supports 6 on the upper side of the head frame 3. The inlets of the pumps 7 are connected by pipes 9 to reservoirs 10 carried upon a platform 11 resting by two of its edges on parallel angle-section supports 32 fixed to the building structure. The head frame 3 is fastened to the top ends of the posts 2 by quick release devices 18, 28. The sheet to be printed is placed on the platen 14 which is then raised until the sheet contacts the matrix 4; with the parts in this position the pumps 7 are operated to feed colouring liquid from the reservoirs 10 to the shallow recesses in the matrix. The platen 14 is next lowered and the sheet, printed with coloured areas corresponding to the recesses, is removed. When it is desired to print with different colours the upper part of the main frame structure and the reservoirs 10 on platform 11 are removed for cleaning and replaced by corresponding clean parts, the removed parts being supported over a separate secondary frame structure, similar in all respects to the lower main frame structure comprising the posts 2 except that the platen is manually operated by means of a rack and pinion (Fig. 2, not shown). When the removed parts have been prepared for service again proofs may be taken therefrom by means of the hand operated platen. Lifting and transporting devices. A trolley, Fig. 3, which is generally U- shaped in plan, having vertical corner posts 34 and horizontal bracing tubes 35, 36, 37, 38, is positioned so that it surrounds the printing device on three sides. Cables 41, 42 pass over pulleys 39, 40, 43 on the trolley and can be wound on drums 44 mounted on a shaft 45. The other ends of the cables are fastened to steel bars 51, 52. In the upper ends of the corner posts 34 fixed sleeves 55 are mounted which form guides for plungers 56 having flanges 57 adjacent to their upper ends. A bellcrank lever 61 is pivoted to each post 34 at 60 and one arm 62 thereof extends through a slot in the side of the post into engagement with the lower end of the plunger 56. The other arm of the lever is connected by a tie bar 64 with the corresponding arm of the bell-crank lever mounted on the corresponding post at the other end of the trolley. A block 65 is mounted on each tie rod 64 and is adjustable longitudinally therealong. The cables 41 pass through holes in the blocks 65 and fixed stops 66 on the cables can engage the blocks and move the tie rods 64 longitudinally when a given length of the cables 41 has been wound on to the drums 44. Notches 53 in the steel bars 51, 52 are engaged under studs 54 which project laterally from the head frame 3, the quick release devices 18, 28 are released and the shaft 45 on the trolley is rotated either by a hand-crank 49 or a compressed air motor 48. The head 3 and its associated parts are thereby lifted clear of the posts 2 and at the same time the interaction of the blocks 65 on the tierods 64 and the stops 66 rocks the bellcrank levers 61 so as to urge the plungers 56 upwards and lifts the platform 11 off the supports 32, the top ends of the plungers engaging in holes 59 in the platform. The trolley is then moved away on its wheels 67, one of which is driven by a motor 69, and positioned round the secondary frame structure, the trolley being steerable by means of a hand wheel 68. The cables 41, 42 are unwound from the drums 44 and the head frame 3 is secured by the quick release devices to the tops of the vertical. posts of the secondary frame. The platform 11 may be rested upon supports similar to the supports 32 during the cleaning of the removed parts or may be supported by the trolley which in this case is kept in position adjacent to the secondary frame. A reserve upper part of the main frame structure and a reserve set of reservoirs 10 are then wheeled into position over the posts 2 and supports 32 by means of the same or a different trolley.