Patent GB-433419-A (GB)
Title: Delivery mechanism for use with printing machines
IPC: B41F13/54
Filed: 1935-01-02
Abstract: 433,419. Delivery apparatus for printing machines. HOE & CO., Ltd., R., 109, Borough Road, London.-(Hoe & Co., Inc., R. ; 138th Street, New York, U.S.A.) Jan. 2, 1935, No. 165. [Class 100 (i)] A delivery mechanism for a printing-machine folder comprises separate delivery fans, means for rotating the fans in the same direction, means for directing alternate products from the folder to the same operative side of each fan, and means for conveying products in the same direction away from the fans. As shown, each folder unit has a folding-cylinder 6, a co-operating cutting-cylinder 7, folding- rollers 11, and two rotary delivery fans 14, 31. The fan 14 is of usual construction and provided with eight pockets, and is positioned below the rollers 11 to receive the products under the action of gravity and deliver them to a conveyer belt 20 which conveys the products to the right. The fan 31 is smaller than the fan 14, has four pockets, is provided with positive product-taking means, and is positioned to one side of the rollers 11. The fan 31 includes a composite body member 33 having the pockets formed by a series of fan blades secured on the periphery, and co-operates with a conveyer 37 which conveys the products in the same direction as the products. conveyed by the conveyer 20. Normally, the products from the folding-rollers are propelled by these rollers, assisted by gravity, into the pockets of the larger fan 14, but alternate products may be diverted from their normal path and directed to the smaller fan 31 by a number of switching or guiding members 72 secured to and spaced along a shaft 71 mounted in the frame 18 of the machine. Each member 72 has a curved end 73 which is received within grooves formed in the folding-rollers 11. One end of the shaft 71 is provided with a bell-crank lever which is rocked by an adjustable cam secured at the end of the shaft 41 of the smaller fan 31, whereby the shaft 71 and switching-members 72 are rocked, and alternate products from the folding-rollers 11 are thus diverted to the smaller fan 31. The smaller fan receives a product in each pocket, and the larger fan a product in each alternate pocket. The smaller fan 31 is provided with two grippers for each pocket to ensure that the products are delivered to the conveyer 37. Four shafts 98, one for each pocket, are journalled in the fan body, and gripper arms 99 are secured adjustably to the opposed terminals of the shafts by split clamping heads. The outer end of each gripper arm is shaped to engage a face or pad secured to the end of the body of the fan. The grippers are rocked by a fixed cam which acts on crank arms secured to the ends of the shafts 98. The smaller fan may be bodily adjusted along the shaft 41 by screw-adjustment means. Guide members 125 extend from the folding- rollers 11 and over the smaller fan 31, and further guide members 126 extend downwardly from the rollers 11 to the larger fan 14, and a tail guide 127 is supported between both fans. The fans are provided with stops 45, 46 which cause the products to be deposited on the conveyers, and these are associated with counter or kicker mechanisms. The counter associated with the larger fan comprises an arm 48, having an enlarged head or product interrupter 49, pivoted on a shaft 50, and a crank arm 51 secured to the shaft 50 is adapted to be rocked by a cam projection 54 carried by a cam 55. The counter for the smaller fan includes an arm 58, and an enlarged head, and the arm is secured to a shaft 60 which is adapted to be rocked by the cam projection 54 acting through a bellcrank lever 63, a rod 62, and a crank 61 ; a spring 65 on the rod retains the arm 58 in the inoperative position. A double folder is described in which four separate products are folded, two of the products being delivered separately in the same direction away from one unit of the double folder, and two products delivered away from the other folder unit in another direction. When it is desired to deliver only one product through each folder unit, then the smaller fan in each unit is rendered inoperative, and a product is received in each pocket of the larger fan. The two fans of a folder unit are geared together, and the conveyers are driven through sprocket and chain gearing from their respective fans.