Patent GB-116325-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the Inking Apparatus of Printing Presses.
Inventor: TERREY ARTHUR
IPC: B41F31/22
Filed: 1917-06-01
Abstract: 116,325. Terrey, A. June 1, 1917. Inking-apparatus.-The ink is contained within a rotatable cylinder or drum provided with peripheral apertures each of which is controlled by an internal valve which permits the flow of ink to the outer surface of the drum from which it is distributed to the forme-inking rollers. Automatically and manually operated means are provided for actuating the valves, and a controlling- device is provided by which one or more of the valves may be opened to a greater extent than others according to the requirements of the various parts of the formes. The drum may be divided into compartments each with its own valves, for multi-colour work. As shown, the drum comprises a cylindrical part a with removable section l and end covers e mounted to rotate on a stationary hollow shaft h. Two tubular members i, j extend between the covers e and form guides for the spindles o of a number of non-return valves n which by springs p normally hold the valves in position to close apertures m in the drum section l. Tubular casings q protect the valve spindles and springs from the action of the ink. The ink is supplied to the drum through an opening normallv closed by a plug k. To ensure the discharge of ink through the valves, compressed air may be supplied to the drum, or the drum may be provided with radial vanes between which the ink is introduced, the vanes being under spring pressure to cause them gradually to eject the ink. The valves are opened periodically and automatically by means of a longitudinally slidable bar t having inclines r engaging collars s on the valve spindles, and actuated against the action of a returning spring b<1> by means of a cam a<1> on a gear wheel w, engaging a roller c<1> on the bar. The gear w is rotated by reduction gear v, u driven by a gear z carried by the drum a. The valves may also be operated manually when desired, by turning a hand-wheel e<1>, thereby causing the flange h<1> of a sleeve g<1> to engage a second roller d<1> on the rod t. To permit of more ink being applied to any particular column of the printing-forme, the valves corresponding to that column may be opened to a greater extent than the others by means of a slide block i<1> adapted to be adjusted to any position along the length of the drum a and to be raised so as to actuate the corresponding valves. In the example shown, two adjacent valves correspond to a column width of the forme. The longitudinal adjustment of the block is effected by a chain w<1> attached at its ends to the block and passing over pulleys x<1> within the hollow shaft h and round a sprocket wheel o<2> which is turned by gearing u<1>, t<1>, s<1>, r<1> actuated by the movement of a handle q<1> over a suitably graduated dial p<1>. When adjusted, the block is raised into the path of the lower ends of the valve spindles o by turning a hand wheel j<1> thereby moving longitudinally a bar m' connected by links n<1> with a bar o<1> on which the block is mounted. The ends of the bar o<1> abut against the covers e. The valve-controlling arrangement may be actuated by gearing from a central control station. The inking apparatus above described may be applied to rotary perfecting-presses, in which case a single ink drum such as a could be arranged to supply ink to both printing-cylinders.