Patent GB-190503087-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Paper-feeding Machines.
Inventor: BLAISDELL FREDERICK ELIJAH
Filed: 1905-02-14
Granted: 1906-02-14
Abstract: 3087. Blaisdell, F. E. Feb. 14. Feeding sheets ; cylinder machines with plane printing- surfaces. - Relates to machines for feeding sheets, such as that described in Specification No. 12,897, A.D. 1904. (1) Means for separating the top sheet from the pile. Two tubes c<1>, c', Fig. 1, extend across the machine and carry a row of sucker tubes or mouthpieces c<3>, the outer ones of the row being in communication with the tube c<2> and the rest with the tube C<1>. The means of communication between the mouthpieces c<3> and tubes c<1>, c' is such that either c<1> or c<2> may be placed in connexion with a mouthpiece c3. The tubes and mouthpieces are periodically lowered and raised, to pick up the sheet, and are connected periodically with the air-exhausting means, by means of the valve arrangement shown in Fig. 4. The tubes c<1>, c<2> are connected-respectively with the nozzles c<8>, c<9> of a cylinder c<6> in which is a sliding valve c<5>, formed with a transverse port c<11> by which one or both nozzles c<8>, c9 may be placed in communication with the nozzle c<7> connected with the exhaust or vacuum apparatus. The valve also has a port c'‹ by which one or both of the nozzles c<8>, c<9> may be opened to the atmosphere. The valve is moved by a spring c<28> and cam c<12>, the cam being so formed that the passages in the nozzles c<8>, c<9> and the tubes c<1>, c<2> are successively connected with the vacuum apparatus as the valve moves to the right. The valve is then moved to the left sufficiently to open the tube c' to the atmosphere while the tube c' remains in communication with the vacuum. This causes the outer mouthpieces to release the corners of the sheets, so that, in case the corners of the top sheet held by the suckers should be folded back or torn off, a second sheet lifted and held by the outer suckers will be released while the top sheet is still held by the inner suckers. The valve then moves to the right, connecting both tubes c<1>, c<2> with the vacuum while the sheet is carried to the conveying and registering &c. devices. Finally, the valve moves fully to the left as shown, causing both tubes c<1>, c<2> to be placed in communication with the atmosphere. The central suction tube c‹ is formed with two elongated mouths, one on each side of the needle which passes through the top sheet, as it is lifted, to separate other adhering sheets, as described in the prior Specification, and the needle is movable into either of two positions, so that if sheets are fed a second time the needle may be placed to perforate them at a different point. A presser on the slide d' is inserted under the lifted sheet on to the pile, and also blows jets of air to assist in the separation. It is moved horizontally and vertically by transmission devices such as the Bowden, and levers operated by cams on the shaft b<0>. (2) Means for conveying the sheet to the printing &c. machine. The tubes c<3> &c. moved by the levers C<19>, rods C<20>, and cams carry the sheet s and deposit its leading edge on a moving surface such as a set of endless running bands f, Figs. 1 and 14, on to which it is forced and caused to adhere frictionally by jets of air from the mouthpieces f<1>, so that it is carried forward to the front stops f<2> and may be side-registered. (3) Sideregistering devices. The side of the sheet passes over the foot f<3> of a pusher having a suction opening, which, after the sheet has been pushed sideways, pulls the sheet back to the registered position. The suction pusher has a curved wing f<22> which guides the sheet down. There are two suction pushers f<3> one at each side, so that the sheets may be registered on either side, and each is adjustable on a transverse slide bar f and has a connexion at f<5> with an air-exhausting apparatus. The bars f<6> are reciprocated by levers f<8> pivoted at f<10> and connected with a lever f<12> operated by a cam f<16>. The pusher is fixed by a screw f<18>, and its adjustment is facilitated by a screw in an adjustable collar. The suction is controlled by means of a plug valve f<26>, in a casing f<27>, operated by a lever f<24> and cam f<23>. The casing has a through passage from the nozzle f<28>, which is connected to the nozzle f<5>, to the nozzle ,f<29> connected to the airexhaust. (4) Detecting and sheet - discarding apparatus. When an imperfect, or imperfectly presented, sheet is fed, the detecting devices i<1> i<2> i<3>, i<4> operate to close an electric circuit, as described in the prior Specification, and this circuit includes an electro-magnet e<1> by which the sheet-discarding device is put in action. The discarding is effected by a transverse blade e<12>, under which the sheet is fed, and which folds the sheet into a pair of rollers e<13>, by which the front end of the sheet is drawn away from the stops f<2> and the sheet discarded. The blade e<12> is carried by arms e<11> of a shaft e'‹ having other arms e<9> carrying a sliding spindle on which is a roller e<3> adapted to be moved into the path of a cam on the shaft b<o>. Normally, the roller e<3> is held out of the cam-path against the action of a spring by a detent e<6> on the armature e<7> of the magnet e<1>. When the magnet e' is energized, the detent releases the spindle and a discarding-operation takes place. Tripping of the cylinder is effected, at the time the discarding- devices are operated, by the usual tripping-gear, which may be operated by a solenoid in a circuit closed by a spring contact e<15> and a contact e<14> on one of the arms e<9>. The tripping-solenoid h<1>, Fig. 14, is traversed by a transmission device h<37> connected to the tripping-lever and alo to the detent e<6>. The solenoid h<1> and its electric circuit may be dispensed with and the tripping effected, through links &c., from the arms e<9>. Motion is communicated to the bands f and rollers e<13> by sprocket chains from a wheel b<3> through the shaft b<4>. The feed-board b<6> may be turned up on the pivots b<7>, carrying with it the cam-levers e<11> &c., to permit of access to the cylinder A of the printing- machine. (5) Means for raising the pile and maintaining the top sheet at the proper level. The pile table g, Fig. 1, is arranged to slide vertically, and is moved by screws g<1>, one at each side, engaging nuts g<2> on the table. The upper ends of the screws are geared to a shaft g<5> provided with a ratchet-wheel g<6> engaged by a pawl g<7> on a lever g<9> operated by a rod g<10> connected to the lever c<19>. The pawl is held by a spring and angle block in either the engaging or the disengaging position, and is disengaged at each half-revolution of the wheel g<6> by the enlarged teeth g<14>. It is moved into engaging position by a lever g<21> connected with a lever g<16>, one end of which is actuated by contact of a toe g<15> on the lower end of the slide d'. Thus, the pawl g<7> is engaged each time the level of the top of the pile is reduced to a predetermined point.