IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO PRINTING MACHINERY.
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for
Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of “IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO PRINTING
MACHINERY.". -A communication from abroad by Richard March Hoe,
f the Cite and Stoto of Now Vork United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 28th August 1872.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
3 Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for " IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO
PRINTING MACHINERY," to be as follows:-
This Invention of improvements applicable to printing machines relates
to that class of machines in which a continuous web or roll of paper is
employed to receive the impression, after which the web of paper is
divided or cut up into separate sheets, which are automatically served
therefrom, and are laid in a pile or piles of printed sheets.
The Invention is also applicable to what are known as combined
machines such as those for which a Patent was granted to me, bearing
A

page_text: date July 12th 1871, in which the continuous web or length of paper
after being printed on both sides is cut up or divided into sheets, which
are also folded and delivered from the machine ready for sale.
The objects of the several improvements are to ensure accuracy or
certainty in the cutting or serving of the continuous web of paper which
has been printed on both sides, and to facilitate and greatly expedite the
after operations of piling or folding of the printed and severed sheets so
as to enable the printing mechanism to be driven at an increased speed
and yet to efficiently dispose of the constant stream of sheets as they are
delivered from the cutting cylinders in rapid succession, at the same time
piling or folding them, thereby effecting an economy of time in printing
newspapers. To this end the continuous length of paper after receiving
an impress on one or both sides in a machine in a manner similar to that
shewn and described in the Specification of the above-mentioned Patent
or in any other perfecting printing machine, is passed between cutting
rollers of improved construction. To ensure a perfect cut without dis-
turbing the sheet or web of paper, cushions of india-rubber are inserted
in the periphery of the cylinder in advance and in rear of the knife, and
in corresponding positions in the periphery of the other cylinder with
respect to the slot which receives the knife, and between these cushions
the web will be held while being cut. The separated sheets of paper
which leave the cutting cylinders in rapid succession with little or no
interval between the last and of one sheet and the front end of the next,
are delivered for the purpose of seperation or dispersion alternately to
one of two sets of directive tape rollers in the following manner :- - In
the periphery of the cutting cylinders, close adjacent and parallel to the
knife, but in rear thereof, are two grooves formed in the cylinder (or
pipes may be sunk into the peripheries of the cylinders) and extend from
side to side. The outer edges of these passages or pipes have one or
more lines of perforations. Both these passages are in communication
(through the axles of the cutting cylinder) with air pumps or other
suitable exhausting or blowing apparatus. Those passages which are in
advance or close to the cushion, or knife are operated by vacuum or
suction, and those in rear act as blast pipes or passages. Both sets of
pipes are commanded by valves automatically operated in such manner
that the valves of each cylinder are operated alternately and in succes-
sion, so as to hold the front end of the sheet to the periphery of the
cylinder by suction until the rotation has brought it opposite to one of

page_text: the two sets of directive rolls and tapes. The suction is then stopped
and the blast is opened. When the air issues from the perforations it will
blow the front end of the sheet from the perforations, it will blow the
front end of the sheet from the cutting cylinder and deflect it into the
nip of the upper or lower sets of directive rollers and tapes, as the case
may be, both cylinders acting in the above manner alternately.
In order to pile the printed sheets delivered from the machine with
sufficient rapidity without increasing the number of fly frames or the
intricary of the mechanism, after the separation or dispersion of the
printed sheets in the manner above described, I assemble together 2, 4,
or more sheets at a given point at the same moment, and present them
to both sides alternately of a double fly frame or two frames placed back
to back.
To effect the above object I so arrange the directive rollers and tapes
as to cause the first sheet delivered from the machine to travel a greater
distance than the second, so as to bring at the same moment the front
ends of the two sheets up to the under side and into the nip of the same
pair of a set of 4 rollers (furnished with endless carrying tapes) arranged
so that their peripheries touch. On passing between the lower rollers
the first pair of sheets will be deflected (by means of a guard or director)
at right angles and made to pass through the left hand pair of the set of
4 rollers, and by a suitable arrangement of tapes this pair of sheets will
(in a similar manner to the first delivered single sheets) be caused to
travel a greater distance than the second pair of sheets of paper which
will arrive at and pass between the lower rollers of the set of 4. This
2nd pair will be deflected by the guard to the right hand, and so travel-
ling a shorter distance (and such distance being properly timed) they
will meet the first pair of sheets coming from another direction, and both
pairs at the same moment will pass through a pair of tape rollers and be
directed by means of a second vibrating guard to a right or left hand
pair of rollers, and thereby be delivered alternately in front of one of a
pair of fly frames placed back to back.
In place of delivering the sheets from the cutting cylinders alternately
upwards and downwards by the above described means, they may be
received in succession into a pair of rollers (fitted with carrying tapes)
which will deliver them to two or more sets of directive tapes and rollers
by causing one pair of rollers to be moved from and to the two sets of
directive tapes and rollers operated by means of excentrics.
A 2
In some

page_text: paper,
cases I only partially sever the printed sheet from the web of
and
employ the receiving rollers of the above described modifications as
cutting rollers to complete the severance of the sheet or as nipping rollers
to bite, and by accelerated speed to tear asunder the partially seperated
sheet.
In lieu of the pneumatic action before described for separating the
severed sheets from the cutting cylinders, and deflecting them into the
bite of the directive rolls, I may employ a mechanical action to strike or
deflect the end of the sheet upwards or downwards. When the printed
sheets of paper delivered from the cutting cylinders are to be folded I
cause the printed sheets to be separated into two streams, and conduct
each stream of sheets to two or more folders, and I so arrange the folders
as hereafter explained that when the paper is worked "double width"
two folders of each stream will work and deliver the sheets of paper
I arrange
(folded by each folder) from the machine at both sides.
the folding knives which first operate on the two streams of sheets,
and cause them to strike in an upward direction and carry the sheets
in to the nip of rollers placed above them. These knives are con-
nected together so as to be operated simultaneously. These folders will
be supplied by the directive tapes and rollers before described with a
succession of printed sheets. After receiving the requisite number
of folds in the same direction the folded sheets are brought down by
means of guide tapes to a second series of knives (acting at right angles
to the last), from which they may be delivered to the fly frames. But
if the printed sheets are of double width previous to receiving the last
fold they will be made to pass between cutting rollers which will divide
them up into two folded sheets, and I arrange the next rollers and knives
which give the last fold in different vertical planes one-half of the sheet
(which has been separated from the double width) will travel farther
than the other before it reaches its folder, and when delivered therefrom
to the double fly frames (situated immediately below) these fly frames
will pile these folded papers and deliver them out of the machine at both
sides without interfering with each other.
A similar arrangement having been provided for each stream of sheets,
and the mechanism acting simultaneously, there will be four deliveries
from the machine of folded papers, but this arrangement and consequent
number of deliveries may be increased if desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 28th February 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special
licence that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward
Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO PRINTING MACHINERY," being a communica-
tion to me from abroad by Richard March Hoe, of the City and
State of New York, United States of America, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Edward Newton, my exe-
cutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say) :-
This Invention of improvements applicable to printing machinery

page_text: paper is employed to receive the impression, after which the web of'
paper is divided or cut up into separate sheets, which are automatically
severed therefrom, and are laid in a pile or piles of printed sheets.
The Invention is also applicable to what are known as combined
machines, such as those for which a Patent was granted to me, bearing
date July Twelfth One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in
which the continuous web or length of paper after being printed on
both sides is cut up or divided into sheets which are folded and delivered
from the machine ready for sale.
The objects of the present improvements are to ensure accuracy and
certainty in the cutting or severing of the continuous web of paper into
sheets after it has been printed on both sides, and to facilitate and
greatly expedite the after operations of piling or folding of the printed
and severed sheets, so as to enable the printing mechanism to be driven
at an increased speed and yet to efficiently dispose of the constant
stream of sheets as they are delivered from the cutting cylinders in
rapid succession, and at the same time to pile or fold them, thereby
effecting an economy of time in printing newspapers. To this end the
continuous length of paper after receiving an impression on one or both
sides in a manner similar to that shewn and described in the Specification
of the above-mentioned Patent, or in any other perfecting printing
machine is passed between cutting rollers of improved construction.
In Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings, Figures 1 and 2 shew a
portion of the upper and lower cutting rollers A, A¹, with the cutting
apparatus in section. The strip of steel forming the knife a, and the
strip of steel b in which the slot for receiving the knife is formed are
keyed to the strips or bars of metal c, which are held down in their
seat in the channels formed to receive them in the peripheries of the
cutting rollers by the screws d. To ensure a perfect cut without
disturbing the sheet or web of paper cushions of india-rubber e, e, are
inserted in the periphery of the cylinder A in advance and in rear of
the knife a, and similar cushions e¹, e¹, are placed in corresponding
positions in the periphery of the other cylinder A¹. With respect to the
other strip of steel in which the slot for receiving the knife is formed,
between these cushions e, e, and e¹, e¹, the web will be firmly held while
being cut. These cushions are securely held between strips of metal by
means of the screws e².

page_text: The divided sheets of paper leave the cutting cylinders in rapid
succession with little or no interval between the last end of one sheet
and the front end of the next, and are delivered for the purpose of
separation or dispersion alternately to one of two sets of directing tape
5 rollers in the manner shewn at Figures 3 and 4, in Sheets II. and III.
of the Drawings, which shew in diagram a method of separating the
sheets of paper (as they issue from the cutting rollers A and A') by
means of suction and blast combined. In the periphery of the cutting
cylinders A, A¹, close adjacent and parallel to the knife a, and to the
O piece of steel containing the slot 6 respectively (but in rear thereof),
two pipes ff, and g, g¹, Figures 1 and 2, Sheet I., are sunk into the
peripheries of the cylinders A and A' respectively, as shewn on an
enlarged size at Figures 1 and 2, Sheet I., and extend from end to end
of the cylinders. The faces of these pipes or passages f, f¹, and 9, 9',
6 have one or more lines of holes or perforations made in them. These
passages ƒ and g are in communication (through the hollow axles of the
cutting cylinders) with air pumps or other suitable exhausting or
blowing apparatus. The passages f, f¹, which are in advance or close
to the cushions e, e¹, are operated by vacuum or suction, and the
passages 9, 9', which are in rear act as blast pipes. Both sets of
pipes ff, and g, g', are commanded by valves (situated outside the
framing at both sides of the machine) that are operated automatically as
shewn at Figures 3 and 4.
The valves or three-way cocks f³, f³, commanding the suction
5 passages are shewn in detail at Figures 5, Sheet III., and in position in
side view at Fig. 3, Sheet II., and the valves or two-way cocks g² and g³
(commanding the blast passages 9 and 9¹), are also shewn in detail at
Figures 6, Sheet III., and in position at Fig. 4, Sheet III. The levers f*
and g³ for giving axial rotation to these valves are jointed to forked
) rods f* and g*, carrying bowles which enter grooves in face cams A³, A³.
The forks of these rods embrace the cam shaft A', and are thereby
maintained in nearly a vertical position. The cam shaft A* which
passes through from side to side of the machine carries the cams A2.
which operate the suction on the front side, and the cams A³ which
operate the blast on the rear side of the machine. The shaft is driven
by gearing 1, 1, (shewn in red lines) from the upper cutting cylinder A',
and the gearing is so proportioned as to give one rotation to the cams
for two rotations of the cutting cylinders, and the cams are so fixed on

page_text: the shaft with respect to each other that they will act alternately and in
succession upon the several pairs of valves. The pipes h, h¹, lead to the
suction and blast pumps respectively. h², h³, are the air nozzles for
admitting air through the three-way cocks into the suction passages,
for the purpose of destroying the vacuum therein when it is no longer
required.
It will thus be seen that the valves of each cylinder are operated
alternately and in succession, so as to hold the front end of the sheet
to the periphery of one or other of the cylinders A, A³, by suction until
the rotation of the cylinders has brought it opposite to one of the two
sets of directing rolls and tapes B, B'. In all cases where the tape
rollers run in contact with the lower cutting cylinder a recess must be
provided in the roller to receive the projecting edge of the knife, and
the tapes may run in grooves in the roller. The first sheet on issuing
from the cutting cylinders A, A', will be taken down to the directing
rollers and tapes B in the following manner:-The valve f* of the
suction apparatus is opened automatically (as described) at the time.
that the suction tube of the roller A attains the position indicated by
the blue radial line 2. The suction will then commence and will hold
the front end of the sheet till by the rotation of the cylinder A. the
suction tube has reached the position indicated by the blue line 3, when
the suction will be cut off and the blast in the passage 9 opened. The
air on issuing from the perforations in the pipe g will blow the front
end of the sheet from the cutting cylinder A and will deflect it into
the nip of the lower set of directing rollers and tapes B. At the next
rotation of the cutting cylinders the valves commanding the suction and
blast passages of the upper cylinder A¹ will then be acted upon by the
cams A², A², (in like manner) so that both cylinders will operate as
above described alternately.
In Sheet IV. a modification of this principle of separating the sheets
as they issue from the cutting cylinder and distributing them into
two paths is shewn in diagram at Fig. 7, in which the sheets are
separated by suction only without the aid of a blast. In this arrange-
ment the cutting cylinders A, A', are fitted with suction apparatus only,
(similar to that described with reference to Figures 3 and 4), in addition
to which the tape rollers B and B are also fitted with suction apparatus
consisting of suction pipes, tubes, and valves f* for commanding their
passages together with forked rods and levers for operating the same

page_text: from an additional cam A** on the cam shaft A**. By these means
when either of the suction passages of the cutting cylinders A, A¹, have
carried the front end of the sheet to the point where the peripheries of
the cutting cylinders and the tape rollers B, or B', touch (or nearly touch)
the suction of the one cylinder will be cut off by its cam, and the suction
of its respective tape roller will be turned on, and will hold the front end
of the sheet to its periphery until it has passed into and between the
pair of tapes of its respective roller, that is, for a little more than a
quarter of a revolution. The valves f* of the additional suction
apparatus are connected with the air pump by the pipe h*, and are
provided with air nozzles **, similar to those before described.
A further modification of this system of separation and distribution is
shewn at Fig. 8, Sheet III., in which the sheets are distributed into four
paths. Four pairs of tape rollers B are mounted in front of the cutting
cylinders A, A¹. One of the tape rollers B (by preference the larger
roller) of each pair is provided with suction apparatus similar to that
before described, consisting of suction passages f* and valves for com-
manding the same, which may be operated alternately or in succession or
in any determined order by means of a pair of cams, or by a cam to each
pair of rollers.
The cam which operates the valves of the suction apparatus belonging
to the cutting cylinders is arranged to commence the opening and
closing of the valves so as to correspond to the order in which the sheets
are to be delivered to their several tape rollers or paths of distribution.
In order to pile the printed sheets delivered from the machine (with
sufficient rapidity) without increasing the number of fly frames or the
intricacy of the mechanism, the printed sheets (after their separation or
dispersion in the manner above described), I assemble together two,
four, or more sheets at a given point at the same moment, and they are
presented alternately to one or other of the sides of a double fly frame
or two frames placed back to back.
At Fig. 3, Sheet II. of the Drawings, is shewn a method of assembling
together four single printed sheets, and "flying" them simultaneously.
The directing rollers and tapes are so arranged as to cause the first sheet
(delivered from the machine to the rollers B) to travel a greater distance
than the second which is delivered to the rollers B', so as to bring the
front ends of the two sheets at the same moment up to the under side,

page_text: and into the nip of the same pair of a set of four rollers c, c¹, c³, c³,
(furnished with endless carrying tapes), arranged so that their peripheries
shall touch. On passing between the lower rollers C, C¹, the first pair
of sheets will be deflected (by means of a guard or director D, operated
by a cam on the cam shaft D¹) to the left, and made to pass through the
left hand pair C¹, C³, of the set of four rollers; and by an arrangement of
tapes (shewn in this Figure) this first pair of sheets will (in a similar
manner to the first delivered single sheets) be caused to travel a greater
distance (as indicated by the arrows) than the second pair of sheets of
paper, which latter will arrive at and pass between the lower rollers C, C¹,
of the set of four. This second pair will be deflected by the guard D to
the right hand, and will thus travel between the tapes i, i, a shorter
distance than the first pair, and such distance being properly timed they
will meet the first pair of sheets (coming from another direction by the
tapes j, j,) and both pairs of sheets will pass at the same moment
through a pair of tape rollers E, E, and be directed by means of the
second vibrating guard F (operated by a cam on the cam shaft D¹) to the
right or left hand pair of rollers E of the set of four, and will thereby be
delivered alternately in front of one of a pair of fly frames G placed
back to back.
A modification of the method above described (of distributing the
sheets as they issue from the cutting cylinders) is shewn in Fig. 9,
Sheet V. In this arrangement the sheets are only partially severed from
the web or roll of printed paper, and in place of delivering completely
severed sheets from the cutting cylinders alternately upwards and down-
wards by the means shewn and described with reference to Sheets II., III.,
and IV., the partially severed web of paper is received into the nip of a
pair of rollers B*, B*, fitted with endless carrying tapes. These endless
tapes pass round another pair of rollers B¹*, B¹*, which do not quite
touch each other, and are separated from the rollers B*, B*, a distance
greater than the length of the sheet which has been partially severed
from the web of printed paper. The pair of rollers B*, B*, is mounted
in bearings in a vibrating frame I, which vibrates (in a vertical plane)
in front of two sets of directing tapes carried by rollers B, B¹, B², B³.
This vertical motion is obtained by means of the excentric D² on the cam
shaft D¹ through the bell-crank lever d, and connecting rod d'. The
rollers B¹*, B*, will thus present the front end of the first sheet of the
partially severed web of paper to the nip of the rollers B and B³, between

page_text: their carrying tapes i, i. The rollers B¹, B1, B2, B³, and their carrying
tapes travel a little faster than the cutting cylinders, so that when the
partially cut sheets are caught in their bite they are carried forward at
an accelerated speed and torn entirely loose from the roll or web.
The frame I by moving down (through the action of the eccentric), will
deliver the front end of the second sheet into the nip of the rollers B*
and BS between their carrying tapes j, j. The relative distance of
travel of the two sets of carrying tapes i, i, and j, j, is so arranged as to
cause the front ends of the two sheets (thus separated) to arrive simul-
taneously at and pass over and between the guide rollers C, C, and down
in front, of the single fly frame G which is operated by the cam on the
shaft D'.
In order to steady and guide the descent of the pair of sheets (which
have been brought together in the manner above described, and which
issue from between the rollers C and H), and instead of allowing
them to fall down loosely in front of the fly frame (in which case their
front edges are liable to curl over from the resistance of the atmosphere
which retards their downward progress, and results in their being
irregularly laid or otherwise damaged), the several sheets are still kept
together, and are guided between the extended outside marginal tapes k,
which may be additional tapes as at the right hand of Fig. 3, Sheet II.,
which additional tapes pass round the rollers H and H³, but if the
ordinary marginal tapes are used for this purpose they are simply carried
down to and around the roller H¹. The tapes j which are also carried
down return under the roller C*. By this means the sheets may be laid
down by the fly mechanism with much certainty and regularity.
In some cases I only partially sever the printed sheet from the web of
paper, and I sometimes employ the receiving rollers of the above-
described modifications as cutting rollers to complete the severance of the
sheet.
The diagram, Fig. 9*, Sheet IV., illustrates the mode of carrying
out this modification. A, A', are the cutting cylinders, which partially
sever the sheet from the web or roll, and B*, B*, are the tape receiving
rollers which are intended to complete the severance of the sheet, and
are for that purpose furnished with short detached knives for completing
the cutting operation. Care should be taken to place the tapes so as to
occupy the intervals only between the knives. These rollers are also
-

page_text: cutting cylinders, and are enlarged to the same size as the cylinders.
A, A'. In passing through this arrangement of rollers the web or roll
is completely severed and thus separated into sheets, which are carried
forwards by the endless tapes, and delivered by the vibrating frame I to
the direction rollers B as in the before-described arrangement.
In lieu of the pneumatic action before described for separating the
severed sheets from the cutting cylinders and deflecting them into the
bite of the directing rolls, I may employ a mechanical action to strike or
deflect the end of the sheet upwards or downwards.
Fig. 10, Sheet VI., shews the cutting cylinders fitted with an
automatic striker or deflector to throw the front end of the sheet of the
printed paper from the cutting cylinder into the bite of the receiving
rollers. A, A¹, are the cutting cylinders fitted with cutting mechanism
similar to that described with reference to Sheet I. of the Drawings.
B, B, and B', B¹, are the two sets of receiving tape rollers; C, C¹, are
the suction passages or pipes in each cylinder, as before; D, D¹, are
shafts mounted in lugs secured to the inner face of each of the cylinders,
and E, E¹, are rock levers on the end of the shafts D; d, 'd, are fingers
securely attached to the shaft D; f, f, are the connecting rods and
springs for assisting in operating the fingers d, d; F, F, are moveable
cam surfaces pivotted on a stud pin F* in the framing of the machine;
G is a grooved face cam for operating the cam pieces F, F¹; this cam is
keyed on the shaft G*, employed as before described for carrying the
face cams used for operating the suction valves. This cam shaft G* is
driven by spur gear from the cylinder A', as indicated by red lines and
revolves in the proportion of one revolution to two of the cutting
cylinders, so that its cam surface will operate on the moveable cam
pieces F, F, alternately.
It will now be understood that when the suction pipe C has held the
front end of the sheet until it has been carried near to the receiving
rollers B, B, the suction will be cut off, and the cam G will by its
rotation thrust out the moveable cam piece E into the path of the friction
roller e carried on the end of the rocking lever E. This friction roller in
running over the cam surface F will rock the shaft D and cause the
fingers d, d, to be thrust out of the recess in the periphery of the cylinder
in which they lay, and will press the front end of the sheet from the
periphery of the cutting cylinder against the periphery of the receiving.

page_text: roller, and thus conduct it into the bite of the receiving rollers B, B.
The further rotation of the cylinder and the shape of the nose of the cam
surface F will allow the spiral spring to act upon the rocking lever E,
and will cause the fingers to be withdrawn from the receiving rollers B
into the cylinder A. The rotation of the cam G will cause the retire-
ment of the cam surface F into the position shewn at F¹ in the lower
cutting cylinder A¹. The gearing for driving the cam shaft is as before
stated so proportioned that at the next rotation of the cutting cylinders
the cam surface F¹ will be similarly acted upon, and the sheet will be
carried downwards and deflected into the bite of the receiving rollers
B¹, B¹.
In Sheet VII. Fig. 11 represents a modification in which the principle
of partial severance and separation of the sheets from the web of paper
by acceleration in the speed of the receiving rollers is carried out. By
this arrangement the two sheets, which have been separated from the
web or roll as herein-after described, are delivered to their travelling tapes
by means of a guide or deflector. Their front ends are then brought
together and the two separated sheets are deflected and carried down in
front of one of a pair of fly frames placed back to back, or they may be
conducted on either side of a double acting fly frame.
It will be seen that the web of paper (partially severed into sheets)
when issuing from the cutting cylinders is received between the tapes
7 and m that pass around the guide rollers B*, B*, which are separated
slightly at their receiving end for the free entrance of the web. The
partially severed sheets are carried forward to their rollers B¹*, B¹*,
which are set as before at a greater distance than the length of the
partially severed sheets. The whole of the tape rollers in this arrange-
ment are driven at a slight acceleration of speed to that of the cutting
cylinders so that after the entrance of the front end of the sheet into the
bite of the tapes l, m, of the rollers B₁*, B¹*, the sheet will be separated
and carried rapidly forward, the end of the web being still supported and.
carried forward as in the case of the previous sheet by the tapes 7, m.
.
• The separated sheets are carried in rapid succession to the group of
four rollers C, where they are alternately deflected by the guide D into
the longer and shorter carrying tapes 1, j, and m, n, (alternately) their
front ends arriving at the same moment and passing through the upper
pair of a set of four rollers E, E, E, E. Each pair of sheets is then

page_text: deflected to the right and left and they pass between the right and left
hand pair of rollers E, E, alternately, and down in front of the flyers G,
G¹. The flyers G, G', and deflectors D and F are operated from cams on
the cam shaft D', which receives its motion by gearing from the cutting
cylinders A as indicated by red lines in the Drawing.
In place of assembling the sheets and bringing together their front
ends so that both sheets shall issue from between the same tapes in front
of the flyer, the arrangement of the travelling tapes may be modified as
shewn in Fig 11*, Sheet VII., where the travelling tapes j, 1, (bringing the
first separated sheet) are carried down to and return round the separate or
additional rollers e, e¹, and the travelling tapes m, n, are returned around
the rollers E*, e². The first sheet will be thus delivered to the flyer from
between the rollers e, e¹, and in front of the flyer G at the same moment
that the second sheet issues from between the rollers E* and e. The
two sheets thus delivered simultaneously or nearly so in front of the flyer
from separate paths will be laid by the flyer at one and the same time.
.
In all the above arrangements for bringing two or more sheets
together, some of the rollers of each series of double tapes should be
adjustable in order to slightly lengthen or shorten the travel of one of
the sheets and make it correspond with the other.
In order to still further expedite the piling operation and to render
the mechanism more compact and simple, and thus occupy less room
than the before described arrangements, the stream of sheets may be
assembled or collected together upon a cylinder until a sufficient number
are so assembled (say six sheets) and then released therefrom auto-
matically, and delivered to the sheet flying mechanism simultaneously.
By this means the printing mechanism may be driven at an increased
speed and will yet efficiently dispose of the stream of sheets as they
are delivered from the cutting cylinders.
In Sheet VIII. Fig. 12 represents a novel arrangement of mechanism
for effecting this object. In this arrangement the sheets are only
partially severed from the web of paper by the cutting cylinders A, B,
the portion left uncut at several points in the width of the sheet being
sufficient to support and guide the paper between the two series of endless
tapes C, D, that conduct the sheet to the grooved collecting cylinder E.
This cylinder is caused to revolve turn for turn with the cutting
cylinders by means of the bevil gear F, G, and I, K. The diameter of

page_text: but
the collecting cylinder E is about one and a half inches greater than the
cutting cylinders, which will cause the tapes C, D, to travel somewhat
faster than the paper, and as the front edge of the partially cut sheet
arrives at the grooved roller L it is caught by the nip of the tapes
around the curve of the roller and carried forward at an increased speed
and torn loose from the web. At this time the front edge of the second
sheet has entered a sufficient distance between the tapes C, D, for them to
support and carry it forward. In the meantime the first sheet is carried
on under the roller M to the grooved collecting cylinder E, the lower set
of tapes D returning around the roller L to the receiving roller C³,
the upper tapes C pass round the cylinder E to the roller C', and
return by the roller C³ to the receiving roller C³. The sheet is thus
conducted by the tapes and fixed guide or deflector O on to the
collecting cylinder E, and will be carried round with it and past the
tape roller C¹ and the moveable deflector or switch P, between the short
tape Q and the periphery of the cylinder E, and under the fixed guide
O. At this point the collecting cylinder E will meet and receive the
front edge of the second sheet which is deposited directly upon the first.
The cylinder E will thus receive in a similar manner a third and fourth
sheet until the sixth sheet is deposited upon it. As the collecting
cylinder E is in diameter one and a half inches larger than the cutting
cylinders its circumference is nearly five inches greater than the length
of the sheets that are on it, and this space of five inches is sufficient to
allow the points of the deflectors or switches P to be moved into the
grooves of the cylinder E behind the six sheets, and guide them off from
the cylinder down in front of the fly frame S, which will at that time be
in position to receive them. The deflector or switches P are operated by
a grooved cam U formed on the inner side of a spur wheel keyed on the
shaft V. This wheel receives its motion from the pinion X on one end
of the shaft of the cylinder E, as indicated by the red lines. The pinion
is to the wheel in the proportion of one to six, so that at every sixth
revolution of the collecting cylinder E the cylinders having received six
sheets, the cam U moves the points of the switches in behind the six
sheets, and thus guides them off to the sheet flyer as before described.
The deflectors or switches P return back to their original position in
time to guide the next sheet on around the cylinder as before. On the
opposite end of the shaft V is keyed the cam that operates the fly
frame S by means of the lever T and connecting rods W, in the usual
manner. It will be seen that the number of sheets received on the

page_text: collecting cylinder at one time and then operated on by the sheet of
flying mechanism, may be increased or diminished by simply increasing
or diminishing the proportion to each other of the pinion and wheel of the
spur driving gear indicated by red lines.
When the paper operated upon is of double width, and it is necessary
to divide it before passing it to the flyers, a circular saw J is caused to
revolve in a groove of the collecting cylinder E, and in order to cut
paper of low quality well and with certainty, the novel form of tooth,
shewn on an enlarged scale at Fig. 12*, is found to be specially
adapted.
Fig. 13 is a modification of the above arrangement. The collecting
cylinder E revolves in the opposite direction, and the sheets are flown
in toward the printing machine, by which arrangement the total length
of the machine is reduced.
All the above-described arrangements for flying two or more sheets
at once may be applied to machines in which the sheets are furnished
by hand instead of being automatically cut from a roll, and also to
machines in which the sheets are cut from the roll before they are
printed, and instead of using the arrangements of fly frames herein
described there may be substituted the double-acting fly frame described
and claimed in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, and
dated January Twenty-ninth, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
two (No. 239), or the sheets may be made to run beneath the inclined
fly frame, as described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted
to me, and dated December Second, One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-three.
When the sheets are printed double width and cut in two longi-
tudinally before being conducted to the sheet flying mechanism, it will
be desirable to use marginal tapes, in which case the fly frames must
be narrower than the space between these outside tapes in order that
they may draw the sheets of paper easily through them.
When the printed sheets of paper delivered from the cutting cylinders
are to be folded, the stream of printed sheets may be separated into two
or more paths, and each stream of sheets conducted to two or more
folding devices; or the stream of sheets may be folded by one and the
same rotary mechanism; or the web of printed paper may be folded
and cut by the same mechanism as herein-after described. The first-
.

page_text: mentioned folding mechanism is arranged as hereafter explained, so
that when the paper is worked "double widths "the folding mechanism
of each stream will work and deliver the divided sheets of paper (folded
by each mechanism) from the machine at both sides.
Sheets IX., X., and XI., represent in front elevation, end elevation,
and plan, one mode of folding and piling the sheets of printed paper;
Fig. 14, Sheet IX., being a front elevation of the folding mechanism
(the cutting and tape rollers being shewn in end or sectional view).
Fig. 15, Sheet X., shews the working parts of the mechanism in end
view; and Fig. 16, Sheet XI., is a plan view of the tape and folding
rollers. In all these views the frame of the machine, the bearings of
the rollers, and various other parts of the machine are left out to avoid
confusion in the Drawings. A, A¹³, are the cutting cylinders; B, B¹,
and B³, B³, are two sets of receiving tape rollers.
The delivery of the sheets alternately to the receiving rollers may
be obtained in either of the three methods before described, viz., by
means of suction and blast combined or by suction only; or by suction
combined with mechanical action, or any of the plans previously de-
scribed for separating them preparatory to being flown may be adopted,
and the stream of printed sheets thus separated and divided into two
paths are carried by the tapes C and D to the lines of folding knives.
E, E¹, and F, F, are the folding knives which first operate on the two
streams of sheets. They are arranged in two or more horizontal lines,
and the pairs are connected together by the connecting rods e and f
the knives being carried at the end of levers which vibrate from the
rock shafts E* and F*. Motion is communicated to the knives from
the face cams E' and F* (keyed upon the cam shaft G of the folding
machine) through bowles or friction rollers carried by the forked con-
necting rods e and f. The cam shaft G receives its motion from the
cutting cylinder A¹ by the bevil gear 9, which is caused to revolve at
half the speed of the cutting cylinders.
The first sheets delivered by the cutting cylinder A¹ to the receiving
ape rollers B, B³, is carried by the tapes c, c', to the rollers B* (the
onger distance of travel), the tape c will return by the roller B³, and the
heet will be supported, guided, and carried forward by the tape c¹
ssisted by the fixed guide c². When it has arrived at this point and
ts front end has passed under the roller H, the roller I mounted on the
B

page_text: rock shaft I* (and operated by the connecting rod i from the cam J
on the cam shaft G) will rise and lift the sheet from the tape c¹ and
press it against the roller H. This roller H and the remaining rollers
and tapes of the series are driven at a reduction of speed of about one-
third, so that the sheet of printed paper will be carried forward with
corresponding speed underneath the folding rollers K, K. The front half
of the sheet is supported by fixed guides e*, and (when it is at a proper
position) the knife E will rise and strike the sheet of printed paper in
the middle of its length (or other desired portion of its length), and
thrust it into the nip of the rollers K, K. The now folded Sheet after
passing between the rollers K, K, will in like manner be carried forward
by the tapes k, k, under the folding rollers L, L, and will receive a
second fold (in the same direction as the first) from the folding knife F,
the tape h returning by the roller L, and the tape k by the roller K¹.
When it is not desired to have two successive folds made in the same
direction one of the above-described folding devices may be omitted.
The sheet of paper which is of double width having now received its
second fold in the same direction as the first fold (in passing through
the rollers L, L,) enters between the tapes l, m, and is by them carried
over the roller L', and down to and between the rollers L, L'. Either of
the rollers L' or L' may be grooved rollers and be provided with a rotary
saw so that in passing downwards the “double width” sheet may be
divided longitudinally into two parts, both of which will then pass (being
still carried by the tapes 1, m), between the rollers L³, L³, and be carried
forwards in the direction of the arrows until they strike against their
respective stops. The tape / returns by the roller L' and L³ to and
around the left hand folding roller L; the tape 'm returns around the
roller L' and L* to and around the right hand folding roller L. The
sheets of folded paper will now lie over the folding rollers O, O, and
P, P, which are arranged at right angles to the previous folding rollers
as will be best seen in the plan view Fig. 16, Sheet XI.
It will now be seen that the front half sheet travels farther than the
rear half and will now be over the rollers O, O, while the rear half has
been stopped immediately over the rollers P, P. As soon as the rear
half sheet arrives over the rollers P, P, the folding knife N will descend
and strike the folded sheet at right angles to its previous fold and will
cause it to enter and pass between the folding rollers P, P. A similar

page_text: action will take place with respect to the knife M. As soon as the front
half sheet arrives over the rollers O, O, the folded papers will fall down
in front of one or other of the two double acting fly frames Q, Q, and
by them will be piled up on the inclined receiving tables R, R³, as in-
dicated by blue lines in the lower part of Figure 15.
The knives M, N, are operated from cams M¹ and N¹ on the cam
shaft G through the connecting rods m¹ and n¹. The double acting
flyers Q, Q, are operated by the excentrics S¹, S¹, (see Fig. 15) mounted
on the short shaft T which is driven at one half the number of revo-
lutions of the cam shaft G by the spur gearing 1, 1, (indicated by red
lines at Figure 15, Sheet X.
The receiving tape rollers B³, B³, are geared with their respective
cutting cylinders A, A', by spur gear, motion is thence communicated
by the band 2, 2, to a band pulley on the axle of the tape roller L³. On
this axle is keyed a spur wheel 3, into which gear spur pinions 3* on
the axles of the folding roller K and tape roller L*; the band pullies on
the axle of the tape rollers L' and B³ are so proportioned with respect to
each other as to give a diminished speed to the pinions 3* of the rollers
K and L', and by them to the carrying tapes. The folding rollers K, K,
and L, L, are geared together by spur gear. The folding rollers O, O,
and P, P, receive their motion from bevil gear 4, 4, on the axle of the
tape roller L (see plan view Fig. 16), and these rollers are also geared
together by spur pinions 5, 5.
It will be understood from the above description and from the
Drawings that the second sheet of the stream of sheets issuing from the
cutting cylinders is delivered to the receiving rollers B, B¹, which is the
second of the two paths C and D into which the stream of sheets is
delivered. This path D has a much shorter travel, so that its tapes may
bring at the same moment the second sheet beneath the rollers K, K, of
the lower set of folders, that is, to a position corresponding to that of the
first sheet delivered to the upper set of folding mechanism. This lower
set of folding mechanism is furnished with carrying tapes and folding
and flying mechanism in every respect similar to that above described,
and in the Drawings is marked with the same letters of reference. The
folding knives and other mechanism are connected together by con-
necting rods, as described, and the action of the whole mechanism by
which both streams of sheets are folded proceeds simultaneously, and

page_text: will fold the two streams of sheets, pile, and deliver them out of the
machine at four places without interference with each other.
Sheet XII. shews several modifications of the folding apparatus by
which this part of the Invention may be carried out by means of rotary
folding mechanism, in lieu of the striking folding mechanism described
with reference to Sheets IX., X., XI.
α,
A, A¹, Fig. 17, are a pair of geared folding cylinders set at a distance
from the cutting cylinders of the printed mechanism, or supplied with
sheets partially severed from the web through the tape rollers B*, B*.
The lower one of these folding cylinders is provided with a folding
knife and the upper one with a folding groove b. From the upper
cylinder A¹ the folded sheets are delivered alternately into two or more
sets of tapes that pass around the grooved rollers B, B, and B¹, B¹,
by the action of the fixed-guide D and moveable switch C. By the tapes
of these rollers D and B¹ the folded sheets may be conducted, if desired,
to other folding devices, according to the number of the folds required to
complete the operation.
When applied to a machine that prints and cuts from a web, the
folding cylinders A, A¹, are a little larger than the cutting cylinders, so
that their peripheries travel somewhat faster.
When the sheet is caught in the bite of the folding knife a and thrust
into the folding groove b, it is torn loose from the web. The front edge
of the succeeding sheet is prevented from following the upper cylinder
by the moveable fingers E, pivotted on a shaft at E*. There may be
several of these fingers E in the width of this cylinder, so as to strike the
sheet at the middle and ends simultaneously.
The cylinder A is constructed as shewn in the plan view, Fig. 18,
Sheet XII., of rings or short cylinders, keyed on the shaft with intervals,
within which the fingers E, the guides D, and switches C lie. The
fingers E are operated by a pin E¹ carried by the cylinder A. The
holding and releasing of the sheet within the folding groove is effected
in the following manner :-)
-This groove extends through the whole of
the sections forming the cylinder, several of which are furnished with a
holding spring 6 set at an incline, the outer end being bent so as to
extend a short distance along the circumference of the cylinder and
project slightly outside of it. The folding knife a, as will be clearly
seen in the enlarged view, Fig. 17 of these cylinders and their

page_text: mechanism, shewn on Sheet XIII., will push aside the spring 6¹ and
insert the fold of the paper between it and the side of the groɔve b,
where it will be retained until by the rotation of the cylinder A¹ it is
carried up to the receiving rollers B, B. The point of the switch C
(being in the position shewn in the Figure) will then be behind the
folded edge of the sheet of paper, and the bent end of the spring b' at
the moment of its arrival at this point is pressed inward by the surface
of the receiving roller B. The proportion of the spur gear for operating
the switch C is two to one, so that at the next revolution of the folding
cylinders the folded paper will be carried past the switch C and
rollers B, B, and delivered in a similar manner to the rollers B¹, B¹.
The receiving rollers B, B¹, are two-thirds of the size of the folding
cylinder A, and are geared into it so that they will make one and a half
revolutions to one revolution of the folding cylinder. Thus as the
folding cylinder makes its second revolution with a sheet, the springs b
would come in contact with the roller B at a point opposite to its last.
point of contact, but the roller B at this point is recessed slightly,
so that the springs 6 pass (without releasing the second sheet) to the
rollers B, so that it is carried on past them and is released to the
rollers B', which operate on the spring b in a similar manner.
To avoid the danger of tearing the sheet of paper by the folding
knife a thrusting it into the groove 6 of the upper cylinder A¹ against
the pressure of the holding spring 6', this spring may be lifted auto-
matically both to receive and to release the folded sheet in the manner
shewn in Fig. 19, Sheet XIV. In this modification the springs b¹ do
not project beyond the periphery of the cylinder, but are lifted by the
fingers c, mounted on a rocking shaft d, carried by lugs from the inner
face of the cylinder A'. This shaft d at its extreme end has a lever
carrying a friction roller e. A fixed projection or pin on the frame of
the machine is so situated that by the rotation of the cylinder A¹ the
friction roller e in passing under it will raise the springs to receive the
folded paper. In order to release the same at one or more points alter-
nately or in succession cam faced projections (similar to those described
with reference to Sheet VI.) may be thrown into the path of the friction
roller e, so as to rock the shaft d and release the folded sheet at any
desired part of the revolution of the cylinder A¹
Fig. 20, Sheet XII., shews a modified arrangement of this principle
of constructing.
notam folda-
Th
6.11
1°

page_text: double size so as to fold two sheets at each revolution, and are furnished
with two sets of similarly constructed folding mechanism, but each
cylinder has a knife and a groove arranged diametrically opposite to
each other. By this means the sheets of paper will enter the folding
groove of each cylinder alternately, and be conveyed by them upwards
and downwards alternately to the receiving rollers, and they may be
caused to deliver their sheets at two or more different points of each
cylinder if desired, in the manner shewn in Fig. 17.
Brushes F, F, may be caused to rotate near the peripheries of the
cylinders in place of the fingers E, before described, by which the front
ends of the succeeding sheets will be prevented from adhering to the
surfaces of either of the cylinders.
Fig. 21, Sheet XII., shews a further modification and extension of this
principle of folding, in which the operations of folding and cutting are
combined in the same pair of cylinders. A, A', are a pair of folding
and cutting cylinders, the folding and cutting mechanism occupying
opposite portions of the cylinders. The receiving rollers B, B, and
B³, B', with their guides D and switches C, and the striking fingers E
are constructed and operated in the manner described with reference to
Fig. 17. By this arrangement the sheets, will be first folded and then
cut entirely free from the roll, and delivered at one or more places from
the cylinder, as may be desired.
This principle of construction may be still further extended by
constructing the upper cylinder double the size of the lower one, and
providing it with two sets of folding and cutting devices. The enlarged
size of the upper cylinder will afford space in which a still greater
number of receiving rollers and their accessories may be applied and
operated than in the before mentioned arrangements..
Having now described the Invention of "Improvements Applicable to
Printing Machinery," which has been communicated to me from abroad
by my foreign correspondent, and having explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I claim as the Invention secured to me
under the above in part recited Letters Patent,—
First. The arrangement of cutting mechanism shewn and described
in reference to Figures 1 and 2, of Sheet I. I claim more particularly
the adaptation of elastic rubber lips at the sides of the cutting knife and
groove, as and for the purposes described.

page_text: Second. I claim conveying the front edge of the sheet of paper
around the upper and lower cutting cylinders alternately, and detaching
the front edge of the sheet therefrom and delivering it to receiving rollers
in the manner and by the means shewn and described in reference to
Figures 3 and 4, Sheets II., and III., Fig. 7, Sheet IV., Fig 8, Sheet
III., and Fig. 10, Sheet VI.
Third. I claim discharging two or more sheets one in front of the
other and depositing them by a single action of the fly frame,
substantially as described.
Fourth. I claim dispersing the sheets as they issue from the cutting
mechanism into paths of different lengths, so that the first sheet shall
travel a greater distance than the second, and the first and second a
greater distance than the third and fourth if desired, and so on, for any
given number of sheets, and then assembling or collecting them
together in such manner that their front edges will issue from their
several paths of travel simultaneously or nearly so, the sheets being so-
close together that they will (when presented to the sheet flying
mechanism) be deposited by one stroke, substantially as described and
shewn in Sheets II., V., and VII.
Fifth. I claim the use of a collecting cylinder and its accessories for
the purpose of assembling thereon two or more sheets one on the
other, and then discharging them simultaneously to the sheet flying
mechanism, as shewn and described with reference to Figures 12 and
13; Sheet VIII., so that they may be deposited simultaneously or
nearly so.
Sixth. I claim the use of guide or supporting tapes in front of
the sheets to aid in keeping them in place as they issue out and are
delivered to the sheet flying mechanism.
Seventh. I claim distributing the stream of sheets issuing from
the printing and cutting mechanism to two or more lines of folding
mechanism, and connecting the mechanism for producing the several
folds, so that the several parts of such folding mechanism may be
operated by one set of cams and excentrics, as shewn and described
with reference to Sheets IX., X., and XI.
Eighth. I claim the arrangement or construction of parts herein
set forth for folding the printed sheets as they issue from the machine
or are delivered from the cutting mechanism.

page_text: Ninth. I claim retarding the travel of the sheets by means of
slow moving tapes, and the use of a lifting roller I, or its equivalent,
so that more time may be allowed for the folding operation, and greater
accuracy thereby ensured; as shewn and described in reference to
Sheet IX.
:
Tenth. When the sheets of paper are to be divided longitudinally in
the machine, I claim making one part of the divided sheets travel
farther than the other part for the purpose of more conveniently
folding, piling, and delivering them, as shewn and described with
reference to Sheets IX., X., XI.
Eleventh. I claim the employment of one or more folding devices
in one and the same pair of cylinders, and so operating them that
either or both shall fold and deliver the sheets at one, two, or more
points in any desired order.
I also claim in combination therewith, the construction and mode of
operation of the retaining springs and releasing mechanism, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes shewn and described in reference to
Sheets XII., XIII., XIV.
Lastly. I claim the combination with the above arrangements of
rotary folding mechanism of cutting devices, as shewn and described
with reference to Fig. 21, Sheet XII.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of February,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-three.
2