IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINES AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH.
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Martyn Nicholls, of 143, Great Portland
Street, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the In-
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINES AND IN APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH.
"
Sealed the 20th November 1874, and dated the 9th June 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Martyn Nicholls
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 9th June 1874.
I, HENRY MARTYN NICHOLLS, of 143, Great Portland Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINES AND
APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE WITH," to be as follows:-
:
IN
My Invention, with reference to improvements in printing machines
relates to that class of printing machines known as rotary web machines,
which are constructed to print paper in the web, and consists in the first
place in arranging and combining the printing cylinders in such a
A

page_text: manner as to facilitate access to the inking mechanism and to the
second impression cylinder, and in mounting all the cylinders so as to
facilitate their removal respectively without disturbing other parts of
the machine. And the two impression cylinders are so connected
through the intervention of levers and links that one is made to balance
the other, and a single action is made to bring on or throw off the
impression.
Secondly. In arranging in the manner herein-after described apparatus
for more effectually distributing and applying the ink.
Thirdly. In the means herein-after described for rendering the same ]
printing machine capable of printing sheets of a length less than that.
of the entire circumference of each type cylinder.
And, lastly. In the mode herein-after described of gearing the
cylinders together in order to gain compactness of arrangement &
smoothness of action, and to afford a ready means of multiplying power, 1
and also to admit of the impression cylinders being thrown out of gear
without affecting the type cylinders.
The following statement will serve to indicate these several improve-
ments The web of paper is passed from the roll through the machine
in a nearly horizontal direction, and when it is required to print both 2
sides of the web the type cylinder employed to print the under side
thereof is placed nearest the roll of paper, and that required to print the
upper surface of the web farthest from the roll, the corresponding
impression cylinders being in a direct vertical line, one above and one
below the type cylinders. The said printing cylinders are mounted in 2
the side frames of the machine so that any one of them can be removed
without disturbing the others by taking them out of the side frames
laterally.
The two impression cylinders are made to balance one another through
the intervention of levers united in their action by suitable links. By
acting on the outer extremities of the levers in connection with the
upper impression cylinder so as to draw them up, the said upper im-
pression cylinder is forced down on the lower type cylinder, and the
lower impression cylinder is raised against the upper type cylinder, or
the reverse action throws both impressions off simultaneously.
Two distribution cylinders in contact with one another are employed
in connection with the supply of ink to each type cylinder, which

page_text: cylinders are suitably mounted free to revolve in the side frames of the
machine. A pair of "waver "rollers are employed which revolve in
contact and bear one on each of the two distribution cylinders.
The impression cylinders are covered with close fitting blankets of
suitable material, and the second of such cylinders is surrounded with an
endless travelling apron of calico, silk, paper, or other suitable thin
material, which is carried forward and round a suitably mounted roller
free to revolve. The surface of this apron is or may be caused to pass
in contact with a heated metal surface by which it is kept dry; and in
order to prevent the dried ink from accumulating on the apron a fixed
brush (or its equivalent) is caused to bear against its surface.
In order to print sheets of a length less than that of the circumference
of the type cylinder stereotype is placed only on a portion of such cir-
cumference equal to the length of the sheet. A pair of rollers are placed
between the paper roll and the first pair of printing cylinders which
draw the paper continuously from the roll, but are so geared relatively
to the printing cylinders that while the latter make one entire revolution
the former draw from the roll only a length of paper equal to the
required length of the sheet. In case one side only of the web is to be
printed that portion of the cylinder covered with the stereo prints the
web and draws it forward through the machine; but when such portion
of the cylinder has passed the web is no longer printed or drawn
forward by the printing cylinders. The web is stopped between the
printing cylinders, and the rollers which draw the paper from the roll
and the mechanism employed for the purpose again sets the web free,
when by the continued revolution of the printing cylinders the type-
covered portion of the cylinder again reaches the paper. It will thus
be seen that the cylinders revolve continuously as when their entire cir-
cumference is covered with stereo, but the paper though drawn con-
tinuously from the roll is caused to move through the machine in an
intermittent manner, and that which accumulates during the stoppage
behind the printing cylinders is formed into a loop by the action of a
set of rollers, between which it passes on its way to the machine.
In case both sides of the web are to be printed, and in case the
distance between the centres of the two sets of printing cylinders be less
than the length of the sheet to be printed, the web is passed round a
series of rollers suitably mounted between the two sets of printing
A 2.

page_text: cylinders and drawn out of the horizontal line to the extent required.
The two type cylinders are geared directly together with toothed wheels
fixed on one end of their respective shafts and outside the side frame of
the machine. The wheel on the lower type cylinder shaft is driven by a
wheel fixed on the driving shaft. The two ink distributing cylinders
which are mounted in. the said frames of the machine receive motion
from the wheels on the ends of the type cylinder shafts. Each typo
cylinder is geared with its corresponding impression cylinder by means
of toothed wheels fixed on the ends of their respective shafts also outside
the side frame of the machine.
And my Invention with reference to apparatus connected with such
printing machines consists in the first place in mechanism adapted to
facilitate the unrolling, damping, and re-rolling of the web of paper
previous to its being printed on, and also in the self-acting friction brake
herein-after described for maintaining an uniform strain on the web of
paper while it is being drawn off the roll into the machine.
Secondly. In the apparatus herein-after described for cutting the web
of paper into sheets after it is printed and piling the said sheets.
Thirdly. In the apparatus herein-after described for folding the printed
sheets when thought desirable, such apparatus being adapted to carry on
the process of folding at a greater speed than when directly connected
to the printing machine. By means of this arrangement several folding
apparatus can be employed in connection with the one printing machine,
which latter can be driven at the highest speed the other conditions will
admit of.
The following statement will serve to indicate these several improve-
ments In order effectually to damp the roll of paper before printing
on it the paper is wound off the roll on to a spindle mounted parallel
with the axis of the roll and continually pressed against it. Water is
applied from a tank with a revolving brush, the tank and brush being
arranged so as to recede from the spindle on to which the paper is being
wound as the paper accumulates thereon. The water is applied in the
first instance to a roller mounted between the brush and the roll to be
damped.
In order to maintain an uniform strain on the web of paper while it
is being drawn from the roll a self-acting friction brake is employed, the
weight on the lever of which is allowed to approach the centre of the

page_text: roll by the gradual diminution in the diameter of the roll as the paper
passes into the machine.
With reference to the apparatus for cutting the printed web into
sheets, and when the frame which carries the knife is caused to recipro-
cate, the gripping mechanism for securing the tail of the sheet and
lowering and delivering the same, described in the Specification of the
former Patent granted to me, No. 3510 (1869) is now arranged so as to
project slightly above the points of the teeth of the knife when about to
cut and press the paper against a projecting surface fixed in front of the
fixed blade behind and close to which the knife passes in cutting. The
knife gripper is connected to the frame of the knife by springs which
allow of its yielding, while the knife still advancing cuts through the
web. The gripper is now hy means of self-acting mechanism fixed in
its position; and as the knife descends it closes by the action of springs
and secures the tail of the sheet against the blade of the knife. When
the knife in its descent has reached the point where the gripper should
let go the tail of the sheet it suddenly rises and resumes its original
position. The rollers employed in sending forward the sheet towards
the pile are now thrown out of gear with one another before the
mechanism for holding the paper while it is being cut comes into action.
The paper which accumulates during the act of cutting is now dealt
with by passing it between a series of rollers which form it into a
loop..
When the cutting process is separated altogether from that of piling
and is carried on at a point nearer to the printing mechanism, the knife
is connected to a light reciprocating frame worked by a crank or other
suitable movement. On each side of the knife blade there are fitted
slips of wood or other suitable material which are forced forward slightly
in advance of the teeth of the knife by means of springs. These slips.
reach the paper first and hold it firmly against a surface on the outer
side of the web while it is being cut, and the knife passes farther and
serves the web passing into a slot formed between two straight edges,
and as close as practicable to one of the edges.
In the Specification of my former Patent, No. 2808 (1866), there was
described a cutting knife which revolved round an axis having a
gripping mechanism connected to it. The knife in passing the tail end
of the pile. was caused to turn in order to deliver the tail of the sheet.

page_text: This combination is now improved by bringing the centre on which the
knife turns nearer to the axis of revolution, which allows of the knife
being mounted on a stronger spindle and gives a freer passage to the air
blast.
My Invention relates next to three improved modifications of the
apparatus described in the Specifications of my former Patents, No. 2808,
(1866), and No. 3510; (1869), for piling the sheets after they are secured
from the web. In the first modification three air blasts are used, as
described in the Specification of Patent No. 3510 (1869), and in all
three the sheets are piled vertically.
In the first modification a number (say a quire) of sheets åre piled
underneath the glass cover, the tail ends of the sheets hang over the
back end of the table and are acted upon by the lowest air blast.
Between the piling of the last sheet of the quire and that of the. next
succeeding sheet a surface in interposed by the action of mechanism
between the tail of the quire and the air blast, and the tail of the next
succeeding sheet is blown against the said surface and held there. The
quire (of sheets) is now removed by suitable self-acting mechanism to a
second table beyond the first where the quires accumulate, and where,
if desired, they can be made distinctly separate by giving the said table
a small amount of motion on a centre or by other suitable means.
In the second modification the cutting of the paper and the piling.
process must be carried on separately, as in this case, if desired, a heavy
pile of sheets is piled directly underneath the glass cover on a table
which is caused to sink by positive gearing or other suitable means as
the sheets accumulate on it. Two air blasts only are employed. From
the point where the sheet is cut from the web to that where it is
piled the sheet is conveyed by tapes above and below it (or their
equivalent) which travel at a greater speed than the web, so that an
interval is produced between the tail of the sheet and the front of the
web. The machine is so timed that the mechanism employed to secure
and lower the tail of the sheet for piling by the air blast may descend
and ascend without being fouled by the outcoming sheet. The length
of the said tapes must somewhat exceed the length of the sheet when
the knife and the tail securing mechanism work in unison though
separated by an interval. The tail of the sheet just before it escapes
from the tape rollers is caught by the lower edge of a light frame which

page_text: is suitably mounted across the machine and is caused to reciprocate by
a crank or other suitable movement. The said frame on reaching the
tail of the sheet bends it against a series of narrow fixed vertical surfaces
which project slightly from the mouth of the lower air passage and so
lower it below the level of the said air passage, when the blast instantly
flattens it on the pile.
The pile of sheets may, be preferred, be removed in a mass to avoid
delay; the table is then restored to its original level. If preferred the
table may be placed on wheels, and two such tables used alternately, the
empty one being made to replace the loaded one.
Sometimes the sheets are, by preference, piled on a surface formed of
a series of rollers supported by springs or counterpoised by weights
which allow of the rollers sinking as the sheets accumulate thereon.
When it is desired to remove the pile some of the uppermost sheets are
first secured by gripping mechanism, and the pile may be drawn off the
rollers which rise successively under the uppermost sheets.
The third combination resembles the second, except that two such
tables (one directly over the other) are used. Two corresponding lines
of running tapes of equal length are employed, extending one to the
upper and the other to the lower table from the point where the cutting
is carried on in order to convey the sheets to the tables. At the said
point to which the two lines of running tapes converge a moveable.
mouth or guide piece is suitably fitted, through which the paper issues.
on its way to the pile. When the required pile has been formed on one
of the tables the attendant by moving a handle brings a cam movement
into operation, which acting on the said guide or mouth piece sends the
stream of sheets to the other table which the pile is removed from the
first table.
Sometimes the tail of the sheet is secured and lowered by means of
a gripping mechanism which is formed of two parts, one of which when
not in action is supported above the web by springs and is capable of
motion in vertical guides in the side frames of the apparatus; the other
part is capable of reciprocating in the same guides, being worked by a
crank movement from below. In this case the cutting process is carried
on at a point nearer the roll of paper than the said gripping mechanism..
The lower part of the said gripping mechanism is timed to rise and secure
the tail of the sheet between itself and the upper part, and is interlocked.

page_text: therewith, and so draws it down together with the tail of the sheet to
the right level, where it is compelled to let go the upper portion and
allow it to return to its original level by the action of the springs. The
tail end of the pile of sheets must here bend over the back of the
table.
In case it is desired to cut the web longitudinally the usual mechanism
for the purpose is by preference placed just behind that for cutting the
web transversely. The tapes and rollers for carrying the sheet towards
the pile are arranged to suit the web thus divided longitudinally.
When it is preferred to fold the sheets after being printed the web is
perforated by the knife, but not severed, it is then passed through a hot
air chamber in order to set the impression and then rolled in a roll; this
roll is then taken to a folding machine and suitably mounted by it, and
the extremity of the web entered between rollers which draw it into the
machine, into which it enters between tapes. As soon as the front of
the next succeeding sheet has entered the first-named set of rollers the.
front of the first sheet has entered between a second set of rollers moving
faster than the first. These break off the sheet and it passes into the
machine and is folded in the usual manner. Several folding machines
may be used in connection with the one printing machine.
The same
method may be adopted to feed ordinary printing machines now fed by
hand, the white roll of paper being perforated in the same manner and
then applied to the printing machine which feeds itself as the folding
machine does.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, 2
filed by the said Henry Martyn Nicholls in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 9th December 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
MARTYN NICHOLLS, of 143, Great Portland Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
3

page_text: give and grant unto me, the said Henry Martyn Nicholls, Her special
licence, that I, the said Henry Martyn Nicholls, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry Martyn
Nicholls, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINES AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Henry
Martyn Nicholls, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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 monthis
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Martyn Nicholls, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 thercon (that is
to say):
-
My Invention, with reference to improvements in printing machines,
relates to that class of printing machines known as rotary web machines,
which are constructed to print paper in the web, and consists in the first
place in arranging and combining the printing cylinders in such a manner"
as to facilitate access to the inking mechanism and to the second im-
pression cylinder, and in mounting all the cylinders so as to facilitate
their removal respectively without disturbing other parts of the machine,.
and the two impression cylinders are so connected through the inter-
vention of levers and links that one is made to balance the other, and a
single action is made to bring on or throw off the impression.
Secondly. In arranging in the manner herein-after described apparatus
for more effectually distributing and applying the ink.
Thirdly. In the means herein-after described for rendering the same
printing machine capable of printing sheets of a length less than that of
the entire circumference of the type cylinder.
.

page_text: And, lastly. In the mode herein-after described of gearing the cylinders
together in order to gain compactness of arrangement and smoothness of
action, and to afford a ready means of multiplying power, and also to
admit of the impression cylinders being thrown out of gear without
affecting the type cylinders.
The following statement will serve to indicate these several improve-
ments: The web of paper is passed from the roll through the machine
in a nearly horizontal direction, and when it is required to print both
sides of the web the type cylinder employed to print the under side
thereof is placed nearest the roll of paper, and that required to print the
upper surface of the web farthest from the roll, the corresponding
impression cylinders being in a direct vertical line, one above and one
below the type cylinders. The said printing cylinders are mounted in
the side frames of the machine, so that any one of them can be removed
without disturbing the others by taking them out of the side frames
laterally.
By
The two impression cylinders are made to balance one another through
the intervention of levers united in their action by suitable links.
acting on the outer extremities of the levers in connection with the
upper impression cylinder so as to draw them up the said upper
impression cylinder is forced down on the lower type cylinder, and the
lower impression cylinder is raised against the upper type cylinder, or
the reverse action throws both impressions off simultaneously.
Two distribution cylinders in contact with one another are employed
in connection with the supply of ink to each type cylinder, which a
cylinders are suitably mounted free to revolve in the side frames of the
machine. A pair of waver rollers are employed, which revolve in
contact, and bear one on each of the two distribution cylinders.
"
The impression cylinders are covered with close fitting blankets of
suitable material, and the second of such cylinders is surrounded with an
endless travelling apron of calico, silk, paper, or other suitable thin
material, which is carried forward and round a suitably mounted roller
free to revolve. The surface of this apron is or may be caused to pass
in contact with a heated metal surface, by which it is kept dry; and in
order to prevent the dried ink from accumulating on the apron, a fixed
brush (or its equivalent) is caused to bear against its surface.

page_text: In order to print sheets of a length less than that of the circumference.
of the type cylinder stereotype is placed only on a portion of such cir.
cumference equal to the length of the sheet. A pair of rollers are placed
between the paper roll and the first pair of printing cylinders, which
draw the paper continuously from the roll, but are so geared relatively
to the printing cylinders that while the latter make one entire revolution
the former draw from the roll only a length of paper equal to the
required length of the sheet. In case one side only of the web is to bo
printed that portion of the cylinder covered with the stereo prints
the web and draws it forward through the machine, but when such
portion of the cylinder has passed the web is no longer printed or drawn
forward by the printing cylinders. The web is stopped between the
printing cylinders and the rollers which draw the paper from the roll, and
the mechanism employed for the purpose again sets the web free, when
by the continued revolution of the printing cylinders the type covered
portion of the cylinder again reaches the paper. It will thus be seen
that the cylinders revolve continuously as when their entire circum--
ference is covered with stereo, but the paper, though drawn continuously
from the roll, is caused to move through the machine in an intermittent
manner, and that which accumulates during the stoppage behind the
printing cylinders is formed into a loop by the action of a set of rollers,
between which it passes on its way to the machine.
In case both sides of the web are to be printed, and in case the distance
between the centres of the two sets of printing cylinders be less than the
length of the sheet to be printed the web is passed round a series of
rollers suitably mounted between the two sets of printing cylinders, and
drawn out of the horizontal line to the extent required. The two type
cylinders are geared directly together with toothed wheels fixed on one
end of their respective shafts, and outside the side frame of the machine.
The wheel on the lower type cylinder shaft is driven by a wheel fixed on
the driving shaft. The two ink distributing cylinders which are mounted
in the side frames of the machine receive motion from the wheels on the
ends of the type cylinder shafts. Each type cylinder is geared with its
corresponding impression cylinder by means of toothed wheels fixed on
the ends of their respective shafts, also outside the side frame of the
machine.
And my Invention, with reference to apparatus connected with such

page_text: facilitate the unrolling, damping, and re-rolling of the web of paper
previous to its being printed on, and also in the self-acting friction brake
herein-after described for maintaining an uniform strain on the web of
paper while it is being drawn off the roll into the machine.
Secondly. In the apparatus herein-after described for cutting the web
of paper into sheets after it is printed, and piling the said sheets.
Thirdly. In the apparatus herein-after described to facilitate tho
process of folding the printed sheets when thought desirable, such
apparatus being adapted to carry on the process of folding at a greater
speed than when directly connected to the printing machine. By means
of this arrangement several folding apparatus can be employed in con-
nection with the one printing machine, which latter can be driven at
the highest speed the other conditions will admit of.
:-
The following statement will serve to indicate these several improve-
ments In order effectually to damp the roll of paper before printing
on it the paper is wound off the roll on to a spindle mounted parallel
with the axes of the roll, and continually pressed against it. Water is
· applied from a tank with a revolving brush, the tank and brush being
arranged so as to recede from the spindle on to which the paper is being
wound as the paper accumulates thereon. The water is applied in the
first instance to a roller mounted between the brush and the roll to be
damped.
In order to maintain an uniform strain on the web of paper while
it is being drawn from the roll a self-acting friction brake is employed,
the weight on the lever of which is allowed to approach the centre of
the roll by the gradual diminution in the diameter of the roll as the
paper passes into the machine.
With reference to the apparatus for cutting the printed web into
sheets, and when the frame which carries the knife is caused to recipro-
cate, the gripping mechanism for securing the tail of the sheet and
lowering and delivering the same, (described in the Specification of the
former Patent granted to me, No. 3510, One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-nine), is now arranged so as to project slightly above the points of
the teeth of the knife when about to cut, and press the paper against a
projecting surface fixed in front of the fixed blade, behind and close to
which the knife passes in cutting. The knife gripper is connected to the

page_text: frame of the knife by springs, which allow of its yielding, while the knife
still advancing cuts through the web. The gripper is now by means of
self-acting mechanism fixed in its position, and as the knife descends it
closes by the action of springs and secures the tail of the sheet against
the blade of the knife. When the knife in its descent has reached the
point where the gripper should let go the tail of the sheet it suddenly
rises and resumes its original position. The rollers employed in sending
forward the sheet towards the pile are now thrown out of gear with one
another before the mechanism for holding the paper while it is being
cut comes into action. The paper which accumulates during the act of
cutting is now dealt with by passing it between a series of rollers, which
form it into a loop.
When the cutting process is separated altogether from that of piling,
and is carried on at a point nearer to the printing mechanism, the knife
is connected to a light reciprocating frame worked by a crank or other
suitable movement. On cach side of the knife blade there are fitted
slips of wood or other suitable material, which are forced forward slightly
in advance of the teeth of the knife by means of springs. These slips
reach the paper first and hold it firmly against a surface on the other
side of the web while it is being cut, and the knife passes farther and
severs the web, passing into a slot formed between two straight edges
and as close as practicable to one of the edges.
In the Specification of my former Patent, No. 2808 (One thousand
cight hundred and sixty-six), there was described a cutting knife which
revolved round an axis having a gripping mechanism connected to it.
The knife in passing the tail end of the pile was caused to turn in order
to deliver the tail of the sheet. This combination is now improved by
bringing the centre on which the knife turns nearer to the axis of revo-
lution, which allows of the knife being mounted on a stronger spindle,
and gives a freer passage to the air blast.
My Invention relates next to three improved modifications of the
apparatus described in the Specifications of my former Patents, No. 2808
(One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six), and No. 3510 (One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-nine), for piling the sheets after they are severed
from the web. In the first modification three air blasts are used, as
described in the Specification of Patent No. 3510 (One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-nine), and in all three the sheets are piled vertically.

page_text: In the first modification a number (say a quire) of sheets are piled
underneath the glass cover, the tail ends of the sheets hang over the
back end of the table, and are acted upon by the lowest air blast.
Between the piling of the last sheet of the quire and that of the next
succeeding sheet a surface is interposed by the action of mechanism
between the tail of the quire and the air blast, and the tail of the next
succeeding sheet is blown against the said surface and held there. The
quire (of sheets) is now removed by suitable self-acting mechanism to
a second table beyond the first, where the quires accumulate, and where,
if desired, they can be made distinctly separate, by giving the said
table a small amount of motion on a centre, or by other suitable means.
.
In the second modification the cutting of the paper and the piling
process must be carried on separately, as in this case, if desired, a heavy
pile of sheets is piled directly underneath the glass cover on a table,
which is caused to sink by positive gearing or other suitable means, as
the sheets accumulate on it. Two air blasts only are employed. From
the point where the sheet is cut from the web to that where it is piled,
the sheet is conveyed by tapes above and below it (or their equivalent),
which travel at a greater speed than the web, so that an interval is
produced between the tail of the sheet and the front of the web. The
machine is so timed that the mechanism employed to secure and lower
the tail of the sheet for piling by the air blast may descend and ascend
without being fouled by the outcoming sheet. The length of the said
tapes must somewhat exceed the length of the sheet when the knife and
the tail-securing mechanism work in unison, though separated by an
interval. The tail of the sheet just before it escapes from the tape
rollers is caught by the lower edge of a light frame, which is suitably
mounted across the machine, and is caused to reciprocate by a crank or
other suitable movement. The said frame on reaching the tail of the
sheet bends it against a series of narrow fixed vertical surfaces, which
project slightly from the mouth of the lower air passage, and so lower
it below the level of the said air passage, when the blast instantly
flattens it on the pile.

page_text: Sometimes the sheets are, by preference, piled on a surface formed of
a series of rollers supported by springs or counterpoised by weights;
which allow of the rollers sinking as the sheets accumulate thereon.
When it is desired to remove the pile some of the uppermost sheets are
first secured by gripping mechanism, and the pile may be drawn off the
rollers, which rise successively under the uppermost sheets.
The third combination resembles the second, except that two such
tables (one directly over the other) are used. Two corresponding lines
of running tapes of equal length are employed, extending one to the
upper and the other to the lower table, from the point where the cutting
is carried on, in order to convey the sheets to the tables. At the said
point, to which the two lines of running tapes converge, a moveable
mouth or guide piece is suitably fitted, through which the paper issues
on its way to the pile, or a revolving brush roller capable of having its
motion reversed will answer the same purpose. When the required
pile has been formed on one of the tables, the attendant by moving a
handle brings a cam movement into operation, which, acting on the
said guide or mouthpiece, sends the stream of sheets to the other table,
while the pile is removed from the first table.
Sometimes the tail of the sheet is secured and lowered by means of a
gripping mechanism, which is formed of two parts, one of which when
not in action is supported above the web by springs, and is capable of
motion in vertical guides in the side frames of the apparatus, the other
part is capable of reciprocating in the same guides, being worked by a
crank movement from below. In this case the cutting process is carried
on at a point nearer the roll of paper than the said gripping mechanism.
The lower part of the said gripping mechanism is timed to rise and
secure the tail of the sheet between itself and the upper part, and is
interlocked therewith and so draws it down together with the tail of the
sheet to the right level, where it is compelled to let go the upper
portion and allow it to return to its original level by the action of tho
springs. The tail end of the pile of sheets must here bend over the
back of the table.
In case it is desired to cut the web longitudinally the usual mechanism
for the purpose is by preference placed just behind that for cutting the
web transversely. The tapes and rollers for carrying the sheet towards
the pile are arranged to suit the web thus divided longitudinally.

page_text: When it is preferred to fold the sheets after being printing the web is
perforated by the knife, but not severed, it is then passed through a hot
air chamber in order to set the impression, and then rolled in a roll;
this roll is then taken to a folding machine and suitably mounted beside
it, and the extremity of the web entered between rollers, which draw it
into the machine, into which it enters between tapes. As soon as the
front of the next succeeding sheet has entered the first named set of
rollers the front of the first sheet has entered between a second set of
rollers moving faster than the first; these break off the sheet, and it
passes into the machine and is folded in the usual manner. Several
folding machines may be used in connection with the one printing
machine. The same method may be adopted to feed ordinary printing
machines now fed by hand, the white roll of paper being perforated in
the same manner and then applied to the printing machine, which feeds
itself as the folding machine does.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention I will proceed to
describe more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed
by the aid of the accompanying Drawings, which represent as much of
the printing machine and apparatus connected therewith as I think
necessary to explain the means by which the said improvements are
carried into effect.
In the accompanying Drawings similar letters of reference indicate
corresponding parts throughout all the Figures, continuous motion is
indicated (as to direction) by arrow heads, the paper is everywhere 2
represented by a strong black line.
I shall commence by describing my improvements in web printing
machines.
In the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 represents the printing machine.
The printing cylinders are represented by the letters A, B, C, and D 3
respectively, A and B the type cylinders, and C and D the impres-
sion cylinders, the web of paper (indicated by the strong black line) is
shewn passing between them. The lower surface of the web it will be
perceived is the first printed; this allows of easy access to the inking
apparatus connected with both type cylinders. From the mode in which 3
it will be seen the said printing cylinders are mounted in the framing E

page_text: of the machine, each can be readily removed laterally. The type
cylinders are geared directly with one another, and the same wheels F, F,
give motion to the inking cylinders G, G. Power is applied to the shaft
H, the wheel I on which drives the lower type cylinder A. Each type
cylinder is geared with its own impression cylinder with toothed wheels
equal in diameter to that of the cylinders themselves. This mode of
gearing the cylinders renders the machine compact. The inking
apparatus is substantially the same for each type cylinder, consisting of
the larger G and smaller cylinders K on which to distribute the ink, the
ink tank L, the vibrator M,
the " wavers N, N, and the composition
rollers O, O, and the "riders" P, P. The upper ink cylinder K is
capable of being turned over the cylinder G so as to leave the type
cylinder B more accessible. And this readiness of accessibility to the
two type cylinders is one of the objects gained by this mode of arranging
the cylinders in the machine.
"
Each impression cylinder has a blanket surrounding it, and the second
or lower cylinder D has in addition an endless web or apron Q round it,
which extends forward in front, and is passed round the roller R, which
is suitably mounted, free to turn in the frame S of the delivery apparatus
(Fig. 2) about to be described). The object of this endless web is to take
the "set-off" from the under surface of the paper, which has just been
printed by the first set of printing cylinders A. and C. The web Q may
be passed over the metal surface T, underneath which are a series of gas
jets in order to heat it, and then over a brush U to remove the dried ink.
I prefer to attach this web Q to belts, one on each side, beyond the
width of the type; these belts are countersunk in the impression
cylinder D, and on their under surface are furnished with small pro-
jections, which take into corresponding recesses in the circumference of
the cylinder D. These belts help to maintain the web in its correct
position.
The two impression cylinders C and D are through the intervention of
the levers V and W and the links X and Y (which are fitted to both
sides of the machine) balanced, so that their weight is not felt, and by
applying power to the hand wheel Z through the action of the worm a
and the worm wheel b the shaft c is caused to turn, which by the action
of the short cranks & lifts the cylinder D up against the type cylinder B,
and forces down the cylinder C on the type cylinder A, and vice versa.
Thus both impressions can be brought on or thrown off at pleasure, and
B

page_text: the amount of pressure on one or both cylinders varied as desired;
also the impression can be thrown off while the machine is going full
speed.
I will now proceed to explain how the machine just described is ren-
dered capable of printing different lengths of sheet:-Fig. 3 represents
as much of the same printing machine as seems necessary to be repeated
for this purpose. The paper is drawn from the roll by the rollers e and ƒ,
which are geared positively with the lower type cylinder A, and during
one entire revolution of the said type cylinder A they draw just the
length of the required sheet from the roll; their action is continuous,
and the length of sheet will depend on the gearing between them and
the type cylinder A. Pressing against the roller e is the roller g; his a
curved fixed surface, over which the web of paper, as shewn, passes to
the printing machine. The type in the present instance is supposed to
cover three-fourths of the circumference of the type cylinder, the rest
being blank; and it is hero supposed that the blank portion has just
passed the paper, during which period the web stands still in the
machine, and the pressure of the impression cylinders is borne on each
side of the type cylinder outside the width of the stereotype; but the
paper being drawn off the roll continuously it accumulates in a loop, as
shewn, underneath the roller g. When the type reaches the point shown
in the Figure the web is again advanced through the machine, being
printed at the same time. The instant the printing ceases the small steel
fingers i attached to the spindle k are caused to press the web on the
surface h, while a certain degree of strain is maintained on the web by
the rollers and m near the knife in the delivery apparatus about to be
described. When both sides of the web are to be printed (as is here
supposed to be the case) I introduce between the printing cylinders the
rollers and o. The roller is capable of adjustment up and down,
and is lowered till the distance from the vertical centre of the cylinders A
and C to that of the cylinders B and D measured round the roller p
equals the length of the sheet to be printed. By this means correct
register" is maintained between the two pairs of type cylinders.
The improved apparatus I employ for unreeling, damping, and rewinding
the roll of paper is shewn in Fig. 4. The roll q to be damped is suitably
mounted free to turn in the side frames of the machine, a spindle is
mounted beside it in the manner shewn, which allows of its pressing
against the roll q; the end of the web of paper is attached to the spindle r

page_text: which is caused to unwind the web from the roll q on to itself. A tank
of water & furnished with a roller t in front of it is mounted in the
framing of the machine as shewn, so
that it can recede from the roll u
meanwhile constantly pressing
dips in the tank s, and brushes
as it increases in diameter, the roller
against the roll u, a revolving brush
also against the roller which it keeps wet to a degree varied according
to the speed at which it (the brush) is caused to revolve. The roller t
transfers the water to the surface of the roll u, and so the process is
carried on.
The requisite strain on the web is maintained by a self-
acting brake on the spindle of the roll q now about to be described.
Balance weights as shewn are employed to keep the roll u constantly
pressed against the roll q, and also to draw the tanks and parts
connected therewith constantly against the roll u.
I will next describe a self-acting brake employed by me to maintain
the strain on the web of paper uniform, as it is drawn from the roll into
the printing machine, notwithstanding the constantly diminishing
diameter of the roll. Fig. 5 represents the roll of paper mounted on a
carriage behind the printing machine. On the spindle of the roll wa
barrel a is fixed, which is somewhat longer than the width of the paper
and forms on each side of the roll a friction pulley, as I prefer to have a
brake on both sides of the machine. A brake y attached to a lever z
rests on the pulleys, the levers having their fulcrum at the point a¹ at
their outer extremities, the said levers are united behind the roll by a
spindle on which is a roller c' which is kept constantly pressed
against the roll of paper by the hanging weights d¹. To the under side
of the spindle bi which is attached as shewn, so that it can slide along
the lever z is hung whatever weight is required in order to produce the
necessary friction on the brakes y, and so as the roll diminishes the said
spindle and weights are drawn towards the centre of roll, and so
reduce the friction of the brakes in proportion to the lessening diameter
of the roll.
This Invention relates next to an improved modification of cutting
apparatus where the knife works with a reciprocating motion, and has a
gripping mechanism directly attached to it, which gripping mechanism
after taking part in the process of cutting the sheet from the web after-
wards secures it and lowers it on the pile, which apparatus in its original
form was described in a Patent granted to me (3510, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-nine).

page_text: The improvement consists in causing the gripper of the form shewn
in the Drawing, Figures 6 and 7, Sheet III., to project slightly above the
points of the teeth of the knife, and as the knife rises to cut, the said
gripper reaches the under side of the web first, and forces it against a
projecting surface f¹ fixed in front of the blade g¹ behind which the
knife blade passes in cutting; the paper is thus held firm against the
said surface, which stops the further rise of the gripper, but the knife
continues to rise and cut through the paper. The gripper is attached to
-the frame h¹ which is mounted free to slide in the frame ¹ which carrics
the knife, and it is constantly pressed upwards by springs which yield
when the gripper is stopped by the fixed surface f¹; when the knife rises
to the highest point and the web is cut through, the sliding frame /¹
becomes locked in its then position, and the gripper being attached to
the frame by the springs ¹ (which constantly press it towards the knife
blade), the descent of the knife causes the gripper after slipping down
the fixed blade g¹ to close against the knife blade and secure the tail of
the sheet to it, and on reaching a point a little below the level of the pile,
the spring bolt which held down the gripper frame ¹ is forced back by
the fixed surface m¹ and releases it, when the gripper again rises slightly
above the points of the teeth of the knife and the tail of the sheet is set
free, and the air blast flattens it against the tail of the pile of sheets.
Immediately before the gripper reached the paper and pressed it against
the surface f¹ the roller n¹ was forced out of contact with the roller o¹;
this stopped the advance of the paper, and immediately thereon the
small steel fingers p¹ are brought down on the web and hold it firm
while it is being cut. On the advance of the web being stopped by the
rollers n' and o¹ being thrown out of contact, the web began to
accumulate in a loop above the roller q¹, and continued to do so till the
knife descending past the passage between the two upper air blasts, the
rollers n¹ and o¹ were again allowed to come into contact and the web
again advanced towards the pile.
I will next procced to describe that part of the delivery apparatus
(Fig. 2), in which the process of cutting the web into sheets is carried
on, and where the knife takes no part in the process of piling the slicets.
The rollers and s¹ (which in the case of printed paper bear on the
margin) are employed to take up the web as delivered by the printing
machine. The roller s' is kept constantly pressed against the roller.
The rollers m and 7 take up the paper coming through the rollers 11, 9¹,

page_text: and send it forward past the knife; these rollers m and l, as described in
a previous Patent granted to me, No. 3510 (One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-nine) are caused to break contact just before the knife stops
the web to sever the sheet. The upper roller is kept in contact with the
lower by a spring t'. The rollers u' and v¹ correspond in position with
the rollers m and 7 on the margins of the web; these rollers u³, v¹, are
surrounded by endless running tapes w¹ and x', and are in constant
motion in the direction indicated. The said endless tapes pass round
the rollers y and z¹. All the above named rollers are made capable of
lateral adjustment on their spindles in order to suit different widths of
paper. The frame a³, to the under side of which the knife blade is
attached, is caused to reciprocate in the vertical guides 63 by means of
the crank movement o² below the knife on each side of the frame of the
machine.
The knife, of which an enlarged view is given at Fig. 8, Sheet II., is
furnished on each side of the blade with a moveable elastic surface,
which I prefer to form of slips of wood d² pressed down by springs e³.
These slips of wood are in several lengths by preference, and the lower
surface of the wood projects slightly below the points of the teeth of the
knife. The crank movement c² is geared positively with the printing
machine, and when the sheet of paper of the required length has passed
the knife the knife is timed to come down on the web just when the
margins between two sheets is underneath it. A pin g² on the frame a³
depresses the spring h³, which causes the roller m to rise slightly off the
roller 1, and at the same instant the lower surface of the wooden slips &
on each side of the knife reach the paper and press it against the surface i*
underneath. The wood can descend no farther, but the knife frame
does, the springs e yielding, and the blade of the knife passes through
the paper close to a straight edge formed in the surface 2 on the opposite
side of the paper, and so severs it. The instant the web is stopped to
cut, the paper begins to accumulate underneath the roller 8¹, and
continues to do so till the knife again rises off the paper when the
rollers m and again coming into contact the web again advances.
If the printing, machine is employed to print lengths of sheet less.
than the entire circumference of the type cylinder, and the knife cut
only once for each entire revolution of the type cylinders then the loop-
forming rollers 1 and 81 are not required just behind the knife, but the
loop is formed behind the printing machine, as already explained; but

page_text: if it is desired to cut more than once for each revolution of the printing
cylinders (which is effected by shortening the throw of the cranks c² and
adjusting the length of the side rods to suit), then the said loop-
forming rollers are still required behind the knife. The rollers m and
are not allowed to bear hard on the paper, and the rollers y¹ and z¹ are
kept in contact by springs, and the moment the paper is stopped to cut,
the pressure of these springs is reduced in order to prevent the paper
from being injured. The said rollers y¹ and ¹ are acted on by the descent
of the knife frame to effect this object, and when the knife rises they
again come into contact with full face. This variation of the pressure
however is not necessary unless the distance from the centre of the
rollers u¹ and v¹ to the rollers y' and z¹ is less than the length of the
sheet.
I have effected the following improvement in a combined cutting and
gripping mechanism, which has a revolving motion imparted to it while
in action, described in its original form in a Patent granted to me,
No. 2808 (One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six):-The principal
improvement relates to mounting the axle or spindle m², to which the
knife blade n³ and gripper o³ are immediately attached, nearer to the
centre of the main shaft p³ (Fig. 9). This allows of the said spindle
being made much stronger, and leaves a freer passage for the air current
when the knife is passing through it.
This Invention next relates to improvements in apparatus for piling
sheets of paper open by means mainly of air in motion, which mode of
piling and improvements thereon has already been made the subject of
Letters Patent granted to me, 2808 (One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-six), and 3510 (One thousand eight hundred and six-nine).
In the first modification of the apparatus the main object of the
improvement is to pile the sheets in a vertical pile of some depth while
the knife still works from below upwards, and the tail end of the sheets
piled underneath the glass cover are bent over the back of the table and
kept out of the way of the knife by the lower air blast. It is also my
present object to render the sheets distinguishable in equal quantities,
say quires. In this arrangement a quire of sheets is piled on a table
directly underneath the glass cover q², Fig. 7, and between the piling of
the last sheet of the quire and that of the sheet next succeeding a
surface is caused by self-acting mechanism to interpose between the

page_text: tail of the quire (without pressing on it) and the lower blast passage &³.
The tail of the next succeeding sheet is blown against this surface and
held against it by the said blast. Immediately after this the table t is
caused by the action of a cam u³ on the levers v² (one being on each side
of the table) to fall slightly, which leaves the quire resting on running
tapes w², which remove it bodily to the second table x2, which by a small
to-and-fro motion on its centre renders the quires distinguishable from
one another at the corners of the pile y³. The table 2 is made of a
series of ribs united at each end as shewn, and the tapes w³ are arranged
in the intervals between the same. The surface r² is shaped in its upper
part as shown, and as soon as the quire is removed from the table it is
free to turn and interpose itself between the tail of the next succeeding
quire and the blast passage 82. The required motion is given to this
surface by the cam z², Fig. 10, which is caused to act on the spindle a³
at the required intervals, and the same cam actuates the lever b³ to cause
it to lock the surface ³ in its position.
In the second modification the object mainly aimed at is to form a
vertical pile of sheets of any required depth directly underneath the
glass cover (Figs. 2 and 11), which confines the air over the surface
of the pile d. The cutting of the sheets from the web is carried on as
just described, and the severed sheet is carried towards the pile d' at a
higher speed than the web is supplied from behind. This is in order to
create an interval sufficient for what I shall here call the "tail dip" e³
to carry down the tail of the sheet on the pile and to rise again without
the outcoming sheet fouling it. This "tail dip" is attached to the
under side of a similar reciprocating frame f³ to that which carries the
knife, and motion is given to it by a similar crank movement 9³ geared
positively as shewn with the crank shaft ³. The "tail dip" itself
consists of a series of vertical rods or tubes e³ along the bottom of which
a horizontal rod or tube k³ extends; this tube or rod k³ is timed
exactly to reach the tail of the sheet just before it escapes from between
the rollers y' and ', and push it down the face of certain narrow vertical
projections in the lower air passage m³, till the air being diverted to
the upper side of the sheet it is flattened on the pile. The amount of
the up-and-down stroke of the tail dip" can be varied like that of the
knife when desired by similar adjustment. The table n³ is caused
positively to sink in proportion as the pile accumulates on it; it is
guided parallel in its descent by the vertical guides o³. Underneath the
66

page_text: .
middle of it is a vertical toothed rack p³ which gears into a pinion q³ on
the shaft ; on this shaft is a worm wheel which is driven by a
worm on the shaft u³ at right angles to the shaft 73. On the other end
of the shaft us is another worm wheel v³ which is driven by the worm
w³ on the crank shaft. By means of this gearing the necessary slow
motion is given to the table n³.
The main object of the third modification is to pile a vertical pile of
sheets directly underneath the glass cover, and to remove it without any
interference with the piling process. Here the pile of sheets is formed
on a surface of rollers y³, Fig. 12, which are kept up against stops to the
required level by springs ³, each of which is fastened at its upper extremity
to the fixed frame at, and at its lower to the frame which supports and
guides the roller y³. As the pile of sheets accumulates, these springs
stretch and the rollers sink, and when it is desired to remove the pile a
gripper 6 is employed which is attached to the arms ct on the movable
spindle d*; the gripper is raised by the attendant from either side of the
machine, the upper jaw of the gripper being first bent back; the lower
jaw is laid on the topmost sheet of the pile e, and after a few sheets
have been laid on the pile the upper jaw is allowed to close on them,
and so secure a few sheets; the pile, less the uppermost sheets may now
be removed, and as it is drawn off the rollers y³ rise successively and
give support to the uppermost sheets which have maintained their
position. The upper jaw of the gripper is actuated by a spring f*.
The fourth improved combination aims at the same object, that is to
say, the piling of a vertical pile of sheets underneath the before-named
glass cover, and the removal of the same without interference with the
process of piling. In this case two corresponding tables *, hª, are
employed, one above the other, each rendered capable of sinking as the
pile accumulates on it. Two lines of corresponding running tapes start
from the point where the cutting process is carried on, one towards each
pile, as shewn at Fig. 13, when the required quantity of sheets has been
piled on (say the lower table 4) the attendant causes the stream of
sheets to be diverted to the upper table 9. This may be effected in
various ways, as for instance that here shewn, where a roller **, is caused
to reverse its motion and revolve the opposite way to that indicated,
when the next succeeding sheet which issues from between the rollers.
k* and * will turn upwards and be piled on the table 9', where for a

page_text: time the process will be continued, while the sheets can be removed
from the table ht. The deflecting roller is or may be furnished with
bristles opposite the margins of the sheet.
I will next describe an improved combination of mechanism for
securing the tail of the sheet and lowering and delivering it on the pile,
which I employ where I prefer to carry on the process of cutting and
piling independently. This mechanism consists mainly of two parts k*
and, Fig. 14, one k above the level of the surface of the pile
and the other * below the same; these parts consist of light frames of
open work to allow the air blasts to pass through them, and they extend
across the machine and are guided in a suitable manner in each side
frame. The lower frame is coupled with a crank movement similar
to that already described, and is driven up and down by it. Just before
the tail of the sheet escapes from between the tape rollers m¹ and n¹, the
lower frame rises and the top of it secures it between itself and the
under side of the upper frame k', and at the same time it becomes inter-
locked at both sides of the machine with the upper frame * by the
spring bolts o, and draws it down after it to the desired point at which
the tail of the sheet is to be set free. Here the bolts of are forced back
by the projections p*, and the upper frame k' rises to its former position
by the aid of the springs 9. The same system as that explained, Fig. 2,
for creating an interval between the tail of the last sheet and the front of
the out-coming web is here used with the same object.
When it is desired to fold the sheets I carry on the process
independently of the printing, that is, the printing machine is not
caused, as is sometimes done to deliver itself, of folded sheets through
folding apparatus directly connected with it, and on which it depends for
the delivery of the sheets; but I prefer after printing the web to
perforate it into sheets instead of cutting it through, which can be casily
effected with the knife already described, by leaving a tooth out of it at
points in its width where the paper will remain whole, or not driving the
teeth completely through. Then the web is passed through a hot air
chamber, Fig. 15; this chamber stands vertically, as shewn, and is
closed on all sides but the top. The printed web descends into it in a
loop of some length and when the web is stopped for the purpose of
being perforated one of the rollers, s1, which pass the web down into the
chamber is forced out of contact with the other in the same manner as

page_text: the roller m is (Fig. 2), and the loop in the chamber is for the moment
running up towards the roll which revolves continuously on the right
hand, while it is at rest on the left hand side, as indicated by the arrow
head. This hot air chamber helps to set the impression, and the web is
then rolled up again in a roll; the roll is placed with its spindle in
forked bearings as shewn, and it is driven round by a drum t' on which
it rests. When the roll accumulates sufficiently I stop the printing
machine and take the roll so printed and perforated and mount it beside
a folding machine (see Fig. 16). The front edge of the printed web is
now entered between a pair of rollers u* and *, and which draw it off
the roll, and it passes forward between the endless running tapes w*;
x, y, represent a second pair of rollers running at a higher speed than
the first pair, between these the front of the first sheet enters, but not
before the front of the second sheet has entered between the first set of
rollers ut,
v1
The rollers a and y' at once break off the sheet from
the web, and it enters the folding machine and is folded in the usual
way. By this system several folding machines can be used in con-
junction with the one printing machine, which not being dependent on
such apparatus for its delivery can be run at the highest speed the other
conditions admit of

page_text: Thirdly. The improved combinations and arrangements of mechanism
for cutting the web into sheets, substantially as described.
Fourthly. The improved combinations and arrangements of mechanism
for piling the sheets of paper open.
Fifthly. The said improved apparatus for cutting the web into sheets
and piling the sheets open, whether it be applied to the herein-before
named improved printing machine, or any other web printing machine,
or employed to cut and pile unprinted paper, or employed to pile the
sheets only, the cutting of the web being effected by other cutting
mechanism.

page_text: Lastly. The method of carrying on the process of folding printed
sheets, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Martyn Nicholls, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Ninth day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane.
H. M. NICHOLLS. (L.S.)