A Sheet Separating and Printing Machine.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 13th Oct., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Sheet Separating and Printing Machine.
I, CASPER REISING, of Southington, in the County of Hartford and State of
Connecticut, United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to mechanism for automatically separating and feeding
paper bags, envelopes, or sheets of paper from a pile to the cylinder or platen of
a printing press and thence to mechanism for removing them from that cylinder or
platen, and delivering them in a pile after being printed.
Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are general views of a machine embodying my invention,
showing also enough of the necessary and usual mechanism of an ordinary printing
press to enable its connection and co-operation therewith to be understood; and
are respectively a front, an end and a rear view thereof. Those figures also show
the ink feeding mechanism fully.
Figure 4 is an enlarged front view of the upper portion of the mechanism,
showing the details more fully.
Figure 5 is a projection at an angle of 45 degrees, of what is shown in Figure 4,
looking in the direction of the arrow a.
Figure 6 is a view looking from the right hand side of Figure 4.
Figures 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views, partly in section, showing the operation.
of registering and delivering a sheet from the box to the cylinder.
Figure 9 is a side view, in section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 6. In this figure
the parts are shown in the position in which the port 61 of the take-off roll
registers with the port 64 in the vacuum box 62, and in which the sheet is taken off
from the cylinder 22.
The numerals 1 and 2 represent the principal frames of a printing machine, upon
which the bed 3 is adapted to move back and forth, carrying the type form from
which the sheets are to be printed. The bed is reciprocated by a crank shaft 4
by means of the connecting rod 5, which is connected by the pin 5' to the lever 6.
That lever is pivoted upon the shaft 7 and has journalled on its upper end the
box 8 which is fitted to slide in a slot in the bed 3. The form is inked by the
distributing rollers 14, which receive the ink from the ink reservoir 9. That
reservoir is pivoted at 10 upon the frames 1 and 2 and is caused to oscillate upon
its pivots by means of the connecting rod from the crank pin 12 in the side of the
gear 13, as shown in Figure 1. The fountain is provided with the ink roll 15, by
means of which ink is fed to the nearest of the distributing rollers 14, when they
are brought into contact by the oscillation of the fountain. The rollers 21 are
also employed to insure a more thorough distribution of the ink upon the form.
The impression cylinder 22 is journalled upon the eccentric part 23¹ of the
cylinder shaft 23, and is provided with the gear 24 which engages with a rack 25
on the bed 3, by which the gear and its attached cylinder are caused to oscillate as
that bed is moved back and forth. The relation of the rack and gear is such that
the surfaces of the cylinder and the bed move at the same speed. The shaft 23 is
journalled in the brackets 26 and 27 and has fixed upon its rear end the arm 28
which is connected with the cam 29 on the crank shaft 4 by means of the rod 30
and the lever 31, the latter being pivoted at 32 to the main frame 2. The
lever 31 is held in contact with the cam 29 by the spring 33, and that cam operates
CD . 7077

page_text: 53
through its connection with the shaft 23 to cause that shaft to oscillate at suitable
times for the purpose of lowering the cylinder into suitable contact with the type
when a sheet is being printed, and also for the purpose of oscillating the cam 39 as
hereinafter specified.
The cylinder is provided with a recess 34 in which is located a gripper 35 having
its outer end adapted to hold the bags or sheets upon the periphery of the cylinder.
That gripper is fixed upon the end of a shaft 36, which is journalled in the cylinder
and has fixed on its other end the cam arm 37.
cylinder and to the cam arm and operates to press the gripper down upon the
The spring 38 is attached to the
cylinder. The adjustable registering stops 41 and 42 are attached to the cylinder,
to regulate the register of the bags thereon. The cam 39 is fixed on the shaft 23
and operates to open the gripper 35 at a suitable time to receive the sheet, and a
cam surface 40 on the bracket 26 is adapted to open the gripper at a suitable time
for releasing the sheet from the cylinder as it is transferred to the take-off roll 45.
The take-off roll 45 is fixed on the shaft 46, which is journalled in the
brackets 26 and 27. The gear 47 is fixed on the shaft 46 and meshes with the
rack 48 which is connected by its stem, to the crank pin 52 on the slotted crank 50,
which is fixed on the shaft 4 by a set screw 50¹. The rack 48 is fitted to slide
through the guide 51, which, by being journalled on an extension of the bracket 27
concentrically with the shaft 46, is adapted to keep the rack in engagement with
its gear 47 as the rack is moved by the crank 50. The take-off roll is provided
with a recess in its periphery in which is located the gripper 53 fixed on the
shaft 54, the outer end of that shaft having fixed upon it the cam arm 55, which is
held in engagement with the cam 56 by the action of the spring 57 attached to the
arm and to a stud on the take-off roll. The cam 56 is attached to the bracket 26,
concentrically with the shaft 46, for convenience in adjusting to position, and its
function is to operate the gripper 53 at suitable times to grip the sheet to the
roll 45, and to release it therefrom in order that it may fall into the box 58.
The roll 45 is provided with an internal chamber having two external openings, 60
and 61, the former being close by the gripper 53, and the latter so located as
to communicate with the adjacent port 64 in the vacuum box 62, when the roll 45
is in a position to receive the sheet from the cylinder 22, as shown in Figure 9.
The vacuum box 62, is supported on the brackets 26 and 27 and is connected by
a tube 63 with any of the various known means for exhausting the air therefrom.
A portion of the box 62 is fitted to the roll 45, and has a port 64 which commu-
nicates with the opening 61 in the roll 45, when the latter is oscillated to its
position therefor. Thus that roll operates as a valve to allow of the alternate
admission and, exhaustion of air to and from its own interior chamber. One end of
the vacuum box also extends over the cylinder 22, and has an opening adjacent
thereto for the purpose hereinafter specified.
The top of the vacuum box is used as a table or support for the sheets to be
fed to the machine, and is preferably somewhat steeply inclined in order that the
weight of the sheets may keep them well against the lower or gauging end. Upon
the vacuum box are also fitted the side pieces 65 and 66, forming a sort of box in
which the sheets are placed. These sides are adjustable toward and from each
other to suit the various widths of sheets, and are fastened in their places by bolts
as at 67.
Upen the lower ends of these box sides are fastened the L-shaped gauging
pieces 68 and 69, against which the lower ends of the sheets rest, as shown in
Figures 7 and 8. To the arm 70 is fastened the guard plate 71, the lower members
of which partly encircle the cylinder, to keep the sheets from the inking rollers.
Upon the upper end of the guard plate, or to any convenient support, is attached
the adjustable stop finger 72, one end of which projects within the plane of the
gauge pieces 68 and 69, to an extent which may be regulated by the stop screw 73,
as shown in Figure 4. The position of this finger and its use in the operation of
feeding the sheet are best shown in Figures 7 and 8, wherein is also shown in cross

page_text: section the vacuum box with a pile of sheets in position to be fed to the cylinder.
The lower left hand end of that box, as seen in the last mentioned figures, is made
at an angle with its upper surface on which the sheets rest, so as to allow the lower
end of the bottom sheet to bend downward into contact with the cylinder, the sheet
being therefore unsupported beyond the edge 59 of the box, excepting by the stop
finger 72. An opening 74 into the vacuum box is so located in this lower inclined
end as to allow the "suction" to operate upon the unsupported portion of the sheet
to bend it down as shown in Figure 8.
The operation of this machine is as follows: A form, carrying type for the
matter to be printed on the sheets, is secured to the bed, and the usual steps of
making ready" are taken. The sheets are placed upon the vacuum box, and the
sides 65 and 66 and gauge pieces 68 and 69 are adjusted for the proper registration
of the sheets upon the cylinder, so that one end of the pile is supported by the
vacuum box while the edge of the overhanging end is supported by the stop
finger 72. Communication between the vacuum box and the means for exhausting
the air therefrom, is opened by means of a slide in the pipe 63, and power is
applied to the mechanism in the usual way, causing the bed to reciprocate, and
oscillating the cylinder and the take-off roll. The air rushing toward the
opening 74 operates to draw down the lower end of the undermost sheet toward
that opening, curving and thus drawing back the lower end as shown in Figure 7
until its edge is drawn clear of the stop finger 72, and falls upon the cylinder 22,
as shown in Figure 8.
At this time that cylinder has nearly completed its backward oscillation in the
direction of the arrow 75, and its gripper 35 is raised by the action of its arm 37
against the cam 39, which is brought forward to meet that arm by a slight
oscillation of the shaft 23. Just before the cylinder reaches the limit of its
oscillation in the direction of the arrow 75 the registering stops 41 and 42 are
brought against the front edge of the sheet, thus insuring more perfect registration.
Then the shaft 23 is oscillated slightly so as to carry the cam 39 away from the
gripper arm, allowing the gripper 35 to drop upon the sheet and hold it to the
cylinder, which then oscillates in the direction of the arrow 76, drawing the sheet
out of the box and carrying it around into contact with the type, the shaft 23 being
oscillated to allow of a suitable impression. The cylinder continues to oscillate in
this direction until the leading end of the sheet reaches the point nearest in contact
with the take-off roll 45, when the gripper 35 is raised by the cam 40, the sheet is
released from the cylinder, and is transferred to the take-off roll, as shown in
Figure 9.
The oscillations of the take-off roll are so timed as to bring the opening 60 and
the gripper 53 into a position relative to the cylinder which best allows of
receiving the front end of the sheet therefrom. In that position the gripper 53 is
raised by the cam 56, and the opening 61 communicates with the port 64 in the
vacuum box, so that the resulting flow of air toward the opening 60 operates to
carry the leading end of the sheet against the roll as it is released from the
cylinder by the gripper 35. The take-off roll is then oscillated in the direction of
the arrow 77, allowing the gripper 53 to drop upon the sheet, which is then
carried by the continued oscillation of the roll to a suitable point for delivering it
to the box 58. During this oscillation the opening 61 is carried out of communi-
cation with the port 64 in the vacuum box, and the normal atmospheric pressure
is restored within the roll, so that the sheet is free to drop from the roll when the
gripper 53 is raised by its cam 56.
Having delivered the sheet to the take-off roll, the cylinder returns in the
direction of the arrow 75 to its position for receiving the next sheet, being raised
to clear the bed during that return by the action of the cam 29 and the eccentric
shaft 23. The take-off roll, having delivered the sheet to the box, returns to its
first position in time to receive the next sheet from the cylinder. Thus it will be
seen that the cylinder and the take-off roll are caused to oscillate in the same
direction substantially at the same time, and it is obvious that the latter

page_text: might receive its motion from the former by means of suitably proportioned
intermediate gears meshing with the gear 24 and the gear 47, without departing
from the substance and effect of this invention.
But I prefer the mode herein shown for operating the take-off roll, as I am
thereby better enabled to regulate the angular extent and time of the oscillations
thereof by adjustment of the pin 52 in the slotted crank, and by the adjustment
of that crank upon its shaft 4.
It is not an essential feature of this invention that the communication between
the vacuum box and the take-off roll shall be at the periphery of that roll, as it
may with equal advantage be located on the side or end thereof. Nor is it my
intention to limit myself to the precise means of communication herein shown
between the arm 28 and its cam 29, as it is obvious that any of the well known
connections may be employed, or that cam may be so located with reference to
as to allow the latter to work directly upon the cam without the
intervention of any connection whatever.
the arm
But I have preferred to avoid the addition of a revolving shaft and its
connections, as would be required by such a method and have located my cam
upon the principal main shaft of the machine, believing this arrangement to be
more direct and simple.
It is not essential that the take-off roll shall be cylindrical in form, as its
function is in no way dependent upon that form. It is herein shown as a cylinder
for ease of construction, and because that form is easily balanced. In many
similar ways the various elements of this invention may be modified, or equivalent
elements substituted, without departing from the spirit and substance thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my gaid inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A sheet separating table, provided with an interior chamber in which a
partial vacuum is maintained, having a wall adapted to support a portion of the
surface of a pile of sheets, with a wall adjacent to the unsupported portion of the
pile, and inclined at a substantial angle. to the sheet supporting wall, the inclined
wall being provided with an opening leading to the interior chamber all arranged
and operating to draw toward that opening the unsupported portion of the
adjacent sheet, substantially as described.
2. A sheet separating device, consisting of a table adapted to support a portion
of the surface of a pile of sheets, and a stop finger adapted to support an edge of
the overhanging portion of the pile, the table being provided with an air passage
adjacent to that overhanging portion, which communicates with a vacuum or
exhaust chamber, whereby the unsupported portion of the lower sheet is drawn
away from the other sheets and from the stop finger, substantially as described.
3. A sheet separating and feeding device, consisting of a table provided with an
interior chamber in which a partial vacuum is maintained, having a wall adapted
to support a portion of the surface of a pile of sheets, a wall adjacent to, and
inclined at a substantial angle with the sheet supporting wall, provided with an
opening leading to the interior chamber, and a reciprocating carrier provided with
a gripper and located adjacent to the inclined wall, all arranged and operating to
automatically separate the lowest sheet from the others by drawing it down upon
the inclined wall, and pulling it away by the carriers, substantially as described.
4. A sheet separating and feeding device, consisting of a table adapted to
support a portion of the surface of a pile of sheets, provided with a vacuum
chamber having an opening adjacent to the unsupported. portion of the pile, a
travelling carrier or bed provided with a gripper, and a stop finger adapted to
support the edge of the remaining sheets as the lower sheet is drawn away, all
substantially as described.
5. A table or rack adapted to hold a pile of sheets to be separated and fed,
consisting of an inclined base adapted to support a portion of the pile, adjustable

page_text: sides adapted to gauge the sidewise position of the pile, adjustable L-shaped
pieces adapted to engage the lower leading corners of the pile of sheets and keep
their front ends in even register, and an adjustable stop finger located substantially
central with the opening between the L-shaped pieces and adapted to allow the
lower sheet to be drawn away while constantly supporting those above it,
substantially as described.
6. A rack or table adapted to separate and feed sheets from a pile, consisting of
a vacuum box 62, having a surface adapted to support a portion of the under side
of the pile, and having another surface adjacent to the unsupported portion
provided with a port leading to the interior of the vacuum box, the adjustable
sides 65, 66, the L-shaped pieces 68 and 69 adapted to constantly engage the
leading corners of the pile of sheets and keep them in even register, and the
adjustable stop finger 72 adapted to constantly support the edge of that side of
the pile which is unsupported by the base, all substantially as described.
7. The herein described combination of a sheet separating and take-off device,
consisting of a vacuum box provided with a surface adapted to support a portion
of a pile of sheets, and having another surface adjacent to the unsupported portion
of the pile, provided with an opening therein leading to the interior of the vacuum
box, an impression cylinder mounted adjacent thereto, provided with a gripper,
and adapted to draw the separated sheet from the vacuum box, a take-off roll
mounted adjacent to the cylinder, provided with a gripper and provided with a
port adapted to communicate with the vacuum chamber when the roll is in a
relation to the cylinder suitable for receiving the sheet therefrom, all arranged
and operating to feed a separated sheet to the cylinder, and from thence to the
take-off roll, substantially as described.
8. A sheet separating and take-off device, consisting of a vacuum box having a
surface adapted to support a portion of the under side of a pile of sheets, and
having a surface adjacent to the unsupported portion of the pile, provided with an
opening leading to the interior of the vacuum box, a stop finger adapted to
support an edge of the otherwise unsupported portion of the pile, an oscillating
cylinder journalled adjacent to the vacuum box, and provided with a gripper
adapted to seize the separated sheets and draw them from beneath the pile, an
oscillating suction take-off roll journalled adjacent to the cylinder, provided with a
gripper, and provided with a port adapted to communicate at suitable times with
the vacuum box by means of ports on their adjacent surfaces, substantially as
described.
9. The combination of the vacuum box 62 provided with the port 64, the stop
finger 72, the cylinder 22, its gripper 35 and the hollow take off roll 45 provided
with the port 61 adapted to register with the port 64 in the vacuum box, substan-
tially as described.
Dotad this Tonth day of Santamber 1001
H. B. BARLOW & GILLETT,
Agents for Applicant.