Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1886.
Complete Left, 25th Nov, 1886.
Complete Accepted, 25th Feb., 1887.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, to be as follows:-
In rotary web printing machines, the paper to be printed is unwound from the reel
the necessary quantity at each revolution of the printing cylinders to receive the
desired impression. If the paper is to be severed before printing it is unwound from
the reel by means of auxiliary cylinders whose surface speed varies according to the
quantity of paper to be unwound at each revolution of the printing cylinders, and by
varying the surface speed of these auxiliary cylinders the amount of paper unwound
can be also varied. If, on the contrary the paper is to be divided after it has been
printed on, the paper is unwound by the printing cylinders, the quantity unwound
The
being invariable and always equal to the circumference of said cylinders.
dimensions of the paper corresponding to the size of the printing cylinders is thus
always the same, but the width of the paper may vary to correspond with that of the
reel. The rotary machines which divide the sheets either before or after printing may
be constructed either with mechanical receivers for the unfolded printed sheets, or
with mechanical folders.
I will now proceed to describe, by way of example arrangements of rotary machines
in which the sheets are divided both before and after printing, pointing out the novel
features in each; the improvements being applicable not only to the examples shown,
but also to rotary machines generally, and more particularly to those employed for
printing illustrated publications.
The first example, which is illustrated in Figure 1. of the accompanying drawings,
is that of a rotary web machine in which the paper is cut up before it is printed. In
this machine, the paper is led from the reel between two knife-cylinders C. C after
first passing around rollers d d d, which may be steam-heated if necessary and between
the cylinders E. E. The surface speed of cylinder E. corresponds, for every revolu-

page_text: tion of the printing cylinders, to the dimensions of the sheet to be severed. The
toothed wheel which drives the one keyed on this cylinder is mounted on an adjustable
arm so as to allow of wheels of different sizes being used according to the length of
the sheet which it is desired to unwind at each revolution of the printing cylinders.
Above cylinder E, and upon the paper, is placed cylinder E' which presses thereon so
as to ensure the unwinding of the paper. Said cylinder, which may be covered with
india rubber, or other material, or be made of metal, is mounted on springs so as to
allow of its being raised off the cylinder E. for introducing the paper between them.
The paper, after being inserted between the unwinding cylinders E. El passes over an
adjustable roller A and thence between the knife cylinders C. C. The roller A in
rising lifts the paper, and thus increases its length between the unwinding cylinders
and the knife cylinders C. (". At the moment of severing the paper the roller A
descends and allows it to become slack thus preventing the knives from drawing the
paper at the time of cutting. This roller A forms a very important feature, especially
in machines for printing small sized sheets as owing, in this case, to the speed at
which the paper is uncoiled being much less than that of the knives, the paper is
subjected to considerable tension which is very liable to tear it. This result is, how-
ever, entirely avoided by the employment of the adjustable roller A which falls at the
moment of severing the paper and thus relieves it of tension. The roller A is
mounted on elbow levers B' actuated by a cam B mounted on knife cylinder C, but it
will be understood that it may be otherwise operated, or be replaced by any other
arrangement for effecting the same result. The sheets after being divided are received
by the tapes F by which they are delivered to the blanket cylinders. This set of
tapes Fis mounted on movable parts which are capable of being lowered out of the way
of the cylinders. In the operation of the machine the upper and lower tapes do not touch
each other, and they move at the same speed as the evlinders that is to say much
faster than the paper, whereby the latter is delivered, owing to the freedom with
which it is carried by the tapes, without folds to the fingers of the cylinder. Care
should be taken that only a very small portion of the paper remains uncut in order to
ensure the separation of the divided sheets by applying very slight tension to the
paper. In order to separate the sheets without having to draw it by means of the
fingers which is liable to produce folds, it is proposed to separate the divided sheets
by means of a roller or rollers H operated by a cam G which is caused to press the
sheet againt a cylinder I. The paper on being seized by the fingers of cylinder Jis;
after being printed, transferred to the second blanket cylinder K and thence to a
cylinder L by which the delivery of the sheets is ensured without the use of tapes
upon the cylinders. From cylinder L the sheets pass alternately to the flyers or to the
cylinder M, that which passes the cylinder M being released by the fingers of said
cylinder immediately on the arrival of the following sheet so as to deliver two sheets
at a time on to the flyers which latter are operated once for every two revolutions of the
cylinders. The cylinder M serves to retard the delivery by allowing the sheets to be
superposed only at the moment when the two sheets arrive at the flyers. This arrange-
ment constitutes an important feature, as it entirely prevents the blurring of the
impressions, which always occurs when several sheets are accumulated upon a cylinder.
To remove the sheet released by the fingers of cylinder M, I may either employ fingers
placed beneath the sheet which rise at the moment those of the cylinder release it,
or movable blades m which are received in grooves in the cylinders M at the moment
of arrival of the sheet, or an airjet may be employed for the purpose. The retarding
cylinder M may also be employed as an accumulator, when it is desired to be able to
increase the speed of the machine so as to receive more than two sheets at one time;
it being simply necessary for this purpose to vary the relative diameters of the pinion
on cylinder M and the gear wheel which carries the movable cam X.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 1. the fingers of cylinder M are operated by
a fixed cam V which opens them at every revolution, and the movable cam X carried
by the gear-wheel which makes one turn for every two turns of the cylinder M
prevents, at every two turns, the reclosing of the fingers in order to allow of the
sheet passing out. By mounting cam X upon a wheel making one turn for every

page_text: three turns of cylinder M this cylinder would receive two sheets which would be
released by the fingers only on the third sheet arriving upon the flyer; three sheets
would thus be delivered at one time, and it will be seen that the number of sheets
delivered to the flyers at a time may, in this manner, be readily varied.
The above arrangement of cylinders M and L may also be employed for folding
sheets of variable dimensions; each folded sheet being, in this case, conducted
separately to the flyer. For this purpose, upon the cylinder L (see Figure 2) is
mounted an adjustable blade N of inverted T-form, which projects from said cylinder
at the point where the fold is to be made in the sheet. The blade N presses that part
of the sheet which is to receive the fold, into a groove in cylinder M. so as to enable
it to be seized by a finger O mounted on the cylinder. The sheet held by the fingers
of cylinder L is released at the moment when the fold of the paper is entered in the
groove of cylinder M. and seized by the finger O which forms the fold, and the folded
sheet is then either conducted to the flyers, or folded again in a similar manner if
necessary. If the sheets are delivered to the flyers, these latter should operate once
for every turn of the printing cylinders. The toothed wheel which drives the cylinder M
is so mounted as to always ensure the groove in said cylinder and the finger O exactly
coinciding in position with that of the blade N on cylinder L.
Figure 3 shows the mode of varying the position of blade N, which is mounted for
this purpose upon a perforated ring U, the blade itself being provided with slotted
ends for enabling it to be adjusted in the exact position required for forming the fold.
The blade may, however, be otherwise arranged for the purpose. The same arrange-
ment may also be adopted for producing additional folds, as, by placing another and
similar blade N upon the cylinder M and adding another cylinder, one more fold may
be made. In order to avoid the use of set-off sheets, and the production of blurred
impressions it is proposed to pass the paper over hot cylinders, either by heating the
blanket cylinders themselves, or by employing additional heated cylinders, or rollers.
In Figure 1 the blanket cylinders may be heated either by means of gas introduced
through hollow shafts into their interior, or by introducing water, or steam, or other-
wise. In cases where it would be inconvenient to heat the blanket cylinders, the
sheet-delivery cylinders L or M might be heated instead.
Figure 1 represents a machine for printing various sized sheets, in which the paper
arrives upon the upper blanket cylinder, but it may be so arranged as to receive the
paper upon the lower cylinder K. All the arrangements before described would be
equally applicable in this case.
In Figure are shown two arrangements of forks or carriers for the inking rollers
P. Q. by which they may be readily put out of action without being dismounted.
In the first arrangement the roller P is carried by a bearing movable in both diree-
tions a key, which may be readily removed, preventing said roller from rising. In
the second arrangement the roller Q is also mounted upon a movable support, and
may be put out of action by loosening serew R, while to return it to position it is
simply necessary to tighten screw R, when a lug fixed on the movable part of the
bearing strikes the screw S, and allows the roller to be returned to the exact position
which it previously occupied.
A novel arrangement of supports for the distributing rollers is also shown in
Figure 1. These supports are formed of elbow-levers 1. 2. which carry a distributing
roller 3 at one end, and at the other an adjustable counterweight 4. These counter-
weights cause the distributing rollers to bear with uniform pressure upon the inking
table 5, whatever may be their position relatively thereto, without the aid of springs,
which always render difficult the placing in position of the rollers, and, moreover,
fail to ensure an even touch of the distributors upon the inking table. By shifting
the weights the touch may be regulated as desired. The counterweights may also be
mounted on levers whose length would be varied to suit the degree of contact desired
between the distributing rollers, and the inking table.
The stereotype cylinders Y Figure 1. are arranged so as to enable a portion of
their circumference to be utilized as an inking table inking rollers being mounted
upon said cylinders which receive ink from the table.

page_text: Figures 4. 5. 6. and 7. show a new arrangement of rotary machine, in which the
sheets are divided after being printed, and afterwards folded. Some of the improve-
ments before described have been applied to this machine in order to show that they
are not applicable only to machines in which the paper is divided before being printed
Other improvements are also included which will be hereinafter described.
on.
In the machine shown in Figure 4, the paper from the roll passes around rollers dd,
which may be heated, if desired, and is then entered between the two cylinders B' A¹
where it receives the first impression. On leaving cylinder B' the paper passes over
a roller e which is heated for the purpose of drying the ink from the first impression
and thus avoid blurring, and is then passed around cylinder B2 and between B and A
where it receives a second impression which is effected by the upper cylinders in order
that the stereotypes or electrotypes on these cylinders may not receive the dust from the
paper. Sufficient space is left between cylinders B B' to afford free access thereto, and
allow of the blankets being removed for the purpose of facilitating the making ready which
is of great importance when printing illustrated publications, for which purpose the
machines here shown are intended. After having received a second impression, the
paper is conducted to the cutter and folder C either direct, or after passing under or
over a cylinder el heated for the purpose of drying the ink from the second impression,
and to prevent blurring cleaning rollers may also be applied to cylinder e¹ as
shown. When the paper arrives at the cutting and folding cylinder C it is held by
the fingers placed on its edges (see Figures 4 and 5) and only released when the
middle of the sheet is entered in the groove of cylinder Cand held by the finger g
which forms the first fold. The fingers are placed along the edges of the cylinder in
order not to interfere with the cutting of the paper and they serve to ensure the
engagement of the paper between the two cylinders, and to retain the paper after it
is severed in order that it may remain upon cylinder until the fold is made. This
arrangement is a very important feature as it ensures a regular travel of the paper
without leaving any marks thereon. The fingers are operated by a cam K as shown
in Figure 5 which is a section of the cylinder but any other means of actuating
the fingers may be adopted, it being understood that the essential feature of improve-
ment consists in the application of fingers for holding the paper at the side, in order
not to interfere with the cutting, or leave any mark upon the printed sheets. The
fingers may also be made adjustable if the width of the paper is to be varied.
In Figures 4, 5, 6, 7. the cylinders ('C, which serves both for cutting and folding,
are shown as making a single fold in each sheet and if it is desired to make several
parallel folds in the sheet it is only necessary to add a number of cylinders corre-
sponding to the folds required. After having received its first fold the sheet is con-
ducted on to the rollers for making the second fold, and to ensure the arrival of the folded
sheet above these rollers grooved rollers b, (Figure 6) mounted upon a shaft A are em-
employed in which are received the tapes placed in the whites of the impression. The
shaft A makes two turns for every turn of the cutter cylinders and the rollers are made
of half the diameters of the cutters and are grooved at the part which comes opposite to
the cutter and folder y of C₁ so as to avoid injury thereto and allow of the finger g
working. The shaft A may also make one turn for every revolution of the cylinders,
in which case, the rollers & would have the same diameter as the cutter cylinders.
By placing a polished plate under the sheet it may be brought over the folding rollers
by means of two tapes only placed at the two ends of the sheet in the whites of the
margin. In order to ensure the draught of the sheet by the second fold rollers when
the knife has entered it between the two rollers it is proposed to replace the tapes by
collars e el, Figure 4 of larger diameter than the rollers and corresponding in
position to the whites of the sheet in order to avoid soiling it; the collars being in
contact one with the other serve to carry along the paper after it has been introduced
by the knife between the rollers. In the arrangement above described, the sheet is
supposed to have two whites only, and there are consequently but two collars upon
the second fold rollers which are separated the one from the other so as not to spoil
the sheets. In order to make the second fold without blurring the impression two
other collers I J (Figure 7) are placed beneath the rollers one of which rollers J

page_text: makes two turns for every revolution of the cylinders. A band K K is placed upon
this roller which as it passes in front of roller I presses against it, and by thus bringing
the band in contact with said roller at the moment when the edge of the sheet has
arrived at the centre of the two rollers it becomes pressed between them and the fold
is thus effectually produced without spoiling the sheets. It will be evident that the
fold may be similarly formed by employing rollers I J. of different diameters to those
shown in the drawing it being sufficient to be able to so regulate the movement of the
rollers that the band L carried on one of them shall press against the edge of the
other at the same time as the edge of the sheet arrives at this point. The two
rollers J may be both of the same diameter and make either one or two turns per
revolution of the printing cylinders.
The above described machine being more especially intended for printing illustrated
publications is arranged to allow the use of a continuous web, while at same time
avoiding blurred impressions. The set-off paper supplied from the roll placed at the
lower part of the machine, passes around the cylinder B by which it is drawn off the
roll and beneath the paper to be printed and is afterwards wound upon a roller Z,
(Figures 4 and 12) the motion of which is produced by unwinding the reel. This
arrangement for winding the set off paper which serves to prevent the spoiling of the
sheets forms one of the features of the Invention.
:
In this machine a perfect distribution of the ink is obtained as well as a touch which
can be easily regulated. The distribution is effected by means of a large number
of distributing rollers and one or more inking tables, which, however, form no part of
the present Invention; in this machine, however, a novel arrangement of inking
rollers is employed by which their action may be regulated with the greatest
facility.
Figures 8 and 9 show four inking rollers, so mounted as to be readily adjustable as
well as easily removed and placed in position. Only one half of the arrangement is
shown, the other half being however exactly similar. The fork carrying the four
inking rollers, the centre of which is indicated by the line 1-2. is movable in a
vertical direction to allow of its being placed in such position that the inking rollers A
which take the ink from the inking table and deposit it upon the stereotype cylinder
may all be at an equal distance from said cylinder. Each of the inking rollers carried
by the fork is mounted in movable bearings e whose position is regulated by adjusting
screws E for which purpose each screw is provided with a collar e between which and
the head of the screw the tail end of the bearing c which is forked to embrace said
screw is received whereby the bearings, on simply turning the screws may be readily
moved in either direction in order to regulate the position of the inking rollers. The
rollers are held in position by keys F. received at ther upper ends in grooves and
pressed against the inking rollers by screws Gat their lower ends. In order to transfer
the ink from the inking rollers A to rollers B transmitting rollers H are employed
mounted in frames J whose position is regulated by screws K bearing against the
spindles 1 carrying said frames. The transmitting rollers H have an endwise motion
which ensures an equal distribution of the ink upon the inking rollers, and the frames J
are adjustable on the spindles I so as to allow of the inking rollers being placed in
position. It will be seen that by means of the arrangements described the inking
rollers can be readily adjusted, and moved in or out of position.
In order to render these machines more suitable for the kind of printing for which
they are intended it is proposed that each page of the publication should be
composed of several parts, each of which would require to be separately fixed on
the cylinder and take a firm bearing thereon, and for this purpose the arrangement
shown in Figures 10 and 11 may be employed.
In order to fix the stereotypes or electro-types in position a ring M having undercut
edges such as ordinarily used is fixed to the cylinder to hold one edge of the plate and
the other edge is fixed by adjustable clamps in the form of segments of circles N which
are pressed up to the parts to be locked by screws O and nuts P. P. Four of these
movable clamps N are shown in the drawing but it will be evident that a greater or
less number may be employed as required. With such an arrangement it will be no

page_text: longer necessary to remove a portion of a page after it has been fixed in position in
order to complete it, and the printing operation may even be commenced after one
portion has been fixed in place. This mode of locking up has the great advantage not
only of allowing parts of pages being fixed in place but also of securely holding the
stereotype or other plate in position, and preventing all risk of displacement. This
latter risk may also be still more effectually prevented by making notches or recesses
in the edge of the plate in which are received corresponding projections formed on the
rings M or clamps N.
The machine represented in Figures 1. 2. and 3. serves as before stated for dividing
the paper into sheets before printing, and it also comprises certain arrangements for
the reception of unfolded, as well as of folded, sheets of variable dimensions.
Figures 4. 5. 6. and 7 represent a machine which divides the paper after printing,
and also folds it; said machine, like the first mentioned, having delivering tapes only,
which may be reduced to two in number and are applied on the margins of the sheet.
Figures 12 and 13 represent a machine which divides the paper into sheets after
printing, and delivers it unfolded to mechanical receivers. The part of the machine
for printing the sheets being exactly the same as that described with reference to
Figures 4. 5. 6 and 7 needs no description. The paper on leaving the printing
cylinder B is conducted between cutter cylinders CC which partially divide it in the
usual manner,
after which it is conducted to the cylinder E. This cylinder is provided
with two sets of fingers the one set F being operated by the first cam G which opens
the fingers at every revolution of cylinder E and by a movable cam H which is
mounted on a wheel making one turn for every three revolutions of cylinder E and
which opens said fingers F once in every three revolutions. The second set of
fingers K is operated by the movable cam H only and therefore opens once only in
every three turns and at the same time as fingers F, as a reference to Figure 13 will
show that owing to the difference in width of the cams G and H the fixed cam G can
not act upon the fingers K.
The cylinder E, like all the accumulator cylinders hitherto employed, is larger than
the printing cylinders and consequently its surface speed is greater than that at which
the paper unwinds; the fingers F thus exert a tension on the paper, causing it to
separate into sheets which are lapped around the cylinder E. On the second revolution
the fingers seize a second sheet, and when three sheets have been collected the movable
cam H mounted on the wheel which makes one turn for every three turns of
cylinder E opens both sets of fingers Fand K at the same time. The fingers F release
the sheets, and the fingers K, on opening, detach the sheets from the cylinder E and
enter them between the two rollers 1. J by which they are conducted to the flyer arms.
In this, as in the former machines there are not any tapes upon the printing cylinders
they being only used for the delivery and then only in the whites and margins.
In the foregoing description, the paper unwound from the reel has been described as
passing over rollers which might be heated before being printed on. This heating of
the paper is not only intended for drying the ink more rapidly but more especially
when applied before printing as a substitute for damping, as it renders certain papers
more supple and enables thein to take the ink better. Hitherto, the paper has been
heated before printing only, either by using hollow cylinders into which steam is
introduced, or by passing the paper over troughs containing boiling water, in which
latter case the paper is both heated and also slightly damped by the steam. Both these
plans have many disadvantages; in the first case steam has often to be produced
especially for the purpose which is a great objection especially when the motive power
is obtained from a gas-engine for example, while in the second case there is the still
greater objection that the paper tears every time the motion of the machine is arrested,
as the paper owing to its direct and constant contact with the steam becomes too moist,
loses all its toughness and notwithstanding every precaution, breaks nearly every time
the machine is re-started thus occasioning considerable loss of time. With a view to
obviate these objections it is proposed to heat the paper either by means of hot air, or
by passing it over a hot plate or cylinder thus obviating the necessity of having a
special boiler for producing steam, and also avoiding the tearing of the paper.

page_text: Figures 14. 15. 16. and 17 show the various arrangements which according to this
Invention may be adopted for the purpose. Figure 14 represents the method of
heating the paper by means of hot-air it being supposed in this, as in the following
figures, that gas is employed as the heating agent although any other heating agent
may be employed for the purpose. The apparatus consists of a chamber A open at
bottom and closed at top by means of wire gauze B Cover which is a cover serving
to concentrate the heat, and heat the paper on both sides;
the cover may
however be dispensed with, if desired. The paper from the reel passes over a roller D
and through the chamber A above the wire gauze B C and under the roller E whence
it is conducted either over rollers placed in front of the printing cylinders, or directly
to said cylinders. The air in the chamber is heated by gas-jets F, the heat being
regulated by varying either the number or size of the jets. The wire gauze BC
serves both to facilitate the engagement of the paper and also to prevent its ignition for
which purpose the meshes of the gauze should be sufficiently fine to prevent the flame
from penetrating it. The chamber A is made larger than the paper is wide so as to
allow of the hot air passing above the paper. Gutters H. H are provided at the upper
part of the chamber for collecting the water of condensation, and prevent it falling
upon the paper. The same arrangements may also be employed for heating the paper
after it has been printed, if thought desirable. In Figure 15 the paper is heated by
causing it to pass over a fixed hot plate A which in the example shown is of semi-
cylindrical form although any other suitable form may be adopted. The plate is heated
by gas jets F and the paper from the reel passes over the roller D and plate A and
beneath the roller E to the machine. In Figures 16 and 17 the paper is heated by
passing it over a rotating cylinder. In Figure 17 the cylinder shaft is hollow for the
admission of gas during its rotation the burners F which are supplied through the
hollow shaft partaking in the rotation of said cylinder. In Figure 10 the shaft is fixed
as are also the burners F for heating the cylinder A which revolves upon the shaft.
In the machines represented in Figures i to 7 mechanical folders are employed, and
it was stated in describing these figures that the number of the folds might be increased
by multiplying the folders as many times as necessary.
In the case of publications in which the folding is required to be varied, the
arrangement represented in Figures 18 and 19 adopted. In this instance, the
sheets as they arrive above the folding rollers I may either be arrested by the stop Q
and entered between said rollers for the purpose of receiving a fold parallel therewith,
or by removing stop Q may be conducted to the folding rollers R S to receive a fold
parallel thereto, that is to say perpendicular to the fold which they would receive from
rollers I. Collars may also be placed on these rollers to nip the sheet in the whites in
order to avoid spoiling the impressions as before, and instead of folding rollers R. S.
cylinders with fingers may be employed for forming the folds. On leaving the folding
rollers R. S the sheets are conducted to a mechanical receiver for the folded sheets of
an entirely novel character. The sheets are conveyed to the receiver, and as far as
the receiving table by the tapes U. V. The tapes which are placed on the margins
only of the sheets retain the folded sheets until the moment when the flyer arm X
oscillating on centre 0 removes them from the tapes and pushes them on to the
receiving table (without laying them down) against a movable stop y which is forced
back by the sheets. The arrangement of tapes here shown for carrying the sheets
downwards is of great importance as it assures their delivery with extreme regularity
upon the receiving table. When the flyer X returns in rear of the tapes, the sheets are
supported by the parts Z and the heel T. carried by the movable table a Figures 18
and 19. The sheets in this manner are always regularly placed and retained in
position upon the table and parcels of them can be readily removed without interfering
with those which are being delivered. In order to enable the folded sheets to be
separated into packets of a given number, the table a is made movable laterally by a
lever actuated by a ratchet. The lateral movement of the table causes a periodical
break in the alignment of the horizontal pile of sheets which enables them to be
readily removed in packets of any given number. The sheets may, if preferred, be
received in a trough in which the stop y would be placed.

page_text: It was before stated in describing the machine represented in Figure 1 in which the
paper is divided into sheets before printing that the same arrangements were also
applicable to a machine in which the paper was fed to the lower printing cylinder and
a machine of this description is represented in Figure 20. In this machine the paper
from the reel is first passed over a heated cylinder as before described, and then
between the knife cylinders after passing around the unwinding rollers. The paper on
being seized by the fingers of cylinder J receives a first impression and then passes to
cylinder K where it receives a second impression after which it is seized by the fingers
of cylinder L and conducted to the collecting cylinder M by which it is delivered to
the flyers. The arrangements before described for preventing the tearing of the paper
and ensuring its complete separation are also adopted in this machine.
Figure 21 shows a novel mode of severing the paper in which the said blade is fixed
between two india-rubber strips which clamp the paper upon the opposite cutter
cylinder, and thus prevent the noise usually made in cutting.
Figure 22 shows a novel mode of attaching the blanket to the cylinder, whereby a
portion only of the blanket need be removed when making ready, which is a great
advantage. In rotary machines, the blanket is generally made in one piece when the
cylinder is of small diameter, but when the cylinder is of large diameter it is made in
two parts to facilitate stretching, and the same is also the case for cylinders upon which
making ready may be necessary. When the machine prints only one sized sheet the
whites may always correspond to a groove of the cylinder which admits of two grooves
being employed as is frequently the case. In machines for printing various sized
sheets as in
Figure 20 the position of the whites upon the cylinders varies, and it is
no longer possible to have several grooves in the blanket cylinders. To obviate this it
is proposed to apply a thin metal strip R upon the cylinder (see Figure 22) which is
fixed at each end by means of screws passing through slots S in the ends of the
strip R and in any one of a series of holes made around the ends of the cylinder to
enable it to be adjusted in position thereon. The blankets are sewn to this strip R
which is firmly fixed to the cylinder in a position corresponding to the whites of the
impression, and in this manner the making ready may be performed without having to
turn the cylinders an entire revolution for liftting the blanket. The strip R should be
so thin as not to interfere with the printing.
A. M. CLARK.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London,
Patent Agents.

page_text: Improvements in Rotary Printing Machines.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of 53,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents,
do hereby declare the nature of this Invention (a communication to me from abroad
by Auguste Hippolyte Marinoni and Jules Michaud both of 96 Rue d'Assas
Paris France, Machine Builders) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
In rotary web printing machines the paper is unwound from the reel at each
revolution of the printing cylinders to the extent necessary to furnish the sheet to be
printed. If the paper is severed into sheets before printing, it is unwound by means
of auxiliary cylinders whose surface speed can be varied according to the length of
paper to he unwound at each revolution of the printing cylinders, so that the same
machine can be used for printing sheets of different sizes. If, however, the paper is
divided after it has been printed on, the unwinding is effected by the printing
cylinders themselves, the length unwound being invariable and always equal to the
circumference of said cylinders, the width only of the paper being in that case capable
of variation. Rotary web machines which divide the sheets either before or after
printing may be constructed either with mechanical receivers for the unfolded printed
sheets or with mechanical folders.
I will now proceed to describe examples of rotary web machines in which the web
is divided into sheets either before or after printing, pointing out the novel features
in each; the improvements being applicable not only to the examples shewn but also
to rotary web machines generally, and more particularly to those employed for printing
illustrated publications.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification.
In the rotary web machines illustrated in Figure 1, the paper is cut up into sheets
before being printed, the paper being led from the reel around rollers ddd (which
may be steam heated if necessary) between a pair of unwinding cylinders EE¹ to
and between a pair of cutting cylinders CC. The cylinder E is driven by gearing
so proportioned that its surface speed corresponds, for every revolution of the printing
cylinders, to the dimensions of the sheet to be severed and printed, the toothed wheel
which drives the one keyed on this cylinder being mounted on an adjustable arm so
as to allow of using wheels of different sizes proportionate to the length of paper to be
unwound at each revolution of the printing cylinders. The cylinder E' presses the
paper upon cylinder E so as to ensure its unwinding, said cylinder (which may be
covered with india rubber or other material or be made of metal) being mounted on
springs which allow it to be raised off the cylinder E to permit the introduction of the
paper between them. The paper passes thence over a movable roller A to and
between the cutting cylinders CCT. The roller A in rising lifts the paper and
increases the length of paper between the unwinding cylinders and the cutting
B

page_text: cylinders, and at the moment when the latter sever the paper the roller A descends
and allows it to become slack, thus preventing the cutters from drawing the paper in
the act of cutting it. This roller A forms a very important feature especially when
the machine is required to print small sized sheets, as in this case the speed of
unwinding the paper being much less than that of the cutting cylinders the paper is
subjected to considerable tension and is very liable to be torn whereas by the falling
motion of the roller A at the moment of cutting the paper it is relieved of tension.
The roller A is mounted in bell crank levers B₁ actuated by a cam B on cutting
cylinder shaft, or otherwise, or be replaced by any other arrangement for effecting
the same result.
The sheets after being divided are received by the tapes F which convey them to
the printing cylinders. This set of tapes F is mounted on movable supports so that
they may be lowered quite clear of the printing cylinders. The upper and lower
tapes of the set do not touch but move at the same speed as the printing cylinders,
i.e. much faster than the paper which in consequence of the freedom of the paper
on the tapes ensures its being delivered in an unwrinkled state to the grippers of the
blanket cylinder. The cutting cylinders should leave only a very small portion of
the paper uncut, so that it may be completely severed by very slight tension, and this
severance is effected (without the grippers of the blanket cylinder pulling it, which is
liable to cause wrinkles) by a roller or rollers H operated by a cam G pressing the
sheet down upon a cylinder I.
The paper, on being seized by the fingers of the first blanket cylinder J is, after
being printed, transferred to the second blanket cylinder K and thence to a cylinder L by
which the sheets are delivered without the use of tapes and whence they pass alter-
nately directly to the flyers and to the cylinder M, the sheet received by the latter
being released by the fingers of said cylinder and delivered to the flyers at same time
as the next following sheet, so that two sheets are delivered at a time by the flyers
which operate once for every two revolutions of the printing cylinders. By thus
superposing the two sheets only at the moment of their arrival at the flyers, mackling,
which always occurs when several sheets are accumulated upon a cylinder, is
entirely prevented. To remove the sheet from the cylinder M, I may either employ
fingers placed beneath the sheet which rise at the moment those of the cylinder
release it, or movable blades m entering grooves in the cylinders M at the moment of
arrival of the sheet, or, I may use an air jet. The cylinder M may also be employed
as a gathering drum when it is necessary to receive more than two sheets at a time,
in order to increase the speed of the machine, it being merely necessary for this
purpose to vary the relative diameters of the pinion on axis of cylinder M and the
gear wheel carrying the cam X.
In the arrangement shewn in figure 1, the fingers of cylinder M are operated by a
fixed cam V, which opens them at every revolution, and the movable cam X carried
by the gear-wheel, which makes one turn for every two turns of the cylinder M and
keeps the fingers open at every alternate revolution, in order to release the sheet.
By mounting cam X upon a wheel making one turn for every three turns of
cylinder M, the latter would receive two sheets which would be released only on the
third sheet arriving upon the flyer, three sheets would thus be delivered at once; the
number of sheets delivered by the flyers at a time may thus be readily varied.
The above arrangement of cylinders M and L may also be employed for folding
sheets of variable dimensions, each folded sheet being in this case conducted separately
to the flyer. For this purpose a shaped blade N is mounted upon the cylinder I
(figure 2) and projects therefrom at the point where the fold is to be made in the sheet.
The blade N presses that part of the sheet which is to be folded, into a groove in
cylinder M so as to enable it to be seized by a finger O mounted in the cylinder
which forms the fold at which moment the sheet is released by the fingers of cylinder L,
and the folded sheet is then either conducted to the flyers or folded again in a similar
manner if necessary.
If the sheets are delivered to the flyers, the latter should operate once for every
turn of the printing cylinders. The toothed wheel which drives the cylinder M is

page_text: mounted on a face plate so that the coincidence of the groove in said cylinder and the
finger with the position of the blade N on cylinder L may always be ensured.
Figure 3 shows how the position of blade N, which is adjustable, may be varied.
It is screwed to a perforated ring U and is provided with slotted ends to enable it to
be adjusted so as to exactly coincide with the white at which the fold is to be made.
It may, however, be otherwise adjusted. By placing a similar blade N upon the
cylinder M. and adding another cylinder a second fold may be made.
In order to avoid setting off and mackling, the paper is passed over hot cylinders,
either by heating the blanket cylinders themselves, or by employing additional heated
cylinders or rollers.
In figure 1 the blanket cylinders may be heated either by gas introduced through
hollow journals, or by water or steam: When it would be inconvenient to heat the
blanket cylinders, the cylinders L or M might be heated instead.
Figure 1 represents a machine for printing various sized sheets, in which the paper
arrives first upon the upper blanket cylinder, but it may be so arranged as to receive
the paper first upon the lower blanket cylinder K. All the arrangements before
described would be equally applicable in this case.
In figure 1 are shewn two arrangements of forks or carriers for the inking
rollers PQ by which they may be readily put out of action without being dismounted.
In the first arrangement roller P is carried by a bearing movable in both directions,
a removable key preventing the roller from rising. In the second arrangement, the
roller is also mounted on a movable support and may be put out of action by
loosening screw R, on again tightening which a lug on the movable part of the
bearing abuts against the screw S and enables the roller to be returned to the exact
position which it previously occupied.
A novel arrangement of supports for the distributing rollers is also shewn in
figure 1. These supports are formed of elbow levers 1. 2. which carry a distributing
roller at one end and at the other an adjustable counterweight which causes tho
distributing roller to bear with uniform pressure upon the inking table 5, whatever
may be its position relatively thereto, without the aid of springs which always render
the mounting of the rollers difficult, and fail to ensure an even touch of the distributors
upon the inking table. By shifting the weights, or varying the length of the levers,
the touch may be regulated as desired.
The stereotype cylinders y, figure 1, are so arranged that a portion of their circum-
ference may be used as an inking table, from which inking rollers receive ink.
Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 show a new arrangement of rotary web machine in which the
paper, after being printed, is divided into sheets which are afterwards folded. Some
of the improvements before described have been applied to this machine in order to
shew that they are applicable to other than machines which divide before printing.
Other improvements are also included, which will be hereinafter described.
In the machine shewn in figure 4, the web passes first around rollers dd which
may be heated if desired, and then between the cylinders B₁ A₁ for the first
impression. From cylinder B₁ the paper passes over a roller e which is heated for
the purpose of drying the first impression and thus avoid mackling, and is then
passed around cylinder B, and between B and A for the second impression which is
effected by the upper cylinders in order that the stereotypes or clectrotypes on these
cylinders may not receive the dust from the paper. Sufficient space is left between
cylinders B B to afford free access thereto and allow of the blankets being removed
etc, in making ready, which is of great importance in printing illustrated publications,
for which purpose the machines here shewn are intended.
After having received the second impression, the paper is conducted to the cutter
and folder C, either direct, or after passing under or over a cylinder e¹ heated for the
purpose of drying the ink of the second impression. To prevent mackling, cleaning
rollers bbb may also be applied to cylinder e as shewn.
When the paper arrives at the cutting and folding cylinder C it is held by the
fingers at the ends of the cylinder (see figures 4 and 5) and only released when the
R 2

page_text: middle of the sheet is entered in the groove of cylinder C and held by the finger y
which forms the first fold.
The fingers are placed at the ends of the cylinder in order not to interfere with
the cutting of the paper, and they serve to ensure the engagement of the paper
between the two cylinders, and to retain the paper after it is severed, in order that it
may remain upon cylinder C until the fold is made. This arrangement is a very
important feature, as it ensures a regular travel of the paper without leaving any
marks thereon. The fingers are operated by a cam K, as shewn in figure 5 which
is a section of the cylinder C, but any other means of actuating the fingers may be
adopted, the essential feature being the holding of the paper at the side so as not to
interfere with the cutting or leave any mark upon the printed sheets. The fingers
may be made adjustable if the width of the paper is to be varied.
After
In figures 4, 5, 6, 7 the cutting and folding cylinders make a single fold in the
sheet, but if it is desired to make several parallel folds in the sheet it is only necessary
to add a number of cylinders corresponding to the number of folds required.
having received its first fold the sheet is conducted on to the rollers for making
the second fold, and to ensure the arrival of the folded sheet above these rollers
grooved rollers, (Figure 6) mounted upon a shaft A. are employed in which are
received the tapes placed in the whites of the impression. The shaft A makes two
turns for every turn of the cutter cylinders and the rollers are of half the diameter
of the cutter cylinders and are grooved at the part which comes opposite to the cutter
and folder g of C¹ so as to avoid injury thereto and allow of the finger working.
The shaft A may also make one turn for every revolution of the cutter cylinders, in
which case, the rollers would have the same diameter as the said cutter cylinders.
By placing a polished plate under the sheet it may be brought over the folding rollers
by means of two tapes only, placed at the two ends of the sheet in the whites of the
margin. In order to ensure the draught of the sheet by the second fold rollers when
the knife has entered it between the two rollers it is proposed to replace the tapes by
collars ce, Figure 4 of larger diameter than the rollers and corresponding in
position to the whites of the sheet in order to avoid soiling it; the collars being in
contact one with the other carry along the paper after it has been introduced by the
knife between the rollers. In the arrangement above described, the sheet is supposed
to have two whites only, and there are consequently but two collars upon the second
fold rollers which are separated the one from the other so as not to mackle the sheets.
In order to make the second fold without soiling the impression two other rollers I J
(Figure 7) are placed beneath the rollers h h one of which rollers J makes two turns
for every revolution of the cylinders. A band K K is placed upon this roller which
as it passes in front of roller I presses against it, and by thus bringing the band in
contact with said roller at the moment when the edge of the sheet has arrived at the
centre of the two rollers it becomes pressed between them and the fold is thus effectually
produced without soiling the sheets. It will be evident that the fold may be similarly
formed by employing rollers I J. of different diameters to those shown in the drawing
it being sufficient to be able to so regulate the movement of the rollers that the
band L carried on one of them shall press against the edge of the other at the same
time as the edge of the sheet arrives at this point. The two rollers I J may be
both of the same diameter and make either one or two turns per revolution of the
printing cylinders.
The above described machine being more especially intended for printing illustrated
publications is arranged to allow the use of a continuous web, while at same time
avoid mackled impressions. The set-off paper supplied from the roll placed at the
lower part of the machine, passes around the cylinder B₁ by which it is drawn off the
roll and beneath the paper to be printed, and is afterwards wound upon a roller Z,
(Figures 4 and 12) the motion of which is produced by the unwinding of the reel.
This arrangement for winding up the set off paper which has served to prevent the
setting off onto the paper to be printed forms one of the features of the Invention.
In this machine a perfect distribution and inking are obtained. The distribution is

page_text: effected by means of a large number of distributing rollers and one or more inking
tables, which, however, form no part of the present Invention; in this machine, how-
ever, a novel arrangement of inking rollers is employed by which their action may be
regulated with the greatest facility.
Figures 8 and 9 show four inking rollers, so mounted as to be readily adjustable
as well as easily removed and placed in position, Only one half of the arrangement
is shown, the other half being however exactly similar and symmetrical therewith.
The fork carrying the four inking rollers and the centre of which is indicated by the
line 1-2. is movable in a vertical direction to allow of its being placed in such position
that the inking rollers A which take the ink from the inking table and deposit it
upon the stereotype cylinder may be at an equal distance from the latter cylinder.
Each of the inking rollers carried by the fork is mounted in movable bearingse whose
position is regulated by adjusting screws E for which purpose each screw is provided
with a collar e between which and the head of the screw the forked tail end of the
bearing e embracing said screw is received whereby the bearings may be readily
moved in either direction in order to regulate the position of the inking rollers. The
rollers are held in position by keys F. received at their upper ends in grooves and
pressed against the journals of the inking-rollers by screws G at their lower ends.
In order to transfer the ink from the inking rollers A to rollers B transmitting
rollers H are employed mounted in arms whose position is regulated by screws K
bearing against the journals I carrying said arms. The transmitting rollers H have
an endwise motion which ensures an equal distribution of the ink upon the inking
rollers, and the arms are adjustable on the journals I so as by their angular motion
to allow of the inking rollers being placed in position. It will be seen that by means
of the arrangements described the inking rollers can be readily adjusted, and moved
in or out of position.
In order to render these machines more suitable for the kind of printing for which
they are intended it is proposed that each page of the publication should be composed
of several parts, each of which is separately fixed on the cylinder and takes a firm
bearing thereon, and for this purpose the arrangement shown in Figures 10 and 11
may be employed.
In order to fix the stereotypes or electro-types in position a ring M having undercut
edges such as ordinarily used is fixed around the cylinder to hold the inner edges of
the stereos or electros and the outer edges are fixed by adjustable clamps in the form
of segments of a circle N which are pressed up to the plates to be locked by screws O
and nuts P. P. Four of these movable clamps N are shown in the drawing but it
will be evident that a greater or less number may be employed as required. With
such an arrangement it will be no longer necessary to remove a portion of a page
after it has been fixed in position in order to complete it, and the making ready may
even be commenced after one portion has been fixed in place. This mode of locking up
has the great advantage not only of allowing parts of pages being fixed in place but also
of securely holding the stereotype or other plate in position, and preventing all risk of
displacement. This latter risk may also be still more effectually prevented by making
notches or recesses in the edges of the plates in which are received corresponding lugs
formed on the rings M or segmental clamps N.
The machine represented in Figures 1. 2. and 3. serves as before stated for dividing
the paper into sheets before printing, and it also comprised certain arrangements for
the reception of unfolded, as well as of folded, sheets of variable dimensions.
Figures 4. 5. 6. and 7 represent a machine which divides the paper after printing,
and also folds it; said machine, like the first mentioned, having delivering tapes only,
which may be reduced to two in number and are applied on the marginal whites
of the sheet.
Figures 12 and 13 represent a machine which divides the paper into sheets after
printing, and delivers it unfolded to mechanical receivers. The printing mechanism
being exactly the same as that described with reference to Figures 4. 5. 6 and 7 needs
no description. The paper on leaving the cylinder B is conducted between cutter
cylinders CC which partially divide it in the usual manner, after which it is con-

page_text: ducted to the cylinder E. This cylinder is provided with two sets of fingers the
one set being operated by the stationary cam G which opens the fingers at every
revolution of cylinder E and by a movable cam H which mounted on a wheel making
one turn for every three revolutions of cylinder E opens said fingers F once in every
three revolutions. The second set of fingers K is operated by the movable cam H only
and therefore opens once only in every three turns and at the same time as fingers F,
as a reference to Figure 13 will show that owing to the difference in width of the
cams G and H the fixed cam G can not act upon the fingers K.
The cylinder E, like all the accumulator cylinders hitherto employed, is larger than
the printing cylinders and consequently its surface speed is greater than that at which
the paper unwinds; the fingers F thus exert a tension on the paper, causing it to
separate into sheets which are lapped around the cylinder E. On the second revolution
the fingers seize a second sheet, and when three sheets have been collected the movable
cam H mounted on the wheel which makes one turn for every three turns of cylinder E
opens both sets of fingers F and K at the same time. The fingers F release the sheets,
and the fingers K, on opening, detach the sheets from the cylinder E and enter them
between the two rollers I. J by which they are conducted to the flyer arms.
In this,
as in the former machines there are not any tapes upon the printing cylinders they
being only used for the delivery and then only in the whites and margins.
In the foregoing description, the paper unwound from the reel has been described
as passing over rollers which might be heated before being printed on.
This heating
of the paper is not only intended for drying the ink more rapidly but more especially
when applied before printing as a substitute for damping, as it renders certain papers
more supple and enables them to take the ink better. Hitherto, the paper has been
heated before printing only, either by using hollow cylinders into which steam is
introduced, or by passing the paper over troughs containing boiling water, in which
latter case the paper is both heated and also slightly damped by the steam. Both
these plans have many disadvantages; in the first case steam has often to be generated
specially for the purpose which is a great objection especially when the motive power
is obtained from a gas-engine for example, while in the second case there is the still
greater objection that the paper is torn every time the motion of the machine is
arrested, as the paper remaining for a length of time in direct contact with the steam
becomes too moist, loses all its toughness and notwithstanding every precaution,
breaks nearly every time the machine is re-started thus occasioning considerable loss
of time. With a view to obviate these objections it is proposed to heat the paper
either by passing it through hot air, or over a hot plate or cylinder heated directly.
No special boiler for producing steam is required and the tearing of the paper
is avoided.
Figures 14. 15. 16. and 17 show the various arrangements which according to this
Invention may be adopted for the purpose. Figure 14 represents the method of
heating the paper by means of hot-air it being supposed in this, as in the following
figures, that gas is employed as the heating agent although any other heating agent
may be employed for the purpose. The apparatus consists of a chamber A open at
bottom and closed at top by means of wire gauze B Cover which is a cover serving
to concentrate the heat, and heat the paper on both sides; the cover may however be
dispensed with, if desired. The paper from the reel passes over a roller D and
through the chamber A above the wire gauze B C and under the roller E whence it
is conducted either over rollers placed in front of the printing cylinders, or directly
to said cylinders. The air in the chamber is heated by gas-jets F, the heat being
regulated by varying either the number or size of the jets. The wire gauze BC
serves both to facilitate the engagement of the paper and also to prevent its ignition
for which purpose the meshes of the gauze should be sufficiently fine to prevent the
flame from traversing it. The chamber A is made longer than the paper is wide so
as to allow of the hot air passing above the paper. Gutters H. H are provided at the
upper part of the chamber for collecting the water of condensation, and prevent it falling
upon the paper. The same arrangements may also be employed for heating the
paper after it has been printed, if thought desirable. In Figure 15 the paper is

page_text: heated by causing it to pass over a fixed hot plate A which in the example shown
is of semi-cylindrical form although any other suitable form may be adopted. The
plate is heated by gas jets F and the paper from the reel passes over the roller D and
plate A and beneath the roller E to the machine. In Figures 16 and 17 the paper
is heated by passing it over a rotating cylinder. In Figure 17 the cylinder shaft is
hollow for the admission of gas during its rotation the burners F which are supplied
through the hollow shaft partaking in the rotation of said cylinder. In Figure 16
the shaft is fixed as are also the burners F for heating the cylinder A which revolves
upon the shaft.
In the machines represented in Figures 1 to 7 mechanical folders are employed,
and it was stated in describing these figures that the number of the folds might be
increased by multiplying the folders as many times as necessary.
In the case of publications in which the folding is required to be varied in position
the arrangement represented in Figures 18 and 19 is adopted. In this instance, the
sheets as they arrive above the folding rollers I may either be arrested by the stop Q
and entered between said rollers for the purpose of receiving a fold parallel therewith,
or by removing stop Q may be conducted to the folding rollers RS to receive a fold
parallel thereto, that is to say perpendicular to the fold which they would receive from
rollers I. Collars may also be placed on these rollers to nip the sheet in the whites
in order to avoid mackling as before, and instead of fokling rollers R, S, cylinders
with fingers may be employed for forming the folds. On leaving the folding
rollers R, S, the folded sheets are conducted to a mechanical receiver of an entirely
novel character, by means of the tapes U, which vary in number with the breadth
of the folded sheet, and are placed above and below it; the tapes on the upper side
of the sheet pass round a small roller and those on the underside pass round
roller. The tapes at the two ends of the sheets indicated by the letter V pass down
below the receiving table and around rings fixed to two arms p. Vare the two tapes
placed in front of the sheet, and V2 are the two tapes placed at back of the sheet..
The employment of these tapes for carrying the sheets downwards, is of great
importance, as it ensures their delivery with extreme regularity upon the receiving
table. The sheet passing down between the tapes V is arrested by the curved
block T, at which moment the flyer X (which is mounted on an arin pivoted on
centre O, and occupies the position shewn in dotted lines in rear of the sheet) is
oscillated, and assumes the position shewn in full lines, carrying with it the sheet
held between the tapes V, which is pushed through between stops Z, and added to
the pile previously delivered, by slightly forcing back the movable stop Y. The
flyer X then returns to the dotted line position, in rear of the tapes V, in readiness
for a fresh delivery, and so on.
The sheet which has just been delivered, is prevented from moving backwards by
the abutment T at bottom, and it is also prevented from falling by the support afforded
by the stops Z.
The sheets in this manner are always regularly placed and retained in position upon
the table and parcels of them can be readily removed without interfering with those
which are being delivered. In order to enable the folded sheets to be separated into
packets of a given number, the table a is made movable laterally by a lever 6 actuated
periodically by a ratchet. The lateral movement of the table causes a periodical
break in the alignment of the horizontal pile of sheets which enables them to be
readily removed in packets of any given number. The sheets may, if preferred, be
received in a trough in which the stopy would be placed.
It was before stated in describing the machine represented in Figure 1, in which
the paper is divided into sheets before printing, that the same arrangements were also
applicable to a machine in which the paper is fed to the lower printing cylinder and
a machine of this description is represented in Figure 20. In this machine the paper
from the reel is first passed over a heated cylinder as before described, and then
between the cutter cylinders after passing around the unwinding rollers. The paper
on being seized by the fingers of cylinder J receives the first impression and then
passes to cylinder K where it receives the second impression after which it is seized.

page_text: by the fingers of cylinder L and conducted to the collecting cylinder M by which
the collected sheets are delivered to the flyers. The arrangements before described
for preventing the tearing of the paper and ensuring its complete separation are also
adopted in this machine.
Figure 21 shows a novel mode of severing the paper in which the serrated cutter
is fixed between the india-rubber strips which clamp the paper against the cutter bed
cylinder, and thus prevent the noise usually made in cutting.
Figure 22 shows a novel mode of attaching the blanket to the cylinder, whereby a
portion only of the blanket need be removed when making ready, which is a great
advantage. In rotary machines, the blanket is generally made in one piece when
the cylinder is of small diameter, but when the cylinder is of large diameter it is
made in two parts to facilitate stretching, and the same is also the case for cylinders
upon which making ready may be necessary. When the machine prints only one sized
sheet the whites may always correspond to a groove of the cylinder which admits of
two grooves being employed as is frequently the case.
In machines for printing various sized sheets, as in figure 20, the position of the
whites upon the cylinders varies, and it is no longer possible to have several grooves
in the blanket cylinders. To obviate this, a thin metal strip R (figure 22) is fixed
longitudinally to the cylinder by means of screws passing through transverse slots S
in the ends of the strip R and in any one of a series of holes made around the ends
of the cylinder to enable it to be adjusted in position thereon. The blankets are
sewn to this strip R which is firmly fixed to the cylinder in a position corresponding
to the whites of the impression, and in this manner the making ready may be
performed without having to turn the cylinders an entire revolution for lifting the
blanket. The strip R should be so thin as not to interfere with the printing.
As the
Figure 23 shews an arrangement for effecting the rewinding of the set-off paper
by the unwinding of the same paper. The unwinding of the reel A is regulated by
a brake B, the reel being constantly maintained in the centre of the machine by a
regulator C, this brake and regulator being the same as that ordinarily applied to the
bearings of the reel of printing paper in rotary web machines. The winding-on reel D
carries a pulley at each end upon which weighted pressure caps E bear at the time
of starting the machine, as the winding reel being at this time empty it is necessary
to apply a certain amount of pressure thereto, in order that it may be rotated.
reel D increases in diameter its journal rises, and a hook F attached to the cap E in
rising lifts the arm G whose weighted end holds it against the inclined face of hook F.
When the arm G slips off the bevelled face of hook F its end comes under the hook
and holds up the pressure cap whilst the journal of reel D descends, the diameter of
said reel then becoming greater than that of reel A and its weight being sufficient to
ensure frictional contact of the reels. When the winding on reel has received the
whole of the set-off paper it is put in the place of the empty reel, which is readily
effected after having first removed the empty reel A, by simply lowering the full reel
in to its place with the aid of lever H without removing it from the machine.
Figure 24 shews another arrangement in which the set off paper is reeled by the
aid of either a smooth or fluted drum (according as the paper is to be wound more
or less tightly) upon which the reel D rests, a pressure lever E applies the requisite
pressure at the commencement, the pressure being regulated by the adjustable
weight F. The reel A from which the set-off paper is wound off is provided with a
brake and regulator as in the preceding arrangement and the replacement of the
empty reel A by the full reel D can be readily effected. In Figure 25, the reeling
is effected by means of a pair of drums which may be either plain or fluted. In both
these latter arrangements, the friction drums are driven by toothed gearing and their
surface speed is equal to that at which the paper is wound of.
Figure 26 shews another arrangement of the fingers employed in connection with
the cutting dividing and folding. In this case two cutting and folding cylinders
A B are employed, arranged in the same horizontal plane, the printed sheet
passing down vertically between them. The cylinder A. carries the blade for
engaging the paper in the cylinder B which carries the blade for seizing the sheet.

page_text: sheet from this cylinder and entering it in the tapes by which it is conducted
to another part of the machine. The cutter C is notched at the parts cor-
responding to the cords, so that the paper is not severed at these points, and
the sheet thus imperfectly separated from the previous one is drawn by it into the
tapes E. These arrangements are applied to nearly all systems of rotary web machines.
In this particular case, where it is desired to make the first fold by means of the
engaging and seizing blades disposed upon the cylinders it is necessary that the head
of the sheet should descend vertically along the tapes F which move in the direction
indicated by the arrow. To this end, that is to say, in order to completely detach the
second sheet from the first and compel it to descend along the tapes F, a gripper bar
or blade is mounted upon the cylinder B which being thrown open by a cam
immediately after the paper is cut by the knife, tears asunder the undivided portions of
paper connecting the two sheets and pushes the second one in the direction of tapes F
down which it is carried. When the folder blades come opposite each other, and
the sheet seized by the blade G is carried round by the cylinder B, the first sheet is
brought back and superposed upon the second one, so that the folded sheet will be
entered in tapes E.
This arrangement, like that previously described, has the great advantage of
avoiding the false fold which is made in some machines for separating and carrying
along the paper before folding.
in
The herein described improvements may be employed either separately or combined
any suitable manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is ;
1. The general arrangements of rotary web machines, dividing the paper either
before or after printing, and having either mechanical receivers for the unfolded
sheets or mechanical folders, the folded sheets being delivered to mechanical receivers
or received by hand, all substantially as described with reference to Figures 1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6. 7. 12 and 13. of the drawings.
2nd. The employment in machines dividing the paper before printing of a movable
part or roller or jet of air for lifting the paper in order to slacken it when being
severed so as to prevent tearing, as described with reference to Figure 1.
3rd. The means for effecting the complete severance of the sheets before they arrive
at the fingers of the first printing cylinder of a machine severing the paper before
printing as described in reference to Figure 1.
4th. The machines in which the paper is severed before printing as in Figure 1,
the means for delivering the sheets to tapes moving at the same speed as the printing
cylinders said tapes being carried by parts which are capable of moving away from
the printing cylinders for the purpose of facilitating the operation of the machine as
described.
5th. In machines in which the paper is severed before printing as in Figure 1, so
arranging the printing and sheet delivery cylinders as to dispense with the use of
tapes upon said printing cylinders as described.
6th. Arranging the sheet delivery cylinders in such manner as to allow either of their
retaining but one sheet to be conveyed to the flyers at the same time as the following
sheet, or of retaining two or more sheets, and also heating said cylinders to avoid
nackling as described in reference to Figure 1.
7th. The movable blade and finger for folding sheets of different sizes as described
in reference to Figure 2.
8th. The arrangement of forks for the upper and lower inking rollers of machines
in which the paper is severed either before or after printing, and in which the inking
table is at one side of the type cylinder as described in reference to Figure 1.
9th. The arrangement of fixed or adjustable counterweighted supports for regulating
the contact of the distributing rollers with the inking tables whatever may be the
position of the former as described in reference to Figure 1.
C

page_text: 10th. Arranging the blanket and type cylinders for the first and second impressions
at a distance from each other so as to facilitate the lifting of the blankets or fabrics
in making ready as described in reference to Figures 4. 5. 6. 7. 12 and 13.
11th. The method of passing the paper to the lower cylinder in order to prevent the
dust from the paper falling on to the stereotype or electro-type plates for the second
impression and thus avoid the necessity of frequent washing; which arrangement
combined with the placing of the cutter cylinders at a distance away permits of
the employment of a continuous set-off as described in reference to Figures 4
and 12.
12th. The method of heating the paper by means of gas after each printing in order
to avoid mackling and of cleaning off any ink which may adhere to the cylinders
substantially as described in reference to Figure 4.
13th. Disposing fingers on the edge of one of the cutter cylinders, to hold the
paper without interfering with the cutting, ensure its being carried along to the
eutters, and hold it upon the cutter cylinder after it is cut in order to obtain the
separation of the sheets and permit of their being folded without leaving any mark or
mackling thereon, said fingers being variable in length, and capable of adjustment
for reels of different widths, as described in reference to Figures 4 and 5.
14th. The arrangement of a cylinder or rollers pressing only on the whites of the
sheets and holding them against the cutting and folding cylinders in order to ensure
their arrival above the rollers which make the fold perpendicular to that made by the
cylinders, said cylinder or rollers being grooved so as not to damage the serrated
cutter, nor interfere with the movement of the gripper forming the fold as described
in reference to Figures 4 and 6.
15th. The employment of folding rollers having projecting collars turning in contact
in the whites only of the impression for introducing the sheets between the rollers as
described in reference to Figures 4 and 7.
16th. The employment of rollers having a longitudinal projecting rib for forming
and completing the fold at the moment it passes between the rollers and allows of their
separating during the passage between them of the printed part of the sheet as
described and represented in reference to Figures 4 and 7.
17th. The arrangement of rolls by which the rewinding of the set-off paper is
effected by the act of unwinding through the aid of springs or weights as described in
reference to Figures 4 and 12.
18th. The construction of forks for supporting the four inking rollers upon the
inking tables and type cylinders each of which is provided with bearings and keys
to allow of the ready introduction adjustment or reinoval of the inking rollers as well
as of the intermediate fixed or movable roller as shown and described.
19th. The adjustable segmental clamps for securing stereotypes or electrotypes
forming portions only of the page upon any part of the cylinder as described in
reference to Figures 10 and 11.
20th. The arrangement of accumulator cylinder provided with fingers for collecting
the sheets which are to be delivered at one time to the flyers, and with a movable
finger placed beneath the sheets for ensuring their removal from the cylinder and their
engagement between the tapes by which they are conducted to the flyers as described
and represented in Figures 12 and 13.
21st. Heating the paper employed in rotary web machines by means of hot air as
described.
22nd. The employment of wire gauze interposed between the flame and the paper
to prevent burning during the heating as described and represented in Figure 14.
23rd. Heating the paper as described, either by means of a fixed heated metal
plate, or revolving cylinder having revolving or fixed burners as described in reference
to Figures 14. 15. 16. and 17.
24th. The arrangements represented in Figures 18 and 19 for altering the direction
of the folds when required as described.
25th (a). The arrangement of the tapes for conducting the folded sheets to the
receiving table and supporting them until they are taken by the flyer.

page_text: (b). The means placed in front of the tapes for holding the sheets and preventing
their coming in contact therewith on the return of the flyer.
(c). The arrangement for separating the folded sheets into packets of any given
number all as described in reference to Figures 18 and 19.
26th. The general arrangement of machine for dividing the paper before printing
in which the paper is first entered upon the lower blanket cylinder as described and
illustrated in Figure 20.
27th. The method of mounting the serrated blade between two fixed india-rubber
pads as described and illustrated in Figure 21, for the purpose specified.
28th. The application to the blanket cylinder of a thin removable longitudinal strip
at the parts corresponding to the whites of the impression to which the blankets are
sewn in order to facilitate making ready and enable the blanket to be lifted without
the necessity of rotating the cylinder an entire revolution, as described in reference to
Figure 22.
29th. The particular arrangement of continuous set-off apparatus in which the
winding on reel for the set-off paper is rotated by the letting off reel as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in figure 23.
30th. The arrangement of continuous set-off apparatus in which the winding-on
reel for the set-off paper is operated by a plain or fluted friction drum having the
same surface speed as that of the delivery of the paper, as herein described and
represented in Figure 24.
31st. The arrangement of continuous set off apparatus in which the winding on
reel is operated by two plain or fluted drums having the same surface speed as that
of the delivery of the paper as herein described and represented in figure 25.
32. The arrangement represented in figure 26, of two cutting and folding cylinders,
having movable blades for separating and directing the sheets so as to ensure their
passing down in front of a set of tapes before being folded as described.
A. MELVILLE CLARK.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London,
Patent Agents.