IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING AND DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR WEB PRINTING MACHINES
Year: 1885

page_text: I WILLIAM CONQUEST of Tudor Street in the City of London, Mechanical
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FOLDING AND DELIVERY APPARATUS FOR WEB PRINTING MACHINES" 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 that class of printing machines which are adapted to
print both sides of a continuously moving web, sever the same into short lengths
or sheets, and fold and deliver said sheets in proper form for the carrier or for
mailing, it being the object of the Invention to provide a mechanism of this
character, capacitated to produce and deliver products containing different amounts
of printed matter, so as to meet the requirements of those Newspaper Establishments
which issue papers of sizes which vary with different days of the week. To that
end the Invention consists in a delivery apparatus containing various combinations
of mechanisms for accomplishing this result.-The details of said apparatus,
and also its organization and operation, will be hereinafter so fully described
and particularly pointed out, that further preliminary description is deemed
unnecessary.
In the accompanying Drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a delivery apparatus embodying the present Invention,
some of the underlying parts being omitted, and certain of the upper parts shown
in dotted lines for the sake of avoiding confusion.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken upon the line of Figure 3.
Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken upon the line x x of Figure 2;
and
Figures 4 to 15 inclusive are views illustrating the order in which the forms will
be placed upon the form cylinders, and the manner in which the sections of the
web and the sheets will be associated to obtain the different products.
Referring to said Drawings, it is to be understood that 100 and 101 are the last
form and impression cylinders, and 99 the usual inking rolls of an ordinary rotary
web printing mechanism.

page_text: To give to the printing apparatus the desired range of capacity, the cylinder 100,
and its companion forin cylinder (not shown), will be of a length equal to the
width of two of the full sheets to be produced, and of a circumference equal to the
length of two such sheets; and in order that the product may be folded in the most
desirable manner, the forms will be so placed that the columns of matter will lie
circumferentially of the cylinders.
The web, after being perfected and leaving the cylinder 101, is led around guide
rolls 22 23, in passing the latter of which it is acted upon by the slitter 24, by
which it is split into two equal sections.-After leaving the roll 23, the sections of
the web are led around a turning bar 98, so as to pass forward at right angles to
their previous path of travel, after which they are led around a guide roll 25 to the
cutting cylinders 102, 103. These cylinders, which, as here shown, are of the same
size as the form cylinders, are provided with the usual blades and grooves 28, 29,
by which the sections of the web are partially severed upon the lines between the
sheets. After passing the cutting cylinders, the sections enter the bite of the series
of accelerated tapes 10, 11, which operate in the usual manner to complete the
severance of the sheets, and provide working spaces between them in their line of
travel.
The tapes 10 pass around pulleys 30, thence above a gathering or collecting
cylinder 104, and thence beneath pulleys 31, above pulleys 32, and downward
across the face of a pair of longitudinal folders 105, 106, returning around
pulleys 33, 34, while the companion series 11 pass around pulleys 35, and stop
short of the gathering cylinder, returning around pulleys 36.
The gathering or collecting cylinder 104 may be of any of the approved forms
for such cylinders, it being provided with stationary guides 9, which cooperate
with the tapes 10 to conduct the sheets onto its surface, and vibrating switches 8,
which are operated in the usual manner to guide the sheets therefrom, and also
with a series of auxiliary tapes 12, which pass around pulleys 37, 38, 39, and
operate to bold the sheet or sheets onto the cylinder during the collecting
operation.
The longitudinal folders 105, 106 may be of any well known construction. The
system of taping, by which the sheets are conducted over and around these folders,
and to the subsequent mechanism, will however be explained.-For this purpose,
each of the folders is provided with two series of tapes 18, 19 and 20, 21, arranged
as follows:-The series 18 pass around pulleys 43, thence around pulleys 47, and
downward along the inclined side of the folder 106, thence between the pulleys 54, 55,
which form the external guide of said folder, and thence between the pair of
folding cylinders 109, 110, returning around the cylinder 110 and pulleys 51.-
The companion series 19 pass around pulleys 42, thence around pulleys 46, and
downward along the opposite side of the folder 106, and thence between the
pulleys 54, 55 and the folding cylinders 109, 110, the middle tapes of the series
returning around the cylinder 109 and a pulley 50, while the marginal tapes of the
series pass horizontally above a pair of folding rolls 67, thence around pulleys 62,
and downward around pulleys 61, returning around pulleys 60, 70 and 56.
The series of tapes 20 pass around pulleys 41, thence around pulleys 45,
and downward along the inclined side of the folder 105, thence between the
pulleys 52, 53, which form the external guide of said folder, and thence between
a pair of folding cylinders 107, 108, returning around the cylinder 108 and
pulleys 49. The companion series 21 pass around pulleys 40, thence around
pulleys 44, and downward along the opposite side of the folder 105, and thence
between the pulleys 52, 53 and the folding cylinders 107, 108, the middle tape of
the series returning around the cylinder 107, and a pulley 48, while the marginal
tapes of the series pass horizontally above a pair of folding rolls 66, and return
around pulleys 57 and 48.
Cooperating with the tapes 21 and 19, to conduct the sheets from the
cylinders 107 109 to the folding rolls 66, 67, are a series of tapes 17, which pass
around pulleys 63, thence beneath the cylinder 109, and around pulleys 62, 61, 60

page_text: and 59, thence beneath the cylinder 107, and around pulleys 58, returning around
pulleys 64 and 65.
The cylinders 108, 110 are each provided with a set of sheet holding grippers 4,
and a tucking blade 5, while the companion cylinders 107, 109 are each provided
with cooperating folding jaws 6, all of which devices are of the usual construction,
and consequently require no specific description.
The folding rolls 66, 67 are provided with cooperating vibrating folding
blades 68, 69, which are operated in the usual manner to fold the sheets from
between the tapes 17, 21, and 17, 19, into the bite of the rolls.-Stationary stops 1
are also provided for arresting the sheets in proper position above the rolls.
As the sheets issue from between the rolls 66, 67, they pass in front of stationary
guides 71, 72, and are taken by the rotating flies 73, 74, which are of the con-
struction shown, and deposited upon the slowly moving tapes or aprons 15, 16, to
be conducted from the machine.
Leading from the pulleys 57, 58, is a pathway formed by a pair of stationary
guides 2, which leads to a rotating cylinder fly 112. This cylinder fly is provided
with a series of tapes 13, passing around pulleys 75, 76 for holding the sheets to its
surface, and with a series of slowly moving tapes, or an apron 14, for receiving the
sheets as they are delivered.
To aid in conducting the web and sections from the printing to the delivery
apparatus, there are provided two series of forwarding tapes 81, 82.—The series 81
pass around the roll or pulleys 22, thence upward around the roll 23, and thence
across the delivery apparatus just beneath the turning bar 98, and around the
pulleys 83, as shown in Figure 2 and by dotted lines in Figure 1, returning around
pulleys 84. The companion series pass around pulleys 85 located just below the
roll 22, thence around the rolls 22 and 23, thence inward around pulleys 86,
returning around pulleys 87.
The various parts of the delivery mechanism just described receive motion from the
impression cylinder 101 through the gears 77, 78, 79, 80, said parts being connected
to each other by suitable gears, so as to be properly timed both with relation to
each other and to the printing mechanism, all of which will be readily understood
by those skilled in the art, and consequently requires no detailed description.
The printing and delivery mechanism which has just been described can be
operated to produce and deliver either of the following products, vizt: -A full
sheet having two or three folds, two full sheets associated together and folded in
the same manner; four full sheets associated together and folded in the same
manner; one full sheet and one half sheet associated together and folded in the
same manner; or two full sheets and two half sheets associated together and folded
in the same manner.
The operation of the apparatus in producing the different products is as
follows: When it is desirable to produce a product consisting of single full sheets,
or what will usually be four-page papers folded as described, a web of full width
will be used, and the forms will be placed upon the form cylinders so as to print
the pages in the order shown in Fig: 4.-The web, after being split upon the line z
by the slitter 24, will have its sections carried beneath the bar 98 by the tapes 81,
and the sections will then be turned around said bar, and entered between the
cutting cylinders, and into the bite of the tapes 10. 11, where they will be parted
upon the lines xx. The switch 8 will be made inoperative, so that the sheets of
the two sections will be conducted directly past the gathering cylinder onto their
respective longitudinal folders, where they will receive their first fold as indicated
in Fig: 5. As the once folded sheets enter the bite of their respective folding
cylinders 107, 108 and 109, 110, they will be taken by the grippers 4, and at the
proper time folded transversely by the blades 5 into the jaws 6, from which they
will be taken by the tapes 17, 19 and 17, 21, and carried into position above their
respective folding rolls, 66, 67, the stops 1 being of course turned upwards so as to
arrest said sheets in the proper position.-As the (now twice folded) sheets arrive,
and are arrested in proper position, they will be folded between the rolls 66, 67 by

page_text: the blades 68, 69, thus receiving a second longitudinal fold, after which they will
pass downward in front of the guides 71, 72, and be laid by the flies 73, 74 upon
the tapes 15, 10.
When operating in this manner, the apparatus will print and deliver four full
sheets or four page papers at each revolution of the form cylinders.
If it is desired to produce an eight page paper, or a product consisting of two
full sheets associated together and folded as described, the forms may be placed
upon the form cylinders so as to print the pages in the order indicated in Fig: 6.
The web will be split upon the line z z, and the sections severed upon the lines xx
in the manner already described. The switch 8 will be put in operation, so that
each alternate sheet will be carried around upon the gathering cylinder, and
associated with the one following, so that the sheets of the two sections will pass
to their longitudinal folders in pairs, where they will receive their first fold, as
indicated in Fig: 7, after which they will be further folded as already described.
The forms, instead, of being placed upon the form cylinders so as to print the
pages in the order indicated in Fig: 6, may be so placed as to print the pages in
the order indicated in Fig: 8, in which case the product just described can be
obtained by leading one of the sections of the web, after it has been split, around
the bar 98, and the other around the bar 97, so that the two sections will be
associated as shewn in Fig 8.-The section of the web which passes around the
bar 98 will be led around register rolls, as 26, 27, by which its travel will be so
distanced as to bring the pages of the two sections into proper register. In this
case the switch 8 will be rendered inoperative, so that the sheets severed from the
two-ply web thus formed will pass directly to the longitudinal folder 106, where
they will receive their first fold as indicated in Fig 9, after which they will be
further folded and delivered by the fly 74 in the manner already set forth.
When operating in either of the manners just described, the apparatus will
print and deliver two double sheet or eight page papers at each revolution of the
form cylinders.
If it is desired to produce a sixteen page paper, or a product consisting of four
full sheets associated together and folded as described, the forms will be placed
upon the form cylinders so as to print the pages in the order indicated in Fig: 10.
The web, after being split upon the line zz will have its sections associated and
brought into proper register in the manner already described in connection with
Fig: 8. The two ply web thus formed will be severed upon the line xx, and the
switch 8 will be operated, so that the succeeding pairs of sheets thus formed
will be associated.-The four sheets thus brought together will pass to the folder 106,
where they will be folded longitudinally as indicated in Fig 11, after which they
will be further folded and delivered by the fly 74 in the manner already set forth.-
When operating in this manner, the apparatus will print and deliver one quadruple
sheet, or sixteen-page paper at each revolution of the form cylinders.
If it is desired to produce a six page paper, or a product consisting of one full
and one half sheet associated and folded as described, a web of three-fourths width
will be used, and the forms will be placed upon the form cylinders so as to print
the pages in the order indicated in Fig: 12. The web, after being split upon the
line z z, will have its sections associated and registered in the manner indicated in
Fig 12, after which the two ply web thus formed will be severed upon the line xx.
The switch 8 will be rendered inoperative, so that the pairs of sheets thus formed
will pass directly to the longitudinal folder 106, where the full sheet will be folded
as indicated in Figure 13. The sheets will then pass to the final folding mechanism,
and be delivered by the fly 74 in the manner already described. When operating
in this manner, the apparatus will print and deliver two six-page papers at each
revolution of the form cylinders.
If it is desired to produce a twelve-page paper, or a product consisting of two
full sheets and two half sheets associated together and folded as described, a web
of three fourths width will be used, and the forms will be placed upon the form
cylinders so as to print the pages in the order indicated in Fig 14. The web will
1.
"

page_text: be split, associated, and severed in the manner just described, and the switch 8 will
be operated so as to associate the succeeding pairs of sheets, after which the two
full sheets and two half sheets thus brought together will pass to the longitudinal
folder 106, and be folded in the manner indicated in Fig 15. The sheets will be
further folded and delivered in the manner already described. When operating in
this manner, the apparatus will print and deliver one twelve-page paper at each
revolution of the form cylinders.
If it should be desired to deliver either of the products specified with two, instead
of three folds, it may be done by simply throwing the blades 68, 69 out of
operation, and moving the stops 1 to the position shewn in Fig: 2.-The sheets
from the cylinder 109, instead of being folded between the rolls 67, will then pass
forward between the tapes, 17 and 19 and guides 7, into the bite of the tapes 17, 21,
from which they will be delivered directly to the fly 112, and those from the
cylinder 107 (when said cylinder is operating upon sheets, as when four page or
eight-page papers, by the aid of the gathering cylinder, are being produced) will
also pass directly to the same fly.
To permit the cylinder fly 112 to run at a slow rate of speed, the pulleys 61
will be so positioned that when both of the cylinders 107 109 are operating upon
sheets, those from the cylinder 109 will arrive at the cylinder 107 just in time to
be associated with those from that cylinder, thereby causing the sheets to be
delivered in pairs instead of singly to the grippers 3 of the cylinder 112.
It will of course be understood that by making the blade 68 alone inoperative,
one half of the four-page papers or of the eight-page papers, when produced by the
aid of the gathering cylinder, may be delivered by the fly 112 with two folds, and
the other half by the fly 74 with three folds, if desired.
If it should be desired, when producing six or twelve page papers, as just
described, to utilize the full capacity of the printing mechanism, it may be done by
using a web of full width, and providing an extra slitter 95, and turning bar 96, as
indicated in Fig: 1. The ends of the form cylinders may then be provided with
forms so arranged that the outside narrow section of the web will receive
impressions for two page papers or supplements.-This section will then be led
around the bar 96, and between the cutting cylinders, suitable register rolls being
of course provided, if necessary, to cause it to travel the proper distance to bring
its pages into proper register with the severing blade. The half-sheets thus
produced will then pass, either singly or in pairs, over one side of the longitudinal
folder 105, without being folded after which they may either receive two folds, and
pass to the fly 73, or one fold and pass to the fly 112.
It will of course be seen that the sections of the web, instead of being severed
into sheets before they arrive at the gathering cylinder, may be led directly to, and
severed upon said cylinder, or that the association of the sheets, when required,
may be effected by means of other well known mechanisın, and also that by
otherwise suitably associating the sections of the web, the cutting and gathering
mechanisms may be arranged, parallel with, instead of at right angles to the
printing cylinders.
In conclusion, it is to be remarked that, if it should be desired, instead of one
wide web, two narrow webs may be led side by side through the printing
mechanism, in which case the slitter may of course be omitted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention as cominunicated to me from abroad, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, I declare that what I claim is
1st The arrangement of delivery apparatus for web-printing machines above
described, whereby products containing different amounts of printed matter are
produced and delivered as and for the purpose set forth.
2nd The combination with a sheet associating mechanism, as 104, arranged at
right angles to the printing cylinders of interposed turning mechanism, as "the
bars 97, 98, all substantially as described.

page_text: 3rd The combination with the printing mechanism and the turning bar or bars,
as 98-97, of forwarding tapes, as 81, 82, for conveying the leading end of the web
or sections to said bars, substantially as described.
4th The combination with a plurality of folding mechanisms, as the cylinders 107,
108 and 109, 110, of a plurality of final folding mechanisms, as the rolls 66, 67 and
blades 68, 69, a piling mechanism, as the cylinder 112, and means by which the
sheets from said first folding mechanisms can be sent either to said piling mechanism
or to said final folding mechanisms to be further folded, all substantially as
described.
5th The combination with a plurality of folding mechanisms, as the cylinders 107,
108 and 109, 110, of a piling mechanism, as the cylinder 112, and the tapes 17, 19,
21, said tapes being so arranged that the sheets delivered from said folding
mechanisms will be associated and delivered to the piling mechanism in pairs or
lots, all substantially as described.
6th The combination with a plurality of folding mechanisms, as 107, 108,
and 109, 110, of a moving carrier arranged to receive the sheets delivered from
said folding mechanisms, associate the same into lots, and deliver said lots to a fly
or piling mechanism, all substantially as described.