Improvements in Multicolor Printing Presses.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 2nd June, 1894
[Communicated from abroad by EMMA LOUISA FORBES, of 233, Chestnut Avenue,
Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., Gentlewoman.]
Improvements in Multicolor Printing Presses.
I, CHARLES AUBREY DAY, Chartered Patent Agent, of 321, High Holborn, in
the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention is related to an important class of printing machines intended for
the production of pictures and ornamental delineations in two or more colors;
and more specifically to those adapted to print on sheets of paper and on the same
side of each sheet, a number of superimposed impressions each with an ink of such
a color as in the aggregate will produce the desired design at every complete
revolution of the press.
In the press which forms the subject matter of this invention the sheet of paper
which is to receive the colored impression is fed to an impression-cylinder on which
three or some greater odd number of impression-surfaces are provided. These
are separated from each other by gaps across the cylinder, and in each gap grippers
are placed, one set for each impression-surface, which are constructed and operated
in the well known way so as to seize the leading edge of the sheet at the proper
time, the same being presented therefor at the end of the feed-board. Each
impression-surface ultimately receives a sheet, but not in immediate sequence; for
the cams which close the grippers on the paper are caused to do so only when every
second impression-surface is reached, so that alternate surfaces only carry sheets
for printing the intermediate surfaces going forward empty, whereby an intermittent
series of sheets upon the impression-cylinder is produced.
"
In operative contact with the impression-cylinder a number of form-cylinders,
one for every color, are driven by gearing in the usual way. These form-cylinders
are all of the same size and are all related to the diameter of the impression-
cylinder in such a way that the radius of a form-cylinder goes into the diameter
of the impression-cylinder an odd number of times without a remainder; and I
shall use, as sufficiently descriptive, the expression "odd aliquot part
to express
the relation in size of one form-cylinder to the other as just stated. On each
form-cylinder there is one curved form, less in length than half its circumference
by the circumferential length of a gap on the impression-cylinder. The form for
each form-cylinder lies upon a form-support; to this it is made fast, and the space
left empty on the cylinder (equal in length to that of the form and two gaps) is
depressed below the general surface. Under these conditions every sheet carried
by an impression-surface is brought by the revolution of the press, first, to the
leading edge of the form printing the first color; then, going forward, it meets the
leading edge of the form printing the second color; which contact is followed
directly by the commencement of the third printing; and so on to the end of the
series. The depressed portion of each form-cylinder in the meantime, as each
completes its revolution, passes only those impression-surfaces which carry no
sheets, together with the gaps at both ends of the same. The multicolor impressions
being thus accomplished, the sheet bearing them is carried under the feed-board to
suitable fingers where it is released and delivered on tapes, after which a fresh sheet
is fed to the empty impression-surface immediately following, and the like alternating
delivery and feed maintained so long as the press runs.

page_text: In the diagrammatic drawings which are part of this Specification,
Fig. 1 is a four-color press, and Fig. 2 a five-color machine of similar construction
except in the manner of feeding the sheets.
Figs. 3 and 4 show means for controlling the opening and closing of the grippers
in a press like that represented in Fig. 1 and
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate like means for opening the grippers in a press like that
shown in Fig. 2.
In Fig. 1, the impression-cylinder is marked 10. This is provided with three
'impression-surfaces 12, with gaps between containing each a set of grippers 14,
adapted to take and hold the leading edge of a sheet upon the adjacent impression-
surface. On the feed-board 16 the sheets are presented to the grippers and a
sheet is shown there, by a short heavy line, ready for the next grippers to close
upon it. The cams governing the taking and releasing of the sheets are shown in
Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, they resemble certain known devices for similar purposes, but
in this press they are made to operate on every second set of grippers only, by
the employment of special devices to be more fully described hereafter. The four
form-cylinders are marked 18. They have eich a form-support at 20, to which a
curved form is attached adapted in its design for the printing of one of the four
colors. The forms are marked near their leading edges on the cylinders; No. 1,
No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 respectively. The inking apparatus for the forms 22, are
all stationary, the forms receiving their ink as they come in contact with and pass
the form-rollers, once for every revolution of the form-cylinders. Inking devices
of this kind are common and do not require further explanation.
In Fig. 1, one sheet only is shown upon the impression-cylinder by a heavy line.
This has been printed upon by form No. 1, while form No. 2 is in the act of
printing the second color upon it, and No. 3 has just commenced to print the third
color. Forms Nos. 1 and 4, are passing empty impression-surfaces and are not
engaged in printing at the time shown. In this figure the previously printed sheet,
shown also by a heavy line, has been released under the feed-board the moment
before that selected for illustration, and it is being conveyed by the stripping
fingers 24 on to the delivery tapes 26.
Fig. 2 shows my invention applied in the construction of a five-color press.
This, in its essential features, is like that above described, five-form cylinders being
of course required to print the five colors. Room for these form-cylinders and
other advantages I gain without increasing the diameter of the impression-cylinder,
or the number of impression-surfaces upon it, by adding to the machine and
combining therewith the feed-cylinder 28. This interposed cylinder in Fig. 2 is
half the diameter of the form-cylinders. It takes the sheet from the feed-board 30,
(inclined from the side opposite to that used in Fig. 1) by means of the grippers 32,
and releases it at the moment when the grippers 14 close upon it, whereby it is
definitely and accurately transferred to its place upon the impression-cylinder.
The feed-cylinder 28 makes a complete revolution for every impression-surface as
it passes, but its grippers 32 open and take the sheet once only for every two
revolutions. A feed-cylinder double the diameter of this one might also be used,
if such were desirable, its grippers being then caused to close and take a sheet
once for every revolution it makes. This press may be conveniently driven by
the pinion 34.
In Fig. 3, means are shown for operating the grippers 14 in Fig. 1. A tumbling
cam 38, is made fast in the usual way to the end of the gripper shaft 36, and
pins 40 and 40' are projected forward into the same at the proper times by means
of the cams 42 and 42¹ respectively. These cams acting through the levers 44
and 44' and the sliding pins 40 and 40¹ turn the tumbling cam 38 over in one
direction or the other, thereby giving a partial rotation to the gripper shaft 36,
closing the grippers when the sheet is to be taken from the feed-board, and opening
them when it is to be let go at the delivery fingers 24. The tumbling cam and
grippers shown in the drawings are of course repeated for every impression-surface
on the impression-cylinder.

page_text: The gears 46 and 48, are related to each other as 2 is to 3, because the
impression-cylinder 10 makes two-thirds of a turn for each sheet taken or
delivered. It will be seen that the gear 48, is fast on the shaft of the impression-
cylinder, while the gear 46 with the cams 42 and 42' are on a stud in the.
frame 50.
When a feed-cylinder 28 is used as in Figs. 5 and 6, the pins 40 and 40* are-
projected forward to turn over the tumbling cam 38' at the proper times. This
is done also by means of the cam 42, and the lever 44, for the pins 40 and 40'
are thrown forward and retracted at the right times through the instrumentality.
of the yoke 52, and the lever 44%, which engages at its lower end with a.
collar 54 on the pin 40%. It will be seen therefore that the cam 42, does all
the work for both cylinders except the opening of the grippers as they pass the
delivery fingers 24, which is accomplished by the cam 421, lever 44' and pin 401.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that this press is both a convenient
and a rapid machine. It gives ready access to the form-cylinders, so that there is
plenty of room for attaching and otherwise manipulating the forms. An over-feed
is used, and a delivery, face up. As to speed; it follows from the construction,.
that for every complete revolution of one of the form-cylinders a finished
chromatic print is discharged from the press, irrespective of the number of colors.
used in printing.
The principle underlying this press is believed to be distinctive and definite; but I
do not wish it understood that I restrict myself exclusively to the special construction
shown, as equivalent apparatus may be devised based upon like relations, and which.
is therefore substantially the same.
By the expression "odd plurality "used in this Specification, such numbers as.
three, five, seven &c., are meant. And in this Specification, when reference
is made to the "length" of a form, or form-support, or impression-surface, gap.
or gap-spaces, the extension of the same circumferentially in the direction of
the run of the press and at right angles to the axes of its cylinders, is always
meant.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a multicolor printing press, the combination of an impression-cylinder
provided with an odd plurality of impression-surfaces; with two or more form-
cylinders placed operatively in relation thereto and adapted each to carry one form
covering less than half the circumference of the same, and each adjusted angularly
to register upon every second impression-surface of the impression-cylinder as the
cylinders revolve; substantially as described.
2. In a multicolor printing press, the combination of an impression-cylinder
provided with an odd plurality of impression-surfaces; with grippers for each
arranged to close upon alternate impression-surfaces as they pass under the sheet-
feeding devices; with form-cylinders in operative contact therewith, the radius of
each of which is an odd aliquot part of the diameter of the impression-cylinder,
and each bearing a form-support covering less than half the surface of the form--
cylinder and a relatively depressed surface for the remainder; together with inking
apparatus to supply the forms with the requisite colors for the several impressions
they print; substantially as described.
3. In a multicolor printing press adapted for printing sheets; an impression-
cylinder provided with an odd plurality of impression-surfaces separated from each
other by gaps containing grippers; in combination with as many equal sized form-
cylinders as there are forms to be printed, with a form-support on each equal in
length to one of the impression-surfaces and occupying less than half the periphery
of each form cylinder by a length equal to that of a gap on the impression-cylinder,
with a relatively depressed surface on each form-cylinder occupying the rest thereof;

page_text: and with cam devices closing every alternate set of grippers as the same pass the
sheet-feeding devices; substantially as described.
4. In a multicolor printing press for printing sheets; a feed-cylinder adapted to
seize and transfer the sheets presented to it; in combination and in operative
contact with an impression-cylinder bearing an odd plurality of impression-surfaces,
with grippers for each and means for closing the same on the sheets presented by
the feed-cylinder to every second impression-surface; with form-cylinders carrying
forms adapted to print the several colors in register upon the intermittent series of
sheets and with means for releasing and delivering each printed sheet from the press
in continuous alternation with the feed of blank sheets to the same; substantially
as described.
Dated this 10th day of April 1894.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.