IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PRINTING MACHINES" which Invention has been communicated to me from abroad
by R. Hoe and Company of the City County and State of New York in the
United States of America, Printing machine Manufacturers, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the class of machines referred to in the Specification of
a prior Patent No 1127 dated 27th March 1875 and consists in a method of
printing a four page paper from type or stereotype or a mixture of both. The
four formes in the case of type are placed two abreast on one cylinder the column
rules lying parallel to the axis of the cylinder and the formes not occupying its
whole surface. The web after it has been printed on one side, is reversed, and
then printed by the same cylinder on the other side, being afterwards longi-
tudinally severed along its central line. By this method there is obtained with
the same speed of web, twice the production of a machine in which the type is
placed on two cylinders as in the machine described in the Specification of Bond
and Foster's Patent N° 774 year 1871 and if the formes be placed on one cylinder
as illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings of the Specification of the
aforesaid Patent No 1127 year 1875 the two rolls there shewn produce the same
number of papers as does one roll when printed on in the manner above indicated.
When the machine is also required to print a 6 page paper, the printing cylinder
is adapted to receive two additional formes so that it will have six formes on it
two abreast and by mechanism which is provided for the purpose the web is
brought into the form of four page papers so that the same folding apparatus may
be used for folding the 6 as for folding the page papers.
When the pages are not too long to admit of a three-breadth roll being used,
then three formes are placed abreast on a cylinder and the web is split longi-
tudinally into three strips. Two of the strips are severed into sheets on each side
of which two pages are printed the remaining strip being severed into sheets on
each side of which one page is printed and these last mentioned sheets are
associated alternately with the one and the other stream of two paged sheets
whereby a six page paper is printed from one set of formes (whose columns lie per-
pendicularly to their motion) and is caused to issue so that the after folding
mechanism is the same as is required when printing a four page paper.
Dated this 98th day of Angust 1885.
J. HENRY JOHNSON.

page_text: Improvements in Printing Machines.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention a communication from
abroad by R. Hoe and Company of the City County and State of New York in the
United States of America printing machine Manufacturers 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 the printing a six-page paper from one set of forms
when the forms are placed on the printing cylinder so that the column-rules lie
parallel to the axis of the cylinder.
The invention consists in combining with suitable impression-cylinders and a
form cylinder upon which six-forms are arranged three abreast of means for
longitudinally dividing the web, first into three strips or narrow webs, then
transversely severing two of the strips into sheets of large size and the other strip
into sheets of smaller size and means for associating alternate smaller sheets with
the large sheets, all of which is particularly hereinafter set forth.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine illustrating my Invention, Figure 2
being a side elevation shewing the delivery end of the machine on a larger scale
Figure 3 is a corresponding plan view. Figure 4 a Section on the line X X
Figure 2; and Figures 5 to 10, inclusive, indicate how the webs issue in the
various cases to which they relate.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, A indicates the form-cylinder, on which the
six forms are placed three abreast. The circumference of this cylinder may be
once or twice or three times or & times the breadth of two forms, (plus suitable
margins) a corresponding number of impression-cylinders of course being employed-
In the drawings the circumference is three times the said breadth, so that there are
three impression-cylinders (marked B¹) for printing one side of the web, and three
impression-cylinders, B³, for printing the other side of the web.-Carrier-cylinders C¹,
are arranged in connection with the impression-cylinders B¹, and similar ones C³ in
connection with the impression-cylinders B' to conduct the web between pairs of
such cylinders.
D, is any suitable turning apparatus fixed in such a way that when the web
forming the roll R is the broadest the machine will print(i,e, is a three-breadth
roll) its sides will be reversed by passing through the apparatus without the web
undergoing any lateral transfer. As such devices are well known, it is unnecessary
to further explain the one shewn in the drawings, which is such as is described in
the Specification of Letters Patent No 1127/75 with reference to Figure 6.
GG mark rollers which conduct the web respectively to and from the said
turning apparatus D.
E, F, mark the slitting mechanism for longitudinally dividing the web. As
shewn, it consists of a cylinder F, having cutting grooves in which rotary cutters
or slitters, mounted in the cylinder E, run, (See Figure 3.)
The course of the web up to the last-mentioned cylinders is manifest by an
inspection of the drawings. It is printed on one side by the impression-cylinders B¹

page_text: and then, after passing through the turning apparatus D, is' reversed, and then is
printed on the other side by the impression-cylinders B and it is evident that by
suitably arranging the six forms on the form-cylinder A, the web may be printed
on as indicated by Figure 5, the dotted longitudinal lines shewing the lines along
which the web is divided by the slitters of the cylinders E, F.--Thus the web,
after passing between the slitting mechanism, becomes three distinct strips or one-
breadth webs, which are indicated by the letters R¹ R³ R³.
The object of the mechanism shewn to the left of the cylinders E F is to cause
the webs to pass between the rollers, n, n, in the form indicated by Figure 6.—
There they form two continuous side-by-side streams of six-page papers, fac-similes
of one another in every respect, and the further folding and delivery mechanism
may be the same as is used for folding four-page papers.-As such folding-
mechanisms are well known, and as this Invention does not relate thereto, none
are shewn in the drawings.
I will first describe the mechanism to the left of the Cylinders E and F, and
afterwards indicate the course of the webs in passing through it.
H indicates a reversing apparatus, similar to the apparatus D.-, j, are fixed
cylinders or turners arranged at right angles to one another and inclined at an
angle of forty-five degrees to the Cylinder E.-k is a roller whose axis is at right
angles to that of the cylinder E, and it is inclined at forty-five degrees to the
turner or cylinders j, l.-The strip R¹ passes through this reversing apparatus, first
over the turner 1, then out at right angles to the roller k, around which latter it is
returned to pass over the turner j, which again turns it at right angles.-It is thus
reversed and transferred laterally by exactly its breadth.
H¹ indicates a reversing apparatus similar to that marked H, (f and q being the
fixed turners or cylinders, and g, the roller corresponding to the roller k, of the
apparatus H.)
Q, Q, are cutting cylinders which transversely sever the web R³ into one-page
broad sheets, as indicated by the dotted transverse lines on the web R' in Figure 5.
Alternate sheets of this web pass through the reversing apparatus H' and it must
therefore be taped as hereinafter explained.-The reversing apparatus H, is fixed
horizontally, while H is similarly inclined.-Of course this is a detail, and their
position may be varied at pleasure.
GG, are cutting cylinders for transversely severing the webs R¹ R³, which pass
between them, into two-page broad strips, R¹ R³ as indicated by the lines across
those webs in Figure 5.
A number of pairs of drawing-rollers are used, (marked respectively L, L, e, e,
n, n, a, b, c, d, T, U and T¹ U.)
A pair of oscillating rollers, V, W, (a slight interval being between them,) is
arranged to move in the arc of a circle whose centre is the point of contact of the
rollers, T and U, and the axes of the rollers, a, b, c, d, lie in the arc of a circle
concentric with the one just mentioned. The rollers, V and T and W and U, are
connected by tapes, and the oscillations of the rollers, V and W, must be timed so
as to deliver sheets alternately between rollers, a and b, and between rollers c
and d-Rollers c¹¹ have their shafts provided with loose running pulleys, some-
what smaller in diameter, than the rollers themselves, and these rollers are
provided with guards c d for the purpose of preventing the on-coming sheets
from coming in contact with the tapes that go round the said rollers c¹ d¹
respectively, m, h and e³ mark ordinary carrier-rollers, 8 and o, indicate rollers for
returning the tapes which pass through the reversing apparatus H¹ and 7º¹µ³ ³
ttt designate guide pulleys for the same purpose, their axes being all parallel to
one another and at right angles to the rollers, such as e, e &o.
The taping is as follows: A set of tapes pass round the rollers d, and d¹. The
upper roller e, and the loose pulleys on the shaft of d.are also connected by tapes.
Tapes pass round the lower roller e, and thence between rollers n, n. The ends y¹
must of course be ultimately joined to the ends y of the same tapes, but they
are not shewn as joined, since their course after passing between rollers, n, n will

page_text: depend on the after folding and delivery mechanism. A set of tapes, (denoted
by i,) pass round rollers, c, and the loose pulleys on c³.
from
Referring to the tapes which pass through the reversing apparatus H³ tapes go
round the roller b, thence round the roller h to the turning-bar f, from there round
the roller to the turning-bar q, and thence between the rollers n, n, the ends
being indicated by the letter s¹. Their future course will depend on the after-
folding and delivery mechanism, and therefore they are not shewn as joined to the
other ends, ; but of course they must be ultimately returned by guide pulleys or
other suitable means to the other ends z. Another set of tapes, (which should run
in pairs on the top of the tapes last described) start from the roller a, go round
the roller h to the turning-bar f, thence round rollers g, to the turning-bar
there round the rollers c¹ and o, thence round the guide pulleys (one tape
going round each pulley,) thence round the rollers 8, from there round the guide
pulleys t¹tt (one tape going round each pulley,) and then return to the roller a.
The three webs R1 R R³, after passing between the cylinders E F follow each
a different path, but such that each of them ultimately passes between the
rollers n, n, The web R¹ goes round the turning-bar l, to roller k, thence round
turning-bar j, to between drawing-rollers L L. It is then transversely severed by
the cutting-cylinders G, G, into two-page broad sheets, and passing between
rollers e, e, goes between the rollers, n, n The web R³ goes straight to the
roller m, and thence between rollers L L, its transverse severing and after course
being similar to that just described, with reference to the web R-Thus the two
webs R R³, will pass between the rollers n, n, in two continuous side-by-side
streams of sheets two-page broad, (in the direction of their motion,) the pages
lying in the same way up in each stream. The cutting cylinders G G must com-
pletely sever the webs transversely, or a suitable device be added for the purpose
of completing the severance.-The web R³ goes from the cylinders E, F, to between
rollers TU and passing between the cutting-cylinders QQ, whereby it is severed
on the dotted lines shewn in Figure 5, enters between rollers, T, U, in a stream of
one-page broad sheets.-The oscillation of the rollers V, W, causes the sheets to be
delivered alternately between rollers a and b, and between rollers c and d. Those
which enter between rollers c and d, pass to between the rollers n, n, without
undergoing any reversal or lateral transfer.-Those entering between rollers, a
and b, pass over roller h, to the turning-bar f, thence round the roller g, to the
turning-bar g, and finally pass between rollers, n, n, having had their sides
reversed, and having been transferred laterally by just their breadth, (measured at
right angles to the motion,)-Of course, the distance of travel of the sheets from
between rollers a and b to between rollers n n and likewise from between rollers c
and d to between rollers n n must be adjusted so that the pages come in proper
order as indicated in Figure 6 and the oscillation of the rollers V. W must be timed
so that the sheets p* Figure 5 pass between c and d and the sheets q³ between
rollers a and b.
The transverse cutting cylinders Q Q may completely sever the sheets or it may
be completed by the oscillation of the rollers V W and instead of the oscillating
rollers a switch or switches or any other suitable device for dividing one stream
into two streams may be used.
When it is desired to print a four page in lieu of a six page paper no adjustments
are needed further than to duly regulate the supply of ink and to use (in place of
one three breadth web) two one breadth webs arranged with a one breadth
interval between them, the forms being on the printing cylinder so that the webs
issue printed on as indicated by Figure 7. Similarly a two page paper may be
printed by using one one-breadth web centrally placed and arranging the two
forms so that the web may issue printed on as indicated by Figure 8. After
passing between rollers n n the sheets should go direct to the second fold-giving
mechanism without passing through (as is the case of a four and a six page paper)
the first fold giving mechanism.

page_text: All the preceding obviously applies to the case of transverse cutting before
printing the sheets being suitably conducted between tapes and the circumference
of the printing-cylinder being some multiple of the portion occupied by the forms
plus suitable margins plus the interval between successive sheets at the time of
printing.
It is obvious that the manner of associating the strips may be very much varied
without departing from the principle of my Invention.
.
For example the strip R' might be transferred laterally without being reversed
provided that the sheets P' from the web R' are made to enter between the
rollers a b and are transferred without reversal and the sheets q' from web R' are
led on to the under side of strip R¹ The portion p³ of strip R³ having page 4
uppermost will thus be transferred laterally onto the web R³ and the next
portion q³ of the strip R2 having page 3 uppermost will be transferred laterally by
turners that will carry it around the devices in its path and return it without
reversing it under the strip R¹. So, too, it would be practical to allow the strip R¹
to run direct but be reversed without deflection and to conduct the section of the
web R2 that is to be associated with it through a transferring apparatus connected
with the pathway leading from the rolls c d and this would involve lateral transfer
of both sections of the web R2 the q² portion being transferred laterally and
reversed and the p³ portion simply transferred laterally but the section for
association with the web R³ would be led on top of said web and the section for
association with web R¹ would also be led onto the top of web R¹ In general this
result would not be so convenient for after folding since the papers in each stream
would have opposite sides uppermost and in both cases the amount of transfer
might be such that there would be an interval between the two streams instead of
their being close together as in Figure 6.
Again by longitudinally dividing or splitting the web before it has received its
second impression (in the manner explained in an application for Letters Patent for
an improvement in printing-presses filed by me on the same day as the present
application) the three breadth web might be brought into four page form substan-
tially in the way herein before described and a four page paper might be printed by
the use of one two-breadth roll instead of two single-breadth ones. For example
suppose the web is divided or split longitudinally along the dotted line shewn in
Figure 9 before it has received its second impression and that the resulting two
breadth and one-breadth webs are reversed independently as explained in the
aforesaid application. Then the forms may be arranged on the form-cylinder so
that the web issues as indicated by Figure 9 and now it may be brought into four
page form by treatment almost identical with that previously described. Thus the
web R¹ should be reversed and transferred laterally by just twice its breadth so as
to come underneath the web R. The web R' should be neither reversed nor
transferred. The alternate sheets p³ of the web R³ should be neither reversed nor
transferred while the alternate sheets 93 should be reversed and transferred by
exactly their breadth so as to come onto the web R³. Two streams will thus be
formed exactly like those in Figure 6.
To print a four-page paper a two-breadth roll should be placed toward one side
of the machine and the forms placed on the printing cylinder so that the web may
issue as shewn by Figure 10. Similarly for a two page paper a one breadth web
should be placed toward a side of the machine (instead of centrally as before) and
the web should issue as Figure 8 indicates.
Having now particularly described. and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that
what I claim is
First. The combination with mechanism for printing opposite sides of a web
with like matter of slitting mechanism for dividing one web into three webs, and of
mechanism for directing successive sections of one web alternately into association
with the other two webs, all substantially as described.

page_text: Second. The combination with a slitting mechanism for dividing one web into
three webs of deflecting devices for bringing the outside webs side by side and a
switching mechanism for directing alternate sections of the central web into
separate pathways, one of which is provided with a transferring mechanism, the
whole operating to associate successive sections of one web alternately with the
other two webs, all substantially as described.
Third. The combination in a web printing press of a form cylinder (adapted to
receive six forms three abreast the column-rules lying parallel to its axis) and
impression-cylinders with mechanism for longitudinally dividing or splitting the
web into three strips, mechanism for transversely severing two of the strips into
sheets on each side of which two pages are printed mechanism for severing the
remaining strip into sheets on each side of which one page is printed, and
mechanism for associating these last mentioned sheets alternately with the one and
the other stream of two paged sheets whereby a six-page paper is printed from one
set of forms (whose columns lie at right angles to their motion) and is caused to
issue so that the after-folding mechanism is the same as is required for folding two
streams of four-page papers, all substantially as described.