Improvements in Folding Apparatus Applicable to Rotary Web Printing Machines.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 17th May, 1886.
Complete Left, 17th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 18th Mar., 1887.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Apparatus Applicable to Rotary Web
Printing Machines.
I, THOMAS GALLOWAY DAWSON, of the firm of William Dawson and Sons, Ashfield
Foundry, Otley, in the County of York, Printers Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to rotary web printing and folding machines, the speed of
which it is well known is limited mainly by the rate of speed at which the last, or
what are termed the cross folds can be made, and consists of certain improvements in
the construction of the cross folding apparatus and the arrangement of the folding
knives in such a manner whereby the apparatus is made more compact than machines
hitherto produced, and obtains the advantage that while working at a comparatively
slow speed will fold all the papers issuing from the most rapid printing machine.
The first folds in the papers are effected in the ordinary manner, they are then con-
veyed by travelling tapes to an oscillating switch by which they are diverted in an
upward and downward direction, two going up and two down alternately. The papers
are again divided by two oscillating switches which divert them to independent
folding apparatus placed one above another in each of which are two knives, one for
pressing the papers between rollers in a downward direction for receiving the first.
cross fold and another on the underside for raising and pressing the papers in an
upward direction between another pair of rollers which give the second cross fold, the
papers are then conveyed by tapes to delivery flyers of any suitable kind. In machines
constructed hitherto for the above purpose, the knives for pressing the paper between
the rollers, have been actuated either altogether in a downward or upward direction,
but by my arrangement, which is equally applicable to double or quadruple folding
apparatus, the upward and downward movements are combined, by which means I am
enabled to give to the papers two cross folds within a very short distance of each
other and thus make the apparatus more certain in action and to occupy less space
than heretofore.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Apparatus Applicable to Rotary Web
Printing Machines.
I, THOMAS GALLOWAY DAWSON, of the firm of William Dawson and Sons, Ashfield
Foundry, Otley, in the County of York Printers Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to rotary web printing and folding machines, the speed of
which as is well known is limited mainly by the rate of speed at which the last and
what are termed the cross folds can be made; and consists of certain improvements in
the construction of the cross folding apparatus, by the arrangement of the folding
knives in such a manner, whereby the apparatus is more compact than in machines as
hitherto constructed; with the additional advantage, that while working at a com-
paratively slow speed, will fold all the papers issuing from the most rapid printing
machine.
In describing the invention in detail, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, in which Fig. 1 represents a side view in outline of the rollers and tapes as
they may be arranged for conducting the papers to the respective positions for
receiving the first cross folds, some of the rollers and knives are omitted for making
the drawing clearer; and Fig. 2 is an end view shewing the folding knives and rollers,
other portions of the machine not pertaining to the elucidation of the invention being
omitted.
The papers are printed and the first folds effected in the ordinary manner, after
which they are conveyed by endless travlling tapes between the rollers A. A. to the
oscillating switch B, by which they are diverted in an upward and downward direction,
two going up and two down alternately.
When the papers are diverted in an upward direction, the point of the switch B. is
moved to near the bottom roller A as shewn, for a period sufficient to allow two
papers to pass between the rollers C. C. when the oscillating switch D diverts them to
independent folding apparatus, the said switch allowing one paper to be conveyed
between the rollers and tapes, in the direction of arrow 1 to the stop E on top
folding apparatus; the switch Das soon as the first paper is clear, moves on its axis
to the position shewn by dotted lines, thereby diverting the second paper between
the tapes in the direction of arrow 2 to the stop E of another cross folding
apparatus.
As soon as the first two papers that pass between the rollers C. C. are clear of the
switch B, it is oscillated on its axis to the position shewn by dotted lines for diverting
two papers in a downward direction; the papers passing between rollers F. F. are
conveyed between tapes in the direction of arrow 3, to the switch G, which oscillates
on its axis and thereby diverts one paper between the tapes in the direction of

page_text: arrow 4 to the stop E, and the other between the tapes in the direction of arrow 5 to
the respective stop E, all of which are adjustable and of the ordinary construction.
Each folding apparatus is provided with two knives K. and K', attached to suitable
arms and placed one above another. When a paper arrives at one of the stops E, the
respective top knife K is operated in the usual manner on its axis L, so that on the
knife K moving downward in the direction of arrow 6, the paper is pressed between
the rollers M. M, thereby receiving the first cross fold: the folded paper then passing
between the tapes H, slides down the incline J to the adjustable stop E', when the
bottom knife K is operated in an upward direction; thereby pressing the paper
between the rollers P. P. which give the second cross fold: the papers are then con-
veyed from the rollers P. P. of the respective cross folding apparatus by the tapes R,
in the direction of arrows 7, to the delivery flyers of the ordinary construction, for
delivering the same on to a table or receiving and counting apparatus.
In machines as hitherto constructed for cross folding, the knives for pressing the
papers between the rollers have been actuated either altogether in a downward or
upward direction; but by arranging the knives with upward and downward move-
ments, I am enabled to give the papers two cross folds within a very short distance of
each other, thus making the apparatus more certain in its action by the nearness to
each other of the folding knives, and the slow speed at which they are required to be
operated.
When printing what are termed four page newspapers, all the cross folding knives
are brought into operation as described; but when the machine is altered for printing
eight page newspapers, only two sets of the cross folding apparatus are necessary; and
in order to divert the papers all in one direction, either all upward or downward, the
oscillating switch D is made stationary, by disconnecting the operating apparatus and
securing the switch in the required position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
Cross folding apparatus in which one set of knives are operated in a downward and
the other in an upward direction for effecting two cross folds in papers substantially in
the manner described.
The combination of the oscillating switches B. D. and G with the four sets of cross
folding apparatus all arranged substantially in the manner and for the purpose set
forth.
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.