Improvements in Machines for Printing Multiple Copies of Writing, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Printing Multiple Copies of Writing,
and the like.
We, CARL ANATOLE MEYER, of 81, Werdstrasse, Zurich, in the Republic of
Switzerland, Merchant, and GOTTLIEB ERNST SEILER, of 5, Sonneggstrasse, Zurich,
aforesaid, Merchant, 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:-
The machines hitherto introduced for printing multiple copies of writing and
the like are mostly furnished with a more or less complicated inking mechanism,
the object of which is the inking of the negative or printing surface on the print-
ing cylinder. Apart from the fact, that this inking mechanism, as a special part
of the machine, requires corresponding space, its operation is troublesome, and
easily leads to a soiling of the impression cylinder.
The object of this invention is a machine for printing multiple copies in which
these disadvantages are obviated. For this purpose the inking contrivance is
seated directly on the periphery of the cylinder which carries the negative or print-
ing band, so that during the rotation of the said cylinder, it conveys ink to the
inking rollers which in turn apply the same to the negative or printing band. In
this way, the construction and management of the machine are simplified and great
productive capacity ensured.
In the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 is a front view of the machine.
Fig. 2 a side view from the right.
The impression cylinder 3 is rotably seated in the support 2 carried by the bed
plate 1. In this cylinder, a right angled space or recess 4 is formed, and in such
recess a shaft 7 furnished with a wing" is arranged to rotate, by means of its
pins 5 mounted in bearings in the two sides of the cylinder 3. The shaft 7 is
actuated by a lever 8 outside the cylinder in such a manner, that when the arm 9
of the lever is set in motion towards the centre of the shaft by the action of a spring,
the “wing" 6 is turned towards (or against) the broader surface of the recess―on
the other hand, if the arm 9 be moved upwards, the "wing" 6 is pressed away
from the said surface.
On the wing 6 moreover, pins 10 are arranged and these, as will be explained
later on, serve as a stop or lay for the sheet of paper laid under the outer edge of
the wing 6.
The part 11, adjacent to, and on the right of, the recess 4, is made somewhat
deeper as compared with that of the left, that is to say, the radius of the former
is smaller than that of the remaining covering surface; this part also terminates in
a recess 12. In the two recesses 4 and 12, the ends of a flat stretched band 13 are
fixed to the cylinder. This band extends over the principal part of the periphery
of the impression cylinder. On one side of the impression cylinder is a toothed
disc 14, which stands in engagement with a similar toothed disc 16 on the printing
cylinder 15. The printing cylinder carries a band 17, made for example of felt
and outside that a negative or printing band 17, each end of which is held stretched
in a suitable device 18, and by the action of the springs 19 is kept in that con-
dition over the felt cover of the printing cylinder, the two parts 18, as well as the

page_text: The
springs 19, lying in a recess 20 of the printing cylinder 15. The side edges of the
band 17" rest on rings 21, made for example of felt, which are bent into the
cylinder and absorb water pressed out from the sides of the moistened band 17".
Instead of the band 17" being of felt, the periphery of the printing cylinder 15
may have a coat of plaster capable of absorbing a certain quantity of water.
negative or printing band 17 encircles its cylinder to a like extent to that of the
band 13 arranged on the impression cylinder 3. The portion of the periphery of the
printing cylinder 15 which is not encircled by the negative or printing band is
formed by an inking plate 22, preferably made of sheet zinc, this plate being
furnished with side slots 23 and 24, by means of which it can be removed from the
printing cylinder 15 or pushed on to the same.
The upper arms 25 of the supports 2 carry a cross bar 26, with which two arms 28
supporting the shaft 27 of the type cylinder 15 are linked. By the rotation by
the lever 31 of two eccentrics 30 fixed on a common shaft 29 the printing cylinder
can be permanently put out of contact with the impression cylinder 3. By the
rotation of the arms 28, around the rod 26 in the direction of the arrow Z, Fig. 1,
the printing cylinder 15 can be lifted out of its bearings; the eccentrics 30 will
then lie on the extensions 47 of the upper arms 25 of the support, so that access
can be obtained to the lifted out cylinder and the negative or printing band lie
stretched thereon.
The arms 32 of the support 2 carry with the aid of the shaft 33 and the arms 34,
two inking rollers 35 and 36 made of some elastic material printer's roller com-
position for instance.
The rollers 35 and 36 are drawn into the working position against the printing
cylinder 15 by means of the easily disengaged and regulated spring 37 and lever 38,
which latter is firmly connected with the shaft 33; they can however when the
spring 37 is "un-hung" be brought into the position of rest indicated by dotted
lines, in which position, the lever 38 lies against the pin 39 fixed to the support 2.
Before the machine is put into action, the original copy written in suitable ink,
is laid on a table etc. on the negative or printing band 17, which has been previously
moistened.
The moistened felt band 17" as well as the negative or printing band 17 is now
laid around the type cylinder and the negative or printing band kept permanently
stretched by means of the springs 19. The inking plate 22 is then inked, the print-
ing cylinder again placed in the position indicated, in the drawing and at the same
time the composition rollers 35 and 36 are applied to the printing cylinder, whilst
the spring 37 is suspended in the forked end of the lever 38.
After the printing cylinder 15 has been put out of contact with the impression
cylinder 3, by the turning down of the lever 31, the printing cylinder is rotated
several times by means of the crank handle 40, the inking plate 22 thereby apply-
ing ink to the rollers 35 and 36, and these in turn applying it to the negative or
printing band 17, which latter in consequence of its moistened condition, receives
the ink, but only on the parts covered with writing or other characters.
When the ink has been sufficiently distributed, the lever 31 is again turned back,
after the printing cylinder 15 has been previously brought into the position shown
in the drawing, whereby the toothed disc 16 comes into engagement with the corre-
sponding toothed disc 14 of the impression. cylinder 3. This engaging action is
assisted by springs 46 detachably suspended at the one end, on the support and at
the other, on the arms 28.
The sheet of paper, which is to be furnished with an impression of the copy on
the negative or printing band, is pushed between the band 13 and the "wing" 6
of the impression cylinder, as far as the stop pins 10, where it is immediately and
automatically held fast. If the impression cylinder 3 be rotated, by means of the
crank 41, in the direction of the arrow Z, Fig. 1, the arm 9 of the lever 8, in con-
sequence of the action of the spring 42 slips away from the " props "43 of the
small plate 44, fixed to the support 2, whereby the "wing" 6 of the shaft 7 presses
against the bent end of the band 13, and so firmly retains the sheet of paper.

page_text: If the impression cylinder be further rotated, in consequence of the weight of the
cylinder 15 and the action of the springs 46, an impression is made on the inserted
sheet of paper; the portions of the negative or printing band, which have just
applied ink to the sheet of paper, come into contact with the inking rollers 35
and 36, whereby these portions receive fresh ink.
During the rotation of the printing cylinder, the inking plate 22 has come into
contact with the inking rollers, and again applied ink thereto. From what has
been stated it will be seen that during a single rotation of the cylinder a) an
impression is obtained, b) the inking plate applies ink to the inking rollers and c)
the inking rollers apply ink to the negative band and prepare it for the following
impression.
Shortly before the impression cylinder 13 reaches the position indicated in the
drawing the arm 9 of the lever 8, which takes part in the rotary action, is pressed
outwards by the "props" 43, so that the "wing" 6 has moved away from the sheet
of paper and set the latter free. By the introduction of a fresh sheet of paper
and a single rotation of the cylinder 3, another impression is produced, and so on
at every further rotation of the impression cylinder 3.
In order that the inking plate 22 may not apply ink to the cylinder 3 and so
soil it, the part 11 of the periphery of the impression cylinder which corresponds
with the inking plate is recessed so that the one cannot come into contact with the
other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In machines for printing multiple copies of writing and the like, the
combination of a printing cylinder having an inking plate forming part of its
periphery and rotating with it, means for readily applying such inking plate to
said cylinder and removing it therefrom, a negative or printing band stretched
around the remainder of the periphery of said cylinder and over an absorbent band
or coat, inking rollers acting to take off ink from the inking plate and convey it
to the negative or printing band in the revolution of the printing cylinder, an
impression cylinder having means for gripping one edge of the paper to be printed,
means for revolving the printing and impression cylinders, means for raising the
printing cylinder a short distance above the impression cylinder when distributing
the ink and means for further removing the printing cylinder from the impression
cylinder and supporting it when a negative or printing band is to be applied thereto
and removed therefrom substantially as herein set forth.
2) In a machine for printing multiple copies of writing and the like by means
of a printing cylinder, the combination of a printing cylinder having an inking
plate forming part of its periphery and rotating with it, a negative or printing
band stretched around the remainder of the periphery of the printing cylinder,
and inking rollers acting to take off ink from the inking plate when the printing
cylinder is rotated and convey it to the negative or printing band substantially as
herein set forth.
3) In machines for printing multiple copies of writing and the like the com-
bination with the printing cylinder of an inking plate forming part of its periphery
and capable of ready application to and removal from the printing cylinder sub-
stantially as herein set forth.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.