IM- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CONTINUOUS PAPER INTO SHEETS, AND PILING OR DISPOSING OF THE SAME EITHER OPEN OR FOLDED
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Martyn Nicholls, of 35, Kirby. Street, Hatton
Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CONTINUOUS PAPER INTO SHEETS,
AND PILING OR DISPOSING OF THE SAME EITHER OPEN OR FOLDED."
Sealed the 24th December 1878, and dated the 25th June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Martyn Nicholls at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th June 1878.
HENRY MARTYN NICHOLLS, of 35, Kirby Street, Hatton Garden, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CONTINUOUS
PAPER INTO SHEETS, AND PILING OR DISPOSING OF THE SAME EITHER OPEN OR
FOLDED."
My Invention has reference mainly to improvements in apparatus described in
the Specification of a Patent granted to me, and bearing date June 9th, 1874,
No. 2005, and consists, in the first place, in the combination and arrangement of
apparatus, herein-after described, for cutting continuous paper and piling sheets
thereof.
In the present arrangement the cutting knife (with the mechanism for working
it) is placed in front of the fans, or between them and the table on which the
sheets are successively piled, as they are cut from the advancing web.
The combination of feeding rollers behind the knife or cuttingapparatus,described
in the Specification referred to, is also brought forward, so as to be as close behind
the knife as the fan passages will admit of. As the knife (which acts substantially
as described in the Specification referred to) is cutting the sheet from the web. a
pair of grippers fitted so as to act immediately in front of the knife (one on each
side of the web of paper) are made to close on the edge of the web or tail part of
the sheet, and when the knife is raised off the paper these grippers are caused to
descend, taking with them the tail part of the sheet and deposit it on the pile.
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page_text: These grippers are formed with an upper and lower jaw, the upper jaw being
adapted to work on a hinge and the lower jaw to slide in and out as required.
When the grippers reach the pile, the lower jaw is drawn back from underneath
the tail part of the sheet, by which action a small independent gripper at the side
of the principal gripper is raised from the edge of the pile and allowed to fall on
the edge of the fresh laid sheet, so that when the grippers are raised to secure the
tail part of the next succeeding sheet they leave the last sheet secure on the pile.
As the grippers rise the upper jaw of each is forced to open and ascend clear of
the side of the web, and the lower jaw thereof is caused fo slide outwards, so as
to be carried up under the edge of the web, and when the gripper has reached the
highest point the upper jaw is caused to snap on the lower jaw, thereby securing
the tail part of the sheet between them.
The up-and-down motion is by preference imparted to the grippers by excentrics
on the main shaft, which gives motion to the knife.
My Invention consists, in the second place, in constructing the table in sec-
tions, and combining therewith mechanism by which the sheets of paper may be
removed in mass without interfering with the process of filing. For this purpose
the surface of the table is formed in transverse sections, each section being inde-
pendently supported from underneath by a vertical support, which is free to move
as required in vertical guides. Each section with its vertical support is a little
more than counterbalanced, and with a consequent tendency, if left free, to rise to
the same level. By this arrangement, as the sheets are piled the surface of the
table in its various sections will be pressed down to a lower level, and as the sheets
are withdrawn in mass each section in succession will be allowed to rise to the
original level by the counterbalancing mechanism, thereby maintaining a constant
level for the entire surface of the table.
A convenient form of mechanism for the purpose consists of a horizontal shaft,
which on the lowering of the pile is turned by means of levers acted upon by pro-
jectious fixed to the several supports of the sections, and thereby a weight suspended
from a curved lever will be carried farther from the centre of the said shaft, a
counterbalancing weight being also applied to the opposite side of each support for
counterbalancing each section, as required. But the level of the surface of the pile
may also be maintained by causing the said horizontal shaft to turn by positive
gearing a given distance for each sheet or quire of sheets piled on the table.
The sheets which are being laid during the period of the removal of a pile are
held secure by the grippers, and thereby shield the tail end of the pile from any
disturbing action of the blast of air.
And, lastly, my Invention consists in the arrangement, hercin-after described, for
folding the sheet or sheets after it or they have been laid open on the table. In
this case. instead of the table above described, there is a table with an opening
through which the sheets can be forced and taken through a pair of rollers (suitably
From these rollers the sheet so
driven) by which the sheet receives its first fold.
folded is passed along an incline to a second pair of rollers, by passing through
which it receives a second fold, and it receives a third fold by its being forced
through a third pair of rollers mounted at right angles to the last-named pair,
which amount of folding will in most cases be enough.
When desirable the sheet may be caused to pass alternately to one side or the
other by means of a deflector, as it is forced through the table, whereby additional
time is gained in giving the succeeding folds.
In the case of printed sheets, when the sheet admits of it, I prefer to cut each
sheet in two, laying the outer half first on the table and the inner half on it, and
then sending both together through the table, thereby causing the one to be folded
inside the other. More than two sheets may be so treated.
This folding apparatus would require modification to suit the folds required by
different sheets.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Martyn Nicholls in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
December 1878.
HENRY MARTYN Nicholls, of 35, Kirby Street, Hatton Garden, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CONTINUOUS
PAPER INTO SHEETS, AND PILING OR DISPOSING OF THE SAME EITHER OPEN OR
FOLDED."
My Invention of "Improvements in Apparatus for Cutting Continuous Paper
into Sheets, and Piling or Disposing of the same either Open or Folded," has
reference mainly to improvements in apparatus described in the Specification of a
Patent granted to me, and bearing date, June Ninth, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-four, No. 2005, and consists, in the first place, in the combination and
arrangement of apparatus, herein-after described, for cutting continuous paper and
piling sheets thereof.
In the present arrangement the cutting knife (with the mechanism for working
it) is placed in front of the fans, or between them and the table on which the sheets
are successively piled as they are cut from the advancing web.
The combination of feedingrollers behind the knife or cuttingapparatus,described
in the Specification referred to, is also brought forward so as to be as close behind
the knife as the fan passages will admit of. As the knife (which acts substantially
as described in the Specification referred to) is cutting the sheet from the web a
pair of grippers, fitted so as to act independently in frout of the knife (one on each
side of the web of paper) are made to close on the edge of the web or tail part of
the sheet, and when the knife is raised off the paper these grippers are caused to
descend, taking with them the tail part of the sheet and deposit on the pile.
These grippers are formed with an upper and lower jaw, the upper jaw being
adapted to work on a hinge, and the lower jaw to slide in and out, as required.
When the grippers reach the pile the lower jaw is drawn back from underneath
the tail part of the sheet, by which action a small independent gripper at the side
of the principal gripper is raised from the edge of the pile, and allowed to fall ou
the edge of the fresh laid sheet, so that when the grippers are raised to secure the
tail part of the next succeeding sheet they leave the last sheet secure on the pile.
As the grippers rise the upper jaw of each is forced to open and ascend clear of
the side of the web, and the lower jaw thereof is caused to slide outwards so as to
be carried up under the edge of the web, and when the gripper has reached the
highest point the upper jaw is caused to snap on the lower jaw, thereby securing
the tail part of the sheet between them..
The up-and-down motion is by preference imparted to the grippers by excentrics
on the main shaft, which give motion to the knife.
My Invention consists, in the second place, in constructing the table in sections,
and combining therewith mechanism by means of which the sheets of paper may
For this
be removed in mass without interfering with the process of piling.
purpose the surface of the table is formed in transverse sections, each section being
independently supported from underneath by a vertical support, which is free to
move as required in vertical guides. Each section with its vertical support is a
little more than counterbalanced, and with a consequent tendency, if left free. to
rise to the same level. By this arrangement, as the sheets are piled, the surface of
the table in its various sections will be pressed down to a lower level. and as the
sheets are withdrawn in mass, each section in succession will be allowed to rise to
the original level by the counterbalancing mechanism, thereby maintaining a
constant level for the entire surface of the table.
A convenient form of mechanism for the purpose consists of a horizontal shaft,
which on the lowering of the pile is turned by means of levers acted upon by pro-
jections fixed to the several supports of the sections, and thereby a weight suspended

page_text: from a curved lever will be carried farther from the centre of the said shafi, a
counterbalancing weight being also applied to the opposite side of each support for
counterbalancing each section as required. But the level of the surface of the pile
may also be maintained by causing the said horizontal shaft to turn by positive
gearing a given distance for each sheet or quire of sheets piled on the table.
The sheets which are being laid during the period of the removal of a pile are
held secure by the grippers, and thereby shield the tail end of the pile from any
disturbing action of the blast of air.
And, lastly, my Invention consists in the arrangement, herein-after described,
for folding the sheet or sheets after it or they have been laid open on the table. In
this case, instead of the table above described, there is a table with an opening,
through which the sheets can be forced and taken through a pair of rollers (suitably
driven) by which the sheet receives its first fold. From these rollers the sheet so
folded is passed along an incline to a second pair of rollers, by passing through
which it receives a second fold, and it receives a third fold by its being forced
through a third pair of rollers mounted at right angles to the last-named pair,
which amount of folding will in some cases be enough.
When desirable the sheet may be caused to pass alternately to one side or the
other by means of a deflector, as it is forced through the table, whereby additional
time is gained in giving the succeeding folds.
In the case of printed sheets, when the sheet admits of it, I prefer to cut each
sheet in two, laying the outer half first on the table and the inner half on it, and
then sending both together through the table, thereby causing the one to be folded
inside the other. More than two sheets may be so treated.
This folding apparatus would require modification to suit the folds required by
different sheets.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will proceed to describe
more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings, in which are represented the parts of apparatus above
referred to.
Fig. 1, Sheet I., represents a side elevation partly in section, of the improved
apparatus when employed to pile the sheets open; Fig. 2, a front view of the
same.
Fig. 1, Sheet II., represents a side view of one of the grippers on a large scale;
Fig. 2, a plan; and Fig. 3. a front view of the same.
Fig. 1. Sheet III., represents a front view of the folding apparatus; Fig. 2, a
plan of the same; Fig. 3, a side view of the same.
In the improvedapparatus about to be described theweb of paperpasses into it over
the roller A (Fig. 1. Sheet I.). and down between it and the roller B, then over the
roller C, and between it and the roller D; these latter pass it forward between the
air-blast passages E and F into the space Gabove the table H. and under the cover I
which confines the air coming from the blast passages E and F. On the required
length of sheet having been passed forward over the table, the grippers K, K,
(Sheet II.) shut on the outer edges of the web, and stop its further progress; imme-
diately after, the knife L descending cuts the sheet from the web, the grippers then
descending with the tail end of the sheet deposit it on the table or pile, and then
re-ascend to secure the next succeeding sheet, the same curved grippers M.M,having
first made it secure on the pile.
Returning to the rollers, the roller A is continuously driven by positive gearing in
the required direction; the roller B is pressed against the roller A by the springs
N. N. and so driven by contact the roller C is also driven by gearing in the
required direction; the roller D is driven by contact with the roller C. Both the
rollers Band D, if the web of paper be printed, are caused to press on the unprinted
portion of margins of the web only. The roller D is forced out of contact with the

page_text: At one
roller C, just as the grippers K, K, close on the sides of the web; it is struck out of
gear by a pin O projecting from the frame of the knife L, which, acting on one end
of the double-ended lever P, causes the other end to lift the arm Q, which is fast on
the spindle R, which carries in the manner shewn the said roller D. The instant
the grippers close on the edges of the web, and stop its further progress, the web
runs into a loop S, underneath the roller B, and continues to do so till the knife
again ascending, the pin O rises off the lever P, and so allows the roller D to go into
contact with the roller C, against which it is pressed by the spring T.
extremity of the spindles or centres of the rollers A and C is a toothed wheel, into
which another toothed wheel U gears; this wheel U is drawn by a wheel V, the
circumference of which equals half the length of the sheet required to be cut from
the web. The last two wheels, U and V, must be changed if the length of the sheet
be changed. On the same shaft with the wheel V, and alongside of it, is fixed
another toothed wheel X, which gears with the wheel Y on one extremity of the
shaft Z, which gives motion to the knife L. The wheel X is half the diameter of
the wheel Y. The power is applied to the shaft a, which carries the wheels V
and X. The roller Chas a little more speed than the roller A, in order to prevent
the chance of paper accumulating between the two rollers.
The knife L receives a reciprocating motion from the crank pins b, b, fixed in the
slotted arms c, c, of the wheel Y. The stroke of the knife may be varied at pleasure
by shifting the crank pins nearer to or farther from the centre of motion. The side
rods d, d, which connect the knife L with the crank pius are made to telescope if
required, and are thereby made adjustable as to length. The knife is substantially
the same as that described by me in Patent No. 2005 (1874), being now however
placed in front of the upper air passage when about to cut. I perforate the blade
to allow the air to pass through it.
The air is supplied from a reservoir to the pipes c, c, and escapes through the
passages out over the pile, carrying the front of the web of paper with it, and
Huttening the sheet on the pile when the grippers have lowered the tail end on
the pile.
The grippers (the frames and larger moving parts connected with which only are
shewn in Sheet 1.) are shewn on an enlarged scale in Sheet II., and consist each of
two moveable jaws, the upper g, g, being hinged, and open at right angles, and
the lower, h, h, having a sliding motion in a horizontal direction. These jaws are
attached to a frame which is secured to the upper extremity of a rod, which is
caused to move up and down in the fixed guides k, motion being given to the said
rods by the eccentrics 1, l, on the shaft Z. As the grippers ascend from the pile the
lower jaw is forced out by the fixed curved surfaces me, and so comes up underneath
the edge of the web of paper. The upper jaw is compelled to open as the grippers
rise by the arms n, n, coming in contact with the pin o, which is prevented from
yielding by the stop p. The upper jaw in this way rises clear of the edge of the
web, and opens at right angles to the lower jaw h. "On reaching the level at which
the web issues from between the air passages, the upper jaw shuts down on the
lower, thereby securing the edge of the web between the two, the arms n, n, by that
time having escaped from the pin o. The lip or projecting piece 7 is independent of
the upper jaw g, though they have a common centre of motion r, and the outer of
the arms which belongs to it is stopped by coming in contact with a projection
attached to the knife, and so the lip 7 does not strike the paper at the same time
that the upper jaw does, but only is allowed to do so as the knife rises again. One
use of this lip 7 is to put a certain degree of strain on or across the tail of the sheet
between the two grippers. Both the upper jaw and the said lip are actuated by
springs s and t, which constantly tend to close them.
As the gripper descends with the tail of the sheet the arms n, ", come again in
contact with the pin o, but it now yields, turning on the centre u, and allows them
to descend. As the pile is approached by the gripper the projection v attached
to the frame of the gripper comes in contact with the bell-crank lever 1, which it
causes to turn on the centre a against the action of the spring y, and so draw back

page_text: the lower jaw h from under the tail of the sheet, the sheet at this time being held
down on the pile by the lip g.
As the lower jaw moves back it causes the spindle on which the small curved
gripper M is secured to turn, acting on it through the bent arm and the lever c³,
against the action of the spring d,which spring tends to keep the gripper M pressed
down on the pile. The gripper M rises from under the tail of the lust sheet piled,
and the levere then escaping from the arm 6, the gripper M snaps on the tail of
the new sheet, which being thereby secured, the main gripper begins to ascend for
the next sheet, and so the process is repeated continuously.
As the gripper rises, it will be perceived that the spring y will cause the bell-
crank lever to to turn, so that the pin or centre a will occupy the position shewn
at o¹.
Each
The grippers are capable of adjustment to suit different widths of web, being
arranged to slide in the dovetailed grooves f¹ in the cross frame of the machine.
The table on which the sheets are piled is constructed in several transverse
sectious g, g, which are attached to the vertical supports h', ', which are free to
rise and fall in the framework 2, which is formed in vertical guides to support
and guide them. This framework is fitted underneath with rollers ¹, ¹, so as to
facilitate the removal of the table from underneath the cover I when desired.
of these sections g¹, g¹, is caused to rest on the outer extremity of a double-cuded
lever,, which is free to turn on the shaft m', which is supported in the bearings
n', n'; the lower end of the lever 1 terminates in a curve as shewn, and a weight o¹
is suspended from the lever by a flexible connection. ', p', represent balance.
weights, which are carried by cords passing over the pulleys 7, 7. These balance
weights are intended to balance each section of the table, leaving the weights of to
balance the weight of the paper only. The object of the curve at the lower
extremity of the lever is to cause the weight o¹ to be carried out equal distances
for equal weights of paper, consequently the table sinks equal distances for equal
quantities of paper piled, and so its level remains unaltered.
If either a lighter or heavier paper be dealt with the weights must be altered
accordingly. The first two sections, or those between the grippers, are constructed
to have their tops changed to suit different widths of web. The first section is of
small width, so that when the paper is removed from the table it immediately rises
under the small curved grippers MI, which secure the topmost sheets as the others
are withdrawn, and so prevents the air blast from disturbing them. The second
section is also made of the same width as that of the main grippers.
the pile is removed the sections rise successively, and give support to the topmost
sheets.
As
It is obvious that the shaft m' may be caused to turn by positive gearing, when
the same result is obtained, it being only necessary each time the pile is removed to
disconnect for a moment the shaft with the gearing, when the balance weight,
which in either arrangement I employ to balance the levers (if made slightly in
excess), will cause the shaft m¹ to turn back, and so bring the levers 7 again under
the sections. In this case the upper half of the levers only would be required,
and they would be fast on the shaft m¹. The arrangement with weighted levers
has the advantage of being wholly automatic.
When it is desired to deliver the sheets from the machine folded, the sheet or
sheets is or are first laid open. on a table by the same means which are required
where the sheets are to be delivered by the machine open, which means have
already been described.
The case of folding a single sheet will first be described. The sheet having been
laid on the table by means of the air and the grippers, the process of folding it is
accomplished as follows:-Under the centre of the table two rollers, s' and . are
mounted. One of these receives motion from the shaft of the machine by positive
gearing, which shaft again receives motion from the main shaft Z of the apparatus
already described. The sheet having been laid on the table, two pressers ¹, actuated
by the excentrics w¹, are caused to descend on the outer edges of the sheet just

page_text: above the line of contact of the said rollers. The rollers are running in contact and
at a determinate speed, and draw the sheet down between them, drawing it from
under the grippers M, the pressers v meanwhile re-ascending, but as they ascend in
order to avoid the edges of the next succeeding sheet about to be laid, they are
compelled by the action of the pins (see Figures 4, 5, and 6, Sheet III.) to turu
on the centres y', and so rise clear of the paper. This it will be seen is a repetition
of mechanism already described with reference to the main grippers. The sheet
when it has passed down between the rollers & and has received its first fold.
In Fig.1 (Sheet III.) the sheet is shewn as havingdescended to the left hand and
between the rollers, which help it downwards. Just as the centre of the folded
sheet reaches the line A, B, another presser a² (see Figs. 1 and 7) comes in contact
with it and forces it towards the rollers and . In doing so it forces the two
outer edges of the sheet against the small rollers & mounted on the extremities of
the levers; this stops the descent of the sheet. The action of the said presser is
caused to force the outer of the two rollers zout of contact with the inner roller z¹.
The levers yield to the presser, and in retiring before it they get clear of the
outer edges of the sheet just as the presser forces the sheet between the said
rollers 2, 2. These latter rollers force it forward over the table and between
the rollers g, h, which help it forward. On getting forward clear of the rollers ³,c³,
a presser is caused to descend on the centre of the sheet and force it between the
rollers. The rollers g²: h², are only running on the two outer margins of the sheet
(as shewn in the plan, Fig. 2). The sheet is now carried down by the rollers 12, and
drops into the box 2, from which the pile of folded sheets are pushed forward and
delivered by the presser m², which is actuated by an excentric.
In order to gain time and allow of an increase of speed the divider or pointer n
is employed. This is kept constantly vibrating from side to side, acted on by the
excentric, and so the sheets as they descend through the rollers s¹, t, are alter-
nately sent to one side of the machine or the other.
The rollers are suitably mounted in the framework of the machine; the arrows
show the direction of their motion.
Motion is transmitted in the required direction to the roller 1 from the main
shaft by bevil and mitre gear. This rollers gives motion to the roller t'. These
rollers transmit their surface speed through the toothed wheel to the roller g³,
which drives the roller beside it. The rollers receives motion from the roller q
and gives motion to the rollers and g², the latter giving motion to the rollers 42.
The rollers and 42 run only on the two outer edges of the sheet. The rollers j³,
which on either side of the machine give the final fold to the sheet, receive motion.
from the shaft, which latter is driven by the shaft through toothed wheels.
The presser a is guided in slots in the two side frames of the machine, and receives
motion from the levers ³, which where they take hold of its outer extremities are
slotted as shewn. Motion is given to these levers, which are secured on the extre-
mities of the spindle b³, by the excentrics at the outer ends of the shaft u. The
pressers which give the final fold, are attached to vertical guide rods, which
receive motion from the excentrics on the extremities of the shaft 7³. The
vibrator n receives motion from an excentric through the rod g³ and arm h³,
which latter is fast on the end of the spindle of the vibrator. This vibrator may
be kept at rest either to one side or the other. and the machine becomes single
acting, but by the use of it there is a gain in time.
If it be desired to fold two or more sheets, one inside the other, I effect the object
in the following manner:-The pins (see Figures 4, 5, and 6. Sheet III.) have a
small amount of up-and-down motion given to them by means of a crank pin of
small throw fixed in the face of a toothed wheel. Suppose the said wheel to be
twice the diameter of the toothed wheel on the shaft , it will require the last-
named wheel to make two revolutions in order to cause one revolution of the
wheels first named, consequently the pins l, which are or may be attached to a
sliding piece moving in guides attached to the frame of the machine, will be too
high up for the tail piece attached to the presser to get free from the pins; con-

page_text: sequently a sheet will be laid on the table without being folded, but when the
presser next rises the pins al will be down low enough, and allow the tail piece 2³
to get free from the pin z¹, and so both sheets will be folded, one inside the other.
It is obvious that by the same means, only changing the one wheel in its pro-
portion to the other, more than two sheets may be folded inside one another.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what I claim as of my Invention is,―
First. The grippers employed to take hold of the two outer edges of the web (or
sheet when severed from the web), and working in combination with the recipro-
cating knife, as herein-before described.
Secondly. The table on which the open pile is formed, whether the sheets piled
on the same cause it to sink equal distances for equal weights of paper by actuating
the curved levers and weights as described, or the table be caused to sink by being
wound down by positive gearing so much per sheet or number of sheets, the objects
in each case being the same, that is to say, to allow of the removal of the pile in
mass without interfering with the process of piling and the maintenance of the
level of the surface of the pile.
Thirdly. The folding apparatus, which when desired can be made to take the
place of the above-named table employed for open piling, and also to fold either
single sheets or more than one sheet at a time, the first step in the said folding
process being the open piling of the sheet or sheets to be folded by the same means
as those employed when open piling only is required.
And, lastly. The improved apparatus in its combined arrangement when
employed to pile the sheets either open or folded. as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Martyn Nicholls, have hereunto, set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-third day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane.
H. M. NICHOLLS. (L.S.)