Improvements in Printing Presses.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st July, 1889-Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1889
Improvements in Printing Presses.
We, NATHAN BILLSTEIN, Printer, and JAMES FREELAND SNEDIKER, Machinist,
both of 929 Filbert Street, in the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING PRESSES," and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
"
Our invention relates to printing presses; and consists of certain improvements
which are fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying
drawings which form a part thereof.
Our invention is more particularly adapted to rotary presses for printing cards,
envelopes or similar small articles where great rapidity is desired; and the object of
our invention is to enhance the efficiency of such a press by increasing the rapidity
with which it may perform its work. Heretofore a large amount relatively of time was
consumed in the act of feeding the articles to be printed to the press, and our invention
is intended to greatly reduce the amount of labor required for this purpose by means of
feeding mechanism and certain improvements in the impression and type cylinders
whereby the articles may be fed to the machine, printed and delivered with great
rapidity and precision.
In our machine the articles to be printed are carried by certain feeding mechanism,
provided with suitable guides, to the impression and type cylinders. The type
cylinder is provided with a type form loosely secured to it and capable of falling
slightly outward beyond the surface of the cylinder for the purpose of receiving ink
from the inking cylinder, without any portion of the surface of the type cylinder
coming in contact with the inking cylinder and thereby soiling the article to be
printed. The impression cylinder we prefer to form cut away to facilitate the
feeding, as hereinafter more fully set forth, so that only a small portion of its
surface comes in contact with the type cylinder and only at the moment the
article to be printed passes between the cylinders and receives an impression from
the type.
In the drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a rotary printing press embodying the principles of
my invention.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the same through the line of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the type cylinder.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the line y y of Fig. 2; and
Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a side elevation and a plan view of a modification of
our invention.
A is the type cylinder, and B the impression cylinder, carried respectively upon
the shafts a and b. The shafts of these cylinders are journaled preferably in
uprights C by means of the boxes c, having the springs D between them, and by
means of adjusting screws E working against the upper boxes c the cylinders may be
adjusted to or from each other. The impression cylinder B is cut away to form a
cylinder sector so that only a portion of its surface during rotation will come in
contact with the article passing between the cylinders A and B, and only during the
period of making an impression. This cutting away of the impression cylinder is to
allow the cards or envelopes to be fed to the impression surfaces; and, although we
prefer to cut away the impression cylinder to form a cylinder sector, it may not be
necessary to cut away so large a portion for this purpose; and in the modification of
our feeding devices shown in Figs. 6 and 7 it is not necessary, or desirable, to cut

page_text: away any portion. F is a feeding and guide table resting on the main frame of the
machine G, and having an opening at about its center. H is a shaft journaled in
bearing on the main frame of the machine over the portion of the table F that is
cut away. This shaft is provided with a series of radial arms I, preferably extending
from discs I carried by the shaft H. These arms I are preferably provided with
fingers or forked ends i to receive the card or envelope, as hereafter more fully
described. The table F may be provided with slots to allow these radial arms I
to pass through it; or its central opening may be made sufficiently large for this
purpose, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. We find it expedient also to use
three sets of these radial arms I, and preferably four in each set, though this is
not essential to our invention. J is a guide upon the table F to guide the cards
or envelopes, and is adjustable horizontally thereon. When desirable the second
side guide J as shown in Fig. 2, upon the opposite sides may be employed. These
guides may be made adjustable to or from each other to suit the exact size of
the cards or envelopes to be printed, which are fed between them. K is the inking
roller carried upon a shaft, journaled in the upright C. L is a distributing
roller running in contact with the inking roller and having a reciprocating motion,
for the purpose of evenly distributing the ink, imparted to it by the cam L' and
projection working therein. In practice we prefer to use an intermediate
roller K' between the ink distributing roller L and the inking roller K as shown
in Fig. 2 to prevent the wearing out of the soft surface of the inking roller by
the reciprocating movement of the distributing roller, but this is not an essential
feature of my invention.
M is a gear wheel upon the end of the shaft of the impression cylinder
gearing with a gear wheel N on the shaft a cf the type cylinder. The inking
roller K and the ink distributing roller L are provided respectively with wheels
and P gearing together, and the wheel O gears the wheel N, whereby motion is
imparted to the cylinders and rollers. When the intermediate roller K¹ is employed,
as above described an additional gear wheel 02 is used, to impart motion to the
rolier K', but to allow it to be journaled loosely.
R is a
Qis a crank pivoted to a disc or fixed arm Q on the end of the shaft a.
link pivoted to the end of the crank Q and to the shaft H, carrying a pawl S. T is a disc
or wheel upon the end of the shaft F provided with indentations or slots t upon its
periphery corresponding in number to the radial arms 1. In these slots or
indentations & the pawl S is adapted to engage, and a springs may be employed to
assist that object. As the shaft a rotates in the direction shown by the arrow (see
Fig. 5), carrying with it the disc or arm Q', it will impart to the crank Qa backward
and forward reciprocation, and thereby swing the link R backward and forward a
quarter of a revolution. The pawl S engaging in one of the slots or indentations t
will impart to the shaft H and radial arms la quarter of a revolution upon the
forward stroke of the crank while on the backward stroke the pawl will be freed;
from the slot or indentation and engage with the next, thereby imparting an
interrupted rotation to the shaft H and its radial arms I. U is a friction clutch upon
the end of the shaft H to prevent backward rotation.
A portion of the type cylinder A is cut out to receive the type form or stereotype
plate W which is curved upon its face. This type plate is loosely held in the cylinder
by a projecting edge a¹ and screws X which are adapted to retain the cut away
edges w of the plate, allowing slight freedom of movement up and down, so that,
when the plate is in its lowest position, the type will project beyond the surface of the
cylinder, and, coming in contact with the inking roller k, will take ink therefrom
without any portion of the surface of the type cylinder touching the inking roller,
whereby, the envelope or card would be soiled. It is found in practice that the
weight of the stereotype plate W affords sufficient pressure against the inking roller
to thoroughly ink it. The sides of the plate W, and of the portion of the type
cylinder cut out to receive this plate, and preferably formed straight so that the
edges of the plate W are guided upon the edges of the portion cut away, and;
while the plate W is free to move vertically, it is fixed laterally. Motion is imparted

page_text: to the machine through a band and band wheel connected with the shaft a, or other-
wise as desired.
From the foregoing description of the mechanism the operation of the machine
will be readily understood.
The cards, envelopes, or other articles to be printed, are fed by the operator to the
radial arms I, which as heretofore described, are intermittently rotating. The side
guide J permits this to be done with great rapidity and precision; and when two of
these guides are used they are adjusted toward cach other to suit the size of the cards
or envelopes which are guided between them to the radial arms 1. The card or
envelope is held in the fingers or forked ends i and carried over by the rotation
of the shaft H and fed between the impression and type cylinders, the former of
which is cut away as heretofore described to offer no obstruction in the way of the
card or envelope as it is carried around by the radial arms i. It is then siezed
between the surfaces of the type and impression cylinders and carried between
them, receiving the impression, and the shaft H remains motionless during the
backward stroke of the crank Q until the card or envelope is carried from under
the radial arms I, when, upon the forward stroke of the arm Q, it is again rotated a
quarter of a revolution to bring the next card or envelope to the cylinders. With
each rotation of the cylinder A the stereotype or type form W comes in contact with
the inking roller K.
In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown a modification, in which the impression cylinder B is not
cut away in the manner heretofore described, but in which the cards or envelopes are
carried forward by fingers G¹ working with a backward and forward reciprocation
in slots g in the table F, so that when the card or envelope reaches the table it is
carried forward by these fingers to the cylinders. His a frame or bar working in
suitable guide ways under the table F to which the fingers G₁ are secured. This
bar His connected by pivoted links J on each end to the levers J, which are
pivoted at one end to the main frame of the machine and at the other to the crank J,
pivoted respectively to the gear wheel M and to a disc or arm M' on the other end
of the shaft b, so that the rotation of the cylinder B will impart through these
connections a backward and forward reciprocation to the fingers G' to carry forward
the card or envelope to the cylinders, and return again to receive the next one from
the radial arms I, the intermittent motion of which allows the fingers G¹ to carry
forward the envelope from beneath them before they continue their rotation.
While we prefer to use three of the radial arms I in cach set upon the shaft H,
the central arin acts as a guide for the operator in placing the envelopes or cards
upon the radial arms and may therefore be made heavier than the arms upon the ends,
or may be entirely dispensed with as shown in Fig. 7.
We do no limit ourselves to the mere details of construction which are here shown,
as it is apparent that they may be varied in many ways without departing from the
principles of our invention.
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 :-
1st. In a rotary printing press an impression cylinder in combination with a type
cylinder and a rotating carrier substantially as described to feed the articles to be
printed between the cylinders.
2nd. In a rotary printing press an impression cylinder in combination with a type
cylinder and a rotating carrier substantially as described to feed the articles to be
printed between the cylinder with an intermittent motion.
3rd. In a rotary printing press an impression cylinder in combination with a type
cylinder, a rotating carrier substantially as described to feed the articles to be printed
between the cylinders, and a connection between said type cylinder and feeding
mechanism to impart an intermittent rotation thereto.
4th. In a rotary printing press an impression cylinder having a portion
of its surface cut away in combination with a type cylinder and rotating mechanism

page_text: substantially as described to feed the articles to be printed between the cylinders,
provided with radial arms adapted to receive and carry the articles to be printed to
the cylinders.
5th. The combination with the type and impression cylinders, of a guide table,
rotating mechanism provided with radial arms adapted to carry the articles to be
printed toward the cylinders and means substantially as described to carry said articles
from said radial arms between the cylinders.
6th. In a printing press the combination of the type and impression cylinders and a
reciprocating carrier consisting of the fingers G' and connecting bar H¹, to feed the
articles to be printed between the cylinders.
7th. In a printing press the combination of the type and impression cylinders and
a reciprocating carrier consisting of the fingers G and connecting bar H', to feed
the articles to be printed between the cylinders, and a connection between said
reciprocating carrier and one of said cylinders to impart a reciprocating movement to
said carrier.
8th. In a printing press the combination of the type and impression cylinders and a
reciprocating carrier consisting of the fingers G and connecting bar H¹, to feed the
articles to be printed between the cylinders and a rotating feeding carrier to feed the
articles to said reciprocating carrier.
9th. In a rotating press the combination of an impression cylinder with a type
cylinder having a portion of its surface recessed, a vertically movable gravity
actuated type form fitting in said recessed portion and free to move vertically therein
as the type cylinder rotates, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
10th. In a printing press a rotating type cylinder provided with a type plate
loosely secured thereto having the faces of its type substantially even with the surface
of the cylinder at the moment of making an impression, but adapted to fall slightly as
the cylinder rotates to bring the faces of the type beyond the surface of the cylinder
for the purpose of receiving ink from an inking roller.
11th. In a printing press a rotating type cylinder provided with a type plate
loosely secured thereto having the faces of its type substantially even with the
surface of the cylinder at the moment of making an impression, but adapted to fall
slightly as the cylinder rotates to bring the faces of the type beyond the surface of the
cylinder for the purpose of receiving ink from an inking roller, in combination with
an impression cylinder a portion of which is cut away so that the surface thereof
comes in contact with type cylinder only at the period of printing.
12th. In a printing press a rotating type cylinder provided with a type plate
loosely secured thereto having the faces of its type substantially even with the surface
of the cylinder at the moment of making an impression, but adapted to fall slightly as
the cylinder rotates to bring the faces of the type beyond the surface of the cylinder for
the purpose of receiving ink from an inking roller, in combination with an impression
cylinder a portion of which is cut away so that the surface thereof comes in contact
with type cylinder only at the period of printing, and means substantially as described
to feed the articles to be printed to the cylinders intermittently.
13th. In a printing press a rotating type cylinder provided with a type plate
loosely secured thereto, having the faces of its type substantially even with the surface
of the cylinder at the moment of making an impression, but adapted to fall slightly as
the cylinder rotates to bring the faces of the type beyond the surface of the cylinder
for the purpose of receiving ink from an inking roller, in combination with an
impression cylinder a portion of which is cut away so that the surface thereof comes
in contact with type cylinder only at the period of printing, and means substantially as
described to feed the articles to be printed to the cylinders intermittently consisting of
the rotating shaft H provided with the radial arms I.
14th. The combination of a type cylinder and an impression cylinder with the
shaft H having the radial arms I, and connections between said type cylinder and
shaft whereby the latter is intermittently rotated by the rotation of the former.
15th. The combination of a type cylinder and an impression cylinder having a
portion of its surface cut away with the shaft having the radial arms 1, and

page_text: connections between said type cylinder and shaft H, consisting of the crank Q, link R
carrying the pawl S and disc T fixed to the shaft H provided with indentations or
slots in which the pawl S is adapted to engage to intermittently rotate the
shaft H.
16th. The combination of a type cylinder and an impression cylinder having a
portion of its surface cut away with the shaft H having the radial arms I, connections
between said type cylinder and shaft H, whereby the latter is intermittently rotated
by the rotation of the former, and an anti-friction device U to prevent backward
rotation of the shaft H.
17th. In a rotary printing press the combination with the impression cylinder
having a portion of its surface cut away of the type cylinder, the horizontal guide
table provided with an opening, and rotating arins moving through said opening
in the guide table and adapted to carry the articles to be printed to the cylinders.
18th. In a rotary printing press the combination with the impression cylinder
having a portion of its surface cut away, of the type cylinder the horizontal guide
table F provided with an opening, rotating arms moving through said opening in
the guide table and adapted to carry the articles to be printed to the cylinders, and
a vertical side guide upon said table to assist the feeding of the articles to be printed
to said rotating arms.
19th. In a rotary printing press the combination with the impression cylinder
having a portion of its surface cut away, of the cylinder the horizontal guide table F
provided with an opening, rotating arms moving through said opening in the guide
table and adapted to carry the articles to be printed to the cylinders, and mechanism
substantially as described operated by one of said cylinders to intermittently rotate said
radial arms.
20th. In a rotary printing press the combination with the impression cylinder
having a portion of its surface cut away, of the type cylinder the horizontal guide
table F provided with an opening, rotating arms through said opening in the guide
table and adapted to carry the articles to be printed to the cylinders, and vertical side
guides arranged upon said table and adjustable to or from each other to assist the
feeding of the articles to be printed to said rotating arms.
Dated this 17th day of June A D 1889'
NATHAN BILLSTEIN.
JAMES FREELAND SNEDIKER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.