Improvement in Platens, Impression Oylinders, and the like for Printing Presses, Typewriters, and other like Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 12th NOV., 1993
Complete Specification Left, 12th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 12th Sept.,
1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Platens, Impression Oylinders, and the like for
Printing Presses, Typewriters, and other like Machines.
I, MELVIN LINWOOD SEVERY, of 96 Day Street, Boston, in the County of
Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improvement in platens and equivalent devices for
priuting and the like, and has for its object the production of a uniform impression
without the necessity of the "make-ready" or previous preparation of the platen,
impression cylinder or type.
To this end the invention consists in providing, under the covering of the platen,
impression cylinder, or their equivalents, a surface formed by the ends of a number
of fixed, independently-yielding and elastic wires or brushes, or their equivalents,
arranged in close proximity to one another and smoothed off evenly, whereby a
yielding surface is formed which accommodates itself to irregularities in the
printing surface, and to varying thicknesses in different parts of the material upon
which the impression is to be made.
The process known as the "make-ready" is rendered necessary by these irregu
larities, in order to insure a uniform impression, and it consists in building up on
the covering of the platen, impression cylinder, or their equivalents, those parts
which are opposed to the parts of the form which are too light, by pasting
additional thicknesses of paper thereon, or by pasting paper on the back of the
form; so as to elevate the same, and when the parts of the form are too high, in
cutting out the opposed part of the covering of the platen, or impression cylinder,
in order to prevent the form from pricking through the paper.
This operation requires time and skill, and is consequently expensive. It is
also disadvantageous in that the paste which is used hardens, and the type coming
in contact with this hard and uneven surface is soon worn out.
Means which obviate the necessity of the "make-ready" will largely diminish
the cost of printing, and save the cost of type.
1 accomplish my aforesaid object by the device, which, in various forms, and as
applied to various presses and machines, is represented in the accompanying
drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a part of a "bed and platen "press.
Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the platen detached, and showing my improved
platen surface.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a part of a flat bed "cylinder" press.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a part of a perfecting press, on which the printing is
from a stereotyped form bent around a cylinder.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cylinder which may be used on either of the
last two mentioned presses, and which is equivalent to the platen.
"
Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a hand "proof press.”
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the platen or roller used on a typewriter.
Fig. 8 shows by way of types or examples different forms of yielding wires which
may be used to form the platen surface.

page_text: Fig. 9 illustrates another method of forming the yielding surface, and
Fig. 10 is an isometrical view of a bristle brush which may be used on the platen
or impression cylinder.
In these several figures, like numerals refer to like parts.
I have shown these various forms of presses and machines for the purpose of
illustrating the general applicability of my invention, which relates merely to the
surface of the platen, impression cylinder or equivalents thereof, and not to any
part of the mechanism for actuating this platen or cylinder.
The surface which is formed by the independently-yielding bristles of an
ordinary brush, illustrate the nature of the surface which I use, but I do not limit
myself to this particular means of producing it. A means which I have found
satisfactory in actual practice consists in forming the surface by the ends of elastic
wires 13 bent in various ways, as shown at A to H inclusive, Fig. 8, and
vertically fixed in a backing 12 of leather or other suitable material, the wires
being in close proximity to one another, and having their free ends ground off to
form a perfectly flat surface. The finer the wires and the closer their proximity
to one another, the better will be the result attained.
Fine card clothing," so called, illustrates the desired proximity of the wires
and the evenness of the surface; but it does not illustrate the proper angle nor form
of wires requisite to produce the best results.
The several forins of wires shown in Fig. 8 may be used when different degrees
of flexibility in the wires and corresponding variations in the yielding capacity of
surface are desired:
These variations in the yielding capacity of the surface may be necessitated: by
the varying nature of the form, or of the material upon which the impression is to
be made, and platens or cylinders having surfaces of different yielding capacity
may be desirable in order to be prepared for all classes of work which may be
called for, or means may be provided for applying surfaces of different yielding
capacity to the platen or cylinder.
The surface may also be formed from a series of bars of sheet steel, each, bent
longitudinally near its middle, and then sawed into teeth 16 with intervening
spaces 15, and secured together by the backing 14 in a laminated form, a space
being left between each sheet for the free movement of the teeth.. See Figure 9:.
In Fig. 1, the platen is shown at 1, and in Fig. 2, 2 is the yielding surface, fixed
to the platen in any suitable manner, and 3 and 4 are sheets of paper which are
superposed upon the surface, a part of these sheets being shown as broken away.
In Fig. 3, 6 is the form on the bed of the press, and 5 the impression cylinder.
In Fig. 4, 5 is the impression cylinder, and 7 is the cylinder carrying the form.
In Fig. 5, the impression cylinder is shown as covered with the yielding
surface 2, and 3 and 4 are sheets of paper covering the surface, part of each sheet
being shown as broken away.
In Fig. 6, 9 is the bed, 10 the. cylinder to which material having the yielding
surface is secured, and 4 is a sheet of paper covering the surface, shown as turned
back, exposing a part of the surface.
In Fig. 7, 2 is the material with the yielding surface fixed on a typewriter
roller. Two thicknesses of paper 3, 4, are shown as covering this surface.
It is obvious that when an impression is made on a platen, or impression
cylinder, provided with material' having a large number of independently-yielding
surfaces, the independent surfaces will accommodate themselves to the irregularities
in the form, or to the different degrees of thickness of the material to be printed,
and that thus an impression of uniform character will be obtained without the
usual "make-ready."

page_text: Improvement in Platens, Impression Cylinders, and the like Ior
Printing Presses, Typewriters, and other like Machines.
I, MELVIN LINWOOD SEVERY, of 96 Day Street, Boston, in the County of
Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manuer the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improvement in platens and equivalent devices for
printing and the like, and has for its object the production of a uniform impression
without the necessity of the "make ready" or previous preparation of the platen,
impression cylinder or type.
To this end the invention consists in providing under the covering of the platen,
impression cylinder or their equivalents, a surface or bed formed by the ends of a
number of fixed, independently, yielding and elastic wires or bristles, or their
equivalents, arranged in close proximity to one another and smoothed off evenly,
whereby a yielding surface is forined which accommodates itself to irregularities in
the printing surface, and to varying thicknesses in different parts of the material
upon which the impression is to be made.
The process known as the "make ready" is rendered necessary by these
irregularities, in order to insure a uniform impression, and it consists in building up
on the covering of the platen, impression cylinder or their equivalents, those parts
which are opposed to the parts of the form which are too. light, by pasting
additional thicknesses of paper thereon or by pasting paper on the back of the
form, so as to elevate the same, and when the parts of the form are too high, in
cutting out the opposed part of the covering of the platen, or impression cylinder,
in order to prevent the form from pricking through the paper.
This operation requires time and skill, and is consequently expensive. It is also
disadvantageous in that the paste which is used hardens, and the type coming in
contact with this hard and uneven surface is soon worn out.
Means which will obviate the necessity of the "make ready" will largely
diminish the cost of printing, and save the cost of type.
I accomplish my aforesaid object by the device, which, in various forms, and as
applied to various presses and machines, is represented in the drawings left with the
Provisional Specification, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a part of a "bed and platen " press.
Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the platen detached, and showing my improved
platen surface.
"
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a part of a flat bed "cylinder ” prese.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a part of a perfecting press, on which the printing
is from a stereotyped form bent around a cylinder.
Fig. b is a perspective view of a cylinder which may be used on either of
the last two mentioned presses, and which is equivalent to the platen.
Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a hand "proof press.
"
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the platen or roller used on a typewriter.
Fig. 8 shows by way of types or examples different forms of yielding wires which
may be used to form the platen surface.
Fig. 9 illustrates another method of forming the yielding bed or surface, and
Fig. 10 is an isometrical view of a bristle brush which may be used on the platen
or impression cylinder.
In these several figures, like numerals refer to like parts.
I have shown these various forms of presses and machines for the purpose of

page_text: illustrating the general applicability of my invention, which relates merely to tho
bed or surface of the platen, impression cylinder or equivalents thereof, and not to
any part of the mechanism for actuating this platen or cylinder.
The surface which is formed by the independently yielding bristles of an
ordinary brush, illustrates the nature of the surface which I use, but I do.not limit
myself to this particular means, of producing it. A means which I have found
satisfactory in actual practice consists in forining the surface by the ends of elastic
wires 13 bent in various ways, as shown at A to Hinolusive, Fig. 8, and
vertically fixed in a backing 12 of leather or other suitable material, the wires
being in close proximity to one another and having their free ends ground off to
form a perfectly flat surface.
The finer the wires and the closer their proximity to one another, the better
will be the result attained.
Fine "card clothing" so called, illustrates the desired proximity of the wires and
the evenness of the surface.
The several forms of wires shown in Fig. 8 may be used when different degrees
of flexibility in the wires and corresponding variations in the yielding capacity of
surface are desired.
These variations in the yielding capacity of the surface may be necessitated by
the varying nature of the forin or of the material upon which the impression is to
be made, and plateus or cylinders having surfaces of different yielding capacity
may be desirable in order to be prepared for all classes of work which may be
called for, or means may be provided for applying surfaces of different yielding
capacity to the platen or cylinder.
The surface may also be formed from a series of bars of sheet steel, each bent
longitudinally near its middle, and then sawed into teeth 16 with intervening
spaces 15 and secured together by the backing 14 in a laminated form, a
space being left between each sheet for the free movement of the teeth. See
Figure 9.
In Fig. 1, the platen is shown at 1, and in. Fig. 2, 2 is the yielding surface,
fixed to the platen in any suitable manner, and 3 and 4 are sheets of paper, which
are superposed upon the surface, a part of these sheets being shown as broken
away.
In Fig. 3, 6 is the form and 5 the impression cylinder.
In Fig. 4, 5 is the impression cylinder and 7 is the cylinder carrying the
form.
In Fig. 5, the impression cylinder is shown as covered with the yielding
surface 2, and 3 and 4 are sheets of paper covering the surface, part of each sheet
being shown as broken away.
In Fig. 6, 9 is the bed, 10 the cylinder to which material having the yielding
surface is secured, and 4 is a sheet of paper covering the surface, shown as turned
back exposing a part of the surface.
In Fig. 7, 2 is the material with the yielding surface fixed on a typewriter roller.
Two thicknesses of paper 3, 4, are shown as covering this surface.
It is obvious that when an impression is made on a platen or impression cylinder,
provided with material having a large number of independently yielding surfaces,
the independent surfaces will accommodate themselves to the irregularities in the
form, or to the different degrees of thickness of the material to be printed and
that thus an impression of uniform character will be obtained without the usual
"make ready.
""'
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is :-
:
1. In a printing press or typewriting machine, a platen, impression cylinder, or
their equivalents having 3 surface composed of a multiplicity of independently-
...

page_text: 2. In a printing press or typewriting, machine, a platen, impression cylinder or
their equivalents, having under the covering of the same an even surface formed
by the ends of fixed, independently-yielding elastic wires, bristles or their
equivalents, substantially as, and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a printing press or typewriting machine, the combination, substantially as.
and for the purpose set forth, with the platen, impression cylinder or their equivalents,
of a covering formed by a number of independently-yielding elastic wires or bristles
fixed in a suitable material.
4. In a printing press or typewriting machine, a platen, impression cylinder or
their equivalents, provided under the covering of the same with an even surface
formed by the ends of a number of fixed, independently-yielding, elastic wires
arranged in close proximity to one another, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
5. A bed or surface for platens for printing presses and the like composed of
a number of fixed, independently yielding, elastic bristles or wires, substantially
as set forth.
6. A bed or surface for platens for printing presses and the like composed of
a number of fixed, independently yielding elastic bent wires or bristles, substantially
as set forth.
1000