Improvements in Web Printing, Associating, Cutting, and Folding Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 11th Feb.. 1897-Accepted, 1st May, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Web Printing, Associating, Cutting, and Folding
Machines.
I, ROBERT CUMMING ANNAND of Cornwallis Street, South Shields in the
County of Durham, Printer's Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The main object of this invention is to provide a triple web press of improved
construction in which the different printing mechanisms are arranged in a handy
and accessible manner while at the same time the space occupied by the printing
press and the associating cutting, folding and delivery mechanism is less than that
occupied by triple web presses as hitherto constructed.
The invention chiefly consists of the general arrangement of a triple web press
with the three printing mechanisms arranged in relation to each other as hereinafter
described; of a particular arrangement and disposition of the stereotype cylinders,
the blanket cylinders and the inking mechanism; of the combination with a triple
press of a longitudinal folder and transverse cutting and folding mechanisnis
arranged between two end presses and under a top press; of the combination with
a triple web press of a double back to back longitudinal folder; of an arrangement
of associating mechanism leading the webs to the folder whereby according to
requirement all three webs can be directed to either of the two longitudinal folders
or two webs can be directed to one folder and the third web to the other folder or
cne web can be led to one folder another web to the other folder and the third web
be divided longitudinally and one half go to one of the folders and the other half
to the other folder; and of the combination with a double back to back longitudinal
folder of two separate and distinct transverse cutting and folding mechanisms
which according to requirement can be run together or either of them be run while
the other is stationary.
Stated broadly the combined press consists of three printing mechanisms one of
which is placed at each end of the combined machine in a more or less upright
position, while the third printing mechanism is arranged in substantially a
horizontal position, with each end of the frame work that carries it resting upon
the top of the other two printing mechanisms. The printing cylinders of all the
three printing mechanisms are arranged parallel to one another. By arranging
the printing devices in this manner I provide space between the two end printing
mechanisms and below the third for the web associating, cutting, folding aud
delivery devices. By arranging the printing devices at each side of aud above the
folding mechanisms the webs after they are printed have a comparatively short
distance to travel before reaching the folders. This is a great advantage as it
saves time in feeding in fresh webs, saves paper when breakages occur, and there ia
no difficulty in keeping the register and cutting right.
The two end printing presses are arranged substantially in the same manner as
follows: The ink distributing mechanism is placed at the bottom with the ink
fountain inside. Above the large ink cylinder is placed the first stereotype
cylinder. In the same horizontal plane is placed the corresponding blanket
cylinder. The blanket and plate or stereotype cylinders for printing the second
side are arranged almost vertically above the first blauket cylinder, the second ink

page_text: mechanism being arranged horizontally on the outside of the machine. By this
arrangement the two plate cylinders lie with their upper sides fully exposed, which
permits of the stereo plates being put on and removed with great facility. The
top printing press is arranged with its cylinders substantially in the same horizontal
plane, the blanket cylinders being raised somewhat to allow room for the web
associating devices underneath.
The webs for the two end presses are carried in brackets on the ground while the
web of the third press is carried in brackets above the inking mechanism of one
side. The three rolls of paper are thus carried in standards outside the machine
so that fresh reels can be put on with very little delay. After the webs are
printed, they are all delivered from the printing mechanism inside so that they can
be led to the associating, cutting and folding mechanism in a very convenient
manner. Any form of folder may be combined with the press but I prefer to use
the form of double or hack to back longitudinal folder described in the Specification
of my Patent No. 17706 of 1893. The webs from each of the lower printing
mechanisms are carried by tapes and rollers to the top of the back to back
longitudinal felder while the web from the third press leaves the last printing
cylinder near the top of the folder so that it falls in between the other two webs.
The arrangement of rollers, tapes and switches is such that by moving a set of
switches to one side all the three webs can be directed down the left hand folder,
while by moving the same switches to the other side all can be carried down the
right hand folder, also by setting this set of switches vertically the web from the
left hand press will be directed down the left hand folder, and that from the right
hand press down the right hand folder. The web from the top press can be divided
longitudinally into two by a circular cutter and by a second set of switches one
half web can be directed to the left hand folder and the other to the right hand
folder. Or the switches can direct two webs to one folder and the third web to the
other folder. These associating devices allow of varied and rapid changes being
made in the size and form of the products of the combined press without having to
alter the mechanism. The three presses are preferably driven by mitre gearing
and provide devices by which any one or all of the presses can be instantly
annexed to or disconnected from the driving mechanisms. I effect this in one way
by making the mitre driving wheels of each press run loose on the driving axle
behind the wheel a disc is keyed on the axle. Towards the outer side of this disc
there is a hole into which 1 fit a bolt which is pressed forward by a spring
A corresponding hole is also made in the rim of the mitre wheel. When this bolt
is pressed by the spring through the disc and into the hole in the mitre wheel it
drives that particular press. When I wish to disconnect that press 1 give half a
turn or so to the bolt which causes it to withdraw owing to a shoulder on it
working up against the face of a cam provided for the object of withdrawing the
bolt while it is being turned round by a suitable key. By this means one of the lower
presses can be used to run a 4 page paper as soon as a full complement of plates
are provided. While the other lower press could stand until the plates were prepared
for it and put on, when it could be instantly put into gear and started.
In my said Specification No. 17706 of 1893 I described a back to back double
longitudinal folder in combination with single transverse cutting and folding
mechanisms sufficiently wide to receive both webs or sets of associated webs from
the two sides of the double longitudinal folder. In some cases I find it more
advantageous to have two separate and independent transverse cutting and folling
mechanisms combined respectively with the two sides of the double back to back
folder and it is a feature of this invention to construct the cutting mechanisms in
One advantage of this arrangement is, that if one of the independent
transverse cutting and folding mechanisins breaks down the printed webs can be
switched by the mechanism already described to the other folder and uo serious
delay will take place.
I have described that the press has a double folder but a single folder only can
be combined with the press it desired.

page_text: The triple web machine hereinbefore described can if desired be made of double
width that is to say two of the triple web machines can be arranged side by side on
the same framework.
Dated this 19th dor of Mar 1906.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
Improvements in Web Printing, Associating, Cutting, and Folding
Machines.
I, ROBERT CUMMING ANNAND of Cornwallis Street, South Shields in the
County of Durham, Printer's Engineer, 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 main object of this invention is to provide a triple web press of improved
construction in which the different printing mechanisms are arranged in a handy
and accessible manner while at the same time the space occupied by the printing
press and the associating, cutting, folding and delivery mechanism is less than that
occupied by triple web presses as hitherto constructed.
The improved triple web or combined press comprises three printing mechanisms one
of which is placed at each end of the combined machine in a more or less upright position,
while the third printing mechanism is arranged in substantially a horizontal position,
with each end of the framework that carries it resting upon the top of the other two
printing mechanisms. The printing cylinders of all the three printing mechanisms
are arranged parallel to one another. By arranging the printing devices in this
manner a space is obtained between the two end printing mechanisms and below the
third in which space I place the web associating, cutting, folding and delivery
devices. By arranging the printing devices respectively at the two sides of and
above the folding mechanisms the webs after they are printed have a comparatively
short distance to travel before reaching the folders. This is a great advantage as
it saves time in feeding in fresh webs, saves paper when breakages occur, and there
is no difficulty in keeping the register and cutting right.
The two end printing presses are arranged substantially in the same manner as
follows: The ink distributing mechanism is placed at the bottom with the ink
fountain inside. Above the large ink cylinder is placed the first stereotype
cylinder. In the same horizontal plane is placed the corresponding blanket
cylinder. The blanket and plate or stereotype cylinders for printing the second
side are arranged almost vertically above the first blanket cylinder the second ink
mechanism being arranged horizontally on the outside of the machine. By this
arrangement the two plate cylinders lie with their upper sides fully exposed, which
permits of the stereo plates being put on and removed with great facility. The
top printing press is arranged with its cylinders substantially in the same horizontal
plane the blanket cylinders being raised somewhat to allow room for the web
associating devices underneath.
The webs for the two end presses are carried in brackets on the ground while the
web of the third press is carried in brackets above the inking mechanism of one
side. The three rolls of paper are thus carried in standards outside the machine so
that fresh reels can be put on with very little delay. After the webs are printed,
they are all delivered from the printing mechanism inside so that they can be led
to the associating, cutting and folding mechanism in a very convenient manner.
Any suitable form of longitudinal folder may be combined with the press but!

page_text: prefer to use the form of double or back to back longitudinal folder described in
the Specification of my Patent No. 17706 of 1893. The webs from each of the
lower printing mechanisms are carried by tapes and rollers to the top of the back
to back longitudinal folder while the web from the third press leaves the last
printing cylinder near the top of the folder so that it falls in between the other two
webs. The arrangement of rollers, tapes and switches is such that by moving a set
of switches to one side all the three webs can be directed down the left hand folder,
while by moving the same switches to the other side all can be carried down the
right hand folder, also by setting the switches vertically the web from the left hand
press will be directed down the left hand folder, and that from the right hand press
down the right hand folder. The web from the top press can be divided
longitudinally into two by a circular cutter and by a second set of switches one half
web can be directed to the left hand folder and the other to the right hand folder.
Or the switches can direct two webs to one folder and the third web to the
other folder. These associating devices allow of varied and rapid changes being
made in the size and form of the products of the combined press without having to
alter the mechanism.
The three presses are preferably driven by mitre gearing and I provide devices
by which any one or all of the presses can be instantly annexed to or disconnected
from the driving mechanisms. I effect this in one way by making the mitre driving
wheel of each press run loose on the driving axle ; behind the wheel a disc is keyed
on the axle. Towards the outer side of this disc there is a hole into which I fit a
bolt which is pressed forward by a spring. A corresponding hole is also male in
the rim of the mitre wheel. When this bolt is pressed by the spring through the
dise and into the hole in the mitre wheel it drives that particular press. When I
wish to disconnect that press I give half a turn or so to the bolt which causes it to
withdraw owing to a shoulder on it working up against the face of a cam provided
for the object of withdrawing the bolt while it is being turned round by a suitable
key. By this means one of the lower presses can be used to run a 4 page paper as
soon as a full complement of plates is provided, while the other lower press could
stand until the plates were prepared for it and put on, when it could be iustantly
put into gear and started.
In my said Specification N, 17706 of 1893 I describel a back to back double
longitudinal folder in combination with single transverse cutting and folting
mechanisms sufficiently wide to receive both webs or sets of associated webs froin
the two sides of the double longitudinal folder. In some cases I find it more
advantageous to have two separate and independent transverse cutting and folding
mechanisms combined respectively with the two sides of the double back to back
folder. If one of the independent transverse cutting and folding mechanisms
breaks down the printed webs can be switched by the mechanism already described
to the other folder and no serious delay will take place.
The triple web machine herein before described can if desired be made of doubie
width that is to say two of the triple web machines can be arranged side by si le
on the same framework.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will proceed to further
describe the same with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings:-
In these drawings:-
Figure 1 is a general view in side elevation of my improved triple web press
showing the arrangement of the three printing mechanisms and the web associating
and longitudinal folding mechanisms arranged between two end printing presses
and under a third printing press.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 are side elevations on a larger scale showing respectively
in different positions the associating mechanism for dealing with the webs after
they have been printed and passing them on to the double longitudinal folding
devices.
Figure 5 is a view of the longitudinal folding and transverse cutting and folding
mechanism as seen from the line 5° 5° of Figure 1.

page_text: теспатеть.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 illustrate devices or means used for connecting
and disconnecting the several printing machines with and from the main driving
axles.
Referring first to Figure 1, P1 and P2 represent respectively the two lower
presses and P³ the upper press. A' and A2 are respectively the inking mechanisms
of the two lower presses and B B the ink fountains of same. These parts are of
the usual well-known class and need no further description.
R and R are the web reels appertaining respectively to the two presses P
and P and W and W' are the two web; of piper carried by and delivered from
these reels.
CC are the two lower stereotype cylinders of the presses P¹ P* respectively
for printing the first side of the webs WW2. It will be seen that the upper
surfaces of these cylinders is so disposed as to allow of the stereotype plates being
readily put on and removed.
D1 D2 are the two lower blanket cylinders and E¹ E2 the two upper blanket
cylinders.
FF are the two stereotype cylinders that perfect the web by printing it on the
second side.
The inking mechanism which inks the cylinders F F is arranged in a more or
less horizontal plane extending outwards and partly over the two lower rolls of
paper.
The top printing press P³ is arranged substantially in a horizontal plane the
blanket cylinders D³ E³ being raised to give room for the associating and folding
mechanism underneath.
CF3 are the stereotype cylinders of this press with their inking mechanisms A³ A³
and fountains B3 B³ ranged right and left. R³ is the web reel appertaining to the
top press and W³ is the web carried by and delivered from this reel.
After the three webs are printed the webs W1 W from the presses P' and P2
pass under the adjustable registering rollers H' H2 and thence by the pathways
of moving tapes to the associating and folding mechanism where they are joined
by the third printed web Ws from the top press Ps after this has passed the
registering roller H³.
It will be seen that the reels R' R2 R3 are carried outside the machine and that
after all the webs are printed they leave each of their respective presses on the
inside. They are thus in close proximity to the folder and only comparatively
short lengths of the webs lie between the printing and folding mechanisms.
This is of great service in saving strain on the paper and in getting the register
and cutting right.
Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4 which are side elevations on a larger scale
of the associating mechanism for dealing with the webs after they have been
printed and passing them on to double longitudinal folding devices; Figure 2
shows the switches in the positions they occupy when all three webs have to be
associated together and then folded longitudinally over the left hand folder;
Figure 3 shows the position of the switches when all three webs have to be
associated together and then folded longitudinally over the right hand folder;
and Figure 4 shows the position of the lower switches when the web W' is to
be directed down the left hand folder and the web W down the right hand
folder.
Looking first at Figure 2, K and K are respectively the left and right hand
longitudinal formers which may be of any suitable form. L represents the set of
switches for directing webs W' and W and M represents the set of switches
for directing the web W from the top press.
1 and 2 represent the under runs of tapes for bringing the webs W1 W2
respectively from the two lower printing presses. The tapes 1 pass around

page_text: respectively the rollers 8 and 14 and the tapes 2 around the rollers 9 and 15.
3 and 4 are the upper runs of tapes for these same webs; they return around
rollers 16 and 17 respectively. 5 and 6 are two sets of switches that respectively
direct the webs W1 W2 around the rollers 8 and 9. Sets of endless tapes pass
as shown around the rollers 11 and 12 and down the face of the fold-formers K³ K'
to the pulleys 24 and 25.
In order to draw up any slack on the webs they are slightly nipped between the
tapes passing around the rollers 8 and 14 and the roller 11 and again between the
tapes passing between 11 and 24 and the roller 14.
Runs of endless tapes for conducting the top web W are carried between
rollers 13 and 18, and 10, 19 and 20.
These rollers and tapes serve the purpose of keeping the upper web tight and
guiding it down so that it will enter automatically between the other two webs.
The rollers 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are all driven by gearing from the printing
machines as will be well understood and their surface speeds are somewhat faster
than the rate of travel of the webs through the machines. The tapes being driven
slightly faster than the paper they insure that the webs are kept tight and that the
register and cutting are right.
When it is desired to run all the webs to the right-hand folder K the
switches L M are set in the manner shown in Figure 3.
Referring now to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the switches L are in a vertical
position in which position they do not act upon any of the webs. The web W is
therefore conducted to the folder K' and the web W2 to the folder K2. 21 is a
centrally situated circular cutter of well known construction mounted on the
swinging bracket 21" so that it can either be left out of action as in Figures 2 and 3
or noved forward as seen in Figure 4 so as to enter and run in a groove in the
roller 10. When it is not required to divide the top web W³ longitudinally the
cutter 21 is left out of action as in Figures 2 and 3 and the top web is directed
either to the folder K' or to the folder K according as the switches M are moved
to the left as in Figure 2 or to the right as in Figure 3. When however it is
required to divide the web W longitudinally the cutter 21 is moved forward as
seen in Figure 3 so as to effect this division. Half of the switches M are set to
the right-hand side and the other half to the left hand side as seen in the figure so
as to guide one half of the longitudinally severed web W³ down and underneath
the full width web W' from the left hand machine and the other half underneath
the web W from the right hand machine, ench half of web W being thus folded
inside a full width wel, W and W' respectively.
By these associating devices a number of different sized products can readily be
obtained from the press without any alteration of the gearing or adjustment of
the folding mechanisin.
Referring now to Figure 5 which is a front view of the longitudinal folding and
transverse cutting and folding mechanism, K is the longitudinal fold-former
SS the drawing rollers, T and U the cutting and transverse folding cylinders,
and V the delivery cylinder. X X X represent a train of gear wheels receiving
motion from the whcel Y on the driving shaft. The operation of these devices is
well known and need not he further explained.
With a double transverse folder such as shown in Figure 6 two sets of gearing
one at each side of the folder should be provided so that either one or both may
be used.
In Figure 6 which shows an arrangement in which double longitudinal folders
lead to two seperate transverse cutting and folding machines, K' aud K represent
the longitudinal folders and T T the transverse cutting, folding and delivery
cylinders. These cylinders are carried in bearings forming part of the side frames
at Z Z.
There is also a central strut Z' (or there might be two central struts) which
carries in bearings the inner ends of the two cylinders of the two transverse folding
machines.

page_text: I find in practice that on account of the web associating mechanism at the top.
of the longitudinal folders a consideral:le space intervenes between the folded webs
as they pass from the longitudinal folders to the transverse folding mechanism.
This allows of sufficient space for the bearings at Z carrying the inner ends of
the folding cylinders and also for the necessary cams required to operate the
folding devices. These cams are of the well known class and need not be.
further referred to.
Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9 which illustrate one way of connecting and
disconnecting the several printing machines and their respective driving axles as
required, a is the disc keyed on the driving shaft, b and c is a gear wheel running
loose on the shaft and gearing into another wheel d keyed ou the driving axle of
the printing machines.
In the disc a there is a hole e in which the bolt fis situated. This bolt is pressed
forward by a spring g.
There is a corresponding hole h in the back of the wheel e-
into which the spring presses the bolt or plunger f. On the outside of the disc a
there is a snail or cam i. When it is desired to disconnect the printing machine
from its driving axle the bolt fis partly rotated by a suitable key. A projection
or pin on the side of the bolt head works up against the snail and causes the
withdrawal of the bolt to a sufficient extent to clear the hole in the wheel c..
At the high part of the snail there is a depression or groove 1 (see Figure 12)
into which the pin k drops. This serves to lock and prevent the spring forcing
the bolt forward to catch in the hole 4 in the wheel è and thus makes the discon
necting device safe.
Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate a modification of this connecting and disconnecting
mechanism. The gear wheel d is driven by a train of gearing c from the driving
shaft. a is a disc keyed on the end of the printing machine shaft. The bolt or
plunger fis carried in a hole e of this disc and there is a corresponding hole in,
the loose gear wheel d as before. In this case a flat spring g is used instead of
a spiral one in order to reduce its projection from the machine. The arrangement
of the bolt or plunger is exactly the same as in the previous illustration, the suail i
being formed of a separate piece attached to the face of the disc.
These devices or means for connecting and disconnecting printing machines and
their driving axles are applicable not only to the triple web machine herein
described but also to other web printing machines comprising more than one printing.
mechanism.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination of mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described
comprising two printing mechanisms arranged end to end with a space between
them, a third printing mechanism above said space, a double longitudinal folder
and a transverse folding and cutting mechanism arranged in said space, tapes
conducting the webs from the two end printing mechanisms to the top of the
longitudinal folder, tapes conducting the web from the top printing mechanism so.
that after passing the registering roller it joins the two other webs, and associating
mechanism arranged substantially as hereinbefore described for manipulating and
directing the webs from the several machines.
2. In a triple web printing associating, cutting and folding machine having two.
end printing mechanisms and a top printing mechanism disposed as hereinbefore
described, the combination in the space between the end printing mechanism and
under the top printing mechanism, of web associating and double longitudinal
folding mechanism and two separate and independent transverse cutting and folding
mechanisn.s for respectively dealing with the products from the two sides of the
longitudinal folding mechanism all substantially as set forth.
3. The particular arrangement of rollers, tapes, switches and cutter substantially
as hereinbelore described and represented in Figures 2, 3 and 4 whereby the webs.

page_text: are associated and directed as required to either of the longitudinal folders or
partly to one and partly to the other longitudinal folder, and the top web can be
severed longitudinally when required before being switched to the longitudinal
folders, as set forth.
4. In a web printing machine having more than one printing mechanism
means or devices substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in Figures 7
to 12 for connecting and disconnecting at will any printing mechanism to and from
its driving mechanism.
Dated this 9th dar of Februa 1807
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.