IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING AND BOOK-BINDING MACHINERY
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING AND BOOK-BINDING MACHINERY." A communi-
cation from abroad by Henry P. Feister, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the Firm of Haseltine Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING AND BOOK-
BINDING MACHINERY." A communication from abroad by Henry P. Feister of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
This Invention relates to printing machinery in general but more particularly
to combined printing and book binding machines; it consists first in an endless
chain of type-form-carriages adapted to pass under the impression-cylinders and
inking apparatus; further, in so arranging the impression-cylinders that one will
print from every alternate form and the other will print from those forms which
escaped the first impression-cylinder; further, in combining with two such
impression-cylinders, and the chain of carriages supporting the type-forms, a pair
of nippers to each of the said carriages; the said nippers being actuated by suitable
means to turn the paper from one carriage to the one immediately preceding it
thereby reversing the paper before it passes under the second impression-cylinder
and after it has passed under the first impression-cylinder, and causing it to be
printed on both sides before leaving the press; further in arranging a feeding
device to actuate the roll of paper, and an intermittent feeding device to the form
carriages and their nippers, whereby the paper between the roll and the feeding
device proper is never under tension thereby ensuring a uniform feed; further
in combining with the said feeding device, a pair of feed-rollers, or their equivalent
and a knife or cutter to sever the endless roll of paper into sheet lengths prior to

page_text: being received by the nippers; further in so constructing the feed-rollers that
various sized sheets may be fed on the same machine by preliminary adjustment;
further in the arrangement of the nippers and cams with intermediate mechanism
by which the sheets of paper are received, held, turned and delivered as required;
further, in combining with the foregoing devices, receiving, fastening, forming
and folding and trimming mechanism whereby the printed pages are fastened
together in book form and the book emerges from the machine in a finished
condition; further, in providing a receiving table between the printing mechanism
and the folding machine upon which the backs of the books are first laid and
upon which the printed pages assemble as they emerge from the printing machine;
and finally in many details of construction, all of which are hereinafter fully set
forth.
Heretofore it has been customary to print a large number of pages in one sheet,
printing each side in separate presses and afterwards folding up the sheets and
binding them into book form. In no case has a machine been constructed to
print and bind a book from a roll of paper, therefore, I do not limit myself to the
particular devices shewn, as my Invention comprehends broadly mechanism adapted
to work in a specific manner to the end that it produces a bound book from a roll
of paper without second handling.
The object of my Invention is to construct a machine which will turn out a
complete bound book from a roll of paper and thereby save time in the manu-
facture, and the labour of several men, and which will not necessitate any handling
of the paper by the operator.
In the accompanying Drawing:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the printing devices of the same on the
line y y Figure 4.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the feeding and sheet-cutting devices.
Figure 4 is a cross section of my improved machine on the line x x Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a plan or top view of the receiving tapes and table.
Figure 6 is a plan or top view of the feeding and sheet-cutting devices.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of the receiving table and appendages.
Figure 8 is a plan or top view of one of the type-form carriages with the nippers
in place.
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of a part of the same.
Figure 10 is a detail view shewing the method of folding the printed pages into
book form.
A is the frame of the machine which carries at one end the paper feeding and
cutting devices, in the middle the printing mechanism, and at the other end the
binding mechanism. B is the roll of paper from which the books are made. It is
supported loosely in the frame and is intermittently rotated by feed-discs B' which
are rotated at a given speed by means of pulleys G7 B2 and band B³. These feed-
discs B¹ are similar to the feed discs CC shewn clearly in Figure 3 and are
adapted to move toward the axis of the paper roll as the same is reduced in
diameter. The paper passes through tension rollers b b and is fed in given
lengths upon the wires or fingers E by means of the feed-discs C C, knife D, and
rollers D2 D³.
The discs C. have a portion of their peripheries cut away on diametrically
opposite sides, and are arranged two and two, one of which discs in each set is
secured to the shaft c, and the discs are then secured together by means of slots C³
and bolts C. There being two shafts and discs arranged to roll in contact
uniformly by means of spur wheels C', the length of time their peripheries are in
contact is governed by means of the slots C³ and bolts C. If desired, the discs on
one shaft may be of uniform diameter all round.
These discs are rotated at a given speed by means of pulleys C³ G7 and band C7.
As the paper is fed through the rollers D³ D³ they are kept apart by the cam C2
upon the shaft c which cam strikes the lever C drawing down the rods D¹ and D',

page_text: thereby depressing the knife D, severing the paper just as the feed-discs C have
ceased to feed, and upon the passage of the cam the spring D³ or an equivalent
device, forces up the knife and presses the roller D³ against the paper, causing it to
be fed out quickly upon the fingers E, it being arrested by the lugs e. The
rollers D Ds may be composed of discs and may be geared together as at d; the
roller D2 carries on its end a band-wheel or pulley d¹ which is rotated by means
of the band wheel or pulley c¹ and band d³. The knife D is made oblique so as to
give a shearing cut.
Travelling before the fingers E are a series of type-form-carriages F which are
pivoted together at fand run by means of wheels F₁ upon endless tracks F2 which
are secured to the frame A. These carriages F are all hinged together so as to
form an endless chain, as shown in Figure 2 and are grooved or otherwise adapted
to receive the type-forms F5 which may be kept in place by means of cam nuts - f¹.
Each carringe F is arranged to carry two forms F3 which correspond to opposite
pages in the book, leaving sufficient space between them, as well as all round as
shewn in Figure 8.
To each side of the carriages, and forming part of the same, are the
racks F. Hinged to the forward ends of the carriages are the nippers H
and Hadapted to receive, hold, and turn the sheet as required. The nippers H¹
are secured to shafts H2 carrying on their ends small pinions h². The nippers H
are secured to hollow sleeves HS which surround the shafts H2 and carry.
on their ends small pinions h². The nippers H work through slots ³ in the
sleeve H³ as shown in Figure 9. Pivoted to the rod 4 on the carriage F are the
rack-levers which mesh with the pinions h² and h³ and carry on their ends, the
friction-rollers H' working in the cam-grooves H³ which are secured to the frame A.
There are two cam-grooves H5, one adapted to actuate the nippers H and the other
to actuate the nippers H¹. The part W in one of the cam-grooves is adapted to
open the nippers H from the nippers H' as the carriages Fare ascending before
the fingers E to receive the paper. When the part W₁ is reached on the other cam-
groove, the paper is received and the nippers close upon each other holding the
paper fast, and when the part W³ is reached, which is the same in both cams, the
nippers fold the paper hack and over the type upon their own carriage. When the
part U is reached the paper is raised from off one carriage and laid upon that next
preceding it, and the part V which is only on one can is adapted to open the
nippers to allow the paper to be withdrawn.
In printing a hook every alternate carriage is provided with the nippers, but
when the machine is to be used to print circulars, with either two or four sides,
then each carriage is furnished with nippers as shown. These nippers are made
removable so that the machine may be adjusted for the work to be done. The
carriages F pass over the inking cylinders QQwhich are provided with inking
faces q to ink every alternate type-form, the cylinder Qinking those which are not
inked by the cylinder Q These inking cylinders are secured to gear-wheels Q
which mesh with the racks F on the carriages from which racks they receive
their inction, and they are made adjustable by screws Q. Qare the-inking slabs
or plates and q q' the distributing rollers. If desired, one iuking cylinder may be
used having a complete circumference with the exception of recesses to pass over
the sleeves H³.
•
The carriages F pass under the impression-cylinders G G¹, which, for printing
books, have impression-surfaces g which make up one-half of the periphery being
adapted to take an impression from every alternate carriage. The cylinder G¹
prints from the carriages. omitted by the cylinder G. The impression-surfaces g
are covered 'with pads g¹ which are clamped in place by clamps g². These
impression-cylinders G G₁ are provided with gear wheels G³ which mesh with the
racks F on the carriages F and also with the intermediate gear wheel G2 by which
they are rotated through the agency of a band wheel or pulley G³.
The cylinders G Gare supported in boxes adapted to slide in slots in the
frame A, the said boxes resting on springs A³ and being adjusted by screws A!.

page_text: When used for printing circulars, the peripheries of the cylinders G G³ are made
continuous.
The paper X is pressed between the tapes i travelling over the rollers I. The
rollers I next to the carriages P cannot be placed on shafts as the nippers have to
pass down between them therefore I support them in arms I¹ which extend back
and are secured to the frame A as shown in Figure 5. The rollers I furthest from
the carriages are secured to the shafts I which are geared together by spur-
wheels I and are rotated by means of a belt i¹ working over the pulley and a
flange on the cylinder G. Pivotted to the frame A, at j, is the paste-vat J
carrying on the bottom a pasting or fastening wheel J¹ which rolls upon the
wheel 13 on the shaft I. This pasting (or fastening) wheel J' is arranged in line
with the middle nippers. The paper is quickly withdrawn from the nippers H H¹
by the tapes i and after being pasted or otherwise fastened down in the middle, as
shown in Figure 5, it is received upon the fly-frame K and projection k and is
deposited upon the table M. The fly-frame K is oscillated by means of the crank K¹
rod K2 and cam Go on the cylinder G². Pivoted to the crank K' is a pawl K³
which works on a ratchet-wheel L secured upon a shaft carrying cams 17 which,
once in every revolution of the said ratchet-wheel, strike the roller m of the table M
and push it forward forcing the ends of the printed matter or sheets between the
rollers R R. The spring m³ draws the table back again to its original position.
There are as many teeth in the wheel I as there are carriages F and the cam-parts
on the wheels corresponds to one of the said teeth. After placing a cover on the
table M the printed sheets are laid upon it, and after being completed, the table is
moved forward and instantly discharges its contents.
The rollers R R are geared together by spur-wheels R¹ R' and are driven by
means of the bevel gear-wheels R³ R³, the shaft R*, the bevel gear-wheel R³, and the
bevel gear-wheel G upon the cylinder G¹.
The sheets are then pressed together and fall on the inclined table T over a slot t
and the folding knife P is projected down by the bell crank P¹, rod P2, and cam P
on the cylinder G³, the said cam striking the roller P³ on the end of the rod P.
The knife P doubles the sheets of paper and forces them between the rollers 00
(shewn clearly in Figure 10) and is then drawn back by the spring P4. The folded
sheets are then passed between cutting rollers 0' 01 by which the top and bottom
are trimmed. The book is then passed between guides 02 and slides down to
the feed-rollers 08 and is thereby fed to the cutting rollers O* which trim the
front, and the book is then received in the rack 0³ completed. The folding
mechanism receives its motion by means of the bevil wheel S and may be made
after any suitable well known design.
I do not limit myself to the particular form of apparatus shown to accomplish
the required results, as it may be modified in various ways.
The operation is as follows, that is to say :-
The machine being set in motion, the feed-discs C and B¹ feed the paper
intermittently to the printing mechanism keeping the paper slack between the
roll B and the tension-rolls b to prevent any change in the tension of the feeding
devices C. The paper is then cut off in given lengths by the knife D and fed on
to the fingers E by the rollers D2 D³. The sheet is then caught by the nippers H H¹
and turned down upon the inked type-forms, held upon the carriages F, from which an
impression is printed on one side of the sheet as it is passed under the cylinder G.
The parts in the cams H5 then cause the nippers to make a semi-revolution,
thereby laying the imprinted side of the sheet down upon the type-forms held in the
carriage F immediately preceding it and causing the sheet to pass in that position
under the second cylinder G¹. The sheet is now printed on both sides, and as it
travels, the part V in the cam H³ slightly separates the nippers, and the tapes i
receive the printed sheet, pass it under the pasting or fastening wheel J' and on to the
fly-frame K which turns it over upon a back previously laid on the table M by the
operator. After the full number of sheets (each making four pages in the book)
have been laid upon the table, the cam throws the table forward and the rolls R R

page_text: receive the sheets, press them together and the knife P folds them. They are then
trimmed by the rotary cutters 0 and O' and emerge in a finished condition.
Each carriage prints two pages, hence the sixteen carriages shown would print
a hook of thirty two pages from a continuous roll, and at one continuous operation.
The machine is particularly adapted to advertising books as alınanacs, and small
pamphlets, but may be used for single sheet circulars if desired.
In the former case every carriage contains different type matter, while in the
latter case they all only contain two styles of type matter.
1
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it under-
stood that I claim,
First In a printing machine to print from a continuous roll of paper, an endless
chain of type carriages, arranged to pass before inking and impression cylinders.
Second-In a printing machine to print from a continuous roll of paper, an
endless chain of type carriages, in combination with one or more inking cylinders
and two impression cylinders the said impression cylinders being adapted to print
from every alternate type carriage one of the said cylinders printing from the type
omitted by the other.
Third In a printing machine to print from a continuous roll of paper, an endless
chain of type carriages, in combination with nippers arranged upon the said
carriages and adapted to hold the sheet of paper, inking devices to ink the type,
two impression cylinders arranged to print from every alternate type carriage and
mechanism to cause the said nippers to be oscillated in passing from one impression
cylinder to the other, for the purpose of laying the sheet upon the type carriage
immediately preceding..
Fourth In a printing machine to print from a continuous roll of paper, a series
of type carriages arranged to travel under impression cylinders, in combination
with mechanism to remove the sheet after receiving an impression from the type
on one carriage, reverse the same and lay it upon the type of the next adjacent
carriage, thereby causing the said sheet to be printed upon both sides.
Fifth In a printing machine, a feeding device adapted to feed given lengths of
paper from a continuous roll, a cutter or knife to cut the said paper into sheets, an
endless chain of type carriages provided with nippers adapted to catch and hold
the paper, an inking device to ink the type on the said carriages and two
impression cylinders arranged to print from every alternate type, carriage in
combination with a cam to actuate the said nippers to reverse and transfer the
sheet to the next adjacent type carriage after passing under one impression cylinder
and before it passes to the next receiving bands or tapes, a pasting or fastening
device to paste or fasten the sheet down in the middle a fly frame, a receiving
table and folding and trimming mechanism the whole operating to print and bind
books from a continuous roll of paper.
Sixth-In a printing machine, the feeding device which consists of the notched
discs C rolling in contact as shown and described, in combination with their shafts
and means for adjusting and securing the said discs side by side in pairs.
Seventh-In a printing machine the feeding mechanism which consists of the
shafts geared together and carrying the discs C C as shown the endless roll of
paper B and the feeding discs B₁ the said mechanism working to keep the paper
slack between the roll B and discs C substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Eighth In a printing machine, the combination of the rollers 6 the shafts c.
carrying the discs C the gear-wheels C¹ cam 02 arms C4 rods D¹ D' knife D
rollers D2 D3 and fingers E.
Ninth In a printing machine the carriages F hinged together at f and running
upon a track F2 by wheels F¹ and provided with means for securing the type forms
in place in combination with the nippers H H¹ secured respectively to the pinions
h3 and 2 the segment racks h¹ and the cams H³ to actuate the said segment racks
substantially as and for the purpose specified.

page_text: :-
Tenth In a printing machine a type carriage F provided with the nippers HH'
secured to the shafts H3 HS pivoted at one end of the said carriage in combination
with mechanism to operate the said nippers during the movement of the said
carriage.
:-
Eleventh In a printing machine the combination of the endless chain of
carriages F carrying the nippers H H' pivoted at one end, and the racks P' inking.
devices to ink the type on the said carriages, two impression cylinders G G¹ having
impression surfaces and gear-wheels and adapted to print from every alternate.
carriage fingers E receiving tapes i cams H³ and intermediate mechanism to
actuate the nippers to the end that the nippers of every alternate carriage shall
open and catch the paper from fingers E lay it upon the carriage and after passing
under the cylinder G shall reverse the sheet and lay it upon the next adjacent
carriage then pass under the cylinder G and open slightly to allow the sheet to be
run off quickly by the tapes i.
Twelfth In a printing machine, the combination of the endless chain of
carriages P having racks P4 cylinders G and G¹ having teeth G³ and intermediate
gear, wheel G2 substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Thirteenth-In a printing machine the receiving tapes i¹ in combination with
the wheels I shaft 12 and arms I¹ to allow the passage of the nippers between the
said tapes.
Fourteenth In a printing machine the endless chain of type carriages and their
nippers in combination with the tapes i wheels I shafts 12 arms I¹ pasting or
fastening wheel J' fly frame K receiving table M rollers R mechanisın to
reciprocate the said table and folding and trimming mechanism.
Fifteenth In a combined printing and binding machine, the combination of the
reciprocating receiving table M with the rollers R the oblique table T with slot e
the folding knife P the trimming rotary cutters O' O* and mechanism to reciprocate
the table M and folding knife P at given intervals.
Sixteenth-In a printing machine the endless chain of type carriages F in
combination with a cam Ge rod K2 crank K¹ pawl K³ ratchet wheel L cams
rollers m receiving table M frame A spring m² and rollers R. R.
Seventeenth :-A printing machine for printing and binding books which consists
of a series of type carriages in combination with impression surfaces, the said type
carriages being adapted to print all of the pages of the book in succession and
without handling and mechanism to fold and bind the printed sheets into books.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.