IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1885

page_text: I, JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN of 169 Fleet Street in the City of London, Fellow
of the Institute of Patent Agents. do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
to be as follows:--
This invention has reference to printing machines and apparatus connected
therewith and the improvements comprise:
1. The dividing between two cylinders of the "forms" for printing the same
side of the sheet.
2. Putting these two form-carrying cylinders in contact with the same impression
cylinder so as to ensure "register."
3. A special inking apparatus for each of the form-carrying cylinders, and
arrangements of ink distributors and rollers for inking the forms.
4. An arrangement for conducting the printed paper to the cutting apparatus.
Direct drawing of the printed paper by the cutting cylinders with provision to
prevent pressure of the cylinders on the printed parts.
5. Means of conducting the sheets to an accumulator without their being marked
by tapes or cords.
6. A special arrangement of cylinder with grippers for accumulating the sheets.
7. Removal of the accumulated sheets by means of a special cylinder, no tapes
being employed that can mark the sheets.
The improved machine is intended more particularly for printing illustrated
publications. The arrangements for printing the first side of the sheet possess no
peculiarity as this side is generally composed of type, but the arrangement which
I am about to describe for printing the second side of the sheet may if desired be
employed for the first side also. The arrangement for printing the second side
consists of two cylinders, the one of which carries the type and the other the
engraved blocks (stereotyped or otherwise). The type cylinder has locking devices
similar to those ordinarily employed in rotary printing machines. The other

page_text: cylinder has dovetail grooves which may be parallel to the axis of the cylinder or
spiral, as and for a purpose well understood. This cylinder is preferably so placed
that it can be readily got at for securing the blocks, washing and other operations.
When the forms for printing one side of the sheet are thus divided between two
cylinders it would be easy to arrange a distinct impression cylinder in contact with
each of them and to place between these two a tension roller for making the sheet
come in contact with the two forins at the desired distance. But it is considered
preferable to employ a single impression cylinder in contact with both of the
printing cylinders; the distance to be travelled between the points of contact of
these two cylinders with the impression cylinder is trifling, no tension roller is
necessary and the sheet stretched on this common impression cylinder passes
without slipping and consequently without failure to register from the first
impression to the second. The impression cylinder is open at the side of the
cylinder that carries the blocks so that the work of the attendant is greatly
facilitated. To increase this facility the blanket covering the impression cylinder
is divided into two parts each having its own attachments so that one half can in
case of need be removed without the other, the advantage of this is that the half-
blanket can be effected without turning back (détourner) the machine and without,
so to speak, any movement. When the tension devices have been placed at right
angles to their normal position it is sufficient to unhook the blanket and to slip
it between the impression cylinder and the adjoining cylinder. The blanket is
replaced in the same manner.
The type cylinders for printing the two sides of the paper respectively have each
the following inking arrangement. The ink from the "fountain" is supplied
to a first inking cylinder or table in contact with which is a distributing roller.
A second roller transfers the ink to a second inking cylinder or table in contact
with which is another distributing roller. From this inking cylinder the ink is
transferred by two rollers to the type cylinder. The inking cylinders or tables
have each a to and fro motion in contrary directions to cach other, this motion
being imparted to them by excentrics and levers. The arrangement for inking the
cylinder which carries the engraved blocks is as follows:-The ink from the
fountain is supplied to a first inking cylinder or table in contact with which is a
distributing roller; a second roller transfers the ink to a small metal cylinder
which has a to and fro motion conformable to that of the second inking cylinder
or table the small metal cylinder is in contact with a roller which touches the
second inking cylinder; this cylinder is in contact with two rollers which in
turn are in contact with the printing cylinder. One of these rollers transmits a
portion of its ink through the intermediation of a small roller to another roller
which is also in contact with the printing cylinder. This cylinder in its rotation
is in contact with two other rollers between which is a metal roller in contact
with both. These rollers equalize the ink on the blocks.
The paper after having been printed is passed over a roller driven at a circum-
ferential speed. equal to that of the printing cylinders. The paper then passes
respectively over and under two other rollers driven at the same speed and is
conducted to the cutting cylinders. The diameter of these cylinders will depend
upon whether it is required to cut the paper into half sheets or whole sheets. If
it is required to cut the paper into half sheets the cutting cylinders will be slightly
larger in diameter than half the printing cylinders so as to exert a traction on the
paper and facilitate the cutting. In order to obviate any pressure on the printed
parts the cutting cylinders are diminished in diameter at the parts corresponding
with the printed surfaces. They thus exert no pressure except on the margins.
It is important that these cylinders should be always pressed against each other;
therefore one of them is provided with means such as excentric rings or movable
bearings by which any wear can be compensated for.
Under the cutting cylinders are two rollers having a circumferential speed a
little greater than that of the cutting cylinders and equal to that of an accumu-
lating cylinder placed below. Circular grooves are forined in these rollers and in

page_text: the cutting cylinders and wires or cords are passed from the cylinders to the rollers
to guide the sheet and prevent it becoming attached to and turning with either of
the cylinders. The sheet descends vertically from the cutting cylinders and is
guided on the one side by cords or tapes going from one of the rollers above
mentioned to another roller below, and on the other side by polished bars fixed to
a transverse bar. The cords or tapes do not press against the polished bars, the
paper thus descends without traction and without friction, being pushed neither
against the bars nor against the cords.
At the end of its descent the sheet is received by an accumulating cylinder ; the
circumference of this cylinder for an extent equal to the length of the sheet is
smooth; the rest of the circumference is recessed to allow of the play of grippers
which take hold of the successive sheets. At the moment the paper is cut the
grippers close on the sheet. The accumulating cylinder has a circumferential
speed greater than that of the cutting cylinders and therefore draws away the cut
sheet. The sheet being held by the grippers becomes wrapped upon the smooth
part of the cylinder and returns to its starting point after a revolution of the latter
at the precise moment that the next sheet is cut. The grippers which have been
opened a little before this, close on the second sheet which is then exactly
superposed upon the first and so on for the following sheets, the grippers opening
at every revolution so as to be ready to close on the next sheet. The open grippers
cannot draw the sheets already superposed on the cylinder; but in order to ensuro
a perfect superposition there is a bar fitted with rollers which press on the margins
of the sheets a little before the grippers are opened. These rollers are covered
with caoutchouc so that the pressure exerted on the sheets may be constant
notwithstanding slight wear and the difference caused by variation in the number
of superposed sheets. Between these rollers and the point where the grippers
close on the next sheet the sheets on the cylinder are guided by a sort of channel
formed by curved continuations of the polished bars above described. The grippers
are opened and closed at the proper times by means of a cam guide.
.
When a given number (5 for example) of slicets have been superposed on the
accumulating cylinder they are taken off by another cylinder constructed similarly
to the accumulating cylinder and of the same diameter. The grippers of this
taking off cylinder are likewise opened and closed at the proper times by means
of a cam guide. This cam guide has a backward movement imparted to it by an
excentric and lever and is returned to its first position by springs. The excentric
is fixed on a shaft which makes one revolution for five revolutions of the cutting
cylinders. Thus when five sheets have been superposed on the accumulating
cylinder the excentric moves the cam guide which then causes the grippers of the
taking off cylinder to close on the five sheets as the grippers of the accumulating
cylinder open; the sheets are thus transferred to the taking off cylinder; after
the grippers of this cylinder have been opened the five sheets descend by means of
tapes or cords which bear on the margins and are deposited with the aid of a
flyer or otherwise upon a receiving table, being counted if required by any ordinal y
apparatus.

page_text: therewith..
I JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN of 169 Fleet Street in the City of London Fellow
of the Institute of Patent Agents 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:-
This invention has reference to printing machines and apparatus connected.
therewith and the improvements comprise
1. The dividing between two cylinders of the "forms" for printing the same
side of the sheet.
2. Putting these two form-carrying cylinders in contact with the same
impression cylinder so as to ensure "register."
3. A special inking apparatus for each of the form-carrying cylinders, and
arrangements of ink distributors and rollers for inking the forms.
4. An arrangement for conducting the printed paper to the cutting apparatus.
Direct drawing of the printed paper by the cutting cylinders with provision to
prevent pressure of the cylinders on the printed parts.
5. Means of conducting the sheets to an accumulator without their being marked.
by tapes or cords.
6. A special arrangement of cylinder with grippers for accumulating the sheets.
7. Removal of the accumulated sheets by means of a special cylinder, no tapes
being employed that can mark the sheets.
The improved machine is intended more particularly for printing illustrated"
publications. It is illustrated in Figure 1 of the annexed drawings. The arrange-
ments for printing the first side of the sheet possess no peculiarity as this side is
generally composed of type, but the arrangement which I am about to describe for
printing the second side of the sheet may if desired be employed for the first side
also. The arrangement for printing the second side consists of two cylinders A
and B, of which A carries the type and B the engraved blocks (stereotyped or
otherwise). The cylinder A las locking devices similar to those ordinarily
employed in rotary printing machines. The cylinder B has dovetail grooves which
may be parallel to the axis of the cylinder or spiral, as and for a purpose well
understood. This cylinder is preferably so placed as is seen in the figure that it
can be readily got at for securing the blocks, washing and other operations.
When the forms for printing one side of the sheet are thus divided between two
cylinders it would be easy to arrange a distinct impression cylinder in contact
with each of them and to place between these two a tension roller for making the
sheet come in contact with the two forms at the desired distance. But it is con-
sidered preferable to employ a single im; ression cylinder C in contact with both of
the printing cylinders A and B; the distance to be travelled between the points
of contact of these two cylinders with the impression cylinder C is trifling, no
te:sion roller is necessary and the sheet stretched on this common impression
cylinder passes without slipping and consequently without failure to register from
the first impression to the second. The impression cylinder is open at the side of
the cylinder that carries the blocks so that the work of the attendant is greatly
facilitated. To increase this facility the blanket covering the compression cylinder

page_text: is divided into two parts each having its own attachments so that one half can in
case of need be removed without the other, the advantage of this is that the
removal of the half blanket can be effected without turning back (détourner) the
machine and without so to speak any movement. When the tension devices have
been placed at right angles to their normal position it is sufficient to unhook the
blanket and to slip it between the impression cylinder C and the adjoining
cylinder D. The blanket is replaced in the saine manner.
The type cylinders A and E for printing the two sides of the paper respectively
have each the following inking arrangement. The ink from the "fountain" F is
supplied to a first inking cylinder or table G in contact with which is a distri-
buting roller H. A second roller I transfers the ink to a second inking cylinder or
table G¹ in contact with which is another distributing roller J. From this inking
cylinder the ink is transferred by two rollers K K to the type cylinder (A or E).
The inking cylinders or tables have a to and fro motion in contrary directions to
each other, this motion being imparted to them by excentrics and levers as
indicated in Figure 2 which represents the cylinders G G¹³ on a larger scale. The
arrangement for inking the cylinder B which carries the engraved blocks is as ·
follows: The ink from the fountain F is supplied by the roller F1 to a first inking
cylinder or table G in contact with which is a distributing roller H; a second
roller I transfers the ink to a small metal cylinder G₁ which has a to and fro
motion conformable to that of the second inking cylinder or table G2; the small
metal cylinder G₁ is in contact with a roller J which touches the second inking
cylinder G; this cylinder G2 is in contact with two rollers K K¹ which in turn
are in contact with the printing cylinder. The roller K¹ transmits a portion of its
ink through the intermediation of a small roller G³ to another roller K² which is
also in contact with the printing cylinder B. This cylinder in its rotation is in
contact with two other rollers K K between which is a metal roller G' in contact
with both. These rollers equalize the-ink on the blocks.
The paper after having been printed passes from between the cylinders. A Cover
a roller L driven at a circumferential speed equal to that of the printing cylinders.
The paper then passes respectively over and under two other rollers L and L2.
driven at the same speed and is conducted to the cutting cylinders M M. The
diameter of these cylinders will depend upon whether it is required to cut the
paper into half sheets or whole sheets. They are shown as of half the diameter of
the printing cylinders the machine represented being intended for cutting the
paper into half sheets. Practically the cutting cylinders should be slightly larger
in diameter than half that of the printing cylinders so as to exert a traction on the
paper and facilitate the cutting. In order to obviate any pressure on the printed
parts the cutting cylinders are diminished in diameter at the parts corresponding
with the printed surfaces. They thus exert no pressure except on the margins.
It is important that these cylinders should be always pressed against each other;
therefore one of them is provided with means such as excentric rings or movable
bearings by which any wear can be compensated for.
Under the cutting cylinders M M are two rollers N N¹ having a circumferential
speed a little greater than that of the cutting cylinders and equal to that of an
accumulating cylinder P placed below. Circular grooves are formed in the
rollers N N and in the cutting cylinders M M and wires or cords are passed from
the cylinders to the rollers to guide the sheet and prevent it becoming attached to
and turning with either of the cylinders. The sheet descends vertically from the
cutting cylinders and is guided on the one side by cords or tapes going from the
roller N to another roller N2 below, and on the other side by polished bars O fixed
to a transverse bar. The cords or tapes do not press against the polished bars; the
paper thus descends without traction and without friction, being pushed neither
against the bars nor against the cords.
At the end of its descent the sheet is received by the accumulating cylinder P;
the circumference of this cylinder for an extent equal to the length of the sheet is
smooth; the rest of the circumference is recessed to allow of the play of grippers

page_text: which take hold of the successive sheets, At the moment the paper is cut the
grippers (which are in the position shown in dotted lines in the figure) close on the
sheet. The accumulating cylinder P has a circumferential speed greater than that
of the cutting cylinders M M¹ and therefore draws away the cut sheet. The sheet
being held by the grippers becomes wrapped upon the smooth part of the cylinder P
and returns to its starting point after a revolution of the latter at the precise
moment that the next sheet is cut. The grippers which have been opened a little
before this, close on the second sheet which is then exactly superposed upon the
first and so on for the following sheets, the grippers opening at every revolution so
as to be ready to close on the next sheet. The open grippers cannot draw the
sheets already superposed on the cylinder; but in order to ensure a perfect super-
position there is a bar fitted with rollers Q which press on the margins of the
sheets a little before the grippers are opened. These rollers are covered with
caoutchouc so that the pressure exerted on the sheets may be constant notwith-
standing slight wear and the difference caused by variation in the number of
superposed sheets. Between these rollers and the point where the grippers close
on the next sheet the sheets on the cylinder P are guided by a sort of channel
formed by curved continuations of the polished bars O as seen in the figure. The
grippers are opened and closed at the proper times by means of a cam guide.
This cam guide is represented at R. Figure 3; the point a effects the complete
opening of the grippers and the straight part b effects the closing at the moment
the sheet is cut after which the pin on the gripper shaft follows the curve c which
is concentric with the cylinder P and keeps the grippers closed; this curve is
interrupted at the hatched part d the action of which explained further on.
this moment the cam guide ceases and the grippers are kept closed by the tension
of a coiled spring which is shown inside the cylinder P. It is after the grippers
have passed the rollers Q that the pin on their shaft meets the curve d which
prepares them for being completely opened at the end of each revolution of the
cylinder P.
At.
When a given number (five for example) of sheets have been superposed on the
accumulating cylinder they are taken off by another cylinder S constructed
similarly to the accumulating cylinder P and of the same diameter. The grippers
of this taking off cylinder are. likewise opened and closed at the proper times by
means of a cam guide R! also seen in Figure 3. This cam guide has a backward
movement imparted to it by a cam T Figure 4 and lever U (see Figures 5 and 6)
and is returned to its first position by springs V V. The cam T is fixed on a shaft
which makes one revolution for five revolutions of the cutting cylinders. Thus
when five sheets have been superposed on the accumulating cylinder P the cam T
moves the cam guide R'; this movement begins as soon as the pin on the gripper
shaft of the cylinder P has entered the part 6 of the cam guide and finishes before
this pin has reached the end of the curve c; the pin on the gripper shaft then
engages in the hatched part and the boss or curve d opens the grippers so that they
no longer retain the superposed sheets. At this moment the grippers of the
taking off cylinder S are acted on by the part e of the cam guide R and close on
the five sheets; the sheets are thus transferred to the taking off cylinder; after
the grippers of this cylinder have been opened by the bcss f of the cam guide R¹ the
five sheets descend by means of tapes or cords which run from the cylinder M'
and which bear on the margins of the sheets. The sheets are deposited with
the aid of a flyer or otherwise upon a receiving table, being counted if required
by any ordinary apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me I declare that what I claim in respect of printing machines and apparatus
connected therewith is
1. Providing printing machines with two printing cylinders between which the
forms for printing one and the same side of the sheet are divided, substantially as

page_text: described, this provision being made for either one side of the sheet or for both
sides as may be required.
2. The combination with two printing cylinders, between which the forms for
printing one and the same side of the sheet are divided as set forth, of one
impression cylinder with which the two cylinders are both in contact as and for
the purpose described.
3. A blanket for covering the impression cylinder divided into two parts each
having its own attachments as and for the purpose described.
4. Providing each of the cylinders between which the forms for printing one
and the same side of the sheet are divided, with a special and separate inking
apparatus, as described.
5. The arrangement as described and shown of the ink distributing cylinders
and rollers for inking the forms.
6. The arrangement described for conducting the printed paper to the cutting
apparatus and for the direct drawing of the printed paper by the cutting
cylinders.
7. The means consisting of polished bars and tapes or cords whereby the sheets
are conducted to an accumulator without pressure being exerted on the printed
parts, substantially as described.
8. The accumulator composed of a cylinder with grippers for taking hold of the
sheets as cut, and of rollers which press the paper against the cylinder when the
grippers are open, substantially as described.
9. The taking off cylinder with grippers which act only when the desired
number of sheets have accumulated on the accumulating cylinder, as described.
10. The cam guides described for regulating the opening and closing of the
grippers of the accumulating cylinder and taking off cylinder respectively.
11. Constructing printing machines and apparatus connected there with as
hereinbefore described and represented in the annexed drawings.
1005