Improvements in Platen Printing Machines adapted to Print from a Continuous Web.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Platen Printing Machines adapted to Print from a
Continuous Web.
I, ARMIN TENNER, of 13ª, Grossburen Strasse, Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
PLATEN PRINTING MACHINES ADAPTED TO PRINT FROM A CONTINUOUS WEB,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to that class of platen printing machines where the paper
is taken from a continuous web or roll, and in which two type-beds and two platens
are employed; and my invention consists in a web printing machine having an
upper reciprocating platen co-operating with a stationary horizontal type-bed
arranged thereunder, and a reciprocating horizontal type-bed co-operating with a
stationary platen placed thercover, the said stationary type bed and stationary
platen being placed back to back one over the other and facing in opposite
directions, while the movable type-bed and movable platen are so connected
together as to move simultaneously in opposite directions and balance each other,
whereby the construction is simplified and the power required to operate the
machine reduced to a minimum; and my invention also consists in certain novel
mechanism for carrying the form rollers over the type-forms to ink the same; and
also in certain combinations of parts and details of construction as hereinafter fully
set forth and specifically claimed.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of one side of my improved printing machine.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the opposite side.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the same.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line of Figs. 3 and 4.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the toggle which gives motion to the reciprocating type-
bed and reciprocating platen, and the cams which operate the same.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the same on the line y y of Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation on the line zz of Figs. 6 and 7.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged side elevation of the inking apparatus.
Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional detail of the same.
Fig. 11 is a detail of the gripping device which is located under the inking
fountain.
Fig. 12 is a vertical section on the line ww of Fig. 5.
Fig. 13 detail view of one of the gripping devices which are secured to the
reciprocating platen.
Fig. 14 is a detail showing the brake mechanism which acts upon the roll of
paper to prevent it from unwinding too freely.
In the said drawings A represents the framework of the machine between the
side pieces of which is secured a heavy casting B, the upper side of which forms
the stationary type-bed b, while the lower side forms the stationary platen c.
C represents the reciprocating type-bed located immediately under the stationary
platen and having secured to its opposite ends heavy slides d which move in vertical
guideways e e in the framework as seen in Fig. 12. D represents the reciprocating
platen which is located immediately over the stationary type-bed band is secured
to a yoke E the ends of which move in vertical guide-ways a in the framework A.
The platen D is made adjustable vertically with respect to the yoke E by means of
screws as seen in Fig. 5. On these type-beds b, C the type-forms are imposed in
the usual manner.
Immediately under the reciprocating type-bed C is placed a toggle Gr, the lower

page_text: member of which is supported in suitable bearings in the framework and has
secured thereto outside the framework, at its opposite ends, cranks 20 to which are
pivoted pitmans H H, the upper ends of which are pivoted to the yoke E which
carries the reciprocating platen. The upper member g of the toggle G is pivoted
to a plate 25 secured by bolts 26 (Figs. 1 and 5), to the underside of the recipro-
cating type-bed C, and thus through the connections described as the toggle G is
operated, the reciprocating type-bed and reciprocating platen, which are of the
same or nearly of the same weight, are moved simultaneously in opposite directions
to cause them respectively to co-operate with the stationary platen and stationary
type-bed to produce the impressions as hereinafter described, a single revolution of
the driving shaft producing two impressions, one on each side of the sheet. The
reciprocating type-bed C is made adjustable vertically by means of a wedge 27
which is placed between the plate 25 and the underside of the reciprocating type-
bed, and is operated by adjusting screws 28, whereby the degree of impression is
regulated as desired.
By thus connecting the reciprocating type-bed and reciprocating platen so that
they will move simultaneously in opposite directions as described, it will be obvious
that they will balance each other in their alternate ascent and descent; the weight
of the one in its descent counterbalancing and assisting to raise the other in its
ascent, whereby the power required to operate the machine is reduced to a minimum,
and a great saving thereby effected.
The toggle G is operated as follows: On one side of the lower member fis
formed an arm h to which is pivoted a slotted connecting piece I which slides on
boxes on the main shaft i, said boxes working in slots in the sides of the
connecting piece I. Within this connecting piece I is placed the main cam L
which is secured to the main shaft i and acts on the cam roll m to close the toggle G
to give the impressions. Outside the connecting piece I is secured on the main
shaft another cam M which works on a roll n mounted on a stud at the rear end
of the connecting piece I, and serves to open the toggle and return the parts to
their normal positions. These cams L M are so formed and timed as to permit the
reciprocating type-bed and reciprocating platen to remain at rest during such time
as is required for the forms to be inked and the paper to be drawn through the
machine for the succeeding impressions by apparatus to be hereafter described.
To the main shaft i is secured a large gear N which is driven by a train of gears
from the driving shaft p, the latter carrying a fly or balance wheel q and the usual
fast and loose pulleys.
I will now describe the inking apparatus by means of which the forms are inked
after each impression is taken. Each of the type forms is inked by a pair of form
rollers, the journals of the shafts of which run in bearings in carriages,
Figs. 5, 9, and 10, which slide in horizontal guide-ways t, adjustably secured to the
frame A by means of bolts a' passing through slots in said frame, whereby the
degree of pressure of the rollers upon the type forms can be regulated with
the utmost nicety. Each pair of these carriages is secured to a pair of long rack
bars cc¹, one on each side of the frame A, which slide in suitable ways in said
frame, and are actuated by driving gears del secured to horizontal shafts f¹ g'.
To one end of the upper shaft, outside the frame A, is secured a gear, which
meshes with an intermediate gear rotating on a stud l. The
gear A meshes
with a gear m¹ on the lower shaft g' to which is also secured a pinion n which
meshes with a toothed segment p at the upper end of a bell crank lever Q
fulcrumed at g¹. This lever Q carries two cam rolls which are acted upon by
two cams ¹¹ on the main shaft i, and thus through the connections described, as
the lever Q is moved in the direction of the arrow, Figs. 2 and 9, by the cam t',
both the upper and lower sets of form rollers are moved over the forms from one
end to the other, and then immediately returned to their original positions by means
of the cam u' acting on the roll s¹ which rocks the lever Q in the opposite direction,
the form rollers being thus moved forward and back over the forms to ink the same
at each complete revolution of the main shaft, the mechanism being so timed that

page_text: the form rollers will remain at rest during the time that the impressions are being
taken.
The two sets of form rollers rr are supplied with ink by two ink cylinders RS
mounted on the shafts f¹ g' and free to rotate on the same and independently
thereof.
To a hub at one end of the lower cylinder S, is secured a gear which meshes
with a gear won a short shaft a carrying at its outer end a gear 6' which meshes
with the large gear N, Figs. 1, 9, and 10, on the main shaft i.
The upper ink cylinder R has secured to a hub at one of its ends, a gear which
meshes with a gear d' on a short shaft carrying at its outer end a gear 2 which
meshes with an intermediate gear g' which in turn meshes with the gear 2, the two
ink cylinders being thus connected so as to rotate at the same speed and in the
same direction, both being driven continuously by the large gear N on the main
shaft i.
As before stated the ink cylinders R S are mounted loosely on the shafts f¹
and in order to permit the said shafts to revolve intermittently in opposite
directions as is necessary to produce the required movements of the form rollers
which are operated thereby.
The ink cylinders R S are supplied with ink by distributor rolls k² and vibrator
rolls of the usual construction which are supplied by ductor rolls m² from the
fountain rolls in the fountains p². The upper and lower ductor rolls are
supported in slotted arms on the horizontal shafts s, to one end of each of which
is secured a lever 2; the two levers 2 being connected by a rod u². The lower
shaft is provided with a lever v² carrying a cam roll 21 which is acted upon by a
cam w² secured to the large gear N on the main shaft i, and by these connections
the necessary movements of these rolls are produced to accomplish the desired
results at the proper times.
The vibrator rolls are operated by a T-shaped lever a³, Figs. 1 and 4, operated
by a rod 3, the lower end of which is pivoted on a crank pin on the end of the
main shaft i.
The fountain rolls n² are operated by suitable well known mechanism which
forms no part of my invention, and will not therefore be described.
I will now describe the mechanism by which the web of paper is fed or drawn
forward intermittently between the type-beds and platens.
The roll of paper T is mounted on a horizontal shaft, the journals of which rest
in suitable bearings in the frame A as seen in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 14. The web of
paper from the roll T is first carried between two unwinding rolls c³ d³ by which it
is unwound and caused to hang in a loop 22 which prevents it from being broken
when suddenly drawn forward from a state of rest by the drawing or feed rolls to
be hereafter described. The shaft of the lower roll c³, which gives motion to the
paper, is provided at one end with a ratchet and pawl mechanism driven by a
pinion with which engages a rack bar e³, one end of which is adjustably secured in
a slotted crank f³ secured to the outer end of the main shaft, whereby the length
of paper unwound or drawn off from the roll T may be varied in accordance with
the length of the sheet to be printed.
The paper is held down on the lower roll c³ with sufficient friction to ensure its
positive movement, by means of the roll d³ which is covered with rubber or other
suitable material and is clamped down upon the roll by means of an eccentric
shaft which is connected by links at each end with the journal boxes of the
friction roll d³.
The necessary friction is applied to the roll of paper T to prevent it from.
unwinding too freely by means of an automatic brake mechanism consisting of a
friction roll 30 mounted in a frame 31, pivoted at 32, and operated by a cord 33,
having secured thereto a weight 34; said cord being secured to the frame at 35,
and passing over a pulley 36, the weight serving to keep the roll 30 constantly in
contact with the paper as the diameter of the roll T diminishes. This roll 30 is
provided with flanged collars 37 which serve as guides for the edges of the paper,

page_text: these collars being made adjustable longitudinally on the roll, for paper of different
widths.
The paper after passing between the rolls c³ ³, hangs in a loop, as above
described, in which is placed a roll which is free to move vertically in guides in
the framework as seen in Figs. 5 and 14, and serves to maintain a slight tension on
the paper as it is drawn forward, thus keeping it in its proper position. The paper
next passes between two shafts 313, thence horizontally between the stationary
platen c and the reciprocating type-bed C, thence through a gripping device U to
be hereafter described, which serves to hold the paper at that point immovably
and tightly stretched during the movement of the reciprocating platen and recipro-
The paper then
cating type-bed and while the impressions are being taken.
passes under the roll m³ made adjustable horizontally by means of the screws n³
turning in threaded apertures in the sliding frame which carries the roll m³, for
the purpose of producing accurate registration and determining the length of the
interval of paper between two impressions. The screws n³ are connected by bevel
gears with a shaft q3 which is adapted to be turned by hand by means of a crank
handle applied to the end of the shaft. The paper passes from the roll m³ over a
roll and through a second gripping device W to be hereafter described, thence
down around a small rod 3, after which it passes horizontally between the
stationary type-bed b and the upper reciprocating platen D, thence through a third
gripping device A' to be hereafter described, and over a roll 3 made adjustable
horizontally in the same manner as the roll m³ above described and by adjusting
the said roll t³, the cutting knives, to be hereafter described, are caused to sever
the paper at the exact point desired.
The paper now passes to the feed or drawing rolls ³ ³ between which it is
tightly gripped and by which is fed or drawn forward intermittently after the
impressions have been taken, the length of paper drawn forward at each operation
of the feed rolls corresponding to that of a single detached sheet after it is
printed.
The upper feed roll w³ consists of a shaft provided with two or more disks which
bear upon the margins of the paper as usual, this roll w³ being moved solely by the
friction of its disks against the paper as it passes between them and the lower
roll 3. The shaft of the lower roll ³ is provided with a ratchet and pawl
mechanism which is driven by a pinion which engages with and is rotated by a rack
bar a', the lower end of which is adjustably secured to the slotted crank at the
same point as the rack bar e³, whereby the two rack bars are moved simultaneously
an equal distance at each revolution of the main shaft, thus causing the unwinding
rolls and the feed or drawing rolls, which are of the same diameter, to rotate
together with the same surface velocity, whereby the length of paper unwound
from the roll T exactly equals that drawn forward by the feed rolls, while as the
two rack bars e and a are pivoted to the crank f³ on the same center, any adjust-
ment of one will necessarily produce the same adjustment of the other and by the
same single movement, and in this manner by simply adjusting this mechanism to
produce more or less rotation of the unwinding and feed rolls, the length or size of
the sheet to be printed can be varied as desired, thus adapting the machine for the
different kinds of work required in a general printing establishment.
The gripping device U, Figs. 5, 9, and 11, consists of a horizontal bar 6* secured
to the frame A, and carrying a plate c which serves to prevent the paper from
dropping onto the form roller r. The opposite ends of this plate care provided
with bearings for a shaft d' in which are secured rubber covered fingers et. To one
end of the shaft d' is secured a short arm or lever which is depressed to cause
the fingers to clamp the paper firmly onto the plate c by means of a vertically
sliding rod which works in a guide on the frame, and is provided with
collars, Figs. 9 and 11, and over this rod 4 slides a lug m projecting from one
of the arms 2 which support the ductor roll, a spiral spring n being placed around
the rod between the collar and the lug m, and thus as this arm is vibrated
to work the ductor roll, motion is transmitted through the spring ³, collar, and

page_text: rod h, to the lever f₁, whereby the gripper is operated to clamp the paper, the
fingers e being opened to release the paper by the action of a spring p placed
beneath the lever f.
The gripping device W consists of a horizontal shaft a supported in bearings in
brackets secured to the reciprocating platen D, and a horizontal roll placed
thereunder and also having its bearings in the brackets 6. The shaft a has
secured to it rubber covered fingers d³, and to one end of said shaft is
secured a lever e, which is actuated in one direction by a spring f³ to cause the
fingers to clamp the paper down upon the roll as seen in Fig. 13. This lever
is moved in the opposite direction to raise the fingers d³ and release the paper, by a
ping projecting from the inside of the frame A into the path of the lever e, this
pin being so placed that the lever e will come into contact therewith just before
the platen D reaches the limit of its upward movement, whereby the fingers (³
are raised and the paper released to allow it to be fed forward as previously
described.
The gripping device A' consists of a shaft i carrying rubber covered fingers
which co-operate with a roll placed thereunder. The shaft and roll are
supported in bearings in arms m³ secured to the reciprocating platen D, and the
gripper shaft is operated by a lever, a spring, and pin in a manner similar to
those of the gripping device W, and simultaneously therewith and with the
gripping device U first described; these three gripping devices serving to hold the
paper securely at the desired points during the movement of the reciprocating.
platen and reciprocating type-bed and while the impressions are being taken, and
insuring accurate register necessary to produce perfect work.
I will now describe the mechanism by means of which the printed sheets are.
severed from the web and delivered onto a table B'.
is the lower knife-blade which is immovably secured to a tie-bar s fastened to
the frame A'. Immediately over the knife is placed the movable knife-blade t
which is secured to a horizontal bar u³ connected by means of swinging links t³,
Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, to the frame A above at the points a L. The link wis
connected by means of a bifurcated link e with a bar d secured to the yoke E.
which carries the reciprocating platen D, and thus as the latter is carried down as
described, the knife to, through the connections described, is swung downward on
its pivoted links w and caused to co-operate with the stationary knife to sever
the printed sheet from the web when the latter is at rest.
Beyond the knives are placed tapes e f which seize the paper at its edges
and carry it out in a straight horizontal line as long as the feed rolls u³ to continue
to revolve. These tapes are run upon pulleys secured to shafts ghe, the shafts g³.
being connected with and driven by a train of gears D shown in Fig. 1, which
receive their motion from the shaft of the lower feed roll u³. Between the front
and rear pulleys of the tapes are placed curved bars over which the lower
tapes run as seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 5; these bars serving to support the tapes
between these pulleys and prevent them from sagging, it being necessary to keep
the upper and lower tapes close together in order that they may maintain their hold
upon the edges of the paper. After the printed sheet has been severed by the
cutters, it is still held at its edges by the tapes, and to disengage the sheet from
these tapes and force it down onto the table B', I employ a light fly frame C¹
composed of two side bars A connected by tubes or end pieces which are adapted
to slide within or past each other as seen in Fig. 3, whereby the width of the fly
frame may be varied in accordance with the distance between the tapes on opposite
sides of the machine, these tapes being made adjustable to vary their distance apart
by sliding their pulleys along their shafts 9 he and securing them in place by means
of set screws.
Between the side bars are placed a series of light wooden bars m which may
be adjusted at suitable distances apart by sliding them upon the tubes or end
pieces. The side bars of the fly frame C' are pivoted to the lower ends of two-

page_text: vertical bars n the upper ends of which slide upon a horizontal bar p', whereby
they may be adjusted as required to vary the width of the fly frame, these bars
serving to support the fly frame in its working position.
The ends of the bar are provided with slides working vertically in suitable
guides secured to the frame A, and to each end of the bar is pivoted a link »
slotted at its upper end to receive a stud or pin of at the end of a levers secured
to a horizontal shaft to, to one end of which is secured a lever u, to the
outer end of which is pivoted a connecting rod 76, carrying at its lower
end a cam roll which is acted upon by a cam a' on the main shaft i, the
lower end of the rod having formed thereon a forked guide which embraces
and slides upon the main shaft i by which it is supported; and thus through the
connections described, as the rod is moved upward against the resistance of a
spring secured to the forked guide ', the fly frame is depressed, causing it to
strike the printed sheet, disengage it from the tapes, and deposit it upon the table B',
the parts being returned to their normal positions by the spring as the cam
revolves, this cam being so timed that the fly frame will descend immediately
after the printed sheet has been severed, and return before the succeeding sheet is
fed forward.
on the
The fly frame C' is hung on its supporting bars nº at a slight angle to the table B¹
beneath, and normally held in such position by light spiral springs d', Fig. 5,
against a stop on each side, consisting of a pin projecting from the vertical bar nª
This fly
and working in the slotted end of a link e pivoted to the side bar k.
frame is inclined as described so that as the sheet of paper is carried down, it will
be gradually deposited from one end-to the other, thus driving out the air
from beneath and causing it to lie flat on the pile as required, the spring d
yielding to allow the fly frame to assume a perfectly horizontal position
completion of its downward stroke. As the height of the pile of printed sheets on
the table B' increases as each fresh sheet is deposited thereon, it is obvious that the
stroke of the fly frame must be correspondingly diminished. This is accomplished
by the sliding of the studs of in the slots at the upper ends of the links which
thus permit of the full stroke of the lever without imparting a corresponding
amount of motion to the fly frame, suitable springs' being provided to normally
hold the studs o" at the upper ends of the slots of the said links r.
What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
1. A web printing machine having a stationary type-bed and a stationary
platen arranged back to back one over the other, in combination with a vertically
reciprocating platen co-operating with the stationary type-bed, and a vertically
reciprocating type-bed co-operating with the stationary platen; said type-beds
and platens being arranged in line one beneath the other, and the reciprocating
platen and reciprocating type-bed being connected together so
simultaneously in opposite directions and balance each other, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
as to move
2. In an intermittent web printing machine, the combination with a vertically
reciprocating platen co-operating with a stationary type-bed, and a vertically
reciprocating type-bed co-operating with a stationary platen, substantially as
described, of a toggle actuated by cams and adapted to operate the said recipro-
cating type-bed, and having its lower member provided with cranks 20 connected
by pitmans H H with the reciprocating platen, whereby the reciprocating type-bed
and reciprocating platen are caused to move simultaneously in opposite directions
and balance each other substantially as described.
3. In a printing machine, the form rollers mounted in carriages sliding in
horizontal ways, in combination with rack bars secured to said roller carriages
and actuated by gears, whereby the form rollers are caused to pass over and
in contact with the type-form to ink the same, substantially as described.
4. In a printing machine, form rollers mounted in carriages sliding in horizontal

page_text: ways secured to the framework, and made adjustable vertically thereon to
vary the degree of pressure of said rollers upon the type-form, substantially
as described.
5. In an intermitting web printing machine, having two platens and two type-
beds, the two sets of form rollers rr mounted in carriages & sliding in horizontal
ways t, in combination with the rack bars c¹ c' secured to said roller carriages,
the actuating gears del on the shafts, the gears ik m¹, pinion n', bell crank
lever Qwith its toothed segment pl meshing with the pinion n' and the actuating
cams t¹¹ on the shaft i, all operating intermittently, substantially in the manner
and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a web printing machine, the combination with the form roller r, carriages s
sliding in horizontal ways t. the rack bars c c actuating gears de¹ and their
shafts frotated intermittently in opposite directions as described, the ink
cylinders R S mounted loosely on the shafts 'g' and rotating independently thereof,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In a web printing machine having two type-beds and two platens, the com-
bination with the reciprocating platen, of the two gripping devices W A' secured
to opposite sides of said platen and adapted to hold the paper firmly during the
movement of the reciprocating platen and reciprocating type-bed and while the
impressions are being taken, substantially as described.
8. In a web printing machine having two type-beds and two platens, the gripping
device U located outside and close to the lower platen, and adapted to hold the
paper tightly stretched in its proper position during the movement of the recipro-
cating platen and reciprocating type-bed, and while the impressions are being taken,
substantially as set forth.
9. In a web printing machine, the combination with the unwinding rolls c³ ³ and
the drawing or feed rolls w³ and their operating ratchet mechanisms, of the rack
bars e a adapted to actuate said ratchet mechanisms, and adjustably secured at the
same point to the slotted crank, whereby the unwinding rolls and the feed rolls
are caused to rotate together with the same surface velocity, and the equal adjust-
ment of the said rack bars effected simultaneously by a single movement, substan-
tially as set forth.
10. In a web printing machine, the combination with the web or roll of paper T,
of the friction roll 30 provided with flanged collars 37, and mounted in a pivoted
frame 31 having secured thereto a cord 33 provided with a weight 34, whereby the
friction roll is kept constantly in contact with the roll of paper as its diameter
diminishes, substantially as described.
11. In a web printing machine the combination with the reciprocating platen D
of the lower stationary knife-blade r', the movable knife-blade to hung on swinging
links vos, and suitable connections between the movable knife-blade t' and the
reciprocating platen, whereby the movement of the latter is communicated to
the knife to operate the same at the proper time, substantially as described.
12. In a printing machine the fly frame C¹ composed of side bars 4° and end
pieces or tubes e adapted to slide within or past each other, and the adjustable
bars m adapted to slide upon the end pieces 1, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
13. In a printing machine, the combination with the table B' and the tapes for
carrying the paper beyond the cutting knives, of the fly frame C¹ having a vertical
movement toward and from said table, and inclined at an angle thereto, whereby
the paper will be carried down and gradually deposited from one end to the other,
substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
14. In a printing machine, the fly frame C₁ pivoted to the vertical bars nº,
and adapted to be normally held at an angle to the table B₁ beneath, by a
spiral spring against a suitable stop, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
15. In a printing machine, the combination with the fly frame and its supporting
device having a vertical movement toward and from the table B', of a loose or

page_text: slotted connection between said supporting device and its actuating mechanism,
whereby the stroke or vertical movement of the fly frame is diminished as the
height of the pile of printed sheets on the table B¹ increases, substantially as
set forth.
Deted the 13th dox of February 1891
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.