Improved Machine for Producing Multiple Copies..
Year: 1897

page_text: Improved Machine for Producing Multiple Copies..
We, CARL ANATOLE MEYER, GOTTLIEB ERNST SEILER and EUGEN STEIGER, all
of 81, Werdastrasse, Zurich, in the Republic of Switzerland, Manufacturers, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to a machine for the multiplication of copies of
manuscript and the like and distinguishes itself from the hectographs and similar
apparatuses hitherto in use thereby that with it no solid plastic material for the
reception of the negative impression is made use of, consequently the drawbacks
inseparable from the application of a fixed negative surface such as the rolling up
of the printed leaves, unequal clearness and intensity of the prints, twisting of
the lines, irregularity of registering, washing off of the writing from the mass
and so forth are entirely done away with.
The present machine produces in one half the time a threefold number of prints
than can be produced by other apparatus for the like purposes. From it can be
obtained not only hectographic prints in number to about 200 impressions, but the
apparatus also will supply black print with ordinary printers ink and in practic-
ally unlimited number without any important alteration of the arrangement and
manipulation of the machine.
This kind of print is distinguished from that produced by means of the mimeo-
graph and other systems acting upon the stencil principle for the reproduction of
their prints, by the sharpness and accuracy of its prints similar to lithographic
reproductions, and these prints are obtainable from easily prepared written (not
perforated) originals in quality fully resistant of light without the use of a stone or
a metal plate, and possess moreover the advantages hereinbefore set forth.
The machine possesses as an essential part an endless band passing over rollers
capable of taking up the writing and of imprinting it upon the copying sheets
which band is brought into connection with suitable devices in order to return the
part which has been rolled over back to the rolls and in order to return the pressing
roll to the initial point of its course.
The bedplate of the machine bears a soft rubber plate upon which the original
or a blank sheet is placed, and brought into register and held firmly by a suitable
mechanism.
Four corner pillars are secured to the bedplate of which the two which are placed
upon the same side are respectively connected together by means of a bar. Along the
bar sleeves connected together by means of a cross piece are adjustably arranged.
Rubber rings form elastic buffers limiting the course of the sleeves. Upon the
thickened ends of the cross piece there is revolubly adjusted a frame formed of
two side shields and having a removable handle. Springs are fastened on the one side
to the arms secured upon the cross piece and on the other side to the frame piece.
In the lower part of the frame is placed a pressing roll in connection with which
the hook levers admit of the easy removal of the roller from the frame. Another
roller is supported on draw levers revolubly adjusted in the upper part of the

page_text: frame. An endless band for the transfer of the writing revolves on the rollers,
controlled and extended by the mechanism aforesaid.
The machine operates as follows:
The original document written with hectrographic ink is placed in the machine
and held down by means of a grip. The frame is then pressed down and drawn
forward by hand. In consequence of this the band rolls over the original inscrip-
tion and takes the writing in a similar manner to that in which the hectrographic
mass takes up the inscription upon itself. Arrived at the opposite end of the
machine the handle is released upon which the springs lift the frame from the
bedplate. As the frame advances a spring is stretched, and upon the hand pressure
ceasing, this spring causes the rollers to turn backwards and restore the band to its
original position; means are provided for controlling and checking this action.
Just before the end of the course of the frame, the grip holding the printing sheet
is raised so that the original writing can be removed and a fresh sheet can be
placed upon the support. The frame is then pushed back to the left without
pressing upon the handle on which a spring immediately presses down again the
grip. The frame is then pressed down and again drawn forward, whereupon the
band with the writing prints itself off upon the sheet of paper and thus is pro-
duced the first impression. In this manner the operation is repeated until the
required number of impressions has been taken.
In order to be able to produce autograph copies in black upon the aforesaid
machine the same is provided with a printing roll. The usual pressing roller is
in this case taken away and replaced by a roller provided with a soft moistened
cover..
After the suitably prepared band has taken up the inscription upon itself by
being rolled over the original writing prepared with suitable ink, the printing roll
is placed in the supports. This then gives on the rolling of the writing band over
the copying leaves ink to the writing which is upon the band, so that the impres-
sions are obtained in black. The moistened cover of the pressing roller keeps the
writing band moist for a longer period so that only the inscribed parts of the band
take up ink from the roller. The original can also be printed off upon the negative
band in other manner than that set forth.
1
1
1
100K
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents for the Applicants, 322, High Holborn, London, W.C.
Improved Machine for Producing Multiple Copies.
We, CARL ANATOLE MEYER, GOTTLIEB ERNST SEILER, and EUGEN STEIGER, all
of 81, Werdastrasse, Zurich, in the Republic of Switzerland, Manufacturers, 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: —
Apparatuses for manifold copying of manuscripts, in which a prepared plate
arranged upon the periphery of a cylinder takes up the imprint of the original,
in order to transfer it to a sheet of paper pressed upon the plate by means of a
second roller, have the disadvantage that the plate or the band stretches in use and
thereby becomes loose, whereby the exactitude and clearness of the prints suffer
considerably. A further disadvantage of this class of machines consists in the
circumstance that the printing cylinder in the case of moderately large original
manuscript sheets requires a large surface, and consequently necessitates dimen-
sions inconvenient in practice. This drawback is the more serious as about a

page_text: quarter of the surface is wasted in the attaching of the sheet holder. The method
of operating this class of machines is similar to that of a mangle, whereby the
person working with the same can have no appreciation of the amount
of the strength of imprint which is effected. This is a serious draw-
back, because multiple copying machines with a prepared ribbon should be
adjusted to the printing strength of the various factors such as the degree of softness
of the ribbon, the strength of the writing and so forth, for which purpose the
assistance of the judgment of the operator is essentially necessary. Finally it
should be remarked that in the machines of this kind there is no provision for
giving the operator a view of the negative, and consequently he is deprived of the
possibility of remedying any deficiencies which he may notice therein, and further,
there is the drawback that the sheets printed by such machines roll up.
The subject of the present invention is a machine for the manifold copying of
manuscripts in which all the abovenamed drawbacks have been obviated by the
arrangement of an endless band prepared for taking up the writing and passing
over a pair of rollers placed in a frame and having during the operation a motion
both around the rollers as also one in a straight line forwards together with the
rollers, said band is moreover kept continually stretched by means of spring levers,
and is returned again after the printing by means of a spring and gear wheels
over the distance of the advance.
By means of this machine hectographic prints, and also prints in black ink, the
so-called autographic prints, may be prepared.
The accompanying drawings shew in Figures 1 and 2 an elevation and plan of
this machine.
Figure 3 shews a section on the line x-x, Figure 2 viewed in the direction of
the arrow x¹.
Figure 4 is a transverse section of the pressing roller.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the bearing for the inking roller.
Figures 6 and 7 shew the hook bearings for the inking roller, and
Figure 8 shews the detachable connection of the handle with the sliding frame.
The bedplate 1 of the machine bears a soft rubber plate 2 upon which the
original sheet of writing or an imprint sheet 3 is placed. In order to bring the
said sheet exactly into register, the machine is provided with an adjustable setting
bar 4. By means of the grip 12 provided with a soft rubber cover 6 and connected
by means of the shaft 7 and levers 8, 9, and 10 with the drawing spring 11, the
sheet 3 is pressed firmly upon its support 2.
Four corner pillars 13 are secured to the bedplate 1, of which the two which are
placed upon the same side are respectively connected together by means of a
bar 14. Along the bar 14 sleeves 16 connected together by means of the piece 15
are adjustably arranged. The rubber rings 17 form elastic buffers limiting the
course of the sleeves 16. Upon the thickened ends of the cross piece 15 there is
revolubly adjusted the frame 21 formed of the two side shields 18, and reinforced
by the removable handle 19, as well as by the cross piece 20.
After the release of the conical screw nuts 19* (Figures 12 and 8) the handle 19
can be removed together with its rod, and thus a more convenient access to the
parts of the machine may be obtained. The springs 23 attached on the one hand
to the arms 22 fixed upon the cross bar 15 and on the other hand to the frame cross
bar 20 strive to lift the frame 21 away from the under piece 2. In the lower part
of the frame 21 the press roller 24 is placed, whereby the hook levers 25 (Figures 1,
6, and 7) permit of an easy removal of the roller 24 out of the frame 21. A second
roller 27 is supported by the levers 26 placed revolubly in the upper part of the
frame. Around the two rollers 24 and 27 is placed the endless band 28 prepared
for the taking up of the writing. The springs 29 (Figures 1 and 3) attached on
the one hand by means of regulating screws to the frame 21, and on the other
hand to the draw lever 26 effect the stretching of the band 28.
The machine operates in the following manner:-
Let us assume that the machine is in the position shewn in Figure 1, and that
the original sheet of writing prepared in hectographic ink is placed in the machine,

page_text: and secured by means of the grip 12. The frame 21 is now lowered by pressure
upon the handle 19 and under continued pressure moves forwards in the direction
of the arrow. By this means the band 28 rolls over the original writing and takes
up the same in a similar manner as a hectrographic plate takes up a wet inscrip-
tion. Having arrived at the opposite end of the machine (see Figure 2) the
handle 19 is released, whereupon the springs 23 raise the frame 21 from the under-
lving piece, until the cross bar 20 strikes against the arms 30 fixed upon the cross
piece 15. On the progress of the frame 21 the spiral spring 34 has been stretched
by means of the gear wheel 31, fixed upon the shaft of the pressing roller 24, and
by means of the gear wheel 32 arranged to revolve on the frame 21 (Figures 1, 2,
and 3), the said spiral spring being fixed at one of its ends to the fixed axle 33 of
the wheel 32, and at its other end to the said wheel 32 (Fig. 3). As soon therefore
as the course of the frame 21 is completed the roller 24 is raised from the rubber
plate 2, and the spring 34 is released, and causes the roller 24 to return by means
of the pieces 32 and 31, so that the band with the writing again returns to the posi-
tion occupied at the commencement of each printing movement. Shortly before
the conclusion of the course of the frame 21, the right hand thickened piece 35
of the cross bar 15 has come into contact with the curved end 36 of the three armed
lever 10 (Figure 1) and this arm has been thereby pushed down. By means of
this motion the piece 12 connected through the parts 7, 8, and 9 with the lever 10
has been raised sufficiently to enable the original writing to be removed, and a
blank sheet 3 to be placed upon the support 2. The frame 21 is now pushed back
to the left without pressing upon the handle 19, whereby the spring 11 immediately
presses down again the handle 12 as soon as the thickened part releases the arm 36.
The frame 21 is now pressed down, and again drawn forward, whereby the inked
band 28 rolls itself off over the blank sheet, and thus produces the first impression.
At the end of the advance of the frame 21 the grip 12 is again raised so that the
interchange of the sheets can again take place. In this manner the process is
repeated until the entire number of prints are obtained. In order to prevent upon
the release of the spring 34 a reverse movement of the rollers 24 and 27 over the
proper amount there are fixed upon the wheel 32 (Figures 1 and 3) two pins 37
and 38 and upon the frame 21 an angular brake lever 39. To the said brake lever 39
is hinged the upper end of the draw bar 40 the lower end of which forms a hook.
The spring 41 draws the bar 40 somewhat downwards, whereby the brake lever 39
is easily pressed upon the side brake disc of the roller 27. When the wheel 32
moves backwards the bar 37 catches in the hooked end of the bar 40, draws the
same, and also the brake lever 39 down, whereby the roller 27 is braked. In order
that the spring 34 shall never entirely release itself, the wheel 32 has a pin 38
which limits the turning of the wheel 32 by striking on a little plate 43. When
the roller 27 is lifted off the pin 44 prevents the bar 40 from dropping too far as it
strikes upon the frame 21.
In order to obtain copies in black ink by means of this machine the same is
provided with an inked roller 45. Two bearing supports 47 are fixed to the cross
piece 15 each of them provided with an open guiding slot 46 (Figures 1 and 5) in
which slots the inked roller 45 is placed. The levers 48 revolubly attached to the
supports 47 carry springs 49 which engage over the axle pins of the roller 45 and
afford the same an elastic support. The usual press roller 24 is removed for this
purpose, and replaced by a special roller 50 (Figure 4) provided with a soft cover.
In order to keep the ribbon 28 moist and flexible, the cover 50, which is prefer-
ably of felt, is moistened from time to time; the printing surface of the band 28
may be moistened by means of a sponge or the like.
After the suitably prepared band has taken up upon, itself the inscription written
upon the original document with a suitable ink, the inking roller 45 is inserted in
the supports 47. The same then gives when the band is printed off over the blank
paper the requisite amount of black ink to the inscription upon the band, whereby
a print in black is obtained. The original can also be taken off upon the negative
band in other ways than that above indicated.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
A machine for the manifold copying of manuscripts and the like characterized
by the arrangement of an endless band 28 passing over a pair of rollers 24, 27,
placed in a frame 21, said band serving for the transfer of the writing, and possess-
ing during the operation both a revolving motion around the said rollers as also
an advancing rectilinear motion together with the said rollers 24 and 27, being
held meanwhile continuously stretched by means of a spring lever 26, and after
the printing being returned by means of a spring 34 and wheels 31 and 32 to its
initial position, substantially as described.
Delhi ofth
Novembe 1907
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicants.