Improvements in Printing and Folding Machines or Presses.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Printing and Folding Machines or Presses.
We, JOSEPH CHARLES FOWLER, Mechanic, of 11th and Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia,
Pennyslvania, and EDWARD ANDERSON HENKLE, l'rinter, of 1538 Ninth Street N.W.
Washington, in the District of Columbia both in the United States of America, 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:-
One object of our invention is to provide novel mechanism having automatic
operation and capable of operating in combination with any press adapted for con-
tinuous web printing, whereby the web, printed upon both sides, shall be received as
it comes from the press, folded centrally and longitudinally, perforated at suitable
intervals and separated into sheets of four pages said sheets being centrally folded
while still in the web; and whereby said separated sheets, each having its fold formed
separately shall be inserted, successively, within the proper enfolding or enclosing sheet,
until a complete signature is formed, whereupon said signature is removed from its
support, the sheets of which it is composed accurately placed and the edges trued with
relation to each other, and the signature laid Hat upon a travelling belt and partly
overlying the preceding signature, but distinctly separated therefrom, the folded edges
being laid in the same direction.
Another object of our invention is to provide for the production of signatures of
any required number of sheets, followed by alternate signatures of a less number, to
provide for those cases wherein the completed book is composed of one, two or more
full signatures followed by one, two or more sheets less than the number composing a
full signature.
It is our purpose to render the automatic mechanism referred to capable of operation
in connection with any printing mechanism of the type mentioned; to so organize
the same that it shall have rapid and accurate action, folding each sheet in the web
and thereby avoiding the necessity of employing a book rolling or folding machine or
other apparatus for similar purposes; perforating and separating the sheets
successively and with precision, and inserting the separated, folded sheets successively
without manual intervention of any kind, and finally delivering the signature,
automatically, upon a belt carrier.
The invention consists in the several novel features of construction and new com-
binations of parts hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1, is a diagrammatic perspective, showing the course of the continuous web
as it passes from the supply roll to the press, and illustrating the several operations
performed thereon up to and including the final step.
Fig. 2, is a vertical transverse section, taken at the point where insertion begins.
Fig. 3, is an end elevation of one of the sheets after passing, through the machine,
showing the character of the fold imparted.
Fig. 4, taken in conjunction with Fig. 4a, is a diagram of the essential parts of the
entire machine, with the exception of the actuating mechanism, the parts shown.
being the folder, the "spine," the creasing rolls, perforators, feed and separating rolls,
the intermitting rolls, the cone adjusters, the intermitting rolls and their engaging
devices, the stile, or gate, the deflector, strikers and carrier belt.
Figs. 5, and 5 a, taken together, show a side elevation of the entire mechanism
including part of the printing apparatus with the web reverser attached, and showing
the mechanism by which automatic operation is given to the several parts, the bed
plate and supports being partly in section.
Fig. 6. is a plan view of that portion of the machine in front of the web folder,
showing the parts and the devices operating the same.

page_text: Fig. 7, is a detail plan view showing the shafts and gearing whereby movement is
imparted from a gear of the press to gearing below the bed plate.
Fig. 8, is an end elevation of the forward end of the machine.
Fig. 9, is a diagram of one of the press gears, in connection with the cam arm
operating the sleeve whereby movement is given to the belt carrier.
Fig. 10, is a similar view of the same gear with its separate cam and the cam arm
operating the sleeved shaft by which the delivery ro!ls are intermittently brought into
action.
Fig. 11, is a vertical cross section in the axial plane of the separating rolls, one of
the latter being shown in vertical section.
Fig. 12, is a detail edge elevation of the folding and drawing rolls and their support.
Fig. 13, is a detail end elevation of the web folder taken from the point at which
the spine is attached.
Fig. 14, is a diagram view of the face of the power gear and stile or gate, showing
the relative number and arrangement of the cam and stile openings for the
formation of a full signature.
Fig. 15, is a similar view showing the arrangement of parts required for the
formation of a signature of seven folded sheets supplemented by a single folded sheet.
Fig. 16, is a similar view showing the arrangement of cams and stile openings
necessary for the formation of a full signature of six folded pages, followed by a part
signature of two folded and inserted pages.
Fig. 17, is a similar view showing the arrangement of cams and stile openings
adapted for the formation of two signatures each composed of four folded sheets.
In the description of this invention the order of operation of the several parts will
be followed as closely as is consistent with the purposes of the specification.
In the said drawings the reference numeral 1, designates any suitable web printing
mechanism. After passing from the pay-off roll 2, Fig. 1, the web is carried beneath
the impression cylinder 3, Fig. 5, and printed upon one side. It is then carried over
the web reverser 4, Fig. 5, and thence back over the other end of the impression
cylinder 3, and beneath the latter where it is printed upon the reverse side or perfected.
From this point the web is carried forward in the normal direction of movement
until it lies over and upon the web folder, consisting of a tabular support, flat or
nearly so at the end where the web first engages, but having its surface so formed
that it passes by suitable graduations to a convex, and thence to an angular shape;
the angle being formed in the longitudinal centre of the folder. The web being
drawn under proper tension over this surface, as it comes from the press, readily
assumes the form imparted to it and passes smoothly from the flat, or convex, surface
to the angular part, by which a central, longitudinal bend, approximating a fold, is
easily produced. At this point the central portion of the web is seized by a pair of
creasing or folding rolls, having such width that they act only upon the blank margins
adjacent to the fold. These rolls not only advance or feed the web, but they form a
smooth and perfect crease, or sharp fold following the central longitudinal line of the
bend produced by the web folder.
Beyond the creasing rolls are arranged the perforators, so constructed that they
form a series of fine perforations across the folded web, separated by such narrow
intervals that the rupture of the web at these points requires but little force.
A pair
of feed rolls in advance of the perforators carry the web to the separating rolls which
seize it by its unprinted margins and, having a surface speed somewhat in excess of
that imparted to the holding surfaces of the perforators, gradually and gently rupture
the web along the line of perforations.
The perforators are so formed as to produce the successive lines of perforations at
points between the successive sheets, whereby each separated and folded sheet will
consist primarily, at least, of four pages, the single sheet being folded once in its
longitudinal centre. These sheets are now fed to the inserter where they are slightly
opened and dropped successively upon another until the full number of sheets required
to form a complete signature have been assembled, the pages being arranged in
proper numerical order, and the separately creased folds, placed each one within the

page_text: enclosing sheet, and trued to form a perfect register. The folded sheets are held upon
the inserter until the required number is assembled, when by the opening of a gate
or stile, and the engagement of the advancing rolls, the signature is shot from the
inserter against a knocker plate, by which the perforated ends are further rectified,
while at the same time the folded edge is slightly deflected over and the signature is
delivered to the carrier belt.
Referring now to Figs. 4, 4a, and 5, of the drawings, the numeral 5, designates
the web folder, which may consist of a sheet of metal bent er drawn into the
required form and having a polished surface upon which the web moves with little
friction. This folder as already stated, is flat, or nearly so, at the end where it
receives the web and thence passes gradually to an angular portion 6, lying in the
centre of the folder and having an edge shown in Fig. 2. At this point the two
wings of the folder form a very small angle and pass through an opening 7, in an
upright frame 8, which is mounted on the bed plate. The opening 7, in the frame 8,
has angularity corresponding with that of the folder, and space is left between the
parts for the free passage of the web.
The web former or folder 5, is mounted on the bed plate by means of slotted arm
supports 9, which straddle threaded posts 10, tapped into the bed plate. Upon these
posts are turned nuts 12, having milled edges by which a vertical adjustment can be
given to the whole or to a part of the web folding plate. It will be noted from an
inspection of Fig. 5, that while the lower edges of the wings of the folder are
parallel or nearly so, the convex and angular back thereof rises gradually in about
the line in which the web comes off the impression cylinder, until the upright frame 8
is reached. The purpose of this arrangement will be stated hereafter.
Upon the front of the frame S, is mounted an upright 8a, Fig. 13, upon which is
fastened a bracket 13, having a slot through which is inserted the extremity of the
spine 11, fastened in the bracket by a cross-pin inserted behind the outwardly bent
end of said bracket. This spine, which is substantially continuous from this point
throughout the mechanism, consists of a thin flat plate, preferably of metal, set upon
its edge and varying in width at different points for reasons presently to be shown.
The general form is shown in Fig. 1.
Above the end of the spine, which is connected to the upright somewhat below the
angular back of the former or folder 5, are mounted spring compressers or folding
plates 15, one upon each side of the opening 7, through which the web passes, and at
such a point that the central longitudinal bend formed in the web passes between said
plates whereby a fold is partly formed therein, the compression not being sufficient
to perfectly crease the web for fear of tearing. The function of these compressers,
therefore, is to so define the bend or approximate fold produced by the web folder 5,
that the subsequent action of the creasing rolls shall not, by reason of any slight
imperfection in the web, give a lateral inclination to the perfected fold or crease and
thereby carry the same to one side or the other of the true central line.
Over the interior end of the spine which is that end connected to the upright
frame 8, are arranged the drawing and creasing rolls 16, formed of metal or other
suitable material, and of such width, as shown in Fig. 5 a, as to engage with those
marginal portions of the web lying upon each side of the central line of fold. The
manner of supporting and driving these rolls will be shown hereinafter it being
sufficient for the present purpose to state that but one only is driven positively, the
other being revolved by contact, the surface speed being a little greater than the
speed of the web, whereby said rolls may slip upon the paper and preserve an equal
tension of the web at all times. This latter roll is mounted in a laterally movable
journal box 17, thrown by a spring 18, toward the driven roll, this construction
allowing the ready insertion and removal of the web at all times.
The spring
pressure is sufficient to form a sharp and perfect crease or fold in the web which, the
latter being of a single thickness, is entirely feasible with springs of limited or
moderate tension.
A little beyond the drawing rolls 16 are placed the perforators, one of. which con-
sists of a vertical cylinder 19, the central part of which is cut away to leave

page_text: collars 20 at the ends, these collars being normally out of surface contact with the
opposite cylinder at all points of a complete revolution except as hereinafter specified.
Upon a vertical section of said cylinder 19, is formed a true cylinder surface 21, of
increased diameter, and covering a surface measured by about forty-five degrees of
arc. Near one vertical edge of this surface is inlaid the rubber or metallic per-
forating cushion 22, so arranged as to register with the punches or perforators 23,
carried by the opposite cylinder. The said cushion is placed adjacent to that edge of
the raised surface which first engages the web, whereby it will be seen that the
folded web at the moment of its perforation is gripped by the perforating cylinders
from its lower to its upper edges and this hold is continued after the perforation is
effected and until the web has advanced a distance equal to that measured upon the
raised surface 21, the only interruption of which is a narrow channel 24, to permit
the passage of the spine 14.
As the folded web passes from the drawing rolls 16, and is carried between the
perforators, it comes upon the edge of the spine 14, at a point a little beyond the
latter, which is slightly raised to guide the folded and creased edge to a pair of
rubber fed rolls 25, which engage with the folded edge of the web only, Fig. 5, and
carry it forward upon the spine, which is at the point 26, cut away to permit, the
surface contact of these rolls. Between the perforators and the rubber feed rolls the
folded wings of the sheet pass inside the closing brackets 27, arranged on each side
the spine which at this point is rapidly increased to its full width. These brackets
draw the folded wings of the web toward the spine with which said brackets form an
angle of convergence as shewn in Fig. 6, and thereby present the folded web in
accurate position to the separators 28.
The separators consist, like the perforators, of two rolls, one upon each side of the
spine. One of these rolls may be a cylinder having a section 29, of slightly increased
diameter while the other roll has its central portion of diminished diameter, leaving
collars 30, which make surface contact with the section 29, of the opposite roll, this
section being extended over about one hundred and thirty-five degrees of arc. These
separating rolls, as will be seen from Fig. 4a, having a slightly greater surface
speed, all other things being equal, they are so arranged with reference to said per-
forators that they will seize the folded and perforated web, at or about the instant
after the punches have acted thereon to form the line of perforations, and by reason
of their slightly greater surface speed, they will effect the separation of the web
along the line of perforations, so gradually and gently as to obviate ail danger of
tearing the paper, this separation being effected while the raised section 12, of the
perforator 19, is still holding the web against the opposite cylinder.
Beyond the separators 28, are placed the accelerating feed rolls 31, Figs. 4 a, and 5 a,
of such width as to grasp the folded and separated sheet by the folded edge only.
These rolls are of rubber of increased diameter relatively to the separators and have,
therefore, a greater surface speed.
Upon each roll a surface portion is removed by cutting upon the chord of an arc
of about forty-five degrees, and the flattened faces 32, thus formed are arranged to
register with each other, opening, as shown in Fig. 4a, to permit the forward end of
the sheet to enter between the rolls and pass beyond their axes before the cylindrical
surfaces come together and grasp the sheet between them, whereby the separated
sheet is wholly released by the separators at or about the moment it is engaged by the
feed-rolls 31.
After being released by the separators the folded, separated sheet lies upon the
spine until it is seized by the feed rolls 31, by which it is advanced to the inserter.
The inserting section 33, of the spine, is arranged beneath the general level of the
preceding portion, in order that the sheets may successively descend thereon, to effect
a perfect insertion and enable them to be assembled and the ends properly justified.
At the moment the feed rolls 31, seize the sheet it is carried forward with considerable
speed and straddled upon the inserting section 33, which lies snugly up within the
interior fold. The forward end of the sheet projects beyond the end of the section 33,
of the spine, being thrown by the impulse of the feed rolls 31, against the stile or

page_text: gate 34, and between the intermittent delivery rolls 35 and 36. As the sheet drops
upon the spine section 33, it is acted upon by cone adjusters 37, one upon each side
of the spine, and revolving over toward the latter. By these cones the wings of the
sheet are drawn in toward the spine, beginning at their forward ends, the air enclosed
by the sheet having unobstructed exit below. At or near the rearward ends or apices
of these cones, and carried by the same shafts, are curved elastic arms or fingers 38,
which at each revolution come in contact with the wings of the sheet and press them
closely against the flat faces of the spine, at the same time exerting a slight downward
draft upon the sheet. Upon a shaft 39, directly above the spine section 33, is mounted
a curved elastic finger 40, having revolution in the same vertical plane with the spine
section 33. This finger strikes the folded edge of the sheet and drives it down closely
upon the edge of the spine section, and by reason of the perfect elasticity and curved.
form of said finger it rides a limited distance upon said edge and thereby secures
uniform contact with the spring at all points along the folded edge of the sheet.
At the end of the elevated portion of the spine which precedes the inserting section 33,
are formed or mounted spreaders 41, one upon each side. These spreaders may be
formed by splitting the metal of the spine and curving the ends outward or by mount-
ing separate pieces thereon. In either case, they consist of strips which diverge some-
what from the straight line of the spine, the angle of divergence increasing very
gradually downward. These spreaders serve to open the sheet slightly as it is shot
upon the inserting section, in order to insure its passing over the ends of the preceding
sheets and to prevent unnecessary frictional contact therewith as it is thrown against
the stile 34.
The folded sheets are brought successively upon the inserter section 33, and.
between the feed-rolls 35 and 36, in the manner described, each sheet being in turn
acted upon by the fingers 38 and 40, and the cone adjusters 37. As each sheet is
advanced the impulse of the rolls 31, is sufficient to bring its forward end against the
stile 34, whereby a tolerably perfect alignment of these ends is effected. When the
proper number of sheets have been inserted the stile is turned in such manner as to bring
an opening 42, in its edge opposite, the end of the signature lying upon the inserter
section 33, and at this moment the feed roll 36, which is movable and which is
normally withdrawn from the feed roll 35, see Fig 4 a, is thrown by the automatic
action of the mechanism toward the positively operated roll 35, and the signature
being seized between them it is shot off the inserter section through the opening 42,
and against a stop plate 43, by contact with which the sheets are perfectly aligned at
their forward ends. As it passes from the stile to the stop plate it meets a deflector
plate 44, by which the folded edge is inclined laterally or at right angles to the
normal direction of movement of said signature as shown by the arrow in Fig. 4a, and
it then falls by its own gravity upon a carrier belt 45, its fold being turned in the
direction of the travel of said belt. An intermittent motion is given to said belt
between each action of the rolls 35 and 36, whereby the successive signatures are
laid thereon in the manner shown in Fig. 1.
The several parts of the mechanism described are supported upon a bed plate A,
which practically extends from the flat end of the web former 5, to the outer edge of
the carrier belt 45. Upon that portion of this frame adjacent to the web former are
erected two standards 46, Fig. 6, supporting frame 47, which is parallel with the bed plate.
Upon a bracket bearing 48, see Fig. 12, on the under face of the frame 47, is mounted one
of the feed rolls 16, provided with a gear 16 a, by which it is positively driven through an
idler gear 49, driven by a gear 49 a, carried by a vertical shaft 50, which has a miter 51,
at its lower end driven by a similar miter on the horizontal shaft 52, Fig. 5 a.
other feed and creasing roll is journalled in a sliding box 17, having movement
toward and from the co-operating roll in a bracket bearing 50, between which and the
frame 47, the box slides, being guided by springs 55. A spring 18, normally preserves
the surface contact of the two rolls and exerts the pressure required for the formation
of the fold, the tension of the spring being adjustable by means of a screw 56, bearing
upon one end thereof. To provide for the ready separation of the rolls, for the purpose
The

page_text: of inserting and withdrawing the web, a lever 57 is fulcrumed upon the bracket 54,
and connected to the sliding box 17, by a pin 58, engaging with a slot in the lever.
Just beyond the feed rolls 16, are arranged the perforators 19, the detailed construe-
tion of which is shown in Fig. 11. Each of these perforators is carried by a shaft 50,
upon which the perforator cylinder is slipped. The cylinder rests upon a collar 60,
and below said cylinder is arranged a nut 61, having radial openings 62, for the
insertion of a lever by which it may be turned. The nut 61, rests in turn, upon a
washer 63, lying upon the bed plate A. The lower journal bearing 64, is passed
through an enlarged opening 65, in the bed plate then through the washer 63, into the
nut 61; a male thread on the end of the bearing engaging the female thread of the
nut. The bearing 64, has a flange 66, which lies against the under face of the bed
plate and a sleeve 67, surrounds the shaft and lies between it and the bearing, which
is independently adjusted in the opening 65, of the bed plate, by means of a set
screw 68, tapped through the bed and having its en1 bearing the flanged head 66.
At the upper end the construction is as follows: The end of the shaft 50, is
threaded to engage with an internally threaded cylindrical bearing 69, of hardened
metal which is thereby drawn down to rest upon a disk on the end of the cylinder,
said disk having a peripheral flange 70, the outer surface of which is flush with the
surface of the collar 20, on the cylinder. The cylindrical bearing or journal 69, rests in
the journal box 71, which is movable in an elongated aperture 72, in the frame, being
adjusted toward the opposite perforator by a set screw 73, which is tapped through
a boss 74, on the frame and has its end resting against the journal box 71. A set
screw 75, tapped through the upper end of the cylindrical bearing rests upon the
threaded end of the shaft, which is turned up far enough to securely lock the bearing 69,
in conjunction with the set screw 75, the latter being held by a jam nut 76.
cap 77, on the bearing 69, overlies the top of the journal box, and an inwardly turned
flange 78, formed on the upper edge of the peripheral flange 70, serves to form a
receptacle for oil and prevents its escape by the centrifugal force produced by the
revolution of the roll which effectually prevents access of the oil to the surface of the
collars where it might soil the web.
A
The other perforator is of similar construction save as to the movable bearings and
the two are geared together by gears 79, upon the lower ends of the shafts 50. Move-
ment is communicated to the perforators from the miter gear 51, driven by the power
shaft 52.
Upon the other side of the perforators 19, are arranged the rubber rolls 25, carried
on drop bearings 81, depending from the frame 47. One of these rolls is provided
with a gear 82, meshing with an intermediate 83, which in turn meshes with the
gear 49 a, upon the upper end of the shaft 50, carrying the non-adjustable perforator.
The separating rolls 28, conform in construction and in the manner in which they are
mounted, to the description already given in connection with the perforators. They
have bearing at their upper ends in a plate 84, supported by standards 85, and are
geared together at their lower ends by gears 86, the non-adjustable roll being driven
from the shaft 52, by means of a miter gear 87, meshing with a miter 88, on the roll
shaft.
A little beyond the separating rolls and their supporting frame is erected a plate 89,
mounted on standards 90, and having a yoke frame 91, raised above the plate, to
receive drop bearings 92, carrying spur gears 93, meshing together, and one meshing
with a gear 94, on the shaft of one of the rubber advancing rolls 31, while the other
spur gear meshes with a similar gear on the shaft of the other roll 31, thereby gear-
ing the two positively together. The rolls 31, are mounted on drop bearings 95,
depending from the plate 89, and upon the shaft of one of said rolls 31, is a miter
gear 96, meshing with a miter 97, carried by a shaft 98, having bearing at one end
in a bracket 99, rising from the plate 89, and supported, Fig. 6, at the other end by
an arm 100, resting at one end upon a shaft 101, carrying the gate or stile. Between
these points an elbow arm 102, resting at one end upon the plate 89, is connected to
the shaft 98, and supported thereby. This elbow arm gives bearing to a cross shaft 39

page_text: which carries the striker finger 40, and which is driven by a miter gear 104, meshing
with a similar miter 105, on the shaft 98. The shaft 98 is operated by the driving
shaft 52 through intermediate gearing consisting, as here shown, Figs. 5 a, 6, 7, and 8,
of a miter gear 106, on the shaft 52, engaging a similar gear 107 on the drop bearing 108,
the shaft of which gear 107, carries a spur gear 109, engaging a spur gear 110, on a
vertical shaft 112, having at its upper end a miter gear 113, meshing with a miter
gear 114, on the shaft 98. The gear 114, rests upon the gear 113, and the latter partly
supports the weight of the shaft 98 and elbow frame or arm 102.
Upon each side of the inserting section 33, of the spine are erected standards or
posts 115, carrying boxes in which are journalled the shafts 116, carrying the cone
adjusters. Each of these shafts has a miter gear 117, at the rear end meshing with a
similar miter 118, on a short shaft 119, having bearing in the bed plate and provided
below said plate with a gear 120, meshing with one of the gears 86, by which the
separator rolls are connected. The spring fingers 38 are carried by the shafts 116,
said fingers being mounted thereon at or near the apices of the cone adjusters.
The delivery roll 35, is mounted on and rotated by the shaft 112, Fig. 8, but the opposite
and co-operating roll 36, is movable toward and from its fellow roll and for this
purpose is mounted in a sliding box 121, supported in a frame 122, which is mounted
on a bracket 123 rising from the bed plate A. The sliding box is reciprocated at
stated intervals, to bring the roll 36 into engagement with the inserted sheets lying
upon the spine section 33, shoot the signature off said section upon the carrier belt
and then withdraw the roll 36, by the following means.
Referring to Fig. 4, the numeral 124, denotes a rock-shaft, having bearing at one
end in any suitable support on the press, the bearing in the present instance being
indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4, and Fig. 10. The shaft extends toward the for-
ward end of the machine where it receives support in the end of an arm 125, Fig. 8,
mounted on the frame 122, in which the sliding box of the delivery roll 36, is mounted.
The arm 125, is further supported and stiffened by a web of metal 126, forming part
of the bracket 123. Upon the rock-shaft 124, is mounted an arm 127, connected at
its end to a sleeve 128, within which a bar 129, slides against the outward projection
of a spring 130, said bar being pivotally connected to the sliding box 121. A cross
pin 131, driven through the sleeve and passing through a slot in the bar, limits the
movement of the latter within the sleeve, the tension of the spring 130, being ordinarily
all that is required for the delivery of the signature from the inserting section of the
spine.
The rock-shaft 124 is operated by a cam 133, on the inner face of the power gear
of the press, Figs. 4 and 10, said can striking friction rolls upon the extremity of a cam
arm 134, rigidly mounted on the shaft. This face cam has a riding surface of such
length as to hold the rolls 35 and 26 together long enough to completely deliver the
signature from its position upon the spine section 33 after which the rock shaft 124,
is restored to its normal position and the rolls again separated by means of a
spring 135, interposed between the cam arm and a rigid arm 136, on the shaft bear-
ing. A boss 137, is formed on the ring of the cam arm and through it is tapped a
set screw 138, the end of which rests against the butt of the arm 136, to limit the
return throw of the cam arm, produced by the spring 135.
The gate or stile by which the sheets are held upon the inserting section of the
spine until the signature is full, or complete, and by which a passage is opened for the
same when the delivery rolls are brought into action, consists of a metallic disk 34,
having one or more openings 32, which by the revolution of the stile may be brought
opposite the end of the inserter section 33. This stile is carried by a shaft 101,
supported at one end in a box 140, mounted on the frame 122, and at the other end
in a bearing in the upright plate 45, at the extreme forward end of the machine.
The arrangement of these parts is such that when the stile is turned into the position
shown in Fig. 8, its face closes the exit from the spine section 33, and the sheets
dropped on said section are thrown by the rolls 31 against the face of said stile by
which they are arrested and justified. The shaft 101, carrying the stile is rotated
continuously by a spur gear 140, on the shaft 98, and meshing with a pinion 141,

page_text: mounted on a stud carried by the arm 100. The pinion 141, carries a smaller pinion 142,
meshing with a gear 143, on the shaft 101, the parts being so timed that the
opening or openings 42, in the stile are brought opposite the end of the inserter
section 33, of the spine, and in position to permit the action of the delivery rolls 15,
36, as often as a complete signature is formed upon said section.
As the signature is shot from the inserter section 33, and is directed laterally by the
deflector plate 44, it is stopped by the plate 43, and falls over upon the belt carrier 45,
as already described, its movement and position being positively determined by
knocker arms 144, carried by the shaft 101. Between each delivery this belt carrier
is advanced a few inches in order that the successive signatures may lie separately
thereon and partly overlying each other as shown in Fig. 1. The belt 45, is carried
by drums 145, and 146, Fig. 8, and the intermittent advance of said belt is effected
by the following means.
The shaft of the drum 145, is extended, Fig. 5 a, toward the press end of the
machine, and receives a bearing in a drop bracket 147, on the bed plate. Upon the
shaft is loosely mounted a pawl-carrying arm 148, having a pawl 149, pivoted thereon
and thrown by a spring-actuated push-pin 150, into engagement with a ratchet 151,
rigidly mounted on the shaft of the drum. To the upper end of the pawl carrier 148,
is pivotally connected a pitman 152, reciprocated by an arm 153, rigidly mounted on
a sleeve 154, slipped upon the shaft 124, Figs. 4 and 4 a. Upon this sleeve is clamped,
Figs. 4 and 9, a cam arm 155, having at its end a friction roll with which a face
eam 156, on a gear of the press engages at proper intervals, partially rotating the
sleeve upon the shaft 124, and swinging the pawl carrier 128, in such manner as to
turn the drum 145, and advance the belt carrier a distance proportioned to the throw
of the face cam 156. The restoration of the parts to their normal position is effected
by a spring 157, connecting the pawl carrier 158, to a post depending from the bed
plate. It will be seen that the cams which operate the rock shaft 124, and the
sleeve 154, are so timed, respectively, that they act consecutively, the former operat-
ing the movable delivery roll 36, and effecting the removal of the signature before the
latter advances the belt-carrier, in readiness for the succeeding delivery.
The shafts carrying the drums 145 and 146, are connected by rods 159, mounted at
one end on the shaft of the drum 145, and at the other end entering socket-pieces 159,
mounted on the shaft of drum 146. A set screw 169, is tapped into the end of each
socket-piece 159, and bears against the end of the rod 158, whereby the tension of
the belt 45, may be adjusted.
The tightening bars are supported by arms 161, clamped on the rod and upon a
cross arm 162, supported by a post 163. This post supports the drum 146, and part
of the weight of the tightening devices. The outer end of the drum 145, is supported
a bracket bearing 164.
by
The post 163 is placed centrally and the cross-arm 162, extends upon each side
thereof equally and at each end receives one of the supports 161, the tightening bar
and socket-piece being duplicated upon the opposite ends of the drums.
As the printed web is taken from the press, it is drawn over the gradually ascending
back of the web-former 5, the inclination of which relatively to the horizontal back
of the spine, which is on a level with the highest part of the web-former, causes the
web to closely hug the latter and conform to its shape. By these means the paper is
caused to gradually assume the required form and is brought to a central longitudinal
fold without the slightest wrinkling or creasing. The compresser plates 15 being
arranged at the point where the web loaves the angular back 6, of the web former 5,
a, sharp and perfectly defined crease or fold is formed at this point no opportunity
being given for the lateral displacement of the line of fold. The fold is then
perfected by the feeding or drawing and creasing rolls 16, and the printed web is
advanced with great rapidity, perforated, separated, the sheets inserted and the signa-
tures delivered as fast as the web can be delivered by the press.
As thus far set forth we have shown and described a construction of stile and
arrangement of cams for operating the delivery rolls 35 and 36, adapted for the inser-
tion of signatures each consisting of four folded sheets, containing sixteen pages of

page_text: printed matter. With the form of perfecting press referred to in this specification, a
single revolution of the impression cylinder produces eight sheets, containing thirty
two printed pages and as the stile is timed to revolve once to each revolution of
the said cylinder, we form two openings 42, therein, as shown, upon opposite sides
of the shaft carrying the stile, and provide a similar arrangement of the cams
which throw the delivery roll 36, into engagement, as well as of the cams advancing
the belt carrier. This arrangement is substantially indicated in the diagram view,
Fig. 17, in which, however, the cams operating the belt 45 are not shown. By
a single opening 42,
simply removing one of the cams 133, and using a stile having
as indicated in Fig. 14, we may produce signatures of eight folded sheets cach,
and in like manner we may adopt such relative number and arrangement of cams
as to vary the number of sheets in each signature as circumstances may require, as
indicated in the four diagram views in Figs. 14 to 17, inclusive.
By forming and folding the web as it comes from the press the sheets composing
a signature have cach a well defined, perfectly formed fold, avoiding the necessity
of using a book rolling machine and producing signatures which are more compact
and of better form, with the sheets more perfectly aligned and with better register
than is practicable when the sheets are all folded in a bunch.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. The combination with a perfecting press, of a web forming shell upon which
the perfected web is received and over which it is drawn as it comes from the
press, said shell comprising a flat receiving surface passing gradually into a convex
surface and terminating in an annular end to form a central bend in the moving
web, and an upright frame supporting the shell and having an angular opening
into which the angular end of the shell extends and arranged to provide a space
between it and the edge of the angular opening for the passage of the web, substan-
tially as described.
2. The combination with a perfecting press of a web former, consisting of a shell or
body having a surface which passes by regular gradations from flat to convex and
thence to an angular form, a frame surrounding the angular portion but leaving space
for the passage of the web between the frame and former, and elastic compressers,
mounted upon said frame directly in front of the angular back of the former, between
which the central portion of the web passes as the latter leaves the web former,
substantially as described.
3. The combination with a perfecting press of a web former having a surface passing
from flat to angular, by successive graduations, a frame surrounding the angular
extremity of said web former between which and said frame the continuous web passes,
elastic compressors mounted on said frame in line with the angular back of the web
former, a spine or support for the folded web in front of the web former and means
for drawing the web over the latter and advancing it, over said spine, substantially as
described.
4. The combination with a perfecting press of a web former having a surface passing
by successive graduations from flat to angular, a frame surrounding and having an
inner surface parallel with the angular extremity of the web-former, clastic compressers
arranged in front of the angular extremity of the former, a spine or support upon
which the folded web is received as it leaves the compressers, continuously revolving
drawing rolls advancing the folded web upon the spine, and having a surface speed
greater than the speed of the web, perforators operating upon the web at stated
intervals and separating rolls travelling at a higher surface speed than the perforators
and separating the web along the line of perforation, said perforators and separators
being arranged at intervals along the spine and acting upon the web as it is supported
and advanced thereon, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a perfecting press of a web former having a surface which
passes from flat to angular by imperceptible graduations, a frame surrounding the
B

page_text: angular portion of said web former, elastic compressers carried by said frame and
between which the crease or fold in the web is formed, drawing or feeding rolls which
advance the web and also perfect the fold therein, a pair of perforators acting on the
web at intervals and gripping the same during a partial revolution, a pair of separators
running at a. surface speed somewhat in excess of the perforators and a pair of
advancing rolls by which the separate sheets are thrown upon an inserter section of a
spine upon which the folded web is supported during its movement, substantially as
described.
6. The combination with a perfecting press, of a web former, elastic compressers
acting upon the web as it comes from the former, a spine or support upon which the
folded web is received as it comes from the compressers, means for successively
perforating and separating the web and accelerating the advance of the separated
sheets, an inserting section of the spine upon which the sheets are thrown successively,
a stile or gate preventing exit from the inserting section save at stated intervals,
intermittently operating delivery rolls, which withdraw the signature from the
inserting section and a belt carrier receiving the signatures, substantially as described.
7. The combination with the perfecting press of the web former, the elastic
compressers, the drawing and folding rolls, the perforators one of which has a section
of increased diameter, the separators, travelling at a higher surface speed than the
separators and gripping the web during a part of each revolution, a pair of rubber
accelerating rolls having a portion of the peripheral surface removed from each, a
spine or support for the folded web, along which the several parts are arranged at
intervals, said spine having an inserting section arranged below the level of the
preceding portion, a pair of cone adjusters revolving one upon each side of said
section, and an elastic striker or finger, revolving above and in the vertical plane of
the inserting section, substantially as described.
8. The combination with a perfecting press of a web-former, a spine connected to
a suitable support adjacent thereto upon which spine the folded web is carried, and
feed rolls arranged on opposite sides of the spine and engaging the folded edge of the
web at a point where the edge of the spine is cut away to permit the rolls to meet,
substantially as described.
9. The combination with a perfecting press of a web former, a spine connected to a
suitable support adjacent to said former and rolls drawing and advancing the folded
web thereon during its perforation and separation, said spine being provided with an
inserting section and having spreaders immediately preceding said section to open the
folded sheets, substantially as described.
10. The combination with a perfecting press of a web former, a spine receiving the
web therefrom, compressers forming the fold therein as the web comes from the
former, perforators, feed rolls and separators, the latter travelling at increased speed,
acting upon the web successively as it is advanced on the spine, a pair of accelerating
rolls throwing the separate sheets, which are opened by spreaders upon the spine,
upon an inserting section and against a stile having one or more exit openings, a pair
of delivery rolls, one of which is movable toward and from the other and means for
revolving the stile and throwing the delivery rolls into engagement as the exit
opening in the stile comes opposite the inserting section, substantially as described.
11. The combination with a perfecting press, and with a web-former, of a spine
upon which the folded web is received and advanced, drawing, and creasing rolls
acting upon and perfecting the fold of the web, perforators one of which is adjustable
and has a section of increased diameter extending over an are on the perforator, rubber
feed-rolls advancing the web upon the spine, separators travelling at an increased
speed one of which is adjustable at top and bottom independently, accelerating rolls
having portions of their peripheries removed, a pair of delivery rolls one of which is
movable toward and from the other, a revolving stile having an exit opening, a
carrier-belt and means for throwing the delivery rolls together and giving alternately
an advance movement to the delivery belt, substantially as described.
12. The combination with the inserting section of the spine and with the inter-
mittently operating delivery rolls, of the deflector plate arranged in front of the

page_text: inserting section, the carrier belt moving beneath, and knocker arms revolving above
the deflector plate, substantially as described.
13. The combination with a perfecting press and with a spine or similar support. of
a web-former, devices for drawing and feeding perforating, advancing and separating
the folded web while supported on the spine, accelerating rolls throwing the sheets on
an inserting section of the spine, delivery rolls acting at intervals on the signature, a
stile having one or more openings for the removal of the signature, a carrier belt
having a crank operating the movable delivery roll, a sleeve on said shaft having an
arm advancing the belt carrier, and a press gear having cams actuating the shaft and
sleeve successively, substantially as described.
14. The stile or gate herein shown and described the same consisting of a metallic
disk having one or more exit openings formed in the edge, in combination with the
inserting section of the spine, substantially as described.
15. The combination with a perfecting press of a web-former 5, a frame 8,
surrounding the angular end thereof and a spine 14, connected to a bracket carried by
said frame, substantially as described.
16. The combination with a perfecting press, of a web-former 5, a frame 8, a spine 14,
elastic compresser 15, and drawing rolls 16, advancing the web as it comes from the
former upon the spine, substantially as described.
Dated this 20th
TL 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
15, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.