Improvements in and relating to Rotary Machines for Printing in One or Several Colours.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 24th Oct.. 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Rotary Machines for Printing
in One or Several Colours.
I, ISIDOR LAM of II Malzgasse 9, Vienna in the Empire of Austria, Gentleman,
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 :-
The machines described in the works of Otto Pilz (Die Rotations Schnellpresse
nebst Rundstereotypie) and Waldow (Encyclopädie der Graphischen Künste) and
in various patent specifications in a large number of forms of construction, are (as is
well known) only suitable for single special kinds of printing and it is only by
changing the separate parts of the printing mechanisms involving very considerable
loss of time, that it is possible to make small narrowly limited modifications in
their applicability, and even the so-called "twin machines" are not able to
completely meet the printing requirements arising in practice, and none of all these
machines possess a power of simultaneous double operation in the sense, for instance,
of being able to print simultaneously various sizes, that is to say, in one or more
colours, and on one or more sides. The machine which forms the object of this
invention renders it possible to turn out almost, every desired or arising form of
printing. For instance, it serves either for printing on one, or on both sides, on
one or more paper rolls simultaneously in one or more colours, as the various
printing mechanisms (pairs of cylinders and inking devices) work independently of
one another; an endless paper band may also be printed by one printing mechanism,
whilst in another printing mechanism, the band cut into sheets of various sizes, may
bé conveyed to the receiving table:
One or other of the printing mechanisms, or several of them without interruption
in the further working of the machine, may also, according to requirements, be
adjusted or entirely stopped, that is to say, placed out of action, in which case, the
machine only requires a correspondingly diminished amount of driving power. This
machine, in addition to its ordinary use for one- and two-sided printing with one
or more colours may be employed for simultaneously printing various sizes, each
of which separate sizes may be printed simultaneously in any desired manner, both
as regards the colour as well as the printing on one or both sides. One paper band
(for instance for wall papers) may leave the cylinder printed as an endless band,
whilst another paper band may be conveyed to the cutting knife and it is thus
possible to simultaneously effect with this machine the printing of a book, wall
paper and newspaper.
In the accompanying drawings two forms of construction of the machine are
shown.-
Figures 1 and 2 are longitudinal sections whilst
Figures 3-10 are details.
As may be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the printing takes place without any
interruption, as the inking apparatuses a¹, a², a etcetera, mounted on a bridge a
(Figs. 4 & 8) in the interior space of the machine, are constantly and automatically
supplied with ink from an ink holder or reservoir 6 (which is easily accessible even
during the printing, and may therefore be easily re-filled), and this ink or colour
is conveyed uninterruptedly to the type cylinders g' g etcetera for the purpose of
being imprinted on to the paper.
These inking mechanisms a' a2 etcetera form each a group complete in itself and
may, if required, be provided with even more distributing and transferring.rollers,.

page_text: .
b
and together with the bridges and the ink holder 6 may be adjusted or shifted in
horizontal slots, and receive their movement from the gear m¹ (Figure 8) and
the intermediate wheels m³ mounted in the interior of the frame of the machine.
The said gear (m', m³) for operating the inking mechanisms, is arranged both at
each separate type cylinder, and at each corresponding impression cylinder, in
order that, on an interchange of the type and impression cylinders taking place,
the inking mechanism which has been shifted may at once be set in action.
The easy removal or adjustment of each separate inking roller may, as shown in
Figure 9, be effected from the rear of the machine frame.
With the object of producing a more complete distribution or laying on of
colour or ink, one of these colour or inking rollers has imparted to it a lateral
movement in addition to a rotary movement, and this is effected by a roller mounted
on an arm or bracket n' arranged on the bridge a which roller travels in a sinuous
cam-groove n running round the periphery of the inking roller at one end
(Figure 4).
The stand or bracket to (Figures 1 and 2) for the paper roll t, in order to allow
of the roll being more conveniently inserted, is adapted to be tilted back on the
pivot to, by means of a lever ', and during the insertion of the paper rests, on an
automatically falling hinged support or leg t t. After insertion of the paper, the
stand, bracket or holder is again brought into its working position by means of the
said lever t', and drops on to elastic (indiarubber or the like) supports in order to
prevent any noise or vibration.
In order to prevent the paper unwinding too rapidly, there is arranged on the
stand or bracket to a roller to which constantly presses against the paper roll, and
the action of this brake device may be further assisted by turning up the stand to
somewhat on its pivot point, for which object a vertical pin is arranged in the bed
plate.
A brake which is only employed during the printing of various sizes, has for
its object to effect a temporary braking of the paper running off from the roll t,
and may be adjusted in such a way by means of adjustable screws e in its upper
end that the braking takes place whether there be more or less paper on the roll,
and can always take place evenly.
The paper t is drawn from the roller, first through the damping cylinders yo. In
these there are two vertically adjustable partitions y y with tight-fitting joints,
which partitions are twice as broad as the diameter of the cylinders and the lower
halves of which are perforated.
In order to introduce the paper into the machine these partitions are brought
into the position shown; the paper is placed between the perforated partitions
which bang down, and is drawn upwards with the latter. Steam then passes
through the holes of the partitions on both sides of the paper, and effects the
damping of the same, which damping may be suitably regulated according to the
strength of the paper by drawing upwards the perforated partitions to a greater or
lesser extent.
..This damping apparatus has the great advantage amongst others that if from
any cause or for any reason the machine or the impression rollers intended for
printing the paper rolls in question be stopped the steam may be immediately shut
off by pushing down the perforated or rather the unperforated partitions, as the
unperforated part of each partition assisted by the tight joints allows no further
penetration of steam.
The paper t is then received from the cylinders yo by the conveying or guiding
bands b (or b², b, b, & respectively), unless it should be preferred to pass these
bands also through the cylinders, in which case the bands guide the paper instead
of the cylinders. These guiding bands or tapes run on both sides in suitable
recesses in clamp rollers c', c, guide rollers and the pairs of cylinders i g. They
have thus a sure guidance which makes any tearing of the paper almost impossible,
and may be suitably stretched by a number of guide rollers 1° arranged in
slots.

page_text: When several rolls of paper are simultaneously printed, as shown in Figure 2,
a similar system of bands or tapes is arranged from each of these rolls to the
respective impression or printing mechanisms, thus the band of the uppermost
printing mechanism (together with the paper) runs over the guide rollers 2 shown
in the drawings in white with black axes; the band (together with the paper) of
the middle printing mechanism is carried over the guide rollers which are shown
in the drawing as shaded and with black axes; and the band of the lowest printing
mechanism is carried over the shaded rollers; whilst the band shown with dotted
lines indicates the course where only a single paper roll is to be passed through all
or several printing mechanisms.
As already mentioned the paper t, drawn off the roll, runs first through the
damping cylinders yo, and from thence by means of the guiding bands (and with
the latter) through the clamp rollers over the guide rollers 10, between the
impression cylinder and the type cylinders g', is printed by the latter, and passes
over adjustable guide rollers k in succession between the remaining pairs of cylinders
where it receives the impression of the colours as arranged.
In printing on both sides, as shown in Figure 1, and in order that the paper may
not be rubbed or frayed by the type cylinder, the bands (together with the paper)
also run over separate guide rollers 1°, before being carried over the guide
rollers k.
The finished printed paper t is cut off at the end cylinder (or 1, Figure 2)
by means of a knife o arranged on the adjacent type cylinder (which knife if
desired may be removed) and two pins or cams e arranged at the sides of these end
cylinders, and operated by springs press the following paper band against the
adjacent cylinder, and thus ensure an uninterrupted conveyance of the paper,
(Figure 7).
In order to prevent any damage of the inking apparatus a' lying adjacent to the
knife o, the latter is pressed down into its cylinder, as soon as it comes to the
inking apparatus, by means of two bars or guide rails s attached to the standards
or supports, rollers being provided on the ends of the knife, to run under these
bars or rails, Figure 3. After leaving the said rails, the knife springs up again
automatically. The cylinders carrying the knives, are further provided with a
projection, which, simultaneously with the cutting off of the paper, engages a
counting mechanism z, so that each finished printed sheet passing over an inclined
plane g on to the receiving table r is automatically registered or counted. In the
case of endless printed paper, such for instance as wall papers, this counting
incchanism gives the measurement length of the printed paper.
The paper t may then pass from the receiving table r, either to a winding up
roller, or to a collector or folder, and this, in the case of several receiving tables,
or where several paper rolls are simultaneously printed (Figure 2) may be effected
either from each table separately, or by the printed sheets from each printing
mechanism being conveyed from each receiving table in any desired adjustable
succession to said collector or folder, or also by the printed sheets from several
printing mechanisms being conveyed, according to wish and requirement, in a given
succession to a common receiving table, and from there transferred for further
treatment to the folding apparatus, or the like. It appears from this that a
machine with three pairs of cylinders, or six impression and six type cylinders,
suffices for completely printing a six sheet (double) newspaper, whilst in the form
of construction shown in Figure 2, the lower printing mechanism, g₁ a* which
stands alone may be provided with a galley containing the so-called "latest news."
The main driving wheel d which may be operated by hand or by means of a
motor, sets the intermediate wheels e in rotation, which, by engaging in the
removable driving wheels of the cylinders etcetera operate these latter;
whilst the wheels corresponding to the full revolution of these cylinders set in
movement the cylinders g. The driving of the inking mechanisms a a² etcetera
takes place by means of the intermediate wheels m³ which engage with the
cogwheels m¹ connected with the cylinders g and i.

page_text: In Figure 2 the intermediate wheels e are removable and the type cylinders y
are directly driven by said wheels e, whilst the type cylinders set in movement the
impression cylinders i. The supports of the cylinders g, Figure 1, or i, g, Figure 2,
are adjustable in slots of the machine uprights or frames, and are constantly
pressed by means of springs j towards the cylinders i or g, and again moved
somewhat away from the same by means of metal strips or cams p inserted at
intervals. The return of the cylinder 9' (or as shown in Figure 2 the
cylinders i, 2, 3) causes the clamping roller c², which is connected by a rod c³ with
the supports of the cylinder g', to be pressed on its adjacent roller c' which
produces a gripping of the paper t, together with its guide bands, between both
rollers and prevents its further travel.
This improvement then in combination with the adjustability of the guide
rollers k is utilized by the inventor to effect with his machine, printing of every
size without the slightest waste of paper, or to regulate the same. In the case.
of a printed sentence which does not cover the entire circumference of the type
cylinder, such for instance as shown in Figure 3, from o to o¹, suitably long narrow
metal strips p are suitably fastened, on the parts of the type cylinder not occupied
by type, or on its two edges or end disce t (Figure 8), taking care to observe the
actual unprinted margins of the paper, that is to say the distance of the print from
the edge of the paper.
When these metal strips justify or coincide with the adjacent opposite rotating
impression cylinders i or g, the latter are moved somewhat away, by means of
their adjustable support, from the type cylinders g or i respectively, Figure 5. The
pressing of the roller 2 on the roller c effected by this moving away, causes a
clamping of the guide bands (and the paper) between said rollers. The paper then
remains in a free or loose interstice of the pairs of cylinders, but by reason of the
guide rolleis k, always remains stationary, resting on the impression cylinder until
the said metal strips have run past the cylinders i org.
The latter are then again pressed to the cylinders g or i by means of the
springs, whilst simultaneously the gripping of the paper produced between the
clamping rollers c¹³ ceases, and thus the printing of the released paper can begin
again, or be continued.
During the pressing together of the clamping rollers 2, the brake c', which is
also operated by the rod c³, acts on the paper roll in such a way that any further
unwinding of the paper is rendered impossible.
The guide rollers k have further the duty of equalising the difference in
accumulation or sag of the paper, and also of regulating the exact registering of
the separate colours, each of these guide rollers & being capable of being adjusted
to suit the expansion of the paper caused by the printing, with a view to the
registering of the colours correctly.
As the paper or the like only receives the impression on the side turned to the
type cylinder, by a suitable interchanging of the type and impression cylinders
and an adjustment or replacement, or both, of the inking mechanisms a', a² etcetera,
mounted in horizontal slots, the machine arranged for printing on one side may
casily be altered into one for printing on both sides. This interchange as can
easily be seen by inspecting Figure 8, may take place by lifting out or inserting
pairs of cylinders in the cylinder end dises t', or may be effected by providing the
impression cylinder with an elastic covering of the thickness of the stereotype
plates of the type cylinder, and transferring this elastic covering of the impression
cylinder, in place of the stereotype, to the type cylinder, and the stereotype, in
place of the elastic covering, to the impression cylinder. The machine shown in
Figure 1 would in this case, on account of the unequal number of printing devices,
always give one impression more on one side, which could however be obviated or
regulated by inserting a further printing mechanism, or removing one of them. In
any case the fact is shown that the machine. herein before described is applicable
both for printing on one, or both sides, of the paper.
The dirt band which usually runs off whole rolls and which on account of its

page_text: expense is only employed for the finest. illustration printing is in this machine
replaced by a short endless band y which is always kept clean by means of felt
rollers to, and may be stretched according to requirements by the end roller which
is adjustable in a slot. Such a dirt band formed of a material saturated in oil, or
other chemical preparation, may also be arranged on the guide rollers k.
In Figure 2 the inking mechanisms shown in dotted lines, of the second and
third printing device, indicate the arrangement of the second and third paper
rolls for printing on both sides.
The dises (Figure 8) arranged on both sides of the inner supports of the
machine on the sleeves mare provided with a recess in which, as shown in
Figure 8, the cylinders i and g, which are provided with prismatic guide pieces v,
can be easily inserted or removed, whilst the journals wo also inserted in both sides
of the standards or supports form a firm connection between the discs and the
cylinders, and prevent the falling out of the latter during their rotation.
Figure 6 shows the possibility of conveying several ground-colours along
the length of the paper, whilst simultaneously type or patterns are being printed
thereon.
The form of construction shown in Figure 2 has also the great advantage that
by a suitable increase or decrease of the adjustable transfer devices e, (which for
the purpose of being directly driven from the motor may be provided with
transmission shafts) the printing mechanisms of one band of paper may have
imparted to them a more rapid movement or those of another, for instance for
illustrated printing, a slower movement. Further, this form of construction owing
to the circumstance that both the entrance as well as the exit of the paper always
takes place from one side, notwithstanding the great number of printing
mechanisms, admits of an extremely good and complete oversight, or inspection,
and also affords perfect accessibility to each separate part of the different printing
mechanisms, and therefore necessitates less attendance than the machines hitherto
employed.
In printing fabrics, Figure 10, metal strips, are employed as guide bands, between
which the material is clamped, and of which one is provided with pins, which
engage in suitable openings or recesses in the other.
The guide rollers k are replaced by drying cylinders k' over which the fabric is
carried and dried.
It is also evident from, Figure 10, that the material before it is conveyed over
the drying cylinders may be printed with several colours, and one impression
cylinder suffices for several type cylinders.
For this object, the cylinders i and 9 are adjustably mounted in slots, so that
they may be removed from or approached to the impression cylinder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. An improved rotary many colour web-printing machine, characterized by
mutually interchangeable or convertible type and impression cylinders (i and g)
between which the material which is to be printed passes, and by suitably arranged
and adjustable guide and controlling rollers ( and k) over which said material
runs so as to suitably utilize each corresponding pair of cylinders, whereby it is
possible to print on one or both sides of the paper, the said printing machine being
in engagement with the driving mechanism (d) by means of interchangeable
driving gear (e and f) in such a way that a mutually complete independent opera-
tion of the separate pairs of cylinders or printing devices is obtained, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2. In a printing machine of the kind described, adjustable guide rollers (k) anl
means for interrupting the travel of the paper band by shifting the type cylinder
away from the impression cylinder or vice versa, thereby producing an indirect
clamping of the paper between two rollers (el c) until the printing surface in its

page_text: rotation before giving a fresh impression bas suitably approached the previous
impression, the guide rollers (k) next adjacent, ensuring correct registering during
the extension of the paper produced by the printing, whereby it is possible to
print any size in uninterrupted succession without waste of paper or preliminary
cutting of the sheets, substantially as hereinbefore described."
3. In a printing machine of the kind described, a two armed lever (c) having
one arm provided with a brake shoe adapted to be automatically pressed against
the roll of material on the paper becoming clamped, when the other adjustable
lever arm receives pressure from the adjustable clamp roller (c) whereby any
further unwinding of the material after it is clamped between the rollers is
prevented, substantially as described.
4. In a printing machine of the kind described, impression and type cylinders
mounted in discs (t) in such a way as to be replaceable or interchangeable and so
as to admit of mutual interchanging of the stereotype plates and the elastic
coverings, and colouring or inking devices (a) adjustably or removably mounted in
horizontal slots (1) in order to admit of a change of position of the cylinders (gor i)
and inking devices a, for the purpose of transforming the machine from a one-side
printing machine to a two-side printing machine, or for printing in one or more
colours substantially as described.
5. In a printing machine of the kind described, means for cutting the printed
paper into separate sheets comprising a knife (o) arranged on one of the two last
cylinders (ig) in such a way as to automatically move out of the way of the inking
mechanism of the cylinder in question, two or more spring pins or grips (a) on the
opposite cylinder which maintain the continuity of feed of the paper being cut,
and a projection (2) on the former cylinder adapted to simultaneously operate a
counting or measuring device (21) substantially as described.
6. In a printing machine of the kind described, bands (62 63) or the like,
running in suitable grooves or recesses in the clamping rollers (cc) in the
cylinders (i and g) and in the guide rollers (k, 10) and conveying between them
the paper band on both sides through all the printing mechanisms from the paper.
roll, or from the damping cylinders up to the cutting mechanism, i.e. until after
the last impression, in order to prevent any tearing or crumpling of the damp
paper or eventually any uneven working of the machine, or of the driving power
(motor or the like) substantially as described.
7. In a printing machine of the kind described, a support for the paper roll
revolubly or pivotally mounted to admit of its being tipped backwards in order to
allow of the paper roll being easily inserted and having an automatically dropping
support (tt), on which to rest, and adapted to be turned onto a vertical pin in
order to assist the paper brake (3) substantially as described.
8. In a printing machine of the kind described a paper damping apparatus
consisting of a steam cylinder (y) through which the paper is conveyed,
and in which the inflow of steam to the paper may be regulated or entirely
prevented, by means of two vertically adjustable perforated partitions (yy)
which may be more or less drawn up, or down, or pushed entirely down
substantially as described.
9. In a printing machine of the kind described the arrangement whereby one
impression cylinder may be employed for several type cylinders, such cylinders
being arranged so as to be mutually adjustable against one another (Figure 10)
substantially as described and shown.
10. In a printing machine of the kind described the modification to adapt the
same for printing fabrics, comprising:-
(a) strips of metal (Figure 10) to enclose the material and to serve as guide
bands (62), one of said strips being provided with pins and the other with
openings or recesses in which the former engage;
(b) drying cylinders (k) over which the material is conveyed in place of the
guide rollers (k) substantially as described.
11. In a machine of the kind described inking mechanisms (a) in which for the

page_text: purpose of distributing the ink one or more inking rollers receive a lateral move-
ment in addition to a rotary one, by means of a pin (1) attached to the standards
engaging in a sinuous groove (n) formed in the roller which is to be adjusted.
(Figure 4) substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day of January 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents.