IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PRINTING, CUTTING, AND FOLDING NEWSPAPERS AND THE LIKE
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Percy David Hedderwick, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR PRINTING, CUTTING, AND FOLDING NEWSPAPERS AND THE LIKE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Percy David Hedderwick
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st December 1880.
PERCY DAVID HEDDERWICK, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PRINTING, CUTTING, AND FOLDING
NEWSPAPERS AND THE LIKE."
The first part of this Invention relates to newspaper printing machinery of the
kinds to which the paper is supplied in the web form, and in which stereotype
printing plates fixed on cylinders are employed; and its object is to provide in an
improved manner for adapting or altering the machinery for printing different
sizes of sheets as measured lengthways of the web, and is specially designed for
the system in which the web is cut into sheets after being printed, a system
by which it is believed the greatest simplicity, convenience, and speed of working
is obtainable.
The second part of this Invention comprises improvements in the cutting
mechanism of the aforesaid machines, whereby different lengths of sheets may
be severed from the web.
The third part of this Invention consists of an improved method and mechanism
whereby the sheets printed and cut on the aforesaid machines are folded length-
ways of the web.
The fourth part of this Invention comprises an improved method and mechanism
therefor whereby pairs or sets of sheets formed by cutting the web of paper trans-
versely and slitting it lengthways in the aforesaid machines are brought one over
the other to be afterwards folded together.
In carrying out the first part of the Invention, the framing of the machine is
constructed with slots or guides in which are adjusted the bearing blocks of the

page_text: impression cylinders, and also if preferred of the type cylinders; and these slots
are arranged in a manner to admit of cylinders of different diameters being used;
and the alteration for printing larger sizes is made by changing the cylinders to
larger diameters, and vice versa. The bearing blocks may be adjusted in the proper
positions for the different sizes of cylinders by means of screw spindles and movable
pieces between the screws and bearing blocks, and the guides or slots are arranged
with such inclinations or directions as to preserve proper relations between the
cylinders themselves and other parts, notwithstanding the changes in the diameters.
Cylinders of different diameters may be provided, or the cylinders may be con-
structed so as to be capable of enlargement or reduction by the application or
removal of segmental pieces or "turtles;" or the cylinders may be made otherwise
alterable as regards their effective diameters. The requisite change wheels and
means of adjustment are also provided to admit of all motions and parts being
changed or adjusted to suit the different sizes of cylinder; and the framing is
arranged to admit of easy removal and replacement of the cylinders and other parts
which have to be changed.
The knife details or cutting mechanism is constructed and arranged so that it
can be adjusted to cut the web into sheets of sizes corresponding to the different
diameters of cylinder. The knife, which may be an ordinary serrated one, and its
opposing cushion are, according to one modification, made to have a combined
reciprocating and vibrating motion, so that the courses of the acting parts, the
knife and its cushion, are of oval form. The knife and cushion are each carried by
the inner ends of rods fitted to slide through rocking centres, and having their
outer ends jointed on rotating cranks; and the fulera of the rocking centres are
adjustable in position between the rotating cranks and the knife and cushion so
that a quicker or slower motion may be given to the knife and cushion when they
approach each other to enable them to keep time with the paper. In another
modification the rocking centres of the first modification are mounted on rotating
cranks adjustable at different distances from the centres of the crank-shafts.
In carrying out the third part of the Invention a pair of folding rollers are
placed with their axes lengthways of the machine. These rollers are carried by a
frame which extends to either side of the paper, and is jointed at its sides with
rods. These rods at their other ends slide in rocking centres. Between the rocking
centres and the frame carrying the folding rollers on each rod is a bearing in
which the pin of a crank works. The revolving of these cranks causes the rods
sliding in the rocking centres to impart a reciprocating and irregular movement
to the frame carrying the folding rollers, causing them to travel with the paper
at the same speed, and in a straight line or nearly so, then to lift up and slowly
and in a curve to travel back and again come down on the run of paper. This
action is obtained by the rocking centres, the cranks, and the folding rollers, and
their being certain proportional distances apart proportional also to the throw of
the revolving cranks. The cranks and rocking centres are on the other side of the
run of paper to that on which the folding rollers are. Opposing the folding rollers,
and on the other side of the run of paper, is a folding knife or blade with rollers
which is carried and actuated in the same manner as the folding rollers which it
meets, causing the paper to enter between them. Mounted and carried by the
same frame as the folding rollers there may be a second folding knife, which may
give a second fold to the paper by causing it to enter between a second set of
rollers, which may also be carried by the same frame, or by another. The folding
rollers are caused to revolve by gearing from the machine. This method requires
that the stream of paper from the printing cylinders shall be divided into different
streams, so that more than one folding arrangement may be used.
In carrying out the fourth part of the Invention the pairs of sheets formed by
slitting the web lengthwise are shunted one up the other down for a short distance,
their courses brought parallel, and they are then each entered between two smooth
surfaces, each forming the outer side of an air-chamber. The said surfaces are
perforated with holes inclined the way the paper is travelling, air being forced

page_text: gently through these holes forming a cushion which carries the paper, preventing
the printing from being sinudged. In each of the surfaces are cut two curved slits
into which are dropped cushioned fingers, which nip the paper between them, travel
along the curved slots (or part thereof), carrying the paper forward and sideways
from its original direction, and finally enter it into leading rollers. Each pair of
sheets is in this way carried sideways toward each other until the one is directly
over the other, and they are then both run between the same guide rollers, and are
afterwards folded by any suitable folding apparatus. The fingers are worked by
revolving cranks, and are allowed to dip into the slots only for a fourth or less of
their circuit. Instead of fingers the same result may be obtained by conical rollers,
spaces being formed for them in the smooth surfaces. One pair will divert the sheet,
another pair will, bringing it further sideways, square it again.
These improvements are also applicable to various general arrangements of
machinery for printing, cutting, and folding newspapers and the like, such as
are in use, or to modifications thereof.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Percy David Hedderwick in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th May 1881.
21
PERCY DAVID HEDDERWICK, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PRINTING, CUTTING, AND FOLDING
NEWSPAPERS AND THE LIKE."
My said Invention relates, in the first place, to newspaper printing machinery of
the kinds to which the paper is supplied in the web form, and in which stereotype
printing plates fixed on cylinders are employed, and its object is to provide for
adapting or altering the machinery for printing different sizes of sheets as measured
lengthways of the web, the improvements being specially designed for the system
in which the web is cut into sheets after being printed, a system by which I
believe the greatest simplicity, convenience, and speed of working are obtainable.
The second part of my Invention comprises improvements in the cutting
mechanism of newspaper printing machines, whereby different lengths of sheets
may be severed from the web.
The third part of my Invention comprises an improved method and mechanism
whereby the printed and cut sheets are folded lengthways of the web.
The fourth part of my Invention comprises improved methods and mechanism
whereby pairs or sets of sheets formed by cutting the web of paper transversely
and slitting it lengthways are brought one over the other to be afterwards folded
(or delivered) together.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be most readily understood I shall at once proceed to particularly describe my

page_text: various improvements with the aid of four Sheets of explanatory Drawings, which
are hereunto appended, these Drawings bearing reference numerals, and the same
numerals being used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are
repeated.
An arrangement for carrying out the first (and second) part of my Invention is
shown on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 being a side elevation
of a newspaper printing machine, but with various usual details not shown, whilst
some parts are indicated by dotted lines; Figures 2 to 5 are separate detail
views.
The framing 21 of the machine is constructed with slots or guides 22, in which
are adjusted the bearing blocks 23 of the impression cylinders 24, these slots or
guides 22 being curved in the present modification, and the blocks 23 being of
angular or sector-like forms. The type cylinders 25 (that is, the cylinders having
the stereotype or other printing surfaces on them) are represented as having their
bearings arranged in the ordinary way; these bearings might however also be
fitted in curved or other comparatively elongated slots or guides more or less like
those 22 of the impression cylinders 21. The arrangements are such as to admit
of cylinders of different diameters being used, and the alteration for printing larger
sizes is made by changing the cylinders to larger diameters, and vice versa. The
bearing blocks 23 of the impression cylinders 24 are adjusted in the proper
positions for the different sizes of cylinders by means of screw spindles 26, 27, and
by transferring movable parts of the blocks from one side to the other of each of
the cylinder journals. The inner spindles 27 are not themselves turned but are
adjusted endways by screw nuts inserted in openings in the framing; and where
the spindle 27 for one cylinder crosses the corresponding spindle for the other
cylinder one spindle is enlarged and slotted for the other to pass through it. The
curvature of the slots or guides 22 is such that the type and impression cylinders
are placed relatively to each other in a proper manner, whichever of the sizes of
cylinder for which the machine is constructed is employed. Separate cylinders of
different sizes may be provided, or the cylinders may be constructed (as hereinafter
more particularly explained) so as to be capable of enlargement or reduction by
the application of segmental pieces or turtles," or the cylinders may be made
otherwise alterable as regards their effective diameters. The requisite change
wheels and means of adjustment are also provided to admit of motions and parts
being changed or adjusted so far as may be necessary to suit the different sizes of
cylinder, and the framing is arranged to admit of easy removal and replacement of
the cylinders and other parts which have to be changed.
"
The arrangement of the driving gearing may be varied, but in that indicated in
Figure 1, the first motion shafts 28 (itself driven in any suitable manner) is placed
below and a little to one side of the lower type cylinder 25, this cylinder being
the one which prints the second side of the paper. At one side of the machine the
first-motion shaft 28 has on it a pinion 29, indicated by a dotted circle, which gears
with a spur wheel 30 on the shaft or journal of the lower type cylinder 25, and
these wheels do not require to be changed for different sizes of cylinder. At the
other side of the machine changeable spur wheels on the shafts or trunnions of the
two type cylinders 25, and two impression cylinders 24 gear these cylinders
together. Three different sizes of cylinder are indicated by full outer circles and
dotted inner circles, and the same circles represent the pitch circles of the changeable
spur wheels. The changeable spur wheel of each type cylinder 25 gives motion
through an intermediate wheel 31 (carried on an adjustable stud, as shown in
Figure 3), to an inner inking cylinder 32, and the spur wheel of this cylinder
transmits motion through an intermediate wheel 33 to an outer inking cylinder 34.
Each outer inking cylinder 34 is supplied with ink in any suitable known way, and
has in connection with it distributing rollers 35 and a roller 36 for transferring the
ink to the inner inking cylinder 32. Each inner inking cylinder 32 has in connection
with it one distributing roller 37 and two inking rollers 38, the latter being carried
in adjustable bearings consisting in each case of a lever 39 movable by means of a

page_text: toothed sector and worm, and a second lever or slide 40 movable by a screw. These
parts as arranged for the lower inking roller 38 are shown in Figure 2. The roll
of paper to be printed is supported and controlled in any suitable known way clear
of the inking apparatus, and the paper is thence led at 41 upon the top of the upper
impression cylinder 24, and passing between it and the upper type cylinder 25
receives an impression on one side. The paper next passes between the impression
cylinders 24 and onwards between the lower impression and type cylinders 24, 25,
so as to be printed on its other side, and then descends in an inclined direction over
a stationary guiding surface indicated by dotted lines at 42, and passes between
cutting apparatus hereinafter described to a roller 43. From the roller 43 the
paper is received between two sets of endless tapes ++, which are driven at a
slightly greater surface speed than that of the paper when being printed with the
the largest size of cylinder. The tapes 44 are slightly open at their lower ends,
and only take firm hold of the front end of each sheet after its other end bas passed
the cutters, but then their greater speed makes them detach the sheet by rupturing
the points left unsevered by the cutters, and they deliver the sheets quite separated
to the folding apparatus.
The knife details or cutting mechanism (forming the second part of my Invention)
is constructed and arranged so that it can be adjusted to cut the web into sheets of
sizes corresponding to the different diameters of cylinder. The knife 45 (Figure 4)
which may be an ordinary serrated one fixed to a bar and its opposing cushion are,
according to the modification partly indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, and
partly shown in section in Figures 4 and 5, inade to have a combined reciprocating
and vibrating motion, such that the courses of the acting parts, the knife and its
cushion, are of oval forms, such as are indicated by the dotted lines 46. The ends
of the bars holding the knife 45 and cushion are each carried by the inner ends of
a pair of rods 47 fitted to slide through rocking centres 48 and having their outer
ends jointed on rotating cranks 49, the shafts 50 of which are driven by bevil
gearing and the requisite shafting (not shown) from the first-motion shaft 28. The
rocking centres 48 are slotted enlargements fitted with adjustable brasses, and
formed upon transversely horizontal shafts which are carried in adjustable or
changeable bearings (such as the one 51) in the framing. When these bearings are
made up so that the centres of the rocking motion are nearer the crank shafts 50,
the vibratory motions imparted to the knife and cushion are of greater amplitude,
and vice versa, and accordingly as the vibratory amplitude is greater or less, so is
the motion of the knife and cushion quicker or slower when they approach each
other, enabling them to keep time with the paper. In another modification the
rocking centres of the cutting apparatus are mounted on rotating cranks adjustable
at different distances from the centres of the crank shafts.
Figure 6 on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings is a side elevation in
diagram form showing a second of the various arrangements of the framing and
other parts of the printing machine, which may be adopted in carrying out the
first part of my Invention. In this modification the two type cylinders 25 are
placed with their axes in permanent positions, but both at the upper part of the
framing; and both impression cylinders 24 are placed below, with their bearing
blocks in inclined guides or slots made accessible from below.
When the impression and type cylinders are made in halves or other segments,
which can be changed for different sizes without taking the shafts out of the
machine, the details and arrangements adopted may be such as are shown in
Figures 7 to 11 on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings. Figures 7 and 8 are
elevations of the two ends of the impression cylinder; and Figures 9 and 10 are
corresponding transverse and longitudinal sections; Figure 11 is a transverse
section of the type cylinder, the two halves of the section being as taken at different
parts in the length of the cylinder. The half cylinders are made with ends 52,
having half eyes or centres which fit upon the shaft 53. The shaft 53 is formed
with wings 54, the ends of which engage in sockets formed for them inside of the
half cylinders close to the ends (and at intermediate points if thought necessary).

page_text: The two half cylinders are locked together when in position by means of steel claw
pieces 55 bolted to them, and of locking bars 56 formed with wedge-shaped claws
to engage with those of the claw pieces 55, those locking bars 56 being drawn home
and secured by screw nuts 57 applied to the bars outside of one of the end discs 52.
Screw pins 58 are tapped through the ends 52 for temporarily holding the half
cylinders on the shaft wings 54 whilst they are being adjusted and locked together.
In the impression cylinder, Figures 7 to 10, a longitudinal recess or groove is
formed in which is set the spindle or bar 59 for winding up and tightening the
blanket, this bar 59 having the usual ratchet wheel and catch 60 at one end for
holding it when wound up. The type cylinder, Figure 11, is fitted with the usual
screw-adjusting dogs 61 for holding the stereotype plates in place.
In carrying out the third part of my Invention the apparatus used is such as
is shown in the diagrams, Figures 12 and 13 on Sheet 3 of the accompanying
Drawings, these Figures being elevations as at right angles to each other, Figure 12
being partly in section. A pair of folding rollers 62 placed the lengthway of the
web are carried by a frame 63, extending across the width of the paper, and
connected by joints to the upper ends of two pairs of rods 64, which
near their lower ends are fitted to work through rocking centres 48 (like
those herein before described as used in the cutting apparatus) between the
rocking centres 48 and the upper ends of the rods 64; these are jointed
upon cranks 49, on rotating shafts 50, so that their upper ends are made to
move through curved paths, which are at one part nearly horizontal. When this
horizontal part of the path is being traversed the rollers 62 are down upon the
run of paper 65, and the frame 63 is moving with and at the same or nearly the
same speed as the paper. At the same time a lower frame 67 (only partly shown
in Figure 13) carrying a pair of rollers 6$ with a knife or indenting blado 69
between them is being similarly moved by rods, of which one 70 is shown in
Figure 12, arranged and worked like the rods 64, but in an inverted manner.
The frames 63, 67, move apart from each other at other parts of their paths, and
they approach each other just as a sheet of paper gets into proper position for.
being folded longitudinally. The paper then becomes nipped between the rollers 62
and GS, and indented upwards by the blade 69, and the rollers 62 being suitably
driven cause the paper to pass up between them in a folded state. Tapes passing
round the rollers 62, and round other rollers 71, fitted to the frame 63, convey the
once-folded sheet into a position 72-72 (Figure 13) where it encounters suitable
stops (not shown), and where it is over a pair of rollers 73 having a knife or
indenting blade 74 between them and bars for supporting the paper above
their outer sides, all carried by the frame 63. Above the frame 63 there is a
third frame 75 hung by vibrating arms 76, and made to move horizontally with
the frame 63 by means of a guide plate 177, fixed to the frame 63 and acting
on a roller or block on an arm moving with the arms 76. This third or
uppermost frame 75 carries a pair of folding rollers 77, and as the frame 63
rises up the actions of the rollers 73 and blade 74 combine with that of the rollers 77
to cause the sheet to be folded a second time and taken up between the rollers 77,
from which it is led by endless tapes so as to be delivered at 78 over the end of
the frame 75. The rollers 77 and the tapes which pass round them and the other
rollers on the frame 75 are driven by a belt 79 from a pulley 80 placed so as not
to be injuriously affected by the movements of the frame 75, and the rollers and
tapes of the frame 63 are driven by bevil gearing 81 and a vibrating shaft 82,
indicated by dotted lines in Figure 12, the shaft 82 being arranged with a groove
and feather so as to slide through one of its bevil wheels to accomodate the rising
and falling movements of the frame 63. When using the folding apparatus I have
just described I prefer to have the stream of paper divided into two or more
streams, for each of which separate folding apparatus is provided.
The fourth part of my Invention is carried out by means of apparatus, one
modification of which is shown in plan in Figure 14, and in vertical section in
Figure 15 on Sheet 4 of the accompanying Drawings; Figure 16 is an enlarged

page_text: and more detailed vertical section as at right angles to Figure 15, but with some
parts a little modified from what is shown in Figures 14 and 15. In using this
apparatus, the pairs of sheets formed by slitting the web lengthways by means of an
ordinary circular knife, are first slanted one up as at 83, Figure 15, and the other
down as at 84 in the same Figure. Each stream is again directed horizontally and
then entered between two shallow flat air boxes 85, the surfaces between which the
paper passes being smooth but perforated with numerous holes directed obliquely
forwards, through which holes the air issues at a gentle pressure so as to cushion or
float the paper and prevent smudging or stoppage, the air being supplied by an air
pump conveniently placed. Through the upper air box 85, two pairs of arc-shaped
slots 86 are formed, and at the proper times vertical fingers 87 are made to project
down through these slots to act on the paper. Similar slots may be formed in the
under air box for corresponding fingers to be projected up through, so that the
paper may be nipped between the upper and lower fingers; or there may be a
simple turntable SS, as shown in Figure 16, beneath each upper finger 87; such
turntables being free to turn with the paper when nipped by the fingers 87,
pressing it down on the slightly raised rim of the turntable. The two fingers 87 of
each pair are carried by a bar 89, which is moved by two rotating cranks 90, and
cach finger is pressed downwards by a spring 91, being raised between its intervals
of operation by a small lever 92, indicated by dotted lines in Figure 16, and acted
on by a suitable cam 93, formed on the boss at the end of each crank arın 90. As
soon as each sheet in advancing is beyond the control of the rollers which enter it
between the air boxes 85, the first pair of fingers 87 take hold of it and move it a little
forward and half the distance laterally that it has to go; the sheet is then released by
the first pair of fingers, and the second pair acting in a similar way, give it the
remainder of its lateral movement and also carry it forward, the terminal part of
their movement being entirely in a forward direction. The parts are worked
with sufficient speed relatively to the rate of the stream of paper, to prevent any
sheet from being overtaken by the succeeding sheet whilst being operated on.
sheet has no angular movement but remains parallel to its original position, and is
next taken hold of by rollers 94, and tapes, which move it onwards. The two sheets
of each pair are acted on simultaneously in a similar way, but whilst one ascends,
and then moves towards the right hand, the other descends and moves towards the
left hand, so as to become the one exactly under the other. After the sheets pass
each through its own pair of rollers 94, they are led by the tapes, assisted by a
fixed angular guide 95, so as to come together and proceed between a pair of
rollers 96, onwards to any suitable folding or delivering apparatus. Two or more
sets of the apparatus for laying the sheets one over the other may be used in
connection with each printing machine.
The
For different breadths of sheet, different cams 93, Figure 16, will be supplied, to
cause the fingers 87 to rise sooner for narrower sheets, and vice versa.
A modification of apparatus comprising conical rollers to be substituted for the
fingers (87) is shown in the diagram, Figure 17. This modification may be used
with or without the air boxes (85), openings being formed through such boxes,
when used, to admit the rollers to act on the paper. If the air boxes are not used
the sheets must be suitably supported and guided by other means. When a sheet
has reached the position shown by the full lines 97, a conical roller or set of conical
rollers 98 is depressed on the sheet, there being another conical roller below. The
conical roller or set of rollers 98 is driven in any convenient way, and moves the
sheet angularly forward into the position indicated by the dotted lines 99. The
conical roller or set of rollers 98 is then raised, and a pair or set of cylindrical
rollers 100 nip and move the sheet onwards obliquely to another pair or set of
cylindrical rollers 101, which move the sheet into the position indicated by dotted
lines 102. The rollers 101 are then separated, and a second pair or set of conical
rollers 103 give the sheet a forward and reversed angular movement which brings
it parallel to its original position, but shifted sideways to the necessary extent.
The second pair or set of rollers 103 is raised as soon as it has acted sufficiently on

page_text: the sheet, which is then moved forwards by cylindrical rollers 104 brought into
action at the proper time.
My various improvements are applicable separately to different general arrange-
ments of machinery for printing, cutting, or folding newspapers and the like.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and
original, and claim as the Invention secured to me by and in terms of the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
1. The constructing of machinery for printing newspapers and the like with
elongated slots or guides, and adjustable or changeable bearing blocks, or with
equivalent adjustable or alterable parts for the impression cylinders, or for the
type cylinders, or for both impression and type cylinders, such parts being specially
arranged to admit of cylinders of different sizes being used, substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore described.
2. The arranging or combining together of the parts of machinery for printing
newspapers and the like, substantially in the manner herein before described,
whereby the impression and type cylinders can be changed for cylinders of different
sizes.
3. The constructing of the impression and type cylinders with changeable
"turtles," and parts for fixing the same, in combination with arrangements of the
framing and machinery admitting of different sizes of cylinder being used,
substantially as herein before described.
4. The arranging or combining together of the parts for cutting the printed web
substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described as constituting the
second part of the Invention.
5. The combined rotating-crank and rocking-centre mechanism for working the
cutting parts, the same being made alterable for different sizes of sheet by adjusting
the rocking centres or by altering the throw of the cranks, substantially as herein-
before described.
6. The combination of parts constituting the improved folding apparatus,
herein before described, with reference to Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying
Drawings.
7. The combination of parts for moving two streams of sheets from positions in
which they are side by side into positions in which they are one over the other,
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 14, 15, and 16 of
the accompanying Drawings.
8. The combination of conical rollers with other parts, substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein before described with reference to Figure 17
of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Percy David Hedderwick, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
P. D. HEDDERWICK. (L.S.)