US2093385A - Duplicator - Google Patents

Description

F. w. sroRcK- DUPLICATOR Sept. 14, 1937.

Filed June 19, 193e 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lf/eaagrwzz W/svforcn Sept. 14, 1937. F.vw. sToRcK DUPLIGATOR Filed June 19, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 wwf@ :@-IMM Patented. Sept. 14, 1937 purmcn'roa I' Frederick W. Storck, Arlington, Mass., asslgnor l to Standardv Mailing' Machines Company, Everett, Mass., a corporation of` Massachusetts Application June 19, 1936, Serial No. 86,114

1 5 claims. (ci. iol- 132) This invention relates to an improved and simplifled duplicating machine for duplicating and multiplying records or the like by the method in which a, record is made on a sheet of' paper or the 5 like, in reverse, with suitable dissolvable copying ink and reproduced directly therefrom as positive copies on clear sheets of paper or the like.

In duplicating machines of the character described herein, it is the practice to moisten the l clear sheet, on which the duplicate copy is to .be

imprinted, with a volatile quickly diffusing moistening fluid. Such fluids and compositions of fluids use d as. activating agents are now known to thoseskilled in the art. The function of the uid 15 activating agent is to dissolve a minute but suficient amount of the ink from the master characters, when the clear moistened sheet is engaged therewith under pressure, to form clear legible duplicates thereof.

20 To obtain desired and eiiicient results in duplicating on a previously moistened sheet the matter imprinted in reverse on a master sheet with'a suitable copying ink, it is essential to substantially divide the copying lnk, forming the master char- 25 acters, into the number of duplicate copies desired. This desired number of duplicate copies may vary up to 200 or more.

While the character of the copying ink, fluid and paper to be duplicated upon has a direct 30 bearing on the number of duplicate copies obtainable, this is to a minor degree only. The essential requirement is to obtain the maximum numthe sheet must be uniformly and sufiiciently mois-iJ 40 tened to, when engaged under pressure with the master copy, dissolve only suiilcient of the master copying ink to produce a clear sharp copy of the master on the clear sheet. If the face of the sheet i to be duplicated upon carries an excess of mois- 45 ture, when it ls engaged with the master copying ink, an excess of ink will be dissolved and deposited on the clear sheet, thus resulting in fewer copies being obtained from the master copy.

In the art of duplicating on a previously mois- 50 tened sheet the matter imprinted in reverse on a master copy sheet with a suitable dissolvable copying ink, the problem of moistening the sheet to be duplicated upon in a satisfactory manner so as to obtain the above desired and required 55 resulto has been the object of vnumerous schemes and devices. Such devices have been arranged to apply the moisture to the face of the sheet which is engaged directly, under pressure, with the master ink characters. Such a duplicator embodying a moistenng device which uniformly applies a limited amount of moisture to the face ofthe sheet which is to be duplicated upon is illustrated in my U. S. Letters Patent Re. 19,951.

A particular object of my present invention is to provide a so-called wet process duplicator of a simplified and efcient construction that may be manufactured and sold to users of such machines at a reasonably low cost.

Another object of my invention is to so arrange certain elements of my duplicator so as to serve a dual purpose.` v

A further principal object of my invention is to provide a novel method for supplying moisture to the face of a clear sheet which is to be duplicated upon. 20 'I'he above objects `are stated as a general explanation and should not be construed as limiting my invention thereto, as further objects willv be evident in my combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and more specically duplicator paper. Moisture ls applied to the 'face ofthe sheet opposite to the face which is to receive the duplicate impression and a limited but effective amount of the fluid penetrates to this 40 face, to be duplicated upon, so that when the clear sheet is engaged under pressure with the master ink characters. sumcient ink is dissolved therefrom to make a clear legible duplicate copy on the clear sheet.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a preferred form of duplicating machine with my improvements embodied therewith suillclent to enable those skilled in the art to understand the construction and operation thereof.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a vertical'section of my wet process Ilupllicator and is taken suhstn tially alou line Fig. 2.

nazuaummsemunnummmuy 5 along line 2-2, Fig'. 1; in this view some of the parts are omitted.

ferent position.

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of my driving gears showing the gears in different relative position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View of my printing y platen as shown at Fig. 1, but shows my master copy clamp in a diiferent position.

The duplicating machine My machine is provided with side frames l I 0, I I which are retained in spaced relation by suitable main tie rods I2, I3, I4, I5 and/I6. These frames I Il, I I support the elements ofthe duplicator.A

The printing platen or drum I1 is preferably of a hollow construction and in this instance is provided with removable end walls I1a, I1b. 'I'his drum I1 is effectively secured to a shaft I8 which is rotatablymounted in-suitable and preferably anti-friction bearings I9, 20 which are secured in the side frames. Lengthwise movement of the shaft is prevented, in this instance, by means of shoulders I8a, Ib formed .in the shaft I3 and which bear against the inner faces of the bearings I9, 2li.

The roller 2| functions as a combined pressure and moistening roller and is preferably formed of a resilient substantially non-absorptive material suchas rubber or the like. This roller 2| is secured to a shaft 22 which'has its ends rotatably mounted in suitable bearings of opposed brackets 23, 23 which are, in turn, rotatably supported on the turned down portion of opposed spacer bushings I 4a on the rod I4. These brackets 23 are provided with integral depending arms 23a. which engage with eccentric locking cams 24, 24 secured to a transverse rod 25 rotatably supported in the side frames I0, I I. This rod 26 is provided with a handle 26a by means of which the rod 25 may be rotated to actuate the cams 24 against the arms 23. The/se cams 24, as illustrated at Fig. 1, retain the roller 2| in a close pressing engagement with .the printing drum I1 and the cams 24 are further utilized for a purpose hereinafter mentioned.

For the purpose of .illustration I have shown a preferred form of a device for supplying my intermediate applicator with moisture, but it is obvious that other means may be provided for eifectively supplying the'moisture and, therefore, my illustrated moistening device is not to be construed as limiting my duplicating machine thereto.

The moistening device In this illustrated moistening device the moistening fluid is contained in an inverted reservoir 26 of suitable construction to hold a desired quantity of the moistening uid. This reservoir is provided with a depending tube 21 adapted to communicate with an enclosed fluid tank 23 which extends between the side frames I6, II. 'I'his tank 28 is secured .to a spacing bar 23 adapted for rotation in suitable bearings in the side frames. In this instance the tank 23 is provided, adjacent its top, with a longitudinal slot in which is frictionally disposed a wick 33 that extends into the tank 23 and engages with the iluidtherein.

The spacing bar 2l is provided witlra depending arm 3| -towhich issecured one end of apulispring 32. The opposed end of said pull spring 32 is attached to a xed stud 33 secured in the tie rod I2. 'rms pun spllns 32 causes the outer longitudinal edge of the wick to engage the peripheral. face of the roller with a degree of pressure and the backing plate 33 acts as a stiiener for the roller engaging edge of the wick.

'A moistening device of the above character witlr the functions thereof is fully shown and described in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,036,972 and, therefore, further detailed description of this moistening device is thought unnecessary.

The master com] clamp A transverse groove or recess 34 is provided in;`

the peripheralface of the printing drum. This groove 34 is provided with a plurality of slots 36 which connect the groove 34 with the chamber of the drum I1. Disposed in the drum groove 34 and pivotally supported against the bottom thereof and extending longitudinally therein is a substantially ribbon-like clamp member blade 3l. This clamp memberis provided with extensions 36a which are adapted to project through the communicating slots or apertures 35 and extend into the drum chamber.

Each inner end portion of the clamp extensions 36a has secured thereto one end of a spring 31, the opposed ends of said springs 31 being attached to studs 3 8 which are secured in the drum shell. These springs 31 are preferably disposed in an angular position so as to eilect a pivotal seating of the clamp blade 36 against the bottom of the groove or recess 34, together with effecting a resilient pivot for the extensions 36a. The springs urge the extensions 36a tothe right, thus causing the intermediate portion oi' the clamp member to pivot against the bottom of the groove 34 and against the inner edge of the communicating slots 35, thus causing the outer edge portion of "the blade 36 to be pressed against the side wall 34e of the recess 34 with suiilcient force to retain an edge of a master copy sheet A therebetween.

Further, it may be said that the extensions 33a, of the ribbon-like clamp blade 36, act to cause the outer edge portion oi' the blade 36 to bear with its greatest pressure at a point in a substantially vertical line with the extensions 36a and, in ei'i'ect, function in the manner of individually controlled contact points or areas as could be effected likewise with a plurality of individual or segmental blades that were each supported in the groove and provided with extensions adapted to function in the manner of the present illustration.

In this instanceI have provided a ,cam member 33 which extends longitudinally within the drum and is positioned to be engaged with the clamp extensions 36a. This cam member 33 is rotatably supported in the end walls of the printing drum I1 and is provided with an operating lknob 43. When the cam member 33 is rotated, it engages the extensions 36a andexes the clamp member against its pivots. thereby causing the outer edge of the clamp to be actuated within the groove 34 and away from engagement with the groove wall 34e and thus permits the insertion of an edge of a master copy sheet between the wall 34e and its coacting face of the clamp member blade 36.

The duplicating machine arm in my preferred form, the printing platen I1 is directly proportioned relative to the roller 2|. The. platen drive shaft I8 has secured thereto a gear 4I which meshes with a pinion, secured to the roller shaft 22. In this instance the proportions which I have preferably selected effect a 2 to 1 ratio, that is, the gear 4| and platen I1 make one revolution to two revolutions `of the pinion 42 and roller 2|. It is obvious that these proportions may be varied to suit circumstances and conditions and retain my desired rhythmical eifect. The outer end of the shaft 22 is, in this instance, provided with an operating cranklhandle 43 and bymeans of which the duplicator elements are rotated. f

To effect a determinatestopping point or position forthe printing lplaten I1, the platen gear 4I is provided with' a recess 4I@ adapted to receive a portion of a lock-ball 44 which is supported in a housing 45 secured to the side frame I0. This ball is resiliently urged into engagement with the inner face ofthe gear 4I by means of a compression spring 46 which is supported in the ball housing 45. As the gear 4I is rotated, the ball rides on the face thereof until it registers for engagement with the gear recess 4Ia and the spring 46 forces it into engagement therewith.

Operation of'r the duplicating machine In preparing the machine for operation, the cam 24 is rotated so as to permit the bracket 23 to swing about its pivot I4 andthus position the roller 2| in a spaced-apart relation relative to the peripheral face of the printing platen I1, see Fig. 3. It is to be noted that, when the roller 2| is spaced apart, the teeth ofthe gear 4| and pinion 42 are so constructed as to remain in their engaging relation, see Figs. 4 and 5. vIt is obvious that without this spaced-apart position of the moistening roller 2 I, moisture would be applied directly to the face of the printing platen, I1 or to a master copy sheet secured thereto and, in this last instance, would ruin the master copy.

When the clamp 36 is rotated to a convenient position, the edge of the master copy sheet is clamped as aforesaid with the reverse ink characs ters on the outer or exposed face of the master cop'y sheet. The printing platen is then rotated to its determinate stop which is indicated by the yielding lock-ball 44 engaging in the gear recess 4Ia. The cam 24 is then rotated against the bracket arm 23a and thus causes the roller 2| tov engage under pressure with the face of the printing platen. When the printing platen I1 is in its indicated stopped position, the clamp edge of the master copy sheet A is positioned in or close to the bight B formed by the platen I1 and pressure roller 2|.

To circumferentially guide the master sheet inA relation to the face of the platen and to prevent excessive opping of the sheet as the platen is rotated, the tie rods I5, I6 have rotatably mounted thereon a plurality of rollers 5d which are retained in longitudinal position by spaced collars 5I secured to the rods I5, Il.

'I'he sheets to be duplicated upon are stacked on a suitable support 52 and fed-singly therefrom and positioned in the bight B, formed by the printing platen I1 and roller 2|, for registering engagement with the master copy. After positioning the sheet to be duplicated upon, the roller 2| and printing platen I1 are rotated in unison as previously described and, as the roller is rotated. moisture is applied to the face thereof, by the wick 30, and deposited on the face of the clear sheet opposite to the face ofA said sheet which is to contact with the master copy and be duplicated upon.

As previously stated, the sheets to be duplicated upon are of a character which permits the volatile quickly diffusing fluid to be readily absorbed thereby and a'limited but suiiicient amount of the fluid will penetrate to the face of the sheet which is to receive the copy. and this moisture will dissolve suiilcient of the ink from the master characters so that when the sheet is simultaneously moistened and advanced under pressure in engagement withthe master copy, sufllcient of the master character ink will be deposited on the clear sheet to form a clear legible duplicate of the master copy.

As the duplicate copy is` advanced through the machine it is guided by a stripper plate 53, which is secured to the tie rod I4, intoa suitable receiving receptacle 54.

Having thus described my claim is:

1. In a machine for producing on a clear sheet duplicate copies of matter imprinted in reverse invention, what I on a master sheet and including a fluid activating f agent, a frame, a printing platen revolvably mounted in said frame, means for securing a master sheet to said platen, a single combined sheet feeding, moistening and pressure roller adapted for engagement with said platen, means for applying a volatile moistening iluid to said roller to be simultaneously deposited ori a sheet of paper substantially as it passes between said roller and platen as it is pressed against said master sheet by said roller, with means for rotating said roller and platen in unison.

2. In a machine for producing on a clear sheet duplicate copies of matter imprinted in reverse on a master sheet and including a uid activating agent, a frame, a printing platen revolvably mounted in said frame withv means for securing a master sheet to said platen, a rotatable combined sheet pressing and moistening roller adapted for engagement with said platen, means for moistening said roller with a volatile quickly diffusing moistening fluid to be simultaneously de'- posited on a sheet of paper substantially as said sheet is advanced by and between said roller and platen, with means for rotating said roller and platen in unison. 3. In a machine for producing duplicate copies of matter imprinted in reverse on a master sheet, a frame, a printing platen revolvably mounted in said frame, withmeans for securing a master sheet to said platen, a rotatable combined pressure and moistening roller adaptedfor engagement with said plate with means including a wick for supplying a volatile quickly diffusing moistening fluid to the face of said roller to be deposited on a sheet of paper as it passes between said roller and platen, with means for rotating said roller and platen in unison.

4. A machine for producing von a clear sheet duplicate copies of matter imprinted in reversev on a master sheet and including a fluid activating agent, comprising a frame, a printing platen revolvably mounted in saidsframe with means for securing a master copy to said platen, a pressure roller for said platen with means for apply- .rotatlngsaidroilerandplateninunilonanda support for a stack of sheets to be duplicated upon.

5. A machine for producing on a clear sheet duplicate copies of matter imprinted in reverse r5 on a master sheet and including a'iluid activating agent, having a revolvable printing platen and a single combined moistening and pressure `roller coacting therewith with a determinate positioned stop for said platen and means for applying a. volatile quickly diusing, moistening iuid to said roller to be simultaneously deposited on a sheet of paper substantially as it is advanced by and between said roller and platen, with means for rotating said roller and platen in unison.

6. The method oi' multiplying copies which comprises forming a master copy in reverse with s a dissolvable ink, moistening one face of a sheet.

to be duplicated upon with a volatile iluid activating agent, disposing the opposed `face in engagement with the master copy under' pressure. 7. 'I'he method of multiplying copies which comprises forming a master copy in reverse with a dissolvable ink, simultaneously moistening one face of a sheet to be duplicated upon with a huid activating agent and engaging its opposed i'ace under pressure with the master copy.

8. The method of multiplying copies which comprises forming a master copy in reverse with a dissolvable ink, simultaneously moistening one face of a sheet to be duplicated upon with a fluid activating agent and engaging said sheet under pressure with the master copy.

9. In a copy multiplying device having a master copy drum with a chamber therein, a longitudinal recess in the peripheral face ci said drum, a resilient clamp member disposed in said recess and having portions thereof pivoted within said drum with means disposed relative to said portions for engagement therewith and whereby said clamp is arcuately ilexed and the outer edge portion actuated withinsaid recess.

10. In a copy multiplying device having a master copy drum with a chamber therein, a longitudinal recess in the peripheral face oi said drum with apertures communicating with said drum chamber, said apertures lbeing of a less width than said recess to form shoulders, a resilient ribbon-like member disposed in said recess and having portions thereof which extend'through said apertures and into said drum chamber, resilient pivotal connections for said portions, rotatable cam means disposed within said drum and adapted to arcuatelyfiex said portions between their pivotal connections and said shoulders and whereby the outer edge portion of said member is actuated within said recess. l

11. In a. copy multiplying device having a master copy drum with a chamber therein, a 1on1'- gitudinal recess in the peripheral i'ace oil said drum with apertures communicating with said drum chamber, said communicating apertures being of a less width than the peripheral face opening of said recess, a clamp member pivoted against the bottom of said recess, said clamp having extensions which project through said apertures and into said drum chamber, resilient pivotal connections for the terminating portions of said extensions, said pivotal connections' being adapted to urge the outer edge portion of said clamp into close engagement with said wall oi said recess, with means adapted to engage said extensions and whereby said clamp member is actuated on its recess pivot and its outer edge portion disposed in a spaced relation to said side wall. 1 l 12. A machine for producing duplicate copies of matter imprinted in reverse on a master sheet and including a iluid activating agent, having a support for a stack of sheets to be duplicatedv upon, a revolvable printing platen with means for securing a master sheet thereto, a pressure roller coacting with said platen and forming a bight therebetween adapted to receive and position a sheet to be duplicated upon i'or registering engagement with said master sheet with means including said roller i'or supplying said positioned sheet with moisture closely adjacent said bight as said sheet is advanced by and between said roller and platen and under'pressure in engagement with said master sheet.

13. A machine i'or producing duplicate copies of matter imprinted in reverse on a master sheetand including a iluid activating agent, having a revolvable printing platen with means for securing a master copy thereto, a combined feeding, pressure and moistening roller adapted for engagement with the peripheral face of said printing platen with means for rotating said roller and platen in unison, and means for supplying said rollerwith a limited amount of a volatile quickly diffusing iluidto be deposited' by said roller on one face of a sheet of paper as it is i'ed under pressure, by said roller and platen,

' `with its opposed face in engagement with said master copy.

14. A machine for producing duplicate copies oi' matter imprinted in reverse on a master sheet and including a iiuid activating agent, having a revolvable printing 'platen with means for securing a master copy thereto and a substantially non-absorptive combined feeding, pressure and moistening roller adapted for engagement with the peripheral iace of said printing platen with means for rotating said rollerland platen in unison, and means for supplying said roller with a limited amount of a volatile quickly diifusing uid to be deposited by said roller on one face of a sheet of paper as it is fed under pressure, by

said roller and platen, with its opposed i'ace in engagement with said master copy.

15. In a copy multiplying device having a master copy drum with a chamber therein, a longitudinal recess'in the face of said drum, said re cess being 'of a greater depth than width, apertures disposedbetween said recessand said drum chamber, a clamp member disposed in said recess, said clamp member being of a'less width than-said recess and having dependent portions thereof that extend through said apertures and into said drum chamber, resilient pivotal connections for said portions, rotatable cam nieans disposed within said drum and adapted for en' .sagement with said dependent portions and whereby the outer edge or said clamp is pressed into engagement with a side wall oi' said recess.

FREDERICK W. mm

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