US3056346A - Printing machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct- 2, 1962 H. F. GAMMETER ErAl. 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets--Sheei'I 1.

Filed Jan. 14, 1960 SEN mmm 5 M 7 .N MH Fw E mK my HJBM Affe @V OCf- 2, 1962 H. F. GAMMETER ETAL 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'iled Jan. 14, 1960 Oct. 2, 1962 H. F. GAMMETER ETAL 3,055,346

PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 14, 1960 INVENTORS: .JACKSON L. BOHNERT HARRY F.

GAMMETER Oct- 2, 1962 H. F. GAMMETER E'ArAL 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 14, 1960 INVENTORS: JACKSON L. BOHNERT HARRY F. GAMMETER Oct- 2, 1962 H. F. GAMME-IER ETAL 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14, 1960 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 gi L mm; 11' lllll /N [as NTP-4 /o2\ HARRY F. GAMMETER JACKSON L. BOHNERT Oct. 2, 1962 H. F. GAMMETER ETAL. 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14. 1960 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORSI JACKSON L. BO HNERT *ARRY F. GAMMETER c M nm Eile/5- Oct. 2, 1962 H. F. GAMMETER ETAI.- 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Jan. 14, 1960 INVENTORS; HARRY FI GAMMETER BOHNERT .JACKSON L. BY

Oct. 2, 1962 H. F. GAMMETl-:R ETAL 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 14, 1960 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 l 307 INVE/vroRs:

. 305 .JACKSON L.. BoHNER-r lwww( F. GAMME-ren 304 I 200 ECC 72H-111:15-

H. F. GAMMETER ETAL 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 Oct. 2, 1962 Filed Jan. 14, 1960 INVENTORSZ .JACKSON L. BOHNERI /ARRY F'. GAMMETER Oct- 2, 1962 F. GAMMETER ETAI. 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet l0 Filed Jan. 14, 1960 JNVENToRs:

JACKSON L. BOHNERT HQYRRY F. GAMMETER Ma @fa/WM Oct. 2, 1962 H. F. GAMMETER ETAL 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet lll wah Filed Jan. 14, 1960 INVENTORSI JACKSON L. BOHNERT GAMMETER M FLE? 5- Oct. 2, 1962 Filed Jan. 14, 1960 H. F. GAMMETER ETAL PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Oct. 2, 1962 Filed Jan. 14, 1960 H. F. GAMMETER ETAL 3,056,346

PRINTING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 lt gli El .SHAFT oPERA-noN 262 zeno" ETCH "ONE" REPELLEN-r oN INKING "Two" BLANKa-r CLEAN BLANKSJ om "-rHRee BLANKET MAGE PmN-r (FEEDER) "Two" BLANKET RUN Down op ONE PRmTOMPREss OP "zeno" MAcmNa DRNE 5T O 5 lo l5 2o 25 3o 55 REVOLUTIONS i-1 g 523 524 J INVENTORS.

*mW- .rAcKsoN L. BoHNER-r HARRY F. AMMETER `$2/ J! 49/ BY G' M Tons 522 1 'FH g5- Unite States Patent O 3,056,346 PRINTING MACHINE Harry F. Gammeter, Cleveland Heights, and Jackson L.

Bohnert, Euclid, Ohio, assignors to Addressograph- Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 2,546 24 Claims. (Cl. 101--144) This invention relates to a new and improved printing machine, and more particularly to an offset printing machine in which virtually all operations of the machine may be controlled automatically by sequential control apparatus incorporated in the machine, without requiring attention from the operator.

It is frequently desired to apply offset printing machines to applications which require frequent changes of the material being printed and relatively short printing runs, such applications are sometimes referred to as systems printing applications. In applications of this kind, the paper upon which data is printed is usually relatively well standardized, permitting substantial standardization of the sequential operations of the printing machine in carrying out a printing operation. However, it may frequently be desirable to use the same printing machine as is used for system work in connection with other printing tasks, such as promotional printing or other applications `using planographic masters or print-receiving sheets which are substantially different from those used in the systems work. It may thus be desirable to provide for complete manual control of the printing machine, and its sequence of operations, to permit such dual usage. It may also be desirable to provide for automatic sequential control of the printing machine in response to a counter which is effective to count the number of sheets fed through the machine, or, alternatively, in response to the feeding of al1 the paper from a particular storage location.

lt is a primary object of the invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved control system for operating an olfset printing machine in automatic sequence.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an automatic sequence control system for an offset duplicating or printing machine which is effective to control all operations of the printing machine, following etching of the planographic master used in the machine, in predetermined sequence and without requiring any further attention from the operator.

It is another object of the invention to control all of the sequential operations of an oifset printing or duplicating machine, following the etching of planographic masters used therein, by controlling the rotational position of a single main control shaft.

A related object of the invention is to provide an automatic electrical system for rotating the aforementioned main control shaft through a number of diiferent operating positions and also to provide an alternate control for the main control shaft in a form of a single operating handle which may be actuated manually by the machine operator.

A particular object of the invention is to control and actuate a blanket cleaner, incorporated in an offset duplieating or printing machine, in response to electrical signals, to automatically clean and subsequently dry the blanket cylinder of the printing machine.

A further and related object of the invention is to provide for adjustment of the timing of the cleaning and drying operations carried out by the electrically operated blanket cleaner, and to render the adjustments substantially independent of each other.

Another object of the invention is to combine, in a single operating handle, the actuation of the plate-etch applicator of an offset duplicating or printing machine,

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the starting of the machine, and the initiation of automatic sequential control of further operations of the machine.

An additional object of the invention is to provide, in an automatic sequence control system for an offset printing or duplicating machine, a means for automatically controlling imaging of the blanket in the printing machine for a predetermined adjustable number of revolutions before printing is actually initiated.

A further and related object of the invention is to separate the master and blanket cylinders of an offset printing machine, automatically, before the printing operation is completed, and to provide foradjustment of the number of sheets printed after blanket imaging is interrupted.

Another object of the invention is to control automatic sequential operation of an offset duplicating or printing machine in response to the presence or absence of printreceiving sheets in a storage location other than the main supply of such sheets, and specifically to control interruption of printing operations in response to the emptying of such sheets from the auxiliary supply. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to afford a control arrangement of this kind in conjunction with and as an alternative to interruption of machine operations in response to the counting of a predetermined number of sheets fed through the printing machine.

It is a general object of the invention to provide for adjustment of the timing of all critical operational stages in an automatic sequence control system for an offset duplicating or printing machine.

Other and further objects ofthe present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what is now considered to be the best mode contemplated for applying these principles. yOther embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. ll is a perspective View of an automatic printing machine constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printing station of the printing machine of FIG. l with the covers removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the machine, with the covers removed as in FIG. 2, taken from another view point;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, partly schematic, showing a part ofthe paper feed mechanism of the printing machine;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a feeder control device utilized in the printing machine of the invention;

FIG. 6y is an enlarged detail view, partially cut away of a part of the paper feed apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view, partly in cross section, taken approximately along line 8-8 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 isa perspective View of a part of the automatic control mechanism of the invention located on the opposite side of the machine from that shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of a part of the plate etch application mechanism of the printing machine of the invention;

FIG. 1l is an elevation view, partly in cross section, showing one end of the apparatus of FIG. l0;

FIG. l2 is an elevation of the opposite end of theplate etching apparatus of FIG. 10; i

FIG. 13 is a detail view of a part of the control apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 13A is an enlarged sectional detail view of a linkage connected to the control apparatus of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the control mechanism of FIG. 13, with certain additional apparatus included;

FIG. 15 is a sectional elevation view of the blanket cleaner mechanism of the printing machine;

FIG. 16 is a detail view, partly in cross section, of a switching device included in the printing machine;

FIG. 17 is a further ldetail sectional view of the switch device of FIG. 16, taken approximately along line 17-17 therein;

FIG, V18 is an enlarged elevation view of a major part of the automatic control apparatus of the printing machine, including most of the apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 18A is a detailed view of a part of FIG. 18;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 18;

FIG. 2O is a detail schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit for the printing machine;

FIG. 21 is a `detail drawing, on an enlarged scale, of additional switching apparatus used in the printing machine;

FIG. 22 is a timing chart utilized to explain the sequence of automatic operations in the printing machine; and

FIG. 23 is a detail schematic of an adjustable relay used in the control circuit of the machine.

General Description A general understanding of the construction and operation of the printing machine of the invention may best be obtained by reference to FIG. 1, in which a printing machine 30 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in perspective. As shown therein, 'the printing machine 30 is an olset printing machine or duplicating machine which in many respects -is conventional in construction. Thus, the printing machine 30 comprises a printing head 31 which includes the usual master cylinder 32 upon which a conventional lithograp-hic -or other planographic master may be mounted. The printing head 31 `further includes a blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder, not visible in FIG. 1, which may be of conventional construction. An inking mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 33 is incorporated in the printing head 31 and is utilized to apply ink to a lithographie master mounted upon the master cylinder 32. In the course of a printing operation, ink is applied to the master, transferred to the blanket cylinder, and printed upon a sheet of paper or the like which is passed between the blanket and impression cylinders ofthe printing head 31.

The paper feed mechanism 34 of the printing machine 30 is located at the right-hand side of the machine, as seen in FIG. 1. Preferably, the paper feed mechanism is of the vacuum type and is utilized to feed individual sheets of paper or the like from a stack or supply included in the paper `feed mechanism. The paper feed may be substantially similar to that shown in Patent No. 2,293,046 to Curtis and may include an apparatus for elevating the stack of paper, as sheets are lfed therefrom, of the kind described in Patent No. 2,358,560 to Curtis. The sheet feeder 34-is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 4-8 and is described hereinafter in connection with those figures. The sheet feeder 34 is connected to the printing head 31 by a conveyo-r table 35 which may be of conventional construction and which may include suitable jogging or other aligning .devices for assuring accurate alignment of the sheets of paper as they enter the printing head 31.

In addition to the main operating cylinders, such as the master cylinder 32 and the inking apparatus .33, the printing head 31 includes certain additional operating devices which are automatically controlled in operation of the printing machine and which are directly employed in the' printing process. The head 31 also includes a manually controlled plate-etch applicator 36 which is Vas described in detail hereinafter.

utilized to apply an etching solution to the planographic master on the master cylinder 32 during the initial stages of a printing run. Operation of the plate-etch applicator 36 is controlled by an operating handle 37 which is also provided with a control switch 381. The construction and operation of the plate-etch applicator 36, with its control handle 37 and switch 38, are described in substantial detail hereinafter in connection with FIGS. 10-12 in particular. The applicator mechanism itself, however, is in many respects substantially similar to that described and claimed in Patent No. 2,798,426 to E. I. I anke and D. B. Brewster, to which reference may be made for details of the plate-etch operation.

As in most printing machines using planographic mas,- ters, it is necessary to apply a repellentsolution to the master cylinder during the cou-rse of normal operation. For this purpose, the printing head 31 is provided with a repellent applicator 39. In general, the repellent applicator 39 is substantially conventional in construction except for the mechanism employed to actuate and de-activatethe applicator in the course `of the automatic sequence of operations carried out by the printing machine 30. The repellent applicator 39 is described hereinafter in substantial detail, particularly in connection with FIGS. 9, 13 and 14. For the present general discussion, it is suiiicient to assume that the device 39 aords a means for applying a repellent solution to the master cylinder 32, in a course of a printing operation, and for interrupting the supply of repellent solution during an automatically controlled sequence of operations.

The printing machine 30 further includes an automatically controlled blanket cleaner 41 which is mounted upon theframe ofthe printing head 3-1 in position to engage the blanket cylinder of the printing machine 30; in FIG. l, the blanket cleaner device 41 obscures the view of the blanket cylinder. In many respects, the blanket cleaner 41 is substantially similar to the blanket cleaner described and claimed in Patent No. Re. 24,739 to L. F. Mitchell and E. I.l Janke, and reference may be made to that patent for details of operation of a blanket cleaner device of this kind. In addition, the blanket cleaner is described in some detail hereinafter, particularly in connection with FIG. 15. The blanket cleaner is utilized to remove ink from the blanket, between individual printing operations, to permit a change in the data being printed without requiring removal of the blanket cylinder or the blanket `from the printing head 31.

Primary control of the printing machine 30 is effected by means of a series of switches and other control devices mounted upon a control panel 42 on the side of the machine. yAdditional control is provided by manual conrols, such as the plate etch control handle 37 and others, In particular, a main control handle y43 may be utilized to control a major portion of the machine operation whenever the automatic electrical control system of the invention is not employed. When the machine is set for automatic control, a counter 44 is utilized to determine the length of a given printing run.

When conditioned for automatic operation, the printing machine 3.1i carries out a predetermined sequence of operatons based upon a very limited number of control steps performed by the machine operator. Presuming Athat there is an adequate supply of paper in the storage stack of the feeder 34, the operator sets the counter 44 to print a predetermined number of sheets fed into the machine from the feeder. Thereafter, the machine operator starts the printing machine 36 in operation by actuating the switch 38 in the handle of the plate etch applicator. At the same time, the operator pivots the plate `etch unit control handle 37 from its normal or off position, shown in FIG. l, in a clockwise direction, to initiate operation of the plate etch applicator 36. `Plate etching is a manually controlled operation in the machine 30, and the number of machine cycles required to apply an etching solution to the planographic master on the master cylinder 32` is left to discretion of the machine operator.

After the plate etching operation, the operator releases the handle 37, which returns to its initial position as shown in FIG. l. When the handle 37 reaches its home position, it actuates a control switch, described hereinafter in connection with FIGS. 16 and 17, which is effective to initiate automatic sequential operation of the printing machine 30, the sequence of automatic operations being illustrated in the timing chart, FIG. 22. The automatic control system of the printing machine first operates to initiate application of repellent solution to the planographic master mounted upon the master cylinder 32. That is, the repellent solution applicator 39, which previously has not been effective to apply repellent to the master, is conditioned for normal operation in the initial stage of automatic operation and is effective to apply a repellent solution to the planographic master.

The next automatically controlled operation is the inking of the master on the master cylinder 32. In the preferred arrangement described hereinafter, the two final or form rolls of the ink train comprising the inking system 33 are brought into contact with the master on the cylinder 32 after the repellent solution applicator 39 has been in operation for one machine cycle. However, it should be understood that this sequence of operation may be varied to some extent, and that two or more cycles may elapse, after the repellent applicator 39 has been actuated and before inking of the master is initiated.

As indicated in the timing chart of FIG. 22, the blanket cleaner 41 is preferably started in operation approximately one machine cycle after inking of the master on the cylinder 32 has been initiated. The blanket cleaner applies a cleaning solution to the blanket on the blanket cylinder for a substantial interval, which may be of the order of ten machine cycles, in order to remove from the blanket any ink which may remain thereon as a result of previous printing operations. This time interval, however, can be adjusted by means of a potentiometer as shown in FIG. 20 and described hereinafter. After the ink from previous printing operations has been cleaned from the blanket, it is necessary to dry the blanket, since any substantial amount of cleaning solution remaining on the blanket would interfere with subsequent printing operations. Usually, the drying operation can be accomplished in an interval of about 5 or 46 machine cycles.

Once the lblanket cleaning and drying operations have been completed, imaging of the blanket can be initiated. Like the other steps in operation of the machine 30, this is accomplished automatically by the control system described in detail hereinafter. As indicated in the timing chart of FIG. 22, five or six machine cycles are usually employed to build up an adequate ink image on the blanket, although this operation can also be adjusted to suit the requirement of the printing machine. When imaging of the blanket is completed, the printing machine is ready for operation and the feeder 34 is started. Acually, the feeder is started approximately two cycles before blanket imaging is completed in order that first sheet of paper will be fed into the printing head 31 at the time that the blanket imaging operation is finished. Thus, the machine starts printing of the sheets fe'd from the feeder 34 and printing is continued until the automatic control system halts operation.

Each of the sheets fed from the feeder 34 actuates a sensing switch 46 mounted upon the conveyor table 35 (see FIG. 4) as the sheet is fed toward the printing head 31 of the machine. This switch actuates the counter 44 which, as noted hereinabove, is set to count a predetermined number of sheets, by the operator, before machine operation is initiated. Whenever the counter apparatus completes the total count for which it has been set, imaging of the blanket is interrupted, as indicated in the timing chart of FIG. 22. Usually, blanket imaging is interrupted one or two cycles before the end of the printing operation and this is done in order to reduce the amount of ink remaining on the blanket at the end of the printing operation and thus to assure that a normal cleaning operation, in the next subsequent use of a printing machine, will be effective to remove substantially all of the ink from the blanket. The residual image on the blanket is sufficient to print the last two sheets effectively, and there is no substantial deterioration in print quality.

When the counter completes its counting operation, that is, when the desired number of sheets have been printed, the automatic control system of the printing machine 30' stops the feeding of sheets from the feeder 34 into the printing head 31. In the next cycle of operation, inking of the master on the cylinder 32 by the ink mechanism 33 is interrupted. In the next machine cycle, the repellent applicator 36 is effectively disengaged from the master cylinder 32, thereby interrupting application of the repellent solution to the planographic master. Thereafter, operation of the printing machine 30 is interrupted entirely, the master cylinder 32 being brought to rest in a home position wherein the master mounted on the cylinder may be conveniently changed by the operator. A potentiometer 45 mounted on the control panel 42 is utilized to afford a tine adjustment of the home position of the master cylinder to make sure that removal and replacement of the master can be accomplished in a minimum time.

From the foregoing description of the general construction and operation of the machine 30, it is apparent that substantially all of the machine operations are carried out, in a predetermined sequence, automatically and without requiring attention from the machine operator. For this reason, two printing machines such as the machine 30 can be easily and effectively controlled by one machine operator. Thus, one of the machines can be started in operation, as described hereinabove. While the machine is carrying out the described automatic sequence of operations, the operator is able 'to start another machine in operation in the same manner. When the first machine has completed its printing run, the operator is able to remove the master from the master cylinder, install a new master, and start a second printing run, the second machine continuing to operate without requiring attention. By the same token, a new run of the second machine can be started while the first machine continues in automatic operation. Furthermore, because the various operations of the machine 30 are accurately and automatically timed, relative to each other, high quality can be maintained in the printing operation despite the fact that the data being printed are frequently changed and only short runs of the machine are employed.

As described hereinafter, the feeder 34 may include both a main stack and an auxiliary supply of sheets to be printed, the auxiliary stack being located in a separate receptacle usually referred to as a systems feeder chute. Usually, it is desirable to print all of the sheets from the systems chute before the counting operation of the counter 44 is initiated. That is, the counter is preferably arranged to count only sheets fed from the main stack in the feeder 34. This is accomplished, in the printing machine 30, by a sensing switch mounted on the systems feeder chute, as described in detail hereinafter, which prevents the initiation of a counting operation by the counter 44 until such time as the systems chute is empty.

Sheet Feeder and Control Mechanism of E. J. Janke, Serial No. 827,585, tiled Iuly 16, 1959. As noted hereinabove, the basic sheet feeding mechanism is in many ways substantially similar to that shown in the aforementioned Curtis Patents Nos. 2,293,046 and 2,358,560. As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet feeder 34 comprises a table 5.1 which is supported for movement in a vertical direction by a suitable mechanism, such as that described in Patent No. 2,358,560 to Curtis, being guided by means of one or more rollers 52 which engage vertically extending channels 53, the channels 53 comprising a part of the frame of the printing machine 30. The table 51 supports the main stack 47 of sheets to be fed into the printing head of the machine.

The top sheet in the stack 47 is separated from the rest of the stack and is fed to a pair of feed members or rolls 61 and 62 by means of a suction foot 63. The suction foot 63 comprises a hollow casting, the lower end 64 of which is open. The upper end of the suction foot is connected by a flexible conduit 65 to a vacuum system (not shown). The suction foot is adjustably secured to a shaft 66 to permit transverse adjustment of the suction foot with respect to the stack 47. The shaft 66 is journalled at its ends in a pair of arms 69 which are secured to a cross shaft 68 rotatably mounted in the side plates 57 of the printing unit 30. The shaft 68 is connected to an operating linkage which is utilized to rotate the shaft 68 and to effect a predetermined movement of the suction foot 63 during operation of the printing machine.

Operation of the sheet feeder 34, as thus far described, is substantially the same as shown in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,293,046 to Curtis. During each sheetfeeding cycle of operation, the shaft 68 is rotated to impart an up-and-down movement to the shaft 66. This movement of the shaft 66 first raises the suction foot 63 and then moves the suction foot toward the bight of the feed rolls 61 and 62. The top sheet of the stack 47 is held to the base of the suction foot by means of a vacuum maintained through the flexible connection 65 to the suction foot. As the foot inserts the sheet between the rolls 61 and 62, the suction is automatically released, releasing the sheet of paperand permitting the rolls to move the sheet in the direction indicated by the arrow 48 across the conveyor table 35. In completing the cycle, the suction foot 63 moves rearwardly and downwardly toward the top of the stack 47, thus conditioning the sheet feeder for the next feeding cycle.

The paper table 51 is periodically raised by a power operated mechanism controlled by the height of the stack 47, this mechanism being substantially conventional in character. The stack advancing mechanism comprises a bail 70 which extends across the top of the stack and is pivotally mounted on the side plates 57 of the machine. The bail 70 is pivotally movable about a pivot 81 and is connected to an operating linkage comprising a bar 76, the connection being generally indicated by the reference numeral 78. During each cycle of operation of the sheet feeding mechanism 34, the bail 70 is moved upwardly out of contact with the top of the stack f sheets 47. After a sheet has been fed from the stack, the bail is again moved downwardly until it engages the top of the stack. Whenever the top of the `stack 47 falls below a predetermined level, the bail 70 actuates a mechanism which is effective to raise the entire stack through a predetermined distance to permit the feeding 0f further sheets therefrom. A complete system of this kind is described in detail in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,358,560 to Curtis.

A guide frame is mounted in the upper part of the sheet feeder mechanism 3`4 and comprises a pair of bars 83 which are adjustably mounted on the frame plate 57. At their forward ends, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the two bars 83 are interconnected by a cross bar 84, and the rear `ends of the bars 83 may be similarly interconnected by a second cross bar 85. The cross bar 85 is employed to support a pair of adjustable guides 86 (see FEG. 4) which project downwardly and engage the sides of the stack of paper or other sheets 47 to control the position of the sheets at the top of the stack.

The sheet feeder mechanism 34 further includes a systems chute 49, which is mounted upon the frame comprising the support bars 83 and the traverse bar 84. The systems chute comprises a pair of substantially L-shaped frame members 88 and 89 which together form a chute or receptacle for supporting a second stack of sheets 91 in position to be fed into the printing unit 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the two frame members 88 and 89 are adjustably secured to each other in a manner which permits narrowing or widening of the systems feed chute. At its forward end, the side portion 92 of the frame member 89 is provided With a slot for engaging the traverse support bar S4, and a similar slot is formed in the side member 93 of the frame member 88. A pair of adjustable guides 94 and 95 are mounted on the rear portions of the two frame members 88 and 89 and comprise a means for locating the rear end of the stack 91. The guide members 94 and 95 may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly to accommodate relatively small or relatively large sheets in the stack. The rear portion of the systems feeder chute 49 is supported by a transverse support member 97, the end portions of which are seated upon the bars 83 and the center portion of which provides a support for the rear part of each of the frame members 88 and 89 of the systems chute.

In the forward end of the systems chute 49 there are provided a pair of support brackets 101 and 102 which are ailxed to the side walls 92 and 93 of the systems chute. A traverse support member 104 is adjustably mounted in the brackets 101 and 102. Upon the support ymember 104 there is mounted a bracket assembly 105 which serves as a support for a sensing switch 103. As illustrated in lFIG. 6, the switch 103 includes a depending arm 107 which normally projects downwardly through a slot in the forward end of a plate 108 aixed to the frame member 89. With a stack of paper or other sheets disposed in the systems chute, such as the stack 91, however, the switch arm 107 cannot project downwardly through the forward slot in the plate 108 but rather is held up above the plate 108 so long as any paper remains in the chute. Thus, the switch arm 107 may be employed to maintain the switch 103 in an open condition whenever the chtite 49 contains any sheets to be printed and in a closed condition whenever the chute is empty.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the sheets disposed in the systems chute 49 are located immediately above the stack 47 and project outwardly of the chute beneath the suction foot 63. Thus, the suction foot 63 and the associated apparatus of the sheet feeder 34 is effective to feed individual sheets from the stack 91 in the chute 49 as well as from the stack 47. Moreover, the sheet feeder feeds the sheets from the stack 9'1 and empties the systems chute 49 before any paper is fed from the stack 47, since the chute 49 is located above the main supply stack. Thus, a series of special-purpose sheets may be located in the chute 49 and, in normal operation, are all printed by the printing machine 30 before any of the sheets in the stack 47 are printed.

When the printing machine 30 is placed in operation, the sheets in the stack 91 are rst fed through the printing head 31, since these sheets are located in the systems chute 49. When the systems chute 49 is emptied, the machine continues operation by imprinting sheets from the main stack 47. As noted hereinabove, the machine is provided with an automatic counting apparatus, comprising the counter 44, so that the machine is automatically shut off upon printing of a preselected number of sheets from the main stack 47. FIG. 5 illustrates an automatic feeder control mechanism which is incorporated in the printing machine 30 and which is utilized to control operation of the feeder 34. As noted hereinabove,

the feeder control is essentially the same as that described in the co-pending application of E. I. Janke, Serial No. 827,585, filed July 16, 1959. The feeder control mechanism comprises a cam follower arm 111 which is affixed to the outboard end of the rocker shaft 68 which controls movement of the feeder suction foot 63. A roller 112 on the end of the cam follower arm 111 engages a cam surface 113 upon a suction foot operating cam 114, the cam 114 being pivotally mounted upon the side plate 57 by suitable means, as indicated by the reference numeral 115. A spring 116 is connected to the cam follower arm 111 and maintains the roller 112 in engagement with the cam surface 113. The cam 114 is normally biased toward rotation in a clockwise direction by suitable means such as a spring 117.

The cam 114 is connected to a cam drive link 118 by means of an adjustable connection plate 119. One end of the plate 119 is pivotally mounted upon the cam 114, as indicated by the reference numeral 121. The other end of the plate 119 is provided with an elongated arcuate slot 122 in which a screw 123 is engaged, the screw 123 being threaded into the cam 114. The plate 119 is connected to the link 118 by means of a pin 124 which extends from the plate 119 through a slot 125 in the link 118.

The end of the link 118 opposite the connection to the cam 114 is connected to a lever 126 that is pivotally mounted upon a shaft 127. The lever 126 is also connected to a link 128 which is utilized to drive the lever 126 as described hereinafter. The intermediate portion of the lever 126 is yieldably connected to the operating arm 76 by suitable means such as a spring 129, one end of the spring being connected to the arm 76 and the other end being connected to a pin 131. The pin 131 is mounted upon the lever 126 and extends through an elongated slot 132 in the arm 76. As described hereinabove, the arm 76 is connected to the operating linkage of the bail 7) as indicated by the reference numeral 78.

As thus far described, the feeder operating mechanism shown in FIG. is substantially conventional and corresponds to feeder devices now in commercial use. Accordingly, only a very brief description of operation of the feeder control is required herein. During each cycle of operation of the printing machine, the link 128 pivots the lever 126 about the shaft 127. As the lever 126 moves in a clockwise direction, the link 118 is driven to the right, thereby pivoting the cam 114 in a clockwise direction about the pivot point 115. As the cam 114 moves in a clockwise direction, the cam follower arm 111 is permitted to move in a counterclockwise direction, this movement being effected by the biasing force supplied by the spring 116. The resulting counterclockwise rotation of the shaft68 on which the cam follower arm 111 is mounted pivots the support for the suction foot 63, comprising the arm 69 and theshaft 66, in a counterclockwise direction, lowering the suction foot into contact with the topmost sheet in the feeder, either in the main stack 47 or the auxiliary stack 91 (see FIGS. 4 and 8). Later in the same cycle of operation, the link 128 pivots the lever 126 back in a counterclockwise direction, reversing the movements described hereinabove and effectively raising the suction foot 63 back to the initial position shown in FIG. 5. During the same cycle of operation, the arm or bar 76 is first moved to the right as seen in FiG. 5, pivoting the bail 70 downwardly into contact with the top of the main stack of paper. At the end of the cycle, however, the reverse movement of the lever 126 again pulls the arm 76 to the left. As a consequence the bail 70 is again pivoted out of contact with the paper in the main stack.

In the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 5, however, provision is made for an automatic control of the feeder by means of a solenoid 133. The armature 134 of the solenoid 133 is connected to a lever 141 by means of a pivot block 136. A spring 135 is connected at one end to the 1G lever 141 and at the other end to a pin 137 mounted upon an arm 138 which is held in position on the side plate 57 by means of a retaining plate 139. The latch lever 141 is pivotally mounted upon a stud 142 secured to the side plate 57. A pawl 143 is pivotally mounted upon the stud 142 and is yieldably connected to the latch lever 141 by suitable means such as a spring 144. The latch lever 141 is urged toward or away from pawl 143, depending on the position of the arm 138. The pawl 143 is engageable in a notch in the lower portion of an extension. portion 145 of the cam 114. The electrical control circuit of the solenoid 143 is described hereinafter in connection with FIG. 20.

When the printing machine 30 is first pllaced in operation, the link 128 is reciprocated as described hereinabove and tends to drive the cam 114 in a reciprocating pivotal movement about the pivot point 115. The cam, however, is prevented from moving by engagement of the pawl 143 with the latch portion 145 of the cam. At the same time, a block 161 mounted upon the cam plate 114 engages a stop member 162 on a bail `operating arm 76 and prevents the normal reciprocating movement of the arm 76. Consequently, the bail 70 is held in its normal or up position and the suction foot 63 is held in its initial or unoperated position, elevated above the stack or stacks `of paper in the feeder (see FIG. 4). Accordingly, no paper is fed through the printing machine as long as the solenoid 133 remains unenergized.

To start the feeder the automatic sequence control system of the invention operates to complete an energizing circuit for the solenoid 133, as set forth in detail hereinafter. When this occurs, and the solenoid 133 is energized, the armature 134 is pulled inwardly of the solenoid against the bias afforded by the spring 135. The movement of the armature pivots the latch plate 141 in a clockwise direction and the pawl 143 is also rotated in a clockwise direction by virtue of the connection to the plate 141 afforded by the spring 144. This movement releases the pawl 143 from engagement with the latch portion 145 of the cam 114, permitting normal operation of the cam and hence providing for operation of the feeder mechanism in the usual manner as described hereinabove.

ln the course of operation of the machine, and after a predetermined number of print-receiving sheets have been printed, the counter 44 is actuated to open the circuit of the solenoid 133, as described hereinafter in connection with FIG. 20. The bias afforded by the spring pulls the armature 134 outwardly of the solenoid coil, driving the latch plate 141 back in a counterclockwise direction to the initial position shown in FIG. 5. If the cam plate 114 is in its original position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the pawl 143 cannot immediately engage in the notch in the latch portion of the cam. However, differential movement between the pawl 143 and the plate or lever 141 is permitted by the yieldable connection between these two members and, as soon as the cam plate 114 returns to its original position, as shown in FIG. 5, during completion of its normal cyclic movement, the pawl 143 engages and latches the notched. portion of the latch extension 145 on the cam. Thus, whenever the solenoid 133 is de-energized, the mechanism of FIG. 5 automatically operates to latch the feeder mechanism 34 in a position in which the suction foot 63 is elevated from the top of the upper stack and in which the bail 70 is in its upper position. Accordingly, the suction foot 63 does not interfere with the depositing of additional sheets in the systems chute 49 (see FIG. 4). By thus latching up the mechanism with the suction foot 63 and bail 70 in raised position, it is possible for the operator to insert additional sheets in the systems chute in a very short time, thereby speeding up operation of the printing machine to a substantial extent.

Plate-Etch Applicator The plate-etch applicator 36 for the printing machine 30 is illustrated in FlGS. 10-12, as well as: in FIG. l, and

spaanse a switching device which is actuated by the plate-etch applicator is shown in FIGS. 16y and 17. As illustrated in FIGS. -12, the plate-etch applicator comprises a pair of frame members or side plates 200 and .20.1 which are mounted upon the side frame members 202 and 203, respectively, of the printing head 31 (see FIG. l). A shaft 204 is mounted upon and extends between the two frame members 200 and 201, one end of the shaft 204 being extended beyond the frame member 200 as best seen in FIG. 10. The handle 37 of the plate-etch applicator 36 is pivotally mounted upon the frame member 200 upon a suitable pivot pin or shaft 205 and extends generally upwardly past the extension portion 206 of the shaft 204. A crank or operating lever 207 is afxed to the extension portion 206 of the shaft 204 and is pivotally connected to the handle 37 as indicated by the reference numeral 208. Thus, pivotal movement of the handle 37 is effective to impart a rocking or pivoting movement to the shaft 204.

A pair of spaced arms or brackets 211 and 212 are mounted upon the shaft 204 and extend upwardly therefrom at an angle from the vertical, as illustrated in FIGS. ll and l2. A transfer member 213 of hexagonal crosssectional configuration is mounted between the upper ends of the brackets 211 and 212, the mounting arrangement being such that the transfer member is rotatable about its own axis. A repellent solution fountain 214 is mounted between the frame members 200 and 201 at position to engage the transfer member 213 when the transfer member is in its normal or inoperative position as shown in FIGS. 10-12. The repellent fountain 214 may comprise a meta-l receptacle or trough and a sponge member mounted therein for transferring repellent solution from the trough to the transfer member 213. The transfer member 213 is normally retained in the inactive position illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 by means of a torsion spring 215 which is disposed in encompassing relation to a part of the shaft 204, one end of the spring 215 being secured to a fixed collar 216 on the shaft and the other end being secured to the bracket member 212.

A train of gears comprising a drive gear 217, an intermediate or idler gear 218, and a driven gear `219 are located at the right-hand end of the plate-etch applicator 36, as seen in FIG. 10, and are utilized to provide a driving connection between the shaft 204 and the transfer member 213. The drive gear 217 is secured to the shaft 204 for rotation therewith, the intermediate gear 218 is suitably mounted upon the bracket 211, and the end or driven gear `219 is mounted upon the transfer member 213 for rotation therewith. At the same end of the plateetch applicator 36, a cam 221 is positioned to engage the bracket member 211; the cam 221 is aflixed to a suitable shaft 222 journalled in the frame member 201. A handle 223 is mounted on the shaft 222 to rotate the cam 221 between the normal or inactive position and an actuated position in which it engages the bracket member 211 to move the transfer member 213 out of contact with the fountain 214.

As thus far described, the plate-etch applicator 36 is substantially similar to the applicator described and claimed in the aforementioned patent to Janke et al. 2,798,246. Furthermore, operation of the applicator 36 is essentially the same as the applicator described in that patent. Thus, when it is desired to apply a plateetch solution to the planographic master mounted upon the master cylinder 32 (see FIG. 12), the handle 37 is pivoted in a clockwise direction. The pivotal movement of the handle 37 is transmitted to the shaft 204 and hence to the brackets 211 and 212. The driving connection between the handle 37 and the brackets 211 and 212 is such that the angular travel of the brackets about the axis of the shaft 204 is substantially larger than the angular travel of the handle about its pivot member 205. Consequently, movement of the handle 37 through an angular displacement of the order of 45 swings the brackets and the applicator '213 to the position illustrated in phantom outline in FIG. 12 and identified therein by reference numerals 211A and 213A with the transfer member 213 in contact with the surface of the master cylinder 32. With the plate-etch applicator handle held in this position, etching solution is transferred from the transfer mem-ber 213 to the planographic -master on the surface of the cylinder 32 to effect etching of the master. Subsequently, the operator returns the handle 37 to its original position upon completion of the etching operation. The gear train 2171219 is effective to rotate the transfer member 213 by a predetermined amount so that the same surface of the transfer member engages the etching solution fountain 214 and is used in the next subsequent operation of the plate-etch applicator.

The construction of the plate-etch applicator 36 has been modified, as compared with the arrangement described in the Janke et al. Patent No. 2,798,426, by the incorporation therein of three different switch devices. As best shown in FIG. l0, in the sectional portion thereof, the switch 33 is mounted within a knob 225 at the end of the handle 37. This switch is a momentary contact push-button switch of conventional construction and is utilized, as noted hereinabove, to start the printing machine 30. The electrical leads 226 for the switch 38 extend through the tubular handle 37 to afford a means for connecting the switch 38 to the remainder of the control circuit described in detail hereinafter in connection with FIG. 20. The switch 3S is sometimes referred to hereinafter as the .plate-etch handle switch.

A second switch 227 is mounted upon the frame member 200, as best shown in FIG. l1. The switch 227, which is referred to hereinafter as the machine start switch, is provided with an operating arm 228 in position to be engaged by `a switch actuator 229, the switch actuator 229 being pivotal-ly mounted upon the frame member 200. When the handle 37 is pivoted in a clockwise direction from its normal or inactive position, as shown in FIG. l1, to its actuated or etching position, the switch actuator 229 is engaged by the bracket 212. As a consequence the actuator is pivoted in a clockwise direction and engages the switch arm 228, thereby actuating the switch 227. tAs described hereinafter in connection with FIG. 20, it is necessary to actuate both of the switches 38 and 227 in order to initiate automatic operation of the printing machine 30.

The third switch controlled by the plate-etch applicator 36 is actuated in response to rotation of the shaft 204. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, a cam 231 is formed on the end of the shaft 204 on a portion of the shaft which projects outwardly of the frame member 201. The cam 231 is employed to actuate a switch 232, sometimes referred to hereinafter as the sequence start switch, the switch actuating mechanism being illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. This mechanism comprises a cam follower 233 which comprises a crank having a `follower arm 234 in position to engage the cam 231. The other arm 235 of the cam follower crank 233 engages a switch actuating lever 236 which is pivotally mounted upon a switch casing or housing 237. The actuating lever 236 is biased into the engagement with the crank arm 235 by suitable means such as a spring 238.

In FIGS. l2 and 17, the cam 1231 and the cam follower crank 233 are illustrated 4in the normal or unactuated position for these elements. The cam 231 engages the crank arm 234 and holds the crank 233 in the illustrated position, against the biasing force of the spring 238, and the actuating lever 236 is maintained in the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 17. When the handle 37 is pivoted to effect a plate-etching operation, however, the shaft 204 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIGS. l2 and 17. As the shaft 204 rotates, the cam 231 initially 4holds the follower crank 2,33 in its original position; continued rotation of the shaft, however, beyond an angle of approximately moves the cam beyond 13 the end of the follower arm 234 to an extent sufficient to permit limited movement of the crank 233 in a clockwise direction. Consequently, the actuating lever 236 moves to an alternate position 236A (FIG. 17), permitting the switch arm 239 to move outwardly of the switch 232.

The sequence starting switch 232 is not actuated by this initial movement of the switch arm 239, however. Rather, the switch selected for this part of the machine is one which is closed momentarily as the switch arm is moved back toward its original position. Switches of this kind are well known in the art; for example, a conventional switch having a fold-over linger or toggle arrangement for the arm 239 may be employed. Thus, the switch 232 is actuated only upon release and return movement of the handle 37 toward its original or inactive position. Upon such return movement, the shaft 204 is rotated in a clockwise direction back toward the position of FIGS. 12 and 17, the cam 231 engages the arm 234 and rotates the follower counterclockwise to its original position, the lever 236 is driven from position 236A back to its original position, and the switch arm 239 is restored to its initial position. Preferably, the switch arrangement is such that the switch 232 is actuated with the handle 37 approximately midway between its extreme operating and inactive positions, but this is not a particularly critical matter so long as the switch is closed momentarily at some point during return movement of the handle. It is the closing of the switch 232 which initiates the automatic sequential operation of the printing machine 30, including those operations which control application of repellent solution to the master on the cylinder 32, inking of the master, cleaning of the blanket, feeding of paper, and all of the other operations carried out by the machine.

Repellent Solution Applicator The construction and operation of the repellent solution 4applicator 39 can be best understood by reference to the perspective views of FIGS. 2, 3.and 9 and the detail views of FIGS. 13 and 14. `In general, the mechanical arrangement of the repellent applicator 39 is substantially :similar to repellent application units which are well known in the art and have been in commercial use for some time. Consequently, only a brief description is provided herein with respect to the repellent applicator per se. On the other hand, the control mech-anism for the re'- pellent applicator comprises a substantial feature of the present invention, and this aspect of the applicator 39 is described in greater detail hereinafter.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame members 202 and 203 which comprise the upper head portion of ythe printing head 31 are pivotally mounted upon the lower machine frame members 242 and 243. The upper head of the rmachine includes the master cylinder 32, the inking system 33 and the plate-etch applicator 36 of the machine. The repellent `solution applicator 39 is also mounted upon the upper head of the printing machine and comprises a pair of frame members 245 and 246 which lare connected to each other by suitable tie rods :and shafts such as the connector rod 247. The frame for the repellent applicator 39, comprising the two frame members 245 and 246, is pivotally mounted upon a shaft 248 which extends transversely of the printing head 31 between the two main frame members 202 and 293. In operation, the entire repellent `applicator unit 39 is pivoted about lthe shaft 248 between van initial or inactive position and `an active position, as described in detail hereinafter.

The repellent solution applicator 39 comprises a series of rollers which form a repellent application t-rain and which are mounted in the applicator frame 245, 246. The roller arrangement employed in the present instance is generally illustrated in FIG. 13, `although the mounting details for the rollers and the drive arrangement therefor are not shown, since these are substantially conventional in character and construction. Thus, `the repellent application train comprises a fountain roll 251, a ductor roll 252, a distributing roll 253 and Ia repellent form roll 254. In operation, the ductor roll 52 is moved back and forth between the fountain roll 51 and the distributing roll 253 by a conventional mechanism, the oscillating mechanism for the ductor roll not being illustrated in the drawings. The repellent form roll 254 is positioned to engage the outer surface of the master cyinder 32 to apply a repellent solution thereto during operation of the printing machnie.

` An operating lever or cam yfollower lever 255 is rigidly affixed to the repellent applicator frame member 246 by suitable means 'such as `a pair of screws 256, as best shown in FIG. 13. A similar cam follower lever 257 is affixed to the frame member 245 on the opposite side of the machine by similar means such as the screws 258, portions of the cam follower lever 257 being visible in the perspective view of FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 13, a biasing spring 259 is connected to 'the lower end of the lever 255 and biases the' lever 246 toward rotation in a counterclockwise `direction about the shaft 248. A similar biasing spring 260 is connected to the lower end of the lever 257 (see FIG. 9) and tends to bias that lever in a clockwise direction about 'the shaft 248. Thus, the two ` springs 259 and 260 conjointly tend to tip the entire repellent solution applicator about the shaft 248 and lift tbe repellent form roll 254 `out of contact with the master cylinder 32 (see FIG. 13). Stated differently, the springs 259 and 260 tend to maintain `the repellent solution applicator in an inactive position in which the form roll 254 does not contact the master cylinder 32 and, accordingly, no repellent solution is applied to the master cylinder.

The printing head 31 of the printing machine 30 includes a master control shaft 262 which extends transversely of the upper head of the machine and is journalled in sui-table bearings in the frame members 202 and 203. The shaft 262 extends outwardly of the two frame members and a pair of cams 264 and 265 are mounted thereon, as shown in FIG. 14. The two cams 264 and 265 are similar in configuration, the shape of the cams being illustrated by the cam 264 as shown in FIG. 13. The cam 264 engages a cam follower roller 266 which is mounted upon the lever 255, the roller 266 being maintained in the engagement with the cam 264 by the biasing action of the spring 259. A similar arrangement is employed on the opposite side of the machine; because the cam follower structures are substantially identical, only the one has been shown. As indicated in FIG. 13, the cam follower 266 is normally poistioned in engagement with a reduced diameter or dwell portion 267 on the cam 264 when the repellent solution applicator 39 is not being used. With the cam and the cam follower in the position shown in FIG. 13, the form roll 254 is displaced from the periphery of the master cylinder 32 as a result of the biasing action afforded by the springs 259 and 260.

To actuate the repellent solution applicator 39, the control shaft 262 is rotated through a minor arc in 4a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 13). When this is done, a lobe portion 268 on lthe cam 264 engages the cam follower roller 266 and pivots the lever 255 in a counterclockwise direction about the shaft 248, against the bias force exerted by the spring 259. The same action is effected by the cam 265 on the opposite side of the machine. As a consequence, the repellent applicator un-it 39 is pivoted about the shaft 248, bringing the repellent form roll 254 `downwardly into engagement with the master cylinder 32 and initiating application of repellent solution to the lithographie master on the 'niaster cylinder. The pivotal -movement of Ithe applicator 39 is relatively small, since it is only necessary to separate the form roll from the master cylinder by an extremely small distance. Actuation of .the repellent applicator, as de-

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