US3119327A

US3119327A - Printing press construction

Info

Publication number: US3119327A
Application number: US207925A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph A Pidgeon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-07-06
Filing date: 1962-07-06
Publication date: 1964-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1981-01-28
Also published as: GB971860A

Description

Jan. 28, 1964 J. A. PIDGEON 3,119,327

PRINTING PRESS CONSTRUCTION Filed July 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Jose 1110A. Piageozz/ mefa m ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1964 J. A. PIDGEON 3,

PRINTING PRESS CONSTRUCTION Filed July 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Shet 2 IN V EN TOR.

ATTQRNEYS United States Patent 3,113,327 PRlNTING PRESS CONSTRUCTION Joseph A. Pidgeon, 259 W. 16th St., Salem, Ohio Filed July 6, 1962, Ser. No. 207,925 15 Claims. (Cl. 101-240) My invention relates to improvements in printing press construction, and more specifically to printing presses of the type wherein a series of items are printed in predetermined sequence each having difierent material printed thereon. Even more specifically, my invention relates to such sequence printing press constructions wherein, by certain novel innovations, the size of the overall mechnisrn is greatly reduced and simplified, both for accomplishing the printing operation, as well as gathering in sequence and conveyin the finished printed items.

There are many occasions in the printing industry wherein it is necessary to print a series of items, such as the various pages of bulletins or the various weekly church collection envelopes, With each item having different printed material thereon. in such instances, it is necessary that the final printed bulletins or group of church envelopes will be in a given proper sequential order, such as the numbered pages of a bulletin or the various sequentially dated church envelopes.

One prior means of providing such printed items or material has been to print each of the various items required in the final sequence individually, after which, either by collating machines or human labor, these various printed items are collated into stacks of proper number and proper sequence. In the case of church collection envelopes, as well as many other printed items, there is the additional requirement that each of the printed items in a properly collated group will further include the name and address of a particular church member, so that by this prior method, after the particular group of envelopes have been collated into a stack of proper size and order, whether for each of the weeks of a given month or all of the weeks of a single year, it is then necessary to print the name and address of the particular member on each of the printed items by usual addressing machines.

In order to reduce time and labor costs, specially constructed printing presses have been provided solely for use in printing in sequence a series of such items. In this case, considering for instance, church collection envelopes, envelope blanks will be fed to a particular construction of printing press.

The particular form of printing press includes a concentric rotating printing cylinder arranged for various technical reasons to print once for each revolution circumscribed by belts or chm'ns, with the belts or chains having a series of spaced printing plates mounted thereon. The belts or chains mounting the printing plates are of considerably greater length than the circumference of the printing cylinder and the plates are positioned on the belts with the space from one plate to the next equal exactly to the circumference of the printing cylinder.

Thus, each time the printing cylinder makes one complcte revolution, it will pick up the next printing plate on the belts or chains and in every case at the same predetermined location on the printing cylinder. With this construction and further by providing the usual inking and impression roller at predetermined set locations as Well as by arranging the printing plates on the belts in proper sequence, it is possible to feed the envelopes to be printed to the printing press and these envelopes will be sequentimly printed with the proper printed matter thereon. Each group of printed envelopes is then collected as a group from the printing press and is placed in storage.

Thereafter, these groups of printed envelopes may be removed from storage as required for use. Furthermore,

each of the entire groups of envelopes, or portions thereof, at a later time may be removed from storage and addressed by usual addressing machines as required.

It is obvious that in this construction of printing press, it is necessary to provide the belts or chains mounting and carrying the printing plates to the printing cylinder of a length which is an exact multiple of the circumference of the printing cylinder as determined by the total number of plates, so that even where only four or five envelopes are to be printed in sequence, it is necessary to have the chains or belts carrying the printing plates of considerable length. Furthermore, Where the number of envelopes in each group is greater, the length of the belts or chains be comes so great as to be an extreme problem.

Various modifications have been attempted in the latter printing press construction in order to reduce the lengths of the belts or chains carrying the printing plates in order to reduce the space required for the overall printing press constriction. All of these prior attempts, however, have been impractical or extremely complicated.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide a printing press construction of the foregoing type for printing one item for each revolution of the printing cylinder which eliminates certain of the dis advantages and difiiculties and solves certain of the problems of the prior construction discussed above.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a printing press construction of the foregoing type for printing one item for each revolution of the printing cylinder in which the belts or chains carrying the printing plates will properly position each of the printing plates in sequence on a predetermined location or printing station of the printing cylinder, so that a different plate will be properly positioned for each revolution of the printing cylinder until all of the plates have accomplished the proper printing function, While still reducing the lengths of the belts or chains to less than that formerly required in the prior constructions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a printing press construction of the foregoing type for printing one item for each revolution of the printing cylinder and with a reduced length of the belts or chains while still maintaining the quality of the printing at a maximum.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a printing press construction of the foregoing type for printing one item for each revolution of the printing cylinder in which the lengths of the belts or chains may be greatly reduced from that previously required while still maintaining the overall construction of maximum simplified form.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a printing press construction of the foregoing type for printing one item for each revolution of the printing cylinder in which a novel gathering means is positioned directly following the printing cylinder and operably regulated with the printing cylinder for receiving the printed matter directly from the printing cylinder, automatically inverting the printed matter for visual inspection purposes, and stacking the printed matter in predetermined size stacks corresponding to the total number of printing plates mounted on the belts or chains.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing press construction of the foregoing type for printing one item for each revolution of the printing cylinder which satisfies all of the above objects in a relatively simple and efficient manner and may be constructed at a minimum of expense.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and subcom binati'ons comprising the present invention, a preferred embodiment of whichillustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles'is set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and which is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming a part hereof.

In general terms, the printing press construction of the present invention may be stated as including an eccentric rotatable printing cylinder having a printing location or station at the maximum eccentricity thereof, and having a circumference of predetermined length. Further, endless belt means in the form of chains or belts are mounted around the printing cylinder mounting a series of printing plates at equally spaced points over the length of the belt means, with the length of the belt means being at least one plate spacing greater than the circumference of the printing cylinder and not greater than one plate spacing less than the total number of plates multiplied by the circumference of the printing cylinder.

Still further, the circumference of the printing cylinder is in length an exact multiple more than one of the plate spacing so that a printing plate is always located at the printing location for every rotation of the printing cylinder, and the relationship of the circumference of the printing cylinder and the spacing between successive printing plates and the number of printing plates is such that each printing plate will rotate with the printing cylinder at the printing location in a predetermined order or sequence prior to any printing plate being located at said printing location more than once. Also, the usual inking roll and impression roll are mounted at set locations relative to the printing cylinder so that only the particular printing plate at the printing location or station on the printing cylinder may contact these inking and impression rolls.

The optimum condition is that the belt means will have a length exactly equal to the circumference of the printing cylinder plus one plate spacing. With this preferred form, the printing plates will be sequentially positioned at the printing location or station on the printing cylinder and sequentially perform the printing operation in the exact succession these printing plates are mounted on the belt means.

Furthermore, for optimum printing results, in view of the fact that the printing cylinder is rotating eccentrically, it is preferred that the outer surfaces of the printing plates, that is, the printing surfaces thereof, will be formed on an arc generated by a radius from the true center of rotation of the printing cylinder. Thus, the printing surfaces of the printing plates, when these printing plates are located at the printing location or station, being on a radius from the true center of rotation of the printing cylinder will contact the inking and impression rolls throughout the circumferential lengths of the plate printing surfaces.

Additionally, the printing press construction includes gathering and stacking means for receiving printed items from the printing cylinder, preferably automatically inverting these printing items for visual inspection purposes, and stacking these printed items in stacks of a number equal to the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means. This stacking means also includes automatic release means for automatically releasing a stack of printed items when this stack has reached the predetermined total number, so that the various stacks as they are gathered or built may be conveyed away from the location of the gathering means.

By way of example, an embodiment of the printing press construction comprising the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of the printing press construction of the present invention;

FIG. 2is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing various 4- elements of the printing press construction in another position from that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the various elements of the printing press construction in still another position from that of- FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a fragmentary top plan view, with parts broken away and parts in section, showing the printing cylinder, the belt means and a printing plate holder with a portion of one of the usual printing plates mounted thereon;

FIG. 5 a sectional view, part in elevation, looking in the direction of the arrows 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 a fragmentary side elevation, with parts broken away and parts in section, showing the gathering and stacking means of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 a fragmentary front elevation of the gathering and stacking means.

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the overall printing press construction of the present invention is shown in various positions of operation and includes an eccentric rotatable printing cylinder, generally indicated at 10, and endless belt means, generally indicated at 11, mounting a series of spaced printing plates, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Further, the printing press construction includes a usual rotatable inking roll 16, a usual rotatable impression roll 17, feed conveyor means, generally indicated at 18, feed rolls, generally indicated at 19, receiving rolls, generally indicated at 20, gathering and stacking means, generally indicated at 21, and stack conveyor means, generally indicated at 22.

The printin cylinder 11) is mounted on a shaft 23 with the center 24 of the printing cylinder being offset a predetermined amount from the center 25 of shaft 23, so that the printing cylinder 16 is eccentrically rotatable. Furthermore, in view of the eccentric rotation of the printing cylinder 10, a printing station or location 26 is provided on the printing cylinder at the maximum eccentricity of this printing cylinder, such maximum eccentricity being indicated by the broken line 27.

The belt means 11, mounting the

printing plates

12, 13, 14 and 15. surrounds printing cylinder 10 and is rotatable therewith. This belt means 11 mounts the

various printing plates

12, 13, 14 and 15 at equally spaced points thereon, with the total length of the belt means being at least one plate spacing greater than the circumference of the printing cylinder 10, and with the circumference of the printing cylinder being in length an exact multiple of the plate spacing, in the particular case shown, exactly three plate spacings.

Thus, in the particular embodiment of the printing press construction of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there are four

printing plates

12, 13, 14 and 15 mounted on the belt means 11, the total circumference of the printing cylinder 10 is exactly three plate spacings, and the total length of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing more than the circumference of the printing cylinder. Rotatable idler means, generally indicated at 28, is mounted spaced from the printing cylinder 19 with the belt means 11 being engaged over idler means 28 for maintaining the belt means tensioned and properly rotatable exactly with the printing cylinder.

In view of the eccentric rotation of the printing cylinder 10, the idler means 28 is mounted on a pivotal mounting bar 29, which mounting bar is positioned outside the idler means and is resiliently urged away from the printing cylinder by the spring 30, so that the idler means 28 can move with the eccentricity of the printing cylinder while still maintaining the belt means 11 properly tensioned.

Still further, the positioning of the belt means 11 relative to the printing cylinder 10 is such that when the printing station 26 on the rotating printing cylinder 10 is located for contact by the belt means 11 there will always be one of the printing plates 12 through 15 located at this printing station 26 and moving around with the printing cylinder at this maximum eccentricity point on the printing cylinder circumference where the printing station is located.

The usual inking roll 16 and usual impression roll 17 are mounted rotatable at fixed locations relative to the center 25 of the shaft 23 mounting the printing cylinder and these rolls are of proper size and located at proper distances so that they are contacted by the particular printing plate 12 through located at the printing station 26 on printing cylinder 1! when this station passes these rolls during rotation of the printing cylinder. In view of the eccentric rotation of the printing cylinder 10, only the particular printing plate 12 through 15 located at the printing station 26 will contact the inking roll 16 and impression roll 17 and the other three of the printing plates 12 through 15 on this particular rotation of the printing cylinder will be spaced inwardly from and not contacting these rolls.

For example, in FIG. 1, printing plate 12 is contacting and being inked by the inking roll 16 since this printing plate is at the printing station 26 on the printing cylinder 10. At the same time, printing plate 13 has just passed beneath the impression roll 17 spaced therefrom by virtue of the eccentricity of cylinder 10, while printing

plates

14 and 15 are spaced at various locations from the outer circumference of the printing cylinder 10 and toward the idler means 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printing cylinder 10 has rotated approximately one-quarter of a turn from the position shown in FIG. 1 and the printing plate 12 at the printing station 26 is now bearing against the impression roll 17 for accomplishing the printing operation. At the same time, printing plate 13 is just leaving the outer circumference of the printing cylinder, printing plate 14 is spaced from the printing cylinder at the idler means 28, and printing plate 15 has just contacted the printing cylinder circumference approaching the location of the inking roll 16, but will pass this inking roll spaced therefrom.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printing cylinder 10 has rotated just short of one complete revolution from the position shown in FIG. 1, and the printing plate 12 which performed the printing function at the position of FIG. 2, has now left the circumference of the printing cylinder and is at the idler means 28. At the same time, the next printing plate 13 has just contacted the printing cylinder circumference and is being located at the printing station 26, while the printing plate 14 is passing beneath the impression roll 17 spaced therefrom, and the printing plate 15 is just leaving the printing cylinder circumference.

Thus, on the next rotation of the printing cylinder 10 from the position shown in FIG. 3, the printing plate 13 will contact both the inking roll 16 and impression roll 17 performing the printing function, while the remainder of the printing plates will remain spaced from these rolls. In this manner, each of the

printing plates

12, 13, 14 and 15 is picked up in sequence at the printing station 26 on the printing cylinder 10, a different printing plate for each revolution of the printing cylinder, and the particular printing plate at the printing station will perform the printing function, while the remainder of the printing plates remain out of contact with either the inking roll 16 or impression roll 17.

In view of the fact that the printing cylinder 10 is eccentrically rotatable, as provided by the printing cylinder center 24 being offset from the shaft center 25, for optimum printing results, it is preferred that the outer surfaces 66 of the printing plates 12 through 15 will be on a circumferential are generated by a radius, indicated by the broken line 67 in FIGS. 1 and 2, from the true center of rotation of the printing cylinder, which would be the axis or center of rotation of the shaft 23.

Thus, these printing plate outer surfaces 66, when a particular printing plate is located at the printing station 26, will perfectly match the surfaces of the inking and impression rolls 16 and 17 over the entire circumferential lengths of these plate outer surfaces, despite the fact that these printing plates are traveling on and with the outer surface of the eccentrically rotatable printing cylinder 10.

It is also preferred, despite the fact that the outer surfaces 66 of the printing plates 12 through 15 are on arcs generated by the radius 67 from the true center of rotation of the printing cylinder 10, that the printing cylinder will be perfectly circular, in which case, in order for the inner circumferential surfaces 68 of the printing plates 12 through 15 to match the outer surface of the printing cylinder, these inner plate surfaces 68 will be on a circumferential are generated by a radius, indicated by the broken lines 69 in FIGS. 1 and 2, from the actual center 24 of the printing cylinder.

Thus, in this manner, the outer plate surfaces 66 will perfectly match and evenly contact the inking and impression rolls 16 and 17 when a particular plate is located at the printing station 26 on the printing cylinder 10, while at the same time, at every occasion of contact of the printing plates with the printing cylinder, the inner plate surfaces 68 will perfectly match the outer circumference of the printing cylinder.

Rather than provide the outer circumference of the printing cylinder perfectly circular and the plate inner surfaces 68 matching, it is possible to accomplish the same thing by forming both the plate outer and

inner surfaces

66 and 68 from arcs generated by radii from the true center of rotation of the printing cylinder, that is, the axis or center of rotation of the shaft 23, and provide the outer surface of the printing cylinder 10 at the printing station 26 with a matching surface also generated by a radius from the true center of rotation.

The important thing is, for optimum results, that the plate outer surfaces 66 will be on a circumferential are generated by a radius from the true center of rotation in order that these plate outer surfaces may evenly contact the inking and impression rolls 16 and 17 which are mounted at fixed centers. As stated, this is the optimum printing condition and this is particularly true where the matter to be printed by the printing plates extends over a relatively large circumferential length of the printing cylinder.

In the case where the circumferential length of the printed matter is relatively short, or where relatively large diameter inking and impression rolls 16 and 17 are used as compared to the size of the printing cylinder 10, or where there is required only a relatively small eccentricity of the printing cylinder 10, or where the resiliency of sponginess or the inking and impression rolls 16 and 17 may be increased, it is possible to approach the optimum printing results without forming the plate outer surfaces on this arc generated by a radius from the true center of rotation. Obviously, all of these factors will affect the contact between the printing plate outer surfaces which accomplish the printing and the inking and impression rolls 16 and 17 which must cooperate with these plate outer surfaces in the printing operation.

The particular relationship between the total length of the belt means 11 and the circumference of the printing cylinder 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, that is, the length of the belt means exactly one plate spacing greater than the circumference of the printing cylinder, is also the optimum condition according to the principles of the present invention, since with this particular relationship, the length of the belt means is at a minimum. Where there are greater numbers of plates on the belt means, however, in most cases it is possible to accomplish or derive certain of the benefits of the present invention while still having the belt means of greater length Certain of the broader requirements of the present invention have been stated above, that is, the total length of the belt means must be at least one plate spacing greater than the circumference of the printing cylinder, and the circumference of the printing cylinder must be an exact multiple of the plate spacing.

Further requirements, considering the present invention from the broad standpoint, are that the total length of the belt means must not be greater than one plate spacing less than the circumference of the printing cylinder multiplied by the total number of printing plates. Also, the relationship of the circumference of the printing cylinder, the length of the individual plate spacings, and the number of printing plates must be such that each printing plate will rotate with the printing cylinder at the printing station in a predictable predetermined order or sequence prior to any printing plate being located at the printing station. more than once.

Obviously, the total length of the belt means, may not be greater than one plate spacing less than the circumference of the printing cylinder multiplied by the total number of printing plates if there is to be any belt means length reduction advantage to the present invention. If the total length of the belt is equal to the circumference of the printing cylinder multiplied by the total number of printing plates, there is no need to mount the printing cylinder eccentrically rotatable, since only one printing plate would travel around with the printing cylinder for each revolution and there would be no savings in the length of'the belt means.

Furthermore, the construction must be such that each printing plate will perform the printing function at least once prior to any of the printing plates performing this function more than once in order that each cycle produces a complete predetermined set of printed matter. Also, these plates must perform the printing function in the same predictable predetermined order or sequence every cycle in order that each set of printed matter will be in exactly the same order, and also so that the printing plates may be originally set up or positioned on the belt means to produce the set of printed matter in the predetermined order desired.

To illustrate the application of the broad principles of the present invention, Table A is set forth below listing examples of the number of printing plates related to lengths of belt means to produce sequences of printing by the printing plates according to the principles of the present invention. This listing in Table A is not intended to be complete, but only sets forth a reasonable number of examples to illustrate the principles of. the present invention.

As shown in Table A, the first column from the left isthe total number of printing plates on the belt means, the second column is the total length of the belt means in units of printing cylinder circumference, the third column is the total length of the belt means set forth in the number of plate spacings greater than the circumference of the printing cylinder, and the fourth or righthand column is the order in which the printing plates will print, numbering the printing plates 1, 2, 3, etc., in the exact order these printing plates are positioned along the belt means.

By way of further explanation of Table A, consider the example that the total number of plates on the belt means is according to the principles of the present invention set forth-inthe foregoing, the beltrneans may be one plate spacing in length greater than the circumference of the printing cylinder (1% times the printing cylinder circumference) or may be two plate spacings greater than the circumference of the printing cylinder (1 /3 times the printing cylinder circumference). In the first case, the printing plate will perform the printing function in the exact sequence as they appear on the belt means and then repeat in the same order, while in the second case, they will perform the printing function in the sequence of the first, third, fifth, etc., as shown, and then repeat in the same order.

Thus, in each of the cases shown in Table A, the total length of the belt means is not greater than one plate spacing less than the circumference of the printing cylinder multiplied by the total number of printing plates, so that in each case it is possible to reduce the length of the belt means to less than has been heretofore possible.

Furthermore, in each of the cases illustrated in Table A, the relationship of the circumference of the printing cylinder, the length of the individual plate spacings and the number of printing plates is such that each printing plate will rotate with the printing cylinder at the printing station and thereby perform the printing function in a predictable sequence, with no printing plate repeating until all of the printing plates have printed, after which the. printing plates repeat in the identical order or sequence.

The items 31 to be printed may be fed to the printing cylinder 10 and impression roll 17 in the usual manner, such as the usual feed conveyor means 18, which may include the usual conveyor belt or belts 32 movable, on the conveyor pulley 33. Furthermore, these items 31 to be printed, upon leaving the conveyor belt 32, pass between the usual feed rolls 19, from which they are fed in proper timed relationship in the usual manner directly to and between the

particular printing plates

12, 13, 14 or 15 and the impression roll 17.

Upon being printed, the items 31 then pass directly between the usual receiving rolls 20, and from there are fed into the unique gathering and stacking means 21 of the present invention. At the gathering and stacking means and immediately from the receiving rolls 20, the items 31 are received in the inverting means, generally indicated at 34, in FIG. 1, and this inverting means is preferably formed by a pair of axially aligned and spaced inverting discs 35.

Inverting discs 35 are provided with the aligned receiving slots 36 and these inverting discs are mounted on the common shaft 37, which shaft is rotatable in timed relationship in the usual manner to the remainder of the printing press construction, so that the receiving slots 36 are. directed substantially.horizontally, opening toward the. receiving rolls 20, when one of the items 31 passes therethrough. Thus, the particular item 31 leaving the receiving rolls 20 enters the receiving slots 36 of the inverting. discs 35, as shown in broken lines in FIG, 1, after which the continued clockwise rotation of the inverting discs 35, as shown in FIG. 1, causes the particular item 31 to rotate with these inverting discs and to be inverted or turned with the printed material thereon facing up, reversed from the position during printing.

At thesame time, as the particular item 31 completes its invertingmotion, this item is engaged by the stack positioning means, generally. indicated at 38, of the gathering and stacking means 21, which stack positioning means gathers and positions the items 31 in stacks of predetermined order and number. This positioning means 38 basically includes the generallyvertically extending axially spaced stationary stop members 39' and the generally vertically extending generally L-shaped cross-section releasable stop member 40, all of which will be hereinafter described more in detail,

As the inverting discs 35, with the'particular item 31 engaged in the receiving slots 36 thereof, rotate'by the stationary stop members 39, the leading end of the item 31 is engaged by these stationary stop members 39 and 9 the trailing end of item 31 is engaged by the releasable stop member 40, thereby removing this particular item 31 from the inverting discs 35 and positioning item 31 between the stationary and

releasable stop members

39 and 40, as shown in FIG. 1.

After a stack of items 31 of predetermined order and number has been gathered between the stationary and

releasable stop members

39 and 40, the releasable stop member 40 is automatically moved to a released position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, by means to be hereinafter described, and this movement to released posit-ion disengages the trailing ends of the stack of items 31 so that these items drop fully downwardly onto the stack conveyor means 22.

Stack conveyor means 22 is formed by the usual conveyor belt or belts 41 and the usual pulleys 42, which conveyor belts 41 move the stack of items 31 immediately away from the location of the gathering and stacking means 21, or to the right as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a preferred form of printing cylinder 10 and belt means 11 are shown. As shown in FIG. 4, the printing cylinder 10 may be formed by the substantially identical axially spaced and opposed sprocket members 43, each having the outer flanged edge portions 44 and the inwardly directed reduced portions 45. The sprocket members 43 are eccentrically mounted perfectly aligned and axially spaced on the rotatable printing cylinder 10.

Furthermore, each of the sprocket members 43- is provided with the usual sprocket teeth 46 which engage the belt means 11 in the form of the endless chains 47 in the usual manner, so that upon rotation of the sprocket members 43, the chains 47 must move precisely therewith.

The printing plates 12 through 15 are mounted between and movable with the chains 47 and printing cylinder 10 by the plate holders, generally indicated at 48, with these plate holders being formed by the mounting segments 49 and the printing plate shoe 50. The mounting segments 49 are positioned at either end of the printing plate shoe 50 so that each segment 49 is adjacent one of the chains 47. Furthermore, the segments 49 and shoe 50 are maintained assembled with the chains 47 by the rods 51, which rods extend completely through the segments and shoe and are secured at the joining points of links on the chains 47.

As previously pointed out, for optimum printing results, it is preferred to form the circumferential plate outer surfaces 66 on an are generated from the true center of rotation of the printing cylinder 10, which would be the center of rotation of the shaft 23.

In the particular construction shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plate inner surfaces (not shown), as well as the inner and outer surfaces of the plate holder 48, including the mounting segments 49 and printing plate shoes 50, may be formed on circumferential arcs generated from the actual center of the sprocket members 43, so that the plate inner surfaces will conform to the outer surfaces of the plate holders and the inner surfaces of the plate holders will, in turn, conform to the outer surfaces of the sprocket members.

Again, the same results can be accomplished in this particular construction by forming the inner surfaces of the printing plates 12 through 15 on a radius generated from the true center of rotation of sprocket members 43, which would require the outer surfaces of at least the printing plate shoes 50 to likewise be formed on radii generated from this true center of rotation, while the inner surfaces of the mounting segments 49' and the printing plate shoes would be formed on radii generated from the actual center of the sprocket members 43 when the outer surfaces of these sprocket members are perfectly circular.

The important point is, as has been hereinbefore pointed out, that for optimum results, the printing plate outer surfaces 66 should be formed on circumferential arcs gen- 10 erated from the true center of rotation in order to provide even uniform contact with the inking and impression rolls which, as previously described, are at set locations during the printing operation.

In order for the chains 47 to mount the plate holders 48 and still be capable of conforming to the relatively large dimensions of the printing cylinder 10 as Well as the small dimensions of the idler means 28, and the necessity of virtually straightening out therebetween, these plate holders 48 are mounted on the chains 47 to permit some flexibility for movement of these chains. This is accomplished by mounting one of the rods 51 in

oblong openings

52 and 53 extending through the mounting segments 49 and printing plate shoe 50, respectively, whereas the other rod 51 may be mounted in

circular openings

54 and 55 through the mounting segments and shoe, respective-ly.

Thus, the

oblong openings

52 and 53 permit necessary movement of the one rod 51 for the flexibility required in movement of the chains 47 around the printing cylinder 10, the idler means 2.8 and therebetween. At the same time, the other rod 5 1 in the

circular openings

54 and 55 will maintain the plate holder 48 in a perfect constant position relative to the chains 47 and thus the printing cylinder 10, as required for properly accomplishing the printing operations hereinbefore described.

The printing cylinder 10 may be rotated in proper timed relationship to the other elements of the printing press construction in the usual manner. Further, the printing plates 12 through 15 are mounted on the particular late holders 48 in the usual manner, a segment of plate 12 being shown in FIG. 4.

Finally, although it is preferred to form the printing cylinder 10 by the sprocket members 43 and the belt means 11 by the chains 47 as shown, it is obvious that other arrangements could be used for maintaining the proper relative movement between the printing cylinder 10 and the belt means 11, and all such means are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 the gathering and stacking means 21 is shown more in detail. As previously described, the rotatable shaft 37 mounts the axially spaced inverting discs 35, which inverting discs are maintained rigidly spaced and aligned by the tie rod 56.

Shaft 37 is rotated for in turn rotating the inverting discs 35 in timed relationship to the rotation of the printing cylinder 10 in the usual manner, so that when one of the printed items 31 is received from the printing cylinder 10 through the receiving rolls 20, these inverting discs 35 are properly positioned for receiving the printed item 31 into the receiving slots 36. Thereafter, continued rotation of shaft 37 and inverting discs 35, counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 6, will deposit the particular printed item 31 in the stack positioning means 38.

As shown, the stack positioning means 38 is formed by the spaced stationary stop members 39 and the releasable stop member 49. The stationary stop members 39 are generally L-shaped, secured to the support member 57 of the stack conveyor means 22, and having the vertically upstanding portions as shown positioned beneath the inverting discs 35, but these stationary stop members are properly spaced to permit the rotation of the inverting discs therebetween, as best seen in FIG. 7.

It should be noted, as indicated by the broken line positioning of the inverting discs35 in FIG. 6, that as these inverting discs pass between the stationary stop members 39, the receiving slots 36 thereof are positioned below the upper ends of the stationary stop members, so that a printed item 31 positioned in these slots and extending between and at either side of' the inverting discs will be wiped or removed from these slots merely by engagement of the stationary stop members with the leading end of the particular item 31 combined with the continued rotation of the inverting discs. At the same time, the trailing end of the particular item 31 is engaged by the 1 1 releasable stop member 40, which releasable stop member is formed by the generally vertically extending support arms. 58 attached at their upper ends to the pivotal support rod 59 and attached at their lower ends to the generally horizontally extending L-shaped cross-section holding flange 6t).

Thus, as the printed items 31 are rotated or inverted by the inverting discs 35, these printed items are received between the stationary stop members 39 and the releasable stop member 40, and retained in an angled position between these stop members, as shown in FIG. 6, with the leading ends adjacent the stationary stop members 39 and the trailing ends adjacent and retained by the L- shaped cross-section holding flange 60 of the releasable stop member 40. Since these printed items 31 were originally printed on the lower surfaces thereof, and received and inverted by the inverting discs 35, these printed items are positioned in the stack with the lower surfaces facing upwardly, so that the printed material thereon faces upwardly.

Still further, as shown in FIG. 6, the leading end of the printed item 31 which is at the bottom of the lowermost stack being built between

stop members

39 and 40, rests on the conveyor belts 41 of the stack conveyor means 22, but the printed items in this particular stack cannot be moved by the stack conveyor means 22, since the trailing ends of these printed items are still retained by the releasable stop member 40. Thus, at this point, although the conveyor belts 41 of the stack conveyor 22 continue to move, the leading end of the lowermost of the printed items 31 remains stationary and there is a sliding effect therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 7, the L-shaped cross-section holding flange 6% of the releasable stop member 40 is formed with a laterally extending cam engagement portion 61 which extends laterally outwardly to overlie the stack release means, generally indicated at 62 and shown in FIGS. 6 and'7. This stack release means 62 may include a rotatable sprocket 63 mounted for rotating a cam release member 64, with the rotation of the sprocket and cam release member being provided by the chain 65. Chain 65 is operably connected to the printing cylinder 10 in proper timed relationship so that the cam release member 64, which is positioned underlying the cam engagement portion 61 of the releasable stop member holding flange 60, will engage this cam engagement portion at the proper intervals, as will be hereinafter set forth.

As viewed in FIG. 6, the cam release member 64 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 6, when this cam release member 64' engages the cam engagement portion 61 of the releasable stop member holding flange 60, in view of the pivotal mounting of the releasable stop member 40, this releasable stop member will be pivoted in a clockwise direction, so that the holding flange 60 will be disengaged from and release the trailing ends of the printed items 31, permitting these printed items to drop fully downwardly onto the conveyor belts 41 of the stack conveyor means 22.

As the cam release member 64 continues to rotate counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 6, it will finally disengage the releasable stop member 40, permitting this releasable stop member to pivot in a counterclockwise direction back to its normal holding position, shown in full lines in FIG. 6, while at the same time, the stack of printed items which has just been released, passes benea-th this releasable stop member 40 on the conveyor belts 41 and is carried away from the location of this gathering and stacking means 21. l

The movement of the cam release member 64 is properly timed in relationship to the movement of the printing cylinder 10 and the particular number of printing plates on the belt means 11, in this case four printing plates 12 through 15, so that when the first printing plate 12 is approaching the printing station 26 on the printing cylinder 10 ready to print the first in the series of printed 12 items 31, this cam release member 64 will have just released the releasable stop member 40, permitting this releasable stop member to pivot back to its stack building or holding position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 6.

Further, the counterclockwise rotation of the cam release member 64 is perfectly regulated and timed so that this cam release member 64 will engage the cam engagement portion 61 of the releasable stop member 40, just after the last of the printed items 31 has been printedby the last printing plate in the series, in this case by printing plate 15, and this last printed item 31 has been received and positioned at the top of the particular stack between the stationary stop members 39 and the releasable stop member 40.

Thus, each stack of the printed items 31 built between the stationary and

releasable stop members

39 and 40 will include one each of the printed items 31 printed in order by a single printing of each of the total number of printing plates in the series and these printed items will be stacked in perfect order. Further, when a stack is complete, this stack is automatically released and carried away by the stack conveyor means 22, so that the building of the next stack, again in perfect order and sequence, can begin.

The movement of the cam release member 64 must be in proper timed relationship to the number of printing plates on the belt means 11 in order for each stack to contain the proper number of printed items 31. In the particular case illustrated, each stack will contain four of the printed items 31, since there are four printing plates 12 through 15 on the belt means 11, but where other numbers of printing plates are provided, the movement of the cam release member 64 may be changed in theusual manner by use of different sprockets, chains or gearing, and such changes are contemplated within the principles of the present invention.

In operation of the printing press construction of the present invention and taking as an example this'printing press construction being set up for printing a series of church collection envelopes having four different envelopes in each series to correspond, for instance, to the four different weeksin a month, these envelopes in blank form may be addressed by a usual addressing machine. In this case, of course, four envelope blanks would be addressed in order with the same address thereon and the address Would change after each series of four.

These envelopes in blank form, except with the addresses thereon, would approach the printing cylinder 10 on the feed conveyor means 18 at spaced intervals, and would be received one at atime through the feed rolls' 19. The first of the envelopes in a particular series would be fed through the feed rolls 19 in timed relationship to the printing cylinder 10 and belt means 11, so that this envelope would be printed by the first of the printing plates or the printing plate 12.

After this first envelope is printed, it is received through the receiving rolls 20, passes into the receiving slots 36 of the inverting discs 35, and is inverted and transferred into the gathering and stacking means 21 between stationary and

releasable stop members

39 and 40. The next three envelopes in this particular series will be subsequently printed in proper timed relationship by the printing.

plates

13, 14 and 15, and received one at a time in the same manner by the gathering and stacking meansll, so that a complete stack of four envelopes is built. At this point, the. mm release members 64 of the stack release means 62 will move the releasable stop member 40 to its released positiomso that the stack of envelopes falls completely onto the stack conveyor means- 22 and is carried away. in-this stacked form.

All of the elements of the printing press construction of the present invention are operably connected in proper timed relationship in the usual manner. Furthermore, Where the number of printing plates on the belt means. 11

is changed, this entire timing must be changed in the usual manner.

Thus, according to the principles of the present invention, the belts or chains carrying the printing plates may be of reduced length from that formerly required and still will properly position each of these printing plates in sequence on a predetermined printing station of the printing cylinder, so that a different printing plate will be properly positioned for each revolution of the printing cylinder until all of the plates have accomplished the proper printing function. Furthermore, this reduction in belt or chain length is accomplished while still maintaining the quality of printing, since each printing plate despite being on reduced lengths of belts or chains is only contacted by the inking and impression rolls at the particular revolution of printing for that particular plate, which not only eliminates prohibitive or excessive inking of any plate but additionally does not increase the wear of the inking and impression rolls.

Still further, according to the principles of the present invention, novel gathering and stacking means is provided which inverts the printed items after having been printed on the lower surfaces thereof, so that the printing on these printed items can be quickly visually inspected. Also, this gathering and stacking means stacks the envelopes in predetermined order and in a stack of predetermined number equal to the total number of different printing plates being used, after which, each properly built stack is automatically released to be conveyed away from the location of printing.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, 'clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom because such Words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown.

Having now described the invention, the construction, operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful construction and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Printing press construction including an eccentric rotatably mounted printing cylinder having a printing station at the maximum eccentricity thereof, the printing cylinder having a circumference of predetermined length, endless belt means mounted around the printing cylinder movable exactly therewith, a series of printing plates mounted on the belt means at equaily spaced points through the length of the belt means, the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder being an exact whole multiple more than one of said plate spacing and the relative positioning between the printing cylinder and the belt means being such that one of the printing plates will be positioned at the printing station during each revolution of said printing cylinder, inking roll means and impression roll means positioned at set locations about the printing cylinder for contact by the printing plate positioned at the printing station and being free of contact with printing plates not a said printing station due to the eccentricity of the printing cylinder, the total length of the belt means being at least one plate spacing greater than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder and not greater than one plate spacing less than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder multiplied by the total number of printing plates, the relationship of the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder and the length of the individual plate spacings and the total number of printing plates being such that each printing plate will be located at and rotate with the printing cylinder at the printing station in predetermined sequence prior to any printing plate being located at the printing station-more than once, and the printing plates and inking and impression roll means co-operating to print a series of printed items.

2. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the total length of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder.

3. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means is four, and the total length of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder.

4. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means is five, and the total length of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder.

5. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means is five, and the total length of the belt means is exactly two plate spacings greater than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder.

6. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the inking roll means and impression roll means are contacted by outer surfaces of the printing plates; and in which the outer surfaces of the printing plates are formed on circumferential arcs generated by a radius from the true center of rotation of the printing cylinder.

7. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the inking roll means and impression roll means are contacted by outer surfaces of the printing plates; in which the outer surfaces of the printing plates are formed on circumferential arcs generated by a radius from the true center of rotation of the printing cylinder; in which inner surfaces of the printing plates contact outer circumferential surfaces of the printing cylinder; in which said outer circumferential surfaces :of the printing cylinder is circular generated by a radius from the actual center of the printing cylinder; and in which the inner surfaces of the printing plates are formed on a circumferential are generated by a radius from the actual center of the printing cylinder.

8. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which gathering and stacking means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder for automatically gathering the printed items after print-ing at the printing cylinder and stacking said printed items one on top of the other; and in which release means is operably connected to the gathering and stacking means for automatically releasing a stack of printed items from the gathering and stacking means when the number of printed items in a stack is equal to the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means.

9. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the printed items are printed on a lower face thereof; in which gathering means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder for automatically gathering the printed items after printing at the printing cylinder and automatically inverting said printed items to positions in which the printed lower faces thereof are turned facing upwardly; in which stacking means is operably connected to the gathering means for automatically removing said printed items from the gathering means and stacking said printed items one on top of the other in said inverted positions; and in which release means is operably connected to the stacking means for automatically releasing a stack of printed items from the stacking means when the number of printed items in a stack is equal to the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means.

10. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which gathering and stacking means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder for automatically gathering the printed items after printing at the printing cylinder and stacking said printed items one on top of the other; in

which the gathering and stacking means includes releasable means normally retaining a stack of the printed items while a predetermined number of said printed items are stacked one on top of the other and being releasable for automatically releasing said stack of printed items when said stack has reached said predetermined number; and in which cam release means is operably connected to the releasable means of the gathering and stacking means operable in predetermined time relationship with the printing cylinder for automatically releasing said releasable means of the gathering and stacking means to release said stack of printed items when said stack is equal to the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means.

11. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the printed items are printed on lower faces thereof; in which rotatable slotted inverting disc means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder for receiving the printed items after printing at the printing cylinder in slot means of said inverting disc means and automatically inverting said printed items to positions in which the printed lower faces thereof are turned facing upwardly by rotation of said inverting disc means; in which stacking means is operably connected adjacent the inverting disc means for automatically removing said printed items after inverting from the slot means of the inverting disc means and stacking said printed items one on top of the other in said inverted positions; in which the stacking means includes releasable means normally retaining a stack of the printed items while a predetermined number of said printed items are stacked one on top of the other and being releasable for automatically releasing said stack of printed items when said stack has reached said predetermined number; and in which cam release means is operably connected to the releasable means of the stacking means operable in predetermined timed relationship with the printing cylinder for automatically releasing said releasable means of the stacking means to release said stack of printed items when said stack is equal to the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means.

12. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means is four, and the total length of the belt meansis exactly one plate spacing greater than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder; in which gathering and stacking means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder for automatically gathering the printed items after printing at the printing cylinder and stacking said printed items one on top of the other; and in which release means is operably connected to the gathering and stacking means for automatically releasing a stack of printed items from the gathering and stacking means when the number of printed items in a stack is equal to four.

13. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means is five, and the total length of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder; in which gathering and stacking means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder for automatically gathering the printed items after printing at the printing cylinder and stacking said printed items one on top of the other; and in which release means is operably connected to the gathering and stacking means for automatically releasing a stack of printed items from the gathering and stacking means when the number of printed items in a stack is equal to five.

'14. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means is four, and the total length of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder; in which the printed items are printed on a lower face thereof; in which gathering means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder for automatically gathering the printed items after printing at the printing cylinder and automatically inverting said printed items to positions in which the printed lower faces thereof are turned facing upwardly; in which stacking means is operably connected to be gathering means for automatically removing said printed items from the gathering means and stacking said printed items one on top ofthe other in said inverted positions; and in which release means is operably connected to the stackin means for automatically releasing a stack of printed items from the stacking means when the number of printed items in a stack is equal to four.

15. Printing press construction as defined in claim 1 in which the total number of printing plates mounted on the belt means is five, and the totallength of the belt means is exactly one plate spacing greater than the length of the circumference of the printing cylinder; in which the printed items are printed on a lower face thereof; in which gathering means is mounted adjacent the printing cylinder for automatically gathering the printed items after printing at the printing cylinder and automatically inverting said printed items to positions in which the printed lower faces thereof are turned facing upwardly; in which stacking means is operably connected to the gathering means for automatically removing said printed items from the gathering means and stacking said printed items one on top of the other in said inverted positions; and in which release means is operably connected to the stacking means for automatically releasing a stack of printed items from the stacking means when the number of printed items in a stack is equal to five.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 881,167 Thomas Mar. 10, 1908 2,037,181 Shoemaker Apr. 14, 1936 2,066,179 Keller Dec. 29, 1936 2,574,941 Trozrnuller Nov. 13, 1951 2,600,215 De *Floriz June 10, 1952 2,661,687 Chance Dec. 8, 1953 2,930,318 Stroud Mar. 29, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 852,005 Great Britain Oct. 19, 1960

Claims

1. PRINTING PRESS CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING AN ECCENTRIC ROTATABLY MOUNTED PRINTING CYLINDER HAVING A PRINTING STATION AT THE MAXIMUM ECCENTRICITY THEREOF, THE PRINTING CYLINDER HAVING A CIRCUMFERENCE OF PREDETERMINED LENGTH, ENDLESS BELT MEANS MOUNTED AROUND THE PRINTING CYLINDER MOVABLE EXACTLY THEREWITH, A SERIES OF PRINTING PLATES MOUNTED ON THE BELT MEANS AT EQUALLY SPACED POINTS THROUGH THE LENGTH OF THE BELT MEANS, THE LENGTH OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE PRINTING CYLINDER BEING AN EXACT WHOLE MULTIPLE MORE THAN ONE OF SAID PLATE SPACING AND THE RELATIVE POSITIONING BETWEEN THE PRINTING CYLINDER AND THE BELT MEANS BEING SUCH THAT ONE OF THE PRINTING PLATES WILL BE POSITIONED AT THE PRINTING STATION DURING EACH REVOLUTION OF SAID PRINTING CYLINDER, INKING ROLL MEANS AND IMPRESSION ROLL MEANS POSITIONED AT SET LOCATIONS ABOUT THE PRINTING CYLINDER FOR CONTACT BY THE PRINTING PLATE POSITIONED AT THE PRINTING STATION AND BEING FREE OF CONTACT WITH PRINTING PLATES NOT A SAID PRINTING STATION DUE TO THE ECCENTRICITY OF THE PRINTING CYLINDER, THE TOTAL LENGTH OF THE BELT MEANS BEING AT LEAST ONE PLATE SPACING GREATER THAN THE LENGTH OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE PRINTING CYLINDER AND NOT GREATER THAN ONE PLATE SPACING LESS THAN THE LENGTH OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE PRINTING CYLINDER MULTIPLIED BY THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PRINTING PLATES, THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE LENGTH OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE PRINTING CYLINDER AND THE LENGTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL PLATE SPACINGS AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PRINTING PLATES BEING SUCH THAT EACH PRINTING PLATE WILL BE LOCATED AT AND ROTATE WITH THE PRINTING CYLINDER AT THE PRINTING STATION IN PREDETERMINED SEQUENCE PRIOR TO ANY PRINTING PLATE BEING LOCATED AT THE PRINTING STATION MORE THAN ONCE, AND THE PRINTING PLATES AND INKING AND IMPRESSION ROLL MEANS CO-OPERATING TO PRINT A SERIES OF PRINTED ITEMS.