US1468485A - Inking mechanism for rotary plate-printing machines - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 18 1923. 11,468,485

. F- C. MARQUARDT INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PLATE PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 25, 1919 Sept. 18, 1923.

F. C. MARQUARDT INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PLATE PRINTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 25, 1919 :23 ATTORNEY,

, F. C. MARQUARDT INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PLATE PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 25 1919 5 SheetsSheet 5 M Mn 7 N M Mm m/ M 0 A 7 m wmw Patented Sept. 18, 1923.

entree stares lAtdAdS PATENT @FHCE.

FRANK C. MARQUARDT, OLF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PLATE-PRINTING- MACHINES.

Application filed Gctober 25, 1919, Serial No. 333,324 Renewed February 17, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. MAR UARDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Brooklyn, in the city of New York, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inking Mechanisms for Rotary Plate-Printing Machines, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying draw ings, which form a part thereof.

The invention relates to inking mechanisms for rotary plate printing machines, and more particularly to those characteristics thereof by which the application of ink to the plate is controlled.

In plate printing machines where a plurality of colors are used, it is necessary to use a different plate for each color, and to have all of the plates of the same size, in order to secure register of the succeeding impressions, by means of register marks on the different plates. It is also customary to ink the entire surface of the plate, irrespective of the size of the portion of the design thereon, the ink upon the top, or non-printing surface of the plate, being removed by the wiping cloth or rag. Since the quantity of ink actually required to make an impres sion, compared with the total volume of ink applied to the plate, is small, the loss of ink is great, the extent of this loss being inversely proportioned to the size of the portion of a design upon a plate.

The main object of the present invention is to so construct the inking mechanism as to restrict the application of ink to a plate to the least possible area commensurate with the proper filling of the lines of the portion of the design upon a plate, thus avoidi 11g the application of ink to other portions of the plate and effecting a material saving of ink.

An. inking mechanism made in accordance with my invention is soconstructed as to permit the adjustment thereof in a manner to varythe length of the portion of the plate which is inked, in order that the machine particularly to the sign thereon makes this necessary. Other cl'iarac-teristics of the invention relate to mechanisms for securing a proper relation of the inking roll or rolls to the plate, and to the distributing rolls for conveying ink from the ink fount to said inking roll or rolls.

The invent-ion consists in the novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an inking mechanism made in accordance with my invention, with port-ions of the side frame of the machine removed;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the cam, for actuating the spot inking mechanism; and

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the adjusting means for controlling the throw of the spot inking roll.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the'several views.

In the accompanying drawings, I haveillustrated the invention in connection with a printing machine wherein the plate cylinder is adapted to carry two plates, although it is not my intention to limit the invention to this particular type of machine.

In the embodiment of my invention, shown in the drawings, a plate cylinder 5, having associated therewith an impression cylinder, or D-roll 6, is mounted upon a. power driven shaft 7. The cylinder 5 has associated therewith the usual wiping and polishing mechanism, not shown in the drawings, since the invention relates more inking mechanism. Mounted upon the frame of the machine, adjacent said cylinder 5, is an ink fountain 8 of the usual construction, having a feed roll 9, the ink being conveyed from said roll .9 to the inking roll or rolls for applying said ink to the plate, in any desired manner, as by the distributing rolls 10 and 11. The rolls 9, 10 and 11 occupy a fixed relation to each other, the function of these rolls being to properly feed the ink from the fountain and to out and distribute the ink preparatory to its application to the inking roll or rolls.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown two such inking rolls, 12. and 13, both Ill) of which are designed to be used when the entire plateis to be inked, and one of ,FVlllCll, as 13, is removable from the machine so as to permit the use of the other roll, 12, alone when it is desired to ink only limited areas of the plate.

The distributing rolls and 11, and the fountain roll 9, are continuously driven by meansof a gear train consisting of a gear 1% in mesh with a gear carried by the shaft 7, a gear carried by the distributing roll 11, an idler gear 16, and a gear 17 carried by the roll 9. 7

To adaptthe mechanism for spot inking, :I mount the inking roll 12 in a frame 18 movable toward, and from, the plate cylinder 5, and provide automatically acting means whereby the. movement of said frame will be so governed as to ensure the engagement of said roll 12 with the plate during that interval only which may be necessary to secure the desired application of ink to said plate. Preferably the frame 18 is mounted to have rotative movement about the axis of the shaft carrying the distributing roll 11, so as to maintain a constant engagement between the rolls 11 and 12, and thus maintain the proper condition of the inkupon said roll prior to succeeding engagements thereof with the plate or plates upon the cylinder 5.

To secure the desired engagement and disengagement of the roll 12 from the plate, I providemeans actuated through the movement of the cylinder 5, or other plate carrier, and operative upon said frame 18. This means may be, and preferably is, so constructed as to be capable of such adjustment as will permit the controlof the initial application of ink to the plate by the roll 12, and also the duration of the application of ink to the plate, thus adapting the inking mechanism for useupon different plates, bearing designs which vary in size.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, this actuating means for the roll 12 comprises a bell crank lever 19 mounted adjacent the roll 12, one arm of.

the roller 25, said cam having one or more rises thereon, according to the number of plates carried by the cylinder 5.

The roller is normally held in engagementwith the said cam by means of a rod 26, slidably mounted in a pivotal block 27, and having one end pivotally connected with Y the arm of the lever 2 L, other than that carrying the roller 25. Encircling the rod 26 isa spring 28 bearing upon the block 27- and upon an adjustable collar 29 carried by said rod, said adjustable collar being provided to permit the regulation of the tension of said spring 28. The directoscillation of the lever 24 for forcing the roll 12 into engagementwith the plate, is effected by means of the rises upon said cam, while the return oscillation thereof, for effecting the disengagement of said roll 12 from the plate, is secured through the medium of said spring 28. To ensure ease of movement of said roll 12,

I provide a spring rod. 30,. pivotally. con- 7 nected at one end with said lever, and slidably mounted in a pivotalblock 31, a spring 32, opposed to the action of the spring 28., being seated between the block 31 and an adjustable collar 33 carried by the said rod. The collar 33 may be adjusted to develop the desired tension in the spring 32.

To permit the control of the point of initial engagement of the roll 12 with the plate,

and the duration of this engagement, the

cam heretofore referred to is so mounted upon the shaft 7 as to be adjustable circumferentially thereof, as by means of a set screw3 lpassing through the hub 35 of said cam, and is made in a plurality of parallel sections, adjustable in relation to each other, each of said sections having corresponding rises thereon. Means are provided whereby said cam sections, after adjustment, may be set in their adjusted positions. In the accompanying drawings,'I have shown a cam formed of two parallel sections, 36 and37, each provided with two rises, 38 and 39, one of said sections, as 36, being provided with segmental slots therein through which the screw studs 40 and 4-1, carried by the other section, pass. Each of said studs carries a clamp nut as shown.

To permit the desired adjustment of the roll 12 in relation to the plane of movement of the plate or plates, and the surface of the roll 11, for the purpose of securing the clesired engagement ofsaid roll 12 with the plate and with said roll 11, I provide means regulatin theeffective leverage of the bell crank lever 19 upon the link 20 and also 7 provide means whereby the frame 18 and the roll 12 carried thereby, may be minutely adjusted toward and from the roll 11. To

permit the adjustment of the effective lever.- age of the lever 19, I provide said lever with a T-slot 42in the stem of which is slidably.

mounted abearing block 48 carrying the pivot by means of'whic-h the link 20 isconnected with said lever. Passing through the block t3 is a screw 44, one endo'f which bears upon the top of the slot 42, and tlie other endof'which bears upon the bottom of the stem of said slot. To securethe adjustment otthe roll 12in relation t0 h roll 11} and tovary this relation so as to permit the proper adjustment of said roll 12 with relation to the plate upon the cylinder 5, I provide the shaft of the roll 11 with a bearing housedin a suitable recess 46 in the frame 18. Carried by said frame 18 is an extension 47 having rotatably mounted therein, an adjustment screw 48 co-operating with suitable screw threads in the bearing 45. After the adjustment by means of the screw 48, the bearing 45 may be locked in relation to the frame 18 by means of the set screw 49. 7

hen it is desired to use a printing machine for spot inking only, the mechanisms heretofore described are operative to secure the desired timely engagement and disengagement of the ink roll 12 with each plate upon the cylinder 5. It is sometimes desir able, however, to use a machine embodying this mechanism, with a plate which must be inked in its entirety and I therefore provide means whereby the spot inking mechanism may be made inoperative to move the roll 12 away from the plate or plate cylinder, and thus ensure a continuous engagement of the roll 12 with the plate. \Vhen inking the entire plate, I also use the roll 13, this roll beingremo-ved from the machine, however, when the spot inking mechanism is operative. Secured to the frame of the machine, adjacent the arm 23, is a pivotal block 50, having mounted therein an adjustable stop screw 51, adapted to be engaged by said arm 23 and thus prevent the actuation of the lever 24 by the spring 28. 'VVhen it is desired to make the spot inking mechanism inoperative, said screw 51 may be so set as to engage the arm 23, and prevent oscillatory movement of the lever 24 by the spring 28, but when it is desired to have said spot inking mechanism operative, either the block is turned so as to move the screw from the path of movement of said arm 23, or said screw is retracted in said block to aflord the proper clearance for the movement of said arm.

The arbors of the roll 13 are mounted in removable brackets 52, each bracket being held against lateral disengagement by a plate 53. Said brackets 52 are supported in relation to the frame of the machine by means of bearing plates 54 and 55, arranged at different points about the axis of said roll 13, and adjustment screws 56 and 57 mounted in screw'threaded portions of said bracket. to supporting the brackets 52, also afford means by which said bracket may be adjusted to secure the desired engagementof the roll 13 with relation to the plane of movement of a plate, and with the surface ofthe roll 11. These screws may also be used to bring the roll 13 out of operative relation to the plate, or said roll 11.

Said screws 56 and 57 in addition The operation of the herein described mechanism is substantially as follows:

Assuming that the machine is to be used for spot inking, the roll 13 is either removed entirely from the machine, or so set by means of the adjustment screws 56 and 57, as to be brought out of the operative relation to both the roll 11 and the plate; so that no ink will be applied to said roll 13, or to the plate therefrom. The stop screw 51 is then adjusted so as to permit the free oscillation of the lever 24 under the control of the cam sections 36 and 37, and the spring 28. The cam sections 36 and 37 are then adjusted with relation to each other, so that the rises 38 and 39 thereon, respectively, will have a length commensurate with the length of plate to be inked, the screw studs 40 and 41, and their co-operating nuts,'being used to set said sections in this adjusted position. The cam is then set circumfcrentially of its shaft 7, so as to bring the rises thereon to a position where the application of ink will coincide with the portion of the plate bearing the design, the cam being set in this adjusted position by means of the screw 34.

The shaft 7 may then be turned until the roller 25 is upon a high point of a rise,

38 or 39, and the adjustment screws 44 and 48 actuated to secure the desired con tact of the roll 12 with the plate and with the roll 11. hen this adjustment is secured, the inking mechanism is ready for a run of the printing machine.

As heretofore stated, the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, contemplates the use of the invention with a two-plate machine, the inking mechanism being actuated twice with each rotation of the cylinder 5.

When the various parts are in the posi tion shown in 1 of the drawings, the roll 12 will be in engagement with a plate upon the cylinder 5, and said roll will be applying ink to said plate, receiving the ink from the fountain 8 through the rolls 9, 10 and 11, which, in the form of the invention shown, are continuously rotated. As the rise 38 upon said cam passes out of the operative relationto the roller the thrust of the spring 28 will rock the lever 24, cansing the roller 25 to follow the bearing surface of the cam and at the same time rocking the bell crank lever 19 through the link 22, the thrust of the spring upon said lever 19 aiding in this movement. VVith the movement of the lever 19, the frame 13 will be turned about the axis of the shaft of the roll 11, thus causing the roll 12 to move about this axis, remaining in contact with the roll 11, but being brought out of lever 24 will be oscillated against the tencontact with the plate upon the cylinder 5.

sion of the spring 28, thus, through the arm 23 and the link 22, oscillating the lever 19' in the reverse direction, against the tension of the, spring 82, and turning-the frame 18 in a manner to force the roll 12 into en- 7 be varied within the limits afforded by the cam structure. By the construction described, the initial engagement and the duration of vthe engagement of the roll 12 with the plate, may be regulated to that actually required to secure an effective inking of the plate, and when the mechanism is once set, its succeeding functionings will always be the same.

By continuously rotating the rolls 9,10- and 11, and maintaining the roll 12 in contact with said last named roll, the ink upon these rolls will always be so conditioned as to ensure uniformity in the inking operation.

\Vhile I have referred to the mechanism as being a spot inking mechanism, it is to be understood that this term implies the inking of a portion of the entire width of a plate, and not an isolated area of said plate.

\Vhen it is desired to use a mechanism, made in accordance with my invention, for inking the entire surface of a plate, it is merelyinecessary to oscillate the lever 24 in a manner.to bring the roll 12 into engagement with the plate, and set the stop screw 51 so as to prevent movement of the lever 19 and hold the roller 25 out of the operative relation to the rises 38 and 39. In this manner the roll 12 may be maintained in a fixed relation to the plane of movement of the plates upon the cylinder 5. Then inking the entire plate, however, it is desirable to subject the plates to two inking rolls, so that under these conditions, the roll 13 is brought into operative relation with the pets and with the roll 11, in the manner heretofore referred to.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construc-.

tionshown in the accompanying drawings, since it is apparent that such may be varied without departing from the sp1r1t and scope of the invention. The mechanism described 7 may be used in connection with a plate cyl inder having mounted thereon any desired number of plates, by merely modifying the contourof thecam carried by, and rotatable with, said cylinder. Various arrangements of the rolls 9', 10 and 11, other than that shown, may be employed for the purpose of effectively applying ink to the roll 12, although in practice I have found that the construction shown gives highly satisfactory results.

Having described the invention, what I claim asnew and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is

1. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein an inking roll, means applying ink thereto, actuating means for said inking roll operating in synchro-nism withthe movement of a plate to be inked, whereby said inking roll is moved into, and out of, engagement with theplate, to. ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate and means of said inking roll with the plate, may be varied and means whereby said actuating means may be made moperative to impart movement to said roll. 7

3. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodyingtherein an inking roll, means applying ink thereto, actuating means for said inking roll operating in synchronism with the movement of a plate to be inked, whereby said inking roll is moved into, and out of, engagement with the plate, to ensure the applicationof ink to only a portion of said plate, said actuating means including'therein an adjustable member, whereby the interval of, engage- 'llO ment of said inking roll with the plate, may 7 be varied andmeans whereby said actuating means may be made inoperative to impart movement to .said rollj 4. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein an inking roll,-

means applying ink to said roll, a'movable frame su'pportingsaidroll,means operative upon said frame, whereby said roll may be moved'toward, and from, a plate, means movable with the plate, adapted to operatively engage said lastnamed means, whereby saidframe receives timely actuationto ensure the application of ink to only'a portion of saidiplate and means whereby said means operative upont said frame maybe made inoperative. to impart movement thereto. Y

for the plate, and adapted to operatively engage said last named means, whereby said frame recelves timely actuation to ensure the application of mk to only a portion of said plate and means whereby said means operative upon said frame may be made inoperative to impart movement thereto.

6. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein an inking roll, means applying ink to said roll, a movable frame supporting said roll,means operative upon said frame, whereby saidroll may be moved toward, and from, a plate, a cam carried by, and movable with, the support for the plate, and adaptedto operatively engage said last named means, whereby said frame receives timely actuation to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate, said cam comprising a plurality of sections adjustable with relation to each other, whereby the duration of the engagement of the inking roll with the plate, may be varied and means whereby said means operative upon said frame may be made inoperative to impart movement thereto. v

7. An inking mechanisniof thecharacter described, embodying therein an inking roll, means applying ink to said roll,

a movable frame supportmg said roll,

means operative upon said frame, whereby said roll may be moved toward, and from, a plate comprising a bell crank lever, an oscillating lever having a projection thereon, a link connecting one arm of said bell crank lever with said frame,

7 and a linkconn'ecting the other arm of said lever with said oscillating lever, a cam carried by, and rotatable with, a plate cylinder and having a rise thereon adapted to operatively engage one arm of said oscillating lever, whereby said frame receives timely actuation to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate and means whereby said oscillating lever may be made inoperative to impart movement to said bell crank lever. 7

8. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein an inking roll, means applying ink to said roll, a move able frame supporting said roll,means operative upon said frame, whereby said roll may be moved toward, and from, a plate comprising a bell crank lever, an oscillating lever having a projection thereon, a link connecting one arm of said bell crank lever with said frame, and a link connecting the other arm of said 1 ver with said oscillating lever, a cam carried by, and rotatable with, a plate cylinder and having a rise thereon adapted to operatively engage one arm of said oscillating lever, whereby said frame receives timely actuation to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate, said cam comprising a plurality of sections adjustable with relation to each other, whereby the duration of the engagement of the inking roll with the plate, may be varied and means whereby said oscillating lever may be made inoperative to impart movement to said bell crank lever.

9. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein an inking roll, means applying ink to said roll, a movable frame supporting said roll, means operative upon said frame, whereby said roll may be moved toward, and from, a plate, a cam carried by, and movable with, the support for the plate, and adapted to operatively engage said last named means, whereby said frame receives timely actuation to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate, means whereby said cam may be adjusted with relation to the sup- I port for said plate, whereby the initial engagement of said inking roll with said plate, may be varied and means whereby said means operative upon said frame may be made inoperative to impart movement thereto.

10. An inking mechanism of the char acter described, embodying therein an inking roll, means applying ink to said roll, a movable frame supporting said roll, means operative upon said frame, whereby said roll may be moved toward, and from, a plate, bell crank lever, an oscillating lever having a projection th reon, a link connecting one arm. of said bell crank lever with said frame, a link connecting the other arm of said ever with said oscillating means, a cam carried by, and rotatable with, a plate cylinder and having a rise thereon adapted to operatively engage one arm of said oscillating lever, whereby said frame receives timely actuation to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate, and means whereby the efitective leverage of said bell crank lever, with relation to said frame, may be adjusted.

11. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein an inking roll, means applying ink thereto, a bell crank lever, one arm of which has a slot therein, an oscillating lever having aj j'e'ction thereon, a movable pivot seated in the slot of said bell crank lever, an adjustment screw acting upon said pivot and seated within said slot, a link mounted upon said pivot, and pivotally connected with said frame, a link connecting the other arm of said bell crank lever with said pro ection, and a cam carried by, and rotatable with, a plate cylinder, and having arrise thereon adapted to operatively engage one arm ofsaid oscillating lever.

12. An inking mechanism of the character described embodying therein an ink fount, a roll adapted to feed ink therefrom,

an inking roll, distributing rolls between said ink fount and said inking"v roll, actuatmg means for said inking roll operating in described, embodying therein an inking roll,

means applying ink thereto, actuating means for said inking roll operating in synchronism with the movement of a plate to be inked, whereby said inking roll is moved into, and out of, engagement with the plate, to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of saidplate, means whereby said actuating means for said inking roll may be made inoperative, a second inking roll, and means whereby said last named inking roll may be moved into, or out of, printing relation to a plate, whereby said mechanism may be used to ink only a portion of the plate, or the entire surface thereof.

14. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein an inking roll, means applying ink thereto, actuating means for said inking roll operating in synchronism with the movement of a plate to be inked, whereby said inking roll is moved into, and out of, engagement with the plate, to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate, means whereby said actuating means for said inking roll may be made inoperative, brackets having pivotally mounted therein a second inking roll, bearing plates, and adjustment screws carried by said brackets and engaging said plates,-

whereby said last named inking-roll may be 7 moved into, or out of, printing relation to a plate, or. said brackets, with the roll carried thereby. may be removed to permit the inking mechanism to be used to ink only a portion of the plate, or the entire surface thereof.

15. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein an inking roll, means applying ink to said roll, a movable frame supporting said roll, means operative upon said frame, whereby said roll may be moved toward, and from, a plate comprising a bell crank lever, an oscillating lever hav ing a projection thereon, a link connecting one arm of said bell crank lever with said frame, a link connecting the other arm of said lever with said oscillating means, and oppositely acting springs operative upon said bell crank lever and said oscillating lever, and a cam carried by, and rotatable with, a

.plate cylinder and having a rise thereon adapted to operatively engage one arm of said oscillating lever, whereby said frame receives timely actuation to ensure the appli-I cation of ink to only a portion of said plate. 7 16. An inking mechanism of the character described, embodying therein an ink fount, a roll adapted to feed ink therefrom, an inking roll, distributing rolls between said ink fount and said inking roll, actuating means for said inking roll operating in synchronism with the movement of a plate' to be inked, whereby said inking roll is moved into, and out of, engagement with the plate, to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate, means continuously rotating said ink fount roll, said inking roll and said distributing rolls, supporting means for said inking roll, whereby its movement into, orv out of, engagement with a plate, is about the axis of the distributing roll engaging same, to'ensure continuous engagement of said inking roll and said disward, and from, the plates upon said cylin-' der, and a cam having a plurality of rises thereon, carried by, and movable with, said cylinder, and adapted to operatively engage said last named means, the number of rises on said cam corresponding innumber with the number of plates upon said cylinder, whereby said frame receives timely actuation to ensure the application of ink to only a portion of said plate, said cam comprising a plurality of sections adjustable with rela tion to each other, whereby the duration of the engagement of the inking roll with the plate, may be varied, and said cam in its entirety being adjustablecircumferentially of said cylinder, whereby the initial movement of said inking roll with the plate, may be varied.

In witness whereof I have hereunto ailixed my signature, this 23d day of October, 1919,

in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK C. MARQUARDT. lVitnesses: V v

F. T.-WnN'rwon'rH, Y l/VILLIAM H. VooRHIs,

Images