US1832216A

US1832216A - Stencil printing machine

Info

Publication number: US1832216A
Application number: US427182A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence L Johnston; Edward A Owens
Original assignee: SELECTASINE SYSTEM Inc
Current assignee: SELECTASINE SYSTEM Inc
Priority date: 1930-02-10
Filing date: 1930-02-10
Publication date: 1931-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 1948-11-17

Description

Nov., i7, w31. c, L, JHNSTQN ETAL 1,832,216 sTENcIL PRINTING nAcHINE ATTORNEYS.

N0V- 17 1931- c. L. JOHNSTON ET A1.A Y 1,832,213

STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1930 @Sheets-Sheet 2 l. Ii [l MIL 1" "l Ul HWU\ N fl 1 ffm Ncuv. 17, 1931. c. L. JoHNsToN E1- A| 1,832,216

STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed-Feb. 10. 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TORS. {f/uva TToRNEYS.

Nov. 17, 1931.

C. L. JOHNSTON ET Al.

sTENoIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1o. 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 17, 1931. c. l.. JoHNsToN E-r AL 1,832,216

STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1o, 1930 e sheets-sheet 5 STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 vlllln' limi l IN VEN TORS.

mm dma/v.. (5 wv: n.54

TTORNEYS.

Nov. 17; 1931. c. JoHNsToN E1' AL 1,832,216

STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. l0, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Alun" IN V EN TOR5.

6 alu/nca of BY @dumm/6l. /uanAJ 4/ f LM A TTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 17,` 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLARENCE L. JOHNSTON, OF BERKELEY, AND EDWARD A. OWENS, 0F SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS TO SELECTASINE SYSTEM, INC., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALI# FORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE Application mea Eebruary 1o, i930. serial No. 427,182.

This invention relates to astencil printing machine and especiall to improvements on the apparatus or machine disclosed in Patent Number 1,687,080, entitled Method and apparatus for stencilingg7 and issued to R. C. Beck, October 9, 1928.

In stencil printing, whether by hand or machineoperation, a stencil is employed. The stencil comprises a sheet of fabric such as bolting cloth, silk 4or the like, and this is stretched tightly over a frame. Portions of the fabric are rendered impervious and other portions of the fabric are left open and the open portions are so shaped or arranged as to form the design to be printed. The material to be printed isl usually flat sheets of h'eavy paper, cardboard or the like. The sheets are placed in a-fiat condition below the stencil.

Paint is poured upon the stencil at one end' and is uniformly spread and forced through the open portions of the fabric by a scraper` or rubber squeegee after which the stencil is raised and the printed sheet removed.

Prior to the development of the machine disclosed in Patent Number 1,687,080, pracplished by hand operation and the output of work and quality thereof was largely dependent upon the. skill and speed of the operator. creased the output many times and insured a consistent uniform quality, but practical operation of lthe machine disclosed severalA defects and suggested improvements. Such improvements form the basisof the present application and embody a machine capable of greater output and improved quality; a beto ter method of paint transfer and distribution;

improved positioning andoperation of the stencll; an Aimproved impression cylinder or platen with less tendency to bend or break the sheet of material to be printed upon; 'm1- proved means for aligning and guiding the sheets; provision of -means for dusting or removing foreign matter from 'the Asheets prior to printing thereof; automatic yactuated grippers for securing the sheets to the impression-cylinder during the printing op-v eration and releasing and discharging the sheets whemprinted; and pfurthe'r improved Machine stencilling naturally in- 'means are provided whereby the squee ee is supported, adjusted and operated so `t at the pressure exerted upon the stencll fabric `and the underlined sheet may be readily adiusted for best results.

The machine is shown by wa of illustra.-A

tion in the accompanying rawing's, in whichy Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the side where the feeder or operator stands when the machine is in operation, E

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine,

Fig. `3 is a side elevation showing the opposite side of the machine,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation partly broken away to disclose the squeegee operating mechanism, f

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation partly broken away showing the cams whereby the squeegee, the paperfeed guides and the grippers are operated, i

Fig. 6 is a cross section' taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 4. o

Fig. 7 is a cross. section taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation in sec tion showing the squeegee mechanism, the

paint pan, the sheet grippers, and the sheet feeding guides, and

Fig. 9 is a cross section of the upper portion of the frame showing the manner in which the stencil frame is guided and supported with relation thereto, taken on line IX-IX of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly Figs. 1, 2 and 3, A indicates a. base plate on which is mounted a pair of interspaced side and C. Journalled crosswise of the frames is a drive shaft2 which is driven"from an -electric motor 3 or like source of power through gears 4 and 5. Also journalled -crosswise of the frame is a cam shaft 6 which is driven fromthe drive shaft 2 through the gears indicated at 7 and 8. Secured -on the cam shaft are three sets of cams, which are lbest shown in-Figs. 2 and 5.4 One cam is frames generally indicated at B marked bythe numeral 9 .and will hereinafter be referred to as 'the-squeegee actuating cam. The second cam is indicated at 10 and will and 15. Crank pin 12 serves the function of transmitting an oscillating movement to an impression cylinder or platen generally indicated at 16. The platen presents a curved surface 17 having a large radius.. It is counterweighted as indicated at 18 and oscillating movement istransmitted once during each revolution of shaft .6 'through ya connecting rod 19. I

The side frames carry a feeding table20 upon which the sheets of paper. to be printed are stacked. The side frames carry side or guide rails 2l which are angularly'disposed as clearly'shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The side rails are grooved as indicated at 22 vfrom end to end as shown in Figs. 8' and 9, to receive shoes 23 and hanger arms 24, the hanger arms forming a support for a stencil supporting frame generally indicated at 25. The shoes and hangers are arranged in pairs', one pair at each end of the stencil supporting frame and means are provided whereby a reciprocal movement is transmitted to the stencil supporting frame, the means employed being rack bars 26 secured to each side of the stencil supporting frame and intermeshing segmental gears 26a secured t0 opposite sides of the platen. Hence during each oscillation of the platen one complete reciprocal motion will be transmitted to the stencil supporting frame and the movement will be unitary and at the same surface speed due to the intermeshing gear segments and racks.

The platen is perhaps best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8. It is secured on a ci'oss shaft 27 and consists of two side frames 16 and 16a which support the respective segmental gears 26a anda work supporting surface or curved platen 17, see Fig. 7 lThe frames '16' and 16a are counterweighted as previously stated and indicated at 18 and the counterweights are connected by a cross shaft 19a to which the connecting rod 19. is pivotally secured. The platen carries a number of grippeis generally indicated at 29, see Fig. `8, the grippers being normally held in a depressed or gripping positionA by means of springs 30,

' 55' each gripper 'carries a short rack bar 31' and each rack bar intermeshes with a gear 32 secured on a shaft 33 journalled crosswise'I of theframes 16 and 16a. The springs 30 are secured at theiraupper ends to the grippers 29 and at their lower ends to a cross shaft or rod 34. Shaft 33 projects through the sideframe 16 and carries a crankarm v35 yon the outer end of which is secured. a roller 36. 'Elie roller 36 isadaptedto engage a cani 37 formed ,on one end of'an arm 38 i which vis pivotally" secured to theside frame as at 39, arm 38 being connected with a rod 40, see Figs. 4 and 5, the opposite end of which is connected to a bell crank consisting of two arms indicated at 41 and 42, arm 42 having a roller on its outer end which is adapted to be engaged by the gripper actuating cam 10 once during each revolution of shaft 6. Cani l0 engages arm 42 when the platen assumes its upper or receivin position shownwin Figs. 4 and 8', and as suc i exerts a pull'A on rod 40 and arm 38 so as to swing cam 38 upwardly against roller 36. This in turn swings the crank arm 35 and y shaft 33 in a clockwise direction and as such causes the gears 32 which intermesh with the racks 31 to raise the grippers 29 as shown in- Fig. 8, as each sheet of paper or card-- board-is advanced from the table 2O to the grippers, the forward edge thereof will be gripped by the grippers a moment prior to movement of the platen in the direction of arrow a as cam 10 will at that moment swing out of engagement with arm 42`and/ thereby permit reverse movement ofthe

arms

41 and 42 and rod 40,- hence lowering the cam 37 and reversing` motion of. shaft 33, the gears 31 and 32`thereby permitting the springs 30 to pull the grippers downwardly into engagement with a sheet to be printed and as the impression cylinder swings forward the sheet will movewith it and a print or impression will be made as will hereinafter be described.

In order that the feeder or operator may have suflicient time to deliver the sheet to the gripping fingers a plurality of guides .ment of the platem The guides 44 are ac tuated bvgthe cam 1l through means of rod 45. see Figs. 4 and 5, and a crank arm 46. this arm being secured on a cross shaft 47 to which the guides 44 are adjustably secured as indicated atl 48. Cam 1l engages aA roller on the lower end of the rod 45 which is forkshaped as shown in Fig. 5 and the cam moves out of engagement with the roller and rod 45 the moment the impression cylinder reaches discharging position. this permits rod '45 and crank arm 46 to move in the direction of arrow b, see Figi-1 4, and the guides are thus depressed or lwered into aposition to stop and align the sheet which is fed. i

forwardlv by the Noperator and the sheet is left in this position until the platen is returned to the upper or receiving position shown in Fig. 8, where it is engaged, gripped and remo-ved by the grippers 29 as previously described.

' The grippers vare 'rais-ed' Vand l the printed sheet released when the platen H reaches its lowermost position by means of a stationary cam indicated at 50, see Fig. 5. Roller 36 secured on crank arm 35 engages this cam when the lowermost position of the platen is reached. Shaft 33 is accordingly rotated and this rotary motion is transmitted through the gears 32 and the rack bars 31 to raise the grippers. A stripping plate 51 extending crosswise of the machine will at the same time enter between the platen and the printed sheet and the moment it has entered it will be rocked in a direction of arrow o by means of a rocker arm 52 which is actuated by one or another of the cams indicated at 13, 14 and 15. Rocking movienient of the stripping plate 51 raises the forward edge of the sheety above the grippers and thus permits the sheet to fall by gravity onto a conveyor belt.53, which is driven through a-sprocket chain 55 Jfrom drive shaft 2 and the sheet is thus removed and delivered to a second conveyor 54 when-the printing operation is completed. The grippers are released the moment the roller 36 moves out of engagement with the cam and will not be raised again until cam 37 is engaged. I

The stencil employed in the present instance is of standard form. It consists of a frame 55 over which is stretched a fabric such as bolting cloth, silk or the like, as Aindicated at 56 portions of the sui-face are rendered impervious, for instance, by the application of shellac or other masking materials and other portions are left open, the open portions being so shaped and arranged as to form the design or impression desired during the printing operation. Frame 55 carrying the stencil fabric is secured in the stencil supoiting frame 25 in any suitable manner as y quoins such `as shown at 55a and it moves in unison with frame 25 and the platen both during the printing and the return operation.

The general method of distributing the paint and transferring it through the surface of the stencil is substantially identical to that disclosed in the Beck Patent Number 1,687,080. The stencil is so mounted as to move in one plane, in this instance, on a considerable angle with relation to a horizontal plane. The work or sheet to be printed is deposited on the curved surface of the platen 17 so as to maintain a line of contact between the stencil and the sheet. Means are then provided to-wit,. a squeegee for forcing the paint through the open portions of the sten# cils onto the sheet on said line ofcontact and the stencil and sheet are moved relatively and in unison so that the line of contact .between the stencil andthe sheet will be advanced from one end of the sheet to the other. vThe diffeignces between the mechanism employed in the'present instance and that disclosed in the) patent previously referred to are, first,

the provision of a segmental shaped platen of large radius so as to reduce any tendency to excessively bend or break the sheet to be printed upon. Secondly, disposing the stencil on an incline and tangent to the surface of the platen; and third, in providing an improved squeegee adjusting and operating mechanism.

The squeegee consists of a rubber blade or scraper generally indicated at 60, see Figs. 6 and 8. It is secured between a pair of plates 61 which are adjustably secured between a pair of guide plates 62, said guide plates being disposed at opposite ends of the plates 61, see Fig. 6. The guide plates are secured at their upper ends to a cross bar 63 whichis secured between the outer ends of a pair of crank arms 64. These arms are secured on a shaft 65 which in turn is journalled in bearings mounted on a cross bar 66 extending crosswise of the frames B and C and secured thereto by bracket members 67.

One end of shaft 65 is extended as shown at l 68 and a crank arm 69 is secured on the outer end thereof, this crank arm being connected with a rod 70 the lower end of which is connected with a bell crank consisting of arms 71 and 72. The outer end of arm 72mis provided witha roller and this is adapted to be engaged by the cam 9 which has previously been referred to as the squeegee actuating cam. Once during each revolution of shaft 6 cam 9 engages the roller onvthe outer end of arm 72, a rocking motion is in this in anner transmitted to the bell crank comprising the arms 71 and 72 and a pull is exerted on rod 70 and crank arm 69, thus rotating shaft 65 and crank arms 64 in a direction which will swing the outer ends of the crank arms 64 inan upward direction and thereby raise cross bar 63, the guiding brackets 62, the plates 61 adjustably secured therebetween and the squee'gee 60. When the cam 9 moves out of engagement with the roller on arm 72 'a reverse movement is transmitted and cross bar 63 together with guide brackets 62,

-plates 61 and squeegee 60 will be lowered into reached its lowermost position. At that time cani 9 again engages arm 72 and .transmits -a reverse motion which raises the squeegee and thereby permits the stencilscreen to return and the platen to swing back to receiving position. i Q

The squeegee when lowered .1s maintained in engagement with the stencil surface and Vthe underlying workwith a predetermined 61 .which support the squeegee late. -`By turning the screws 75 and then loc zing them by the lock nuts as shown it is possible to raise and lower the squeegee plate and the rese sure exerted upon the stencil surface an the underlying work may thus be readily regulatedlto obtain best results. The' pressure exerted is, ofcourse, caused by the tension of the springs 74 but as cam 9 and the intermediate connections limit the downward movement any adjustment of screws 75 will vary the pressure exerted.

Operable in conjunction with the squeegee is a paint 'pan or scoopcomprising a plate such as indicated at 78, see Fig. 8. This pan extends from end to end of the squeegee blade and is movable yvertically in unison therewith and it is also movable laterally away therefrom. The paint pan is secured to apair of brackets 79-slidably mounted on rods 80, there being one rod 80 and bracket 79 at each end of the pan 78. The rods 80 are vsecured in brackets 81 which .in turn are .se-

cured to the guide brackets 62, seeFig. 6. Springs 82 surround the rods 80 and are interposed between the brackets 79 and 81 and as such tend to move the brackets 79 outwardly against stop collars 83 secured on the rods, such outward movement being cushioned bysprings 84. The brackets 79 as previously stated carry the paint pan or scoop 78 and the paint pan and brackets normally assume the position shown in Fig. 8 thereby maintaining the springs 82 in a compressed condition. The brackets y7 9 are retained in this position by means of a pair of latches 85 pivotally secured to the brackets 81 as indicated at 86. The opposite ends of the latches engage pins 87 on brackets 7 9 and as such retain the lower edge of the paint pan in engagement with the squeegee blade as shown in Fig. 8. Brackets 79 and 8O are carried by the guide brackets 62 and the paint pan will accordingly move vertically in unison with the squeegee blade when this is` raised and lowered. It will however be noted that a pair of cam members are secured to the stencil supporting frame as indicated at 88, one of the cams being shown in Fig. 4. The cams 88 assume the position shown in Fig. 4 whenthe stencil supporting frame has reached its uppermost position and as such will engage pins 89 secured on the latches 85 when the squeegee is lowered.l The latches are thus raised and swung about their pivots 86 and as such move out of engagement with f the pins 87 on the brackets 79, hence releasagainst' the resilient stop collars 83. Paint "assaaio Apreviously deposited in the pan or scoop will 'A indicated at 91 secured at the upper end of the stencil supporting frame will engage a pair of pins 92 secured to the bracket 79. The brackets will thus be moved inwardly' on the rods 80 and as' the latches 85 are spring actuated they will ride over and engage the pins 87, thus locking the brackets 79 l'which carry the paint pan 78' when the paint pan has moved into engagement with the squeegee blade. This movement of the paint pan towards the squeegee blade causes the surplus paint to be scooped up against the surface of the squeegee and as the squeegee will be raised immediately thereafter by the action of the cam 6 the squeegee together with the paint pan and the paint'scooped up thereby will be held in an elevated position during the return movement of the stencil and the platen and no paint will be transferred. During the next operation of the stencil and platen the squeegee and the paint pan is lowered the moment the stencil starts downwardly in unison with the platen and the moment the squeegee is lowered latches 85 are released and the paint pan is moved laterally or -away from the squeegee so as to deposit the paint onthe surface of the stencil thereby permitting transfer thereof through the open portions of the stencil during the impression or printing operation.

All operations so far described are entirely automatic and require no attention on the part of the operator whatsoever, all his attention being directed toward the feeding of the sheets one by one into engagement with the guides indicated at 44. It will of course be understood that he stops and starts the machine whenever necessary, this being accemplished by`merely stepping on a foot treadle such as shown at 94. This foot treadle rotates a shaft 95 which in turn actuates a clutch 96 on-the main drive shaft. When this clutch is thrown out driving shaft 2 comes-to rest and so does the remaining mechanism 4as all mechanism is operated thereby.

By referring to Figs. 4 and 8, it will be noted that the forward edge of the feeding -wardly projecting lingers such as indicated at 97. These extend substantially to the" point of the grippers and serve the function of maintaining the paper sheets delivered to the guides out of contact with the curved surface of the platen during its return movement.

Lesaaie thereof are permanently blocked out or rendered impervious as indicated by the heavy shade lines at 98. The `lower end of the stencil is similarly blocked out but this is not shown. The 'permanently blocked out sur-A faces indicated at 98 in actual practice form paint supporting surfaces, the paint being gathered or scooped up on the surface 98 at the upper end of the stencil and being deposited onthe lower blocked out surface 98 prior to transfer through the open surfaces of the stencil. The inclined position of the stencil is important. rIhis is best shown in Figs. l and 8. Such inclination causes any surplus paint to run towards the squeegee or scraper 60 and as such is always gathered up by the paint pan or scoop during each scooping operation.

While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically described, we wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims. Similarly, that the materials and finishes of the several parts employed may be such as themanufacturer may decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand.

Having lthus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a machine of the character described, a curved platen, a stencil, means disposing the stencil on an angle with relation to a horizontal plane and on a tangent to the surface of the platen, means for introducing material to be printed between the stencil and the platen, grippers on the platen for holding the material in engagement with the surface of the platen, means whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the platen and a simultaneous reciprocal movement to the stencil so that a rolling contact will be made between the material to be, printed Vand the surface of the stencil, and means for forcing pigment through the stencil on the .line of contact between the stencil and the material.

2. In a machine of the character described, a segmental shaped platen, a stencil spaced from the platen, means disposing the stencil on an an le with relation to a horizontal plane an on a tangent to the surface of the platen, means for introducing material'to be printed'between the stencil and the platen, grippers on the platen for maintaining the material in engagement -with the surface of the platen, means whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the platen and a simultaneous reciprocal movement to the stencil so that a rolling contact will be made betweenthe material to be printed and the surface of the stencil, a scraper vertically disposed with relation to a horizontal plane and angularly disposed with relatinn to the .surface of the stencil, and means whereby the scraper is moved into engagement with the stencil so as to bring a line of the stencil surface into engagement with the material to be printed.

3. In a machine of the character described a segmental shaped platen, a stencil spaced from the platen, means disposing the stencil on an angle with relation to a horizontal plane and on a tangent to the surface of the platen, means for introducing material to be printed between the stencil and the platen, grippers on the platen for maintaining the material in engagement with the surface of the platen, means whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the platen and a simultaneous reciprocal movement to the stencil so that a rolling contact will be made between the material to be printed and the surface of the stencil, a squeegee vertically disposed. with relation to a horizontal plane and angularly disposed with relation 'to the surface of the stencil, means whereby the squeegee is moved into engagement with the surface of the stencil, and means for regulating the pressure exerted by the squeegee on the stencil and the underlying material to be printed.

4. ln a machine of the character described, a segmental shaped platen, a stencil spaced from the platen, means disposing the stencil on an angle with relation to a horizontal plane and on a tangent to the surface of the platen, means for introducing material to be printed between the stencil and the platen, grippers on the platen for maintaining the material in engagement with the surface of the platen, means whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the platen and a simultaneous resciprocal movement to the stencil sothat a rolling contact will be made between the material to be printed and the surface of the stencil, a scraper vertically disposed with relation to a horizontal plane and angularly disposed with relation to the surface of the stencil, means whereby the scraper is moved into engagement with the surface of the stencil, and means for maintaining a supply of pigment on the surface of the stencil and adJacent one side of the scraper.

5. In a machine of the character described, a segmental shaped platen, a stencil spaced from the platen, means disposing the stencil on an angle with relation to a horizontal plane and on a tangent to the surface of the platen, means for introducing material to be printed between the stencil and the platen,

stencil so that a rolling contact will be made between the material to be printed and the surface of the stencil, a scraper vertically disposed with relation to a horizontal lplane an angularly disposed with relation to the surface of t e stencil, means whereb the scraper is moved into'engagement wit the surface of the stencil, means for maintaining a supply of pigment on the surface of the stencil and at one side of the scraper while the scraper is maintained in engagement with the surface of the stencil, and means for removing the supply of pigment from the surface of the stencil when the scraper is moved away from the surface of the stencil.

6. In a machine of the character described a segmental shaped platen, a stencil spaced from the platen, means disposing the stencil on an angle with relation to a horizontal plane and on a tangent to the surface of the platen, ineans for introducing material to be printed between the stencil and the platen, grippers -on the platen for maintaining the material in engagement with the surface of the platen2 means whereby an oscillating movement 1s transmited to the platen and a simultaneous reciprocal movement to the stencil so that a rolling contact will be made between the material to be printed and the surface of the stencil, a scraper vertically disposed with relation to a horizontal plane and angularly disposed with relation to the surface of the stencil, means whereby the scraper is moved into engagement with the surface of the stencil, a paint pan disposed -adjacent one side of the scraper and containing a supply of pigment, means for lowering the paint pan in unison with the scraper and for imparting lateral movement to the paint pan away from the scra er so as to deposit the pigment on the su ace of the stencil while the scraper is maintained in engagement therewith, and means for moving the paintpan toward the scraper and for elevating it in unison with the scraper when the scraper is moved away from'the surface of the stencil so as to remove the pigment from the surface of the stencil. f

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination with the platen and means forl transmitting an oscillating movement thereto, of a plurality of grippers projecting throughthe surface of the platen, said platen adapted to assume a receiving position and a discharging position, means whereby the toward discharging position, other means l grippersare automaticallyelevated when the platen resumes a receiving position, said means automatically causing-de ression of the grippers prior to movement o the platen whereby the ippers are automatically elevated when te laten` reaches dischar 'ng position, and a p urality of guide mem ers co-operating withv the grippers.

8. In a machine of the character described, the -combinationwith the platen-. and means for transmitting an v oscillating movement thereto, ofa plurality of grippers projecting through theY surface of a platen,` said platen adapted to assume a receiving position and a discharging position, means wherel 'i ly depressed during movement of the platenl from discharging toward receiving position, said means automatically elevating the guide members prior to movement of the platen from receivin to discharging position.

9.1 In a mac ine of thin?J character described, a p aten, a plurality o grippers projecting through the face thereof, a rack bar on each gripper', a cross shaft journalled in the platen, a plurality of gears securedbn said shaft and intermeshing'with the rack bars'of the grippers, a crank arm on the shaft, means for transmitting an oscillating movement to the platen, said platen assuming a receiving position and a discharging position during oscillation thereof, and a stationary cam engageable with the crank arm when the platen reaches a dischargingposition and impartin an oscillating' movement to the cross sha and gears so as to transmit elevating movement to the rack bars and the 'ga-ippers actuated thereby. j

10. In a mahinI of thfe character described, a laten, a ura it o rip ers ro'ecting thiiough thepface thZreoLg a ralck br o]n each gripper, a c ross shaft journalled in the platen, a plurality of gears secured on said shaft v and .intermeshing with the rack bars of the grippers', a crank arm on the shaft, means for transmitting an oscillating movement to the platen, said platen assuming a receiving position anda discharging position during oscillation thereof, stationary cam engageable with the crank arm when the platen reaches" a discharging position and imparting an oscillating movement-to the cross shaft and gearsso as to transmit elevating movement to the rack bars and the grippers actuated thereby, and a movable cam engageable with guide- 'members cfa-operating therewith, and

'automatically actuated means maintaining the guide members in substantial contact with the surface of the tplaten during movement in one dlrectlon, sai means automatically lelee of the character described, alplaten mounted for oscillating movement,

vating the guide members during movement of the platen in an opposite direction.

12. In a machine of the character described, a platen adapted to be oscillated and movable during oscillation from a receivingto a discharging position, a plurality ofngrippers on the platen and adapted to grip and secure material fed thereto when the platen assumes a receiving position, means whereby the grippers are moved to release the material prior to the platen reaching discharging position, a stripper plate adapted to be introduced between the surface of the platen and the material, and means for transmitting an oscillating movement to the stripper plate to raise the material above the grippers and to assist gravity discharge of thematerial with relation to the platen..

13. In a machine of the character described, a platen, a stencil co-operating therewith, a squeegee and paint delivering mechanism cooperating with the stencil, grippers mounted von the platen, a driving shaft, means on said shaft whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the platen and a simultaneous reciprocal movement to the stencil, a plurality of cams on the drive shaft, and means whereby said cams automatically actuate the grippers and the squeegee together with the paint delivery mechanism.

14. In a machine of the character described, a platen, a stencil co-operating therewith, a squeegee and paint delivering mechanism-cooperating with the stencil, grippers mounted a platen,

on the platen, a driving shaft, means on said shaft whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the platen and a simultaneous reciprocal movement tothe stencil, a plurality of cams on the drive shaft, means whereby saidcams automatically actuate 'the grippers and the squeegee together with the paint delivery mechanism, and a stationary'camwhereby the grippers are intermittently actuated independently of said first named means.

15. In a machine of the character described, a stencil co-operating therewith, a squeegee and paint delivering mechanism cooperating with the stencil, grippers mounted on the platen, a driving shaft, means on said shaft .whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the platen and a simultaneous reciprocal movement to the stencil, a plurality of cams on the drive shaft, means whereby said cams automatically actuate the grippers and the squeegee together with the paint delivery mechanism, a stationary cam whereby the grippers are i termittently actuated independently of saidfirst named means, a stripping plate disposed adjacent the stationary cam, and a plurality of cams on the drive shaft whereby `an oscillating movement is transmitted to the stripping plate.

16. In a machine of the character described, a platen, a stencil co-operating therewith, a

squeegee and paint delivering mechanism cooperating with the stencil, grippers mounted on the platen, a driving shaft, means on said shaft whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the platen and a simultaneous reciprocal ity of cams on the drive shaft, means whereby said cams automatically actuate the grippers and the squeegee together with the paint delivery mechanism, a stationary cam whereby the grippers are intermittently actuated independently of said first named means, a

' stripping plate disposed adjacent the stationary cam, a plurality of cams on the drive shaft whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the stripping plate, guide members cooperating with the grippers, and a cam on the drive shaft whereby the guide members are automatically raised and lowered with relation to the surface of the platen.

17. In a machine of the character described, al stationary trame, a squecgee, a trame supporting the squeegee and vertically movable in the stationary frame, a paint pan supported by the squeegeeframe and vertically movable in unison' therewith, a stencil frame reciprocally mounted below the squeegee, means whereby reciprocal movement ot the stencil frame in one direction is transmitted to move the paint pan towards the squeegee and into engagement therewith,

means automatically engaging the pan and securing it with relation tothe squeegee and its trame, spring means engaged by the pan and adapted to be compressed during movement of the paint pan towards the squeegee, and means actuated by reciprocal movement of the stencil in an opposite direction for releasing tlie pan to permit the spring means to move the pan away from the squeegee.

18. In a machine of the character dcscribed, a stationary trame, a squeegee, a frame supporting the squeegee and vertically movable in the stationary frame, a pair of rods secured to the squeegee trame, a paint pan slidably mounted on the rods and movable into and out of engagement with the lsqUeegee, springs on the rods and engageable with the pan and normally maintaining the pan out of engagement with the squeegee, a

lstencil reciprocally mounted below the squeegee, means whereby reciprocal movement ot the stencil. in one direction is transmitted to move the paint pan into engagement with the squeegee, a latch pivotally mounted on the squecgee frame and engageable with the pan Vto secure it when in engagement with the squeegee, and a cam carried by the stencil and engageable with the latch to release the saine during reverse movement of the stencil to pei'- mit the springs to move the pan out of engagement with the squeegee.

19. In a machine of the character described, a segmental, shaped platen, a feed table disposed adjacent the same, a plurality movement to the stencil, a pluralof guide members disposed above the .feed table and the platen and movable to and away from the surface of the platen, said platen adapted to assume a receiving position and a )0. In av machine of the character de-l scribed, a segmental shaped platen, a feed table disposed adjacent the same, a plurality of guide members disposed above the feed table and the platen and movable to and away from the surface of the platen, said platen adapted to assume a receiving position and a discharging position, automatically actuated means transmitting movement to depress the guide members during movement of the platen from discharge to receiving position, a plurality of fingers on the feed table and extending from the forward edge of the feed table to the guide members, said 80- ngers maintaining a paper sheet moved into register with .the guide members from engaging the surface of the platen during movement thereof from discharging to receiving position, a plurality of grippers carried by the platen and engageable lwith the aper sheet supported by the fingers and he d by the guide members, means' automatically raising the guide members away from the platen when the grippers move into engagement with the paper-sheet, and means .automatically depressing the grippers into gripping engagement with-the paper sheet substantially simultaneous with raising of the guide members. l

21. In a machine of the character described,

g a segmental shaped platen, a feed table disposedadjacent the same, a plurality of guide members disposed' above the feed table and the platen and movable to and away from the surface of the platen, said platen adapted to lassume a receiving position and a discharging position, automatically actuated means transmittin movement'to depress the guide members uring movement of the platen from discharge to receiving position.,

a plurality of fingers on the feed table and.l

extending from the forward edge of the feed table to the guide members, said fingers maintaining a pa er sheet moved into register with the gui e members from engagin' the surface of the platen during movementt ereof Afrom discharging to' receiving position, a plurality of grippers carried by the platen .andl engageable with the paper sheet su ported by the fingers and held by the guide members, means automatically raisingl the guide members away from the platen whenI the grippers move into engagement with the paper sheet, means automatically depressing the grippers into gripping engagement with the paper sheetl substantially simultaneous with raising of the guide members, said grippers securing the forward edge of the paper sheet with relation to the curved' surface of the platen, and other means engageable with the sheet of paper and maintaining the remaining portion of the sheet in engagement with a curved surface of the platen during movement of the platen from receiving to discharging position.

22. In a machine of the character described, a segmental shaped platen. a feed 'table disposed adjacent tlie same, a plurality of guide members disposed above the feedtable and the platen and movable to and away from the surface of the platen, said platen adapted to assume' a receiving position and a discharging position, automatically actuated means transmitting movement to depress the guide members during move-ment of the platen from discharge to receiving position, a plurality of fingers on the feed table and extending from the forward edge of the feed table to the guide members, said fingers maintaining a paper sheet moved into-register with the guide members from engaging the surface of the platen during Inoveinent thereof from discharging to receiving position', aplurality of grippers carried by the platen and engageable with the paper sheet supported by the lingers and held by the guide members, means automatically raising the, guide members away from t-hel platen when the grippers move into engagement with the paper sheet, means automatically depressing the grippers into gripping engagement with the paper sheet substantially simultaneous with raising of the guide members. said grippers securing the forward edge of the paper sheet with relation to the curved surface ofthe platen, and rollers engageable with the -sheet of paper and -maintaining it in contact with the curved surface of the platen during movement o'f the plateny from receiving to discharging 'position'.

CLARENCE L. JOHNSTON EDWARD A. OWENS.