US2015086A - Printing machine for tubular bodies - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 24, 1935. H. J. PAYNTER ET AL 2,015,086

PRINTING MACHINE FOR TUBULAR BODIES Filed May 27, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I l V TOR- 1 ME Sept. 24, 1935. J. PAYNTER r AL 2,015,086

PRINTING MACHINE FOR TUBULAR BODIES Filed May 27, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig-s Z 27/ 3 64 39-93 2/3 Sept. 24, 1935. H. J. PAYNTER ET AL 2,015,086

PRINTING MACHINE FOR TUBULAR BODIES Filed May 27, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 24, 1935. H. J. PAYNTER ET AL 2,015,086

PRINTING MACHINE FOR TUBULAR BODIES Filed May 27, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTOR EY Patented Sept. 24, 1935 PATENT OFFICE v 2,015,086 7 l 1 PRINTING momma FOR TUBULAR BODIES Horace J. Paynter, Maplewoodyand Arthur E.

Bumpus, Union,

N. J., assignors to American Can Company, New York,'N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application-May 27, 1929, Serial No. 366,114

. 25 Claims.

The present invention relates to a printing machine for tubular objects and has particular reference to an apparatus for holding a tubular container body in definite register relative to a 5 printing mechanism and. for printing a design on' the container body so held.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly well adapted to the printing of a label or a design on the outside of a tubular drum or keg such as is ordinarily used in the packaging of white lead and similar products.

Such drums or kegs are usually previously painted or coated with a protective covering which is thoroughly dried. The label or design must then be applied to such a coated surface. The printing must be done with relatively great pressure between the container body and the printing roller and must have accurate register at all times to prevent smearing or blurring of ink or paint used in the design being transferred.

The apparatus of the present invention provides the greatest security against non-registratlon of parts by supporting the inside of the container body at all points in its inner peripheral surface. This feature affords a complete backing-up of the container body at its point of contact with the printing roller permitting the use of great printing pressure and at the same time preventing any slipping of the container on its support or relative to the printing roller.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a printing machine having an expanding chuck for holding a tubular body, the

chuck engaging andrigidly holding the inner wall of the body when expanded and presenting a smooth unbroken peripheral engaging surface at such time.

An important object of the invention is the provision of an expanding and contracting chuck for use in a printing machine which is expanded for engagement with a tubular container body and which is contracted to a relatively small size to permit the easy removal of the container body therefrom.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of an expanding and contracting chuck for use in a printing machine which has a rapid expanding action and one in which the parts are locked against collapse while expanded.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a chuck for use in a printing machine which is expanded and contracted by the action of compressed air controlled in a simple and efficient manner.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a chuck for use in a-printing machine which is expanded to engage a tubular body by direct action on the part of the operator but which is automatically collapsed at termination 5 of the printing cycle.

A further important objectv of the invention relates to the hinged mounting of a chuck relative to a printing roller whereby a proper print? ing engagement is always secured between the 10 printing roller and a body carried by the chuck.

A still further important object of the invention is the provision of a locating gauge for registering a tubular body in predetermined position upon the holding chuck of a printing machine.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of an organized printing mechanism for tubular bodies comprising a series of operations automatically coordinating when set in motion by the operator to produce one, and 20 one only, complete printing cyclea An importantobject of the invention is the provision of a clutch device for connecting driving power to the operating parts of a printing press the clutch device being controlled and actu- 25 ated through a safety device requiring predetermined manual operations.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, 30 taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sideelevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the upper part of the machine, parts being broken away and a tubular body being shown in position upon the expanded holding chuck.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the holding chuck in collapsed position, parts being broken away.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of a part of the holding chuck, the view being taken substantially along line 55 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal central sectional view 45 of the upper part of the machine the top portion of the view being taken substantially along line 66 in Fig. 2 the lower portion of the view showing parts in elevation.

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail taken substantially along line 1-1 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail taken substantially along line 88 in Fig. '7.

Fig. 9is a sectional detail taken substantially along line 9-9 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially in section of the clutch device and the control instrumentalities associated with the transmission of driving power in the machine.

Fig. 11 is anend elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line |2| 2 in F18. 10.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail of a part of the clutch mechanism illustrated in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail taken substantially along line |4|4 in Fig. 11.-

Fig. 15 is an enlarged central section of the ing type. In this type of printing the printing roller carries a rubber or other kind of blanket upon which is superimposed the printing design or legend which is built up in ink or in paint applied to the surface of the blanket by a type roller positioned therebeneath. The type roller which -carries the design matrix, in turn cooperateswith an inking roller and the matrix is thereby furnished with the paint or ink which is transferred to the blanket of the printing roller and this, in turn, is transferred to the outer wall of the tubular container held on the expanded chuck. All of these rollers and parts are suitably mounted for rotation and are rotated in synchronism to effect the printing operation upon the tubular container body. Mechanism is provided for expanding the holding chuck after a tubular container body has been placed by hand or in any suitable manner in proper position thereon. This expanding mechanism comprises interconnected parts actuated by compressed air, in turn, controlled by the operator through a foot treadle.

A clutch device is provided for connecting operating parts of the machine with a source of driving energy. Actuation of the clutch device is made through control safety instrumentalities, a feature of which necessitates actuation in proper sequence by the operator before rotation of any of the printing mechanism takes place.

Other mechanism is provided for insuring a single printing operation after which the machine automatically comes to rest and the cycle of operation can then only be repeated by a repeated actuation of the various parts by the operator in their proper order.

As illustrated in the drawings the tubular body holding chuck (Figs. 3 to 6 incl.) comprises a series of sections 2| and 22, a section 22 being positioned between two alternate, spaced sections 2|. There are four each of the sections 2| and 22 in the present embodiment although this numbermay vary with different diameters of holding chucks. These sections are arranged concentrically about the center of the chuck and when expanded, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the outer surfaces of the alternating sections 2| and 22 present one complete, smooth, unbroken periphery.

Sections 2| (Fig. 6) are pivotally connected at 23 to links 24, in turn pivotally connected at 2' to a cap 26 sliding longitudinally over a tubular member 21 formed integrally with a conical sleeve 28, in turn, extending into a spur gear 2!.

The tubular member 21 is keyed at 3| to one end of a rotatable sleeve 22 extending substantially throughout the width of the machine, the sleeve being mounted within a chuck frame 88. Sleeve I2 is held in fixed longitudinal position relative to the frame 33 by adjustingcollars I4 and 35 threadedly connected with the sleeve, the former clamping a thrust washer ll carried on sleeve 32 against the frame 33, this construction holding gear 29 against frame II. By reason of the link connections between sections 2| and cap 26, these sections (functionally "active sections) are actuated, as will be hereinafter fully described, to expand or contract the holding chuck. Sections 22, in turn, are radially moved. only through movement of the active sections and, therefore, constitute passive sections.

Each section 22 is provided with two dovetail keys 4| (Fig. 4) secured thereto by screws 42 and each key 4| has sliding movement within a dovetail slot 43 formed in each sliding face of a section 2|. This permits radial sliding movement between the active and the passive sections the latter being moved out and in by reason of the inclined construction of the contacting surfaces of the sliding sections. This dovetail or tongue and groove construction and the transverse position of the keys prevents longitudinal movement between the sections 2| and 22.

Each section 2i, in turn, is movably connected with gear 29 by feather and featherway. Each connection comprises a feather 45 (Figs. 4, 6 and 9) secured to the front wall of gear 29 by a screw 46 there being illustrated four feathers 45 spaced around the gear center. Sections'2l are s otted and thereby provided with featherways 41 in which the feathers 45 slide and this construction permits radial movement of the sections 2| relative to the gear 29 but prevents any axial movement therebetween.

Sections 2| are moved outwardly to expanded position by sliding movement of the cap 26 act ing through the links 24 (Figs. 3, 4 and 6). Cap 28 is clamped to one end of a piston rod 5| extending through sleeve 32, the cap being held thereon by a locknut 52. The opposite end of rod 5| carries a piston 53 operating within a cylinder 54 secured to a collar 50 carried by the sleeve 32.

When piston 53 is moved toward the right, (as viewed in Fig. 6) rod 5| moves the cap 28 along the tubular member 21 to the position illustrated and links 24 at the end of the movement are in a substantially vertical position, the sections 2| being moved outwardly. The inclined contacting surfaces of sections 2| and 22 at such time move the latter to their expanded positions thus completing a continuous peripheral surface for the holding chuck (Fig. 3). tion the pivots 25 and 23 of links 24 are practically in alignment forming a locked toggle system preventing collapse of the expanded chuck. During this expanding movement the connecting members 4| and 42, and 45 and 41 maintain the sections in their longitudinal position relative to the gear 29.

In expanded position (Fig. 3) the outer diameter of the holding chuck is considerably in excess of the diametrical distance between the outermost opposite passive sections 22 when in collapsed position (Fig. 4). The collapsed position, therefore, not only permits easy positioning In this expanded posiof a tubular body 55 over the holding chuck but,

also, permits the use of a necked-in body, one

- In placing such a tubular body upon the holding chuck one car 51 of thecan (Figs. 1 and 2) is pushed within a slot 58 formed in the outer end of a gauge strap 59 secured to gear 29. This provides a reference point for the body 55 and determines the exact location of the printed design applied to thebody in the printing operation.

Chuck frame 33 is provided with arms 6I (Figs. 2 and 3) which are hinged at 62 to arms 63 projected from a plate 64 (see also Figs. 1 and 6) mounted upon a printirig roller bracket 65 which,

in turn, is carried upon a type roller bracket 66 supported by a main frame 61 carried upon a base 68. By reason of the hinged connection of chuck frame 33 the entire chuck mechanism carried thereby has slight vertical movement about the hinge pintles 62, around a center line parallel with the axis of the chuck and permitting a yielding printing pressure to be applied between the container body 55 (upon the holding chuck) and the printing roller.

The weight of the chuck mechanism assisted by the action of a coil spring 1| (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) surrounding the lower end of a vertical rod 12 gives the necessary printing pressure. Spring H is interposed between the plate 64 and nuts 13 threadedly engaging the lower extremity of rod 12, the latter having sliding movement through the plate 84. Rod 12 is pivoted at 14 to a lug 15 projected from one side of chuck frame 33, this being on the side opposite to the hinged connection with the brackets 53.

When the chuck sections 2I and 22 are in their contracted position, the weight of and the spring action upon, the chuck mechanism holds it in a lowered position this,position being determined by a setscrew 16 threadedly adjusted in the plate 64, and supporting the free unhinged side of frame 33.

After a container body 55 has been positioned over the contracted chuck, compressed air operates to move piston 53 within its cylinder 54 and to expand the chuck parts into holding position. This operation of the compressed air within the cylinder 54 is regulated through a control air valve which, in turn, is actuated by the operator. Compressed air is introduced into the machine from any suitable source of supply by means of a pipe 8I (Figs. 3 and 6) connecting with the interior of an air valve casing 82 mounted upon one side of the plate 64. Casing 82 is provided with a cover 83, these parts enclosing the mechanism of the air valve.

Air entering through pipe 8I passes through a horizontal passageway 84 and thence through v a lateral port 85 to an interior chamber 86 confined within the parts 82 and 83. Provision is made for selectively connecting port 85 with one of two ports leading respectively to the front of or to the back of the piston 53 in cylinder 54. This selective control comprises a cup member 81 carried on the upper end of an arm 88,

preventing passage 'of air along the shaft at that place.

' Rockshaft 89 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) carries an arm 93 pivotally connected to a tie rod 94 pivoted at its lower end to a lever 95 pivoted at 96 inc.

bracket 91 projected from one face of a column 98 carried by the base 68. Lever 95 is provided with a foot treadle 99 actuation of which moves lever 95 to oscillate shaft 89 and move the air cup member 81. A coil spring IOI is interposed between lever 95 and column 98. Spring IOI normally holds lever 95 in normal raised position.

Upon depression of the foot treadle 99 through the described mechanism arm 88 isshifted to carry cup member 81 toward the right as illustrated in Fig. 6, where this cup member covers port 85 and a port I05 formed in the casing 02 and communicating witha vertical passageway I06 (see also Fig. 3) which, in turn, communicates with the interior of a pipe I01.

Pipe I01 is threadedly secured to a sleeve I08 (Figs. 6 and 15) which forms a housing for a stufiing box unit and air connections with the cylinder 54. Sleeve I68 is held stationary with pipe I01 butpermits rotation of the cylinder 54 with rotation of the sleeve 32 and the holding chuck.

Sleeve I08 is closed at its outer end by a threaded plu-g I09 formed with a tubular extension III' which encircles a gland H2, in turn, positioned over the end of a stem II3 projected from one end of cylinder 54 and threadedly secured thereto by a locknut H4. The interior of pipe I01 communicates with a passageway H5 passing through one wall of sleeve I08 and communicating with an annular groove II6 formed in the extension III of plug I09. Compressed air passing through pipe I01 and port I I5 fills the annular groove I I6.

Radial ports II1 cut through gland I I2 form a connection between the annular groove H6 and an air chamber II8 on the inside of gland II2, this chamber being confined between the end of stem H3 and plug I09. Gland H2 is held stationary with plug I09 and stem H3 is free to rotate within the gland. Compressed air passes from chamber II8 through a horizontal passageway II 9 communicating with a lateral passageway i2I in the rear-wall of cylinder 54. Passageway I2 I, in turn, communicates with passageways I22 and I23 formed respectively in the outer and front walls of cylinder 54, the end of passageway I23 communicating with an air chamber I24 in cylinder 54 forward of the piston 53. This compressed air passing into air chamber I24 forces the piston 53 toward the right (as viewed in Fig. 6) this action expanding the chuck sections 2I and 22 as previously described.

The operator does not need to hold foot treadle 99 depressed throughout this cycle of chuck expanding operation as provision is made for automatically holding cup member 81 in the position illustrated in Fig. 6 until after the printing operation. This device comprises a lever I25 (Figs. 3 and 6) pivoted at I26 to a bracket I21 projected from one wall of casing 82. One end of lever I25 is formed with a notch I28 adapted to engage the upper end of an arm I29 mounted on the rockshaft 89. Arm I29 is moved into the slot I28 by depression of the treadle 99 and upon oscillation of the shaft 89. Moving into position, the upper end of arm I29 which is inclined at its top strikes against an inclined rounded nose formed on the lever I25 and rocks the lever has just engaged lever I28.

about its pivot I28 against the action of a coil spring I8I interposed between lever I25 and a pin chuck expanded position until after the printing operation.

The printing operation is performed in one rotation of the holding chuck and provision is made for disengaging arm I28 from lever I25 on the'termination of one complete rotation of the holding chuck and mechanism carried therewith. This canprises a'pin I82 (Fig. 6) projected from the collar 55 and adapted to engage a notched end I 88 of lever I25 just prior to the completion of a single rotation of the collar 55. Figure 6 illustrates the parts in position where pin I32 Lever I25 upon further movement of pin I 82 with its collar 55 will move about its pivot I25 and release arm I28 which thereupon moves with the oscillation of shaft 88 under action of spring I. Such oscillation of shaft 89 moves arm 88 and cup member 81 from the position illustrated in Fig. 6.

This movement of cup member 81 uncovers port I05 and air from chamber I24 thereupon passes through the ports and passageways described, through the pipe I01 and to the interior chamber 88 of the air valve. From chamber 88 the air escapes to atmosphere through a port I35 (Fig. 3) formed in the upper part of the cover 83.

In this normal position of cup member 81 (toward the left Fig. 6) connection is formed between the supply port and a lateral port I38 communicating with a vertical port I31 both formed in casing" the latter .port leading to the interior of a pipe I38, also, threadedly secured to the sleeve I08;

Compressed air conducted through pipe I38 passes through a port I39 (Fig. 15) in sleeve I08 and communicates with an annular groove I 4| formed in the outer periphery of a stufling box gland I42 held in position on stem II3 by gland H2 and plug I09. In this position gland I42 confines a packing I43 within the forward end of sleeve I08. Sleeve I08 at this position is threadedly held by a washer I04 against a plate I45 bolted to the rear end wall of cylinder 54. This completes the movable connection between the stationary sleeve I08 and the movable cylinder 54.

The compressed air passing through pipe I38, port I88 and into the annular groove I H is thence conveyed through radial ports I46 to an annular groove I41 formed on the interior of gland I42, thus surrounding the rotatablestem H3. Air then flows through a radial port I48 communieating with a longitudinal passageway I 49 leading to an air chamber I5I (Fig. 6) Within cylinder 54 and to the right of piston 53. The pressure of this air against the face of piston 58 causes it to move toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 6) carrying rod 5I and connected parts toward the left to collapse the holding chuck. During this movement, air from chamber I24 passes to the atmosphere through the air valve and port I85.

With a container body 55 in position on the holding chuck and the parts expanded by depression of the foot treadle 98 and operation of the air valve, as described, the can body is ready for its printing operation. This operation is automatically carried on by rotation of the holdingchuck and cooperating rotation of printing mechanism.

Driving power for the machine is communicated to a drive shaft I88 through the medium of a belt pulley I58 (Fig. 1). Shaft I88 is jourl naled in a bearing I51, carried on the upper end of a bracket. I58 bolted to the base 88. Shaft I55. also, operates in a bearing I58 formed on frame 81. Shaft I55 carries a pinion I8I which meshes with a'gear I82 (Fig. 10) keyed to a sleeve I88 10 Journaled in a bearing bracket I84 carried by. frame 81. Sleeve I88 constitutes the driving part of a clutch mechanism which will be hereinafter fully described and which constitutes, at certain periods, a connection between the rotating sleeve 15 I88 and an inking roller shaft I88 extending through and supported by the sleeve I88. Shaft I85 extends at its forward end into a usual form of inking mechanism generally designated by the number I88 (Fig.1) which embodies the usual 20 ink or paint applying and distributing rollers, shaft I85 having suitable bearing within this mechanism.

The ink or paint by this mechanism is evenly distributed over an inking roller I81 suitably 25 carried within the inking mechanism I88 and contacting a type roller I88 provided with a design or legend matrix I88 carried on its periphery in the usual and preferred manner. Roller I88 is carried bya horizontal shaft I1I iournaled so in a bearing I12 formed in a bracket I18 mounted upon the column 98 and in bearings I14 formed in the bracket 68 (Figs. 1 and 10).

Shaft I1I receives rotation from shaft I 85 through a pair of intermeshing gears I15 and 35 I16 mounted respectively upon the shafts I 85 and HI. Type roller I 58 is positioned directly beneath a printing roller I8I carried by a horizontal shaft I82 Journaled' in a bearing I88 formed in the bracket I13 and in bearings I84 40 carried by bracket 85. Shaft I82 and printing roller I8I rotate'in unison with shaft HI and type roller I88 through the intermeshing gears I85 and I88 carried by the respective shafts I1I alld I82. 45

Printing roller I8I (Fig. 3) is covered with a rubber or other suitable printing blanket I81 held on the periphery of the roller by clamping bars I88 and I88 positioned within longitudinal slots I9I and I82 this being a preferred construc- 50 tion universally used in offset printing. The design or type matrix I 89 of type roller I 88 contacts the outer surface of this blanket I81 during the rotation of the respective rollers I8I and I58 and the paint or ink applied to the outer 55 surface of the type by the inking rollers is transferred to the surface of the blanket I 81 in the regular printing manner.

With printing engagement taking place between the outer surface of the blanket I81 on the printing roller I8I and the outer surface of the held container 55 positioned upon the holding chuck. the design is transferred from the printing roller to the outer wall of the container 55. Gear I88 is, at all times in mesh with gear 28 and this insures proper moving contact between printing roller I8I and container body 55 during this printing operation.

The proper pressure between container 55 and the printing roller III is insured by reason of 70 the hinged construction of the chuck frame 88 assisted by the yielding action of spring 1i as has been previously described. The teeth of gears 28 and I 88 are sufficiently deep to permit this hinging action without getting out of mesh. 75

The clutch device for connecting the driving parts I55 and I63 with the driven shaft I65 comprises a mechanism disclosed in detail in Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive. Sleevev I63 carries a disc ring 20I positioned adjacent a clutch pawl collar 202 keyed to shaft l65.' Collar 202 carries a spring clutch pawl 203 having sliding movement within a transverse bore 204 formed in the collar 202. A coil spring 205 is seated within one end of pawl 203 and presses against the forward face of the same. The opposite end of spring 205 is held by a washer 206 positioned on shaft I65 adjacent collar 202 and held in place by a locking collar 201. Under the action of spring 205 pawl 203 has a tendency to move toward the left as viewed in Fig. 10 and when unrestricted in its movement engageswith one of several radial slots 208 formed in disc 20I. When the I forward end of pawl 203 moves within a slot 206,

parts 20I and 202 are locked together and shaft I65 rotates in unison with the rotating sleeve I63.

Provision is made for removing pawl 203 from a slot 200 whereupon the shaft 565 will be disconnected from the rotating sleeve 1163. This mechanism constitutes control instrumentalities for the clutch and is under the direct actuation of the operator. In this actuation, provision is made for insuring that both hands of the operator are in a safe position during the printing cycle of the apparatus requiring the proper actuation in proper sequence of two separate and widely spaced handles.

Two handle levers 2H and 2I2 are mounted upon a transverse shaft 2I3 (Fig. 3) lever 2" being secured thereto. Levers 2H and 2I2 are provided respectively with a hand rest 2I4 and 2I5. Handle 2 controls a latch mechanism this handle being positioned on the left-hand side of the machine, viewing the machine from the front as illustrated in Fig. 3. Lever 2I2 is connected with what will be considered the clutch control, this lever being positioned on the right-hand side of the machine.

Latch lever 2II must first be operated to unlatch lever 2l2 before the latter can be used to actuate the clutch device and operate the printing mechanism. Shaft 2I3 is journaled for oscillation within a bearing 2l6 carried by the bracket 65 (Figs. 2 and 3) and extends through a latch casing 2I'I (Fig. 7) carried by a bracket.

2|0 formed as a part of plate 64. Shaft 2I3 where it passes through the casing 2II has oscillating movement within a bearing 2|9 formed therein and projects through and oscillates with in a sleeve 22I carried by a casing cover 222 secured to the casing 2I'I. Sleeve 22I directly supports handle lever 2I2 the lever being keyed thereto. The latch mechanism is partially confined within the casing 2I'l and its cover 222 and is shown in detail in Figs. 6, '7, and 8.

Oscillation of shaft 2I3 by movement of the handle lever 2 under pressure of one hand of the operator moves an arm 225 (Figs. 7 and 8) which is keyed to the shaft and positioned within the casing 2II. The upper end of arm 225 moves toward the left (Fig. 8) and strikes a projecting lug 226 (Figs. 7 and 8) carried by a link 221 pivotally connected at 228 to a latch member 229 pivoted on a bolt 23I secured to a, boss formed in the casing 2I'I. Latch member 229 thereupon moves against the action of a leaf spring 233 and its lower hooked end 234 disengages teeth 235 formed on a plate 236 loosely mounted on shaft 2I3 and connected to the sleeve 22I.

This movement of shaft 2I3 by actuation of the handle 2 is resisted by a coil spring 231 (Fig. 6) connected at one end to the bracket 66 5 andat its opposite end to an arm 238 keyed to shaft 2l3 (see also Fig. 7). Arm 238 which carries an adjusting bolt 239 moves it away' from its normal engagement with one face of the bracket 65. Spring 237' is used to return handle lever 10 2 to normal position upon its release by the operator.

With the latch member 229 held in disengaged position plate 236, sleeve 22I and handle lever 2:2 are free to move upon the shaft 2I3. Upon l5 actuation of the handle lever 2I2 by depression of the other hand of the operator, the plate 236 is moved in a counter clockwise direction (Figs.

6 and 8). This action moves a stop projection 230 formed on the plate awayfrom one wall of casing 2H and at the same time an inclined cam face 232 of the plate engages a boss 240 formed on one end of link 22?, lifting that end of the link against the action of a spring 220 carried by latch member 229. 25

Spring 220 holds boss 240 against the cam face 232 and as the end of link 221 is lifted, lug 226 is raised above the upper end of arm 225. Spring 233 thereupon returns the hooked end 234 of latch member 229 to its normal position in engagement with plate 236. By reason of the shape of the teeth 235 and the hooked end 234, plate 236 may be returned to normal but can not be again actuated without again unlatching the parts by actuation of handle 2| I. tates the proper sequence of operations on the part of the operator for each cycle of operations of the machine and provides a fool proof safety feature.

As plate 236 and sleeve 22! are moved with handle 2I2, an arm 24I (Figs. 1 and 6) formed integrally with sleeve 22! moves a connecting rod 242 downwardly. Rod 242 is pivoted at its upper end to arm 2 and at its lower end to a bellcrank lever 243. Bellcrank lever 2&3 is piv- 5 oted at 244 on a bracket 245 projected from the frame 61.

Movement of the bar 242 causes bellcrank lever 243 to move about its pivot 244 against the action ofa coil spring 246 interposed between one end of the lever 243 and a pin 24'! projected from the frame 67. The opposite arm 248 of lever 243 is connected in a universal joint with one arm of a bellcrank lever 249 pivoted on a bracket 25I bolted to the frame-61. The opposite arm of bellcrank lever 249 is pivotally connected in a universal joint 252 to a block 253 carried by a link 254 (Figs. 11 and 12) pivotally connected to an arm 255 of a bracket 256 bolted to bracket I64.

Bracket 256 carries those devices directly associated with the clutch members 2M and 202 for withdrawing the pawl 203 from that one of the openings 208 in which it may be positioned thereby disconnecting the driving and driven parts 5 of the clutch. These devices comprise a wedge member 26I (Figs. 11, 12 and 14) formed on the upper end of a sliding rod 262 moving within a bearing 263 formed in bracket 256. Rod 262 is provided with an extension rod 264 passing through the end of bearing 263 andocarrying at its extremity a block 265.

A coil spring 261 surrounds the extension rod 264 and is enclosed within the bearing 263, it being interposed between the end of rod 262 and This necessi- 35 the end of bearing 263. Spring 261 normally holds wedge member 26I in raised position, this position being illustrated in Fig. 11. In raised position wedge member 26I rests within a groove 266 formed in the collar 202. When in this raised position wedge member 26I is .in the path of travel of pawl 203 as it is carried about the centerof shaft I65 by rotation of the clutch disc ring 20I and collar 202. As pawl 203 moves into engagement with wedge member 26I, one wall of a transverse slot 268 formed in the pawl 203 engages the inclined forward end of wedge member 26I and passing along the inclined surface moves from within its slot 208 against the action of spring 205. Upon the withdrawal of pawl 203 from a slot 208 the driving and driven parts of the clutch are disconnected.

Immediately upon the disconnecting of shaft I65 from the driving member I63 the former comes to rest; and pawl 203 remains retracted by engagement with the wedge member 26I. During this retraction rotation of the sleeve I63 and the ring 20I takes place without effecting movement of collar 202 and shaft I65.

Upon the disconnection of the clutch members and the coming to rest of shaft I65, shafts Ill and I82 and the holding chuck are correspondingly brought to rest by reason of the interconnecting gears I15, I16, I85, I66 and 28 previously described.

To insure that this stopping of the mechanism takes place at a definite predetermined position without overthrow of the parts caused by momentum, there is provided on shaft IN a brake mechanism illustrated in detail in Figs. 10 and 11. This brake mechanism is of the frictional type which automatically puts a drag on shaft "I when this shaft reaches a predetermined position in its revolution.

This brake mechanism comprises a pair of semicircular braking shoes 215 and 216 pivoted on a stud 211 held in a boss formed in bracket 66. Shoes 215 and 216 encompass a disc 218 secured to shaft I1I. Shoe or arm 216 is provided with an extension lug 216 in which is positioned a bolt 28I which extends through an opening formed in a similar extension lug 282, carried by 1 shoe or arm 215. An arm 283 is pivotally mounted at 284 on lug 282 and carries a boss 285 through which the upper end of bolt 28I passes. Bolt 28I is retained in position within boss 285 by locknuts 286. A coil spring 261 surrounds bolt 26I and is interposed between lug 218 and boss 285 and normally holds shoes 215 and 216 separated.

Shaft I1I carries at its extremity a cam 26I the periphery of which is engaged by a roller 262 rotatably mounted at 263 on arm 263. Cam 26I rotates with shaft HI and past roller 282. When shaft I1I reaches the predetermined position at which it is designed to stop, a raised portion 294 of cam 26I lifts roller 262 pivoting arm 283 about its pivot 284 using lug 282 as a fulcrum and lifting shoe 216 through bolt 26I this action clamping the two arms 215 and 216 together against the disc 216.

Proper actuation of the handle levers 2H and 2I2, as previously described, and movement of 7 connecting rod 242 and bellcrank levers 243 and 24! cause a correspondinglowering of block 253.

Link 254 (Figs. 11 and 12) thereupon rocks on' its pivot thereby moving a pair of links 30I which, at certain times, engages a projection formed on block 265. When latch 302 isin engagement with block 266, lowering of links 302 by block 253 causes a corresponding movement of the parts 264, 262 and 261. This lowering movement of wedge member 26I takes place against the resistance of spring 261, the final 6 lowered position being illustrated in Fig. 12.

As soon as wedge member 26I moves away from pawl 203 its spring 205 forces the same outwardly against ring disc 20I and the forward end of pawl 203 immediately engages within that par- 10 ticular slot 206 which is brought adjacent by the rotating sleeve I63 thus forming connection between the driving and driven parts. Shaft I65 and the mechanism connected therewith thereupon make one complete cycle of operation, shaft 15 I65 making one complete revolution.

As shaft I65 is making its single revolution a cam projection 303 formed in the periphery of collar 202 strikes against a roller 304 idly carried on one arm of a lever 305 which is pivoted on a 60 pin 306 projecting from bearing 263. Lever 365 l is thereupon rocked about its pivot and its opposite extremity 301 (Fig. 13) strikes against a projection 306 formed on latch 302 moving the latch toward the left thereby unhooking the end 25 of the latch from block 285. This movement takes place against the action of a coil spring 303 interposed between arm 255 and latch 302, (see also Fig.10)

Upon freeing of the end of projection 264 of 30 rod 262 wedge member 26I is moved upwardly within slot 266 by action of the spring 261. In this position, it will engage pawl 203 as it is brought around with the rotating collar 202. Upon engagement of the wedge member 26I, the 35 pawl 203 is withdrawn from its slot 208 and the driving and driven ,members are immediately disconnected as has been previously described.

By reason of the automatic release of the wedge member 26I and its moving into position to with- 0 draw the pawl 203 from its clutch position only one revolution of shaft I65 is permitted regardless of whether the handles 2 and 2I2 are held downwardly as connection is always broken between block 265 and latch 302. This necessitates 5 the release of the handles 2 and 2I2, the raising of connecting rod 242, the shifting of bellcrank levers 243 and 248 and the raising of block 953 and the parts connected therewith after each cycle of operations in order to again engage 50 latch 302 with block 265 and move wedge member 2 to form a driving connection for the machine.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from he foregoing description, and it will be apparent 55 that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advanages. the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for nrin ins. tubular container bodies comprisin in combination. a su porting frame. a chuck frame. a sleeve carried by said 65 chuck frame. an expanding chuck carried by said sleeve and adapted to en age the inside of a container body. said chuck frame being hinged on a line parallel with the axis of said chuck. printin means positioned adjacent said chuck and 70 adapted to transfer a printing desi n to a container body held on the chuck. and means for moving the chuck frame on its hinged connection to position said conta ner body into printing engagement with the printing means.

2. An apparatus for printing tubular container bodies comprising in combination, a supporting frame, a chuck frame, a sleeve carried by said chuck frame, an expanding chuck carried by said sleeve and adapted to engage the inside of a container body, said chuck frame being hinged on a lne parallel with the axis of said chuck, a printing roller positioned adjacent said chuck and adapted to transfer a printing design to a container body held on the chuck, means for moving the chuck frame on its hinged connection to posit'on said container body into printing engagement with the printing roller, and a limit stop for regulating the maximum pressure between container 'body and printing roller during printing engagement.

3. An apparatus for printing tubular container bodies comprising in combination, a supporting frame, a chuck frame, a rotatable sleeve carried by said chuck frame, an expanding chuck carried by said sleeve and adapted to engage the inside of a container body, said chuck frame being h nged on a line parallel with the axis of said chuck, a rotatable printing roller positioned adjacent said chuck and adapted to transfer a printing design to a container body held on the chuck, means for moving the chuck frame on its hinged connection to position sa'd container body into printing engagement with the print'ng roller, and means for rotating said chuck and said printing roller in synchronism to effect such printing.

4. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, the combination of an expanding chuck adapted to engage the inside of a container body and having a continuous peripheral surface when expanded, a chuck expanding and contracting mechanism comprising a sliding shaft, a piston carried by said shaft, and a cylinder surrounding said piston, and means for applying pressure on said piston and within said cylinder for sliding the shaft to effect expansion and contraction of said chuck.

5. A chuck for holding tubular container bodies in position for printing, comprising a plurality of actve sections, a plurality of passive sections movably positioned therebetween, all of ,said sections present'ng a continuous peripheral surface when the chuck is expanded, and an -actuating member having pivotal connection with I the active sections thereof, said actuat'ng member having longitudinal movement in one directon for expanding the chuck into container holding position and in the opposite direction for contracting the chuck into container releasing position.

6. A chuck for holding tubular container bodies in pos'tion for pr nting, comprising a plurality of spaced active sections, a plurality of spaced pasvsive sections, a said passive section being positioned in the space between each pair of adjacent active sect'ons, an alignment key located between each active and each passive section for maintaining longitudinal alignment thereof, and means for radially moving. the sections to expand and contract the chuck into container holding and into container releasing position.

'7. A chuck for holding tubular container bodies in position for printing, comprising a plurality of spaced active sections, a plurality of spaced passive sect'ons, a said passive section being posftioned in the space between each pair of adjacent active sections, an alignment key located between each active and each passive section for maintaining longitudinal alignment thereof,

a gear for rotating said chuck, gear alignment keys for maintaining longitudinal alignment between said sections and said gear, and means for radially moving the sections to expand and contract the chuck into container holding and into container releasing position.

8. A chuck for holding tubular container bodies in position for printing, comprising a plurality of radially movable sections having an expanded and a-'contracted position, sa'd sections in expanded pos.tion presenting a smooth, unbroken peripheral surface for engagement with the interior of the container body, an actuating member disposed centrally of said chuck, links pivotally connecting the actuating member with the chuck sections, and means for moving said actuating member to expand the chuck into container body holding position, and means for printing on said bodies.

9. A chuck for holding tubular container bodies 20 in position for printing, comprising a plurality of radially movable sections having an expanded and a contracted position, said sections in expanded position presenting a smooth, unbroken peripheral surface for engagement with the in- 25 terior of the container body, an actuating member having connection with said sect'ons and disposed centrally of said chuck, means for moving said actuating member to expand the chuck into container body holding position, and means for 30 looking said sections in expanded position, and means for printing on said bodies.

10. The combination of a printing cylinder, a rotary expansible chuck for carrying a container to be printed, a chuck frame for carrying said 35- chuck, a printing roller for operating on the container when held on said chuck, a support for said roller, said chuck frame being swingably connected with the roller support on an axis parallel with the axis of the chuck, and fluid 4() pressure means carried with the chuck frame for operating the chuck.

11. In a machine for printing on container bodies, in combination, a rotary chuck expansible in all radial directions for engaging within such 45 body, means for expanding and contracting said chuck comprising a sliding shaft and means for moving said shaft longitudinally, a movable chuck frame carrying said shaft, means for printing on such body when it is on said chuck, a support for the printing means, and devices hingedly connecting said chuck frame and said support on a line parallel with the axis of the chuck.

12. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, the combination with printing means and actuating mechanism therefor, of an expanding chuck adapted to engage the inside of a container body held adjacent said printing means, said chuck embodying a plurality of sections having relative movement during expansion and contraction, the sections in expanded position presenting a smooth, continuous peripheral surface which is contractible on all sides for introduction into and engagement with the interior of the container body, and means for moving said printing means and said chuck in synchronism to efiect printing on said container body.

13. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, the combination with a printing roller and actuating mechanism therefor, of a rotatable expanding chuck adapted to engage the inside of a container body held adjacent said printing roller, said chuck embodying a plurality of sections having relative movement during ex- 7 pansion and contraction, the sections in expanded position presenting a smooth, unbroken peripheral surface which is contractible on all sides for engagement with the interior of the container body, and mechanism for rotating said printing roller and said chuck in synchronism to effect printing on said container body.

14. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, the combination with a printing roller and actuating mechanism therefor, of an expanding chuck adapted to engage the inside of a container body held adjacent said printing roller, said chuck embodying a plurality of sections having relative movement during the expansion and contraction and contractible on all sides for introduction into a container, the sections in expanded position presenting a smooth, unbroken peripheral surface for engagement with the interior of the container body, means for expanding and contracting said chuck sections, and means for moving said printing roller and said chuck in synchronism to effect the transfer of a printed design to said container body.

15. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, the combination with a printing roller for transferring a printed design to said bodies, and driving mechanism for said roller, of an expanding chuck having a continuous peripheral surface adapted to engage the inside of a container body held adjacent said printing roller, a locating gauge for registering said container body in predetermined position upon said chuck, and means for moving said printing roller and said chuck in synchronism to effect such printing.

16. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, in combination with printing means and actuating mechanism therefor: an expanding chuck adapted to engage the inside of a container body held adjacent said printing means and having a continuous peripheral surface when expanded, a chuck expanding and contracting mechanism comprising a sliding shaft, a piston carried by said shaft, and a cylinder surrounding said piston, means for applying fluid pressure on said piston and within said cylinder for sliding the shaft to effect expansion and contraction of said chuck, and means for moving said printing roller and said chuck in synchronism to effect the transfer of a printed design to said container 17. An apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, comprising, in combination with a printing organization including a printing roller adapted to engage a container body and to transfer a printing design thereto: a chuck adapted to hold a container body, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a transmission mechanism connecting the chuck and the printing roller with said driven shaft, a clutch device for connecting the driving and driven shafts, and control instrumentalities including a latch member and a clutch operating member for actuating said clutch to effect a printing operation upon the container body.

18. An apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, comprising in combination with a printing organization including a printing roller adapted to engage a container body and to transfer a printing design thereto: a chuck adapted to hold a container body adjacent said printing roller, means for moving said printing roller and said chuck in synchronism to effect such printing, said means including a clutch device and control instrumentalities therefor, the latter embodying a transverse shaft, a handle for one hand of the operator fixed on said shaft, a handle for the other hand of the operator loosely mounted on said shaft, and interconnections for operation of the clutch device which are controlled by and require operation of both of said handles for each 6 printing cycle.

19. An apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, comprising in combination with a rotatable printing roller for engaging a container body and for transferring a printed design there- 10 to: a rotatable expanding chuck having a continuous peripheral surface adapted to hold a container body, compressed air means for expanding and contracting said chuck including an air valve, means for rotating said chuck and print- 15 ing roller in synchronism to effect the printing on said container body, a foot control for actuating said air valve and a hand control for actuating said rotating means.

20. In an apparatus for printing tubular con- 20 tainer bodies, in combination with a printing roller for engaging a container body and for transferring a printed design thereto, and actuating mechanism for said roller: of a rotatable expanding chuck adapted to hold a container 25 body when in expanded position, means for expanding said chuck, means including a clutch device .for rotating said chuck and printing roller in synchronism to effect such printing, manual control instrumentalities for actuating said clutch, and devices for automatically restoring the clutch device to non-operating position followering each printing cycle.

21. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, in combination with a printing 35 roller for engaging a container body and for transferring a printed design thereto, and actuating mechanism for said roller: of a rotatable expanding chuck adapted to hold a container body when in expanded position, means for ex- 40 panding said chuck, foot control devices for actuating said expanding means, means including a clutch device for rotating said chuck and printing roller in synchronism to effect such printing, manual control instrumentalities foractuat- 5 ing said clutch, and devices for automatically contracting said chuck following each printing cycle.

22. In an apparatus for printing tubular container bodies, in combination with a printing '5 roller for engaging a container body and for transferring a printed design thereto, and actuating mechanism for said roller: a rotatable expanding chuck adapted to hold a container body when in expanded position, means for expanding 55 said chuck, fo-ot control devices for actuating said expanding means, said chuck being contractible all around its periphery and having parts which present a. continuous peripheral surface for cooperation with the printing roller, means 5 including a clutch device for rotating said chuck and printing roller in synchronism to effect such printing, manual control instrumentalities for actuating said clutch, devices for automatically contracting said chuck, and devices for automati- 65 cally restoring the clutch device to non-operating position following each printing cycle.

23, In an offset printing machine for printing on metallic vessels, the combination with printing means and actuating mechanism therefor, of 70 a chuck for engagement within the vessel and having a sectional peripheral surface for opposing the pressure of the printing means, and devices connected with the sections of the chuck and movable in the direction of the axis of the 16 chuck for expanding and contracting the chuck, and a piston for operating said devices to cause the peripheral parts of the chuck to be expanded so as to support from within the wall of the vessel suitably for printing on the outside of said wall by said printing means.

24. The combination with a printing cylinder and actuating mechanism therefor, of a rotary expansible chuck for engaging the interior surface of a container to be printed, said chuck having radially and oppositely expansible parts arranged around the periphery of the chuck forming a peripherally continuous surface supporting the container wall against the action of the printing cylinder.

25. In a machine for printing on container bodies, in combination with means for applying coloring and the like to such bodies and actuating mechanism therefor, of a rotary chuck expansible in all radial directions and having a continuous periphery when expanded for engaging within such body, means for expanding and contracting said chuck comprising a sliding shaft, a piston for operating said shaft, a cylinder enclosing said shaft, and means for applying fluid HORACE J. PAYN'I'ER.

ARTHUR E. BUIIPUS. 15

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