US2070265A - Rotary printing press - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 9, 1937.

F. A. FOSTER ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed June 28, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTCR 2%,?

Feb. 9, 1937. F. A. FOSTER ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed m 28, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z, BY

: ATTORNEY S Feb. 9, 1937.

F. A. FOSTER ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed June 28, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 N m a a 4.. B

f lg] MIWVENTOR 2 W n fiw v vama/ To 0 a 0 A Q E N ,\.N N 0 a N 0 h 1 0 D 0 N 0 v 0 3 a N O ATTORNEYS Feb. 9, 1937. F. A. FOSTER ROTARY PRINTING PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 28, 1934 a 0 Q 0 vw N v N N m yENTOR ATTORNEYS Feb. 9, 1937. F. A. FOSTER ROTARY PRINTING PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheeq 5 Filed June' 28, 1934 J%GF-INVENTOR Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES ZM'MZtS PATENT OFFWE RQTARY PRINTING PRESS corporation of Illinois Application June 28, 1934, Serial No. 732,793

14 Claims.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in rotary printing presses, and more especially to such improvements in the construction and arrangement and in the coaction of the press units and the various mechanisms constituting the press units.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by prac- 1o tice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalitles and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the 90 description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings:-

Fig. l is a side elevation, partly diagrammatic, of a double or composite press unit;

Fig. 2 is a similar View of a single or primary press unit;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of an arrangement of a press comprising two composite units and a primary unit, with one folder therefor, and showing one run of webs and of colors;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of Fig. 3, but showing a different run of webs and colors;

Fig. 5 is a similar view to Figs. 3 and 4, but showing a different run of webs and of colors;

Fig. 6 is a similar View to Figs. 3, 4, and 5, but showing a different run of webs and of colors; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a composite press unit showing the addition of printing members to the respective printing couples whereby they are capacitated to print in two colors from each impression cylinder.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and eflicient rotary press consisting basically of primary press units, whichmaybemounted and operated singly as units of the press, or

which may be joined together in pairs to constitute composite units. The printing instrumentalities of the primary unit are mounted and interrelated in a specially convenient and efficient 5o manner, and in the composite unit additional valuable inter-relations of all the instrumentalities comprised in the composite unit are effected. Among the advantages of such a press are unusual flexibility in color combinations, and simplicity 55 and economy in securing increases in product capacity, which may be efiected by adding very small mechanical units representing least practical increases in product size. For instance, in certain types of presses the increment may be by four page units.

In carrying out the preferred embodiment, a primary press unit comprises a unit frame wherein are mounted two printing couples, one above the other, with their inking mechanisms arranged at the same side of the couples, and a web may 0 be run substantially vertically from one couple to the other to be perfected. The composite press unit is created by joining together, face to face, that is, in right and left relation, two primary units, by fixing together the two primary unit 5 frames. In this composite unit the inter-relation of the printing instrumentalities of each of the primary units is preserved, and in addition new inter-relations of the four printing couples is obtained. For example, there is the vertical arrangement and positioning, in pairs, of two printing couples (as already described for a single pair in connection with the primary unit) and there are now also two groups of printing couples, each group arranged in horizontal or approximately horizontal series, with the impression cylinders adjacent to each other, and with the plate cylinders and inking mechanisms on the outside. Further, in the composite unit, all the impression cylinders are nearest each other and are very close together, and all the plate cylinders and inking mechanisms are arranged on the outside and at the two ends of the unit. Thus there are provided very short and direct alternative web paths from any printing couple to any other couple of the composite. unit, either in the general vertical or horizontal direction.

This press structure represents great advantages in economy of manufacture, economy of space, convenience for plating and operation, and also the very important advantage of unusual flexibility regarding color combinations. In the present exemplification the invention is applied to a press employing tubular stereotype plates, and the invention offers many advantages when embodied in presses of that type, but it is likewise applicable to and presents many advantages when embodied in other types of rotary presses, as for instance those employing two plates around the form cylinder.

Other advantages and capacities of the invention will be set forth in connection with the following detailed description, and. it will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative and exemplary, but are not restrictive of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, a single or primary press unit is shown (Fig. 2) as comprising two side frame members i, tied together by suitable cross frame members, this frame unit being mounted on the press base in any usual or other suitable way. Mounted in frame unit I is a printing couple comprising an impression cylinder 2 having its shaft 3 journaled in the frame, and in printing relation therewith is a form cylinder shown of half diameter, and carrying a tubular stereotype plate 5. The plate cylinder 6 has its shaft 6 journaled in the frame, the frame is being shaped to permit end removal and replacement of tubular stereotype plates in a well-known manner. The inking mechanism for the plate cylinder i is shown somewhat conventionally as comprising form rollers l, distributing rollers 3, ink drums 9, a ductor roller W, a fountain roller if and an ink fountain l2. The inking mechanism is preferably arranged at one side of and downwardly from the plate cylinder.

The second printing couple mounted in the primary unit frame is shown of the same construction, and is mounted in the frame i above the just-described printing couple, and is shown arranged symmetrically therewith, with the form cylinder and its inking mechanism on the same side of the impression cylinder. As shown, the impression cylinder 25 has its shaft 22 journaled in the frame, and the plate cylinder 23, carrying the plate as, has its shaft 25 likewise journaled in the machine frame. The inking mechanism, indicated collectively by reference numeral 2'6, is mounted in the frame I just above the inking mechanism for the other printing couple. It is usual to mount the web supply beneath the press, and with such an arrangement the web w is fed upwardly over guide roller 29 is printed on one side by the cylinders 2 and 4, passes over guide roller 30 toimpression cylinder 2|, is perfected by cylinders 21 and 23, and passes over guide rollers 3! and 32 out of the unit, either directly to the folder, or into other printing or perfecting couples, or into association with other webs before folding.

The printing couples and inking mechanisms of a primary unit and the primary unit frame are constructed, arranged and designed so that these units may be mounted and operate in the press individually, or so that two of these primary units can constitute a composite press unit having two complete perfecting mechanisms operating as a single press unit. As preferably embodied, the frames of two primary units are mounted and fixed together face to face, that is, in right and left relation, with the printing couples of each primary unit, one above the other, and with all the impression cylinders on the inside and with all of the plate cylinders and their inking mechanisms on the outside, as shown exemplarily in Fig. 1. In the preferred form, the printing couples are in the same position and relation with respect to their frame units, that is, in each frame unit they are mounted at the same, or substantially the same level, and in the same arrangement of the printing couple members as mounted in the frame unit. In the composite press unit therefore, considered longitudinally of the press, the impression cylinders are on the inside, and the plate cylinders are on the outside both at the forward and rear ends of the unit. The details of frame construction whereby the primary units are arranged to be independently mounted in the press or joined in pairs to constitute composite units may be widely varied as desired, and as embodied, one or more interchangeable frame members are employed as part of the primary frame units for this purpose. As shown, the two: side frames of the primary unit have removable vertical members 43 bolted to the main side frames at M, 45, and 46, to complete the side frames for the primary unit. To unite two primary press units into one composite unit, it is preferable to bring the two units as closely together as possible, and to effect this, the vertical frame members 43 are removed, and corresponding parts of the two primary unit frames at either side of the press are bolted directly together, as shown at 41 and 48. For additional strength, a vertical frame member 5| is provided at either side in place of the corresponding frame piece 43, is bolted at 52 and 53 to both primary unit frame members. The side frames of the two primary units are thus joined together very closely and firmly.

In the embodied composite press unit there are four printing couples, arranged in pairs in both vertical and horizontal series. In a vertical series of two printing couples the impression cylinders are on the inside and the plate cylinders and the inking mechanisms are on the outside, and in corresponding relations in both couples. In a horizontal series of two printing couples, the impression cylinders are closely adjacent to each other, with the plate cylinders and the inking mechanisms on the outside. Such a composite unit comprises four closely adjacent printing couples, with the four impression cylinders inside and all near each other, and with alternative web leads either up and down or across whereby the four couples may be used in unusually wide and varied combinations, employing one or more webs, to print or perfect the web or webs in one color or in multicolor. In the composite unit also, all the plate cylinders are on the outside and easily accessible, and the same is true as to all of the inking mechanisms.

In Figs. 3 to 7 there are shown various combinations of webs and of colors that may be run on a press consisting of two composite units and one primary unit. The primary unit is indicated by A, the two parts of the first composite unit are indicated respectively by B-l and B2, and the two parts of the other composite unit are designated by C-l and C2. In Fig. 3 one web is perfected in a single color on A and another web is perfected in four colors on units Bi, 13-2, Cl and C2, both webs being associated at the folder F, to give a folded black and four color product. In Fig. 4 one Web is perfected in two colors on A and B-l, and another web is perfected in three colors on 3-2, C-I, and C2 and associated at the folder F, to give a folded product printed part in two colors and the remainder in the same or two other colors.

In 5 one Web is perfected in a single color on A, another web is perfected in a single color on 3-9, the third web is perfected in one color on B2 and a fourth web is perfected in two colors on C! and C-2, all four webs being associated at the folder F, to give a folded product printed in one color and multicolor or in a plurality of single colors and multicolor. In Fig. 6 the arrangement and the product is the same as in Fig. 5 except that the fourth web is perfected with two colors on one side and one on the other, one printing couple being idle, the four webs being associated and folded at the folder F. In Fig. by reversing one of the printing couples, as for example, the lower left-hand couple of one of the units, the web can be led first through the right-hand lower couple, then through the reversed left-hand lower couple, and then up through the two upper couples running in the normal direction. The web is thereby printed with black or one color on the inside and with two colors and black on the outside of the web.

In Fig. 7 is exemplarily shown a composite press unit, wherein all the printing couples are provided with two plate cylinders, whereby two colors may be printed on each impression cylinder, this modification also being exemplified in a press using the slotted, tubular stereotype plates. The additional plate cylinder and inking mechanism for each of the printing units is designed preferably as an attachable and detachable addition to the single plate cylinder units heretofore described. In each of the lower printing couples, the additional plate cylinder 64 is of the tubular plate type already described and its shaft 65 is journaled in frame member l3 formed, as previously stated, to permit end removal of the slotted tubular plates 61. The inking mechanism indicated generally by 68 is also removable from the frame. The additional plate cylinders H for the upper printing couples are shown mounted above the impression cylinders 2| in the manner already described. Attachable and removable frames 13 are shown bolted to the top of the composite frame unit at 14, 15, and 16 and to each other at H, and the inking mechanisms 79 are shown mounted in frames 13. All the press units may be constructed for primary units unitable into composite units and capacitated to add the additional plate cylinder for one or more of the impression cylinders of any of the press units.

In the preferred embodiment, when two complementary units, that is, a right and left unit, are joined together to constitute a composite unit, the construction and arrangement are such that a single driving means will drive both units. That is, if a gear drive is employed for the printing couples in a primary frame unit, when the other primary frame unit is backed thereon and bolted thereto, the gears for the printing couples of the second frame unit will mesh with the drive for the first frame unit to drive all the couples of the composite frame unit.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the details of construction of the present exemplary or preferred embodiment, nor to any details of construction, and changes may be made therein without departing from the principles of the invention or sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

1. In a printing press, an integral press unit comprising a primary unit frame mounted on the press bed, printing mechanism mounted in said unit frame and consisting of two printing couples, one above another, the impression cylinders of the printing couples being on the outside and with their peripheries close to the end of the unit frame, the upper couple occupying the uppermost part of said unit, inking mechanisms mounted in said frame unit on the same side of their respective printing couples, two of said primary frame units being securable directly to each other, face to face, with their printing couples within and closely adjacent to each other, to constitute a composite unit with perfecting units available either vertically or horizontally.

2. In a printing press,'an integral press unit comprising a primary unit frame mounted on the press bed, printing mechanism mounted in said unit frame and consisting of two printing couples, one above another, the upper couple occupying the uppermost part of said unit, inking mechanisms mounted in said frame unit on the same side of their respective printing couples, two of said primary frame units being securable directly to each other, face to face, with their printing couples within and closely adjacent to each other, to constitute perfecting units either horizontally or vertically and a pair of vertical frame members securable at their tops and bottoms to both primary unit frame members when secured together, face to face.

3. In a printing press, an integral press unit comprising a primary unit frame mounted on the press bed, printing mechanisms mounted in said unit frame and consisting of two printing couples, one above another, the upper couple occupying the uppermost part of said unit, inking mechanisms mounted in said frame unit on the same side of their respective printing couples, and a pair of vertical bracing frame units securable to the side members of the primary unit along their edges adjacent to the impression cylinders, said members being removable to permit two of the primary press units to be secured directly to each other, face to face.

4. In a printing press, an integral press unit comprising a primary unit frame mounted on the press base, printing mechanisms mounted in said unit frame and consisting of two printing couples, one above another, the upper couple occupying the uppermost part of said unit, inking mechanisms mounted in said frame unit on-the same side of their respective printing couples, two of said primary frame units being securable directly to each other, face to face, with their printing couples within and closely adjacent to each other, and means for securing said unit frames together near their base and near each printing couple to constitute a composite press unit.

5. In a printing press, an integral press unit comprising a frame unit mountable separately on the press base and having side frames and both end faces separated from other units of the press, and having two inking mechanisms mounted one above the other in said side frames at one end face thereof, two impression cylinders mounted vertically one above the other in said side frames at the other end face thereof, and two plate cylinders mounted one above the other between said inking mechanisms and said impression cylinders, the train of said inking mechanisms extending from their plate cylinders downwardly and outwardly toward the ends of the side frames.

6. In a printing press an integral press unit comprising a frame unit mountable separately on the press base and having side frames and both end faces separated from other units of the press, and two impression cylinders mounted vertically one above the other in said side frames with their peripheries just within the ends of the frames, plate cylinders of less diameter cooperating with the impression cylinders on the inside and mounted on the frame at substantially the same level, and inking mechanisms for the plate cylinders inclined downwardly an'd outwardly therefrom.

'7. In a printing press an integral press unit comprising a frame unit mountable separately on the press base and having side frames and both end faces separated from other units of the press,

and two impression cylinders mounted vertically one above the other in said side frames with their peripheries just within the ends of the frames, the ends of the frames being formed to abut with and to be fastened to the side frames of another press unit, plate cylinders of less diameter cooperating with the impression cylinders on the inside and mounted on the frame at substantially the same level, and inking mechanisms for the plate cylinders, arranged one above another, the inking mechanisms being inclined downwardly and. outwardly from their plate cylinders and projecting beyond the ends of the side frames.

8. In a printing press an integral press unit comprising a frame unit mountable separately on the press base and having side frames and both end faces separated from other units of the press, and two impression cylinders mounted vertically one above the other in said side frames with their peripheries just within the ends of the frames, said ends of the frames being formed at a plurality of places to abut with and to be fastened to the side frames of another press unit, plate cylinders cooperating with the impression cylinders on the inside and mounted on the frame at substantially the same level, inking mecha nisms for the plate cylinders, arranged one above another, the inking mechanisms being inclined downwardly and outwardly from their plate cylinders, and vertically disposed bracing frame members attached to the side frames at said fastening places, and removable to permit fastening together two abutting frame units.

9. In a printing press a composite press unit comprising two integral perfecting press units optionally attachable together to constitute a double perfecting composite unit, each integral unit having side frames formed with a plurality of places at one end thereof to abut with and tube fastened to the side frames of another integral unit and to be fastened to corresponding parts of the side frame of another press unit, two impression cylinders mounted vertically one above the other in the side frames of each unit with their peripheries just within said ends of the side frames, plate cylinders cooperating with said impression cylinders on the inside and mounted on the frames at substantially the same level, inking mechanisms for the plate cylinders arranged one above another, the inking mechanisms being inclined downwardly and outwardly from their plate cylinders, and vertically disposed bracing frame members-attached at their tops and bottoms to the abutting side frames of both integral units to strengthen and steady the composite pressunit.

10. In a printing press, an integral press unit comprising a frame unit mountable separately on the press base and having side frames, two impression cylinders mounted one above the-other with their peripheries just within one end of the side frame, said ends on the side frames having a plurality of places formed to abut on and to be fastened to the side frames of a similar unit, impression cylinders on the inside of said form cylinders and mounted to permit endwise insertion and removal of the plates, and inking mechanisms for said form cylinders.

11. In a printing press, an integral press unit comprising a frame unit mountable separately on the press base and having side frames, two impression cylinders mounted one above the other with their peripheries just within one end of the side frame, said ends on the side frames having a plurality of places formed to abut on and to be fastened to the side frames of a similar unit, impression cylinders on the inside of said form cylinders and mounted to permit endwise insertion and removal of the plates, and inking mechanisms for said form cylinders, the fountain of the lower inking mechanism being approximately at floor level.

12. In a printing press, an integral press unit comprising a frame unit mountable separately on the press base and having side frames, two impression cylinders mounted one above the other with their peripheries just within one end of the side frame, said ends on the side frames having a plurality of places formed to abut on and to be fastened to the side frames of a similar unit, impression cylinders on the inside of said form cylinders and mounted to permit endwise insertion and removal of the plates, and inking mechanisms for said form cylinders and extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom, the fountain of the lower inking mechanism being approximately at floor level.'

13. In a printing press, an integral press unit comprising a primary unit frame, mounted separately on the press base, twoprinting couples mounted in said unit frame, one above another to constitute a perfecting unit, inking mechanisms mounted in the frame on the same side of their respective printing couples, two of said primary unit frames being directly securable together, face to face, with their printing couples within and closely adjacent to each other, to constitute a composite press unit, said primary frame units being formed to take either pair of interchangeable pairs of vertical frame members, one pair of said vertical members being securable to the face end of a primary unit frame, when used alone, at the base and adjacentto each of the printing couples to brace and complete the frame, the other pair of said interchangeable frame members being securable at their top and bottom to both of two primary frame units that have been secured together to constitute a composite press unit.

14. In a printing press, an integral press unit comprising a primary unit frame mounted on a press bed, printing mechanism mounted in said unit frame and consisting of two printing couples, one above another, the impression cylinders being located one above another with their peripheries just within an end of the unit frame, and the plate cylinders substantially in the same horizontal plane with their impression cylinders, and inking mechanisms at the other end of the unit frame and extending downwardly fromtheir plate cylinders,-two of said primary frame units being directly securable to each other, with the four impression cylinders on the inside, to constitute a composite frame unit with perfecting printing units available either vertically or horizontally.

FRANK A. FOSTER.

Images