US2217191A

US2217191A - Printing machinery

Info

Publication number: US2217191A
Application number: US211325A
Authority: US
Inventors: Weiss Adolph
Original assignee: CHAMPLAIN CORP
Current assignee: CHAMPLAIN Corp
Priority date: 1938-06-02
Filing date: 1938-06-02
Publication date: 1940-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 1957-10-08

Description

Oct. 8, 1940. A. WEISS PRINTING MACHINERY Filed June 2, 1938 22 g i 5 I;

H XII 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 1' 0 IMQ INVENI'OR.

I ATTORNEYS 70 you/m or A. WEISS PRINTING MACHINERY 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 8, 1940. I

7 Filed June 2, less Ham/arr INVENTOR.

A. WEISS 2,217,191

PRINTING momma:

Filed June 2, 19:58 10 Shets-Sheet 4 I If Z Z M m 3 1 5 7 m; 9 k g 1 1 A A i 8 wm 8 Oct. s, 1940.

0a. a, 1940. I A, wElss 2,217,191 v PRINTING MACHINERY Filed June 2, 1958 10 sheets-sheet 5 INVENTOR. I BY Adolph Wz'JJ W mvv; Ha; w ATTORNEYS Oct. 8, 1940. A wg s 2,217,191

PRINTING wmcamrmr" Filed June.2, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 mmiz WWW WHH

. I I u INVENTOR.

dial/2% Mai/u ATTORNEYS Oct. 8, 1940. A. WEISS PRINTING MACHINERY Filed June 2. 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 III! I I INVENIOR. Aaalph Well/w j M f I A ATTORNEYS' Oct. 8, 1940. A. wzzss 2,217,191

PRINTING MACHINERY Filed June 2, 1938 1O Sheets-Sheet 8 I NVENT OR.

BY Ado/p72 M911 M MI la L;

M A ORNEYs Oct 8, 1940. A. WEISS 2,217,191

PRINTING MACHINERY v Filed June 2, 1938 lo'shee ts -sheet 9 IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Oct. 8, 1940. A. WEISS PRINTING MACHINERY Filed June. 2, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 77' /2 CAM AT'EGUAL 5/ 550 I f AM in .L

(AM AT WWO J 1 4 1 w O 7 PL .V m

M w m .0 a Z 0 w Iii Q444 SPA-0 INVE'NTOR.

Adalpfi Wezwf MMv ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 8, 1940 UNITED STATES PRINTING MACHINERY Adolph Weiss, Brooklyn, N. ,Y.,

asslgnor to Champlain Corporation, Garfield, N. J., a colporation of New York Application June 2, 1938, Serial No. 211,325

18 Claims. (01. 191-157) This invention relates to rotary intaglio printing machines, and particularly to improvements in such machines of the character disclosed in my Patents Nos. Re. 18,856, 2,014,303, 2,055,272, 2,115,376 and 2,133,881.

Among the general objects of this invention are to provide a simplified structure and to provide improved coordination of the sealing, ink-. ing, and cylinder-wiping mechanisms.

Additional objects are to provide wiping and inkingmechanisms of simplified structure. Additional and important-objects are to provide means whereby the length of an impression on a web being printed may be varied without varying the diameter of the printing cylinder.

Another object is to provide a simple press structure which permits easy and convenient threading of the web, while providing accessibility of the press mechanism.

A further object is to provide a simple combination of pressure roller, web-feeding means, and web-cutting mechanism, which enables these elements to perform dual functions.

Various additional objects will become evident from the following disclosure of illustrative embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 of the drawings is a partially diagrammatic elevation of a rotary intaglio printing press embodying the present invention, the view being from the front (i. e. operators side) of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a partially diagrammatic elevation, the view being from the rear (1. e. drive side) of the machine.

Figs. 3a and 3b, when matched together by superimposing line AA on line A'A', constitute a plan view of a portion of the mechanism in press-opened position. The view shows the pressure roller, the web-feeding mechanism, and .the web-cutting mechanism, all swung up and back from the printing cylinder.

Figs. 4a and 4b, when matched together by superimposing. line BB on line B'B', constitute a plan view of the printing roller and associated parts as they would appear after removal of the pressure roller, the web-feeding mechanism, and the web-cutting mechanism.

When the composite of views 3a, 3b is matched to the composite of views la, 4b bysuperimposing line -0 on line C'-C', there is formed a plan view of the machine with the cover, pressure roller, web-feeding mechanism, and webcutting mechanism swung into press-opened position.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the machine in press-closed position, taken in a plane perpendicular to the printing roller. The direction or view and the general plane of the section is indicated by line 5-5 of Fig. 6. 1

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the machine i press-closed position, taken in general on line 66 of Fig. 5. I

Fig. '7 is a detail section taken approximately on line l-l of Fig. 6. p

Fig. 8 is a detail section taken approximately on line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a vertical detail section taken in general on line 9-9 of Figs. 4a and 4b, the view being supplemented with a dot-dash elevation of certain associated parts that are in front of the plane-of the section.

Fig. 10 isa vertical detail section taken in general on line |0I 0 of Figs. 3a and 3b.

Fig. 11 is a vertical detail section taken in general on line H|l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating various modifications and extensions of the invention.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged scale elevation, partially in section, of a phase change coupling shown in Fig. 12. While this is a structural type of view,

the figure is supplementary to diagrammatic Fig.

12. Accordingly the illustration of the coupling may be considered as diagrammatic in its relation to the invention as a whole.

Fig. 14 is a partially diagrammaticelevation of an adjustable cam that may be utilized in presses of the present invention.

Figs. 15 to 23, inclusive, are diagrammatic views illustrating some of the variations in printing results that can be achieved with presses embodying the present invention.

General organization This is best seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 6. Front and back plate-like members I and 2 are rigidly tied together and held in parallelism by any suitable means. These members serve as standards which support the various elements of the web-feeding mechanism, and the web-cutting mechanism.

Removably bolted to the front standard I is a cam housing 5. Removably bolted to the rear This is best seen in Fig. 6. The printing cyl- 10 inder I9, which has a printing surface 'II, is provided with journal extensions I2 and I2,

having shoulders I3 and I3. Sleeve I5 of cam I6 (which will be discussed later) is fitted to,

extension I2 and splined thereto by a spline I4.

15 Ball-bearing units I1 and I8 are arranged as shown to rotatably support the sleeve I5 without end play.

Bearing unit I! is secured in a bearing cap I8 by means of a retainer ring 23 which may 20 (optionally) make a holding friction fit with the bearing cap I9. Carried by the retainer ring 23 is a sealing gland 25 which embraces the periphery of the sleeve I5. Also, the retainer ring 23 is provided with an integral arcuate exten- 25 sion 24 which projects inwardly adjacent to the end of the printing cylinder proper;

The bearing cap I9 is fitted into an aperture in the frame standard I; and it is held in place by the coaxially positioned cam housing 5, which 30 is bolted to the standard I and which carries bearing unit I8. Thus, the bearing units I1 and I8 are coaxially arranged and are removably secured to the frame standard I.

At the opposite end of the printing cylinder 35 there is a cam 2| (referred to later) having a sleeve portion 20 which is fitted to journal extension I2' and splined thereto by a spline I4. Ball bearing units 22 and 22a are positioned coaxially with bearing units I l and I8, and they 9 Frame standard 2 is provided with a seat which receives the bearing unit 22, and a retainer ring 23 holds the bearing in place in the same manner that retainer 23 holds bearing I1 45 in place.- Integral with retainer 23 is an arcuate flange 24' which projects inwardly adjacent to the end of the printing cylinder proper. Carried by the retainer 23' is a sealing gland 25' which embraces the periphery of sleeve 28.

Bearing unit 220. is suitably secured in gear housing 4 which is bolted to frame standard 2. At-

tached to, or integral with, the sleeve 20 is a worm 55, which will be referred to later.

End play of the printing cylinder is prevented by engagement of shoulders I13 and I3 with the inner ends of sleeves f5 and24 respectively, operating clearance being allowed for the free rotation of the printing cylinder. The printing cylinder may be removed by unboltingcam housing 5, removing sleeve I5 and its bearings, and then withdrawing the printing cylinder from sleeve 26.

. Wiping mechanism The general organization of the wiping mech- 65 anism is best shown in Figs. 5 and 9.

The surface II of the printing cylinder is wiped by a spring steel doctor knife 26 mounted in a holder 21. This holder comprises lower and upper knife-clamping

plates

28 and 29, urged 70 together by screws 3|, 3| and 32. Depending from the lower plate 28 is an integral longitudinal fiange 30 which slldingly fits into a longitudinal recess 30a in a suDDDrt 35. Support 35 extends between frame standards I and 2 and is journalled in them for rocking movement that rotatably support the sleeve 20 without end play.-

will be referred to later. Beneath recess 30a the support 35 is provided with a longitudinal bore which contains a reciprocatable shaft 33. Shaft 33 has a fiat seat which receives the lower face of flange 30; and the blade holder 21 is fixed to 5 shaft 33, being located by

dowels

34, 34, and being secured by screw 32.

Rockable support 35 is provided with an end extension 36 (Figs. 9 and l) which projects through frame standard I to the operator's side of the machine. Associated with this extension are means for setting the support 35 in different angular positions, for the purpose of thereby positioning doctor knife 26 for engagement with different sizes of printing cylinders I9. Also associated with extension 36 are means for biasing the doctor knife 26 against thesurface of the printing cylinder with the requisite wiping pressure. These means will now be described.

Pivoted on extension 36 is an adjustment link 31 (Figs. 9, 1 and 40.) having a depending arm 31a and a generally horizontal arm 3'"). Arm 31a has an arcuate slot 38 (Fig. 1), pierced by a clamping cap screw 59 which is threaded into frame standard I. On the lowerend of arm 31a is a scale 49 which cooperates with a stationary index mark on frame standard I. The graduations on scale 49 may indicate desired graduations in the sizes of printing cylinders III; thus,

' link 3'! can be readily located in the angular position corresponding to a selected size of printing cylinder, and be clamped by. screw 50 in the selected position. The setting of arm 31a. directly determines the setting of arm 31b which is provided with a hole to receive a pin 39 that is instrumental in positioning the doctor knife 26.

Also pivoted on extension 36 is a plunger link 49. At the end of link 40 there is a boss 4I (Figs. 4a and 1) which slidably supports the plunger pin 39. Pin 39 may be biased toward link arm 31b by any suitable means, as by a helical spring within boss 4I. Also plunger pin 39 may be provided with a head 42 (Figs. 4a and 9) for manual withdrawal of the pin from link arm 31b. It will be seen that with plunger pin 39 in engagement with link arm 3'"), link 40 is angularly positioned in accordance with the setting that has been given to link 31.

Keyed or pinned to the outer end of extension 36 is a pressure link 41 having a horizontal arm 48 (Figs. 1 and 4a) This arm is biased upwardly by a helical spring 44 which projects from a well 43 that is integral with plunger link 40. An adjustment screw 45 serves to adjust the pressure applied by spring 44. Above arm 48 is a lip 46 which is integral with plunger link 40. When plunger arm 49 is manually moved clockwise (Fig.

1) lip 46 engages arm 48, thereby imparting corresponding movement to support 35 and withdrawing the doctor knife 26 from the printing cylinder I9. When the plunger link 40 is moved in the reverse direction to insert plunger pin 39 into the aperture in link arm 31b, the doctor knife 26 is swung against the surface of the printing cylinder Ill. Before the link 40 has reached the position where pin 38 can be inserted, the

dictor knife has already engaged the surface II of the printing cylinder I9, so that the fi'nal counterclockwise movement (Fig. l) of link 40 com-- presses spring 44. Thus, spring 44 biases the doctor knife 26 against the printing surface II with the requisite wiping pressure.

The arrangement provides ready access to the printing surface, and provides for easy' adjustment of the doctor knife when a printing ,cylin- 15 der of different size is to be installed in the machine. After other parts have been moved out of .39 inserted in the socket in linkarm 3117.

When the, machine is in operation, the doctor knife 26 is reciprocated longitudinally of the printing cylinder. This reciprocation is efiected by imparting a corresponding back-and-forth.

longitudinal movement to shaft 33. The mechanism for reciprocating shaft 83 is seen in Figs. 9, 4b, 2,and 8.

A reciprocatory slide 54 (Fig. 8) has an arm 53 which is attached at right angles to shaft 33.

This attachment (Figs. 9 and 4b) is made at the end portion of shaft 33, which projects beyond frame standard 2. This end portion of the shaft 33 pierces arm 53, and is reduced in diameter to provide a shoulder 5| which abuts against one face of arm 53. Against the opposite face of arm 53 is a collar 52 which is pinned to shaft 33.

Slide 54 has guideway bearing portions 52, 82 (Fig. 8) which are reciprocatabl'e in guideways that are formed by

angles

83, 63 in cooperation with wall portions of gear housing 4. The back of slide 54 is formed with spaced vertical faces 8|, 8| (see also Fig. 9) between which is a roller 80 that is mounted on a stud 59. Stud 59 is eccentrically located on a disc 58, so that as the disc rotates, a reciprocatory motion is imparted to slide 54. The reciprocatory motion of slide 54 is, of course, imparted to shaft 33, and thence to the doctor knife 28. Y

Disc 58 receives its rotation from shaft 51 to which it is attached. Splined to shaft 51 is a worm gear 56 (see also Fig. 6) which is driven by the worm 55 of sleeve 20, which receives the rotation of the printing cylinder l0. Thus, rotation of the printing cylinder effects reciprocation of the doctor knife 215. It will also be noted that the reciprocation of shaft 33 in no way interferes with the rocking of support 35 by movement of knob 42, and vice versa.

As shown in Figs. 5, 4a, 4b, and 9, the support 35 carries a removable pressure apron 65 which has a bent nose portion 88 in engagement with the upper surface of doctor knife:26. This nose 56 deflects the doctor knife downwardly from its unstressed position, as more fully explained in my United States Patent No. 2,014,303, issued September 10, 1935. In that patent the pressure apron reciprocates with the doctor knife, but in the construction herein shown it does not. Accordingly the apron 85, or the nose thereof, is preferably made of bronze or other suitable hearing material; and the same applies to strip 81. As shown in Fig. 9, the apron 85 extends from frame standard I to frame standard 2, except that sufficient clearance is allowed for the apron to move between the standards when support 35 is rocked.

On the forward edge of support 35 (Fig. 5) is a sealing blade 61secured by a clamp 68; A

similar sealing blade is shown and fully explained September.22, 1936.

I back from the printing cylinder.

86. corresponds to pressure link 41; and link 88 In]: system An ink reservoir 10 (Figs. 5 and 6) is pivotally attached to frame standard I at 11 (Fig. 1) and to frame standard 2 at 12 (Figs. 2 and 5). -Integral with the reservoir is a perforated lug 14 (Figs. 11, 5 and 6) which is pierced by a spring pressed plunger 13 to hold the reservoir in the operating position shown in the drawings. By withdrawing plunger 13, the reservoir 10 can be readily swung downwardly to give access to i interior, e. g. for cleaning.

The pivotal connection at 12 is made hollow to permit the passage of the ink through a swivelly connected conduit 15 (Fig. 2) to the intake port of a circulating pump 16. The discharge portof the pump is connected by a pipe 11 .to an inking manifold 18, from which the ink is discharged through an elongated port 82 onto the printing surface II. The pump is driven through sprocket 81, connected by chain 89 to sprocket 88 (Fig. 6) which rotates with the printing cylinder l0.

The inking manifold 18 is in sealing engagement with the frame standards I and 2; and it is pivotally mounted so that it can be rocked away from the printing cylinder, in much the same way that the doctor knife 28 is rocked back. Above the discharge port 82, the manifold is provided with a long sealing strip 83 which is in sealing engagement with the printing cylinder 10 when the manifold is in operating position.

As best seen in Fig. 10, the inking manifold has a hollow pivot stud which pierces frame standard 2. From this stud a swivel joint pipe connection is made to conduit 11, so that the ink can pass to the manifold bore 8| while permitting the manifold to be rocked in its pivots. At the other end the manifold has an extension 19 which projects through frame standard I.

Associated with extension 19 are parts (a) by which the manifold is biased to springpress sealing strip 82 against the surface of the printing cylinder, (b) by which adjustment is made for different sizes of printing cylinders, and (c) by which the manifold can be rocked back away from the printing cylinder. These parts are similar to those for correspondingly adjusting the doctor knife; and they operate in the same way. Link 84 (Figs. 10 and 3a) which has perpendicular arms 84a and 84b (Figs. 3a. and 1) corresponds to link 31 with its perpendicular arms 31a and 31b; and link 84 may be set in the different positions required for different sizes of printing cylinders. Plunger link 85 corresponds to plunger link 40; and by withdrawing spring pressed plunger 85a (Figs. 3a and 1) and swinging it downwardly, the inking manifold is rocked Pressure link is rotatively biased by spring 85b to press the sealing strip 83 (Fig. 5) against the printing cylinder.

In operation ink is drawn from reservoir 10 by pump 18 and forced to the inking manifold 18 from which it is continuously delivered through nozzle 82 in the form of a ribbon which extends the length of the printing surface ll. Except for the depressed areas in surface II which hold the ink that is to be applied to the web, the entire surface ll of the printing cylinder is wiped clean by doctor knife 26; and the surplus ink falls back into reservoir 10. When it is desired to drain the ink reservoir, drain cock (Fig. 2) is opened with the pump 18 in operation.

Seal iny system To prevent any substantial evaporation of the volatile ingredients of the printing ink, the ink is kept me. sealed system from which only such ink is removed as is to be applied to the web being printed. In accordance with certain objects of the invention, various operating .parts of the press also act as portions of the sealed inclcsure for the ink. The boundaries of the sealed systemwill be explained by first tracing the boundary in a plane perpendicular to the printing roller, and then showing the boundariesin directions lengthwise of the printing cylinder- Referring to Fig. 5, the boundary of the sealed system will be traced in a clockwise direction, starting with printing cylinder Id. The doctor knife 26 seals the printing cylinder to strip 6'5, which in turn carries the seal to support 35. Upwardly bowed springy strip 92 seals support 35 to one edge of'ink reservoir i. The other edge of the ink reservoir is sealed by bowed springy strip 9| to inking manifold '38. And the inking manifold is sealed to the printing cylinder by strip 83. Since support 35 and manifold I8 are swung into different positions for different sizes of printing cylinders, they are provided with arcuate surfaces 9 3 and 95 concentric with their respective pivotal axes, which, in the different positions, appropriately engage sealing

strips

92 and 9|, respectively.

Each of the elements referred to in the preceding paragraph is sealed endwise to the frame standards I and 2 as will now'be described.

The endwise sealing of the printing roller to standard .I is a substantial duplication of its endwise sealing to standard 2. Accordingly, only the sealing to standard I will be described, reference being had primarily to Fig. 6.

The arcuate flange 23 of retainer 23 has its outer surface at a radius equal to the radius of e the smallest printing cylinder for which the machine is designed. Thus, the outer surface of flange 24 constitutes a stationary extension of printing surface II when the smallest printing cylinder is being used. For larger printing cylinders, the outersurface of flange 24 is, in efiect, appropriately increased in radius by a removable segment 93. The a'rcuate length of flange 24 (and segment 93) is sufi cient to extend beyond sealing strips 61 and 83 (Fig. so that those strips make sealing engagement with the outer surface of flange 24 (or segment 33). The doctor knife 26 also makes sealing engagement with the surface of flange 24 (or segment 93), and in reciprocating it does not completely leave the flange (or segmenth Thus, sealing strip 61 can have its edge relieved thrughout the axial length of printing surface I I, so that it does not engage the printing surface, which is sealed by the doctor knife 26.

The end of the printing cylinder I0, and the free end of flange 24 (and, segment 93) -are accurately ground so that the flange 24 (and segment 93) make a sealing fit with the end of the printing cylinder. Frame standard I is insealing engagement with bearing cap I9, which in turn, is in sealing engagement with the periphery of retainer 23. The inner surface of retainer 23 is sealed by gland 25 to sleeve I5; and sleeve I5 is in sealing engagement with Journal extension I2. Thus, it will be seen that the printing cylinder is sealed endwise to frame standard I; and it is correspondingly sealed to frame standard 2.

The ends of sealing strips 67, 83, SI, and 92 are all accurately fitted against flat ground surfaces of standards -I and 2, so as to make seale ing fits therewith while permitting slidingmovement of the strip ends with respect to the standards I and 2. The ends of support 35 and manifold I8 arelikewise fitted and sealed to standards I and 2. The end walls lea, Illa, (Figs. 5 and 6) of the ink reservoir 10 have curved bosses 'ii'Ib, IIlb which make sealing engagement with standards I and 2. Each of these bosses has a flat ground face, so engaging a flat face on the .standard as to permit the pivotal downward movement of the reservoir for cleaning.

It will be seen that various operating .parts of the machine have been utilized as part of the sealing system without impairing their primary functions. This has been accomplished with convenience and simplicity; and the sealed system has been adapted for various applicational neem,

some of which will be discussed later.

Web supply mechanism This is best seen i Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6. A shaft I3I carries a roll of web I30, which roll is telescoped onto the shaft and clamped thereto in any suitable manner. One end of the shaft I3I is journaled in the bottom of an inclined slot I3Ia. (Fig. 2) in frame standard 2. The other end of shaft I3I is journal ed in the bottom of an inclined s1ot.I3Ib (Fig. 1) in frame standard I. As shown in Fig. 6 the shaft I3I is provided adjacent to its ends with shoulders I3 I0, I Me which prevent excessive end play of the shaft. The upper end of slot I3) is enlarged as shown so that, when the shaft is lifted upwardly, one shoulder I3Ic can be pushed into the enlargement and the shaft canted and removed for replacement-of roll Keyed to shaft I3I is a gear I32 which, when the shaft is in place, meshes with a gear I33. Gear I33 is fixed on a stub shaft to which is also flxed a brake drum I34 located outside of stand ard 2. Pivoted to standard 2 is a brake I35 (Fig. 2) having a lining I36 which is urged against th brake drum by spring I38.- I

A shaft I39 isjournaled-in frame standards I and 2 and extends outside of each of them. Afflxed to this shaft, just inside of standards I and 2 are links I40, I40. These links carry a. weight roller I 4I underwhich the web I45 passes, as shown in Fig. 5. When the web is pulled to set it in motion, the inertia of supply roll I30 does not have to be instantaneously overcome, as roller I M rises thereby making a certain length of the web available to the printing mechanism. Continued pulling of the web, or the weight of roll I 4|, or both, act to pull the web from the supply roll. As this happens, roll I descends and moves shaft I39 counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 2. Such movement of shaft I39 causes cam I44 to engage, and increasingly apply pressure to, roller I31. This increases the retarding pressure of brake I35 until the downward movement of roller MI is checked by a balanced condition having been reached.

Afilxed to shaft I39 on the operators side of the machine is a link I42, provided with an adjust-able counterweight I43 by which the weight I I85 when set by spring I38 alone. Supplementary braking pressure that is particularly needed on larger supply-roller diameters is supplied by cam Ill. Thus, the eifective weight of roller IlI determines the tension at which the web is delivered to the printing mechanism.

Pressure roller, and guiding and feeding mechanis'ms These parts are compactly arranged inside of the hinged cover 3. With the cover open, all of these elements may be readily moved out of the way to give access to the printing cylinder, inking manifold, and doctor knife assembly; and restoration is accomplished by simply swinging the parts into operating position and closing and latching the cover. I

With conventional rotary initaglio printing presses, the length of the printing cylinder impression is equal to the peripheral length of the printing cylinder. Length of the printing cylinder impression or length of the impression, means the length of web which passes the printing cylinder during one complete printing cycle, without regard to whether or not the printed design occupies the entire length of the impression, and without regard to whether the printing cycle involves one, more than one, or less than one revolution of the printing cylinder. As previously pointed out herein, my invention provides for the insertion of printing cylinders of different sizes to vary the length of the printing cylinder impression. Additionally, I provide means (referred to later) whereby impressions of diiferent lengths may be made from the same printing cylinder; and this has important industrial applications.

Pressure roller III (Figs. 5 and 6) is journalled in ball bearing units MI and I02. These bearings are mounted respectively in similar links I00 and IN (see also Figs. 3a. and 3b) which are pivoted to shaft 8 that also forms the pivot for cover 3. The free ends of links I00 and IOI' are tied together by bridge I09 (Figs. 5, 3a. and 3b) so that the alignment of bearings IM and I02 is maintained. In operating position the axis of the pressure roller is located approximately directly above the axis of the printing cylinder, as shown in Fig. 5.

Links I00 and I00 are provided respectively with L-shaped extension lugs I03 and I03 (Fig. 6), to which are amxed studs I0l and I0l' for rollers I05 and I05. These rollers are adapted to cooperate respectively with cams I6 and 2| that are driven synchronously with the printing cylinder. When it is desired to produce printing cylinder impressions corresponding in length to the peripheral length of the printing cylinder, cams I6 and 2I are so made or set as to not affect the links I00 and I00 on which the pressure roller is mounted. When it is desired to produce printing cylinder impressions of lengths less than the peripheral length of printing cylinder I0, cams I6 and 2I are provided with active sectors corresponding to that portion of the periphery of printing cylinder I0 which is to be omitted from the length of the impression. Thus, the web is fed and printed throughout the inactive zone of cams I6 and 2I; but in the active zone of the cams, pressure roller I I I and the web are elevated .and the printing cylinder I0 rotates idly without the web being advanced.

In operation the printing cylinder I0 is power driven. While the web is being advanced by the printing cylinder, the pressure roller I II is frictionally driven through its pressure contact with the moving web. When. cams I6 and 2| elevate the pressure roller, its rotation is stopped by a spring pressed brake 3 (Fig. 6)

A guide and spacing roller I01 (Fig. 5) is also rotatably supported by links I00 and I00. The bearings (not shown) for roller I01 are in blocks which may be clamped indifferent positions along slots I06 in the links, to shift the position of roller I01 for a purpose to be described later. If desired the bearing blocks for roller I01 may each be provided with an index, whileeach of links I00 and I00 is provided with a cooperating scale, to facilitate alignment of roller I01.

Also pivoted to shaft 8 is a second pair of links I and Ill (Figs. 5, 6, 3a and 3b) which are positioned higher than links I00 and I00. As shown in Fig. 6, links I and Ill carry bearings H6 and 6', respectively, which rotatably support a feed roller shaft II8. A bridge I22 (Fig. 5) ties together the free ends of links I and 4', thereby maintaining the alignment of bearings H6 and H6. Adjustably fixed on shaft II9 are yielding feed roller members I20. I20 which engage the edge portions of the web as it passes over pressure roller III.

Shaft H9 and pressure roller III are geared togethenby gears H2 and I2I (Fig. 6). So long as the pressure roller is being frictionally driven by the moving web, feed rollers I20, I20 are, therefore, driven to advance the web from the bottom of pressure roller III over guide and spacing roller I01, to feed rollers I20, I20. The

advancing of the web from supply roll I to When the cover 3 is forced closed by handle 8a,

and latched by latch 31) (Figs. -'1' and 4a) the plungers H8, H8 are engaged by the cover and yieldingly depress yielding feed rollers I20, I20.

When rollers I20, I20 are unstressed they preferably have a diameter larger than the pitch diameter of gear I2I, while pressure roller -III preferably has approximately the same diameteras the pitch diameter of gear II2. Thus before plungers H8, H8 are depressed, gears II2 and I2I loosely mesh with their pitch circles out of contact with one another. ers H8, III! (with resultant yielding of feed rollers I20, I20) brings the pitch circles of gears H2 and I2I into contact, or nearly so. Links I00, I00 and I, IN are provided with abutting projections which arrest the movement of shaft H9 toward pressure roller III when the pitch circle of gear I2I has been brought tangent to the pitch circle of gear H2. The final closing movement of the cover causes pressure to be transmitted through these abutting projections to yieldingly press the bottom of the pressure roller III against the web and toward the printing cylinder I 0. When the pressure roller III (and associated parts) are elevated by the action of cams I6 and 2|, the springs within plungers II8, I I8 yield as required to permit the movement.

Depression of plung- Cutting mechanism 0 The cutting mechanism is best seen in Fig. 5, but parts of it also appear in Figs. 3a and 3b.

Extending across the top 3. and parallel to the axis of the printing cylinder, is an angular bracket I23. A cutting knife I28 is secured to bracket 623 by cap screws I24a; and the knife is made vertically adjustable by any suitable means, such as slots I2tb (Fig. 3b)'"=-in the knife.

Along the bracket I23 are several boss portions I (one shown) which accommodate spring-pressed plungers I26 that support a clamping bar I: of yielding material. Secured to the. bottom of bracket I23 are retainers I2! (one shown) which so limit the downward movement of plungers 112'? as to establish a predetermined normal spacing between the lower face of clamp- I also a platform II t. The parts are so adjusted When the machine is so operated that thelength (or spacing) of the printed impression is less than the peripheral length of the printing cylinder, bridge ")8 (among other things) is elevated by cams I8 and 2i (Fig. 6) while the printing cylinder turns idly. Hit is desired to sever the printed web (e. g. for making printed slips or package wrappers) the cams I5 and 2I are so arranged that cutting, kniie J03 will be elevated suficiently to sever the web. In this ele- 5 vating movement the web. is first clamped between bridge I08 and clamping bar I); then the web is severed by cutting knives I09 and I24. The out slip falls onto platform IIO, from which it may be removed by hand or by suitable mechanical means. The position of the line of severance with respect to the printing is governed by the position of roller I01. This ,roller may be shifted along slots I08 as previously described, to vary such position of the line of severance.

If repeat printing'of the web is desired, without severance into slips (or the like), cams I5 and 2I are so arranged that any elevation of bridge I08 to permit idle rotation of the printing cylinder is insumcient to bring the cutting knives .I09 and I24 into shearing engagement.

, Threadin the machine I links I00, 100' and m, m' are swung back to y'ond platform I I0.

the position shown in Figs. 3a and 3b. This moves the cuttingmechanism and rollers III, I01, and I20, away from the printing cylinder. The leading edge of the web is drawn under roller I4I; over roller I48 and beyond the printing cylinder I0.

Then the links I00, I 00' are swung down, bringing rollers I 01 and I I I to the position shown in Fig. 5.

The leading edge of the web is next drawn around I Drive and electrical controls previously described, the machine includes such mechanical connections that all driven parts will-be actuated in coordination if rotation be imparted to sleeve 28 (Fig. 6). In keyed relation to this sleeve is a drive gear, or sprocket, G (see also Fig. 2) to receive driving power from an electric motor M (Fig. 2) that is mechanically suitably connected to the gear G to drive the same. Thus, all elements of the press are operated by a single driving connection to a source of, motivepower.

For certain uses, I may provide the press with automatic controls which cause it to stop after each printing cycle; This makes it possible to print single slips, one at a time as required. Also I may. provide for semi-automatic operation of the press in printing such slips, the removal of one printed slip being utilized to initiate the printing of the next slip.

Suitably insulated and mounted on the frame standard 2 (Fig. 2) are moyable contacts H58 and I52 which are spring biased away from stationary contacts WI and 353 respectively. Pivoted to cover 3 is a bell crank lever I55, having a vertical leg adapted to engage contact I52. A spring I501: biases bell crank lever E54 with sufliclent strength to overcome the bias of contact I52 and'close the same when lever I 55 is free to move. A shaft I55 extends across cover 3; and keyed or pinned to the end of, the shaft is a bell crank lever I58. This lever is movable to close contact I50, but is biased in the opposite direction by spring I 5811.

Inside of cover 3 (Fig. 5) shaft I55 is provided with a fixed arm I51 having a yielding Iriction pad I58. Extension I03 (Figs. 2 and 3b) of link I00 is adapted to engage the adjustment screw of bell crank lever I54 when roller I05 is moved up by its cam (as previously described) to suspend the advance of the web.

Assume that the machine is in operation, with the printing cycle in progress. The electrical contacts are then in the positions shown in Fig. 2,

the circuit to the motor M being maintained by relay R. The holding circuit for relay R is through connection I50, contact I50, contacts I53 and I52, and connection I 8I and switch I84 to the line. At the end of the printing cycle roller I05 is raised by cam 2-I (Fig. 6) and printing is suspended. Cam 2| is so arranged'that as the end of the complete machine cycle is approached, roller I05 will be given a final upward movement ,beyond that required for severing 01 the web by the cutting knives I 09and I24 (Fig. 4). In this final movement, extension I03 moves bell crank lever I54 and permits contacts I53, I52 to open. This breaks the holding circuit of relay R, allowing the relay to open and stopping driving motor' M. Thus the press stops with the bridge I08 (Fig.

5) in its uppermost position.

Attached to extension I03 is a latch-engaging hook I82 which moves upwardly with extension I03, allowing latch I53 to advance so that its upper portion engages the end of the horizontal arm of bell crank lever I58.

With the bridge I08 in its uppermost position, the severed slip on shelf IIO (Fig. 5) is clamped against the friction pad I58. When the slip is withdrawn, the pad moves with it, rotating shaft I55, thereby moving bell crank lever I58 clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2. This closes contacts I50, I5I which complete the circuit to relay B. so that I 54 to rotate clockwise and close contacts I 52, I53.

This restores the original holding circuit for relay I53 and I52, and connection I6I. I52, I53 are closed, hook I62 retracts latch I68 and permits bell crank lever I56 to return to its initial position and contacts I50, I5I to open.

When the machine cycle is completed, contacts I52, I53 are again opened and the machine stopped. If it is desired to operate the press continuously, switch I64 is shifted from contact I65 to contact I66, thus connecting the motor M for continuous operation. For continuous operation friction pad I58 may be removed, and table IIO. be inclined downwardly so that the slips will drop onto a conveyor (if slips are being printed). If the web is not being severed into slips, the printed web may be appropriately handled as it leaves the machine.

If desired, the machine may be arranged to operate automatically through a'series of cycles when it is started by extracting a printed slip. In such case, the machine would function to automatically print a definite number of slips and then stop. In this case bell crank lever I54, instead of being elevated by extension I03 could be elevated by a machine part operating on a reduced gear ratio. For example, if it were desired to print three slips in a series, bell crank lever I54 could be operated by a machine part arranged to rise once in three revolutions of the printing cylinder. This modification is illustrated in connection with Fig. 12.

characteristics and adaptations of the press The. inventor providesa printing press which can be readily adapted for various types of operations, and for various industrial applications.

I The parts are simply constructed and compactly impressions of different lengths may be made from a single printing cylinder. The ink supply may be so well sealed that the machine can stand idle over considerable periods of time and remain always ready for immediate use. This is very desirable for the printing of individual slips. For such use the engraving on the printing cylinder is so arranged that the machine stops with all of the engraving within the sealed ink housing. This means that in stopped position, the exposed portion of the printing cylinder (the short are in Fig. 5 between the doctor knife 26 and sealing strip 83), is a plain cylindrical surface that has been wiped clean by the doctor knife. Thus, no ink coated parts are left exposed.

Several different prints may be selectively made from a single cylinder by providing the engravings therefor on one cylinder and selectively printing from that cylinder. The selection may be made by substituting difierent sets of cams I6 and 2| (Fig. 5) which have their inactive sectors in different angular positions with respect to the printing cylinder I0. To select any one engraving for printing it is only necessary to install a set of cams I6 and 2I having active sectors covering that are of the printing cylinder which is to be rendered inactive or non-printing. 'Such selection may similarly be made by arranging the cams I6 and 2I to be rotatively adjustable with respect to the printing cylinder. In this connection, it should be notedthat (with sufliciently rigid construction), the web is lifted from the printing cylinder if an active sector of either cam I6 or 2I is in engagement with its roller (I05 or I05). Thus, cam I6 may be made to render the printing cylinder inactive throughout one sector, while cam 2I continues the printing cylinder inactivity throughout a succeeding sector.

By the use of different sets of cams I6 and 2|, 9. wide variety of operating characteristics can be achieved. The sectors of activity of the cams may be varied in length, as well as angular location. Also the amount and rate of life imparted to roller I05 and I05 may be varied. I also contemplate that the same results 'can be achieved by replaceable and/ or adjustable segments which actuate the rollers I05 and I05 and which can be shifted to vary the angle of the active sectors of the cams, as well as the rotative locations of the sectors and the amount and rate of lift imparted to rollers I05 and I05.

These various modifications and adaptations of the press are illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 12, 13, and 14 of the drawings.

Figs. 12, 13 11111114 -printing, the web passes between feed rollers I15 and I16, and is delivered between the blades 1" and I18 of cutting shears. Between the printing cylinder I12 and feed rollers I15, I16, the web may pass over two rollers I19 and I80, which are so arranged as to vary the distance which the web must travel in moving from the printing cylinder to the cutting shears. The axis of roller I18 is stationary, but roller I80'is rotatably mounted on a swinging frame I8! which is pivoted coaxially with roller I10. By swinging the frame I8I and locking it to a sector l82 by set screw I84, the adjustment is made to vary the length of the travel of the web between the printing cylinder I12 and the cutting shears. This adjustment permits severing of the web at any selected point in the printihg cylinder impression.

r The various driven elements of the press are mechanically connected together to be actuated from a single source of power indicated as an electric motor I85. To permit a clear-and convenient diagrammatic showing of the operating relationships of the diiIerent parts, bevelled gears have been indicated in Fig. 12 of the drawings. However, in actual machine construction, it is preferable to so arrange the parts as to permit the use of spur gears or the like. As shown in the drawings, the motor drives shafts IBM and 4861), which are in effect a single shaft. By means of shaft I81, power is transmitted to the printing cylinder I12 to rotate it at predetermined speed, which may be the speed of the.motor..

' change coupling I90, shaft I9I, variable speed mechanism I92, and shaft I93, which is eared to the drive shaft. At least one of feed rollers transmitted from the drive shaft I86b through shaft I94, variable speed mechanism I95, and shaft I96. The movable blade I11 of the web cutting shears is adapted to be actuated by cam;

I91, which is also driven in coordination with the printing cylinder I12. The power for driving the cam I91 is derived-from the power shaft I881) through shaft I98, variable speed mechanism I99, shaft 200, phase-changing coupling 2M, and shaft 292.

Pressure roller I14 is rotatably mounted on a pivoted frame 203, which is adapted to be rocked by cam I 88. When the inactive (or low) zone of cam I88 is in contact with roller 206, the pressure roller I14 holds the web I95 in contact with the printing cylinder I12. Accordingly, throughout the inactive zone ofcam I89 the web is printed with any design which passes the printing zone of the printing cylinder I12. However, (during the active (or high) zone of cam I88, the pressure roller I14 is elevated, with the result that the web is out of contact with the printing cylinder and no printing play takes ing cylinder, it is, nevertheless, advanced. by feed rollers I15, I16, which may be driven at the same peripheral speed as the speed of the printing cylinder I12. By means of variable speed mechanism I95, the peripheral speed of feed rollers I15, I18 may be adjusted to conform with the peripheral speed of different sizes of printing cylinders I12 which may be inserted into the machine. Variable speed mechanism I99 provides an adjustment so that the cutting shears may be set to operate at any desired frequehcy in relation to the cyclic operation of the machinej for example, the web may be severed into lengths corresponding to one, less than one, or more than one revolution of printing cylinder I12. Phase-change coupling 20I provides a means whereby the point of severance may be located on the web, though a similar location may be effected by adjusting the position of roller I80. Variable speed mechanism I92 permits the control cam I88 to be rotated at various cyclic rates in relation to the rotation of the printing cylinder I12. Also phase-change coupling I90 permits any inactive sector of cam I08 to be located in coordination with any selected peripheral zone of the printing cylinder I12.

The press may be so controlled that upon being set in operation, it automatically stops after one or more printing cycles (eag. after printing and cutting one or more slips). This -control may be the same as that previously described in connection with Figs. 2 and 5; and it is so illustrated in Fig. 12.

A cam 300 is shown as driven from drive shaft I86a through shaft 20I, variable speed mechanism 302,- shaft 303, phase change coupling 304, shaft 305, and shaft 306. Thus cam 300 may be set at any phase with respect to the printing cylinder; and for each revolution of the printing cylinder, this cam may make one, more than one, or less than .one revolution. Once each revolution, cam 300 elevates member 3I0 and stops the press. The starting and stopping of the press is effected by controlling motor I 85 with a mechanical and electrical system associated with member 3I0. In Fig. 12 such mechanical and electrical system is identical with that shown in Fig. 2 and previously described; and in Fig. 12 the same reference characters are used to designate the respective parts duplicated .from Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 shows more clearly the diagrammatic phase-change couplings I90, 20I, and 301. The drivingshaft of the coupling is keyed to a collar 205 and the driven shaft is keyed to an abutting collar 206. Set screw 201 secures collar 205 to the driven shaft for the transmission of power. By loosening the set screw, the driven shaft can be rotated with respect to the driving shaft to change the operating phase of the part actuated from the driven shaft. adjustment, the contiguous ends of

collars

205 and 206 may be provided with a scale' and cooperating index as shown in the drawings.

As referred to in connection with Figs. 1 to 11 of the drawings, the control cam for elevating and depressing the pressure roller may 'be'of a suitable adjustable type. One of such type'of adjustable cam is shown in Fig. 14. Afflxed to the cam shaft is a cam element 2I0 having an active (or high) zone which extends clockwise from the line .9 to the line t. Rotatably mounted on the cam shaft is a replaceable and adjustable cam element 2H having an active zone extending clockwise from the line u to the line 12. Attached to cam shaft 2I2 is a collar 2I3 which holds the adjustable cam element 2 against the main canf element 2I0. A bolt 208 passes through an arcuate slot 209 in the adjustable cam element and is threaded into the main cam element. The cam roller :2: has a face wide enough to engage both the edge. of the main cam element 2I0 and the adjustable cam element 2. By setting the adjustable cam element to effect various degrees of overlap of the active zones of elements 2I0 and" 2! I, the eflective active and inactive zones of the cam are varied.

Figs. 15 to 23 These figures show a few of the many printing effects that may be produced by a press such as illustrated in Fig. 12 of the drawings. The webs shown in these figures represent the web after it has been acted uponby the printing cylinder. For the sake of illustration, the printing cylinder is assumed to be engraved with either a square design, or a circular design, or both. Each design printed on the web is illustrated in full lines. Where a design on the printing cylinder passes the printing zone without being printed (due to pressure roller I14, Fig. 12 being elevated), the location of such design with respect to the web is indicated in dot-dash lines in Figs. 15 to 23.

For each of Figs. 15 to 23 the printing cylinder is the same size and cam I88 is the same, though rotated at various speeds relative to the printing cylinder. In each of these figures, one printing cylinder revolution corresponds to the web length between consecutive of the vertical dot-dash lines. However, the location of these lines has nothing to do with the beginning and end of the printed slips (if such are being made) as the Web may be so severed as to place the design on any selected part of the slip.

For Fig. 15, the control cam (I89 in Fig. 12) rotates synchronously with the printing cylinder which has one square engraving. The cam action To aid in making the graph I88a indicates that the web is in contact intervals Z2. Accordingly, web I45a is printed as shown, with one rectangle per printing cylinder revolution; and the length of the printing cylinder impression is equal to arrow 400a, which is the peripheral length of the printing cylinder.

lution of the printing cylinder, so that the printing cylinder impression is twice the peripheral length of the printing cylinder, as indicated by the length of arrow 40Gb.

Fig. 17 shows the effect of reducing the angular speed of the cam I88 to one third that of the printing cylinder as indicated by graph I880. The design is printed on web I45c only once every third revolution of the printing cylinder; and the printing cylinder impression has a length equal to arrow 4000.

In Fig. 18 the web I45d is printed the same as the web in Fig. 17. The printing cylinder impression has the same length as indicated-by arrow 490d. However, the result is obtained by rotating the control cam at two-thirds the angular speed of the printing'cylinder, the cam action being indicated by graph I88d.

For Figures 19 to 23, the printing cylinder has both square and circular engravings. in continuous contact with the web, it would print the web I456 shown in Fig. l9,'the length of the printing cylinder impression being indicatedby arrow 400a.

If this two design cylinder is used with the cam I88 operating as for Fig. 15, it prints a web I45f as shown in Fig. 20. This is the same as web 145a, the circular design being blanked out by the cam action indicated by graph I88f. The length of the impression is that of arrow 400i.

By cutting the cam speed in half as indicated by graph I88g, Fig. 21, the web I459 is printed. This is the same as web I45b, Fig. 16, the. length of the printing cylinder impression being that of arrow 4009.

For Fig. 22, the cam is operated synchronously with the printing cylinder as indicated by graph IBBh. However, the phase of the cam is shifted 180 degrees from the condition indicated in Fig. 20. Thus, the web I45h is printed 'with the circular design instead of the square design. Arrow 40071. indicates the length of the impression, which gear sets. Thus even with a cam, speed near to correlating the angular s'peeds of the control cam and printing cylinders. These may be related after the manner of ratios used in hunting tooth the cylinder speed, the length of the impression may be made several (or even many) times the peripheral length of the printing cylinder. Also, the same cylinder may have various designs which may be printed selectively or in various chosen combinations.

In compliance with the patent statutes, I have disclosed the best forms in which I have con- Operated.

templated applying my invention. However, it will be understood that the disclosures are illustrative and not limiting.

What I claim is:

1. In a rotary intaglio printing press including a printing cylinder and a fountain housing having means for wiping the cylinder to condition it for printing, the improvement which comprises: an ink reservoir, a pivotally mounted support for the wiping means, and a sealing element,

all three included in the fountain housing, saidsupport having a curved face extending lengthwise of the printing cylinder, and said sealing element being in sealing engagement with said curved face and also in sealing engagement with a wall ofv said ink reservoir.

2. In a rotary intaglio printing press adapted to accommodate printing cylinders of different diameters and including a fountain housing having means for wiping the cylinder to condition it for printing, the improvement which comprises: an ink reservoir, a support for the wiping means pivotally mounted for cooperation with different sizes of printing cylinders, and a sealing element, said reservoir, support, and sealing element being included in the fountain housing, said support having a curved face concentric with the pivotal axis of the support, and said sealing element being attached to a side wall of said reservoir and making slidingsealing engagement with saidcurved face, whereby said side wall is in sealed connection with said support when the support.

.reciprocate the doctor knife lengthwise oi the printing cylinder; and a non-reciprocatory curving'member deflecting the wiping edge of the doctor knife, the direction of deflection being away from a plane tangent to said cylinder and toward aplane radial to said cylind-enand the ends of the curving member being in engagement with said frame standards to aid in sealing the fountain housing.

4. A rotary intaglio printing press comprising: I

a printing cylinder, a support pivoted on an axis parallel to the axis of said cylinder; a doctor knife reciprooably supported by said support, adjustment means operable to swing said support on its pivotal axis and thereby move said doctor knife out of and into wiping engagement with said cylinder, and means to yieldingly bias said doctor knife into wiping engagement with said cylinder whereby the wiping pressure is maintained as the wiping edge of the doctor knife wears bac'k.

' 5. In a rotary intaglio printing press adapted to accommodate printing cylinders of different diameters, the improvement which comprises: a doctor knife for wiping the printing cylinder; a support for. the doctor knife pivoted on an axis parallel to the axis of the printing cylinder; and mechanism for both ro-tatively adjusting said support to locate the doctor knife for engagement'with printing cylinders of different sizes and for rotatively biasing the support to estab lish wiping pressure, said mechanism comprising a first arm pivoted coaxially with said support,- means to secure said arm in different angular positions, a second arm also pivoted coaxially with said support, means to releaseably lock said two arms together, a third arm fixedly secured to said support, and spring means to rotatively bias said third arm withrespect to said second diameters, the improvement which comprises: a

doctor knife for wiping the printing cylinder; a support for the doctor knife pivoted on an axis parallel to the axis of the printing cylinder; and mechanism for both rotatively adjusting said support to locate the doctor knife for engagement with printing cylinders of different sizes and for rotatively biasing the support to establish wiping pressure, said mechanism comprising a pressure-receiving arm connected with said support to transmit rotative movement and pressLue to the support, spring means engaging said pressure-receiving arm to rotatively bias the same, means to sustain the reactive force of said spring means, and means to fix said sustaining means in different angular positions with respect to rotative position about the axis of said doctor knife support.

7. For a rotary intaglio printing press, the combination of: a doctor knife support having a longitudinal bore and a guide slot extending outwardly from the bore, a reciprocatory shaft positioned in said bore, and a doctor ,knife holder having a longitudinally extending key portion fitted into said slot and attached to said shaft.

8. In a rotary intaglio printing press, the combination of a pivotally mounted doctor knife support having a longitudinal bore and a guide slot extending outwardly from the borepa reciprocatory shaft positioned in said bore and extending beyond at leastone end of the bore, and a doctor knife holder having a longitudinally extending key portion slidably fitted into said slot and attached to said shaft.

9. In a rotary intaglio printing press, the combination of a pivotally mounted doctor knife support having a longitudinal bore concentric with its pivot and .also having a guide slot extending outwardly from the bore, a reciprocatory shaft positioned in said bore and extending beyond at least one end of the bore, a doctor knife holder having a longitudinally extending key portion slidably fitted into said slot and attached to said shaft, and means in engagement with the extending portion of said shaft to reciprocate said shaft and thereby reciprocate said doctor knife holder.

10. In a rotary intaglio printing press adapted to accommodate printing cylinders of different diameters and including a fountain housing having means for wiping thecylinder to condition it for printing, the improvement which comprises: an ink reservoir, a pivotally mounted support, a doctor knife supported by the support, and a sealing element, said reservoir, support, doctor knife and sealing element being all included in the fountain housing, means to place said support in different pivotal positions to locate said doctor knife for cooperation with printing cylinders of different diameters, said sealing element being effective to seal said support to a wall of said reservoir when the support is in the different pivotal positions, and means to reciprocate said doctor knife, said reciprocating means including a reciprocatory element concentric with the pivotal axis of said support.

11. A rotary intaglio printing press comprising:

inking manifold movable into different pivotal,-

positions to cooperate with printing cylinders of different diameters, said manifold having a pas sage through its pivot and having an elongated discharge port in communication with said passage, said discharge port being adjacent to the printing cylinder, and pump and conduit means to'convey ink from-said reservoir to said manifold through said passage in saidpivot.

13. In a rotary intaglio printing press including a printing cylinder and a fountain housing having means for inking said: cylinder, the improvement which. comprises, an ink reservoir, a pivotally mounted inking manifold, and a sealing element, all three included in the fountain hous ing, said manifold having a curved face extending lengthwise ofthe printing cylinder, and said sealing element being in sealing engagement with said curved face and also in sealing engagement with a wall of said ink reservoir.

14. A rotary intaglio printing press comprising: a printing cylinder, and a fountain housing, said housing including devices on opposite sides of the printing cylinder, one of said devices being an inking manifold and the other being a doctor knife support, said fountain housing also including an ink reservoir beneath the'printing cylinder, and sealing means, the ink reservoir being pivoted for movement from operating position to a lowered cleaning position, and said sealing means including a sealing element attached to one wall of the ink reservoir and operable to make sealing engagement with one of said devices when the reservoir is in operating position.

15. In a rotary intaglio printing press including a frame, a printing cylinder, and means for inking the cylinder, the improvement which comprises: an inkv reservoir pivoted to the frame for movement from operating position to a lowered cleaning position, the reservoir having a prrt passing through its pivot; and pump and conduit means connected to withdraw ink through said port and deliverit to the printing cylinder.

16. A rotary intaglio printing press comprising: a printing cylinder, anda fountain housing, said housing including an inking manifold on one side of the printing cylinder, a doctor knife support-on the opposite,side of the printing cylinder, an ink reservoir beneath the printing cylinder, and sealing means, the ink reservoir being movable from operating position to a lowered secured to the manifold alongside of said port and adapted to project into sealing engagement with the surface of said cylinder, means to move the discharge port of saidmaifold toward and