US2277405A

US2277405A - Register method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2277405A
Application number: US229097A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth G Mckiernan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-09-09
Filing date: 1938-09-09
Publication date: 1942-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 1959-03-24

Description

March 24, 1.942. K, c, MCKIERNAN 2,277,405

REGISTER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed sept. 9, 1958 2 sheets-sheet 1 Mrch 24, 1942. K. c. Mcm-:RMN 2,277,405

u REGISTER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Sept. 9, 1958 42 Sheets-Sheet 2 Il Y "l mmm Patented-Mar. 24, 1942 UNITED' STATES PMENTi OFFICE- REGISTER Mazoimmm'ms o o Kenneth G. Mcxiernan, Chicago, lll. Application september 9, 193s. sensi No. 229.091

e claims. (ci. 101e-171) My invention relates to printing registering methods and apparatus forv use therewith.

When matter is printed requiring the separate use of a number of impressions, as, for example, successive applications of different colors to the same substrate, it is essential that the printing surfaces on the successively employed printing media, such as plates, halftones, type material and the like, be placed in register in the base plates so that the successive impressions will ap- .pear in proper place on the substrate. Various registering means have been suggested, but. in general, all registering systems heretofore employed require the employment of a so-called make-up press and `involvel lin essence, the adjustment of plates in the chase, the pulling of a proof, further adjustment of the plates, then vtaking another proof, and continuing these alternate proceduresl until register is obtained. As a result, so-called make-up, where it involves registering of successive forms, takes a relatively long period of time and adds to the expense of printed mattei' |of the type requiring more than one impression.`

The principal object of my present invention o vris the provision of a simplied and improved method for registering printing forms.

Another object is the provision of improved but relatively simple equipment to facilitate carrying out the method.

In general, my invention can be carried out when using any of the usual base plates and any of the usual forms of printing plates common to the industry. As an example, I may utilize the usual chase and so-called patent base, and the general features of the invention will be described in connection therewith.

I first make a proof from the primary form, usually black, and provide means for securing the proof sheet in a definite position on another form. which isto be used with the black, preferably rst oiling the sheet so as to render it substantially transparent. The plates which will be employed in the second impression are placed in approximately the correct position on the base plate, and, by comparing the position of the black usually found to be substantially in register, but, if further adjustment is required, it is accomplished readily, if necessary, by the utilization of the same oiled sheet with which preliminary register was arranged. During this entire time,

, it is not necessary to employ the proofing press except where impressions are to be made, and, even then, the use of the proofing press is not,

strictly speaking, necessary because a competent workman may readily use a planer aid mallet to make the impressions sufficiently for registering purposes.

To hold the paper in proper position during the registering operation, I provide means affording a substantially type-high surface on the chase,

the paper extending over this type-high surface being perforated accurately and engaged by pins accurately positioned in the chase, fastening means being employed to hold the paper down proof to the position of the plates on the base Y plate, I am enabled to adjust their position by means of the usual registering hooks until true register seems to have been obtained. Now, taking another sheet of paper which has been given the first printing impression, I hold it, by the same fastening means referred to hereinabove, over the second form which has already been inked and pull a proof thereof. Thiseproof is vertical section taken onthe line lll-I0 of Fig.

along the margin of the chase overlying the type-high surface. The details of the method and the equipment employed therewith will be brought out in the following'description taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a complete form showing simplified forms of plates supported thereon and adapted for printing with black ink;

Fig. 2 illustrates the black proof before color has been applied thereto;

Fig. 3 shows a form similar to Fig. 1 but with plates adapted to print in color and in register with the black shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates the position of the black proof of Fig. 2 as it isheld in position over the form of Fig. 3 during the registering operation', part of the black proof sheet being broken away to facilitate illustrating the relative position of the color plates and the black proof;

Fig. 5 shows the completed proof in two colors;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the paper fastening means employed during the proofing operation;

Fig. 'l is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view showing features of the paper fastening means;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, also showing the paper securing means; and

Fig. l0 is an enlarged, fragmentary, irregular,

9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, I show, in Fig.

1. a chase Il carrying a base plate I2 to which unmounted plates I3, Il and I6 are secured by means of register hooks I1. The base plate I2 illustrated is of the so-called patent base type and may be any of the usual patent base materials, such, for example, as Blatchford, Latham, Rouse, or Wessel patent base. The register hooks may be any usual type of register hooks employable with the types of bases referred to.

In Fig. 3, I show a separate chase I8 with a base I9 carrying plates 2|, 22 and 23 secured in proper position by the method to be described by means of the usual register hooks |1. The chases and I8 represent two or what may be a series of twol or several chases of substantially identical size adapted to be secured on a press in the usual manner.

At one side of each chase I provide a pair of accurately positioned openings 26 adapted to receive register pins 21 held in their extreme upward position by springs 28 (see Figs. '1 and 10). Generally contiguous to the openings 26 are additional openings 29 which conveniently may be identical in cross section with the openings 26. Cooperating with the register pins 21 I provide a paper stock leveling bar 3| with openings 32 of such size as to snugly receive the register pins 21. The bar 3|V is so proportioned that its upper surface, when it rests on the chase, is type-high, thus, in effect, affordng.f when it is in position, a type-high surface on one margin of the chase. The stock leveling bar 3| also carries a dowel pin 33 for each opening 29 in the chase, and is also provided with openings 34 which may be in any suitable position but which, for reasons which will appear hereafter, are conveniently and preferably placed adjacent the openings 32 through which the registerpins extend. Cooperating with the stock leveling bar is a paper holding bar 36 with openings 31 into which the register pins 21 extend. and dowel pins 33 extending into openings 34. For convenience, the structure illustrated has been described in the exact manner shown, but, as will be brought out following a description of the method employed, modification in structure may be employed if desired depending upon conditions encountered with particular equipment in use in a particular shop.

.In the showing of the invention, the subjectmatter being printed from the plates illustrated has been greatly simplified', it being apparent at once to any printer that oneI would not, except in a very unusual case, expeet to utilize a large form for the purpose of producing the relatively simple printed matter illustrated. The simplicity of the form, therefore, is not to be taken as an indication of the character of work that can be registered by my method, since the method may be utilized for substantially any registering job encountered in the shop.

In the simplified printing job suggested by the drawings, the plates I3, |4 and I6 are presumed to be utilized for printing in black, and the first step of the method is to set these plates up in the chase II in the position which' they will occupy during the actual printing process. A sheet 4|, which has previously been punched with

holes

42 and 43 occupying the identical positions of the holes 32 and 34 in the stock leveling bar 3| and into which register' pins 21 and dowel pins 33 extend, is printed in the manner shown in Fig. 2 to form a black proof. Adequate means is provided to afford a transparent sheet 4| for register purposes, such as by printing directly on transparent or substantially transparent stock, but preferably in most cases by utilizing ordinary opaque paper stock, and oiling it after printing the proof thereon to make it suiiiciently transparent so that a plate underlying it may be readily seen,

The plates 2|, 22 and 23 in the simplified arrangement shown are utilized for printing in red within the area of printed matter shown in white in the proof 4I, that is, within all of the letters in the Word fSale, within the figure 1, and the bar appearing underneath it, and within the first letter S in the word Shirts The object is to place the plates 2|, 22 and 23 in such a position on the form comprising the chase I8 that, when the chase is placed on the printing press and successive impressions are made with the black and red plates, the applied color will be in the exact position desired without any undue overlapping.

The registering pins are first inserted in the chase, the stock leveling bar 3| 'is then placed in position, and the proof 4| placed over the form with the printed side down and with the pin detents 21 extending through the holes 42 in the proof. The paper holding bar 36 is then placed in position on top of the stock leveling bar 3| with the dowel pins 38 extending through the holes 43 in the paper of the proof and into the openings 34 in the stock leveling bar. By this means, the paper is held in al truly horizontal and fixed position throughout, as illustrated in Fig. 10, it being noted that there will be little or no buckle such as might result in error because at the point where the paper is held by the bars 3| and 36, it is of the same height as in the place where it rests on the plates 2|, 22 an.; 23, that is, it is held type-high.

The make-up man or, as he is usually called in print shops, the stoneman, before or after the proof 4| has been placed in position on the second form, places the plates 2|, 22 and 23 in approximately the positions which they will occupy, and by then examining their position through the transparent proof 4| he can determine the adjustments that are to be made in that position to bring about register. At any suitable time, depending somewhat upon the nature of the work. the register hooks |1 are placed in position around the plates in the form and, when he believes that he has the plates accurately positioned, he can tighten the register hooks and mount the plates firmly on the base I9. During the time that he is adjusting the position of the color plates, he can raise the proof 4| in any way that suits his convenience, being sure that when he again places it in position down on the color plates it will occupy the identical position which it occupied" when he first started. By this means, particularly on relatively simple work, he can usually establish true register without the necessity of taking a proof at all. When he believes he has the plates in register, however, he takes a second black prooi', inks the color plates, and then, holding the proof in position by the use of the register pins 21 and holes 42 in the proof, he makes his color proof, either employing a proofing press or, if he is suiiiciently skillful, a planer and mallet. If he should employ a proofing press, he removes the paper holding bar 31 but leaves the stock leveling bar 3| in position as this will not affect the proofing operation in any way. While the register pins 21 normally extend above the type surface, during a printing operation the springs 28 are compressed and the pins 21 are pushed down out of the way. If, after making the color proof, the make-up man finds that there is any little error in the position of the plates 2l, '22 or 23, this error is very simply corrected, utilizing the transparent proof sheet again if necessary and employing the final proof as a guide.

A salient feature of my invention consists in holding the paper on which the proof is made in the identical position on the successive forms on which successive groups of plates, type matter, or the like are employed. The chases are secured on the press in the usual manner and, since the plates are in the same relative positions on the various chases, register, having been established by means other than the position which the chase occupies on the press, will still be accurate when the chases are secured in their proper position on the press. This is a factor to be considered, because, in ordinary proofing operations, a proofing press-is employed and is tied up for a considerable time due to the fact that the position of the chase on the proofing press is the known position from which register is established, and even when I employ a proofing press I establish a register without the necessity of giving any consideration to the position which the chase occupies on the press. This alone is a time saver, results in releasing a proofing press at will as the chase may be removed and replaced without affecting the register and, in the hands of skilled operators, renders a set of forms for a color printing Jobin about half the time usually required. A

From the structure standpoint, the apparatus shown, more specifically the depressible register pins, is also of importance. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the time-saving value of this arrangement, but, for further understanding, illustrative operations will be considered. Normally, when forms are being made up and proofs taken on a proofing press, it is essential that the forms be secured in accurate position on the press p and that the guides on the proofing press also be When a Iproof is taken emg properly adjusted. ploying my invention, however, the only requirement is that the form be introduced into the -press in a suitable manner to make an impression. The register pins determine the position of the paper on each form of a series of forms, andduring the actual taking of the proof, the register pins are depressed to the upper level of the lstock leveling bar, the paper holding bar 36, of course, being removed during the time that the proof is being drawn. At the time the register pins `are depressed, however, the paper is held in position by the cylinder or whatever impression means is-provided on the particular press employed.

It is perfectly clear that, when the chases are identical, and occupy the same position on a given press, when successive impressions are made employing the same press, no adjustment at all is necessary to secure proper register on the press if the register has been properly carried out in accordance with my method. At times, however, it is preferable to employ a number of presses, one for each form of a series of forms, and, in this case, the forms will not necessarily occupy identical positions. However, since the forms themselves are in true register, the only adjustment required is to set the guides properly, an operation which is very easily carried out by the operators of the presses. In other words, having registered the forms accurately, it still may be necessary to adjust the presses in register, an operation, however, which is required no matter how register is obtained.

it possible to register K s My invention requires for best results the provision of proofing paper especially provided with holes corresponding to the -fastening means provided on the chases for-use in carrying out the registering method. Itis possible, however, to employ unperforated proofing paper when utilizing the-specific form of apparatus shown, since lthe register pins and dowel pins in entering the Some considerable modification of my invention is permitted, such as in the number of register pins employed and the arrangement of the dowel pins and the like. l I find that, by the use of the dowel pinsthe insertion of the register pins through the two bars provided is simplified. I may, Vif desired, utilize a permanent type-high surface on the chase and secure the depressible register pins in such a manner as to prevent their removal. The type-high surface `on the chase, however, in the usual form of presses now employed, would receive'link, and this ink would make anv impression upon the paper stock if it should extend to the margin of the chase. Furthermore, if the type-high surface on the chase did not make an vimpression on the paper stock being printed, ink would graduallyaccumulate on this surface and this would require frequent cleaning. It is possible to so modify presses as to prevent the inking of a type-high surface on the chase margin, but this would require modifications which' are'not necessary when the removable stock leveling bar such as I illustrate is employed. In line with this consideration, it may be vnoted that, even lthough the type-high surface may makel an impression on theproof, such an impression is of no consequence and will not affect that portion of the lproof which is used in the registering process.

The substrate or stock on which the proof is made may, in its simplest form, as described, comprise ordinary opaque paper stock which may -be oiled after the first proof is taken torender it transparent. However, various transparent materials may be employed, includingpermanent or semi-permanent sheets formed of such materials as those going into photographic films, etc., and, by proper selection of such material and the use of suitable cleaning iiuids, the ink may be removed, and the proofing sheet used several times.

The cost involved in using a new sheet for each What I claimas new and desire to protect by v Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. Registering apparatus of the character 4described, comprising a chase adapted to support type-high printing units, means providing a type-high surface on the margin of said chase, a plurality of registering pins and spring means yieldingly supporting said registering pins to project above said surface, said pins adapted to be depressed to the level of said surface when pressure is applied thereto.

2. Apparatus .as defined in claim 1, including a separate paper holding bar having openings into which said registering pins are adapted to project, whereby a proof taken from a ilrst form may be held ilrmly over a second form during adjustment for register of plates and the like forming a part of said second form.

3.1'1`he registering method for the purpose' described, comprising supporting a plurality of register pins in accurate positions in a chase comprising part of a form, forming opens corresponding to the positions of said pins in a proof sheet, printing a proof of said ilrst form while holding said proof sheet in position with said pins projecting through said openings, support'- ing said pins in anidentical position on a second form, securing said proof sheet on the second form with the said register pins 4projecting throughrsaid openings in the proof sheet, and adjusting the position of plates and the like on said second form in accordance with the position of the printed proof on said proof sheet.

4. The method defined in claim 3, wherein said proof sheet is rendered transparent to facilitate matching printed matter thereon with plates and the like on the second form.

5. The method of registering plates on a plurality of forms, each comprising a chase and base plate lower than type height, wherein the plates on said plurality of forms are to be printed successively on the sam'e stock as in color printing, which comprises ilrst securing the plates onA one form in positions which they will occupy during printing, supporting a plurality of register pins on said form in predetermined positions, inking said form, placing a sheet of paper printl stock over said form with the pins projecting through apertures therein, whereby to hold said paper in xed position, taking an impression on said paper sheet, treating said sheet to render it transparent, inserting register pins in a second form at positions identical with the positions occupied by the pins in the firstmentioned form; 'supporting the said paper over said second form with the register pins extending through the apertures in said paper, whereby the paper occupies the identical position on the second form which it occupied on the iirst-mentioned form, and adjusting the position of plates on the second form, utilizing the proof on the transparentized sheet of paper as a guide.

6. The method of registering plates on a plurality of forms, each comprising a chase and base plate lower than type height, wherein the plates on said plurality of forms are to be printed successively on the same stock as in color printing, which comprises first securing the plates on one form in positions which they will occupy during printing, supporting a plurality of register pins on said form in predetermined positions, inking said form, placing a sheet of paper print stock over said form with the pins pro- Jeoting through apertures therein, whereby to hold said paper in iixecl position, taking an impression on said paper sheet, treating said sheet to render it transparent, inserting register pins in a second form at positions identical with the positions occupied by the pins in the irstmentioned form, supporting the said paper over said second form with the register pins extending through the apertures in said paper, whereby the paper occupies the identical position on the second form which-it occupied on the ilrst-mentioned form, adjusting the position of plates on the second form, utilizing the proof on the transparentized sheet of paper as a guide, and printing on a fresh sheet of paper with the two forms to form a proof, supporting the sheet of paper by means of the registering pins while supporting the registering pins so lthat they do not permanently project above the type-high surface of the plates.

KENNETH G. MCKIERNAN.