US2346588A - Multicolor printing machine - Google Patents

Description

April 11, 1944. F. LAMATSCH MULTICOLOR PRINTING MACHINE 5 She ts-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1941 FREDERICK LAMATSCH April 11, 1944. F. LAMATSCH I MULTICOLOR PRINTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-She et 2 Filed Aug. 30, 1941 UN Om FREDERICK LAMATSCH Apnl 11, 1944. F. LAMATSCH MULTICOLOR PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1941 V 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 mm on mmo FREDERICK LflMATSCJL Apnl 1-1, 1944. F. LAMAT'SCH MULTIGOLOR PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 50. 19,41 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 0 a; S $30M m Aprll 11, 1944. F, LAMATSCH MULTICOLOR PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 W m T 0 0 In L 00 Y K 0 M E R F mi m? 0m? 0 Q3 Q 0 0 0 0 a 0 05 0 00 2. Q QE Q S 0m Q W o m e o u 0 o o o 0 00 00 0. 00 0 000 a 0000 00 0 w .E mm ..Q m 0.0.20 '.N 00 0 mm mm 0 90 o 00 E mm o m 0 0 Patented Apr. 11, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,346,588 MULTICOLOR ramrmc momma Application August so, 1941, Serial No. 409,094 6 Claims. (01. 270-) This invention relates to printing machines, and more particularly to rotary multicolor web printing machines constructed and arranged for maximum flexibility in operation and choice of web runs.

Various constructions and arrangements of printing units have heretofore been provided to produce multicolor products. Insome of these arrangements there is provided a common impression cylinder having a number of plate or form cylinders disposed in cooperable relation thercaround. In others, a plurality of superposed color printing units are provided. and they are arranged to permit various web runs. A number of other arrangements are provided, but in each instance, the operating and web run flexibility have definite limitations. More recently, standard perfecting newspaper units with additional printing cylinders have been employed to.produce multicolor printing, but although such arrangements are relatively satisfactory, they, too, lack the operating and web run flexibility now commercially desired.

An object of this invention is to provide a printing machine incorporating a folder and a plurality of rotary printing units in line, certain of the units being standard perfecting units and others having standard components provided with a plurality of color printing couples, the construction and arrangement being such as to afford maximum operating flexibility and choice of web runs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary printing machine incorporating a folder and a group of printing units in line, the group including two standard rotary perfecting units, and a unit interposed therebetween which incorporates four printing couples.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a rotary printing machine incorporating a plurality of folders and a plurality of groups of printing units, each group being located between adjacent folders. and including two standard r0- tary perfecting units and another unit interposed 'therebetween and incorporating four printing It is also an object of this invention to provide a rotary multicolor web printing machine of generally improved construction and arrangement whereby the device will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and efilcient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that various changes in form, propor tion and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any advantages of the invention.

For a complete disclosure of the invention, a detailed description thereof will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation depicting a pluralityof foldersv and printing units in line, certain of the units being arranged inan operative group, the web run arrangement bein such as to produce three black perfected webs;

Figure 2 is a similar view, but depicting the webs as being run through the units to produce one web with black on the inside and four colors on the outside of the product, and also a black perfected web;

Figure 3 is a similar view, but depicting the webs as being run to produce a black perfected web, and a color web similar to that produced in the arrangement of Figure, 2, but with the four colors printed on the inner side of the outside sheet of the product; a

Figure 4 is a similar view, but depicting two webs as being so run that one web is perfected in black, and the other having black on one side, and four colors on the other, with the colors bein disposed on, the inner side of the inner sheet of the product:

Figure 5 is a similar view, but depicting the webs as being so run that the color web is placed on the outer side of the inner sheet of the product;

Figure 6 is a similar view, but depicting the webs being so run through the units and to the folder as to produce two webs having black on one side and three colors on the other, the co'lor printing being on the outer side of the outside sheet and the irmer side of the inside sheet in each product;

Figure 7 is a similar view, showing an arrangement for producing two webs having the same number of colors on each web as produced by the arrangement depicted in Figure 6, but

with the colors reversed, the color printing being on the inner side of the outside sheet and the outer side of the inside sheet in each product;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a group of units depicting a preferred drive arrangement;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 1, the web run arrangement being such as to produce two webs perfected in black and a third web printed in three colors on one side, and black on the other; and

Figure 10 is a side elevation of a line of printing units and a folder, as shown in Figures 1 to 9, but depicting a portion of the line that includes a folder with a group of three units on each side thereof and with turner bars and slitters, the web runs shown being such as to print one web with four colors on each side, one web with two colors on each side, and to perfect two webs in black.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, there is depicted an improved printing machine which includes a plurality of standard perfecting printing units and a plurality of fourimpression printing units and folders arranged in line. The arrangement is such that three printing units are positioned between adjacent folders, and the three units form a group of units.

Each group includes two .perfecting newspaper printing units A and B, and a four-impression printing unit 0, located in line therebetween.

The perfecting unit A of each group of units includes two printing couples H and I2, and the couple ll includes an impression cylinder 13 and a plate or form cylinder i5, and the couple l2 includes an impression cylinder [3a and a plate form cylinders, and also a suitable drive mechanism, the drive mechanism is, however, so constructed and arranged that the cylinders of printing couple II in unit A, and the printing couple l1- in unit B are reversibly driven. The inking mechanism is of standard construction well understood by those skilled in the art, consequently, the inking mechanism has not been illustrated in the drawings of this application.

The four impression unit C incorporates four printing couples I8, 20, 2i and 22. Ihe printing couple IBincIudes an impression cylinder l3 and a cooperating form or plate cylinder l5, and the printing couple 20 includes an impression cylinder l3a and a cooperating plate or form cylinder 15a. Located immediately above the printing couple i8 is the third printing couple 2i, which includes an impression cylinder 25 and a plate or form cylinder 28. The printing couple 22 is located above the printing couple 20, and the couple 22 includes an impression cylinder 28a and a plate or form cylinder 28a. Preferably all of the printing cylinders of unit C are arranged to be reversibly driven.

A preferred arrangement for imparting power to the printing cylinders is disclosed in the diagrammatic Figure 8, and includes a line shaft L which drives a plurality of vertical shafts V, through meshing bevel gears 23 and 24. A vertical shaft V is provided for each of the perfecting printing units A and B, and two vertical shafts are provided for the four-impression printing unit C. Means for reversing couple ll of unit A and couple l1 of unit B is provided, and is preferably that shown in Figures 1 to 4"of Lamatsch Patent No. 2,102,631, but it will be understood that all of the printing couples of these units may be made reversible, if desired, by the use of two oppositely positioned bevelled gears 22 on the shaft L, either of which may be slipped into engagement with the gear 24.

The vertical shafts V of unit C are each geared directly to the two printing couples which they drive by bevel gearing, a pair of slip gears ll being provided on the shafts V for each couple and arranged so that' either slip gear may be I thrown into mesh with their mating gear on the cylinder in accordance with practice well known in this art.

Each group of printing units A, B and C is located between adjacent folders 21 and 28, as indicated in the drawings. The folders are preferably of the usual double construction, each having two formers 30 over which the web passes to produce the longitudinal fold in conformity with theusual practice well understood by those skilled in the art. Any preferred number of folders and groups of printing units may be arranged in line. Where a small product is to be produced, a single group of units may be used with a folder 21, or where larger products are to be produced, units in other groups of units may be connected to operate with the first group. As stated, each group of units includes two standard perfecting units, one of the printing couples of each preferably having reversible cylinders, and a four-impression printing unit located between the standard perfecting units, all of the cylinders of the four-impression unit preferably being reversibly driven.

In the web run arrangement depicted in Figure 1. the inner web W, that is, the inner or lower web which passes down over the formers 30 of the folder 21, is directed by guide rollers 22 through the printing couples i1 and it of unit 13, where the web is perfected in black. This web W is then guided by rollers 33 to the drag roller 35 of the folder 21, where it is slit by the conventional slitter disc 34, inconformity with the usual practice, and then led down over the formers of the folder 21, in the manner well understood by those skilled in the art. The second inner web WI, that is, the second web from the formers as it passes down thereover, is led around guide rollers 36 through the printing couples 20 and i 8 of the printing unit C, where the web is perfected in black. After the web passes through the printing couple IE, it is led around guide rollers 31 and over the drag roller 35, where it is slit into narrower webs or ribbons, and these ribbons are then directed down over the formers 30 of the folder 21, in conformity with the usual practice.

A web W2 is led around guide rollers 38 through the printing couples i2 and ii of unit A, where the web is perfected in black. After the web W2 passes through the printing unit A, it is led around a guide roller 40 to the drag roller 35. where it is slit into narrower webs or ribbons, and the ribbons or webs are led down over the formers 30 of the folder 21. As the Webs or ribbons W2 pass down over the formers 30 of the folder 21, they are the outermost or third webs from the former surfaces.

By this arrangement, three web are perfected by the printing units A and B, and the printing couples I8 and 28 of unit C.

In the web run arrangement depicted in Figure 2, a web, W3 is led around guide rollers 32 through the printing couples I8 and I1 of print 'ing unit B, where the web is perfected in black.

After passing through the printing unit B, the web W3 passes around guide rollers H to the drag roller 35. This web is then slit into ribbons, and the ribbons passed down over the formers 38 of the folder 21. As the ribbons of the web W3 pass down over the formers, they are located immediately adjacent the formers and thus provide the innermost or lower webs or ribbons.

A web W4 is led around a guide roller 38 to the printing couple I2 of the printing unit A, where a black impression is printed on the first or obverse side of the web. After the web W4 passes through the printing couple I2, it is led around guide rollers 39 an 42, to and through the printing couples 22, 28, I8 and 2I of the four impression printing unit C, where four color impressions are printed on the second or reverse side of the web. After the web W4 passes through the printing unit C, it is guided by rollers 43 to the drag roller 35, where it is slit into webs or ribbons, and these webs are led down over the formers 38 of the folder 2'! in the top or outermost position.

By this arrangement, the inner webs which pass down over the formers have both surfaces printed in black, and the outer webs which pass down over the formers have four colors on their outer surfaces indicated 40 in Figure 2, and black on their inner surfaces.

In the web run arrangement depicted in Figure 3, a web W5 is guided by rollers 32 through the printing couples I6 and I! of th printin unit B, where the web is perfected in black. After passing through the printing unit B, web W5 is guided by rollers 45 to the drag roller 35, where the web is slit into narrower webs or ribbons, and these webs are guided down over the formers 38 of folder 2! so that they provide the inner or lower webs.

A web W6 is guided by rollers 38 through the printing couple II of the printing unit A, where a black impression is printed on the first or obverse side of the web. After passing through the printing couple II, web W6 is guided by rollers 45 and 36 to and through the printing couples 2I, I8, -28 and 22 of the four-impression printing unit C, wher four colors are printed on the second or reverse side of this web. After passing through the four-impression printing unit C, web W6 is guided by rollers 41 to the drag roller 35, where it is slit into ribbons or narrow webs, and these webs are then led down over the formers 38 of the folder 2! and form the outer or top webs.

In this printing arrangement, the inner webs which pass down over the formers 38 are perfected in black, and the outer webs have fourcolor impressions on the inside of each outer web, indicated 4G in Figure 3, and a black impression on the reverse side.

In the arrangement depicted in Figure 4, a web W1 is led by guide rollers 32 through the printing couple I6 of printing unit B, where a black impression is printed on the'first or obverse side of the web. After web W'I passes through the printing couple I6, it is then guided around rollers and 38 to and through the printing couples 2|, I8, 28 and 22 of the fourimprcssion printingunit C, where four-color impressions ar imprinted on the second or reverse side of the web. After web W1 passes through the four-impression printing unit C, it is guided around rollers 48 to the drag roller- 35, where it is slit into narrow webs or ribbons which pass down over the formers 38 of the folder 2! to provide the inner or lower webs.

A web W8 is guided by rollers 38 through the printing couples I2 and II of the printing unit A, where the web is perfected in black. After the web W8 passes through the printing unit A, it is guided by rollers .58 to the drag roller 35, where it is slit into narrower webs or ribbons. and these webs pass down over the formers 38 of the folder 2I.to form the outer or top webs.

In this arrangement, th outer webs which pass down over the formers 38 are perfected in black, and the inner webs have four colors on the inside, indicated 40 in Figure 4, and black on the other side.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 5. a web W9 is led by guide roller 32 through the printing couple I1 of printing unit B, where a black impression is printed on the first or obverse side of the web. After web W9 passes through the printing couple II, it is led by guide rollers 52 and 36 to and through the printing couples 22, 28, I8 and 2I of the four-impression printing unit C, where four colors are printed on the second or reverse side of this web. After web W9 passes through the printimz; unit C, it is guided by rollers 53 to the drag roller 35, where it is slit into narrower webs or ribbons and these webs are led down the formers 38 of the folder 2'! so that they form .the inner or lower webs.

A web WI8 is guided by rollers 38 through the printing couples I2 and II of the printing unit A, where the web is perfected in black. After web WI8 passes through the printing unit A, it is guided by rollers 55 to the drag roller 35, where it is slit into narrower webs or ribbons. and these webs pass down over the formers 38 to form the outer webs.

By this web run arrangement, the innermost webs which pass down over the formers 38, are printed with four colors on their outer or upper surfaces, indicated 4C in Figure 5, and black on their lower or inner surfaces, and webs WI 8 have black on both surfaces.

In the arrangement depicted in Figure 6, a web WI I i led by guide rollers 32 through the printing couples I6 and I I of the printing unit B, where black is printed on the first or obverse side of the web, and a color impression is printed on the second or reverse side of the web. After th web WI I passes through the printing unit B, it is guided by rollers 56 to and through the printing couples 28 and 22 of the four-impression printing unit C, where two-color impressions are printed on the second or reverse side of the web. The web WI I is then guided by rollers 51 to the drag roller 35, where it is slit into narrower webs or ribbons which are led down over the formers 38 of the folder 21 to form the inner or lower webs.

A web WI2 is led by rollers 38 through the printing unit A, where a black impression is printed on the first or obverse side of the web, and a color impression is printed on the second or reverse side of the web. After web WI2 passes through the printing unit A, it is guided sides thereof.

by rollers 58 to and through printing couples l8 and 2! of the four-impression printing unit C, where two additional color impressions are printed on the second or reverse side of the web. Web Wl2 is then led around guide rollers 50 to the drag rollers 35 where it i slit into narrower webs or ribbons and passed down over the formers 30 to form the outer or upper webs.

By this web run arrangement, three colors are printed on the lower or inner sides of the inner webs and black is printed on the upper or outer Three color are also printed on the outside or upper surfaces of the outer or upper webs, with black impressions on their lower or inner surfaces, so that the black impressions of the two webs are folded face to face. The surfaces of the webs printed in three colors ar indicated 3G in Figure 6. g

In the arrangement depicted in Figure '7, a web Wl3 is led by rollers 32 to and through the printing couples l1 and '5 of the printing unit B, where black is printed on the first or obverse side of the web, and a color impression i printed on its second or reverse side. After web Wl3 passes through the printing unit B, it is guided by rollers 6| to and through the printing couples 22 and 20 .of the four-impression printing units C, where two additional color impressions are printed on the second or reverse side of the web. After web Wl3 passes through the printing couples 22 and 20 of the unit C, it is guided by rollers 62 to th drag roller 35, where it is slit into narrower webs or ribbons which pass down over the formers 30 of the folder 2! to form the lower or inner webs.

A web W is guided by. rollers 38 through the printing couples H and I 2 of the printing unit A, where black is printed on the first or obverse side of the web, and a color impression is printed on the second or reverse side of the web. After web Wll passes through the printing unit A, it is guided by rollers 63 to and through printing couples 2| and I8 of the printing unit C, where two additional ,colors are printed on the second or reverse side of the web. This web is then led by guide roller 55 to the drag roller 35, where it is slit into narrower webs or ribbons which pass down over the formers 30 to form the outer or upper webs.

By this web run, the inner or lower webs which pass down over the formers 30 have three colors on their upper side and black on their lower sides, while the outer or upper webs have three colors on their inner or lower sides, and black on their upper or outer surfaces. The surfaces printed in three colors are indicated 30 in Figure '7.

Referring to Figures 6 and '7, it is manifest that two other web runs can be conveniently obtained by using, in one instance, the web run of W12 of Figure 6 with the web run Wl3 of Figure '7; and, in the other case, the web run Wll of Figure 6 with the web WM of Figure 7.

In the arrangement depicted in Figure 9, the inside web WI is directed by guide rollers 32 through the printing couples I1 and 16 of unit B, where the web is perfected in black, and it is then guided by rollers 33 to the drag roller 35 of the folder 21.

The outside web WIS is guided by rollers 33 through the printing couples l2 and II of the printing unit A, where the web is perfected in black, and it is then guided by a roller 40 to the drag roller 35.

' A third web W" is led around guide rollers 65 and 6'! to and through printing couple 22 of unit C, where it is printed in b ack on one side, and thence in succession it is led to and through couples 20, i8 and 2| of that unity to.

receive three colors on the opposite side 3C, as indicated. It is then led around guide rollers 43 to the drag roller 35. It will be observed that this arrangement produces two webs printed in black on .each side, and one web printed in black on one side and three colors on the side 30. It is obvious that by reversing the lead of the web WI1 through the unit C so that it is carried first upward through couple 2!, then downward through couple I8, and then. upward through couples 20 and 22, that it may be printed with three colors on the opposite side instead.

It willbe understood that in a press of this kind, it is customary to provide a considerable number of web guide rollers, arranged so as to provide for any desired web run, the web being led around only such rollers as are required to direct it to the desired places, and also that detachable brackets for supporting the bearings of the guide rollers may be employed, which can be easily shifted from one portion of the press frame to another, to locate the roller in any one of a number of positions. and where it can best be used.

The products hereinbefore described are those produced by double folders, where the sheets are run direct to the folder and not slit until they reach the formers. Obviously, by slitting the webs and turning certain of the resulting rib- I bons to bring them all over one former, various assemblies of these ribbons are selectively permissible, and makes possible a wide choice of products, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Again, when tabloid papers are produced, the additional fold further increases the possible disposition of the color pages, as is generally known in the art.

In Figure 10, slitters and turner bars are shown, and an arrangement whereby webs are led to a folder from units located at each side. A web Wl8 is led about guide rollers 68 to and through couples II and E2 of unit AA, where it receives two colors on a first side, and thence about guide rollers 59, to and through couples l8 and 2| of unit CC, where it receives two additional colors on the first side. It is then led about guide rollers H to and through couples 22 and 200i this unit, where it receives two colors on the second side. It is then led around guide rollers 12 to and through couples l6 and ll of unit BB, where it receives two additional colors on the second side, and it is then led around guide rollers 13 and 13 to a drag roller T5, where it is slit by a slitter 15, one of the ribbons thus produced being led around guide rollers H to the drag roller 35 at the former 30 of the folder, while the other ribbon is passed around turner bars 18, which superimpose it over and align it with the firstmentioned ribbon, and it is then carried around guide roller I9 to the drag roller 35, thus proauoing two ribbons or half width webs printed in four colors on each side, the outer one of which will be the outside page of the product when it is delivered from the folder.

A web WIS is led around guide rollers 32 and successively through couples I! and I6 of unit B, where it is perfected in black or one color on each side, and thence around a guide roller 8| to a drag roller 82, from whence it may berun without slitting, around guide rollers 83 to the drag roller 35 over the former, or it may be slit by the slitter 84, and one o the ribbons or half webs carried around the turner bars 85 and guide rollers 86 to the drag roller 35.

Similarly, a web W20 is carried around rollers 38 through printing couples l2 and H of unit A, where it is perfected in black, thence around guide rollers 81 to the drag roller 88, where it may be slit and turned, or forwarded without slitting to the drag roller 35 of the former 30.

Another web WZI is led around guide roller 66, through printing couples 20 and 22 of unit C, receiving two colors on one side, and it is then led around guide roller 89, and through couples l8 and 2| of that unit, where it receives two colors on the opposite side, and it is then led around guide roller 9| to drag roller 92, where it is either slit into half width webs, one of which is turned to bring them into alignment before being led to the folder, or the web may be led without slitting to the drag roller 35.

With the leads shown in Figure 1-0, the web WI 8 will have four colors printed on each side as indicated 4C, webs W19 and W20 will be perfected in black, and the web W2I will be printed in two colors on each side, as indicated 20.

From the foregoing, it is manifest that the construction and arrangement disclosed in this invention provides maximum convenience and flexibility in operation, because any selected web may be run through any selected printing unit or selected printing couple thereof, or any combination of printing units and printingcouples, and then the printed web may be run directly to the formers of the folder without passing through a circuitous path, or without passing under the folder. Furthermore, various color combinations may be produced by different web runs with the same colors remaining on the plate or form cylinders, or different color combinations may be conveniently produced by employing the same web runs and utilizing different colors on selected form or plate cylinders.

The arrangement provides groups of three printing units, each group including a standard printing unit which may have a pair of reversible printing cylinders, and located in line adjacent the folder, a four-impression printing unit having reversible cylinders and located in line adjacent the standard unit, and another standard unit located in line adjacent the four-impression unit. When more than one folder is employed in line, this arrangement disposes a standard printing imit at each side of the folder, and a four-impression unit intermediate the said standard units. Such arrangement facilitates the threading of the webs through their intended path of travel in the printing machine, and also afiords great flexibility in selection of web runs.

With this arrangement, any number of colors up to four may be printed on each side of a web, and alternatively any number of colors may be printed on one side of a web with black on the other, and a simultaneously separate black perfected web may be printed, in each group of three units. Again, the entire four-impression color unit may be used as such, or, if preferred, the lowermost couples thereof may be supplied with black ink and employed for perfecting in black. It is also possible with this arrangement to print in each group of three printing units, two webs, each having three colors on one side, and black on the other. By changing the web run, the same number of webs may be printed with the same number of colors, on each side but with the colors reversed, that is, instead of three colors on the obverse side, and black on the reverse side, the web may be printed with black on the obverse side, and three colors on the reverse side.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit-or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

What I claim is:

1. In a printing machine, a folder and a group of three printing units arranged in a line on one floor level, the group including a first printing unit located immediately adjacent the folder and having four cylinders arranged as a standard two-couple perfecting printing unit of the type having its couples longitudinally spaced and each couple including a plate cylinder and a cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect above and intermediate its spaced couples, a second printing unit located immediately adjacent the first and having eight cylinders arranged as a lower standard perfecting printing unit similar to the first unit and an upper inverted standard two-couple perfecting printing unit having its couples longitudinally spaced and vertically spaced from the couples of the lower unit, each couple of the upper unit including a plate cylinder and a cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect below and intermediate its spaced couples, and a third four-cylinder standard perfecting printing unit similar to the first unit located immediately adjacent the second unit at its opposite side.

2. In a printing machine, a folder and a group of three printing units arranged in a line on one fioor level, the group including a first printing unit located immediately adjacent the folder and having four cylinders arranged as a standard two-couple perfecting printing unit of the type having its couples longitudinally spaced and each couple including a plate cylinder and a cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect above and intermediate its spaced couples, a second printing unit located immediately adjacent the first and having eight cylinders arranged as a lower standard perfecting printing unit similar to the first unit and an upper inverted standard two-couple perfecting printing unit having its couples longitudinally spaced and vertically spaced from the couples of the lower unit, each couple of the upper unit including a plate cylinder and a cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect below and intermediate its spaced couples, a third four-cylinder standard perfecting printing unit similar to the first unit located immediately adjacent the second unit at its opposite side, and means for reversibly driving selected cylinders of each printing unit.

3. In a printing machine, a plurality of folders and a plurality of groups of printing units arranged in a line on one fioor level, each group being interposed between adjacent folders and including a first printing unit located immediately adjacent a folder and having four cylinders arranged as a standard two-couple perfecting printing unit of the type having its couples longitudinally spaced and each couple including a plate cylinder and a cooperable impression cylder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect above lar to the first unit and an upper inverted standard two-couple perfecting printing unit having its couples longitudinally spaced and vertically spaced from the couples of the lower unit, each couple of the upper unit including a plate cylinder and a cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect below and intermediate its spaced couples, and a third four-cylinder standard perfecting printing unit similar to the first unit located immediately adjacent the second unit at its opposite side.

4. In a printing machine, a plurality of folders and a plurality of groups of printing units arranged in a line on one floor level, each group being interposed between adjacent folders and including a first printing unit located immediately adjacent a folder and having four cylinders arranged as a standard two-couple perfecting printing unit of the type having its couples longitudinally spaced and each couple including a plate cylinder and a cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect above and intermediate its spaced couples, a second printing unit located immediately adjacent the first and having eight cylinders arranged as a lower standard perfecting printing unit similar to the first unit and an upper inverted standard two-couple perfecting printing unit having its couples longitudinally spaced and vertically spaced from the couples of the lower unit, each couple of the upper unit including a plate cylinder and a. cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect be low and intermediate its spaced couples, a third four-cylinder standard perfecting printing unit similar to the first unit located immediately adjacent the second unit at its opposite side, and means for reversibly driving selected cylinders of each printing unit.

5. In a printing machine, a plurality of spaced folders arranged in a line on one floor level, a printing unit located in the line at each side of each folder and having four cylinders arranged as a standard two-couple perfecting printing unit of the type having its couples longitudinally spaced and each couple including a plate cylinder and a cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that obliqu planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect above and intermediate its spaced couples, and an eightcylinder printing unit located in the line between each pair of said perfecting printing units so that two similar perfecting printing units and an eight-cylinder printing unit therebetween forms a group of printing units located in line between adjacent folders, the eight cylinder printing unit having four cylinders arranged as a lower standard perfecting printing unit similar to the perfecting-units at each side of the folder and an upper inverted standard two-couple perfecting printing unit having its couples longitudinally spaced and vertically spaced from the couples of the lower unit, each couple of the upper unit including a plate cylinder and a cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect below and intermediate its spaced couples.

6. In a printing machine, a plurality of spaced folders arranged in a line on one floor level, a printing unit located in the line at each side of each folder and having four cylinders arranged as a standard two-couple perfecting printing unit of the type having its couples longitudinally spaced and each couple including a plate cylinder and a cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect above and intermediate its spaced couples, and an eightcylinder printing unit located in the line between each pair of said perfecting printing units so that two similar perfecting printing units and an eight-cylinder printing unit therebetween forms a group of printing units located in line between adjacent folders, the eight-cylinder printing unit having four cylinders arranged as a lower standard perfecting printing unit similar to the perfecting units at each side of the folder and an upper inverted standard twocouple perfecting printing unit having its couples longitudinally spaced and vertically spaced from the couples of the lower unit, each couple of the upper unit including a plate cyl inder and a cooperable impression cylinder arranged so that oblique planes passing through the axes of its cylinders intersect below and intermediate its spaced couples, and means for reversibly driving selected cylinders of each printing unit.

FREDERICK LAMATSCl-l.

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