US2368776A

US2368776A - Printing press

Info

Publication number: US2368776A
Application number: US456129A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas E Piazze
Original assignee: CHAMPLAIN CO Inc
Current assignee: CHAMPLAIN CO Inc
Priority date: 1942-08-26
Filing date: 1942-08-26
Publication date: 1945-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1962-02-06

Description

Feb. 6, 1945. 1', E, plAzzE 2,368,776

PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 26, 1942` 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

U -ri INVENTOR 7PM/7,45 -P/AZZ/f ATTORN EY T. E. PIAZZE` PRINTING PRESS Feb. 6, 1945.

Filed Aug. 26, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 7f3/@m45 /D/AZZf T. E. PIAZZE PRINTING PRESS Feb. 6,r 1945'.

` Filed Aug. 2b, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 22M oZ. n Lm O. w. Mm PL m M AH Patented Feb. 6, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRINTING PRESS Y Thomas E. Piazze, Lyndhurst, N. J., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Champlain Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation oi' New York Application August 26, 1942, Serial No. 456,129

13 Claims.

This invention relates to printing presses, and more particularly to gravure presses of the closed fountain type.

Some features of the invention are useful in printing presses generally, as Well as in th'p closed fountain type of gravure press, but since all the features are useful in closed fountain presses, some exclusively so, the invention is illustratively disclosed herein as embodied in a closed fountain press.

In the usual closed fountain rotogravure press, the printing couple is vertically disposed and comprises an'upper impression Icylinder and a lower printing cylinder. An ink reservoirpositioned beneath the printing `cylinder supplies ink through a -pump and suitable conduits, to an ink applicator which spreads the ink on the surface of the revolving printing cylinder. A doctor blade scrapes oil the surplus ink aA short distance in advance of the printing line and the remaining ink is applied to the work web, which runs between the printing and impression cylinders, by the intaglio or gravure process. The printing cylinder, the reservoir, the puimp and its conduits, the applicator, and the doctor blade are combined to define a, completely closed system for the ink, so that the ink will be kept fresh and of uniform consistency notwithstanding the employment of very volatile, 'quick-drying solvents.

In a machine of this class, it is necessary from' time to time to change the ink, as when a different color is needed. or to change the cylinders in accordance with the requirementso'f different jobs. there being provided a plurality of cylinders of different diameters adaptedv for alternative use in the machine. concerned largely -with problems involved in makinq these changes, and more particularly7 with reducing the time required to change the ink and/or the printing cylinder.

It is an important object of the invention to provide for the ready removal and replacement of the ink reservoir without tilting. so that the reservoir can be removed without having previnusly been drained. and.y this by means which is economical and efficient and which involves relatively simple changes and slight additions to the machine. f

It is a further important obiect of the invention to provide novel supporting and adjustinfr means for the doctor blade and the apurtenant parts whereby the doctor blade can be ouicklv adjusted into a desired relation to any one of the available printingr cylinders and. havinfr been so adjusted. can be swung away from the cylinder for cleaning. or to give access to the cylinder, and then immediately restored to the same adjusted relationship without any necessity The present invention is` (ill l. lol-157) for rechecking or readjustment on the part of the operator.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a portion of a gravure press embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in end elevation of the same portion of the press illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly broken away, showing most of the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2; l

Fig. 4 is a detail, sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating a modified construction;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in sectional elevation, thesection being taken fupon the line 6--6 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the ink reservoir.

I'he illustrative machine will be described from the point of view of'one looking at the machine from the delivery end, and the terms front Irean right and left Will be used in this sense throughout. l

Referring to the drawings, the machine in'- cludes a f rame I which comprises left and

right frame members

2 and 3, upon which all of the other parts and mechanisms to be described are supported. A work Vweb l4, which may be paper or any other material to'be printed, is fed through the machine between an upper impression cylinder 5 and a lower printing cylinder 6, supported in frame portions 1 at opposite sides of the machine. An ink reservoir Ilv supported beneath the cylinder 6 carries a supply of ink which is drawn off by a pump 9 and delivered to an applicator I0 under pressure. The applicator I0 spreads the ink on the surface of the lprinting cylinder 6, and a doctor blade I I serves to scrape off the surplus inkv a short distance in advance of the printing line. The ink is applied to the work web at the point of tangency of the cylinders 5 and 6. f l

Although' the 'cylinders 6 are provided in different sizes adapted for alternative use in the machine. each cylinder carries at opposite ends thereof enlarged hub portions I3. Said hub portions I3 are of uniform diameter for all sizes of cylinders and may include suitable bearing means for the cylinder shaft, if desired. The ink reservoir 8 comprises a large lowerI portion I4 having vertical'side and end Walls. and an v.upper portion I5 of less length and width than "the lower pQrtlQn, also .formed with vertica/l side and end walls. The side walls of the upper portion I5 desirably terminate in straight :dat horizontal surfaces I6, and the end walls terminate in upwardly-facing, semi-cylindrical surfaces I1 which are adapted to t against the lower sides of the respective hub's I3. Since the hubs or bearing members I3 are of uniform diameter,

the surfaces I1 of the reservoir will always form a substantially sealed joint withthe lower halves of said hubs I3, regardless of the size of printing cylinder in use.

In accordance with my invention, provision is made for the rapid withdrawal and replacement of the reservoir when a change of ink. is required. This is an especially important feature of my invention. It will be noted that the reservoir 8 is adapted to be moved horizontally with a sliding motion, through an opening I8 formed in the left-hand frame member 2, until the ends of the upper portion I5 are contained between the

frame members

2 and 3. When so disposed, it may then be raised into the operative position illustrated in Fig. 6. A track I9 attached to the

frame members

2 and 3 is located to engage ribs 20 on the lower face of the reservoir to support and guide the reservoir in its horizontal movement through the frame opening I8. Vertical guide plates 2I and 22 extend between the

frame members

2 and 3 and are attached to the frame members through suitable extension plates 23. The guide plates 2l and 22 are so located that they snugly but comfortably receive the width of the lower portion I4 of the reservoir 8 between them, and together with the track I9 define a guideway for the reservoir in its horizontal o1 introductory movement into the machine. I'he plates 2I and 22 also serve to guide and laterally support the reservoir in its subsequent vertical movement.

A shaft 24, journaled in the

frame members

2 and 3, has clamped to its left-hand end, which projects leftward from the frame member 2, an operating crank arm 25. Between the

frame members

2 and 3, the shaft 24 has keyed to it a, pair of load-bearing arms 26, each of which carries a roller 21 for engaging a wear plate or boss 28 on the bottom face of the reservoir 8. The rollers are situated at opposite sides of the center ofgravity of the reservoir and at substantial distances from the center of gravity, so that they provide a stable .support for the reservoir in the vertical movement thereof.

Track I9 is formed with a rear rail 29 for engaging one of the ribs 20 of the reservoir and a front rail 30 for engaging the other rib. The rear rail 29 is continuous. However, as best shown in Fig. 2, the front rail 30 is divided into three parts, the track being formed with slots 3| for accommodating the movement of the cranks 26 to their lowered positions. Between the

rails

29 and 30, the track I9 is formed with depressions 32 for accommodating the rollers 21 in their lowered positions.

. The operating arm 25 is equipped with a conventional spring-pressed plunger type handle 33, which, in cooperation with a recess 34 formed in the frame member 2, serves to latch the arm 25 in raised position and, therefore, to detain the reservoir in the raised position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6 with the surface I1 seated against the peripheries of the hubs I3.

The upper portion of the reservoir I5 is disposed toward the right-hand end and toward the rear with reference to the lower portion I4 of the reservoir. There is provided, therefore, at

the left-hand end of the lower portion I4 an extending portion which does not pass through the frame member 2, but which projects to the left of the frame member when the reservoir is in the operative position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6, the projecting relation of this portion of the reservoir being best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The projecting left-hand end of the lower portion of the reservoir is formed in its upper surface with a ller opening which is normally closed by a removable cover 35. The 'cover 35 in turn is formed with a small peep opening 36 through which an ullage rod may be inserted to measure the depth of the ink. The opening 36 is normally covered by a pivoted plate 31 which is formed with an operating handle 38. Plate 31 maybe swung to one side to enable the operator to look into the reservoir or to measure the depth of the ink. If replenishment is found necessary, the cover is removed and ink is poured in through the filling opening.

It will be noted that the top wall of the lower portion I4 of the reservoir is also formed with an opening 39 forwardly of the upper portion I5 and to the left thereof. This opening 39 is adapted to receive a stationary, vertical pipe 40 which is supported from the frame member 2 at the outer or left-hand side thereof and a little in front of the front boundary of the frame opening I8. 'I'he pipe 4D is in vertical alignment with the opening 39 when the reservoir has been thrust inward horizontally as far as it can go and is ready to be raised vertically. The raising of the reservoir causes the opening 39 to be carried upward around the pipe 40 and the bottom of the interior of the reservoir to be located in proximity tothe pipe 4.0. The pipe 40 constitutes an intake pipe for the pump 9.

Intake pipe 40 is supported from an elbow 4I which is held by means of a clamp plate 42 and screws 43 to the outer for left-hand face of the frame member. The pipe 49 communicates through the elbow 4I and a nipple 44 with a flexible tube 45 which extends across the machine and through an opening 46 of the frame member 3. The tube 45 is connected through a nipple 41 with an intake fitting 48 of the pump 9. The pump 9 is carriedv on a bracket 49 which is secured to the frame member 3 by machine screws 50. 'I'he pump frame is also secured to the frame member 3 by upper and lower sets of machine screws 5I. At the discharge side,

the pump is connected through a flexible-tube 52 with the applicator I0 through a nipple 53.

As best shown in Fig. 6, the ink applicator comprises a bored arm 54 which is keyed to a transverse shaft 55, the shaft being journaled in the

frame members

2 and 3 and adapted to be rocked by an operatingr arm 56. The operating arm 56 is clamped on a portion of the shaft 55 which projects leftward beyond the left-hand frame member 2; and said arm 56 is equipped with a conventional plunger type handle 51 which, in cooperation with a recess 58 formed in the frame member 2, can be used to detain the applicator in an inoperative, retracted position when desired.

The arm 54 of the applicator is formed with a side extension through which an abutment screw 59 is adjustably threaded. A lock nut 6D also threaded onto the screw 59 serves to x the screw 59 in adjusted position. The screw 59 cooperates with a fixed abutment 6I on the frame member 2 to limit approach of the applicator toward the cylinder 6 and thereby to limit the pressure with which the applicator bears against the cylinder 6.

The arm 54 is connected through screws 62 with a bored and chambered member 63 which forms part of the applicator head. A complementary member 64 is clamped to the member 63 by bolts 65. The members 63 and 64 jointly form a chamber 66 through which the ink is conducted to the outer end of the applicator and there applied under pressure through a perforated plate 61 to a wick member 68 which is formed of felt or any other suitable porous material. The perforated plate 61 and the wick 68 are clamped against the outer ends of the member 63 and 64 by means of an angle Plate 69 and screws 10.

A flexible sealing plate 1I, clamped between abutting walls of the members 63 and 64, ex' tends downward across the forward upper sur face I6 of the reservoir, to form a sealed joint therewith. The plate 1I is long enough to extend completely from one of the hubs I3 to the other, and the same thing is true of the entire applicator in that portion which extends above the plate 1I. Thus, the printing cylinder 6, the upper portion of the applicator, the plate 1 I, and the forward wall of the reservoir dene a continuous enclosing wall when the applicator is in the position illustrated in Fig. 6. Access to the printing cylinder can be readily had simply by swinging the applicator to a retracted position through operation of the handle 51, and latching it in retracted position.

Provision is also made for forming a complete and continuous enclosure between the cylinder 6 and the reservoir 8 to the rear of the cylinder through the doctor blade II and appurtenant parts. for adjusting the doctor blade relative to its support in accordance with the size of printing cylinder 6 employed, for adjusting the doctor blade angularly of-the cylinder 6 to locate it at a proper distance from the printing point for cylinders of different sizes, and forswinging the doctor blade out of the way and back to operative position without the necessity for rechecking or readjusting the position of the doctor blade.

It will be noted that doctor blade I I is mounted between upper and lower clamping jaws 12 and 13 which, in turn, are mounted upon a block 14 constituting the doctor blade carrier. The doctorblade is formed with slots 15 through which clamping screws 16 pass. The screws 16 serve both to clamp the doctor blade in adjusted position relative to the jaws 12 and 13, and detachably to secure the jaws 12 and 13 to the block 14. 'I'he block 14 is formed with'forwardly-extending ears 11 upon which a cross bar 18 is carried. A flexible leaf spring 19 attached to the upper face of the cross bar 18 bears against the lower face of the doctor blade I I, pressing it rmly upwardly against the lower face of the jaw 12. A sealing plate 80 clamped to a forward face of the cross bar 18 through a clamping bar 8| bears against an inner rea-r wall of the reservoir 8 to form a sealed joint therewith. rIhe ilexible sealing plate 80, the leaf spring 19, and the doc- In this connection, means are provided' rocking support for the doctor blade carrier 14 and is movable to diiferent positions, as Will be described presently. One normal or operative position of the supporting frame 85 is that illustrated in Fig. 6 where it will be seen that said frame 85 comprises a hub portion -86 which is clamped by means of screws 81 to a transverse shaft 88 journaled in the

frame members

2 and 3.

The rack segments 84 are desirably formed as integral portions of the supporting frame 85 and have arcuate track members 89 aflixed to them by means of completely embedded screws 98. The block 14 is formed with arcuate channels 9| which fit upon the arcuate track members 89. The block 14 is formed with a slot 92 to divide the block lntoopposed clamping jaws 93 and 94. A machine screw 95 is passed through the jaw 93 and threaded into the jaw 94 and may be operated to draw the jaws toward one another and p thus cause the block 14 to be clamped firmly and immovably upon the guides 89. When the screw 95 is retracted a little, however, the clamping pressure is relieved and the block 14 is free to be adjusted along the tracks 89 by operation of the pinions 83 along the gear segments 84. The shaft 82 is formed with a polygonal end 96 so that a wrench may be applied to rotate the shaft 82 and with it the pinions 63, thereby to eiect adjustment of the block 14 and all of the described parts which are carried by said block.

If it be assumed that the machine has been operating with a printing cylinder 6 of the size illustrated in the drawings, and that a cylinder of larger size has just been substituted, the doctor blade is first adjusted by loosening the screws 16 and shifting the doctor blade outward until the end edge of the doctor blade engages the substituted cylinder with the desired pressure and evenness. Then the screws 16 are retlghtened to clamp the doctor blade against further shifting relative to the clamps 12 and 13 and the carrier block 14.

It will be understood that the doctor blade will have been located at a greater angular distance from the printing line on the replacement cylinder than on the smaller cylinder which it replaced, and at a considerably greater linear distance from the printing point, the radius of the replacement cylinder being greater than that of the cylinder replaced. It is, therefore, desirable to adjust the doctor blade nearer to the printing I line by operation of the shaft 82 and the pinions 83. Such adjustment will cause the active edge of the doctor blade to travel in a circular path about the axis of the printing cylinder, because the arcuate tracks 89 and the gear segments 84 will be caused to stand in concentric relation to the cylinder 6 under the conditions of adjustment now being described. Any element carried in unison with the block 14, therefore, during adjustment by' operation of the shaft 82 and the pinions 83 will travel in a circular path whose center lies in the axis of the printing cylinder, and will not change its distance from that axis. As the block 14 is shifted upward, the sealing plate is caused to bear with increased force against the wall of the reservoir 8. The plate 8D is suillciently exible, however, to accommodate itself by yielding to the changed relationship. and no readjustment of the plate 8U relative to its support is required.

However. it may still be necessary to adjust the pressure of the doctor blade against the cylinder 6. This is done through rocking of the support 85 together with the shaft 88 upon which the support is fixed. The supportv 85 has ailixed to it a downwardly-extending, slotted crank 91 and slidingly receives a block 98 which is rockingly mounted on a pin 99 carried on the outer end of a crank which is keyed to a shaft |0I. 'Ihe shaft |0| extends through the left frame member 2 and has clamped to its protruding end a crank |02, so that the cranks |00 and |02 together with the shaft |0| constitute in effect a bell crank lever. the shaft |0| and includes-a clamping jaw |03. A screw |04 passed through the clamping jaw |03 and threaded into the main body of the arm |02 may be tightened to clamp the arm upon the shaft' |02 in xed relation t0 the shaft.

An operating lever |05 in the form of a bell crank comprising arms |06 and |01 is mounted on the shaft |0| with freedom for rocking movement relative to the shaft. The arm |01 is formed with an offset, perforated ear |08 in alignment with a bored boss |09 which is formed on the outer end of the arm |02. A rod||0having a head at the lower end and a threaded portion I2 at the upper end is surrounded by a compression coil spring II3, and is passed upward through the ear |08 and the boss 09. The spring bears at the lower end thereof against the head ||I and at the upper end against the lower face of the ear |08. A hand-operated adjusting nut ||4 is threaded upon the rod ||2 above the boss |09 and may be turned to adjust the pressure with which the spring |I3 holds the arms |01 and |02 toward one another. Operating lever |05 is provided with a handle ||5 of the conventional plunger type which cooperates with an opening'l I6 formed in the frame member 2 for detaining the handle in a retracted position, and with an opening ||1 formed in the frame member 2 for detaining the handle in an advanced position.

To adjust the doctor blade assembly toward the cylinder 5, the handle 5 is moved counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1. So long as no opposition to such movement is encountered, the arms |02 and |01 move in unison. When the doctor blade I or the sealing plate 80 encounters opposition, the movement of the handle ||5 is continued, but; the spring ||3 yields so that there is a relative separation of the arms |02 and |01.`

Continued forward movement of the arm |02 is effected yieldingly through the spring I I3 with progressively increasing force.

When the lever |05 has been swung counterclockwise and detained in the position mechanically determined by the recess ||1, the stress of the spring ||3 may be adjusted to adjust the pressure of the doctor blade against the roller 6 by turning of the adjusting nut ||4. This is a very desirable feature because it is not possible to effect a nice adjustment of the doctor vblade pressure simply by readjusting the position of the doctor blade between the clamping jaws 12 and 13. The adjusting nut I4 affords a micrometric adjustment, and since the threads of the nut I4 and the rod ||0 are of very low pitch, it will be apparent that the adjusting nut will maintain its adjusted position without any additional locking means.

Initial adjustment of the doctor blade relative to its clamp may be quickly effected without any necessity for attempting extreme precision. Then the doctor blade carrier may be adjusted through operation of the pinions 83 and the racks 84, also without the need of any very great care as to pre- -cision. Finally, the adjusting nut H4 may be The crank |02 extends around' CTI set to iix the doct0r-.blade pressure at exactly the value desired. Thisv adjustment may also be effective to increase the pressure between the sealing plate and the rear wall of the ink reservoir 8; but whenever the correct pressure of the doctor blade against the roller 6 has been secured, the pressure of the sealing plate 80 against the ink reservoir will be found to be adequate for providing a well sealed joint.

For affording further assurance that there will be no ingress of air to the reservoir 8 adjacent the corners thereof, additional sealing segments ||8 of the same thickness as the hubs `|3 and formed to engage and fit against portions of the hubs are provided at `the forward side of the reservoir. Such sealing segments I8 are detachably secured to the

frame members

2 and 3 by means of screws ||9.

At the rear side of the reservoir, sealing segments |20 are provided. These segments are pivotally mounted upon a shaft |2| carried by the pins 11 of the doctor blade carrier 14. The sealing segments |20 are of the same thickness as the hubs I3 and lit against the surfaces of the hubs. When access to the printing cylinder from the rear is desired, the sealing segments |20 are first rocked rearward about the shaft |2| and are then carried away from the cylinder with the doctor blade assembly by operating of the handle ||5 in a clockwise direction. The parts are detained in the retracted position through coaction of the plunger handle I I5 with the recess I6 of the frame member 2. When operation is to be resumed with the same cylirider or a cylinder of the same size in place, it is only necessary to restore and latch the handle ||5 in its predetermined, advanced position and then to rock the sealing segments into place in order for all the parts to be restored to their original operative conditions.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Fig. 4, the hubs I3 and the side walls of the reservoir 8 are formed with mating cylindrical surfaces. In the modified construction shown in Fig. 5, the

Amachine is in all respects the same as that which has been described. However, in the modified construction, the hub members |3a and the upper side walls of the reservoir 8aI are formed with mating frusto-conical surfaces, and each hub portion |3a is formed with a circumferential flange |30 which extends over a portion of the inner face of the adjacent end wall of the reservoir 8a. Such a construction prevents outward seepage of ink that may reach the joint between the hub |3a and the side wall of the reservoir 8a and induces any such ink to return and drip or flow into the reservoir.

While I have described preferred embodiments of the principal features of my invention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the construction and certain features thereof employed without others, without departing from my invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What I claim is:

stantially below, the hub-engaging position of the' 1. 4In a printing machine of the sealed founaaeav're reservoir; a frame structure to guide the reservoir for vertical upward movement from said position, and for laterally supporting it during such movement; a lifting lever for raising the reservoir; and means for detaining the reservoir in raised position.

2. In a printingmachine comprising a printing roller, in combination, an ink reservoir adapted to be operatively positioned beneath such roller, a frame defining a support and guideway for the introduction of the reservoir first laterally of the machine and then upwardly into operative position, said frame including means for engaging downwardly-facing portions of the reservoir to support and guide it during the lateral movement, and means disposed at opposite sides of the reservoir both to guide and laterally support the reservoir during the lateral and upward movements, means for raising the reservoir, and means for detaining the reservoir in raised position.

3. In a printing machine comprising a printing roller, in combination, an ink reservoir adapted to be operatively positioned beneath such roller, a frame defining a support and guideway for the introduction of the reservoir first laterally of the machine and then upwardly into operative position, said frame including means for enaging downwardly-facing portions of the reservoir to support and guide it during the lateral movement, means disposed at opposite sides of the reservoir both to guide and laterally support the reservoir during the lateral and upward movements, and a lifting lever for the reservoir comprising a rock-shaft, an operating arm fast on the rock-shaft, and a pair of load-bearing arms also fast on the rock-shaft and spaced longitudinally of the first path to engage the reservoir during lifting at opposite sides of the center of gravity of the reservoir and at substantial distances from the center of gravity.

4. In a printing machine comprising a printing roller, in combination, an ink reservoir adapted to be operatively positioned beneath said roller, said reservoir including a relatively large lower portion having vertical side walls and an upper portion of less length having vertical end walls, i

a pair of frame members spaced apart laterally of the machine a distance substantially equal to the length of the upper portion of the reservoir, the iirst of said frame members having an opening through it of substantially the same width as the lower portion of the reservoirl and of suflicient height to permit the reservoir to be introduced through it until the end walls of the upper portion of the reservoir lie between the frame members, means supporting and guiding the reservoir for horizontal movement through said opening into position with the walls of the upper portion of the reservoir lying between the frame members, means for lifting the reservoir vertically from said position into operative position beneath the printing roller, and means carried by the frame for engaging the side walls of the lower portion of the reservoir to support the reservoir against sidewise tilting during both said movements, said reservoir being supported against endwise tilting by the opposed frame members in cooperation with the end Walls of the upper portion of the reservoir during the vertical movement.

5. In a printing machine comprising a printing cylinder, in combination, an ink reservoir adapted to be operatively positioned beneath said cylinder, said ink reservoir having an opening at its top adapted tor a complete and continuous enclosure with the printing cylinder, said ink reservoir` also having an opening adapted to reink pump and an applicator through which ink delivered by the pump is applied to the cylinder,

vin combination, a vertically-extending intake pipe for the pump, an ink reservoir having an opening in the top thereof adapted to receive and substantially fit the pipe, means guiding the reservoir for horizontal movement into a position in which said opening is below and in vertical alignment with said pipe, and means guiding the reservoir for vertical movement from such position to cause the pipe to be surrounded by the opening and to have its lower end disposed in proximity to the bottom of the reservoir.

'7. In a printing machine of the closed fountain type which includes a printing cylinder, an ink pump and an applicator through which ink delivered by the pump is applied to the cylinder, in combination, a vertically-extending intake pipe for the pump, an ink reservoir having a large lower portion and an upper portion of less length and Width than the lower portion, said upper portion formed to operatively intert with hubs of the printing cylinder, a pair of frame members, one of which is formed with an opening through which the ink reservoir can be introduced, means supporting and guiding the ink reservoir for horizontal movement through said frame member in a path such that the upper portion of the reservoir travels alongside of the vertical intake pipe in non-interfering relation therewith, the lower portion of the reservoir having a top opening which is aligned with the intake pipe when the reservoir has been fully inserted to cause the upper portion of the reservoir to lie between the frame members, means for raising the reservoir from its inserted position to its operative position to cause the upper portion of the reservoirto engage the printing cylinder hubs and the opening in the l'ower portion of the reservoir to travel upward into surrounding relation to the intake pipe, and means for detaining the reservoir in operative position.

8. In a printing press in which gravure printing cylinders of different diameters are selectively installed, in combination, a doctor fblade assembly comprising a doctor blade bearing against the installed cylinder to remove surplus ink and a doctor blade carrier, means securing the doctor blade on the carrier Iwith capacity lfor adjustment toward and from the cylinder, a rocking support for the carrier, a lever, means for holding the lever in a. predetermined, iixed position, operative connecting means between the lever and the rocking support for causing the doctor blade to be pressed forward against the opposition of the cylinder including a spring, and micrometric adjusting means for rendering the action of the spring more or less positive as desired, according to whether a greater or lesser vpressure of the doctor blade against the cylinder is required.

9. In a printing press in which gravure printing cylinders of different diameters are selectively installed, in combination, a doctor blade assembly co-mprising a doctor blade for bearing against the installed cylinder to remove surplus ink and a doctor blade carrier, means securing the doctor blade on the carrier with capacity for adjustment toward and from the cylinder, an arcuate track on which the doctor blade carrier is adjustably mounted, means for fixing the carrier in adjusted position on the track, a support for the track, y'ielding means for urging the support in a direction to press the doctor blade against the cylinder, and micrometric adjusting means for setting the stress of said yielding means and for thereby setting the pressure of the doctor blade against the cylinder at any desired value.

10. In a printing press in which gravure printing cylinders of different diameters are selectively installed, in combination, a doctor blade assembly comprising a doctorblade for bearing against the installed cylinder to remove surplus ink and a doctor blade carrier, means securing the doctor blade on the carrier with capacity for adjustment toward and from the cylinder, an arcuate track on which the doctor blade carrier is adjustably mounted, means for operating the carrier along the track, means for fixing the carrier in adjusted position on the track, a rocking support for the track, an operating lever for the support, means operatively connecting the lever ywith the support including a spring through which the operating lever transmits force to the rocking support for carrying the doctor blade assembly toward the cylinder without lost motion relative to the operating lever until opposition to the continued advance of the doctor blade assembly is encountered and for thereafter yielding to cause the doctor blade assembly to be urged forward with an increasing, yielding force, means for detaining the operating lever in a mechanically-determined, advanced position, and means for adjusting the stress of the spring with the operating lever so detained, to determine the 4force with which the doctor lblade will be caused the installed cylinder to remove surplus ink and doctor blade carrier, means securing the doctor blade on the carrier with capacity for adjustment toward and from the cylinder, a support for the doctor blade assembly on which the doctor blade carrier is mounted for adjusting movement substantially orV concentric with the cylinder, means for fixing the carrier in adjusted position on the support, means mounting the support with capacity for rocking movement, a lever for rocking the support, means operatively connecting the lever with the support including spring means 4through which the operative lever transmits force to the rocking support for carrying the doctor blade assembly toward the cylinder without lost motion relative to the operating lever until opposition t the continued advance of the doctor blade assembly is encountered and for thereafter yielding to cause the doctor blade assembly to be urged forward with an increasing, yielding force, means for detaining the operating lever in a. mechanically-detemiined advanced position, and means for adjusting the stress of the spring means with the operating lever so detained, to determine the force with which the doctor blade will be caused to bear against the cylinder.

12. In a printing press in which gravure printing cylinders of different diameters are selectively installed, in combination, a doctor blade assembly comprising a doctor blade bearing against the installed cylinder to remove surplus ink and a doctor blade carrier, -means securing the doctor blade on the carrier with capacity for adjustment toward and from the cylinder, an arcuate track on which the doctor blade carrier is adjustably mounted, the track being concentric with the cylinder when the end edge of the doctor blade rests lightly against the cylinder, means for operating the carrier along-the track, means for fixing the carrier in adjusted position on the track,` a rocking support for the track, an operating lever for the rocking support, means operatively connecting the lever with the sup, port including a spring through which the operating lever transmits force to the rocking sup` port for carrying the doctor blade assembly toward the cylinder until the end edge of the doctor blade has engaged the cylinder lightly, means for detaining the operatinglever in a mechanically-determined advanced position, and means associated with the operating lever for adjusting the stress of the spring with the operating lever so detained, to determine the force with which the doctor blade will be caused to bear against the cylinder.

13. In a printing press in which gravure printing cylinders of different diameters are selectively installed, in combination, `a doctor blade assembly comprising a doctor blade bearing against the installed cylinder to remove surplus ink, and a doctor blader carrier, means securing the doctor blade on the carrier with capacity for adjustment toward and from the cylinder, an arcuate track on which the doctor blade carrier is adjustably mounted, means for operating the carrier along the track, means for xing the carrier in adjusted position on the track, a rocking support for the track, an operating lever for the rocking support, means operatively connecting the lever with the support including a spring through which the operating lever transmits force to the rocking support for carrying the doctor blade assembly toward the cylinder without lost motion relative to the operating lever until opposition to the continued advance of the doctor blade assembly is encountered and for thereafter yielding to cause the doctor blade assembly to be urged forward with an increasing.

yielding force, means for detaining the operating lever in a mechanically-determined advanced position, and means for adjusting the stress of the spring with the operating lever so detained, to determine the force with which the doctor blade rwill be caused to bear against the cylinder, the arrangement being such that the doctor blade assembly can be swung back for access or cleaning and returned to the same operative condiy tions as before without disturbing any of the set adjustments.

THOMAS E. PIAZZE.