US2411075A - Web-feeding device - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 12', 1946. c. E. WYRICK WEB-FEEDING DEVICE Original Filed April 27, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 InvmToR (DH 00' C WYP/CA/ Nov. 12, 1946. c, w cK WEB-FEEDING DEVICE Original Filed April 27, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE. 4-

Patented Nov. 12, 1946 OFFICE WEB-FEEDING DEVICE Clayton E. Wyrick, Miami, Fla., asslgnor to The- Egry Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application April 27, 1939, Serial No.

270,396. Divided and this application July 20, 11142, Serial No. 451,646

1 Claim. 1

. My invention relates to a machine for aligning and folding continuous webs of material into a fan-folded pack.

'The invention is particularly adapted for preparing the zigzag folded pack of sheets provided for use in autographic registers, such as illustrated in my copending application Serial No.

142,661, filed May 14, 1931, and similar devices. My invention, however, is not limited to this particular use as it is obvious the invention is adapted for fan-folding packs of superimposed continuous sheets or webs of material which are to be used in printing machines and other similar recording apparatus. These packs comprise multiple superimposed continuous sheets of paper having spaced printing forms thereon.

Hinge sections are provided between each form for permitting the ready detachment of the individual forms from each other in use.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a machine which will accurately align and fold a plurality of superimposed sheets of printed forms at their hinge joints, regardless of the slight variations in the distance between the hinges. It will be appreciated the hinge por tion between the spaced forms may comprise perforations, slits, indentations, or otherwise weakened web portions whereby the individual machine wherein a paper web hinge and aligning blade and web clampingroller means operate in a definite predetermined timed relationship so that after the web to be folded is started through the machine the complementary web hinge aligning members cannot be moved out of alignment relative to each other.

Another object is to provide a machine for aligning perforated sections of multiple superimposed continuous webs and folding said superimposed sheets together in a fan-folded pack.

Another object is to provide in a hinged web aligning and folding machine of this nature, means for producing a loop or slack in the continuous web being drawn through the machine, adjacent the entrance to the hinge aligning mech-- anism at a predetermined time. This permits relative shifting of the individual webs over each other so that the hinged or otherwise weakened sections of the different webs of paper will move into alignment with each other.

Another object is to provide in a folding ma chine of this character a gripper roll which is forms may be detached as by tearing off from the remainder of the continuous sheet of forms. Another object is to provide a slack producing mechanism so asto permit shifting of the individual superimposed webs of paper being folded so that the corresponding hinge portions in the different webs of paper are brought into alignment even though they do not happen to register exactly with one another.

Another object is to provide a machine of the character described, comprising engaging roller means between which the paper web is drawn having alternate roller web clamping and hinge aligning blade means adapted to cooperate with opposed clamping and hinge aligning blade members for alternately aligning and creasing the superimposed webs of paper, first-in one direction, then in the opposite, the produce a fan-like folded strip. l

Another object is to provide a machine for folding continuous webs having spaced printed forms thereon wherein a variable speed member is arranged between the prime mover and the moving parts of the machine so that the speed at which the web may be moved through the machine may be varied.

Another object is to provide a paper folding held in place by gravity so that it is free to swing away from the web of paper to make possible the loading of the machine.

Another object is to provide clutch means for producing a gradual speed acceleration of the aligning and folding machine during the starting period so as not to put undue stress on the webs or machine parts.

Another object is to provid a paper web hinge aligning and folding machine comprising means for moving superimposed webs of paper therethrough, aligning the webs at their spaced hinge sections and folding of said webs, which mechanisms are driven by a power train comprising 8.

Another object is to provide in a machine of the character described, mechanism for auto- -matically disconnecting the electrical circuit to the auxiliary variable speed feeding web gripper rolls'in response to declutching of the prime mover.

Another object is to provide in a paper web handling. machine of the type aforementioned, means for disconnecting the driving means from th web feeding mechanism so as to permit manual operation of said web feeding mechanism.

Another object is to provide a web feeding roll mechanism comprising a friction disc member which is yieldably pressed against a driven wheel member and wherein means is provided for moving said web feeding roll out of engageplete machine illustrating the principal features of the mechanism for passing multiple superimposed sheets of paper through the machine and the arrangement of the web hinge aligning and folding mechanism;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the driving mechanism of the machine;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the friction disc driven knurled web gripper rolls and guide roll mean for feeding the webs through the machine, with associated parts being broken away'to show the construction more clearly;

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the web gripper roll friction disc driving means and variable speed mechanism therefor;

Figure 5 is an elevation view, partly in section, with certain parts broken away, showing the gripper and web guiding rolls and lateral aligning feed roller mechanism illustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detail view of the fastening means for latching the gripper rolls out of contact with the friction driving disc preparatory to manual operation of the rolls for threading the paper webs into the machine;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Figure 3, showing the gripper roll mechanism in position for hand operation.

General construction Referring to Figure 1, .the essential parts of the machine are diagrammatically illustrated, in which the paper web supply rolls are generally designated B; web guide rolls C; gripper or web feed rolls D; free paper web loop E; lateral web aligning and guide roll F; web separator rolls G; slack-producing roller mechanism H; web hinge aligning and creasing mechanism I, and fanfolding web-stacking means J.

The web supply rolls B, as shown in Figure l, are mounted one above the other and are attached to their respective axle shafts 2. Paper webs 6 are drawn off from the supply rolls B and over the individual guide rolls la, thence insuperimposed engagement through the knurled gripper or feed rolls 8 and 9. From the gripper rolls the webs pass downward around the counterbalanced web loop forming roller l0.

After the superimposed webs 6 pass around the free loop they are conducted over the guide roll l5 which laterally aligns the superimposed webs so that the edges of the different sheets coincide with each other.' Thereafter the multiple sheets are separated from each other by passing the webs of the individual rollers I6. This permits a layer of air to be introduced between the webs so that they can more readily move or shift relative to each other during the web hinge aligning operation which follows.

The superimposed webs are drawn through an intermittent slack-producing means I! which operates in synchronism with the web hinge aligning and creasing mechanism l8. Thereafter the hinge aligned and creased webs are guided downward and fan folded upon the counterbalanced platform or table member l9.

Power train The driving motor 25 for operating the machine is provided with a driving cone pulley 26 having a belt 21 which engages a, cone pulley member 28. Driving belt 28 running over the pulley 23 operates a similar pulley member 30, which in turn is provided with a drive pulley 3i. Drive pulley 3| rotates the shaft 32 by means of the driving belt 33 and pulley wheel 34. Attached to the shaft 32 is a gear 35 which meshes with gear 36 keyed to the shaft 31. The gears 35 and 36 are adapted to drive the web aligning mechanism of this machine. This hinge aligning mechanism comprises opposed endless chain members carrying hinge aligning blades and clamping roller means which are generally designated 36 and 39 in Figure 2.

Secured to the shaft of one of the sprocket driven hinge aligning units is an auxiliary sprocket 40 and chain 4| for driving the sprocket 42 and attached slack-producing roller means 43 and 43a. Sprocket wheel 44, which is driven through the power shaft 32, rotates the sprocket wheels 45 and 46 by means of the endless chain 41. Rotation of the shaft 48 by means of the sprocket wheel 45 operates the web guide rolls 49 and 50. Through the train of gears 5|, 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 the fan-folding and stacking means 51 and 58 are actuated, as illustrated in Figure 2. Provision for counting the revolutions may be made through an auxiliary attachment geared to the stacking means 58, asillustrated at 58a.

The knurled gripper web feeding rolls 8 and 9 are driven through a variable speed friction disc means 59 by power supplied by the shafts 60 and GI which are rotated by the sprocket wheel 46 through the reduction gear box 62, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 2. The speed at which the gripper rolls 8 and 9 are run is regulated by the distance the friction drive wheel 63 is maintained from the axle shaft 64 which rotates the attached friction disc wheel 59. Normally the gripper web feeding rolls 8 and 9 are driven at a speed which draws paper from the supply rolls at a slightly lower rate than that required so that the paper web loop E formed between the rolls l0 and I5 gradually shortens.

A conventional type tiltable mercury switch 63 may be mounted on a pivoted plate 66 and utilized to connect the solenoid 69 with a source of electric current to increase the rotational speed of the paper web feeding roll 8 by moving the armature l0 and attached member I8.

The friction drive wheel 63, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, is connected so as to rotate with .the shaft 6| and is also adapted to move longitudinally along. the drive shaft 6|. Spring means H urges the wheel 63 toward the outer periphery of the disc 59. The drive'wheel 63 is Provided with a circular portion 12 of smaller diameter than the opposed rollers I3 are adapted to fit. The stub roller shafts 14 are secured to the end of the swingable members 15 which are disposed at opposite sides of the drive shaft 6|. Arranged around the shaft 6| below the drive wheel 63 is a fixed collar 16 which is fastened to the pair of frame members 11. Roller support members 14 are pivoted to the collar 16 as'at 16a so that the rollers 13 maybe swung in and out of engagement with the lower portion of the drive wheel 63.

The solenoid 69 is attached to the SUPDOrt 'll opposite the rollers '13 and the outer end of the solenoid armature I0 is connected by means of the links 18 to the ends of the members 14 supporting the rollers 13. When the solenoid is energized the rollers 13 are swung in under the of the drive wheel 63 increases the speed of rotating the disc 59 and likewise the attached gripper rolls 8 and 9 so that the webs are fed faster into the machine,

Upon speeding up the feeding rolls 8 and 9 more paper will be drawn into the machine so as to lengthen the paper web supply loop E (Figure l) which is maintained taut by the roll I0. After the paper loop E has been lengthened to the desired amount, lowering of the roll I9 and support members II brings about tilting of the mercury switch 68 which breaks the electrical circuit to the solenoid permitting the spring II to force out the rollers I3, These rollers normally tend to swing out from beneath the wheel 63 so that no sticking of the mechanism can take place. On returning the friction drive wheel 63 to its normal driving position the web feed rolls are driven at a slower speed until the web loop E has shortened sufficiently to tilt the mercury switch in the opposite direction when the aforementioned cycle of operation is repeated. This continues during the operation of the machine.

The web hinge aligning mechanism as illustrated in Figure 1 comprises opposed frame units 8| and 82- which are pivoted together at one end permitting the units to be sprung apart at the opposite end for threading the paper web into the hinge aligning means preparatory to starting the machine. Keyed to the shafts 32 and 31 are the gears 35 and 36 which are in mesh. Gear 35 is driven by the pulley wheel 34, as shown in Figure Mechanism for threading web into the feeding rolls Referring to Figures and 5, the knurled paper web feed rolls 8 and 9 and web aligning roll I 5 are yieldably forced toward the friction drive disc 59 by the coil springs I46 which are disposed at opposite ends of the roller shafts, Adjustment of the tension in the springs pressing the roll 8 toward the friction disc is provided by the screws I41 and lock nut members Mia, The feed roll 9 is mounted on the auxiliary cross bar members I48 which are attached to the tie bar I49. By grasping the bar I49 it will be observed that the feed roll 9 and associated members I48 can be pivoted about the shaft I50 of the guide r011 I5, as shown in Figure 3. In this way the web feed roll 9 is free to swing away from contact with roll 8 so as to make it easy to load the machine.

Lateral alignment of the superimposed webs as they pass over the roll I5 is effected by the beveled side portions I5I which are adapted to engage the opposite edges of the webs causing them to shift over each other until the superimposed 'webs coincide exactly with each other.

In order to permit of manual rotation of the knurled web feed rolls 8 and 9 a hub portion I52 is formed on the extended shaft I53 adjacent the frame support member I54. The hub portion I52 is provided on the inner side with a beveled or inward sloping portion I52a. The outer end of the roll shaft I53 is provided with a pin I55 which is adapted to interlock with a removable hand crank I55 inserted over the end of the shaft I53 for manually rotating the feed rolls 8 and 9, as shown in Figure 7.

A latch means I51 is disposed over the lock nuts I4Ia and comprises a cut-away portion I58 and I59 which is adapted to fit over the beveled surface I52a of the hub I52 and the lower spring adjusting member I51, respectively. The latch may be pivoted about the upper adjusting s ring screw member I41 and when the lever I5! is clamped in position, as illustrated in Figure '7,

the shaft I53 and feed roll 8 are moved against the springs I46, disengaging the friction disc 59 r from its drive wheel 63. This permits manual rotation of the feed rolls 8 and 9 so that the threading of the paper webs intothe machine may be accomplished without difficulty. After the machine is loaded the latch member I51 is swung out of engagement with the beveled hub surface I52a and the springs I46 then shift the feed roll friction disc means 59: into engagement with the friction drive wheel 63 for normal operation of the machine.

For operating the machine after the ,webs to be aligned are threaded into the machine, the motor 25 is first started and then the drive belt 21 tightened by lowering the motor away from the fixed drive pulley 28 by operating the lever I63. In order to effect disconnection of the auxiliary electric circuit to the solenoid 69 by the tilting mercury switch 68 when the operation of the machine is stopped, an additional tilting mercury switch I65 is placed in series with the switch 68 so as to open the electric circuit to the solenoid when the motor is declutched.

This is a division of my co-pending application, Serial No. 270,396, filed April. 27, 1939.

It will be understood that the above described structure is merely illustrative of the manner of practicing my invention and that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claim and the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A web feed roll mechanism including in combination; a feed roll having shaft means for supporting the same, a web aligning roll laterally spaced from said feed roll and having shaft means for supporting the same, a pressure roll having a supporting arm adjacent each end thereof, said arms being pivotally connected to said aligning roll shaft means, said pressure roll when in operative position cooperating with said feed roll to exert pressure upon the web and capable of being pivoted to inoperative position away from said feed roll to facilitate threading of the web be" tween said feed roll and said pressure roll and over said aligning roll.

CLAYTON E. WYRICK.

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