US2431900A

US2431900A - Divided fountain

Info

Publication number: US2431900A
Application number: US565203A
Authority: US
Inventors: Emory W Worthington
Original assignee: GOSS PRINTING PRESS CO Ltd
Current assignee: GOSS PRINTING PRESS Co; GOSS PRINTING PRESS CO Ltd
Priority date: 1944-11-27
Filing date: 1944-11-27
Publication date: 1947-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 1964-12-02

Description

Filed Ndv. 27, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheef NVE-NT c: ;y WQb/h (az 7% 43 ;uam TTowgu- E. w. WORTHINGTON Dec. 2, 1947.

DIVIDED FOUNTAIN Filed Nov. 27, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MTTOQ EVJ Patented Dec. 2, 1947 2,43,9oo DIVIDED FOUNTAIN Emory W. Wortlingt-on, Chicago, Ill., assigor to Goss Printing Press Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 27, 1944, Serial No.565,203

16 claims.

The present invention pertains to improvements in divided ink fountains suitable for use in magazine or other printing presses.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a, divided fountain, that is to say, one

having one or more adjustably located partitions for compartmenting the fountain to receive different colors or types of ink, and which embodies a novel and superior arrangement for sealing the same against leakage of ink between adjacent compartments. u

More particularly, I aim to provide such an apparatus utilizing long life metal-to-metal type scaling along a major portion of the length of the partition edges which must be sealed, coupled with provision for effectual sealing, through the use of a pad or the like of pliant-material, in the zone adjacent the adlustable blade which regulates the thickness of'ink film on roller in such devices.

In a somewhat more specificeaspect, it is 'an object to provide an ink fountain; having an overshot type fountain roller and coacting regulating blade, with a novel and effectual arrangement for compartmenting the fountain through use' of partitions extending transaxially of the roller and adjustable axially of the same.

The invention also resides in various novel correlations of the elements, and structural improvements therein, by means of which emcient sealing and long life for the apparatus are attained.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following de scription proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of a printing press ink fountain embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudifal sectional view taken substantially along the line 2- 2 in Fig. 1. y

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through the fountain, taken through one of the adjustable partitions. I

' Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the the fountain fountains. Since in its more specific aspects it is, however, particularly applicable to overshot fountains, the type which has incidentally proved most difllcult in the past to equip with dividing partitions, the invention has -been illustrated herein as applied to the overshot type. It should be understood, however, that even though one particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in some detail, there is no intention to thereby limit the invention to such particular embodiment. On the other hand, the intention is to cover all modifications, adaptati'ons and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the specific embodiment of theinvention illustrated in the drawings for purposesof exemplification, the apparatus there shown (seeFigs. 1 and 2) includes an ink fountain or pan o of generally trough shape in which an overshot fountain roller ll revolves. The fountain o comprises end plates |2 fixed to a cast body "i3 having a flat bottom H and inclined flat side faces or walls [5, IE. The purpose'of providing a fountain with inclined flat side walls or, in other words. tapering cross secpartitions included in the fountain of Figs. 1 to 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged detail sectional views taken substantially along the lines 5-5 and 6-5 in Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view of the metal scaling strip coacting with the fountain roller and its associated spring.

The invention is, in its broader aspects, applicable either to overshot or undershot type tion 'as shown, will appear hereinafter. The fountain roller ll is journaled in suitable bearings, one oi: which is indicated at l'l'in Fig. 2, located at opposite ends of the fountain; and during operation the roller revolves in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1).

Extending"longitudinally of the fountain roller II is a regulating blade IB which serves to limit the thickness of the film of ink carried by the partially submerged fountain roller I I to a pickup roller s. 'The blade |8 is carried on the u'nderside of a supporting channel 20, the portion of the blade remote from the roller being clamped to the underside of the channel by a retaining strip 2l. The usual adjusting screws 22 threaded in the channel or housing 20 and operated by finger pieces 23 bear against the upper side of the blade |8 at equally spaced intervals along the lat ter's length and serve to ii'ex the blade adjustably toward and from the fountain roller. In the noroperation, poses a particularly diflicult problem of sealing in that area for any inserted partition.

Pursuant to the aim of the present invention, provision is made for dividing the fountain o into separate compartments distributed longitudinally of the fountain roller ll. For that purpose one or more partitions 25 are removably mounted in the fountain in position to extend transaxially of the roller and are adjustable longitudinally of the latter to vary, at will, the size of the several compartments which they define. Since all of the partitions'may be identical, a description of one will suffice., In the form shown, the partition 25 is split into upper and

lower sections

26, 21, Secured together by screws 28 (see Fig. 3). The parting line between the two sections is so located that the lower section embraces slightly less than one-half the circumference of the fountain roller ll, while the upper section extends from the lower section to a point immediately beneath the regulating blade !8.

To secure the partition 25 in place, c-shaped clamps 29 are fixed to its opposite ends and arranged to embrace the marginal or lip portions of the fountain o. screws 30 threaded in these clamps engage the undersides of the fountain lips. Upon loosening these screws the partition can readily be slid endwise of the fountain roller to Shift the position of the partition.

The partition 25 is made of metal, as is the fountain o, so thata metal-to-metal seal is afforded between the lower edges of the partition and the abutting surfaces of the fountain. Such edges and surfaces are accurately machined to flat contour, and the fountain is of uniform cross section in a direction axially of the fountain roller ll. Moreover, the exterior of the roller H is itself of smooth cylindrical contour. Accordingly, the partitionscan be'freely slid endwise of the roller and will fit equally well at any point along its length. The tapering cross-sectional shape of the fountain body or, in other words, the provision of outwardly inclined faces l5, !6, makes it possible for the clamp screws 30 to draw the .partition down into the fountain with more or less of a wedging action to enhance the sealing effect. On the other hand, when the screws 30 are loosened the partition can readily be freed suiciently from the surfaces of the fountain to permit adjusting movement of the partition.

A metal-to-metal seal is also afiorded between the lower partition section 21 and the fountain roller ll. For that purpose a metal sealing strip 31 resembling a sector of a piston ring, is employed, this strip being curved to conform to the peripheral contour of the fountain roller. The strip 3l is seated in a groove 32 in the edge of the lower partition section 21, being retained against lateral displacement' by the side walls of such groove, and the outer "end of the strip is overlaid by the tail of the lefthand clamp 29 the strip in a direction clockwise of the fountain roller. A sheet metal spring 33 of undulatory or wavy shape is interposed between the bottom of :the groove 32 and the sealing strip 3l so as to 'urge the latter into contact with the fountain sealing in the corner of the partition 25 between the blade and rgller. To accommodate such movement while still retaining an effectual seal at that point, a pad or strip 34 of pliant sealing material is located in a groove 35 extending about the entire edge of the upper corner portion of the upper partition section 26. Various materials may be used for the pad 34, such, for example, as felt or rubber. In the preferred arrangement illustrated, the pad is laminated, con sisting of two strips of felt joined by a layer of synthetic rubber (neoprene) The pliant sealing pad 34 extends from the adjacent end of the metal sealing strip 3l upward about the periphery of the fountain roller to the regulatng blade [8, and thence outward beneath the blade for approximately one-half the width of the latter. The pad 34 is sufficiently yieldable that the regulating blade |8 may be flexed without substantial interference and yet the pad is sufficiently resilient that it remains in contact with the blade, as well as the fountain roller, at all times.

By arrangement of the pliant pad 34 as a single strip supported on a separate section 26 of the partition, replacement of the same is made easy. All that is required is to unscrew the section 28 and put a new strip in the groove 35. Such ease of replacement for this particular part is especially desirable sinceof all the sealing elements shown, it is most subject to deterioration, either through wear or loss of resiliency.

The metal strip or sealing ring sector 3l coacts with the pliant pad 34 in retaining the latter in intimate contact with both the fountain roller and. regulating blade. As to that, it will be observed (see Fig. 3) that the forward end of the metal strip 3l abuts against the acljacent lower end of the pad. As thefountain roller rotates in its usual counterclockwise direction or, in other words, in a. direction to pass the metal sealing ring and pad, in that order, the frictional drag i of the fountain roller on the metal strip 3l urges the latter constantly toward the pliant pad. In consequence, the metal strip serves to crowd or urge the pliant pad constantly toward the opposed face of the regulating blade and to'buckle it outward slightly toward the roller.

Provision is desirably made for lubricating the Contacting surfaces of the seal and fountain roller to prevent sticking or scoring of the latter. For that purpose grease or other suitable lubricant is supplied through a passage 36 in the partition 25 equipped with a conventional supply fitting 31.

' (see Fig. 3) so as to limit the displacement of This passage leads to the groove 32 in which the sealing strip and spring 3l, 33 are seated and the grease emerges from this groove through small transverse holes 38 drilled at intervals in the strip 3I. A shallow groove 39 in the face of the sealing strip 3! interconnects these holes so as to provide for flow of grease the full length of the strip. Some of the grease presented 'n this groove is carried by the fountain roller o the face of the pliant pad 34 so that it too is adequately lubricated.

The operation of the disclosed apparatus will in general be clear from the foregoing. By way of brief recapitulation it may be noted that the fountain w is equipped with any desired number of partitions 25. In setting up the press for a particularrun the clamp screws are loosened and the partitions adjusted to divide the fountain into.

` compartments of desired length. Retightenng of the screws clamps the partitions firmly in position. The dividing partitions are located in such manner that inks of various colors or types may be supplied in the resulting divided portions of the fountain to corresponding portions of the fountain roller and i! desired some one or more of the compartments between partitions may be left empty entirely if that width of the press is to be unused.

Having initially set the partitions 25 in desired position any flow of ink past them is efiectually prevented since there is a full and eifectual seal not only between the partition and fountain body but also'between the partition and all portions of the fountain roller ll and regulating blade |8 which might be contacted by the bodies of ink contained in the successive compartments of the fountain. Other than supplying lubricant from time to time by applying a grease gun to the fitting 31, the sealing apparatus requires no further attention during use, irrespective of changes in adjustment of the regulating blade I 8.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination of a rotatable overshot type fountain roller, a fountain shaped to present a contained body of ink beneath said roller with the roller partially submerged in the body of ink and out of contact with the walls of the fountain, a regulatin'g blade extending along one side of said roller above the normal ink level, a partition extending across the interior of said fountain beneath said roller and rising to a point immediately beneath said blade on said one side of said roller and to a point above the normal ink level on the opposite side, the edge of said partition presented to said roller and blade being closely spaced with reference thereto and having a continuous groove therein extending about the roller periphery concentrically therewith and thence otuward of said roller beneath the lower face of said blade, a metal sealing strip shaped as the secto'r of a ring received in the portion of said groove remote from said blade and partially encircling said roller, means yieldably urging said strip into contact with said roller, a strip of pliant scaling material seated in the remaining portion of said groove and contacting the portions of said roller and blade opposed thereto, the adjacent ends of and a. pad of pliant sealing material .interposed between said second partition section and the adjacent portion of said roller as well as the lower face of said blade.

3. The combinaton of a revoluble fountain roller and an ink fountain therefor presenting a regulatng blade to'the periphery of said roller, a partition insaid fountain extending transaxially of said roller and presenting an edge at least partially embracing said roller in closely spaced relation to the same, said partition including an angular portion extending into the space between said roller and the face of said blade toward which said roller rotates, said partition having a groove in the edge portions thereof presented to said roller, a metal scaling strip' seated in said groove and curved to embrace said roller in running contact with the latter and extending to a point spaced from said face of said blade, and a pad of pliant sealing material extending from the end of said metal strip at said point about the edge of"sald angular portion of said partition in contact with said roller and said face of said blade.

4. The combination of a revoluble fountain roller and an ink fountain therefor presenting a regulatin'g blade to the periphery of said roller, a partition in` said fountain extending transaxiallyvof said roller and presenting an edge at least partially embracing said roller in closely spaced relation to the same, said partition insaid scaling strips being abutted together, and the frictional drag of said roller on said 'metal strip incident to rotation of said roller serving to shove said metal strip endwise along said groove toward said pliant strip and thereby crowd the latter into contact with said roller and blade.

2. The combination of a rotatable overshot type metal fountain roller, a. fountain shaped .to present a contained body of ink beneath said roller with the roller partially submerged in the ink and out of contact with the walls of the fountain, a regulating blade extending along one side of said roller above the normal ink level, a first partition section extending across said fountain beneath said roller and rising from the bottom of the fountain to a point above the normal ink level on the side of said roller opposite said blade, said partition section being notched out to embrace the periphery of said roller in closely spaced relation throughout not more than half the circumference of the latter, a second partition section detachably secured to the top edge of said first section in alignment therewith beneath said blade and extending in closely spaced relation to said rollr about the latter's peripheryfrom said first section upward to a point adjacent said blade and thence outward beneath the lower face of the latter, means forming a metal-to-metal seal between said first partition section and said roller,

cluding an angular portion extending into the space between said roller and the face of said blade toward which said roller rotates, said par-,

tition having a groove in the ed e portion .thereof adjacent said roller, an arcate metal scaling strip seated in said groove embracing said roller in running contact with the latter and extending to a point spaced from said face of said blade, a pad of pliant scaling material extending from the end of said metal strip at said point about the edge of said angular portion of said partition in contact with said roller and said face of said blade, and said strip being abutted against the adjacent end of said pad whereby the frictional drag on said strip by said'roller incident to rotation of the latter serves to displace said strip endwise toward said pad and retain the latter crowded into contact with both said roller and blade.

5. The combination of a revoluble fountain roller and an ink fountain therefor presenting a regulating blade to the periphery of said roller. a partition in said fountain extendin transaxially of said roller and presenting an edge at least partially embracing said roller in closely spaced relation to the same, said partition including an angular portion extending into the space between said roller and the face of said blade toward which said roller rotates, said partition having a continuous groove in the edge portion thereof extending about said roller and beneath said blade, an arcuate metal sealing strip seated in said groove embracing said roller and extending to a, point spaced from said face of said blade, an undulatory spring interposed in said groove beneath said strip for yieldably urging the atter into running contact with said roller with substantially uniform pre'ssure throughout the length of said strip, an elongated pad of pliant scaling material also seated in said groove and extending from the end of said metal strip at said point about the edge of said angular portion of said partition in contact with said roller and said face of said blade, and said strip 'being abutted against the adjacent end of said pad whereby the irictional drag on said strip by said roller incident to rotation of the latter serves to displace said strip endwise toward said pad and retain the latter crowded into contact with both said roller and blade.

6. The combination of a revoluble fountain roller and an ink fountain therefor presenting a regulating blade to the periphery of said roller, a partition in said fountain extending transaxially-of said roller and presenting an edge at least partially embracing such roller in closely spaced relation to the same, a pad of pliant sealing material interposed between said partition edge and said roller on the side of said blade toward which the roller rotates and with said pad extending into contact with the adjacent face of said blade, and means subjected to frictional dra from the periphery of said roller in th e course of the latter's rotation for constantly urging said pad toward said blade;

7. In an ink fountain equipped with a revoluble fountain roller, the combination of a Compartmentationpartition dimensioned for insertion in the fountain transaxially of the roller and presenting a curved edge contoured to conform to the periphery of the roller and partially embracing the latter in closely spaced relation to the same, said edge of said partition having a groove therein extending along the same circumferentially of the roller, a metal sealing strip received in said groove and fashioned as a sector of a ring curved in conformity with the periphery of the roller, and

resilient means lying within said groove behindsaid sealing strip for applying pressure radially inward and hearing against said strip along substantially the entire length thereof so that said strip is squeezed radially in/to firm running contact with the roller.

' 8. In an ink fountain equipped with a revoluble fountain roller, the combination of a Compartmentationpartition dimensioned for' insertion in the fountain transaxially of the roller and presenting a, curved edge contoured to conform to the periphery of the roller and partially embracing the latter in closely spaced relation to the same, said edge of the partition having a groove therein extending along the same circumferentially of the roller, an arcuate metal sealing strip in the form of a sector of a ring received in said groove and conforming in curvature with the periphery of the roller, means including a spring of undulatory shape lying in said groove beneath said strip and extending substantially the full length of the latter for applying substantially equal forces radially inward at spaced points along said strip and for yieldably urging such strip into firm running contact with the roller and with substantially uniform pressure between roller and strip throughout the length .of the latter.

9. The combination of an ink fountain having a revoluble fountain roller, at least a portion of the surface of said roller being of smooth uninterrupted cylindrical shape, a divider partition in said fountain positioned transaxially of the roller and slidably adjustable in position in the fountain in a direction axially of said roller throughout substantially the length of said smooth portion of the latter, means for releasablyretaining said partition in various adjusted positions therefor, the edge of said partition presented to said roller having an arcuate notch therein conforming to the curvature of the roller periphery and spaced from the latter, said edge oi' the partition being grooved circumferentially of'the roller, a metal sealing strip received in said groove and Iashioned as a sector of a ring curved to embrace the portion of the roller presented thereto, and resilient means lying within said groove behind said sealing strip, said resilient means providing a, plurality of pressure-exerting portions in contact with said strip at spaced points therealong and independently exerting pressure radially inward, so that said 'strip is urged radially into firm running contact with said roller throughout the length of the strip.

10. The combination of an ink fountain having a revoluble fountain roller, at least a portion of the surface of said roller being of smooth uninterrupted cylindrical shape, a divider partition in said fountain positioned transaxially of the roller and slidably adjustable in position in the fountain in a'direction axially of said roller throughout substantially the length of said smooth portion of the latter, means for releasably retaining said partition in various adjusted positions therefor, the edge of said partition presented to said roller having an arcuate notch therein conforming to the curvature of the roller periphery and spaced from the latter, said edge of the partition being grooved circumferentially of the roller, a metal sealing strip received in said groove and fashioned as a sector of a ring curved to embrace the portion of the roller presented thereto, and means including a spring of undulatory shape lying in said groove beneath said strip and extending substantially the full length of the latter for applying substantially equal forces radially inward at spaced points along said strip and for yieldably urging such strip into firm running contact With the roller throughout its length and in all positions of adjustment of said partition longitudinally of said roller.

ll. The combination of a generally troughshaped ink fountain having an overshot fountain roller rotatable therein, said fountain presenting a pair of opposed downwardly and inwardly sloping flat side walls and the interior of said fountain being of uniform cross section in a direction axially of said roller, a transverse partition disposed in said fountain for positional adjustment axially of said roller and extending beneath said roller and rising on each side thereof above' the normal ink level, the lower edge of said partition being shaped to extend between the interior walls of said fountain and to fit snugly against them, yieldable means for sealing the edge of said partition presented to said roller against the leakage of ink between said edge and said roller, and releasable clamping means carried by said partition andengageable with said fountain for wedgingly forcing said partition downwardly with reference to said sloping walls of said fountain.

12. The combination of a generally troughshaped ink fountain having an overshot fountain roller rotatable therein, regulating blade extending along one side of said roller above the normal ink level, said fountain presenting downwardwardly and inwardly sloping flat side walls and a flat bottom wall, the interior of said fountain being of uniform cross section in a direction axially of said roller, a transverse partition disposed in said fountain for pos'itional adjustment endwise of said roller, said partition extending.

the edge portion thereof adjacent said roller, an arcuate metal sealing strip seated in said groove to said roller, means yieldably urging said strip into running contact with said roller, a pad of pliant scaling material extending about the corner of said partition at the point of adjacency of blade and roller, the lower edge of said partition being shaped to fit snugly against the interier walls of said fountain, and releasable clamping means carried by said partition and engageable with sa d fountain for wedgingly forcing 'said partition downwardly with reference to said sloping walls of said fountain.

13. The combination of a generally troughin embracing relation shaped ink fountain having an overshot fountain 4 roller rotatable th'erein, said fountain presenting a pair of opposed downwardly and inwardly sloping flat side walls, a transverse partition in said fountain slidably adjustable endwise of the fountain, said partition being of wedge-shaped configuration registering with and bridging said opposed sloping side walls, clamping means for pressing said partition downward into the fountain into tight sealing engagement with the latter, and scaling means carried by the edge portion of said partition presented to the roller and partially embracing the latter for preventing the leakage of liquid along said roller past said partition, said clamping elements engaging the respective ends of said partition so that any tendency of said partition to translate down the associated wall upon tightening of one of said elements to produce jamming engagement at said sealing means is efiectively resisted by the remaining clamping element.

14. In an ink fountain equipped with a revoluble fountain roller, the combination of a compartmentation partition dimensioned for insertion in the fountain transaxially of the roller and presenting a curved edge contoured to conform to the periphery of the roller and partially embracing the latter in closely spaced relation to the same, said edge of said partition having a groove thereln extending along the same circumferentially of the roller, a metal sealing strip received in said groove and curved in conformity with the periphery of the roller, means for yieldably urging said strip into firm running contact with the roller, said strip having a plurality of transverse holes therein opening into a shallow groove in the face of said strip presented to the roller, and said partition having a lubricant supply passage therein opening into the first-mentioned groove, whereby lubricant from said passage may flow into said flrst-mentioned groove and through said holes to emerge into said shallow groove in said strip for lubricating the surface 01.' the latter contacting the roller.

v 15. In an ink fountain equipped with a revoluble fountain roller, the combination 'of a compartmentation partition dimensioned for insertion in the fountain transaxially of the roller and presenting a curved edge contoured to conform to 'the periphery of the roller and partially embracing the latter in closely spaced relation to the same, said edge of said partition having a groove therein extending along the same circumferentially of the roller, a metal sealing strip received in said groove and curved in conformity with the periphery of the roller, means for yieidably urging said strip into firm running contact with the roller, said strip having a plurality of transverse holes therein opening to the face thereof presented to the rol-ler, and means for supplying lubricant to said groove for passage of the same through said holes.

16. The combination of a revoluble fountain roller and an ink fountain therefor presenting a regulating blade to the periphery of said roller, a partition in said fountain extending transaxially of said roller and presenting an edge at least partially embracing said roller in closely spaced relation to the same, said partition including an angular portion extending into the space between said roller and the face of said blade toward which said roller rotats, said partition having a groove in the edge portions thereof presented to said roller, a metal scaling strip seated in said groove and curved to embrace said roller in running contact with the latter and extending to a point spaced from said face of said blade, a pad of pliant scaling material extending from the end of said metal strip at said point about the edge of said angular portion of said partition in contact with said roller and said face of said blade, said strip having a plurality of transverse holes therein opening to the face thereof presented to said roller, and means for supplying lubricant to said groove for passage of the same through said holes to lubricate the surface of said strip contacting said roller, the latter serving as an incident to its rotation to carry lubricant from the strip to the surface of said pad contacting said roller.

EMORY W. WORTHINGTON.

REFEREN CES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS