US2540554A

US2540554A - Rotary printing machine for cylindrical articles

Info

Publication number: US2540554A
Application number: US615869A
Authority: US
Inventors: Shurley Frederick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1945-08-03
Filing date: 1945-09-12
Publication date: 1951-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1968-02-06

Description

F. SHURLEY ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE FOR CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Feb. 6, 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 12, 1945 Fb. 6, 1951 F. sHURLEY 2,540,554

ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE FOR CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Filed Sept. 12, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 yBY F. SHURLEY ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE FOR CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Feb. 6, 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. l2, 1945 .IN VEN TOR.

Feb. 6, 1951 I F, SHURLEY 2,540,554

ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE FOR CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Filed Sept. l2, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheep 4 IN VEN TJOR. Fafefr/EA'* 51504172] F. SHURLEY Feb. s, 1951 ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE FOR CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 12, 1945 R@ m mm m mw T T ma A .u d

Feb. 6, 1951 F. sHuRLEY ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE FOR C YLINDRICAL ARTICLES '7 Sheets-Shea?I 6 Filed Sept. 12, 1945 Filed Sept. 12, 1945 Feb. 6, 1951 5 F, SHURLEY 2,540,554

ROTARY PRINT ING MACHINE FOR CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Feb. 6, 1951 ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE FOR CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES Frederick Shurley, Windsor, Ontario, Canada Application September 12, 1945, Serial No. 615,869 In Great Britain August 3, 1945 1 This invention relates to improvements in rotary printing machines, and refers particularly to rotary printing'machines with which cylindrical articles such as bottles, tumblers, jars', cans and the like may beprinted, labelled, or embossed in a plurality of colors in each printing cycle.

The invention aims, among other things, to

provide a rotary printing machine wherein means are provided for: continuously rotating a cylinder carrying a plurality of printing plates and for inking each plate during rotation of the vcylinder with a different attachment each of which is adapted to ink its plate a different color; moving the cylindrical work pieces to be printed intermittently and consecutively substantially :into position for printing in a plurality of colors rin' a single operation and for moving them away when printed; elevating each workpiece from the intermittent moving means into position to be engaged for rotary contactwith the printing plates; engaging and subsequently releasing each Irworkpiece injturn for rotation during the printing oper-ation; positively rotating the workpiece during'the printing operation at the same peripheral speed as that of the printing plates; and adjusting the distance between the axis about `which the printing plates are rotated and that of the work engaging means so that workpieces of different diameters may be printed.

When silk or metal screens are employed for 'printing it is necessary to dry each color before printing in another color, and moreover printing in that manner necessitates the use of a relatively heavy layer of color and not infrequently 'results in a'ragged, uneven color edge. It is an object of this invention to provide a rotary printing-machine equipped with means for printing in a; plurality of colors directly onto the Work at one setting and Without having to waitfor one color to dry before printing thereon in another color, thereby materially increasing the speed of production; and also to Yprovide for printing by the application of either a relatively thin layer of color or a relatively thick one, since ceramic or vitreous enamels require perfect opacity; in either of the latter cases my invention produces unblurred, even edges in the resultant printing.

A further object offthe invention is to provide a rotary printing machine wherein the plates may be made of rubber, composition, or other somewhat resilient material so that perfectly clear and regular imprints may be obtained on Vworkpieces having slightly, irregular surfaces.

8 Claims. (Cl. 101-38) fountain.

vide a rotary printing machine whereby different colors may be intermingled in designs which in, clude ne detail, and the different colors applied in a single operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary printing machine including elevating means synchronized with the intermittent moveY` ment of the conveying'me'a'ns, for raising Work pieces from the latter into position'to be engaged by chucks for rotation in contact with the printing plates. Another object of the inventionis to provide a rotary printing machine wherein chucks eri-'- gage and disengage the workpieces; wherein the chuck engaging movement is automatic andthe chucks are adapted to engage Opposite extremi'ities of circular workpeces so that their periphi eral surfaces may be printed throughout their entire length; and wherein the chuck movement is synchronized with that of the elevating means'. Having thus briefly and broadly stated some of the objects and advantages of the invention I will now describe 'the preferred construction thereof in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation of the machine. Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the head shaft for the conveyor mechanism and the inter-i mittent drive therefor.

Figure 3 is a view on the line 3--3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4 4 ofFigure 1.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a detail comprising a cam'supported on a horizontal base connected thereto, whereby the rotation of the cam and its base elevates a workpiece to chucking position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical section through the printing cylinder.

Figure '7 is a partial side lview---enlar'ged--I ,showing the inking fountains.

Figure 8 is a further enlarged sectional View vshowng one portion of one inking fountain.

Figure 9 is a plan view of Figure '7 showing the inking fountains.

Figure 10is a perspective view of one sideof one inking fountain; Y

Figures 11 .and 12, are.. details of one inking Figure .13 is a section on the line l3--I3 of Figure 11.

Figure. 14 is a detail showing an inverted plan of the cam actuating means for one of the chuck plates Figure is a plan view showing one side of one inking fountain.

Figure 16 is a view on the line I6-I6 of Figure 15, and

Figure 17 is a section on the line I'I--I 'I' of Figure 9.

Figure 18 shows the cranked shaft for the inking roll.

Figure 19 shows the bearing supporting one end of the cranked shaft.

Referring to the drawings, I designates a frame having a drive shaft 2 mounted transversely thereon which in the present instance is rotated through suitable means by an electric motor 3.

Mounted crosswise of the frame toward each exi tremity thereof are head and tail shafts 4 and 5 having head sprockets 6 and tail sprockets 'I respectively mounted thereon. A chain I3 passes around each pair of sprockets 6 and 'I and I2 denotes carriers secured to the chains II] in opposed pairs to support cylindrical workpieces A and carry them substantially to and from printing position beneath a printing cylinder I3 mounted for rotation substantially centrally of the machine.

Loosely mounted on the head shaft 4 between two cams I4 and I5 fixed on the said shaft is a sprocket I6; and fixed on the drive shaft 2 is a second sprocket I'I. Extending around these sprockets I6 and II lis a chain I8 having spaced pins I9 extending laterally from one side and spaced lugs 2U extending laterally from the other. Formed on the cam I4 are two substantially opposed radially projecting lobes 2I one of which is adapted to be engaged by each of the pins I9 so that partial rotation is intermittently imparted to the head shaft 4. In order to prevent accidental rotation of the shaft 4 the cam I5 is provided with opposed and substantially radial apertures 22 either of which may be engaged by a dog 23 pivotally mounted on the bracket 24 secured to the frame I. rIhe lugs 20 are so spaced that each in turn engages the dog 23 and withdraws it from one of the apertures 22 just prior to the time that one of the pins I9 contacts the cam I4 and commences to rotate the latter and the head shaft 4. As soon as the other aperture 22 is opposite the dog 23 the latter drops thereinto;

-this occurs just as the pin I9 by which the cam I4 has been rotated disengages itself from the latter. Thus intermittent rotation is imparted to the head shaft 4 and to the conveyor chains I5.

Provided on opposite sides of the frame I substantially centrally of its length are bearings 25 l'which support a shaft 26 for rotation, and mountv'ed upon the latter to turn therewith is the printing cylinder I3. Fixed on one extremity of the shaft 26 is a bevel gear 21 and mounted on the `drive shaft 2 is another bevel gear 28. These two bevel gears 2'I and 28 mesh with

gears

29 and 33 respectively which are secured on opposite ends of a shaft 30a supported as by bearings 3I and 32.

#Mcunted for-vertical movement in the frame i in vertical alignment with and beneath the axis the said openings and in axial alignment therewith.` Mounted for rotation in bearings 31 supported on the frame I are the lower extremities wof spindles 38 the upper portions of which are j'threaded to engage the nuts 36 while their upper Y 'extremities project into the openings 35. These spindles 38 are readily turned by handwhe'els 39' secured thereon so that the height of the

bearings

33 and 33a may be adjusted to suit the diameter of the work pieces being printed.

Mounted for rotation in the bearing 33 is a shaft 4&1 having a cap 4I of increased diameter on its outer extremity, the outer face of this cap is substantially hemispherical whereas its inner face is at. The outer side 0f the bearing 33 is counterbored at 42 to receive a helical spring 43 which extends between the flat inner side of the cap 4I and the base of the counterbore 42 and tends to move the shaft axially outward.

Fixed on opposite sides of the printing cylinder I3 and concentric therewith are

gears

44 and 45 the latter having specially deep teeth. The gear A44 meshes with a pinion 46 suitably secured on the inner face of a seeve 41 through which the shaft 40 extends. The outer extremity of this sleeve 4l is held againstI a boss 48 on the inner face of the bearing 33 by a collar 49 secured to the said boss as by screws 50. The collar 49 is provided at its inner extremity with an inturned annular ange 5I which engages an external fiange 52 on the outer extremity of the sleeve 4'! and holds the said ange 52 between the flange 5I and the inner face of the boss 48. Mounted on the inner extremity of the shaft 45 as by a screw 53 is a chuck plate 54 and through the pinion 46 are aligned openings to receive axially movable drive pins 56 which are upon outward movement of the shaft 40 and the chuck plate 54 are adapted to move further into the openings 55 formed in the sleeve 41.

Supported for rotation on the frame I is a shaft 60 having a pinion 6I thereon which meshes with the gear. 44 and is driven thereby. Fixed on the shaft 6B is a sprocket 62 and a gear 63. Also supported on the frame I is a shaft 64 having two

gears

65 and 66 thereon. The gear 65 meshes with the gear 63 and the gear 56 with a gear 61 fixed on a shaft 68 which also has a cam 69 fixed thereon which intermittently exerts pressure in an inward direction against the cap 4I and forces the shaft 46 and its chuck plate 54 inwardly against the tension of the spring 43.

Mounted for rotary and axial movement in the bearing 33a is a shaft 'I0 and fixed on the outer face of the said bearing and projecting outwardly therefrom is a bracket 1I having an internally threaded annular ange 'I2 at its outer extremity. Fixed around the shaft 'I0 outwardly of the bearing 33a is a collar 73 and in threaded engagement with the fiange 'I2 is an externally threaded sleeve 74. A spring I5 is mounted around the shaft 10 between the collar 13 and the sleeve I4 so that by rotation of the latter the tension of the spring which tends to force the shaft I0 inwardly may be adjusted. Mounted on the inner extremity of the shaft 'I0 is a chuck plate 16 between which and the chuck plate 54 a workpiece A is adapted to be supported, and turned through the pinion 46 and the plate 54. The

gearing

44 and 46 is so calculated that the peripheral speed of a work'- piece thus held between the chuck plates is the same as that of the printing plates I3a mounted on the printing cylinder I3. When workpieces'of different diameter `are to be printed it is merely necessary to substitute a pinion of the required size for the pinion 46 and to adjust the height of the

bearings

33 and 33a by rotation of the hand-wheels 33.

Mounted on the base I, Fig. 4, is a bearing which supports a shaft 8I having a sprocket 82 and a bevel-gear 33 thereon. The latter meshes with a bevel'gear alten a vertical shaft iisupf tremity face speed "|3. By rotation of each pair is a cam 81. Arranged transversely of the frame I is a horizontal support Y8B through which a vertical rod 09 extends which has spaced opposed yokes 90 on its upper extremity. These yokes normally rest upon the support. The lower exof the rod S9 is threaded to receive a 'member 9| so that the latter may be vertically adjusted to control the amount of lift imparted by the yokes. Dependingly supported by the member 9| is a roller 92 which rides upon the cam `81 so that each time the latter is turned the yokes 90 are raised to engage the underside of a workpiece A on an opposed pair of carriers |2 above them and lift the workpiece into position to be engaged by and between the

chuck plates

54 and 16. Rotation is imparted to the shaft I by a chain 93 which extends around the sprockets 62 and 82.

It can now be understood readily that I have produced a purely structural or mechanical control mechanism for printing on cylindrical articles or objects which are transferred and elevated to printing position and maintained in that position until printed. All electrical and pneumatic devices have been eliminated. It is true that L have included an electric motor 3 as a prime mover but any prime mover could be substituted, such as a steam engine or an internal combustion engine.

Each series of articles of a certain diameter requires a gear as 46 of corresponding diameter so that the surface speed of the printing plates v|3a shall be substantially identical with the surprinted. It is conclusive that the pinion or pinions 46 must be attachable, detachable and replaceabley as conditions of article diameter require.

The parts, Fig. 14. comprising gears 44, 46, shaft 60, spur gears 6|, 63, 65,

shafts

64, 08 and 40, spur gears 66 and 61 and the cam 69 constitute a combined cam and transmission mechanism which is purely mechanical and positive in action. i

In the embodiment shown four printing plates |3a are secured on the cylinder I3 each to print in a different color, so that a separate inking fountain V95 is required for each plate. Fixed on opposite sides of the frame are castings 9S, and secured around the shaft 26 for rotation there- -with are eight cams 91, 91a. 98, 98a, 90, 99a, |00 and |0011, which in the present instance are arranged four on each side of the printing cylinder of cams one of the inking fountions 95 is operated. Since all the fountains are `identical except that some of the iactuating means are provided on one side of some of them and on the opposite side 'ofy others; I will therefore' just describe one fountain and its `operation.

Each fountain 95 consists of two vertical side 'members |0| each of which is secured to a carrier `pl ate'|02 projecting outwardly therefrom. On

Ycams

98 and 98a by the action of the springs |06.

Extending between the side members |0| and held stationary by one of them is a centrally cranked shaft |09 having an inking roll ||0 rotatably mounted on its cranked portion, so that by rotary adjustment of the shaft |09 the distance between the axes of the roller ||0 and of the printing cylinder I3 may be varied. Secured to one ofthe side members |0|, Figure 3 is a collar |0|b having a set screw |0|c in threaded engagement therewith which engages one end of the shaft |09 and holds it against rotation. Fixed on the extremity |09a of the shaft |09 outwardly of the adjacent side member |0| is a knurled knob |061) so that after the set screw |0|c has been loosened the shaft |09 may berotarily adjusted. This is very desirable 'because there may be a' variation in the distance which the printing plates |3a project from the cylinder and in this ported on a pin |02 and across way the position of the inking roll relative to the plate it inks may be' easily adjusted. Mounted for rotation on the uncranked end of the shaft |09 is a pinion' having extra deep teeth so that in spite of variation in the distance between the axes of that pinion and the printing cylinder the said piniony Will always remain in mesh with the gear 45 the teeth of which are also extra deep as already noted. Projecting inwardly from the pinion Figs. 11 and 13, are drive pins ||2 which extend into slots or larger openings ||3 formed in a flange or plate ||0 secured on one extremity of the inking roll |0 so that irrespective of the rotary position of the cranked shaft |09 the roll is always rotated when the pinion is turned. Projecting outwardly through one of the side members |0| and secured for rotation with the pinion is an extension |4 having a bevel gear ||5 i'lxed thereon.

Supported for rotation on the outer face of one of the side members |0| are bearings which support a shaft ||8 for rotation. Fixed` on one extremity of this shaft is a bevel gear ||9 which meshes with a bevel gear H5, and provided also on the said shaft is a worm |20. Mounted in and extending through one side member |0| is a shaft |2| having a wormwheel |22 thereon meshing with the Worm |20. Mounted also on the shaft |2| is a metal roll |23 and the opposite extremity of the said shaft is rotatably supported in the opposite side member |0|. Mounted Von and extending between the side members is an ink trough |24 having a resilient metal strip |25 extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom acros'sfsubstantially the kentire width of the roll. This strip across itsv forward edge bears against thefroll |23 below the horiz'ontal centre of the latter and its edge is forced against the said roll b'yf-a plurality of screws |26 which are tightened against the strip and are in threaded engagement with Vthe trough |24. Mounted on opposite ends of the shaft |2| adjacent the side members |0| are gears |21, Aand projecting inwardly from one of the said side members is a pin |28; Figs. 8 and 17, having a with the gear '121. Also mounted onthe pin |28 for rotation with the gear |29 is a cam |30. Rotatably supported on the inner face of one side member |0| is abellcrank |3| having a roller |32 on one -arm which engages the cam |30 and supported by the other arm ofthe bellcrank is one extremity "off arubber rali' |33.'-' Pivotallymounted .0n .the inner lface of wthe opposite side member :|04 and coaxially with the hellcra-nk |31| is `an arm |3fla -which supports the opposite end :of .the roll .|325 .and Vswings about its axis with the said bellcrank. Secured at one extremity to one arm of the beller-ank |3| and at its opposite extremity to the adifacent side mem-ber is a spring |34 which retains the ,roller |32 in con-tact with the cam L31) so that upon rotation of the roll 1.23 the rubber roll |33 is alternately moved into contact with the roll |23 and another .metal yroll |451.

From the foregoing it `will be clearly seen that the rolls l|68 on the fountains are retained in contact with one pair of cams, for instance the .cams 91 and Sla, at all times by the springs |86, and that due to the extra depth of the teeth of the gears 45 and these gears remain in mesh at all times. Consequently though the inking roll l0 rotates continuously together with its other associated rolls it is only near enough to the printing" cylinder axis to ink one printing plate ,|3a thereon as the latter passes that roll, because the cams are so shaped and arranged that inward movement of each fountain occurs only for the period when its inking roll is opposite the plate which it inks. various rolls on each fountain and the way in which movement is imparted to them has already 'been fully explained.

While the pref-erred embodiment of the invention has been described and shown, it is understoodthat alterations and modifications may -be made thereto provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

In a rotary printing machine for printing on'- cylindrical surface portions of containers, comprising a frame having a printing cylinder rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of im' pression printing means carried on the circum ference of said cylinder, a prime mover in said frame operatively connected with said cylinder for rotating the same, in combination with a conveyor located beneath said cylinder and extending transversely of the axis of said cylinder, andrei leasiiuslinallr-spwdens etiallyeliseed The coaction of the` shafts, said Yshafts `being rotatively .and axially movable .in bearings located in -said frame., said bearings being -movableupwardly and downwardly in the fra-me .for .adjustment thereof relative to :the printing means, the adjacent ends of -said .shafts being `provided vwith chuck `plates 4axially .and A-xedly mounted thereon, said chuck plates -being arrangedin spaced opposed relation to each other vand yadapted to hold a container between them for .rotation and printing while so held, one of said shafts having a spring thereon :abut- .-tinga collaron the shaft and an adjustable screw `threaded 'coll-ar, said screw threaded collar being located in a supporting bracket, said spring urging l.one chuck plate toward the other chuck plate, the 'other shaft and its chuck plate being actuated into container holding position by 'a :combined transmission mechanism and cam, said transmission mechanism being propelled :by a spur gea-r located on the printing cylinder, said last named -shaft and its chuck plate being retracted lby a spring, `said shaft having a head, .said spring abutting against said head and against a portion of said slidable bearing .on 'said shaft, said shaft have a spur gear detachably mounted thereon and meshing with the spur gear on the printing cylinder whereby the :container being printed has the same lsurface `Speed .as the imprinting means on the printing cylinder, in combination with an elevating means -on said frame and `beneath said cylinder for elevating a container from said conveyor to a position between said lchuck plates.

V2. The construction set forth in claim 1, in which sai-d frame is provided with a mechanical adjusting means engaging both said frame and said slidable hearings, whereby said bearings may be adjusted accurately to obtain efficient printvh ing upon the surface of the containers. Y

3. -The construction set forth in claim 1, in which the cam actuated chuck plate and Spur .gear are both removable from the cam actuated shaft.

4. In a rotary printing machine, a frame hav*- ing a drive shaft, a conveyor mechanism mount, 'ed on the frame, means for intermittently driving said conveyor from said drive shaft, a printing cylinder shaft mounted on said frame and driven from said drive shaft disposed transvrsely over said conveyor, a rotary printing cylinder having spaced impression members mounted on said printing cylinder shaft to turn therewith, rotatable article holding chucks mounted on the fra-me and disposed beneath the printing cylinder and being horizontally aligned on opposite sides of the conveyor, means interconnecting one of said chucks with the printing cylinder shaft to rbe driven therewith at the same peripheral speed as the printing cylinder, a shiftable shaft Von which the driven chuck is mounted, means biasing said shiftable and said driven chuck towards a re.- tracted position away from the other chuck, means for axially moving said driven chuck against the biasing means into article engaging position towards the Aother chuck, a vertically movable article lifting member mounted on the frame adjacent said conveyor, cam controlled means for intermittently moving the article lift ing member upwardly while the conveyor is at rest, whereby it removes an article from the conveyor and brings it into horizontal alignment with the chucks, means actuated in synchronism with the conveyor mechanism and article lifting member' to axially move the aforesaid shftable Slis-.fiend the. cliclsoieatbcretr-inte article engaging position with the other chuck When the article is raised by the lifting member, said means for axially moving the shiftable shaft comprising a rotatable cam shaft interconnected with the drive means for the conveyor and print- 5 with each revolution of the printing cylinder to i() engage the article and rotate the same in printing engagement with the rotary printing cylinder and release the same at the end of the printing cycle.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4, where- 15 in a plurality of ink fountain means are provided, one for each impression member on the printing cylinder, each of said ink fountain means f comprising an ink supply and an inking roll,

means connecting said inking roll to said printing 20 cylinder driving means whereby said inking rolls are continuously rotated therewith, individual cam means for moving each ink fountain means successively to an inking position and return,

whereby each inking vroll engages its respective 5 printing element only on said printing cylinder while being continuously rotated.

6. The combination set forth in claim 4, wherein the intermittent drive for the conveyor mech-A anism includes a conveyor head shaft rotatably 30 mounted on the frame, a rotatable cam disk carried by the conveyor shaft and having abutment lugs extending therefrom, and a sprocket chain driven from said main drive shaft and having side pins for successively engaging ythe lugs on 35 said cam disk and thereby intermittently rotating said cam disk and said conveyor head shaft.

'7. The combination set forth in claim 4, wherein means is provided for adjusting the spacing between the axes of the printing cylinder and the chucks, whereby articles of varying diameters may be rotatably supported by the chucks during printing engagement with said printing cylinder.

8. 'Ihe combination set forth in claim 4, wherein the article lifting means comprises two laterally opposed yoke members connected to a depending rod, a horizontal support arranged transversely of the'frame normally supporting said yoke members, means for vertically reciprocating said rod, said rod extending through the horizontal support, and cam controlled means intermittently operated for raising said rod and yoke members to thereby engage the article and lift the'same from the conveyor into position for engagement by the chucks.

FREDERICK SHURLEY.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name y Date 235,606 Dooley Dec. 14, 1880 484,421 Grandy Oct. 18, 1892 684,223 Grandy Oct; 8, 1901 2,009,098 Smith July 23, 1935 2,027,102 Hommel Jan. 7, 1936 2,142,158 Sloan Jan. 3, 1939 2,231,553 Soubier Feb. 11, 1941 2,261,255 Jackson Nov. 4, 1941 2,351,552 Shurley June 13, 1944 2,361,325 Shurley Oct. 24, 1944 2.363,698 Shurley Nov. 28, 1944