US2586560A

US2586560A - Ribbon inker printing method and apparatus therefor

Info

Publication number: US2586560A
Application number: US64741A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter B Payne
Original assignee: TODD CO Inc
Current assignee: TODD CO Inc; TODD COMPANY Inc
Priority date: 1948-12-11
Filing date: 1948-12-11
Publication date: 1952-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 1969-02-19

Description

Feb. 19, 1952 PAYNE 2,586,560

RIBBON INKER PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Dec. 11, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 10 O F 15 5 Z5Z- \Eza Q 42 \Eo} 153 2, 1e2 1 \b IGZ-VVIAMHEBE 1 1 6 VIM ZLBEEL 'lOHM vvl ABODA HIS ATTORNEY Feb. 19, 1952 w. B. PAYNE 2,586,560

RIBBGN INKER PRINTING MEiHoD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR 4 Sheet-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 11, 1948 3 16 1:- E1 1 I- -1 a L I I 6 2 IN V EN TOR.

Walt erB. Payn HIS ATTORNEY Feb. 19, 1952 w B, PAYNE 2,586,560

RIBBON INKER PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Dec. 11, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 as I? 12'2 INVENTOR.

WAlfier B. Payne BY HIS ATTORNEY Feb. 19, 1952 w Y E; 2,586,560

RIBBON INKER PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Dec. 11, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 '51 '22 4 m I I m\' Patented Feb. 19, 1952 RIBBON INKER PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR I Walter B. Payne, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Todd Company, Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application December 11, 1948, Serial No. 64,741

24 Claims.

This invention relates to printing methods and the sheet tobe printed, but such a method and apparatus have been "subject to difiicul'ties such as that 'of'controlhng the thickness and "uniformity of the film "of in; applied 'to "the "impression surfaces, with theresultin'g lack of's'harpnessand uniformity in the printing impression, "duee'i'ther to insufiicient inking or "excessive inking and the tendency to "smear.

It has been acommonpractee, more especially in conventional printing presses'to employ complicated fountain and other mechanisms formstributing and applying "a thin and uniform "film of ink to the impression surfaces, but such'me'cha nisms are not particularly adapted for use in methods and apparatus or the simpler types -em-- ployed, for example, in the field 'o'foiiice equipment. I

In an effort to overcome such -aiinc1nties "in machines of the simpler type, usehas been made of inked ribbon'sint'erposed between the printing member and the pa'p'e'hbu't this liractict has not been wholly satisfactory'for obtaining sharp and uniform im ressions due to the covi lfig' and blurring of the type by th'e ribBon, thea pearance of fabric rnar ks the impression, and the like.

It has also been proposed to inliplal'lai im ression surfaces by pressing thereaga'inst inked ribbon supported on a'planar serrate or platen and then pressing the inked type sin-faces onthe work, but such method and'apparatus are s'iibi bot to the known difficulties of obtaining and maintaining planar surfaces and of "applying sufficient pressure in "both theinking of thetype and it's iinpressi'on on the work, due to the large areas over which the pressures are distributed, "to effect proper inking and sharp and uniform impres- SioIl'S, so that such a method and apparamsy so far as'I'am aware, have not met with any substantial success or usage.

The Co-pending patent application ror patent of Edward W. schreiner, serial No. 60,541, filed Nov. 1'7, 1948-, discloses 'a printing apparatus and method in which an inked Tibbo' direct rolling eontaot W1 the impressionor type "surfaces to ink the latter "for impression on the sheet to be'prihted. Inth'e pref rred *form there specifically described, the ink'ed ribbon is supported on a cylindrical surface of a separate rotary member and so rolled 'in contact with the impression surfaces or the -rotary.pi-ihti nghfinis brought nto her. I have found, however, that the inked ribbon may be supported on a cylindrical surface on the printing member itself, in circumferentially spaced relation to the impression surfaces, and the ink transferred from the ribbon to the impression surfaces by one or mor'e'transfer rollers rolling alternately in contact with them. My improved method and apparatus have the advan-' tages, among others, of eliminating contact of the inked ribbon with the impression surfaces so as to reduce the wear on the ribbon, preserve it in eflicient condition and prolong its life; of improving the distribution of the ink film by contact between varying surfaces of the ribbon and the transfer roller and between the latter and the impression surfaces; as well as providing a more simple, compact and inexpensive'apparatus.

One object of the invention, therefore, is the provision of an improved method and apparatus of a more simple, practical and economical character.

Another object is to supply an improved method such as described in said patent application having the advantages thereof but in which an inked ribbon is employed in a more facile, economical and efiicient way.

Another object is to provide such a method in which the depletion and wear on the inked ribbon is reduced to a minimum so as to preserve it in emc'ient operating condition and prolong its life.

Another object is the provision of a method of the "above character in which the ink is transferred from the ribbon to the impression surfaces in a more uniformly distributed condition.

Another object is to provide a method capable of being carried out by a more simple, compact and economical apparatus.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus of the general character described in-said application but having a more simple, compact and economical arrangement capable of carrying out the above method in a more eiiicient and convenient manner.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts and method steps, all as Will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side levation of an apparatus embodying the present invention, partly broken away and with casing parts removed to better disclose the mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of one form of type member and its supporting means;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fi 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, sectional elevation on the line 55 in Fig. 1, showing the printing member and associated parts, in which the printing member is provided with another form of type member;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view of gauge and stop means for work sheets omitted from the right hand side of the machine as seen in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of parts of the machine as seen from the right in Fig. 5, with parts omitted for clearer illustration;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation on the line 8-8 in Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, sectional elevation on the line 9-9 in Fig. 10, and

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation, taken substantially on line 19-40 in Fig. 1 and with casing portions omitted.

The method of my invention is best described in conjunction with a description of the apparatus for carrying it out. This apparatus is similar in various respects to that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,071,139, dated February 16, 1937, comprising a base l5 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6) adapted for support on a table or stand and on which is mounted a hinged case I6, with a space or slot i1 between the base and case adjacent the center of the machine for the passage therethrough of checks I 8, or other sheets to be printed.

At I9 is a frame adjustably mounted at its opposite ends on the opposite sides of the base and supporting, adjacent the center of the check space, an idly rotatable platen roller 29 over which the sheet to be printed is simultaneously fed and printed by impression surfaces on a rotatable printing member mounted on case 16, as hereafter described.

For supporting the rotary printing member, the

case I6 is formed with inwardly extending spaced pairs of lugs, as 2! (Figs. 7 and 10) and mounted on these lugs are spaced supporting

plates

22 and 23, having outwardly flanged bottom portions 24 and 25, respectively, fastened to the said lugs as by means of screws 26. These plates arev formed with aligned bearing openings supporting a shaft 21 on which the printing cylinder, indicated generally at 28 (Fig. 8), is fixedly mounted.

The printing member comprises a pair of spaced

plates

29 and 39, each having a bushing (not shown) mounted on shaft 21. These plates are further connected together by tie rods, as 3 I, and a bridging plate for supporting the impression or type holding means, as hereafter described. Pinned to shaft 21 at 32 (Figs. '7 and 10) is a bushing 33 having an arm 34 secured by means of a pin 35 to plate 29 of the printing member, for rotating it when the shaft is rotated by the means hereafter described.

The type holder or holders may have various forms, one of which, indicated generally at 35 (Figs. 7 and 9), comprises two blocks or castings, 31 and 38, having substantially flat

lower faces

39 and 49, respectively, supported on a flat plate 4| having

downturned ends

42 and 43, secured by rivets to the

printing member disks

29 and 39, respectively, disk 29 being preferably cut away or flattened along a chord, as at 29a (Figs. 2, 5 and 9), to allow the plate 41 to extend over it, as shown. The lower faces of the castings are slotted as at 44 to embrace a key bar 45 which is fixed centrally to plate 4| as by means of screws 46 passing loosely through the plate and threaded into the bar. Casting 38 is fixed to plate 4! as 4 l by means of screws 41 (Fig. 5) and to disk 39 as by screws 48, and casting 3'! is similarly fixed to the plate by similar screws (not shown). The castings are spaced from each other as shown (Fig. 9) and receive between them a series of type holding segments 49 releasably secured to one another and to casting 38 by dowel pins 56. The segments as a unit are further releasably held in position by a spring actuated plunger 5! sliding in the casting 3'1 and having a reduced end 52 arranged for engagement in an opening in the adjacet segment. The segments are formed at their cylindrical peripheries with T slots 53 in which selected movable type 54 may be rapidly set for printing a desired legend and the segments are readily assembled between the

castings

31 and 38 and releasably locked in place by the spring plunger 5 l The means for applying ink to the impression surfaces of the rotary printing member comprises inked ribbon means carried by the printing cylinder 28. For this purpose, the printing cylinder is provided, in a position diametrically opposite to that of the impression surfaces or type, with a removable ribbon supporting means having a cylindrical plate portion 55 shaped to bridge the space between the

side member plates

29 and 30 and lying substantially in the periphery thereof, but at a less radial distance from its axis than the impression surfaces 54, for a purpose hereafter described. Plate 55 has inwardly extending side flanges 56, one end of each of which is recessed as at 51 and formed with a shoulder 58 arranged to rest upon and be positioned by one of the tie rods 3|. The other end of each flange 56 is notched, as at 59, for similar engagement with and positioning by another tie rod 3|. Means are provided for detachably fastennig this ribbon support in place on the tie rods comprising, preferably a rod 99 (Fig. 5) connecting the flanges 55 and with which is releasably engaged a latch dog 6| pivoted at 62 to a yoke 63 pivotally mounted on a tie rod 64 having its ends fixed in the

printing member plates

29 and 30. Dog 6! is yieldably pulled inwardly by a coiled tension spring 65 having one end connected therewith and its other end connected with the rod 64, as shown. To release the supporting surface 55, yoke 63 is rocked on its pivot rod 64 until dog BI is released from the rod 99, after which the supporting plate may be readily removed outwardly from the tie rods 3|. The dog has a tail part 66 arranged to engage a stop flange 61 on the yoke to limit the inward swinging movement of the dog.

The inked ribbon I23 which may be of any known and suitable variety including a plurality of differently colored sections, if desired, is smoothly stretched and fed progressively over its supporting surface 55 by supply and rewind rolls, indicated generally at 58 and 69 (Fig. 5) to which its opposite ends are respectively connected. Each roll comprises a tubular core or sleeve, as 10, with spaced end flanges, H and 12, between which the ribbon is wound on the core. Each end flange is formed with a cylindrical bearing opening (not shown) for the reception of a trunnion projecting inwardly from the

corresponding disk

29 or 30 of the printing member. For this purpose, plate '29 has fixed thereon a U-shaped bracket member 13 (Fig. 7) in the end of which and in plate 29 are aligned bearings slidably re ceiving a plunger 14. Fixed on the plunger and sliding in the bearing in plate 29 is a sleeve 15 having fixed thereon a disk 16 formed with a atom-sec plurallty orperipheral notches 11. in compression spring 18, coiled about the plunger between the bracket and sleeve, presses the plunger inwardly so 'that'its inner end, which is reduced and formed as a trunnion (not shown) engages in'th'e bearing opening of the roll, as referred to above, for rotatably supporting the base. The end .fiange i l of the spool has anoutwar'dly iproj e'cting finger '19 arranged to engage in one of the .in'otches "I?! or the plunger flange and form :a driving connection with the plunger which :may be rotated manually by a knurled disk 80 onits outer end, or pulled :outwardly to release the ink ribbon roll. Thecther end of the roll is rotatablyisupportedina similar'way on atrunnion (not shown) on-th'e inner end of a short spindle 8I ro'tatablv mountedin a bearing in the printing member disk 30. 'Fixedonthe spindle is a circular'fiange %2 formed with notches 82a for the reception of 'annger-BB projecting from the spool flange I2 w for rotating the spool by the rotation of the plunger. The outer end of the-plunger, outside the disk 30, has fixed thereon a ratchet wheel '84 operated intermittently by meanswhich will now be described.

The means for rotating the ribbon spools, or rolls, step by step, comprises "for each roll, a pair of feedpawls, 85 and '86, (Fig. 8), pivotally mounted'at 81 and 9%, respectively, at the outer ends of cross arm' '89 or a substantially'T-shaped arm '90 pivotally mounted "at its other end on shaft 21. The 'pawls'are arranged to engage'with the ratchet wheels 84 of the ribbon rolls, each ratchet having a hook-shaped portion, as 9 I, and these portions being connected by a *coiledtension spring'92 tending tomov'ethe pawl s into engagement with the ratchet wheels. Such inward movement of the pawls is limited by lugs, as 93, on 'arm 90 which is shifted laterally by means hereafter described so as to move one of the pawls into actuatingengagement with the ratchet wheel of that one of the rolls on which the ribbon is then being wound.

Arm 90 has pivoted thereon at 94 a latch carrying a roller 96 adapted to releasably engage in one or the other of a pair of semi-circular notches 91 and 9B, in the outer end of an arm '99 pivotally mounted on and oscillating about the shaft 21 to oscillate the arm 90. A coiled tension spring I00 connected to the latch "95 tends to hold the roller 96 in one or the other of the notches of the arm 99. When the ribbon has been completely unwound from one of the rolls, the ribbon tension on the other roll and the resistance to actuation of the corresponding pawl shifts roller 90 from one notch tothe other of the arm 99 or from notch 98 to notch 97, as shown in Fig. 8, where the parts are positioned 'for actuating the right hand ratchet wheel 84 to rewind the ribbon on the corresponding roll.

With such shifting of the roller 96, arm 90 is swung about shaft 21 relative to arm 99 to move pawl 85 out of contact with its ratchet wheel and move the other pawl 86 into engagement with the other "ratchet wheel of the other roll all? of one orfmore. studs M (Elgs. 7 13),;iixed to the mam :and to the adjacent casing plate .23. It is apparent from this :construction that as as "the printing member is rotated, ram 104 .is oscillated by the cam and oscillates arm "99 to actuate the ieedingpawls as "described above.

Detent means are :provided to prevent unwinding of B31711 ribbon roll under the tension '01 the ribbon "while its ratchet wheel is momentarily disengaged by its actuating pawl during feedhig actuation, such means comprising for each :roll a pawl LI M (Fig. 8) pivoted at H2 on the inner side :or disk 30 of the printing member. fllhepawl has'a tooth I I3 projecting through an opening M4 in the disk for engagement with its corresponding ratchet wheel 84, being urged to such engagement by a coiled'tension spring II5 attached thereto. A tail portion II6 of the pawl is arranged to engage one :or the other of cam portions 1-H and II8-oto an arm H9 mounted to rockrabouta pivot I ondisk-30. Theoutter end of the .arm. is .notchedrat I2.I to engage opposite sides or a pin 122 on :the corresponding'arm or the feeding mechanism. These parts areso arranged that when Tth'e arm 90 is positioned to actuate the ratchet wheel of .a roll towind up the ribbon, itspin I22 swings arm H9 to bring its lower cam gpcrtion I-IFI opposite the tail I I6 of ipawl I I I, so as .to allow the-pawl to engage the corresponding ratchet wheel 84. At the same time the otherxcammortion I.I8-of:-arm :I I9 moves the corresponding tailportion -II6 of the other similar epawl *I II "to disengage the ratchet wheel of the supply -roll to .al-low free rotation thereof.

The means for transferring-ink/from the inked ribbon I23 to the impression surfaces or type comprises one or more transfer :rollers, as I24 (Fig. 5), of rubber, jelly, or "other known and suitable .material, positioned for engagement alternately with the linked ribbon and with the type as "the printing mem-ber'is rotated. To this end, :there are fixed "to the transverse plates 22 and 2-3 act the :case, as :by screws I25, a .pair of spaced brackets 42-6 :and I21. :Each end of each bracket is formed with across arm, as I28, and .the corresponding ends of :the cross'arms on each side of the machine rare connected by tie rods, "as "1.29. Thesenross-a'rms support plates 'I 30 provided with spaced notches I'3I and I32, opening through "the outside edges of the :plates to re- ;ceiveitrunnions asiI3-3 of transfer rollers I24 so that .the tmnnionsmay rotateand rise and fall "in-the bearing notches [3i and I32. Each plate TIBB has an outwardly projecting portion I35 and theiplates 4 30 :of'each pair are connected by a tie rod I36 and secured by screws =I3I1ct- Pivoted .cntlris fie .rod "are a pair rof oppositely extending clips 1 31 having wings L38 arranged to bear on the :trnnnions I33 or the rollers I24 to press "themtowardthe printing-member, the'cHps being connected shy :a coiled tension spring I39 for this purpose. Eachroller has at each end a circular end plate or bearer, as (Fig. 5), which rolls upon the, peripheries of the :printing member disks '28 and 30, except during engagement of the rollers with either the: inking ribbon "or impression surface which project outwardly beyond the disks '29 and 30, thus limiting the inward movement of therollersnndcr the'tension o'f the spring I39. Each clipimayrbeswung outwardly to the dotted line position :as shown in it is apparent rr'om the above descripticn that as the printing member is rotated through a complete revolution, the inking ribbon engages in rolling line contact with one or more ink transfer rollers to provide them with a thin and uniform coating of ink for application to the type surfaces, but the inking ribbon is located at such a radial distance from the axis of the printing member as to clear the platen roller 20. The type surfaces, located at a greater radial distance from the axis of the printing member, engage in rolling contact with the ink transfer rollers to receive a thin and uniform supply of ink which is impressed upon the Work sheet as it is engaged in rolling line contact by the type surfaces to simultaneously print and feed the sheet, the transfer rollers being actuated radially by the spring means described to insure their rolling contact alternately with the inking ribbon and the printing type.

While the present embodiment includes two pairs'of transfer rollers I24, one pair on the intake and the other on the delivery side of the machine, it is contemplated that either a lesser or greater number of such rollers may be employed, if desirable. Where one or more of such rollers are provided on the delivery side of the machine, at the right in Fig. 5, and the printing member is arranged to have a position of rest with the impression surface accessibly located at its top, then the impression surface is rotated in inking contact with the transfer roller or rollers directly before engagement with a sheet to be printed, as hereafter described. On the other hand, where it is desired to omit inking rollers on this side of the machine, to reduce its overhang, and to employ a roller or iollers on the other side only, it may be desirable, when the machine has been out of use for any substantial period, to first rotate the printing member from the position shown in Fig. 5, through one or more complete revolutions before commencing the printing operation, to insureproper inking of the type. In such event, the case I6 of the machine may be hinged at one side, as at I4! (Fig. l), to the base I5, the other side of the machine being provided with a lever I42 pivoted to the case at I43 and carrying at its lower end a roller I44 adapted to be engaged with a fiat portion I45 of the base I5, to slightly raise that side of the normally tensicned case and raise the printing member above the platen 2B. In such a construction the case is provided with means (not shown) for latching it to resilient means associated with the base and after such latching means are released, and lever I42 operated to raise the case, as described, then the printing member may be rotated through one or more revolutions to insure full inking of the type, without contact with the platen, so as toavoid inking the latterin the absence of an .to such parts for change of composition, etc.

The machine is preferably driven by motor means (not shown) located under the base, as disclosed in-said 'Payne Patent No. 2,071,139,

8 such-motor means having a driving connection (not shown) with a gear I48 (Figs. 1 and 7) fixed on shaft 21, as fully described in said patent, the particular construction of which, however, forms no part of the present invention. Such driving connection is controlled by means actuated by the insertion of a work sheet in the machine, as described in said patent, to produce a one-cycle operation of the machine, but such means form no part of the present invention.

The invention is embodied, in thepresent instance, as hereinabove stated, in a machine of the type disclosed in detail in the said Payne patent wherein the baseof the machine carries a stop I49 (Fig. 6) slidably and adjustably mounted on a rock shaft I50, in the path of a check through the slot I'I between the base I5 and case I6 of the machine. An endless belt I5I passing through the slot is driven in the direction of the arrow, by means (not shown) connected with said motor, for feeding a work sheet inserted in the slot until it is engaged and stopped by the stop I49, the impression surface being then spaced from the platen to allow the work to pass freely therebetween. On rotation of the printing member, the impression surface is moved in a direction opposite to that of the travel of the belt, as shown by the arrow, so as to impress the work between the projecting impression surface and the platen roller 20 and print the sheet I8, while simultaneously feeding it in a direction opposite to the travel of the belt. When the impression surface passes out of contact with the sheet, it is again carried forward by the belt and the stop is automatically withdrawn to allow the belt to feed the work out of the machine, but such feeding belt and stop means and the actuating mechanism therefor are described in said Payne patent and form no part of the present invention, so that they require no further description herein.

A modified form of printing member and impression surface is shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, in which the movable type described above is re placed by a plate embossed with desired printing characters. This modified construction comprises a block or casting I52 shaped to bridge the space between the printing

member plates

29 and 30 and secured by screws I52a and I52b to the printing 50 member substantially as described above in reference to the modification first described. The

casting has a cylindrical surface I53 lying adjacent the peripheral surface of the printing member and this surface I53 is formed along one 55 side with a continuous rib I54 undercut to provide a recess or groove I 55. On its opposite side, surface I53 is provided with a series of lugs I56 spaced circumferentially from each other to leave interval therebetween and each undercut, as at 00 I51, to provide inwardly facing undercut lugs, as shown. A curved metal plate I58 is serrated at one or both side edges I59 and ISO, and one of these edges is inserted in the groove I55 with the projecting serrations of the other edge laid .8 in the intervals between the lugs I56. A slight circumferential sliding movement of the plate serves to frictionally secure the projecting serrations of the plate under the lugs I56, 2. stop pin IBI being preferably provided, to more accurately position the plate and resist the thrust of the rotary printing engagement of the plate with the work. Plate I58 may be etched, engraved or formed in any known and suitable way with designs, letters or other printing characters fl I62, or other impression surfaces, as, for example,

9 by embossing such impression surfaces thereon, as may be readily and rapidly accomplished in one of the known varieties of embossing machines. One of these printing plates may be quickly removed and another substituted in its place as required. Instead of being embossed, plate 158 may be engraved with printing characters and it is contemplated that the printing characters may be detachably applied to the printing. member in the above and various other ways and combinations thereof. I

It is evident from the above description that the method hereinabove described utilizes-the several advantages of an inked ribbon, including the fact that it supplies a thin and uniformly distributed coating or film of ink adapted to be transferred to the type, without any complicated ink distributing mechanism and without excess or tendency to clog the typeand smear the work. The use of such a ribbon has the further advantage that it may be readily and quickly i-nserted and replaced with greater cleanliness and convenience in handling.

The invention utilizes, on the other hand, the advantages of rolling line contact with the inked ribbon for applying ink effectively to the transfer roller and contact of the same character for transferring the ink from the roller to the impression surfaces and from the latter to thework, thereby largely obviating the necessity for precision levelling of the ribbon supporting and impression surfaces, as well as the surface of the work and enabling the application of substantial pressure throughout such lines of contact to insure efficient transfer of the ink from surface to 5 surface, as compared, for example, with the planographic methods of printing. By the present method, furthermore, type faces are impressed directly upon the work without an interposed ribbon and its tendency to blur the type outlines and leave fabric marks on the work. Since the ribbon is engaged by the smooth surface of the transfer roll, it is relieved from wearing contact with irregular and rough type faces and thereby preserved from wear and maintained in more P perfect working condition. As a result of such advantages, the present method produces an exceedingly uniform, sharp and clear impression on the work with a high degree of fineness of lines and detail in the impression.

The present invention provides also a simple, compact, portable and efficient apparatus for carrying out the abovedescribed' method in a rapid manner in any business oflice or other desired location. The impression surfaces or type for such purposes are quickly setup and prepared and applied to the printing member ready'for operation, the printing member, in its position of rest, being positioned with the printing plate or type holding means at the top of its periphery so as to be readily accessible for the removal and replacement thereof. The inking ribbon is preserved in satisfactory working condition over long periods of time and may be readily removed'an'd replaced as required. The ink transfer rollers are also readily accessible for any necessary servicing. The machine as a whole occupies relatively small space as desirable in equipment for use in business oflices.

With a relatively simple and inexpensive machine, such as described, for example, a bank may make the necessary preparations and imprint a quantity of checks for a depositor in a period of a few minutes while" the depositor waits,

thus eliminating the customary delays and -ex- 10 pense of sending out the work, often small in volume,. to be performed by a separate printing establishment on a standard printing press. The invention thus serves to-greatly relieve the congestion of work, labor and expense currently experienced by banking institutions, for example, in endeavoring to cope with the popularity and rapidly growing use of the so-called tPersonalized bank checks. The rapid and convenient imprinting of such checks with the name and address-of the depositor, made possible by the'present invention, serves also to greatly reduce the errors in sorting and posting of such checks resulting from indistinct and. illegible handwriting of depositors. The invention producesa quality of printing work which compares favorably with that of a standard printing press so as tobe readily acceptable in place thereof; And while the advantages of the invention for imprinting bank checks and the like have been pointed out hereinby wayof illustration, it is contemplated that the method and apparatus of 'myinvention are adapted also to a wide variety ofother applications and uses.

It will thusbe seenthat the invention-accomlishes its objects and while ithas been herein disclosed by reference to the details of preferred steps-andstrucwral embodiments, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the method and constructionand arrangement of the apparatus will readily occur to these skilledin the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended-claims.

1. In the art of printing with aninked printing member, the method comprising the steps of employing a windable inking ribbon to provide a thinly distributed anduniformsupply of ink, subjecting said ribbon to pressure at the linear contact between-opposing surfaces having a relative rolling engagement with oneanother for inking one of said opposing surfaces, bringing said inked surface and-member into rolling contact with eachother tos'pread and transfer a uniform film of ink to said member and impressing and feeding the material to be printed by rolling impression thereof between said member and a rotary platen.

2. The method as specified in claim I in which said inked surface is a rotary surface and is brought into roll-ing'contact with said member to transfer a uniform'film of ink thereto.

3. The method as-specifiedin claim 1 in which the ribbon is supported on a rotary surface and moved in rolling contact with the other of said opposing surf-aces to-apply a uniform film of ink to said other surface-for transfer thereby to said member.

- film of ink for transfer 'tossaid member.

5. The method as specified in claim 1 in which said member is rotated andcarries one of saidopposing surfaces and said ribbon is supported on said surface on said member;

6. The method-as specified in claim 5 in which the other of said opposing surfaces is-moved in-- 11; thejribbon is progressively fed over said surface on said member to present successive portions thereof for supplying a film of ink to the other ofv said opposing surfaces for transfer thereby to said impression surface. 7 V

8. 'l'ne method as specified in claim 6 in which the impression surface of said member is rotated in direct printing contact with a material to be printed to simultaneously print and feed said material.

9. In the art of printing with an inked printing member, the method comprising the steps of rotating an impression surface and a windable inking ribbon, moving a non-absorbent transfer surface into rolling contact alternately with said ribbon and impression surface to spread and transfer a uniform film of ink from said ribbon to said impression surface, and effecting direct printing contact of said impression surface with v the material to be printed while supported by a rotary platen surface to simultaneously print and feed tne same.

l0. In the art of printing with an inked printing member, the method comprising the steps of rotating an impression surface and a windable inking ribbon, moving said ribbon and impression surface alternately in rolling contact with a non-absorbent ink transfer means to spread and transfer a uniform film of ink from said ribbon to said impression surface, and effecting direct printing contact of said impression surface with the material to be printed while supported by a rotary platen surface to simultaneously print and feed the same.

11. In the art of printing with an inked printing member, the method comprising the steps of rotating an impression surface and a windable inking ribbon about a common axis with said impression surface at a greater radial distance from said axis, rotating a resilient, non-absorbent transfer surface in rolling line contact alternately with said ribbon and impression surface to transfer a uniform film of ink from said ribbon to said impression surface and effecting direct printing contact of said impression surface with the material to be printed while supported by a rotary platen surface to simultaneously print and feed the same.

12. in a printing apparatus, a printing member, a windable inking ribbon for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, means comprising non-absorbent opposing surfaces having a relative rolling movement therebetween in contact with opposite sides of said ribbon to subject said ribbon to pressure at the lines of contact thereof with said surfaces for inking one of said surfaces, means for moving said inked surface and member in rolling contact with each other to transfer a uniform film of ink to said member, a freely rotatable platen and means for effecting a rolling impression of the material to be printed between said member and platen to print and feed the same.

13. In a, printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member, an inking ribbon for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, means comprising opposing, non-absorbent surfaces having a relative rolling movement therebetween in contact with opposite sides of said ribbon to subject said ribbon to pressure at the lines of contact thereof with said surfaces for inking one of said surfaces, means for moving said inked surface and member in rolling contact with each other to transfer a uniform film of ink to said member, and means comprising afreely ro- 12 I tatable platen roller for effecting an impression of said member on the material to be printed to print and feed the same.

14. In a printing apparatus, a printing member, a windable inking ribbon for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, a support for said ribbon, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means for effecting alternate rolling engagement of said ribbon and member with said ink transfer roller for transferring a uniform film of ink to said member, a freely rotatable platen, and means for effecting a rolling impression of the material to be printed between said member and platen to print and feed the same.

15. In a printing apparatus, a printing memher, a windable inking ribbon for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, a non-absorbent support for said ribbon, a nonabsorbent ink transfer roller, means for effecting alternate rolling engagement of said ribbon and member with said transfer roller for transferring a uniform film of ink to said member, a freely rotatable platen, and means for effecting a rolling impression of the material to be printed between said member and platen to print and feed the same.

16. In a printing apparatus, a printing member having an impression surface and a supporting surface, a windable inking ribbon positioned over said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means for effecting alternate rolling engagement of said ribbon and impression surface with said roller for transferring a uniform film of ink to said surface, a freely rotatable platen, and means for effecting arolling impression of the material to be printed between said surface and platen to print and feed the work.

17. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member having an impression surface and a non-absorbent supporting surface, an inking ribbon positioned over said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, an ink transfer roller of non-absorbent, resilient material, means for effecting alternate rolling engagement of said ribbon and impression surface with said roller for transferring a uniform film of ink to said surface, and means comprising a freely rotatable platen roll for effecting an impression of said impression surface of said member on the material to be printed to print and feed the same.

18. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member having an impression surface and a supporting surface spaced from each other circumferentially of said member, a windable inking ribbon positioned over said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform sup ply of ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer surface, means for effecting rolling engagement of said transfer surface alternately with said ribbon and impression surface for transferring a uniform film of ink to said impression surface, a freely rotatable platen, and means for effecting a rolling impression of the material to be printed between said surface and platen to print and feed the.

a rotatable print-- ing surface, a windable inking ribbon positioned over said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means for rotatably and movably supporting said roller for rolling engagement alternately with said ribbon and impression surface for transferring a uniform film of ink to said impression surface, a freely rotatable platen, and means for effecting a rolling impression of the material to be printed between said surface and platen to print and feed the same.

20. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member having an impression surface and a non-absorbent supporting surface spaced circumferentially of said member with said impression surface at a greater radial distance from the rotary axis thereof than said supporting surface, an inking ribbon positioned over said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means for rotatably and movably supporting said roller for rolling engagement alternately with said ribbon and impression surface for transferring a uniform film of ink to said impression surface, means for progressively feeding said ribbon over said supporting surface to successively position different portions thereof for applying ink to said roller, a rotary platen, mechanism for rotating said member to bring said impression surface into rolling contact with the material to be printed while supported by said platen to simultaneously print and feed the same, and means operated by said mechanism for actuating said ribbon feeding means.

21. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member having an impression surface and a non-absorbent supporting surface spaced circumferentially of said member with said impression surface at a, greater radial distance from the rotary axis thereof than said supporting surface, an inking ribbon on said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, supply and rewind rolls on said member for intermittently feeding said ribbon over said supporting surface, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means for rotatably and movably supporting said roller for rolling engagement alternately with said member and impression surface for transferring a uniform film of ink to said impression surface, a rotary platen, mechanism for rotating said member to bring said impression surface into rolling contact with the material to be printed while supported by said platen to print and feed the same, and means operated by said mechanism for actuating said ribbon rolls.

22. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member and platen adapted to be rotated in contact with a material to be printed, said member having an impression surface and a supporting surface spaced circumferentially of said member with said impression surface at a greater radial distance from the rotary axis thereof than said supporting surface, an inking ribbon on said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means supporting said roller for movement toward and from said member, spring means for moving said roller into rolling engagement alternately with said ribbonand impression surface during rotation of said member for transferring a uniform film of ink to said impression surface, means for progressively feeding said ribbon over said supporting surface to suecessively position different portions thereof for applying ink to said roller, mechanism for rotating said member to bring said impression surface into rolling contact with the material to be printed to simultaneously print and feed the same, and means operated by said mechanism for actuating said 'ribbon feeding means.

23. In a printing apparatus, a rotatable printing member and platen adapted to be rotated in contact with a material to be printed, said member having an impression surface and a supporting surface spaced from each other circumferentially of said member, an inking ribbon on said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means supporting said roller for rolling engagement alternately with said ribbon and impression surface for transferring a uniform film of ink .to said impression surface, supply and rewind rolls on said member for intermittently feeding said ribbon over said supporting surface to successively position different portions thereof for applying ink to said roller, mechanism for rotating said member to bring said impression surface into rolling contact with the material to be printed to simultaneously print and feed the same, and means operated by said mechanism for actuating said ribbon rolls.

24. In a printing apparatus, a frame, a printing member and platen rotatably mounted on said frame for engagement with a material to be printed to simultaneously print and feed the same therebetween, said member having an impression surface and a non-absorbent supporting surface spaced circumferentially of said member with said impression surface at a greater radial distance from the rotary axis thereof than said supporting surface, an inking ribbon on said supporting surface for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, a non-absorbent ink transfer roller, means on said frame for supporting said roller for movement toward and from said member, spring actuated means for moving said roller into engagement alternately with said ribbon and impression surface during rotation of said member for transferring a uniform film of ink to said impression surface, supply and rewind rolls on said member for feeding said ribbon over said supporting surface, mechanism for rotating said member, and means operated by said mechanism for actuating said ribbon rolls to successively position different portions of said ribbon for applying ink to said roller.

WALTER B. PAYNE.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,029,199 La May June 11, 1912 1,324,770 De Clercq Dec. 9, 1919 1,608,236 Rick Nov. 23, 1926 1,962,156 Rowell June 12, 1934 2,071,139 Payne Feb. 16, 1937 2,300,949 Luehrs Nov. 3, 1942 2,310,179 Kohnle Feb. 2, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 153,133 Great Britain Nov. 4, 1920