US2625101A - Sheet reversing mechanism for rotary perfecting sheet printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 13, 1953 H. F. GAMMETER 2,625,101

SHEET REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PERFECTING SHEET PRINTING APPARATUS Filed June 1;, 1951 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. IVA/PE Y F. GAMMA-75B BY v 61% @mJ/Kim Winn/er;

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. 17A e/e Y I? 61 MMH'LE BY 07rd E'YEVI GAMMETER H. SHEET REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PERFECTING SHEET PRINTING APPARATUS Jan. 13, 1953 Filed June 1, 1951 Jan. 13, 1953 H. F. GAMMETER swam REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PERFECTING SHEET PRINTING APPARATUS Filed June 1, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. #4: fiAmrerm Jan. 13, 1953 H. F. GAMMETER 2,625,101

SHEET REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PERFECTING SHEET PRINTING APPARATUS Filed June 1, 1951 5 Sheets-Shet 4 INVENTOR. I f/AREY fiAn/qtrie i i 7 I gmw mu F 770 ENE/J Jan. 13, 1953 H. F. GAMMETER SHEET REVERSING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PERFECTING SHEET PRINTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 1, 1951 INVENJ OR. HARE v E Gums-me BY @du, fimeyzlm armament Patented Jan. 13 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHEET REVERSING MECHANISM FOR R- TARY PERFECTING SHEET APPARATUS PRINTING ware Application June 1, 1951, Serial No. 229,404

15 Claims.

The present invention is a continuation in part of my prior application filed February 17, 1951 and assigned Serial No. 211,482, now abandoned. The invention relates to improvements in a printing apparatus for imprinting both surfaces of a sheet. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to a rotary printin apparatus of the type having two horizontally spaced printing couples, each couple including an impression drum and a platen drum mounted therebelow. together with a mechanism which will receive a sheet imprinted on one face by one of the printing couples, turn such imprinted sheet upside down and forward it to the other printing couple which imprints the other face. These, therefore, are the general objects of the present invention.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a simple, compact and improved delivery mechanism for a rotary printing couple, which mechanism will receive a sheet having an impression on its upper face and deliver the sheet upside down with the image on its bottom face.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved rotary printing machine having a rotary printing couple to imprint the upper surface of a sheet, with a delivery mechanism to receive the imprinted sheet and deliver it to a receptacle mounted below such printing couple with the imprinted surface facing downward, and then discharge the sheet from the receptacle in substantially the same general direction as that taken by the sheet during the imprinting operation and forward the imprinted sheet to a second rotary printing couple, similar to the first couple, to imprint the other surface of the sheet, and wherein the delivery mechanism is readily adaptable for use in connection with sheets of various lengths.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description, reference being had to a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a printing apparatus embodying the present invention, the plane of the section being generally indicated by the lines II on Fig. 3; Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the printing apparatus illustrating the sheet inverting mechanism, the scale being somewhat larger than that of Fig. 1, and the plane of the section being indicated by the lines 2--2 on Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on the same scale as Fig. 2, the plane of the section being inclined,

from a horizontal plane as indicated by the lines 3-3 on Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sectional details, the planes of which are indicated by the correspondingly numbered lines on-Fig. 3;

Fig.- 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail the plane of which is indicated by the lines 6-6 on Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a sectional detail, the plane of which is indicated by the lines 'l-! on Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a detail of a portion of the drive mechanism; Fig. 9 is a sectional detail the plane of which is indicated by the lines 9-9 on Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the sheet inverting mechanism disabled to provide for the imprinting of the same face of the sheet by both printing couples.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the improved printing apparatus is illustrated as being mounted in a frame including a pair of spaced vertically extending side frame members l0 secured to ether by cross frame members such as rods H, I2, l4 and I5. A pair of longitudinally spaced printing couples are mounted in this frame, one couple being positioned adjacent each end of the frame. Each printing couple includes a printing drum 20) adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet to be printed, together with a cooperating platen drum 2| which is mounted therebelow.

offset drum to which an inked image is applied by any well-known process, such as by the use of lithographic or planographic principles. Methods and means for applying ink or an inked image to the drums 20 are well known and hence none is illustrated or described herein.

The printing drums 20 are each rotated in the same direction, as indicated by the arrows on Fig. 1. The printing image may be placed on one printing drum with the top thereof in a predetermined relation to the direction of rotation of the drum and on the other printing drum with the top thereof in the opposite direction. For instance, the top of the image on the right hand printing drum may be positioned so that it is transferred to the sheet first while the image on the left hand drum may be positioned so that the bottom of the image will be transferred to the sheet first. Following the imprinting by the right hand printing couple the sheet is turned upside down and end for end, as will become hereinafter more apparent, so that the sheet will 3 enter the bite of the second or left hand printing couple bottom of the image foremost. Accordingly, the top of both imprints will lie adjacent the same end of the sheet, one on one face of the sheet and one on the other face thereof.

The printing drums are illustrated as being driven by a motor i 8 (Fig. 1). This motor is provided with the usual armature shaft carryinga sprocket wheel 22 which is drivinglyconnected by a drive chain 22 with a sprocket wheel 22 journalled on a suitable shaft such as the rod M. A pair of sprocket wheels 23 are drivingly connected with the sprocket wheel 22 ,-and one of these is connected by a drive chain-24 with-a sprocket wheel 25 on the shaft 26 to which the right hand platen drum 2! is secured. The other sprocket wheel 23 is drivingly connected.byiazchainlll with one of a second pair of sprocket wheelsZ-B which are journalled on a suitable shaft such as the left hand red I 2. The other of these sprocket wheels 23 is connected by a drive chain 26 with a sprocket wheel-26 drivingly connected with the left hand platen shaft 25. The arrangement issuch that the shafts 26 are synchronously driven. The platen drums -2l are drivingly secured to their respective shafts ZG'and each carriesa gear El which meshes with a corresponding gear-28 mounted onthe associated printing drum-20 (Fig.2).

One'of'the drumszn or'2l of-each'couple may include the usual paper gripping and discharge mechanism such as,'for instance, that shown in Patent No. 2',l'65,231, issue'd'lluly 11,1939, to my assignee, Addressograph -Multigraph Corporation.

The drivingmechanism may be arranged to provide for the accurate positioning of one set of printing drums relative-to the other. This is advantageous when the apparatus is arranged to be selectively conditioned so that the printing couples print either on opposite sides of-the sheet, 'or'onthe same side of'the sheet. It is likewise desirable-to-facilitate the use of the machine on sheets'ofdiffering lengthsor when the printing couples are equipped with'paper grippers as above mentioned. For this purpose the sprocket'wheels of one set"23 as;for instance, the right hand set in Fig. l are adjustable relative to each-other. As indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, one sprocket wheel 23 is integral with or drivinglysecured to the sprocket wheel 22 and drives the right-hand printing couple throughthe -chain'23 as heretofore mentioned. The othersprocket wheel 23 of this set comprises an annular sprocket tooth equipped ring 51 which is rotatably mounted ring The sprocket ring 48 isconnected by-the chain 24 with-the left hand set of sprocket wheels 23 which drive the left hand printingunit as heretofore described.

Any suitable mechanism may be-use'd to control the time of entrance of the sheet betweenthe drumsof each printing couple-to thereby'insure registration of the impression made by oneprinting couple with that made by'the other couple. One-such mechanism is more or less diagrammatically= shown in Fig. l. A paperstop finger-3|] is pivotally mounted as at 3! on a suitable-frame 'memb rand projects upward-through an opening 4 in a horizontally extending feed table 33 across which sheets are fed to the respective printing couple. A set of sheet forwarding rolls 34 are mounted on a shaft 35 which is journalled in the 'framemembers '10. These rolls are driven from the associated platen drum 2! by suitable gearing, not shown. The rolls 3% project through openings in the respective feed table 33 and coact withrollers 32 carried by pivoted brackets one of whi'chis shown at 35. These brackets are swung periodically to bring the rolls 32 downward into contact with a sheet positioned on the -rolls'34' and to swing the respective stop finger "3B downward out of the path of such sheet. The

swinging of the rollers 32 and the stop finger 36 may be accomplished by a cam 37 mounted on .therespective drum 213 and coacting with a roller 38 carried by a bracket 36 and having a spur 39 which engages the stop fingers 3-9. Suitable springs 41 serve to retain the parts in their normal position as shown in Fig. 1. "The camsfil are preferablyadjustable relative to theirrespective drums so thatregistration and position of the respective imprints on the sheet may be adjusted or controlled.

The present invention provides an improved mechanism toreceive a sheet imprinted by the left hand printing couple, invert such sheet so that the'printing image thereon faces downward, and

forwards such inverted'sheet to the second printingcouple for the'transfer of an imprint to the otherface of the sheet. The compactness of the improved mechanism reduces to a minimum the horizontal spacing of the printing couples one from the other, and its arrangement facilitates the removalof any sheet which may become jammed or clogged therein.

Sheets to be printed are fed across the substantially horizontal feed table 33 of the right hand p'rintingcouple' Fig.3, into the bite of the drums'2fl andzi of such couple. These drums cause an impression to be made on the upper face of the sheetand forward the sheet across a discharge table 50 into the bite of a roll 5| and rollers 52. The 130115118 securedto a shaft 53 journalled in'theframe wand is driven from the platen gear 2'! through 'the medium of an idler gear 54 and a gear 55 which is drivingly secured to the roll 53.

"The rollers 52 comprise narrow rollers each of which is mounted on a spindle 55 carried by a 'pair of parallel arms 5? which are loosely pivoted, intermediate their ends, to a cross bar 58 carried by the frame iii. A similar roller 53 i" 'mountedon a spindle G9 at the opposite end of each pair of arms 51. The rollers 59 engage the periphery of a platen drum 2! and guide the sheet from'the bite of the printing couple onto the feed table 59. A spring as is interposed between one of the arms 5i and the rod E5 to control the pressure between. the various rollers.

.The imprinted sheet passes from the bite of the roll 5| and rollers 52, around the roll 5! to a position Where it is gripped between such roll and one or more rollers 62. Each roller 32 is mounted in a removable bracket 63 comprising .apair of side-plates secured to and spaced apart by rods 64. These brackets are provided with key-slots 1.65 which'are arranged to removably embrace'the spindles 53 which support the respective rollers52. Each roller '62 is journalled on a-spindle 66 carried by the bracket 63 and is spaced 'below'the roller 52 heretofore described. The bracket'fiil depends from a spindle 5B and is'normallyheld-in'positionto cause the rolls 52 and 62 to engage the roll 5| by a flat spring 68 which is supported by cross rods 64 of the bracket. This spring is tensioned in a downward direction by an adjusting nut 53 which engages the threaded end of a strap 44, the lower end of which is supported by a frame bar or rod 65, and the upper end of which extends through a forked outer end of the spring 68. The forward surfaces 69 of the side plates of the bracket 63 serve to guide the sheet around the roller 5|.

The sheet is discharged from the bite of the rollers 5| and 62 into a receptacle I6 which is disposed below the right hand printing couple.

The receptacle I6 includes a bottom or sheet supporting member I6, a top member 86 which is spaced above the bottom member I6; and a reciprocating slide 96 which ejects the sheet from the receptacle.

The bottom member I6 of the receptacle I9 includes a plurality of transversely spaced narrow fiat strips or bars I2 which, at their forward ends, are secured to a cross bar or plate IS, the ends of which are bent downwardly as at M and are provided with recesses I5 to engage the frame rod I6. The opposite ends of the bars "I2 are secured to a transverse plate I6 by spacers E1. I The plate 76 rests on the frame bar I5 heretofore described. The bottom member of the receptacle is removably retained in position by one or more fiat leaf springs I8 which are carried by the plate I3 and which engage the under surface of the cross rod I4, thus clamping the bottom member I6 of the receptacle I6 to'such rod.

The top 89 of the receptacle I6 includes a plurality of narrow elongated strips or bars 82 positioned to lie above the bars I2 of the bottom member 79. The bars 32 are secured together adjacent their rearmost ends by a transversely extending angle bar, one flange 96 of which is secured to the bars 82 and the other fianget? of which projects downwardly and is provided with notches 86 to embrace the bars 72 of the bottom member 16 of the receptacle. The angle bar 86 thus serves to position the right hand end of top member 89 (Fig. 2) tranversely and to space it from the bottom member I6.

Adjacent their forward ends the bars 82 are secured to a transverse plate 83. This plate is bent upward and then rearward to form a rearwardly facing channel, the upper lip 64 of which is supported by hook-like formations 85 on each of a pair of spaced blocks SI which are pivotally mounted on a transversely extending rod 89.

This rod (Fig. 3) extends between and is pivot- I ally supported by a pair of sleeves I9. Each sleeve is secured to the adjacent side frame mem- 92 are secured together adjacent their opposite ends by transverse channel- like members 94 and 98. Mounted in the channel 96 and extending forwardly therefrom and adjacent each side thereof, is a rod or plunger 95 which is slidably mounted in an opening in the respective block 9 I,

heretofore described. An elongated rod 9| is secured to and passes through both members 94 and 98 and extends axially substantially along.

the longitudinal center line of the receptacle I6. Adjacent its rear end this rod is slidably engaged by a bracket 99 secured to the'frame rod I2, heretofore described. The rods 95 and 9| thus support the slide for reciprocation in a direction parallel with the longitudinal center line of the receptacle.

The slide 96 is provided with a transverse ejector member 96, hereinafter to be more fully described, but which has a plurality of lug portions projecting downward through thespaces between the bars I2 and 82 to a plane below the bottom of the bars 82. Accordingly, the member 96 forms an end wall for the receptacle I6 and a stop for sheets forwarded to the receptacle by the feed rollers 5| and 52.

The'position of the slide or ejector 96 of the receptacle I6 is controlled by a cam I66. As shown in Fig. 2, this cam is adjustably secured to a shaft |6I which is drivingly connected with the platen gear 2! by gearing I62. This cam coacts with a roller I63 carried by a lever I64 which is secured to a rod I65 pivotally mounted in the frame members I6. The rod I65 is provided with a downwardly extending arm I 66, the lower end of which engages a roller I61 mounted on a cross rod I68 carried by the slide 96. The arm I66 may be made of two members secured together as at II6 to permit adjustment thereof. The rod I68 extends transversely across the slide 96. As shown, the inner end of this rod is threaded and engages a threaded opening in a block I56 carried by the rod 9 I, the arrangement being such that the end of the rod I68 engages the rod 9| and secures the block I56 in position thereon. The opposite end of the rod I68 is mounted in one of a pair of brackets I69 secured to respective side members 92 of the ejector 96. The cam I66 acts to draw the ejector or slide 96 rearward to the position indicated in Fig. 2. As illustrated, the arm I66 engages the forward surface of the roller I61. A spring III is interposed between each bracket |69 of the slide 96 and either the frame plates I6;- or as shown, the respective blocks 8|, heretofore described. Such springs move the slide 96 forward'as the cam rotates and also serve to retain the roller I63 in contact with the cam.

The operation of the slide is so timed that when a sheet has been deposited in the receptable I6 by the rolls 5| and 62, the slide is brought forward by the springs I II thereby moving such sheet forward into the bite of a pair of feed rolls H5 and I I6 which are spaced from the forward open end of the receptacle I6 and which remove the sheet from the receptacle as will be hereinafter more fully described.

As heretofore mentioned it is desirable that the sheet reversing mechanism be arranged to handle sheets of various lengths. It is likewise desirable that the distance of the ejecting movement of the slide 96 be held to a minimum so as to provide a compact light weight construction and at the same time enable accurate registration of the sheets. Accordingly, in the present embodiment the ejector member 96 is adjustably mounted on the slide 96. As illustrated, the ejector member 96 extends transversely across the slide 96 and its opposite ends underlie the horizontal flanges of the side members 92 of the slide. Mounted on the ejector 96, adjacent each end thereof are clips I55 which overlie the adjacent side members 92. The ejector is thus supported by the slide and may be adjusted relative to the slide in a direction to and from the bite of the feed rolls II 5 and II6. The position of the ejector 96 relative to the slide 96- is manually settable. To this end positionzto'the dotted-line position (Fig. 2).

bracketslfill: and. I 6 I are. securedto the. outer ends of the :rod SI of the slide-96,which rod projects scribed, is such that rotation of the :screw or threaded "rod I62 .moves the plate I63 together with the ejector 96 to and :from the -:discharge rolls II5-and H6. The pivotal connection between theplate I 63 and the ejector 96 permits adjustmentof the'ejector 453 tocause itto be aligned with the-bite of such rolls. The move-- mentof the ejectoreli to-and from therolls H5 and I I6 enables theportionfll thereof to'be positioned so as to stop a sheet entering the receptacle Ifi-with the edge of the sheet nearest the bite of the rolls I I5, H6 always the same distance from such bite. Accordingly, a relative short movement may be imparted to the-ejector regardless of the length of sheetbeing imprinted.

As heretofore mentioned, the forward movement of the ejector 96 feeds thesheets from the receptacle I6 into thebite of apair of feed rolls -I I5 and H6. The lower feedroll II5 may be secured to a shaft I I1 journalled in the frame members I8 and driven by the-gear 55,'heretofore mentioned, through the medium of gearing H8. The upper roll I I5, as shown, comprises a series of rollers each of which is-carried by one end of an arm I I9. Each arm H9 ispivotally mounted on .a crossrod I20 which extends between a pair offramemembers-IH. The rollers I I6'are resiliently maintained in contact with the roller H5by-springsl22 disposed-between the respective arm I I9 and collars I23 secured to the rod-I26.

The printed sheet is guided from the bite of the rolls 5| and 62 into the receptacle II5-by forwardly projecting portions-I39 of the bars-82 of the receptacle top 86. These bars incline upwardly and forwardly to aposition above the bite of the rolls 5 I and62. .As the sheet is ejected from the receptacle BI itis guided into the bite of the rollers -I I5 and H6 by a-diverter mechanism including a plurality of pins I 35 which are secured at one end .to and project forward from therodfla heretofore described. This rod is-swung. from the .full line In the former or full line position, theforwarcl end of thepins I35engage theroller -52 and'act to strip the-sheet therefrom. In the latteror dotted line position, the pins. restrict the mouth of the receptacle I6'and guide the sheet being ejected into the bite of the, rollers I I5 and I I6.

Thepins I35 are actuated by a cam I38. This .camisadjustablysecured to the shaft [DI and is engaged by a roller I lIl carried by a bell crank I 4!. The .bell crank is pivotally mounted on the rod I65. and is connected by a link I62 with an arm I43 which is secured to the rod 89. A spring I44, interposed between the blocks 8I and a pin I45 carried by the link I42, maintains the roller in engagement-with its cam I38.

The rollers II5 and H6 forwardthe sheet to :a-feed table comprising a pluralityof belts I25. Thesetbelts are loopedabout-theroller II5 and a second :roller J26 which is rotatably ,mounted adjacent'the feed table 33 of the forwardlyip sitioned or left hand printing couple. 'The'sheets are normally held in engagement with the belts I25 by bars I21 which may be removablypositioned above the belts in any suitable manner.

It will be noted'that the bite of'therollers .53 and 62 which feed'the sheets into'the receptacle I6 is above the bite of the rollers II5 and H6 which complete the removal of the sheets from the receptacle. Accordingly, as soonias a sheet has been picked up by'the rollers II5 and H6, the rake or diverter pins I35 may be raised to admit another :sheet to enter the receptacle J6 abovethesheetlbeing withdrawn by the rolls ;I.I5 and I I6. This :arrangementprovidesfor opera- .tion of :the :machine at :a :relative .high rate co'f speed and maintains the time interval between the sheets at a. minimum.

It issometimes desirable toutilizethe machine for imprinting one surface ofthe sheet with two colors, one color being placed thereon by the right .hand printing couple, and the other color being placed on the same side of the sheet bythe left hand printing couple. Undersuch circumstances the bracket members 63 are removed and the rollers 62 moved to an idle position. The bars I21 are removed, and bars I 210. substituted therefor. The rearmost ends of the bars I2Ia'are inclined upwardly, as atI28 (Fig. 5), to guide the sheet from the bite'of the rolls 5I and 52, across a removable feed table I29 which is substituted for the inverter bracket 63, onto the belts I25 which then forward the sheet to the left hand printing couple without reversing the sheet.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with rinting couples each having the printing drum positioned above the platen drum, it is within the concept of the invention to place both printing drums below their respective platen drums. However,the positioning of the printing drums'uppermost has decided advantages. It provides ample space for the mounting of inking mechanisms above the printing drums where they will be accessible. It also facilitates the positioning of removable printing plates on the printing drums and permits such drums to be readily cleansed.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention provides a compact and efficient printing apparatus wherein two substantially identical rotary printing couples are utilized to imprint opposite faces of a sheetwhich is inverted or turned upside down by a mechanism Which-is readily removable from the machine to-proviide for the imprinting by both printing couples on the same side of the sheet.

I claim:

1. In a printing apparatus having a pair of horizontally spaced rotary printing couples, each couple including a drum adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet to be printed and a platen drum mounted below the printing rum and coacting therewith, a sheet receiving receptacle, means to receive sheets from the first printing couple and turn them 'face to face and forward them tothe receptacle, said means comprising a roll, .a pair of rollers coacting with said roll at circumferentially spaced points, said roll and one of said rollers being positioned to :receive printed sheets from said couple, means means to eject said sheets one at a time from said receptacle in a direction reverse to that in which they enter the receptacle, and means to forward'the ejected sheets one at a time to the second couple while maintaining the previously printed surface bottommost.

2. In a printing apparatus having a rotary printing couple, a second rotary printing couple spaced horizontally from the first printing couple including a drum adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet to be printed and ,a platen drum mounted below the printing drum and coacting therewith, a sheet receiving receptacle mounted below the first couple, a feed roll mounted between said couples, a roller mounted with its axis above the axis of said roll and coacting therewith to receive printed sheets from said couple, a second roller coacting with said roll and having its axis disposed below the axis thereof, means to guide sheets from the bite of the first named roller and said roll into the bite of said roll and the other roller, said roll and said last named roller being positioned to guide the printed sheet into said receptacle with its printed-surface down, means to eject said L sheets one at a time from said receptaclein a direction opposite to the direction in which they enter the receptacle, and means to forward the ejected sheets one at a time to the second couple while maintaining the previously printed surface bottommost.

3. In a printing apparatus having a pair of printing couples, one couple being spaced forward of the second couple, each couple including a rotary printing drum adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet and a platen, sheet feed tables across which sheets are fed forwardly to respective couples, a sheet receiving means spaced forwardly of the rearmost printing couple to receive imprinted sheets from such couple, a sheet receiving receptacle mounted below'such printing couple, means coacting with said sheet receiving means to move imprinted sheets one at a time downwardly and rearwardly into said receptacle with their printed surfaces down, a pair of coacting feed rolls spaced forwardly of said receptacle, means to engage the rearmost end of a sheet in said receptacle and forward it to said feed rolls, means to drive said feed rolls to move the sheet forwardly and complete the removal of such sheet from said receptacle, movable guide means to guide the ejected sheet into the bite of said feed rolls, means controlled by one of said drums to move said guide means from an active to an inactive position, and means to feed said sheet from said feed rolls to the second printing couple.

4. In a printing apparatus having a pair of horizontally spaced rotary printing couples, each couple including a rotary printing drum adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet and a platen drum mounted therebelow, a feed roller adapted to receive imprinted sheets from one printing couple, a sheet receiving receptacle mounted below said printing couple, means -coacting with said feed roller to turn the sheet face for face and forward the turned sheets to said receptacle, a reciprocable member associated with said receptacle, means to reciprocate said member to partially eject a sheet from said receptacle in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the sheets into the receptacle, a pair of feed rolls to receive the partially 10 receptacle, and means to forward said sheet from said feed rolls to the second printing couple.

5. In a printing apparatus having a pair of horizontally spaced rotary printing couples, each couple including a rotary printing drum adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet and a platen drum, a sheet receiving receptacle mounted below one printing couple, means to receive sheets from said last named printing couple and turn them face for face and forward the turned sheets to said receptacle, means to engage the end of a sheet in said receptacle and partially eject it therefrom in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the sheets into the receptacle, a pair of feed rolls to receive the ejected sheet and complete its removal from said receptacle, means to forward said sheet from said feed rolls to the second printing couple, movable guide means to guide the ejected sheet-into thebite of said feed rolls, and means controlled by said drum to move said guide means into an inactive position. 6. In a printing machine having a frame, a drum rotatably mounted therein and adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet to be printed, a platen drum rotatably mounted beneath said first named drum and coacting therewith to print a sheet, and a feed table associated with each drum and acrosswhich sheets are fed one at a time to the bite of respective drums, the combination of a receptacle having an open end mounted substantially below said drums, means to turn the imprinted sheets face for face and guide printed sheets into said receptacle with their printed faces downward, a pair of feed rollers spaced from the open end of said receptacle, means to engage the end of a sheet remote from the open end of said receptacle and push it from said receptacle in a direction reverse to that in which it enters the receptacle and into the bite of said feed rolls, a second drum rotatably mounted in said frame and adapted to carry a second image to be transferred to said sheet, a platen drum mounted beneath said last named drum and coacting therewith to cause an impression to betransferred to a sheet passed therebetween, and means to forward sheets from said feed rolls to the bite of said last named pair'of "drums while maintaining the previously printed surface of the sheet downward whereby a second image will be transferred to the upper or non-printed surface of the sheet.

7. Ina printing machine, a frame, a drum rotatably mounted therein and adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet to be printed, a platen drum rotatably mounted beneath said first named drum and coacting therewith to print a sheet, a substantially horizontally extending feed table across which sheets are fed in a forward direction one at a time to the bite of said drums, a sheet receptacle having aforwardly facing open end mounted substantially below said drums, means to guide printed sheets from the bite of said drums downward and rearward into the open end of said receptacle with their printed faces facing downward, said receptacle inclining downward and rearward from its open end, a pair of coacting feed rollers spaced forwardly from the open end of said reecptacle and having their bite below said guide means, means to engage the end of the sheet in the receptacle, said last named means being slidable to and from the forward end of the receptacle to engage and push the sheet into the bite of ejected sheet-and complete its removal from said Sai fee rolls. a second drum rotatably mounted insaid frame and adapted to carry animage to-be transferred to said sheet, a platen drum mounted beneath said last named drum andcoacting. therewith to cause an impression to be transferred to a sheet passed therebetween, and means to forward sheets from said feed rolls to the bite of said last named pair of drums while maintaining the previously printed surface of the sheet downward, means to drive both pairs of drums, and means associated with each pair of drums to control the admission of sheets to the respective pairs to thereby control the position of theimage on saidsheets.

8. In a printing machine, a printing couple, a second printing couple spaced horizontally forward from the first named printing couple; each couple comprising a rotary drum adapted to carry an image to be transferred, to a sheet-to'beprinted and a rotary platen drum mounted therebeneath and coacting therewith to print'a sheet, a receptacle mounted substantially below said first named printing couple and having a forwardly facing open end, a pair of feed rollers mounted between said printing couples and having their bite spaced above and forwardly of the open end of said receptacle to forward printed'sheetsfrom the bite of said drums into said receptacle, a second pair of coacting feed rollers spaced forward of the open end of said receptacle with their bite positioned below the bite. of said first named feed rollers, means to eject a sheet from said receptacle, a movable diverter member mounted adjacent the forward end of'said receptacle and movable to divert the ejected sheet toward the bite of said second named pair of feed rollers, and means to move sheets from said second named pair of feed rolls to the second named printing couple.

9. In aprinting machine, a' rotary printing couple, a second rotary printing couple spaced forward of the first named couple, a receptacle mounted substantially below the first named couple and having a forwardly facing open end, means including a pair'of feedrollers having their bite spaced above andforwardly of the open. end of said receptacle-to receive sheets from the first namedcouple and forward them into said receptacle with their printedfaces facing downward, a second pair of coacting feedrollers spaced forwardly'of the open endof said receptacle with their bite below the bite of the first named feed rollers, means adjustable to and from the bite of the second pair of feed rollersto stop themovement of the sheet into the receptacle, means to periodically move said adjustable means to eject a sheet from said receptacle, a movable diverter member to divert the ejected sheet toward the bite of said second named pair of feed rollers, and means to move the sheets from. said second namedpair of feed rolls to. the second printing couple.

10. In a printing machine a' frame, a. drum rotatably mounted therein and adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet to be printed, a platen drum rotatably mounted be-- neath said first named drum and coacting therewith to print a sheet, a feed table across which. sheets are fed forwardly one atla time into the bite of said drums, a receptacle mounted substantially below said drums and'having a forwardly facing open end, a pair of feed rollers having their bite spaced above and forwardly ofthe open end of said receptacle to forward printed sheets from the biteof said drums-into said receptacle with their printediaces facing downward, a sec---- 75. of the-bottom member-, theshee-t' ejecting means 0nd pairofcoacting feed rollers spaced. forward of the openend of said receptacle with their bite. substantially aligned with the bottom. of the receptacle, means to eject a sheet from said receptacle, a movable diverter. member to divert the ejected sheet toward the. biteof said second named pair of feed rollers, a second drum rotatably mounted in said frame and adapted to carry an image to be transferred to said sheet, a platen drum mounted beneath said last named drum and coacting therewith to cause an impressionxto be transferred to a sheet passed therebetween, and means to move sheets from said second named pair of feed rolls to the bite of said last named pair of drums.

11. In a printing machine having a frame; a drum rotatably mounted therein and adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet'to be printed, a platen drum rotatablymounted beneath said first named drum and coacting therewith to print a sheet, and a feed table across which sheets are fed one at a time to the bite of said drums, the combination of a receptacle having an open end mounted substantially below said drums, means including a pair of sheet feeding rolls to-receive printed sheets from the bite of said drums and feed them into said receptacle with their printed faces facing downward; a second pair of feed rollers spaced from the open .endof said receptacle, ejecting means to move a sheet out of said receptacle into the bite of said second named pair of feed rolls, a second drum rotatably mounted in said frame and adapted to carry a second image to be transferred to said sheet, a platen drum mounted beneath said last named drum and coacting therewith to cause an impression to be transferred to a sheet passed therebetween, and means to forward sheets from said second named pair of feed rolls to the bite of said last named pair of drums while maintaining the previously printed surface of the sheet downward, whereby the second image is transferred to. the upper or non-printed surface of the sheet, said receptacle including a .slotted bottom member, a top member spaced above said bottom member and having slots substantially registering with the slots of the bottom member,.the sheet ejecting means comprising. a member projecting through the slots ofboth members and forming an end wallfor said receptacle, means controlled by said drums toreciprocate said last named memberto ejectsheets from'saidreceptacle, and a pivoted rake adjacent the open'end of said receptacle having tines adapted to project through the-slotsin said top member and-movable to one position to permit sheets to enter said receptacle and movable to another-position to restrict thewopenend'ofthe receptacle andguide sheets moving out of the receptacleinto the bite of said feed rolls.

12. In a printing apparatushavinga rotary printing couple including, a drum. adapted; tov

carry an image to be transferred to asheet tube.

printed and a platen drum mounted'therebelow and coacting therewith, a sheet receiving'receptacle mounted below one of said couples,.means. to receive sheets from said couple and forward them to said receptacle with their printed surfaces bottommost, a pair of. sheet feed. rolls, ejecting means to move a sheet outof said receptacle into the bite of said feed rolls, said receptacle including a slotted bottom member, a top member spaced above said bottom member and'having slots substantially"registering with' the slots comprising a member projecting through the slots of both members and forming an end wall for said receptacle, means controlled by said drums to reciprocate said last named member to eject sheets from said receptacle, and a pivoted rake adjacent the open end of said receptacle having tines adapted to project through the slots in said top member and movable to one position to permit sheets to enter said receptacle and movable to another position to restrict the open end of the receptacle and guide sheets moving out of the receptacle into the bite of said feed rolls.

13. In a printing apparatus having a pair of horizontally spaced rotary printing couples, each couple including a drum adapted to carry an image to be transferred to a sheet to be printed and a platen drum coacting therewith, an open ended sheet receiving receptacle, means to feed a sheet from one couple into said receptacle through its open end, a member slidably mounted for movement to and from the open end of said receptacle, a threaded rod mounted on said member and extending toward the open end of said receptacle, a sheet ejector slidably mounted on said member for movement to and from the open end thereof and in threaded engagement with said rod, said ejector extending into the receptacle and forming a stop for sheets entering therein, and means to periodically reciprocate said member to move a sheet out through its open end, a pair of rollers mounted adjacent the open end of the receptacle to receive the ejected sheets and complete their removal from said receptacle, and means to forward said sheets to the second printing couple.

14. In a printing apparatus having a frame, a rotary printing couple mounted in said frame and including a drum adapted tocarry an image to be transferred to a sheet to be printed and a platen drum mounted therebelow and coacting therewith, an open ended longitudinally extending sheet receiving receptacle mounted in said frame beneath the couple and provided with a series of longitudinally extending slots, means to feed a sheet from said couple longitudinally into said receptacle through its open end, a member slidably mounted on said frame for longitudinal movement to and from the open end of said receptacle, a longitudinally extending threaded rod mounted on said member, a transversely extending sheet ejector slidably mounted on said member for movement to and from the open end thereof, a bracket pivotally connected with said ejector and in threaded engagement with said rod, releasable means to secure said bracket to said member, said ejector extending through said with to print a sheet, a substantially horizontally extending feed table across which sheets are fed in a forward direction one at a time to the bite of said drums, a sheet receptacle having a forwardly facing open end mounted substantially below said drums, means to guide printed sheets from the bite of said drums downward and rearward into the open end of said receptacle with their printed faces facing downward, said receptacle inclining downward and rearward from its open end, a pair of coacting feed rolls spaced forwardly from the open end of said receptacle and having their bits positioned below said guide means while maintainin the previ-- ously printed surface of the sheet downward, means to drive both pairs of drums, and means associated with each pair of drums to control the admission of sheets to the respective pairs to thereby control the position of the image on said sheets, said receptacle comprising a top member having longitudinally extending slots, a bottom member supported below the top member with its slots in registration with the slots of the top member, and a slide mounted above said top member for longitudinal reciprocation and having depending side flanges forming sides for said receptacle, a longitudinally extending threaded rod mounted on said slide, means threadingly mounted on said rod and having downwardly extending tines projecting through the registering slots of the top and bottom members to form an adjustable end abutment for sheets entering the receptacle, means controlled by said drums to reciprocate said slide to move sheets out of the receptacle, and means to guide such sheets into the bite of said feed rolls.

HARRY F. GAMMETER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 357,927 Hawkins Feb. 15, 1887 1,534,884 Trautman Apr. 2, 1925

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