US2631533A - Printing method and apparatus using a ribbon inker - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1953 E. w. SCHREINER PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS USING A RIBBON INKER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 17, 1948 March 17, 1953 E. w. SCHREINER 2,631,533

PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS USING A RIBBON INKER Filed Nov. 17, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. WSckreuzer March 17, 1953 E. w. SCHREINER 2,631,533

PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS USING A RIBBON INKER Filed Nov. 17, 1948 Y 5 Sheets-Sheet s \LLA-LLE Patented Mar. 17, 1953 PRINTING METHOD AND APPARATUS USING A RIBBON INKER Edward W. Schreiner, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Todd Company, Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York 1 Application November 17, 1948, Serial No. 60,541

ratus have been subject to difiiculties such as that of controlling the thickness and uniformity of the film of ink applied to the impression surfaces, with resulting lack of sharpness and uniformity in the printing impressions, due either to insufficient inking or to excessive inking and the tendency to smear.

It has been a common practice, more especially in standard printing presses, to employ complicated mechanisms for distributing and applying a'thinand uniform film of ink to the impression surfaces, but such mechanisms are not adapted for use in methods and apparatus of the simpler types employed, for example, in the field of oiiice equipment.

In the effort to overcome such difiiculties in machines of the simpler type, use has been made of inked ribbons interposed between the printing member and the paper, but this practice has not been wholly satisfactory due to the covering and blurring of the type by the ribbon, the appearance of fabric marks in the impression and the like.

It has also been proposed to ink planar impression surfaces by pressing thereagainst an inking ribbon supported on a planar surface or platen and then pressing the type surfaces on the work,

"but such method and apparatus are subject to the known difficulty of applying sufiicient pressure, in both the inking of the type and its impression on the work, due to the large areas over which'the pressures are distributed, to effect proper inking and sharp and uniform impressions, so that such a method and apparatus, so

far as I am aware, have not met with any substantial success or usage.

One object of the presentinvention, therefore, is to provide an improved printing method and apparatus of a more simple, rapid, and efficient nature.

Another object is to provide such a method capable of applying a more accurately controlled and uniform film of ink to theprinting surfaces, so as to insure properly inked and sharp impres- 11 Claims. (Cl. 101216) 2 sions on the work and eliminate any tendency to smear.

Another object is to provide a method of the above character in the use of which an apparatus may be set up and operated to produce a high quality of printing work in a minimum of time, as in the imprinting of bank checks, for example, so that the bank customer may conveniently wait for the delivery and use of the checks.

Another object is to provide a relatively simple and efficient apparatus for carrying out the above method in a rapid and convenient manner.

Another object is to supply such an apparatus capable of producing a fine quality of printing in either large or small quantitie with a minimum of time, labor and expense.

A further object is the provision of an apparatus having the above advantages and in which the impression surfaces or type plates may be rapidly set up and applied ready for printing and in such an arrangement as to be readily accessible in use for cleaning and for the replacement of one type plate by another.

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. 1 is an enlarged, sectional elevation substantially on the line |-l in Fig. 7;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary View of a portion of the base of the machine showing a stop and gauge means for the work;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine with parts in section and partly broken away;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of parts of the machine on the line 4-4 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is a similar view on the line 5-5 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the printing and engaging members and accessory parts as seen from above in Fig. 1;

Fig. 'I is an enlarged sectional elevation of a portion of the printing member taken on the line in Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of the same substantially on the line 88 in Fig. 7; I

Fig. 9 is a top plan View of a portion of th printing member as seen from above in Fig. '7, and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a portion of the printing member showing a modified construction for receiving movable type.

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 the patent to W. B. Payne, No. 2,071,139, compr sing a base l5 adapted for table support, and on i is mounted a casing l5 (Figs. 1, 3 and 5), with a space or slot l'. between the base case adja cent the center of the machine for the passage therethrough of checks E8, or other sheets to be printed, as more fully described in the said patent.

At [9 is a frame 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 2i": over which the sheet to be printed is simultaneously red and printed by impression surfaces on a rotatable printing member mounted on the case iii, as hereafter described.

For supporting the rotary printing member, the case I6 is formed with inwardly extending, spaced pairs of lugs, 2! to 1, inclusive, and mounted on these lugs are spaced supportin plates, and having outwardly flanged bottom portions, 2'! and 28, fastened to the lugs as by means or screws These plates are formed with bear-in: openings in which are rotatably supported a pair of spaced parallel shafts, 3t and 3!, for supporting, respectively, the printing member and the rotary or member for applying ink to the impression surfaces.

The printing member comprises a pair of spaced plates, 32 and 33, each having a bushing (not shown) mounted on the shaft These plates are further connected together b pairs of tie rods, 34 to 3?, inclusive (Fig. l),which serve also to support the printing plate holders, hereafter described. Pinned to shaft 39 at $3 is a bushing 39 having an arm it secured by means of a pin (not shown) to the plate 33 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 ll, comprises a cylindrical plate portion 42 shaped to bridge the space between the printing mem ' ber plates 32 and 33 and lying substantially in the periphery thereof. In the present instance, plate 62 has aifixed thereto an engraved'or otherwise formed impression plate 220: and there are two of these holders and plates at diametrically opposite sides of the printing member both having the same construction so that a description of one will sufilce for both. Each of these plates has at each end an inwardly extending flange (33, one end of which is recessed as at M; and formed with a shoulder 45 adapted to rest upon and be positioned by the tie rod 35. The other end of each flange 43'is notched, as at 45, for similar engagement with and positioning by the tie rod Similar means are provided for detachably fastening each holder 3! to its. pair of tie rods, comprising a rod 4'! connecting the holder ends 13 and with which is releasably engaged a latch dog t8 pivoted at 49 to a yoke 56 .pivotally mounted on a tie rod 5! having its ends fixed in the circular printing member plates 32 and 33. .Dog i8 is yieldably pulled inwardly by a coiled tension spring 52 having one end connected therewith and its other end connected with the rod 59 as shown. To release the plate holder 4!, yoke it is rocked on its pivot rod 5! until the dog 48 is released from the rod 41 after which the plate holder may be readily removed outwardly from the tie rods;

34 and35. Thedog has a tailpart53'arrang'ed 4 to engage a stop flange 54 on the yoke to limit the inward swinging movement of the dog.

The rotary member for applying ink to the printing member comprises a similar pair of spaced circular plates, 55 and 56 (Figs. 1 and 6), each having an inwardly extending hub (not shown) mounted on the shait 3l. These plates are further connected by pairs of spaced tie or cross rods, 5'! to 60, inclusive, for mounting ribbon supports 5!, there being two such supports located, respectively, at diametrically opposite sides of the rotary member and having the same construction, so that a description of one will serve for both. These supports have, in fact, the same general construction as the type holders 4|, comprising a cylindrical surface 62 lying substantially in the periphery of the rotary member. Surface portion 62 has fixed thereon a facing sheet 63, of rubber or other suitable resilient. material, over which is fed an inking ribbon 84. Each ribbon support has inwardly turned end flanges, as 65, similarly shaped and mounted on the tie rods as described above in connection with the type holders. The ribbon supports are also detachably fixed to their mountings by latch mechanism, indicated generally at B5, and having the same construction as described above for the type holders, so that the ribbon supports. also may be readily detached for cleaning or replacement, as occasion may require. Ribbon B4 is: wound at its opposite ends about supply and rewind rollers, 67 and 63, rotatably mounted be-- tween the circular plates 5'5 and 58 and actuated by means which will now be described.

The pairs of feeding spools or rolls for the two: ribbons, respectively, and their actuating meansare the same so that a description for one pair will apply to both. Each roll of each pair comprises a tubular core or sleeve, as 69 (Fig. 1),. with spaced end flanges, H3 and ll (Fig. 6), 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 corre* sponding circular plate 55 'or 56 of the rotating inking member. To this end, plate 5S has fixed thereon a U-shaped bracket member 12 in theend of which and in platett' are alin'ed'bearings slidably receiving a plunger l3. Fixed on the plunger andsliding in the bearing in plate 56 is a sleeve 14 having fixed thereon 'a disk 15 formed with a peripheral'notch 7-6. A compression spring: li' coiled about the plunger between the bracket, and sleeve tends to press the plunger inwardly so that its inner end, whichfis formed as a trunnion (not shown), engages in the bearing open-- ings of the'spool or roll, as referred to above, for rotatably supporting the same. The end. flange ll of the spool has an outwardly projecting fin-- ger 78 arranged to engage in the notable ofthe plunger flange and form a driving connection with the plunger which may be rotated manually by a knurled disk 19 on its outer end, or pulled outwardly to release the spool. The other end of the spool is rotatably supported in a similar way on a trunnion (not shown) on a short spindle iill rotatably mounted in a bearing in the circular plate 55. Fixed on the spindle'is a circular flange scribed.

' The means for rotatin the ribbm Spools or rolls, step by step, comprises, for each roll for each ribbon,'a pair of feed pawls, 84 and 85 (Fig. 4), pivotally mounted at 8B and 81 at the outer ends of the cross arm of a substantially T-shaped arm 88 pivotally mounted at its other end on shaft 3|. The pawls are-arranged to engage with the ratchet wheels 83 of the ribbon rolls, each ratchet having a hook-shaped portion, as 89, and these portions being connected by a coiled tension spring 99 tending to move the pawls into engagement with the ratchet wheels. Such inward movement of the pawls is limited by lugs, as 9|, on arm 88 which is shifted laterally, by means hereafter described, so as to move one of the pawls in actuating engagement with the ratchet wheel of that one of the rolls on which the ribbon is then being wound. It will be understood that the rolls for the other ribbon are actuated by means having the same construction as described above.

Arm 98 has pivoted thereon at 92 a latch 93 carrying a roller 94 adapted to be releasably engaged in one or the other of a pair of semi-circular notches, 95 and 9B, in the outer end of an arm 91 pivotally mounted on and oscillating about the shaft (ii to oscillate the arm 88. A coiled tension spring 98 connected to the latch 93 tends to hold the roller 94 in one or the other of the notches of the arm 91. 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 tends to shift roller 94 from one notch to the other of the arm 91, or from notch 95 to notch 96, as shown in Fig. 4, where the parts are positioned for actuating ratchet wheel 83 to rewind the ribbon on this roll. With such shifting of the roller 94, arm 88 is swung about shaft 3I relative to arm 91 to move pawl 84 out of contact with its ratchet wheel and move the other pawl 85 into engagement with the other ratchet wheel of the pair for reversing the direction of feed of the ribbon and rewinding it on its other roll or spool. The means for oscillating arm 91 about shaft 3i comprises a lug 99 on the arm having therein a notch I99 in which engages a pin IN on a forked arm I02 pivoted at I03 on the disk 55 of the rotary inking member. Forked branches, I04 and I95, of arm I02 are provided with rollers, as I05, engaging from opposite sides with a cam I91 stationarily mounted on shaft 3I as by means of one or more studs I08 (Fig. 6), fixed to the cam and to the adjacent casing cross plate 25. It-is apparent from this construction that as the inking member is rotated, arm I02 is oscillated by the cam and oscillates arm 91 to actuate the feeding pawls as described above.

Means are provided to prevent unwinding of each ribbon supply roll under the tension of the ribbon while its ratchet wheel is momentarily disengaged by its actuating pawl during feeding actuation, such means comprising for each roll a pawl I99 (Fig. 5), pivoted at I ID on the inner side of disk 55 of the rotary inking member. The pawl has a tooth III projecting through an opening H2 in the disk for engagement with its corresponding ratchet wheel 83, being urged to such engagement by a coiled tension spring I I3 attached thereto. A tail portion I I4 of the pawl is arranged to engage one or the other of cam portions I I5 and I I6 on an arm II'I mounted to rock about a pivot II8 on disk 55. The outer end of the arm is notched, as at II9,

I to engage opposite sides ofa pin I2 0 on the corresponding arm 88 of the feeding mechanism. These parts are so arranged that when the arm 88 is positioned to actuate the ratchet wheel of a roll to wind up the ribbon, its pin I20 swings arm II? to bring its lower cam portion H5 opposite tail N4 of pawl I99, so as to allow the pawl to engage the corresponding ratchet wheel 83. At the same time, the other cam portion I it of arm II? moves the corresponding ratchet I99 to disengage the ratchet wheel of the corresponding supply roll to allow free rotation thereof.

The machine is preferably driven by motor means (not shown) having a driving connection with a gear i2l (Fig. 6) fixed on shaft 39, as described in detail in said patent, the particular construction of which forms no part of the present invention. Fixed on shaft 30 is a spur gear I22 meshing with an idler gear I23 rotatably mounted on plate 25. Gear I23 meshes with a second idler gear I24 meshing in turn with a gear I25 fixed on shaft 3I for rotating the printing member and the rotary inking member simultaneously and synchronously, so that each printing plate 42a is rolled in contact with the ribbon on the corresponding ribbon supporting surface 63 of the rotary inking member. These parts are so constructed and arranged as to subject a portion of the ribbon supported on surface 63 to substantial pressure at the line of contact between this ribbon supporting surface and the opposing impression surface of the printing member as they are rolled in contact with oneanother for obtaining a supply of ink from the ribbon for application to the printing member, the ribbon being inter- I mittently fed, step by step, between such rolling inking contacts to present a partial fresh inking surface of the ribbon at each contact. In the present instance, the printing member has two impression surfaces each of which has its corresponding ribbon on the rotary inking member and, if desired, the ribbons may be impregnated with inks of different colors for applying a multicolored impression to the work. It is obvious, however, that one or a larger number of such impression surfaces and inking ribbons may be similarly employed.

The invention is embodied, in the present instance, as hereinabove stated, in a machine of the type disclosed in detail in th said patent wherein the base of the machine carries a stop I26 slidably and adjustably mounted on a rock shaft I21 (Figs. 1 and 2) in the path of the check through the slot I'I between the base and casing. A belt I28 on the base at the bottom of the slot is driven by means (not shown) for carrying a paper form inserted in the slot until it is engaged and stopped by the stop I28, 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 arrows in the drawing, so as to impress the work between the projecting impression surface and the platen roller and print the work, while simultaneously feeding it against the travel of the belt. When the impression surface passes out of contact with the work, it is again carried forward by the belt. If a second impression is employed, the work is again arrested by the stop and printed and fed 'backwardly by the second impression surface in a line of contact located at one point in the path of rotation of said printing member for applying a uniform supply of ink from said ribbon to said member, progressivelyfeeding said ribbon for Supplying ink from successive portions thereof, and impressing the work between said printing member and a rotary platen member at a line of contact located at another point in the path of rotation of said printing member spaced from said line of inking contact between said printing and inking members.

2. In the art of printing with a rotary inked printing member, the method comprising the steps of employing an inking ribbon to provide a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, supporting said ribbon on a rotary inking member, supplying ink from said ribbon to said printing member by rotary engagement therewith, progressively feeding said ribbon for supplying ink from successive portions thereof and impressing the work between said printing member and a rotary platen member positioned to print the work on the face thereof adjacent said printing and inking members.

3. In the art of printing with a rotary inked printing member, the method comprising the steps of employing an inking ribbon to provide a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, supporting said ribbon on a rotary inking member for rolling pressure against said printing member at a line of contact located at one point in the path of rotation of said printing member for applying a uniform supply of ink from said ribbon to said member, progressively feeding said ribbon to present successive portions thereof for r pressure between said surfaces and impressing the work between said printing member and a rotary platen member at a line of contact located at another point in the path of rotation of said printing member spaced from said line of contact between said printing and inking members.

4. In the art of printing with a rotary inked printing member, the method comprising the steps of employing an inking ribbon to provide a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink,

supporting said ribbon on a rotary inking member, transferring ink from said ribbon to said printing member, progressively feeding said ribbon on said inking member for supplying ink from successive portions thereof and impressing the work between said printing member and an idly rotatable platen member separate from said printing and inking members.

5. In the art of printing with a rotary inked printing member, the method-" comprising the steps of employing an inking ribbon to provide a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, supporting said ribbon on a rotary inking member, rolling said ribbon between said printing and inking members for uniformly inking said printing member, progressively feeding said ribbon to present successive portions thereof for inking said printing member and impressing the work between said printing member and an idly rotatable platen member separate from said print- :ing and inking members.

6. In a printing apparatus, a rotary printing member, inking means comprising an inking ribbon for providing a thinly distributed and uniform supply of ink, means for transferring ink from said ribbon to said member to ink the same and devices for progressively feeding said ribbon to present successive portions thereof for maintaining said uniform ink supply, and a platen roller separate from said inking means and 10 mounted to rotate idly in cooperation with said printing member to simultaneously print and feed the work therebetween.-

7. In a printing apparatus, a printing member and platen adapted to be rotated in contact with a sheet to be printed for simultaneously printing and feeding the same, an inking ribbon, means for supportingsaid ribbon and for applying ink therefrom, to said member at a portion of the path of said memberjspaced from its point of contact with said sheet, devices for progressively feeding said ribbon on said supporting means to successively position different portions thereof for applying ink to said member, and operating mechanism for rotating said member and actuating said feeding devices.

8. In a printing apparatus, a printing member and platen adapted to be rotated in direct contact with a sheet to be printed for simultaneously printing and feeding the same, an inking ribbon, rotatable means provided with a substantially cylindrical surface and with supply and rewind rolls for progressively feeding said ribbon over said surface to successively position different portions thereof for applying ink to said member at a portion of the path of rotation of said member spaced from its point of contact with said sheet, and operating means for rotating said member, said rotatable means and said rolls.

9. In a printing apparatus, a printing member and platen adapted to be rotated in contact with a sheet to be printed for simultaneously printing and feeding the same, an inking ribbon, rotatable means having a surface for supporting said ribbon, devices for progressively feeding said ribbon over said surface to successively position different portions thereof for applying ink to said member, gearing connecting said member and rotatable means to effect synchronous rotation thereof for rolling inking contact between said member and ribbon at a portion of the path of rotation of said member spaced from its point of contact with said sheet, and operating means for rotating said member and rotatable means and actuating said devices.

10. In a printing apparatus, a printing member and platen adapted to be rotated in contact with a sheet to be printed to simultaneously print and feed the same therebetween, a type holder, means for detachably mounting said holder on the periphery of said member, type elements provided with means for detachably mounting the same on said holder, an inking ribbon, a rotary member having a peripheral surface for supporting said ribbon, supply and rewind rolls on said rotary member for intermittently feeding said ribbon over said surface thereof, means connecting said members to effect synchronous rotation thereof for rolling inking contact between said type elements and ribbon at a portion of the path of rotation of said elements spaced from the point of contact thereof with said sheet, and operating means for rotating said members and actuating said rolls.

11. In a printing apparatus, a printing member and platen adapted to be rotated in contact with a sheet to be printed for simultaneously printing and feeding the same, an inking ribbon, a rotatable member provided with a peripheral surface portion for supporting said ribbon and with supply and rewind rolls for intermittently feeding said ribbon over said surface portion to successively position different portions of said ribbon for applying ink to said printing member at a portion of the path of rotation thereof spaced from said point of contact with said sheet, means 11 for automatically reversing the direction of actuation of said rolls for feeding said ribbon alternately in opposite directions, and operating means for rotating said members and actuating said rolls.

EDWARD W. SCI-IREINER.

REFERENCES CITED Number 12 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date De Clercq Dec. 9, 1919 Mattern Jan. 16, 1923 Rowell June 12, 1934 Payne Feb. 16, 1937 Royce et a1. Jan. 4, 1938 Kohnle June 14, 1938 Swift et a1 Feb. 20, 1940 Payne Feb. 19, 1952

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