US2637336A

US2637336A - Printing press

Info

Publication number: US2637336A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr James R Emery
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-05-13
Filing date: 1950-05-13
Publication date: 1953-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 1970-05-05

Description

May 5, i953 J. R. EMERY, JR 2,637,336

PRINTING PRESS Filed May 15, 195o 2 sHEETsnsHEET 1 A TTORNE Y J. R. EMERY, JR

PRINTING PRESS May 5, 1953 flllllllllvl 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed May 13, 1950 JNVENToR. JvML-S E/wffx/e A TTORNE Y Patented Mey 5, 1953 T GFFICE PRHNTING PRESS .lames R. Emery, Jr., Teaneck, N. 3.

Application May 13, 1950, Serial No. 161,873

4 Claims. l

This invention relates to printing presses of the 'off-set type, which are characterized, at least in part, by the fact that the aqueous solution which is employed to meisten the image plate under operating conditions is delivered to that pl'ate from relatively shallow tray-like fountain by means of a series of rollers arranged horiz'htally and disposed in a parallel and contiguous relation to each other, one of said rollers, namely, the 'so-called fountain roller being so mutated with reference to the fountain that as peripheral face is 'partially submerged in said solution.

According to present day practice, the press operator is required, ih addition to his other duties, to maintain the aqueous solution at proper lvl to insure satisfactory results in the printing operation, it being 'noted in this connection that if the fountain roller is submerged to substantially 'a lesser extent than is illustrated in Figure 2 the printing becomes blurred or smeared and that if the liquid level is raised to a greater eX- tent than vone-siiiteenth inch above the level illustiated the printing becomes faint or indistinct.

At present, maintenance of the solution at a satisfactory level is accomplished only at the expense of much loss in time during the course of a days run as will be readily appreciated when it is taken into account that the machine must be stopped, as a matter of due precaution, each time the operator supplies, as by pouring from a container, the necessary amount of solution to meet the fountain requirements. Here it should be nbted that frequently during the course of a days run. the operator, when replenishing the fountain, inadvertently pours into the same an excessive amount of solution, thus raising the liquid lev'el t'oc high for satisfactory results so that it becomes necessary, at a further expense of time, to carefully remove the excess, as by a sponge, to attain the proper liquid level.

The pronounced frequency with which the solution replenishing operations occur during the course of a days run is not due to the fact that any great quantity of the solution is required during the lcourse of such a run but rather to the fact that the volume of solution available between allowable maximum and minimum liquid level's is so small that it is insuiiicient to meet the requirements of the machine for longer than a relatively small fractional part of an hour.

An important object of the present invention is to obvat'e the above objections peculiar to printing presses of the character mentioned and t this", and other ends, the invention contemplates a simple, reliable, efficient and relatively inexpensive liquid-supply unit adapted to be readily installed in the standard press without necessitating any change in press construction, the unit being characterized by the fact that it includes a normally closed reservoir adapted for the storage of a substantial volume of aqueous solution, which, under the governing operation of hydro-statically controlled delivery means associated with said reservoir, is automatically transmitted to the fountain so as to maintain the solution therein at a proper operating level at all times.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in Which- Fig. 1 is a perspective View showing one embodiment of the present invention mounted in operating position with relation to the conventional fountain of a printing press,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1 and illustrating, in relation to the fountain roller, the liquid level at which delivery of the solution from the reservoir to the fountain is initiated,

Fig. 3 is Vertical sectional View of the adjustable support on which the reservoir is mounted,

Fig. 4 is a fragmental, sectional view, showing the unit as it would appear from the right in Figure 2,

Fig. 5 is a horizontal, sectional View taken 'on line 5--5 of Figure 4, the fountain and fountain roller being omitted in the interest of clarity,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 6 5 of Figure 2 and illustrating, in relation to the lower end of the inverted control bell, the liquid level at which delivery of the solution from the reservoir to the fountain is initiated,

Fig. '7 is a fragmental view showing the control bell as it would appear when viewed from below in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane of line i-l of Figure 6, and Y Fig. 8 is a fragmental perspective view showing the knife like edge which is presented by the control bell at the lower end thereof. l

The typical ofi-set press, with which the present invention is adapted .for use, includes a shallow tray-like fountain lll, suitably supported in a horizontal position and adapted to carry an aqueous solution which is indicated generally by the numeral l i and which, as is well known Vin the art, serves as a moistening agent for the conventional image plate, not shown. The solution I I is delivered from the fountain Ill by the usual series of suitably supported rollers, of which only the so-called fountain roller I2 and its associated delivery roller I3 are herein indicated, the former being depicted in full lines in Figures 1, 2 and 4 and the latter being outlined in broken lines in Figures 1 and 2.

The liquid-supply unit, herein illustrated as one embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally bythe numeral Iii and vis adaptedVas shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, to be mounted on one of the fountain-supporting members with which the conventional off-set press is equipped.

Referring particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 4, it will be noted that the unit I4 includes,v a disk-like metal base I5 provided with a laterally extending ledge-like flange I6.' To-the base I5 there is screw threadedly connected the lower end of a transparent cylinder Il of suitable plastic material.. In order to insure an air and liquidvtight connection between the base I5 and the cylinder Il, the meeting surfaces of these two elements are coated with a suitable cement before the cylinder is run down into abutting engagement with the flange I8.

Carried by the plastic cylinder II' in a protective relation thereto, is a metal cylinder I 8, the lower end of which engages the flange I6. Thecylinder I 8 snugly lits the cylinder I'I and is'secured thereto through the medium of a coating of suitable cement applied to one or both of these cylinders before assembling them in a telescopic relation, the cement thus employed serving to provide an effective air seal between the outer surface of the inner-cylinder and the inner surface of the outer cylinder.

To the upper end of the cylinder I8 and in air tight union therewith, there is suitably connected a metal cover I9 having a filling opening defined by an an upwardly vextending screw threaded flange 20, adapted to receive a removable closure cap 2I, affording an air tight seal fors'aid opening. y

From the foregoing description ofthe unit I4,

it becomes apparentthat the base I5, cylinders.

I'I-I8, cover I9 and cap 2I collectively constitute areservoir R adapted for the reception of'a solutionI I which -is vof the same character as the solution II hereinbeforeV mentioned and which, as will hereinafter more clearly appear, is adapted to be delivered to the fountain I0 in a controlled manner so as to maintain the liquid level in the fountain at a proper operatin level at all times. Y N

It is desirable, of course, thatthe operator be able to readily observe the interior of the-reservoir R so that he may be prompted to introduce additional liquid into the reservoir as required and in order that he may guard against -lling the reservoir to an extent greater than, say, three-fourths full, thus insuring the existence of a satisfactory air space between the liquid content and the reservoir cover I9 when press operation is resumed after the filling operation is carried out.

Reservoir observation for the purposes just mentioned is readily-.possible in connection with the present embodiment of this invention, sincey the metal cylinder. I8 is provided with diametrically opposite, vertically elongated window-likev openings 22 which expose portions of the transparent cylinder 'I'I through which the liquid content of the reservoir may be readily viewed. Here, it is to be observed that before the cap 2| is removed preparatory to replenishing the supply of liquid Il', it becomes necessary to guard against uncontrolled delivery to the fountain I0 of such liquid as may remain in the reservoir prior to the refilling operation and of such liquid as is being introduced into the reservoir While the refilling operation is being carried out. To this end, there is provided a conveniently accessible manually operated valve, indicated generally by the numeral 23 and hereinafter more particularly described.4

According to the present invention, transfer ofthe liquid content from the reservoir R to the fountain I0 is governed by hydro-statically controlled means herein illustrated as including an air `tubel 24, a liquid tube 25 and a control bell 2E.

Referring particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 4, it will be noted that the air and

liquid tubes

24 and 25, respectively, are disposed vertically within the reservoir R and project downwardly through the base I5 to which they are so secured; as to form therewith an air and liquid tight union, the

air tube 24 being of such length that it extends well above the upper end of the liquid tube 2,5. In order that the liquid tube 25 may be fed at various points along its submerged length to insure delivery of the solution in a well mixed condition, such tube is providedrwith a series of relatively small inlet orices 2'! arranged inV a spaced relation along the length of that tube.

In View of the nature of the orifices 21 and their disposition with relation to each other, it becomes apparent that should thesolution vary in concentration as to one or more of its constituents at different depths, such portions of thel differently concentrated solution as are received by the liquid tube 25 commingle with each other and are delivered to the fountain I0 as a well mixed solution II containing the same percentages of the constituents which'make up theA reservoir solution I I in its entirety. The control bell 26 is connected in a depending relation to the base I5 of the reservoir R by a pair of screws 28 and is provided, as shown most clearly in Figure 6,v with a pair of openings 29-30 adapted to accommodate the lower endsv of the air and

liquid tubes

24 and 25, respec-V tively.

As shown most clearly inl Figures 6 and '7,tll1elaf valve 23 hereinbefore mentioned is of the rotaryr cone type and is so mounted in the control bell 26 at a point below the lower end of the liquid tube 25 as to enable the operator to establish or sever communication between that tube and theexit end of the opening 43Il,`which opening may be regarded, in effect, as a continuation of the liquidtube itself. In order to render the valve' 23 easily accessible to the operator, such valve 'f is equipped with a relatively vlong shaft-like stem 3! projecting outwardly from beneath the reservoir R and provided at its outer end with a T-handle 32. with the type of valve 23 herein shown, such valve is so maintained, as by the'usual com-l As is' customary in connection' pheric under certain conditions of operation, as will hereinafter more clearly appear.

The above mentioned chamber which is open at its lower end, is of substantial height. as measured vertically along its relatively thin wall 3H, and is of such lateral dimensions that its volumetric capacity is relatively large.

For the purpose hereinafter particularly mentioned, the lower margin of the wall 3tlis reduced to a sharp or knife-like edge throughout its linear extent, as will be understood from an inspection of Figures 6, `7 and 8, and, as shown best in Figure 6, is shaped throughout one of its side lengths to present a slightly arched contour with reference to a horizontal plane such as that represented by the surface of the solution Il after it has dropped to such position, as shown in Figure 6, as to initiate a. flow of solution from the reservoir R to the fountain l by way of the liquid 'tube 2B.

In order that the reservoir R may be mounted on the printing press in accordance with the maximum extent to which it is desired to submerge the fountain roller l2 under operating conditions, there is provided an adjustable bracket 35, which, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, includes an l.-shaped support 36, the horizontal leg of which is suitably connected to the base l5 of the liquid-supply unit lli and the vertical leg of which is provided with an elongated slot 31. Referring especially to Figures l, 2, 3 and 4, it will be noted that the bracket further includes a pair of clamp-blocks 38 which are adapted to be rigidly connected to the usual fountain-supporting member, by a clamp screw 38, and that one of said blocks is provided with a channel-like guide di? within which is aocmnmodated the vertical leg of the L-shaped support 36 so that such support may be vertically adjusted to attain the desired elevation of the reservoir R with relation to the fountain roller I2. Once the reservoir has been adjusted to its proper position, such position may be maintained by locking the support 3S against displacement, as by a suitable retaining screw 4! carried by one of the clamp blocks 38 and accommodated within the slot 3l of said support.

It will be understood, of course, that the conventional fountain-cover 42, which is provided with o. series of transverse reinforcing members 43 (a pair of which are shown in Figure 2) may be cut away to provide a notch-like opening 44 adapted to accommodate the control bell 25.

From the foregoing description of the present embodiment of this invention, it becomes apparent, under the liouid-level conditions peculiar to Figure 6, that solution il is permitted to pass downwardly from the reservoir R into the fountain Il! by way of the liquid tube 25 while air is being drawn upwardly from the control bell 26 into said reservoir by Way of the air tube 24. Since the solution I l is supplied to the fountain Il] at a rate in excess of that at which the solution II is removed from the fountain under the action of the fountain roller l2, it follows that the reservoir solution quickly rises into such contact with the lower edge of the skirtlike wall 3E as to form an effective air seal therewith. After such air seal is established. further passage of the solution H downwardly through the liquid tube 25 quickly sets up a. partial vacuum within the control bell En, the air tube 24 and the space above the solution H remaining in the reservoir R, with the result that the delivery of reservoir solution is discontinued due to the existence or a negative air- 6 pressure `above that solution. vHere it should be noted that although a portion Mof the fountain solution is lifted or drawn up into the control bell 26 while the partial vacuum is being created therein such liquid riem at most only to a negligible extent above the lower edge of the Wall 34 at its highest point which is represented by the mid point on the arched contour of one of its side lengths.

The above mentioned partial vacuum is maintained until such time as the level of the fountain solution H is so lowered, under the action of" thefountain roller I2, as to open the control bell 26 to the outsidehatmosphere, whereupon the partial vacuum within that bell as well as within the air tube and the reservoir R is destroyed with the result that another delivery cycle, corresponding to that above described, is automatically carried out in replenis-hing the fountain solution H from the reservoir solution l I'.

Since the replenishing operation of the device herein illustrated as embodying the present invention is lautomatically initiated at about the instant the liquid level of the fountain solution il drops to the plane of the lower edge of the wall Sli and inasmuch as that operation is automatically discontinued at about the instant the liquid level of that solution rises -at most to only a negligible extent above the lower edge of the wall 3d at its highest point, it follows, as will be well appreciated from an inspection of Figure 6, that the fountain solution is maintained between relatively close maximum and minimum liquid levels. In practice, a liquid-level differential, as between maximum and minimum, or only one-sixteenth inch has been found highly satisfactoryand may be attained by arching one of the side lengths of the wall 3i to that dimension, 'suchn arching of that wall length, in the .presence of its knife-like edge, serving to so break the surface tension of the fountain solution Il as permit that solution to readily free itself from the knife-like edge of said wall length and thus open the control bell 26 to the surrounding atmosphere as the fountain solution drops to a level corresponding to the extreme lower end of said wall.

What is claimed is:

l. For use in a printing press of the type including a roller operating in only a partially submerged condition with relation to an aqueous solution carried within a fountain and there required to be maintained between relatively close maximum and minimum operating levels; a liquid-supply unit including a reservoir adapted for the reception of a liquid to be delivered to said fountain, hydro-statically controlled means governing the delivery of liquid from said reservoir to said fountain so as to maintain the fountain solution between said operating levels and including a control bell associated with said reservoir and having a depending skirt-like wall dening an air chamber adapted to open into said fountain and within which liquid is adapted to rise and fall to an extent comparable with the diiTerence between said operating levels, the lower end of said skirt-like wall terminating in different horizontal planes one spaced above the other in accordance with the difference between said operating levels, an air tube leading from said chamber into said reservoir, a liquid tube leading from said reservoir to said chamber.

2. For use in a printing press of the type including a roller operating in only a partially submerged condition with relation to an aqueous solutiolcarriedifwithinafountainand'ftherefreq'uiredto bemaintained between'relatively close maximu1n-=^and minimuzn operating= levels; a liquid-supply` unit including a reservoir adapted for'the receptionpfaliquidto be delivered to said fountain;fhydrclstatically controlled' meansv governing the deliveryf of `liquid from said reservoir to said fountain so as to maintain the fountain solution lbetween said operating levels and including a controhbell associated-with said reservoir and having a depending skirt-like wall defining chamber adapted to open intqsaidfoun- `"sindwithin"wlflicli liquid is adapted to rise and fall to an extent comparable with the dilerence between said -operating levels, a portion of the lower end of said skirt-like wall being arched upwardly to a vertical extent comparable with the difference between said operating levels, an air tube leading from said chamber into said reservoir, a liquid tube leading from said reservoir to said chamber.

3. For use in a printing press of the type including a roller operating in only a partially submerged condition with relation to an aqueous solution carried within a fountain and there required to be maintained between relatively close maximum and minimum operating levels; a liquid-supply unit including a reservoir adapted for the reception of a liquid to be delivered to said fountain, hydro-statically controlled means governing the delivery of liquid from said reservoir to said fountain so as to maintain the fountain solution between said operating levels and including a control bell associated with said reservoir and having a depending skirt-like wall defining i an air chamber adapted to open into said fountain and within which liquid is adapted to rise and fall to an extent comparable with the diierence between said operating levels, the lower end of said skirt-like wall presenting a knife-like edge lying in different horizontal planes one spaced above the other in accordance with the dilerence between said operating levels, an air tube leading 8 fosa'id chambi'ifinto said reservoirfaliquid tube leading fromv said reservoir to said'chamb'er'.

4."For`use i'na fprinting press of .the type, includi'ngav rolleroperating in only a partially submerged condition jwith relation to an aqueous s'lution'carried'within a fountain and therere'- quiredk to be maintained between relatively close maximum anfd minimum operating levels;,lY a liquid-supply unit including a reservoir adapted for-the reception Yof a liquid to be delivered to said fountain, hydr'o'statically controlled means gov# erning the delivery of liquid from said reservoir to said fountain so as to maintain the fountain solution between said operating levels and including a control bell associated with said reservoir and having a depending skirt-like Wall defining an air chamber adapted to open into said fountain and within which liquid is adapted t0 rise,

and fall to an extent comparable with the difference between said operating levels, the lower end of said skirt-like wall presenting throughout its lateral extent a knife-like edge, a portion of which edge is arched upwardly to a vertical eX- tent comparable With the diierence between said operating levels, an air tube leading from saidv chamber into said reservoir, a liquid tube leading from said reservoir to said chamber. i

JAMES R. EMERY, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 82,467 Wilson Sept. 22, 1868 1,530,657 Eummelen Mar. 24, 1925 1,958,593 Schultz May 15, 1934 1,961,085 Sherman May 29, 1934 2,207,527 Weber Ju1y 9, 1940 2,351,863 Levenhagen June 20, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 722,107 France Dec. 28, 1931