US2764086A - Multicolor web printing press - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 25, 1956 w. c. HUEBNER MULTICOLOR WEB PRINTING PRESS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 24, 1950 Sept. 25. 1956 w. c. HUEBNE 2,764,086

MULTICOLOR WEB PRINTING PRESS Filed May 24, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 a?) 233 24N; *E

I l M I w I 64 /524 Y I Y Y A941` i /asl1 /90 I @H8-f I fag/@ Y Y M5. /64- I INVENTOR.

WILLIHM E. Hui-:EINER 87 R M6 BY man, (e, l, l Y l l FITTDRINEYS Sept. 25, 1956 w. c. HUEBNER MULTICOLOR WEB PRINTING PRESS 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 24, 1950 INI/ENTOR. WILUFIM E. HUEBNER Sept. 25, 1956 w. c. HUEBNER MULTICOLOR WEB PRINTING PRESS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 24, 1950 INVENTOR. WILLJHM DHUEENEW BY Mm,

FiTTnFNE 5 Sept. 25, 1956 w. c. HUEBNER 2,764,086

MULTICOLOR WEB PRINTING PRESS Filed May 24, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. VVILLIHM E. HUEENER FITTUR'NEYS Sept. 25, 1956 w. c. HUEBNr-:R 2,764,086

MULTIcoLoR WEB PRINTING PRESS Filed May 24, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN FEED INVENTOR. WILLIHM [1..HUEBNER Bymdvf, /f HTTUR'NEYS w. c. HUEBNER 2,764,086 MULTICOLOR WEB PRINTING PRESS 8 Sheets-Sheet 'T Sept. 25. 1956 Filed may 24, 195o INVENTOR. HuEENER WILLIHM E F-rTuRNF Sept. 25, 1956 w. c. HUEBNER 2,764,086

MULTICOLOR WEB PRINTING PRESS Filed May 24, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet. 8

JNVENTOR. VV| a HM E. HUEBNER BVM, l m, w.

HTT FNEY E United States Patent William C. Huebner,

Mamaroneck, N. Y., assignor to The Huebner Compan Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Application May 24, 1950, Serial No. 163,900 12 Claims. (Cl. 101-179) This invention relates to a press for printing or coating fluids upon material in web form and, more particularly, to a press adapted to sequentially effect printing or coating of a plurality of fluids in superimposed registry on a web of material.

In present day magazine and newspaper printing, high speed rotary presses are employed utilizing curved plates or forms mounted upon cylindrical drums or cylinders. When it is desired to reproduce a picture or other repre sentation in color by employing such a press, it is first necessary that a photoengraved set of plates be made for the picture or representation in the conventional manner. These plates are fiat etched plates, there being normally four plates to each set representing respectively the portions of the picture in yellow, red, blue and black. In order to determine the appearance of a picture produced from such plates, proofs have ordinarily to be made by mounting the plates in a flat bottom proof press, the plates being employed in the conventional manner by inking them in their respective colors and then successively utilizing them to print over each other on the same sheet. However, in order to utilize the plates for high speed printing, it is necessary to make electrotypes therefrom which are curved and backed with metal, the curvatures being such as to iit the printing cylinder of the rotary press used in printing the edition of the paper or magazine. When the edition is started from such curved plates, the colors in the picture or representation look differently from the proofs which were made from the flat plates and frequently the difference is so pronounced as to be entirely unsatisfactory.

One of the 'contributing factors of the changed representation when employing curved electrotypes in place of the flat plates is the fact that the curved surface is slightly more open than that of the at plate. That is to say, the spacing between adjacent lines or dots on the image is increased, when the plate isl curved, with respect to the spacing when the plate is flat. This opening of the outer surface of the plate results in the halftone dots representing the colors not having the same relationship to each other as that which they had in the original flat plates or on the proofs made from such flat plates. Other factors also contribute to the variation in coloring between reproductions made upon a rotary press as compared with those from the flat plates and these discrepancies frequently require holding up the edition of the magazine or newspaper until the plates upon the rotary drum are corrected by make ready and other expedients which, at best, are but makeshifts, since the rotary printed edition will seldom, if ever, look exactly like the color proofs.

A principal object of this invention is the provision of a printing or coating apparatus in which fluids of different characteristics may be successively deposited on, or transferred to, material in web form in exact superimposed registry through the use of a single rotary cylindrical member, the apparatus, while not limited thereto, being peculiarly adapted for use as a multicolor proof press.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a 2 t printing apparatus employing a single rotatable cylinder on which curved plates for reproducing: a given representation or image in color may be mounted side by side axially of the cylinder, the representation or image being sequentially reproduced in registry on a given area of the web material as itis sequentially presented in printing relationship with respect to said plates.

Another object of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus peculiarly adapted for use as a proof press in which curved plates may be employed and rotated at approximately the same speed as that at which the edition is to be printed, whereby the proofs .secured therefrom will render a closer approximation of the printing conditions encountered in producing an edition of a book, magazine or newspaper.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved apparatus for effecting printing or coating of a plurality of fluids sequentially upon material in web form in superimposed relationship which apparatus includes a plurality of turning units for conducting the material to and from axially spaced portions of a single rotatable member of the apparatus in spaced parallel paths.

An additional `object of the inven 'on is to provide an improved printing or coating apparatus of the type described in the preceding paragraph in which means are provided to reduce the friction of the web of material moving over the turning units.

A still further object of the invention. is to provide an improved printing or coating apparatus of the type defined in either of the two preceding paragraphs in which novel means is provided for supplying different liquids without mixing to axially spaced portions of a cylindrical image bearing member of the apparatus.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a novel printing or coating apparatus in which `a plurality of fluids having different characteristics may be de posited in superimposed registry upon material in web form by repeated passage of the material therethrough, the said apparatus being so constructed that the transfer of the fluids to the material may be effected by any known printing system such as relief, intaglio, lithographie or electronographic, or by `a coating system, the uids lbeing either liquids, gases with solid particles suspended therein, or mixtures of both.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved printing apparatus comprising a printing couple at least one element of which is cylindrical and has a plurality of axially spaced circumferential image areas thereon, a means being provided to conduct material in web form sequentially into printing relationship with the axially spaced image areas on said cylindrical member such that the reproductions from the several image areas are in exact registry, the said means for conducting the material to and from printing relationship including turning units adjustable relative to each other and to said cylindrical member, the said turning units having inclined side edges adjustable relative to each other, and an improved means also being provided for simultaneously ap plying liquid of a different color to each of the several image areas on said cylindrical member without mixing thereof. I

The invention further resides in certain novel features of construction and combination and arrangement of parts, and further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains from the following description of the present preferred embodiment and a modification thereof, described with respect to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters represent corresponding parts in the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View, with certain parts omitted, illustrating the present preferred embodiment ya simple pattern on the web of the invention as employed when effecting printing byr the electronographic procedure;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view'of Fig. 1 showing how a composite image is progressively printed by -means of the apparatus',

Fig. 3 is 'an enlargedview of a portion of Fig. l more clearly illustrating the path of the web of material through the machine as different portions of the image are sequentially reproduced thereon in different colors;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top 'plan view of the portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3 with the direction of web movement indicated by arrows and the successive Vstages of reproduction of an image being indicated by of material;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of the novel web conducting or directing mechanism, the lower part of the figure being in elevation, the middle portion kbeing on a section( taken intermediate the two side plates of the supporting structure, while the `upper portion of the figure is in section on a plane just inside the inner ofthe two side plates of the support of the side thereof seen in Figs. 1 and 3; j

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detached plan view of one of the turning units and the adjusting mechanism therefor, the roll normally carried thereby being removed and certain parts being broken away for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentarysectional View takenlsubstantially on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through one side edge of one of the turning units, the view being taken substantially on the line 8-'8 of Fig. 6 and illustrating the manner in which air is employed to reduce frictionof the web as it runs over the turning unit',

Fig. 9 is a view of the novel web conducting mechanism as seen when looking in the'direction of the arrows from a location as indicated by the plane 9 9 of Fig. 3, the view being principally in elevation with parts broken away and others in section;

Fig. l0 is a sectional view through the ink supply means, theview being taken substantially along the line 10-10 of Fig. 1;

Fig. ll 'is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the novel web feeding and conducting mechanism as seenfrom a position adjacent the upper left corner of Fig. 2 with parts omitted and with the path of the web of material indicated by arrows;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 5, with certain parts omitted, illustrating'a modified construction having the rolls associated with the turning units located below the top surfaces of the turning bars; and

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 11 showing the path of the web of material through the modified form of the apparatus.

As mentioned heretofore, this invention contemplates the provision of an apparatus such that different-fluids may be sequentially deposited upon the-same area of materialin webl form by repeatedly'passing the latter about different longitudinal portions of a single web supporting cylinder, there being a mecehanism provided for so directing the web to and from the web supporting cylinder asto have af' given area thereof presented sequentially in exact register with the several plates comprising an image to be reproduced so'that the different fluids are successively deposited upon the said given areasequentially 1n exact register. compact apparatusL for printing `multicolored images from cylindrical or curved plates whereby the apparatus is especially'adapted for use as a proof pressfproviding reliable proofs vof the subject matter to be printed and which will substantially correspond with the images 'as produced'in theedition by standard printing equipment thereby eliminating the deects heretofore mentioned as present-in the use of conventional proof presses.

The apparatus ofthis invention 'is such that printing There is thus provided `anextremely may be effected in any known manner, for example, with conventional procedures such as relief, offset, intaglio, or the like, as well as with the newer types of printing employing electrostatic or magnetic fields of force and which lhave come to be known as electronographic printing. Moreover, the apparatus may be employed to reproduce given images by use of liquids, by solids suspended in gases, Vsuch as ysmoke or the like, as well as by combinations of liquids, solids, and/or gases. Moreover, since coating is but printing without use of a specific ldesign so that a uniform layer is deposited on the material, it will be apparent that the apparatus as hereinafter described may be readily utilized for coating a plurality of different substances successively upon a web of material. However, since the invention finds its greatest utility in printing, it will be hereinafter described as specically embodied in a printing apparatus and for simplicity will be restricted toprinting with ink by electrostatic lines of forcev in accordance with the four-color process. 1t is to be expressely understood, however, that more or less than four colors may ybe employed and that the printing need not be effected by electrostatic fields of force Abut instead the image orimages may be transferred by conventional printing means employing pressure betweenithe image transferring member and the web supporting member.

`Referring `first to Fig. l of the drawings, it will be seen that the apparatus represented therein comprises a base or bed, generally designated 20, adjacent one end of which -are4 mounted supports such-as 21 rotatably journalling a will roll 22 of paper Vor other material in web form. The web 23 vis repeatedly passed about longitudinally spaced portions Iof a web supporting ycylinder 24 bya mechanism, generally designated 25, comprising a plurality of spaced rolls and "turning units as hereinafter described, the web Vof material 'being thereafter lwound upon a takeup rollsuch asr26. VThe'takeup roll is rotatably supported on bearings, such as 27, 'provided on the bed 20, the rolls 22 and 26 being driven by conventional mechanism not shown.

The web supporting roll 24 is rotatably supported uponvertical members ,'28 which are mounted upon the bed 20 and may be adjusted longitudinally thereof by any suitable zrn'eans. The web supporting roll 24 cooperates with a cylinder or roll 29 to constitute a printing couple, the cylinder 29 being rotatably supported upon verticalmemberst) whichar'e similartothe members 28 and areV adjustable longitudinally vof the "bed 20 by suitable means not shown. The top portions of the support members 28 and 30 are preferablvconnected by a top or cap member 31 to provide a rigid construction. The cylinder 29 is here'represented las bearing the plates or delineations ywhich'are to be reproduced and hence will be hereinafter referred to as the image cylinder. j

The web supporting roll 24 and the image Vcylinder-29 have their axes extending parallel and conventional means are provided to'adjust these axes to securelsuch parallelism. In addition, the vertical supporting members 28 and 39 are, as previously described, adjustable towards and away from each other to vary the spacing between the cylinders 24 and 29 so that pressure may be exerted therebetween when conventional methods of.` printing are einployed, or the rolls spaced or in `contact without pressure when electronographic `printing is to beutilized. The supporting structure for the rolls Aand the adjusting means therefor maybeY similar to that shown in myPatent No. 2,557,381, issued June 19, 1951 and entitled Multiple Unit Printing Press.

The image cylinder 29 has a suflicient axial length to permit lmounting thereon, in longitudinally spaced arrangement, of the severalplates -or `forms carrying the images to be reproduced upon`the web of material. :In the illustrated embodiment, the. press isfshown' as capable of pIOVdngifour-color reproductions andhence' the image cylinder has a length sutiicient to carry four images or plates side by side upon the cylinder longitudinally thereof, each image being spaced slightly from the adjacent ones to prevent proper application thereon of the inks intended for the adjacent plates or image areas. While the cylinder 29 is shown as unitary, it may be formed of a plurality of separate cylindrical portions, one for each image, individually longitudinally adjustable upon a common shaft. The supporting cylinder 24 may be likewise constructed to facilitate adjustment between the separate flights of paper or other web material.

As mentioned heretofore, the invention is disclosed as embodied in an apparatus for effecting transfer of ink by electrostatic lines of force. Consequently, the image cylinder 29 is hollow and the interior thereof is provided with a stationary discharge electrode 32 extending axially within the cylinder adjacent the inner periphery thereof in the plane of the axes of the cylinders 24 and 29. The discharge electrode 32 may be a blade of conductive material mounted upon a non-rotatable sleeve and eX- tending radially therefrom, the blade being disposed between insulating blocks such as 33 or electromagnets in a manner which is more fully disclosed and claimed in my prior patents such as 1,820,194 issued August 5, 1931; 2,224,391 issued August 10, 1940, and 2,408,143 issued September 24, 1946, the cylinder 29 being insulated from the supporting frame in the manner also disclosed in these patents.

The web supporting cylinder or roll 24 is likewise preferably hollow, insulatingly supported and provided with an attraction electrode 34, the latter being suitably nonrotatably supported within the cylinder and extending axially thereof coplanar with the discharge electrode 32. The electrode 34 may be surrounded by insulating blocks, such as 35, which are similar to the blocks 33 and are more fully described in my prior patents mentioned above. In place of, or in addition to, the insulating blocks, electromagnets may be placed adjacent the electrode 32 to assist in conning the electrostatic field.

The discharge and attraction electrodes 32 and `34 are connected in a conventional circuit providing direct current of relatively high potential so as to establish a high potential electrostatic field therebetween. Consequently, ink applied to the image cylinder 29 is transferred from the latter to the web of material 23 as the latter is moved through the transfer or printing zone between the electrodes in a manner which is now well known in View of my prior patents. As will be hereinafter particularly pointed out in detail, the web of material 23 passes about the web supporting cylinder 24 a plurality of times corresponding with the number of longitudinally arranged images upon the image cylinder 29, the width of the web of material being in the order of the width of each of the images. Consequently, the several images on the image cylinder are reproduced upon the web of material, any given area of the web being sequentially disposed adjacent each of the images so that the latter are reproduced in superimposed registry providing a complete multicolor reproduction.

Precharge electrodes for the web of material and for the ink upon the image cylinder may be provided to assist in effecting transfer of the ink in the printing zone. Thus, a plurality of horizontally extending rods or wires 36 are shown as supported in insulating material 37 and extending between the support 28 for the web cylinder 24 adjacent the latter, the rods or wires extending in spaced relationship longitudinally of and adjacent to the periphery of the cylinder so that the web 23 passes closely adjacent thereto prior to its introduction into the transfer zone between the discharge and attraction electrodes 32, 34. Similar rods or wires 38, mounted in insulating material 39 and supported by the members 30, extend parallel with and spaced from the imagecylinder 29 so that the inks upon the image cylinder pass closely adjacent the rods or wires 38 before introduction into the .transfer zone between the discharge and attraction elecsimilar purpose in my aforementioned Patent No. 2,557,381, entitled Multiple Unit Printing Press. That is to say, in both the on the image cylinder, some of the intermediate rolls between the porous supply cylinder and the image cylinder being longitudinally oscillafted to alford a more uniform spreading of the ink. In the instant application, however, important changes have been made to permit the use of a single porous cylinder for feeding a plurality of inks or liquids of different colors or other characterlsltlcs and for insuring that the fed colored inks or the tops of the standards 40, connected with the cap member 31. Extending between the supports 40, 41 adjacent the tops thereof is a tube 49 also rotatably supported upon the tube 42, the number and spacing of the walls or disks 45 through 49 being such as to provide independent liquid chambers of substantially the same size in number equal to the number of colors in which reproduction is to be effected. The disks 45 to 49 support cylindrical shells such as 50, S1, 52 and 53 tween the edges of adjacent shell members so as to prevent flowing of fluid from one peripheral portion of the inking roll or drum-44 to another peripheral portion thereof and perforations therein, the outer periphery of which may or may not be covered with a porous covering such as felt or the like. In porous nature may be of construction utilized.

Extending into the interior of the tube 42 are a plurality of liquid supplying pipes, each carrying ink or other liquid of the desired characteristics for application to one of the compartments or reservoirs within the cylinder 44 and hence for transfer to the corresponding area of the image drum or cylinder 29. Thus, a pipe 54 extends from a source of liquid, not shown, intothe tube 42 and has its inner end connected with an aperture through the tube 4Z so as to communicate with the compartment between the side Walls or disks 45, 47 of the roll or drum 44. A supply tube 55 leading from a different source of liquid or ink likewise extends into the interior of the tube 42, the inner end of this pipe 55 being connected with an opening through the wall of the tube vrn'unication with the interior the disks or walls 46, 49.

transferred to the image "rolls rotating in engagement with'each other. As shown structed in a'manner similar driven by power means, not shown,

vS, 59,60and 61. The lengagement with ink applying rolls 66 and 67 which ride 'in'engagement with the image cylinder 29. The rolls 66 Vshownat 64 and 65 in *2' secure a more uniform layer thereon,

posite extreme position.

' tion.

42 at 'a 'point intermediate the disks or walls 47, r48 of "this 'pipet56 being'c'onnected with a source of ink or liquid,

'not shown. "Likewise, a supply pipe 57 is connected Lfrom a 'reservoir or liquid supply not shown and extends into the tube 42,"the inner end of pipe 57 being in cornofthe drum 44 intermediate It will be apparent therefore that the liquids supplied to the tubes "54, transferred 'to separate compartments in the cylinder or drum y44 and are emitted therefrom through the porous 'cylindrical 'side walls of these compartments, mixing of the liquids'on the surface of cylinder or drum being prevented by the previously mentioned extension of the disks or walls 45 to 49 to apoint substantially flush with the exteriorsurface of the shells Sil to '53 constituting the periphery of the roll or cylinder.

The inks or other liquids supplied through the cylindrical vside walls 50 to 53 of the cylinder or drum 44 are cylinder 29 by a plurality of in the drawings, a roll 58, rotatably supported in the standards 40, 4l has its periphery in engagement with the porous supply roll 44 so that the liquids supplied through the spaced longitudinal portions of the periphery of the latter are transferred to corresponding longitudinal portions of the roll 58. To prevent mixing of theV liquids yupon the roll 58, the latter may be provided with spaced circumferentially extending grooves or recesses located at approximately the same positions as the intermediate disks 'or walls such as 47, 48 and 49 of the porous cylinder. Alternatively, the roll 58 may be made up of a plurality of separate members connected in axially spaced relationship for'rotation together. The roll 58, which Vvmaybe'considered an idler roll, rides in engagement with a driving'roll 59 to receive the inks or other liquids from the roll'SSand transfer them to subsequent rolls without mixing. The'roll 59 is preferably supported and con to the 'roll 53 and may be thereby rotating the roll 58 and through the 'latter Vthe supply cylinder or roll`4'4.

`The roll 59 is in engagement with two idler rolls 60 and 61 which receive the inks or liquids from the roll '59 and in turn transfer it to two spaced driving rolls 6?. and 63. T he rolls 60, with spaced liquid transferring portions separated from 61, 62 and 63 are likewise formed each other by circumferentially extending grooves or recesses auch as 64 and 65, see Fig. l0, to prevent'rnixing of the different colored liquids longitudinally on the rolls as hereinbefore mentioned in connection with the rolls rolls'62 and 63 in turn ride in and 67-likewise are preferably provided with circumferentially extending grooves or recesses similar to those Fig. lO'so that the different colored liquids or inks are transferred to the separate image areas on the' cylinder 29 without mixing.

`In order to more effectively distribute the inks or other liquids-upon the several rolls and image cylinder, and to some or all of the rollstmay e longitudinally'oscillated or reciprocated a relatively small extent as they are rotated. For example, as shown yin Fig. l0, the rolls 59, v62 and 63 may be so reciprocated or oscillated, the roll62 being illustrated as having moved vaxially position while the roll 63 has moved axially to the op- VWith the'rolls 62 and 63 thus disposed, the roll 59 would be at an intermediate posi- One means of effectingthis axial movement is shown in Fig. l'() and comprises' a grooved camdrum 63 lwhich'is rotated'by ashaft 69 of the driving mechanism,

55, 56 and 57 are Y in one direction to one extreme Y parted to the rolls '59, 62 and portion having ink of one color thereon is not caused to 'the extent of -axial -suohas'73a, 73h and 74a, 74b. dport are lconnected together vmediate barsror plates such as 49(2, "thelength `of lashorter greater than the width of the F.igs. 5

`not herein shown but which may be similar to that disclosed in Vmy `previously mentioned patent 2,557,381. The cam drum 68 is'provided with a 'circumferential cam groove 70 4the `plane of which is inclinedrelative to the axis of the cam` drum. In this groove ride cam'follower disks 71 and '72 on the ends of the rolls 62 and 63, -a similar follower ldisk being carried by the roll 59 which is Valso positioned in said groove. Consequently, when the shaft 69 is rotated, the groove 70 in cam 68 causes the rolls 59, t62 'and V63 to be axially oscillated due to the movement of the cam Y,groove 7) relative to the cam 'rollers or followers. The extent of axial movement im- 63 is such, however, that=a move into engagement with a portion on an adjacent roll having ink of a different color thereon. That is to lsay, movement of the rolls such as 59, 62 and 63 is preferably less than the width of the grooves such as 64, 65.

It will now 'be apparent that inks of different colors are applied respectively to the different image area portions of theima'ge cylinder 29 without mixing. Hence, as theimage cylinder isrotated the inks thereon are transferred` to the welb 23 4in the regions thereof on the web supporting cylinder v24 adjacent the image cylinder in the transfer regio-n established by the electrostatic field of force. As has been mentioned heretofore, this transfer of liquid may also be accomplished by conventional pressure type printing methods such as relief, offset, intaglio, or `like systems of printing in which event no electrical eld of Aforce is necessary.

The web directing or conducting means, generally designated,r25 includes a plurality of spaced rollers and turning units for conducting the web 23 `to and from the web supporting cylinder 24 in separate flights spaced longitudinally on the `cylinder for 'cooperation with the correspondingly spaced image areas on the image cylinder 29. Asshown more particularly 4in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9, this mechanism `25'has the side supports thereof disposed on eitherside'of the base 20, each supportbeing formed by a pair of vertically extending spaced plates The plates of each supladjacent :the bottom bya plate such as 75 adapted to rest upon guideways on the Vbase-2() so that the unit 25 may be adjusted towards and from the web support-ing cylinder .24 similar to the manner in which the .cylinder and roll supporting frames are adjusted as described in my aforementioned Patent 2,557,381. The plates 73a, 73h land 74a, 74bvare held infpnoper spaced relationship and are reinforced by inter- 76a, 76h, 76C and 77. .The two `side supports of the unit 25 are rigidly connected together adjacent the top by rods or bars 78 and 79.

Aroll 80 iS rotatably isupported by the side members of the unit 2S adjacent the top rear portieri thereof by bearingsmounted'in suitable brackets such as S1. -A second nolltf82 eXtendstranSVerSely of the unit 25 adjacent the bottom thereof and in ventical alignment with the -roll 80,the roll 82 likewise being rotatably mounted 'in the side Imembers of the unit 25 by ybearings supported in suitable-bracl :ets `Stich as 33. Adjacent the forward edge of the unit-25 are tthree vertically spaced rol-ls 84, -85 and-86 extending transversely of the unit through the entire width thereof-and rotatably mounted in suitable bear-ings `supported in mounting brackets such as 87, 88 land 89 respectively; vsee Figs. l, 3 and 5.

Adjacent the rear of the roll `S6 and extending downwardly towards the rear of the unit 25 is a substantially rhomboidally shaped turning unit, generally designated side of Which is somewhat web of material utilized, see yand6. Adjacent the rear `of the turning unit 90, the vlatteris provided with a roll 91. which is mounted upon the-turningunit support and 4has a length `substantially vvthe same as the lengthof va-shorter side of the turning ,transversely with respect to syracuse unit 90. Adjacent the rear of the roll 85 and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom is a second turning unit, generally designated 92, provided with a roll 93. A `third lturning unit 94 is provided adjacent the rear of the roll 84 and extends substantially horizontally to the rear thereof, this turning unit 94 being provided with a roll 95. Each of the turning units 90, 92, 94, and the associated -rolls 91, 93, 95 are construdted and supported in `the same manner and hence `a description of one turning unit and its roll will suice for all. The turning unit 90 and its roll 91 have lbeen `selected for detailed illustration and description.

Each of the turning units comprises ltwo portions, generally triangular in shape yas seen in plan View, see Fig. 6, and so mounted 'as to be adjustable as a unit laterally relative to the web `conduct-ing unit 25 (that is, longitudinalfly with respect to `the web supporting `cylinder 24) as well `as towards and from the web supporting roll 24. In addition, the two triangular portions are adapted to be adjusted towards and from each other. These adjustu ments 'are for the purpose of facilitating securing exact registry of the reproductions of the several image areas of the cylinder 29 in superimposed relationship upon the web material.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the triangular portion 96 of the turning unit 90 comprises upper Iand lower triangularly shaped plates 97 and 98 which are secured together and held in properly spaced relationship along the hypotenuses by being secured to a pipe 99. For this purpose the pipe 99 has 4longitudinal recesses for receiving the plates 97, 98 so that the outer surface of the said pla-tes are substantially Icoextensive with the youter surface of `the pipe 99. Adjacent one side of the triangular portion 96, the plates 97, 98 thereof have a platealike extension member 100 inserted therebetween and secured thereto, the outer edge of this plate extending beyond lthe top and bottom plates 97, 98 of the portion 96. The extending portion of the extension member 100 rests upon and is secured to a relatively thick bar 101 which between an Lashaped'member 102 and a tubular member 103 of rectangular cross section extending transversely of the runit 25 and inclined in the manner `shown in Fig. 5. As will tbe apparent from that figure, the adjacent substantially vertical portions of the members 102 and 103 are preferably in engagement and the angularly extending portion of the L-shaped member 102 is spaced from `the top of the member 103 for yreception therebetween of the lbar 101.

The second triangular portion 104 of the turning unit 90 likewise is formed of upper and lower plates 105, 106, respectively, with the hypotenuses united to a pipe member 107 in the saine manner as the plates 97, 98 are united with Ithe pipe member 99. The base of the triangular portion 104 ihas supporting plates 108 and 109 secured `between the upper and lower plates 105, 106 thereof, which plates are in turn secured to a supporting member 110. The member 110 extends transversely of the unit 25 and is preferably rectangular -in cross section. Adjacent its ends, the member 110 is connected with bars or rods lila and llllb. The ends of the bars 111z and 11112 are slidably supported in slots such as 112, 113, 114 and 115 in the side plate members 73a, 73h 74a and 74]: of the unit 25 lthe angularities of these slots being the same as that of the angle `at which `the turning unit 90 extends to the rear of the unit 25.

The triangular portion 96 of the turning unit 90 is provided with an apertured block 116 secured between the upper and lower plates 97, 98 thereof by screws or the like, and the triangular portion 104 has an apertured block 117 secured therein between the upper and lower plates 105, 106 by suitable screws or the like. The apertures in these blocks 116, `117 are preferably cylindrical bores and the blocks are so secured that their apertures or bores are in alignment with the said bores extending the adjacent legs of thetri `apertured block 122 secured angular portions 96 and 104. One of the meniberas'uch as 117, has a guide pin 118 secured therein as by means of a screw or drive pin 119, `the other end of the pin 118 extending slidably through the aligned bore in the block between the plates 97, 98 and secured therein by suitable triangular portion 104 has an plates thereof by screws 123. The block is similar to the block 117 while the block 122 is similar to the block 116 except that the blocks 120 and 122 are disposed in opposite triangular portions from those in which the corresponding blocks 116, 117 are disposed. The block 120 is provided with a guide pin 124 secured in the aperture or bore thereof by a drive pin or the like 125, the guide pin 124 extending slidably through the aligned bore in the block 122. It will therefore be seen that the two triangular portions 96 and 104 may be moved towards and from each other while maintaining their sides parallel and without loss of rigidity of the unit as a whole.

To readily effect movement of the two triangular inafter described, connected by members having threaded relationship.. Thus, the triangular portion 96 is provided with a block, such as 126, intermediate the blocks 116 and 120, and secured between the upper and lower parts 97, 98 by means of screws or the like. The block 126 preferably has a threaded aperture therethrough to serve as a nut and threadably received therein is a screw 127. The screw 127 is rotatably supported in the triangular portion 104 by a suitable block 128, secured between the upper and llower plates 105, 106 by screws such as 129. The screw 127 is held from axial movement by means of a collar 130, abutting against one side of the block 128, the outer end of the screw 127 being provided with a miter gear 131 with a sleeve portion of the latter abutting the other side of the mounting block 128. Meshing with the miter gear 131 is a second miter gear 132 secured to the end of a shaft 133 which extends through the triangular portion 104 of the turning unit at substantially right angles to the screw 127, the shaft 133 being journalled adjacent its ends by a block or bracket such as 134, secured between the plates 105, 106, and bya bracket or block 135 secured to the member 110.

The outer end of the shaft 133 has a miter gear `136 secured thereto which meshes with a second miter gear 137 secured to a shaft 138. The shaft 138 extends at right angles to the shaft 133 and is journalled adjacent the gear 137 by means of a bracket 139 secured to the member 110, a collar being provided to bear on the opposite side of the bracket 139 from the gear 137 to It will be apparent from the construction thus far described that,

movement of the non-rotatable nut 126 thereby moving the portion 96 of the turning unit relative to the portion 104, the bar 101 sliding between the cooperating portions of the members 102, 103 during this movement.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the bar or rod 111a is made idescribed, that rotation threaded portion thereof lmember 110 transversely of 'the unit the axis of the web supporting cylinder 24. l-quently, .angular portions96 and 104 is correspondingly vthe supporting-bar v101 :cylinder 24, the zturning unit =with`the innerside plates`73b and'74aof the member y'forward endiof :the shaft finwtwop'ieees adjustably connected together. Thus, the '-'part 'of the bar vor rod 1'1'1a connected to the member 5110 has v:the` portion 144 'thereof adjacent the plate 7317 Iofreduced cross'section, thisreduced cross section portion 1'44 being slidably received within a suitable `opening within a-mernber V145 constituting an extension-or part :fofthelbar or rod 111:1.

The parts 144, 1145 have aligned bores, the bore within the portion 144 being screwthreaded and receivingtherein the threaded end of a shaft 5146. This shaft 146 is rotatably supported in the bore of the fpart l145 and has a portion extending outwardly therefrom provided with a knob orfhand wheel-147 pinned nthereto. y:otherwise arranged to facilitate manipulation, preferably Ahas an axially extending part l147e of polygonal cross `section to which a'wrench or other tool may be applied 'This hand wheel, which may be 'knurled or V.member 145 and preventing axial displacement of the shaft '146in the opposite-direction. Axial movement of the member 145 Vis prevented by any suitable means as,

vfor example, by a plate `149 secured to the side plate 73a `and flttingfinto a groove or slot on the lower side of the `member 1145, the latter having a sliding tit on the -plate It1will-now *be-apparent, from the construction just of the shaft 146 causes the to effect longitudinal movement Aof the `portion 1'44 of the bar or rod 111a. Hence, `the and rod or bar A1111) are similarly moved, 25, in a direction parallel with Consethefentire turning unit 90, comprising both trimoved, then sliding between the members '102 and 103.

l"In 'order to effect adjustment of the turning `unit in 'directions towards 'and laway from the web supporting 90 has'the supporting bars provided with a rack -150 and parallel 25. The racks '150 and l151 extend above pinions 152 and 153 respectively which are connected Vto `rotate with a shaft 154 journalled in the side frames or plates of the -unit AltS, the Yforward end of the shaft 154 terminating bet-ween the side plates 73a and 73h and having a worm or Irod 111e and 11'1bfeach Vand 151 respectively extending adjacent to -gear 155 secured thereon. Meshing with the worm gear 15S-is a worm 156 connected with a shaft 157, see Fig. 5, -which is supported between a bracket such as 158 and a forward, transversely extending plate such as 77. The V157 extends outwardly of the Yunit '25 and isprovided "with a hand knob or wheel 159 by which the lshaft 157 and hence the worm 156 may be turned Rotation'o'f the worm 156 rotates the worm gear '155, vand hence the shaft 1'53vfon the latter, being in engagement wtih `the racks 154, so that the pinions 152,

r1`50and 151, move'the'racks'and thereby the entire turning-unit 90-in Ia directiontowards or from the web supporting roll 24.

'It will'thus be seen that turning 'units such as 90 may "be v'adjusted either bodily in a direction parallel with the axis ofthe Aweb supporting roll 24 or in a direction perpendicular thereto and, in addition, thetwo portions of "the-turning barmaybe adjusted relative to eachother to '-thereby vary the :transverse width of the Vtunning bar.

These adjustments, while important, are of relatively `small magnitude and lhence the screws and/or `worms :and vworm wheels employed are such that a very tine LAadjustment may beeffected.

In order to limit the Vextent of adjustment inzany given-direction, suitable stop means `uu'ay be lemployed either directly cooperating with 'the Ative is to provide a recess lpasses over the top surface of ybeing tlexible tovmembers which 'are to be adjusted or with the knobs through which "the adjustments are effected. One form of adjustment limiting means that has been found effecin the plate and position a stationary block such as 160 therein so that excessive adjustment causes lthe block to strike the sides of the recess.

In employing a turning unit such as just described, the path of the web material thereo-ver is substantially yas shown by theV arrows in Figs. 2, 4 and 1l. That is to say, the web of material approaches [the turning unit from `the edge supported by the member and passes over the triangular portion 104, the material being curved or bent yabout the tube or pipe 107, thence passing beneath the 'turning unit 90 and, after being turned upwardly about the pipe 99 of `the triangular portion 96, the latter portion in a path parallel with, and `spaced from, the path in which it first encountered the turning unit. in order to reduce the friction of the paper or other web of material in thus passing about the turning unit, iluid under pressure, such as air orother suitable gas, is supplied to the interiors `of the pipes 99 and 107 through connections with a supply conduit 107e extending through the interiors of the supporting members 110 and 1Mb, see Fig. 6, the connection 1Mb between pipe 99 and conduit 107 permit the previously described movement of the part 99 relative to part 104 of the turning bar. The air thus supplied to the pipes 99 and 107 is emitted 'from openings such as 161 in Vthese pipes, see Fig. 8, thereby providing lan lair bearing for .the web reducing the friction between it and the adjacent surfaces, a portion of the air flowing between the web and the horizontal plates of the turning runit as well as along the surfaces of .the pipes. The outer ends of pipes 99 and 107 are vclosed by plugs 99a and 10:70 toprevent escape of air therefrom.

The angularity of :the pipes 99 and 107 of the turning units relative :to members 101 and M0 is preferably in the neighborhood of 45 parallel paths as aforementioned. This parallelism is secured during initial/manufacture and assembly of vthe apparatus and once established'is maintained by the rigidity of the apparatus. Thereafter this angularity is not changed and the aforementioned adjustments are effected without altering the parallelism between the separate flights or paths ofthe web material. The adjustment of :the turning units bodily parallel with the axis of the web supporting roll 24 effects. sidewise adjustment of the corresponding flight or flights of the web relative to the image or im-ages on the image cylinder. The adjustment of the turning uni-ts bodily towards and from the web supporting vroll 24 correspondingly lengthens or shortens the portion of the web of material between presentations to successive areas on. the image cylinder thereby securing registry of the images with respect to the length of the web of material. Finally, the adjustment between the two triangular portions 96 `and 104 varies the spacing between Vthe adjacent flights of the web and thereby effects sidewise registry of the material and also adapts the apparatus to material of different widths.

In addition to the elements heretofore described in detail eachturnring unit 90 has, as previously mentioned, a roller such as 191 supported thereon for changing the direction of the web of material, see Fig. 3. As shown more particularly in Fig. 5, these roilers are supported upon brackets, such as 162, connected with the ends of the slidable units 101 of the `turning bars and extending upwardly vtherefrom at an angle so that the axis of each roll is substantially in ventioal valignment with the edge of ythe triangular portion such as 96 of the turning unit. Consequently, theweb-material passing over the portion 96 may be smoothly passed about the roll, such as 91, )and returned towards the web supporting cylinder 24. Any adjustments of the turning unit carries-the roller,

so that the paper travels inV Such as 91, therewith so that the latter is always in proper position for cooperation with the turning unit.

As mentioned heretofore, cach of the turninggunits 90, 92 and 94 are similarly constructed .and are adjusted in like manner. Thus, the turning unit 92 is provided with miter gears and an actuating shaft 163, similar to the miter gears 131, 132, 136, 137' and the shaft 138, for effecting adjustment between the two triangular portions of the turning unit. Likewise, a shaft 164 is provided and is connected with the turning unit 92 in a manner similiar to the shaft 11i-t5 for effecting bodily lateral adjustment of the turning unit. Turning unit 92 is also provided with racks such as 165 actuated by pinions 166 and driven by a worm gear 167 in response to rotation of ya worm 163 in a manner similar tot the actuation of the racks 15th and 151 as shown in Fig. 6. The worm 168 is rotated by a knob 169 in the same manner as is the knob 159, the only difference being that the shaft for the worm 168 has a universal joint 170 therein so that the axis of the worm 16S can be disposed at an angle with respect to the axis of the knob 169. The turning unit 94 may be similarly adjusted by miter gears 170, 171, 172, 173 and shaft 174; by shaft 175; and by knob 176 on shaft 177, the latter operating worm 178 `to rotate worm gear 179 yand pinions 13? cooperating with the racks 181.

Suitable heating or drying means may be provided for the several flights of the web of material 'as it leaves the web supporting cylinder 24 to dry the ink or other iluid applied thereto before passage about the rolls at the edges of the turning unit. Such heating or drying means may be of conventional form and, for example, may comprise elongated tubes such `as 132 which may be infra-rcd lamps or other tubular heaters supported in brackets or mounts 133 so that the heaters may be inserted from the sides of the press. These heaters may be mounted and be of `the type disclosed in my aforementioned Patent 2,557,381 or may be of other suitable type.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the operation of the apparatus and the path of the web of material therethrough, let it be assumed that a very simple design is to be printed in four colors upon a web such as paper or cloth. The design selected for illustration` is one employing yellow, red, blue and black `and is to be a representation of a square printed in yellow with a disk of red superimposed thereon, the latter in turn having two spaced rectangles 186, 187 1in blue overprinted thereon and a rectangle 188 in black intermediate the rectangles 186, 187. The successive stages of the reproduction of such a design are illustrated completely in Fig. 2 and in part to a larger scale in Fig. 4. Let ift further be assumed that the printing is` to be by an, electrostatic field of force.

One of the irst steps in preparing the apparatus is to provide the image cylinder 29 with areas or surfaces cor responding with the portions of the design to be reproduced upon the web of material. Consequently, the cylinder 29 must be provided with a surface 189 of rectangular configuration of a size and shape corresponding to the rectangle 184 and adapted to receive ink and transfer it to the paper or other web material. Such an image area is therefore provided upon the cylinder 29 adjacent one end thereof, in this instance adjacent the far end as viewed in the drawings. The next adjacent image area of the cylinder is then provided with a disk image area 190 and the succeeding longitudinal portion of the cylinder 29 is provided with image areas in the form of two spaced rectangles such as 191 while the longitudinal portion of the image cylinder adjacent that side thereof closest the observer, as viewed in the drawings, is provided with an image area 192 which is the counterpart of the rectangle 138. Inks of the desired colors are then supplied to the reservoir roll or cylinder 44. That is to say, pipe 54 is connected with `the supply of yellow ink, pipe 55 with a `supply ofred ink, pipe 56 jacent the other end of 14 v with a supply of blue ink, and pipe 57 with a supply of black ink. The paper or other web of material is then conducted from the roll 22 through the turning mechanism 25 and in successive flights about the web supporting cylinder 24 adjacent the several image areas such as 189, 19t), 191 and 192 on the image cylinder 29 and thence to the takeup roll 26. The course of the paper or other web of material can best be understood from an inspection of Figs. 1-4, 9 and l1 with particular reference to the latter ligure.

Referring rst to Figs. l-3, it will be seen that the roll is then carried in Infeed in Fig. 3 upwardly and about the web supporting cylinder 24 adjacent the longitudinal region of the image cylinder 29 bearing the image area 189. The material then returns in the path marked Yellow, and in the direction shown by the arrows of Figs. 3 and ll, over the top surface of the turning unit 90, thence around the pipe 107 thereof, beneath the `turning unit substantially parallel with the axis of the web ysupporting cylinder 24. The path of the material then continues over the pipe 99 of this turning unit and again over the top portion of the bar 90 passing under and then up over the roll 91 supported thereby. By this movement, the paper or other web material has now been directed back towards the web supporting cylinder 24 in a path parallel with, but spaced from, its previous path so that it is now properly aligned for cooperation with theI image area on the image cylinder 29.

The path of the web is now from the roller 91 over the roll 86 and downwardly therefrom in the: path marked Yellow in Fig. 3, to and about the web supporting cylinder 24 adjacent the aforementioned image area 190 on the image cylinder from which the red impression is to be received. The paper or other web of material now returns in the path marked Red from the top of the web supporting cylinder 24 clearing the roll 85 and thence over and about the turning unit 92 in the manner indicated in Fig. ll and about the roll 93. The path of the web 23 in this flight is similar to that previously described with respect to the turning unit 90 and roll 91 so that the paper or other material is again directed back towards the web supporting cylinder 24 in a path parallel with its two previous flights but spaced therefrom, the path of the paper being now over the roll 85 and downwardly as indicated by the legend Red and arrows pointing to the right in Fig. 3.

The web 23 now passes about the web supporting cylinder 24 adjacent the third image area such as 191 on the image cylinder 29 from which it is to receive the blue impression. The web 23 then proceeds from the upper portion of the web supporting roll 24 along the path carrying the legend Blue in Fig. 3, in the direction indicated by the arrows in that ligure, clearing the roll 84, thence about the turning unit 94 and roll 95. The web of paper or other material next returns over the roll 84 being directed downwardly therefrom, as shown by the arrows and legend in Fig. 3, to again pass about the web supporting cylinder 24 in a fourth path parallel with and spaced from each of the other paths. The web of paper or other material is therefore positioned for cooperation with the image area 192 on the image cylinder from which it is to receive the impression in black.

From the web supporting cylinder 24, the web 23 proceeds along the path, indicated by the legend Black adjacent the top of the Fig. 3, to and about the roll 80. thence downwardly vertically, along the path marked Multicolor in Fig. 3, to and about the roll 82, the paper or other material at this time, of course, being longitudinally spaced from the incoming paper or material adthe roll 82. The completely printed web of paper or other material is then conducted ployed for effecting multicolor reproductions.

in the three previous rotations.

from 1the rroll `82, along the path marked Finished in Fig. 3, to and about the takeup roll 26 which is driven in any conventional manner and is so regulated as to rnove the web through the press at the desired speed and under theproper tension.

It will thus be seen that the web passes successively about a single web supporting roll 24 in printing relationship with a single image cylinder 29 which carries all of the'plates or other image reproducing means em- As the multiple flights or paths of the web pass through the press, a given area thereof is sequentially printed with first a yellow square, then a red circle, next a pair of blue rectangles, and finally a black rectangle, in exact registry and in the arrangement indicated in the drawings. This specific design or reproduction is of course selected only by way of example and the reproduction may be of any desired form. While the reproduction is veffected sequentially upon any given area of the material, it should be observed that reproduction in the several colors and different portions of the images is simultaneously effected upon spaced portions of the web due to the action of the electrostatic field of force as the several image areas come adjacent the transferring Zone represented by the field of force between the electrode means illustrated. Likewise, when conventional printing is employed, reproduction in multiple-color upon successive portions of the paper or other web material is simultaneously effected as the image areas on the cylinder 29 move into printing relationship with the web upon the web supporting cylinder 24.

In the event the trial or initial run of the press indicates that'the several images are not properly superimposed upon each other, suitable adjustments may be rapidly made by means of the several adjusting knobs or shafts associated therewith and which have been explained with respect to Fig. 6. That is to say, if the images do not fall in proper registry longitudinally of the web one or more of the turning units together with the rolls carried thereby may be adjusted towards or from the web supporting cylinder 24 through operation of the knob vsuch as `159, thereby moving the racks, such as 150, 151, and the corresponding turning unit so that the length of 'travel of the web between successive passes adjacent vthe image cylinder is either increased or decreased the necessary amount to bring about the desired registry. If sidewise registry is not proper, one or more of the turning units may be moved longitudinally with respect to the cylinder 24 through operation of a knob such as 147 or the polygonal portion 143 by applying a suitable wrench thereto. Likewise, the desired spacing between the several flights of the web may be secured by relative movement between the .two triangular portions of the correspending turning unit by operation of a knob such as142 or its polygonal portion, such as 14S. Additional adjustment in this direction may be secured7 as previously mentioned, by forming the web supporting cylinder 24 and/ orthe image cylinder 29 of separate cylindrical portions axially adjustable relative to each other.

When the apparatus has thus been adjusted, it my be again placed in operation and will reproduce the several images on the image cylinder upon `successive portions of the web material on each rotation of the image and web supporting cylinders, the several images thus reproduced being in superimposed registry upon any given area of the web material. That is tosay, upon each rotation of the cylinders `24 and 29, adjacent areas of the web will receive impressions correspondingto the image areas r189, '190, 191 and 192 with the reproduction from the image area 19t) superimposed upon that produced by the image area 189 in the previous rotation of the cylinders; the image area 191 superimposed upon the reproductions from the image areas 189, 190 in the two previous rotations and the image area 192 reproduced on theprevious reproductions from the image areas 189, 190 and v191 That is'to say, for every `advantage that the printed or l5 four rotations of the cylinde s 24 and 29 'there will be a complete lfour-color image produced in superimposed relationship after which that portion of the web is removed from the press by passing to the take-up roll 26.

Fig. 12 illustrates a slightly modified form of web supporting unit 25 which may be used in place of the previously described unit 25. The unit 25 comprises the same side supporting members, turning units, and adjusting means as does unit 25 and hence there like elements are designated by the same reference numerals with primes added. The unit 25' differs from the unit 25, however, in that thev rolls 91', 93 and 95 carried by the turning units 902192 and 94', respectively, are mounted so that the highest portions of the rolls are tangent to the upper surfaces of the corresponding turning bars, the supporting brackets 193 for the rolls being therefore of different shape than the previously described brackets 162.

The arrangement of the rolls 91', 93 and 95 of the turning bars as indicated in Fig. l2 has the important inked side of the paper or the web 23 does not contact such rolls so that the path of travel of the web 23, after one application of ink and vbefore contact of the inked surface with another surface, has been nearly doubled. Hence, this forrn of unit is especially well suited for use with relatively slow drying inks or other printing or coating fluids. Moreover, the rolls such as 84, and 36 adjacent the forward portion of the web supporting unit 25 are omitted in the unit 25 and a single new roll 194 is provided adjacent the rear portion of the unit and extending transversely thereof above the roll 91. Hence, in addition to providing a longer travel of the web 23 without contact of its inked side with another surface, the web supporting unit 25 is simpler and less expensive to construct.

The printing and/ or coating operations previously described in conjunction with the web supporting unit 2 5 are not changed when the web supporting unit 25 is utiliZed in place of unit 25. The sole difference in operation is that the web 23 threads through the unit 25 in a different manner, the successive iiights of the web, however, passing about the cylinder 24 in the same manner. Hence, it is unnecessary to again completely describe the printing operation and only the path of the web material through unit 25 will be set forth in detail.

Referring to Figs. l2 and 13, the web 23 of paper or other material is led from the roll 22 beneath the roll 82', adjacent one end thereof, and then upwardly about the web supporting cylinder 24 as indicated by the arrows in Figs. l2 and 13. The web then returns from the cylinder, in the path marked Y in Fig. l2, and passes over the top surface of the turning unit 9th', thence beneath the latter substantially parallel with the axis of the cylinder 24, and then again over the top of the turning unit as yindicated in Fig. 13. The web 23 next passes downwardly over the roll 91 and about the roll 82 which directs the web back towards the web supporting cylinder 24 in a-path parallel with, but spaced from, its previous path so that it is now properly aligned for cooperation with the next image areas on the image cylinder 29.

The path of the web 23 in its return from the cylinder 24 is now along the path designated R in Fig. l2 passing over and about the turning unit 92 in the manner indicated in Fig. 13. From the turning unit 92' the web 23 passes over the roll 93 downwardly and about the roll 82 so that the web is again directed back towards the cylinder 24 in a path parallel with its two previous flights butspaced therefrom.

After passing around the cylinder 24 adjacent the third image area on the image cylinder 29, the web 23 then lreturns'to the unit 25 along the path marked B in Fig. "12. In this flight the web passes over and about the turning unit 94 thence downwardly over the roll 95' and about the roll 194, as will be more clearly seen in Fig. l3, .the yroll `1194 .directing the web back towards the cylinder '24 in a jrloiilrth path parallel with and spaced from 17 each of the other paths. The web is thus positioned for cooperation with the image area on the image cylinder from which it is to receive the last impression.

From the cylinder 24, the web 23 now returns along the path indicated as BL `in Fig. 12, passes over and about the roll Sti and thence downwardly and about the roll 82'. At this time the web 23 is adjacent the side of the unit 251 opposite from that adjacent which it made its initial entrance into the unit, the web now being conducted to the takeup-roll 26 as in the first-described embodiment.

It will now be apparent from the drawings and the description that the apparatus of this invention provides a novel printing press by which multicolor images may be produced in proper registry from images supported upon a single image cylinder whereby proofs in multicolor may be readily effected from cylindrical plates or forms so that the proofs correspond with the appearance of the reproduction when produced from the conventional presses used in the printing of the large scale edition. Moreover, while the press provides much more satisfactory proofs than the flat proof press heretofore utilized, it is less expensive to manufacture and requires less space than do conventional multicolor proof presses. Furthermore, while the invention is of particular utility with respect to employment as a proof press, it is not limited to such a use but may be advantageously employed for printing other than proof as, for example, for relatively small editions of multicolor matter such as do not justify the expense of setup and operation of the conventional multicylinder printing presses now utilized for multicolor printing.

While the invention has been described in very considerable detail in order to fully disclose applicants preferred embodiment and a modification thereof, it will be apparent that this disclosure is by way of example only and that numerous variations may be made in the conventional features of the device without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, it is not necessary that the press be employed with electrostatic means for effecting transfer of the inks but, as heretofore mentioned, may employ conventional printing by pressure, if de sired, through substitution of the usual form of printing couples. Furthermore, while the invention has been illustrated as employing four colors, it will be apparent that reproduction may be effected in a larger or lesser number of colors. Moreover, it is not necessary that the press be employed for printing exclusively but may be utilized for coating paper or other material in web form with liquids of different characteristics. Also, the press may be utilized for combinations of printing and coating, since, as mentioned before, coating is but a generalized case of printing in which the image cylinder has a uniform surface for transfer of a uniform layer of liquid therefrom. Thus, the press may be employed to print images in several colors and then provide the entire reproduction with a transparent coating.

Other uses of the press will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Likewise, variations in the constructional features within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent in View of the disclosures and suggestions herein specifically set forth. Therefore, the invention is not to be considered as limited to the specific details of construction and arrangements of parts herein set forth, nor to the uses specifically mentioned, except as required by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the character described having a single web supporting cylinder adapted to support a plurality of portions of a continuous web of material in i'luid receiving relationship with respect to a single rotatable fluid transferring member, an assembly for conducting the web of material to and from said cylinder in parallel laterally spaced paths including rhomboidally-shaped turning units over which `the web material is passed to effect lateral spacing between portions of said web while the latter is travelling to and from said cylinder, a roll mounted on each of said units with the axes of said rolls substantially parallel with the axis of the web supporting cylinder for changing the direction of travel of said web, and means to individually adjust each of said units and its roll towards and away from said cylinder, whereby successive portions of said web are simultaneously disposed about said cylinder in axially spaced relationship thereon for simultaneous reception of fluid from said fluid transferring member.

2. A apparatus as delined in claim l and further comprising means to individually adjust each of said turning units in directions parallel with respect to the axis of said cylinder.

3. In an apparatus of the character described having a rotatable cylindrical member provided with a plurality of axially spaced circumferential portions each adapted to transfer a iluid to a web of material, an assembly including a plurality of spaced rhomboidally-shaped turning units over which the said web of material is sequentially passed to dispose said web of' material in a plurality of parallel paths,` a roll mounted on each unit adjacent the rear edge of the unit over which the web is conducted to direct the latter into fluid transferring relationship with said cylindrical member after passing about a turning unit, the said turning unit and rolls heilig arranged in said assembly in a manner such that the fluid from each succeeding portion of said member is sequentially transferred to said web of material upon the area in which fluid was transferred from the preceding portion of the cylindrical member, and means to individually adjust each of said turning units together with the roll mounted thereon towards or away from said cylindrical member to `secure exact registry of the succesk sive fluid transfers upon a given area of the web of material.

4. In an apparatus of the character described having a rotatable cylindrical member provided with a plurality of axially spaced circumferential portions each adapted to transfer a fluid to a web of material, an assembly including a plurality of spaced turning units for conducting said web of material in a plurality of parallel paths into sequential fluid transferring relationship with said plurality of portions of said cylindrical member in a manner such that the fluid from each succeeding portion of said member is `transferred to said web of material upon the area in which fluid was transferred from the preceding portion of the cylindrical member, the said turning units each comprising two triangularly parts, means movably interconnecting the two parts of each unit with their adjacent edges extending parallel to provide Va substantially rhomboidal configuration and separate means `for each unit operative yto move one part thereof relative to the other and thereby vary the width of the unit without altering 4the angles thereof.

5. In an apparatus of the character described having are reproduced in exact correlation to each other on a surface portion of said web of material and including an assembly comprising a plurality of spaced turning units for directing said web of material in a plurality of parallel paths into fluid transferring relationship sequentially with said image areas of said cylindrical member in a manner such that the iluid from each succeeding area of said member is transferred to said surface portion of said web of material in correlation to the iluid which was transferred thereto from the preceding image area of said member, each Vof said units having parallel longitudinal side edges angularly disposed relative to the axis of ,said member and about which said web of material is adapted to pass, each unit including a web reversing roll carried thereby adjacent its end that is remote with respect to said member and on an axis parallel to the axis of said member, means to adjust each unit bodily in a direction axially of said member, means to adjust each unit including said roll bodily toward or away from said member in a radial direction relative thereto, and means to adjustably vary the width of each unit, said longitudinal side edges of each unit maintaining their parallel relationship and their angular relationship to the axis of said member during each of said adjustments.

6. In an apparatus `of the character described and as defined in claim and wherein said roll carried by each unit has its axis located entirely above the uppermost surface of said unit.

7. In an apparatus of the character described and as defined in claim 5 and wherein said roll carried by each unit has its axis disposed at a level below the uppermost surface of said unit and said uppermost surface of said unitis tangential to the circumference of said roll.

8. In an apparatus of the character described and as defined in claim 5 and wherein said plurality of turning 'units in said assembly are spaced vertically and laterally offset while the rolls carried by said units are located in a vertically spaced laterally offset series and in parallelism.

9. In an apparatus of the character described and as defined in claim 5 and wherein each turning unit has planular upper and lower surfaces over which said web of material passes.

10. In an apparatus of the character described and as defined in claim 5 and with spaced upper and lower planular surface members interconnected at the parallel longitudinal side edges of the unit with cylindrical connecting members extending longitudinally of the unit and over which said web of material passes as it travels from one ofsaid planular surface members to the other thereof. Y

l1. In an apparatus of the character described and as deinled iin claim A and wherein said cylindrical connectwherein each unit is formed ing members are tubular and are provided in those portions thereof over which the web of material passes with a series of spaced openings, wherefore said connecting members may be connected to a source of pressure uid which will be emitted through said openingsV and will act to reduce friction between said web of material and said connecting members.

l2. In an apparatus of the character described and as dened in claim 5 and wherein each of said units includes two elements having upper and lower planular surfaces, a movable supporting member extending transversely of said unit and parallel to the axis of said cylindrical member and carrying said roll and to which one of said elements is adjustably connected to move relative thereto longitudinally thereof and transversely of said unit, each unit also including a supporting bar at the end of the unit adjacent to said cylindrical member and parallel to said supporting member and to which bar the other of said elements is rigidly connected, means adjustably interconnecting said elements for moving the same transversely of the unit relative to each other to vary the width of said unit, means for adjustably moving said bar longitudinally to move said unit bodily in a direction axially of said cylindrical member, and means for moving said bar laterally to adjust said unit bodily including said supporting member and said roll toward and away from said cylindrical member 1n a radial direction relative thereto.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Images