US2938456A - Duplicating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 31, 1960 Filed July 51, 1957 W. EICHENBAUM ETAI- DUPLICATING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Aww May 31, 1960 w. EICHENBAUM ETAL 2,938,456

DUPLICATING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 3l, 1957 May 31, 1960 w, ElcHENBAuM ETAL 2,938,456

DUPLICATING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 31, 1957 INVENTORS MM f/cm-waAa/g pasaria MA IVLEX MIVfL T702 A/ .f

May 31, 1960 w, ElCHENBAUM ETAL 2,938,456

DUPLICATING APPARATUS Filed July s1, 1957 7 sheets-sheet 5 INVENTORI` May 31, 1960 w, ElCHENBAUM ETAL 2,938,456

DUPLICATING APPARATUS Filed July 3l, 1957 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 31, 1960 w. EAICHENBAUM ETAL 2,938,456

DUPLICATING APPARATUS HMI/L4 A TTORN" XS 2,938,456 a DUPLICATING APPARATUS William Eichenbaum, deceased, late of Teaneck, NJ., by Sidney H. Kantrowitz, executor, 58,6 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ., and Manley Mandel, 30 Hills Road, Amherst, Mass.

Filed July 31, 1957, Ser. No. 675,435

' 19 Claims. ,(Cl. IGI-132.5).

The present invention relates to duplicating machines, and more particularly to an automatic addressograph type of apparatus in which successive masters and blanks are brought into impression-transfer relation relative to each kother with a substantially continuous flow of masters and blanks through the apparatus. This is a continuation-inpart of our earlier filed application, Serial No. 391,199, entitled Duplicating Method and Apparatus, filed November l0, '1953, now U. S. Patent No. 2,883,929, and application Serial No, 473,778, entitled Duplicating Appa ratus, liiledon December 8, 1954.

Conventional duplicating machines embody a printing or duplicating couple which includes a first or large diameter roller adapted to detachably carry a master and a second or smaller diameter roller adapted to cooperate with the rst roller during a duplicating, cycle. Provision is made for advancing a blank past a wetting assembly and into the nip of the first and second rollers whereby, upon cycling of the reproducing or duplicating couple, the blank is brought into impression-transfer relation with the master to bring about the transfer f an impression from the master onto the blank. Usually the operator releasably attaches the master to the tirst roller with the use of one hand, and with the other hand, advances a blank into position relative to the wetting assembly. Thereupon the machine is cycled, for example, by actuating a foot control, to initiate the duplicating cycle. Apart from the fact that use of this type of equipment requires a skilled operator with a reasonable amount of manual dexterity, the operation is inherently slow, painstaking and tedious.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide-an improved duplicating system obviating one or more of the aforesaid difliculties. Specilicially, it is with*- in the contemplation of the invention to provide improved duplicating apparatus f or bringing prepared masters and blanks into duplicating relation on a substantially continuous basis, with provision for automatic delivery of paired masters and blanks through a duplicating cycle.

A number of rather unique problems are'presen-ted when employing master cards of relatively flexible paper stock which are prepared initially with hectograph impressions of the information to be duplicated. This type of master card is exceptionally useful since the hectograph impressions may be formed thereon by readily available typewriters; and the prepared mas-ters take up little space, are not particularly costly and are useful for as much as two hundred duplications. Thus, from the standpoint of economy, our improved apparatus using paper stock masters finds a number of special applications in mass mailings where it is not practical to employ addressograph type equipment which employs relatively expensive master plates. Many practical requirements must be met with duplicating apparatus employing such hectograph mastersto bring about its widespread adoption. The'apparatusmust be ,constructed to enable large numbers of masters and blanks to be fed there- 2,938,455 Patented May 31, 1960 through at a relatively high speed with the assurance that each and every master will properly duplicate its hectograph information onto a corresponding blank. Provision must'be made for handling a wide variety of masters and blanks which differ in size, thickness, type of stock and the like. Further, it is important that the operator be able to control the location of the hectograph impression on the blank, despite the fact that said impression is at a fixed position on the blank and the master and blank be of different sizes. Still further, provision must be made for enabling the take-off of successive masters and blanks subsequent to` the duplicating operation, either with the masters and blanks separated from each other or with successive pairs of masters and blanks collated.y Still other requirements which are met by our improved apparatus will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds. v

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features of the present invention, a duplicating machine is provided which includes a reproducing couple adapted to engage a paired master and blank and bring the same into impression-transfer relation, means operatively connected to the reproducing couple to continuously drive the same, a rst feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path toward the reproducing lcouple, a second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feeder path toward the reproducing couple, and respective rotatable check means along the first and second feed paths in advance of the reproducing couple.y A sensing arrangement is associated with the rotatable check meanswherebymasters and blanks are paired at their respective rotatable check means before delivery to the reproducing couple. Advantageously, and `with a view-to simplicity, the rotatable check means along the path for the blanks is a wetting couple havinga wick assembly associated therewith whereby each blank is wetted just prior to its delivery into impression transfer relation with a corresponding master.

As a feature of the invention, a variable speed drive is associated with one of the feeder means whereby prescribed registry may be attained between the masters and blanks, despite the differences in size between such masters and blanks and the position which the hectograph impression occupies on the master. Accordingly, by a simple adjustment of the variable speed drive, it is possible to place the impression derived from the master at virtually any location along the length of the blank.

As a still further feature of the invention, the machine isconstructed so that it can handle relatively large 'numbers of masters and blanks in a rapid and insequen'ce basis, with the assurance of reliability in effecting the impression transfer to successive blanks fromv paired masters. The importance of this may be more fully appreciated when it is recalled that faulty operation of the dupli- Veating machine will result in the misdirection of mail or the complete failure of one or more pieces to be properly addressed or otherwise identified for mailing.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more -fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an improved duplicating ma,- chine demonstrating features of the present invention, parts being broken away in the interests of simplicity and clarity;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 2-2 .of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows, a master and blank .being shown in the impres- Sion-transfer cycle; n Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and looking in ythe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view on a reduced scale taken from ythe lower side of the .machine as seen in Fig. l and looking in the direction of the' arrows 2-2 and 3 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view takenl from the far side of the machine and looking ina direction opposite to that of lthe arrows 2-2 and 3-3; Y

Figs. 6 to 9, `nclusive, are diagrammatic views of the essential operating parts of the duplicating machine illustrated in detail in Figs. 1 to 5, which show the sequence of operation in the flow of the masters and blanks Y n through the machine, to wit;

Fig. 6 illustrated the position of the masters and blanks at the start of a feeding cycle with a master having just advanced into the rstset'of feeding rollers along its delivery or feed path and the blank starting along its delivery or feed path but lagging behind the master;

Fig. 7 shows the masterY in an vintermediate stopped position wherein it has come into contact with a pair of check rollers along its feed path, the blank lagging behind and approaching its check rollers;

Fig. 8 shows the blank andY master after pairing and substantially at the start of the impression-transfer cycle after passing the respective pairs of check rollers;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the master and blank further progressed along the impressionv transfer cycle; and f Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of the controlv circuit employed in our duplicating apparatus.

Before making reference to the detailed drawings of Figs. 1 to 5 'and the schematic control diagram of Fig.

10, brief reference will be made to the diagrammatic illustrations of Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, for a general description of the various components of our duplicating machine, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, and the nterrelationship between said components in achieving the desired duplicating operation. In these diagrammatic showings, rollers or parts which are in motion have been cross-hatched for the purposes of illustration, while rollers or parts which are stationary at the particular time in the cycle have not been hatched. The machine 10 embodies a reproducing or duplicating couple including rollers 12, 14 which are driven from a motor 15 continuously once the machine is placed in operation. `The reproducing or duplicating couple -12, 14 brings lsuccessive masters M into impression-transfer relation with successive blanks B. The masters M are provided with hectograph impressions while the blanks may take the formof any type of stock which is to receive such impressions, for example, envelopes, brochures, letters and the like. For the construction illustrated, 'the hectograph impressions are provided on the undersurface of the masters M, while the blanks Bare placed with the 10 is placed in operation. The master-feeding mechanisms 16 and the .feed rollers 20, 22 deliverv the masters one at a time to the check rollers `24, 26 which are disposed along the first or master feed path in advance of the pick-up location for the duplicating couple'12, 14.

The bottom'feed roller 22 is driven while the top feed roller 20 is an idler which is spring biased to bear there against. During-blocking of the check rollers 24, 26, the pressure between the feed rollers` and the'rnaster is selec'ted-so that the feed roller 22 may continue to rotate but is not effective to advance the master or .to distort the same. However, the feed rollers 20, 22 do urge the c master against the check rollers 24, 26 until such time as the check rollers are activated.

Interposed between the feed rollers 20, 22 and the check rollers 24, 26 along the master feed path is a master sensing means, in the form of a photoelectric device 28, which is arranged to interrupt the drive to the master-feeding mechanism 16 and to partially condition the drive for the check rollers 24, 26. Y

' When the beam from the photoelectric sensing device 28 is interrupted for all intents and purposes the feed rollers20, 22 are no longer driven while positive provision is made for disrupting the operation of the masterfeeding mechanism 16. Stated somewhat differently the .drive to the feed rollers 20, 22 is effective to advance the master along the path so long as there is no blocking action by the check rollers 24, 26. However, when the blocking action occurs, the feed rollers 20, 22 do not actively'Y transport the master but merely bias the master to the nip of the check rollers 24, v26. It must be appreciated that the frictional forces on the master is comparatively light and that the masters are relatively stiff so that the feed rollers do not tend to distort or buckle the masters for the relatively short period of time during which` the check rollers are inoperative, awaiting the coincidence of a blank for the duplicating operation. As -will be subsequently described, the speed of rotation of the check rollers 24, 26 may be yadjusted to retard or advance the rate of feed of the masters with respect to the reproducing or duplicating couple 12, 14.

Along the second or blank feeding path there is provided a pair of feed rollers 30, 32 which are continuously driven when the machine is kplaced in operation. Following the feed rollers 30, 32 and in advance of the duplicating couple 12, 14 are a pair of check rollers 34, 36 which are normally not drivenv and are placed in operation along with the check rollers 24, 26 when the master and blank are paired for coincident delivery to the duplicating couple 12, 14. Interposed between the feed rollers 30, 32-and the check rollers 34, 36 is a second orblank sensing means in the form of a photoelectric device 38, which determines the presence of blanks at the check rollers 34, 36. As diagrammatically illustrated, the photoelectric device 3S is effective to control the blank-feeding mechanism 18. The photoelectric devices 28, 38 together are effective to impart driveV to the pairs of check rollers 24, 26 and 34, 36 whereby a paired master and blank, brought to the respective check locations, are advanced to the continuously 'driven duplicating couple 12, 14. The rollers 12, 14 of the Vduplicating couple are much larger in diameter than the pairs of check rollers and are driven at a much higher speed whereby the duplicating couple effectively takes over` successive paired masters and blanks and advance such a-paired master and blank through the 'duplicating cycle despite the fact that the drive to one or both pairs of the check `rollers 24, 26 and 34, 36 may be disrupted prior to the completion of the duplicating cycle. This may occur if the trailing end of a master or` blankv passes the location of the associated.v photoelectric beam which interrupts the drive to its check roller pairfand initiates the feeding action of the next master o r blank.

Following the duplicating couple12, 14 are a pair of continuously driven conveyors A40,- 42 which together ,constitute a duplex takeoff, the conveyor 40 being adapted to'receive successive masters and the conveyor 42 being adapted t'ov receive successive blanks. As will be subsequently described, it is possible to-.arrange the takeoiin Va manner to remove the masters and blanks in collated condition if the master is to be retained with the blank for any particular reason.

Reference will now be made in sequence to Figs. 6 to 9,inclusive, for a ldescription of a'typicaljcycle'of operation for a further appreciation of Vthe cooperation between the several components of the machine When the machine is placed in operation, the motor imparts drive, as shown schematically by the dotdash lines, to the duplicating couple 12, 14, the take-off conveyors 40, 42, the master feeding mechanism 16 and its associated feed rollers 20, 22, and to the blank`feed ing mechanism 18 and its associated feed rollers 30, 32. For the sake of illustration, it is presumed that the master M to be fed through the system leads theblank which is to be duplicated therefrom at the start of operation. As is seen in Fig. 7, the leading master M' advances through the feed rollers 20, 22, operates its photoelectric device 28, and arrives at the check roller 24, 26 ahead of the associated blank B. When the beam of the photoelectricdevice 28 is interrupted, the drive to the blank-feeding mechanism 16 is disconnected. By this function of the photoelectric device 28, one part of the drive control circuit for the respective pairs of check roller 24, 26 and 34, 36 is conditioned for oper'- ation, as indicated by the further. dot-dash line. The advanced master M' now is waiting at the check rollers 24, 26 for the arrival of the leading blank B', as seen in Fig. 7, and the master-feeding mecchanism 16 is temporarily disrupted. As may be appreciated by progressively inspecting Figs. 7 and 8. the blank B advances along its feed path and when Vit arrives at the'check rollers 34, 36, the associated photoelectric device 38 is effective to disrupt the blank-feeding mechanism 18. This completes the drive control circuit for the pairs of check roller 24, 26 and 34, 36. Thereupon the paired master M' and blank B are advanced through the dupli eating cycle, as may b e seen by progressively inspecting the showings of Figs. 8 and 9, until the duplicating cycle is completed. Conversely, and in the event that a blank leads its master, the same will arrive at the check roller 34, 36 prior to the arrival of the corresponding master at the check rollers 24, 26; and upon the arrival of the master at its check roller, the paired master and blank will be fed to the duplicating couple 12, 14. l

Detailed reference will now be made to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of the drawings, for a description of the specie mechanisms which achieve the related functions diagrammatically shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive.

The machine 10 incorporates a frame 50 which includes upstanding side walls 52, 54 between which are mounted the various work-engaging components of the machine. Specifically, the upperduplicating or printing roller 12 is mounted on a shaft 56 which is journaled in the opposite side walls 52, 54 and includes a shaft extension 56a projecting beyond the inner side wall 52. The lower duplicating or printing roller 14, which is fabricated of yieldable material (Le. hard rubber), is mounted on a shaft 58 which is journaled in a cradle 60 mounted on a pivot 62 (see Fig. 2) and having a downwardly extending arm 60a. By rotation of the cradle in the clockwise direction about the pivot 62 (in Fig. 2), the roller 14 may be brought to bear with greater pressure against the duplicating roller 12. In order to effect adjustment of the pressure between the duplicating rollers 12, 14, an eccentric 64 is mounted on a shaft 66 which is journaled on the outer side wall 54. Fixed to the outer end of the shaft 66 (see Fig. 5) is a handle 68 by which the shaft 66 can be indexed through prescribed angular steps. The handle is securable in any position of adjustment by provision of appropriate pin and detent arrangement, known per se. As seen in Fig. 2, the depending arm 60a of the cradle 60 is urged against the eccentric 64 by a spring` 70 which is connected to the lower end of the arm 60a and is anchored on Athe wall 54 by a pin 72, As the eccentric 64 is rotated in a clockwise direction about its supporting shaft 66, 'as Yseen in Fig. 2, the cradle 60 is rocked i n the same clockwise direction about itspivot 62 t o i n #este .the .Contact PreSSlrsf-.batween the rollers. 1.2' .14.-

Adjustment ofV the 'eccentrie`64 ina counter clockwise direction obviously permits a corresponding decrease in contact pressure, since the arm 60a follows the movement ofthe eccentric 64 due to the biasing effect of the spring 70.`

The duplicating roller 12 is continuouslydriven from the motor 15 to impart drive to the duplicating couple 12, 14 by a series of belt and pulley drive connections tothe shaft extension 56a. Specifically, a main drive shaft 74 is journaled on the inner wall.52 and on further walls 76, 78 spaced from keach other and from the inner wall 52. The-main shaft 74 is coupled to the'motor 15 bya belt 80 which Jistrained over a small diameter drive pulley .82 on v the shaft16a of the motor 15 and over a large vdiameter main pulley 84 on the shaft 74. From the main shaft -74 to the shaft extension 56a a further belt and pulley coupling is arranged which includes the belt 86, the pulley 88 fixed on the shaft 74 and the pulley 90 xed on the shaft extension 56a. Accordingly, the drive to the duplicating couple 12, 14 includes the main motor 15, the belt and pulley coupling 80, 82, 84, the main shaft ,74, and the belt and pulley coupling 86, 88, 90 .to the shaft extension 56a. The master-feeding mechanism 16 includes a trough or feed `bin 92having an inclined front wall 94 adapted to receive the stack of masters M with the leading edges thereof bearing against the inclined front wall 94. The bin 92 is supported adjacent its rearward end on a shaft 96 and is fixed between the opposite side walls 52, 54 by integral collars and set screws 98, 100 (see Fig. l). Accordingly, the master-feeding bin 92 is adjustable laterally of the machine V10.- -I-Iowever, for most applica.-l tions. the bin will be disposed substantially medially of the machine and is illustrated herein as being symmetrically disposed with respect. to the duplicating couple. 12, 14. Positionedl below and in cooperating relation tothe bin 92 is a kicker and wobblerassembly which incorpo-` rates a pair of kicker rollers 102, 104 .fixed on a shaft 102 extending between opposite side `walls 52, 54 of the machine frame and driven as subsequently described. The kicker rollers 102, 104 are within the lateral con, fines of the bin 92 and beneath the open bottom thereof in a position to contact and support the lowermost master. Upon drive of the kicker. rollers 102, 104, the lowermost one of the masters is propelled forwardly along the master feed path. Cooperating with the kicker rollers 102, 104 is a wobbler roller 108 which is adapted to engage the rearmost end of the stack of masters M and is eccentrically mounted on the shaft journaled between the opposite side walls 52, 54 of the machine frame. The wobbler roller 108 tendsto vertically displace the rearmost end of the stack of masters whereby the tendency for the masters to cling together is dimin-l ished and the kicker rollers 102, 104 are rendered more effective to advance the bottomfmost master along the feed path. The eccentrically-mounted wobbler roller 108 is driven along with the kicker rollers 102, 104 by the belt and pulley coupling between the shafts 106, 110. The belt and pulley coupling incorporates a belt 112, a pulley 114 fixed to the shaft 106, and a pulley 116 fixed to the shaft 110. The belt and pulley coupling is located between the bin 92 and the outer-.side wall-54 of the machine frame, as seen in Fig. l. The shaft 106 is driven-from the motor v15 through a variable speed arrangement which incorporates an electric brake and an electric clutch to assure virtually vinstantaneous start and stop of drive to the shaft 106 and the corresponding operation of the master-feeding mecha nism 1-6. To this end, an electric brake 118 is mounted on one end of .the shaft 106, specifically at a loca-tion outwardly of the side wall 54, and an electric clutch is connected 'to the shaft 106 at a location inwardly of the Yside wall 52. The electrical connections for the brake and clutch 118, 120 and their coordination into theoverall .drive arrangement` will .be .mom muy? d;

scribed in conjunction with the description of FigflO of the drawings. The shaft 106 isdriven via a couplingl shaft 122 whichextends between the wallsg52, V16 and may be drven'at variable speeds under the control of the operator. The variable speed drive between the motor 15 andthe coupling 'shaft 122 includes a conventional variable speed unit, 124 mounted. on the frame and having itsinputcoupled to the motorA shaft 16aby a belt and pulley coupling-including the belt 126, -a pulley 127 on the motor shaft 16a,-and apulley 128 on the input shaft 124a of the;variab1e speed unit 124. Such variable speed units are known and accordingly will not be described in detail. It sufces topointr out that one such unit is commercially available under the trademark Zeromax. The output shaft 124b of the variable speed unit 124 is-connected to the coupling shaft 122 by two sets of belt and pulley couplings. The first set includes a belt 130, a driven pulley 132 connected to the output shaft 124]), and an idler pulley 134 mounted on anintermediate idler shaft. 136.- The second set includes a belt 138 trained over a lpulley 140 connected to the idler shaft 136 and a pulley 142 connected to the coupling shaft 122. Thus'the variable vspeed drive for the shaft 106 is derived from the motor 16 va the belt and pulley coupling 126, 128, 127 to the input of the variable speed unit 124 which in turn is connected to the coupling shaft 122 lvia the respectivev belt and pulley couplings 130, 132 and 134 and 138, 140, 142. Positioned forwardly of the master-feeding mechanism 16 in advance of the feed rollers 20, 22 are feeler members 144, 146. `The feeler member 144 is in the f orm of lan'eccentrically mounted stone which is carried on a shaft 148 and is adjustable in its relative spacing to the feeler member 146 which is in the form of a roller supported on a shaft 150. The shaft 150 is coupled to and driven by the shaft 106 via a gear'train which is located intermediate the belt and pulley coupling 112, 114,. 116 and the outer side wall 54 (see Fig. l). This gear train includes a gear 152 fixed to the shaft 150, a gear 154 fixed to the shaft 106, and an idler gear 156 interposed therebetween and in meshing engagementwith the-gears 152, 154. The eccentrically-mounted stone 144 is moved relative to the cooperatingfeeler roller 146 through provision ofa vemier adjustment device 158 accessible on the outer side wall4 54 of the machine frame 50. The Vernier adjustment device 158, which is seen in Fig. 5, includes a thumb screw control 1158a connected via a worm and gear to the shaft 148 supporting the eccentrically-mounted stone 144. In actual use, thevernier adjustment device 158 is turned to attain a separation between the stone 144 and the driven roller 146 which corresponds to the thickness of the paper stock'of the masters M whereby it is possible for only one master to move through the space between the stone 144 and the roller 146. Such adjustment may be readily made by the operator when the machine is placed in operation.

The feed rollers 20, 22 are the next components which contact the advancing master M. The roller 20 includes two active portions 20a, 20b (see Fig. l) and is mounted ona supporting shaft 160 which is journaled between the opposite side walls 52, 54 on appropriate bearings having springs 162 for biasing the feed roller 20 into contact with feedroller 22. The feed roller 22 likewise incorporates vtwo active portions 22a, 22b and is mounted on a supporting shaft 164 which is driven, as will be now described. The supporting shaft 164 is continuously driven from the variable'speed coupling shaft' 122 via two sets4 of belt and pulley couplings. yllpecically, and as seen best in Figs. 1 vand' 3,`ab`elt 166 is trained over a pulley 168 xed to the coupling shaft 122 and over a further pulley 170 lixed to an auxiliary coupling shaft 172. A further belt 174 is'trained over a pulley 176 carried on the auxiliary coupling shaft 172 and over the final driven pulley 178 carried on the roller-supportving 16,4. Since the drivingconnection for the rollersupporting shaft'164 is derived from ithe continuously driven coupling shaft. 122 via the auxiliary coupling shaft 172, it'will be appreciated that the roller 122 continues t-o be` driveneven after the blank-feeding mechanism 16 is disabled by the control arrangement, jto be subsequently described.

NextV along the 'master feed path to the duplicating couple 12, 14 are the check rollers 24, 26 which are driven when asmaster and blank are paired and ready for advance through the duplicating cycle. The upper check roller 24 is supported on a shaft 180 which is mounted in appropriate bearings on the side wa1ls.52, 54, with one or more springs 182 associated with the shaft '180 to bias the upper check roller 24 into contact with the lower check roller 26. '.The lower check roller 26 is supported on a drivenshaft `184 which extends beyond the inner side wall 52 and 'is appropriately journaled in the'next-adjacent wall 76.Y As will berecalled, the check rollers 24, 26 are controlled conjointly with the check roller 34, 36, with provision being made for changing the speed of the check rollers 24, 26, thereby enabling the regulation of the relative positions of the paired master to its blank. Thev drive to the shaft 184 includes provision for speed control, as well as an electric brake 185 and an electric clutch 186 connected in the control circuitillstrated specically in Fig. l0, and is activated by the yphotoelectric sensing devices 28, 38. Specifically, and as best seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the main drive shaft 74 is connected to the input shaft 186a of the electric clutch 186 which has its output shaft 186b connected via an lappropriate coupling to the input shaft 18811 of a vari# able speedcontrol unit 188. The coupling includes belt 190 trained over a ypulley 192 xed to the clutch output shaft 186b and over a lfurther pulley 194 fixed to a driven shaft 196.v The driven shaft 196, which also 'imparts drive to the check rollers 34, 36, as willvsub-` sequently be described, ,is connected to theY input shaft 188:1` of the variable speed control unit 188 by intermeshing gears 198, ,200. The gearV 198 is of arlarger diameter and is vcarried on the driven shaft 196 andthe gear 200 is of a smaller diameter and is carried on the input shaft 188:1. As seen best in Figs.'A l and 3, the output shaft 1881; is Vappropriately journaled through the wall 76 and con# nected via a belt and pulley coupling to the shaft 184 which drives the lower check roller 26. The coupling includes the belt 202 trained over a pulley 204 fixed to the output shaft 188b and a further pulley 206xed to the shaft 184. Thus, the drive to the check rollers 24, 26y for the master feed path includes the mainclutch 186 and the variable-speed unit 188.

The blank-feeding mechanism 18, which is virtually identical to the master-feeding mechanism 16 heretoforel described, includes a trough or feed bin 212 having an inclined 'front wall 214 adapted to receive the stack of blanksv B with` the leadingvedges thereof bearing against the inclined front wall 214. The bil 212 is supported adjacent its rearward end on shafts 216, 217 and is adjustable laterally of the machine frame, by means similar to those described in connection with the master bin 92. Positioned below and in cooperating relation to the bin 212 is 'a kicker and wobbler assembly which includes a pair of'kicker rollers similar to the kicker rollers 102, 104. Only the kicker roller 203 is seen in the showing of' Fig. 2; and inthe showing of Fig. l the blank-feeding mechanism 18 has been broken away in the interests of simplicity and clarity. The kicker rollers are supported 0n the shaft 226 which is` journaled between the opposite side walls 52, 54 of the machine' frame. The kicker rollersrare within the lateral connes'of the bin 212 and in positionY beneath the open bottom thereof to contact and support the lowermost blank. Upon drive of the kicker rollers, the lowermost one of the blanks is 'propelled forwardly along the blank feed path. Cooperat- -in-g with the-kicker rollers is a wobbler roller 228 which engages the rearmost end of the stackof blanks B and is'eccentrically mounted on the shaft 230 journaled between the yopposite side walls 52, 54. The wobbler roller 228 tends to vertically displace the rearmost end of the stack of blanks B whereby the tendency of the blanks to cling together is diminished and the kicker rollers 203 are rendered more effective to advance the lowermost blank along the blank-feed path. The eccentricallymounted wobbler roller 228 is drivenv from the kicker rollers by the belt and pulley coupling between the shafts 226, 238. The belt and pulley coupling incorporates a belt 232 trained over a pulley 234 xed to the shaft 226 and further pulley 236 fixed to the shaft 230. The belt and pulley coupling is located almost below the belt and pulley coupling 112, V114 land 116, portions thereof being visibleA at the upper right-hand .corner of Fig. l.

The shaft 226 is driven from the motor 15 via the variable speed auxiliary coupling shaft 172 and by a drive arrangement which incorporates an electric brake 238 and an electric clutch 240. The electric brake238 is on the end of the shaft 226 which is journaled within the outer side wall 54, while the electric clutch 240 is connectedto the shaft 226 at a location inwardly of the inner side -wall 52. The electrical connections to the brake and clutch 238, 240 and their coordination into the overall control circuit will be more fully described in conjunction with Fig. of the drawings.

Positioned forwardly of the blank-feeding mechanism 18 in advance of the feed rollers 32, 34 are the feeler members 244, 246. As before the feeler member 244 is in the form of an eccentrically-mounted stone which is carried on a shaft 248 with provision for adjustment relative to the feeler member A246 which is in the form of a roller supported on a shaft 250. The shaft 250 is coupled to and driven'by the shaft 226 via a gear train including a .gear 252 fixed to the shaft 250, a gear 254 fixed to the shaft 226, and an idler gear 256 interposed therebetween and in meshing engagement therewith. As seen in Fig. 5, a Vernier adjustment device 258 including a thumb screw control 258a is arranged on the outer wall 54, which is seen to serve as a control panel. The device 25S enables the operator to adjustv the spacing between the stone 244 and the roller 250. This adjustment isof course established in accordance with the thickness of the blank stock being fedthrough the duplicating ap'- paratus.. Y I

Next along the blank feed path are the feed rollersv 30, 32- which are continuously driven in a manner similar to the drive for the'feed - rollers 20, 22. The upper feed roller 30 is supported on a shaft 260` journaled between the opposite side walls 52, S4 of the machine frame 50. One or moresprings 262 serveto bias the upper feed roller 30 into contact with the lower feed roller 32. The lower feed roller 32 is carried on a supporting shaft V 264 and is continuously driven by a appropriate connection to the variable'speed coupling shaft 122. As seen best in Figs. l and 3, the shaft 264 is `coupled to the shaft 122 by'a belt 266` trained over a pulley 268 fixed to the shaft 264 and a further pulley 270 fixed to the coupling shaft 122.

1 Next along the feed path toward the duplicating cou ple 12, 14 are the check rollers 34, 36 which also serve as 'a wetting assembly whereby successive blanks are wetted along a prescribed swath during the final travel toward the duplicating rollers 12, 14. The roller 34 is supported'on a shaft 280 journaled between the opposite side walls. 52, 54. The shaft 280 includes as an integral extension thereof the shaft 196 which is driven from .the main shaft 74 viav the main clutch 186, as'prcviously described. The-lower wetting roller 36 is supported on a shaft 274 journaled between the opposite side walls 52', 52h-with one or "more springs 276'se'r'ving to-biasfthe l'owerwett'ingroller 36 against the upper"wettng'l`ioller 34. Associated with the upper wetting-roller 34-is-aI wick assembly including a wick element -2'77 which sii'i wiping contact with. theperiphery of the roller 34 along its length. The wickelement 277 is -in communication with the lower end ofa conduit 278 connected at its upper end to a tank 280'which contains a relatively large supi ply of the duplicating uid. As seen in Fig. 4, the tank 280 'is spaced above -the level of the lower end of the conduit 278 andof the wick element whereby a gravity ow is established for the duplicating fluid, with the'conduit 278 remaining full and serving as a reservoir of duplicating uid a-t the wick element 276. For lthe-pur'- poses of periodically ,controlling the gravity flow of the uid from the tank 1280 into the conduit 278, a solenoidcontrolled needle valve 282 is connected in the conduit 278, the solenoid-control being designated by the'erefer ence numeral 284. The coordination'of the needle valve 282 and its control 284 into the system will be more fully described in conjunction with Fig. 10. It is sufficient for the' present to point out that the flow may be estab# lished every cycle or every few cycles to continuously replenish'the fluid supply in the lower portion of the couduit -278 during the continued operation of the machine. For Vthe purposes of controlling the rate of the delivery of the fluid to the solenoid-controlled needle valve 282, or for cutting olf or completely interrupting flow, a'manually adjustable valve 286 is connected in the conduit 278 in advance of theV needle valve 282. The valve 286 has a handle 288 which may be adjusted by the operator, either to turn off the supply of duplicating fluid or to regulate its ow'to the solenoid controlled valve 282.

Following the duplicating rollers 12, 14 are the takeoff conveyors 40, 42 which are continuously driven from the motor 15 and remove the masters and blanks from the duplicating couple 12, 14. The master take-olf con-v veyor 40 includes a series of continuous flat belts 40a, 40!) and 40:,` which are trained about the rollers 290, 292. The roller 298 is supported on a saft 294 which is journaled between the opposite side walls 52, 54 and is driven from the 4motor 15. The roller v292 is supported on a shaft 296 which is likewise journaled betweenl the opposite side walls 52, 54. The shaft 294 is connected to the main drive shaft 74 at the input side tothe main clutch 186 by meshing gears 298, 300 whereby the master take-off conveyor 40 is continuously driven once the machine is placed in operation. The rate of drive for the master conveyor 40 is established so that the masters can be rapidly removed from the duplicating couple 12,7'14 as each successive duplicating cycle is completed. 'p The blank conveyor 42 is likewise continuously driven and incorporates a series of continuous flat belts similar to the belts40a, 40b and 40e. The belts are trained about rollers 302, 304. -The roller 302 is carried on a shaft 306 which is journaled between the opposite side walls 52, 54 and the .roller 304 is similarly journaled on the shaft 308. The shaft 386 is driven by the shaft 294 through provision of a belt and pulley'coupling including the belt 310. trained about the pulley 312 fixed tothe shaft 2941and the pulley 3.14 Xedto the shaft 306. `rl`h'us; the blank conveyor 42 is driven ona continuous basis alongwiththe master conveyor 40. r l Associated with the take-off conveyors'll, 42 are trans! port conveyors, generally designated by the vreference numeral 316, 318.v As seen best inv Fig. 5, the transport conveyor 316 for the' take-off conveyor 40 extends for a comparatively long run and terminates in a stacking shoe 320 against which successive masters arelbrought-by op-4 eration of the conveyors. The transport conveyor 318 for .the take-.01T conveyor 42 extends to a drop-off loca'- tion 322 belowwhichfis disposed'a receptacle 324 adapted toreceive the duplicated blanks. l The ltransport conveyors316, 318 are c oordinated'hto the operation ofthe 'machine and are indexed-during-each duplicating cy'cle whereby, after lthe rapid removaiof' the`bla-n'ks -andinasters from thework zone lby the ltalfl'rp olf conveyors 40, 42, the work is carried stepwise toward the stacking shoe 320 and the receptacle 3 24 at which the work is removed from the machine.

` The transport conveyor 316 includes a series of belts 316a, 316b, and 316:: trained about the rollers 326, 328. The, roller 326 is carried on a shaft 330 jonrnaled in the opposite side walls 52, 54 of the machine frame, *while the roller 328 is carried on shaft 332.V Similarlyrthe transport conveyor 318 includes a series of belts trained about rollers 334, 336, the roller 334 'being carried on a shaft 338 and the roller 336 being carried on a shaft 340. Y Y

' The drive for periodically indexing the transport conveyors 316, 318 may be best seen by referenceto Figs. l, 3 and 4. The output shaft 186b of the main clutch 186 is connected to an intermediate coupling shaft 342 which is journaled in -appropriate bearings on the wall 76, ,78. This connection includes a belt 344 trained over a pulley 346 connected to the output shaft 168b of the clutch 186 and a further pulley 348 connected to the input shaft 350a of a brake 350. The intermediate coupling shaft 342 in turn is connected to the driven shaft 330 by intermeshing gears 352, 354. The driven shaft 330 of the transport conveyor 316 is coupled to the corresponding driven shaft 338 of the transport conveyorl 318 through provision of a belt and pulley Coupling (see Fig. 3) which includes the belt 356 trained about a pulley 358 fixed to the shaft 330 and a further pulley 360 iixed to the shaft 338. Thus upon operation of the main clutch 186, a driving connection is provided tothe transport conveyors 316, 318 which are drivenV in tandem for a period corresponding to the duration of activation of the main clutch 186. The brake 350 is energized when the main clutch 186 is deenergized whereby the transport conveyors 316, 318 are stopped almost instantaneously.

In order to elfectively separate the masters M and the blanks B after passing through the duplicating couple 12, I4, a deflector 362 is mounted on the machine fratrie 50 following the reproducing rollers 12, 14 and in advance of the master and blank conveyors 40, 42. The deector 362, seen best in lFigs. l and 2, includes an arm 362a which carries a transversely-extending shield 362b extending along the length of the roller 290 and curved to conform' generally to the periphery thereof. The arm 362:1 is xed to the machine frame within the lateral limits which are occupied by the blanks as the same are fed through t-he machine whereby successive Iblanks are engaged by the yarm 36211 and directed downwardly beneath the shield 362b and toward'the blank conveyor 42. Further, :as seen in Fig. 1, the arm 362a is disposed outwardly of the edges of successive masters, which in this instance are somewhat narrower in width than the blanks whereby the masters are permitted to continue in their generally upward course onto the takeoff conveyor during the normal operation of the duplicating couple 12, 14. Since t-he masters and blanks vare almost always of dilerent widths, it is a comparatively simple matter to provide some means for deflecting the blanks downwardly and lthe mastersupwardly whereby separation is achieved between paired masters and blanks after the duplicating operation. In the event that the masters and blanks are to remain collated, the deilector 362 is removed and thereupon the masters and blanks tend to travel upwardly together-onto the conveyor 40 and ultimately are stacked' at the end of the transport conveyor 316 -at the shoe 320. It may be desirable to keep masters and blanks collated when furt-her work lor operations are to be performed in connection with the master and 'the blank duplicated therefrom.

l The photoelectric sensing devices 28, 30 and their associated electronic amplifiers are conventional units which are available on the market. The device 28 embodies 12 a light source 28a which directs its beam across the master feed path at a location intermediate the feed rollers 20, 22 and check -rol1ers24, 26 toward a reflector 28b. The redirected Abeam is picked up by a photocell 28e to provide the required activating source for the device 28. When the beam' is changed, as for example when the ambient light level changes or the beam is broken by the passage of master across the Ybeam path, the desired control function may be achieved. Similarly, the photoelectric device 38 incorporates a light source 38a, a reflector 38h and a photocell 38o, wit-h the beam in this instance being directed between the feed rollers 30, 32

and the combined wetting and check follers 34, 36 along the blank-feeding path.

Detailed reference will now be made to the schematic showing of the control circuit ofv Fig. l0 for a description of the inter-relationship between the various brakes, clutches and controls incorporated in the machine 10. The control circuit has its several controls in the positions corresponding to that diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 6. That is to say, that' the motor 15 is driving the duplicating couple -12, 14, the conveyors 40, 42, and the respective feeding mechanisms 16, 18 with the associated feed rollers. Further, in the interests of simplicity and clarity, the alternating current circuits have been illustrated by the light lead lines while the direct current circuits have been illustrated by the heavier lead lines. 'The control circuit, which can be mounted within a single control box appropriately ixed on the frame ofy the machine, includes Ialternating current input lines 400, 402 which may be connected via the terminals 400a, 402e to a sixty cycle, one hundred ten volt source. A main control switch 404 is connected in'the input line 402 which, whenV closed, imparts drive tothe main motor 16 connected across the input lines 400, 402. The input lines 400, 402 are connected to a conventional full-wave' rectiiier 406 which supplies direct current output on the leads 408, 410. The various brakes and clutches are venergized from the direct current lines 408, 410 'while s the various control relays and switches associated therewith are connected across the alternating current iines. The circuit -includes three relay-controlled switches,

' namely, the relay control switch 412 which is connected across the lines 400, 402 upon pairing of successive masters and blanks; the relay-controlled switch 414 which is controlled by the photoelectric device 28 and in turn controls the brake 118 andthe clutch 120 for the blankfeeding mechanism 16; and the relay-controlled switch 416 which is controlled by the photoelectn'e device 38 and in turn controls the brake 238 and the clutch 240 for the blank-feeding mechanisms 18.

The relay-controlled lswitch 412 includes the contactor 412a which normally makes contact with the terminal 412b and when energized-makes contact with the terminal 412e. The contactor 412a is switched from the illustrated position of Fig. l0 into contact with the terminal 412e by energzation of the control coil 412d of the relay. The coil 412d is connected across the lines 400, 4 02 by operation of the photoelectric devices 28, 38, as will subsequently be described. The relay-controlled switch 414 is normally energized and includes aiswitch contactor 414a which makes contact with the terminal 414b. When the relay 414 is deenergized, the switch contacter 41411 makes contact with the terminal 414C. The relay controlled switch 414 includes a control coil 414:1 which is connected across the line 400, 402 via the i relay-controlled switch associated with the photoelectric contact with the terminal 416e when deenergized. The relay coil 416d is connected across the A.C. lines 400,

402 via thev relay-controlled switch associated withthe photoelectric device 38.

ane 8,456

Considering now the photoelectric devices, it is seen that the lamp 28a of the device 28 is' connected across the A.C. lines. The device 28, which may include an `amplifier, operates a relay-controlled switch 418 having a switch contactor 418a and terminals 418b, 418C. The switch contactor 418a is in the switch position corresponding to energization of the relay control coil 418d when the beam monitoring the path of the master is unbroken. In this position, it is seen that the control coil 414d of the switch 414 is connected across the lines 400, 402 via the switch contactor 418a and the terminal 4181i. With the switch contactor 414a in contact with the terminal 414i), the clutch 120 associated with the masterfeeding mechanism 16 is energized to bring about feed of the masters. Upon interruption of the beam of light monitoring the master feed path in response to a master arriving at the check rollers 20, 22, the switch contactor 418:1 makes contact with the terminal 418e. This interrupts the energization circuit for the control coil 414:1 of the relay control switch 414 whereupon the switch contactor 414a makes contact with the terminal 414e. In this switch position, the brake 118 associated with the master-feeding mechanism 16 is connected across the direct current line `408, 410 to be energized thereby. This brings about virtually instantaneous stopping of the master-feeding mechanism 16 until the relay control switch 414 is again operated. A similar relay-controlled switch 420 is associated with the photoelectric device 38 and includes a switch contactor 420a normally making contact with the terminal 420i), but adapted to make contact with the terminal 428e when the coil 420s! is deenergized upon breaking of the light beam monitoring the blank feed path. In the position wherein the switch contactor 420a makes contact with the 4terminal 420b, the coil 416d of the relay control switch 416 is connected across the A.C. lines 400, 402 and the switch contactor 416a makes contact with the terminal 416b. The switch contactor 416a and terminal 416b connect with the clutch 240 for the blankfeeding mechanism 18 across the D C. lines 408, 410 to impart drive to the blank-feeding mechanism. When the switch contactor `420:1 makes Contact with the terminal 420e in response to the light beam monitoring the blank feed path being interrupted, the energization circuit for the relay coil 420:1 is deenergized. Thereupon the energization circuit for the relay coil 416d is interrupted and the switch contactor 416a makes contact with the terminal 416C. When the switch contactor 416a makes contact with the terminal 416e, the brake 238 is connected across the direct current lines 408, 410 which in turn brings about almost instantaneous stopping of the blankfeeding mechanisms 18. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the respective photoelectric devices 28, 38 individually control the operation of the master and blank feeding mechanisms 16, 18.

Turning now to the cojoint control over the master clutch 186, the brakes 185, 350, and the solenoid control 284 for the valve 282, these components are controlled by the switch 412 which has its energization circuit completed only when the beam of both photoelectric devices 28, 38 are interrupted. Specically, coil 412d is connected to the A C. line 400 only when the switch contactor 418a is against the terminal 418e (corresponding to the interruption of the photoelectric beam monitoring the master feed path) and to the A.C. line 402 when the switch contactor 420:1 is against the terminal 420C (corresponding to the interruption of the photoelectric beam monitoring the blank feeding path). Upon energization of the relay control switch 412, the switch contactor 412a makes contact with the terminal 412C, thereby connecting the master clutch 186 across the D.C. lines 408, 410. This in turn imparts driveto the check rollers 24, 26 to the wetting couple 34, 36 and to the transport conveyors 316, 318. Further, the solenoid control 284 for the valve 282 of the duplicating fluid dispensing-system is activated whereby controlled gravity ow of fluid is permitted into the conduit 278.- Suchv operation continues for so long as both of the photoelectric beams are interrupted. When either of the beams is re-established to operate its associated relay control switch, the energization circuit for the coil 412d of the switch 412 is interrupted and the switch contactor 412a returns to the illustrated position wherein the brakes 185, 350 are energized. As previously explained, proper completion of the duplicating cycle is not effected by the fact that the trailing ends of either the master or the blank may pass the location where the beam is interrupted prior to the duplicating operation being cornpleted. Despite such condition, the duplicating couple 12, 14 is driven at a speed sufficient to assure completion of the operation even though some hold-back effect may be exerted by the roller pairs 24, 26 and 34, 36. If this becomes troublesome, the switch 412 may be of the slowrelease type whereby a predetermined time lag is introduced after the energization circuit is broken before the switch contactor 412a returns to the illustrated position. However, Vit should be noted that there is an inherent lag in the photoelectric controls from the quiescent state to the` active state which permits passage of the masters and blanks. Fur-ther, from the mechanical standpoint, the respective pairs of check rollers are journaled to rotate freely in the direction opposite to drive, so that when drive is disrupted, the duplicating couple is elfective to complete the advance of the paired master and blank through the duplicating cycle.

Appropriate by-pass switches 422, 424 are associated with the photoelectrically-controlled switches 413, 420 in order to effectively by-pass the same and to complete the energization circuit for the main relay-controlled switch 412. These by-pass switches are provided to enable the operator to continuously cycle the machine without the necessity of masters and blanks being present along the respective feed paths for interrupting the associated light beams.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present invention is readily adapted to mass duplication at a comparatively low unit cost. The machine is extremely versatile and readily adapted to handle a wide variety of types of stock, with the facility for precisely orienting the hectograph impression on the blank stock, both laterally and longitudinally. Positive provision is made for the collated take-off of masters and blanks, or their separate take-off. Even if the masters and blanks are of the identical width their separation may still' be achieved by the illustrated mechanisms by initially oisetting the master feeding mechanism and the blank feeding mechanism. By this expedient a projecting edge of the blank will be available for downward deflection to achieve the required separation. v

Aflatitude of modification, change andsubstitution is intended inthe foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be used without a corresponding use of other features.

What we claim is:

l. A duplicating machine comprising cooperating reproducing rollers for engaging a master and blank at a pickup location to bring the same into transfer relation, a drive for said reproducing rollers, means operable to-connect said drive to said reproducing rollers to continuously drive said reproducing rollers, rst feeder means for delivering masters along a irst feed path toward said pickup location, second feeder means for der livering blanks along a second feed path toward said pickup location, a first pair of contacting check rollers along said rst feed path in advance of said reproducing rollers, a second pair of contacting check rollers along said .second feed path in advance of said reproducing rollers, rst sensing means in advance of said rst pair of check rollers, second sensing means inadvanceof said second pair of check rollers, and means contrciJl/lggl by both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to the first and second pairs of check rollers whereby a master and blank are advanced toward said pickup location.

2. A duplicating machine comprising cooperating reproducing rollers for engaging a master and blank at a pickup location to bring the same into transfer relation, a drive for said reproducing rollers, means operable to connect said drive to said reproducing rollers to continuously drive said reproducing rollers, first feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path toward said pickup location, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said pickup location, a rst pair of contacting check rollers along said first feed path in advance of said reproducing rollers, a second pair of contacting check rollers along said second feed path in advance of said reproducing rollers, first sensing means in advance of said first pair of check rollers, second sensing means in advance of said second pair of check rollers, means controlled by both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to the first and second pairs of check rollers whereby a master and blank are advanced toward said pickup location, and means'controlled by said first sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means.

3. A duplicating machine comprising cooperative reproducing rollers for engaging a master and blank at a pickup location to bring the same into transfer relation, a drive for said reproducing rollers, means operable to connect said drive to said reproducing rollers to continuously drive said reproducing rollers, first feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path toward said pickup location, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said pickup location, a first pair of contacting check rollers .along said first feed path in advanve of said reproducmg rollers, a second pair of contacting check rollers along said second feed path in advance of said reproducing rollers, first sensing means in advance of'said first pair of check rollers, second sensing means in advance of said second pair of check rollers, means controlled by luoth of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to the first and second pairs of check rollers whereby a master and blank are advanced toward said pickup location, means controlled by said first sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means, and means controlled by said second sensing means and operative t interrupt delivery of blanks by said second feeder means.

4. A duplicating machine comprising a reproducing coupling adapted to engage a master and blank to bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drive said reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple. rotatable check means along said first feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said second feed path in advance of saidreproducing couple, first sensing means in advance of said check means, second sensing means in advance of said wetting couple, and means controlled by both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to said check means and said wetting couple whereby a master 'and blank are delivered to said reproducing couple with the blank wetted,

5. A duplicating .machine comprising a reproducing coupling adapted to engage a master and blank to bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drive said reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path toward said reproducingcouple, second feeder means for delivering yblanks along a second feedA path toward "said reproducing couple, rotatable check means along said` first feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said second feed path in advance of said repro- .ducing couple, first sensing means in advance of said check means, second sensing means in advance of said wetting couple, means controlled by vboth of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to said check means and said wetting couple whereby a master and blank are delivered to said reproducing couple with the blank wetted, and means controlled by said first sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means.

6. A duplicating machine comprising a reproducing coupling adapted to engage a master and blank to bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drive said reproducing couple, a first feeder'means for delivering masters along a first Afeed path toward said reproducing couple, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, rotatable check means along said first feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said second feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, first sensing means in advance of said check means, second sensing means in advance of said wetting couple, means controlled by both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation Vto said check means and said wetting couple whereby a master and blank are delivered to said reproducing couple with the blank wetted, means controlled by said first sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means, and means controlled by said second sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of blanks by said second feeder means.

7. A duplicating machine comprising cooperating reproducing rollers for engaging a master and blank at a pickup location to bring the same into` transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing rollers to continuously drive said reproducing rollers, first feeder means for delivering master along a first feed path toward said pickup location, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said pickup location, a first pair of feed rollers along said first feed path, means operatively connected to said first pair of feed rollers for continuously driving same, a first pair of check rollers along said first feed path following said first pair of feed rollers and in advance of said reproducing rollers, a second pair of-feed rollers along said second feed path, means operatively connected to said second pair of feed rollers for continuously driving same, a second pair of check rollers along said second feed path following said second pair of feed rollers and in yadvance of said reproducing rollers, first sensing means along said first feed path intermediate said first pair of feed rollers and said first pair of check rollers, second sensing means along said second feed path intermediate said second pair of feed rollers and said second pair of check rollers, means controlled by both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to the first and second pairs of check rollers whereby a master and blank are delivered toward said pickup location.

8. A duplicating machine comprising cooperating reproducing rollers for engaging a master and blank at a pickupv location to bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing rollers to continuously drive said reproducing rollers, first feeder means for delivering master along a first feed path toward 'said pickup location, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said pickup location, a first pair of feed rollers along said first feed path, means operatively connected to said first pair ofrfeed rollers for continuously driving same, a first pair of check rollers along said first feed path following said first pair of feed rollers and in advance of said reproducing rollers,

17 a second pair of feed rollers along said second feed path, means operatively connected to said second -pair of feed rollers for continuously driving same, a second pair of check rollers along said second feed path following said second pair of feed rollers and in advance of said reproducing rollers, first sensing means along said first feed path intermediate said first pair of feed rollers and said first pair of check rollers, second sensing means along said second feed path intermediate said second pair of feed rollers and said second pair of check rollers, means controlled by both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to the first and second pairs of check rollers whereby a master and blank are delivered toward 'said pickup. location, and means controlled by said first sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means.

9'. A duplicating machine comprising cooperating reproducing rollers for engaging a master and blank at a pickup location to bring the same into transfer relation, rnean's operatively connected to said reproducing rollers 'to continuously drive said reproducing rollers, first feeder means for delivering master along a first feed path toward said pickup location, second feeder means for delivering blanks 'along a second feed path toward said pickup location, a first pair of feed rollers along said first feed path, means operatively connected to said first pair of feed rollers for continuously driving same, a first pair of check rollers along said first feed path following said first pair of feed rollers and in advance of said reproducing rollers, a second pair of feed rollers along said second feed path, means operatively connected to said second pair of feed rollers for continuously driving same, a second pair of check rollers along said second feed path following said second pair of feed rollers and in advance of said reproducing' rollers, first sensing means along said first feed path intermediatev said first pair of feed rollers and said first pair of check rollers, second sensing means along said second feed path intermediate said second pair of feed rollers andsaid second pair of check rollers, means controlled by both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to the first and second pairs of check rollers whereby a master and blank are delivered toward said pickup location, means controlled by said first sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means, and means controlled by said second sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of blanks by said second feeder means.

l0. In a duplicating machine, a reproducting couple adapted to engage a master and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drive said reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, a variable speed drive for said first feeder means, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drive for said second feeder means, rotatable check means along said first feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said second feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, first sensing means in advance of said check means, second sensing means in advance of said wetting couple, and means controlled by both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to said check means and said wetting couple whereby a master and blank are delivered to said reproducing couple with the blank wetted.

ll. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple adapted to engage a master and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to` said reproducing couple to continuously drive said reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, a variable speed drive for said first feeder means, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drive for said second feeder means, r's't rotatable check means along said first feed path in advance `'of said reproducing een'- ple, second rotatable check means along said second feed path in `advance of said reproducing couple, and means operative to impart rotation to the respective check means whereby a master and blank are delivered to said reproducing couple. t

12. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple adapted to engage a master 'and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drive said reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, rotatable check means along said first feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said second feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wick assembly operatively disposed relative to said wetting couple, and means operative to impart rotation to said check means and said wetting couple whereby a master vand blank arel delivered to said reproducing' couple with the blank wetted.

13. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple 'adapted to engage a master and blank Iand bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drive said reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drive for said lsecond feeder means, rotatable check means along said first feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said second feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, first sensing means in advance of said check means, second sensing means in` advance of said wetting couple, means controlled by both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to said check means and said wetting couple whereby a master and blank are delivered to said reproducing couple with the blank wetted, means controlled by said first sensing means and operative to .interrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means, means controlled by said second sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of blanksv by said second feeder means, and take-off conveyors following said reproducing couple for removing successive pairs of masters and blanks after a reproducing cycle.

14. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple adapted to engage a master and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drive said reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, a variable speed drive for said first feeder means, second feeder means for delivering blanks lalong a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drive for said second feeder means, rotatable check means along said first feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said second feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wick assembly operatively disposed relative to said wetting couple, first sensing means in advance of said check means, second sensing means in advance of said wetting couple, means controlled by both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to said check means and said wetting couple whereby a master and blank 4are delivered to said reproducing couple with the blank wetted, means controlled by said first sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of masters -by said first feeder means, means controlled by said second sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of blanks by said second feeder means, and take-off conveyors following said reproducing couple for removing successive pairs of masters and blanks after a reproducing cycle.

, 15. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple :adapted to engage a master `and blank and bring the same into `transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously 'drive said reproducing couple, Va rst feeder means for delivering masters along a irst feed path toward said reproducing couple,

. a second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a rotatable check means along said rst feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said ksecond feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wick assembly for said wetting couple, a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of wetting tluid, control means operative to impart rotation to said check means and said wetting couple whereby a master and blank are delivered to said reproducing couple with the blank wetted, and fluid-dispensing means between said reservoir and said wick assembly and operated by said control means for periodically delivering wetting fluid from said reservoir to said wick assembly.

16. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple, blank-feedingm'echanisms for delivering blanks along a prescribed path toward said reproducing couple, a wick assembly along said prescribed path .for wetting successive blanks with duplicating fluid during Vdelivery to said reproducing couple, a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of duplicating iuid, a conduit connecting said reservoir to said Wick assembly, a normally-closed valve in said conduit, and means controlled by said blankfeeding mechanisms for opening said valve as a function of the operation of said blank-feeding mechanisms.

17. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple, blank-feeding mechanisms for delivering blanks along a prescribed path toward said reproducing couple, a wick assembly including a wetting couple along said prescribed path for wetting successive blanks with duplicating uid 'during delivery to said reproducing couple, a gravity-feed reservoir positioned above said wick assembly and adapted to contain a supply of duplicating uid, a conduit connecting said reservoir to said wick assembly, a normallyclosed valve in said conduit, and means controlled by said blank-feeding mechanisms for opening said valve as a function of the feed of successive blanks by said blank-feeding mechanisms. Y

18. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple adapted 'to engage a master and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drive said reproducing couple, a rst feeder means for delivering masters along'a first feed path toward vsaid reproducing couple, a drive for said first feeder means, second-feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drive for said second feeder means, check means along said first feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, wetting means along said second feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, rst sensing means in advance of said check means, second sensing means in advance of said wetting means, and means controlled by both of said sensing means to operate said check means and said wetting means whereby a master and blank are delivered to said reproducing couple with the blank wetted.

19. rIn a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple adapted to engage a master and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drive said reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering masters along a rst feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drive for said lirst feeder means, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drive for said second feeder means, check means along said rst feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, wetting means along said second feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, rst sensing means in advance of said check means, second sensing means in advance of said wetting means, means controlled by both of said sensing means to operate said check means and said wetting means whereby a master and blank are delivered to said reproducing couple with the blank wetted, means controlled by said first sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of masters by said iirst feeder means, and means controlled by said second sensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of blanks by said second feeder means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Smitzer Aug. 13, 1957

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