US3077831A - Apparatus for printing with ink requiring activation - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS NOR PRINTING WITH INK' REQUIRING ACTIVATION Filed May 15', 1959 Feb. 19, 1963 w. RrrzI-:RFE| D ETAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 N ,mi

'Jn ven fors IIN/1.2M Jr M Ws.

Feb. 19, 1963 w. RxTzERFELD ETAL 3,077,831

APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WITH INK REQUIRING ACTIVATION Filed May l5, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jnvenorfs Feb. 19, 1963 w. RITZERFELD ETAL 3,077,831

APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WITH INK REQUIRING ACTIVATION 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 15, 1959 s... n s...

Jn venors Feb. 19, 1963 w. RxTzERFELD ETAL 3,077,831

APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WITH INK REQUIRING ACTIVATION Filed May l5, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 MN AN mi 3 mm Feb. 19, 1963 Filed May 15. 1959 W. RITZERFELD ET AL APPARATUS FOR PRINTING WITH INK REQUIRING ACTIVATION 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 19, 1963 w. RITZERFELD ETAL 3,077,831

APPARATUS Fox PRINTING WITH INK REQUIRING ACTIVATION Filed May' v1.5, 1959 s sheets-sheet e Jnvehors um @or i WIMP MPV-bq d itates a The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing with ink requiring activation, and more particularly to a duplicating apparatus in Which a printing form is used which contains an inl; or dye which normally Ywill not transfer any color but which upon chemical activation is made color `transferring so that imprints of the printing form can be made oncopy sheets.

lt is one object ot the present invention to provide a printing apparatus permitting the use of a printing form which `can `bc handled by au operator providing a text on the printing form without soiling her hands or clothes. Another obiect o the present invention is to provide apparatus permitting use of a printing form which can be handled by the operator of the printing machine Without soiling of his hands or clothes.

A further object of the present invention is a simple printing apparatus for producing clear imprints on copy sheets.

A further object orr the present invention is a duplica*- ing machine in which a normally non-transferring printing form is chemically activated after attachment to a printing roller.

With these objects in view the present invention is concerned with a printing machine which comprises a. rotary printing roller; attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface oi the printing roller a printing form containing inl; requiring activation, and applicator rnc-ans for applying an activating agent to the printing form during rotation of the printing roller.

The applicator means are movable to and from an operative position in close proximity to the printing roller, so that the activating agent can be applied to the printing form reiiminary revolutions of the printing roller, while the applicator means is retracted to an inoperative position during the printing operations, and is again tive between printing operations when the init on t. e pr Ating form again needs activation.

A modified embodiment ot' the apparatus of the present ention includes second attaching means for attaching a cover sheet to the printing roller superimposed on the printing form, so that the activating agent can be uniformly applied to the printing form through the cover sheet.

in this manner, the printing form is rendered init and color transf ring by an activating agent which is applied clore, bet leen, or during printing operations to the printing form. Such application is either direct or indirect throu transferring mean .The activating vhich is applied by the applicator means in accordance with the present invention, is allialine, aci'c, salts-containing and! or oxidizing.

the preferred arrangement of the present invention,

ln the embodiment of the present invention in which the activating liquid is applied to the printing form by a transfer sheet covering the printing form on the printing roller, `the cover sheet is moistened either from the rear or from the front. Alkaline, acidic, salt-containing arid/ or oxidizing substances are contained in the cover sheet, or arranged in the same in the form of a layer super- 3,077,831 Patented Feb. 19, 1963 ric imposed on the printing form. The cover sheet is then moistened by the applicator means With a neutral liquid to provide a moist activating agent in the cover sheet which acts on the activatable ink on the printing form. ln a modified arrangement, the cover sheet is untreated, and is moistened by an activating liquid agent during one or several revolutions of the printing roller, so that the liquid activating agent passes through the cover sheet onto the printing form to activate the ink of the same.

A Vrotary duplicating machine including conventional moistening means for the copy sheets is provided in accordance with the present invention with applicator means which are movable to and from an operative position for applying an activating agent either to the printing form, or to a cover sheet covering the printing form.

One embodiment of the applicator means of the present invention includes a roller in contact with a liquid activating agent, and rolling on the printing form, or on the cover sheet, during rotation of the printing roller. Another embodiment of the applicator means includes an absorbent pad in sliding contact with the printing form, or with the cover sheet, during rotation of the printing roller and being partly immersed in a' liquid activating agent.

One embodiment of an activating roller according to the present invention is in sliding contact with an absorbeut member containing the liquid activating agent in capillary channels. Another embodiment of the applicator roller of the present invention is hollow and made of a porous material so that a liquid activating agent contained in the hollow roller passes to the surface of the roller which is in rotating Contact With the printing form.

ln the embodiment of the present invention in which a cover sheet is used for uniformly distributing the activating agent over the printing form, it is necessary to remove the cover` sheet `before the printing operations are carried out. A stripper movable to and from an operative position in close proximity to the printing roller may be provided for stripping the cover sheet oil the printing form.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stripper means includes a suction roller, which grips the cover sheet by suction, and then rotates to remove the cover sheet from the printing form. A control cam means is preferably provided for releasing the attaching .means holding the cover sheet when the same is to be removed by the stripper means in a predetermined position `of the printing roller during rotation of the same.

A particular advantage of the arrangement of the present invention resides in that the copy sheet can be moistcned with liquids of neutral reaction, which are normally used during conventional duplicating operations. ln this manner, the same printing machine can be used for conventional duplicating operations using only a neutral liquid for moistening the copy sheets, and also for producing copies of photographic, chemically reacting printing for-ms Without requiring exchange or replacement of the standard tmoistening means.

Since in accordance with the present invention, a ncutral liquid is used for moistening the copy sheet, it is not necessary to provide moistening devices made of acidresistant material. In fact the entire machine, with the exception of the applicator for the activating agent, need not be built of acid-resistant material. When oxidizing agents or salt solutions are used as activating liquids, it is even possible to use acid or alkali as copy liquids, which for the reasons given above have been found unsuitable for use in the known duplicating methods.

The following examples of a chemical reaction occurring in the 4method of the present invention are given as illustrative only, the present invention is, however, not limited to the specilic `details of the examples:

3 Example I A printing form having a layer of a silver halide emulsion of the self-reversing type, and whose layer further contains an only slightly colored, finely dispersed and water-insoluble dye-forming compound, for example, the leuco base of malachite green, is exposed with predominately yellow light in a reflex photo-copy device, using a positive original, for instance a drawing.

The development of the printing form and the oxidation of the leuco base to the dye base are carried out in the special developing and oxidizing device which is independent of the duplicating machine. This procedure is more fully described in our co-pending application Serial No. 806,382 led on April 14, 1959, and entitled, Method of Producing Copy.

Excess liquid is squeezed off before the printing form is attached to the printing roller of the duplicating machine. The activating liquid, `for example, a 4% aqueous solution of formic acid, is provided in an applicator device which is movable to and from a position for applying the aqueous solution of formic acid to the printing form, while the moistening device for the copy sheets contains a neutral-reacting copy liquid, such as alcohol. The printing roller is rotated, so that the applicator moves along the printing form which is moistened with the diluted acid solution. Thereby, the non-colored and insoluble dye base will be transformed into the strongly colored water and alcohol soluble dye salt. The applicator for the activating agent is now moved to an inoperative position spaced from the printing form, so that the printing form can be successively brought into contact with copy sheets moistened with alcohol whereby imprints are produced on the copy sheets.

In this manner a great number of strongly colored copies are obtained after a single activation of the ink or dye in the printing form. As soon as the color intensity of the printed copies weakens, the applicator for the activating agent is moved again to its operative position to engage the printing form during one or several revolutions of the printing form.

Example lI A printing foil of the type described in Example I and exposed as explained in Example I is developed and treated with acid, for instance, with a solution of sulfamic acid, in a developing device which is independent and separated from the duplicating machine.

After squeezing off excess liquid, which cause dripping, the printing form is attached to the printing roller of the duplicating machine. The applicator means contains the activating liquid, for instance, a 1% aqueous potassium permanganate solution, and the moistening device for the copy sheets contains a neutral reacting copy liquid, for example alcohol. The applicator means is brought into contact with the printing form during several revolutions of the printing roller, so that the printing form is moistened with the dilute oxidizing solution. Thereby, oxidization of the leuco compound to a dye base anddue to the presence of acidimmediate transformation of the dye base into an effectively dyeing water and alcohole soluble dye salt will be accomplished. After the applicator means has been moved to its inoperative position spaced from the printing form, the printing form is imprinted on copy sheets moistened with a neutral copy liquid, such as alcohol. When the coloring power of the ink weakens so that the imprints on the copy sheets are pale, the printing foil is again activated by moving the applicator means to its operative position engaging the printing form and applying an activating agent to the same. A single revolution of the printing roller may be sufficient for this purpose.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accornpanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a fragmentary cross sectional View illustrating a duplicating machine provided with an applicator for an activating liquid;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating a duplicating machine provided with a modified applicator for an activating liquid;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating a duplicating machine provided with a modified embodiment of the present invention for applying the activating liquid;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3 in another operational position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary developed axial view illustrating the control means provided in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4 for operating the applicator means;

FIG. 6a is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating a modified construction of the applicator means for applying the activating liquid to a printing form; and

FIG. 6b is a fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating a further modified embodiment of the applicator means according to the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, a printing form or foil 1 is secured to the peripheral surface of a printing roller 2 by an attaching means 3. Supporting means 20a are pivotally mounted on pivot means 20 and carry at one end a container 9, as also shown in FIG. 5. Container 9 is lled with an activating liquid 7, and an absorbent body 8 is located in container 9 and in contact with an applicator roller 4 which in the operative position illustrated in FIG. 1 is in contact with the printing form 1.

The amount of activating liquid which is applied to roller 4 is determined by the pressure of a shiftable pressure member 10 mounted on container 9 and operated by adjusting screws 11 which can be locked by nuts 12. Control cam means 13 including a plurality of cam discs are secured to a sleeve 14 which is freely movable on shaft 15 on which the printing roller 2 is fixed. Operating means 16 are mounted on the frame of the machine for shifting sleeve 14 in axial direction against the action of spring 18 into an operative position in which a coupling pin 113 on the cam means 13 projects into an opening 213 in a gear 313 which is tixedly secured to the printer roller 2 for rotation with the same.

Cam means 13 cooperate with a cam follower roller 19 which is turnably mounted on supporting lever means 20a. In the inoperative position of the cam means 13, the applicator means 4 is in an inoperative position retracted from the printing roller, but when operating means 16, 17 are actuated, cam means 13 effect through the cam follower roller 19 movement of the applicator means to the operative position illustrated in FIG. 1 in which the applicator roller 4 rolls on the printing form 1 during rotation of the printing roller to transfer the liquid activating agent from the absorbent pad 8 to the printing form. Cam 13b is shaped in such a manner that the applicator means are retracted when the attaching means 3 for the printing form 1 pass the applicator roller during each revolution of the printing roller 2. As long as member 16 is actuated, the activating liquid is applied to the printing form, which may be done during one or during several revolutions of the printing roller 2.

When the applicator roller 4 has again returned to its inoperative position spaced from the printing roller and the printing form as for example `shown in FIG. 3, copy sheets 21 are supplied to the printing plane B-C defined by the printing roller 2, and by the counter roller 27 which is turnably mounted on a shaft 28. The copy sheets 21 are provided in a stack, and are fed by feeding means 22 which are operatively connected to the printing roller 2 to operate in synchronism with the same. A pair of rotating transporting rollers 23 and 241 grip each fed copy sheet 2.1 and move it over the support 26 to the printing line from where the printed copy sheet passes to a receiving means 29 in which the printed copy sheets are stacked. The transporting roller 24 is moistened by moistening means 25 in a conventional manner, so that each copy sheet is moistened before coming into contact with the activated printing form. 1. In accordance with the present invention, the moistening liquid applied by moistening means 25 is a neutral-reacting liquid such as alcohol.

As explained above, the printing form contains an ink which normally will not transfer color to any substantial amount, unless activated by the activating agent applied by the applicator roller 4.

The arrangement of FIG. 2 is similar to the embodimen of FIGS. 1 and 5. The printing roller 2 can be coupled in the manner shown in FIG. 5 to control cam means which control the movement of the supporting means for a container 9 through a cam follower roller 19. A transfer roller 30, which preferably consists of an absorbent and slightly compressible material is at least partly immersed in the activating liquid 7, and shaft 6 of the applicator roller 4 is spaced from the transfer roller such a distance that the transfer roller 34)' is slightly compressed and transfers the activating liquid to the peripheral surface of the applicator roller 4 from where the activating liquid is transferred to the printing form 1 if the control cam means 13 a-re operated to hold applicator roller 4 in an operative position in close proximity .with the peripheral surface of the printing roller 2, so that applicator roller 4 passes along the entire surface of the printing form 1 during each revolution of the printing roller. Copy sheets 21 are moistened with a neutral liquid by conventional moistening means 31 including an absorbent pad. Moistened copy sheets passing through the printing line between counter pressure roller 2'7 and printing roller 2 with printing form 1, are imprinted by the activated ink in the printing form 1, and then deposited on the receiving means Z9.

In the embodiment of FiG. 3 applicator means are provided which correspond to the construction of FIG. 1, and are operated in the manner described with reference to FIG. 5. Cam follower roller 19 is controlled by control cam means 13 which are shiftable to and from an operative position, so that the applicator means including container 9, absorbent pad S, and applicator roller 4 can be shifted from the inoperative position shown in FIG. 3 to an operative position in close proximity to the peripheral surface of the printing roller 2.

Feeding means 12 are again provided for shifting the uppermost copy sheet of a stack to the transporting rollers 23 and 24 from which the copy sheet over guide member 2d to the printing line between the printing roller 2 and the counter roller 27. rransporting roller 25 is used as a moistening roller, and is moistened by a neutral liquid supplied through moistening means 2S.

In the embodiment illustrated in FGS. 3 and 4, the applicator roller 4 does not directly cooperate with the printing form, but applies the liquid in container g to a cover sheet 33 which is held by second attaching means 32. The first attaching means 3' for the printing foil 1, and the second attaching means 32 for the cover sheet 33` are so arranged in a recess in the printing roller 2 that the cover sheet 33A is superimposed on the printing foil 1. A spring-loaded lever system 37 is mounted on the printing roller 2, and includes a cam follower roller 137, which upon engagement with a cam surface is effective to shift the second attaching means 32 to an open position permitting insertion and removal of cover sheets.

A lever 34 is mounted in the frame of the machine, and is spring-loaded by a spring 35. Lever 34 has a fork-shaped end receiving a pin 136 on a cam lever 35 which is turnably mounted on a shaft 23d in the frame of the machine. Upon operation of the manually controlled lever 34, cam lever 36 is shifted to operate through cam follower 137 and levers 37, the second attaching means 32. In the open position of attaching means 32, a cover sheet 33 can be placed on the stationary guiding means 38 and guided into a position in which its edge is located in the opened attaching means 32, while upon operation of lever 34, the attaching means 32 clamp the cover sheet 32, so that the same can assume the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 superimposed on the printing form 1.

When the cover sheet 33 is in place, the operating means 16, see FIG. 5, is operated to render the control cam effective so that the applicator means are moved to the operative position illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the applicator roller rolls along the cover sheet 33 and applies the activating liquid to the cover sheet so that the liquid passes through the cover sheet and is uniformly applied to the entire printing form.

As previously explained, the activating substances may be provided in the cover sheet, in which event only a dissolving liquid has to be applied by the applicator roller 4. On the other hand, the cover sheet 33 can also be made of a neutral material, in which event it is necessary to apply an activating liquid by the applicator roller 4 to the cover sheet 33 so that such activating liquid passes through the cover sheet and activates the ink in the printing form 1.

The cover sheet is used during one or several revolutions of the printing roller, whereupon the applicator means is moved out of its operative position shown in FIG. 4 to the inoperative position shown in FIG. 3. Before the printing operations on the copy sheets start, the cover sheet 33 has to be removed. Stripper means are provided in the form of a suction roller 39 which has perforations in its peripheral surface and to whose interior suction is applied by suitable means, not shown. Suction roller 39' is mounted on a pair of arms 4-9 on pivot means 41 and is driven through a gear train 42, 43, 44, 4S so as to rotate under control of the printing roller 2,.

A manually operated lever 46 is mounted on the frame of the machine for turning movement about pivot means 46', and is urged by a spring 47 to turn in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4. Lever 46 has a cam face 14o cooperating with the cam follower roller 137. When lever to is moved to an operative position, the operating means 137 and 37 effect opening of the attaching means 32, so that the cover sheet is released. When lever lo is manually shifted to its operative position, a valve, not shown, is opened to provide. suction in the suction roller 39 so that suction roller 39 picks up cover sheet 33t, and transports the cover sheet 33 while rotating under control of the gear train 42 to 45 so that the cover sheet is removed from the printing form. In the operative position of lever 45, as shown in FIG. 4, lever 46 is spaced from the stop 46u, and suction roiler 49 is shifted to a position in close proximity with the peripheral surface of the printing roller 2, since the free ends of arms 4t) are urged by a spring 14d to move suction roller 39 toward the printing roller. in the position of PEG. 3, the action of spring 47 has urged lever 46 to its inoperative position, effecting at the same time retraction of the suction roller 39 which is operatively connected to lever 46.

The apparatus is operated in the following manner. The printing form is secured by attaching means .3 to the peripheral surface of the printing roller Z. The printing roller 2 is stopped in the position illustrated in FIG. 3, and by operation of lever 34, the attaching means 32 are opened and a cover sheet is inserted into the open attaching means 32, and then clamped by operation of lever 43. The printing roller 2 may be rotated to superimpose the cover sheet 33 on the printing form 1. Thereupon operating member 16, see FlG. 5, is actuated to render cam means 13 effective so that the applicator means are shifted to an operative position in which the applicator acre/,ear

roller 4 applies a liquid to the cover sheet 33 whereby the printing form 1 is activated during several revolutions of the printing roller.

Lever 46 is now operated so that attaching means 32 releases the cover sheet, and section roller 39 picks up the cover sheet and removes the same from the printing form.

Copy sheets are now supplied to the printing line between rollers 2 and 27, and moistened by roller 24 with a neutral liquid supplied by moistening means 25. The moistened copy sheets are imprinted by the activated ink contained in the printing form 2.

The modified embodiment of applicator means according to the present invention shown in FIG. 6a is advantageously employed in a duplicating machine of the type shown in FIGS. l and 5, and may also be combined with the arrangement described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. A cam 51 rotates with the printing roller 2, when coupled to the same as described with reference to FIG. 5, and acts on the cam follower roller 19 on a pair of levers 49 which are pivotally mounted at 149. A spring 50 urges the supporting means 49, 19 into engagement with cam 51. The applicator roller 48 is hollow and consists of a suitable porous material, such as clay. The cavity in the material of the hollow applicator roller 48 is lled with the activating liquid 7, so that the activating liquid 7 passes through the capillary passages in the roller 48 to the peripheral surface of roller 48 and is applied to the printing form 1 when applicator roller 48 moves to a position in close proximity to the surface of the printing roller 2 and into engagement with a printing form 1. The printing operations on copy sheets carried out as dei scribed with reference to the above described embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood that an applicator roller 48 of the type used in FIG. 6a can be also used in the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4 in which the printing form is indirectly exposed to the activating liquid, and in this event, the applicator 48 rolls on the cover sheet, instead of on the printing form 1.

FIG. 6b illustrates a further modified embodiment in which a hollow container 53 has a slot 153 through which passes an absorbent band 154 which receives the activating liquid 7 at its inner portion, and is in contact with the cover sheet 33 with its outer portion which is moist due to the capillary action in the absorbent band 154. Movable supporting means 26a including a cam follower i9 are pivotally mounted on pivot means 2), so that the applicator 154 can be shifted by cam means 13 to and from the operative position illustrated in FIG. 6b. It is evident, that a sliding applicator, as shown in FIG. 6b could be provided in the construction of FIGS. l and 2, in which no cover sheet is employed. Furthermore, if the activating substance is contained in the layer of the cover sheet 33, the liquid 7 in container 53 can be a neutral liquid of such nature as to provide an activating liquid in cover sheet 33 when coming into contact with the activating substance contained in cover sheet 33.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also nd a `useful application in other types of printing methods and apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for activating an activatable inl; in a printing form mounted on a printing roller, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are 8.. intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printing roller; attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of said printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening and activation; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; applicator means adapted to contact an activating agent and being at least partly movable to and from an operative position in close proximity to said printing roller for effecting application of the activating agent to said printing form during rotation of said printing roller so that the ink in the printing form is activated; cam means including coupling means and being movable from an inoperative position to a coupled position coupled to said printing roller `for rotation therewith, said cam means in said coupled position being operatively connected to said applicator means for moving the same during rotation of said printing roller to and from said operative posi-tion thereof; and means for shifting said cam means between said inoperative and coupled positions.

2. .A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printing roller, attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of said printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening and activation; -rneans for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; a container for containing a liquid activating agent; a transfer roller for receiving at the peripheral surface thereof said liquid activating agent; movable supporting `means supporting said transfer roller for movement between an inoperative position and an operative position in rolling contact with said printing form for applying said activating agent to said printing form during rotation of said printing roller so that the ink in the printing form is activated; cam means including coupling means and being movable from an inoperative position to a coupled position coupled to said printing roller for rotation therewith, said cam means in said coupled position engaging said movable supporting means for moving said transfer roller and said container during rotation of said printing roller to and from said operative position; and means for shifting said cam means between said iuoperative and coupled positions.

3. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printing roller; attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of said printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening and activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; a container means for holding a liquid activating agent; and an applicator means including a porous absorbent material partly located in said container to be moistened by said liquid activating agent, and having an outer portion located outside of said container; movable supporting means supporting said container with said applicator means for movement to and from a position in which said outer portion is in contact with said printing form during rotation of said printing roller for applying the liquid activating agent to said printing form so that the ink is activated; and means for moving said supporting means in synchronism with the rotation of said printing roller.

4. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printing roller; first attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of said printing roller a printing form containing inli requiring moistenin g and activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before said copy sheets are engagedby said printing form; second attaching means for removably attaching to said printing roller a cover sheet in a position adapted to cover said printing form; and applicator means for moistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printing roller with a liquid adapted to provide a moist activating agent in said cover sheet acting on said printing form to activate said ink.

5. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printing roller; iirst attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of said printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening and activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching means; a cover sheet consisting of an absorbent material detachab-ly held by said second attaching means in a position adapted to cover said printing form; and applicator means for applying a liquid activating agent to said cover sheet so that the liquid activating agent acts through said cover sheet on said printing form to activate said ink.

6. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printing roller; first attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of said printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening and activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching means; a cover sheet consisting of an absorbent material and detachably held by said second attaching means in a position adapted to cover said printing form, said cover sheet containing an activating agent; and applicator means for moistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printing roller with a neutral liquid adapted to moisten said cover sheet and activating agent so that said moist activating agent in said cover sheet acts on said printing form to activate said ink.

7. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printing roller; rst attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of said printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening and activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching means for removably attaching to said printing roller a cover sheet in a position adapted to cover said printing form; applicator means for moistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printing roller with a liquid adapted to provide a moist activating agent in said cover sheet acting on said printing form to activate said ink; and means for removing said cover sheet during rotation of the printing roller.

8. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printing roller; first attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of said printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening and activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching means for removably attaching to said printing roller a cover sheet in a position adapted to cover said printing form; applicator means for moistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printing roller with a liquid adapted to provide a moist activating agent in said cover sheet acting on said printing form to activate said ink; a movable support movable to and from an operative position; operating means mounted on said printing roller and connected to said second attaching means and being actuated by said movable support during rotation of said printing rol-ler for effecting release of said cover sheet; means mounted on said movable support for engaging said cover sheet in said operative position of said movable support during rotation of said printing roller, and for detaching said cover sheet from said printing roller when said cover sheet is released by said second attaching means.

9. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printing roller; iirst attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of said printing roller a printing form containing ink requiring moistening and activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching means for removably attaching to said printing roller a cover sheet in a position adapted to cover said printing form; applicator means rfor moistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printing roller with a liquid adapted to provide a moist activating agent in said cover sheet acting on said printing form to activate said ink; a movable support movable to and from an operative position; operating means mounted on said printing roller and connected to said second attaching means and being actuated by -said movable support during rotation of said printing roller for etfecting release of said cover sheet; suction means mounted on said movable support and having openings for applying suction to said cover sheet, said suction means engaging said cover sheets in said operative position of said movable support during rotation of said printing roller, said suction means being movable for detaching said cover sheet from said printing roller, when said cover sheet is released by said second attaching means.

10. A printing machine, comprising, in combination, a rotary printing roller; first attaching means for attaching to the peripheral surface of said printing roller a printing yform containing ink requiring moistening and activation; means for supplying copy sheets to said printing roller; means for moistening said copy sheets with a neutral liquid before said copy sheets are engaged by said printing form; second attaching means for removably `attaching to said printing roller a cover sheet in a position adapted to cover said printing form; applicator means for moistening said cover sheet during rotation of said printing roller with a liquid adapted to provide a moist activating agent in said cover sheet acting on said printing form -to activate said ink; a movable support movable to and from an loperative position; operating means mounted on said printing roller and connected to said second attaching means and being actuated by said movable support during rotation of said printing rollerfor effecting release of said cover sheet; a suction roller means turnably mounted on said movable support and having openings for applying suction, said suction roller means engaging said cover sheet in said operative position of said movable support during rotation of said printing roller; and means operatively connecting said printing roller With said suction roller for rotating said suction roller in said operative position of said movable support whereby said suction roller detaches from said printing roller the cover sheet held by suction when said cover sheet is released by said second .attaching means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,067,289 Ritzerfeld Ja. 12, 1937 2,068,059 Marchev Jan. 19, 1937 2,146,976 Neidich Feb. 14, 1939 2,660,113 Gullixson et al Nov. 24, 1953 2,661,686 Levin Dec. 8, 1953 2,798,427 Klimkowski July 9, 1957

Claims (1)

1. A PRINTING MACHINE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A ROTARY PRINTING ROLLER; ATTACHING MEANS FOR ATTACHING TO THE PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER A PRINTING FORM CONTAINING INK REQUIRING MOISTENING AND ACTIVATION; MEANS FOR MOISTENING SAID COPY SHEETS WITH A NEUTRAL LIQUID BEFORE SAID COPY SHEETS ARE ENGAGED BY SAID PRINTING FORM; APPLICATOR MEANS ADAPTED TO CONTACT AN ACTIVATING AGENT AND BEING AT LEAST PARTLY MOVABLE TO AND FROM AN OPERATIVE POSITION IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAID PRINTING ROLLER FOR EFFECTING APPLICATION OF THE ACTIVATING AGENT TO SAID PRINTING FORM DURING ROTATION OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER SO THAT THE INK IN THE PRINTING FORM IS ACTIVATED; CAM MEANS INCLUDING COUPLING MEANS AND BEING MOVABLE FROM AN INOPERATIVE POSITION TO A COUPLED POSITION COUPLED TO SAID PRINTING ROLLER FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, SAID CAM MEANS IN SAID COUPLED POSITION BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID APPLICATOR MEANS FOR MOVING THE SAME DURING ROTATION OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER TO AND FROM SAID OPERATIVE POSITION THEREOF; AND MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID CAM MEANS BETWEEN SAID INOPERATIVE AND COUPLED POSITIONS.

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