US1584164A - Machine for producing raised printing - Google Patents

Description

'May 1l 1 926.

R. F. BER-NDT MACHINE -FOR PRODUCING RAISED PRINTING Filed May 19, 1924v 5 Sheets-Sheet l R F BERNDT MACHINE FOR PRODUCING RAISED .PRINTING med May 19, 1924 May 11 1926.

r 4 5 md w 6 t n n 1, M M w 5v Mm. 5 a ma Wm 1, MMR milk df, 5 Nmvwv ww.. Nv hw\ Mw ,W w @M l wv, 0 w A 4v my M 8 s W5 `m 5 v E c 1H t n a dd es N5 .i 1 .c m f* 1 R P. D .M Dum NR, Buy .wm FO .Rm RPn Dour. F E N I H C A M May 11 1926.

Patented May 11, 1926.

Unire sra'rss v erster.,

RICHARD F. BERNDT, 0F SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIG'NOR TO AUTOMATIC PRINTING DEVICES COMPANY, GF SAN FRANCISCG, CALIFORNIA, A CORPRATION OF CALIFORNIA;

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING RAISED PRINTING'.

Application filed May 19,

This invention relates to a machine wherebyprinted Lmatter may be subjected to a process of applying a layer ot material over the printed lines, so thatthe printed characters become raised above the plane of the paper. In this way it is possible, by careful manipulation, to simulate engraved printing so closely as to make the product substantially indistinguishable from such worlr, although performed without cut dies and therefore at relatively small expense. In addition other embossed effects may be obtained which are impossible in ordinary engra-ving.

The process, 'for its successful operation.v must be used while the printing is still moist or tacky, and serves to bind the supplementary layer of material until a later step in the process fuses the material to the printing'. This material is inthe forni of a very ilnely divided powder, which can be fused by the application oit heat, and thus made to unite intimately with the printing` ink. For this purpose, resiuous materia-l has been found to be very adaptable, since it requires a heating temperature for fusing that is well below the dangerous point, and since it may readily serve as a color ca rying medium that adheres very well to the printed matter. In order that the process be productive or clean cut chracters, tree from any blur, it is necessary to ensure against an excess o'F the powder, and for this purpose, the paper on which the printing' appears is vibrate/d, whereby all of the powder not actually adhering to the printed .mat-ter, as sha -ren oit". The last step in the process is the heating;l ot the printed matter to i'use the powder, and then permitting it to cool.

Although machinery has been devised in the past to carry on this process automatically, yet the character of the product has not been very high. This l attribute to the tact that the manipulation or' th-e paper by niechanical elements, such as grippers, cams, gears, etc., requires the use oi many moving parts near the paper, and consequently some of the powder as it is sprinkled over the sheet and shaken oil therefrom, can readily 1924. Serial No. 714,361.

` find lodginent in crevices and corners of the moving' parts. rl`his deposited powder may at least partly return to the sheet later on, and may cause either blurred characters, or small spots on the paper, orboth. It is one ot' the objects of my invention to guard against the unnecessary deposition oi powder, and consequently the possibility ot producinp,` an interior finished product.

ln order to secure this object, l arrange the mechanism in such a way that a separate and distincty portion thereof serves as the powderer, which after it pe ternes this 'function, remains at a comparatively remote distance trom the powdered sheet in the course of n ifcaiure assisting this general result, resides in the arrangen'ient oi the mechanism whereby a great portion ot it is shielded tromV the powder it is sprinkled on the sheet.

lt is another objectV of my invention to imp"ove such prosensingl machines in general, whereby they are more reliable in service and simple in operation.

it is still another object of my invention.' to provide a norm iorlu of powdering device, in` the l'crm of a rotary element which carries the sheet to be powdered, as well as a scoop or the like 'for dumping the powder on the sheet while it is held by the powderingI mechanism.

is still another object oi my invention levies, to remove the loose powder.

fly invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which, with the 'ltoregoing, will he sot 'forth at length in the following d rip'tion, where l shall outline in Ylull that iorm ot the invention which I have selected ior illustration in the drawn accompanyingand formingh part ot the present speciiication. ilrltliough I have shown in the drawings but one embodiment ot my invention, I do not desire to be limited thereto, since the invention as expressed in the claims may be embodied in many other forms also.

Referring to the drawings: v

Fiffure 1 is a side elevation ot substantravel through the machine, Another to provide an improved torni ot sheet vibrat-- volition; with` a portion of the delivery conveyor broken away, as well as a portion of the standards; whereby the size of the ligure can be maintained small enough to permit showing the complete machine on a single sheet; 'I

F ig. 2 is an elevation of the machine shown in Fig. l, and taken from the other side 'Of thatv ligure; v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail View, partly in section, of some of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. l is a top plan view of the complete machine; the delivery conveyor being` however partly broken away; Y

F ig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the powdering device;,and illustrates in clear manner how the powder 1s delivered to the printed sheet;

Fig. 6 kis a sectional view of the machine shown in Fig. l;

Fig. Z is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 6, but from another direction, whereby other partis of the mechanism are brought to view;

Figs. 8; 9 and l0 are diagrammatic views,v

showing three stages in the progress of the sheet through the machine;

Fig. 1l is an enlarged detail view; partly in section; illustrating the mechanism for opening and closing the grippers that carry the sheets from the powdering device and deliver them to the heating device;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig.V l1;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the mechanism used for introducing the sheets `into the powdering device; and

Fig. il is a diagrammatic view illustrating that stage in the progress of the paper through the machine during which it is released from the powdering device and gripped by the grippers to transport it to the shaker and then to the heater.

The general appearance of the machine is well disclosed in Fig. l; in which some of the gear covers and guards have been removed, in order to expose some of the mechanica-l connections and drives. A suitable stand 2l; shown in this instance as .i casting, serves as a support for all of the parts of the machine. It may rest directly on the floor; and in that case,`it is made high enough to facilitate use by an operator. As a source of motive power for the mechanism, I illustrate a small electric motor 22, which may be of any desired type. rThis motor is conveniently supported by the table or stand 21, near the bottom thereof. A pair of side frames 23 are bolted or otherwise tached to the top of stand 2l, and serve to provide bearing supports and the like for the various elements in the mechanism.

rhe machine is preferablylocat'ed near ent instance as supported on a swinging frame 2:3, which is pivoted near one end on the shaft 2 This shaft is journaled in the side frames 23, and serves in addition as an element inthe transmission connecting the motor 22 with the operating mechanism. The frame 25 is held in extended position by the aid of a bifurcated strut 27, the legs v of which are detachably connected with any convenientpart vof the stationary support- `ing members. By the aid vof this construe tion,'the entire conveyor and its assooiatel mechanism may be swung downward at will, for saving space in storage or shipping. A rotatably mounted shaft 28 extends across the receiving conveyor frame 25;"near its free end; andz a series of flexible loops or belts 29 pass around both shafts 2G and 28. These belts form the travelling conveyor, motion thereto being imparted by the rotation of shaft 26. This shaft is driven as by the aid of a pulley 29 (Fig. 2) and belt 30 from the motor 22. Guides 31 for the ed( 1s of the printed matter are supported inauy appropriate manner on the frame 25, as by the use of one or more transverse bars connecting the two sides of frame 25. belt tighteney 33 (Fig. 6) may if desired; be provided for the loops 29.

A sheet of printing 3st carried forward bj.' the receiving conveyor 24, is indicated diagrannnatically in Figs. 5; 8 and 9. The entire conveyor is preferably slanted downwai'dly so as to facilitate the placing of such sheets thereon. The conveyor deposits the sheet 3l at the end of its travel so that its front edge rests on a stationary plate 35.

This platev extends between the side frames 25; and somewhat below the top surface of the conveyor belts 29, as shown most clearlj.' in Figs. 5; 8; 9 and 10. A. top fragmentary view the plate is also clearly shown in Fig. 13. In order to position the sheet ll properly with respect to the plate 13, so that it may later be operated upon by the pow-- dering device, there kare provided several stop lingers 3G; against which the edge of the paper 34E is urged as the conveyor moves. The conveyor belts 29 are purposely made from such material that when these fingers are thus engaged; the belts can readily slip with respect to the bottom surface of paper 34; so that they may move although the paper is stationary.

The lingers 36 are preferably made from spring material, and are fastened at intervals to a shaft 37, which is capableof beingl oscillated so as to free the paper when necessary. This shaft extends 'across the conloo lfll) veyor `frame 25, and is journaled in brackets 2383 carried at each side oi this frame. The

ers 3G are resiliently urged to non-enf g position by the aid of tension springs 1;. one end of which is listed to a ionary i et() and the other end, to an arm el fastened to the shaft 3?. rl`he upper end of bar t also serves as stop vtor the lt is also to be noted that the exes oi fh rs 36 are formed with .L e projection 42, forn'iing surfaces substantially perpendicular to the plane of the paper Si.

rlhe normal position of thefingers 36 is that shown for example in Fig. o, in which they provide no hindrance for the withdrawal of the sheet Sel. by the powder-ing` den vice mechanism. rihey are operated only momentarily to position the sheet properly with respect to the plate 85. 'in order to restrain the sheet until the i'ingers 3G are moved downwardly by the mechanism associated with the powdering device, fi provide a set of lingers i3 G and i3),

` which normally extend upwardly between the belts 29' and slightly in advance oit the fingers 36. rThese lingers stop the sheet Sil until such time as the spring,` fingers are moved downwardly into engagement with the plate 35. F or this purpose these fingers Ll?) are fastened to a shaft lil extending-g` between the top and bottom reaches of the helts 29, and urged to engaging position by the aid of a tension spring l5 acting on an arm d6 and anchored. at one end to the stationary bar 40. rlhe free end of arm lo projects underneath the arm ll that operates the fingers 36, as shown most clearly in Fig. i3. By this arrangement it is assured that upon rotation of shaft'llLl in a counterclocltwise direction (Fig. 6), the fingers i3 will first be withdrawn from ahove the conveyor` belts 29, which action permits the paper 3A: to more farther towart the fingers then on continued rotation, arm lo will engage arm el and thus cause connterclocirwise rotation of shaft 37 and consequent movement 'ers 36 to engaging position. rihe proportions of the elements can be arranged in such a way that the projections [l2 of lingers 36 are placed in the path of the paper before it reaches the plate 35. The operation of shaft lil is accon'iplishod automatically hy the mechanism associatct with the powdering` device. For this purpose, the shaft li is provided with an arm il-.T (Figs. 6 and l), which is adapted to be moved downwardly and to rotate the shaft fr-it against the resilient force of springI This arm is arranged to be engaged by a pro- `iection or cam i8 (Figs. Ll, 6 and 13). rllhis cam is in this instance shown as a thin curved blade supported at one side of a structure rotatinc with the shaft l) and located between the two side frames 23. lThis structure will be described in connection with the powdering device; for the present it is suflicient to note that cam el@ isfor each revolution of shaft 4:9, caused to depress arm l? for a br'ef period, suflicient to bring the sheet on the plate 35 in proper position to be grasped l y mechanism associated with the powdering device. The drive for shaft lll is accomplished, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1, from shaft 26 that also drives the receiving'conveyor belts 29. The mechanical connections between shafts 26 and et?) '.iclude a. sprocket wheel 50 fastened to shaft 26 and located on the outside of ono of the frames 23, and a sprocket chain 5i driven the wheel 50, and passing over a sprocket wheel 52, as well as other wheels 53 and he wheel 52 is fastened to a shaft 55 having a. bearing in side frame 23, and this'shaft carries a gear wheel 56 meshing witi the gear 5i' that is fastened to the shaft 49.

@ne of the important vfeatures of my invention resides in the manner in which the powderingl device operates. ln prior inachines, grippers are used to lead the sheet of printing past a hopper or the lilte, thon to some form of remover for the unattached powder, and finally to the heater. ln such machines it is ditiicult if not impossible to free all of the loose powder from the operating mechanism, and some of the powder finds its way bach to the paper. lilith my invention this entirely prevented, since the paper'is fed to the powderinggmechanism and delivered therefrom to another mechanism having no direct connection therewith. A 'large part of the powderin;l mechanism is supported on a frame 58, preferably cast. This support consists of a pair of sides, each having two arms 59 and 60, the air of sides being connected by a strap 6l. (Figs. G and 7.) lOne of the arms carries the cam e8 heretofore referred to.

The frame 58, as it revolves with rotation of shaft 49, causes a powder holder or scoop 62 first to become loadech and then to spill its load of powder over the sheet be, whence all unused powder may fall bach into the storage receptacle in which the scoop 62 operates. in the prese-nt instance a shallow sheet metal trough '63 is provided as a receptacle for a comparatively small mass of the fusible pow-der tial. rEllis trough extends entirely across between the two side frames 23, and projects forwardly underneath the plate S5. In the other direction, a steep wall 65 is form-ed as a continuation of the trough side, so that asmechanism later to be described carries the paper or sheet away from the powdering' device and along; this wall, the unattached powder may readily find its way baclt into the trough. lt is furthermore to be noted that a comA parat-ively small amount of powder is utilized in the machine; in this way, there lll) 47 by cam 48, and consequent placing of the sheet over the plate 35. lNhile on this plate, the sheet is gripped between a cla-mping bar 66 extending across to vthe arms 59 of frame 58, and a' plurality of spring gripper lingers 67. This clamping action is best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 9. The lingers 67 are in the disengaging'position of Fig. 8 until just after the fingers 36 are brought to disengaging position, due to the passage of the cam 48from off 'the arm 47. it Ithat point in the operation, the clamping bar 66 is'disposed over the rear edge of plate 2353, there being slots 68 (F and 7 which permit it to move over the lingers V36, and in which these lingers .are accommodeled.y rThus the clamping edges 69 are positioned over the sheet 34, and the gripping lingers 67 are brought intov engagei'iient with these edges, in a manner to be described hereinafter'. In order to permit this clamping movement, the plate is provided with a series of slots 70 (Fig. 1S) alined with the fingers 67, whereby these lingers may dovetail between the fingers 86 during their 35 clamping movement.

The manner in which these ngers are operated may be best described in connection with Figs. 5 and 7 A rotatable shaft 7l. extends between the sides off-frame 58 and carries the lingers 67. To the shaft lat one end is connected an arm 72.,y and a tension spring 7 3 is fastened at one end to the er;- t-remity of the arm, and at the other, anchored to a stationary part ofthe mechanism. This spring, in the position of Eig. serves to provide a resilient clamping force, but if shaft 7l be rotated far -enough in a clockwise direction, the arm 72 will carry the spring to the. other side of the shaft 7l, which will then snap it over center to the open position of Fig. 7. The rocking of the shaft in the reverse direction will cause the engagement of the spring lingers 67 with the clamping bar 66.

The movement of the shaft7l is properly timed with respect to the rotation of the main shaft 49, so as to perform its clamping and releasing functions, respectively when the parts are in proper position to receive the sheet 34, and when in proper position to deliver it to the succeeding mechanism. To accomplish this result, a lever 74 having a pair of'forked ends is attached to one end of shaft 7l, and near one of the side frames 23. The .forks arey arranged to 1, cesse-1 coact with stationary pins or projections 75 and 76 appropriately fastened tothe frame 23, asthe powder-ing Imechanism rotates with shaft 49. Thus in Fig. 7, as the shaft 49 rotates in the direction of the arrow, carrying with it the' framey 58 and shaft 7l, one of the forks of lever 74 will engage pin 75 at 4a definite point of its travel. The pin 75 will urge the lever 7l to rotate in a clockwise direction, and will ultimatelycause the spring 73 to snap the fingers '67 into clamping posit-ion. Of course the pin 75 is located in such position that this takesplace Iinst as the lingers 36'are released vfrom plate 35,' by thel moven'ient of cam 48 off of arm 47. Continued rotation of shaft 49 through part of a revolution will ultimately bring the other forked end of the lever 74` into coa'ction with the other pin 76, and theshaft 71 will be rotated to releasing position. Of course other devices in place of thev forked lever'74 'and pins 7 5 and 76 could be ysubstituted for effecting rotation of shaft 7l, but it is unnecessary to netail 'such obvious niodilications.

llfhile the sheet is gripped by the mechanism just described, during a period corresponding te an angular movement of shaft 49 of almost 1,80O in this instance, as determined by the spacing of pins 7 5y and 6, the sheet is subjected to a powdering opera-tion. This is accomplished by the aid of scoop 62, which extends between the arms 60of frame 58 and is rigidly; fastened on shaft 77 by the aid of lugs 78 formed on the bottom thereof (Figs. 4 and This shaft 77 is rotatably supported in arms 69 of the frames 58. The mechanism isy so arranged that this scoop 62 is made to dip into the powder 64, and to dump it ina guide or trough 79, in response to the proper degree of rotation of shaft 49. The scoop 62 has a lip 87 at eachy side of wh-ich there are attached prongs 88. These prongs converge toward the lip and are wide enough at their free end to extend substantially entirely across the powder trough 63; in this way the prongs act as guides for the powder, substantially all ofwhich finds its way into they scoop 62. The dumping is accomplished immediately afterl t-he sheet 34 is withdrawn from the plate 35, this condition being disclosed in Fig. 5.

The mechanism providedfor manipulating the scoop 62 for scooping and dumping the powder is best disclosed in Fig. 6. An operating arm 8O is connected to the shaft 77 that carries the scoop 462, and it is evident that by rocking this arm to the desired degree as the scoop revolves about the axis of main shaft 49, this lscoop may be caused to dip into the powder 64 and later to dump its acquired load. In order to move the arm in this manner, any appropriate mechanism such as a stationary grooved cam 81'may`beA liti raised. effect provided. This cam, as shown most clearly in Figs. 4t and 13, is shown as appropriatelyy support-ed on the inside of one of the frames .23. A. groove S2 is cut in the cam, which accommodates a pin or roiler S3 carried near the end of arm and having;` an axis parallel to that of the scoop shaft 77. lt is evident that by properly forming,` -the groove 82 especially at that place where it controls movement of the scoop G2 into the powder trough 03, it is possible to cause this scoop to reach down into this trough and practi cally to the bottom thereof, to dip out nearly ail of the powder 041e. Continued movement of pin S3 in the groove 82 will ultimately 11i-ing the scoop G2 to the position of Fig. 5,V

where it is shown as depositing the powder onto the bottom of the troughor guide 79. This trough is in the present instance shown as pivotally supported near one edge on the scoop shaft 77, by the aid of the side pieces F ig. a). its movement around this shaft is also controlled by the cam 81, so as to bring its free edge or lip down close to the front edge of the sheet clamping bar 66 and over the sheet 3a. Thus just prior to the dumping; of scoop 62, as shown in Fig. 9, t iis trough 79 is raised a little above the bar G0 so as not to interfere with the operation kof any of the mechanism or with the withdrawal of the sheett from plate 35.

The movement of trough 79 to the operativo position of Fig. 5 is accomplished in this instance bythe aid of certain levers and links, shown most clearly in Figs. 0 land 7. A bracket is attached to one of the arms 59, and a shaft 89 is pivoted therein. This shaft carries a crank arm 90, connected as by a link 91 to the bottom of the trough 7 9 and 4near its lip end. In orderV to rock the shaft 39 and thus operate the arm 90 and link 91 to move the trough, I provide an arm 92 at? tached to the shaft 89 and carrying a pin or roller 93 coacting' with the cam groove 82. That portion of the Zgroove which coacts with the pin 93 just after the sheet 34 is gripped by the fingers 6? is so formed that the formed by arm and link 91 is lnought nearer toa straightened condition, and the trough 'i' 9 is e. rresjondinpgly positioned over and close to the sheet 34. It is to be noted that the trough serves as a shield for the clamping mechanism as well as for other parts of the mechanism, and no powder can fall thereon. Although the powder is deposited near the engaged edge of sheet 3f. yet as this sheet is carried around by the frame 53 to the releasing position of Fig. 1d, the powder slides over the sheet and some returns back into the trough 63. Whatever loose powder stays on the sheet is afterwards removed in a manner to be described. How ever, the wet or sticky printing retains sufficient powder for producing the desired After the shaft i-9 rotates to a position to bring the sheet 3st to the position of Fig. 14, it is released by the mechanism described hereinbefore, and delivered to another set of grippers 94 which serve to carry the sheet to the shaker and then to the heater. The grippers 9st and their opening andclosing mechanism are most clearly illustrated in F igs. 11 and 12.V Five grippers are shown in this instance, disposed in spaced relation across the space between the side frames 23. They each include a Jair of springl fingers, fastened respectively to an upper shaft 95 and a lower shaft 90. These shafts are ro tatably supported in Vpair of brackets 97, whereby by rotation of these shafts the grippers can be made to open and close. The brackets 97 are rigidly fastened to a shaft 98 that extends across the machine, and is moved to carry the entire row of grippers to various operating points, as will be described hereinafter. i

Tn order to urge the spring grippers 94 resiliently together, I provide a pail1 of short crank arms 99 fastened near one end of tue shafts 95 and 90, and a pair of long crank arms 100 at the other end of the shafts; a spring` 101 tending to pull the arms together is provided for each set. Tn this way, the shafts 95 and 96 are resiliently urged in such directions as to keep the grippers 9st closed. To open the grippers, it is necessary to urge the crank arms apart, and a cam arrangement is provided for this purpose. This iucludes rollers 102 supported on the side of the longer arms 100, and cam 103 rotatably mounted on shaft 98, and having' a properly formed periphery for cooperatinr,Y with the rollers 102. Tn the position shown in 11, the cam l103 pe 1mits the grippers 94 to be in the engaging position, whereas rotation of this cam in either direction will cause Vthe rollers 102 to ride on higher parts of the cam surface and to separate. The rotation ofvcam 103 is effected by the aid of arms 104C and 105. which are adapted to engage projections in the path of movement of tho arms as the grippers 9e are moved. Once the cam 103 is rotated to a dennite position, enough friction is present on its surfaces to retain it in that position until one or the other of the` arms 1011, 105 is engaged. Thus for opening the grippers, there is provided a stationary cam or projection 100 (Figs. 4 and 11) fastened to one of the sideframes 23 and in the path of movement of the arm 104. The other arm 105 is used to close the grippers, when they are in proper position to receive the sheet 34: from the powdering mechanism.

For the purpose of moving;` these grippe-rs bodily so that they may receive the sheet as just stated, carry it to the shaker device, and finally deliver it, to the heater, a link 107 is provided at one end of 98, as

v co

are delivered, and the danger of tearing or otherwise injuring the paper is olwiated.

To accomplish this result, each of the hammers 127 is mounted-on its associated crank arm 123, there being in the present instance four hammers and four crank arms. arms are fastened on a shaft 129, and are spaced apart thereon. They are also displaced angularly from cach other by 300 as indicated most clearly in Figs. 3, 9 and 10. The hammers 127 may be made to project through slots 130 (Fig. Zl) provided in the wall 65, so as to impinge against the sheet 3-1 as it moves past the slot. By rotating shaft 129, centrifugal forces will act on the hammers tending to malte them radial, and these forces thus serve to urge the hammers yieldingly against the sheet 3l. rllhe anguiar displacement of the hammers and the use of centrifugal force are of material assistance in bringing the sheet into very rapid vibrations of small amplitude, which is so desirable to free the sheet of the surplus powder.

The rotation of shaft 129 is accomplished by the aid of a pull-ey 131 (Fig. '7) fastened thereto, a belt 132, and a drive pulley 133 mounted on a driven shaft 134i. This shaft, which is journaled in one of the side :trames 23, is driven by the aid of the sprocket pinion 53 shown in lTig. 1, derivingits power from chain 51 and the drive shaft 2G. rl`he gear atios are such that the proper high rate of rotation of the hammers 1227 is secured. rEhe shaft 129 is journaled in a fork 135, and this fork in turn is so arranged that the whole hammer mechanism can be shifted toward and from the back of sheet 3st. This shifting is useful for several purposes, such as for the retraction of the haimners out of the path of the grippers 941i, and also for regulating the force with which the hammers are pern'iitted to strike the sheet. The fork 135 is accordingly` pivoted on a shaft 13G, and a spring 137 operating on an arm 133'LL of the fork tends to move the hammers toward the sheet. lt is however prevented from doing so except when this is desired, hy the aid of the mechanism disclosed most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, To the shaft 136 that carries the fork 135, there is attached a lever 133 having a surface 139 arranged to coact with a cam surface 1-10 on the disc This disc rotates with shaft 419, and for the greater portion of its periphery, it holds lever 13S up and thus prevents spring 137 These- Vfrom moving the hammer mechanism outward. However, at a point corresponding to the arrival of the grippers 9sta little beyond slots 130, the lever 138 is gradually Iallowed to drop byA following cam surface 14,0, and finally reaches the lowest point 141. The hammers 127, which are controlled hy the arm or lever 133, are thus rendered active. AS the. sheets arrived. the

slots 130, the hammers are gradually projected farther and farther through these slots, by the aid of the' gradually sloping cam `surface 139, and their forceof impact is correspondingly incr ased. This increase in the action of the hammers of benefit, so to influence the sheet with a correspondingly large force near its free edge; dueto the fact that the lower edge of sheet 3st is unsupported, and violent vibration or beating near this edge is necessary to produce sufficient vibration of the sheet 3l in order to counteract its yielding effe t, at that stage. fr sheet metal cover 165 .may if desired be provided for the hammer mechanism.

In order to assist in the operation of the heaters to a large extent, and also to prevent the sheet from being thrown out violently by the hammers during this later of operation, l prefer to use a plurality of spring fingers 142 that are moved automath cally towarc the unattached, bottom edge of the sheet 3las it moves past. For this purpose these lingers are att-ached to a transverse shaft 143 that is journaled in ears 14.41 on frames 23. A spring 145 (Figs. 1 and l) is arranged to urge the fingers 142 normally toward the wall Gaby the aid of a crank arm 1116. ln order to keep these fingers clear while the grippers 911. are moving toward the powdering mechanisn'i, as well as while moving away from them until such movement brings the grippers well away from under these hngers, l provide another crank arm 14:7 (Fig. 1) carrying a long projection or dog 1&3 extending lpast the slot 103. Wow as the link 107 moves down this slot, this dog 1413 is engaged by the gripper moving mechanism, and-the fingers 142 are raised out of the way. Since the dog 1%8 is quite long, it will remain in engagement with this mechanism for the remainder lof the forward movement of the grippers, and will not become free again until it is desired to permit the lingers to come down on the sheet 'llhe provision of lingers 142 is of the greatest importance, `for without them the powder could not be well shaken off. The fingers permit the sheet 341 to yield only .enough to prevent its rupturing, while hammers 127 are free to exert considerable force against it.

The grippers 9i in their continued movement, finally carry the sheet 311 entirely past the beaters or hammers 2?, and overthe horizcnal conveyor belts 1115). 'lfhese belts are disposed on shafts and 151 journaled in the frames 23. The shaft 151 carries a sprocket wheel 152 which. is driven by a chain 153 and driving whe-el The conveyor belts 149 finally receive the sheet 3l in a manner to be hereinafter described, and convey it to the h eter., rllhe drive mechanism for this conveyor.. arrangement tit) is such that its speed may be varied, so that when long sheetsaie carried thereby, it may have ainple time to carry each of them away from under the Vsucceeding sheet. This vari able speed drive includes the shaft oii which the sprocketwheel 154 is mounted. As shown most clearly in 2, this shaft at its other extremity carries a gear 156 which may be placed selectively into operative connection with any one of a plurality of varying sized gears 157, 158 and 159. All of these gears are fastened to the shaft 49. lVlien le rge gear 157 is active, the shaftv 155 is rotated fastest, and when the smaller gears are active, progressively slower speeds are obtained. The change from one gear to another is accomplished for example by the aid of a manually operated lever 159n pivoted on shaft 160 and axially movable thereon. The lever 159iL carries two idler pinions 161 and 162 which are constant-ly in mesh. One of these gears7 such as 162, is rotatably mount-ed on shaft 166, and is in mesh constantly with the pinion 156.V rthe other pinion is rotatably mounted on a short stub shaft 163 carried by lever 159g. By proper rotation and sliding of lever r1591 on shaft 160, it is possible to cause pinion 161 to engage any one-of the driving gears 157, 158, and 159. The face of pinion 156 -is made wide enough to take care of the axial movement of the pinioiis 161 and 162, and to maintain pinion 162 continually in mesh with it.

The grippers 94 continue to move toward the rear, due to the ii'ioven'ient of pitman 112, and near the extremity of their move ment, 'they are opened by the striking of arm 104 against the stationary plate 166,-

as hereinbefore described. The sheet 34 may now drop down on the conveyor belts 149. ln order to facilitate the disengagement of the sheet from the gi'ippers, I provide a plurality of pusher fingers 164' which are aranged to be engaged by the edge of sheet 84 just as the grippers 94 open. These lingers dovetail between the grippcrs 94, as shown in F ig. 4, and are furthermore so arranged that they permit the shafts 95, 96 and 98 supporting the gripper-s to pass under them, but soon thereafter they are mov-ed downwardly in the path of travel of the sheet 34. For this purposei, the fingers 16-1 are fastened to a transverse shaft 166, rotatably supported in the brackets 167 fastened to the side 'frames 23. Near one vend of the shaft, a crank aiin or dog 168 is fastened, foioperating the shaft. As shown in Fig. 4, this arm is placed just inside the frame 28 and in the path of movement of shaft 98. This shaft is arranged to move arm 168 just asthe grippers y94 open, whereby fingers 164 are moved downwardly against the action of a spring 169,` fastened to another crank arm 170', 'carried by shaft 166. The

ysheet 34 is by the mechanism j ust described,

pushed out ofthe gripper jaws and onto the conveyor belts 149.y Beneath these belts a sheet metal plate 171 is provided, for lieepl travel toward the powdering inechanisi'n, to

grip a succeeding sheet. This condition is illustrated in Fig. 9.` v

The Conveyor belts 149 carry the sheet 34 onto another conveyor 172 which is adjacent thereto. This conveyor is driven from the conveyor shaft 151 by the aid of sprocket wheel 173 and chain 174, driving` the conveyor shaft 175. This shaft is connected with the other conveyor shaft 176 by another cha-in 177. The conveyor 172 is formed of heat-resistant material, such as woven wire, so that it may conduct the sheet 34 through the heater 178. A support 179 is also provided for the upper reach of this conveyor. y

The heater 178 is arranged to opera-te ale-ove the sheet 34, so as t-o radiate heat to the top' surface thereof. It consists of a hollow reflectingshell, disposed over the conveyor 172, and lined throughout with some heat resistant material 1791. In the pres-ent instance the source of heat is shown as a. pair of electrical heating elements 180 that are appropriately supported on one side of the hollow shell. In order to regulate the degree of heat affecting sheet 34, I arrange the heater so that it is bodily movable t-oward and from the conveyor 172. For this purpose the entire shell is supported on pivots 181 located in the frames 23, and its sides has depending portions 182 that pass between the belt 172 and these frames. Adjustment of the heater 178 is secured by the aid of a hinged bolt 188 carried on top of the heater 17 8, and passing through a stationary strap 184. A hand nut 185 engages the bolt and rests on top of the strap 184, whereby rotation of this nut serves to raise and lower the heater 178. Adjustability is not only desirable but essential in order to take care of varying conditions, such as quality of paper to prevent scorching, amount of printing thereon, and vspec-d of the conveyor 172. All of the factors are of course so regulated that fusion of the powder and subsequent thorough drying are secured.

After the conveyor 172 carries the sheet through the heater 178, it delivers the sheet to a delivery conveyor 186, which is entirely 'similar to the conveyor 172. As shown in Fig. 1, this conveyor is mechanically connected, as by `chain 187, with the conveyor 172 and is thus driven thereby. Both conveyors 172 and 186 are supported in al collapsible extension 188 of the frames 23,Y

hinged on shaft 150 and held in horizontal, operative position by a pair of struts 189. lVhenstruts 189 are removed from cooperation with the frame 21, the frame extensions 188 are permitted to drop down, and the entire machine can be shipped or stored in a relatively small space. i

The description of the machine is now complete. 1t is prehaps helpful at this point to summarize the operation. Assuming that motor 22 is ruiming, and that the gear ratio and heating device 17 8 are properly adjust-ed to give the desired results, a sheet 34 just o the press is delivered to feeder conveyor 24 (Fig. S). This conveyor carries it to the projections 43. As soon as shaft 49 rotates suiiiciently, cam 48 causes the sheet to be released from projections 43, and to pass onto the plate 35, where fingers 36 keep it in spaced position. As soon as cam 48 becomes inactive, the sheet is gripped by the powdering mechanism between bar 66 and fingers 67. The sheet is carried around to the position of Fig. 14 by this means. In the meanwhile, the scoop 62 has dipped into the powder 64 and has deposited it on the trough 79, whence it is poured onto the sheet 34, some of it adhering to the tacky printing. The grippers 94 are now in proper position to receive th-e sheet, and are automatically closed at the instant fingers 67 are released. The grippers 94 carry the sheet 34 past the rapidly rotating beaters or hammers 127, which gradually increase their force as the sheet 34 travels past them. At the same time fingers 142 come into play to confine the sheet 34 against undue movement in response to the beating action, and also to permit the hammers to act with full force on the sheet. At this stage, all surplus powder falls back into the trough 63. The grippers 94 continue their movement, and finally deposit the sheet onto the movable conveyor 149, being assisted by the fingers 164 to free the sheet from the jaws of the grippers. These grippers are of course lirst opened by operation of cam 133. The conveyor 149 feeds the sheet to the conveyor 172, which carries it underneath the electrical heating elements 180, whereby the powder is fused and dried. Finally the conveyor 172 delivers the completed sheet to the delivery conveyor 186.

l claim:

1. ln a machine of the class described, means for applying` a powder to the matter to be treated, and gripping means for carrying the matter away from the powdering mechanism and engaging the matter only On completion of the powdering operation.

2.1111 a machine of the class described, a powdering mechanism for a sheet to be treated, said mechanism. having a clamping means for said sheet, and means for delivering said sheet to the clamping means, comprising a removable stop for the sheet, a plate upon which the sheet is arranged to rest when the stop is removed, means for positioning the sheet with respect to the plate', and a common means operative in response to the operation of the powdering mechanism, for removing the stop and for operating the positioning means.

3. ln a machine of the class described, a powdering mechanism for a sheet to be treated, said mechanism having` a clamping means for said sheet, and means for delivering said sheet to thc clamping means, comprising a removable stop for the sheet, a plate upon which the sheet is arranged to ,rest when the stop is removed, means for positioning the sheet with respect to the plate, and a cam carried by the powdering mechanism, for causing the stop to be removed and the positioning means to be operated.

4. lin a machine of the class described, a powdering mechanism, comprising a scoop movable to pick up powder and to dump it, a mechanism for driving the scoop, clamping meansy for a sheet to be powdered, movable the scoop is operated, and means for releasing said clamping means as soon as the powdering operation is completed.

5. ln a. machine of the class described, a powdering mechanism, comprising a scoop movable to piclr up powder and to dump it, means for revolving the scoopso that it performs these functions in succession duringa revolution, clamping means for a sheet to be powdered and means for releasingsaid clamping means as soon as the powdering operation is completedV 6. 1n machine of the class described, a powdering mechanism, comprising a scoop revoluble to pick up powder and to dump it,

a rotatable support for said scoop whereby the scoop is hingedly carried thereby on an axis displaced from the axis of rotation of the support, and means for supporting a sheet to be powdered in operative positionn with respect to said scoop.

7. ln a machine of the class described, a powdering mechanism, comprising a scoop revolubleto pick up powder and to dump it, a rotatable support for said scoop whereby the scoop is hingedlycarried thereby on an axis displaced from the axis of rotation of the support, means for controlling the extent of rotation of the scoop about its own axis, and means for supporting a sheet to be powdered in operative relation with respect to said scoop.

3. ln a machine of the class described, a

,powdering mechanism, comprising a scoop revoluble to pick up powder and to dump it, a rotatable support for said scoop whereby the scoop is hingtdly carried thereby on an axis displaced from the axis of rotation of the support, a cam for controlling the extent of rotation of the scoop about its own axis, and means for supporting a sheet to be powdered in operative relation with respect to said scoop.

9.l In a machine of the class described, a mechanism for dumping powder` on a sheet to be treated, clamping means for the sheet, said mechanism shielding` the clamping means from the powder.

10.` In a machine of the class described, mechanism for powdering a sheet, clamping means for the sheet, said mechanism comprising a trough arranged to shield theV clamping means to prevent the powder from pouring thereon, and means for moving said trough into operative position after the sheet is clamped.

11. In a machine of the class described,

a movable scoop for dumping powder on a sheet to b e treated, clamping means for the sheet for holdingk it in proper operative position with respect to the scoop, and a trough movable to be positioned over the clamping means for guiding thepowder over the sheet.

12. `In a machine of the class described, a movable scoop for rdumping powder on a sheet to be treated, clamping means for the sheet for holding it in proper operative position with respect to the scoop, a support for the scoop, a trough pivotally mounted on said support, and means for moving. said trough on its pivot so that it covers the clamping means and guides the powder over the sheet.

13. In a machine of the class described. a rotatable frame, clamping means carried by the frame for holding a sheet t0 be treated, and a scoop also mountedon the frame.

14. In a machine of the class described, a rotatable frame, clamping means carried by the frame for holding a sheet to be treated, a scoop pivotally mounted on a. center offset from the axis of the frame, and means for controlling the movement of the scoop about its own axis.

15. In a machine of the class described, a rotatable frame, clamping means carried by the frame for holding a sheet to be treated, a scoop mounted on the frame, and a trough carried by the frame and cooperating with the scoop. y

16. In a machine of the class described, a. rotatable frame, clamping means carried by the frame for holding a sheet to be treated, a pivotal support on said frame having its pivotal axis displaced from that of rotation of the frame, and a scoop pivoted thereon.

17. Iny a. machine of the class described, a rotatable frame, clamping means carried by the frame for holding a sheet to be treated, a pivotal lsupport on said frame having its pivotal axis displaced from that of rotation of the frame, a. scoop pivoted thereon,

and a trough also pivotally carried thereon, said trough cooperating` with the scoop andl covering the clamping means.

18. In a machine of the class described, means for powdering a sheet, and means for agitating the sheet so as to free it from surplus powder, comprising a rotatable element having beaters pivoted thereon and movable routwardly from the axis of rotationunder the iniiuence of centrifugal force.

19. In a machine of the class described, means for powdering a sheet, and means for agitating the sheet so as to free it from surplus powder,- coinprising a beater arm mounted for rotation near one end, and meansfor revolving said arm so as to cause centrifugal force to move said arm about its axis.-

20. In a machine of the class described, means for powdering a sheet, inea-ns for agitating the sheet so as tofree it from' surplus powder, means for carrying the sheet past said agitating means so that parts of the paper in succession will be acted onby the said agitating means, and means for controlling the intensity of the agitations in accordance with the relative position of the sheet with respectA to the agitator.

21. In a machine of the class described, means for 4powdering a sheet, an agitator' for engaging'lthe sheet So as to free it from surplus powder, and a'. movable support for the agitator, whereby theintensity of the agitation may be adjusted by moving the support toward and from the sheet.

22. In a. machine of the class described, meansV for powdering a sheet, an agitator for engaging the sheet so as to free it from surplus powder, a movable support for the agitator, means for moving the sheet past the agitator, and means for moving the supportv in response to the movement of the sheet past the agitator.V

23. In a machine of the class described, means for powdering a sheet, an agitator for engaging the sheet so as to free it from surplus powder, a pivotally mounted support for the agitator, and a cam for moving the support on its pivot so as to vary the intensity of the agitation.

24. In a machine of t-he class described, means for powdering a sheet, and means for agitating said sheet, comprising a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of arms supported on said shaft and pivoted so as to permit them to extend outwardly from the shaft due to centrifugal force, .said arms being displaced axially and angularly with respect to each other.

25. Inv a machine of the class described, means for powdering a sheet, means for agitating the sheet, means clamping the sheet near one edge and carrying it past the agitating means, and means for engag- .ing the sheet for preventing undue displaceH ment or movement thereof in response to the action of the :Lgitatng means.

26, In a muehne of the class described, .means `for powderng a sheet, means for agtatng seid sheet, e gripper engaging said sheet near one edge thereof, means for moving the gripper so as to carry the sheet past the zrgteting menne, and movable means arranged to be moved in Contact with the l0 sheet for limiting its movement n response to the operation of the agtating means.

n testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

RICHARD F. BERNDT.

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