US2163035A - Apparatus for effecting register of multiple operations - Google Patents

Description

June 20, 1939. w GRUPE 2,163,035

APPARATUS FOR EFPECI'ING REGISTER 0F MULTIPLE OPERATIONS Filed July '7, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR, ilham F. Gru c ORNEY June 20, 1939. w. F. GRUPE 2,163,035

APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING REGISTER OF MULTIPLE OPERATIONS Filed July '7, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5G INVENTOR,

53 5a \liilham FGnu e HI TORNEY Patented June 20, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OPERATIONS William F. Grape. Lyndhurst, N. 3., assignmto Chambon Corporation, Garfield, N. 1., a corporation of New York Application July I, 1936, Serial No. 89.301

operation, due to atmospheric and other eflects upon the web and/or mechanical irregularities.

Accordingly, to effect proper register of a second and/or succeeding printing impression, frequently of different color and to effect proper register of transverse severing, scoring, perforating, embossing and/or die cutting, it is desirable to control the second and succeeding impression and/or mechanical treatment in relation to the first impression.

Most desirably, such control is effected while the web is in motion through the printing and/or other mechanical operation efiecting means.

In general, my invention is preferably carried out by positively driving the respective two or more printing units and/or mechanical devices 0 coordinated therewith by a common driving means and by providing suitable meanssuch as a worm, adjustable in relation to the common driving means, individually for the respective second and succeeding printing units and/or other mechanical operation eifecting means succeeding the first printing unit.

In the more preferred types oi my invention, a target" is employed, which may be in the form of a mark applied to the printed face of the web or a selected part of the printed matter, or a perforation or the like applied to the web, as an aid in efiecting register.

In the most preferred forms of my invention, assuming the target to be applied simultaneously with the first operation, and the employment of a photo-electric or other responsive device, upon longitudinal variation of the web relative to the stated succeeding operations, caused by atmospheric or other effects upon the web, the register of the second printing unit and/or other mechanical operation effecting device subsequent to the first printing unit is controlled relative to the first operation.

Further features and objects of the invention will be more fully under tood from the following detail description and the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, largely diagrammatic, illustrating the application of my invention to a multiple printing machine, the registering mechanism indicated therein being of the manually controlled type.

Fig. 2 is a detail view, in elevation of an adjustable driving connection between a main drive shaft and a printing unit or other mechanical operation effecting device operable pursuant to my invention.

Fig. 3 is a detail central sectional view of another form of adjustable driving connection, operable pursuant to my invention.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of another embodiment of my invention, illustrating the employment of the adjustable driving connection shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail top plan view, largely diagrammatic, illustrating the principle of operation of the control individually at several operating units, such as a second printing and transverse severing device, respectively responsive to a photoelectric device, electric contact device or equivalent.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating a web in of paper, cellulose film, metallic foil, etc., subjected to multiple printing impressions and coordinated mechanical operation such as transverse slitting, perforating, scoring, embossing, die cutting or the like, I have indicated in Fig. 1 a bed ll, serving advantageously for the common support of such multiple printing and other mechanical operation eifecting devices. The web I0 is desirably supplied from a roll II, which may be rotatably supported in any suitable manner, as by means of the indicated bracket i3.

Preferably, as is indicated in Fig. l, the web I is fed to the respective printing and/or other mechanical operation effecting units by means of a suitable feed unit such as is indicated at M, comprising essentially a set of rolls I ia, Ito, for positively feeding the web Ill from such roll if or equivalent supply. Preferably, also, the web It after treatment is positively pulled by a suitable pull unit such as indicated at l5, comprising essentially a pair of rolls l5a, l5a, between which the web is positively passed.

As above indicated, such feed unit it and pull unit i5 is positively driven in coordination with the operation of the printing units and severing unit and similarly with additional printing units and/or mechanical operation efi'ecting device, as appears more particularly hereinafter.

In Fig. i the first printing unit is indicated at I8, which may be of conventional or other approved construction. Its printing cylinder is indicated at I5a and its impression cylinder at I5b, between which the web I is passed. The second printing unit is indicated at I1, and with respect to its printing mechanism per se may be of conventional or of other approved construction. Its printing cylinder is indicated at Ila and its impression cylinder at Ilb. At 2i is shown a transverse severing device.

As above indicated, and as illustrated in Fig. l, the above stated mechanisms are positively driven by a main drive shaft I3, which for illustrative purposes may be driven by an electric motor Ill, mechanically coupled with the main drive shaft I8 by any suitable means, such as a belt and pulley 20, the latter secured to the main drive shaft I8.

Pursuant to my invention, the printing cylinder Ila of the second printing unit I1, is connected by suitable adjustable means with the main drive shaft I8, whereby the effective movement of the printing cylinder Ila may be coordinated with the impression upon the web III, effected by the first printing unit Ill.

As one form of such adjustable connection I illustrate in Fig. 2 a worm 22 mounted on and positively driven by the main shaft I3 through the feather 23 and axially adjustable relative to the main shaft I3 by suitable means affording said axial adjustment while maintaining mesh of the convolutions of the worm relative to the teeth of the worm gear 24', which is rigidly secured to the shaft Ila of the printing cylinder Ila.

Such axial adjustment of such worm 22 may be had by any suitable means. As one form of said adjustment means I have shown the worm 22 provided with recessed terminal portions 22a, 22b, the respective recesses being indicated at 22a and 22b, in which are respectively received the forks 25, 25, projecting from and secured to a yoke 28, in turn suitably adjustable longitudinally of the bed II, as by means of a screw 21, rotatably mounted in suitable brackets 23, 28, with suitable means such as thrust collars 29, 29, for precluding axial displacement of the screw 21. The setting of such screw 21 may be effected by any suitable means. In Fig. 2, as is also indicated in Fig. l, I have shown a crank 30, as indicative of suitable means for operating the screw 21. The screw 21 may, as preferred, be operated either manually or by means of a suitable motor or other power means.

Accordingly, by rotation of the main shaft l3, the worm 22 is positively driven through the feather 23, in turn driving the worm gear 24 and the printing cylinder Ila at a predetermined surface speed. The rotation of the adjustment screw 21 causes a displacement of the yoke 26, which in turn displaces axially the worm 22, thus imparting an additive or subtractive increment to the movement of the worm gear 24, relative to its rotation by the main shaft I8.

In operation, the feed rolls Ha, Ha, of the feed unit I4, the printing cylinder I80. and its impression cylinder IBb of the first printing unit, the printing cylinder Ila and its impression cylinder Ilb of the second printing unit and the rolls I50, Ia, of the pull unit I5 are positively driven by the common driving means, such as the main drive shaft I8, to attain identical surface speed. The mechanical operation effecting means, such as the transverse severing means 2|, is likewise driven in synchronism with such predetermined surface speed. Under the condition of stretching on contraction of the web, during the transit of the web through the stated mechanism, registration of the second printing unit, and similarly registration of any succeeding printing unit and of the transverse severing means 2| and/or other mechanical operation effecting means, is had by proper adjustment of the respective individual driving means of the character shown in Fig. 2.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 the printing cylinder Ila of the printing unit I1, is driven by the worm gear 24, which meshes with the worm 3I, secured to a collar 32, embracing and supported by the shaft I8, but rotatable relative thereto, and driven by pinion 33. Pinion 33 is driven by pinion 34 which may be secured through a freely rotating shaft 35 to the pinion 36, pinions 34 and 36 being of different pitch diameters. Pinion 36 is driven by pinion 31, secured to the main drive shaft I3. Desirably, two or more sets of pinions 34, 35, with their associated shafts 35, may be symmetrically arranged in planetary relationship to the shaft I8. Such one or more shafts 35 are freely rotatlvely mounted in the housing 38, to which is suitably attached the worm wheel 39 meshing with the worm 40, secured to the regulating shaft 4|.

Under the stage of drive of the main drive shaft l8, assuming the housing 38 at a set, i. e., stationary position, the stated gearing effects the drive of the printing cylinder Ila at the predetermined surface speed. Additive or subtractive increments of motion of the printing cylinder Ila are obtained by rotation of the housing 38, by suitable movement of the regulating shaft M, which may be actuated manually, or by motor or other suitable power means.

Fig. 4 illustrates the employment of the form of my invention shown in Fig. 3, applied to a second printing unit, i. e. the printing unit Il, and transverse severing device I, like reference characters indicating corresponding parts shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 illustrates diagrammatically the application of the form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 3, to the regulation of a printing cylinder Ila and also a transverse severing device 2I, the registration being controlled by motors 45, suitably connected to the regulating shafts 4|, individually for the respective printing or mechanical operation effecting devices, such motors 45 being selectively actuated by suitable target" responsive means indicated diagrammatically at 46, 48, such "target responsive means being disposed in the normal path of the "targets" 41 applied to the web III by any suitable means such as the first printing cylinder Illa.

It will be noted that printing cylinder Ila is mounted on shaft Ila through a feather 48, so that said printing cylinder Ila may be axially displaced relative to its shaft IIa'.- A yoke 43, in which the shaft Ila is rotatively mounted, which bears respectively against the opposite ends of the printing cylinder Ila, is maintained or adjusted in lateral position by the screw 50, which engages suitably threaded end 5| of the yoke 49. Said screw 50 is rotatably supported in the bracket 52, secured to the bed II of the press. Axial movement of the screw 50 is prevented by the thrust collars 53, 54. The rotation of the screw 50 may be had by any suitable means, such as by means of a worm wheel 55, suitably driven by a worm or equivalent attached to a regulatory shaft 55, which may be controlled manually or by motor or other suitable power means. In this manner, corrections in lateral registration may be eil'ected, though this mechanism forms no part of my present invention.

Under certain circumstances, if desired as in a printing machine embodying two printing devices or a single mechanical operation effecting device succeeding a single printing device, my arrangement for effecting registration of such two devices may be applied to the first printing device.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for effecting the register of successive operations upon a longitudinally traveling web, comprising a plurality of rotatable devices arranged successively longitudinally of the web for operation thereon; a drive shaft extending longitudinally of the web and interconnecting in drive relation with the first of said rotatable devices; and respective adjustable means interconnecting the said drive shaft in drive relation witheach rotatable device subsequent to the first, said adjustable means comprising a drive gear in mesh with a gear adapted to rotate the particular rotatabledevice concerned, said drive gear being mounted on said drive shaft with its rotative axis in common therewith, said drive gear, further, being mounted on said drive shaft for free movement relative to said drive shaft at a speed different than the speed of rotation of said drive shaft.

2. Apparatus for effecting the register of successive operations upon a longitudinally traveling web, comprising a plurality of rotatable devices arranged successively longitudinally of the web for operation thereon, each being provided with an actuating worm gear; a drive shaft extending longitudinally of the web and interconnecting in drive relation with the first of said rotatable devices; and respective adjustable means interconnecting the said drive shaft in drive relation with each rotatable device subsequent to the first, said adjustable means comprising a worm coax'ially keyed to said drive shaft for limited sliding movement therealong, said worm being in mesh with the said worm gear of its corresponding rotatable device, and means adapted for actuation independently of said drive shaft for effecting said sliding movement of the worm relative to the drive shaft.

3. A variable drive for a rotatable element, comprising a drive shaft adapted to rotate at constant speed, a rotatable drive member mounted coaxially with said drive shaft for rotation in synchronism therewith and for controlled movement out of synchronlsm therewith, means interconnecting said rotatable element and said rotatable drive member in drive relationship, and means adapted to be driven independently of said drive shaft for actuating the said rotatable drive member in its said movement out of synchronism with said drive shaft.

4. A variable drive for a rotatable element, comprising a drive shaft adapted to rotate at constant speed, a worm gear adapted to actuate said rotatable element, a worm coaxially keyed to said drive shaft for limited sliding movement thereon parallel with its axis of rotation, said worm being in mesh with said worm gear, and means adapted to be actuated independently of said drive shaft for effecting said sliding movement of the worm relative to the drive shaft.

5. The combination with a printing machine adapted to operate on a moving web and including a printing unit and a device operative on the web subsequently thereto, of a drive shaft extending longitudinally along the path of travel of said web for driving said printing unit and said device, and means operatively disposed intermediate said device and said drive shaft for affording additive or subtractive increments of movement of said device relative to said drive shaft, and means responsive to a target carried by said web for initiating operation of said intermediate means.

6. The combination with a printing machine adapted to operate successively on a target hearing web, said machine embodying a printing unit, a device operative on the web subsequently thereto, and means for feeding the target bearing web through the machine, of a drive shaft extending longitudinally along the path of travel of said web for driving said printing unit and said device. means operatively disposed intermediate said device and said drive shaft for affording additive or subtractive increments of movement of said device relative to said drive shaft, and means responsive to said target for initiating operation of said intermediate means, said intermediate means comprising worm means and a thereto meshing worm wheel.

7. The combination with a printing machine adapted to operate on a moving web and including a printing unit and a device operative on the web subsequently thereto, of a drive shaft extending longitudinally along the path of travel of said web for driving said printing unit and said device, means operatively disposed intermediate said device and said drive shaft for affording additive or subtractive increments of movement of said device relative to said drive shaft, and means responsive to a target carried by said web for initiating operation of said intermediate means, said intermediate means comprising worm means adjustably related to said drive shaft.

8. The combination with a printing machine adapted to operate on a moving web and including a printing unit adapted to apply a target to the web, a device operative on the web subsequently thereto, and means for feeding said web into the machine, of a drive shaft extending iongitudinally along the path of travel of said web for driving said printing unit and said device; means operatively disposed intermediate said device and said drive shaft for affording additive or subtractive increments of movement of said device relative to said drive shaft, said means comprising worm means adjustably related to said drive shaft, and a worm wheel meshing with said worm means and associated with said device for driving the same; and means responsive to said target for initiating operation of said intermediate means.

9. The combination with a printing machine adapted to operate on a moving web and including first and second printing units, of a drive shaft extending longitudinally along the path of travel of the web for driving said first and second printing units, means operatively disposed intermediate said second printing unit and said drive shaft for producing additive or subtractive increments of movement of said second printing unit relative to said drive shaft, and means responsive to a target carried by said web for initiating operation of said intermediate means.

"Ill

said second printing unit and said drive shaft for producing additive or subtractive increments of movement 0! said printing cylinder relative to said drive shaft, and means responsive to said target for initiating operation of said intermediate means.

WILLIAM F. GRUPE.

D I S C L A l M E R 2,163,035.-William F. Grape, Lyndhurst, N. J. APPARATUS ma Err-norms Rnals'ma or MULTIPLE OPERATIONS. olaimer filed December 7, 1940, by the assignee, Champlain Corporation.

enters this disclaimer to claims 2 and 4 of said Letters Patent.

Hereb flicial Gazette January 7, 1941.]

Patent dated June 20, 1939. Dissaid second printing unit and said drive shaft for producing additive or subtractive increments of movement 0! said printing cylinder relative to said drive shaft, and means responsive to said target for initiating operation of said intermediate means.

WILLIAM F. GRUPE.

D I S C L A l M E R 2,163,035.-William F. Grape, Lyndhurst, N. J. APPARATUS ma Err-norms Rnals'ma or MULTIPLE OPERATIONS. olaimer filed December 7, 1940, by the assignee, Champlain Corporation.

enters this disclaimer to claims 2 and 4 of said Letters Patent.

Hereb flicial Gazette January 7, 1941.]

Patent dated June 20, 1939. Dis-

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