Printer-slotter module gear train brake

Claim 2

A machine comprising at least first and second modules, means mounting mounting said first module for movement to an open disposition with respect to said second module, a gear train on each module coupled to rotatable shafts on their respective module for rotatably driving said shafts, means on the shafts for performing an operation on a flat workpiece, said gear trains being coupled to each other and a common motor, means for latching said modules together, said latching means having an inoperative disposition wherein the modules may be moved to an open disposition, and a brake means on said first module for locking gear train in position so as to prevent rotation of said shafts and render the gear train immobile, a single actuator means connected to said latching means and brake means for automatIcally locking the gear train in position on said first module so as to prevent rotation of the gears forming a part of the first module gear train and for simultaneously latching means to its inoperative disposition, said single actuator means including a common actuator connected to both the brake means and the latching means.

Claim 3

A machine in accordance with claim 1 including a rotatable actuator shaft on said first module, means connecting said brake means to said actuator shaft for operating said brake means in response to rotation of said actuator shaft, means connecting said latching means to said actuator shaft for operating said latching means in response to rotation of said actuator shaft, and handle means on said actuator shaft for rotating the same.

Claim 4

A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for performing an operation on a flat workpiece on said first module includes a print cylinder on one of the shafts of the first module, a motor means coupled to said one shaft for independently rotating said shaft and its print cylinder with out interfering with the position of the gears on said one module gear train.

Claim 5

In a printer-slotter machine having a plurality of modules mounted so that they may move relative to each other to an open disposition, at least one of the modules being a printing unit, said printing unit having a plurality of shafts extending transversely thereacross, feed rollers on said shafts, a gear train coupling said shafts for driving relationship with a motor, a print cylinder coupled to said gear train and being parallel to said shafts, said cylinder being supported by said printing unit, means latching said modules together, said latching means having an inoperative disposition when the modules are in an open disposition, and a brake means for latching said gear train in position so as to prevent rotation of said shafts and render the gear train immobile, a single actuator means connected to said brake means and latching means for applying said brake means and for simultaneously rendering said latching means inoperative, and an independent motor means coupled to said cylinder for selectively rotating said cylinder without interfering with said gear train while the gear train is immobile, said single actuator means including a common actuator connected to both the brake means and the latching means.

Claim 6

In a printer-slotter machine having a plurality of modules mounted so that they may move relative to each other to an open disposition, at least one of the modules being a printing unit, said printing unit having a plurality of shafts extending transversely thereacross, feed rollers on said shafts, a gear train coupling said shafts for driving relationship with a motor, a print cylinder coupled to said gear train and being parallel to said shafts, said cylinder being supported by said printing unit, means latching said modules together, said latching means having an inoperative disposition when the modules are in an open disposition, and a brake means for latching said gear train in position so as to prevent rotation of said shafts and render the gear train immobile, a single actuator means connected to said brake means and latching means for applying said brake means and for simultaneously rendering said latching means inoperative, and an independent motor means coupled to said cylinder for selectively rotating said cylinder without interfering with said gear train while the gear train is immobile, said single actuator means including a common actuator connected to both the brake means and the latching means.

Claim 7

A machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein said actuator means includes a lever connected to an actuator shaft on said printing unit, means connecting said latching means and said actuator shaft for operating said latching means in response to rotation of said actuator shaft, and means connecting said brake means to said actuator shaft for operating said brake means in response to rotation of said actuator shaft.

Claim 8

A machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein said brake means includes selectively operable means to release the gear train while the printing unit is an open disposition.

Claim 9

A printer-slotter machine comprising a plurality of modules mounted for relative movement so that the modules may be moved to an open disposition with respect to each other, at least one of said modules being a printing unit having a transversely disposed print cylinder and other shafts parallel thereto, means on said last-mentioned shafts for facilitating feeding of blanks to the print cylinder, a gear train on said one module connected to said other shafts and said cylinder for rotating the same, brake means on said one module for selectively locking said gear train into position so as to prevent rotation of said shafts and render the gear train immobile, said printing unit having a latching means thereon for latching the printing unit to an adjacent module, and a single actuator means for simultaneously releasing the latching means and applying the brake means, said single actuator means including a common actuator connected to both the brake means and the latching means.

Claim 10

A printer-slotter machine comprising a plurality of modules mounted for relative movement so that the modules may be moved to an open disposition with respect to each other, at least one of said modules being a printing unit having a transversely disposed print cylinder and other shafts parallel thereto, means on said last-mentioned shafts for facilitating feeding of blanks to the print cylinder, a gear train on said one module connected to said other shafts and said cylinder for rotating the same, brake means on said one module for selectively locking said gear train into position so as to prevent rotation of said shafts and render the gear train immobile, said printing unit having a latching means thereon for latching the printing unit to an adjacent module, and a single actuator means for simultaneously releasing the latching means and applying the brake means, said single actuator means including a common actuator connected to both the brake means and the latching means.

Claim 11

A machine in accordance with claim 7 wherein said latching means is mounted for reciprocatory movement with respect to a mating element on the adjacent module, said brake means being mounted for rotation with respect to said one module about a horizontal axis between an operative position wherein it performs a braking action on the gear train and an inoperative position.

Claim 12

A printer-slotter machine comprising a plurality of modules cooperatively juxtaposed to process box blanks, means mounting said modules so that they may move relative to each other to an open disposition, at least one of said modules being a printing unit, said printing unit having parallel side frames and a transverse ink mechanism, a printing die cylinder supported by said printing unit parallel to said ink mechanism, an impression cylinder and coacting feed shafts extending across said printing unit, a gear train coupling said shafts and cylinders, means latching said modules together, said latching means having an inoperative disposition wherein the modules may be moved to said open disposition, a brake means for locking said gear train in position so as to prevent rotation of said shafts while rendering the gears of said gear train immobile, a single actuator means for rendering said brake means operative and for simultaneously rendering said latching means inoperative, and independent motor means for selectively rotating said die cylinder without interfacing with said gear train, said single actuator means including a common actuator connected to both the brake means and the latching means.

Claim 13

A printer-slotter machine comprising a plurality of modules cooperatively juxtaposed to process box blanks, means mounting said modules so that they may move relative to each other to an open disposition, at least one of said modules being a printing unit, said printing unit having parallel side frames and a transverse ink mechanism, a printing die cylinder supported by said printing unit parallel to said ink mechanism, an impression cylinder and coacting feed shafts extending across said printing unit, a gear train coupling said shafts and cylinders, means latching said modules together, said latching means having an inoperative disposition wherein the modules may be moved to said open disposition, a brake means for locking said gear train in position so as to prevent rotation of said shafts while rendering the gears of said gear train immobile, a single actuator means for rendering said brake means operative and for simultaneously rendering said latching means inoperative, and independent motor means for selectively rotating said die cylinder without interfacing with said gear train, said single actuator means including a common actuator connected to both the brake means and the latching means.