Setting up arrangement for a combined printing and stamping machine

Claim 2

Setting up arrangement for a combined printing and stamping machine, comprising a printing machine including sheet feeding means, a plurality of printing rollers for printing and transporting a sheet, and including an output roller, and auxiliary depositing means for receiving printed sheets from said output roller, and for depositing said sheet on a first stack; drive means for driving said printing machine; a stamping machine including a plurality of stamping rollers including an input roller; main depositing means for receiving stamped out sheet portions from said stamping machine and for depositing the stamped out sheets on a second stack; a transfer roller having an inoperative position separated from said output and input rollers, and a transfer position for transferring the imprinted sheets from said output roller to said input roller; clutch means having an engaged position for connecting said driven output roller, said transfer roller, and said input roller for rotation, and a disengaged position in which said stamping machine is not driven by said drive means; and control means having a setting up position for placing said transfer roller in said inoperative position and said clutch means in said disengaged position so that said printing machine can be set up separately while printed sheets are deposited on said first stack and said stamping machine is not driven by said drive means, and an operating position for placing said transfer roller in said transfer position and said clutch means in said engaged position so that said drive means drive said printing machine, said transfer roller, and said stamping machine while the printed and stamped out sheet portions are deposited on said second stack.

Claim 3

Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least said transfer roller and said input roller are connected for rotation in said disengaged position of said clutch means; and comprising other drive means for driving said transfer roller and thereby said stamping machine independently of said printing machine for setting up said stamping machine.

Claim 4

Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said output roller of said printing machine includes an output gear; wherein said input roller of said stamping machine includes an input gear; wherein said clutch means include a first gear meshing with said output gear and driven thereby, a second gear meshing with said input gear, and a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said first and second gears in said engaged and disengaged positions, respectively; and wherein said clutch is operated by said control means.

Claim 5

Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary depositing means include a gripper chain conveyor including grippers and a chain gear wheel; wherein said output roller includes an output gear meshing with said chain gear wheel for driving said gripper chain conveyor; movable cam means for opening and closing said grippers, and electromagnetic means controlled by said control means for actuating said cam means so that a sheet on said output roller is gripped and deposited on said first stack when said control means is in said setting up position.

Claim 6

Setting up arrangement for a combined printing and stamping machine, comprising a printing machine including sheet feeding means, a plurality of printing rollers for printing and transporting a sheet, and includng an output roller, and auxiliary depositing means for receiving imprinted sheets from said output roller, and for depositing said sheet on a first stack; drive means for driving said printing machine; a stamping machine including a plurality of stamping rollers including an input roller; main depositing means for receiving stamped out sheet portions from said stamping machine and for depositing the stamped out sheets on a second stack; a transfer roller having an inoperative position separated from said output and input rollers, and a transfer position for transferring the imprinted sheets from said output roller to said input roller; clutch means having an engaged position for connecting said driven output roller, said transfer roller, and said input roller for rotation, and a disengaged position in which said stamping machine is not driven by said drive means; and control means having a setting up position for placing said transfer roller in said inoperative position and said clutch means in said disengaged position so that said printing machine can be set up separately while imprinted sheets are deposited on said first stack and said stamping machine is not driven by said drive means, and an operating position for placing said transfer roller in said transfer position and said clutch means in said engaged position so that said drive means drive said printing machine, said transfer roller, and said stamping machine while the imprinted and stamped out sheet portions are deposited on said second stack, wherein said output roller of said printing machine includes an output gear; wherein said input roller of said stamping machine includes an input gear; wherein said clutch means include a first gear meshing with said output gear and driven thereby, a second gear meshing with said input gear, and a clutch for connecting and discOnnecting said first and second gears in said engaged and disengaged positions, respectively, and wherein said clutch is operated by said control means; further including supporting means including a fixed sleeve supporting said first and second gears for free rotation about a common axis, and having an inner axial bore having a bore axis eccentric to said common axis; an eccentric bushing mounted in said bore and turnable therein by said control means, said bushing having an other eccentric bore having an other bore axis, said common axis and bore axes being parallel; and a shaft fixedly secured to said transfer roller mounted in said other eccentric bore so that said transfer roller can be placed in said inoperative and transfer positions by said control means; and means connecting said shaft with said second gear for rotation.

Claim 7

Setting up arrangement for a combined printing and stamping machine, comprising a printing machine including sheet feeding means, a plurality of printing rollers for printing and transporting a sheet, and includng an output roller, and auxiliary depositing means for receiving imprinted sheets from said output roller, and for depositing said sheet on a first stack; drive means for driving said printing machine; a stamping machine including a plurality of stamping rollers including an input roller; main depositing means for receiving stamped out sheet portions from said stamping machine and for depositing the stamped out sheets on a second stack; a transfer roller having an inoperative position separated from said output and input rollers, and a transfer position for transferring the imprinted sheets from said output roller to said input roller; clutch means having an engaged position for connecting said driven output roller, said transfer roller, and said input roller for rotation, and a disengaged position in which said stamping machine is not driven by said drive means; and control means having a setting up position for placing said transfer roller in said inoperative position and said clutch means in said disengaged position so that said printing machine can be set up separately while imprinted sheets are deposited on said first stack and said stamping machine is not driven by said drive means, and an operating position for placing said transfer roller in said transfer position and said clutch means in said engaged position so that said drive means drive said printing machine, said transfer roller, and said stamping machine while the imprinted and stamped out sheet portions are deposited on said second stack, wherein said output roller of said printing machine includes an output gear; wherein said input roller of said stamping machine includes an input gear; wherein said clutch means include a first gear meshing with said output gear and driven thereby, a second gear meshing with said input gear, and a clutch for connecting and discOnnecting said first and second gears in said engaged and disengaged positions, respectively, and wherein said clutch is operated by said control means; further including supporting means including a fixed sleeve supporting said first and second gears for free rotation about a common axis, and having an inner axial bore having a bore axis eccentric to said common axis; an eccentric bushing mounted in said bore and turnable therein by said control means, said bushing having an other eccentric bore having an other bore axis, said common axis and bore axes being parallel; and a shaft fixedly secured to said transfer roller mounted in said other eccentric bore so that said transfer roller can be placed in said inoperative and transfer positions by said control means; and means connecting said shaft with said second gear for rotation.

Claim 8

Arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein said stamping machine includes a plurality of stamping rollers having the same diameter; wherein said printing machine includes a plurality of printing rollers at least one printing roller of said printing rollers having said diameter; and wherein the axis of said shaft coincides with said common axis when said clutch is engaged.

Claim 9

Arrangement as defined in claim 5, wherein said drive means is operative when said clutch means is in engaged position for simultaneously driving said output roller of said printing machine and said input roller of said stamping machine at different respective peripheral speeds, and further including motion-transmitting means connecting said drive means to said transfer roller for causing the latter to rotate during transfer of a sheet to the transfer roller from said output roller at substantially the peripheral speed of said output roller, and for causing said transfer roller to rotate during transfer of the sheet from said transfer roller to said input roller at substantially the peripheral speed of said input roller, and wherein said motion-imparting means comprises a radial arm secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, and an articulated link connecting the radially outer end of said arm with said second gear for imparting motion to said transfer roller.

Claim 10

Setting up arrangement for a combined printing and stamping machine, comprising a printing machine including sheet feeding means, a plurality of printing rollers for printing and transporting a sheet, and including an output roller, and auxiliary depositing means for receiving imprinted sheets from said output roller, and for depositing said sheet on a first stack; drive means for driving said printing machine; a stamping machine including a plurality of stamping rollers including an input roller; main depositing means for receiving stamped out sheet portions from said stamping machine and for depositing the stamped out sheets on a second stack; a transfer roller having an inoperative position separated from said output and input rollers, and a transfer positin for transferring the imprinted sheets from said output roller to said input roller; clutch means having an engaged position for connecting said driven output roller, said transfer roller, and said input roller for rotation, and a disengaged position in which said stamping machine is not driven by said drive means; and control means having a setting up position for placing said transfer roller in said inoperative position and said clutch means in said disengaged position so that said printing machine can be set up separately while imprinted sheets are deposited on said first stack and said stamping machine is not driven by said drive means, and an operating position for placing said transfer roller in said transfer position and said clutch means in said engaged position so that said drive means drive said printing machine, said transfer roller, and said stamping machine while the imprinted and stamped out sheet portions are deposited on said second stack, wherein said output roller of said printing machine includes an output gear; wherein said input roller of said stamping machine includes an input gear; wherein said clutch means include a first gear meshing with said output gear and driven thereby, a second gear meshing with said input gear, and a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said first and second gears in said engaged and disengaged positions, respectively; wherein said clutch is operated by said control means; comprising supporting means including a fixed sleeve supporting said first and second gears for free rotation about a common axis, and having an inner axial bore having a bore axis eccentric to said common axis; an eccentric bushing mounted in said bore and turnable therein by said control means, said bushing having an other eccentric bore having an other bore axis, said common axis and bore axes being parallel; a shaft fixedly secured to said transfer roller mounted in said other eccentric bore; and wherein said control means include first linkage means for operating said clutch, and second linkage means for operating said eccentric bushing, and manually operated means for simultaneously actuating said first and second linkage means.

Claim 11

Setting up arrangement for a combined printing and stamping machine, comprising a printing machine including sheet feeding means, a plurality of printing rollers for printing and transporting a sheet, and including an output roller, and auxiliary depositing means for receiving imprinted sheets from said output roller, and for depositing said sheet on a first stack; drive means for driving said printing machine; a stamping machine including a plurality of stamping rollers including an input roller; main depositing means for receiving stamped out sheet portions from said stamping machine and for depositing the stamped out sheets on a second stack; a transfer roller having an inoperative position separated from said output and input rollers, and a transfer positin for transferring the imprinted sheets from said output roller to said input roller; clutch means having an engaged position for connecting said driven output roller, said transfer roller, and said input roller for rotation, and a disengaged position in which said stamping machine is not driven by said drive means; and control means having a setting up position for placing said transfer roller in said inoperative position and said clutch means in said disengaged position so that said printing machine can be set up separately while imprinted sheets are deposited on said first stack and said stamping machine is not driven by said drive means, and an operating position for placing said transfer roller in said transfer position and said clutch means in said engaged position so that said drive means drive said printing machine, said transfer roller, and said stamping machine while the imprinted and stamped out sheet portions are deposited on said second stack, wherein said output roller of said printing machine includes an output gear; wherein said input roller of said stamping machine includes an input gear; wherein said clutch means include a first gear meshing with said output gear and driven thereby, a second gear meshing with said input gear, and a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said first and second gears in said engaged and disengaged positions, respectively; wherein said clutch is operated by said control means; comprising supporting means including a fixed sleeve supporting said first and second gears for free rotation about a common axis, and having an inner axial bore having a bore axis eccentric to said common axis; an eccentric bushing mounted in said bore and turnable therein by said control means, said bushing having an other eccentric bore having an other bore axis, said common axis and bore axes being parallel; a shaft fixedly secured to said transfer roller mounted in said other eccentric bore; and wherein said control means include first linkage means for operating said clutch, and second linkage means for operating said eccentric bushing, and manually operated means for simultaneously actuating said first and second linkage means.

Claim 12

Arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said manually operated means include a control shaft connecting said first and second linkage means, and a handle on said control shaft.

Claim 13

In combination, a printing machine comprising first conveying means operative for conveying a sheet to be printed through the printing machine along a first predetermined path, and printing means for printing upon a sheet conveyed along said first path; a stamping machine comprised of second conveying means operative for conveying a sheet to be stamped through the stamping machine along a second predetermined path, and stamping means for performing a stamping operation upon a sheet conveyed along said second path; an inspection station for the inspection of printed but unstamped sheets; and routing means operative in a first selectable mode of operation for causing a sheet which has been conveyed along said first path to be fed to said stamping machine and conveyed along said second path, and operative in a second selectable mode of operation for causing a sheet which has been conveyed along said first path to be diverted from said second path and delivered to said inspection station for examination of the printed but unstamped sheet.

Claim 14

In combination, a printing machine comprising first conveying means operative for conveying a sheet to be printed through the printing machine along a first predetermined path, and printing means for printing upon a sheet conveyed along said first path; a stamping machine comprised of second conveying means operative for conveying a sheet to be stamped through the stamping machine along a second predetermined path, and stamping means for performing a stamping operation upon a sheet conveyed along said second path; an inspection station for the inspection of printed but unstamped sheets; and routing means operative in a first selectable mode of operation for causing a sheet which has been conveyed along said first path to be fed to said stamping machine and conveyed along said second path, and operative in a second selectable mode of operation for causing a sheet which has been conveyed along said first path to be diverted from said second path and delivered to said inspection station for examination of the printed but unstamped sheet.

Claim 15

The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said stamping means comprises means operative for cutting a sheet conveyed by said second conveying means along said second path.

Claim 16

The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said stamping means comprises means operative for grooving a sheet conveyed by said second conveying means along said second path.

Claim 17

The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said stamping means comprises means operative for cutting out at least one portion of a sheet conveyed by said second conveying means along said second path.

Claim 18

The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said stamping means comprises means operative for cutting out and removing at least one protion of a sheet conveyed by said second conveying means along said second path.

Claim 19

The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said first and second conveying means comprise parallel conveying rollers and wherein said first and second paths are elongated meandering paths defined by said conveying rollers, and wherein the directions of elongation of said first and second paths are the same, and wherein said routing means comprises means operative when said routing means is in said second selectable mode of operation for diverting a sheet which has been conveyed along said first path away from said second path and to said inspection station along an elongated third path whose direction of elongation is transverse to the direction of elongation of said first and second paths and generally parallel to the axes of said conveying rollers.

Claim 20

The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said first and second conveying means comprise conveying rollers, And wherein said printing means and said stamping means respectively comprise printing and stamping rollers, and wherein said first and second paths are elongated meandering paths defined by said conveying, printing and stamping rollers, and wherein the rollers of said printing machine are provided with respective drive gears interconnected to form a respective first power train, and wherein said printing machine further includes drive means for driving said first power train, and wherein the rollers of said stamping machine are provided with respective drive gears interconnected to form a respective second power train, and wherein said routing means includes clutch menas operative when said routing means is in said first mode for establishing force-transmitting engagement between said first and second power trains to cause the former to drive the latter, and operative when said routing means is in said second mode for disengaging said second power train from said first power train.

Claim 21

The combination defined in claim 16, wherein said stamping machine includes a respective drive means operative for separately driving said second power train when the latter is disengaged from said first power train.

Claim 22

The combination defined in claim 16, wherein said stamping machine includes a stacker for stacking stamped sheets which have been conveyed by said second conveying means along said second path, whereby when said routing means is in said first mode printed and stamped sheets will be stacked by said stacker whereas when said routing means is in said second mode printed but unstamped sheets will be delivered to said inspection station for examination.

Claim 23

Arrangement as defined in claim 13, wherein said drive means is operative when said clutch mens is in engaged position for simultaneously driving said output roller of said printing machine and said input roller of said stamping machine at different peripheral speeds, and further including motion-transmitting means connecting said drive means to said transfer roller in force-transmitting manner and operative for causing the latter to rotate during transfer of a sheet to the transfer roller from said output roller at substantially the peripheral speed of said output roller, and for causing said transfer roller to rotate during transfer of a sheet from said transfer roller to said input roller at substantially the peripheral speed of said input roller.

Claim 24

Arrangement as claimed in claim 19 wherein said stamping machine includes a plurality of stamping rollers including said input roller and having the same diameter; wherein said printing machine includes a plurality of printing rollers, at least one printing roller of said printing rollers having a smaller diameter than said diameter of said stamping rollers, said stamping rollers and said one printing roller rotating at the same angular velocity and performing one revolution during each machine cycle, and wherein said diameter of said stamping rollers is up to 1.5 times the diameter of said one printing roller.