Abstract: A highly compact machine for applying an attractive protective coating to a paper web that passes through a printing press is located between the last press stand and the dryer of the printing press, and to enable the machine to receive the web, the printing press is provided with an apparatus for directing the web back to the print stands and the machine after the web passes through the dryer. The machine includes upper and lower blanket cylinders, a plate cylinder contacting the lower blanket cylinder, and an oscillating cylinder below the plate cylinder. In addition the coating machine includes a pan containing a coating fluid and a pan roller, the surface of which rotates through the fluid in the pan to lift it out of the pan. A metering roller revolves close to the pan roller to remove excess fluid from the pan roller which thereupon transfers the fluid to a form roller. That form roller runs against the oscillating cylinder and transfers the fluid to the oscillating cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing the fountain solution used by lithographic printing presses includes a mixing tank and a pump unit for withdrawing the fountain solution from the tank and directing it into a distribution line that leads to several printing presses. Water for the fountain solution is supplied through a water line containing a solenoid valve. The additives, on the other hand, are pumped from drums into measuring containers located above the mixing tank, there being a separate measuring container and pump for each additive. Each measuring container has a solenoid valve at its bottom for releasing its additive into the tank when opened and a float switch for de-energizing its pump when the additive reaches a prescribed level in the measuring container. The water and additive valves, as well as the pumps, are controlled automatically, and to this end each measuring container has its own float switch, while the mixing tank contains high and low level float switches.

Abstract: A machine for collating signatures has a pair of side-by-side gathering chains as well as feeding apparatus along the chains, with each feeding apparatus being adapted to open signatures and deposit them on the chain along that apparatus, so that the signatures accumulate on the chain in a saddle format. The compiled signatures are trimmed as they pass along the chain, and at the end of the chain they are discharged into a layup unit where they are turned from a vertical disposition to a horizontal disposition. The layup unit has at the end of each gathering chain a pair of high friction belts which come together at a nip into which the chains project the compiled signatures. The belts grip the compiled signatures near the folds in those signatures and move the depending portions of the signatures against and over a bar which deflects the depending portions laterally and into a horizontal disposition.

Abstract: The printed ribbons in a high speed printing press are, while the press is operating at walk speed, directed onto a diverting conveyor prior to the forming board of the folder for the press, so that they do not pass through subsequent equipment which does not adequately handle the ribbons at walk speed. The diverting conveyor transports the ribbons away from the press and discharges them into a trash container, or at least allows them to accumulate where they will not interfere with the operation of the press or with pressmen working in the vicinity of the folder. By reason of the diverting conveyor, no pressman is needed to roll up the ribbons when the press operates at walk speed.