US2284874A - Moistening apparatus for duplicating machines - Google Patents

Description

June 2, `1942. s. KOKAY 2,284,874

MOISTENING APPARATUS FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed Dec.` 14, 1940 s sheets-sheet 1 June 2, 1942. s. KOK-AY 2,284,874

MOISTENING APPARATUS FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed Dec. 14, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J "Apu Illa,

L@ lNvENTOR.

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lk/,Man WZZJ., y Wiley Cay/6,.

S. KOKAY June 2, 1942. Y

MOISTENING APPARATUS FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed Dec. 14, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 @Zepken i60/ray! Patentled June 2, 1942 MOISTENING APPARATUS FCR DUPLICAT- ING MACHINES `Stephen Kokay, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Ditto,

Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a, corporation of West Virginia Applieetion December 14,1940, serial No. 370,153

(ci. en -4s) 14 Claims.

This invention relates to moistening apparatus for duplicating machines of the liquid process type, in which liquid is delivered into position in the bight between two rotating rollers mounted side by side upon the machine, and it has for` its object the provision of a new and improved form and arrangement of parts by which the liquid may be better controlled so as to prevent the collection of excess liquid at any point from which it can pass out of control onto the face of a copy sheet and from there onto the face of the master sheet. In the operation -of a machine of this type, any `application of solvent to the face of the master sheet in excessive amounts serves quickly and surely to damage the master sheet or even to destroy completely its effectivenessfor producing clean and attractive copies, with the result that the control of the solvent is perhaps the most important single factor in the operation of the machine.

It has been found inthe operation of a machine of the type specified, as shown in my copending application Serial No. 307,246, in which the solvent is sprayed on the top face of a spreader roller directly inrear of the combination moistening and forwarding roller, that during a priming operation or when the machine is operating at high speed there may be an excessive accumulation of the liquid in the bight of the spreader roller and the combination moistening and yforwarding roller, especially at the point of juncture between the rollers and the end` seals. While the rollers are in rotation, this liquid will stay in the trough formed by these rollers and the end seals, and it will cling to the spreader roller even as far back as its rear face,

the rotation of the rollersis stopped this excess liquid which has been held in suspension will surgebackwairdly over the` rear face of the spreader roller and rush into the limited space between the bottom of the spreader roller and the housing. Under `these circumstances, it is highly important that an arrangement be provided for preventing the solvent from running or splashing over the front plate portion of the housing beneath the combination moistening and forwarding roller so as to run downV the closely adjacent-rear face of the upper forwarding roller and lodge in the bight of the upper and lower forwarding rollers, since such solvent would overmoisten the first copy sheet uponrenewed operation of the machine and would be likely to spoil the master sheet. It is important also to provide an arrangement for preventing the solvent from surging forwardly over the top of the upper forwarding roller when the operation of the machine is stopped, since such solventl would be likely to nd its way between the end seals and the upper forwarding roller and to work its way gradually to the bight between the upper forwarding roller and the spreader roller atv their bottom faces, from which point the sol-l vent would normally be carried into contact with the copy sheet and from thence into contact with the master sheet so as to ruin the master sheet.

It is desirable that a limited amount of solvent be retained in the bight ofthe `two rollers under controlled conditions when the operation of the 'machine is discontinued temporarily, but it is highly undesirable that there be' a great quantit" of the solvent at 'this point such asa copy sheet andthus spoil a master,

For attaining this object, an improved construction of sealing and drainage means has been provided at the ends of the spreader roller and the adjacent forwarding roller, arranged for permitting the escape of the excess solvent through the seal and from the bottom of the housing'about the rollers into a conduit of ample size by which the solvent is conducted away from the housing so as to avoid any possibilityof some of this solvent reaching a point where it might y spoil a master sheet through the overmoistening of a clear sheet.

The aforesaid seal and drainage means is provided furtherv with an additional opening therethrough at a point adjacent to the uppermost face portion of the combined feed and moistener roller, together with means on the outer face of the sealing and drainage means for conducting any liquid, which may have worked its way to thispoint, back to the housing for return to thereceptacle from -which the supply of solvent is drawn. kThis opening and the conducting means on the outer face ofthe sealing and drainage unit take care of the creepage of the liquid at the point where the seal and the upper combined feed and moist'ener roller meet. The starting and stopping of the machine create a slight jolt which is suiiicient to cause a slight movement of the liquid at the point of contact between the roller and the seal, and this slight initial movement of the liquid provides a runway for the movement of additional small amounts of the liquid which keep moving by capillary action and which finally build up to such a volume as to be adapted to drain away. By the provision of the opening through the seal plate at the critical point at which the solvent is thus co1- lected, the drainage of such solvent takes place through the opening so as to cause the solvent to be conducted back to the drainage housing, thus preventing the solvent from finding its way to the bight of the rollers so as to overmoisten the copy sheet and thus crash the master sheet.

It is another object of the invention to improve apparatus of this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The preferred means by which the several objects have been attained l are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a duplicating machine taken partially at the line I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on an enlarged scale at the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken at the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are vertical sectional views taken respectively at the line 4 4, the line 5-5, and the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of an end plate member forming part of the end wall of the housing in which the spreader roller upon which the liquid is sprayed is rotatably mounted; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the improved seal plate members which bear on the end of the moistening roller and the spreader roller. f

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters, I5 and I6 indicate standards of sheet metal pressed into dished form and arranged at opposite sides of the machine and connected rigidly together by means including a cross bar I1 as shown in Fig. 1. Each of the standards I5 and I6 is provided with a heavy reinforcing plate I8 on its inner face, as is best shown in Fig. 2.

Between the standards I5 and I6 there is mounted a duplicating drum I9 of any approved construction having a master sheet detachably mounted thereon as usual. In the construction illustrated, the drum is rotatably mounted in position by means of a heavy shaft 2I provided at one end portion with a gear 22 by which the drum is driven through the medium of a pinion 23 rotatably mounted on the standard I6 by means of a short shaft 24 to which power is applied from any suitable source.

Below the drum I9, an impression'roller 25 is rotatably mounted between two bellcrank levers 26, only one of which is shown, the longer arms of said two levers being provided with screwthreaded pins 21 adjustably mounted therein and engaging at their; forward ends cams 284 flxedly mounted on a shaft 29 by the rotation of which the levers 26 can be given swinging movements in clockwise direction in Fig. l for causing the impression roller to press with the desired degree of pressure against the face of the drum I9.

Immediately in rear of the impression roller 25, two forwarding rollers and 3I are mounted in cooperative relation to each other for forwarding a copy sheet between them toward the right in Fig. 1 so as to be presented into the bite of the drum I9 and the impression roller 25. Means is provided for driving the upper roller 30 in counter clockwise direction in Fig. l, comprising a pinion 32 mounted on the roller and meshing with an idler pinion 33 which in turn meshes with a large gear 34 rotating with the drum I9. As is clearly shown in Fig. 3, the upper roller 30 is rotatably mounted between the standards I5 and I6 by means of a shaft 35 journalled on said standards. The roller 3| (see Fig. 1) is rotatably mounted by means of a shaft 36 supported by arms or levers 31 pivotally mounted by machine screws 38 threaded into the standards I5 and I6.. The rear end portions of the levers 31 are connected by coiled springs 39 with suitable portions of the framework below the levers for holding the roller 3I yieldingly in contact with the bottom face of the roller 3D.

In rear of the forwarding rollers 30 and 3|, a table or tray 40 is provided for supporting a pile of copy sheets in position to be fed to the forwarding rollers. Side margin plates 4I are provided on the table for controlling the position of the pile of sheets thereon. In front of the impression roller 25, a receiving tray 42 is mounted for receiving the co y sheets after they have passed forwardly bet een the drum and the impression roller.

As is usual in machines of this type, the upper forwarding roller is utilized for applying a film of solvent to the upper faces of the copy sheets in turn as they pass forwardly between the rollers 30 and 3I. In the present construction the solvent is sprayed upon a spreader roller 43 mounted in pressure relationship to the upper roller 30, as is best shown in Fig. 6, the pressure of the roller 43 against the roller 30 serving to control the thickness of the film of solvent transferred to said roller 30. In the arrangement shown, the roller 43 is rotatably mounted in position by means of trunnions 44 at its ends bearing in blocks 45, as is best shown in Fig. 5, the blocks 45 being carried by the end plates 46 of a housing for said roller extending across above and behind the roller 30.

As is best shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the housing comprises a front plate portion 41 rigidly connected between the end plates 46 by means of lugs 48, a combination back and bottom wall plate portion 49, and a cover plate member 50 pivotally mounted in position by suitable rivets 5I so as to be adapted to open upwardly and backwardly for affording access to the interior of the housing. A narrow front plate portion 5Ia is provided at the bottom of the housing extending into the lower bight between the rollers 30 and 43.

In the construction illustrated, the housing comprising the end plates 46 is pivotally mounted in position by means of a trunnion 52 at one side of the machine extending into a suitable socket in an inwardly projecting lug 53 carried by the standard I6 and a machine screw 54 at the opposite side of the machine extending into a lug 54a carried by the standard I5. The housing is pressed in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 4 by springs 55 mounted on links 56 pivotally connected with brackets 51 carried by the standards I5 and I6 (see Fig. 3), such springs bearing at their forward ends on arms 58 extending from the end portions of the housing and bearing at their rear ends on thumb nuts 59 mounted by means of screw-threads on said links. The arrangement is such `that the springs 55 press the roller 43 carried by the. housing yieldingly against the rear face of the roller 30, the degree of pressure being controlled by the I adjustment of the nuts 59 on the links 56.

The means for spraying solvent on the roller 43 comprises a metal pipe 60 extending across the machine above the roller within the pivotally mounted housing surrounding the roller'and piston 65 actuated by a piston rod 66 against the action of` a spring 61 solvent is drawn into the pump and that uponfa downward stroke of the piston the solvent is discharged upwardly through the tube 6| and an opening 68 in the top wall of the pipe 60. AA second metal pipe 69 is mounted in position about the pipe 60, having a series of openings 10 in the bottom face adjacent to the roller 43, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2, so as to cause solvent delivered under pressure through the pipe 60 to be deposited as a spray on the top face of the roller.

ering an initial supply of solvent to the rollersv at the start of a duplicating operation.

For simplifying the, construction, an auxiliaryI end plate member 82 is provided at each end of the housing, held in position by screws 83, as is best shown in Fig`.`4. As is clearly shown in Fig.

7, each of the auxiliary end plate members 82 is the plate, as is best indicated by Figs. 2 and 3.V

Below the duct 85 at each side of the machine, a drain pipe 86 is provided, fitted about the duct so as to have free communication therewith and so as to have free communication also with an cpening81 through the end wall 46 at the lowermost point within the housing. The drain pipes 86 are connected in turn with a transversely extending drain pipe 88 (see Fig. 2) which is oonnected preferably with the receptacle 64 by means of a pipe 89, as shown in Fig. l, a screen 98 of any suitable type being provided preferably about the lower end of the -pipe 89` for preventing the passage of lint or the like into the body of solvent in the receptacle.`l

The control means for the solvent comprises further seal plates 9| bearing on opposite ends of the rollers 30 and 43 inside of the housing; The lower portion of the housing serves as a drain pan for catching any liquid dripping from the rollers. in Fig. 8, is provided with a tubular projection 92 on its outer face which has a working t in the tube 84 of the auxiliary end plate member 82, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, so as to l be slidable freely therein. The plate 9| is held As is `best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the plate 41 vent onto the roller 30 or onto either the master sheet or the copy sheet.

The means for actuating the piston rod 66' of the pump comprises a lever 1I pivotally mounted at 12 on the frame standard I5 and suitably connected with said rod. The lever 1I is operated by a second lever 13 also pivotally mounted-at 12, with a lug 14 thereon underlying the lever 1I so that upon a downward stroke of the lever 13 the lever 1| is caused to swing upwardly. The lever 13 in turn is operated by a roller 15 engaging a cam 16 constrained to rotate with the drum I9 so as to give the lever 13 a downward stroke against the action of a spring 11 upon every complete revolution of the drum. Means is provided for varying thel operative stroke of the lever 1I, comprising an arm 18 extending downwardly from the lever 1I, having a roller 19 on its lower end in position to engage a cam 80 fixedly mounted on a shaft 8| extending between thestandards I5 and I6. The arrangement is such that the downward stroke .of the lever 1| is limited by the cam 80 for controllingthe lengthof the stroke of the piston rod 66 -and thus controlling the amount of the solvent delivered by the pump. The lever 1I extends backwardly beyond the piston rod. 66 for affording access thereto for manual operation oi the lever independently of rotation of the drum for deliv- 'to the duct 85.

in normal angular position with respect to the housing by means of a pin 93 secured by screwthreads in an opening 94 in said plate 9| and working in an opening 95 through the auxiliary end plate member 82. Coiled springs 96 are mounted in position on pins 91 between the seal plates 9| and the end plates 46 of the housing, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 5, such springs serving to hold the seal plates pressed evenly against the ends of the rollers 3U and 43.

As is best shown in Fig. 3, the bottom wall of the tube 92 is provided with a notch, 98 therein for expediting the escape of solvent from the tube Each of the tubes 92 is also split along its upper` face portion throughout its length providing a slot 99 in communication with a deep notch or slot in the top edge of the plate 9|, as is best shown in Figs. 6 and 8.

'Ihe tubes 92 serve as troughs for conducting liquid to and through the tubes 84 of the end plates of the housing and to the ducts 85 and drain pipes 86 for ilow away from the moistening mechanism back to the receptacle 64.

The seal plates 9| are also provided with openings IOI therethrough adjacent to the uppermost face portion of the combination mo'stening and forwarding roller 30, as is best shown in Fig. 6,

the outer faces of the plates being provided with ribs |02 thereon below said openings IGI for causing any solvent escaping through said openings to move downwardly along the faces of the plates 9| so as to be delivered into the housing adjacent to the drain openings 81.

In `the operation of the machine, with the spreader roller 43 rotating in clockwise direction in Fig. 6, solvent is sprayed into position on the top face of said roller so as to pass into the bight Each of the seal plates, as is best shown of the rollers 30 and 43 above the line of contact of said rollers so as to provide a pool of the solvent between the rollers. The open ends of the tubes 92 are of such size and arrangement that during the continued operation of the ma-v chine suflicient solvent is drawn off from between the rollers for keeping the top surface of the solvent in the pool at the desired level, and that when the operation of the machine is terminated the solvent-flows off so rapidly as to prevent the formation of any excessively large or deep pool. This result is attained in part by reason of the provision of the slots 99 and |00. When the rotation of the roller 43 ceases and the delivery of solvent into the bight of the rollers 30 and 43 is terminated, the solvent running downwardly from the back face of the roller 43 escapes through the opening 81 into the duct 85 without danger of owing over the front plate portion Sla of the housing. At the same time, the solvent which has piled up between the rollers 30 and 43 during their rotation in opposite directions escapes through the telescoped tubes 92 and 04 into the duct 85, the slots 99 and |00 and the notch 98 serving to expedite the entrance of the solvent into the duct 85 for escape. With the solvent carried by thepipe 80 away from the moistening mechanism instead of being delivered again to the housing for possible contact again with the roller 43, the surplus liquid is very quickly and electually brought under control and removed from any position from which it is likely to work its way to the master sheet. In case any small amount of the solvent should work its way up between the seal plate 9| and the end of the roller 30, the rotation of the roller in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 6 makes it difficult for the solvent to continue its forward movement past the edge of the seal plate while at the same time the solvent is free to pass without opposition through the comparatively large opening in the seal plate and to run down along the rib |02 for delivery again to the housing.

In extensive use of my improved construction, I have found that highly satisfactory results have been attained. The arrangement is such that the danger of spoiling a master sheet by contact of the solvent therewith during either the normal operation of the machine or the preliminary priming operation in preparation for the production of copies is practically eliminated, even in cases where an excess of solvent is delivered quickly to the moistening mechanism. The arrangement is such that when care is used for preventing the delivery of excess solvent during the priming operation the danger of spoiling a master sheet by such operation may be left entirely out of consideration.

While I prefer to employ the form and arrangement of parts as shown by the drawings and as above described, the invention is not to be limited to such form and arrangement except so far as the claims may be so limited, it being understood that changes might well be `made without departing from-the spirit of the invention.

I claim: f

l. In a moistening mechanism for a liquid process duplicating. machine, the combination said spreader roller and extending underneath the line of contact of said two rollers, means for delivering liquid into the bight of the said two rollers above their line of contact with each other, seal plates bearing on the ends of said two rollers above said drain pan and having openings therethrough at points well above the line of contact of the rollers and well below the uppermost face portions of the rollers, and troughs on the outer faces of said seal plates below said openings through the plates adapted to carry excess liquid away from said rollers and away from said drain pan.

2. In a moistening mechanism for a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted roller, means cooperating with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the bottom face of the roller, a spreader roller rotatably mounted in rear of said rst-named roller in pressure relationship thereto so as to cause its uppermost face portion to move\toward said first-named roller on the rotation' of the rollers and with such uppermost face portion at a lower level than that of the uppermost face portion of said first-named roller, means for delivering liquid linto the bight of said two rollers above their line of contact with each other, a drain pan positioned below said spreader roller and extending underneath the line of contact of said two rollers, seal plates bearing on the ends of said two rollers above said drain pan and having openings therethrough at points above the line ofY contact of the rollers and below the uppermost face portion of the with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in.

contact with the roller, a spreader roller rotatably mounted in pressure relationship to said rst-named roller, means for delivering liquid into the bight of said two rollers above their line of contact with each other, a drain pan positioned below said spreader roller and extending underneath the line of contact of said two rollers, seal plates bearing on the ends of said two rollers serving to maintain a pool of liquid between the rollers, tubular projections on the outer faces of said seal plates opening through the plates to the space between the rollers for carrying excess liquid out of the bight of the rollers, other tubular members in fixed position beyond the ends of the rollers having telescopic connection with said first-named tubular members, and drain pipe means connected'with said lother tubular members for carrying the excess liquid away from the moistening mechanism.

4. In a moistening mechanism for a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted roller, means cooperating with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the roller, a spreader roller rotatably mounted in pressure relationship to said first-named roller, means for delivering liquid into the bight of said two rollers above their line of contact with each other, a drain pan positioned below said spreader roller and extending underneath the line of contact of said two rollers, seal plates bearing on the ends of said two rollers serving to maintain a pool of liquid between the rollers, tubular projections on the outer faces of said seal plates opening through the plates to the Vspace between the rollers for carrying excess liquid out of the bight of the rollers, other tubular members in nxed position beyond the ends of lthe rollers having telescopic connection with said first-named tubular members, duct means formed integrally with said other tubular members and leading downwardly from their outer ends. and drain pipe means connected with said duct meansfor carrying the excess liquid away from the moistening mechanism. i h l l 5. In a `moistening mechanism for' a liquid i process duplicating machine, the combination of la rotatably mounted roller, means cooperating` with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the roller, aspreader roller rotatably mounted `in pressure relationship to said rst-named roller,` means for delivering liquid into the bight of said two rollers above their line of` contact with each other, a drain pan positioned below said spreader roller and extending underneath the line of contact of said two rollers, end plate members extending upwardly at theend portions of said drain pan, tubular projections on the inner faces ,of said end plate members opening through the plates, duct means on the outer faces of said end plate members communicating withsaid tubular projections and extending downwardly therefrom, seal plates bearingon the ends of said two rollers in inwardly spaced relation to said end plate members and adapted to maintaina pool of liquid between the rollers, tubular projections on the outer faces'of said seal plates opening throughthe `plates to the space between the rollers and telescoped` at their outer ends with the *tubular-projections" on said end plate members so as to carry excess liquid out of the bight of the rollers, and drain pipe connections with said duct means for carrying the excess liquid away from `the moistening mechanism.

6. In a moistening mechanism for a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination'of a rotatably mounted roller, means cooperating with saidroller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the roller, a spreader roller rotatably mounted in pressure relationship to said first-named roller, means for delivering liquid into the bight of said two rollers above their line of contact with each other, a drain pan positioned below said spreader roller and extending underneath the line of contact of said` two rollers, vertically positioned plates in fixed position in outwardly spaced relation to said rollers, tubular projections formed integrally with said plates on their inner faces opening through the plates, duct means formed integrally with said 'plates on their outer faces communicating with said tubular projections and extending downwardly therefrom, seal plates bearing on the ends of said two rollers so as to maintain a pool of liquid between the rollers, tubular projections on the outer faces of said seal plates opening through the plates to the space between the rollers and telescoped at their outer ends with the tubular projections on said rst-named plates so as to carry excess liquid out of the bight of the rollers, and drain pipe connections with said duct means for carrying the excess liquid away from the moistening mechanism.

7. In a moistening mechanism Vfor a liquid' process duplicating mechine, the combination of i a rotatably mounted roller, means cooperating with said roller for forwarding a copyv sheet in contact with the `bottom face portion `of the.

roller, a spreader roller rotatably mounted in pressure relationship to said rst-named roller, means for delivering liquid into the `bight of said two rollers above their line of contact with each other, seal plates bearing on the ends of said two rollers so as to maintain a'pool of liquid between therollers and having openings theref through at' points-above the line of contact of Vthe rollers and below the uppermost face portion of the spreader roller, and tubular projections on the cuter faces of said seal plates opposite to the openings therethrough for carrying excess liquid away from the rollers, the upper face portions of said tubular projections belng slotted longitudinally thereof and the seal plates being provided with slots therein `leadingdownwardly into the openings at said projections.

8. In a moisteningmechanism for a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted roller, means cooperating with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the bottom face of the roller, a spreader roller rotatably mountedin rear of said first-named rollerkin pressure relationship theret0 so as to cause its uppermost face portion to move toward said first-named roller on the rotation of` theV rollers andV with such uppermost face portion at a"lower level `than that of the uppermost face portion of said first-named roller, means for delivering liquid into the bight of said two rollers above their line of contact with each other, a drain pan positioned below said spreader roller and extending underneath the line of contact of said two rol1ers,`sealiplates bearing on the ends of said two rollers above said drain pan and having openings therethrough at points above the line of contact of the rollers and below the uppermost face portion of the spreader roller, and tubular `projections on the outer faces of said seal plates opposite tothe openings vtherethrough for carrying excess liquid away from the rollers, the upper face portions of said tubular projections being slotted longitudinally thereof and the seal plates being provided with slots therein leading downwardly into theopenings at said projections. i

9. In a moistening mechanism for al liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a rotatably` mounted roller, means cooperating with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the roller, a spreader roller rotatably mounted in pressure `relationship to said first-named roller, a. drain pan positioned below `said spreader roller and extending underneath l carrying excess liquid away from the rollers, and

connections between said drain pipe means and the lowermost part of said drain pan for carrying excess liquid away from the pan.

10. In a moistening mechanism for a, liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted roller, means cooperating with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the bottom face portion of the roller, a spreader roller rotatably mounted in pressure relationship to said first-named roller, means for delivering liquid into the bight of said two rollers above their line of contact with each other, seal plates bearing on the ends of said two-rollers so as to maintain a pool of liquid between the rollers and having openings therethrough at points above the line of contact of the rollers and below the` uppermost face portion of the spreader roller, draingpipe means connected with said openings through the seal plates at the outer faces of the plates for carrying excess liquid away from the rollers, and other means on the outer faces of said seal plates for directing downwardly across the ends of the roller any liquid passing through openings through the plates adjacent to the uppermost face portions of said first-named roller.

11. In a moistening mechanism for a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted roller, means cooperating with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the bottom -face portion of the roller, a spreader roller rotatably mounted in pressure relationship to said rst-named roller, means for delivering liquid into the bight of said two rollers above their linevof contact with each other, seal plates bearing on the ends of said two rollers so as to maintain a pool of liquid between the rollers and having openings therethrough at points above the line of contact of the rollers and below the uppermost face portion of the spreader roller, drain pipe means connected with said openings through the seal plates at the outer faces of the plates for carrying excess liquid away from the rollers, ribs in substantially oblique position on the Vouter faces of said seal plates with their upper end portions positioned beneath openings through the seal plates adjacent to the uppermost face portion of said first-named roller adapted to causeY liquid escaping through said last-named openings to pass downwardly on the outer faces of the plates to points below the line of contact of said rollers, and means for receiving liquid from said ribs and directing -it away from the moistening mechanism.

12. In a moistening mechanism for a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination ofa rotatablymounted roller, means cooperating with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the roller, a spreader roller rotatably.

mounted in; pressure relationship to said rstnamed roller, means for delivering liquid into the bight of said two-rollers above their line of contact with each other, a drainpan positioned below said spreader roller and extending underneath the line of contact of said two rollers, seal plates bearing on the ends of said two rollers so as tomaintain a pool of liquid between the rollers and having openings therethrough at points above the line of contact of the rollers and below the uppermost face portion of the spreader roller, drain pipe means connected with said openings through the seal plates at the outer faces of the plates for carrying excess liquid away from the rollers, and ribs in substantially oblique position on the outer faces of said seal plates with their upper end portions positioned beneath openings through the seal plates adjacent to the uppermost face portion of said nrstnamed roller adapted to cause liquid escaping throughsaid last-named openings to pass downwardly on the outer faces of the plates into said drain pan.

13. In a moistening mechanism for a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of arotatably mounted roller, means cooperating with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the roller, a spreader roller rotatably mounted in pressure .relationship to said iirstnamed roller, a pipe extending across in upwardly spaced relation to said spreader roller having a series of openings in its lower face portion for spraying 'liquid under pressure on said spreader roller, and a plate extending across a short distance in front of said pipe with its upper portion positioned substantially vertically and with its lower portion extended obliquely forwardly and downwardly toward said first-named roller serving to prevent splashing of the liquid onto said rst-mentioned roller.

14. In a moistening mechanism for a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a rotatably mounted roller, means cooperating with said roller for forwarding a copy sheet in contact with the bottom face of the roller, a spreader roller rotatably mounted in rear of said first-named roller in pressure relationship thereto so as to cause its uppermost face portion tomove toward said first-named roller on the rotation of the rollers and with such uppermost face portion at a lower level than that of the uppermost face portion of said first-named roller, means for delivering liquid into the bight of said two rollers above their line of contact with each other, a drain pan positioned ,below said spreaderr roller and extending underneath the line of contact of said two rollers, seal plates bearing on the ends of said twovrollers above said drain pa'n and having openingsl therethrough at points above the line of contact of the rollers and below the uppermost face portion of the spreader roller for permitting surplus liquid to escape from between the rollers, and means adapted to receive and carry away the surplus liquid iiowing out through the openings in said seal plates independently of said drain pan so as to prevent such surplus liquid from contacting the rollers or the copy sheets. y i

STEPHEN KOKAY.

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