Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating handling of sheets in a sheet-fed printing press comprising a matte that is mountable on a cylinder. The matte has at least one inflatable pocket for cushioning sheets of printable material as they are passed between two cylinders of the press. At least one valve communicates with the inflatable pocket and controls the quantity of fluid in the inflatable pocket. A number of inflatable pockets can be utilized to provide increased control over various sheet sizes. Further control may be obtained by including a number of valves to independently operate each of the inflatable pockets. Ease of installation and removal is accomplished by incorporated mounting holes along the long axis of the matte. Alternatively, the matte may be arranged on the cylinder by adhesively bonding (tape or glue) the matte to the surface of the cylinder or by arranging the matte on the cylinder with Velcro fasteners.

Abstract: A printing press liquid circulation system including a cooling pan having a dedicated power return drain having a power drain orifice and optional cooling capacity located on and as part of the pan. The system induces or suctions flow of liquid from the pan, having a pan supply orifice, to a reservoir through a return conduit by connecting the return conduit to a power return drain. Proper design of the power drain orifice and the pan supply orifice allows for a matched pan supply and return system for an open hydraulic circuit, free of foam and flooding with no adjustments required.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for cleaning one or more of the rollers used in printing presses. Typically, the printing press features manual or automated devices for supplying cleaning solvent to the press during a washing operation. A blade assembly is pivotally disposed for engagement with the press roller. The blade assembly features a blade unit for scraping solid and liquid debris from the roller, and a receptacle trough for collecting used solvent as well as solid and liquid debris. In the improvement, a sheathing system is provided to supply protective sheath material to cover the blade assembly to keep the blade assembly clean during the washing operation. The sheath material preferably has a low coefficient of friction to prevent wearing of the components and is relatively thin to maintain the blade geometry for effective cleaning of the roller.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for cleaning one or more of the rollers used in printing presses. Typically, the printing press features manual or automated devices for supplying cleaning solvent to the press during a washing operation. A blade assembly is pivotally disposed for engagement with the press roller. The blade assembly features a blade unit for scraping solid and liquid debris from the roller, and a receptacle trough for collecting used solvent as well as solid and liquid debris. In the improvement, a sheathing system is provided to supply protective sheath material to cover the blade assembly to keep the blade assembly clean during the washing operation. The sheath material preferably has a low coefficient of friction to prevent wearing of the components and is relatively thin to maintain the blade geometry for effective cleaning of the roller.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pre-packaged, pre-soaked cleaning system for use to clean the cylinders of printing machines. The system includes a pre-soaked fabric roll saturated to equilibrium with low volatility organic compound solvent which is wrapped around a cylindrical core having open ends to form a roll. The saturated, wrapped fabric roll is inserted in a heat-sealable or heat-shrinkable and heat-sealable plastic sleeve, the sleeve being to intimate contact with the fabric roll after being subjected in heat-sealing or heat-shrinking and heat-sealing, thus permitting transporting and storage of the system until use without detrimentally affecting the cleaning ability of the fabric roll.The system may also include a slotted canister in which the saturated wrapped roll is inserted before it is placed into the plastic sleeve and heat-sealed or heat-shrunken and heat-sealed thereon or end caps inserted in the open ends of the core.A method for making the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotating brush cleaning system is provided for removing debris, lint and ink from components of printing devices. Operation is effected by an air cylinder which periodically urges a rotating spiral brush cleaner against the component of the printing device and retracts the cleaner from the component of the printing device. The action of the cleaner in combination with rotation of the component of the printing device is such as to loosen dust and lint from the component, which dust and lint is then drawn into a vacuum system that surrounds the cleaner.

Abstract: A spray blanket cleaning system is provided for removing piling, lint and ink from blanket cylinders in a plurality of web or offset printing presses. Operation is effected by fluid control systems that direct solvent, water and air to spray systems in specific quantities and at specific pressures. The spray systems are point of use systems that mix solvent and water in a tube then eject the mixture to a connecting spray bar. The mixed fluid is then ejected by air pressure through the spray bar as sprayed fluid. The action of the spray in combination with the rotation of the blanket cylinder and the web, is such as to loosen dust, debris and lint from the blanket cylinder and collect it on the web passing out of the system.

Abstract: A vacuum blanket cleaning system is provided for removing dust, lint or ink from a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press during the uninterrupted course of a press run. Operation is effected by an air cylinder which periodically urges a cleaner against the blanket cylinder and retracts the cleaner from the blanket cylinder for replacement or maintenance. The action of the cleaner in combination with rotation of the blanket cylinder is such as to loosen dust and lint from the blanket cylinder, which dust and lint is then drawn into a vacuum system that surrounds the cleaner.

Abstract: A spray blanket cleaning system is provided for removing piling, lint and ink from blanket cylinders in a plurality of web or offset printing presses. Operation is effected by fluid control systems that direct solvent, water and air to spray systems in specific quantities and at specific pressures. The spray systems are point of use systems that mix solvent and water in a tube then eject the mixtrue to a connecting spray bar. The mixed fluid is then ejected by air pressure through the spray bar as sprayed fluid. The action of the spray in combination with the rotation of the blanket cylinder and the web, is such as to loosen dust, debris and lint from the blanket cylinder and collect it on the web passing out of the system.

Abstract: A cloth roll and mechanism for supporting and controlling feeding of the cloth from the cloth roll for cleaning a blanket cylinder of a lithographic press.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for cleaning printing press components with carbon dioxide snow or pellets. Upon impact, the snow or pellets dislodge debris adhering to the components and sublime to a non-hazardous gas. A typical component cleaned by the present invention would be a rotating blanket cylinder of an offset printing press. The snow or pellets are typically conveyed by an air stream under pressure to a moving nozzle, a series of fixed nozzles, or some other dispensing device.

Abstract: A vacuum blanket cleaning system is provided for removing dust, lint or ink from a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press during the uninterrupted course of a press run. Operation is effected by an air cylinder which periodically urges a cleaner against the blanket cylinder and retracts the cleaner from the blanket cylinder for replacement or maintenance. The action of the cleaner in combination with rotation of the blanket cylinder is such as to loosen dust and lint from the blanket cylinder, which dust and lint is then drawn into a vacuum system that surrounds the cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum blanket cleaning system is provided for removing dust, lint or ink from a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press during the uninterrupted course of a press run. Operation is effected by an air cylinder which periodically urges a brush against the blanket cylinder and retracts the brush from the blanket cylinder for replacement or maintenance. The action of the brush in combination with rotation of the blanket cylinder is such as to loosen dust and lint from the blanket cylinder, which dust and lint is then drawn into a vacuum system that surrounds the brushes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for metering the flow of ink fed under pressure to a printing press. A positive displacement gear meter is interposed in the feed line supplying the ink to the press. The flow of ink through the meter causes rotation of the gears. The rate of rotation is monitored by a sensing device incorporated in the meter housing which generates pulses indicative of gear teeth rotating past the device. The pulses are transmitted to a counter assembly which processes the same and provides a read out of the amount of ink passing through the meter.

Abstract: An automatic blanket cylinder cleaner having a cleaner fabric adapted to contact the blanket cylinder. A cleaning cloth supply roller provides cloth for the cloth take-up roll. Positioned between these rolls is a water solvent dispensing tube, a solvent dispensing tube and an inflatable and deflatable mechanical loosening means which is adapted to move the cleaning fabric into and out of contact with the blanket cylinder. An air dryer means dries the blanket cylinder after the cleaning of debris. An advancing means advances the cleaning cloth intermittently onto the take-up roller by a control means in contact with the take-up roll which provides for uniform cloth advance during the cleaning cycle. There is a control means providing automatic and manual control.

Abstract: An automatic blanket cylinder cleaner having a cleaner fabric adapted to contact the blanket cylinder. A cleaning cloth supply roller provides cloth for the cloth take-up roll. Positioned between these rolls is a water solvent dispensing tube, a solvent dispensing tube and an inflatable and deflatable mechanical loosening means which is adapted to move the cleaning fabric into and out of contact with the blanket cylinder. An air dryer means dries the blanket cylinder after the cleaning of debris. An advancing means advances the cleaning cloth intermittently onto the take-up roller by a control means in contact with the take-up roll which provides for uniform cloth advance during the cleaning cycle. There is a control means providing automatic and manual control.

Abstract: A printing press liquid circulation system including an anti-foaming device, the system being of the type wherein flow of liquid from a fountain pan to a reservoir is induced or suctioned through a return conduit by connecting the return conduit to a suction inlet of an aspirator. In order to reduce or eliminate the tendency of the aspirator to draw or suction air through the return conduit and, thus reduce or eliminate foaming in the system, the suction pressure in the return conduit is controlled to eliminate the suctioning of air through the return conduit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pre-packaged, pre-soaked cleaning system for use to clean the cylinders of printing machines. The system includes a pre-soaked fabric roll saturated to equilibrium with low volatility organic compound solvent which is wrapped around a cylindrical core having open ends to form a roll. The saturated, wrapped fabric roll is inserted in a heat-sealable or heat-shrinkable and heat-sealable plastic sleeve, the sleeve being to intimate contact with the fabric roll after being subjected in heat-sealing or heat-shrinking and heat-sealing, thus permitting transporting and storage of the system until use without detrimentally affecting the cleaning ability of the fabric roll.The system may also include a slotted canister in which the saturated wrapped roll is inserted before it is placed into the plastic sleeve and heat-sealed or heat-shrunken and heat-sealed thereon or end caps inserted in the open ends of the core.A method for making the system is also disclosed.