Abstract: A flexographic printing press is provided which is particularly suited for printing thin, elastic webs. The web is imprinted by a plurality of printing decks which are positioned around a central impression cylinder. A between color dryer is located between each pair of adjacent printing decks and one or more additional dryers are located downstream of the last printing deck for drying the web before it leaves the central impression cylinder. The web does not pass any dryers after it leaves the central impression cylinder.

Abstract: A flexographic printing press is provided which is particularly suited for printing thin, elastic webs. The web is imprinted by a plurality of printing decks which are positioned around a central impression cylinder. A between color dryer is located between each pair of adjacent printing decks and one or more additional dryers are located downstream of the last printing deck for drying the web before it leaves the central impression cylinder. The web does not pass any dryers after it leaves the central impression cylinder.

Abstract: A side shift mechanism for a deck of a printing press enables a roll, for example, a plate roll and/or an anilox roll, to be shifted axially so that one end of the roll extends out of the frame of the press. The extended roll or a sleeve on the roll is thereby made accessible for easy exchange. After the roll or sleeve is exchanged, the roll is shifted back to its original position.

Abstract: A liquid fountain unit and method for a roll applicator equipped with doctor blades extending parallel to the roll axis and an axially extending third blade mounted adjacent one of the doctor blades and having an angled configuration in the fountain unit chamber with a free edge portion directed toward the roll applicator, the third blade being equipped with a passage to permit liquid flow from one blade side to the other to substantially minimize ghosting.

Abstract: An ink fountain unit for a printing press having a rotatable cylindrical transfer roll, an ink fountain adjacent the roll and parallel thereto, the fountain being equipped with doctor and containment blades and end seals between the blades, all of the blades and end seals having edges bearing against the roll to define a closed chamber for ink, each of the end seals having relatively elongated, spaced apart first and second angled bearing surfaces confronting the doctor and containment blades and an arcuate bearing surface confronting the roll between the angled surfaces and a recess in a chamber wall of each end seal generally aligned with the arcuate bearing surface top provide a cantilevered edge on the arcuate surface so as to apply in operation less lineal pressure to the roll than to the blades.

Abstract: Flexographic press structure and operation which includes a plurality of decks each removably supporting a plate roll and an anilox roll with each roll including a sleeve rotatably mounted on a stationary mandrel and supported at the ends thereof, the press is equipped with a lifter at one end to free each roll from its support at the other end whereby the sleeve can be removed over the other end.