Abstract: A tension control device for a printing press having an adjustment roller, with a web of the press passing from a supply roll of the web to the adjustment roller. Means are provided for measuring the tension on opposed sides of the web passing downstream from the adjustment roller, and means are provided responsive to the measuring means for automatically approximately equalizing the tension of the web by adjustment of the adjustment roller on one end only of the adjustment roller.

Abstract: A tension control device for a printing press having an adjustment roller, with a web of the press passing from a supply roll of the web to the adjustment roller. Means are provided for measuring the tension on opposed sides of the web passing downstream from the adjustment roller, and means are provided responsive to the measuring means for automatically approximately equalizing the tension of the web by adjustment of the adjustment roller on one end only of the adjustment roller.

Abstract: In order to control the delivery of a liquid to a vessel, a liquid level control system includes a regulated supply of low pressure air delivered to an air supply tube which extends to a liquid vessel for discharging the low pressure air at a preselected level within the liquid vessel. The control system also includes a sensor sensing fluctuations in air pressure at an intermediate point along the air supply tube. In particular, the sensor senses a first air pressure when the liquid is below the preselected level and sensing a second, higher air pressure when the liquid is at or above the preselected level. The sensor is in communication with the liquid supply source to produce a signal upon sensing the second, higher air pressure in the air supply tube. When the higher pressure is sensed, the sensor sends the signal it produced and the liquid supply source is responsive to the signal to stop supplying liquid to the liquid vessel.

Abstract: One or more flexible printing plates are installed on a print cylinder through the use of one or more slots formed axially along the cylinder. A resilient spring clip is inserted into the slot, followed by a plate registration bracket with a registration pin which is secured in the slot by retaining screws. Each printing plate has a lead edge and a tail edge with a notch in each edge. A lead edge is inserted into the slot and is tensioned against a side wall of the slot by the spring clip. The notch on the lead edge engages the registration pin on the bracket. A tail edge is then inserted into the slot between the lead edge and the spring clip. The tail edge notch also engages the registration pin.

Abstract: A tension control device (50) for a printing press (10) having an adjustment roller (52), a device (64 and 66) for measuring the tension on opposed sides of a web (14) passing downstream from the adjustment roller (52), and a device (82) responsive to the measuring device (64 and 66) for automatically approximately equalizing the tension of the web (14) on the adjustment roller (52) on opposed sides of the adjustment roller (52).

Abstract: An improved throw off device for disengaging adjacent blanket cylinders (12) and (14) from each other and corresponding adjacent plate cylinders (16) and (18) is provided. The device includes pairs of bearing assemblies (28A), (28B), (30A) and (30B) that are mounted on the opposite ends of the journal (26) of each of the blanket cylinders (12) and (14). Each bearing assembly is defined by an inner race (36) and an outer race (38) having an eccentric bore in which the inner race is disposed. The device eliminates the need for a bearing sleeve. Each bearing assembly has a lever (74) arm that is mounted to the outer race (38). The lever arm (74) is defined by two wing-shaped portions (76) and (78). Each bearing assembly further includes a hydraulic cylinder (86). Each hydraulic cylinder (86) is coupled at one end to one of the two wing-shaped portions of the lever arm (74) and at the other end to one of the side frames of the printing press.

Abstract: A fluid level detection system (50) for ink in a printing press (10) having a vessel (58) having walls (60) defining a chamber (62), an elongated rotatable shaft (64) in the chamber (62), a motor (66) for rotating the shaft (64), an elongated flexible blade (68) affixed to the shaft 64 such that the motor (66) rotates the blade (68), and a proximity sensor (72) adjacent the walls (60) of the vessel (58) to detect the rotating blade (68) in the absence of ink at the level of the blade (68), with the blade (68) flexing in the presence of ink such that the sensor (72) does not detect the blade (68).

Abstract: A rotary ink valve assembly with a plurality of rotary ink valves contained in a housing (10), having a stationary outer portion (16) with first and seconds ends (50, 52) connected by a cylindrical body (54) having at least one bypass aperture (42) adjacent the first end (50) and at least one ink output aperture (40) adjacent the second end (52). A substantially tubular inner portion (18) rotates within the cylindrical interior area (56) of the outer portion (16) with at least one bypass aperture (66) in the side wall (64) adjacent a first closed end (60) and at least one ink output aperture (68) in the side wall (64) adjacent a second open end (62). Ink is supplied to at least the open second end (62) for supplying ink to the inner portion (18) while the inner portion (18) is rotated by means (28, 32, 34) between an open position, a closed position and an intermediate position.

Abstract: An inking system having continuously operating individual positive displacement ink pumps for each column of print and means for applying ink to the ink roll in discrete, timed quantities which are determined by a microprocessor-based control system.