Abstract: A control system for an offset printing press includes a microprocessor-based dampener, register and ink (drink) processor which controls color register, inkrate and damprate. Damprate curve data, flood requests and adjustments to individual nozzles on the spraybar can be downloaded from a master work station to the drink processor and used to control the rate at which the spraybar nozzles are pulsed on and the duration that each separate nozzle remains on.

Abstract: A liquid transfer assembly is shown which transfers a predetermined thickness of liquid to a moving surface, the assembly employing a shearing action to achieve the predetermined thickness. The system includes a supply means for providing a source of the liquid; a first arcuately shaped surface which moves at a first speed and is adapted to contact the supply means so as to obtain a coating of liquid on its surface. A second surface is juxtaposed to the first surface but not in contact therewith, moves at a second speed different from the first speed; and the distance between the two surfaces is sufficiently close that the liquid on the first surface comes in contact with the second surface at their nearest point of proximity. Thus, by virtue of the different surface velocities, the liquid is subjected to a shearing action at the nearest point of proximity with a determined amount thereof being transferred to the second surface.

Abstract: The excess of damping liquid taken from the vessel 3 by the fountain roller 4 which rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 6 is removed by the wiper element 9 formed of a body made of elastic material of circular cross section housed in a longitudinal groove in the rigid support bar 11. The fountain roller is rotated by the dc motor 5, the speed of which is adjusted by pulses coming from the processor 23 under the influence of the signal transmitted to the processor by the speed detector 23 which is located on the shaft of the plate roller 1. The speed can also be influenced by other signals transmitted to the processor, for instance from the keyboard 30 where it is possible to enter data relative to different characteristics of the equipment and of the damping liquid, for instance according to its viscosity. The fountain roller transfers the liquid to the duct roller 7, the peripheral speed of which is equal to that of the plate roller, or to the first of the rollers of the inking system.

Abstract: A dampening system roll which may be used in an offset printing press, is made of porous rebonded, fused silica, the pores of which are impregnated and sealed by a silicone resin. In a typical embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, a dampening system roll is fabricated by providing a 3 3/4 inch diameter 42 1/2 inch long fused silica cylinder infiltrated with a silicone resin and ground and polished to a 30 microinch Ra exterior smoothness. The ends of the cylinder are drilled out to provide a 1 3/4 inch diameter by 4 inch deep hollow core on each side which is adapted to receive a pair of shafts or end caps typically made of stainless steel or other low expansion metal alloy material and the end shafts or caps are bonded into the drilled ends of the fused silica cylinder for interfacing the printing press system. In an additional embodiment, the ends of the cylinder are core drilled to provide a pair of axial sockets each about 2 inches in diameter and about 2 inches deep.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for oscillating the ink form rollers and dampening form roller in a lithographic printing press to apply a smooth, relatively uniform coating of ink to the ink-receptive areas of the lithographic printing plate and to prevent ink from being transferred from the dampening form roller to the ink-rejecting areas of the printing plate. The ink form rollers and the dampening form roller are each mounted on a shaft rotatable about its own axis. The shaft has at least one shaft key for mating with a complementary keyway in a bushing which is inserted at least partially into the central opening of the corresponding roller. The engagement between the shaft key and the bushing keyway allows the roller and bushing to engage the shaft for common rotation while permitting the roller and bushing to slide axially with resepct to the shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dampening mechanism for offset rotary printing presses with a supply roller partly immersed in the dampening fluid. Downstream rollers transfer the dampening fluid to the printing plate. At least one of two or more elastic metering rollers selectively interacts with the supply roller for the exact metering of the amount of dampening fluid required, even at different press speeds, two or more metering rollers with different degrees of hardness are used.

Abstract: A system for the continuous and automatic supply of a mixture of ink and dampening fluid to a lithographic press. The ink and dampening fluid are mixed and then pumped to the press fountain. The fluid mixture is sampled downstream from the mixing location and a signal is sent to control feed of ink and dampening fluid to the mixing location to ensure that the desired ratio of ink to water is maintained.

Abstract: A dampening device for the continuous dampening of printing forms, particularly in offset printing machines has a supporting pin and a supporting sleeve, which are mounted in side walls of the printing machine. Holders are rotatably mounted on the pin and sleeve, and a transfer roller is removably mounted on the holders. The transfer roller, when mounted, is in permanent contact on one hand with a bathing cylinder, and on the other hand with a spreader roller. The holders are rotatable about the axis of the bathing cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for dampening a lithographic plate on a printing press cylinder, which includes a fluid supply roller and a metering roller that are disposed in rotatable engagement and carried by a pivotally mounted first hanger. A dampening form roller is carried by a second hanger that is pivotally mounted to the first hanger, permitting the form roller to move into and out of engagement with the fluid supply roller and with the press cylinder. The metering roller and form roller are driven at a rotational speed different than that of the fluid supply roller. A water supply pipe includes nozzles for supplying dampening fluid to the fluid supply roller over its length. An actuator is operably connected to move the form roller first into engagement with the fluid supply roller, from which it receives a metered amount of dampening fluid, and then into engagement with the plate cylinder, to which it transfers the dampening fluid.

Abstract: A cover for a damping roller of an offset press is comprising a tubular knitted fabric having two water-shrinkable ground yarns and the hydrophilic pile yarns. The ground yarns are intertwined and respectively form a tubular plain weft-knitted structure in which two ground yarns are alternately knitted so that wales formed by one ground yarn are interposed between two adjacent wales formed by the other ground yarn so that all the wales appear on the face of the fabric. The courses of each plain knitted structure include long sinker loops, the ground yarns being knitted into the respective plain-knitted ground fabric structure to form raised loops. The cover has high shrinking percentages both in radial and axial directions.

Abstract: Printing dampener apparatus including a spray bar with a plurality of spray nozzle. A pair of pivoted elongated spray shields confines the lateral extent of the spray and a pair of sliding spray baffles confines the longitudinal extent of the spray.

Abstract: A bridging roller is disposed between the upper form roller of the inking system and the dampening form roller of the dampening system. The bridging roller's mounting means are offset from the axis of rotation of the bridging roller such that selective orientation of the mounting means allows the system to be quickly and easily changed over between the integrated and segregated modes. In the dampening system the oscillating roller and form roller are supported on a pivotable support structure such that the dampening form roller can be moved out of engagement with the master cylinder and the oscillating roller can be simultaneously moved out of engagement with the metering roller to facilitate start up of the printer. When the rollers are in this start-up position the oscillating roller can be independently moved to a remote position to facilitate cleaning of the printer.

Abstract: A spray dampening system for use in a printing operation including solenoid-operated spray dampening fluid nozzles operated at particular frequencies in relation to the speed of the press. The nozzles are operated in pairs, such that only one of the nozzles of each pair is activated at any one time. The frequency of alternation of activation of the nozzles of each pair is dependent upon the speed of the printing operation.

Abstract: A dampening system for a printing apparatus incorporates a water fountain and a fountain roller partly immersed in water held in the water fountain. A metering roller is pivotally mounted for swinging movement about the axis of the fountain roller. A form roller is provided, along with a drive for positively rotating the form roller. An oscillator roller is in contact with the form roller, and the dampening system is such that water can pass from the metering roller to the oscillator roller. This includes a receiving roller which is such that the metering roller is pressed by gravity against the receiving roller. A motor is provided for driving the fountain roller in rotation. In one embodiment, the receiving roller is the oscillator roller, whereas in another embodiment, the receiving roller is a separate transfer roller in contact with both the oscillator roller and the metering roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for oscillating the dampening form roller in a lithographic printing press to provide a substantially uniform application of dampening fluid on the printing plate. The form roller is comprised of a rotatable shaft and a cylindrical roller concentrically disposed on the shaft. A double-ribbed barrel cam is coupled to the roller so as to be rotatable therewith and first and second cylindrical cam followers are disposed a predetermined distance apart on the shaft for receiving the cam therebetween so that a first major surface of the cam is in contact with the first cam follower and a second major surface of the cam is in contact with the second cam follower. The "rise and fall" of the cam as the cam rotates relative to the cam followers imparts an oscillating motion to the roller. The rate of oscillation is substantially the same as the rate of rotation of the cam relative to the cam followers.

Abstract: A device for removing water from the returning portion of the peripheral surface of a meshed roll mounted in a planographic printing press comprises at least one roll for removing water pressed against the said returning portion. The peripheral surface of the roll is made of soft and smoothed material, or brushes project to the centrifugal direction from the peripheral surface of the roll. In one embodiment, a smooth roll of rubber or soft resin presses against the meshed roll, a second smooth roll of metal contacts it, a blade scrapes the second roll and a container receives recovered water from the blade.

Abstract: A dampener roller cartridge for mounting on a cylindrical support comprising a core tube having a central bore to receive the cylindrical support, the core tube being characterized by having an annular wall thickness of at least one-third the radius of the tube, and a coherent network structure providing a density of less than 0.5, the plastic substance and the network structure providing the tube with sufficient resilience to be resiliently deformed by a radially applied force by a mating roller and to recover its original shape after the cessation of the radially applied force, and further providing the core tube with sufficient rigidity to permit tight slidable mounting of the core tube on the cylindrical support, and a moisture-absorbent, outer sleeve secured about the circumference of the core tube.

Abstract: A short inking unit for an offset rotary printing machine utilizes a heated ink transport cylinder having a particular surface with varying degrees of hydrophilicity, and an array of air blowing nozzles which cooperate to reduce or virtually eliminate contamination of the offset printing ink supply source with dampening fluid. Printing quality is improved since ink viscosity does not change and dampening fluid useage is kept at a minimum.

Abstract: A water form roller for evenly distributing and spreading liquid over a printing surface in which the roller has a circular surface formed by a plurality of helically interwound rubber compounds of different durometers bonded together to form a monolithic roller free of separations, and a method of making the same.

Abstract: A dampening liquid application apparatus for a lithographic press includes a motor driven metering roller drivably engaged with a transfer roller which in turn is engageable with an applicator roller for transferring dampening liquid to a plate cylinder. The metering and transfer rollers are driven through a gear train and are mounted on support members which permit pivotal movement of the support members such that the transfer roller may be disengaged from the applicator roller and, through a lost motion coupling, the applicator roller may be disengaged from the plate cylinder. A distribution roller is engageable with the dampener applicator roller and one of the form rollers of the press inking train. The distribution roller is selectively movable to and maintainable in position in which the distribution roller is disengaged from the form roller but is engaged with the applicator roller.

Abstract: An attachment for a lithographic press includes an additional form roller with a chain of ink rollers from an auxiliary oscillator roller to the form roller mounted in a detachable frame assembly, including a gear train for driving the rollers and an eccentric for raising and lowering the form roller into engagement with the plate cylinder of the lithographic press.

Abstract: A conversion system for readily changing a printing couple of a printing or duplicating machine between a separated system wherein moisture and ink are distributed to a master cylinder through separate paths and an integrated system wherein the moisture and ink are mixed in common paths to the master cylinder. A transfer roller of the main ink distribution system is bodily movable into and out of rolling contact with a moisture form roller of the main moisture distribution system to convert between the integrated and separated systems. The transfer roller is journalled on the machine and is so moved without removing or disconnecting the transfer roller. The driving connection of another transfer roller in the moisture feeding system is selectively switchable to change the location of slippage between the rollers in the moisture feeding system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for applying dampening fluid to the plate cylinder of printing presses which is particularly adapted to contacting continuous dampening systems. The dampening fluid applying roller is in contact with the rotating plate cylinder and there is a wiping action between the dampening fluid applying roller and the plate cylinder which loosens foreign particles from the plate cylinder so they can be removed. The dampening fluid applying roller rotates at a different speed than the plate cylinder to cause the wiping action. Preferably, the dampening fluid applying roller rotates at a slower speed than the plate cylinder. In another form of the invention an ink receptive roller is driven at the same speed as the dampening or delta roller while in contact with the dampening roller.

Abstract: A device for controlling, by a measuring technique, the dampening medium guidance zonewise in an inking unit of an offset printing machine includes a measuring roller engaging an ink applicator roller of the inking unit and having interfaced oleophilic and hydrophilic surface regions, and an optoelectronic measuring device disposed adjacent to the measuring roller and operating thereon over the entire width thereof at a spaced distance therefrom, and wherein at least the oleophilic surface regions of the measuring roller is formed as a screen.

Abstract: A Supplementary Liquid Dispensing Device is disclosed. The Supplementary Liquid Dispensing Device is particularly useful in lithographic printing presses and in particular for dampening systems within such presses. The device dispenses from an enclosed source of a given liquid a continuous flow of the given liquid which is part of a fountain solution of the dampening system by metering the continuous flow of liquid proportionate to the rate of evaporization of the liquid in a fountain solution with very minimal evaporization loss of the liquid by the device. The device reduces air polution particularly when a volitile liquid such as alcohol is a part of the fountain solution. The device also has the advantage of supplementing and replacing alcohol in a fountain solution in a very inexpensive way without the use of a highly sophisticated and complex electronic system.

Abstract: Liquid is moved axially along a liquid roller (1) by a transport roller (2) from end regions towards the center region by forming the transport roller (2) with two conical surface regions (4, 5) which, alternately, are tipped in engagement with the liquid roller (1) while the respectively engaged conical section (e.g. FIG. 1: 4) is axially moving towards the center region of the liquid roller (1).

Abstract: In an offset printing apparatus one arranges in the "channel" of the printing plate cylinder a further segment for improving the emulsion and for reducing the time-interval between "stripping" and "scumming," which is provided with a plane, water-conducting and ink-repellent plate, preferably of polished chromium steel. In the course of the rotation of the printing plate cylinder, this segment, designated preemulsifying segment, is wetted by the dampening form-roller of the dampening unit with water which is emulsified by contact with the subsequently arranged ink form-rollers, before same come in contact with the printing plate of the printing plate segment.As a result of the arranging of the emulsifying segment, the time-interval between "stripping" and "scumming" can be quadrupled and the amount of water required can be reduced.

Abstract: A device for selectively controlling the manual or automatic operation of inking or damping rollers of a printing press wherein the torque which produces the adjusting movement is transmissible through a non-positive coupling and a spring-biased manually releasable and automatically engaging connecting element, characterized in that a first start-stop lever is connected to an input coupling member for the automatic starting and stopping of printing, an operating lever is connected to a handle for manual control of the starting and stopping of printing and a second start-stop lever is connected to an output coupling member and is operative to engage and disengage the rollers.

Abstract: A keyless inking system for lithographic printing presses wherein an ink/water mixture is contained in an ink pan having a tray portion within which an ink roller is mounted whereby ink/water mixture enters the tray portion on one side and is drawn by the ink roller to the other side of the tray in the nip between the ink roller and a celled metering roller thereby delivering an excess of the mixture to the celled metering roller, the balance of the mixture being conveyed over a weir into a reservoir for continuous mixing and recirculation back to the pan, and wherein the excess ink/water mixture on the metering roller is continuously scraped off by means of a doctor blade and wherein the metered portion of the ink/water mixture remaining in the metering roller's cells is delivered in part into the inking train of a more-or-less conventional lithographic printing press.

Abstract: A method and device for removing spots from a printing plate of a printing machine having a moistening mechanism with an application roller and an immersion roller immersed in a container with a moistening agent and operated in contact with the application roller for application of a moistening agent to the printing plate, wherein the application roller is driven by a plate cylinder connected to the application roller in a form-locking manner, with an interposition of a switching coupling, so that a peripheral speed of the application roller in a coupled position is lower than that of the plate cylinder. The drive also includes a hydraulic cylinder connected by a scanner and a switch to an electric motor for driving the immersion roller.

Abstract: A water fountain for a dampening unit of an offset rotary printing machine includes spaced front rear and side walls and a bottom. A pair of spaced inlet and outlet dams each include drainage holes and overflow apertures. Dampening fluid is fed to the fountain through an infeed pipe and unused fluid exits the fountain through a drainage tube. This drainage tube is in fluid communication with, but is separate from a funnel carried in an open end of a dampening fluid recirculation pipe. The water fountain is supported between side frames of the press. Since neither dampening fluid inlet line nor the dampening fluid recirculation pipe are connected to the fountain, it can be quickly and easily removed from the dampening unit for cleaning or service.

Abstract: A dampening liquid application apparatus for a lithographic press includes a motor driven metering roller drivably engaged with a transfer roller which in turn is engageable with an applicator roller for transferring dampening liquid to a plate cylinder. The metering and transfer rollers are driven through a gear train and are mounted on support members which permit pivotal movement of the support members such that the transfer roller may be disengaged from the applicator roller and, through a lost motion coupling, the applicator roller may be disengaged from the plate cylinder. The applicator roller is driven independently through a gear train meshed with a drive gear on the plate cylinder. Support bearings for the metering and transfer rollers and the support members for the applicator roller are adjustable by stop members so that engagement forces between the respective rollers may be selectively adjusted.

Abstract: A dampening system for an offset printing press combines a centrifugal plate wetting agent sprayer and roller dampening to effect a suitable ink and wetting agent balance.

Abstract: A keyless printing method and apparatus that employs an engraved drum with discrete proportioning ink and water attracting areas to transfer ink and water to a plate cylinder without metering blades at the drum.

Abstract: An arrangement for application of liquids, such as a coating unit for a printing press, with a liquid supply above the metering gap formed between a metering roller and an applicator roller interacting therewith, a partition designed to damp vibrations dividing the liquid supply along the length of the rollers in order to compensate for turbulence, resonance and irregular air occlusions as far as the metering gap and to prepare uniform quantities of liquid.

Abstract: To prevent printing of imperfect copy, by a printing machine having a lifter-type inker, which is caused by cyclically recurring rotary oscillations or vibrations, the braking torque introduced upon contact of a lifter roller (3) with the first milling and distribution roller (4) of the inker is prevented from propagating through the gearing drive of the respective inker rollers. To prevent such propagation, the first milling and distributing roller (4) is yieldingly driven at machine speed, for example by frictional drive, transmitted through an elastic surface (6) of a "soft" roller in frictional drive engagement with the first milling and distributing roller (4) as well as with a positively driven subsequent milling and distributing roller (7), or a circumferentially resilient yielding coupling (13) is interposed between the drive shaft element (8) for the first milling and distibuting roller and a positive gear drive (10, 11, 12).

Abstract: An offset inking unit for a rotary printing machine is disclosed. A single supply of ink, carried from an ink fountain through a distribution train that includes serially placed synthetic material coated ink receiving rollers and rubber coated ink intermediate rollers, is split by a distributing roller onto first and second ink forme rollers. The second ink forme roller has three subsequent ink forme rollers linked to it in a serial manner through rider rollers. Ink tack or stickiness is controlled to avoid ghosting by applying dampening fluid to either the first or last of the ink forme rollers or to both, if desired.

Abstract: Individual disks or roller elements (4) are located, axially positioned next to each other, on a water roller transfer structure. To provide for smooth operation of rollers of a roller train of the machine, the disks or roller elements (4) of the water roller structure are in continuous surface engagement with a receiving roller, forming part of the machine roller train, and driven at machine speed. The disks or roller elements (4) are individually selectively shiftable about the circumference of the receiving roller (5) by deflection of individual angled levers (6) for selective engagement with a water supply roller (2) operating, for example, in a water trough (1), receiving water from the water supply roller. The receiving roller (5) is axially oscillating or reciprocating, and may form part of the inker of the printing machine and, further, has engagement contact with additional rollers (5', 5") of the inker of which one (5"), for example, also is axially reciprocating or oscillating.

Abstract: In an elongated fountain pan, for an elongated press dampening roll, having a liquid inlet, the improvement comprising, providing the liquid inlet in the form of an elongated liquid inlet means extending lengthwise of the pan and accordingly lengthwise of the roll, the inlet means having a plurality of liquid outlet apertures therein and spaced therealong and the inlet means having liquid supply line means connected thereto and in such manner liquid exiting from the supply line means into the inlet means subsequently exits via apertures adjacent the ends of the inlet means generally simultaneously whereby to maintain, during operation of the press, a uniform temperature of the liquid in the pan as measured along the length of the roll. Also disclosed, is a method of maintaining a uniform temperature throughout the liquid in the fountain pan of a printing press and a method of cleaning a fountain solution of a printing press.

Abstract: Inking unit for an offset printing machine with a plate cylinder which includes an ink applicator roll with an elastic surface cooperatively engaging the plate cylinder for delivering ink to the plate cylinder, an ink feeding system and an inking cylinder cooperating with the ink feeding system for receiving ink therefrom and cooperatively engaging the ink applicator roll so as to feed the ink in a continuous film thereto, the ink applicator roll having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the plate cylinder and being located downstream from the inking cylinder in ink feed direction, the ink applicator roll being rotatable in a given direction, and means for transfering dampening medium to the ink applicator roll in the given rotary direction thereof at a location of the ink applicator roll downstream of the location at which the ink applicator roll is in engagement with the inking cylinder and upstream of the location at which the ink applicator roll is in engagement with the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A system for supplying dampening fluid to a rotating cylinder of a printing press which includes first and second closed tanks containing the dampening fluid. To move the dampening fluid from one of the first or second tanks compressed air a control pressure proportional to the speed of the press pressurizes one of the tanks. The control pressure in turn causes the dampening fluid to move from one of the tanks through the interconnecting piping to be sprayed onto the cylinder at a flow rate proportional to the speed of the press. To transfer the control pressure from the first to the second tank and provide a constant supply of dampening fluid at the flow rate proportional to the speed of the cylinder means to transfer between the first and second tanks are provided. The transferring means includes providing a quantity of compressed air at the control pressure through a restriction to the nonsupplying tank for a period of time to pressurize the nonsupplying tank to the control pressure.

Abstract: The dampening unit of a rotary printing press is provided with additional transmission components and a swiveling stop mechanism so that the dampening unit can also apply a varnish having an arbitrary viscosity. For applying dampening solution to the plate cylinder (5) of the rotary press, the dampening unit has a fountain roller (13) feeding a transfer roller (15) and an applicator roller (16) which are driven by the press drive. When the dampening unit is used as a varnishing unit, clutches (28, 29) are enabled and disabled so that the transfer roller (15) is driven by a separate drive (17) which rotates the fountain roller (13). The applicator roller (16) is selectively thrown off by pneumatic actuators (32, 35) in such a way that all rollers (14-16) of the dampening unit are connected to each other and can be driven by the separate drive (17). A third position is also defined wherein the applicator roller (16) is also selectively thrown off 5/10 mm from the transfer roller (15).

Abstract: Radiation pulses are directed at a measuring spot on a rotating printing-image carrier in an offset printing press. The intensity of the radiation returned from the measuring spot outside of the angle of reflection of the pulse is measured for a predetermined wavelength. A pulse is directed at the measuring spot before printing and while the measuring spot is dry, and a signal representing the intensity of the returned radiation is stored in a working memory. During a subsequent printing operation, a dampening agent is applied to the printing-image carrier. In order to determine the amount of dampening agent on the printing-image carrier, radiation pulses are directed at the measuring spot as the printing-image carrier rotates during printing. The intensity of the returned radiation in the predetermined wavelength is converted into damp signals which represent the amount of dampening agent since the predetermined wavelength approximates or equals an absorption wavelength of the dampening agent.

Abstract: An ink metering system for letterpress and offset printing machines is provided in which the duct roller, the ink vibrator discs and the transfer roller have a low circumferential speed and wherein the ink is accelerated by suitable vibrator devices to higher speeds corresponding to the circumferential speed of the plate cylinder. The ink vibrator discs are controlled under defined conditions by various lever systems in order that the ink may be transferred controllably and in optimum manner without any empty gaps. The ink vibrator discs can also be readily removed and fitted for repair and cleaning purposes.

Abstract: To improve the uniformity of application of damping liquid, typically water, to a plate cylinder (8) of an offset rotary printing machine, a non-contacting, typically spray damper (18) sprays or otherwise applies damping liquid on a damping liquid accepting cylinder (19) with a hard, preferably chrome-plated surface. The damping liquid is applied to the plate cylinder by an application cylinder or roller (21) having a soft, for example rubber or textile surface. A transfer cylinder (20) transfers the water between the accepting roller (19) and the application roller (21). In accordance with the invention, the transfer roller (20) has a soft, for example rubber surface. The soft or rubber surface apparently causes formation of an ink-damping liquid emulsion on the surface thereof which is extremely fine grain to provide a highly uniform coating of damping liquid to the application roller (21).

Abstract: A liquid transport mechanism for use particularly in transporting and evenly distributing printing ink in a rotary printing machine is disclosed. A plurality of generally cone shaped ink transport rollers are placed about the periphery of one or more ink relief equalizing cylinders. The axes of rotation of the rollers are angled with respect to the axes of rotation of the ink relief equalizing cylinders. The covered surfaces of the rollers, which are disposed generally in pairs, contact the surface of the ink cylinders to form ink bridges which split the ink coating on the cylinders and cross transport it longitudinally along the length of each of the ink relief equalizing cylinders. The ink metering unit in accordance with the present invention uniformly and rapidly equalizes ink thickness without the need for ink zone adjusting screws and doctor blades.

Abstract: An inking or damping unit is provided for rotary printing machines in which a metering roller and transfer roller are in contra-rotating contact under pressure and a liquid feed with a self-regulating level is disposed above and between the rollers. Zonal liquid transfer is made by way of intermediate zone rollers arranged closely together side by side on a carrier tube and eccentrically movable thereon such that the intermediate rollers accurately transfer the liquid from the transfer roller to a following machine roller.

Abstract: A rotary printing machine has a plate cylinder and a liquid supply apparatus comprising an inker and a damper. The liquid supply apparatus includes rollers and an endless band guided over two deflection rollers. The band, which has a surface that accepts ink and damping fluid and extends over the width of the rollers, is provided with guide elements cooperating with counterpart guide elements attached to the machine. The guide elements and counterpart guide elements are embodied such that the band is displaceable at right angles to the axes of two rollers and is additionally pivotable at least about one of the axes of a deflection roller. Positioning means supported firmly on the machine are also provided for fixing the band in at least two different operating positions, in which the band is in contact with one or two rollers of the liquid supply apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to ink and dampen a lithographic printing plate including a dampening fluid removal device comprising a doctor blade positioned in pressure indented relation with a resilient inking roller to remove dampening fluid of low viscosity from the roller while leaving more viscous ink on the roller surface. The blade, therefore, is efficient to doctor dampening fluid while insufficient for printing ink.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously using ink and dampening fluid in a printing system includes removing ink and dampening fluid from a form roller after the form roller engages the printing plate. Mixing of the removed ink and dampening fluid to form a substantially homogeneous printing liquid is accomplished by circulating the removed ink and dampening fluid to a reservoir where it is mixed with ink in the reservoir by an auxillary blender. The homogeneous mixture is further circulated to the center of a metering nip between two rollers and flows longitudinally of the rollers at a rate to prevent separation of the dampening fluid from the ink. Unused printing ink and dampening fluid is returned to the reservoir with the ink and dampening fluid removed from the form roller.