Abstract: A lithographic ink and moisture control system is provided for maintaining copy quality over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions without special operator assistance. The control system, among other things, adjusts the ink and moisture feed rates to compensate for predicted changes in master conditions associated with the absorption of moisture by the master during the course of a copy run.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inking device for printing with greasy ink, said device being characterized in that it comprises, downstream of the zone of contact of the inking roller and the plate or photogravure cylinder, a second rod parallel to the inking roller, pressed under strong pressure against the soft surface layer of said roller and forming a barrier only against the dampening liquid, while allowing all the residual film of ink remaining on the periphery of the inking roller to pass and thus return to the mass of ink in the inking device. This invention is more particularly applicable in printing machines employing greasy ink, such as offset or typo printers.

Abstract: A newspaper printing system wherein low viscosity newsprint ink and dampening fluid are applied to opposed lithographic printing plates which simultaneously engage opposite sides of a web of porous absorbent newsprint to print on both sides of the web. Each of the inkers comprises an ink metering roller in pressure indented relation with an ink transfer roller having an oleophillic surface, the ink transfer roller being in pressure indented relationship with a single form roller which is in pressure indented relation with one of the printing plates. Each of the dampeners comprises a dampening fluid metering roller in pressure indented relation with a dampening fluid transfer roller having a hydrophilic surface, the dampening fluid transfer roller being in pressure indented relation with the same single form roller such that ink and dampening fluid continuously applied on the single form roller is applied to each of the printing plates.

Abstract: In a dampening unit for offset printing machines having a dampening-medium tank, a rotating screen cylinder formed of a perforated support member covered by a blanket for conveying dampening medium supplied thereto from the tank, and a blow tube located adjacent the blanket and formed with nozzle openings for spraying the dampening medium by means of blowing air from the blanket onto a dampening unit roller, the improvement therein which includes means for freely rotatingly guiding the screen cylinder, and a driven dampening-medium conveying roller immersed in the dampening medium received in the tank and being in frictional engagement with the screen cylinder so as to feed the dampening medium from the tank to the blanket.

Abstract: A lithographic printing process characterized by demulsifying an emulsion ink by the action of a cooling means and, if desired, a shearing force-giving means provided in a region of ink distributing rollers in an inking system.

Abstract: A lithographic ink and moisture control system as provided for maintaining copy quality over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions without special operator assistance. The control system, among other things, adjusts the ink and moisture feed rates to compensate for predicted high moisture conditions which occur at several short copy runs, wherein significant moisture is introduced with each new master.

Abstract: A lithographic ink and moisture control system is provided for maintaining copy quality over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions without special operator assistance. The control system, among other things, adjusts the ink and moisture feed rates upon machine start up to compensate for moisture evaporated from the system during shutdown.

Abstract: A method of automatically controlling deviations in the liquid ink and dampening liquid feed in an offset printing press includes irradiating a layer formed of liquid ink and ingredients of a dampening liquid deposited on a plate cylinder of the press with at least one source of radiation, selectively interposing, in the radiation path between the radiation source and the irradiated liquid layer, wave length absorption filters, selecting certain wavelengths most heavily absorbed by at least one of the liquids, comparing measured values for the ink layer and the individual ingredients of the dampening liquid with a given nominal value and, in accordance with a quantitative deviation between the measured and the nominal values, automatically actuating a control circuit for regulating the feed of the liquid ink and the dampening liquid; and a device for carrying out the foregoing method.

Abstract: To prevent splashing off of water and ink emulsion from rollers in the inking system due to feedback of wetting water to the inking system, a roller of the inking system, preferably an ink supply roller accepting ink from a ductor roller, is associated with a return roller which accepts the water-ink emulsion, and a stripping arrangement which strips off that emulsion from the return roller returns the emulsion to the ink well or ink trough of the ink supply system. The stripping element may be the ductor roller itself, rotating in counter direction to rotation of the return roller, intermediate rollers in counter-rotation with respect to the ductor roller, or doctor blades, or the like.

Abstract: A dampening system for a lithographic press, comprised of a brush roller contacting a fountain roller immersed in a fluid. The brush roller is contacted by an elongate flicker bar transferring the fluid to a vibrator roller for application to a plate cylinder by a form roller. Drive means operate the fountain roller which is geared to the brush roller. The ratio of the gearing is such that the brush roller is driven at an overspeed condition relative to the fountain roller.

Abstract: A lithographic ink and moisture control system is provided for maintaining copy quality over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions without special operator assistance. The control system, among other things, momentarily increases the moisture feed rate each time ink is added to the system to maintain a substantially constant ink/moisture balance at the master, particularly under high coverage conditions.

Abstract: A dampening system for a lithographic printing press which includes, in series, a driven fountain roller, an adjustable intermediate roller, a driven distributor roller, and an adjustable form roller, the latter engaging the printing plate, the intermediate and form rollers being mounted upon respective throw-off levers. A single actuator is used, connected to the form roller throw-off lever. The intermediate roller throw-off lever is effectively in the path of final movement of the form roller throw-off lever, for throw-off by the latter, so that upon subsequent restoration to working position a water path is completed progressively through all of the rollers starting with the fountain roller, and with the form roller touching the plate last, thereby to insure, regardless of the length of the period of throw-off, that the form roller will be wetted to proper degree, free of either flooding or starvation, before being applied to the plate.

Abstract: An inker comprising two rollers having surfaces in pressure indented relation, the contacting surfaces moving in opposite directions to meter ink. A surface of one of the rollers carries a film of ink to the printing plate and thereafter an excessive quantity of ink is applied as the surface moves away from the printing plate. The excessive quantity of ink is metered between the surfaces of the two rollers moving in opposite directions to form a fresh continuous uniform thickness for application to the printing plate.

Abstract: A sheet-fed, high-production, multi-purpose printing press assembled from a group of especially constructed components, including frames, cylinders, sub-assemblies, printing modules and removable and interchangeable segments, each being adapted to be assembled in a wide variety of combinations with the others to produce various simple configurations, to perform single printing functions with high efficiency, as well as various more complex configurations to perform a variety of printing functions and/or combinations of functions (in some cases including concurrent printing and collating).

Abstract: An inker comprising two rollers having surfaces in pressure indented relation, adjacent surfaces moving in opposite directions to meter ink. A surface of one of the rollers carries a film of ink to the printing plate and thereafter an excessive quantity of ink is applied as the surface moves away from the printing plate and through an ink reservoir. The excessive quantity of ink is metered between the surfaces of the two rollers moving in opposite directions to form a fresh continuous uniform thickness for application to the printing plate. Viscosity of the ink in the reservoir is controlled.

Abstract: A blanket cleaning apparatus is provided for cleaning ink from a blanket cylinder of a rotary offset duplicating machine. The apparatus comprises a cleaning roller for contact with the blanket cylinder, a wiper roller and a metering roller in contact with each other and with the cleaning roller, and a wringer roller in interfering relation with the wiper roller at the zone of contact to effect deformation of the peripheral surface of the wiper roller. A cleaning fluid is supplied to the wringer roller which transfers the fluid to the wiper roller and meters the amount of fluid carried by the wiper roller to the cleaning roller for cleaning the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: A moisture system control apparatus is provided for metering the rate of feed of dampening fluid from a fountain apparatus including a fountain roller to a master on a master cylinder of a lithographic duplicating machine. The control apparatus comprises a linkage for converting continuous rotary input motion to incremental rotation of the fountain roller, and infinitely variable selector apparatus for adjusting the magnitude of the rotation increments employed during a first mode of operation which obtains while printing is in progress.

Abstract: A water fountain control wiper unit of resilient material having a tubular portion on one edge that is slit for fitting over the edge of the fountain tray. The wiper has sufficient width so that a relatively flat surface tangentially adjacent the water fountain roller is biased against the water fountain roller to remove water upon rotation of the water fountain roller. The wiper unit has a length substantially shorter than the length of the water fountain roller so that one or more of the wiper units can be positioned along the length of the fountain roller to provide selective water removal, and the connector on the wiper blade unit allows the wiper blade to be quickly and easily mounted on or removed from the connected position on the edge of the water fountain tray.

Abstract: A moisture system control apparatus is provided for metering the rate of feed of dampening fluid from a fountain apparatus including a fountain roller to a master on a master cylinder of a lithographic duplicating machine. The control apparatus comprises a linkage for converting continuous rotary input motion to incremental rotation of the fountain roller, and infinitely variable selector apparatus for adjusting the magnitude of the rotation increments employed during a first mode of operation which obtains while printing is in progress.

Abstract: Dampening rolls receive spray from a multi-nozzle spray member having a spray path extending beyond the ends of the rolls. Overspray preventing shields are mounted at opposite ends of the spray path and have free dripping lower portions positioned over the dampening rolls. An oscillating roll runs against a dampening roll to spread the moisture film and a wet form roll provides contact between the oscillating roll and the plate cylinder. Preferably, the spray member oscillates transversely along the dampening rolls and separate shields are mounted on the spray member and fixed with respect to the press frame.

Abstract: Dampening unit for an offset printing machine includes at least one dampening unit roller, a container for dampening medium and a rotatable sprinkler roller disposed mutually adjacent one another, the sprinkler roller includes a shaft, a pair of discs disposed at opposite ends of the shaft and an envelope wettable by dampening medium from the containers and formed of a plurality of means displaceable in a rotary path for throwing onto the dampening-unit roller from a region of an edge of the envelope extending along the length of the sprinkler roller droplets of dampening medium withdrawn from the container, the plurality of throwing means being stressed in tension between the discs and extending parallel to the shaft, and traverse means carrying a plurality of fingers disposed adjacent to and spaced from the discs and having respective edges projecting into the rotary path of the plurality of throwing means.

Abstract: A ductor or film-transferring inking mechanism for printing machine, particularly for offset presses, which comprise a plate cylinder having a printing form, an ink reservoir and a ductor roller mounted for rotation so as to dip into the ink reservoir and at least one additional rotatable distributor roller engageable between the ductor roller and the plate cylinder. A rotatable takeoff roller is associated with one of the distributor rollers of the inking mechanism and is adapted to engage with one of these rollers and take up the periodically unused and no longer applicable ink from this roller and to be moved to a position so as to be engageable with a stripper roller so as to transfer this ink to the stripping roller. A stripper such as a ductor blade is engaged with the surface of the stripper roller and it strips the ink therefrom and permits it to return into either a separate container or directly back into the ink reservoir.

Abstract: A dampener form roll has a wash-up position in which the dampener form roll is in fluid-transferring relationship with the ink form roll so that when wash-up fluid is applied to the ink form roll, it is transmitted to the dampener form roll, and thus effects a clean-up of the ink on the dampener form roll. A throw-off mechanism is provided for moving the dampener form roll between thrown-on and thrown-off positions, and that throw-off mechanism includes a motor having a reciprocating output member connected with a linkage for transmitting the motion of the output member to the dampener form roll. Means is located in the linkage for disabling the linkage so that it is disconnected, thus disconnecting the dampener form roll from the motor. A spring is provided for moving the dampener form roll to its wash-up position upon disconnection of the linkage.

Abstract: A spray-type dampening apparatus for lighographic printing presses comprises a resilient surfaced, fluid supply roller that is partially immersed in a reservoir of dampening fluid and a coacting, hard surfaced feed roller having generally longitudinally disposed grooves in the peripheral surface thereof and forming a nip with the supply roller. The supply roller is rotated at a surface speed sufficient to advance and maintain a supply of dampening fluid from the reservoir to the said nip whereas the feed roller is rotated at a high surface speed relative to the supply roller to thereby generate and project a fine mist of the dampening fluid from the nip toward an adjacent transfer roller.

Abstract: A moisture system is provided for a lithographic duplicator comprising means for controlling the rate at which moisture is supplied to the master as a function of speed of a hydrophilic roll driven by an ink-receptive roll in contact with the master cylinder. The control means also utilize reference signals, indicative of duplicator speed, to the control moisture supply rate.

Abstract: A control mechanism for an offset printing machine in which total printing operation is efficiently and easily carried out through a single control shaft with a knob.The control mechanism is operative in a combination of an automatic mode and a manual mode to utilize advantages of both modes. The control shaft is rotatively constructed in such a way that its neutral position, its position for supply of ink and dampening solution to rollers, its position for transfer of ink and dampening solution to a master cylinder, its position for paper feeding and printing, its position for blanket cleaning, and its position for stopping the machine make one complete cyclic loop. The control shaft is manually rotated stepwise from its neutral position to its position for paper feeding and printing. After a pre-set number of sheets are printed, the control shaft is automatically rotated to its position for blanket cleaning and then to its position for stopping the machine.

Abstract: The dampening system incorporates a fountain roller that removes a quantity of dampening liquid from a reservoir and transfers a portion of the liquid to a ductor roller composed of a soft material such as synthetic rubber and having a smooth outer surface is supported by the framework of the machine and is intermittently moved laterally into engagement with the fountain roller in order to extract a quantity of dampening liquid from the fountain roller. A rider roller composed of hard non-metallic material, such as polyurathane or other suitable plastic material, is intermittently engaged by the ductor roller to transfer a quantity of the dampening liquid from the ductor roller to the rider roller. The rider roller is provided with a smooth cylindrical outer surface.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an improved transfer roller for use in continuous type dampening mechanisms for lithographic offset printing presses. The surface of the transfer roller is provided with minute, closely spaced, spiral grooves whereby the fluid feed capacity of such dampeners is significantly increased so as to satisfy the dampening requirements of high speed lithographic web presses.

Abstract: A dampening device supplying water or other ink repellent liquid to the printing plate of a lithographic offset rotary printing press, such device comprising a rotary cylinder, the wall of which comprises an inner coarse mesh element supporting an outer fine mesh element that picks up water from a trough into which it dips and from which the water is projected as a spray by means of air impinging on the interior surface of the cylinder at a delivery station from a series of nozzles or a tube having an axial slot, the fine mesh element having a mesh size that will ensure that each aperture is spanned by the liquid, and the coarse mesh element having apertures of a size such that they are not so spanned, and the space between the cylinder and the printing plate or transfer cylinder of the printing press being unobstructed in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A system for facilitating throw-off and re-engagement of a blanket cylinder with respect to cooperating plate and impression cylinders and which minimizes wastage of copies incident to reestablishing equilibrium in the inking and dampening systems following an interruption of the normal printing process. Two separate control means are provided for controlling the rate of water flow, the first being an automatic control at the water fountain and the second being in the form of means for controllably disengaging the water form roller from the printing plate. Means are provided for switching from the first control means to the second when the blanket is disengaged for promptly cutting off the flow and thereafter maintaining a water film of predetermined thickness on the plate.

Abstract: A dampener for lithographic printing presses is disclosed wherein means are provided for continuously generating a spray or mist of dampening fluid having optimum particle size and density characteristics and the volume of spray which is permitted to reach the plate cylinder is metered by a series of baffles that extend over the full length of the plate cylinder. The baffles are all connected for movement in unison with a common control member that is responsive automatically to changes in press speed to thereby control the overall volume of spray that reaches the plate cylinder with direct relation to the speed of the press and each individual baffle is selectively adjustable relative to the control member whereby to meter the volume of spray at local areas along the length of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A dampening apparatus for a lithographic press in which a train of rollers conducts dampening fluid from a pan to the form roller or applicator roller of the press that is in contact with the printing plate. The fluid is conducted from a pan roller to a metering roller and then to a transfer roller which is in rolling engagement with and rotating at the same peripheral speed as the form roller. Variation in the amount of dampening fluid which is transferred to the form roller is achieved by driving the pan roller and intermediate roller directly from a separate source of power and permitting the remaining rollers of the train to be driven from the printing plate or inking rollers. By varying the speed of rotation of the pan roller and intermediate roller the amount of fluid transferred to the form roller may be varied to the end that the exact amount of water required by the form roller may be provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a controlled quantity of dampening fluid to a lithographic printing system comprising a smoothly finished hydrophilic transfer roller mounted in pressure indented relation with a metering roller having a smooth resilient surface. Pressure between the metering roller and transfer roller is adjustable and the respective rollers are driven by independent variable speed drive means such that surface speeds of the rollers relative to each other and relative to surfaces of the lithographic printing system are precisely controllable.

Abstract: An inking system for applying ink to a printing plate which includes a fountain roller and a series of ink feed rollers with at least one vibrated roller or drum. Means are provided for automatically regulating the temperature of the fountain roller thereby to maintain constant the amount of ink fed over a long press run for maintenance of a predetermined full tone density. Means are also provided for automatically regulating the temperature of the vibrated roller thereby to maintain constant the printing contrast in the half tone portions of the plate. The temperature regulating means includes both a source of heat and a source of cold, making it possible to either warm or cool the rollers thereby permitting automatic operation over a wide range of conditions including a wide variation in the ambient temperature. In the preferred embodiment the temperature of the rollers is maintained by circulating a fluid such as water through the rollers from a reservoir of fluid at a controlled rate and temperature.

Abstract: A multiple spray nozzle, offset press dampening system of the type having individual metering pumps for the respective nozzles achieves improved control and reliability by substantially increasing feed water pressure entering the metering pumps, thereby reducing the formation of bubbles. The pump output valve flow-through pressure is also increased to retain accurate metering conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a controlled quantity of dampening fluid to a lithographic printing system comprising a smoothly finished transfer roller having a hydrophilic surface mounted in pressure indented relation with a metering roller having a smooth resilient surface. Pressure between the metering roller and transfer roller is adjustable to control the thickness of a film of dampening fluid metered therebetween onto the surface of the transfer roller. The film of dampening fluid is urged at controlled pressure into engagement with a film of ink on a roller in the printing system forming an interface between the films. Force is transmitted through the interface to rotate the transfer roller at a surface speed to maintain predetermined proportions of ink and dampening fluid on the roller surface.