Abstract: A vacuum-type sheet transfer apparatus for a rotary printing press includes an air dam device formed by an elongated plate which is supported on the transfer apparatus housing and extends toward the surface of a transfer cylinder or impression cylinder of the press. Spaced apart openings are formed in the plate and have deflectable elastomeric flaps disposed in the openings to allow the cylinder gripper fingers to pass by the plate. An air dam or seal is formed by the plate to redirect the flow of air to urge sheets, including lightweight and heavy weight stock, to follow a preferred transfer path between the impression cylinder and the vacuum transfer apparatus.

Abstract: Printing machine with a sheet-guiding surface, at least part of which is a cover surface of a pneumatic-flow box, the cover surface being formed with pass-through openings for pneumatic fluid, includes a pneumatic-flow nozzle connecting the pneumatic-flow box to a source for supplying pneumatic fluid to the pneumatic-flow box, the pneumatic-flow box having a flow resistance profile decreasing therein with increasing distance from a location at which the pneumatic-flow nozzle is connected to the pneumatic-flow box.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support bars which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support bars overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support bar extending across the sheet transfer path. The support bars provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limiting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support bars as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skeleton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A printed sheet transfer assembly for supporting and carrying sheets from one station in a printer apparatus to another station includes a transfer structure including a sheet conveying surface, and a flexible resilient material secured tightly over the conveying surface and having several ridges for engaging and conveying the sheets and for cushioning the sheets to prevent marring of printing ink. The material may include an ultra-soft cotton fabric. The conveying surface includes a matte finish. The transfer structure is optionally a transfer cylinder. The material may be secured over the conveying surface with hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A ready-made fabric sack with an elastic string around the periphery of the sack opening to be placed over a transfer cylinder in a printing press. When placed over the transfer cylinder, the inherent resiliency of the fabric and string causes the sack to envelop the cylinder to provide a resilient fabric surface which prevents smearing and streaking of wet printed sheets.

Abstract: Foil for covering an impression cylinder of a rotary offset printing press for first-form and perfector printing is formed of a chemically and wear-resistant rigid support layer having good ink transfer behavior and having a structured surface with statistically uniformly distributed convex and concave structural elements thereon, and a microroughness-reducing chromium layer disposed on the rigid support layer and forming a sheet-guiding outer cylindrical surface of the impression cylinder, respective peaks being formed on the convex structural elements for supporting a sheet thereon, each of the convex structural elements having an oval shape with a radius of curvature increasing from the respective peak thereof to a transition into respective concave structural elements adjacent thereto.

Abstract: An improved surface casing for a sheet-guiding printing cylinder comprising a number of elevations having constant cross-sectional areas extending radially therefrom to form a sheet bearing surface. The constant cross-sectional area over the length of the elevations ensures that as the elevations are worn down over time, the overall bearing area does not increase. As a result, smearing of the printing image, which is related to the total bearing area, does not increase over time. Additionally, the total bearing area does not increase for sheets having a low paper weight due to sagging of the sheet between the elevations.

Abstract: To provide a paper guide roller on which freshly printed ink does not smear while, still, the roller has a surface which is sufficiently rough so that it can be rotated by frictional engagement with a paper web passing thereover, the roller is formed with a base body, typically of steel or cast iron, on which a jacket (3) is placed. In accordance with the present invention, the jacket (3) has two layers, a first layer (4) of ultra-high molecular plastic material, for example polyethylene or polytetrafluorothylene, and a second layer (5) thereover, which has glass balls or beads (6) mixed therein. The material of the second layer can be the same as the first, or different; the glass balls or beads project by a distance of about 20% of their diameter from the second layer. A suitable thickness for the first layer is about 0.3 mm, and the glass balls or beads may have diameters of between 0.2 to 1 mm.

Abstract: Mechanism for guiding a continuous length elongated member, such as an insulated wire, past a non-contact print head includes pairs of guide rollers operative to guide the elongated member in a generally constant orientation past the print head without smudging indicia printed at periodic positions along the member. In one embodiment, pairs of guide rollers are disposed upstream and downstream from the print head and include one-way bearings to prevent rearward movement of the elongated member without contacting the printed indicia. In another embodiment, a pair of cylindrical rollers are disposed downstream of the print head and urge the elongated member against a reference plate so as to maintain the member in desired orientation as it passes the print head without smudging the printed indicia.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support bars which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support bars overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support bar extending across the sheet transfer path. The support bars provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limiting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support bars as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skeleton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support bars which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support bars overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support bar extending across the sheet transfer path. The support bars provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limiting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support bars as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skeleton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support bars which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support bars overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support bar extending across the sheet transfer path. The support bars provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limiting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support bars as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skeleton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support sections which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support sections overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support section extending across the sheet transfer path. The support sections provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limitting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support sections as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skelton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A vacuum transfer apparatus for use in a sheet fed rotary printing press for supporting the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet as it is moved from the press impression cylinder along a transfer path to a further processing station of the press, the apparatus including a vacuum chamber supporting a plurality of rotatable elongated rollers arrayed in spaced side-by-side parallel relationship laterally across the transfer path, and a vacuum pump connected to the chamber for producing a pressure differential across the freshly printed sheet to draw the unprinted side of the sheet into engagement with the support rollers by drawing air into the vacuum chamber through the spaces between the rollers as the sheet is pulled along the transfer path so that the printed side of the sheet can not be marked or marred.

Abstract: An improved sheet-feed drum for guiding and transferring sheets in a rotary printing press is provided with a plurality of round brushes rotatably mounted in closely spaced relation on a plurality of longitudinally extending supporting rods disposed about the periphery of the drum substantially parallel to the drum axis. The brushes are disposed on the support rods over the entire width of the sheets and have bristles made of an ink-repellent material.

Abstract: A hot melt ink jet apparatus is disclosed which heats a normally solid ink into a molten state and then ejects the molten ink toward a printing sheet. When printing is performed on the printing sheet, the ink ejected onto the printing sheet quickly solidifies. After the printing operation, the printed sheet is fed between a supporting member and a pressing member. An intervention member is provided between the printed sheet and pressing member. The intervention member includes a layer which has a low cohesiveness and is softer than lumps of solidified ink on the printing sheet.

Abstract: A sheet transfer drum for a rotary printing machine utilizes a plurality of sheet carrying segments which are axially adjustably positioned along a rotatable shaft. Each sheet carrying segment uses an upper bow and a lower bow with each bow, in turn, carrying a plurality of spaced sheet supporting elements. One of the sheet carrying bows is pivotable to actuate a cam-like fast acting closure or latch used to secure each sheet carrying segment to the shaft.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for providing a source of anti-smear fabric net material to be used to cover the support surface of a transfer or delivery cylinder in a printing press, the assembly comprising an axle assembly mounted to brackets attached to the cylinder and having a replaceable cartridge roll wound with a continuous supply of fabric net material supported thereon. Structure is provided for releasably locking the axle assembly against removal from the brackets, and for releasably locking the axle assembly against rotation relative to the brackets.

Abstract: A sheet guiding cylinder of a rotary printing press includes a cylindrical member, at least the outer surface portion of which is formed of chemically resistant, wear-resistant and unyielding material and has a multiplicity of elevated solid surface portions consisting of a distribution of domelike structures of uniform height formed thereon.

Abstract: An air cushion drum for a sheet-fed printing press is formed with an internal body and an outer casing defining a cavity inside the drum through which air streams are supplied to issue from orifices in the drum casing and force the sheets away therefrom. To reduce airflow noise a sound-absorbent layer which has radial ducts is disposed in the cavity and forms therein an air-permeable partition which is equidistant from the drum casing. In the preferred embodiment, the sound-absorbent layer is supported by a lattice formed with droplet shaped members which further reduce air flow resistance and the sound-absorbent layer which may be formed of felt or foam is supported on the lattice by an outer stabilizing layer of plastic material.

Abstract: To prevent deposition of ink, and accumulation of ink deposits on the paddles or vanes (8) of a paddle wheel distributor (2), the paddles or vanes are made of a plastic material which has a surface which rejects ink, and prevents accumulation thereon; a suitable material is polyamide, preferably reinforced with fiber or filamentary material, such as carbon fibers, the polyamide of the type polyamide 6.6 being present in about 70% with 30% carbon fibers. This permits making the vanes with a part-spherical or part-circular, or elliptical cross section to provide rounded corners and hence gentle handling of printed products (7) collected in the pockets between adjacent vanes. Braking tongues (9) located between axially staggered rings (4) of vanes can be of the same material and are so positioned that, in a plane transverse to the printed folded products, such as newspapers being inserted into the pockets between the vanes, are deformed in a gentle or slightly undulating shape.

Abstract: A roller transfer device for use in sheet fed rotary printing presses of the type employing a one and one half to one delivery system, the transfer device comprising a frame mounted to a drive shaft adjacent the press impression cylinder, and supporting diametrically disposed fabric covered rollers arranged to engage and support a printed sheet during transfer from the impression cylinder to a further processing station within the press.

Abstract: A paper guide wheel for printing presses is formed to include an outer surface eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel so as to form an air gap between the outer surface of the wheel and the paper as the paper is drawn thereover during movement through the press. The air gap gradually narrows as the wheel turns, allowing the freshly inked surface of the paper to gently nest against the outer surface at a point removed from the leading edge of the paper. The outer surface has a slightly convex contour in the axial direction to avoid marking of the paper by contact with the axial extremes of the outer surface. Foam material may be provided on the wheel rim to assist in supporting the paper without marking the freshly inked image.

Abstract: A sheet transfer mechanism comprising a gripper bar which engages the leading edge of a freshly printed sheet to move the sheet along a curved path and a sheet guide member having a guide surface formed thereon which has a radius of curvature significantly less than the radius of curvature of the curved path to guide the sheet along the path while the printed surface of the sheet is separated from the guide surface by an air cushion. At least a portion of the guide surface on the guide member is rough to carry a boundary layer of air. The guide surface is positioned relative to a vane to form an air chamber having an air dispensing passage such that rotation of the guide member forces air thorough the chamber and through the dispensing passage in a direction generally perpendicular to the guide surface to assure that the freshly printed surface on the sheet does not contract the trailing edge of the guide surface.

Abstract: A printing press has an apparatus for preventing contact of wet ink sheets with the chain delivery mechanism and for drying the wet ink carried on the sheets prior to the stacking of the sheets. The printing press has an impression cylinder and a blanket cylinder through which sheets are drawn by the chain delivery mechanism. The chain delivery mechanism has two sprockets mounted to a shaft, each of which rotates runs of chain to pull the sheets from the cylinders. A nozzle is mounted adjacent the shaft for discharging jets of air against the sheets to push them away from the shaft. An air compressor supplies air to the nozzle. A heating element is disposed between the air compressor and the openings of the nozzle to heat the pressurized air stream to a selected temperature sufficient to dry the wet ink carried by the sheets.

Abstract: A sheet-turning drum in a sheet-fed rotary printing press for optionally first printing or perfecting printing is provided that is simple to assemble and adapted to be changed over for differing printing requirements. To this end, the sheet-turning drum is subdivided into a unitary main member and a cylindrical drum envelope. The latter having a sheet support surface and flanges disposed on its end faces for securing the envelope between mounting flanges on the main member. The sheet support surfaces of the drum envelope can be in the form of a smooth metal surface, an ink-repellent fabric or support rollers retained on carrying rods.

Abstract: A sheet transfer mechanism comprising a gripper bar which engages the leading edge of a freshly printed sheet to move the sheet along a curved path and a sheet guide member having a guide surface formed thereon which has a radius of curvature significantly less than the radius of curvature of the curved path to guide the sheet along the path while the printed surface of the sheet is separated from the guide surface by an air cushion. At least a portion of the guide surface on the guide member is rough to carry a boundary layer of air. The guide surface is positioned relative to a vane to form an air chamber having an air dispensing passage such that rotation of the guide member forces air through the chamber and through the dispensing passage in a direction generally perpendicular to the guide surface to assure that the freshly printed surface on the sheet does not contact the trailing edge of the guide surface.

Abstract: A rotary printing press having an assembly of at least two printing units and a sheet transfer cylinder located between the printing units and having a plurality of gripper rows arranged symmetrically at the circumference of the cylinder, the sheet transfer cylinder includes a device for defining guide surfaces disposed between the gripper rows within the circumference of the cylinder and extending at least approximately as secants to the circumference of the cylinder.

Abstract: Sheet transfer drum located between two printing units of a multicolor sheet-fed rotary printing press and having a cylindrical surface formed of a plurality of sheet-carrying elements arranged in succession around the circumference of the drum, including a suction means applicable to the trailing edge of a sheet of paper to be printed, mountings located at ends of the sheet transfer drum for carrying the sheet to be printed, each of the end mountings being formed by a respective guide channel oriented in circumferential direction of the sheet transfer drum, the guide channel having a radially outer portion and a radially farther inward portion, at least the outer of the radial portions being substantially equal in length to a maximum format of the sheet.

Abstract: A novel ink-jet printer (10) is provided. The printer provides both paper supply tray (12) and paper collection tray (18) in the front (14) of the printer for ease of paper handling and reduced footprint. The paper collection tray is provided with a pair of opposed output rails (22) which support a sheet of paper (16c) during printing to permit ink on a sheet of paper (16b) previously printed to dry.A paper handling mechanism is provided which eliminates a sheet pickup motor and associated elements. The paper handling mechanism is configured to pick off a sheet of paper from a stack of input paper, bring it around paper drive rollers (24) onto a platen (26), where the printing operation, employing a printhead cartridge (32) occurs.The resulting printer is easy to manufacture, has reduced complexity by eliminating components in the paper drive mechanism and is lower in cost.

Abstract: A printing press has an apparatus for preventing contact of wet ink sheets with the chain delivery mechanism. The printing press has an impression cylinder and a blanket cylinder through which sheets are drawn by the chain delivery mechanism. The chain delivery mechanism has two sprockets mounted to a shaft, each of which rotates runs of chain to pull the sheets from the cylinders. A nozzle is mounted adjacent the shaft for discharging jets of air against the sheets to push them away from the shaft. An air compressor supplies air to the nozzle. A regulator valve allows the pressure at the nozzle to be varied depending upon the type of sheets.

Abstract: An antismear transfer cylinder controls movement of a freshly inked sheet through an offset printing press while protecting the sheet from smearing. The antismear cylinder is mountable adjacent an impression cylinder of the printing press and comprises a cylindrical portion of resilient material mounted on a support wheel. The cylindrical portion includes a pair of axially oriented flanges to provide means for securing the cylindrical portion to the support wheel. The cylindrical portion also includes a circumferential granular surface. An elastic member is attachable to each flange and is stretchably positionable around the circumferential granular surface.

Abstract: A paper support bar for replacing the "star wheels" in a sheet-fed, offset printing press, or the like, having a chain delivery system. The bars are formed from hollow cylinders of a resiliently rigid, non-brittle material having adjustable supports on the ends for releasably connecting the bar to the chains of the press and for centering and horizontally supporting them. In the preferred embodiment, the plastic material is a plastic capable of resisting heat generated by infra red or thermal drying devices sometimes used on the delivery end of a press such as polypropylene or a high density polyethylene and contains an electrically conductive carbon black, antistatic agent, or other triboelectric charge directing agent.

Abstract: In sheet-fed rotary printing machines, a sheet transfer cylinder having a sheet-bearing cylinder jacket formed of a plurality of jacket segments arranged next to one another in circumferential direction of the cylinder, the jacket segments extending at least over a sheet-bearing circumferential area of the sheet transfer cylinder, includes locking elements located at respective ends of the jacket segments and engaging in corresponding receiving elements on end surfaces of the cylinder, the locking elements being a pair of guide cams located at each end of the jacket segments, and the receiving elements being receiving grooves formed concentrically in a support disc defining an end surface of the cylinder, the guide cams being guided in circumferential direction of the cylinder and lockable in the receiving grooves.

Abstract: Smear-free transfer cylinder for sheet-fed rotary printing machines having a cylindrical casing formed with blow holes distributed over the entire sheet-carrying peripheral surface of the cylinder, includes air distribution elements respectively disposed in the blow holes for influencing blowing air flow out of the blow holes for forming a uniform air cushion, the air distribution elements being formed of air-permeable, elastic and slightly compressible material having a low specific gravity.

Abstract: An improved paper support bar for use in a chain driven printing press having a bar (11) that may be permanently attached to the drive chains (17) of a printing press and a plurality of paper supporting fingers (13) snugly disposed thereon for supporting paper (32). Each finger (13) has a hole (27) disposed therethrough that conforms in configuration to the cross section of the bar (11). Each finger (13) also has a plurality of ridges (28) formed thereon to contact the bar (11) and further aid in snugly holding the finger (13) on the bar (11). Each finger (13) also includes an inclined edge (29) formed thereon to present only a very narrow edge (31) to the paper (32) as a support surface.

Abstract: Sheet transport drum assembly in a rotary printing press wherein a sheet being transported rests upon an air cushion formed by blowing air between the jacket of a rotatable transport drum and the sheet, including air nozzle means for producing the air cushion, and sealing strips disposed on the drum jacket for limiting the air cushion at a location of the drum jacket underlying the leading edge and the two lateral edges of the sheet.

Abstract: Sheet carrier device disposed so as to be axially and radially adjustable on a transfer drum in a multicolor rotary printing machine and having axially shiftable carriers extending in circumferential direction on the casing of the drum, sheet carrier elements being interchangeably mounted on the carriers and displaceable in circumferential direction of the drum, the sheet carrier elements having supporting edges whereon a sheet being carried is supported when the carrier elements are in operating position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for printing upon capsules is disclosed which also includes means for restraining freshly printed capsules from adhering to the printing roll. The capsules are restrained against adherence to the printing roll by the interposition of a stripping plate between the print roll and the capsule transport conveyor at a position immediately downstream from the printing location in which the capsules are brought into contact with the printing roll. In another embodiment of the invention, the printing roll is cleaned by the provision of a rotatable cleaning roll.

Abstract: A feed drum assembly for feeding sheets in succession to the impression cylinder of a lithographic printing press which includes a cylindrical mantle having an axially and circumferentially distributed array of spacers which are spaced radially outward from the surface of the mantle at a constant spacing to define a support for the sheet as it makes a partial turn about the drum. An axially extensive nozzle directs air at high velocity in a direction chordwise of the drum and into the region between the sheet and the mantle. The change in direction of the air as it strikes and tends to follow the curved surface of the mantle creates an inward suction upon the sheet to draw the sheet against the spacers and thereby prevent fluttering as the sheet is transported at high speed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the spacers are in the form of small, individually rotatable rollers smoothly surfaces with ink repellent synthetic material.

Abstract: Sheet-carrying disc assembly for a sheet transfer drum carried by a shaft includes a sheet-carrying disc mounted on the drum shaft, a multiplicity of sheet-carrying elements radially adjustable into operative and inoperative positions on the disc, the sheet-carrying elements being constructed as bar-shaped paper carriers disposed at the periphery of the disc, arresting means disposed on the sheet-carrying disc for releasably locking the sheet-carrying elements in the operative and inoperative positions thereof and spring means yieldably biasing the sheet-carrying elements in axial direction of the drum shaft into locking engagement with the arresting means in the operative and inoperative positions of the sheet-carrying elements, each of the bar-shaped paper carriers having a longitudinal axis and being tiltable against the bias of the spring means out of the arresting means about a tilting axis extending in the plane of the sheet carrying disc transversely to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An improved paper handling system includes a pair of work units which sequentially work on opposite sides of a sheet with the same edge of the sheet leading. An inverter between the two work units is effective to invert the sheet in such a manner that the edge of the sheet which leads during passage of the sheet through the first work unit will also lead as the sheet passes through the second work unit. A sheet which has been worked on, first side up, by the first work unit will also lead as the sheet passes through the second work unit. A sheet which has been worked on, first side up, by the first work unit with a head edge of the sheet leading is moved by a first conveyor along a first path into engagement with a stop member which engages the head edge of the sheet to arrest it at a first readiness position. A pusher then engages a side edge of the sheet and pushes it sidewardly.