Abstract: An ink level control for a printing press is disclosed having an ultrasonic ink level sensor to receive an echo signal representative of the level of the ink in the ink fountain. A control is provided whereby the ink level is maintained at a desired operating level and conditions of excessively low and high ink levels are also detected by the sensor. An echo loss detection network is provided to warn the operator and inhibit ink feeds. The control is designed to prevent overflow of the ink fountain.

Abstract: A non-rotating wedge-shaped ink agitator which reciprocates within an ink fountain along the length of an ink fountain roller. The ink agitator has a substantially flat bottom surface, side surfaces extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom surface and a top surface which slopes toward the end of the agitator adjacent the ink fountain roller.

Abstract: A system for mixing concentrate and water continuously and automatically including a water supply system and a concentrate system which systems feed into a common conduit to mix the concentrate and water to form a fountain solution. The water supply system has a water motor and is interconnected with valves for controlling the flow of water to and from the water motor. The concentrate system includes a concentrate pump and a concentrate supply valve for controlling the flow of concentrate to and from the concentrate pump.The water motor is interconnected with the concentrate pump to thereby drive the concentrate pump and the stroke of the concentrate pump is variable to permit variations in the concentrate and water mixture.The operation of the water system and the concentrate system is controlled by a pneumatic system which is activated by the water motor.

Abstract: A device for scraping the ink film including lint and debris from an ink fountain roller consisting of a relatively thin, relatively narrow, flexible blade positioned in contact with the surface of the ink fountain roller, the blade being reciprocated along the length of the roller so as to remove ink, lint and debris from the surface of the roller to thereby prevent clogging of the ink metering nip.

Abstract: A system for controlling the viscosity of flexographic and gravure printing ink. The system includes a variable weight hydrometer which monitors the density of circulating printing ink. The hydrometer is in cooperative relationship with a supply of solvent. When the density goes above a predetermined level solvent is fed to the ink until the predetermined level is reached.

Abstract: An automatic blanket cylinder cleaner having a cleaner fabric adapted to contact the blanket cylinder. A cleaning cloth supply roller provides cloth for the cloth take-up roll. Positioned between these rolls is a water solvent dispensing tube, a solvent dispensing tube and an inflatable and deflatable mechanical loosening means which is adapted to move the cleaning fabric into and out of contact with the blanket cylinder. An air dryer means dries the blanket cylinder after the cleaning of debris. An advancing means advances the cleaning cloth intermittently onto the take-up roller by a control means in contact with the take-up roll which provides for uniform cloth advance during the cleaning cycle. There is a control means providing automatic and manual control.

Abstract: A printing press liquid circulation system including an anti-foaming device, the system being of the type wherein flow of liquid from a fountain pan to a reservoir is induced or suctioned through a return conduit by connecting the return conduit to a suction inlet of an aspirator. In order to reduce or eliminate the tendency of the aspirator to draw or suction air through the return conduit and, thus reduce or eliminate foaming in the system, the suction pressure in the return conduit is controlled to eliminate the suctioning of air through the return conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning the ink roller of a printing press. There are two embodiments. There is an ink pan and cleaning blade assembly. The cleaning blade is adapted to engage the ink roller to clean the same. There are mounting brackets attached to the press frame.There are angle brackets which include saddles adapted to receive flanges on the ink pan and cleaning blade assembly. There are locking levers on the angle brackets having use and non-use positions. When in use the locking lever cooperates with the saddles to lock the ink pan and cleaning blade assembly in position on the angle bracket. When not in use the locking lever is maintained in an out-of-the-way position. There are cam means which cause movement of the angle bracket and hence the ink and pan cleaning blade assembly so that the cleaning blade can contact or not contact the ink roller, as desired.

Abstract: A rectilinear positioning mechanism for precisely controlling the rectilinear position of an output member. The rectilinear positioning mechanism of this invention includes a relatively thin beam which is flexible particularly along its longitudinal length. The flexible beam is fixed against movement at one end while the other end is free to move in the longitudinal direction.There is an input mechanism located between the ends of the flexible beam for deflecting the center of the flexible beam in a controlled, precise manner to thereby change the position of the free end of the beam.The mechanism has utility as a positioning means generally and for positioning the ends of segments of a metering blade with respect to the ink fountain roller in an ink fountain assembly.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for locating the edge of an ink metering means with respect to the ink fountain roller of a printing press. The positioning mechanism includes a metering means support block which is pivotally mounted to the press frame and on which the metering means is mounted. There is a torsion bar to which are keyed a first lever means. The first lever means is pivotally connected to a second lever means. The second lever means is also pivotally connected to the press frame. The torsion bar has mounted thereon a worm gear which is in mesh with a worm operated by a handle to cause pivotal movement of the metering means support block. The ink metering means support block has stop means thereon in the form of curved surfaces or cheeks. The curved surfaces or cheeks directly engage the ink fountain roller to precisely position the metering means with respect to the ink fountain roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of joining at least two layers of material one of which is made of weldable material. At least one of the layers of material has an opening therein for receiving a ball of weldable material so that the ball rests in contact with the layer of weldable material. The diameter of the hole is in the range of 94% to 96% the diameter of the ball. The diameter of the ball is in the range of 2T to 5T where T is the thickness of the layer of material having the opening therein. Heat and pressure are applied in sufficient amounts and for a sufficient time to weld the ball to the layer of weldable material. The ball is deformed so that it overlaps the other layer in part so as to attach the two layers.

Abstract: A method of removing ink from an ink drum wherein the plunger remains substantially uncontaminated which comprises positioning an open ended plastic sleeve over the drum of ink, gathering the edges of one end of the sleeve together, inserting the gathered edges of the sleeve through an aperture in a collar having a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the drum, positioning that portion of the sleeve that has been inserted through the collar about the container again and whereby when a plunger is lowered into engagement with the sleeve ink is forced into the pump tube.

Abstract: A sheet material decurling apparatus for use with a machine having a sheet conveyor comprises a trough member which includes two elongate, sheet supporting members, each having an arcuate upper surface with a radius greater than 250t, where t is the thickness of the sheet material. An elongate fillet, curved in the direction opposite to and joining the sheet supporting member surfaces, has a radius less than 15t. Further, the angle formed between the planes tangent to the sheet supporting member surfaces at the lines of transition therefrom into the fillet is in the range of 60.degree. to 120.degree.. A series of vacuum conduits are disposed in the trough member adjacent the bottom of the fillet and have a total cross-sectional area of approximately 0.07 inches square per linear foot of trough member. A vacuum pump is connected to the vacuum conduits to effect air flow downwardly through the trough member.