Abstract: A hopper loader apparatus for transferring and separating individual signatures of sheet material from a vertically aligned, parallelepiped shaped stack of such signatures. The separated, individual signatures may then be subjected to handling operations such as stapling or stitching. The hopper-loader has a first, downwardly inclined, planar conveyor, a second upwardly inclined, planar ramp conveyor which separates individual signatures from the stack and moves the signatures at a faster speed than the first conveyor. An included angle is formed between the first and second conveyors which ranges from about 125.degree. to about 145.degree. . Signatures are delivered to a pocket having spaced side walls and having a floor comprising a third intermittent indexing conveyor which sequentially moves the individual signatures away from the second conveyor and makes them available to stapling or stitching equipment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an article orienting apparatus for use in a printing process. The apparatus includes a power roller inclined at an acute angle to the article path for wrappingly receiving an article. The article is moved from a first orientation to a second orientation. The apparatus further includes a second drum for inverting the moving articles.

Abstract: Corrugated box constructions suitable for packaging, storing and transporting flat rectangular objects such as books and the like. The box has an upper member and a lower member, each with a generally rectangular central panel, a pair of side panels, one of which is hingedly joined to each of the opposite ends of the central panel. Attached to each side panel of the upper member is an underlying panel and attached each side panel of the lower member is an overhanging panel. The side panels of the lower member fold upward, then the overhanging panel folds parallel to the central panel. The side panels of the upper member fold perpendicularly downward, then underlying panel folds under the central panel of the lower member. The upper member is attached to the lower member with an optional adhesive or strap. Preferably an adhesive is situated on the overhanging and underlying panels. The construction allows for packaging products of various sizes and hence greatly reduces waste.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously varying the position of an article carrying platform in response to an inflowing stream of articles placed on the platform. The platform positioning apparatus finds use as part of a vertical stacking machine which stacks an inflowing stream of signatures on the platform. It has a position sensor for detecting the position of the platform and providing a platform position signal to a controller. A controller issues a translation signal to a translation motor responsive to the platform position signal. The translation motor causes the bidirectional translation of the platform responsive to the translation signal from the controller.

Abstract: An improved bundle transfer apparatus for sheet material in signature form is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having rails on which a bundle transfer vehicle is mounted. The bundle transfer vehicle has a platform which is movable to a position under the signatures and a mechanism for raising the platform and the signatures. The signatures on the bundle transfer vehicle are transferred to an end of the table where it is moved by powered rollers to a compression and strapping station where it is tied and delivered for further handling.

Abstract: A system for supplying dampening fluid to a lithographic press dampening system. A metering roller pair is arranged to form a metering nip such that dampening fluid cannot drain away in a circumferential direction when the rollers stop moving. The metering nip constitutes a reservoir capable of being replenished with dampening fluid so the metering rollers can deliver dampening fluid in a manner that prevents contamination. The system includes a pair of metering rollers having a nip at their junction and a sensor for controlling the supply fountain solution available for delivery to the metering nip.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an article orienting apparatus for use in a printing process. The apparatus includes a power roller inclined at an acute angle to the article path for wrappingly receiving an article. The article is moved from a first orientation to a second orientationm. The apparatus further includes a second drum for inverting the moving articles.

Abstract: An improved stacker apparatus for the formation of aligned stacks of signatures from one or more incoming streams of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form. The stacker has an outer framework having an input end and an output end. A stream of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form is accepted at the input end and is passed to a compression conveyor. The compression conveyor has two conveyor belts in compressed opposition to one other which follow an upward arcuate path along a series of idler rollers. The series of idler rollers is mounted to the outer framework by a quick release inner framework. The conveyor transfers the signatures to a receiving station which guides successive signatures into aligned stacking registry with one another. When a conveyor belt breaks, the inner frame is quick released from the outer frame, a new belt is wound around the inner frame, and the inner frame re-mounted.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for feeding, bundling and transporting a stream of sheets, such as printed sheets in signature form. A vertical stacking machine stacks a stream of signatures and then clamps, compresses and straps the signatures into a bundle for transportation and delivery. The machine has a pair of improved bar clamps for preventing sheet drift during compression and strapping. The clamps attach each bar to a driving mechanism in a cantilevered fashion. Each bar is only attached to the driving mechanism at the top and/or the center portion of the bar. The opposite, bottom end of each bar is free of attachment to the driving mechanism. As a result, a critical obstruction is removed.

Abstract: An improved bundle transfer apparatus for sheet material in signature form is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having rails on which a bundle transfer vehicle is mounted. The bundle transfer vehicle has a platform which is movable to a position under the signatures and a means for raising the platform and the signatures. The signatures on the bundle transfer vehicle are transferred to an end of the table where it is compressed and tied.

Abstract: Corrugated box constructions suitable for packaging, storing and transporting flat rectangular objects such as books and the like. The box has a generally rectangular central panel, a pair of side panels hingedly joined to one of the opposite ends of the central panel. The side panels fold first perpendicularly and then parallel to the central panel and have a leaf-spring terminus. A top panel is hingedly joined to one of the transverse sides of the central panel. The top panel folds first perpendicularly upward, then parallel, then perpendicularly downward and under the central panel. The construction allows for packaging products of various sizes and yet provides a cushioned retention of the product without changing the carton size.

Abstract: An improved stacker apparatus for the formation of aligned stacks of signatures from one or more incoming streams of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form. The stacker has an outer framework having an input end and an output end. A stream of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form is accepted at the input end and is passed to a compression conveyor. The compression conveyor has two conveyor belts in compressed opposition to one other which follow an upward arcuate path along a series of idler rollers. The series of idler rollers is mounted to the outer framework by a quick release inner framework. The conveyor transfers the signatures to a receiving station which guides successive signatures into aligned stacking registry with one another. When a conveyor belt breaks, the inner frame is quick released from the outer frame, a new belt is wound around the inner frame, and the inner frame re-mounted.

Abstract: A rotating brush cleaning system is provided for removing debris, lint and ink from components of printing devices. Operation is effected by an air cylinder which periodically urges a rotating spiral brush cleaner against the component of the printing device and retracts the cleaner from the component of the printing device. The action of the cleaner in combination with rotation of the component of the printing device is such as to loosen dust and lint from the component, which dust and lint is then drawn into a vacuum system that surrounds the cleaner.

Abstract: A spray blanket cleaning system is provided for removing piling, lint and ink from blanket cylinders in a plurality of web or offset printing presses. Operation is effected by fluid control systems that direct solvent, water and air to spray systems in specific quantities and at specific pressures. The spray systems are point of use systems that mix solvent and water in a tube then eject the mixture to a connecting spray bar. The mixed fluid is then ejected by air pressure through the spray bar as sprayed fluid. The action of the spray in combination with the rotation of the blanket cylinder and the web, is such as to loosen dust, debris and lint from the blanket cylinder and collect it on the web passing out of the system.

Abstract: A vacuum blanket cleaning system is provided for removing dust, lint or ink from a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press during the uninterrupted course of a press run. Operation is effected by an air cylinder which periodically urges a cleaner against the blanket cylinder and retracts the cleaner from the blanket cylinder for replacement or maintenance. The action of the cleaner in combination with rotation of the blanket cylinder is such as to loosen dust and lint from the blanket cylinder, which dust and lint is then drawn into a vacuum system that surrounds the cleaner.

Abstract: A spray blanket cleaning system is provided for removing piling, lint and ink from blanket cylinders in a plurality of web or offset printing presses. Operation is effected by fluid control systems that direct solvent, water and air to spray systems in specific quantities and at specific pressures. The spray systems are point of use systems that mix solvent and water in a tube then eject the mixtrue to a connecting spray bar. The mixed fluid is then ejected by air pressure through the spray bar as sprayed fluid. The action of the spray in combination with the rotation of the blanket cylinder and the web, is such as to loosen dust, debris and lint from the blanket cylinder and collect it on the web passing out of the system.

Abstract: A cloth roll and mechanism for supporting and controlling feeding of the cloth from the cloth roll for cleaning a blanket cylinder of a lithographic press.

Abstract: An internal worm drive has a worm gear and a substantially hollow tubular worm with an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface has at least one internal worm thread mating the worm gear. The axis of the worm gear is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular worm. Utilizing the tubular worm with the threaded internal surface in conjunction with the mating worm gear is an oscillating roller assembly suitable for use as an ink roller in lithographic presses. The oscillating roller assembly has a shaft, and a bearing unit mounted along the shaft. The worm gear having a plurality of teeth is contained in a slotted space in the bearing unit and the shaft such that the rotational axis of the worm gear is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bearing unit and the shaft. The slotted space has first and second opposite longitudinal ends within the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for cleaning printing press components with carbon dioxide snow or pellets. Upon impact, the snow or pellets dislodge debris adhering to the components and sublime to a non-hazardous gas. A typical component cleaned by the present invention would be a rotating blanket cylinder of an offset printing press. The snow or pellets are typically conveyed by an air stream under pressure to a moving nozzle, a series of fixed nozzles, or some other dispensing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the level of the ink in the ink fountain of offset printing presses, using an ultrasonic transducer for measuring the distance between the ink and the transducer which includes a microprocessor system for calculating a time duration of an ink feed cycle to fill the ink fountain to a preset ink level and for generating an ink cycle control signal based on time duration data and ink viscosity characteristics. A control valve activated by the ink cycle control signal delivers ink to the ink fountain.