Abstract: Web cooling device where liquid is applied to both sides of a hot web to enhance cooling via evaporation of the liquid from the web.

Abstract: An offset lithographic printing press has a source of ink (40), a source of dampening liquid (42), and a first means for transferring and emulsifying ink and dampening liquid. The first means includes a plate cylinder (12) for carrying a printing plate (18). A second means (96 or 150) is selectively actuatable while the plate cylinder (12) is rotating and transferring the image from the printing plate (18) to the material being printed (24). The second means (96 or 150), when actuated, causes the first means to emulsify ink and dampening liquid to minimize undesirable amounts of dampening liquid on the printing plate (18). A third means (100 or 200) selectively actuates the second means (96 or 150) when undesirable amounts of dampening liquid are present on the printing plate (18).

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus rotates the plate cylinder steadily with a minimum of torsional interference caused by impact of the reciprocating ductor roll with the vibrator roll. The vibrator roll is driven to rotate independently of rotation of the other rolls which lead successively to the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A folder apparatus of a web-fed printing press having a printed-product delivery with two fan arrangements, each of which is formed of a plurality of mutually adjacent fans spaced-apart from one another on a common axis, the respective common axis of each of the two fan arrangements being disposed parallel to the common axis of the other, each of the fans of one of the fan arrangments being disposed adjacent to an in a respective common plane with a respective one of the fans of the other of the fan arrangements, each of the fans being formed with blades having tips located at a circumference of the respective fan, the circumference of the fans in the respective common plane intersecting with one another, and a device provided on the fans for preventing a collision of respective blade tips of the fans disposed in the respective common plane.

Abstract: A folding apparatus for a rotary printing machine with two folding formers arranged one behind the other, nip rollers and cutting cylinders for two paper webs longitudinally folding by the folding formers, as well as deflectors, fans and deliveries for streams of folded products formed of the folded paper webs cut by the cutting cylinders, comprising a pair of first frame members carrying the nip rollers and the cutting cylinders therebetween, a second frame member at least partly disposed between the pair of first frames and intermediate the two product streams, idler means, diverter rollers and delivery devices for the folded products being mounted in cantilevered fashion on both sides of the second frame member.

Abstract: A folder of a web-fed rotary printing machine includes a device for separating a stream of signatures into a plurality of secondary streams thereof having a device for applying an electrostatic charge to a signature, two diverter cylinders disposed alongside one another and carrying thereon electrostatically chargeable elements extending substantially parallel to respective axes of the diverter cylinders, a device for conducting the signature to the diverter cylinders, and a device for removing the signature from the diverter cylinders and for further guiding the signature to a delivery.

Abstract: The position of a drive shaft of a printing press is regulated during acceleration of the printing press. A position regulator includes a first integrator and a second integrator connected in tandem with the first integrator. The first integrator provides an output signal corresponding to the integral of the difference between a first position signal indicative of the desired position of the drive shaft and a second position signal indicative of the actual position of the drive shaft. The second integrator responds to the output signal from the first integrator to provide a control signal. A control asrrangement responds to the control signal from the second integrator to accelerate the drive shaft. During acceleration of the drive shaft, the difference between the first and second position signals is driven to a value of zero.

Abstract: An improved folder apparatus includes a first folder assembly which forms a first fold in sheet material along the path of movement of the sheet material. A second folder assembly forms a second fold in the sheet material in a direction extending transversely to the path of movement of the sheet material. A third folder assembly forms a third fold in the sheet material with the first and third folds extending along the path of movement of the sheet material through the third folder assembly and the second fold at a leading edge portion of the sheet material. During the forming of the three folds, the sheet material is continuously moved through the folder assemblies without stopping. The third folder assembly includes an array of upper and lower tapes. The array of tapes tapers from a wide inlet portion of the third folder assembly toward a discharge portion of a third folder assembly.

Abstract: An anglebar and/or a compensator roller in a folder of a printing press is adjustable. A motor has an output shaft operatively connected with the anglebar and/or the compensator roller to, when driven, adjust the position of the anglebar and/or the compensator roller. A tachometer provides a speed reference signal indicative of the speed of movement of a web of sheet material relative to the anglebar and/or the compensator roller. A web position sensor provides an adjustment control signal indicating that the anglebar and/or the compensator roller should be adjusted. A computer responds to the speed reference signal and the adjustment control signal to control a DC drive. The DC drive drives the motor at a speed which varies with the speed of movement of the web of sheet material. The anglebar and/or the compensator roller is thereby moved to a desired position at a rate which is a function of the speed of movement of the web of sheet material relative to the anglebar and/or the compensator roller.

Abstract: An improved folder includes a first series of belts which grips and moves sheet material along converging deflectors to fold the sheet material. As the space between the deflectors narrows, a second series of belts grips the sheet material and continues its movement between the deflectors. The first series of belts includes a first plurality of tapes disposed on a first side of a fold line and a second plurality of tapes disposed on a second side of the fold line. The second series of belts includes a pair of creaser belts which extend from between the tapes to an outlet portion of the folder. The speed of movement of the tapes and creaser belts is coordinated by using speed signal generators which are driven at the speed of movement of the tapes and creaser belts. A controller compares the speed signals and maintains a desired relationship between the speed of movement of the tapes and creaser belts. It is believed that the creaser belts will usually be driven at the same speed.

Abstract: An improved folder apparatus includes a first folder assembly which forms a first fold in sheet material along the path of movement of the sheet material. A second folder assembly forms a second fold in the sheet material in a direction extending transversely to the path of movement of the sheet material. A third folder assembly forms a third fold in the sheet material with the first and third folds extending along the path of movement of the sheet material through the third folder assembly and the second fold at a leading edge portion of the sheet material. During the forming of the three folds, the sheet material is continuously moved through the folder assemblies without stopping. The third folder assembly includes an array of upper and lower tapes. The array of tapes tapers from a wide inlet portion of the third folder assembly toward a discharge portion of a third folder assembly.

Abstract: A chill roll assembly for a printing press scrubs away boundary layers of air and vapors adhered to both side surfaces of a paper web moving through the chill roll assembly. The chill rolls are supported on separate frames which are adjustable relative to one another. Adjustment of the frames moves the chill rolls into and out of positions in which surfaces of the web sections moving in opposite directions around the rolls are held in closely spaced relationship to define a zone of interference. The boundary layers adhering to the closely spaced surfaces of the moving web sections are scrubbed away in the zone of interference.

Abstract: A signature handling apparatus includes a first conveyor which sequentially moves signatures to a discharge station. At the discharge station, the signatures are sequentially transferred to a receiving conveyor. A corrugator assembly is located at the discharge station to stiffen the signatures by forming corrugations which extend between leading and trailing end portions of the signatures. Although the corrugations are only temporarily maintained in the signature, the corrugator assembly is close enough to the receiving conveyor so that a corrugation is maintained in a signature as a leading end portion of the signature moves to the receiving conveyor. Thus, the corrugator assembly is spaced from the receiving conveyor by a distance which is less than the distance between the leading and trailing end portions of the signatures.

Abstract: An improved folder apparatus includes a first folder assembly which forms a first fold in sheet material along the path of movement of the sheet material. A second folder assembly forms a second fold in the sheet material in a direction extending transversely to the path of movement of the sheet material. A third folder assembly forms a third fold in the sheet material with the first and third folds extending along the path of movement of the sheet material through the third folder assembly and the second fold at a leading edge portion of the sheet material. During the forming of the three folds, the sheet material is continuously moved through the folder assemblies without stopping. The third folder assembly includes an array of upper and lower tapes. The array of tapes tapers from a wide inlet portion of the third folder assembly toward a discharge portion of a third folder assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling fluid flow at a flow control location between first and second rollers. Each roller is rotatable about its longitudinal central axis. The two rollers are disposed adjacent to each other so as to form a flow control location or nip between the rollers. The nip has an entrance side and an exit side. As the rollers rotate, fluid from a fluid pan is carried on the outer surface of the first roller to the entrance side of the nip. Some of the fluid at the nip is transferred onto the outer surface of the second roller. As the rollers continue to rotate, the fluid flows out of the nip at the exit side of the nip. An excess fluid condition occurs at the nip when the amount of fluid flow to the entrance side of the nip exceeds the amount of fluid flow from the exit side of the nip. A brass collar is connected at one end of the first roller. Another brass collar is connected at the outer end of the first roller.

Abstract: An ink distributor roll is made of base rubber and two soft rubber helixes. When the ink distributor roll is used adjacent another roll, the soft rubber helixes deform to form pockets between the ink distributor roll and the other roll. The pockets move ink from the end portions of the ink distributor roll toward the center portion of the roll to prevent a buildup of ink at the end portions of the roll.

Abstract: An improved dampener roll is used to transfer dampening fluid from a reservoir to a printing plate in a lithographic printing press. The dampener roll includes an array of bristles which extends between opposite ends of the dampener fountain roll. The array of bristles includes a central portion and first and second end portions which are disposed at opposite ends of the roll. The bristles at the first and second end portions of the array of bristles are longer than the bristles at the central portion of the array of bristles.

Abstract: An improved printing apparatus and method includes plate and blanket cylinders which are rotated at different surface speeds during printing on material. Since the plate and blanket cylinders are rotated at different surface speeds, the area on a blanket cylinder which engages a given portion of the surface on a plate cylinder is changed on each revolution of the blanket cylinder. Therefore, the area of a blanket cylinder which is engaged by the gap in the plate cylinder changes during a printing operation. In addition, the area where an image is applied to the blanket cylinder is moved relative to the surface of the blanket cylinder is tend to minimize build up of ink on the blanket cylinder during printing. The plate and blanket cylinders are driven at different surface speeds by a drive assembly which includes a harmonic drive unit.

Abstract: A delivery fan includes a plurality of blades defining a fan pocket for receiving a signature. The plurality of blades includes two sets of blades. The blades of one set are axially equally spaced apart and define one side of the pocket. The blades of the other set are axially equally spaced apart and define the other side of the pocket. The blades of both sets of blades have surfaces for engaging opposite sides of the signature and for deforming the signature into undulations extending in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the signature. While the signature is being engaged and deformed, the frictional contact between the signature and the surfaces in the pocket slows down the signature. This minimizes buckling and/or bouncing of the signature in the pocket.

Abstract: A stainless steel cylinder roller comprises a longitudinal groove formed in the cylinder. The groove has opposed edges extending from the outer surface of the cylinder inwardly with reference to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. A weld covering is on the cylinder and extends into the groove and covers the edges. The depth of the weld on the edge being greater than the depth of the weld on the outer surface of the cylinder.