Abstract: Improved compositions for coating paper stock, methods of forming such compositions, and methods of coating paper stock with those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion including therein from about 20-45% by weight filler (e.g., a starch such as wheat starch) and from about 6-18% by weight wheat gluten. Preferably, the gluten is initially modified with a reducing agent so that the average molecular weight of the gluten is less than about 1,000 kDa. The compositions have a viscosity of up to about 2000 cP and a solids content of from about 25-57% by weight, thus making them suitable for high speed coating of paper stock. The finished, coated stock may be conventionally printed to achieve high gloss end products. The compositions are preferably water soluble, thereby greatly facilitating repulping of the coated stock.

Abstract: A processing station (10) for high speed printing, handling and die cutting of blanks or blanks (26) is provided which includes a clamshell-type die cutter (12), as well as a feeding device (14) including a transfer mechanism (16) and pickup member (18). The station (10) may also include a printing assembly (20) and a cut blank removal assembly (22). In operation, individual blanks (26) from a stack (28) are successively fed by the transfer mechanism (16) and are picked up by the member (18); the blanks are delivered to the die cutter (12) when the latter is open and after die cutting the removal assembly (22) is employed to lift the cut blank (26) from the cutter (12) and shift the blank (26) to a slide plate (116). A pusher bar (122) then operates to move the cut blank (26) to an outfeed conveyer (146). The station (10) is capable of handling relatively thick corrugated blanks (26) at high speed and without constant operator attendance.

Abstract: Improved compositions for coating paper stock, methods of forming such compositions, and methods of coating paper stock with those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion including therein from about 20-45% by weight filler (e.g., a starch such as wheat starch) and from about 6-18% by weight wheat gluten. Preferably, the gluten is initially modified with a reducing agent so that the average molecular weight of the gluten is less than about 1,000 kDa. The compositions have a viscosity of up to about 2000 cP and a solids content of from about 25-57% by weight, thus making them suitable for high speed coating of paper stock. The finished, coated stock may be conventionally printed to achieve high gloss end products. The compositions are preferably water soluble, thereby greatly facilitating repulping of the coated stock.

Abstract: An improved scoring apparatus of the type used in box making operations for the purpose of creating strategically located scores and cuts in box blanks that define the folding lines and tabs of the finished boxes. The scoring apparatus includes a selectively retractable scoring blade that can be pivoted between an extended position and a retracted position during operation of the scoring apparatus for permitting scoring and cutting along any position of the box blanks.

Abstract: A box blank forming apparatus includes at least one printing assembly, a slotting assembly, and a feeding and conveying mechanism for feeding blanks through the apparatus. The printing assembly includes a rotatable printing cylinder, and the slotting assembly includes a rotatable blade. The feeding and conveying mechanism brings the blanks into contact with the printing cylinder and the slotter blade to complete printing and slotting operations on the blanks in the formation of boxes. An interrupter is provided in association with the printing assembly for removing the blanks from contact with the printing cylinder, and similar structure can also be provided with the slotting assembly for removing the blanks from contact with the slotter blade. A controller is provided for controlling operation of the interrupter of the printing assembly.

Abstract: An improved slotter wheel apparatus (10) designed for use in the formation of box blanks is disclosed. The apparatus (10) includes a rotatable drive shaft (22), a slotter blade (16) supported on the drive shaft (22) and blade coupling structure (20). The slotter blade coupling structure (20) is operable for selectively coupling the slotter blade (16) with the rotating drive shaft (22) so that the slotter blade (16) is rotated by the shaft (22) and slots blanks passing under the apparatus (10). The slotter blade coupling structure (20) is also operable for selectively decoupling the slotter blade (16) from the drive shaft (22) to prevent the slotter blade (16) from slotting blanks passing under the apparatus (10). In a preferred construction of the invention, the slotter blade coupling structure (20) includes a clutch assembly (76), a brake assembly (78), and a controller (82) for controlling the operation of the clutch and brake assemblies.

Abstract: A unitary, thermo-formed synthetic resin packing element (10) is provided which is adapted to fit over the ends of a pair of fluorescent tubes (50, 52). The element (10) includes a pair of elongated, juxtaposed, interconnected tubular members (16, 18) each having a closed end (20, 22) and a series of axially extending, deformable, concavo-convex ribs (34, 36). The central axes (46, 48) of the tubular members (16, 18) are preferably non-parallel prior to fitting of the tubular members (16, 18) over the ends of the fluorescent tubes (50, 52); this assists in maintaining the element (10) in place and increases the overall integrity of the final two fluorescent tube package (66).

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the registration of a multi-unit printing press for corrugated board materials permits the use of AC motors for driving the printing press. A master AC motor drives a master printing unit, and a master AC driving device is electrically coupled to the master AC motor for controlling the speed of the master AC motor. A master pulse generating device produces output pulses relating to the rotary motion of the master printing unit. A follower AC motor drives a follower printing unit, and a follower AC driving device electrically coupled to the follower AC motor controls the speed of the follower AC motor relative to the master AC motor. A follower pulse generating device produces output pulses relating to the rotary motion of the follower printing unit.

Abstract: Improved slotter wheel apparatus (20) for use in the formation of box blanks is provided which includes a rotatable wheel (22) supporting a shiftable blade holder (24) and a slotting blade (26), with cooperating cam track (174) and follower (86) structure for selective shifting of blade (26) between an extended slotting position and a retracted blank-clearing position. An activation/deactivation assembly (30) allows the operator to separate cam track (174) from follower (88), thereby permitting use of apparatus (20) as a conventional, high speed, fixed blade slotter. A shock absorbing assembly (27) including a bridge piece (138) operably coupled with blade holder (24) and resilient pads (152, 154) serve to absorb potentially destructive mechanical loads experienced during outward shifting of the blade holder (24) and blade (26).

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the steam conversion of dilute printer ink washup fluids, and especially those of a single color, in order to permit reuse of the ink fraction of the fluids as reconstituted printing inks. Preferably, the washup fluids are acidified to create a pin floc therein, with a final pH of from about 2-7; the acidified fluid is then contacted with a stream of steam in a hydroheater (16) in order to convert the residual ink fraction and permit reconstitution thereof into printing ink. The acidifying agent is preferably an acid polymer or an inorganic acid such as HCl or H.sub.2 SO.sub.4.

Abstract: Improved bladders (174-178) having a cross-sectional U-shape are provided for a rotatable slotter head assembly (120) of the type used in the slotting of box blanks is provided which includes mechanism (128) permitting rapid and easy alteration of the circumferential position of the cutting knives (126) carried by the assembly (120). Preferably, the assembly (120) includes a rotatable body (124) provided with an elongated, peripheral, knife-receiving slot (168) defined by fixed backing plates (158 ) and laterally shiftable locking plates (188). The selectively inflatable resilient bladders (174-178) are carried by the head assembly (120) and, when inflated, shift the associated movable locking plates (188) against the cutting knives (126), thereby firmly locking the latter in place. When knife adjustment is desired, one or more of the appropriate bladders (174-178) are deflated, the knives (126) are shifted as desired, and the bladders (174-178) are reinflated.

Abstract: An improved slotter wheel mechanism (30) designed for use in the formation of box blanks is provided which includes a rotatable wheel assembly (32) supporting one or more slotter blades (34); the blades (34) are coupled to the wheel by means (36) permitting shifting of the blades (34) during rotation of the wheel assembly (32) between an extended slotting position and a retracted blank-clearing position. A cam assembly (406) presents a shiftable cam portion (424) that can be shifted to select a blade extended or retracted position for blade sections (304, 306, and 326) which are interconnected by a respective pivot couplings (332 and 334). The assembly (406) further includes a locking link assembly (448) for locking the blade holder (438) and thereby the blades (442 and 448a, 440b) in the selected position during rotation through the bottom portion of the arc of travel.

Abstract: A method for recovery of printing ink wastes is provided which greatly minimizes pollution problems attendant to the disposal of ink wastes, while permitting formulation of usable ink products from the wastes. The method involves first creating a flowable stream of material including the ink wastes, and directing this stream to a hydroheater (16) along with incoming steam. In the hydroheater (16), the ink wastes are subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures, and intense shear, creating a homogeneous, flowable output. This output may then be dried and powdered, and the powder may be reconstituted as a black ink suitable for commercial printing operations. If desired, the hydroheater (16) output may be treated in a filter press (252) to obtain a filter cake (258), and this cake (258) may be subsequently subdivided and treated with ink carriers to form a processing ink.

Abstract: Multiple-station article processing apparatus (10) is provided which includes an adjustable processing station (14), a drive train (20), and a selectively operable drive train brake assembly (22) operable during adjustment of station (14). The preferred apparatus (10) is designed for fabrication of box blanks, and to this end includes an infeed assembly (12) for sequentially feeding paperboard sheets into the downstream scoring/slotting station where the sheets are scored and slotted to yield finished box blanks. During makeready adjustments when the position of the knives (66, 68) of the station (14) are changed, the braking assembly (22) is actuated to prevent unintended rotation of the drive train (20), which can result in changing the properly timed relationship of the stations within apparatus (10).

Abstract: Box blank-forming apparatus (60) is provided which includes a feeder assembly (62) and a scoring/slotting assembly (64) each provided with adjustment structure (62a, 64a) to facilitate makeready adjustment of the apparatus (60) between production runs. The feeder assembly (62) preferably includes a reciprocal pusher element (170) operable to successively engage sheets (30) to be formed into box blanks (36). The element (170) is supported by a pair of elongated, threaded, axially rotatable, fore and aft translatable positioning screws (146, 148), so that upon rotation of the screws (146, 148), a reference position of the pusher element (170) may be varied. Adjustment of the assembly (64) is accomplished by means of compensators (292, 294) which are respectively coupled to associated slotter wheel and scoring wheel shafts (288, 286).

Abstract: An improved slotter wheel mechanism (30) designed for use in the formation of box blanks is provided which includes a rotatable wheel assembly (32) supporting one or more slotter blades (34); the blades (34) are coupled to the wheel by means (36) permitting shifting of the blades (34) during rotation of the wheel assembly (32) between an extended slotting position and a retracted blank-clearing position. In one embodiment, a slotter wheel (222) is equipped with a plurality of spiders (232) operatively secured to corresponding blade holders (246). As the wheel (222) rotates, the spiders (232) encounter strategically located members (294, 294a, 296 and 296a) serving to successively rotate the spiders (232), thus moving the blade holders (246) and blades (256).

Abstract: Box blank-forming apparatus (60) is provided which includes a feeder assembly (62) and a scoring/slotting assembly (64) each provided with adjustment structure (62a, 64a) to facilitate makeready adjustment of the apparatus (60) between production runs. The feeder assembly (62) preferably includes a reciprocal pusher element (170) operable to successively engage sheets (30) to be formed into box blanks (36). The element (170) is supported by a pair of elongated, threaded, axially rotatable, fore and aft translatable positioning screws (146, 148), so that upon rotation of the screws (146, 148), a reference position of the pusher element (170) may be varied. Adjustment of the assembly (64) is accomplished by means of compensators (292, 294) which are respectively coupled to associated slotter wheel and scoring wheel shafts (288, 286).

Abstract: An improved slotter wheel mechanism designed for use in the formation of box blanks is provided which includes a rotatable wheel assembly supporting one or more slotter blades; the blades are coupled to the wheel by means permitting shifting of the blades during rotation of the wheel assembly between an extended slotting position and a retracted blank-clearing position. In one embodiment, the blades are supported on respective blade holders each having a cam secured thereto. A stationary yoke plate adjacent the wheel assembly supports a pair of inner and outer cam grooves adapted to receive the blade holder cams. A shiftable, grooved cam switch is operatively interposed in the cam arrangement for selectively directing the blade holder cams into one or the other of the cam grooves, thereby camming the associated blade holders and blades between their respective positions.

Abstract: Box blank-forming apparatus (60) is provided which includes a feeder assembly (62) and a scoring/slotting assembly (64) each provided with adjustment structure (62a, 64a) to facilitate makeready adjustment of the apparatus (60) between production runs. The feeder assembly (62) includes a reciprocal pusher element (170) operable to successively engage sheets (30) to be formed into box blanks (36). The element (170) is supported by a pair of elongated, threaded, axially rotatable, fore and aft translatable positioning screws (146, 148), so that upon rotation of the screws (146, 148), a reference position of the pusher element (170) may be varied. This variance is monitored by a servo-sensor (270) for automated control.