Abstract: A printing blanket comprising: a) at least one lithographic or printing layer comprising elastomer; b) a compressible layer, c) a reinforcement layer comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of threads and fibers, wherein at least one free extremity edge has a thickness which is reduced by at least 25% in relation to the thickness of the remainder of the blanket, wherein the at least one free extremity edge having reduced thickness comprises between 5-15% of the overall surface area of the blanket, and wherein the lithographic or printing layer, the compressible layer and the reinforcement layer are continuous from one edge of the blanket to the other.

Abstract: A reversible printing blanket to be used with offset printing machines. The reversible printing blanket has two opposing lithographic printing faces. The blanket comprises a first external lithographic layer providing a first printing face, a second external lithographic layer providing a second printing face, and at least one compressible layer between the lithographic layers. Such reversible printing blanket allows impressions to be made by both sides of the blanket in such a way as to permit two separate printing jobs.

Abstract: A sleeve for a cylinder of a printing, coating or the like machine, comprising in particular a lithographic layer, a compressible layer, a support layer and, between the two last layers, a heat-shrinkable layer for permitting the adaptation of the sleeve to the diameter of a cylinder.

Abstract: A lithographic layer for a printing blanket and the printing offset blanket incorporating same, wherein the lithographic layer is made from a thermoplastic material with a polar character providing a maximum transfer of printing ink from the blanket to the paper and is easily washable thereby resulting in a minimum ink consumption.

Abstract: A surface for the transfer of a viscous liquid product to a support including a substrate having a surface to which are grafted distinct zones of at least one material. The materials may be an anti-adherent material, a hydrophilic material, and a hydrophobic material to impart to the surface a heterogeneous structure improving the quality of transfer of the liquid product, such as ink, to a support. This transfer surface may be an offset printing blanket for printing ink on paper.

Abstract: An improved machine for insolating photopolymer plates and comprising a device secured sidewise onto the frame and delivering a flow of cooling air tangentially to the top part of the frame of the machine to avoid the formation of defects on the photosensitive polymer plate disposed upon the top part of the frame, in view of the energy radiated by the ultraviolet source insolating the plate, the machine permitting the insolation of photopolymer plates for flexographic printing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved printing blanket as well as to a printing cylinder fitted with this blanket.This printing blanket essentially comprises a lithographic or printing layer, a compressible layer, an external reinforcing fabric layer, and a layer of polymeric material extending over substantially the whole surface of the reinforcing layer and closely connected to the latter so as to form an integral part of the blanket.This blanket may be mounted in a tight manner onto cylinders for machines for printing newspapers and the like.

Abstract: A belt-shaped element for printing textiles. The belt is a sandwich structure shaped to conform around two textile printing machine cylinders, and operative to move fabric articles thereon past printing stations with minimal registration error. An exemplary belt has at least one outer elastomer layer, or "working layer," and an inner "cylinder" layer that is innermost against the printing machine cylinders. An exemplary cylinder layer comprises a sheet of fibers oriented longitudinally and having a rigidity of 10.sup.6 -10.sup.7 megapascals in the longitudinal direction. Other exemplary belts comprise an intermediate layer between the outer elastomer and inner fiber sheet layers. An exemplary intermediate layer comprises a layer of transverse fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastic and compressible printing blanket element.This element essentially comprises a lithographic or printing layer (1), a hard layer of elastomer (2), a layer of cellular rubber (3), a layer of fabric (4) and another layer (5) of cellular rubber forming a base layer and the modulus of elasticity in compression of which is identical with or smaller than the modulus of elasticity of the layer (3).This printing element or blanket is applicable in any types of offset printing machines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously controlling an endless belt, the belt being driven at a constant rate around at least two rollers spaced apart from each other, marking the belt while it is being driven to obtain successive marks and measuring distances between the successive marks while the belt is being driven. The rate of belt movement is changed in accordance with the distances measured.

Abstract: An exemplary sheet material shrinkage apparatus comprises an endless belt mounted on rotatable cylinders and disposed against a shrinkage cylinder, the belt comprising inward and outward elastomer layers having different elasticity properties.