Abstract: A printing press, especially of the offset newspaper printing type, includes an anti-wrinkle roller to function in cooperation with a web of paper being printed by the press. The roller has a pair of sections which are each independently adjustable eccentrically with respect to a common central axis. The roller is mounted transverse to the web. The eccentrically adjustable sections of the roller are manipulative to compensate for uneven tension across the width of the web so as to provide uniform tension and thereby reduce wrinkles produced by uneven tension in the web. Manual adjustment knobs or remotely controlled motors may be alternatively utilized to selectively adjust the eccentricity of the roller sections relative to one another and to the central axis thereof.

Abstract: An ink pump adapted for use with a rotary printing press comprising four pump bodies each having individual pumping units. The pumping units include a plunger shaft which rotates and reciprocates within a sleeve having an inlet and an outlet port. The shaft includes a cut-out portion which comprises a piston surface for pumping the ink upon the reciprocation of the shaft. A sliding shoe is eccentrically positioned relative to an axis of the shaft and rides upon a movable planar wobble plate angled relative to an axis of the shaft, providing the impetus for the reciprocating motion of the shaft. When the wobble plate is rotated to a position where it is normal to an axis of the plunger shaft, a zero set adjustment screw contacts the shaft axially, prohibiting the shaft from contacting the wobble plate and reciprocating.

Abstract: Web letterpress equipment is converted to offset lithographic equipment by modification of a driven letterpress impression cylinder to receive an offset blanket, thereby producing an offset blanket cylinder. A letterpress plate cylinder is modified to become an offset plate cylinder with accompanying offset inking and dampening equipment. In one embodiment a drive letterpress plate cylinder of a color hump is packed to become an offset impression cylinder cooperating with the offset blanket cylinder. In a second embodiment the letterpress plate cylinder of the color hump is modified to an offset color plate cylinder and a driven offset impression cylinder is added to cooperate with the offset blanket cylinder. In this manner at least two colors may be offset printed on one side of a web.

Abstract: A self-cleaning nozzle for lithographic printing dampeners includes a central liquid duct and an air expansion chamber surrounding the liquid duct and defined by a cylindrical wall closed at an entrance end by a baffle having circumferential slits therethrough and at an exit end by a planar end wall spaced from the termination of the liquid duct and forming a mixing corridor therebetween. The end wall is positioned perpendicular to the liquid duct and to the direction of air traveling through the expansion chamber, thereby increasing turbulence in the air to more effectively break up the liquid stream into fine droplets. A slot orifice is formed in the end wall and is defined by a peripheral surface which forms an acute angle with an inner surface of the end wall and an obtuse angle with the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A multiple spray nozzle, offset press dampening system of the type having individual metering pumps for the respective nozzles utilizes a device for opening the pump output valves while maintaining dampening liquid feed pressure substantially elevated, thereby purging feed lines, pump passageways and pump chambers of bubbles and particles which would interfere with accurate metering. Constant recirculation and filtering of the feed liquid under pressure maintains purging liquid substantially bubble and particle free.

Abstract: Dampening rolls receive spray from a multi-nozzle spray member having a spray path extending beyond the ends of the rolls. Overspray preventing shields are mounted at opposite ends of the spray path and have free dripping lower portions positioned over the dampening rolls. An oscillating roll runs against a dampening roll to spread the moisture film and a wet form roll provides contact between the oscillating roll and the plate cylinder. Preferably, the spray member oscillates transversely along the dampening rolls and separate shields are mounted on the spray member and fixed with respect to the press frame.

Abstract: A multiple spray nozzle, offset press dampening system of the type having individual metering pumps for the respective nozzles achieves improved control and reliability by substantially increasing feed water pressure entering the metering pumps, thereby reducing the formation of bubbles. The pump output valve flow-through pressure is also increased to retain accurate metering conditions.