Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus for applying a fluid composition uniformly to the circumferential surface of a rotating transfer roll comprises a fountain having a chamber. A drain is located in a lower portion of the chamber near one end. Doctor blades meter the surface of the anilox roll. A plurality of inlet ports introduce fluid into the chamber. Each inlet port is downwardly angled toward the drain such that fluid flowing through the inlet port displaces fluid in the lower portion of chamber toward the drain end of the chamber.

Abstract: A device for folding paperboard blanks, the device including folding rails for supporting the blanks traveling through the device which define a path of travel for the blanks and a conveyor for conveying the blanks through the device. The device further includes a first operator side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end, a second operator side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end and aligned with the first operator side helix folding assembly, a first drive side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end, and a second drive side elongated helix folding assembly rotatably supported at each end and aligned with the first drive side helix folding assembly. Actuators are connected to the ends of each second helix folding assembly for translating the ends either toward and away or above and below the blank path. A servo motor having a resolver may be connected to each helix folding assembly for rotating it to fold the blanks.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cleaning and maintaining measuring devices, in particular viscosity and pH devices, for water based Flexo inks wherein the device for measuring a parameter of the inks are mounted to a platform such as a lid adapted to cover either a cleaning container or an ink container. A cylinder raises and lowers the lid and the device for measuring a parameter of the inks in and out of the cleaning container or the ink container. A carriage carrying the cleaning container and adapted to receive the ink container moves horizontally when the lid is raised such that either the ink container or the cleaning container underlies the lid and the measuring devices. With the lid lowered on to the cleaning container, the device for measuring a parameter of the inks are washed and rinsed in the cleaning container. The device for measuring a parameter of the inks are stored in the cleaning container until returned to the ink container for use.

Abstract: A direct drive cut-off has a pair of cylinders, each having a helical knife blade. The path of the knife blade around the cylinder defines a synchronous length. A corrugated board is passed in a board path direction between the cylinders at a production rate. The knife blades move in proximity to each other in the board direction to cut the continuous board into sheets. The knife blades enter the board path and engage the continuous board at a beginning of engagement position of a knife blade entering edge and depart the board path at an end of engagement position of a knife blade exiting edge. The sheets are accelerated downstream of the cylinders. The cylinders are controlled by a control unit for accelerating and decelerating the rotational speed of the cylinders so that the knife blades engage the continuous board at the specific length cutting the board into sheets. The control unit is responsive to the production rate, and the sheet length.

Abstract: A single facer has corrugating rolls of which the cross-sectional tip and root curves are elliptical (as broadly defined) to form a medium compression zone 38 beyond which, on each side of the tip center line, the root extends to define a clearance gap greater than the thickness of the medium; the root curve may (FIGS. 2 and 3) continue as an ellipse which also defines the flute flank, or alternatively the flute flank may be defined by a straight line 76 (FIG. 4) with a transition curve 58 between the straight line and the root curve 52. According to a different aspect of this invention, flank clearance is provided by the use of differently shaped flutes on the two corrugating rolls; for example (FIG. 5) the second roll 71 which carries the medium after corrugating may have straight flanks 76, and the other roll may have concave flanks 78.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method separates from a stream of boxes a desired number of boxes into a stack of boxes. A conveyor moves the stream of boxes along a path. A speed wheel mounted upstream of the conveyor- or register the speed of the stream of boxes by determining the machine speed. An adjustable backstop is spaced from the conveyor by a length of the boxes in the board path direction for stopping the longitudinal movement of the boxes. A photocell is mounted in association with the conveyor to count the boxes and determine when a trailing edge of the last box passes. It is automatically determined when a leading edge of the box will engage the backstop after the trailing edge passes the photocell. A plurality of fingers are inserted into the stream of boxes by firing a cylinder when the leading edge of the last box engages the backstop therein placing the finger in the stream to temporarily stop the flow of boxes to the stack.

Abstract: A liquid level detecting device having an overflow reservoir, a flow restriction means and a level detecting means. The reservoir defines a cavity for collecting an electrically-conductive liquid overflowing from a container. This reservoir, which has a low level position associated therewith, includes inlet means through which the overflowing liquid enters, outlet means through which the collected liquid exits, and vent means through which built-up gases escape.Flow restriction means controls the rate at which the collected liquid exits through the reservoir's outlet means. Flow restriction means is calibrated such that the rate at which liquid exits the reservoir does not exceed the rate at which liquid overflows therein.In one embodiment, level detecting means includes a capacitive sensor switch which is fixedly secured to the reservoir to detect whether the liquid level is below the reservoir's low level position.

Abstract: A method and a system for counting irregularly shaped articles that are being moved along a path into and out of a machine. A microprocessor is responsive to three external devices with the first device being located at the input stage of the machine and detecting the leading and the trailing edges of the articles being moved into the machine and respectively generating start and stop events to the microprocessor. The second device is a distance sensing means used to determine the length of each of the articles being moved. The third device detects the movement of the articles in their formed state, such as a box, out of the machine. The microprocessor in response to the first occurring start event initiates the counting of the incremental changes from the distance sensing means and terminates the counting in response to the first occurring stop event.

Abstract: A divider seal for a split-fountain chambered doctor blade for a printing press, comprising a seal contoured to sealingly engage a circumferential surface of a rotating cylinder, a seal retainer for retaining the seal in sealing engagement with the rotating cylinder, and pneumatic biasing structure, such as a pneumatic bladder, acting on the seal retainer for resiliently biasing the seal into sealing engagement with the rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A dual pressure preload system preloads a doctor blade assembly in intimate contact with an anilox roll. The doctor blade assembly is attached to at least one end wall of an ink chamber. The ink chamber directly applies ink to the circumferential surface of the roll. A pressure chamber is attached to the ink chamber on the side opposite the roll and maintains the doctor blade assembly adjacent the roll. A differential pressure is produced by the pressure chamber providing a consistent preload force applied to the anilox roll by the doctor blade assembly.In one embodiment, a relatively compressible fluid, such as a gas, is compressed, which, in turn, acts on a relatively incompressible fluid, such as a liquid, the relative incompressible liquid supplying the pressure in the pressure chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating ink from the inking trough of a flexographic printing machine uses an air ejector nozzle in the ink drain line to draw ink from the trough. The apparatus includes an air-operated control system in which air valves control an air-bladder pinch valve in the ink drain line and an oil-bladder pinch valve in the air ejector line. An air pressure regulator maintains a pressure charge on an accumulator associated with the oil-bladder pinch valve, in order to provide a gradual increase of air flow to the ejector nozzle to prevent sudden vacuum surge that might over-flex the doctor blades.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a floating air seal for a cylindrical rotatable member having a sealing member adjacent to the rotatable member for preventing air from flowing between the seal and rotatable member, and resilient member for biasing said seal member towards a rotatable member. The floating air seal is preferably used in an apparatus for manufacturing single faced corrugated board.

Abstract: A precrush tool immediately precedes a slotting blade in a slotting tool assembly. The slotting blade is mounted in the same way as a conventional slotting blade with the exception that the top is profiled to give gradual crushing during rotation. The tool's area gets successively larger to the point that the top land equals the width of the slotter blade and its O.D. when mounted is effectively the pitch circle of the tool assembly. This design allows for the air to be removed from the board gradually and produces a sharp clean cut by the slotter.

Abstract: A .[.divider.]. seal for a .[.split-fountain.]. .Iadd.fountain .Iaddend.chambered doctor blade for a printing press, comprising a seal contoured to sealingly engage a circumferential surface of a rotating cylinder, a seal retainer for retaining the seal in sealing engagement with the rotating cylinder, and pneumatic biasing structure, such as a pneumatic bladder, acting on the seal retainer for resiliently biasing the seal into sealing engagement with the rotating cylinder.