Abstract: A mounting system is disclosed for removably mounting rollers and cylinders in a machine for quick and easy removal and replacement by other rollers and cylinders. The mounting system provides for rapid separation of the journal from the roller or cylinder so that only the roller or cylinder is removed, and the mounting system has particular applicability with respect to ink rolls in printing machines.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stacking conveyor including slow-down wheels to reduce the exit speed of individual sheets of material. In one preferred embodiment, a non-driven friction drag belt is positioned above the slow-down wheels so as to assist in reducing the discharge velocity of the sheets.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for printing and/or otherwise processing blanks of sheet material in which the interior of the machine is pressurized to a super-atmospheric pressure such that the blanks are forced firmly against the transfer conveyor between sections of the machine and dust in the ambient air is prevented from entering the machine and contaminating the print function.

Abstract: A paperboard processing machine is disclosed for printing and otherwise processing sheets of paperboard, such as corrugated container blanks, and in which the sheets are conveyed from one section of the machine to another section by one or more vacuum transfer systems. Each vacuum transfer system comprises an enclosure which is closed by a closure plate for creating a subatmospheric pressure, which pressure forces the sheets into frictional engagement with the reaches of a plurality of conveyor belts whereby the sheets are transported without contact of the opposite side of the sheet not contacted by the conveyor reach.

Abstract: A carton blank processing machine is disclosed having rolls for printing, cutting, creasing and otherwise processing carton blanks. The processing rolls are driven by shafts extending into bearings supported by spaced-apart frame members. At least one shaft extends through its associated bearing to the outboard side of the frame member and is surrounded by a motor, preferably of the frameless type, having a hollow rotor in which the shaft is received and connected for direct drive by the rotor. Axial adjustment systems are provided for axially adjusting at least one shaft and roll, and such systems may be mounted on the outboard end of the frameless motor.

Abstract: A paperboard processing machine is disclosed for printing and otherwise processing sheets of paperboard, such as corrugated container blanks, and in which the sheets are conveyed from one section of the machine to another section by one or more vacuum transfer systems. Each vacuum transfer system comprises an enclosure which is closed by a closure plate for creating a subatmospheric pressure, which pressure forces the sheets into frictional engagement with the reaches of a plurality of conveyor belts whereby the sheets are transported without contact of the opposite side of the sheet not contacted by the conveyor reach. In one embodiment the closure plate is imperforate, while in the second embodiment the closure plate is provided with a limited number of apertures for providing a secondary flow of air upwardly against the bottom surfaces of the paperboard sheets.

Abstract: Cross cuts for forming the ends of a tab on a sheet, for example a glue tab on a corrugated paperboard container blank, are performed by independent rotary cutter units. Each cutter unit has a spirally convoluted blade which, as it rotates, cuts progressively inwards from an outside edge of the sheet towards an opposite outside edge. As the sheet is conveyed along, a downstream cutter unit cuts the leading end of the tab, and an upstream cutter unit cuts the trailing end. After each cut, the cutter remains at rest with its blade in an inoperative position out of the path of any oncoming sheet. A sensor senses the next oncoming sheet and initiates the cutting via a computer. These rotary cutters mitigate skewing of the sheets while being cut.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus, for example for flexographic printing and die-cutting of corrugated paperboard container blanks, has first and second successive processing sections connected by a transfer section. The sheets are successively passed through the various sections in positional registrations therewith. A sensor senses a sheet while in the transfer section and provides a signal representative of the positional registration of the sheet in the transfer section. A computer system determines from the signal whether the sheet would enter the second section in correct positional registration for processing by the second section, and adjusts as necessary the positional registration of the sheet while in the transfer section to cause the sheet to enter the second section in correct positional registration therewith.

Abstract: A sheet stacker, particularly for corrugated paperboard container blanks, has a downwardly movable elevator for supporting stacked sheets, firing rollers for feeding successive sheets in a path above the elevator, and a stop for stopping each successively fed sheet above the elevator and enabling each stopped sheet to drop onto a stack being formed. A flexible cam, preferably a resiliently flexible loop, is rotatably mounted above the elevator. The flexible cam is intermittently rotated to move the cam out of the path of a sheet being fed to allow a leading portion of this fed sheet to pass under the flexible cam, then to bring the cam into contact with a rear portion of the fed sheet to urge this rear portion towards the stack, and then to bring the flexible cam to rest in kissing contact with the fed sheet when resting on top of the stack being formed. Tolerance variations in the sheet thickness can be accommodated by flexing of the cam.

Abstract: A printing apparatus has a plurality of ink rolls, particularly anilox rolls, for a single printing cylinder at any one of a number of similar and serially arranged printing stations, each station having one ink roll at a time being selected for use in cooperation with either a wipe roll assembly or a doctor blade assembly associated with each station. The various assemblies are surrounded by respective movable cover members which allow the assemblies to either print, or be washed or cleaned, at the same time that a similar printing or cleaning operation is taking place at an adjacent printing station. A movable subframe adjacent the main frame carries the ink rolls and their associated movable cover members as well as both the wipe roll assembly and the doctor blade assembly.

Abstract: A doctor blade head assembly, particularly for use in a flexographic printing press, has a head body pivoted to a support frame with an inflatable air tube disposed therebetween. The air tube extends along a channel having a bottom formed with spaced apart raised portions which cause the air tube to bulge out at these locations. In this way the air tube essentially only presses against the head body at these spaced apart locations, for example at the center and adjacent the ends, which reduces the tendency of the head body to bend along its length. This provides a more uniform ink film on the ink roll being inked by the doctor blade head assembly. End seal arrangements at the ends of the head body each include a resilient block seal and a resilient pad seal with which greased edge portions of the doctor blades slidably engage. The doctor blades overhang the ends of the ink roll, and an ink outlet passageway extends through each end seal arrangement independently of the seals.

Abstract: A printing apparatus has a printing cylinder rotatably supported by a main frame. A subassembly contains a plurality of anilox rolls rotatable about parallel spaced-apart axis with the subassembly being rotatable about an axis parallel to and between these spaced-apart axes. A locking arrangement secures the subassembly in selected positions whereby any selected one of the anilox rolls can be brought into an operative position for cooperating with the printing cylinder for printing. Alternative ink systems supply ink to the selected anilox roll when in the operative position. Preferably the subassembly is supported at its ends by gear casings which are adjustably rotatably mounted in a subframe which itself is pivotally mounted in the main frame. The ink rolls may be anilox rolls with different surface screens.

Abstract: A lead edge sheet feeder, particularly for corrugated paperboard sheets, has an endless belt transfer section downstream of a control gate. This endless belt is driven at constant speed and at least first and second vacuum boxes are disposed successively along the transfer belt. Both vacuum boxes are continuously connected to a vacuum source. Each vacuum box has an open face which has to be completely covered by the sheet being fed before that vacuum box is effective in drawing the sheet against the transfer belt. There may be a third vacuum box, and vent holes may be provided in a common partition between the third and second vacuum boxes. The feed section, upstream of the control gate, may have modes for long and short sheets, in the shorter sheet mode less length of sheet being contacted by a feed conveyor.