Patents Examined by J. Reed Fisher
  • Patent number: 5921184
    Abstract: In an ink film thickness control method for an ink supply apparatus including an ink fountain for storing an ink, a plurality of ink fountain keys whose aperture ratios are independently adjusted to supply the ink in the ink fountain, an ink fountain roller to which the ink is supplied through the ink fountain keys, and an ink ductor roller for supplying the ink supplied to the ink fountain roller to a printing plate through an ink roller group in accordance with a feed operation, the aperture ratios of all the ink fountain keys and a rotation ratio of the ink fountain roller are set at predetermined values when the ink roller group has no ink. The ink roller group is rotated. The feed operation of the ink ductor roller is performed a predetermined number of times to form a first minimum ink film thickness distribution necessary for printing in accordance with a set value such that an ink film becomes thinner from an upstream to a downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Teruhiko Hama
  • Patent number: 5915302
    Abstract: To provide a printer ink exchange apparatus which can 1 greatly shorten a wash liquid recovery time, 2 dissolve a dilution by the residual wash liquid in the ink circulation and supply passage so that a lowering of the ink viscosity (density) can be prevented and 3 dissolve a mixing of the ink of the previous order in the ink circulation and supply passage so that the ink for a new order is prevented from becoming turbid, and as a result, can enhance the productivity and the printing quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Baba, Arifumi Okamoto, Kunio Niuchi
  • Patent number: 5909707
    Abstract: A dampening system for an offset printing press system uses an intermediate roll between the press system and dampening rolls to create multiple slipping nips. By driving the intermediate roll at a surface velocity greater than the dampening roll speed and less than the press system speed, the speed ratio at each slipping nip may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Gagne, Charles Douglas Lyman
  • Patent number: 5909708
    Abstract: A sheet-fed offset rotary printing machine is used for multicolor printing. A plate cylinder and a rubber blanket cylinder are utilized, as are first and second impression cylinders. Either of these two impression cylinders is operable with the blanket cylinder. Sheets to be printed can have a length corresponding to a nominal diameter, or to twice a nominal diameter. The first impression cylinder has a plurality of controllable gripper systems while the second impression cylinder has at least one controllable gripper system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer-Albert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Bernhard Bolza-Schunemann
  • Patent number: 5907999
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for arranging the inking for a pressrun in a rotary printing machine. The rotary printing machine has an inking mechanism and a dampening mechanism. The ink quantity transmitted by an ink ductor is adjusted by zone via ink zone ductor blades. When the dampening mechanism is switched off, the run-up curve of the inking mechanism is initially adjusted at an average surface coverage over the entire surface, so that a constant ink density corresponding to the average surface coverage results on the printing stock for all printing speeds. The run-up curve of the dampening mechanism is adjusted subsequently, wherein the ink zone ductor blades are in different positions which correspond to various surface coverage values of a printing subject customarily printed by the printing machine. The adjustment is effected in such a way that the ink zones with average surface coverage deliver a constant ink density to the printing stock for all printing speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Erwin Lusar, deceased, Martin Endisch
  • Patent number: 5906156
    Abstract: There is disclosed a simple and compact additional printing apparatus for a rotary press and a printing unit. The additional printing apparatus includes an ink jet printing device comprising an ink jetting nozzle section and unnecessary ink droplet deflection unit. The ink jetting nozzle section includes a plurality of orifices arranged in a row and ink droplet formation unit. The unnecessary ink droplet deflection unit corresponds to each of the orifices. The ink jet printing device is disposed at a predetermined position in proximity to a paper web pass at which position an additional image can be printed on paper web in alignment with an image printed by the printing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Shibuya, Ryoji Kaneko, Akira Motegi, Kin-ichiro Ohno
  • Patent number: 5904093
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allowing the changing of image plates or cassettes in an offset printing apparatus without the need to stop the press. Each blanket cylinder is associated with two image cylinders, where each image cylinder carries an associated image plate or cassette. When one of the image cylinders is engaged with the blanket cylinder, thereby transferring an image for printing on the web, the other image cylinder is disengaged from the blanket cylinder. As a result, the other image cylinder is stopped, allowing the image plate or cassette to be changed without the need to stop the entire press operation. After the image plate or cassette is changed on the stopped image cylinder, that image cylinder may be subsequently engaged with the blanket cylinder, while the other image cylinder is disengaged, thereafter allowing that image cylinder to have its image plate or cassette changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Web Press, Inc.
    Inventor: David Clarke Pollock
  • Patent number: 5899145
    Abstract: The intaglio printing machine comprises a main structure (6), a plate cylinder (4), an impression cylinder (3), a wiping device (10) and an inking system consisting of a collector inking cylinder (5), of at least four color-selector cylinders (7a to 7d), and of an inking device (8a to 8d) associated with each color-selector cylinder (7a to 7d) and mounted in a mobile inking carriage (9). The ratio between the diameter of the collector inking cylinder (5) and the diameter of the plate cylinder (4) is equal to 2/3. The two extreme color-selector cylinders (7a, 7d) are placed so that they are approximately diametrically opposed with respect to the collector inking cylinder (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: De La Rue Giori S.A.
    Inventor: Johannes Georg Schaede
  • Patent number: 5896814
    Abstract: An ink dosing device for inking units of printing presses has several dosing elements that are adjustable independently of one another. The dosing elements are provided for over the length of an ink fountain, whereby each dosing element shows a dosing area that is adjustable in its clearance to the ink fountain roller, and in each zone the smallest amounts of ink can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudi Junghans, Bernd Muller, Bernhard Roskosch, Michael Voge
  • Patent number: 5894795
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing condensation in a selected area of a printing press, for example a dampener system, by, for example, controlling the air temperature surrounding the dampener system by cooling, heating or changing the humidity of the air such that the temperature difference between the components of the dampener system and the surrounding air has a desired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Gagne, Charles Douglas Lyman
  • Patent number: 5894798
    Abstract: An ink fountain divider, which is capable of completely preventing leakage of ink and is easy to handle, includes an ink fountain divider body which has an approximately triangular shaped cross-section having a bottom edge having a contour line conforming with the outer peripheral surface of the ink fountain roller, and another edge having a contour line conforming with the an upper surface of the bottom plate, having a given width in a direction parallel to an axis of the ink fountain roller. The ink fountain divider body is formed of a non-magnetic material having a hardness smaller than that of a material forming the outer peripheral surface of the ink fountain roller. The ink fountain divider body contacts with the bottom plate of the ink fountain arrangement for dividing an ink storage space in the ink fountain arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masahiko Miyoshi, Yukitosi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5887521
    Abstract: A dampening water supply device is capable of reducing spoilage upon initiation of printing after temporary stop when accumulated printing operation before temporary stop is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakamura, Hideo Kawamori
  • Patent number: 5884558
    Abstract: A dampening device for supplying a dampening liquid to a plate of a printing press is capable of optimize amount of the dampening liquid to be supplied to the plate through a transfer roller irrespective of fluctuation of supply amount of the dampening liquid from the dampening liquid source. The dampening device thus adjusts deposition pattern of the dampening liquid ejected from a plurality of nozzles onto the transfer rollers depending upon a printing speed of the printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakamura, Kinichiroh Ohno
  • Patent number: 5884562
    Abstract: In an ink film thickness control method for an ink supply apparatus including an ink fountain for storing an ink, a plurality of ink fountain keys whose aperture ratios are independently adjusted to supply said ink in said ink fountain, an ink fountain roller to which said ink is supplied through said ink fountain keys, and an ink ductor roller for supplying said ink supplied to said ink fountain roller to a printing plate through an ink roller group in accordance with a feed operation, the feed operation of said ink ductor roller is set in an OFF state when said printing plate is to be exchanged. A printing press in which said previous printing plate is kept mounted is operated without performing the feed operation of said ink ductor roller, thereby rotating said ink roller group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Teruhiko Hama
  • Patent number: 5884557
    Abstract: A damping unit for offset presses, which damping unit has a tipping roller which is immersed in a damping solution pan, a metering roller associated with the tipping roller, and a form roller which applies the damping solution to a printing plate of a plate cylinder. The rollers of the damping unit can be driven at different speeds and in different directions, whereby the drive can be controlled independently of the press speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jurgen Furbass
  • Patent number: 5878666
    Abstract: A printing machine, having side walls and at least one form cylinder with an outer cylindrical surface carrying a removable sleeve-shaped printing form, the form cylinder having journals and being removably mounted in the side walls. A bearing rotatably supports the journals in the sidewalls and at least one of the side walls has an opening. A transport device moves the form cylinder back and forth through the opening in the side wall so that the sleeve of the form cylinder removed from the printing machine can be exchanged for a replacement sleeve and the form cylinder with the replacement sleeve can be moved back into the printing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG.
    Inventors: Josef Schneider, Josef Gottling
  • Patent number: 5878667
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing ink to an ink fountain of a printing press. A flexible bag of ink is utilized and is compressed for forcing the ink into the fountain, and a sensor determines the level of ink in the fountain and thus controls the force on the bag, that is, the compressor on the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Walter Stobb Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Garth S. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5878663
    Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a dampening system including a two-roller continuous type dampener, a solution recirculator, and a recirculator adapter. The solution recirculator is configured to supply solution through a supply conduit and to receive solution through a return conduit. A pressure regulator receives solution from the supply conduit and regulates the solution flow. A feed conduit provides fluid communication between the pressure regulator and the dampener's solution reservoir. A venturi receives solution from the supply conduit and induces a vacuum in a suction conduit. A first end of the suction conduit is positioned at a predetermined level within the reservoir and has a portion proximate the first end extending upwardly and away from the reservoir. A second end of the suction conduit is in fluid communication with the venturi. The venturi is in fluid communication with the return conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Varn Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Krzyzak, Patrick Maiello
  • Patent number: 5875713
    Abstract: An inking system for a rotary printing press utilizes a chain seal to prevent ink from passing from the ink receiving chamber of an ink reservoir beyond the length of the portion of a cylinder to be inked. A chain seal, that is comprised of a plurality of individual plates and pins, intimately engages the surface of the cylinder and keeps the ink in the ink receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer-Albert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Herb
  • Patent number: RE36144
    Abstract: Device for washing an inking unit provided at a printing machine. A doctor-blade device is provided at a distributor roller of an arrangement of rollers positioned before the split in the primary ink flow, while at least another doctor-blade device is provided at a distributor roller among a set of inking rollers supplying a secondary branch of the primary ink flow to a rearwardly disposed set of ink applicator rollers, as viewed in the direction of rotation of the plate cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Nikolaus Spiegel