Abstract: A web printing press is provided with a plurality of printing units, each including a plate cylinder, an idling impression cylinder, and web metering roller supported between the side walls of a frame. A motor-driven primary line shaft is supported on the frame and extends along one of the side walls, and a first gearbox is connected between the primary line shaft and the plate cylinder of each unit for transmitting rotation of the primary line shaft to the plate cylinder. A second gearbox is connected between the primary line shaft and the web metering roller of each unit for transmitting rotation of the primary line shaft to the web metering roller.

Abstract: In a gravure printing unit for a rotary press, a plate cylinder supplied with printing ink from a printing unit and an impression roller, which lies essentially at right angles to the plate cylinder, form a roller gap, through which, when the rotary press is running, sheet material that is to be printed is passed. The plate cylinder rotates in a specified direction opposite to that of the impression roller and its rotational movement is composed of a leading, rotating sector from the inking unit to the roller gap and a trailing rotating sector from the roller gap to the inking unit. By means of an auxiliary device, printing ink is supplied to the peripheral surface of the plate cylinder on the trailing, rotating sector with the help of a flexible ink-supplying apron which, follows the peripheral surface of the plate cylinder, forming an ink-filled peripheral gap.

Abstract: A printing press (10) with a dampener roller (16) and a spray bar assembly (12) for spraying dampening liquid (20) onto the dampener roller is provided with a dampening liquid spray control apparatus (15) including a control member (18) with a diagonal blocking section (40) for blocking dampening liquid (20) from impinging upon selected locations on the dampener roller (16) when there is a relatively narrow web running in the press and a transverse deflecting section (42) for deflecting dampening liquid (20) onto the dispenser roller at preselected locations adjacent the end of the dampener roller (16A) when a relatively wider web is running in the press to reduce scumming and an adjustable mounting apparatus (24, 26, 28, 30, 31, 34 and 37) to mount the control member (18) in different positions to achieve different dampening results.

Abstract: A web width adjusting device can adequately adjust the width of paper web which travels through at least two printing sections. The travelling web is sandwiched by a pair of wave forming devices including a plurality of fluid ejectors which are aligned in the width direction of the paper web. The fluid ejectors of one alignment face alternately the other alignment to alternately eject fluid to both sides of the web.

Abstract: A system for supplying dampening fluid to a lithographic press dampening system. The system prevents dampening fluid starvation at a metering nip located between dampening system rollers, and minimizes contamination of the dampening fluid in the dampening system. A pre-determined distance is maintained between (1) the surface of a roller partially immersed in dampening fluid and (2) several surfaces of a fluid collection pan, so as to move contaminants from a back region of the collection pan to a front region of the collection pan for removal. Sensors are used to determine the proper level of dampening fluid within the collection pan to avoid nip starvation.

Abstract: A multicolor half-tone image of an original object is formed on a recipient printing surface, such as a preformed plastic container, by printing such image in a series of individual one-color images from flexographic printing plates directly onto the recipient surface, so as to provide thereon overlying one-color half-tone images.

Abstract: A continuously operative printing machine and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The printing machine has a plurality of switchable printing units to be used selectively by switching. For continuous printing the printing units are switched alternately by coupling and decoupling first coupling/decoupling means while a continuous printing web is held running. Plate change of stationary printing units is done with independent drive means to be ready for the next printing. Then the stationary printing units are restored to the printing state through synchronous control by rotational control means. Thus plate change printing or the like can be carried out continuously without stopping the printing machine. In addition, high quality printing can be obtained efficiently. Further, it is possible to obtain double side printing.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the registration of a multi-unit printing press for corrugated board materials permits the use of AC motors for driving the printing press. A master AC motor drives a master printing unit, and a master AC driving device is electrically coupled to the master AC motor for controlling the speed of the master AC motor. A master pulse generating device produces output pulses relating to the rotary motion of the master printing unit. A follower AC motor drives a follower printing unit, and a follower AC driving device electrically coupled to the follower AC motor controls the speed of the follower AC motor relative to the master AC motor. A follower pulse generating device produces output pulses relating to the rotary motion of the follower printing unit.

Abstract: A chamber doctor blade arrangement for a short inking unit utilizes an ink trough that supports a rotatable cylinder which supplies ink from the ink trough to a screen roller. One or more driven disks are situated in the ink trough beneath the rotatable cylinder. These disks aid in the mixing and distribution of the printing ink in the ink trough.

Abstract: A mechanism for securely clamping a priming plate (6) to a form cylinder (1), in which a cylinder groove (2) formed in the form cylinder (1) has rotatably mounted therein a clamping spindle (7), which has a gripper edge (10) which clamps a V-shaped chamfer (11) of the leading flange (5) of the priming plate (6). The trailing flange (9) of the priming plate (6) is grasped and clamped in a positive-locking manner by leaf springs (8) mounted to the clamping spindle (7) which are hook-shaped.

Abstract: The system of the present invention controls the temperature of ink so as to enhance print quality. An ink roller has a circulation path therein. A circulation system circulates fluid, such as water, through the ink roller and through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is part of a refrigeration and heating system that selectively cools and heats the circulating water. The refrigeration and heating system uses a compressor, an expansion valve and the heat exchanger. To provide refrigeration, refrigerant fluid is circulated in the refrigeration and heating system through the expansion valve and to the heat exchanger. To provide heating, the expansion valve is bypassed by a conduit, wherein hot fluid from the compressor flows directly to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A web width adjusting device can adequately adjust the width of paper web which is travelled through at least two printing sections. The travelling web is sandwitched by a pair of contact means including a plurality of contact members which are aligned in parallel to the axis of cylinders for driving the paper web. The contact members of one alignment are alternatively in contact with the web surface with respect to the other alignment.

Abstract: An ink container holding device for a rotary printing machine includes: a pack holder detachably receiving an ink container; a support table on which the pack holder is slidably mounted, wherein the pack holder is slidable between a connecting position where an ink discharge port of the ink container is connected to an ink suction port of an ink supplying pump and a disconnecting position where the ink discharge portion is disconnected from the ink suction port; a supporting member on which the support table is secured, the supporting member being movable between a first position inside the printing machine body and a second position outside the printing machine body; a holder set board secured to the printing machine body; and a hook lever connecting to the pack holder, wherein the hook lever moves the pack holder to the connecting position by engaging the hook lever with the holder set board in accordance with the supporting member moving to the first position.

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: An ink furnishing apparatus for a printing press for performing printing by furnishing an ink to a printing plate on a plate cylinder is selectively operable in an entire surface ink furnishing mode, in which a first gap is held fully opened, the doctor means is placed in contact with the metering roller, ink drawn through the fully opened first gap in a thickness corresponding to the first gap by rotation of the fountain roller, is furnished in an excess amount of ink onto the peripheral surface of the metering roller, the extra amount of ink on the peripheral surface is scraped off by means of the doctor means contacting with the peripheral surface of the metering roller to return to the ink fountain, and the ink is furnished onto a printing plate in a plate cylinder via the peripheral surface of the form roller in substantially uniform amount over the entire position along the axis of the metering roller, and in a local ink furnishing mode, in which the first gap is adjusted to be narrower with respect to

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing procession of a gapless tubular printing sleeve in an offset printing press caused by at least one fluid wave having a certain pressure trapped at an interface of the printing sleeve and a cylinder on which it is mounted. The apparatus includes a cylinder which is adapted to receive the printing sleeve for mounting on its circumferential surface. The cylinder has at least one path which connects an interface of the cylinder and the printing sleeve to a region of pressure lower than the pressure in the fluid wave. The path allows the fluid wave, which is trapped at the interface and advancing in front of a nip between the cylinder and an adjacent cylinder, to escape to the region of low pressure.

Abstract: In an automatic plate exchange/plate registration method and apparatus, a current position of a plate cylinder on which a plate to be exchange is mounted is stored. The plate cylinder is reset to an origin. Automatic plate exchange is performed when the plate cylinder is at the origin. The plate cylinder is automatically returned to the stored current position.

Abstract: A retractable in-line inking/coating apparatus can apply either spot or overall inking/coating material to a plate and/or a blanket on the first printing unit or on any consecutive printing unit of any rotary offset printing press. The inking/coating apparatus is pivotally mounted within the conventional dampener space of any lithographic printing unit. The aqueous component of the flexographic printing ink or aqueous coating material is evaporated and dried by high velocity, hot air dryers and high performance heat and moisture extractors so that the aqueous or flexographic ink or coating material on a freshly printed or coated sheet is dry and can be dry-trapped on the next printing unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for holding a printing plate on a plate cylinder in a rotary printing press, and to a rotary printing press including such a device. The printing plate, retained by an anterior edge on the external surface of the plate cylinder, is furthermore retained by fastening a posterior end fold onto a hook which can move, with respect to the plate cylinder between a front limiting position in which it forms a projection on the external surface to allow this posterior end fold to be fastened or unfastened, and a rear limiting position in which it is retracted with respect to this external surface and retains the printing plate in tension, in the wound state on this cylinder. The mounting and dismantling of the printing press are thereby facilitated, and the printing gap is reduced to a minimum.

Abstract: A web width adjusting device can adequately adjust the width of paper web which is travelled through at least two printing sections. The travelling web is sandwitched by a pair of contact means including a plurality of contact members which are aligned in parallel to the axis of cylinders for driving the paper web. The contact members of one alignment are alternatively in contact with the web surface with respect to the other alignment.