Patents by Inventor Gerd Merkel

Gerd Merkel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9365030
    Abstract: A method for setting up printing presses includes providing cylinders, a drive for at least one cylinder, a register adjustment device for at least one cylinder and at least one control unit. During set-up operations on the printing press, the control unit actuates the register adjustment device while the printing press is being accelerated or decelerated or while washing operations in the printing press are being carried out and while a production run is switched off and cylinders are rotating. A printing press carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Peter Heiler, Rolf Kuendgen, Gerd Merkel, Rudi Stellberger
  • Publication number: 20140069288
    Abstract: A method for setting up printing presses includes providing cylinders, a drive for at least one cylinder, a register adjustment device for at least one cylinder and at least one control unit. During set-up operations on the printing press, the control unit actuates the register adjustment device while the printing press is being accelerated or decelerated or while washing operations in the printing press are being carried out and while a production run is switched off and cylinders are rotating. A printing press carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Peter HEILER, Rolf KUENDGEN, Gerd MERKEL, Rudi STELLBERGER
  • Patent number: 8042468
    Abstract: A device for clamping and tensioning an edge of a printing plate on a plate cylinder of a printing press includes a single actuating shaft for releasing clamping and tensioning forces. The actuating shaft has a control cam for releasing the tensioning forces and a control roller for releasing the clamping forces. A printing unit having the device and a printing press having the printing unit are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kündgen, Gerd Merkel, Rudi Stellberger
  • Patent number: 7934450
    Abstract: A printing press includes a form cylinder, a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder, an adjusting apparatus having at least one first actuating drive for setting a printing pressure between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder, and a tracking system for setting a printing pressure between the form cylinder and the blanket cylinder in dependence on the setting of the printing pressure between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder. The tracking system has at least one second actuating drive coupled to the at least one first actuating drive in terms of control technology through an electronic control device, in such a way that the form cylinder is adjusted automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kündgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Publication number: 20090145319
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a printing plate to or from a plate cylinder of a printing press includes a first, driven transport roller that is stationarily disposed and a second transport roller that is disposed so as to be movable in the direction of the first transport roller. The second transport roller is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis disposed perpendicularly to its axis of rotation, preferably by a ball and socket joint or a fork bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Martin Greive, Rolf Kundgen, Gerd Merkel, Rudi Stellberger, Mathias Zuber
  • Publication number: 20090084280
    Abstract: A device for clamping and tensioning an edge of a printing plate on a plate cylinder of a printing press includes a single actuating shaft for releasing clamping and tensioning forces. The actuating shaft has a control cam for releasing the tensioning forces and a control roller for releasing the clamping forces. A printing unit having the device and a printing press having the printing unit are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kundgen, Gerd Merkel, Rudi Stellberger
  • Patent number: 7506585
    Abstract: A printing press has a printing unit with a cylinder and a cleaning device that is mounted for selective displacement into an operating position for cleaning the cylinder and into a maintenance position away from the cylinder. The operating position is located within the printing unit and the maintenance position, although being located outside the printing unit, is located on the press. While the press runs in printing operation, the cleaning device is kept away from the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kündgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Publication number: 20080290594
    Abstract: A transfer drum for conveying a sheet in a machine of the graphic arts industry. The transfer drum is developed for controlling grippers without much effort and without much wear to the components of the gearing mechanism. The transfer drum includes grippers that are suited for holding an edge of the sheet and are arranged on a gripper shaft. Levers are fixed to the ends of the shafts. A cam mechanism for opening and closing the grippers has control cams that are connected to the frame and have contact surfaces, and cam followers fixed to the levers and in contact with the contact surfaces. Opposing torques act on the ends of the gripper shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Gerd Merkel, Stefan Mutschall
  • Publication number: 20080148974
    Abstract: A printing press includes at least one printing unit having a cylinder and a cover covering the cylinder. Actuators are associated with the cylinder for changing a geometry of the cover in axial and/or circumferential direction of the cylinder. Positioning electronics are connected to the actuators and a printing press machine control system is connected to the positioning electronics. An image inspection device is connected to the printing press machine control system at least for geometric measurement of printed printing materials. A printing press computer processes measured results from the image inspection device for carrying out a desired/actual value comparison and for driving the actuators to minimize determined deviations, in the event that deviations are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Karlheinz Hugel, Rudi Stellberger, Kai Albrecht, Peter Heiler, Klaus-Dieter Kleibaumhuter, Manuela Krasniqi, Michael Kruger, Jurgen Kunz, Burkhard Maass, Jurgen Maass, Gerd Merkel, Helmut Meyer
  • Publication number: 20070221075
    Abstract: A printing press includes a form cylinder, a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder, an adjusting apparatus having at least one first actuating drive for setting a printing pressure between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder, and a tracking system for setting a printing pressure between the form cylinder and the blanket cylinder in dependence on the setting of the printing pressure between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder. The tracking system has at least one second actuating drive coupled to the at least one first actuating drive in terms of control technology through an electronic control device, in such a way that the form cylinder is adjusted automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Rolf Kundgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Publication number: 20060236883
    Abstract: A printing press has a printing unit with a cylinder and a cleaning device that is mounted for selective displacement into an operating position for cleaning the cylinder and into a maintenance position away from the cylinder. The operating position is located within the printing unit and the maintenance position, although being located outside the printing unit, is located on the press. While the press runs in printing operation, the cleaning device is kept away from the operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Rolf Kundgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Patent number: 6739258
    Abstract: A printing machine provided with a rectilinear guide and a cleaning device having a handle for moving the cleaning device along the rectilinear guide includes at least one joint by which the handle is attached to the cleaning device in a manner that the handle is movable relative to the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Werner König, Rolf Kündgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Patent number: 6739262
    Abstract: A cladding of a printing machine in a region of a side wall of a printing unit of the printing machine includes a housing fastened to the side wall, the housing having an upper housing wall, two lateral housing walls and a housing cover connected to the lateral housing walls so as to be displaceable between a lower position covering the side wall and a position raised to a defined height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Diana Böser, Werner König, Rolf Kündgen, Burkhard Maass, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Patent number: 6487967
    Abstract: A device for clamping the trailing edge of a printing plate in a plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine includes a torsion bar disposed in a cylinder gap formed in the plate cylinder and extending in axial direction thereof, clamping elements affixed to the torsion bar and cooperating with holding elements for clamping the printing plate, and actuators provided on both sides of the plate cylinder for stretching the printing plate in axial direction. The torsion bar is of bipartite construction, and the actuators, respectively, are mounted so as to be displaceable axially independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Werner König, Rolf Kündgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Patent number: 6463851
    Abstract: A clamping device for locking-up printing forms on a printing-form cylinder of a printing machine, having a plurality of clamping elements disposed so as to be adjustable in axial direction, with an adjusting device for respectively expanding and buckling a clamped printing-form edge, comprising a shaft whereon the clamping elements, with spring elements interposed, are axially displaceably mounted, and adjusting elements disposed on respective outer ends of the shaft for subjecting the clamping elements to forces acting in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Werner König, Rolf Kündgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Publication number: 20010050015
    Abstract: A printing machine provided with a rectilinear guide and a cleaning device having a handle for moving the cleaning device along the rectilinear guide includes at least one joint by which the handle is attached to the cleaning device in a manner that the handle is movable relative to the cleaning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Werner Konig, Rolf Kundgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Patent number: 6308627
    Abstract: A method for removing a cleaning device from a printing machine and for inserting the cleaning device or another cleaning device into the printing machine, the inserted cleaning device being secured in position in the printing machine by a fixing device, includes opening a protective covering of the printing machine and automatically inactivating the fixing device by the opening of the protective covering, removing the cleaning device from the printing machine through an opening in the printing machine exposed by the protective covering, inserting the respective cleaning device into the printing machine, and closing the protective covering and automatically activating the cleaning device by the closing of the protective covering, so that the inserted cleaning device is secured in the inserted position thereof; and a printing machine for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Werner König, Rolf Kündgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Publication number: 20010003957
    Abstract: A device for clamping the trailing edge of a printing plate in a plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine includes a torsion bar disposed in a cylinder gap formed in the plate cylinder and extending in axial direction thereof, clamping elements affixed to the torsion bar and cooperating with holding elements for clamping the printing plate, and actuators provided on both sides of the plate cylinder for stretching the printing plate in axial direction. The torsion bar is of bipartite construction, and the actuators, respectively, are mounted so as to be displaceable axially independently of one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Werner Konig, Rolf Kundgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Publication number: 20010003956
    Abstract: A cladding of a printing machine in a region of a side wall of a printing unit of the printing machine includes a housing fastened to the side wall, the housing having an upper housing wall, two lateral housing walls and a housing cover connected to the lateral housing walls so as to be displaceable between a lower position covering the side wall and a position raised to a defined height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Diana Boser, Werner Konig, Rolf Kundgen, Burkhard Maass, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Patent number: 5309832
    Abstract: A plate changing device including a roller disposed parallel to a plate cylinder having a plate lock-up device, fixed positioning device for pressing the roller against the plate cylinder and for inserting a rear edge of a printing plate into the plate lock-up device, and fixed guide means extending in a direction in which the rear edge of the printing plate is insertable in the plate lock-up device and displaceably supporting the roller at ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Gerd Merkel, Christian Compera, Rudolf Hutzenlaub