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: 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: A transfer cylinder for supporting freshly printed sheet material between printing units or at the delivery unit of a printing press is provided with an ink repellent, flexible jacket covering for supporting and transporting the sheet material without transfer of wet ink from one sheet to a successive sheet and without smearing the ink or causing indentations on the surface of the sheet material. The circumferential support surface of the transfer cylinder is covered with a conductive, fluoropolymer layer secured to the surface of the transfer cylinder beneath the protective, wash-free disposable flexible jacket covering. The low friction properties of the conductive base covering permit free movement of the ink repellent, flexible jacket covering relative to the transfer cylinder surface. Electrostatic charges delivered to the flexible jacket covering by the printed sheet material are drawn away from the flexible jacket covering and are discharged into the transfer cylinder by the conductive base covering.

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: An extractor and a ventilation control window are coupled to the housing of a sheet delivery conveyor to extract unwanted heat, moisture, volatile vapors and obnoxious odors from the conveyor housing to eliminate the need for a separate venting system above the sheet delivery stacker. The suction airflow is varied by adjusting the speed of a vacuum source or motor driven fans, or by adjusting a ventilation window. A sheet control ventilation window is covered by a slidable, transparent panel which permits the operator to observe the orientation of the freshly printed sheets as the suction airflow is adjusted to precision. The sheet control window is also covered by a slidable screened panel which prevents introduction of objects into the press. Volatile vapors, moisture laden air and the like are also extracted from laterally opposite sides of the sheet delivery path, thus helping to control air turbulence at the delivery sheet stacker.

Abstract: A transfer cylinder for supporting freshly printed sheet material between printing units or at the delivery unit of a printing press is provided with an ink repellent, flexible jacket covering for supporting and transporting the sheet material without transfer of wet ink from one sheet to a successive sheet and without smearing the ink or causing indentations on the surface of the sheet material. The circumferential support surface of the transfer cylinder is covered with a conductive, fluoropolymer layer secured to the surface of the transfer cylinder beneath the protective, wash-free disposable flexible jacket covering. The low friction properties of the conductive base covering permit free movement of the ink repellent, flexible jacket covering relative to the transfer cylinder surface. Electrostatic charges delivered to the flexible jacket covering by the printed sheet material are drawn away from the flexible jacket covering and are discharged into the transfer cylinder by the conductive base covering.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support bars which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support bars overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support bar extending across the sheet transfer path. The support bars provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limiting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support bars as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skeleton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A coater assembly includes a feed pump and a return pump for circulating a liquid coating material through a doctor reservoir for applying protective or decorative coating material to freshly printed sheets in an offset rotary printing press. A portable console control unit includes circulation and wash-up components for operating the coater in a PURGE/replenishment mode, a COAT mode, a WASH mode and a DRAIN mode. The components for pumping and valving the coating liquid and cleaning liquid are integrated within the portable console unit, which may be remotely located with respect to the press. Cleaning liquid and waste materials are stored internally within the portable console unit. The various operating modes are coordinated by two position, three-port flow control valves which are actuated from one position to the other by electrical solenoids under the control of ON-OFF switches.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for use in a sheet-fed or web-fed, offset rotary or flexographic printing press to apply a protective and/or decorative coating to the surface of freshly printed sheets includes a doctor blade coating unit coupled to a pickup roller for supplying liquid material from a reservoir to the surface of a pickup roller mounted on a press delivery drive shaft. Liquid material is circulated through the reservoir of the doctor blade unit by suction flow produced by a return pump. This prevents the buildup of a positive pressure differential within the doctor blade reservoir. The doctor blade reservoir is maintained at below ambient pressure level, thereby preventing leakage through the end seals. A vacuum sensor circuit provides a visual indication of air vacuum pressure in the doctor blade reservoir chamber, and a vacuum sensor switch applies electrical power to an audio transducer.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support bars which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support bars overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support bar extending across the sheet transfer path. The support bars provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limiting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support bars as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skeleton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support bars which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support bars overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support bar extending across the sheet transfer path. The support bars provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limiting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support bars as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skeleton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for use in a sheet-fed or web-fed, offset rotary or flexographic printing press to apply a protective and/or decorative coating to the surface or freshly printed sheets includes a doctor blade coating unit coupled to a pickup roller for supplying liquid material from a reservoir to the surface of a pickup roller mounted on a press delivery drive shaft. Liquid material is circulated through the reservoir of the doctor blade unit by suction flow produced by a return pump. This prevents the buildup of a positive pressure differential within the doctor blade reservoir. The doctor blade reservoir is maintained at below ambient pressure level, thereby preventing leakage through the end seals. A vacuum sensor circuit provides a visual indication of air vacuum pressure in the doctor blade reservoir chamber, and a vacuum sensor switch applies electrical power to an audio transducer.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support bars which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support bars overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support bar extending across the sheet transfer path. The support bars provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limiting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support bars as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skeleton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for use in a sheet-fed, offset rotary printing press to selectively apply a protective and/or decorative coating to the wet ink surface of freshly printed sheets and including a coating unit having a pick-up roller for supplying aqueous coating material from a reservoir to the surface of a delivery cylinder mounted on a press delivery drive shaft, the delivery cylinder performing the dual function of a coating applicator roller and a delivery cylinder during coating operations.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support sections which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support sections overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support section extending across the sheet transfer path. The support sections provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limitting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support sections as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skelton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A vacuum transfer apparatus for use in a sheet fed rotary printing press for supporting the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet as it is moved from the press impression cylinder along a transfer path to a further processing station of the press, the apparatus including a vacuum chamber supporting a plurality of rotatable elongated rollers arrayed in spaced side-by-side parallel relationship laterally across the transfer path, and a vacuum pump connected to the chamber for producing a pressure differential across the freshly printed sheet to draw the unprinted side of the sheet into engagement with the support rollers by drawing air into the vacuum chamber through the spaces between the rollers as the sheet is pulled along the transfer path so that the printed side of the sheet can not be marked or marred.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for providing a source of anti-smear fabric net material to be used to cover the support surface of a transfer or delivery cylinder in a printing press, the assembly comprising an axle assembly mounted to brackets attached to the cylinder and having a replaceable cartridge roll wound with a continuous supply of fabric net material supported thereon. Structure is provided for releasably locking the axle assembly against removal from the brackets, and for releasably locking the axle assembly against rotation relative to the brackets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a grooved perfecting cylinder in a sheet-fed rotary printing press of the type capable of one sided or two sided sheet printing, the apparatus including a substantially rigid covering having a friction reducing coating thereon and which can be quickly and easily installed and removed over the sheet supporting surface of the perfecting cylinder when the press is operated in the one sided printing mode to permit an anti-marking fabric net to be installed and used over the sheet supporting surface of the perfecting cylinder.

Abstract: A skeleton wheel for a printing press has a pair of reel assemblies, one mounted axially along each of the leading and trailing edges of an opening extending the full axial width of the wheel, and to which the ends of an anti-smear fabric web are attached. Each reel assembly includes an axially extending roller which is non-rotatably mounted to the wheel yet permitted limited axial movement.

Abstract: A skeleton wheel or cylinder for supporting freshly printed sheet material between printing stations or at the delivery station of a printing press is provided with a loosely retained ink repellent fabric covering for supporting and conveying the sheet material without transfer of wet ink from one sheet to a successive sheet and without smearing the ink or indenting the surface of the sheet material. The circumferential surface of the skeleton cylinder is provided with a coating of a fluorocarbon plastic having a fabric base portion bonded to the surface of the cylinder structure. The low friction properties of the coating permit ease of shuffling movement of the fabric covering and the coating structure provides a cushioning effect to prevent smearing or indenting the sheet material by the fabric cover. The improved cylinder is provided with a plurality of retaining plates slidably fitted in axially spaced hub portions of the cylinder which plates are each locked in place by a set screw.