Abstract: A carriage (1a) which supports a storage container (1) for holding a plurality of printing plates is movable in a path along the printing stations (101, 102, 103) of the rotary printing machine system; guide paths (4) extend parallel to the axes of rotation of plate cylinders (104 . . . 109) and plate handling apparatus (3) to apply or remove printing plates are movable between the plate cylinders (e.g. 105, 106) of neighboring printing stations. The plate handling apparatus removes printing plates after the carriage (1a) is moved to a plate pick-up position (121 . . . 124), applies the plate on the respective plate cylinder (e.g. 106), removes a used or old printing plate from another plate plate cylinder, if desired, and returns it back to the storage container on the carriage. The movement of the carriage can be controlled by a guide system (2a), and run along a fixed rail track, or guided by induction or radiation.

Abstract: To apply a printed image on a printing form, a transfer tape is passed under a recording head, the transfer tape receiving, upon application of energy to the recording head, substance particles which change the surface of the printing form to have, respectively, ink accepting and ink repellent surface areas or, respectively, to fill the cells of a gravure cylinder, the transfer tape then being applied against the printing form and the substance particles therefrom being transferred to the printing form under influence of heat, or other energy, e.g. electrostatic or electromagnetic. Recording on the transfer tape, under control of an electronic control unit, can be carried out on a point-by-point or line-by-line basis at a recording speed which is slow with respect to the speed of operation of the reproducing head applying the substance particles to the printed form, so that information can be stored on the tape while a previously prepared printing form can print on the substrate.

Abstract: To permit placement of selected copy products having different subject matter together in specifically collated copy product assemblies, for association of individualized copy product assemblies with delivery addresses in a specific sequence, for example specific to subscribers or distribution stations or regions, a controller-computer (10) stores delivery addresses and the desired copy products at specific delivery addresses. All the copy products are stored in individual storage locations, from which, with respect to a specific address within the sequence, selected individual copy products are removed, for placement on collecting spaces (48-56) on a collecting transport system.

Abstract: To hold and transport folded printed products, a belt (18), for example a steel ribbon, has separating and holding elements (19), for example flat metal plates or sheets secured thereto. The transport belt (18) with the separating elements thereon is guided about a curved guide surface (20), for example a roller, whereupon the separating elements will spread or fan out from the underlying transport belt. In this spread or fanned out position, they can accept one sheet element (11) of a spread apart folded product (1), the separating element (19) gripping that sheet element (11) between itself and the transport belt. The folded products can then be transported, in scale-like or imbricated or shingled form, to a storage position, for example by rolling up the steel ribbon (18).

Abstract: To provide for fine-adjustment of the relative angular position of a driven body of rotation, such as a plate cylinder (1) of a printing machine, and having a driven shaft (21, 41) with respect to a driving shaft (9, 40), an axially shiftable intermediate shaft portion (14, 53) is positioned between the driving shaft (9, 40) and the driven shaft (21, 41) and the body of rotation, respectively. An elastic coupling structure (16, 24; 55, 57), for example a composite stacked leaf spring, and having the characteristic of being circumferentially stiff but axially flexible, couples the intermediate shaft, for axially shifting movement, between the respective shafts. Preferably, two such elastic coupling structures are provided.

Abstract: To deflect a moving paper web to respective transport paths (16, 17, 21, 25) by a cutter cylinder - counter cylinder combination (7, 8), the cylinders are oscillated back and forth above the respective transport paths by being retained in journal bearings which are eccentric with respect to the axes of rotation of the cylinders, so that, as the cylinders rotate, the nip between the cylinders will be in alignment with the respective transport path, the shift directing the leading edge of the web to a respective transport path. The cylinders, each, carry a knife and a counter element diametrically located with respect to each other, so that, as the leading edge of the web is gripped between a respective transport path, the web is severed thereafter and as the cylinder moves into alignment with the other transport path to feed the leading edge of the web to the other transport path for subsequent cutting, and so on.

Abstract: To provide a cleaning arrangement which includes brushes brushing against the surface of a rubber blanket or other printing cylinder, to remove lint, dust, dirt and other contaminants therefrom a strip of brushes (9), preferably backed up by a suction pipe (8) to remove lint from the surface of the cylinder and from the brushes, is located inwardly of the finger guard strip (6) which is provided in advance of the nip between rotating cylinders as a safety measure. The cleaning elements, that is, brushes (9) and suction tubes (8), if provided, are located inwardly, with respect to the nip, of the safety guard or safety rail (6) which, typically, has angled or essentially in cross section part-circular, typically semi-circular shape. The safety guard is usually supported by levers (11) or slidably supported in the printing machine, to be placed out of position from the nip when the machine is stopped.

Abstract: To permit storage of folded products, an elongated storage strip of finite length includes carriers for the folded products, the folded products being placed in predetermined position against the strip such that the sheets engage with a surface facing the strip element. The strip element, at the same time, can function as a transport element, to receive the folded sheets therefor, and transport them to a storage position where, for example, the elongated element is rolled into a roll (FIG. 1) or where the elongated element can be placed in a rack, or suspended, with the folded product hanging thereon (FIGS. 18, 19). The strip element is formed with carriers which have hook ends, engageable beneath the fold of the folded elements, upon flexing of the folded products and/or the carriers, or pivoting of carrier fingers engageable behind the backs of the folded products (6).

Abstract: A cutter cylinder-counter cylinder combination pair (5, 6) has cutter knives (13, 14) and counter elements (15, 16) thereon, respectively, preferably, located diametrically opposite each other. A cutter knife (14) on one cylinder (6) cooperates with a counter element (15) on the other cylinder (5). In addition to the cutter knives and counter elements, the cylinders carry deflection elements which are positioned relative to the direction of rotation of the cylinders behind the cutter knives for deflection of the leading edge of the web (2) into one of two selected paths (18, 19; 20, 21). The deflection elements include a longer and comparatively stiff, elastic blade (11) on one cylinder and a short, and more flexible blade (10) on the other cylinder. The two elements cooperate to grip the web (2) between themselves and, upon rotation of the cylinders, the stiffer, longer blade deflects the edge (26) of the web into the given path, permitting the shorter, resilient blade to flex.

Abstract: To permit compact construction, a combination cylinder (3) having thereon cutting grooves for cooperation with cutting knives (5) of a cutting blade cylinder (4), grippers (7) and folding blades (8) receives a web or a plurality of superposed webs (2), to be cut into cut copy products or elements (17). The elements (17) are transferred to a collection cylinder (10), to be gripped by grippers (11) thereon and transferred to grippers (13) on a stapling head cylinder (12). The stapling head cylinder, if the stapling heads are energized, staples the webs together, and transfers them to grippers (7) on the combination cylinder which, in turn, folds the stapled sheets by operation of the folding blades thereon in association with folding jaws of a folding jaw cylinder (15) located adjacent the combination cylinder. The stapling head cylinder and the folding jaw cylinders are located, at least in part, laterally of the combination cylinder, so that the apparatus does not require substantial height.

Abstract: To permit re-lining of a printing machine cylinder (9), while retaining the printing machine cylinder in adjusted position with respect to a reference, for example an associated cylinder, the side wall (1) of the printing machine is formed with an opening (2) sufficiently large to permit placing of a sleeve (14) over the cylinder. The cylinder shaft (8) is retained, prior to re-lining, in eccentric adjustment by a jaw chuck (3), preferably having three jaws (16, 17, 18) arranged in a star pattern and surrounding the shaft or the bearing, or an eccentric element thereof; the jaws of the jaw chuck are so placed that they can be withdrawn to clear the opening.

Abstract: To provide for a space-saving, yet high-capacity storage system for sheet elements, for example folded printed paper sheets or the like, a plurality of segments (6) are slidable along a guide track. The segments are interconnected, for example by welding, hinges or the like, in zig-zag or accordeon pleat form. When compressed, the structure can be empty and any number of segments can be taken from an empty storage region, transported to a loading/unloading/mixing region for insertion, removal, or interleaving of sheet elements, while the segments are in expanded position; and then, again, compressed so that sheet elements or folded sheets will continue to be carried in the structure formed by the segments, with little space required.

Abstract: To permit uniformly tensioning a holding strip (11) in which end portions (22, 23) of a cover layer such as a rubber blanket (24) can be inserted, the strip (11) is coupled to a plurality of rods (9) extending radially inwardly, and uniformly distributed over the axial length of the strip (11), the rods (9) being coupled to respective pistons (5) slidable in cylinder bores (4) worked in the bottom of the groove (2). Hydraulic or pneumatic pressure can be applied to one face of the piston, the opposite face of the piston being loaded by a spring (17). Thus, since the pressure being applied to all the pistons will be uniform, tensioning pressure (FIG. 2) will be uniform, or raising pressure (FIG. 3) will be uniform. Rather than using fluid pressure, other non-mechanical energy, such as electrical energy, can be used to raise the strip (11) by electromagnetic coupling of solenoids to the rods (9).

Abstract: To move a plurality of interconnected segments which a zig-zag, accordeon or bellows pleat arrangement on or between which sheet elements such as projecting elements from a folded sheet are located along a transport path and to permit, selectively, expansion or compression of the segments for handling of sheet elements, and compact storage, an endless belt, preferably a gear belt sprocket chain or the like, is provided engageable with the segments. Preferably, lifting rollers are provided, selectively engageable with the belt to slightly raise the segments from transport rails, and decrease friction of the segments with respect to the rails. The segments can be stored, when empty or loaded, when collapsed against each other, and spread apart for sheet material handling. A plurality of such system can be located or adjacent each other, so that, when the segments are spread apart, suitable mixing or insertion steps can be carried out.

Abstract: To prevent shifting of an eccentric (12, 33) about a bearing (8, 26), which it surrounds to provide for adjustable positioning of a printing cylinder (3) in a printing machine, upon release of the eccentric from a sidewall (1) of a printing machine to permit placing a sleeve (15) over the cylinder, the eccentric, in accordance with the invention, is locked in position to the shaft of the cylinder, or to the sidewall, or a releasable jaw of the machine prior to release of the eccentric from clamp holding position between holding jaws (13, 27, 28) which, in operation, retain the eccentric in position on the machine.

Abstract: To permit introduction of adjacently located sheet elements (20, 22), for example folded sheets (24), received from a folding flap cylinder (2), with the fold line or spine leading and with the sheet elements spread apart, a guide belt (13) has laterally projecting fingers (12) which engage between the sheet elements (20, 22), the guide belt being positioned adjacent to and operating at essentially the same speed as a pair of transport belts (25, 26) between which the sheet elements are being transported. The fingers are inserted between the sheet elements as a sheet (24) is folded or two individual sheet elements are gripped by a folding flap or gripper cylinder (2), and remain between the sheet elements upon transport by the transport belt system.

Abstract: To permit accurate control of ink being transferred by an ink transfer roller from an ink source (6; 15, 16, 17) to an ink accepting roller (1, 10), the transfer roller (2, 11) has a surface layer (3, 12) which is made of compressible material, the surface layer being formed with shallow cup-like depression in a grid or similar raster pattern. Upon compression and deformation of the depth of the shallow cup-like depressions, the cup-like depressions will change their volume and thus change the quantity of ink being transferred. This also permits direct inking of a forme cylinder (1) by a chamber ink supply arrangement (6) since the hard surface of the forme cylinder will be engaged by the resilient or compressible surface layer (3, 12) of the transfer roller.

Abstract: To transport folded copy products without engaging an arm between the creased or folded sheets of a folded copy product, a sprocket chain (10) has gripper arms (9) secured thereto which have gripper elements (11) at the remote end. The gripper elements are guided in an arcuate path (11') at a transfer position or station (7), the folded copy products (10) being pushed between a counter surface (11a) and a movable tongue (11b) of the gripper elements which, then, close under spring pressure. The gripper elements can open and close under control of a cam (18,17) to receive the copy products. The copy products can be transported in imbricated or shingled position to a reception or delivery station (14,27).

Abstract: To provide, selectively, different outputs from a cutting and folding apparatus (FIGS.

Abstract: To compensate for expansion and width of printed substrates, for example paper webs, when subjected to damping liquid, printing plates are located on the printing cylinder in axially shiftable adjusted position, so that register can be maintained. The register adjustment arrangement includes coupling elements (10, 13; 11, 14) engageable with an adjustment device (7, 12, 18) and engagement plates or pins (5, 6; 21, 22), the coupling device conjointly being moved by an externally engageable adjustment knob or nut by threaded engagement between the knob and nut, in which the thread coupling between an engagement plate or pin at an outermost plate is at a pitch which is higher than the thread engagement with the engagement pins or plates of a more inwardly placed printing plate. Upon rotation of the adjustment knob or nut, thus, the outermost plate will be moved axially farther than the inwardly moved plate, although both plates moving together.