Abstract: An inking system for a printing press is provided, including a structural member; an ink metering device mounted to the structural member; and an internal ink manifold housed in the structural member for supplying ink to the ink metering device.

Abstract: An inking system for a printing press is provided, including a structural member; an internal ink manifold housed in the structural member; a shuttle inside the internal ink manifold and movable along a length of the internal ink manifold; and a plurality of ink supply sources, a first ink supply source for connection to a first end of the internal ink manifold and a second ink supply source for connection to a second end of the internal ink manifold.

Abstract: An inking system for a printing press is provided, including a structural member; an internal ink manifold housed in the structural member; and a shuttle inside the internal ink manifold and movable along a length of the internal ink manifold.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket having an axial center has a carrier sleeve layer having a uniform thickness, a compressible layer, a reinforcing layer over the compressible layer, and a print layer disposed over the reinforcing layer. At least one of the reinforcing layer and the compressible layers has a non-uniform thickness so as to be thicker in the axial center. An outer surface of the print layer is convex.

Abstract: A printing blanket includes a carrier sleeve layer having at least one axially convex surface and a print layer disposed over the carrier sleeve layer. A blanket cylinder with a convex outer surface and a convex shim is also provided. An offset printing press is also provided.

Abstract: An improved printing press includes a tubular-shaped printing blanket removably disposed on a blanket cylinder rotatably supported by a frame and having an outer circumferential surface. The printing blanket is disposed in rolling engagement with a conventional printing plate disposed on a plate cylinder having an axially extending gap in which opposite ends of the printing plate are secured. The printing blanket is removed by opening a portion of the frame and axially sliding the printing blanket off of the blanket cylinder. The blanket cylinder has passages which deliver a stream of air to the outer surface of the blanket cylinder which expands the inner circumferential surface of the printing blanket so that the blanket can be axially removed or inserted onto the blanket cylinder. The printing blanket has a metal inner surface which is tensioned by the blanket cylinder to retain the printing blanket on the blanket cylinder during operation of the press.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket having an axial center has a carrier sleeve layer having a uniform thickness, a compressible layer, a reinforcing layer over the compressible layer, and a print layer disposed over the reinforcing layer. At least one of the reinforcing layer and the compressible layers has a non-uniform thickness so as to be thicker in the axial center. An outer surface of the print layer is convex.

Abstract: A printing blanket includes a carrier sleeve layer having at least one axially convex surface and a print layer disposed over the carrier sleeve layer. A blanket cylinder with a convex outer surface and a convex shim is also provided. An offset printing press is also provided.

Abstract: An improved printing press includes a tubular-shaped printing blanket removably disposed on a blanket cylinder rotatably supported by a frame and having an outer circumferential surface. The printing blanket is disposed in rolling engagement with a conventional printing plate disposed on a plate cylinder having an axially extending gap in which opposite ends of the printing plate are secured. The printing blanket is removed by opening a portion of the frame and axially sliding the printing blanket off of the blanket cylinder. The blanket cylinder has passages which deliver a stream of air to the outer surface of the blanket cylinder which expands the inner circumferential surface of the printing blanket so that the blanket can be axially removed or inserted onto the blanket cylinder. The printing blanket has a metal inner surface which is tensioned by the blanket cylinder to retain the printing blanket on the blanket cylinder during operation of the press.

Abstract: A printing blanket includes a carrier sleeve layer having at least one axially convex surface and a print layer disposed over the carrier sleeve layer. A blanket cylinder with a convex outer surface and a convex shim is also provided. An offset printing press is also provided.