Patents by Inventor Karl Robert Schäfer

Karl Robert Schäfer 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: 8347785
    Abstract: A web offset press includes several printing units through which a web passes essentially in a horizontal direction. The printed web then passes to at least one first folding unit. Each of the printing units has at least one plate cylinder and one transfer cylinder which interacts with the web being printed. An effective plate width of the plate cylinder corresponds to the print image of at least eight upright or prone printed pages in a BIN 4A format. The printed web is slit longitudinally into a plurality of web strands: A first number of these web strands are supplied to the first folding apparatus. At the same time, a second number of web strands, produced by the slitting of the same web, are supplied to a second folding apparatus for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Ewald Heinrich Bernard, Klaus Ludwig Christmann, Burkard Otto Herbert, Bernd Ulrich Herbert Keller, Erwin Paul Josef Lehrieder, Klaus Walter Röder, Karl Robert Schäfer
  • Patent number: 8261661
    Abstract: A printing unit is comprised of at least two cylinders which cooperate with each other in a printing group. At least one of these at least two cylinders is movably mounted so that it can be positioned against the other of the at least two cylinders by the use of at least one actuator, which is preferably configured as a power-controlled actuator. A control device is provided and in which several different preset values, which represent different levels of contact force between the two cylinders, are stored. Such data storage is in accordance with a criterion which concerns machine data and/or consumed material data and/or operational data. This data is usable to position the cylinder by operation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Kurt Masuch, Karl Robert Schäfer, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 8176845
    Abstract: A form cylinder of a printing machine includes a plurality of sections in series in an axial direction of the cylinder surface. At least one printing form is arranged in each one of these sections. The form cylinder has at least one channel, also extending in the axial direction of the cylinder. That channel has an opening on the surface of the form cylinder. At least one holding device for each of the sections is arranged in this channel. Each such holding device can be pneumatically actuated in sections. At least one recess, open to the cylinder surface, is formed outside of these sections. A device that is usable to distribute compressed air to the respective sections of the form cylinder is provided in this at least one recess. The device for distributing the compressed air is configured as a plurality of valves. At least one control device is provided outside of the form cylinder and is used to activate the plurality of valves in a non-contact manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Koblinger, Karl Robert Schäfer
  • Patent number: 8069785
    Abstract: A printing group of a printing press is comprised of a transfer cylinder, a forme cylinder and a first roller of an inking unit. That first inking unit roller cooperates, as an ink application roller, with the forme cylinder. The inking unit is provided with two axially traversing friction cylinders which are serially disposed in the ink path to the forme cylinder. The first inking unit roller has substantially the same diameter as the forme cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl Robert Schäfer, Georg Schneider, Kurt Johannes Weschenfelder
  • Publication number: 20110132215
    Abstract: A web offset press includes several printing units through which a web passes essentially in a horizontal direction. The printed web then passes to at least one first folding unit. Each of the printing units has at least one plate cylinder and one transfer cylinder which interacts with the web being printed. An effective plate width of the plate cylinder corresponds to the print image of at least eight upright or prone printed pages in a BIN 4A format. The printed web is slit longitudinally into a plurality of web strands: A first number of these web strands are supplied to the first folding apparatus. At the same time, a second number of web strands, produced by the slitting of the same web, are supplied to a second folding apparatus for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Andreas Ewald Heinrich Bernard, Klaus Ludwig Christmann, Burkard Otto Herbert, Bernd Ulrich Herbert Keller, Erwin Paul Josef Lehrieder, Klaus Walter Röder, Karl Robert Schäfer
  • Patent number: 7856925
    Abstract: A plurality of printing blocks are placed on a plate cylinder of a printing machine. Each of these printing blocks is located at one of a plurality of mounting locations which are located adjacent each other in an axial direction of the plate cylinder. Each of these printing blocks is stored in a storage device which includes storage positions that are located adjacent to, and offset from each other at a fixed distance in the axial direction of the plate cylinder, prior to the arrangement of the printing blocks at one of the mounting locations of the plate cylinder. The plate cylinder and/or the storage device are displaced axially relative to each other by the operation of a positioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl Robert Schäfer
  • Patent number: 7806052
    Abstract: At least two blankets which are removed from the same cylinder of a printing machine one after the other, are stored in a storage device. The blankets are drawn off the cylinder in a longitudinal direction and are stored in the device at an angle of inclination of not more than 15° relative to the horizontal. The second blanket to be drawn off is stored below the previously drawn-off blanket at a distance that is vertical along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Schneider, Karl Robert Schäfer
  • Patent number: 7779757
    Abstract: A web-fed rotary printing press is structured having two end-surface defining side frames. At least one printing unit, with at least two cooperating printing unit cylinders, is supported between these side frames. At least one of the at least two cooperating cylinders is pre-assembled as a cylinder unit that has side frames and face engaging bearing unit. The at least one printing unit can be placed between the side frames as the one-piece cylinder unit comprising the structural cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl Robert Schäfer, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 7766806
    Abstract: A rotating member of a printing press is typically a cylinder that is provided with a circumferential area. A securement channel or a flow channel, which is at least partly open toward the circumferential area of the cylinder, is formed in the cylinder. A profiled member, which at least partly covers the securement channel or flow channel, with respect to its circumferential area, is inserted into the cylinder to form an integrated joint with the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Becker, Wolfgang Robert Josef Felgenhauer, Karl Robert Schäfer, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 7752964
    Abstract: Printing units are supported between side frames of a web-fed rotary printing press. Each such printing unit includes at least one transfer cylinder and at least one cooperating printing cylinder, which is embodied as a form cylinder. These cylinders are rotatably mounted between the spaced side frames. The printing unit is provided with an inking unit that includes a roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Heinz Fischer, Wolfgang Otto Reder, Karl Robert Schäfer, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 7717039
    Abstract: A rotating body of a printing press includes a barrel that has a base body and an outer body which at least partially surrounds the base body. The external body, or at least one channel which is located in the barrel is traversed by a temperature control medium. The outer body or the at least one channel is thermally insulated with respect to the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Becker, Karl Robert Schäfer, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 7699000
    Abstract: A cylinder of a printing press is mounted using a bearing block. A radial bearing is movable in spaced linear bearings along an adjustment direction of the cylinder. The bearing is embodied as a modular bearing unit which may be a one piece assembly. The linear bearing is included in the modular assembly which permits movement of the bearing block along with the radial bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl Robert Schäfer, Georg Schneider
  • Publication number: 20100043660
    Abstract: A plurality of printing blocks are placed on a plate cylinder of a printing machine. Each of these printing blocks is located at one of a plurality of mounting locations which are located adjacent each other in an axial direction of the plate cylinder. Each of these printing blocks is stored in a storage device which includes storage positions that are located adjacent to, and offset from each other at a fixed distance in the axial direction of the plate cylinder, prior to the arrangement of the printing blocks at one of the mounting locations of the plate cylinder. The plate cylinder and/or the storage device are displaced axially relative to each other by the operation of a positioning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Karl Robert Schäfer
  • Patent number: 7647868
    Abstract: A printing plate is produced having at least one edge which has been cut so that it is parallel to a line of delimitation of the type area of the plate. The printing plate is fed to an impression cylinder of a printing press, in an axial direction of the impression cylinder by use of a plate feeding and alignment device. During the process of feeding the printing plate to the impression cylinder, the at least one edge of the plate, which was cut parallel to the type line of determination, is guided against at least one stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Schneider, Karl Robert Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20090217832
    Abstract: A printing unit is comprised of at least two cylinders which cooperate with each other in a printing group. At least one of these at least two cylinders is movably mounted so that it can be positioned against the other of the at least two cylinders by the use of at least one actuator, which is preferably configured as a power-controlled actuator. A control device is provided and in which several different preset values, which represent different levels of contact force between the two cylinders, are stored. Such data storage is in accordance with a criterion which concerns machine data and/or consumed material data and/or operational data. This data is usable to position the cylinder by operation of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Bernd Kurt Masuch, Karl Robert Schäfer, Georg Schneider
  • Publication number: 20090205520
    Abstract: A drive unit is provided for a rotating component of a printing press, which rotating component is disposed between spaced lateral frames. A bearing assembly supports the rotatable component so that it is movable in a direction of movement which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable component. A journal of the rotatable component does not penetrate an alignment of the lateral frame in its mounted orientation. The rotatable component is rotatably driven by an independent drive motor. A rotor of the drive motor is joined to the journal of the rotatable component in a torsion-proof, detachable configuration. A bearing assembly for the journal is provided with a movable bearing block that receives the journal of the rotatable component, and which is located on an interior portion of the bearing assembly, relative to the plane of the lateral frame. A stator of the driving motor is rigidly, and removably connected to the movable bearing block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Karl Robert Schäfer, Bernd Kurt Masuch, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 7562623
    Abstract: A printing unit is comprised of at least two pairs of two cylinders each. The two cylinders in each pair are a transfer cylinder and a forme cylinder. The transfer cylinder and the forme cylinder are each embodied with a width sufficient for printing six newspaper pages arranged axially next to each other. The transfer cylinder of each pair cooperates with a counter-pressure cylinder, that is embodied as a satellite cylinder to form a printing head in a so-called print-in-place arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Kurt Masuch, Karl Robert Schäfer, Kurt Johannes Weschenfelder
  • Patent number: 7546801
    Abstract: A printing unit is comprised of at least two pairs of two cylinders each. The two cylinders in each pair are a transfer cylinder and a forme cylinder. The transfer cylinder and the forme cylinder are each embodied with a width sufficient for printing six newspaper pages arranged axially next to each other. The transfer cylinder of each pair cooperates with a counter-pressure cylinder, that is embodied as a satellite cylinder to form a printing head in a so-called print-in-place arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Kurt Masuch, Karl Robert Schäfer, Kurt Johannes Weschenfelder
  • Patent number: 7530309
    Abstract: At least two blankets which are removed from the same cylinder of a printing machine one after the other, are stored in a storage device. The blankets are drawn off the cylinder in a longitudinal direction and are stored in the device at an angle of inclination of not more than 15? relative to the horizontal. The second blanket to be drawn off is stored below the previously drawn-off blanket at a distance that is vertical along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Schneider, Karl Robert Schäfer
  • Patent number: 7448320
    Abstract: A printing unit is comprised of at least two pairs of two cylinders each. The two cylinders in each pair are a transfer cylinder and a forme cylinder. The transfer cylinder and the forme cylinder are each embodied with a width sufficient for printing six newspaper pages arranged axially next to each other. The transfer cylinder of each pair cooperates with a counter-pressure cylinder, that is embodied as a satellite cylinder to form a printing head in a so-called print-in-place arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Kurt Masuch, Karl Robert Schäfer, Kurt Johannes Weschenfelder