Patents by Inventor Karl Schafer

Karl Schafer 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: 11787185
    Abstract: In some examples, a printing press includes a printing unit having at least four nozzle bars, each including a print head. The printing unit includes at least two cleaning devices. At least two of the nozzle bars are configured to make contact with at least one of the cleaning devices. At least one of the cleaning devices has at least one storage position and at least one usage position. In the storage position, the at least one cleaning device is arranged along a transport direction of a printing substrate. The at least two cleaning devices may include at least one guide system configured as a shared guide system, and the at least two cleaning devices may further include at least one guide element configured as a shared guide element. For example, the shared guide element may be configured as at least one of a linear guide or a rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventors: Christian Arnold, Joachim Keupp, Wolfgang Reder, Karl Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20230136315
    Abstract: In some examples, a printing press includes a printing unit having at least four nozzle bars, each including a print head. The printing unit includes at least two cleaning devices. At least two of the nozzle bars are configured to make contact with at least one of the cleaning devices. At least one of the cleaning devices has at least one storage position and at least one usage position. In the storage position, the at least one cleaning device is arranged along a transport direction of a printing substrate. The at least two cleaning devices may include at least one guide system configured as a shared guide system, and the at least two cleaning devices may further include at least one guide element configured as a shared guide element. For example, the shared guide element may be configured as at least one of a linear guide or a rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Christian ARNOLD, Joachim KEUPP, Wolfgang REDER, Karl SCHÄFER
  • Patent number: 11623445
    Abstract: In some examples, a printing press includes a printing unit with at least four nozzle bars, each including a print head. At least one nozzle bar has a printing position and at least one service position. For instance, in a first service position, the at least one nozzle bar has a first distance to the transport path of a printing substrate, and in a second service position the at least one nozzle bar has a second distance to the transport path. The printing unit includes at least one cleaning device and/or cleaning system that is selectively arranged in an area between the at least one nozzle bar and the transport path. The at least one service position may be arranged in vertical direction above the printing position, and the second distance of the second service position of the nozzle bar may be less than in the first service position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventors: Christian Arnold, Joachim Keupp, Wolfgang Reder, Karl Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20230077916
    Abstract: In some examples, a printing press includes a printing unit with at least four nozzle bars, each including a print head. At least one nozzle bar has a printing position and at least one service position. For instance, in a first service position, the at least one nozzle bar has a first distance to the transport path of a printing substrate, and in a second service position the at least one nozzle bar has a second distance to the transport path. The printing unit includes at least one cleaning device and/or cleaning system that is selectively arranged in an area between the at least one nozzle bar and the transport path. The at least one service position may be arranged in vertical direction above the printing position, and the second distance of the second service position of the nozzle bar may be less than in the first service position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Christian ARNOLD, Joachim KEUPP, Wolfgang REDER, Karl SCHÄFER
  • Patent number: 11214069
    Abstract: A printing press includes at least one printing unit having at least one nozzle bar with at least two print heads and at least one cleaning device. Each nozzle bar is assigned at least one cleaning device. The at least one cleaning device includes at least one cleaning element. The at least one cleaning element is arranged to be movable in, and counter to a cleaning direction. The at least one cleaning element has at least one fluid infeed opening and at least one fluid discharge and at least one fluid extraction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reder, Joachim Keupp, Christian Arnold, Karl Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20210309012
    Abstract: A printing press includes at least one printing unit having at least one nozzle bar with at least two print heads and at least one cleaning device. Each nozzle bar is assigned at least one cleaning device. The at least one cleaning device includes at least one cleaning element. The at least one cleaning element is arranged to be movable in, and counter to a cleaning direction. The at least one cleaning element has at least one fluid infeed opening and at least one fluid discharge and at least one fluid extraction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfgang REDER, Joachim KEUPP, Christian ARNOLD, Karl SCHÄFER
  • Patent number: 10265958
    Abstract: A print unit has a transport path for stock, which path defines a direction of transport. The print unit comprises at least two suction boxes, having inlet openings which point in the direction of the transport path for the stock. The inlet openings of the suction boxes extend along an inlet length which corresponds to a working width of the print unit. The suction boxes are arranged next to each other in a transverse direction. These suction boxes can be removed from the print unit individually and independently of each other. The suction boxes may each be connected to the same common suction line by flow connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AG
    Inventors: Karl Schäfer, Wolfgang Reder
  • Patent number: 10137693
    Abstract: A printing assembly has a frame having two side walls and has at least one cross member which extends at least in a transverse direction between the side walls and which has at least one supporting body which can be moved in relation to the frame in at least one parking direction and which extends at least in the transverse direction. At least one printing head is arranged on the supporting body and can be moved jointly with the supporting body. At least one first contact point, which is arranged on the supporting body, and at least one second contact point, which is arranged on the cross member, form a first contact-point pair. The first contact points lie opposite each other in the parking direction and are one of in contact and can be brought into contact with each other. At least one third contact point, which is arranged on the supporting body, and at least one fourth contact point, which is arranged on the cross member, form a second contact-point pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer, AG
    Inventors: Hartmut Breunig, Bernd Masuch, Karl Schäfer
  • Patent number: 10131149
    Abstract: A printing assembly has at least one frame, which frame has at least two side walls, between which two side walls a transport path, provided for the transport of printing material, at least partially extends. At least one transport direction is defined by the transport path provided for the transport of printing material. The printing assembly has at least two cross members which are spaced apart from each other in the transport direction and which each extend from one of the side walls to another of the side walls. Each of the at least two cross members has at least one first cross beam and at least one second cross beam spaced apart therefrom, which jointly bound at least one interior of the particular cross member at least partially in and against the transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reder, Karl Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20180257375
    Abstract: A print unit has a transport path for stock. The transport path defines a direction of transport. The print unit comprises at least two suction boxes, each having inlet openings which at least partially point in the direction of the transport path provided for the stock. The inlet openings of the at least two suction boxes together extend along an inlet length in a transverse direction, 80% of which corresponds to a working width of the print unit. The at least two suction boxes are arranged next to each other in the transverse direction and these at least two suction boxes can be removed from the print unit individually and independently of each other of the at least two suction boxes that are arranged next to the respective other of the at least two suction boxes in the transverse direction. The at least two suction boxes may each be connected to the same common suction line via flow connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Karl SCHÄFER, Wolfgang REDER
  • Publication number: 20180250939
    Abstract: A printing assembly has at least one frame, which frame has at least two side walls, between which two side walls a transport path, provided for the transport of printing material, at least partially extends. At least one transport direction is defined by the transport path provided for the transport of printing material. The printing assembly has at least two cross members which are spaced apart from each other in the transport direction and which each extend from one of the side walls to another of the side walls. Each of the at least two cross members has at least one first cross beam and at least one second cross beam spaced apart therefrom, which jointly bound at least one interior of the particular cross member at least partially in and against the transport direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Wolfgang REDER, Karl SCHÄFER
  • Publication number: 20180250940
    Abstract: A printing assembly has a frame having two side walls and has at least one cross member which extends at least in a transverse direction between the side walls and which has at least one supporting body which can be moved in relation to the frame in at least one parking direction and which extends at least in the transverse direction. At least one printing head is arranged on the supporting body and can be moved jointly with the supporting body. At least one first contact point, which is arranged on the supporting body, and at least one second contact point, which is arranged on the cross member, form a first contact-point pair. The first contact points lie opposite each other in the parking direction and are one of in contact and can be brought into contact with each other. At least one third contact point, which is arranged on the supporting body, and at least one fourth contact point, which is arranged on the cross member, form a second contact-point pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hartmut BREUNIG, Bernd MASUCH, Karl SCHÄFER
  • Patent number: 10022994
    Abstract: A printing assembly has print heads, by the use of which, application locations for printing fluid are specified. A transport path through the printing assembly, and provided for print stock, is specified by at least two guide elements. One printing section of the transport path begins at a first application location and ends at a last application location. The application locations are arranged on that transport path having specifying guide elements, each having a pivot angle, and pivoting, in a pivoting manner, about at least one pivot axis, common thereto, which pivot angle equals at least 10°. A main conveying direction is specified by a linear connection between a first guide element based on the print section and a last guide element based on the print section. The main conveying direction is arranged, having guide elements arranged in the maintenance position thereof, under an angle of 30°, at maximum, to a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER, AG
    Inventors: Stefan Wander, Wolfgang Reder, Karl Schäfer
  • Patent number: 9895876
    Abstract: An apparatus is comprised of a plurality of printing units for printing hollow elements. A conveying device conveys the hollow elements to be printed into a printing zone of at least one of the printing units. At least one of the printing units includes a plate cylinder to which a plate replacing mechanism is assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KBA-METALPRINT GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Behnke, Wolfgang Reder, Karl Schäfer
  • Patent number: 9895875
    Abstract: A printing unit has a printing form cylinder. A plate changer is arranged in a manner which is allocated to the printing form cylinder. The plate changer has a bearing surface on which a printing form, which is arranged or is to be arranged on the printing form cylinder, can be laid. That bearing surface is arranged such that it can be moved to and fro between at least two defined positions longitudinally with respect to the rotational axis of the printing form cylinder. The printing form is arranged and registered on the bearing surface of the plate changer. At least two edges of a carrier for the relevant printing form, which are arranged at a right angle with respect to each other, are brought into physical contact with register pins which are arranged on the bearing surface of the plate changer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KBA-METALPRINT GMBH
    Inventors: Lars Keil, Bernd Masuch, Wolfgang Reder, Karl Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20180043710
    Abstract: A printing assembly has print heads, by the use of which, application locations for printing fluid are specified. A transport path through the printing assembly, and provided for print stock, is specified by at least two guide elements. One printing section of the transport path begins at a first application location and ends at a last application location. The application locations are arranged on that transport path having specifying guide elements, each having a pivot angle, and pivoting, in a pivoting manner, about at least one pivot axis, common thereto, which pivot angle equals at least 10°. A main conveying direction is specified by a linear connection between a first guide element based on the print section and a last guide element based on the print section. The main conveying direction is arranged, having guide elements arranged in the maintenance position thereof, under an angle of 30°, at maximum, to a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Stefan WANDER, Wolfgang REDER, Karl SCHÄFER
  • Patent number: 9889686
    Abstract: The invention relates to a printing assembly which has print heads, each of which specifies application positions for printing fluid. A transport path is provided for the printing substrate through the printing assembly and is defined by at least two guide elements of the printing assembly. A printing section of the transport path begins at a first application position and ends at a last application position. At least one of the guide elements is in contact with a total of at least two lateral support elements and with at least one inner support element at three points that are spaced from one another in a transverse direction, the position of that guide element being thereby defined. The inner support element is arranged such that it is or can be rigidly connected to at least one of the lateral support elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer, AG
    Inventors: Stefan Wander, Wolfgang Reder, Karl Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20170320341
    Abstract: The invention relates to a printing assembly which has print heads, each of which specifies application positions for printing fluid. A transport path is provided for the printing substrate through the printing assembly and is defined by at least two guide elements of the printing assembly. A printing section of the transport path begins at a first application position and ends at a last application position. At least one of the guide elements is in contact with a total of at least two lateral support elements and with at least one inner support element at three points that are spaced from one another in a transverse direction, the position of that guide element being thereby defined. The inner support element is arranged such that it is or can be rigidly connected to at least one of the lateral support elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Stefan WANDER, Wolfgang REDER, Karl SCHÄFER
  • Patent number: 9796173
    Abstract: A device for printing on hollow bodies has a plurality of printing units each having a printing cylinder. At least one of the printing units has an inking unit having a chambered doctor blade that provides printing ink. The chambered doctor blade system has at least one ink pan and a doctor blade holder in a single assembly. The single assembly of the chambered doctor blade system is retained in the inking unit only on one side. The assembly of the chambered doctor blade system forms a cantilever arm on a side frame of the inking unit. The assembly of the chambered doctor blade system can be moved axially parallel to the anilox roller and can be removed from the inking unit by that movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KBA-METALPRING GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Behnke, Wolfgang Reder, Ewald Röthlein, Karl Schäfer, Wolfgang Zink
  • Publication number: 20170197402
    Abstract: A device for printing on hollow bodies has a plurality of printing units each having a printing cylinder. At least one of the printing units has an inking unit having a chambered doctor blade that provides printing ink. The chambered doctor blade system has at least one ink pan and a doctor blade holder in a single assembly. The single assembly of the chambered doctor blade system is retained in the inking unit only on one side. The assembly of the chambered doctor blade system forms a cantilever arm on a side frame of the inking unit. The assembly of the chambered doctor blade system can be moved axially parallel to the anilox roller and can be removed from the inking unit by that movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Stephan BEHNKE, Wolfgang REDER, Ewald RÖTHLEIN, Karl SCHÄFER, Wolfgang ZINK