Abstract: A printing blanket sleeve is provided having two separable sections including a carcass sleeve and a face sleeve. The face sleeve is mounted over the carcass sleeve such that, when the printing blanket sleeve is installed on a blanket cylinder, the carcass sleeve and the face sleeve form an integral unit in use. The printing blanket sleeve is provided in separable sections so that the printing surface may be replaced in a manner wherein the carcass sleeve, including preferably at least some portion of the inner layers, can be reused with new printing surfaces. Further, the printing blanket sleeve is arranged such that the user of the printing blanket sleeve can change the printing surface of the printing blanket sleeve on-site so that there is no longer a need to discard the entire printing blanket sleeve, or alternatively send the printing blanket sleeve back to the manufacturer to be reconditioned.

Abstract: A printing blanket sleeve is provided having two separable sections including a carcass sleeve and a face sleeve. The face sleeve is mounted over the carcass sleeve such that, when the printing blanket sleeve is installed on a blanket cylinder, the carcass sleeve and the face sleeve form an integral unit in use. The printing blanket sleeve is provided in separable sections so that the printing surface may be replaced in a manner wherein the carcass sleeve, including preferably at least some portion of the inner layers, can be reused with new printing surfaces. Further, the printing blanket sleeve is arranged such that the user of the printing blanket sleeve can change the printing surface of the printing blanket sleeve on-site so that there is no longer a need to discard the entire printing blanket sleeve, or alternatively send the printing blanket sleeve back to the manufacturer to be reconditioned.

Abstract: A printing blanket which resists gauge loss throughout its useful life when subjected to printing nip pressures by retaining at least 95% of its original gauge throughout the useful life of the printing blanket. The printing blanket includes at least a printing surface layer and at least one reinforcing woven fabric ply and may also include a compressible layer. At least one, and preferably all, of the reinforcing woven fabric plies in the blanket construction are treated or fabricated to resist permanent deformation when subjected to printing nip pressures.

Abstract: A printing blanket which requires no packing when installed and which has a nontextured, substantially smooth and low abrasion base surface contacting the blanket cylinder so that the pressures to which the blanket is subjected are spread substantially over the entire surface of the blanket in contact with the blanket cylinder is provided. The laminated printing blanket construction includes at least one base ply and a surface layer. The exterior surface of the base ply is coated with an elastomer to provide the substantially smooth surface. The blanket eliminates mechanical abrasion of the blanket cylinder surface with which it is in contact.

Abstract: A printing blanket adapted to be used with a magnetic printing cylinder including a gap extending longitudinally along the outer surface thereof is provided. The printing blanket includes a plurality of plies with a magnetic backing ply which is magnetically adhered to the printing cylinder. The printing blanket is positioned on the printing cylinder such that an end of the printing blanket is bent over an edge and inwardly into the gap. The opposite end of the printing blanket is mounted substantially adjacent the opposite edge of the gap. A tensioning roll or similar device to which the printing blanket may be attached can be disposed in the gap to secure the printing blanket to the printing cylinder more firmly.

Abstract: A unitary printing blanket construction which requires no packing when installed and which has a nontextured, low abrasion base surface contacting the blanket cylinder so that the pressures to which the blanket is subjected are spread substantially over the entire surface of the blanket in contact with the blanket cylinder is provided. The laminated printing blanket construction includes at least one base ply and a surface layer laminated to one surface thereof. The opposite surface of the base ply is substantially nontextured such that, when mounted on a blanket cylinder, the pressures to which the blanket is subjected are spread substantially over the entire surface of the blanket in contact with the cylinder. The printing blanket is particularly useful when used in conjunction with a metal-plated blanket cylinder.

Abstract: A device and method for installing an adhesive-backed printing blanket on a cylinder is provided. The printing blanket has an adhesive backing for holding it on the cylinder and a leading edge substantially perpendicular to the edge of the blanket. The device comprises an angle bar having a generally orthogonal pair of leg forming an inside corner therebetween for receiving the leading edge of the printing blanket to be contiguous therewith. A first one of the legs has an inside surface being an adherend of limited adhesion, the periphery of the adhesive backing adjacent the leading edge being removably adherable thereto. The first leg also has an outside surface formed to be axially aligning with the cylinder when placed thereon. As a result, the leading edge of the printing blanket is held squarely in place on the angle bar while the printing blanket is wrapped evenly around the cylinder.

Abstract: A printing blanket construction and method and apparatus for making the same are provided, the blanket construction comprising an outer layer formed mainly of polymeric material and having an outer printing surface for carrying liquid printing ink or the like for printing purposes or the like, the outer printing surface having a plurality of separate ink wells interrupting the same in a closely spaced apart generally uniform pattern thereof throughout substantially the entire printing area thereof and with a relatively large number of the wells each having a mouth opening at the printing surface that has a substantially straight-line length across the largest portion thereof of approximately 3 microns to approximately 65 microns.

Abstract: A compressible printing roller and method of making the same are provided wherein such roller comprises a central support, a tubular inner layer carried by the support and made of a microporous rubber material having cavities interconnected by passages, and a tubular outer layer disposed around the inner layer and made of a nonporous polymeric material with the layers cooperating to assure the roller provides optimum contact between the roller and material being coated thereby at comparatively small nip pressures.

Abstract: A printing blanket and method of making same is provided wherein such blanket comprises a base structure, a surface layer made of a fluorocarbon elastomer, and a binder layer comprised of a polychloroprene elastomer which provides optimum adhesion between the base structure and the surface layer.