Abstract: In a remoistening device for remoistening a freshly printed and dried web of printed material has a housing through which the web of printed material runs. The remoistening device is a disposed downstream from a dryer, preferably in the area between the dryer and a cooling device. The remoistening device is provided with an inlet and outlet slot, in which spray nozzles, which are arranged above and underneath the conveyance plane of the web of printed material and which can be supplied with a moistening agent, are provided. It is possible to achieve a high degree of freedom from trouble and soiling is achieved in that drip catchers are arranged at the lower edges of the walls of the upper housing area of the remoistening device which cross an conveyance plane of the web of printed material.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the amount of ink and water supplied to the plate cylinder of a web offset press. The web offset press operates to print an image on a travelling substrate and the method includes the steps of: (A) monitoring a characteristic of the substrate; (B) changing by a known quantity the amount of ink supplied to the plate cylinder in response to said monitored characteristic; (C) monitoring the change in the characteristic after the step (B) to determine whether the density of ink supplied to the substrate has changed in response to the step (B); and (D) decreasing the amount of water supplied to the plate cylinder when the monitored characteristic does not change in response to the step (B).

Abstract: A printing press having an ink carrying roller and a roller having a blanket is equipped with a printed sheet material stripper having air dispenser for directing streams of air toward the roller having the blanket to assist in separating the sheet material from the blanket. A second air dispenser directs streams of air toward the ink carrying roller to set up and dry water in the ink on the ink carrying roller. Air flow regulators control the pressure of the air supplied to the air dispensers.

Abstract: A printing unit (1) of a rotary printing press for using various ink types is provided. The printing unit includes an inking mechanism (45), a print cylinder (3), and a blanket cylinder (2). The inking mechanism (45) and the cylinders (2, 3) are mounted in side walls of the printing unit (1). A housing (14) at least partially surrounds the inking mechanism (45) and the cylinders (2, 3) to maintain a surrounding atmosphere within an at least semi-enclosed area (100) of the printing unit (1). A chemical agent is selectively added to the atmosphere in the semi-enclosed area (100) to reduce the rate of evaporation of a substance in the ink.

Abstract: A temperature-control device particularly for an offset printing machine for at least two separate liquids in the machine. Dampening solution circulates in a first liquid circulation circuit to printing plates or the like receiving the dampening solution. A first heat exchanger communicates with a cold generator and the first liquid circulation circuit passes through a first heat exchanger. The second cooling solution of the printing machine cools parts of the machine and is in a second liquid circulation circuit. The second liquid circulation circuit passes through the second heat exchanger. After passing through the first heat exchanger, the first liquid circulation circuit also passes through a second heat exchanger, whereby heat is exchanged between the first and second liquid circulation circuits. The second liquid circulation circuit includes a controllable bypass for selectively bypassing the second liquid past the second exchanger.

Abstract: A dampening unit for an offset printing machine having a plate cylinder which carries a printing form and which is operatively connected to applicator rollers of an inking unit and of a dampening unit. To improve the print quality appreciably by means of uniform, fault-free feed of dampening medium to the plate cylinder, particularly during the processing of special inks having relatively high metallic pigment components, a dampening applicator roller receives a feed of dampening medium upstream of the contact point with the plate cylinder, and a first auxiliary roller receives dampening medium from the dampening applicator roller and a second auxiliary roller receives printing ink from the dampening applicator roller with the plate cylinder at contact points with the dampening medium applicator roller downstream of this contact point for the dampening applicator roller.

Abstract: The amount of a dampening agent applied to a printing unit is regulated by sensing the light reflected from several unprinted areas of a web that has passed through the printing unit. The reflectance of a center blank strip is used as a reference and the reflectance of adjacent strips are compared to this reference. Dampening fluid is regulated on the basis of this comparison.

Abstract: Device for wetting and/or cleaning solenoids in an offset rotary printing machine having a plate cylinder, an offset cylinder and an impression cylinder. The device comprises wetting cylinders running against the plate cylinder and a ramp with several nozzles for spraying liquid towards the wetting solenoids in atomized condition, said ramp being mounted in parallel with the rotational axes of the cylinders. A valve is provided for each nozzle having at least one separate solenoid controlled inlet for liquid and an outlet to the associated nozzle. The solenoid control inlet comprises a valve with a solenoid armature (25) which is spring biased towards the closed position of the valve, and a valve element (26, 27) displaceably mounted in the solenoid armature and spring biased towards the closed position of the valve, said valve element in this position engaging a valve seat.

Abstract: A damping unit for a printing press utilizes four rollers to provide damping medium from a source of the damping medium, to a printing plate cylinder. The various rollers in the damping unit are interrelated by appropriate diameter and circumferential speeds to effectively prevent the migration of printing ink back from the printing cylinder to the damping fluid source.

Abstract: An abnormality detector for nozzle-type dampening systems in offset printers, for injecting dampening solution through nozzles onto a receiving part by intermittently opening nozzles with nozzle opening signals generated by a nozzle operation controller, which detects the abnormal injection of dampening solution through the dampening system nozzles is disclosed.

Abstract: An offset printing press comprises a plate cylinder onto which a printing plate is attached, a form dampening roller having an elasticity on its outer surface, a water fountain roller immersed into water in a water pan, and intermediate roller means for transferring the water from the water fountain roller to the form dampening roller. The intermediate roller means comprises a water oscillating roller which has a hydrophilic property on its outer surface and is capable of reciprocating in its axial direction with contacting the form dampening roller. Also, the offset printing press comprises first moving means for moving the form dampening roller close to and away from the plate cylinder; and second moving means for moving at least one of the water oscillating roller and the form dampening roller so that these two rollers can be moved close to and away from each other.

Abstract: A printing assistant comprising a water-soluble hemicellulose as an effective ingredient. It has excellent film formability, long-term storage stability, emulsifiability and desensitization in nonimage areas and further has the effect of improving the emulsion stability and continuous printing stability as a dampening water composition.

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for moistening a moving web of material (10), in particular for moistening again a printed then dried printed material. As soon as possible after the thermal drying process is concluded, preferably in the area of the cooling cylinders, a moistening agent is pressed on one or both sides of the web of material (10) by an applicator (12) by means of a smooth cylinder (15), against a guiding element (11).

Abstract: A dampening apparatus of a lithographic printing machine in which a dampening train constituted by a roller or rollers is arranged and a dampening liquid is supplied to a printing plate through the dampening train, comprises a spraying mechanism facing a peripheral surface of a roller of the dampening train with a space therefrom and disposed along an axis of the roller, the spraying mechanism containing a plurality of nozzles directing to the peripheral surface of the roller, a cover unit disposed in the space between the spraying mechanism and the roller and having a roller side cover opened and a spraying mechanism side cover closed, the cover unit having a structure extendable and retractable between the roller side cover and the spraying mechanism side cover, and movement adjusting means for adjusting relative movement of the roller side cover and the spraying mechanism side cover so as the spraying mechanism side portion of the cover unit and the spraying mechanism may move close to or apart from the pe

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for lithographic printing whereby the dampening water input from a non-contact source is conveyed to the printing plate as an admixture in the ink by the inking train of rollers and adjuncts thereof having at least four inked roller nips between a dampening water input receiving roller and each inking form roller, the latter thereby also functioning as dampening form rollers.

Abstract: A dampening arrangement for a printing press such as a lithographic press includes at least one solution receiving roller for receiving dampening solution and other rollers for conveying the dampening solution to a printing plate. The dampening arrangement is provided with a nozzle unit having a plurality of nozzles arranged substantially in parallel with the axis of the solution receiving roller and opposed to predetermined areas on the surface of the solution receiving roller, and a dampening solution supply source connected to the nozzle means for supplying the nozzles with a pressurized dampening solution. The distance between the nozzles and the surface of the solution receiving roller is automatically adjusted in accordance with the printing speed of the printing press. The printing press does not cause a printing defect due to excess supply of the dampening solution even when the printing press is operated at a high speed.

Abstract: A printing machine spray device for moistening surfaces of cylinders, rolls, rollers which are rotating around a transverse axis of the machine and/or for moistening the material being printed which is moving in the longitudinal direction of the machine. The liquid is sprayed by two sprayers onto the surface to be moistened while the two sprayers are being moved in respective opposite directions transversely over the surface. Each sprayer starts from a different respective longitudinal side of the machine. Controls determine the on-off delivery of spray, the speed of sprayer motion, the starting positions of each of the sprayers and may adjust these for machine parameters. Automatic dosing of a specific quantity during one spraying is provided. The input to a sprayer may be from one of selected sources.

Abstract: A device for preventing unwanted aerosol-like deposits on rotary printing presses utilizes an aerosol capturing assembly which is located adjacent a receptor roller. Any unwanted aerosol, which may be created adjacent the receptor roller by the operation of a droplet generating device, is removed by the aerosol capturing device.

Abstract: Device for prefiltering dampening medium in a printing press having at least one printing unit includes a prefilter housing, and a prefilter unit disposed in the housing, the prefilter housing being integrated into the printing unit of the printing press.

Abstract: A spray dampener for a printing press has a row of spray nozzles (5) for spraying liquid on a roller (3). A shutter device (14) for mechanically screening off part of or the whole spray cone is arranged at a nozzle towards the end of the roller. The shutter device is a shield (14), attached to a shaft (11) rotatably arranged at the side of the nozzle facing the end of the roller.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for use in a sheet-fed or web-fed, offset rotary or flexographic printing press to apply a protective and/or decorative coating to the surface of freshly printed sheets includes a doctor blade coating unit coupled to a pickup roller for supplying liquid material from a reservoir to the surface of a pickup roller mounted on a press delivery drive shaft. Liquid material is circulated through the reservoir of the doctor blade unit by suction flow produced by a return pump. This prevents the buildup of a positive pressure differential within the doctor blade reservoir. The doctor blade reservoir is maintained at below ambient pressure level, thereby preventing leakage through the end seals. A vacuum sensor circuit provides a visual indication of air vacuum pressure in the doctor blade reservoir chamber, and a vacuum sensor switch applies electrical power to an audio transducer.

Abstract: A damping roller for the damping unit in a printing press has a roller body that carries a glass, glass ceramic, or enamel outer material, layer, or coating. Suitable coatings can be produced, for example, by enamelling, plasma spraying, or attaching the outer layer to the body with a sealing compound. In another embodiment, the glass, glass ceramic, or enamel material acts as the self-supporting roller member accommodated solely by the journals. Preferably, the outer surface of the roller is polished. The damping roller of the invention has the ability to dispense an optimum amount of damping medium while eliminating or reducing damping medium additives such as alcohol to less than 6% of the total mixture.

Abstract: A spray blanket cleaning system is provided for removing piling, lint and ink from blanket cylinders in a plurality of web or offset printing presses. Operation is effected by fluid control systems that direct solvent, water and air to spray systems in specific quantities and at specific pressures. The spray systems are point of use systems that mix solvent and water in a tube then eject the mixture to a connecting spray bar. The mixed fluid is then ejected by air pressure through the spray bar as sprayed fluid. The action of the spray in combination with the rotation of the blanket cylinder and the web, is such as to loosen dust, debris and lint from the blanket cylinder and collect it on the web passing out of the system.

Abstract: A cylinder moistening assembly which is usable to apply moistening fluid to the surface of a cylinder utilizes a plurality of axially spaced fan spray nozzle devices in a housing. A screen assembly having upper and lower screen plates which define a spray outline or aperture is positioned intermediate a spray nozzle of the fan spray nozzle device and the cylinder. A smooth spray of moistening fluid is applied to the cylinder in a uniform manner particularly in those areas where the spray patterns of adjacent nozzles overlap.

Abstract: A system for adding moisture to a copy sheet is disclosed. The toner fixation step of electrostatographic reproduction desiccates paper, which may lead to the formation a wave along the sheet edge. The invention uses a pair of porous rolls defining a nip to transfer additional moisture to the copy sheet as it is passed through the nip. The added moisture prevents edge wave formation.

Abstract: A brush-type dampening unit in a rotary printing machine, includes at least one revolving carrier member having a multiplicity of brush bristles arranged thereon a pan roller dipping at least partly into a dampening-fluid pan, and revolving in a direction opposite to that of the carrier member, adjusting means for adjusting the position of the carrier member with respect to the pan roller, the revolving carrier member and pan roller having respective separately controllable drives independent of a drive of the printing machine, and means for zonally metering a quantity of dampening fluid over the width of the machine, as well as for influencing a direction of movement of the dampening fluid.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for use in a sheet-fed or web-fed, offset rotary or flexographic printing press to apply a protective and/or decorative coating to the surface or freshly printed sheets includes a doctor blade coating unit coupled to a pickup roller for supplying liquid material from a reservoir to the surface of a pickup roller mounted on a press delivery drive shaft. Liquid material is circulated through the reservoir of the doctor blade unit by suction flow produced by a return pump. This prevents the buildup of a positive pressure differential within the doctor blade reservoir. The doctor blade reservoir is maintained at below ambient pressure level, thereby preventing leakage through the end seals. A vacuum sensor circuit provides a visual indication of air vacuum pressure in the doctor blade reservoir chamber, and a vacuum sensor switch applies electrical power to an audio transducer.

Abstract: A spray blanket cleaning system is provided for removing piling, lint and ink from blanket cylinders in a plurality of web or offset printing presses. Operation is effected by fluid control systems that direct solvent, water and air to spray systems in specific quantities and at specific pressures. The spray systems are point of use systems that mix solvent and water in a tube then eject the mixtrue to a connecting spray bar. The mixed fluid is then ejected by air pressure through the spray bar as sprayed fluid. The action of the spray in combination with the rotation of the blanket cylinder and the web, is such as to loosen dust, debris and lint from the blanket cylinder and collect it on the web passing out of the system.

Abstract: The improved automatic dampening water replenisher has two flow sensors that respectively measure the flow rates of stock solution and diluent water which are to be mixed to prepare dampening water with which the tank of dampening water is to be replenished, and this enables the concentration of dampening water in its tank to be maintained within a predetermined range at all times. If desired, the apparatus (the replenisher) may be equipped either with components for computing, displaying and storing the total flows of stock solution and diluent water or with an emergency alarm generator which issues an alarm indicating the occurrence of aberrations in the concentration of dampening water in its tank. This offers the advantage that normal operation of the apparatus can be resumed as soon as power failure is remedied, or the suspension of water supply and other troubles can be readily identified and corrected to avoid unwanted variations in the concentration of the dampening water.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for use in a sheet-fed, offset rotary printing press to selectively apply a protective and/or decorative coating to the wet ink surface of freshly printed sheets and including a coating unit having a pick-up roller for supplying aqueous coating material from a reservoir to the surface of a delivery cylinder mounted on a press delivery drive shaft, the delivery cylinder performing the dual function of a coating applicator roller and a delivery cylinder during coating operations.

Abstract: A method of monitoring dampening-medium feed in an offset printing machine includes scanning non-printed areas in a region of given inked areas by a device of an opto-electric transducer, and evaluating signals generated by the scanning; and a device for performing the foregoing method.

Abstract: A printing press dampener includes an elongated body member having a first and second passage provided therein. The first passage is connected to a supply of dampening fluid and the second passage is connected to a supply of pressurized gas. A plurality of chambers disposed along the length of the elongated body are in communication with both the first and the second passages. Fluid and gas run within these chambers. A plurality of spray nozzles, one in communication with each of the chambers, are positioned to spray dampening fluid against the dampener of the offset printing press.

Abstract: In the case of a printing press having an impression cylinder for cooperation with at least one transfer cylinder, such as a blanket cylinder, for applying a printing image to a web, a higher degree of quality and greater ease of operation are made possible by having a wiping device with a wiping cloth for engaging the impression cylinder and possibly a bend roll. The wiping device is arranged to act on a part of the periphery of the impression cylinder not having the web of paper trained about it.

Abstract: A dampening fluid mist application system for lithographic printing comprises a container for the dampening fluid and a rotatable first roller having a rough surface for picking up and entrapping fluid from the container. A rotatable second roller having a brush surface contacts the first roller to transfer fluid from the surface of the first roller to bristles on the brush surface. A deflector bends and releases the bristles to eject fluid thereon and create a mist stream of the liquid. The rough surface on the second roller is employed to provide the desired amount of dampening fluid to the bristles and may be made of wire mesh or a series of spaced projections or knobs, for example. The deflector is made up of a plurality of separate blade segments whose edges contact different brush segments along the full width of the second roller.

Abstract: Printing apparatus including a novel fluid dampener system for delivering an even, uniform film of dampener fluid onto a printing cylinder and the printing plate mounted thereon to eliminate the problem of edge scumming on the printed web.

Abstract: A spray dampening system is disclosed having a number of spray nozzles arranged in laterally spaced relationship, for spraying dampening fluid onto a dampening roll of a printing press in laterally adjacent individual spray patterns which merge on the dampening roll surface in a substantially continuous and laterally extending composite spray pattern. The system, through an arrangement of a plurality of guideway slots on a stationary member and cam slots on a pair of reciprocally movable cam members, moves the spray nozzles simultaneously laterally toward and away from each other and axially toward and away from the dampening roll surface, so that the width of the composite spray pattern may be adjusted while preventing excessive overlapping of the laterally adjacent individual spray patterns.

Abstract: A water stop module for use with a spray nozzle printing press dampener includes a shield maintained in a housing having an aperture to allow undisrupted fluid flow therethrough and a guide track for directing the shield to block the aperture. A pair of cogwheels with sprockets in engaging relation with the shield are rotatable to drive the shield along the guide tracks by a regulated amount to enable the area of coverage of fluid emerging from the aperture to be determined.

Abstract: The disclosed dampening system employs rolls which are frictionally driven by the plate roll of an offset printing press to distribute a dampening fluid over the surface of the plate roll. The system employs a rubber form roll which is in frictional engagement with the peripheral surface of the plate roll and is thus frictionally driven by the plate roll. A water feed roll having a ceramic surface is in frictional engagement with the form roll so that the feed roll will be frictionally driven by the form roll. Dampening fluid is sprayed onto the surface of the feed roll by spray nozzles, flickers or slingers, and the feed roll is axially reciprocated relative to the form roll while it is being frictionally driven by the form roll and while the dampening fluid is being applied to its surface so that the dampening fluid will be transferred to and distributed over the surface of the form roll by the feed roll and will in turn be transferred to and distributed over the surface of the plate roll by the form roll.

Abstract: A sprayer assembly comprises a nozzle section and a valve section. The nozzle section includes a valve housing having a valve element at its front end defining a spray outlet, and a valve seat inserted into its rear end. The valve section includes a plunger reciprocably mounted in a solenoid, and a valve stem mounted coaxially in a front end of the plunger for engaging the valve seat. The valve stem can be replaced by removing the valve section and pulling the stem out of the plunger.

Abstract: A dampening device for the continuous dampening of printing forms, particularly in offset printing machines has a supporting pin and a supporting sleeve, which are mounted in side walls of the printing machine. Holders are rotatably mounted on the pin and sleeve, and a transfer roller is removably mounted on the holders. The transfer roller, when mounted, is in permanent contact on one hand with a bathing cylinder, and on the other hand with a spreader roller. The holders are rotatable about the axis of the bathing cylinder.

Abstract: A mounting for changing or laterally reciprocatable inking, damping, or like applicator rolls of a printing press, which rolls are driven by a friction roll in engagement therewith. The changing applicator rolls each have their spindles mounted outside of the roll shell for rotational and axial movement in roller locks. Axial travel is limited by a shoulder ring in the roller lock, the ring cooperating with the outer race of a roller bearing which supports the roll spindle for relative rotational movement within the roller lock. Each roller lock also is mounted so as to be axially locatable in different positions for achieving desired axial movement of the applicator roll, or for preventing spreading movement of the applicator roll entirely.

Abstract: A novel dampening unit for an offset press is proposed, comprising a nozzle (20) with a discharging mouth (21) in the form of a slit directed substantially at a tangent to an outer surface of the plate (6a) and extending in the axial direction of the plate cylinder (6), which discharging mouth (21) is disposed near the plate surface. The interior of the nozzle (21) is divided into upper and lower chambers (20a, 20b) from the innermost area thereof to the discharging mouth (21) by a partition (22) extending in the direction of an air stream over the whole length of the nozzle (20). A device for generating an air stream, such as a fan (23) is disposed within the upper chamber (20a) and a device for generating a mist such as an ultrasonic generator (27) is disposed within the lower chamber (20b).

Abstract: An offset short inking unit includes a screen surface ink fountain roller that is supplied with ink and that transfers the ink to one or more printing plates. Dampening fluid is also supplied to the printing plates from a dampening unit. One or more dampening fluid separation units are placed in contact with the surface of the screened ink fountain roller and operate to remove any residual dampening fluid from the screen roller before this residual dampening fluid can find its way into the fresh ink supply in the ink fountain.

Abstract: An improved spray nozzle for supplying dampening fluid to a printing press is made of modular parts joined together and formed so that air and dampening fluids flow through the body of the nozzles, exit through outlet orifices in directions substantially perpendicular with respect to each other, and then impinge against a deflector plate located between two of the body modules so that fluids join while traveling in substantially parallel directions to produce a spray which is widely dispersed in the direction while being narrowly dispersed in a second direction.

Abstract: An offset lithographic press, as commonly found in the newspaper industry, is provided with an airless, pulsed spray dampening system for simplified, automatic control of the ink/dampening fluid balance. The dampening system is constructed in accordance with several critical parameters, including the center-to-center nozzle spacings, nozzle to adjacent roller spacings, as well as the frequency of pulses per minute, the duration of each pulse, and the pressure of the dampening fluid. Construction of a dampening system in accordance with the critical parameters enables the press to be operated with a minimum of user intervention, and the relatively small spacing between the nozzles and the adjacent rollers is such that the dampening system can be mounted adjacent the aisles between the press units for facilitating maintenance thereon.

Abstract: A spray dampening control system for use in a planographic printing operation includes solenoid-operated spray dampening fluid nozzles operated at a frequency in accordance with the speed of the press. The press speed is measured and converted in a nonlinear relationship into a frequency applied to the solenoid-operated spray nozzles. Individual nozzle control circuits are provided for further controlling the nozzle pulse characteristics by varying the width of the frequency pulses independently of the frequency. Auxiliary frequency generators are provided for substitution of the primary multifrequency generator, and isolation means between circuit stages are provided for ease of replacement and maintenance.

Abstract: A device for dampening a printing plate of a rotary printing machine having in successive engagement a dampening-pan roller, a metering roller and dampening-medium applicator rollers for forming a very thin uniform dampening-medium film including at least one brush roller cooperatively engaging and rolling on the metering roller, the brush-roller having absorptive brushes on the periphery thereof engageable with the surface of the metering roller for removing at least part of the dampening medium located in excessive quantities at any surface region of the metering roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing the fountain solution used by lithographic printing presses includes a mixing tank and a pump unit for withdrawing the fountain solution from the tank and directing it into a distribution line that leads to several printing presses. Water for the fountain solution is supplied through a water line containing a solenoid valve. The additives, on the other hand, are pumped from drums into measuring containers located above the mixing tank, there being a separate measuring container and pump for each additive. Each measuring container has a solenoid valve at its bottom for releasing its additive into the tank when opened and a float switch for de-energizing its pump when the additive reaches a prescribed level in the measuring container. The water and additive valves, as well as the pumps, are controlled automatically, and to this end each measuring container has its own float switch, while the mixing tank contains high and low level float switches.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus such as a spray dampener sprays fluid on the rollers of a printing press. The spray is regulated by an automatic controller which pulses the spray at time intervals related to the signal of a press speed sensor. Fluid pressure controls and orifice configuration controls are eliminated; fluid pressure and orifice size are fixed.

Abstract: A novel ink formulation, especially useful in Driography printing, is disclosed. The ink formulation comprises a basic planographic printing ink vehicle, a pigment, a modifying varnish and a flow control agent to provide an ink, especially suitable for use in Driography, which exhibits desirable hangling-viscosities under ambient conditions, improved rheological properties under severe press-operating conditions, and provides printings having sharp delineation, fidelity and excellent reproducibility in depth of color tones in long press runs. The basic printing ink vehicle may be a vehicle designed for either sheet-fed or heat-set printing systems. The novel ink formulation is designed to have a high viscosity and avoid becoming pseudoplastic in its behavior at higher press temperatures, which generally can range from about 85.degree. F. to 125.degree. F., and preferably, avoids becoming pseudoplastic at temperatures up to about 140.degree. F. or more.