Abstract: A doctor device in an inking unit of a rotary printing machine, having a base member, and a working doctor adjustable with respect to the base member, includes a sensor for determining a position of the working doctor relative to the base member; and a rotary printing machine includes the doctor device.

Abstract: The electrostatic printing aid for gravure and flexographic printing machines can be operated with a voltage electrode whose dimensions have been reduced significantly, the print quality being kept at a high level. The voltage electrode, connected to a high voltage source, can be constructed with a bar-like or arc-like shape and to be non-contacting, or as a slip ring or as an electrically conductive brush. The voltage electrode is preferably arranged at one end of the three-layer impression roller of a gravure printing unit or the three-layer printing plate cylinder of a flexographic printing unit. The particular advantages of the arrangement reside in the significantly improved ease of servicing and the saving in costs, as early as at the time of purchase, in particular in the event of retrofitting printing machines already in operation.

Abstract: The electrostatic printing aid for gravure and flexographic printing machines can be operated with a voltage electrode (5a) whose dimensions have been reduced significantly, the print quality being kept at a high level. The voltage electrode (5a), connected to a high-voltage source (8), can be constructed with a bar-like or arc-like shape and to be non-contacting, or as a slip ring or as an electrically conductive brush. The voltage electrode (5a) is preferably arranged at one end of the three-layer impression roller (1) or the three-layer printing plate cylinder (20). The particular advantages of the arrangement reside in the significantly improved ease of servicing and the saving in costs, as early as at the time of purchase, in particular in the event of retrofitting printing machines already in operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrostatic printing aid to assist with the transfer of printing ink that contains flammable solvents during printing with a high-voltage generator for generating an electrostatic high voltage and with a voltage device to transfer the high voltage onto a web to be printed that is in contact with a printing cylinder or plate, characterized in that the high-voltage generator is equipped with an output limiter and in that the voltage transfer device comprises slip rings, slip ring brushes, contact rollers or springs, and/or electrically conductive roller or ball bearings.

Abstract: In addition to a form cylinder (2) and a printing cylinder (1), an intaglio printer has at least one screen-printing cylinder (7) for transferring a screen printing ink to the form cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lacquering device which is integrated in a printing machine or configured as a separate lacquering device. An object of the present invention is to provide a variable lacquering device for applying different lacquer thicknesses, lacquer types and/or lacquer colors in one lacquering device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to edible decorations which reproduce all types of patterns, including colored patterns. The purpose of these decorations is partially or totally to cover the cakes for which they are intended and with which they form a perfectly homogeneous whole. More precisely, the invention comprises in producing a printed decoration with five successive layers: a first layer of printed edible paper, and a second layer of a material for modifying the texture of the edible paper and sticking the first and third layers together. The third layer comprises of a material belonging to the group comprising almond paste and chocolate. The fourth layer is equivalent to the second layer, and the fifth layer is equivalent to the first layer. By virtue of this innovation, a printed decoration does not detract from the cake and remains supple and homogeneous.

Abstract: A flexographic printing apparatus for printing a moving web is provided with a rotatable ink roller, a roller support that rotatably supports the ink roller, an ink source associated with the ink roller which provides ink for the ink roller, a rotatable printing roller associated with the ink roller, and a printing plate disposed on the printing roller that makes physical contact with the ink roller so that ink is transferred from the ink roller to the printing plate as the ink roller and the printing roller rotate. The printing apparatus also has a rotatable backing roller disposed adjacent the printing roller so that the moving web on which ink is to be applied passes between the backing roller and the printing plate as the backing roller and the printing roller rotate so that a printed image is applied to the web. The apparatus also has a charge applicator that causes an electric charge to be applied to the semi-conductive printing plate.

Abstract: It is disclosed a process for preparing a removable sleeve to be photoengraved, for use in printing presses, which sleeve is obtained by immersion of a cylinder in a copper-electroplating tank to generate the sleeve itself, and separation of the cylinder is obtained either by an extraction tooling or with use of a metal ring for closure of the holes for air admission, which are designed to create an air cushion enabling easy removal.

Abstract: A gravure printing method is provided for printing characters or patterns with desired colors and tones on a base material with a printing drum set with 200 to 400 mesh lines and the depth in the range from 10 to 17&mgr;. The ink may be process color of aquatic gravure ink in which coloring materials for indigo blue, red, yellow, black, and white colors are printed once or repeatedly in the overlaid state or specially toned inks. Another aspect of the invention provides an ink pan structure and arrangement for a gravure printing machines using aquatic or oil gravure ink. The ink pan structure has an ink pool sized for only a furnisher roll to be dipped therein and a cooperating printing drum is always maintained outside the ink pool. A furnisher roller unit and arrangement for a gravure printing machine is also provided. The unit may include a plurality of furnisher rollers. A doctor knife unit and arrangement for a gravure printing machine is also provided. The unit may include a plurality of doctor knives.

Abstract: A flexographic printing apparatus for printing a moving web is provided with a rotatable ink roller, a roller support that rotatably supports the ink roller, an ink source associated with the ink roller which provides ink for the ink roller, a rotatable printing roller associated with the ink roller, and a printing plate disposed on the printing roller that makes physical contact with the ink roller so that ink is transferred from the ink roller to the printing plate as the ink roller and the printing roller rotate. The printing apparatus also has a rotatable backing roller disposed adjacent the printing roller so that the moving web on which ink is to be applied passes between the backing roller and the printing plate as the backing roller and the printing roller rotate so that a printed image is applied to the web. The apparatus also has a charge applicator that causes an electric charge to be applied to the semi-conductive printing plate.

Abstract: A pattern, in which a groove of an optional position is deeper than that of the other portion, is formed on a surface of a flexible resin sheet by laser process, and then a release layer is formed on the surface of the thus obtained pattern, thereby forming an intaglio plate. The intaglio plate is filled with Ag paste and then dried. The intaglio plate is then laminated onto an insulating substrate, on which a thermoplastic resin layer is formed using heat rollers. Thereafter, the intaglio plate is peeled from the insulating substrate so that the pattern of the Ag paste is transferred thereon, and the conductor pattern is formed through burning. Further, an insulating layer is formed so as to cover the conductor pattern and another conductor pattern is formed on the insulating layer, whereby forming a multilayered structure.

Abstract: A meterable screen roller having a peripheral surface whereon a multiplicity of printing ink-accepting depressions are disposed includes a respective base for the depressions formed by a resilient material, and respective chambers located underneath and assigned to the depressions, the chambers being actable upon by a pressure medium for respectively enlarging and reducing the volume of the depressions.

Abstract: In an inking system of a rotogravure printing press there are included an ink reservoir, an ink doctor blade device and an ink catch reservoir. All of these components of the inking system are height-adjustable with respect to the formed cylinder of the printing machine.

Abstract: An engraved ink transfer cylinder for a flexographic printing press, wherein the roller body (12) is clamped detachably on a continuous axle (22) and surrounds this axle (22) at a distance.

Abstract: An intaglio printing press comprises a plate cylinder capable of having three intaglio plates mounted along a circumferential direction of the plate cylinder; an ink collecting cylinder contacted with the plate cylinder and capable of having four blankets mounted along a circumferential direction of the ink collecting cylinder; five inking devices and five chablon rollers, disposed along the circumferential direction of the ink collecting cylinder, for supplying inks to the blankets of the ink collecting cylinder; a wiping roller contacted with the plate cylinder; and an impression cylinder having the same diameter as the diameter of the plate cylinder, and contacted with the plate cylinder. This intaglio printing press can perform printing in five or more colors.

Abstract: A printing unit with more easily removable components, comprising two outer shoulders, which are adapted to support a printing cylinder, and two inner shoulders, which are pivoted to the outer shoulders so as to pass from an open position to a closed active printing position, the pair of inner shoulders supporting an inking cylinder, a tray which is suitable to contain the ink and is arranged below the inking cylinder, and a cylinder bearing the type, the closure position of the two inner shoulders being such as to move the cylinder bearing the type into abutment against the printing cylinder in order to perform printing and such as to move the inking cylinder into abutment against the cylinder bearing the type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making edible decorations which reproduce all types of patterns, including colored patterns. The purpose of these decorations is partially or totally to cover the cakes for which they are intended and with which they form a perfectly homogeneous whole. More precisely, the invention consists in producing a printed decoration with five successive layers: a first layer of printed edible paper, and a second layer of a material for modifying the texture of the edible paper and sticking the first and third layers together. The third layer consists of a material belonging to the group comprising almond paste and chocolate. The fourth layer is equivalent to the second layer, and the fifth layer is equivalent to the first layer. By virtue of this innovation, a printed decoration does not detract from the cake and remains supple and homogeneous.

Abstract: An intaglio printing press comprises a plate cylinder having an intaglio plate mounted on a circumferential surface of the plate cylinder; an impression cylinder contacted with the plate cylinder; an ink collecting cylinder contacted with the plate cylinder and having a blanket mounted on a circumferential surface of the ink collecting cylinder; a chablon roller, intermediate rollers, an ink fountain roller, and an ink fountain, as a first ink supply means for supplying ordinary ink to the blanket of the ink collecting cylinder; a rubber roller, and a rotary screen, as a second ink supply means, contacted with the plate cylinder, for supplying special ink to the intaglio plate; and a wiping roller contacted with the plate cylinder. This intaglio printing press can use special ink with high efficiency.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate comprises a plate body with a plurality of predetermined breaking points formed therein. The breaking points extend from a leading end to a trailing end of the printing plate. The predetermined breaking points define edges of sub-plates, each carrying an image which corresponds to a newspaper page of a newspaper to be printed with the lithographic printing plate. The printing plate can be mounted on the plate cylinder of a lithographic rotary printing press as one piece and can afterwards be broken up at the predetermined breaking points, in order to exchange one of the sub-plates against another sub-plate for a new print job, in case of an edition change.

Abstract: A machine for printing or spreading primers or coatings and the like with direct and indirect rotogravure system, comprising one or more printing or color units, with a respective drying hood and control unit, each printing or color unit comprising an orientatable inlet roller for tape material, a plurality of free rollers for conveying the tape material, an upper pressure roller, provided with a rubber sleeve, a lower pressure roller, a doctor blade, and an engraved cylinder. At least one roller, chosen between the upper pressure roller and the lower pressure roller, is rotated by a respective step motor and recirculating ballscrews and is supported on linear guides at its ends, with interposed pressure detecting means arranged to forward to the control unit signals indicating the linear pressure between the upper pressure roller and the lower pressure roller and the engraved cylinder.

Abstract: A method of printing electrode and electronic circuit patterns. A metal frit containing part is transferred from an intaglio recessed imaging pattern to a suitable substrate. The frit pattern is preferrably cured during deposition to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digital electrostatic printing machine, comprising a cylinder with an electrostatically chargeable surface (PIP cylinder), to which charging electrodes, a laser write head and a quench electrode are assigned, and comprising an ink applicator, a transfer cylinder and a central cylinder. According to the invention, the ink applicator comprises an engraved roller.

Abstract: For security printing of documents, in particular banknotes, by printing a sheet or web using intaglio technology, an ink image is applied to transfer rollers (6) using rotary screen printing technology, said ink image is transferred from the transfer rollers to one or more intaglio plates which are provided with engravings and are fixed in or on the shell of a plate cylinder, and the ink present in the engravings of the intaglio plates is transferred to a sheet or web pressed against the plate cylinder (1) by a counter pressure cylinder (8).

Abstract: A thin film formation apparatus includes a printing roll having an elastic letterpress of resin or rubber fitted at a part of a surface of a cylinder part and, an intaglio roll rotating while facing the printing roll, thereby transferring ink to a surface of the elastic letterpress through contact with the printing roll. The thin film formation apparatus further includes a pair of printing roll side contact bodies on a drum portion or a rotating shaft of the printing roll, and a pair of intaglio roll side contact bodies on a drum portion or a rotating shaft of the intaglio role. The printing roll side contact bodies and the intaglio roll side contact bodies continuously contact each other, at least before and during the contact of the elastic letterpress with the intaglio roll, to form a thin film of uniform film thickness.

Abstract: A plate material for laser plate making contains a thermoplastic resin, a light absorbing agent and a water repellent or an oil repellent.

Abstract: The present invention is a flexographic printing apparatus for printing single images on a continuous web of material using a belt-type printer and for easily and rapidly creating flexible packaging by bringing the printing operation in-line with the bag converting or packaging material machines. In a preferred embodiment, the printing apparatus includes a frame having an impression cylinder and a nip roller rotatably mounted to the frame in close proximity to the impression cylinder such that the nip roller bears on the impression cylinder, a printer mounting attached to the frame and movable laterally relative to the impression cylinder, a belt-type printer mounted on the printer mounting and means for transferring rotation of the impression cylinder to the printer. The frame may be fixed to a post-printing processing machine or may be free-standing for easily moving the invented apparatus to various locations.

Abstract: An article having an electrical circuit component printed directly onto one side of a substrate includes the substrate and an electrical circuit component formed of a conductive liquid printed directly onto one side of the substrate. The electrical component is capable of performing its electrical circuit functions, as printed, and without the necessity for post-printing processes such as metal etching, catalytic ink activation, or electroless deposition.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a gravure press or other reproduction apparatus, comprising a roller apparatus which is at least partly electrically conductive and at least one electrical transfer device adjacent the surface of the roller and connected to a power source, in use, to enable a charge to be applied to the surface of the roller by each such transfer device, and means for moving the transfer device relative to the surface of the roller, in use, whereby to mitigate the adverse image-patterning effects on gravure printing, or other reproduction, of any spatial discontinuities in the level of charge transfer from the spaced transfer devices onto the roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary glazing machine, in particular for ceramic tiles, which comprises a mobile rest plane for tiles on which the tiles are translated in a predetermined direction, and a rotary glazing apparatus situated superiorly to the rest plane.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for electrostatic substance transfer are proposed. A substance (4, 4') is taken from a substance container (9) by a substance transfer roller (1) and transferred onto a printing form cylinder (2). In order to improve the substance transfer, the printing form cylinder (2) is subjected to local negative charging by means of a spray electrode (6) near to the region in which the substance transfer takes place. The substance (4) is subsequently transferred from the printing form cylinder (2) onto a medium (7) which is pressed against the printing form cylinder (2) by a back-pressure cylinder (3).

Abstract: A printing sleeve for a rotogravure or flexo printing roll is provided that as a base sleeve with a slightly conical or tapered geometry adapted to be mounted over the printing roll which also has a slightly conical or tapered geometry. The printing sleeve also comprises a layer of compressible material mounted to the base sleeve, a layer of foamed spacer material, and an outer tube mounted over the layer of foamed spacer material. Further, an engravable layer is typically applied to the exterior of the outer tube.

Abstract: A pressure roll having a fixed carrier and a rotating elastically deformable roll jacket that cooperates with a counter-roll and that is supported on the carrier via a hydrostatic support arrangement. The roll jacket has an inner surface that is movably guided in the peripheral direction over a concave support surface. The roll jacket is executed with a wall that is flexible in the radial direction and can conform to the counter-roll over a pressure zone whose width dimension in the peripheral direction is adjustable within a range of at least 8 mm to circa 40 mm. Furthermore, the roll jacket consists at least partially of an electrically conductive material in order to prevent an uncontrolled electrostatic charging of the jacket surface.

Abstract: A hollow cylinder retention device includes a hollow cylinder and a pair of bearers disposed at opposite ends of the hollow cylinder. Mounted on each of the bearers is a bushing including an actuator for applying a clamping force to a clamping portion of the bearers to securely clamp the hollow cylinder onto a rotatable cylinder shaft. The bushings are arranged on the respective bearings to apply a clamping pressure at a location that is spaced from the bearer points where the hollow cylinder is mounted on the bearers to avoid damage to the bushings and bearers. The hollow cylinder, bearers and bushings are connected to form an integral unit that is easily and quickly mounted and removed from a rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An inner sleeve portion in the form of a spacer sleeve is disclosed for being torsionally rigidly mounted on a rotogravure or flexographic mandrel that is to be rotated about its axis when used in a printing machine. The outer surface of the inner sleeve portion torsionally rigidly supports by an interference fit, an outer sleeve portion (the printing sleeve) that carries the printing matrices. The inner sleeve portion has a plurality of air channels extending from the inner surface through the outer surface. Pressurized air flowing through the channels assists in expanding the diameter of the innermost surface of the outer sleeve portion for alternatively mounting the outer sleeve portion onto the inner sleeve portion and dismounting the outer sleeve portion from the inner sleeve portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for directly printing an electrical circuit component onto a substrate includes structure and steps for providing a printing station, and for transporting the substrate to the printing station. Structure and steps are provided for printing, at the printing station, an electrical circuit component on the substrate using an electrically-conductive liquid. Preferably, the printed electrical circuit component is capable of performing its circuit function directly after printing, without the need for post-printing process steps such as etching, catalytic ink activation, electroless bath, etc.

Abstract: A side wall of a printing unit of a sheet-fed rotary printing press is composed of a plurality of in-line printing units in accordance with unit construction principles. The side wall has a torsionally rigid side-wall body formed with a boxlike cross-sectional profile open on one side thereof and has a frame extending somewhat transversely to a plane wherein the side wall is disposed. The frame is formed with at least one recess through which gear wheels of a gear-wheel drive train are at least engageable or possess a kinking and back-springing course, respectively, between an upper structural region and a lower structural region of the side wall, including a removable lid ribbed on an inner side thereof and being disposed on the frame in the lower structural region wherein bearings for printing cylinders are received and at an open side of the boxlike cross-sectional profile for stiffening the frame. The frame is formed with recesses in the lower structural region thereof.

Abstract: A gravure printing press assembly composed of an impression roller having a core portion, a support shaft for the core portion which is rotatable with respect to the core portion, and an outer conductive layer disposed about the core portion and a high-voltage contact assembly for applying a high voltage to the impression roller. The high-voltage contact assembly comprises a first assembly having a brush support member and a plurality of brushes associated with the brush support member, the brushes being held by the brush support member at a plurality of positions circumferentially disposed with respect to a central axis passing through the support shaft; a second assembly having a conductive contact ring disposed adjacent the brushes and being rotatable relative to the first assembly; and means for allowing relative movement between the first assembly and the second assembly in a direction parallel to the central axis of the support shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making color filters for liquid crystal display panels. A transfer layer is formed on a collector roll, and a raised pattern corresponding to the desired black matrix pattern is formed on the transfer layer by embossing. A plurality of colored ink patterns is formed in the appropriate location within the boundaries formed by the raised pattern, thereby forming the multicolor image that will become the color filter. This multicolored image is then transferred to the substrate. Preferably, the inks are deposited into the black matrix pattern using typographic imaging pins which are smaller than the cells of the black matrix pattern.

Abstract: A press for printing an electrical circuit component directly onto a substrate with an electrically-conductive liquid includes a press surface having a printing direction and a direction transverse thereto. A plurality of liquid-carrying cells are disposed on the press surface for carrying the electrically-conductive liquid, the cells being in liquid communication with each other in both the printing direction and in the transverse direction. A method of making such a press includes the steps of providing a press surface and engraving the press surface with the plurality of liquid-carrying cells which are in liquid communication with each other in both the printing direction and in the transverse direction.

Abstract: In a gravure printing unit for a rotary press, a plate cylinder supplied with printing ink from a printing unit and an impression roller, which lies essentially at right angles to the plate cylinder, form a roller gap, through which, when the rotary press is running, sheet material that is to be printed is passed. The plate cylinder rotates in a specified direction opposite to that of the impression roller and its rotational movement is composed of a leading, rotating sector from the inking unit to the roller gap and a trailing rotating sector from the roller gap to the inking unit. By means of an auxiliary device, printing ink is supplied to the peripheral surface of the plate cylinder on the trailing, rotating sector with the help of a flexible ink-supplying apron which, follows the peripheral surface of the plate cylinder, forming an ink-filled peripheral gap.

Abstract: A water distribution system is disclosed in an ink flow temperature control system of a plurality of printing presses such as multi-color offset perfecting and nonperfecting web and sheet fed presses. The system includes a plurality of printing presses each having at least one printing head whereat water is used to control the temperature of ink distributed through the head. A multiple zone control unit controls the temperature of water distributed to the printing heads of the plurality of printing presses. An enlarged rigid conduit extends between the multiple zone control unit and each printing press. A plurality of flexible non-metallic distribution hoses are located within the enlarged rigid conduit for distributing water between the multiple zone control unit and the printing heads of the plurality of printing presses.

Abstract: In a printing press, a bearing for supporting a cylinder axle of a printing cylinder is supported by a bearing housing attached to a frame of the printing press. A heating device circulates heated water through a path formed in the cylinder. A path is formed in at least one of the bearing housing and the frame, and heated water is supplied to that path in order to shorten the warming up period for printing.

Abstract: A rotogravure inking system uses an ink trough to apply ink to a printing cylinder that dips into ink in the ink trough. The ink trough has a length less than the length of the printing cylinder. Projecting end portions of the printing cylinder are not supplied with ink from the ink trough. Thus end faces of the printing cylinder will not receive any ink and will not throw off the ink thereby eliminating ink spattering and the associated spatter protection shields.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mobile rest plane for tiles on which operates a matrix cylinder provided with an elastically deformable peripheral part having a smooth external skin made of an elastomer material, on which a matrix, in the form of microscopic cavities, is cut. A doctor, arranged in order to be in contact with the skin, has the task of scraping away excess glaze and any impurities deposited on the skin as well as the task of remixing the glaze such as at least partially to replenish the cavities with freshened glaze. The matrix cylinder is positioned on the rest plane such as to roll thereon without dragging on a tile upper surface as the tile transits on the rest plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensating for cylinder sag in a gravure forme cylinder utilizes a support roller which is located beneath the gravure forme cylinder in an ink trough. The support roller has a length that is less than the length of the gravure forme cylinder.

Abstract: A rotogravure inking system utilizes an inking roller mounted in an ink trough and engageable with a printing cylinder. The inking roller exerts a pressure force on the printing cylinder through the use of torsion bars which are located wholly within the ink trough. A prestress can be applied to the torsion bars to impart the desired pressure force to the printing cylinder from the inking roller.

Abstract: A pressure cylinder is accommodated in a printing assembly and provided with electrostatically assisted ink transfer. Its shaft is mounted in the framework of a printing press. It has a semiconductive jacket that is mounted over a steel surface and can be electrically charged. The shaft is electrically connected to the surface of the cylinder and electrically insulated from the framework. An electric potential can be applied to the shaft in order to charge the semiconductive jacket.

Abstract: A method of driving the impression cylinder receiving carriages into the printing elements of a rotary printing machine whilst executing a simultaneous displacement of all the impression cylinder receiving carriages provided in the printing elements and of all the impression cylinder receiving carriages arranged in a waiting position in front of the printing elements, the displacement movement taking place in a first direction of advance and, for the subsequent driving-in of the impression cylinder receiving carriages, the latter being displaced simultaneously and together with the carriages located in the printing elements in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for detecting, in a machine, the position of contact of two rollers of parallel axes of which at least one is mounted mobile. This device is characterized in that it comprises an elastic member mounted so as to undergo, during contacting of the two rollers, a deformation, limited by a bearing, further to the relative displacement of two elements mobile with respect to each other, and means for measuring this deformation.