Abstract: An impression roller with an insulated core, with an outer layer of resilient semiconductive material, and with a set of conductive wires extending along its length and out one end for interconnection, to adjust the resistance of the roller to current being conducted between a first region of higher potential and a second region of relatively lower potential. In a first embodiment the wires are connected by jumper wires while in a second embodiment resistors are connected between the conductive elements to provide further increments in the adjustment of roller resistance. A method is also disclosed for making such a roller.

Abstract: A pressure control arrangement for controlling pressure between a printing roller and an offset roller by measuring a force exerted in a bearing of the printing roller when the latter rotates with an angle .psi.. The arrangement includes a piezoelectric pickup positioned on the internal surface of the bearing of the printing roller, a measured pressure value processor for receiving a signal from the piezoelectric pickup, an indicator generating a signal corresponding to a desired pressure value and means to compare the first abovementioned signal with the second mentioned signal. The arrangement also includes a positioner circuit which receives the compared signal and applies the same to a drive member which adjusts the position of the bearing of the offset roller thereby adjusting printing pressure between two contacting rollers for printing on sheets of paper.

Abstract: In a photogravure rotary machine, each side of the form cylinder is mounted in a bearing housing, which is secured in a saddle portion of a carriage provided with a sleeve drive. The carriage is displaceably mounted on a guide secured on a machine wall and which carries a pivotally mounted retaining fork for the bearing housing. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the carriage in its operating positon, which is in an operative connection with a switching element that is electrically connected to a machine control. In the range of the extended position of the carriage is arranged an incline with a hinged return feed ratchet for lifting the form cylinder on the machine wall.

Abstract: A two-web, dual purpose printing press and method is provided which can be used to "make ready" and proof gravure rollers on a first web, and to print a sample using the rollers on a second web and under substantially identical conditions during both operational modes. The press includes an interchangeable gravure roller, a pair of impression rollers, (one associated with each of the webs), and structure for selective shifting of the impression rollers between positions wherein each roller alternately forms a web-receiving and printing nip with the gravure roller. A motion-limiting stop arrangement is provided to insure that the respective impression rollers assume a substantially identical position relative to the gravure roller during the respective operational sequences of the press; in this manner printing conditions are uniform during both proofing and sampling.

Abstract: By providing a molded or extruded plastic base cylinder or plate with a surface coating of an etchable metal, a low cost printing media is achieved for use in intaglio or gravure printing. The plastic base cylinder may be machined to a low tolerance diameter before being substantially uniformly plated with an etchable metal such as copper or nickel about its entire outer peripheral surface, thereby assuring uniform balance and concentricity. The plated surface is then engraved or etched with the information to be printed, resulting in a low cost printing cylinder for use in intaglio or rotogravure printing. In one embodiment, the cylinder incorporates a substantially uniform diameter shafting bore along its central axis in order to provide for mounting the cylinder on a shaft or other fixture, while another embodiment provides for accurately disposed and engaging lugs which rotationally drive the cylinder.

Abstract: There has been provided a method for manufacture of decals wherein the decal is printed with an offset rotogravure process utilizing solventless thermoplastic inks. By controlling the temperatures of the gravure rolls, the offset rolls and the back-up rolls, a continuous process is maintained which is capable of printing all layers of a decal without intermediate drying steps. The decal produced and claimed is, in a preferred embodiment, a ceramic heat release decal especially suited for the manufacture of decorated tableware.

Abstract: An improved print roller for applying dye to a textile material in a predetermined pattern is provided wherein the core of the roller, which is operatively supported in a rotatable position by a shaft, is encapsulated with a cover formed of a substantially impervious elastomeric material. Dye applicators are then bonded to the cover.

Abstract: A roller electrode is disclosed which comprises a tubular outer casing of dielectric material, a shaft and an electrically conductive composition filling the annular cavity defined by the casing and shaft. The composition, which is in intimate contact with the casing and shaft, may comprise a cementitious matrix, such as casting plaster, in which conductive particles of carbon or the like are bound.

Abstract: This printing press includes improved mechanism for removing excess ink from the printing plate. The press includes a main frame which supports a plate cylinder, a pressure cylinder vertically above the plate cylinder and a scraper blade which engages one side of the plate cylinder and removes most of the excess ink therefrom. A first auxiliary carriage at said one side of the main frame supports an ink supply mechanism and receptacles for receiving surplus ink removed by the scraper blade. A second auxiliary carriage, at the opposite side of the main frame, supports two wiping webs, their supply and take-up reels, and the driving and control mechanism for the webs and their reels. The wiping webs remove any residue of excess ink on the plate. Each auxiliary carriage is lockable in an operating position abutting the main frame, and is movable to a retracted position spaced from the main frame without disturbing the setting of any adjustable element.

Abstract: A method for electrostatic assistance of the printing process in printing machines, in which method a printing substrate, being of a material which is not electrically conductive, is passed between a printing cylinder coated with printing ink and a contact pressure roller which mechanically presses the substrate against the cylinder and which is provided with a non-conductive or weakly-conductive outer layer, during which procedure the application of a high voltage between the printing cylinder and at least one of the electrode arrangements running in a longitudinal direction to the contact pressure roller results in electrons and ions being sprayed by corona discharge onto the surface of the contact pressure roller, which, as a result of its rotating and/or its intrinsic conductivity conveys these charged particles into the printing gap and enables them to flow off over this gap, and also a corresponding printing machine.

Abstract: A loading arrangement for obtaining an equally distributed pressure load in a cylinder stack included in a printing unit of an offset printing press, comprising a plurality of cylinders each having a cylindrical body portion and stub shafts at both ends, journalled in bearings. The arrangement includes axially short load rollers for producing a pressure load to the outermost cylinders of the stack. The rollers are located to act on portions between the bearings of the cylinders, and hence, the pressure load is transmitted directly to the body portions of the outermost cylinders. This minimizes the deflection of the cylinders.

Abstract: By providing a molded or extruded plastic base cylinder or plate with a surface coating of an etchable metal, a low cost printing media is achieved for use in intaglio or gravure printing. The plastic base cylinder may be machined to a low tolerance diameter before being substantially uniformly plated with an etchable metal such as copper or nickel about its entire outer peripheral surface, thereby assuring uniform balance and concentricity. The plated surface is then engraved or etched with the information to be printed, resulting in a low cost printing cylinder for use in intaglio or rotogravure printing. In one embodiment, the cylinder incorporates a substantially uniform diameter shafting bore along its central axis in order to provide for mounting the cylinder on a shaft or other fixture, while another embodiment provides for accurately disposed and engaging lugs which rotationally drive the cylinder.

Abstract: Press having a stand in which two pressure rollers are mounted and form between them a press gap for the pressure treatment of a web of material; the stand is open on one side of the pressure rollers and at least one of the pressure rollers is a pressure equalization roller having mounted non-rotatably in the stand an axial bracket about which a roller shell is rotatable, which is braced against the bracket by hydrostatic supporting elements in a bracing plane determined by the axes of the pressure rollers.

Abstract: To replace the plate cylinder of an intaglio printing press, it is mounted on a carriage which can be retracted from the frame of the press and steered manually, a support for the impression cylinder being raisable and lowerable on the carriage.

Abstract: A mounting for supporting a pair of cylinders, particularly for use in printing machines, in which the cylinders are adjustably arranged and kept at a given distance from each other, wherein a first cylinder of the pair of cylinders is supported at each end thereof by a resiliently deformable member, and that the second cylinder of the pair of cylinders is movable towards, and away from, the first cylinder by means of an adjusting support device which, in operation, is responsive to resilient deformations of the resiliently deformable member when such deformations exceed a predetermined value.

Abstract: In an intaglio printing press, apparatus for applying and withdrawing a pressure cylinder to the plate cylinder during replacement of the latter comprises displaceable journals for the pressure cylinder operatively connected to a piston-cylinder unit. To control the withdrawing motion of the pressure cylinder, a pressure medium is fed beneath the piston by way of a pressure regulating valve which is open during printing and which is moved to a closed position by a cam carried along by the piston rod.

Abstract: A printing system where the alternating current energized semiconductive layer of the impression roller has a covering of dielectric material with a controlled thickness, and with a dielectric constant many times greater than that of the web, such that a major portion of the applied electric potential is transmitted to the web by means of a reactive current through the covering.

Abstract: In an intaglio printing press where the impression cylinder is provided with two journals for mounting it in the frame of the press, the journals being operatively connected to respective screw-threaded spindles which are adjustable in unison or independently, apparatus for applying and withdrawing the impression cylinder to and from the plate cylinder comprises first and second rotatable nuts mounted on each spindle, the two nuts on each spindle being coupled for co-rotation. A hand wheel is operatively connected to said first nut to apply same to a respective abutment surface that is fixed with respect to the frame. A piston-cylinder unit is operatively connected to each said second nut to lift and lower same, the psiton-cylinder unit being supplied with pressure medium through independent fine control valves.

Abstract: A printing press convertible from intaglio to flexographic (letterpress) printing comprises a rubber impression cylinder and a steel impression cylinder which are selectively applied to an appropriate plate cylinder. The steel cylinder is carried by a displaceable carriage and the rubber cylinder can be swung from an operative position interposed between the steel and plate cylinders to an inoperative position above the steel cylinder by being carried by pivotable arms. A guide roller, over which the web to be printed is passed towards the plate cylinder is displaceable from a position directly above the steel cylinder during flexographic printing to a position above and at one side of the steel cylinder during intaglio printing.

Abstract: Rotary printing press is provided with mounting means for an image cylinder to facilitate interchange of cylinders of different sizes and their adjustment. The cylinder is carried on upstanding supports on a cradle, end stub shafts of the cylinder being journalled on said supports and one or both of the latter being adjustable longitudinally of the cradle to suit cylinders of various axial lengths. The cradle is movable in a frame of the press either horizontally so that it can be withdrawn as a unit with the cylinder, or vertically for forming a nip with an impression cylinder.

Abstract: A printing cylinder for printing machines comprising a shaft, a sleeve adapted to support a printing block and mounted on the shaft with radial clearance, and an adjusting mechanism provided at each end of the sleeve. Each adjusting mechanism comprises a guide ring and a clamping ring having cooperating conical guide surfaces. A fit between the shaft and the guide ring is so easy that the guide ring may be somewhat tilted relative to a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the clamping ring comprises radial, adjustable securing means and axial adjusting means, whereby it is possible to center the sleeve very precisely relative to the shaft.

Abstract: The printing surface of the cylinder is constituted of an Epon resin on which has been mechanically provided the desired images to be printed. The printing cylinder is preferably a hollow cylinder having a cylindrical body formed of a layer of a wound fabric impregnated with a phenolic resin. The hollow cylinder and the shaft and end flanges of the cylinder are constructed to provide a sturdy printing cylinder, into the hollow interior of the body of which, the inks used in printing cannot seep.