Abstract: A sheet-fed, high-production, multi-purpose printing press assembled from a group of especially constructed components, including frames, cylinders, sub-assemblies, printing modules and removable and interchangeable segments, each being adapted to be assembled in a wide variety of combinations with the others to produce various simple configurations, to perform single printing functions with high efficiency, as well as various more complex configurations to perform a variety of printing functions and/or combinations of functions (in some cases including concurrent printing and collating).

Abstract: A combined rotary printing press comprises an offset printer and a direct plate printer arranged in tandem. The offset printer comprises a transfer cylinder, a plurality of plate cylinders for applying an image to the transfer cylinder and an impression cylinder. The direct plate printer comprises a plate cylinder, inking means and a further impression cylinder. Paper handling means comprises a conveyor drum for feeding paper to the transfer cylinder in proper registration and means for conveying paper from the transfer cylinder of the offset printer to the impression cylinder of the direct plate printer. The impression cylinders of the offset printer and the direct plate printer are adjustable independently of one another and independently of the paper handling means so that each can be independently adjusted to provide the pressure desired without disturbing the paper registration.

Abstract: Process for transferring overlayed multiple ink patterns from the surface of a release blanket to a receiving surface on a container or other formed article being printed. A substantially transparent film is first formed on the release blanket, with each ink pattern being printed sequentially over this release film. Proper printing on the release film without picking the release film or previously applied ink films is obtained when certain adhesive and cohesive relationships are maintained between the ink films and the release film. An adhesive film may be formed on the article to be printed, or it may be formed over the ink films and the release film on the release blanket. The receiving surface on the article to be printed is brought into contact with the films on the release blanket, with a resulting total transfer of the films on the blanket to the surface of the article.