Abstract: The printing machine has two interacting blanket cylinders (4, 14), between which the paper to be printed runs through, thereby being printed on both sides, two plate cylinders (5, 15), each of which carries a collect-printing plate and is in contact with one of the blanket cylinders, and two color-collecting cylinders (6, 16) which are arranged at a distance from one another and each of which is in contact with a plate cylinder (5, 15) and with several color selector cylinders (8, 18), each inked by an inking unit (9, 19). Moreover, the two blanket cylinders (4, 14) are each in contact with the plate cylinder (10, 20) of an additional printing unit which is a wet offset-printing unit working with a dampened intaglio printing plate.

Abstract: The printing machine has two multi-color printing units (I, II) of essentially identical construction, each composed of a first blanket cylinder (4, 14), of a second blanket cylinder (7, 17), of a plate cylinder (5, 15) and of an image transfer cylinder (6, 16). In the offset-printing position, the second blanket cylinder (7, 17) inked by offset plate cylinders (8) rests against the first blanket cylinder (4, 14), while in the collect-printing position it is moved away from this and inked by color selector cylinders. In the collect-printing position, the plate cylinder (5, 15) carries a collect-printing plate, of which the image inked by the first cylinder (7, 17) is transferred to the first blanket cylinder (4, 14) via the image transfer cylinder (6, 16). In the offset-printing position, the plate cylinder is inoperative.

Abstract: A double-sided printing machine in which two sides of fed sheets are printed by two adjacent impression cylinders, each with their own plate and blanket cylinders. Thereby, the first impression cylinder acts as a sheet feed cylinder for the second impression cylinder.

Abstract: A reliable, fast-acting, web wrap detection system is disclosed which is particularly useful inn an offset printing press for stopping operation thereof quickly enough to prevent the web from wrapping around a blanket cylinder. The preferred detection system includes optical sensors which sense blanket cylinder surface reflectance and which stop printing press operation upon an increase in reflectance, such being indicative that the higher reflectance printing web has begun to wrap the cylinder which occurs when the web breaks.

Abstract: A low cost press able to print high quality continuous tone color copies comprises a single large diameter impression cylinder rotatably mounted to the machine frame. A plurality of print stations are spaced around the impression cylinder, each print station including a blanket cylinder in rolling contact with the impression cylinder and a plate cylinder in rolling contact with the blanket cylinder, the diameters of all of said plate and blanket cylinders being substantially the same and said impression cylinder having a diameter that is the same as or an even number more than the product of the plate cylinder diameter multiplied by the number of plate stations in the press. The cylinders are all rotatably coupled together by correspondingly sized gears so that they all rotate in unison with the impression cylinder gear being composed of arcuate parallel-cut segments having identical tooth profiles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a colorhead printer mounting apparatus operable to be secured to a printing press and connectable to a colorhead printing assembly usable with the printing press. The colorhead printer mounting apparatus includes a main support jack assembly secured by an anchor bracket assembly to the printing press and having a colorhead support assembly mounted thereon which is operable to support the colorhead printing assembly thereon. The colorhead support assembly includes a mounting bar assembly secured to the colorhead printing assembly and having self-centering means for releasable connection to the colorhead printing assembly operable for raising, lowering, and pivotally moving to a non-use position for repair and maintenance thereon.

Abstract: To permit selective operation of two printing couples (1, 2, 4, 5) for printing, on a continuous web (7) respectively double-image prime printing (FIG. 1), single-image prime printing (FIGS. 3, 5), while permitting flying plate changes of one of the plates of a disengaged printing couple, or prime and verso printing (FIG. 7), two impression cylinders are provided, engageable with the blanket cylinders of the respective printing couples, the impression cylinders being spaced from each other by a gap sufficient to permit passage of the web therebtween when the system operates in the prime-and-verso printing mode, with a gap sufficient so that freshly printed subject matter will not be smeared by contact with the respective impression cylinders.

Abstract: A multi-color printing machine comprises a print carrier supplying system including a print carrier supply unit, a print carrier transporting unit and a print carrier discharge unit, and a printing image supplying including at least two printing mechanisms each having a plate cylinder and an offset cyinder, the offset cylinders being arranged in contact with one another and of the offset cylinder being arranged in contact with the print carrier transporting unit, the print carrier transporting unit being formed as a central printing cylinder which cooperates with the print carrier withdrawal unit and with the print carrier supply unit and is provided with at least one gripper element, the printing image supplying system also including an endless band-shaped printing image collecting element associated with at least first and last of the offset cylinders of first and last of the printing mechanisms through at least one connecting cylinder.

Abstract: An offset press unit which has a main frame defining a pair of spaced apart walls having bores therein, a pair of plate cylinders are disposed within the frame and are rotatably supported in spaced apart relation, and a pair of blanket cylinders are disposed within the frame each is rotatably supported for rolling contact with the other and with one of said plate cylinders, internal support means are secured to one of the walls and include at least one cylinder supporting bearing, external support means are secured to the other of said walls including at least one cylinder supporting bearing and one of the printing cylinders is rotatably supported by the cylinder supporting bearings.

Abstract: In a multi-color printing machine, any positional error of a image is corrected by a longitudinal image displacement correcting mechanism and/or a diagonal image adjusting mechanism. In the former mechanism, the phase of a paper-feed cylinder relative to an impression cylinder is changed by utilizing the principle of a helical gear. In the latter mechanism, the paper-feed cylinder is tilted or twisted relative to the impression cylinder.

Abstract: Two plate cylinders have horizontal and transverse axes placed respectively on either side of a vertical plane passing by axes of a touching cylinder and a blanket cylinder. A support is mounted between the touching cylinder and the blanking cylinder and is provided for the two plate cylinders, being tiltably mounted about the axis of the blanket cylinder. Two starting cylinders have horizontal and transverse axes disposed respectively slightly below and outside with respect to each plate cylinder. Control means control a tilting motion of the support of the plate cylinders for setting under pressure each of the plate cylinders and for rotatively driving the starting cylinders.

Abstract: A multicolor printing press incorporating a plurality of plate cylinders (3, 4) capable of winding dampening-waterless plates (50) onto themselves at the predetermined positions of the printing press body (1). The multicolor printing press is provided with a plurality of inking devices (7, 8) and plate feeding/discharging devices (5, 6) which are commonly made available for these plate cylinders (3, 4) so that these devices can individually be mounted onto and removed from the positions of printing press body (1) opposite the plate cylinders (3, 4), thus allowing the printing plate (50) to be automatically fed to and discharged from the plate cylinders (3, 4) and the printing operation to be quickly and easily changed as required.

Abstract: A detachable printing unit for offset printing presses, which can be incorporated during their manufacture or fitted to existing presses, said unit being defined in that it is composed of an independent inking module 16 (FIG. 3) comprising all the components required for effecting in chronological operating order the moistening and inking of an offset plate ready for printing on a blanket, and a likewise independent detachable blanket cylinder 7C. One embodiment of the invention is defined in that the numbering device with which the press is equipped (FIG. 6, View B) is replaced by the blanket cylinder (FIG. 7, View B) of the printing unit working with the inking module 16 (FIG. 3), and use is made of the drive mechanism 8 (FIG. 6) and pressure adjustment mechanism 9B provided in the press to obtain for each printing cycle, instead of the numbering, an additional color obtained by color superimposition with the aid of the pressure cylinder 4.

Abstract: A swing apparatus for an offset press auxiliary print unit which includes a swing arm detachably mounted on the auxiliary print unit and a vertical support member upon which the arm will pivot through a generally horizontal plane. The swing arm is rotatable and is operably connected to a pair of lifting tines through a parallelogram linkage so as to lift the auxiliary print unit to disengage it from the main press and then swing it horizontally clear of the press. A crank operates a worm gear and sprocket arrangement to rotate the arm and raise or lower the tines. In a second embodiment, a pair of brackets are affixed to a swing arm, and the entire arm is raised and lowered to lift the auxiliary print unit. An electric motor is used to raise and lower the arm.

Abstract: An offset press unit which has a main frame defining a pair of spaced apart walls having bores therein, a pair of plate cylinders are disposed within the frame and are rotatably supported in spaced apart relation, and a pair of blanket cylinders are disposed within the frame each is rotatably supported for rolling contact with the other and with one of said plate cylinders, internal support means are secured to one of the walls and include at least one cylinder supporting bearing, external support means are secured to the other of said walls including at least one cylinder supporting bearing and one of the printing cylinders is rotatably supported by the cylinder supporting bearings.

Abstract: In a multi-color printing machine, a skew or slant of a picture to be printed is corrected by cocking, namely, swinging a paper-feed cylinder relative to a base impression cylinder by a unique but simple cocking mechanisms. The cocking mechanism includes a shaft holder which holds one end portion of the shaft of the paper-feed cylinder and which is pivotable about an eccentric position disposed on an imaginary line extending between central axes of the paper-feed cylinder and the base impression cylinder. The shaft holder is connected at another end thereof to an operating shaft via screw means which converts rotation of the operating shaft into the pivotal movement of the shaft holder.

Abstract: A printing plate (50) is provided with a plurality of positioning holes (50d) at the head portion (50a) on the basis of at least two cross sides (51a, 51b) of the printing plate (50). The printing plate (50) is delivered towards the plate cylinder (3) by the predetermined distance on the basis of two cross sides (51a, 51b) in relation to the rotation of the plate cylinder (3) so that each positioning holes (50d) can be engaged with the corresponding positioning pins (315) of the plate cylinder (3). This allows the printing plate (50) to be automatically and accurately mounted onto the designated position of the plate cylinder (3).

Abstract: In a method of multi-color offset printing each of a plurality of blankets is contacted with respective printing plates corresponding to each color of the blankets to transfer their respective colors to each of the blankets. Then, each of the blankets is contacted with respective preceding printing plates whose colors are respectively printed prior to that of each of the blankets for transferring color ink of the respective preceding color printing plates to each of the blankets. Next, each of the blankets is pressed in the predetermined order onto a sheet of printing paper to transfer each color ink to the printing paper one after one another.

Abstract: To make more compact the structure of a sheet-fed rotary printing press and to simplify the installation of the individual printing units, there is provided a separate frame for each printing unit in which the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder are mounted together with the inking and wetting unit. The impression cylinder and the transfer drum are mounted as a transport unit in a fixed base frame. The frames of the printing unit are mounted on the base frame of the transport unit in the longitudinal direction of the press, so that it is possible to create an open space between any two printing units as required by the operator.

Abstract: To provide for selective printing by a five-cylinder printing machine either in single prism printing (1/0) or double prime printing (2/0) or prime-and-verso printing (1/1), at least one (3) of the printing cylinders can be selectively positioned by a crank arrangement (16, 15, 15a) which is coupled to a link (13) which link, in turn, operates a lever of an eccentric bearing (12) such that when the first printing cylinder (3) is to be, selectively, in engagement with either the impression cylinder (1) or the second blanket cylinder (2), the link is in a position at which the link passes through the axis of rotation of the crank so that reactive rotary forces from the blanket cylinder will not be transferred to the crank and hence will be isolated from an operating element (18) which moves the crank arrangement. Preferably, the crank arrangement is formed by a gear segment (15) which is rotated by a segmental gear (16), coupled to a linear piston--cylinder arrangement forming the operating element (18).

Abstract: To permit exchange of printed subject matter carried on a plate of a plate cylinder (10, 16) of two printing couples (8, 10; 12, 16) which are selectively engageable with an impression cylinder (4) which, for example, can be a blanket cylinder of another printing couple (3, 4), while continuing to print information from one of the plates (10, 16) of a selected one of the first two printing couples, clutches (9, 15) are provided to engage the respective printing couples through drive gears mounted on the shafts of the respective blanket cylinders (6, 12); circumferential register of the associated plate cylinders (10, 16) is obtained by axial shifting of the blanket cylinders (6, 12) and use of spiral gears in which the gears connecting the blanket cylinder and plate cylinder (6, 10; 12, 16) of one printing couple have opposite direction of gear inclination to the drive gear (7, 13) selectively engageable with the main machine drive, for example through a gear (5) on the impression cylinder (4) which, in turn,

Abstract: To permit both circumferential as well as axial register adjustment of three printing couples (1, 2, 3), in which the respective cylinders of the printing couples are interconnected by spiral gears, two of the blanket cylinders (4, 8) are axially shiftable. The changes in circumferential register, upon changing of lateral register--due to the spiral gears--are compensated by position motor controllers (34, 44) which may include a microprocessor (50), automatically. Lateral register is set in a predetermined sequence by the respective cylinders, in accordance with the coupling of one of the plate cylinders (e.g. 5) with a printing machine main drive pinion (68).

Abstract: Offset printing press which comprises, in combination, a set of means making it possible for it to carry out, either independently or simultaneously, sheet-fed or web-fed printing. These webs are presented equally well either as perforated and prefolded pages or as reels. A set of mechanical movement pieces, working together with the removable components, makes it possible, depending on the types of printing to be carried out, to provide the press with twenty possibilities of different printing modes. A movable press-cylinder 17 (FIG. 3), working together with the blanket of the removable blanket cylinder 3A, makes it possible to prevent the web-fed printed matter, during its printing, from passing through the press and, by so doing, to make these two modes of feeding and printing, sheet-fed and web-fed, totally independent of each other. The same type of removable device as that fitted on the mixed press, also mounted on a sliding frame 64 (FIG.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conversion of a web fed letterpress unit (10) into a web fed offset printing press unit (42) having a main frame (12) an auxiliary frame (44) inside the main frame for receiving cylinders, a pair of offset plate cylinders (46 and 46a) for mounting printing plates thereon, an inking arrangement (16, 18 and 20) for applying films of ink to the plates, and a pair of blanket cylinders (48 and 48a) in close proximity to a position for respective rolling contact with the plates on the plate cylinder and the other blanket cylinder. An offset press gear train (114) is installed outside the frames if the shafts for the cylinders can be extended through the bores (56, 56a, 58, 58a, 76 and 112) in the main frame left from the removed letterpress unit cylinders. Otherwise the gear train (54) is placed inside the main frame. Pilots (60, 60a, 62 and 62a) for insertion into bores in the main frame guide the installation of the auxiliary frame.

Abstract: An offset lithographic printing machine having a plurality of in-line liquid application stations, at least one of which is an ink image printing station for printing lithographic ink images onto suitable receptive copy sheets, and the final downstream liquid-application station being a coating application station for printing a protective, and/or aesthetic coating over selected portions of, or over the entire ink image-printed surface of the copy sheets.

Abstract: To provide for versatile printing, while permitting exchange of the plate of a blanket cylinder - plate cylinder couple during operation of the printing machine, i.e. while the machine is printing, for example only prime or verso printing in a single color, two blanket cylinder - plate cylinder (2, 4; 3, 5) are provided, selectively engageable with an impression cylinder (1). One (3) of the blanket cylinders is positionable in three axial positions, selectively (a) for engagement with the impression cylinder (1), (b) for engagement with the other blanket cylinder (2) or (c) removed from both the impression and the blanket cylinder, to permit exchange of the plate of the associated plate cylinder (5). A paper web substrate (6) can be passed, selectively, between the two blanket cylinders and partially about the impression cylinder, or between the impression cylinder and one of the blanket cylinders.

Abstract: A picture adjusting device in a sheet-feed press having a rotating sheet-feed cylinder feeding paper to a rotating impression cylinder. The sheet-feed cylinder has a movable bearing on at least one end of its shaft so that the sheet-feed cylinder is tiltable with respect to impression cylinder, thereby allowing adjustment of the positioning of the picture on the page.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conversion of a web fed letterpress unit (10) into a web fed offset printing press unit (42) having a main frame (12) an auxiliary frame (44) inside the main frame for receiving cylinders, a pair of offset plate cylinders (46 and 46a) for mounting printing plates thereon, an inking arrangement (16, 18 and 20) for applying films of ink to the plates, and a pair of blanket cylinders (48 and 48a) in close proximity of a position for respective rolling contact with the plates on the plate cylinder and the other blanket cylinder. An offset press gear train (114) is installed outside the frames if the shafts for the cylinders can be extended through the bores (56, 56a, 58, 58a, 76 and 112) in the main frame left from the removed letterpress unit cylinders. Otherwise the gear train (54) is placed inside the main frame. Pilots (60, 60a, 62 and 62a) for insertion into bores in the main frame guide the installation of the auxiliary frame.

Abstract: According to the machine and method, one of the paper sides is printed with a collect print image with juxtaposed colors by means of a typographic plate cylinder inked by a collecting cylinder inked in turn by selective color inking cylinders of which the number corresponds to the number of colors, and on the other side an image with superposed colors and designs by means of offset plate cylinders contacting an offset blanket cylinder and of which the number corresponds to the number of colors and designs of the image. For this purpose the machine comprises another blanket cylinder contacting the typographic plate cylinder and pressed against the offset blanket cylinder, the paper passes between this cylinder and the other blanket cylinder. The multicolor collect print side may be completed by at least one monochrome wet offset print. In additional embodiments, the geometrical arrangement of the blanket cylinders is changed to enable additional printing units to contact the other blanket cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method converts an existing printing press to offset printing. An auxiliary frame and two auxiliary impression cylinders are mounted to the press and existing cylinders are adapted for offset printing. A new web path is defined to the cylinders, through an auxiliary cross brace member. The shafts of auxiliary cylinders are eccentrically mounted dead shafts. The cylinder surface is friction driven by the web. Bearers smooth the movement of the cylinders across the blanket slots. The auxiliary cylinders are maintained on impression by an incompressible fluid for uniform impression and thrown off rapidly by a pressurized gas.

Abstract: To permit selective operation of a rubber blanket--plate cylinder couple located, respectively, above and below an impression cylinder for double prime printing, prime-and-verso printing, or printing plate change while printing is carried out with a remaining couple and during operation of the machine, two clutches (21 or 25) selectively feed a main rotary drive from a main gear (18, 19) to the drive gears (22, 23) of the upper blanket cylinder--plate cylinder couple (2, 4) or, upon operation of a clutch (25) via drive gears (26, 27) to the lower blanket cylinder--plate cylinder couple (3, 5). For prime-and-verso printing, only one of the clutches (e.g. 21) is operated.

Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary printing machine for single-side multi-color printing or perfector printing having an in-line type of construction with at least one sheet-turning device as well as devices for processing both papers and cardboard, and respective printing units each having, in addition to a plate cylinder and a blanket cylinder of equal given diameter, an impression cylinder having a diameter at least double the given diameter and a sheet transfer drum includes a lower printing-unit part with parts of the turning device located between an adjacent pair of the printing units, the lower printing-unit part having a storage drum in place of an impression cylinder, the storage drum being formed with at least two sheet-carrying surfaces, and a sheet transfer drum with a diameter at least double the given diameter, the printing unit of the adjacent pair of printing units following the lower printing-unit part, in travel direction of a sheet through the printing machine, having a sheet transfer drum formed as a tur

Abstract: A rotary offset printing press which can be operated either for prime and verso printing or for printing on one side only, with flying plate change in the latter case, is organized so that the common counterpressure roller used with either of the two pairs of printing rollers (plate roller and rubber cloth roller) is used only as a paper feed-out guide during prime and verso printing. The counterpressure cylinder can be shifted to let it assume its normal function in single-side printing. A small shift of the drive gearing makes it possible to use the counterpressure cylinder for one or the other pair of printing rollers selectively while a plate change is performed for the idle pair.

Abstract: A cylinder setting mechanism for an offset printing machine effects setting of a rubber blanket cylinder into peripheral contact with an impression cylinder and the plate cylinder sequentially. Eccentric metal parts are rotatably mounted for rotation on laterally spaced frame vertical walls for rotation about a first axis and rotatably mount an eccentric rubber blanket cylinder shaft for rotation about a second eccentric axis. The eccentric rubber blanket cylinder shaft rotatably mounts the rubber blanket cylinder eccentrically about a third axis eccentric to the axis of rotation of the shaft. A plate cylinder setting cam and an impression cylinder setting cam are fixedly secured to the impression cylinder rotate therewith and are angularly offset.

Abstract: An offset press unit which has a main frame defining a pair of spaced apart walls having bores therein, a pair of plate cylinders are disposed within the frame and are rotatably supported in spaced apart relation, and a pair of blanket cylinders are disposed within the frame each is rotatably supported for rolling contact with the other and with one of said plate cylinders, internal support means are secured to one of the walls and include at least one cylinder supporting bearing, external support means are secured to the other of said walls including at least one cylinder supporting bearing and one of the printing cylinders is rotatably supported by the cylinder supporting bearings.

Abstract: An operation lever controller for a two-color printing apparatus having first and second units adapted to perform printing independently of each other and arranged such that all steps of respective printing operations are performed by rotating respective operation levers in multiple stages. The operation levers, ratchet wheels, set cams for changing and positioning the operation levers in respective multiple stages and arms provided with respective magnets are fixed on corresponding drive shafts of the first and second units. Pairs of feed pallets are respectively provided on unit frames so as to be linked with forward-drive solenoids, backward-drive solenoids, and pallet-drive shafts such that the respective pairs of feed pallets are disengaged and engaged with the ratchet wheels by operations of the solenoids to perform feeding operations using the pallet-drive shafts. Operation lever detecting switches are turned on by the magents at respective positions of the operation levers.

Abstract: The machine can print on both sides of the paper either an image with juxtaposed color by means of a typographic plate inked respectively by a collecting cylinder inked in turn by selective color inking cylinders of which the number corresponds to the number of colors, or an image with superposed colors and designs by means of the plate cylinders substituted for the selective color inking cylinders and provided with printing plates inking a corresponding offset cylinder and of which the number corresponds to the number of colors and designs, or an image of each above-mentioned type.

Abstract: The machine can print on both sides of the paper either an image with juxtaposed colors by means of a typographic plate inked respectively by an ink collecting cylinder inked in turn by selective color inking cylinders of which the number corresponds to the number of colors, or an image with superposed colors and designs by means of plate cylinders substituted for the selective color inking cylinders and provided with printing plates inking a respective offset cylinder and of which the number corresponds to the number of colors and designs, or an image of each type aforesaid. For this purpose the machine comprises two blanket cylinders operating either as collecting cylinders spaced from each other, each in contact with a cylinder carrying said typographic plate of which the image is transferred via another blanket cylinder to the paper surface, or as offset cylinders pressed against, and printing, the paper, or one as a collecting cylinder and the other as an offset cylinder, both separated.

Abstract: A printing unit of an offset rotary printing machine for printing a paper web with an endless impression, the printing unit having two plate cylinders with respective printing plates disposed on half the respective peripheries thereof for providing respective partial prints successively includes at least one blanket cylinder operatively associated with the two plate cylinders, an applicating roller equal in size to that of one of the plate cylinders disposed for simultaneous engagement with both of the plate cylinders, an inking unit and a dampening unit operatively connectible via an inking cylinder with both of the plate cylinders for delivering ink and dampening fluid thereto, a sum of distances starting from a contact location at which successive partial prints provided by the two plate cylinders become united and extending via the at least one blanket cylinder, one of the plate cylinders and the inking cylinder back to the contact location corresponds to a multiple of the periphery of one of the two plat

Abstract: A process and apparatus for perfecting printing on paper sheets, one side being printed by the offset method and the other side being printed by direct planography, is provided for a five-cylinder sheet-fed offset press having an impression cylinder, first and second plate cylinders and first and second blanket cylinders, the latter being disposed respectively between the plate cylinders and the impression cylinder, wherein one or more printing plates suitable for direct planography are clamped on the impression cylinder in accordance with the size relationship between the impression cylinder and the blanket cylinders, the first plate cylinder and first blanket cylinder are arranged so as not to transfer indicia although the blanket cylinder is engaged with the impression cylinder, the effective diameter (d) of the first blanket cylinder is made slightly less than the dimension that corresponds to an integral multiple (or reciprocal thereof) of the effective diameter (D) of the impression cylinder, and the pr

Abstract: In a web-fed offset rotary press printing unit comprising four cylinders (2-5), in order to move the two inner cylinders, for instance blanket cylinders (3, 4), apart from one another without having to move the outer cylinders (2, 5), the cylinder trunnions (6, 7) of the inner cylinders (3, 4) are positioned on double eccentric bushes (8, 9; 10, 11). By means of tie rods (16-19), all the pairs of eccentric bushes (8, 9; 10, 11) are pivoted in common about the same angle, resulting in a linear movement in opposite directions (P or P') by the inner cylinders (3, 4) with respect to the straight line (G) on which the four cylinders are disposed.

Abstract: To improve the versatility of offset printing machines by permitting, selectively, prime printing or prime-and-verso printing, a printing system of at least one plate cylinder (1) in engagement with a rubber blanket cylinder (7) is provided, the plate cylinder having the customary inker (3) and damper (5) associated therewith. Printing is effected against an impression or counter cylinder (9). The impression or counter cylinder is arranged for application of verso print image on the sheet by having an attachment arrangement (13-24) to attach a flexible planographic printing plate (12) on the surface thereof; a further inker (29) is provided, selectively engageable with the planographic printing plate, if verso printing is to be effected. If the printing plate is an offset printing plate, an additional damper may be provided, selectively engageable therewith.

Abstract: The machine comprises an indirect printing device, a drying device, a sheet transfer and turning device actuated according to requirements, and an intaglio printing machine. It permits of printing--in a single pass--through device a simultaneous recto-verso printing, namely on one side according to the color collecting printing method, an image with juxtaposed colors, and on the other side according to the offset printing method an image with superposed colors and designs, notably for creating safety background on bank notes, and after drying and, if necessary, turning the sheets, an image printed by intaglio printing on one of the sides, notably for creating a main design on the bank note. The multicolor printing on the side receiving the image with juxtaposed colors may be completed in device by a monochrome wet offset printing. Moreover, a register control device may be incorporated between the sheet transfer and turning device and the intaglio printing machine.

Abstract: The machine can print on one of the paper sides an image with juxtaposed colors by means of a typographic plate cylinder inked by a collecting cylinder inked in turn by selective color inking cylinders of which the number corresponds to the number of colors, and on the other side an image with superposed colors and designs by means of offset plate cylinders contacting an offset blanket cylinder and of which the number corresponds to the number of colors and designs of this image. For this purpose the machine comprises another blanket cylinder contacting the typographic plate cylinder and pressed against the offset blanket cylinder, the paper passes between this cylinder and the other blanket cylinder. The multicolor printing on the side receiving the image with juxtaposed colors may be completed by a monochrome wet offset print.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for registering a perfecting offset printing unit to a reference perfecting offset printing unit while minimizing displacement between associated non-print gap areas. The circumferential position of the upper printing plate and the lower printing plate of the unit to be registered is monitored with respect to their associated blankets. The print registration between the unit to be registered and the reference unit is monitored. Printing position changes for the upper printing couple and the lower printing couple of the unit to be registered that are needed to effect registration with the reference unit are determined. A circumferential bias is determined responsive to the determined printing position changes needed and responsive to the monitored circumferential position of the upper printing plate and the lower printing plate.

Abstract: A printing attachment for a rotary printing press comprises first and second cooperating cylinders rotatably mounted on respective first and second shafts. The first shaft is supported by holding devices for movement by a power operated device and the second shaft is mounted on a frame. Each shaft has at each end a support member, such as an annular or disc-shaped member, which faces a respective support member on the other shaft. Each support member on the first shaft can be brought into contact with a respective support member on the second shaft as well as into contact with one of a pair of parallel arranged further support members, at spaced positions along the first support members, by the power operated device to engage the first cylinder. The position of at least one pair of support members is adjustable to alter the operating position of one cylinder relative to the other.

Abstract: A convertible, multicolor, printing press for printing the safety background of banknotes or the like comprises, in one configuration, an impression cylinder, a second blanket cylinder which engages the impression cylinder, a first plate cylinder which engages the second blanket cylinder and also engages a first blanket cylinder which first blanket cylinder is spaced from the impression cylinder, and several sectioned inking rollers which engage the first blanket cylinder and which are each inked by inking devices of different colors. The printing press is converted to a second configuration by exchanging the sectioned inking rollers for second plate cylinders, separating the first plate and second blanket cylinders from engagement with the first blanket (11-14) and impression cylinders respectively, and moving the impression cylinder to directly engage the first blanket cylinder.

Abstract: To permit modular construction of a multiple sheet-fed rotary offset printing machine, for selective multi-color prime and/or verso printing, printing stations are constructed to position the blanket cylinders (17-20, 59-62) and the printing cylinders (21-23; 59-66) in alternate contacting position along a straight line, the printing cylinder (e.g. 22) of one printing station (e.g. 2) being, alternately, in engagement with the blanket cylinder (19) of an adjacent station (3). The printing and blanket cylinders all have grippers, and the printing cylinders of one station applying prime printing may have a rubber blanket thereon and form the blanket cylinder of a station (32) located beneath the respective printing station. A theoretical connecting line connecting the axes of the blanket cylinders and printing cylinders of the respective station has a zig-zag configuration, with angles between the respective portions or legs of the line being between 70.degree.-175.degree., preferably about 145.degree..

Abstract: To double production rate of printed subject matter without increasing printing machine speed, a serially arranged row of printing stations, each having a blanket cylinder, a plate cylinder, and associated inkers--and dampers, if required--have two impression cylinders (21, 25) located for engagement with the end ones of the blanket cylinders (1, 5), so that inked printed information can be received from both ends of the serially positioned blanket cylinders. Ink applied to the respective blanket cylinders by the associated plate cylinders will migrate through the chain of blanket cylinders, with ink splitting occurring at each contact between the respective blanket cylinders, to provide sufficient inking at both of the blanket cylinders (1, 5) positioned at the end of the series of blanket cylinders (1-5).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conversion of a web fed letterpress unit (10) into a web fed offset printing press unit (42) having a main frame (12) an auxiliary frame (44) inside the main frame for receiving cylinders, a pair of offset plate cylinders (46 and 46a) for mounting printing plates thereon, an inking arrangement (16, 18 and 20) for applying films of ink to the plates, and a pair of blanket cylinders 48 and 48a) in close proximity of a position for respective rolling contact with the plates on the plate cylinder and the other blanket cylinder. An offset press gear train (114) is installed outside the frames if the shafts for the cylinders can be extended through the bores (56, 56a, 58, 58a, 76 and 112) in the main frame left from the removed letterpress unit cylinders. Otherwise the gear train (54) is placed inside the main frame. Pilots (60, 60a, 62 and 62a) for insertion into bores in the main frame guide the installation of the auxiliary frame.