Abstract: This invention relates to a color head for an offset press for printing curved articles such as cups, cans, tubes and the like and sheet-like or flat articles such as paper, metals, synthetic resins, and the like. In order to supply the quantity of ink necessary for each article to be printed onto the plate of a plate cylinder for printing the article, an ink roller rotatably provided inside an ink fountain is caused to rock during each printing cycle, in which one article is printed, by cam rings on the sides of the form roller and by rocking levers operated by these cam rings, and is brought into contact with the form roller within a predetermined angular area of the form roller. The quantity of ink supplied can be adjusted continuously without any steps, either manually or automatically, whenever necessary. The roller system used in the invention has a reduced number of rollers so as to shorten the path of the ink and to print each article with a uniform, suitable quantity of ink.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying thermoplastic decorative inks onto various substrates by printing each color ink onto a releasing surface from a heated engraved or etched metal surface, transferring by intimate mechanical contact the various colors from each releasing surface onto a second releasing collector surface to form a multi-colored print, and transferring the multi-colored print to a ceramic, glass-ceramic or glass substrate by intimate contact with the collector surface.

Abstract: In an offset rotary printing press which is equipped with a pair of blanket cylinders which can be shifted between two ultimate positions, in which one is a blanket to blanket type printing mode with four series-contacting cylinders exclusive of an impression cylinder and the other is a satellite type printing mode with five series-contacting cylinders including the impression cylinder, the blanket cylinders can be shifted between the two ultimate positions via two intermediate throw-off positions by three strokes of an actuator with switching by a clutch.The amount of displacement of each of the blanket cylinders between the two ultimate positions exceeds the tooth height of driving gears for the blanket cylinders and the cylinders contacting with said blanket cylinders.

Abstract: A collect-printing unit for security printing in dry-offset printing for use in a rotary printing press, provided with a blanket cylinder, to which a plurality of hard cut-out inking rollers are coordinated is disclosed. To this blanket cylinder, two ink transfer cylinders and one forme cylinder, on whose periphery several letterpress formes are fixed, are coordinated. Furthermore, one blanket cylinder is coordinated to the forme cylinder, this blanket cylinder receiving the multi-color motif from the forme cylinder and transferring it onto the support to be printed. A counter-pressure cylinder cooperates with this blanket cylinder. A sheet-shaped or web-shaped support to be printed, is interposed between the blanket cylinder and the counter-pressure cylinder, and is printed in collect-printing.

Abstract: In an electrographic copier forming related transferable images at spaced locations on an image-carrier and transferring such images seriatim to a receiver member by actuation of a movable transfer mechanism, an improvement for registering such related images in accurate superposition on such member. The image-carrier, moving along a path, is stopped in such path to position one transferable image at a predetermined location. The receiver member is clamped to the means for stopping the image-carrier. During movement of the transfer mechanism, the clamped receiver member is positioned in transfer relation with the transferable image on the stopped image-carrier, and the mechanism is actuated to transfer such image to the member. Following transfer, the receiver member is removed from such transfer relation while keeping such member clamped to the stopping means so that the image carrier can be stopped to position another related transferable image at such predetermined location.

Abstract: Web letterpress equipment is converted to offset lithographic equipment by modification of a driven letterpress impression cylinder to receive an offset blanket, thereby producing an offset blanket cylinder. A letterpress plate cylinder is modified to become an offset plate cylinder with accompanying offset inking and dampening equipment. In one embodiment, a driven letterpress plate cylinder of a color hump is packed to become an offset impression cylinder cooperating with the offset blanket cylinder. In a second embodiment, the letterpress plate cylinder of the color hump is modified to an offset color plate cylinder and a driven offset impression cylinder is added to cooperate with the offset printed on one side of a web. When used in combination with similarly converted letterpress plate, impression and color hump plate cylinders, at least three colors may be offset printed on one side of a web or multiple colors printed on opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: To permit, selectively, lithographic printing, flexo printing, or direct lithographic printing on a printing machine with the same direction of rotation of the respective cylinders, a liquid application system (11) including a liquid application roller (15) is selectively positionable for engagement either with a plate cylinder (4, 5) of a lithographic system, the rubber blanket cylinder (2, 3) for direct lithographic printing, the plate cylinder then acting as a form ink transfer cylinder which is being continuously inked; or for engagement with the blanket cylinder, with a flexo printing plate applied to the blanket cylinder, and the plate cylinder being placed out of engagement with the blanket cylinder, the damping liquid for lithographic printing being replaced by flexo-printing ink, and the position (FIG.

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: An arrangement for the transfer and conveyance of sheets between first and second printing units of a multi-color lithographic press which includes a receiving drum in the first printing unit, a feed drum in the second printing unit, impression cylinders associated with the drums, an endless chain, which includes links joined by pins, trained about the drums, and a guide rail following the path of the chain. A plurality of gripper carriages moveable on the rail are each coupled to the chain for movement therewith by a carriage coupler, each coupler including a drive roller on the chain mounted outboard parallel to the pins thereof. Each gripper carriage includes a yoke for snugly embracing the drive roller on the chain. The feed drum includes a radially mounted drive fork for engaging the cam roller of each gripper carriage as it comes into the vicinity of the feed drum in order to achieve a condition of accurate register between the feed drum and the gripper carriage.

Abstract: To provide for change of direction of rotation of the impression cylinders in a 10-cylinder printing system, and selective operation of blanket-impression cylinder or blanket-blanket printing, at least some of the gears driving the cylinders are axially shiftable, and rotation-reversal gears can be selectively switched in position with respect to drive power to drive, directly, from a main shaft (11), the one impression cylinder (2) with further drive (22) of the second impression cylinder (1), directly or via a second rotation-reversal gear (19); or, for blanket-to-blanket operation, disengagement of the rubber blankets from the impression cylinders by shifting-away of the centers of rotation thereof, and drive from the main drive shaft of the respective rubber cylinders through plate cylinders (9, 10) closest to the main drive train, and subsequent drive of rubber cylinders (5, 6; 3, 4) and the associated plate cylinders (7, 8) through the rubber cylinder--rubber cylinder plate cylinder system.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a nine-roll or ten-roll printing mechanism, in which the directions of rotation of the rolls have to be reversed individually according to a printing program. The driving connection to the plate rolls is effected through two oppositely rotating impression roll gears which are rotatably mounted on the axle of the impression roll. The impression roll gears can be coupled to the axle of the impression roll by means of remotely operable couplings. A sliding gear is associated with each plate roll. The sliding gear selectively engages one or the other impression roll gear. An indexing wheel corresponds to each sliding gear and is mounted slidably on the plate roll axle. The width of the sliding gears is selected so that an idling setting is excluded. Each plate roll is connected with its associated offset roll by means of a rotation-secure driving connection.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing business forms made up of a plurality of webs including a plurality of towers, one for each web with each web being equipped with a plurality of vertically related modules for imparting characteristics to the webs, each module being adapted to create a characteristic in the web traveling therepast, and means associated with each tower for changing at least one characteristic in the web traveling therepast.

Abstract: Paper gripper improvement in a printing press of the type having a frame, a large paper carrying impression cylinder drum mounted on the frame and a plurality of retractable printing stations mounted on the frame and spaced around the drum. Each gripper has a stationary finger and a second finger reciprocatable with respect to the stationary finger. A cam is connected to operate the reciprocatable finger to grip the paper as it is fed onto the drum. To detect a missing paper, an electrical circuit is completed by contact between the stationary finger and the reciprocatable finger in the absence of a paper between them insulating them from each other, whereby the need for photo-cells or other detectors to detect missing papers is eliminated. The inking rollers are driven separately from the drum to facilitate retracting the printing stations in the event of a missing paper.

Abstract: Letterset, rotary newspaper printing press systems, particularly a method of enhancing inking of the plate cylinder. The method includes defining a plurality of ink repository cells within the surface of the inking cylinder, immersing the repository cells within an ink reservoir, scraping excess ink from the surface of the plate cylinder and rotating the inking cylinder and ink-filled cells against the plate form roller or directly against the surface of the plate cylinder. Modifications of invention include increasing the amount of ink deposited on the plate cylinder by reducing the number of ink cells per lineal inch and reducing the amount of ink deposited on the plate cylinder by increasing the amount of ink repository cells per lineal inch.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a printing press which is capable of operating either as a perfecting printing press or as a multicolor press. The press includes a common impression cylinder which is fixed in the frame of the printing press. A pair of blanket cylinders are mounted in eccentrics and are movable along arcuate paths between two printing positions. In one printing position the blanket cylinders are effective to print on opposite sides of a web passed between them, and in the other printing position both blanket cylinders will print on the same side of a web when the web is passed between the blanket cylinders and the common impression cylinder. The disclosure includes a unique linkage mechanism for shifting the blanket cylinder to four distinct positions, the two previously mentioned printing positions, and two throw off positions, one associated with each of the printing positions.

Abstract: To suppress bending oscillations, particularly when tensioning or blanket attachment grooves of operating cylinders of a rotary printing machine, specifically of an offset printing machine, are engaged with each other, bearings (4) are supported by tensioning bars (3), one end of which is pressed by a stop (17) or a cam (5) towards the bearing, the other being tensioned by a spring (7) or hydraulic (40-44) arrangement thereagainst. The cam can be released from pressing position upon receiving a "stop print" command. Alternatively, rather than pressing the ends of the pressure bar (3) against fixed portions, for example the side walls (18, 28) of the machine, two adjacent cylinders can be pressed against each other by connecting the respective ends of the pressure bars together, one of the connections preferably including a releasable, for example hydraulic pressure loaded joint (23) and the other having the spring or fluid pressure tensioning force applied thereto.

Abstract: Web letterpress equipment is converted to offset lithographic equipment by modification of a driven letterpress impression cylinder to receive an offset blanket, thereby producing an offset blanket cylinder. A letterpress plate cylinder is modified to become an offset plate cylinder with accompanying offset inking and dampening equipment. In one embodiment a drive letterpress plate cylinder of a color hump is packed to become an offset impression cylinder cooperating with the offset blanket cylinder. In a second embodiment the letterpress plate cylinder of the color hump is modified to an offset color plate cylinder and a driven offset impression cylinder is added to cooperate with the offset blanket cylinder. In this manner at least two colors may be offset printed on one side of a web.

Abstract: A pair of three cylinders train units and a four cylinder train unit are provided in relationship such that a pair of impression cylinders of the former are adjacent to a pair of blanket cylinders of the latter, respectively.The blanket cylinders of the latter are switched between a first position in which the blanket cylinders make contact with each other and with their respective plate cylinders and a second position in which the blanket cylinders are isolated from each other, make contact with their respective plate cylinders and with their respective impression cylinders of the three cylinder train units.The switching between extreme positions can be completed in one motion by an angle increase shifting mechanism using gears which are added to the switching means.Throw-off means for the blanket cylinders can be diverged independently and branchingly from each extreme position by a pin clutch mechanism which is added to the switching means.

Abstract: A rotary printing machine for printing several colors on continuously fed sheets comprises a cylinder for driving a web disposed at the web inlet in the printing machine and coupled to a speed variator.A rotary cutting device is disposed downstream of the web driving cylinder, and means are provided for rotating said rotary cutting device at constant speed. The printing machine also comprises a drum provided on its periphery with regularly distributed grippers, normally closed by springs and of which the opening is controlled by fixed opening ramps.This drum forms a single large-diameter impression cylinder in contact, at different points of its periphery, with the blanket cylinders of the different printing units. This impression cylinder is mounted to rotate about a horizontal and transverse axis on a support frame mounted for horizontal and longitudinal slide, and means are provided for causing the support frame to slide towards and away from the blanket cylinders of the various printing units.

Abstract: A web fed offset printing press unit (42) including a frame (12), an auxiliary frame (44), a pair of plate cylinders (46 and 46a), a first blanket cylinder (48), a second blanket cylinder (50), a common impression cylinder (56) and an auxiliary impression cylinder (58) is disclosed. The second blanket cylinder is swung bodily through a short radius arc between a first end position in rolling contact with the common impression cylinder and a second end position in rolling contact with the auxiliary impression cylinder.In one arrangement, the second blanket cylinder is journaled in an eccentric sleeve (76) at each end and linkage (86) is switchable between the two modes of operation with a throw-off position associated with each.A method for converting a web fed letterpress unit (10) into a web fed offset printing press unit for multicolor or two-sided printing is disclosed.

Abstract: An offset lithographic web printing press capable of printing a series of relatively short runs without interruption and with minimum waste of web material. The press includes a plurality of printing units. During a given run, some of the printing units are in a printing mode, while others are in a nonprinting or thrown-off mode. The web moves freely through the units which are thrown-off while those units are made ready for a succeeding run. Each unit includes a motor which has adequate capacity to drive such auxiliary equipment as a web infeed and folder, in addition to the unit, itself. Each unit motor may be clutched into a common drive line passing through all the units in order to drive the infeed and folder. Each printing unit also includes apparatus for throwing the printing cylinders of the unit to and from the web, and for changing the attitude of the web as it passes through the unit.

Abstract: A two-color offset printing press having two plate cylinders simultaneously engageable with a single blanket cylinder is disclosed. The plate cylinders and the blanket cylinder are rotatably mounted on a printer head fixed to the mainframe of the press. A first set of dampening and inking rollers is mounted on the printer head and engageable with one of the plate cylinders. A second set of dampening and inking rollers, engageable with the other plate cylinder, is mounted on a ball bushing supported carriage linearly movable to and from the printer head along a pair of parallel rails fixed to the mainframe. Image registry between the two plate cylinders is established by an operator-accessible adjustment mechanism for shifting one of the plate cylinders back and forth along its axis of rotation. An electrical safety interlock system precludes operator access to the carriage-associated plate cylinder during predetermined operating modes of the press.

Abstract: A two-color offset printing press having two plate cylinders simultaneously engageable with a single blanket cylinder is disclosed. The plate cylinders and a blanket cylinder are rotatably mounted on a printer head fixed to the mainframe of the press. A first set of dampening and inking rollers is mounted on the printer head and engageable with one of the plate cylinders. A second set of dampening and inking rollers, engageable with the other plate cylinder, is mounted on a ball bushing supported carriage linearly movable to and from the printer head along a pair of parallel rails fixed to the mainframe. Image registry between the two plate cylinders is established by an operator-accessible adjustment mechanism for shifting one of the plate cylinders back and forth along its axis of rotation. An electrical safety interlock system precludes operator access to the carriage-associated plate cylinder during predetermined operating modes of the press.

Abstract: In a mechanism for selectively obtaining two extreme positions of printing cylinders, i.e. a contact of four cylinders except an impression cylinder and a contact of five cylinders including the impression cylinder, through effecting angular displacements of eccentric sleeves attached to respective printing cylinders simultaneously by a common link mechanism, an angle increase shifting mechanism is interposed between the starting end of the link mechanism and the end of an actuator. Whereby, the pair of printing cylinders can be directly shifted from one to the other extreme positions by a single stroke of the actuator.A member attached to a main shaft of the angle increase shifting mechanism is divided into three pieces of a front piece, center piece and a rear piece, and the center piece is adapted to be selected engaged by and disengaged from the front and rear pieces by means of a pin clutch mechanism.

Abstract: Sheet-fed rotary printing machine having a plurality of rotatable sheet transfer drums forming a sheet travel path between respective printing units of the machine having a respective rotary impression cylinder, includes a plurality of stationary sheet guide plates disposed below the sheet transfer drums and extending across substantially the entire width thereof, the impression cylinder being disposed in the sheet transfer path downstream of one of the sheet transfer drums and upstream of another of the sheet transfer drums, a first sheet guide plate extending toward the periphery of the one sheet transfer drum in direction of rotation thereof, a second sheet guide plate extending away from the periphery of the other sheet transfer drum in direction of rotation of the other sheet transfer drum so as to form, during rotation of the respective sheet transfer drum at any speed, an air cushion between the respective sheet guide plate and the underside of a sheet being transferred on the respective sheet transfer

Abstract: A multicolor rotary press for bottles has rotary transfer cylinder with a silicone rubber periphery having of six retractable transfer surfaces disposed at equal angular intervals therearound and alternating with stationary transfer surfaces. During the rotation of the transfer cylinder, one of two stamping photogravure rolls in rotational engagement therewith transfers an image with a first color to that retractable transfer surface then coming thereunder. The image bearing surface comes under the other roll and is temporarily retractable and that roll transfers another image with a second color to the next stationary transfer surface. Both image bearing surfaces travel past and engage a bottle rotating while engaging the transfer cylinder to print the image on the bottle.

Abstract: A rotary printing machine having a plurality of serially disposed printing units, each including two blanket cylinders in mutual contact and two plate cylinders respectively cooperating with one of the blanket cylinders, and a main drive system individually driving each of the plate cylinders, the main drive system of each of the printing units comprising two spur gears in mutually meshing engagement and in meshing engagement with the spur gears of the respective main drive system of the printing units immediately adjacent thereto, each of the plate cylinders having a drive gear in meshing engagement with one of the two spur gears and, in combination with the main drive system, a drive system serially associated therewith and comprising two additional spur gears coupling each of the plate cylinders to a respective blanket cylinder, the additional spur gears being disposed adjacent the main drive system in a gear line different from that of the main drive system.

Abstract: A perfector printing press having a full size impression cylinder with a blanket thereon between the perfector roll and the plate roll so that printing is not done on the smaller radius perfector roller. The perfector is easier to reach for cleaning and changing and the quality of the printing is improved. The perfector may be spring loaded to prevent jam ups and pivoted about the impression cylinder for easier access.

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.

Abstract: A machine for printing English or metric or combination English metric measuring tapes of long or short length comprising a plurality of self-contained modules for controlling, feeding, printing, stabilizing, and taking up the printed tape, the printing module being adapted to print: (1) long English tapes in two colors of 50 or 100 feet in length using a blanket roll and a printing band; and (2) metric tapes or short English tapes or combination English metric tapes in two colors using a pair of printing bands.

Abstract: A two color printing press in which the plate cylinder for the second color and the ink supply rollers therefor are mounted in a pivoting frame which can be manually rotated away from the printing press to afford easy access to the interior of the press. Gear position indicators permit prealignment of the second color plate cylinder and rollers when they are swung into position.

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.

Abstract: A new machine for printing different colors simultaneously by the offset method, includes a single sectored cylinder which acts upon a single rubber printing cylinder and which bears several sectors mounted upon its surface. The sectors are fixed to it by conventional centering and adjusting means, the machine being at the same time provided with individual fountains and rollers for ink and water, one for each of the sectors. Each of the sectors is a receiver of a single color. The fountains and rollers of ink and water are provided with retractable means, in such a manner that each of the fountain and roller arrangements dedicated to a given color operates at a determined time on one and only one sector, the sector involved corresponding to the given color.

Abstract: The circumferential speed of driven ink application rollers is controlled to be less than the circumferential speed of the plate cylinders to which the ink application rollers supply ink and with which it is in friction-transmission connection. Preferably, the speed difference is adjustable, and so arranged that the circumferential speed of the driven ink application roller is less than the plate cylinder, any other driven rollers in the ink train being intermediate between the slowest ink application roller and the plate cylinder and, further, that, in case of sequentially arranged plate cylinders, the relative speeds of the ink application rollers associated with sequential plate cylinders become less, in the direction of web transport, to place frictional loading on the plate cylinders and thus provide for positive engagement of all drive gearing to overcome play therein and improve registration of sequentially printed data.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting secondary printing in the course of paper delivery in addition to primary printing achieved within the body of an offset printing machine comprises a delivery mechanism, a mechanism provided with a printing couple for performing secondary printing, a mechanism for applying printing pressure and a mechanism for arranging paper sheets.

Abstract: An improvement in printing presses wherein main press side frames are provided with circumferential slots about the axis of plate or printing cylinders for receiving sectional or reversible mounting blocks for carrying impression cylinders. The mounting blocks have eccentrically mounted cylinder bearings and adjustment means are provided for precisely locating the blocks in the slots. The Invention provides for ready changing of the press from letterpress to offset or planographic printing.

Abstract: A multicolor offset press includes a printing unit having two sets of plate cylinders and blanket cylinders and a common impression cylinder which bears against the blanket cylinders. The impression cylinder has a diameter which is equal to three times that of the blanket cylinders. The blanket cylinders are spaced apart relative to each other by a distance which is substantially greater than the length of their transfer surface. Where at least two printing units are interconnected, there is provided a single transfer cylinder which bears against the impression cylinders of the respective units. The transfer cylinder has the same diameter as the impression cylinders.