Abstract: A method for setting-up or making-ready an ink fountain of a printing press includes setting side walls of the ink fountain against an ink fountain roller of the ink fountain, while simultaneously tensioning or stressing springs so that the springs press the side walls against the ink fountain roller. A printing press including an ink fountain configured for performing the foregoing method is also provided.

Abstract: An inker for applying ink to a transfer roll of a printing machine has an inking chamber extending longitudinally along the transfer roll and having an outlet also extending longitudinally along the transfer roll and open against the transfer roll and a first generally cylindrical mixing chamber centered on an axis, spaced transversely from and extending longitudinally along the transfer roll. A rotatable shaft extending along the axis in the mixing chamber carries a partition subdividing the mixing chamber into two axially adjacent and axially spaced mixing compartments open radially into the inking chamber. At least two inlet conduits open onto each of the compartments, and a pump feeds respective inks to the inlet conduits and therethrough into the mixing compartments.

Abstract: An ink fountain device for a rotary printing press includes a rotatably supported ink fountain roller, ink fountain, at least one intermediate ink dam, a press unit, and an adjustment bolt. The ink fountain is comprised of an ink fountain blade and a pair of ink dams. The intermediate ink dam includes a press plate, an adjustable plate, and an operation plate. The press unit presses the press plate through the operation plate and adjustment plate toward the outer surface of the ink fountain roller and toward the ink fountain blade. The adjustment bolt adjusts a tight contact state of the press plate with respect to at least one of the outer surface of the ink fountain roller and the fountain blade.

Abstract: A device for feeding ink prepackaged in containers to the ink duct of printing machines, comprising a unit for holding the container and for dispensing the ink contained therein, said unit comprising a base provided with at least one through aperture, an intermediate component and an operating head, in which the base, the intermediate component and optionally the operating head define, when in their operative position, a compartment for receiving the container, and in which the operating head comprises pressing means operated by pressurized fluid to exert a pressure on the container ink to dispense it (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A method for providing indications for conditioning ink flow valves of at least one inking unit of a printing press. The printing area of the inking unit is divided into a multiplicity of inking zones each supplied by one ink flow valve in order to prescribe a predetermined rate of ink flow for each ink zone in said at least one inking unit. The method includes determining by calculating, from a digital image being processed for printing, a representative ink density value for each ink zone and for each color separation and furnishing the ink flow valves respectively with the values for regulating the flow in the ink zones.

Abstract: An improved cartridge for dispensing highly viscous fluids in which the nozzle is recessed for ease of packaging, shipping and storing. The cartridge comprises a hollow cylindrical body, a plunger and a dispensing fitment. The cylindrical body holds a supply of extrudable fluid contents such as lithographic ink. The plunger serves as a pneumatically activated piston within the cylindrical body to extrude the contents of the cartridge. The nozzle has an open and a closed position. In the closed position the nozzle does not protrude beyond the top of the dispensing fitment. The dispenser may also include a detachable nozzle extension which, when attached to the nozzle, extends beyond the top of the fitment.

Abstract: A chamber doctor for inking a cylinder in a printing machine, which cylinder has depressions for receiving ink. The chamber doctor includes a chamber doctor body, at least one doctor blade, and lateral side parts, the chamber doctor body, the at least one doctor blade and the side parts being arranged to define an ink chamber that is open toward the cylinder. The doctor blade is movably supported at the chamber doctor body. The doctor blade is movable relative to the chamber doctor body so that the doctor blade is automatically readjusted to compensate for wear, and further so that parts of the doctor blade and chamber doctor body which come into contact with ink are movable away from one another.

Abstract: An ink chamber doctor blade for a printing machine, comprising a doctor blade box (10) forming an ink chamber, at least two doctor blade knives (11, 12) attached to the doctor blade box (10) and bounding an opening (13) which, during operation, points to the outer circumference of a printing cylinder or an ink transfer roller and extends over the length of the doctor blade box (10), two front end covers (2) detachably fitted to the respective front end of the doctor blade box (10) and sealing the ink chamber, and means for supplying and discharging ink, each front end cover (2) comprising a rigid cover basic body (25) and a sealing element held by it and coming to abut against the doctor blade knives (11, 12) and against the section of the outer circumference of the printing cylinder or the ink transfer roller located between these doctor blade knives, wherein the sealing element is formed by a flat two-layer sealing plate (20), the first layer (21) of which facing the doctor blade box (10) is made of a soft-

Abstract: An ink supply unit for a receiving roller of a printing machine. The ink supply unit includes an ink rail mounted in close proximity to the surface of the receiving roller, and a plurality of ink reservoirs mounted one above the other in the ink rail that discharge differently colored inks in accordance with the printing requirements onto the surface of the receiving roller through a valve mechanism. Wiper rollers are mounted adjacent to the surface of the receiving roller to wipe the surface thereof to reduce ink wastage due to misting or the like. The inks are introduced onto the surface of the receiving roller and are mixed to form the required color for printing by the combined action of the wiper rollers and a roller train that links the receiving roller and the print roller in the printing machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a liquid medium to a printing carrier in offset printing machines. It is suitable for processing media of different viscosity, such as low-viscosity dispersion lacquers or higher-viscosity bronze and effect printing inks. In order to guarantee precise metering, two function modules are assigned in an exchangeable manner to a forme cylinder in two bearings. If processing of low-viscosity media is required, the first function module, consisting at least of a metering roller and an applicator roller, is used. For processing higher-viscosity media, the second function module, consisting at least of a screened applicator roller and a chamber-type doctor, is used.

Abstract: In an ink supply apparatus, inks of a paste-like consistency are supplied from a cylinder to a chamber doctor blade disposed adjacent an inking roller. Two conduits are disposed at opposite ends of the chamber doctor blade and each conduit communicates with one of the two opposite ends of the cylinder. Ink is supplied to the cylinder through an aperture. Within the cylinder there is disposed a reciprocating piston which, at low speed, forces ink via the conduits to the chamber doctor blade.

Abstract: A portable ink fountain insert for an ink fountain of a printing press includes a body defining a volume for receiving ink, with a discharge gap being defined at the lower front end of the body. A pull is cable guided in a recess in the front wall. A gap control device is connected to the body and to the pull cable for selectively opening and closing the ink discharge gap in response to displacement of the pull cable. An actuating element engages the pull cable for controlling displacement of the pull cable and thus the opening and closing of the discharge gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating ink from the inking trough of a flexographic printing machine uses an air ejector nozzle in the ink drain line to draw ink from the trough. The apparatus includes an air-operated control system in which air valves control an air-bladder pinch valve in the ink drain line and an oil-bladder pinch valve in the air ejector line. An air pressure regulator maintains a pressure charge on an accumulator associated with the oil-bladder pinch valve, in order to provide a gradual increase of air flow to the ejector nozzle to prevent sudden vacuum surge that might over-flex the doctor blades.

Abstract: To prevent escape of ink from a gap (A) between the edge surface (11) of a side wall portion (10) facing a printing machine roller (9) and the surface of the roller, the side wall (3), or at least the side wall portion, is upwardly, outwardly inclined, so that internal flow of printing ink within the chamber, upon rotation of the roller, will result in a resultant flow speed vector (V.sub.res) which is inclined at an angle (.beta.) which is less than the angle of inclination (.alpha.) of the side wall, and thereby push liquid away from the side wall and hence from said gap (A).

Abstract: A printing ink fountain having a disposable liner made of paperboard or the like for use with flexographic printing presses. The liner, which is supported in a liner retainer, is generally upwardly open to receive therein a metering roller of the printing press. The liner includes a flexible drain hose attached to the bottom thereof for draining ink from the liner.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a liquid fountain such as is employed in flexographic printing and which is especially adapted for the split color printing wherein a foam layer separates the various ink compartments and is equipped with a liquid flow slot in the portion facing the liquid metering roll so as to provide limited axial flow of a slot liquid which is compatible with the ink in the various compartments.

Abstract: A system for transferring an image to an article and includes a base for supporting the article, an article conveyor for sequentially moving articles onto and off of the base in a given direction between an entrance end and an exit end, a roller disposed adjacent to the base, an image conveyor for sequentially moving transferrable images into a position between the base and the roller, a transfer mechanism for producing relative movement between the base and the roller such that an image and an article are pressed together therebetween, a primary heater for transferring heat to a first surface portion of said roller located opposite to the base, and an auxiliary heater for transferring heat to a second surface portion of the roller end located between the first surface portion and the exit end of said base.

Abstract: To permit separating a flexograph ink trough, and flexograph ductor or trough roller into axial zones for respectively differently colored inks, a separating plate is located beneath the doctor blade which has a sealing element (7) attached thereto, resiliently engaging the underside of two doctor blades (2, 3), facing the ductor or trough roller (1) from different directions to permit operation of the ductor or trough roller (1) in either direction of rotation. A low-friction surface is applied to the edge which faces the ductor or trough roller, the sealing element spanning the space between the doctor blades and being matched to the circumference of the ductor or trough roller. The doctor blades extend axially beyond the sealing elements. The separating plates and sealing elements can be mounted on units which are axially positionable along an ink trough, and hence the ductor or trough roller, at selected positions, as required by the axial extent of differently colored inking zones.

Abstract: For use with an ink fountain having a trough with a flat sloping bottom wall and a fountain roller at the presented edge of the bottom wall, a moveable partition for dividing the trough into adjacent feeding and non-feeding areas. The partition consists of a trough-engaging portion having a straight face for engaging the bottom wall of the trough and a separate roller-engaging portion having an arcuate face for engaging the roller surface. Resilient sealing strips are secured to the faces thereof for sealing against the flat bottom wall of the trough and the cylindrical surface of the roller. The two portions are so arranged that their adjacent edges overlap to block the escape of ink, and are connected one to the other by a pivot which extends parallel to the roller axis in the region of the overlap.

Abstract: In a reservoir for use in treating a solution fed thereto, the improvement comprising: an overflow system, said system including: an overflow stand-pipe in the reservoir for use in skimming solution in the reservoir and removing the same therefrom; and a sensor in the reservoir for use in detecting the solution level in the reservoir and for controlling the introduction of further solution into the reservoir, thereby to control the amount of solution skimmed into the stand-pipe. In a proportioner for use in metering and dispensing specified proportions of additives, for example into a solution, the proportioner including conduit apparatus for receiving and mixing at least two solution feed supplies fed thereto, the improvement comprising: a metering pump connected to a selected one of said solution feed supplies, for metering the flow therefrom.

Abstract: In a rotary press wherein ink nozzles apply different colored inks to different sections of an inking cylinder along the length thereof, and wherein excess inks run off of the inking cylinder into a compartmented inking pan, an anilox cylinder, by which ink is transferred from the inking cylinder to a plate cylinder, rotates on an axis that is fixed relative to a stationary frame for the press. The ink pan and its dividers are also stationarily secured to said frame. The plate cylinder and an impression cylinder that cooperates with it for imprinting a web are rotatably supported on sliders that carry those cylinders for bodily motion towards and from the anilox cylinder and one another.

Abstract: A printing press ink fountain has means for applying different colored inks to different sections of a circumferentially grooved fountain roll for subsequent transfer to an anilox roll, printing cylinder, and moving web. Ink dams or dividers, each having a hole through which the fountain roll extends, divide the ink fountain into separate ink compartments and cooperate with the fountain and anilox rolls to prevent ink transfer between adjacent sections on each roll. Each divider has a circumferential edge around its hole which extends into a fountain roll groove. Each divider also has a grooved edge which rides against the anilox roll. Air ports are provided along these edges and compressed air is expelled therethrough to provide air seals to prevent ink transfer along the rolls.