Interrupter Patents (Class 101/218)
  • Patent number: 7275482
    Abstract: An ink proofer arrangement to generate consistent and reliable ink drawdowns irrespective of the size of the substrate or the user preparing the ink sample. The ink proofer arrangement includes an ink proofer tool, a cylindrical drum roller, a drive motor adapted to rotate the roller and a first movable mounting assembly to retain the ink proofer tool adjacent to and in a non-contact position with the roller, a first variable pressure assembly coupled to the mounting assembly and adapted to move the ink proofer tool between a contact with pressure position and a non-contact position with the roller. The transfer roller is adapted to transfer ink to a substrate that is inserted between the roller and the transfer roll of the ink proofer tool when the drive motor is engaged. Additionally, the ink proofer arrangement includes a substrate roll tensioner to control the rotation of the substrate roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Integrity Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald K. Westby
  • Publication number: 20070221075
    Abstract: A printing press includes a form cylinder, a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder, an adjusting apparatus having at least one first actuating drive for setting a printing pressure between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder, and a tracking system for setting a printing pressure between the form cylinder and the blanket cylinder in dependence on the setting of the printing pressure between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder. The tracking system has at least one second actuating drive coupled to the at least one first actuating drive in terms of control technology through an electronic control device, in such a way that the form cylinder is adjusted automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Rolf Kundgen, Gerd Merkel, Bernd Sitzmann
  • Patent number: 7270057
    Abstract: In a printing press, an adjustment system for positioning a rolling element such as a form roller or an impression cylinder relative to a first cylinder having a first diameter and relative to at least a second cylinder adapted to replace the first cylinder and having a second diameter different than the first diameter, the system comprising an actuating member operable to displace the rolling element relative to the first cylinder and having a pivotable fixed first end and a second end mechanically linked to the rolling element, the actuating member providing sufficient displacement to bring the rolling element into contact with the first cylinder such that a predetermined contact pressure therebetween is reached, the actuating member also being operable to bring the rolling element into contact with the second cylinder such that the predetermined contact pressure therebetween is reached. A method for displacing a rolling element is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: RDP Marathon Inc.
    Inventor: Marcel Motard
  • Patent number: 7213513
    Abstract: A printing group of a printing machine is comprised of at least two cylinders, a forme cylinder and a transfer cylinder. The transfer cylinder can be moved between a print-on position and a print-off position along a linear adjustment path. Both of the cylinders in the printing group can be driven mechanically to rotate independently of another printing group. This rotation is accomplished by at least one drive motor which is fixed on a frame of the printing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Christel, Oliver Frank Hahn, Karl Erich Albert Schaschek, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 7156018
    Abstract: A printing couple in a printing machine is comprised of at least three cylinders, a forme cylinder, a transfer cylinder and a counter-pressure cylinder. The counter-pressure cylinder forms a printing location or point in cooperation with the transfer cylinder. The transfer cylinder is mounted in at least one lever which can be pivoted about an eccentrically pivoting axis in relation to the rotational axis of the forme cylinder. When the three cylinders are in a print position, a connecting plane through the axis of rotation of the forme cylinder and the pivoting axis of the lever forms an angle of between 25° and 65° with a plane through the axis of rotation of the cylinder forming the printing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Holm, Manfred Herrmann Liebler, Manfred Walter Wirth
  • Patent number: 7140295
    Abstract: A printing group of a printing machine is comprised of a pair of cylinders each having a circumference that corresponds essentially to a length of a section of a side to be printed. The effective generated surface of at least one of the cylinders comprises, at the most, one break in the circumferential direction. The surface forms, in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of adjacently arranged breaks which, when viewed in the circumferential direction, are arranged in a staggered manner with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Christel, Oliver Frank Hahn, Karl Erich Albert Schaschek, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 7117792
    Abstract: The forces exerted by actuators are detected and devices are provided, which use those detected forces to regulate a pressure force exerted by one cylinder against another cylinder in a printing machine. The several forces can also be used for placing or removing one cylinder with respect to another cylinder. One cylinder may be mounted in a cylinder holder which is, in turn, mounted in a frame holder. At least two actuators are arranged between the cylinder holder and the frame holder. These actuators exert a radially directed force against the cylinder holder when they are actuated by a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Klaus Faist, Wolfgang Otto Reder, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 7107902
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet-guiding device in a printing machine. The object of the invention is to provide such a sheet-guiding device which in a printing/varnishing unit that is not involved in the printing/varnishing process, permits the smear-free passage of the printing material in a printing/varnishing nip. This is achieved in that on the blanket/plate cylinder 12, 2 there is arranged a printing plate with an ink/varnish-repellent surface coating, it being possible for the blanket/plate cylinder 12, 2 to be driven at the machine speed, and the sheet-carrying cylinder 1 conveying the printed or varnished printing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Man Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Scholzig, Ulrich Jung, Ruth Kremer, Thomas Walther
  • Patent number: 7097269
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a proofing head apparatus and a proofing printer for generating a proof. The proofing head assembly comprises a color light analyzer and a color printhead joined by a housing to align the color light analyzer and to direct both the printhead and the color light analyzer at a media. In certain embodiments a controller is provided to drive the color light analyzer to make color measurements of an image and to instruct the printhead to render images on a receiver media. The controller can adjust the colors printed by the printhead so that an image printed by the printhead will match the appearance of the same image as printed by another printer. The proofing printer assembly of the present invention incorporates the proofing head with a media advance and translation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Collette, Thomas J. Kalkbrenner
  • Patent number: 7040226
    Abstract: A printing unit contains at least one printing group which is comprised of at least two cylinders which cooperate to form a printing nip. At least these two cylinders are interconnected in a positive fit by a drive. The two cylinders can be engaged with one another in a first position (ON), or disengaged from one another in a second position (OFF). The two cylinders can also be disengaged from each other at a spacing distance in a third position (STOP). That spacing distance is sufficient to allow a web in the printing operation to be guided between the two cylinders without making contact with the two cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Volker Gerold Rauh
  • Patent number: 7032510
    Abstract: At least two cylinders of a printing machine are arranged in the printing machine. An end journal of each of the cylinders is mounted either in or on a common insert. That common insert is, in turn, detachably located in, or on a lateral frame of the printing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Christel, Oliver Frank Hahn, Karl Erich Albert Schaschek, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 7011023
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for opposite journals of cylinders, rolls or drums having actuators that permit a displacement of the cylinders, rolls or drums in a direction perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said cylinders, rolls or drums, each of said journals being received in a frame wall via a rotary bearing for being placed against and removed from said frame wall whereby a centered rotary bearing (6) is received in a bearing housing (1), the bearing housing (1) is arranged through a linear bearing unit (7) on a connecting structure (2) for longitudinal displacement relative to the connecting structure (2), and the connecting structure (2) is connected to the frame wall (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Thomas Dittenhofer, Stephan Popp, Klaus-Peter Zeilinger
  • Patent number: 6923118
    Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the cylinder drive wheels of the transfer cylinders jamming against one another during setting and throwing-off movements includes a transfer cylinder having cylinder drive wheel which engages the drive wheels of a forme cylinder and of an impression cylinder in the thrown-on position. A linkage is connected to the transfer cylinder to be moved into the thrown-off position so that synchronously with the pivoting of the transfer cylinder to be thrown off, a counter-rotation of the transfer cylinder is produced a gear-wheel chain which meshes with the drive gear wheels of the forme cylinder and of the impression cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Stephan Patzelt
  • Patent number: 6907821
    Abstract: A rotary press to lay patterns of a material on a strip material comprises a working cylinder bearing embossing plates of the patterns of the aforesaid material to be laid and an opposed anvil cylinder. The working cylinder is rotated. A heater for the working cylinder. A device to exert a defined prestress between the working cylinder and the anvil cylinder. Ball-bearings between the anvil cylinder and its shaft. A device adjusts the space between the working cylinder and the anvil cylinder, independent of the device to exert the defined prestress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Bobst SA
    Inventor: Georg Strasser
  • Patent number: 6895857
    Abstract: A printing unit has at least five cylinders in one of the printers. At least two of these cylinders rotate independently of each other. At least one of these cylinders has a rotational speed that is different from a zero rotational speed and is also different from a production rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Kurt Johannes Weschenfelder
  • Patent number: 6886458
    Abstract: An apparatus for integrally and conveniently adjusting printing pressures of blanket cylinders in a satellite-type printing press is provided. Printing pressure is adjusted all together by rotating eccentric bearing means (26) of a plurality of blanket cylinders (18) by wheel (34) which is fixed to primary axis (28), penetrating through the center of common pressure cylinder (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Shinohara Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Iwamoto
  • Publication number: 20040237817
    Abstract: A printing unit contains at least one printing group which is comprised of at least two cylinders which cooperate to form a printing nip. At least these two cylinders are interconnected in a positive fit by a drive. The two cylinders can be engaged with one another in a first position (ON), or disengaged from one another in a second position (OFF). The two cylinders can also be disengaged from each other at a spacing distance in a third position (STOP). That spacing distance is sufficient to allow a web in the printing operation to be guided between the two cylinders without making contact with the two cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Volker Gerold Rauh
  • Patent number: 6820547
    Abstract: A support structure for a blanket cylinder of an offset printing press includes: a first eccentric bearing that is rotatably supported by frames of the offset printing press; a second eccentric bearing that is rotatably supported by the first eccentric bearing so as to rotatably support an shaft of a blanket cylinder; a printing pressure adjustment device that rotates the first eccentric bearing relative to the frames, thereby adjusting a clearance between an impression cylinder and a blanket cylinder; and a throw-on device that rotates the second eccentric bearing relative to the first eccentric bearing, thereby performing throw-on and throw-out operations. In the thus arranged support structure, a throw-on distance of the throw-on device is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ryobi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeo Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6817291
    Abstract: A printing-cylinder bearing device for rotatably supporting a printing cylinder 12 via a frame 6 in such a manner that the printing cylinder can be moved between a printing position and a non-printing position, comprising a radial-load supporting means 3 having between the frame 6 and a shaft 2 of the printing cylinder 12 at least an eccentric part that is rotatable around the centerline of a hole 13 provided on the frame 6, a housing 5 interlocked with the eccentric part and provided in such a manner as to inhibit the axial movement of the printing cylinder 12 with respect to the frame 6, a thrust loading supporting means 4 interposed between the housing 5 and the shaft 2 of the printing cylinder 12, and an eccentric part rotating means 8 for rotating the eccentric part around the centerline of the hole 13 on the frame 6 and holding the rotated position of the eccentric part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Kobayashi, Nobuyuki Maruyama, Takashi Takebayashi, Masashi Takenouchi, Mutsuhito Yoneta
  • Patent number: 6814001
    Abstract: The present ink proofer arrangement generates consistent and reliable ink draw downs irrespective of the size of the substrate or the user preparing the ink sample. In one example embodiment, an ink proofer arrangement adapted to be used with an ink proofer tool, the ink proofer tool including an ink transfer roller. The ink proofer arrangement further includes a cylindrical roller and a drive motor adapted to rotate the roller. In addition, a first movable mounting assembly is included that retains the ink proofer tool adjacent to and in a non-contact position with the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Integrity Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald K. Westby, Daniel P. Westby
  • Patent number: 6814000
    Abstract: An adjusting device for adjusting a sheet transport cylinder in a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, depending upon various printing-material thicknesses, includes a mounting support for mounting the sheet transport cylinder so that a rotational axis of the sheet transport cylinder is adjustable from a first axial position, which corresponds to a given printing-material thickness, to a second axial position, which corresponds to another printing-material thickness and is axially parallel to the first axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jens Friedrichs, Ralf Wadlinger
  • Patent number: 6796229
    Abstract: A gear train for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes a coupling for separating and closing the gear train. The gear train further includes rotating elements having toothing systems which, in a closed state of the gear train, are in mutual engagement and, in a separated state of the gear train, are out of engagement. A multiplicity of the rotating elements are combined into pairs. The toothing systems of one of the pairs of rotating elements has a tooth pitch differing from the toothing systems of a respective other of the pairs of rotating elements. A machine, including the gear train, for processing flat printing materials, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Christian Görbing, Ivo Richter
  • Patent number: 6796238
    Abstract: The invention relates an automated adjusting arm assembly for conveniently and quickly loading printing press cylinders into a printing press such that proper initial ink and impression settings result without operator adjustment. The assembly includes two stationary plates and movable plates connected to the stationary plates by a plurality of wheels. The movable plates in conjunction with a catch or a capture knob assembly thereon are adapted to lower a printing press roll onto an anilox and/or an impression roll in the printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Goldburt, Dave Telken
  • Publication number: 20040123756
    Abstract: Apparatus for preventing the cylinder drive wheels of the transfer cylinders jamming against one another during setting and throwing-off movements includes a transfer cylinder having cylinder drive wheel which engages the drive wheels of a forme cylinder and of an impression cylinder in the thrown-on position. A linkage is connected to the transfer cylinder to be moved into the thrown-off position so that synchronously with the pivoting of the transfer cylinder to be thrown off, a counter-rotation of the transfer cylinder is produced a gear-wheel chain which meshes with the drive gear wheels of the forme cylinder and of the impression cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Stephan Patzelt
  • Patent number: 6736063
    Abstract: At printing time, a blanket cylinder gear is meshed with a plate cylinder gear, whereby a first plate cylinder is rotatable by a drive motor. At image-recording time, the blanket cylinder gear is separated from the plate cylinder gear. In this state, a different motor drives the plate cylinder gear to rotate the first plate cylinder at low speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Murata
  • Publication number: 20040089177
    Abstract: The invention relates to a printer comprising multiple printing groups (01-04;06-09), which is mounted in the frame of an offset printing machine. The printing groups are each equipped with at least one printing cylinder (11), at least one transfer cylinder (12) and at least one inking system (13), two of these printing groups being arranged opposite each other. At least one counter-pressure cylinder (16-19) is located between said opposite printing groups. This counter-pressure cylinder can interact with at least one transfer cylinder for printing a line of material. The frame has at least three separable frame modules (21-23). The printing cylinder, transfer cylinder and inking system of at least one left printing group (5) are located in a left frame module (21), while the printing cylinder, transfer cylinder and inking system of at least one right printing group are located in a right frame module (23), with at least one counter-pressure cylinder being located in a middle frame module (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Jurgen Alfred Stiel
  • Patent number: 6712001
    Abstract: The interval or spacing between rotational axes of adjacent cylinders in a rotary printing press, between a print-on position and a print-off position is accomplished using eccentric bushings for the cylinder journals of at least one of the cylinders. A printing gap between the two cylinders can also be varied using separate eccentric bushings. The effective eccentricity of the bushings extends parallel to a line connecting the axes of rotation of the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stephan Rolf Plewa
  • Patent number: 6705219
    Abstract: The web-fed rotary offset printing machine utilizes a blanket belt onto which two or more colors are offset and which prints the two or more colors at once onto a material web. The blanket belt travels about guide rollers which have a lesser mass and/or a lesser diameter than the form cylinders which offset the colors onto the blanket belt. If several impression nips—blanket to web nips—are formed along the travel path of the material web, they are located so close to one another that fan out register errors cannot occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Gerald Roger Douillard, Eric Michael Lapine, Michael Robert Lemelin
  • Patent number: 6694876
    Abstract: An apparatus for changing operational plate cylinders during rotary press operation is provided. This apparatus is possible to substantially equalize an actual print count to a set print count before change of operational plate cylinders. This can eliminate waste to print undesired recording paper (paper loss) and lead to cost down. A rotary press includes at least two or more plate cylinders (P), drive means (13, 13′) for driving the plate cylinders (P) and switching means (15) for selectively switching the plate cylinders (P) in a printable state and in an unprintable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hideo Kawamori
  • Patent number: 6694877
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for use in an offset printing press, for permitting the supporting and positioning of at least the format-dependent printing cylinders of the printing press individually exchangeably therein, in which for positioning of at least the format-depending printing cylinders provision is being made for a system with bearing arms, by means of which these cylinders can be positioned by rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Drent Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Gerrit Wolters, Adelbert Lucas Schoonman
  • Patent number: 6684774
    Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary printing press has at least one unit which includes an impression cylinder and an additional cylinder assigned to the impression cylinder. The impression cylinder and the additional cylinder are relatively adjustable a spaced distance from one another. A sheet guiding device is disposed on the additional cylinder for keeping sheets of printing material, which have been transported by the impression cylinder past the additional cylinder, away from the additional cylinder, once the spaced distance between the impression cylinder and the additional cylinder has been set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Wadlinger, Rudolf Leib, Günter Stephan
  • Patent number: 6684779
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the distance between adjacent rotating tools, the tools arranged in lateral supports on a common base frame of a printing apparatus of which the axes extend in parallel. The distance of the tools relative to one other in their lateral supports is adjustable on a sliding rail in the base frame. The device includes a guide disposed on at least one of the lateral supports. The guide extends obliquely to the vertical direction. Also provided is an adjustably displaceable sliding element retained by the guide. The sliding element has a first and second end. A counter abutment surface is provided on at least one of the other lateral supports. The first end of the sliding element configured to contact the counter abutment surface. An adjusting drive is configured to act on the second end of the sliding element so that the sliding element acts on the counter abutment surface and adjusts the other lateral support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Gallus Ferd, Ruesch AG
    Inventor: Federico Kuhn
  • Patent number: 6679172
    Abstract: The control apparatus, in a rotary press having a plurality of printing units, performs a first calculation of subtracting the number of effective copies from the required number of copies for an operating printing unit and a second calculation of subtracting the number of copies of the operating printing unit from the result of the first calculation until a standby printing unit being ready to be operated, then outputs a first signal when the second calculation results 0 or less, a second signal when the first calculation results 0 or less, a control message to accelerate the printing unit to a predetermined operation speed to the printing control unit of the standby printing receiving the first signal, and a control message to decelerate and stop the printing unit to the printing control unit of the operating printing unit receiving the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shizurou Tokiwa
  • Patent number: 6675707
    Abstract: A device for selectively positioning at least one cylinder in a printing machine, the cylinder being rotatably mounted in a carrier and, together with the carrier, forming a unit that is adjustable into different positions, includes a guide, and a drive for adjusting one of the unit and the carrier, respectively, along a first direction of motion and placing it on the guide for guidingly adjusting it along a second direction of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Peter Heiler, Frank Schaum
  • Patent number: 6668719
    Abstract: An adjustable bearing arrangement is used for the remote controlled adjustment of an inking roller or a dampening roller with respect to a second, contacting roller. The journal of the roller to be adjusted is secured to an adjusting element. A pre-settable adjusting force is transferred from one roller to the other. In the adjustment position, the receiving element or elements are locked so that it is temporarily impossible for the now adjusted roller to move either in, or opposite to the direction of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Otto Reder, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 6668721
    Abstract: A rotary offset printing press which has a series of printing units of identical make through which a web of paper is threaded. In each printing unit the blanket cylinder is made displaceable into and out of printing engagement with the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder. The cylinders of each printing unit are driven from a separate variable-speed motor via a train of gears which stay intermeshed whether the blanket cylinder is in or out of printing engagement with the other cylinders. A clutch is inserted between the drive linkage and the impression cylinder for connecting and disconnecting the latter to and from the former. A plate change is possible in any of the printing units by moving the blanket cylinder out of printing engagement with the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder, and declutching the impression cylinder from the drive linkage, in that printing unit while the other printing unit or units are in continuous operation for printing the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Miyakoshi Printing Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Naka
  • Patent number: 6655273
    Abstract: A rotary printing machine includes a first gearwheel, a second gearwheel, and a setting device for selectively adjusting the second gearwheel into a first position, in which the gearwheels are coupled to one another, and into a second position, in which the gearwheels are uncoupled from one another. The printing machine includes a traction mechanism for securing a staggered-teeth rotary-angle position of the second gearwheel relative to the first gearwheel when the second gearwheel is adjusted into the second position, and a first tension element for tensioning a rotatably arranged traction means of the traction mechanism. The first tension element is loaded by a spring. The traction means is assigned a second tension element, and in the second tension element is mounted so to be a selectively adjustable into a first switching position and a second switching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bitterich, Steffen Derhardt
  • Patent number: 6655277
    Abstract: In a rotary printing machine, in particular a web-fed rotary printing machine, having at least one printing unit including a plurality of printing-unit cylinders, of which at least one can be brought into and out of operative connection with at least one functional unit which is associated with a function needed to operate the printing unit, is provided with a drive device and is fitted on a linear guide device, a high level of operating convenience and working accuracy being achieved by the functional unit being assigned a positioning device, which has a controller which can be fed with at least one position-dependent signal which can be generated by means of a sensor arrangement associated with the functional unit and by which the drive device can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Peer Dilling
  • Patent number: 6651557
    Abstract: A printing unit comprises a pair of blanket cylinders (2) that form a nip through which a substrate can pass as ink images are transferred from the blanket cylinders to both sides of the substrate. Each blanket cylinder (2) is provided with a pair of plate cylinders (1A, 1B) carrying inked lithographic plates which transfer ink images to their respective blanket cylinder. While one plate cylinder (1A, 1B) is in contact with its blanket cylinder (2) the lithographic plates on the other plate cylinder (1A, 1B) can be changed. The other plate cylinder can then be brought into contact with the blanket cylinder (2) and the first plate cylinder removed from contact to allow its plates to be changed. The plate cylinders on one side of the substrate can be moved independently of those on the other side of the substrate. The blanket cylinders (2) can also be moved to release the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: Ian John Costin, John Clark Jackson
  • Patent number: 6647876
    Abstract: A printing unit has a frame and a plurality of printing cylinders, including a first plate cylinder, a first blanket cylinder, a second blanket cylinder mounted in the frame and forming a nip with the first blanket cylinder for receiving a web of material to be printed, and a second plate cylinder. A plurality of eccentric boxes are mounted on the cylinders and supported in the frame. A plurality of actuation assemblies are provided that are connected to the eccentric boxes. One of the actuation assemblies is connected to each of the eccentric boxes for moving the eccentric boxes such that the printing cylinders can be selectively positioned between a thrown-off position and an engagement position in regards to adjacent printing cylinders. Because of the use of eccentric boxes, lower rated and less complicated actuation assemblies can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: David Crowell Emery, Michael Robert Lemelin
  • Publication number: 20030205153
    Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary printing press has at least one unit which includes an impression cylinder and an additional cylinder assigned to the impression cylinder. The impression cylinder and the additional cylinder are relatively adjustable a spaced distance from one another. A sheet guiding device is disposed on the additional cylinder for keeping sheets of printing material, which have been transported by the impression cylinder past the additional cylinder, away from the additional cylinder, once the spaced distance between the impression cylinder and the additional cylinder has been set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Wadlinger, Rudolf Leib, Gunter Stephan
  • Patent number: 6612237
    Abstract: A method of operating a sheet-fed rotary printing machine includes mounting at least one rotating cylinder to be coupled to a drive or fixed relative to a framework, and moving an actuator to both uncouple the cylinder from the drive and fix the cylinder relative to the framework. A sheet-fed rotary printing machine includes a framework, a drive, at least one cylinder rotatably mounted to the framework, the cylinder is to be coupled to the drive or fixed relative to the framework, and a fixing and coupling configuration connected to the cylinder to both uncouple the cylinder from the drive and fix the cylinder relative to the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Steffen Derhardt, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter
  • Patent number: 6601504
    Abstract: A cylinder apparatus for a rotary printing press includes a pair of inner bearings, an outer bearing, a pair of frames, a pair of cylinders, a motor, and a pair of abutting members. The pair of inner bearings rotatatively support two end shafts of at least one plate cylinder. The inner bearings have engaging projections. The outer bearing pivotally supports one of the inner bearings. The pair of frames are arranged to oppose each other through a predetermined distance, and pivotally support the outer bearing and the other one of the inner bearings. The pair of cylinders pivot the inner bearings supported by one of the frames and the outer bearing. The motor pivots the outer bearing supported by the other one of the frames. The pair of abutting members are supported by the frames. The engaging projections of the inner bearings abut against the pair of abutting members when the plate cylinder abuts against a blanket cylinder upon driving operation of the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoya Kanayama
  • Patent number: 6601505
    Abstract: To provide a synchronous control apparatus in a rotary press having a plurality of multicolor printing units to print the synchronous control apparatus including a printing image allocation setting section for allocating printing images which printing couples are to print, a drive unit for driving the printing couples, an inking transmission unit, a first moving unit for moving blanket cylinders of two sets of printing couples, a second moving unit for making it possible to supply ink, slave control sections for controlling rotation of the drive unit, a transmission unit related to the printing couples and inking devices, operation control sections for controlling operations of the first moving unit and second moving unit according to output signals of the slave control sections, and a master control section connected to the printing image allocation setting section and each of the slave control sections via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shizurou Tokiwa
  • Patent number: 6596124
    Abstract: A method of forming a cellular material or “core” by immersing the core in water until it is sufficiently flexible to be molded around a tool into the required shape and then drying the formed core such that the core then retains that shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel Hookham, Andrew Lee
  • Patent number: 6568322
    Abstract: In order to provide a stand of a printing unit of a rotary printing machine, said stand being capable of being produced cost-effectively and having high inherent rigidity, a left-hand and a right-hand side wall are placed onto a bottom plate and screwed to the latter and are also provided with a cover plate, the cover plate resting with first locating faces on the side walls and with second locating faces against the side walls, the cover plate being screwed to the side walls at all the locating faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Josef Göttling, Godber Petersen
  • Patent number: 6557473
    Abstract: A method for operating a printing machine having a positioning device with a cylinder that is adjustable into different positions along an adjustment path and cooperating with a cylinder for guiding printing material, which includes performing at least two of the following method steps of adjusting the rotational angle of the cylinder guiding the printing material into a given position; adjusting the rotational angle of the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path into a given position; adjusting the circumferential register of the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path; and adjusting the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path, from a first cylinder position into a second cylinder position along the adjustment path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Kurt Bösen, Jens Friedrichs, Markus Künzel, Frank Schaum
  • Publication number: 20030075060
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for adjusting the interval (E) between rotational axes (11,08) from a print-on position to a print-off position. A printing gap can be regulated separately and in a differentiated manner using cylinder liners (09,12), as a result of the effective direction of the eccentricity of the cylinder liner extending approximately parallel to a connecting line between rotational axes of two adjacent cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Stephan Rolf Plewa
  • Patent number: 6523470
    Abstract: A printing cylinder with a cylinder core (10), on which a carbon fiber-containing casing (20) is disposed, wherein the casing (20) is self-supporting and held at a distance from the peripheral surface (18) of the cylinder core (10) by disks (22) disposed at the two ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fischer & Krecke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Wilfried Kolbe, Klaus Schirrich, Manfred Terstegen, Bodo Steinmeier
  • Patent number: 6494135
    Abstract: A printing unit for a web-fed rotary printing machine is provided including a plurality of cylinders; a corresponding drive motor for each of the cylinders; a machine frame includes at least one load bearing wall, including two mutually facing wall surfaces perpendicular to a plane through end faces of the cylinders, wherein the at least one load bearing wall is arranged laterally beside an end of the cylinders; a guide means including a plurality of guide elements arranged on the at least one load bearing wall; a plurality of carriages, wherein each carriage is operably attached to at least one of the plurality of guide elements; at least one driven screw spindle mounted on the machine frame; and a permanently threaded nut engaged by an associated driven screw spindle for setting the location of the carriages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Josef Göttling, Horst Dauer, Godber Petersen