Interrupter Patents (Class 101/218)
  • Publication number: 20020185023
    Abstract: A printing unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder for printing a first side of a web of material, and an inker with a plurality of inker rollers for inking the plate cylinder. The inker is movable between an active position and an inactive position, the inker contacting the plate cylinder in the active position and the inker being separated from the plate cylinder in the inactive position. At least one of the plurality of inker rollers is adjustable as a function of a diameter of the plate cylinder when the inker is in the inactive position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Charles Henry Dufour, Charles Reif Hammond, John Thomas Lorrey
  • Patent number: 6490972
    Abstract: An offset printer capable of contacting a plurality of ink rollers of a predetermined ink supply unit with a predetermined plate segment on a plate cylinder, and capable of out of contacting the ink rollers from a remaining plate segment on the plate cylinder. Roller support arms each supporting each ink roller are pivotally movably supported on a frame, and each support arm is moved by each, cam members pivotally movably supported on the frame. Each cam member is in contact with a center cam provided coaxially with and rotatable together with the plate cylinder, so that the ink rollers are successively moved. An interlocking mechanism including a lever is further provided. The lever moves concurrently the cam members to concurrently move the ink rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Ryobi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Aoyama, Dong Liang
  • Publication number: 20020139261
    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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Shizurou Tokiwa
  • Publication number: 20020121202
    Abstract: A rotary offset printing press is disclosed 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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventor: Masahiro Naka
  • Patent number: 6302019
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting skew settings in a dampener in a printing press. One or more skew adjustment linkages connect skew adjustment rods for the upper and lower dampeners of each printing unit. The linkage ensures that a single movement by the operator will allow adjustment of the skewing of both the upper and lower dampeners at the same time. The linkage or linkages are preferably connected at one end to skew adjustment brackets, which in turn are connected to a skew adjustment rod for one of the upper or lower dampeners. The skew adjustment rod adjusts the amount of skew of associated pan rolls. Movement of the linkage may be controlled by movement of a spring plunger, which is connected to the linkage or linkages. The spring plunger may be spring biased, and may be adjusted and locked into different skew setting positions using a pinhole arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Roland Thomas Palmatier, Clifford Allen Zabkar, Brian Robert Elkinson, David Charles Burke
  • Patent number: 6289805
    Abstract: A printing press including a printing cylinder and a printing cylinder drive, the drive including a drive motor connected to a sun gear, a planet gear rotating about a fixed axis and driven by the sun gear, and a ring gear fixedly attached to the printing cylinder and driven by the planet gear. Also provided is a method for driving a printing cylinder comprising the steps of driving a sun gear using a drive motor, the sun gear driving a planet gear and a ring gear, the ring gear being fixedly attached to the printing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Gerald Roger Douillard, Mark Bernard Dumais, Michael Robert Lemellin
  • Patent number: 6272986
    Abstract: A retractable impression cylinder coater printer known as the “Lithoflex I™” combines lithographic and flexographic printing and coating in a single pass operation. The apparatus is adapted for installation on any printing station of a multi-color lithographic press, and is not limited to the last printing station. Ink or coating materials are applied from a printing plate or a blanket mounted on the plate cylinder of the retractable printer-coater unit and applied directly onto the surface of a substrate passing over the impression cylinder of the lithographic printing station just after being lithographically printed on that station. The combination printed substrate is passed to the next or a following lithographic printing station where it is lithographically overprinted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Max W. Hess
  • Patent number: 6272985
    Abstract: A link mechanism is provided for setting and maintaining a minimum spacial distance between a blanket cylinder and a plate cylinder of a rotary printing press. The link mechanism includes a first link arm that is rotatably mounted on an axle of the blanket cylinder at one of the blanket cylinder. A second link arm rotatably is mounted on an axle of the plate cylinder. The first link arm and the second link arm are pivotably connected to each other for single axis pivoting about a point offset to one side of an imaginary line drawn through centers of the plate cylinder axle and the blanket cylinder axle. An adjustment mechanism is positioned between the first and second link arms on projections offset to the other side of the imaginary line so that the set minimum spacial distance between the plate cylinder axles and the blanket cylinder axle can be adjustably set and maintained throughout impression rotation of the rotary printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Kelray Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Keller, Wallace E. Keller
  • Patent number: 6263793
    Abstract: In a cylinder arrangement for a rotary printing press, the backlashes caused by traction of the drive gears must be compensated for. This is accomplished by using a cylinder that is able to compensate for the backlash and positioning the cylinder at a determinable rotational angle differential with respect to another cylinder in the cylinder arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernhard Walter Wolfgang Muth
  • Patent number: 6227111
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a printing unit including a frame (2) and an upper plate cylinder (12) mounted in the frame (2). An upper blanket cylinder (16) is in selective contact with the upper plate cylinder (12), and a lower blanket cylinder (18) forms a nip with the upper blanket cylinder (16). A web (8) passes through the nip. A lower plate cylinder (14) contacts the lower blanket cylinder (18). Impression setting means (60, 62, 82) are assigned to movable housings (40, 44) of the movable cylinders (12, 14, 16). The impression setting means (60, 62, 82) are provided to adjust forces exerted on bearers (20) of the printing unit cylinders (12, 14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Douglas Joseph Dawley, David John Gagnon
  • Patent number: 6227110
    Abstract: An offset printing press for printing a web, the press comprising a frame, a first plate cylinder movably mounted in the frame, and a first blanket cylinder in selective contact with the first plate cylinder. A second blanket cylinder for forming a nip with the first blanket cylinder is in contact with a second plate cylinder. The press has a first operative condition wherein the first plate cylinder and the first blanket cylinder are in direct contact to permit double-sided printing on the web, and a second operative condition wherein the first plate cylinder and the first blanket cylinder are separated to permit a plate change on the first plate cylinder while the web is printed by the second blanket cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Lev Zlatin
  • Patent number: 6213016
    Abstract: A cylinder throwing-off/throwing-on controller for a multicolor lithographic rotary press in which paper splicing is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Tsunashima
  • Patent number: 6205926
    Abstract: A printing unit in a lithographic web fed rotary printing press has a plate cylinder and an associated blanket cylinder mechanically coupled via a gear train. A first drive motor drives both the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder. An impression cylinder is associated with the blanket cylinder, the impression cylinder being in rolling contact with the blanket cylinder and being driven by a second drive motor. The web passes through a nip formed between the impression cylinder and the blanket cylinder for printing. A clutch is provided for interrupting a drive connection between the first drive motor and the blanket cylinder, as is a throw-off mechanism for separating the plate cylinder from the blanket cylinder. With the printing unit, the blanket cylinder can remain in rolling contact with the impression cylinder and be friction-driven by the web after the drive connection has been interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Charles H. Dufour
  • Patent number: 6098542
    Abstract: A rubber roller in a printing press inker or dampener is force loaded against its adjacent rollers with hydraulic cylinders. The bearings of the adjacent rollers are fixed in the machine frame, while the position setting sockets of the rubber roller are supported on the hydraulic cylinders. The rubber roller can be thrown on and off by actuating the hydraulic cylinders and the loading force can be adjusted by the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Charles Henry Dufour
  • Patent number: 6019039
    Abstract: The invention relates to a web-fed rotary printing press having a plurality of double printing units in which each of the printing units of the double printing units work together in the blanket--blanket method and each has its own drive. Transfer cylinders of each printing unit are driven independently. To permit a rapid change in production, both upon recto and verso printing, the transfer cylinders of the disconnectable double printing units are separable by eccentric bushings or swingable levers such that a web which passes through the printing press is conducted between them without being printed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Peter Knauer, Josef Singler
  • Patent number: 6004038
    Abstract: An eccentric bearing includes inner and outer race rings, an eccentric ring positioned between the inner and outer race rings, two spaced apart rows of roller elements positioned between the inner race ring and the eccentric ring, and two spaced apart rows of roller elements positioned between the eccentric ring and the outer race ring. An adjustment lever is positioned adjacent one side surface of the eccentric ring and is mounted on a link pin that is positioned in a bore in the eccentric ring. The link pin is axially fixed in place by a tie bolt that extends through the bore in the eccentric ring. The link pin includes a conically shaped mantle surface that engages a correspondingly shaped portion of the bore in the eccentric ring, thus achieving a tight seat with a large surface at the point most at risk, i.e., the point where the link pin exits at the side surface of the eccentric ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: SKF GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Dittenhofer
  • Patent number: 5983795
    Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary printing press having at least one printing unit with an impression cylinder includes a transfer cylinder assigned to the impression cylinder for onwardly transporting sheets printed thereby, the transfer cylinder having at least one gripper system and being formed with a cylinder-jacket surface assigned thereto, the surface being rigid and a full surface, and at least one unit of a varnishing, a numbering and an imprinting unit assigned to the transfer cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Lothar Stein, Frank Schaum
  • Patent number: 5983793
    Abstract: A drive for a sheet-fed printing machine, in particular a sheet-fed offset printing machine is described, in which the individual cylinders and/or drums and the plate or form cylinders are driven by a common drive train. In order to allow automated operations to proceed simultaneously, clutches are arranged in the drive trains of the individual plate or form cylinders and, furthermore, the individual plate or form cylinders are assigned drive motors which can be controlled separately and by means of which the plate or form cylinders can be driven in the intended manner after corresponding disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Albrecht Volz, Joachim Blumor, Klaus-Peter Reichardt, Holger Wiese, Helmut Schild
  • Patent number: 5979317
    Abstract: A drive for a printing group of a rotary printing machine having a form cylinder and a transfer cylinder, the transfer cylinder being swivelably adjustable through an angle, the form cylinder and the transfer cylinder each having journals. The drive includes cylinder gears attached to the journals so as to be in toothed engagement, an electric motor with a drive spur gear that drives the transfer cylinder, and a spur gear mounted on the transfer cylinder journal. The drive spur gear of the motor drivingly engaging the spur gear on the journal of the transfer cylinder in a circumferential area of the spur gear lying from a diametral midpoint of the transfer cylinder in a direction of a vertex of the angle of the swivel adjustment of the transfer cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Josef Singler
  • Patent number: 5967038
    Abstract: The invention provides a rotary printing machine having a form cylinder movable between an on and an off position mounted in a rotary printing machine. The form cylinder cooperates with a transfer cylinder or directly with a back-pressure cylinder (7) to print a printing material. In addition to driving gearwheels the printing machine has a positively power introducing drive band, for example a toothed belt, which transmits the drive power from the back-pressure cylinder or the transfer cylinder to the form cylinder. In the off position, the form cylinder is driven solely by the drive band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Feller
  • Patent number: 5953991
    Abstract: A cylinder for a printing press is adjusted away from a printing stock web or an adjacent cylinder by rotation of an eccentric element. The change in position caused by the movement of the eccentric element is compensated by an additional rotating movement superposed on the rotating movement of the cylinder such that the outer surface of the cylinder has no relative velocity relative to the adjacent cylinder or the printing stock web. Compensation is carried out by a regulating circuit to which is supplied the actual rotational angle of the cylinder with respect to the eccentric element and the actual rotational angle of the eccentric element with respect to the side wall or an angular function derived therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Geissenberger, Nils-Hendric Schall, Michael Schramm, Bernhard Feller, Michael Hess, Michael Dotzert
  • Patent number: 5950539
    Abstract: An improved printing machine comprises: a frame, at least one cliche carrying roller fitted rotationally on the frame, the cliche carrying roller being interchangeable with cliche carrying rollers of different diameters, at least one inking roller fitted rotationally on the frame parallel to and in contact with the cliche carrying roller, the inking roller being mobile along an arc of circle to enable it to make contact with cliche carrying rollers of different diameters, at least one disk joined to each cliche carrying roller, at least one cam joined to the inking roller and in contact with the disk. Means are provided for automatically rotating the cam in relation to the movements of the inking roller to maintain the cam regulation of the inking roller with respect to the cliche carrying roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: OMET S.r.l.
    Inventor: Amerigo Manzini
  • Patent number: 5937755
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for setting printing pressure in an offset printing press having an impression cylinder, an eccentrically journaled blanket cylinder, and an eccentrically journaled plate cylinder, each of the cylinders and each of the eccentric journals having an axis, wherein the printing pressure is to be adjusted between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder, as well as between the blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder, wherein a bearer ring to bearer ring contact exists between the blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder, wherein the impression cylinder, the blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder are in a basic printing position in which the axis of the plate cylinder, the axis of the eccentric journal of the blanket cylinder are disposed on a first straight-line, and the axis of the blanket cylinder is disposed on a second straight-line intersecting with the first straight-line at the axis of the eccentric journal of the blanket cylinder, at an adjustment angle between
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: KBA-Planeta AG
    Inventors: Karl Preuss, Hans-Jurgen Zelfel
  • Patent number: 5921179
    Abstract: A guard for contrarotatable cylinders of a printing press includes a finger protective element disposable adjacent cylindrical surfaces of the cylinder for guarding a nip between the cylinders in vicinity of a danger zone, the finger protective element being in fixed position and having at least one switch sensor disposed in the region of the cylinder nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Gang, Erich Michael Zahn
  • Patent number: 5904093
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allowing the changing of image plates or cassettes in an offset printing apparatus without the need to stop the press. Each blanket cylinder is associated with two image cylinders, where each image cylinder carries an associated image plate or cassette. When one of the image cylinders is engaged with the blanket cylinder, thereby transferring an image for printing on the web, the other image cylinder is disengaged from the blanket cylinder. As a result, the other image cylinder is stopped, allowing the image plate or cassette to be changed without the need to stop the entire press operation. After the image plate or cassette is changed on the stopped image cylinder, that image cylinder may be subsequently engaged with the blanket cylinder, while the other image cylinder is disengaged, thereafter allowing that image cylinder to have its image plate or cassette changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Web Press, Inc.
    Inventor: David Clarke Pollock
  • Patent number: 5901648
    Abstract: Device for adjusting printing-unit cylinders in a printing unit of a rotary printing press for printing on both sides of a material web, the printing-unit cylinders including printing-form cylinders with exchangeable printing forms, one of the printing-unit cylinders being held stationary in the printing unit, includes an auxiliary adjusting unit for maintaining a gap traversible by the material web, the gap being formed between outer cylindrical surfaces of two of the printing-unit cylinders disposed adjacent to a path of the material web through the printing unit, the gap being maintainable by the auxiliary adjusting unit independently of adjusted positions of others of the printing-unit cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Franck Roland, Franck Bausela
  • Patent number: 5887526
    Abstract: A process and device for synchronizing a cylinder of a printing press, which is pivoted up to its countercylinder, and to a shaft encoder suitable for carrying out this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik WIFAG
    Inventor: Andreas Zahnd
  • Patent number: 5868071
    Abstract: In order to provide a variable cutoff printing press, the press includes a pair of plate cylinders and a pair of blanket cylinders with all of the cylinders having a cylindrical body and a central axis of rotation. The plate cylinders are each mounted perpendicular to at least one side frame in a fixed position such that the axes of the plate cylinders are maintained in spaced parallel relation. The blanket cylinders are also each mounted perpendicular to the side frame by a pair of linear slide assemblies such that the axes of the blanket cylinders are maintained in spaced parallel relation. The linear slide assemblies accommodate linear adjustable positioning of the blanket cylinders along spaced parallel adjustment axes generally in the plane of the side frame. With this arrangement, the blanket cylinders are linearly adjustably positionable along and perpendicular to the adjustment axes to adjust the spacing between the plate and blanket cylinders to accommodate blanket sleeves of different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Goss Graphic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus A. Niemiro, William G. Hannon
  • Patent number: 5813336
    Abstract: A printing unit with a rotatable print cylinder and a rotatable blanket cylinder is provided. A tubular printing blanket is removably mounted on the blanket cylinder. The printing unit may have an imaging unit mounted therein. A printing member, which is mountable on the print cylinder, is imaged by the imaging unit inside the printing unit. The printing member has a continuous surface and may be removed axially from the print cylinder. The printing unit may be configured as a cantilever printing unit, or, alternatively, may be configured with both a gear side frame and a work side frame for supporting the print and blanket cylinders. In order to provide a variable-cutoff capability, a plurality of print cylinder saddles may be provided. Each print cylinder saddle has the same inner diameter for mounting on the print cylinders. However, in order to provide a variable cut-off, the print cylinder saddles may have a variety of outer diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Guaraldi, Roland T. Palmatier, Roger R. Belanger
  • Patent number: 5791246
    Abstract: A device for effecting an impression throw-on and throw-off of a cylinder in a rotary printing press, the cylinder having a shaft supported in swivellably disposed bearing levers, includes respective guides located at respective ends of the shaft for setting the shaft in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Carsten Kelm
  • Patent number: 5746132
    Abstract: A printing machine designed to accommodate different repeat lengths for a first and second cylinders, that includes: a front and rear frames; a first cylinder cartridge, including a first cylinder with a centerline; a first assembly attached to the front and rear frames for holding the first cylinder cartridge; a second cylinder cartridge separate from the first cylinder cartridge, with the second cylinder cartridge including a second cylinder with a centerline; a first and second cradles for holding the ends of the second cylinder cartridge, with the cradles including a cradle arm with an opening therein; and a second assembly for each cradle for moving its respective cradle to hold different diameter second cylinders in parallel adjacency with the first cylinder. The second assembly is specifically designed to be operable to change the orientation of its respective cradle for each different diameter second cylinder to facilitate lift-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Mark Andy, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dewayne Parks, Michael Rolland Turner, Dale Leon Bunnell, Gary Wilson Teeter
  • Patent number: 5740736
    Abstract: A printing press comprises an impression cylinder and an intaglio cylinder each having a notched portion and an effective impression area; an eccentric bearing for supporting the impression cylinder; a lever locked on one end side to the bearing; a hydraulic cylinder for acting on the other end side of the lever to turn the bearing; a pressure transducer for detecting pressure which acts on the hydraulic cylinder when the impression cylinder is pressed against the intaglio cylinder; a display device for displaying a printing pressure between the impression cylinder and the intaglio cylinder that has been calculated from a detection signal produced by the pressure transducer when the notched portions of both cylinders face each other, and a detection signal produced by the pressure transducer when the effective impression areas of both cylinders face each other; and adjusting screw and threaded shaft for adjusting the pressure of contact between the impression cylinder and the intaglio cylinder by changing the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Toyoda
  • Patent number: 5722323
    Abstract: An improved throw off device for disengaging adjacent blanket cylinders (12) and (14) from each other and corresponding adjacent plate cylinders (16) and (18) is provided. The device includes pairs of bearing assemblies (28A), (28B), (30A) and (30B) that are mounted on the opposite ends of the journal (26) of each of the blanket cylinders (12) and (14). Each bearing assembly is defined by an inner race (36) and an outer race (38) having an eccentric bore in which the inner race is disposed. The device eliminates the need for a bearing sleeve. Each bearing assembly has a lever (74) arm that is mounted to the outer race (38). The lever arm (74) is defined by two wing-shaped portions (76) and (78). Each bearing assembly further includes a hydraulic cylinder (86). Each hydraulic cylinder (86) is coupled at one end to one of the two wing-shaped portions of the lever arm (74) and at the other end to one of the side frames of the printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Goss Graphic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Whiting, Thomas W. Orzechowski, Stanley Momot, Thaddeus A. Niemiro
  • Patent number: 5690029
    Abstract: Rubber-blanket cylinder engagement and disengagement device for a rotary printing press having a plate cylinder and an impression cylinder includes swivel arms whereon the rubber-blanket cylinder is journalled, the swivel arms being articulatedly connected to a frame of the rotary printing press, an actuating device for swivelling the swivel arms, and an adjustable stop device disposed at a side of the frame for limiting swivelling motion of the swivel arms so as to bring about a setting thereof in a rubber-blanket cylinder engagement position, the stop device having at least one supporting element formed with a large supporting surface by which the stop device cooperates with the rubber-blanket cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Bernd Herrmann, Hans-Jurgen Kusch
  • Patent number: 5649482
    Abstract: An apparatus for the print throw-on and throw-off of the rubber blanket cylinder in the printing unit of a sheet-fed offset printing machine is described. For the throw-on and throw-off of the rubber blanket cylinder in relation to the impression cylinder and to the plate cylinder, the rubber blanket cylinder is mounted pivotably on both sides in eccentric bearings. The pivoting of the eccentric bearings takes place via two individually switchable actuating means, a print regulation mechanism being connected in series up from the actuating means. The two actuating means act on the eccentric bearings via a ternary member for the pivoting of the eccentric bearings, this arrangement selected in this way making it possible, in the case of larger thicknesses of printing material, to throw off the rubber blanket cylinder only from the plate cylinder. The print throw-off and throw-on thus causes lower torque jolts because of the smaller pivoting travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Man Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Peter Hummel, Robert Ortner, Helmut Schild
  • Patent number: 5644983
    Abstract: A device for the coupling and uncoupling of a printing unit, said printing unit, with its plate cylinder, being engaged with a blanket cylinder in a first position and being disengaged from said blanket cylinder in a second position. Further, the device can be configured so as to additionally serve for a printing press, having at least two printing units assigned to one blanket cylinder, to be variably operated with optimal results. This is achieved in that the printing unit can be brought into a third position, wherein it is disconnected from the drive. Also contemplated herein is a method for coupling printing stands to one another in a printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Herrmann, Hans-Jurgen Kusch
  • Patent number: 5623873
    Abstract: An offset printing press comprises a plate cylinder onto which a printing plate is attached, a form dampening roller having an elasticity on its outer surface, a water fountain roller immersed into water in a water pan, and intermediate roller means for transferring the water from the water fountain roller to the form dampening roller. The intermediate roller means comprises a water oscillating roller which has a hydrophilic property on its outer surface and is capable of reciprocating in its axial direction with contacting the form dampening roller. Also, the offset printing press comprises first moving means for moving the form dampening roller close to and away from the plate cylinder; and second moving means for moving at least one of the water oscillating roller and the form dampening roller so that these two rollers can be moved close to and away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Ryobi Limited
    Inventor: Naoki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5601021
    Abstract: A printing cylinder holding apparatus for a printing machine, includes a pair of bearing holding members arranged on one of a pair of frames which rotatably support a printing cylinder via a pair of bearing members, respectively. One of the frames has a first opening for allowing a cylindrical printing member to be put on and out of the printing cylinder. The bearing holding members are movable between a holding position wherein the bearing holding members hold one of the bearing members and an unholding position wherein the bearing holding members release the one of the bearing members to form a second opening which is associated with the first opening for allowing the cylindrical printing member to be put in and out of the printing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Torao Katabira, Kazuyuki Baba
  • Patent number: 5588362
    Abstract: A cylinder throw-on and throw-off mechanism for a printing press having a plate cylinder and a printing cylinder, which are disposed with outer surfaces being separated from each other, and a blanket cylinder disposed therebetween includes a driving unit and a control unit. The driving unit has a motor serving as a driving source and moves the blanket cylinder between an impression-on position where the blanket cylinder is pressed against the plate cylinder and simultaneously pressed against the printing cylinder through a paper sheet and an impression throw-off position where the blanket cylinder is separated from the plate cylinder and the printing cylinder in accordance with a direction of rotation and the number of revolutions of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Norio Hirose, Teruyoshi Hamabuchi, Hikoji Muto
  • Patent number: 5546860
    Abstract: In a printing machine (frame etc. not shown) a counterpressure cylinder (1) is rotatably supported in cylindrical bearing housings (5) bordering on the counterpressure cylinder (1) and being held rotatably in the printing machine by means of rollers (10, 11, 12, 13). Opposite to each of these bearing housings (5) is a bearing housing (8) for a plate cylinder (2), the later bearing housing (8)bordering on the plate cylinder (2) and likewise being held in the printing machine between pollers (14, 15, 16, 17). One of these rollers (14) is rotatably supported in the bearing housing (5) for the counterpressure cylinder (1), while two of the rollers (16, 17)act on the bearing housings (8) for the plane cylinder (2) with a classically yielding pressing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Werner Kammann Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Einar K. Riis
  • Patent number: 5505127
    Abstract: A printing group cylinder of a web-fed rotary printing machine is mounted by its journals on opposed side walls of the machine. A sleeve positioned on or about the cylinder may be slipped on or off of the cylinder through an opening in the side wall. During operation, the opening in the side wall is closed by placing a pair of sliding gates in their closed position. When it is desired to change the sleeve, the opening in the side wall is uncovered by displacing the sliding gates. In order to obtain good prim quality, the bearing is formed of multiple interengaging rings, of which at least one is eccentrically shaped. The eccentric shape of the ring causes the axis of the priming group cylinder to move into either a prim engagement or disengagement setting when the ring is slidably rotated. The eccentric ring is secured against turning when the sliding gates are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Man Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Peter Knauer
  • Patent number: 5445076
    Abstract: A cylinder throw apparatus includes a plate cylinder, a printing cylinder, a blanket cylinder, a pair of eccentric bearings, and a motor. The plate cylinder has a circumferential surface on which a printing plate is mounted. The printing cylinder is disposed to have a circumferential surface thereof kept away from the circumferential surface of the plate cylinder. The blanket cylinder is disposed between the plate cylinder and the printing cylinder. The eccentric bearings and the motor move the blanket cylinder between an impression-on position in which the blanket cylinder is pressed against the plate cylinder and, through a paper sheet, pressed against the printing cylinder, and an impression throw-off position in which the blanket cylinder is kept away from the plate cylinder and the printing cylinder, and automatically set a gap between the blanket cylinder and the printing cylinder at the impression-on position in correspondence with a paper thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Norio Hirose
  • Patent number: 5421257
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a sheet between a plurality of printing units is disclosed. A transfer cylinder is provided between the adjacent units and is rotated by a motor. A drive gear mechanically connected to the motor and a driven gear mechanically connected to the transfer cylinder mate with each other. The press on a single surface and on both surfaces of the sheet are selectively performed, and a phase between the gears is adjusted by a phase adjusting mechanism. Stoppers are formed with the drive gear and driven gear respectively, for stopping relative rotation between the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventors: Masaharu Okuda, Haruki Umemura
  • Patent number: 5394798
    Abstract: This invention relates to an offset printing apparatus, which comprises a frame and a removable cassette comprising a plate cylinder and a blanket cylinder, with parallel transverse axes, tangential to each other and adapted to be engaged in the frame of the apparatus so that the plate cylinder is in contact, under pressure, with each inking roller with a predetermined touch, i.e. a predetermined crushing of the peripheral layer, of supple material, of the inking roller. This touch is determined by a first bearing element or touch way, associated with each bearing of an inking roller and, on each removable cassette, a second bearing element or touch way. In order automatically to obtain the correct touch when a cassette is changed, the second touch way of the cassette is constituted by a fixed disc bearing a covering, forming a coating of thickness equal to that of the covering associated with the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Komori-Chambon S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Simon, Bernard Six
  • Patent number: 5363762
    Abstract: A printing press including at least one impression cylinder, at least one plate cylinder, a pair of swivel arms corresponding to each plate cylinder and pivotal about a central axis of the plate cylinder, and a transfer cylinder corresponding to each plate cylinder and supported by the pair of swivel arms is disclosed. The swivel arms can be pivoted, so that each transfer cylinder can be moved between a printing position where the transfer cylinder is engaged with the running web and a non-printing position where the transfer cylinder is disengaged from the running web. The transfer cylinders of the present invention also can be commonly adjusted to vary the pressure against a running web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Inventor: Roger R. Belanger
  • Patent number: 5351616
    Abstract: To permit ready exchange of the length of printed subject matter to be reproduced, particularly to make packaging cartons, the cut-off size of printing cylinders, as well as blanket cylinders of an offset machine is constructed, can be changed in this manner: The respective cylinders include a cylinder shaft (44, 45) on which a lightweight cylinder sleeve (3, 3a, 4, 4a) of different circumferential size can be placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: W. Robert Gelinas, Roland D. Horth
  • Patent number: 5337664
    Abstract: A printing press (32) with a pair of plate cylinders (12A, 12B) each having a cylindrical body (22A, 22B) and a central axis of rotation (20A, 20B) mounted in fixed parallel spaced relationship, a pair of blanket cylinders (14A, 14B) located adjacent the plate cylinders (12A, 12B) with each having a cylindrical body (30A, 30B) and a rotary axis (24A, 24B) parallel to the axes (20A, 20B) of the plate cylinders (12A, 12B), having a blanket cylinder throw off apparatus (26) mounting the blanket cylinders (14A, 14B) in an operative position in engagement with the pair of plate cylinders (12A, 12B), respectively, and with their rotary axes (24A, 24B) in lateral alignment with the axes of rotation (20A, 20B) of the plate cylinders to reduce vibration and a throw off position in which a throw off gap (39) exists between the pair of blanket cylinders (14A, 14B) and a pair of gaps (403, 43B) exist between the pair of plate cylinders (12A, 12B), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Hannon
  • Patent number: 5323703
    Abstract: An installation for supplying pressurized gas to pressure medium-actuated systems of a printing machine is disclosed. The installation comprises at least one compressor; a plurality of pressure tanks; and a plurality of sensors for measuring a system pressure, each of the pressure medium-actuated systems of the printing machine having at least one of the pressure tanks and one of the sensors associated therewith; pressure pick-off connections fluidically communicating with the pressure tanks; a pressure medium distribution and feed device for connecting an input side of the pressure tanks to the at least one compressor; the pressure medium distribution and feed device having actuators; and an electrical control apparatus controlling the actuators and the at least one compressor, the control apparatus being connected with the sensors and with the machine control of the printing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Peter T. Blaser
  • Patent number: 5311817
    Abstract: When a screw 60 has been adjusted, a printing pressure adjusting disc 72 is turned through a shaft 75 and a segment gear 73 to adjust an eccentric pin through a link 78 and a lever 79. Also when the amount of eccentricity of a rubber cylinder 53 has been changed as a result of the adjustment of the stopper screw 60, the eccentric pin of each plate cylinder also is simultaneously adjusted in accordance with the amount of adjustment of the screw 60, and further the amount of eccentricity of the plate cylinder is changed to such a state that a printing pressure is kept constant in relation to the rubber cylinder 53, thus enabling the printing pressure adjustment with little labor and time to thereby improve printing operation performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Funada
  • Patent number: 5289769
    Abstract: A system for changing a removable sleeve on a printing roller in a flexographic printing press is disclosed. Axially fixed bearing assemblies are installed on the mandrel of the printing roll, and positioned in a split bearing block. In changing the printing sleeve, at least one bearing block is opened to release the bearing assemblies as the mandrel is raised and fitted with a removable axial extension. The axial extension is then braced to support the roll in a raised position. The printing sleeve can then be axially extracted onto the extension, clearing the printing roller and the frame of the printing press. A second brace is then applied intermediate the printing roller and the extracted printing sleeve. Withdrawal of the first brace allows the printing sleeve to be entirely removed while the partially dismounted printing roller is stabilized by the second brace. A replacement printing sleeve is then placed over the axial extension, and the process reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: W. O. Hickok Mfg., Co.
    Inventor: Robert J. Lewis