Abstract: The present invention discloses gripper bar locking apparatus and sheet processing device. In particular, the present invention discloses a gripper bar locking apparatus, which is configured to lock and adjust a position of a gripper bar, comprising: a supporting plate having a distal end and a proximal end; a lever portion, a distal end of which is pivotally mounted on the proximal end of the supporting plate; a cartridge movably mounted on a proximal end of the lever portion and provided with a gripper bar abutment; and an adjusting means provided on the cartridge and configured to adjust a position of the cartridge with respect to the lever portion. Further, the present invention relates to the sheet processing device including the gripper bar. By using the gripper bar locking apparatus, the adjustment of the position of the gripper bar is facilitated.

Abstract: A coating unit is located after a sheet-fed digital printer on a manufacturing line. As a response to a workpiece entering the coating unit from the printer, coating substance is dosed onto a plate cylinder, and said plate cylinder is rotated to transfer said coating substance onto the workpiece, which is then transferred further on the manufacturing line. As a response to a first time limit expiring after transferring the workpiece further without a subsequent workpiece entering the coating unit, the rotation of the plate cylinder is stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a sheet-formed item from a digital printing unit, the apparatus including an inlet side and an outlet side, and including a set of conveying devices for moving items in a conveying direction and a method for regulating such an apparatus. The apparatus includes a device for aligning an article from one position to another position in relation to one or more reference points, and a device for fixing an item at a given position in relation to a stop. The method includes the steps: detecting an item; receiving and conveying the item; regulating a possible skew position of the item as the item is moved against a stop on the conveying device, where the item is acted on by one speed of the conveyor belt and moved into abutment on the conveying means at a lower speed; and fixing the item in the aligned position.

Abstract: There is described a sheet inspection system for a sheet-fed recto-verso printing press of the type comprising two printing cylinders (10, 20) for carrying out simultaneous recto-verso printing of the sheets, said sheet inspection system comprising at least one inspection device (200; 300; 400) for taking an image of one side of the printed sheets. The sheet inspection system comprises first and second transfer cylinders (60, 65) interposed between a first (10) of the two printing cylinders (10, 20) and a chain gripper system (5) of the printing press, printed sheets being transferred successively from the first printing cylinder (10) to the first transfer cylinder (60), to the second transfer cylinder (65), and to the chain gripper system (5).

Abstract: There is described a sheet inspection system for a sheet-fed recto-verso printing press of the type comprising two printing cylinders (10, 20) for carrying out simultaneous recto-verso printing of the sheets, said sheet inspection system comprising at least a first inspection device (100) for taking an image of a first side of the printed sheets. The first inspection device (100) comprises a first line image sensor (110) for performing line-scanning image acquisition of the first side of the printed sheets, and the first inspection device (100) is disposed in such a way that the first line image sensor visually acquires an image of a printed sheet while the said printed sheet is still adhering onto the surface of a first one (10) of the two printing cylinders (10, 20) of the printing press and immediately before the said printed sheet is transferred to a chain gripper system (5) of the printing press. Also described is a printing press equipped with the inspection system.

Abstract: The delivery for a sheet-processing machine, such as a sheet-fed rotary printing press, has several braking devices which are movable transverse to a sheet transport direction. The delivery also has a sheet guiding elements that respectively cover the interspaces between adjacent braking devices at a level of the top edges. The sheet guiding devices are formed from a flexible tape material. The length of the tape transverse to the direction of sheet transport and seen from above is adjustable to the spacing between the adjacent braking devices.

Abstract: A tensioner and tensioning system for maintaining tension in a printer liner while providing manual advancement of the printer liner without accessing the inner compartment of the printer. A tension comprises first and second end brought in proximity to form a channel, and a middle portion formed into a circular configuration to hold the roll of printer liner. A stopper is included within the channel between the two ends which resists movement of the liner and promotes tension. The liner is preferably advances against the resistance of the tensioner by a take-up roller cooperating with a one-directional clutch which advances the liner without relaxation to maintain tension. The one-directional clutch is operated from an external area on the printer to enable the manual advancement of the liner without accessing the printer's inner compartment.

Abstract: A stencil screen printing apparatus for printing rigid sheets comprising an intermittently rotatable cylinder, a reciprocable stencil screen frame, a power drive for the cylinder and stencil screen frame to move them in synchronism with each other, a vertically reciprocable squeegee above the cylinder, infeed belts for feeding rigid sheets along a path toward the cylinder, a variable speed drive for the infeed belts, and controls to slow the drive for an increment of the belt advancement and then stop the drive, sheet pushers and a variable speed servo screw drive operably connected to the sheet pushers, the sheet pushers being forwardly shiftable toward the cylinder to push the rigid sheet front edge beneath the squeegee and the stencil screen frame, and side registry alignment pusher tabs and a variable speed servo screw drive for laterally aligning the rigid sheet relative to the cylinder, whereby the sheet pushers and the side registry tabs simultaneously align the sheet at 90.degree.

Abstract: Gripper control for a cyclically swingably driven pregripper for transporting single sheets in a sheet-fed printing press, the pregripper having at least one sheet gripper mounted on a free end of a swivel lever motorizingly pivotable about a frame-fixed swivel shaft, the gripper control including cams for forcibly moving the sheet gripper about an articulated shaft oriented parallel to the swivel shaft so as to close and open the sheet gripper upon sheet acceptance and sheet transfer, one of the cams being revolvable in a single revolution for cyclically shifting the other of the cams in the position thereof, the other of the cams being secured to a roller lever supported pivotally at a fixed location and having a cam roller resting on the one cam, relative positions of the cams being adjustable for determining the instants of closing and opening of the gripper, the other of the cams being a cam segment having two successive circular cam regions with radii of curvature of different length and a common center

Abstract: A method and system are provided for aligning the lateral edge of sheets fed to a printing press. The lateral position of a sheet is detected. A slidable suction device beneath the sheet is operated to pull the sheet toward a lateral abutment at a constant speed, the suction being applied at an individual time for each sheet in accordance with the detected position. Suction pressure is released when the sheet reaches the side lay, such that suction pressure is only applied for the time necessary to place the sheet in proper registration.

Abstract: An arrangement on transfer drums for in-registry sheet transfer in sheet rotary printing machines, has gripper units mounted on cylinders, toothed segments which during a sheet transfer are in engagement, each of the gripper units having a gripper shaft, a gripper and a turnable gripper traverse which receives the gripper shaft and said gripper and fixedly connected with one of the turnable toothed segments, and an elastic element associated with the toothed segment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printer with a sheet feeding apparatus having a printer body incorporating a printing mechanism for printing onto continuous forms. A cutter is provided close to a continuous forms discharging port on the printer case. Following the cutter downstream, there is provided a sheet feeding belt that rotates at a rate higher than the feed rate of the continuous forms. Along the belt, there are provided a sheet traversing section, a sheet direction changing section, a sheet pushing section and a sheet stacker, in that order from upstream to downstream. The sheet traversing section seizes and feeds horizontally each sheet cut by the cutter. The sheet direction changing section perpendicularly changes the feed direction of each cut sheet. The sheet pushing section pushes each sheet onto the sheet stacker where an orderly stack of sheets is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printer with a sheet feeding apparatus having a printer body incorporating a printing mechanism for printing onto continuous forms. A cutter is provided close to a continuous forms discharging port on the printer case. Following the cutter downstream, there is provided a sheet feeding belt that rotates at a rate higher than the feed rate of the continuous forms. Along the belt, there are provided a sheet traversing section, a sheet direction changing section, a sheet pushing section and a sheet stacker, in that order from upstream to downstream. The sheet traversing section seizes and feeds horizontally each sheet cut by the cutter. The sheet direction changing section perpendicularly changes the feed direction of each cut sheet. The sheet pushing section pushes each sheet onto the sheet stacker where an orderly stack of sheets is formed.

Abstract: A system of printing information on opposite sides of paper board envelopes using heat sensitive films or foils fed between transfer die members and envelopes passing therebetween. The system includes a supply magazine or the like, a conveying system for conveying the envelopes from the supply source to and through the several printers. The printers are longitudinally spaced along the conveyor path and are so located such that information can be printed on both sides of the envelope. At the end or the last printing station a second conveyor or transfer device is provided to transfer the just printed envelopes to a work station wherein delicate articles, such as hosiery, panty hose, etc., are placed therein. The system includes common and well known automatic control means to intermittently feed the envelopes to the several printing stations and subsequently to the envelope filling station.

Abstract: An improved cylinder-type screen printing apparatus utilizes recessible pushers and stops to translate sheet stock along the supply bed to the cylinder without imparting any substantial bending moment to the sheet stock. The absence of bending forces permits the apparatus to be used for printing on rigid materials.

Abstract: An improved device for the automatic feeding of silk screen printing machines with extension platens. The apparatus comprises:a storage magazine for the sheets to be printed, piled flat in a pile;structure associated with the printing platen and comprising a positioning support in an extension of the plane of this platen;apparatus to seize and transfer individual sheets from the pile onto the positioning support;frontal and lateral positioning structure for the sheet placed onto the positioning support; andpositioned sheet transfer apparatus to seize and transfer the sheet from the positioning support to the printing platen.

Abstract: A printing machine having a roller and a printing head which are brought together for printing in a printing mode and separated in an nonimprinting mode, the disposition of the roller and the head being controlled by means sensing the presence or absence respectively of paper stock in position for imprinting. The invention comprises a positive auxilliary feeding mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus having a track for guiding a sheet therein, with the track having an upstream end and a downstream end, and with a staging area located therebetween. Transport rollers are used for moving a sheet from the upstream end towards the downstream end. The apparatus also comprises control means including a stationary member and a moveable member located at the staging area; the moveable member is moveable between first and second positions with regard to said stationary member and one of the transport rollers. The moveable member, when in the first position, is operatively uncoupled from a transport roller and is operatively coupled to said stationary member to stop a sheet therebetween at the staging area, and the moveable member, when in the second position, is operatively uncoupled from the stationary member and is operatively coupled to one of the transport rollers to move the sheet from the staging area towards the downstream end.

Abstract: A process color offset duplicator uses a plurality of duplicator heads arranged serially to print full process color. The duplicator heads are adapted to apply a thin layer of ink onto plates held on their respective plate cylinders, in order that plate cylinders which are prepared using a dot screen can be used. The plate cylinders further include registration pins, whereby tha various ones of said plates can be mounted in relative alignment on different ones of said plate cylinders.

Abstract: The sheet fed rotary press includes a feed cylinder cooperating with a feed table extending in a plane situated below and in spaced relationship from the periphery of the feed cylinder. An auxiliary gripper system located under the feed cylinder provides for the transfer of respective sheets from the feed table to the feed cylinder.

Abstract: A feed assembly for feeding sheets seriatim from a position of register on a feed table to an impression cylinder in a printing press which includes a pre-gripper having an oscillating connection with the press drive for periodically swinging the pre-gripper from a sheet pick-up position at the front edge of the table to a sheet-releasing position at the surface of the impression cylinder. The pre-gripper has a jaw and a jaw lever for opening and closing the jaw. A gripper operating cam is arranged in the path of movement of the jaw lever as the pre-gripper oscillates back and forth, the oeprating cam being mounted for retreating and return movement to control the opening and closing movement of the jaw. A rotating control cam coupled to the press drive has a control cam follower with a linkage for connecting the same to the gripper operating cam for controlling its retreating and return movement so that the jaw is closed upon an awaiting sheet at the pick-up position.

Abstract: To print on each of a number of sheets, the sheets are advanced, preferably in underlapped form, up to registering stops. When a sheet has been registered at the stops, suction is applied to an underlying conveyor, the stops are withdrawn and the sheet is advanced in steps to a printing station, the sheet being held in register by suction during this advancement. Printing takes place while the sheet is stationary and still held in register, between steps of movement. Suction may be switched on and off at the registering station by means of a movable perforated switch plate, the perforations of which are aligned, in a first position of the switch plate, with suction-conveying perforations in another plate or belt; in a second position of the switch plate its perforations are misaligned with the perforations in the other plate or belt, preventing the application of suction to an overlying sheet.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a correction label applying device for a portable label printing machine, which is used to correct the characters printed on price tags. The correction label applying device is detachably secured to the body of the portable label printing machine. The price tag holding device of the label applying device is provided with adjusting means in which the positions of stoppers which receive the tip edge portion of an inserted price tag and the positions of a pair of guides which guide both the side edges of the inserted price tag can be changed. A leaf spring gives elastic force to the price tag holder.

Abstract: The basic press structure includes a printing couple consisting of a lower printing cylinder, having a single work area, and a large printing cylinder, having an effective diameter which is a whole multiple, greater than one, of the effective diameter of the lower printing cylinder, and has a number (equal to the whole multiple) of work areas, in each of which one of a variety of the especially constructed removable and interchangeable segments may be mounted. One of a variety of different printing surfaces may be carried in each of the various work areas on the cylinders of the printing couple, in a wide range of combinations. The printing couple is mounted in a frame structure constructed so as to provide a plurality of module mounting positions, at each of which one of a variety of printing modules may be mounted in cooperative relationship with the large printing cylinder.

Abstract: Multiple size plate registration system having a platen with a top planar surface. Channels are formed in the platen and open through the top planar surface. Parallel grooves are formed in the platen spaced transversely of the platen, extending longitudinally of the platen and opening through the top planar surface. Endless belts travel in the grooves and are used for advancing a plate onto the planar surface of the platen. First and second stop pins are mounted in the platen and are extendable above the top planar surface. Controls are provided for causing the stop pins to be selectably movable between retracted positions below the top planar surface and extended positions above the top planar surface. A guide is carried by the top surface of the platen and extends longitudinally of the platen on one side of the planar surface.

Abstract: A sheet advancing cylinder in an offset printing machine, has a sheet gripping system arranged in its interior. The system includes a rocking member rigidly connected to a first gripper for moving the latter between two terminal positions in a slot formed in the jacket of the cylinder. The movement of the rocking member is such that in the first terminal position the first gripper is flush with the jacket periphery, in an intermediate position it is above the periphery and in the second terminal position it is below the periphery.

Abstract: A system for providing duplex images on copy sheets wherein the images are formed on the copy sheets by delivering the sheets to an impression cylinder for transfer of the images to the sheets. First and second ink images are provided, and each sheet is fed to the impression cylinder in synchronism with a first image for transfer of the first image to one side of each sheet. Each sheet is then removed to a staging area which includes a conveyor mechanism for re-feeding the sheet to the impression cylinder, trailing edge first. The re-feeding is in synchronism with the movement of the second image whereby this second image is transferred to the opposite side of each sheet. The impression cylinder is provided with a first gripper for engaging the leading edge of each sheet and with a second gripper for engaging the trailing edge of each sheet. The staging area comprises a plurality of conveyor belts and a chamber with air exhaust means beneath the belts.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus in which successive sheets are separated and advanced from a stack thereof. As the sheet advances from the stack, it is aligned. After alignment, a conveyor moves the sheet to a delivery station. The aligning mechanism moves into the sheet path in response to the conveyor reaching a first predetermined position. When the conveyor moves to a second predetermined position, the aligning mechanism is spaced from the sheet path.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding, separating, counting and stacking documents at high speed. Documents are stacked in the infeed conveyor and are bottom fed preferably by closed loop belts and an eccentric wheel which continuously jogs the stack. Drive rollers support the closed loop belts which serve to feed the bottom-most documents beneath cooperative stripper means which assures the feeding of only one document at a time towards acceleration rollers and a cooperating platen roller for accelerating documents fed therebetween to provide a gap between succeeding documents to enable a sensor to accurately count the documents. Counted documents are driven from an outfeed location into a stacker having a floor positioned beneath the outfeed location by a distance selected to prevent incoming documents from being interleaved in their improper order and from interfering with the documents being fed into the stacker. The platen roller also serves as a backing roller for endorsing means.

Abstract: A paper registration control device for printing presses includes a carrier having a plurality of holes extending vertically therethrough and arranged in tandem and a plurality of spherical pressure elements, each element adapted for seating in one of the carrier holes. A segment of each of the pressure elements projects below the carrier and floats within the carrier to thereby exert a constant pressure on paper being fed into the registering position. At least one of the spherical pressure elements has a weight different from the other pressure elements. Therefore, the pressure elements may be arranged in different patterns along the carrier to exert the optimum pressure necessary to provide exact register at substantially increased feed rates.

Abstract: An improved paper handling system includes a pair of work units which sequentially work on opposite sides of a sheet with the same edge of the sheet leading. An inverter between the two work units is effective to invert the sheet in such a manner that the edge of the sheet which leads during passage of the sheet through the first work unit will also lead as the sheet passes through the second work unit. A sheet which has been worked on, first side up, by the first work unit will also lead as the sheet passes through the second work unit. A sheet which has been worked on, first side up, by the first work unit with a head edge of the sheet leading is moved by a first conveyor along a first path into engagement with a stop member which engages the head edge of the sheet to arrest it at a first readiness position. A pusher then engages a side edge of the sheet and pushes it sidewardly.

Abstract: A document feeding apparatus sequentially feeding documents, including an automatic feeder for removing one document at a time from a stack and for delivering each document to a feed path. An endless conveyor moves each document along the path towards a document aligning gate means that temporarily interrupts the movement of the documents to effect desired alignment thereof. The automatic feeder and the document aligning gate are automatically controlled so that the documents are selectively removed from the stack as a function of the preceding document moving along the path. A pair of printing heads are positioned along the path and are respectively actuated in response to movement of the documents so that the documents can be printed at accurately positioned locations on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A device for duplicating apparatus adapted to prevent an image of a printing master from being printed in an inclined position on copies produced from the printing master mounted in the apparatus. The device comprises, in combination, a pair of delivery rollers adapted to hold therebetween one copy sheet after another as the copy sheets are fed from a sheet feed tray and to deliver the same to the printing position, and means for causing each copy sheet to assume an inclined position immediately before being held between the pair of delivery rollers.

Abstract: In a sheet feeder for rotary printing presses having a feed table, a side register lay, and front register lays, a first push type conveyor is positioned in advance of the front lays and a second push type conveyor is positioned between the front lays and the continuously rotating impression cylinder of the printing press. These first and second conveyors cooperate to sequentially grip and convey sheets of paper and the like to the press's impression cylinder which is equipped with register lays and grippers. The feed table's front register lays are arranged to lift the first registered sheet thus permitting a succeeding sheet to advance beneath the raised sheet.

Abstract: An electrostatographic printing machine employing sheet conveyance along a path through the machine from a plurality of supply sources to a sheet output delivery point. An individual conveyor mechanism is adapted to convey sheets to a common sheet registration mechanism associated with the conveyor mechanism for one of the supply sources. The registration mechanism serves as a control element in the machine processing programming system which includes the feeding of sheets from the individual supply sources, and the processing events for the production of electrostatic latent images and the transfer thereof to the sheets.