Abstract: A reversible printing blanket to be used with offset printing machines. The reversible printing blanket has two opposing lithographic printing faces. The blanket comprises a first external lithographic layer providing a first printing face, a second external lithographic layer providing a second printing face, and at least one compressible layer between the lithographic layers. Such reversible printing blanket allows impressions to be made by both sides of the blanket in such a way as to permit two separate printing jobs.

Abstract: An applicator system roll for direct or indirect application of a coating medium onto a traveling fiber material web includes a core substantially comprised of a fiber composite material and a cover substantially surrounding the core.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing blanket which includes a first compressive layer which is porous and seamless, a non-expansion layer formed by spirally winding a wire in a circumferential direction of the blanket so that a distance between adjacent wires is not more than 0.5 mm, a second compressive layer which is porous and seamless, a surface printing layer which is seamless and non-compressive, and a cylindrical sleeve to be fit over a blanket cylinder, wherein these layers are laminated in this order on the outer peripheral surface of this cylindrical sleeve directly or through a seamless adhesive layer. According to this printing blanket, piling caused at the time of high-speed printing is inhibited and printing can be performed in high productivity.

Abstract: A cylinder sleeve for all offset web-fed rotary printing machine comprising a carrier sleeve having a joint location and about which is arranged at least one compressible layer, also having a joint location. Another layer of non-expandable material may be used on top of or within the compressible layer. The non-expandable layer may also have a joint location. A seamless outer layer is provided and disposed about the compressible layer and the non-expandable layer, if so provided.

Abstract: A cylinder for a rotary printing press can be changed between two operating modes. In a first one of these operating modes the cylinder's surface is divided into many sections. In the second operating mode, the cylinder has a functionally continuous surface area.

Abstract: A blanket that has a varying profile and a method for its use is disclosed. By varying the profile of the blanket cylinder and/or blanket, either in terms of its material properties or its thickness, the blanket, when placed about a blanket cylinder, corrects for unwanted variation in the velocity profile present in the web. Such velocity profile variations, if not taken into account, may cause wrinkling of a web passing over the blanket cylinder in a printing press and thus cause misregistered images. In a further embodiment, the blanket cylinder may be provided with a varying profile.

Abstract: A method for producing printed matter comprises the steps of preparing a flexographic printing form, providing a printing form attachment means having an adherent sticky surface area on a plate cylinder of a printing press, removably attaching the flexographic printing form to the said printing form attachment means and thus to the plate cylinder and printing the printed matter on the printing press using the thus removably attached flexographic printing form.

Abstract: A method for producing printed matter comprises the steps of preparing a flexographic printing form, providing a printing form attachment means having an adherent sticky surface area on a plate cylinder of a printing press, removably attaching the flexographic printing form to the said printing form attachment means and thus to the plate cylinder and printing the printed matter on the printing press using the thus removably attached flexographic printing form.

Abstract: In an offset printing apparatus, the offset blanket is configured to prevent the transfer of ink from the bare metal edges of the lithographic printing plates. These edges may also have burrs which would exacerbate the ink pick-up and transfer of the unwanted ink to the offset blanket and the paper. The offset blanket is shaved down or relieved in the areas juxtaposed to the edges of the printing plates so that the ink will not be transferred.

Abstract: An offset printing blanket produced from a continuous roll or web, with a lithographic surface, a compressible layer, at least one reinforcing layer with low stretch characteristics, and a fabric layer located on the side of the reinforcing layer which is opposite to the lithographic surface. The compressible layer is located between the lithographic surface and the reinforcing layer.

Abstract: A device for applying a liquid to a print carrier sheet in a sheet-fed rotary printing machine. The device has an applicator cylinder, an impression cylinder assigned to the latter and at least one gripper. The applicator cylinder carries a cylinder sleeve which applies the liquid to the print carrier and which has at least one recess, into which the gripper penetrates when the applicator cylinder and the impression cylinder roll one on the other.

Abstract: A replaceable sleeve having a working surface is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a carrier. The sleeve includes an inner polymeric layer, a reinforcing layer overlying the inner layer, an intermediate polymeric layer overlying the reinforcing layer, and an outer polymeric layer. The sleeve may include a cushion layer between the intermediate layer and the outer layer. The layers comprising the sleeve are formed around a support and then cured simultaneously in a single step. The resulting sleeve may be used in printing operations or in other applications such as coating, embossing, laminating, calendering and the like.

Abstract: Substantially transparent printing blankets are provided comprising a substantially transparent printing layer disposed upon a substantially transparent support layer. The substantial transparency of such printing blankets permits off-press introduction of knock-out areas. In certain embodiments, this is accomplished by disposing the support layer of the printing blanket adjacent to a substrate which bears either an image to be printed or some other print transfer information (such as a negative) corresponding to the image. The print transfer information then is viewed through the printing blanket to identify portions of the underlying substrate which bear information indicating that print should not appear on a corresponding portion of the coated substrate. After such portions are identified, the printing layer is removed from the support layer in those areas of the printing blanket which are adjacent to the identified portions of the substrate.

Abstract: A dual roller stencil applicator for applying a stencil pattern to a surface. The applicator has a frame with a handle supporting first and second rollers, the first roller having a porous outer layer for receiving and holding paint and a second roller having a raised stencil design thereon, with the first and second rollers in alignment and movable with respect to each other. The second roller is mounted for selective displacement from the first roller such that when the first roller is to be loaded with paint, the second roller is not in contact with the first roller, and when the apparatus is in an operating condition, the first and second rollers are urged together, permitting the first roller to supply paint to the raised stencil of the second roller. The stencil roller is completely removable from the applicator for cleaning. A drive wheel assembly is coupled to the second roller to rotate the second roller when the second roller is urged against a surface to which a stencil pattern is to be applied.

Abstract: A printing blanket in which an open cell compressible layer and a closed cell compressible layer are provided inside a surface printing layer, which has such superior characteristics that it has the advantages of both the compressible layers and does not cause a variety of problems which are caused by the disadvantages of both the compressible layers.

Abstract: A cushioning or damping layer is disposed between a flexographic printing plate and a printing cylinder or sleeve. The cushion layer is composed of an elastomeric material which has an open-cell relief surface which is sufficiently compressible to compensate for variations in printing materials and press conditions used during printing.

Abstract: A printing blanket according to the present invention is formed by laminating a non-stretchable layer obtained by winding a thread in helical fashion in the circumferential direction, a compressible layer comprising an elastomer and in a porous and a seamless cylindrical shape, and a surface printing layer similarly comprising an elastomer and in a seamless cylindrical shape in this order, whereby high-quality prints can be obtained in a wide range, and the degree of the degradation of printing properties due to the reduction in reaction force is low.

Abstract: A stamping device includes two stamp rollers and a support member having the two stamp rollers mounted thereon and arranged on a circumference having a center at a center of pivotal movement. The stamp rollers are spaced apart by a predetermined angle about the center, a rotary actuator for pivotally moving the support member so that one of the stamp rollers in a stamping position and the other stamp rollers in a standby position are alternately shiftable to the other position, and drive means for rotating the stamp roller in the stamping position.

Abstract: A replaceable sleeve having a working surface is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a carrier. The sleeve includes an inner polymeric layer, a reinforcing layer overlying the inner layer, an intermediate polymeric layer overlying the reinforcing layer, and an outer polymeric layer. The sleeve may include a cushion layer between the intermediate layer and the outer layer. The layers comprising the sleeve are formed around a support and then cured simultaneously in a single step. The resulting sleeve may be used in printing operations or in other applications such as coating, embossing, laminating, calendering and the like.

Abstract: A cylindrical spacer sleeve is interposed between a printing sleeve, which carries printing matrices, and a printing cylinder. The spacer sleeve has an innermost core member that is expandable by interposition of air pressure between the inner surface of the core member and the outer surface of the printing cylinder. In an alternative embodiment, the core member is not expandable. The outer surface of the spacer sleeve torsionally rigidly supports by an interference fit, the printing sleeve. A rigid bridge layer is disposed between the outer surface and the core member. The spacer sleeve has a plurality of air channels through which pressurized air is supplied from within the bridge layer to the outer surface. In one embodiment, the bridge layer includes a pair of axially spaced apart spacer rings.

Abstract: A printing sleeve for a rotogravure or flexo printing roll is provided that as a base sleeve with a slightly conical or tapered geometry adapted to be mounted over the printing roll which also has a slightly conical or tapered geometry. The printing sleeve also comprises a layer of compressible material mounted to the base sleeve, a layer of foamed spacer material, and an outer tube mounted over the layer of foamed spacer material. Further, an engravable layer is typically applied to the exterior of the outer tube.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket for a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press comprises a cylindrical sleeve, a compressible layer over the sleeve, and an inextensible layer over the compressible layer. The cylindrical sleeve is movable telescopically over a blanket cylinder. The compressible layer comprises a first seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing compressible microspheres. The inextensible layer comprises a second seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing a tubular sublayer of circumferentially inextensible material. A seamless tubular printing layer over the inextensible layer has a continuous, gapless cylindrical printing surface. Methods of manufacturing the tubular printing blanket are also disclosed.

Abstract: A metal backed printing blanket for mounting on a cylinder that includes a gap. The blanket comprises a metal base plate having top and bottom surfaces and ends which include leading and trailing edges adapted for engaging the cylinder gap. The article further comprises a compressible, elastomeric printing blanket secured to the top surface of the base plate, but not to the ends, and having an upper face adapted for contact transfer of ink to a printable substrate. In addition, the blanket is provided with an anti-slip layer upon at least a portion of the top surface of at least one end of the base plate to facilitate retention of the base plate ends within the gap during rotation of the cylinder. The anti-slip layer has a coefficient of friction that is greater than that of the base plate and a thickness sufficient to permit insertion of the base plate edges and ends into the cylinder gap.

Abstract: A blanket cylinder (10) having an inner mandrel (12) having an outer surface (14), a split shell (16) having a longitudinal slit (18) defining opposed ends (20 and 22) of the shell (16), and being positioned on the outer surface of the mandrel (12) with a minimal gap (24) between the opposed ends (20 and 22) of the shell (16), a device for retaining the shell (16) on the mandrel (12), and a compressible blanket (34) being formed on an outer surface (36) of the shell (36) and having dimensions to close the opposed ends (20 and 22) of the shell (16).

Abstract: Printing members resistant to handling damage include a porous compressible layer that deforms in response to applied forces, inhibiting overlying layers from tearing or scratching. One type of construction involves ablation-type printing members, wherein pulses from a heat source ablate one or more layers to expose (or facilitate exposure of by cleaning) an underlying layer. A second type of construction utilizes traditional photoexposure-type layers that harden or increase adhesion to adjacent layers in response to actinic radiation. The compressible layer is typically located below the radiation-responsive or imaging layer, but may also serve as that layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oil coating roller composed of a coating fluid holding member comprising a porous hollow cylindrical molded body impregnated with a coating fluid, such as silicone oil, with a driving shaft inserted through the hollow portion thereof, both ends of the coating fluid holding member being fixed to the driving shaft, and felt fabricated of heat-resistant fiber wounded around the outer surface thereof, wherein the porous hollow cylindrical molded body is fabricated of heat-resistant fibers bound to each other with a binder and has an average pore size of 15 to 50 .mu.m and a porosity of 50 to 80%. The oil coating roller can be produced with ease, stably feeds the coating fluid for an extended period of time, and is particularly suitable for applying silicone oil to a fixing roller of an electrostatic copying machine.

Abstract: An offset rubber-blanket sleeve having a support sleeve in the form of a layered body. The layered body is produced from a plastic, preferably rubber, as a base material and the base material is reinforced by layer inserts embedded therein. Additionally, a rubber layer is vulcanized on the support sleeve.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket for a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press comprises a cylindrical sleeve, a compressible layer over the sleeve, and an inextensible layer over the compressible layer. The cylindrical sleeve is movable telescopically over a blanket cylinder. The compressible layer comprises a first seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing compressible microspheres. The inextensible layer comprises a second seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing a tubular sublayer of circumferentially inextensible material. A seamless tubular printing layer over the inextensible layer has a continuous, gapless cylindrical printing surface. Methods of manufacturing the tubular printing blanket are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite fabric structure comprising a plurality of warp and fill fibers or yarns forming a fabric substrate which is impregnated with a matrix material which contains a plurality of cells which impart compressibility to the fabric substrate. This fabric may be used, for example, in a composite structure for use with one or more additional layers or coatings. Articles which may be formed from the composite structure include gaskets, packing materials, flexible diaphragms or printing blankets. In the printing blankets, one or more of a vulcanized rubber layer, a fabric layer and a compressible layer may be included.

Abstract: A printing article which includes a rotatable metal support in the form of a cylinder and a compressible laminate mounted upon the support. The compressible laminate has upper and lower surfaces and a substantially uniform thickness and includes a printing face which forms the upper surface and a compressible layer positioned beneath the printing face. The upper surface of the compressible layer is spaced closer to the upper surface of the printing face in the center of the cylindrical support than at the ends. Preferably, this laminate is cylindrical and is in the form of a printing blanket or printing roll. The invention also relates to a method for forming the compressible laminate.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a magnetic cylinder and image plate or blanket carrier plate of magnetic material are provided for printing. The cylinder has a peripheral surface and the image plate or carrier plate is wrapped around the cylinder with an inner surface of the plate being in direct contact with the cylinder peripheral surface. The blanket and carrier plate are subject to circumferential movement around the cylinder as the blanket is subject to localized pressure from another cylinder in a nip, plus forces due to ink tack. The cylinder peripheral surface is defined by circumferentially spaced, axially extending ridges for suppressing local sliding by surface gripping with the plate inner surface.

Abstract: An offset printing form comprising at least one printing form made up of at least one driving plate which is of metallic material and cut to size. The printing plate having starting and ending printing edges that are connected with one another so as to form a sleeve. A support for the printing plate is provided in the form of a slightly expandable hollow cylinder. The support is enclosed by an adhesive layer so that the printing plate can be placed on the adhesive layer so as to adhere thereto.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mobile rest plane for tiles on which operates a matrix cylinder provided with an elastically deformable peripheral part having a smooth external skin made of an elastomer material, on which a matrix, in the form of microscopic cavities, is cut. A doctor, arranged in order to be in contact with the skin, has the task of scraping away excess glaze and any impurities deposited on the skin as well as the task of remixing the glaze such as at least partially to replenish the cavities with freshened glaze. The matrix cylinder is positioned on the rest plane such as to roll thereon without dragging on a tile upper surface as the tile transits on the rest plane.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket for a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press comprises a cylindrical sleeve, a compressible layer over the sleeve, and an inextensible layer over the compressible layer. The cylindrical sleeve is movable telescopically over a blanket cylinder. The compressible layer comprises a first seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing compressible microspheres. The inextensible layer comprises a second seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing a tubular sublayer of circumferentially inextensible material. A seamless tubular printing layer over the inextensible layer has a continuous, gapless cylindrical printing surface. Methods of manufacturing the tubular printing blanket are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved printing press includes a tubular-shaped printing blanket removably disposed on a blanket cylinder rotatably supported by a frame and having a continuous outer circumferential surface which is free of gaps. The printing blanket is disposed in rolling engagement with a conventional printing plate disposed on a plate cylinder having an axially extending gap in which opposite ends of the printing plate are secured. The printing blanket is removed by opening a portion of the frame and axially sliding the printing blanket off of the blanket cylinder. To assist in the removal or insertion of the printing blanket the blanket cylinder has passages which deliver a stream of air to the outer surface of the blanket cylinder which expands the inner circumferential surface of the printing blanket so that the blanket can be axially removed or inserted onto the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: A backing blanket for mounting and supporting resilient rubber-like printing plates on the printing rollers or drums of printing presses. The backing blanket comprises a semi-rigid flexible sheet of transparent or translucent plastic such as PVC. The underside of the plastic sheet which goes next to the press roll or drum is smooth and has a grid printed thereon. The top surface of the plastic sheet has a matted or embossed surface which facilitates the spreading of adhesive thereon to which the printing plate is adhered and also facilitates the escape of air and prevents formation of pockets in the surface of the printing plate.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a printing roller (1) provided with a profile which containing (8) raised and lowered (9) parts in circumferential direction, a printing belt (3) provided at one side with a complementary profile, and an opposite roller (2) which together with the printing roller (1) determines a nip through which the printing belt (3) runs, in such a way that its profile side interacts with the printing roller, and its printing side interacts with the impression roller, which printing belt (3) is composed of an interlocked strip of plate material which is flexible as regards bending and is rigid as regards deformations in its plane, on one side of which a profiling of another, for instance rubbe-like, material is provided. Preferably, the profiling is carried out in the form of conical projections (6) distributed at regular intervals over the plate surface in question, and the printing roller (3) is provided with complementary recesses (9) distributed in a corresponding manner over its surface.

Abstract: An offset blanket for a grooveless blanket cylinder for applying a printed image onto web material or sheet material is composed of a carrier plate which has been cut to size and a rubber layer placed on the carrier plate. The beginning and the end of the carrier plate of the rubber layer are connected to each other so that the outer circumferential surface of the blanket is continuous and without gaps. The blanket surrounds the blanket cylinder in the operating position in the form of a sleeve in a frictionally engaging manner but releasably. A register device is provided on at least one end face of the blanket for securely positioning the blanket on the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: An offset printing method wherein, by using a screen stencil, ink is once printed on a transfer sheet whose top most layer is made of silicone rubber, and thereafter, the ink is transferred from said transfer sheet onto a substrate to be printed on, or by the use of an ink containing at least an organic solvent and a thermoplastic resin, the ink is transferred from said transfer sheet onto a substrate for printing through heating said substrate for printing or said transfer sheet, and an offset printing machine to be employed in said offset printing method which comprises, at least, a screen stencil movable in the horizontal direction, a rotatable cylindrical roller with a transfer sheet whose top most layer is made of silicone rubber being wound thereon, and a squeeze movable up and down.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket for a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press comprises a cylindrical sleeve, a compressible layer over the sleeve, and an inextensible layer over the compressible layer. The cylindrical sleeve is movable telescopically over a blanket cylinder. The compressible layer comprises a first seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing compressible microspheres. The inextensible layer comprises a second seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing a tubular sublayer of circumferentially inextensible material. A seamless tubular printing layer over the inextensible layer has a continuous, gapless cylindrical printing surface. Methods of manufacturing the tubular printing blanket are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compressible roller especially useful in high speed printing systems consists of a rigid core and a compressible cover. The cover consists of a first relatively thick layer of compressible foam which is bonded to the core, an elastomeric seal bonded to the foam; and an outer print layer of a compatible elastomer bonded to the seal. A method of preparing the roller also is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for making printed foods such as cookies, crackers, and snacks at high production speeds on a continuous basis. The apparatus includes a rotary printer which is synchronized with dough forming apparatus such as a rotary cutter or rotary molder.

Abstract: An offset blanket print/coat assembly for printing or coating rotating containers has a blanket wheel supporting a plurality of blanket assemblies by means of radial frame plates and an air cylinder operable for retracting the blankets inwardly on the blanket wheel. The blanket assemblies move in both a radial direction and an axial direction in moving from a printing position to a stop-print position in response to the detection of the absence of a container of a mandrel approaching the printing position. Novel inker blade adjustment means adjusts the fountain blade relative to the fountain roll both inwardly and outwardly relative to the fountain roll and holds the blade edge in various desired positions along its entire length by the adjustment of individual adjustment members positioned along the blade length.

Abstract: An ink transfer roller assembly which is usable to evaluate the smearing behavior of ink on a print carrier utilizes a central disk having a resilient oleophilic periphery and two side disks of smaller radii. The oleophilic surface is pressed against a freshly printed surface and is rolled off the printed area. Ink retained by the resilient roller is transferred to the previously uninked surface and is evaluated for ink smearing.

Abstract: A rotary tampon printing machine to print the edge area of automobile glazings is distinguished in that the tampon placed on the tampon roller exhibits a flange whose surface that transfers the printing ink corresponds to the frame-shaped printing design. As a block there is a screen printing stencil that is placed above the tampon roller. The tampon roller transfers the printing ink from the screen printing stencil to the glass sheet.

Abstract: A roll which can be used in conjunction with the printing cylinder in a rotary printing press to define a nip for the running web of paper or other material which is to be provided with printed matter has a shaft which is surrounded by a deformable hollow cylindrical shell. The ends of the shell are mounted on antifriction bearings which surround the shaft, and the intermediate portions of the shell can be deformed, to conform to the outlines of adjacent portions of the printing cylinder, by inflatable plenum chambers which are installed in sleeves surrounding the shaft so that each plenum chamber bears against the shaft and urges the respective sleeve radially of the shell. Additional antifriction bearings are installed between the internal surface of the shell and the ends of the sleeves which flank a larger-diameter central portion of the shaft. The shaft has a metallic tube with a set of longitudinally extending internal reinforcing ribs.

Abstract: A damping device for reducing vibration, particularly cylinder bounce in rotating cylinders, such as printing cylinders. The damping device is a multilayered insert of elastomeric and rigid materials. The layers are preferably laminated together and more preferably the elastomeric and rigid layers are alternated throughout the damping device. The insert is located in a housing on the cylinder so as to be flush with the cylinder's outer surface. The damping device may have variable damping abilities formed by the selection of materials, location of materials and/or the use of filled orifices of different damping material in the inserts.

Abstract: A method of joining the edges of flexographic printing plates on printing cylinders, which includes the following steps:(i) fixing the printing plates to make-ready cylinders by means of a first double-sided self-adhesive film having the same area as the printing plate,(ii) cutting the printing plates to size so that they fit the printing cylinders,(iii) removing the cut printing plates from the make-ready cylinders and from the first self-adhesive films,(iv) fixing the cut printing plates by means of a second double-sided self-adhesive film, which has the same area as the printing plates and from 1.6 to 2.

Abstract: Wood grain simulating apparatus comprising a printing block having a plurality of contiguous curved surfaces (3,4,5) each with a pattern embossed thereon, adjacent surfaces meeting at outwardly pointing ridges (6,7).

Abstract: A flexible type segment formed of elastomeric material and in an initially flat condition, and adapted for mounting on the cylindrical surface of a printing roll that engages the surface of an object to be marked, and prints indicia thereon. The segment has an elongated base with generally flat, parallel top and bottom surfaces and a raised panel print face formed on the top surface. The print face defines indicia to be inked and thereafter to apply an ink imprint to the respective surface to be marked. A plurality of recesses are formed in the bottom surface of the base, the recesses extending into the material a major portion of the depth of the base. The recesses reduce the section of the base so that flexing of the segment when it is mounted on the roll and force variations between the print face and the surface to be marked produce a minimum of distortion of the print face.