Contact Preventers Patents (Class 101/420)
  • Patent number: 11472657
    Abstract: In a drum-type paper sheet accumulation device that sequentially supplies paper sheets to an outer circumferential surface of a payout drum, accumulates the paper sheets by winding the paper sheets in a stacked state, and returns the paper sheets all at once, a technique is provided which can keep a linear velocity of a paper sheet located at an outermost circumference of the payout drum constant and can maintain an arranged state of the paper sheets without any particular speed control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: JAPAN CASH MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Izawa, Yuki Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11440305
    Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a protective product is provided that includes: at least one expandable slit paper sheet, said at least on expandable slit paper being expanded between opposing ends of said slit paper; a first embossed paper sheet facing said expanded slit paper sheet and a second paper sheet facing an opposite side of said at least one expanded slit paper sheet, at least one of said first embossed paper sheet and said second paper sheet being fixed to said expanded slit paper sheet at the opposing ends of said expanded slit paper sheet and thereby maintaining said expanded paper in its expanded state, said first embossed paper sheet having a plurality of embossings that increase the rigidity of said embossed paper sheet, whereby inhibiting deformation of said embossed paper sheet that is fixed to said expanded slit sheet paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: David Paul Goodrich
  • Patent number: 10549474
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a process by which printed rolls of substrate material web have additional material layers interleaved between the rolled material web layers to substantially eliminate back transfer or roll offset of printed images on the back sides of the rolled material substrates. In a process for pre-printing thermoforming grade plastic materials to produce rolls of substrate material for use in a thermoforming process, ink compositions, particularly adapted for the thermoforming process, are deposited on substantially continuous webs of substrate material. The webs of substrate material are then re-rolled with separate layers of low surface energy substrate material interleaved between the layers of the printed substrate material in order to substantially eliminate imaging defects produced by back transfer of printed images on to the backs of layers of the printed substrate material stored in rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Robert Moore, Alexander J. Fioravanti, Xin Yang
  • Patent number: 10294058
    Abstract: A roller which has woven fabric at a surface thereof and which is employed in an apparatus permitting achievement of conservation of resources, conservation of energy. Roller 1 provided with covering 3 includes woven fabric at its surface is idler means or drive means for conveying, supply, of an object, means for air cooling or drying a moving object, rotating means making use of suction of an object, or is for cleaning a contact surface to which roller 1 is opposed, and has at the surface woven fabric 2 with variation or combination of weave pattern(s). The woven fabric 2 includes weaving in a linear pattern of bands or different patterns. It also has open holes including lattice-like gaps 8 or a rectangular pattern 6 for control of air permeability formed from weft yarn 25 and warp yarn 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: SANWA TECHNO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Susumu Shoji, Kazuro Fukui
  • Patent number: 10138078
    Abstract: A de-stacking device for layer de-stacking stacking layers from standard transport pallets which include a multi-layer stack of stacking layers arranged on top of each other, wherein an optional bending stiff spacer is arranged under each of the stacking layers, wherein the stacking layers are formed by a plurality of stable standing transport goods that are stackable and arranged adjacent to each other, the de-stacking device including a placement and separation table for a respective stacking layer that is removed from the stack of the transport pallet and includes or does not include the optional spacer; a transfer device for transferring the respective stacking layer that includes or does not include the optional spacer from the stack of the transport pallet onto the placement and separation table, wherein the placement and separation table includes a fixation device for the optional spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: MartinMechanic Friedrich Martin GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Claus Martin
  • Patent number: 9926739
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a light-directing system, comprising a textile sheet material, which can be positioned in a light incidence region in front of a space and has a weft-thread layer composed of a plurality of weft threads, wherein the weft threads are extended substantially linearly and bound mesh openings of the sheet material. According to this disclosure, some or all weft threads have a non-circular thread cross-section bounded by a plurality of individual side parts and are arranged parallel to each other, the orientation of the side parts of the weft threads being uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ettlin Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Frauke Susanne Hänsch
  • Patent number: 9637315
    Abstract: Conveying apparatus comprising: (1) a conveyor belt comprising a load bearing belt having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the belt having a plurality of channels therethrough, (2) mounting material on the exterior surface of the belt, and (3) a resilient engagement covering. Also a method of using the apparatus in conjunction with means for applying a negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bradley J. Johanson, Kevin B. Newhouse
  • Patent number: 8757061
    Abstract: A method for applying powder to a printed sheet includes ejecting air flows from a nozzle bar. The air flows are set in such a way that the air flows which are ejected per meter length of the nozzle bar produce a resultant force acting on the printed sheet of from 0.5 newtons to 16 newtons. A printing press for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Reiner Goetz, Claudius Haas, Reiner Haas, Marius Stelter
  • Patent number: 8714085
    Abstract: A surface, especially a galvanically molded transport cylinder sleeve, has a surface structure for contacting printing material, in particular sheets of paper. The surface structure includes first structural elevations spaced apart from each other by a minimum distance A1 and having a height B1 and second structural elevations spaced apart from each other by a minimum distance A2 and having a height B2 with B2<B1. A ratio between the distances A1 and A2 ranges between 10:1 and 1:1. The surface has support areas for supporting the printing material. The printing material is prevented from contacting a planar horizontal surface between the support areas of first, higher structural elevations due to second, lower structural elevations with support areas thereof that are formed between the first, higher structural elevations. A machine for processing printing material and a method for producing areas with a surface structure, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Kolbe, Frank Schaum, Harrie G. Knol
  • Patent number: 8677899
    Abstract: In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises a flexible jacket having a first surface and a second surface, each surface having projections projecting from the surface. When the flexible jacket is installed over the transfer cylinder with the second surface positioned facing towards the transfer cylinder the first surface is positioned to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder, and when the flexible jacket is installed over the transfer cylinder with the first surface positioned facing towards the transfer cylinder the second surface is positioned to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder. The anti-marking device is removably attached to the transfer cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Printing Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. DeMoore, Joey V. Le
  • Publication number: 20120192739
    Abstract: In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises a flexible jacket having a first surface and a second surface, each surface having projections projecting from the surface. When the flexible jacket is installed over the transfer cylinder with the second surface positioned facing towards the transfer cylinder the first surface is positioned to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder, and when the flexible jacket is installed over the transfer cylinder with the first surface positioned facing towards the transfer cylinder the second surface is positioned to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder. The anti-marking device is removably attached to the transfer cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: PRINTING RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Howard W. DeMoore, Joey V. Le
  • Patent number: 7942096
    Abstract: A method of controlling a powder sprayer having a fan jet nozzle configuration in a printing press, includes controlling the fan jet nozzle configuration as a function of operating parameters of the printing press. A printing press having a powder sprayer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
    Inventors: Peter Theobald Blaser, Claudius Haas, Marius Stelter
  • Publication number: 20100307357
    Abstract: In a printing press, a transfer cylinder assembly for transferring a freshly printed substrate is provided. The transfer cylinder assembly comprises a transfer cylinder, a first attachment structure comprising a plurality of loops coupled to the transfer cylinder, and an anti-marking device. The anti-marking device comprises a second attachment structure comprising a plurality of hooks and a flexible jacket to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder assembly. The second attachment structure is at least semi-permanently coupled to the flexible jacket, and the anti-marking device is removably attached over the transfer cylinder by coupling the second attachment structure with the first attachment structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: PRINTING RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventor: Howard W. DeMoore
  • Publication number: 20100154667
    Abstract: In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises an assembly of at least two flexible jackets, the assembly removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder, wherein an outermost flexible jacket supports the freshly printed substrate as it passes over the transfer cylinder and wherein the outermost flexible jacket is removable from the assembly while the assembly remains attached to the transfer cylinder. In an embodiment, a base cover is attached to the transfer cylinder, and the assembly is removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder over the base cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: PRINTING RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Howard W. DeMoore, Joey V. Le
  • Patent number: 7631599
    Abstract: A sheet guide apparatus includes a transfer cylinder, first vane members, and a lateral air blowing guide. The transfer cylinder conveys a sheet. The first vane members are arranged at at least one end of the transfer cylinder and rotate together with the transfer cylinder to discharge air in a radial direction. The lateral air blowing guide is arranged close to the transfer cylinder and discharges air from the first vane members toward the sheet which is conveyed as the transfer cylinder rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: You Shimizu, Koichi Ohrui
  • Patent number: 7464929
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying or guiding a printing material sheet on an air cushion between a nozzle surface and the printing material sheet. The apparatus has first nozzle pairs which are arranged in a first row and second nozzle pairs which are arranged in a second row for generating the air cushion. The first nozzle pairs and the second nozzle pairs in each case have a blower nozzle and a suction nozzle, which are paired in such a way that one and the same air flow is blown out by the respective blower nozzle and is aspirated, at least predominantly, by the suction nozzle that is paired with the blower nozzle. The suction nozzles of the first nozzle pairs are arranged in such a way between the blower nozzles of the second nozzle pairs and the suction nozzles of the second nozzle pairs such that the air flows of the second nozzle pairs flow past the suction nozzles of the first nozzle pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Peter Hachmann
  • Publication number: 20070227381
    Abstract: A method for applying powder to a printed sheet includes ejecting air flows from a nozzle bar. The air flows are set in such a way that the air flows which are ejected per meter length of the nozzle bar produce a resultant force acting on the printed sheet of from 0.5 newtons to 16 newtons. A printing press for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Reiner Gotz, Claudius Haas, Reiner Haas, Marius Stelter
  • Patent number: 6936111
    Abstract: During a washing cycle of a rubber blanket on a blanket cylinder some revolutions of the blanket cylinder are initially performed during which the cleaning element is lifted off the blanket cylinder temporarily when the clamping channel passes under the cleaning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Günther Koppelkamm, Klaus Töpfer
  • Patent number: 6890112
    Abstract: There is disclosed a linerless label web roll wherein the label web has a patterned coating of pressure sensitive adhesive on its underside between marginal side edges and at marginal side edges of the label web. The adhesive is provided in longitudinally extending laterally spaced stripes of adhesive with intervening adhesive-free zones. The label web can be supported and/or guided by support or guide elements which contact the adhesive-free zones in a suitable utilization device such as a printer or label applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Paxar Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: James Richard Kline
  • Patent number: 6823782
    Abstract: A stencil printing machine 1 is provided as including a downstream rotary printing drum 50 with an outer circumferential periphery 50a mounted with a stencil sheet 20, and a rotary press roller 56 which is moveable between a pressurized position to press an outer circumferential periphery 50a of the printing drum 50 and a separated position displaced from the outer circumferential periphery 50a of the printing drum 50, wherein a print sheet 45, which is fed, is pressed and transferred between the printing drum 50 and the press roller 56 which rotate together, and, during such a pressurized transfer stage, ink is transferred to the print sheet 45 to perform printing operation. The outer circumferential periphery of the press roller 56 is formed with micro-convexities and concavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohide Hashimoto, Yosuke Ike, Mitsuru Takeno
  • Patent number: 6805050
    Abstract: A printing unit for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes a feeding cylinder for loading the printing unit with the printing materials in a processing direction, and a device for removing particles adhering to the surface of the printing materials, the particle-removing device further including a blowing device for separating the particles from the printing materials without contact, and a suction device for discharging the separated particles, both the blowing device and the suction device being formed by blowing and suction chambers arranged within the feeding cylinder and having a fluidic connection to surroundings of a jacket surface of the feeding cylinder; a machine including the printing unit; and a feeding drum or cylinder of the printing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Markus Möhringer
  • Patent number: 6766738
    Abstract: A cylinder jacket profile for impression cylinders or sheet transfer cylinders has uniformly distributed elevations with an easy-clean layer as a surface coating. The easy-clean layer has a thickness of less than 5 &mgr;m, in particular 1 &mgr;m, and a surface energy of less than 50 mN/m. The cylinder jacket profile has an improved cleaning behavior. A method of producing an easy-clean layer on a cylinder jacket profile is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Drukmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Monika Blümm, Jörg Oliver Kain, Marina Kraft
  • Patent number: 6701841
    Abstract: A sheet discharge unit has a transfer passage 3 for transferring a sheet of printed paper 2 toward a sheet receiving tray 20, and a pair of left and right jump wings 11, 11 located at both sides of the transfer passage 3 and moveable between a guide position in which the jump wings protrude upward from a bottom wall of the transfer passage and await position in which the jump wings are retracted below the bottom wall. In one embodiment, each of the jump wings 11, 11 comprises divided wing components laterally spaced in a direction S perpendicular to a sheet transfer direction T. In an alternative embodiment, each of the jump wings comprises a unitary body having a plurality of convex segments and a plurality of concave recesses which are alternately located in the direction S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Tsurumaki
  • Patent number: 6662722
    Abstract: A machine for processing sheets, in particular a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, includes a transporting cylinder for transporting the sheets and having air nozzles disposed offset in relation to one another in a direction other than an axis-parallel direction of the transporting cylinder, and having a directing configuration for directing the sheets and having air nozzles, the configuration being assigned to the transporting cylinder. The machine is distinguished in that the air nozzles include throttled air nozzles and unthrottled air nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Eckart Frankenberger, Michael Gieser, Christian Gorbing, Peter Hachmann, Karl-Heinz Helmstädter, Christian Hieb, Ruben Schmitt, Günter Stephan
  • Patent number: 6598874
    Abstract: A method of retaining a sheet on at least one of a transfer cylinder and a guide surface of a sheet-guiding device in a sheet-processing machine by pneumatically activatable nozzles for producing an air cushion beneath the respective sheet, which comprises producing an air cushion by an air-pressure distribution resulting in air flows beneath the respective sheet, the air-pressure distribution being based virtually only on radially decelerated air flow, and being capable of retaining the respective sheet in position; and a retaining device for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Peter Hachmann, Uwe Tessmann
  • Patent number: 6595134
    Abstract: Device to produce electronic circuits of the type comprising at least a base support (12) on which electrically conductive material is deposited able to embody the conductor tracks, said device comprising at least a printing station (13) able to deposit said electrically conductive material on said base support (12), a drying oven (14) and first feed means (35, 60) to feed each base support (12) from said printing station (13) to said drying oven (14), stacking means (52) being provided to stack the base supports (12) one on top of the other so that said base supports (12) can be introduced in vertical piles into said drying oven (14), spacer means (18, 20) being provided to keep said base supports (12) separate from each other when stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Baccini Gisulfo
  • Patent number: 6557472
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for guiding a print carrier upon feeding the print carrier to and guiding the print carrier away from a form cylinder of a rotary printing machine. Guide elements for the print carrier are disposed axially parallel to the form cylinder. The guide elements are disposed in two groups. One group serves to pull the print carrier into the printing unit, while the other group assists in the removal of the print carrier from the printing unit of the rotary printing machine. The guide elements assisting the feeding-in and exchanging of the print carrier are protected against contact with the print carrier by throw-on elements during exchange of a print carrier. A printing unit in a rotary printing machine having the apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Detmers, Rene Güldenberg, Arno Jünger, Jürgen Kreutzkämper, Sven Mader, Christian Meier
  • Patent number: 6530322
    Abstract: A suction transport device capable of reducing manufacturing cost due to reduction of the number of suction mechanisms by which one of photopolymer plates accommodated in a magazine is taken out is attained. Also separability when the printing plate is taken out is improved, thus improving reliability of the suction transport device. Since, among suckers and suction fans, those located at positions corresponding to the widthwise direction ends of the printing plates are movable in the widthwise direction, and separating plates are movable in the same direction. When one of the printing plates of a different size is to be taken out, the leading end corner portions of the printing plate can always be curved at a fixed curvature, and separability is improved. Further, there is no need to increase the number of suckers thus decreasing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Ono, Takashi Koizumi, Yoshinori Kawamura, Kazuhisa Tazaki
  • Patent number: 6477951
    Abstract: A sheet-fed press includes a first press cylinder and a second press cylinder. A first air supply chamber and a first air vent is located in the upstream segment of the flow of a sheet. A second air supply chamber and second air vent is located in the downstream segment of the flow of the sheet. Air from the second air supply chamber is blown through the second air vent in the direction that the second cylinder is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6382100
    Abstract: A roller assembly positioned downstream of a printing station in a web-fed rotary printing press for pneumatically guiding a web of paper after it has been printed upon, without the risk of smearing the printings. The assembly includes a roller in the form of a hollow cylinder defining a plenum chamber therein and having formed in its surface a multiplicity of air outlet openings in communication with the plenum chamber. Air supplied under pressure to the chamber is therefore expelled from the air outlet openings in order to avoid contact with the roller the web traveling over the rollera baffle encloses at least part of the circumferential part of the roller surface for confining the air being expelled from said at least part of the other circumferential part of the roller surface and for redirecting the confined air into a pair of spaces, spaced, between the web and the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masayoshi Satoh, Yosuke Nobuta
  • Patent number: 6378434
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating handling of sheets in a sheet-fed printing press comprising a matte that is mountable on a cylinder. The matte has at least one inflatable pocket for cushioning sheets of printable material as they are passed between two cylinders of the press. At least one valve communicates with the inflatable pocket and controls the quantity of fluid in the inflatable pocket. A number of inflatable pockets can be utilized to provide increased control over various sheet sizes. Further control may be obtained by including a number of valves to independently operate each of the inflatable pockets. Ease of installation and removal is accomplished by incorporated mounting holes along the long axis of the matte. Alternatively, the matte may be arranged on the cylinder by adhesively bonding (tape or glue) the matte to the surface of the cylinder or by arranging the matte on the cylinder with Velcro fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Baldwin GraphicSystem, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Gasparrini, Edward E. Marganski, Richard P. Rubin, Robert L. Ruch
  • Patent number: 6269743
    Abstract: A vacuum assisted sheet transfer assembly has an array of support bars which support the unprinted side of a freshly printed sheet along a sheet transfer path. The support bars overlie the airflow inlet of a manifold housing, with the longitudinal axis of each support bar extending across the sheet transfer path. The support bars provide smooth surfaces for engaging and supporting the unprinted side of the sheet material as it is pulled along the transfer path while simultaneously limiting the flow of inlet air through elongated inlet apertures. As air is drawn through the inlet apertures, the unprinted side of the sheet is sucked into engagement with the support bars as it moves along the sheet transfer path. The sheet transfer assembly eliminates the need for conventional skeleton wheels and the like. Marking, smearing and smudging are prevented since the printed side of the sheet is not handled or contacted in any way as the sheet is conveyed along the sheet transfer path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventors: Howard W. DeMoore, Howard C. Secor
  • Patent number: 6238114
    Abstract: A print media handling system for an imaging apparatus having a media feed path includes a pair of media support members, each have a first wall defining a media contact surface and a support portion defining a media support surface. The pair of media support members are pivotally mounted to the imaging apparatus for symmetrical operation with respect to a centerline of the media feed path. The pair of media support members define a media bin for receiving printed media. The print media handling system further includes a drive system for operating the pair of media support members between a first position wherein the media support surface of the pair of support members carries a printed media sheet and a second position wherein the printed media sheet is released to fall into the media bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Dan Bennett, III, Michael Craig Leemhuis, David Kyle Murray
  • Patent number: 6138565
    Abstract: A guide blade for guiding sheets in a printing machine in in-line or perfecting mode processes employing trailing edge turning, the guide blade has a front edge and an end piece, and air nozzels located in a flow surface extending from the front edge along the end piece. The air nozzels are connected to a source of pressurized gas, and direct pressurized gas in the direction of travel of the sheets. A plurality of parallel, spaced-apart, guiding fins project downwardly from the flow surface. The guiding fins have downstream ends which are spaced further away from the flow surface than the upstream ends thereof. The sheet, along with the guiding fins and the flow surface, create a diverging flow channel below the end piece of the guide blade, inducing a partial vacuum in the flow channel, which maintains the sheet in contact with said guide blade. The guide fins include air nozzels and the angle between the guiding fins and the flow surface can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AG
    Inventors: Michael Koch, Gunter Lucius
  • Patent number: 6125754
    Abstract: The present invention is a channeled roller, used in association with flexible webs, which is provided with a pressurized gas flow, and which may be used to remove web wrinkles, clean webs and rollers, brake rollers, and heat, cool, moisturize, and dry webs. In operation, gas flow travels through the roller channels and applies non-contact forces to the web, thereby removing wrinkles and providing other types of beneficial web treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: J. C. Harris
  • Patent number: 6073556
    Abstract: A transfer cylinder for supporting freshly printed sheet material between printing units or at the delivery unit of a printing press is provided with an ink repellent, flexible jacket covering for supporting and transporting the sheet material without transfer of wet ink from one sheet to a successive sheet and without smearing the ink or causing indentations on the surface of the sheet material. The circumferential support surface of the transfer cylinder is covered with a conductive, fluoropolymer layer secured to the surface of the transfer cylinder beneath the protective, wash-free disposable flexible jacket covering. The low friction properties of the conductive base covering permit free movement of the ink repellent, flexible jacket covering relative to the transfer cylinder surface. Electrostatic charges delivered to the flexible jacket covering by the printed sheet material are drawn away from the flexible jacket covering and are discharged into the transfer cylinder by the conductive base covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Howard W. DeMoore
    Inventors: Howard Warren DeMoore, John Andrew Branson
  • Patent number: 5979318
    Abstract: A method for smear-free guidance of a printed sheet on a given sheet-guiding cylinder of a printing press includes taking over a leading edge of the sheet by a gripper device of the given sheet-guiding cylinder from a preceding or up-line sheet-guiding cylinder and, after the take-over of the leading edge of the sheet by the gripper device, fixing a first section of the underside of the sheet to the circumferential surface of the preceding or up-line sheet-guiding cylinder in a manner that the sheet, which has been pushed onwardly by the preceding or up-line sheet-guiding cylinder, is kept spaced from the circumferential surface of the given sheet-guiding cylinder, and the circumferential surface of the given sheet-guiding cylinder is located, as viewed in radial direction, within a circular path described by the gripper device during the rotation of the given cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Helmstadter
  • Patent number: 5927204
    Abstract: A device for rolling up a printed sheet while protecting the printing indicia on the sheet, which comprises a plurality of plate means which define a roll-forming space, first means defining a first transport path for transferring the printed sheet to the roll-forming space to be rolled up therein, second means defining a second transport path for transferring a cover sheet to the roll-forming space to be rolled up therein in juxtaposition to the printed sheet whereby the printed sheet is rolled up together with the cover sheet in the roll-forming space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Martinus J.M. Waaijer
  • Patent number: 5927198
    Abstract: A sheet-fed offset printing press with a convertible press mechanism includes a convertible cylinder, an impression cylinder, converting grippers and suckers, and grooves. The convertible cylinder conveys a paper sheet downstream with respect to a paper convey direction in a converted state. The impression cylinder is in contact with the convertible cylinder on an upstream side with respect to the paper convey direction, and conveys the paper sheet to the convertible cylinder. The converting grippers and suckers are provided to the convertible cylinder and separate the paper sheet wound on a circumferential surface of the impression cylinder and convert the separated paper sheet. The grooves are formed in an outermost circumferential surface of the impression cylinder including a circumferential surface of the impression cylinder. The outermost circumferential surface of the impression cylinder comes into direct contact with the paper sheet which is conveyed to the convertible cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuo Tada
  • Patent number: 5913268
    Abstract: A roller assembly is provided with openings in its outer surface for selective communication with a source of vacuum or a positive pressure. The openings may be angled along the roller rotational axis to impart a component of velocity to the paper perpendicular to the tangential roller surface velocity. Additionally, by selectively connecting the openings with sources of pressure and vacuum, enhanced paper alignment is achieved, multiple paper feeds eliminated, transitions between different velocities of rollers completed, or paper reverted so that printing can be achieved on first and second sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Warren B. Jackson, David K. Biegelsen, Lars-Erik Swartz
  • Patent number: 5890430
    Abstract: An impression cylinder of a sheet-fed offset printing machine for first form and perfector printing has a multiple diameter and includes a dressing disposed on an outer cylindrical surface thereof for carrying a sheet on a previously printed side thereof, the dressing including a foil having a textured surface for supporting the sheet and having a construction for adjusting to and compensating for inequalities of the impression cylinder, the foil being replaceably fastened on the outer cylindrical surface at least at a sheet carrying region thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Arno Wirz
  • Patent number: 5842412
    Abstract: An anti-marking covering for use on a printing press transfer cylinder to prevent ink marking of printed sheets is made of a material having a high axial air permeability through the material parallel to its surface and a substantially uniform surface structure free of raised areas. A preferred material is 100% rayon hydroentangled nonwoven fabric subjected to comb-roll microcreped compressive forming of microcreped areas closely spaced about 1/16 inch apart. The preferred fabric has an axial air permeability of about 0.279 cfm. When the material is wrapped tightly onto a press cylinder, the high axial air permeability allows an air layer to be maintained under the printed sheets, and the uniform surface structure is free of high points that might protrude through the air layer and contact the printed sheets. Other fabrics and materials suitable for the anti-marking covering include woven and knitted fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and open-celled foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: BBA Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.
    Inventors: John Michael Greenway, Thomas Higgins, Robert A. Chiricosta, Deborah L. Elsea
  • Patent number: 5836247
    Abstract: A contact-free sheet guidance device in a sheet-fed printing press, having a sheet guiding surface, includes at least one blast air nozzle formed in the sheet guiding surface and having a cross section directed obliquely downwardly with respect to the sheet guiding surface, the sheet guiding surface being formed with an opening for an air outlet directed substantially vertically at a sheet being fed in the sheet travel direction, the air outlet opening being disposed upstream of the blast air nozzle in the sheet travel direction and being smaller in cross section than the cross section of the blast air nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Gunter Stephan, Peter Thoma
  • Patent number: 5829354
    Abstract: A film and method for attachment of the film to the surface of a transfer cylinder of an ink printing press. A film base sheet coated with micro-particles of aluminum oxide is releaseably attachable to the outer surface of the cylinder by appropriate adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Russell Lewis Chilton Hill
    Inventor: Larry A. Buckley
  • Patent number: 5787810
    Abstract: A sheet-guiding system for a printing press, the sheet-guiding system being disposed in the vicinity of a transfer drum located between two sheet-guiding cylinders, respectively, disposed upstream and downstream of the transfer drum, as viewed in a sheet travel direction, the transfer drum being provided with rows of grippers movable along a travel path and having at least nearly closed surfaces between the rows of grippers, including an air guide element disposed above the transfer drum at a slight spacing from the travel path of the gripper rows, the air guide element defining an air chamber at the top thereof, the air chamber extending from the upstream to the downstream sheet-guiding cylinder, and a blower device for applying air to the air chamber in a direction towards the downstream sheet-guiding cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Gunter Stephan
  • Patent number: 5626075
    Abstract: Sheet guiding cylinder of a printing press includes a cylinder casing rotatable about an axis of rotation, and having an outer cylindrical surface defining a skeletal framework; the skeletal framework being formed by guide vanes extending in longitudinal direction of the sheet guiding cylinder and having a curved guide vane profile disposed in planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the guide vanes beginning from respective locations radially inward from the outer cylindrical surface and terminating substantially radially in an imaginary cylindrical envelope surface enveloping the outer cylindrical surface and being symmetrical with the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Detmers, Joachim Herrmann
  • Patent number: 5617791
    Abstract: Sheet-guiding drum of a sheet-fed rotary printing press having a drum shaft with support flanges mounted thereon for supporting paper carrier rods, respectively, having a longitudinal axis extending transversely to sheet travel direction on the drum, includes at least one additional support formed as a segment-shaped member and mounted on the drum shaft between a respective pair of the support flanges in a sheet-guiding region of the drum, said segment-shaped member having snap holders disposed at spaced intervals on the circumference thereof, said snap holders being formed of radially projecting, elastically deformable retaining lugs surrounding in pairs, over more than 180.degree., a holder bar of a paper carrier rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Jurgen Furbass
  • Patent number: 5599013
    Abstract: A printing machine has side frames and a printing machine drive. A paper sheet guiding cylinder is mounted in the side frames of the printing machine, is drivingly connected to the printing machine drive and has an axis. The paper sheet guiding cylinder includes a cylindrical casing and side walls with through holes formed therein. The paper sheet guiding cylinder has a rotatably mounted radial ventilator being coaxial with the axis of the paper sheet guiding cylinder for supplying blowing air into the paper sheet guiding cylinder and for deflecting the blowing air inside the paper sheet guiding cylinder towards the cylindrical casing. The radial ventilator has end surfaces communicating with the ambient air through the holes and ventilator blades being disposed concentrically about the axis of the paper sheet guiding cylinder and extending along the paper sheet guiding cylinder. A drive for the paper sheet guiding cylinder has adjustable speed and is independent of the paper sheet guiding cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Detmers, Karl-Heinz Filsinger
  • Patent number: 5579691
    Abstract: A sheet transfer drum of a multi-color sheet-fed rotary printing press. A central drum body with flat portions carries at least one gripper system which extends over the sheet width. Jacket segments are mounted on the flat portions of the drum body. The jacket segments are exchangeably attached and they are formed with an inflatable interior. When they are deflated, the jacket segments fold into the flat portions of the drum body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Michael Voge
  • Patent number: 5564692
    Abstract: Device for smear-free transport of sheets having fresh printing ink thereon on a revolvingly driven cylinder in a sheet-fed printing press includes air outlet openings for pressurized air provided on the circumference of the revolvingly driven cylinder in a sheet-bearing region thereof for bearing the sheet to be transported, and a fixed covering for closing the air outlet openings on the inside of the revolvingly driven cylinder prior to a takeover of the sheet to be transported by the revolvingly driven cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Kurt Lotsch, Bernd Ruf