Apparatus for automatically cleaning the blanket cylinder of an offset printer

Claim 2

Apparatus for automatically washing ink from a rotating blanket cylinder of an offset press which comprises: an elongated reservoir for ink solvent; said reservoir extending longitudinally of said cylinder; a rotatable scrub roller having a solvent absorbent surface; means for rotating said scrub roller; means for supporting said rotating scrub roller partially immersed in solvent in said reservoir; controlling means for selectively positioning said scrub roller supporting means so as to dispose said rotating scrub roller in and out of contact with said cylinder for selectively applying solvent to said rotating cylinder; an elongated wiper blade extending parallel to the surface of said cylinder; controlling means for selectively positioning said wiper blade in and out of engagement with said rotating cylinder; said controlling means operable in timed relationship with one another for respectively contacting said cylinder with said scrub roller and engaging said cylinder with said wiper blade; and vacuum header means adjacent said engaged wiper blade and cooperative therewith for removing ink laden solvent from the surface of said rotating cylinder.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scrub roller supporting means comprises: a non-rotatable shaft on which the scrub roller is rotatably mounted; a pair of spaced support frame assemblies respectively supporting the opposite ends of said shaft; and said frame assemblies pivoted for rotation about a common axis for moving the shaft and thus said scrub roller toward and awAy from said blanket cylinder.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said support frame assemblies respectively include first and second substantially planar frames, at least one of said first frames adapted to capture said scrub roller shaft against rotation, said first frame of each frame assembly being movable relative to said second frame thereof; and means for adjusting the position of said first frame of each frame assembly relative to said second frame thereof for adjusting the pressure between the engaged scrub roller and blanket cylinder.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scrub roller supporting means includes spaced scrub roller support frame assemblies pivoted for moving said scrub roller toward and away from said blanket cylinder, and said selective positioning means comprises: a rotatable control shaft extending substantially parallel to said scrub roller; a pair of spaced lever means secured to said control shaft, each of said lever means being disposed in engagement with a different one of said support frame assemblies for pivoting said assemblies in response to rotation of the control shaft; a crank arm secured to said control shaft; spool means rotatably mounted on said control shaft and having first and second radial arms extending therefrom; resilient means interconnecting said first arm and said crank arm; and means for selectively rotating said spool means about said control shaft so as to rotate said first arm and thus said interconnected crank arm for rotating said control shaft.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for rotating said spool means comprises a solenoid connected by means of a link to said second radial arm for selective rotation of said radial arm and thus said spool means.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scrub roller comprises: rotatably driven pulley means; a roller end disc keyed to said pulley means for rotation therewith; a cylindrical body member keyed to said end disc for rotation therewith; and an ink solvent absorbent surface covering said body member.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scrub roller supporting means includes spaced scrub roller support frame assemblies pivoted for moving said scrub roller toward and away from said blanket cylinder, and each of said support frame assemblies comprises: a guideway extending substantially radial to said scrub roller; a squeegee roller bearing movably mounted in said guideway; and means for adjustably positioning said bearing in said guideway.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 comprising a squeegee roller disposed in contact with said scrub roller and supported by said squeegee roller support bearings; and said bearing adjusting means of each support frame assembly includes adjusting screw means for moving said bearing so as to adjust the contact pressure between said squeegee roller and scrub roller.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wiper blade positioning means comprises: a U-shaped bracket having an elongated base and spaced parallel arms; said bracket pivotally mounted on said vacuum header means for rotation about an axis extending through said parallel arms; wiper blade clamping means on the base of said bracket for retaining said wiper blade parallel to the surface of said blanket cylinder; and means for selectively pivoting said bracket about its pivot axis from a first position wherein said wiper blade is withdrawn from contact with said blanket cylinder to a second position wherein said wiper blade is disposed in contact with said cylinder.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said selective pivoting means comprises: a solenoid having a plunger; and link means interconnecting the solenoid plunger and said bracket.

Claim 12

Apparatus for automatically washing a blanket cylinder of an offset press which comprises: an elongated solvent reservoir extending longitudinally of said cylinder; a pair of spaced support frame assemblies positioned adjacent the respective ends of said cylinder and pivoted for rotation about A common axis parallel to that of said cylinder; a non-rotatable shaft supported at its ends by said support frame assemblies; a scrub roller rotatably mounted on said non-rotatable shaft and having a solvent absorbing surface partially immersed in said reservoir; means for rotating said scrub roller on said non-rotatable shaft; a control shaft substantially parallel to said scrub roller; a pair of lever means secured to said control shaft, each in lifting engagement with a different one of said support frame assemblies; a crank arm secured to said control shaft; spool means rotatably mounted on said control shaft and having first and second radial arms extending therefrom; resilient means interconnecting said first arm and said crank arm; means for selectively rotating said spool means through an arc about said control shaft to pivot said support frame assemblies and advance said scrub roller into engagement with said blanket cylinder; an elongated wiper blade; means for selectively advancing said wiper blade from a first position withdrawn from said blanket cylinder to a second position in contact with said cylinder; and vacuum header means adjacent said wiper blade for removing solvent from the surface of said cylinder.

Claim 13

Apparatus for automatically washing a blanket cylinder of an offset press which comprises: an elongated solvent reservoir extending longitudinally of said cylinder; a pair of spaced support frame assemblies positioned adjacent the respective ends of said cylinder and pivoted for rotation about A common axis parallel to that of said cylinder; a non-rotatable shaft supported at its ends by said support frame assemblies; a scrub roller rotatably mounted on said non-rotatable shaft and having a solvent absorbing surface partially immersed in said reservoir; means for rotating said scrub roller on said non-rotatable shaft; a control shaft substantially parallel to said scrub roller; a pair of lever means secured to said control shaft, each in lifting engagement with a different one of said support frame assemblies; a crank arm secured to said control shaft; spool means rotatably mounted on said control shaft and having first and second radial arms extending therefrom; resilient means interconnecting said first arm and said crank arm; means for selectively rotating said spool means through an arc about said control shaft to pivot said support frame assemblies and advance said scrub roller into engagement with said blanket cylinder; an elongated wiper blade; means for selectively advancing said wiper blade from a first position withdrawn from said blanket cylinder to a second position in contact with said cylinder; and vacuum header means adjacent said wiper blade for removing solvent from the surface of said cylinder.