US3869983A — Variable repeat-length web printing press

Claim 1

Independent Claim 276 words

A web printing press having means for controlling movement of web stock along a path and at least one printing station for printing an image on said web stock as it moves along said path, said printing station comprising a plurality of rolls for printing said image on said web stock including an ink image carrying roll and an impression roll paired with said image roll, said web stock passing between said image and impression rolls for having an image imprinted thereon, means for moving said impression roll toward and away from said image roll between a printing position in which the impression roll is in printing contact with the web stock between the image roll and the impression roll and a retracted position, and means for applying ink to said image roll, a drive for said press including a first means for driving said image roll and said inking means and a second means for driving said web control means, and coupling means engageable and disengageable for coupling and uncoupling said second drive means relative to said first drive means, said coupling means including means for bringing said second drive means up to the speed of and into phase with said first drive means and to positively lock said first drive means and said second drive means together when these drive means are in phase with one another, whereby said second drive means may be uncoupled from said first drive means and said impression roll moved out of printing contact with said web stock so that said inking means and said image roll may be operated independently of feeding web stock through the printing station.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 276 words

A web printing press having means for controlling movement of web stock along a path and at least one printing station for printing an image on said web stock as it moves along said path, said printing station comprising a plurality of rolls for printing said image on said web stock including an ink image carrying roll and an impression roll paired with said image roll, said web stock passing between said image and impression rolls for having an image imprinted thereon, means for moving said impression roll toward and away from said image roll between a printing position in which the impression roll is in printing contact with the web stock between the image roll and the impression roll and a retracted position, and means for applying ink to said image roll, a drive for said press including a first means for driving said image roll and said inking means and a second means for driving said web control means, and coupling means engageable and disengageable for coupling and uncoupling said second drive means relative to said first drive means, said coupling means including means for bringing said second drive means up to the speed of and into phase with said first drive means and to positively lock said first drive means and said second drive means together when these drive means are in phase with one another, whereby said second drive means may be uncoupled from said first drive means and said impression roll moved out of printing contact with said web stock so that said inking means and said image roll may be operated independently of feeding web stock through the printing station.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 276 words

A web printing press having means for controlling movement of web stock along a path and at least one printing station for printing an image on said web stock as it moves along said path, said printing station comprising a plurality of rolls for printing said image on said web stock including an ink image carrying roll and an impression roll paired with said image roll, said web stock passing between said image and impression rolls for having an image imprinted thereon, means for moving said impression roll toward and away from said image roll between a printing position in which the impression roll is in printing contact with the web stock between the image roll and the impression roll and a retracted position, and means for applying ink to said image roll, a drive for said press including a first means for driving said image roll and said inking means and a second means for driving said web control means, and coupling means engageable and disengageable for coupling and uncoupling said second drive means relative to said first drive means, said coupling means including means for bringing said second drive means up to the speed of and into phase with said first drive means and to positively lock said first drive means and said second drive means together when these drive means are in phase with one another, whereby said second drive means may be uncoupled from said first drive means and said impression roll moved out of printing contact with said web stock so that said inking means and said image roll may be operated independently of feeding web stock through the printing station.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 276 words

A web printing press having means for controlling movement of web stock along a path and at least one printing station for printing an image on said web stock as it moves along said path, said printing station comprising a plurality of rolls for printing said image on said web stock including an ink image carrying roll and an impression roll paired with said image roll, said web stock passing between said image and impression rolls for having an image imprinted thereon, means for moving said impression roll toward and away from said image roll between a printing position in which the impression roll is in printing contact with the web stock between the image roll and the impression roll and a retracted position, and means for applying ink to said image roll, a drive for said press including a first means for driving said image roll and said inking means and a second means for driving said web control means, and coupling means engageable and disengageable for coupling and uncoupling said second drive means relative to said first drive means, said coupling means including means for bringing said second drive means up to the speed of and into phase with said first drive means and to positively lock said first drive means and said second drive means together when these drive means are in phase with one another, whereby said second drive means may be uncoupled from said first drive means and said impression roll moved out of printing contact with said web stock so that said inking means and said image roll may be operated independently of feeding web stock through the printing station.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a roll on which a printing plate may be applied for forming an ink image when ink is applied thereto.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 90 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 2 wherein said inking means is adapted to apply ink to said plate roll and is movable between an operating position in which it is in contact with said plate on said plate roll for applying ink thereto and a retracted position clear of the plate roll, and further comprises means for moving said inking means between its operating and retracted positions, and control means for selectively controlling movement of said impression roll and said inking means independently of one another.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 3 which uses the lithographic or offset method of printing, wherein said printing plate comprises a lithographic plate and said inking means comprising means for applying ink and water to said plate.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 75 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for applying water and ink comprises a water fountain and an ink fountain, said fountains each being located adjacent said plate roll and each being movable relative thereto between their respective operating positions, in which said water and ink fountains respectively apply water and ink to said plate, and a retracted position, in which the fountains aRe clear of the plate roll.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 81 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 5 wherein said ink and water fountains are positioned on opposite sides of said plate roll, and said impression roll is positioned below said image roll, said water and ink fountains being movable generally horizontally toward and away from said plate roll for movement between their said operating and retracted positions, and said impression roll being movable generally vertically toward and away from said image roll between its imprinting and retracted positions.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 80 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 6 wherein said impression roll and inking-means control means is operable to effect movement of said water fountain, said ink fountain and said impression roll in sequence to first move said water fountain into its operating position with said plate roll, and then to move said inking means into its operating position relative to said plate roll, and then to move said impression roll into printing engagement with said image roll.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 49 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 7 wherein said image roll and inking-means control means further comprises power operated means for effecting movement of said water fountain, said ink fountain and said impression roll between their respective retracted positions and their said operating or imprinting positions.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 32 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 8 wherein said power operated means includes cam means for effecting movement of said water fountain, said ink fountain and said impression roll.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 85 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 9 wherein said cam means comprises a rotary cam, in camming relation with said water fountain, with ink fountain, and with said impression roll whereupon rotation of said cam in one direction effects movement of said water fountain from its retracted position to its operating position, and then effects movement of said inking fountain from its retracted to its operating position, and then effects movement of said impresison roll from its retracted to its imprinting position.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 78 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 10 wherein said power operated means further comprises a plurality of fluid operated cylinder and piston units operable in sequence to first effect movement of the water fountain from its retracted position to its operating position, to then effect movement of the ink fountain from its retracted position to its operating position, and then to effect movement of said impression roll from its retracted position to its imprinting position.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 71 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 11 wherein said power operated means further comprises a rack, and a gear in mesh with said rack, said gear being interconnected with said cam for effecting rotation of said cam in response to rotation of said gear, said rack being translated by said fluid piston units to effect sequential movement of said water fountain, said ink fountain, and said impression roll.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 53 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 7 wherein said impression roll and inking-means control means includes means for simultaneously adjusting the position of the water fountain and the ink fountain relative to the plate roll and for simultaneously adjusting the position of the impression roll relative to the image roll.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 90 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 13 wherein said impression roll and inking-means control means further comprises means for adjusting the position of the water fountain, the ink fountain, and the impression roll independently of one another to insure that the water and ink fountains, when in their respective operating positions, are in proper engagement with the plate roll and to insure that when the impression roll is in its printing position, it is in proper printing contact with the web stock to print an image thereupon.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 50 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 14 wherein said plate roll constitutes said image roll and said impression roll is adapted to be in printing contact with the web stock between said impression roll and said plate roll when the impression roll is in its printing position.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 50 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 6 wherein said plate roll constitutes said image roll and said impression roll is adapted to be in printing contact with said web stock between said plate roll and said impression roll when the impression roll is in its printing position.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 34 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 2 further comprising means at said printing station for removably mounting said plate roll thereby to permit ready installation and removal of the plate roll.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 86 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 17 wherein said plate roll comprises a cylindric body on which a printing plate may be mounted and a shaft coaxial with the cylindric axis of said cylindric body, said shaft extending endwise from the cylindric body, and wherein said means for removably mounting the plate roll comprises centerless bearing means adapted to rotatably support said plate roll and means for quickly connecting said shaft to and for quickly disconnecting said shaft from said first drive means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 65 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 18 wherein said centerless bearing means comprises a plurality of bearing members carried by the press, said bearing members being rotatable about an axis parallel to said cylindric axis of said cylindric body when the plate roll is installed in the press, the outer surfaces of said bearing members being in rolling contact with said shaft.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 59 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 19 wherein said means for removably mounting said plate roll further comprises a holding member movable between a locked position in which said plate roll is journalled by said centerless bearing means and an unlocked position in which said plate roll shaft may be removed from said centerless bearing means.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 22 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 20 wherein said holding member carries at least one of said bearing members.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 56 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 18 wherein said first drive means comprises a plate roll drive, an inking-means drive, and a gear train interconnecting said plate roll drive and said inking-means drive so that said plate roll is driven at a pre-selected speed relative to said inking means for applying ink thereto.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 62 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 22 wherein said inking means comprises an ink fountain having a plurality of rolls for applying ink to said plate roll, at least one of said inking rolls being driven by said inking-means drive, said plate roll being driven at a surface speed equal to the surface speed of said one inking roll.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 112 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 23 wherein said plate roll is interchangeable with plate rolls of different diameters thereby to vary the number of images arranged circumferentially around the plate roll which may be printed on said web stock upon each rovolution of the plate roll, and wherein said gear train includes an interchangeable gear for effecting a change in speed between the plate roll drive and the inking means drive so as to maintain the surface speed of said one ink roll and the surface speed of said plate roll equal upon replacing a plate roll of one diameter with a plate roll of a different diameter.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 78 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 22 wherein said second drive means comprises a second gear train having an interchangeable gear for changing the speed at which said second drive means is driven when a plate roll of one diameter is replaced with a plate roll of a different diameter so as to feed the web through the press at a speed equal to the surface speed of the plate mounted on said plate roll.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 90 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 22 wherein said press includes a plurality of printing stations in line with one another for printing images on said web stock as the web stock moves from one printing station to another, and wherein said plate roll drive comprisEs a drive unit at each printing station, each plate roll being connected to a respective plate roll drive unit for being rotated thereby, and a plate roll line shaft driven by said first drive means interconnecting said plate roll drive units.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 79 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 26 wherein said inking means includes an ink fountain and a water fountain at each printing station, each of said fountains comprising a plurality of rolls for applying ink and water, respectively, to said plate mounted on said plate roll, said inking means drive comprising a drive unit at each printing station for driving said ink and water fountains and an inking means line shaft interconnecting said inking drive units.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 58 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 27 wherein said ink and water fountains are each movable toward and away from said plate roll, said inking means drive further including a coupling interconnecting each said fountain to said inking means drive unit thereby to permit movement of said fountain toward and away from said plate roll.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 51 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 2 further comprising means at said printing station for adjusting the image imprinted on said web stock transversely relative to the edges of the web stock and means for adjusting the position of the image imprinted on the web stock longitudinally therealong.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 139 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 29 wherein said printing station includes a plate roll drive unit comprising a drive shaft interconnected to said plate roll, a first gear driven by said first drive means, a second gear in mesh with said first gear, said second gear being carried by said shaft and being rotatably adjustable relative thereto, said image longitudinal adjustment means including power operated means rotary with said plate roll drive shaft for effecting relative rotation of said second gear relative to said first gear thereby to vary the relative rotary positions between said first gear and said plate roll drive shaft so as to effect a change in relative rotation between the plate roll and the first drive means thereby to longitudinally vary the position of the image imprinted on said web stock.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 107 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 29 wherein said transverse position adjusting means comprises a plate roll drive shaft movable axially relative to said press, a thrust bearing having its inner race secured to said drive shaft and being rotary therewith, and power operated means in engagement with the outer race of said thrust bearing for applying an axial thrust load to said bearing thereby to effect transverse movement of said plate roll drive shaft and said plate roll relative to said web stock and to effect a change in transverse register of the image imprint relative to the edge of the web stock.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 105 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 31 wherein said plate roll includes a mounting shaft and said press includes means for quickly connecting said plate roll mounting shaft to and for quickly disconnecting said plate roll mounting shaft from said plate roll drive shaft comprising a member secured to said plate roll drive shaft including means for rotatably driving said plate roll and for enabling longitudinal adjustment of the image imprinted on the web, and means for transferring axial movement of said plate roll drive shaft to said mounting shaft thereby to permit transverse adjustment of the image printed on the web.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 106 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 32 wherein said mounting shaft has a pin extending radially outwardly therefrom and spherical bearing means, and wherein said member secured to said plate roll drive shaft has an enlarged bore for reception of one end of said mounting shaft, a slot for reception of said pin as said one end of the mounting shaft is inserted in said bore and a removable pin for reception in said spherical bearing means, said radial pin and said slot constituting said rotation transfer means and said spherical bearing means And said removable pin constituting said axial movement transfer means.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 195 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 1 wherein said coupling means for coupling and uncoupling said second drive means relative to said first drive means comprises an input shaft driven by said first drive means, an output shaft connected to said second drive means for driving the latter, a positive clutch engageable to lock said output shaft to said input shaft, means for engaging and disengaging said positive clutch, a starting clutch, means for coupling said starting clutch to said input shaft and to said output shaft so that with said positive clutch disengaged and with said starting clutch engaged said output shaft is driven at a speed different from the speed of the input shaft, and means for sensing a desired rotational position of the input shaft relative to the output shaft, this rotational position corresponding to said in-phase relation between said first and second drive means, said position sensing means generating a signal in response to sensing that the input and output shafts are in their desired rotational positions relative to one another, said signal effecting operation of said positive clutch engaging means so as to engage said positive clutch.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 157 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 34 wherein said positive clutch comprises a first member rotary with said input shaft, a second member rotary with said output shaft, one of said members mounting an index pin for movement axially relative to said shafts, and the other of said members having an index hole therein for reception of said index pin when said index pin and said index hole are in line with one another and when said first and second drive means are in-phase with one another, said means for engaging and disengaging said positive clutch moving said index pin between a disengaged position in which said index pin is clear of said index hole and the other member thereby to uncouple the output shaft from the input shaft and an engaged position in which the index pin is received by said index hole thereby positively to lock said output to said input shaft.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 29 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 35 wherein said means for moving said index pin is responsive to said signal generated by said position sensing means.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 56 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 36 wherein said means for moving said index pin includes a solenoid operated air cylinder unit interconnected to said index pin, said air cylinder unit being operable in response to generation of said signal to move said index pin from its disengaged position to its engaged position.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 93 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 37 wherein said one member mounting said index pin is said first member, and wherein said means for moving said index pin further comprises a transfer member slidable along said input shaft, said index pin being secured thereto and being axially movable with said transfer member relative to said first and second members, said transfer member being connected to said air cylinder wherein actuation of the air cylinder unit causes axial movement of the index pin between its disengaged position and its engaged position.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 109 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 34 wherein said sensing means comprises one pair of rotary members in close proximity to one another, one of said rotary members being driven at a speed corresponding to the speed of said input shaft and the other being at a speed corresponding to the speed of said output shaft, said rotary members carrying proximity sensing means which when in a predetermined position relative to one another corresponding to said predetermined rotational position between said input shaft and said output shaft generates said signal thereby to indicate that said first and second drive means are in phase with one another.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 63 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 39 wherein said proximity sensing means comprises a magnetically operated switch carried by one of tHe members and a magnet carried by the other of said rotary members, said magnet having a field of sufficient strength to actuate said switch when said magnet and switch are in said predetermined position relative to one another.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 83 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 39 wherein said sensing means further comprises other proximity sensing means, operable for establishing said in-phase relation between said first and second drive means within less than one-half of a revolution of said input shaft relative to said output shaft and for effecting engagement of said starting clutch, and said first-mentioned proximity sensing means being operable to generate said signal upon sensing said desired rotational position thereby to effect actuation of said positive clutch.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 82 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 41 wherein said sensing means comprises a second pair of rotary members carrying said other proximity sensing means, said second pair of rotary members being driven at a rotational speed substantially slower than said first pair of rotary members, one member of each pair being driven by said first drive means and another member being driven by said output shaft whereby the rotary members of each said pair rotate relative to one another.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 132 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of said printing stations in line with one another, and web pause means including said coupling means and means for automatically moving said impression roll between its printing position and its retracted position thereby to permit the web to pause and to permit the image roll and inking means to be operated for inspection of the images printed on the web or for cleaning or adjustment of the plate and the inking means and to again initiate movement of the web through the press for having images printed thereon, said web control means maintaining tension on the web when said web is paused thereby to rapidly bring the images being printed into register with said web control means.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 104 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 43 wherein said first drive means comprises a first drive shaft for driving said inking means and a second drive shaft for driving said plate roll, a gear train interconnecting said first drive shaft and said second drive shaft, said gear train including an interchangeable gear for varying the speed ratio between the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft when a plate roll of one diameter is exchanged for a plate roll of a different diameter thereby to insure that said inking means applies ink to said plate roll in a desired manner.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 73 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 1 having a plurality of said printing stations, wherein said web control means includes means for pacing the infeed of said web stock to the first of said printing stations and means for pacing the outfeed of web stock from the last of said printing stations, said infeed stock pacing means and said outfeed stock pacing means being driven by said second drive means.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 56 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 45 wherein said press further comprises means for performing auxiliary operations on the web, such as die cutting or punching, on said web stock after it has been imprinted, said auxiliary means being driven by said second drive means in phase with images imprinted on the web.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 27 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 45 wherein said printing press further comprises means for rewinding said web stock after it has been printed.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 80 words

A web printing press as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of said printing stations in line with one another along said path, each printing station being adapted to imprint a different image on said web stock, and a dryer on the outfeed side of each printing station adapted to at least partially dry said image imprinted thereon at its respective printing station prior to the image being imprinted at the next successive station along said line.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-03-10	1978-09-09	1979-03-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-03-10	1982-09-09	1983-03-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-03-10	1986-09-09	1987-03-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Variable repeat-length web printing press

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