US3885494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Print machine and method
Assignee: Saueressig GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1973-03-29
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A print machine for multicolor operation utilizes a multiplicity of pairs of print rolls and press rolls rotatably supported on the machine frame and a vertical gate member pivotally mounted on the frame and supporting a multiplicity of inking units for supplying ink to the surface of the print rolls. The print rolls have their axes lying in a common vertical plane and the press rolls have their axes lying in a common vertical plane. The print rolls desirably have measuring indicia spaced about the circumference thereof and the machine includes means for sighting upon the measuring indicia to effect rotation of the several rolls to compensate for differences between the centerto-center spacing of the rolls and the circumference of the rolls so as to ensure precise alignment. In one embodiment of the machine, there is included path deflecting means which produces movement of the web horizontally of the machine between adjacent pairs of print and press rolls. This deflecting means desirably includes a porous roll about which the web travels and is spaced therefrom by means of compressed air or other gaseous medium expelled therethrough. The deflecting means may include other drying means to facilitate removal of solvent. The machine may include means for driving the ink rolls and means for driving the web independently of the rotation of the print and press rolls. It may include a backup roll for the press roll and means for lowering the ink troughs upon the ink gate.
Inventors
- 👤 Johann Heinrich Saueressig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:44
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F9/00; B41F9/02; B41F9/023; B41F9/026; B41F13/00; B41F13/02; B41F13/025; B41F13/06; B41F31/00; B41F31/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
A print machine for the continuous printing of a continuous web traveling therethrough comprising: a. a machine frame; b. a vertical gate member pivotally mounted at least on one side thereof on said frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis at said pivoted side from a closed position to an open position wherein the side opposite the pivotal axis is spaced away from said frame; c. a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating print and press rolls rotatably supported on said frame in vertically spaced alignment, the print roll of each pair being disposed outwardly adjacent said gate member and having a circumferential pattern of a multiplicity of measuring indicia about its circumference adjacent an end thereof dividing the circumference into a multiplicity of measuring units, said print rolls having their axes lying in a common vertical plane and said press rolls having their axes lying in a parallel vertical plane; d. a multiplicity of inking units supported on said gate member in vertically spaced alignment and each cooperating with one of said print rolls for applying a coating of ink to the circumferential surface of an associated print roll as it rotates during operation of the machine, each inking unit including an ink trough, an inking roll and means for moving said ink trough relative to said print rolls; e. a plurality of path deflecting means on said machine frame each including a support member on said frame spaced inwardly of said press rolls relative to said gate member whereby the web issuing from the nip of one pair of rolls is directed inwardly of the machine about said support member and thence outwardly into the nip of the next adjacent pair of rolls along the path of web travel; f. a plurality of pitch adjustment means each including an alignment element cooperating with the said measuring indicia of one of said print rolls and means for independently rotating each of a plurality of the print rolls to effect registry of a preselected measuring indicium with said alignment element; g. drive means for rotating said print and press rolls; and h. an auxiliary drive roll for the web and means for driving said auxiliary drive roll.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
367 words
A print machine for the continuous printing of a continuous web traveling therethrough comprising: a. a machine frame; b. a vertical gate member pivotally mounted at least on one side thereof on said frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis at said pivoted side from a closed position to an open position wherein the side opposite the pivotal axis is spaced away from said frame; c. a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating print and press rolls rotatably supported on said frame in vertically spaced alignment, the print roll of each pair being disposed outwardly adjacent said gate member and having a circumferential pattern of a multiplicity of measuring indicia about its circumference adjacent an end thereof dividing the circumference into a multiplicity of measuring units, said print rolls having their axes lying in a common vertical plane and said press rolls having their axes lying in a parallel vertical plane; d. a multiplicity of inking units supported on said gate member in vertically spaced alignment and each cooperating with one of said print rolls for applying a coating of ink to the circumferential surface of an associated print roll as it rotates during operation of the machine, each inking unit including an ink trough, an inking roll and means for moving said ink trough relative to said print rolls; e. a plurality of path deflecting means on said machine frame each including a support member on said frame spaced inwardly of said press rolls relative to said gate member whereby the web issuing from the nip of one pair of rolls is directed inwardly of the machine about said support member and thence outwardly into the nip of the next adjacent pair of rolls along the path of web travel; f. a plurality of pitch adjustment means each including an alignment element cooperating with the said measuring indicia of one of said print rolls and means for independently rotating each of a plurality of the print rolls to effect registry of a preselected measuring indicium with said alignment element; g. drive means for rotating said print and press rolls; and h. an auxiliary drive roll for the web and means for driving said auxiliary drive roll.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The print machine of claim 1 wherein there is included drive means on said gate member and a gear mechanism interconnecting said drive means and said ink rolls to effect rotation thereof independently of the position of said gate member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The print machine of claim 2 wherein there is provided gear means interconnecting said ink rolls and said print rolls to provide controlled relative rotation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The print machine of claim 1 wherein said means foR moving said ink troughs includes slide means on said gate member, support elements on said troughs slidably seated in said slide means, and pneumatic means for slidably moving said trough support elements vertically in said slide means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The print machine of claim 1 wherein said alignment element includes a reticule for effecting visual alignment of said print roll measuring indicia.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The print machine of claim 1 wherein said support member of said path deflecting means comprises a porous tube and wherein there is provided means for supplying air under pressure to the interior of said porous tube for escape therethrough to provide an air cushion between said tube and the web.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The print machine of claim 6 wherein said path deflecting means includes idler rolls on said frame above and below each pair of press and print rolls to facilitate redirection from the upstream print roll to the support member and thence from the support member to the downstream pair of print and press rolls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The print machine of claim 6 wherein said deflecting means includes dryer means spaced inwardly of said print and press rolls for directing gas under pressure onto the surface of the web passing thereby.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The print machine of claim 1 wherein there is included a doctor blade pivotably mounted on said inking gate and in contact with the surface of said print roll.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The print machine of claim 9 wherein the axis of said press roll is disposed upwardly from the plane of the axis of said print roll at a relatively steep angle and wherein said doctor blade contacts the surface of said print roll adjacent the uppermost portion thereof, whereby the distance of travel between the point of said doctor blade and the nip between said print roll and press roll is relatively short.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The print machine of claim 1 wherein there is included a backing roll of larger diameter than said press roll and disposed to the opposite side thereof from said print roll to provide substantially uniform pressure across the axial length thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The print machine of claim 11 wherein said backing roll is driven and imparts rotation to said press roll.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The print machine of claim 11 wherein said ink troughs are vertically slidably supported upon said inking gate and wherein there is included pneumatic means for slidably moving said ink troughs vertically relative to said inking gate and said print rolls.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a print machine for the continuous printing of a continuous web traveling therethrough, the combination comprising: a. a machine frame; b. a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating print and press rolls rotatably supported on said frame, the print roll of each pair being disposed outwardly and having a circumferential pattern of a multiplicity of measuring indicia about its circumference adjacent an end thereof dividing the circumference into a multiplicity of measuring units; c. a plurality of pitch adjustment means on said machine frame and each including an alignment element cooperating with the said measuring indicia of one of said print rolls; and d. independent drive means for independently rotating the print rolls to effect registry of a preselected measuring indicium of the rotated print roll with said alignment element cooperating therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a print machine for the continuous printing of a continuous web traveling therethrough, the combination comprising: a. a machine frame; b. a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating print and press rolls rotatably supported on said frame, the print roll of each pair being disposed outwardly and having a circumferential pattern of a multiplicity of measuring indicia about its circumference adjacent an end thereof dividing the circumference into a multiplicity of measuring units; c. a plurality of pitch adjustment means on said machine frame and each including an alignment element cooperating with the said measuring indicia of one of said print rolls; and d. independent drive means for independently rotating the print rolls to effect registry of a preselected measuring indicium of the rotated print roll with said alignment element cooperating therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The print machine of claim 14 wherein said alignment element includes a reticule for effecting visual alignment of said print roll measuring indicia.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The print machine of claim 14 wherein said measuring indicia comprise a scale reflecting the distance about the circumference of said print rolls.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
254 words
In a print machine for the continuous printing of a continuous web traveling therethrough, the combination comprising: a. a machine frame; b. a vertical gate member pivotally mounted at least on one side thereof on said frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis at said pivoted side from a closed position to an open position wherein the side opposite the pivotal axis is spaced away from said frame; c. a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating print and press rolls rotatably supported on said frame in vertically spaced alignment, the print roll of each pair being disposed outwardly adjacent said gate member and having a circumferential pattern of a multiplicity of measuring indicia about its circumference adjacent an end thereof dividing the circumference into a multiplicity of measuring units, said print rolls having their axes lying in a parallel vertical plane; and d. a plurality of path deflecting means each including a tubular support member on said frame spaced inwardly of said press rolls and means for supplying gas under pressure to said tubular support member, said tubular support member having gas passages therethrough over its length and over a substantial portion of its periphery, whereby the web issuing from the nip of one pair of rolls is directed inwardly of the machine about said support member and thence outwardly into the nip of the next adjacent pair of rolls along the path of web travel with the gas escaping through the support member providing a gas cushion between the web and support member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
254 words
In a print machine for the continuous printing of a continuous web traveling therethrough, the combination comprising: a. a machine frame; b. a vertical gate member pivotally mounted at least on one side thereof on said frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis at said pivoted side from a closed position to an open position wherein the side opposite the pivotal axis is spaced away from said frame; c. a multiplicity of pairs of cooperating print and press rolls rotatably supported on said frame in vertically spaced alignment, the print roll of each pair being disposed outwardly adjacent said gate member and having a circumferential pattern of a multiplicity of measuring indicia about its circumference adjacent an end thereof dividing the circumference into a multiplicity of measuring units, said print rolls having their axes lying in a parallel vertical plane; and d. a plurality of path deflecting means each including a tubular support member on said frame spaced inwardly of said press rolls and means for supplying gas under pressure to said tubular support member, said tubular support member having gas passages therethrough over its length and over a substantial portion of its periphery, whereby the web issuing from the nip of one pair of rolls is directed inwardly of the machine about said support member and thence outwardly into the nip of the next adjacent pair of rolls along the path of web travel with the gas escaping through the support member providing a gas cushion between the web and support member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The print machine of claim 17 wherein said tubular support member comprises a tube which is porous at least about a portion of the periphery thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The print machine of claim 17 wherein said path deflecting means includes idler rolls on said frame above and below each pair of press and print rolls to facilitate redirection from the upstream print roll to the support member and thence from the support member to the downstream pair of print and press rolls.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The print machine of claim 17 wherein said deflecting means includes dryer means spaced inwardly of said print and press rolls for directing gas under pressure onto the surface of the web passing thereby.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a method for continuous printing of webs, the steps comprising: a. providing a multiplicity of print rolls each having cooperating patterns thereon with a multiplicity of circumferential indicia about the circumference of at least one end thereof dividing the circumference into a multiplicity of measuring units, said indicia including a pitch mark denoting a predetermined point on the pattern; b. mounting said print rolls on the frame of a print machine with their axes lying in a common plane and with a predetermined spacing therebetween; and c. independently rotating each of at least a plurality of said print rolls to orient said pitch marks at a predetermined point relative to a reference point on said frame about a circle having its center lying in said common plane in accordance with a predetermined length of path of travel of the web between the adjacent print rolls relative to the circumference thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a method for continuous printing of webs, the steps comprising: a. providing a multiplicity of print rolls each having cooperating patterns thereon with a multiplicity of circumferential indicia about the circumference of at least one end thereof dividing the circumference into a multiplicity of measuring units, said indicia including a pitch mark denoting a predetermined point on the pattern; b. mounting said print rolls on the frame of a print machine with their axes lying in a common plane and with a predetermined spacing therebetween; and c. independently rotating each of at least a plurality of said print rolls to orient said pitch marks at a predetermined point relative to a reference point on said frame about a circle having its center lying in said common plane in accordance with a predetermined length of path of travel of the web between the adjacent print rolls relative to the circumference thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method in accordance with claim 21 wherein said reference points are alignment devices on said frame adjacent said print rolls and wherein said print rolls are rotated to orient a predetermined circumferential indicium with said alignment devices.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |