Fluid metering roll and method of making the same

Claim 1

As a new article of manufacture, a durable metering roll for the application of ink and like fluids having isolated peripheral metering cells of a predetermined volumetric capacity, comprising a cylindrical metal core, said core having formed in its periphery a multiplicity of substantially regularly spaced-apart receiver cells entirely surrounded by land portions defined by the periphery of said core, said receiver cells being of a first volume exceeding said predetermined volume, said receiver cells being in the general form of inverted pyramids having their base portions coincident with said periphery and including side walls inclined at an acute angle to the surface of said periphery, said angle not exceeding about 36°, and a continuous plasma spray ceramic coating covering said periphery and the exposed surface of said cells, the exposed surface of said coating defining outwardly directed metering cells the side walls of which are inclined with respect to said periphery at an angle substantially more acute than the comparable angle between said cylindrical surface and the walls of said receiver cells, the volume of said metering cells being about one fifth or less of the volume of said receiver cells.

Claim 7

The method of making a ceramic coated metering roller having highly predictable ink release characteristics and including a periphery comprised of ceramic lined metering cells of pyramidal configuration comprising the steps of providing a cylindrical metal base core, forming in the periphery of said core a multiplicity of isolated, substantially evenly spaced, depressed pyramidal receiver cells, said cells being concentrated in the range of from about 35 to 90 cells per lineal inch in each direction, and being surrounded by land portions defined by the cylindrical surface of said core, the wall portions of said receiver cells being inclined at an acute angle with respect to said surface, said angle not exceeding about 36°, the volumetric capacity of said receiver cells being five or more times the desired volume of said metering cells, subjecting the periphery of said core having said pyramidal cells formed therein to a stream of molten ceramic particles contained in a gaseous stream directed normal to the axis of said core, thus to form on said cylindrical surface and the exposed surfaces of said receiver cells a durable ceramic coating, the thickness of the coating over said land areas being less than the thickness of the coating over said receiver cells, thereby to define said metering cells in registry with said receiver cells, said metering cells having a volumetric capacity of one fifth or less of said receiver cells.

Claim 8

The method of making a ceramic coated metering roller having highly predictable ink release characteristics and including a periphery comprised of ceramic lined metering cells of pyramidal configuration comprising the steps of providing a cylindrical metal base core, forming in the periphery of said core a multiplicity of isolated, substantially evenly spaced, depressed pyramidal receiver cells, said cells being concentrated in the range of from about 35 to 90 cells per lineal inch in each direction, and being surrounded by land portions defined by the cylindrical surface of said core, the wall portions of said receiver cells being inclined at an acute angle with respect to said surface, said angle not exceeding about 36°, the volumetric capacity of said receiver cells being five or more times the desired volume of said metering cells, subjecting the periphery of said core having said pyramidal cells formed therein to a stream of molten ceramic particles contained in a gaseous stream directed normal to the axis of said core, thus to form on said cylindrical surface and the exposed surfaces of said receiver cells a durable ceramic coating, the thickness of the coating over said land areas being less than the thickness of the coating over said receiver cells, thereby to define said metering cells in registry with said receiver cells, said metering cells having a volumetric capacity of one fifth or less of said receiver cells.