Multiple printing mode printing machine system

Claim 1

Multiple printing mode rotary printing machine system for selectively printing in (a) offset printing mode; (b) direct lithographic printing mode; (c) flexographic printing mode, having two side walls (17, 18); a blanket cylinder (2, 3) located between the side walls; cylinder means (1) for forming a printing or impression cylinder and defining, with the blanket cylinder, a printing line; a plate cylinder (4, 5) located and retained between the side walls adjacent the blanket cylinder (2, 3), said plate cylinder being movable into and out of engagement with the adjacent blanket cylinder; an inker (9) selectively engageable with the plate cylinder; and a liquid application system (11) wherein, in accordance with the invention, the liquid application system (11) is a film system having a liquid trough (12), a pickup roller (13) at least in part located in the trough, a liquid transfer roller (14), and a liquid application roller (15); and first, second and third individual positioning and support means (32, 33; 38; 39) are provided, located on said side walls for selectively positioning and supporting said liquid application system in accordance with a selected mode of printing of the machine, comprising (a) for offset printing: the first support means (32, 33) being located for, and supporting the liquid application system adjacent to and in liquid transfer contact with said plate cylinder (4, 5) in advance--with respect to the direction of rotation (a) of the plate cylinder--of the inker (9); and wherein the liquid in the liquid trough comprises damping liquid; (b) for direct lithographic printing: the second support means (38) being located for and supporting said liquid application system adjacent to and in liquid transfer contact with said blanket cylinder (2, 3) in advance--with respect to the direction of rotation (b) of the blanket cylinder--of said plate cylinder (4, 5); wherein the liquid in the liquid trough comprises damping liquid; and wherein said plate cylinder supplies ink to the blanket cylinder from the inker; (c) for flexo printing: the third support means (39), being located for and supporting said liquid application system adjacent to and in liquid transfer contact with said blanket cylinder (2, 3) in advance--with respect to the direction of rotation (b) of the blanket cylinder--of the printing line and in the zone adjacent the blanket cylinder between the plate cylinder and said printing line; wherein the liquid in the liquid trough (12) comprises flexo printing ink; and wherein said plate cylinder is out of contact with the blanket cylinder, the blanket cylinder carries a flexo printing plate.