Printing – Inkers – Fountains
Patent
1996-11-05
1998-10-20
Burr, Edgar S.
Printing
Inkers
Fountains
101363, 1013501, 101207, 101210, B41F 3102, B41F 3103
Patent
active
058231110
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in or relating to ink supply means for a printing machine and more particularly to an ink supply means which is capable of supplying at least three primary colored inks to a print roller surface in such a manner that they are mixed on the roller surface to form a desired color of ink for printing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, ink supply means in a printing machine are arranged so as to supply a single color of ink to a print roller. If it is desired to change the color of ink for printing, usually the machine has to be stopped, the ink supply changed, and the printing roller cleaned. Of course, this procedure is time-consuming and because the printing machine is stopped, printing time is increased. Furthermore, since it is not possible to change ink color without the necessity for the above actions to be taken, printing versatility is restricted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a more versatile ink supply means wherein at least two different colored inks, particularly two or three primary colors, can be supplied in predetermined relative quantities for mixing prior to application to the surface of the print roller to give any desired color.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided an ink supply means for a printing machine comprising an ink rail mounted so as to extend generally longitudinally of a receiving roller of the machine, and wiper rollers mounted adjacent a surface of the receiving roller to wipe a surface thereof. The ink rail comprises at least two discrete ink storage means connected to respective ink outlets in a face of the rail adjacent a surface of the receiving roller and valve means associated with each outlet to regulate the flow of ink through each outlet. The receiving roller is linked to a print roller via a roller train. The inks are mixed by the action of the wiper rollers and passage of the ink between rollers of the roller train.
With this arrangement it is possible to provide an ink supply means which is more versatile in use, and which gives rise to an increased number of printing possibilities.
Preferably the ink rail has a generally curved end face which, in use, is mounted in close proximity to the surface of the receiving roller and generally conforms to the outer circumferential surface of the roller in order to reduce ink wastage.
Preferably the ink storage means are disposed one above the other in the ink rail in order to best utilize the available space in the rail.
Preferably a supply of ink from each reservoir through each respective outlet is controlled by a solenoid-operated valve means under the control of a central control unit. The central control unit may be microprocessor-based.
Preferably three ink storage means are provided, respective ones of which store inks colored in the three primary colors, namely Cyan, Magenta and Yellow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of one form of ink supply means according to the present invention; and
FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic plan view of a conventional printing machine incorporating the ink supply means of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an ink supply unit 10 for a receiving roller 11 of a printing machine.
The ink supply unit 10 comprises an ink rail 12 having a generally concave end face 13 which conforms generally with the outer circumferential surface of the receiving roller 11. The ink rail 12 is mounted in close proximity to the surface of the receiving roller 11 with a gap of 0.002-0.012" (0.00508-0.03048 mm) therebetween in order to prevent ink wastage. Wiper rollers 14 of the kind described in my co-pending UK Application No. 9311230.8 are mounted at a top and a bottom of the ink rail 12 adjacent the concave surface 13 and are disposed such that the outer circumferential surface 16 of each roller 14 is spaced by 0.004-0.010" (0.01016-0.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2275062 (1942-03-01), Lathey
patent: 3106480 (1963-10-01), Baker
patent: 4263848 (1981-04-01), Matalia et al.
patent: 4844002 (1989-07-01), Yasui et al.
patent: 5005476 (1991-04-01), Kobler
patent: 5027706 (1991-07-01), Niemiro et al.
Burr Edgar S.
Colilla Daniel J.
LandOfFree
Ink supply means for a printing machine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ink supply means for a printing machine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ink supply means for a printing machine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-233572