Supports: racks – Special article
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-23
2001-01-09
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
C211S085500, C211S198000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170672
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention is an adjustable storage rack for storing anilox rolls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Anilox rolls are ink transfer rolls used in printing processes. Some anilox rolls are metal rolls that have had the periphery of the roll mechanically engraved. Other rolls are metal rolls, with a sprayed-on ceramic coating, covering the periphery of the roll. The roll surface on the ceramic covered rolls is laser engraved, with a fine pattern machined into the periphery of the roll.
The engraved surface on the anilox roll is used to transfer ink from a reservoir to a rubber roll. The rubber roll transfers the ink to an image on a printing plate. The printing plate transfers the image to a paper web.
When an anilox roll surface is damaged, for example from being hit by a metal tool, or is otherwise damaged, the pattern formed in the periphery of the roll, is broken. The broken pattern deteriorates the quality of the image printed by the printing plate. Because of the damage, either not enough, or too much ink is transferred to the rubber roll that inks the printing plate. The damage to the anilox roll results in a poor image printed by the printing plate on the paper web.
Repair of damage to anilox rolls is expensive, specialized, and labor intensive. The damaged area is cut out, filled with metal, and re-engraved by hand. If more than a few areas are damaged, replacement of the whole roll is necessary.
The common method of storing anilox rolls when not in use, is to put the smaller anilox rolls in a cabinet. No effort is made to protect the delicate ink transfer surface of the anilox roll. Larger anilox rolls are removed from printing machines, with chain falls, and overhead hoists. The larger anilox rolls are then stored on anilox roll storage racks.
The common anilox storage rack is an I-Beam constructed rack, on which the rolls are mounted. The anilox rolls are mounted one after another, on a storage arm, that is parallel to the floor. There is no separation between the rolls on this type of storage rack. The rolls roll up against each other, and damage the print surface.
The support arms on prior racks are angle iron. The support arms also damage the roll surfaces. When the rolls are removed from the current storage racks, it is difficult not to contact either the storage rack surface, or another roll as the heavy rolls are lifted off the rack, and removed to the printing machine. Every time a roll is taken from the rack, or put back in the rack, damage occurs to the delicate perimeter of the anilox roll.
When the rolls are stored on a rack frame, the anilox rolls are also susceptible to being bumped into by employees carrying hard items, being bumped by lift trucks, and being damaged by any number of items being moved to, or dropped in the plant, including other anilox rolls being transferred from the storage rack to a printing machine.
The present invention is a modified storage rack, designed by the inventor, after examining many storage racks currently used. The invention is designed to protect the delicate periphery of the anilox roll when the roll is stored, removed from storage, and placed back into storage. In particular, the invention provides a protective environment.
The inventor has designed, and then sold, padded chemical proof roll covers for anilox rolls. These padded covers protect the delicate surface of the anilox rolls. In designing the covers, the inventor became immersed in, and familiar with, storage of anilox rolls, in industry use. The inventor became familiar with sources of surface damage to the anilox rolls. Based on the observations, the inventor designed the below described storage racks to minimize damage to anilox rolls, in storage, in removing from storage, and in putting back into storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an improved adjustable storage rack for anilox rolls. Three storage racks were designed, with the same central concept, that is, providing storage and support of anilox rolls within a protective environment. The storage facility is varied according to the particular anilox rolls. The protective environment may take various forms. One embodiment includes an inner frame inside a protective outer frame and storing the anilox rolls at an angle within the inner frame. The angled inner frame, and protective hooks, were designed to minimize roll contact in removing the rolls from the storage rack, and placing the rolls back into the storage rack.
The storage rack is wedge shaped, with an angular adjustable inner rack for receiving and storing anilox rolls, and an outer rack that acts as a protective frame for anilox rolls stored within the frame. On larger racks, where there is enough room, the anilox roll storage is totally within the outer frame.
The angle of storage in the inner rack is designed so that when the rolls are removed from the storage rack, it is easy to add and remove rolls from the rack, without bumping one anilox roll against another anilox roll.
On smaller racks, there is not enough room to fit all of the suspended anilox rolls the outer frame.
Since most of the damage to the anilox rolls occurs close to the factory floor, an alternate design suspends the anilox rolls within the outer frame, at least on the bottom part of the storage rack. A bumper guard is added to the smaller frame. A line extending from the bumper guard to the top of the frame would have all the suspended anilox rolls within an extended imaginary plane from the bottom of the rack to the top of the frame.
Alternative plastic covers are provided, that are hinged to the frame, and extend across an imaginary plane, from one side of the outer frame to the other, protecting the stored anilox rolls.
Since not all anilox rolls have the same configuration, another embodiment includes an abbreviated version of the inner support rack. This version includes a supporting frame having inwardly extending anilox roll support pegs. The support pegs accommodate anilox rolls having a compatible distal end.
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Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Novosad Jennifer E.
Ryan Kromholz & Manion S.C.
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