Printing – Multicolor – Rotary machines
Patent
1978-11-13
1980-07-29
Fisher, J. Reed
Printing
Multicolor
Rotary machines
101219, 101DIG27, B41F 506, B41F 516, B41F 1702
Patent
active
042145252
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
Background of the Invention
In the production of books by a belt-type printing machine, such as disclosed in Stroud et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,518,940, an essential requirement is that the printing-belt support structure shall be constructed so as to be adjustable to maintain in taut condition any one of a variety of belts whose lengths vary from, e.g., 5 feet to 75 feet in accordance with the number of pages in books to be printed. The above-noted patent discloses support structure defining a generally ovate belt circuit which has served well in the commercial use of single belt machines. However, the machine typified in this patent is being adapted to uses, such as multicolor printing, which require engaging a single printable web with two or more printing belts. To provide belt-supporting structure according to the above-noted patent for a multiple belt machine requires individual belt-support systems, each perhaps 30 feet in length, stacked either vertically or horizontally with great consumption of shop space requiring perhaps special building construction. Furthermore, there is the problem of providing good machine arrangement in the vicinity of the plate roll and the impression roll for each belt for the mounting of ink trains and other equipment, and adequate space for operators to service the equipment.
There arises also the need for machine design in which printing stations may be established progressively along the web path in close consecutive proximity with each other, perhaps no more than about 6 feet apart. Minimum distance between printing stations is desired to avoid such distortion in the length to the web as to affect accuracy of color registration.
Another important aspect in the storage of rapidly moving belts during the printing operation is the possibility of lateral vibration or whipping especially when substantial sections of the belt must be oriented in a vertical direction.
Hence, objects of the invention are to provide improved apparatus for storing moving printing belts within a belt-type printing machine with multiple printing stations for processing a single web; to reduce the lateral oscillation of belts moving at high linear printing speeds; to provide belt-supporting structure of improved belt tracking capability; to provide a machine configuration which allows adequate room for operators to perform service functions around the printing stations; and other objects including provision of apparatus in accordance with the foregoing objects capable of handling a great range of lengths or printing belts.
Summary of the Invention
The invention resides essentially in a belt-type printing machine incorporating apparatus for supporting an endless printing belt in a serpentine path compacted within a box-shaped region adjacent the path of a web to be printed. Rotatable cylindrical means, such as fully cylindrical rolls or devices of the type comprising discs of cylindrical priphery mounted in fixed spaced relationship on an axle means, are located along parallel axes located in staggered relationship to form the serpentine path of consecutive reversed turns. As the belt has a nonprinting side and an opposite printing side divided into a plurality of transversely spaced rows of image areas and separated by longitudinally continuous nonprinting lands, the group of cylindrical means contacting the printing side comprise the aforementioned devices with cylindrical disc members in tracking enegagement with the lands of the nonprinting side. An extirely unexpected result of this serpentine arrangement is the improved ease with which the belt tracks over the various cylindrical devices.
A preferred embodiment also provides some of the cylindrical means defining the belt circuit arranged and located with respect to the aforementioned box-shaped region to provide a peninsular region contiguous therewith terminating distally in a plate cylinder adjacent the web path. Such an arrangement of the rolls or other cylindrical means enables a substantial portion of the periphery of the plate cylinder
REFERENCES:
patent: 881167 (1908-03-01), Thomas
patent: 2013738 (1935-09-01), Wolcott
patent: 2031063 (1936-02-01), Pesci
patent: 2037181 (1936-04-01), Shomaker
patent: 2661687 (1953-12-01), Chance
patent: 2788738 (1957-04-01), Wood
patent: 2930318 (1960-03-01), Stroud
patent: 3345944 (1967-10-01), Simmons
patent: 3518940 (1970-07-01), Stroud et al.
Fisher J. Reed
Hummer Harian E.
Midland-Ross Corporation
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