Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-13
2001-05-15
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C358S296000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233501
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gravure engraving system and more particularly to a system for automatically supplying and discharging a gravure cylinder to or from a gravure cylinder engraving machine.
2. Description of Related Art
A gravure cylinder will serve as a printing plate and has a surface to be engraved by a gravure engraving machine. The gravure engraving machine is arranged such that, using a diamond bite or stylus, concave points (cells) are formed in the circumferential surface of a gravure cylinder under rotation. The basic arrangement of the gravure engraving machine is discussed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,382, U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,829 and European Unexamined Patent Publication No. 0,595,324 A1 which is a counterpart of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/143,552, the entire disclosure of which United States patents and application are incorporated herein by reference.
Conventionally, a gravure cylinder is to be mounted on a gravure engraving machine by raising the same manually or with a crane. Also, an engraved gravure cylinder is removed from the gravure engraving machine while the same is being raised manually or with a crane.
Accordingly, continuously engraving each of a plurality of gravure cylinders requires many hands for mounting and dismounting such a cylinder on and from a gravure engraving machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A gravure engraving system constructed according to the present invention comprises an engraving machine for engraving the circumferential surface of a gravure cylinder, a stock device for storing a plurality of gravure cylinders and a transport device for transporting a gravure cylinder between the engraving machine and the stock device. The engraving machine is arranged to engrave the circumferential surface of a gravure cylinder while the same is being rotated at a predetermined speed with the both ends thereof supported.
With the engraving system of the instant invention in operation, a predetermined gravure cylinder is selected from the gravure cylinders stored in the stock device and is transported to the engraving machine by the transport device. When the transported gravure cylinder has been automatically set in the engraving machine, the gravure cylinder is engraved. Thereafter, the engraved gravure cylinder is again transported and stored in the stock device by the transport device. Thus, gravure cylinders can continuously automatically be engraved.
Preferably, the transport device comprises: at least two arms for supporting a gravure cylinder from underneath; vertical drive means for vertically moving the arms for vertically moving the gravure cylinder; horizontal drive means for moving the arms in a first horizontal direction, thereby to transport the gravure cylinder between the stock device and the engraving machine; and orthogonal drive means for moving at least one of the arms in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to said first horizontal direction such that the distance between the two arms is changed.
Preferably, the stock device comprises: a plurality of placing stands on which gravure cylinders are placed such that the axes thereof extend substantially horizontally; and a holding mechanism for holding the plurality of placing stands in a revolving manner. According to such an arrangement, a plurality of gravure cylinders can efficiently be stored.
Preferably, each placing stand comprises at least two holding portions to come in contact with part of the circumferential surface of a gravure cylinder placed on the placing stand. Preferably, each placing stand is arranged such that there is defined, under the gravure cylinder as held by the holding portions, a space into which the arms of the transport device are adapted to enter. According to such an arrangement, the arms are horizontally movable can enter the space under the gravure cylinder to hold the same from underneath. Preferably, at least one of the holding portions is horizontally movable on the placing stand. With such an arrangement, any of gravure cylinders having different lengths can be held by each placing stand and can readily and securely be unloaded by the arms.
The engraving machine may have a pair of cone units for holding a gravure cylinder at both ends thereof. Preferably, one cone unit comprises a cone to engage with an end of a gravure cylinder and cone drive means for moving the cone toward and away from the other cone unit, and the other cone unit comprises a cone to engage with the other end of the gravure cylinder and ejecting means for ejecting the gravure cylinder engaged with the cone in such a direction in which the gravure cylinder is disengaged from the cone.
Preferably, the transport device is interposed between the stock device and the engraving machine; and the gravure engraving system further comprises a guide member for guiding the transport device to a retreat position where the transport device is being retracted from a position between the engraving machine and the stock device. In such an arrangement, the transport device is preferably movable between the position where the transport device is interposed between the stock device and the engraving machine for transporting a gravure cylinder, and the retreat position where the transport device is being retreated.
According to the arrangement above-mentioned, when the transport device is retreated or retracted from the position between the stock device and the engraving machine, the stock device, the transport device and the engraving machine are not adjacent to one another. This facilitates maintenance on any of the devices and machine.
The engraving machine may be disposed in a plural number and the plural engraving machines may be disposed in series. In such an arrangement, a guide member is preferably disposed in parallel with the plurality of engraving machines disposed in series. Preferably, the transport device is movable along the guide member and is capable of facing a predetermined engraving machine such that a gravure cylinder is delivered between the predetermined engraving machine and the transport device. According to such an arrangement, a plurality of engraving machines can automatically be operated to improve the productivity. Further, the transport device and the stock: device can be shared with the plurality of engraving machines.
The stock device may be disposed in a plural number and the plural stock devices may be disposed in series. In such an arrangement, a guide member is preferably disposed in parallel with the plurality of stock devices disposed in series. Preferably, the transport device is movable along the guide member and is capable of facing a predetermined stock device such that a gravure cylinder is delivered between the predetermined stock device and the transport device. According to the arrangement above-mentioned, since the plurality of transport devices are disposed, the automatic operation can be conducted for a long period of time. Further, while a gravure cylinder is being unloaded from one stock device by the transport device, the next gravure cylinder can be stored in another stock device or an engraved gravure cylinder can be unloaded from still another stock device. This achieves an efficient operation.
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a gravure engraving system capable of continuously engraving each of a plurality of gravure cylinders without the necessity of utilizing manual intervention.
Another object of the present invention is to provide transport device having means measuring the length and diameter of a gravure cylinder to be transported.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a transport device capable of transporting gravure cylinders having a variety of lengths, between a stock device and an engraving machine in a gravure engraving system.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a transport device for transporting a gravure cylinder between a stock device and an engraving ma
Hirai Keisuke
Matsuno Yoshikazu
Syudou Tadashi
Yoshida Takumi
Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co,. Ltd.
Ellis Christopher P.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Tran Khoi H.
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