Printing – Inkers – Roller
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-13
2001-04-24
Hilten, John S. (Department: 2854)
Printing
Inkers
Roller
C101S364000, C101S366000, C222S325000, C222S327000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220160
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of printing or duplicating machines and, particularly, to a system or method for feeding ink to an ink fountain of the machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Printing machines normally include a printing couple which comprises a number of cylinders and/or rollers such as impression cylinders, master cylinders, blanket cylinders, ductor rollers, transfer rollers, oscillating rollers, form rollers, and the like. For instance, a printing head may be provided generally at the top of the machine, often at the rear of the machine, and which includes an ink fountain for feeding ink to the various rollers of the printing couple which transfers images to copy sheets. A number of rollers which generally can be termed “distribution” rollers are provided between the ink fountain and the printing couple for distributing ink to the printing couple. The distribution rollers conventionally are mounted between spaced side frame plates of the machine framework.
One of the problems with printing machines of the character described above is the continuing time consuming, inefficient and “messy” processes or systems for feeding or adding printing ink to the ink fountain.
This is particularly problematic with offset or “four color” printing processes wherein different colors of ink must be changed for any single printing run.
Printing ink is manufactured and supplied in typical cans very similar to ordinary cans of paint, but with a different type of lid. The ink cans are cylindrical, with a closed bottom end and fairly conventional dimensions. It is not uncommon for ink to be fed to the ink fountain of a printing machine simply by manually pouring the ink from the can. Printing ink is very thick or viscous, and such manual processes are time consuming, inaccurate and often a messy or sloppy job. Rarely are the full contents of an ink can poured into the ink fountain. Mechanized ink feeding apparatus have been used, but such apparatus most often are for large printing machines and are very elaborate and expensive.
The present invention is directed to solving these problems and providing a very simple, inexpensive and efficient apparatus, system or method of feeding or supplying ink to a printing couple of a printing machines
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved feeding system or method of supplying ink to an ink fountain of a printing, duplicating or like machine.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system includes a can holder for holding a conventional can of printing ink. A support suspends the can holder and can above the ink fountain. Feeding means are provided for feeding ink from the suspended can into the ink fountain.
As disclosed herein, the support includes an articulated arm for suspending the can at different positions above the ink fountain. The can holder comprises a housing on a distal end of the articulated arm. The housing has an interior cavity sized complementary to the conventional can, along with a door for closing the cavity. Normally open switch means are provided on the housing and operatively associated with the feeding means, the switch means being closable by the door in a closed position. Additional normally open switch means may be provided on the housing and closable by the can positioned within the cavity in the housing.
The feeding means comprises a piston-and-cylinder device for forcing ink from the can into the ink fountain. A disposable gasket is fitted into the can and is engageable by a piston head of the piston-and-cylinder device. A sensor may be provided at the ink fountain operatively associated with the feeding means for feeding ink in response to sensing a given level of ink in the ink fountain.
The invention contemplates a method which includes the steps of forming a hole in the closed end of the ink can. The lid is removed from the opposite end of the can, and a gasket is positioned into the can onto the surface of the ink. The feeding means, such as the piston-and-cylinder device, then applies pressure to the gasket to force ink from the can through the hole in the can and into the ink fountain. The gasket is an inexpensive, readily disposable component of the system and protects the feeding means, such as the piston of the piston-and-cylinder device, from coming into any direct contact with the ink in the can.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3045592 (1962-07-01), Shearer et al.
patent: 3099211 (1963-07-01), Hilgoe et al.
patent: 3631800 (1972-01-01), Mignone et al.
patent: 4155304 (1979-05-01), Schweisser
patent: 4978042 (1990-12-01), Fidler
patent: 5029672 (1991-07-01), Witczak
patent: 5226897 (1993-07-01), Nevens et al.
patent: 5724890 (1998-03-01), Deschner et al.
patent: 5819450 (1998-10-01), Alexander et al.
patent: 5878667 (1999-03-01), Ryan
Valentini Frederic
Weber David C.
Chau Minh
Hilten John S.
Hoffman John R.
LandOfFree
Ink feeding system and method for a printing, duplicating or... 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 feeding system and method for a printing, duplicating or..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ink feeding system and method for a printing, duplicating or... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2554782