CA1086563A - Belt-type printing machine with serpentine belt support - Google Patents
Belt-type printing machine with serpentine belt supportInfo
- Publication number
- CA1086563A CA1086563A CA273,159A CA273159A CA1086563A CA 1086563 A CA1086563 A CA 1086563A CA 273159 A CA273159 A CA 273159A CA 1086563 A CA1086563 A CA 1086563A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- printing
- plate cylinder
- path
- web
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F17/00—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for
- B41F17/007—Use of printing belts
Landscapes
- Rotary Presses (AREA)
Abstract
BELT-TYPE PRINTING
MACHINE WITH SERPENTINE BELT SUPPORT
Abstract of the Disclosure Disclosed is a printing machine incorporating a compact serpentine arrangement for supporting one or more printing belts in printing relation with a path for a printable web. The belt support arrangement herein disclosed has great utility in a belt printing machine wherein a plurality of belts are required in the printing of a single web to not only conserve space but to render equipment at the printing stations more accessible, and to enable the envelopment of a large portion of the peri-phery of each plate cylinder by the associated belt passing therearound.
MACHINE WITH SERPENTINE BELT SUPPORT
Abstract of the Disclosure Disclosed is a printing machine incorporating a compact serpentine arrangement for supporting one or more printing belts in printing relation with a path for a printable web. The belt support arrangement herein disclosed has great utility in a belt printing machine wherein a plurality of belts are required in the printing of a single web to not only conserve space but to render equipment at the printing stations more accessible, and to enable the envelopment of a large portion of the peri-phery of each plate cylinder by the associated belt passing therearound.
Description
` 1~11~Ei563 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, ~uly 7, 1970, 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 o single belt machines. However, the machine typified in this patent is being adapted to uses, such as multi-color 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 buildiny 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 e~uipment, 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 apar~. 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 .
~ ~, ~LO~S63 belts during the printing operation i5 the possibility of lateral vibration or shipping especially when substantial sections of the belt must be oriented in a vertical direction.
~ ~ ' ~ ~
`~
' ~
:';
-la-~ , ~ .
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 speedsj to provide belt-supporting structure of improved belt tracking capability; to provide a machine conEiguration 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 of 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 periphery mounted in fixed spaced relationship of 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 engagement with the lands of the nonprinting side. An entirely 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 lo-cated with respect to the aforementioned box-shaped region to :~' '-:- ' ., :
S~i3 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, e.g., 180 or more, to be engaged by the belt, thereby providing adequate belt area for inking equipment, impression roll, or any other equipment requiring rolling contact with the portion of the belt supported on the plate cylinder.
According to one broad aspect, the invention provides a belt printing machine which is especially adapted for multi-tone printing on a continuous web and has a plurality of horizontally spaced printing stations that are spaced progressively along a substantially horizontal path which the web travels through the machine, comprising: (a) an impression cylinder disposed at each station vertically below the path;
(b) a plate cylinder disposed at each station vertically above the path and impression cylinders; (c) a separate printing belt associated with each station and plate cylinder and comprising a continuous flexible belt of non~stretchable material reeved at least partially around an associated plate cylinder and extending therefrom, each belt carrying a plurality of printing ~lates for printing on the web as it passes between an impression cylinder and associated plate cylinder;
(d) a separate apparatus at each station for individually ;~
supporting each of the printing belts in overhead relation to the path and associated plate cylinder, each apparatus comprising, (i) first cylindrical means which are rotatable about a plurality of parallel axes for guiding a belt in generally horizontal parallel passes between consecutive reversed turns in a box-shaped region that is spaced vertically above the path and associated plate cylinder, and (ii) second cylindrical means which are rotatable about a plurality of _3_ ,,~,~
~, , ,'' , , . ,, : .`
~ `
s~
parallel axes for guiding the belt between the box region and associated plate cylinder in a peninsular region that projects substantially vertically from the box-shaped region toward the path and terminates distally at an associated plate cylinder, the peninsular regions being located and sized relative to the box-shaped regions such that dihedral regions are formed therebetween to accommodate ink trains and personnel; (d) means adjacent opposite ends of each plate cylinder for engaging and driving an associated belt as the plate cylinder rotates; and (e) means ~or driving the impression cylinders and associated plate cylinders, in unison, to synchronize movement of the belts and web.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of a belt printing machine in accordance with the prior art.
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of essential portions of a two-belt printing machine in accordance with the invention.
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic elevation of a single printing belt unit illustrating the practice of by-passing portions of the belt-supporting structure in the lacing of short-length belts thereon.
_ Fig. 4 is a fragmentary schematic elevation of elements of a belt-supporting unit employing different types of cylindrical means shown singly in Fig. 5.
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating an extension of a printing belt around two types of rotatable cylindrical belt support rolls.
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation with portions in section illustrating the drive relation of a plate roll and a transfer roll with the printing belt and the printable web therebetween.
~3a-~ .
.
~lO~S63 Description of the Preferred Embodiment Fig. 1 illustrates a prior art arrangement of a printing belt machine wherein a printing belt 5 advances around a driven plate roll 6, idler rolls 7, 8 and 9. The printing occurs on a web 10 at the nip of the roll 6 and an impression ' ~' '"~
'.
.
, ',' ~..- ' ;:
`~
. ~ , ~ . .
':;''' :'' ':~' ~"' ~..
-3b~
: ~ - ' . , . . ~ :
,.. ~ . .. . .
5~3 roll 11. Rolls 12 comprise an ink tr~in of which two rolls are observed in rolling contact with the plate roll 6. The circuit of the belt 5 may be lengthened or shortened by operation of a screw device 14 operating on bearing blocks of rolls 9 and 8 to appropriately adjust the circuit length of the machine ~or different length belts. An apparatus typifying the arrangement of Fig. 1 and, in general, the present state of the art, is described in much detail in Stroud et al Pat.
No. 3,518,940.
The other figures of the drawings illustrate the invention and relate to a belt supporting structure which achieves a greater utilization of space necessitated in the building of more complex, e.g., multicolor belt-type printing machines, whîle utilizing the principals of operation disclosed in the simpler machine of Pat. No. 3,518,940. Fig. 2, for example, discloses that a web 20 originating in a supply roll 21 passes through two printing stations established by the nips of im-pression rolls lla and llb with respective belts 5a and 5b supported against the transfer rolls by plate rolls 6a,6b, respectively. Fig. 2 illustrates two-belt tracking systems 24,25, which comprise, in addition to respective plate rolls 6a,6b, and various nondriven idler rolls 26 to 34 inclusive.
Obvious from the drawing is tha~ rolls 6a, 28, 30, 32, 33, and 34 engage the nonprinting or inner side of the belt 5a. A
similar situation is true with respect to belt 5b. The printing side of belt 5a or 5b is engaged by rolls 26,27,29 and 31. The printing side of the belt is plainly portrayed in Fig. 5 wherein its surface is arranged into longitudinal rows of printing areas covered by flexible printing plates 36 typically of plastic or rubber-like material separated by longitudinally extending lands 37 The lands and the printing areas comprise the printing side 38 of the belt. Also shown -in Fig. 5 is the normally smooth nonprinting side 39 of the belt. It wlll be noted that roll 29, typical of one of the rolls which contact the printing side of the belt, comprises shaft means 41 and a plurality of cylindrical discs l~2. The discs are spaced lengthwise of the shaft means to track along the longitudinal lands or nonprinting areas 37 of the belt.
The discs 42 are of less width than the lands so as not to interfere with printing media on the belt.
~s the belt 5b is constituted normally of nonst~etchable but flexible synthetic polymeric material, such as the polyester known under the trademark "MYLAR", the outer peripheral surfaces of the discs 42 may be formed of a similar plastic material or any material providing appropriate hardness enabling firm support of the belt but sufficiently soft to minimize belt wear.
Roll 28 is shown as having a continuous cylindrical sur-face for engaging the nonprinting side of the belt. Rolls 6a and 6b must, in any event, be of uninterrupted cylindrical -contour in order to give the belt solid support in effecting printing as the belt and the web 20 pass through the nip of the plate roll and the transfer roll. However, except for rolls 6a,6b, expërience has shown that it may be possible to ~ ~
employ the other rolls which contact the nonprinting surface ~ `
39, and rolls which are similar in construction to the multiple disc roll 29. ~ ;~
In the operation of printing machines, such as described herein and in Pat. No. 3,518,940, it is important to be able to accommodate the belt tracking systems to belts which differ greatly in length, for example, from 5 to 75 feet. In Fig. 3, - -the belt is shawn as by-passing idler roll 30. When the tracking assembly is of the order of 6 feet in width, to esta-blish such a by-pass means, it has the effect of accommodating `
the system to a belt of perhaps 10 or 12 feet shorter in length.
- . ............. ., . " , ' ' ' . ,; ' . . . . . . .
However, the system also has to provide for adjustability of increments less than the large increment effected by by-passing an idler roll. Roll 28, positioned within a reverse turn, is shown connected with a screw device ~6 by which the roll may be adjusted in a horizontal direction toward and away from its position in the reverse turn toward and away from the rolls 27,29 to effect substantial increments of adjustment for different belt lengths and thus extend or shorten said circuit.
Roll 34 is also shown connected with a screw device ~7 which enables minor take-up adjustments of the belt by moving the roll 34 in a vertical direction. As the belt tracking system needs tensioning, the apparatus of one of the idler rolls may be resiliently supported against the web 5a in the manner for urging the roll 32 into the reverse turn of the belt as shown in Fig. 3 by a spring 48 or other resilient device.
One of the most frequent chores in tending a printing machine is the servicing of the ink train, such as ink train 51 or 52. The arrangement of a printing machine shown in Fig.
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 buildiny 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 e~uipment, 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 apar~. 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 .
~ ~, ~LO~S63 belts during the printing operation i5 the possibility of lateral vibration or shipping especially when substantial sections of the belt must be oriented in a vertical direction.
~ ~ ' ~ ~
`~
' ~
:';
-la-~ , ~ .
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 speedsj to provide belt-supporting structure of improved belt tracking capability; to provide a machine conEiguration 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 of 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 periphery mounted in fixed spaced relationship of 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 engagement with the lands of the nonprinting side. An entirely 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 lo-cated with respect to the aforementioned box-shaped region to :~' '-:- ' ., :
S~i3 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, e.g., 180 or more, to be engaged by the belt, thereby providing adequate belt area for inking equipment, impression roll, or any other equipment requiring rolling contact with the portion of the belt supported on the plate cylinder.
According to one broad aspect, the invention provides a belt printing machine which is especially adapted for multi-tone printing on a continuous web and has a plurality of horizontally spaced printing stations that are spaced progressively along a substantially horizontal path which the web travels through the machine, comprising: (a) an impression cylinder disposed at each station vertically below the path;
(b) a plate cylinder disposed at each station vertically above the path and impression cylinders; (c) a separate printing belt associated with each station and plate cylinder and comprising a continuous flexible belt of non~stretchable material reeved at least partially around an associated plate cylinder and extending therefrom, each belt carrying a plurality of printing ~lates for printing on the web as it passes between an impression cylinder and associated plate cylinder;
(d) a separate apparatus at each station for individually ;~
supporting each of the printing belts in overhead relation to the path and associated plate cylinder, each apparatus comprising, (i) first cylindrical means which are rotatable about a plurality of parallel axes for guiding a belt in generally horizontal parallel passes between consecutive reversed turns in a box-shaped region that is spaced vertically above the path and associated plate cylinder, and (ii) second cylindrical means which are rotatable about a plurality of _3_ ,,~,~
~, , ,'' , , . ,, : .`
~ `
s~
parallel axes for guiding the belt between the box region and associated plate cylinder in a peninsular region that projects substantially vertically from the box-shaped region toward the path and terminates distally at an associated plate cylinder, the peninsular regions being located and sized relative to the box-shaped regions such that dihedral regions are formed therebetween to accommodate ink trains and personnel; (d) means adjacent opposite ends of each plate cylinder for engaging and driving an associated belt as the plate cylinder rotates; and (e) means ~or driving the impression cylinders and associated plate cylinders, in unison, to synchronize movement of the belts and web.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of a belt printing machine in accordance with the prior art.
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of essential portions of a two-belt printing machine in accordance with the invention.
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic elevation of a single printing belt unit illustrating the practice of by-passing portions of the belt-supporting structure in the lacing of short-length belts thereon.
_ Fig. 4 is a fragmentary schematic elevation of elements of a belt-supporting unit employing different types of cylindrical means shown singly in Fig. 5.
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating an extension of a printing belt around two types of rotatable cylindrical belt support rolls.
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation with portions in section illustrating the drive relation of a plate roll and a transfer roll with the printing belt and the printable web therebetween.
~3a-~ .
.
~lO~S63 Description of the Preferred Embodiment Fig. 1 illustrates a prior art arrangement of a printing belt machine wherein a printing belt 5 advances around a driven plate roll 6, idler rolls 7, 8 and 9. The printing occurs on a web 10 at the nip of the roll 6 and an impression ' ~' '"~
'.
.
, ',' ~..- ' ;:
`~
. ~ , ~ . .
':;''' :'' ':~' ~"' ~..
-3b~
: ~ - ' . , . . ~ :
,.. ~ . .. . .
5~3 roll 11. Rolls 12 comprise an ink tr~in of which two rolls are observed in rolling contact with the plate roll 6. The circuit of the belt 5 may be lengthened or shortened by operation of a screw device 14 operating on bearing blocks of rolls 9 and 8 to appropriately adjust the circuit length of the machine ~or different length belts. An apparatus typifying the arrangement of Fig. 1 and, in general, the present state of the art, is described in much detail in Stroud et al Pat.
No. 3,518,940.
The other figures of the drawings illustrate the invention and relate to a belt supporting structure which achieves a greater utilization of space necessitated in the building of more complex, e.g., multicolor belt-type printing machines, whîle utilizing the principals of operation disclosed in the simpler machine of Pat. No. 3,518,940. Fig. 2, for example, discloses that a web 20 originating in a supply roll 21 passes through two printing stations established by the nips of im-pression rolls lla and llb with respective belts 5a and 5b supported against the transfer rolls by plate rolls 6a,6b, respectively. Fig. 2 illustrates two-belt tracking systems 24,25, which comprise, in addition to respective plate rolls 6a,6b, and various nondriven idler rolls 26 to 34 inclusive.
Obvious from the drawing is tha~ rolls 6a, 28, 30, 32, 33, and 34 engage the nonprinting or inner side of the belt 5a. A
similar situation is true with respect to belt 5b. The printing side of belt 5a or 5b is engaged by rolls 26,27,29 and 31. The printing side of the belt is plainly portrayed in Fig. 5 wherein its surface is arranged into longitudinal rows of printing areas covered by flexible printing plates 36 typically of plastic or rubber-like material separated by longitudinally extending lands 37 The lands and the printing areas comprise the printing side 38 of the belt. Also shown -in Fig. 5 is the normally smooth nonprinting side 39 of the belt. It wlll be noted that roll 29, typical of one of the rolls which contact the printing side of the belt, comprises shaft means 41 and a plurality of cylindrical discs l~2. The discs are spaced lengthwise of the shaft means to track along the longitudinal lands or nonprinting areas 37 of the belt.
The discs 42 are of less width than the lands so as not to interfere with printing media on the belt.
~s the belt 5b is constituted normally of nonst~etchable but flexible synthetic polymeric material, such as the polyester known under the trademark "MYLAR", the outer peripheral surfaces of the discs 42 may be formed of a similar plastic material or any material providing appropriate hardness enabling firm support of the belt but sufficiently soft to minimize belt wear.
Roll 28 is shown as having a continuous cylindrical sur-face for engaging the nonprinting side of the belt. Rolls 6a and 6b must, in any event, be of uninterrupted cylindrical -contour in order to give the belt solid support in effecting printing as the belt and the web 20 pass through the nip of the plate roll and the transfer roll. However, except for rolls 6a,6b, expërience has shown that it may be possible to ~ ~
employ the other rolls which contact the nonprinting surface ~ `
39, and rolls which are similar in construction to the multiple disc roll 29. ~ ;~
In the operation of printing machines, such as described herein and in Pat. No. 3,518,940, it is important to be able to accommodate the belt tracking systems to belts which differ greatly in length, for example, from 5 to 75 feet. In Fig. 3, - -the belt is shawn as by-passing idler roll 30. When the tracking assembly is of the order of 6 feet in width, to esta-blish such a by-pass means, it has the effect of accommodating `
the system to a belt of perhaps 10 or 12 feet shorter in length.
- . ............. ., . " , ' ' ' . ,; ' . . . . . . .
However, the system also has to provide for adjustability of increments less than the large increment effected by by-passing an idler roll. Roll 28, positioned within a reverse turn, is shown connected with a screw device ~6 by which the roll may be adjusted in a horizontal direction toward and away from its position in the reverse turn toward and away from the rolls 27,29 to effect substantial increments of adjustment for different belt lengths and thus extend or shorten said circuit.
Roll 34 is also shown connected with a screw device ~7 which enables minor take-up adjustments of the belt by moving the roll 34 in a vertical direction. As the belt tracking system needs tensioning, the apparatus of one of the idler rolls may be resiliently supported against the web 5a in the manner for urging the roll 32 into the reverse turn of the belt as shown in Fig. 3 by a spring 48 or other resilient device.
One of the most frequent chores in tending a printing machine is the servicing of the ink train, such as ink train 51 or 52. The arrangement of a printing machine shown in Fig.
2 is of great convenience in the printing of webs to two or more color tones. While a machine in accordance with Fig. 2 has the capability o~ printing two tones additional tracking units similar to tracking units 24 and 25 to achieve printing of ~our or more tones may be readily added.
It will be noted that rolls 27 to 33 form the serpentine path portion o~ the enti~e circuit of belts 5a or 5b within a generally box-shaped region. Rolls 33,34, 6a or 6b, 26 and 27 form another portion of the belt circuit that is peninsular with respect to the box-shaped region just described. As tracking systems 24 and 25 are formed with respective peninsular regions in the same relationship with the box-shaped regions, i.e., and an extension of the same corresponding side of the box-shaped region, dihedral regions 55,56 are formed exteriorly `
." , ' ' , ' . ' .
of the belt circuits within which the ink trains 51,52 may be located with much space for an operator to perform service thereon and on the idler rolls of the system. The belt tracking systems may be built to maximum heights within seven feet thereby placing all portions within arm reach of operating or servicing personnel.
In the belt tracking configurations herein described, ; another advantage results. The peninsular arrangement of a portion of the belt circuit extending around the plate rolls 6a,6b, the belt is brought into contact with 180 or more, depending on the location or roll 34, with the plate roll.
This feature of the tracking system provides a relatively large area of belt in contact with the tracking roll which may be engaged by other rolls, such as the transfer roll 6a and rolls 58,59 of the ink train 51, or 52. In designing ink trains, it is desirable to place as many ink-carrying rolls as practicable in contact with the portion of the belt supported ; on the plate roll. In most case, two inking rolls are de-sired as a minimum but more are sometimes provided.
As Fig. 2 illustrates, a common drive 62 may be used to - -drive the web forwarding rolls 61 and the belt advancing systems of both tracking units 24,25, and the transEer rolls lla,llb, for the purpose of having accurate synchronization of the belt and web speeds. As schematically shown in Fig. 6, power transmission from the transfer roll to the adjacent plate roll 6a and hence to the belt Sa, as shown in Fig. 2, drive is transmitted to transfer rolls lla,llb, through thé
common drive system 62. Rolls 6a,11a, are mounted on sha~ts 63,64, suitably bearinged in a frame member 65, gears 66,67 mounted on shafts 63,64, respectively, ha~e pitch diameters corresponding to the diameters of rolls 6a,11a, respectively, ; ~
for identical peripheral speeds. The idler rolls of each `
belt tracking system are supported on high grade anti-friction . .
, ', ~ ' ' s~ :
bearings to enable the belt to be drive solely through the sprocket gear 68 in mesh with apertures 69 of the belt 5a or 5b. The sprocket gear 68 is relatively rotatable with respect ~ to the plate roll through a clutch 71 in a manner such as that ;.~ described in Pat. No. 3,518,940. A similar sprocket and clutch mechanism is provided at the opposite ends of the rolls 6a,6b.
It was discovered in the development of the machine of the aforenamed patent, that relative movement, such as permitted under frictional restriction of the two clutches was needed : 10 between the sprocket drive for the belt and the portion of the roll between the sprocket drive to maintain the belt in ~ - proper registry with the sprockets at high printing speeds.
,, , .... ...
. :. .
. ,, :
:..
,. :
: ;-: -.: : ..
, ..::
.: :
, ., .
' . :
~' ~: -:
...
:.~
~:
. :,, .
.... .
. - .
^ .
.: .
: .
:....
:, -; ' ''~ ' . .
, , ~' .
:
It will be noted that rolls 27 to 33 form the serpentine path portion o~ the enti~e circuit of belts 5a or 5b within a generally box-shaped region. Rolls 33,34, 6a or 6b, 26 and 27 form another portion of the belt circuit that is peninsular with respect to the box-shaped region just described. As tracking systems 24 and 25 are formed with respective peninsular regions in the same relationship with the box-shaped regions, i.e., and an extension of the same corresponding side of the box-shaped region, dihedral regions 55,56 are formed exteriorly `
." , ' ' , ' . ' .
of the belt circuits within which the ink trains 51,52 may be located with much space for an operator to perform service thereon and on the idler rolls of the system. The belt tracking systems may be built to maximum heights within seven feet thereby placing all portions within arm reach of operating or servicing personnel.
In the belt tracking configurations herein described, ; another advantage results. The peninsular arrangement of a portion of the belt circuit extending around the plate rolls 6a,6b, the belt is brought into contact with 180 or more, depending on the location or roll 34, with the plate roll.
This feature of the tracking system provides a relatively large area of belt in contact with the tracking roll which may be engaged by other rolls, such as the transfer roll 6a and rolls 58,59 of the ink train 51, or 52. In designing ink trains, it is desirable to place as many ink-carrying rolls as practicable in contact with the portion of the belt supported ; on the plate roll. In most case, two inking rolls are de-sired as a minimum but more are sometimes provided.
As Fig. 2 illustrates, a common drive 62 may be used to - -drive the web forwarding rolls 61 and the belt advancing systems of both tracking units 24,25, and the transEer rolls lla,llb, for the purpose of having accurate synchronization of the belt and web speeds. As schematically shown in Fig. 6, power transmission from the transfer roll to the adjacent plate roll 6a and hence to the belt Sa, as shown in Fig. 2, drive is transmitted to transfer rolls lla,llb, through thé
common drive system 62. Rolls 6a,11a, are mounted on sha~ts 63,64, suitably bearinged in a frame member 65, gears 66,67 mounted on shafts 63,64, respectively, ha~e pitch diameters corresponding to the diameters of rolls 6a,11a, respectively, ; ~
for identical peripheral speeds. The idler rolls of each `
belt tracking system are supported on high grade anti-friction . .
, ', ~ ' ' s~ :
bearings to enable the belt to be drive solely through the sprocket gear 68 in mesh with apertures 69 of the belt 5a or 5b. The sprocket gear 68 is relatively rotatable with respect ~ to the plate roll through a clutch 71 in a manner such as that ;.~ described in Pat. No. 3,518,940. A similar sprocket and clutch mechanism is provided at the opposite ends of the rolls 6a,6b.
It was discovered in the development of the machine of the aforenamed patent, that relative movement, such as permitted under frictional restriction of the two clutches was needed : 10 between the sprocket drive for the belt and the portion of the roll between the sprocket drive to maintain the belt in ~ - proper registry with the sprockets at high printing speeds.
,, , .... ...
. :. .
. ,, :
:..
,. :
: ;-: -.: : ..
, ..::
.: :
, ., .
' . :
~' ~: -:
...
:.~
~:
. :,, .
.... .
. - .
^ .
.: .
: .
:....
:, -; ' ''~ ' . .
, , ~' .
:
Claims (4)
1. A belt printing machine which is especially adapted for multi-tone printing on a continuous web and has a plurality of horizontally spaced printing stations that are spaced progressively along a substantially horizontal path which the web travels through the machine, comprising:
(a) an impression cylinder disposed at each station vertically below the path;
(b) a plate cylinder disposed at each station vertically above the path and impression cylinders;
(c) a separate printing belt associated with each station and plate cylinder and comprising a continuous flexible belt of non-stretchable material reeved at least partially around an associated plate cylinder and extending therefrom, each belt carrying a plurality of printing plates for printing on the web as it passes between an impression cylinder and associated plate cylinder;
(d) a separate apparatus at each station for individually supporting each of the printing belts in overhead relation to the path and associated plate cylinder, each apparatus comprising, (i) first cylindrical means which are rotatable about a plurality of parallel axes for guiding a belt in generally horizontal parallel passes between consecutive reversed turns in a box-shaped region that is spaced vertically above the path and associated plate cylinder, and (ii) second cylindrical means which are rotatable about a plurality of parallel axes for guiding the belt between the box region and associated plate cylinder in a peninsular region that projects substantially vertically from the box-shaped region toward the path and terminates distally at an associated plate cylinder, the peninsular regions being located and sized relative to the box-shaped regions such that dihedral regions are formed therebetween to accommodate ink trains and personnel;
(d) means adjacent opposite ends of each plate cylinder for engaging and driving an associated belt as the plate cylinder rotates; and (e) means for driving the impression cylinders and associated plate cylinders, in unison, to synchronize movement of the belts and web.
(a) an impression cylinder disposed at each station vertically below the path;
(b) a plate cylinder disposed at each station vertically above the path and impression cylinders;
(c) a separate printing belt associated with each station and plate cylinder and comprising a continuous flexible belt of non-stretchable material reeved at least partially around an associated plate cylinder and extending therefrom, each belt carrying a plurality of printing plates for printing on the web as it passes between an impression cylinder and associated plate cylinder;
(d) a separate apparatus at each station for individually supporting each of the printing belts in overhead relation to the path and associated plate cylinder, each apparatus comprising, (i) first cylindrical means which are rotatable about a plurality of parallel axes for guiding a belt in generally horizontal parallel passes between consecutive reversed turns in a box-shaped region that is spaced vertically above the path and associated plate cylinder, and (ii) second cylindrical means which are rotatable about a plurality of parallel axes for guiding the belt between the box region and associated plate cylinder in a peninsular region that projects substantially vertically from the box-shaped region toward the path and terminates distally at an associated plate cylinder, the peninsular regions being located and sized relative to the box-shaped regions such that dihedral regions are formed therebetween to accommodate ink trains and personnel;
(d) means adjacent opposite ends of each plate cylinder for engaging and driving an associated belt as the plate cylinder rotates; and (e) means for driving the impression cylinders and associated plate cylinders, in unison, to synchronize movement of the belts and web.
2. The belt printing machine of claim 1, wherein:
(f) each belt has longitudinally-spaced sprocket-teeth receiving holes in opposite edge portions thereof; and (g) the belt driving means are sprocket means mounted for unitary rotation with each of the plate cylinders in meshing relation with the holes.
(f) each belt has longitudinally-spaced sprocket-teeth receiving holes in opposite edge portions thereof; and (g) the belt driving means are sprocket means mounted for unitary rotation with each of the plate cylinders in meshing relation with the holes.
3. The belt printing machine of claim 1, wherein:
(h) the peninsular regions extend toward the web path substantially as an in-line extension of corresponding sides of the box-shaped regions.
(h) the peninsular regions extend toward the web path substantially as an in-line extension of corresponding sides of the box-shaped regions.
4. The belt printing machine of claim 1, comprising:
(i) a train of inking rolls in each dihedral region;
(j) the second cylindrical means being arranged in each peninsular region to cause a belt passing thereover to envelop at least a 180° portion of the periphery of an associated plate cylinder of that region; and (k) at least two rolls of the respective adjacent inking roll train in engagement with that portion of the belt extending over the enveloped peripheral portion of the plate roll.
(i) a train of inking rolls in each dihedral region;
(j) the second cylindrical means being arranged in each peninsular region to cause a belt passing thereover to envelop at least a 180° portion of the periphery of an associated plate cylinder of that region; and (k) at least two rolls of the respective adjacent inking roll train in engagement with that portion of the belt extending over the enveloped peripheral portion of the plate roll.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US67993076A | 1976-04-26 | 1976-04-26 | |
| US679,930 | 1984-12-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1086563A true CA1086563A (en) | 1980-09-30 |
Family
ID=24728975
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA273,159A Expired CA1086563A (en) | 1976-04-26 | 1977-03-03 | Belt-type printing machine with serpentine belt support |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS6026711B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1086563A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2716628A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2349444A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1560514A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1075639B (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7704741L (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2484914A1 (en) * | 1980-06-20 | 1981-12-24 | Gay Robert | Machinery for printing measuring tapes - with automatic calibration check and coupling of successive tape stocks without stopping |
| ATE14542T1 (en) * | 1981-10-07 | 1985-08-15 | Thompson Edward Int | CONTINUOUS RIBBON PRINTING PRESS. |
| GB8418877D0 (en) * | 1984-07-24 | 1984-08-30 | Waddingtons Business Forms | Printing machine |
| JPS62183346A (en) * | 1986-02-07 | 1987-08-11 | Eihachi Mitsuyama | Scale indicating instrument on the back of winding cloth |
| JPS64207U (en) * | 1987-06-22 | 1989-01-05 |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US334878A (en) * | 1886-01-26 | Henry manners and charles edgar manners | ||
| DE448987C (en) * | 1924-01-05 | 1927-09-01 | Gustav Fischer | Rotary printing machine in which the image carrier is an endless belt that takes up the images for gravure, flat or letterpress |
| DE943113C (en) * | 1942-07-05 | 1956-05-09 | Wilhelm Ritzerfeld | Method and device for printing remote texts or parts of text |
| FR1235761A (en) * | 1958-08-22 | 1960-07-08 | Printing machine | |
| DE1204239B (en) * | 1962-12-15 | 1965-11-04 | Dr Anton Hoenninger | Device for printing strip material with an endless cliché carrier |
| US3518940A (en) * | 1967-06-30 | 1970-07-07 | Cameron Machine Co | Endless belt printing machine |
| FR2087498A5 (en) * | 1970-05-21 | 1971-12-31 | Draeger Alain |
-
1977
- 1977-03-03 CA CA273,159A patent/CA1086563A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-04-13 GB GB1539777A patent/GB1560514A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-04-15 DE DE19772716628 patent/DE2716628A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1977-04-21 JP JP4671277A patent/JPS6026711B2/en not_active Expired
- 1977-04-22 IT IT2273677A patent/IT1075639B/en active
- 1977-04-25 SE SE7704741A patent/SE7704741L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1977-04-25 FR FR7712350A patent/FR2349444A1/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2349444B1 (en) | 1983-04-01 |
| DE2716628A1 (en) | 1977-11-03 |
| SE7704741L (en) | 1977-10-27 |
| FR2349444A1 (en) | 1977-11-25 |
| JPS52130704A (en) | 1977-11-02 |
| IT1075639B (en) | 1985-04-22 |
| JPS6026711B2 (en) | 1985-06-25 |
| GB1560514A (en) | 1980-02-06 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US8764183B2 (en) | Device for holding and carrying along a substrate to be printed on and a printing machine | |
| US3664261A (en) | Straight feed press | |
| US3518940A (en) | Endless belt printing machine | |
| RU95100754A (en) | Printing device for double-side printing | |
| CA1086563A (en) | Belt-type printing machine with serpentine belt support | |
| ES2191610T3 (en) | MACHINE FOR PRINT TRANSFER. | |
| US4817525A (en) | Method and apparatus for synchronously controlling the printing speed of belt-type printing machine | |
| ES8404657A1 (en) | Device for longitudinally guiding an endless web | |
| GB2273464A (en) | Eliminating gutter crash in offset perfectors. | |
| US4214525A (en) | Belt-type printing machine with serpentine belt support | |
| US4454813A (en) | Inking unit | |
| ATE248116T1 (en) | ROTATIONAL BODY STRUCTURE FOR PATHWAY WIDTH CORRECTION | |
| US2767651A (en) | Roll printing machines | |
| ATE97091T1 (en) | TAPE TRANSFER DEVICE AND SECTION ROLL THEREOF. | |
| EP0292492A1 (en) | Printing apparatus. | |
| CA1303900C (en) | Flexographic printing machine, especially for flexographic web printing | |
| US2775934A (en) | Sheet fed rotary printing presses | |
| US4495863A (en) | Arrangement for prevention of roller marks on roller units in a printing press | |
| US7735418B2 (en) | Printing unit pertaining to a multi-color roller rotary press, and method for operating the same | |
| CA2145137A1 (en) | Belt-type printing machine for multi-color purposes | |
| US4515079A (en) | Planetary synchronizing device | |
| GB2321876A (en) | In-line belt type printing apparatus | |
| GB2083449A (en) | Synchronizing rolling surfaces | |
| US5765679A (en) | Paper transport system | |
| US3103877A (en) | Printing machine |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |