EP0795403A1

EP0795403A1 - A cylinder cleaning device

Info

Publication number: EP0795403A1
Application number: EP97104147A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Akira Hara; Hiraku Onuma; Hideo Oyaizu; Charles Robert Gaspalini
Original assignee: Baldwin Japan Ltd
Current assignee: Baldwin Japan Ltd
Priority date: 1996-03-16
Filing date: 1997-03-12
Publication date: 1997-09-17
Also published as: JPH09248903A; CN1174124A; KR970064924A

Abstract

A cylinder cleaning device having a cleaning fabric supporting section which allows a cleaning fabric supplying element (30) having a rigid core or a core having no rigidity to be used and which improves a space efficiency of the cleaning fabric supplying element by thinning the core part to the extreme. The cleaning fabric supporting section comprises cleaning fabric supporting members (4) supported by both side frames (8). Each of the cleaning fabric supporting members is provided with a shaft member (41) which is screwed into the side frame. An element to be supported is disposed between the both cleaning fabric supporting members by widening the distance by setting back the cleaning fabric supporting members toward the side frame by turning control handles (42). Then, the element to be supported is held by engaging end faces of the cleaning fabric supporting members with the end faces of the element to be supported by reversely turning the control handles. Such arrangement allows various cleaning fabric supplying elements having different shapes fabricated simply as a roll or in folds to be used without using metal shaft. When the cleaning fabric supplying element is a cleaning fabric roll, it may be mounted very easily even if the type thereof is different, whose core diameter is different or it has no core.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to a cylinder cleaning device for cleaning a surface of a cylinder such as a blanket cylinder of an offset printing machine, an impression cylinder, a plate cylinder and an ink roller by a cleaning fabric, and more specifically to a cylinder cleaning device constructed so as to directly support a cleaning fabric supplying element fabricated in a form of a cleaning fabric roll or so as to support a container storing the cleaning fabric supplying element.

Description of Related Art:

Conventionally, a typical cylinder cleaning device for cleaning a surface of a cylinder such as a blanket cylinder of an offset printing machine by a cleaning fabric is constructed so as to insert a metal shaft made of steel or the like to a roll of the cleaning fabric wrapped around a hollow cardboard core and to mount the metal shaft to a cleaning unit as a rotary shaft before its use. As an improvement thereof, a method of directly holding the core as a rotary shaft without using such metal shaft has been also proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei. 4-234659 for example.
However, if no shaft is used, the rigidity of the cleaning fabric roll decreases as the remainder of the cleaning fabric decreases. As a result, the center part thereof deflects by tensile force of cleaning fabric winding means. The cleaning fabric cannot be supplied normally in such state and there might have been a danger that the roll comes off and jumps out, thus destroying the printing machine.
Further, any type of cleaning fabric roll cannot be used when the type of the cleaning device is different because there is a case when a diameter of the metal shaft which fits with the respective device is different or a size of a holder for directly holding the core is different. Still more, while the rigid and heavy shaft/core is fixed to the cleaning device by a fixture after inserting the shaft to the core and fixing to the core firmly by a fixture, it took time to mount the cleaning fabric roll in such a manner.
There has been also proposed an efficient and resource-saving cleaning fabric roll in which the core portion is reduced to the extreme to wind more cleaning fabric. However, because a cardboard core having a small diameter cannot but be used for this type of cleaning fabric roll, it has had a problem in terms of strength in mounting it by the prior art method. Then, a solution for these problems has been required.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cylinder cleaning device which allows a rigid core or a core having no rigidity to be used for the cleaning fabric supplying element and the core portion thereof to be thinned to the extreme to improve a space efficiency (space factor) of the cleaning fabric supplying element.
Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide a cylinder cleaning device which allows a cleaning fabric supplying element having no core to be used.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a cylinder cleaning device which allows different types of cleaning fabric rolls or cleaning fabric rolls having different core diameters to be mounted.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a cylinder cleaning device which allows a cleaning fabric roll to be mounted without using a metal shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the aforementioned goals, according to the present invention, a cylinder cleaning device for cleaning an outer surface of a cylinder by pressing a cleaning fabric supplied from a cleaning fabric supplying element against the outer surface of the cylinder is provided with a frame and supporting means provided on the frame having engaging parts which engage with both end of the cleaning fabric supplying element or a container storing the cleaning fabric supplying element. Thereby, it allows various cleaning fabric supplying elements having different shapes fabricated simply as a roll to be used without using metal shaft. A cleaning fabric roll may be mounted very easily even if the type thereof is different, whose core diameter or core material is different or it has no core. When the cleaning fabric supplying element is stored in the container, i.e. when the cleaning fabric supplying element is stored in a rigid container which hardly deforms such as a cassette or a cartridge or in a container which is made from a deformable film material (including one packaged by a film material), the cleaning fabric supplying element may be handled favorably because the container itself is supported or the cleaning fabric supplying element is supported directly by penetrating through the container when the container is deformable. Specifically, the container can prevent the detergent which has been impregnated or applied in liquefied, jellied or paste form in the cleaning fabric from volatilizing, drying or oxidizing , thus suppressing the performance of the cleaning fabric from degrading. In addition, the container allows the cleaning fabric to be handled readily. When volatile detergent is used, its power becomes more effective by storing the cleaning fabric within the container. While much detergent is impregnated or applied to a cleaning fabric used in cleaning a cylinder cleaning device of an offset rotary printing machine for example, the present invention allows the cleaning fabric to be concealed within the container, thus preventing the detergent which has oozed out of the cleaning fabric from leaking to the outside. When the cleaning fabric supplying element (roll) is supported directl y without using the container, the present invention allows to prevent the detergent from volatilizing from the side walls of the cleaning fabric supplying element because those parts are covered by the supporting members.
The specific nature of the invention, as well as other objects, uses and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from the following description and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a section view showing a basic arrangement of a cylinder cleaning device of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a section view of a cleaning fabric supporting part constructed so as to support a cassette container storing a cleaning fabric supplying element;
FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a supporting mechanism according to a first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a supporting mechanism according to a second embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of a supporting mechanism according to a third embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a supporting mechanism according to a fourth embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of a supporting mechanism according to a fifth embodiment;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a supporting part of one side of the supporting mechanism shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of a supporting mechanism according to a sixth embodiment; and
FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of a supporting mechanism according to a seventh embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. The present invention features a cleaning fabric supplying element or means for supporting a container storing the cleaning fabric supplying element. Specifically, a cleaning fabric roll having a tubular core or bar-like core or having no such core may be used. The cleaning fabricis made of ordinary treated or non-treated fabric, non-woven fabric, paper, plastic film or the like. The treated cleaning fabrics include one which is impregnated with solvent in advance, one which is impregnated with solvent and is packaged in a vacuum pack or one to which detergent in a form of jelly or paste is applied.
FIG. 1 is a section view showing a basic arrangement of a cylinder cleaning device of the present invention. The cylinder cleaning device is constructed as a cleaning unit 2 which is mounted so as to face to a cylinder 1 of a press. The cleaning unit 2 comprises a cleaning fabric supporting part 4 for supporting a cleaning fabric supplying element 3, a cleaning fabric advancing means 5 for drawing a cleaning fabric 3a out of the cleaning fabric supplying element 3 and a cylinder pressing part 6 for pressing the cleaning fabric 3a which is stretched between the cleaning fabric supporting part 4 and the cleaning fabric advancing part 5 against the surface of the cylinder 1. Preferably, a brake mechanism 7 for braking the cleaning fabric 3a is disposed at the upper stream of the cylinder pressing part 6. A pressure pad 6a which composes a part of the cylinder pressing part 6 is supported by a supporting bar 9 which is a cross beam member laid across side frames 8 disposed on the both sides of the cleaning unit 2.
When the element to be supported is a container, a cover 12 is provided at a roll inserting hole 11 of the container 10 as shown in FIG. 2 and the cleaning fabric supplying element is inserted to the container by opening the cover 12. The cleaning fabric 3a is drawn out of the container from a slit 13 opened through the cover 12.
The brake mechanism 7 is provided to prevent the cleaning fabric 3a from sagging. For example, a brake shoe 70 is provided facing to an end face 9a of the support bar 9 and is operated by brake pressurizing means 70 in the example shown in FIG. 1. That is, the cleaning fabric 3a is pressed against the end face 9a of the support bar 9 and is braked by the action of the brake shoe 70.
Next, embodiments of the cleaning fabric supporting part will be explained. The embodiments pertain to arrangements for supporting the cleaning fabric supplying element or the container storing the cleaning fabric supplying element (hereinafter referred to as an element to be supported) in engagement at both ends thereof.

[First Embodiment]

Referring now to FIG. 3, the cleaning fabric supporting receivers 4 have cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b supported by the both side frames and provided with shaft members 41a and 41b screwed to the side frames 8. The surface of the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b which engage with the end faces of the element to be supported 30 is treated so as not to slip or is coated with non-slip surface material. Control handles 42a and 42b for turning the shaft members are provided at the locations where the shaft members 41a and 41b protrude out of the side frames 8.
The element to be supported 30 is disposed between the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b by widening the distance between them by turning the control handles to set back the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b toward the side frames 8 and is then held there between by engaging the end face of the respective cleaning fabric supporting members with the end faces of the element to be supported 30 by reversely turning the control handles.
It is noted that in the explanation of the following other embodiments, the same reference numerals denote the same parts with those in FIG. 3 and an explanation thereof will be omitted.

[Second Embodiment]

In FIG. 4, the cleaning fabric supporting receiver 4 have the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b supported by the both side frames 8 and provided with shaft members 50a and 50b which penetrate through the side frames 8 and which are supported slidably in the axial direction and non-turnably with respect to the side frames. Springs 51a and 51b which urge the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b always to the opposite cleaning fabric supporting member are provided between the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b and the side frames 8. One end of control levers 52a and 52b are connected respectively to the shaft members 50a and 50b which protrude out of the side frames 8. The control levers 52a and 52b are formed in a shape of L and the bent portion thereof is pivoted on supporting sections 53a and 53b fixed to the side frames. Then, the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b may be moved in the direction of the element to be supported 30 by sliding the shaft members in the axial direction by manipulating the other ends of the control levers in directions shown by arrows in the figure.
The element to be supported 30 may be disposed between the both cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b by widening the distance between the both members by pressing down the control levers 52a and 52b to ward the side frames 8 to set back the both members toward the side frames 8 resisting to the resilience of the springs 51a and 51b. After that, the element to be supported 30 is pinched by pressing the end faces of the respective cleaning fabric supporting members against the end faces of the element to be supported 30 by the resilience of the springs 51a and 51b by releasing the force which has been applied to the control levers.

[Third Embodiment]

The present embodiment pertains to an arrangement in which the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b are provided with extensions 55a and 55b which extend at least to the lower side of the peripheral surface of the element to be supported near the both edges thereof as shown in FIG. 5. Although not shown, the extensions may be formed at predetermined intervals to create ringed extensions as a whole or slits for passing edges of cleaning fabric may be created on the extensions so that the cleaning fabric will not be caught by the ringed extensions. In this case, the cleaning fabric is drawn out from the gap between the extensions or from the slit. The other arrangement is the same with that of the second embodiment.
According to the present embodiment, even if the element to be supported slips down, it is received by the extensions provided to the cleaning fabric supporting members. Further, the element to be supported may be mounted readily because, after supporting the both ends of the element to be supported by the extensions and pinching it by the both members, one control lever may be pushed down toward the side frame to release the pinch to set the element to be supported at the normal position.
Although one having the extensions at the both supporting members has been explained in the present embodiment, it is possible to arrange so that one supporting member has the extension and the other one does not so as to have a structure as shown in FIG. 6.

[Fourth Embodiment]

According to the present embodiment, engaging parts 54a and 54b which engage with ends of the element to be supported 30 are provided at the middle of the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b as shown in FIG. 6. The arrangement other than that is the same with the second embodiment. The figure shows an engaging arrangement in which the projections created on the cleaning fabric supporting members are inserted to the ends of a cylindrical core 31 of the cleaning fabric roll.
In case when the element to be supported 30 is a cleaning fabric roll, the engaging parts 54a and 54b of the cleaning fabric supporting members are engaged with the ends of the cylindrical core or solid core thereof made of paper, synthetic resin or the like. When the element to be supported 30 is a rigid container which hardly deforms, the engaging parts 54a and 54b of the cleaning fabric supporting members engage with the container itself and when it is deformable container, the engaging parts 54a and 54b of the cleaning fabric supporting members break through the container itself to engage with the cleaning fabric supplying element.
When the engaging parts 54a and 54b of the cleaning fabric supporting members are created in the form of the projections, the projections are engaged with the element to be supported 30 by inserting it to the element to be supported and by extending after the insertion or by screwing it into the element to be supported. When a projection is provided at the middle of the container, the cleaning fabric supporting member is engaged with the projection. The projection may be a pin whose end is pointed and which is thrusted into the solid core or may be what is arranged so as to insert an expansion member within the cylindrical core and to control and expand the expansion member from the outside to engage it with the inner surface of the cylindrical core.
According to the present embodiment, the element to be supported may be supported reliably through the engagement of the engaging parts of the ends or the sides of the element to be supported and the cleaning fabric supporting member.

[Fifth Embodiment]

The present embodiment pertains to an arrangement in which the ends of the element to be supported are connected with the cleaning fabric supporting member to apply tensile force to the element to be supported via the cleaning fabric supporting members to support the element to be supported.
In FIG. 7, cleaning fabric supporting members 60a and 60b are turnably supported by shaft members 63a and 63b. Connecting portions 61a and 61b which are connected with the element to be supported are provided with screws for example. Sleeve members 62a and 62b are attached turnably to the side frames 8. Female screws are formed on the inner surface of the sleeve members. Shaft members 63a and 63b which are provided with male screws which are screwed into the female screws of the sleeve members are mounted at the back of the cleaning fabric supporting members. The sleeve members 62a and 62b are provided with handles 64a and 64b. The shaft members 63a and 63b are provided with a key way 81 in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 8. A key 83 created on a shaft cover 82 is fitted into the key way 81 to make a key connection. The shaft cover 82 is fixed to the side frame 8 such that the shaft member 63b penetrates through them. By constructing as described above, the shaft members 63a and 63b may be moved only in the axial direction without rotation.
The screws 61a and 61b of the cleaning fabric supporting members are screwed into the element to be supported 30 to connect them and then the handles are turned to move the cleaning fabric supporting members in the directions as indicated by arrows in the figure. As a result, tensile force acts on the element to be supported 30. Because the cleaning fabric supporting member turn together in drawing out the cleaning fabric, the connection with the element to be supported will not be loosened. It becomes possible to prevent the cleaning fabric roll itself from deflecting due to the force which acts in drawing out the cleaning fabric when the diameter of the cleaning fabric roll becomes small and to use a cleaning fabric roll having a thin core by applying the tensile force thus to the element to be supported.

[Sixth Embodiment]

The present embodiment pertains to an arrangement in which the cleaning fabric supporting members are provided turnably in the arrangement for supporting the element to be supported by engaging the end faces of the element to be supported with the end faces of the cleaning fabric supporting members, the arrangement for supporting the element to be supported by pinching by the cleaning fabric supporting members, or the arrangement for supporting the element to be supported by applying tensile force to the element to be supported via the cleaning fabric supporting members.
FIG. 9 shows the embodiment which is applied to the arrangement for supporting the element to be supported by pinching by the cleaning fabric supporting members. It is noted that the present embodiment is applicable also to the first through fourth embodiments.
The cleaning fabric supporting members 60a and 60b are turnably supported by shaft members 65a and 65b which are mounted movably in the axial direction and non-turnably. Adhesion with the element to be supported is improved and power for supporting it is increased by pasting an elastic material such as rubber and sponge on the surface of the cleaning fabric supporting members which engage with the element to be supported.
The cleaning fabric may be supplied smoothly in drawing out the cleaning fabric from the cleaning fabric roll 30a because the cleaning fabric supporting members 60a and 60b turn along its action.

[Seventh Embodiment]

The present embodiment pertains to an arrangement for supporting the element to be supported by engagement between connecting members provided on the element to be supported and the cleaning fabric supporting members.
FIG. 10 shows the embodiment which is applied to the arrangement for supporting the element to be supported by pinching by the cleaning fabric supporting members. The connecting members 90a and 90b are provided at the ends of the element to be supported. The element to be supported is supported by pinching around the connecting members 90a and 90b by the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b. This method allows the cleaning fabric supplying element to be supported stably when the cleaning fabric supplying element itself is supported or when the cleaning fabric supplying element stored in a deformable container is supported because the ends of the cleaning fabric supplying element are supported by the connecting members even if the diameter thereof changes as the cleaning fabric is used.
Although the cleaning fabric supporting members and the connecting members are engaged in non-rotary state in the present embodiment, they may be turned by interposing bearings between the both members.
Further, the same effect with the third embodiment can be obtained by providing extensions 55a and 55b which extend downward at least around the peripheral surface of the connecting members near the ends to the cleaning fabric supporting members 40a and 40b.
Although the arrangements in which the both cleaning fabric supporting members are movable have been explained in each embodiment described above, it is possible to arrange so that one side thereof is fixed and the other is movable. Further, it is possible to arrange so that the engaging part of the cleaning fabric supporting members is provided only at one side. It is also possible to construct the device of the present invention by combining different embodiments.
While preferred embodiments have been described, variations thereto will occur to those skilled in the art within the scope of the present inventive concepts which are delineated by the following claims.

Claims

A cylinder cleaning device for cleaning an outer surface of a cylinder by pressing a cleaning fabric supplied from a cleaning fabric supplying element against said outer surface of said cylinder, comprising:
a frame; and

supporting means provided on said frame to support said cleaning fabric supplying element;

said supporting means having engaging parts which engage with both ends of said cleaning fabric supplying element.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 1, wherein said engage part of said supporting means has a member which is anchored to an end of core of said cleaning fabric supplying element.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 2, wherein said engaging part has a member which is inserted to a core member of said cleaning fabric supplying element.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 3, wherein said member which is inserted to the core member of said cleaning fabric supplying element has a member which is expanded after the insertion.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 2, wherein said engaging part of said supporting member has a member which is pressed into the core member of said cleaning fabric supplying element.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 2, wherein said engaging part of said supporting means has a member which is screwed into the core member of said cleaning fabric supplying element.
A cylinder cleaning device for cleaning an outer surface of a cylinder by pressing a cleaning fabric supplied from a cleaning fabric supplying element against said outer surface of said cylinder, comprising:
a frame; and

supporting means provided on said frame to support a container storing said cleaning fabric supplying element;

said supporting means having engaging parts which engage with said container.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 7, wherein said engage part of said supporting means has a member which is anchored to a side of said container storing said cleaning fabric supplying element near both ends thereof.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 7, wherein said engage part of said supporting means has a member which is anchored to an end of said container storing said cleaning fabric supplying element.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 9, wherein said engaging member of said supporting means is composed of a member which is inserted to the end of said container storing said cleaning fabric supplying element.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 10, wherein said member which is inserted to the end of said container storing said cleaning fabric supplying element has a member which is expanded after the insertion.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 9, wherein said engaging member of said supporting member is composed of a member which is pressed into the end of said container storing said cleaning fabric supplying element.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 9, wherein said engaging member of said supporting means is composed of a member which is screwed into the core member of said cleaning fabric supplying element.
A cylinder cleaning device for cleaning an outer surface of a cylinder by pressing a cleaning fabric supplied from a cleaning fabric supplying element against said outer surface of said cylinder, comprising:
a frame; and

supporting means provided on said frame to support a cleaning fabric supplying element or a container storing said cleaning fabric supplying element as an element to be supported;

said supporting means having engaging parts which engage with said element to be supported and urging parts which urge the both ends or one end of said element to be supported.
The cylinder cleaning device according to Claim 14, wherein said urging parts of said supporting means are composed of springs which urge the engaging parts.
A cylinder cleaning device for cleaning an outer surface of a cylinder by pressing a cleaning fabric supplied from a cleaning fabric supplying element against said outer surface of said cylinder, comprising:
a frame; and

supporting means provided on said frame to support a cleaning fabric supplying element;

said supporting means having connecting parts for connecting with both ends of a core member of said cleaning fabric supplying element and tensioning parts provided on said connecting parts to tension said core members.
A cylinder cleaning device for cleaning an outer surface of a cylinder by pressing a cleaning fabric supplied from a cleaning fabric supplying element against said outer surface of said cylinder, comprising:
a frame; and

supporting means provided on said frame to support a cleaning fabric supplying element;

said supporting means having engaging parts which engage with both ends of said cleaning fabric supplying element and which rotate along rotation of said cleaning fabric supplying element.
A cylinder cleaning device for cleaning an outer surface of a cylinder by pressing a cleaning fabric supplied from a cleaning fabric supplying element against said outer surface of said cylinder, comprising:
a frame; and

supporting means provided on said frame to support a cleaning fabric supplying element or a container storing said cleaning fabric supplying element as an element to be supported;

said supporting means having non-turnable members disposed at both ends of said element to be supported;

said members having extensions which extend from part thereof which face to both ends of said element to be supported to the lower side of the ends of said element to be supported at least at one of said parts facing to both ends of said element to be supported and at the peripheral surface of said element to be supported near the ends.
A cylinder cleaning device for cleaning an outer surface of a cylinder by pressing a cleaning fabric supplied from a cleaning fabric supplying element against said outer surface of said cylinder, comprising:
a frame; and

supporting means provided on said frame to support a cleaning fabric supplying element or a container storing said cleaning fabric supplying element as an element to be supported;

elastic members are provided at parts of said supporting means facing to said element to be supported.
A cylinder cleaning device for cleaning an outer surface of a cylinder by pressing a cleaning fabric supplied from a cleaning fabric supplying element against said outer surface of said cylinder, comprising:
a frame; and

supporting means provided on said frame to support a cleaning fabric supplying element or a container storing said cleaning fabric supplying element as an element to be supported;

said supporting means having engaging parts which engage with connecting members provided at both ends of said element to be supported.