EP1060882B1 - Imprinting system in a rotary press - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an impression system in a rotary printing press according to the Preamble of claim 1.

In a conventional manner, using impression works in Rotary printing machines print small areas on otherwise finished print products transferred, d. H. imprinted. It is often necessary to give the impression of information or an image of small dimensions only on the products of a partial stack of the Product batch of a larger print job. For example, it can a given advertising insert or a cardboard cover with a individual identification or a stack code, bar code or date before it reaches the last processing phase after printing.

The impression unit can be a flexographic printing system, an offset printing system or a High pressure system. The product can be processed as a web and after the last one Imprint can be cut and folded, or it can be processed as a sheet. The '' Different machines used to manufacture the printed product are referred to as web-fed rotary presses and sheet-fed presses.

Depending on the number of partial stacks into which the entire product stack is divided, i.e. H. depending on how many different impressions are required, the Printing machine be stopped each time to the imprint head and, if available, to change the pressure plate. The machine standstill and the replacement lead to considerable loss of time. Also arises when setting up and starting up again Machine waste.

DE 40 31 964 A1 describes e.g. B a rotary printing unit with the small area Print images can be printed on a paper web. The printing unit is in Essentially a high-pressure system with a bearing the original print image Pressure roller, a counter pressure roller, an ink roller and a transport system. The Print roller has an axial groove in which the impression head is attached. The Imprinting head can be moved axially in the groove, so that the imprinting image can be seen laterally Direction towards which the product can be placed. You can also have several Impression heads in the groove. This makes it possible to have two or more To provide signatures with an impression parallel to each other. The inking unit includes an ink fountain with ink, an ink fountain roller partially immersed in the ink, and an inking roller that contacts the ink fountain roller and the impression head. The Color is thus transferred from the ink fountain roller onto the inking roller and onto the Transfer impression head, which in turn transfers the color to the product while this is moved through the nip between the pressure roller and the counter-pressure roller becomes.

If the impression print image has to be changed, it is necessary that Stop transport system and press the impression head against an impression head exchange, which carries the new print image, which undesirable machine downtime and Product waste.

From DE OS 1 801 638 is a printing or transfer cylinder, especially for Rotary printing machines, for printing on continuous webs, known in the Layers are to be printed on form sets, the length of which is a multiple of the cylinder circumference are. For this purpose, the pressure cylinder has one in the cylinder jacket parallel to the cylinder axis running neckline and a pressure saddle filling the neckline, which in is guided radially displaceable or pivotable. Furthermore, from this Laid-open control of the pressure caliper known in which the pressure caliper by means of a toggle lever system supported on the cylinder shaft of the pressure cylinder can be extended and retracted, this process depending on the Rotation speed of the cylinder can take place.

Another printing device is known from US Pat. No. 3,181,456 which rotates one has driven pressure cylinder, which has openings on its surface, in which pressure stamps are embedded, which by means of a hydraulic-mechanical Device can be moved in the radial direction of the pressure cylinder, so that for one or more stamps can be selected individually for each printing process can. The extension of the pressure stamp occurs because outside of the Various cylinders are attached, which act on a shaft, which protrudes into the interior of the printing cylinder, so that the respective stamp from the Printing cylinder can be extended or retracted.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an impression system which the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known devices of this type eliminated.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by claim 1.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, this includes hydraulic fluid actuated activation system an inflatable or expandable body, e.g. Legs Bladder or bellows, seen radially below the indentation head in the channel is arranged; a fluid control unit that provides selective inflation and deflating the inflatable body controls; and fluid lines covering the connect the inflatable body to the fluid control unit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the impression head can be one of one Variety of impression heads, each attached in such a way that they can protrude individually and optionally beyond the periphery of the printing roller. Further is an activation system operated with hydraulic fluid for optional lifting and Lowering each of the variety of impression heads is provided, which is a variety of expandable or inflatable bodies, viewed radially under one each respective ones of the impression heads are arranged in the channel; and it is one Liquid control unit for controlling optional inflation and deflation of each inflatable body provided, and fluid lines that the connect the inflatable body to the fluid control unit.

By using a hydraulic fluid, for example hydraulic oil, there is the advantage that the impression head changes due to the incompressibility of the Liquid at high production speeds, i.e. at high speeds Pressure roller, not independent due to the effect on the impression head Centrifugal forces can move out of the channel, causing false impressions or may even damage the device.

According to another feature of the invention, all of the imprint heads are in the manner arranged to move along the axial channel and any number can take from named positions along the axial channel.

According to a further feature of the invention, the axial channel has a bottom and Sidewalls with grooves formed therein, and there is provided a carriage which the Impression head carries so that it is axially movable in the channel along the grooves.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the grooves form Cam tracks that determine a radial position of the slide and thus theirs Change radial position along the axial extent of the axial channel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the channel is along it axial extension divided into three sections, and each of the plurality of Impression heads is arranged in such a way that it can be placed in either of the three Sections can be transported.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the channel comprises the following Sections: a waiting section in which the imprint heads are in one retracted position before being placed in an active pressure state become; a printing section into which each of the impression heads from the waiting section is movable and in which the respective pressure surface axially over the periphery of the Printing roller protrudes; and an exit section into which the impression heads from Printing section are movable here.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the impression mechanism is a Flexographic printing. Thus, the printing area is a raised printing area for printing in high pressure. The system includes a platen roller that mates with the platen roller cooperates, forming a gap between the two rollers through which a Product that is supposed to get an impression is transported.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the impression mechanism is a Offset printing unit and the impression head carries an offset printing plate, which covers the printing area forms.

1. Es besteht nicht mehr die Notwendigkeit für separaten Eindruck.

2. Die Produktivität wird durch die Möglichkeit des Austausches des Eindruckkopfes während des Maschinenbetriebs gesteigert.

3. Die Herstellungskosten einer Druckmaschine werden gesenkt.

Three major advantages of this new system are immediately apparent:

1. There is no longer a need for separate impressions.

2. The productivity is increased by the possibility of exchanging the impression head during machine operation.

3. The manufacturing costs of a printing press are reduced.

Further characteristic features of the invention are in the appended claims contain.

The invention is illustrated in the following description of preferred embodiments in the Connection with the accompanying drawings listed below explained.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Hochdruck-Rotationseindruckmaschine;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht einer Offset-Rotationseindruckmaschine;

Fig. 3

eine teilweise schematische, perspektivische Ansicht einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform der Eindruckmaschine mit drei Eindruckköpfen in feststehenden Positionen;

Fig. 4

eine Teilansicht eines radialen Abschnitts einer Druckwalze mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Eindruckkopf, der mittels einer mit Flüssigkeit beaufschlagten Blase oder Blasebalgs angehoben werden kann.

Fig. 5

eine Teilansicht eines radialen Abschnitts einer Druckwalze mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Eindruckkopf, der mittels eines Schiebekeils angehoben werden kann;

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht einer Eindruckwalze eines Eindruck-Drucksystems nicht gemäß vorliegender Erfindung;

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht eines Eindruckkopfes, der in einem Kanal platziert ist, in dem Steuerungsnuten geformt sind;

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht eines gleichen Eindruckkopfes mit einem Flussdiagramm einer zugehörigen Druckflüssigkeit;

Fig. 9

eine längsgerichteten Teilansicht einer exemplarischen Steuerungsnut in einer Seitenwand des Kanals eines Eindruckkopfes;

Fig. 10

eine der Fig. 9 ähnliche Teilansicht einer alternativen Ausführungsform der Steuerungsnut;

Fig. 11

ein Seitenaufriss eines Eindruckkopfes mit einem keilförmigen Anheber und einer Offsetdruckplatte; und

Fig. 12

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines linearen Wellenlagerung mit einer Nockenbuchse zum Lagern und Bewegen des Eindruckkopfes innerhalb eines Kanals.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a side view of a high pressure rotary printing machine;

Fig. 2

a side view of an offset rotary printing machine;

Fig. 3

a partially schematic, perspective view of an embodiment of the impression machine not according to the invention with three impression heads in fixed positions;

Fig. 4

a partial view of a radial portion of a pressure roller with an impression head according to the invention, which can be raised by means of a bladder or bellows loaded with liquid.

Fig. 5

a partial view of a radial portion of a pressure roller with an impression head according to the invention, which can be raised by means of a sliding wedge;

Fig. 6

a top view of an impression roller of an impression printing system not in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 7

a side view of an impression head placed in a channel in which control grooves are formed;

Fig. 8

a side view of the same impression head with a flow diagram of an associated hydraulic fluid;

Fig. 9

a longitudinal partial view of an exemplary control groove in a side wall of the channel of an impression head;

Fig. 10

a partial view similar to FIG. 9 of an alternative embodiment of the control groove;

Fig. 11

a side elevation of an impression head with a wedge-shaped lifter and an offset printing plate; and

Fig. 12

a perspective view of a linear shaft bearing with a cam bushing for storing and moving the impression head within a channel.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the invention, in which High pressure process the print image is transferred directly. The one bearing the printed image Body (relief) is arranged directly on an impression head, which follows is described in more detail. The impression head is carried by a printing roller 1. The Printing roller 1 and a counter-pressure roller 2 form a gap through which one Web 3 moves in the web running direction 4. The inking is done by an inking unit, the an ink fountain 5 and an ink fountain roller 6 comprises. The ink fountain roller 6 takes Paint from the ink fountain and transfers it to an inking roller 7 notes that for the sake of clarity some insignificant for understanding the invention Auxiliary components of the inking unit, such as. B. ink knife, squeegee roller, squeegee roller and a rider roll are not shown here.

The printing process is a conventional high pressure or relief printing process. The Impression head protrudes slightly beyond the peripheral surface of the platen roller 1. When the imprint head goes into the gap between rollers 1 and 7, come the raised image parts of the impression head with the ink film on the ink roller 7 in Contact, where the imprint head is colored. When contacting the impression head with the product (e.g. paper) that forms as web 3 through the pressure gap between the Rolls 1 and 2 moves, the color is transferred from the imprint head to the product transfer.

The system can also be used in conjunction with an offset printing process. As shown in Fig. 2, the offset printing system comprises a blanket roller 1 which together with the counter-pressure roller 2 forms the gap through which the web 3 in the Web running direction 4 moves. In the offset printing system, the impression head (the one Offset printing plate) on a printing cylinder 8 (which also serves as a plate cylinder is designated) attached. The plate is moistened by a dampening system, a wet box 9, a wet box roller 10, a wet transfer roller 11 and comprises a dampening roller 12. Alternatively, the dampening system can Spray dampening system that has no wet box 9 and no wet box roller 10 has, but dampening water on the dampening roller 11 or directly on the Moist application roller 12 sprays. The periphery of the dampening roller 12 is in a distance from the pressure cylinder 8, which ensures that only those on the Printing plate located in contact with the fountain solution film on the Moist application roller 12 comes. The plate surface protrudes radially over the peripheral Level of the dampening roller 12 also.

The printing process is conventional offset printing. The printing plate is in hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas, which represent the image to be printed, divided. First is the Printing plate moistened by the dampening roller 12. The water molecules only stick on the hydrophilic areas. Then the printing plate on the inking roller 7th moved past and brought into contact with the ink layer on the inking roller 7. Because paint and water are not mixed together and the hydrophilic surfaces are covered with a film of water, the paint adheres only to the hydrophobic or oleophilic surfaces on the printing plate. An inking unit ensures a constant Feeding ink to the inking roller 7. The inking unit (similar to that in Fig. 1) comprises an ink source in the form of an ink fountain 5 and an ink fountain roller 6, and an ink transfer roller 13, the ink from the ink fountain roller 6 on the Ink roller 7 transmits.

The rollers are either via an associated gear or mechanical Link mechanism driven together or by individual speed equal Motors powered. Such engines are currently, for. B. in rotary printing presses used, manufactured by Heidelberg Web Systems, Dover, New Hampshire, USA become.

The impression system will now be simplified with reference to that shown in FIG. 3 Representation of an embodiment not according to the invention explained. First, however, it should be noted that the system shown in Fig. 3 with regard to the number and details of the components shown is simplified. For example, there are no control devices for the alignment of the Web, for monitoring the substrate, for pulling / slipping the web in the Pressure gap or shown for setting the contact pressure.

The web 3 has predetermined impression areas 14, i. H. Areas of the Main print image, which are ready for the customer-specific individual impression. In In this embodiment, the impression areas 14 are in one Plurality of impression zones 14a, 14b, 14c divided. A first batch of an ongoing Print jobs can be given a given impression at the impression zone 14a , a second stack can be made at the impression zone 14b and a third stack at the Impression zone 14c can be provided with an impression. The number of impression zones is not limited, but it will logically be the number of available Imprint heads match. The imprint heads are in sections 15a, 15b and 15c, which are axially defined within a channel formed in the roller 1. Consequently section 15a corresponds to zone 14a, section 15b corresponds to zone 14b and Section 15c of zone 14c. Accordingly, the one shown in FIG Embodiment three impression heads for three different impression zones.

Each of the impression heads in sections 15a, 15b and 15c can be individual raised to print in the respective section. For this purpose there is one pneumatic or hydraulic pressure source via a valve 18 with the individual Imprint heads connected. The number of positions of the valve 18 corresponds to that Number of impression heads. Typically one of the imprint heads is activated while the other impression heads remain inactive. However, it is also possible to have several Activate impression heads simultaneously, e.g. B. if in several impression zones impressions are to be applied simultaneously on a single signature. The Distribution of the pressure applied to the imprint heads is by a control system 19 connected to the valve 18 is controlled. In a simple one In one embodiment, the control system 19 is a group of switches, one in different positions adjustable selector switch, or an electronic Control circuitry.

3 is operated as follows: While the web 3 is in the Web running direction 4 moves and the rollers 1 and 2 with a corresponding Turn peripheral speed, one of the impression heads - for example in the Section 15a - raised. The impression head in section 15a is thus colored and the impression is carried out in zone 14a. If another in zone 14b Is desired, the impression head is lowered in section 15a and the Impression head raised in section 15b and zone 14b with the other impression Mistake. This continues until the required number of stacks is reached and a other impression is desired. It should be clear that the change of Imprinting head according to this invention takes place during the printing operation and it it is not necessary to stop the printing press for each of these changes. Much more the entire print job can be made with a variety of different impressions can be processed without stopping the machine once.

With reference to Fig. 4, the structure of an impression head and the associated one Activation mechanism described in detail. An expandable organ 20 (e.g. a pneumatically or hydraulically inflatable bladder or bellows) is on the floor of the axial channel 16 formed in the roller 1. The bladder 20 carries one radially from this protruding impression head body 21 with a raised Print area 22 (high pressure system) or with a small offset plate 22 (Offset printing system). Annular compression elements 23, e.g. B. in the form of Bellows serve a dual purpose. First, secure it Impression head body 21 against its movement in the axial and circumferential Direction (the non-radial, orthogonal directions). Second, they can Compression elements 23 also serve the impression head body 21 within the Bias channel 16 radially, so that in the deactivated position of the Impression head body 21 whose imprint surface 22 does not extend over the periphery of roller 1 protrudes. The preload must be at least a slightly higher value have as the expected centrifugal force at the maximum printing speed and the associated angular velocity of the roller 1.

As indicated in Fig. 4, the side walls of the channel 16 are in the direction of Periphery of the roller 1 formed obliquely to each other. The trapezoidal Sectional arrangement ensures that the impression head 21 and the Seal ring 23 are held securely in the channel 16. 4 it can also be seen that that the impression head arrangement is preferably from one of the end faces of the roller 1 is inserted laterally into channel 16.

An alternative embodiment of the support structure is shown in FIG. 5. Here is the imprint head arrangement by two opposite projecting Edges 16a held on the channel edge near the peripheral surface of the roller 1 are trained. In other words, in this embodiment of the invention top wall layer of roller 1 by a few millimeters into the channel and up to a depth (thickness) of a few millimeters extended to the edges or protrusions (16a).

As also shown in Fig. 4, the bladder 20 is at least two Hydraulic fluid lines, namely with an inlet line 24 and one Outlet line 25 connected. The flow in the liquid lines 24 and 25 will controlled by a liquid control unit 26 which according to the invention within the Roller 1 is arranged. There is 1 inside the roller self-contained system without any connection to hydraulic fluid outside the roller. For this purpose, the control unit 26 can e.g. B. yourself be connected to a liquid reservoir pumping device, which, for. Legs has electrical connection to the outside of the roller 1. In an embodiment not according to the invention, only a relatively simple guide due to the rotary bearing of the roller 1 required to the hydraulic or pneumatic To pass hydraulic fluid through. The control unit 26 is preferably a electrically activated switch. If the Control unit 26 is mounted outside the roller, it is necessary to have several Lead liquid lines through the pivot bearing. At least six Liquid lines would have to be provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 be, namely two for each of the three impression heads. Hydraulic fluid lines, Rotary unions and electrical lines leading from fixed frame parts to rotatable rollers or cylinders are well known to those skilled in the art and will be therefore not described in detail here.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Here, however, the impression head body 21 is caused by the interaction of two Wedges 27 and 28 optionally raised and lowered. 5, the wedge 27 is transverse to Longitudinal extension of the channel 16, i. H. movable from right to left. The wedge 27 will through an expandable chamber or piston 29 of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 30 moves. In a similar manner to that of the bladder 20 Cylinder 30 via liquid lines 24 and 25 with a control unit 26 (here connected to a cylinder control unit). If the wedge 27 at extended or elongated piston 29 is moved to the left, the Impression head body 21 is raised and extends radially beyond channel 16. In this position extends the associated impression surface 22 - a raised one Printing area in flexographic printing, or an offset printing plate in offset printing - across the level the peripheral surface of the roller 1 and transmits the associated print image on the substrate or on the blanket cylinder until the activated one Impression head is moved back into channel 16.

The amount by which the printing surface 22 of the impression head extends over the peripheral plane also depends on the angle of the wedge and the length of the Piston 29 from. The radial displacement d of the impression head, d. H. the distance between its inactive position shown in Fig. 5 and its active, raised Position, can be expressed as d = x • sin α, where x is the path of the piston 29 and α is the wedge angle of the wedge 27 or 28, whichever is relative to Horizontal is larger. In this context, the horizontal becomes the orthogonal Plane relative to any radial beginning at the axis of rotation of the roller 1 Understood axis.

6 shows a second embodiment not according to the invention. With the impression work this Embodiment it is possible that with a variety of Impression heads 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d in a single impression zone 14 on the web 3 can be printed. For this purpose, all impression heads 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d first brought into their waiting positions on the left in Fig. 6. If the respective impression head is to be used for printing, this is over the Channel 16 transported to section 15. Here the impression head becomes axial fixed and raised, d. H. activated. After printing the entire stack the active impression head is lowered into channel 16, axially released and in brought the respective inactive position on the right side of Fig. 6. As shown, the imprint heads 22a and 22b have already finished their printing task during the Imprint head 22c is currently printing and the fourth imprint head 22d is in its Waiting position. Of course, only the printing area of the Impression head 22c, d. H. of the just activated impression head, via the peripheral Level of the platen 1 raised.

The second embodiment is compared to the first embodiment with the assigned stationary impression heads simplified, since only one lifting system (bladder or Bellows 20 or wedge 27) is required. The lifting system is at section 15 attached and is only activated if a respective impression head along the axial Channel 16 has been moved into section 15. On the other hand, this system more complicated in that here the impression heads are transported across channel 16 and must be fixed in section 15. Various can be used for axial transport Systems are used. For example, one by fluid pressure or one Electric motor activated spindle drive can be provided. However, it can also be a linear bearing with a hydraulic or pneumatic drive to move the Carriage / impression head can be used.

Fig. 7 shows the impression head 21 in its waiting position (outside left in Fig. 6). The Impression head 21 is returned to its inactive position and is on a carriage 31 which is moved axially along the channel 16 in grooves 32 and 33 can. The arrangement of the grooves 32 and 33 relative to the peripheral plane of the roller 1 ensures that the impression head 21 is fixed in its inactive position.

Fig. 8 shows the impression head 21 in section 15 in its raised position as activated impression head. Here is a bellows 20 (or one shown in Fig. 3 Bladder 20 or a wedge system shown in Fig. 4) provided in section 15, so that the impression head 21 can be optionally raised in this position. The Bellows 20 is fluid via the liquid inlet line and the Liquid outlet line connected to the control unit 26. On the axial Two pistons 34 and 35 can be provided at the upper end of the channel 16. The Pistons 34, 35 clamp the impression head 21 after being lifted by one To prevent displacement in the circumferential direction. The pistons 34 and 35 are are also controlled by the control unit 26 and are for this purpose in terms of flow in each case via liquid lines 36 and 37 with the control unit 26 connected. During the printing operation, the impression head 21 is primarily in Exposed circumferential displacement forces caused by the pistons 34th and 35 can be compensated. In addition, pointing in the radial direction also act (Pressure) forces caused by the counterforce of the bellows 20 and by the rotation the centrifugal forces caused by the roller 1 can be compensated.

As stated above with respect to FIG. 7, the axial grooves 32 and 33 hold the Carriage 31 and the impression head 21 in the channel 16. For this purpose the Grooves 32 and 33 preferably widened in section 15 so that the impression head for printing can be increased accordingly. Due to the fact that the Grooves 32 and 33 are widened only in section 15, it is ensured that the Impression head does not move axially when raised to its activated position. However, if the impression head 21 is moved across the channel 16, it must be in the Section 15 must be stopped before it can be raised. For this purpose a piston 38 with a pawl or a corresponding locking device intended. The piston is also in flow via a liquid line 39 connected to the control unit 26.

Figure 9 is a top view of the groove 33 of Figures 7 and 8. The groove 32 is preferred mirror-symmetrical to the groove 33, the liquid lines 24 and 25 and also other lines advantageously run on the bottom of the channel 16 can.

10 shows a particularly simple activation system in which the Impression head 21 is movable by means of an appropriately designed cam control. The grooves 32 and 33 serve as cam tracks and the slide 31 is the cam. The grooves 32 and 33 hold the impression head 21 except in the activation section 15 along the entire axial extent of the printing roller 1 in the lowered, inactive Position. Here the impression head 21 is raised by the cam track and thus activated. If the respective imprint head 21 does its job on the assigned one Batch in the print job, it is moved to the right and back into the Channel. 16 lowered, and section 15 is ready to add another imprint head 21 for pick up another batch.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11, the Impression head 21 a printing plate 40, which - in an analogous manner to a known Printing plate clamping system for web-fed rotary offset printing machines - with yours angled plate ends in associated narrow slots 41 of the impression head surface 22 can be accommodated in order to clamp the (mini) pressure plate 40. A suction cup 42 can advantageously be used to carry the (mini) plate 40 Handle 43 can be used.

As shown in Fig. 12, the imprint head can be within channel 16 through one Linear bearings 44 are held and can be moved in the channel 16 by means of this bearing. in this connection linear bearing shaft 44 is preferably rotatably supported and as a camshaft formed with at least one cam (hump) 45 in such a way that in one Rotation of the bearing shaft 44 the impression head up into its activation position is moved when the impression head is on the cam (hump) 45. The Cam (hump) 45 can z. B. in the bearing shaft 44 or as one on the shaft sleeve to be slid on.

The invention has been described here as a free standing impression system, however is equally suitable for both in a web-fed rotary printing press and in a sheetfed press to be integrated. The aforementioned ensure Main printing machines for the original printing and the impression mechanism as an auxiliary device for the impression that can be changed without changing the original printing operation interrupt. In addition, the impression work can also be a two-sided Imprint system are available, d. H. that on both sides of the web at the same time Imprints can be made.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1

Printing roller / blanket roller

2

Backing roll

3

train

4

Web direction

5

paintbox

6

Ink fountain roller

7

Inking roller

8th

pressure cylinder

9

wet box

10

Wet fountain roller

11

Wet transfer roll

12

Dampener roller

13

Ink transfer roller

14

Imprint area of web 3

14a, 14b, 14c

impression zones

15a, 15b, 15c

Sections of the imprint head position

16

Roller channel / cylinder channel

16a

Retaining edges

18

Valve

19

control system

20

bladder

21

Impression head body / impression head

22

Imprint head surface / impression surface

22a, 22b, 22c, 22d

imprinter head

23

Compression elements

24

Fluid inlet pipe

25

Liquid outlet pipe

26

Fluid control unit

27

wedge

28

wedge

29

piston

30

pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder

31

carriage

32

groove

33

groove

34

piston

35

piston

36

liquid line

37

liquid line

38

piston

39

liquid line

40

printing plate

41

slots

42

suction cup

43

handle

44

bearing shaft

45

cam lobe

Claims (10)

1. An imprint system in a rotary imprint printing machine with a printing roller (1) having a periphery in which an axial channel (16) extending along the printing roller (1) is formed, an imprinter head (21) disposed in the channel (16), the imprinter head (21) having a print surface (22) substantially parallel with the periphery of the printing roller (1) and the imprinter head (21) being radially extendible out of said channel (16) during the letterpress printing of the printing machine via actuating means such that the imprinter surface projects radially beyond the printing roller (1),
   characterized i n that
   the actuating means comprise a pressure fluid system which is located in the channel (16) in radial direction below the imprinter head (21) for the purpose of selectively raising and/or lowering the imprinter head (21) and being located completely inside the printing roller (1).
2. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the pressure fluid system comprises an inflatable member (20) which can be loaded with liquid via a control device (26).
3. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   means are provided with which the imprinter head (21) can move along the axial channel (16) in defined positions.
4. The device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   a multiplicity of imprinter heads is located within the channel (16), which can move independent of each other.
5. The device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the axial channel (16) has a bottom and sidewalls with grooves (32,33) formed therein, and in that the imprinter head 21 is disposed on a carriage 31 which can be axially moved along the grooves (32, 33)
6. The device according to claim 5,
   characterized in that
   the grooves form cam tracks which define a radial position of the carriage (31).
7. The device according to claim 5,
   characterized in that
   the axial channel (16) is divided into three sections (15a, 15b, 15c) and that each of the imprinter heads (21) can move selectively in one of the sections (15a, 15b, 15c).
8. The device according to claim 7,
   characterized in that
   the sections comprise a waiting section (15a) in which the imprinter heads (21) are disposed in a retracted, deactivated state; a printing section (15b) in which the imprinter heads (21) are located in an active state which projects beyond the periphery of the printing roller (1) as well as a discharge section (15c) in which the imprinter heads (21) are movable when they are no longer required for the printing operation.
9. The device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the imprinter surface (22) comprises a raised printing surface for letterpress printing and that a counterpressure roller (2) is provided which forms a nip with the printing roller (1) through which a product to be imprinted between the printing roller (1) and the counterpressure roller (2) is transported.
10. The device according to one of claims 1 to 8,
    characterized in that
    the imprinter head (21) carries an offset printing plate which defines the print surface (22).

Images