EP1246726A1 - Rotation printing machine - Google Patents

Rotation printing machine

Info

Publication number
EP1246726A1
EP1246726A1 EP00975864A EP00975864A EP1246726A1 EP 1246726 A1 EP1246726 A1 EP 1246726A1 EP 00975864 A EP00975864 A EP 00975864A EP 00975864 A EP00975864 A EP 00975864A EP 1246726 A1 EP1246726 A1 EP 1246726A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
doctor blade
squeegee
cylinder
holder
printing
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP00975864A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1246726B1 (en
Inventor
Heinz-Jürgen ELBERS
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sonko Konstruktions- und Sondermaschinen Vertriebs- GmbH
Original Assignee
Sonko Konstruktions- und Sondermaschinen Vertriebs- GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sonko Konstruktions- und Sondermaschinen Vertriebs- GmbH filed Critical Sonko Konstruktions- und Sondermaschinen Vertriebs- GmbH
Publication of EP1246726A1 publication Critical patent/EP1246726A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1246726B1 publication Critical patent/EP1246726B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F15/00—Screen printers
    • B41F15/08—Machines
    • B41F15/0804—Machines for printing sheets
    • B41F15/0809—Machines for printing sheets with cylindrical or belt-like screens
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F15/00—Screen printers
    • B41F15/14—Details
    • B41F15/40—Inking units
    • B41F15/42—Inking units comprising squeegees or doctors

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a rotary printing press of the type of a so-called letterpress machine according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • printing ink filled in with a printing screen is applied to the material to be printed using a rotating printing cylinder.
  • a squeegee arranged in the interior of the printing cylinder, which does not rotate with the printing cylinder, presses the printing ink all the way through the meshes of the printing screen due to the rotation of the printing cylinder.
  • the material to be printed is picked up by a rotating counter-pressure roller.
  • a gripper bar provided on the impression cylinder serves this purpose.
  • the squeegee Since the gripper bar protrudes beyond the circumference of the counter-pressure cylinder, the squeegee must be lifted from the inside of the pressure screen during each revolution of the pressure cylinder when passing through the gripper bar in order not to damage the pressure screen in order to allow the pressure screen to give in flexibly. In conventional printing machines, this is done in that the squeegee is arranged resiliently and can thus be pressed back against the spring force by the gripper bar. However, this is accompanied by high wear on the printing screen. Even at high printing speeds, it is unavoidable that the squeegee after the lifting movement initiated by the gripper bar
  • BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE jumps and thus the area of the material to be printed immediately following the gripper bar is often not correctly printed.
  • a printing press used in practice has therefore already been developed, in which the squeegee is attached to a lever arrangement which is pivotably articulated laterally outside the printing cylinder, which is connected to a control and actively swings the squeegee away from the inside of the printing screen when it passes the gripper bar.
  • this device is subject to strong vibrations due to the pivoting movement of the squeegee, which has a particularly strong effect at high speeds of the printing cylinder.
  • the lateral openings of the printing cylinder must also be very large in order to enable the pivoting movement of the lever arrangement and the doctor blade. Because of the large installation space that this squeegee bearing with lever arrangement requires, this version is only suitable for small pressure cylinders in order to keep the overall size of the arrangement within limits.
  • the invention is therefore concerned with the problem of creating a generic rotary printing press which can also be used at high printing speeds with little wear on the printing screen and which delivers precise printing results.
  • the rotary printing press according to the invention operates particularly low-vibration if the direction of movement of the squeegee is directed radially to the axis of the printing cylinder.
  • the direction of movement of the squeegee runs through the center of gravity of the printing cylinder, whereby any vibrations are compensated for as best as possible.
  • 1 is a rotary printing machine in a schematic side view
  • 2 shows the area of action between the impression cylinder and the impression cylinder of a rotary printing press
  • FIG. 3 partially a perspective view of the printing cylinder of a rotary printing press according to the invention, partially cut away,
  • FIG. 5 shows the printing cylinder from FIG. 3 without a doctor blade and doctor blade holder.
  • the rotary printing machine shown in FIG. 1 is designed for printing on single sheet material 2 to be printed held in a magazine 1.
  • the path of the individual sheets 2 through the rotary printing press is marked with arrows.
  • the sheets arrive one after the other via a feed device 3 to a rotating impression cylinder 4.
  • This has a gripper bar 5 shown in FIG. 2, with which the sheet 2 is clamped to the impression cylinder 4.
  • a likewise rotating printing cylinder 6 acts on the sheet 2 and is mounted on the machine frame 7.
  • the gripper bar 5 releases the sheet 2, which has now been printed, and this is dried during its further transport by the rotary printing press and finally fed to further processing or sorting.
  • FIG. 2 shows how the printing screen 8 is deformed by the action of the gripper bar 5 of the impression cylinder 4 during the rolling of the impression cylinder 6 and impression cylinder 4.
  • the illustration in FIG. 2 is, however, only schematically and also does not correspond to the arrangement of the impression cylinder 6 and the impression cylinder 4 in FIG. 1
  • FIGS. 3 to 5 The inventive design, storage and control of the doctor blade 9 of the rotary printing press is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.
  • the doctor blade 9 is fixed to a doctor blade holder 10, which in turn is connected via a guide plate 11 to a doctor blade holder designed as a doctor tube 12 via screw connections 13 or similar connecting elements.
  • the squeegee tube 12 extends concentrically to the impression cylinder axis 14 through the impression cylinder 6 and is rigidly connected at both ends to the machine frame 7 such that the squeegee 9 is always aligned with the impression cylinder 4.
  • the storage of the doctor blade 9 is very stable in this embodiment.
  • the doctor tube 12 gives the entire printing cylinder 6 additional stability.
  • a complicated mounting of the printing cylinder 6 is advantageously unnecessary, since it is rotatably mounted directly on the doctor tube 12 via ball bearings 15.
  • the doctor tube 12 forms on both sides a channel-shaped access opening to the inside of the printing cylinder 6 through which the printing ink or, if necessary, other fluid media, e.g. Cleaning liquid can be passed into the interior of the pressure cylinder 6.
  • Other lines, e.g. electrical or pneumatic control lines and hoses can be guided in the doctor tube 12.
  • the squeegee tube 12 encapsulates the most important elements of the squeegee bearing with respect to the printing ink or other media inside the printing cylinder 6 and therefore effectively protects these elements against contamination and premature wear.
  • the movement of the squeegee 9 can be controlled, for example, hydraulically, pneumatically or electromagnetically.
  • the embodiment shown is preferred, in which the doctor blade movement is initiated via a curve guide.
  • a cam disk 18 is provided in the side walls 19 of the printing cylinder 6, which automatically raises the doctor blade 9 at the correct point from the inside of the printing screen 8 by means of a preformed contour.
  • This type of mechanical doctor blade control is extremely precise and enables extremely high numbers of rotations or printing speeds at which the doctor blade movement could no longer be implemented with other control systems.
  • the arrangement of the cam 18 in the side walls 19 of the printing cylinder 6 ensures a direct coupling to the speed of rotation of the printing cylinder, thereby preventing incorrect controls.
  • the cam 18 is designed as a separate, interchangeable part, so that the control can be easily adapted to changed conditions on the counter-pressure cylinder 4 by using other cams. So that the contour predetermined by the cam 18 is transmitted with little wear and friction into a corresponding movement of the squeegee 9, the squeegee holder 10 is supported on lateral arms 20 by guide rollers 21 arranged in the squeegee 18 on the cam 18.
  • the squeegee 9 is prestressed on the jacket of the printing cylinder 6 via the squeegee holder 10 relative to the squeegee tube 12.
  • pistons 22 of the doctor holder 10 are not shown provided compressed air supply lines in piston guides 23 acted upon with compressed air.
  • the preferred pneumatic pretensioning here enables a particularly individual setting. The preload can also be completely removed by releasing the compressed air.
  • the squeegee receptacle also has a retraction device 24, in which a spiral spring 25 prestresses by compressed air in the piston guides 23 counteracts. If the compressed air is discharged from the piston guides 23, the spring 25 automatically pulls the squeegee 9 away from the pressure screen 8 via a connecting rod 26 to the squeegee holder 10.
  • the retraction device 24 can also be actuated hydraulically, electrically, pneumatically or magnetically, for example, without a mechanical spring.
  • the preferred embodiment also has an adjusting device 27, by means of which the distance between the doctor blade 9 and the doctor blade holder 10 can be changed. This is necessary, for example, to compensate for wear when the doctor blade is worn or has been reground on its front edge.
  • the adjusting device 27 can in turn be designed to be pneumatically, hydraulically, electrically, magnetically or mechanically actuated.
  • the embodiment shown can be adapted very flexibly to the respective intended use, being extremely stable and very precise and durable in its function.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Screen Printers (AREA)
  • Rotary Presses (AREA)
  • Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
  • Control Of Electric Motors In General (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotation printing machine (7), a feeder device (3) for material to be printed (2), a printing cylinder (6) which can be rotated about a printing cylinder axis (14) comprising a printing sieve (8), a rotating counter pressure cylinder (4) provided with a gripper strip (5) in order to take up the material to be printed (2) and a doctor blade (9) which can be moved relative to the cylinder casing. The blade is located on the inside of the print cylinder (6). The invention also comprises a control for the movement of the doctor blade. The invention is characterized in that the doctor blade (9) protrudes through the printing cylinder on an axis (14) parallel to or along the printing cylinder axis (14) and a doctor blade receiver which is rigidly connected to the machine frame (7) is positioned in such a way that only translational movement can be undertaken. Preferably, the doctor blade receiver is formed by a doctor blade pipe (12) which essentially surrounds the doctor blade (12).

Description

Rotationsdruckmaschine Rotary press
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Rotationsdruckmaschine vom Typ einer sogenannten Buchdruckmaschine nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to a rotary printing press of the type of a so-called letterpress machine according to the preamble of claim 1.
Bei derartigen Maschinen wird über einen mit einem Drucksieb versehenen rotierenden Druckzylinder in diesen eingefüllte Druckfarbe auf das zu bedruckende Material aufgebracht. Dabei drückt ein im Inneren des Druckzylinders angeordnetes, sich nicht mit dem Druckzylinder drehendes Rakel die Druckfarbe durch die Rotation des Druckzylinders umlaufend durch die Maschen des Drucksiebes hindurch. Das zu bedruckende Material wird dabei von einer ebenfalls rotierenden Gegendruckwalze aufgenommen. Die Besonderheit solcher Buchdruckmaschinen ist, daß das zu bedruckende Material nicht in durchgehenden Bahnen, sondern in Einzelblättern vorliegt, die daher während des Druckvorgangs auf dem Gegendruckzylinder festgehalten werden müssen. Dazu dient eine am Gegendruckzylinder vorgesehene Greiferleiste. Da die Greiferleiste über den Umfang des Gegendruckzylinders vorsteht, muß - um das Drucksieb nicht zu beschädigen - das Rakel während jeder Umdrehung des Druckzylinders beim Passieren der Greiferleiste von der Innenseite des Drucksiebes abgehoben werden, um ein flexibles Nachgeben des Drucksiebes zu ermöglichen. Bei den herkömmlichen Druckmaschinen geschieht dies dadurch, daß das Rakel federnd angeordnet ist und somit von der Greiferleiste gegen die Federkraft zurückgedrückt werden kann. Dies geht jedoch mit einem hohen Verschleiß an dem Drucksieb einher. Auch ist bei hohen Druckgeschwindigkeiten nicht zu vermeiden, daß das Rakel nach der durch die Greiferleiste initiierten AbhebebewegungIn machines of this type, printing ink filled in with a printing screen is applied to the material to be printed using a rotating printing cylinder. A squeegee arranged in the interior of the printing cylinder, which does not rotate with the printing cylinder, presses the printing ink all the way through the meshes of the printing screen due to the rotation of the printing cylinder. The material to be printed is picked up by a rotating counter-pressure roller. The peculiarity of such letterpress machines is that the material to be printed is not in continuous webs, but in individual sheets, which must therefore be held on the impression cylinder during the printing process. A gripper bar provided on the impression cylinder serves this purpose. Since the gripper bar protrudes beyond the circumference of the counter-pressure cylinder, the squeegee must be lifted from the inside of the pressure screen during each revolution of the pressure cylinder when passing through the gripper bar in order not to damage the pressure screen in order to allow the pressure screen to give in flexibly. In conventional printing machines, this is done in that the squeegee is arranged resiliently and can thus be pressed back against the spring force by the gripper bar. However, this is accompanied by high wear on the printing screen. Even at high printing speeds, it is unavoidable that the squeegee after the lifting movement initiated by the gripper bar
BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE springt und somit der unmittelbar auf die Greiferleiste folgende Bereich des zu bedruckenden Materials häufig nicht korrekt bedruckt wird.BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE jumps and thus the area of the material to be printed immediately following the gripper bar is often not correctly printed.
Es wurde daher bereits eine in der Praxis eingesetzte Druckmaschine entwickelt, bei der das Rakel an einer seitlich außerhalb des Druckzylinders verschwenkbar angelenkten Hebelanordnung befestigt ist, die mit einer Steuerung verbunden ist und das Rakel bei Passieren der Greiferleiste aktiv von der Innenseite des Drucksiebes wegschwenkt. Diese Vorrichtung ist jedoch durch die Verschwenkbewegung des Rakels stark schwingungsbelastet, was sich bei hohen Drehzahlen des Druckzylinders besonders stark auswirkt. Auch müssen die seitlichen Öffnungen des Druckzylinders sehr groß ausgebildet sein, um die Verschwenkbewegung der Hebelanordung und des Rakels zu ermöglichen. Wegen des großen Bauraums, den diese Rakellagerung mit Hebelanordnung erfordert, eignet sich diese Ausführung nur für kleine Druckzylinder, um die Gesamtgröße der Anordnung in Grenzen zu halten.A printing press used in practice has therefore already been developed, in which the squeegee is attached to a lever arrangement which is pivotably articulated laterally outside the printing cylinder, which is connected to a control and actively swings the squeegee away from the inside of the printing screen when it passes the gripper bar. However, this device is subject to strong vibrations due to the pivoting movement of the squeegee, which has a particularly strong effect at high speeds of the printing cylinder. The lateral openings of the printing cylinder must also be very large in order to enable the pivoting movement of the lever arrangement and the doctor blade. Because of the large installation space that this squeegee bearing with lever arrangement requires, this version is only suitable for small pressure cylinders in order to keep the overall size of the arrangement within limits.
Die Erfindung befaßt sich daher mit dem Problem, eine gattungsgemäße Rotationsdruckmaschine zu schaffen, die auch bei hohen Druckgeschwindigkeiten unter geringem Verschleiß des Drucksiebes einsetzbar ist und präzise Druckergebnisse liefert.The invention is therefore concerned with the problem of creating a generic rotary printing press which can also be used at high printing speeds with little wear on the printing screen and which delivers precise printing results.
Erfindungsgemäß wird dieses Problem durch eine Rotationsdruckmaschine mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 gelöst.According to the invention, this problem is solved by a rotary printing press with the features of claim 1.
Bei einer so ausgebildeten Druckmaschine findet die Bewegung des Rakels nur noch innerhalb des Druckzylinders statt. Bei der Bewegung des Rakels ggf. auftretende Vibrationen oder Stöße werden dabei über die starr mit dem Maschinenrahmen verbundene Rakelaufnahme direkt in den Maschinenrahmen abgeleitet, ohne die Rotationsbewegung des Druckzylinders zu beeinflussen oder dieser eine weitere Schwingungsbewegung zu überlagern. Dadurch, daß sich die Rakelaufnahme durch den Druckzylinder hindurch erstreckt, wird dem gesamten System zusätzlich Stabilität verliehen. Die rein translatorische Bewegung des Rakels ist dabei ebenfalls von Vorteil, da neben der Rotationsbewegung des Druckzylinders keine weitere rotatorische Bewegungskomponente auftrifft, die zu Systemschwingungen führen könnte. Auch kann eine Lagerung des Rakels für eine translatorische Bewegung in wesentlich kleinerer Bauform verwirklicht und daher im Gegensatz zu der Schwenklagerung vorbekannter Rakel im Inneren des Druckzylinders angeordnet werden.With a printing press designed in this way, the movement of the doctor blade only takes place within the printing cylinder. Any vibrations or shocks that occur during the movement of the squeegee are dissipated directly into the machine frame via the squeegee holder rigidly connected to the machine frame. without influencing the rotary movement of the printing cylinder or superimposing a further oscillating movement on it. The fact that the doctor blade receptacle extends through the printing cylinder gives the entire system additional stability. The purely translatory movement of the squeegee is also advantageous, since in addition to the rotational movement of the printing cylinder, no other rotational movement component that could lead to system vibrations occurs. Storage of the squeegee for a translatory movement can also be realized in a much smaller design and therefore, in contrast to the swivel bearing arrangement of previously known squeegees, can be arranged inside the printing cylinder.
Im Hinblick auf Baugröße und unerwünschte Schwingungen ist es dabei besonders vorteilhaft, die Lagerung des Rakels so auszugestalten, daß das Rakel nur linear bewegbar ist.With regard to size and undesirable vibrations, it is particularly advantageous to design the bearing of the doctor blade so that the doctor blade can only be moved linearly.
Besonders schwingungsarm arbeitet die erfindungsgemäße Rotationsdruckmaschine, wenn die Bewegungsrichtung des Rakels radial zu Druckzylinderachse gerichtet ist. Bei einer solchen Ausgestaltung der Lagerung verläuft die Bewegungsrichtung des Rakels durch den Schwerpunkt des Druckzylinders, wodurch eventuelle Schwingungen bestmöglich kompensiert werden.The rotary printing press according to the invention operates particularly low-vibration if the direction of movement of the squeegee is directed radially to the axis of the printing cylinder. With such a configuration of the bearing, the direction of movement of the squeegee runs through the center of gravity of the printing cylinder, whereby any vibrations are compensated for as best as possible.
Weitere Vorteile und Einzelheiten ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen und einem in den Zeichnungen dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Rotationsdruckmaschine, das im folgenden beschrieben wird; es zeigen:Further advantages and details emerge from the subclaims and an exemplary embodiment of a rotary printing press according to the invention shown in the drawings, which is described below; show it:
Fig. 1 eine Rotationsdruckmaschine in schematisierter Seitenansicht, Fig. 2 den Einwirkungsbereich zwischen dem Druckzylinder und dem Gegendruckzylinder einer Rotationsdruckmaschine,1 is a rotary printing machine in a schematic side view, 2 shows the area of action between the impression cylinder and the impression cylinder of a rotary printing press,
Fig. 3 teilweise eine perspektivische Ansicht des Druckzylinders einer erfindungsgemäßen Rotationsdruckmaschine, bereichsweise geschnitten,3 partially a perspective view of the printing cylinder of a rotary printing press according to the invention, partially cut away,
Fig. 4 das Rakel mit Rakelaufnahme aus Fig. 3 undFig. 4, the doctor blade with squeegee from Fig. 3 and
Fig. 5 den Druckzylinder aus Fig. 3 ohne Rakel und Rakelaufnahme.5 shows the printing cylinder from FIG. 3 without a doctor blade and doctor blade holder.
Die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Rotationsdruckmaschine ist zum Bedrucken von in einem Magazin 1 vorgehaltenem einzelblattförmigen zu bedruckenden Material 2 ausgelegt. Der Weg der einzelnen Blättern 2 durch die Rotationsdruckmaschine ist mit Pfeilen gekennzeichnet. Zunächst gelangen die Blätter einzeln nacheinander über eine Zuführeinrichtung 3 zu einem rotierenden Gegendruckzylinder 4. Dieser verfügt über eine in Fig. 2 dargestellte Greiferleiste 5, mit der das Blatt 2 am Gegendruckzylinder 4 festgeklemmt wird. Während der Rotation wirkt auf das Blatt 2 ein ebenfalls rotierender Druckzylinder 6 ein, der am Maschinenrahmen 7 gelagert ist. Nach dem Druckvorgang gibt die Greiferleiste 5 das nun bedruckte Blatt 2 wieder frei und dieses wird während seines weiteren Transports durch die Rotationsdruckmaschine getrocknet und schließlich einer Weiterbearbeitung oder Sortierung zugeführt.The rotary printing machine shown in FIG. 1 is designed for printing on single sheet material 2 to be printed held in a magazine 1. The path of the individual sheets 2 through the rotary printing press is marked with arrows. First, the sheets arrive one after the other via a feed device 3 to a rotating impression cylinder 4. This has a gripper bar 5 shown in FIG. 2, with which the sheet 2 is clamped to the impression cylinder 4. During rotation, a likewise rotating printing cylinder 6 acts on the sheet 2 and is mounted on the machine frame 7. After the printing process, the gripper bar 5 releases the sheet 2, which has now been printed, and this is dried during its further transport by the rotary printing press and finally fed to further processing or sorting.
Fig. 2 zeigt, wie das Drucksieb 8 durch die Einwirkung der Greiferleiste 5 des Gegendruckzylinders 4 während des Aufeinanderabrollens von Druckzylinder 6 und Gegendruckzylinder 4 verformt wird. Die Darstellung in Fig. 2 ist jedoch lediglich schematisch und entspricht auch in der Anordnung des Druckzylinders 6 und des Gegendruckzylinders 4 nicht Fig. 1.Fig. 2 shows how the printing screen 8 is deformed by the action of the gripper bar 5 of the impression cylinder 4 during the rolling of the impression cylinder 6 and impression cylinder 4. The illustration in FIG. 2 is, however, only schematically and also does not correspond to the arrangement of the impression cylinder 6 and the impression cylinder 4 in FIG. 1
Die erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung, Lagerung und Steuerung des Rakels 9 der Rotationsdruckmaschine ist in den Fig. 3 bis 5 dargestellt. Dabei ist das Rakel 9 an einem Rakelhalter 10 festgelegt, der wiederum über eine Führungsplatte 11 mit einer als Rakelrohr 12 ausgestalteten Rakelaufnahme über Verschraubungen 13 oder dergleichen Verbindungselemente verbunden ist. Das Rakelrohr 12 erstreckt sich konzentrisch zur Druckzylinderachse 14 durch den Druckzylinder 6 hindurch und ist an seinen beiden Enden starr mit dem Maschinenrahmen 7 verbunden derart, daß das Rakel 9 stets auf den Gegendruckzylinder 4 hin ausgerichtet ist. Die Lagerung des Rakels 9 ist bei dieser Ausgestaltung sehr stabil. Außerdem verleiht das Rakelrohr 12 dem gesamten Druckzylinder 6 zusätzliche Stabilität. Bei der dargestellten Ausführungsform erübrigt sich in vorteilhafter Weise eine komplizierte Lagerung des Druckzylinders 6, da dieser direkt auf dem Rakelrohr 12 über Kugellager 15 rotierbar gelagert ist. Das Rakelrohr 12 bildet dabei zu beiden Seiten eine kanalförmige Zugangsöffung zum Inneren des Druckzylinders 6, durch die gezielt die Druckfarbe oder falls nötig andere fluide Medien z.B. Reinigungsflüssigkeit in das Innere des Druckzylinders 6 geleitet werden können. Auch andere Leitungen, z.B. elektrische oder pneumatische Steuerleitungen und Schläuche, können im Rakelrohr 12 geführt werden. Darüber hinaus kapselt das Rakelrohr 12 die wesentlichsten Elemente der Rakellagerung gegenüber der Druckfarbe oder anderen Medien im inneren des Druckzylinders 6 ab und schützt diese Elemente daher wirkungsvoll gegen Verschmutzung und frühzeitigen Verschleiß.The inventive design, storage and control of the doctor blade 9 of the rotary printing press is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The doctor blade 9 is fixed to a doctor blade holder 10, which in turn is connected via a guide plate 11 to a doctor blade holder designed as a doctor tube 12 via screw connections 13 or similar connecting elements. The squeegee tube 12 extends concentrically to the impression cylinder axis 14 through the impression cylinder 6 and is rigidly connected at both ends to the machine frame 7 such that the squeegee 9 is always aligned with the impression cylinder 4. The storage of the doctor blade 9 is very stable in this embodiment. In addition, the doctor tube 12 gives the entire printing cylinder 6 additional stability. In the embodiment shown, a complicated mounting of the printing cylinder 6 is advantageously unnecessary, since it is rotatably mounted directly on the doctor tube 12 via ball bearings 15. The doctor tube 12 forms on both sides a channel-shaped access opening to the inside of the printing cylinder 6 through which the printing ink or, if necessary, other fluid media, e.g. Cleaning liquid can be passed into the interior of the pressure cylinder 6. Other lines, e.g. electrical or pneumatic control lines and hoses can be guided in the doctor tube 12. In addition, the squeegee tube 12 encapsulates the most important elements of the squeegee bearing with respect to the printing ink or other media inside the printing cylinder 6 and therefore effectively protects these elements against contamination and premature wear.
Damit das Rakel 9 die erforderliche translatorische Bewegung in Richtung des Pfeiles 16 von dem Drucksieb 8 weg und wieder auf dieses zu ausführen kann, ist der Rakelhalter 10 über Führungsbolzen 17 verschieblich an der Führungsplatte 11 und damit am Rakelrohr 12 geführt.So that the squeegee 9 can perform the required translatory movement in the direction of arrow 16 away from the printing screen 8 and back onto it, Doctor blade holder 10 slidably guided by guide pin 17 on the guide plate 11 and thus on the doctor tube 12.
Die Steuerung der Bewegung des Rakels 9 kann beispielsweise hydraulisch, pneumatisch oder elektromagnetisch erfolgen. Bevorzugt ist jedoch die dargestellte Ausführungsform, bei der die Rakelbewegung über eine Kurvenführung eingeleitet wird. Dazu ist eine Kurvenscheibe 18 in den Seitenwandungen 19 des Druckzylinders 6 vorgesehen, die durch eine vorgeformte Kontur das Rakel 9 automatisch an der richtigen Stelle von der Innenseite des Drucksiebs 8 abhebt. Diese Art der mechanischen Rakelsteuerung ist außerordentlich präzise und ermöglicht extrem hohe Rotationszahlen bzw. Druckgeschwindigkeiten, bei denen die Rakelbewegung mit anderen Steuerungssystemen nicht mehr umgesetzt werden könnte. Die Anordnung der Kurvenscheibe 18 in den Seitenwandungen 19 des Druckzylinders 6 gewährleistet dabei eine unmittelbare Koppelung an die Rotationsgeschwindigkeit des Druckzylinders, wodurch Fehlsteuerungen vermieden werden. Wie dargestellt ist die Kurvenscheibe 18 dabei als separates, auswechselbares Teil ausgebildet, so daß die Steuerung durch Verwendung anderer Kurvenscheiben auf einfache Weise an veränderte Bedingungen am Gegendruckzylinder 4 anpaßbar ist. Damit sich die von der Kurvenscheibe 18 vorgegebene Kontur veschleiß- und reibungsarm in eine entsprechende Bewegung des Rakels 9 überträgt, stützt sich der Rakelhalter 10 an seitlichen Armen 20 über in diesen angeordneten Führungsrollen 21 auf der Kurvenscheibe 18 ab.The movement of the squeegee 9 can be controlled, for example, hydraulically, pneumatically or electromagnetically. However, the embodiment shown is preferred, in which the doctor blade movement is initiated via a curve guide. For this purpose, a cam disk 18 is provided in the side walls 19 of the printing cylinder 6, which automatically raises the doctor blade 9 at the correct point from the inside of the printing screen 8 by means of a preformed contour. This type of mechanical doctor blade control is extremely precise and enables extremely high numbers of rotations or printing speeds at which the doctor blade movement could no longer be implemented with other control systems. The arrangement of the cam 18 in the side walls 19 of the printing cylinder 6 ensures a direct coupling to the speed of rotation of the printing cylinder, thereby preventing incorrect controls. As shown, the cam 18 is designed as a separate, interchangeable part, so that the control can be easily adapted to changed conditions on the counter-pressure cylinder 4 by using other cams. So that the contour predetermined by the cam 18 is transmitted with little wear and friction into a corresponding movement of the squeegee 9, the squeegee holder 10 is supported on lateral arms 20 by guide rollers 21 arranged in the squeegee 18 on the cam 18.
Um das Rakel 9 bei Inbetriebnahme der Rotationsdruckmaschine exakt an das jeweilige Drucksieb 8 bzw. den Druckzylinder 6 anpassen zu können, ist das Rakel 9 über den Rakelhalter 10 gegenüber dem Rakelrohr 12 auf den Mantel des Druckzylinders 6 zu vorgespannt. Hierzu sind Kolben 22 des Rakelhalters 10 über nicht dar- gestellte Druckluftzuleitungen in Kolbenführungen 23 mit Druckluft beaufschlagt. Zwar können auch andere Arten von Federn für die Vorspannung vorgesehen werden, jedoch ermöglicht die hier bevorzugte pneumatische Vorspannung eine besonders individuelle Einstellung. Auch kann die Vorspannung durch Ablassen der Druckluft vollständig herausgenommen werden. Um z.B. beim Einbau, bei der Reinigung des Druckzylinders oder bei drucklosen Probeläufen der Rotationsdruckmaschine ein gezieltes Heranziehen des Rakels 9 an das Rakelrohr 12 zu ermöglichen, weist die Rakelaufnahme ferner eine Rückzugvorrichtung 24 auf, bei der eine Spiralfeder 25 der Vorspannung durch Druckluft in den Kolbenführungen 23 entgegenwirkt. Wird die Druckluft aus den Kolbenführungen 23 abgelassen, zieht die Feder 25 über eine Verbindungsstange 26 zum Rakelhalter 10 das Rakel 9 automatisch von dem Drucksieb 8 weg. Die Rückzugvorrichtung 24 kann auch ohne mechanische Feder beispielsweise hydraulisch, elektrisch, pneumatisch oder magnetisch betätigbar sein.In order to be able to adapt the squeegee 9 exactly to the respective printing screen 8 or the printing cylinder 6 when the rotary printing press is started up, the squeegee 9 is prestressed on the jacket of the printing cylinder 6 via the squeegee holder 10 relative to the squeegee tube 12. For this purpose, pistons 22 of the doctor holder 10 are not shown provided compressed air supply lines in piston guides 23 acted upon with compressed air. Although other types of springs can also be provided for the pretensioning, the preferred pneumatic pretensioning here enables a particularly individual setting. The preload can also be completely removed by releasing the compressed air. In order, for example, to enable the squeegee 9 to be pulled towards the squeegee tube 12 during installation, when cleaning the printing cylinder or during pressureless test runs of the rotary printing press, the squeegee receptacle also has a retraction device 24, in which a spiral spring 25 prestresses by compressed air in the piston guides 23 counteracts. If the compressed air is discharged from the piston guides 23, the spring 25 automatically pulls the squeegee 9 away from the pressure screen 8 via a connecting rod 26 to the squeegee holder 10. The retraction device 24 can also be actuated hydraulically, electrically, pneumatically or magnetically, for example, without a mechanical spring.
Für die Feinjustierung des Rakels 9 weist die bevorzugte Ausführungsform ferner eine Verstellvorrichtung 27 auf, über die der Abstand zwischen Rakel 9 und Rakelhalter 10 verändert werden kann. Dies ist beispielsweise notwendig, um einen Verschleißausgleich vorzunehmen, wenn das Rakel abgenutzt ist oder an seiner vorderen Kante nachgeschliffen wurde. Die Versteilvorrichtung 27 kann wiederum pneumatisch, hydraulisch, elektrisch, magnetisch oder mechanisch betätigbar ausgestaltet sein.For the fine adjustment of the doctor blade 9, the preferred embodiment also has an adjusting device 27, by means of which the distance between the doctor blade 9 and the doctor blade holder 10 can be changed. This is necessary, for example, to compensate for wear when the doctor blade is worn or has been reground on its front edge. The adjusting device 27 can in turn be designed to be pneumatically, hydraulically, electrically, magnetically or mechanically actuated.
Insgesamt ist die dargestellte Ausführungsform sehr flexibel an den jeweiligen Einsatzzweck anpaßbar, dabei außerordentlich stabil und sehr präzise und langlebig in ihrer Funktion. Overall, the embodiment shown can be adapted very flexibly to the respective intended use, being extremely stable and very precise and durable in its function.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Rotationsdruckmaschine mit einem Maschinenrahmen (7), einer Zuführeinrichtung (3) für zu bedruckendes Material (2), einem um eine Druckzylinderachse (14) rotierbar gelagerten Druckzylinder (6), dessen Zylindermantel zumindest teilweise durch ein Drucksieb (8) gebildet wird, einem mit einer Greiferleiste (5) versehenen rotierenden Gegendruckzylinder (4) zur Aufnahme des zu bedruckenden Materials (2) und einem im Inneren des Druckzylinders (6) relativ zum Zylindermantel bewegbar angeordneten Rakel (9), das aus dem Inneren des Druckzylinders (6) Druckfarbe durch das Drucksieb (8) hindurch auf das auf dem Gegendruckzylinder (4) gehaltene zu bedruckende Material (2) drückt, und mit einer Steuerung für die Rakelbewegung, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Rakel (9) an einer sich parallel zu oder entlang der Druckzylinderachse (14) durch den Druckzylinder (6) hindurch erstreckenden, mit dem Maschinenrahmen (7) starr verbundenen Rakelaufnahme rein translatorisch bewegbar gelagert ist.1. Rotary printing machine with a machine frame (7), a feed device (3) for material to be printed (2), a printing cylinder (6) rotatably mounted about a printing cylinder axis (14), the cylinder jacket of which is at least partially formed by a printing screen (8), a rotating counter-pressure cylinder (4) provided with a gripper bar (5) for receiving the material to be printed (2) and a doctor blade (9) which is arranged in the interior of the printing cylinder (6) so as to be movable relative to the cylinder jacket and which emerges from the interior of the printing cylinder (6) Pressing ink through the printing screen (8) onto the material to be printed (2) held on the impression cylinder (4), and with a control for the squeegee movement, characterized in that the squeegee (9) on a parallel to or along the Printing cylinder axis (14) through the printing cylinder (6) extending, rigidly connected to the machine frame (7) doctor blade holder is mounted purely translationally movable.
2. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Rakelaufnahme ein die Lagerung des Rakels (9) im wesentlichen umschließendes Rakelrohr (12) ist.2. Rotary printing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the doctor blade receptacle is a doctor blade tube (12) substantially enclosing the bearing of the doctor blade (9).
3. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Lagerung des Rakels (9) durch einen mit der Rakelaufnahme verbundenen, das Rakel (9) tragenden Rakelhalter (10) gebildet wird. 3. Rotary printing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bearing of the squeegee (9) is formed by a squeegee holder (10) connected to the squeegee holder and carrying the squeegee (9).
4. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Rakelhalter (10) an der Rakelaufnahme gegenüber dieser ausschließlich linear beweglich befestigt ist.4. Rotary printing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the squeegee holder (10) is attached to the squeegee holder relative to this only linearly movable.
5. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Rakelhalter (10) an der Rakelaufnahme verschieblich geführt ist.5. Rotary printing machine according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the doctor holder (10) is guided displaceably on the doctor holder.
6. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Rakelhalter (10) gegenüber der Rakelaufnahme auf den Zylindermantel zu vorgespannt ist.6. Rotary printing machine according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the doctor holder (10) is biased relative to the doctor blade holder on the cylinder jacket.
7. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Steuerung für die Rakelbewegung durch zumindest eine auf den Rakelhalter (10) wirkende Kurvenführung (18) gebildet wird.7. Rotary printing machine according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the control for the squeegee movement by at least one on the squeegee holder (10) acting curve guide (18) is formed.
8. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kurvenführung (18) im Druckzylinder (6) ausgebildet ist.8. Rotary printing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the cam guide (18) is formed in the printing cylinder (6).
9. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kurvenführung (18) mit dem Druckzylinder (6) auswechselbar verbunden ist.9. Rotary printing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the cam guide (18) with the printing cylinder (6) is interchangeably connected.
10. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Rakelhalter (10) eine Verstellvorrichtung (27) zum Verstellen des Abstandes zwischen Rakel (9) und Rakelhalter (10) aufweist.10. Rotary printing machine according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the doctor holder (10) has an adjusting device (27) for adjusting the distance between the doctor (9) and doctor holder (10).
1 1. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Druckzylinder (6) auf der Rakelaufnahme gelagert ist. 1 1. Rotary printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the printing cylinder (6) is mounted on the doctor blade holder.
12. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach einem Ansprüche 1 bis 1 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Rakelaufnahme eine Rückzugvorrichtung (24) zum Heranziehen des Rakels (9) in Richtung auf die Rakelaufnahme aufweist.12. Rotary printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the doctor blade holder has a retraction device (24) for pulling the doctor blade (9) in the direction of the doctor blade holder.
13. Rotationsdruckmaschine nach einem Ansprüche 1 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Bewegungsrichtung des Rakels (9) radial zur Druckzylinderachse (14) gerichtet ist. 13. Rotary printing machine according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the direction of movement of the squeegee (9) is directed radially to the printing cylinder axis (14).
EP00975864A 1999-10-12 2000-10-12 Rotation printing machine Expired - Lifetime EP1246726B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19949099 1999-10-12
DE19949099A DE19949099C2 (en) 1999-10-12 1999-10-12 Rotary screen printing machine
PCT/EP2000/010053 WO2001026904A1 (en) 1999-10-12 2000-10-12 Rotation printing machine

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1246726A1 true EP1246726A1 (en) 2002-10-09
EP1246726B1 EP1246726B1 (en) 2003-07-23

Family

ID=7925336

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00975864A Expired - Lifetime EP1246726B1 (en) 1999-10-12 2000-10-12 Rotation printing machine

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1246726B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE245533T1 (en)
AU (1) AU1384501A (en)
DE (1) DE19949099C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2001026904A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10427398B2 (en) 2014-12-22 2019-10-01 Koenig & Bauer Ag Security printing press having at least one printing assembly, and method for operating a squeegee device

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5394646B2 (en) * 2007-06-14 2014-01-22 株式会社小森コーポレーション Method and apparatus for adjusting pressing force of liquid transfer member of rotary stencil liquid coating machine
EP2002978B2 (en) 2007-06-14 2024-01-17 Komori Corporation Liquid transfer member pressing force adjusting method and apparatus of rotary stencil printing plate liquid coating machine
DE102008025927A1 (en) 2008-05-29 2009-12-24 Zyrus Beteiligungsgesellschaft Mbh & Co. Patente I Kg Rotary press
DE102009037332A1 (en) 2009-08-14 2011-02-17 Zyrus Beteiligungsgesellschaft Mbh & Co. Patente I Kg Rotary screen printing apparatus and method
DE102012002848B4 (en) 2012-02-13 2015-03-26 Brigitta Elbers Rotary screen printing machine
DE102015208915B4 (en) 2015-05-13 2018-10-31 Koenig & Bauer Ag Machine for multi-stage processing and / or processing of sheet-shaped substrates as well as equipment and method for the production of printed products
DE102015208916B4 (en) 2015-05-13 2022-03-24 Koenig & Bauer Ag printing unit
DE102015208921B4 (en) 2015-05-13 2021-11-04 Koenig & Bauer Ag Printing unit
DE102015208918A1 (en) 2015-05-13 2016-11-17 Koenig & Bauer Ag Doctor device, printing unit and method for operating a squeegee device
DE102015208919A1 (en) 2015-05-13 2016-11-17 Koenig & Bauer Ag Doctor device, printing unit and method for operating a squeegee device
DE102016206840B4 (en) 2016-04-22 2019-01-17 Koenig & Bauer Ag Printing unit of a printing machine that prints a sheet-shaped substrate

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2134800A5 (en) * 1971-04-21 1972-12-08 Alsacienne Constr Meca
DE3629188A1 (en) * 1986-08-28 1988-03-17 Kuerten Rudolf August Method and device for applying the squeegee of a screen printing machine
JPH0832442B2 (en) * 1988-05-02 1996-03-29 桜精機株式会社 Gripper opening / closing device for cylinder type screen printing machine
JP2849933B2 (en) * 1989-12-26 1999-01-27 理想科学工業株式会社 Rotary stencil printing machine
JP2926502B2 (en) * 1990-02-20 1999-07-28 理想科学工業株式会社 Stencil printing machine
US5671671A (en) * 1995-01-24 1997-09-30 De La Rue Giori S.A. Rotary screen printing machine for sheet printing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0126904A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10427398B2 (en) 2014-12-22 2019-10-01 Koenig & Bauer Ag Security printing press having at least one printing assembly, and method for operating a squeegee device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2001026904A1 (en) 2001-04-19
DE19949099A1 (en) 2001-04-19
EP1246726B1 (en) 2003-07-23
ATE245533T1 (en) 2003-08-15
AU1384501A (en) 2001-04-23
DE19949099C2 (en) 2003-08-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0277545B1 (en) Apparatus for mounting a reel core on a printing cylinder
DE3604209C2 (en)
EP0234456B2 (en) Supplementary printing unit
DE3407681C2 (en)
DE3110468A1 (en) DRIVE FOR FUNCTIONAL GROUPS IN ARC GUIDE CYLINDERS OF PRINTING MACHINES
EP0586881A2 (en) Rotary web printing machine particularly for printing thick paper webs
EP0238804A2 (en) Device for attaching flexible printing forms to the plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine
EP0290853B1 (en) Bearing for a printing unit cylinder
EP1246726B1 (en) Rotation printing machine
DE3832160C2 (en)
EP1827831B1 (en) Printing plate cylinder with exchangeable sleeve
DE4128994A1 (en) Printing plate grip mechanism on cylinder - has radial opposite working faces on gripping and tightening bars
EP1310360B1 (en) Flexographic printing machine with alternative manual and automatic applicable ink transfer rollers
DE2227667C2 (en) "Multi-color sheet-fed rotary printing press"
DE19500536C1 (en) Sheet printing machine
DE102007009884C5 (en) printing press
EP0172412A2 (en) Sheet transfer cylinder in sheet-fed rotary presses
DE2713994A1 (en) SHEET HOLDING DEVICE OF A SHEET ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE, WHICH IS ABLE TO SLIGHTLY DEFORM THE PRINTED SHEET
DE19720742C2 (en) Installation in sheet arms
DE2945192C2 (en) Offset printing machine
DE2535113C2 (en) Sheet transfer drum of a sheet-fed rotary printing press
EP1732760B1 (en) Printing mechanism of a printing machine having a pressure roller
CH656834A5 (en) DEVICE FOR DIAGONALLY ADJUSTING A PLATE CYLINDER OF A PRINTING MACHINE.
EP2581226B1 (en) Printing press and method for engaging at least one colour deck cylinder
DE251469C (en)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20020613

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT CH FR IT LI

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030723

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030723

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: GERMAN

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20031012

LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20030723

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20040426

EN Fr: translation not filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041031

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041031

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL