EP1275520A2 - Process of production of a flexible rubber blanket sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

Printing blanket manufacturing device has an application layer located directly on a base, polymer applicator (26) for applying polymer on application layer to form a flexible sleeve (18), and print layer applicator (50) for applying print layer (12) on the sleeve. At least one of application layer and polymer layer forms an innermost layer of the sleeve. <??>Independent claims are included for the following: <??>(1) formation of tubular printing blanket (10); and <??>(2) offset printing blanket which has a flexible and collapsible inner sleeve which is the innermost layer of the blanket, and print layer disposed on the sleeve.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a flexible Blanket sleeve according to the preamble of claim 1.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a flexible blanket sleeve according to the Preamble of claim 11.

A web-fed rotary offset printing machine usually comprises one plate cylinder, one Blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder, each rotatable in the Printing machine are stored. A printing plate is arranged on the plate cylinder whose rigid surface defines an image to be printed. The blanket cylinder is wearing usually a rubber blanket with a printing outer layer, the z. B. made of rubber exists and the pressure plate on one between the plate cylinder and the Contacted blanket cylinder formed transmission gap. One to be printed Material web is through a between the blanket cylinder and the Counter pressure cylinder formed transmission gap. On the surface of the on the Color is applied to the plate cylinder arranged printing plate. On the between the Blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder formed transfer gap takes Blanket cylinder on a colored image, which he then on between the Blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder formed transfer gap on the Material web transfers. The impression cylinder can act as another blanket cylinder be formed, which prints the back of the material web.

A conventional rubber blanket is made as a flexible, flat blanket. On such a blanket is applied to the blanket cylinder by being around it is placed around and the opposite ends of the rubber blanket in one axial extending gap or channel of the blanket cylinder are attached. The adjacent opposite ends of the blanket define a gap or channel that runs axially along the length of the rubber blanket. This channel is moving with each revolution of the blanket cylinder by the between the Blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder formed transmission gap as well that formed between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder Transfer nip.

When the front and rear edge of the channel formed by the rubber blanket is through the gap formed between the blanket cylinder and an adjacent cylinder move, there is initially a drop in pressure and a subsequent one Pressure build-up. This repeated pressure drop and pressure build-up on the channel creates Vibrations and shock loads on the cylinders and throughout the press. These vibrations and shock loads affect print quality. To that Time at which a pressure drop and pressure build-up z. B. on the between the Blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder formed transfer gap takes place just the one between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder formed gap passing material web printed an image. Each by the pressure drop and pressure build-up caused movement of the blanket cylinder or Blanket can smear from the blanket to the web transferred image. Likewise, the rubber blanket cylinder from the Printing plate recorded image can be smeared when the formed in the rubber blanket Channel formed between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder Gap happens. By caused by the channel formed in the rubber blanket Vibration and shock loads is the speed at which printing presses acceptable print quality is achievable.

In response to the shortcomings of conventional flat rubber blankets, the applicant of the present patent application sleeve-shaped rubber blankets developed how z. B. in US 5,768,990, US 5,553,541, US 5,440,981, the US 5,429,048, US 5,323,702 and US 5,304,267. With these sleeve-shaped rubber blankets, it was previously necessary to print and to support compressible layers by means of a fixed inner sleeve which, for. B. made of nickel was produced. Therefore, these sleeve-shaped rubber blankets were not flexible or flexible in the sense that it was not possible to fold the sleeve together or roll or bring the inner surfaces of the sleeve into contact without one another thereby damaging the layers of the rubber blanket. The sleeve-shaped rubber blankets must therefore be stored in the form of a sleeve or cylinder, what in a print shop takes up valuable space.

In US 5,654,100 a sleeve-shaped rubber blanket is described, the base material Rubber is that by layer layers embedded therein, for. B. by a spiral Winding, is reinforced to a similar strength as a glass fiber or metal sleeve to reach. The sleeve cannot therefore be folded.

DE 100 60 753 A1 describes a channelless, sleeve-shaped rubber blanket which continuously manufactured and cut to the desired length. The sleeve and the Printing layers are produced continuously in that in the station in which the sleeve is formed, another section of the sleeve is manufactured, during which the Printing layer producing station the printing layer on the already manufactured section the sleeve is applied. Tape windings or crosshead extruders are used to apply different layers.

DE 100 42 896 A1 discloses a machine for winding a tape.

DE 101 55 681 A1 describes a method for producing different layers of a sleeve-shaped rubber blanket by tape casting materials. "Strip casting" means that a liquid material through a stationary device on itself rotating and translationally moving substrate or by a rotating source a translationally moving substrate is applied. In this way, a continuous tape made of a liquid material applied to the substrate. To the Belt casting uses urethane, which solidifies after a certain time.

The sleeves described in the mentioned patent applications are rigid, as a rule by using a metal base layer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a to create flexible blanket sleeve.

Another or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a method for To create a blanket sleeve, which packs and / or saves space can be transported and / or stored.

Another or alternative object of the present invention is to be flexible Creating blanket.

Another or alternative object of the present invention is a blanket to create which are packed and / or transported and / or stored to save space can.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and a blanket sleeve Claim 12 solved. Further features of the invention are in the subclaims contain.

An inventive method for producing a flexible blanket sleeve, wherein the blanket sleeve is at least partially produced on at least one carrier element which moves the blanket sleeve in an axial direction of production, and wherein Layers of the blanket sleeve successively in the axial direction of production are characterized by the fact that a flexible application layer on the at least one carrier element is applied, the application layer being so flexible is that the rubber blanket sleeve is reversibly deformable together with the application layer, or wherein the order layer is so flexible that the order layer is different from the Blanket sleeve removable and the blanket sleeve reversible without the application layer is deformable, and that at least one polymer layer on the flexible application layer is applied by means of an application device.

In this context, reversible means that the sleeve comes from its sleeve or Cylindrical shape into another shape, e.g. in a flat shape, a folded or rolled one Form and can be brought back into the sleeve or cylinder shape. This The process takes place without permanent changes or damage to the sleeve and can be repeated more than once.

The flexible sleeve produced according to the invention advantageously enables one better storage and / or transportation of the same.

Furthermore, by means of an application device, a printing layer can be placed over the flexible Application layer can be applied.

Above the flexible application layer and under the print layer, a Application device a compressible layer can be applied.

Between the application device for the polymer layer and the application device for the printing layer is preferably an application device for a compressible layer, preferably one under the action of radiation curing polymer, especially a compressible liquid polymer, e.g. B. Urethane mixed with microspheres, carbon dioxide, a foaming agent or water.

The polymer curing under the action of radiation is preferably around polyurethane. The radiation is preferably designed as UV light. However, an electron beam can also be used to cure the polymer.

The process step of applying the flexible application layer can continue to do so Applying an easily removable or removable tape material, especially that Wrap the tape material around the at least one carrier element.

In addition, the step of applying the flexible application layer can do that Application of a flexible polymer material, in particular polyurethane or in particular of a material with a Shore A hardness of 70. A value in the Upper part of the Shore D hardness scale chosen, so that the sleeve has enough strength owns z. B. to be expanded for axial change by compressed air without suffering damage.

The sleeve is preferably made of urethane, e.g. from a self-curing or under the influence of radiation-curing urethane. A is used as the sleeve material Polyurethane layer with a hardness value of at least 70 Shore A and in particular a hardness value of about 70 Shore D is preferred.

The flexible application layer can be part of the sleeve and can be made from a prefabricated Tape exist that is wrapped around the rotating base. The tape can be used as a Polyurethane film with a hardness value of at least 70 Shore A and in particular of about 70 Shore D.

The step of applying the flexible application layer can apply of a liability-reducing or liability-preventing material.

It can further be provided that the flexible application layer during the Manufacturing or after manufacturing is removed from the flexible blanket sleeve.

Alternatively, the flexible application layer can be designed as a release layer, which separates the base from the polymer applied by the applicator.

The release layer may e.g. B. be formed as a Teflon tape, which of the flexible sleeve layer is peeled off.

The sleeve can be manufactured in a continuous process, preferably a cutting device is provided which the sleeve when reaching desired length cuts.

The compressible layer can be cured under the action of radiation compressible polymer, e.g. than under the influence of UV light curing urethane. In this case, curing takes only a few seconds, though it can also take up to five minutes.

A smoothing step can be provided both after and before curing.

The flexible sleeve can be prefabricated and in a separate manufacturing process of the rubber blanket can be used. Alternatively, the blanket can also be in one single continuous process.

The printing layer, the compressible layer and the flexible sleeve are preferred made from urethane. Between the compressible layer and the printing layer a reinforcing layer is preferably provided, which is preferably also made of Urethane is made.

The reinforcing layer is preferably made of a urethane with a hardness value of at least 70 Shore A, in particular of approximately 70 Shore D.

The printing layer is preferably made of a urethane with a hardness value of less manufactured as 80 Shore A and in particular of approximately 60 Shore A.

There is preferably one between the printing layer and the inner sleeve compressible layer provided, and over the compressible layer and under the printing layer, a reinforcing layer is preferably arranged.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, this can be the Reversible deformation of the blanket sleeve include.

The process step of reversibly deforming the rubber blanket sleeve can provide that at least two different points of the inner surface of the blanket sleeve each other contact and / or that at least the blanket sleeve folded flat, rolled or wrapped. The reversibly deformed sleeve can have a smaller volume have than the non-deformed sleeve, in particular the cross section of the sleeve be reduced.

Furthermore, an at least partial packaging of the blanket sleeve, for example packing in sections, in the reversibly deformed state and / or Transport and / or storage of the rubber blanket sleeve in the reversibly deformed state be provided.

The blanket sleeve can be in a substantially cylindrical shape be set back and applied to a blanket cylinder.

A flexible blanket sleeve according to the invention, in particular one according to one of the Previous method manufactured blanket sleeve, which an application layer and has a polymer layer, is characterized in that the application layer is such What is flexible is that the blanket sleeve is reversible together with the application layer is deformable, or that the application layer is so flexible that the application layer removable from the blanket sleeve and the blanket sleeve without the application layer is reversibly deformable.

Further features and advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the following description of preferred embodiments in connection with the attached drawings listed below.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zur Herstellung eines hülsenförmigen Gummituchs;

Fig. 2

eine Detailansicht einer Ausführungsform der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Vorrichtung zur Herstellung eines hülsenförmigen Gummituchs;

Fig. 3

eine Detailansicht der in Fig. 2 gezeigten Vorrichtung mit einem vorgeformten Band mit größeren Zwischenräumen;

Fig. 4

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Herstellung eines hülsenförmigen Gummituchs; und

Fig. 5

ein erfindungsgemäßes flexibles Gummituch.

Show it:

Fig. 1

an inventive device for producing a tubular rubber blanket;

Fig. 2

a detailed view of an embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 for producing a sleeve-shaped rubber blanket.

Fig. 3

a detailed view of the device shown in Figure 2 with a preformed band with larger spaces.

Fig. 4

a further embodiment of a device according to the invention for producing a tubular rubber blanket; and

Fig. 5

a flexible rubber blanket according to the invention.

1 shows a device according to the invention for producing a channelless, sleeve-shaped, flexible rubber blanket 10 in an endless process. In this Context means an endless process that is a continuous tubular Blanket of indefinite axial length is produced.

A station 20 for producing a flexible sleeve 18 comprises a rotary and Translation device 22 which, for. B. a series of axially translational and includes rotating rods or support elements, such as those used for. B. in the already mentioned U.S. Patent Application No. 09 / 716,696.

According to a first embodiment, shown in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2 in detail the station 20 for producing the sleeve comprises a flexible polymer tape 24, e.g. B. from urethane, which over the rods of the rotation and translation device is wound so that a flexible application layer 25 is formed.

An application device 26 for liquid is applied to the application layer 25 Material, e.g. B. a spray device, a polymer applied. In a first area 27, the applied polymer is still flowable, but in a second area 28 already cured. The polymer may e.g. B. self-curing polyurethane or a polyurethane that cures under the action of UV light, wherein in In this case, the surface of the sleeve 18 is irradiated with UV light.

In this embodiment, the flexible application layer 25 and the polymer form together the sleeve 18. The application layer 25 and the polymer both have preferably a hardness of at least 70 Shore A and particularly preferably of about 70 shore D.

As shown in Fig. 3, the tape 24 need not be wound so that the Touch the edges of adjacent tape sections. A small amount of the polymer can be in the spaces 29 flow between two tape windings. This is why of Advantage, since a closed winding is more difficult to manufacture.

4 shows an alternative embodiment of the station 20 for producing a sleeve. A release tape 124, the z. B. has an outer coating of Teflon, is on the External surface of the rotation and translation device 22 applied. On the by means of an application layer 125 formed by the tape coated with Teflon Device 26 for applying liquid material, a polymer, preferably urethane, applied. The polymer is then z. B. by irradiation with UV light hardened while it is still on the application layer 125. The hardened Polymer thus forms the sleeve 18. As indicated by arrow 126, this can Peel tape 124 at the front end of station 20 where device 22 is located be pulled out to produce the sleeve.

As an alternative to the belt 24, the application layer 125 can also be provided by a release agent be formed, e.g. B. by dried Teflon spray with a thickness of z. B. about 0.0025 mm (0.0001 inches). This layer can then be part of the sleeve 18 or initially remain on the rotation and translation device 22.

The application layer 125 can also be used as a permanent coating of the rotary and Translation device 22 may be formed, for. B. as one impregnated with Teflon Nickel coating.

As shown in FIG. 1, a compressible layer 16 is applied to the sleeve 18 applied the z. B. from a UV-curing urethane consists. The urethane can e.g. B. in liquid form by an applicator 30 for liquid polymer materials, for example a spray device, are applied. The urethane that cures under the influence of radiation can be applied before application be premixed and then with a foaming agent or z. B. carbon dioxide be foamed to increase its compressibility.

By means of a smoothing station 32, e.g. B. a squeegee or an emery or Grinder, bumps in the applied compressible layer 16 be balanced.

The compressible layer 16 is then by means of a radiation source 40, for. B. a UV light source, hardened. Depending on the type of polymer to be cured an electron beam or other radiation can also be used. The hardened layer 16 then forms the compressible layer of rubber blanket 10.

Subsequently, a further smoothing station 36 contacting the urethane layer 16 be provided, the further inaccuracies, for. B. bumps in the compressible Layer 16 balances. The smoothing station 36 can e.g. B. as a planer or Grinding device or as another type of surface smoothing device be trained.

After the smoothing station 36, a compressible layer 16 can be used Reinforcement layer 14 (Fig. 5) are applied, for. B. by means of a Liquid material application device. The hardness value of the reinforcement layer, the can also consist of urethane, is preferably more than 70 Shore A, most preferably about 70 Shore D, similar to the hardness value of the sleeve 18.

A second application device 50 for liquid material, which device 30 resembles, then applies a print layer 12 to the compressible layer 16.

The urethane that makes up the print layer can have a hardness value of about 60 Shore A have. After curing, the applied print layer forms a seamless, channelless printing layer. If necessary, another smoothing device can be used to compensate for unevenness and unevenness in the print layer. Both the print layer 12 and the reinforcement layer 14 can e.g. B. from under Exposure to radiation-curing polymers, according to the respective Application devices radiation sources can be provided. The print layer 12 and the reinforcement layer 14 can also be made by tape casting.

As soon as the printing layer 12 is finished, the rubber blanket moves further into the through the Arrow 5 indicated direction until it has a desired length and z. B. by a rotating cutting device, such as a saw, is cut.

Fig. 5 shows a cross section of the rubber blanket 10 in the compressed or in the flat Status. The rubber blanket comprises a sleeve 18, a compressible layer 16, a Reinforcing layer 14 and a printing layer 12.

As shown in Fig. 5, the inner surface 19 of the blanket 10 is collapsible, so that opposite inner surface sections of the inner surface 19 contact each other. This do not contact each other when the sleeve takes on its round, sleeve-like shape. In sections 160, cardboard inlays may be provided to prevent them Form wrinkles in the blanket. Due to the structure of the sleeve, the rubber blanket can be in its return round sleeve shape if it is e.g. B. not by one acting from the outside Force is forced to take a flat or collapsed shape.

Compressible layer 16 may be compressible in any known manner be made, e.g. B. by microspheres, blowing agents, foaming agents or Leaching. Examples of this are in US Pat. No. 5,768,990, US Pat. No. 5,553,541 US 5,440,981, US 5,429,048, US 5,323,702 and US 5,304,267.

The term "printing layer" or "printing layer" used here refers on a polymer material, e.g. B. urethane, which is used to transfer an image from a Offset printing plate or another image carrier on a material web or Material sheet with the quality required for the respective printing application is suitable.

A rubber blanket according to the invention can of course also have several compressible ones Layers include multiple structural layers and / or multiple reinforcing layers.

The reinforcement layer can also be made by a fabric or a Plastic is wrapped around the workpiece as a tape, cord or thread.

It is also possible to change the order of the individual layers.

List of reference numbers

5

movement direction

10

flexible rubber blanket

12

print layer

14

reinforcing layer

16

compressible layer

18

flexible sleeve

19

Inner surface

20

Station for the production of a flexible sleeve

22

Rotation and translation device

24

flexible polymer tape

25

flexible application layer

26

Device for applying a liquid material

27

Area

28

Area

29

interspaces

30

Device for applying a liquid material

32

smoothing station

36

smoothing station

40

radiation source

50

Device for applying a liquid material

124

release tape

125

application layer

126

stripping

160

sections

Claims (12)

A method of manufacturing a flexible blanket sleeve (10), wherein the blanket sleeve (10) is at least partially manufactured on at least one carrier element (22) which moves the blanket sleeve (10) in an axial production direction, and wherein layers of the blanket sleeve (10) in the axial direction Production direction are successively produced,
marked by
the procedural steps: Applying a flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) to the at least one carrier element (22), the application layer (18, 25, 125) being so flexible that the blanket sleeve (10) together with the application layer (18, 25, 125 ) is reversibly deformable, or that the application layer (18, 25, 125) is so flexible that the application layer (18, 25, 125) can be removed from the blanket sleeve (10) and the blanket sleeve (10) without the application layer (18, 25 , 125) is reversibly deformable; and Applying at least one polymer layer (12, 14, 16) to the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) by means of an application device (26, 30, 50); and reversible deformation of the rubber blanket sleeve (10). Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that a printing layer is applied by means of an application device (50) over the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125). Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that a compressible layer (18) is applied by means of an application device (30) over the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) and under the printing layer (12). Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the method step of applying the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) involves applying an easily removable or removable tape material (24, 124), in particular winding the tape material (24, 124) around the at least one carrier element (22) , includes. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the method step of applying the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) comprises applying a flexible polymer material (24, 124), in particular polyurethane or in particular a material with a Shore A hardness of 70. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the method step of applying the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) comprises applying an adhesion-reducing or adhesion-preventing material. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) is removed from the flexible blanket sleeve (10) during manufacture or after manufacture. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
marked by
reversible deformation of the rubber blanket sleeve (10). A method according to claim 8,
characterized in that the step of reversibly deforming the blanket sleeve (10) comprises the mutual contacting of at least two different points on the inner surface (19) of the blanket sleeve (10) and / or in that the step of reversibly deforming the blanket sleeve (10) comprises at least folding it flat or rolling or winding the blanket sleeve (10). Method according to claim 8 or 9,
characterized in that the at least partial packing of the blanket sleeve (10), for example packing in sections, is provided in the reversibly deformed state and / or in that the transportation and / or storage of the blanket sleeve (10) is provided in the reversibly deformed state. The method of claim 8, 9 or 10,
characterized in that the returning of the blanket sleeve (10) to a substantially cylindrical shape and the application of the blanket sleeve (10) to a blanket cylinder are provided. Flexible blanket sleeve, in particular a blanket sleeve (10) produced according to one of the preceding methods, which has an application layer (18, 25, 125) and a polymer layer (12, 14, 16),
characterized in that the application layer (18, 25, 125) is so flexible that the blanket sleeve (10) together with the application layer (18, 25, 125) is reversibly deformable, or in that the application layer (18, 25, 125) It is flexible that the application layer (18, 25, 125) can be removed from the rubber blanket sleeve (10) and the rubber blanket sleeve (10) can be reversibly deformed without the application layer (18, 25, 125).

Images