EP1275520B1 - 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 The preamble of claim 11.

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

A conventional blanket is made as a flexible, flat cloth. One Such blanket is applied to the blanket cylinder by placing it around this is placed around and the opposite ends of the blanket in an axial extending gap or channel of the blanket cylinder can be attached. The Adjacent opposite ends of the blanket define a gap or channel that runs axially across the length of the blanket. This channel is moving with each revolution of the blanket cylinder by between the Blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder formed transmission gap and through the formed between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder Transfer nip.

When the leading and trailing edges of the channel formed by the blanket pass through the gap formed between the blanket cylinder and an adjacent cylinder move, it comes first to a pressure drop and to a subsequent Pressure build-up. This repeated pressure drop and pressure buildup on the channel generated Vibrations and shock loads on the cylinders and in the entire printing press. These vibrations and shock loads affect print quality. To that Time at which a pressure drop and pressure build-up z. B. at the between the Blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder formed transmission gap takes place is just on the between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder formed gap passing material web printed a picture. Each by the pressure drop and pressure buildup induced movement of the blanket cylinder or Blanket may cause smearing of the blanket on the web transferred image. Similarly, by the blanket cylinder of the Printing plate recorded image are smeared when the rubber sheet formed Channel formed between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder Cleft happens. By the caused by the channel formed in the blanket Vibration and shock loads is the speed with which printing presses an acceptable print quality is achievable limited.

In response to the shortcomings of conventional flat blankets were from the Applicant of the present patent application sleeve-shaped blankets developed, as z. 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 are described. In these sleeve-shaped blankets, it was previously required, the print layer and To support compressible layers by a solid inner sleeve, the z. B. of nickel was produced. Therefore, these sleeve-shaped blankets were not flexible or flexible in the sense that it was not possible to collapse, fold the sleeve or to roll or to bring the inner surfaces of the sleeve together without thereby to damage layers of a rubber blanket. The sleeve-shaped blankets must therefore be stored in sleeve form or cylindrical shape, which in a printing company valuable space claimed.

In US 5,654,100 a sleeve-shaped rubber blanket is described, whose base material Gum is by embedded therein layer inserts, for. B. by a spiral Winding, is reinforced to a similar strength as a fiberglass or metal sleeve to reach. The sleeve is therefore not collapsible.

In DE 100 60 753 A1 a channelless, sleeve-shaped rubber blanket is described, the continuously produced and cut to the desired length. The sleeve and the Printing layer are continuously produced insofar as in the station in which the sleeve is formed, another section of the sleeve is made while in the Print layer generating station the print layer on the already prepared 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 belt.

DE 101 55 681 A1 describes a process for producing various layers a sleeve-shaped blanket by tape casting materials. "Strip casting" means that a liquid material through a fixed device on a rotating and translationally moving substrate or by a rotating source a translationally moving substrate is applied. In this way one becomes continuous band of liquid material applied to the substrate. To the Tap casting uses urethane, which solidifies after a period of time.

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

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

Another or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a method for To produce a rubber blanket sleeve, which saves space and / or packed transported and / or stored.

Another or alternative object of the present invention is to provide a flexible To create blanket.

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

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 and a blanket sleeve after 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 made at least partially on at least one support 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 be characterized, characterized in that a flexible coating layer on the at least one carrier element is applied, wherein the application layer is so flexible is that the blanket sleeve is reversibly deformable together with the application layer, or wherein the application layer is so flexible that the application layer of the Rubber blanket removable and the blanket sleeve reversible without the coating layer is deformable, and that at least one polymer layer on the flexible application layer is applied by means of an applicator, is in present claims 1-11 defined.

Reversible in this context means that the sleeve from its sleeve or Cylinder shape into a flat shape, a folded or rolled one Form and back in the sleeve or cylindrical shape can be brought. This Operation happens without permanent changes or damage to the sleeve and can be repeated more than once.

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

Furthermore, by means of an application device, a pressure layer over the flexible Application layer are applied.

Above the flexible application layer and under the print layer can be by means of a Applicator be applied a compressible layer.

Between the application device for the polymer layer and the application device for the printing layer is preferably an applicator for a compressible layer, preferably one under the action of radiation curing polymer, in particular a compressible liquid polymer, for. Eg urethane mixed with microspheres, carbon dioxide, a foaming agent or water.

The radiation curable polymer is preferably polyurethane. The radiation is preferably formed 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 the Applying an easily removable or removable strip material, in particular the Wrapping the strip material around the at least one carrier element.

In addition, the step of applying the flexible application layer may Application of a flexible polymer material, in particular polyurethane or in particular a material with a Shore A hardness of 70, include. Preferably, a value in upper range of the Shore D hardness scale chosen so that the sleeve has sufficient strength owns, for. B. can 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 action of radiation curing urethane. As sleeve material is a Polyurethane layer with a hardness value of at least 70 Shore A and in particular a hardness value of about 70 Shore D preferred.

The flexible coating layer can be part of the sleeve and can be made from a prefabricated Consist of tape wrapped around the rotating base. The tape can be as a Polyurethane film with a hardness value of at least 70 Shore A and in particular of about 70 Shore D be formed.

The step of applying the flexible application layer may include application an adhesion-reducing or adhesion-preventing material.

It can also be provided that the flexible application layer during the Manufacture or after the production of the flexible blanket sleeve is removed.

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

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

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

The compressible layer can be cured as a radiation-curable be formed compressible polymer, e.g. as under the influence of UV light hardening urethane. In this case, curing only takes a few seconds, though It can take up to five minutes.

Both after and before curing, a smoothing step may be provided.

The flexible sleeve may be prefabricated and in a separate manufacturing process of the blanket. Alternatively, the blanket can also be in one single continuous operation to be made.

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

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

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

Between the printing layer and the inner sleeve is preferably a provided compressible layer, and above the compressible layer and under the printing layer is preferably arranged a reinforcing layer.

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

The process step of reversibly deforming the rubber blanket sleeve may 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 being wound. The reversibly deformed sleeve has a smaller volume as the undeformed sleeve, in particular, the cross section of the sleeve be reduced.

Furthermore, at least partial packaging of the blanket sleeve, for example the packaging in sections, in the reversibly deformed state and / or a Transporting and / or storing the blanket sleeve in the reversibly deformed state be provided.

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

A flexible blanket sleeve according to the invention, in particular one according to one of Previously produced blanket sleeve, which has a coating layer and has a polymer layer is characterized in that the application layer so flexible is that the blanket sleeve reversible together with the coating layer deformable, or that the application layer is so flexible that the application layer removable from the blanket sleeve and the blanket sleeve without the coating layer is reversibly deformable.

Further features and advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the attached, listed below drawings explained in more detail.

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.

Fig. 1 zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zur Herstellung eines kanallosen, hülsenförmigen, flexiblen Gummituchs 10 in einem endlosen Vorgang. In diesem Zusammenhang bedeutet ein endloser Vorgang, dass ein fortlaufendes hülsenförmiges Gummituch unbestimmter axialer Länge hergestellt wird.Show it:

Fig. 1

an inventive device for producing a tubular blanket;

Fig. 2

a detail view of an embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 for the production of a tubular blanket.

Fig. 3

a detail view of the device shown in Figure 2 with a preformed band with larger gaps.

Fig. 4

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

Fig. 5

an inventive flexible blanket.

Fig. 1 shows an inventive device for producing a channelless, sleeve-shaped, flexible blanket 10 in an endless process. In this context, an endless process means that a continuous sleeve-shaped blanket of indefinite axial length is produced.

A station 20 for producing a flexible sleeve 18 comprises a rotary and Translational device 22, the z. B. a series of axially translationally moving and includes rotating rods or support elements, as z. B. in the already mentioned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 716,696.

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

On the coating layer 25 is by means of an applicator 26 for liquid Material, eg. As a spraying device, a polymer applied. In a first area 27, the applied polymer is still flowable, in a second region 28 against it already hardened. The polymer may be, for. For example, self-curing polyurethane or a UV-curing polyurethane, wherein 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 coating layer 25 and the polymer have both preferably a hardness of at least 70 Shore A and in particular preferably of about 70 Shore D.

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

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

As an alternative to the tape 124, the application layer 125 may also be replaced by a release agent are formed, for. B. by dried Teflon spray with a thickness of z. For example 0.0025 mm (0.0001 inches). This layer may then form part of the sleeve 18 or initially at the rotation and translation device 22 remain.

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

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

By means of a smoothing station 32, z. As a squeegee or an emery or Grinder, can create bumps in the applied compressible layer 16 be balanced.

The compressible layer 16 is then by means of a radiation source 40, z. B. a UV light source, cured. 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 the blanket 10th

Subsequently, a urethane layer 16 contacting further smoothing station 36th be provided, the further inaccuracies, z. B. bumps, in the compressible Layer 16 compensates. The smoothing station 36 may, for. B. as a planer or Grinding device or other type of surface smoothing device be educated.

About the compressible layer 16 can after the smoothing station 36 a Reinforcing layer 14 (Fig. 5) are applied, for. B. by means of a Application device for liquid material. The hardness value of the reinforcing layer, the may also consist of urethane, is preferably more than 70 Shore A, more preferably about 70 Shore D, similar to the hardness value of the sleeve 18th

A second application device 50 for liquid material, which is the device 30 is similar, then applies a pressure layer 12 on the compressible layer 16.

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

Once the print layer 12 is finished, the blanket moves further into through the Arrow 5 direction indicated 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 blanket 10 in the compressed or in the flat Status. The blanket comprises a sleeve 18, a compressible layer 16, a Reinforcing layer 14 and a pressure layer 12th

As shown in Fig. 5, the inner surface 19 of the blanket 10 is collapsible, so that opposite inner surface portions of the inner surface 19 contact. These do not contact each other when the sleeve assumes its round, sleeve-like shape. In The sections 160 may be provided with cardboard liners to prevent themselves forming wrinkles in the blanket. By building the sleeve, the blanket can in his return round sleeve shape, if it is z. B. not by an externally acting Force is forced to assume a flat or collapsed shape.

The compressible layer 16 may be compressible in any known manner be made, for. B. by microspheres, blowing agents, foaming or by Leaching. Examples of these are in US 5,768,990, US 5,553,541, the US 5,440,981, US 5,429,048, US 5,323,702 and US 5,304,267.

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

Of course, a blanket according to the invention may also have several compressible ones Layers, multiple layers and / or multiple reinforcing layers include.

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

List of reference numbers

5

movement direction

10

flexible blanket

12

print layer

14

reinforcing layer

16

compressible layer

18

flexible sleeve

19

palm

20

Station for making a flexible sleeve

22

Rotation and translation device

24

flexible polymer tape

25

flexible order 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)

1. Method for producing a flexible tubular rubber blanket (10), wherein the tubular rubber blanket (10) is at least partly produced on at least one carrier element (22) which moves the tubular rubber blanket (10) in an axial direction of production, and wherein layers of the tubular rubber blanket (10) are produced in succession in the axial direction of production, comprising the steps of:

   applying a flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) to the minimum of one carrier element (22), and

   applying at least one polymer layer (12, 14, 16) to the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) by means of an applicator (26, 30, 50),

   characterised in that
   the application layer (18, 25, 125) is flexible such that the tubular rubber blanket (10) together with the application layer (18, 25, 125) is reversibly deformable so that the tubular rubber blanket can be changed from its sleeve shape into a flat, folded or rolled form and back again, and in that this deformation can be carried out without any lasting changes or damage to the tubular rubber blanket,
   or in that the application layer can be removed from the tubular rubber blanket (10) and the tubular rubber blanket (10) is reversibly deformable without the application layer (18, 25, 125) such that the tubular rubber blanket can be changed from its sleeve shape into a flat, folded or rolled form and back again, and in that this deformation can be carried out without any lasting changes or damage to the tubular rubber blanket; and

   reversibly deforming the tubular rubber blanket (10) into a flat, folded or rolled form, so that the reversibly deformed tubular rubber blanket has a smaller volume than the non-deformed tubular rubber blanket.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a print layer is applied by means of an applicator (50) over the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125).
3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that a compressible layer (18) is applied by means of an applicator (30) over the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) and under the print layer (12).
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the step of applying the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) comprises applying a tape material (24, 124) which can be removed or detached from the tubular rubber blanket, more particularly winding the tape material (24, 124) around the minimum of one carrier element (22).
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the step of applying the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) comprises applying a flexible polymer material (24, 124), particularly polyurethane or, more particularly, a material with a Shore A hardness of 70.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the step of applying the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) comprises applying an adhesion-reducing or adhesion-preventing material.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flexible application layer (18, 25, 125) is removed from the tubular rubber blanket (10) during manufacture.
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tubular rubber blanket is reversibly deformed such that the cross-section of the tubular rubber blanket is reduced.
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the step of reversibly deforming the tubular rubber blanket (10) comprises bringing at least two different points on the inner surface (19) of the tubular rubber blanket (10) into contact with each other and/or in that the step of reversibly deforming the tubular rubber blanket (10) comprises collapsing or rolling or winding the tubular rubber blanket (10).
10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tubular rubber blanket (10) in the reversibly deformed state is at least partly collapsed, e.g. collapsed in certain parts, and/or the tubular rubber blanket (10) is transported and/or stored in the reversibly deformed state.
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tubular rubber blanket (10) is returned to a substantially cylindrical shape and in that the tubular rubber blanket (10) is placed on a tubular rubber cylinder.
12. Flexible tubular rubber blanket, particularly a tubular rubber blanket (10) produced according to one of the preceding methods, which comprises an application layer (18, 25, 125) and a polymer layer (12, 14, 16),
    characterised in that
    the application layer (18, 25, 125) is flexible such that the tubular rubber blanket (10) together with the application layer (18, 25, 125) is reversibly deformable so that the tubular rubber blanket can be changed from its sleeve shape into a flat, folded or rolled form and back again, and in that this deformation can be carried out without any lasting changes or damage to the tubular rubber blanket,
    or in that the application layer (18, 25, 125) can be removed from the polymer layer (18, 25, 125) and the tubular rubber blanket (10) is reversibly deformable without the application layer (18, 25, 125) such that the tubular rubber blanket can be changed from its sleeve shape into a flat, folded or rolled form and back again into its round, sleeve shape, with opposing portions of the inner surface being in contact with one another, and in that this deformation can be carried out without any lasting changes or damage to the tubular rubber blanket.

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