EP1926598B1 - Printing plate storage container, printing unit provided therewith and method for changing printing plates - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a printing block for a rotary printing machine comprising a) a printing cylinder, b) a reservoir (10) provided with a first support (11) for the first printing block (1) and a second support (12) for the second printing block (2), c) a transporting device for transporting the printing blocks (1, 2) onto the printing cylinder, d) wherein the supports (11, 12) are extended along near the printing cylinder in such a way that the first printing block (1) placed on the first support (11) and the second printing block (2) placed on the second support (12) are transportable in a feeding direction (F) towards the printing cylinder.

Description

The invention relates to the change of printing plates, in particular the storage of printing plates directly at or in a printing unit of a rotary printing machine. The rotary printing press may in particular be a web-fed rotary printing machine. The invention preferably relates to offset printing.

From the DE 43 42 359 C1 a printing form memory is known which is arranged in the vicinity of a printing unit in a vertical orientation. In the memory several printing plates are each vertically arranged in a separate bay, cascade next to each other. Each of the shafts is closed at its lower end by a switchable holding device. The printing plates are placed with their front ends on the holding device of the relevant shaft. If one of the holding devices is opened, the printing plate in question drops out of its slot due to its weight, hits with its front end on an inclined plane, at which it is deflected and fed to a conveyor which further conveys the printing plate to the forme cylinder.

From the DE 103 14 342 B3 Another printing form memory is known, which is arranged in the printing unit in the immediate vicinity of the forme cylinder and stores in a shaft two new form to be supplied to the forme printing plates in two memory positions one above the other. After one of the two printing plates has been conveyed lying on a support of the storage down to the forme cylinder, a holding device, which holds the other of the printing plates in their storage position, the other printing plate free, so that this printing form falls due to gravity on the support and then lying on the support is also promoted to the forme cylinder. Second hand Printing plates are conveyed from the forme cylinder into the store and stacked directly in the store.

From the EP 0 714 771 A2 For example, an apparatus and a method for providing a printing plate are known, in which the printing plate is provided close to the cylinder for mounting, while the accessibility of the printing units is not restricted. The provision of the printing plates takes place in a memory with a first and second edition, on each of which a printing plate is held. In this case, the pads extend so close to the cylinder, that the two pads can be funded by means of a feeder lying down to the cylinder. The DE 68 07 267 describes a device for replacing printing plates in rotary printing machines. The device has a magazine from which printing plates can be fed to a cylinder while the printing press is running by means of a feeding device.

It is an object of the invention to reduce the risk of the occurrence of disturbances in a change of printing forms and for this purpose to provide a suitable printing form memory and a method for a change of printing plates and to equip a printing unit with a printing form memory.

A printing unit of a rotary printing press, as concerns the invention of one, comprises a forme cylinder, a memory for a first printing form and at least one further, second printing form and a conveying device for conveying the printing forms onto the forme cylinder. The memory comprises a first support for the first printing form and a further, second support for the second printing form. The printing forms according to the invention, therefore, each assigned its own edition. The pads extend into the immediate vicinity of the forme cylinder, so that the first printing form lying on the first edition lying and the second printing form lying on the second edition lying in a feed direction to the forme cylinder are conveyed. Immediate proximity means that the printing forms in the promotion with one end in the memory rich and still contact the respective edition, while the other end is already in contact with the forme cylinder. A remaining between the forme cylinder and the memory distance, which is measured between a forme cylinder facing the front end of the memory and a clamping channel of the forme cylinder is thus smaller in the transfer / takeover than the measured in the circumferential direction of the forme cylinder length of the printing plates.

By each of the printing plates is provided a separate edition, along which the respective printing forme is conveyed to the transfer on the forme cylinder, eliminating change of place within the memory. In particular, one of the printing plates does not first have to be moved from a storage position into a delivery position, from which it can only be conveyed in the feed direction onto the forme cylinder. Rather, the printing plates can be conveyed directly from the storage positions which they occupy after the placement of the printing form memory in the feed direction onto the forme cylinder become. Furthermore, the printing forms can be arranged in the register in register in the respective storage position and only have to be moved in the feed direction from the storage position. A register-containing promotion in the feed direction, however, is very simple and störunanfällig and can advantageously be realized with extending in the feed register strips very simple.

The invention also relates to a printing form memory as such. The printing form memory is particularly suitable for use in a printing unit as described above, but is not necessarily limited thereto. Thus, the printing form memory is preferably installed in the printing unit so that the printing plates are conveyed at least substantially horizontally in the memory and from the memory. However, it is quite conceivable Einbansituationen in which the printing form memory is inclined or even perpendicular to the promotion of the form cylinder.

The memory is provided with a register device by means of which the printing plates with respect to the side register of the forme cylinder can be conveyed in register to the memory. As already mentioned, register strips preferably form the register device. The printing plates preferably have register recesses in the region of their bends into which the register strips engage when conveying the printing plates. Although less preferred, it would also be possible to form the register strips as side guides on which the printing plates are guided in registration with the forme cylinder along their side edges pointing in the feed direction. In the case of guidance on the side edge, it would also be possible to provide a plurality of discrete register elements, for example register pins, in the printing form memory instead of continuous register strips. However, the register-accurate guide on the side edge requires a register-accurate blank of the respective printing form, while the printing plates are usually provided at least in the web-fed rotary printing already at home with at least one Registeransnehmung in Abbug, which is advantageously used for the register-containing leadership in the printing form memory according to the invention.

The register device comprises per storage space for the new printing plates at least one guide tongue, which over the front end of the support in Feed direction protrudes onto the forme cylinder and is elastically bendable or pivotable. By means of such guide tongues, the printing plates can be performed at their front ends directly to the forme cylinder register. A guide tongue which is elastically bendable in itself is preferred over a guide tongue that is rigid in itself and can be pivoted against an otherwise generated spring force. According to the guide tongues in the feed direction extend the said register strips, ie the register strips are so to speak elastically bendable or pivotable at their front free ends.

If the new printing plates are only imaged on the form cylinder, can be dispensed with a register-containing leadership in the printing form memory.

The pads may further each be provided with a latching device which holds the respective printing forme in a latching relationship with respect to the feeding direction in the storage position and preferably further in a disengaged position in which the relevant printing forme is pressed into a clamping channel of the forme cylinder. The latching device may in particular be formed on a register strip in order to form the latching connection with one of the two bends of the respective printing forme, preferably the rearward turn. In principle, it is also advantageous if the latching device creates only one of these two latching connections with the respective printing forme. The one or two detachable latching connection (s) can or can basically also be replaced by a simple positive connection.

The conveyor is preferably designed so that it conveys the respective printing forme in the feed direction into a position, preferably a detent position, in which a front Abbug the printing forme is inserted into the clamping channel of the forme cylinder. The conveying device comprises at least one, preferably exactly one conveying member, which acts as a pushing member in preferred embodiments. The conveyor member pushes the relevant printing form in the feed direction, preferably by pressing the printing form in the feed direction. A pure pressure contact is preferred for transmitting a force acting only in the feed direction. The conveyor must therefore not take the relevant printing plate first, as with the use of, for example, suckers would be necessary, but just as little as other types of conveyor links for use as a conveyor or conveyor links should not be excluded from the outset.

In order to remove used printing plates in a previous production of the forme cylinder, the memory in preferred developments also includes a further, third edition for at least one used printing plate. For a forme cylinder with at least twice the circumference of the memory also includes at least a fourth edition for a over the circumference of the forme cylinder following the third printing form fourth printing form. In the case of still larger-scale cylinders, the memory preferably has as many supports for new printing forms as one above the other, as can be arranged one behind the other on the forme cylinder in the circumferential direction. The same applies preferably for the used printing plates. If the forme cylinder, as usual, can be assigned side by side in the axial direction with a plurality of printing plates, each of the supports is composed of individual supports corresponding to the number of juxtaposed printing plates. The memory for the new printing plates and the memory for the used ones preferably form an integrated, unit-mounted memory. However, they can also be physically separate from one another, for example to be able to move one or the other to a working position if the space available in the printing unit requires it.

In order to promote the used printing plates also to a storage position in the memory, the conveyor has at least one, preferably only one conveying member, which pulls preferably as a tension member acting used printing form or several used printing plates to their storage position (s). Preferably also acting as a tension member conveying member with the relevant printing form is only in a pure pressure contact, preferably against the Abbug the printing plate. The conveyor member presses against the inside of the Abbugugs the feed direction, thus pulling the printing plate in the memory. Preferably, the rotational movement of the forme cylinder is utilized to promote the printing form in the memory, and the conveying member pulls the printing form only the last piece to the storage position.

The conveying member for the new printing plates and the conveying member for the used printing plates are advantageously the same. In preferred embodiments, the conveyor member is reciprocable both in and against the feed direction and transversely to the feed direction. The transverse mobility serves to select the storage position from which the conveyor member conveys the new printing plates in the feed direction and the used printing plates of the feed direction counter to the storage position. Alternatively, it would also be possible in principle, the new printing plates together a first conveyor member and the used printing plates together also assign a further, second conveyor member. In yet another alternative, each layer of printing forms can each have its own conveying member. Furthermore, in the case of the generally given arrangement of a plurality of printing plates, each separate conveying elements can be provided side by side for the printing forms arranged side by side. However, it is preferred for at least one of the plurality of juxtaposed printing plates of the same position if they have a common conveying member which extends over the entire axial width of the forme cylinder which can be assigned with printing plates. In particularly preferred embodiments, as already mentioned, this is the only delivery member of the store.

When using a single conveying member or a plurality of conveying members, which is or are movable transversely to the feeding direction for selecting the printing form or printing forms to be conveyed, the conveying member or the conveying members can advantageously be moved against the feeding direction into a position, in which it is or is located behind the pads and the printing forms received in the memory so that it or is freely movable back and forth from structural parts of the memory. From this rear end position, it is or they sins in the feed direction and thus in overlap with the pads movable.

The conveyor member or possibly a plurality of conveyor members is or are preferably linearly movable in the feed direction and against the feed direction, advantageously by means of a spindle drive. The same applies advantageously for the preferred transverse mobility. Opposite possible other types of movement, such as a pivoting movement, are linear movements more precise executable, especially when the respective linear movement is effected by means of spindle drive.

Although the printing forms in the memory slide on its support in the horizontal orientation of the memory on its support, in the orientation with respect to the alignment over its support, it is alternatively possible that the supports comprise rollers on which or over which the printing plates are conveyed, the rollers without drive just rotatably mounted. The conveyor is preferably described in such an embodiment. Alternatively, however, the rollers can also be rotationally driven in order to convey even the respective printing forme. In the case of a roller conveyor forming the conveyor itself, it may be sufficient if only one of the rollers or only one of the roller pairs, which should be arranged on a front end of the storage unit facing the forme cylinder, is rotationally driven. Furthermore, should not be ruled out that a belt conveyor forms the support along which the printing plates are supported on a conveyor belt resting.

In preferred embodiments, a memory cartridge which can be assembled and disassembled as a unit forms the reservoir for the new printing plates. In a further development, the same storage cartridge also takes up the used printing forms. In a likewise preferred alternative, however, such a storage cassette only forms the storage for the new printing forms, while the storage for the used printing forms is a further storage cassette or accommodates the used printing forms in a built-in memory permanently mounted on the printing unit. A bipartition has the advantage that the storage cassette for the new printing forms is easier than a storage cassette for all printing forms of the forme cylinder and therefore can be transported more easily by operating personnel or a robot.

The sequence of memory locations is basically arbitrary. In a preferred first sequence, the memory has two upper memory locations for the used printing plates and two lower memory locations for the new printing plates relative to a horizontal alignment in the printing unit. In a preferred second sequence, the memory locations for two new printing forms are between the memory locations for two used ones Arranged printing forms. The storage locations for new printing forms can be designed in the same way as the storage spaces for used printing forms, but they preferably differ.

The entire memory or at least a part of the memory can be moved in an advantageous development within the printing from a near the forme cylinder working position in a forme cylinder farther maintenance position in order to clear the pressure in the generally confined space for maintenance and repair work.

A particular feature of a development of the printing form memory is securing the printing forms, especially the new printing forms, against movements as they can be caused by vibrations. Vibrations can arise due to the machine operation in the printing unit or during transport of the memory, for example a memory cassette designed as a quick-mounting unit, and in particular cause the printing plates to move out of the defined memory positions. To prevent such movements, the memory advantageously has a holding device. In preferred embodiments, the holding device is formed as a clamping device which holds the printing plates with a clamping force, on the one hand sufficiently large to prevent unwanted movements due to vibration, but on the other hand, the conveying activity of the conveyor at least not hindered to a practically relevant extent. Preferably, the pads form such a holding device, preferably clamping device. For this purpose, the pads can be wavy shaped in the feed direction in the form of a transverse to each held printing form wave. Each of the requirements for the new printing plates, possibly also the requirements for the used printing plates, comprises in such an embodiment, two mutually facing contact surfaces which contact the held printing form on the two flat sides, wherein the contact between the printing plate and a wave crest of the respective contact surface consists. Preferably, the two contact surfaces are parallel to one another, but this is not absolutely necessary. The amplitude or optionally different amplitudes of the wave is chosen so that the held Printing form is bent slightly to produce just the required clamping force for holding. Instead of a regular waveform, the contact surfaces can also describe only a single arc, so that the respective printing forme is only correspondingly easily bent over its length measured in the circumferential direction of the forme cylinder. Instead of a wave-shaped or only curved course over the entire length, the pads can also be bent or provided with a recess or otherwise formed only in a shorter length range, in order to bend the respectively held printing form a little and thereby hold with a slight clamping force. In yet an alternative embodiment, the memory may be provided per support with at least one spring means which presses the respectively held pressure form due to their elastic force against the support and thereby generates the clamping force, or the spring means already forms the support. While a clamping device with arcuate or wave-shaped course of the pads is preferred for the conditions of the new printing plates or an alternative solution slightly bending the printing plates, it is preferred for the used printing plates if their respective support is formed directly by a spring element or preferably several spring elements. Preferably, the used printing plates or possibly even a single used printing plate with its side facing away from the image side on such a support.

The supports, in particular the supports for the new printing forms, preferably contact the printing forms only at their side edges outside the type area. If the printing form memory, as preferred, has side guides which guide the printing plates in addition to the respective register device or optionally alone as a register device acting on the side edges, these side guides can advantageously form the supports. Side guides, which fulfill the functions of lateral guidance and the function of the respective support in combination, are particularly preferred for the new printing plates.

The printing form memory works in the printing unit preferably together with a pressure forming machine comprising lifting members and pressing members, which are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder. For the axial juxtaposed printing plates each have at least one lifting member and a pressing member is provided. The lifting members may be in particular suckers. The pressing members may in particular be rollers for rolling over the printing plates. The conveyor promotes the new printing forms of the pads on the forme cylinder, where they are pressed by means of the pressing members in the clamping channels. Subsequently, the form cylinder is rotated so that the already mounted in the terminal channel printing forms are pulled out of the memory due to the rotational movement. To remove used printing plates from forme cylinder, the lifting elements are used. If the relevant end of the used printing plates are free from the forme cylinder, the holding engagement of the lifting members is released. Subsequently, the forme cylinder is rotated so that the used printing plates move into the memory. After the other end of the printing plate has also been released from the forme cylinder, namely by means of at least one lifting member, the printing forme is preferably pulled by the conveyor the last piece in the memory. Printing form memory, automatic plate changing machine and forme cylinder preferably form a fully automatic printing plate changing system.

Preferably, an axially continuous or axially adjacent several hold-down is or are provided to hold down the ends of the printing plates in the printing form change. The at least one hold-down holds the ends of the used printing plates so that they are pushed onto their intended supports of the memory when the form cylinder rotates. Instead or in addition, the at least one hold-down device is used for pressing in the front ends of the new printing plates. In principle, the pressing members could form the at least one hold-down device. Advantageously, however, it is provided in addition to the lifting members and the push members and arranged in the feed direction between the memory and the lifting members and push members.

The printing form memory can be used in particular in combination with a pressure plate changing machine used as the DE 10 2004 023 434 and the PCT / EP2005 / 004937 describe which are referred to with respect to the automatic plate changing machine. The one described there primarily as a semi-automatic Automatic plate changing machine, in cooperation with the printing plate store and the forme cylinder, advantageously forms a fully automatic printing plate changing system.

Finally, the invention also relates to a method for changing printing plates.

The features described in relation to the conveyor, the clamped holding of printing plates, register-accurate guiding and for interacting with a plate changing machine can each independently and in any combination of features, even detached from the characteristics claimed for the claimed invention apply, so that it Applicant reserves the right to address one or more divisional applications, which may not be limited to the separation of the printing plates in the printing form memory and, if the printing unit is concerned, necessarily to the arrangement of the printing plate store in the immediate vicinity of the forme cylinder ,

As far as executions are made only ever to the printing unit, the printing form memory as such or the method of printing form change, the respective embodiments apply advantageously also for the other two subjects of the invention. Preferred features of the invention are also described in the subclaims and their combinations, the mutually supplementing in the subclaims and the features described above.

The memory may in an alternative embodiment include only a single storage space for a new printing form and a single storage space for a used printing forme, especially in applications in which the forme cylinder is covered over its circumference with only one printing plate. In principle, the memory can also form only a single storage space for a new printing form or a single storage space for a used printing form. The Applicant reserves the right to such a printing form memory with only a single memory space or on a printing form memory with only a single space for a new printing form and a single additional storage space for a used printing forme Divisional application to be directed, wherein the respective memory advantageously can be designed according to the features disclosed above or in subclaims, in particular with regard to the support (s) or the conveyor.

Figur 1

ein Druckwerk mit zwei in Arbeitsposition befindlichen Druckformspeichern,

Figur 2

das Druckwerk mit den beiden in Wartungsposition befindlichen Druckformspeichern,

Figur 3

den Druckformspeicher allein losgelöst vom Druckwerk,

Figur 4

einen der Druckformspeicher in einem Längsschnitt,

Figur 5

ein vorderes Ende des Druckformspeichers der Figur 3,

Figur 6

eine Speicherkassette des Druckformspeichers in einer perspektivischen Sicht auf ein vorderes Ende,

Figur 7

die Speicherkassette in einer perspektivischen Sicht auf ein hinteres Ende,

Figur 8

das hintere Ende der Speicherkassette in einer Ansicht,

Figur 9

den Druckformspeicher im Zusammenwirken mit einem Druckformwechselautomaten beim Abnehmen einer gebrauchten Druckform,

Figur 10

den Druckformspeicher und den Druckformwechselautomaten in einer anschließenden Phase des Abnehmens der gebrauchten Druckform,

Figur 11

den Druckformspeicher und den Druckformwechselautomaten unmittelbar vor dem Aufziehen einer neuen Druckform und

Figur 12

den Druckformspeicher und den Druckformwechselautomaten zu Beginn des Aufziehens der neuen Druckform.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be explained with reference to figures. The features disclosed in the exemplary embodiment advantageously each individually and in each combination of features form the subject matter of the claims and also the embodiments described above. Show it:

FIG. 1

a printing unit with two printing form stores located in the working position,

FIG. 2

the printing unit with the two printing form stores located in the maintenance position,

FIG. 3

the print form memory alone detached from the printing unit,

FIG. 4

one of the printing form memory in a longitudinal section,

FIG. 5

a front end of the printing block memory the FIG. 3 .

FIG. 6

a storage cassette of the printing form memory in a perspective view of a front end,

FIG. 7

the storage cassette in a perspective view of a rear end,

FIG. 8

the back end of the memory cartridge in a view

FIG. 9

the printing plate store in cooperation with a printing plate changing machine when removing a used printing plate,

FIG. 10

the printing plate store and the automatic plate changing machine in a subsequent phase of removing the used printing plate,

FIG. 11

the printing form memory and the automatic plate changing machine immediately before mounting a new printing plate and

FIG. 12

the printing form memory and the automatic plate changing machine at the beginning of the Aufziehens the new printing form.

FIG. 1 shows a printing unit of a web-fed rotary printing press in a side view of a printing unit supporting side wall, which closer to the viewer Side wall is not shown. It is a H printing unit of four printing units. Two of the printing units each form a V-bridge, of which the upper one is upside down. Each of the printing units comprises a transfer cylinder 5, an associated forme cylinder 6 and an inking unit associated with the forme cylinder 6, and preferably also a dampening unit associated with the forme cylinder 6. The transfer cylinder 5 and the forme cylinder 6 are formed in the embodiment as a blanket and plate cylinder. The transfer cylinders 5 of the bridges each form a printing gap for printing on both sides of the continuous web.

Each of the printing units comprises a printing form memory 10 and a lifting and pressing device 7, which are each assigned to the forme cylinder 6 of the printing unit. The lifting and pushing devices 7 are arranged at a short distance from the outer peripheral surface of the respective associated forme cylinder 6 and fixedly mounted in the respective printing unit. The printing form memory 10 - hereinafter also referred to simply memory - take within the printing units also each a fixed predetermined working position in which they each with its front end to close to the peripheral surface of the associated form cylinder 6 and also close to the associated lifting and Push device 7 rich. The distance to the associated forme cylinder 6 is at most a few centimeters in the working position. The same applies in relation to the distance to the associated lifting and pushing device 7. Shown are the two memory 10 arranged to the left side of the web form cylinder 6. The upper form cylinder 6 associated printing form memory 10 is compared to the lower memory 10 upside down. The reservoirs 10 are reciprocable between the working position and a maintenance position relative to the forming cylinders 6. They are for the purpose of mobility ever along a guide cam movable, which is attached to the illustrated rear side wall or optionally may be an integral part of the side wall. The guide curve for the lower memory 10 is 8a and the guide curve for the upper memory 10 is denoted by 8b. The two guide curves 8a and 8b extend parallel to each other in the area of the maintenance position formed outside the two printing units and, viewed from there, forks in the direction of the two forme cylinders 6, each into a single branch. The memories 10 are also shown fictitiously in their respective maintenance position. A similar pair of guide curves 8a and 8b is on attached to the side wall, not shown, or molded there as an integral part. Likewise, the two right-hand printing units, of which only the transfer cylinders 5 are shown, have pressure form memory 10, guide curves 8a and 8b as well as lifting and pressing devices 7.

FIG. 2 illustrates the situation with memories 10 in maintenance position. Shown schematically is an operator or an anthropomorphic robot performing maintenance or repair work on the two left printing units. It can also be seen that the memory 10 for the upper forme cylinder 6 compared to the execution of FIG. 1 and thus modified from the memory 10 for the lower forme cylinder 6. The modification is that a deflection for the printing plates is led out of the upper memory 10 in the region of the front end. With the deflection while maintaining the at least substantially horizontal arrangement of the memory 10, it is possible to convey the printing plates from the forme cylinder 6 vertically downwards into the memory 10 or out of the memory 10 vertically upwards onto the forme cylinder 6. Accordingly, in the upper printing unit, the location of the transfer / transfer to or from the forme cylinder 6 over its circumference is further away from the associated transfer cylinder 5 than in the lower printing unit. But even in the modified embodiment of FIG. 2 Transfer and takeover take place within a range bounded by two lines which intersect the axes of rotation of the respective cylinders 5 and 6 belonging to the same printing unit. The area is in the shape of a horizontal "V". It should also be noted that when using the modified memory 10 of the FIG. 2 also rotate the cylinders 5 and 6 of the upper printing unit when mounting the new printing plates in the same direction of rotation as during production. In the configuration of FIG. 1 Turn the cylinders 5 and 6 of the upper printing unit when mounting the new printing plates in the opposite direction.

FIG. 3 shows one of the memory 10 of in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment and the lower memory 10 of FIG. 2 in a detached from the printing individual representation. The memory 10 consists of a storage cassette 10a with superimposed shafts. The number of stacked shafts corresponds twice the number of over the circumference of the forme cylinder 6 successively arranged printing forms. Each of the shafts holds adjacent to each other as many printing plates as are arranged axially next to one another on the forme cylinder 6. In the exemplary embodiment, the forme cylinders 6 each have twice the circumference and are four sides wide. In the circumferential direction thus a maximum of two printing plates are arranged one behind the other. In the axial direction, in particular, four single-width printing plates or two printing plates in the so-called panorama format can be arranged side by side. Furthermore, in addition to a printing plate in panorama format, two single-width printing plates can be arranged. In principle, the form cylinder 6 may also have more than twice the circumference in modifications. Likewise, the forme cylinder can be either narrower, in the extreme only one side wide, or wider, for example six pages wide. The memory 10 or the memory cartridge 10 is correspondingly narrower or wider, so that each of its shafts can take next to each other as many printing plates as are arranged on the forme cylinder 6 next to each other or can be arranged. The width of the memory 10 corresponds in this regard to the width of the forme cylinder 6.

The memory 10 further comprises two conveyor attachments 20, which are detachably mounted on the two lateral edges of the storage cassette 10a. The conveyor attachments 20 store the components of a conveyor. By means of the conveyor, in the case of a printing plate change, new printing plates can be conveyed in a feed direction F onto the associated forme cylinder 6. Furthermore, the conveyor is used to promote used printing plates in the opposite direction -F in the memory 10th

The conveying device comprises a conveying member 21 in the form of a rod-shaped traverse which extends over the entire width of the storage cassette 10a and is fixed immovably at its two ends to an output member 22 with respect to the feed direction F. The output members 22 are the running members of a linear drive for the feed direction F and the opposite direction -F. The output members 22 and thus together the conveyor member 21 are in the feed direction F and in the opposite direction -F linear reciprocally movable. The linear drive comprises two drive members which are arranged on the two side edges outside the storage cassette 10a and, as already mentioned, are supported by the two conveyor attachments 20. The output members 22 are the Nuts of two spindle drives, each beyond the mother as a drive member extending in the feed direction F spindle 23 and at least one linear guide 24 include. The spindles 23 are rotationally driven by motors 25. Due to their straight guide, the drive members 22 move in the case of the rotary drive of the spindles 23 according to the direction of rotation of the spindles 23 back and forth. As a result of this movement parallel to the shafts of the storage cassette 10a, the printing forms are conveyed into or out of the storage 10.

During the movement in the feed direction F, the conveying member 21 presses against the rearward bending away from the forme cylinder 6 of the printing forms received in the respective shaft. It is a loose pressure contact, so that the conveyor member 21 is released from the respective printing plates simply by a movement in the direction -F. In the promotion of used printing plates in the memory 10, the conveyor member 21 is moved under the partially inserted into the associated slot printing plates and against the inside of the front in -F directions, so that the conveyor member 21 as it moves in the direction -F used Pushing forms against the inner sides of the turns loosely deeper into the memory 10 pulls. Within the shafts for the used printing plates, there is still enough space under each of the printing plates, so that the conveying member 21 can travel under the printing plates under the bends. Once it has passed the bends, it is moved a little bit towards the bottom of the printing plates to the overlap with the bends.

The motors 25 are supported on the respective conveyor attachment 20. Their motor shafts are parallel to the feed direction F.

The conveyor further comprises a further linear drive, by means of which the conveyor member 21 transversely, in the embodiment perpendicular to the feed direction F is movable back and forth in order to promote in each of the superposed shafts of the storage cassette 10a there recorded or male form of printing. The second linear drive consists of the conveyor member 21 directly as a driven or running member and the two output members 22 of the former linear drive, the in each case the drive member form a guide member in the further linear drive. The further linear drive is formed as a spindle drive. Accordingly, the two end portions of the conveyor member 21 are each formed as a nut. The output members 22 each comprise a spindle 27. The spindles 27 are perpendicular to the spindles 23. For the rotary drive of the spindles 27, a further motor 26 is supported on each of the drive members 22. In the case of a rotary drive of the spindles 27 by the respectively associated motor 26, the conveying member 21 is moved along the spindles 27 perpendicular to the feed direction F according to the direction of rotation, in order to approach the selected shaft. The conveyor member 21 performs this selection movement in a in FIG. 3 shown rear end position in which it is free from the storage cartridge 10 a. The axis of transverse mobility of the conveyor member 21 is denoted by V / -V. The two transverse motion motors 26 and the two longitudinal motion motors 25 are electronically synchronized within the motor pairs 25 and 26. The motor shafts of the motors 26 are parallel to the direction V of the transverse mobility of the conveyor member 21.

The two conveyor add-on parts 20 are identical apart from differences resulting from their axis symmetry, including the movably mounted components of the conveyor device. The delivery attachment parts 20 serve not only for the storage of the components of the conveying device, but also for the assembly and guidance of the store 10 on the side walls of the printing unit.

FIG. 4 shows the storage cartridge 10a in a longitudinal section. The storage cassette 10a has a total of four superposed shafts. The two lower shafts each take a layer of new printing plates 1 and 2, with which the associated forme cylinder 6 is to be equipped for the next production. In the two upper shafts the used printing plates of the previous production can be taken up. In a production change, the used printing plates are conveyed into the two upper shafts and the new printing forms 1 and 2 from the two lower shafts. In each of the shafts are made conditions for the recorded or to be included in each slot printing plates. In the lowermost slot, the new first printing plates 1 to be arranged side by side on the forme cylinder are received lying on first supports 11. In the next shaft next to it are the next, on Form cylinder 6 to be mounted side by side new second printing plates 2 on second supports 12 lying taken. The two shafts above for the used printing plates are empty.

The new printing plates 1 and 2 each occupy a predetermined storage position. The printing plates 1 and 2 are connected in their storage position per form-fitting releasably connected to the storage cartridge 10a. In the exemplary embodiment, they are connected to the storage cassette 10a by means of a releasable latching connection. The connection is such that the storage position is defined with respect to the feeding direction F, but the connection can be easily released by the conveying member 21 pressing in the feeding direction F against the printing plates 1 and 2.

The pads 11 and 12 are shaped so that they hold the printing plates 1 and 2 by clamping in a well-dosed frictional connection. For this purpose, the pads 11 and 12 are each formed as a pair of facing each other via the held printing form 1 or 2 bearing surfaces. The two contact surfaces of each support 11 and 12 extend in the feed direction F wavy parallel to each other, so that in longitudinal section a wave-shaped slot is formed, in which the respective printing forme 1 or 2 is bordered along one of its two side edges with a slight frictional connection and corresponding to the undulating course of the respective Support 11 or 12 is slightly bent in the feed direction F.

Within the shafts for the new printing plates 1 and 2 register strips 15 are arranged, on which the printing plates 1 and 2 are conveyed in register in the feed direction F with respect to the page register to the forme cylinder 6. The register strips 15 also each form the positive connection for the specification of the storage position. For this purpose, they form at their rear ends in each case a form-locking element 18, for example a latching element. The front and rear bends of the printing plates 1 and 2 are each provided with at least one recess, in each of which one of the register strips 15 fits precisely and in this way the relevant printing form 1 or 2 register in their movement in the feed direction leads. In the region of the recesses of the bends remains in each case a short Abbugstummel, with which the printing plates 1 and 2 form the positive connection with the memory cartridge 10a, in the embodiment with the form-locking elements 18 form.

The shafts for the new printing plates 1 and 2 each have a height measured perpendicular to the feed direction F, which corresponds at least substantially to the height of the arranged in each slot register strip or register strips 15 plus the amplitude of the pads 11 and 12. This height is less than twice the length of the bends of the printing plates 1 and 2, in the embodiment corresponds to the height of the shafts about one and a half times the Abbuglänge.

The register bars 15 extend in the feeding direction F to the front end of the storage cassette 10a, where the printing plates 1 and 2 extend out of the storage cassette 10a. They are each extended in the feed direction F by a bending-elastic guide tongues. The guide tongues for the first printing plates 1 are 16 and the guide tongues for the second printing plates 2 are designated 17. The guide tongues 16 and 17 are at an acute angle in the direction of their front, free ends toward each other, wherein the lower guide tongues 16 are inclined upward and the upper guide tongues 17 downward. The guide tongues 16 and 17 are as wide as the register strips 15, but much thinner and therefore flexible. In the working position of the memory 10, the guide tongues 16 and 17 project in the radial direction of the forme cylinder 6 until shortly over the clamping channel of the forme cylinder 6 and seen in the circumferential direction up to or preferably even a short distance into the overlap with the clamping channel.

In the shafts for the used printing plates are also pads 13 and 14 are formed. The pads 13 and 14 are spring means, in the embodiment each have a pair of spring elements 13 and 14, which are arranged at the front and at the rear end of the storage cartridge 10a respectively in the side edge region of the male form of printing. The spring elements 13 and 14 are formed as free-swinging leaf springs, which spring under the weight of the incoming printing form. Preferably, the forme cylinder 6 facing front spring elements 13 and 14 extend to below the bends of the male forms or are optionally also located away from the side edges, so that the used printing plates slide with their Abbügen over the front spring elements 13 or 14 and prevent the front spring elements 13 and 14 in this way that the used printing plates in the Removal of the forme cylinder 6 can move back to the forme cylinder 6 back. The shafts for the used printing plates are as flat as the shafts for the new printing forms 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 shows the front end of the storage cartridge 10a in an enlarged view, so that further details with respect to the pads 11 to 14 and the register means 15 to 17 can be seen.

FIG. 6 shows the storage cartridge 10a in a perspective view of its front end. Visible are, inter alia, the front ends of the register strips 15 and the guide tongues 16 and 17 which extend them. As can furthermore be seen, the supports 11 and 12, of which only the supports 12 can be seen, are part of side edge guides 19. The side edge guides 19 each have the shape of a horizontal U on. The two parallel legs of the U form the contact surfaces of the supports 11 and 12 in the form of the arcuate, ie in the embodiment wavy clamping channel. The connecting leg of the U serves in addition to the register strips 15 and guide tongues 16 and 17 as a lateral guide for the printing plates 1 and 2. As can also be seen, the side guides 19 divide the slots for the printing plates 1 and 2 respectively into two compartments. In each of the compartments, either a double-width printing form or two single-width printing forms 1 or 2 can be recorded. The double-width printing plate is guided on both sides of the side edge guides 19 and is on both sides of the contact surfaces of the pads 11 and 12 formed there. The two single-width printing plates 1 or 2 are guided laterally only on one edge and also contact only at this edge one of the supports 11 and 12. Per compartment also spaced apart from each other three register strips 15 and corresponding guide tongues 16 or 17 are provided. If the respective compartment takes up only two single-width printing forms 1 or 2, the middle of the register strips 15 serves only as a support in addition to the supports 11 or 12 on the other side edge of the respective printing form 1 or 2 Edition 15 assumes no clamping function. The bends of the printing plates 1 and 2 are accordingly excluded at their side edges, so that single width printing forms 1 and 2 can slide along the one side edge along one of the supports 11 and 12 and at its other side edge along the register strip 15. By way of example, a second printing form 2 simple width is shown with a recess in turn. Double-width printing plates are each provided with three recesses at their bends, but are held in register only by the central register strips 15; single-width printing plates depending on one of the other two register strips 15th

FIG. 7 shows the storage cartridge 10a a perspective view of its rear end. In the two lower shafts rake in the figure edge two new printing plates 1 and 2 simple width are added to each other. The other memory locations are empty.

FIG. 8 shows the storage cartridge 10a of FIG. 7 with the same occupancy in a simple view on the back end.

The FIGS. 9 to 12 show the memory 10, that is to say more precisely the memory cassette 10a in the case of a printing plate change in cooperation with the forme cylinder 6 and the associated lifting and pushing device 7.

The lifting and pushing device 7 comprises a traverse 7c, which is linearly movable in a direction approximately radially to the axis of rotation of the forme cylinder 6 back and forth. Otherwise, the traverse 7c is not movable relative to the side walls of the printing unit. On the cross member are spaced apart in the axial direction of the forme cylinder 6 alternately supported lifting members 7a in the form of suckers and pressing members 7b in the form of rollers. The lifting members 7a and the pressing members 7b are reciprocally movable relative to each other in the same direction as the cross member 7c. With regard to preferred details of the lifting and pushing device 7 is on the DE 10 2004 023 434 and the PCT / EP2005 / 004937 directed. In addition to the components of the known from these publications lifting and pushing device and the modifications described to the lifting and pressing device 7 comprises a hold-down 9, which also supported on the traverse 7c, but relative to the lifting members 7a and the push members 7b also in the said Direction approximately radially to the forme cylinder 6 is movable up and down. In the exemplary embodiment, the hold-down device 9 is movable between three predetermined positions. In FIG. 9 he takes the furthest from the forme cylinder 6 position.

The Figures 9 and 10 show the cooperation of the memory 10, the lifting and pushing device 7 and the forme cylinder 6 in removing the used printing plates 3 and 4. In a first step of the removal of the forme cylinder 6 is rotated to a rotational angular position in one of its clamping channels under the lifting members 7a arrives. In the rotational angular position of the forme cylinder 6 is fixed. The lifting members 7a are brought into engagement with the one or more printing plates 4 to be removed, ie placed on the end of the printing form 4 and subjected to negative pressure. Subsequently, the end of the printing forme 4 is pulled out of the nip by suspending the jacks 7a therefrom, and the engagement between the jacks 7a and the printing-forming end is released. In the next step, the forme cylinder is placed in the in FIG. 9 rotated direction of rotation rotated until the dissolved end of the printing plate 4 rises to just before the front end of the storage cartridge 10a from the forme cylinder 6 due to the rigidity of the printing plate 4. FIG. 9 shows the arrangement in this phase of the process. The memory 10 is shaped and arranged so that the printing forme 4, due to its inherent rigidity, enters the uppermost slot of the storage cassette 10a when the forme cylinder 6 is driven in the direction of rotation shown.

If the next in the circumferential direction of the forme cylinder 6 printing plate 3 as assumed in the example fall into the lower of the two shafts for used printing plates, the hold-9 is moved towards the end of the printing plate 3, as FIG. 10 can recognize, so that this bent elastically and to the desired shaft, ie the shaft with the support 13, is bent.

In FIG. 9 takes the hold down 9 a withdrawn and in FIG. 10 a mean of three predetermined positions. If the hold-down 9 as in FIG. 10 assumes the middle position and presses against the printing plate 3, this is pressed as shown with their turn on an inlet ramp of the desired shaft. The forme cylinder 6 will continue driven in the drawn direction of rotation, so that the printing form 3 moves deeper into the shaft. Her side edge sweeps over the serving as a support 13 front spring element of the shaft, which elastically springs in and supports the printing plate 3 and further prevents movement back towards the forme cylinder 6. As soon as the clamping channel following in the circumferential direction comes to lie below the lifting and pushing device 7, the lifting members 7a are again moved against the printing forme 3 and brought into engagement. The relevant end of the printing plate 3 is pulled out of the clamping channel. Then the procedure is solved. Already shortly before the retracted into the shaft conveyor member 21 has taken over to a large extent already retracted printing form 3 by moving it under the turn through and then a piece was moved in the direction of the bottom of the printing plate 3. As soon as the other end of the printing forme 3 is free of the lifting and pushing device 7, the conveying member 21 is moved in the direction -F against the inside of the Abbug and pulls the printing forme 3 deeper against the depression in the memory cartridge 10a, until the printing form 3 has reached their storage position. The conveyor member 21 is again a little way from the bottom of the printing form 3 away and moved with its down through to the rear to the in FIG. 3 shown rear end position in which it is driven in the direction V to the height of the uppermost shaft and then retracted to take over the uppermost layer of printing plates in this shaft.

The removal and retraction of the printing plate 3 or the plurality of printing plates 3 corresponds to the removal and retraction of the printing plate 4 or the plurality of printing plates 4. However, for the retraction of the printing plate 4 or the plurality of printing plates 4, the hold-9 is not required, i. he takes up his withdrawn position.

In a modification, the pressing members 7b for the retraction of the printing form 3 assume the role of the hold-down 9. This modification is in FIG. 10 indicated by the printing plate 3 also held down by the pressing members 7b or optionally only one pusher 7b per printing forme 3 and thereby guided into the slot provided the memory cartridge 10a. In such a modification, the hold-down device 9 is movable back and forth only between two end positions, namely the withdrawn position, such as FIG. 9 she shows, and a disengaged position for applying the new Printing forms 1 and 2, which will be discussed below. The reversibility only between two end positions advantageously simplifies the measures provided for the hold-9 adjusting device, which preferably operates pneumatically

When the used printing plates 3 and 4 are each received in the storage cassette 10a in their storage position, the new printing plates 1 and 2 are sequentially conveyed from the conveying member 21 onto the forme cylinder 6. Instead of successively removing the used printing plates 3 and 4 and then apply the new printing plates 1 and 2 only on the forme cylinder 6, one of the used printing plates 3 and 4 can be removed in a likewise advantageous modification of the order, then one of the new printing plates 1 and 2 raised , Then the other of the used printing plates 3 and 4 removed and finally the remaining of the new printing plates 1 and 2 are raised.

The Figures 11 and 12 show the arrangement of memory 10 or storage cassette 10a, lifting and printing device 7 and forme cylinder 6 at the beginning of the winding of the new printing plates 1 and 2. In FIG. 11 take the printing forms 1 and 2 nor the default memory positions. It is assumed that first the printing plates 1 are mounted. At the beginning of the winding of the form cylinder 6 is rotated in a rotational angular position, the transfer position in which one of its clamping channels comes to lie directly below the free front end of the guide tongues 16 and 17. In this rotational angular position of the. Forme cylinder 6, the conveying member 21 is moved against the rear bends of the printing plates 1 and pushes the printing plates 1 in the feeding direction F until the front ends of the printing plates 1 are located above the clamping channel. The conveyor member 21 can now be moved back to the rear end position. In the advanced position, the printing plates 1 and later analog formally secured the printing plates 2 as already in their memory positions, either by means of simple positive connection or preferably by means of a detachable locking connection, for which the register strips 15 with other form-locking elements such as the form-locking elements 18 (FIGS. Fig. 4 ) and can interact with the printing plates 1 and 2.

The working position of the memory 10 is selected and the guide tongues 16 and 17 are so long that their free ends are above the clamping channel of the forme cylinder 6 when it assumes the take-up position. In this way, the printing plates 1 and 2 are guided in register to the height of the clamping channel. The hold-down device 9 or each of the plurality of hold-downs 9 preferably for the plurality of printing plates 1 and 2 is further arranged so that it also assumes a position above the clamping channel. If the hold 9 from the in FIG. 10 moved middle position in which the forme cylinder 6 next moves its three positions, he presses on the front end of the printing form 1 or 2 and presses this end in the clamping channel.

FIG. 12 shows the arrangement with the hold-down 9 in its next form cylinder 6 position, the disengaged position. The hold-down 9 is arranged between the memory 10 and the lifting members 7a and 7a pressing members. The hold-down 9 presses the turn already in the terminal channel, but not yet completely.

In the next step, the forme cylinder 6 is inserted into the in FIG. 12 rotated rotational direction, so that the clamping channel comes into the sphere of influence of the pressing members 7b. The pressing members 7b overflow the already pressed from the hold-down 9 end of the printing plate 1 and press this completely into the clamping channel. At the same time, the hold-down device 9 is again moved to its fully retracted position, which he is in FIG. 9 occupies. By further rotation of the forme cylinder 6 in the direction of rotation shown, the printing form 1 is pulled out of the storage cassette 10a. Finally, the rear end of the printing form 1 enters the sphere of influence of the pressing members 7b and is pressed by them into the subsequent clamping channel. The printing form 1 or the plurality of printing plates 1 is or are mounted. The same procedure is repeated in the mounting of the printing plates. 2

In the exemplary embodiment, the spring tongues 16 and 17 project with their free front ends to radially over the clamping channel. In a modification, the spring tongues 16 and 17 terminate shortly before the clamping channel, so that the printing plates 1 and 2 can be pressed completely into the clamping channel by means of the blank holder 9 and subsequent pressing by means of the pressing member 7b or the plurality of pressing members 7b is no longer required.

reference numeral

1

New printing form

2

New printing form

3

Used printing form

4

Used printing form

5

transfer cylinder

6

form cylinder

7

Lifting and pushing device

7a

whippen

7b

pressure member

7c

traverse

8a

guide curve

8b

guide curve

9

Stripper plate

10

Storage

10a

memory cartridge

11

edition

12

edition

13

Edition, spring device

14

Edition, spring device

15

tab bar

16

guide tongue

17

guide tongue

18

Form-fitting element

19

Side edge guide

20

Cultivation conveying part

21

conveying member

22

Output member, nut

23

Drive element, spindle

24

linear guide

25

engine

26

engine

27

Drive element, spindle

F

feed

V

select direction

Claims (30)

1. A printing unit of a rotary printing machine, comprising:

   a) a form cylinder (6);

   b) a storage (10) comprising a first support (11) for a first new printing form (1) and another, second support (12) for a second new printing form (2);

   c) one register means (15-17) for each support (11, 12), each comprising at least one register bar (15);

   d) and a conveying means (21-27) for conveying the printing forms (1, 2) onto the form cylinder (6),

   e) wherein the supports (11,12) extend close enough to the form cylinder (6) that the first printing form (1) can be conveyed - lying on the first support (11) - in a feed direction (F) onto the form cylinder (6), and the second printing form (2) can be conveyed - lying on the second support (12) - in a feed direction (F) onto the form cylinder (6),
   characterised in that

   f) the register means (15-17) comprises at least one guiding tongue (16, 17) which extends the at least one register bar (15) beyond the front end of the support in the feed direction (F) towards the form cylinder (6) and can be bent or pivoted against an elastic restoring force.
2. The printing unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one register bar (15) extends at most as far as the front end of the support.
3. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the register means (15-17) comprises a locking means for each support (11, 12), by means of which the respective printing form (1; 2) can be positioned in a releasable locking connection in the feed direction (F).
4. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying means (21-27) comprises a conveying member (21) which can be moved in the feed direction (F) and pressed against at least one of the printing forms (1, 2) in order to push the printing form in the feed direction.
5. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage (10) is a multi-shaft storage magazine comprising shafts arranged one on top of the other, and the first support (11) and the second support (12) are arranged in different shafts.
6. The printing unit according to the preceding claim, wherein the storage magazine (10) is exchangeable as a unit.
7. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage (10) further comprises at least one other support (13, 14) for a used printing form (3; 4).
8. The printing unit according to the preceding claim in combination with any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the other support (13, 14) is arranged in another shaft of the storage magazine (10) or is part of another storage magazine.
9. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the conveying means (21-27) comprises a conveying member (21) which can be moved counter to the feed direction (F) and pressed against the used printing form (3; 4) in order to draw the used printing form into the storage (10).
10. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein for conveying the printing forms (1-4), the conveying means (21-27) comprises a conveying member (21) which can be operatively connected to at least one of the printing forms and can be linearly moved, preferably by means of a spindle drive (22-24).
11. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying means (21-27) comprises a conveying member (21) which can be moved in the feed direction (F) for conveying and can be moved transverse to the feed direction for selecting a printing form (1-4) to be conveyed.
12. The printing unit according to the preceding claim, wherein the conveying member (21) can be linearly moved transverse to the feed direction (F), preferably by means of a spindle drive (25, 26).
13. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supports (11, 12) are mounted such that they can be moved back and forth between a working position close to the form cylinder (6) and a maintenance position further away from the form cylinder, preferably along a guiding curve (8a, 8b) which extends in a plane transverse to a rotational axis of the form cylinder.
14. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supports (11, 12) each comprise two bearing surfaces which extend in the feed direction (F) and face each other at a distance, and which run in the feed direction (F) - preferably in the shape of a wave or bent in one direction only - such that a printing form (1; 2) which is enclosed by the bearing surfaces describes at least an arc in the feed direction (F).
15. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage (10) further comprises lateral guides (19), by means of which the printing forms (1-4) can be guided in the feed direction (F) on at least one of their lateral edges.
16. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supports (11-14) are arranged on lateral edges of the printing forms (1-4), preferably outside the printing area.
17. The printing unit according to the preceding two claims, wherein the lateral guides (19) surround the lateral edges of the printing forms (1-4) at least on a flat side and form the supports (11, 12).
18. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lifting and pressing device (7) comprising lifting members (7a) which are arranged adjacently along the form cylinder (6) on a crossbar (7c) and by means of which the printing forms (1-4) can be lifted off the form cylinder, and comprising pressing members (7b) which are arranged adjacently along the form cylinder (6) on the crossbar (7c) and by means of which the printing forms (1-4) can be pressed onto the form cylinder (6).
19. The printing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one suppressor (9) which is arranged close to a front end of the storage (10) facing the form cylinder (6) in order to hold down one of the printing forms (1-4) and which can be moved against an upper side of the printing form (1-4) facing away from the form cylinder (6).
20. The printing unit according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 3, wherein the suppressor (9) is arranged close to a front end of one of the guiding tongues (16, 17), preferably at least partially overlapping the guiding tongue (16, 17).
21. A printing form storage for a form cylinder, said storage (10) comprising:

    a) a first shaft in which a first new printing form (1) can be accommodated on a first support (11) in a storage position;

    b) and a second shaft which is arranged above the first shaft and in which a second new printing form (2) can be accommodated on a second support (12) in a storage position;

    c) a register means (15-17) arranged in each of the shafts, each comprising at least one register bar (15), for guiding the printing forms (1, 2) in register during conveying,

    d) wherein the supports (11, 12) each extend as far as a front end of the storage (10), and the printing forms (1, 2) can be conveyed along their respective support (11, 12), preferably sliding, out of the shafts,
    characterised in that

    e) the register means (15-17) comprises at least one guiding tongue (16, 17) which extends the at least one register bar (15) beyond the front end of the support in the feed direction (F) towards the form cylinder (6) and can be bent or pivoted against an elastic restoring force.
22. The printing form storage according to the preceding claim, further comprising a conveying means (21-27) by means of which the printing forms (1, 2) can be conveyed out of the shafts in a feed direction (F).
23. The printing form storage according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein a storage magazine (10) forms the shafts comprising the supports (11, 12).
24. The printing form storage according to the preceding two claims, wherein the conveying means (21-27) is part of the storage magazine, preferably as an attachment part.
25. The printing form storage according to any one of the preceding three claims, wherein the conveying means (21-27) comprises a conveying member (21) which can be moved in the feed direction (F) for conveying and can be moved transverse to the feed direction for selecting a printing form (1-4) to be conveyed.
26. A method for changing printing forms on a form cylinder exhibiting at least a double circumference, wherein:

    a) a first new printing form (1) is stored in a first shaft of a storage (10) on a first support (11; 19) in a first storage position, and a second new printing form (2) is stored in a second shaft of the storage (10) on another, second support (12; 19) in a second storage position;

    b) the printing forms (1, 2) in each shaft are each guided in register by means of a register means (15-17), each comprising at least one register bar (15);

    c) the first printing form (1) is conveyed out of the first storage position along the first support (11; 19), preferably sliding, in a feed direction (F) onto the form cylinder (6);

    d) and the second printing form (2) is then conveyed out of the second storage position along the second support (12; 19), preferably sliding, in a feed direction (F) onto the form cylinder (6),
    characterised in that

    e) the new printing forms (1, 2) are guided in register at their front ends in the feed direction (F) by means of guiding tongues (16, 17) which project freely in the feed direction (F) and can be elastically bent or pivoted and extend the register bar (15) in the feed direction (F) towards the form cylinder (6), when the front ends of the new printing forms (1, 2) move out of the shafts.
27. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein a conveying member (21) which can be moved back and forth in and counter to the feed direction (F) and between the storage positions consecutively conveys - preferably, presses - the printing forms (1, 2) out of their storage positions, in the feed direction (F).
28. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the storage (10) comprises at least one other support (13) for a used, third printing form (3), and the conveying member (21) conveys - preferably, draws - the third printing form (3) counter to the feed direction (F) into a third storage position of the storage (10).
29. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the printing forms (1, 2) are each enclosed, elastically and in an arc, on at least one lateral edge by bearing surfaces of the supports (11, 12) which face each other at a distance.
30. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the printing forms (1, 2) are conveyed at least substantially horizontally on the supports (11, 12).

Images