GB2138361A

GB2138361A - Machines for washing damping rollers

Info

Publication number: GB2138361A
Application number: GB08310633A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sydney Doe; Peter Bennett
Original assignee: TOOLS NV
Current assignee: TOOLS NV
Priority date: 1983-04-20
Filing date: 1983-04-20
Publication date: 1984-10-24
Also published as: GB2138361B; GB8310633D0

Abstract

A machine for washing damping rollers which includes a tank (11) in which are provided at least two drive rollers (12) upon which a damping roller (13) may rest, and a cleaning or squeegee blade (14) mounted between the drive rollers (12) for movement upwardly into contact with the underneath of the damping roller (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Machines for washing damping rollers This invention relates to machines for washing or cleaning damping rollers after they have been removed from a printing press to prepare them for a subsequent printing operation.

Such machines usually consist of a washing tank containing a cleaning fluid in which are mounted two or more drive rollers with their axes parallel to each other, the arrangement being such that a damping roller to be washed can be rested upon two adjacent drive rollers which serve to rotate the damping roller in the cleaning fluid and may also impart a scrubbing action upon the damping roller.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved machine of this type in which the cleaning of the damping roller is improved.

The present invention consists in a machine for washing damping rollers which includes a tank in which are provided at least two drive rollers upon which a damping roller may rest, and a cleaning or squeegee blade mounted between the drive rollers for movement upwardly into contact with the underneath of the damping roller.

In the accompanying drawings Figure lisa diagrammatic vertical section through part of one form of damping roller washing machine according to the present invention, and Figures 2 to 4 show details of the machines of Figure 1.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, Figure 1 shows part of a damping roller washing machine which includes a washing tank 11 for containing a cleaning fluid in which are mounted two drive rollers 12. Suitable means (not shown) are provided for rotating the two rollers 12 in the directions shown and means (not shown) are provided for introducing cleaning fluid into the tank 11 and for draining it from the tank 11 after use.

A damping roller 13 to be cleaned is rested upon the drive rollers 12 as shown and thus when the drive rollers 12 are rotated the damping roller 13 is rotated in the cleaning fluid. The surfaces of the drive rollers 12 may be grooved or indented so as to impart a scrubbing action to the damping roller 13.

After cleaning the tank is emptied and refilled with water to rinse the damping roller. After the tank has again been emptied, a cleaning or squeegee blade mounted in a blade carrier 15 between the two drive rollers 15 and beneath the damping roller 13 is raised into contact with the damping roller which is then rotated so as to remove from the cover of the damping roller surplus fluid/rinsing water, which falls directly into the tank and drains away, and thus speeds the process generally of getting the damping roller ready for mounting back on a printing press. In this way the damping roller can be made "damp dry" and re-usable in a short space of time.

Although this is the primary purpose of the blade, if desired it can be adjusted to touch the damping roller lightly during the washing and/or rinsing stage to facilitate these processes.

Details of the assembly for raising and lowering the blade 14 are shown in Figures 2 to 4. The blade 14, composed for example of PTFE is mounted in a groove in the upper edge of the blade carrier 15. The lower edge of the blade carrier 15 is provided with a channel 16 which accommodates two links 17 and 18 pivotally connected to the carrier 15 at 19 and 20 respectively. The lower ends of the two links 17 and 18 are bifurcated and pivotally interconnected by a connecting rod 21. A spring 22 is connected between the carrier 15 and the link 17 so as to urge the lower ends of the links 17 and 18 and the rod 21 upwardly.

The upper end ofthe link 18 is bifurcated and pivotally connected to an eye at the end of a threaded rod 23 screwed into an adjusting nut 24 having a handle 25 arranged to extend above the level of the liquid in the tank when filled.

When screwed up the nut 24 engages the upper surface of the carrier 1 sand can be used to adjust the distance by which the lower ends of the two links 17 and 18 project beyond the lower margin of the carrier 15. The lower ends of the links 17 and 18 are formed with cam surfaces 26 which rest upon the bottom of the tank 11. The ends of the carrier 15 are constrained in vertical guides 27 so that rotation of the nut 24 causes the blade 14 and carrier 15to be raised or lowered in the tank 11.

It will be appreciated that for raising and lowering the blade various alternative means may be employed such as selective spring pressure, adjusting screws at each end of the blade, pneumatic means, hydraulic means, or levers or plungers located in the base of the tank.

1. A machine for washing damping rollers which includes a tank in which are provided at least two drive rollers upon which a damping roller may rest, and a cleaning or squeegee blade mounted between the drive rollers for movement upwardly into contact with the underneath of the damping roller.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherin the blade is attached to the upper edge of a blade carrier mounted for movement in a vertical direction.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ends of the carrier are constrained in vertical guides.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the lower edge of the carrier has a channel which accommodates two links pivotably connected to the carrier with the lower ends of the links resting upon the bottom of the tank, means being provided for rotating the links so as to raise and lower the carrier and blade.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the links are interconnected by a connecting rod and the means for rotating the links consists of a threaded rod mounted in the carrier to co-operate with a nut and engaging the upper end of one of the links.

6. A machine for washing damping rollers substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Machines for washing damping rollers This invention relates to machines for washing or cleaning damping rollers after they have been removed from a printing press to prepare them for a subsequent printing operation. Such machines usually consist of a washing tank containing a cleaning fluid in which are mounted two or more drive rollers with their axes parallel to each other, the arrangement being such that a damping roller to be washed can be rested upon two adjacent drive rollers which serve to rotate the damping roller in the cleaning fluid and may also impart a scrubbing action upon the damping roller. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved machine of this type in which the cleaning of the damping roller is improved. The present invention consists in a machine for washing damping rollers which includes a tank in which are provided at least two drive rollers upon which a damping roller may rest, and a cleaning or squeegee blade mounted between the drive rollers for movement upwardly into contact with the underneath of the damping roller. In the accompanying drawings Figure lisa diagrammatic vertical section through part of one form of damping roller washing machine according to the present invention, and Figures 2 to 4 show details of the machines of Figure 1. In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, Figure 1 shows part of a damping roller washing machine which includes a washing tank 11 for containing a cleaning fluid in which are mounted two drive rollers 12. Suitable means (not shown) are provided for rotating the two rollers 12 in the directions shown and means (not shown) are provided for introducing cleaning fluid into the tank 11 and for draining it from the tank 11 after use. A damping roller 13 to be cleaned is rested upon the drive rollers 12 as shown and thus when the drive rollers 12 are rotated the damping roller 13 is rotated in the cleaning fluid. The surfaces of the drive rollers 12 may be grooved or indented so as to impart a scrubbing action to the damping roller 13. After cleaning the tank is emptied and refilled with water to rinse the damping roller. After the tank has again been emptied, a cleaning or squeegee blade mounted in a blade carrier 15 between the two drive rollers 15 and beneath the damping roller 13 is raised into contact with the damping roller which is then rotated so as to remove from the cover of the damping roller surplus fluid/rinsing water, which falls directly into the tank and drains away, and thus speeds the process generally of getting the damping roller ready for mounting back on a printing press. In this way the damping roller can be made "damp dry" and re-usable in a short space of time. Although this is the primary purpose of the blade, if desired it can be adjusted to touch the damping roller lightly during the washing and/or rinsing stage to facilitate these processes. Details of the assembly for raising and lowering the blade 14 are shown in Figures 2 to 4. The blade 14, composed for example of PTFE is mounted in a groove in the upper edge of the blade carrier 15. The lower edge of the blade carrier 15 is provided with a channel 16 which accommodates two links 17 and 18 pivotally connected to the carrier 15 at 19 and 20 respectively. The lower ends of the two links 17 and 18 are bifurcated and pivotally interconnected by a connecting rod 21. A spring 22 is connected between the carrier 15 and the link 17 so as to urge the lower ends of the links 17 and 18 and the rod 21 upwardly. The upper end ofthe link 18 is bifurcated and pivotally connected to an eye at the end of a threaded rod 23 screwed into an adjusting nut 24 having a handle 25 arranged to extend above the level of the liquid in the tank when filled. When screwed up the nut 24 engages the upper surface of the carrier 1 sand can be used to adjust the distance by which the lower ends of the two links 17 and 18 project beyond the lower margin of the carrier 15. The lower ends of the links 17 and 18 are formed with cam surfaces 26 which rest upon the bottom of the tank 11. The ends of the carrier 15 are constrained in vertical guides 27 so that rotation of the nut 24 causes the blade 14 and carrier 15to be raised or lowered in the tank 11. It will be appreciated that for raising and lowering the blade various alternative means may be employed such as selective spring pressure, adjusting screws at each end of the blade, pneumatic means, hydraulic means, or levers or plungers located in the base of the tank. CLAIMS