GB2496609A - An adaptor system for mounting a printing plate to a plurality of cylinders - Google Patents
An adaptor system for mounting a printing plate to a plurality of cylinders Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2496609A GB2496609A GB1119700.1A GB201119700A GB2496609A GB 2496609 A GB2496609 A GB 2496609A GB 201119700 A GB201119700 A GB 201119700A GB 2496609 A GB2496609 A GB 2496609A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- plate
- adaptor
- printing plate
- cylinder
- clip
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 title abstract description 38
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 4
- 241001122767 Theaceae Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007647 flexography Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920006267 polyester film Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F27/00—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports
- B41F27/14—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching printing formes to intermediate supports, e.g. adapter members
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F27/00—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports
- B41F27/06—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching printing elements to forme cylinders
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F27/00—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports
- B41F27/12—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F27/00—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports
- B41F27/12—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes
- B41F27/1281—Devices for attaching printing elements or formes to supports for attaching flexible printing formes details of the printing plate ends
Abstract
An adaptor A for mounting a printing plate P to a cylinder of a rotating press comprising means 3 for releasably connecting the adaptor to the cylinder along a first edge of the adaptor and means 12 for releasably connecting the adaptor to a printing plate along an opposing second edge. A plurality of adaptors may be provided which all cooperate with a single printing plate to allow the printing plate to be attached to cylinders with different attachment requirements. The printing plate and adapter may have complimentary male and female portions which take the form of a tongue and groove arrangement. The connection elements may have constant cross sectional profiles along their length.
Description
PRINTING PLATE MOUNTING SYSTEM
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the. field of flexographic printing and in particular to the connectors or clips used to securely mount flexographic plates. onto a rotating press.
Background of the Invention
Flexography is * phnting process whCh utilizes a flexible relief late. The flexible relief plate is provided with a print image which is to be transferred to a target medium.
Flexography is commonly used for the high speed printing of multiple items, such as packaging for example. Each flexible ref of plate is provided with mounting means that engage wdh and secure the plate to the cyhnder of a rotating press. The mounting means are typically formed as a separate component to the plate and must therefore: be securely attached to the plate, for example by adhesive, stitching or a combination thereof The form and design of the flexible relief plate mounting means may vary depending on the form and design of the receiving mechanism provided on a particular cylinder. For example some cylinders are provided with a lip onto which the mounting means of the plate can be hooked, although the exact shape of the lip can vary from one cylinder design to another.
This variation of design between different cylinder types means that a flexographic printing plate cannot readily be switched between different rotating presses. ha particular printing plate, which is set up fc one cylinder, is requited for use on a second rotating press the mOunting means of that printing plate must be removed and replaced with an alternative mounting means, which is appropriate to the second cylinder. -.1 -
The process of refitting flexographic printing plates in this way is both time consuming and expensive.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a printing plate mounting system which provides a quicker and more convenient means for refitting flexographic printin.g plates; the present invention provides an adaptor for mounting a printing plate to a cylindet of a rotating press according to claini 1.
The adaptor of the present invenüon enables a print plate to be securely attached to the cylinder of a rotating press until such time as the print plate Es required on another rotating press, at which time the adapter tan be disengaged from the print plate and replaced with an alternative variant of the adaptor of the present invemion such being suitable for the cylinder of the other rotating press The print plate can then be securely attached to the new cylinder, It is appreciated that by providing a range of adaptor pairs, each of which is particularly suited to a different design of rotating press, a printer can quickly and easily switch a printing plate between presses.
The adaptors Of the present invention mean that, once a print plate has been created with suitable adaptor engaging rñeans, the printer does not have to go through the process of refitting a fiexographic printing plate every time they need to switch machines, This also avoids the general wear and tear on the print ptóte that is associated withcanstantly removing and refitting the cylinder mounting Iclips..
Preferably the adaptor may comprise asubstantiallyflat sheet of material, On the edges of which the cylinder and plate connecting means are secured. In this way the adaptor does not affect the printing image produced by the mounted print plate.
Preferably the plate connecting means may engage with a printing plate by way of a nan-permanent interaction between complementary structures located on the adaptor and the printing plate. Further preferat.ly by way of a tongue and groove or rib and channel relationship. In this way a strong yet not permanent attachment is crea ted between the printing plate and the adaptors.
It is envisaged that the plate connecting means may either comprise a female component or a male component. Althoughi Ft is envisaged that the plate connecling means (and the adaptor connecting means) may in some embodiments comprise both female and maD components (l.a. they are bQth receiving and receivable).
Preferably, when the plate connecting means is a female component, said female component has a main body, which pro'ides a suiacé by which the component is secured to the rest of the adaptor, and an engagenient portion, which receives the male component engaging means: and whereby, when viewed in profile, the engagement portion is the thickest part of the adaptor.
Alternatively, when the plate connecting means is a male component, said male component may have a main body: which provides a surfac.e by which the component is secured to the rest of the adaptor, and an engagement portion, which is received by the female component engaging means; and whereby, when vFewed in profile, the engagement portion is the thickest part of the adaptor.
Further preferably the main body of the female or male component may be recessed to accommodate the sheet material when such farms a part of the adaptor. This arrangement further seeks to prevent the adaptor from affecting the print image produced by a print plate that is mounted using the adaptors of the présebt invention.
In another aspect is provided a printing plate that is suitable for use with the adaptor of the present invention.
In ? further aspect of the present invention is provided a printing pJate mounting system, which essentially comprises a combination of at least one pairing of adaptors that are suitable for a particular cylinder of a rotating press, and a printing plate. It is appreciated that the system may preferably comprises multiple pairings of adaptors, each being suitable for connecting the print plate to a particular cylinder type The present invention also provides a clip suitable for use as a print plate or adaptor connecting means in the adaptor and/or print plate of the present invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The various aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a flexographic printing plate mounted on the cylinder of a rotating press; Figure 2 shows an end view of plate andcylinder of Figure 1; FigUre 3 shows a close up view of the plate engaging porlion of cylinder shOwn in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows the cylinder engaging portion of th.e printing plate shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a close up view of a plate engaging portion of an alternative design of cylinder; Figure 6 shows the cylinder engaging portion of a printing plate provided for mounting on the alternative cyHnder design of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows, in profile, a first preferred design of plate/adaptor connecting means in accordance wt'ri the present invention; Figure 8 shows, in proflie, a second preferred design of plate/adaptor connecting means in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 9 diagrammatically shows the nature of the engagement:formed between the adaptor and the printing plate of the present invention.
DetaiLed Desqdptle,n of the Present hwentLon The prese* invanflon r&ates to: an knproved sys;ø rnOMfltlflq and remounting: flexographic printing plates on the print cylinder of a rotiting prest F1ØUre I shoWs the manner in Shith a mgtaphiepdntinp plate,:whiCh has an image 2 proVided In relief therqn,, is securely mqur*ed on to & prir$: cylinder 4 io The plate lIS essentially wrapped around at least a portion of the cirqumfnofthe pyllnder 4 and B. sc to the c)4jñder4 by hoaking the cylinder engaging pordon3 oft, pláje I ar,,d a Op wthchIs provided Dy thepiateengaging portion 5 of a oylSer The interadión of the cylinder engaging portIon 3 and the plate engaging portion S serve to securely mount te pMé1 to the cylinder 4 sothat when, duiing printfrig the cylinder spins at high s,,4 The plate 1 does d éome tee.. The nature, of the interaction, however, is such that' onc*: the print run has fifllshed:the plate I cAn be tea d de-mounted from the cylinder 4.
FiguresS Ipd'4showclose upviöws of the p1* engagingi Etjpfl5of the Cylut'Ider4 2ndthetylhlder engab,g porho 3of the plate I resyety, ft will; be appreciated from the figures that the ihas of the two engaging portIons are cornplemefltaiy'to one another; In patttSiar the plate engaging portiOn. 5 has a lip about whith the cylinder engqing portion 3 of the plate I hooks. The plate 1 IS thus sit, rely mounted by securing both ends otthe piat I tO the The main substrate of the plate t, upor which the relief 2 isi fbrmed. is 31) preferak4 formed from a polyester film. The plate 6 is securely attached to the cylindé?' eh'Ih portiOn 3, which 1: sh'd to engage the bytinde?s:' plate ei'aghig' pQthon 5. by' Way pf $jjphjng 7; 110w, er it iS envb"'ged the alternatively1 or:ad4lUc,, I1y the cylindirenga9hlg portiOn 3 may $ $u!* attached to the: piste substrate fl using a: , ble adhesive. $onic welding is also considered a suitable method for secur&y attaching the byhnder engaging portion 3 to the plate substrate 6.
As mentioned above there are a variety of cylinder designs, some of which have different designs of plate engaging portion. Figures 5 and 6 show close up views of an alternative design of the plate engaging portion Sa Of the cylinder 4a and the associated cylinder engaging portion 3a of the plate la respectively.
At present ft a printer wishes to make use of a* particular p1nting plate, which is for example set up with the cylinder engaging portion 3 shown in Figure 4, on a different rotating press that uses a cylinder 4a with the plate engaging portion 5a shown in Fgure 5 the printer must remove the cylinder engaging portion 3 and attach the alternative cylinder engaging portion 3a.
To do this the plate carrier would need to be modified to allow the use of a suitable clip. This Would require cutting of the old clip and applying the new clip with tape and stitching or sonic welding. This can be very time consuming and over time can degrade the print plate.
In order to address this problem the present invention provides in a first aspect an adaptor, which has a particular cylinder engaging portiøn, and in a second aspect a print plate adapted to non-permanently engage with a suitable adaptor at either end thereof It i envisaged that by providing a range of adaptors in pairs, with each adapt3r pairing having a particular design of cylinder engaging portion, the process of refithng a flexographic pnntrng plate for use of a different rotating press to that which it is currently tilted is greatly simplified. This provides obvious time-saving benefits.
A preferred embodiment of the connectors Or clips used to non-permanehtly engage the adaptors to the printing plate are shown in Figures 7 and 8. The non-permanent relationship is formed between a female clip 8 (as shown in Figure 7) and a male cUp 12(as shown in Figure 8).
It will be appreciated that, in use, the projection 14 or rib of the male clip 12 is slid aFonq mid the channel 11 or recess of the female clip to form the connection The strength of the connection is to an extent determined by the strength of the materials used to form the clips It is envisaged that the clips are preferably made from PVC.
The st:rength of the connection is also determined by the amount of surface area of the cUps that is in direct contact It is thus appreciated that the longer the clips the stronger the connection they form. Preferably the clips will extend across the full width of the plate, and pcrhaps even beyond, so as to ensure a strong connection is provided.
It is envisaged that due to their constant cross-section the clips 8 ana 12 can he produced using extrusion techniques. Preferably the clips are made of plastic PVC.
Referring now to Figure 7 it can be seen that that the female clip 8' has a main body 9 with a male clip engaging portion 10 located at one end thereof.
Preferably the male chp engaging portion 10 is offset from the main body 9.
This enables the substrate (not shown) of either the adaptor or the printing plate of the present invention to be attached in parallel with the main body 9. It is envisaged that this also enables different extension lengths to be added.
The main body 9 of' the clip 8 can he securely attached to the substrate of the adaptor/printing plate using stitching, adhesive or a combination thereof. As mentioned above sonic Welding is also considered to be a, suitable' method of attaching the clip to* th*e substrate.
In a preferred arrangement the mouth of the channel 11 in which the male clip projection 14 is received is provided with teeth elements which project back into the recess, thereby preventing the male clip prolection' 14 from being pulled out of the recess from the front -as would otherwise happen under the forces present during the rotation of cylinder. Preferably the teeth project back into the recess at an angle of between 50-55 degrees to the horizontal.
S Referring now to. Figure 8 it can be seen that that the male clip 12 has a main body 13 with a female clip engaging fortion 14 located at one.nd thereof.
Preferably the female clip engaging portion 14 is offset 15 from the main body 13 This enables the substrate (not shown) of either the adaptor or the printing plate of the present invention to be attached in parallel with the main body I 3*, thereby keeping the substrate / polyester as low as possible..
As with the female clip B shown in Figure 7 the main body 13 of the clip 1.2 can be securely attached to the substrate of the adaptor/printing plate using stitching, adhesive or a combination thereof. As mentioned above sonic welding is also considered to be a. suitable method of attaching the clip to the substrate.
In a preferred arrangement the projection 14 of the male clip 12 is proviced with teeth elements which project back towards the main body of the clip.
Preferably these teeth elements interact with the teeth elements provided at the mouth of the channel II. It will be appreciated that the strength of the connection fOrmed between the male and female clips will depend tea certain extent on the male projection 14 fitting snug'y within the female recess 11.
Thus the two elements should be complementary in shape.
Figure 9 shows the system of the present invention in use. For the sake of clarity adaptor A and a portion of the printing plate of the present invention P are shown in akgnrnent out not actually connected to one ancther The adaptor A comprises a substrate material 16, which is preferably made from Pvc. to ensure there is no damageto the machine, having a particular cylinder engaging portion 3 attached to one of its edges and a male clip 12 attached (for example by stitdhing 17) at it other edge. It will be appreciated that the system is shown in profile for the sake of clarity.
-B-
The printing pLate P, of which only an end portion is shown, comprises a substrate material 6 made from Polyester film on to which a printing plate with an image relief is formed, having a female clip 3 attached thereto (for example by stitching 18). ft will be appreciated that the other end of printing plate (not S shown) will be also be provided with a clip to engage a second adaptor (also not shown).
It is envisaged that the. locations (i.e female clip on plate and male clip on adaptor) of the female and male clips might be switched without departing from the. general concept of the present invention. It is also envisaged that alternative designs of non-permanent clip might alternatively be adopted without departing from the general scope of the present invention, for example the clips may be identically formed so that they both receive the engaging clip and are in turn received by the engaging Clip.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1119700.1A GB2496609B8 (en) | 2011-11-15 | 2011-11-15 | Printing plate mounting system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1119700.1A GB2496609B8 (en) | 2011-11-15 | 2011-11-15 | Printing plate mounting system |
Publications (5)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201119700D0 GB201119700D0 (en) | 2011-12-28 |
| GB2496609A true GB2496609A (en) | 2013-05-22 |
| GB2496609B GB2496609B (en) | 2016-02-17 |
| GB2496609B8 GB2496609B8 (en) | 2023-10-11 |
| GB2496609A8 GB2496609A8 (en) | 2023-10-11 |
Family
ID=45444164
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1119700.1A Active GB2496609B8 (en) | 2011-11-15 | 2011-11-15 | Printing plate mounting system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2496609B8 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2539891A (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2017-01-04 | Pro Shim Supplies Uk Ltd | Printing plate tension bands |
| WO2023275526A1 (en) * | 2021-07-01 | 2023-01-05 | Pro Shim Supplies (Uk) Ltd | Anilox roll cleaning blanket, assembly and system |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1996582A (en) * | 1932-03-16 | 1935-04-02 | Ditto Inc | Gelating pad for duplicators |
| US3675573A (en) * | 1970-09-01 | 1972-07-11 | Roberts & Porter Inc | Blanket bar and adapter bar assembly for printing blanket |
| US4090444A (en) * | 1977-03-16 | 1978-05-23 | Dayco Corporation | Printing blanket holding bar |
| US4408530A (en) * | 1982-08-13 | 1983-10-11 | Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Automatic printing plate exchange system |
| US5103729A (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1992-04-14 | Matthews International Inc. | Apparatus for securing a printing plate to a printing plate cylinder and a printing plate composite utilizing such apparatus |
| US5127327A (en) * | 1991-03-27 | 1992-07-07 | Matthews International Inc. | Specially configured printing plate composite and securement apparatus |
| US6318261B1 (en) * | 2000-01-05 | 2001-11-20 | Dynamic Dies, Inc. | Universal edge strip assembly and carrier sheet assembly |
-
2011
- 2011-11-15 GB GB1119700.1A patent/GB2496609B8/en active Active
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1996582A (en) * | 1932-03-16 | 1935-04-02 | Ditto Inc | Gelating pad for duplicators |
| US3675573A (en) * | 1970-09-01 | 1972-07-11 | Roberts & Porter Inc | Blanket bar and adapter bar assembly for printing blanket |
| US4090444A (en) * | 1977-03-16 | 1978-05-23 | Dayco Corporation | Printing blanket holding bar |
| US4408530A (en) * | 1982-08-13 | 1983-10-11 | Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Automatic printing plate exchange system |
| US5103729A (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1992-04-14 | Matthews International Inc. | Apparatus for securing a printing plate to a printing plate cylinder and a printing plate composite utilizing such apparatus |
| US5127327A (en) * | 1991-03-27 | 1992-07-07 | Matthews International Inc. | Specially configured printing plate composite and securement apparatus |
| US6318261B1 (en) * | 2000-01-05 | 2001-11-20 | Dynamic Dies, Inc. | Universal edge strip assembly and carrier sheet assembly |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2539891A (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2017-01-04 | Pro Shim Supplies Uk Ltd | Printing plate tension bands |
| WO2023275526A1 (en) * | 2021-07-01 | 2023-01-05 | Pro Shim Supplies (Uk) Ltd | Anilox roll cleaning blanket, assembly and system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2496609B8 (en) | 2023-10-11 |
| GB2496609B (en) | 2016-02-17 |
| GB2496609A8 (en) | 2023-10-11 |
| GB201119700D0 (en) | 2011-12-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| S117 | Correction of errors in patents and applications (sect. 117/patents act 1977) |
Free format text: REQUEST FILED; REQUEST FOR CORRECTION UNDER SECTION 117 FILED ON 26 SEPTEMBER 2023 |
|
| S117 | Correction of errors in patents and applications (sect. 117/patents act 1977) |
Free format text: CORRECTIONS ALLOWED; REQUEST FOR CORRECTION UNDER SECTION 117 FILED ON 26 SEPTEMBER 2023 WAS ALLOWED ON 09 OCTOBER 2023 |