US3417693A

US3417693A - Device for reducing turbulence in printing press fountains

Info

Publication number: US3417693A
Application number: US598722A
Authority: US
Inventors: Theodore J Hartka
Original assignee: WARD TURNER MACHINERY CO
Current assignee: WARD TURNER MACHINERY CO
Priority date: 1966-12-02
Filing date: 1966-12-02
Publication date: 1968-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1985-12-24
Also published as: GB1163212A; DE1561116B2; DE1561116A1

Description

Dec. 24, 1968 '1'. J. HARTKA 3,417,693

DEVICE FOR REDUCING TURBULENCE IN PRINTING PRESS FOUNTAINS Filed Dec. 2. 1966 THEODORE J. HART/(A INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3 417,693 DEVICE FOR REDT JCING TURBULEN CE IN PRINTING PRESS FOUNTAINS Theodore J. Hartka, Baltimore, Md., assignor to The Ward-Turner Machinery Company, Baltimore, Md., a 5

corporation of Maryland Filed Dec. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 598,722 3 Claims. (Cl. 101364) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to printing presses, and more particularly it pertains to roller type fountains for applying liquids, such as inks or glues to impression rollers.

Roller fountains are commonly used in printing presses and box-making machines for uniformly coating a roller with a liquid. At high speed operation, a problem arises wherein a turbulence of liquid occurs between the fountain roller to a point where it surges and splashes across their tops and no longer is smoothly distributed.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a simple anti-turbulence device for use with fountain rollers which is in the nature of a spoiler or damper to check the tendency or the liquid to agitate above the nip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible vane which dips into the liquid buildup between fountain rollers and separates it into two unequal smaller quantities with reduced turbulence therebetween.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent and understood from the following detailed specification and accompanying single sheet of drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic and partially exploded view in perspective showing an ink roller fountain embodying features of this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a cross section showing to somewhat larger scale the details of the improved ink roller fountain of FIG. 1.

In the drawings, reference numeral indicates generally an anti-turbulence device. This device 10 is used with the customary ink roller 12 that applies a film of ink to a printing roller 16 of a printing press. The ink roller 12 as well as a wipe roller 14 dip into a well (not shown) or otherwise receive ink on their surfaces from a circulating supply.

The direction of rotation of these

rollers

12, 14 and 16 is as shown by the curved arrows in FIG. 2 with the "ice peripheral speed of

rollers

12 and 16 matching at contact. The wipe roller 14, however, preferably contacts the ink roller 12 with a lower peripheral speed so as to perform a wiping action.

A bracket 18 is mounted on screws 20 to each side of the frame 22 of the printing press. These brackets 18 each have a U-shaped slot 24 to receive the ends and mount a tubular support 26 therebetween over the ink roller 12 generally parallel with its axis.

A spoiler 28 preferably made of thin sheet polyethelene is provided with a pocket or tube 30 along one edge made by returning the sheet upon itself and heat sealing at a.- lap joint 32.

The spoiler 28 is hung on the support 26 by means of this pocket or tube 30 and extends its free end to enter a pool or fountain 34 of liquid and tangentially contact the face of roller 12 below the liquid surface.

This pool or fountain 34 normally exists in the nip between the

rollers

12 and 14 and at high operating speeds has a tendency to turbulence and splash. This tendency is effectively controlled by the spoiler 28 thus allowing higher operating speed and more economical operation of the printing press or a gluing machine as the case may be.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a roller type liquid distribution system, a first roller, 2. second roller, said first and second rollers being in peripheral nip contact, means to apply liquid to said first and second rollers and form a liquid reservoir at the nip thereof, and a thin flexible sheet extending into said liquid reservoir separating it into unequal portions, with said sheet having its free end tangentially in contact with one of said rollers, to reduce the turbulence of the liquid contained in said reservoir, whereby improved liquid distribution to said first and second rollers is obtained at high revolving speeds.

2. In a roller liquid distribution system as recited in claim 1, wherein said thin sheet is formed of polyethelene.

3. In a roller liquid distribution system as recited in claim 2, and rod means for supporting said thin sheet above said reservoir, with said thin sheet being folded over upon itself to form a tube, with said tube being slipped over said rod means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,613,600 10/1952 McWhorter 101-350 3,018,757 1/1962 Loppnow 118-259 X 3,273,535 9/1966 Krikorian 10l-364 X ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.