WO1997038859A1

WO1997038859A1 - Printing plate having a crimped end portion and method for making the same

Info

Publication number: WO1997038859A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/004577
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henry P. Volpe
Original assignee: Imation Corp.
Priority date: 1996-04-15
Filing date: 1997-03-17
Publication date: 1997-10-23

Abstract

A flexible printing plate (10) and a method for securing the plate (10) to a printing cylinder (18) of a printing press. A first bend (38A) in an end portion of the flexible printing plate (10) is positioned between a first segment (30A) and a second segment (32A) of the end portion. The end portion can be inserted into a slot (20A) in the cylinder (18). The end portion can have holes (48) therein which mate with a pin bar (50) in the cylinder (18).

Description

PRINTING PLATE HAVING A CRIMPED END PORTION AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME

Background Of The Invention

Known methods for mounting aluminum printing plates include the use ofa lead end bend to fit the lead end of the plate over the plate cylinder and include the use of a trailing portion bend to fit the trailing portion of the plate into the slot of the reel bar. Once the trailing portion is within the slot of the reel bar, the reel bar is turned clockwise to pull the plate securely against the plate cylinder.

Known methods for mounting polyester plates include the use of special stiffeners, adhesives, and special underpackings. Another known method includes the use of perforations in the leading and trailing portions of the polyester plate. Mounting systems made to work with the perforated polyester plates fail to consistently hold the plate securely to the press cylinder when running at high speeds under normal production conditions. Perforations tend to tear allowing the plates to be projected from the press. Plates with perforations are limited to black and white printing and spot color printing because they cannot hold registration for four-color printing. Due to the deficiencies of known methods and apparatuses, there is a need for a method and apparatus for providing secure attachment ofa flexible printing plate to the printing press, such as a polyester or paper plate to a reel bar lockup for conventional off-set web press mounting. This method and apparatus should not be complex and, preferably, does not require the use of adhesives, stiffeners, and special underpackings ..

Brief Explanation Of The Drawings

Fig. 1 is a isometric view of a printing plate in accordance with the present invention; Fig 2 is a side sectional view of the printing plate of Fig. 1 attached to a print cylinder; Fig 3 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the printing plate shown in Figs 1 and 2,

Fig 4 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the pπntmg plates shown in Figs 1-3, Fig 5 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the printing plates shown m Figs 1-4,

Fig 6 is an isometric partial view of another embodiment of the pπnting plates shown in Figs 1-5, wherein the printing plate is about to be inserted into a slot withm a printing press Fig 7 is a side partial view of the printing plate shown in Fig 6,

Fig 8 is an isometπc partial view of the plate shown in Figs 6 and 7 after being inserted into the slot,

Fig 9 is a side partial view of the pπnting plate shown in Figs 6-8 after being inserted into the slot, Fig 10 is a side partial view of another embodiment of the printing plate shown in Figs 6-9,

Fig 11 is a side partial view of another embodiment of the printing plate shown in Figs 6-9,

Fig 12 is a side partial view of another embodiment of the printing plate shown in Figs 6-9,

Fig 13 is a schematic side view ofa printing plate positioned within a bending apparatus prior to being bent, in accordance with the present invention,

Fig 14 is a schematic side view of the printing plate and bending apparatus of Fig 13 after the bending apparatus has been completed a first bending step, Fig 15 is a schematic side view of the printing plate and bending apparatus of

Figs 13 and 14 after the bending apparatus has been completed a second bending step,

Fig 16 is a schematic side view of the pπnting plate and bending apparatus of Figs 13-15 after the bending apparatus has been completed a third bending step, Fig 17 is a schematic side view of the pπnting plate and bending apparatus of

Figs 13-16 after the bending apparatus has been completed a fourth bending step, Fig. 18 is a schematic side view of the printing plate and bending apparatus of Figs. 13-17 after the bending apparatus has been completed a fifth bending step;

Fig. 19 is a schematic side view of the printing plate and a bending apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 13; Fig. 20 is a schematic side view of the printing plate and bending apparatus of

Fig. 19 after the bending apparatus has been completed a first bending step;

Fig. 21 is a schematic side view of the printing plate and bending apparatus of Figs. 19 and 20 after the bending apparatus has been completed a second bending step; Fig. 22 is a schematic side view of the printing plate and bending apparatus of

Figs. 19-21 after the bending apparatus has been completed a third bending step;

Fig. 23 is a schematic side view of the printing plate and bending apparatus of Figs. 19-22 after the bending apparatus has been completed a fourth bending step; and Fig. 24 is a schematic side view of the printing plate and bending apparatus of

Figs. 19-23 after the bending apparatus has been completed a fifth bending step.

Summary Of The Invention

The present invention is a simple, yet effective approach which addresses the deficiencies found in the prior art approaches for mounting flexible printing plates to the printing cylinder. One embodiment includes a printing plate adapted for mounting to a print cylinder ofa printing press. The printing press has slot for receiving an end portion ofa printing plate. The printing plate includes a center portion and an end portion extending from the center portion. The end portion has at least a first segment, a second segment, and a first bend between the first and second segments. The first bend is located on the end portion such that the first bend, the first segment, and at least a portion of the second segment are within the slot when the printing plate is mounted to the print cylinder.

In one embodiment, the end portion contacts first and second slot walls when inserted into the slot.

In one embodiment, the end portion is compressed when within the slot. In one embodiment, the end portion has a third segment and a second bend between the second and third segments. The second bend is positioned on the end portion such that the first and second bends, the first and second segments, and at least a portion of the third segment are within the slot when the printing plate is mounted to the print cylinder.

In one embodiment, the end portion has a generally C-shaped form due to the first and second bends. While the C-shaped end portion is preferably the trailing portion of the printing plate, the leading edge can have a C-shaped form.

In one embodiment, the end portion has a generally Z-shaped form due to the first and second bends. While the Z-shaped end portion is preferably the leading portion of the printing plate, the trailing portion can have the Z-shaped form.

In one embodiment, the end portion has bends which fit within the slot in additional to the first and second bends.

In one embodiment, the end portion has a second bend which is positioned to approximately align with a slot entrance edge when the printing plate is mounted to the print cylinder.

In one embodiment, the center portion and the end portion are part ofa flat printing plate prior to the formation of the first bend.

In one embodiment, a printing plate is adapted for mounting to a print cylinder of a printing press. The printing press has pin bar for mating with and securing an end portion of a printing plate. The plate includes a center portion and an end portion extending from the center portion. The end portion has at least a first segment, a second segment, and a first bend between the first and second segments. The first and second segments each have a plurality of holes therein. The plurality of holes in the first segment are aligned with the plurality of holes in the second segment when the first and second segments are compressed together to allow the first and second segments to be mated with and secured by the pin bar.

In one embodiment, the end portion has a second bend and a third segment. The second bend is between the second and third segments. The third segment has a plurality of holes therein which are aligned with the plurality of holes in the first and second segments when the first, second, and third segments are compressed together. In one embodiment similar to the previous embodiment, the end portion having a generally Z-shaped form due to the first and second bends

In one embodiment, a method secures an end portion ofa flexible printing plate to a printing cylinder ofa printing press The printing press has a slot. The method includes the step of bending an end portion of a flexible printing plate such that the end portion has a first bend between a first segment and a second segment of the end portion Another step includes attaching the end portion to the print cylinder by inserting the end portion into the slot such that the first segment, the first bend, and at least a portion of the second segment are within the slot. In one embodiment similar to the previous embodiment, the bending step is carried out such that the end portion has a second bend between the second segment and a third segment of the end portion The attaching step is carried out such that the first and second segments, the first and second bends, and at least a portion of the third segment are within the slot In one embodiment similar to the previous embodiment, the bending step provides the end portion with either a generally C-shaped form, a generally Z-shaped form, or a combination form.

In one embodiment similar to the previous embodiment, the method further includes the step of substantially flattening at least one of the first and second bends before the attaching step

In one embodiment, the bending step is carried out such that the end portion has a third bend between the third segment and a fourth segment of the end portion. The attaching step is carried out such that the first, second, and third segments, the first, second, and third bends, and at least a portion of the fourth segment are within the slot

In one embodiment, the bending step is carried out such that the end portion has a second bend between the first bend and the center portion The second bend is made in the end portion to approximately align with a slot entrance edge when the pπnting plate is mounted to the print cylinder Detailed Description Of Preferred Embodiments

Unlike the prior art approaches, the present invention offers a method for providing secure attachment of a flexible printing plate, such as a polyester- or paper- based plate, to a reel bar lockup for conventional off-set web press mounting. (Plates made of other flexible materials also benefit from the use of the present invention.) This method is not complex and does not require the use of adhesives and stiffeners. Most generally, the present invention involves bending one or both of the end portions of the printing plate in ways which results in (1) a more secure connection between one or both of the plate ends to the printing press; (2) an ability to pull the plate firmly against the plate cylinder 18 which allows for high production speed printing; and (3) improved registration for four-color printing. More specifically, the present invention involves bending one or both of the end portions ofa printing plate such that, when an end portion is inserted into a slot, at least one bend in the inserted end portion is within the slot. An example of the material which can be used to make a polyester-based printing plate in accordance with the present invention is the same material which is used to make flexible printing plates which are available from Imation Corp., Oakdale, MN. Other polymeric materials could also be used. The polyester base can have a base thickness of, for example, 15 mils (0.04 cm) 12 mils (0.03 cm), 10 mils (0 025 cm), 7 mils (0.018), 4 mils (0.01 cm).

An example of the material which can be used to make a paper printing plate in accordance with the present invention is the same material which is used to make flexible printing plates which are available from Agfa, a Bayer Company, Mortsel, Belgium. The thickness of the paper base could be, for example, 5 mils (0.013 cm). Fig. 1 generally illustrates one embodiment of a flexible printing plate 10.

The printing plate includes a leading portion 12, a center portion 14, and a trailing (or tail) portion 16 Fig. 2 shows the flexible plate 10 attached to a print cylinder 18 of a printing press In this embodiment, the trailing portion 16 is positioned within a slot 20 in the reel bar 22. The leading portion 12 is positioned between an angled wall 23 and the reel bar 22 An arrow indicates the direction in which the reel bar 22 rotates for engaging the trailing portion 16 Key aspects of the present invention relate to the trailing portion 16 of the plate 10 and the fit between the trailing portion 16 and the reel bar 22.

Fig. 2 more specifically illustrates the slot 20 and reel bar 22 and the trailing portion 16 Within this embodiment, the slot 20 is shown as including a slot front surface 24, slot back surface 26, slot lower surface 28, a slot depth D, and a slot width W, although other slot configurations are possible.

The trailing portion 16 includes three segments which are shown within the slot 20: a first segment 30, a center segment 32, and a third or tip segment 34. The trailing portion 16 is shown as including three bends which cause the trailing portion 16 to generally have a C-shape. A first bend 36 is positioned between the center portion 14 and the first segment 30 of the trailing portion 16. A second bend 38 is positioned between the first and second segments 30, 32. A third bend 40 is positioned between the second and third segments 32, 34. The first segment 30 is shown descending a first distance X into the slot 20 and the third segment is shown descending a second distance Y into the slot 20.

The position of the first bend 36 on the trailing portion 16 can be chosen such that a first slot edge 42 of the reel bar 22 contacts the trailing portion 16 approximately at the first bend 36, as shown. The presence of the first bend provides a more secure lock-up than if the first bend 36 were not present and/or positioned as shown.

The position of the second bend 38 on the trailing portion 16 can be chosen such that the second bend 38 fits within the slot 20 when the plate 10 is attached to cylinder 18. The presence ofa bend which is inserted into the slot 20 adds significantly to security of the lock-up, as compared to a trailing portion 16 which does not have a similarly positioned bend. In other words, a plate 10 with a bend which is inserted into the slot 20 is more securely attached to the cylinder 18 than is a plate without such a bend. The second bend 38 will contribute to a more secure attachment even if the first bend 36 is not included. Conversely, the first bend will contribute to a more secure attachment even if the second bend 38 is not included. The position of the third bend 40 on the trailing portion 16 can be chosen such that the third bend 40 also fits within the slot 20 when the plate 10 is attached to the cylinder 18. While the second bend 38 by itself provides for a more secure connection to the cylinder 18, the addition of another bend, the third bend 40 in this embodiment, can provide even greater security This additional security provided by the third bend 40 (and any additional bend, i.e., a fourth, fifth, etc.) varies from one press to another due to the difference in presses. The first and second bends 36, 38 can be chosen such that the second segment 32 is approximately parallel to the slot back surface 26. When a third segment 34 and a third bend 40 are included within the trailing portion 16 as shown, the third segment 34 can be angle away from the slot back surface 26 either further downward in the slot 20 as shown, peφendicular to the slot back surface 26, or back toward the entrance of the slot 20 (not shown).

The trailing portions 16 can be made such that the trailing portion becomes spring-loaded when inserted into the slot 20. For example, the length of the third segment 34 can be such that the third segment applies pressure to the slot front surface 24. Similarly, the trailing portion 16 can be made such that second segment 32 applies pressure to the slot back surface 26. Alternatively, the trailing portion 16 could be made such that, when first inserted into the slot 20, the trailing portion 16 does not contact the slot front or back surfaces 24, 26; but, the trailing portion 16 comes into contact with the slot front and/or back surfaces 24, 26 when the plate 10 is tightened to the cylinder 18 (not shown). These alternative approaches also apply to the following embodiments.

Fig. 3 illustrates a similar embodiment but includes a trailing portion 16A having only one bend 38 A within the slot 20 A. As previously noted, the presence of even a single bend within the slot 20A provides greater security.

Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but this embodiment includes a trailing portion 16B having more than two bends within the slot 20B. Here, a fourth bend 44B is added. Still other embodiments with bend variations are also contemplated (e.g., four, five, or six bends within the slot 20B).

Fig. 5 illustrates another embodiment which includes more than two bends within the slot 20C. In this case, the fourth bend 44C between the third segment 34C and a fourth segment 46C is shown as being relatively flat such that the third and fourth segments 34C, 46C are almost parallel. The fourth bend 44C can be formed just like the first, second, or third bends 36, 38, 40, but then manually bent back such that the third and fourth segments 34, 36 are almost parallel While appearing pointless, these steps can allow for an even more secure attachment between the plate IOC and the cylinder 18C. And, because the final bend 44C is flattened, the end portion is more easily insertable into the slot 20C. While Fig. 5 illustrates just one flattened bend, any of the bends (or additional bends) can be flattened as needed to work with a particular printing press.

It is worth noting that when the side of the plate 10 which includes the image coating (e.g., emulsion) is opposite to the surface of the cylinder 18, the image coating contacts the surface of the slot 20 The contact between the surfaces of the slot 20 and the image coating side of the plate 10 provides a more secure lock-up of that end of the plate 10 to the slot 20

Although previously shown and discussed in relation to the trailing portion 16 of the plate 10, the bends can be formed in the leading portion 12 to fit within a corresponding slot. As a result, the leading and/or trailing portions 12, 16 can be bent similarly or identically.

Another embodiment involves the use of bends which form more of a Z-shape at an end of the plate 10, as opposed to the more C-shaped embodiments previously described. Figs. 6-9 generally illustrate one embodiment ofa flexible printing plate 10D and a slot 20D in a part ofa print cylinder (not shown). Fig. 6 shows the leading portion 12D before being inserted into the slot 20D. Fig. 7 shows a side view of the leading portion 12D, which includes first and second segments 30D, 32D and first and second bends 36D, 38D which cause the leading portion 20D to have the Z-shape The first bend 36D is positioned between the center portion 14D of the plate 10D and the first segment 30D of the leading portion 12D. The second bend 38D is positioned between the first and second segments 30D, 32D.

Figs. 8 and 9 show the leading portion 12D positioned within the slot 20D The first segment 30D is shown descending a first distance X into the slot 20D and the second segment 32D is shown ascending a second distance Y The slot 20D is shown as having a slot front surface 24D, slot back surface 26D, slot lower surface 28D, a slot depth D, and a slot width W Like the C-shaped portion of the plate 10 which is inserted into the slot 20, the Z-shaped portion creates a stronger attachment between that end and the slot 20. And, like the C-shaped portion, the Z-shaped portion provides the stronger attachment without requiring adhesives and stiffeners. This simplifies the process of preparing the plate for printing which equates to time and cost savings. Furthermore, the Z-shape can be formed on the trailing portion 16 just as the C-shape can be formed in the leading portion 12.

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of another Z-shaped end portion of the plate 10E. The end portion shown includes a third bend 40E, although an even larger number of bends could be added (not shown). The third bend 40E creates a third segment 34E which angles downwardly, similar to the first segment 30E. Alternatively, the third bend 40E (and additional bends not shown) could be flattened as previously described such that the third segment 30E angles upwardly, similar to the second segment 32E. As previously described, flattening the third bend 40E can allow for easier insertion into the slot 20E, but still allows the third bend 40E to contribute to a more secure attachment between the plate 10E and the cylinder 18E. Fig. 11 shows another embodiment of a leading portion 12F of the plate 10F. The leading portion 12F which is to be inserted into the slot 20F has been bent to include a more complex shape, actually including a C-shaped sub-portion and a Z- shaped sub-portion. This embodiment, while functional, illustrates that additional variations of the present invention are contemplated.

Fig. 12 shows a Z-shaped leading portion 12G of a flexible printing plate 10G wherein the leading portion 12G and the center portion 14G include a plurality of holes 48G therein. These holes 48G can be included when the plate 10G is used with a print cylinder (not shown) having a pin bar 50G. The holes 48G can be aligned and placed over the pin bar 50G to secure the leading portion 12G to the cylinder. The stiffness provided by this approach creates a stronger attachment between the leading portion 12G and the pin bar 50G.

The stronger attachment minimizes the stretching of the holes 48G. As a result, the position of the imaged portion of the plate 10G is more accurately maintained for black-and-white printing and multi-color printing. This prevents the elongation of the plate 10G which prevents the image from moving out of a desired print area. Furthermore, this allows for improved color-to-color registration for multi-color printing.

Still other variations of the present invention are contemplated. For example, the number and lengths of the previously described segments and the number and angles of the previously described bends can and should be chosen to fit the slot dimensions (which is determined by the particular printing press being used) and the other dimensions of the print cylinder 18. These choices also depend on the thickness of the plate 10 (e.g., a 4-mil-based polyester plate usually benefits by the inclusion of more bends within the slot than, say, a 7-mil-based polyester plate). Another variation (not shown) of the previously described embodiments could include the addition of stiffener to the end portion of a plate 10 which fits within a slot 20, for example, within a Z-shaped end portion. Generally, however, a stiffener is not necessary.

Still another variation (not shown) could involve forming the previously described bend in a separate member, rather than in the plate 10 itself. The separate member could be attachable to an end of the plate and, thereby, eliminate the need to bend the end portion(s) of the plate 10. The separate member could be attached, for example, with a sufficiently aggressive adhesive (e.g., from a double-sided tape) to securely hold the plate 10 to the cylinder 18 when in use. Other attachment means are contemplated.

The separate member could be made of the same material as the plate 10 or it could be made ofa different material. For example, a relatively thin plate material could be used with the separate member being significantly stronger. The advantages of using a separate member are: (a) the press operator could replace the steps of bending the end portion of the plate 10 with the step of attaching the separate member, and (b) the stronger separate member could improve the security of the attachment between the plate 10 and the cylinder 18.

A known crimping apparatus 52 and the steps for using it to create bends are shown in Figs. 13-24. The crimping apparatus 52 shown represents two crimpers, Model Nos. 4250 and 2454 (available from Imation Corp., Oakdale, MN).

Figs. 13-18 illustrate the steps to create the C-shaped end portion shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown in Fig. 13, an end ofa flat (i.e., unbent) plate 10 is pushed squarely against a first stop 54. The plate 10 is positioned such that the side of the plate with the image coating (e.g., emulsion coating) is facing downwardly. (For a reversed C-shaped bend, the side with the image coating faces upwardly.) The first stop 54 is positioned as desired to locate the third bend 40. The side of the plate 10 on which the image is captured is preferably facing downward. The crimper bars 56, 58 are preferably heated to approximately 65 degrees Celsius, although the tucking step described below can be done "cold", that is, without heating the crimper bars 56, 58.

As shown in Fig. 14, an elongated blade 60 is moved downwardly to force the plate 10 against a seat 62 of crimper bar 56 ("tuck") to form the third bend 40 of the C-shaped end. Upon retracting the blade 60, the crimper bar 58 is moved to clamp the plate 10 in a vise-like action ("crimp") as shown in Fig. 15, thus setting the third bend 40. The vise-like action is preferably held for approximately 5 seconds. The faces of the 64, 66 of the crimper bar 56, 58 can be tapered so that the vise-like force is concentrated in the region of the third bend 40. The crimper bar 58 is then retracted and the plate 10 is pushed forward against the first stop 54, as shown in Fig. 16. The elongated blade 60 is again moved downwardly and upwardly to form the second bend 38, as shown in Fig. 17. Then, the first stop 54 is retracted and the plate 10 is pushed forward against a second stop 68 as shown in Fig. 18. The elongated blade is again moved downwardly and upwardly as shown in Fig. 17 to form the first bend 36.

For one particular embodiment of the printing plate 10, the first and second stops 54, 68 can be positioned such that the first segment 30 has a length of approximately 0.75 inch (approximately 1.9 centimeters), the second segment 32 has a length of approximately 0.125 inch (approximately 0.3 centimeter), and the third segment 34 has a length of approximately 0.125 inch (approximately 0.3 centimeter). The magnitude of the first bend 36 can be chosen such that the first segment 30 projects at an angle of approximately 60 degrees relative to the center portion 14 (see Fig. 1). The magnitude of the second bend 38 can be chosen such that the second segment 32 projects at an angle of approximately 30 degrees relative to the first segment 30. The magnitude of the third bend 40 can be chosen such that the third segment 34 projects at an angle of approximately 35 degrees relative to the second segment 32. Other similar embodiments (e.g., lengths and angles) can be experimentally determined in conjunction with the particular printing plate and printing press being used.

Figs. 19-24 illustrate one embodiment of the process steps for creating the Z- shaped end portion of the printing plate 10D shown in Figs. 6-9. The same crimping apparatus 52 is used, but with the first and second stops 54, 68 being located differently. The plate 10D is preferably positioned such that the side with the image coating (e.g., emulsion coating) faces upwardly, although a reverse Z-shaped plate can be formed with that side facing downwardly. The steps shown in Figs. 19-21 are virtually identical to those shown in Figs. 13-15 and previously described. Fig. 22 shows that the plate 10D is turned over (image coating side facing upwardly) and pushed forward to contact the second stop 68D after the first stop 54D is retracted. Then, the elongated blade 60D is moved downwardly, as shown in Fig. 23. After the elongated blade 60D is retracted, the crimper bar 58D is moved toward the crimper bar 56D as shown in Fig. 24.

The previously described steps for creating the Z-shaped end portion of the plate 10D can be modified to create the desired bend angles and segment lengths such that end portion is insertable into the slot 10D as shown in Figs. 6-9 and such that the end portion holds the plate 10D to the print cylinder 18 when in use. Furthermore, the previously described steps for creating either the C-shaped or Z-shaped end portions can be adjusted to form other embodiments, such as those shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 10, and 11. In addition, the holes 48G shown in Fig. 12 can be made after the formation of the Z-shaped end portion by inserting the Z-shaped end portion into a known hole punch which corresponds to the pin bar 50G within the printing press being used.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1 A flexible printing plate (10) adapted for mounting to a pπnt cylinder

(18) of a printing press, the printing press having slot (20) for receiving an end portion of a pπnting plate (10), the printing plate ( 10) comprising a center portion (14), an end portion (12 or 16) extending from the center portion (14), the end portion having at least a first segment (30), a second segment (32), and a first bend (38) between the first and second segments, the first bend (38) being located on the end portion such that the first bend (38), the second segment (32), and at least a portion of the first segment (30) are within the slot (20) when the pπnting plate (10) is mounted to the print cylinder (18)

2. The printing plate (10) of claim 1, the end portion being either a trailing end portion (16) of the printing plate (10) and the slot (20) being part ofa trailing end securing means, or a leading end portion (12) of the printing plate (10) and the slot (20) being part ofa leading end securing means

3 The printing plate ( 10) of claim 1 , the slot (20) having a first wall (26) and a second wall (24), the end portion contacting the first and second walls (26, 24) when inserted into the slot (20), the end portion being compressed when within the slot (20)

4 The printing plate (10) of claim 1, the end portion further having a third segment (34) and a second bend (40) between the second and third segments

(32, 34), the second bend (40) being positioned on the end portion such that the first and second bends (38, 40), the second and third segments (32, 34), and at least a portion of the first segment (30) are within the slot (20) when the pπnting plate (10) is mounted to the print cylinder (18)

5 The printing plate (10) of claim 4, the end portion having either a generally C-shaped or a Z-shaped form due to the first and second bends (38, 40)

6. The printing plate (10) of claim 4, the slot (20) having a first slot (26) wall, the second segment (32) being approximately parallel to the first slot wall (26) when the printing plate (10) is mounted to the print cylinder (18).

7. The printing plate (10) of claim 4, the end portion further having at least a third bend (44) and an at least fourth segment (46), the third bend being between the third segment (34) and the fourth segment (46).

8. The printing plate (10) of claim 1, the slot (20) having a slot entrance edge (42), the end portion further having a second bend (36), the second bend (36) being positioned to align with the slot entrance edge (42) when the printing plate (10) is mounted to the print cylinder (18).

9. A method for securing the end portion of printing plate (10) of claim 1 to a printing cylinder (18) of a printing press, the printing press having a slot (20), the method comprising the steps of: bending the end portion of the printing plate (10) such that the end portion has the first bend (38) between the first segment (30) and the second segment (32) of the end portion; attaching the end portion to the print cylinder ( 18) by inserting the end portion into the slot (20) such that the second segment (32), the first bend (38), and at least a portion of the first segment (30) are within the slot (20).

10. The method of claim 9, the bending step being carried out such that the end portion has a second bend (40) between the second segment (32) and a third segment (34) of the end portion, the attaching step being carried out such that the second and third segments (32, 34), the first and second bends (38, 40), and at least a portion of the first segment (30) are within the slot (20).