Method and apparatus for printing cylindrical structures

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10675861
  • Patent Number
    10,675,861
  • Date Filed
    Friday, December 4, 2015
    9 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 9, 2020
    4 years ago
Abstract
According to the invention there is an apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures comprising: a plurality of inker devices each comprising a print cylinder and one or more servomotors for adjustably controlling the position or orientation of a print cylinder; a blanket device comprising a plurality of print blankets, in which the blanket device is configured to bring each print blanket into contact with the print cylinders to transfer ink from the print cylinders to the print blanket, and to bring each print blanket into contact with a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon; a transporter for transporting the cylindrical structures into and out of contact with the print blankets; and an automatic print correction system comprising a print inspection device for detecting a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket, and a controller for controlling the servomotors of the print cylinders to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures and to associated methods of printing onto cylindrical structures.


BACKGROUND

In the field of industrial can manufacture, it is typical that the finished product requires some form of decoration in the form of printed indicia. Specialist printing machines are known to provide continuous, mass printing onto cans at a high throughput. These printing machines are commonly known as “decorators” in the art. At the present time, there are two main decorator designs which are in common commercial use, although there are additional, smaller volume manufacturers as well. The two main designs are commonly known as the “Concord” and “Rutherford” machines. Although the precise constructional details of the Concord and Rutherford machines differ, in essence they use the same approach to printing onto cans. This approach is a variant of offset printing. More specifically, the decorators comprise a plurality of inkers. Each inker is associated with a different colour, and has a printing plate for that colour. Each inker is configured to distribute ink of the correct colour onto the printing plate. The printing plate has a raised portion corresponding to the desired image for the particular colour in question. It will be apparent that, for example, a six inker decorator machine can print six colours, and an eight inker decorating machine can print eight colours. The ink from the print plate of each inker is transferred onto the surface of one of a number of blankets. The intention is that the blanket and the print cylinders of all of the inkers are mutually positioned and oriented such that the different coloured inks are in proper registration. When proper registration is achieved, the pattern of multiply coloured inks on the blanket corresponds to the desired indicia. The decorator machines comprise a plurality of blankets which are disposed on a rotating blanket wheel. As the wheel rotates, a blanket which has had all of the inks transferred to it in the desired pattern is brought into contact with a suitable conveyor system which typically uses a number of mandrels on a mandrel wheel. The decorator machine is configured so that each can is brought into contact with a blanket so that the full multicoloured indicia is transferred to the surface of the can.


It is inevitable that during a continuous can printing process, some misregistration of one or more of the colours will occur. Traditionally, misregistration problems have been corrected manually. More specifically, any misregistration is detected by manual inspection of the printed cans. If a misregistration is identified, then it has been necessary to shut down printing for a period of time whilst manual adjustments of the inkers are made. This is an inefficient process for at least two reasons. Firstly, there is a time lag before a misregistration is identified which can result in can spoilage. Secondly, it is inefficient and undesirable to shut down a continuous process for any period of time.


SUMMARY

The present invention, in at least some of its embodiments, addresses the above described problems. Additionally, the present invention provides improved arrangements for controlling the position of the print cylinders.


According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures comprising:


a plurality of inker devices each comprising a print cylinder and one or more servomotors for adjustably controlling the position or orientation of the print cylinder;


a blanket device comprising a plurality of print blankets, in which the blanket device is configured to bring each print blanket into contact with the print cylinders to transfer ink from the print cylinders to the print blanket, and to bring each print blanket into contact with a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon;


a transporter for transporting cylindrical structures into and out of contact with the print blanket; and


an automatic print correction system comprising a print inspection device for detecting a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket, and a controller for controlling the servomotors of the print cylinders to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.


In this way, the above described problems can be solved. In particular, detection of misregistrations can take place quickly. Also, misregistrations can be corrected without stopping the printing process.


The print detection device may inspect the print blankets to detect a misregistration.


Alternatively, the print detection device may inspect the printed cylindrical structures to detect a misregistration. Alternatively still, the print detection device may inspect the print cylinders to detect a misregistration.


The print detection device may comprise a camera. The print detection device may comprise a single camera, or a plurality of cameras.


The print cylinders may each have a longitudinal adjustment servomotor. The longitudinal adjustment servomotor may adjustably control the longitudinal position of its respective print cylinder. The longitudinal adjustment servomotors may be controlled by the controller. The print cylinders may be each connected to their respective longitudinal adjustment servomotor through a print shaft. At least a portion of the print shaft may be movable by the longitudinal adjustment servomotor so as to adjustably control the longitudinal position of its respective print cylinder. The print shafts may each comprise an outer shaft member and an inner shaft member. The inner shaft member may be reciprocable within the outer shaft member. The inner shaft member may be connected to its respective longitudinal adjustment servomotor and print cylinder so that the longitudinal adjustment servomotor can adjust the longitudinal position of the print cylinder by moving the inner shaft member. In practice, commercial decorator apparatus are configured so that the longitudinal direction is in the vertical, and a longitudinal adjustment alters the vertical position of a print cylinder.


The print cylinders may each have an angular adjustment servomotor. The angular adjustment servomotors may adjustably control the angular orientation of their respective print cylinders about a rotational axis. The angular adjustment servomotors may be controlled by the controller.


The apparatus may further comprise a drive mechanism. The print cylinders may each be connected to a print shaft which carries a gear, the gear being driven by the drive mechanism to cause the print cylinder to rotate about the rotational axis. The angular adjustment servomotor may be arranged to alter the operation of the gear so as to adjustably control the angular orientation of its respective print cylinder. The gear may be a backslash gear. The backslash gear carries gear teeth which may be inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the print shaft. The angular adjustment servomotor may adjust the longitudinal position of the backslash gear which in turn results a rotational adjustment of the print cylinder about its rotational axis. In this way, the angular orientation of the print cylinder can be controlled.


The gear may be slideable along the print shaft under the control of angular adjustment servomotor. Each angular adjustment servomotor may be connected to one or more cam followers which follow a cam. The cam may be disposed on the print shaft and form part of or be connected to a hub. A hub may be slideable along the print shaft. The gear may be mounted on the hub. In practice, the rotational axis corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the print cylinder. Commercial decorator apparatus are configured so that the rotational axis is a vertical axis.


The apparatus may print onto cans. The transporter may be configured to transport cans into and out of contact with the print blankets. The transporter may comprise a plurality of mandrels for holding the cans. The cans may be metallic cans, such as aluminium, or maybe formed from another material. The cans may be beverage cans.


Typically, the controller comprises a computer or another device or system which utilises a microprocessor. The controller may comprise a graphical interface.


The print cylinder may comprise a main portion and a print plate which may be removeably attached to the main portion. The print plate may be removeably attached to the main portion by magnetic attachment. The print plate may comprise raised features corresponding to a desired print pattern.


Indicia of any desired kind may be printed onto the cans. The indicia may comprise one or more of an image, a design, a logo, or words.


The print cylinder may each print one or more registration indicia onto the print blankets. The print blankets may each comprise one or more corresponding registration features. Misregistration of ink transferred onto a print blanket may be detected by detecting a misregistration between a registration indicia printed by a print cylinder and the corresponding registration feature on a print blanket. The misregistration may be corrected so that a printed registration indicia and its corresponding registration feature overlap, and preferably fully overlap. The registration indicia and registration features may be any convenient shape or symbol. For example, dots, lines or crosses may be used. The registration features may be located towards the edge of the print blankets. The print detection device may be configured to only detect registration indicia and registration features, or at least to monitor only a subset of entire printing field. This can reduce the complexity of the print inspection system.


According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of printing onto cylindrical structures comprising the steps of:


operating a plurality of inker devices to apply ink to a plurality of print cylinders, each inker device having one or more servomotors for adjustable controlling the position or orientation of its print cylinder;


transferring ink from the print cylinders to a print blanket;


transferring ink from the print blanket to a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon; and


automatically detecting a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto the print blanket and automatically controlling the servomotors of the print cylinders to correct the misregistration in response to the detection of a misregistration.


It is advantageous that both the automatic detection of a misregistration and the automatic control of the servomotors to correct the misregistration can be performed as part of a continuous printing process. In other words, the process does not have to be stopped in order for the misregistration to be corrected.


According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures comprising:


a plurality of inker devices each comprising a print cylinder, a print shaft connected to the print cylinder, and a servomotor for adjustably controlling the position of the print cylinder;


a blanket device comprising a plurality of print blankets, in which the blanket device is configured to bring each print blanket into contact with the print cylinders to transfer ink from the print cylinders to the print blanket, and to bring each print blanket into contact with a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon; and


a transporter for transporting a cylindrical structure into and out of contact with the print blanket;


in which, in each inker device, the print shaft comprises an outer shaft member and an inner shaft member which is reciprocable within the outer shaft member, and the inner shaft member is connected to the servomotor.


In this way, an extremely convenient and accurate means is provided for adjusting and controlling the position of the print cylinder. The arrangement is space saving, and permits easy maintenance. Additionally, it is convenient to provide a retrofit to an existing decorator apparatus. The third aspect of the invention can be conveniently incorporated into decorators of the Rutherford type. However, the invention is not limited in this regard, and this aspect of the invention can be incorporated into other decorator designs.


Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above, or in the following description, drawings or claims. For example, any feature described in relation to one aspect of the invention is considered to be disclosed also in relation to another aspect of the invention.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the invention will now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—



FIG. 1 is a plan view of a decorator apparatus of the invention;



FIG. 2 shows (a) a side view and (b) a cross sectional side view of a print cylinder and print shaft of the invention; and



FIG. 3 shows a graphical interface for use by a user.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS


FIG. 1 shows a decorator apparatus of the invention, depicted generally at 10. The decorator apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of inkers 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f and plurality of blankets 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f, 14g, 14h. The blankets are disposed on a blanket wheel 16. The blanket wheel 16 rotates so as to bring the blankets into contact with the inkers to transfer ink onto the blankets. The rotation of the blanket wheel 16 also brings each blanket into contact with a can 18 so as to transfer the ink onto the surface of the can. The cans 18 are transported into and out of contact with the blankets by a conveyor system 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there are six inkers 12 which enables up to six different colour inks to be used to form the complete indicia which is printed onto the cans 18. Also in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the decorator apparatus 10 comprises eight blankets 14. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited in this regard, and in principle any suitable numbers of inkers and blankets might be utilised.


The design and operation of the blankets, blanket wheel and conveyor can be essentially conventional in nature. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a further, more detailed discussion of these portions of the decorator apparatus 10. The inkers comprise a print cylinder which is rotated by a print shaft. These aspects of the inkers and described in more detail below. Other features of the inkers, such as the arrangement for applying ink to the print cylinders, are essentially conventional in nature. Therefore, a more detailed discussion of those portions of the inkers is not necessary. The decorator apparatus 10 further comprises a camera 22 and a controller device 24.



FIG. 2 shows the printer cylinder 200 and print shaft 202 of the inkers 12. The print cylinder 200 has a print plate 204 disposed thereon. The print cylinder 200 is magnetic and the print plate 204 is formed from a metal so that the print plate 204 is retained in place. The print plate 204 has raised features which correspond to the print pattern for the ink colour which is applied by the particular inker which the print cylinder 200 is associated with. The print shaft 202 comprises an outer print shaft 202a and an inner print shaft 202b. The outer print shaft 202b has a print cylinder contacting portions 206a, 206b formed towards one end of the print shaft 202. The print cylinder contacting portion 206a can be in the form of a cylinder of larger diameter than the diameter of the outer print shaft 202a. Towards the end of the print shaft which is opposite to the end having the print cylinder contacting portion 206a, the outer print shaft 202a comprises bearing seats 208, 210. The bearing seats 208, 210 house bearings (not shown) which surround the inner print shaft 202b.


The end of the inner print shaft 202b distal from the print cylinder 200 is connected to a first servomotor 212. The first servomotor 212 is a linear servomotor, and in this way it is possible to adjust the longitudinal position of the inner print shaft 202b. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the other end of the inner print shaft 202b is connected to the print cylinder 200. The print cylinder 200 is sized so as to be slideable over the surface of the print cylinder contacting portion 206a. It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that, in this way, the first servomotor 212 is able to adjust the longitudinal position of the print cylinder 200. The longitudinal axis corresponds to the rotational axis of the print cylinder, and in practice it is longitudinal. The print cylinder contacting portion 206b also contacts part of the print cylinder 200.


The print shaft further comprises a backslash gear 214 which is carried by a hub 216. The backslash gear 214 is driven by a bull gear (not shown) which forms part of a conventional decorator apparatus drive mechanism. Cam followers 218, 220 follow a cam 222. The cam 222 is connected to the hub 216 by a connection member 224. The hub 216 is able to move longitudinally along the outer print shaft 202a. A key (not shown) underneath the hub 216 permits this longitudinal movement with respect to the outer print shaft 202a. The cam followers 218, 220 are mounted on a mounting piece 226. The mounting piece 226 is connected to a second servomotor 228. The second servomotor 228 is a linear servomotor. The second servomotor 228 can be controlled so as to move the mounting piece 226 which in turn moves the cam followers 218, 220. It will be appreciated that the effect of this controlled movement is to adjust the longitudinal position of the hub 216 with respect to the outer print shaft 202a. This also adjusts the longitudinal position of the backslash gear 214. The backslash gear 214 carries gear teeth which are inclined at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the print shaft 202. It will be appreciated that longitudinal adjustment of the position of the backslash gear 216 thereby results in a rotational adjustment of the print cylinder 200. In this way, the angular orientation of the print cylinder 200 can be controlled.


Referring back to FIG. 1, the camera 22 is positioned to monitor the blankets 14 after ink has been transferred to them from the inkers 12 but before printing onto the cans 18 takes place. The camera is used to detect any misregistration of one of more of the differently coloured inks which are applied to the blankets. Images obtained by the camera 22, or related data, are input to a controller device 24. A plurality of cameras may be used instead of a single camera, and this can enable better 3 dimensional images to be obtained. The controller device 24 has a graphical interface 24a which in one possible mode of operation enables a user to make corrections manually. However, in another mode of operation the invention provides an automatic correction of any misregistration of the inks applied by one of more of the inkers 12. The controller device 24 utilises a suitable computer program which examines the images obtained by the camera 22, and recognises any misregistration. The controller device 24 and its computer program is also adapted to provide suitable control signals to one or both of the first and the second servomotors of an inker 12 in order to correct the detected misregistration. For example, if a misregistration was detected and it was identified that the cause was that the image applied to the blanket by inker 12a was too high, then the longitudinal position of the print cylinder used in inker 12a would be lowered in order to correct this misregistration. This would be done by controlling the first servomotor associated with print cylinder of inker 12a so as to retract the inner print shaft within the outer print shaft. This has the effect of lowering the print cylinder. Another type of misregistration occurs when one of the ink colours is applied too far to the left or right of a blanket. In this instance, the controller device 24 identifies which inker 12 is responsible for the misregistration and controls the second servomotor associated with this inker device to adjust the position of the cam followers with respect to the longitudinal axis of the print shaft. In this way the position of the backslash gear is adjusted to so as to move the print cylinder clockwise or counter clockwise as required. In this way, the angular orientation of the print cylinder is adjusted so as to correct the misregistration. It will appreciated that if the controller device detects that a number of inks are being applied out of register, then appropriate correction of a plurality of inkers will occur. The detection of the misregistrations and the appropriate adjustment of one or more servomotors to correct the misregistration can be performed in a number of ways. For example, look up tables or algorithms might be used. Another alternative is to utilise artificial intelligence.


Although in the arrangement of FIG. 1 the camera 22 monitors the blankets, other variations are possible. For example, the camera may take images of the cans after printing has taken place. Another possibility is for the camera to examine marks on the print plates. In this instance, the print plates may each comprise a suitable registration mark such as a dot, line or cross. The blankets have corresponding registration features. For example, if a blanket receives six different colours from six different inkers, and the print plate of each inker has a dot as a registration mark, the blankets will have six spaced apart dots, one for each colour. Advantageously, the dots may be located in an outer region of the blanket, for example close to the edge. If there is a misregistration in the printing of one of the colours, then this will be visible as a misregistration between a registration mark on a print blanket and the corresponding mark printed b the relevant print plate. This can be readily detected and appropriate correction may by adjusting the longitudinal position and/or the angular orientation of the relevant print cylinder.



FIG. 3 shows a graphical interface 300 which might be used in conjunction with the invention. The graphical interface 300 is in the form of a touch screen. The touch screen can be used in a manual adjustment mode, where adjustments to the registration are made by a user. The adjustments made by the user result in appropriate control of the servomotors of one or more of the inkers.


The correction of misregistration provided by the invention has numerous advantages. It is possible to quickly correct misregistration without stopping the decorator apparatus. Rapid detection of any misregistration reduces spoilage caused by misprinting onto cans. If the camera is set up so as to detect misregistration on the blankets (or the print cylinders) then it is possible to detect misregistrations without any spoilage, because misregistration can be detected without printing on the cans. This mode might be employed as part of start up routine, or to make spot checks on registration as part of a manual correction mode.


Other forms of servomotor control of the print cylinder can be used. For example, the actuator system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,911, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference, might be used or adapted for use as part of the misregistration correction methodology provided by the invention. However, it is believed that the servomotor control system described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2 provides numerous advantages. It is particularly applicable to decorators of the Rutherford type, and in fact it can be retrofitted to existing Rutherford inkers quite easily. The inner print shaft can be provided by drilling a hole through the centre of a standard Rutherford print shaft, and inserting the inner print shaft. This servomotor has a low number of wear parts, and it is space efficient. All of the adjustment components are internal to the inker cylinder, which makes maintenance easier. Also, if it is necessary to remove an inker for maintenance purposes, then it is possible to continue printing onto cans using the inkers. Runs can be made either using one colour fewer, or a substitute inker could be inserted. In this way, maintenance can be performed without having to stop operation of the decorator apparatus.

Claims
  • 1. An apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures comprising: a plurality of inker devices each comprising a print cylinder and one or more servomotors for adjustably controlling the position or orientation of the print cylinder;a blanket device comprising a plurality of print blankets, in which the blanket device is configured to bring each print blanket into contact with the print cylinders to transfer ink from the print cylinders to the print blanket, and to bring each print blanket into contact with a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon;a transporter for transporting the cylindrical structures into and out of contact with the print blankets;a camera positioned to capture an image of a print blanket in the plurality of print blankets; andan automatic print correction system responsive to the image of the print blanket captured by the camera, the automatic print correction system comprising a print inspection device for detecting a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket, and a controller for controlling the servomotors of the print cylinders to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device.
  • 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 in which the print inspection device inspects the print blankets to detect a misregistration.
  • 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 in which the print inspection device comprises a camera.
  • 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each print cylinder has a longitudinal adjustment servomotor which adjustably controls a longitudinal position of its respective print cylinder, wherein the longitudinal adjustment servomotors are controlled by the controller.
  • 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 in which the print cylinders are each connected to their respective longitudinal adjustment servomotor through a print shaft, wherein at least a portion of the print shaft is moveable by the longitudinal adjustment servomotor so as to adjustably control the longitudinal position of its respective print cylinder.
  • 6. The apparatus according to claim 5 in which the print shafts each comprise an outer shaft member and an inner shaft member which is reciprocable within the outer shaft member, in which the inner shaft member is connected to its respective longitudinal adjustment servomotor and print cylinder so that the longitudinal adjustment servomotor can adjust the longitudinal position of the print cylinder by moving the inner shaft member.
  • 7. The apparatus according to claim 1 in which the print cylinders each have an angular adjustment servomotor which adjustably controls the angular orientation of its respective print cylinder about a rotational axis, wherein the angular adjustment servomotors are controlled by the controller.
  • 8. The apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a drive mechanism, in which the print cylinders are each connected to a print shaft which carries a gear, the gear being driven by the drive mechanism to cause the print cylinder to rotate about the rotational axis, wherein the angular adjustment servomotor is arranged to alter the operation of the gear so as to adjustably control the angular orientation of its respective print cylinder.
  • 9. The apparatus according to claim 8 in which each gear is slideable along the print shaft under the control of the angular adjustment servomotor.
  • 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 in which each angular adjustment servomotor is connected to one or more cam followers which follow a cam, where the cam is disposed on the print shaft and forms part of or is connected to a hub which is slideable along the print shaft and on which the gear is mounted.
  • 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 in which the transporter is configured to transport the cylindrical structures into and out of contact with the print blankets.
  • 12. A method of printing onto cylindrical structures comprising the steps of: operating a plurality of inker devices to apply ink to a plurality of print cylinders, each inker device having one or more servomotors for adjustably controlling the position or orientation of its print cylinder;transferring ink from a print blanket to a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon;capturing an image of the print blanket; andautomatically detecting a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto the print blanket based on the captured image of the print blanket; and automatically controlling the servomotors of the print cylinders to correct the misregistration in response to the detection of the misregistration.
  • 13. An apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures comprising: a plurality of inker devices each comprising a print cylinder, a print shaft connected to the print cylinder, and a servomotor for adjustably controlling the position of the print cylinder;a blanket device comprising a plurality of print blankets, in which the blanket device is configured to bring each print blanket into contact with the print cylinders to transfer ink from the print cylinders to the print blanket, and to bring each print blanket into contact with a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon; anda transporter for transporting the cylindrical structures into and out of contact with the print blankets;in which, in each inker device, the print shaft comprises an outer shaft member and an inner shaft member which is reciprocable within the outer shaft member, and the inner shaft member is connected to the servomotor wherein the servomotor can adjust a longitudinal position of the print cylinder by moving the inner shaft member.
  • 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the servomotor is responsive to a detected a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto the print blanket based on a captured image of at least one of the plurality of print blankets.
  • 15. An apparatus for printing onto cylindrical structures comprising: a plurality of inker devices each comprising a print cylinder and one or more servomotors for adjustably controlling the position or orientation of the print cylinder;a blanket device comprising a plurality of print blankets, in which the blanket device is configured to bring each print blanket into contact with the print cylinders to transfer ink from the print cylinders to the print blanket, and to bring each print blanket into contact with a cylindrical structure to achieve printing thereon;a transporter for transporting the cylindrical structures into and out of contact with the print blankets;a camera positioned to capture an image of a print blanket in the plurality of print blankets; andan automatic print correction system responsive to the image of the print blanket captured by the camera, the automatic print correction system comprising a print inspection device for detecting a misregistration of ink transferred from one or more of the print cylinders onto a print blanket, and a controller for controlling the servomotors of the print cylinders to correct the misregistration in response to data received from the print inspection device,wherein, in each inker device, a print shaft comprises an outer shaft member and an inner shaft member which is reciprocable within the outer shaft member, and the inner shaft member is connected to a longitudinal adjustment servomotor of the one or more servomotors,wherein the longitudinal adjustment servomotor can adjust a longitudinal position of the print cylinder by moving the inner shaft member.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
14196388 Dec 2014 EP regional
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/GB2015/053725 12/4/2015 WO 00
Publishing Document Publishing Date Country Kind
WO2016/087876 6/9/2016 WO A
US Referenced Citations (207)
Number Name Date Kind
3098564 Fouse et al. Jul 1963 A
3252410 Stephenson May 1966 A
3262460 Huddle et al. Jul 1966 A
3286302 Doering Nov 1966 A
3313409 Johson Apr 1967 A
3357950 La Follett Dec 1967 A
3504390 Wing Apr 1970 A
3752073 Lorber Aug 1973 A
3766851 Sirvet et al. Oct 1973 A
3782542 Scribner Jan 1974 A
3923158 Fornna Dec 1975 A
3952698 Beyer et al. Apr 1976 A
3960073 Rush Jun 1976 A
3983729 Traczyk et al. Oct 1976 A
3991673 Coale et al. Nov 1976 A
4048917 Skrypek et al. Sep 1977 A
4105122 Flood et al. Aug 1978 A
4132826 Dessauer et al. Jan 1979 A
4142462 Gilore Mar 1979 A
4319930 Yano et al. Mar 1982 A
4327756 Rath May 1982 A
4374681 Schueneman Feb 1983 A
4378493 Dorf et al. Mar 1983 A
4384518 Albin May 1983 A
4395946 Price Aug 1983 A
4399357 Dorf et al. Aug 1983 A
4442934 Dorf et al. Apr 1984 A
4471011 Sporing Sep 1984 A
4479429 Haryu Oct 1984 A
4492476 Miyazawa Jan 1985 A
4519232 Traczyk et al. May 1985 A
4519310 Shimizu et al. May 1985 A
4589339 Fischer May 1986 A
4616306 Kuzma et al. Oct 1986 A
4620090 Ducloux Oct 1986 A
4732027 Traczyk et al. Mar 1988 A
4741266 Stirbis et al. May 1988 A
4774839 Caleffi et al. Oct 1988 A
4790662 Bischkopf et al. Dec 1988 A
4872024 Nagai et al. Oct 1989 A
4884504 Sillars Dec 1989 A
4889560 Jaeger et al. Dec 1989 A
4898752 Cavagna et al. Feb 1990 A
4903599 Kulber et al. Feb 1990 A
4924083 Ishikawa et al. May 1990 A
4924107 Tucker May 1990 A
5010814 Shishikura Apr 1991 A
5017795 Dower et al. May 1991 A
5049432 Ooms et al. Sep 1991 A
5065905 Eddy et al. Nov 1991 A
5120126 Wertz et al. Jun 1992 A
5181471 Sillars Jan 1993 A
5213043 Reimers et al. May 1993 A
5235911 Dorfman et al. Aug 1993 A
5282306 Katsuhiro Feb 1994 A
5335682 Yoshimura et al. Aug 1994 A
5337659 Whelan Aug 1994 A
5339731 Howard et al. Aug 1994 A
5351617 Williams et al. Aug 1994 A
5353703 Rieker Oct 1994 A
5356481 Yoshimura et al. Oct 1994 A
5385092 Lewis et al. Jan 1995 A
5469787 Turner et al. Nov 1995 A
5497900 Caleffi et al. Mar 1996 A
5502476 Neal et al. Mar 1996 A
5591255 Small et al. Jan 1997 A
5591462 Darling et al. Jan 1997 A
5713288 Frazzitta Feb 1998 A
5771798 Shriver Jun 1998 A
5806427 Niemiro et al. Sep 1998 A
5908505 Bargenquest et al. Jun 1999 A
5919839 Titterington et al. Jul 1999 A
5970865 Horth et al. Oct 1999 A
5974974 Agnew et al. Nov 1999 A
5987161 Dowane et al. Nov 1999 A
6037101 Telser et al. Mar 2000 A
6058839 Frazzitta May 2000 A
6079326 Strutz et al. Jun 2000 A
6139779 Small et al. Oct 2000 A
6174937 Banning et al. Jan 2001 B1
6184988 Ferrari Feb 2001 B1
6196675 Deily et al. Mar 2001 B1
6238837 Fan May 2001 B1
6309453 Banning et al. Oct 2001 B1
6312872 Murphy Nov 2001 B1
6395123 Fromson et al. May 2002 B1
6473169 Dawley et al. Oct 2002 B1
6494950 Fujita et al. Dec 2002 B1
6494961 Simpson Dec 2002 B2
6525333 Ishikawa et al. Feb 2003 B1
6543350 Gilliam et al. Apr 2003 B2
6550389 Goto et al. Apr 2003 B1
6551422 O'Connor Apr 2003 B1
6553907 Richards Apr 2003 B2
6584845 Dawley et al. Jul 2003 B1
6594927 Witkowski Jul 2003 B2
6640713 Landsman Nov 2003 B2
6651559 Haraux et al. Nov 2003 B2
6755202 Scholey et al. Jun 2004 B1
6779445 Schaede Aug 2004 B2
6779455 Figov et al. Aug 2004 B2
6827019 Strauch et al. Dec 2004 B1
6899998 Figov May 2005 B2
6920822 Finan Jul 2005 B2
6989226 Hieronymus et al. Jan 2006 B2
7227166 Araki et al. Jun 2007 B2
7308142 Cochran et al. Dec 2007 B2
7309563 Paul et al. Dec 2007 B2
7313270 Sones et al. Dec 2007 B2
7394937 Sones Jul 2008 B2
7399526 Sones Jul 2008 B2
7464642 Schaede Dec 2008 B2
7488965 Dalmais et al. Feb 2009 B2
7667836 Cochran et al. Feb 2010 B2
7684034 Sones et al. Mar 2010 B2
7691549 Glasser Apr 2010 B1
7773214 Sones et al. Aug 2010 B2
7810922 Gervasi et al. Oct 2010 B2
7821629 Sones et al. Oct 2010 B2
7997199 Watanabe et al. Aug 2011 B2
RE42715 Sones et al. Sep 2011 E
8014586 Akkerman et al. Sep 2011 B2
8034207 Hunahata Oct 2011 B2
8409698 Byers et al. Apr 2013 B2
8544385 Schuler-Cossette et al. Oct 2013 B2
8574492 Morita et al. Nov 2013 B2
9409433 Carreras Aug 2016 B2
9475276 Fleischer et al. Oct 2016 B2
9555616 Carreras et al. Jan 2017 B2
20020083855 Samworth Apr 2002 A1
20020148485 Taft et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020178945 Richards Dec 2002 A1
20020189471 Juffinger et al. Dec 2002 A1
20030015105 Dewig Jan 2003 A1
20030024554 Schultz et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030056410 Witkowski Mar 2003 A1
20030089261 Landsman May 2003 A1
20030101885 Jordan Jun 2003 A1
20030150346 Haraux et al. Aug 2003 A1
20030179920 Hooker et al. Sep 2003 A1
20040011234 Figov et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040126682 Dreher et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040173110 Roesch Sep 2004 A1
20040191693 Takamiya Sep 2004 A1
20040211446 Schultz et al. Oct 2004 A1
20050098051 Flint et al. May 2005 A1
20060019196 Miyoshi Jan 2006 A1
20060121389 Anzures et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060137548 Vetter Jun 2006 A1
20070084368 Vest et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070289905 Sondag Dec 2007 A1
20080002182 Akkerman et al. Jan 2008 A1
20090106958 Lanz et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090303307 Yasumatsu Dec 2009 A1
20100031834 Morgavi et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100229737 Ouchi Sep 2010 A1
20100295885 LaCaze Nov 2010 A1
20100319555 Hashimoto et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110079158 Recchia et al. Apr 2011 A1
20110104615 Sievers May 2011 A1
20110126760 Daems et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110140010 Akkerman et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110162542 Nakamura et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110197923 Battaglioli et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110255134 Shigeta et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110283905 Sakata Nov 2011 A1
20120048135 Burberry et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120103216 Knisel et al. May 2012 A1
20120204746 Fullgraf Aug 2012 A1
20120216689 Cochran et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120238675 Kataura et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120274695 LaCaze et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120315412 Clayton et al. Dec 2012 A1
20130019566 Schach Jan 2013 A1
20130075675 Krutak et al. Mar 2013 A1
20130087059 Baird Apr 2013 A1
20130105743 Owen et al. May 2013 A1
20130176358 Yamada et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130208105 Schmidt et al. Aug 2013 A1
20130228086 Baldwin et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130231242 Clayton et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130242276 Schadebrodt et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130340885 Clayton et al. Dec 2013 A1
20140039091 Owen et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140072442 Bowman et al. Mar 2014 A1
20140187668 Owen et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140210201 Owen et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140212654 Clayton et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140253718 Leitzen et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140272161 Clayton et al. Sep 2014 A1
20150035970 Brumbaugh et al. Feb 2015 A1
20150138295 Lindner et al. May 2015 A1
20150174891 Boas et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150183211 Petti et al. Jul 2015 A1
20150290923 Treloar Oct 2015 A1
20160001546 Hughes et al. Jan 2016 A1
20160129687 Boas et al. May 2016 A1
20160229198 Izume Aug 2016 A1
20160347048 Carreras Dec 2016 A1
20170013452 Boas et al. Apr 2017 A1
20170157964 Izume Jun 2017 A1
20170334659 Leitzen et al. Nov 2017 A1
20180009216 Egerton et al. Jan 2018 A1
20180009217 Henrik Jan 2018 A1
20180024076 Efner Jan 2018 A1
20180086128 Hughes et al. Mar 2018 A1
20180201011 Efner Jul 2018 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (71)
Number Date Country
2097619 May 1992 CA
654524 Feb 1986 CH
101808825 Aug 2010 CN
102143846 Aug 2011 CN
103109233 May 2013 CN
202004007783 Sep 2005 DE
102006025897 Jan 2007 DE
202928 Nov 1986 EP
317987 May 1989 EP
545862 Jun 1993 EP
0646148 Mar 1995 EP
0717320 Jun 1996 EP
1162064 Dec 2001 EP
1262316 Dec 2002 EP
1630600 Mar 2006 EP
2153991 Feb 2010 EP
2196314 Jun 2010 EP
2317387 May 2011 EP
2384890 Nov 2011 EP
2842747 Mar 2015 EP
3050705 Aug 2016 EP
1298205 Nov 1972 GB
2097331 Nov 1982 GB
2512678 Oct 2014 GB
S58-49256 Mar 1983 JP
H09-210924 Aug 1997 JP
H9-295396 Nov 1997 JP
H09-295396 Nov 1997 JP
2000-121580 Apr 2000 JP
2000-258899 Sep 2000 JP
2001030612 Feb 2001 JP
2002-156338 May 2002 JP
2003-019457 Jan 2003 JP
2007076209 Mar 2007 JP
2008-249668 Oct 2008 JP
2010-249541 Nov 2010 JP
2013-508196 Mar 2013 JP
10-2006-0004679 Jan 2006 KR
199002044 Mar 1990 WO
9407693 Apr 1994 WO
9641299 Dec 1996 WO
9817474 Apr 1998 WO
9841966 Sep 1998 WO
0027644 May 2000 WO
0112440 Feb 2001 WO
2004069539 Aug 2004 WO
2005023545 Mar 2005 WO
2005047011 May 2005 WO
2006048022 May 2006 WO
2008092940 Aug 2008 WO
2009090389 Jul 2009 WO
2012054655 Apr 2012 WO
2012148576 Nov 2012 WO
2013028804 Feb 2013 WO
2013115800 Aug 2013 WO
2013113616 Aug 2013 WO
2013155423 Oct 2013 WO
2014008544 Jan 2014 WO
2014006517 Jan 2014 WO
2014096088 Jun 2014 WO
2014108489 Jul 2014 WO
2014128200 Aug 2014 WO
2014144853 Sep 2014 WO
2014164796 Oct 2014 WO
2014199469 Dec 2014 WO
2014201005 Dec 2014 WO
2015046119 Apr 2015 WO
2015101828 Jul 2015 WO
2016183452 Nov 2016 WO
2018013465 Jan 2018 WO
2018057739 Mar 2018 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (45)
Entry
Written Opinion and Search Report for PCT/GB2015/053725 dated Feb. 25, 2016 (9 pages).
“Blanket for Offset Printing,” Offset printing technology, 2016, 4 pages [retrieved from: www.offsetprintingtechnology.com.sub-categories/blanket-for-offset-printing/].
Bowell et al., “Advancing Flexography: The Technical Path Forward,” DuPont, 2011, retrieved from www2.dupont.com/packaging_graphics/en_us/assets/downloads/pdf/advflexo_brochure.pdf, 12 pages.
“Chemical Milling,” Wikipedia, Feb. 13, 2015, retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/chemical_milling, 6 pages.
“Cyrel® DSP High Performance Plate,” DuPont, 2016, 2 pages [retrieved online from: www.dupont.com/products-and-services/printing-package-printing/flexographic-platemaking-systems/brands/cyrel/products/sub-products/cyrel-dsp.html].
Corrected Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 14/686,517, dated Sep. 28, 2016 6 pages.
“Dry Offset Printing,” Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016, 2 pages [retrieved online from: www.britannica.com/technology/dry-offset].
“DuPont™ Cyrel®: CyrelTM Digital flex plate Imagers (CDI)” DuPont, 2009, retrieved from http://www2.dupont.com/packaging_graphics/en_gb/assets/downloads/pdf/CDI_family_english.pdf, 8 pages.
“DuPont™ Cyrel® DPR: Robust Digital Plate for Highest Quality Printing,” DuPont 2010, retrieved from http://www2.dupont.com/packaging_graphics/en_us/assets/downloads/pdf/DP_Cyrel_DS_DPR_us_low.pdf., 2 pages.
“DuPont™ Cyrel® NOWS: Rugged, High-Performance Analog Plate,” DuPont, 2007, retrieved from http:www2.dupont.com/packaging_graphics/en_us/assests/downloads/pdf/Cyrel_NOWS.pdf, 2 pages.
“EPDM Rubber,” Wikipedia, Oct. 24, 2014, retrieved from http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/EPDM_rubber, 3 pages.
Extended Search Report for European Patent Application No. 14810948.1, dated Apr. 11, 2017 10 pages.
“Flexographic Ink,” Wikipedia, Sep. 18, 2014, retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/flexographic_ink, 2 pages.
“Flexography,” Wikipedia, Dec. 15, 2014, retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/flexographic, 6 pages.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International (PCT) Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/041713, dated Dec. 15, 2015 6 pages.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International (PCT) Patent Application No. PCT/US2016/027576, dated Jul. 22, 2016 6 pages.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International (PCT) Patent Application No. PCT/US16/27576, dated Jul. 22, 2016 5 pages.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International (PCT) Patent Application No. PCT/US14/41713, dated Oct. 10, 2014 8 pages.
“Laser Engraving,” Wikipedia, Jan. 16, 2015, retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/laser_engraving, 10 pages.
“Luminous Paint,” Wikipedia, Jul. 7, 2014, retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/luminous_paint, 4 pages.
Mine, “How Offset Printing Works,” retrieved on Feb. 9, 2015 from www.howstuffworks.com/offset-printing.htm/printable, 5 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 14/301,018, dated Apr. 6, 2016 10 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 15/231,128, dated Jan. 5, 2018 8 pages.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 14/686,517, dated Sep. 13, 2016 9 pages.
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/301,018, dated Aug. 14, 2015 10 pages.
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/005,873, dated Aug. 26, 2015, 27 pages.
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/301,018, dated Dec. 15, 2015 8 pages.
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/686,517, dated Jan. 15, 2016 8 pages.
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/231,128, dated Jul. 13, 2017 8 pages.
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/686,517, dated Jul. 6, 2016 9 pages.
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/301,018, dated May 13, 2015 5 pages.
Official Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/686,517, dated Oct. 15, 2015 5 pages Restriction Requirement.
“Offset Lithography,” PrintWiki, retrieved Feb. 9, 2015 from http://printwiki.org/offset_lithography, 8 pages.
Office Action for corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-530183 and Translation (6 pages).
“Offset Printing,” Wikipedia, Dec. 11, 2014, retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/offset_printing, 12 pages.
“Offset Printing,” Offset Printing Technology, 2016, 4 pages [retrieved online from: www.offsetprintingtechnology.com].
“Offset Printing,” BusinessDictionary.com, 2015, 2 pages [retrieved online from: www.businessdictionary.com/definition/offset-printing.html].
“Offset Printing/Dry Offset,” Buse Printing & Packaging, 2016, 1 page [retrieved online from: buseprinting.com/offset_printing.html].
“Plate,” PrintWiki, retrieved Feb. 9, 2015 from http://printwiki.org/Plate, 6 pages.
“Printmaking,” Wikipedia, Feb. 12, 2015, retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/printmaking, 14 pages.
Third Party Observations for European Patent Application No. 14810948.1, dated Jan. 29, 2018 5 pages.
Third Party Observations for European Patent Application No. 14810948.1, dated Dec. 21, 2016 5 pages.
“What is Offset Printing (Offset Lithography)?” TechTarget, 2016, 13 pages [retrieved online from: whatis.techtarget.com/definition/offset-printing-offset-lithography].
Examination Search Report for corresponding Canadian Patent Application No. 2,968,923 dated Mar. 15, 2018 (3 pages).
Stolle Machinery Company, “Concord 36MRT Decorator, Operating and Maintenance Manual,” Centennial, CO, 133 pages.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20180009217 A1 Jan 2018 US