Patent Grant
7621217
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for delivering ink in a large offset printing press from the so-called page pack to the distribution head assembly. From the distribution head, the ink is transferred to a fountain roller, and from there to a series of conventional rollers in a newspaper printing application or other offset printing application.
According to the invention, there is a positive one-dimensional hinged connection between the page pack and other parts including the pivot block support base and the pivotable swing frame and related parts. In addition, the page pack preferably includes a manifold assembly which is readily detachable from its mating part, the stem assembly. The ink then preferably passes from page packs to the stem assembly, and then through various passages in the feed plate, the transfer plate and the pivot block support plates, then passes through a series of hollow hinge pins located by bearings and seals, and then finally to a series of interconnect hoses leading to the distribution head.
Because the swing frame mounting blocks pivot with respect to the pivot block support base, the ink passes through what is essentially a large multi-part hinge, allowing the distribution head and related parts to be swung toward and away from the fountain roller. Among the novel features are the structure of the parts and the manner in which the hinge and its associated parts function.
Prior art ink feed arrangement were quite different, with a plurality of hoses connecting the page pack(s) to the distribution head. Accordingly, this left a large array of free hoses, which were required to have a certain amount of flexibility because of their great length. Such hoses commonly began and continued to gather ink dust or other dust and impeded the ability to operate the swing frame in a clean manner. The hoses accordingly led directly from the page packs to the distribution head with a major part of the mechanism being not only subject to accumulation of dust and dirt, but this also kept the page packs surrounded by hoses and unable to be easily removed for maintenance.
Usually, there were 32 hoses in a four-page array, and these in turn were fed from a large manifold containing the printing ink. Accordingly, the ink was first passed into a plurality of page packs and then, from there, over the entire array and directly into the distribution head.
It would be desirable if a better arrangement of hoses and page packs or the like could be incorporated into a printing press.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for delivering ink in a large offset printing press.
Another object is to insure that, with the swing frame mounting blocks pivoting with respect to the pivot block support base, the ink could be routed along what is essentially a multi-part hinge from the page pack to the distribution head.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the hinge was, in effect, pivotable about the pivot block support base, and the ink would travel axially along a hinge pin and then at right angles to the hinge pin in the swing frame mounting block and ultimately toward the interconnect hose.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a hinge system with a plurality of hinge pins, each pin having its end in an ink filled pocket, and in which the pivot block support bases would incorporate vertical ink passages and the swing frame mounting blocks would allow radial ink flow to the interconnect hoses.
Another object is to incorporate an axial hinge pin into the two ends of the swing frame mounting block for movement allowed by a series of bearings incorporated into the pivot block support base.
A further object is to incorporate ink seals which would ride on the hinge pins on their inside diameter and on the swing frame mounting block on their outside diameter.
Another object of the invention is to incorporate short interconnect hoses for ink between the swing frame mounting block and the distribution head assembly.
Another object of the invention is to provide a readily removable series of page packs, whereby the page packs could be removed and cleaned without tools and without difficulty.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a page pack with a series of ink passages terminating in stem receiving structures which register with but are removable from stem assemblies.
Another object of the invention is to provide a stem assembly which can accommodate a stem receiving structure in the page pack, and in which the stem receiving structures drops freely over the stem assembly.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a stem assembly which registers with the stem receiving structure in the page pack and allows the stem receiver and the stem to be treated as a unit in use.
Accordingly, there is typically a long, multi-part hinge, substantially the same width as the length of the distribution head, with the hinges serving as a conduit for the ink, which is fed from the page pack(s), preferably separable from the stems, through the fixed parts of the hinge, to the movable parts thereof and finally to the interconnect hoses and to the distribution head.
These and other objects in the manner of their attainment will become more clear when considered in connection with the following detailed description of the invention and shown in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout.
The invention is typically embodied in a large offset press, which normally would have two to six page packs and a continuous series of rollers extending the width of the press. In such presses, it is always necessary to have a movable distribution head swing through an arc to go from an operating position, wherein it is adjacent to the fountain roller, and in another position, wherein the distribution head assembly and related parts are spaced apart from the fountain roller. A description will now be made of a typical offset press, and the portions thereof with which the invention is concerned.
Accordingly, and referring now to
The transfer blade 30 lies just below the narrow end of the ink passage 32. An adapter plate 34 comes next, and this is secured to a spacer block 36, which in turn is attached to the swing frame 38. The swing frame in turn is attached to the swing frame mounting block 40. These parts, together with the interconnect hose 42 and its individual fittings 44, 46 constitute the moveable parts of the distribution head assembly. These portions are adapted to swing counterclockwise as shown in the drawings, to leave a substantial space between the distribution head assembly and the fountain roller.
Portions of the press unit which are fixed include a pivot block support base 48, a transfer plate 50, and a feed plate 52. Each of the feed plate and the transfer plate are drilled, milled, or otherwise machined to provide passages 54, 56, for ink to flow therethrough. Accordingly, the ink flows through the vertical passage 58 into a stationary pocket 59 in the pivot block support base 48. The remainder of these components and their functions will be described presently.
Referring now in particular to
The ink from here flows down through another horizontal passage 70 in the stem receiver, and into the stem housing 72 which connects removably with a stem generally designated 74. The stem 74 is shown to include a circular sidewall portion 76, plural O rings 78, 80, 82, and a center passage 84. The ink then passes from the center passage 84 through the short vertical passage 86 and then horizontally through the passage 88, where it meets with the passage 90 (
The function of the page pack is to feed separate streams of ink as desired by the layout of the paper and yet to be readily removable from the press for purposes of maintenance, changing the type or color of ink, etc. This can be done readily as the assembly 62, including all of the various passages is removable as a unit.
At this point, assuming that the ink has flowed through the various passages from the reservoir of the page pack 62, it will flow as shown in
The hollow hinge pin 100 is centered in the swing frame mounting block 40, and the pivot block support base 48 remains immobile at all times. The swing frame mounting block 40 pivots through an arc of perhaps 45 degrees. The small chamber or pocket 59 is filled with ink at up to 100 p.r.i. The seal 106 keeps the ink from leaking into the bearing assembly. The radial load is taken by a bearing assembly generally designated 108. This assembly 108 includes a center series of balls 110, a cage 112 and pair of shims on either of its sides 114, 116. The passage 102 in the hollow hinge pin 100 communicates with a radial passage 118 which in turn communicates with the fitting 46 at one end of interconnect hose 42.
From the foregoing example, one may appreciate that there will be a number of different manners in which the fountain roller and the distribution head may be separated from each other and return to their initial position from time to time. Accordingly, while the preferred apparatus for performing this function includes a distribution head and spacers, adapters, and swing frames, etc. as well as interconnect hoses for each column to be printed, this construction is only exemplary. The main concept is that a plurality of hinged pieces are located by hinge pins which have a hollow bore in their middle, and each of which serves to transfer the direction of the ink flowing therein from radial to axial to radial again, and then to the printing apparatus.
Likewise, the construction of the hinge mechanism is only exemplary. The preferred method includes a seal 106 closely surrounding the diameter of the hinge pin, and this seal includes a garter spring 120 for creating a radial load on the hinge pin 100, a radially outwardly acting spring 122 for maintaining a radial load on the housing 48 in which the seal 106 is located. In this way, the seal 120 is secure and it keeps the ink in the pocket, and also keeps the grease out of the pocket and in the bearing area where it is desired to be kept.
The construction has been shown using ball bearings, however, other methods might be used including roller or tapered roller bearings, or merely bushings, which would allow the bearings to be eliminated. The object here is to allow the hinge pins to be positively located with respect to the movable parts of the structure.
An example has been shown wherein the pivot frame mounting block uses a couple of fittings for the interconnect hoses. This is the best use of the application; however, it is not necessary that these flexible hoses be used, or the fittings be used with them, since another method of making this connection will occur to those skilled in the art. Likewise, the hoses have been shown to exit the fitting in pairs, but it is not strictly necessary that this be done. The most effective presently preferred way has been that which is described.
Regarding the page pack, the preferred method of providing the page pack so as to make it readily removable is the present concept. For example, the O-rings make an easily manufactured seal allowing the stem and the receiver to interfit is the preferred method, but another form of seal could be used, or the seal could be located elsewhere in the system. Likewise, the provision of the various holes or passages through the feed plate and the transfer plate is made so as to be most convenient and effective in the present application. However, every angle and turn is not necessary.
The page pack support is provided to limit the downward travel of the page pack, but other constructions could be used.
It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a construction having a number of advantages and characteristics including those pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention. Variations and changes to the described structure will occur to those skilled in the art, and such variations and changes may be made without departing from the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20080210113 A1 | Sep 2008 | US |
