Printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder and method for producing the same

Abstract

A printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder of a rotary printing press includes a dimensionally stable support plate with a printing blanket secured to an outer surface of the support plate. A filler material is arranged on at least one end of the printing blanket. This filler material extends radially at least to an outside surface of the printing blanket. It also extends on the outside of the printing blanket in a longitudinal direction of the printing blanket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to printing blanket units or assemblies of a printing blanket cylinder of a printing press, as well as to methods for producing such a printing blanket assembly. The assemblies include a support plate and a printing blanket. A filler material is arranged on at least one end of the printing blanket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Printing blanket assemblies or units are fastened on a printing blanket cylinder of a printing press and are used in offset printing for transferring the print image from the forme cylinder to the web of material to be imprinted. To provide the required mechanical strength for the printing blanket unit, a support plate which is made, for example, of sheet steel or sheet aluminum, is employed. A printing blanket, which can be configured in the manner of a rubber blanket, for example, is fastened on the outside of the support plate. Folded or angled plate end legs, which are free of the printing blanket, are provided at the leading end and/or the trailing end of the support plate. These legs are used for fixing the printing blanket unit in place on the printing blanket cylinder. These legs can be inserted, for example, into a slit which is provided in the printing blanket cylinder and can be fixed in place in the slit to secure the blanket assembly to the blanket cylinder.

A problem in connection with known printing blanket units is that the printing blanket does not cover the support plate seamlessly. A gap frequently remains between the leading and the trailing ends of the printing blanket and the support plate. No printing ink can be transferred, in the area of the gap, to the web of material to be imprinted. Furthermore, the print image is of reduced quality at the edges of the printing blanket in the direction toward the gap. Therefore, several solutions are known in the prior art, by the use of which solutions the disadvantages caused by the provision of a gap between the ends of the printing blanket have attempted to be avoided.

A printing blanket unit is known from DE 195 47 917 A1. The two ends of the printing blanket overlap each other with a positive connection in order to reduce the gap that typically is located between the ends of the printing blanket.

A printing blanket unit is known from DE 195 21 645 A1. A slide is arranged between the two legs of the support plate. In this prior art arrangement, the outward pointing end of the slide is connected with a filler element. The gap between the ends of the printing blanket is closed by the filler element.

A printing blanket unit is known from DE 195 43 584 C1. In this device the printing blanket is put together from a plurality of layers. A top layer of the plurality of layers covers the front areas of the layers underneath it and in this way forms a protrusion, by the use of which protrusion the gap at the ends is reduced.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,298 discloses a printing blanket unit with a support plate, whose ends are folded. The printing blanket, which is arranged on the support plate, is sealed at the front.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,550 discloses a printing blanket unit with a printing blanket arranged on a support plate. A support element is arranged in the groove in the support plate, which support element supports the projecting end of the printing blanket.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,525,003 shows a device for producing a printing blanket unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,093 discloses a printing plate with a reinforced end and an associated device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is directed to printing blanket units of a printing blanket cylinder of a printing press, as well as to methods for producing such printing blanket units.

In accordance with the present invention, this object is attained by the provision of a printing blanket unit for use on a printing blanket cylinder of a rotary printing press. The printing blanket unit has a dimensionally stable support plate and a printing blanket which is fastened on an exterior surface of the support plate. A filler material is arranged on at least one end of the printing blanket and extends at least as far as an exterior surface of the printing blanket. This filler material, which is embodied as a support element, extends in a longitudinal direction of the printing blanket on the outside of the printing blanket facing away from the support plate. The support plate typically has two folded legs with the filler material being on folds that form the folded legs.

An advantage of the printing blanket unit or assembly in accordance with the present invention lies, in particular, in that by the use of this printing blanket unit or assembly, in which a filler material is arranged in the area of a virtual extension of the exterior of the printing blanket in the longitudinal direction of the printing blanket, a gap between the ends of the printing blanket is minimized. In this connection, it is easily within the scope of the present invention for the protrusion of the filler material to be selected to be so large that, in its installed position, the two ends of the printing blanket come to rest against each other.

The filler materials, which are also called support elements, are used for supporting a counter-cylinder, and in particular for supporting a forme cylinder or a plate cylinder, in the radial direction.

A multitude of fastening solutions are possible for use in fastening the filler material on the printing blanket unit. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the filler material is fastened on the support plate in the area of the plate fold and/or on the inside of the printing blanket by a material-to-material contact, such as, in particular by being glued on or by being applied by vulcanization.

The filler material can be produced in a particularly simple manner if it is made using the same material as is used for the printing blanket, such as, for example, of rubber or a similar material, or of the same material as the support plate, such as, for example, of metal. It is then conceivable, in particular, to form the filler material as one piece together with the printing blanket or with the support plate.

Printing blanket materials, which have only a minimal gap, can be produced in a relatively uncomplicated way by using the production method in accordance with the present invention.

The execution of the method in accordance with the present invention takes place in a device located outside of the printing press, in which device, at least the support plate, with the already applied printing blanket attached, is arranged. The flowable filler material is introduced into a mold of the device, where it is applied to the ends of the support plate, at least one leg of which support plate has already been folded.

The filler material is placed in the areas around the folds of the legs and is shaped by slides which are attached to the device which is located separate from the printing press. Thereafter, the filler material is processed in accordance with the required measurements.

In an alternative method in accordance with the present invention, filler material is applied to the support plate, which support plate has at least one folded end and on which support plate the printing blanket has already applied, in the area of the fold of the support plate. This filler material is connected with a front face of the end.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the printing blanket unit or assembly has at least one end of a greater thickness than in an area of the unit or assembly located between the two ends, so that the outer surface of the printing blanket unit in the area of this end, protrudes, in the radial direction of the cylinder at least partially past the virtual extension of the exterior of the printing blanket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in what follows.

Shown are in:

FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of a printing blanket unit, in accordance with the present invention, in a first production phase, in

FIG. 2, the printing blanket unit shown in FIG. 1, in a second production phase, in

FIG. 3, the printing blanket unit shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and in a third production phase, in

FIG. 4, a second preferred embodiment of a printing blanket unit in accordance with the present invention, in

FIG. 5, a third preferred embodiment of a printing blanket unit in a partial cross sectional view, in

FIGS. 6 and 7, first and second embodiments of a production method for producing a printing blanket unit in accordance with the present invention, in

FIG. 8, a preferred embodiment of the printing blanket unit made in accordance with the production method of FIG. 7 and with thickened ends, in

FIGS. 9 to 11, preferred embodiments of further production methods for a printing blanket unit, and in

FIG. 12, a preferred embodiment of the printing blanket unit in accordance with FIG. 3 with thickened ends.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A printing blanket unit in accordance with the present invention and as represented at 01, 17, or 41 in FIG. 1 to FIG. 12, and whose thickness d01, as seen in FIG. 4 is, for example, 1.6 mm, consists of a dimensionally stable support plate 02, 18 or 42, respectively, of a thickness d02, as seen in FIG. 4, of approximately 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, and of a printing blanket 03, 19 or 43, respectively, fastened on the support plate 02, 18, 42. The support plate 02, 18 or 42 is made of metal, such as, for example, sheet steel or sheet aluminum. The printing blanket 03, 19 or 43 can be embodied, for example, in the manner of a rubber blanket 03, 19, 43 respectively, and in particular can be fabricated several layers of different materials.

The leading and trailing printing blanket unit securement legs 04 and 06, 21 and 22, or 44 and 46 respectively, which are free of and are not overlaid by the printing blanket, are folded downward at the leading and at the trailing end of the support plate 02, 18, 42 by the use of a folding machine which is not shown, so that the now angled or folded legs 04, 06, 21, 22, 44, 46 can later be used for fastening the printing blanket unit on a printing blanket cylinder 05, as shown in FIG. 4. The folded leg 06, 21, 46 at the leading end, together with the support plate 02, 18, 42 following it, forms an acute opening angle α06, in particular of 30 to 60 degrees, and preferably of 40 to 50 degrees. The folded leg 04, 22, 44 which is situated at the plate trailing end, together with the center element 07, 35, 47 of the adjoining support plate 02, 18, 42, respectively, following it, has an opening angle α04 of 45 to 150 degrees, and in particular of 80 to 100 degrees. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the angle size α04 is 120 to 150 degrees. The center element 07, 35, 47 of the support plate 02, 18, 42 respectively, which is completely covered by the printing blanket 03, 19, 43, respectively and which is facing toward the outside, extends between the legs 04 and 06, 21 and 22, or 44 and 46, respectively. Fold lines or fold zones 08 and 09, 27 and 28, or 48 and 49 are located at, and extend at the transition between the center element 07, 35, 47 on the one side and the legs 04, 22, 44, or 06, 21, 46 on the other side.

In the printing blanket unit production phase, which is represented in FIG. 1, the support plate 06, as well as the printing blanket 03, are both configured as being approximately flat, so that the printing blanket 03 can be fastened on the support plate 02 free of tension and deformation. To this end, the printing blanket 03 can be glued and/or can be vulcanized to the support plate 02 using any suitable process.

The legs 04 and 06, which are free of the printing blanket 03, are folded downward in a folding machine, in a procedure which is not specifically depicted, and the result is shown in FIG. 2.

The folds 08 and 09 or fold lines or fold zones are produced in the folding machine in such a way that the result is that each of the two ends 11 and 12 of the printing blanket 03 protrude some distance past their respective one of the folds 08 and 09. A resultant space between the protruding ends 11 and 12 of the printing blanket 03 on the one hand, and the support plate 02 on the other, is filled with a suitable filler material 13, 14, which filler material 13, 14 is also called a support element 13 and 14. The filler material 13 and 14 can be provided, for example, by applying a curable rubber material, for example.

The filler material 13, 14 is preferably deformable and/or flowable while it is being applied.

A portion of the resultant printing blanket unit 01 is shown, in its installed position, in FIG. 3. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that in the installed position, the two support plate legs 04 and 06 extend at complementary angles to, and parallel to each other, so that they can be fastened together in a slit in a printing cylinder, which is not specifically represented. Because of the protrusion of the ends 11 and 12 of the printing blanket 03. A width of the resultant gap 16 between the ends 11 and 12 of the printing blanket 03 is minimized. It is possible, for example, to minimize the width of the gap 16 to a width of less than 0.5 mm.

The distance between the folds or fold lines or fold zones 08, 09 substantially corresponds to the distance a01 of the opening in the cylinder surface and is less than 3 mm. In particular, the opening a01 is less than 2.0 mm.

Because of the support of the protruding ends 11 and 12 of the printing blanket 03 by the filler material 13 and 14, a suitable print transfer from the printing blanket 03 to a web of material to be imprinted is achieved in this area defined by the blanket protruding ends 11 and 12.

As represented in FIG. 4, a distance a02 between the oppositely located ends 11, 12 of the printing blanket 03 is 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm, and preferably is 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the distance a02 is 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, and in particular is 0.5 mm.

The fold 08 of the trailing end leg 04 has a radius R of 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm, and in particular of 0.8 mm, as shown in FIG. 4.

The fold 09 of the leading end leg 06 has a radius R of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm, and in particular of 0.5 mm, also as shown in FIG. 4.

A length L13, L14 of each respective support element 13, 14 in the circumferential direction is 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm, and in particular is from 0.1 mm to 1.3 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a length L13, L14 of each of the support elements 13, 14 is 0.7 mm.

As represented in FIG. 4, the filler material 13, 14 can be formed in different shapes. For example, the filler material 13 has an acute angle, while the filler material 14 is shaped generally right-angled.

The measurements described for FIG. 4 can be substantially transferred to all of the embodiments of the present invention, which are represented in all of the drawing figures.

A third embodiment of a printing blanket unit, in accordance with the present invention, is represented in FIG. 5. This printing blanket unit also has a support plate 18 of sheet steel and a printing blanket 19 of rubber. To produce the printing blanket unit, first the support plate 18 is fastened, by utilization of its legs 21 and 22, on a processing cylinder, whose shape corresponds to the shape of the printing blanket cylinder in the printing press on which the printing blanket unit is ultimately to be fastened. Following this placement, a sealing element 23 is inserted into the gap 26 between the legs 21 and 22 and is used for closing the gap 26 at the bottom of the gap 26. Thereafter, a liquid elastomer material is applied to the outside of the support plate 18 in such a way that the support plate 18 is enclosed in a continuous sub-structure layer 24 of this liquid elastomer. In the area of the oppositely located legs 21 and 22 of the support plate, the sub-structure layer 24 fills the gap 26 which is the space between the oppositely located folds or fold lines or fold zones 27 and 28.

Subsequently, a suitable printing blanket 19 is fastened on the sub-structure layer 24, by being, for example, applied by vulcanization. The gap 26, which continues between the ends 31 and 32 of the printing blanket 19, is closed by filler material, here also called sealing material 29, which, for example, may be a curable elastomeric material, and which is thereafter ground at the outside for producing a uniform cylindrical outer surface.

At the end of the process, the sealing material 29 and the sub-structure layer 24 are cut through along a cutting line 33, as seen in FIG. 5, so that the printing blanket unit can be removed from the processing cylinder and can subsequently be mounted on a printing blanket cylinder. Separate support elements 34 and 36 are formed by the separation of the sub-structure layer 24, which separate support elements 34 and 36 support the respective ends 31 and 32 of the printing blanket 19 from below. In the course of mounting the printing blanket unit on a printing blanket cylinder, the lateral faces of the support elements 34 and 36, which lateral faces were formed by the cut along the cutting line 33, can come into a positively connected contact with each other.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show preferred embodiments of a different production method for the production of a printing blanket unit similar in structure to the one depicted in FIG. 3.

As previously described, at least one end of the support plate 42 is folded. The support plate 42 is now placed on a base body 53 of a device 41 which device 41 is provided with at least one slide 54, 56, which slide or slides 54, 56 will be described in what follows. At least one of the slides 54, 56 is movable with respect to the base body 53 and/or with respect to the other slide 56, 54. The geometry of this base body 53 is matched to the geometry of the support plate 42. Both slides 54, 56 of the device 41 are initially open. The support plate 42 is now adjusted to the required cylinder circumference or to the required folding measure by the use of an adjustment mechanism 57. Both slides 54, 56 are closed. The filler material 51, 52 is subsequently poured or is pressed into the gap in a positively connected manner. Depending on the shape of the slides 54, 56, a flat sub-structure, such as one which is flush with the support plate 42, or a raised sub-structure is attained. The slides 54, 56 act as molds 54, 56 for the filler material 51, 52. In this case, at least one of the filler materials 51, 52 protrudes in the radial direction past a virtual extension V42 of the exterior of the support plate 42. Now the filler material 51, 52 is pulled or is ground to be flush by the use of a further device 58. Subsequently the printing blanket 43 is applied to the support plate 42 and to the filler material 51, 52. This can be performed with the aid of a stop 59, which can be placed against an end of the printing blanket 43, as seen in FIG. 8. At the end of the production process, the slides 54, 56 are opened and the printing blanket unit is vulcanized. This vulcanization can be performed inside the device 41, and can also be accomplished outside of the device 41.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a particularly preferred production method for making a further printing blanket unit. This embodiment makes it possible to close or to reinforce a groove of a cylinder.

In the method shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the filler material 51, 52 extends in a virtual extension V43 of the exterior of the printing blanket 43 in the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the circumferential direction of the printing blanket 43. In this case, the filler material 51, 52 can protrude, in the longitudinal direction, past one end 61, 62, as well as past both ends 61, 62 of the printing blanket 43. In the radial direction, the filler material 51, 52 can protrude at least partially past the virtual extension V43 of the exterior of the printing blanket 43, as may be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11.

This embodiment is accomplished by the following production method. As previously described, at least one end of the support plate 42 is folded. The printing blanket 43 is then applied to the support plate 42. In this case, it is unimportant whether or not the printing blanket 43 has already been vulcanized. Subsequently, the slides 54, 56 are closed. Now, the filler material 51, 52, for use in closing and reinforcing a groove, is pressed or is poured in. Depending on how the slide 54, 56 is configured, a corresponding shape of the filler material 51, 52 is attained. Thereafter, the filler material 51, 52 is shaped to the exact size. Depending on the needs, the vulcanization process can subsequently take place either inside of or outside of the device 41.

The two above-described production methods thus differ in that, in the embodiments in accordance with FIGS. 6 to 8, the filler material 51, 52 is arranged between the support plate 42 and the printing blanket 43, wherein the filler material 51, 52 is first arranged on the support plate 42 and then the printing blanket 43 is put in place. In the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 9 to 11, the support plate 42 is connected with the printing blanket 43, and the filler material 51, 52 is then introduced. An exterior surface of the filler material 51, 52, which is arranged on the exterior in the radial direction, is not covered by the printing blanket 43.

As represented in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12, the printing blanket unit 41 has at least one end of a greater thickness than an area which is located between the two ends, so that the outer surface of the printing blanket unit, in the area of this end, protrudes at least partially past the virtual extension V43 of the exterior of the printing blanket 43. In particular, this outer surface is embodied in a wedge shape. For thickening the end, the filler material 51, 52 is arranged at the ends of the printing blanket 43. In FIGS. 8 and 12, an undercoating of the printing blanket at 43 can be seen, while in FIG. 11, a filling of the printing blanket 43 is represented.

The embodiment with thickened ends in FIG. 8, in the state where it is mounted on the cylinder, correspondingly also applies to FIG. 11.

In the state where the printing blanket unit is mounted on the printing blanket cylinder, this thickened end, or both thickened ends extend in a radial direction past a virtual extension of the adjoining rubber blanket. An effective radius of the mounted rubber blanket is thus greater in the area of the ends. The area located in between is very much larger, and in particular is at least ten times greater, than the area of the ends. The thickening preferably extends in the circumferential direction by less than 10 mm, and in particular it extends less than 5 mm.

Accordingly, in the state where the printing blanket unit is mounted on the printing blanket cylinder, a radius R11 R12, as seen in FIG. 12 of the cylinder, in relation to the exterior of the printing blanket 03, or in relation to the outside of the filler material 13, 14, is greater, at least in the area of an end of the printing blanket unit, than a radius R03 of the cylinder, in relation to the exterior of the printing blanket, in the area between the two ends.

The printing blanket unit in accordance with the present invention has an increased radius R11, R12, in the circumferential direction, of less than 10 mm, and in particular of less than 5 mm.

In accordance with all of the disclosed methods, the filler material 13, 14, 29, 51, 52 is introduced in a flowable, deformable state at least to one end of the two ends of the printing blanket unit. The filler material 13, 14, 29, 51, 52 is arranged, in the longitudinal direction, at least partially on a fold 08, 09, 27, 28, 48, 49 of the folded leg 04, 06, 21, 22, 44, 46 of the support plate 03, 18, 42 and protrudes, in the circumferential direction, past the fold 08, 09, 27, 28, 48, 49. After its application, the outside of the filler material 13, 14, 29, 51, 52 can be shaped to an appropriate exact size. Preferably, the filler material 13, 14, 29, 51, 52 can be embodied as one piece. The materials of the printing blanket 03, 04 and of the filler material 13, 14, 29, 51, 52 can be identical or they can be different.

As represented in FIG. 10, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length L51, L52 of the filler material 51, 52 is more than 0.1 mm, and in particular is more than 0.4 mm. However, this length is less than 2 mm, and in particular is less than 5 mm.

For producing printing blanket units, with printing blanket units which initially lie stretched out, either preferably flat or slightly arched, the filler material 51, 52, or the support elements 13, 14 or are is introduced at ends of the printing blanket unit facing away from each other, except for the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5.

A device 41 consisting of several parts, can be employed to produce the printing blanket unit, wherein at least two elements of the device 41, such as, for example, the slides 54, 56, are movable in relation to each other. In connection with this, it is possible, for example for use in producing thickened ends of the printing blanket unit, that at least the surface of the printing blanket, which is resting against the filler material 51, 52 protrudes, in the direction of the exterior of the printing blanket unit, at least partially past the virtual extension V43 of the exterior of the printing blanket 43, or that at least the surface of the printing blanket resting against the filler material 51, 52 protrudes in the direction of the exterior of the printing blanket unit at least partially past the virtual extension V42 of the exterior of the support plate 42 with the printing blanket 43 not yet applied to the support plate 42. The spacing between the two elements, for example between the two slides 54, 56, should be adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the printing blanket unit. At least one surface of one of the two elements, such as the slides 54, 56, rests against the filler material 51, 52, and at least one surface can rest against a folded leg 44, 46 of the support plate 42. At least the surface resting against the filler material 51, 52 can protrude, in the direction of the exterior of the printing blanket unit, at least partially past the virtual extension V43 of the exterior of the printing blanket 43. Alternatively, at least the surface of the printing blanket resting against the filler material 51, 52 can protrude in the direction of the exterior of the printing blanket unit at least partially past the virtual extension V42 of the exterior of the support plate 42 with the printing blanket 43 not yet applied to the support plate 42. At least one other device 58, such as, for example, a tool 58 for processing at least the outside of the filler material 51, 52, can be arranged on the device 41.

At least one support 53, such as, for example, the base body 53, should be arranged in the device 41 for use in receiving the support plate 42. The inside of the support plate 42 rests on this support 53.

The support 53 can consist of several elements. At least one element of the support 53 cooperates with a leading leg 46 of the support plate 42. Another element of the support 53 works with the trailing leg 44 of the support plate 42.

Preferably one element of the support 53 can change its position with respect to the other element of the support 53.

The device 41 can also have elements for folding the ends of the support plate 42. It can thus be embodied as a folding machine.

Embodiments wherein the support plate has only one folded leg are not specifically represented. In these cases, the filler material can be arranged on the fold of the one folded leg and on the other, non-folded end of the support plate.

The second end of the printing blanket unit is then not arranged in any groove. Instead it is positioned only on the exterior of the barrel of the printing blanket cylinder.

It applies to all of the above-described printing blanket units and methods, that the support or filler material 13, 14, 34, 36, 51, 52 is arranged, or can be arranged on the printing blanket unit, prior to the mounting of the printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder.

The support or filler material 13, 14, 34, 36, 51, 52, can also be used, for example, for supporting a counter-cylinder in the radial direction, because the printing blanket cylinder is in contact with a counter-cylinder, such as, for example, a forme cylinder or a plate cylinder. The forme cylinder has at least one groove, in which at least one associated printing plate is fastened. In this case, the filler material 13, 14, 34, 36, 51, 52 works together with a printing plate of the counter-cylinder in that they mutually support each other.

While preferred embodiments of a printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder and methods for producing a printing blanket assembly, in accordance with the present invention have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various change in, for example, the structure of the printing press in which the blanket cylinder is used, the drive for the blanket cylinder, and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1-69. (canceled)

70. A printing blanket unit for a printing blanket cylinder of a printing press comprising: a dimensionally stable support plate including a plate exterior surface with leading and trailing plate ends; a printing blanket fastened on said plate exterior surface and having printing blanket ends spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of said printing blanket, and a printing blanket exterior surface; and a filler material on at least a portion of said support plate and being embodied as a support element, said filler material engaging at least one end of said printing blanket and extending radially to at least said printing blanket exterior surface and extending from said at least one of said printing blanket ends in said longitudinal direction of said printing blanket at a length greater than 0.1 mm.

71. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 further including at least one folded end leg on at least one end of said support plate and including a fold zone at a juncture of said support plate and said end legs, said filler material being arranged at least partially on said fold zone at said at least one folded end leg.

72. The printing blanket unit of claim 71 further including folded end legs at each of said support plate ends.

73. The printing blanket unit of claim 72 wherein said filler material is located on both of said folded zones of both of said folded end legs.

74. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said length is greater than 0.4 mm.

75. The printing blanket u nit of claim 70 wherein said length is less than 2 mm.

76. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said length is less than 5 mm.

77. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said filler material has a filler material thickness and said printing blanket has a printing blanket thickness which is less than said filler material thickness.

78. The printing blanket unit of claim 71 wherein said at least one folded end leg defines an acute angle with said support plate.

79. The printing blanket unit of claim 71 wherein said at least one folded end leg is arranged at said leading end of said support plate of said printing blanket unit.

80. The printing blanket unit of claim 72 wherein said folded end leg at said trailing end of said support plate forms an opening angle of between 45° and 150° with said support plate.

81. The printing blanket unit of claim 80 wherein said angle is between 80° and 100°.

82. The printing blanket unit of claim 80 wherein said angle is between 1200 and 150°.

83. The printing blanket unit of claim 71 wherein said filler material extends at least partially past said fold zone on said at least one folded end leg.

84. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said filler material extends in said longitudinal direction of said printing blanket at a virtual extension of said printing blanket exterior surface.

85. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said filler material extends radially at least in part past a virtual extension of said printing blanket exterior surface.

86. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said filler material engages both of said ends of said printing blanket.

87. The printing blanket unit of claim 72 wherein said filler material extends around both of said fold zones.

88. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein when said printing blanket unit is mounted on the printing blanket cylinder, said filler material on said at least one end of said printing blanket is not connected with filler material on another end of said printing blanket.

89. The printing blanket unit of claim 88 wherein said filler material on said at least one end of said printing blanket is spaced from filler material on another end of said printing blanket.

90. A method for providing a printing blanket unit for use on a printing blanket cylinder of a printing press including: providing a dimensionally stable support plate having longitudinally spaced leading and trailing plate ends and with an exterior support plate surface; providing a printing blanket having printing blanket ends and a printing blanket exterior surface; fastening said printing blanket on said support plate exterior surface; providing a printing blanket unit processing device separate from the printing blanket cylinder; placing at least said support plate on said processing device; adding a filler material to at least one end of said support plate in said processing device; and vulcanizing said printing blanket unit after adding said filler material.

91. The method of claim 90 further including a mold in said processing device and adding said filler material to said mold.

92. The method of claim 91 further including adding said filler material in a flowable state.

93. The method of claim 90 further including deforming said filler material during said adding of said filler material.

94. The method of claim 90 further including folding at least one of said support plate ends and adding said filler material after folding said at least one support plate end legs.

95. The method of claim 90 further including providing separate filler materials at both of said ends of said support plate.

96. The method of claim 90 further including folding both of said support plate end legs and adding said filler material to both of said ends of said support plate.

97. The method of claim 96 further including adding said filler material after folding said end legs.

98. The method of claim 90 further including arranging said printing blanket on said support plate before adding said filler material.

99. The method of claim 90 further including forming an exterior surface of said added filler material and processing said filler material exterior surface.

100. The method of claim 91 further including opening said mold after adding said filler material.

101. The method of claim 91 further including providing at least a first mold surface and moving said at least first mold surface in a longitudinal direction of said support plate.

102. The method of claim 101 further including providing a second mold surface, locating said first and second mold surfaces at leading and trailing plate ends, and moving both of said first and second mold surfaces in said longitudinal direction of said support plate.

103. A method for producing a printing blanket unit for use on a printing blanket cylinder of a printing press including: providing a dimensionally stable support plate having longitudinally spaced leading and trailing plate ends and with an exterior support plate surface; folding at least one of said leading and trailing plate ends along a fold zone; applying a printing blanket having longitudinally spaced printing blanket end faces and a printing blanket exterior surface to said exterior support plate surface; providing a filler material; applying said filler material to said support plate in an area of said fold zone; and connecting said applied filler material to at least one of said end faces of said printing blanket.

104. The method of claim 103 further including applying said filler material to both of said end faces of said printing blanket.

105. The method of claim 103 further including mounting said printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder and not connecting said printing blanket end faces and said filler material at said ends of said printing blanket.

106. The method of claim 103 further including mounting said printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder and maintaining said printing blanket end faces with said filler material out of touch.

107. A printing blanket unit for a printing blanket cylinder of a printing press comprising: a dimensionally stable support plate including a plate exterior surface and longitudinally spaced leading and trailing support plate ends; a printing blanket fastened on said support plate exterior surface and having printing blanket end faces and a printing blanket exterior surface; a filler material arranged on at least one of said printing blanket end faces; a first printing blanket unit thickness intermediate said printing blanket end faces; and a second printing blanket unit thickness at said at least one said printing blanket end face including said filler material, said second printing blanket unit thickness being greater than said first printing blanket unit thickness, said printing blanket unit end face including said filler material extending radially beyond a virtual exterior of said printing blanket unit intermediate said end faces.

108. The printing blanket unit of claim 107 wherein, with said printing blanket unit applied to the printing blanket cylinder, a first radius of said printing blanket unit in an area of said at least one end face with said filler material is greater than a second radius of said printing blanket unit intermediate said end faces.

109. The printing blanket unit of claim 107 wherein said filler material increases said second printing blanket unit thickness.

110. The printing blanket unit of claim 107 wherein said second printing blanket unit thickness is less than 10 mm greater than said first printing blanket unit thickness.

111. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said support plate is metal.

112. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said printing blanket is multi-layered.

113. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said filler material is one piece.

114. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said printing blanket is material different from said filler material.

115. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said printing blanket is the same material as said filler material.

116. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said filler material is placed on said support plate before said printing blanket.

117. The printing blanket unit of claim 108 wherein said first radius is greater than said second radius by less than 10 mm.

118. The printing blanket unit of claim 117 wherein said first radius is greater than said second radius by less than 5 mm.

119. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 further including a forme cylinder in contact with said printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder.

120. The printing blanket unit of claim 119 further including at least one printing plate on the forme cylinder.

121. The printing blanket unit of claim 119 further including at least one interruption on a surface of said forme cylinder.

122. The printing blanket unit of claim 120 wherein said filler material and said printing plate mutually support each other.

123. The printing blanket unit of claim 70 wherein said printing blanket is on top of said filler material.

124. The method of claim 103 further including making said support plate of metal.

125. The method of claim 103 further including providing said printing blanket being multi-layered.

126. The method of claim 103 further including providing said filler material as one piece.

127. The method of claim 103 further including providing said printing blanket of a material different from said filler material.

128. The method of claim 103 further including providing said printing blanket and said filler material of the same material.

129. The method of claim 103 further including applying said filler material to said printing blanket unit before mounting said printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder.

130. The method of claim 103 further including providing a forme cylinder and contacting said forme cylinder with the printing blanket cylinder.

131. The method of claim 130 further including providing at least one printing plate on said forme cylinder.

132. The method of claim 130 further including providing at least one surface interruption on a circumferential surface of said forme cylinder.

133. The method of claim 131 further including using said filler material and said printing plate for mutually supporting each other.