Patent US4239001A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4239001A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multicolor rotogravure printing system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-03-12
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Granted: 1980-12-16
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Expires: 1999-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A multicolor rotogravure printing system comprising a train of as many monochromatic printing units as the number of the colors required, each printing unit comprising an upper structure including an impression roll and a lower structure including a plate cylinder. These upper and lower structures are adapted to connect and disconnect from each other, and the upper structures are fixed to and suspended from a main frame. Each lower structure has a moving means, thus making it easy to change a used lower structure for a fresh one, and at the same time to perform necessary adjustment of those parts of the printing unit which are made accessible by removal of the lower structure. Also, the length of idle time in printing operation is appreciably reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Kataoka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:04
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F9/00; B41F9/06; B41F9/18; B41F13/00; B41F9/02; B41F9/023; B41F9/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
332 words
A multicolor rotogravure printing system comprising (a) a main frame comprised essentially of an elongated support beam means having two ends and of sufficient length to accommodate a plurality of printing stations side-by-side, and two legs fixedly supporting the support beam means at the two ends; (b) a rotary main drive shaft extending over the length of the support beam means for providing rotational motion; and (c) a monochromatic printing unit at each one of the printing stations, each printing unit including (1) an upper structure having a lower surface, the upper structure being fixedly suspended from the elongated support beam means of the main frame and comprising an impression roll mounted at a fixed distance from the beam means, a drier, a series of sheet guide rollers, a first positioner means on the lower surface of the upper structure, and a vertical drive shaft having one end coupled to the main drive shaft and receiving the rotational motion therefrom and an opposite end carrying one half of a coupling, (2) a movable lower structure having an upper surface and comprising a plate cylinder having a rotatable axle, a gear box at an end of the plate cylinder axle, the gear box including the other half of the coupling, the coupling halves being complementary and being engageable with each other for transmitting the rotational motion to the plate cylinder axle, an inking device, wheels for moving the lower structure away from the upper structure, and second positioner means on the upper surface of the lower structure, the first and second positioner means being complementary, and (3) vertical motion means mounted at each printing station below the lower structure and arranged for raising the lower structure into engagement with the upper structure, said engagement including engagement of the first and second positioner means and of the coupling halves whereby the printing system is put in condition for operation upon moving the lower structure into the printing station and actuating the vertical motion means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
332 words
A multicolor rotogravure printing system comprising (a) a main frame comprised essentially of an elongated support beam means having two ends and of sufficient length to accommodate a plurality of printing stations side-by-side, and two legs fixedly supporting the support beam means at the two ends; (b) a rotary main drive shaft extending over the length of the support beam means for providing rotational motion; and (c) a monochromatic printing unit at each one of the printing stations, each printing unit including (1) an upper structure having a lower surface, the upper structure being fixedly suspended from the elongated support beam means of the main frame and comprising an impression roll mounted at a fixed distance from the beam means, a drier, a series of sheet guide rollers, a first positioner means on the lower surface of the upper structure, and a vertical drive shaft having one end coupled to the main drive shaft and receiving the rotational motion therefrom and an opposite end carrying one half of a coupling, (2) a movable lower structure having an upper surface and comprising a plate cylinder having a rotatable axle, a gear box at an end of the plate cylinder axle, the gear box including the other half of the coupling, the coupling halves being complementary and being engageable with each other for transmitting the rotational motion to the plate cylinder axle, an inking device, wheels for moving the lower structure away from the upper structure, and second positioner means on the upper surface of the lower structure, the first and second positioner means being complementary, and (3) vertical motion means mounted at each printing station below the lower structure and arranged for raising the lower structure into engagement with the upper structure, said engagement including engagement of the first and second positioner means and of the coupling halves whereby the printing system is put in condition for operation upon moving the lower structure into the printing station and actuating the vertical motion means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The multicolor rotogravure printing system of claim 1, further comprising a plate cylinder cleaning station, a lower structure stand-by station and guide tracks for the wheels of the lower structures, the guide tracks interconnecting the printing stations, the cleaning station and the stand-by station for moving the lower structures between the stations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multicolor rotogravure printing system of claim 1, wherein one of the positioner means is a male pin and the other positioner means is a complementary female recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
The multicolor rotogravure printing system of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor means mounted at each printing station below the lower structure for moving the lower structure away from the upper structure after actuation of the vertical motion means to disengage the lower and upper structures from each other, the conveyor means extending transversely to the printing station to opposite sides thereof and having a length sufficient to allow the full length of the lower structure to be displaced in relation to the upper structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The multicolor rotogravure printing system of claim 4, wherein the conveyor means comprises an endless chain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The multicolor rotogravure printing system of claim 4, comprising a stand-by movable lower structure in a state ready to take the place of a used lower structure in one of the printing stations, the stand-by lower structure being placed on the conveyor means on one side thereof and operation of the conveyor means moving the stand-by lower structure into alignment with the upper structure in the printing station while moving the used lower structure to the opposite side.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-16 | 1984-06-16 | 1984-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-16 | 1988-06-16 | 1988-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-16 | 1992-06-16 | 1992-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |