| Goss International Americas, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120119429 | Signature Transport Device with Rotary Arm and Method - A signature transport device is provided. The signature transport device includes a first conveyor moving a stream of folded signatures in a first direction, a rotary arm having a gripper, the gripper gripping a folded signature from the stream by a fold, the rotary arm moving the folded signature in a second direction, a toothed drum engaging a portion of the folded signature, the rotary arm rotating past the toothed drum to open the folded signature and a second conveyor receiving the opened signature from the gripper as the rotary arm continues to rotate. A method is also provided. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120085256 | SELF-ADJUSTING BLANKET WASHER MECHANISM FOR CYLINDERS IN VARIABLE CUTOFF PRINTING PRESSES - A blanket washing apparatus for washing printing blankets of various circumferences on a blanket cylinder in a variable cutoff printing press is provided. The blanket washing apparatus includes a washer head, a movable bracket coupled to an axial end of the washer head, the movable bracket including a slidable portion to vary a position of the washer head based on the circumference of the printing blanket on the blanket cylinder. The blanket washing apparatus also includes a guide plate for guiding the movable bracket to maintain a prescribed gap between the washer head and the printing blanket on the blanket cylinder as the slidable portion of the movable bracket slides. A variable cutoff printing press and a method of adjusting a position of a blanket washing apparatus during a cutoff change in a printing unit of a printing press are also provided. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120085213 | Folder for Adjustably Tensioning a Web as the Web is Cut - A printing press folder is provided. The printing press folder includes a cutting apparatus cutting a moving web to form successive signatures, a first acceleration cylinder and a second acceleration cylinder. The first acceleration cylinder includes a first contacting segment and a first relieved portion circumferentially adjacent to the first contacting segment. The second acceleration cylinder includes a second contacting segment and a second relieved portion circumferentially adjacent to the second contacting segment. The first acceleration cylinder and the second acceleration cylinder grip the web at a gripping location with the first contacting segment and the second contacting segment as the web is cut by the cutting apparatus. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120073460 | VARIABLE CUTOFF PRINTING PRESS AND METHOD FOR DOUBLE PRINTING - A variable cutoff printing press is provided. The variable cutoff printing press includes a first cylinder printing on a web at a first longitudinal portion of the web and a second longitudinal portion of the web at the same time, the second longitudinal portion being downstream of the first longitudinal portion at least a distance equal to an effective circumference of the first cylinder. The variable cutoff printing press also includes a second cylinder forming at least one nip with the first cylinder, the first and second longitudinal portions of the web passing through the at least one nip. A method of variable cutoff printing is also provided. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120055358 | Observation-Enhanced Virtual Master System for a Printing Press - A web printing press is provided. The web printing press includes at least one printing unit printing images on a web, at least one press component in direct contact with the web, a cutting device for cutting the web into sheets and a controller transmitting a virtual master signal to the at least one printing unit and at least one press component. A sensor senses the at least one press component or directly senses the web downstream of the at least one print unit and generates a sensor signal. A processor receives the sensor signal and the virtual master signal, the processor transmits a modified virtual master signal to the cutting device as a function of the received sensor signal. Methods are also provided. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120035039 | Web guiding apparatus - A web guiding apparatus is provided. The web guiding apparatus includes an angle bar and an angle bar support supporting the angle bar. The angle bar support has a first end portion and a second end portion. The web guiding apparatus also includes a first actuator coupled to the angle bar support for moving the first end portion along a vertical axis and a second actuator coupled to the angle bar support for moving the second end portion along a horizontal axis. A folder for a printing press is also provided. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120024174 | PRINTING PRESS AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING CYLINDERS THEREIN - The present invention provides a printing press. The printing press includes a frame, a plate cylinder, a plate cylinder support supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder for receiving an image from the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder support supporting the blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder for supporting a printing substrate between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder, an actuator connected to and controlling a position of the plate cylinder support or the blanket cylinder support and a controller providing the actuator with a position setpoint, the actuator receiving position feedback signals to maintain the position setpoint during a printing operation. The present invention also provides a method for operating a printing press. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120012017 | IMPRESSION MECHANISM FOR A VARIABLE CUTOFF PRINTING UNIT - A variable cutoff printing unit is provided that includes a plate cylinder, a plate cylinder support removably supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, a blanket cylinder support removably supporting the blanket cylinder, a frame, the plate cylinder support and the blanket cylinder support being coupled to the frame, a sliding element coupled to the blanket cylinder support for moving the blanket cylinder support toward and away from the plate cylinder support, and a stopping device for stopping movement of the sliding element to limit the movement of the blanket cylinder toward and away from the plate cylinder to a defined range. A method of operating a variable cutoff printing unit is also provided. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20110297023 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING NEWSPAPERS FROM A PRINTED WEB - A printing press is provided that includes at least one printing unit printing on a plurality of successive web portions. Each of the web portions is printed with a plurality of groups of pages and each web portion is printed with different content than at least one other of the plurality of web portions. The printing press also includes a storage apparatus receiving the web portions and storing the web portions separately from one another and a folder receiving the web portions from the storage apparatus and processing the web portions into a plurality of printed products. Each of the printed products includes one group of pages from each of the web portions. A method of creating newspapers is also provided. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110283909 | Variable cutoff printing press with common blanket cylinder and method of variable cutoff printing - A variable cutoff web printing press is provided including a first plate cylinder for printing a first color of first and second images and a second plate cylinder for printing a second color of the first and the second images. The printing press also includes a common blanket cylinder. The first and second plate cylinders contact the common blanket cylinder and transfer the first and second images to the common blanket cylinder. The printing press also includes a first transfer body for receiving the first image from the common blanket cylinder and transferring the first image to a web and a second transfer body for receiving the second image from the common blanket cylinder and transferring the second image to the web. A method of variable cutoff web printing is also provided. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110259224 | TABLOID PRINTING PRESS AND RETROFITTING METHOD - A 3 by 2 tabloid printing press includes a plate cylinder having a straight across lock-up and a blanket cylinder contacting the plate cylinder; a blanket cylinder printing a web; and a folder superstructure having at least one slitter for slitting the web into three ribbons and a folder for forming a tabloid newspaper from the three ribbons. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110219970 | ADJUSTABLE DELIVERY WEB CONVERSION APPARATUS AND METHOD - An adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus is provided. The adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus includes a variable cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a first assembly receiving the first signature and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receiving the second signature. Also included are a first delivery section for receiving the first signature from the first assembly, a second delivery section for receiving the second signature from the second assembly and a stack receiving conveyor for receiving the first signature and the second signature. The first delivery section is movable between a first delivery and a first non-delivery position. The second delivery section is movable between a second delivery position and a second non-delivery position. The stacking receiving conveyor is movable between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. A method of producing and delivering signatures is also provided. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110187048 | FEEDER DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MOVING PRINTED PRODUCTS BY PLANAR MOTION - A feeder device for printed products is provided including at least one first drum rotatable about a first axis; at least one second drum rotatable about a second axis; and an actuator coupled to the at least one first drum and the at least one second drum for reciprocating the at least one first drum and the at least one second drum axially. A printed product conveying device and a method of transporting printed products are also provided. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110174916 | Air Bar with Independently Adjustable Plugs - An air bar for guiding a web is provided. The air bar includes a body having holes formed therein, a first plug inside of the body and a second plug inside of the body. The first and second plugs define a cavity inside of the body. The air bar also includes an adjusting device for selectively moving the first plug and the second plug independently of one another. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110170987 | Cover Applier and Method of Aligning a Book Image to a Cover Image - A cover applier is provided. The cover applier includes a transport system transporting a book, a cover delivery delivering a cover to a book, the cover delivery driven by a servomotor, a book sensor detecting an image printed on the book prior to the cover being delivered to the book and a cover sensor detecting an image printed on the cover prior to the cover being delivered to the book. The servomotor adjusting the position of the cover with respect to the book as a function of the book sensor and cover sensor. A method is also provided. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110168042 | Variable Oscillating Web Printing Press and Method - A printing press is provided that includes a printing section including at least one printing unit printing images on a web and at least one compensator unit for varying the direction of travel of the web in the printing section during operation of the at least one printing unit. A method of printing is also provided | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110167971 | MATCHED VELOCITY TRANSFER APPARATUS FOR A SHEET MATERIAL ARTICLE TRIMMER - A transfer apparatus for a sheet material article trimmer includes a transfer element configured to grip the sheet material article and move the sheet material article in a transfer direction onto a side table of the sheet material article trimmer. A driver is provided, the driver being configured to move the transfer element at the same speed as the side table during period of time when the sheet material article is gripped by the transfer element and the side table is moving in the transfer direction. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110158779 | Compensating Gripper with Independent Gripper Adjustment - A gripping device for gripping a printed product including a rotatable first gripper arm having a first gripper pad and a pivot, a rotatable second gripper arm having a second gripper pad and a pivot, a first link connecting the first gripper arm and second gripper arm and a second link having a spring connected to the first link. A method is also provided. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110140339 | INSERTER AND A SINGLE-COPY GRIPPER WITH DEEP REACH - An inserter including a pocket for holding an unevenly folded printed product having a fold edge, a first section on a first side of the fold edge and a second section on a second side of the fold edge that is at least 20 percent shorter than the first section is provided. The pocket includes a lower support surface for supporting the fold edge, a first wall for supporting the first section and a second wall for supporting the second section. The first and second walls each have at least one cutout defined therein. The at least one cutout of the second wall includes a lower cutout edge that is less than a length of the second section away from the lower support surface. The inserter also includes a gripper for securely gripping unevenly folded printed product and removing the unevenly folded printed product from the pocket by passing through the at least one cutouts in the first and second walls. A method of inserting an insert into an unevenly folded printed product is also provided. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110136643 | Folder with Signature Support and Method - A method for folding signatures is provided. The method includes the steps of forcing a trail edge of a first signature away from a folding cylinder using a signature support, tucking a second signature held by a gripper using a tucker at a first fold location and performing a mode change to tuck a further signature at a second fold location different from the first fold location, the mode change including moving the gripper and the signature support automatically with respect to the tucker. A signature support is also provided. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110109039 | Apparatus for electronically diverting signatures - An apparatus for diverting incoming printed products which includes a shaft, at least one first flipper mounted in a first fixed direction on the shaft, a motor coupled to the shaft; and a controller coupled to the motor for controlling positioning of the shaft to allowing printed products to be diverted along different paths associated with a particular shaft position. The apparatus further includes a low inertia coupler interconnected between the motor and the shaft. Alternatively, the apparatus includes a roll, a first motor coupled to the roll and a controller coupled to the first motor for controlling the rotation of the roller for diverting printed products along one of two different paths, each path associated with a direction of rotation of the roll. This alternative apparatus may also include a shaft with at least one flipper mounted thereon and a second motor coupled to the shaft. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110101604 | Apparatus for varying the speed of printed products having an external eccentric assembly and method - An apparatus for varying the speed of printed products is provided. The apparatus includes a nip roll rotatable about a nip roll axis and an eccentric assembly external of the nip roll coupled to the nip roll coincident with the nip roll axis. The eccentric assembly is adapted to eccentrically move the nip roll. A method of varying the speed of a printed product in a printing press is also provided. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110094400 | Web Offset Printing Press with Articulated Tucker - An offset web print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, the plate cylinder being movable during a throw-off operation, and a tucker bar for tucking plates into the plate cylinder, the tucker bar having an axis movable with respect to the plate cylinder axis for reducing a gap during the throw-off operation. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110079157 | Multi-drive printed product processing device with verified feedback control - A multi-drive printed product processing device is provided that includes a processing component and a motor driving the processing component. A motor control controls the motor. An encoder measures a position of the motor and sends an encoder feedback signal indicating the position. The motor control receives the encoder feedback signal. An encoder feedback signal verification circuit verifies the integrity of the feedback signal. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110072951 | Scoring Apparatus for Card and Cover Feeders - A scoring device for scoring a substrate is provided that includes a receiving drum including an outer surface and a receiving groove formed in the outer surface and a scoring drum that includes a scoring rib and a compressible contacting surface contacting the outer surface of the receiving drum. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110070010 | System and Method for Controlling a Multi-Drive Printing Press - A system and method are provided for controlling a printing press including a plurality of print units and, optionally, a folder. Each print unit has one or more cylinders, a motor for driving the cylinders; an encoder for providing a cylinder position signal, a controller coupled to the encoder, the motor, a bus which interconnects each of the controllers and an input port for designating the controller as either master or slave. Any one of the controllers is selectively set as a master controller and the remaining controllers are set as slave controllers. The master controller generates a control signal based on a signal from the input port and outputs the control signal to the motor via the output port and to the slave controllers via the bus. Each of the slave controllers outputs a signal on the respective output port based on the received control signal. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110068531 | Infinitely Variable Format Signature Collection Apparatus and Method of Collecting Signatures - A variable format signature collection apparatus is provided. The variable format signature collection apparatus includes a sprocket and a timing belt traveling about the sprocket. The timing belt includes a plurality of gripper mounts. The gripper mounts include a first set of gripper mounts arranged on the timing belt to support grippers for receiving first signatures of a first cutoff length and a second set of gripper mounts positioned to support grippers for receiving second signatures of a second cutoff length. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110067588 | Method of Phasing and Accelerating Cylinders of Printing Press During Auto Transfer - A method of preparing cylinders for printing on a web during auto transfer operations is provided. The method includes the steps of printing images on a web with at least one first printing cylinder; accelerating at least one second printing cylinder so that the at least one second printing cylinder has a surface velocity that equals a velocity of the web; adjusting a phasing of the at least one second printing cylinder with respect to the web during the accelerating step and before the surface velocity of the at least one second printing cylinder equals the velocity of the web; moving the at least one first printing cylinder away from the web and moving the at least one second printing cylinder towards the web; and printing images on the web with the at least one second printing cylinder. A printing press configured for auto transfer is also provided. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110067587 | Multi-functional maintenance friendly pitch-changing apparatus - A printing press is provided. The printing press includes a print unit printing a plurality of printed products, the plurality of printed products being formed into a stream downstream of the print unit. The printing press also includes at least one base and a press component, the press component is mounted onto the at least one base for placement in the stream and translational movement transverse to the stream. The press component may be a pitch changing apparatus. A method is also provided. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110067586 | Spring loaded corrugated stitcher head and method of stitching - A stitching head is provided for stitching books or printed products. The stitching head includes a supporter and a driver. The supporter has a corrugated supporter surface including first ridges and first grooves. The driver interacts with the supporter and has a channel and a corrugated driver surface which includes second ridges and second grooves. The first grooves and first ridges of the supporter mesh with the second ridges and first grooves of driver and the channel supports stitching material between the corrugated supporter surface and the corrugated driver surface. A method is also provided. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110064509 | Air delivery apparatus for delivering air to a moving substrate in a printing press - An air delivery apparatus for providing air to guide a web in a printing press that includes a source of compressed air and a web guiding device coupled to the source of compressed air is provided. The web guiding device includes a body and a guide. The body defines an internal cavity and has an axis, an inner surface, an outer surface, holes extending from the inner surface to the outer surface and an axial end having an opening coupling the internal cavity to ambient air. The guide couples the source of compressed air to the internal cavity and directs the compressed air in an axial direction away from the axial end toward the internal cavity so that the ambient air is forced into the internal cavity. A method of delivering air to guide a substrate is also provided. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110056396 | Printing Blanket with Convex Carrier Layer - An offset printing press is provided. The offset printing press includes an image cylinder, a blanket cylinder having an axially convex outer surface, and a printing blanket disposed over the axially convex outer surface, the printing blanket including a carrier sleeve layer having at least one axially convex surface. An axially profiled shim is also provided. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110000387 | Print Unit having Blanket Cylinder Throw-off Bearer Surfaces and Method - An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder having an end, a rotatable plate cylinder support supporting the end and having a first bearing surface, a blanket cylinder having a blanket cylinder end, a rotatable blanket cylinder support supporting the end and having a second bearing surface and an actuating device for rotating the plate cylinder support and the blanket cylinder support, the first and second bearing surfaces contacting during a part of the rotation of the supports. A method is also provided. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100294150 | Cantilevered Blanket Cylinder Lifting Mechanism - An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder having an end and a blanket gear coaxial with the blanket cylinder, a drive axle or pinion supporting a gear driving the blanket gear and a blanket lift arm for selectively supporting the end to cantilever the blanket cylinder, the blanket lift arm being rotatable about the drive axle or pinion. A method is also provided. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100288145 | HIGH SPEED PRINTED PRODUCT REORIENTATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A printing press is provided. The printed press includes a plurality of printing units printing on a web and a folder for processing the web. The folder includes a cutter for cutting the web into printed products and a nip section for reorienting the printed products. The nip section includes a first pair of nip rolls, a second pair of nip rolls and at least one motor driving the first pair of nip rolls and the second pair of nip rolls, the at least one motor driving the first pair of nip rolls at different velocities than the second pair of nip rolls to reorient the printed products. A method for reorienting printed products in printing press is also provided. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100261593 | Apparatus and Method for Cutting and Folding Printed Products - A method of folding a printed product is provided. The method includes the steps of cutting a web so as to form a signature having lead edge tabs, the signature having perforation slots and folding the signature so the lead edge tabs enter the perforation slots. Lead edges may be more easily prevented from dislodging and dog-earing and skewing may be minimized. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100252400 | Signature transport device - A device for removing folded signatures from a saddle-back conveyor includes a moving arm, a first gripper mounted on the moving arm, and an electromechanical actuator connected to the first gripper for opening and closing the first gripper, the electromechanical actuator being mounted on the moving arm. A method is also provided. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100241272 | Automated product transporting and sorting apparatus and method - An automated mail transporting and sorting apparatus is provided. The automated mail transporting and sorting apparatus includes an identifying and processing machine for determining a particular category from a group of at least two categories of each mail item of a continuous stream of mail items, the at least two categories including a first category and a second category; a first sorting machine for receiving mail items of the first category; a second sorting machine for receiving mail items of the second category; and a continuous gripper line including a plurality of grippers, each gripper being adapted to grip one of the mail items processed by the identifying and processing machine, the gripper line arranged and configured to transport mail items of the first category to the first sorting machine and mail items of the second category to the second sorting machine. A method of transporting and sorting mail items and a gripper apparatus are also provided. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100206192 | Web Printing Press with Complete Machine Setups - A web fed rotary printing press apparatus and a method for operating the same which includes at least one reconfigurable printing mechanism, a sensor for detecting the end of a print job, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the at least one printing mechanism for providing control signals representing predetermined printing parameters for a subsequent print job to the at least one print mechanism upon detection of the end of a print job. The apparatus may further include a planning computer coupled to the controller for generating printing parameters for each print job based on user input. Furthermore, the printing parameters generated by the planning computer for a print job may be stored as data in JDF files communicated to the controller which may be used to provide control signals representing predetermined printing parameters for a print job based on the data in the JDF files. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100201066 | Multiple delivery web conversion apparatus and method of producing and delivering variable printed products - A web conversion and delivery apparatus is provided. The web conversion and delivery apparatus comprises a first delivery for transporting printed products, a second delivery for transporting printed products and a cutting apparatus upstream of the first delivery and the second delivery. The cutting apparatus is capable during a first print job of cutting first images of the fixed image length into first printed products for delivery to the first delivery. The second delivery is inactive during the first print job. The cutting apparatus is capable during a second print job of cutting second images of the fixed image length into second printed products for delivery to the first delivery and the second delivery. The second printed products have a length that is different from the first printed products. A printing press and a method of producing and delivering printed products of variable lengths are also provided. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100201065 | Adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus and method - An adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus is provided. The adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus includes a variable cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a first assembly receiving the first signature and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receiving the second signature. Also included are a first delivery section for receiving the first signature from the first assembly, a second delivery section for receiving the second signature from the second assembly and a stack receiving conveyor for receiving the first signature and the second signature. The first delivery section is movable between a first delivery and a first non-delivery position. The second delivery section is movable between a second delivery position and a second non-delivery position. The stacking receiving conveyor is movable between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. A method of producing and delivering signatures is also provided. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100201058 | Web conversion and collating apparatus and method - A web conversion and collating apparatus is provided. The web conversion and collating apparatus includes a cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a transport conveyor for transporting the first signature and the second signature away from the cutting apparatus and a first diverter for diverting the first signature from the transport conveyor. The second signature passes by the first diverter on the transport conveyor. A first assembly receives the first signature from the first diverter and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receives the second signature. A stack receiving conveyor downstream of the first assembly and the second assembly is also included. The stack receiving conveyor receives the first signature and the second signature and the first signature is stacked on the second signature on the stack receiving conveyor. A printing press and a method of producing and collating signatures are also provided. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100201056 | Single level web conversion apparatus and method - A single level web conversion apparatus is provided. The single level web conversion apparatus includes a web guiding apparatus guiding a web, a former longitudinally folding the web downstream of the web guiding apparatus and a cutting apparatus cutting the folded web into a first signature and a second signature. The web guiding apparatus includes rolls having axes of rotation aligned with a vertical direction that guide the web in a vertical on-edge orientation. The former receives the web in a vertical on-edge orientation and folding the web such that the folded web has a horizontal orientation and travels in a horizontal plane. The first and second signature each travel in the horizontal plane. A method of producing and delivering printed products is also provided. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100181360 | Tension Control System for Deformable Nip Rollers - A method and apparatus for controlling web tension in a web printing press having a plurality of sets of deformable nip rollers, each set driven by a separate driver, the web passing sequentially through each set of deformable nip rollers and forming a web segment therebetween. The driver of a downstream set of deformable nip rollers is adjusted to set the tension of a first web segment and a controller adjusts a first characteristic of the driver of the upstream set of deformable nip rollers to maintain the tension of a second web segment constant. Alternatively, a sensor measures a second characteristic of the second web segment and the controller adjusts the first characteristic of the driver of the upstream set of deformable nip rollers based on the measurement from the sensor. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100140311 | Ribbon transport apparatus and method - A ribbon transport apparatus for a printing press is provided. The ribbon transport apparatus includes a vacuum conveyor belt transporting a ribbon and a manifold supporting the vacuum conveyor belt. The vacuum conveyor belt and the manifold are arranged to draw the ribbon towards the vacuum conveyor belt via a suction. A method of transporting a ribbon in a printing press is also provided. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100126368 | Variable Cutoff Alignment Apparatus and Method of Aligning Printing Cylinders during a Cutoff Change - A variable cutoff cylinder alignment apparatus is provided. The variable cutoff cylinder alignment apparatus includes a plate cylinder support box for supporting an exchangeable variable cutoff plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder support box for supporting an exchangeable variable cutoff blanket cylinder and an alignment stop adapted to align the blanket cylinder support box and the plate cylinder support box. The plate cylinder support box supports an exchangeable plate cam and the blanket cylinder support box includes a blanket cam. The exchangeable plate cam is capable of contacting the stop and the exchangeable blanket cam is capable of contacting the plate support box to align the blanket cylinder support box and the plate cylinder support box. The plate cylinder support box and the blanket cylinder support box are capable of aligning cylinders of different sized cutoffs. A variable cutoff offset printing press and a method of aligning printing cylinders during a cutoff change are also provided. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100126366 | Porous roll with axial zones and method of proving printing liquid to a cylinder in a printing press - A roll for distributing printing liquid in a printing press is provided. The roll includes a roll core having at least a first and a second axial zone, a first liquid feed for feeding liquid to the first axial zone, a second liquid feed for feeding the liquid to the second axial zone independent of the first axial zone and a porous shell covering the first and second axial zones. A printing press, a method for providing printing liquid through a porous shell of a printing liquid supply roll to a cylinder of a printing press, an inking apparatus and a method for providing ink to an anilox roll are also provided. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100122637 | Reverse Air Flow Web Stabilizer - A web print unit includes a first plate cylinder, a first blanket cylinder for contacting the first plate cylinder, a second blanket cylinder, and a second plate cylinder for contacting the second blanket cylinder. A web to be printed passes between the first blanket cylinder and the second blanket cylinder at a blanket to blanket location, the first and second blanket cylinders are capable of being thrown apart. An air source is located on a side of the web and oriented to blow air upstream toward the blanket to blanket location while the blanket cylinders rotate. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100122613 | Folder for adjustably tensioning a web and method of adjusting web tension as a web is cut - A printing press folder is provided. The printing press folder includes a cutting apparatus cutting a moving web to form successive signatures, a first acceleration cylinder and a second acceleration cylinder. The first acceleration cylinder includes a first contacting segment and a first relieved portion circumferentially adjacent to the first contacting segment and the first contacting segment radially protrudes from the first acceleration cylinder with respect to the first relieved portion. The second acceleration cylinder includes a second contacting segment and a second relieved portion circumferentially adjacent to the second contacting segment and the second contacting segment radially protrudes from the second acceleration cylinder with respect to the second relieved portion. The first acceleration cylinder and the second acceleration cylinder grip the web at a gripping location with the first contacting segment and the second contacting segment to create a tension in the web as the web is cut by the cutting apparatus. A method of varying tension in a web in a printing press folder is also provided. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100109224 | Profiled chain tops for a conveyor - A saddle stitcher for conveying a printed product is provided. The saddle stitcher includes a saddle chain conveyor, and a plurality of chain tops mounted on the saddle chain conveyor defining a chain top conveyance line for transporting a printed product. At least one of the chain tops includes a profiled top edge so the at least one chain top does not extend beyond the chain top conveyance line in a transition area. A method for transferring a printed product is also provided. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100107912 | Variable cutoff printing press with common blanket cylinder and method of variable cutoff printing - A variable cutoff web printing press is provided including a first plate cylinder for printing a first color of first and second images and a second plate cylinder for printing a second color of the first and the second images. The printing press also includes a common blanket cylinder. The first and second plate cylinders contact the common blanket cylinder and transfer the first and second images to the common blanket cylinder. The printing press also includes a first transfer body for receiving the first image from the common blanket cylinder and transferring the first image to a web and a second transfer body for receiving the second image from the common blanket cylinder and transferring the second image to the web. A method of variable cutoff web printing is also provided. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100101386 | Variable signature length web cutting apparatus - A variable cutoff web cutting apparatus is provided including a first knife cylinder having a first segmented knife blade. The first knife cylinder rotates about a first cylinder axis in a web travel direction and the first segmented knife blade rotates about a first knife axis in the opposite direction. Also included is a first counterpart cylinder, which the first segmented knife blade contacts to perforate a web. The cutting apparatus also includes a second knife cylinder having a second knife blade. The second knife cylinder rotates about a second cylinder axis in the web travel direction and the second knife blade rotates about a second knife axis the opposite direction. Also included is a second counterpart cylinder, which the second knife blade contacts to cut the web adjacent to where the first segmented knife blade perforated the web, so as to sever the web and create a signature. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100099544 | Incremental velocity changing apparatus for transporting printed products in a printing press folder - A printing press folder is provided. The printing press folder includes a pair of cutting cylinders cutting a web at a cutting location to form signatures, a pair of transport cylinders positively gripping and transporting the signatures and a pair of acceleration cylinders positively gripping and transporting the signatures. The transport cylinders define a first nip and the first nip and the cutting location are separated by a first distance that is slightly shorter than a length of each of the signatures. The acceleration cylinders define a second nip. The pair of transport cylinders receives and releases signatures at a first velocity and the pair of acceleration cylinders receives the signatures from the pair of transport cylinders and releases the signatures at a second velocity that is greater than the first velocity. The first nip and the second nip are separated by a distance that is slightly shorter than the length of each of the signatures, such that the transport cylinders release each of the signatures as the acceleration cylinders grip the respective signature and the transport and acceleration cylinders maintain positive control over the signatures during transport. A signature transport apparatus and a method for transporting printed products in a printing press folder are also provided. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100095818 | Section for transporting printed products of variable cutoffs in a printing press folder - A printing press folder is provided. The folder includes a cutting pair cutting a web at a cutting location to form signatures, a pair of transport cylinders forming a first nip and a pair of acceleration cylinders forming a second nip. The pair of transport cylinders receives the signatures downstream of the cutting pair at the first nip and transports the signatures away from the cutting pair. The first nip is separated from the cutting location by a first distance. The pair of acceleration cylinders receives the signatures from the pair of transport cylinders at the second nip and transports the signatures away from the pair of transport cylinders. The second nip is separated from the first nip by a second distance. The pair of transport cylinders is movable with respect to the pair of acceleration cylinders and the pair of acceleration cylinders is movable with respect to the pair of transport cylinder so the first distance and the second distance are selectively variable. A signature transport section and a method of transporting signatures of varying lengths in a printing press are also provided. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100089266 | Broadsheet Newspaper and Method - A method for making a broadsheet newspaper is provided. The method includes the steps of printing an image on a web, longitudinally folding the web to form a half-fold, cross-cutting the web to form signatures and cross-folding the signatures at a height of 33% or less or 67% or more. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100089265 | Infinitely variable cutoff printing press with constant speed plate cylinder and inker - A variable cutoff printing press is provided. The printing press includes a first plate cylinder rotating at a constant angular velocity and printing on a web during each revolution about a first plate cylinder axis and a first blanket cylinder rotating at varying angular velocities during each revolution about a first blanket cylinder axis. The first blanket cylinder comes in and out of contact with the first plate cylinder during operation. A method of variable cutoff printing is also provided. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100083856 | Belted inker for a printing press - A printing unit is provided. The printing unit includes an ink feed system, a plate cylinder and an inker having multiple rollers and a belt wrapped around the rollers. The belt accepts ink from the ink feed system and transfers the ink to the plate cylinder. A method of printing and an inker are also provided. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100072936 | Simultaneous zero verification for motors in a printing press - A method for determining accuracy of an actual position of a plurality of independent motors in a printing press is provided. The method includes commanding each of the plurality of motors in the printing press via a controller to move a desired initial position, comparing an actual position of each motor to the desired initial position of each motor, determining if the actual position of each motor is within a predetermined tolerance of the desired initial position, and resetting any motor outside the predetermined tolerance to be within the predetermined tolerance. A printing press is also provided. The printing press includes a plurality of printing press components and a plurality of motors. Each motor drives at least one of the printing press components and each of the motors has a desired initial position. The printing press also includes a position detector for determining an actual position of the motor with respect to the desired initial position of the motor. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100050890 | Infinitely variable cutoff printing press - A variable cutoff printing press is provided. The printing press includes a plate cylinder including a first center axis, a plate take-up cylinder including a second center axis and a removable plate having a first length traveling around the plate cylinder and the plate take-up cylinder. The first center axis and the second center axis are separated by a center distance, the center distance being variable so the plate can be removed and replaced with a second plate having a second length. A method of variable cutoff printing is also provided. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100045712 | Printing press with highlighting device for producing personalized printed products - A printing press is provided. The printing press includes a printing unit printing images on a substrate, a highlight application unit producing highlights on the substrate and a controller directing the highlight application unit to produce the highlights on the substrate. A method for producing a highlighted printed product is also provided. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100043658 | Printing press with replaceable sleeve shell segments for a cylinder - A variable-diameter printing press cylinder is provided. The variable-diameter printing press cylinder includes a cylinder body, a first shell segment having a first circumferential end portion and a second shell segment having a second circumferential end portion. The first and second shell segments are mounted on the cylinder body via the first and second circumferential end portions. A method of varying a circumference of a cylinder in a printing press and a printing press are also provided. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100019434 | Multiplex Gathering Device and Method - A multiplex gathering device is provided. The multiplex gathering device includes a first gatherer forming first gathered printed products on a first finishing line, the first finishing line having a trimmer and a second gatherer forming a second gathered printed products on a second finishing line, the second finishing line having a second trimmer. The multiplex gathering device also includes a collecting device which combines the first and second gathered printed products together, a first transporter transporting the first gathered products from the first line to the collecting device and a second transporter transporting the second gathered products from the second line to the collecting device. At least one controller is provided for the multiplex gathering device for controlling the first gatherer and second gatherer and for collecting the first and second printing products in a controlled manner on the collecting device. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20090324818 | Silicone applicator for a printing press - A silicone application system for a web printing press includes at least one silicone applicator having a first web width application zone and a second web width application zone controlled independently of the first web with application zone. A web printing press and method are also disclosed. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090315255 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR A COMBINED SIGNATURE DIVERTER AND SLOWDOWN DEVICE - A device for diverting printed products is provided. The device includes a first rotating support having a first pad mounted thereon, a second rotating support having a second pad mounted thereon, a third rotating support having a third pad mounted thereon and a fourth rotating support having a fourth pad mounted thereon. The first pad has a different thickness than the second pad and the first and second rotating supports rotate together. The third pad has a different thickness than the fourth pad and the third and fourth rotating supports rotate together. A method for diverting printed products is also provided. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090295059 | Saddle stitcher with individual stitcher drives - A saddle stitching device including a saddle-back conveyor having a first printed product location and a second printed product location adjacent the first printed product location, a first stitcher adjacent the conveyor and driven by a first motor, and a second stitcher adjacent the conveyor and driven by a second motor. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090292392 | Multiplexed Gathering Device and Method - A multiplexing gathering device includes a first gatherer for forming first gathered printed products on a first line and a second gatherer for forming second gathered printed products on a second line. A collecting device collects the first and second gathered printed products. A first transporter transports the first gathered products from the first line to the collecting device and a second transporter for transports the second gathered products from the second line to the collecting device. At least one controller for controls the first gatherer and second gatherer so that second gathered products are selectively formed as a function of the formation of first gathered printed products. A method is also provided. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090290924 | Apparatus and method for supplying ribbons to a former - A folder superstructure is provided including a lead roll, a nip roll biasing the lead roll, and a frame supporting the lead roll and the nip roll. The frame is selectively movable between a first position where the lead roll and the nip roll act on a first web ribbon and a second position where the lead roll and the nip roll act on a second web ribbon. A method for folding printed webs is also provided. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090288932 | GRIPPER CONVEYOR DELIVERY - A signature transport device is provided. The signature transport device includes a saddle conveyor for transporting signatures, an escalator tucker for lifting the signatures off the saddle conveyor and a linear gripper conveyor located adjacent to the escalator tucker and having a plurality of grippers for gripping the signatures. The linear gripper conveyor has a velocity component that is equal to or greater than a velocity component of the escalator tucker when the signatures are gripped from the escalator tucker. A method for transporting signatures is also provided. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090282998 | Three-Around Broadsheet Newspaper Printing Press and Methods - A broadsheet newspaper printing press is provided including an image carrier carrying three images around in broadsheet newspaper format. The image carrier transfers the three images to a web. The broadsheet newspaper printing press also includes a folder for imparting a longitudinal fold to the web and cutting the web into broadsheet newspaper pages. The folder includes a cylinder cross-folding the broadsheet newspaper pages off center. A web offset broadsheet newspaper printing press also is provided. Methods are also provided. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090282996 | Printing press with different fixed cutoffs and method - A web printing press is provided printing a web having a first side and a second side including a first plate cylinder having a first diameter for printing a first image on the first side of the web and a second plate cylinder having a second diameter different from the first diameter for printing a second image on the second side of the web. A method of printing a web is also provided. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090266252 | Infinitely variable cut off printing press - A variable cutoff printing press is provided that includes a plate cylinder, a first blanket cylinder including a first circumferential section movable with respect to a second circumferential section, and a second blanket cylinder including a third circumferential section movable with respect to a fourth circumferential section. The first, second, third and fourth circumferential sections contact the plate cylinder during a printing mode and print continuous images having a cutoff length on a web. A method of printing is also provided. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090266251 | Variable cut off printing press having flexible plate and blanket - A printing press is provided including a plate cylinder having an outer perimeter of a first length. A removable flexible continuous tubular plate having an inner perimeter of a second length is disposed about the plate cylinder. The second length is greater than the first length so that the inner perimeter of the removable flexible continuous tubular plate and the outer perimeter of the plate cylinder define a first gap during a printing mode. A method for varying cutoff in a printing press is also provided. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090266250 | Infinitely variable cut off printing press and method of varying cut off - A variable cutoff printing press is provided including a first plate cylinder with a first plate disposed about the first plate cylinder and having a first image portion. A first blanket cylinder transfers the first image portion to a web at a first location. A second plate having a second image portion is disposed about the second plate cylinder. A second blanket cylinder transfers the second image portion to the web at a second location. An impression cylinder contacts the first blanket cylinder and the second blanket cylinder via the web. The first image portion and the second image portion form one continuous image having an image cutoff length. A method of printing an image on a web with a cutoff using a variable cutoff offset printing press is also provided. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090239727 | Apparatus and method for cutting and folding printed products - An apparatus for cutting and folding printed products is provided. The apparatus includes a perforator, a first cutting device creating first slits in the web, a second cutting device creating second slits in the web longitudinally offset from the first slits so as to form a signature with a staggered edge, and a folder delta-folding the signature so that the staggered edge engages slots in the signature, the slots created by the perforator. A method of folding a printed product and a signature are also provided. Lead edges can be more easily prevented from dislodging and dog-earing and skewing can be minimized. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090238662 | Servo driven apparatus for trimming and transporting printed products in a trimmer - A book trimmer is provided including an edge trimming knife driven by a drive motor and a conveyor downstream of the edge trimming knife driven by a servo motor. The drive motor also drives a section of the conveyor. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090238661 | Method and apparatus for trimming and transporting printed products in a trimmer - A book trimmer is provided. The book trimmer includes an edge trimming knife movable back and forth in a book travel direction and a conveyor downstream of the edge trimming knife. The conveyor includes a reciprocating section movable back and forth in the book travel direction receiving books trimmed by the edge trimming knife. A method for trimming a book is also provided. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090218744 | Printed product collecting device and method - A collecting device for forming a printed product includes a conveyor and a plurality of printed material delivery devices, the plurality of printed material delivery devices including a first delivery device for first printed materials and a second delivery device for second printed materials. A first transfer device is assigned to the first delivery device and delivering the first printed materials to the conveyor and a second transfer device assigned to the second delivery device and delivering the second printed materials to be collected with the first printed materials on the conveyor. Each of the first and second transfer devices have printed material buffer positions between the respective first and second delivery devices and the conveyor, which permit advantageous reduction in the amount of waste. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090217833 | Conveyor and method for changing the pitch of printed products - A printing press is provided. The printing press includes a print unit printing a stream of printed products, the printed products having a first pitch. The printing press also includes a pitch changing device. The pitch changing device includes an upper roller mounted on an upper axle, a lower roller mounted on a lower axle, the upper and lower rollers forming a roller nip, and a motor driving the upper and lower rollers in opposite directions. The nip receives the stream of printed products. The motor varies the velocity of the nip and the printed products using an electronic cam velocity profile so as to alter the first pitch. A method is also provided. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090211479 | Device and methods for identifying modules in a graphics machine - A method for detecting a type of one of plurality of devices attached to a graphics machine, each device being one of at least a first type and a second type. The method includes detecting at a controller the type of device attached to or to be attached to the machine. The controller is capable of preadjusting the device or machine as a function of the detection. A graphics machine includes a controller, a first device connected to the controller, the first device being categorizable as one of at least a first type and a second type, the controller detecting the type of the first device, and a memory accessible by the controller, the memory storing information regarding the first type and the second type. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090173246 | Web Printing Press and Method for Controlling Print-to-Cut and Circumferential Register - A method for controlling the print-to-cut register in a web printing press having at least one print unit printing a web, each print unit having at least one drive driving the print unit independently of the other print units. The method includes presetting a web compensator position so as to set a print-to-cut registration between a print unit and a cross-cutter and controlling the print-to-cut register during printing by controlling the drives of the print units and/or a drive of the cross-cutter. A method for controlling circumferential register, as well as a printing press are also disclosed. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090127763 | Sectioned tabloid printing press and method - A method for making a tabloid printed product is provided. At least one first web of material is printed, the at least one first web of material is slit to define a first ribbon bundle and a second ribbon bundle. The first ribbon bundle is then folded longitudinally. The first ribbon bundle is cut into defined lengths. The second ribbon bundle is cut unfolded into the defined lengths. The first and second ribbon bundles are combined with the first ribbon bundles being folded and the second ribbon bundles being unfolded. The second ribbon bundle is longitudinally folded over the first folded bundle after the combining step to form a sectioned tabloid newspaper. Tabloid printing presses are also provided. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090082188 | Folder with common chopper - A folder includes a first signature conveyor conveying first signatures along a first signature path; a second signature conveyor conveying second signatures along a second signature path; and a chopper located between the first and second signature paths imparting a fold on both the first and second signatures. A chopper and method are also provided. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090064881 | Variable cutoff printing unit and method of printing - A variable cutoff printing unit is provided including a first upper plate cylinder carrying a first upper image, a first upper blanket cylinder including a first upper blanket print area for transferring the first upper image to a web and a first upper blanket non print area, a second upper plate cylinder carrying a second upper image, a second upper blanket cylinder including a second upper blanket print area for transferring the second upper image to the web and a second upper blanket non print area, a first lower plate cylinder carrying a first lower image, a first lower blanket cylinder including a first lower blanket print area for transferring the first lower image to the web and a first lower blanket non print area, a second lower plate cylinder carrying a second lower image and a second lower blanket cylinder including a second lower blanket print area for transferring the second lower image to the web and a second lower blanket non print area. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090044712 | Printing press with on-edge web tension control - A web printing press is provided including printing units and a vacuum cantilever lead roll having a vertical rotational axis. Methods are also provided. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090038454 | Printing press folder with parallel process transport tapes - A folder for a web printing press includes a cut cylinder cutting a web into signatures; a first transport belt having a first raised section; a second transport belt having a second raised section, the signatures being received from the cut cylinder so as to be located between the first and second raised sections; and at least one variable speed motor driving the first and second transport belts. A method is also provided. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090025583 | Variable cutoff printing unit with belt blanket and method of printing - A variable cutoff printing press is provided. The variable cutoff printing press includes a first plate cylinder, a second plate cylinder, a continuous belt blanket contacting the first and second plate cylinders and a movable support cylinder supporting the belt blanket. The first and second plate cylinders, the continuous belt blanket and the movable support cylinder form a first print section and the movable support cylinder is movable to change the print length of the first print section. A method of printing images with a printing press is also provided. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20080307988 | Central manifold supply for spray bar - A spray bar includes a manifold or multiple manifolds located on the spray bar. More specifically, the spray bar includes one or more manifolds connected to dedicated feed lines each having a spray head, resulting in improved lateral spray distribution. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080295717 | Smooth roller with low line load and methods - An ink form roller in a printing press is provided including a core, a first layer surrounding part of the core, and a second layer surrounding part of the first layer, the second layer having a durometer hardness greater than the first layer. In addition, an ink form roller in a printing press is provided including a core, and a layer surrounding the core, the layer having a hardness between about 25 Shore A durometer and about 40 Shore A durometer, the layer having an outer surface, the outer surface having a surface roughness of about 30 micro-inches or less. Methods are also provided. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080282917 | Cylinder with reduced inertia variation and method - A plate cylinder includes a cylinder including a longitudinal axis and a centroid located at a geometric center of the cylinder. The cylinder also includes a slot for receiving both ends of a printing plate; the cylinder including a counter balance hole extending axially in the cylinder and being displaced from the longitudinal axis, the counter balance hole balancing the slot; and the cylinder including a mass balance hole extending axially in the cylinder and being displaced from the longitudinal axis, the mass balance hole balancing the plate cylinder. The cylinder further including at least one hole extending axially in the cylinder and being displaced from the longitudinal axis of the cylinder to reduce the variation in products of inertia as the plate cylinder rotates. A cylinder is also provided. A method is also provided. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080280745 | Folder with signature removal and slowdown process - A folder includes a cylinder having a first gripping device receiving a folded edge of a signature and rotating the signature at a first surface speed. A conveyor presses the signature against the outer surface and the conveyor contacts the signatures at a second surface speed slower than the first surface speed. The present invention also provides a method for removing signatures from a cylinder. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080251984 | Signature hopper with flexible guide - A hopper is provided including a pile plate, a backstop, a jogger opposite the backstop, the backstop and jogger being separated to permit a signature stack to be placed therebetween on the pile plate, and a flexible guide located opposite the jogger, adjacent to the backstop. A hopper is also provided including a pile plate, a backstop, a jogger opposite the backstop, the backstop and jogger being separated to permit a signature stack to be placed therebetween on the pile plate, and a toothed guide located opposite the jogger and adjacent to the backstop, a plurality of teeth of the toothed guide facing the signature stack. Methods are also provided. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080196612 | Real-time print product status - A web printing press is provided including a printing unit for printing a web, a delivery for printed products formed from the web, the web and printed products defining a printed product stream, a first sensor sensing a first characteristic of the web or printed products, a controller connected to the first sensor, and an indicator indicating in real-time a print defect in the printed product stream as a function of the first sensor. A method is also provided. | 08-21-2008 |
