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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A method of processing at least one elongate web of material, said
method comprising the steps of:
printing on said at least one web to thereby form at least one printed web;
cutting said at least one printed web into a plurality of separate sheets
in timed relationship with the printing on said web;
sensing by means of a sensor when each of said plurality of sheets arrives
at a folder;
folding each of said plurality of sheets using said folder, the operation
of said folder being activated by said sensing by said sensor such that
the folding by the folder is synchronized with the arrival of the sheet at
the folder and is independent of the timing of the step of printing on the
web; and
providing continuous movement of said material of said web from prior to
said printing step to the commencement of the folding of each sheet.
2. A method according to claim 1, further including forming a fold in said
at least one web prior to cutting the web into the sheets, said fold
extending in the direction of elongation of said web.
3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising forming a performation
in said at least one web prior to the formation of said fold, said
perforation being formed in the direction of elongation of said web.
4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising forming perforations
in said at least one web prior to the step of cutting the web into said
sheets, said perforations being formed transverse to said direction of
elongation of said web.
5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising, after the step of
cutting said at least one web into said sheets, directing alternate sheets
to separate folding locations, and folding the sheets at said locations.
6. A method of processing at least one elongate web of material, said
method comprising the steps of:
printing on said at least one web to thereby form at least one elongate
printed web;
forming a longitudinal fold in said at least one web;
cutting said at least one printed web into a plurality of separate sheets
in timed relationship with said printing step;
sensing by means of a sensor when each of said plurality of sheets arrives
at a folder; and
folding each of said plurality of sheets using said folder, the operation
of said folder being activated by said sensing by said sensor such that
the folding by the folder is synchronized with the arrival of the sheet at
the folder and is independent of the timing of the step of printing on the
web.
7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising forming a performation
in said at least one web prior to the formation of said fold, said
performation being formed in the direction of elongation of said web.
8. A method according to claim 6, further comprising forming perforations
in said at least one web prior to the step of cutting the web into said
sheets, said perforations being formed transverse to said direction of
elongation of said web.
9. A method according to claim 6, further comprising, after the step of
cutting said at least one web into said sheets, directing alternate sheets
to separate folding locations, and folding the sheets at said locations.
10. A method of processing at least one elongate web of material, said
method comprising the steps of:
printing on said at least one web to thereby form at least one printed web;
forming, in said at least one printed web, a plurality of perforations each
extending transverse to the direction of elongation of said web;
cutting said at least one printed web into a plurality of separate sheets
in timed relationship with said printing step;
sensing by means of a sensor when each of said plurality of sheets arrives
at a folder; and
folding each of said plurality of sheets using said folder, the operation
of said folder being activated by said sensing by said sensor such that
the folding by the folder is synchronized with the arrival of the sheet at
the folder and is independent of the timing of the step of printing on the
web.
11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising, after the step of
cutting said at least one web into said sheets, directing alternate sheets
to separate folding locations, and folding the sheets at said locations.
12. A web processing system comprising:
a printing apparatus for printing continuously on at least one elongate web
of material to form at least one printed web;
cutting means for cutting said printed web into a plurality of separate
sheets in timed relationship with the operation of said printing
apparatus;
means for continuously transferring said printed web from said printing
means to said cutting means;
folding means for folding said separate sheets, said folding means
comprising a folder, and a sensor for detecting when each of said separate
sheets arrives at said folder and for activating said folder in response
thereto such that the operation of the folder is synchronized with the
arrival of the sheet at the folder and is independent of the timing of the
said printing on the web by said printing apparatus; and
means for continuously transferring said plurality of separate sheets from
said cutting means to said folding means.
13. A web processing system according to claim 12, further comprising
further folding means disposed between the printing apparatus and the
cutting means, for forming, in said at least one web, a further fold in
the direction of elongation of said at least one web.
14. A web processing system according to claim 13, further comprising
perforation means for forming, in said at least one web, a perforation in
the direction of elongation of said web, said perforation means being
disposed between said printing apparatus and said further folding means.
15. A web processing system according to claim 12, further comprising
perforation means for forming, in said at least one web, a further
perforation transverse to said elongation of said at least one web, said
perforation means being disposed between said fold means and said cutting
means.
16. A web processing system according to claim 12, wherein said folding
means includes a buckle folder.
17. A web processing system according to claim 12, wherein said folding
means comprises two folders and wherein said system further comprises
means, disposed between said cutting means and said folding means, for
directing alternate sheets to a corresponding one of said two folders.
18. A web processing system comprising:
a printing apparatus for printing on at least one web of material to form
at least one elongate printed web;
cutting means for cutting said printed web into a plurality of separate
sheets;
folding means for folding said separate sheets, said folding means
comprising a folder and a sensor for detecting when each of said separate
sheets arrives at said folder and for activating said folder in response
thereto such that the operation of the folder is synchronized with the
arrival of the sheet at the folder and is independent of the timing of the
said printing on the web by said printing apparatus; and
further folding means disposed between said printing apparatus and said
cutting means for forming, in said printed web, a further fold extending
in the direction of elongation of said printed web.
19. A web processing system according to claim 18, further comprising
perforation means for forming, in said at least one web, a perforation
extending in the direction of elongation of said web, said perforation
means being disposed between said printing apparatus and said further
folding means.
20. A web processing system according to claim 18, further comprising
perforation means for forming, in said at least one web, a perforation
extending transverse to said elongation of said at least one web, said
perforation means being disposed between said fold means and said cutting
means.
21. A web processing system according to claim 18, wherein said folding
means includes a buckle folder.
22. A web processing system according to claim 18, wherein said folding
means comprises two folders, and wherein said system further comprises
means, disposed between said cutting means and said folding means, for
directing alternate sheets to a corresponding one of said two folders.
23. A web processing system comprising:
a printing apparatus for printing on at least one elongate web of material
to from at least one elongate printed web;
perforation means for forming, in said printed web, at least one
perforation extending transverse to the direction of elongation of said
web;
cutting means for cutting said printed web into a plurality of separate
sheets; and
folding means for folding said separate sheets, said folding means
comprising a folder and a sensor for detecting when each of said separate
sheets arrives at said folder and for activating said folder in response
thereto such that the operation of the folder is synchronized with the
arrival of the sheet at the folder nd is independent of the timing of the
said printing on the web by said printing apparatus.
24. A web processing system according to claim 23 wherein said folding
means includes a buckle folder.
25. A web processing system according to claim 23 wherein said folding
means comprises two folders and wherein said system further comprises
means, disposed between said cutting means and said folding means, for
directing alternate sheets to a corresponding one of said two folders.
26. A method of processing at least one elongate web of material, said
method comprising the steps of:
printing on said at least one web to thereby form at least one printed web;
cutting said at least one printed web into a plurality of separate sheets
in timed relationship with the printing on said web;
folding each of said plurality of sheets using a folder providing an
operation in which the movement of each of said sheets is stopped by a
stop, an intermediate part of each of said sheets is forced into a nip,
and each of said sheets is forced through said nip to fold each of said
sheets, such that the folding is synchronized with the arrival of the
sheet at the folder and is independent of the timing of the step of the
printing on the web; and
providing continuous movement of said material of said web from prior to
said printing step to the commencement of the folding of each sheet.
27. A method of processing at least one elongate web of material, said
method comprising the steps of:
printing on said at least one web to thereby form at least one elongate
printed web;
forming a longitudinal fold in said at least one web;
cutting said at least one printed web into a plurality of separate sheets
in timed relationship with said printing step; and
folding each of said plurality of sheets using a folder providing an
operation in which the movement of each of said sheets is stopped by a
stop, an intermediate part of each of said sheets is forced into a nip,
and each of said sheets is forced through said nip to fold each of said
sheets, such that the folding is synchronized with the arrival of the
sheets at the folder and is independent of the timing of the step of the
printing on the web.
28. A method of processing at least one elongate web of material, said
method comprising the steps of:
printing on said at least one web to thereby form at least one printed web;
forming, in said at least one printed web, a plurality of perforations each
extending transverse to the direction of elongation of said web;
cutting said at least one printed web into a plurality of separate sheets
in time relationship with said printing step; and
folding each of said plurality of sheets using a folder providing an
operation in which the movement of each of said sheets is stopped by a
stop, an intermediate part of each of said sheets is forced into a nip,
and each of said sheets is forced through said nip to fold each of said
sheets, such a that the folding is synchronized with the arrival of the
sheets at the folder and is independent of the timing of the step of the
printing on the web.
29. A web processing system comprising:
a printing apparatus for printing continuously on at least one elongate web
of material to form at least one printed web;
cutting means for cutting said printed web into a plurality of separate
sheets in timed relationship with the operation of said printing
apparatus;
means for continuously transferring said printed web from said printing
means to said cutting means;
folding means for folding said separate sheets, said folding means
comprising a stop for stopping movement of each of said separate sheets, a
nip, and means for forcing an intermediate part of each of said separate
sheets into said nip and for subsequently forcing each of said separate
sheets through said nip to fold each of said separate sheets such that the
operation of said folding means is synchronized with the arrival of the
sheet at the folder and is independent of the timing of the printing on
the web; and
means for continuously transferring said plurality of separate sheets from
said cutting means to said folding means.
30. A web processing system comprising:
a printing apparatus for printing on at least one web of material to form
at least one elongate printed web;
cutting means for cutting said printed web into a plurality of separate
sheets;
folding means for folding said separate sheets, said folding means
comprising a stop for stopping movement of each of said separate sheets, a
nip, and means for forcing an intermediate part of each of said separate
sheets into said nip and for subsequently forcing each of said separate
sheets through said nip to fold each of said separate sheets such that the
operation of said folding means is synchronized with the arrival of the
sheet at the folder and is independent of the timing of the printing on
the web; and
further folding means disposed between said printing apparatus and said
cutting means for forming, in said printed web, a further fold extending
in the direction of elongation of said printed web.
31. A web processing system comprising:
a printing apparatus for printing on at least one elongate web of material
to from at least one elongate printed web;
perforation means for forming, in said printed web, at least one
perforation extending transverse to the direction of elongation of said
web;
cutting means for cutting said printed web into a plurality of separate
sheets; and
folding means for folding said separate sheets, said folding means
comprising a stop for stopping movement of each of said separate sheets, a
nip, and means for forcing an intermediate part of each of said separate
sheets into said nip and for subsequently forcing each of said separate
sheets through said nip to fold each of said separate sheets such that the
operation of said folding means is synchronized with the arrival of the
sheet at the folder and is independent of the timing of the printing on
the web. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to web processing systems, which may perform
operations such as forming an image on a web (e.g. of paper) by printing,
copying or other marking process, (hereinafter generally referred to as
"printing") and/or handling arrangements such as folding or format
adjustment. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively,
concerned with processing systems in which the paper or other material
orginates as a continuous web on a roll.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
It is very well known to pass paper from a roll through a printing machine
to form a series of images on it and then rewind, sheet or fold it into
various formats. However, there are fundamental problems which provide a
serious limitation to the efficiency of such machines. There is the
problem of "down-time". Once the printing machine has been set up, and the
paper put in motion, printing can occur very rapidly. However, with the
known machines long delays can occur when any change is made to the method
of delivery or to what is being printed. For example, if a different image
is to be printed, or if the repeat length of the image is to be changed,
or if a different colour is to be used, or the folded format is to be
changed, then the print run has to be stopped. The design of the known
printing machines is such that it is extremely difficult to make such
changes, and hence it is common for the time such machines are not working
(the down-time) to be much longer than the effective working time.
A further problem of existing arrangements is that printing machines are
designed for a specific printing application, the machine being available
as a single entity. What this means, in practice, is that if the owner of
the machine wants to carry out more complex operations than are currently
possible on his machine, he must undertake quite major engineering or buy
a whole new machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is therefore concerned with overcoming, or at least
ameliorating, these problems to design a web processing system in which
many changes can be made whilst the system is in operation (can be made
"on the fly") and which may also have the advantage of being modular so
that the system may be expanded in capability if required.
The web processing system with which the present invention is concerned may
be divided into three parts. Firstly, there is the part of the system
which takes the web from a roll or reel and feeds it to the rest of the
system. Secondly, there is the part which forms an image on the web, and
thirdly there is a handling arrangement for the printed web. The present
invention has several aspects, each concerned with various parts of such a
system.
The first aspect is concerned with the handling of rolls and the input of a
web to a printing machine or other imaging apparatus. When webs are input
into a printing machine, problems occur at the end of the web. If the
machine is not to be stopped, then some splicing arrangement is necessary
to attach the end of one web to the beginning of the next. There are two
known systems for achieving this. Firstly, there is a system known as a
"flying splice" in which joining is carried out with the surface of the
new roll moving at the same speed as the running web. The second system is
known as a "zero-speed splice" in which the join is effected while both
the new roll and the running web are stationary but the press is kept
running by means of a reservoir of web such as a festoon.
The first aspect of the present invention seeks to improve the efficiency
of the roll handling and the splicing system. In its most general form,
this aspect moves rolls of web material on suitable supports, e.g. mobile
unwind stands relative to a splicer of a web processing apparatus. With
one roll of web material being drawn into the web processing apparatus,
another web may be brought up to the splicer the two webs spliced
together, and the web from the second roll drawn into the machine.
Splicing may be achieved by flying or zero-speed splicing.
Thus according to this aspect, there may be provided a method of feeding
web material to a web processing apparatus, the method comprising, moving,
relative to a splicing position, a first reel of the web material from an
initial position of that reel towards a final position for that reel;
withdrawing web material from the first reel into the web processing
apparatus; moving, relative to the splicing position a second reel of the
web material from an initial position of that second reel to a final
position for that reel; splicing the web material of the first reel to the
web material of the second reel at the splicing position, separating the
splice from the web material remaining on the first reel, and t hen
withdrawing web material from the second reel into the web processing
apparatus; and completing the movement of the first reel to its final
position.
Also there may be provided a mobile unwind stand for a reel of web
material, having a movable base, means for supporting the reel such that
it is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and means for controlling the
rate of that rotation, and a system for feeding web material to a web
processing apparatus, having a plurality of such mobile reel stands, and a
splicer adjacent an entrance to the web processing apparatus, the splicer
being adapted to splice web material of a reel on one of the mobile unwind
stands which is being fed to the entrance to the web processing apparatus
to web material of a reel on another of the mobile unwind stands.
The mobile unwind stands provide: the transport systems between the paper
store and the machine; the roll stand from which the web is unwound; and
the means for returning part-used or reject rolls to the store. In use,
successive reel stands may be positioned sequentially adjacent the
splicing unit, and moved so that as the required amount of material has
been unwound from one roll, the next can be in position. Thus, a
replacement roll can be positioned, and the original roll removed, with
the printing machine continuing its operation throughout. This reduces the
amount of roll handling, facilitates the organisation of work at this part
of the machine so as to fit in more flexibly with other machine operating
tasks; and permits a machine layout with a better material flow,
particularly in situations where part-used or reject rolls are to be
removed from the machine.
The next three aspects of the invention are concerned with the imaging
arrangement. These aspects are particularly, but not exclusively,
concerned with a web fed offset press. Such presses typically comprise,
for each colour to be printed, and each repeat length: a pair of blanket
cylinders between which the web passes (blanket-to-blanket formation); a
pair of plate cylinders in contact with a corresponding blanket cylinder,
and on which the image to be printed is mounted; and an inking and
dampening system for each plate cylinder. Such a system is known as a
"perfecting" press, as it prints on both sides of the web. It is also
known to provide an impression cylinder, and a single blanket cylinder,
plate cylinder, and inking and dampening system, if only one side of the
web is to be printed.
The second aspect of the present invention proposes an imaging apparatus
such as a web-fed offset perfecting press, comprising a plurality of
cartridges in an array or stack, or even a plurality of stacks. A common
unit for printing medium is then provided in common for several
cartridges. Thus, this aspect may provide a web-fed printing apparatus
comprising a plurality of cartridges in an array, for printing a web
feedable through the array, and at least one unit containing printing
medium, each cartridge having means for transferring the printing medium
from the unit to the web; wherein the at least one unit is mounted
relative to the array so that the at least one unit and the cartridges of
the array are capable of relative movement, thereby to permit successive
interaction of the at least one unit with at least two of the cartridges.
The cartridges may form a web-fed offset printing press, in which case
each cartridge may have a pair of blanket cylinders, and a corresponding
pair of plate cylinders. The common unit may then be an inking and
dampening unit displaceable relative to the cartridges to supply
selectively the plate cylinders of at least some of those cartridges, or
alternatively the cartridges themselves may be movable. Thus, it becomes
possible to have a printing sequence that can be varied in detail in which
the following features can be carried out: the inking and dampening unit
is placed in an operative position for a first cartridge and a print run
is carried out for that cartridge; then the blanket cylinders of the first
cartridge are moved away from the web; the blanket cylinders of a second
cartridge (which has different characteristics such as the nature of the
image, the image pitch or colour) are moved into contact with the web when
the inking and dampen-ing unit has moved to that cartridge. A new printing
run can thus be started at the second cartridge with very little time
delay. It then becomes possible to change e.g. the image on a plate
cylinder of the first cartridge, whilst the printing machine is running.
The apparatus may include a plurality of inking and dampening units for
supplying respective different colours simultaneously to a plurality of
selected cartridges (with, in general, at least an equal plurality of
cartridges not then being supplied). There may be a plurality of arrays or
stacks with driers interposed as required, or a system in which the
cartridges can be exchanged for others stored elsewhere.
It is also possible to achieve the feature of interchangability between one
printed image and another, by providing a web-fed printing apparatus
comprising a plurality of cartridges in an array for printing a web
feedable through the array, each cartridge having means for transferring
printing medium from a unit for containing such printing medium to the
web, the means including at least one printing cylinder which is adapted
to contact the web, wherein the at least one printing cylinder of one of
the cartridges has a different circumference from that of the at least one
blanket cylinder of at least one other of the cartridges.
The printing cylinder may be a blanket cylinder of an offset press, there
then being a plate cylinder between the unit for containing the printing
medium and the blanket cylinder. For an offset perfecting press there will
then be a blanket cylinder, and a corresponding plate cylinder on each
side of the web. For other offset presses there is one blanket cylinder,
with an impression cylinder on the other side of the web. For a gravure
press, the printing cylinder is etched, and the printing medium is
transferred from the unit directly to the printing cylinder. Similarly in
a flexographic or letter press, printing medium is transferred directly to
the cylinder, which in this case has a raised surface carrying the
printing medium. For gravure, flexographic, and letter presses there is
again an impression cylinder on the other side of the web to the printing
cylinder.
The third aspect of the present invention concerns movement of the blanket
cylinders of a printing apparatus into and out of contact with the web and
their corresponding plate cylinders. In the known systems, the cylinders
are constrained so that the blanket cylinders must be precisely mounted in
order to achieve their required setting with respect to one another and
their corresponding plate cylinders when printing commences. This aspect
of the present invention, however, envisages means for moving one of the
blanket cylinders towards and away from the plate cylinder and the other
blanket cylinder, and hence away from the web, and biasing means for
preventing that other blanket cylinder following completely the movement
of the first blanket cylinder.
This aspect may therefore provide a web-fed printing apparatus having at
least one cartridge, the or each cartridge having a pair of plate
cylinders and a pair of blanket cylinders; wherein: the or each cartridge
has means for controlling movement of a first one of the blanket cylinders
between a first position and a second position; the first position
corresponding to a printing position, in which the first blanket cylinder
is in contact with a corresponding one of the plate cylinders, and also
applies a force to the other blanket cylinder, which force holds the other
blanket cylinder in a first position in contact with the other plate
cylinder; the second position corresponding to a withdrawn position, in
which the first blanket cylinder is withdrawn from contact with the
corresponding plate cylinder, and also from the other blanket cylinder,
the withdrawal of the first blanket cylinder from the other blanket
cylinder permitting that other blanket cylinder to move from its first
position to a second position in which it is withdrawn from contact with
its corresponding plate cylinder.
Thus, the blanket cylinders move between inoperative positions, in which no
printing occurs, and an operative position in which the web is held
between the two blanket cylinders, and the two blanket cylinders bear
against the plate cylinders so that an image can be transferred.
The fourth aspect of the invention concerns the relationship between the
printing arrangement and the subsequent web handling. The printing
industry has developed in two directions. One of them is concerned with
the handling of elongate webs, such as described above, whilst the other
is concerned with handling material in sheet form. In general, each type
has its associated problems, and workers in the art tend to concentrate on
their own field. It has been realised however that the problems of folding
occurring in the field of elongate web handling can be effectively solved
using techniques from the sheet handling field, which techniques have been
evolved to handle the products of a sheet-fed printing machine. Therefore,
the fourth aspect of the present invention proposes that the output of a
web printing machine is cut into sheets and is fed to a sheet folding
system.
Thus this aspect may provide a method of processing at least one web of
material comprising printing on the at least one web, cutting in a time
relationship with the printing the or each printed web into a plurality of
separate sheets, and folding each sheet by a folder whose action is timed
in dependence on the arrival of a sheet at the folder, wherein there is
continuous movement of the material from prior to the printing to the
commencement of the folding of the sheets.
This aspect may also provide a method of processing at least one web of
material, comprising printing on the at least one web, forming a
longitudinal fold in the or each printed web, cutting in a timed
relationship with the printing the or each web into a plurality of
separate sheets, and folding each sheet by a folder whose action is timed
in dependence on the arrival of a sheet at the folder.
Furthermore, this aspect may provide a method of processing at least one
web of material, comprising printing the at least one web, forming
transverse perforations in the printed web, cutting in a timed
relationship with the printing of the or each web into a plurality of
separate sheets, and folding each sheet by a folder whose action is timed
in dependence on the arrival of a sheet at the folder.
In a similar way, the present invention may provide a web processing system
comprising an apparatus for printing continuously at least one web of
material, means for transferring the printed web continuously to a means
for cutting the web into a plurality of separate sheets, which means has
an action having a timed relationship with the printing means, and means
for transferring the sheets continuously to a means for folding the
sheets, which folding means has an action which is timed in dependence on
the arrival of a sheet at the folding means;
a web processing system comprising an apparatus for printing at least one
web of material, means for forming a longitudinal fold in the or each web,
means for cutting the web into a plurality of separate sheets, and means
for folding the sheets:
a web processing system comprising an apparatus for printing at least one
web of material, means for forming a transverse perforation in the or each
web, means for cutting the web into a plurality of separate sheets, and
means for folding the sheets.
Once the web has been cut, it can be fed to a buckle, knife, or combination
folder which may perform various known folding operations on each sheet.
This is particularly advantageous when handling lightweight stock, in that
the known sheet systems cannot easily handle such stock, at least not
unless they run at very reduced speeds. However it is easy to make an
initial fold in the web from the web printing machine, thereby stiffening
the material. It also becomes possible to provide a perforation for the
first fold made by the folding machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a general view of a paper handling system with which the
present invention is concerned;
FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a paper web input system;
FIGS. 3a and 3b show the alignment arrangement for the system of FIG. 2 in
plan and side view respectively;
FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of a web-fed offset perfecting press
embodying the second aspect of the invention;
FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the drive system for the press of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows a side view of the drive system for the press of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a web-fed offset perfecting press
embodying the second aspect of the present invention;
FIGS. 8 and 9 show a third embodiment of a web-fed offset perfecting press
embodying the second aspect of the present invention, FIG. 8 being a side
view and FIG. 9 being a plan view;
FIG. 10 shows a detail of the cylinder movement system of the press of
FIGS. 4 or 7, or 8 and 9, illustrating an embodiment of the third aspect
of the present invention;
FIGS. 11 and 12 each show axial and radial views of a cylinder with
adjustable diameter;
FIGS. 13 and 14 show alternative paper folding systems;
FIG. 15 shows one form of processing and folding paper from a web printing
machine, embodying the fourth aspect of the present invention; and
FIG. 16 shows an alternative paper processing arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring first to FIG. 1, a web (in this example, paper) handling system
with which the present invention is concerned involves three parts. A
first part, generally indicated at 1, takes paper from one or more paper
rolls in the form of a web 2 and transports it to a printing unit 3 and an
optional drying unit 4. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a right-angled turn in
the paper web 2 is achieved by passing the paper round an angled bar 5.
After passing through the printing unit 3, and the drying unit 4, the
paper web 2 is again turned for convenience through 90.degree. via bar 6,
and passed to a cutting and folding arrangement generally indicated at 7.
Sheets of paper printed, cut and folded as appropriate then pass for e.g.
stacking in the direction indicated by the arrow 8. Of course, any
arrangement of paper web input unit 1, printing station 3, drying station
4, and cutting and folding arrangement 7 may be provided, the actual
configuration depending on space and similar constraints.
As discussed above, the present invention is concerned with various
developments of the components of this system.
FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a transport and feeding arrangement 1 for
material (e.g. paper) on rolls. It consists of a splicing unit generally
indicated at 10 and a series of mobile reel stands in the form of roll
transportation trolleys 11, 12 (although only two are shown, more may be
provided). Each trolley consists of a base 13 with wheels or castors 14
which supports roll-lifting and carrying arms 15. The arms 15 of each
trolley 11, 12 carry a roll 16 of paper with its axis generally horizontal
so that the web of paper may be drawn from the roll and supplied to the
splicing unit 10. Each trolley has means for controlling the unwinding of
a roll in e.g. the arms 15 of the trolley 11, 12. The leading end of each
trolley 11, 12 may be provided with means for interconnecting with the
trailing edge of another trolley, or they may be queued without being
connected. In this way, it becomes possible to push the trolleys 11, 12
sequentially under the splicing unit 10, so that as one roll is used up,
another may be started. This idea of queued trolleys carrying paper rolls
may be used with flying splicing arrangements, but zero-speed arrangements
are preferred and the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2 corresponds to the
latter.
The trolleys serve for transport from the paper store to the machine and
back, and as roll stands from which the paper is unwound. They can be
queued so that they may be positioned sequentially adjacent the splicing
unit, and moved so that as one roll finishes (on trolley 12) the next (on
trolley 11) can be in position. The running web on the trolley 12 is
therefore positioned to pass over a roller 17 at the splicing unit 10 at
substantially the same angle, so that each subsequent splice is of a
predetermined cut off length and is on the same side of the web. This
reduces the amount of roll handling, enables the work at this part of the
machine to be fitted in more flexibility with other machine operating
tasks; and permits a machine layout with a better material flow,
particularly in situations where part used or reject rolls are to be
removed from the machine.
As shown in FIG. 2, a paper web 18 from the leading trolley 12 passes via
the roller 17 and a pressure plate 19 to a festoon system 20. The festoon
system 20 has a roller 21 which is movable between the position shown in
solid lines and the position shown in dotted lines. The roll 16 carrying
the next web 22 of paper to be used is mounted on the second trolley 11,
and its leading end mounted on a pivotable unit 23. The privotable unit 23
has a pressure system 24 into which the leading ends of the paper web 22
is fitted, preferably when the unit 23 is in its withdrawn position shown
in dotted lines.
As the first web 18 is run, the roller 21 is moved to the position shown in
solid lines so that there is a significant amount of paper running within
the festoon unit 20. When the end of the web 18 being withdrawn from the
trolley 12 approaches, or it is desired to replace one web with another,
the input of the web 18 to the festoon unit 20 is stopped, but the output
(in the direction of arrow 25) continues as the roller 21 moves towards
its dotted position. With the part of the web 18 adjacent the pressure
plate 19 stationary, the unit 23 is swung through the position shown in
solid lines until the attachment unit 24 comes in contact with the
pressure plate, thereby pressing the end of the web 22 (on which adhesive
is provided) onto the web 18, causing a splice. The web 18 is then cut
below the pressure plate 19 by a knife 26, unit 23 is then withdrawn, and
the web 22 may then be drawn into the festoon unit 20 and the roller 21
moved back to its original position shown by a full line.
The accuracy of the feed of a web 18, 22 into the splicing unit 10 and
hence through the festoon unit 20 to a printing machine depends on precise
alignment of the axis of the rolls 16. If the axis of rolls 16 is not
precisely positioned perpendicular to the direction of arrows 25 of the
output from the festoon unit 20, there is the risk that the web 18, 22 may
be creased or "track" (i.e. move sideways) in the printing machine. To
prevent this, it is desirable that there is an arrangement for aligning
the trolleys 11, 12, and hence the rolls 16, below the splicing unit. One
such arrangement which may be used is shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b.
There are two different alignments needed: to ensure that the axis of the
rolls is precisely transverse to the direction of movement of the web, and
to ensure that the axis of the roll is at the correct distance from the
splicer 10. FIG. 3a shows the first of these. As illustrated, one of the
arms 15 of a trolley 11 has two guide balls 30 rotatably mounted on its
outer surface, and the other arm 15 has a single guide ball 31, which is
rotatably mounted, but also spring loaded, on its outer surface. When the
trolley 11 is passed below the splicer 10 (in FIG. 2) the balls 30, 31
contact a pair of guide rails 32, one on each side of the trolley. The two
balls 30 ensure that the corresponding arm 15, and hence the rest of the
trolley 11, is precisely aligned with the guide rail 32, and the spring
loaded ball 31 ensures adjustment due to slight variations in the width of
the trolley. The three-point contact of the balls 30, 31 gives accurate
alignment with the guide rails 32, which themselves may be accurately
aligned with the direction of movement of the web.
As was mentioned with reference to FIG. 2, the trolleys are mounted on
wheels or castors 14 and in theory, if the floor 33 was prefectly flat,
and the wheels were precisely made, this would ensure accurate vertical
positioning of the axis of a roll 16. In practice, however, such accurate
positioning is not possible, and therefore the FIG. 3b shows one way of
achieving vertical positioning. Each trolley 11 has a pair of support
rollers 35 on each side thereof, and a ramp 36 is positioned on the floor
33 generally below the splicer 10. As the leading wheel 14 of the trolley
11 moves onto the ramp 36, the support rollers 35 engage a pair of guide
rails 37, one on each side of the trolley 21. The guide rails 37 slope
upwardly in the direction of trolley movement, so as the trolley 11 moves,
the action of the support roller 35 and the rail 37 is to lift the rear
wheel or castor 14 of the trolley 11 clear of the floor 33. Hence the
vertical position of the trolley and hence the roll 16 is determined
primarily by the guide rail 37.
As the trolley moves forwards, the support roller 35 moves through
positions A to J shown in FIG. 3b.
The system described above requires the arms 15 of the trolley 11 to be
locked in position during the movement of the trolley 11 below the splicer
10. It is also thought possible to achieve accurate vertical positioning
by moving the arms 15 to a position determined by a suitable stop,
although such an arrangement is not preferred.
Thus, FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate one embodiment of the first aspect of the
present invention, embodied as queuing trolleys for paper rolls.
As explained with reference to Fig. I, the paper web then passes to a
printing unit 3. FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of such a unit 3, being
a web-fed offset perfecting press according to the second aspect of the
present invention. As illustrated, the press has three cartridges 40, 41,
42, with each cartridge having a pair of blanket cylinders 43, 44 in
blanket-to-blanket configuration, and a pair of plate cylinders 45, 46 the
outer surface of each of which is formed by a printing plate in contact
with a corresponding one of the blanket cylinders 43, 44: i.e. each
cartridge contains a "printing couple". Normally the plate and blanket
cylinders have the same diameter, but it is also known to have plate
cylinders of half the circumference of the corresponding blanket cylinder.
As illustrated, the cartridges 40, 41, 42 are immediately adjoining each
other, as this gives the array of cartridges 40 41 42 a small size. It
would be possible, however, for the cartridges 40, 41, 42 to be in a
spaced-apart array. The web 2 passes round a roller 47 and between the
pair of blanket cylinders 43, 44 of each cartridge 40, 41, 42. It is
preferable if the cartridges 40, 41, and 42 are stacked substantially
vertically but substantially horizontal arrangements are also possible
including arrangements in which the cartridges are movable transverse to
the web. The image to be printed on the web 2 is carried on the plate
cylinders 45 and 46 and transferred via the blanket cylinders (hence
"offset" printing) to the web. This, in itself, is known.
As shown in FIG. 4, a unit containing printing medium, e.g. an inking and
dampening train 48, 49 is provided on each side of the web. The inking and
dampening train 48, 49 are capable of moving vertically separately or
together and eac | | |
