Harris Graphics Corporation

Am International Incorporated

Dinesh G Punater

Robert A Dessert

Mark F Duchesne

Richard A Gaspar

Robert Morris Montgomery

Vincent T Kubert

Gene E Graves

George A Gibson

John Lawrence Herman

Donald G Bastian

Paul V Sadwick

Curtis B Miller

Richard T Laubach

Ralph E Barrera

A press, and a process of printing a combination of fixed and variable data on such press, wherein printed images being manufactured are created by direct digital driving of an imaging device at normal press speed, optionally followed by one or more processing operations in the case of business forms or the like, as required for a particular job. The content of the printed images can be changed without stopping the press. The press and process uses novel electrostatic printing engines having a direct digital imaging system which can create latent electrostatic images at normal press speeds, including the ability to accommodate substantial speed variations. Together with these printing engines, an electronic imaging system is provided in which fixed (or base) image data and variable image data are combined electronically to drive a single exposure system. Repetitive latent images are formed and developed using a high resolution liquid toner, and the resultant visible image is transferred and fixed to a wide variety of materials, usually in a continuous web. The photoreceptor surface on the drum, on which the images are formed and developed, is also cleaned and thoroughly dried each revolution. The press also has a novel fuser/dryer in which the developer carrier liquid is vaporized from the drum and treated through a catalytic converter to control emissions from the press. Heat from the catalytic treatment of the volatile carrier liquid is utilized as a heat source for air used in the fuser/dryer, thus providing a recuperative system.

Printing press and method

A press, and a process of printing a combination of fixed and variable data on such press, wherein printed images are created by direct digital driving of an imaging device at normal press speed, optionally followed by one or more processing operations in the case of business forms. The content or arrangement of the printed images can be changed without stopping the press. The press and process use one or more novel electrostatic printing engines having a direct digital imaging system which can create latent electrostatic images at normal press speeds, including the ability to accommodate substantial speed variations. Together with these printing engines, an electronic imaging system is provided in which fixed (or base) image data and variable image data are combined electronically to drive a single exposure system. Repetitive latent images are formed and developed using a liquid toner, and the resultant visible image is transferred and fixed to a variety of materials, in a continuous web. The photoreceptor surface on the drum, on which the images are formed and developed, is also cleaned and thoroughly dried each revolution. Make ready time between successive printing jobs can be significantly reduced. The press also has a novel fuser/dryer in which the developer carrier liquid is vaporized from the drum and treated through a catalytic converter to control emissions from the press. Heat from the catalytic treatment of the volatile carrier liquid is utilized as a heat source for air used in the fuser/dryer, thus providing a recuperative system.

An automated system and method are provided to supply a liquid toner dispersion to the printing station of a high speed electrophotographic printing press. A highly concentrated form of the liquid toner dispersion is supplied in a first container. Density measurement of the liquid toner in a process tank controls the feed of concentrate to the process tank. Liquid level switches in the process tank control toner carrier liquid flow to the process tank. Conductivity sensor monitoring of the toner in the process tank controls the flow of liquid charge control agent into the process tank. Flow rate of the liquid toner from the process tank to the printing station of the printing unit is controlled by a sensor, logic circuitry, and motorized adjustable flow valve and flow meter.

Liquid toner supply system and method

A method and apparatus for measuring the relaxed length of a moving web includes forming a plurality of detectable marks along the length of the web at a repeated length interval. First and second detectors positioned along the web path are separated by a known distance S. A first tensioning force is applied to the moving web, and a first tensioned repeat length of the web is measured by detecting a mark moving past the first detector and then detecting the next mark moving past the second detector. The time separating the detections is determined. A second tensioning force of a known proportional relationship with the first tensioning force is applied to the moving web. A second tensioned repeat length is measured. The speed of the moving web is measured, and a relaxed length is calculated from the first tensioned repeat length, the second tensioned repeat length, and the proportional relationship between the first and second tensioning forces.

System for measuring the relaxed length of a moving web

A method and apparatus for measuring the repeat length (L) of a moving web includes forming a plurality of detectable marks along the length of the web at a repeated length interval. First and second detectors positioned along the web path are separated by a known distance (S). The repeat length of the web is obtained by detecting a mark moving past the first detector and then detecting a mark moving past the second detector, determining the time (t) separating the detections, and measuring the speed of the moving web (V), wherein the repeat length is calculated using the formula L=S+Vt.

System for measuring the repeat length of a moving web

A rotatable drum is disclosed for securing thereto various sizes of sheets of film by a partial vacuum. The drum includes a cylindrical body and first and second circular end blocks connected for closing the body. The drum is mounted for rotation about its central axis. The first end block defines concentrically therethrough a central passageway, connected to a source of partial vacuum so that the drum may be partially evacuated. The cylindrical body defines on its outer surface a plurality of parallel, identical grooves extending circumferentially about the body. A plurality of holes also extend through the body, each of the holes opening on the outer surface into one of the grooves. Importantly, the cross-sectional area of each hole is approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of each of the grooves, and no porting or valving is provided for the drum interior to close unneeded holes. The first block further defines a plurality of auxiliary passageways, each of the auxiliary passageways opening at a first end through the inner face of the block and connecting at a second end with the central passageway. The auxiliary passageways are disposed within the first block symmetrically about the axis of the drum.

Vacuum drum for securing a film thereto

A lateral positioner and adjust mechanism is provided for an unwind station of a web press. The unwind station includes first and second arms pivotally mounted to a frame that cooperate for supporting for rotation a roll on a shaft. The arms can be raised and lowered to raise and lower the roll. In the subject mechanism, a wheel is mounted to a first end of the shaft extending beyond the first supporting arm, the wheel defining in its periphery a groove having opposing side walls. Each of the side walls defines an outward bevel. A block attached to the first arm defines thereon a ridge extending upwardly perpendicular to the shaft, the ridge having opposing side walls, each of which includes a bevel. The ridge is fittable within the groove. The block can be selectively moved toward and away from the first arm in a direction parallel to the shaft. As the roll shaft is raised into position, the ridge and groove engage, moving the shaft into correct lateral position. During operation of the press, lateral movement of the block will provide lateral adjustment of the roll.

Lateral positioning and adjustment mechanism for a web press

A quick-release mounting for a cutting wheel comprises a housing adjustably mounted in an arm, and a hollow shaft rotatably supported in the housing. The shaft has an expandable collet hub on which a wheel can be received. A mandrel extends within the shaft and has a tapered part to expand the collet hub; the mandrel is spring loaded toward expanding the hub, and a handle on the mandrel allows thrusting the mandrel in opposition to the spring load for release of a wheel. Locking members guard against accidental release of a wheel from the shaft, and an adjustable stop prevents over-tightening the collet hub. Adjustments of the mounting to mount or dismount a wheel and to change position thereof can all be accomplished without need for tools.

Quick change slitter wheel holder

An apparatus and method for measuring the relative circumferential setting of at least two rotating elements of a machine for operating on a moving web are provided wherein a first of the elements serves as a measurement reference. An electric reference pulse is generated for each revolution of the first element, along with a train of clock pulses wherein each count corresponds to an increment of rotation. A marker pulse is generated for each revolution of the second element, and the count pulses generated subsequent to generation of a reference pulse and up to and simultaneous with generation of the next succeeding marker pulse are counted, thereby providing a relative rotational measurement. The count is retained in a memory until the next succeeding count is completed. A mechanism for making circumferential adjustments to the second element is provided, along with generator for generating adjustment pulses for each increment of adjustment, a number corresponding to the number of adjustment pulses being added to or subtracted from the count retained within the memory. The retained number as updated is displayed in an appropriate manner.

Apparatus and method for measuring rotational position

An apparatus and method for encoding the lateral or circumferential setting within a web press of a laterally or circumferentially adjustable machine for operating on a web is provided. The machine has an element which moves linearly as the machine is adjusted, and the apparatus includes a linkage connectable to the linearly moving element. An electric signal generator is operatively connected to the linkage for operation in response to movement of the linkage. A reference point is defined for describing the setting of the machine, and a code is computed in response to the signal generated by the signal generator for designating the setting of the machine with respect to the reference point. The generated code is then displayed in an appropriate manner or used to automatically set the machine.

Apparatus and method for encoding positions of web press machines

Process and apparatus for manufacturing multi-part forms uses web presses having printing stations and processing stations at which operations are performed on webs in registry with a series of printed images, and uses a collator to assemble related webs from said presses, and to perform additional operations on assembled webs in registry with images thereon. A digital job description of a form is created, including location of printed images on several parts of the form and location of process items, e.g. perforations, holes, or cuts on parts of the form. This job description is stored in the memory of a computer [PR-2] with a job identifying code. Also, a digital description is created of images to be printed on the form, and stored in memory with the job identifying number. The image descriptions are recalled from memory and used to create printing plates for the presses and to pre-set printing and processing sections of a press for each part of the form. The parts of the form are then produced on the presses and supplied to the collator. The job description is recalled from memory and used to pre-set stations of the collator to assemble and complete processing of the multi-part forms. The computer also gathers and stores management data as the presses and collator operate, keeps a record of supplies/tools needed for each job and makes this information available to operators through terminals, and maintains records of jobs entered, work in process, and jobs shipped.

Growing community of inventors

Dayton, OH, United States of America

Dinesh G Punater