Multiple ink roll system for flexographic printing stations

Abstract

A printing apparatus has a plurality of ink rolls, particularly anilox rolls, for a single printing cylinder at any one of a number of similar and serially arranged printing stations, each station having one ink roll at a time being selected for use in cooperation with either a wipe roll assembly or a doctor blade assembly associated with each station. The various assemblies are surrounded by respective movable cover members which allow the assemblies to either print, or be washed or cleaned, at the same time that a similar printing or cleaning operation is taking place at an adjacent printing station. A movable subframe adjacent the main frame carries the ink rolls and their associated movable cover members as well as both the wipe roll assembly and the doctor blade assembly. Preferably, the subframe is translated with respect to the main frame to upper and lower positions to thereby effect either the printing or cleaning operations, and all the operative assemblies on the subframe may be disposed above the print cylinder carried by the main frame.