The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 21, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 20, 1999
Dale D. Leanna, Townsend, WI (US);
Interflex, L.L.C., Green Bay, WI (US);
Abstract
This invention is an improved apparatus and method for distributing ink in a printing press. In preferred embodiments, ink on an anilox roll is uniformly distributed on the roll by the scraping action of doctor blades against the roll surface. The blades are held in continuous engagement against the anilox roll by an adjustment mechanism which exerts a constant force against the doctor blades. The preferred adjustment mechanism is a cam or cams under the control of an actuator. The actuator causes each cam to rotate against a moveable support on which the doctor blades are mounted urging the doctor blades against the anilox roll. The actuator provides a constant force to each cam thereby causing the blades to be constantly urged against the anilox roll surface even as the blades are worn away by operation of the printing press. By keeping the doctor blades in constant contact with the anilox roll surface, the invention ensures even ink distribution over the anilox roll and, ultimately over the surface to be printed, avoids ink leakage and avoids the need to manually readjust the position of the doctor blades relative to the anilox roll surface.