Back to results
US 2007/0175346 A1Published application
Reverse air flow web stabilizer
AssigneeGoss International Americas, Inc.
InventorsKent Kasper, Drew Kiefaber, Daniel Perdue
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims16
1:
- A web print unit comprising:
- a first plate cylinder;
- a first blanket cylinder for contacting the first plate cylinder;
- a second blanket cylinder;
- a second plate cylinder for contacting the second blanket cylinder, a web to be printed passing between the first blanket cylinder and the second blanket cylinder at a blanket to blanket location, the first and second blanket cylinders capable of being thrown apart and rotating while thrown apart;
- and
- a first air source located on a first side of the web and oriented to blow air upstream toward the blanket to blanket location during rotation of the first and second blanket cylinders when thrown apart.
4 more elements
2:
- The print unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second air source located on a second side of the web oriented to blow air upstream toward the blanket to blanket location.
3:
- The print unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first actuator connected to the first air source for changing an angle of the first air source and/or for moving the first air source upstream or downstream.
4:
- The print unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising an automatic plate changer for changing plates on the first plate cylinder and the second plate cylinder.
5:
- The print unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the first air source comprises a manifold and two or more air outputs.
6:
- The print unit as recited in claim 2 wherein the second air source comprises a manifold and two or more air outputs.
7:
- The print unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the first air source comprises a single output elongated in a web width direction.
8:
- The print unit as recited in claim 2 wherein the second air source comprises a single output elongated in a web width direction.
9:
- A method for stabilizing a web to be printed comprising:
- passing a web between a first blanket cylinder and a second blanket cylinder at a blanket to blanket location;
- separating the first blanket cylinder and the second blanket cylinder from the web;
- blowing air on one side of the web upstream towards the blanket to blanket location while the first and second blanket cylinders are separated and rotating.
1 more element
10:
- The method recited in claim 9 further comprising blowing air on a second side of the web upstream towards the blanket to blanket location.
11:
- The method recited in claim 9 further comprising changing an angle of the blowing air on one side of the web.
12:
- The method recited in claim 10 further comprising changing an angle of the blowing air on the second side of the web.
13:
- The method recited in claim 9 further comprising automatically removing a plate from the first plate cylinder during the blowing step.
14:
- The method as recited in claim 9 wherein no air is blown in a direction of travel of the web downstream from upstream of the blanket to blanket location.
15:
- The method as recited in claim 9 further comprising positioning the web in the blanket to blanket location as a function of the blowing.
16:
- A print press comprising the web print unit recited in claim 1.