Method and apparatus for handling printed sheet material

In a skeleton wheel for supporting and transferring a freshly printed sheet from a printing station on a printing press or the like without marring the freshly inked surface;

• a generally cylindrical rim segment having a generally cylindrical support surface formed thereon;
• and
• a fabric covering disposed over at least a part of said support surface for supportively engaging one side of said sheet during the transfer thereof;
• and
• means for securing said fabric covering to extend relatively loosely over said support surface to permit and accomodate slight movement between the fabric covering and said support surface when the printed sheet is supported and transferred by the skeleton wheel so that the freshly printed sheet is not marred.

A method of supporting and conveying sheet material which has been freshly inked and discharged from a printing press or the like without marring the freshly inked surface, comprising the steps of:

• forming an ink repellent coating on a sheet supporting surface of a skeleton wheel;
• treating a piece of fabric with a fabric softening agent;
• treating the piece of fabric with a liquid repellent subsequent to treatment with said fabric softening agent;
• attaching the piece of fabric to the skeleton wheel to cover the sheet supporting surface, said attaching step including mounting the piece of fabric relatively loosely over the sheet supporting surface such that the piece of fabric is capable of accommodating relative movement between the sheet material and the sheet supporting surface substantially without marring or damaging the freshly inked sheet material;
• and
• rotating the skeleton wheel to engage successive sheets of the sheet material in supportive and conveying relation with the piece of fabric.

A skeleton wheel for supporting and transferring a freshly inked printed sheet from a printing station of a printing press or the like without marring the freshly inked surface, comprising:

• a wheel member having a generally cylindrical sheet supporting surface with an ink repellent coating formed thereon;
• a fabric covering comprising a woven cloth treated with a fabric softening agent and then treated with a liquid repellent agent;
• and
• means for attaching said fabric covering relatively loosely to said wheel member to cover said sheet supporting surface such that said fabric covering is capable of accommodating sufficient relative movement between a printed sheet supported and transferred thereby and said sheet supporting surface substantially without marring or damaging the printed sheet.