Method and apparatus for changing a printing sleeve

A printing machine of the type having a demountable printing roller having a removable printing sleeve thereon, comprising:

• a printing roller, having a bearing assembly disposed on a coaxial shaft thereof, and having a radius, and a longitudinal axis;
• block means for mounting said roller, said block means holding said bearing assembly therein and being openable to permit said shaft to be pivotally released therefrom;
• an extension, attachable to said shaft for pivoting therewith, said printing sleeve being transferable over said attached extension and being in non-contacting relationship therewith;
• support means disposed outside said machine in non-contacting relationship with said printing sleeve for supporting said extension and said pivoted shaft, said pivoted shaft being supported in said machine at only one pivotal point;
• and whereby said printing sleeve can be exchanged with another printing sleeve.

In combination, a printing machine of the type employing a removable printing sleeve and a printing roller carrying the printing sleeve, said printing roller having a radius and being revolvable on a bearing assembly;

• said yoke being changeable from an operating position that encloses said bearing assembly to an open position that permits said bearing assembly and said printing roller to be pivotally displaced from said yoke while said bearing assembly and said printing roller are in a contact relationship;
• a detachable extension, adapted to connect with a mandrel of said printing roller and being in non-contacting relationship with said sleeve;
• first and second means disposed external to said machine in non-contacting relationship with said sleeve for alternately supporting said mandrel and said extension at respective first and second locations, said sleeve being axially passable over said extension while said mandrel and said extension are being alternately supported by said first and second means, said roller being supported in said machine at only one pivotal point;
• whereby said printing sleeve can be replaced without removing said bearing from said printing roller while said printing roller remains attached to said printing machine.