Multi-color offset printing press for printing and in-line coating

An offset printing press for the printing and in-line coating of materials, the offset printing press comprising, in combination:

• a first offset printing unit for printing materials;
• a flexographic lacquering unit for partially coating the materials with a first layer of coating fluids having viscosities of between approximately 0.1 and 2.0 Pas inclusive, the flexographic lacquering unit having:
• (1) an impression cylinder for carrying the materials,
• (2) a form cylinder carrying a typographic printing plate and contacting the materials carried by the impression cylinder for transferring the first layer of coating fluids thereto,
• (3) an applicator roller engaging the typographic printing plate on the form cylinder for transferring the coating fluids thereto,
• (4) a chamber doctor engaging the applicator roller for applying the coating fluids thereto, the chamber doctor comprising
• (a) a positive doctor blade disposed for contacting the applicator roller in its direction of rotation,
• (b) a negative doctor blade disposed for contacting the applicator roller counter to its direction of rotation, and
• (c) side portions combining with the negative and positive doctor blades to form a chamber having an opening adjacent to and facing the applicator roller, and
• (5) a closed fluid transport system comprising
• (a) a reservoir containing the coating fluids,
• (b) a feed pump for pumping coating fluids from the reservoir to the chamber doctor, and
• (c) a suction pump for pumping the coating fluids from the chamber doctor back to the reservoir;
• and,
• a second lacquering unit for fully coating the materials with a second layer of coating fluids, the second lacquering unit being disposed downstream from the flexographic lacquering unit with respect to the direction of movement of the materials through the press.