Ink distributton apparatus and method for anilox roll

An apparatus for distributing ink applied to an anilox roll, comprising:

• a pair of doctor blades;
• an applicator head to which the blades are mounted;
• a moveably-mounted support having one end for supporting the applicator head and another end for engaging a shaft-biasing device;
• and
• an actuator disposed to move the shaft-biasing device to engage the moveably-mounted support such that the support is moved toward the anilox roll and the blades engage the anilox roll, the actuator providing a constant force.

A method for distributing ink applied to an anilox roll surface comprising the steps of:

• engaging the anilox roll surface with a blade;
• rotating the anilox roll;
• applying ink to the surface of the rotting anilox roll;
• distributing the ink on the rotating anilox roll surface with the blade;
• and
• automatically applying a constant force to bias the blade against the anilox roll surface by camming the blade against the anilox roll, the cog of the blade comprising the steps of:
• setting an actuator to maintain a constant force on a shaft;
• rotating the shaft with the actuator;
• rotating a cam mounted on the shaft, the cam having an eccentric camming surface;
• and
• urging a blade support toward the anilox Toll by engaging the cam outer surface against the support.

A method for distributing ink applied to an anilox roll surface comprising the steps of:

• indexing a blade against the anilox roll in a predetermined manner, the indexing step including the steps of:
• programming an actuator to rotate a shaft in a predetermined manner;
• rotating the shaft with the actuator through a linkage;
• rotating a cam mounted on the shaft, the cam having an eccentric camming surface;
• and
• urging a blade support toward the anilox roll by engaging the camming surface against the support such that the blade approaches and engages the anilox roll in a predetermined manner;
• rotating the anilox roll;
• applying ink to the surface of the rotating anilox roll;
• distributing the ink on the rotating anilox roll surface with the blade;
• and
• automatically applying a constant force biasing the blade against the anilox roll surface.

An applicator system for distributing ink applied to an anilox roll, comprising:

• a blade engagable with the anilox Toll for distributing ink applied thereto;
• a support structure for supporting the blade;
• a camming structure engaging the support structure for urging the blade against the anilox roll with a predetermined, constant force, the camming structure movable between first and second positions to adjust the position of the blade;
• and
• an actuator operatively connected to the camming structure, the actuator automatically moving the caning structure in response to the wearing away of the blade through use such that the camming structure maintains the blade against the anilox roll with the predetermined, constant.

An applicator system for distributing ink applied to an anilox roll, comprising:

• a blade engagable with the anilox roll for distributing ink applied thereto, the blade wearing away in response to engagement with the anilox roll;
• a support structure for supporting the blade;
• and
• an actuating structure engaging the support structure for positioning the blade against the anilox roll and for subsequently urging the blade against the anilox roll with a predetermined, constant force;
• wherein the actuating structure includes a means for moving the blade to a first position spaced from the anilox roll at a first rate of movement and moving the blade from the first position into contact with the anilox roll at a second rate of movement.