Printing Cylinder Cleaning System

The present invention relates generally to printing presses, and more particularly, to a system for cleaning rotating cylindrical surfaces such as, for example, the blankets of blanket cylinders in offset printing presses and the plates of plate cylinders in plate printing presses.

During the operation of printing presses, the blankets on the blanket cylinders and the plates on the plate cylinders accumulate foreign matter, such as dried ink or ink build-up, paper, lint, clay, dirt and the like that must be removed to maintain quality printing. As a result thereof, during a specific run or printing job, the blankets and plates must be cleaned at various times. The blankets must also be cleaned to remove the image when a particular printing job is completed.

To be effective, the blanket and plate cleaning devices must be capable of removing the foreign matter from the surface being cleaned and then discharging such removed materials from the cleaning device. For this purpose, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,307 assigned to the same assignee as the present application, blanket cleaning devices are known which include a cylindrical brush roller that is engageable with the blanket cylinder and rotatable against the blanket or plate cylinder. Solvents preferably are applied to the brush roller during the scrubbing cycle to enhance the cleaning action, and a flicker bar is mounted in engaging relation with the underside of the brush roller for causing the bristles of the brush to flex as they are directed over the flicker bar and eject foreign matter and solvent carried by the brush roller from the blanket cylinder.

While such cleaning devices have been found to effectively clean blanket cylinders, they have had certain design and operating limitations. Since the brush roller rotates against the blanket cylinder and the flicker bar engages the underside of the brush roller, reactionary forces exerted on the brush roller by the resistance of the flicker bar increase the pressure by which the brush roller bears against the blanket cylinder. When the brush roller strikes a gap in the blanket cylinder between blankets, the brush roller tends to be suddenly urged forwardly and then bounce rearwardly in reaction thereto. As the speed of the brush roller increases, so does the bouncing and vibratory action of the brush roller, which can result in undesirable streaking on the blanket being cleaned. The speed of brush roller rotation, therefore, must be limited to prevent such streaking. Moreover, since rotation of the brush roller is resisted both by its engagement with the blanket cylinder, as well as the flicker bar, a relatively high torque drive motor generally is required for the brush roller. The action of the flicker bar on the brush roller, furthermore, has been found to remove approximately 10 to 25 percent of the solvent that is applied to the brush roller during the cleaning operation. Hence, the cleaning device must be provided with solvent in sufficiently large quantities to compensate for the amount of solvent that is removed by the flicker bar, which increases the operating costs of the system.

It also is necessary that blanket and plate cleaning devices not allow excessive amounts of solvent to be applied to the moving sheet material. Since dryers utilized in printing lines can accommodate only predetermined levels of solvent without creating a potentially flammable condition, caution must be taken to ensure that solvent applied to the blankets and plates during a cleaning operation and in turn to the sheet material for transport through the dryer does not exceed the capacity of the dryer. Indeed, while it is often desirable to employ four to ten printing units operating on a moving web, depending upon the color and printing requirements, the number of printing units may be limited by the amount of solvent that is imparted to the web from the blanket and plate cleaning devices. Hence, the capacity of the dryer, together with the amount of solvent applied to the web by the blanket or plate cleaning devices, can limit the printing units that may be available for the printing operation. Since heretofore it has been difficult to precisely control the amount of solvent applied to the web, it has been equally difficult to reliably determine the maximum number of printing units that may be employed without exceeding the safety limits of the dryer.

The blanket and plate cleaning devices, furthermore, must permit reliable discharge of solvent and foreign matter removed from the brush roller without creating a clogged or overflow condition that can cause the brush roller to apply excessive solvent to the moving web. In addition, in prior blanket and plate cleaning devices dangerous conditions can result in the event of a breakdown or malfunction in the mechanical or control systems of the cleaning device. For example, when solenoid control valves are employed, if the blanket or plate cleaning device breaks down with the valve in an open condition, solvent may be continuously directed onto the brush roller during the period of the malfunction, again resulting in the application of excessive solvent to the web or sheet material which is carried to the dryer. Moreover, in prior blanket and plate cleaning devices, it is frequently difficult to effect service or repair, and space limitations about the press often necessitate the added cost of custom design and installation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved blanket and plate cleaning system for printing presses that is adapted for more economical and efficient manufacture and operation.

Another object is to provide a blanket and plate cleaning system as characterized above which more precisely controls the amount of solvent used during the blanket and plate cleaning operation, and hence, enables more reliable determination of the maximum number of printing units that may be simultaneously employed in a printing operation without creating a potentially dangerous condition in the dryer of the printing line.

A further object is to provide a blanket and plate cleaning system of the above kind which is adapted for automatically interrupting the supply of solvent to the brush roller of the cleaning device in the event of a mechanical or control malfunction in the system.

Still another object is to provide a blanket and plate cleaning system of the foregoing type in which the power driven brush roller may be operable at relatively high speeds with less tendency for undesirable vibration, and thus, less tendency for causing streaking in the blanket or plate being cleaned. A related object is to provide such a blanket and plate cleaning system which includes a foreign matter removing flicker bar that does not increase the bearing pressure of the brush roller on the blanket cylinder or plate during a cleaning cycle.

A further object is to provide a blanket or plate cleaning system of the above type which requires lesser quantities of solvent. A related object is to provide such a blanket and plate cleaning system in which the flicker bar is operable for removing primarily foreign matter in the brush and only minimal amounts of solvent.

Yet another object is to provide a blanket and plate cleaning system of such type which includes modular control elements that facilitates installation and service of the system in a printing line, as well as optimum operation.

Another object is to provide such a blanket and plate cleaning system in which the rotatable brush roller can be driven with a lower torque drive motor.

Still another object is to provide a blanket and plate cleaning device that permits the reliable discharge of foreign matter and solvent removed from the brush roller during the cleaning operation and which is adapted for relatively easy cleaning and maintenance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon references to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a printing line having a printing cylinder cleaning system embodying the present invention, and particularly depicting the solvent supply of the system;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the printing line shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of one of the printing units shown in the illustrated printing line;

FIG. 4 is a an enlarged side elevational view of one of the cleaning devices of the illustrated cleaning system;

FIG. 5 is a front end view of the cleaning device, in partial section, taken in the plane of line 5--5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the cleaning device, taken in the plane of line 6--6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front elevational view of one of the control modules for the cleaning system;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section of the control module, taken in the plane of line 8--8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical section of the control module, taken in the plane of line 9--9 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the module taken in the plane of line 10--10 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a vertical section of the solvent and water supply tank for the cleaning system;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view, in partial section, of the waste effluent transfer unit for the solvent recovery system of the cleaning system;

FIG. 13 is a perspective of a flat bed filter unit for the solvent recovery system;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the printing line, similar to FIG. 1, but particularly depicting the water supply for the cleaning system;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the printing line shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the printing line, particularly depicting the hydraulic supply of the cleaning system;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the printing line shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the printing line, particularly depicting the pneumatic supply for the cleaning system;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the printing line shown in FIG. 18; and

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the printing line, particularly depicting the electrical supply for the cleaning system.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, while the invention will be described in connection with a blanket cleaning system, it will be understood that it is equally applicable to the cleaning of plates on plate cylinders of printing presses. As used herein, the term "printing cylinder" is intended to include both blanket cylinders and plates of plate cylinders.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown an illustrative web press printing line 10 which includes a plurality of printing units 11 having a printing cylinder cleaning system 12 in accordance with the present invention, which in this case is a blanket cleaning system. A web 13 of paper drawn from a roll stand 14 is directed through an infeed and guide device 15 and then successively through the printing units 11 where printed images of different colors may be applied to the web in a known manner. The printed web 13 exiting the printing units 11 is directed through a dryer 16, a chill roll 17, and a folder 18 or other finishing equipment. The printing units 11, as best shown in FIG. 3, each comprise an upper and lower blanket cylinder 19a, 19b which define a nip through which the web 13 passes. Each upper and lower blanket cylinder 19a, 19b has an associated plate cylinder 20a, 20b and ink feed 21a, 21b in a conventional manner.

For selectively cleaning the blanket cylinders 19a, 19b of each printing unit 11, each blanket cylinder 19a, 19b has a printing cylinder cleaning device 22a, 22b mounted between side frame plates 23 of the press in adjacent relationship to the respective blanket cylinders 19a, 19b, as best shown in FIGS. 4-6. Each cleaning device 22a, 22b includes a brush unit 24 having a housing comprising upper and lower sections 25, 26 mutually secured to a rear support plate 27. A brush roller 28 is rotatably supported within the housing, and the upper and lower housing sections 25, 26 define a front opening 29 through which a forward portion of the brush roller 28 extends.

The brush roller 28 may be a commercially available type employed for cleaning blanket cylinders and plate cylinders. The brush roller 28 in this instance has a cylindrical core 30 with radially extending bristles 31. The bristles 31 must be chemically resistant to the solvents that are employed, sufficiently pliable so that the surface being cleaned is not damaged, and yet sufficiently rigid so that, as will hereinafter be discussed, foreign matter may be removed from the bristles by a flexing action of the bristles. For supporting the brush roller 28, cylindrical inserts 32 (FIG. 5) are provided in opposite ends of the core 30, with the inserts each having an outwardly extending support shaft 33. To enhance servicing of the brush roller 28, it may be mounted in appropriate bearings 34 that are mounted in bearing block support plates 35 located at opposite ends of the housing which are formed with outwardly opening shaft receiving slots 36 (FIGS. 4 and 5). An appropriate removable retaining clamp is provided in the end of each slot 36 for maintaining the brush roller 28 in mounted position.

For rotatably driving the brush roller 28, a motor 37, which in this case is a hydraulic motor, is mounted rearwardly of the brush unit housing. The hydraulic motor 37, which may be of a known type, has a drive pinion 38 (FIG. 4) engageable with an intermediate gear 39 supported by the adjacent bearing block support plate 35, which in turn is engageable with a brush roller gear 40 mounted on the shaft 33 at the left hand side of the brush roller 28, as viewed in FIG. 5. The hydraulic motor 37 may be coupled to a pressurized hydraulic fluid supply source, as will be discussed below, by flexible feed and return lines so that when pressurized fluid is supplied to the feed line the motor drives the output pinion 38, which in turn drives the intermediate and brush roller gears 39, 40. The brush roller 28 is rotatable against the surface of the blanket or plate being cleaned and at a rate such that effective cleaning is accomplished. The speed at which the brush roller is rotated can be varied within wide limits, the principal criteria being that the speed is sufficiently high to provide effective cleaning in a minimum time.

For applying cleaning fluids to the brush roller during a cleaning operation, a cleaning fluid distribution tube 41 is disposed in the upper rear corner of the brush unit housing, as viewed in FIG. 6. The distribution tube 41 is supported between a plurality of laterally spaced support brackets 42 mounted in the corner of the brush unit and is formed with a plurality of laterally spaced holes 43 adapted for directing cleaning fluid onto the brush roller 28 on a side opposite the housing opening 29. The number and spacing of holes 43 in the distribution tube 41 should be sufficient to wet the entire length of the brush roller 28. Water preferably is directed through the tube 41, as will be described below, for application on the brush roller 28 and then the printing cylinder in order to permit the printing cylinder to be cleaned of gum, clay coatings, anti-offset powders and other water soluble materials which may be on the blanket or plate. An organic solvent also preferably is directed through the distribution tube 41 for removing ink and other like substances remaining on the blanket or plate. The organic solvents employed may be any of a variety of commercially available solvents, which may, for example, comprise a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons, xylene and glycol monoether.

To enhance the scrubbing and cleaning action of the brush roller 28, means preferably are provided for causing the brush roller to oscillate as it is rotating. In the illustrated embodiment, one of the brush roller shafts 33 has an outwardly extending cam follower 45 (FIG. 5). Cam plates 46 mounted on the brush unit housing define an annular cam groove 48 with a predetermined cam profile within which the cam follower 45 is disposed. Upon rotation of the brush roller 28 by its drive assembly, the cam follower 45 rides on the cam profile causing the brush roller to simultaneously reciprocate in an oscillatory manner. As is known in the art, the drive pinion 38 for the drive motor 37 has sufficient width to accommodate such oscillating movement of the brush roller and its drive gears 39,40.

For moving the brush unit 24 between an operative position with the brush roller 28 in driving engagement with the blanket cylinder 19 (FIG 4) and a retracted or inoperative position with the brush roller 28 removed from the blanket cylinder 19, a pair of air cylinders 50 are mounted on the underside of the brush unit 24 at opposite ends thereof (FIGS. 4 and 5). Each air cylinder 50 has a piston 51 with a rearwardly extending follower rod 52 affixed to extended guides 60 of the frame plates 23 of the press by respective brackets 54. Each follower rod 52 in this case is formed with an internal passage 55 that is coupled to a pressurized air supply line 56 and communicates with the interior of the cylinder 50 on one side of the piston 51. Introduction of pressurized air through the line 56, as will be described below, causes the housing of the cylinder 50 and the brush unit 24 connected thereto to move from its operative position (FIGS. 4 and 6) to the retracted position, while the rod 52 remains affixed to the extended guides 60. Introduction of pressurized air through a line 58 in communication with the opposite side of the piston 51 causes return movement of the cylinder 50 and brush unit 24 from the inoperative position to the operative position with the brush roller 28 engaging the blanket cylinder 19. For guiding movement of the brush unit 24 between its operative and retracted positions, the housings of the cylinders 50 are formed with respective outwardly extending guideways 59, which ride on the inwardly extending guides 60 affixed to the frame plates 23 of the printing press (FIG. 5).

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the blanket cleaning devices each include a brush roller flicker bar that is adapted for relative movement with respect to the brush roller such that the flicker bar and brush roller may be selectively brought into and out of engagement with each other for enabling removal of debris from the bristles of the brush roller by the flicker bar while the brush unit is removed from the printing cylinder and for enabling operation of the brush roller against the printing cylinder while the flicker bar is removed from the brush roller. To this end, for removing foreign matter and solvent from the brush roller 28, a flicker bar or blade 65 is provided which desirably extends the length of the brush and is adapted for engaging the underside of the brush roller 28, (as shown in phantom in FIG. 6). The flicker bar 65 has a first substantially flat surface 66 that is engageable with the underside of the brush roller in inclined relation to the bristles of the brush roller 28 that are brought into contact with the flicker bar 65 such that the individual bristles 31 are caused to be sequentially and progressively bent as they pass over the flicker bar and then allowed to quickly return to their normal positions so as to effect removal of the solvent and foreign matter from the brush. To permit such quick return movement of the bristles 31, the flicker bar 65 in this instance has a second inclined surface 68 rearwardly of the first surface 66, with the surfaces 66, 68 forming a generally pointed upper portion of the flicker bar 65. By virtue of the direction of rotary movement of the brush roller 28 and the position of the flicker bar 65 on the underside thereof, it can be seen that solvent and foreign matter dislodged from the brush roller 28 as the bristles 31 pass over the flicker bar are deflected downwardly and in a direction away from the front opening 29 of the brush unit 24.

For supporting the flicker bar 65 for movement between a first position in which the flicker bar is in engagement with the brush roller (shown in phantom in FIG. 6) and a second position removed from the brush roller (shown in solid lines in FIG. 6), a plurality of L-shaped arms 78 are provided. Each L-shaped arm has a first generally horizontal leg 79 supporting the flicker bar 65 at an outer end thereof by bolts 81 and a second upstanding, generally vertical leg 80 pivotably secured to the housing of the brush unit 24 by hinge plates 84. The hinge plates 84 each have one leg secured to the support plate 27 of the housing by fastening screws 85 and a second leg secured by fastening screws 86 to the end of the upstanding leg 80 of the flicker bar support arm 78.

For pivoting the flicker bar support arms 78 and the flicker bar 65 carried thereby between the first and second positions, a plurality of air cylinders 90 are mounted on the rear of the brush unit 24 and each have a respective cylinder rod 91 extending forwardly through the housing of the brush unit 24 and pivotally coupled to one of the flicker bar support arms 78. It can be seen that upon actuation of the air cylinders 90 through communication of pressurized air to an inlet line 93, as will be described below, the rods 91 are extended to pivot the support arms 78 outwardly with respect to the brush unit support plate 27, raising the deflector bar 65 into interacting relation with the underside of the brush roller 28. Deactuation of the air cylinders 90 permits retraction of the cylinder rods 91 and return of the upstanding legs 80 of the support art 78 to a position immediately adjacent the support plates 27 defining the rear wall of the brush unit 24, which lowers the flicker bar 65 to a position out of engagement with the brush roller 20 (FIG. 6).

For channeling solvent and foreign matter removed from the brush roller 28 by the flicker bar 65 and directing such materials away from the brush unit 24, the lower housing section 26 of the brush unit 24 has a trough-like form with an elongated, bottom discharge opening 70 extending substantially the length of the brush roller 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge opening 70 has an elongated rectangular configuration defined by a pair of downwardly tapered side walls 73a (FIG. 6), which direct solvent and foreign matter to a location immediately below the brush roller 28 and a pair of downwardly tapered end walls 73b (FIG. 5) that extend under the respective opposite ends of the brush roller 28 relatively short distances so as to channel solvent and foreign matter inwardly over the cylinders 50 to the discharge opening 70. The tapered side and end walls 73a, 73b each terminate in a depending vertical lip 73c. Hence, foreign matter and solvent being ejected from the brush roller 28 by the flicker bar 65 is caused to be directed to and through the relatively large discharge opening 70 immediately below the brush roller.

For receiving and channeling solvent and foreign matter discharging from the housing discharge opening 70, a drain tray 71 is removably supported in vertically spaced relation immediately below the discharge opening 70. The drain tray 71 in this instance has a pair of outwardly extending arms 72 at opposite ends thereof that are received in respective inwardly opening slots 74 in the housings of the air cylinders 50. Releasable retaining means are provided for securing the arms 72 in mounted position. The retaining means in this case include spring loaded retainers which each comprise a screw 75 threaded in engagement in an aperture extending from the underside of the housing of the respective cylinder 50 into the arm receiving slot 74. The upper end of the screw 75 is recessed for housing a spring biased detent ball 76, which will releasably engage a detent or aperture formed in the underside of the arm 72 upon positioning of the arms 72 into the slots 74. A retaining nut 77 secures the screw 75 in mounted position.

The drain tray 71 has an open top rectangular configuration that completely underlies the housing discharge opening 70. The drain tray 71 has a bottom panel 71a tapered downwardly to the left, as viewed in FIG. 5, for directing solids and fluids toward a drain opening 71b adjacent the end of the tray. The drain tray 71 preferably is configured such that the upper peripheral edge 71c thereof is disposed in spaced relation below the lower peripheral edge of the discharge opening lip 73c. Such clearance between the drain tray 71 and the discharge opening lip 73c permits relatively easy removal and replacement of the drain tray 71, and in the unlikely event that the drain 71b should become clogged, the accumulation of solvent and foreign within the drain tray 71 can rise only to the upper level of the drain tray, thereby preventing a condition in which the underside of the brush roller 28 might contact accumulated solvent and cause excessive amount of solvent to be applied to the moving web.

The drain tray 71 in the illustrated embodiment discharges into a drain trough 82 supported in cantilever fashion from the side frame plate 11 on the left hand side of the unit, as viewed in FIG. 5. The drain trough 82 has a bottom wall 83 that is tapered downwardly to a drain 85 and is coupled to a discharge line for directing the solvent and foreign matter to a solvent recovery system, as will be described below, in order to permit reuse of the solvent. The upper peripheral edge 86 of the drain trough 82 again is disposed in vertically spaced relation below the lower peripheral edge of the drain 71b so as to prevent interference with removal and replacement of the drain tray 71.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, each printing unit has a respective control module that includes the essential components for controlling operation of the printing cylinder cleaning devices for the associated printing unit. The modules each are located in close proximity to a respective printing unit and further serve as junction boxes for permitting quick and standardized connections of electrical, solvent, water, pneumatic, and hydraulics for the cleaning devices of the associated printing unit from outside supply sources. In the illustrated embodiment, the printing cylinder cleaning system 12 includes a solvent system 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2), a water supply system 101 (FIGS. 14 and 15), a hydraulic system 102 (FIGS. 16 and 17), a pneumatic system 104 (FIGS. 18 and 19), and an electrical system 105 (FIG. 20), and each printing unit 11 has a respective control module 110 for connecting such systems to the cleaning devices 22a, 22b, for the associated printing unit 11 and for providing close proximity control of the operation of the cleaning devices 22a, 22b. Each module 110, as best shown in FIGS. 7-10, has a box-like housing 111 with a pivotally mounted front opening door 112 for easy access. Since the modules 110 are of identical construction and operation only one need be described in detail.

In carrying out the invention, for precisely controlling the quantity of solvent supplied to the cleaning devices 22a, 22b for each printing unit 11, each module 110 includes selectively operable pump means, which in the illustrated embodiment includes a pair of positive displacement pumps 115a, 115b (FIGS. 8 and 9) each of which is operable for supplying controlled quantities of solvent to a respective one of the blanket washing devices 22a, 22b for the associated printing unit. The pumps 115a, 115b in this instance are secured in depending fashion from a top wall of the module housing 111 on opposite sides thereof. Solvent is supplied to the module 110 through a supply conduit 116 connected to the module by an inlet fitting 118. The inlet fitting 118 in turn is connected by means of a feed conduit 119 to a Tee 120 (FIG. 7) which has a pair of feed lines 121a, 121b each coupled to a solvent receiving chamber in the upper end of a respective one of the pumps 115a, 115b. Each pump 115a, 115b has a respective outlet coupled through a one-way check valve 123a, 123b to one inlet of a respective Tee 124a, 124b, which each has a cleaning fluid discharge line 125a, 125b connected thereto that communicates with the cleaning fluid distribution tube 41 for the respective cleaning device 22a. 22b.

For controlling operation of the solvent supply pumps 115a, 115b, each pump has a pair of pressurized air inlet lines 126a, 126b and 128a, 128b. The inlet lines 126a, 126b of each pump 115a, 115b are connected to a common Tee 129, which in turn is connected to one outlet of a solvent supply control solenoid 130. The air inlet lines 128a, 128b of each pump 115a, 115b are connected to a second common Tee 133, which is connected to a second outlet of the solvent supply control solenoid 130. The solvent control solenoid 130 in turn has an inlet line 131 connected to a pressurized air supply line 132 by an appropriate fitting in the top of the module 110, (FIG. 7), and an air exhaust line 133 connected to a fitting at the bottom of the module. Upon energization of the solvent control solenoid 130, pressurized air is communicated through the supply line 132, inlet line 131, solenoid 130, Tee 129, and discharge lines 126a, 126b to pressurize internal chambers of the pumps 115a, 115b, driving the pistons thereof in a downward direction, and causing solvent to be drawn into the upper end of the pumps 115a, 115b through the inlet lines 121a, 121b. Upon deenergization of the solvent supply solenoid 130, pressurized air is supplied through the solenoid 130 to the Tee 133 and inlet lines 128a, 128b which communicate with the undersides of the pumps 115a, 115b, driving the pistons thereof in an upward direction to force solvent within the pump chambers through the discharge lines 125a, 125b, and to the respective cleaning devices 22a, 22b.

Since each stroke of the solvent supply pump dispenses a predetermined quantity of solvent, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the flow of solvent to the cleaning devices 22a, 22b for each printing unit 11 may be precisely determined by controlling operation of the solvent control solenoid 130. For permitting further selected adjustment of the solvent flow rate, each solvent supply pump 115a, 115b includes an adjusting screw 135a, 135b threadedly disposed in the underside thereof and extending into the pump chamber. Adjustment of the screw 135a, 135b inwardly into the chamber will shorten the stroke of the pump piston and reduce the quantity of solvent dispensed during each stroke. Likewise, adjustment of the screw 135a, 135b in the opposite direction will lengthen the piston stroke and increase the solvent output. Each screw 135a, 135b preferably is calibrated to facilitate selected positioning thereof, and a safety locking wire may be trained through an aperture therein to prevent unauthorized alteration of desired screw setting.

By reason of such control in the operation of the solvent supply pumps 115a, 115b, the quantity of solvent directed to the cleaning devices 22a, 22b, and hence, to the moving web 13 passing through the printing line, can be determined and controlled within relatively precise limits. With the quantity of solvent so controlled, the number of printing units 11 that may be simultaneously employed on the moving web without exceeding the solvent capacity of the dryer 16 can be more reliably determined. Moreover, in the event of a power failure or mechanical breakdown of the system, regardless of whether the pistons of the solvent supply pumps 115a, 115b are in their extended or retracted positions, the supply of solvent to the cleaning devices 22a, 22b is interrupted, preventing excessive and potentially dangerous amounts of solvent from being applied to the moving web for transfer into the dryer. With the modules 110 being located in close proximity to the respective printing units 11, pressure drops in the supply lines between the solvent supply pumps 115a, 115b and the cleaning devices also is minimized.

For supplying controlled quantities of water to the cleaning devices 22a, 22b for each printing unit 11, the control modules 110 each include a pair of water supply positive displacement pumps 140a, 140b substantially similar to the solvent supply pumps 115a, 115b. A single water supply line 141 is connected to the module 110 by an appropriate fitting 142 which in turn communicates through with a feed line 143 to a Tee 144, the opposite legs of which each are connected to inlets of the pumps 140a, 140b by respective feed lines 145a, 145b. The water supply pumps 140a, 140b are pneumatically operated similarly to the solvent supply pumps, each having pressurized air inlet lines 146a, 146b and 147a, 147b, which are coupled to respective Tees 148, 149, supplied with pressurized air under the control of a water control solenoid 150. The water supply pumps 140a, 140b each have a discharge line communicating through a respective one-way check valve 151a, 151 b with an opposite leg of the Tee 124a, 124b to that which solvent is directed by the solvent supply pumps 115a, 115b, whereby the discharge from the discharge lines 125a, 125b of the Tees 124a, 124b is a mixture of solvent and water for direction to the cleaning devices 22a, 22b.

To permit operation of the cleaning devices 22a, 22b with only solvent, a switch 154 is provided in an electrical panel 155 within the module housing 111, which may be manually operated to deactuate the water solenoid 150. Alternatively, it will be understood that the solvent supply pumps 115a, 115b and the water supply pumps 140a, 140b for each module 110 could be connected to separate respective cleaning fluid distribution spray tube 41 in the cleaning devices 22a, 22b and the solvent supply pumps 115a, 115b could be operated independently of the water supply pumps 140a, 140b.

To control operation of the air cylinder 50 for each cleaning device 22a, 22b of the respective printing unit 11, and thus, to control movement of the brush units 24 between their operative and inoperative positions, each module 110 contains a scrub solenoid 156, which is connected to the air supply line 132 of the module and has a pair of discharge lines 157, 158 (FIG. 7). The discharge line 157 communicates with a Tee 159, which in turn has a pair of outlet lines 160a, 160b each of which is coupled to an air supply line 56 for a respective air cylinder 50 (FIG. 4) for the upper and lower cleaning devices 22a, 22b. The discharge line 158 communicates with a similar Tee having a pair of outlet lines 161a, 161b (See FIG. 10) each communicating with a supply line 58 of a respective one of the air cylinders for the upper and lower cleaning devices. Operation of the scrub solenoid 156, therefore, will permit communication of pressurized air to the air cylinder supply lines 56 for moving the brush units 24 of the cleaning devices 22a, 22b for the associated printing unit into operative position, and alternatively, to the supply lines 58 for returning the brush units 24 to their inoperative positions.

For moving the flicker bar 65 into engaging relation with the brush roller 28 in timed relation to movement of the brush unit 24 toward its retracted or inoperative position, in the illustrated embodiment, the air discharge line 158 for the scrub solenoid 156 also is connected, such as through appropriate Tees (not shown), to the air cylinder 90 for the respective upper and lower cleaning device 22a, 22b. As a result, upon deactuation of the scrub solenoid 156 and introduction of pressurized air to the discharge line 158 and inlet lines 58 for the brush unit cylinders 50 for causing the brush units to move to their retracted positions, pressurized air simultaneously is supplied to the inlet lines 93 for air cylinders 90 for the brush units 24 for moving the flicker bar 65 into engaging relation with the brush roller 28. Likewise, actuation of the scrub solenoid 156 terminating communication of pressurized air to the solenoid discharge line 158 and the brush unit inlet line 58 simultaneously terminates communication of pressurized air to the flicker bar cylinder inlet line 93, causing the flicker bar to retract from the brush roller as the brush unit 24 is moved into engagement with the blanket cylinder. It will be understood that the air supply to the respective air cylinders 90 for the upper and lower flicker bars 65 could be controlled by a separate solenoid coupled to the air supply 132 of the modules 110, which in turn could be actuated by an appropriate limit switch 133 (see FIG. 4) contacted upon retracted movement of the brush unit 24, or alternatively, controlled by the microprocessor based control for the system, as will become apparent. Preferably, the flicker bar 65 is moved into engaging relation with the brush roller 24 promptly upon initiation of retracting movement of the brush roller 24 away from the blanket cylinder and is returned to a retracted position prior to re-engagement of the brush roller with the blanket cylinder.

In order to control the speed of brush roller rotation during a cleaning operation, each module 110 is connected to a main hydraulic supply line 170, which preferably is adapted for supplying hydraulic fluid at a pressure on the order of 1200 psi and at a flow rate of at least two gallons per minute, per module under the operation of a hydraulic pump 171 (FIGS. 16, 17). The main hydraulic supply line 170 is connected to each module by a respective inlet line on the top side thereof, as viewed in FIGS. 7-10, which in turn is connected to a selectively operable hydraulic control solenoid valve 174 (FIG. 8). The hydraulic control solenoid 174 is connected to a hydraulic supply manifold 175 (FIG. 7) which communicates through respective pressure compensating flow control valves 176a, 176b to supply lines 178a, 178b connected to the module through appropriate fittings, which in turn are connected to the respective hydraulic motors 37 for the upper and lower cleaning devices 22a, 22b. The pressure compensating flow control valves 176a, 176b may be selectively set to limit the hydraulic fluid flow to the supply lines 178a, 178b upon actuation of the hydraulic control valve 174, and hence, control the rotational speed of the brush rollers 24, which preferably may be on the order of 175 rpm. Hydraulic return lines 179a, 179b (FIG. 10) for the hydraulic motors 37 of the upper and lower cleaning devices 22a, 22b are connected to the module by fittings, which in turn are connected to a common hydraulic fluid return manifold 180 (FIG. 7). A single return line connects the return manifold 180 to the main hydraulic return line 181 through an outlet fitting, in this instance again located on the top side of the module 110, for completing a closed loop hydraulic circuit.

For supplying solvent to the modules 110, the solvent supply system 100, as best depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11, includes a solvent supply tank or reservoir 185 housed within a cabinet 186, which in the illustrated embodiment is located upstream of the first printing unit 11. The solvent supply tank 185 communicates through a control valve 188 with a main solvent supply line 189, which in turn is connected to the individual modules by the respective inlet supply lines 116. Solvent may be pumped to the reservoir 185 through a supply line 190 having a discharge end 191 that directs solvent into the tank through a filter compartment 192. The operation of the pump, and hence the quantity of solvent directed to the tank, is controlled by high and low level float valves 194, 195, respectively. For indicating extreme overflow or empty conditions and for initiating an appropriate alarm in either event, in the illustrated embodiment, overflow and empty float valve indicators 196, 198 are disposed above and below the high and low load float valves 194, 195, as shown in FIG. 11. It will be understood that solvent from the tank 185 will feed the main supply line 189 by gravity flow and will be drawn through the modules and directed out of the supply lines 125a, 125b upon operation of the positive displacement pumps 115a, 115b for the respective module. Alternatively, solvent could be manually supplied to the solvent supply reservoir tank 185 by raising a pivotal lid 199 of the cabinet 186 and pouring solvent through the filter compartment 192.

For supplying water to the modules 110 for use in the cleaning devices 22a, 22b, the water supply system 101, as best depicted in FIGS. 10, 14 and 15, includes a water supply reservoir or tank 200, which for compactness in design, is contained within the same cabinet 186 as the solvent supply reservoir tank 185. The water supply tank 200 similarly feeds a main water supply line 201 through a control valve 202, and the main supply line 201 communicates with the respective supply lines 141 for the modules 110. The water supply tank 200 has a supply line 204, which may be fed by the plant water supply line and operated under the control of a float valve 205 for maintaining a determined level of water in the tank. To prevent overflow, the water tank 200 in this instance has a stand up pipe 206 adapted for draining water that exceeds the upper end of the stand up pipe 206.

Waste effluents from the printing cylinder cleaning devices, which includes the solvent and water applied to the brush rollers and blanket cylinders as well as inks and foreign matter removed therefrom, are directed from the drains 85 of the respective cleaning devices 22a, 22b to a solvent recovery system. In the illustrated embodiment, the drains 85 each connect with a main return line 210 that feeds a waste effluent transfer unit or tank 211 (FIGS. 1, 2, 12-15). Waste effluent received in the transfer tank 211 (FIG. 12) is directed to a flat bed filter apparatus 212 (FIG. 13) upon operation of an air operated pump 214 disposed on top of the transfer unit 211. The pump 214 has a waste effluent inlet pipe 215 extending in depending relation to the bottom of the transfer tank with a screened inlet 216 through which liquid is drawn upwardly from the tank and directed through a discharge line 218. Pressurized air to the pump is controlled by a solenoid valve 219, as will become apparent, which in turn is actuated by a float valve 220 within the tank when the level of waste effluent in the tank exceeds the predetermined level as established by the float valve 220. A pressure regulator 221 controls the air pressure to the pump, and hence, the speed at which the pump directs fluids out of the transfer tank 211 to the filter bed apparatus 212.

The filter bed apparatus 212 may be of a conventional type having a selectively advanceable filter medium 225 upon which waste effluent from the discharge line 218 is dispersed. When the accumulated solids on the filter medium 225 exceeds a predetermined weight, a motor within the filter bed apparatus 212 is automatically energized to advance the filter medium 225 for bringing a clean section thereof under the discharge end of the line 218 and moving the previously used section to a location which dumps the accumulated solids thereon into receptacle 226.

The waste effluent passing through the filter medium 225 is pumped from the filter bed apparatus 212 to a solvent recovery unit 230, which may be of a conventional coalescer type operable for separating the solvent and water from the waste effluent. Water discharging the solvent recovery unit 230 may be added to the water supply tank for re-use. Solvent exiting the solvent recovery unit 230 may be passed through a final carbon filter for removing color pigment and other impurities and then collected for reuse in the system.

The pneumatic system 104, as best depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19, includes a main pressurized air supply line 232 that typically would be connected to the pressurized air supply in the plant in which the printing line is operating. The main pressurized air supply line 232 is connected to the respective supply lines 132 for the modules 110, as well as to the pneumatic pump 214 for the transfer unit 211 of the solvent recovery system.

The electrical system 105 of the printing cylinder cleaning system is depicted in FIG. 20. An AC power supply is connected to main electrical panel 235 which in turn provides the necessary power to the hydraulic pump 171, solvent recovery unit 230, flat bed filter apparatus 212, and the transfer unit 211. The electrical panel 235 further is connected to a microprocessor based controller 236 that communicates with each of the modules 110 through a respective electrical inlet 238 and the module control panel 155. Each module control panel 155 (FIGS. 8 and 9) in turn is connected to module control solenoids 130, 150, 156 through a conduit 239, as well as to the hydraulic control solenoid 174 through the conduit 240. Hence, the module control solenoids 130, 150, 156, 174 may be either manually controlled, or automatically controlled by the controller. As indicated previously, a manually actuatable switch 154 is provided on the module control panel 154 for deactuating the water supply control solenoid 150 in the event that it is desired to carry out the cleaning operation only with solvent. The controller 236 also preferably is interfaced with the dryer 16 so that prior to the initiation of a printing cylinder cleaning operation the dryer is automatically set to a maximum condition for accommodating the amount of solvent that will be applied to the web and carried into the dryer during the cleaning operation.

In operation of the printing cylinder cleaning system 12, when the blankets on the blanket cylinders 19a, 19b of the printing units 11 are to be cleaned, the process may be initiated when the controller 236 receives either by an operator initiated signal or an automatic signal prompted by other operating stations of the printing line. Immediately after the signal to the controller 236 for initiating the blanket cleaning operation, the controller will signal to the dryer 16 to prepare for the cleaning operation, such as by establishing a maximum exhaust and purging condition for accommodating the solvents that will be carried by the moving web into the dryer during the cleaning cycle. When a return signal to the controller 236 indicates that the necessary dryer conditions have been met, a signal may be directed to the hydraulic fluid control solenoid 174 to permit communication of pressurized hydraulic fluid to each hydraulic motor 37 for rotating and oscillating the brush rollers 24 of the cleaning devices 22a, 22b in preparation for the cleaning operation. A signal to the modular scrub control solenoid 156 will permit communication of pressurized air to the air cylinders 50 for moving each brush unit 14 from its inoperative removed position to its operative position with the brush roller 24 engaging the blanket cylinder. During the scrubbing cycle, a series of controlled volume shots of solvent or solvent and water mixture may be applied to the brush rollers 24 through appropriate signals from the controller 236 to the solvent and water control solenoids 130 and 150. It will be understood that the volume of solvent or solvent/water mixture may be determined by a program selected by the operator, depending upon the capacitor of the dryer. During such scrubbing cycle, the flicker bar 65 of each cleaning device 22a, 22b is in an inoperative or retracted position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 6, and hence, does not cause the brush roller 24 to impart increased reactionary bearing forces against the blanket cylinder, nor cause the premature removal of solvents from the brush roller during the course of the cleaning operation, nor resist the driving motion of the brush roller, all as is typical in prior art blanket washers.

Upon completion of the scrubbing cycle, the brush unit 14 may be moved from its operative position to its retracted position upon deactuation of the modular scrub solenoid 156 and resulting communication of pressurized air to the air cylinders 50 through the supply lines 58, and at the same time, the flicker bar 65 may be moved from its inoperative position to its operative position in engagement with the respective brush roller 24 through communication of pressurized air through the supply line 93. Continued rotary movement of the brush roller 24 results in the flicker bar 65 stripping and cleaning the brush roller of foreign matter, solvent and water by the flicking action of the brush bristles 24 sequentially passing over the flicker bar surface 66. Because the brush roller 24 is disengaged from the respective blanket cylinder, the brush roller may be driven during the brush cleaning cycle without the resistance of the brush roller's engagement with the blanket cylinder. Solvent and foreign matter stripped from the brush roller during the cleaning operation is directed through the discharge opening 70, removable tray 71, and in turn to the trough 82 and drain line 85 for direction to the main return line 210 to the transfer unit tank 211. The waste effluent in the transfer tank 211 is pumped to the flat bed apparatus filter 212, and in turn is directed to the solvent recovery unit 230 where solvent may be separated for reuse in the system.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the printing cylinder cleaning system of the present invention is adapted to permit more precise control in the amount of solvent used during the cleaning operation, and hence, enables more reliable determination of the maximum number of printing units that may be simultaneously employed in a printing operation without creating a potentially dangerous condition in the dryer of the printing line. The control modules associated with each printing unit permit close proximity control of the printing cylinder cleaning operation and facilitates installation and service through standardized connections between the cleaning devices of each printing unit and the outside solvent, liquid, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical sources. Since the flicker bar is movable to a disengaged condition from the brush roller during the cleaning cycle, lesser amounts of solvent are required during the cleaning cycle, and the brush roller may be operated at higher speeds with lesser tendencies for undesirable vibration.