Title of Invention

DEVICE FOR STORING A HOIST TO BE FED TO A CYLINDER OF A PRINTING MACHINE

Abstract The invention relates to deviecs for storing a blanket (01, 36, 37) to be supplied to a cylinder (06,31,33) of a printing machine. According to the invention, a plurality of blankets which are to be adjacently applied to the cylinder in the axial direction thereof are stored next to each other Said blankets are stored vertically above a supporting surface, in at least two vertically offset planes. The offset planes form a first storage position for the blankets, and the supporting surface fonns a second storage position once at least one of the blankets stored in the offset planes has been placed thereon.
Full Text Description
Devices for Storing a Hoist to be Fed to a Cylinder of a Printing Machine
The invention pertains to devices for storing a hoist to be fed to a cylinder of a printing
machine according to the introductory part of claim 1, 2 or 4.
from the document DE 44 42 574 C2 we know of a method and a device for readying
priming plates, whereby the printing plates arc suspended vertically and pre-positioned in
a cylinder-distant readying position on two suspension bars of a printing plate readying
device, which are staggered vertical to one another and run parallel to the cylinder,
whereby subsequently the printing plates hanging on the suspension bars are transported
into a cylinder-close waiting position by means of an approx. 90° swinging movement of
the printing plates readying device around an axis parallel to the cylinder. The printing
plates to be arranged beside one another on the cylinder in its axial direction arc arranged
beside one another on the same suspension bar. Between the printing plates suspended in
the same axial position of the cylinder on the first and second suspension bar, which are
to be arranged at different circumference positions of the cylinder, there is a constant
intermediate space parallel to the cylinder in its width. On account of the swinging
movement of the printing plates hanging on the vertically staggered suspension bars, the
printing plates readying device requires a very large constructional space, which however
is often not available in printing machines. The cylinder-distant readying position hinders
access to the printing mechanism. This poses a problem in practice, which however is
undesirable. Furthermore, on account of the acceleration forces acting during the
swinging movement on the printing plates readying device, there exists the danger of
individual printing plates coming off their suspension bars or getting displaced and thus
altering the pre-positioning, which can impair '.he reliability of feeding printing plates to
the cylinder. The air resistance generated on account of the large area of the printing
plates does not allow a rapid swing movement, if any disturbance in the sequence of the
printing plates readying device on account of slipping of the printing plates is to be
a\ :)idcd. Also the construction of the printing plates readying device is very cumbersome
oi account of the several machine elements that are required.
i om the document DE 39 40 795 Al, a method and a device for automatic feeding of a
p inting plate to a plate cylinder or for removing a plate from a plate cylinder of a rotary
p inting machine is known. The method for automatic feeding of printing plates to a
|- ate cylinder of a rotary printing machine, whereby the plate cylinder has among other
t. lings agents for clamping and fixing the printing plate, functions in such a way that the
f rinting plate is placed in a storage chamber of a printing plate supplying or removing
( evice, rotates the plate cylinder into a printing plate feeding position and the printing
1 late is fed by means of a number of transport rollers to a clamping device of the plate
ylinder. The niethod for automatic removal of a printing plate from a plate cylinder of a
otary printing machine, whereby the plate cylinder has agents for loosening and
eleasing the printing plate, has the special feature that the plate cylinder gets rotated
brward in a printing plate releasing position, a clamping shutter for gripping a printing
3late end gets opened, the plate cylinder rotates backwards, a clamping shutter for
gripping a printing plate beginning gets opened and the printing plate gets fed to a storage
chamber of a printing plate feeding or removing device by means of a number of
transport rollers. The mechanism for carrying out of the above mentioned method has at
least one transport roller designed as drive roller and one designed as pressure roller,
whereby the pressure roller can be set against the drive roller. Additionally, various
setting agents, a pivoted pressure roller for pressing the printing plate against the plate
cylinder and ejecting fingers can be foreseen, whereby the ejecting fingers could have
pointed peaks which are arranged pivoted in the periphery of the plate cylinder. The
storage chamber of the printing plate feeding or removing device can also be supported
around a pivot joint.
The document DE 39 40 796 Al describes a mechanism for automatic changing of a
printing plate on a plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine, whereby the plate cylinder
has, among other things, agents for clamping or chucking the printing plate, whereby the
printing plate changing device has two storage chambers, so that a printing plate released
01 the plate cylinder can be guided into one storage chamber by means of transport
r Hers, whereas a printing plate stored in the other storage chamber can be guided by
n cans of transport rollers to the clamping mechanism of the plate cylinder.
I he document EP 1 084 839 A1 describes a device for holding and conveying a printing
i lould. The device thereby has a translatory conveying mechanism, which conveys a
I rinting mould to be mounted on a moulding cylinder, or a printing mould to be removed
rom a moulding cylinder. While a device is tilted around a rotating axis from its rest
losition into its operating position for changing a printing mould, a hook swings only on
iccount of its own weight into the space in which the printing mould is supported and
iccures the printing mould at its subsequently running chamfered end to prevent
.inintentional lalling from this chamber.
From the document EF* 0 214 549 B1, a device for automatic feeding of a printing plate to
a moulding cylinder of a printing machine or for removal of a printing plate from a
moulding cylinder is known, whereby the printing plate to be fed to the moulding
cylinder is fed to the moulding cylinder by means of side positioning elements in a
desired position, whereby the feeding of the printing plates takes place from an almost
horizontal storage position.
From the document EP 0 100 779 Al we know of a device for automatic replacement of
a printing plate, whereby in a plate storage unit several plates to be mounted are
suspended on a clamping rod arranged below the plate cylinder and are lifted to the plate
cylinder on die clamping rod.
From the document WO 93/04863 A I we know of a device for automatic changing of
printing plates, whereby several printing moulds are .stored in a magazine and a
replacement of a printing mould with a moulding cylinder takes place only under an
inclined position of the magazine.
.; rom the patent document US 4 178 848 we know of a device for automatic feeding of
(rinting moulds to a moulding cylinder, whereby printing moulds with not-chamfered
, nds are stored in a stack inclined in feeding direction, and driven by rollers are
equentially fed to the moulding cylinder by means of a conveyor belt arranged before
he stack in feeding direction, whereby the bottom-most printing mould gets drawn out of
ho stack on its front end by means of a suction device. This very long structured device
IS not suitable for printing moulds with chamfered ends. Besides, while drawing out the
printing moulds stacked directly on one another, there is a danger of damage to their print
image sides.
ll is the task of this invention to present devices for storing a hoist to be fed to a cylinder
of a printing machine.
This task is fulfilled with the help of the features mentioned in claims 1, 2 or 4.
¦fhe advantage achieved with the help of the invention is that, on a printing machine
several hoists can be quickly changed on a cylinder in a reliable and simultaneous
manner, or at least in a very rapid succession. The hoist falls as a result of activation of a
holding element, from a vertical upper storage position lo a .storage position below il.
from which it can be transported to the cylinder. By activating the holding element, the
-Stored hoist changes in its free fall, froin its vertical upper storage position to the storage
position lying below it. Activation of the holding element preferably takes place with a
controllable drive and can thus be executed by a machine. On changing the storage
position of a hoist stored in the magazine, the hoist to be changed remains in its storage
position during the changing sequence in the magazine, whereby the changing can be
effected by a controllable machine element of the magazine. A hoi.st to be changed in its
storage position is not subjected to the danger, that its surface could get damaged during
changing. The device is also suitable particularly for hoists, which are bending-elastic in
their length, with chamfered suspension arms at their ends. Besides, the device is
extremely flat in its constructional height, so that the required accessibility to the printing
mechanism is not hindered.
.)esign examples of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in details
oclow.
f'he following are shown:
t-ig. 1 A perspective representation of a hoist;
l.ig.2 A simplified sectional depiction of a holding fixture for a hoist arranged
on a cylinder;
Fig.3 Hoists tangentially attached on to a cylinder, with radial force acting on
them during their assembly;
Kig.4 Blastically pre-stressed hoists during their assembly on a cylinder;
Hg.5 A 4-cylinder-printing machine with printing mould magazines;
Fig.6 A device for changing a hoist on a moulding cylinder of a printing
machine;
Fig.7 A detailed view of guide rails for sideways holding of a second printing
mould in a shaft;
Fig.8 In axial direction of the moulding cylinder, printing moulds arranged
beside one another in a shaft;
Fig.9 A suspension of a guide rail movable in a shaft;
Fig. 10-12 A further design example for an extension of the lower shaft;
I'ig. 13-35 Depiction of a method sequence for changing of printing moulds on a
moulding cylinder;
Fig.36 A further design example for a printing machine with printing mould
magazine.
A hoist 01 (fig. !), which for example is designed as a plate-shaped printing mould 01 or
a carrier plate carrying a blanket, reveals a mainly rectangular surface with a length L and
a width B, whereby the length L could have measured values between 400 mm and
1300 mm and the width could have values between 280 mm and 1500 mm. Preferred
measurements for the length L are between 360 mm and 600 mm and for the width B
between 25{)mm and 430mm. The surface has a support side, which is referred to below
as support surtace 02, with which the hoist Oi lies (fig. 2) in a position arranged on a
jacket surface 07 of a cylinder 06. The rear side of the support surface 02 is a working
surface, which in case the hoist 01 is designed as a printing mould 01, is provided with a
printing image or can be provided with a printing image. The hoist 01 has two ends 03;
04 lying opposite to one another, preferably respectively with inclined suspension arms
13; 14, whereby the ends 03; 04 border the support surface 02 and whereby the
suspension arms 13; 14 preferably stretch entirely or at least partly over the width B of
the hoist 01. The support surface 02 of the hoist 01 is bendable at least along the length 1.
and, in case of an arrangement of the hoist 01 on the jacket surface 07 of a cylinder 06.
adaptable to its bending (fig. 2). If the printing mould 01 is arranged on the jacket
surface 07, the length I. of the support surface 02 thus runs in the direction of the
circumference of the cylinder 06, whereas the width B of the support surface 02 stretches
in axial direction of the cylinder 06.
As shown in fig. 2, the suspension arms 13; 14 of the hoist 01 are fastened by means of a
holding mechanism, whereby the holding mechanism is arranged in a channel 08,
whereby the channel 08 generally stretches in axial direction towards the cylinder 06. An
end 03 of the hoist 01, aligned with the production direction P of the cylinder 06. is
denoted as its front-running end 03, whereas the opposite end 04 is denoted as the rear-
running end 04 of the hoist 01. At least the ends 03; 04 of the hoist 01 with the moulded
suspension arms 13; 14 are made of a solid material, e.g. metal, e.g. an aluminium alloy.
Generally the material thickness D of the hoist 01 (fig. 1) or the material thickness D of at
least the suspension arms 13; 14 is a lew tenths of a millimetre, e.g. 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm,
preferably 0.3 mm. Thus the hoist 01 is either entirely or at its end 03; 04 made of a
shape-stable material, so that the ends 03; 04 can be deformed by bending against a
material-speciilc resistance.
At least on one end 03; 04 of the hoist 01 (fig. 1), preferably however on both ends 03; 04
respectively chamfered suspension arms 13; 14 are designed along a bending edge II; 12.
whereby the suspension arms 13; 14 can be inserted into a narrow, slit-like hole 09 of the
channel 08 of the cylinder 06 (fig. 2), and can he fixed there with the help of a holding
mechanism, e.g. a clamping device. For example, with respect to the length L of the
uncrowned, plane support surface 02 of the not mounted hoist 01 at whose end 03 a
suspension arm 13 is chamfered at the bending edge 11 by an aperture angle a 1 or at
whose end 04 a suspension arm 14 is chamfered on the bending edge 12 by an aperture
angle pi (fig. 1), whereby the aperture angle o:l; pi is generally between 30° and 40", If
the aperture angle (xl is allocated in the front-running end 03 of the hoist 01, it is
generally designed as an acute angle, particularly having 45°. The aperture angle (31 at
the rear-running end 04 of the hoist 01 is often designed greater than 80° or obtuse
angled, mainly having 85° or 135°. Ihi; chamfered suspension arm 13 on the front-
running end 03 has a length of 113. which lies between 4 mm and 30 mm, particularly
between 4 mm and 15 mm. The chamfered suspension arm 14 on the rear-running end
04 has a length 114, which for example lies between 4 mm and 30 mm, particularly
betvv'een 8 mm and 12 mm, whereby a shorter length dimension is rather preferred, in
order to ensure easy removal of the suspension arm 13; 14 out of the hole 09 of the
channel 08.
fig. 2 shows a simplified sectional depiction of a cylinder 06 with a jacket surface 07 and
a channel 08, which has towards the jacket surface 07 a narrow, slit-like hole 09 with a
slit width S, whereby the slit width S is lesser than 5 mm and preferably in the range of
1 mm to 3 iTun. The hole 09 has a front edge 16 and a rear edge 17 in production
direction P of the cylinder 06. Between the wall 18 stretching from the front edge 16 to
the channel 08 and an imaginary tangent T09 lying on the jacket surface 07 of the
cylinder 06 on the hole 09, an acute aperture angle a2 is designed, which is between 30°
and 50°, preferably 45°. The chamfered suspension arm 13 on the front-running end 03
of the hoisi: 01 is thus suspendable on this front edge 16 of the hole 09 in a shape-hugging
manner, because the aperture angle a Ion the front-running end 03 of the hoist 01 is
adapted to the aperture angle a2. It is similar also in the case of the rear-running and 04
of the hoist 01. Between the wall 19 stretching from the rear edge to the channel 08 and
an imaginary tangent T09 on the jacket surface 07 of the cylinder 06 on the hole 09, an
aperture angle (32 is designed, which lies either between 80° and 95°, preferably 90° or
ilso between 120° and 150°, preferably 135°. The chamfered suspension arm 14 on the
rear-running 04 of the hoist 01 is thus suspendable on the rear edge 17 of the hole 09 in a
shape-hugging manner, because the aperture angle (3 Ion the rear-running edge 04 of the
hoist 01 is at least ahuost adapted to the aperture angle p2.
in the channel 08, at least a preferably pivoted holding agent 21 and a preferably pre-
stressed spring element 22 are arranged, whereby the spring element 22 presses the
holding agent 21 against the chamfered suspension arm 14 and the rear-running end 04.
which is suspended against the hole 09 on its rear edge 17, whereby the suspension arm
14 on the rear-running end 04 is held on to the wall 19 stretching from the rear edge 17 to
the channel 08. For releasing the pressure exercised by the holding agent 21, a setting
agent 23 is foreseen in the channel 08, preferably a pneumatically operated setting agent
23, which on activation swings the holding agent against the force of the spring element
22. The model holding fixture described accordingly mainly consists of the holding
agent 21. the spring element 22 and the setting element 23.
The described cylinder 06 is preferably designed in such a way, that on its jacket surface
07 several, preferably same-type hoists 01 can be arranged. If the cylinder 06 is equipped
as a moulding cylinder, then it can be fitted in its axial direction with up to six plate-
shaped printing moulds 01 beside one another. It is also foreseen, that on the cylinder 06.
in the direction of its circumference, more than one hoist Olcan be arranged. Thus in the
cylinder 06 below its jacket surface 07. two channels 08 running axially towards the
cylinder 06 can be foreseen, which have holes 09 running axially towards the cylinder 06
for fastening the hoist 01, whereby the holes 09 are arranged on the circumference of the
cylinder 06. staggered 180° to one another, if two hoists 01 are supposed to be arranged
on the cylinder 06 along its circumference one after the other. With this allocation of the
cylinder 06 with two hoists 01 arranged one after the other along its circumference, the
front-running end 03 of one of the hoists Olis fixed in one of the channels 08, whereas the
rear-running end 04 of the same hoist 01 is ilxcd in the other channel 08. The same holds
good for the remaining hoists 01 arranged on the cylinder 06. If several hoists 01 are
arranged beside one another in axial direction of the cylinder 06, then these could also be
: dvantageously arranged staggered to one another. The staggering could pertain to
idividual hoists 01 or groups of hoists OK which are respectively staggered with respect
0 one another by half the length L of the hoist 01, which however implies that further
;hannels 08 with allocated holes 09 or at least parts of the same are introduced in the
:yiinder 06, which are arranged staggered by 90° along the circumference of the cylinder
1)6 to the previously mentioned channels 08 and holes 09.
Described below is a method for mounting a bendable hoist 01 on a cylinder 06 of a
printing machine., whereby on the cylinder 06 along its circumference two hoists 01 can
be arranged behind one another and whereby each hoist 01, with respect to the production
direction P of the cylinder 06, has a front-running end 03 and a rear-running end 04 (fig.
3). .A.t the front-running end 03 of the hoist 01 a suspension arm 13 is designed, whereby
this suspension arm 13 is chamfered towards the stretched length L of the hoist 01 with
an aperture angle al of max. 90°, preferably 45°. In the cylinder 06, there is at lea.st one
slit-shaped hole 09 with a first edge 16 in production direction P of the cylinder 06 and
the second edge 17, whereby the edges 16; 17 run parallel to one another in axial
direction of the cylinder 06. The front-running end 03 of the hoist 01 is fed to the
cylinder 06 preferably tangentially in its production direction P by means of a pushing
force acting on the rear-running end 04 of the hoist 01, till the suspension arm 13 on the
front-running end 03 stands against the cylinder 06 behind the second edge 17 of the hole
09. so that the suspension arm 13 designed on the front-running end 03, on rotating the
cylinder 06 in its production direction P, on account of the radial force FR acting on the
front-running end 03 and directed towards the cylinder 06, grips into the hole 09 and gets
hooked on to the first edge 16. If the hoist Olwith its suspension arm 13 designed on the
front-running end 03 sits in a supporting manner on the jacket surface 07 of the cylinder
06, then the radial force FR could also be the gravitational force 1-G of the hoist 01 acting
on the Jacket surface 07 of the cylinder 06. In addition to utilising the gravitational force
FG of the hoist 01, or alternatively lo it. the front-running end 03 of the hoist 01 can be
elastically pre-stressed (fig. 4). so that the suspension arm 13 designed on the front-
running end 03 springs into the hole 09 as a result of a restoring moment MR directed on
to the cylinder 06, as soon as the hole 09 of the cylinder 06 and the contact line 27 of ihc

, uspension arm 13 with the jacket surface 07 of the cylinder 06 are directly opposite to
,ne another as a result of a relative movement between the hoist 01 and the cylinder 06,
vhereby the relative movement results particularly due to the rotation of the cylinder 06
n production direction P.
The restoring moment MR results because the hoist 01 is made of an elastically
deformable material and hence has an inherent elastic spring property, whereby this
property is utilised to the extent that the front-running end 03 of the hoist 01 on being
guided on to the cylinder 06 by the edge 26 of its support element 24 arranged at a
distance from the cylinder 06 and running axially towards the cylinder 06, and is bent
there in such a way, that at the front-running end 03 of the hoist 01 a bending stress
builds up with a spring force directed towards the cylinder 06 (depicted as dashed-line of
the hoist 01 in fig. 4). At least till the front-running end 03 of the hoist 01 guided through
the chamiel 26 of the support element 24 comes to rest on the jacket surface 07 of the
cylinder 06, the hoist 01 with its rear-running end 04 is guided out of a space direction
fixed towards the cylinder 06. Accordingly, the hoist 01, during the assembly sequence,
is stabilised by the contact line 27 of its suspension arm 13 fitted to the front-running end
03 with the Jacket surface of the cylinder 06, as well as by its support at the edge 26 of
the support element 24 and by a position fixing 28 of the rear-running end 24. The
support element 24 could be a roller element 24. particularly it could be designed as roller
24 or as several rollers 24 arranged beside one another axially to the cylinder 06. which
can be adjusted in the function of a pressing element 24 on to the cylinder 06. The
support element 24 should preferably be arranged near to the cylinder 06,
The front-running end 03 of the hoist 01 can also be guided against the cylinder 06 in
such a way, that this end 03 after contact with the jacket surface 07 of the cylinder 06 at
an acute angle y with an imaginary second tangent 29 lying in a contact point 29 on the
jacket surface 07 of the cylinder 06, moves away from the jacket surface 07 of the
cylinder 06 (shown as solid line in fig. 4). The thus carried out bending of the front-
running end 03 of the hoist 01 should however only be so strong, that the suspension arm
13 fitted there still lies securely against the jacket surface 07 of the cylinder 06. for

; upporting the sale contact of the suspension arm 13 against the jacket surface 07 of the
ylinder 06, the support element 24 can sit against the hoist 01, whereby the hoist 01 with
is front-running end 03 is held close to the jacket surface 07 of the cylinder 06.
[)uring the relative movement between the cylinder 06 and the hoist 01, preferably during
ihe rotation of the cylinder 06 in its production direction P, or even during the suitable
movement of the hoist 01, e.g. against the production direction P of the cylinder 06. the
suspension arm. 13 gets hooked on to the front-running end 03 of the hoist 01 at the llrst
edge 16 of the hole 09. A roller element 24 set against the cylinder 06 can support
mounting of the hoist 01 on to the cylinder 06, in that the roller element rolls the hoist 01
on to the cylinder 06. The suspension arm 14 is designed at the rear running end 04 of
the hoist 01, whereby this suspension arm 14 is pressed by the roller element 24 during
the course of rolling the hoist on to the cylinder 06, into the hole 09 of the cylinder 06.
A device for carrying out the method mentioned above is now explained with the
example of a roller offset printing machine with a standing rubber-to-rubber printing
mechanism in 4-cylinder-construction with horizontal guiding of a printing substance 46.
preferably a paper track 46 (fig. 5). In this example, in the printing mechanism has a first
pair of cylinders 31; 32 rolling against one another and arranged below the paper track
46; this consists of a moulding cylinder 3 I and a rubber blanket cylinder 32. There is
also provision for a second pair of cylinders 33; 34 rolling against one another and
arranged above the paper track 46; these cylinders consist of a moulding cylinder 33 and
a rubber blanket cylinder 34, whereby the paper track 46 is guided between both the
rubber blanket cylinders 32; 34 set against one another. In the printing machine several,
e.g. five or six, printing positions are foreseen for different printing colours. For the sake
of simplicity, without any restrictions to the invention in any way, we assume that at least
the moulding cylinders 31; 33 are equal in their type and measurements.
The moulding cylinder 31 is fitted or can be fitted along its circumference with two
printing moulds 36 and the moulding cylinder 33 also similarly with two printing moulds
37, whereby the printing moulds 36; 37 have a length L corresponding to half the

;ircumference of the moulding cylinder 3 1; 33. The width of the printing moulds 36; 37
s dependent on how many printing moulds 36; 37 are to be arranged in axial direction oi'
:he respective moulding cylinder 31; 33. Thus, in axial direction of the respective
moulding cylinder 31; 33, up to six printing moulds 36; 37 can be arranged beside one
another. The moulding cylinders 31; 33 arc preferably designed of double width and
double circumference, whereas the blankets arranged on the rubber blanket cylinders 32:;
34 span the rubber blanket cylinders 32; 34 around the entire circumference.
As already shown in figures I and 2, the printing moulds 36; 37 have on their front-side
ends with respect to the length L, chamfered suspension arms 13; 14. with which the
printing moulds 36; 37 are respectively fixed on to the moulding cylinders 31; 33, in that
the suspension arm 13; 14 is inserted into slit-type holes 09 provided in the jacket surface
of the moulding cylinders 31; 33 and running in axial direction to the moulding cylinder
3 1; 33, and if required are held there with a holding mechanism arranged in the moulding
cylinder 3 1 ;33, preferably in a channel 08. At the front-running end 03 of each printing
mould 36; 37 the aperture angle al between the chamfered suspension arm 13 and the
stretched length L of the printing mould 36; 37 is preferably 45°. At the rear-running end
04 of each printing mould 36; 37 the aperture angle pi between the chamfered
suspension arm 14 and the stretched length 1. of the printing mould 36; 37 is preferably
90°. The slit width S in the holes 09 provided in the moulding cylinder 31; 33 should
preferably be I mm to 5 mm, particularly 3 mm.
Tor changing one or more printing moulds 36; 37 arranged on the moulding cylinder 31;
33, for the first moulding cylinder 3 I a first printing mould 38 arranged below the paper
track 46 is foreseen: for the moulding cylinder 33 a second printing mould magazine 39
arranged above the paper track 46 is foreseen, whereby each printing mould magazine 38;
39 has a receiving unit 41; 42, e.g. a shaft 41; 42, for receiving at least one of the used
printing moulds 36; 37 to be removed from the moulding cylinder 31; 33 and a receiving
unit 43; 44, e.g. a shaft 43; 44, for receiving a new printing mould 36; 37 to be mounted
on the moulding cylinder 3 I; 33, whereby each receiving unit 41; 42 ;43 ;44 has several
storage positions, respectively for used printing moulds 36;37 to be removed and for new
p inting mould 36; 'M to be mounted. Whereas the printing mould magazine 38; 39
a located to the respective moulding cylinder 31; 33 is set for changing a printing mould
.1 r. 37 by a swing movement on the respective moulding cylinder 31; 33, the first
I loulding cylinder 31 and the second moulding cylinder 33 are stopped by their
I ispeciive rubber blanket cylinders 32; 34 which are in working contact. Alternatively,
I r in addition to the stopped moulding cylinder 31; 33, even the rubber blanket cylinders
i2; 34 can be cut off from the paper track 46. Thus while changing one or more printing
noulds 36; 37, the concerned moulding cylinder 31; 33 is de-coupled from the paper
.rack 46. while in the printing mechanism the other pair of cylinders 32; 34 can remain in
production.
In the printing mould magazine 38; 39. the shaft 41; 43 or 42; 44 for receiving at least
one used or new printing mould 36; 37 are respectively arranged largely parallel to one
another, i.e. they are arranged above one another in a layer design. Thereby a separating
wall 47 in the respective printing mould magazine 38; 39 can separate the shaft 41; 43 or
42; 44 from one another (fig. 5). liach shaft 41; 43 or 42; 44 has for the printing moulds
36; 37 to be stored in them, at least two storage positions. In order to allow a good access
to the shafts 41; 43 or 42; 44 even while the paper track 46 is running, e.g. for removing a
used printing mould 36; 37 from the shafts 41; 42 or for readying a new printing mould
36; 37 in the shafts 43; 44, these shafts 41; 43 or 42; 44 are accessible from the side away
from the moulding cylinder 33, or from a side of the printing mould magazine 38; 39
which runs parallel to the running direction of the paper track 46. The printing mould
magazines 38; 39 stretch respectively over the length of baling of the moulding cylinders
31; 33, however at least over the width D of the printing mould 36; 37 and allow in their
respective shafts 41; 43 or 42; 44 taking up of a printing mould 36; 37 completely, i.e.
according to their length L. The shafts 41; 43 or 42; 44 are situated in a housing,
whereby the housing has a hole o38; o39. whereby the hole o38; o39 can be respectively
aligned parallel to the baling of the respective moulding cylinder 31; 33. Through the
respective hole o38; o39 one printing mould 36; 37 can respectively be fed to the
moulding cylinder 31; 33, or can be introduced from it into the shaft 41; 43. F'or this
purpose, the holes o38; o39 of the printing mould magazines 38; 39 are guided, with
¦espect to a hole 09 in the moulding cylinders 31; 33, on to the moulding cylinders 31; 33
at a significantly smaller distance a38; a39 than the length L of the printing moulds 36;
37. ideally, the distances a38; a39 should lie between 2% and max. 50% of the length L
of the printing moulds 36; 37, preferably short distances a38; a39 up to 10% of the length
L. It is advantageous to arrange at least the printing mould magazine 39 above the paper
track 46 in a movable manner, so that this printing mould magazine 39 can be driven or
swung from a rest position against the moulding cylinder 33 above the printing
mechanism into a working position. Due to the mobile arrangement of the printing
mould magazine 38; 39, one obtains a better accessibility to the printing mechanism for
carrying out jobs required from there, e.g. maintenance jobs. In the working position, the
shafts 41: 43 or 42; 44 of the printing mould magazines 38; 39, however at least the
storage positions of the printing moulds 36; 37, are preferably aligned horizontally or
with slight inclination, ideally lesser than 15° with respect to the horizontal H, whereby
the holes o38; o39 of the printing mould magazines 38; 39 point to one of the holes 09 in
the respective moulding cylinder 3 1; 33. with which the respective mould magazine
38;39 works together with.
A movable printing mould magazine 38; 39 can be fixed in its working position before a
moulding cylinder 31; 33 in its distance a38; a39 and its alignment to the moulding
cylinder 31; 33 by means of an arresting mechanism 48 (fig. 5). The arresting
mechanism 48 could be in the form, of a conical pin, which is location-fixed with respect
to the moulding cylinder 31; 33 and grips into a hole in the housing of the printing mould
magazine 38; 39, and centres a printing mould magazine 38; 39 swung against the
moulding cylinder 31; 33 with its holes o38; o39 with respect to the baling of the
moulding cylinder 31; 33. It is advantageous to bring the moulding cylinder 31; 33 page-
registration-wise into a pre-defined position, e.g. by resetting with respect to the page-
registration, before exchanging a printing mould 36; 37 between the moulding cylinder
31; 33 and the printing mould magazine 38; 39. Alternative to the setting of the
moulding cylinder 31; 33, also the printing mould magazine 38; 39 can be brought
sideways relative to the moulding cylinder 3 i; 33 to a pre-defined position, so that the
exchange of printing moulds 36; 37 between the printing mould magazine 38; 39 and the

„o„Mi„s cylindc, M; 33 can take place according to .he objective and without side^vays
displacement.
It is advantageous to attach a pivoted, preferably swivel-able baffle plate (fig. 5) near the
moulding cylinder 33 before the align-able hole of the printing mould magazine 39 on the
moulding cylinder 33, with the help of which a rear-running end 04 of a printing mould
37 released from a hole 09 in the moulding cylinder 33 can be guided in a specific
manner to the shaft 42 for take-up by the printing mould 37 to be removed. With the
baffle plate 49, particularly any erroneous access to the shaft 44 for a printing mould 37
to be removed from the moulding cylinder 33 is blocked, in which at least a new printing
mould 37 is readied or can be readied. Similarly, attaching a baffle plate 49 to the
printing mould magazine 38 arranged before the paper track 46 and working along with
the moulding cylinder 31 could be advantageous, which however has not been shown in
fig. 5 for the sake of better overviews.
A further design example for a printing machine with printing mould magazines can be
obtained in conjunction with a printing machine, e.g. a multi-colour offset printing
machine, whose printing mechanisms are arranged above one another in at least one
frame 97 on a foundation 96, in a bridge formation or a compact eight formation, i.e. in a
printing machine with a low-height structure with eight printing points, as shown in (Ig.
36. A print substance 46, preferably a paper track 46, is fed into the printing machine
and guided vertically through the printing mechanism. Fig. 38 shows four successive
printing mechanisms in the transport, direction of the paper track 46, which have a
transmission cylinder 32; 34 with a moulding cylinder 31; 33 respectively on the right
side and left side of the paper track 46, whereby the transmission cylinders 32; 33
opposite to one another in a printing mechanism on the paper track 46, roll off on each
other. The paper track 46 is guided on to the first printing mechanism with the help of a
paper guide roller 92 arranged before the first printing mechanism, and is guided away
from the fourth printing mechanism with the help of a second paper guiding roller
arranged after the fourth printing mechanism. To each moulding cylinder 31; 33 at lea,st
one inking device 94 is allocated, the details of which are not discussed here. To each
moulding cylinde..- 31; 33, a printing mould magazine 38; 39 is allocated, which has
respectively two shafts 41; 42; 43; 44. Similar to the design example described in
connection with f.g. 5, here too each printing moulding magazine 38; 39, however at least
its storage position for a print mould 36; 37 to be stored, is aligned in the working
position mainly horizontally or only with a slight inclination lesser than 15° to the
moulding cylinder 31; 33. In the working position of the print mould magazine 38; 39, at
least one print mould 36; 37 can be exchanged between the shafts 41; 42; 43; 44 and the
moulding cylinder 31; 33, in that either a print mould 36; 37 no longer required for
executing the printing jobs is removed from the moulding cylinder 31; 33 and introduced
into the shaft 41; 42, or a new print mould 36; 37 required for executing a print job is
guided out of the shaft 43; 44 and mounted on the moulding cylinder 31; 33. The design
features of the print mould magazine 38; 39 in this design example can correspond to that
of the design example described earlier in fig. 5. It is advantageous, if the execution,
especially completion of a print mould changing, is monitored with the help of sensors.
At the same time, the print mould magazine 38; 39 in connection with the moulding
cylinder 3 1: 33 can be controlled in such a way, that from a control post allocated to the
printing machine, a print mould change can be selectively effected. As the print mould
magazines 38; 39 can be prepared for a print mould changing during a running
production of the printing machine, the setting period required in case of standstill of the
print mechanism get reduced to a very minimum period of lesser than two minutes,
preferably even lesser than 90 seconds, for a complete changing of all print moulds 36;
37 of the printing mechanism arranged in this printing machine. Depending on the
arrangement of the printing mechanism, ninety-six print moulds 36; 37 can be
simultaneously in use in the printing machine described here. Such a rapid changing of
prim moulds even for a large number of print moulds 36; 37, increases the cost-
effectiveness of the printing machine significantly, on account of its extremely short
standstill period.
Further details regarding a method and a device for executing the method are now
explained on the basis of the examples shown in figures 6 to 35. Fig. 6 shows a moulding
cylinder 33 with two channels 08 staggered by 180° on the circumference and two print

moulds 37 arranged along the circumference one after the other, whereby the rectangular-
chamfered suspension arm 14 is held at the rear-running end 04 of each print mould 37 in
production direction P of the moulding cylinder 33, respectively by a holding agent 21 on
a wall 19 arranged in the channel 08 and pressed by a spring element 22, whereby the
wall 19 stretches from a rear edge 17 of a hole 09 opening the channel 08 and goes up to
the channel 08, whereby the holding agent 21 can be released by activating a pneumatic
setting agent 23 acting against the spring element 22. On the wall 18 stretching from the
front edge 16 of the same hole 09 to the channel 08, the acute-angled chamfered
suspension arm 13 is placed in a shape-locking manner at the front-running end 03 of the
other print mould 37 arranged along the circumference of the moulding cylinder 33. For
details of holding of the print moulds, please refer to fig. 2.
Fig. 6 shows a pressing element 24 in the form of a pressure roller 24 or pressure pulley
24 which can be set on to the moulding cylinder 33 by pneumatic activation. Similarly,
near to the moulding cylinder 33, an aligning device 51 is foreseen, supported as a pivot
parallel to its axial direction, with two diametrically arranged buffer stops 52; 53, which
are wing-shaped and worked sideways to a print mould 37, whereby the aligning device
51 along with one of its buffer slops 32; 53 temporarily fixes a print mould 37 to be
mounted, page-registration-wise while it is being guided on to the moulding cylinder 33.
The buffer stops 52; 53 arc for example designed as a side guide plate, whereby the
buffer .stops 52; 53 are arranged on a swivel-able traverse, e.g. a rectangular pipe. The
buffer stops 52; 53 differ in their position with respect to the axial direction of the
moulding cylinder 33, so that ibr a print mould 37 of single width, the buffer stop 52, and
for a print mould 37 in panorama format the buffer stop 53 can be brought into use by a
corresponding swing of the aligning device 51. The buffer stop 52; 53 can be adjustable
axially to the moulding cylinder 33 for the width of the print mould 37.
Further details of the print mould magazine 39 can also be obtained from fig. 6. The
design example shown in the figures 6 to 35 is based on a variant for the print mould
magazine 39, in which an upper shaft 44 for readying a print mould 37 to be mounted on
the moulding cylinder 33, can be operated as separate assembly unit, independent of a
ower shaft 42 for receiving a print mould 37 removed from the moulding cylinder 33.
^oth shafts 42; 44 can be used individually and independent of one another, thus as
ndependent functioning assembly units. This application becomes interesting if the
feeding of the moulding cylinder 33 with a new printing mould 37 is supposed to be
iutomated, whereas removal of the used printing mould 37 is carried out by an operating
person. If both shafts 42; 44 are designed in the printing mould magazine 39, one obtains
a fully automatic printing mould changer. Both shafts 42; 44 have all devices required
for storing and conveying printing moulds 37 and are built very compactly. In spite of
their receiving capacity, respectively at least two printing moulds 37, they have a very
low structural height. The structural height is lesser than 150 mm, ideally lesser than
100 mm.
In the design example shown in figures 6 to 35, the shaft 44 is arranged horizontally and
aligned tangential to the moulding cylinder. Thus the gravitational force FG exercised on
the printing mould 37 is used for supporting the subsequently described function in the
best possible way. In the shaft 44 there is a support base 54, on which a first printing
mould 37 with its chamfered suspension arms 13; 14 to be mounted on the moulding
cylinder 33 can be placed vertically or horizontally. A printing mould 37 placed on the
support surface 54 lies there with its entire stretched length L. The support surface 54
should ideally not be completely flat, but be designed in the form of parallel strips 54 or
slide rails 54. The suspension arm 14 on the rear-running end 04 of the first printing
mould 37 lies in the shaft 44 on the side away from the moulding cylinder 33 against a
vertically standing buffer stop 56, whereby the buffer stop 56 can be moved by a
conveying device 57 linearly and parallel to the support surface 54 in the direction of the
hole o39 of the printing mould magazine 39, in order to transport the first printing mould
37 by a translatory movement and preferably free from deformation, out of the shaft 44 at
least till the suspension arm 13 on the front-running end 03 of this first print mould 37
can grip into the slit-like hole 09 of the moulding cylinder 33. The buffer stop 56 thus
serves in the shaft 44 as the placing position for the first printing mould 37 and at the
same time also has the function of a slider 56. As long as this first printing mould 37 on
the suspension arm 14 reveals at least one registration punching on its rear-running end
04, the buffer stop 56 can also be designed as a registration pin standing perpendicular to
the support surface 54 and connected to the conveying mechanism 57, so that by placing
the first printing mould 37 on the buffer stop 56, a pre-registration for it takes place with
respect to its page registration. The conveying mechanism 57 is designed as a belt drive
57 or as a linear drive 57, preferably as pneumatic linear drive 57, especially as a piston-
less linear drive 57 working on both sides.
In the shaft 44 there is a holder 58, more specifically a printing mould holder 58 for
holding at least a second printing mould 37 to be mounted on the moulding cylinder 33.
As shown in fig. 13, the second printing mould 37 is held by the printing mould holder 58
above the support surface 54, i.e. at a distance a54 above the support surface 54, in that
the printing mould holder 58 has a movable piston 59 or slider 59 on the side away from
the moulding cylinder 33, which can be run parallel to the support surface 54, and at
whose end a holding element 61, e.g. L-shaped angle 61 is arranged, whereby a second
printing mould 37 is clamped-in above the support surface between the angle 61 of the
driven out slider 59, and a further holding element 62 is arranged in the region of the hole
o39 of the printing mould magazine 39, e.g. a fixed buffer stop 62. The distance a54
thereby has a value which preferably lies between twice and four times the length 114 of
the suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of the second printing mould 37.
Clamping of the second printing mould 37 takes place, in that a clear distance a58 is set
between the angle 61 of the driven out slider and the buffer stop 62, which is shorter than
the stretched length L of the second printing mould 37. The buffer stop 62 in the region
of the hole o39 of the printing mould magazine 39 has a slope 63, against which the
suspension arm 13 at the front-running end 03 of the second printing mould 37 can
support itself whereby the slope 63 of ihe buffer stop 62 and the L-shaped angle 61.
against which the suspension arm 14 supports itself on the rear-running end 04 of the
second printing mould 37 are inclined towards one another. As the .second printing
mould 37 is bendable along its length L, it bulges in its clamped condition between the
angle 61 and the buffer stop 62. The slider 59 of the printing mould holder 58 can be
moved linearly parallel to the support surface 54 and has two stable operating positions,
namely one stable operating position in the driven-in condition, the second printing
mould 37 releasing condition, and the driven-out condition, i.e. the second printing mould
37 is clamped in. In a variant for the printing mould holder 58, the arrangement of the
movable slider 59 and the fixed buffer slop 62 arc exchanged with one another, so that
the slider 59 is situated in the region of the hole o39 of the printing mould magazine 39
and the buffer stop 62 is situated on the side away from the moulding cylinder 33.
Alternative to the described linear move-ability, the angle 61 or the buffer stop 62 can
also be arranged in such a way, that it can be swivelled around a swivel axis aligned to
the width B of the printing mould 37. A printing mould 37 clamped between the angle 61
and the buffer stop 62 is situated at its upper or first storage position, whereas a printing
mould 37 placed on the support surface 54 in this condition takes up a lower, second
storage position, whereby the printing mould 37 in the second storage position is
intermediately stored before its transportation to the moulding cylinder 33. By means of
its activation, preferably in remote mode, e.g. by a control position belonging to the
printing machine, the printing mould 37 changes within the shaft 44 from its upper, first
storage position to its lower, second storage position. Printing moulds 37 stored in the
first storage position and in the second storage position are at a distance from one
another, e.g. along their length L with a distance a54, so that they do not touch one
another, and consequently cannot damage one another.
A further design example of a printing mould holder 58, which allows a significantly low-
structural height for the shaft 44, has the provision of holding the second printing mould
37 above the support surface 54 stretching in axial direction of the printing mould 33 on
the same level, with at least one holding element 64 in an upper storage position,
whereby the holding element 64 is designed as a guide rail 64, or as two parallel running
guide rails 64 (figures 7 to 9), whereby the guide rail 64 holds the second printing mould
37 situated in the shaft 44 at both its longitudinal sides along at least part of its length 1,
in the upper storage position. Designing the printing mould holder 58 with guide rails 64
pre-requircs, that the suspension arm 13; 14 at the ends 03; 04 of the second printing
mould 37 does not stretch over the entire width D of the printing mould 37, in that they
do not reach the longitudinal sides of the printing mould 37. The longitudinal sides of the
printing mould 37 thus form in the region of the support surface 02 of the printing mould

17 a projection against the suspension arm 13; 14. This projection is necessary in order
0 mai specially each guide rail 64, consists of an U-shaped clamp gripping around one of the
;)ngitudinal sides of the printing mould 37 with a certain clearance, into which the
; econd printing mould 37 from the side away from the moulding cylinder 33 is pushed in.
he second printing mould 37 is thus held by the guide rails 64 in a narrow region of
I leir side, whereby the holding mechanism works as a vertical support and hence as a
f rop against the gravitational force FG acting on the printing mould 37. The guide rails
(' i are made of a shape-stable material like metal or plastic.
I I order to place a second printing mould 37 held by the guide rails 64 on the support
s irface 54, at least one of the guide rails 64 is movable in the direction of the width B of
II e second printing mould 37. Ideally however, both guide rails 64 are movable in
o )posite direction along the width B of the second printing mould 37, so that they
d stance themselves from one another at least for a short period of time and increase their
d stance from one another in such a way, that they no longer support the longitudinal
s Jes of the printing mould 37 vertically, whereby the second printing mould 37 as a
n suit of the gravitational force FG acting on it fall through between the guide rails 64 on
t II c second printing mould 37 by an electric or magnetic force in its upper storage
p isition, the holding element 64 changes in remote-controlled mode, from its first
o lerating condition to its second operating condition, whereby the second operating
CI ndition has an effect of the holding element 64, so that the printing mould 37 and the
h' Iding element 64 get released from one another and the printing mould 37 on being
IX ieased from the holding element 64 in the shaft 54 undergoes a free fall and hence
cl anges to the storage position lying directly vertically below the upper storage position,
s( Icly on account of its gravitational force FG. The second printing mould 37 is held in
th ; lower and even in the upper storage position in the shaft 44 at an inclination of lesser
[h m I5'\ preferably horizontally. The guide rails 64 designed as a support bearing for
th : printing mould 37 have in their longitudinal stretching only this slight inclination or
h; ve a horizontal run.
Loosening ofthe second printing mould 37 from the guide rail 64 gripping on to it from
the side, is aided by a buffer stop 67 standing perpendicular to the support surface 62 of
the second printing mould 37, which is fixed in the shaft 44, whereby on both
longitudinal sides ofthe second printing mould 37, such a buffer stop 67 is arranged, so
that during a counter-movement directed along the width B ofthe second printing mould
37 by the guide rails 64 holding this printing mould 37, this printing mould 37 remains
position-stable on account ofthe buffer stops 67 arranged on both sides in the level
created by the support surface 62 on the printing mould 37. The buffer stop 67 strips the
printing mould 37 from the guide rails 64 moving away from one another, in that the
printing mould 37 comes to rest against the buffer stop 67, whereby simultaneously the
vertical suppon given to the printing mould 37 is removed by the movement ofthe guide
rails 64. Releasing the second printing mould 37 takes place with the help of a drive 69
which can be controlled from a control position ofthe printing machine, whereby the
drive 69 acts on the guide rails 64 and moves them along a regulating distance s68.
If several printing moulds 37 are supposed to be arranged beside one another on the
moulding cylinder 33 in its axial direction, and if several printing moulds 37 are arranged
beside one another in the shaft 44 in axial direction ofthe moulding cylinder 33, then it is
advantageous to arrange the guide rails 64, which grip on to the adjacent second printing
moulds 37, in the printing mould magazine 39 above the support surface 54 in two
different levels, i.e. staggered vertical to one another, whereby the successive levels in
axial direction ofthe moulding cylinder 33 arc arranged alternately staggered. Due to ihe
staggered arrangement ofthe levels forming the first storage position ofthe printing
moulds 37, a distance a67 between the printing mould 37 arranged beside one another in
axial direction 33, i.e. adjacent to one another, can be kept as low as possible. The
distance a67 corresponds in its value to the distance that is revealed by the printing mould
37 arranged beside one another on the moulding cylinder 33 in its axial direction, i.e.
adjacent to one another. From the levels arranged in axial direction 33 beside one
another, i.e. respectively from a ilrst storage position, the printing moulds 37 placed on
the support surface 54 and thus brought into their second storage position, can be fed to
the moulding cylinder 33 with the help ofthe conveying mechanism 57, either
individually or at the same time together, whereby the latter method is advantageous for
quick changing of printing moulds 37 on the moulding cylinder 33. Printing moulds 37
stored in axial direction ofthe moulding cylinder 33 in different levels arranged beside
one another, can simultaneously change to their respective second storage position, or at
least in rapid sequence. Printing moulds 37 fed simultaneously together to the moulding
cylinder 33 are arranged beside one another on the moulding cylinder 33 in its axial
direction.
In the example shown in fig. 8, four second printing moulds 37 are arranged beside one
another in their first storage position in axial direction of moulding cylinder 33, whereby
each of its printing moulds 37 is held in a guide rail 64 against its longitudinal side. The
vertical displacement ofthe printing mould 37 is thereby only a few millimetres, e.g.
4 mm to 6 mm, and corresponds approx. to the structural height ofthe guide rail 64,
preferably equal or twice the structural height. The movement ofthe guide rails 64 along
the width B ofthe second printing mould 37 takes place by means of a linear push ofthe
guide rails 64.; it can however also be executed by a swing movement ofthe guide rails
64. whereby the guide rails 64 are swivel-able around a .swivel axis, whereby the swivel
axis runs parallel to the side ofthe printing mould 37 supported by the guide rails 64.
Thus a guide rail 64 can be attached to at least one swivel arm 68 which can be swivelled
in the level clamped by the support surface 02 ofthe second printing mould 37, which is
indicated in fig. 9 by a direction arrow. The swivel arm 68, whose one end is connected
,0 the guide rail 64 and whose other end is fixed in the shaft 44, can be designed as a
spring element 68 working sideways on the guide rail 64, e.g. as a plate spring 68,
A'hereby the guide rail 64 connected to the swivel arm 68 is moved to a position holding
he second printing mould 37 or to a working position where it releases itself from this
printing mould 37, by means ofthe drive 69, e.g. a controllable, preferably remote-
;ontrollable magnet 69. The setting path s68, which a movable guide rail 64 executes
ilong the width B ofthe second printing mould 37, lies in the range of a few millimetres,
;.g. between 2 mm and 10 mm, preferably 4 mm. Ideally, even in this design variant, a
suffer stop 67 is foreseen, against which the printing mould 37 impacts with its side

propped by the guide rail 64, while the guide rail 64 through its movements removes the
support to the printing mould 37. Two adjacent printing moulds 37 in the axial direction
of the moulding cylinder 33 could thereby impact against opposite sides of the same
buffer stop 67. During the change from the upper storage position into the lower storage
position, the printing mould 37 can slide with one of its sides against the buffer stop 67
directed vertically away from it, so that the printing mould 37 released from its upper
storage position in a guided movement lands into the lower storage position. The buffer
slop 67 then has for a printing mould 37 changing its storage position, the function of a
iide guide reaching up to the support surface 54.
generally formulated, a method for storing at least two hoists 01; 36; 37 successively
•emoved from the same cylinder 06; 31; 33 of a printing machine involves the following
itcps: a) a hoist 01; 36; 37 removed already by the cylinder 06; 31; 33 is transported from
he first storage position into a second storage position, b) the hoist 01; 36; 37 removed
.ubsequent to the previously removed hoist 01; 36; 37 is stored in the first storage
)osition of the already removed hoist 01; 36; 37, c) the already removed hoist 01; 36; 37
n its second storage position and the subsequently removed hoist 01; 36; 37 in the (Irst
;torage position 01 ;36;37, are stored at an orthogonal distance along their length I., d) the
loists 01; 36; 37 are stored in their respective support surface 02 at least largely
)verlapping, preferably at least up to 80% overlapping or in their whole or almost total
)verlapping. The already removed hoist 01; 36; 37 and the subsequently removed hoist
)1; 36; 37 could thereby to be stored along their length L, either vertically or even
lorizontally at a distance from one another. The already removed hoist 01; 36; 37 is
ransported to its second storage position by a linear movement, preferably a linear
novement orthogonal to its support surface 02 and connecting both storage positions
mmediately and directly with one another, or even by a movement of its rear-running
nd 04, which is explained in details below.
t is of advantage, particularly in the shaft 44, to attach a code reader 71 on the slider 56
or a first printing mould 37 being supported on the surface 54 or also on the L-shaped
ngle 61 for a second printing mould 37; this code reader reads a coding fixed on the
suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of each printing mould 37, i.e. provides a
feature for identification of a printing mould for the purpose of electronic comparison in a
control unit and to check with an allocation plan for the moulding cylinder 33 already
stored in the control unit, whether the printing moulds 37 introduced into the shaft 44
correspond to the allocation plan of the desired printing sequence and whether for the
desired allocation, the printing moulds 37 introduced in the shaft 44 are also in the correct
sequence. Thus even before mounting the printing moulds 37 on the moulding cylinder
33 a corresponding message, e.g. an error message, i.e. a message warning the operating
oerson about erroneous mounting, is generated and can be read on a printing mechanism
illocated to the control position.
fhe coding can, in addition to a code that can be read by a person, also be in the form of
I bar code. The code reader 71 is thus arranged in the shaft 44 at its end away from its
noulding cylinder 33, whereby the reading direction of the code reader 71 is directed
Mther parallel to the length L of the printing mould 37 or parallel to the width B of the
)rinting mould 37. In a preferred design, the code reader 71 is movable in a linear guide
)r attached to the shaft 44, or a movable mirror inclined at an angle of 45° to the width B
if the printing mould 37 is foreseen, which deflects a reading signal from a coding
ttached to the printing mould 37 to a code reader 71 attached on a side of the shaft 44, so
hat for reading the coding on the printing mould 37 stored in the shaft 44 only one code
eader 71 is required. By using only one code reader 71 for several stored printing
noulds 37, significant costs can be saved. By using only one code reader 71, the code
eader 71 or the mirror is movable either parallel to the width B of the printing mould 37,
e. in axial direction of the moulding cylinder 33, preferably along several shafts 44
i nd/or along the printing moulds 37 stacked in one of the shafts 44, vertically in height.
; 0 that the code reader 71 or the mirror can determine the coding of printing moulds 37
: lored a different storage position. E-ither the code reader 71 or at least an additional
: ensor 9lcould be used to monitor and/or to check, whether a desired printing mould
( hange has been executed successfully or not. Errors like.a double or allocation or an
(rroneous allocation, i.e. mounting of a printing mould 37 on an invalid location, could
then be avoided, or at least be detected through a message given to the control position of
the printing machine, before greater damage is done.
Fig. 6 shows a further shaft 42 that serves the purpose of receiving the printing mould 37
removed from the moulding cylinder 33. This shaft 42 has for example an inclined
support surface 72, which is designed similar to the support surface 54 in the shaft 44 for
readying printing moulds 37 to be mounted on the moulding cylinder 33, preferably not
full-faced but in the form of parallel bars 72 or slide rails 72 whereby the inclination of
the support surface 72 widens the shaft 42 on the side away from the moulding cylinder
33. whereby this shaft 42 becomes more easily accessible for an operating person on the
side away from the moulding cylinder 33. which makes removal of the printing moulds
37 deposited in the shaft 42 easier. The support surface 72 in the shaft 42 could be
inclined by an angle 8 with respect to a horizontal H, whereby the angle of inclination 8
could be between 5° and 15°, preferably approx. 7°. In the example shown in fig. 6 the
shaft 42 for receiving printing moulds 37 removed from the moulding cylinder 33 is
situated below a shaft 44 for readying printing moulds 37 to be mounted on the moulding
cylinder 33, which however is a preferred arrangement but not compulsory. The shafts
42; 44 could similarly be arranged in reverse sequence or separated from one another.
A preferred design of the shaft 42 has the provision, that in the shaft 42 at least two
printing moulds 37 can be stored beside one another in axial direction to the moulding
cylinder 33. This extension allows a particularly rapid removal of printing moulds 37,
especially when at least two printing moulds 37 can be arranged on the moulding cylinder
33 in its axial direction, because several printing moulds 37 can be removed
simultaneously from the moulding cylinder 33. If at least four printing moulds 37 can be
arranged on the moulding cylinder 33 in its axial direction, it is advantageous, on account
of stability reasons, to arrange two shafts 42 beside one another in axial direction of the
moulding cylinder 33. Each storage space in one of the shafts 42 defined by the width B
of a printing mould 37 is then designed in such a way, that similarly at least four printing
moulds 37 are storable there, just as printing moulds 37 that can be arranged on the
moulding cylinder 33 along with its circumference, whereby the storage of the printing
mouids 37 at each storage space is done in a stack above one another. It can be foreseen
tiiat in each of the shafts 42 up to ten. however at least up to eight printing moulds 37 are
storable. so that printing moulds 37 removed from the moulding cylinder 33 can be
collected in the shafts 42 and the shafts 42 do not have to be necessarily cleared by the
operating person after each change of the printing moulds 37. Irrespective of the number
of shafts 42 besides one another, the storage spaces have the same narrow distance
between one another in axial direction of the moulding cylinder 33, just as the printing
moulds 37 are arranged on the moulding cylinder 33.
At the side towards the moulding cylinder 33 the shaft 42 has, for receiving printing
moulds 37 removed from the moulding cylinder 33, at least in the operating condition set
on the moulding cylinder 33, a guide element 73 arranged near the jacket surface of the
moulding cylinder 33, which is designed in the form of a baffle plate 73, a wedge 73 or a
rolling element 73, e.g. a roller, and has the task of guiding the rear-running end 04 of a
printing mould 37 removed from the moulding cylinder 33 into the shaft 42. A distance
a73 of the guide element 73 from the jacket surface 07 of the moulding cylinder 33 is not
much greater than the length 114 of the chamfered suspension arm 14 at the rear-running
end 04 of the printing mould 37; ideally the distance a73 of the guide element 73 should
have a value between equal to and double the length 114 of the suspension arm 14 (Hg. 6).
As a printing mould 37 to be removed from the moulding cylinder 33 makes contact with
the guide element 73 with its print image side, its contact with a rotate-able rolling
element 73 is better for its surface, than sliding over a flatly designed solid wedge 73.
This aspect gains significance, particularly when the printing mould 37 is supposed to be
used again and hence any damage to its print image side through scratches or its sliding
marks should be avoided. A sensor 91 could be attached to the guide element 73, which
either in contact with the printing mould 37 to be removed from the moulding cylinder
33, or preferably in a contact-less manner, e.g. inductively, checks whether the
suspension arm 14 on the rear-running end 04 of the printing mould 37 to be removed
from the moulding cylinder 33 has actually been released after activating the holding
agent 21 attached in the channel 08 of the moulding cylinder 33. After checking, the
sensor 91 sends out a signal to the control position allocated to the printing machine. On
ie basis of this signal released by the sensor 91 it is decided whether the process of
cmoving a printing mould 37 to be removed from the moulding cylinder 33 should be
ontinued or whether measures have to be taken for eliminating the defect. On the guide
¦lement 73, in axial direction of the moulding cylinder 33, preferably several sensors 91
ire foreseen, e.g. four or six, namely at least one sensor 91 for each printing mould 37
vhich can be arranged on the moulding cylinder 33 beside one another in its axial
lirection.
n a preferred design example, the suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of the
printing mould 37 to be removed from the moulding cylinder 33, after passing the guide
element 73, sits on a first ramp 74 arranged at a distance to the guide element 73, before
¦caching the support surface 72 in the shaft 42, whereby the first ramp 74 initially rises in
:he direction of the support surface 72 and after reaching a peak point 76 with respect to
.he support surface 72, again drops. The first ramp 74 is connected fixed to the support
surface 72. In the continuation of introduction of the printing mould 37 to be removed
from the moulding cylinder 33 into the shaft 42, its suspension arm 14 meets with a
second ramp 77 ai the rear-running end 04, whose fiank after reaching its peak point 78,
i.e. on the side away from the moulding cylinder 33, abruptly falls steeply on to the
support surface 72. In the direction in which the printing mould 37 is introduced into the
shaft 42, at a small distance a77 (fig. 14) behind the peak point 78, a buffer stop 79
connected fixed to the second ramp 77 is arranged, against which the suspension arm 14
impacts at the rear-running end 04 of the printing mould 37. The distance a77 thereby
has a value of a few millimetres, preferably a value of lesser than the same length 114.
preferably lesser than half the length 114 of the chamfered suspension arm 14 on the rear-
running end 04 on the printing mould 37. When the suspension arm 14 impacts against
the buffer stop 79 at the rear-running end 04 of the printing mould 37, it grips the second
ramp 77, in that the suspension arm 14 grips into the intermediate space formed by the
distance a77. The second ramp 77 and the buffer stop 79 connected to it can be moved
by a conveying mechanism 81, linear and parallel to its support surface 72. in order to
transport the printing mould 37 to be removed from the moulding cylinder 33 completely
into the shaft 42. The conveying mechanism 81 which along with the steep flank on the
second ramp 77 for the chamfered suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of the
printing mould 37, Forms a carrier mechanism transporting the printing mould 37 into the
shaft 42, is designed for example as a belt drive 81 or as a linear drive 81, preferably as a
pneumatic linear drive 81 especially as a piston-less linear drive 81 working on both
sides. Both the first ramp 74 and the second ramp 77 do not consist of full-faced levels,
but of several parallel arranged guide rails like the teeth of a comb. The second ramp 77
can be shaped with one or more suitably bent metal strips.
;)n the side awiiy from the moulding cylinder 33 in the shaft 42, a lifter 82, especially a
printing mould lifter 82 is arranged, whereby the printing mould lifter 82 has a piston 83
,vhich can be run perpendicular to the support surface 72, at whose end an L-shaped or
preferably U-shaped lifting arm 84 is attached, whereby the chamfered suspension arm
4 at the rear-running end 04 of the printing mould 37 sits on the lifting arm 84 or is set
0 grip around it. The printing mould lifter 82 has two stable operating positions, namely
stable operating position with driven-in piston 83, in which the lifting arm 84 is situated
lelow the level defined by the support surface 72, and a further stable operating position
vith driven-out piston 83, in which the piston arm 84 lifts the printing mould 37 removed
roni the moulding cylinder 33 from the support surface 72. The printing mould lifter 82
I lereby executes a stroke, which is greater than the length 114 of the chamfered
! uspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of the printing mould 37. The stroke s82
; nould preferably have a value between equal to and double the length 114 of the
' .ispension arm 14. The printing mould lifter 82 thus lifts a printing mould 37 from the
1 loulding cylinder 33 from a temporary first storage position to a final second storage
:: ^sition.
,' bove the printing mould lifter 82, especially above its lifting arm 84, a securing element
H ) swivel-able around a swivel axis running largely parallel to the width B of the printing
r ould 37 is arranged, e.g. in the form of a strip-shaped trap 86 whose lower edge is
s tuated at a distance a86 from the lifting arm 84, whereby the distance a86 is measured
l( sserthan the length 114 of the chamfered suspension arm 14 on the rear-running end 04
,) "the printing mould 37. In fig. 6, a directional arrow indicates the swing-ability of the
; ^curing element 86. The securing element 86 secures a printing mould 37 lifted by the
I rinting mould lifter 82 against any unintended slipping in the shaft 42 or an unintended
1 ;moval from the shaft 42. Thus an operating person has to first swivel the securing
( lement 86 before the lifted printing mould 37 can be removed from the shaft 42.
\ further design example for assembly groups attached in the shaft 42 is shown in figures
0 to 12. This design example shows a buffer stop 79 arranged in a fixed manner in the
¦ entral region of the support surface 72. Vt'hercby a printing mould lifter 82 connected to
conveying mechanism 81 movable linearly along the support surface 72, lifts the
hamfered suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of a printing mould 37 to be
emoved from the moulding cylinder 33 by means of the buffer stop 79, and the printing
nould 37 at its chamfered suspension arm 14. preferably in its condition lifted by the
)rinting mould lifter 82, and pulls up to the end of the shaft 42 away from the moulding
ylinder 33. The conveying mechanism 81 and the printing mould lifter 82 can be
ompulsorily coupled in such a way, that the printing mould lifter 82 lifts the chamfered
.uspension arm 14 of the printing mould 37 as soon as the conveying mechanism 81
;xecutes the movement in the direction away from the moulding cylinder 33.
•urthermore, between the buffer stop 79 and the end of the shaft 42 away from the
noulding cylinder 33, a further printing mould lifter 87 is foreseen, which lifts the front-
unning end 03 of a printing mould 37 removed from the moulding cylinder 33 and into
he shaft 42 to such an extent, that another printing mould 37 removed from the moulding
;ylindcr 33 can be introduced between the support surface 72 and the lifted printed mould
i7 into the shaft 42.
Dn the basis of figures 13 to 35 methods for changing of printing moulds 37 on a
moulding cylinder 33 are explained. It is assumed that iri the upper shaft 44 two printing
moulds 37 are arranged for readying new printing moulds 37 to be mounted on the
moulding cylinder 33, two printing moulds 37 are placed on the moulding cylinder 33
along its circumference and the lower shaft 42 is empty for receiving printing moulds 37
from the moulding cylinder 33, i.e. free from printing moulds 37.
rhe moulding cylinder 33 rotates the hole 09 of a channel 08, in which the suspension
arm 14 is held by a holding agent 21 at the rear-running end 04 of the printing mould 37
to be removed from the moulding cylinder 33, finds itself in a first position which is
below the guide element 73 belonging to the lower shaft 42. The controllable, preferably
pneumatically activate-able pressing element 24 is placed against the moulding cylinder
33 (fig. 13).
The pneumatically activated setting agent 23 swivels the holding agent 21 again.st the
force of a spring element 22, whereby the suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04
-")f the printing mould 37, on account of its elastic self-tension, springs out of the hole 09
ind knocks against the guide element 73. The attached pressing element 24 secures the
printing mould 37 against any further loosening from the jacket surface 07 of the
Tioulding cylinder 33 (fig. 14).
The moulding cylinder 33 rotates against its production direction P and thereby pushes
he rear-running end 04 of the printing mould 37 into the shaft 42. On introduction of the
printing mould 37 into the shaft 42, the suspension arm 14 slides at the rear-running end
)4 of this printing mould 37, initially along the guide element 73 and then sits on the first
amp 74 belonging to the shaft 42. The suspension arm 14 slides the ramp74 upwards till
ibovc its peak point 76 and then reach ihc support surface 72. While the pressing
Mement 24 continues to be pressed against the moulding cylinder 33, the printing mould
)7 is pushed further into the shaft 42 on account of rotation of the moulding cylinder 33
igainst its production direction P. Thereby its suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end
)4 also overcomes the second ramp 77 connected to the conveying mechanism 81 and
mpacts against the buffer stop 79 (fig. 15) connected to the second ramp 77.
rhe pressing clement 24 is released by the moulding cylinder 33. Due to the impact of
he suspension arm 14 of the rear-running end 04 against the buffer stop 79, the
:hamfered suspension arm 13 at the front-running end 03 of the printing mould 37, which
s suspended in a form-hugging manner on to the front edge 16 of the hole 09, gets
eleased from the hold 09. The printing mould 37 now lies freely with its front-running
end 03 on its jacket surface 07 on the moulding cylinder 37. The moulding cylinder 33,
on account of loosening of the suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04, has till now
executed lesser than half a rotation. The chamfered suspension arm 14 at the rear-
running end 04 has meanwhile got hooked between the second ramp 77 and the buffer
stock 79. The conveying mechanism 81 connected to the second ramp 77, and the buffer
slop 79 can now completely pull in the printing mould 37 into the shaft 42 (fig. 16).
The printing mould 37 is removed from the moulding cylinder 33 and finds itself along
its length L in the shaft 42. Its suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 rests on the
peak point 78 of die second ramp 77, while its front-running end 03 is placed on the peak
point 76 of the first ramp 74, whereby at least the suspension arm 13 at the front-running
end 03 hangs freely. Supporting of the printing mould 37 in the shaft 42 accordingly
takes place by propping at two points, namely on the peak points 76; 78 of both ramps
74; 77 (fig. 17).
The pneumatically activated printing mould lifter 82 lifts the printing mould 37 drawn
into the shaft 42 at its rear-running end 04 till shortly below the securing elements 86,
whereby the suspension arm 14 sits on the lifting arm 84 connected to the printing mould
lifter 82 (fig. 18).
While a first printing mould 37 to be mounted on the moulding cylinder 33 sits with its
chamfered suspension arms 13; 14 on the supports surface 54 in the upper shaft 44, the
moulding cylinder 33 rotates further against its production direction P to a second
position till the hole 09, out of which the suspension arm 13 at the front-running end 03
of the printing mould 37 already removed from the moulding cylinder 33 has been
released, has passed a stand-up point 88 of the pressing element 21 fitted on the moulding
cylinder 33, and the rear edge 17 of the hole 09 of the moulding cylinder 33 in production
direction P finds itself at a distance a88 from the stand-up point 88, whereby the distance
a88 lies in the range of a few millimetres, preferably lesser than 30 mm, and thus
corresponds to an arc length of lesser than one-thirtieth of the circumference of the
moulding cylinder 33. The first position of the moulding cylinder 33 for removing a
I rinting mould 37 arranged on it, is generally not identical to its second position for
^x-eiving a new printing mould 37. The pressing element 24 is preferably set against the
noulding cylinder 33, while the hole 09 passes the stand-up point 88, or after it has
)assed the stand-up point 88. The aligning device 51 arranged near to the moulding
.•ylinder 33 swings along with its already horizontally aligned diametrical buffer stops 52;
)3. preferably by 90° into a vertical position, so that a buffer stop 52; 53 tuned to the
A'idth B of the printing mould 37 to be mounted on the moulding cylinder 33 submerges
into a transportation level for the printing mould 37 to be mounted on the moulding
cylinder 33, which is defined by the support surface 54 in the shaft 44, and the printing
mould 37 to be mounted on the moulding cylinder 33 during its transportation of the shaft
44 is aligned against the buffer stop 52: 53 page-registration-wise to the moulding
cylinder 33 (fig. 19).
The first printing mould 37 to be mounted on the moulding cylinder 33 stands with its
suspension arm 14 at its rear-running end 04 against the buffer stop 56 connected with a
conveying mechanism 57. The conveying mechanism 57 is brought into operation, so
that the buffer stop 56, in a movement directed tangentially on to the moulding cylinder
33, transports the first printing mould 37 out of the shaft 44 to the extent, till its front-
running end 03 comes in contact with the pressing element 24 placed against the
moulding cylinder 33, and the suspension arm 13 chamfered at this front-running end 03
sits between the rear edge 17 of the hole 09 of the moulding cylinder 33 in production
direction P and the stand-up point 88 of the pressing element 24 on the moulding cylinder
33 (fig. 20).
1 he moulding cylinder 33 changes its rotation direction and begins to rotate in its
production direction P, whereby the suspension arm 13 at the front-running end 03 of the
printing mould 37 placed on the moulding cylinder 33 slides into the hole 09 and gets
hooked in a shape-hugging manner to the front edge 16 of the hole 09 (fig. 21).
Through further rotation of the moulding cylinder 33 in its production direction P, the
printing mould 37 hooked with its suspension arm 13 in the hole 09 gets transported
;()mpleiely out of the shaft 44 and drawn on to the moulding cylinder 33. While being
drawn up, the printing mould 37 is rolled up on the moulding cylinder 33 by the pressing
element 24 placed against the moulding cylinder 33. After half a rotation of the
Tioulding cylinder 33 in its production direction P, the pressing element 24 presses the
suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of the printing mould 37 into the hole 09.
The holding agent 21 in the channel 28 belonging to this hole 09 gets released and is then
wrought into that operating position, in which it fixes the suspension arm 14 at the rear-
unning end 04 of the printing mould 37 that has been introduced into the hole 09, by
neans of clamping. The conveying mechanism 57 runs the buffer stop 56 connected to it
igain to its end position on the side away from the moulding cylinder 33 in the shaft 44
:ng. 22).
fhe pressing element 24 is removed from the moulding cylinder 33 and the aligning
Jevice 5 1 swings with its diametrical buffer stop 52; 53 again into a horizontal position.
With the help of the steps of the method described so far, changing of a first printing
Tiould 37 on the moulding cylinder 33 is completed, in that a used printing mould 37 was
removed and a new printing mould 37 was drawn up. This changing of a printing mould
37 can be completed with the help of the described device in a very short time, in less
Ihan a minute. The moulding cylinder 33 is then again production-ready (tig. 23).
Changing of another second printing mould 37 arranged on the moulding cylinder 33
along with its circumference begins, in that already during the previous running
production the new second printing mould 37 is placed b^y the operating person into the
shaft 44. A second printing mould 37 is thereby held by a controllable, pneumatically
controllable printing mould holder 58 above the support surface 54, in that the printing
mould 37 is clamped at its ends 03; 04 between two buffer stops 61; 62, whereby at least
one of the buffer stop 61; 62 is movable, or in that the printing mould 37 is pushed in
along its longitudinal sides in guide rails 64, whereby at least one of the guide rails 64 is
movable along the width B of the printing mould 37. When the printing mould holder 58
releases the printing mould 37, in that its elements holding the printing mould 37, e.g. the
buffer stops 61; 62 or the guide rails 64, increase their distance a58 between one another
il least for a short period of time, then the printing mould 37 falls on to the support
iurface 54 and sits there with its suspension arm 13; 14 (fig. 24).
In order to remove yet another seeond printing mould 37 from the moulding cylinder 33.
:he moulding cylinder 33 rotates, according to the method described in fig. 13, the hole
1)9 ofthe channel 08, in which the suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of the
second printing mould 37 to be removed from the moulding cylinder 33 is held by a
holding agent 21, into the first position which is situated below the guide element 73
belonging to the lower shaft 42. The pneumatically activate-able pressing element 24 is
pressed against the moulding cylinder 3.^ (fig. 25).
Corresponding to the method described for fig. 14, the pneumatically activated setting
agent 23 swivels the holding agent 21 against the force ofthe spring element 22, whereby
the suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 ofthe second printing mould 37 gets
ripped out ofthe hole 09 on account of its elastic self-tension and impacts against the
guide element 73. The placed pressing element 24 secures the second printing mould 37
against any further loosening from the jacket surface 07 ofthe moulding cylinder 33 (fig
26).
The moulding cylinder 33 rotates against its production direction P and thereby pushes
the rear-running end 04 ofthe second printing mould 37 into the shaft 42. While
introducing the printing mould 37 into the shaft 42, the suspension arm 14 at the rear-
running end 04 of this printing mould 37 initially slides against the guide element 73 and
then places itself on the first ramp 74 belonging to the shaft 42. The suspension arm 14
ofthe second printing mould 37 slides the ramp 74 upwards, whereby it pushes itself
below the first printing mould 37 lying in the shaft 42 beyond the peak point 76 ofthe
first ramp 74 and lifts its front-running end 03 directed towards the moulding cylinder 33
and overhanging at its peak point 76, while the suspension arm 14 ofthe second printing
mould 37 crosses the peak point 76 ofthe first ramp 74 and subsequently reaches the
support surface 72. While the pressing element 24 continues to set against the moulding
cylinder 33, the second printing mould 37 gets further pushed into the shaft 42 on account
of the rotation of the moulding cylinder 33 against its production direction P. Thereby
the suspension arm 13 at the front-running end 03 of the first printing mould 37 at rest in
the shaft 42, slides over the print image side of the second printing mould 37 transported
into the shaft 42. in a further sequence the suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04
of the second printing mould 37 overcomes also the second ramp 77 connected to the
conveying mechanism 8land impacts against the buffer stop 79 connected to the second
ramp 77 (fig. 27).
fhe pressing element 24 is released from the moulding cylinder 33. Due to the impact of
the suspension arm 14 of the rear-running end 04 against the buffer stop 79, the
chamfered suspension arm 13 at the front-running end 03 of the second printing mould 37
suspended in a shape-hugging manner against the front edge 16 of the hole 09, gets
released out of the hole 09. The suspension arm 13 with the front-running end 03 now
lies freely on the jacket surface 07 of the moulding cylinder 33. From the release of ihc
suspension arm 14 on the rear-running end 04 till now the moulding cylinder 33 has
executed less than half a rotation. The chamfered suspension arm 14 at the rear-running
end 04 is hooked between the second ramp 77 and the buffer stop 79. The lifting arm 84
of the printing mould lifter 82 gets lowered, whereby the first printing mould 37 resting
in the shaft 42 and held by it so far at its rear-running end 04, is deposited on a strut 89
moulded on the buffer stop 79, whereby the strut 89 has a perpendicular height h89 with
respect to the support surface 72; the value of this height is greater than the length 114 of
the chamfered suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of the second printing mould
37. The height h89 should preferably have a value between the same size and double the
length 114 of chamfered suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of the second
printing mould 37 (fig. 28).
The conveying mechanism 81 connected to the second ramp 77 and the buffer stop 79
draws in the second printing mould 37 completely into the shaft 42, whereby the first and
the second printing moulds 37 in the shaft 42 are arranged above one another according
to their length L. The conveying mechanism 81 along with the second ramp 77 and the
buffer stop 79 forms a carrier unit into the shaft 42 for the chamfered suspension arm 14
at the rear-running end 04 of the printing mould 37 (tig. 29).
The printing mould lifter 82 now lifts the rear-running end 04 of both printing moulds 37
arranged in the shaft 42 with its lifting arm 84 up to the securing elements 86. The front-
running end 03 of the second printing mould 37 lies on the peak point 76 of the second
ramp 74 with an overhang directed towards the moulding cylinder 33, and the chamfered
suspension arm 33 at the front-running end 03 of the first printing mould 37 sits on the
front-running end 03 of the second printing mould 37 (tig. 30).
for mounting the second printing mould 37 lying ready in the upper shaft 44, the
moulding cylinder 33 rotates further against its production direction P again into the
second position till the hole 09, from which the suspension arm 13 at the front-running
end 03 of the second printing mould 37 already removed from the moulding cylinder 33
was released, passes the stand-up point 88 of the pressing element 24 pressed against the
moulding cylinder 33, and the rear edge 17 of the hole 09 of the moulding cylinder 33 in
production direction P finds itself at a distance a88 from the stand-up point 88, whereby
the distance a88 lies in the range of a few millimetres, preferably lesser than 30 mm and
thus corresponds to an arc length of lesser than one-thirtieth of the circumference of the
moulding cylinder 33 (fig. 19). The pressing element 24 is placed against the moulding
cylinder 33, while the hole 09 passes the stand-up point 88 or after it has passed the
stand-up point 88. The aligning device 51 arranged near to the moulding cylinder 33
swivels into a vertical position by 90° with its already horizontally aligned buffer stops
52; 53, so that a buffer stop 52; 53 tuned to the width B of the second printing mould 37
to be mounted on the moulding cylinder 33 submerges into a transportation level defined
by the support surface 54 in the shaft 44 for the second printing mould 37 to be mounted
on the moulding cylinder 33, and the second printing mould 37 to be mounted on the
moulding cylinder 33 during its transportation out of the shaft 54 is aligned again.st the
buffer stop 52; 53 in a page-registration-manner with respect to the moulding cylinder
(tig.31).
The second printing mould 37 to be mounted on the moulding cylinder 33, sits with its
suspension arm 14 at its rear-running end 04 against the buffer stop 56 connected to the
conveying mechanism 57. Corresponding to the method described for fig. 20, the
conveying mechanism 57 is set into operation, so that the buffer stop 56, in a tangential
movement directed on to the moulding cylinder 33, transports the second printing mould
37 out of the shaft 44 to an extent, till its front-running end 03 comes in contact with the
pressing element 24 placed against the moulding cylinder 33, and the chamfered
suspension arm 13 at this front-running end 03 sits between the rear edge 17 of the hole
09 of the moulding cylinder 33 in production direction P and the stand-up point 88 of the
pressing element 24 on the moulding cylinder 33 (fig. 32).
Corresponding to the method described for fig. 21, the moulding cylinder 33 changes its
rotation direction and begins to rotate in its production direction P, whereby the
suspension arm 13 at the front-running end 03 of the second printing mould 37 placed on
the moulding cylinder 33 slips into the hole 09 and gets suspended in a shape-hugging
manner on to the front edge 16 of the hole 09 (fig. 33).
By means of further rotation of the moulding cylinder 33 in its production direction P, the
.second printing mould 37 suspended with its suspension arm 13 into the hole 09 gets
transported completely out of the shaft 44 and drawn up to the moulding cylinder 33.
While being drawn up, the second printing mould 37 is rolled up on the moulding
cylinder 33 by the pressing element 24 set against the moulding cylinder 33. After half a
revolution of the moulding cylinder 33 in its production direction P, the pressing element
24 presses the chamfered suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of the second
printing mould 37 into the hole 09. I'he holding agent 21 in the channel 08 belonging to
the hole 09 gets loosened and is thus brought into the operating position in which it fixes
the suspension arm 14 at the rear-running end 04 of the second printing mould 37
introduced into the hole 09, e.g. by means of clamping. The conveying mechanism 57
drives the buffer stop 56 connected to it again into its end position in the shaft 44 on the
side away from the moulding cylinder 33. The upper shaft 44 is now empty, whereas two
printing moulds 37 are deposited in lower shaft 42 (fig. 34).
The pressing element 24 is removed from the moulding cylinder 33 and the aligning
device 51 swings with its diametrical buffer stops 52; 53 again into a horizontal position.
With the help of the steps of the method described so far, also changing of a second
printing mould 37 on the moulding cylinder 33 has been completed, in that a used second
printing mould 37 is first removed and a new second printing mould 37 is drawn up. The
moulding cylinder is again production-ready. Even this changing can be completed with
the help of the described device in less than one minute. Changing of a first and a second
printing mould 37 can thus be completed in less than two minutes, preferably together in
lesser than ninety seconds (fig. 35).
fist of reference signs:
01 Hoist, printing mould
02 Support surface (01)
03 End, front-running (01)
04 End, rear-running (01)
05
06 Cylinder; moulding cylinder
07 Jacket surface (06)
08 Channel
09 Hole (08)
!0
tl Bending edge(13)
12 Bending edge (14)
13 Suspension arm
14 Suspension arm
15
16 Edge, front, first (09)
17 Edge., rear, second (09)
18 Wall
19 Wall
20
21 Holding agent
22 Spring element
23 Setting agent
24 Propping element; pressing element; press roller; roller
element; roller; pulley
25
26 Edge
27 Contact line
28 Position fixing
29 Contact point
.30
31 Cylinder, moulding cylinder, first
32 Cylinder, rubber blanket cylinder, first
33 Cylinder, moulding cylinder, second
34 Cylinder, rubber blanket cylinder, second
35
36 Hoist; printing mould
37 Hoist; printing mould
38 Printing mould magazine
39 Printing mould magazine
40
41 Shaft
42 Shaft
43 Shaft
44 Shaft
45
46 Printing substance; paper track
47 Separating wall
48 Arresting mechanism
49 Baffle plate
50
51 Aligning device
52 Buffer stop (51)
53 Buffer stop (51)
54 Support surface (44); slide rails; strip/bar
55
56 Buffer stop; slider; registration pin
57 Conveying mechanism; conveying device; belt drive; linear drive
58 Holder; printing mould holder
59 Piston; slider
60
61 Angle, buffer stop; holding element
62 Buffer stop; holding element
63 Slope (62)
64 Guide rails; holding element
65
66 Bracket(64)
67 Buffer stop
68 Swivel arm; spring element; plate spring
69 Drive; magnet
70
71 Code reader
72 Support surface; strip; slide rails
73 Guide element; baffle plate; wedge; roller element; roller
74 Ramp,, first
75
76 Peak point (74)
77 Ramp,, second
78 Peak point (76)
79 Buffer stop
80
81 Conveying mechanism; conveying device; belt drive; linear drive
82 Lifter:, printing mould lifter
83 Piston
84 Lifting arm (82)
85
86 Securing element; trap
87 Lifter; printing mould lifter
88 Stand-up point
89 Strut (79)
90
9! Sensor
92 Paper guiding roller, first
93 Paper guiding roller, second
94 Inking mechanism
95
96 Foundation
97 Frame structure
FR radial force
FG gravitational force
MR restoring moment
B width; dimension/measurement
D material thickness
11 horizontal
L length; dimension/measurement
M mounting direction
P production direction
S slit width
'[" 09 tangent
T 29 tangent
a()9 distance
a37 distance
a38 distance
a39 distance
a54 distance
a58 distance
a67 distance
a73 distance
a77 distance
a86 distance
a88 distance
h89 height
113 length
114 length
038 hole/opening
039 hole/opening
s68 setting path
s82 stroke
al aperture angle
(x2 aperture angle
pi aperture angle
P2 aperture angle
Y angle
6 angle of inclination
WE CLAIM
1. Device for storing a hoist (01; 36; 37) to be fed to a cylinder (06; 31; 33) of a
printing machine, whereby several hoists (01; 36; 37) which are to be placed
beside one another on to the cylinder (06; 31; 33) in its axial direction, are stored
beside one another
in which
the hoists (01; 36; 37) to be placed on the cylinder (06; 31; 33) in its axial
direction, are stored in at least two levels which are arranged beside one another,
and are staggered perpendicular to one another.
2. Device for storing a hoist (01; 36; 37) to be fed to a cylinder (06; 31; 33) of a
printing machine, whereby several hoists (01; 36; 37) which are to be placed
beside one another on to the cylinder (06; 31; 33) in its axial direction, are stored
beside one another,
in which
the hoists (01; 36; 37) to be placed on to the cylinder (06; 31; 33) are stored in
two levels arranged beside one another and alternately staggered perpendicular to
one another.
3. Device as per claim 1 or 2,
in ^v h i c h
the levels arranged beside one another and staggered to one another form a first
storage position for at least one hoist (01; 36; 37) stored in it.
4. Device for storing a hoist (01; 36; 37) to be fed to a cylinder (06; 31; 33) of a
printing machine, whereby several hoists (01; 36; 37) which are to be placed
beside one another on to the cylinder (06; 31; 33) in its axial direction, are stored
beside one another
in which
the hoists (01; 36; 37) to be placed beside one another on to the cylinder (06; 3 1;
33) in its axial direction, are stored in a first storage position in several levels
arranged beside one another and staggered to one another, and before being fed to
the cylinder (06; 31; 33) are stored in a second storage position in a single level
stretching in axial direction of the cylinder (06; 31; 33).
5. Device as per claim 1 or 4,
in which
the levels arranged beside one another and staggered perpendicular to one another
are arranged alternately in axial direction of the cylinder (06; 31; 33).
6. Device as per claim 1, 2 or 4,
in which
the levels arranged beside one another and staggered perpendicular to one another
are arranged above a support surface (54) stretching in axial direction of the
cylinder(06;31;33).
7. Device as per claim 6,
in which
the support surface (54) after depositing of at least one hoist (01; 36; 37) stored in
one of the staggered levels on the support surface (54), forms the second surface
position.
8. Device as per claim 6,
in which
the hoists (01; 36; 37) deposited on the levels arranged beside one another and
staggered to one another on the support surface (54), are deposited in axial
direction of the cylinder (06; 3 1; 33) beside one another.
9. Device as per claim 6,
in which
the levels arranged beside one another and staggered perpendicular to one another
and the support surface (54) are arranged in a common shaft (43; 44).
10. Device as per claim 4 or 7,
in which
a conveying mechanism (57) feeds a hoist (01; 36; 37) stored in the second
storage position to the cylinder (06; 3 I; 33).
11. Device as per claim 1, 2 or 4,
in which
each hoist (01; 36; 37) stored in one of the levels arranged beside one another and
staggered vertical to one another is held at least on one of its side by a holding
element (61; 62; 64).
12. Device as per claim 11,
in which
«
the holding element (61; 62; 64) is movable along a setting path (s68).
13. Device as per claim 11,
in which
with the movement of the holding element (61; 62; 64) along its setting path
(s68), the hoist (01; 36; 37) stored in one of the levels arranged staggered
perpendicular to one another gets released from the holding element (61; 62; 64).
14. Device as per claim 1, 2 or 4,
in which
at least one buffer stop (67) is foreseen, which stands perpendicular to the support
surface (02) of the hoi.st (01; 36; 37).
15. Device as per claim 14,
i II which
the biiifer stop (67) is arranged fixed.
16. Device as per claims 13 and 14,
in which
the hoist (01; 36; 37) on being released from the holding element (61; 62; 64)
impacts with the buffer stop (67).
17. Device as per claim 14,
in which
two adjacent hoists (01; 36; 37) impact against opposite sides of the same buffer
stop (67).
8. Device as per claim 11,
in which
the holding element (61; 62; 64) is designed as a guide rail (64).
9. Device as per claim 18,
in which
the displacement of the levels staggered vertically is either equal to or up to twice
the structural height of the guide rail (64).
2 ). Device as per claim 1, 2 or 4,
i n w h i c h
the hoists (01; 36; 37) stored in the levels arranged beside one another and
staggered to one another, are stored beside one another at a distance (a67) directed
in axial direction of the cylinder (06; 31; 33), whereby the distance (a67)
corresponds to a distance revealed by the hoists (01; 36; 37) arranged beside one
another on the cylinder (06; 31; 33) in its axial direction.
21. Device as per claim 6,
in which
the hoists (01; 36; 37) stored in the levels arranged beside one another and
staggered to one another, can simultaneously be deposited on the support
surface (54).
22. Device as per claim 10,
in which
the conveying mechanism (57) simultaneously feeds the hoist (01; 36; 37) stored
in the second storage position, to the cylinder (06; 31; 33).
23. Device as per claim 10,
in which
the conveying mechanism (57) feeds a hoist (01; 36; 37) stored in the second
storage position, to the cylinder (06; 31; 33) in a.linear movement.
24. Device as per claim 10,
in which
the conveying mechanism (57) feeds a hoist (01; 36; 37) deposited on the support
surface (54), to the cylinder (06; 31: 33) parallel to the support surface (54).
25. Device as per claim 1, 2 or 4,
in 'H' h i c h
the hoists (01; 36; 37) stored in the levels arranged beside one another and
staggered to one another, are aligned horizontally.
26. Device as per claim 6.
in w h i c h
a hoist (01; 36; 37) deposited on the support surface (54) is aligned horizontally.
27. Device as per claim 14,
in w h i c h
a hoist (01; 36; 37) stored in the levels arranged beside one another and staggered
to one another, lands in its second storage position by sliding with its side along
the buffer stop (67).
28. Device as per claim 27,
in which
the sliding is directed vertically outwards.
29. Device as per claim 1, 2 or 4,
in which
up to six hoists (01; 36; 37) arc to be arranged against the cylinder (06; 31; 33)
beside one another in axial direction.
30. Device as per claim 1. 2 or 4,
in which
two hoists (01; 36; 37) are to be arranged one after the other on the cylinder (06;
31; 33) in its circumferential direction at the same axial position.


The invention relates to deviecs for storing a blanket (01, 36, 37) to be supplied to a cylinder (06,31,33) of a printing
machine. According to the invention, a plurality of blankets which are to be adjacently applied to the cylinder in the axial direction
thereof are stored next to each other Said blankets are stored vertically above a supporting surface, in at least two vertically offset
planes. The offset planes form a first storage position for the blankets, and the supporting surface fonns a second storage position
once at least one of the blankets stored in the offset planes has been placed thereon.

Documents:

02117-kolnp-2005-abstract.pdf

02117-kolnp-2005-claims.pdf

02117-kolnp-2005-description complete.pdf

02117-kolnp-2005-drawings.pdf

02117-kolnp-2005-form 1.pdf

02117-kolnp-2005-form 2.pdf

02117-kolnp-2005-form 3.pdf

02117-kolnp-2005-form 5.pdf

02117-kolnp-2005-international publication.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-ABSTRACT 1.1.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-abstract.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-CANCELLED PAGES.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-CLAIMS 1.1.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-claims.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-CORRESPONDENCE 1.3.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-CORRESPONDENCE-1.1.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-CORRESPONDENCE-1.2.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-CORRESPONDENCE-1.4.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-correspondence.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE) 1.1.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-description (complete).pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-DRAWINGS 1.1.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-drawings.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-for alteration of entry 1.1.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-FORM 1.1.1.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-form 1.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-form 18.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-FORM 2.1.1.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-form 2.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-form 26.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-FORM 3-1.1.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-form 3.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-form 5.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-OTHERS 1.1.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-OTHERS.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

2117-KOLNP-2005-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-specification.pdf

2117-kolnp-2005-translated copy of priority document.pdf

abstract-02117-kolnp-2005.jpg


Patent Number 245114
Indian Patent Application Number 2117/KOLNP/2005
PG Journal Number 01/2011
Publication Date 07-Jan-2011
Grant Date 03-Jan-2011
Date of Filing 25-Oct-2005
Name of Patentee KOENIG & BAUER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Applicant Address FRIEDRICH-KOENIG-STR.4, 97080 WURZBURG
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 SCHAFDER, KARL, ROBERT BRUNNENSTR.1, 97222 RIMPAR
2 SCHNEIDER, GEORG FRITZ-HABER-STR. 13, 97080 WURZBURG
PCT International Classification Number B41F 27/12
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2004/050161
PCT International Filing date 2004-02-19
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10314344.0 2003-03-28 Germany