US2151969A - Inking apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

March 28, 1939. c. HENDERSON INKING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed June 9, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l 31 W o-wi'j 6W arias L. Hayden) on March 28, 1939. c. L. HENDERSON INKING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed June 9, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M W W Char/ea L. Henderaan March 28, 1939.

C. L. HENDERSON INKING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed June 9, 1938 Fig. 5

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Char/ea Hendervon '10 rality of printing cylinders are grouped around l it lly of e ch Pr i cylinderwand pp i 30 ously prevents the cells from receiving sufficient- 80 that i m y be r y taken apart for e n n 30 Patented Mar. 28, 1939 p 2,151,969

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,151,969 INKING APPARATUS AND METHOD Charles L. Henderson, Appleton, Win, asslgnor to Standard Process Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application June 9, 1988, Serial No. 212,793

20 Claims. (01. 101-157) My invention relates to printing presses and is vide novel inking apparatus and methods for more particularly concerned with inking arrangeprinting presses employing-moving printing surments for providing ink at moving printing surfaces in which the moving printing surfaces are faces. This application is a continuation in part subjected successively to a plurality of oppositely 5 of my copending application Serial Numbe flowing streams of ink directed substantially 5 92,801, flied July 27, 1936. transversely of the direction of motion of the In printing presses of the type employing movprinting surfaces. In specific attainment of this ing printing surfaces, especially in high speed, object as applied to a rotary printing press, two multicolor, rotogravure presses in which a pluopen ended ink passages are preferably disposed at single impression drum, it is necessary to supply sitely directed streams of ink are continuously ink to the printing surfaces quickly and thorintroduced into the passages adjacent opposite oughly between successive printing operations. ends thereof. 7 This high speed printing requires the use of quick It is a further object of my'invention to provide drying ink which must be appliedin such a mannovel ink fountain structure designed to main- 16 nor that it will not evaporate or dry before the tain at least two circumferentially p' 81-; impression is made and clog the etched portions ated bodies of ink ain the Printing Surface of the printing surface. Furthermore, much n a moving rotaryp s cylinder- A doctor t ouble has been occasioned, especially in high blade is also preferably supported upon the foun- 20 speed rotogravure and intaglio print presses, taint so that a complete unit for uniformly apply- 20 due to the fact that air is usually entrapped at ing he ink and removin urpl ink i pr vided. the printing surface by the quickly applied ink A fur he object of y invention is o p v de a .and'some of this air occupies space on the printnovel fountain and doctor blade support unit ing surface which should be taken up by printw c co pe es w a m v sp ins' su ace in ink. For example, small amounts of air are to provi e a plurality of p n nk p sa es 2 often entrapped in the cells between the lines on extending sub y transversely of the a rotogravure printing surface, Th cells tion of motion of the printing surface. Specifishould be completely filled with ink to gain best cally the doctor blade and fountain unit is preferrsults in printing and the entrapp d auobviably made up of a plurality of separable elements ink with the result that the printing is oftenpoor A further object of my inv n n i o p vid 1 in places. novel ink receiving means for use at opposite Accordingly, it is a major object of my invens of a r ting Printing cylinder 110 00116013 i k tion to provide novel inking arrangements for which flows over the ends of the cy r- In high speed printing presses having moving printspecific attainment of this object each ink receiv- 35 ing surfaces wherein the ink is applied quickly ing means is preferably provided with a resiliently and evenly to the printing surfaces while the mounted mouth which forms a fluid tight path besurfaces are in motion. a tween the printing surface and the ink receiving A further object of my invention is to provide means. r to n vel ink n ap r ao m s for printin Further objects of the invention will presently 40 Dresses having moving limiting surfaces in which appear as the description proceeds in connection, the nmvmg printing surfaces are subjected with the appended claims and the annexed drawcessively to a plurality of agitated bodies of ink ings in which: extending along the printing surfaces transversely mgure 1 is an end View partly in section of one of the direction. of motion of the surfaces printing cylinder 'of a multicolor printing press A fi g obJect g my gi g g to g g g provided with a preferred form of hiking arnove n ng appara us an me 0 or p g presses having moving printing surfaces in which rangement aigzcordmg to my g the moving printing surfaces are subjected suc- Purpose lustmmm' the nqer Se e0 6 U0 massively m a plurality f relatively narrow above the horizontal axis of the impression roller streams of ink flowing transversely of the direcon the entry side of h Web and may be termed tion of motion of the surfaces. Preferably a pluthe 1 cylinderrality of these streams are provided to flow in Figure is a P r lly m m c V w a opposite directions. i 3 section taken alongf-iine t% of Figure l illus- Still a further object of my invention is to protrating a preferred form of ink directing and 55 collecting means at one end of the printing cylinder;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the printing cylinder of Figure 1 with the ink collecting pan omitted to illustrate the ink flow arrangements and the preferred structure of the end guards at each end of the printing cylinder;

Figure 4 is an end elevation partly in section illustrating a preferred manner in which the doctor fountain is applied to the printing cylinder, and further illustrating the end guard arrangements;

Figure 5 is a section taken laterally of the doctor fountain illustrating a preferred form of the ink chamber arrangement. This showing of the doctor fountain is in connection with the socalled No. 2 cylinder of the press which is below the horizontal axis of the impression cylinder on the entry side of the web;

Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating a preferred form of the ink channel arrangement in one of the elements of the doctor fountain;

Figure 7 is a section taken along line 1--'| of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a plan view of another element of the doctor fountain illustrating further a preferred ink channel arrangement;

Figure 9 is an end view of the doctor fountain element of Figure 8;

'Flgure 10 is a plan view of still another element of the doctor fountain illustrating a further embodiment of ink channel arrangement; and

Figure 11 is an end view of the element of Figure 10.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a multicolor or rotogravure printing cylinder I2 is designed to print upon a sheet or web (not shown) passing between its peripheral surface and the surface of a large impression roll i3, the cylinder and roll being supported on a suitable frame not shown.-

Preferably, two or more printing cylinders, substantially identical with cylinder l2, are spaced about the periphery of roll l3 and each is provided with inking arrangements substantially the same as will be described in connection with cylinder l2. While the present description will be limited to one cylinder assembly, it is to be understood that the features of this invention are readily applicable to other cylinders of a multi-cylinder press in different positions by relatively simple modifications as to the supporting means and the proportions of the various elements;

Printing cylinder 2 is almost completely housed by an ink pan generally designated at l4 which is cut away at |5 to allow printing contact between cylinder l2 and roll I 3. At each end of cylinder I2, ink pan I4 is apertured at Hi to I permit passage of the printing cylinder shaft ends I! which are journaled on suitable supports on the frame. A removable collar, designated at I8, is secured about the cylinder shaft interiorly of the ink pan. Collar I8 is of such size that it serves as a baflle to prevent ink from the interior of the ink pan from being thrown outwardly through aperture l6 and is preferably formed in sections as shown pivoted at I81: and |8b and secured together at |8c by a suitable screw and threaded lug arrangement.

Ink pan I4 is removably mounted upon the frame by means of a pair of suitable brackets I3 and 2| which are provided with pivoted locking latches 22 and 23, respectively. Brackets l9 and 2 the frame and lugs 26 and 25, which are rigidly attached in any suitable manner, such as welding to pan l4, project laterally from the ink pan to be clamped between jaws formed by brackets I9 and 2| and latches 22 and 23, respectively. It will be understood that brackets substantially similar to brackets 9 and 2| are provided at the end of cylinder 2, not shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The lower end of ink pan l4 tapers to form a socket 26 which is secured in fluid communication with a pipe 21 leading to a pump chamber or reservoir, or a suitable ink straining system. At its upper end, ink pan 4 :Is provided with a housing extension 28 having aligned apertures 29 to permit passage of the end portions 3| of the doctor blade fountain support 32. Doors 33 and 34 which preferably extend longitudinally the whole length of pan 4 are hinged at 35 and 36, respectively, so that the doctor blade fountain may be examined or repaired without removal from the press, or may be quickly removed if it is desired to replace the blades or other parts. Doors 33 and 34 are preferably provided with suitable latch means shown at 31.

Door 33 is preferably provided with an aperture surrounded by a rigid reenforcing collar 38 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The opening provided at collar 38 permits passage of a flexible ink supply conduit 39 through the ink pan to the doctor blade fountain later to be described.

End portions 3| of the doctor blade fountain support 32 are journaled in a suitable manner upon slides 4| mounted for movement along suitable guides 42 bolted or otherwise secured to opposite frame portions. Each slide 4| is provided with an internally threaded lug 43 for receiving the threaded shank 44 of an adjustment screw 45. Screw 45 extends in threaded engagement through 2. lug 46, secured to guide 42 or a frame portion as desired, and is provided with an enlarged portion -41 beyond lug 46. When screws 45 are rotated, the whole assembly mounted on support 32 is displaced along guides 42 substantially normally to the surface of cylinder l2. Enlarged portions or shoulders 41 on screws 45 limit the inward travel of support 32 by abutting against lugs 46 and thus prevent the doctor blade fountain from being accidentally pressed too tightly against the printing surface. To insure positive travel of slides 4| in both directions, screw 45 may have a removable collar on the portion 44 to abut against the underside of lug 46. Such a collar would cooperate with shoulder 41 to prevent longitudinal movement of screw 45 and may be securedto screw 45 by a set screw or similar means.

As shown in Figure 2, one end portion 3| of the doctor blade fountain support is provided with a worm gear 48 non-rotatably secured thereto and engaged with a worm 49 adjacent one end of a doctor blade pressure control lever 5|. Lever 5| is journaled and supported upon spaced arms 52 and 53 extending laterally from slide 4| and cooperates intermediate its ends with a supporting bracket 54 on the frame to prevent it from bending. A suitable control handle 55 is secured to the outer end of lever 5|. Rotation 'of le ver 5| causes rotation of the doctor blade support 32 about its axis to vary the Pressure of the doctor blade against the printing surface on cylinder I2.

The doctor blade fountain unit, designated at 56, preferably extends a substantial distance 1 End guards of ink pan II by a suitable bracket or other support (not shown). The top of member 58 is Fopen and provided with a side lip 84 extending inwardly from the top of wall 58, and two end lips 85 and\6. extending inwardly from the top edges of walls 6| and 82, respectively.

At its inner side, member 58 is provided with an opening defined by bottom lip 81 extending upwardly from wall 83, and end lips 88 and 88 extending inwardly from end walls 8I and. 82,

respectively. Member 58 is also preferably provided with an arcuate nozzle extension II of reduced cross section. Nozzle II may be a separate element secured in any suitable member surfaces of lips 85 and 85, respectively, as shown and laterally extending wall 8t.

about an opening in wall 82 but preferably is an integral extension of the side, bott'om and lower end walls of member 58 as shown in Figure 4.

An ink deflecting member I2 is slidably mounted on member 58. Member I2 is provided with upper and lower end walls It and it. which extend arouately a substan al distance toward each other and are then be back along the outer in Figure 4.. Walls l3 and it are preferably provided with elongated slide guide slots it and it, respectively, through which extend the shanks of screws l1 and I8, respectively. Screws El and It are secured in threaded apertures in lips 85 and 5%, respectively, and are provided with enlarged heads engaging the outer surface of walls I3 and It, respectively, adjacent the slots. b vlously, other types of securing means may be employed.

v Within members 58, member is is provided with a downwardly extending lip '58 and outwardly extending end lips ill and erfor a purpose later to be described. mternally o her 58, member i2 is provided with an upwardly At opposite ends, member 12 is provided with end lugs 58 and 85 from which tapered tongum 88 and 8?; respectively, extend laterally in converging relation. A continuous substantially U-shaped smet extends from one end 89 at the top edge of tongue 88 downwardly along the external surface I of tongue 8t, arcuately along the external surface adapted to receive a projecting sealing strip 82 of rubber, rubber and fabric, orany other suitable material which is flexible and preferably will not deteriorate due to chemicalaction from the inks.

Sealing strip 82 is pref ly cut to follow substantially the contour clefl by the lateral edges of tongues 88 and 81 and wall 8.3, but preferably extends beyond those edges as shown in Figure 3. Strip 82 need-not be a single strip"but may body member 58. Coil springs 83 and 83" surround studs 88 and 88', respectively, and extend I posed within lugs 88 and 8|, respectively.

be made of a plurality of sections suitably joined in "fluid tight relation to form a laminated structure.

End lugs 8| and 85 are provided with apertures surrounded by internally threaded bosses 5 88' and 81', respectively. Studs 88 and 88' are mounted in bosses 88' and 81' and extend laterally into apertured lugs 88 and 8I', respectively, which are suitably secured to, or integral with,

between the respective lugs on members 58 and I2 and thus tend to laterally separate those members since studs88 and 88' are slidably dis- As shown in Figure 3, each end guard is positioned at the opposite ends of cylinder I2 in such a manner that ink deflecting member I2 is urged axially of. cylinder I2 by the force'of springs 83 and 83 and provides a mouth for leading ink which flows past the ends of the cylinder into member 58. "Body member 58 is preferably rigidly secured to ink pan I4 by a suitable bracket (not shown). Sealing strip 82 is pressed against the peripheral surface of cylinder I2 adjacent tongues 88 and 81 and against the end wall of .the cylinder along the periphery thereof adjacent wall 83. Those portions of strip 82 which engage the peripheral surface of cylinder I2 are designed to remove excess ink from that surface in addition to their ink directing and sealing functions. I

Cooperating lips 61, 88, 88 on member 58 and I8, 88 and 82 on member I2 prevent escape of ink from within members 12 and 58, and screws Ti and T8 act as stops for limiting axial movement of member 72 to prevent separation of the members. Ink flowing axially of cylinder It in doctor fountain 56 as well as the ink scraped off the peripheral surface of. the cylinder by strips .92 is directed through the mouths formed by guard to prevent dust and dirt from entering therein if the end guard extends axially beyond pan it! but suchis not necessary when the end guards are wholly within the ink pan it as shown in figure 2.

Doctor blade fountain The doctor blade fountain 58 (see Figures 4 and 5) comprises main body portion 98 provided with a rearwardly extending leg 88 which fits 60 'within a longitudinal slot 85 in support 32 and is held securely therein by a suitable means such as screws 88. Body 88 is provided with a shallow longitudinal groove 8'I (Figure 5) for seating a doctor blade assembly generally designated at 38.

,This assembly (Figure 5) comprises a doctor blade 88 of a suitable flexible sheet material such as tempered steel and a stiffening blade IIII of the same spring metal or. the like which are clamped together between two relatively narrow and thick strips I02 and I03. A suitable filler strip I88 having a. thickness equal to the combined thickness of the doctor and stiffening blades is placed between strips I02 and I83 behind the blades.v A plurality of screws I84 having enlarged heads fitting within countersunk portions of strip I02 extend into threaded engagement with cooperating apertures in strip I03 to secure doctor blade 99 and stiffening blade IOI in position.

The doctor blade assembly, with screws I04 tightened to hold the parts together, is placed in groove 91. A second shallow groove 91' is formed at the bottom of groove 91 to accommodate the projecting tip ends of screws I04. Adjacent opposite ends, body 90 is provided with tapped holes I05 (Figure 6) Screws I06 are provided with enlarged heads fitting within countersunk portions of strip I02 and the threaded shanks I06 of. screws I06 extend through apertures in the doctor blade assembly into tapped holes I05. When screws I06 are tightened, the doctor blade assembly is rigidly supported on body 90.

Body 90 is preferably provided with a centrally disposed longitudinally extending passage I01 which is preferably designed to terminate just beyond the opposite edges of the printing surface area on cylinder I2. A tapered socket I08, formed with a passage I09 extending angularly through body 90 into communication with passage I 01, is designed to receive a suitable tapered inlet nozzle III (see Figure 1). Nozzle III is secured to a suitable rigid pipe fitting II2 which is fastened, as by a suitable coupling means II2, to the end of flexible conduit 39. Preferably, nozzle III fits into socket I 08 with a force fit so that the connection is ink tight but can be easily broken manually by grasping fitting II2 with a combined pulling and twisting motion. A threaded connection can be used at I08 if desired. The rear edge of body 00 is cut away at IIO to provide a suitable socket connection area.

At one end, passage I01 extends longitudinally to a point adjacent one end of the fountain where it turns forwardly substantially normally and terminates in an aperture H3 in the front wall II4 of body 90. A suitable strip II5 (see Figure 3) of metal or other rigid material is secured, as by soldering or welding, to wall H4 and extends upwardly and forwardly over aperture II 3 to provide a longitudinally extending tubular nozzle, the purpose of which will be later described.

At its other end, passage I01 extends longitudinally to a point adjacent the end of the fountain opposite aperture H3 and turns rearwardly substantially normally to form an enlarged chamber II6. Passage I01 and chamber I I6 are bothopen along the bottom surface of body 90. A rigid rectangular strip II1 (Figure 5) extends along the bottom surface of body 90 to form a closure for the bottom of passage I01, but is provided with an elongated aperture II8 registering with chamber II6. Strip H1 is provided with a plurality of staggered countersunk portions II9 for receiving the enlarged heads of screws I2I whose threaded shanks fit within tapped holes I22 in body 90. When screws I2I are tightened, strip H1 is secured to body 90.

A pair of sheet metal strips I23 and I24 having a strip of flexible material I25 disposed between them, extend along the bottom surface of strip II1. Strips I 23, I 24 and I25 are narrower than strip II1. An elongated block I26, whose top edge I21 is disposed coextensively with strip II1, extends along strip I23. The top edge of block I26, the inner ends of strips I23, I24, and I25 and the bottom surface of strip II1 cooperate to form a socket for a longitudinal U-shaped clip I20 carrying a sealing strip of flexible material I29 which projects therefrom to contact with the peripheral surface of cylinder I2 and extends the whole length of the fountain.

Block I26 is provided with a downwardly extending passage I 3| which registers with aperture H8 and turns substantially normally toward the front wall I32 of block I26 where it terminates in an aperture I33. A strip of sheet metal or the like I34 (see Figure 3) is secured to wall I32 adjacent aperture I33 and extends upwardly and forwardly thereover to form a longitudinally extending nozzle directed oppositely to the nozzle at II5 for a purpose later to be described.

A pair of sheet metal strips I30 and I35 having a strip of flexible material I36 disposed therebetween extends along the bottom wall of block I26; and a rigid longitudinal strap I 31, disposed coextensively with the bottom wall of block I26, extends along strip I34. The bottom wall of block I26, strap I31 and the end portions of strips I30, I35 and I36 cooperate to form a longitudinal socket for a substantially u-shaped clip I38, carrying a sealing strip of flexible material I39 which projects therefrom to contact with the peripheral surface of cylinder I2 and extends the whole length of the fountain.

A plurality of screws I M having enlarged heads I42 disposed in countersunk portions of strap I31 extend through suitable apertures in strips I30, I35, I36 and have their threaded shanks fitted into tapped holes I43 in block I26. Tightening of screws I4I secures strap I31 and block I26 rigidly together and clamps sealing strip I39 between them.

Strap I31 is further provided with a plurality of enlarged apertures I44 which are aligned with apertures of smaller diameter extending through strips I30, I35, I36, block I26 and strips I23, I24, and I25. Aplurality of tapped holes I45 are provided in the bottom wall of body 90 also in alignment with apertures I44. A plurality of bolts I46 having enlarged heads I41 disposed in apertures I44 extend through the holes in strips I30, I35 and I\36 through apertures I48 in block I26, through suitable holes in strips I23, I24 and I25 and through apertures I49 in strip II1 to terminate in threaded end portions I5I fitted in tapped holes I45 in body 90. When bolts I46 are tightened, the unit containing block I 26 and strap I 31 is secured rigidly to body 90, and at the same time sealing strip I29 is clamped between strip H1 and block I26.

From the above it will be seen that the doctor blade fountain is comprised of a plurality of elements which are easily and quickly taken apart for cleaning and like purposes and for replacement of the doctor blade, the sealing strips or blades I29 and I39. Any suitable flexible material may be used for strips I29 and I39. Preferably, such material should be resistant to any chemical action from the ink or any cleaning fluid used to clean the fountain.

Ink distribution The flow of ink in the doctor blade fountain is indicated by arrows in Figures 3 and 4. Ink is supplied to each printing cylinder I2 through flexible conduit 39 which is connected at one end to a suitable source of ink. Flow of ink through conduit 39 is maintained by a pump or by gravity or in some other suitable manner. The ink passes from conduit 39 through the pipe fitting H2 and nozzle III into passage I09. Since passage I09 opens into the central part of passage I 01, the main ink body will there be divided into two ink of cylinder I2, sealing blade I29 and the end of strip I I1. Since nozzle I I is disposed over aperture II3, this ink stream will be caused to flow generally from left to right within chamber I52 along the whole peripheral surface length: of cylinder I 2. When this ink stream reaches the right-hand end of the cylinder, it fiows over the cylinder end into the right-hand end guard 51. Sealing strip 92 prevents leakage of the ink adjacent the cylinder ends.

The other ink stream fiows generally to the right along passage I01 (Figure 3) into chamber IIB, from whence it flows downwardly through aperture H8 and passage I3I to discharge through aperture I33 in the block I26 into the open-ended ink chamber I53 defined by wall I32 of block I 29, sealing strip I29, the peripheral surface of cylinder I2 and lower sealing strip I39. Since nozzle I34 extends over aperture I33, this ink stream will be caused to flow generally from right to left within chamber I53 along the whole peripheral surface length of cylinder I2. When this ink stream reaches the left-hand end of the cylinder, it flows into the left-hand end guard 51 whichalso has a sealing means 92 to prevent leakage.

Nozzles M5 and I36 are preferably disposed adjacent opposite edges of .the printing plate or other printing surface on cylinder I2 so that the entire printing surface will be subjectedsuccessively to oppositely flowing ink streams.

Nozzles H5 and I33 are preferably of about the same cross-sectional area so that substantially equal amounts of ink flow in opposite directions along the peripheral surface of cylinder I2. Furthermore, nozzles H5 and 03%, as shown clearly in Figure 4, are preferably substantially smaller in cross-sectional area than chambers I52 and lit, respectively, so that a swift, continuous, substantially unobstructed flow of ink may be maintained in each chamber. Chambers i5? and I53 are so designed by reason of their open ends that while they are maintained full of ink to efiect proper inking of the cylinder, the ink bodies are not maintained under appreciable pressure, the pressure being only sumcient to maintain the chamber filled.

A study of tlg problems involved in the inking of moving rotogravure surfaces discloses that much of the trouble in the prior art is caused by the fact that ordinary methods of inking such surfaces permit a substantial amount of air to be entrapped with the ink in the cells between the screen lines on such printing surfaces as has been previously stated. For best printing results, these cells should be comple ely filled with ink and should have no air pockets. By using the above described method of my invention it has been found that the relatively swiftly moving successively acting ink streams, flowing in opposite directions and substantially transversely of the direction of motion of the printing surface, completely eliminate the pocketed air from the ink cells and cause these cells to be completely filled with ink. This results in practically perfect printing which can be accomplished at a higher rate of speed than in the prior art because of the fast inking procedure.

As has been described above the ink streams in chambers I52 and I53 preferably flow substantially parallel to each other and in opposite directions. Sealing strip I29 maintains the streams in separated relation and sealing strip I39 prevents escape of ink at the bottom end of the fountain. Doctor blade99 operates in the well known manner to remove surplus ink from the moving printing surface to prepare it for printing operations.

While the ink streams are oppositely directed in chambers I52 and I53, some ink may flow in each chamber opposite to the direction of the stream. This ink will merely flow along the chambers over the edges of the cylinder into end guards 51. If d sired, good inking action can be obtained by sub acting the moving ink surface to successively acting streams of ink flowing in the same direction or agitated in some other suitable manner, but preferably the oppositely fiowing successively acting streams above described are used for best results.

Another advantage arising from the use of rapidly moving ink streams over the printing surface is unusually fast inking of the surface accompanied by a scouring action tending to remove and dissolve dried ink residues on the printing surface. To further this scouring action, a suitable mechanism for intermittently increasing the flow of ink at intervals may be provided if desired.

Since the entire fountain is enclosed except at its discharge ends within the end guards and since the ink flows therethrough relatively swift- 1y, a. considerable saving in ink is realized due to the fact that the volatile ink solvents can not easily escape.

The above described methods and apparatus are preferably used in an inking system of the continuous type :wherein the ink received in guards bi is discharged into ink pan it from whence it flows through pipe 2?! to a suitable strainer or reservoir where it is prepared for recirculation through the system. Continuous high speed inking'as described above not only results in a better quality of printing but enables the quantity of printing on a given press to be materially increased with no sacrifice in quality.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing deface which comprises the steps of subjecting that surface to a plurality of successively acting agitated bodies of ink extending-substantially transversely of the direction of movement of said printing surface and then removing surplus ink from said surface.

2. A method of inking a moving printing surface which comprises the steps. of subjecting that surface to a plurality of successively acting streams of ink flowing substantially transversely of the direction of movement of said printing surface, at least two of said streams of ink flowing in opposite directions, and then removing surplus ink from said surface.

3. A method of inking the printing surface on a rotary printing cylinder which comprises the steps of subjecting a portion of said printing surface to a plurality of successively acting streams of ink flowing along said printing surface substantially longitudinally of said cylinder and then removing surplus ink from said printing surface.

4. A method of inking the printing surface of a rotary printing cylinder which comprises the steps of subjecting a portion of said printing surface to a plurality of successively acting streams of ink flowing along said printing surface substantially longitudinally of said cylinder, at least two of said streams of ink flowing in opposite directions, and then removing surplus ink from said printing surface.

5. A method of inking the printing surface of a rotating printing cylinder which comprises the steps of introducing ink streams adjacent opposite ends of said cylinder at circumferentially spaced points about said cylinder, directing each of said ink streams along said printing surface substantially longitudinally of said cylinder to discharge over the end of the cylinder opposite to that adjacent which it was introduced, and removing surplus ink from said printing surface.

6. A method of continuously inking the printing surface of a rotary printing cylinder comprising the steps of conducting ink from a reservoir to circumferentially spaced points adjacent opposite ends of said cylinder, directing the flow of said ink from said points along the printing surface substantially longitudinally of said cylinder toward the opposite ends of said cylinder, collecting said ink adjacent opposite ends of said cylinder, and returning the ink to said reservoir to be recirculated.

7. Apparatus for inking a moving printing surface comprising means providing a plurality of separate chambers containing bodies of ink in contact with said surface and extending substantially transversely to the direction of movement of said surface, means for introducing ink into said chambers and means permitting withdrawal of ink from said chambers.

8. Apparatus for inking a moving printing surface comprising means providing a pair of ink containing chambers extending substantially transversely of the direction of movement of said surface, portions of said surface serving as wall means for said chambers, means for introducing ink into one chamber adjacent one edge of said surface, means for introducing ink into the other chamber adjacent the opposite edge of said surface, and means for removing surplus ink from said surface. 7

9. Apparatus 'for inking the printing surface of a rotating printing cylinder comprising means providing a plurality of separate chambers for ink extending along said printing surface substantially longitudinally of said cylinder, means for introducing ink into said chambers and means for removing surplus ink from said surface;

10. Apparatus for inking the printing surface of a rotating printing cylinder comprising a pinrality of ink containing chambers extending along said surface substantially longitudinally of saidcylinder, portions of said printing surface serving as wall means along one side of said chambers.

means for introducing ink into one chamber adjacent one end of said cylinder, and means for introducing ink into another chamber adjacent the other end of said cylinder.

11. In a printing press, a rotating cylinder provided with a printing surface, means providin an ink chamber extending along said printing surface substantially longitudinally of said cylinder, means for continuously introducing ink into said chamber, ink deflecting means adjacent at least one end of said cylinder into which ink is discharged continuously from said chamber, and sealing means between said cylinder and said ink deflecting means.

12. In a printing press, a rotating cylinder having a printing surface, means providing a chamber for ink extending along said surface substantially longitudinally of said cylinder, means for'supplying ink to said chamber, means adjacent at least one end of said cylinder for receiving ink flowing from said chamber, sealing means between said ink receiving means and said cylinder, and means urging said sealing means toward said cylinder.

13. In a printing press, an ink receiving member adapted to be positioned adjacent one end of a rotary printing cylinder, said member comprising a hollow body portion, ink deflecting means on said body portion adapted to engage said cylinder adjacent said one end, and means for maintaining a fluid tight connection between said cylinder and said ink deflecting means.

14. In a printing press of the type defined in claim 13, said last-named means comprising sealing means between said ink directing means and said cylinder, and means for urging said ink directing means toward said cylinder.

15. In a printing press, an ink receiving member adapted to be positioned adjacent one end of a rotary printing cylinder, said member comprising a stationary body portion having a discharge outlet at its lower end, an ink deflecting member movably mounted on said body portion and provided with sealing means for engaging the cylinder adjacent said one end thereof and resilient means for urging said ink deflecting means toward said cylinder.

16. In a rotogravure printing press, a cylinder having a printing surface, means providing an open-ended inking chamber extending along said printing surface substantially longitudinally of said cylinder, said printing surface defining a wall of said chamber, means adjacent one end of said cylinder for introducing a stream of ink into said chamber in such a manner as to promote flow of ink along said chamber toward the opposite end of said cylinder, sealing means extending longitudinally along said cylinder to define another wail of said chamber, and means for removing sulplus ink from said printing surface extending along said cylinder to define a further wall of said chamber.

17. For use in a printing press having a moving printing surface, a fountain member extending transversely of the direction of movement of said printing surface and means defining a plurality of substantially parallel transversely extending ink chambers between said fountain member and said printing surface.

18. For use in a printing press having a moving printing surface, a fountain member extending transversely of the direction of movement of said printing surface, an open-ended transversely extending ink chamber having opposite walls defined by a portion of the printing surface and a portion of the inner surface of said member respectively, transversely extending sealing means defining another wall of said chamber and means for removing surplus ink from said printing surface defining a further wall of said chamber, a second open-ended transversely extending ink chamber having opposite walls defined by a por-. tion of said printing surface and a portion of the inner surface of said member respectively, said transversely extending sealing means defining another wall of said second chamber and fur-' ther transversely extending sealing means defining afurther wall of said second chamber.

19. ,Apparatus for use with a moving printing surface comprising a fountain member, a plurality of spaced flexible blade means extending transversely of the direction of motion of said printing surface and projecting from said member into contact with said printing surface to define a plurality of transversely extending openended ink passages, and means on the fountain for introducing ink adjacent opposite ends of said 5

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