EP1155861B1 - Device and method for cleaning a tubular printing blanket - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a first end cap (3) which fits on a first end section (7) of the blanket and a second end cap (4) which fits on a second end section (8). A compressed air supply (13) runs through the first end cap and is connected to a compressed air producer (14) which supplies the inside of the blanket with compressed air to stiffen the blanket during cleaning. A rotating cleaning brush (27) comes into action against the outside surface of the sleeve like blanket and is driven by a drive motor (30).

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for cleaning a sleeve-shaped printing blanket according to the preamble of claims 1 and 11.

Web offset printing presses have printing units, which several more between side walls contain rotating cylinders. The cylinders include a printing plate cylinder, which carrying a printing form with an image thereon, and a blanket cylinder, which carries a sleeve-shaped blanket. The picture is taken from the printing form on the Transfer blanket and from the blanket to the web.

Vertical and horizontal web offset printing presses with gapless sleeve-shaped Printing blankets can include their own blanket washers. These Washing devices can be integrated in the construction of the machine. End users of However, web offset presses often do not buy into the machine Blanket wash. Therefore, a manual washing of the blankets needs respectively. This results in downtime for the machine and therefore must be fast be executed, which leaves little time for review. The pods have no time for "rest" and regeneration, which is why a use of chemicals on the machine necessary is.

In addition, some machines offer only limited access to the washing of the Blanket sleeves and some wash chemicals are not for use on the Machine recommended. In these cases, the sleeve-shaped blankets for Cleaning be removed. US 5,813,336 discloses a printing unit, from the Printing forms and sleeve-shaped blankets through an opening in a side wall can be removed. The sleeve-shaped blanket coming out of the machine is removed, is then in a cleaning station by placing the sleeve-shaped blanket mounted on bearing chucks. A typical one Cleaning process involves rotating the sleeve-shaped blanket, applying of cleaning solution on the outer surface of the blanket and touching and cleaning the outer surface with a rotating brush. The sleeve-shaped blankets comprise a thin inner tube of metal, which tends to vibrate and sag when it rotated in the cleaning station and touched by the rotating brush. This Disadvantage increases with larger diameters of the sleeve-shaped blanket and leads to unsatisfactory cleaning results. In addition, the interaction can between the rotating brush and the flexible tube also to non-elastic Deformations of the pipe lead.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and a method for To provide cleaning of a sleeve-shaped blanket, which are the aforementioned Disadvantages of the previously known devices of this general type eliminate and to precise cleaning results, especially when sleeve-shaped blankets are to be cleaned with large diameters. Furthermore, according to the invention Damage or deformation of the blanket to be cleaned can be avoided.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and solved by a method according to claim 11. Further features of the invention are in include the dependent claims.

An inventive device for cleaning a sleeve-shaped blanket with a first end cap which at a first end portion of the sleeve-shaped Blanket is attached, a second end cap, which at a second end portion the sleeve-shaped blanket is attached, and a cleaning element, which in Interaction with the outer surface of the sleeve-shaped blanket to clean the sleeve-shaped blanket stands, characterized by a through the first end cap passing compressed air supply and connected to the compressed air supply Compressed air supply, which the interior of the sleeve-shaped blanket with compressed air for stiffening the sleeve-shaped blanket during a cleaning process provided.

The cleaning device of the present invention has the advantage that the sleeve-shaped blanket stiffened during the cleaning process by the compressed air so that the cleaning element interacts with a resistor offering, not reciprocating and hardly deflectable surface of the sleeve-shaped blanket is located.

According to another feature of the invention, the cleaning element as a rotating brush, which is driven by a drive motor or from Hand with a crank can be rotated.

According to a further feature of the invention, the first end cap and the second End cap rotatable z. B. be mounted in a housing of the cleaning device and be driven by a drive motor. It is also possible to use the end caps of To turn hand, e.g. a crank is used.

According to a further feature of the invention, the rotating brush and the rotating end cap advantageously via a gear drive to a single Drive motor to be connected.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device may be in Advantageously, at least one cleaning solution applicator or device for applying cleaning solution to the sleeve-shaped blanket. Of the Cleaning solution applicator may spray nozzles or a spray device for application Include the cleaning solution on the sleeve-shaped blanket. The Cleaning solution may be provided by a cleaning solution supply.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the device a waste water collecting container which under the sleeve-shaped blanket and the rotary brush is arranged to catch the cleaning solution. Of the Sewage collector may be part of the housing of the device.

According to a further feature of the invention, a filter and Treatment device for receiving the cleaning solution and selective conduction or Return the cleaning solution to the cleaning solution applicator be provided. In this embodiment, the feedback via a Cleaning solution supply line can be achieved, which also include a pump can.

Selective here means that the cleaning solution is reused, d. H. to the Cleaning solution applicator can be recycled or disposed of. This can be z. B. done by a switch or a three-way cock.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device may further comprise Biasing element for biasing the first end cap and the second end cap against the associated first end portion and the second end portion of the sleeve-shaped Include printing blanket. The biasing member may be a pneumatic cylinder or a Actuator of known type, e.g. a lever mechanism with a on the End caps acting elastic element. It can also be a feather or a be provided elastic element.

According to a further embodiment, the biasing element a Connecting element, which extends from the first end cap to the second End cap extends. The connecting element may have a threaded portion, which interacts with one on one of the first or second end caps arranged nut member for clamping the first and second end cap to the associated end portions of the sleeve-shaped blanket is. The nut element may also be formed as an integral part of one of the end caps.

Furthermore, the device may comprise a closure element which is located on the first End cap and preferably also located on the second end cap and the interior of the sleeve-shaped blanket seals against the ambient air. The Closure element can, for. B. be designed as a sealing ring.

An inventive method for cleaning a sleeve-shaped blanket, wherein End caps attached to the respective end portions of the sleeve-shaped blanket and wherein the outer surface of the sleeve-shaped blanket is cleaned, sees in that compressed air is supplied to the interior of the sleeve-shaped blanket, and the sleeve-shaped blanket is thereby stiffened.

The features of the present invention will become apparent in the following description preferred embodiments in conjunction with the attached, below explained in more detail drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Reinigen eines hülsenförmigen Drucktuchs;

Fig. 2

eine Querschnittsansicht eines hülsenförmigen Drucktuchs mit daran angebrachten Endkappen, wobei die Endkappen durch eine Gewindestange und ein Mutternelement verbunden sind, welches an der Innenseite einer der Endkappen angebracht ist;

Fig. 3

eine Querschnittansicht eines hülsenförmigen Drucktuchs mit daran angebrachten Endkappen, wobei die Endkappen durch eine Gewindestange verbunden sind, welche in einem Mutternelement aufgenommen wird, das als integraler Bestandteil einer der Endkappen ausgebildet ist;

Fig. 4

eine Querschnittsansicht eines hülsenförmigen Drucktuchs mit daran angebrachten Endkappen, wobei die Endkappen durch eine Gewindestange und ein Mutternelement verbunden sind, welches an der Außenseite einer der Endkappen angebracht ist.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a device according to the invention for cleaning a sleeve-shaped blanket;

Fig. 2

a cross-sectional view of a sleeve-shaped blanket with attached end caps, wherein the end caps are connected by a threaded rod and a nut member which is attached to the inside of one of the end caps;

Fig. 3

a cross-sectional view of a sleeve-shaped blanket with attached end caps, wherein the end caps are connected by a threaded rod which is received in a nut member which is formed as an integral part of one of the end caps;

Fig. 4

a cross-sectional view of a sleeve-shaped blanket with attached end caps, wherein the end caps are connected by a threaded rod and a nut member which is attached to the outside of one of the end caps.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a device 1 for cleaning a sleeve-shaped blanket 2. The device 1 comprises a first end cap 3 and a second end cap 4, which are attached to the sleeve-shaped blanket 2, or the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 is held by clamping the two end caps 3, 4. Closure elements 5 and 6 are located between the first end cap 3 and a first end portion 7 of the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 and between the second End cap 4 and a second end portion 8 of the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 for Sealing the interior of the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 to ambient air.

The end cap 3 is connected to a shaft 9, which is rotatable by a bearing 10 in a side wall 11 of the device 1 is held and which with a drive motor 12 for rotating the inserted sleeve-shaped blanket 2 during the Washing process is connected.

The shaft 9 and the end cap 3 are provided with a compressed air supply 13 through at least a portion of the shaft 9 and through the first end cap 3 can run. The compressed air supply line 13 is connected via a compressed air supply line 15 and a Three-way valve 16 connected to a compressed air supply 14. Depending on the position of the Three-way cock 16, the interior 17 of the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 at a first Position of the cock 16 supplied with compressed air or the compressed air can be at a second Position of the cock 16 from the interior 17 of the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 escape. In the first position of the cock 16, the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 through the Compressed air stiffened.

As can also be seen in FIG. 1, the end cap 4 can be connected to a shaft 18 which is rotatable by a bearing 19 in a further side wall 20 of the device. 1 is held and which as a piston rod as part of an air cylinder 21st can be used. When the air cylinder 21 with compressed air from the Compressed air supply 14 is supplied via a compressed air supply line 22, are the shaft 18 and thus the end cap 4 against the sleeve-shaped blanket biased, whereby the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 is clamped. If the Three-way cock 26 is opened, escapes the compressed air from the air cylinder 21 and the end cap 4 can be moved back to the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 for the Release from the device 1 release.

A brush 27 is rotatable by bearings 28 and 29 between the two side walls eleventh and 20 of the device 1 held. A drive motor 30 is connected to the shaft 31 of the brush 27 connected to rotate the brush, which is the outer surface of the sleeve-shaped Blanket 2 touches and cleans. However, the brush can also by friction with the Surface of the sleeve-shaped blanket be moved or also from the Motor 12 to be driven.

The rotating sleeve-shaped blanket 2 is a cleaning solution applicator 32nd associated, the cleaning solution on the outer surface of the sleeve-shaped blanket. 2 applying. The cleaning solution may be from a cleaning solution supply or a Reservoir 33 are supplied via a cleaning solution supply line 34.

The device 1 further comprises a sewage collecting tank 35, which has a drain 36 having the collected cleaning solution of a filter and / or Treatment device 37 supplies. The cleaning solution is filtered and / or treated, for. B. chemically or mechanically separated from the paint, and the Cleaning solution supply 33 supplied via a supply line 38. The Supply lines 34 and 38 may additionally include a pump, or the Pump may be in the filter and / or treatment device 37 or the Cleaning solution supply 33 be installed. This can make the cleaning solution recycled and reused in the device 1.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 with two mounted end caps 3 and 4, which by closure elements 5 and 6, z. B. Sealing rings or sealing plates are closed. A connecting element 39 is on the first end cap 3 attached, z. B. welded to this, and extends from the first end cap 3 through the interior 17 of the sleeve-shaped blanket 2 to the second End cap 4. The connecting element 39 comprises a threaded portion 40. The second End cap 4 includes one on the second end cap 4 on the inside of the sleeve-shaped Blanket 2 attached nut member 41, which is for clamping the two End caps 3 and 4 at the associated end portions 7 and 8 of the sleeve-shaped Printing blanket 2 interacts with the threaded portion 40 of the connecting element 39 stands. This can be achieved by turning the second end cap 4 to the Screw threaded portion 40 in the nut member 41.

Fig. 3 shows the second end cap 4 with a built-in nut member 41, the in Interaction with the threaded portion 40 of the connecting element 39 is.

Fig. 4 shows the second end cap 4, which on the outside of the sleeve-shaped Blanket 2 includes nut member 41 attached to the second end cap 4, which interacts with the threaded portion 40 of the connecting element 39 stands. The nut member may also be a loose element 41, which is not on the second end cap 4 is fixed, so that only the nut member 41 on the Threaded portion 40 of the connecting element 39 is screwed. The nut element 41 may be a handlebar for tightening the end caps 3 and 4 against the sleeve-shaped Cover blanket 2.

List of reference numbers

1

contraption

2

blanket

3, 4

endcap

5, 6

Sealing element / sealing ring

7.8

end

9

wave

10

camp

11

Side wall

12

drive motor

13

Compressed air supply

14

Air Supply

15

Compressed air supply line

16

Three-way valve

17

inner space

18

wave

19

camp

20

Side wall

21

Air Cylinder

22

Compressed air supply line

26

Three-way valve

27

brush

28, 29

camp

30

drive motor

31

wave

32

Reinigungslösungsapplikator

33

Cleaning solution supply / reservoir

34

supply line

35

waste tank

36

procedure

37

Filtering and treatment device

38

supply line

39

connecting element

40

threaded portion

41

nut element

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for cleaning a tubular printing blanker, comprising a first end cap (3) which may be mounted on a first end portion (7) of the tubular printing blanket (2), a second end cap (4) which may be mounted on a second end portion (8) of the tubular printing blanket (2), and a cleaning element (27) which interacts with the outside surface of the tubular printing blanket (2) for cleaning the tubular printing blanket (2), characterised by
   a compressed air inlet (13) passing through the first end cap (3), and a compressed air supply (14) coupled to the compressed air inlet (13), which is able to supply compressed air to the inside of the tubular printing blanket (2) for stiffening the tubular printing blanket (2) during a cleaning operation.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the cleaning element (27) is in the form of a rotating brush.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the rotating brush (27) is driveable by a drive motor (30).
4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first end cap (3) and the second end cap (4) are rotatably attached and the first end cap (3) or the second end cap (4) is driveable by a drive motor (30).
5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that furthermore at least one apparatus (32), particularly a spray apparatus (32) is provided for applying cleaning solution to the tubular printing blanket (2).
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that furthermore a waste collector (35) is disposed below the tubular printing blanket (2) and the rotating brush (27) for receiving the cleaning solution.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that furthermore a filter and treatment device (37) is provided for receiving the cleaning solution and selectively recycling the cleaning solution back into the device (32) for applying cleaning solution.
8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that furthermore a biasing element is provided for biasing the first end cap (3) and the second end cap (4) against the associated first end portion (7) and associated second end portion (8) of the tubular printing blanket (2).
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the biasing element includes a connecting element (39) extending from the first end cap (3) to the second end cap (4), said connecting element including a threaded portion (40) which interacts with a nut element (41) formed at one of the first or second end caps (3, 4), for clamping the first and the second end cap (3, 4) to the associated end portions (7, 8) of the tubular printing blanket (2).
10. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that furthermore a respective sealing element (5, 6) is provided, located at the first end cap (3) and the second end cap (4), for sealing the inside of the tubular printing blanket (2) against ambient air.
11. Method for cleaning a tubular printing blanket, wherein end caps (3, 4) are mounted on the respective end portions (7, 8) of the tubular printing blanket (2) and the outside surface of the tubular printing blanket (2) is cleaned,
    characterised by the following steps:

    supplying compressed air to the inside of the tubular printing blanket (2) and stiffening the tubular printing blanket (2) by means of the compressed air supplied.

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