Protective device for offset rotary printing machines

The invention relates to a protective device for offset rotary printing machines, in particular for printing units of sheet-fed rotary printing machines, with a sheet-like protective covering of the danger points, which is designed in such a way that sound protection for the printing units is achieved without adversely affecting easy accessibility for adjustment setting and service purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to a protective device for offset rotary printing 
machines, in particular for printing units of sheet-fed rotary printing 
machines, with a sheet-like protective covering of the danger areas. The 
protective device is preferably positioned so that it can be removed for 
adjustment and maintenance work. It is also preferably protected by 
electrical fuse circuits. 
2. Background Information 
In a known design of this type (DE-OS 31 15 475), protective coverings are 
provided in the area of the printing unit cylinder in order to prevent the 
operator from unintentionally gaining access to danger areas, such as to 
the intake gap of the printing unit cylinder. Protective coverings of this 
type are generally required in large numbers for a modern multicolor 
printing machine. As a result, operational expenditure increases, the 
accessibility of the machine often suffers and the appearance of the 
machine is generally not improved. When taking into account the fact that 
modern printing machines continue to display greater degrees of 
automation, especially in the realm of printing units, the ratio between 
the expenditure on protective devices and their benefit in practical use 
becomes less and less favorable. 
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
It is the object of the invention to improve protection means for a 
printing machine, such as an offset rotary printing machine, and, at the 
same time, to create sound insulation for the printing units. In 
accomplishing this objective, it is also desired to enable ease of access 
to the printing machine for adjustment and maintenance purposes. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the present invention is accomplished by the fact that the 
protective device preferably surrounds the printing units in the form of a 
capsule. Additionally, the protective device is preferably designed to be 
totally or partially removable in order to carry out adjustment or 
maintenance work. One advantage of the provided solution is that the sound 
created by the printing units can be considerably reduced at the 
installation location of the machine. In addition, only one protective 
device is required as a result of the solution described, thus, the 
expenditure is reduced in comparison to the known designs. 
In other words, the capsule-like structure of the present invention should 
aid considerably in absorbing a substantial part of the sound created by 
the printing machine within. Additionally, the provision of just one 
larger protective device, as is preferred by the present invention, can 
represent a great reduction in cost as compared to the provision of a 
number of smaller protective devices. 
Furthermore, the printing units can be built more compactly in the case of 
multicolor machines, so that the protective and sound insulation measures 
do not have a negative effect. It is particularly advantageous to make the 
walls of the protective device out of sound-reducing material. 
Under special circumstances, according to an advantageous embodiment of the 
invention, it is possible to form the protective device from a number of 
individual structural elements, which are mounted so that they can be 
moved or swivelled against one another. In a closed state, these 
individual elements can be sealed with gaskets. This arrangement of 
individual structural elements guarantees high flexibility of the 
protective device in practical operation. 
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the capsular protective 
device is preferably mounted so that it can be lifted off or swivelled, 
and so that the entire device and/or its individual elements can be 
protected by electrical fuse circuits. Moreover, the capsular protective 
device is provided with an extraction device to carry off vapors and heat 
created in the printing units so that environmental protection measures 
may be implemented simply and effectively in addition to sound insulation. 
Thus, in the case of an air recirculation system, it is possible, for 
example, to additionally afford cooling of the printing units. Dry fresh 
air may also be fed in so as to dry the printed material having imprinted 
ink and to remove the solvent. 
It will be seen that additional features of the invention, as detailed 
below, facilitate the practical handling of the protective device and 
yield advantages for both the machine and the operator. 
One aspect of the invention resides broadly in an offset rotary printing 
machine having at least one printing unit and having a protective covering 
of at least some danger areas of the at least one printing unit; the 
protective covering comprising substantially flat surfaces; the protective 
covering for being removable for adjustment and maintenance work; the 
protective covering surrounding the at least one printing unit for 
substantially encapsulating the at least one printing unit; the protective 
covering being protected by at least one of; safety disconnecting 
circuitry for disconnecting electric power to the printing machine and 
electrical fuse circuitry; and the protective covering having apparatus 
for at least partially opening the protective covering for carrying out 
adjustment and maintenance work on the at least one printing unit. 
Another aspect of the invention resides broadly in a protective covering 
for an offset rotary printing machine, wherein the printing machine has at 
least one printing unit; the protective covering being provided for 
covering at least some danger areas of the at least one printing unit; the 
protective covering comprising substantially flat surfaces; the protective 
covering for being removable for adjustment and maintenance work; the 
protective covering surrounding the at least one printing unit for 
substantially encapsulating the at least one printing unit; the protective 
covering being protected by at least one of: safety disconnecting 
circuitry for disconnecting electric power to the printing machine and 
electrical fuse circuitry; and the protective covering having apparatus 
for at least partially opening the protective covering for carrying out 
adjustment and maintenance work on the at least one printing unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The schematically drawn view of a sheet-fed rotary printing machine shown 
in FIG. 1 shows a feeder 12, one or more printing units 14, and a delivery 
unit 16. The printing units 14 are surrounded in the constructional 
version shown by a protective device 18, which is designed in capsule form 
and preferably comprises sound-reducing material. The protective device 
18, which entirely surrounds the printing units, may be formed of a number 
of individual elements 24 (See FIG. 2) which elements may be mounted so as 
to be movable or swivellable in relation to one another. The individual 
elements are mutually sealed in the closed state, so that the injurious 
vapours created in the printing units can be extracted by means of an 
extractor device 20. In the same way, instead of an extraction device, an 
air recirculation system 32 (See FIG. 2) for cooling the printing units 
14, as well as for removing injurious vapors, may be connected to the 
protective device 18. The advantageous developments according to the 
dependent claims may be implemented in a purely mechanical manner in 
practice. 
FIG. 1a shows the above-mentioned printing assembly, which may be an offset 
rotary printing machine assembly, as may be found on a floor 10 of a print 
shop. Disposed in a linear arrangement and progressing from one end of the 
assembly to the opposite end are the feeder unit 12, the arrangement of 
printing units 14 and the delivery unit 16. Typically, each printing unit 
14 includes ink duct roller 14a, ink transfer rollers 14b, blanket 
cylinder 14c and impression cylinder 14d, each of which are mounted for 
rotation in support frame 14e. Also, delivery unit 16 typically includes a 
sheet conveyor 16a. The printing units 14 are preferably disposed within 
the protective device 18, which device is in the form of a capsular 
structure. It may be seen that the protective device 18 preferably 
surrounds, and therefore houses, the printing units 14 in such a way that, 
notwithstanding aspects of the protective device 18 to be disclosed 
further below, physical access to the printing units 14 is substantially 
impeded. Additionally, it should be understood that the protection device 
18 is not necessarily affixed to the printing units 14, and may in fact be 
supported from the floor 10 of the print shop. Preferably disposed upon 
the roof of the protective device 18 is the extractor device, or 
ventilation unit 20. 
FIG. 2 shows the printing assembly, in which the protective device 18 is 
provided with a set of components included in the present invention. The 
protective device 14 preferably comprises a structural frame with vertical 
supports 22. Preferably disposed upon the frame are a number of smaller 
structural elements 24, which structural elements may be in the form of 
swivellable panels. As an example, such a swivellable panel may be hinged 
upon the vertical supports 22 of the structural frame. In this way, 
complete operator access may be afforded to substantially every section of 
the arrangement of printing units 14. 
Means for holding the swivellable panels 22 in a closed position on the 
vertical supports 22 may include an arrangement of blades and catches (not 
shown). Furthermore, a mechanical opener 25, which is possibly 
electrically controlled by a control 25a, may be provided to facilitate 
the opening and closing of the panels 24. 
Preferably disposed throughout the structure of the protective device 4 are 
a number of viewing windows 26. The viewing windows 26 may be placed in 
such a manner that a clear view is afforded of each of the more important 
operational areas of the printing units 2. Additionally, a number of 
swivellable hatches 28 are preferably provided within the structure of the 
protective device 18 in order to allow localized access to any of the more 
important operational or maintenance areas of the printing units 14. 
Opening and closing of the hatches 28 is also preferably actuated by a 
mechanical opener 29, which opener may be electrically controlled by a 
control 29a. 
The swivellable panels 24, when disposed in a closed position, are 
preferably sealed to the support members 22 with gaskets 30. Such an 
arrangement of gaskets 30 is preferably provided in order to minimize 
leakage of solvent fumes from within the protective device 18. The 
ventilation unit 20 is therefore able to retrieve a larger quantity of the 
solvent fumes produced by the printing units 14 than would be possible if 
appreciable leakage transpired through the edges of the swivellable panels 
24. It should be noted that the ventilation unit 20 may comprise the air 
recirculation system 32, which system may have the dual capability of 
removing solvent fumes from within the protective device and returning to 
the protective device a quantity of cooler and drier air. The hatches 28, 
when disposed in a closed position, may also be sealed with gaskets 30. 
It should be apparent that the protective device 18, by virtue of its 
capsular structure, should be sufficient for reducing a considerable 
quantity of noise produced by the printing units 14 therewithin. Referring 
now to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protective 
device 18 may additionally comprise a quantity of sound-reducing, or 
soundproofing material 34 disposed thereupon. Such soundproofing material 
34 may comprise a plurality of sheets affixed to the inner surface of each 
swivellable panel 24. It should also be noted that, in a preferred 
embodiment of the present invention, the sides of the protective device 
are substantially disposed upon the floor 10 of the print shop. It should 
therefore be noted that a further reduction in the noise level produced by 
the printing units 14 may be afforded by a considerable conductance of 
sound through the solid material of the protective device 18 to the print 
shop floor 10 physically interfaced therebeneath. 
Finally, it should be noted that at least part of the structure of the 
protective device 18 is preferably provided with, and therefore protected 
by, electrical fuse circuitry 36. Alternatively, an arrangement of safety 
disconnection circuitry 38 may be provided to automatically shut down any 
or all of the printing units 14 upon the opening of one of the panels 24 
or hatches 28. 
Some examples of soundproofing material may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,876,034 to Antonini, entitled "Soundproof Panel"; U.S. Pat. No. 
4,832,147 to Dear, Ingard, and Scheinberg, entitled "Sound Reduction 
Membrane"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,049 to Perret, entitled "Sound 
Absorbing Wall Lining". 
Examples of ventilation units may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,010 to 
Smart, entitled "Industrial Exhaust Ventilation System" and U.S. Pat. No. 
4,846,852 to Schweitzer, Golde, and Mathews, entitled "Method and 
Apparatus for Separating and Recovering Volatile Solvents from Exhaust 
Air". Additionally, an example of a ventilation unit which comprises an 
air recirculation system may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,814, entitled 
"Recirculation Regeneration". 
Examples of electrical fuse circuits may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,893,106 to Goldstein, Howton and Jones, entitled "Electrical Fuses"; and 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,699 to Polgreen, entitled "Frequency Dependent Fuse 
for a Telephone Circuit or the Like". Additionally, an example of 
interlocking circuits may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,693 to Kaiser 
and Abendroth, entitled "Safe Access Arrangement for Driven Mechanisms in 
a Printing Press". 
Examples of devices for mechanically and/or electrically opening a panel or 
hatch may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,454 to Halstead, entitled 
"Mechanism for Controllably Opening and Closing Appliance Door or Panel"; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,461 to Michel Peugeot; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,726 to 
Adams, entitled "Control Apparatus for Pivotal-Sliding Roof Assembly". 
Examples of gaskets may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,203 to Naffrechoux 
and Delfosse, entitled "Oven Door Gasket"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,865 to 
Scherer, entitled "Easy Access Oven Control Panel and Panel Seal". 
An example of an access cover or hatch may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,854,233 to Despot and Krober, entitled "Protective Device on Rotary 
Printing Presses". 
An example of a safety device for a sheet-fed rotary press may be found in 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,380 to Seib and Emrich, entitled "Safety Device for a 
Sheet-fed Rotary Press". 
Finally, an example of an arrangement allowing for eased access to a 
printing machine may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,172, entitled 
"Machine Having a Plurality of Working Stations for Successively 
Processing a Sheet of Material Running through the Machine". 
In summary, one feature of the invention resides broadly in a protective 
device for offset rotary printing machines, in particular for printing 
units of sheet-fed rotary printing machines, with a sheet-like protective 
covering of the danger points, which is positioned so that it can be 
removed for adjustment and maintenance work and is protected by electrical 
fuse circuits, characterized by the fact that the protective device 18 
surrounds the printing units 14 in capsule form, and that the protective 
device 18 can be totally or partially opened in order to carry out 
adjustment or maintenance work. 
Another feature of the invention resides broadly in a protective device 
characterized by the fact that the walls of the protective device 18 are 
made of sound-reducing material. 
Yet another feature of the invention resides broadly in a protective device 
characterized by the fact that the protective device 18 is formed of a 
number of individual elements, which are mounted so that they can be moved 
or swivelled against one another. 
A further feature of the invention resides broadly in a protective device 
characterized by the fact that the individual elements are sealed by means 
of gaskets in the closed state. 
A yet further feature of the invention resides broadly in a protective 
device characterized by the fact that the capsule-form protective device 
18 is mounted so that it can be lifted off or swivelled. 
Yet another feature of the invention resides broadly in a protective device 
characterized by the fact that the capsule-form protective device 18 as a 
whole, and/or its individual elements, is protected by electrical fuse 
circuits. 
An additional feature of the invention resides broadly in a protective 
device characterized by the fact that the capsule-form protective device 
18 is provided with an extraction device 20. 
A yet additional feature of the invention resides broadly in a protective 
device characterized by the fact that the capsule-form protective device 
18 is provided with a recirculation system 32. 
A further additional feature of the invention resides broadly in a 
protective device characterized by the fact that the walls of the 
protective device 18 are provided with window-like, glazed openings. 
A yet further additional feature of the invention resides broadly in a 
protective device characterized by the fact that electrical or mechanical 
means of force act on the capsule-form protective device 18 and/or on the 
individual elements in order to open or close the elements. 
All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various 
embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the 
embodiments, if any, described herein. 
All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein, if 
any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their 
entirety herein. 
The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be 
considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims 
during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably 
distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art. 
The invention as described hereinabove in the context of the preferred 
embodiments is not to be taken as limited to all of the provided details 
thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without 
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.