Abstract:
A printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder of a rotary printing press includes a dimensionally stable support plate, and a printing blanket fastened to the outside of the support plate. A leading end of the support plate and a trailing end of the support plate are fastened to the blanket cylinder by the provision of an angled or beveled, printing blanket free end. A filler is provided between the beveled end of the support plate and the inner edge of the leading and trailing ends of the printing blanket.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is the U.S. national phase, under 35 USC 371, of PCT/DE2003/003942, filed Nov. 27, 2003; published as WO 2004/054808 A1 on Jul. 1, 2004 and claiming priority to DE 102 58 975.5, filed Dec. 16, 2002; to DE 103 07 382.5, filed Feb. 21, 2003; to DE 103 07 383.3 filed Feb. 21, 2003; to DE 103 29 270.5, filed Jun. 30, 2003 and to DE 103 54 437.2 filed Nov. 21, 2003, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a printing blanket unit or assembly for a printing blanket cylinder, as well as methods for producing such a printing blanket. The assembly includes a support plate and a blanket. The support plate has beveled or angled ends. A filler is used at a juncture of the beveled ends and the blanket. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Printing blanket assemblies or units are fastened on a printing blanket cylinder of a printing press and are used in offset printing for transferring the print image from the forme cylinder to the web of material to be imprinted. To provide the required mechanical strength for the printing blanket unit, a support plate which is made, for example, of sheet steel or sheet aluminum, is employed. A printing blanket, which can be configured in the manner of a rubber blanket, for example, is fastened on the outside of the support plate. Folded or angled plate end legs, which are free of the printing blanket, are provided at the leading end and/or the trailing end of the support plate. These legs are used for fixing the printing blanket unit in place on the printing blanket cylinder. These legs can be inserted, for example, into a slit which is provided in the printing blanket cylinder and can be fixed in place in the slit to secure the blanket assembly to the blanket cylinder. 
   A problem in connection with known printing blanket units is that the printing blanket does not cover the support plate seamlessly. A gap frequently remains between the leading and the trailing ends of the printing blanket and the support plate. No printing ink can be transferred, in the area of the gap, to the web of material to be imprinted. Furthermore, the print image is of reduced quality at the edges of the printing blanket in the direction toward the gap. Therefore, several solutions are known in the prior art, by the use of which solutions the disadvantages caused by the provision of a gap between the ends of the printing blanket have attempted to be avoided. 
   A printing blanket unit is known from DE 195 47 917 A1. The two ends of the printing blanket overlap each other with a positive connection in order to reduce the gap that typically is located between the ends of the printing blanket. 
   A printing blanket unit is known from DE 195 21 645 A1. A slide is arranged between the two legs of the support plate. In this prior art arrangement, the outward pointing end of the slide is connected with a filler element. The gap between the ends of the printing blanket is closed by the filler element. 
   A printing blanket unit is known from DE 195 43 584 C1. In this device the printing blanket is put together from a plurality of layers. A top layer of the plurality of layers covers the front areas of the layers underneath it and in this way forms a protrusion, by the use of which protrusion the gap at the ends is reduced. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,298 discloses a printing blanket unit with a support plate, whose ends are folded. The printing blanket, which is arranged on the support plate, is sealed at the front. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,550 discloses a printing blanket unit with a printing blanket arranged on a support plate. A support element is arranged in the groove in the support plate, which support element supports the projecting end of the printing blanket. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,525,003 shows a device for producing a printing blanket unit. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,093 discloses a printing plate with a reinforced end and an associated device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is directed to the provision of a printing blanket unit for a printing blanket cylinder, as well as methods for producing such a printing blanket unit. 
   In accordance with the present invention, this object is attained by the provision of a printing blanket unit for use on a blanket cylinder of a rotary printing press. The printing blanket unit includes a dimensionally stable support plate and a resilient printing blanket supported by the support plate and fastened to its exterior. The support plate has at least one angled end leg that is used to attach the support plate to the blanket cylinder. This angled leg is not covered by the printing blanket. A filler material is arranged between the juncture of the start of the angled end of the support plate and the end of the printing blanket. 
   An advantage of the blanket printing unit or assembly, in accordance with the present invention, lies, in particular in that the inside edge of the leading and/or trailing end of the printing blanket protrudes at some distance past the fold line which defines the start of the underlying support plate of the associated leg. The gap between the ends of the printing blanket, when the printing blanket unit is placed on the blanket cylinder, is reduced by this protrusion. It is easily within the scope of the subject invention to select the length of the protrusion to be sufficient so that in the installed position, the two ends of the printing blanket come into contact with each other. Because of the provision of the fold in the support plate, the protruding ends of the printing blanket are not supported from below by the support plate. In the past, no pressure, between the printing blanket and the web of material to be imprinted, could be built up in the area of the printing blanket protruding ends without further assistance. To solve this problem it is proposed, in accordance with the present invention, to arrange a support element between the fold of the support plate and the inside of the printing blanket for the purpose of supporting the protrusion. As a result, any pressure forces are then transferred to the support plate via the support element, so that the printed image can be printed properly on the web of material to be imprinted by use of the area of the protruding ends of the printing blanket. It is basically without importance whether a support element for supporting the protrusion is provided at both ends of the printing blanket or only at one end of the printing blanket. 
   A multitude of fastening solutions are possible for use in fastening the support elements on the printing blanket unit. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support elements are fastened on the support plate in the area of the plate fold and/or on the inside of the printing blanket by a material-to-material contact, such as in particular by being glued on or by being applied by vulcanization. 
   The support elements can be produced in a particularly simple manner if they are made using the same material as is used for the printing blanket, such as, for example, of rubber, or of the same material as the support plate, such as, for example, of metal. It is then conceivable, in particular, to form the support elements as one piece together with the printing blanket or with the support plate. 
   When producing the support elements, it is moreover within the scope of the present invention for the support elements to be connected, by a material-to-material contact, with a sub-structure layer which may be arranged between the printing blanket and the support plate, which connection, in this way, continuously envelops the support plate, starting at the two folds. By the use of the sub-structure layer, it is possible to additionally affect the properties of the printing blanket unit, in particular with respect to hardness and true running. Rubber or a similar elastomeric material are particularly suitable as the material for use in producing the sub-structure layer. 
   Printing blanket units, which have a minimal gap, can be produced, in a relatively uncomplicated way, by using the production method in accordance with the present invention. A processing cylinder can be utilized for performing the present method, whose shape, and in particular whose diameter and whose fastening devices, for use in fastening the support plate, substantially correspond to the actual printing blanket cylinder with which the printing blanket unit or assembly will later be used in the printing press. The initially un-layered support plate is first fastened on this processing cylinder by utilization of the support plate&#39;s folded end legs and, in this way, takes up a position which corresponds to the subsequent position it will take, following the mounting on the printing blanket cylinder. 
   Subsequent to the fastening of the support plate on the processing cylinder, the gap which exists between the opposingly located folds or fold areas of the support plate, is filled with a support material, such as, for example, a curable rubber material. The two folds or fold areas of the support plate are effectively connected by material-to-material contact in this way. 
   Following this filling of the support plate gap area, the printing blanket is fastened on the support plate in such a way, such as, for example, by being glued on or by being applied by vulcanization, that one end of the printing blanket protrudes some distance past the fold area of the associated leg. In this way, the protrusion of the end of the printing blanket then rests on the support material and is supported from below by the support material. 
   To be able to ultimately take the printing blanket unit off the processing cylinder, the support material is cut to form two support elements. This cutting can be done either prior to, or after the fastening of the printing blanket on the support plate. This can take place, for example, in that the support material can be cut through by the use of a sharp cutting instrument. In this way, the two lateral faces of the oppositely located support elements, which are formed by the separating process, have a shape wherein, following the mounting of the printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder, the support elements, having the complementary shape, are located at a short distance opposite each other or come into contact with each other. 
   One preferred method variation is employed to be able not only to assure the optimal support of the protrusion at the end of the printing blanket, but also to minimize, or to eliminate, any gap between the two ends of the printing blanket. With this method, the customary printing blankets are used which blankets, prior to the application of the printing blanket to the support plate, have a flat shape, such as, for example, a rectangular shape. By applying the printing blanket to the support plate, a gap is formed between the two facing lateral faces situated at the oppositely located ends of the printing blanket when employing these flat printing blankets. This gap is filled with a suitable sealing material, such as, for example, a curable rubber material. In order to be able to remove the printing blanket unit from the processing cylinder, the sealing material, after it has been sufficiently cured, is then cut through. The lateral faces of the oppositely located support elements, which are formed by the cutting process, thus have a shape wherein, following the mounting of the printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder, the ends of the printing blanket, with this complementary shape, are located spaced at a short distance opposite each other, or may come into contact with each other. 
   In order to achieve the best possible true running of the blanket cylinder, it is particularly advantageous if the sealing material is shaped, such as, for example by being ground, prior to or after being cut in order to form a cylindrical circumferential surface. 
   The sealing material and the support material are preferably cut simultaneously in order to assure an optimal positive connection between the oppositely located ends of the printing blanket unit, when mounting the printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder. 
   Alternatively to the use of flat printing blankets, the use of hose-like or sleeve-like printing blankets is also within the scope of the present invention. Because of their hose-like or sleeve-like shape, with these printing blankets the connection of the ends is omitted, such as is required in connection with the previously discussed, preferred method variation for use in connection with flat printing blankets, for eliminating the gap between the ends of the printing blanket. For example, for fastening the hose-like or sleeve-like printing blankets, it is conceivable that, following the arrangement of the printing blanket on the underlying support plate, a suitable adhesive is pressed into the gap between the printing blanket and the support plate. Channels or recesses in the support plate can be provided for this. Alternatively, the use of adhesive materials, which can be cured by the use of temperature or by light radiation is also conceivable, so that the hose-like or sleeve-like printing blanket can initially be pulled onto the support plate and thereafter the adhesive, which is applied to the support plate, is cured by temperature or light radiation. As soon as the hose-like printing blanket has been fixed in place on the support plate, it can be cut by a suitable cutting process in order to be able to now remove the support plate from the processing cylinder. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in what follows. 
     Shown are in: 
       FIG. 1 , a first preferred embodiment of a printing blanket unit, in accordance with the present invention, in a first production phase, in 
       FIG. 2 , the printing blanket unit shown in  FIG. 1 , in a second production phase, in 
       FIG. 3 , the printing blanket unit shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  and in a third production phase, in 
       FIG. 4 , a second preferred embodiment of a printing blanket unit in accordance with the present invention, in 
       FIG. 5 , a third preferred embodiment of a printing blanket unit in a partial cross sectional view, in 
       FIGS. 6 and 7 , first and second embodiments of a production method for producing a printing blanket unit in accordance with the present invention, in 
       FIG. 8 , a preferred embodiment of the printing blanket unit made in accordance with the production method of  FIG. 7  and with thickened ends, in 
       FIGS. 9 to 11 , preferred embodiments of further production methods for a printing blanket unit, and in 
       FIG. 12 , a preferred embodiment of the printing blanket unit in accordance with  FIG. 3  with thickened ends. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A printing blanket unit in accordance with the present invention and as represented at  01 ,  17 , or  41  in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 12 , and whose thickness d 01 , as seen in  FIG. 4  is, for example, 1.6 mm, consists of a dimensionally stable support plate  02 ,  18  or  42 , respectively, of a thickness d 02 , as seen in  FIG. 4 , of approximately 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, and of a printing blanket  03 ,  19  or  43 , respectively, fastened on the support plate  02 ,  18 ,  42 . The support plate  02 ,  18  or  42  is made of metal, such as, for example, sheet steel or sheet aluminum. The printing blanket  03 ,  19  or  43  can be embodied, for example, in the manner of a rubber blanket  03 ,  19 ,  43  respectively, and in particular can be fabricated several layers of different materials. 
   The leading and trailing printing blanket unit securement legs  04  and  06 ,  21  and  22 , or  44  and  46  respectively, which are free of and are not overlaid by the printing blanket, are folded downward at the leading and at the trailing end of the support plate  02 ,  18 ,  42  by the use of a folding machine which is not shown, so that the now angled or folded legs  04 ,  06 ,  21 ,  22 ,  44 ,  46  can later be used for fastening the printing blanket unit on a printing blanket cylinder  05 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The folded leg  06 ,  21 ,  46 , which is situated at the plate leading end, together with a center element  07 ,  35 ,  47  of the support plate  02 ,  18 ,  42 , respectively, following it, forms an acute opening angle α 06 , in particular of 30 to 60 degrees, and preferably of 40 to 50 degrees. The folded leg  04 ,  22 ,  44  which is situated at the plate trailing end, together with the adjoining support plate  02 ,  18 ,  42 , has an opening angle α 04  of 45 to 150 degrees, and in particular of 80 to 100 degrees. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle size α 04  is from 120 to 150 degrees. The center element  07 ,  35 ,  47  of the support plate  02 ,  18 ,  42  respectively, which is completely covered by the printing blanket  03 ,  19 ,  43 , respectively and which is facing toward the outside, extends between the legs  04   06 ,  21 ,  22 , or  44  and  46 , respectively. Fold lines or fold zones  08  and  09 , or  27 ,  28 , or  48  and  49  are located at, and extend at the transition between the center element  07 ,  35 ,  47  on the one side and the legs  04 ,  22 ,  44 , or  06 ,  21 ,  46  on the other side. 
   In the printing blanket unit production phase, which is represented in  FIG. 1 , the support plate  06 , as well as the printing blanket  03 , are both configured as being approximately flat, so that the printing blanket  03  can be fastened on the support plate  02  free of tension and deformation. To this end, the printing blanket  03  can be glued and/or can be vulcanized to the support plate  02  using any suitable process. 
   The legs  04  and  06 , which are free of the printing blanket  03 , are folded downward in a folding machine, in a procedure which is not specifically depicted, and the result is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   The folds  08  and  09  or fold lines or fold zones are produced in the folding machine in such a way that the result is that each of the two ends  11  and  12  of the printing blanket  03  protrude some distance past their respective one of the folds  08  and  09 . A resultant space between the protruding ends  11  and  12  of the printing blanket  03  on the one hand, and the support plate  02  on the other, is filled with a suitable filler material  13 ,  14 , which filler material  13 ,  14  is also called a support element  13  and  14 . The filler material  13  and  14  can be provided, for example, by applying a curable rubber material, for example. 
   The filler material  13 ,  14  is preferably deformable and/or flowable while it is being applied. 
   A portion of the resultant printing blanket unit  01  is shown, in its installed position, in  FIG. 3 . It can be seen in  FIG. 3  that in the installed position, the two support plate legs  04  and  06  extend at complementary angles to, and parallel to each other, so that they can be fastened together in a slit in a printing cylinder, which is not specifically represented. Because of the protrusion of the ends  11  and  12  of the printing blanket  03 . A width of the resultant gap  16  between the ends  11  and  12  of the printing blanket  03  is minimized. It is possible, for example, to minimize the width of the gap  16  to a width of less than 0.5 mm. 
   The distance between the folds or fold lines or fold zones  08 ,  09  substantially corresponds to the distance a 01  of the opening in the cylinder surface and is less than 3 mm. In particular, the opening a 01  is less than 2.0 mm. 
   Because of the support of the protruding ends  11  and  12  of the printing blanket  03  by the filler material  13  and  14 , a suitable print transfer from the printing blanket  03  to a web of material to be imprinted is achieved in this area defined by the blanket protruding ends  11  and  12 . 
   As represented in  FIG. 4 , a distance a 02  between the oppositely located ends  11 ,  12  of the printing blanket  03  is 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm, and preferably is 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the distance a 02  is 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, and in particular is 0.5 mm. 
   The fold  08  of the trailing end leg  04  has a radius R of 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm, and in particular of 0.8 mm, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   The fold  09  of the leading end leg  06  has a radius R of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm, and in particular of 0.5 mm, also as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   A length L 13 , L 14  of each respective support element  13 ,  14  in the circumferential direction is 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm, and in particular is from 0.1 mm to 1.3 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a length L 13 , L 14  of each of the support elements  13 ,  14  is 0.7 mm. 
   As represented in  FIG. 4 , the filler material  13 ,  14  can be formed in different shapes. For example, the filler material  13  has an acute angle, while the filler material  14  is shaped generally right-angled. 
   The measurements described for  FIG. 4  can be substantially transferred to all of the embodiments of the present invention, which are represented in all of the drawing figures. 
   A third embodiment of a printing blanket unit, in accordance with the present invention, is represented in  FIG. 5 . This printing blanket unit also has a support plate  18  of sheet steel and a printing blanket  19  of rubber. To produce the printing blanket unit, first the support plate  18  is fastened, by utilization of its legs  21  and  22 , on a processing cylinder, whose shape corresponds to the shape of the printing blanket cylinder in the printing press on which the printing blanket unit is ultimately to be fastened. Following this placement, a sealing element  23  is inserted into the gap  26  between the legs  21  and  22  and is used for closing the gap  26  at the bottom of the gap  26 . Thereafter, a liquid elastomer material is applied to the outside of the support plate  18  in such a way that the support plate  18  is enclosed in a continuous sub-structure layer  24  of this liquid elastomer. In the area of the oppositely located legs  21  and  22  of the support plate, the sub-structure layer  24  fills the gap  26  which is the space between the oppositely located folds or fold lines or fold zones  27  and  28 . 
   Subsequently, a suitable printing blanket  19  is fastened on the sub-structure layer  24 , by being, for example, applied by vulcanization. The gap  26 , which continues between the ends  31  and  32  of the printing blanket  19 , is closed by filler material, here also called sealing material  29 , which, for example, may be a curable elastomeric material, and which is thereafter ground at the outside for producing a uniform cylindrical outer surface. 
   At the end of the process, the sealing material  29  and the sub-structure layer  24  are cut through along a cutting line  33 , as seen in  FIG. 5 , so that the printing blanket unit can be removed from the processing cylinder and can subsequently be mounted on a printing blanket cylinder. Separate support elements  34  and  36  are formed by the separation of the sub-structure layer  24 , which separate support elements  34  and  36  support the respective ends  31  and  32  of the printing blanket  19  from below. In the course of mounting the printing blanket unit on a printing blanket cylinder, the lateral faces of the support elements  34  and  36 , which lateral faces were formed by the cut along the cutting line  33 , can come into a positively connected contact with each other. 
     FIGS. 6 to 8  show preferred embodiments of a different production method for the production of a printing blanket unit similar in structure to the one depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
   As previously described, at least one end of the support plate  42  is folded. The support plate  42  is now placed on a base body  53  of a device  41  which device  41  is provided with at least one slide  54 ,  56 , which slide or slides  54 ,  56  will be described in what follows. At least one of the slides  54 ,  56  is movable with respect to the base body  53  and/or with respect to the other slide  56 ,  54 . The geometry of this base body  53  is matched to the geometry of the support plate  42 . Both slides  54 ,  56  of the device  41  are initially open. The support plate  42  is now adjusted to the required cylinder circumference or to the required folding measure by the use of an adjustment mechanism  57 . Both slides  54 ,  56  are closed. The filler material  51 ,  52  is subsequently poured or is pressed into the gap in a positively connected manner. Depending on the shape of the slides  54 ,  56 , a flat sub-structure, such as one which is flush with the support plate  42 , or a raised sub-structure is attained. The slides  54 ,  56  act as molds  54 ,  56  for the filler material  51 ,  52 . In this case, at least one of the filler materials  51 ,  52  protrudes in the radial direction past a virtual extension V 42  of the exterior of the support plate  42 . Now the filler material  51 ,  52  is pulled or is ground to be flush by the use of a further device  58 . Subsequently the printing blanket  43  is applied to the support plate  42  and to the filler material  51 ,  52 . This can be performed with the aid of a stop  59 , which can be placed against an end of the printing blanket  43 , as seen in  FIG. 8 . At the end of the production process, the slides  54 ,  56  are opened and the printing blanket unit is vulcanized. This vulcanization can be performed inside the device  41 , and can also be accomplished outside of the device  41 . 
     FIGS. 9 and 10  show a particularly preferred production method for making a further printing blanket unit. This embodiment makes it possible to close or to reinforce a groove of a cylinder. 
   In the method shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the filler material  51 ,  52  extends in a virtual extension V 43  of the exterior of the printing blanket  43  in the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the circumferential direction of the printing blanket  43 . In this case, the filler material  51 ,  52  can protrude, in the longitudinal direction, past one end  61 ,  62 , as well as past both ends  61 ,  62  of the printing blanket  43 . In the radial direction, the filler material  51 ,  52  can protrude at least partially past the virtual extension V 43  of the exterior of the printing blanket  43 , as may be seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
   This embodiment is accomplished by the following production method. As previously described, at least one end of the support plate  42  is folded. The printing blanket  43  is then applied to the support plate  42 . In this case, it is unimportant whether or not the printing blanket  43  has already been vulcanized. Subsequently, the slides  54 ,  56  are closed. Now, the filler material  51 ,  52 , for use in closing and reinforcing a groove, is pressed or is poured in. Depending on how the slide  54 ,  56  is configured, a corresponding shape of the filler material  51 ,  52  is attained. Thereafter, the filler material  51 ,  52  is shaped to the exact size. Depending on the needs, the vulcanization process can subsequently take place either inside of or outside of the device  41 . 
   The two above-described production methods thus differ in that, in the embodiments in accordance with  FIGS. 6 to 8 , the filler material  51 ,  52  is arranged between the support plate  42  and the printing blanket  43 , wherein the filler material  51 ,  52  is first arranged on the support plate  42  and then the printing blanket  43  is put in place. In the embodiment in accordance with  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the support plate  42  is connected with the printing blanket  43 , and the filler material  51 ,  52  is then introduced. An exterior surface of the filler material  51 ,  52 , which is arranged on the exterior in the radial direction, is not covered by the printing blanket  43 . 
   As represented in  FIGS. 8 ,  11  and  12 , the printing blanket unit  41  has at least one end  61  or  62  of a greater thickness than an area which is located between the two printing blanket ends  61  or  62 , so that the outer surface of the printing blanket unit, in the area of this end  61  or  62 , protrudes at least partially past the virtual extension V 43  of the exterior of the printing blanket  43 . In particular, this outer surface is embodied in a wedge shape. For thickening the end, the filler material  51 ,  52  is arranged at the ends of the printing blanket  43 . In  FIGS. 8 and 12 , an undercoating of the printing blanket at  43  can be seen, while in  FIG. 11 , a filling of the printing blanket  43  is represented. 
   The embodiment with thickened ends in  FIG. 8 , in the state where it is mounted on the cylinder, correspondingly also applies to  FIG. 11 . 
   In the state where the printing blanket unit is mounted on the printing blanket cylinder, this thickened end, or both thickened ends extend in a radial direction past a virtual extension of the adjoining rubber blanket. An effective radius of the mounted rubber blanket is thus greater in the area of the ends. The area located inbetween is very much larger, and in particular is at least ten times greater, than the area of the ends. The thickening preferably extends in the circumferential direction by less than 10 mm, and in particular it extends less than 5 mm. 
   Accordingly, in the state where the printing blanket unit is mounted on the printing blanket cylinder, a radius R 11  R 12 , as seen in  FIG. 12  of the cylinder, in relation to the exterior of the printing blanket  03 , or in relation to the outside of the filler material  13 ,  14 , is greater, at least in the area of an end of the printing blanket unit, than a radius R 03  of the cylinder, in relation to the exterior of the printing blanket, in the area between the two ends. 
   In accordance with all of the disclosed methods, the filler material  13 ,  14 ,  29 ,  51 ,  52  is introduced in a flowable, deformable state at least to one end of the two ends of the printing blanket unit. The filler material  13 ,  14 ,  29 ,  51 ,  52  is arranged, in the longitudinal direction, at least partially on a fold  08 ,  09 ,  27 ,  28 ,  48 ,  49  of the folded leg  04 ,  06 ,  21 ,  22 ,  44 ,  46  of the support plate  03 ,  18 ,  42  and protrudes, in the circumferential direction, past the fold  08 ,  09 ,  27 ,  28 ,  48 ,  49 . After its application, the outside of the filler material  13 ,  14 ,  29 ,  51 ,  52  can be shaped to an appropriate exact size. Preferably, the filler material  13 ,  14 ,  29 ,  51 ,  52  can be embodied as one piece. The materials of the printing blanket  03 ,  04  and of the filler material  13 ,  14 ,  29 ,  51 ,  52  can be identical or they can be different. 
   As represented in  FIG. 10 , in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length L 51 , L 52  of the filler material  51 ,  52  is more than 0.1 mm, and in particular is more than 0.4 mm. However, this length is less than 2 mm, and in particular is less than 5 mm. 
   For producing printing blanket units, with printing blanket units which initially lie stretched out, either preferably flat or slightly arched, the filler material  51 ,  52 , or the support elements  13 ,  14  or are is introduced at ends of the printing blanket unit facing away from each other, except for the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
   A device  41  consisting of several parts, can be employed to produce the printing blanket unit, wherein at least two elements of the device  41 , such as, for example, the slides  54 ,  56 , are movable in relation to each other. In connection with this, it is possible, for example for use in producing thickened ends of the printing blanket unit, that at least the surface of the printing blanket, which is resting against the filler material  51 ,  52  protrudes, in the direction of the exterior of the printing blanket unit, at least partially past the virtual extension V 43  of the exterior of the printing blanket  43 , or that at least the surface of the printing blanket resting against the filler material  51 ,  52  protrudes in the direction of the exterior of the printing blanket unit at least partially past the virtual extension V 42  of the exterior of the support plate  42  with the printing blanket  43  not yet applied to the support plate  42 . The spacing between the two elements, for example between the two slides  54 ,  56 , should be adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the printing blanket unit. At least one surface of one of the two elements, such as the slides  54 ,  56 , rests against the filler material  51 ,  52 , and at least one surface can rest against a folded leg  44 ,  46  of the support plate  42 . At least the surface resting against the filler material  51 ,  52  can protrude, in the direction of the exterior of the printing blanket unit, at least partially past the virtual extension V 43  of the exterior of the printing blanket  43 . Alternatively, at least the surface of the printing blanket resting against the filler material  51 ,  52  can protrude in the direction of the exterior of the printing blanket unit at least partially past the virtual extension V 42  of the exterior of the support plate  42  with the printing blanket  43  not yet applied to the support plate  42 . At least one other device  58 , such as, for example, a tool  58  for processing at least the outside of the filler material  51 ,  52 , can be arranged on the device  41 . 
   At least one support  53 , such as, for example, the base body  53 , should be arranged in the device  41  for use in receiving the support plate  42 . The inside of the support plate  42  rests on this support  53 . 
   The support  53  can consist of several elements. At least one element of the support  53  works together with a leading leg  46  of the support plate  42 . Another element of the support  53  works with the trailing leg  44  of the support plate  42 . 
   Preferably one element of the support  53  can change its position with respect to the other element of the support  53 . 
   The device  41  can also have elements for folding the ends of the support plate  42 . It can thus be embodied as a folding machine. 
   Embodiments wherein the support plate has only one folded leg are not specifically represented. In these cases, the filler material can be arranged on the fold of the one folded leg and on the other, non-folded end of the support plate. 
   The second end of the printing blanket unit is then not arranged in any groove. Instead it is positioned only on the exterior of the barrel of the printing blanket cylinder. 
   It applies to all of the above-described printing blanket units and methods, that the support or filler material  13 ,  14 ,  34 ,  36 ,  51 ,  52  is arranged, or can be arranged on the printing blanket unit, prior to the mounting of the printing blanket unit on the printing blanket cylinder. 
   The support or filler material  13 ,  14 ,  34 ,  36 ,  51 ,  52 , can also be used, for example, for supporting a counter-cylinder in the radial direction, because the printing blanket cylinder is in contact with a counter-cylinder, such as, for example, a forme cylinder or a plate cylinder. The forme cylinder has at least one groove, in which at least one associated printing plate is fastened. In this case, the filler material  13 ,  14 ,  34 ,  36 ,  51 ,  52  works together with a printing plate of the counter-cylinder in that they mutually support each other. 
   While preferred embodiments of a printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder and methods for producing a printing blanket, in accordance with the present invention have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes in, for example, the specific sizes of the printing blanket units, the specific structures used to retain them on the surface of a blanket or other cylinder, and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the following claims.