Abstract:
A proofing tool including an anilox roll and an impression roll that are shiftable relative to each other between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The invention further includes a positive rotational linkage between the anilox roll and the impression roll whereby a pitch velocity of the anilox roll and a pitch velocity of the impression roll are substantially matched.

Description:
CLAIM TO PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/679,482 entitled “Hand Proofer Tool” filed May 10, 2005 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.  
       RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0002]     This application is also related to a concurrently filed utility application being filed the same day entitled “Hand Proofer Tool,” U.S. application Ser. No. 11/382,381. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to the field of flexographic printing and, more particularly, to portable flexographic ink proofing apparatus for providing proofs of ink samples.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In the field of flexographic printing ink samples are obtained by drawing ink over a substrate using a hand ink proofer, for example, of the type manufactured by Harper Companies International of Charlotte, N.C. Ink is applied to the substrate by manually rolling the hand proofer across the substrate. Manual ink proofer tools are utilized for proofing ink colors in order to accurately predict the results to be obtained by running a selected ink specimen in a printing press. A computer microscope is then used to view the ink smear on the substrate. The computer then indicates to the technician various color components to be added to the ink in order to achieve the desired ink coloration.  
         [0005]     In a flexographic printing operation, rubber plates are utilized for delivering the ink to the stock or paper to be printed. A flexographic ink technician is usually given an ink specimen which has been determined to be acceptable for use on a particular press, and a production run sample, to be used as the standard for color and density. One of the most difficult tasks facing a flexographic ink technician is proofing ink in a manner so that the color will duplicate the color of the production run sample from the flexographic printing press. It is well known among those skilled in the art that if three trained technicians pull an ink proof, using the same ink on the same hand proofer tool, three different color shades will result.  
         [0006]     The shade of a color on a flexographic printing press is dependent on the thickness of the ink film applied to the substrate or stock. The ink film thickness is determined by the speed of the press, the pressure applied between the printing plate and paper (i.e., impression), and the pressure between the rollers on the printing unit. Similarly, the shade of a color on a flexographic hand proofer tool is also dependent on the thickness of the ink film applied to the substrate which is determined by the speed at which the technician pulls the hand proofer tool across the substrate, and the impression pressure the technician applies to the hand proofer tool while moving it across the substrate. Thus, the speed and impression are totally dependent on the manual skill of the flexographic ink technician, while the only variable not controlled by the technician is the pressure between the ink roller and transfer roller of the manual proofer tool.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,001 describes an ink proofer designed to overcome the problems associated with conventional manual proofer tools by generating consistent and reliable ink draws using a hand-held proofer tool retained in a movable mounting assembly. A variable pressure system is coupled to the mounting assembly to move the proofer tool into a contact position with a cylindrical drum. The transfer roller of the proofer tool then transfers ink to a substrate inserted between the drum and the transfer roller of the proofer tool when a drive motor for the drum is engaged.  
         [0008]     In prior art proofing tools the anilox roll and the impression roll are engaged to one another only by friction. A doctor blade removes excess ink from the anilox roller by scraping the anilox roller as it turns, and supports welled up ink to maintain a continuing supply of ink to replenish the anilox roller after ink has been transferred to the impression roller. Thus, there is a certain degree of doctor blade pressure on the anilox roller that tends to resist turning of the anilox roller.  
         [0009]     In addition, nip pressure exists between the rollers. As the anilox roller and the impression roller meet the viscosity of the ink being transferred from the anilox roller to the impression roller tends to force the anilox roller and the impression roller apart. In conventional hand proofing tools, this force is countered by another force that arise because of the deflection of an adjustable spring in the handle of the tool.  
         [0010]     It is desirable that the nip pressure between the anilox roll and the impression roll not be too high. It is known that the sheer force generated by a too high nip pressure between the anilox roll and the impression roll will change the sheer qualities of the ink and thus alter the appearance of the image on the sample that is pulled. It is also desirable to maintain the nip pressure on the proofing tool at a level very similar to the nip pressure on the printing press in order to obtain a similar appearing result between ink tested on the proofing tool and ink that is in production printed materials produced by the press.  
         [0011]     In addition, the anilox roller and the impression roller are coupled only by friction. Printing ink may have significant viscosity. If nip pressure is maintained too low, the anilox roll will start skidding on the ink relative to the impression roller. In this circumstance, the impression roller will not be coated with ink properly and gaps will appear in the proof that is drawn. In a prior art proofing tool, doctor blade pressure and/or nip pressure can cause skidding between the anilox roll and the transfer roll.  
         [0012]     Another issue arises because of slippage between the anilox and the impression roller is that transfer of ink from the anilox roller to the impression roller may vary, thus, causing variation in the proof produced.  
         [0013]     Another issue arises with prior art hand proofing tools because it is desirable to separate the anilox roll from the impression roller when the proofer is not in use. If the anilox roll and the impression roll remain in contact with one another indentation of the impression roll or damage to the anilox roll will tend to occur thus causing an uneven transfer of ink and making the anilox roll impression roll assembly useless for providing a good proof. Prior art hand proofers generally include a release mechanism to release pressure between the anilox roll and the impression roll. However, this pressure release mechanism must be manually operated. If an operator forgets to operate the pressure release mechanism the rolls may be compromised.  
         [0014]     Yet another issue that arises with prior art proofers is that if the proofer is set down on a surface the impression roller will make contact with that surface. This causes transfer of ink from impression rolls of the surface creating a mess that must be cleaned up and, in addition, may cause foreign material to be picked up on the surface of the impression roller which may then be turned and rotated into the anilox roller thus damaging the anilox roller or the impression roller or both.  
         [0015]     Another shortcoming of many prior art hand proofers is that, when in use, the anilox and transfer roll are in a non-vertical orientation relative to one another. A printing press is arranged so that the anilox and impression roll are in a vertical position during use, thus, gravity affects the transfer of ink between the anilox and the transfer roll. In making a proofer that gives the most reliable possible proofs it would be desirable to duplicate the relationship between the anilox and the transfer roll that is seen in printing presses.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     The present invention solves many of the above-discussed problems. In one aspect, the invention is a proofing tool including an anilox roll, and an impression roll. The impression roll and the anilox roll are shiftable relative to each other between an engaged position where the impression roll is engaged with the anilox roll and a disengaged position where the impression roll is disengaged from the anilox roll. An anilox support member supports the anilox roll and an impression support member supports the impression roll such that the anilox roll and the impression roll are oriented substantially parallel and separated by a nip distance. The invention also includes a positive rotational linkage between the anilox roll and the impression roll so that the pitch velocity of the anilox roll and the pitch velocity of the impression roll are substantially matched.  
         [0017]     The invention includes a proofing tool, having an anilox roll and an impression roll. The impression roll and the anilox roll are shiftable relative to each other between an engaged position where the impression roll is engaged with the anilox roll and a disengaged position wherein the impression roll is disengaged from the anilox roll. The invention further includes an anilox support member supporting the anilox roll and an impression support member supporting the impression roll such that the anilox roll and the impression roll are oriented substantially parallel to one another and separated by a nip distance. The invention further includes a positive stop nip adjustment mechanism operably connected to the anilox roll and the impression roll which is adjustable so that when the anilox roll and the impression roll are in the engaged position the positive stop prevents the nip distance from being smaller than a set value.  
         [0018]     In another aspect, the invention includes a gear driven anilox proofing tool with a positive stop adjustment of nip distance. The present invention includes a proofing tool that has a positive rotating connection between the anilox roller and the impression or transfer roller so that no matter how light the nip pressure is the speed of the rollers remains matched. The positive rotating connection matches the pitch velocity of the anilox roll with the impression roll whether the anilox roll and the impression roll are of similar or varying diameters.  
         [0019]     In addition, the present invention allows the nip of the proofing tool to closely simulate the nip of the printing press so that the shear properties of the ink are not affected significantly differently in the proofing tool than in the printing press, which would lead to variations in color, density and shade between the proof and the printed result. A gear drive between the anilox roll and the transfer roll prevents slipping between the anilox roll and the transfer roll. The gear drive also allows wider variation in pressure ratios without slipping.  
         [0020]     The proofing tool of the present invention is also adapted for use with a proofing machine that has a drive roll. A typical proofing machine has a drive roll that is formed of rubber. Often, a drive roll is formed of 60 durometer rubber. The present invention creates positive or semi-positive drive between the drive roll of the proofing machine and the transfer roll of the hand proofer. For the purposes of this application, a positive drive will be considered a drive that has essentially no slippage between the impression roller and the drive roller in the case of an automated proofing arrangement and the impression roller and the surface that supports the substrate in the case of a hand proofing arrangement. In other words a positive drive in accordance with the present invention maintains the pitch velocities of the anilox roll and the impression roll to be substantially equal. An exemplary positive drive includes a gear tooth engagement between the impression roll and the drive roller or supporting surface. A semi-positive drive will be considered a drive that has limited slippage between the impression roller and the drive roller in the case of an automated proofing arrangement and the impression roller and the surface that supports the substrate in the case of a hand proofing arrangement. An exemplary semi-positive drive includes a high friction engagement between the impression roll and the drive roller or supporting surface. For example, a gear rolling on a resilient rubber surface creates a semi-positive drive. A positive or semi-positive drive allows lighter nip pressure on the substrate even with high contact pressure between the anilox roll and the impression roll.  
         [0021]     This is particularly helpful for film drawdowns. In addition, the positive or semi-positive drive between the drive roll and the transfer roll allows for higher doctor blade pressures. The positive or semi-positive drive between the drive roll and the transfer roll may be accomplished by the gears on either side of the transfer roll engaging with the drive roll instead of the drive roll engaging the paper which then in engages the transfer roll by friction.  
         [0022]     Another aspect of the present invention is that when the proofer of the present invention is not in use the pressure between the anilox roll and the impression roll is automatically released. Automatically relieving pressure between the anilox roll and the impression roll prevents damage to the anilox roll and the transfer roll during periods of non-use. In addition, since this release of pressure happens automatically it is not necessary for an operator to remember to release the pressure in order to prevent harm. Operator error is, thus, less likely to create problems.  
         [0023]     Another aspect of the present invention is that the nip is adjustable by positive displacement rather then by the application of variable spring pressure. In the present invention the nip is set by displacement adjustable by one or more micrometer thimbles built into the proofing tool. This allows for consistent, repeatable displacement between the anilox roll and the impression roll and better approximates the nip of the printing press, thus allowing more reliable consistent proofing of the resulting material.  
         [0024]     The hand proofer of the present invention may be operated manually or may be used with a proofing machine.  
         [0025]     In another aspect, the present invention lends itself to particularly easy cleaning for removing inks to allow for multiple proofing of multiple color inks without significant delay.  
         [0026]     Another benefit of the present invention is that it may be adapted to use readily available anilox rolls from multiple suppliers currently in the market.  
         [0027]     Another aspect of the present invention is that when it is used for proofing, the anilox and transfer rolls are oriented in a vertical position relative to one another. This vertical orientation of the anilox roll above the transfer roll simulates the orientation found in a printing press so that the effect of gravity on ink in the cell structure of the anilox roll is similar to that found in the printing press. This provides for more reliable consistent proofing that is more comparable to the results that will be seen in the printing press when the actual print run is made.  
         [0028]     The proofing tool of the present invention generally includes an anilox support, an impression support, an anilox roll, an impression roll and a positive roll drive. The anilox support and the impression support are substantially parallel in substantially similar yoke shaped structures adapted to support the anilox roll and the impression roll respectively. The anilox support and the impression support are connected to one another at an end distal from the anilox roll and the impression roll. The anilox support and the impression support can flex relative to one another in a limited, controlled fashion.  
         [0029]     The anilox roll and the impression roll are supported in close proximity to one another on independent axles so that they can roll relative to one another. In one aspect of the invention, the anilox roll and the impression roll are interconnected by an anilox gear and impression gear. The anilox gear and the impression gear mesh to provide a positive rotation of the anilox roll related to the impression roll so that slippage cannot occur and pitch velocity is maintained equal between the two.  
         [0030]     The anilox support and the impression support are separated by a short gap and one or two micrometer thimbles are interposed so that the micrometer thimbles can be adjusted to accurately alter the spacing between the impression support and the anilox support. The micrometer thimbles create a positive stop so that the distance between the anilox roll and the impression roll, when they are engaged, can be precisely and repeatably set. The positive stop sets a minimum distance that can be achieved between the anilox roll and the impression roll. Thus, the spacing between the anilox support and the impression support may be repeatedly and precisely set.  
         [0031]     In another aspect to the invention there may be an impression gear located at each end of the impression roll. Thus, when the proofing tool is used with a mechanical proofer the impression gears on each side of the impression roll engage with the drive roll to create a positive or semi-positive drive between the drive roll and the transfer roll.  
         [0032]     The anilox roll and the transfer roll of the present invention are oriented so that, in use, they are in vertical position with the anilox roll above the impression roll. This duplicates the arrangement in a printing press such that the effect of gravity on ink transfer between the anilox roll and the impression roll is similar to that in a printing press producing more reliable and consistent proofs. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0033]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a prior art hand proofing tool;  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a elevational view of the prior art hand proofing tool;  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a proofing tool in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of a proofing tool in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of another proofing tool in accordance with the present invention with some structures shown in phantom;  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the proofing tool of  FIG. 5  with some structures shown in phantom and some structures removed for clarity;  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view taken from  FIG. 6  with some structures shown in phantom;  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a sectional plan view of a proofing tool in accordance with the present invention with some structures shown in phantom;  
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of a proofing tool in accordance with the present invention including a leading edge doctor blade with some structures shown in phantom; and  
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view of a proofing tool in accordance with the present invention including a trailing edge doctor blade with some structures shown in phantom. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary prior art hand proofing tool  10  includes handle  12 , base frame  14  and sideframes  16  and  18 . Base frame  14  has a hole that accommodates pressure rod  20  along with a threading for attaching handle  12  to base frame  14 . Sideframes  16  and  18  extend outwardly from base frame  14 . Connected to sideframes  16  and  18  of base frame  14  is anilox roll-nesting subframe  22 . Subframe  22  has sides  24  and  26 , as well as a blade adjustment means holder  28 . Additionally, subframe sides  24  and  26  may be grooved and sideframes  16  and  18  may be likewise grooved in a complementary fashion so that they fit into one another. Indentation  30  receives pressure rod  20  and helps maintain proper alignment of the subframe  22  within sideframes  16  and  18 .  
         [0044]     Anilox roll  32  is located within nesting subframe  22  such that anilox roll pin  34  extends from anilox roll  32  at least partially into or through elongated orifices  36 , on each of sideframes  16  and  18 . Anilox roll  32  is pressed against transfer roll  34  and pressure rod  20  maintains the pressure against nesting subframe  22  so that it forces anilox roll  32  against transfer roll  34  at a predetermined pressure resulting from rotation of pressure rod adjustment means  38 , by rotating gripping dial  40 , for example, clockwise to tighten and counterclockwise to loosen. Pressure rod adjuster  38  is threaded and fits into pressure rod release means collar  42 . Collar  42  is held in a position so that as pressure rod adjustment means  38  is rotated it causes the subframe  22  and anilox roll  32  to move accordingly.  
         [0045]     Connected to subframe blade adjustment means holder  28  is blade adjustment means  44 , in this case, a rotatable dial which includes screw  46  which passes through holder  28 . At the end of screw  46  is blade holder  48  and doctor blade  50  set up as a follower-type doctor blade  50  so that ink may be located behind the doctor blade  50  and the doctor blade  50  will both act as a wiping blade and as a distributing fountain. By rotation of blade adjustment means  44 , for example clockwise to go upwardly away from subframe  22  and counterclockwise to go downwardly, doctor blade  50  may be adjusted against the surface of anilox roll  32  accordingly.  
         [0046]     In prior art hand proofing tool  10 , the anilox roll  32  has bearings  52  to facilitate ease of rolling. Bearings  52  are adapted to fit over the anilox roll pins  43  and are contained within a washer-type fitting which nests within the subframe  22 . Sideframes  16  and  18  each also include transfer roll pin holding insert  54  adapted to receive transfer roll pins  56 , as shown.  
         [0047]     Handle  12  and hollow member  58 , include pressure rod release means  60  which includes a cut-out as shown, pressure rod release means collar  42  and pressure rod release means lever  62 , as well as spring  64 . Spring  64  is located to push collar  42  and therefore pressure rod adjustment means  38  and pressure rod  20  against subframe  22 . When pressure rod release means lever  62  is located in first position  66 , pressure rod  20  is engaged with subframe  22  and, therefore, under pressure. The pressure rod release means lever  62  may be pushed clockwise then away from the subframe  22  and then counterclockwise (in other words, in a “U” shaped path), to move from first position  66  to second position  68 . In second position  68 , pressure rod  20  is totally disengaged from subframe  22  and subframe  22  may be easily removed or rotated for cleaning of anilox roll  32  without altering the setting and therefore the pressure relationship which will be re-achieved when pressure rod release means lever  62  is moved from second position  66  back to first position  68 .  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4  proofing tool  100  generally includes anilox support, impression support  104 , anilox roll  106 , impression roll  108  and positive roll drive  110 . Anilox support  102  and impression support  104  are similar but not identical structures. Proofing tool  100  includes a doctor blade that is not shown in  FIG. 3  for clarity. An exemplary doctor blade and pressure bar are depicted in  FIG. 4 ,  5 - 7  and  9 - 10 .  
         [0049]     Anilox support  102  generally includes yoke  112  and extended portion  114 . Yoke  112  supports anilox roll  106  between two arms  116 . Likewise, impression support  104  includes yoke  122  and extended portion  124 . Anilox roll  106  and impression roll  108  are supported between the arms of yoke  112  and yoke  122  respectively. Anilox support  102  and impression support  104  are connected only at distal end  125  of extended portions  120  and  124 . Otherwise, anilox support  102  and impression support  104  are oriented substantially parallel with a small gap between them. Impression support  104  is capable of some flexing movement from a disengaged position to an engaged position such that impression roll  108  is held slightly more separated from anilox roll  106  when no force is applied to impression roll  108  than when impression roll is in contact with a printing substrate.  
         [0050]     Positive roll drive  110  generally includes anilox gear  126  and impression gear  128 . As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , anilox gear  126  and impression gear  128  mesh together to synchronize the motion of anilox roll  106  and impression roll  108 . In one embodiment of the invention, there is a single set of anilox gear  126  and impression gear  128 . Another embodiment of the invention includes one anilox gear  126  and two impression gears  128 . If one anilox gears  126  and two impression gears  128  are present, one anilox gear  126  is located on one end of anilox roll  106  and two impression gears  128  are located on each end of impression roll  108  respectively.  
         [0051]     Proofing tool  100  also includes one or more micrometer thimbles  130 . Two micrometer thimbles  130  may be used to allow independent adjustment to ensure equal nip spacing across the width of anilox roll  106  and impression roll  108 . Micrometer thimbles  130  are positioned so that the measuring surfaces of spindles (not shown) contact impression support  104  to determine a minimum nip spacing between anilox roll  106  and impression roll  108 . Gear teeth  131  of impression gear  128  extend beyond impression roll  108 , in part, so that if the proofing tool  100  is set down on a flat surface there will be a standoff created and impression roll  108  will not touch the surface.  
         [0052]     Anilox gear  126  and impression gear  128  may be formed with fine pitch gear teeth to prevent gear chatter. In one aspect of the invention, the gear teeth mesh such that the gears are separated by slightly more than a true pitch diameter to allow for adjustment of nip without the need to change gears.  
         [0053]     Optionally, proofing tool  100  may include a separation device (not shown) which can be utilized to force anilox support  102  apart from impression support  104  a slight distance to ensure separation between anilox roll  106  and impression roll  108  when not in use.  
         [0054]     Proofing tool  100  may be formed substantially from aluminum alloy or from other materials known to the art.  
         [0055]     Referring to  FIGS. 5-8  proofing tool  100  includes pressure bar  134 , doctor blade holder  136  and doctor blade  138 . Pressure bar  134  is located at the end of yoke  122 . Doctor blade holder  136  is pivotably secured to the arms of yoke  122 . Doctor blade holder  136  secures doctor blade  138  by clamping or another technique known to the art. Doctor blade holder  136  has a relief cut into it, to allow positioning of the doctor blade  138  precisely parallel to anilox roll  136 . Adjusting screw  140  passes through pressure bar  134  to bear on doctor blade holder  136 . Adjusting screw  140  adjust the pressure of doctor blade  138  on anilox roll  106 . Doctor blade holder  136  is pivotably attached to arms  116  of yoke  118 .  
         [0056]     In one embodiment of the invention, doctor blade  138  meets anilox roller  106  at approximately a  30  degree pressure angle. If the diameter of the anilox roll  106  is changed it may be necessary to change doctor blade holder  136  or to relocate the pivotable mounting of doctor blade holder  136 . Alternately, the position of anilox roll  106  may be changed, for example by the use of a bushing having an eccentrically located hole therein.  
         [0057]     Still referring particularly to  FIG. 5 , ball ends  142  may be used to removably secure proofing tool  100  to an automated proofing machine (not shown.) If ball ends  142  are utilized, proofing tool  100  includes ball sockets  144  to receive ball ends  142  therein. Proofing tool  100  may also include one or more slide lockpins  146  located in an aperture in proofing tool  100  to secure proofing tool  100  to one or more ball ends  142  at ball sockets  144 .  
         [0058]     The orientation of the doctor blade  138  in the present invention is reversed from that in known conventional prior art proofing tools. Orientation reversal allows the introduction of a felt dam  147  adjacent to the doctor blade  138 . The application of a felt dam  147  allows for the maintenance of a larger volume of ink in the well adjacent the doctor blade  138  which is useful, particularly, in long draw downs.  
         [0059]     Referring to  FIGS. 5, 6  and  8 , note that extended portion  115  and extended portion  120  of anilox support  102  and impression support  104  may be milled to thin them. The level of milling can be altered to adjust the flexibility of anilox support  102  relative to impression support  104  allowing for adjustment of the relative flexion of anilox support  102  relative to impression support  104 .  
         [0060]     Anilox roll  106  and impression roll  108  may be supported in anilox support  102  by precision ball bearings, sleeve bearings or bushings. Anilox roll  106  or impression roll  108  may be supported at a one end by fixed bearing  148  and at a second end by moveable bearing  150 . One or both of anilox roll  106  or impression roll  108  may be supported at both ends by fixed bearing  148  or by moveable bearing  150 . Fixed bearing  148  and moveable bearing  150  may be, for example, Delrin bearings. Moveable bearing  150  may be adjustable so as to be loosened to remove impression roll  108  and tightened to secure impression roll  108  in place for use.  
         [0061]     In another embodiment of the invention, the drive roll of a proofing machine (not shown) may include a drive roll gear  152  such that impression gear  128  engages the drive roll gear  152  so that the drive roll gear drives impression gear  128  which in turn drives anilox gear  126  providing a positive drive engagement between a drive roll (not shown), impression roll  108  and anilox roll  106 .  
         [0062]     In another embodiment of the invention, proofing tool  100  may incorporate an auxiliary ink reservoir (not shown). Auxiliary ink reservoir may include a drip line and a valve to allow the institution of a steady drip supply to replenish a well of ink at doctor blade  138 .  
         [0063]     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , doctor blade  138  may include trailing edge doctor blade as depicted in  FIG. 10  or leading edge doctor blade as depicted in  FIG. 9 . Trailing edge doctor blade  154  tends to force ink into anilox roll  106  while leading edge doctor blade  156  tends to meter the amount of ink by shearing off excess ink from the anilox roll  106 . Another embodiment of proofing tool  100  may include both a trailing edge doctor blade  154  and a leading edge doctor blade  156  acting on a single anilox roll  106 . This embodiment may be especially advantageous when proofing tool  100  is used with highly viscous inks. Highly viscous inks may tend to overwhelm the force of a trailing edge doctor blade  154  toward the anilox roll  106  and “hydroplane” the trailing edge doctor blade.  
         [0064]     In operation, referring to  FIGS. 3 through 10 , proofing tool  100  is used to prepare ink proofs for flexographic printing processes. An operator sets a nip distance between anilox roll  106  and impression roll  108  by adjusting micrometer thimbles  130 . After micrometer thimbles  130  are adjusted to a desired nip distance ink is applied between doctor blade  138  and anilox roll  106 . If present, felt dam  147  is saturated with ink.  
         [0065]     If a proof is to be hand pulled, an operator grasps proofing tool  100  by extended portion  144  and extended portion  120  and orients proofing tool  100  so that anilox roll  106  is substantially vertically above impression roll  108 . Impression roll  108  is then brought into contact with a substrate and proofing tool  100  is drawn along the substrate. Ink is then transferred from anilox roll  106  to impression roll  108  with the amount of ink being transferred being controlled by doctor blade  138  and the qualities of anilox roll  106 . Ink from impression roll  108  is transferred to the substrate creating an ink proof.  
         [0066]     If proofing tool  100  is used with an ink proofing machine (not shown) proofing tool  100  is prepared for proofing in a process similar to that described above. Proofing tool  100  is then attached to proofing machine (not shown) by connecting ball sockets  144  to ball ends  142 .  
         [0067]     A substrate is inserted between impression roll  108  or proofing tool  100  and a drive roll (not shown) of ink proofing machine (not shown).  
         [0068]     If positive roll drive  110  is present, impression gear  128  may be engaged to a drive roll gear (not shown) so that as drive roll (not shown) rotates the drive roll gear it meshes with impression gear  128  and rotates impression roll  106 . Impression gear  128  engages with anilox gear  126  and rotates anilox roll  106 , thus preventing slippage between the drive roll (not shown), impression roll  108 , and anilox roll  106 .  
         [0069]     When proofing tool  100  is released from contact with the substrate, anilox roll  106  and impression roll  108  are separated by the resiliency of extended portion  120  and extended portion  124 .  
         [0070]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the essential attributes thereof, therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.